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Full text of "History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement .."

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wo 

(V/INNEBA&O     OO."^ 


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HISTORY 

OF 

WINNEBAGO  COUNTY 

AND 

HANCOCK  COUNTY 

IOWA 


A  RECORD  OF  SETTLEMENT,  ORGANIZATION 
PROGRESS  AND   ACHIEVEMENT 


^   u-  ^ 


J 


ILLUSTRATED 


VOLUME  II 


CHICAGO 
THE  PIONEER  PUBLISHING  COMPANY 

1917 


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Ti:K  .VE'.V  TORS 

PUBLIC  Li:r.A::Y 
9926iB 


R  1. 


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EGBERT  CLARK 


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BIOGRAPHICAL 


EOBEET  CLABK: 


No  history  of  Winnebago  county  would  be  complete  without  extended  reference 
to  Bobert  Clark,  whose  name  is  inseparably  interwoven  with  the  story  of  develop- 
ment, progress  and  improvement  here.  It  was  he  who  perfected  the  organization 
of  the  county,  serving  as  the  first  county  judge.  He  laid  out  the  town  of  Forest 
Ciiy,  became  its  first  postmaster  and  was  connected  with  every  phase  of  its 
growth  and  improvement  from  that  time  until  his  demise.  The  present  generation 
is  reaping  the  benefits  of  his  labors  and  for  future  development  he  laid  a  foundation 
that  is  broad,  deep  and  substantial. 

New  York  claimed  Judge  Clark  as  a  native  son.  He  was  born  in  Johnstown, 
Fulton  couniy,  June  5,  1826,  a  son  of  Duncan  and  Anna  (Walker)  Clark.  When 
a  young  man  of  about  twenty  years  he  started  for  the  west,  making  his  way  to 
Chicago,  where  he  purchased  forty  lots  of  land  now  included  within  the  central 
business  section  of  that  city.  Some  time  af teirward  he  disposed  of  his  property 
there  and  became  a  resident  of  Bockford,  Illinois,  where  he  resided  until  about 
1853,  at  which  time  he  came  to  Mason  City,  Iowa,  remaining  there  until  1855.  It 
was  in  that  year  that  Winnebago  county  received  him  into  its  citizenship.  This 
was  then  a  wild,  western  frontier  region  and  much  of  the  land  was  still  in  the 
possession  of  the  government.  He  entered  a  large  tract,  began  its  development 
and  was  ever  afterward  closely  associated  with  the  growth  and  improvement  of  the 
couniy  and  with  many  of  the  prominent  events  which  have  molded  its  history.  It 
was  in  October,  1857,  that  Robert  Clark  was  chosen  the  first  county  judge  of 
Winnebago  county  and  in  that  capacity  entered  upon  the  duty  of  perfecting  the 
organization  of  the  county,  dividing  it  into  townships  and  developing  the  system 
of  government.  His  native  powers  and  sound  judgment  were  brought  to  play  in 
the  performance  of  this  task,  which  h€  accomplished  in  splendid  manner.  He 
seemed  to  understand  not  only  the  needs  of  the  moment  but  to  look  beyond  the 
exigencies  of  the  present  to  the  possibilities  and  opportunities  of  the  future  and 
his  work  was  done  with  the  idea  of  the  continued  development  and  improvement 
of  the  county.  After  laying  out  the  town  of  Forest  City  he  became  the  first  post- 
master there  and  also  established  the  pioneer  store  of  the  town.  He  built  the 
first  residence  in  Forest  City  in  1856  and  in  1858  the  little  hamlet  was  made  the 
county  seat.  In  1861  he  retired  from  the  oflBce  of  postmaster  after  four  yeard* 
service,  and  in  1866  he  was  elected  treasurer  of  Winnebago  county,  to  which 
office  he  was  re-elected  until  his  incumbency  covered  ten  years,  being  ended  by 
death  on  the  12th  of  August,  1876,  as  the  result  of  a  stroke  of  apoplexy.  In  the 
meantime  he  had  also  conducted  business  as  a  real  estate  and  collection  agent  and 


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6      WINNEBAGO  AND  HANCOCK  COUNTIES 

his  work  in  that  connection  proved  the  initial  step  toward  the  establishment  of 
the  Winnebago  County  State  Bank,  which  has  long  been  regarded  as  one  of  the 
most  reliable  financial  institutions  of  this  section  of  Iowa. 

Mr.  Clark  was  married  November  22,  1856,  to  Miss  Rebecca  Ann  Brentner, 
a  daughter  of  Oeorge  and  Julia  (Printz)  Brentner,  who  were  natives  of  Germany 
and  of  Virginia,  respectively.  The  birth  of  Mrs.  Clark  occurred  in  Sockford, 
Illinois,  May  7,  1836,  and  in  Mason  City,  Iowa,  she  was  married.  She  still  sur- 
vives her  husband  and  has  reached  the  eighty-first  milestone  on  life's  journey. 
Four  children  were  bom  to  them:  Julia  Ann;  Brentner  M.;  Duncan  B.,  a  resi- 
dent of  Scobey,  Montana;  and  Cora  J.,  who  passed  away  about  twelve  years 
ago,  when  forty  years  of  age.  The  daughter  Julia  was  one  of  the  first  white  chil- 
dren bom  in  Winnebago  county,  her  natal  day  being  September  19,  1857,  and  she 
is  now  the  wife  of  John  F.  Thompson,  president  of  the  Winnebago  County  State 
Bank. 

Upon  attaining  his  majority  Mr.  Clark  became  a  supporter  of  the  whig  party, 
and  following  its  dissolution  joined  the  ranks  of  the  new  republican  party,  of 
which  he  was  ever  afterward  an  earnest  supporter.  An  exemplary  Mason,  he  was 
the  organizer  of  Truth  Lodge,  No.  213,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  continued  as  its  master 
until  he  departed  this  life.  Of  him  a  contemporary  writer  has  said:  '^is  life 
was  in  harmony  with  the  beneficent  teachings  of  the  craft,  which  recognizes  the 
brotherhood  of  mankind  and  the  obligation  of  the  individual  to  his  fellows.  His 
was  an  honorable,  upright  career,  one  of  great  service  to  the  community  in  which 
he  lived,  and  his  memory  should  be  cherished  and  revered  as  long  as  Winnebago 
county  has  existence.*' 


L.  S.  ANDERSON. 


For  six  decades  L.  S.  Anderson,  of  Lake  Mills,  has  been  a  resident  of  Winnebago 
county,  having  come  here  many  years  before  the  city  of  Lake  Mills  was  laid  out. 
He  has  a  good  trade  as  a  coal  dealer  and  his  business  interests  are  capably  managed. 
A  native  of  Indiana,  he  was  born  in  Zanas,  July  3,  1842,  and  is  a  son  of  John  S. 
and  Mary  (Green)  Anderson,  also  natives  of  the  Hoosier  state.  The  father 
engaged  in  cabinetmaking  until  his  removal  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  at  which 
time  he  homesteaded  one  hundred  and  si^ty  acres  of  land,  including  what  became 
the  town  site  of  Lake  Mills.  Subsequently  he  purchased  an  eighty  acre  tract 
adjoining  his  original  farm.  He  followed  agricultural  pursuits  here  until  1865, 
when  he  removed  to  Iowa  Falls,  where  he  engaged  in  4;he  draying  business  for  a 
few  years.  Still  later  he  farmed  successively  in  Kansas,  Missouri  and  Oklahoma, 
and  eventually  settled  in  Oregon  just  north  of  the  California  line.  The  last  years 
of  his  life  were  spent  at  the  home  of  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Lovisa  Blair.  He  is  buried 
in  Lakeview,  Oregon.  The  mother  of  our  subject  died  in  Indiana  when  he  was 
but  a  child  and  the  father  was  married  a  second  and  a  third  time.  Of  his  nine 
children  but  three  survive.  Lovisa,  now  Mrs.  Thomas  0.  Blair,  of  Eeno,  Nevada; 
Belle,  who  married  William  Frazier  and  resides  near  Eeno;  and  L.  S. 

The  last  named  attended  the  common  schools  of  Indiana  until  he  was  fourteen 
years  old  and  in  1856  came  with  the  family  to  Winnebago  county.     He  worked  for 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  7 

his  father  on  the  home  farm  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age^  when  he  pur- 
chased one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  Center  township.  After  farming  this 
place  for  eight  years  he  carried  mail  to  Northwood  for  twelve  years  and  subse- 
quently was  for  five  years  a  grocer  in  Lake  Mills  and  for  two  years  engaged  in  the 
livery  business.  During  the  last  quarter  of  a  century,  however,  he  has  been  in 
the  coal  business  and  as  the  result  of  his  energy  and  his  careful  attention  to  all  the 
details  of  his  business  he  has  accumulated  a  competence. 

In  1867  Mr.  Anderson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Olive  A.  Hinman,  a 
daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ezra  Hinman,  natives  of  Vermont  and  early  settlers  of 
Liake  Mills.  Both  are  now  deceased.  Mrs.  Anderson  passed  away  July  22,  1902, 
and  is  buried  in  the  Lake  Mills  cemetery.  She  was  the  mother  of  seven  cl^dren, 
as  follows:  James  A.,  who  is  married  and  resides  in  Alberta,  Canada;  Mabel,  the 
widow  of  Joseph  Keeler  and  a  resident  of  Lake  Mills;  Frank  S.,  who  is  married 
and  lives  at  Vemdale,  Minnesota;  June,  now  Mrs.  E.  W.  Lloyd,  of  Vemdale;  John 
Milton,  a  dentist  practicing  in  Minneapolis;  Florence,  also  a  resident  of  Minne- 
apolis; and  Harry,  who  died  when  three  years  old. 

Mr.  Anderson  believes  in  the  basic  principles  of  the  republican  party  but  is  also 
convinced  that  the  qualifications  of  a  candidate  are  likewise  of  great  importance  and 
often,  especially  at  local  elections,  votes  independently.  He  has  held  every  town 
ofiSce  save  those  of  mayor  and  justice  of  the  peace.  He  served  as  councilman  and 
as  a  member  of  the  school  board  and  for  several  years  was  election  judge.  The 
fact  that  he  has  been  so  often  chosen  by  his  fellow  citizens  for  positions  of  trust 
indicates  the  entire  confidence  which  is  justly  reposed  in  his  integrity  and  capa- 
bility. Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Masonic  blue  lodge  and  Boyal  Arch  chapter. 
His  is  the  distinction  of  being  the  oldest  living  settler  in  the  north  part  of  the 
county,  as  he  arrived  here  July  13,  1856,  sixty-one  years  ago.  He  remembers  well 
the  pioneer  conditions  which  prevailed  at  that  time — conditions  in  marked  contrast 
to  those  of  the  present — and  he  takes  great  satisfaction  in  the  knowledge  that  as 
farmer  and  business  man  he  has  had  a  part  in  the  development  of  the  county. 
Although  he  is  now  almost  seventy-five  years  of  age  he  is  still  vigorous  in  mind  and 
body  and  is  still  doing  well  his  share  of  the  world's  work. 


EDWARD  E.  ASHER. 


Edward  £.  Asher  is  prominently  identified  with  agricultural  and  kindred 
interests  in  Winnebago  county,  being  president  of  the  Farmers  Elevator  at  Forest 
City  and  the  owner  of  a  valuable  farm  property  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  on 
section  27,  Forest  township,  which  pays  to  him  a  substantial  annual  tribute  in  rich 
harvests  as  a  reward  for  the  care  and  labor  which  he  bestows  upon  the  fields.  He 
was  born  in  Tazewell  county,  Illinois,  November  17,  1867,  a  son  of  William  M., 
and  Matilda  (Atkison)  Asher,  who  were  also  natives  of  the  Prairie  state,  where 
they  spent  their  entire  lives.  They  had  a  family  of  seven  children,  of  whom  but 
two  are  now  living. 

Edward  E.  Asher  was  reared  under  the  parental  roof  and  to  the  public  school 
system  of  Illinois  is  indebted  for  the  educational  privileges  which  he  enjoyed 
through  the  period  of  his  boyhood.     He  early  became  acquainted  with  all  kinds  of 


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8      WINNEBAGO  AND  HANCOCK  COUNTIES 

farm  work  and  he  has  continued  in  active  connection  with  general  agricultural 
pursuits  throughout  his  entire  life.  Bemoving  to  Humboldt  county,  Iowa,  he  there 
resided  until  1913,  when  he  became  a  resident  of  Winnebago  county  and  purchased 
the  farm  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  on  section  27,  Forest  township,  on  which 
he  now  resides.  This  is  splendidly  improved  land  which  he  has  brought  to  a 
high  state  of  cultivation,  his  practical  and  progressive  farm  methods  resulting 
in  the  harvesting  of  large  crops  annually.  He  also  handles  live  stock  of  all  kinds 
and  this  branch  of  his  business  is  likewise  proving  a  very  gratifying  source  of 
profit.  Moreover,  he  is  the  president  of  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  of  Forest 
City  and  in  addition  to  his  home  place  he  owns  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of 
land  \n  Humboldt  county,  Iowa,  and  is  part  owner  of  a  farm  in  Missouri. 

On  September  21,  1891,  Mr.  Asher  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Emma  M. 
Beahler,  who  was  bom  in  Illinois,  a  daughter  of  George  and  Delilah  (Burton) 
Beahler,  who  were  natives  of  (Germany  and  of  Illinois  respectively.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Asher  have  become  the  parents  of  five  children:  George  and  Lilla  both  deceased; 
Homer  £.;  Bay  B.;  and  Mervyn.  Homer  spent  two  years  in  college  and  Bay  is 
now  in  high  school.  The  parents  do  everything  possible  to  stimulate  an  interest 
in  education  in  their  children,  recognizing  its  value  as  a  preparation  for  life's  prac- 
tical and  responsible  duties.  They  are  also  rearing  and  educating  a  little  girl,  now 
eight  years  old.  They  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  Mr. 
Asher  is  one  of  the  church  stewards.  His  life  has  been  guided  by  high  and  hon- 
orable principles  and  measures  up  to  lofty  standards  of  manhood  and  citizenship. 


J.  B.  BAGGS. 


J.  B.  Baggs  has  for  some  years  been  prominently  identified  with  educational 
afEairs  and  is  now  efficiently  serving  as  county  superintendent  of  schools  in  Hancock 
county,  his  home  being  in  G^umer.  He  was  bom  on  the  22d  of  June,  1872,  in 
England,  of  which  country  his  parents,  Nathaniel  and  Amelia  (Pigeon)  Baggs, 
were  also  natives,  but  he  was  only  about  a  year  old  when  the  family  came  to 
America  and  located  in  Denison,  Iowa. 

At  the  usual  age  Professor  Baggs  began  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
this  state  and  later  attended  Des  Moines  College  and  the  Sac  City  Institute,  grad- 
uating from  both.  He  also  continued  his  studies  in  the  Iowa  State  Teachers 
College  and  thus  became  well  prepared  for  his  chosen  profession.  He  first  engaged 
in  teaching  in  the  country  schools  of  Crawford  county  and  subsequentiy  was 
connected  with  the  Denison  Normal  School  as  an  instructor.  Professor  Baggs 
also  taught  in  the  Sac  City  Institute  and  was  superintendent  of  the  Dow  City 
public  schools  and  also  of  the  public  schools  of  Corwith  from  1903  to  1906.  In 
the  latter  year  he  accepted  the  superintendency  of  the  public  schools  of  Gamer, 
with  which  he  was  connected  for  four  years,  and  in  January,  1911,  became  county 
superintendent  of  the  schools  of  Hancock  county.  He  was  reelected  in  1916  and 
is  now  filling  that  responsible  position  in  a  most  creditable  and  acceptable  manner. 

Professor  Baggs  was  married  in  1900  to  Miss  Ida  Craft,  of  Denison,  Iowa, 
and  they  have  become  the  parents  of  four  children,  namely:  Verona,  John,  Bobert 
and  William.    Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baggs  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 


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J.  R.  BAGGS 


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WINNEBAGO  AND  HANCOCK  COUNTIES      11 

church  and  he  is  also  identified  with  the  Masonic  fraternity.  He  served  in  the 
Spanish-American  war  as  a  member  of  Battery  A,  Utah  Artillery,  and  was  in 
the  Philippine  islands  for  fourteen  months.  By  his  ballot  he  supports  the  men 
and  measures  of  the  republican  party  and  he  takes  an  active  interest  in  public 
affairs,  doing  all  in  his  power  to  promote  the  moral  and  educational  welfare  of 
the  community. 


JASPER  THOMPSON. 


Jasper  Thompson,  of  Forest  City,  banker,  merchant, « railroad  builder  and 
landowner,  is  now  practically  living  retired  but  gives  his  supervision  to  his  invest- 
ments and  business  interests.  The  story  of  his  life  is  a  most  interesting  one,  as  it  is 
the  story  of  persistent  endeavor  under  circumstances  which  ofttimes  would  have 
utterly  discouraged  and  disheartened  a  man  of  less  resolute  spirit.  There  is  no 
phase  of  pioneer  life  in  Iowa  with  which  he  is  not  familiar.  He  came  to  the  state 
sixty  years  ago  with  his  father,  mother  and  the  other  members  of  the  family.  They 
traveled  westward  from  Ohio  with  an  ox  team  and  were  fifty  days  en  route. 
Upon  Jasper  Thompson  devolved  the  support  of  his  parents  and  in  large  measure 
of  the  family.  like  many  other  pioneers,  had  they  known  the  kind  of  country 
into  which  they  were  coming,  they  would  never  have  undertaken  the  trip,  but 
once  here,  the  native  adaptability,  laudable  ambition  and  progressiveness  of  Jasper 
Thompson  were  asserted  in  the  struggle  to  subdue  the  western  wilderness,  and  as 
the  years  went  on  he  wrested  fortune  from  the  hand  of  fate,  becoming  one  of  the 
most  successful  and  the  most  prominent  citizens  of  hig  section  of  the  state. 

Mr.  Thompson  was  bom  at  Norton,  Delaware  county,  Ohio,  February  10, 
1837,  and  is  descended  from  the  Spaulding  and  Chase  families,  prominent  in 
Vermont  and  actively  connected  with  New  England  history.  His  maternal  grand- 
father, Abel  Spaulding,  joined  the  American  troops  under  Captain  Charles  Nelson, 
in  Colonel  Benjamin  Wright^s  regiment,  in  September,  1781,  and  remained  a 
valiant  soldier  of  his  community  throughout  the  Revolutionary  war.  He  was 
afterward  a  pensioner  of  the  government  owing  to  his  service  with  the  colonial 
troops,  and  he  died  January  16,  1845,  at  the  age  of  eighty-one  years.  His  wife, 
Hannah  Chase,  was  an  aunt  of  Salmon  Portland  Chase,  one  of  America's  dis- 
tinguished statesmen,  who  rose  to  the  high  position  of  secretary  of  the  treasury 
under  President  Lincoln. 

Jasper  Thompson  attended  the  country  schools  for  a  short  time.  He  owes 
much  to  the  educational  training  of  his  mother,  a  lady  of  culture  and  the  old 
time  puritan  philosophy  who  did  everything  in  their  power  to  stimulate  his  desire 
for  learning.  In  the  school  of  experience,  too,  the  has  mastered  many  valuable 
lessons,  so  that  he  now  gives  out  of  the  rich  store  of  his  wisdom  for  the  benefit 
of  others.  On  the  1st  of  November,  1857,  he  arrived  in  Iowa.  As  previously 
stated,  the  family  started  from  Ohio,  having  with  them  forty  dollars  in  Ohio 
scrip,  and  when  their  money  was  exchanged  they  got  little  out  of  it.  The  entire 
sum  was  gone  long  before  they  had  reached  the  Mississippi  river.  Meeting  a  man 
who,  accompanied  by  his  two  children,  was  driving  oxen  and  horses  to  Iowa,  Mr. 
Thompson  made  a  bargain  to  drive  the  oxen  and  take  the  younger  child  with 
them,  meeting  the  father  near  Bldora.    For  this  service  the  man  paid  him  in 


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12  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

advance.  Mr.  Thompson's  father  and  mother  and  their  other  children  left  him 
at  Davenport  and  went  on  to  Clayton  county,  Iowa,  to  join  an  older  brother.  He 
found  himself  alone  and  with  no  finances.  Returning  to  Eldora,  he  obtained  a 
three  days'  job  at  plastering  on  the  little  wooden  courthouse  of  Hardin  county,  for 
which  he  received  three  dollars  per  day.  It  was  necessary  that  he  'secure  further 
employment  inmiediately  and  he  started  out  in  the  country.  At  the  first  house, 
which  was  three  miles  out,  he  found  work  and  made  himself  generally  useful. 
While  there  he  was  asked  if  he  could  teach  school  and  he  promptly  replied  that 
he  could  without  divulging  the  fact  that  he  could  barely  read  and  write.  From 
Mr.  Edgerton,  who  became  a  colonel  in  the  Civil  war.  Re  secured  a  sort  of  certificate 
to  teach,  which  stated  only,  "If  you  are  satisfied,  I  am."  However,  Mr.  Thompson 
did  not  show  his  certificate.  He  received  an  appointment  and  proved  a  successful 
teacher.  He  arranged  to  teach  for  three  months  at  twenty  dollars  per  month  and 
board  and  gave  such  satisfaction  that  the  directors  insisted  that  he  should  remain 
another  month  at  thirty  dollars  and  board.  This  was  undoubtedly  the  turning 
point  in  his  career.  He  had  come  to  know  himself  and  his  power  to  overcome  all 
obstacles  to  success.  Ilis  indomitable  spirit,  his  self-confidence  and  his  willingness 
to  work  have  rendered  him  a  natural  leader  and  have  transformed  him  from  a  boy 
without  education  or  money,  and  even  without  sufficient  clothing  to  keep  him 
warm,  to  a  man  of  great  influence  who  is  a  recognized  leader  of  thought  and 
action.  Twenty-five  years  later  he  entered  Eldora  under  very  different  circum- 
stances. The  people  held  a  series  of  meetings  in  different  towns  to  discuss  the 
building  of  a  railroad  and  Mr.  Thompson  was  always  made  speaker.  When  the 
Eldora  meeting  was  held,  the  chairman  was  Colonel  Edgerton,  who  a  quarter  of  a 
century  before,  when  Mr.  Thompson  had  applied  to  him  for  a  school  certificate 
and  told  him  he  could  not  pass  the  examination  but  could  teach  school,  had  written 
the  exceptional  certificate,  "If  you  are  satisfied,  I  am.'*  In  1858  Mr.  Thompson 
became  a  resident  of  McGregor,  where  he  worked  at  the  mason's  trade  until  1871, 
when  he  took  up  his  abode  in  Forest  City  and  became  identified  with  its  affairs  as  a 
general  merchant,  conducting  his  store  with  growing  success  until  1883. 

In  that  year  Mr.  Thompson  turned  his  attention  to-  banking.  He  had  no 
business  training  whatever  outside  of  the  farm  until  he  had  passed  the  age  of  thirty. 
His  initial  step  in  the  commercial  field  was  made  as  a  peddler  in  carrying  a  pack 
from  house  to  house  in  the  sale  of  such  notions  as  he  could  obtain  on  credit.  It 
was  not  long,  however,  before  he  had  saved  from  his  earnings  enough  to  enable  him 
to  purchase  a  horse  and  wagon  and  from  that  time  on  his  success  was  assured 
because  it  was  based  upon  indefatigable  industry,  laudable  ambition,  firm  .purpose 
and  sound  judgment.  As  his  financial  resources  increased  he  established  stores  in 
various  towns  and  became  recognized  as  one  of  the  representative  merchants  of 
his  part  of  the  state.  He  turned  to  railroad  interests  in  1879,  when  he  organized 
and  became  treasurer  of  the  Minnesota  &  Iowa  Southern  Railroad  Company, 
which  built  the  Minneapolis  &  St.  Louis  Railroad  from  Albert  Lea  to  Angus.  In 
1883  he  became  connected  with  the  banking  business  as  a  partner  of  his  brother, 
J.  P.  Thompson,  Hon.  William  Larrabee  and  others  under  the  firm  name  of 
Thompson  Brothers.  He  also  became  interested  in  the  Winnebago  County  Bank, 
with  which  he  was  associated  until  July  1,  1896,  when  he  organized  the  Winnebago 
County  State  Bank,  of  which  he  became  the  president,  with  J.  F.  Thompson  as 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  13 

vice  president  and  B.  J.  Thompson  as  cashier.  In  1886  this  firm  organized  the 
Citizens  National  Bank  of  Britt,  with  Jasper  Thompson,  J.  P.  Thompson  and 
Rodney  Hill  as  general  partners  and  ex-Governor  Larrabee  and  others  as  special 
partners.  In  1892  these  gentlemen  organized  the  Bank  of  Thompson,  entering 
into  a  partnership  similar  to  the  one  at  Britt.  In  the  same  year  they  broadened 
the  scope  of  their  business  activities  by  the  organization  of  the  Iowa  Investment 
Company,  and  also  established  a  bank  at  Buffalo  Center.  Their  next  important 
undertaking  was  the  organization  of  the  Chicago  &  Iowa  Western  Railroad  Com- 
pany, which  built  the  Forest  City  extension  of  the  Burlington,  Cedar  Rapids  & 
Northern  Railway  from  Forest  City  to  Estherville.  Of  this  company  Ma*. 
Thompson  became  president  and  general  manager  and  conducted  its  interests  along 
the  lines  of  continued  prosperity  and  success. 

In  1892  Mr.  Thompson  was  elected  president  of  the  Winnebago  County  Agri- 
cultural Society  and  it  was  he  who  conceived  the  idea  and  caused  to  be  erected  the 
flax  palace  at  Forest  City.  In  1893  he  organized  the  Chicago  &  Iowa  Western 
Liand  and  Town  Lot  Company,  becoming  associated  in  this  undertaking  with 
President  Ives  of  the  Burlington,  Cedar  Rapids  &  Northern  Railroad,  the  Hon. 
S.  L.  Dows  and  others.  This  company  owned  many  thousands  of  acres  of  land 
in  Winnebago  and  adjoining  counties.  The  town  of  Thompson  was  so  named  in 
honor  of  him  as  a  recognition  of  his  untiring  and  resultant  efforts  for  the  develop- 
ment of  that  section  of  the  country.  In  all  his  labors  he  has  looked  beyond  the 
exigencies  of  the  moment  to  the  possibilities  and  opportunities  of  the  future,  has 
carefully  studied  conditions  and  has  so  directed  his  efforts  that  the  results  achieved 
have  been  of  great  public  benefit  as  well  as  a  source  of  individual  success. 

On  April  15,  1860^  Mr.  Thompson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Clara  King, 
of  McGregor,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  five  children,  as  follows:  Frank,  a 
fruit  grower  near  Baker  City,  Oregon;  Will,  who  died  at  the  age  of  thirty  years; 
Harry  F.,  a  physician  of  Forest  City;  Burt  J.,  an  attorney  of  Forest  City;  and 
May,  the  wife  of  Dr.  E.  D.  Tompkins,  of  Clarion,  Iowa.  Burt  J.  Thompson 
completed  a  trip  around  the  world  in  1899.  He  was  present  at  the  military 
engagement  at  Manila  from  February  4th  until  February  23rd,  being  attached  to 
a  South  Dakota  regiment.  He  was  with  his  brother.  Dr.  H.  F.  Thompson,  who 
was  serving  as  surgeon  of  that  regiment  with  the  rank  of  captain.  He  went  to 
Manila  with  the  regiment  in  August,  1898,  and  served  throughout  the  campaign. 
They  were  in  the  hottest  of  the  fight  around  Manila  for  several  weeks  and  both 
brothers  had  their  full  share  of  fighting  during  that  time. 

Mr.  Thompson  has  always  given  great  credit  to  the  pioneer  women,  and  especially 
to  his  wife,  for  his  own  success.  On  March  29,  1917,  he  was  called  upon  to  mourn 
her  loss,  after  they  had  long  traveled  life's  journey  together.  She  had  indeed  been 
a  helpmate  to  him.  Soon  after  his  marriage  he  built  a  one  room  stone  house  on  a 
squatter's  lot.  This  was  their  first  home  and  there  their  first  child  was  bom. 
Afterward  Mr.  Thompson  engaged  to  build  cellars  for  a  barn  and  a  house,  in 
exchange  for  which  he  was  to  receive  forty  acres  of  land  and  board  for  himself  and 
wife  while  the  work  was  being  carried  on.  This  he  accomplished  with  the  help  of 
Mrs.  Thompson,  who  mixed  and  brought  to  him  the  plaster.  This  was  their  first 
landed  possession  and  their  united  and  intelligently  directed  efforts  enabled  them 
to  add  to  their  holdings  from  time  to  time  until  their  landed  interests  were  exten- 


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14      WINNEBAGO  AND  HANCOCK  COUNTIES 

sive.  Mr.  Thompson  believed  in  planting  trees  for  protection,  and  at  a  conserva^ 
tive  estimate  he  has  been  instrumental  in  the  planting  of  a  million  trees  in  Iowa. 
In  all  things  he  had  the  sympathy  and  encouragement  of  his  wife,  who  never 
murmured  at  the  hardships  and  privations  of  pioneer  life  but  assisted  her  husband 
in  every  possible  way  and  made  valuable  contribution  to  his  success. 

The  home  of  Mr.  Thompson  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  residences  of  Iowa 
and  contains  a  most  wonderful  museum  with  a  very  interesting  collection  of  relics. 
In  it  is  to  be  found  a  tusk  from  a  prehistoric  mammoth  from  Alaska,  a  turtle  from 
the  islands  along  the  equator,  a  buffalo  head  from  Montana  and  a  large  collection 
of  ancient  coins  and  money  issued  by  the  United  States  government  and  by  the 
Confederacy.  His  collection  of  ancient  coins  embraces  specimens  of  almost  every 
coin  issued  and  also  of  the  earliest  stamped  from  metal,  some  of  them  thousands 
of  years  old.  Ilis  collection  is  probably  as  rare  and  as  valuable  as  any  in  the 
United  States,  Mr.  Thompson  being  assisted  in  getting  it  together  by  one  of  the 
best  experts  and  authorities  in  this  country,  Henry  Miller,  of  New  York,  and 
also  by  Sir  John  Evans,  of  England,  the  foremost  publisher  and  authority  on  coins 
on  the  globe. 

In  1904  Mr.  Thompson  retired  from  active  business  and  the  following  year 
sailed  from  New  York  to  the  Azores  and  through  the  straits  of  Gilbraltar  to 
Italy.  He  visited  Genoa,  Naples,  Corsica  and  other  points  and  then  proceeded 
to  Alexandria,  Egypt,  and  up  the  Nile  for  a  distance  of  one  thousand  miles,  taking 
numerous  side  trips  as  well.  He  visited  various  points  in  Greece  and  Smyrna  and 
passed  through  the  Dardanelles  to  Constantinople  and  on  to  the  Black  Sea  and 
Odessa.  He  cruised  among  the  Ionian  islands  and  sailed  to  Brindisi,  thence 
went  to  Naples  and  on  to  Eome,  Florence,  Milan,  Venice  and  into  France,  where 
he  visited  various  cities  and  points  of  interest,  thence  across  the  channel  to  Eng- 
land, and  after  visiting  London  and  other  points  in  that  country  sailed  from 
Liverpool  for  America.  During  his  travels  he  picked  up  many  curios  now  to  be 
seen  in  his  museimi,  including  a  bulrush  which  he  foimd  near  the  spot  where 
Moses  was  said  to  have  been  placed  by  his  mother,  among  the  bulrushes,  in  his 
infancy.  He  secured  fine  Oriental  rugs  with  Arabic  ipscriptions,  tapestries  from 
India,  a  metal  shawl  from  the  interior  of  Africa,  a  beautiful  copy  of  Van  Dyke's 
Eepose  in  Egypt,  a  terra  cotta  copy  of  Diana  at  the  Bath  and  a  French  bronze' 
of  Diana  the  Huntress.  Mr.  Thompson  has  traveled  as  well  all  over  North 
America  and  has  picked  up  many  interesting  relics  in  this  country.  He  has  a  most 
complete  library  and  an  interesting  feature  of  his  home  is  a  park  in  the  rear  of 
the  house  with  a  sun  dial  in  the  center  and  an  Alaskan  Indian  totem  pole  at  the 
entrance. 

While  success  has  brought  to  him  leisure  for  the  enjoyment  of  those  things  in 
which  he  takes  an  interest,  even  since  his  retirement  from  business  Mr.  Thompson 
has  concentrated  his  efforts  by  no  means  solely  upon  following  out  his  inclinations 
for  recreation  and  pleasure.  He  is  given  to  the  serious  consideration  of  significant 
problems  affecting  the  individual  and  the  community  at  large.  He  has  thought 
with  those  who  study  the  signs  of  the  times  in  regard  to  the  desertion  of  the 
farms  for  the  city  by  the  young  people  and  has  sought  the  reason  and  the  remedy 
therefor.  It  was  in  watching  a  young  Swedish  girl  who  was  in  his  employ  that 
he  came  to  a  conclusion  that  semed  to  him  the  solution  for  the  difficulty.    He 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  15 

Boted  her  loneliness  and  felt  that  she  wanted  to  meet  and  talk  with  other  young 
people,  that  she  wanted  entertainment,  education,  culture  and  the  idealistic  things 
in  life.     He  felt  he  had  here  found  the  key  to  the  situation  which  he  had  been 
studying  and  immediately  sought  to  bring  about  different  conditions  with  the  result 
that  he  has  today  invested  seventy-five  thousand  dollars  in  a  plan  to  promote  the 
social  life  of  the  community.     That  sum  represents  his  investment  in  a  farm  and 
clubhouse  which  he  erected  thereon  at  a  cost  of  fifteen  thousand  dollars.     He 
employed  an  architect,  who  is  also  an  artist,  and  the  result  was  the  erection  of  a 
building  sixty-eight  feet  long  and  thirty-two  feet  wide,  two  stories  in  height,  built 
of  load-bearing  tile  with  white  stucco  finish  and  cement  slab  porches.     It  was 
dedicated  September  11,  1915.     It  is  a  building  which  in  line  carries  out  the 
wide  sweep  of  the  prairies  and  suggests  in  the  gradual  slope  of  the  roof  the  gently 
undulating  fields.     The  art  of  landscape  gardening  has  been  utilized  in  the  adorn- 
ment of  the  lawn  and  beautiful  flowers  add  to  the  attractiveness  of  Community 
Hall,  by  which  name  Mr.  Thompson  has  called  the  place.     The  institution  is  to  be 
essentially  a  big  farmers'  club,  to  which  all  within  traveling  distance  will  belong. 
The  farmers  can  meet  there  to  hear  a  lecture  on  soil  fertility  and  the  wives  and 
daughters  may  meet  for  social  affairs.     The  building  can  also  be  used  for  a  church 
and  Sunday  school,  and  the  library  has  been  equipped  to  suit  the  tastes  of  varied 
ages  and  dispositions.    In  the  laboratory  the  farmer  can  make  simple  tests  of  his 
soil,  his  feeds  and  his  seeds,  and  he  can  turn  to  enjoy  the  sports  of  the  swinmiing 
pool,  the  tennis  courts  and  baseball  diamond.     It  is  the  plan  to  have  moving 
pictures  and  good  entertainment  from  time  to  time,  besides  lectures  by  experts  from 
the  State  College  on  problems  of  farming  and  household  work,  and  there  will  be 
every  opportunity  for  the  discussion  of  any  question  to  which  the  members  may 
wish  to  turn  their  attention. 

One  of  the  Des  Moines  papers,  writing  of  this  subject,  said :     "One  can  hardly 
learn  of  this  experiment  and  become  interested  in  it  without  finding  interest  also 
in  its  author.    Jasper  Thompson  is  a  powerful,  charming  gentleman.     At  nearly 
eighty  years  of  age  he  is  strong  and  vigorous  and  keenly  intellectual.    He  is  the 
finished  product  of  a  long  life  spent  on  the  land,  planning  and  executing  of  big 
projects,  world-wide  travel,  and  constant  thoughtfulness.       His  life  experiences 
have  given  him  a  delightful  philosophy  which  looks  always  toward  the  best  there 
is  in  civilization.     He  regards  his  attempt  at  socializing  rural  life  as  one  of  the 
most  important  things  he  has  ever  done.     To  him  it  is  a  purely  philanthropic  enter- 
prise.   He  is  too  old  to  care  for  the  reputation  he  might  gain  personally  by  being 
the  first  to  inaugurate  such  an  effort.    *I  feel  that  the  people  are  waiting  for  this 
movement,^  he  said  in  the  first  interview  he  has  consented  to  about  his  enterprise. 
TThe  people  do  not  know  what  it  is  they  want  but  they  want  something.     I  feel 
that  the  real  call  to  the  land  is  the  call  of  better  social  relations.     Our  civilization 
is  based  in  the  land.     Our  prosperity  must  emanate  from  out  there  in  the  fields. 
Build  a  great  strong  manhood  and  womanhood  on  the  prairies  and  your  villages, 
cities  and  towns  will  be  great.    We  have  tried  to  get  at  the  right  solution  by 
putting  our  social  center  out  in  the  coimtry,  where  the  farmers  will  feel  that  it 
really  beltegs  to  them  and  where  they  will  make  use  of  it.    They  don't  like  to  go  to 
social  gathrings  in  town  because  they  feel  out  of  place.    Whatever  you  may  say, 
there  is  no  getting  around  the  fact  that  there  is  no  close  union  in  feeling  between 


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16      WINNEBAGO  AND  HANCOCK  COUNTIES 

town  and  country.  But  once  you  start  social  gatherings  in  the  country  you  will 
see  a  change.  The  farm  people  will  naturally  feel  at  home  out  there,  and  town 
people  who  visit  them  there  will  feel  at  home  because  their  daily  social  intercourse 
makes  them  freer  and  easier.  By  and  by  they  will  begin  to  see  the  advantages  of 
farm  life  and  you  will  have  the  current  flowing  back  to  the  land.  I  donH  know 
what  will  come  of  our  experiment.  I  hope  it  will  prove  a  success  and  that  it  will 
not  be  long  till  these  country  houses  are  scattered  broadcast  throughout  the  rural 
districts,  furnishing  the  people  that  opportunity  for  social  life  and  culture  that 
they  need.'*'  Such  is  the  crowning  effort  of  the  life  of  Mr.  Thompson,  whose 
efforts,  intense  and  determined,  have  brought  him  success — a  success  which  he  is 
thus  sharing  with  others. 


JAMBS  C.  WILLIAMS. 


The  demise  of  James  C.  Williams,  which  occurred  in  1914,  was  felt  as  a 
serious  loss  in  Lake  Mills,  for  he  was  prominently  identified  with  the  business 
development  of  the  city  and  also  with  its  advancement  along  moral  and  civic  lines. 
He  combined  the  sound  judgment,  the  power  of  quick  and  accurate  decision  and 
the  enterprise  of  the  successful  man  of  business  with  good  will  and  public  spirit 
which  found  expression  in  much  work  for  the  general  welfare.  He  was  born  in 
Quincy,  Illinois,  March  14,  1847,  a  son  of  Dr.  Robert  S.  and  Florence  C. 
(McPhail)  Williams,  natives  respectively  of  Westmoreland,  Maryland,  and  Mont- 
gomery county,  Illinois.  The  father  studied  medicine  in  a  college  at  Steubenville, 
Ohio,  from  which  he  was  graduated,  and  began  practice  at  Quincy,  Illinois,  whence 
he  removed  to  Caledonia,  Minnesota,  and  there  he  remained  until  his  death  in  1870. 
The  mother  died  soon  afterward. 

James  C.  Williams  spent  his  boyhood  and  youth  in  Quincy,  Illinois,  and  in 
Minnesota,  and  after  his  father's  death  operated  the  home  farm  in  Minnesota  for 
some  time.  Subsequently  he  clerked  for  his  brother-in-law,  A.  D.  Sprague,  a 
merchant  of  Caledonia,  but  in  1872  he  became  a  resident  of  Northwood,  Iowa, 
where  he  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  in  partnership  with  0.  V.  Bckert,  an 
association  that  was  pleasantly  maintained  for  more  than  four  decades,  or  until  the 
death  of  Mr.  Williams,  and  the  estate  still  retains  the  interest  in  the  business.  In 
1881  the  partners  started  a  branch  at  Lake  Mills  but  later  disposed  of  their  lumber- 
yards and  engaged  in  the  implement  and  grain  business.  They  operated  a  chain 
of  elevators  along  the  Rock  Island  line  and  handled  enormous  quantities  of  grain 
annually.  In  1881  they  established  an  implement  and  elevator  business  at  Lake 
Mills,  of  which  Mr.  Williams  became  resident  manager  and  which  a  few  years 
before  his  death  he  converted  into  a  corporation  known  as  the  Lake  Mills  Imple- 
ment &  Hardware  Company.  He  became  president  and  treasurer  of  the  new 
concern,  with  L.  E.  Ludvig  as  manager,  and  he  continued  at  the  head  of  the 
company  until  his  death.  This  concern  is  one  of  the  largest  of  the  kind  in  this 
section  of  the  state  and  in  addition  to  serving  as  its  president  Mr.  Williams  was 
vice  president  of  the  First  National  Bank  and  president  of  the  Lake  Mills  Canning 
Company.  He  also  had  large  farm  holdings  in  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  in 
Minnesota  and  in  the  Dakotas  and  the  supervision  of  all  of  his  interests  made 
demands  upon  his  time  and  energy  that  would  have  taxed  to  the  utmost  the 


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It)  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

fi'iji;    'tr)<i  country.'    But  once  you  start  social  gatherings  in  the  country  you  wii 
Mv    1  K'tdn^f*.     Thi:  frtFin  pe^^rvle  will  naturally  fet*l  at  home  out  there,  and  t..wr 

w:l  foi?l  at  home  hecause  their  daily  social  interconr.— 
r  f-v  and  by  they  will  begin  to  see  the  advantages  of 
'IP  .'urront  flowing  back  to  the  land.  I  don't  know 
.  V  •  'jt.  I  hope  it  will  prove  a  puc^ese  and  that  it  will 
*'v  Itf.u'^es  are  scattered  broadcast  throughout  the  raral 
'  ;•>  that  opportunity  for  social  life  and  talture  that 
frowning  eflort  of  the  life  of  Mr.  Thompson,  whose 
med,  have  brought  him  puccess — a  fluccess  which  he  is 


p  ■  j'lf  who  ^ 

»it   tliiiti  t^ 

:i..\K.*>  it:vV.   I 

'.M-r  'i:   •     . 

farm   'i:*«    '*/ 

*    \     •!    V 

w   ,it  ^**''  •    : 

.       .-         '       . 

li'  *   U    .    p.    ' 

' 

JAMES  C.  WILLIAMS. 


:        •  *  -iiH'^   C.   WilliauL<,   whi-h   occurred   in    1914,   was  felt  as  a 

,..'   Mills,  for  he  was  prominently  ideutilicd  with  the  business 

Ay  and  also  with  its  a*i\anccment  along  moral  and  ci\ic  lines. 

•    -oun<i  judgment,  the  piAwr  of  quick  and  accurate  deoipion  and 

•:'»•  ^u((•essful  man  of  hti-iiif^s  with  good  will  and  public  npint 

^  >-inn  in  much  work  for  the  general  welfare.     He  waa  U)rn  in 

.    March    14,   1847,   a   son     >t     Dr.   Robert     S.    and     P'lorence    C. 

'•.ivA<,  natives  respectively  of  \V.  strporeland,  Maryland,  and  Mont- 

/  .        .  r  iM;is.     The  father  studied  in^iiine  in  a  college  at  Steubenvilk, 

■•      .  .        •  ''.'  was  graduated,  and  begiui  ;T.i(lice  at  Quincy,  Illinois,  whenci? 

N  .  •■   '       M'.tim,  Minnesota,  and  then  ru-  remained  until  his  death  in  1870. 

1    (  I      '       '    ri  afterward. 

t\  ^.  :ki:i^  spent  his  boyhood  and  vouth  in  Quiiuy,  Illinois,  and  in 
M.-  ■.  -  ..-  .,'  ,r  ].>  father's  death  opi^ratel  the  home  farm  in  Minnesota  f*'*! 
.- »'  *  ..  >  •  1'-*"'^'}  I'e  clerked  tor  I.-  I '-t  ther-in-law,  A.  D.  Spragut ,  ii 
•:  ;ji.  hut  in  lb'^2  lie  >»  -in  v.  a  r»'Mvi«'nt  "f  Northwood,  Iowa, 
-t,  t'l.*  lii'i-V-r  b'l-irip^s  in  j- •'  +  ru  rsl,,j>  with  0.  V.  Eckert,  ai. 
i-  ij-.  '  I  -  :M,.i'jMj.*Mi  f..i  »!  -r--  '•"'.an  four  decades,  or  until  th*- 
.  <.  .,K<1  :  I  •  -*:»*  >1:  I  r  t  .  .^-  t'  e  u.t**fe^t  in  the  business.  I:t 
a  led  a  '  '.;:.<  ,  nt  ].r\<  MT  ^  '.-,!  .ater  ui^]»osed  of  their  luniber 
M  '•>  in  ;.  •  .t  st  a-i'l  crx'i.  t»i:-:M*>s.  Ti  ey  operated  a  chaii 
..  Hi)*  \  I-';.'!u  :  \e  aii'l  haii'i.'d  ♦Tormous  quantities  of  gram 
;  »  e^ta^>i;^"^tMl  a:;  unpl^iiurt  aiid  elevator  business  at  Lak* 
'.  V  ./]ar{  N  l)e«ar'ie  resident  niana;,* -r  and  which  a  few  years 
■i^i  i'  \'?i\  into  a  t-  rporation  known  as  the  Lake  Mills  Imple- 
n.ent  «ic  Hardv^nre  ri-Trpariy.  He  be-  nie  president  an<l  treasurer  of  the  new 
concern,  with  L.  K.  I^ifUij:  as  niana^.  r,  and  he  continued  at  tlie  head  of  the 
company  unnl  ins  df.itl  .  1  .-lis  eoni  ern  i-  i.ne  of  the  larjest  of  the  kind  in  this 
section  of  the  state  am}  in  ac  'iti-.n  to  i"r\'-i  ::  a<3  its  pre-iihnt*  Mr.  Williams  was 
vice  prcbalent  of  the  First  Xut.  .na:  F  mk  a:-!  pn-sident  of  the  Lake  Mills  Canning 
Company.  He  aUo  had  hu^re  ^'ir.n  iiohii  i^<  in  Winnt-hago  county,  Iowa,  in 
Minnesota  and  in  the  I)ak(»{as  aiul  r';«^  -^apcrvision  of  all  of  his  interests  made 
demands   upon  his  time  anl   ev*  r^-   xhiv    would   have  taxed   to  the  utmost   the 


n  ^T* 

.•1*1  '  :    •    •  » ' !  ■ 

V  f'.  '. 

'  .      ■  ■  '  I J . ' ' 

f  -  ■ 

.'        !•    *      ..       "        > 

('     ' ; , 

.   *'     V-      '.          ..  t 

1-      •    1 

,  e     .J   * ;  t  * '    ' 

\.*'i.- 

•i  y    '-^  •«;?!.■ 

Of   .•'■' 

^t.-  ■  .il'    ,   : 

ai.i/'i 

:y.     1'    1-^' 

Xn'^]., 

rr'    \K  r  ,i  '      M 

bt  *"(  re 

hi>  d'i.rh  he 

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Tii.:      <  >,  ,_  N^    A.  WON.-' 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  19 

powers  of  a  less  able  or  less  enterprising  man.  His  opinion  upon  any  business 
problem  was  listened  to  with  great  respect  and  it  was  recognized  that  he  ranked 
among  the  foremost  men  of  his  county. 

Mr.  Williams  was  married  in  1875  to  Mrs.  Nellie  Dickson,  who  died  three 
years  later,  leaving  a  daughter,  Winifred  M.,  who  is  now  teaching  physical  culture 
at  Kirksville,  Missouri.  On  the  23d  of  April,  1902,  Mr.  Williams  married  Odella 
J.  Blackiston,  a  daughter  of  William  B.,  and  Cecelia  C.  (Hayes)  Blackiston,  natives 
of  Ohio.  The  father  removed  to  Geneseo,  Illinois,  in  1858,  and  there  resided 
until  called  by^  death  on  the  4th  of  November,  1894.  He  was  a  merchant  by  occu- 
pation but  owned  sixteen  hundred  acres  of  land  in  Winnebago  county.  The  mother 
passed  away  in  March,  1896.  To  them  were  born  four  children,  namely:  Mrs. 
Williams,  Mrs.  Laura  A.  Price,  of  Butler,  Missouri;  Mrs.  Nora  B.  Chapin,  of 
Canton,  Illinois;  and  William  P.,  who  died  at  Madison,  South  Dakota,  January 
14,  1889.  Mrs.  Williams  is  a  charter  member  of  Lake  Mills  Chapter  No.  452, 
0.  E.  S.,  and  has  been  elected  matron  five  times.  She  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Saturday  Afternoon  Book  Club,  and  the  Taka  Art  Club.  Mr.  Williams  supported 
the  republican  party  at  the  polls,  was  a  member  of  the  town  council  at  the  time  of 
his  death  and  kept  thoroughly  informed  as  to  public  affairs.  He  held  membership 
in  the  Lake  Mills  Business  Men's  Association  and  his  work  was  of  great  value  in 
carrying  out  the  plans  of  that  organization  for  the  advancement  of  the  city.  In 
fact  every  movement  seeking  to  further  the  interests  of  Lake  Mills  received  his  full 
support.  He  was  for  thirty  years  a  trustee  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  a 
record  of  faithful  and  eflBcient  service  for  the  cause  of  righteousness  seldom 
equaled.  For  years  he  belonged  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  but 
eventually  demitted  from  that  organization  but  continued  active  as  a  member  of 
the  Modem  Woodmen  of  America  and  the  Yeomen.  He  contracted  pneumonia 
while  visiting  the  old  home  in  Geneseo,  Illinois,  and  passed  away  on  the  15th  of 
March,  1914,  after  an  illness  of  only  lour  days.  His  sudden  death  was  a  great 
shock  not  only  to  his  family  and  immediate  friends  but  to  the  entire  community 
and  the  memory  of  his  life  is  cherished  by  those  who  were  privileged  to  know  him 
well.  He  was  upright  and  honorable  in  all  things,  was  constant  in  his  friendships 
and  was  always  ready  to  place  the  good  of  the  public  above  his  personal  interests. 
Mrs.  Williams  is  still  living  in  Lake  Mills  and  is  well  known  and  highly  esteemed 
in  the  community.  While  she  retains  her  membership  in  the  Congregatonal  church 
in  Geneseo,  she  succeeded  her  husband  as  a  trustee  of  the  Methodist  church  and  is 
president  of  the  board  and,  like  him,  takes  a  keen  interest  in  the  civic  and  religious 
advancement  of  Lake  Mills. 


GUSTAVE  A.  KAHLER. 

Gustave  A.  Kahler,  a  well  known  and  highly  respected  farmer  of  German  town- 
ship, Hancock  county,  makes  his  home  on  section  17,  where  he  has  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  of  rich  and  productive  land  which  he  is  now  carefully  and  syste- 
matically cultivating.  He  was  bom  October  29,  1867,  near  Green  Bay,  Wisconsin, 
a  son  of  Christian  and  Dora  (Gade)  Kahler,  who  were  natives  of  Germany  and 
came  to  America  about  1847.  They  settled  in  Wisconsin,  wliere  they  followed 
farming  and  both  are  now  deceased. 


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20  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

It  was  upon  the  homestead  farm  there  that  Gustave  A.  Kahler  was  bom,  and  in 
1876  he  became  a  resident  of  Iowa,  making  his  way  to  Wright  county,  where  he 
attended  school  to  the  age  of  fifteen  years.  His  textbooks  were  theii  put  aside  that 
he  might  assist  his  father  in  the  farm  work,  and  for  two  years  thereafter  he 
remained  upon  the  old  homestead.  He  afterward  worked  for  three  years  by  the 
month  and  then  returned  to  the  old  homestead  where  he  continued  for  one  year. 
On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  began  buying  horses  arid  also  breaking  prairie. 
He  purchased  land  at  one  dollar  and  twenty-five  cents  per  acre  and  put  in  twenty 
acres  of  oats.  In  the  fall  he  operated  a  threshing  outfit  and  for  three  years  he 
devoted  the  spring  months  to  breaking  sod  and  the  fall  seasons  to  threshing.  His 
entire  life  has  been  one  of  industry  and  activity,  and  whatever  success  he  has 
achieved  has  resulted  entirely  from  his  own  efforts.  He  purchased  a  farm  of  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Emmet  county,  Iowa,  and  after  cultivating  it  for  a 
time  sold  it.  Later  he  rented  land  in  Emmet  coimty  for  three  years,  after  which 
he  returned  to  Wright  county,  where  he  purchased  the  old  family  homestead, 
which  he  cultivated  for  four  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  sold  that 
property  and  in  1902  came  to  Hancock  county,  where  he  purchased  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  of  land  on  section  17,  German  township,  constituting  his  present 
home  place.  Through  the  intervening  period  of  fifteen  years  he  has  carefully 
and  persistently  carried  on  the  work  of  the  farm  and  his  labors  have  resulted  in 
making  this  a  productive  tract  of  land  from  which  he  annually  gathers  golden 
harvests. 

Mr.  Kahler  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Barbara  Myers,  a  daughter  of 
Fred  and  Kate  Myers,  who  were  natives  of  Germany  and  on  coming  to-  America 
settled  first  in  Pennsylvania.  They  afterward  removed  to  Iowa,  establishing  their 
home  in  Grundy  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kahler  have  become  parents  of  three  sons 
and  a  daughter:  Earl  E.,  who  married  Lily  Velau,  a  daughter  of  Charles  Velau, 
and  who  engages  in  farming;  and  Ethel  I.,  Eaymond  and  Emmett  C,  all  at  home. 

The  family  are  members  of  the  German  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  In  his 
political  views  Mr.  Kahler  is  a  republican  and  for  three  years  has  filled  the  office 
of  township  trustee.  He  has  also  been  school  director,  and  he  takes  an  active  and 
helpful  interest  in  everything  pertaining  to  the  welfare  and  progress  of  the  com- 
munity with  which  he  is  identified.  From  the  age  of  fifteen  years  he  has  been  an 
active  factor  in  the  world^s  work,  earning  his  own  livelihood  throughout  the  entire 
period.  He  is  a  man  of  upright  character  and  sterling  worth  and  he  has  con- 
tributed much  to  the  agricultural  development  of  the  county. 


LAMBERT  B.  BAILEY. 


Lambert  B.  Bailey,  of  Gamer,  is  one  of  the  venerable  citizens  of  Hancock 
county,  having  celebrated  the  eightieth  anniversary  of  his  birth  on  the  24th  of 
January,  1917.  He  was  bom  in  Granville,  Licking  county,  Ohio,  a  son  of  John  A. 
and  Nancy  A.  (Washbond)  Bailey,  who  in  June,  1864,  came  to  Hancock  county, 
Iowa,  with  their  two  sons,  Lambert  B.  and  Eolla  E.  The  latter  was  killed  by 
lightning  July  28,  1876,  while  working  in  a  harvest  field. 

Lambert  B.  Bailey  attended  the  public  schools  and  an  academy  of  Granville, 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  21 

Ohio^  in  the  acquirement  of  his  education  and  during  his  active  business  life 
devoted  his  time  and  attention  to  school  teaching  and  to  farming.  He  was  a 
young  man  of  twenty-seven  years  when  he  came  to  Iowa  and  throughout  the  inter- 
yening  period  he  has  lived  in  Hancock  county,  his  time  and  energies  being  devoted 
to  general  agricultural  pursuits. 

Previous  to  this  time  Mr.  Bailey  had  attempted  to  join  the  army,  enlisting  for 
service  in  the  Twenty-first  Wisconsin  Infantry.  He  was  rejected  on  account  of 
physical  disability  and  in  the  fall  of  1863  he  was  drafted  for  service,  but  was  again 
rejected  for  the  same  reason,  so  that  he  never  had  an  opportunity  to  go  to  the 
front.  In  1866  he  was  called  to  public  service  in  Hancock  county,  being  elected 
to  the  position  of  county  recorder,  in  which  he  served  for  two  years.  In  November, 
1868,  he  was  elected  clerk  of  the  courts  and  served  in  that  position  for  two  years. 
In  October,  1870,  he  was  elected  county  recorder,  was  reelected  in  1872  and  at 
each  biennial  election  up  to  and  including  1884,  so  that  he  served  altogether  in 
that  office  for  eighteen  years,  a  notable  period  for  length  of  service  and  character- 
ized as  well  by  marked  fidelity  to  duty.  No  higher  testimonial  of  his  faithfulness 
can  be  given  than  the  fact  that  he  was  again  and  again  chosen  for  the  office.  He 
has  always  given  his  political  support  to  the  republican  party  since  its  organization, 
yet  has  never  been  an  active  partisan. 

In  November,  1864,  in  Waushara  county,  Wisconsin,  Mr.  Bailey  was  married 
to  Miss  Frances  A.  Ocain,  a  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Cynthia  Ocain.  Their  children 
are:  Charles  A.,  who  married  Mamie  Tiemey;  Elwin  B.,  who  married  Bena 
Cuppett;  and  George  L.,  who  wedded  Grace  Bosecrans. 

The  religious  faith  of  the  family  is  that  of  the  Congregational  church  and 
fraternally  Mr.  Bailey  is  a  Mason.  He  took  the  degrees  of  the  lodge  in  1868,  of 
the  chapter  in  1884,  and  in  the  latter  year  also  became  a  Knight  Templar.  He  is 
widely  and  favorably  known  in  Hancock  county,  where  he  has  made  his  home  for 
home  than  a  half  century  and  where  he  has  so  long  filled  public  office.  His  fellow 
townsmen  bear  testimony  to  his  worth  and  ability  and  no  history  of  the  county 
would  be  complete  without  mention  of  him. 


GBOBGB  A.  BEMIS,  M.  D. 

Dr.  George  A.  Bemis,  recognized  as  a  capable  representative  of  the  medical 
profession  practicing  in  Gamer,  whei^e  he  opened  his  office  in  1912,  was  bom  in 
Spencer,  Iowa,  April  27,  1884,  a  son  of  W.  S.  and  Flora  B.  Bemis,  the  former  a 
native  of  Independence,  Iowa,  and  the  latter  of  Janesville,  Wisconsin.  The 
paternal  grandfather,  George  W.  Bemis,  was  a  native  of  Spencer,  Massachusetts, 
and  came  to  Iowa  as  a  pioneer  settler  about  1860.  He  was  very  prominent  in 
shaping  the  policy  of  the  state  and  promoting  its  progress  along  many  lines.  As 
state  senator  he  aided  in  framing  its  legislation  and  from  1878  until  1882  he 
filled  the  position  of  state  treasurer.  In  fact  he  exerted  a  widely  felt  influence  over 
political  affairs  and  was  ever  actuated  by  a  public-spirited  devotion  to  the  general 
good.  His  son,  W.  S.  Bemis,  studied  law  and  for  many  years  practiced  at  Spen- 
cer, Iowa. 

George  A.  Bemis,  after  acquiring  a  public  school  education,  attended  the  Culver 

it— 2 


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22  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

Military  Academy  and  was  graduated  from  the  University  of  Iowa  with  the  class 
of  1909.  For  two  years  he  practiced  at  Hawarden  and  in  1912  removed  to  Gamer, 
where  he  opened  an  office  and  has  since  successfully  followed  his  profession.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  County,  State  and  American  Medical  Associations  and  keeps  in 
close  touch  with  the  advanced  thought  and  scientific  investigations  of  the  pro- 
fession. 

Dr.  Bemis  belongs  to  the  Scabbard  &  Blade,  to  the  Sigma  Chi  and  the  Phi 
Beta  Pi,  college  societies  and  fraternities.  In  Masonry  he  has  taken  the  Boyal 
Arch  degrees  and  he  also  has  membership  with  the  Odd  Fellows,  the  Knights  of 
Pythias,  the  Eagles  and  the  Elks,  loyally  adhering  to  their  teachings  concerning 
mutual  obligation  and  responsibility.  His  political  allegiance  is  given  to  the 
republican  party  but  he  has  never  been  an  office  seeker,  preferring  to  concentrate 
his  time  and  energies  upon  his  business  affairs. 


FRANK  MARION  HANSON. 

Frank  Marion  Hanson,  president  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Gamer  and  a 
prominent  figure  in  financial  circles  of  the  state  through  extensive  connection 
with  many  banks  in  various  parts  of  Iowa,  belongs  to  that  class  of  representative 
business  men  who  are  ever  ready  to  meet  any  emergency  with  courage  and  whose 
ability  enables  them  to  successfully  cope  with  complex  situations.  Iowa  claims  him 
as  a  native  son.  He  was  bom  March  28,  1873,  at  Cedar  Falls,  a  son  of  James  and 
Mary  Hanson,  who  were  natives  of  Denmark.  They  emigrated  to  the  United 
States  soon  after  the  Civil  war  and  made  their  way  to  Iowa,  settling  on  a  farm 
in  Grundy  county. 

Reared  under  the  parental  roof,  Frank  M.  Hanson  attended  the  country  schools 
until  sixteen  years  of  age  and  later  became  a  student  in  the  Waterloo  (Iowa)  Col- 
legiate Institute,  from  which  he  was  graduated  on  the  1st  of  June,  1891.  In  the 
intervening  period  he  has  made  for  himself  a  most  creditable  name  and  position 
in  the  banking  circles  of  the  state.  He  first  entered  the  employ  of  the  Citizens 
State  Bank  of  Goldfield,  Iowa,  as  bookkeeper  on  the^lst  of  October,  1892,  and  on 
the  1st  of  July,  1893,  he  became  bookkeeper  in  the  Iowa  Valley  State  Bank  at 
Belmond,  Iowa,  where  he  remained  until  September  1,  1896,  acting  for  the  last 
two  years  of  that  period  as  assistant  cashier.  He  then  resigned  to  accept  a  position 
with  Leavitt  &  Johnson,  private  bankers,  by  whom  he  was  employed  during  a 
part  of  the  years  1896  and  1897.  He  next  became  cashier  of  the  State  Savings 
Bank  of  Klemme,  where  he  remained  for  two  years,  when  he  organized  the  State 
Savings  Bank  of  Kanawha,  now  the  First  National  Bank.  In  that  institution  he 
continued  as  cashier  from  June  1,  1899,  until  July  1,  1905,  when  he  resigned 
and  accepted  the  cashiership  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Garner.  Later  he 
was  promoted  to  the  vice  presidency  and  on  the  1st  of  January,  1916,  became 
president.  In  the  meantime  he  had  extended  his  connections  and  is  now  president 
of  the  State  Savings  Bank  of  Ventura,  a  director  of  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Kanawha,  the  State  Savings  Bank  of  Goodell,  Iowa,  and  the  State  Savings  Bank 
of  Woden,  Iowa,  while  in  the  Bank  of  Hayfield,  Iowa,  he  is  a  partner.  He  is  like- 
wise a  director  of  the  Hancock  County  Abstract  Company  of  Garner  and  presi- 


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FRANK  M.  HANSON 


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WINNEBAGO  AND  HANCOCK  COUNTIES      25 

dent  of  the  Oregon  Timber  &  Investment  Company  of  Gamer.  He  is  likewise 
interested  in  eleven  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  in  Hancock  county,  near 
Garner,  and  has  other  financial  interests. 

On  the  12th  of  September,  1906,  at  Kanawha,  Iowa,  Mr.  Hanson  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Miss  Ada  Adell  Huyck,  her  parents  being  John  and  Alice  Huyck, 
who  reside  on  a  farm  near  Kanawha.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hanson  now  have  two  chil- 
dren: Morris  Frank,  bom  July  1,  1907;  and  Edna  (Jenevieve,  whose  birth 
occurred  on  the  28th  of  April,  1911.  Mr.  Hanson  and  his  family  attend  the 
Congregational  church.  His  political  endorsement  is  given  to  the  republican 
pariy  but  he  has  never  sought  nor  he;ld  public  oflBce.  In  fact,  he  has  never  had  any 
desire  for  political  positions,  feeling  that  his  time  has  been  fully  occupied  with 
other  interests.  In  fraternal  circles  he  is  well  known,  being  now  treasurer  of 
Bethel  Lodge,  No.  319,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Garner,  which  oflBce  he  has  filled  for  ten 
years.  He  is  likewise  a  member  of  Bethel  Chapter,  No.  116,  R.  A.  M.;  Bethel 
Council,  No.  33,  R.  &  S.  M. ;  and  Antioch  Commandery,  No.  43,  K.  T.,  of  Mason 
City.  He  is  likewise  connected  with  El  Kahir  Temple,  A.  A.  0.  N.  M.  S.,  of  Cedar 
Eapids,  and  he  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  the  Knights  of 
Pythias  and  the  Modem  Woodmen  of  America.  Throughout  his  entire  life  he  has 
practically  concentrated  his  efforts  along  one  line  and  it  is  this  singleness  of  pur- 
pose which  has  constituted  one  of  the  strong  forces  in  his  success.  He  has  com- 
prehensive knowledge  of  the  banking  business  and  his  pronounced  ability  is  widely 
recognized  by  his  colleagues  and  contemporaries  throughout  the  state. 


MIKKEL  J.  HOLSTAD. 


Mikkel  J.  Holstad,  deceased,  was  for  many  years  one  of  the  leading  farmers 
of  Winnebago  county,  his  home  being  on  section  25,  Norway  township.  He  was 
a  native  of  the  land  of  the  midnight  sun,  his  birth  occurring  in  Norway,  Novem- 
ber 5,  1837,  and  he  was  a  son  of  John  and  Gjori  Holstad,  in  whose  family  were 
five  children.  The  parents  never  came  to  the  United  States,  but  on  crossing  the 
Atlantic  Mikkel  J.  Holstad  was  accompanied  by  his  brother,  A.  J.,  who  bought 
land  adjoining  his  farm  and  continued  to  reside  there  until  1900,  when  he 
returned  to  Norway,  where  he  is  now  living. 

Mikkel  J.  Holstad  grew  to  manhood  upon  his  father's  farm  but  in  early  life 
learned  the  tailor's  trade,  at  which  he  worked  for  some  time.  Later  he  operated 
the  home  farm  in  Norway,  remaining  there  until  1867.  .  In  the  meantime  he 
married  Miss  Martha  Thorsdatter  Void,  whose  parents  were  Thor  and  Solvei 
(Honsey)  Void.  They  came  to  America  a  few  years  after  the  Holstad  family 
located  here  and  settled  in  Winneshiek  county,  Iowa,  where  Mr.  Void  followed 
farming  until  his  death.    Both  he  and  his  wife  were  buried  in  Ridgeway,  Iowa. 

In  1867,  accompanied  by  his  wife  and  two  children,  as  well  as  his  brother, 
Mr.  Holstad  came  to  the  new  world  and  took  up  his  abode  in  Winneshiek 
county,  Iowa,  where  he  remained  one  year.  He  then  removed  to  Winnebago 
county  and  purchased  the  east  half  of  the  southeast  quarter  of  section  26,  Norway 
towndiip,  and  the  west  half  of  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  25,  whereon  he 
made  his  home  imtil  his  death,  which  occurred  on  the  9th  of  August,  1892.    As 


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26  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

time  passed  he  prospered  in  his  farming  operations  and  added  to  his  farm  the 
north  half  of  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  36.  His  widow  still  resides  on 
the  old  homestead.  H^  was  a  republican  in  politics  and  was  a  member  of  the 
United  Lutheran  church. 

Before  leaving  Norway  two  children  were  bom  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Holstad,  these 
being  Thor  or  Thomas^  who  lives  near  Kiester^  Minnesota;  and  Julia^  who  makes 
her  home  with  her  mother.  The  children  bom  in  America  are  John,  bom  Sep- 
tember 8,  1867;  Edward,  bom  Febmary  3,  1870;  and  Sylvia,  bom  May  8,  1872. 
John  and  Edward  are  engaged  in  farming  in  Rolette  county,  North  Dakota,  near 
Kelvin. 


P.  P.  MEDLANG. 


P.  P.  Medlang,  now  successfully  operating  the  old  Holstad  farm  in  Norway 
township,  Winnebago  county,  was  bom  on  the  19th  of  May,  1873,  and  is  a  son  of 
Peter  E.  and  Inger  (Olesdatter)  Medlang,  both  of  whom  are  now  deceased.  They 
spent  their  entire  lives  in  Norway,  where  the  father  followed  farming  and  also 
worked  at  the  carpenter^s  trade.  P.  P.  Medlang  is  the  fifth  in  order  of  birth  in  a 
family  of  twelve  children.  He  aided  his  father  in  the  work  of  the  home  farm 
until  nineteen  years  of  age,  at  which  time  he  and  two  sisters  came  to  the  United 
States  and  located  in  Northwood,  Iowa,  where  he  worked  on  a  farm  for  one  year. 
In  1900  he  took  charge  of  the  Holstad  farm  and  is  still  engaged  in  its  operation. 
This  place  consists  of  the  west  half  of  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  25  and 
the  north  half  of  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  36,  Norway  township,  and  is  a 
valuable  tract.  Its  neat  and  thrifty  appearance  testifies  to  the  industry  and  good 
management  of  Mr.  Medlang,  who  thoroughly  understands  the  occupation  which 
he  follows  and  is  a  man  of  good  business  ability. 

In  1900  Mr.  Medlang  married  Miss  Sylvia  Holstad,  who  was  bom  on  the 
8th  of  May,  1872,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Mikkel  J.  and  Martha  Holstad,  whose 
sketch  appears  above.  By  this  union  five  children  have  been  bom  but  Selena  died 
at  the  age  of  five  years  and  was  buried  in  the  United  Lutheran  cemetery.  Those 
living  are  Martha,  Palmer,  Inger  and  Thelma. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Medlang  are  members  of  the  United  Lutheran  church  and  he 
casts  his  ballot  with  the  republican  party.  For  several  years  he  has  served  as 
school  director  and  has  always  taken  a  commendable  interest  in  the  welfare  of 
his  adopted  country.  Wherever  known  he  is  held  in  high  esteem  and  he  has  many 
friends  throughout  Winnebago  county. 


OLAF  WESTEEBEEG. 


Olaf  Westerberg,  who  follows  farming  on  section  5,  Ellington  township,  Han- 
cock county,  and  is  meeting  with  excellent  success  in  his  chosen  occupation,  was 
bom  on  the  7th  of  March,  1879,  in  Sweden,  of  which  country  his  parents,  John 
and  Anna  (Hockinson)  Westerberg,  were  also  natives.    In  1882  the  family  came 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  27 

to  the  United  States  and  took  np  their  abode  in  Hancock  connty,  lowa^  where  the 
father  purchased  a  farm,  bnt  he  and  his  wife  are  now  living  in  Forest  City.  Thej 
have  two  sons,  the  older  being  E.  J.  Westerberg,  whose  sketch  appears  on  another 
page  of  this  volmne. 

Olaf  Westerberg  was  only  three  years  of  age  when  brought  to  this  country  by 
his  parents  and  upon  the  home  farm  in  Hancock  county  he  grew  to  manhood, 
his  education  being  acquired  in  the  district  schools  of  the  neighborhood.  He  was 
only  fifteen  years  of  age  when  his  brother  married  and  the  responsibility  of 
carrying  on  the  home  farm  devolved  upon  him.  Success  has  attended  his  well 
directed  efforts  and  he  is  today  one  of  the  prosperous  farmers  of  the  community. 
After  his  marriage  his  parents  remoVed  to  Forest  City  and  he  remained  on  the 
homestead,  which  he  had  purchased  of  his  father  the  year  previous.  This  place 
comprises  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  on  section  5,  Ellington  township, 
Hancock  county,  and  he  also  owns  eighty  acres  on  section  8,  one-half  mile  south 
of  the  home  farm,  all  under  excellent  cultivation. 

In  1901  Mr.  Westerberg  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Anna  Clausen,  a 
daughter  of  Nels  Clausen,  of  Forest  City,  who  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of 
Winnebago  county.  They  have  become  the  parents  of  two  children,  a  son  and  a 
daughter,  Arvid  B.  and  Buth  E. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Westerberg  are  faithful  members  of  the  First  Swedish  Baptist 
church  of  Forest  City  and  are  people  of  prominence  in  the  community  where 
they  reside.  The  republican  party  finds  in  Mr.  Westerberg  a  staunch  supporter  of  its 
principles  and  he  does  all  within  his  power  to  promote  the  moral  and  material 
welfare  of  his  community.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Co-operative 
Creamery  Company  of  Forest  City  and  is  one  of  the  substantial  farmers  of  Elling- 
ton township. 


JENS  M.  TAPAQEB. 


Jens  M.  Tapager,  who  is  a  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  at  Lake  Mills, 
is  a  representative  of  the  fine  class  of  citizens  which  Denmark  has  given  to  the 
United  States.  His  birth  occurred  on  the  2d  of  August,  1871,  and  he  is  the  son 
of  Mikkel  Kristensen  and  Maren  (Dalgaard)  Tapager.  Mr.  Tapager  is  the  second 
ehild  and  was  left  motherless  when  a  year  and  a  half  old.  A  number  of  years 
later  his  father  remarried,  and  in  1889  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  settling 
on  a  farm  near  Albert  Lea,  Minnesota,  where  he  resided  until  his  death  in  1905 
His  widow  is  still  living  there. 

Mr.  Tapager  attended  the  common  schools  until  he  was  confirmed,  and  later 
took  a  liberal  arts  course  in  a  private  institution.  He  graduated  in  July,  1889, 
from  the  University  of  Copenhagen.  For  the  next  two  years  he  taught  in  the 
government  schools,  and  in  1891  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  settling  at 
Albert  Lea,  Minnesota.  He  entered  the  employ  of  the  Albert  Lea  Creamery  Com- 
pany as  engineer,  holding  that  position  at  the  time  their  plant  was  erected.  After 
remaining  with  this  company  for  two  years,  he  came  to  Winnebago  county  and 
became  buttermaker  for  the  Logan  Butter  Factory,  which  was  being  built  at  that 
time  in  Logan  township.     After  six  years  spent  with  this  concern  he  moved  to 


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28  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

Thompson,  where  in  partnership  with  his  brother,  Morris  Tapager,  he  purchased 
a  hotel.  He  also  managed  the  Thompson  Creamery.  He  was  in  business  at 
Thompson  from  1899  to  1901.  In  the  fall  of  1901  Mr.  Tapager  with  his  family 
moved  to  Lake  Mills,  Iowa,  he  having  accepted  the  position  of  assistant  cashier 
of  the  Farmers  State  Bank  of  that  city.  In  1905  he  accepted  a  similar  position 
in  the  First  National  Bank,  and  two  years  later  became  cashier,  in  which  capacity 
he  has  since  served.  That  the  direction  of  the  affairs  of  this  institution  has  been 
in  able  hands  is  shown  by  the  steady  growth  of  the  business  of  this  bank  in  the 
intervening  years,  and  by  the  high  place  which  Mr,  Tapager  holds  in  the  confidence 
of  the  general  public. 

On  the  25th  of  August,  1894,  Mr.  Tapager  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Willad- 
sen,  a  daughter  of  0.  L.  and  Dorothy  (Kriftensen)  Willadsen,  of  Heming, 
Denmark.  Mrs.  Tapager^s  mother  died  when  she  was  fourteen  years  of  age,  but 
her  father  is  still  living  in  that  country.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tapager  have  been 
bom  six  children:  Ethel,  deceased  February  28,  1901;  Cyril,  who  was  a  student 
at  the  University  of  Minnesota,  but  joined  the  United  State  Marine  Corps  and 
left  Minneapolis  May  3,  1917,  for  Mare  Island,  California;  and  Boy  Willard, 
Merle  Ethelyn,  Vernon  James,  and  Virginia  Mary,  all  at  hoine. 

Mr.  Tapager  is  a  standpat  republican  and  supports  loyally  the  candidates  and 
policies  of  his  party.  He  has  filled  the  office  of  city  treasurer  since  1905,  and  his 
long  service  in  that  connection  indicates  his  popularity.  Furthermore,  he  has 
been  president  of  the  Lake  Mills  Commercial  Club  for  the  past  two  years.  Mr. 
Tapager  holds  membership  in  the  Lutheran  church,  and  in  all  relations  of  life 
conforms  his  conduct  to  high  ethical  standards.  The  success  which  he  has  gained 
reflects  great  credit  upon  his  enterprise  and  business  ability,  as  he  began  his  inde- 
pendent career  empty  handed. 


JOHN  JOHNSON. 


'  For  almost  a  third  of  a  century  John  Johnson  has  been  a  resident  of  Winnebago 
county,  where  he  started  out  in  life  as  a  farm  hand  and  was  thus  employed  for 
eight  years.  He  then  purchased  property  and  has  since  carried  on  general  agri- 
cultural pursuits  on  his  own  account,  being  today  one  of  the  substantial  farmers 
of  his  locality.  He  was  bom  in  the  stift  of  Bergen,  Norway,  August  7,  1862,  and 
was  the  fourth  in  order  of  birth  in  a  family  of  eight  children  whose  parents  were 
John  and  Madle  Nelson,  farming  people  of  that  country.  The  parents  never 
came  to  the  United  States  and  the  father  has  now  passed  away.  Seven  of  their 
children  are  yet  living  and  those  still  in  Norway  are  Nels,  Mons,  Haldor  and  Ole. 
Those  in  America  are:  Madle,  the  wife  of  Emil  Larson,  of  Cherokee,  Iowa; 
Nels,  living  in  British  Columbia;  and  John,  of  this  review. 

During  his  boyhood,  which  was  spent  in  his  native  land,  John  Johnson  had 
no  special  advantages  to  aid  him  in  preparation  for  life's  responsibilities  and 
duties.  He  came  to  the  United  States  alone  when  twenty-three  years  of  age  and 
made  his  way  at  once  to  Winnebago  county.  He  had  no  capital  and  necessity 
rendered  it  imperative  that  he  obtain  employment  immediately.  He  began  work- 
ing as  a  farm  hand  and  spent  eight  years  in  that  way,  but  he  was  desirous  of 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  29 

engaging  in  business  on  his  own  account  and  carefully  saved  his  earnings,  until 
about  1893  he  was  able  to  purchase  a  farm  in  connection  with  his  brother-in-law, 
Emil  Larson.  After  his  marriage  he  took  possession  of  the  south  half  of  the  south- 
west quarter  and  the  southwest  quarter  of  the  southeast  quarter  of  section  12, 
Logan  township,  comprising  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres.  Upon  this 
place  he  yet  resides  and  through  the  intervening  period  he  has  worked  a  marked 
transformation  in  the  appearance  of  the  place,  converting  it  into  a  valuable  and 
productive  tract  from  which  he  annually  gathers  good  crops. 

When  thirty-two  years  of  age  Mr.  Johnson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Ada  Anderson.  They  have  become  parents  of  seven  children  who  are  yet  living, 
namely:  Elmer,  Cora,  Melvin,  Kenneth,  Mabel,  Joseph  and  Clarence.  They  also 
lost  two  children  in  infancy.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson  hold  membership  in  the 
Synod  Lutheran  church  and  he  votes  with  the  republican  party,  but  the  honors 
and  emoluments  of  office  have  no  attraction  for  him.  His  time  is  fully  devoted  to 
his  business  affairs  and  today  he  is  the  owner  of  a  finely  improved  farm  because 
of  his  untiring  activity  and  persistency  of  purpose.  He  has  never  regretted  coming 
to  America,  feeling  that  he  has  here  found  better  opportunities  than  he  could  have 
enjoyed  in  Norway,  and  having  voluntarily  chosen  to  become  an  American  citizen, 
he  has  ever  been  loyal  to  the  interests  of  his  adopted  land. 


MAETIN  EASMUSSON. 


Martin  Basmusson,  a  well  known  farmer  living  on  section  19,  Crystal  town- 
ship, is  one  of  Hancock  count/s  native  sons,  bom  on  the  24th  of  July  1884.  His 
parents,  N.  P.  and  Anna  (Madson)  Basmusson,  were  natives  of  Denmark,  in 
which  country  they  were  reared  and  educated,  but  in  1881  they  emigrated  to 
America  with  the  hope  of  bettering  their  financial  condition  in  this  country  with- 
its  broader  opportunities  and  natural  advantages.  On  landing  here  they  continued 
their  journey  westward  to  Hancock  county,  Iowa,  where  the  father  has  since  made 
his  home,  but  the  mother  passed  away  in  1914.  In  their  family  were  eight  chil- 
dren of  whom  five  still  survive. 

During  his  boyhood  and  youth  Martin  Basmusson  had  the  advantages  of  a 
common  school  education  and  when  not  busy  with  his  text  books  assisted  hit 
father  in  the  labors  of  the  farm.  He  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until 
twenty-one  years  of  age  and  then  began  farming  on  rented  land,  being  thus 
employed  for  eight  years.  Having  lived  economically  and  prospered  in  his  labors, 
Mr.  Basmusson  was  able  to  purchase  his  present  farm  in  1910  and  is  now  the 
owner  of  two  hundred  acres  of  very  fertile  and  productive  land  on  section  19, 
Ciystal  township,  Hancock  county,  on  which  he  has  made  many  useful  and  valu- 
able improvements.  He  is  engaged  in  general  farming  but  makes  a  specialty  of 
the  raising  of  stock  of  all  kinds  which  he  finds  quite  profitable. 

In  1914  Mr.  Basmusson  married  Miss  Bachel  Davis,  who  was  bom  in  Iowa 
Falls,  Iowa,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Henry  and  Luella  (Johnson)  Davis,  natives  of 
Wisconsin  and  Norway  respectively.  Her  parents  are  now  living  retired  ;in 
Crystal  township,  Hancock  county,  enjoying  a  well  earned  rest.    To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 


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80  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

Basmusson  have  be^  bom  two  children  but  the  first  died  in  infancy.  The  other, 
Anna  Fern,  was  bom  April  3,  1916.  Mr.  Basmusson  supports  the-  men  and 
measures  of  the  republican  party  and  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  leading  citizens 
of  his  community. 


EBV.  MABTIN  HBGLAND,  PH.  D. 

In  the  educational  field  the  name  of  Dr.  Martin  Hegland,  president  of  Waldorf 
College  at  Forest  City,  is  well  known.  He  is  yet  a  comparatively  young  man  but 
has  already  made  for  himself  an  enviable  position  in  the  field  of  Christian  educa- 
tion and  his  work  is  reaching  out  through  its  influence  and  inspiration  over  a  wide 
territory.  He  took  charge  of  Waldorf  College  and  its  work  oq  the  1st  of  January, 
1915,  being  then  thirty-five  years  of  age.  His  birth  occurred  on  the  20th  of 
January,  1880,  in  Merton,  Steele  county,  Minnesota,  to  which  place  his  parents 
had  removed  on  leaving  Nedre  Telemarken,  Norway,  their  native  country.  They 
settled  upon  a  farm  upon  which  Dr.  Hegland  spent  his  boyhood  and  youth,  acquiring 
his  early  education  in  the  country  schools,  after  which  he  entered  upon  the  work  of 
the  eighth  grade  in  the  schools  of  Owatonna,  Minnesota,  where  he  later  completed 
high  school  work,  being  graduated  after  taking  the  Latin-scientific  course.  He  was 
president  of  his  class  in  his  senior  year.  After  finishing  his  high  school  course  he 
matriculated  in  St.  Olaf  College  at  Northfield,  Minnesota,  where  he  pursued  the 
study  of  the  classics  and  during  that  period  was  an  active  member  of  the  different 
college  societies.  He  also. served  for  two  years  on  the  editorial  staflE  of  the 
college  paper  and  was  editor-in-chief  of  the  ^^iking  '04.^*  As  a  representative  of 
the  senior  class  he  won  the  Ware  oratorical  contest  and  as  representative  of  the 
college  won  the  state  contest  in  competition  with  the  different  colleges  of  the 
state.  Following  his  graduation  from  St.  Olaf  College  he  was  elected  superin- 
tendent of  schools  and  teacher  in  the  high  school  at  Fertile,  Minnesota,  where  he 
remained  for  three  years,  and  while  engaged  in  secular  school  work  he  continued 
an  active  worker  in  the  church  as  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school,  as  president 
of  the  Luther  League  and  as  teacher  of  the  Bible  class  in  the  United  Church  con- 
gregation. His  interest  in  church  work  led  him  to  take  up  the  study  of  theology 
at  the  United  Church  Seminary,  from  which  he  was  graduated  with  the  class  of 
1910,  and  while  there  he  also  studied  at  the  XTniversity  of  Minnesota,  specializing 
along  the  lines  of  English  philology,  education  and  history  of  philosophy.  He  won 
the  M.  A.  degree  in  1908  and  during  the  summer  vacation  of  that  year  he  substi- 
tuted for  Bev.  C.  K.  Solberg,  of  the  Zion  church  in  Chicago.  During  the  follow- 
ing summer  he  was  advance  agent  for  the  St.  Olaf  Band  on  their  twelve  weeks' 
trip  to  the  Pacific  coast,  which  included  a  visit  to  the  Seattle  Exposition,  and  in 
the  summer  of  1910  he  filled  the  pulpit  during  the  absence  of  the  Bev.- J.  C. 
Boseland  in  the  Covenant  church  of  Chicago. 

Dr.  Hegland  afterward  became  a  student  at  Columbia  University  in  New  York 
city,  where  he  specialized  on  education,  pursuing  the  studies  of  history  of  education, 
educational  philosophy  and  psychology,  and  educational  administration  and  com- 
parative education,  the  last  two  receiving  particular  attention.  He  was  awarded 
the  Foreign  Fellowship  by  the  university  and  went  abroad  to  make  a  special  study 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  33 

of  the  school  systems  of  the  European  countries.    He  also  visited  most  of  the 
colleges  and  universities  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  United  States. 

Following  his  return  from  Europe,  Dr.  Hegland  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of 
the  United  Lutheran  congregation  at  Grand  Forks,  North  Dakota,  and  in  1913 
was  ordained  to  the  ministry.  The  same  year  he  submitted  his  thesis  on  the 
subject  *The  Danish  People's  High  School,'^  and  the  degree  of  Ph.  D.  was  con- 
ferred upon  him  by  Columbia  University  in  1914.  At  the  annual  meeting  of 
the  United  Church  in  that  year  he  was  elected  one  of  the  associate  editors  of 
the  'TInited  Lutheran.'' 

In  the  fall  of  1914  he  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  United  Lutheran 
congregation  of  Forest  City  and  to  the  presidency  of  Waldorf  College  and  on  the 
1st  of  January,  1915,  entered  upon  his  duties.  He  is  often  called  upon  to  speak 
on  educational  and  religious  matters  and  is  a  contributor  to  church  publications. 

Dr.  Hegland  was  married  in  1911  to  Miss  Georgina  E.  Dieson,  of  Dell  Bapids, 
South  Dakota,  who  was  graduated  from  the  high  school  there  and  later  from 
St.  Olaf  College  in  1904.  She  served  as  teacher  and  preceptress  at  Concordia 
Coll^;e,  Moorhead,  Minnesota,  from  1904  until  1907,  and  occupied  the  same 
position  at  St.  Olaf  College  from  1909  until  1911.  She  also  did  some  post-grad- 
uate work  at  the  Columbia  University  and  she  is  of  great  assistance  to  her  hus- 
band in  the  performance  of  his  duties  in  both  the  pastoral  and  educational  fields. 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Hegland  now  have  a  little  daughter,  Anna  Tonette,  bom  June 
13,  1916. 

Dr.  Hegfand  is  concentrating  every  effort  upon  the  upbuilding  of  the  church 
and  school.  It  would  be  tautological  in  this  connection  to  enter  into  any  series  of 
statements  showing  him  to  be  a  man  of  broad  scholarly  attainments,  for  this  has 
been  shadowed  forth  between  the  lines  of  this  review.  He  ever  keeps  in  close  touch 
with  the  trend  of  modem  thought  concerning  all  those  questions  which  have  to  do 
with  the  welfare  of  mankind  and  are  of  vital  significance  to  the  country.  While 
possessing  a  studious  nature,  he  combines  with  it  the  intensely  practical  and  is 
thoroughly  alive  to  all  those  questions  and  interests  which  are  engaging  public 
thought  and  calling  forth  activity.  He  lives  not  in  the  past  nor  the  future  but  in 
the  present  with  its  multiform  duties  and  problems,  and  yet  he  looks  beyond  the. 
exigencies  of  the  moment  to  the  opportunities  and  possibilities  for  good  in  later 
years. 


P.  M.  GRIESEMEB. 


A  thoroughly  progressive  young  business  man  is  P.  M.  Griesemer,  the  president 
of  the  State  Bank  of  Klemme.  His  plans  are  always  carefully  considered,  and 
industry,  perseverance  and  sagacity  characterize  his  business  moves.  He  was 
bom  near  Gamer,  Hancock  county,  April  6,  1883,  a  son  of  Henry  and  Justina 
(Mayer)  Griesemer,  who  are  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  work.  After  attending 
the  public  schools  and  pursuing  a  course  in  a  business  college  at  Mason  City, 
Iowa,  he  went  to  Klemme  in  1902,  when  a  young  man  of  nineteen  years,  and 
secured  the  position  of  bookkeeper  in  the  Bank  of  Klemme,  which  was  organized 
and  opened  its  doors  for  business  on  the  3d  of  November  of  that  year,  with  a 


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34     WINNEBAGO  AND  HANCOCK  COUNTIES 

capital  stock  of  fifteen  thgusand  dollars.  In  February,  1904,  it  was  reorganized 
as  the  State  Bank  of  Elemme  and  its  resources  are  now  four  hundred  thousand 
dollars.  Mr.  Griesemer  has  continued  with  the  bank  through  the  intervening  period 
of  fifteen  years,  filling  various  positions  and  advancing  step  by  step  until  in  January, 
1917,  he  was  elected  to  the  presidency.  He  has  carefully  studied  every  phase  of 
banking  and  the  policy  that  he  has  originated  most  carefully  safeguards  the  interests 
of  depositors  and  stockholders. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Griesemer  maintains  an  independent  course,  casting 
has  ballot  according  to  the  dictates  of  his  judgment.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  lodge  of  Garner  and  also  of  Bethel  Chapter,  No.  116,  E.  A.  M.,  loyally 
adhering  to  the  teachings  of  the  craft  which  is  based  upon  mutual  helpfulness 
and  mutual  kindness.  He  is  well  known  in  the  county  in  which  he  has  spent 
his  entire  life,  and  the  circle  of  his  friends  is  almost  coextensive  with  the  circle  of 
his*  acquaintance. 


JOSEPH  E.  HOWAED. 


Although  now  living  retired  in  Forest  City,  Joseph  E.  Howard  has  figured 
prominently  in  connection  with  its  professional  and  public  interests.  The  energy 
and  enterprise  which  he  has  displayed  in  the  conduct  of  business  affairs  are  the 
qualities  which  have  brought  him  well  deserved  success,  enabling  him  now  to  rest 
from  further  labor  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  fruits  of  his  former  toil.  Iowa  claims 
him  as  a  native  son.  He  was  bom  in  Fayette  county,  August  31,  1855,  a  son  of 
Samuel  and  Jane  (Alcorn)  Howard,  natives  of  Mercer  county  and  of  Fayette 
county,  Pennsylvania,  respectively.  In  1854  they  became  residents  of  Iowa  and 
in  1869  took  up  their  abode  in  Forest  City,  where  their  remaining  days  were 
passed.  Samuel  Howard  purchased  a  farm  near  the  town  and  devoted  five  years 
to  general  agricultural  pursuits  upon  that  place.  He  then  removed  to  the  city 
and  here  lived  until  called  to  his  final  rest  in  May,  1907.  For  fifteen  years  he 
had  survived  his  wife,  who  passed  away  in  May,  1892,  in  the  faith  of  the  Congre- 
gational church,  of  which  she  was  a  devoted  member.  Mr.  Howard  gave  his 
political  allegiance  to  the  democratic  party  and  was  classed  with  the  valued  and 
representative  citizens  of  his  district. 

Joseph  E.  Howard  after  acquiring  a  public  school  education  attended  the 
State  University  at  Iowa  City,  where  he  pursued  a  law  course.  He  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  in  1878  and  continued  in  the  active  practice  of  law  for  two  years.  On 
the  expiration  of  that  period  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  real  estate  business, 
in  which  he  has  since  been  actively  engaged,  and  throughout  the  intervening 
period  he  has  negotiated  many  important  realty  transfers  which  have  figured  as 
features  in  the  steady  growth  and  development  of  this  section.  He  was  also  editor 
of  the  Summit  for  two  years  and  was  one  of  the  owners  of  that  paper  in  connection 
with  G.  S.  Gilbertson  for  a  decade. 

It  is  not  alone  in  business  circles  that  Mr.  Howard  has  figured,  for  he  has  again 
and  again  been  tested  in  relation  to  public  service  and  never  has  he  been  found 
wanting.  At  all  times  he  has  stood  for  progress  and  improvement  in  conmiunity 
affairs  and  his  efforts  to  further  the  best  interests  of  ci^  and  county  have  been 


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WINNEBAGO  AND  HANCOCK  COUNTIES     35 

far-reaching  and  beneficial.  In  1895  he  was  appointed  clerk  of  the  district  court. 
He  served  for  eight  years  as  a  member  of  the  city  council  and  for  two  terms  as 
mayor  of  Forest  City,  while  for  eight  and  one-half  years  he  filled  the  position  of 
postmaster,  retiring  from  that  oflfice  on  the  Ist  of  July,  1907.  At  a  boosters' 
meeting  held  recently  one  of  the  speakers  in  reviewing  the  progress  of  the  city 
said  that  if  Mr.  Hbward  had  been  postmaster  for  four  years  longer  he  would  have 
had  Des  Moines  receiving  mail  by  rural  delivery  from  Forest  City,  which  jesting 
remark  indicates  the  great  energy  and  initiative  which  Mr.  Howard  brings  to 
everything  that  he  undertakes  to  do.  lie  was  one  of  the  organizers  and  proprietors 
of  the  first  bank  established  in  Buffalo  Center,  it  being  founded  in  1892  under  the 
name  of  the  Bank  of  Buffalo  Center.  It  is  now  known,  however,  as  the  First 
National  Bank. 

On  the  2d  of  November,  1879,  Mr.  Howard  was  married  to  Miss  Charlotte 
Elnora  Skinner,  a  daughter  of  D.  £.  and  Anna  L.  (Swan)  Skinner,  who  came 
from  Connecticut  to  the  middle  west,  settling  in  Iowa  at  an  early  day  after  living 
for  some  time  in  Illinois.  They  established  their  home  in  Allamakee  county, 
where  Mr.  Skinner  followed  the  occupation  of  farming.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Howard 
have  become  parents  of  seven  children,  as  follows:  Ina  and  Mabel,  both  at 
home;  Jay  E.,  who  is  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  at  Estherville,  Iowa;  Ethel, 
a  teacher  at  Bock  Bapids,  Iowa ;  Dan  S.,  who  is  in  the  mail  service  and  resides  at 
Forest  City;  Alice,  who  is  engaged  in  teaching  at  Buffalo  Center,  Iowa;  and 
Margie,  also  a  teacher  at  Buffalo  Center,  this  state. 

The  family  are  members  of  the  Congregational  church  and  do  all  in  their 
power  to  promote  its  growth  and  extend  its  influence.  In  politics  Mr.  Howard* 
has  ever  been  a  republican,  giving  loyal  aid  to  the  party  because  of  his  firm  belief 
in  its  principles.  In  his  fraternal  relations  he  is  a  Mason,  belonging  to  Truth 
Lodge,  No.  213,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  which  he  is  a  past  master,  and  to  Bethel 
Chapter,  No.  116,  E.  A.  M.,  at  Gamer.  His  life  exemplifies  the  beneficent  spirit  of 
the  craft  and  he  has  given  many  tangible  evidences  of  his  belief  in  the  brotherhood 
of  man.  While  his  interests  are  many,  the  activities  of  his  life  have  been  well 
balanced.  His  is  a  symmetrical  character,  one  that  has  never  been  developed 
along  certain  lines  to  the  dwarfing  of  his  possibilities  in  other  connections,  and 
while  he  has  carefully  managed  his  business  interests  for  the  purpose  of  attaining 
legitimate  success,  he  has  at  the  same  time  utilized  his  powers  and  energies  for 
the  benefit  of  the  community  and  has  contributed  much  to  public  progress. 


JOHN  H.  TERHUFEN. 


John  H.  Terhufen,  who  is  engaged  in  general  farming  on  section  19,  German 
township,  Hancock  county,  owns  and  cultivates  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of 
land,  which  he  has  brought  to  a  high  state  of  development.  He  follows  progressive 
methods  in  all  his  farm  work,  his  land  being  devoted  to  the  cultivation  of  the 
cereals  best  adapted  to  soil  and  climate.  Wisconsin  numbers  him  among  her 
native  sons,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  Dodge  county  on  the  9th  of  June,  1869, 
his  parents  being  Henry  and  Minnie  (Sette)  Terhufen,  both  of  whom  were  natives 
of  Germany.    The  father  is  deceased  and  the  mother  is  living  in  Elemme,  Iowa. 


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36  WINNEBAGK)    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

John  H.  Terhufen  acquired  a  common  school  education  while  spending  his 
youthful  days  under  the  parental  roof  and  was  early  trained  to  the  work  of  the 
farm,  his  vacation  periods  being  largely  spent  in  the  fields.  After  his  textbooks 
were  put  aside  he  continued  to  work  on  the  home  farm  until  he  reached  the  age 
of  twenty-two  years,  when  his  father  gave  him  five  hundred  dollars  with  which  to 
purchase  land,  and  he  became  the  owner  of  a  tract  on  section  25,  German  town- 
ship, Hancock  county,  Iowa.  His  next  purchase  brought  him  land  on  section  22^ 
German  township  and  later  he  acquired  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  19. 
German  township.  This  he  bought  about  1900  and  he  has  since  occupied  the 
farm,  which  was  formerly  operated  as  a  dairy  farm,  but  which  he  now  devotes  to 
the  cultivation  of  crops,  raising  com,  wheat  and  other  cereals  for  which  the  soil 
is  particularly  adapted.  His  place  is  divided  into  fields  of  convenient  size  by 
well  kept  fences  and  his  methods  of  tilling  the  soil  are  progressive,  while  he  facili- 
tates the  work  of  the  fields  by  the  use  of  modem  machinery. 

On  the  8th  of  August,  1894,  Mr.  Terhufen  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Enmia  Stille,  a  daughter  of  Henry  and  Louisa  (Steinke)  Stille,  the  former  a 
native  of  Germany  and  the  latter  of  Missouri.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Terhufen  have 
become  the  parents  of  two  sons,  Howard  A.  and  Glenn  H.,  both  at  home. 

The  religious  faith  of  the  parents  is  that  of  the  German  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  and  they  are  highly  esteemed  because  of  their  sterling  worth  and  many 
admirable  traits  of  character.  Mr.  Terhufen  is  a  school  director  and  for  four 
years  has  filled  the  office  of  township  assessor.  He  is  interested  in  all  that  pertains 
to  the  material,,  intellectual,  political,  social  and  moral  progress  of  his  oommuniiy 
and  is  highly  respected  as  a  man  of  genuine  personal  worth  as  well  as  of  good 
business  ability. 


EUGENE  SECOB. 


Called  td  many  positions  of  public  honor  and  tmst,  Eugene  Secor,  of  Forest 
City,  has  ever  manifested  his  loyalty  to  the  best  interests  of  his  community  and  his 
state  and  in  everything  that  he  has  undertaken  he  has  worked  toward  high  ideals. 
Gifted  by  nature  with  strong  mental  powers,  his  career  has  been  one  of  continued 
development,  reaching  out  along  those  lines  which  make  life  fuller,  richer  and  better. 
He  was  bom  in  May,  1841,  on  a  farm  in  Peekskill  Hollow,  New  York,  a  son  of 
Alson  and  Sarah  C.  (Knapp)  Secor,  who  were  fanning  people  and  spent  their 
entire  lives  in  the  Empire  state.  The  Secors  were  descended  from  French  Hugue- 
nots who  came  to  America  in  1689. 

Eugene  Secor  attended  school  in  his  native  county  and  in  1862  removed  west- 
ward to  Iowa,  settling  in  Forest  City,  his  elder  brother,  David  Secor,  being  at  that 
time  treasurer  and  recorder  of  Winnebago  county  and  also  postmaster  of  Forest 
City.  After  working  for  a  time  he  resumed  his  studies,  entering  Cornell  College  at 
Mount  Veriion,  Iowa.  He  had  been  there  not  quite  a  year  when  his  elder  brother 
enlisted  for  service  in  the  Civil  War,  so  that  Eugene  Secor  was  called  back  to  take 
charge  of  his  brother^s  office  and  the  postoffice,  as  deputy,  discharging  the  duties  of 
those  positions  until  the  close  of  the  war.  After  removing  to  the  west  he  had 
learned  the  mason's  trade  but  for  many  years  was  active  in  public  office.  At  the 
first  election  for  mayor  in  Forest  City  he  was  chosen  to  that  office  and  his  adminis- 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  39 

tration  was  so  satisfactory  to  his  constituents  that  he  was  three  time  reelected^ 
serving  for  four  consecutive  terms.  He  carefully  administered  the  affairs  of  the 
new  municipality  and  his  administration  was  fraught  with  excellent  results.  After- 
wards he  was  a  member  of  the  town  council  for  many  years.  In  1869  he  was 
elected  clerk  of  the  courts,  having  previously  served  as  deputy,  and  filled  that 
position  acceptably  for  six  years,  being  elected  for  the  third  term  of  two  years 
without  opposition.  He  was  not  a  candidate  for  the  fourth  term.  In  1876  he 
was  called  to  the  oflBce  of  county  auditor  and  served  for  four  years,  after  which 
he  refused  to  be  again  a  candidate.  He  was  also  county  coroner  for  two  years 
and  still  higher  honors  awaited  him  in  his  election  as  a  member  of  the  twenty-ninth 
general  assembly  of  Iowa,  in  which  he  served  on  several  important  committees  and 
was  chairman  of  the  Horticultural  committee.  He  was  not  a  candidate  for  reelec- 
tion. For  many  years  Mr.  Secor  by  appointment  of  the  governor  served  as  a 
delegate  from  Iowa  to  the  Farmers  National  Congress.  For  six  years  he  was  a 
trustee  of  the  Iowa  Agricultural  College  and  filled  that  position  when  it  was  an 
elective  one  by  the  state  legislature.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees 
and  of  the  executive  committee  of  Cornell  College  at  Mount  Vernon,  Iowa,  for 
twenty  years,  and  holds  an  honorary  degree  of  M.  A.  from  that  institution.  For 
fifteen  consecutive  years  he  served  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  education  at  Forest 
City  and  with  the  exception  of  one  year  was  throughout  that  entire  period  president 
of  the  board.  His  public  service  has  been  of  the  greatest  benefit.  Thoroughly 
understanding  the  various  duties  that  have  devolved  upon  him,  he  has  ever  been 
prompt  and  faithful  in  their  execution  and  at  all  times  has  been  guided  by  the 
utmost  spirit  of  devotion  to  the  general  good.  He  was  for  twelve  years  president  of 
the  Winnebago  County  Farmers  Institute  and  then  declined  reelection.  He  organ- 
ized the  Winnebago  County  Agricultural  Society  and  was  its  first  president,  and  it 
was  in  his  administration  that  the  property  was  bought  and  the  first  building 
erected.  In  1907  he  was  appointed  by  President  Roosevelt  to  the  position  of  post- 
master of  Forest  City  and  occupied  that  ofl5ce  for  five  and  one-half  years.  He  was 
a  charter  member  of  the  Iowa  Society,  Sons  of  the  American  Eevolution,  and  was 
at  one  time  president  thereof. 

All  during  the  time  that  Mr.  Secor  served  in  these  various  positions  of  public 
honor  and  trust  he  also  conducted  a  real  estate  and  loan  business  in  Forest  City, 
and  for  the  past  forty  years  he  has  been  widely  known  as  a  bee  culturist,  winning  a 
world-wide  reputation  in  this  connection.  He  now  has,  however,  only  about  twenty 
colonies  of  fine,  pure  Italian  bees.  Such  is  his  standing  along  this  line  that  in 
1893  he  was  appointed  the  expert  apiarian  judge  for  the  World^s  Columbian  Exposi- 
tion at  Chicago,  a  fact  indicative  of  his  wide  study  and  knowledge  of  the  subject. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  North  American  Bee-Keepers  Society,  of  which  hfe  was  at 
one  time  president,  while  for  seven  years  he  was  its  general  manager  and  treasurer. 
He  is  a  regular  contributor  to  various  agricultural  and  technical  journals  on 
subjects  relating  to  bee  culture  and  other  phases  of  country  life,  and  his  opinions 
have  become  accepted  as  authority.  He  was  editor  of  the  bee  keeper^s  department 
of  the  Northwestern  Agriculturist  of  Minneapolis  for  many  years  and  at  one  time 
held  a  similar  position  on  the  staff  of  a  farm  paper  published  at  Cedar  Rapids. 
He  possesses  considerable  literary  taste  and  talent,  and  his  writings  on  various 
subjects  appear  frequently  in  the  city  papers  as  well  as  in  the  local  press.     From 


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40  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

his  pen  have  also  come  various  poems  of  worthy  and  many  of  his  songs  have  been 
set  to  music.  Another  phase  of  his  activity  has  been  in  the  field  of  horticulture, 
and  that  he  has  attained  prominence  and  success  in  that  direction  is  indicated  in 
the  fact  that  he  has  been  honored  with  the  vice  presidency  and  presidency  of  the 
Iowa  Horticultural  Society,  of  which  he  is  now  a  director.  He  has  been  on  the 
program  at  the  conventions  of  the  society  for  twenty  years  or  more  and  articles 
from  his  pen  appear  in  every  volume  of  the  published  proceedings  of  the  society. 
At  the  present  time  he  is  devoting  his  attention  most  largely  to  horticulture,  making 
a  specialty  of  ornamental  trees  and  plants,  particularly  peonies.  He  owns  a  fine 
tract  of  land  adjoining  Forest  City  and  calls  his  place  The  Shelter.  His  home  is 
a  beautiful  residence,  in  front  of  which  is  a  miniature  park,  and  it  indicates  his 
artistic  perception  and  taste  in  the  field  of  landscape  gardening.  He  is  now  a 
director  of  the  Farm  Property  Mutual  Insurance  Association  of  Iowa,  having  its 
headquarters  at  Des  Moines.  He  is  engaged  to  some  extent  in  breeding  registered 
shorthorn  cattle  and  for  many  years  he  was  a  director  of  a  private  bank,  which  was 
organized  by  himself  and  others  in  1882  under  the  name  of  Secor,  Law  &  Plummer, 
and  which  was  later  nationalized  as  the  First  National  Bank. 

On  September  17,  1866,  Mr.  Secor  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Millie  M. 
Spencer,  who  was  born  in  Milan,  Ohio,  January  29,  1848,  and  died  April  29,  1912. 
They  became  the  parents  of  ten  children  but  only  four  survived  the  mother: 
Willard,  who  succeeded  his  father  in  the  Secor  Company  of  Forest  City,  and 
whose  death  occurred  in  May,  1915;  Alson,  who  is  the  editor  of  the  paper  called 
Successful  Farming,  published  in  Des  Moines;  Nina,  at  home;  and  Manly,  who  is 
engaged  as  a  horticulturist  at  Tama.  Iowa. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Secor  has  always  been  a  republican  and  his  efforts 
have  been  an  effective  force  in  promoting  party  successes.  He  was  a  delegate  to 
the  republican  national  convention  in  1892.  He  belongs  to  the  Methodist  church, 
in  which  he  has  served  for  a  long  time  as  an  oflScer.  In  May,  1892,  he  was  a  dele- 
gate from  Northwest  Iowa  conference  to  the  quadrennial  general  conference  of  the 
Methodist  church  at  Omaha,  Nebraska.  In  fact,  his  ability  has  called  him  to 
leadership  in  many  lines  in  which  his  activities  have  been  put  forth.  Thorough- 
ness is  characteristic  of  all  that  he  does  and  the  spirit  of  advancement  and  progress 
has  guided  him  in  every  stage  of  his  career,  bringing  him  at  last  to  a  place  where 
he  stands  as  a  recognized  authority  upon  many  questions  that  have  to  do  with  the 
material  resources  and  development  of  the  state.  He  has  now  passed"  the  age  of 
three  score  years  and  ten  and  is  enjoying  a  well  earned  rest  from  business  cares 
and  responsibilities.  Indolence  and  idleness  are  utterly  foreign  to  his  nature, 
however,  and  he  keeps  busy  with  his  horticultural  investigations  and  literary  work. 


HON.  FEANK  W.  EUSSELL. 

Hon.  Frank  W.  Eussell  is  a  leading  and  influential  citizen  of  Winnebago  county. 
He  represented  his  district  in  the  thirty-fourth  general  assembly  and  has  long 
been  an  active  factor  in  guiding  the  political  interests  of  this  section.  He  is  now 
actively  engaged  in  farming,  although  he  makes  his  home  in  Forest  City,  and  in 
business  as  well  as  in  politics  his  position  is  one  of  prominence.    He  was  bom  in 


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WINNEBAGO  AND  HANCOCK  COUNTIES      41 

Cook  county,  Illinois,  January  4,  1859,  a  son  of  William  and  Ann  (Barnes) 
Bussell.  The  father  was  a  native  of  Wakefield,  New  Hampshire,  and  represented 
one  of  the  old  colonial  families  that  was  represented  in  the  Eevolutionary  w^r. 
The  mother  was  the  first  white  child  bom  in  Elk  Grove,  Cook  county,  Illinois,  to 
which  district  her  parents  removed  from  Montpelier,  Vermont,  making  the  journey 
in  a  wagon  drawn  by  a  yoke  of  oxen.  This  was  about  1832,  at  which  time  the 
present  site  of  Chicago  was  nothing  but  a  swamp.  It  seemed  very  undesirable  as 
a  location,  so  the  family  went  out  twenty  miles  to  secure  what  appeared  to  be 
more  valuable  land.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Russell  continued  residents  of  Cook  county 
throughout  their  remaining  days.  In  the  early  years  he  was  a  railroad  man  and 
became  a  conductor  on  the  Chicago  &  Northwestern,  serving  in  that  capacity  on 
the  first  train  to  run  over  the  Wisconsin  division  of  the  road.  In  later  years  his 
attention  was  given  to  farming. 

Frank  W.  Eussell  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Cook  county  and  in 
the  high  school  of  Arlington  Heights,  Illinois.  He  was  reared  to  farm  life  and 
had  the  usual  experiences  of  the  farm  bred  boy  who  early  becomes  familiar  with 
the  best  methods  of  tilling  the  soil  and  caring  for  the  crops.  After  attaining  his 
majority  he  continued  on  the  old  homestead  and  cooperated  with  his  father  in 
its  further  development  and  improvement  until  he  reached  his  twenty-ninth  year. 
It  was  on  the  22d  of  February,  1888,  that  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Annie 
Femald  of  Arlington  Heights,  Illinois,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Olive  (Lord) 
Femald,  both  natives  of  Maine.  After  the  father^s  death  in  1867  the  mother 
married  again  and  removed  to  Illinois.  Still  later  she  came  to  Forest  City  and 
in  1900  she  passed  away.  The  spring  following  his  marriage  Mr.  Eussell  came  to 
Iowa,  taking  up  his  abode  on  a  farm  in  Newton  township  four  and  a  half  miles 
west  of  Leland.  There  he  purchased  two  hundred  and  forty  acres,  on  which  he 
resided  for  twenty-two  years.  In  the  meantime,  however,  he  had  purchased  an 
adjoining  eighty  acre  tract,  making  his  home  farm  one  of  three  hundred  and 
twenty  acres.  Upon  this  place  he  engaged  in  the  cultivation  of  the  cereals  best 
adapted  to  soil  and  climate  and  also  made  a  specialty  of  the  buying  and  feeding 
of  stock.  He  fed  all  of  the  grain  which  he  raised  on  his  farm  and  became  one 
of  the  best  known  live  stock  dealers  in  this  section  of  the  state.  His  business 
affairs  were  always  carefully  and  wisely  managed  and  conducted  and  in  all  of  his 
undertakings  he  displayed  sound  judgment  and  keen  sagacity.  In  1910  he  left  the 
farm  and  removed  to  Forest  City  but  continued  to  cultivate  his  land  and  is  still 
numbered  among  the  active  agriculturists  of  this  part  of  the  state.  He  is  also  a 
stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Cooperative  Creamery  at  Thompson  and  for  the 
past  eighteen  years  he  has  served  as  the  president  of  the  Farmers  Mutual  Fire  & 
Lightning  Association  of  Winnebago  county.  His  judgment  is  sound  and  his 
discrimination  keen  and  what  he  undertakes  he  carries  forward  to  successful 
completion. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Russell  worship  at  the  Congregational  church.  They  occupy  a 
very  enviable  position  in  social  circles  and  enjoy  the  good  vrill  and  confidence  of 
all  who  know  them.  In  politics  Mr.  Russell  is  a  republican.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  school  board  of  Newton  township  for  many  years  and  when  he  removed  to 
Forest  City  he  was  appointed  a  member  of  the  city  school  board  and  in  March, 
1917,  was  elected  to  that  office.    At  the  November  election  of  1910  he  was  chosen 


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42  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

to  represent  his  district  in  the  state  legislature,  serving  through  the  thirty-fourth 
general  assembly  with  distinction  and  honor,  his  record  being  one  which  was 
entirely  satisfactory  to  his  constituents  and  reflected  credit  upon  himself,  showing 
him  to  be  a  man  of  progressive  spirit  and  actuated  by  high  civic  ideals. 


E.  J.  INDVIK. 


E.  J.  Indvik,  who  is  one  of  the  prominent  farmers  of  Linden  township,  Winne-^ 
bago  county,  gives  particular  attention  to  the  raising  of  high  grade  stock  and  has 
been  a  factor  in  the  advancement  of  the  interests  of  the  county  along  that  line. 
He  was  bom  in  Norway,  January  10,  1861,  of  the  marriage  of  Johannes  0.  and 
Ingeborg  (Hanson)  Indvik.  It  was  in  1872  that  the  family  came  to  the  United 
States  and  located  in  Winneshiek  county,  Iowa,  and  three  years  later  removal  was 
made  to  Winnebago  county.  The  father  purchased  a  farm  in  Mount  Valley  town- 
ship and  engaged  in  its  operation  until  his  death,  which  occurred  the  following  fall. 
The  mother  continued  upon  that  farm  for  about  two  years  and  in  the  spring  of 
1877  came  to  Linden  township,  where  she  lived  until  she  passed  away  in  1911  at 
the  advanced  age  of  eighty-nine  years. 

E.  J.  Indvik,  who  was  eleven  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  the  emigration  of  the 
family  to  the  new  world,  completed  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  Iowa, 
but  following  the  death  of  his  father  when  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age,  assumed 
the  burden  of  operating  the  home  farm,  as  he  was  the  oldest  of  the  unmarried 
sons.  For  several  years  after  the  removal  of  the  family  to  Linden  township  he, 
with  the  assistance  of  his  younger  brothers,  operated  rented  land,  but  in  1881  he 
bought  forty  acres  on  section  23,  Linden  township,  aiid  deeded  the  tract  to  his 
mother.  Later  eighty  acres  was  acquired  and  was  deeded  to  Mr.  Indvik  of  this 
review  and  his  brother,  H.  J.  Indvik.  They  farmed  in  partnership  for  a  number 
of  years,  but  early  in  1892  dissolved  their  business  connections.  On  subject 
then  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  14,  Linden  township,  and 
not  long  afterward  was  married.  From  time  to  time  he  has  purchased  additional 
land  and  now  holds  title  to  four  hundred  and  eighty  acres.  The  improvements 
upon  the  place  are  up-to-date  in  every  respect  and  in  his  methods  Mr.  Indvik  has 
shown  himself  practical  and  progressive.  He  specializes  in  breeding  and  raising 
high  grade  shorthorn  cattle  and  Poland  China  hogs  and  finds  a  ready  market  for 
his  stock.  He  also  raises  some  grain  to  sell  and  has  so  wisely  managed  his  affairs 
that  he  has  gained  financial  independence.  He  is  likewise  interested  in  the 
Farmers  Cooperative  Creamery  of  Thompson  and  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  of 
Thompson  and  considers  the  stock  which  he  owns  in  those  concerns  to  be  an 
excellent  investment. 

In  June,  1892,  Mr.  Indvik  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Martha  Bjelland,  of 
Forest  township,  who,  however,  was  born  in  Norway.  She  remained  in  her  native 
country  until  young  womanhood  and  then  came  to  the  United  States.  She  has 
become  the  mother  of  four  children,  as  follows :  Isabelle  S.,  who  is  a  graduate  of 
Waldorf  College  of  Forest  City  and  is  a  teacher  in  the  district  schools;  Sidney  J. 
and  Ellen  M.,  both  of  whom  are  attending  Waldorf  College ;  and  Johan  H.,  who  is 
a  public  school  pupil. 


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WINNEBAGO  AND  HANCOCK  COUNTIES     43 

Mr.  Indvik  is  a  strong  republican  in  politics  and  is  novr  serving  as  a  member 
of  the  board  of  township  trustees.  He  is  also  on  the  school  board  and  for  a 
number  of  years  was  president  of  that  body.  He  and  his  family  are  communi- 
cants of  the  Lutheran  Synod  and  the  work  of  that  church  is  furthered  by  their 
hearty  support.  In  all  that  he  has  done  has  manifested  a  tendency  to  advance 
the  general  welfare  and  has  been  a  consistent  and  effective  worker  for  progress 
along  material,  moral  and  civic  lines.  He  numbers  as  his  friends  practically  all 
his  acquaintances  and  the  high  esteem  in  which  he  is  universally  held  is  the  natural 
result  of  his  ability  and  integrity. 


HANS  E.  EIEL,  M.  D. 


Dr.  Hans  E.  Eiel,  an  efficient  and  popular  physician  and  surgeon  residing  at 
Buffalo  Center,  is  also  now  filling  the  office  of  postmaster  there.  He  was  bom  in 
Center  township,  Winnebago  county,  February  4,  1876,  of  the  marriage  of  John 
and  B.  Olina  (Tvedsudd)  Eiel.  On  emigrating  to  America  his  parents  first 
located  in  Mitchell  county,  Iowa,  but  two  years  later,  or  in  1870,  removed  to 
Winnebago  county.  The  father  purchased  land  in  Center  township  and  there 
he  engaged  in  farming  for  many  years  but  is  now  living  retired  with  his  daughter, 
Millie,  the  wife  of  Dr.  J.  E.  Colby,  of  Lake  Mills,  a  sketch  of  whom  appears 
elsewhere  in  this  work.    The  mother's  death  occurred  January  1,  1915. 

Hans  E.  Eiel  spent  his  boyhood  and  youth  upon  the  home  farm  and  after  com- 
pleting the  work  in  the  common  schools  attended  a  business  college  at  Garner, 
Iowa.  Later  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  in  the  office  of  Dr.  P.  A.  Helgeson, 
of  Lake  Mills,  and  in  1895  matriculated  in  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons 
at  Keokuk,  Iowa.  He  studied  there  for  two  yeats  and  for  a  similar  length  of 
time  was  a  student  in  the  Keokuk  Medical  College,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
March  20,  1899,  with  the  M.  D.  degree.  After  passing  the  state  board  examination 
he  began  practice  in  1898  in  Norman,  Iowa,  but  remained  there  only  a  short  time 
and  in  July,  1899,  opened  an  office  in  Buffalo  Center,  where  he  has  since  remained. 
It  was  not  long  before  his  ability  won  recognition  and  his  practice  has  grown 
steadily  until  it  is  now  extensive  and  representative.  He  has  served  as  health 
officer  of  Buffalo  Center  for  a  number  of  years  and  his  work  in  that  connection 
has  been  very  effective  in  bringing  about  improved  sanitary  conditions.  He  owns 
three  good  farms,  an  eighty  acre  tract  near  Lake  Mills,  a  farm  of  two  hundred 
and  thirty-two  acres  west  of  Buffalo  Center  and  a  quarter  section  of  land  seven 
and  a  half  miles  northwest  of  Buffalo  Center.  All  of  these  places  are  well  improved 
and  he  derives  therefrom  a  good  financial  return. 

Dr.  Eiel  was  married  in  May,  1899,  to  Miss  Sarah  Skutle.  Her  parents,  0.  0. 
and  Martha  (Lee)  Skutle,  were  born  in  Norway  but  came  to  America  in  the 
*508  and  located  in  Wisconsin.  After  farming  for  several  years  the  father  removed 
with  his  family  to  Mitchell  county,  Iowa,  where  he  followed  agricultural  pursuits 
until  he  retired  in  1897  and  took  up  his  residence  in  Lake  Mills,  where  he  stili 
Uvea.  To  the  Doctor  and  his  wife  have  been  born  three  children:  John  Olaf, 
whose  birth  occurred  in  February,  1900;  Merrill  Orion,  bom  in  January,  1903; 
and  Sylvia  Helen,  born  in  January,  1913. 

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44      WINNEBAGO  AND  HANCOCK  COUNTIES 

Dr.  Eiel  is  a  democrat  in  politics  and  in  1915  was  appointed  postmaster  of 
Buffalo  Center,  an  office  which  he  has  filled  with  entire  satif action  to  the  com- 
munity. He  belongs  to  the  Masonic  order,  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America  and  along  professional  lines  is  connected  with  the  Winnebago 
County  and  Iowa  State  Medical  Societies  and  the  American  Medical  Association. 
His  religious  faith  is  indicated  by  his  membership  in  the  United  Lutheran  church. 
He  is  held  in  high  esteem  as  a  physician  and  as  a  man,  and  his  personal  friends 
are  many. 


ERASMUS  DARWIN  HINMAN. 

For  many  years  Erasmus  Darwin  Hinman  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  rais- 
ing in  Winnebago  county  and  so  ably  managed  his  business  affairs  that  he  gained 
financial  independence.  During  the  later  years  of  his  life  he  spent  considerable 
time  in  California,  but  passed  away  in  Lake  Mills.  He  was  bom  in  Holland, 
Vermont,  April  15,  1834,  of  the  marriage  of  Ezra  and  Betsy  (Sweatland)  Hin- 
man, also  natives  of  the  Green  Mountain  state.  In  1862  the  family  removed  to 
Worth  county,  Iowa,  and  subsequently  to  Winnebago  county.  The  father  was  a 
farmer  by  occupation,  but  spent  the  last  years  of  his  life  in  retirement  at  the 
home  of  a  daughter  in  Northwood,  Iowa,  dying  there  in  1868.  The  mother  sur- 
vived him  for  four  years. 

Erasmus  Darwin  Hinman  was  reared  in  Vermont  and  received  his  education 
in  the  schools  of  Holland  and  Derby,  that  state.  H^  remained  with  his  parents 
until  1856,  when  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years,  he  removed  to  Worth  county, 
Iowa,  where  he  took  up  a  homestead,  which  in  the  course  of  time  became  one  of  the 
best  improved  farms  of  the  locality.  When  he  had  resided  in 'that  county  for 
only  a  short  time  he  was  honored  by  election  as  county  treasurer,  which  position 
he  filled  for  two  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  took  up  his  residence  in  Lake 
Mills,  Winnebago  county,  and  not  long  afterward  was  elected  county  clerk  and 
recorder,  so  serving  for  six  years.  He  then  left  the  county  seat  and  returned  to 
Lake  Mills,  and  a  short  time  later  b^an  farming  in  Center  township,  where  in 
April,  1862,  he  had  purchased  a  half  section  of  land.  As  the  years  passed  he 
steadily  prospered  and  became  the  owner  of  most  of  the  land  in  the  north  and 
west  parts  of  Lake  Mills.  He  made  stock  raising  his  principal  business  and  on 
his  place  were  to  be  found  high  grade  horses,  cattle  and  sheep.  After  many 
years  of  active  labor  Mr.  Hinman  retired  in  1892  and  later  traveled  to  a  consid- 
erable extent.  He  owned  two  orange  groves  in  California  and  for  thirteen  years 
made  his  home  in  Pomona,  that  state,  but  a  short  time  before  his  death  returned 
to  Lake  Mills,  where  he  passed  away  in  August,  1907,  when  in  his  seventy-fourth 
year. 

On  the  13th  of  June,  1861,  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Hinman  and  Miss 
Ellen  Russell,  a  daughter  of  Robert  and  Jane  (Rusk)  Russell.  Her  father  was 
born  in  Scotland  and  her  mother  in  Ireland,  but  they  emigrated  to  America  in 
early  manhood  and  womanhood.  The  father's  demise  occurred  in  Chicago,  Illi- 
nois, in  1834,  and  the  mother's  in  1888.  Mrs.  Hinman  was  born  in  Chicago, 
September  7,  1834,  and  received  a  good  education.  While  her  husband  was  serv- 
ing as  clerk  and  recorder  of  Winnebago  county,  she  taught  school  and  proved 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  49 

very  successful  in  that  work.  She  had  charge  of  the  first  school  in  Norway 
township.  Having  no  children  of  their  own,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hinman  adopted  a 
daughter,  Buth,  who  died  on  the  5th  of  Uecember,  1893. 

Mr.  Hinman  supported  the  republican  party  at  the  polls  and  took  quite  a 
prominent  and  influential  part  in  local  politics,  serving  as  a  member  of  the  town 
council  of  Lake  Mills  for  some  time  and  also  as  justice  of  the  peace.  He  was 
also  very  active  in  church  work,  both  he  and  his  vrife  being  earnest  and  consistent 
members  of  the  Methodist  denomination,  and  he  served  as  superintendent  of 
the  Sunday  school  and  as  choir  leader.  His  religious  faith  was  the  guiding  force 
of  his  life  and  his  strict  integrity  won  him  the  unqualified  respect  of  all  who 
came  in  contact  with  him.  His  business  ability  was  also  generally  conceded 
and  his  public  spirit  was  manifested  in  the  support  of  all  movements  for  the 
advancement  of  the  general  good.  The  home  life  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hinman  was 
very  happy  and  congenial  and  they  did  all  in  their  power  to  alleviate  the  suflEer- 
ings  of  those  around  them,  being  extremely  charitable  and  benevolent.  Mr.  Hin- 
man gave  the  land  for  the  Lake  Mills  grist  mill  and  was  always  ready  to  assist 
those  needing  financial  helj),  the  poor  always  finding  in  him  a  friend.  He  assisted 
many  men  on  the  road  to  success  and  in  his  death  the  community  realized  that  it 
had  lost  a  valuable  citizen.  Mrs.  Hinman  has  recently  returned  from  California 
and  purchased  a  home  in  Forest  City,  where  hospitality  now  abounds  and  her 
many  warm  friends  are  always  sure  of  a  hearty  welcome.  , 


GILBEBT  THOMPSON. 


Agricultural  interests  of  Winnebago  county  find  a  worthy  representative  in 
Gilbert  Thompson,  who  owns  and  cultivates  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  rich 
and  productive  land  on  section  10,  Center  township.  He  was  bom  in  Dane  county, 
Wisconsin,  April  1,  1865,  and  is  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Helga  (Johnson)  Thompson, 
both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Norway.  They  came  to  America  in  1853  and  settled 
in  Dane  county,  where  the  father  purchased  land  which  he  improved,  residing 
thereon  for  twelve  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  came  to  Winnebago 
county,  Iowa,  in  1865  and  purchased  school  land  in  Center  township  for  a  dollar 
and  a  quarter  per  acre.  This  he  improved  and  cultivated  throughout  his  remaining 
days,  his  labors  being  ended  in  May,  1897,  when  he  had  reached  the  age  of  seventy- 
two  years.  His  widow  still  survives  and  has  now  attained  the  notable  age  of 
ninety-four  years.     • 

Gilbert  Thompson  was  but  six  weeks  old  when  brought  by  his  parents  to  Iowa, 
so  that  practically  his  entire  life  has  been  spent  in  Winnebago  county.  He  was 
reared  and  educated  in  Center  township,  devoting  the  winter  months  to  the  attain- 
ment of  knowledge  as  a  public  school  pupil^  while  in  the  summer  seasons  he  worked 
in  the  fields.  He  continued  to  assist  his  father  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty- 
five  years,  when  he  purchased  land  from  his  father  and  began  farming  on  his  own 
account.  From  time  to  time  he  added  to  the  property  until  he  now  has  an 
excellent  farm  of  two  hundred' and  forty  acres.  He  has  divided  this  into  fields  of 
convenient  size  surrounded  by  well  kept  fences,  has  cleared  and  improved  his  land 
and  now  has  one  of  the  finest  farms  of  Winnebago  county,  its  neat  and  thrifty 


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(50     WINNEBAGO  AND  HANCOCK  COUNTIES 

appearance  indicating  his  careful  supervision  and  his  practical  and  progressive 
methods.  In  addition  to  his  farming  interests  Mr.  Thompson  is  a  stockholder  in 
the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  of  LaTce  Mills,  in  the  Lake  Mills  Lumber  Com- 
pany and  in  the  Lake  Mills  Creamery  Company.  In  addition  to  tilling  his  fields 
he  makes  a  specialty  of  raising  thoroughbred  Hereford  cattle  and  his  live  stock 
interests  constitute  an  important  and  profitable  feature  of  his  business. 

In  February,  1896,  Mr.  Thompson  was  married  to  Miss  Karina  Shoutvet,  a 
daughter  of  Austin  and  Anna  (Vald)  Shoutvet,  who  were  pioneer  settlers  of  Wis- 
consin. The  father  died  in  1902,  while  the  death  of  the  mother  occurred  in 
February,  1917.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thompson  have  become  the  parents  of  nine  chil- 
dren: Hilma,  Ada,  Austin,  Gerald,  Melvin,  Morris  and  Gladys,  all  of  whom 
are  living;  Morris,  who  died  at  the  age  of  four  years;  and  Theodore,  who  died  at 
the  age  of  two. 

The  parents  are  members  of  the  United  Lutheran  church  and  guide  their  lives 
according  to  its  teachings.  In  politics  Mr.  Thompson  is  a  republican  but  has  never 
been  a  politician,  preferring  to  concentrate  his  efforts  and  attention  upon  his 
business  affairs,  which  are  wisely  and  carefully  directed  and  are  bringing  to  him 
substantial  and  well  merited  success. 


WILLIAM  H.  BAMSAY., 

r 

William  H.  Bamsay,  of  Gamer,  was  born  in  Illinois,  April  5,  1867,  a  son  of 
J.  W.  and  Mary  E.  (H^nry)  Bamsay,  both  of  whom  are  natives  of  Ohio.  In  the 
year  1860,  however,  they  removed  westward  to  Illinois,  where  the  father  took  up 
the  occupation  of  farming,  and  during  his  residence  there  he  was  called  upon  to 
fill  various  local  offices,  the  duties  of  which  he  discharged  with  promptness  and 
fidelity.  He  also  turned  his  attention  to  merchandising  while  in  that  state.  In 
1894  he  came  to  Iowa,  settling  at  Garner,  and  he  is  now  filling  the  position  of 
state  oil  inspector.  ' 

William  H.  Bamsay  acquired  a  public  school  education  and  entered  upon  the 
study  of  law  at  Paxton,  Illinois,  under  the  direction  of  J.  H.  Moffett.  In  1889 
he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  and  for  a  time  practiced  in  his  native  state,  after  which 
he  removed  to  Iowa,  settling  at  Indianola.  In  1891  he  became  a  resident  of 
Nebraska,  where  he  resided  until  1896,  when  he  came  to  Gamer,  Iowa,  where  he 
has  since  made  his  home  and  followed  his  profession.  In  1899  he  entered  into 
partnership  with  F.  E.  Blackstone  and  the  relation  has  since  been  maintained 
under  the  firm  style  of  Bamsay  &  Blackstone.  This  is  acounted  one  of  the  strong 
firms  practicing  at  the  Hancock  county  bar.  Mr.  Bamsay  has  giVfen  proof  of  the 
fact  that  he  possesses  an  analytical  mind  and  broad  legal  learning  by  the  readiness 
with  which  he  grasps  the  points  in  an  argument.  In  presenting  his  own  cause  his 
reasoning  is  clear,  his  deductions  sound  and  logical  and,  moreover,  he  never 
enters  the  court  without  having  carefully  prepared  his  cases. 

On  the  4th  of  November,  1891,  Mr.  Bamsay  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Swan,  a  native  of  Ohio  and  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Jane  (Haddon) 
Swan.  Their  daughter,  Jane,  is  a  graduate  of  Monmouth  College  and  is  now 
attending  the  State  Teachers  College  at  Cedar  Falls,  Iowa.    Mr.  and. Mrs.  Bamsay 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  51 

hold  membership  in  the  Presbyterian  church  and  their  lives  are  guided  by  its 
teachings.  His  political  allegiance  is  given  to  the  republican  party  and  for  four 
years  he  has  filled  the  oflSce  of  mayor,  giving  tg  the  city  a  businesslike  and  progres- 
sive administration  characterized  by  needed  reforms  and  improvements.  For  two 
terms  he  has  served  as  county  attorney  and  in  that  position  has  also  made  a  most 
creditable  record. 


JOHN  W.  COSTELLO. 


John  W.  Costello,  living  on  section  17,  Avery  township,  Hancock  county,  has 
devoted  his  entire  life  to  general  agricultural  pursuits  and  is  now  busily  engaged 
in  the  further  development  of  his  farm,  which  has  been  brought  to  a  high  state 
of  cultivation.  He  was  bom  November  5,  1876,  near  Bockford,  Illinois,  but  the 
greater  part  of  his  life  has  been  spent  in  Hancock  county,  Iowa,  where  he  arrived 
in  1882,  when  a  little  lad  of  but  six  summers,  in  company  with  his  parents,  Daniel 
and  Margaret  Lucy  Costello,  who  were  natives  of  Ireland.  In  early  life  they 
crossed  the  Atlantic  and  became  residents  of  Illinois,  establishing  their  home  near 
Bockford.  As  stated,  however  a  removal  was  made  to  Iowa  in  1882  and  the 
father,  in  1883,  purchased  oue  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  on  section  17, 
Avery  township,  for  which  he  paid  ten  dollars  and  a  half  per  acre.  He  then  bent 
his  energies  toward  the  development  and  cultivation  of  that  tract  of  land  and  con- 
verted it  into  rich  and  productive  fields.  He  has  now  departed  this  life,  but  his 
widow  is  still  living  at  about  the  age  of  eighty  years. 

John  W.  Costello  began  attending  the  public  schools  of  Iowa  on  coming  to  this 
state  and  pursued  his  studies  as  opportunity  oflfered  until  he  reached  the  age  of 
seventeen.  In  the  meantime,  however,  he  had  received  instruction  and  training  in 
farm  work,  for  he  early  began  to  assist  his  father  in  the  fields  and  soon  became 
familiar  with  the  best  methods  of  planting  and  harvesting  the  crops.  He  has  never 
sought  to  change  his  occupation  but  has  continued  one  of  the  active  farmers  of 
his  district  and  the  home  place  is  now  highly  cultivated,  so  that  he  annually  gathers 
good  crops. 

Mr.  Costello  is  a  Catholic  in  religious  faith  and  he  holds  membership  with 
the  Yeomen.  In  politics  he  is  a  democrat,  which  party  he  has  supported  since 
age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise.  He  has  served  as  township  trustee 
for  two  years  and  has  filled  the  oflSce  of  assessor  for  ten  years,  being  prompt, 
capable  and  faithful  in  the  discharge  of  his  public  duties,  so  that  his  fellow  towns- 
men have  marked  confidence  in  him. 


ANDBEW  M.  CLAUSON. 

Andrew  M.  Clauson,  a  grain  buyer  of  Forest  City,  operating  an  elevator  along 
the  tracks  of  the  Bock  Island  Bailway,  is  accounted  one  of  the  foremost  business 
men  of  his  district,  being  alert,  enterprising  and  energetic.  Forest  City  is  proud 
to  number  him  among  her  native  sons.    He  was  born  November  17,  1883,  of  the 


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52     WINNEBAGO  AND  HANCOCK  COUNTIES 

marriage  of  Nels  C.  and  Hannah  Clauson,  who  came  to  the  United  States  in 
young  manhood  and  womanhood.  In  this  country  they  were  married  and  for  the 
past  thirty-six  years  they  have  been  valued  residents  of  Forest  City. 

Andrew  M.  Clauson  was  reared  under  the  parental  roof  and  acquired  his 
education  in  the  schools  of  Forest  City  and  in  the  Highland  Park  College,  being 
graduated  from  the  commercial  department  of  that  institution  with  the  class  of 
1899.  Following  his  graduation  he  was  employed  for  five  years  by  Charles  Rippey, 
who  operated  a  number  of  elevators  at  various  points.  Mr.  Clauson  acted  in  the 
capacity  of  bookkeeper  and  buyer  on  the  road  and  gained  comprehensive  knowledge 
of  the  business  while  serving  Mr.  Rippey.  Subsequently  he  was  employed  for  two 
years  on  the  Board  of  Trade  and  at  the  end  of  that  time  became  associated  with 
E.  P.  Jeska  in  organizing  the  firm  of  Jeska,  &  Clauson.  They  purchased  the  Forest 
City  elevator,  which  Mr.  Clauson  now  owns  independently,  although  the  firm  of 
Jeska  &  Clauson.  operated  for  eight  years.  In  July,  1916,  however,  the  latter 
became  sole  owner  of  the  elevator  and  is  now  conducting  a  profitable  business  as  a 
representative  of  the  grain  trade  in  Winnebago  county. 

In  1907  Mr.  Clauson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Amelia  Hanson,  daughter 
of  Ole  Hanson  of  Forest  City.  They  now  have  two  children,  Arline  and  Donald. 
Politically  Mr.  Clauson  is  a  republican  and  has  served  as  town  treasurer  for  two 
years  but  has  given  little  thought  to  seeking  or  holding  public  oflBce,  preferring  to 
concentrate  his  energies  upon  other  interests.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of 
the  Baptist  church  and  are  most  highly  esteemed  in  the  community  where  they 
live,  occupying  an  enviable  position  in  social  circles,  while  Mr.  Clauson  is  well 
known  as  a  representative  citizen  and  progressive  business  man. 


TELLEF  S.  TWEED. 


Tellef  S.  Tweed  is  well  known  in  financial  circles  of  Lake  Mills  as  cashier  of 
the  Farmers  State  Bank  and  was  formerly  for  a  number  of  years  a  factor  in  the 
commercial  development  of  the  town  as  the  owner  of  an  implement  store.  He  was 
born  in  Norway  in  February,  1862,  and  is  a  son  of  Swen  and  Bergit  (Juva) 
Tweed.  The  father  passed  away  in  Norway  in  1891  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight 
years  after  a  life  devoted  to  agricultural  pursuits.  The  mother  is  still  living  in 
that  country. 

Tellef  S.  Tweed  received  his  education  mainly  in  Norway  but  also  attended 
school  for  a  short  time  in  Forest  City  and  Decorah,  Iowa.  In  1881,  when  about 
nineteen  years  of  age,  he  came  to  the  United  States  and  located  in  Forest  City. 
For  four  years  he  worked  as  a  far  hand  and  for  six  years  was  employed  in  an 
implement  store  at  Forest  City.  In  1890,  however,  he  removed  to  Lake  Mills, 
Iowa,  and  for  six  years  thereafter  he  traveled  for  the  McCormick  Harvester  Com- 
pany. At  length  he  engaged  in  the  implement  business  in  Lake  Mills  on  his  own 
account,  conducting  a  store  for  eight  years.  In  1905,  however,  he  disposed  of  that 
business  and  purchased  an  interest  in  the  Farmers  State  Bank,  of  which  h^  became 
cashier.  During  the  intervening  twelve  years  he  has  proved  his  right  to  rank 
among  the  progressive  and  successful  bankers  of  the  state  and  the  business  of  the 
bank  has  shown  a  steady  growth  as  the  result  of  his  well  considered  policy.    His 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  53 

first  concern  has  been  the  safety  of  the  funds  deposited  with  the  bank,  but  he  has 
also  endeavored  to  make  the  institution  serve  the  community  in  as  many  different 
ways  as  possible.  In  addition  to  his  bank  holdings  he  owns  one  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  of  improved  land  adjoining  Lake  Mills. 

Mr.  Tweed  was  married  in  May,  1890,  to  Miss  Hilda  Twito  and  they  have 
four  children,  namely :  Mabel  B.,  who  was  born  in  October,  1891 ;  Hazel  T.,  born 
in  August,  1893;  Alma  L.,  in  September,  1896;  and  Selmer  T.,  in  August,  1904. 

Mr.  Tweed  is  a  republican  and  has  served  for  six  years  as  a  member  of  the 
school  board,  of  which  he  was  president  the  latter  part  of  his  term.  He  is  a  com- 
municant of  the  Lutheran  church  and  its  teachings  have  guided  his  life  in  his 
business  dealings  as  well  as  in  private  relations.  His  record  is  one  of  which  he 
has  just  cause  to  feel  proud,  as  his  success  has  come  solely  as  the  result  of  his  own 
foresight,  energy  and  ability. 


JOSEPH  HEJLIK. 


Joseph  Hejlik  is  the  owner  of  two  hundred  and  seventy  acres  of  valuable  land 
on  sections  22  and  27,  Garfield  township,  and  at  different  times  has  held  various 
other  properties,  but  makes  his  home  in  Duncan.  He  has,  however,  contributed 
in  large  measure  toward  the  agricultural  progress  and  development  of  Hancock 
county.  He  was  born  December  19,  1840,  in  Tabor,  Bohemia,  a  son  of  Frank  and 
Kate  Hejlik,  who  were  also  natives  of  that  country,  the  former  born  in  1809  and 
the  latter  in  1811.  In  their  family  were  three  sons,  of  whom  John  died  at  the  age 
of  thirty  years,  while  Frank  is  married  arid  resides  in  Garner,  the  other  son  being 
Joseph  of  this  review.  There  were  also  the  following  daughters  of  the  family: 
Josie.  the  wife  of  Michael  Malek,  living  in  Garfield  township,  Hancock  county; 
Kate,  the  wife  of  Frank  Vandracek,  of  Spillville,  Iowa;  Mary,  the  widow  of  John 
Spalla,  living  at  Bidgeway,  Iowa,  at  the  age  of  eighty-two  years ;  and  Barbara,  who 
died  in  Bohemia. 

Joseph  Hejlik  pursued  his  education  in  Voparan,  Bohemia,  but  left  school  at 
the  age  of  thirteen  yeats,  after  which  he  worked  as  a  farm  laborer  for  a  few 
pennies  a  day.  He  afterward  quit  that  occupation  in  order  to  assist  his  father 
in  buying  and  selling  oxen  on  the  market  square  and  was  engaged  in  that  line  of 
work  until  1867.  In  that  year  he  was  married  and  the  wedding  journey  of  the  young 
couple  consisted  of  the  voyage  to  the  new  world,  where  they  arrived  on  the  4th  of 
July,  1867.  They  made  their  way  at  once  westward  to  Conover,  Winneshiek 
county,  Iowa,  where  Mr.  Hejlik  worked  as  a  stone  mason  and  also  part  of  the  time 
at  odd  jobs.  At  the  latter  he  received  but  a  dollar  per  day  and  as  a  stone  mason 
he  was  able  to  command  two  dollars  per  day.  As  soon  as  possible  he  invested  in 
farm  property.  He  had  been  a  resident  of  Winneshiek  county  for  six  years  when 
he  purchased  forty  acres  of  land,  for  which  he  paid  twenty-five  dollars  per  acre. 
After  occupying  that  farm  for  two  years  he  sold  the  property  and  removed  to 
Hancock  county  in  1875.  He  then  purchased  land  on  section  22,  Garfield  township, 
for  which  he  paid  four  dollars  per  acre.  About  one-half  of  this  was  under  water. 
The  place  comprised  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  and  is  still  in  his  possession. 
He  at  once  began  to  drain,  develop  and  improve  it  and  from  time  to  time  he  has 


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54  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

added  to  his  realty  holdings  until  his  purchases  in  Hancock  county  have  aggre- 
gated eight  hundred  and  thirty-five  acres.  Of  this  amount  he  gave  to  his  son  Joe 
eighty  acres,  to  his  son  John  eighty  acres  and  to  his  son  Tony  an  equal  tract.  He 
also  sold  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  to  his  daughter  Lizzie,  who  is  now  the  wife 
of  Frank  Schonn  of  Hancock  county,  and  another  quarter  section  to  his  daughter 
Agnes,  the  wife  of  Joseph  Kudej.  He  still  owns  two  hundred  and  seventy  acres 
on  sections  22  and  27,  Garfield  township,  and  his  farm  property  returns  him  a 
gratifying  annual  income. 

Mr.  Hejlik  was  married  May  1,  1867,  to  Miss  Anna  Tusha,  a  daughter  of 
James  and  Mary  Tusha',  natives  of  Bohemia,  where  they  spent  their  entire  lives. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hejlik  celebrated  their  golden  wedding  on  the  1st  of  May,  1917. 
In  politics  Mr.  Hejlik  is  a  democrat,  having  supported  the  party  since  becoming  a 
naturalized  American  citizen.  Many  years  ago  he  served  as  school  treasurer  for 
six  years  and  for  ten  years  he  was  township  trustee.  He  was  also  school  director 
for  six  terms.  He  has  membership  in  the  Catholic  church.  While  carrying  on 
general  agricultural  pursuits  he  has  extended  his  efforts  into  other  fields  by  becom- 
ing a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Cooperative  Creamery  at  Britt,  Iowa,  and  in 
the  Farmers  Elevator  at  Garner.  He  has  led  a  very  busy  life,  being  dependent 
upon  his  own  resources  from  the  age  of  thirteen  years.  Whatever  success  he  has 
achieved  has  come  to  him  as  the  direct  reward  of  his  persistent  and  earnest  labor. 
He  has  ever  been  diligent  and  persistent  and  difficulties  and  obstacles  have  seemed 
only  to  stimulate  him  to  further  effort.  He  is  indeed  a  self-made  man  and  deserves 
much  credit  for  what  he  has  accomplished. 


HON.  JOHN  E.  WICHMAN. 

Hon.  John  E.  Wichman,  an  attorney  of  Gamer,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
1884  and  has  since  been  actively  engaged  in  practice  in  Hancock  county.  He  was 
born  in  Galena,  Illinois,  April  16,  1859,  a  son  of  Fred  and  Eliza  (Kemler) 
Wichman,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Germany.  Coming  jx)  the  United  States 
in  1844,  the  father  settled  at  Galena,  Illinois,  and  became  a  miner  in  that  state. 
Previously  he  had  been  a  sailor.  He  is  now  residing  in  Cedar  Falls,  Iowa,  at  the 
advanced  age  of  ninety-four  years,  but  his  wife  has  passed  away. 

John  E.  Wichman  acquired  a  public  school  education  supplemented  by  study 
in  the  Northwestern  German  English  Normal  School  of  Galena.  In  1879  he 
came  to  Hancock  county  and  worked  on  a  farm  through  the  summer  months 
but  returned  to  Illinois  to  engage  in  teaching  in  the  winter  season.  In  1881  he 
located  permanently  in  Iowa  and,  desiring  to  become  a  member  of  the  bar,  began 
reading  law  under  the  direction  of  A.  C.  Ripley.  He  was  afterward  with  H.  H. 
Bush  as  a  law  student  and  in  1884  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  since  which  time  he 
has  continuously  practiced  in  Garner.  He  is  most  careful  and  thorough  in  the 
preparation  of  his  cases  and  accurate  in  his  application  of  legal  principles  to  the 
points  in  litigation.  His  reasoning  is  clear,  his  deductions  sound  and  logical. 
He  has  also  figured  prominently  in  banking  circles  in  this  part  of  the  state  and 
is  now  the  vice  president  of  the  First  Natonal  Bank  of  Garner,  president  of  the 


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HON.   JOHN    E.   WICHMAN 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  57 

First  National  Bank  of  Kanawha,  Iowa,  and  a  director  of  the  State  Savings  Bank 
of  Ventura,  all  three  of  which  banks  he  assisted  in  organizing. 

In  1888  Mr.  Wichman  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  L.  Prescott,  of 
Cresco,  Iowa,  a  daughter  of  Charles  L.  and  Harriett  Prescott.  They  have  become 
parents  of  two  children,  Lois  D.  and  Charlotte  L.  Mrs.  Wichman  is  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  church.  Mr.  Wichman  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity,  in 
which  he  has  taken  the  degrees  of  lodge,  chapter  and  commandery.  He  has  done 
much  to  further  public  progress  along  many  lines.  For  an  extended  period  he 
served  on  the  school  board  of  Garner  and  also  as  a  member  of  the  library  board. 
In  1886  he  was  elected  th^  first  county  attorney  of  Hancock  county,  which  posi- 
tion he  filled  until  1890,  and  later  he  was  again  called  to  that  office  and  once 
more  served  for  four  years.  Twice  he  has  been  mayor  of  Garner,  has  also  been 
a  member  of  the  city  council  and  on  the  7th  of  November,  1916,  was  elected  to 
the  state  legislature,  in  which  he  is  now  serving.  He  has  ever  exercised  his  official 
prerogatives  in  support  of  progressive  public  measures  and  has  manifested  a  loyal 
and  patriotic  citizenship  that  has  ever  subordinated  personal  interests  and  parti- 
sanship to  the  public  good. 


OLE  A.  ANDERSON. 


For  almost  thirty  years  Ole  A.  Anderson  was  one  of  the  prominent  fanners  of 
Winnebago  county,  owning  and  operating  a  fine  farm  on  section  26,  Norway  town- 
ship. His  early  home  was  on  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic,  for  he  was  born  in 
Norway  in  1835,  ^  son  of  Andrew  and  Anna  Anderson,  but  when  he  was  eighteen 
years  of  age  the  family  came  to  the  new  world  and  located  in  Chicago,  Illinois, 
where  the  mother  and  one  sister  died  shortly  afterward  during  an  epidemic  of 
cholera  in  that  city  and  were  buried  in  an  old  cemetery  which  now  forms  a  part  of 
Lincoln  park.  One  brother  died  in  the  Civil  War.  In  1865  the  father  came  to 
Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  and  here  he  made  his  home  with  his  son  0.  A.  Anderson 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1875.  His  remains  were  interred  in  the  United 
Lutheran  cemetery  near  Emmons. 

In  his  native  land  0.  A.  Anderson  was  reared  and  educated,  being  eighteen 
years  of  age  at  the  time  of  the  emigration  of  the  family  to  America.*  On  coming 
to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  in  1865,  he  purchased  the  west  half  of  the  southeast 
quarter  and  the  east  half  of  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  26,  Norway  township, 
and  to  the  improvement  and  cultivation  of  that  place  devoted  his  energies  until 
called  to  his  final  rest  on  the  17th  of  September,  1892.  He  was  buried  in  the  Synod 
church  cemetery  in  Norway  township. 

Mr.  Anderson  was  married  in  Chicago  to  Miss  Tone  Halvorson,  of  that  city, 
and  to  them  were  bom  eleven  children,  namely:  Anna,  now  living  in  Chicago; 
Henry,  on  the  home  farm;  Tena,  the  wife  of  John  Petterson,  of  Chicago;  Nellie, 
the  wife  of  C.  Hendricks,  of  Chicago;  William,  who  died  at  the  age  of  nine  years; 
Agnes,  the  wife  of  Louis  Lee,  of  Chicago;  Andrew  0.,  who  now  owns  the  home 
farm  in  Norway  township;  Josie,  the  wife  of  Albert  Bendickson,  of  Norway 
township;  and  Martha,  Mina  and  Emma,  all,  at  home  with  their  mother  on  the 
farm.     The  family  is  one  of  prominence  in  the  community  and  is  identfied  with 


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58  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

the  Lutheran  church,  to  whicli  Mr.  Anderson  also  belonged.  He  voted  the  repub- 
lican ticket  and  well  merited  the  confidence  and  high  regard  in  which  he  was  held 
by  all  who  knew  him. 


J.  SHERMAN  GETTIS. 


Upon  a  farm  in  Newton  township,  Winnebago  county,  resides  J.  Sherman 
Gettis,  who  owns  and  cultivates  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  highly  productive 
land  on  sections  9  and  10,  and  he  also  controls  other  property.  His  home  place  is 
one  of  the  best  improved  in  the  county  and  in  its  attractive  appearance  indicates 
the  care  and  supervision  bestowed  upon  it  by  the  owner.  Mr.  Gettis  was  born  in 
Tama  county,  Iowa,  on  the  26th  of  March,  1868,  a  son  of  M.  C.  and  Sarah  (Ran- 
dall) Gettis,  who  were  natives  of  Ohio.  The  father  came  to  Iowa  in  1848  when  a 
youth  of  sixteen  years  and  settled  in  Cedar  county  where  he  operated  a  sawmill, 
sawing  some  of  the  first  railroad  ties  that  were  laid  in  the  state.  Later  he  removed 
to  Tama  county  where  he  operated  a  sawmill  until  1878.  He  then  purchased 
land  in  Tama  and  Hardin  counties  and  continued  the  cultivation  of  his  fields 
until  1890,  when  he  removed  to  Winnebago  county  where  he  cultivated  a  farm 
for  seventeen  years,  or  until  1907.  He  then  retired  and  now  resides  upon  a  five 
acre  tract  of  land  east  of  Forest  City,  enjoying  a  rest  which  he  has  truly  earned 
and  richly  deserves.  He  has  reached  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-five  years,  but 
his  wife  passed  away  in  1878. 

J.  Sherman  Gettis  was  reared  and  educated  in  Hardin  county  and  remained 
at  home  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty- three  years.  He  then^  rented  land  near 
Forest  City,  upon  which  he  lived  for  thirteen  years,  and  on  the  expiration  of  that 
period  he  bought  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  on  sections  9  and  10,  Newton  town- 
ship, Winnebago  county.  This  he  set  about  improving  and  in  addition  to  its 
cultivation  he  has  control  of  the  old  Scanlon  estate  embracing  two  hundred  and 
sixty-six  acres  on  section  26,  Linden  township.  His  home  farm  is  one  of  the  best 
improved  places  in  the  county  and  in  addition  to  its  cultivation  he  also  rents 
land  and  is  farming  altogether  four  hundred  acres.  His  life  is  indeed  a  busy 
and  useful  one,  for  he  neglects  no  part  of  his  work.  He  is  active  early  late 
and  in  cultivating  his  fields  he  employs  the  most  progressive  methods.  He  feeds 
from  one  to  five  carloads  of  cattle  and  from  one  to  five  carloads  of  hogs  annually, 
having  thus  engaged  in  stock  raising  for  the  past  twenty  years.  He  also  buys 
and  ships  a  large  amount  of  stock  and  he  is  one  of  the  stockholders  in  the  Farmers' 
Elevator  Company  of  Thompson.  In  business  affairs  his  judgment  is  sound  and 
his  discrimination  keen,  and  he  carries  forward  to  successful  completion  whatever 
he  undertakes. 

In  May,  1891,  Mr.  Gettis  was  married  to  Miss  Maggie  Scanlon,  a  daughter  of 
Patrick  and  Johanna  (Mulvahill)  Scanlon,  who  were  natives  of  Ireland  and  came 
to  America  at  an  early  day.  The  father  engaged  in  railroad  building  and  was 
one  of  the  pioneers  of  this  section  of  the  state.  He  bought  land  in  Linden  town- 
ship and  thereafter  devoted  his  time  and  energies  to  general  agricultural  pursuits. 
He  passed  away  in  March,  1909,  while  his  wife  survived  only  until  February,  1910. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gettis  have  become  the  parents  of  six  children:     Sarah,  who  is  the 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  59 

wife  of  B.  T.  Norvet,  of  Forest  City;  Ethel,  the  wife  of  Harry  Anderson,  a  farmer 
living  near  Leland,  Iowa;  Callie  B.,  who  is  teaching  school  in  Newton  township; 
Patrick,  at  home;  and  Cora  and  Dora,  twins. 

Since  attaining  his  majority  Mr.  Gettis  has  given  his  allegiance  to  the  repub- 
lican party  and  he  is  now  serving  for  the  second  term  as  a  trustee  of  Newton  town- 
ship. He  has  also  been  for  eight  years  a  member  of  the  school  board  and  believes 
in  giving  the  young  every  opportunity  for  advancement  along  educational  lines, 
that  they  may  be  well  qualified  for  the  practical  and  responsible  duties  of  life. 
Fraternally  he  is  connected  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  His 
religious  faith  is  that  of  the  Methodist  church,  according  to  whose  teachings  his 
life  has  been  directed,  and  Mrs.  Gettis  is  a  Catholic.  He  enjoys  high  regard,  not 
only  as  a  successful  business  man  but  as  a  patriotic  citizen  and  as  one  whose  life 
has  at  all  times  measured  up  to  high  standards. 


CHABLES  D.  SMITH. 


Charles  D.  Smith,  of  Lake  Mills,  Iowa,  has  reached  the  advanced  age  of  eighty- 
five  years  and  is  living  retired,  enjoying  the  fruits  of  his  former  well  directed  labor. 
He  came  to  Winnebago  county  in  early  manhood  and,  being  well  pleased  with  the 
opportunities  offered  here,  cast  in  his  lot  with  that  of  this  then  new  and  undeveloped 
section  and  as  the  years  have  passed  he  has  watched  with  pleasure  the  progress 
that  has  been  made  as  the  raw  prairie  and  scattered  settlers'  homes  have  given 
place  to  highly  improved  farms  and  up-to-date,  hustling  towns  and  cities.  He  was 
born  in  Washington  county,  Vermont,  November  26,  1832,  a  son  of  Alvin  and 
Amanda  (Barnett)  Smith,  also  natives  of  the  Green  Mountain  state.  The  parents 
removed  to  Winnebago  county  five  years  after  their  son,  Charles  D.,  had  taken 
up  his  residence  here  and  the  father  engaged  in  farming  in  the  county  until  his 
death.  He  was  long  survived  by  his  wife,  who  passed  away  in  1908.  Both  are 
buried  in  Sunnyside  cemetery  at  Lake  Mills.  To  them  were  born  seven  children, 
of  whom  three  survive,  namely :  Charles  D. ;  Willianj  D.,  who  is  living  near  Lake 
Mills;  and  Norman,  of  Spokane,  Washington. 

Charles  D.  Smith  received  a  common  school  education  in  Vermont  and  when 
sixteen  years  of  age  began  working  for  others,  so  continuing  for  a  number  of 
years.  In  1856  he  came  to  Winnebago  county  and  homesteaded  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  of  land  in  Center  township,  to  which  .he  subsequently  added  by  pur- 
chase, owning  at  one  time  five  hundred  acres.  The  greater  part  of  his  home  farm 
has  since  been  sold  as  lots  but  he  still  retains  forty  acres,  upon  which  he  raises  the 
usual  crops.  He  also  owns  other  land,  his  total  holdings  at  present  being  three 
hundred  acres.  While  actively  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  he  ranked  as  one 
of  the  most  businesslike  and  progressive  farmers  of  the  county  and  he  brought 
his  land  to  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  He  was  also  engaged  in  the  milling  busi- 
ness for  a  considerable  period,  having  built  a  flour  mill  in  Lake  Mills  in  1866  in 
partnership  with  S.  D.  Wadsworth.    He  is  a  director  in  the  Farmers  State  Bank. 

On  the  26th  of  February,  1863,  Mr.  Smith  was  married  to  Miss  Janet  Smith, 
who  was  born  in  Canada  in  1835  and  who  died  on  the  25th  of  March,  1915.  She 
is  buried  in  the  Sunnyside  cemetery.     To  their  union  were  born  six  children. 


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60     WINNEBAGO  AND  HANCOCK  COUNTIES 

namely:  Walter  C,  who  is  living  near  Marshalltown,  Iowa;  Anna  J.,  now. the  wife 
of  Horatius  Hastings^  of  Boston,  Massachusetts;  Emeline,  deceased;  Charles  W., 
who  is  married  and  lives  at  Lake  Mills;  Bessie  J.,  the  deceased  wife  of  A.  J. 
Dnrgan,  of  St.  Cloud,  Minnesota ;  and  Hattie,  who  died  when  young. 

Mr.  Smith  is  a  democrat  in  politics  and  has  filled  a  number  of  positions  of 
honor.  He  was  township  trustee  for  a  number  of  years,  was  county  supervisor  for 
eight  years,  was  a  member  of  the  town  council  for  ten  years  and  was  the  first 
mayor  of  Lake  Mills,  serving  for  a  term  of  two  years.  His  official  record  is  one 
that  will  bear  the  closest  scrutiny,  for  he  at  all  times  discharges  his  duties  with  an 
eye  single  to  the  public  welfare  and  with  the  same  careful  attention  to  all  details 
that  he  gave  to  the  management  of  his  farm.  His  friends  are  found  in  all  parts 
of  the  country  and  he  receives  the  honor  to  which  his  long  and  well  spent  life 
entitles  him. 


N.  E.  ISAACS. 


N.  E.  Isaacs,  who  has  made  a  highly  creditable  record  as  president  of  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Thompson,  Iowa,  was  bom  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  July  23, 
1872,  a  son  of  John  and  Carrie  (Olson)  Isaacs,  natives  of  Norway.  The  father 
came  to  America  when  fifteen  years  old  on  a  sailing  vessel  that  required  fifteen 
weeks  to  make  the  trip.  He  engaged  in  farming  in  Wisconsin  for  several  years 
and  then  entered  the  drug  business,  but  at  the  time  of  the  Civil  War  he  enlisted 
in  a  Wisconsin  regiment  and  for  three  years  and  two  months  was  at  the  front. 
In  1881  he  removed  to  Forest  City,  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  and  there  conducted 
a  general  store  for  a  long  period.  For  two  terms  he  served  as  county  auditor 
and  gave  to  the  discharge  of  his  public  duties  the  same  careful  attention  that  he 
always  devoted  to  his  business  interests.  He  is  now  living  retired  at  Forest  City 
at  the  age  of  seventy-seven  years  and  his  wife  also  survives.  She  was  brought  by 
her  parents  to  the  United  States  when  a  child  of  two  years. 

N.  E.  Isaacs  was  reared  and  educated  in  Winnebago  county  and  after  grad- 
uating from  the  Forest  City  schools  went  to  Dixon,  Illinois,  where  he  took  a  com- 
mercial course.  On  his  return  to  Forest  City  he  worked  for  six  months  in  the 
county  auditor's  office  and  then  taught  school  for  two  terms  in  Norway  township, 
after  which  he  was  for  six  months  clerk  in  a  department  store  in  Madison,  Minne- 
sota. In  1894  he  came  to  Thompson,  Iowa,  and  accepted  the  position  of  book- 
keeper in  a  private  bank  here  conducted  by  Thompson  Brothers.  He  remained 
there  for  three  years,  during  which  time  he  was  promoted  to  assistant  cashier.  On 
the  2d  of  January,  1897,  however,  he  joined  with  F.  W.  Thompson,  Hon.  G.  S. 
Gilbertson,  Hon.  C.  H.  Kelly  and  others  in  the  organization  of  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Thompson  and  became  the  assistant  cashier  of  the  institution.  In  a 
short  time  he  was  made  cashier,  later  became  vice  president  and  for  a  number  of 
years  has  been  president  of  the  bank,  which  is  capitalized  for  fifty  thousand  dollars, 
has  a  surplus  of  twenty-five  thousand  dollars  and  deposits  of  two  hundred  and 
fifty  thousand  dollars.  The  bank  is  housed  in  its  own  building,  a  fine  modern 
structure  on  Main  street.  At  the  time  of  its  organization  the  First  National 
bought  out  the  Farmers  Savings  Bank,  which  had  a  capital  stock  of  ten  thousand 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  63 

dollars.  Having  been  connected  with  the  First  National  in  an  o£5cial  capacity 
during  its  entire  existence,  Mr.  Isaacs  has  played  an  important  part  in  the  formu- 
lation of  its  policy  and  in  its  development  and  there  is  no  phase  of  its  business 
with  which  he  is  not  familiar.  He  keeps  in  close  touch  with  the  financial  and 
commercial  conditions  in  the  bank's  territory  and  seeks  to  make  it  of  the  utmost 
possible  service  to  its  patrons,  while  at  the  same  time  safeguarding  the  funds 
entrusted  to  it.  He  owns  valuable  farm  lands  in  Winnebago  county  and  is  also  a 
stockholder  and  treasurer  of  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  and  the  Farmers 
Creamery  Company  and  a  stockholder  in  the  Opera  House  Association. 

Mr.  Isaacs  was  married  in  September,  1897,  to  Miss  Josie  Jacobson,  a  daughter 
of  Hon.  Jacob  and  Josie  Jacobson,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  Iowa.  They  are 
now,  however,  residents  of  Minnesota,  where  the  father  was  a  pioneer  settler  and 
where  he  has  long  been  recognized  as  a  leader  in  public  affairs.  For  sixteen  years 
he  sensed  as  a  member  of  the  state  legislature  and  at  one  time  was  the  nominee  of 
the  republican  party  for  governor,  but  was  defeated  by  Hon.  John  S.  Johnson, 
the  democratic  candidate.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Isaacs  have  been  born  seven  children, 
namely:  Carol,  eighteen  years  of  age;  Buth,  fourteen  years  old;  Roy,  ten; 
Carmen,  seven;  Margaret,  fpur;  Milton,  who  was  killed  in  an  automobile  accident 
when  five  years  old ;  and  Fern,  who  met  ah  accidental  death  when  a  year  old. 

Mr.  Isaacs  is  a  stanch  advocate  of  republican  principles  and  loyally  supports 
the  candidates  of  that  party  at  the  polls.  For  twelve  years  he  has  served  upon 
the  town  council  and  in  that  connection  has  worked  constantly  for  the  public 
interest.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church  and  can  always  be 
depended  upon  to  support  measures  seeking  to  advance  the  moral  welfare  of  his 
community.  As  a  banker  and  as  a  public-spirited  citizen  he  has  done  much  to 
further  the  advancement  of  Thompson  and  is  deservedly  held  in  the  highest  esteem 
by  all  who  know  him. 


NELS  OLSON  BERGAN. 

Xels  Olson  Bergan,  deceased,  was  one  of  the  honored  pioneers  and  represen- 
tative farmers  of  Hancock  county,  his  home  being  at  Ellington  township,  where 
his  family  still  reside.  He  was  born  in  Janesville,  Wisconsin,  on  the  1st  of  April, 
1853,  and  his  parents  were  of  Norwegian  birth.  In  early  life  they  came  to  this 
country  and  were  among  the  pioneers  of  Wisconsin.  Our  subject  was  only  a  year 
old,  however,  when  the  family  removed  to  Clayton  county,  Iowa,  where  he  lived 
up  to  his  twenty-first  year,  in  the  meantime  attending  the  district  schools  as  he 
found   opportunity. 

On  the  7th  of  June,  1874,  Mr.  Bergan  married  Miss  Jane  Halvorson,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Lars  Halvorson,  who  was  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Clayton  county  and  a 
sister  of  Ole  Halvorson,  a  prominent  farmer  and  old  time  resident  of  Ellington 
township,  Hancock  county.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bergan  were  born  ten  children,  of 
whom  eight  survive,  namely:  Ole  N. ;  Lena,  the  wife  of  Thove  Thoveson,  of 
Ellington  township,  Hancock  county;  Lewis,  a  farmer  of  the  same  township; 
Anna,  the  wife  of  William  Fogue,  a  farmer  of  Ellington  township ;  Julia,  the  wife 
of  Albert  A.  Olson,  a  farmer  of  the  same  township;  Henry,  at  home;  Benjamin,  a 


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64      WINNEBAGO  AND  HANCOCK  COUNTIES 

farmer  of  Cerro  Gordo  county,  Iowa;  and  Emma,  at  home.  The  sons,  Ole  N.  and 
Henry  are  now  operating  the  home  farm. 

Immediately  following  his  marriage  Mr.  Bergan  brought  his  bride  to  Hancock 
county  and  that  summer  worked  for  wages,  but  in  1875  purchased  forty  acres  of 
the  home  farm  in  Ellington  township,  where  he  continued  to  reside  up  to  the  time 
of  his  death.  Some  years  after  his  first  modest  purchase  he  bought  a  tract  of  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  adjoining,  so  that  the  farm  then  consisted  of  two  hundred 
acres,  to  which  the  family  have  added  ten  acres  since  his  death.  He  also  owned 
another  farm  of  one  hundred  and  forty  acres  on  sections  23  and  24,  Ellington 
township,  and  was  numbered  among  the  most  successful  and  substantial  farmers 
of  his  community.  He  was  also  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company 
of  Forest  City  and  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  and  •  Farmers  Cooperative 
Creamery  Company  of  Ventura. 

After  a  useful  and  well  spent  life  Mr.  Bergan  passed  away  on  the  17th  of 
February,  1917,  honored  and  respected  by  all  who  knew  him.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  United  Luthearn  church,  to  which  his  wife  and  family  also  belong,  and  ho 
well  merited  the  confidence  and  trust  reposed  in  him  by  his  fellow  citizens.  For 
Forty-three  years  he  was  a  resident  of  Hancock  county  and  he  therefore  witnessed 
almost  its  entire  development  and  in  its  upbuilding  he  bore  an  important  part. 


ROBERT  W.  CLARK. 


Robert  W.  Clark,  a  well  known  and  highly  esteemed  citizen  of  Thompson,  is  a 
native  of  Kentucky,  born  July  26,  1851,  and  is  a  son  of  Robert  and  Marion 
(Laurie)  Clark,  who  came  to  this  country  from  Scotland — their  native  land — in 
1840  and  located  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  where  they  spent  two  or  three  years.  The 
father  was  a  machinist  by  trade  but  also  followed  farming  and  on  leaving  Cincin- 
nati removed  to  Kentucky,  where  he  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  for  some 
time.  Later  he  became  a  resident  of  Cumberland  county,  Illinois,  where  he  pur- 
chased land  and  followed  farming  lintil  life's  labors  were  ended  in  November, 
1882.    The  mother  of  our  subject  had  passed  away  in  September,  1865. 

Robert  W.  Clark  was  reared  and  educated  in  Cumberland  county,  Illinois, 
and  he  remained  with  his  father  until  he  attained  his  majority,  in  the  meantime 
becoming  thoroughly  familiar  with  all  kinds  of  farm  work.  He  then  engaged  in 
farming  on  his  own  account.  Coming  to  Iowa  in  1881  he  located  in  Jasper 
county,  where  he  engaged  in  the  operation  of  rented  land  for  a  few  years,  and 
then  purchased  a  farm,  whereon  he  lived  for  three  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time 
he  removed  to  Hancock  county,  Iowa,  where  he  farmed  on  rented  land  for  nine 
years,  and  then  became  the  owner  of  ninety-four  acres  of  land  four  miles  north  of 
Thompson  iy  Winnebago  county,  which  he  improved  and  cultivated  for  four  years. 
On  selling  that  farm  he  again  rented  land  for  two  years  and  afterward  bought  his 
present  place  of  fourteen  acres  inside  the  corporation  limits  of  Thompson.  Owing 
to  an  accident  which  required  the  amputation  of  his  right  leg,  he  has  been  com- 
pelled to  abandon  extensive  farming  operations.  He  is  a  stockholder  of  the  Town 
Mutual  Telephone  Company. 

In  September,  1874,  Mr.  Clark  married  Miss  Emily  Potts,  by  whom  he  has  had 


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WINNEBAGO  AND  HANCOCK  COUNTIES      65 

five  children,  namely:  Ruth,  now  the  wife  of  C.  E.  Harden,  of  Buffalo  Center, 
Towa;  Prances,  at  home;  Bessie,  a  trained  nurse  now  connected  with  the  Central 
Hospital  at  Chicago,  Illinois;  Lewis  A.,  a  farmer  of  Cass  county,  Minnesota;  and 
Maggie,  who  married  H.  F.  Holle  and  died  in  September,  1912. 

The  family  attend  the  Congregational  church,  of  which  Mrs.  Clark  and 
daughters  are  members,  and  have  a  wide  circle  of  friends  and  acquaintances  in 
Thompson.  Mr.  Clark  also  aflBliates  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows 
and  casts  his  ballot  with  the  republican  party. 


R.  E.  HANSON,  M.  D.  V. 

Dr.  R.  E.  Hanson,  engaged  in  the  practice  of  veterinary  surgery  in  Forest 
C^ity,  was  born  in  Winnebago  county,  February  25,  1881,  a  son  of  N.  P.  and  Pauline 
C.  Hanson,  both  of  whom  are  natives  of  Denmark.  They  came  to  the  United 
States  in  the  '70s  and  both  are  still  living.  The  father  is  a  blacksmith  by  trade 
and  in  following  that  pursuit  provided  for  the  support  of  his  family,  numbering 
a  wife  and  six  children,  all  of  whom  still  survive,  the  family  circle  being  yet  un- 
broken by  the  hand  of  death. 

Dr.  Hanson  was  reared  and  educated  in  Winnebago  county  and  supplemented 
his  public  school  education  by  three  years'  study  in  the  Ames  Agricultural  College 
at  Ames,  Iowa.  He  also  spent  a  year  as  a  student  in  a  veterinary  college  at  Chicago 
and  was  graduated  in  1910.  He  then  opened  an  oflSce  in  Forest  City,  where  he  has 
since  been  located,  and  through  the  intervening  period  his  practice  has  steadily 
grown  in  extent  and  in  importance.  In  1910  he  was  appointed  to  the  position 
of  assistant  state  veterinarian,  a  position  which  he  has  since  continuously  filled. 
Dr.  Hanson  was  married  in  1914  to  Miss  Minnie  M.  Larson,  a  native  of 
Winnebago  county,  and  they  have  become  the  parents  of  two  daughters,  Margaret 
and  Geneva.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Hanson  attend  the  Lutheran  church  and  he  gives  his 
political  support  to  the  republican  party.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Forest  City 
Lodge,  No.  440,  I.  0.  0.  F.,  in  which  he  has  filled  all  the  chairs,  being  recognized 
as  a  worthy  representative  of  that  order.  His  attention,  however,  is  chiefly  given 
to  his  professional  duties  and  he  has  shown  marked  capability  in  his  chosen  line. 


ROLAND  E.  ROLANDS. 


Roland  E.  Rolands,  who  is  now  carrying  on  agricultural  pursuits  with  marked 
success,  has  spent  his  entire  life  on  the  old  home  farm  on  section  23,  Norway 
township,  Winnebago  county,  where  he  was  bom  on  the  10th  of  September,  1871, 
a  son  of  Andrew  and  Ragnilda  (Orvaldahl)  Rolandson,  natives  of  Norway.  The 
father  was  eighteen  years  of  age  when  he  came  alone  to  the  United  States  and 
after  spending  a  few  years  in  Chicago,  Illinois,  came  to  Iowa.  He  first  located  in 
Winneshiek  county,  where  he  was  subsequently  married.  There  he  purchased  a 
farm  and  engaged  in  its  operation  until  1869,  when  he  removed  to  Winnebago 
county,  here  becoming  owner  of  the  west  half  of  the  southeast  quarter  of  section  23 


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66  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

and  the  west  half  of  the  northeast  quarter  of  section  26,  Norway  township.  Upon 
this  place  he  continued  to  make  his  home  throughout  the  remainder  of  his  life. 
He  died  on  the  17th  of  January,  1885,  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  Lime  Creek 
Lutheran  church  cemetery.  Although  he  came  to  this  country  in  limited  circum- 
stances he  prospered  in  his  farming  operations  and  became  quite  well-to-do  through 
his  own  persistent  efforts.  Politically  he  was  a  republican  and  religiously  was  an 
earnest  and  consistent  member  of  the  Synod  Lutheran  church.  His  widow  is  still 
living  and  makes  her  home  with  her  son,  Boland,  at  the  age  of  eighty-three  years. 
In  the  family  were  ten  children,  of  whom  seven  survive,  but  Roland  and  his 
brother  John  are  the  only  ones  now  living  in  Winnebago  county. 

Roland  E.  Rolands,  the  youngest  of  the  family,  received  a  limited  education  in 
the  early  schools  of  his  locality,  which  he  attended  as  he  found  opportunity  until 
sii^teen  years  of  age.  His  training  at  farm  labor,  however,  was  not  so  meager,  and 
he  assisted  in  the  operation  of  the  home  place  until  twenty-six,  at  which  time  he 
received  title  to  the  west  half  of  the  southeast  quarter  of  section  23  and  the  north 
half  of  the  west  half  of  the  northeast  quarter  of  section  26.  Hpre  he  continues  to 
make  his  home  and  has  met  with  good  success  as  an  agriculturist. 

In  1902  Mr.  Rolands  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Anna  Auson,  a  daughter 
of  Iver  and  Ture  Auson,  who  came  to  this  country  from  Norway  in  early  life  and 
were  married  in  the  United  States.  They  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  Norway 
township,  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  and  Mrs.  Auson  is  still  living  on  the  home 
farm.  Her  husband  is  deceased  and  is  buried  in  the  United  Lutheran  cemetery 
near  Emmons.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rolands  have  six  living  children,  Edna,  Iver,  Rag- 
nold,  Thomas,  Reuben  and  Clayton,  while  Russell  died  at  the  age  of  two  years  and 
was  buried  in  the  Lime  Creek  Church  cemetery.  The  family  hold  membership  in  the 
Synod  Lutheran  church  and  in  politicis  Mr.  Rolands  is  identified  with  the  repub- 
lican party.  Those  who  have  known  him  from  boyhood  are  numbered  among  his 
warmest  friends  and  he  has  the  confidence  and  high  regard  of  all  with  whom  he 
has  been  brought  in  contact  either  in  business  or  social  life. 


CHARLES  H.  LACKORE. 

Charles  H.  Lackore,  a  banker  and  merchant  of  Hayfield,  well  known  as  a 
prominent  and  valued  representative  of  the  business  interests  of  Hancock  county, 
was  born  at  Forest  City,  Iowa,  August  12,  1862,  and  is  one  of  the  family  of 
eight  children,  of  whom  five  are  yet  living,  born  of  the  miarriage  of.  George  W. 
and  Mary  J.  (Ball)  Lackore.  The  father  was  a  native  of  New  York  and  the 
mother  of  Indiana.  They  became  residents  of  Forest  City,  Iowa,  in  1852,  removing 
there  from  Chicago,  and  afterward  took  up  their  abode  upon  a  farm  in  Winnebago 
county.  Subsequently  they  removed  to  Hancock  county,  where  the  father  continued 
to  engage  in  general  agricultural  pursuits  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1910. 
His  widow  still  survives  at  the  age  of  seventy-four  years. 

Charles  H.  Lackore  pursued  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Forest  City,  pass- 
ing through  consecutive  grades  to  his  graduation  from  the  high  school,  after  which 
he  attended  college.  Later  he  went  to  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan,  where  he  took  up 
telegraphy  and  railroad  work  and  was  engaged  along  that  line  for  eighteen  years. 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  67 

Subsequently  he  condlicted  a  grain  and  coal  business  at  Hayfield,  Iowa,  where  he 
built  the  first  elevator  of  the  town.  In  1902  he  resigned  from  his  railroad  position 
and  concentrated  his  efforts  and  attention  upon  the  hardware  trade  and  the  banking 
business,  in  which  he  has  since  been  engaged.  Of  the  Bank  of  Hayfield  he  is  the 
cashier  and  the  active  manager  and  head  of  the  undertaking.  His  business  affairs 
are  wisely  and  carefully  conducted.  He  is  systematic  in  all  that  he  does  and  dis- 
plays sound  judgment  in  solving  intricate  business  problems.  In  addition  to  his 
financial  and  commercial  interests  at  Hayfield  he  is  identified  with  the  agricultural 
life  of  this  section  of  the  state,  being  the  owner  of  two  farms  of  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  each,  which  are  splendidly  improved  and  which  are  now  being  operated 
by  his  sons. 

On  the  31st  of  December,  1890,  Mr.  Lackore  was  married  to  Miss  Matilda 
Johnson,  a  native  of  Sweden,  who  came  to  America  when  but  five  years  of  age. 
They  have  a  family  of  twelve  children :  Clarence  M. ;  Earl  R.,  a  bookkeeper,  now 
a  resident  of  Indiana;  Pearl  G.;  Harris;  Norman;  Clark;  Gladys;  Sylvia;  Clay- 
ton; Mabel;  and  two  that  died  in  infancy.  The  parents  attend  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church.  Mr.  Lackore  gives  his  political  endorsement  to  the  republican 
party  and  has  filled  several  local  offices.  He  has  been  assessor  and  became  the  first 
postmaster  of  Hayfield,  which  position  he  filled  for  five  years.  He  has  likewise 
been  one  of  the  school  directors  and  is  now  treasurer  of  the  school  board.  He 
takes  a  very  prominent  and  active  part  in  public  affairs  of  his  community  and  is 
justly  accounted  one  of  the  valued  and  influential  citizens  of  his  township  and 
county.  Moreover,  in  a  business  way  he  has  achieved  much,  for  he  started  out  in 
life  empty  handed  and  by  persistent  effort  and  energy  has  reached  the  position 
which  he  now  fills  as  one  of  the  resourceful  men  of  Hancock  county. 


JEREMIAH  J.  LEEHY. 


Jeremiah  J.  Leehy,  interested  in  general  farming  on  section  6,  Concord  town- 
ship, Hancock  county,  has  a  productive  tract  of  rich  land  which  is  now  quite 
valuable,  although  he  paid  for  it  only  twenty-two  dollars  per  acre.  The  increase  in 
land  values  is  an  indication  not  only  of  the  settlement  of  the  county  but  also  of 
the  practical  and  progressive  methods  which  have  been  followed  by  its  farmers 
in  the  development  and  cultivation  of  their  fields.  Mr.  Leehy  has  led  a  life  of 
industry  and  whatever  success  he  has  achieved  and  enjoyed  is  the  result  of  his 
intelligently  directed  effort.  He  was  bom  in  Ireland,  May  1,  1858,  a  son  of  J.  J. 
and  Johanna  (Foley)  Leehy,  who  in  J860  came  to  the  new  world  with  their  family 
and  settled  in  Waterloo,  Jefferson  county,  Wisconsin. 

There  the  son  acquired  a  public  school  education  and  in  his  early  youth  he 
worked  with  his  father  on  the  home  farm  and  at  odd  jobs.  He  was  twelve  years 
of  age  when  he  went  east  to  Boston,  where  he  remained  for  several  years.  He  after- 
ward purchased  a  ticket  to  San  Francisco,  for  which  he  paid  one  hundred  and 
ten  dollars,  and,  making  his  way  to  the  Pacific  coast,  he  was  there  employed  in  a 
wholesale  liquor  house  for  four  years.  Returning  eastward,  he  again  took  up  his 
abode  at  Waterloo,  Wisconsin,  where  he  remained  for  two  years  and  then  came  to 
Gamer,  Hancock  county.     For  six  years  he  engaged  in  farming  upon  rented  land 


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68      WINNEBAGO  AND  HANCOCK  COUNTIES 

and  during  that  period  he  carefully  saved  his  earnings  until  he  had  a  sufficient 
sum  to  enable  him  to  purchase  property.  Accordingly  he  invested  in  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  of  land  on  section  6,  Concord  township,  for  which  he  paid  twenty- 
two  dollars  per  acre.  He  has  also  since  become  the  owner  of  four  hundred  and 
eighty  acres  in  Jackson  county,  South  Dakota,  of  which  he  homesteaded  three  hun- 
dred and  twenty  acres  and  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  so  that  altogether 
he  owns  six  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  very  desirable  land.  For  some  years  he 
operated  a  threshing  machine  and  made  money  in  that  connection.  He  has  gained 
a  place  among  the  substantial  farmers  of  the  county. 

Mr.  Leehy  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Lynch,  a  daughter  of 
Bichard  and  Bridget  (Holland)  Lynch,  who  were  natives  of  Ireland.  They 
crossed  the  Atlantic  to  Canada  in  1847  and  were  married  in  Montreal  in  1850. 
They  came  to  the  United  States  in  1853,  establishing  their  home  in  Milwaukee, 
Wisconsin,  where  they  resided  until  their  removal  to  Gamer  forty-five  years  ago, 
at  which  time  there  were  only  two  houses  in  the  town.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Leehy  have 
but  one  child,  James  T.,  who  lives  at  home.  Their  religious  faith  is  that  of  the 
Catholic  church  and  in  politics  Mr.  Leehy  is  a  democrat.  He  has  lived  a  life  of 
industry,  working  hard  in  order  to  gain  a  start  and  then  carefully  directing  his 
labors  until  his  persistency  of  purpose  has  gained  him  a  creditable  position  among 
the  representative  fanners  of  Hancock  county. 


ANSON  AVEBY. 


Prominent  among  the  honored  early  settlers  of  Hancock  county  was  Anson 
Avery,  he  and  his  wife  being  the  first  white  family  to  locate  in  this  county.  He  was 
born  in  Connecticut  on  the  2d  of  October,  1822,  and  in  early  life  went  t9  Cass 
county,  Michigan,  where  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Lovina  Philo,  a  native 
of  Ohio,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Upper  Sandusky,  January  22,  1831.  In  1854  they 
left  their  old  home  in  the  Buckeye  state  and  started  for  Iowa,  traveling  westward 
with  ox  teams  and  transporting  their  household  goods  in  covered  wagons.  On 
reaching  Hancock  county  they  settled  in  what  is  now  Avery  township.  At  that 
time  only  a  very  few  settlements  had  been  made  and  the  country  was  all  wild  and 
unimproved.  During  those  early  days  the  family  endured  many  hardships  and 
privations  but  as  time  passed  Mr.  Avery  steadily  prospered  in  his  farming  opera- 
tions and  became  one  of  the  prosperous  citizens  of  the  community.  He  was  always 
a  hard  working,  home  loving  man  and  commanded  the  respect  and  confidence  of  all 
with  whom  he  came  in  contact  either  in  business  or  social  life.  He  died  very 
suddenly  on  Sunday,  November  22,  1903,  while  out  in  the  pasture.  His  estimable 
wife,  who  shared  with  him  the  hardships  of  pioneer  days,  is  still  living  and  now 
makes  her  home  in  Goodell. 

In  the  family  of  this  worthy  couple  were  six  children  as  follows:  Alice,  the 
oldest,  is  the  wife  of  Marshall  Fuller  and  resides  in  Elberta,  Arkansas.  George, 
who  was  the  first  white  male  child  bom  in  Hancock  county,  now  makes  his  home  in 
Belmond,  Iowa.  Mary  E.,  married  A.  W.  Schmalle  and  lives  in  Garner.  Their 
daughter,  Mrs.  Gladys  A.  Bennett,  is  now  connected  with  the  postoffice  at  Garner, 
and  is  a  Daughter  of  the  American  Bevolution,  being  eligible  to  that  society  through 


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MR.    AND    MRS.    ANSON    AVERY 


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A 

III-' 


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WINNEBAGO  AND  HANCOCK  COUNTIES      71 

her  great-great-grandfather,  Nicholas  Haskins,  who  valiantly  fought  for  the  inde- 
pendence of  the  colonies.  He  was  the  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Anson  Avery.  Louis 
G.  Avery,  the  next  of  the  family,  is  a  farmer  of  Hancock  county.  Layton  reared  a 
family  but  is  now  deceased.    Charles  died  in  childhood. 


THOMAS  EGAN. 


Thomas  Egan  is  proprietor  of  the  Egan  Hotel  at  Thompson  but  is,  perhaps 
best  known  as  an  auctioneer,  as  he  is  in  demand  for  the  crying  of  sales  through- 
out a  large  part  of  the  states  of  Iowa  and  Minnesota.  He  was  bom  in  Jo  Daviess 
county,  Illinois,  January  27,  1851,  of  the  marriage  of  Thomas  and  Catherine 
(Godfrey)  Egan,  the  former  a  native  of  Kings  county,  Ireland,  and  the  latter 
of  County  Tipperarry,  Ireland.'  In  1828  the  father  crossed  the  Atlantic  to  America 
and  for  a  short  time  lived  in  Halifax.  He  next  removed  to  St.  Louis,  Missouri, 
whence  in  1846  he  went  to  Chicago,  where  he  was  engaged  in  railroad  contracting. 
Still  later  he  lived  for  a  time  in  Galena,  Illinois,  and  while  there  went  to  Chicago 
and  return  by  stage,  as  there  was  then  no  railroad  connection  between  the  two 
places.  On  leaving  Galena  he  removed  to  Jo  Daviess  county.  He  was  engaged 
in  grading  on  the  Mineral  Point  Railroad  in  Lafayette  county,  Wisconsin,  until 
the  completion  of  that  road  and  then  purchased  fifty-three  acres  of  land  in  that 
county,  on  which  he  resided  until  his  death  in  March,  1910,  when  he  had  reached 
the  advanced  age  of  ninety-three  years.  He  had  long  survived  his  wife  as  her  death 
occurred  on  the  8th  of  January,  1886. 

Thomas  Egan  was  largely  reared  and  educated  in  Lafayette  county,  Wisconsin, 
and  remained  with  his  parents  -until  he  was  twenty-five  years  old.  He  then  pur- 
chased a  farm  in  that  county  but  after  operating  his  place  for  two  years  turned 
his  attention  to  railroad  contracting,  which  he  followed  off  and  on  until  1891, 
although  during  three  years  of  that  period  he  devoted  practically  his  entire  time 
to  agricultural  pursuits.  In  October,  1891,  he  went  to  Mason  City,  Iowa,  where 
he  engaged  in  teaming  for  a  short  time.  He  also  did  some  coimty  grading  at 
Clear  Lake  that  fall  and  later  in  the  year  came  to  Thompson,  Winnebago  county, 
at  which  time  there  was  only  one  store  in  the  town.  He  purchased  three  quarter 
sections  of  land  in  this  locality,  but  during  the  panic  of  1893  lost  his*  farm 
holdings.  He  then  took  up  his  residence  upon  land  in  the  vicinity  of  Lake  Mills 
and  for  two  years  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising  there.  At  the  end  of 
that  time  he  became  a  resident  ot  Thompson  and  for  four  years  served  as 
postmaster  under  appointment  of  President  Cleveland.  Since  his  removal  to 
Thompson  he  has  also  done  some  railroad  grading,  including  the  work  which  he 
did  in  1900  for  the  Rock  Island  on  their  line  from  Armstrong  to  Estherville.  In 
1909  he  went  into  the  hotel  business  and  the  Egan  Hotel  at  Thompson  has  a 
reputation  of  being  one  of  the  best  hotels  to  be  found  in  the  small  towns  of  Iowa. 
For  the  past  twenty-six  years,  however,  a  great  deal  of  his  time  and  attention  has 
been  devoted  to  auctioneering  and  he  has  cried  sales  all  over  Iowa  and  Minnesota, 
the  demand  for  his  service  indicating  his  unusual  efficiency  in  that  business.  He 
owns  land  in  Sheridan  county,  North  Dakota,  and  is  in  excellent  financial  cir- 
cumstance!. 


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72     WINNEBAGO  AND  HANCOCK  COUNTIES 

Mr.  Egan  was  married  on  the  24th  ef  November,  1874,  to  Miss  Catherine 
Beardon,  and  they  have  become  the  parents  of  ten  children  as  follows :  Mary,  the 
wife  of  Luke  Eiynborg  of  Kincaid,  Nebraska;  Thomas  and  George,  both  of  whom 
are  residents  of  Des  Moines,  Iowa;  James,  who  was  killed  in  a  railroad  wreck; 
Ellen,  who  is  a  trained  nurse  and  a  resident  of  Thompson;  Agnes,  the  wife  of 
John  Lloyd  of  Des  Moines;  Robert,  who  is  living  in  Omaha;  Joseph  S.,  of  Des 
Moines;  and  Clara  and  Vera,  boiJi  of  whom  died  in  1901. 

Mr.  Egan  has  supported  the  democratic  party  since  age  conferred  upon  him 
the  right  of  franchise  and  four  times  he  has  been  his  party's  nominee  for  the 
office  of  county  sheriff.  In  religious  faith  he  is  a  Boman  Catholic  and  in  his 
conduct  he  has  measured  up  to  high  ethical  standards.  He  has  a  wide  acquaintance 
and  his  dominant  qualities  are  such  that  his  personal  friends  are  many. 


THOMAS  H.  TWITO. 


Important  business  interests  are  carefully  directed  by  Thomas  H.  Twito,  an 
energetic,  enterprising  man,  who  has  been  connected  with  mercantile  and  agri- 
cultural interests  in  Winnebago  county  for  a  number  of  years.  He  is  today 
occupying  a  farm  on  section  10,  Center  township,  which  he  has  brought  to  a  high 
state  of  cultivation.  His  residence  in  the  county  covers  forty-three  years  and 
therefore  he  has  been  a  witness  of  much  of  its  growth  and  development.  He  was 
bom  in  Muskego,  Wisconsin,  May  15,  1845,  a  son  of  Hans  and  Ausloug  H. 
(Jacobson)  Twito,  who  were  natives  of  Norway,  whence  they  came  to  the  new 
world,  the  mother  crossing  the  Atlantic  in  1842,  while  Mr.  Twito  made  the  voyage 
in  1843.  Traveling  across  the  country  to  Wisconsin,  he  there  purchased  land 
which  he  cultivated  and  improved  until  1855,  when  he  sold  that  property  and 
removed  to  Houston  county,  Minnesota.  In  that  district  he  purchased  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  of  land,  which  he  also  brought  to  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  giving 
his  remaining  days  to  its  further  improvement.  Upon  that  place  he  passed  away 
in  February,  1866,  at  the  age  of  fifty-five  years,  while  his  widow,  who  long  survived 
him,  reached  the  age  of  eighty-eight  years,  her  death  occurring  July  16,  1913. 

Thomas  H.  Twito  was  reared  and  educated  in  Wisconsin  and  in  Minnesota, 
spending  his  youthful  days  on  his  father's  farms,  where  he  early  became  familiar 
with  the  best  methods  of  tilling  the  soil  and  caring  for  the  crops.  On  attaining 
his  majority,  which  he  reached  about  the  time  of  his  father's  death,  he  began 
farming  on  his  own  account  on  rented  lan4  and  resided  thereon  for  three  years. 
He  afterward  went  to  Fillmore  county,  Minnesota,  where  he  purchased  land  which 
he  farmed  for  three  years,  and  at  the  same  time  he  engaged  in  threshing  and  in 
breaking  land  for  others.  Afterward  he  went  to  Emmet  county,  Iowa,  where  he 
followed  farming,  purchasing  eighty  acres,  but  the  grasshoppers  destroyed  his 
crops  and  he  sold  his  property  there.  In  the  fall  of  1873  he  arrived  in  Winnebago 
county  and  for  eleven  years  thereafter  was  a  resident  of  Lake  Mills,  during  which 
period  he  engaged  in  the  sale  of  machinery  and  farm  implements.  He  then  took 
up  his  abode  upon  a  farm  which  he  had  purchased  some  years  before.  He  has 
cultivated  this  tract  altogether  for  thirty-three  years.  It  comprises  one  hundred 
and  thirty-nine  acres  of  rich  and  productive  land  on  section  10,  Center  township, 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  73 

and  is  today  a  finely  improved  place.  He  had  to  clear  about  twenty-five  acres  of 
this  land  before  he  could  cultivate  it.  Today  the  entire  tract  is  converted  into 
productive  fields  which  respond  readily  to  the  care  and  labor  which  he  bestows  upon 
them.  His  methods  are  at  once  practical  and  progressive  and  his  farm  presents  a 
very  neat  and  attractive  appearance.  He  is  also  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers' 
Elevator  Company,  in  the  Lake  Mills  Creamery  Company  and  in  the  Lake  Mills 
Lumber  Company.  His  investments  have  been  wisely  and  judiciously  placed  and 
bring  to  him  good  returns. 

In  March,  1870,  Mr.  Twito  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Margaret  Olson,  of 
Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  two  children :  Hilda,  now 
the  wife  of  T.  S.  Tweed,  cashier  of  the  Farmers'  State  Bank  of  Lake  Mills;  and 
one  who  died  in  infancy.  The  wife  and  mother  passed  away  in  1874  and  on  the 
14th  of  May,  1878,  Mr.  Twito  wedded  Maggie  Hanson,  of  Racine  county,  Wiscon- 
sin. Six  children  were  born  of  this  marriage:  Mattie,  the  wife  of  Jens  Charlson, 
a  resident  farmer  of  Newton  township;  Amanda,  Josie,  Hans  and  Oscar,  all  at 
home;  and  Josie,  who  died  in  infancy.  Mrs.  Twito  passed  away  October  7,  1916, 
and  her  death  was  the  occasion  of  the  deepest  regret  not  only  to  her  immediate 
family  but  also  to  the  many  friends  whom  she  had  won  during  the  period  of  her 
residence  in  Winnebago  county.  She  belonged  to  the  United  Lutheran  church,  of 
which  Mr.  Twito  is  also  a  member.  His  political  endorsement  is  given  to  the 
republican  party  and  for  twenty-two  years  he  has  served  as.  a  trustee  of  Center 
tovniship.  He  has  also  ben  a  member  of  the  school  board  and  the  cause  of  educa- 
tion finds  in  him  a  stalwart  champion.  In  fact  his  aid  and  influence  are  always 
given  on  the  .side  of  progress  and  improvement  and  those  who  know  him  entertain 
for  him  warm  regard,  recognizing  that  his  life  has  at  all  times  been  an  upright 
and  honorable  one. 


HANS  BEBQAN. 


After  many  years  devoted  to  agricultural  pursuits  Hans  Bergan  is  now  living 
retired  in  Forest  City,  Iowa,  enjoying  a  well  earned  rest  and  the  fruits  of  his 
former  toil.  He  was  born  in  Norway,  on  the  10th  of  February,  1841,  and  is  a 
son  of  Hans  and  Beret  (Lattestad)  Bergan,  who  spent  their  entire  lives  in  that 
country.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  land  and  remained 
at  home  with  his  parents  until  thirty-two  years  of  age. 

Haviiig  determined  to  try  his  fortune  in  the  new  world,  where  he  believed  that 
better  opportunities  were  afforded  an  ambitious  young  man,  Mr.  Bergan  came  to 
the  United  States  in  1873,  though  he  had  to  borrow  the  money  to  pay  his  passage. 
He  first  located  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  and  resided  there  until  1882,  when  he 
came  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  and  for  six  or  seven  years  engaged  in  farming 
on  rented  land.  Having  lived  economically  he  was  then  able  to  purchase  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  Xewton  township.  This  was  a  wild  tract  for 
which  he  paid  six  dollars  and  twenty-five  cents  per  acre.  Mr.  Bergan  built  thereon 
a  residence  and  farm  buildings  and  as  time  passed  placed  his  land  under  excellent 
cultivation,  so  that  it  became  a  very  valuable  tract.  After  operating  that  farm  for 
about  twenty-si^^  years,  he  sold  it  in  1914  for  one  hundred  dollars  per  acre  and 


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74  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

then  removed  to  Forest  City,  where  he  is  now  living  retired,  having  a  comfortable 
town  residence  surrounded  by  about  five  acres  of  ground. 

On  September  12,  1885,  Mr.  Bergan  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ingeborg 
Homelin,  of  Winnebago  county.  She  is  a  native  of  Norway  and  on  coming  to  the 
United  States  in  1873  settled  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  where  she  spent  four 
years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  she  became  a  resident  of  Winnebago  county,  Iowa. 
She  is  a  daughter  of  Ole  and  Carrie  (Fikan)  Homelin,  the  former  of  whom  died 
in  Norway  in  1853.  The  mother  came  to  the  United  States  in  1871  and  died  in 
1898  in  Newton  township,  when  eighty-five  years  old.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bergan 
are  earnest  and  consistent  members  of  the  Lutheran  synod  and  are  held  in  the 
highest  esteem  by  all  who  know  them.  Although  Mr.  Bergan  came  to  the  new 
world  in  debt  he  steadily  worked  his  way  upward  to  prosperity  until  he  is  now 
accounted  one  of  the  well-to-do  men  of  his  community,  for  he  possesses  good  busi- 
ness ability  and  has  never  been  afraid  of  hard  work. 


GUNDER  DYBENDAHL. 

Among  those  who  were  at  one  time  active  in  promoting  the  progress  of  Winne- 
bago county  but  who  have  been  called  to  their  final  rest,  is  numbered  Gunder 
Dybendahl,  who  was  born  in  August,  1856.  He  belonged  to  that  class  of  worthy 
citizens  that  Norway  has  furnished  to  Iowa.  Coming  to  America  in  his  boyhood 
days  he  here  lived  a  life  of  usefulness  and  activity  which,  however,  was  terminated 
in  death  March  7,  1896,  when  he  was  forty  years  of  age. 

Mr.  Dybendahl  was  united  in  marriage  in  1888  to  Miss  Lena  Bjelland,  who 
still  survives.  They  became  the  parents  of  five  children,  all  of  whom  are  yet 
living:  T.  Andrew,  who  operates  the  home  farm  for  his  mother;  Selma,  who  is 
the  wife  of  S.  L.  Dahl,  of  Estherville,  Iowa ;  Laura,  at  home ;  Sidney,  who  is  con- 
nected in  business  with  his  brother  Andrew,  their  attention  being  given  to  the 
development  and  further  improvement  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land; 
and  Julia,  who  is  at  home.  Mrs.  Dybendahl  still  owns  the  old  homestead  farm  of 
eighty  acres  which  is  situated  on  section  2,  Linden  township.  To  the  property  has 
been  added  various  good  buildings  and  a  number  of  substantial  and  high  class 
improvements.  Mrs.  Dybendahl  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  to  which  Mr. 
Dybendahl  also  belonged.  High  and  honorable  principles  guided  him  in  all  the 
relations  of  life  and  those  who  knew  him  entertained  for  him  warm  regard,  for  he 
always  displayed  those  qualities  which  in  every  land  and  clime  command  the 
good  will  and  confidence  of  one's  fellows. 


WALTER  S.  BLACKWELL. 

Walter  S.  Blackwell,  county  steward  of  the  Hancock  County  Home  at  Gamer, 
wa*  born  in  La  Salle  county,  Illinois,  November  25,  1853,  and  is  a  son  of  Robert 
and  Mary  (Probasco)  Blackwell,  who  were  natives  of  Ohio.  They  were  born  near 
Columbus,  Ohio,  and  in  early  life  the  father  removed  westward  to  Illinois.    Walter 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  75 

S.  Blackwell  acquired  a  common  school  education  in  Streator  and  in  Ottawa,  Illi- 
nois. He  was  reared  to  the  occupation  of  farming,  early  becoming  familiar  with 
the  duties  and  labors  that  fall  to  the  lot  of  the  agriculturist.  He  became  a  resident 
of  Hancock  county  in  1900  and  during  the  intervening  period  he  has  several  times 
been  called  upon  to  serve  in  public  offices.  He  filled  the  position  of  county  super- 
visor for  four  years  and  was  trustee  for  twelve  years.  He  has  also  been  county 
steward  for  ten  years,  succeeding  Charles  Hunt  in  his  present  position.  He  has 
had  charge  of  the  Hancock  County  Home  for  ten  years,  or  since  the  present  build- 
ing was  erected,  and  he  has  done  excellent  work  in  this  connection,  applying 
businesslike  methods,  indefatigable  energy  and  sound  judgment  to  the  management 
of  the  interests  entrusted  to  his  care. 

On  the  12th  of  October,  1876,  Mr.  Blackwell  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Mary  A.  Lewis,  a  daughter  of  Nathan  Lewis,  of  Susquehanna  county,  Pennsylvania, 
and  they  have  three  children.  Arthur  Lewis,  the  eldest,  married  Edith  Slick  an* 
they  reside  at  Savage,  Minnesota.  Lillian  is  now  the  wife  of  Edward  Phillips,  of 
Forest  City,  Iowa.  Walter  Kent  married  Iris  Brown  and  is  now  engaged  in  thi- 
banking  business  at  Goldfield,  Iowa.  There  was  also  another  son,  Frank  Pierce, 
\v!)o  is  deceased. 

Mr.  Blackwell  belongs  to  the  Odd  Fellows  Lodge  at  Garner  and  is  loyal  to  its 
teachings  and  purposes.  His  political  allegiance  is  given  to  the  democratic  party 
and  he  has  been  an  active  worker  in  its  ranks,  doing  all  in  his  power  to  further  its 
interests  and  secure  its  legitimate  success.  He  has  made  a  splendid  record  as  an 
official  by  his  loyalty  and  efficiency  and  he  has  the  respect,  confidence  and  high 
regard  of  many  with  whom  he  has  been  brought  in  contact. 


J.  ELMER  TWITO. 


J.  Elmer  Twito,  of  Lake  Mills,  has  built  up  a  large  clientage  as  a  real  estate 
dealer  and  has  handled  many  valuable  properties,  especially  local  lands.  He  wan 
bom  in  Forest  City,  May  30,  1878,  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Carrie  (Halverson)  Twi 
natives  respectively  of  Wisconsin  and  Norway.  The  mother  removed  with  her 
parents  to  Forest  City  at  a  very  early  period  in  the  development  of  Winnebago 
county  and  the  father  also  came  here  in  pioneer  times.  He  was  well  known  ant^ 
highly  respected  and  for  fourteen  years  held  the  office  of  county  sheriff.  On  remov- 
ing to  Lake  Mills  he  became  an  employe  of  the  Lake  Mills  Lumber  Company,  with 
which  concern  he  was  connected  until  his  death  in  July,  1904.  He  is  buried  in 
the  North  Side  cemetery.    The  mother  still  survives. 

J.  Elmer  Twito  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  native  town  until  he  was 
eleven  years  old,  when  the  family  removed  to  Lake  Mills,  where  he  has  since  con- 
tinuously resided.  He  was  in  school  here  until  he  was  fifteen  years  old,  when  he 
began  working  as  a  clerk,  and  was  so  employed  in  various  stores  until  1901.  In 
that  year  he  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business  in  partnership  with  his  father  and 
after  the  latter^s  demise  was  alone  for  a  year.  Subsequently  he  was  associated  in 
business  with  Daniel  Lunoe,  but  in  the  early  part  of  1917  that  partnership  was 
dissolved  and  he  is  now  in  business  alone.  He  makes  a  specialty  of  handling  lands 
and  is  recognized  as  an  authority  upon  land  values  in  this  section  of  the  state. 


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76      WINNEBAGO  AND  HANCOCK  COUNTIES 

His  business  returns  him  a  good  profit  and  he  is  in  very  comfortable  financial 
circumstances. 

In  1906  Mr.  Twito  was  married  to  Miss  Regina  Sponem,  a  daughter  of  Tosten 
and  Isabel  (Kobbervig)  Sponem,  natives  of  Norway,  who  on  emigrating  to  the 
United  States  located  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin.  There  the  father  passed  away 
and  is  buried  and  the  mother  is  now  located  in  Mount  Vernon,  Wisconsin.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Twito  have  been  born  eight  children :  James  T.,  Irving  C,  Earl  R., 
Bemice  R.,  Gladys  Viola,  George  Harold,  Royden  W.,  and  Levona  F. 

Mr.  Twito  exercises  his  right  of  franchise  in  support  of  the  candidates  and 
measures  of  the  republican  party  where  national  issues  are  at  stake,  but  otherwise 
votes  for  the  man.  He  belongs  to  the  United  Lutheran  church  and  gives  his  sup- 
port to  its  work  for  the  moral  upbuilding  of  the  community.  He  has  made  all 
that  he  has  himself  and  possesses  the  self-reliance  and  initiative  characteristic  of 
the  self-made  man. 


LUDVIG  JACOBSON. 


Ludvig  Jacobson  is  actively  engaged  in  farming  on  section  1,  Linden  township, 
Winnebago  county,  and  he  displays  the  characteristics  of  industry,  energy  and 
thrift  which  have  ever  dominated  the  Norwegian  people.  He  was  born  in  Norway, 
April  10,  1863,  and  is  a  son  of  Jacob  Erickson  and  Christina  Talkenson,  who  were 
also  natives  of  that  land.  They  crossed  the  Atlantic  to  America  in  1886  and  made 
their  way  westward  to  Iowa,  establishing  their  home  in  Story  county,  where  they 
spent  their  remaining  days.  They  had  a  family  of  ten  children  of  whom  two  are 
now  living. 

Ludvig  Jacobson  was  reared  and  educated  in  Norway,  remaining  in  that  coun- 
try until  he  reached  the  age  of  nineteen  years.  He  then  determined  to  try  his 
fortune  in  the  new  world,  thinking  that  he  might  enjoy  better  opportunities  on  this 
side  of  the  Atlantic  than  he  could  obtain  in  Norway.  He  made  Story  county,  Iowa, 
his  destination  and  there  he  remained  for  twenty-four  years.  He  also  spent  four 
years  at  Crookston,  Minnesota,  but  in  1909  he  came  to  Winnebago  county  and  pur- 
chased his  home  farm  which  is  situated  on  section  1,  Linden  township.  He  care- 
fully tilled  the  soil  and  as  he  prospered  he  added  to  his  holdings  by  investing  in 
one  hundred  and  six  acres  on  section  6,  Forest  township.  He,  therefore,  owns  today 
a  valuable  property  of  two  hundred  and  sixty-eight  acres,  which  is  splendidly  im- 
proved with  good  buildings.  In  addition  to  his  substantial  residence  there  are 
large  barns  and  sheds  that  give  ample  shelter  to  grain  and  stock.  He  makes  a 
specialty  of  raising  cattle,  hogs  and  horses,  and  this  branch  of  his  business  con- 
stitutes an  important  source  of  his  revenue.  He  uses  the  latest  improved  machinery 
to  facilitate  the  work  of  the  fields  and  annually  he  gathers  good  crops. 

In  Story  county,  Iowa,  Mr.  Jacobson  w&s  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Kate 
Nelson,  a  native  of  Denmark,  and  to  them  have  been  born  ten  children:  Emil, 
Carl,  Engvil,  Clara,  the  wife  of  Levi  Hellen,  of  Minnesota;  Anna  at  home;  John, 
Lewis,  Ludvig,  Rasen,  and  Hannah.  The  parents  are  members  of  the  Lutheran 
church,  to  which  they  give  generous  support  while  faithfully  following  its  precepts, 
in  politics  Mr.  Jacobson  is  a  democrat  but  never  seeks  nor  desires  oflBce,  preferring 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  77 

to  give  his  undivided  thought  and  attention  to  his  business  affairs.  He  certainly 
deserves  much  credit  for  what  he  has  accomplished,  as  his  fortune  has  all  been  won 
since  he  came  to  America.  Gradually  he  has  worked  his  way  upward,'  leading  a 
most  active  life,  and  day  after  day  he  has  cultivated  his  fields,  cared  for  his  crops 
and  performed  other  farm  work.  ,  His  life  record  should  serve  to  inspire  and 
encourage  others,  showing  what  can  be  accomplished  through  persistent  purpose. 


ERNEST  L.  STILSON. 

Ernest  L.  Stilson,  of  Hancock  county,  clerk  of  the  district  court,  was  born  in 
McHenry  county,  Illinois,  January  15,  1845,  a  son  of  Leonard  and  Arabelle  (Pow- 
ers) Stilson,  the  former  a  native  of  New  York  and  the  latter  of  Michigan.  They 
were  married,  however,  in  Illinois.  The  mother  died  in  Michigan  and  in  1866  the 
father  removed  to  Iowa,  settling  at  Clear  Lake,  where  he  turned  his  attention  to 
mercantile  pursuits,  although  by  trade  he  was  a  carpenter  and  builder  and  had 
previously  been  active  along  that  line.  He  returned  to  Michigan  after  living  for 
a  time  at  Clear  Lake,  but  in  1867  again  came  to  Iowa,  settling  at  Lake  Mills, 
where  he  once  more  embarked  in  merchandising,  remaining  there  until  1869.  He 
afterward  made  his  home  in  Forest  City  with  his  son  Ernest,  there  residing  until 
his  demise. 

In  the  public  schools  of  Michigan,  Ernest  L.  Stilson  largely  acquired  his  educa- 
tion. Prior  to  the  Civil  war,  however,  he  returned  to  Illinois  and  there  in  August, 
1862,  in  response  to  the  country's  call  for  aid,  he  enlisted  as  a  member  of  Company 
H,  Ninety-fifth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  being  mustered  out  in  1865  after 
almost  three  years  of  active  service  in  defense  of  the  Union.  He  was  often  in  the 
thickest  of  the  fight.  He  participated  in  the  engagements  at  Guntown  and  Vicks- 
burg,  Mississippi,  in  the  Red  Biver  campaign,  in  the  battle  of  Nashville  and  the 
siege  of  Port  Blakely.  In  fact  he  was  on  active  duty  throughout  the  entire  period 
of  his  connection  with  the  army  and  made  a  most  creditable  military  record. 

After  the  war  Mr.  Stilson  returned  to  Illinois  and  thence  went  to  Michigan, 
where  his  father  was  then  living.  In  the  fall  of  1866  he  removed  to  Clear  Lake, 
Iowa,  but  later  returned  to  Michigan  and  was  there  married.  In  October,  1867, 
he  established  his  home  at  Lake  Mills,  where  he  engaged  in  general  merchandising 
in  partnership  with  his  father  for  a  time.  Later,  however,  he  sold  out  and  opened 
a  hardware  store  in  Forest  City  in  1869,  there  continuing  actively  and  successfully 
in  business  until  1885.  In  that  year  he  removed  to  Corwith,  Iowa,  where  he 
opened  the  first  bank  of  the  town  under  the  name  of  E.  L.  Stilson  &  Company. 
Subsequently  the  private  bank  was  reorganized  as  a  state  bank,  at  which  time  Mr. 
Stilson  became  the  president.  In  1907  the  bank  cashier  absconded,  causing  the 
institution  to  close  its  doors.  His  fellow  citizens,  appreciative  of  his  worth,  and 
ability,  elected  him  to  the  office  of  clerk  of  the  district  court  in  1914  and  in  1916 
attested  their  approval  of  his  capable  service  in  office  by  reelecting  him  to  that 
position,  which  he  is  now  filling. 

On  the  16th  of  October,  1867,  Mr.  Stilson  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  E.  Cooper, 
of  Michigan,  who  passed  away  at  Forest  City,  Iowa,  in  1886.  In  1888  he  was 
joined  in  wedlock  to  Miss  Celia  Munson,  of  Forest  City,  and  they  still  make  their 


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78      WINNEBAGO  AND  HANCOCK  COUNTIES 

home  at  Corwith.    By  his  first  marriage  he  had  one  son,  Roy  C,  living  in  Corwitli, 
and  by  the  second  marriage  there  is  a  daughter,  Bemiee  W.,  at  home. 

The  family  attend  the  Baptist  church,  although  Mr.  Stilson  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  church.  His  political  allegiance  is  given  to  the  republican  party  and  for 
two  terms  he  filled  the  ofiBce  of  county  recorder  in  the  '708,  making  a  creditable 
record  in  this  position  as  in  the  other  offices  to  which  he  has  been  called.  He  is  an 
earnest  party  worker  because  of  his  firm  belief  in  republican  principles.  He  belongs 
to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  has  filled  all  of  the  chairs  in  the 
local  lodge.  In  Masonry  he  has  taken  the  degrees  of  lodge,  chapter,  council  and 
commandery.  He  is  likewise  a  valued  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic 
and  he  has  ever  manifested  the  same  loyalty  in  matters  of  citizenship  that  he  dis- 
played when  upon  southern  battlefields  he  followed  the  stars  and  stripes. 


HON.  CHRISTIAN  N.  FLUQUM. 

One  of  the  most  prominent  and  influential  farmers  of  Center  township,  Winne- 
bago county,  is  Christian  N.  Flugum,  whose  home  is  on  section  31.  He  was 
born  on  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic,  his  birth  occurring  in  Norway,  January 
17,  1859,  and  he  is  a  son  of  Nels  and  Martha  (Eggum)  Flugum,  who  brought 
their  family  to  America  in  the  spring  of  1867  and  located  in  Dane  county,  Wis- 
consin, where  the  father  taught  school  for  six  years.  In  the  spring  of  1873, 
accompanied  by  his  wife  and  children,  he  came  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  and 
purchased  land  in  Mount  Valley  township,  which  he  at  once  began  to  clear  and 
improve.  In  connection  with  farming  he  continued  to  engag^e  in  teaching  and 
followed  that  profession  for  fifty-seven  years.  In  1914  he  retired  and  is  now 
living  on  the  old  home  place  in  ease  and  quiet.  He  has  attained  the  age  of 
eighty-six  years  and  receives  the  veneration  and  respect  which  a  long,  upright 
and  honorable  life  should  always  command.  He  has  been  called  upon  to  mourii 
the  loss  of  his  wife,  who  passed  away  in  April,  1905. 

Christian  N.  Flugum  began  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Wisconsin,  being 
fourteen  years  of  age  on  the  removal  of  the  family  to  Iowa.  Later  he  attended 
school  in  Forest  City  and  completed  his  education  at  Luther  College  in  Decorah, 
Iowa.  Being  well  fitted  for  a  teacher's  profession,  he  taught  nine  months  of 
school  each  year  for  twelve  years  and  during  this  time  worked  at  the  carpenter's 
trade  during  the  summer  season.  In  the  fall  of  1892,  Mr.  Flugum  purchased 
eighty  acres  of  land  in  Center  township,  Winnebago  county,  on  which  he  located 
the  following  January  and  has  since  engaged  in  its  operation.  As  a  fanner  he 
has  met  with  marked  success  and  has  been  able  to  add  to  his  property  from  time 
to  time  until  he  now  owns  a  half  section  of  land  in  one  body,  improved  with  two 
sets  of  good  buildings.  He  has  also  dealt  in  real  estate,  buying  and  selling  farm 
lands,  and  has  owned  property  in  several  different  parts  of  the  couniy. 

On  the  13th  of  December,  1892,  Mr.  Flugum  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Bertha  Hermanson,  »  daii^ter-^  Ellmg  and  Brita  Hennanson,  natives  of  Nor- 
way and  early  settlers  in  Winnebago  county.  Both  are  living.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Flugum  have  become  the  parents  of  nine  children,  namely:    Edward,  who  is 


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HOX.  CHRISTIAN  N.  FLUGUM 


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V  .  ION- 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  81 

now  farming  in  Texas;  and  Norman,  Charles,  Joseph,  Mabel,  Bertha,  Esttier, 
Clarence  and  William,  all  at  home. 

Religiously  the  family  is  connected  with  the  United  Lntheran  church,  and 
politically  Mr.  Flugum  has  affiliated  with  the  republican  party  since  attaining 
his  majority.  His  fellow  citizens,  recognizing  his  worth  and  ability,  have  elected 
him  to  official  .positions  of  honor  and  trust  and  he  served  as  a  member  of  the 
thirty-second  general  assembly  from  this  district  and  also  of  the  thirty-second 
extra  session  in  1907-08.  For  three  terms  he  was  township  clerk  of  Mount 
Valley  township  and  for  a  number  of  years  served  on  the  school  board.  He  is 
now  secretary  and  manager  of  the  Farmers  Mutual  Insurance  Association  of 
Winnebago  county,  which  he  helped  to  organize  in  1886,  with  home  office  in  Lake 
Mills,  and  with  the  exception  of  three  years,  while  he  was  farming  in  the  western 
part  of  Winnebago  county,  he  has  filled  the  former  position  since  the  company 
was  incorporated.  Mr.  Flugum  is  also  a  stockholder  of  the  Farmers  Elevator 
Company  of  Lake  Mills;  the  Lake  Mills  Lumber  Company;  the  Farmers  Elevator 
Company  of  Leland;  and  the  Leland  Creamery  Company.  He  is  one  of  the 
directors  of  the  Iowa  Mutual  Tornado  Insurance  Association  of  Des  Moines 
and  is  one  of  its  adjusters.  This  company  has  two  hundred  and  twenty  million 
dollars  insurance  in  force  at  the  present  time.  It  will  thus  be  seen  that  Mr. 
Flugum  is  recognized  as  a  man  of  good  business  and  executive  ability  and  the 
success  that  has  come  to  him  is  certainly  well  merited,  as  it  is  the  result  of  his 
own  industry,  enterprise  and  good  management. 


GILBERT  SEVERSON. 


Among  the  venerable  and  highly  respected  citizens  of  Hancock  county  is  num- 
bered Gilbert  Severson,  who  for  many  years  was  actively  identified  with  farming 
interests  but  is  now  living  retired,  his  home  being  on  section  11,  Ellington  town- 
ship. He  was  bom  in  Norway,  January  17,  1839,  a  son  of  Severt  and  Gudberg 
(Gilbertson)  Severson,  who  were  also  natives  of  that  country,  where  they  spent  their 
entire  lives.    They  had  a  family  of  six  children,  of  whom  five  are  yet  living. 

Gilbert  Severson  was  reared  and  educated  in  Norway  and  in  1868,  when  about 
twenty-nine  years  of  age,  came  to  the  new  world.  He  severed  home  ties  because  he 
believed  that  better  opportunities  might  be  secured  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic  and 
he  has  never  regretted  his  determination  to  come  to  the  United  States.  Making 
his  way  westward  to  Iowa,  he  settled  first  in  Winneshiek  county,  where  he  lived 
for  a  year,  and  in  1869  he  removed  to  Hancock  county,  purchasing  the  farm  which 
he  now  occupies.  It  was  then  a  tract  of  timber  land  on  which  no  furrow  had  been 
turned  nor  improvement  been  made.  He  at  once  began  the  task  of  preparing  it  for 
cultivation,  clearing  away  the  trees  and  the  stumps  and  eventually  placing  his 
fields  under  the  plow.  The  work  of  further  development  and  cultivation  has  been 
carried  forward  year  by  year  and  he  now  has  an  excellent  farm.  His  first  home 
was  a  primitive  little' log-cabiir  whiclr  he  occupied-  for  sixteen  years,  and  then 
replaced  by  a  more  commodious  and  modem  dwelling.  He  now  owns  altogether 
two  hundred  acres  of  land  which  returns  to  him  a  gratifying  annual  income.     At 


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82  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

the  present  time  he  is  leaving  this  place  to  the  care  of  others  and  is  enjoying  the 
fruits  of  his  former  toil  in  a  well  earned  rest. 

In  Mitchell  county,  Iowa,  in  1869,  Mr.  Severson  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Anna  Lien,  a  native  of  Norway,  and  they  became  parents  of  seven  children : 
Julia,  the  wife  of  Hans  Larson,  of  Forest  City;  Betsy,  deceased;  Severt;  Mary, 
the  wife  of  Barney  Varberg,  of  North  Dakota ;  Minnie,  the  wife  of  Samuel  Wepald, 
living  on  the  old  homestead;  Anna,  a  resident  of  Mason  City,  Iowa;  and  Tillie, 
the  wife  of  Gilbert  Benson.  The  wife  and  mother  passed  away  in  1904  and  was 
laid  to  rest  in  Ellington  cemetery. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Severson  is  a  republican  and  for  fifteen  years  he 
filled  the  office  of  township  trustee.  He  has  always  been  loyal  in  matters  of  citizen- 
ship and  has  stood  for  progress  and  improvement  along  many  lines.  For  an  ex- 
tended period  he  has  been  a  faithful  member  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  served 
as  its  treasurer  for  thirty  years.  Coming  to  the  new  world  empty  handed,  he  recog- 
nized its  advantages  and  improved  his  opportunities.  He  did  not  expect  to  win 
success  without  labor  but  concentrated  his  undivided  attention  upon  his  work  and 
is  today  reaping  the  rewards  of  his  persistent  toil. 


THOR  J.  MOE. 


Thor  J.  Moe,  a  native  of  Norway,  has  gained  the  success  which  he  sought  upon 
his  emigration  to  America  and  is  now  a  prosperous  business  man  of  Lake  Mills, 
being  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Ulve  &  Moe,  dealers  in  furniture  and  funeral  direc- 
tors. He  was  born  December  11,  1863,  and  his  parents  were  Jacob  A.  and  Annie 
(Moe)  Moe,  lifelong  residents  of  Norway,  where  the  father  engaged  in  farming. 

Thor  J.  Moe  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  his  native  country  and  in  Sioux 
Falls,  South  Dakota.  He  was  eighteen  years  of  age  when  in  1881  he  came  to 
America  and  during  the  first  ten  years  he  spent  in  this  country  he  resided  in  Sioux 
Falls,  South  Dakota,  where  he  was  employed  as  clerk  and  bookkeeper  in  a  hardware 
store.  In  1891  he  removed  to  Lake  Mills,  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  and  two  years 
later  formed  a  partnership  with  0.  0.  Ulve  under  the  name  of  Ulve  &  Moe  for 
the  conduct  of  a  furniture  business.  Their  store  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1900, 
but  they  continued  in  business  and  erected  a  two  story  brick  building  on  the 
principal  business  street  of  the  town  and  now  occupy  the  entire  building,  carrying 
a  very  large  stock  of  high  grade  furniture.  Their  extensive  trade  is  drawn  not 
only  from  Lake  Mills  but  also  from  the  surrounding  country  and  their  rapid 
growth  can  be  attributed  to  the  policy  of  fair  dealing  to  which  they  have  always 
strictly  adhered,  to  the  excellence  in  design,  material  and  workmanship  of  the 
furniture  carried  and  to  the  large  stock  open  to  the  selection  of  customers.  They 
also  have  an  undertaking  department  and  do  a  large  business  in  that  line. 

In  August,  1894,  Mr.  Moe  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Malina  Olson  and 
they  have  three  children,  namely :  J.  Earl,  who  was  bom  in  April,  1895 ;  Arnold 
N.,  born  in  September,  1896;  and  Morris,  born  in  November,  1901. 

Mr.  Moe  capts  his  ballot  in  support  of  the  republican  party,  has  served  as  a 
member  of  the  town  council  for  seven  years  and  for  eighteen  years  has  been  secre- 
tary of  the  school  board,  during  which  time  his  influence  has  been  strongly  felt  in 


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WINNEBAGO  AND  HANCOCK  COUNTIES      83 

the  promotion  of  the  interests  of  the  public  schools.  He  has  been  secretary  of  the 
local  lodge  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  for  sixteen  years  and  has 
many  friends  in  that  order  at  other  points.  In  religious  faith  he  is  a  United 
Lutheran.  In  all  relations  of  life  his  course  has  been  such  as  to  win  him  the 
commendation  and  sincere  respect  of  sAV  right  thinking  people  and,  moreover,  he 
holds  the  warm  friendship  of  many. 


ALBERT  FIELD. 


Albert  Field,  who  is  now  serving  as  justice  of  the  peace  at  Forest  City,  has 
many  times  been  called  to  oflSce  by  his  fellow  citizens,  who  have  thus  given  expres- 
sion to  the  confidence  which  they  have  in  his  ability  and  his  conscientious  regard 
for  the  public  welfare.  He  has  been  a  resident  of  Winnebago  county  for  many 
years  and  enjoys  an  unusually  wide  and  exceptionally  favorable  acquaintance  within 
its  borders.  He  was  bom  in  Norway,  February  9,  1855,  a  son  of  Soren  H.  and 
Olea  ( Johansen)  Field,  who  in  1864  came  with  their  family  to  the  United  States. 
For  about  eight  years  they  lived  in  Bacine  county,  Wisconsin,  but  in  1872  came 
to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  where  the  father  purchased  a  quarter  section  of  land 
one  and  a  half  miles  west  of  Forest  City  for  eleven  hundred  dollars  with  twelve 
per  cent  interest  on  deferred  payments.  After  twenty  years  the  land  was  clear 
of  indebtedness  and  during  that  time  many  improvements  were  made  upon  the 
place.  The  father  grew  the  first  com  raised  in  the  county  west  of  Forest  City 
and  was  at  once  progressive  and  practical  in  his  farm  work,  becoming  in  time  one 
of  the  substantial  citizens  of  his  township.  He  and  his  wife  both  died  upon  the 
home  farm  and  their  many  friends  deeply  regretted  their  passing.  The  subject 
of  this  review  and  his  brother  Julius  were  the  only  children  who  accompanied 
their  parents  to  Winnebago  county  and  two  brothers  are  still  living  in  Wisconsin. 

Albert  Field  received  a  common  school  education  and  remained  at  home  until 
1883,  assisting  his  father  to  pay  off  the  debt  incurred  by  the  purchase  of  the  home 
farm.  On  the  4th  of  April  of  that  year,  however,  he  purchased  eighty  acl'es  on 
section  16,  Forest  township,  and  removed  to  that  place.  He  resided  there  for 
thirty-three  years,  or  until  1916,  although  he  had  retired  from  active  agricultural 
work  a  long  period  before  he  left  the  farm,  renting  the  land  to  one  tenant  for  ten 
years.  He  met  with  gratifying  success  in  his  work  as  a  grain  «nd  stock  raiser  and 
accumulated  a  competence  that  ensures  him  all  the  comforts  of  life.  '  In  addition 
to  his  farm,  which  he  still  owns,  although  now  a  resident  of  Forest  City,  he  is  a 
stockholder  in  the  Farmers'  Co-operative  Creamery  and  the  Farmers'  Co-operative 
Elevator  Company,  both  of  Leland,  and  for  one  year  was  secretary  of  the  Winne- 
bago county  Mutual  Insurance  Company. 

Mr.  Field  is  a  stanch  republican  in  politics  and  has  taken  a  prominent  part  in 
party  work.  For  years  he  has  been  recognized  as  a  leader  in  local  public  affairs, 
served  as  township  assessor  for  twenty-two  consecutive  years,  was  coimty  supervisor 
for  nine  years  and  president  of  the  school  board  of  Forest  township  for  seven  terms. 
While  living  in  Bacine,  Wisconsin,  he  was  clerk  in  the  postoflSce  under  Postmaster 
Utley  and  long  before  he  was  of  age  he  served  in  the  militia  for  about  three  years. 
In  November,  1916,  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  of  Forest  City  and  foUow- 


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84      WINNEBAGO  AND  HANCOCK  COUNTIES 

ing  the  election  removed  to  Foreet  City  to  assume  the  duties  of  the  office.  It  has 
always  been  characteristic  of  him  that  the  public  welfare  has  been  placed  above 
private  interests  and  his  official  record  is  one  of  which  he  may  well  be  proud. 


LUTHEB  I.  AASGAARD. 

Luther  I.  Aasgaard,  editor  of  the  Winnebago  Bepublican  of  Forest  City,  has 
throughout  his  entire  life  engaged  in  newspaper  publication,  working  at  the  busi- 
ness in  every  capacity  from  that  of  office  boy  to  editor  in  chief.  He  is  a  native  of 
Freeborn  county,  Minnesota,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  1878.  His  parents,  A.  L. 
and  Maren  Aasgaard,  were  early  residents  there  and  the  father  engaged  in  business 
in  that  state,  but  in  1888  removed  with  his  family  to  Lake  Mills,  Iowa,  where  he 
established  a  hardware  store.    His  wife  is  now  deceased. 

Luther  I.  Aasgaard  was  a  little  lad  of  but  ten  summers  when  the  family  came 
to  this  state.  He  acquired  a  public  school  education  and  when  but  eleven  years  of 
age  began  working  at  the  printer's  trade  in  the  office  of  the  North  Star.  He  was 
afterward  employed  in  various  places  and  in  March,  1895,  removed  to  Forest  City, 
where  for  a  time  he  was  connected  with  the  Summit.  Later  he  established  a  job 
printing  office  and  subsequently  began  the  publication  of  the  Winnebago  Repub- 
lican, which  was  established  in  1901,  the  first  issue  being  brought  from  the  press 
on  Christmas  day  of  that  year.  This  is  a  weekly  six-column  quarto,  all  home  print. 
The  office  was  located  on  Main  street,  opposite  the  courthouse,  and  in  1914  Mr. 
Aasgaard  erected  his  present  building — a  one  story  and  basement  structure  twenty- 
two  by  one  hundred  feet.  The  front  of  the  building  is  of  patent  brick  and  the 
equipment  is  most  pleasing  and  attractive.  The  finishings  of  the  main  office  are  in 
solid  South  African  mahogany.  He  utilizes  a  linotype  machine  and  has  the  latest 
accessories  of  the  printing  art.  He  furnishes  employment  to  four  people  and  the 
circulation  of  the  paper  has  been  increased  from  sixteen  hundred  to  twenty-one 
hundred.  It  is  published  in  the  interests  of  the  republican  party  and  his  editorials 
are  a  clear  exposition  of  the  questions  and  issues  of  the  day. 

Mr.  Aasgaard  served  for  nine  months  as  postmaster  of  Forest  City  under  Presi- 
dent Taft  but  has  always  concentrated  his  efforts  and  attention  upon  his  business, 
and  laudable  ambition  has  carried  him  from  a  humble  position  in  journalistic  in- 
terests to  a  place  in  the  front  ranks  of  the  newspaper  publishers  of  his  section  of 
the  state. 


T.   K.  CLEVEN. 


T.  K.  eleven,  devoting  his  time  and  energies  to  general  farming  on  section  9, 
Ix)gan  township,  Winnebago  county,  is  a  self-made  man  whose  prosperity  is  attrib- 
utable entirely  to  his  own  labors.  He  was  born  in  Valders,  Norway,  March  16, 
1867,  and  is  a  son  of  Knut  and  Ragnild  T.  (Haugen)  Cleven,  who  were  farming 
people,  their  eon,  T.  K.  Cleven,  being  their  only  child.  The  father  died  when  he 
was  but  a  year  old,  after  which  he  was  brought  by  his  mother  to  the  United  States 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  85 

when  a  little  lad  of  three  summers.  They  made  the  voyage  in  company  with  her 
parents,  Tostin  T.  and  Gure  (Melby)  Haugen,  who  went  to  the  home  of  their  son 
Onlbrandy  then  living  upon  a  fann  in  Logan  township,  Winnebago  county,  Iowa, 
now  owned  by  Mr.  Cleven.  Oulbrand  Haugen  had  purchased  his  farm,  compris- 
ing fifty-four  acres  on  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  10,  had  cleared  it  and 
placed  it  under  the  plow  and  to  it  added  many  improvements.  He  continued  there 
to  engage  in  farming  until  his  death,  when  he  was  laid  to  rest  in  Center  township, 
where  also  repose  the  remains  of  his  parents. 

Mrs.  eleven  and  her  son  remained  with  her  parents  and  her  brother  until  T.  K. 
eleven  had  reached  an  age  where  he  was  able  to  work  and  provide  for  the  suppdrt 
of  himself  and  mother.  Hie  started  out  as  a  farm  hand  and  while  thus  employed 
carefully  saved  his  earnings  until  in  1891  he  felt  justified  in  making  the  purchase 
of  a  tract  of  land.  He  then  secured  eighty  acres  of  the  southeast  quarter  of  section 
9,  Logan  township,  which  he  cleared  and  cultivated,  and  has  since  made  his  home 
upon  that  property.  H«  is  today  regarded  as  one  of  the  enterprising  and  progres- 
sive agriculturists  of  his  locality  and  in  addition  to  his  home  place  he  owns  an 
interest  in  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  Marshall  county,  Minnesota, 
and  also  the  old  Haugen  homestead.  He  was  also  at  one  time  a  director  of  the 
Vinje  Creamery.  His  land  has  beei\  brought  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and 
he  has  added  many  modern  and  substantial  improvements  to  his  farm. 

On  June  18, 1898,  Mr.  Cleven  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Margareta  Maria 
Johnson,  a  daughter  of  D.  N.  and  Sarah  Johnson,  who  were  early  settlers  of  Nor- 
way township.  They  have  become  the  parents  of  six  children :  Daniel  6.,  Rhine- 
hardt  T.,  Selmer  L.,  Gilbert  A.,  Louis  S.,  and  Selma  R.,  all  at  home. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cleven  hold  membership  in  the  United  Lutheran  church  and  are 
highly  esteemed  people  of  the  community  in  which  they  live.  In  politics  he  is  a 
republican  and  for  eight  years  he  filled  the  oflSce  of  justice  of  the  peace,  rendering 
decisions  which  were  strictly  fair  and  impartial.  He  is  now  serving  as  secretary 
of  the  school  board  and  at  all  times  he  is  deeply  interested  in  the  welfare  and 
progress  of  the  community  in  which  he  resides,  co-operating  in  many  plans  and 
measures  for  the  public  good.  In  a  business  way,  too,  he  deserves  much  credit  for 
what  he  has  accomplished,  for  his  diligence  and  enterprise  have  been  the  basis 
of  his  success. 


AUGUST  LAU. 


August  Lau,  banker  and  merchant  of  Klemme,  has  in  the  conduct  of  his  busi- 
ness interests  displayed  keen  insight  into  existing  conditions  that  has  been  one  of 
the  dominant  forces  in  his  growing  success.  He  has  always  used  his  time  and 
talents  wisely  and  well,  and  steadily  he  has  progressed.  He  was  bom  April  20, 
1853,  in  Germany,  a  s^n  of  Christian  and  Dora  Lau,  who  came  to  America  in 
1857  and  settled  in  Clayton  county,  Iowa,  where  the  father,  engaged  in  farming. 
At  the  time  of  the  Civil  war  he  responded  to  the  countr/s  call  for  troops  to  defend 
the  Union  and  joined  a  regiment  of  Iowa  volunteer  infantry,  rendering  active 
service  upon  the  battlefields  of  the  south.  In  after  years  he  resided  in  Hancock 
eounty,  where  he  spent  his  remaining  days.     His  wife  is  still  living  in  Klemme. 


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86      WINNEBAGO  AND  HANCOCK  COUNTIES 

August  Lau  was  but  four  years  of  age  when  brought  by  his  parents  to  the  new 
world,  so  that  practically  his  entire  life  has  been  spent  in  Iowa.  He  acquired  liis 
education  in  Clayton  county  by  attending  the  district  schools  during  the  winter 
terms,  while  in  the  summer  months  he  assisted  his  father  in  the  work  of  the  home 
farm.  He  was  thus  engaged  until  1875,  when  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years  he 
came  to  Hancock  county.  He  had  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  la' 
in  Gennan  township  two  years  before,  and  taking  up  his  abode  upon  that  tract  he 
improved  his  fields,  carrying  on  general  farming  and,  to  some  extent,  engaging 
in  cattle  raising.  Year  after  year  he  carefully  tilled  the  soil  and  continued  actively 
and  successfully  in  farm  work  until  1896,  when  he  leased  his  land  and  removed 
to  Elemme.  He  then  began  dealing  in  coal,  grain  and  livestock  and  con- 
ducted a  successful  business  along  those  lines,  his  annual  sales  reaching  a  consider- 
able figure.  He  became  a  stockholder  in  the  First  National  Bank  of  Klemme  and 
since  1907  has  served  as  its  vice  president,  largely  directing  its  policy  and  shaping 
its  activities. 

Mr.  Lau  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Anna  Boehm,  a  daughter  of  Henry 
Boehm,  a  pioneer  settler  and  farmer  of  Clayton  county,  Iowa.  The  children  of  this 
marriage  are  seven  in  number:  H.  C,  who  follows  fanning  at  Tracy,  Minnesota; 
Frances,  the  wife  of  Fred  Eittcr,  of  Klemme;  August,  a  farmer  of  German  town- 
ship; Malinda,  the  wife  of  Wesley  Schuldt,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  in  German 
township;  Benjamin,  of  Minneapolis;  and  Minnie  and  Walter,  both  at  home.  The 
parents  are  members  of  the  German  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  their  aid  and 
influence  are  always  given  on  the  side  of  progress  and  improvement.  Mr.  I^au 
votes  with  the  democratic  party  and  has  several  times  been  called  to  oflSce,  serving 
as  assessor,  as  supervisor,  which  ofiBce  he  now  holds,  as  mayor,  as  justice  of  the 
peace  and  as  school  director.  In  the  discharge  of  his  duties  he  has  ever  been 
found  prompt  and  faithful  and  his  election  has  been  the  expression  of  confidence 
and  high  regard  on  the  part  of  his  fellowmen. 


ABRAHAM  T.  HAUGO. 


Abraham  T.  Haugo  is  successfully  engaged  in  business  in  Lake  Mills  as  a  real 
estate  dealer,  specializing  in  local  and  North  Dakota  lands,  and  is  also  the  agent 
for  the  Studebaker  cars.  He  was  born  in  Norway  on  the  10th  of  March,  1874, 
of  the  marriage  of  Torjus  0.  and  Anna  (Midbo)  Haugo,  farming  people  of  that 
country.  In  1888  they  removed  with  their  family  to  the  United  States  and  located 
at  what  is  now  Joice,  Worth  county,  Iowa.  Not  long  afterward,  however,  the 
father  purchased  a  farm  in  Mount  Valley  township,  Winnebago  county,  which  he 
operated  until  his  death  in  1894.     The  mother  survives. 

Abraham  T.  Haugo,  who  is  the  third  in  order  of  birth  in  a  family  of  four 
children,  attended  school  in  Norway  until  he  was  fourteen  years  old  and  for  a  short 
time  in  Winnebago  county.  He  worked  for  his  father  upon  the  homestead  until 
he  attained  his  majority  and  following  his  marriage  he  rented  a  farm  in  Grant 
township  for  four  years.  He  next  moved  to  Forest  City,  where  he  was  connected 
with  the  real  estate  business  for  three  years  as  an  employe  of  the  firm  of  Dannihar 
&  Maben.     From  1903  to  1910  he  operated  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres. 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  87 

in  Bristol  township,  Worth  county,  which  he  owned,  and  upon  leaving  that  place  he 
took  up  is  residence  in  Lake  Mills.  He  is  there  engaged  in  the  real  estate  busi- 
ness with  J.  B.  Conley,  under  the  name  of  The  Haugo-Conley  Land  Agency,  and 
has  given  especial  attention  to  local  and  North  Dakota  lands.  He  has  gained  a 
gratifying  measure  of  success  and  his  annual  business  has  now  reached  large  propor- 
tions. He  is  also  agent  for  the  Studebaker  automobile  and  has  proved  an  energetic 
and  eflBcient  representative  of  the  company. 

In  1896  Mr.  Haugo  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Florentz,  a  daughter  of 
Mathias  Andreas  and  Henrietta  Florentz,  of  Telemarken,  Norway.  To  thei^  were 
bom  eleven  children,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Haugo  have  seven  children,  all  at  home, 
Anna,  Erling,  Lila,  Henrietta,  Teresa,  Magna  and  Astrid. 

Mr.  Haugo  votes  the  republican  ticket,  but  has  n^ver  sought  office,  as  his  private 
interests  have  made  heavy  demands  upon  his  time.  He  belongs  to  the  Lutheran 
church  and  its  work  has  profited  much  from  his  hearty  support.  He  began  his 
independent  business  career  without  capital  but  as  the  result  of  his  persistent  and 
well  directed  efforts  he  is  now  one  of  the  substantial  men  of  his  community. 


JAMES  J.  OTIS. 


James  J.  Otis,  was  for  forty-nine  years  actively  engaged  in  farming  and  stock 
raising  in  Forest  township,  Winnebago  county,  and,  while  now  living  retired,  he 
still  resides  upon  the  old  homestead  where  he  devoted  almost  a  half  century  to  the 
work  of  tilling  the  soil.  He  has  passed  the  eighty-third  milestone  on  life's  journey, 
his  birth  having  occurred  in  the  state  of  New  York  on  the  17th  of  October,  1834, 
his  parents  being  William  H.  and  Lovina  (Edmonds)  Otis,  who  were  also  bom 
in  the  Empire  state.  They  removed  to  Illinois  in  1836  and  took  up  their  abode 
at  Chicago  when  it  was  but  a  trading  post,  the  city  not  being  incorporated  until  the 
following  year.  The  most  farsighted  could  not  have  dreamed  that  a  great  city  of 
two  million  and  a  half  population  would  there  be  found  in  less  than  three-quarters 
of  a  century.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Otis  continued  to  spend  their  remaining  days 
in  Cook  county  and  there  they  reared  their  family  of  eight  children,  three  of  whom 
are  now  living. 

James  J.  Otis  spent  the  period  of  his  boyhood  and  youth  in  Illinois  and  on  attain- 
ing his  majority  went  to  Michigan,  where  he  worked  in  a  lumber  mill  until  he  was 
thirty  years  of  age.  He  then  removed  to  Floyd  county,  Iowa,  where  he  resided  for 
two  and  one-half  years  and  during  that  period  he  engaged  in  farming.  He  became 
a  resident  of  Winnebago  county  in  1868  and  his  first  purchase  of  land  covered  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  29,  Forest  township.  His  first  house  was  a 
little  slab  shanty  in  which  he  lived  for  a  year,  but  soon  more  modern  improvements 
were  added  to  the  place.  With  characteristic  energy  he  began  to  break  the  sod  and 
till  the  fields  and  he  now  has  a  splendidly  improved  farm,  having  carefully  and 
systematically  cultivated  his  land  until  it  is  most  productive.  He  afterward  pur- 
chased more  land  and  owned  six  hundred  and  forty  acres,  but  later  sold  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  to  his  son,  so  that  his  present  holdings  comprise  four  hundred  and 
eighty  acres.     In   addition  to  cultivating  the  cereals  best  adapted  to   soil  and 

n— 6 


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88  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

climate  he  always  gave  much  attention  to  raising  and  feeding  stock  and  that  branch 
of  his  business  proved  very  profitable. 

Mr.  Otis  has  been  married  three  times.  He  first  wedded  Calista  Van  Order 
and  they  became  the  parents  of  four  children,  but  all  have  passed  away.  Following 
the  death  of  his  first  wife  he  wedded  her  sister,  Emeline  Van  Order,  and  to  them 
were  bom  the  following  children:  Laura,  deceased;  George,  a  resident  farmer  of 
Winnebago  county;  William;  Anna,  the  wife  of  William  Simmons;  Ella,  the  wife 
of  William  Welman;  Jesse  and  Frank,  who  are  engaged  in  farming;  Maggie, 
deceased;  Lydia,  the  wife  of  Irvin  Ambrose;  Fred,  who  is  engaged  in  the  jewelry 
business;  and  Jerome,  who  follows  farming.  The  present  wife  of  Mr.  Otis  was 
formerly  Mrs.  Anna  Soals  and  she  has  two  sons,  Albert  E.  and  John  A.,  who  are 
farmers  of  this  county. 

Politically  Mr.  Otis  follows  an  independent  course,  voting  for  the  man  rather 
than  for  party.  He  has  served  as  school  director  for  twenty  years  and  was 
trustee  for  seven  years.  His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
His  has  been  an  active  and  useful  life.  He  has  worked  hard  and  made  good  use 
of  his  time  and  his  opportunities.  Thus  as  the  years  went  by  he  accumulated  a 
comfortable  competence  that  now  enables  him  to  live  retired,  enjoying  a  well 
earned  rest,  his  capital  being  su£5cient  to  supply  him  with  all  of  the  necessities 
and  comforts  of  life  and  some  of  its  luxuries.  He  well  deserves  mention  in  con- 
nection with  the  history  of  Winnebago  county,  where  he  has  so  long  resided. 
Through  almost  a  half  century  he  has  been  a  witness  of  the  growth  and  progress 
of  this  section  of  the  state  and  has  lived  to  see  it  converted  from  a  pioneer  region 
into  a  populous  and  prosperous  district.  He  has  always  delighted  in  its  progress 
and  has  cooperated  in  many  movements  leading  to  its  upbuilding. 


J.  0.  OSMUNDSON. 


J.  0.  Osmundson,  vice  president  of  the  State  Bank  of  Thompson,  has  had  an 
influential  voice  in  the  management  of  that  institution,  which  enjoys  the  full 
confidence  of  the  community  and  whose  affairs  are  in  an  excellent  condition.  He 
was  bom  near  Stevens  Point,  Wisconsin,  January  1,  1866,  a  son  of  Erick  and 
Johanna  (Johnson)  Osmundson,  who  removed  from  Norway  to  the  United  States 
and  settled  in  Wisconsin  at  an  early  day  in  the  history  of  that  state.  After  farm- 
ing near  Stevens  Point  for  a  time  the  father  removed  with  his  family  to  the  vicinity 
of  Mount  Horeb,  the  same  state,  whence  in  1873  he  came  to  Winnebago  county, 
Iowa.  He  purchased  a  farm  in  Linden  township  and  epgaged  in  agricultural 
pursuits  there  until  his  death  in  1879.  He  was  buried  in  a  cemetery  in  that 
township  and  his  wife  was  laid  by  his  side  at  her  death  in  1884.  To  them  were 
born  eight  children,  of  whom  six  survive:  J.  0.;  Ole,  of  Lake  Mills;  Henry,  a 
resident  of  Walters,  Minnesota;  Susan,  who  is  now  Mrs.  George  Clark,  of  Pasa- 
dena, California;  Inger,  now  Mrs.  Charles  Poole,  of  Pasadena;  and  Mabel,  now  the 
wife  of  Hal  Brautner,  of  San  Diego,  California. 

J.  0.  Osmundson  attended  the  district  schools  and  was  for  one  winter  a  student 
in  the  Forest  City  high  school.  When  but  sixteen  years  old  he  purchased  eighty 
acres  of  land  in  Linden  township,  making  a  cash  payment  thereon  and  paying  the 


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RESIDKXCE  OF  J.  O.  OHMUXDSON 


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WINNEBAGO  AND  HANCOCK  COUNTIES      91 

remainder  of  the  purchase  price  in  installments.  For  a  number  of  years  he 
rented  his  land  to  others  and  for  a  time  worked  as  a  farm  hand.  Later  he  devoted 
the  winters  to  teaching  school,  while  in  the  summers  he  ran  a  threshing  machine 
and  broke  land  for  others.  When  twenty-three  years  old  he  went  to  Forest  City 
and  for  two  years  was  a  clerk  in  the  law  oflBce  of  C.  L.  Nelson.  At  the  end  of  that 
time  he  was  appointed  deputy  sheriff,  in  which  capacity  he  served  for  seveihil 
years,  and  at  the  same  time  dealt  in  real  estate  to  some  extent  but  in  1896 
removed  to  Thompson  and  became  assistant  cashier  of  the  State  Bank,  with  which 
institution  he  has  since  been  connected.  He  has  risen  to  the  position  of  vice 
president  and  is  active  in  the  direction  of  its  policy  and  the  management  of  its 
a&irs.  It  was  organized  as  a  private  institution  by  Thompson  Brothers,  of  Forest 
City,  immediately  after  the  founding  of  the  town  of  Thompson  and  in  1896 
received  a  charter  as  a  state  bank.  Twenty  years  later,  in  1916,  the  charter  was 
renewed  for  a  term  of  twenty  years  with  the  following  oflScers :  B.  J.  Thompson, 
president;  J.  0.  Osmundson,  vice  president;  6.  Gordon,  cashier;  and  H.  W.  Nel- 
son, assistant  cashier.  It  was  capitalized  at  thirty  thousand  dollars  and  there  is 
a  surplus  of  eight  thousand  dollars,  which  indicates  that  its  management  is  con- 
servative and  keeps  constantly  in  mind  the  safeguarding  of  the  interests  of 
depositors  and  stockholders.  The  bank  was  opened  in  a  wooden  building  but  not 
long  afterward  the  fine  brick  structure  which  it  now  occupies  was  erected. 

Mr.  Osmundson  was  married  November  17,  1891,  to  Miss  Carrie  Olson,  whose 
parents,  Martin  and  Gurie  Olson,  were  natives  of  Norway  but  became  early  settlers 
of  Hancock  county,  Iowa.  Both  are  deceased  and  are  buried  in  Ellington  town- 
ship cemetery,  that  county.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Osmundson  have  been  bom  nine 
children:  Lulu,  the  wife  of  S.  C.  Larson,  of  Forest  City;  Ernest,  at  home;  Cora; 
Floyd;  Pauline;  John;  Sylvian,  Mildred,  and  Helen. 

Mr.  Osmundson  is  a  republican  and  is  also  a  strong  supporter  of  the  prohibi- 
tion movement.  For  one  term  he  was  mayor  of  Thompson  and  during  that  time 
much  was  done  to  advance  the  interests  of  the  municipality.  His  religious  faith 
is  that  of  the  United  Lutheran  church,  and  in  all  relations  of  life  he  has  conformed 
his  conduct  to  high  ethical  standards,  thus  winning  the  sincere  respect  of  all 
with  whom  he  has  come  in  contact,  while  his  personal  qualities  are  such  as  to 
gain  him  the  warm  friendship  of  many. 


GUST  BOEHNKE 


Gust  Boehnke,  a  prosperous  farmer  of  Concord  township,  Hancock  county, 
Iowa,  was  bom  on  the  22d  of  September,  1865,  in  Germany,  and  is  a  son  of  Carl 
and  Amelia  (Bahr)  Boehnke,  also  natives  of  that  country.  In  1884  the  parents 
left  the  fatherland  and  came  to  America,  taking  up  their  abode  in  Hancock  county, 
Iowa.  The  father  purchased  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  12, 
Concord  township,  for  which  he  paid  twenty  dollars  per  acre  and  throughout  his 
active  business  life  followed  farming  with  good  results.  He  has  now  reached  the 
ripe  old  age  of  eighty-two  years  and  his  wife  is  seventy-two  years  of  age.  They  are 
among  the  highly  respected  citizens  of  their  locality. 

Gust  Boehnke  is  indebted  to  the  public  schools  of  his  native  land  for  the  educa- 


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92      WINNEBAGO  AND  HANCOCK  COUNTIES 

tional  advantages  he  enjoyed  during  his  boyhood,  and  when  not  in  school  he 
assisted  his  father  in  the  work  of  the  home  farm  until  seventeen  years  of  age.  It 
was  in  1883  that  he  crossed  the  Atlantic  to  the  new  world  and  for  five  years  after 
his  arrival  worked  as  a  farm  hand  in  Hancock  county,  Iowa.  During  the  following 
year  he  engaged  in  farming  on  his  own  account  upon  rented  land  and  then  pur- 
chased one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  10,  Concord  township,  at  fifteen 
dollars  per  acre.  As  much  of  the  land  was  under  water  it  had  to  be  thoroughly 
drained  and  it  was  a  difficult  task  to  convert  it  into  tillable  fields,  but  he  persevered 
in  his  labors  and  now  has  a  fine  farm  under  excellent  cultivation.  He  has  added 
to  the  original  tract,  buying  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  11,  Concord 
township,  in  1911 ;  two  hundred  acres  on  section  3  in  1913;  and  also  eighty  acres  on 
section  18  in  1904.  At  one  time  he  also  owned  about  two  hundred  acres  in  Eansom 
county.  North  Dakota,  but  sold  this  in  191^.  He  is  a  progressive,  up-to-date 
farmer  and  has  met  with  most  excellent  success  in  his  undertakings.  He  is  a 
stockholder  in  the  Concord  Creamery  Company  and  also  in  the  Farmers  Coopera- 
tive Elevator  Company  at  Ventura,  Iowa. 

On  the  5th  of  March,  1888,  Mr.  Boehnke  married  Miss  Alvina  Woiwood,  a 
daughter  of  August  and  Wilhelmina  (Bost)  Woiwood,  who  spent  their  entire  lives 
in  Germany.  To  this  union  were  bom  three  sons  and  one  daughter  who  are  still 
living,  namely :  William  R.,  who  married  Martha  Jass,  a  daughter  of  Albert  and 
Wilhelmina  Jass  of  Hancock  county ;  Gus  H.,  who  married  Magdelene  Hitzemann, 
a  daughter  of  William  Hitzemann  of  St.  Paul,  Minnesota;  and  Edward  M.  E. 
and  Selma  G.,  both  at  home  with  their  parents.  The  son,  Gus  H.,  was  educated 
for  the  ministry  of  the  German  Lutheran  church,  attending  school  in  St.  Paul  for 
six  years  and  in  St.  Louis  for  three  years.  He  is  now  located  in  Saskatchewan, 
Canada,  and  preaches  in  six  different  places,  traveling  three  hundred  miles  by 
tea^i,  as  his  different  congregations  are  far  apart. 

The  family  are  identified  with  the  German  Lutheran  church  and  are  held  in 
high  esteem  by  all  who  know  them.  In  politics  Mr.  Boehnke  is  a  republican  and 
for  ten  years  has  efficiently  served  as  school  director  in  his  district.  He  has 
recently  been  elected  township  trustee  and  is  now  filling  that  office  in  a  most  satis- 
factory manner. 


HARRY  P.  THOMPSON,  M.  D. 

Dr.  Harry  P.  Thompson,  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine  in  Forest  City, 
was  bom  in  McGregor,  Iowa,  September  30,  1869,  a  son  of  Jasper  and  Clara  K. 
Thompson.  In  1871  the  family  removed  to  Forest  City  and  here  he  acquired  a 
public  school  education.  Determining  to  make  the  practice  of  medicine  his  life 
work,  he  entered  Rush  Medical  College  of  Chicago  and  was  graduated  therefrom 
with  the  class  of  1894.  He  afterward  pracl;iced  in  various  places  until  1907.  He 
was  at  Buffalo  Center  from  1900  until  1907,  and  in  the  latter  year  came  to 
Forest  City,  where  he  has  since  devoted  his  attention  and  energies  to  pro- 
fessional duties.  He  has  taken  special  post  graduate  work  in  children's  diseases 
and  obstetrics. 

On  the  3d  of  April,  1895,  Dr.  Thompson  was  imited  in  marriage  to  Miss 


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WINNEBAGO  AND  HANCOCK  COUNTIES      93 

Katherine  Gabriella  Bichardson,  a. daughter  of  6.  H.  Eichardson,  of  Behnond, 
Iowa.  Her  death  occurred  in  1906  and  in  1910  he  wedded  Louise  Taylor,  who 
was  bom  in  Alden,  Iowa,  a  daughter  of  Peter  Taylor.  .  There  were  three  children 
bom  of  his  first  marriage,  Clara  Jeannette,  Bichardson  Jasper  and  Katherine 
Cecelia,  while  by  the  second  marriage  there  is  a  daughter,  Helen  Mar. 

Dr.  Thompson  is  a  member  of  Nain  Lodge,  No.  213,  A.  P.  &  A.  M.,  of  Buffalo 
Center,  of  which  he  is  a  past  master.  In  politics  he  is  a  republican.  He  served  as 
coroner  of  Lyon  county  in  1896,  was  coroner  of  Winnebago  county  in  1912  and 
was  again  called  to  that  office  in  1917.  There  is  an  interesting  military  chapter 
in  his  life  record.  He  served  in  the  Spanish- American  war  with  the  Pirst  South 
Dakota  Infantry,  enlisting  at  Sioux  Falls  in  1898  as  a  private.  He  was  on  active 
duty  and  was  mustered  out  in  October,  1899,  as  first  lieutenant  and  assistant 
surgeon.  Professionally  he  is  well  known.  He  belongs  to  the  Austin  Plint  Cedar 
Valley  Medical  Society,  has  several  times  been  president  and  secretary  of  the 
Winnebago  County  Medical  Society  and  belongs  also  to  the  Iowa  State  Medical 
Society  and  the  American  Medical  Association,  thus  k^ping  in  close  touch  with 
the  trend  of  scientific  thought  and  investigation  along  medical  lines. 


P.  A.  SAMUELSON. 


F.  A.  Samuelson,  residing  on  section  30,  Mount  Valley  township,  is  today  one 
of  the  leading  cement  contractors  of  Winnebago  county.  His  early  home  was'  on 
the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic,  for  he  was  bom  in  Sweden,  October  1,  1859,  a  son  of 
Samuel  Johansen  and  Marie  Bebecca  Swenson,  who  spent  their  entire  lives  in 
that  country.  There  Mr.  Samuelson  was  reared  and  educated,  attending  the  com- 
mon schools  of  his  native  land  for  some  years. 

Believing  that  he  could  better  his  financial  condition  in  the  new  world,  he 
came  to  the  United  States  in  the  spring  of  1883  and  continued  bis  journey  west- 
ward to  Iowa.  After  spending  a  couple  of  days  in  Port  Dodge  he  proceeded  to 
Winnebago  county,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  He  had  previously  learned 
the  stone  mason's  trade  in  Sweden  and  on  his  arrival  here  went  to  work  at  that 
occupation.  At  the  end  of  two  years  he  purchased  twenty  acres  of  land  in  Mount 
Valley  township,  which  is  today  a  part  of  his  present  farm,  and  erected  thereon  a 
residence  which  has  since  been  his  home.  In  the  intervening  years  he  has  bought 
and  sold  considerable  land  but  still  owns  the  old  home  f^rm,  which  now  comprises 
eighty  acres  under  excellent  cultivation.  The  place,  however,  has  been  operated 
almost  wholly  by  hired  help  while  Mr.  Samuelson  has  continued  to  work  at  his 
trade  of  stone  mason.  Por  the  past  seven  years  he  has  been  one  of  fhe  prominent 
cement  contractors  of  Winnebago  county,  having  done  much  of  the  foundation  and 
sidewalk  work  of  Porest  City. 

Mr.  Samuelson  was  married  in  Norway  in  1881  to  Miss  Christina  Larsdater, 
by  whom  he  has  had  twelve  children,  those  still  living  being  S.  Martin,  proprietor 
of  a  poolroom  in  Forest  City;  Ludwig  G.,  at  home;  Gilbert,  a  farmer  of  Winnebago 
county;  Frances  A.,  at  home;  Christian,  who  assists  his  father  in  the  cement 
business;  and  Algot  N.,  attending  schopl. 

The  family  hold  membership  in  the  Lutheran  church  and  are  highly  respected 


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94  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

by  all  who  know  them.  In  politics  Mr.  Samuelson  is  a  republican  and  he  takes  a 
commendable  interest  in  public  affairs.  His  business  life  has  been  above  reproach 
and  he  well  merits  the  success  that  has  come  to  him,  as  it  is  due  entirely  to  his 
own  untiring  efforts  and  good  management. 


MBS.  JENNIE  HAMMILL. 

Woman  has  proven  her  capability  in  every  position  to  which  she  has  been  called 
where  intellectual  alertness  is  demanded,  and  the  citizens  of  Hancock  county  mani- 
fested their  faith  in  one  woman's  capability  at  least  when  they  elected  Mrs.  Jennie 
Hammill  to  the  oflBce  of  county  recorder.  She  is  a  native  of  Illinois  and  a 
daughter  of  Andrew  and  Birthine  (Jorgeson)  Aageson,  the  former  a  native  of 
Sweden  and  the  latter  of  Denmark.  They  came  to  America  in  early  life  and  were 
married  in  Illinois,  whence  they  removed  to  Iowa  in  1889,  settling  at  Britt.  The 
father  was  a  tile  and  drainage  contractor,  recognized  as  one  of  the  active  and 
enterprising  businesss  men  of  that  locality. 

Mrs.  Jennie  Hammill  pursued  her  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Britt, 
passing  through  consecutive  grades  to  her  graduation  from  the  high  school.  She 
afterward  took  up  the  profession  of  teaching,  which  she  successfully  followed  for 
ten  years.  Eesidents  of  the  county  recognized  her  business  ability  as  well  as  her 
intellectual  force  and  in  1914  she  was  elected  to  the  office  of  county  recorder, 
entering  upon  the  duties  of  that  position  in  the  following  January  for  a  two  years' 
term.  In  the  fall  of  1916  she  was  reelected,  thus  receiving  public  endorsement  of 
her  excellent  service. 


ALBEBT  BOENFANZ. 


Prominent  among  the  successful  farmers  and  stock  raisers  of  Hancock  cotmly 
is  numbered  Albert  Boenfanz,  whose  home  is  situated  on  section  25,  Ellington, 
tdwnship.  He  was  born  in  Germany,  December  7,  1869,  and  there  spent  the  first 
fifteen  years  of  his  life,  but  in  1884  was  brought  to  the  United  States  by  his  parents, 
Carl  and  Henrietta  (Steinke)  Boenfanz.  The  family  first  located  in  Cerro  Gordo 
county,  Iowa,  but  a  year  later  removed  to  Hancock  county,  the  father  purchasing 
two  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  now  comprised  in  the  present  home  farm 
of  our  subject.     He  is  still  living  and  now  resides  with  his  son. 

Albert  Boenfanz  began  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Germany  and 
later  attended  the  district  schools  of  Iowa  after  the  emigration  of  the  family  to 
America.  He  also  acquired  an  excellent  knowledge  of  agricultural  pursuits  and 
in  1891  made  his  first  purchase  of  land,  becoming  the  owner  of  two  hundred  and 
eleven  acres  in  Cerro  Gordo  county,  just  across  the  JHancock  county  line.  After 
living  upon  that  place  for  two  years  he  sold  it  and  bought  the  home  farm  in 
Ellington  township,  Hancock  county,  where  he  has  since  resided.  Prosperity  has 
attended  his  well  directed  efforts  and  he  has  added  to  his  property  from  time  to 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  95 

time  until  he  now  owns  six  hundred  and  ten  acres  of  very  valuable  and  productive 
land. 

In  1892  Mr.  Eoenfanz  married  Miss  Clara  Bohn,  a  daughter  of  William  Bohn, 
one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Cerro  Gordo  county,  and  to  this  union  have  been  bom 
five  children,  those  living  being  Walter,  Mabel  and  Alice,  all  at  home. 

For  seven  years  past  Mr.  Boenfanz  has  been  one  of  the  large  and  successful 
cattle  feeders  of  Hancock  county  and  during  the  winter  of  1916-17  fed  four  carloads 
which  brought  him  twelve  dollars  and  a  half  per  hundred.  He  also  sold  a  carload 
of  hogs  which  brought  him  fourteen  and  a  half  and  fifteen  dollars  per  hundred.  He 
is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Cooperative  Creamery  Company  and  the  Farmers 
Elevator  Company  of  Ventura  and  a  stockholder  and  director  in  the  First  National 
Bank  at  Clear  Lake,  Iowa,  and  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  most  successful  business 
men  of  his  community.  His  farm  is  one  of  the  best  improved  places  in  Ellington 
township  and  stands  as  a  monument  to  his  thrift  and  enterprise.  In  politics  he  is 
a  republican,  and  he  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  German  Lutheran  church. 


K.  J.  ALDAL. 


! 
E.  J.  Aldal,  devoting  his  time  and  energies  to  general  agricultural  pursuits 

on  section  23,  Norway  township,  has  spent  much  of  his  life  in  Winnebago  county 

and  is  a  native  son  of  Iowa.     He  was  born  in  Winneshiek  county,  February  10, 

1855,  a  son  of  John  K.  and  Susan  (Vata)  Aldal,  who  were  natives  of  Norway. 

They  came  to  the  United  States  in  youth  and  the  father  made  his  way  to  Eosh- 

konong,  Wisconsin,  where  he  afterward  purchased  a  farm  upon  which  he  resided  for 

several  years.     It  was  during  his  residence  in  that  state  that  he  was  married. 

Removing  westward  to  Winneshiek  county  he  purchased  a  farm  upon  which  he 

lived  for  about  twelve  years,  and  then  went  to  Mitchell  county,  Iowa,  where  in 

1864  he  purchased  land.     Upon  that  place  he  continued  to  engage  in  general 

agricultural  pursuits  until  his  death,  which  occurred  March  20,  1882.     His  widow 

survived  for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century,  passing  away  on  the  7th  of  May, 

1908,  the  remains  of  both  being  interred  at  St.  Ansgar,  in  Mitchell  county. 

K.  J.  Aldal  pursued  his  education  in  the  pioneer  schools  of  Iowa  until  he 
reached  the  age  of  seventeen  years  after  which  he  worked  for  his  father  until  he 
reached  the  age  o!  twenty-five,  and  during  the  last  two  years  of  that  period  he 
farmed  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  24  and  the  east  half  of  the  southeast 
quarter  of  section  23  in  Norway  township,  Winnebago  county,  the  father  having 
purchased  this  land  in  1874.  E.  J.  Aldal  put  all  the  improvements  upon  the  place 
and  after  cultivating  the  land  for  his  father  for  some  time  purchased  the  property 
and  has  since  resided  thereon.  He  has  converted  it  into  a  rich  and  valuable  farm 
which  responds  readily  to  his  care  and  cultivation,  producing  excellent  crops,  so 
that  his  business  is  now  one  of  importance  in  the  community. 

On  the  13th  of  June,  1880,  Mr.  Aldal  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Caroline 
Nelson,  a  daughter  of  Torson  and  Susan  Nelson,  of  Freeborn  county,  Minnesota, 
both  now  deceased,  their  remains  being  interred  in  the  United  Lutheran  cemetery 
near  Emmons,  Minnesota.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Aldal  have  become  the  parents  of  nine 
children:    John,   who  is  living  in  Saskatchewan,    Canada;    Theodore,   at  home; 


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96     WINNEBAGO  AND  HANCOCK  COUNTIES 

Stephen,   who  resides  in   Norman   county,   North  Dakota;   and   Sylvia,  Joseph, 
Minnie,  Clarence,  Mabfel,  and  Sarah,  all  of  whom  are  yet  under  the  parental  roof . 

The  parents  are  members  of  the  United  Lutheran  church  and  are  people  of 
sterling  worth  who  enjoy  the  confidence  and  warm  regard  of  all  with  whom  they 
are  brought  in  contact.  Mr.  Aldal  votes  with  the  republican  party  but  is  not  an 
oflSce  seeker,  preferring  to  do  his  public  duty  as  a  private  citizen.  He  is  loyal  to 
the  best  interests  of  the  community  and  co-operates  with  all  those  forces  which 
mean  most  in  advancing  the  welfare  of  the  community.  In  his  business  affairs 
he  has  displayed  sound  judgment  as  well  as  enterprise  and  industry  and,  starting 
out  in  life  empty  handed,  he  is  today  one  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  Norway 
township,  owning  one  of  the  best  farms  in  Winnebago  county. 


LARS  0.  DAHLEN. 


At  the  time  of  his  demise  Lars  0.  Dahlen  had  retired  from  his  labors  as  an 
agriculturist  and  was  living  in  Lake  Mills,  where  he  was  held  in  the  highest 
esteem,  and  his  death  was  recognized  as  a  loss  to  his  community  as  well  as  to 
his  family  and  intimate  friends.  He  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Winnebago 
county,  coming  here  from  Wisconsin  by  prairie  schooner  in  1870,  at  which  time 
conditions  were  far  different  from  those  obtaining  at  present.  He  was  born  in 
Norway,  November  29,  1838,  and  was  a  son  of  Ole  and  Eagna  Dahlen,  farming 
people  of  that  country,  where  they  passed  their  entire  lives. 

Lars  0.  Dahlen  was  a  pupil  in  the  common  schools  of  Norway  until  he  was 
confirmed  in  the  Lutheran  Church  and  remained  in  that  country  until  1864,  when 
he  came  alone  to  the  United  States,  crossing  the  Atlantic  on  a  sailboat  which  was 
thirteen  weeks  in  making  the  voyage.  He  worked  on  farms  in  Columbia  county, 
Wisconsin,  for  six  years,  or  until  1870,  when  by  prairie  schooner  he  came  to 
Winnebago  county,  Iowa.  He  purchased  a  quarter  section  of  land  in  Center 
township  and  for  thirty-seven  years  gave  his  undivided  attention  to  the  operation 
of  that  place,  which  he  made  one  of  the  valuable  farm  properties  of  his  township. 
He  raised  both  grain  and  stock,  and  as  he  was  industrious  and  progressive  he 
received  a  good  annual  income.  He  organized  the  Farmers  Mutual  Insurance  Com- 
pany, of  which  he  was  director  and  manager  for  a  number  of  years,  and  was  one 
of  the  organizers  of  the  Lake  Mills  Lumber  Company,  the  Lake  Mills  Creamery 
and  the  Center  Telephone  Company.  In  1907,  feeling  that  he  had  earned  a 
period  of  leisure,  he  retired  and  -purchased  a  fine  home  in  Lake  Mills,  where  he 
resided  until  his  death,  which  occurred  on  the  20th  of  May  1916.  He  is  buried  in 
North  cemetery  at  Lake  Mills. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Dahlen  and  Miss  Magdalene  Ljone  was  solemnized  in  Wis- 
consin November  27,  1869.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Ole  and  Jorund  Ljone,  who  were 
born  and  married  in  Norway,  but  in  1847  settled  in  Lafayette  county,  Wisconsin. 
They  died  in  that  state,  the  father  at  the  age  of  ninety-three  years  and  the  mother 
when  in  her  seventy-first  year,  and  they  are  buried  in  Lodi,  Wisconsin.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Dahlen  were  bom  six  children:  Oscar  L.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  nine 
years;  Josephine  M.,  the  wife  of  George  E.  Johnson,  of  Mayville,  North  Dakota; 
Rachel  J.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  thirteen;  Oscar  L.,  who  is  married  and  resides 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  99 

near   Scarville,   in   Winnebago  county;    Martha   0.,   at  home;   and   Adolph   B., 
who  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen. 

Mr.  Dahlen  was  a  republican  in  his  political  belief  and  held  a  number  of 
township  offices,  such  as  school  director  and  trustee,  the  duties  of  which  he  dis- 
charged promptly,  conscientiously  and  capably.  He  manifested  the  keenest  interest 
in  educational  matters  and  the  first  school  in  Center  township  was  held  upstairs 
in  the  log  cabin  which  was  the  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dahlen.  Nothing  that 
pertained  to  the  development  of  the  community  was  unimportant  to  him.  He  gave 
his  hearty  support  to  the  work  of  the  United  Lutheran  church,  of  which  he  was  a 
communicant,  and  in  fact  all  forces  working  for  moral  advancement  profited  by  his 
aid.  He  was  a  man  of  sterling  character  and  won  and  retained  the  friendship  of 
practically  all  who  came  into  close  contact  with  him.  His  widow  still  lives  in 
Lake  Mills  and  in  addition  to  the  five  acres  on  which  the  residence  is  situated  she 
owns  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  fine  land  in  Center  township.  She  has  a 
wide  acquaintance  throughout  the  county  and  is  highly  esteemed. 


LABS  N.  THOE. 


Lars  N.  Thoe,  a  widely  known  and  highly  esteemed  retired  farmer  and  merchant 
of  Lake  Mills,  was  bom  in  Tysnes  Bergen,  Norway,  April  14,  1848,  the  youngest 
of  the  five  children  whose  parents  were  Nels  and  Martha  Thoe.  The  father  engaged 
in  farming  and  both  he  and  the  mother  passed  away  in  their  native  country,  where 
they  are  buried. 

Lars  N.  Thoe  attended  the  common  schools  until  he  was  confirmed  and  in 
1866,  when  eighteen  years  old  came  to  the  United  States  in  company  with  his  sister 
Ellen.  He  located  in  Madison,  Wisconsin,  where  his  brother,  Zacharias  Thoe,  had 
settled  a  few  years  previously.  After  working  upon  farms  in  that  locality  for  four 
years  Lars  N.  Thoe  came  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  in  1870,  and  purchased  a 
farm  in  Center  township,  to  the  operation  of  which  he  devoted  a  quarter  of  a 
century.  He  then  removed  to  Lake  Mills  and  established  a  general  store  in 
partnership  with  his  son,  Nels  L.  Thoe.  Five  years  later  he  sold  his  interest  in 
that  business  and  retired  from  active  life  although  he  owns  stock  in  the  Union 
department  store,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  organizers  and  of  which  his  son,  Nels 
L.,  is  now  president.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  and  a  director  of  the  Lake 
Mills  Lumber  Company  and  a  director  and  vice  president  of  the  Lake  Mills 
Canning  Company.  He  holds  title  to  four  hundred  acres  of  well  improved  land  in 
Center  township,  which  he  rents. 

Mr.  Thoe  was  married  May  9,  1870,  to  Miss  Inger  Moen,  a  daughter  of  Eric 
and  Eagnel  Mo^i.  They  removed  with  their  family  from  Norway  to  the  United 
States  during  the  girlhood  of  Mrs.  Thoe  and  the  voyage  was  made  on  the  same 
ship  that  brought  Mr.  Thoe  to  the  new  world.  The  Moen  family  first  settled  in 
Winneshiek  county,  Iowa,  but  subsequently  removed  to  Winnebago  county,  where 
both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moen  passed  away.  They  are  buried  in  the  Lime  Creek  Church 
cemetery.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thoe  have  been  bom  ten  children :  Nels  L.,  an  account 
of  whose  life  appears  below;  Eric  L.,  who  is  married  and  is  living  in  Bichland 
county.  North  Dakota;  Martin  J.,  a  resident  of  Belmond,  Iowa;  Begina  M.>  the 

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100  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

wife  of  Eugene  Gilbert,  of  Albert  Lea,  Minnesota;  Ellen  at  home;  Edd  S.,  and 
Louis  E.,  both  of  whom  are  married  and  reside  in  Lake  Mills;  Emma  L.,  now  the 
wife  of  Eari  Forrester,  of  Ventura,  Iowa;  Martha  M.,  the  wife  of  H.  E.  Norskow, 
of  Belmond,  Iowa;  and  Eveline,  now  Mrs.  Elmer  HPylbak,  of  Lake  Mills. 

Mr.  Thoe  is  a  prohibitionist  and  is  firm  in  his  belief  that  the  liquor  traffic  runs 
counter  to  the  best  interests  of  society  in  many  different  ways  and  is  therefore 
doomed.  He  was  school  director  for  six  years,  was  treasurer  of  Center  township 
for  seven  years  and  for  nine' years  was  township  trustee,  his  long  official  service 
being  evidence  of  the  high  esteem  in  which  he  is  held.  His  religious  faith  is 
evidenced  by  hia  membership  in  the  Norwegian  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in 
whose  work  he  has  taken  an  active  part.  The  expectation  of  finding  unusually 
favorable  opportunities  for  advancement  which  led  him  to  come  to  the  United 
States  has  been  realized  and  he  has  gained  a  competence  which  now  enables  him  to 
live  in  ease  and  comfort.  Upright  and  honorable  in  all  relations  of  life,  he  holds 
in  full  measure  the  respect  of  all  who  come  in  contact  with  him  and  his  personal 
friends  are  many. 


NELS  L.  THOE. 


Nels  L.  Thoe  occupies  an  important  place  in  commercial  circles  of  Lake  Mills 
as  president  of  the  Union  department  store,  whose  large  and  varied  stock  makes 
literally  true  the  company's  slogan,  "Everything  to  Eat  and  Wear."  He  is  a  native 
son  of  Iowa  as  his  birth  occurred  in  Center  township,  Winnebago  county,  on  the 
19th  of  January,  1871,  and  the  pioneer  conditions  which  then  prevailed  in  that 
section  are  indicated  in  the  fact  that  his  birthplace  was  a  log  house  with  a  sod  roof. 
A  sketch  of  his  parents,  Lars  and  Inger  (Moen)  Thoe,  appears  above. 

Until  he'  reached  the  age  of  sixteen  years  Nels  L.  Thoe  attended  the  public 
schools  and  from  that  time  until  he  attained  his  majority  he  assisted  his  father 
with  the  work  of  the  home  farm,  save  for  two  winters  spent  in  study  at  the 
Breckenridge  Business  College  of  Decorah.  When  twenty-one  years  old  he  became 
clerk  in  a  general  store  conducted  by  Olson  &  Wadsworth  at  Lake  Mills  and 
remained  with  them  for  five  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  and  his  father 
established  a  store  in  one  of  the  rooms  now  occupied  by  the  Union  department 
store.  The  father  and  son  engaged  in  business  together  for  five  years,  after  which 
they  sold  out,  Lars  Thoe  retiring  from  active  business  at  that  time.  The  Union 
department  store  was  organized  and  Nels  L.  Thoe  was  connected  therewith  for  five 
years  as  an  employe.  At  length  he  purchased  stock  in  the  business  and  has  from 
time  to  time  increased  his  holdings.  He  is  president  of  the  company,  Ed  Thoe  is 
secretaiy  and  Karl  Hylbak,  treasurer,  while  the  board  of  directors  is  composed  of 
the  officers  and  L.  N.  Thoe,  and  Irvin  L.  Thoe.  The  company  was  incorporated 
in  1902  and  occupies  both  the  first  and  second  floors  of  the  Union  block,  which 
was  built  in  1897  by  L.  N.  Thoe,  the  firm  of  Jessen  &  Due  and  P.  M.  Joice.  The 
slogan  of  the  company  is,  "Everything  to  Eat  and  Wear,^'  and  the  store  is  divided 
into  five  departments,  in  which  are  carried  complete  and  up-to-date  lines  of  dry 
goods,  ready-to-wear  clothing,  groceries,  tinware  and  crockery.  The  buying  is 
done  with  the  actual  needs  and  preferences  of  their  customers  in  mind;  the  stock 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  101 

ifl  displayed  to  the  b«st  advantage  and  a  sale  is  never  considered  complete  until 
the  customer  is  satisfied.  As  would  be  expected,  their  trade  has  grown  steadily  and 
rapidly  and  their  annual  volume  of  business  has  reached  a  large  figure. 

In  1894  Mr.  Thoe  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Carrie  Brakke,  a  daughter  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ingebrit  Brakke,  who  were  born  in  Norway  but  were  married  in  the 
United  States.  They  were  early  settlers  of  Norway  township,  Winnebago  county, 
Iowa,  and  are  buried  in  the  Lime  Creek  Church  cemetery,  or,  as  it  is  sometimes 
known,  Ostb/s  Church  cemetery.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thoe's  children  are  four  in 
number:  Irvin  L.,  who  is  associated  with  his  father  in  business;  and  Irene, 
Laurette  and  Margaret,  all  at  home. 

Mr.  Thoe  supports  the  prohibition  party  at  the  polls,  is  a  member  of  the 
Norwegian  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  can  at  all  times  be  counted  upon  to 
aid  in  every  way  possible  movements  calculated  to  promote  the  motal  advancement 
of  his  community.  The  sterling  principles  to  which  he  rigidly  adheres,  his  initia- 
tive and  his  fine  business  ability  have  all  aided  him  in  gaining  a  high  place  in 
public  esteem. 


PETER  A.  HELGESEN,  M.  D. 

Dr.  Peter  A.  Helgesen  is  discharging  his  duties  as  mayor  of  Lake  Mills  with 
marked  capability  and  is  also  taking  care  of  his  large  and  representative  practice  as 
physician  and  surgeon.  He  was  born  in  Iowa  county,  Wisconsin,  August  29,  1868, 
of  the  marriage  of  John  and  Ingebor  (Dakken)  Helgesen,  natives  of  Norway,  who 
located  in  Iowa  county,  Wisconsin,  on  their  emigration  to  the  United  States. 
There  at  the  time  of  the  Civil  war  the  father  enlisted  in  the  Fifteenth  Wisconsin 
Volunteer  Infantry  and  was  at  the  front  for  four  years,  thus  proving  the  quality  of 
his  allegiance  to  his  adopted  country.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to 
Wisconsin  and  farmed  there  until  his  death  in  December,  1895,  when  he  was  sixty- 
six  years  old.     The  mother  died  in  January,  1905,  at  the  age  of  fifty-three  years. 

Peter  A.  Helgesen  grew  to  manhood  upon  the  home  farm  and  received  his 
early  education  in  the  district  schools.  Later  he  took  a  course  in  the  Northwestern 
Business  College  and  Academy  at  Madison,  Wisconsin,  and  in  1887  he  entered 
Eush  Medical  College  of  Chicago,  Illinois.  Subsequently  he  became  a  student  in 
the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  of  Keokuk,  Iowa,  from  which  he  was  grad- 
uated in  March,  1891.  He  soon  afterward  opened  an  oflBce  in  Lake  Mills,  where 
he  has  since  remained,  and  his  skill  as  a  physician  and  surgeon  is  recognized  by 
both  the  general  public  and  his  professional  colleagues.  He  is  also  a  registered 
pharmacist  and  from  1900  to  1905  was  interested  in  a  drug  store  in  Lake  Mills. 
He  still  owns  stock  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company,  in  the  Lake  Mills  Lumber 
Company  and  in  the  Mutual^  Telephone  Company. 

Dr.  Helgesen  was  married  in  1889  to  Miss  Anna  Dakken,  who  passed  away  in 
1911  after  an  illness  of  fifteen  years'  duration.  To  them  were  born  two  children, 
as  follows :  Walter,  a  jeweler  residing  in  Lake  Mills ;  and  Russell,  who  is  a  junior 
in  the  Lake  Mills  high  school  and  has  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Iowa  National 
Guard.  In  August,  1912,  Dr.  Helgesen  was  married  to  Miss  Maude  E.  Thomas,, 
a  graduate  of  the  Iowa  State  Teachers  College  at  Cedar  Falls  and  a  holder  of  the 


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102  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

M.  D.  I.  degree.  For  several  years  she  was  principal  of  the  Lake  Mills  schools,  was 
later  teacher  of  Latin  and  English  in  the  Waterloo  (Iowa)  high  school  and  principal 
of  the  Waukon  (Iowa)  public  schools.  She  has  one  son,  Harold  I.,  three  years  old. 
Dr.  Helgesen  is  one  of  the  leaders  in  local  republican  circles,  was  from  1912 
•  to  1914  chairman  of  the  county  republican  central  committee  and  has  many  times 
been  called  to  public  oflBce.  For  two  years  he  was  county  coroner  and  during  the 
greater  part  of  the  time  since  1898  has  been  mayor,  which  office  he  is  now  filling. 
He  understands  well  the  interests  of  the  city  and  has  been  very  efficient  in  devising 
and  carrying  out  plans  for  the  advancement  of  its  interests,  while  at  all  times  his 
devotion  to  the  public  good  has  been  above  question.  In  his  religious  belief  he  is  a 
Lutheran  and  fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Masons,  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows,  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America.  In  addition  to  his  large  private  practice  he  is  surgeon  for  the  Chicago 
&  Northwestern  Railroad  and  his  professional  connections  include  membership  in 
the  Winnebago  County  and  the  Iowa  State  Medical  Societies  and  in  the  American 
Medical  Association. 


EDWARD  G.  McGREEVEY. 

Edward  G.  McGreevey,  cashier  of  the  Farmers  Savings  Bank  at  Leland, 
has  through  his  own  eflEorts  and  capability  risen  to  his  present  position  of  impor- 
tance and  responsibility  in  the  business  circles  of  Winnebago  county.  He  was  born 
in  Wisconsin,  February  22,  1867,  and  is  a  son  of  Edward  and  Mary  (Hanlon) 
McGreevey,  who  were  natives  of  Ireland  and  came  to  America  in  early  life.  They 
first  settled  in  New  York,  but  afterward  removed  to  Wisconsin,  in  1877  came  to 
Iowa,  establishing  their  home  upon  a  farm  in  Winnebago  County.  Here  the  father 
passed  away  in  1906  and  is  still  survived  by  the  mother. 

Edward  G.  McGreevey  was  one  of  a  family  of  nine  children,  all  of  whom  are 
yet  living.  He  spent  his  boyhood  days  under  the  parental  roof  and  obtained  a 
public  school  education,  which  he  supplemented  by  a  high  school  course  at  Forest 
City,  Iowa.  He  started  out  in  the  business  world  as  a  clerk  in  a  store  in 
Forest  City,  where  he  remained  for  a  year  and  then  went  to  South  Dakota,  where 
he  was  employed  on  a  railroad  for  three  years.  He  afterward  removed  to  Montana, 
where  he  continued  in  railroad  work  for  a  year,  after  which  he  returned  to  Iowa 
and  spent  a  similar  period  in  merchandising.  He  next  turned  his  attention  to 
buying  and  shipping  stock,  which  business  claimed  his  time  and  energies  for  a  few 
years,  and  later  he  devoted  six  years  to  buying  grain,  spending  two  years  of  that 
time  at  Leland  and  four  years  in  Ogden.  On  the  1st  of  March,  1901,  he  took 
charge  of  the  Farmers  Savings  Bank  at  Leland  as  cashier  and  has  since  been  in 
control  of  this  institution,  which  was  organized  in  1900  and  which  has  been  under 
his  direction  for  sixteen  years,  its  growth  and  success  being  attributable  in  large 
measure  to  his  efforts,  enterprise  and  business  ability.  For  the  last  sixteen  years 
he  has  also  engaged  in  auctioneering  and  during  that  time  he  has  cried  many  sales. 
He  IB  treasurer  of  the  Farmers  Cooperative  Creamery  Company  and  of  the  Leland 
Farmers  Elevator  Company  and  is  secretary  of  the  Leland  Mutual  Telephone  Com- 
pany and  of  the  Mount  Valley  Manufacturing  Company.     He  is  also  the  owner 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  105 

of  land  in  Nebraska  and  his  realty  holdings  and  his  other  interests  are  the  visible 
evidence  of  an  active,  useful  and  well  spent  life. 

On  October  23,  1907,  at  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa,  Mr.  McGreevey  was  married  to 
Miss  Mina  Anderson,  a  native  of  that  city  and  a  daughter  of  Christian  and  Mary 
(Brovold^  Anderson,  who  came  from  Norway  in  early  life  and  settled  in  Iowa.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  McGreevey  have  become  parents  of  two  children:  Edward  H.,  eight 
years  old;  and  Donald  M.  C,  six  years  old,  both  of  whom  are  attending  school. 
Mr.  McGreevey  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  church  and  belongs  to  the  Brotherhood 
of  American  Yeomen.  He  gives  his  political  support  to  the  democratic  party. 
His  prominence  and  popularity  in  Leland  are  indicated  in  the  fact  that  he  has 
served  for  fourteen  years  as  mayor,  no  x)ther  having  ever  occupied  the  position  for 
so  long  a  period.  It  is  indicative  not  only  of  the  confidence  reposed  in  him  but 
also  a  proof  of  the  marked  ability  and  fidelity  which  he  has  displayed  in 
discharging  his  duties.  He  has  also  been  secretary  of  the  school  board  for  several 
years  and  he  is  interested  in  every  plan  and  measure  for  promoting  the  general 
welfare  of  county  and  state. 


JOHN  ISAACSON. 

John  Isaacson,  justice  of  the  peace  of  Forest  City,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war 
and  a  retired  business  man  and  farmer,  has  in  many  ways  left  the  impress  of  his 
individuality  upon  the  history  of  Winnebago  county,  where  he  has  ever  stood  for 
those  things  which  are  most  worth  while  in  the  life  of  the  community.  He  was 
bom  in  Norway  on  the  12th  of  March,  1840,  a  son  of  Knud  and  Mary  (Berg) 
Isaacson,  who  came  to  the  United  States  in  1865,  settling  in  Dane  county,  Wis- 
consin, where  they  resided  until  called  to  their  final  rest. 

John  Isaacson  was  a  lad  of  fifteen  when  he  left  his  native  country  and  came 
with  his  parents  to  the  new  world.  His  education  was  largely  acquired  in  the 
parochial  schools  of  Norway,  and  after  coming  to  the  United  States  he  also  attended 
district  schools  in  Wisconsin.  His  parents  were  in  humble  financial  circumstances, 
owing  money  for  their  passage  to  America,  and  John  Isaacson  early  became  a  wage 
earner.  Almost  immediately  after  his  arrival  in  Wisconsin  he  secured  work  as  a 
farm  hand,  which  brought  him  seven  dollars  per  month,  a  sum  which  he  contributed 
to  the  support  of  the  family.  He  had  reached  the  age  of  twenty-two  years  when 
on  the  15th  of  August,  1862,  he  responded  to  the  country's  call  for  troops,  enlisting 
in  the  army  as  a  member  of  Company  H,  Twenty-seventh  Wisconsin  Volunteer 
Infantry,  with  which  he  served  until  the  close  of  hostilities.  He  enlisted  as  a 
private  and  was  subsequently  promoted  to  the  rank  of  orderly  sergeant,  while  later 
he  was  commissioned  second  lieutenant.  He  took  part  in  the  siege  of  Vicksburg 
from  the  18th  of  May  to  the  4th  of  July,  1863,  and  assisted  in  the  capture  of 
Little  Hock,  where  his  command  remained  until  March  6,  1864,  and  then  joined 
the  Seventh  Corps  under  General  Steele.  He  then  took  part  in  the  celebrated  Red 
River  expedition  and  afterward  was  engaged  in  the  battle  of  Okalona,  Arkansas,  on 
the  3d  of  April,  1864.  He  was  also  in  the  fight  at  Elkins  Ford,  Arkansas,  which 
began  the  following  day  and  continued    until  the    6th    of    April.     At    Moscow, 


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106  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

Arkansas,  on  the  13th  of  April,  and  at  Camden  on  the  24th  his  regiment  again 
engaged  the  enemy  and  was  also  under  fire  at  Jenkins  Ferry,  Arkansas,  on  the  30th 
of  April.  The  troops  then  returned  to  Little  Rock,  Arkansas,  and  were  stationed 
there  until  some  time  in  May,  when  they  were  transferred  to  Pine  Bluff,  Arkansas, 
but  the  same  month  returned  to  Little  Rock,  there  continuing  until  February, 
1865,  when  they  proceeded  down  the  Mississippi  river  to  New  Orleans,  making  their 
way  afterward  to  Fort  Morgan,  Alabama.  Mr.  Isaacson  with  his  command  partici- 
pated in  the  capture  of  Spanish  Fort  in  April,  1865,  and  in  the  capture  of  Fori; 
Blakely  in  the  same  month.  In  1864  he  was  detailed  home  on  recruiting  service, 
being  thus  engaged  for  two  months,  during  which  period  he  was  made  first 
sergeant,  and  on  the  25th  of  September  of  that  year  he  was  commissioned  second 
lieutenant.  He  was  mustered  out  of  the  service  on  the  25th  of  September,  1865,  at 
Brownsville,  Texas,  after  which  he  was  sent  north  and  was  honorably  discharged. 

Prior  to  his  enlistment  Mr.  Isaacson  had  secured  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Dane 
county,  Wisconsin,  and  soon  after  his  return  he  was  married  and  settled  upon  his 
farm,  there  residing  until  June,  1881,  when  he  came  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa, 
establishing  his  home  in  Forest  City,  where  he  opened  a  store,  being  prominently 
identified  with  merchandising  for  nine  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he 
sold  out  and  bought  a  farm  of  two  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Center  township,  to 
the  cultivation  of  which  he  devoted  his  attention  for  two  years.  In  189J?  he  was 
called  to  public  office,  being  elected  county  auditor,  after  which  he  returned  to 
Forest  City,  entering  upon  the  duties  of  his  position  on  the  Ist  of  January,  1893. 
By  reelection  he  served  for  four  years  in  that  position,  making  a  creditable  record 
by  the  faithful  manner  in  which  he  discharged  his  duties.  Later  he  once  more 
resumed  farming  and  for  eight  years  was  identified  with  agricultural  pursuits  in 
Ellington  township,  Hancock  county,  but  afterward  sold  out  and  returned  to  his 
Forest  City  home,  which  he  has  since  occupied.  He  was  again  called  to  public 
office  in  1912,  when  elected  justice  of  the  peace.  He  has  been  twice  reelected  and 
is  now  serving  for  the  third  term.  In  1916  more  than  fifty  cases  were  tried  before 
him,  about  one-half  of  which  were  criminal  cases,  and  in  his  official  capacity  he 
has  also  married  sixteen  couples.  In  1906  he  was  appointed  court  bailiff  and  has 
continuously  occupied  that  position  to  the  present  time.  During  the  eight  years 
that  he  resided  on  the  farm  in  Ellington  township,  Hancock  county,  he  was  con- 
nected with  the  school  board,  five  years  as  a  director  and  three  years  as  secretary  to 
the  board. 

On  Christmas  Day  of  1865  Mr.  Isaacson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Carrie 
Olson,  of  Oconomowoc,  Wisconsin,  by  whom  he  had  fourteen  children,  eleven  of 
whom  still  survive,  as  follows:  Clara  M.,  who  is  the  wife  of  P.  G.  Kloster,  of 
Forest  City;  Adelia  M.,  who  gave  her  hand  in  marriage  to  G.  I.  Koto,  of  Forest 
City;  Carl  A.,  who  is  engaged  in  the  land  business  at  Forest  City;  Newton  E.,  the 
president  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Thompson,  Winnebago  county;  George 
E.,  a  Montana  ranchman;  Mabel  A.,  the  wife  of  C.  E.  Robinson,  of  Forest  City; 
Amanda  S.,  who  is  the  wife  of  William  F.  Groves,  of  Viroqua,  Wisconsin;  Elpha 
F.,  the  wife  of  Walter  A.  Forde,  of  Marysville,  California;  Sumner  E.,  who  is 
assistant  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  at  Thompson,  Iowa;  Reuben  I., 
assistant  cashier  of  the  German  State  Bank  at  Hartley,  Iowa;  and  Vernon  V.,  who 
acts  as  assistant  cashier  of  the  Stanton  State  Bank  at  Stanton,  North  Dakota.  On 
Christmas  Day  of  1915  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Isaacson  celebrated  their  golden  wedding. 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  107 

on  which  joyous  occasion  their  children  and  grandchildren  to  the  number  of  more 
than  fifty  gathered. 

Mr.  Isaacson  has  always  been  a  stanch  republican  since  age  conferred  upon  him 
the  right  of  franchise  and  fraternally  he  is  connected  with  Hayden  Post,  No.  151, 
6.  A.  R.,  thus  maintaining  pleasant  relations  with  his  old  army  comrades.  He  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  they  are  among  the  most  highly 
esteemed  and  respected  couples  of  Winnebago  county,  where  they  have  now  long 
resided,  witnessing  its  development  from  a  frontier  district  into  one  of  the 
populous  and  progressive  counties  of  the  state.  At  all  times  Judge  Isaacson  has 
been  as  true  and  loyal  in  discharging  the  duties  of  citizenship  as  when  he  followed 
the  old  flag  on  the  battlefields  of  the  south,  marching  with  quick  step  as  the  stars 
and  stripes  led  on.  His  step  today  may  be  slower  but  the  same  spirit  of  loyalty 
remains,  and  though  an  adopted  son  of  the  nation,  America  has  no  more  faithful 
and  vigorous  supporter  of  her  interests  than  Judge  Isaacson. 


ANDREW  E.  BRANSTAD. 

Since  1875  Andrew  E.  Branstad  has  been  a  resident  of  Winnebago  county  and 
has  therefore  witnessed  almost  its  entire  development  and  progress.  He  has  seen 
towns  and  villages  spring  up  and  the  wild  land  transformed  into  productive  and 
valuable  farms.  As  an  agriculturist  he  has  been  actively  identified  with  this  devel- 
opment and  he  has  also  taken  an  important  part  in  «public  affairs. 

A  native  of  Norway,  Mr.  Branstad  was  born  August  10,  1859,  and  is  a  son  of 
Endre  and  Dordy  (Groitnes)  Branstad,  who  came  to  the  United  States  in  1873  and 
first  located  in  Winneshiek  county,  Iowa,  but  after  residing  there  for  two  years 
removed  to  Winnebago  county.  The  father  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  on 
section  1,  Forest  township,  on  which  he  resided  up  to  the  time  of  his  death  in  1911. 
The  mother  is  still  living  and  now  makes  her  home  in  Leland. 

Being  thirteen  years  of  age  on  the  emigration  of  the  family  to  the  new  world, 
Andrew  E.  Branstad  had  attended  school  in  his  native  land,  and  for  one  term 
continued  his  studies  in  the  schools  of  Winneshiek  county.  He  assisted  his 
father  in  the  operation  of  the  home  farm  until  he  attained  his  twenty-second  year 
and  then  started  out  to  make  his  own  way  in  the  world,  working  on  a  section  of  the 
railroad  for  three  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  Mr.  Branstad  purchased  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  one  and  a  half  miles  southeast  of  Leland  and  turned 
his  attention  to  farming,  with  which  occupation  he  had  become  thoroughly  familiar 
during  his  boyhood  and  youth.  He  converted  the  raw  prairie  into  highly  cultivated 
fields  and  made  his  farm  one  of  the  best  in  the  locality.  His  first  house  was  built 
of  logs  which  had  formed  a  building  erected  by  John  Springen  immediately  after 
the  Civil  war  and  in  this  dwelling  Mr.  Branstad  lived  for  six  years,  at  the  end  of 
which  time  it  was  replaced  by  a  good  frame  residence.  He  continued  to  live  upon 
his  farm  until  the  1st  of  March,  1917,  when  he  purchased  his  present  home  adjoin- 
ing Leland,  and  now  rents  the  home  farm,  consisting  of  two  hundred  and  eighty 
acres,  to  his  sons,  Helmer  and  Carl. 

Mr.  Branstad  was  married  June  16,  1885,  to  Miss  Ingeborg  Nerley,  of  Winne- 
shiek county,  Iowa,  but  a  native  of  Norway,  and  to  them  have  been  born  nine 


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108  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

children,  of  whom  seven  survive,  namely :  Edward  G.,  and  Gust  E.,  both  farmers 
of  Polk  county,  Wisconsin ;  Dinah  Ann,  the  wife  of  Levi  Larson  of  the  same  county ; 
Helmer  D.,  who  is  on  the  home  farm;  Hazel,  with  her  parents;  Carl  0.,  also  on  his 
father's  farm;  and  Wilma  0.,  now  attending  Waldorf  College  at  Forest  City,  Iowa. 

Mr.  Branstad  now  votes  independently  and  for  many  years  has  been  an  active 
worker  for  prohibition.  He  is  a  member  of  the  town  council  of  Leland  and,  was 
a  member  of  the  first  town  council  after  the  incorporation.  As  a  public-spirited 
citizen  he  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  the  welfare  of  his  town  and  county 
and  has  given  his  support  to  all  worthy  enterprises  for  the  public  good.  He  was 
one  of  the  principal  factors  in  the  organization  of  the  co-operative  creamery  built 
at  Leland,  which  was  the  first  co-operative  creamery  in  Winnebago  county,  and  he 
served  as  the  first  president,  after  which  he  filled  the  oflBce  of  secretary  for 
some  time. 

Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Branstad  are  earnest  and  consistent  members  of  the  Norwe- 
gian Lutheran  church  and  he  was  one  of  five  men  to  organize  the  first  church  of 
that  denomination  in  Leland.  He  has  always  taken  an  active  part  in  church  and 
Sunday  school  work,  serving  as  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school  continuously 
since  its  organization.  His  life  has  been  upright  and  honorable  in  every  respect  and 
he  well  merits  the  high  esteem  in  which  he  is  uniformly  held. 


JENS  BEN  JENSON. 


Jens  Ben  Jenson,  living  on  section  9,  Newton  township,  is  a  representative  of  the 
Norwegian  element  in  the  citizenship  of  Winnebago  county — an  element  that  has 
done  much  toward  developing  this  district.  He  was  born  in  Mitchell  county,  Iowa, 
March  2,  1862,  and  is  a  son  of  Jens  and  Mary  0.  Jenson.  He  was  reared  and 
educated  in  Mitchell  and  in  Winnebago  counties,  being  but  nine  years  of  age  when 
in  1871  his  parents  removed  to  Winnebago  county.  His  youthful  days  were  spent 
under  the  parental  roof  until  he  had  reached  the  age  of  nineteen,  when  he  began 
earning  his  own  living  as  a  farm  hand  and  was  thus  employed  until  1892.  He  was 
thirty  years  of  age  when  he  purchased  his  present  place  of  eighty  acres  on  section 
9,  Newton  township,  on  which  he  has  now  resided  for  a  quarter  of  a  century.  He 
immediately  took  up  the  task  of  improving  and  developing  the  property  and  has 
since  continued  its  cultivation  with  the  exception  of  a  period  of  two  years  when  he 
rented  his  farm.  His  work  is  carefully  and  systematically  carried  on  and  every- 
thing that  he  does  is  characterized  by  good  judgment  and  unfaltering  industry.  He 
is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  of  Lake  Mills  and  also  in  the 
Lake  Mills  Creamery  Company. 

On  December  8,  1881,  Mr.  Jenson  was  married  to  Miss  Mattie  Martin,  who 
passed  away  in  August,  1886,  and  on  the  24th  of  March,  1891,  Mr.  Jenson  was 
again  married,  his  second  union  being  with  Miss  Julia  Rusley,  who  departed  his 
life  in  November,  1899.  For  his  third  wife  he  chose  Ellen  C.  Anderson,  whom  he 
wedded  March  24,  1902.  To  them  were  born  two  children:  Joseph  A.,  who  was 
bom  June  5,  1903;  and  Elmer  B.,  born  in  July  1911. 

Mr.  Jenson  holds  membership  in  the  Lutheran  church  and  he  votes  with  the 
republican. party,  keeping  well  informed  at  all  times  on  the  questions  and  issues 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  109 

of  the  day.  Those  who  know  him,  and  he  has  a  wide  acquaintance,  esteem  him  as  a 
man  of  genuine  personal  worth  and  good  business  ability.  He  has  lived  in  the 
eounty'for  forty-six  years  and  has  therefore  witnessed  the  greater  part  of  its  growth, 
progress  and  development.  He  can  relate  many  interesting  incidents  of  the  early 
days  when  this  was  a  pioneer  district,  and  his  memory  forms  a  connecting  link 
between  the  primitive  past  and  the  progressive  present. 


WILLIAM  C.  WELLS. 


William  C.  Wells,  one  of  the  prominent  early  settlers  of  Garner,  now  living 
retired  at  that  place,  comes  from  the  old  Pine  Tree  state,  for  he  was  born  in  Maine 
in  1827.  When  a  young  man  he  went  to  Michigan  and  later  to  Wisconsin,  where 
he  met  the  lady  who  afterward  became  his  wife.  In  1870  he  came  to  Gamer,  Iowa, 
arriving  here  before  the  railroad  was  completed  to  this  place,  and  here  he  embarked 
in  the  lumber  business,  which  he  carried  on  until  his  retirement  from  business. 

In  1870  Mr.  Wells  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Eliza  Fitch,  a  native  of 
Connecticut  and  a  daughter  of  Gordon  and  Sarah  (Gould)  Fitch.  On  leaving  the 
east  her  family  also  removed  to  Michigan  and  later  to  Wisconsin,  where  she 
engage^  in  teaching  school  for  a  time.  Mrs.  Wells  passed  away  on  the  11th  of 
January,  1916,  leaving  many  friends  as  well  as  her  immediate  family  to  mourn  her 
loss.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wells  were  bom  two  children.  The  son,  George,  is  now 
dean  of  the  law  school  of  the  State  University  of  Grand  Forks,  North  Dakota.  He 
married  Miss  Grace  Gillette,  of  Toledo,  Ohio,  and  they  have  a  son,  William  G. 
Alice,  the  only  daughter  of  Mp.  and  Mrs.  Wells,  married  George  Hahn,  of  Garner, 
who  died  in  1908,  and  she  now  makes  her  home  with  her  father.  She  is  a  well 
educated  lady  and  is  serving  as  librarian  of  the  public  library  of  Garner.  The 
family  has  long  been  one  of  prominence  of  this  city  and  now  in  his  declining  years 
Mr.  Wells  is  surrounded  by  a  host  of  warm  friends  who  hold  him  in  the  highest 
esteem. 


FEED  E.  CHASE 


Among  the  progressive  young  farmers  of  Avery  township  is  Fred  B.  Chase,  who 
is  living  on  section  22  and  has  been  a  lifelong  resident  of  Iowa.  His  parents, 
William  and  Mary  (Nelius)  Chase,  were  natives  of  New  York  and  of  Iowa 
respectively  and  both  have  now  departed  this  life.  Fred  E.  Chase  was  reared 
under  the  parental  roof  with  the  usual  advantages  and  opportunities  that  come  to 
the  farm  bred  boy.  He  attended  the  district  schools  until  he  reached  the  age  of 
sixteen  and  then  concentrated  his  entire  attention  upon  farm  work,  in  which  he  had 
already  received  considerable  training,  having  assisted  his  father  in  the  work  of  the 
fields  through  the  summer  months.  He  continued  to  farm  for  his  father  and  for 
others  in  the  neighborhood  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty-four  years,  when, 
having  carefully  saved  his  earnings,  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of 
land  in  Ell  township,  Hancock  county.     For  this  tract  he  paid  twenty-eight  dollars 

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110  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

per  acre  in  the  month  of  March  and  in  the  fall  of  that  year  he  sold  it  for  thirty- 
three  dollars  per  acre,  thus  realizing  quite  a  handsome  little  sum  on  his  investment. 
In  1900  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  on  section  22,  Avery 
township,  for  thirty-six  dollars  per  acre  and  this  property  he  still  owns;  He 
carries  on  general  farming  and  his  fields  present  a  neat  and  attractive  appearance, 
indicating  his  careful  methods  and  wise  supervision  of  the  work.  He  makes  a 
specialty  of  raising  chickens  of  the  Ehode  Island  Bed  variety,  having  now  two 
hundred  and  thirty-five  hens  and  many  young  chickens. 

On  the  11th  of  October,  1897,  Mr.  Chase  was  married  to  Miss  Elva  Lange,  a 
daughter  of  William  and  Mary  (Arnold)  Lange,  the  former  a  native  of  Indiana, 
while  the  latter  was  bom  in  Germany.  Mrs.  Chase  was  one  of  a  family  of  three 
children  and  by  her  marriage  has  become  the  mother  of  seven  children,  Clifford 
W.,  Gerald  F.,  Marvel  M.,  Dale  D.,  Nettie  A.,  lola  E.  and  Jessie  A.,  all  yet  at 
home. 

The  parents  hold  membership  in  the  United  Brethren  church  and  Mr.  Chase 
has  membership  in  the  Teomen  lodge.  His  political  endorsement  has  been  given 
to  the  republican  party  since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise  and 
while  he  has  never  sought  nor  desired  political  oflSce  he  has  served  for  seven  years 
as  a  school  director.  Diligence  and  enterprise  have  been  the  determining  factors 
in  shaping  his  life  and  they  have  won  for  him  a  substantial  measure  of  success, 
placing  him  among  the  representative  farmers  of  his  community. 


HANS  LABSON. 


Hans  Larson,  one  of  the  foremost  residents  of  Forest  City,  where  he  is  engaged 
in  the  land  business,  was  born  in  Norway  on  the  27th  of  February,  1860,  a  son 
of  Lars  and  Leva  (Larson)  Larson,  both  of  whom  spent  their  entire  lives  in  the 
land  of  the  midnight  sun.  It  was  in  1880  that  Hans  Larson,  then  a  young  man 
of  twenty  years,  crossed  the  Atlantic,  landing  at  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  on 
the  4th  of  July.  He  made  his  way  direct  across  the  country  to  Winnebago  county, 
Iowa,  where  he  was  employed  during  the  summer  months  as  a  farm  hand  at  eight 
dollars  per  month,  while  during  the  winter  seasons  he  worked  for  his  board.  His 
passage  money  had  been  sent  to  him  from  Winnebago  county  by  his  cousins,  Hans 
and  L.  T.  Thompson,  and  this  money  he  repaid  soon  afterward  by  his  work  as  a 
farm  hand.  He  was  employed  in  that  way  for  three  years,  at  the  end  of  which 
fime  he  purchased  a  team  of  horses,  rented  land  and  started  out  independently  as 
a  farmer.  From  that  point  forward  he  has  rapidly  won  success.  He  bent  every 
energy  to  the  development  and  improvement  of  his  place  and  made  his  efforts 
count  for  the  utmost  in  the  attainment  of  prosperity.  In  1885  he  purchased  eighty 
acres  of  land  in  Forest  township,  on  which  he  took  up  his  abode  and  there  resided 
for  twelve  years.  In  the  meantime  he  Continued  to  purchase. land  whenever  oppor- 
tunity offered.  He  carefully  saved  his  earnings  and  the  money  was  invested  in 
other  property  until  he  was  the  owner  of  some  eight  different  farms  in  Hancock 
and  Winnebago  counties.  In  recent  years  he  has  sold  some  of  this  land,  but  he 
is  still  one  of  the  large  land  holders  of  this  section  of  the  state  and  in  addition 
he  owns  extensive  interests  in  city  property  at  Forest  City  and  also  has  large 


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HANS  LARSON 


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RESIDENCE  OF  HANS  LARSON,  FOREST  ('ITY 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  115 

land  holdings  in  Texas,  including  a  tract  of  four  hundred  acres  near  Houston 
which  he  has  recently  leased  for  oil  development.  He  was  emigration  agent  for 
several  railroads  of  the  Northwest  and  was  the  means  of  bringing  many  hundreds 
of  settlers  to  North  Dakota,  Idaho  and  Washington.  In  1897  he  took  up  his 
abode  in  Forest  City,  where  he  has  since  resided,  and  he  today  owns  and  occu- 
pies its  most  beautiful  home.  In  fact,  he  is  justly  accounted  one  of  the  most 
progressive  and  substantial  residents  of  his  part  of  the  state.  While  he  has  been 
a  progressive  and  enterprising  farmer,  the  greater  part  of  his  wealth  has  been 
acquired  through  his  successful  speculations  in  land.  He  has  displayed  almost 
intuitive  wisdom  in  recognizing  the  value  of  property  and  its  possible  rise,  and 
land  which  he  has  purchased  at  a  low  figure  has  been  sold  at  a  good  profit,  bringing 
to  him  a  gratifying  return. 

On  May  15,  1885,  Mr.  Larson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Anna  Johnson, 
of  Forest  township,  Winnebago  coimty,  by  whom  he  had  eight  children,  six  of 
whom  still  survive,  as  follows :  John  M.  and  Lena  E.,  both  of  whom  are.  graduates 
of  the  Waldorf  Lutheran  College;  Minnie  M.,  also  a  graduate  of  that  institution; 
Harry;  Ida,  a  high  school  student;  and  Alma.  Clara  passed  away  soon  after 
completing  her  course  in  the  Waldorf  Lutheran  College.  Lena  E.  is  now  the 
wife  of  A.  D.  Hewitt  and  resides  in  Lemon,  South  Dakota,  and  Minnie  M.  married 
Dr.  B.  E.  Hansen,  of  Forest  City,  but  the  other  surviving  children  are  still  imder 
the  parental  roof. 

The  parents  are  members  of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church  and  in  politics 
Mr.  Larson  is  a  republican.  He  may  truly  be  called  a  self-made  man  and  he 
deserves  much  credit  for  what  he  has  accomplished,  for  his  energy  and  industry 
have  carried  him  into  important  relations.  His  life  is  an  indication  of  what  may 
be  achieved  when  laudable  ambition  points  out  the  way  and  persistency  of  purpose 
characterizes  one's  course. 


BASMUS  0.  HAUGLAND. 

Basmus  0.  Haugland,  a  retired  farmer  living  in  Lake  Mills,  has  reached  the 
advanced  age  of  eighty-two  years  and  receives  the  respect  and  honor  to  which. his 
long,  active  and  well  spent  life  entities  him.  He  was  born  in  Norway,  October  18, 
1834,  of  the  marriage  of  Ole  G.  and  Ingeborg  (Gunderson)  Haugland  who  in  1846 
removed  with  their  family  to  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  where  both  passed  away  and 
are  buried.  The  father  engaged  in  farming  and  also  taught  school  in  Norway. 
To  them  were  bom  twelve  children,  of  whom  three  grew  to  maturity  and  of  whom 
our  subject  is  the  only  one  now  living. 

Basmus  0.  Haugland  began  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native 
country  and  continued  it  in  the  schools  of  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  until  he  was 
sixteen  years  old.  From  that  time  until  1867  he  worked  as  a  lumberman,  cutting 
timber  along  the  Wisconsin  river  and  taking  the  lumber  down  the  Mississippi  to 
St.  Louis.  In  1867  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  Center 
township,  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  and  from  that  time  imtil  1914  was  continuously 
engaged  in  its  improvement  and  cultivation.  During  that  time  his  land,  which 
had  been  in  a  raw  state  when  it  came  into  his  possession,  was  brought  to  a  high 


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116  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

degree  of  cultivation,  many  improvements  were  made  thereon  and  his  resources 
steadily  increased,  enabling  him  to  retire  from  active  life  in  1914.  He  then  took 
up  his  residence  in  Lake  Mills,  where  he  owns  an  attractive  home.  He  helped 
organize  the  Lake  Mills  Creamery  Company,  the  Lake  Mills  Lumber  Company, 
the  Leland  Creamery  Company,  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  at  Leland  and  the 
Mount  Valley  Threshing  Company  at  Leland.  He  still  owns  a  fine  farm  of  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres,  which  he  rents,  and  twenty  acres  of  timber  land. 

In  1867  Mr.  Haugland  married  Miss  Sarah  Sunderland,  a  daughter  of  Ole 
H.  and  Anna  Sunderland,  natives  of  Norway,  who  on  emigrating  to  the  United 
States  first  located  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  but  in  1866  removed  to  Winnebago 
county,  Iowa,  whence  they  went  to  Wright  county.  North  Dakota,  where  they  died 
and  are  buried.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Haugland  were  bom  eleven  children,  of  whom 
four  died  in  youth,  while  seven  survive,  namely :  Emma,  now  Mrs.  L.  E.  Peterson, 
of  Forest  City,  Iowa;  Anna,  the  wife  of  T.  A.  Thompson,  of  Center  township; 
Oscar,  who  married  and  resides  at  Nashua,  Montana;  Edward,  a  sketch  of  whom 
appears  elsewhere  in  this  volume;  Helmer,  who  is  married  and  resides  in  Lake 
Mills ;  Emil,  a  traveling  salesman  of  St.  Paul,  Minn. ;  and  William,  a  resident  of 
Forest  City. 

Mr.  Haugland  is  a  stanch  republican  and  has  done  much  effective  work  for  his 
party.  His  first  presidential  vote  was  cast  for  John  C.  Fremont  and  he  has  lived 
under  eighteen  presidents  in  the  United  States  and  under  two  kings  in  Norway. 
He  has  always  taken  a  commendable  interest  in  public  affairs  and  for  one  term  was 
county  supervisor,  for  four  years  justice  of  the  peace  and  for  a  number  of  years 
school  director.  In  religious  faith  he  is  a  United  Lutheran.  He  began  his  inde- 
pendent career  with  no  capital  save  his  energy,  strength  and  sound  judgment,  and 
these  qualifications  have  proved  amply  sufficient,  as  he  is  now  one  of  the  substantial 
men  of  the  county.  He  has  a  wide  acquaintance  and  holds  a  warm  place  in  the 
regard  of  many. 


'  EDWARD  R.  HAUGLAND. 

Edward  B.  Haugland  is  one  of  the  most  successful  business  men  of  Lake  Mills 
and  the  meat  market  which  he  conducts  is  a  model  establishment  of  the  kind,  no 
expense  having  been  spared  to  secure  the  most  complete,  up-to-date  and  sanitary 
equipment.  He  was  born  in  Center  township,  this  county,  August  21,  1882,  and 
is  a  son  of  Rasmus  and  Sarah  (Sunderland)  Haugland,  a  sketch  of  whose  lives 
appears  above.  Until  sixteen  years  old  he  attended  the  common  schools  and  subse- 
quently for  seven  years  gave  his  time  and  attention  to  helping  with  the  work  of  the 
home  farm.  When  twenty-three  years  old  he  rented  that  place  and  operated  it 
on  his  own  account  for  three  years,  after  which  he  went  to  Ward  county.  North 
Dakota,  where  he  purchased  a  quarter  section  of  land.  Three  years  later  he  sold 
that  place  and  returned  to  Winnebago  county.  Tor  a  year  he  was  employed  as  a 
butcher  by  M.  G.  Johnson,  of  Lake  Mills,  and  then  engaged  in  the  butchering  busi- 
ness for  himself  in  Bowan,  Wright  county,  Iowa.  Upon  selling  that  business  he, 
in  partnership  with  M.  6.  Johnson,  bought  a  meat  market  at  Lake  Mills  from 
Bang  &  Mortenson.     Two  years  later  his  brother,  Helmer  C.  Haugland,  bought 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  117 

out  Mr.  Johnson^s  interest  and  the  two  brothers  have  since  conducted  the  market, 
which  is  one  of  the  leading  business  enterprises  of  Lake  Mills.  The  sales  room  is 
finished  in  white  and  there  is  also  a  specially  constructed  cooling  and  freezing  room 
supplied  with  the  modern  type  of  ammonia  refrigerating  system.  They  do  their 
own  killing  and  their  methods  of  preparing  the  meat  for  the  market  are  the  .best 
known.    At  every  step  the  utmost  care  is  taken  to  ensure  absolute  cleanliness. 

Mr.  Haugland  makes  his  home  with  his  parents.  In  religious  faith  he  is  a 
United  Lutheran  and  his  political  views  are  in  accord  with  the  principles  of  the 
republican  party,  whose  candidates  he  supports  at  the  polls.  In  the  management 
of  his  business  he  displays  unusual  progressiveness  coupled  with  sound  judgment 
and  his  continued  success  is  assured. 


HABRY  R.  IRISH,  M.  D. 

Dr.  Harry  B.  Irish,  of  Forest  City,  was  bom  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin, 
October  4,  1860,  a  son  of  David  and  Harriett  (Brownell)  Irish,  who  were  natives 
of  Vermont.  About  1854  they  removed  to  the  middle  west,  settling  in  Wisconsin, 
and  in  1867  they  established  their  home  in  Jasper  county,  Iowa,  where  the  father 
purchased  land  and  engaged  in  farming  imtil  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1885. 
His  wife  passed  away  in  1890. 

After  acquiring  a  public  school  education  Dr.  Irish  attended  the  Hazel  Dell 
Academy  at  Newton,  Iowa,  and  he  began  preparation  for  a  professional  career  by 
reading  medicine  in  the  office  and  under  the  direction  of  Dr.  J.  B.  Smith,  of* 
Kellogg,  Iowa.  Later  he  entered  the  medical  department  of  the  State  University 
of  Michigan,  from  which  he  was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1883.  Immediately 
afterward  he  came  to  Forest  City,  where  he  opened  an  oflBce,  and  here  he  has  since 
remained,  covering  a  period  of  more  than  a  third  of  a  century.  His  ability  in 
his  profession  has  brought  him  prominently  to  the  front  in  this  connection  and  he 
has  long  been  accorded  a  very  liberal  patronage.  He  has  been  a  constant  student 
of  his  profession  and  his  broad  reading  has  kept  him  in  touch  with  the  trend  of 
modem  scientific  investigation  and  discovery. 

In  1887  Dr.  Irish  was  married  to  Miss  Alice  Peirce,  of  Sanborn,  New  York, 
a  teacher  of  Forest  City  and  a  daughter  of  Edward  and  Susan  (Bose)  Peirce. 
The  former  was  a  soldier  of  the  Civil  war  and  laid  down  his  life  on  the  altar  of 
his  country  in  defense  of  the  TTnion.  To  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Irish  have  been  born  a 
daughter  and  son:  Leita,  the  wife  of  Henry  Clausen,  of  Clear  Lake,  Iowa;  and 
Thomas,  who  is  now  a  student  in  the  medical  department  of  the  State  Univer- 
sity. Fraternally  Dr.  Irish  is  connected  with  Truth  Lodge,  No.  213,  F.  &  A.  M., 
of  which  he  is  a  past  master,  and  he  also  belongs  to  the  Woodmen  Camp  No.  717. 
In  politics  he  may  be  called  an  independent  democrat,  for  while  he  supports  many 
of  the  principles  of  the  party,  he  does  not  consider  himself  bound  by  party  ties. 
He  has  filled  the  ofiice  of  mayor  of  Forest  City,  to  which  he  has  given  a  beneficial 
and  public-spirited  administration,  and  that  he  is  a  stalwart  champion  of  the 
cause  of  public  education  is  indicated  in  his  twenty-two  years*  service  as  a  member 
of  the  school  board.  He  has  also  been  pension  examiner.  In  addition  to  his  large 
private  practice  he  is  acting  as  surgeon  for  the  Bock  Island  Bailway  and  he  belongs 


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118  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

to  the  Winnebago  County^  the  Iowa  State  and  the  American  Medical  Associations 
and  also  to  the  American  Association  of  Bailway  Surgeons.  His  ability  is  pro- 
nounced and  throughout  his  entire  professional  career  he  has  neglected  no  duty  or 
responsibility  that  has  devolved  upon  him. 


OLE  WHITE. 


Ole  White,  who  is  now  practically  living  retired  on  section  27,  Ellington 
township,  Hiancock  county,  Iowa,  claims  Denmark  as  his  native  land,  his  birth 
occurring  May  25,  1855.  His  parents,  Hasmer  and  Prena  White,  were  also  bom 
in  that  country,  where  they  continued  to  reside  throughout  life.  There  Ole  White 
was  reared  and  educated,  attending  the  common  schools  as  he  had  opportunity. 
Believing  that  he  could  better  his  financial  condition  in  the  new  world  where 
competition  is  not  so  great,  he  came  to  America  in  1873,  at  the  age  of  eighteen 
years  and  first  located  in  Michigan,  where  he  spent  two  years.  He  then  removed 
to  Illinois,  where  he  made  his  home  for  a  number  of  years. 

In  the  latter  state  Mr.  White  was  married  in  1880  to  Miss  Alice  Gentry,  by 
whom  he  has  had  five  children,  namely :  Effie,  now  the  wife  of  W.  A.  Garr ;  Lena, 
the  wife  of  M.  Rasmus ;  Wilson,  who  is  operating  the  home  farm ;  Prena,  the  wife 
ot  Glarence  Drake;  and  Raymond,  at  home. 

It  was  in  1899  that  Mr.  White  brought  his  family  to  Iowa  and,  deciding  that 
Hancock  county  would  be  a  good  location,  purchased  the  northwest  quarter  of 
section  26,  Ellington  township.  To  the  improvement  and  cultivation  of  that 
place  he  devoted  his  energies  for  several  years  with  most  gratifying  results  and 
continued  to  make  his  home  thereon  until  recently,  when  he  retired  from  active 
farming  and  turned  the  place  over  to  his  son,  who  is  now  operating  it.  Mr. 
White  then  removed  to  a  forty  acre  tract  on  section  27,  Ellington  township,  where 
he  now  resides,  enjoying  the  fruits  of  his  years  of  industry,  surrounded  by  all  the 
comforts  which  make  life  worth  the  living.  He  is  a  worthy  member  of  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Modem  Woodmen  of  America,  and  in 
politics  he  is  a  progressive.  He  is  one  of  the  representative  men  of  his  community 
and  wherever  known  is  held  in  high  esteem. 


A.  F.  SEGERSTROM. 


Classed  with  the  progressive  and  representative  citizens  of  Mount  Valley  town- 
ship, Winnebago  county,  is  A.  F.  Segerstrom,  who  is  now  engaged  in  farming  on 
section  27,  where  he  has  a  tract  of  land  whereon  he  took  up  his  abode  in  1910. 
He  had  previously  been  connected  with  commercial  pursuits  and  has  ever  occupied 
a  prominent  position  in  business  circles  of  {his  section  of  the  state.  He  was  bom 
in  Worthington,  Minnesota,  July  24,  1875,  and  is  a  son  of  Nels  and  Bengta 
(Swenson)  Segerstrom,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Sweden,  where  they  were 
reared  and  married.  About  1867  they  crossed  the  Atlantic  to  the  United  States, 
establishing  their  home  in  Osage,  Iowa,  where  they  continued  to  reside  until  1874, 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  119 

when  they  became  residents  of  Worthington,  Minnesota.  Mr.  Segerstrom  after- 
ward spent  twenty  years  in  California  and  in  later  years  he  returned  to  Iowa, 
now  making  his  home  in  Winnebago  county. 

At  the  usual  age  A.  F.  Segerstrom  became  a  pupil  in  the  district  school  near 
his  father's  home  and  afterward  had  the  benefit  of  instruction  in  the  Forest  City 
high  school.  He  came  to  Winnebago  coimty  with  his  mother  in  1887,  at  which 
time  they  settled  in  Forest  City.  Soon  after  reaching  his  thirteenth  year  A.  F. 
Segerstrom  became  an  apprentice  to  the  tinner's  and  plumber's  trade  in  Forest 
City  and  for  several  years  was  thus  employed,  in  fact  was  continuously  engaged 
at  his  trade  and  in  the  hardware  business  for  twenty-two  years.  In  1897  he 
established  a  hardware  store,  which  he  successfully  conducted  until  1910.  He 
then  retired  from  mercantile  business  on  accoimt  of  his  health  and  took  up  farm- 
ing, removing  to  his  present  place  in  Mount  Valley  township. 

In  1909  Mr.  Segerstrom  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Hilma  Johnson  of 
Mount  Valley  township,  Winnebago  coimty,  her  father  being  0.  K.  Johnson,  who 
came  to  this  part  of  Iowa  from  Illinois  in  1882,  but  is  now  deceased.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Segerstrom  have  two  children,  Milton  A.  and  Mildred  B.  Mr.  Segerstrom 
exercises  his  right  of  franchise  in  support  of  the  men  and  measures  of  the  repub- 
lican party.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Swedish  Baptist  church,  take 
an  active  interest  in  developing  the  work  of  the  church,  thus  promoting  the  moral 
progress  of  the  community,  and  for  twenty  years  he  taught  a  Sunday  school  class. 
He  is  interested  in  all  those  forces  which  work  for  public  progress.  He  is  a  stock- 
holder in  the  Farmers  Cooperative  Creamery  Company  and  in  the  Farmers  Elevator 
of  Forest  City  and  he  has  studied  closely  and  intelligently  questions  which  afifect 
the  business  welfare  and  material  development  of  the  district.  His  has  been  an 
active  and  useful  life  characterized  by  honorable  purpose  and  attended  by  success. 


NELS  EBICKSON. 


Iowa  has  drawn  largely  upon  Norway  for  its  citizenship  and  from  the  land  of 
the  midnight  sun  have  come  many  who  have  done  much  to  further  the  development 
and  progress  of  the  commonwealth.  Actively  identified  with  agricultural  interests 
of  Winnebago  county  is  Nels  Erickson,  who  resides  on  section  24,  Norway  town- 
ship. He  was  bom  in  Norway,  Jime  3,  1849,  a  son  of  Erick  Iverson  and  Martha 
Johansdatter.  He  attended  the  common  schools  of  his  native  country  until  he 
reached  the  age  of  fifteen  years  and  afterward  worked  for  others  in  Norway  until 
he  had  reached  the  age  of  twenty-three. 

On  attaining  his  majority  Mr.  Erickson  was  married  to  Ingaberg  Olson,  a 
daughter  of  Ole  Anderson  and  Helena  Christiansdatter.  The  former  died  when 
Mrs.  Erickson  was  but  fourteen  years  of  age  and  the  latter  came  to  the  United 
States  when  eighty-one  years  of  age  and  lived  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Erickson  until 
a  short  time  prior  to  her  death,  when  she  went  to  live  with  a  daughter  at  Dows, 
Iowa,  where  she  passed  away  at  the  age  of  eighty-seven.  It  was  in  1872  that  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Erickson  crossed  the  Atlantic  to  the  new  world  and  established  their 
home  in  Franklin  county,  Iowa,  where  he  was  employed  as  a  farm  hand  for  a  few 
years.    Later  he  purchased  land  in  that  locality  and  resided  thereon  until  1891, 


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120  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

when  he  sold  that  place  and  came  to  Winnebago  county.  He  purchased  the  south- 
east quarter  of  section  24,  Norway  township,  and  forty  acres  of  the  northeast 
quarter  of  section  25,  thus  becoming  owner  of  two  hundred  acres,  which  he  has 
since  cultivated  and  improved.  He  also  extended  the  boundaries  of  his  farm  by 
purchasing  an  additional  tract  of  two  hundred  acres  just  over  the  line  in  Worth 
county,  but  has  since  given  this  to  his  children.  He  owns  a  store  building  and 
stock  of  goods  at  Emmons,  Minnesota,  just  over  the  boundary  line.  He  is  inter- 
ested financially  in  the  creamery  company  and  the  lumber  company  at  Lake  Mills 
and  also  in  the  Farmers  elevator  there  and  his  business  affairs  are  extensive  and 
important,  while  his  success  demonstrates  his  ability  and  enterprise. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Erickson  have  become  the  parents  of  six  children,  who  are  yet 
living :  Emma,  the  wife  of  L.  B.  Stene,  who  was  born  in  Norway  and  is  now 
residing  on  a  farm  adjoining  her  father^s;  Henry,  who  is  farming  in  Worth 
county;  Matilda,  the  wife  of  Bert  Anderson,  of  Worth  county;  Theodore,  who  is 
assisting  in  the  operation  of  the  home  farm;  Olga,  the  wife  of  Gus  Hanson,  of 
Emmons,  Minnesota;  and  Enge,  now  the  wife  of  C.  C.  Siblrud,  of  Emmons. 
The  parents  hold  membership  with  the  Synod  Lutheran  church  and  Mr.  Erickson 
gives  his  political  support  to  the  republican  party.  He  has  never  been  an  office 
seeker,  preferring  to  concentrate  his  time  and  attention  upon  his  business  affairs, 
but  was  school  director  in  Franklin  county  f oi:  four  years.  As  the  years  have  gone 
on  he  has  won  substantial  prosperity  which  has  come  entirely  as  the  legitimate  and 
well  deserved  reward  of  his  industry,  perseverance  and  honorable  dealing. 


C.  C.  MYBE. 


A  valued  and  enterprising  citizen  of  Linden  township,  Winnebago  county,  was 
called  from  life  when  on  the  6th  of  January,  1914,  C.  C.  Myre  passed  away.  He 
was  truly  a  self-made  man  and  his  activity  brought  to  him  success  which  enabled 
him  to  leave  his  family  in  comfortable  financial  circumstances.  He  was  born  in 
Norway,  April  7,  1849,  and  when  four  years  of  age  was  brought  to  the  new  world 
by  his  parents.  For  a  year  the  family  lived  in  Wisconsin  and  in  1854  came  to 
Winneshiek  county,  Iowa,  where  both  the  father  and  mother  passed  away. 

C.  C.  Myre  was  reared  and  educated  in  that  county,  meeting  with  the  usual 
experiences  of  farm  bred  boys.  There  he  was  married  in  1876  to  Miss  Breat  Indvik, 
who  was  born  in  Norway  and  came  to  the  United  States  with  her  parents  in  1872, 
Following  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Myre  came  to  Winnebago  county  and  took 
up  their  abode  upon  a  farm.  As  the  years  passed  by  he  carefully  managed  his 
business  and  prosperity  enabled  him  from  time  to  time  to  add  to  his  holdings  until 
his  possessions  in  farm  land  aggregated  seven  hundred  and  twenty  acres.  He 
never  allowed  difficulties  or  obstacles  to  discourage  him  and  his  resolute  courage  and 
energy  carried  him  forward  to  the  goal  of  success. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Myre  became  the  parents  of  seven  children,  of  whom  all  are  yet 
living  namely:  C.  C;  John  C;  Bertha,  the  wife  of  A.  Dahl;  Julia,  the  wife  of 
Andrew  Jacobson;  Gena,  the  wife  of  Eoy  Thomas,  of  Mason  City;  Helmer 
C;  and  Clarence,  who  is  living  on  the  old  homestead.  On  the  5th  of  January, 
1914,  Mr.  Myre  departed  this  life,  being  then  about  sixty-five  years  of  age,  and  he 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  123 

was  laid  to  rest  in  the  West  Prairie  cemetery.  He  held  membership  in  tjie 
Lutheran  church  and  lived  the  life  of  an  earnest  Christian  gentleman,  being 
straightforward  in  all  of  his  business  dealings  and  honorable  in  all  lifers  relations. 
Those  who  knew  him  entertained  for  him  the  warmest  r^ard,  and  not  only  his 
immediate  family  but  many  friends  mourned  his  passing.  Mrs.  Myre  is  also  a 
member  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  she  is  widely  and  favorably  known  in  her  part 
of  the  county.  She  still  owns  the  old  homestead  property  of  two  hundred  acres, 
situated  on  section  23  Linden  township.  It  is  well  improved  and  returns  to  her  a 
gratifying  annual  income  as  the  result  of  the  care  and  labor  bestowed  upon  the 
place. 


LUDVIG  E.  LUDVIG. 


Ludvig  E.  Ludvig,  president  and  general  manager  of  the  Lake  Mills  Imple- 
ment and  Hardware  Company,  is  a  business  man  of  more  than  the  usual  initiative 
and  ability  as  is  evidenced  by  the  importance  of  the  company  of  which  he  is  the 
head.  He  was  bom  in  Norway  township,  Winnebago  county,  February  11,  1879, 
and  his  parents,  John  A.  and  Brunhilde  (Sanden)  Ludvig,  were  natives  respect- 
ively of  Sondf jord,  Norway,  and  of  Wisconsin.  In  early  life  the  father  crossed 
the  Atlantic  to  the  United  States  and  located  in  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  where 
he  followed  the  carpenter^s  trade  for  a  number  of  years.  He  then  purchased  land 
in  Norway  township,  to  the  operation  of  which  he  devoted  the  remainder  of  his 
life.  He  died  in  January,  1910,  and  the  mother's  death  occurred  in  February, 
1881. 

Ludvig  E.  Ludvig  was  reared  in  Winnebago  county  and  received  his  early 
education  in  its  public  schools.  Later  he  attended  the  Luther  Academy  at  Albert 
Lea,  Minnesota,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1899,  and  the  succeeding  year 
was  spent  upon  the  home  farm.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  became  bookkeeper  for 
Eckert  &  Williams  of  Lake  Mills,  so  continuing  until  1905,  when  he  bought  out 
the  T.  S.  Tweed  implement  business,  which  he  operated  under  the  name  of  L.  E. 
Ludvig  &  Company  for  five  years.  In  1910  he  consolidated  his  interests  with  the 
business  of  Eckert  &  Williams,  the  new  company  being  known  as  the  Lake  Mills 
Implement  and  Hardware  Company,  with  Mr.  Ludvig  as  secretary.  He  has  ever 
since  had  the  direction  of  the  affairs  of  the  company  and  in  1915  bought  out  the 
interest  of  Mr.  Eckert,  at  that  time  becoming  president  of  the  company.  He  still 
holds  that  oflSce  and  he  is  likewise  treasurer  and  manager.  The  company  deals  in 
plumbing,  and  heating  supplies,  buggies,  wagons,  harness,  windmills,  farm  ma- 
chinery of  all  kinds,  automobiles  and  hardware  and  its  stock  is  much  larger  than 
that  usually  found  in  a  city  the  size  of  Lake  Mills.  Its  annual  volume  of  trade 
has  reached  a  highly  satisfying  figure  and  its  patronage  is  still  showing  a  steady 
growth. 

Mr.  Ludvig  was  married  June  27,  1901,  to  Miss  Bertina  Honsey,  a  daughter 
of  T.  G.  and  Turi  (Waugness)  Honsey,  of  Norway  township,  Winnebago  county. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ludvig  have  two  children,  namely:  Bennett  J.,  twelve  years  of 
age;  and  Homer  T.,  aged  seven.  He  casts  his  ballot  in  support  of  the  candidates 
and  measures  of  the  republican  party  but  has  never  had  time  to  take  an  active 


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124  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

pirt  in  political  aflfairs.  He  holds  membership  in  the  Lutheran  church  and  gives 
his  heartiest  support  to  the  promotion  of  its  work.  His  successful  management 
of  his  important  business  interests  has  brought  him  financial  prosperity  and  has 
also  made  him  a  factor  in  the  general  commercial  development  of  the  city. 


OLE  K.  JUVLAND. 


Ole  K.  Juvland,  who  carries  on  general  agricultural  pursuits  on  section  23, 
Center  township,  and  is  also  actively  identified  with  commercial  interests  in  near-by 
towns,  displays  in  his  business  career  a  spirit  of  marked  enterprise  and  progressive- 
ness  combined  with  indefatigable  energy.  He  was  bom  in  Norway,  February  1, 
1851,  a  son  of  Ejiute  and  Asave  (Evenson)  Olson,  who  were  natives  of  the  same 
country  and  there  spent  their  entire  lives. 

Ole  K.  Juvland  pursued  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Norway  and  a  year 
after  attaining  his  majority  bade  adieu  to  friends  and  native  country  in  order  to 
try  his  fortune  in  America.  Crossing  the  Atlantic  in  1873,  he  made  his  way  to 
Worth  counly,  Iowa,  where  he  worked  as  a  farm  hand  for  ten  years.  On  the  expira- 
tion of  that  period  he  came  to  Winnebago  county  and  invested  his  savings  in  eighty 
acres  of  land  on  section  23,  Center  township.  It  was  then  all  covered  with  timber, 
but  he  cleared  away  the  trees  and  brush  and  has  since  improved  the  tract,  converting 
it  into  a  fine  farm.  Later  he  bought  another  eighty  acres  and  is  now  owner  of 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  rich  and  productive  land  which  he  has  brought  to  a 
high  state  of  cultivation,  golden  harvests  annually  rewarding  him  for  the  care  he 
bestows  upon  his  fields.  He  has  ever  been  actuated  by  a  progressive  spirit  in  his 
business  and  has  become  financially  interested  in  several  commercial  concerns, 
being  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  and  in  the  Lake  Mills 
Creamery  Company  of  Lake  Mills,  also  in  the  Lake  Mills  Lumber  Company  and  in 
the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  of  Joice,  Iowa. 

In  November,  1887,  Mr.  Juvland  was  married  to  Miss  GTunhild  Aslakson  and 
they  have  become  parents  of  four  children :  Alfred,  Carl,  Sophia  and  Signe,  all  yet 
at  home.  The  religious  faith  of  the  parents  is  that  of  the  United  Lutheran  church 
and  to  its  teachings  they  loyally  adhere.  Mr.  Juvland  has  given  his  support  to 
the  republican  party  since  becoming  a  naturalized  American  citizen  and  he  is 
loyal  to  the  interests  of  his  adopted  country.  Having  elected  to  make  this  land  his 
home,  he  has  ever  felt  it  to  be  his  duly  to  protect  its  interests  and  he  has  always 
stood  for  those  forces  which  are  most  worth  while  in  matters  of  progressive 
citizenship. 


B.  G.  GUNHUS. 


B.  G.  Gunhus,  who  is  devoting  his  time  and  energies  to  farming  and  stock 
raising  in  Forest  township,  Winnebago  county,  was  bom  in  Dane  county,  Wis- 
consin, on  the  22d  of  Jime,  1876,  a  son  of  Gould  G.  and  Julia  (Kolve)  Gunhus, 
both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Norway.    There  they  resided  until  about  1848,  when 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  125 

they  came  to  America  and  settled  in  Baeine,  Wisconsin.  The  father  there  se- 
cured a  tract  of  land  and  his  remaining  days  were  devoted  to  general  agricultural 
pursuits  in  that  state.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gunhus  were  born  a  daughter  and  a  son, 
the  former  being  Clara  T.,  now  the  wife  of  K.  B.  Skuldt,  of  Wisconsin. 

The  son,  B.  6.  Gunhus,  was  reared  and  educated  in  Wisconsin,  where  he 
supplemented  his  public  school  education  by  study  in  college.  Through  the  period 
of  his  boyhood  and  youth  he  remained  at  home  and  afterward  took  charge  of  the 
old  homestead.  In  1907  he  came  to  Winnebago  county,  where  he  purchased  the 
farm  upon  which  he  now  resides  on  section  34,  Forest  township,  securing  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  rich  and  arable  land,  which  he  has  since  carefully 
developed  and  cultivated  until  it  is  now  a  splendidly  improved  property.  He 
likewise  owns  about  eighty  acres  in  Newton  township  and  is  justly  accounted  one 
of  the  representative  agriculturists  of  his  part  of  the  state.  He  is  also  one  of  the 
directors  of  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  and  its  treasurer  and  is  a  stock- 
holder in  the  First  National  Bank. 

In  1898  Mr.  Gunhus  was  married  to  Miss  Anna  Holland,  a  native  of  Wis- 
consin and  a  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edmond  Holland,  who  were  natives  of 
Norway  but  in  childhood  came  to  America.  Both  are  now  deceased.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Gimhus  have  two  children:  Irene  Gwendolyn,  who  is  attending  high  school; 
and  Gool  Amound.  The  parents  are  members  of  the  United  Lutheran  church 
and  Mrs.  Gunhus  is  an  active  temperance  worker,  holding  membership  in  the 
Woman^s  Christian  Temperance  Union.  In  his  political  views  Mr.  Gunhus  is  a 
republican  but  is  not  an  oflSce  seeker.  He  is  loyal  in  the  discharge  of  all  of  his 
duties  of  citizenship,  however,  and  co-operates  in  those  plans  and  movements 
which  seek  to  promote  the  best  interests  of  his  coimty.  He  is  leading  a  life  of 
activity  in  the  furtherance  of  his  farming  interests,  knowing  that  honorable  suc- 
cess is  based  upon  individual  effort  and  ability. 


E.  P.  KLUCKHOHN. 


E.  F.  Kluckhohn,  who  since  1904  has  been  owner  and  publisher  of  the  Garner 
Signal,  was  born  in  Watertown,  Wisconsin,  March  24,  1864,  a  son  of  Charles  and 
Sophie  (Friday)  Kluckhohn,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Germany,  whence  they 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1848.  The  father  was  a  minister  of  the  German 
Methodist  church  and  in  1877  removed  with  his  family  to  Gamer.  He  had  pur- 
chased a  farm  near  the  town  and  resided  thereon  for  three  years.  He  then  estab- 
lished his  home  in  Gamer,  where  he  engaged  in  dealing  in  hay  and  made  a  substan- 
tial  place  in  business  circles  of  the  city.  He  continued  to  make  his  home  in 
Gamer  until  called  to  his  final  rest  in  1900. 

E.  F.  Kluckhohn  acquired  a  public  school  education  and  afterward  pursued 
a  post  graduate  course  in  the  Northwestern  University  and  is  also  a  graduate 
of  the  Central  Wesleyan  College  at  Warrenton,  Missouri,  from  which  he  received 
the  B.  A.  degree  and  which  later  conferred  upon  him  the  M.  A.  degree.  He,  too, 
devoted  a  number  of  years  to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  preaching  in  the  Congre- 
gational church  for  four  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  entered  the 
joumalistic  field,  purchasing  the  Graettinger  Times  at  Graettinger,  Iowa.     H« 


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126  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

owned  and  edited  that  paper  for  five  years  and  afterward  spent  three  or  four  years 
in  connection  with  a  paper  in  Gamer.  Later  he  became  the  owner  of  the  Luverne 
News,  which  he  published  for  a  year,  and  then  purchased  the  Whittemore 
Champion.  In  1904  he  became  owner  of  the  Gamer  Signal,  which  he  has  since 
published,  making  it  one  of  the  progressive  newspapers  of  this  part  of  the  state. 
The  Signal  is  the  oldest  paper  in  Hancock  county  and  maintains  a  position  of 
leadership  not  only  in  age  but  in  all  that  speaks  for  modern  progress  in  journalism. 
He  has  recently  installed  a  new  linotype  machine  and  he  has  splendid  equipment 
for  doing  all  kinds  of  newspaper  and  job  printing. 

In  1894  Mr.  Kluckhohn  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Emma  Haas,  of  Grand- 
view,  Iowa,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  three  children,  Grace,  Paul  and  one 
who  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kluckhohn  hold  membership  in  the  Congre- 
gational church  and  are  active  supporters  of  many  forces  looking  to  the  moral 
development  of  the  community.  Fraternally  Mr.  Kluckhohn  is  connected  with 
various  organizations.  He  belongs  to  the  lodge,  chapter  and  council  in  Masonry 
and  also  to  the  Eastern  Star.  He  likewise  has  membership  with  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America,  the  Mystic  Workers,  the  Yeomen  and  the  Royal  Neighbors. 
His  political  endorsement  is  given  to  the  republican  party,  which  he  supports 
through  the  columns  of  his  paper  and  through  individual  effort,  but  he  is  not 
an  oflSce  seeker,  preferring  to  concentrate  his  attention  upon  his  individual  inter- 
ests. The  Garner  Signal,  of  which  he  is  now  owner  and  editor,  was  first  estab- 
lished as  the  Hancock  County  Signal  in  1871  by  George  R.  Lanning  as  a  weekly. 
It  was  afterward  owned  by  W.  C.  Hayward  and  later  by  the  firm  of  Hayward  & 
Maben.  The  paper  afterward  became  the  property  and  was  published  by  the 
firm  of  Bush  &  Knadler,  from  1883  until  1904,  when  Mr.  Kluckhohn  became 
proprietor.  It  is  an  eight-page  paper,  much  of  it  being  home  print,  aad  it  is 
devoted  to  the  interests  of  the  republican  party  and  to  the  local  welfare,  being 
ever  found  as  the  champion  of  progressive  party  movements. 


LOUIS  A.  JENSEN. 


Norway  has  made  valuable  contribution  to  the  citizenship  of  Iowa,  for  many 
of  the  valued  and  substantial  residents  of  the  state  have  had  their  nativity  or  trace 
their  ancestry  back  to  the  land  of  the  midnight  sun.  Among  this  number  is  Louis 
A.  Jensen,  of  Forest  City,  whose  parents,  Jens  and  Mary  Jensen,  were  both  natives 
of  Norway.  The  former  came  to  the  United  States  in  1846  and  the  latter  in  1845 
and  they  were  married  in  Illinois.  Later  they  came  to  Iowa,  casting  in  their 
lot  among  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Mitchell  county,  where  Mr.  Jensen  took  up  the 
occupation  of  farming.  In  1871  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Winnebago 
county,  where  both  he  and  his  wife  spent  their  remaining  days. 

Louis  A.  Jensen  was  bom  in  Mitchell  county,  Iowa,  May  21,  1869,  obtained 
a  public  school  education  and  later  made  up  his  deficiency  by  a  post-graduate 
course  in  the  high  school  in  Forest  City.  In  1896  he  was  elected  to  the  oflSce 
of  clerk  of  the  court  and  served  in  that  position  for  eight  years.  While 
thus  engaged  he  took  up  the  study  of  law  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
1904.     Since   1910  he  has  filled  the  office  of  county  attorney  for  Winnebago 


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LOriS  A.  JKNSEN 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  129 

county  and  has  made  a  most  excellent  record  in  that  position,  carefully  safe- 
guarding the  legal  interests  of  this  district.  He  is  well  versed  in  the  princi- 
ples of  law  and  displays  the  utmost  accuracy  in  the  application  of  legal  prin- 
ciples to  the  points  in  litigation.  Mr.  Jensen  also  has  farming  interests, 
being  the  owner  of  a  tract  of  land  south  of  Lake  Mills  which  his  father  entered 
from  the  government  upon  removing  to  Winnebago  county.  Their  nearest  market 
at  that  time  was  at  McGregor  and  they  experienced  all  the  hardships  and  privations 
of  pioneer  life,  while  as  the  years  went  on  they  contributed  to  the  work  of  general 
development,  and  Mr.  Jensen  has  lived  to  see  remarkable  changes  in  the  county 
and  the  conditions  here  existing. 

On  the  17th  of  July,  1891,  Mr.  Jensen  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary 
Sheldon,  of  Webster  coimty,  Iowa,  a  daughter  of  Ole  Sheldon.  Their  children 
are:  Marcellus,  Christine,  Lydia,  Rachel  and  Constance.  The  son,  a  graduate  of 
the  law  department  of  Drake  University  with  the  class  of  1914,  is  now  practicing 
with  his  father,  at  Forest  City,  Iowa,  under  the  firm  name  of  Jensen  &  Jensen. 
He  wedded  Mabel  West,  of  State  Center.  The  eldest  daughter  is  a  graduate  of 
St.  Olaf  s  College.  ; 

Mr.  Jensen  has  always  been  deeply  interested  in  the  cause  of  education  and 
has  provided  his  children  with  excellent  opportunities  in  that  direction.  He  is 
now  secretary  of  the  Waldorf  College  Association,  which  position  he  has  filled 
since  the  college  was  established,  and  of  the  school  he  was  one  of  the  organizers. 
He  has  also  been  a  member  of  the  school  board  of  Forest  City  and  does  all  in  his 
power  to  advance  educational  standards.  His  political  allegiance  has  ever  been 
given  to  the  republican  party  and  his  son  is  also  an  active  worker  in  its  ranks, 
being  now  chairman  of  the  county  central  committee.  The  religious  faith  of  the 
family  is  that  of  the  United  Lutheran  church,  to  which  Mr.  Jensen  loyally  adheres, 
guiding  his  life  by  its  principles.  His  activities  are  many  and  are  .manifest 
along  those  lines  which  touch  the  general  interests  of  sociely  and  work  for  public 
progress  and  improvement. 


CLABK  B.  CORE. 


A  well  spent  life  always  brings  its  reward — if  not  in  material  success,  in  the 
good  will,  the  confidence  and  high  regard  of  those  among  whom  the  individuals 
lot  is  cast.  To  Clark  B.  Core,  however,  has  come  both  the  respect  of  his  many 
friends  and  the  substantial  rewards  pf  his  intelligently  directed  labor,  and  now 
after  long  connection  with  farming  and  stock  raising  interests  he  is  living  retire  ! 
in  Forest  City,  where  his  fellow  townsmen,  appreciative  of  his  worth  and  ability, 
have  called  him  to  the  office  of  city  councilman.  He  was  born  in  Fayette  county, 
Pennsylvania,  April  22,  1865,  a  son  of  Elias  and  Mary  J  (Kauffman)  Core,  both 
of  whom  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  where  they  resided  until  1869.  In  that 
year  they  removed  to  La  Salle  county,  Illinois,  where  they  purchased  a  farm 
between  Ottawa  and  Streator,  upon  which  they  continued  to  reside  imtil  called 
to  their  final  rest. 

Clark  B.  Core  was  reared  under  the  parental  roof  and  in  his  boyhood  days 
attended  the  public  schools  near  his  father's  home.    When  twenty-one  years  of  age 


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130  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

he  started  out  to  earn  his  own  living  but  did  not  leave  the  old  homestead,  his 
father  employing  him  as  a  farm  hand  for  three  years.  During  that  period,  in  the 
fall  of  1887,  he  and  his  brother  Skiles  invested  in  Iowa  land,  purchasing  three 
hundred  acres  in  Hancoqk  county,  a  half  mile  south  of  Forest  City,  and  in  the 
spring  of  1888  the  two  brothers  made  their  way  to  their  newly  acquired  possession. 
Clark  B.  Core  remained  for  a  month  and  then  returned  to  the  old  home  in 
Illinois  and  operated  the  farm  through  the  summer  of  1888.  In  the  spring  of 
1889,  however,  he  took  up  his  abode  in  Hancock  county,  Iowa,  but  as  he  was  not 
married  at  that  time,  he  spent  the  three  succeeding  winter  seasons  at  the  old 
homestead  in  Illinois. 

It  was  on  the  18th  of  February,  1892,  that  Mr.  Core  wedded  Miss  Dorothy 
Bobison,  then  a  resident  of  La  Salle  county,  Illinois,  but  a  native  of  England. 
They  began  their  domestic  life  upon  the  Iowa  farm  and  have  since  been  residents 
of  this  state.  His  brother  Skiles  has  never  married  and  has  always  made  his 
home  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  C.  B.  Core.  They  called  their  place  the  Fairview  Stock 
Farm  and  while  residing  thereon  made  a  specialty  of  handling  live  stock.  They 
bred  thoroughbred  Percheron  horses  and  in  that  business  were  very  successful, 
raising  some  of  the  finest  stock  to  be  found  in  the  state.  To  their  three  hundred 
acres  of  land  was  added  an  adjoining  tract  of  one  hundred  and  ninety  acres, 
making  theirs  a  farm  of  four  hundred  and  ninety  acres,  and  later  they  pur- 
chased still  another  tract  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres.  In  1912  Mr.  Core  and 
his  brother  retired  from  active  farming  and  removed  to  Forest  City,  where  they 
have  since  lived.  They  had  long  been  recognized  as  prominent  representatives  of 
agricultural  and  stock  raising  interests,  and  the  careful  management  which  they 
displayed  in  the  conduct  of  their  business  affairs  brought  to  them  deserved  and 
well  merited  success. 

In  his  political  views  C.  B.  Core  has  always  been  a  stalwart  republican  and 
for  eight  years  he  served  as  a  school  director.  In  the  spring  of  1916  he  was 
elected  a  member  of  the  city  council  of  Forest  City  and  is  proving  an  able  repre- 
sentative of  the  aldermanic  board,  exercising  his  ofBcial  prerogatives  in  support 
of  various  plans  and  measures  for  the  general  good. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Core  have  been  born  two  children :  Glen  M.,  who  is  farming 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  Hancock  county;  and  Mary  J.,  who  is  a 
sophomore  in  the  high  school.  The  twenty-fifth  wedding  anniversary  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Core  was  made  the  occasion  of  a  delightful  reception  and  banquet.  One 
evening  a  messenger  arrived  at  their  home  bearing  a  note  which  read: 

"Tomorrow  at.  eleven, 
A  teamster,  true  and  tried, 
Will  drive  up  with  his  bob-sled, 
To  take  you  for  a  ride. 
No  questions  ask — the  driver's  steady, 
So  wrap  up  warm  and  be  all  ready." 

This  of  course  indicated  to  them  that  something  was  going  to  happen  but 
they  knew  not  what.  At  the  appointed  hour  they  were  taken  to  the  home  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  0.  K.  Maben,  where  complete  arrangements  for  the  celebration  had  been 
made,  even  to  preparing  the  veil  and  the  bouquet  for  the  bride.  The  occasion 
was  made  a  most  enjoyable  one  by  its  informality  and  good  cheer.    Pictures  were 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  131 

placed  about  the  room  representing  the  bridal  couple  in  all  phases  of  life  and  the 
guests  were  asked  to  write  poems  concerning  them.  The  following  gives  an  account 
of  their  life  work  and  is  a  fitting  memento  of  a  celebration  that  will  never  be 
forgotten  by  any  in  attendance: 

"As  unto  the  bow  the  cord  is, 
So  unto  the  man  is  woman, 
Tho  she  bends  him,  she  obeys  him, 
Tho  she  draws  him,  yet  she  follows. 
Useless  each  without  the  other/^ 

Lines  from  "Hiawatha's  Wooing,*' 
Form  the  basis  of  this  legend. 
Form  the  meter  of  this  story; 
Founded  'tis  on  facts,  not  fiction. 

Far  back  in  the  latter  eighties 
From  the  country  to  the  eastward. 
Far  beyond  the  Mississippi 
Came  a  youth,  who,  with  his  brother. 
Bought  a  farm  of  many  acres — 
Later  named  it  Fairview  Stock  Farm, 
In  the  fertile  Lime  Creek  Valley 
With  its  stream  of  sparkling  water. 
Bordered  by  a  mighty  forest. 
Boiling  prairies  west  and  southward 
Near  the  town  of  Forest  City. 

Not  much  wealth  this  youth  brought  with  him 
Measured  in  the  terms  of  money, 
But  a  wealth  of  brawn  and  muscle. 
Common  sense,  grit  and  ambition. 

On  this  farm  to  meet  the  payments 
Toiled  he  with  strong  hands  and  steady. 
Boarded  with  the  wife  and  husband, 
Who  had  come  to  share  his  dwelling. 

Sometimes  when  the  snows  of  winter 
Lay  upon  the  peaceful  valley, 
\  On  the  fertile  Lime  Creek  Valley; 

When  the  crops  had  all  been  gathered. 
Housed  from  cold  the  swine  and  cattle. 
Horses  resting  from  their  labors, 
East  he  journeyed  to  his  people, 
Father,  mother,  sister,  brothers. 
Stayed  with  them  throughout  the  winter. 
Making  glad  his  aged  parents. 

In  the  country  of  his  boyhood 
At  the  home  of  John,  his  brother. 
Dwelt  a  jolly  English  maiden 
Young  and  fair,  with  figure  graceful. 

As  he  fondly  gazed  upon  her 
To  himself  he  thought  and  pondered 
She  is  not  an  idle  maiden. 
She  is  not  a  useless  woman, 
Hands  are  skillful,  fingers  nimble. 
Heart  and  hands  they  work  together. 
She,  to  me,  is  queen  of  women. 

And  before  the  winter  ended. 
Ere  he  for  his  home  departed. 


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132  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

She  bad  listened  to  his  pleading 
Promised  ever  to  be  faithful. 
Until  he  coilld  come  to  claim  her. 
Come  back  during  the  next  winter. 
Take  her  to  his  home  and  fireside 
Near  the  town  of  Forest  City. 

Then,  there  came  the  time  of  planting. 

Long,  but  happy  days  of  sprinfl^ime. 
Even  the  wild  bird's  song  seemea  sweeter. 
As  he  listened  to  its  singing. 
Listened  to  its  warbling  love  songs. 
In  his  soul  a  transformation 
Proved  that  life  was  well  worth  living 
Proved  the  truth  of  the  old  adage 

"Absence  makes  the  heart  grow  fonder.'* 
Thru  the  long,  hot  days  of  summer 
Still  he  toiled,  tho  often  weary, 
'  For  he  found  by  keeping  busy 
Shorter  seemed  the  time  of  waiting. 

Autumn  passed ;  the  yellow  cornfields 
Yielded  him  a  golden  harvest, 
Which  in  time  was  stored  for  feeding, 
Everything  for  winter  ready. 
For  he  was  a  thrifty  farmer. 

Quickly  now,  he  started  eastward. 
Crossed  again  the  Mississippi 
Reached  the  old  home  of  his  boyhood, 
Found  the  maiden  for  him  waiting, 
Found  that  she  had  grown  more  lovely 
With  the  days  of  anxious  .waiting. 

So  on  February  eighteenth, 
Five  and  twenty  years  today  'tis. 
They  were  joined  in  holy  wedlock. 
Pledged  their  lives  for  worse  or  better, 
Took  the  vows  to  love  and  honor, 
Always  to  obey  each  other. 

In  a  fortnight  they  departed, 
Braved  the  later  days  of  winter, 
To  their  home  arrived  in  safety, 
To  their  home  near  Forest  City. 

Humble  tho  it  was,  she  changed  it 
To  a  place  of  joy  and  comfort; 
Welcome  gave  to  guest  or  stranger, 
Hospitality  unbounded. 
Well-cooked  food  and  plenty  of  it, 
Always  filled  the  spacious  table. 

Tho  she  missed  friends  of  her  girlhood. 
Oft  was  lonely,  she  complained  not. 
Always  cheerful,  always  busy. 
She  ere  long  made  lasting  friendships. 

Much  she  found  to  keep  her  busy, 
Washing,  mending,  scrubbing,  baking, 
Many  hungry  mouths  to  cook  for, 
Often  with  no  girl  to  help  her ; 
Burdens  bearing  without  number, 
Burdens  that  at  times  seemed  heavy. 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  133 

And  along  with  all  the  others, 

Took  to  board  the  district  schoolma'am. 

Then  for  rest  and  recreation 

Calmly  did  the  family  sewing. 

Many  a  sick-room  has  been  brightened 
By  her  gifts  of  flowers  or  dainties. 
Flowers,  she  saves  not  for  the  casket. 
But  gives  them  also  to  the  living. 

In  all  public  enterprises 
They  always  took  an  active  interest. 
Always  have  been  generous  givers, 
But  for  themselves  few  luxuries  getting 
Until  they  could  well  aflford  it. 

As  the  years  kept  coming,  'g6ing, 
Soon  the  farm  had  all  been  naid  for ; 
Other  acres  have  been  added, 
Other  buildings  been  erected. 
Prosperity  has  blessed  their  efforts. 

For  twenty  years  they  toiled  together. 
Twenty  years  on  Fairview  Stock  Farm, 
Then  they  rented  it  and  left  it. 
Bought  a  home  in  Forest  City, 
Where  they  live  in  peace  and  quiet. 
Enjoying  fruits  of  honest  labor. 

Two  happy-hearted  children 
Came  to  bless  this  worthy  couple, 
Early  learned  from  both  their  parents 
Honest  work  is  not  degrading, 
Work  well  done  is  not  disgraceful. 

Glen  is  now  a  prosperous  farmer, 
On  the  prairie  to  the  southward. 
Where  another  home  he  founded 
With  a  neat  and  tidy  helpmate. 

Mary,  now  a  high*  school  maiden. 
Is  the  skillful  chauffeur 
Guides  the  Paige  with  steady  muscles. 
Drives  it  smoothly  without  friction, 
Saves  her  mother  countless  footsteps. 
The  result  of  careful  training. 
Cheers  her  many  wintry  evenings 
As  they  work  with  hook  or  shuttle. 
While  the  father,  now  a  member. 
Honored  member  of  the  Council, 
Needs  must  leave  his  pleasant  fireside. 
Go  whenever  duty  calls  him 
To  attend  the  Council  meetings, 
Where  he  speaks  with  words  of  wisdom. 
Aims  to  keep  the  wheels  of  progress 
Turning  in  the  right  direction. 

Ix)ng-tirae  friends  today  have  gathered 
With  sincere  congratulations, 
S'prised  them  with  a  silver  wedding, 
At  the  homestead  of  a  neighbor. 
At  a  large  and  roomy  farm  home, 
Farther  on,  in  Lime  Creek  valley; 
Wishing  them  a  pleasant  voyage 
As  they  journey  down  life's  pathway, 


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134  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

Down  the  hill  of  life  together, 
Hoping  ere  the  journey^e  ended. 
Ere  their  life  work  is  completed. 
By  loyal  friends  again  surrounded 
Will  celebrate  their  golden  wedding. 


MES.  KNUT  E.  QEUNHUVD. 

Mrs.  Knut  E.  Grunhuvd  is  living  on  section  23,  Norway  township,  Winnebago 
counly,  and  is  one  of  the  well  known  pioneer  women  of  this  section  of  the  state. 
She  has  witnessed  almost  the  entire  growth  and  progress  of  the  locality  and  can 
relate  many  interesting  incidents  of  the  early  days  when  the  homes  were  widely 
scattered  and  the  work  of  improvement  seemed  scarcely  begun.  She  was  bom  in 
Norway,  July  15,  1852,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Narve  Ingebritson  and  Carrie 
(Halgrimson)  Grunhuvd.  Her  father  was  a  farmer  in  Norway  and  in  1855  he 
brought  his  family  to  the  United  States,  making  his  way  first  to  Bock  county, 
Wisconsin,  where  he  remained  for  a  year.  In  1856  he  came  to  Winnebago  County, 
settling  in  Norway  township,  where  he  homesteaded  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
of  land  on  section  23.  It  was  entirely  wild  and  undeveloped,  not  a  furrow  having 
been  turned  nor  an  improvement  made  upon  the  place.  It  was  covered  with 
timber  which  he  had  to  clear  away  before  he  could  prepare  his  land  for  the  plow. 
He  added  much  to  its  productiveness  by  practical  drainage  systems,  whereby  the 
sloughs  were  drained  and  the  land  rendered  productive.  Upon  the  place  he  put 
up  log  buildings  and  in  the  early  days  the  family  shared  in  all  of  the  hardships, 
trials  and  privations  of  pioneer  life;  but  as  time  went  on  the  labors  of  the  father 
wrought  a  marked  transformation  in  his  land  and  its  increasing  productiveness 
brought  to  him  substantial  harvests.  He  passed  away,  however,  April  9,  1863,  and 
his  was  the  first  interment  made  in  the  cemetery  at  Emmons,  Minnesota.  His 
wife  survived  him  for  a  little  more  than  a  year,  dying  on  the  22d  of  August,  1864, 
when  she  was  laid  by  his  side.  He  had  ranked  with  the  leading  farmers  of  the 
county  and  with  the  prominent  citizens  of  the  community.  In  politics  he  was  a 
republican  and  in  religious  faith  a  Lutheran,  becoming  one  of  the  organizers  of 
the  United  Lutheran  church.  He  thus  left  the  impress  of  his  individuality  upon 
the  moral  as  well  as  the  material  development  of  his  district. 

Mrs.  Qrunhuvd  pursued  her  education  in  one  of  the  pioneer  schools  of  Winne- 
bago coimty.  In  fact,  she  was  one  of  the  first  pupils  in  the  first  school  of  Norway 
township,  with  Ellen  Hinman  as  the  teacher.  She  spent  her  girlhood  days  upon 
her  father's  farm  and  was  trained  to  the  work  of  the  household,  so  that  she  was 
well  qualified  to  manage  a  home  of  her  own  at  the  time  of  her  marriage.  After 
the  death  of  her  parents  she  went  to  live  with  relatives  in  Clayton  county,  Iowa, 
and  there  she  was  married  on  the  11th  of  November,  1875,  to  Eoiut  Ei  Ejiutson, 
whose  parents  had  homesteaded  in  Clayton  counly,  where  they  farmed  until  called 
to  their  final  rest.  It  was  after  his  marriage  that  Mr.  Knutson  changed  his  name 
to  Grunhuvd.  The  young  couple  began  their  domestic  life  in  Clayton  county, 
where  they  lived  for  two  years,  and  in  1877  they  removed  to  the  old  Grunhuvd 
homestead,  which  he  cultivated  for  the  estate  for  five  years.  In  1882  he  purchased 
the  land  and  continued  its  further  development  and  improvement  until  his  death. 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COtFNTIES  137 

which  occnned  more  than  thirty-one  years  later.  He  put  fine  improyements  npon 
the  farm,  making  it  one  of  the  valuable  properties  of  Norway  township..  In 
addition  to  substantial  buildings  he  secured  the  latest  improved  farm  machinery 
in  order  to  facilitate  the  work  of  the  fields,  and  his  labors  brought  golden  harvests. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Grunhuvd  was  a  republican  and  from  time  to  time 
was  called  to  serve  in  township  oflSces.  He  was  a  devout  member  of  the  United 
Lutheran  church  and  in  that  faith  passed  away  on  the  9th  of  August,  1913, 
at  the  age  of  seventy  years. 

In  the  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Qrunhuvd  were  eight  children  but  three  have 
passed  away,  namely:  Clara,  who  died  in  infancy;  Henry,  who  passed  away  at 
the  age  of  eight  years  and  nine  months;  and  Gerhard,  who  also  died  in  infancy. 
Like  the  father,  they  are  buried  in  the  family  lot  in  Lime  Greek  cemetery.  The 
five  children  who  survive  are:  Edward,  who  is  employed  in  Mason  Cily,  but 
maintains  his  residence  on  the  home  farm;  Carl  and  Norris,  who  operate  the  home 
farm;  Clara,  who  is  the  wife  of  Edward  Dakken,  of  Eau  Claire  coimty,  Wisconsin; 
and  Alma,  at  home.  Several  of  the  children  are  still  living  with  the  mother  on 
the  old  homestead,  which  has  now  been  occupied  by  the  family  for  four  decades. 
Mrs.  Grunhuvd  is  widely  known  in  this  part  of  Winnebago  county,  her  place  being 
one  of  the  landmarks  of  the  district,  and  she  has  lived  to  witness  many  interesting 
changes  which  have  occurred,  bringing  the  county  up  to  its  present  standard  of 
development  and  prosperity. 


J.  CLAEENCE  ODDEN. 

r  ■ 

The  Quality  Store  at  Lake  Mills  is  well  known  throughput  Winnebago  county 
as  an  up-to-date  and  thoroughly  reliable  establishment  and  its  owner,  J.  Clarence 
Odden,  has  won  a  place  for  himself  among  the  leading  merchants  of  the  city. 
He  was  bom  on  the  14th  of  November,  1886,  in  Lake  Mills,  of  the  marriage  of 
Charles  and  Martha  (Olson)  Odden,  who  located  in  Winnebago  county  on  their 
removal  to  the  United  States  from  Norway.  The  father  engaged  in  farming  and 
was  also  a  stone  mason  contractor  and  through  his  well  directed  activity  gained 
a  competence.  He  died  in  1892  and  is  buried  in  the  Winnebago  Church  cemetery 
in  Center  township.  The  mother  survives  and  lives  upon  a  farm  three  miles  south 
of  Lake  Mills. 

J.  Clarence  Odden,  who  is  the  oldest  in  a  family  of  three  children,  attended 
the  district  schools  until  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age  and  later  was  for  two  years 
a  student  in  the  University  of  Southern  Minnesota,  of  Austin,  Minnesota.  For 
one  year  he  worked  as  a  bookkeeper  in  Omaha  and  for  five  years  was  connected 
with  a  clothing  firm  in  Mason  City,  Iowa.  In  1914  he  bought  out  the  general  store 
conducted  by  M.  0.  Bakken  in  Lake  Mills  and  he  has  since  given  his  xmdivided 
time  and  attention  to  that  business.  He  carries  a  complete  line  of  furnishings  and 
shoes  and  his  grocery  department  is  well  stocked  with  staple  and  fancy  goods.  He 
has  adopted  as  the  name  of  his  establishment  The  Quality  Store  and  has  made 
it  his  constant  endeavor  to  give  the  greatest  ^alue  possible  for  the  price  asked  for 
his  merchandise.  He  manages  his  affairs  in  a  thoroughly  businesslike  and  sys- 
tematic manner  and  has  a  high  standing  in  the  commercial  circles  of  the  city. 


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138  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

In  May,  1909,  Mr.  Odden  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Anna  Erickson^  a 
daughter  of  E.  N.  and  Christina  (Arneson)  Erickson,  who  reside  in  Joice,  Worth 
county,  Iowa.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Odden  have  been  bom  two  children,  Clarene 
Adelle  and  Kermit  Wayne. 

Mr.  Odden  supports  th^  republican  party  at  the  polls  and  is  now  serving 
in  the  oflBce  of  councilman,  in  which  connection  he  supports  earnestly  all  pro- 
posed measures  that  promise  to  advance  the  interests  of  the  community.  His 
public  spirit  is  further  evidenced  in  his  membership  in  the  Commercial  Club,  of 
which  he  is  vice  president.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  Lodge  No.  868,  Loyal  Order 
of  Moose,  and  Aurora  Lodge,  No.  4118,  I.  0.  0.  F.,  and  his  religious  faith  is  that 
of  the  United  Lutheran  church.  Through  enterprise  and  good  management  •  he 
has  already  gained  a  gratifying  measure  of  prosperity  and  his  continued  success 
seems  assured. 


LABS  B.  STENE. 


Lars  B.  Stene  is  numbered  among  the  self-made  men  of  Norway  township, 
Winnebago  county.  He  had  no  assistance  at  the  outset  of  his  career  but  has 
worked  persistently  and  energetically,  and  step  by  step  has  advanced  toward 
the  goal  of  prosperity.  He  was  born  in  Norway,  December  18,  1867,  and  is  a  son 
of  Bottolf  and  Ingeborg  Stene,  who  were  farming  people  of  that  land,  where  they 
spent  their  entire  lives.  They  had  seven  children,  of  whom  Ijars  B.  was  the 
youngest,  and  five  of  the  number  are  still  living. 

Lars  B.  Stene  remained  a  resident  of  Norway  through  the  period  of  his 
boyhood  and  youth  and  came  alone  to  the  United  States  when  twenty-seven 
years  of  age.  He  had  been  a  horse  buyer  in  his  native  country  and  on  reaching 
the  new  world  he  sought  employment  as  a  farm  hand.  His  brother,  E.  B.  Stene, 
had  come  to  America  some  years  before  and  was  living  in  Norway  township, 
Winnebago  county.  It  was  this  that  caused  Lars  B.  Stene  to  become  a  resident 
of  Iowa.  For  a  few  years  he  made  his  home  with  his  brother  and  then  pur- 
chased a  farm  in  Clay  county,  Minnesota,  which  he  cultivated  for  two  years.  He 
afterward  returned  to  Norway  township  and  purchased  the  east  half  of  the 
southeast  quarter  of  section  13,  and  the  south  half  of  the  northeast  quarter  of 
section  24,  thus  becoming  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  highly 
productive  land^  which  he  has  since  cultivated.  His  farm  work  is  carefully  con- 
ducted and  the  neat  and  thrifty  appearance  of  his  place  indicates  his  careful 
supervision  and  his  practical  and  progressive  methods.  He  is  also  a  stockholder 
in  the  creamery  at  Emmons. 

In  1899  Mr.  Stene  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Emma  Oliana  Erickson,  a 
daughter  of  Nels  and  Ingeborg  (Olson)  Erickson,  of  Norway  township.  They 
have  become  the  parents  of  nine  children,  Nels  Bernard,  Ingeborg  Idora,  Millie 
Helena,  Anna  Matilda,  Evelyn  Luella,  Mabel  Jeanette,  Ellen  Olava,  Mdvin 
Erling  and  Lawrence  Ernest,  all  of  whom  are  yet  at  home.  Mr.  Stene  and  his 
wife  are  members  of  the  Synod  Lutheran  church.  His  opinions  concerning 
political  questions  and  policy  are  indicated  in  the  stalwart  support  which  he 
gives  to  the  republican  party.    He  has  served  as  road  boss  and  has  also  filled  the 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  139 

office  of  school  director.  He  has  kieyer  had  occasion  to  regret  his  determination 
to  come  to  the  new  world,  for  here  he  has  found  the  opportunities  which  he  sought 
and  in  their  employment  has  steadily  adTanced,  working  his  way  upward  through 
persistent  effort  and  determination. 


J.   W.   KNADLER. 


J.  W.  Knadler,  now  serving  as  deputy  clerk  of  the  district  court,  has  been  a 
resident  of  Gamer  since  1884.  He  is  a  native  of  Hancock  county,  bom  Septem- 
ber 20,  1859,  and  is  a  representative  of  an  old  and  honored  pioneer  family  of 
this  section  of  the  state,  being  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Margaret  (Bolsinger)  Enad- 
ler,  natives  of  Germany.  On  crossing  the  Atlantic  to  the  United  States  in  1855 
they  located  in  New  York,  where  they  spent  three  years,  and  then  came  to  Han- 
cock county,  Iowa,  where  the  father  passed  away  six  months  later.  In  1864  tlie 
mother  married  Jacob  Ward,  a  farmer  of  this  county,  and  they  continued  to 
reside  here  until  their  deaths. 

In  the  county  of  his  nativity  J.  W.  Enadler  grew  to  manhood,  in  the  mean- 
time attending  the  public  schools  in  the  acquirement  of  an  education.  In  1874 
he  began  learning  the  printer's  trade  in  the  office  of  the  Cerro  Gordo  Republican 
at  Mason  City  and  remained  with  that  paper  for  two  years.  During  the  follow- 
ing eight  years  he  was' with  the  Mason  City  Express  and  in  1884  came  to  Garner 
and  entered  the  employ  of  the  Hancock  Signal,  which  paper  was  established  in 
1870  by  George  R.  Lanning.  In  1886  Mr.  Enadler  purchased  an  interest  in  that 
journal,  becoming  a  partner  of  H.  H.  Bush,  and  he  continued  to  conduct  the 
paper  for  eighteen  years,  selling  out  in  1904.  He  continued  to  work  at  the 
printer's  trade  until  1910,  when  elected  clerk  of  the  district  court  and  entered 
upon  the  duties  of  that  office.  So  acceptably  did  he  fill  the  position  that  he  was 
re-elected  in  1912  and  since  his  retirement  from  that  office  has  served  as  deputy. 

Mr.  Enadler  married  Miss  Lillian  Minton,  of  Racine  county,  Wisconsin, 
who  died  in  1905.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church  and  is  also  identi- 
fied with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  In  politics  he  is  a  repub- 
lican and  for  several  terms  he  served  as  city  clerk  of  Garner.  He  is  today  one 
of  the  representative  citizens  of  his  native  county  and  a  man  highly  honored  and 
esteemed  wherever  known. 


HERMAN  W.  BRIDGES. 

Herman  W.  Bridges  owns  and  occupies  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres,  on  section  22,  German  township,  having  become  a  resident  of  Hancock 
county  in  1913.  He  has,  however,  been  a  life-long  resident  of  Iowa,  his  birth 
having  occurred  in  Mahaska  county,  December  17,  1874.  His  parents,  John  W. 
and  Emma  J.  (Linsley)  Bridges,  were  also  natives  of  this  state,  having  been 
bom  in  Mahaska  county.  The  father  is  still  living  at  the  age  of  seventy-two 
years,  but  the  mother  has  been  called  to  the  home  beyond. 


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140  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

No  eyent  of  special  importance  occurred  to  Tary  the  routine  of  farm  life  for 
Herman  W..  Bridges  in  the  period  of  his  boyhood  and  youth,  which  was  devoted 
to  the  acquirement  of  an  education  in  the  district  schools  of  Mahaska  county  and 
to  work  upon  the  home  farm.  He  continued  to  assist  his  father  in  the  plowing, 
planting  and  harvesting  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty-five  years,  when  he 
started  out  independently,  renting  a  farm  near  Dows,  in  Wright  county,  Iowa, 
where  he  lived  for  eleven  years.  During  that  period  he  carefully  saved  his  earn- 
ings so  that  he  might  eventually  become  the  owner  of  land  and  in  1913  he  pur- 
chased a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  22,  German  township, 
Hancock  county.  He  has  since  devoted  this  place  to  general  farming  and  the 
result  of  his  labors  is  seen  in  the  attractive  appearance  of  the  farm,  which  is 
most  carefully  cultivated.  He  has  placed  upon  it  improvements  to  the  value  of 
thirteen  hundred  and  eighty-five  dollars  since  locating  thereon  four  years  ago. 
He  makes  a  specialty  of  the  raising  of  horses  and  keeps  high  grade  stock. 

On  the  11th  of  September,  1901,  Mr.  Bridges  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth 
Fanselow,  a  daughter  of  Fred  and  Alvina  (Betow)  Fanselow,  who  reside  at 
Dows.  They  are  natives  of  Germany  but  in  early  life  came  to  the  new  world  and 
for  many  years  have  been  residents  of  Wright  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bridges 
have  become  parents  of  seven  children,  namely:  Maude  Z.,  Orville  F.,  Faye, 
Glenn,  Irene,  Gladys  and  Cecil  K.,  all  of  whom  are  yet  at  home  and  the  family 
circle  remains  unbroken  by  the  hand  of  death. 

Mr.  Bridges  is  a  republican  in  his  political  views  and  keeps  well  informed 
on  the  questions  and  issues  of  the  day.  His  religious  faith  is  that  of  the  German 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  to  which  he  and  his  wife  give  loyal  adherence  and 
generous  support.  He  is  justly  accounted  one  of  the  enterprising  farmers  of  Ihe 
community.  He  studies  the  question  of  crop  production  according  to  modem 
scientific  methods  and  his  work  is  carefully  and  systematically  managed,  bringing 
good  results. 


OTTO  A.  HANSEN,  M.  D. 

Liberal  educational  training  well  qualified  Dr.  Otto  A.  Hansen  for  the  onerous 
and  responsible  duties  which  devolve  upon  him  as  a  general  medical  practitioner 
of  Forest  City,  where  he  has  resided  since  1896.  He  was  bom  in  Blue  Earth, 
Minnesota,  March  24,  1866,  a  son  of  Andrew  and  Martha  (Kjos)  Hansen,  who 
were  natives  of  Norway  and  came  to  the  United  States  about  1854,  settling  first 
in  Chicago,  where  they  resided  for  but  a  short  time,  for  the  cholera  was  epidemic 
there  and  the  grandmother  fell  a  victim  to  the  disease.  The  family  afterward 
removed  to  Houston  county,  Minnesota,  and  the  father,  who  was  a  carpenter  by 
trade,  later  took  up  the  occupation  of  farming  in  Faribault  county,  Minnesota, 
in  the  Blue  Earth  settlement,  there  residing  up  to  the  time  of  his  demise. 

Dr.  Hansen  acquired  a  public  school  education  in  Minnesota  and  afterward 
attended  the  State  Normal  School  at  Mankato.  Determining  upon  the  practice 
of  medicine  as  a  life  work,  he  matriculated  in  the  Iowa  State  University  as  a 
medical  student  and  was  graduated  therefrom  in  1896,  at  which  time  his  pro- 
fessional degree  was  conferred  upon  him.     For  three  years  before  his  graduation 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  141 

he  practiced  in  Sioux  City  under  the  preceptorship  of  Dr.  J.  Hermann  and  on  the 
12th  of  March,  1896,  he  located  in  Forest  City,  where  he  has  since  remained.  In 
the  interval  of  twenty-one  years  he  has  built  up  an  extensive  practice  and  has  con- 
stantly promoted  his  knowledge  and  eflSciency  through  wide  reading,  study  and 
investigation,  as  well  as  through  practical  experience. 

In  1894  Dr.  Hansen  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Augusta  Donaldson,  who 
passed  away  in  1902,  and  in  1909  he  was  again  married,  his  second  union  being 
with  Miss  Bertha  Moe,  of  Thompson,  Iowa.  By  his  first  marriage  he  had  a 
daughter,  Adela,  and  the  children  of  the  second  marriage  are  Olive,  Conkling 
and  Franklin. 

Dr.  Haixsen  holds  membership  in  the  United  Lutheran  church  and  m  politics 
be  maintains  an  independent  course.  He  served  for  seven  years,  from  1903  until 
1910,  as  coroner  of  Winnebago  county,  was  health  officer  for  many  years,  and 
has  also  been  a  member  of  the  city  council,  discharging  his  duties  with  promptness 
and  fidelity.  For  several  years  he  was  president  of  the  Waldorf  College  Associa- 
tion. Along  the  line  of  his  profession  he  has  connection  with  the  Hahnemann 
State  Medical  Society  and  the  American  Institute  of  Homeopathy.  He  is  very 
conscientious  as  well  as  capable  in  the  performance  of  his  professional  duties  and 
holds  high  rank  as  a  man  and  citizen  in  Winnebago  county. 


W.  KING  WELLMAN. 


W.  King  Wellman,  of  Lake  Mills,  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  for  many 
years  and  gained  a  competence  that  now  enables  him  to  enjoy  his  ease.  He  has 
not  been  satisfied,  however,  to  be  without  responsibility  and  has  accordingly 
'  taken  an  active  part  in  public  affairs  and  is  now  the  efficient  assistant  chief  of  the 
city  fire  department.  He  was  bom  in  Decatur  county,  Iowa,  December  21,  1856, 
and  is  a  son  of  B.  F.  and  Eliza  Jane  (Tennis)  Wellman,  the  former  a  native  of 
Erie  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  the  latter  of  Fort  Wajme,  Indiana.  In  1860  they 
removed  with  their  family  to  Forest  City,  Iowa,  where  they  remained  until  the 
spring  of  1861,  when  they  removed  to  whafis  now  Lake  Mills,  where  the  father 
bought  forty  acres  of  land,  including  the  present  site  of  the  high  school.  He 
farmed  that  tract  for  four  years  and  when  he  sold  it  received  ten  dollars  an  acre 
in  gold,  the  highest  price  paid  for  land  up  to  that  time.  In  1865  they  returned 
to  Forest  City  and  after  remaining  there  a  year  went  back  to  Decatur  county, 
where  they  resided  for  three  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  they  went  again  to 
Forest  City  and  in  1875  the  father  bought  land  in  Madison  township,  Hancock 
county,  but  later  in  the  same  year  removed  to  Lake  Edwards,  where  he  passed 
away  in  1876.  He  is  buried  in  North  cemetery  at  Forest  City.  The  mother  sur- 
vives and  is  living  in  Forest  City  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-five  years.  She 
is  still  in  good  health  and  is  highly  esteemed. 

W.  King  Wellman,  the  oldest  of  a  family  of  eight  children,  accompanied  his 
parents  on  their  various  removals  and  received  a  common  school  education.  He 
early  began  learning  how  to  do  the  various  kinds  of  work  included  in  farming 
and  assisted  his  father  until  the  latter's  demise.  For  seven  years  thereafter  he 
remained  with  his  mother  and  operated  the  homestead,  but  in  1883,  in  which  year 


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142  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

he  was  married,  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  Norway 
township,  Winnebago  county,  and  for  six  years  farmed  that  place.  The  following 
decade  was  spent  in  Lake  Mills,  but  at  the  end  of  that  time  he  bought  another 
farm  in  Norway  township  which  he  cultivated  for  seven  years.  Since  19Q9,  how- 
ever, he  has  lived  retired  in  Lake  Mills  and  rented  his  farm.  As  a  farmer  he 
was  at  once  practical  and  progressive  and  seldom  failed  to  harvest  good  crops. 
On  September  29,  1883,  Mr.  Wellman  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Lydia 
A.  Balch,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  A.  and  Deborah  (Jenkins)  Balch,  natives,  of 
Vermont.  Her  father  fought  in  the  Civil  war  with  the  Union  troops  and  after 
the  close  of  hostilities  took  up  a  homestead  in  Freeborn  county,  Minnesota,  where 
he  engaged  in  farming  for  many  years.  For  some  time  before  his  death,  how- 
ever, he  lived  retired  in  Lake  Mills,  passing  away  on  the  17th  of  October,  1907. 
He  is  buried  in  North  cemetery  at  Lake  Mills.  The  mother  survives  and  resides 
in  this  city. 

•  Mr.  Wellman  votes  the  democratic  ticket  and  for  two  years  held  the  office  of 
town  marshal.  He  served  as  chief  of  the  Lake  Mills  fire  department  for  five 
years,  from  1898  until  1903  and  when  he  removed  from  his  farm  to  the  city  in 
1909  he  was  again  elected  chief,  which  office  he  held  for  five  years  more.  He  then 
resigned  and  became  assistant  chief,  which  office  he  now  holds.  He  has  done 
much  to  bring  the  department  up  to  a  high  standard  of  efficiency.  He  is  quite 
prominent  in  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  as  he  belongs  to  the  subordi- 
nate lodge,  the  encampment  and  the  Rebekahs,  has  passed  all  the  chairs  in  the 
lodge,  is  a  reprseentative  to  the  grand  lodge,  is  district  deputy  and  has  the  dis- 
tinction of  being  the  oldest  member  of  the  order  in  Lake  Mills.  He  is  also 
identified  with  the  Masonic  blue  lodge  and  the  Eastern  Star.  The  principle  of 
brotherhood  which  is  at  the  basis  of  those  organizations  has  found  expression 
in  his  daily  life  and  his  sterling  worth  has  gained  him  a  host  of  friends. 


WILLIAM  FRANK  WOODCOCK. 

William  Frank  Woodcock,  who  is  the  proprietor  of  a  well  patronized  general 
store  in  Buffalo  Center,  was  bom  in  Kossuth  county,  four  miles  west  of  Algona, 
August  15,  1872,  and  is  a  son  of  William  and  Barbara  (McKay)  Woodcock, 
natives  respectively  of  New  Brunswick  and  Maine.  They  were  among  the  first 
settlers  of  Kossuth  county  and  the  father  took  up  under  the  homestead  law  the 
east  half  of  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  12,  range  95,  township  30.  He 
farmed  until  1894,  when  he  retired  to  Buffalo  Center,  where  he  passed  away.  He 
was  buried  in  the  first  cemetery  laid  out  in  the  town.  Of  the  family  five  children 
survive  and  our  subject  is  the  fourth  in  order  of  birth. 

William  F.  Woodcock  completed  his  education  at  the  age  of  sixteen  and  from 
that  time  until  he  was  twenty  years  old  assisted  his  father  in  the  operation  of 
the  home  farm,  but  in  1892  came  to  Buffalo  Center  with  his  brother,  John  W. 
Woodcock,  in  partnership  with  whom  he  engaged  in  the  hay  business  for  six  years. 
Later  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  real  estate  field  and  was  active  as  a  dealer 
in  realty  until  1908,  when  he  bought  out  Charles  Jjeibsohn,  a  general  merchant 
of  Buffalo  Center.     He  has  proved  very  srccepsful   in  the  management   of  his 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  143 

store  and  his  stock  of  dry  goods^  shoes^  clothing  and  groceries  is  complete  and 
well  adapted  to  the  needs  of  his  patrons.  His  well  earned  reputation  for  reason- 
able prices  has  been  an  important  factor  in  building  up  the  large  trade  which 
he  enjoys  and  his  store  is  recognized  as  the  largest  and  most  important  one  in 
the  town. 

Mr.  Woodcock  was  married  in  1895  to  Miss  Catherine  Breen,  a  daughter  of 
Cornelius  and  Catherine  Breen,  who  homesteaded  land  near  Titonka,  Iowa,  in 
the  early  days  of  that  section  and  later  removed  to  Wesley,  Iowa,  where  they 
lived  retired.  Both  are  deceased  and  are  buried  at  Algona.  Mr.  and  Mrs..  Wood- 
cock have  two  children,  Leo  and  Arnold,  both  at  home. 

Mr.  Woodcock  supports  the  republican  party  at  the  polls  but  has  never  been 
an  aspirant  for  office.  He  has  filled  all  the  chairs  in  the  local  lodge  of  the 
Knights  of  Pythias,  in  which  he  is  now  trustee,  and  has  also  been  a  member  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Iowa,  and  in  the  Modem  Woodmen  of  America  he  has  held 
all  the  chairs  and  is  now  serving  as  banker.  He  began  his  independent  career 
without  capital,  but  as  the  years  have  passed  his  resources  have  steadily  increased 
until  he  is  now  in  excellent  circumstances  and  he  takes  justifiable  pride  in  the  fact 
that  all  he  has  is  the  direct  result  of  his  own  industry  and  the  wise  direction  of 
his  business  interests. 


0.  1.  OLSON. 


The  Scandinavian  countries  have  contributed  a  valuable  element  to  the  citizen- 
ship of  Winnebago  county.  Among  the  men  of  foreign  birth  living  in  Forest  City 
is  0.  I.  Olson,  a  native  of  Sweden,  who  for  many  years  was  prominently  con- 
nected with  general  agricultural  pursuits  but  is  now  living  retired.  He  was  bom 
July  13,  1842,  a  son  of  Ole  and  Beulah  Olson,  who  were  also  natives  of  Sweden, 
where  they  spent  their  entire  lives,  both  having  now  passed  away.  In  their 
family  were  eight  sons,  of  whom  four  survive. 

0.  I.  Olson  was  reared  and  educated  in  Sweden  and  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1880,  at  which  time  he  made  his  way  at  once  to  Winnebago  county, 
Iowa.  For  a  time  he  worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade,  which  he  had  learned  in 
his  native  land,  but  afterward  purchased  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  eighty-nine 
acres  in  Newton  township.  Upon  that  place  he  lived  for  twenty-nine  years  and 
his  labors  and  efforts  converted  it  into  a  valuable  and  splendidly  improved  prop- 
erty equipped  with  all  accessories  of  a  model  farm.  Well  kept  fences  divided 
the  place  into  fields  of  convenient  size  and  his  land  was  carefully  cultivated,  pro- 
ducing excellent  crops.  He  made  a  specialty  of  raising  and  feeding  stock  in 
addition  to  farming,  but  in  1913  he  sold  his  place  and  removed  to  Forest  City, 
where  he  has  since  lived  retired,  enjoying  a  rest  that  he  has  tmly  earned  and 
richly  deserves. 

Ip  1869  Mr.  Olson  was  married  in  Sweden  to  Miss  Ingar  Peterson,  a  native  of 
that  country,  and  they  became  parents  of  eight  children,  as  follows:  Olaf,  Wil- 
liam and  Allen,  all  of  whom  reside  in  North  Dakota;  Oscar,  of  Winnebago 
county,  Iowa;  Neil  and  Albert,  who  also  live  in  North  Dakota;  Tilla,  who  makes 
her  home  in  Montana;  and  John,  who  is  deceased.    The  wife  and  mother  passed 


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144  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COXJNTIES 

away  in  1914  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  Forest  City  cemetery,  leaving  a  husband 
and  seven  children  to  mourn  her  loss. 

In  politics  Mr.  Olson  is  a  democrat,  and  while  not  an  office  seeker,  he  has 
served  as  school  director.  He  stands  for  all  those  interests  which  work  for  the 
good  of  the  community  and,  moreover,  he  is  a  self-made  man  whose  life  record 
should  serve  as  a  source  of  inspiration  and  encouragement  to  others,  for  all  that 
he  possesses  has  been  acquired  since  he  came  to  the  United  States  through  the 
utilization  of  those  opportunities  which  are  here  oflfered  to  every  individual. 


FRANK  L.  WACHOLZ. 


Frank  L.  Wacholz,  postmaster  of  Forest  City,  is  <me  of  the  widely  known 
residents  of  Winnebago  county,  where  he  has  figured  in  connection  with  various 
public  offices  and  has  at  the  same  time  been  actively  associated  with  its  banking 
interests,  while  as  a  raiser  of  fine  pacing  and  trotting  stock  his  name  is  known 
throughout  the  country.  Mr.  Wacholz  was  bom  at  New  Hampton,  Iowa,  May  4, 
1873,  a  son  of  Edward  F.  and  Mary  (Werner)  Wacholz,  the  former  bom  near 
Bublitz,  West  Prussia,  Germany,  on  the  19th  of  August,  1841,  while  the  latter 
was  bom  in  New  York  city,  August  10,  1844.  Reared  in  his  native  land,  the 
father  served  as  a  soldier  in  the  war  with  Austria  in  1866.  In  1868  he  came  to  the 
new  world,  landing  at  Baltimore,  and  after  ten  weeks  spent  on  the  Atlantic  coast 
he  made  his  way  to  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  from  which  point  he  proceeded  west- 
ward, working  on  the  Milwaukee  Bailroad.  He  was  thus  engaged  as  far  west  as 
Emmetsburg,  Iowa.  He  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade  and  made  as  much  advance- 
ment in  that  line  as  was  possible.  His  wife  was  reared  in  Troy,  New  York, 
and  later  became  a  resident  of  Racine  and  of  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin.  In  1856  she 
came^ to  Iowa,  locating  at  New  Hampton,  Iowa,  and  both  are  yet  living.  There 
were  two  daughters  in  the  family,  of  whom  one  survives,  while  the  other  passed 
away  in  1915. 

The  only  son,  Frank  L.  Wacholz,  pursued  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  his  native  city  until  graduated  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years  on  the  14th  of  June, 
1889.  He  then  took  up  the  study  of  pharmacy  and  for  three  years  clerked  in  a 
drug  store,  but  at  the  end  of  that  time  entered  the  First  National  Bank  of  New 
Hampton  as  bookkeeper.  After  a  brief  period  he  became  bookkeeper  in  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Forest  City,  beginning  in  September,  1892,  and  subsequently 
he  spent  a  year  in  the  First  National  Bank  of  Britt,  Iowa,  as  assistant  cashier 
under  the  presidency  of  George  W.  Beadle.  Returning  to  Forest  City,  he  became 
deputy  treasurer  of  Winnebago  county  under  S.  H.  Larson,  and  later  he  again 
entered  the  l^rst  National  Bank  as  assistant  cashier,  there  remaining  until  March, 
1911,  when  he  sold  his  interest  to  Johii  Olson,  formerly  with  the  Winnebago 
County  Bank,  and  removed  to  Los  Angeles.  After  seeing  the  glories  of  that 
wonderland  he  returned  to  Forest  City  in  1915  and  on  the  30th  of  January,  1917, 
was  appointed  postmaster,  which  position  he  is  still  filling.  Mr.  Wacholz  has  also 
held  other  local  offices,  including  that  of  city  treasurer,  city  clerk,  secretary  of 
the  County  Fair  Association  and  county  chairman  of  the  democratic  party. 

Another   line   of   activity   which   has  claimed   much   thought,   attention   and 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  147 

eflfort  from  Mr.  Wacholz  has  been  the  breeding,  raising  and  training  of  some 
of  the  fastest  trotters  and  pacers  of  the  world.  He  was  the  owner  of  Miss  Dens- 
more,  the  world^s  champion  half  mile  track  trotter,  with  a  record  of  2 :07^ ;  Don 
Densmore,  the  fastest  pacer  ever  foaled  in  Iowa,  with  a  record  of  2:02^;  and 
Densmore,  famous  for  his  great  nine-heat  race  at  Pittsburg,  with  a  record  of 
2:10.  All  of  the  above  were  colts  of  Nina  Densmore,  with  a  record  of  2:17,  her 
colts  having  won  more  than  sixty  thousand  dollars  in  prizes.  Mr.  Wacholz  has 
always  advocated  the  best  blood  lines  in  horses  and  cattle  and  brought  to  this 
county  some  of  the  famous  Biltmore  Jersey  cattle. 

On  the  6th  of  June,  1893,  Mr.  Wacholz  was  married  to  Miss  Eflfa  Juliet 
Plimimer,  the  eldest  daughter  of  B.  A.  and  M.  Jane  Plummer.  They  have  become 
parents  of  four  children:  Margaret,  Maxine,  Donald  and  Woodrow.  .Margaret 
was  bom  on  the  present  site  of  Waldorf  College,  February  6,  1898,  and  passed 
out  of  this  life  in  Los  Angeles,  California,  December  3,  1911.  Maxine  was  bom 
in  Forest  City,  October  11,  1903,  and  passed  out  of  this  life  December  18,  1904. 
Donald  was  bom  November  9,  1905,  in  Forest  City;  and  Woodrow  was  bom  in 
Los  Angeles,  California,  Febmary  10,  1913.  Such  in  brief  is  the  history  of 
Frank  L.  Wacholz,  a  well  known  and  valued  citizen  of  Winnebago  county,  whose 
activities  along  many  lines  have  contributed  to  the  development,  progress  and 
upbuilding  of  this  section  of  the  state  and  whose  worth  is  widely  acknowledged 
by  all  who  know  him. 


CHABLES  J.  DBUGG. 


Charles  J.  Dmgg  is  a  resident  farmer  of  Mount  Valley  township,  Winnebago 
county,  his  home  being  on  section  28.  He  was  bom  on  the  old  Dmgg  homestead 
on  section  33  of  the  same  township,  his  natal  day  being  July  4,  1876.  His 
parents,  Andrew  and  Mary  Louise  (Peterson)  Drugg,  were  both  natives  of 
Sweden  and  were  there  reared  and  married.  -Immediately  afterward  they  came 
to  the  United  States,  landing  in  New  York  city  in  the  early  part  of  December, 
1869.  They  did  not  tarry  on  the  eastern  coast,  however,  but  made  their  way  at 
once  into  the  interior  of  the  country  and  spent  the  first  winter  in  McGregor, 
Iowa.  In  the  spring  of  1870  they  came  to  Winnebago  county  and  Mr.  Dmgg 
purchased  forty  acres  of  the  present  home  farm.  It  was  then  in  the  midst  of  a 
wild  and  undeveloped  region,  for  the  work  of  progress  and  improvement  seemed 
scarcely  begun  in  this  section  of  the  state.  He  built  a  log  cabin  sixteen  by 
sixteen  feet  and  took  up  his  abode  on  his  new  farm,  beginning  the  arduous  task 
of  reclaiming  it  for  purposes  of  civilization.  It  was  not  long  before  his  labors 
wrought  a  marked  transformation  in  the  wild  prairie  tract,  and  afterward  he  bought 
an  adjoining  forty  acres,  making  his  present  farm  one  of  eighty  acres,  on  which 
he  has  resided  continuously  for  the  past  forty-seven  years.  The  work  of  con- 
verting the  raw  prairie  into  productive  fields  was  slow  and  laborious.  Oxen  were 
used  in  plowing  and  it  was  necessary  to  go  to  Albert  Lea  or  to  Mason  City  for 
supplies,  to  which  points  Mr.  Dmgg  drove  his  ox  team.  There  was  compara- 
tively little  at  that  day  to  indicate  the  changes  which  were  rapidly  to  occur  and 
make  this  one  of  the  populous  and  prosperous  sections  of  the  state.    Mr.  Drugg 


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148  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

certainly  bore  his  full  share  in  bringing  about  modern  day  conditions  and  he  is 
now  living  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight  years  to  enjoy  the  fraits  of  his  former 
toil.  He  was  bom  February  1,  1839,  while  his  wife  was  bom  March  20,  1845, 
and  has  therefore  reached  the  age  of  seventy-two  years.  Both  have  long  been 
consistent  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  have  ever  enjoyed 
the  confidence  and  good  will  of  those  with  whom  they  have  been  brought  in 
contact. 

Charles  J.  Dragg  was  reared  at  home  and  at  the  usual  age  became  a  pupil  in 
the  district  school  near  his  father's  place.  He  afterward  had  the  benefit  of 
instruction  in  the  Forest  City  high  school  and  when  eighteen  years  of  age  he 
left  the  parental  roof  and  for  five  years  worked  as  a  farm  hand  for  Peter  Seibert, 
of  Hancock  county.  Subsequently  he  took  charge  of  and  operated  the  old  home 
place  and  in  1901  he  purchased  his  present  farm,  which  lies  just  across  the  road 
from  the  old  homestead.  Since  then  he  has  operated  both  tracts  of  land  and  is 
leading  a  busy,  active  and  useful  life  in  which  success  has  attended  his  intelli- 
gently directed  efforts.  Since  his  marriage  he  has  resided  upon  his  home  farm 
and  the  neat  and  thrifty  appearance  of  the  place  indicates  his  careful  supervision 
and  thoroughly  modern  methods.  There  are  good  buildings  upon  his  land  and 
he  has  secured  all  the  latest  improved  machinery  and  other  facilities  to  promote 
the  work  of  the  fields.  He  is  likewise  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Co-operative 
Creamery  Company  of  Forest  City,  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Com- 
pany of  Forest  City  and  in  the  Mount  Valley  Manufacturing  Company  of 
Leland. 

On  the  29tli  of  December,  1914,  Mr.  Drugg  was  joined  in  wedlock  to  Miss 
Mary  McGuire,  a  daughter  of  John  McGuire,  one  of  the  Well  known  farmers  of 
Winnebago  county,  now  deceased.  They  have  become  the  parents  of  a  daughter, 
Mary  Louise. 

In  politics  Mr.  Drugg  maintains  an  independent  course,  voting  for  men  and 
measures  rather  than  for  party,  but  he  is  never  remiss  in  the  duties  of  citizenship 
and  co-operates  in  many  well  formulated  plans  for  the  public  good.  He  is  one 
of  the  representative  farmers  of  Mount  Valley  township  and  his  life  record  indi- 
cates what  may  be  accomplished  through  determination  and  energy.  He  may 
well  be  termed  a  successful  man  and,  moreover,  the  methods  which  he  has  pursued 
in  the  attainment  of  his  prosperity  are  such  as  have  gained  for  him  the  con- 
fidence and  high  regard  of  all  with  whom  he  has  been  associated. 


W.  T.  KENDALL. 


W.  T.  Kendall,  deceased,  established  a  store  and  served  as  postmaster  on  the 
site  of  Thompson  before  the  town  was  platted  and  continued  in  his  dual  capacity 
as  storekeeper  and  postmaster  in  the  new  town  until  his  demise  in  1898.  He  was 
born  in  Michigan  in  1837  and  on  his  father's  side  was  descended  from  an  old 
American  family,  while  on  his  mother's  side  his  ancestry  was  French.  The 
father  was  a  minister  in  Michigan  until  his  demise,  and  the  mother  also  passed 
away  in  that  state. 

W.  T.   Kendall   received  his  education   in  the  common  schools  and  in  early 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  149 

manhood  spent  a  few  years  as  a  railway  station  agent.  Later  he  owned  the 
steamboat  High  Water,  which  plied  on  Spirit  Lake,  Iowa,  and  which  he  com- 
manded as  captain  for  a  considerable  period.  In  the  later  *70s  he  removed  to 
Forest  City  and  conducted  a  hardware  store  there  for  a  short  time.  In  1890  he 
established  a  general  store  in  King  township,  Winnebago  county,  and  he  also 
acted  as  postmaster,  so  continuing  after  the  town  was  laid  out  by  Mr.  Thompson, 
of  Forest  City.  At  length  he  sold  all  his  stock  save  the  furniture,  but  continued 
in  business  as  a  furniture  dealer  until  he  passed  away  in  1898.  He  also  served 
as  postmaster  unti^  his  demise,  and  his  record  was  one  of  efficient  and  public- 
spirited  service. 

In  1891  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Kendall  and  Miss  Anna  T.  Byer,  a 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Magdalene  Byer,  natives  of  Vienna,  Austria,  where  they 
passed  their  entire  lives.  When  seventeen  years  of  age  Mrs.  Kendall  came  alone 
to  the  United  States  and  for  twelve  years  lived  in  New  York.  She  was  employed 
as  a  German  governess  in  the  families  of  several  millionaires  of  that  city  and 
while  acting  as  governess  made  five  trips  to  Europe.  On  leaving  the  east  she 
joined  a  brother  and  sister  in  Gamer,  Iowa,  and  lived  with  them  until  her  mar- 
riage in  1891.  She  has  two  children.  William  Thompson,  who  was  the  first  child 
born  in  the  town  of  Thompson,  for  which  he  was  named,  is  married  and  resides 
in  Altoona,  Iowa.     May  married  C.  W.  Goslin,  and  they  reside  in  Clarion,  Iowa. 

Mr.  Kendall  gave  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party,  but  aside 
from  filling  the  office  of  postmaster  never  took  an  active  part  in  public  affairs. 
He  was  a  representative  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  whose  teachings  concerning 
the  brotherhood  of  man  were  exemplified  in  his  daily  life.  Rosehill  cemetery,  in 
which  he  is  buried,  was  chosen  and  named  by  him  at  the  founding  of  the  town 
and  the  money  for  purchasing  the  land  was  raised  by  Mrs.  Kendall,  who  still 
serves  as  president  of  the  Cemetery  Association.  She  is  a  resident  of  Thompson, 
where  she  is  held  in  high  esteem.  The  demise  of  Mr.  Kendall  was  deeply  re- 
gretted throughout  the  county,  for  he  had  a  wide  acquaintance  and  a  large  num- 
ber of  loyal  friends. 


DUANE  B.  SWEET. 


Duane  E.  Sweet,  a  well  known  resident  of  Forest  City,  was  formerly  identified 
with  farming  interests  in  Winnebago  county  and  his  well  directed  efforts  along 
that  line  brought  him  success.  He  was  born  in  Adams  county,  Wisconsin,  April 
10,  1872,  a  son  of  A.  J.  and  Mary  (Pettis)  Sweet.  He  was  reared  and  educated 
in  Hancock  county,  Iowa,  and  remained  at  home  until  he  attained  his  majority, 
after  which  he  purchased  a  farm  in  that  county  comprising  two  hundred  and 
forty  acres  on  section  2,  Bingham  township.  His  labors  converted  that  place 
into  a  highly  improved  and  productive  tract.  He  made  a  specialty  of  the  raising 
and  breeding  of  stock  and  thereby  he  contributed  much  to  his  income  and  to  his 
success.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  and  in  the  Farmers  Co- 
operative Creamery  Company.  He  continued  to  remain  upon  his  farm  until 
March- 1,  1917,  when  he  retired  and  removed  to  Forest  City,  where  he  now  owns 
and  occupies  a  fine  residence. 


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150  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

In  January^  1889,  Mr.  Sweet  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Etta  Camel,  a 
native  of  Hardin  county,  Iowa,  and  a  daughter  of  Calvin  and  Lura  (Furman) 
Carriel.  The  father  was  bom  in  New  York  and  the  mother  in  Pennsylvania,  and 
both  are  now  deceased.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sweet  have  been  bom  seven  children, 
namely:  Carriel,  Marjorie,  Marion  D.,  Bemice,  Allen  and  two  who  died  in 
infancy.  The  parents  attend  the  Baptist  church  and  Mr,  Sweet  votes  with  the 
democratic  party  but  has  never  sought  nor  desired  office,  preferring  to  concen- 
trate his  energies  upon  his  business  affairs,  which,  carefully  directed,  have  brought 
to  him  substantial  and  well  deserved  success.  * 


FABMERS  NATIONAL  BANK. 

The  Farmers  National  Bank  was  established  in  1891  with  6.  E.  Abbey  as 
cashier.  It  was  organized  as  the  Farmers  Savings  Bank  and  was  conducted 
under  state  law  until  1906,  when  it  was  reorganized  as  a  national  bank,  with 
C.  K.  Moe  as  president,  G.  E.  Troeger  as  vice-  president,  Isaac  Sweigard  as 
cashier  and  M.  E.  Pollock  as  assistant  cashier.  When  Mr.  Moe  sold  out  in  1910, 
C.  H.  Nelson  was  elected  to  the  presidency,  with  A.  Kelly  as  vice  president, 
although  Mr.  Troeger  remained  a  stockholder.  In  1910  C.  E.  Sweigard  became 
assistant  cashier  of  the  bank  and  in  January,  1913,  when  Mr.  Nelson  sold  out, 
Isaac  Sweigard  became  the  president,  with  C.  E.  Sweigard  as  cashier  and  F.  E. 
Blackstone  as  vice  president.  These  gentlemen  still  continue  as  the  officers  of 
the  bank,  which  was  capitalized  for  sixteen  thousand  dollars  in  1891.  The  capital 
stock,  however,  has  been  increased  to  twenty-five  thousand  dollars  and  there  is 
now  a  surplus  of  twenty-five  thousand  dollars.  In  1916  the  bank  tore  down  its 
old  building  and  erected  a  beautiful  new  stmcture  at  a  cost  of  twenty  thousand 
dollars.  It  is  thoroughly  modern  in  its  architecture,  equipment  and  furnishings. 
The  bank  occupies  the  entire  new  part,  having  an  attractive  directors'  room  up- 
stairs, with  also  an  assembly  room  for  farmers'  and  trastees'  meetings  and  a 
ladies'  parlor.  In  fact,  everything  possible  is  done  to  promote  the  comfort  and 
convenience  of  depositors  and  stockholders.  There  are  safety  deposit  boxes  and 
every  possible  burglar  proof  protection.  The  policy  of  the  bank  is  a  progressive 
one  and  yet  the  interests  of  depositors  are  safeguarded  in  every  way,  no  unwar- 
ranted risks  being  taken. 


LEONAED  E.  SAMPSON. 

Leonard  E.  Sampson,  a  resident  farmer  of  Hancock  county,  his  home  being 
on  section  33,  Ell  township,  was  bom  on  the  24th  of  June,  1885,  in  Delaware 
county,  Iowa,  a  son  of  William  and  Amelia  (Schwichtenburg)  Sampson,  the 
former  a  native  of  Clayton  county,  Iowa,  and  the  latter  of  Ohio.  Spending  his 
youthful  days  under  the  parental  roof,  Leonard  E.  Sampson  acquired  a  common 
school  education,  devoting  the  winter  months  to  attending  school,  while  in  the 
summer  seasons  he  worked  on  the  farm.     When  nineteen  years  of  age  he  put 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  151 

aside  his  text-books  altogether  and  devoted  his  entire  time  to  farm  work  on  the 
old  homestead  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty-four  years,  when  he  rented  land 
on  section  33,  Ell  township,  Hancock  county.  Here  he  has  since  made  his  home 
and  in  the  conduct  of  the  farm  he  has  made  a  specialty  of  raising  thoroughbred 
Poland  China  hogs.    He  also  conducts  a  dairy  business  and  sells  cream. 

On  the  18th  of  March,  1914,  Mr.  Sampson  was  married  to  Miss  Jennie  Wich- 
mann,  a  daughter  of  August  and  Frieda  (Paul)  Wichmann,  who  are  natives  of 
Germany  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  early  life.  The  father  was  for  many 
years  actively  engaged  in  farming  but  is  now  living  retired  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
one  years,  while  his  wife  has  reached  the  age  of  sixty-three  years.  They  had  a 
family  of  seven  children.  Two  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sampson, 
Paul  E.  and  Irma. 

The  parents  are  members  of  the  German  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  are 
I)eople  of  genuine  worth,  loyal  to  those  principles  which  constitute  honorable 
manhood  and  womanhood.  Mr.  Sampson  exercises  his  right  of  franchise  in  sup- 
port of  the  men  and  measures  of  the  republican  party  but  has  never  been  an 
office  seeker,  preferring  to  concentrate  his  time  and  attention  upon  his  business 
affairs,  which,  carefully  directed,  are  bringing  to  him  substantial  success. 


GILBERT  G.  HERM,  M.  D. 

Dr.  Gilbert  G.  Herm,  a  well  known  and  successful  physician  and  surgeon 
practicing  at  Lake  Mills,  was  bom  in  Norway,  November  18,  1870.  His  parents, 
Christopher  GuUickson  and  Ingebor  (Davidson)  Synve,  removed  with  their  fam- 
ily from  Norway  to  the  United  States  in  1873,  settling  in  Fertile,  Iowa.  The 
father  farmed  in  that  locality  for  three  years  and  then  purchased  land  in  Logan 
township,  Winnebago  coimty,  upon  which  the  family  took  up  their  residence.  He 
made  many  improvements  upon  the  place  and  engaged  in  its  operation  until  his 
death  in  1894.  The  mother  survived  for  about  twenty  years,  dying  in  June, 
1914. 

Gilbert  G.  Herm  was  but  two  and  a  half  years  old  when  brought  to  the 
United  States  and  received  his  early  education  in  the  schools  of  Winnebago 
county.  Later  he  attended  the  Breckenridge  school  at  Decorah,  Iowa,  and  sub- 
sequently taught  in  Winnebago  county  for  eight  years,  during  which  time  he 
farmed  in  the  summer  months.  In  1900  he  entered  the  Hahnemann  Medical 
College  of  Chicago,  as  he  had  determined  to  prepare  himself  for  the  practice  of 
medicine,  and  in  1904  he  received  the  degree  of  M.  D.  He  practiced  for  three 
years  at  Scarville,  but  at  the  end  of  that  time  removed  to  Lake  Mills  and  pur- 
chased the  practice  of  Dr.  Ohristenson.  It  was  not  long  before  his  efficiency 
in  the  treatment  of  disease  was  recognized  and  his  professional  standing  is  high. 
His  practice  has  reached  large  proportions  and  he  maintains  his  office  in  the 
beautiful  residence  which  he  erected  on  Main  street. 

In  January,  1905,  Dr.  Herm  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Anna  Langland 
and  they  became  the  parents  of  two  children,  namely:  Ingebor  C,  whose  birth 
occurred  on  the  10th  of  June,  1906;  and  Reuben  C,  born  October  16,  1911.  The 
mother  passed  away  June  20,  1914,  after  an  illness  of  two  weeks. 


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152  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

Dr.  Herm  is  a  strong  advocate  of  republican  principles  and  has  held  a  num- 
ber of  offices^  having  served  for  four  years  as  clerk  of  Logan  township,  as  justice 
of  the  peace  for  a  considerable  period  and  as  health  officer  of  Lake  Mills.  Ke 
belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  to  the  Mystic  Workers  and 
his  religious  faith  is  indicated  by  his  membership  in  the  United  Lutheran  church. 
He  has  made  the  interests  of  Lake  Mills  his  interests  and  willingly  co-operates 
with  all  those  seeking  to  promote  the  welfare  of  the  community. 


THOMAS  WALPOLE. 


Thomas  Walpole,  editor  of  the  Thompson  Courier,  has  been  identified  with 
newspaper  work  for  many  years  and  for  almost  six  decades  has  been  a  resident  of 
Iowa.  He  was  bom,  however,  at  Groton,  in  Tompkins  county,  New  York,  on 
the  21st  of  September,  1855,  a  son  of  James  and  Julia  (Murphy)  Walpole. 
While  comparatively  little  is  known  concerning  the  ancestral  history  of  the  family 
it  has  been  learned  that  the  name  originated  in  Spain,  from  which  country  mem- 
bers of  the  family  removed  to  France  and  in  later  generations  from  France  to 
England  and  from  England  to  Ireland.  The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject 
was  Thomas  Walpole,  and  the  birth  of  his  son  James  occurred  at  Drumshanbo, 
County  Leitrim,  Ireland,  on  the  2d  of  February,  1832.  In  early  manhood  the 
latter  emigrated  to  the  United  States  and  after  living  for  several  years  in  New 
York  came  with  his  family  to  Iowa.  He  farmed  in  both  Delaware  and  Buena 
Vista  coimties  and  passed  away  in  1874.  His  wife  was  bom  in  Cork,  Ireland,  on 
the  5th  of  August,  1832,  and  was  a  representative  of  one  of  the  old  and  highly 
respected  families  of  the  Emerald  isle.  To  their  union  were  bom  nine  children, 
as  follows:  Thomas;  John;  James;  Mathew;  Mrs.  John  Howell;  E.  E.;  Eliza- 
beth; Mrs.  C.  S.  Eelyea  and  Mrs.  W.  H.  Irving. 

The  boyhood  and  youth  of  Thomas  Walpole  were  spent  in  Delaware  and  Buena 
Vista  counties,  Iowa,  and  after  completing  the  work  offered  in  the  public  schools 
there  he  attended  for  one  term  the  Southwestern  Normal  School  at  Shenandoah, 
Iowa,  and  also  took  a  business  course  at  Valparaiso  University,  at  Valparaiso, 
Indiana.  Following  the  death  of  his  father  he  operated  the  home  farm  for  eight 
years  and  during  that  time  devoted  the  winter  months  to  teaching  school.  In  1882 
he  became  superintendent  of  the  schools  of  Alta,  Iowa,  and  filled  that  position  until 
1884,  when  in  partnership  with  A.  C.  Smith  he  purchased  the  weekly  paper  pub- 
lished at  Alta  under  the  name  of  the  Advertiser.  Subsequently  his  brother,  E.  E. 
Walpole,  bought  out  the  interest  of  Mr.  Smith  but  later  in  turn  sold  out  to  C.  H. 
Wegersley.  Mr.  Walpole  of  this  review,  however,  was  continuously  connected  with 
that  publication  until  1895,  when  he  sold  it  and  bought  the  Storm  Lake  Tribune, 
which  he  consolidated  with  the  Pilot  under  the  name  of  the  Pilot-Tribune.  He 
was  associated  in  this  venture  also  with  A.  C.  Smith,  and  they  made  the  paper  a 
recognized  force  in  the  molding  of  public  opinion  in  that  section  of  the  state.  In 
1904,  however,  Mr.  Walpole  became  the  sole  owner  of  the  Pilot-Tribune,  and  con- 
tinued to  publish  it  with  gratifying  sueeess-  until  1910,  when  he  sold  it.  He  then 
located  at  Manson  and  purchased  the  Manson  Journal  which  he  owned  and  published 
until  November,  1916,  when  he  disposed  of  that  paper  and  came  to  Thompson, 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  153 

Winnebago  county.  He  purchased  the  Thompson  Courier  and  the  large  circulation 
of  the  paper  is  proof  that  it  is  a  liberal,  up-to-date  and  well  edited  sheet.  He  has  a 
'  first  class  printing  establishment  and  in  addition  to  publishing  the  Courier  does  a 
large  job  business. 

Mr.  Walpole  was  married  on  the  11th  of  May,  1887,  to  Miss  Minnie  Darnell. 
Her  father,  William  Darnell,  fought  in  the  Civil  war  as  a  member  of  the  Seventh 
Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry  and  took  part  in  many  important  engagements.  He  was 
with  Sherman  on  his  famous  march  to  the  sea  and  participated  in  the  Grand 
Beview  at  Washington.  To  him  and  his  wife  were  born  five  children,  as  follows: 
Mrs.  Walpole ;  Mrs.  C.  B.  Mitchell ;  Mrs.  W.  N.  MacChesney ;  Mrs.  Joseph  Donaghu ; 
and  Mrs.  E.  S.  Ballon.  The  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Walpole  are  four  in 
number:  Elsie,  who  is  a  graduate  of  the  Northwestern  University  at  Evanston; 
Fay,  who  is  a  graduate  of  the  State  Teachers'  College  at  Cedar  Falls,  Iowa;  and 
James  W.  and  Eileen. 

Mr.  W'alpole  is  a  republican  in  politics  and  from  1888  to  1896  was  county 
superintendent  of  schools  of  Buena  Vista  county,  Iowa,  while  in  1898  he  was  made 
postmaster  at  Storm  Lake,  which  oflBce  he  held  for  many  years,  or  until  July  1, 
1915.  His  official  record  was  one  of  the  conscientious  and  efficient  discharge  of  his 
duties  and  received  the  commendation  of  all  good  citizens.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Masonic  order,  of  the  Court  of  Honor,  of  the  Modem  Woodmen  of  America 
and  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen,  and  in  religious  faith  is  a  Presby- 
terian. Although  he  has  been  a  resident  of  Thompson  for  only  a  short  time  he  has 
already  established  his  position  among  the  most  highly  esteemed  residents  of  the 
town  and  his  personal  friends  are  many. 


PETER  BOMAN. 


Peter  Boman,  a  representative  farmer  of  Winnebago  county,  living  on  section 
25,  Forest  township,  was  bom  in  Sweden,  February  18,  "1866.  His  parents  spent 
their  entire  lives  in  that  country  and  there  reared  their  family  of  four  children,  of 
whom  two  are  now  living. 

Peter  Boman  spent  the  days  of  his  boyhood  and  youth  in  his  native  land  and  is 
indebted  to  its  public  school  system  for  the  educational  privileges  which  he  enjoyed. 
He  came  to  America  in  1886  and  settled  in  Forest  City,  Iowa,  where  he  was 
employed  at  general  work  for  two  years;  but  ambitious  to  engage  in  business  on 
his  own  accotint,  he  then  began  farming  on  section  25,  Forest  township,  Winnebago 
county,  and  later  purchased  eighty  acres  on  section  24  of  the  same  township.  From 
the  beginning  of  his  active  connection  with  agricultural  interests  in  this  county  lie 
has  prospered  and  is  today  the  owner  of  one  of  the  most  valuable  ^nd  best  improved 
farms  in  his  township.  As  prosperity  has  attended  his  efforts  he  has  added  to  his 
holdings  from  time  to  time  and  is  now  the  owner  of  eighty  acres  in  Mount  Valley 
township,  Winnebago  county,  and  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  Ellington  town- 
ship, Hancock  county,  which  he  has  also  improved.  He  is  likewise  one  of  the  stock- 
holders in  the  Farmers  Elevator  at  Forest  City.  In  connection  with  the  cultivation 
of  the  cereals  best  adapted  to  soil  and  climate  he  is  extensively  and  successfully 


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154  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

engaged  in  feeding  stock  and  the  careful  management  of  his  business  interests  is 
bringing  to  him  most  gratifying  success. 

In  September,  1888,  Mr.  Boman  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ellen  Olson, 
a  native  of  Sweden,  who  came  to  America  when  but  eleven  years  of  age.  Six 
children  have  been  born  of  this  union :  Albert  R.,  who  is  married  and  now  resides 
on.  one  of  his  father^s  farms;  Chenney  C,  who  is  also  married  and  follows  farming; 
Luella  M.,  who  after  graduating  from  the  Forest  Club  high  school  spent  one  year 
in  study  at  Cedar  Falls  and  is  now  teaching;  John  0.  and  Esther  S.,  both  at  home; 
and  Clarence  R.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  eight  years.  Mr.  Boman  and  his  family 
are  all  members  of  the  Swedish  Baptist  church  and  guide  their  lives  according  to 
its  teachings.  He  may  truly  be  called  a  self-made  man,  for  through  his  own  efforts 
and  the  assistance  of  his  wife,  who  has  indeed  been  a  helpmate  to  him,  he  has  won 
a  handsome  fortune  and  is  today  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  prosperous  farmers 
of  Forest  township.  His  life  record  shows  what  may  be  accomplished  through 
persistent  and  earnest  effort.  In  his  vocabulary  there  has  been  no  such  word  as 
fail,  and  obstacles  and  difiSculties  in  his  path  have  seemed  to  serve  but  as  an 
impetus  for  renewed  effort. 


F.  J.  BEOOKEE. 


F.  J.  Brooker  owns  and  operates  a  splendid  four  hundred  acre  tract  of  land  on 
sections  17  and  18,  Linden  township,  Winnebago  county,  and  also  has  other  busi- 
ness interests,  thus  ranking  among  the  most  successful  men  of  his  locality.  He 
was  bom  in  Livingston  county,  Illinois,  September  30,  1867,  a  son  of  Thomas 
and  Lucinda  (Wilber)  Brooker,  natives  respectively  of  Kent,  England,  and  of 
Vermont.  In  1839,  when  about  twenty  years  of  age,  the  father  came  to  the  United 
States,  and  as  the  vessel  on  which  the  voyage  was  made  was  shipwrecked  he  became 
separated  from  relatives  who  were  crossing  on  the  same  ship  and  did  not  see  them 
again  imtil  about  eighteen  months  later.  He  located  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  where  he 
remained  until  a  short' time  after  his  marriage,  when  he  removed  with  his  bride  to 
La  Salle  county,  Illinois.  Subsequently  they  removed  to  a  farm  in  Livingston 
county,  that  state,  and  there  they  experienced  the  inconveniences  and  hardships 
incident  to  frontier  life.  The  unsettled  condition  of  that  part  of  the  country  can 
be  gathered  from  the  fact  that  the  nearest  market  town  was  Ottawa,  thirty  miles 
distant,  and  it  was  then  a  matter  of  no  little  difficulty  to  secure  supplies  which 
could  not  be  produced  upon  the  farm.  In  1886  they  removed  to  Ida  coimty, 
Iowa,  and  in  March  of  the  following  year  came  to  Winnebago  county.  The  father 
purchased  one  himdred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  18,  Linden  township,  and  his 
remaining  years  were  devoted  to  the  operation  of  that  place.  He  died  September  8, 
1892,  but  the  mother  survived  for  more  than  twenty-four  years,  as  her  death 
occurred  on  the  7th  of  January,  1917.  . 

F.  J.  Brooker  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Illinois.  He 
began  assisting  his  father  with  the  farm  work  in  early  boyhood  and  as  the  years 
passed  he  became  more  and  more  proficient  as  an  agriculturist.  After  attaining  his 
majority  he  took  charge  of  the  operation  of  the  home  farm  in  Linden  township, 
Winnebago  county,  and  cared  for  his  parents  during  their  last  years.    In  1889, 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  157 

when  but  twenty-one  years  old,  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on 
section  17,  Linden  township,  lying  across  the  road  from  the  home  farm,  and  this 
place  he  cultivated,  together  with  the  homestead.  Following  the  death  of  his 
father  he  purchased  the  home  farm  also,  and  later  added  to  his  holdings  an 
eighty  acre  tract  adjoining  the  home  place  on  the  south,  so  that  he  has  altogether 
a  farm  of  four  hundred  acres.  The  improvements  upon  the  place  are  of  the  most 
modem  type,  the  fertility  of  the  soil  has  been  conserved  by  scientific  methods  of 
cultivation  and  everything  is  kept  in  the  best  of  repair.  He  derives  a  good  income 
from  the  sale  of  his  grain  and  stock  and  ranks  among  the  foremost  farmers  of 
Linden  township.  He  also  owns  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Oklahoma,  three  and  one- 
half  miles  from  Avery  and  in  the  oil  belt,  being  within  twelve  miles  of  spouting 
wells.  He  likewise  owns  stock  in  the  Farmers  Co-operative  Creamery  Company 
of  Thompson  and  is  a  director  of  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  at  Thompson, 
of  which  he  was  for  six  years  president. 

Mr.  Brooker  was  married  on  March  20,  1890,  to  Miss  Ella  J.  Johnson,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Benjamin  Johnson,  of  Forest  City,  who  was  an  early  settler  of  Winnebago 
county,  coming  here  in  1869  from  Sweden.  Mrs.  Brooker  was  one  of  the  pioneer 
school  teachers  of  Winnebago  coimty.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brooker  have  been  bom 
five  children,  as  follows :  Elsie  E.,  the  wife  of  L.  C.  Anderson,  of  Grant  township, 
this  county;  Lottie  E.,  a  teacher  of  Humboldt  county,  Iowa;  Ruth  V.,  who  is 
attending  the  state  normal  school  at  Cedar  Falls;  and  Charlie  F.  and  Alice  M., 
at  home. 

Mr.  Brooker  is  a  stalwart  advocate  of  republican  principles  and  has  been  quite 
active  in  local  affairs.  For  many  years  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  board  of 
trustees  and  he  is  also  serving  on  the  school  board.  His  interest  in  matters  affect- 
ing the  general  welfare  is  further  indicated  by  the  fact  that  for  four  years  he  was 
president  of  the  Winnebago  County  Fair  and  Park  Association.  Both  he  and  his 
wife  belong  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  in  its  teachings  are  found  the 
principles  which  govern  their  conduct.  In  all  that  he  has  done  he  has  manifested 
sound  judgment,  executive  ability  and  imcompromising  integrity,  and  he  is  de- 
servedly held  in  the  highest  esteem. 


PBOFESSOB  H.  0.  BATEMAN. 

Professor  H.  0.  Bateman,  identified  with  educational  and  agricultural  inter- 
ests at  Forest  City,  was  bom  in  Kaneville,  Kane  county,  Illinois,  March  22,  1862, 
a  son  of  Marcus  and  Hannah  (Bavlin)  Bateman,  who  were  natives  of  Rutland, 
Vermont,  and  of  Kane  county,  Illinois,  respectively.  They  were  married  in  the 
latter  place,  to  which  the  father  had  removed  in  young  manhood,  and  in  1868 
they  came  to  Iowa,  establishing  their  home  in  Black  Hawk  county,  where  th^ 
death  of  Mr.  Bateman  occurred  in  1901.  His  widow  still  survives  and  is  now 
residing  in  Waterloo,  Iowa. 

Professor  Bateman  had  liberal  educational  opportunities.  He  attended 
Cornell  College,  Mt.  Vernon,  Iowa,  from  which  he  received  his  Bachelor  of  Arts 
degree  in  1888.  Prior  to  this  time  he  had  taken  up  teaching  as  a  profession  and 
after  his  college  days  were  over  he  resumed  educational  work  and  has  contributed 


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158  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

much  to  the  development  of  the  schools  of  the  middle  west.  He  has  been  prin- 
cipal of  the  schools  of  Lisbon,  North  Dakota,  also  at  Nora  Springs,  Iowa,  and 
superintendent  of  the  schools  at  Dysart,  Iowa.  In  1901  he  came  to  Forest  City 
as  superintendent  of  schools  and  served  in  that  capacity  for  six  years.  He  was 
reared  on  a  farm  and  during  his  long  identification  with  educational  work  he 
continued  to  hold  farming  interests  and  keep  in  touch  with  agricultural  develop- 
ment. In  1907  he  retired  from  the  schoolroom  and  has  since  given  his  attention 
wholly  to  the  cultivation  of  his  land.  In  his  holdings  he  is  associated  with  his 
brother,  Q  A.  Bateman,  of  Minneapolis,  and  they  are  owners  of  seven  hundred 
and  twenty  acres  in  Winnebago  county,  also  five  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in 
Black  Hawk  county,  near  Waterloo,  and  one  thousand  acres  near  St.  Paul, 
Minnesota.  They  personally  supervise  the  cultivation  of  the  greater  part  of 
their  vast  holdings  and  keep  in  touch  with  the  most  progressive  agricultural 
methods.  In  fact  their  work  largely  sets  a  standard  for  agricultural  development 
in  the  localities  where  they  own  land. 

On  the  31st  of  August,  1892,  Professor  Bateman  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Carrie  Kay,  of  Nora  Springs,  Iowa,  a  daughter  of  Edward  and  Sarah 
(Belamy)  Kay,  natives  of  England,  who  came  to  America  when  young  and 
settled  near  Madison,  Wisconsin,  later  removing  to  Iowa.  Both  have  passed 
away.  Prof,  and  Mrs.  Bateman  have  a  daughter,  Dorothy  K.,  who  was  grad- 
uated from  the  Forest  City  high  school  with  the  class  of  1917  and  will  enter 
Cornell  College  in  the  fall.  Mr.  Bateman  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of 
Pythias  and  of  the  Sigma  Nu,  a  Greek  letter  college  fraternity,  while  he  and 
his  wife  hold  membership  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  guide  their 
lives  according  to  its  teachings.  She  is  also  a  member  of  the  Tourists  Club  of 
Forest  City.  His  political  allegiance  has  long  been  given  to  the  republican 
party.  For  an  extended  period  he  has  been  recognized  as  one  of  the  most  sub- 
stantial and  valued  citizens  of  the  state,  his  life  work  contributing  in  large 
measure  to  its  progress.  Those  who  know  him,  and  he  has  a  wide  acquaintance, 
recognize  his  marked  ability  and  feel  that  he  has  ever  held  to  the  highest 
standards  for  the  individual  and  also  in  community  life. 


HANS  JACOBS. 


Hans  Jacobs,  whose  time  and  energy  are  devoted  to  the  operation  of  his 
excellent  farm  on  section  3,  Linden  township,  Winnebago  county,  was  bom  in 
Norway,  November  25,  1864.  His  parents,  Jacob  and  Anna  (Thorson)  Jorgen- 
son,  came  with  their  family  to  the  United  States  in  1868  and  after  a  year  spent 
in  Howard  county,  Iowa,  located  in  Forest  township,  Winnebago  county.  The 
father  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  and  for  about  thirty-three  years  made  his 
home  upon  that  farm,  his  death  occurring  in  1901,  when  he  was  seventy-three 
years  old.  The  mother  survived  for  four  years  and  died  at  the  advanced  age  of 
eighty-one  years. 

Hans  Jacobs  was  less  than  four  years  of  age  when  brought  to  America  and 
received  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  Forest  township,  in  the  Forest 
City  high  school,  in  the  Iowa  State  Normal  College  at  Cedar  Falls  and  in  the 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  159 

State  College  of  Agriculture  and  Mechanic  Arts  at  Ames.  When  only  eighteen 
years  old  he  began  teaching  and  during  the  next  decade  alternately  taught  and 
attended  school  and  also  during  the  summers  did  some  farm  work.  At  length  he 
took  charge  of  a  farm  belonging  to  his  brother,  Thomas  Jacobs,  and  operated  that 
place  for  two  years.  He  then  returned  to  the  home  place  and  gave  his  undivided 
time  and  attention  to  the  cultivation  of  that  farm.  Following  his  father's  death 
he  removed  to  his  present  home  farm  on  section  3,  Linden  township,  which  he 
had  purchased  the  previous  year.  He  gives  a  great  deal  of  thought  to  the  man- 
agement of  his  work  and  is  very  eflScient  in  his  methods.  He  is  progressive  but 
at  the  same  time  has  had  sufficient  experience  in  actual  farm  work  to  enable  him 
to  guard  against  taking  up  too  quickly  with  untried  and  perhaps  impractical 
innovations.  He  owns  stock  in  the  Farmers  Co-operative  Creamery  and  the 
Farmers  Elevator  Company  of  Thompson.  It  was  on  Mr.  Jacobs'  farm  that  a 
large  meteorite  fell  about  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  one  day  many  years  ago 
with  an  explosion  heard  fifteen  miles  away. 

Mr.  Jacobs  was  married  in  1897  to  Miss  Lizzie  Isaacson,  of  Forest  township, 
a  daughter  of  Nels  Isaacson,  who  removed  to  Winnebago  county  from  Chicago 
about  1870.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jacobs  have  been  born  six  children,  of  whom  four 
survive,  namely:  Mabel  A.,  who  is  a  graduate  of  the  Thompson  high  school 
and  is  teaching;  and  James  N.,  Leonard  H.  and  Emma  0.,  all  at  home. 

Mr.  Jacobs  supports  the  republican  party  at  the  polls,  for  four  years  was  a 
member  of  the  township  board  of  trustees  and  for  a  number  of  years  has  been 
treasurer  of  the  school  board.  A  public  office  has  been  to  him  a  public  trust  and 
his  duties  have  been  discharged  with  an  eye  single  to  the  good  of  the  community. 
He  is  recognized  as  a  successful  farmer,  a  public-spirited  citizen  and  a  man  of  the 
highest  character.  The  rules  which  have  governed  his  life  are  found  in  the 
teachings  of  the  United  Lutheran  church,  to  i|(hich  he  and  his  family  belong. 


RAYMOND  F.  SCHNEIDER 

Baymond  F.  Schneider,  who  in  1916  became  owner  and  editor  of  the  Democrat, 
published  at  Garner,  his  native  city,  brought  to  his  new  business  connection  the 
benefit  of  long  experience  in  the  newspaper  field,  having  at  differ^it  times  been 
employed  on  various  papers.  He  was  bom  September  17,  1892,  a  son  of  John  and 
Dora  (Walk)  Schneider,  who  in  1870  removed  to  Hancock  county,  where  the  father 
engaged  in  the  draying  and  bus  business. 

Spending  his  youthful  days  under  the  parental  roof,  the  son  entered  the  public 
schools  at  the  usual  age  and  passed  through  consecutive  grades  to  the  high  school. 
When  his  textbooks  were  put  aside  he  began  learning  the  printer's  trade,  at  which 
he  has  worked  from  the  age  of  sixteen  years.  For  five  years  he  was  employed  on 
the  Gamer  Signal  and  iu  1913  began  conducting  a  newspaper  at  Emery,  South 
Dakota,  where  he  continued  for  a  year.  He  then  returned  to  the  Gamer  Signal, 
with  which  he  was  later  identified  for  a  year  and  a  half,  when  he  entered  the 
office  of  the  Democrat  and  in  1916  purchased  the  paper,  of  which  he  is  now  owner 
and  editor.  The  Hancock  County  Democrat  was  established  in  1883  as  a  weekly 
paper.    After  a  decade  it  became  the  property  of  W.  M.  Bracket,  who  was  proprietor 


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160  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

and  editor  until  January,  1916,  when  he  sold  out  to  Mr.  Schneider,  who  has  since 
installed  a  new  lineograph  and  job  press.  The  paper  is  a  home  print  journal  from 
eight  to  twelve  pages  and  has  a  circulation  of  eleven  hundred  and  fifty  copies,  largely 
in  Hancock  county.  In  its  publication  he  keeps  in  touch  with  modem  ideas  of 
journalism  and  is  doing  excellent  work  along  lines  leading  to  substantial  restdts. 

On  the  18th  of  March,  1916,  Mr.  Schneider  was  married  to  Miss  Leila  Bates, 
of  Garner,  a  daughter  of  S.  C.  Bates.  They  are  members  of  the  Methodist  church 
and  are  highly  esteemed  in  the  community  where  they  live.  In  politics  Mr.,  Schneider 
maintains  an  independent  course  and  through  the  columns  of  his  paper  champions 
those  measures  and  movements  which  he  recognizes  as  of  benefit  to  the  community. 
Fraternally  he  is  connected  with  the  Mystic  Workers  and  with  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  His  entire  life  has  been  passed  in  this  section  of  the  state, 
where  he  is  now  widely  known.  Biis  course  in  business  has  not  been  marked  by 
any  spectacular  phases  but  has  been  characterized  by  that  steady  and  persistent 
progress  which  ultimately  wins  success. 


OLE  L.  HALVOBSEN. 


Ole  L.  Halvorsen,  living  on  section  13,  Ellington  township,  dates  his  residence 
in  Hancock  county  from  1875,  covering  a  period  of  forty-two  years,  in  which  he 
has  witnessed  nearly  all  of  the  changes  which  have  brought  the  county  to  its 
present  state  of  development  and  improvement.  He  was  bom  in  Norway,  Septem- 
ber 19, 1848,  his  parents  being  Lars  and  Ellen  (Hansen)  Halvorsen,  who  were  also 
natives  of  the  land  of  the  midnight  sun.  Coming  to  America  in  1852,  they  settled 
in  Clayton  county,  Iowa,  where  their  remaining  days  were  passed,  and  there  they 
reared  their  family  of  twelve  children,  eight  of  whom  are  yet  living. 

Ole  L.  Halvorsen  was  a  little  lad  of  only  about  four  years  when  brought  to  the 
United  States  and  his  youthful  experiences  made  him  familiar  with  the  pioneer 
development  of  Clayton  county,  where  he  assisted  in  the  farm  work  through  the 
sunmier  months,  while  in  the  winter  seasons  he  had  the  opportunity  of  attending 
school.  He  mastered  not  only  the  elementary  branches  of  learning  but  also  the 
studies  taught  in  high  school,  and  when  his  textbooks  were  put  aside  he  concen- 
trated his  entire  attention  upon  farm  work  on  the  old  homestead,  there  remaining 
until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty-seven.  It  was  in  1875  that  he  removed  to 
Hancock  county  and  purchased  the  farm  on  section  13,  Ellington  township,  upon 
which  he  has  now  remained  for  more  than  four  decades.  It  is  a  tract  of  two 
hundred  acres  of  rich  and  productive  land  which  he  has  improved  with  excellent 
buildings  and  modern  equipments  such  as  facilitate  farm  work.  He  carries  on  the 
labor  of  the  fields  according  to  progressive  methods  of  agriculture  and  annually 
harvests  good  crops  as  a  reward  for  his  care  and  labor.  He  is  also  a  stockholder  of 
the  Farmers  Elevator  of  Ventura. 

In  1877  Mr.  Halvorsen  was  married  to  Miss  Clara  Mickelson,  a  native  of 
Norway,  and  they  have  become  the  parents  of  nine  children:  Mary,  deceased; 
Lena,  the  wife  of  Carl  Solsa,  of  Hancock  coimty;  Julia,  the  wife  of  P.  G.  Johnson; 
Vina  and  Lewis,  at  home;  Mary,  the  wife  of  Don  Foley,  now  of  Colorado;  Emma, 
the  wife  of  John  Osner;  Clarence,  a  farmer;  and  Ella,  at  home. 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  161 

Mr.  Halvorsen  exercises  his  right  of  franchise  in  support  of  the  men  and 
measures  of  the  republican  party,  and  while  he  has  never  sought  nor  desired  politi- 
cal oflSce,  he  has  served  for  some  years  as  a  member  of  the  school  board,  the  cause 
of  education  finding  in  him  a  warm  friend.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
Lutheran  churtih  and  they  believe  in  all  those  forces  which  work  for  righteousness, 
truth  and  justice.  They  are  recognized  as  leading  residents  of  Ellington  township 
and  enjoy  the  confidence  and  warm  regard  of  those  with  whom  they  have  been 
brought  in  contact. 


ANDREW  B.  NESSET. 


Andrew  B.  Nesset,  who  is  engaged  in 'general  farming  on  section  13,  Forest 
township,  Winnebago  county,  has  so  carefully  directed  his  business  affairs  that  he 
is  today  one  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  his  community.  He  was  born  in  Waseca 
county,  Minnesota,  August  23,  1867,  his  parents  being  Jens  and  Johanna  (Quam) 
Nesset,  who  were  natives  of  Norway  and  came  to  America  as  boy  and  girl  in  1835 
on  the  same  ship.  Their  marriage  occurred  in  this  coimtry.  For  five  years  they 
lived  in  Wisconsin  and  on  the  expiration  of  that  period  removed  'to  Winneshiek 
county,  Iowa,  where  Mr.  Nesset  carried  on  farming  for  five  years.  He  then  took 
his  family  to  Minnesota  and  settled  on  a  farm,  on  which  he  remained  for  a  number 
of  years,  but  at  length  returned  to  this  state  and  became  a  farmer  of  Winnebago 
coimty,  taking  up  his  abode  on  the  land  on  which  Andrew  B.  Nesset  now  resides. 
Upon  this  place  his  remaining  days  were  passed,  but  the  death  of  his  wife  occcurred 
in  Minnesota.    In  their  family  were  five  children,  of  whom  four  are  yet  living. 

Andrew  B.  Nesset  acquired  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
state  and  and  after  attaining  his  majority  he  purchased  land  and  engaged  in 
farming  there.  Eventually,  however,  he  came  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  and 
bought  the  old  Anderson  homestead  on  section  31,  Forest  township,  west  of  Forest 
City.  This  place  was  purchased  in  1880  by  Mr.  Nesset's  father-in-law,  Steele 
Anderson,  at  which  time  Mrs.  Nesset  was  but  five  years  of  age.  After  living  on 
that  farm  for  seven  years  Mr.  Nesset  sold  it  and  bought  a  place  on  section  16  which 
he  owned  for  eight  years  and  on  which  he  continued  to  reside  for  three  years  after 
disposing  of  it.  He  next  took  up  his  abode  on  the  Nesset  homestead  on  section  13, 
Forest  township,  where  he  now  owns  three  hundred  and  thirty-nine  acres,  all  of 
which  is  improved.  He  has  brought  his  fields  to  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and 
annually  gathers  golden  harvests  as  a  reward  for  the  care  and  labor  which  he  bestows 
upon  his  land.  He  also  makes  a  specialty  of  feeding  stock  of  all  kinds  and  he  like- 
wise is  one  of  the  stockholders  of  the  Farmers  Elevator  at  Forest  City,  the  Farmers 
Elevator  at  Leland  and  the  Forest  City  Cooperative  Creamery  Company. 

On  October  12,  1892,  Mr.  Nesset  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Anderson,  a 
native  of  Forest  City  and  a  daughter  of  Steele  and  Christina  Anderson,  who  were 
bom  in  Norway.  Leaving  the  land  of  the  midnight  sun,  they  came  to  America  in 
1871  and  took  up  their  abode  in  Winnebago  coimty,  while  at  the  present  time  they 
are  residents  of  Mason  City,  Iowa.  In  their  family  were  nine  children,  all  of 
whom  are  yet  living.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nesset  have  become  parents  of  three  children : 
Jared  A.,  who  married  Hazel  Harris  and  has  one  child,  Violet,  and  who  follows 


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162  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

farming  in  Winnebago  county,  on  Sunset  View  Farm;  Stanley  H.,  also  a  farmer; 
and  Leo  C.  The  first  two  are  college  graduates,  having  completed  their  studies  at 
Waldorf  College  at  Forest  City.  The  family  are  most  pleasantly  located  in  an 
attractive  home  on  the  Oak  Lawn  Farm ;  another  place  which  Mr.  Nesset  owns  is 
known  as  the  Sunset  View  Farm;  and  his  farm  of  ninety-nine  acres  in  Mount 
Valley  township  is  named  Hickory  Grove  Farm.  Fraternally  Mr.  Nesset  is  con- 
nected with  the  Odd  Fellows  Lodge  No.  440  at  Forest  City  and  he  and  his  wife  are 
identified  with  the  Rebekah  degree.  They  are  also  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  to  the  teachings  of  which  they  loyally  adhere.  In  his  political 
views  Mr.  Nesset  is  a  republican  and  for  six  years  he  filled  the  ofiice  of  township 
trustee,  while  for  a  number  of  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  school  board.  He  is  a 
public-spirited  and  patriotic  citizen  and  one  to  whom  the  community  can  ever  look 
for  substantial  aid  in  support  of  measures  for  the  general  good.  The  secret  of  his 
success  is  to  be  found  in  diligence  and  determination,  combined  with  thorough 
reliability  in  all  business  transactions. 


SOREN  H.  LARSON. 


Soren  H.  Larson,  the  eflRcient  president  of  the  Farmers  State  Bank  of  Lake 
Mills,  Iowa,  was  born  in  Boone  county,  Illinois,  March  14,  1857,  a  son  of  Halvor 
an<l  Kari  (Berg)  Larson,  the  former  a  native  of  Siljord  prestegjeld,  Ovre  Tele- 
marken,  Norway,  and  the  latter  of  Sovde  prestegjeld,  Nedre  Telemarken,  that 
country.  About  1850  the  family  emigrated  to  Boone  coimty,  Illinois,  where  the 
father  worked  as  a  laborer  for  some  time.  Later  he  invested  his  savings  in  land  in 
that  county  and  improved  and  operated  his  farm  until  1864,  when  he  removed 
to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa.  There  he  purchased  land  which  he  farmed  until  he 
retired  from  active  life.  His  last  years  were  spent  at  the  home  of  his  son,  Soren  H. 
His  death  occurred  in  May,  1909,  when  he  was  nearly  eighty-five  years  old.  The 
mother  died  in  the  same  month,  when  nearly  eighty-three  years  of  age. 

Soren  H.  Larson  was  reared  and  educated  in  Winnebago  county,  as  he  was  but 
six  years  old  when  brought  here  by  his  parents.  In  1881,  in  early  manhood,  he 
went  to  North  Dakota  with  one  of  his  brothers  and  his  brother-in-law  and  there 
they  farmed,  ran  a  threshing  outfit,  dealt  in  horses  and  also  conducted  a  country 
store  and  postoffice  for  three  years.  In  1887,  however,  Mr.  Larson  returned  to 
Iowa'  and  purchased  the  home  place,  which  he  operated  until  he  was  elected 
treasurer  of  Winnebago  county  in  1892,  at  which  time  he  removed  to  Forest  City, 
the  county  seat.  Six  years  later,  at  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service  as  county 
treasurer,  he  removed  to  Lake  Mills  and,  in  company  with  others,  organized  the 
First  National  Bank  at  that  place  and  served  as  assistant  cashier  of  that  institu- 
tion until  1902,  when  he  became  cashier.  In  the  same  year  the  First  National 
Bank  absorbed  the  P.  M.  Joice  private  bank.  While  connected  with  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Lake  Mills  he,  with  others,  organized  the  First  National  Bank 
of  Hannaford,  North  Dakota,  in  which  he  retained  his  interest  for  two  years. 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  165 

In  1905  he  severed  his  eoniiection  with  the  First  National  Bank  at  Lake  Mills  and 
purchased  an  interest  in  the  Farmers  State  Bank  of  Lake  Mills,  whose  business 
policy  he  has  since  directed  as  president.  It  was  organized  in  1898,  has  a  capital 
of  twenty-five  thousand  dollars  surplus  and  undivided  profits  amounting  to  twenty- 
five  thousand  dollars,  and  about  four  hundred  and  thirty  thousand  dol  liars  in 
deposits.  The  other  oflScers  are:  Ole  Hovie,  vice  president;  T.  S.  Tweed, 
cashier;  and  G.  T.  Tweed  and  Frank  Streeter,  assistant  cashiers.  The  excellent 
condition  of  the  finances  of  the  institution  is  due  to  the  sagacity  and  enter- 
prise of  the  oflBcers  and  to  their  fine  spirit  of  co-operation,  each  seeking 
to  co-ordinate  his  work  with  that  of  the  others  so  as  to  further  the  best  interests 
of  the  bank.  Mr.  Larson  brings  to  his  important  work  as  president  a  detailed 
knowledge  of  banking  practice,  a  thorough  understanding  of  the  basic  principles 
of  finance  and  resourcefulness  in  dealing  with  unusual  situations. 

In  February,  1894,  Mr.  Larson  was  married  to  Miss  Anna  D.  Bolstad,  and  they 
have  three  children:  Kenneth  H.,  bom  January  7,  1895,  and  Earl  B.,  bom 
September  19,  1896,  both  of  whom  attended  St.  Olaf  College  for  two  years  and 
are  graduates  of  the  Minneapolis  Business  College;  and  Adeline  S.,  born  January 
21,  1903,  who  is  attending  school. 

In  his  political  belief  Mr.  Larson  is  a  stanch  republican  and  he  has  served 
his  community  as  a  member  of  the  town  council  and  is  now  serving  as  treasurer 
of  the  school  board.  In  those  capacities  he  has  made  a  highly  creditable  record, 
giving  the  same  close  attention  to  his  oflScial  duties  that  he  has  always  given  to 
the  management  of  his  business  affairs.  His  integrity  has  always  been  beyond 
question  and  his  personal  friends  are  many. 


R.  W.  CUFFEL. 


R.  W.  Cuffd,  who  is  living  retired  in  Lake  Mills  after  a  number  of  years  of  well 
directed  and  successful  labor  as  an  agriculturist,  was  bom  in  Kosciusko  county, 
Indiana,  August  1,  1862.  His  parents,  Albert  and  Rebecca  (Newton)  Cuffel,  were 
bom  respectively  in  Ohio  and  in  New  York  and  in  1856  removed  from  Indiana  to 
Chickasaw  county,  Iowa,  where  the  father  farmed  for  many  years.  At  length  he 
retired  and  from  that  time  until  his  death  resided  with  his  daughter,  Mrs.  J.  A. 
Rush,  at  Sunnyside,  Washington.  There  both  he  and  his  wife  died  and  were 
buried.  To  them  were  bom  eight  children,  of  whom  seven  survive  and  of  whom 
our  subject  is  the  fourth  in  order  of  birth. 

R.  W.  Cuffel  received  a  common  school  education  but  when  sixteen  years  old 
put  aside  his  textbooks  and  for  five  years  thereafter  devoted  his  entire  time  and 
attention  to  assisting  his  father  on  the  home  farm.  By  the  time  he  attained  his 
majority  he  was  thoroughly  familiar  with  all  phases  of  farm  work  and  for  four 
years  he  was  employed  as  a  hired  hand  in  the  vicinity  of  Lake  Mills.  When 
twenty-five  years  old  he  went  to  Bremer  county,  Iowa,  and  purchased  land,  which 
he  cultivated  for  a  few  years,  later  farming  in  Butler  county  for  eight  years.  At 
the  end  of  that  time  he  bought  land  in  Logan  township,  Winnebago  county,  but 


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166     WINNEBAGO  AND  HANCOCK  COUNTIES 

after  operating  that  place  for  five  years  rented  it  and  took  up  his  residence  in  Lake 
Mills,  where  he  is  still  living.  He  is  in  excellent  financial  circumstances  and  his 
success  is  doubly  creditable  in  that  it  is  due  solely  to  his  own  hard  work  and  good 
management. 

Mr.  CufEel  was  married  October  10,  1881,  to  Miss  Mary  McCaffree,  a  daughter 
of  Charles  and  Cynthia  (Messenger)  McCafcee,  the  former  born  in  Kentucky  and 
the  latter  in  Indiana.  They  removed  to  Bremer  county,  Iowa,  in  territorial  days 
and  the  father  turned  the  first  furrow  within  the  limits  of  the  county.  Both 
passed  away  there  and  are  buried  near  Waverly.  They  were  well  known  among 
the  early  settlers  and  were  held  in  the  highest  esteem.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cuffel  have  a 
a  daughter,  Gertrude  Blanche,  who  married  H.  B.  Hill,  of  Lake  Mills,  by  whom 
she  has  a  daughter,  Elaine,  born  September  16,  1914. 

Mr,  Cuffel  exercises  his  right  of  franchise  in  support  of  the  candidates  and 
measures  of  the  republican  party  but  has  never  been  an  aspirant  for  oflSce.  He  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  church  and  do  all  in  their  power  to  further 
its  work  and  extend  its  influence.  His  life  has  been  characterized  by  quiet  eflBciency, 
by  the  strictest  adherence  to  high  moral  standards  and  by  strong  and  lasting 
friendships. 


VICTOR  L.  BELLMAN. 


Victor  L.  Bellman,  a  well  known  general  merchant  of  Thompson,  Iowa,  has 
spent  his  entire  life  in  this  state,  his  birth  occurring  in  Dows,  Wright  county,  on 
the  11th  of  September,  1874.  His  parents,  Sven  and  Sophia  (Donaldson)  Bellman, 
were  natives  of  Sweden  but  in  early  life  came  to  the  United  States  and  first  located 
in  Michigan,  where  they  spent  four  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  they  removed 
to  Wright  county,  Iowa,  where  the  father  purchased  land  and  engaged  in  farming 
for  twelve  years,  and  then  turned  his  attention  to  mercantile  pursuits,  conducting 
a  store  at  Dows  for  a  number  of  years.  Later  he  engaged  in  the  real  estate  busi- 
ness at  that  place.  After  a  useful  and  well  spent  life  he  passed  away  in  May,  1913, 
having  survived  his  wife  only  a  few  months,  as  she  died  in  January  of  the  same 
year.     Both  were  earnest  and  consistent  members  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church. 

Beared  in  his  native  county,  Victor  L.  Bellman  is  indebted  to  the  public 
schools  of  Dows  for  the  early  educational  privileges  he  enjoyed,  and  he  remained 
with  his  parents  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty-seven  years.  He  then  went  to 
Garner,  Iowa,  where  he  conducted  a  store  for  two  months,  and  on  leaving  there 
engaged  in  general  merchandising  at  Germania  for  three  years.  For  about  fifteen 
years,  however,  he  has  owned  and  operated  a  store  in  Thompson  and  has  built  up  an 
excellent  trade  in  the  town  and  surrounding  country.  He  carries  a  large  and  well 
selected  stock  of  goods  and  his  liberal  prices  and  fair  dealing  have  gained  for  him  a 
good  patronage.  Mr.  Bellman  is  also  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Com- 
pany and  the  Farmers  Creamery  Company  of  Thompson  and  has  an  interest  in 
Wisconsin  farm  land. 

On  the  1st  of  January,  1901,  Mr.  Bellman  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Leona  Sanders,  and  they  have  become  the  parents  of  two  children,  Opal,  now 
fourteen  years  of  age ;  and  Merle,  aged  seven  years.     Mrs.  Bellman  holds  member- 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  167 

ship  in  fhe  Methodist  church,  and  Mr.  Bellman  takes  an  active  interest  in  the 
moral  and  material  development  of  his  community.  Mr.  Bellman  is  also  afl&liated 
with  the  Masonic  order  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  is  a  stanch  supporter  of  the 
republican  party.  For  three  years  he  eflBciently  served  as  a  member  of  the  town 
council  and  is  a  stalwart  champion  of  all  measures  for  the  public  good. 


HANS  P.  JUHL. 


Hans  P.  Juhl,  the  capable  and  well  liked  postmaster  at  Thompson,  was  born  in 
Nysted,  Denmark,  March  25,  1881,  a  son  of  Christian  and  Margaret  Juhl,  who  are 
still  living  in  Nysted.  The  father  is  by  occupation  a  farmer.  Hans  P.  Juhl,  who 
is  the  third  in  order  of  birth  in  a  family  of  six  children,  attended  the  common 
schools  in  his  native  country  imtil  he  was  sixteen  years  old,  after  ,which  he  was 
variously  employed  imtil  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age,  when  with  an  uncle  he 
emigrated  to  the  United  States,  locating  at  Britt,  Iowa,  where  another  uncle,  Nels 
Lorensen,  was  farming.  He  remained  there  for  a  year  and  subsequently  worked 
for  farmers  in  the  locality  of  Thompson  for  two  years.  For  a  short  time  he  fol- 
lowed the  butcher^s  trade  and  later  clerked  in  a  clothing  store  in  Forest  City.  In 
1911  he  came  to  Thompson  and  bought  a  restaurant,  which  he  conducted  imtil 
1914,  when  he  established  a  moving  picture  theater,  which  he  disposed  of  in  1916. 
On  the  1st  of  April,  1917,  he  assumed  the  duties  of  postmaster  and  has  already 
given  evidence  that  he  is  well  fitted  for  the  place. 

Mr.  Juhl  was  married  in  1911  to  Miss  Helen  Halvorson,  a  daughter  of  John 
and  Anna  Halvorson,  natives  respectively  of  Norway  and  Wisconsin.  For  a  number 
of  years  the  father  conducted  a  general  store  in  Thompson  but  is  now  deceased. 
The  mother  is  still  living  here.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Juhl  have  three  children,  John 
Harold,  Robert  Sidney  and  Paul  Vincent. 

Mr.  Juhl  is  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  democratic  party  and  is  well  informed  as 
to  the  questions  and  issues  of  the  day.  He  is  now  serving  as  town  assessor  as  well 
as  postmaster,  and  all  of  his  ofBcial  duties  are  discharged  promptly  and  efSciently. 
He  owns  a  fine  home  in  Thompson  and  is  recognized  as  a  successful  and  enterprising 
young  man. 


FOREST  CITY  NATIONAL  BANK. 

The  Forest  City  National  Bank,  an  important  element  of  busiuess  development 
in  Winnebago  county,  was  organized  in  July,  1895,  with  C.  J.  Thompson  as 
president,  G.  S.  Gilbertson  cashier  and  Judge  C.  H.  Kelly  as  vice  president.  In 
addition  there  were  on  the  board  of  directors  0.  A.  Olson,  S.  C.  Gardner  and  T.  G. 
Tweed,  while  Charles  A.  Isaacs  became  assistant  cashier.  The  bank  was  capitalized 
for  fifty  thousand  dollars  and  erected  a  building  at  the  northwest  comer  of  Clark 
and  K  streets.  On  the  12th  of  January,  1904,  Mr.  Thompson  sold  his  interest  in 
the  bank  and  G.  S.  Gilbertson  succeeded  to  the  presidency,  while  B.  H.  Thomas  was 
elected  cashier.    The  other  directors  were  C.  H.  Kelly,  0.  A.  Olson,  G.  B.  Anderson, 


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168  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

W.  .0.  Hanson,  H.  R.  Irish  and  C.  A.  Isaacs.  In  January,  1905,  C.  A.  Isaacs 
became  cashier  and  served  in  that  capacity  until  September,  1912,  when  he  with- 
drew from  the  bank,  selling  his  interest.  He  was  succeeded  by  E.  W,  Stephenson 
in  the  office  of  cashier.  On  the  7th  of  April,  1913,  Q.  S.  Gilbertson  sold  his  bank 
stock  and  W.  S.  Wadsworth  was  elected  president,  while  H.  R.  Cleophas  became 
vice  president.  A  further  change  in  the  presidency  occurred  January  12,  1915, 
when  Hon.  G.  N.  Haugen,  congressman,  was  called  to  that  office.  Judge  C.  H. 
Kelly  is  the  vice  president,  while  Mr.  Cleophas  is  cashier.  0.  E.  Gunderson  is  the 
assistant  cashier  of  the  bank,  while  in  addition  to  the  president  and  the  cashier 
the  directors  are  F.  D.  Peet,  G.  I.  Koto,  John  A.  Peters  and  G.  B.  Anderson.  These 
are  all  men  of  substantial  worth  and  business  ability.  The  persistent  purpose, 
sound  judgment  and  unfaltering  enterprise  of  Mr.  Cleophas  are  constituting 
important  sources  of  the  growth  of  the  bank  and  he  displays  marked  ability  in 
administrative  direction  and  executive  control.  Mr.  Gunderson  as  assistant  cashier 
is  making  good  in  his  position  and  the  clerical  force  of  the  bank  is  competent  and 
courteous.  In  a  word,  the  personnel  of  the  bank  has  had  much  to  do  with  its 
success.  The  officers  and  directors  of  the  bank  are  all  men  of  high  standing  and 
have  had  much  experience  in  banking  business.  Hon.  G.  N.  Haug^i  is  president  of 
the  First  National  Bank  of  Northwood  and  is  interested  in  several  other  banks  of 
Iowa,  Minnesota  and  North  Dakota,  while  Judge  Kelly  is  vice  president  of  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Thompson,  Iowa,  and  of  other  banks  in  the  state.  F.  D. 
Peet  is  president  of  the  State  National  Bank  of  Iowa  Falls  and  he,  too,  is  interested 
in  other  banking  institutions. 

The  Forest  City  National  Bank  has  accumulated  a  surplus  and  undivided  profits 
since  April,  1913,  of  twenty-eight  thousand  dollars.  At  that  time  its  deposits  were 
only  three  hundred  and  five  thousand  dollars,  while  in  April,  1917,  the  deposits 
had  reached  five  hundred  and  two  thousand  dollars.  The  bank  thus  shows  a  steady 
growth  in  its  business,  which  is  conducted  along  most  safe  and  conservative  lines, 
but  its  policy  does  not  hinder  continuous  progression. 


JOSEPH    NEDVED. 


Joseph  Nedved  is  a  resident  fanner  of  Garfield  township,  Hancock  county, 
living  on  section  32,  where  he  owns  and  cultivates  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
of  rich  and  productive  land.  He  was  born  in  Bohemia,  March  7,  1864,  and  is  a 
son  of  John  and  Mary  (Borz)  Nedved.  The  father  died  in  Hancock  county  in 
1904  and  the  mother  is  still  living  in  this  county.  In  their  family  were  five  sons, 
the  brothers  of  Joseph  being:  John,  Stenk,  Frank  and  Charles,  who  are  all  mar- 
ried and  reside  in  Garfield  township,  Hancock  county. 

Joseph  Nedved  acquired  a  common  school  education  in  Bohemia,  where  he 
remained  until  he  reached  the  age  of  seventeen  years.  He  then  determined  to  try 
his  fortune  in  the  new  world,  believing  that  he  might  have  better  opportunities  on 
this  side  the  Atlantic.  Acccordingly  on  the  4th  of  June,  1881,  he  arrived  in  the 
United  States  and  from  the  eastern  coast  made  his  way  at  once  into  the  interior 
of  the  country.  When  he  first  came  to  Iowa  he  earned  sixty  cents  per  day  at  husk- 
ing com,  four  men  being  engaged  to  husk  with  one  wagon.    Land  at  that  day  sold 


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MR.  AM)   MRS.  JOSKIMI   NEDVEI) 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  171 

at  from  four  to  eight  dollars  per  acre.  One  could  pick  any  land  desired  at  the 
top  price  of  eight  dollars.  Mr.  Nedved,  however,  had  to  earn  the  money  before 
he  could  make  a  purchase,  but  ultimately  tecame  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  on  section  32,  Garfield  township,  Hancock  county,  for  which  he  paid 
ten  dollars  and  a  quarter  per  acre.  In  his  fanning  operations  he  has  prospered 
and  today  he  owns  another  tract  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  situated  in  German 
township.  His  fields  are  carefully  cultivated  and  his  industry  and  enterprise  are 
bringing  to  him  a  substantial  measure  of  success. 

On  the  28th  of  July,  1890,  Mr.  Nedved  was  married  to  Miss  Anna  Hoydar,  a 
daughter  of  Frank  and  Mary  Vonesh  Hoydar,  the  former  of  whom  died  Decem- 
ber 6,  1914,  while  the  latter  is  still  living  in  Hancock  county.  Mrs.  Nedved  was 
bom  in  Winneshiek  county,  Iowa,  July  26,  1873,  and  by  her  marriage  has  become 
the  mother  of  five  sons :  Edward  B.,  who  is  married  and  lives  in  Iowa  Falls,  where 
he  is  operator  on  the  Rock  Island  Railroad ;  James  J.,  who  is  agent  for  the  Chicago 
&  Northwestern  Railroad  at  Parkersburg,  Iowa;  Joseph  V.  and  George  P.,  who 
are  operating  the  home  farm;  and  Raleigh  S.,  who  is  attending  the  Britt  high 
school. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nedved  are  members  of  the  Catholic  church  and  for  nineteen 
years  he  has  been  connected  with  the  Modem  Woodmen,  of  which  he  is  a  trustee. 
In  politics  he  is  a  republican  and  is  now  serving  for  the  second  term  of  two  years 
as  township  trustee.  He  was  also  school  director  for  six  years.  He  has  never  had 
occasion  to  regret  his  determination  to  come  to  the  new  world,  for  here  he  has 
found  the  opportunities  which  he  sought  and  by  a  life  of  industry  and  persever- 
ance has  made  for  himself  a  position  among  the  substantial  farmers  of  the 
locality. 


OLAF  A.  MOGEN. 


One  of  the  best  improved  and  most  attractive  farm  properties  of  Winnebago 
county  is  that  owned  by  Olaf  A.  Mogen,  whose  place  comprises  three  hundred  acres 
on  section  23,  Center  township.  He  has  resided  thereon  for  almost  a  third  of  a 
century  and  its  neat  and  attractive  appearance  is  the  visible  evidence  of  his  life  of 
well  directed  energy  and  thrift.  He  was  bom  in  Norway  May  17,  1854,  and  is  a 
son  of  Aslok  and  Sigrid  (Sovtestad)  Olson,  who  were  likewise  natives  of  the  land 
of  the  midnight  sun  and  there  remained  until  called  to  the  home  beyond.  The 
father  served  in  the  regular  army  in  Norway  for  about  forty  years  and  became  a 
sergeant. 

The  youthful  days  of  Olaf  A.  Mogen  were  spent  in  Norway  and  his  education 
was  acquired  in  its  public  schools.  After  attaining  his  majority,  in  1880,  he  made 
the  long  voyage  across  the  briny  deep  and  settled  first  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin, 
where  he  spent  one  winter.  He  then  again  started  westward  with  Worth  county, 
Iowa,  as  his  destination  and  there  he  secured  employment  at  farm  labor,  devoting 
the  summer  months  to  the  work  of  the  fields,  while  in  the  winter  seasons  he  taught 
school  in  Worth  and  Winnebago  counties.  In  this  way  be  finally  earned  the  capital 
which  enabled  him  to  purchase  land  and  he  invested  in  three  hundred  acres  on 
section  23,  Center  township,  Winnebago  county.    This  he  set  about  clearing  and 


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172  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

improving.  He  has  cleared  two  hundred  and  seventy  acres  of  his  farm  and  today 
has  one  of  the  best  improved  places  in  the  county,  equipped  with  all  the  conveniences 
and  accessories  of  a  model  farm  of  the  twentieth  century.  It  bears  proof  of  the 
thirty-two  years  of  labor  which  he  has  devoted  thereto  and  each  year  he  garners  good 
crops  as  a  reward  for  his  effort.  He  is  also  a  stockholder  in  the  Lake  Mills  Cream- 
ery Company  and  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  of  Lake  Mills. 

In  February,  1884,  Mr.  Mogen  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Sarah  Knutson 
and  they  have  become  the  parents  of  three  sons,  Andrew  0.,  Conrad  C.  and  Gustav 
Theodore,  all  of  whom  are  farming  in  Center  township. 

Mr.  Mogen's  life  has  ever  been  actuated  by  high  and  honorable  principles.  He 
holds  membership  in  the  United  Lutheran  church  and  his  position  upon  the  temper- 
ance question  is  indicated  by  the  stalwart  support  which  he  gives  to  the  prohibition 
party.  Those  who  know  him,  and  he  has  a  wide  acquaintance,  esteem  him  as  a 
man  of  sterling  worth  and  the  course  which  he  has  followed  might  well  serve  as  an 
example  to  others,  while  his  life  history  also  proves  conclusively  that  success  and  an 
honored  name  may  be  won  simultaneously. 


SIMON  A.  SMITH. 


Simon  A.  Smith,  a  retired  farmer  living  in  Lake  Mills,  has  passed  the  seventy- 
ninth  milestone  on  lifers  journey  but  is  still  in  good  health  and  takes  a  keen  interest 
in  all  happenings  of  the  day.  He  was  bom  in  Middlesex,  Vermont,  July  27,  1837, 
the  third  child  in  a  family  of  six  children  whose  parents  were  Simon  and  Amelia 
(Moore)  Smith,  natives  of  Massachusetts.  He  was  the  only  one  to  come  to  Iowa  and 
all  of  the  others  have  passed  away  save  his  sister  Sarah,  now  the  widow  of  George 
Butler  and  a  resident  of  Montpelier,  Vermont. 

The  boyhood  of  Simon  A.  Smith  was  passed  upon  the  home  farm  in  Vermont 
and  his  education  was  acquired  in  the  common  schools.  When  sixteen  years  old  he 
began  working  for  others,  following  the  carpenter's  and  painter's  trades,  and  was  so 
occupied  until  1865,  when  he  came  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  and  homesteaded 
land  in  Center  township.  He  there  raised  grain  and  stock  for  many  years  and 
his  well  directed  labors  brought  him  a  gratifying  financial  return.  At  length  he 
rented  the  land  and  retired  to  Lake  Mills  and  has  since  enjoyed  a  well  earned  rest. 
On  May  20,  1868,  Mr.  Smith  was  married  to  Miss  Amelia  Ruby,  a  daughter  of 
Charles  and  Josephine  (Wawada)  Ruby,  natives  of  Bohemia.  On  emigrating  to 
America  they  located  in  Hartford,  Connecticut,  but  after  two  years  went  to  Chicago, 
where  they  remained  a  year.  They  then  resided  in  Worth  county,  Iowa,  for  five 
years,  after  which  they  came  to  Winnebago  county,  then  a  pioneer  district.  Both 
have  passed  away  and  the  father  is  buried  upon  the  homestead,  while  the  mother's 
remains  are  interred  in  the  South  cemetery  at  Lake  Mills.  Six  children  have  been 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith,  namely:  Millie  Josephine,  the  wife  of  Clarence 
Tracy,  of  Vinton,  Iowa;  Benjamin  Franklin,  of  Lake  Mills;  Carlos  Wolcott,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  twelve  years  and  is  buried  in  the  North  cemetery;  Harriet 
Hermina,  tKe  wife  of  A.  J.  Bragg,  of  Clear  Lake;  Ella  Mable,  at  home;  and 
Frederick  Carlos,  a  wireless  operator  in  the  employ  of  the  United  States  navy. 

Mr.  Smith  votes  for  the  candidates  and  measures  of  the  republican  party  and 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  173 

has  always  been  a  stanch  supporter  of  its  principles,  which  he  believes  to  be  best 
calculated  to  further  the  interests  of  the  country.  He  belongs  to  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  both  within  and  without  that  organization  has  many 
warm  friends,  for  his  life  has  measured  up  to  high  standards  and  he  has  always 
held  friendship  inviolable.  For  more  than  five  decades  he  has  resided  in  Winne- 
bago county  and  has  seen  practically  its  entire  transformation  from  a  region  of 
unbroken  prairie  to  a  highly  developed  agricultural  district. 


HENRY  DUESENBERG. 

Henry  Duesenberg,  now  successfully  engaged  in  general  farming  on  section  28, 
Concord  township,  Hancock  couniy,  has  been  a  resident  of  Iowa  since  1884  but  his 
early  home  was  on  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic,  for  he  was  bom  in  Germany, 
September  16,  1863,  his  parents  being  Conrad  and  Conradine  (PotthoflE)  Duesen- 
berg. The  father  died  in  Germany,  and  in  1885  the  mother  came  to  the  United 
States,  where  she  is  still  living  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight  years.  She  purchased 
a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Floyd  county,  Iowa,  for  which  she  paid 
twenty-three  dollars  per  acre,  and  in  that  county  she  still  makes  her  home.  She 
was  again  married,  her  second  husband  being  Christian  Hertz,  of  Charies  City, 
Iowa. 

Henry  Duesenberg  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  land,  where  he 
remained  until  1884,  when  he  resolved  to  try  his  fortune  in  the  new  world.  For 
three  years  after  coming  to  this  country  he  worked  as  a  farm  hand  and  then  rented 
a  farm  in  Floyd  county,  Iowa,  which  he  operated  for  two  years.  At  the  end  of 
that  time  he  turned  his  attention  to  shoemaking  and  hamessmaking  in  Klemme, 
Hancock  county,  where  he  worked  at  these  trades  for  five  years.  The  following 
two  years  were  again  devoted  to  agricultural  pursuits,  but  on  the  7th  of  August, 
1897,  a  hail  storm  destroyed  his  crops,  leaving  him  only  fifteen  bushels  of  potatoes, 
worth  twenty  cents  per  bushel,  for  his  year's  work.  On  settling  up  his  affairs  he 
found  that  he  was  six  hundred  dollars  in  debt.  Mr.  Duesenberg  then  returned  to 
Floyd  county  and  lived  with  his  mother  for  a  time  while  working  in  a  harness 
shop.  In  April,  1898,  he  began  working  for  the  Patton  nursery  at  Charles  City 
as  traveling  salesman,  and  remained  with  that  house  for  three  years.  He  was 
engaged  in  the  nursery  business  at  Rockford,  Iowa,  until  his  removal  to  Garner 
in  1905.  He  put  in  a  nursery  stock  but  on  the  3d  of  July,  1908,  the  hail  com- 
pletely ruined  thirty  thousand  apple  trees  and  all  of  his  strawberries,  covering  an 
acre  and  a  half.  Since  then  he  has  engaged  in  general  farming,  having  purchased 
in  1905  a  tract  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres  on  section  28,  Concord  township, 
Hancock  county,  for  which  he  paid  sixty-five  dollars  per  acre. 

On  the  21st  of  December,  1887,  Mr.  Duesenberg  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Margaret  Byer,  a  native  of  Germany,  of  which  country  her  parents  were  lifelong 
residents.  To  this  union  were  bom  two  children:  Hulda,  now  the  wife  of 
Edward  Katterhenry;  and  Wesley,  a  resident  of  Jersey  City,  New  Jersey.  Mr. 
Duesenberg  was  again  married  October  13,  1898,  his  second  union  being  with  Miss 
Eva  Hicks,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Margaret  (Reutzel)  Hicks,  natives  of  Germany, 
who  came  to  this  country  and  settled  near  Mendota,  Illinois,  in  the  fall  of  1868. 


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174  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

In  that  locality  Mrs.  Duesenberg  was  bom  October  18,  1869,  and  there  her  parents 
still  reside. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Duesenberg  are  earnest  and  consistent  members  of  the  German 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  are  people  of  the  highest  respectability.  In  poli- 
tics Mr.  Duesenberg  is  a  republican.  He  is  a  man  of  good  business  ability  and  is 
regarded  as  one  of  the  representative  citizens  of  the  community  in  which  he  lives. 


ERICK  A.  AND  GILBERT  A.  HOUG. 

Erick  A.  and  Gilbert  A.  Houg,  composing  the  firm  of  Houg  Brothers,  are 
successfully  engaged  in  the  automobile  business  at  Thompson,  Iowa,  where  they 
own  a  fine  modem  garage  on  Main  street.  They  handle  the  Chevrolet  cars  and 
do  a  general  repairing  business,  both  members  of  the  firaa  being  expert  mechanics 
and  men  of  good  business  ability. 

Natives  of  Green  county,  Wisconsin,  Erick  A.  Houg  was  bom  May  19,  1872, 
and  his  brother  Gilbert  A.,  was  born  on  the  14th  of  January,  1878.  Their  parents 
were  Isaac  and  Barbara  (Olesdater)  Houg,  who  came  to  this  country  from  Norway 
in  1869  and  took  up  their  abode  in  Green  county,  Wisconsin,  where  the  father 
worked  as  a  farm  hand  until  1877.  He  then  purchased  forty  acres  of  land,  which 
he  improved  and  cultivated  un,til  1890,  when  he  sold  the  place  to  his  son,  although 
he  built  another  house  on  the  land  and  continued  to  reside  there  a  few  years  longer. 
In  1904,  however,  he  went  to  Virginia  and  made  his  home  in  that  state  up  to 
the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1913  when  he  was  about  eighty-two  years 
of  age,  for  he  was  born  in  Norway  on  the  26th  of  Febmary,  1831.  In  that  country 
he  was  married  June  29, 1860,  to  Miss  Barbara  Olesdater  Hermundpladsen,  who  was 
bora  there  March  3,  1835,  and  died  November  25,  1881.  By  that  union  there 
were  seven  children,  namely:  Ole,  born  April  28,  1861;  Dorothy,  who  was  born 
June  27,  1864,  and  died  February  18,  1871;  Ole,  bora  January  11,  1867;  Andrew, 
born  March  15,  1870;  Erick  A.,  born  May  19,  1872;  Martin,  who  was  born  Febru- 
ary 14,  1875,  and  died  in  the  spring  of  1910;  and  Gilbert  A.,  bora  January  14,  1878. 

Erick  A.  Houg  was  reared  and  educated  in  Wisconsin  and  at  the  early  age  of 
twelve  years  began  work  as  a  farm  hand.  In  the  spring  of  1892  he  went  to  Cal- 
lender,  Webster  county,  Iowa,  where  he  worked  until  the  following  fall,  and  then 
began  learning  the  blacksmith's  trade  at  Dows,  where  he  spent  two  years.  At  the 
end  of  that  time  he  returned  to  Wisconsin  but  after  working  at  his  trade  there 
for  one  summer  again  came  to  Dows,  Iowa.  Shortly  afterward,  however,  he  came 
to  Thompson,  Winnebago  county,  where  he  followed  blacksmithing  two  years,  after 
which  we  again  find  him  in  Dows,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade  until  the  spring 
of  1900.  Mr.  Houg  then  formed  a  partnership  with  Henry  Erickson  and  engaged 
in  general  blacksmithing  at  Thompson  under  the  firm  name  of  Erickson  &  Houg 
for  one  year,  at  the  end  of  which  time  our  subject  sold  out  and  returned  to  Wiscon- 
sin. On  the  1st  of  August,  1901,  he  went  to  Bricelyn,  Minnesota,  where  he  worked 
at  blacksmithing  for  C.  K.  Sabo  until  January,  1902,  at  which  time  he  returned  to 
Thompson,  Iowa,  and  forming  a  partnership  with  his  brother  Gilbert  A.  leased 
and  operated  a  blacksmith  shop  for  one  year.  They  then  purchased  the  same  and 
continued  to  carry  on  blacksmithing  until  the  spring  of  1913,  when  they  rented  the 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  175 

shop  and  turned  their  attention  to  the  automobile  business.  They  erected  a  good 
up-to-date  garage  on  Main  street,  where  they  do  general  repairing  as  well  as  take 
care  of  cars,  and  they  act  as  agents  for  the  Chevrolet  automobile. 

Gilbert  A.  Houg  also  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  native  state  and  in 
early  life  began  earning  his  own  livelihood  as  a  fann  hand.  Like  his  brother  he 
learned  the  blacksmith's  trade  under  the  direction  of  L.  J.  Rude  at  Dows,  Iowa, 
and  he  continued  to  work  at  that  occupation  until  he  embarked  in  the  automobile 
business  as  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Houg  Brothers.  They  are  both  stockholders 
of  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  and  the  Farmers  and  Town  Mutual  Switchboard 
Company  and  are  numbered  among  the  leading  business  men  of  the  community. 

On  the  5th  of  March,  1903,  Erick  A.  Houg  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Rhoda  S.  Johnson,  a  daughter  of  Stephen  and  Martha  Johnson,  pioneers  of  Fari- 
bault county,  Minnesota,  now  living  in  Bricelyn.  Mr.  Houg  and  his  wife  have 
adopted  two  of  her  sister's  children,  namely:  Mabel  Overlee,  bom  March  15,  1905; 
and  Sanford  Overlee,  bom  Febmary  20,  1911.  Gilbert  A.  Houg  was  married 
November  26,  1903,  to  Miss  Cynthia  Olson,  a  daughter  of  Michael  and  Thona 
Olson,  who  were  early  settlers  of  Dows,  Wright  county,  Iowa.  Mrs.  Houg  died 
September  25,  1910,  after  a  short  illness,  leaving  a  little  son,  Merrill  A.,  who  was 
born  April  27,  1907. 

Both  brothers  are  Lutherans  in  religious  faith  and  cast  their  ballots  with  the 
republican  party.  They  take  a  commendable  interest  in  public  affairs  and  Erick 
is  now  serving  as  a  member  of  the  town  council.  He  is  also  treasurer  of  the 
switchboard  company  of  which  he  and  his  brother  are  stockholders.  They  stand 
high  in  the  esteem  of  their  fellow  citizens  and  well  merit  the  success  they  have 
achieved  in  life,  as  it  is  due  entirely  to  their  own  enterprise,  good  management  and 
untiring  industry. 


ABNER  JAMES  PETERS. 

Abner  James  Peters,  actively  engaged  in  farming  on  section  24,  Forest  town- 
ship, Winnebago  county,  is  a  native  of  the  couniy  in  which  he  still  makes  his 
home.  He  was  born  May  19, 1884,  of  the  marriage  of  Ole  and  Cornelia  (Edwards) 
Peters,  both  of  whom  are  natives  of  Norway,  whence  they  came  to  America  in  early 
life.  They  first  settled  in  Wisconsin  and  after  living  there  for  a  number  of  years 
removed  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  taking  up  their  abode  upon  a  farm.  In  addi- 
tion to  the  work  of  tilling  the  soil  the  father  also  operated  a  grist  mill  which  he 
owned  and  was  thus  actively  identified  with  the  industrial  as  well  as  the  agricul- 
tural interests  of  the  county.  Both  he  and  his  wife  still  make  their  home  in 
Winnebago  county,  and  of  their  five  children  four  are  yet  living. 

Abner  J.  Peters  spent  his  youthful  day^  under  the  parental  roof  and  at  the 
usual  age  began  his  education  in  the  district  school,  while  later  he  had  the  benefit 
of  instruction  in  the  high  school  at  Lake  Mills.  He  rented  land  for  about  five 
years,  but  during  that  period  carefully  saved  his  earnings  until  his  industry  and 
economy  had  brought  him  suflBcient  capi1;al  to  enable  him  to  purchase  the  farm 
upon  which  he  now  lives  on  section  24,  Forest  township.  He  has  since  given  his 
attention  and  energy  to  the  further  development  of  the  property  and  has  brought 

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176  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

his  fields  to  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  producing  large  crops  annually.  He  also 
makes  a  specialty  of  raising  and  feeding  stock.  He  is  now  the  owner  of  two 
hundred  acres  of  valuable  land  on  sections  12  and  24,  Forest  township,  and,  more- 
over, he  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator.  His  place  is  known  as  the  Oak- 
dale  Stock  Farm  and  it  constitutes  one  of  the  attractive  features  in  the  landscape 
by  reason  of  its  excellent  improvements  and  well  kept  appearance. 

On  April  31,  1908,  Mr.  Peters  was  joined  in  wedlock  to  Miss  Hannah  Mosstad, 
a  daughter  of  Andrew  Mosstad  and  a  native  of  Winnebago  county,  and  they 
have  become  parents  of  four  children :  Olive  E.,  Burt  E.,  Wilford  C.  and  Helen  A. 
The  parents  attend  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  Mr.  Peters  exercises  his 
right  of  franchise  in  support  of  the  men  and  measures  of  the  republican  party  but 
has  never  been  an  oflBce  seeker,  preferring  to  devote  his  time  and  energies  to  his 
farming  and  stock  raising  interests.  His  life  of  intelligently  directed  activity 
has  made  him  at  the  end  of  a  quarter  of  a  century  one  of  the  substantial  farmers  of 
Winnebago  county. 


JOSEPH  B.  CONLEY. 


Joseph  B.  Gonley,  of  Lake  Mills,  has  been  identified  with  a  number  of  busi- 
ness interests  and  in  all  he  has  undertaken  has  met  with  a  large  measure  of 
success.  He  is  now  active  in  the  real  estate  field  as  a  member  of  the  Haugo- 
Conley  Land  Agency  and  he  held  the  office  of  postmaster  for  several  years, 
resigning  that  position  in  February,  1917.  His  birth  occurred  in  Rock  county, 
Wisconsin,  on  the  1st  of  July,  1852,  and  he  is  a  son  of  Stephen  and  Sarah 
(Finney)  Conley,  natives  respectively  of  Ireland  and  Vermont.  When  the  father 
was  eleven  months  old  he  was  brought  by  his  parents  to  America  and  in  early 
manhood  he  began  farming  on  his  own  account  in  Rock  county,  Wisconsin. 
About  1880,  however,  he  retired  from  active  life  and  removed  to  Chicago,  where  he 
lived  until  his  death  in  March,  1914.  He  had  survived  his  wife  for  a  decade,  as 
her  demise  occurred  in  March,  1904. 

Joseph  B.  Conley  was  reared  in  Rock  county,  Wisconsin,  and  remained  with 
his  parents  until  he  became  of  age.  He  then  rented  land  which  he  operated  for 
about  five  years,  but  in  1877  he  removed  to  Sumner,  Bremer  county,  Iowa. 
There  he  gave  his  attention  to  the  well  drilling  business  for  two  years  and  for 
one  year  after  his  removal  to  Lake  Mills,  Winnebago  county,  continued  to  engage 
in  that  occupation.  He  next  became  connected  with  a  flour  mill  which  he 
operated  until  March,  1917.  In  1895  he  extended  his  business  interests,  estab- 
lishing an  electric  light  plant  which  he  operated  continuously  until  September, 
1916,  when  he  sold  it.  He  owns  farm  land  in  North  Dakota  and  is  engaged  in 
the  real  estate  business  as  a  member  of  the  Haugo-Conley  Land  Agency.  This 
firm  has  a  large  clientage  of  representative  men  and  in  the  course  of  a  year 
handles  a  great  deal  of  valuable  property.  This  year  (1917)  he  is  farming  a  half 
section  of  land  in  the  Red  river  valley  in  North  Dakota.  On  the  20th  of  July, 
1913,  Mr.  Conley  was  appointed  postmaster  of  Lake  Mills,  filling  that  office  until 
he  resigned  on  the  13th  of  February,  1917.     His  c^cial  record  was  in  harmony 


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JOSEPH  B.  CONLEY 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  179 

with  bis  successful  and  honorable  career  as  a  business  man  and  he  was  a  popular 
postmaster. 

On  the  28th  of  December,  1881,  Mr.  Conley  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah 
Kenny  and  they  have  two  children,  namely:  Vera,  who  is  a  Sister  of  Charity 
at  Dubuque,  Iowa,  and  has  taken  the  name  of  Sister  Bernard  Ella;  and  Wilfred 
E.,  an  electrical  engineer  residing  at  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Mr.  Conley  is  a  strong  democrat  in  politics  and  in  addition  to  being  post- 
master has  held  the  oflRces  of  mayor,  councilman  and  school  director.  He  is  a 
communicant  of  the  Catholic  church,  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Columbus  and 
is  also  a  member  of  the  Brotherhood  of  American  Yeomen  and  the  Mystiq 
Toilers.  He  has  a  wide  acquaintance  in  Lake  Mills  and  indeed  throughout  the 
county  and  the  high  respect  in  which  he  is  held  is  richly  deserved. 


I.  J.  KESSEY. 


I.  J.  Kessey,  coimty  treasurer  of  Winnebago  county  and  a  well  known  resident 
of  Forest  City,  was  born  in  Norway,  December  29,  1849,  a  son  of  Jacob  Simon- 
stead  and  Bertha  Gjestvang.  After  spending  the  first  seventeen  years  of  his 
life  in  his  native  country,  I.  J.  Kessey  came  to  the  new  world,  arriving  in  America 
on  the  3d  of  July,  1866.  He  at  once  made  his  way  westward  to  Iowa  settling  in 
Winneshiek  county,  where  he  worked  as  a  farm  hand  for  about  eight  years.  In 
May,  1874,  he  came  to  Winnebago  county  and  purchased  a  farm  of  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  in  Linden  township,  which  was  a  tract  of  wild  land.  There  were 
no  houses  in  sight  and  in  fact  his  was  one  of  the-  pioneer  homes  of  the  district. 
Wild  game  was  plenty,  including  geese,  ducks,  cranes  and  prairie  chickens.  It  was 
somewhat  difficult  to  secure  supplies  because  of  the  remoteness  of  the  farm  from 
market.  Mr.  Kessey  developed  his  place  into  productive  fields  but  eventually  sold 
that  property  and  purchased  a  farm  near  Forest  City.  In  1888  he  was  called  to 
public  office,  being  elected  county  auditor,  which  position  he  filled  for  five  years. 
He  afterward  entered  the  grain  and  coal  business  at  Buffalo  Center  and  also  at 
Thompson,  Iowa,  continuing  active  along  those  lines  for  four  years,  after  which 
he  returned  to  the  farm  and  concentrated  his  attention  upon  feeding  stock.  In 
June,  1914,  he  was  nominated  for  the  office  of  county  treasurer  and  in  November 
was  elected  to  the  position,  assuming  the  duties  of  the  office  in  January,  1915.  He 
has  made  an  excellent  record,  discharging  his  duties  promptly  and  faithfully,  and 
in  1916  his  party  endorsed  his  course  by  renominating  him,  and  he  was  elected 
without  opposition. 

On  the  23d  of  November,  1873,  Mr.  Kessey  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  Hover, 
of  Winneshiek  county,  Iowa,  and  their  children  are :  Henry,  now  residing  in  Green 
Bay,  Wisconsin ;  Albert,  a  contractor  and  builder  of  Forest  Ciiy ;  Ella ;  Ida,  the  wife 
of  Oscar  Belshein,  who  follows  fai^ning  near  Forest  City;  Etta,  who  is  with  the 
Mutual  Lyceum  Bureau;  Sylven,  who  is  engaged  in  the  restaurant  business  in 
Superior,  Wisconsin;  Norman,  who  died  at  the  age  of  thirty- three  years;  Lillie, 
living  in  Minneapolis ;  Mabel,  the  wife  of  Ben  Conner,  of  Thompson,  Iowa ;  Bettie, 
the  wife  of  Jay  Brones,  a  farmer;  and  Alice  Hover,  who  is  an  adopted  daughter. 
The  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  church  and  Mr.  Kessey  has  ever  guided 


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180  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

his  life  by  its  teachings.  His  political  allegiance  is  given  to  the  republican  party 
and  he  is  ever  loyal  to  a  cause  which  he  espouses.  His  sterling  traits  of  character 
are  many  and  all  who  know  him  entertain  for  him  high  regard. 


LEWIS  NELSON. 


Lewis  Nelson,  who  concentrates  his  time  and  attention  upon  farm  work  on 
section  25,  Linden  township,  Winnebago  county,  has  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
of  arable  land  which  responds  readily  to  the  care  and  labor  which  he  bestows  upon 
it.  His  life  record  began  in  Sweden,  July  7,  1860,  his  parents  being  Nels  and 
Ellen  (Nelson)  Anderson,  who  were  natives  of  Sweden,  where  they  continued  to 
reside  until  1874  when  they  left  that  land  with  the  purpose  of  making  America 
their  future  home.  Having  crossed  the  briny  deep  they  traveled  westward  to 
Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  and  here  both  the  father  and  mother  spent  their  remain- 
ing days. 

Lewis  Nelson  was  one  of  a  family  of  eight  children,  five  of  whom  are  now 
living.  He  acquired  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Sweden  which  he  attended  to 
the  age  of  fourteen  years,  when  he  accompanied  his  parents  to  the  United  States, 
and  from  that  time  forward  he  has  been  dependent  upon  his  own  resources  for  a 
livelihood.  He  was  first  employed  at  farm  labor  for  two  years  and  afterward  worked 
on  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  Railroad  for  four  years.  While  thus 
employed  he  carefully  saved  his  earnings,  practicing  strict  economy  and  working 
diligently  until  he  had  accumulated  a  sum  sufficient  to  enable  him  to  purchase 
property.  It  was  in  1885  that  he  became  the  owner  of  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  on  section  25,  Linden  township,  Winnebago  county,  on  which  he  now 
resides.  He  has  since  operated  this  place  which  he  has  converted  into  one  of  the 
modem  farm  properties  of  the  community,  displaying  all  the  equipments  that 
exemplify  twentieth  century  progress  along  agricultural  lines.  He  has  excellent 
buildings,  well  kept  fences  and  the  latest  improvements  in  farm  machinery. 

Mr.  Nelson  votes  with  the  republican  party  but  has  never  been  an  oflBce  seeker. 
He  was  reared  in  the  Lutheran  faith.  His  attention  is  largely  concentrated  upon 
his  business  affairs  and  he  has  made  all  that  he  possesses  since  starting  out  in  the 
business  world  for  himself  empty  handed,  when  a  lad  of  fourteen  years. 


A.  N.  LUNDSTRUM. 


The  Scandinavian  countries  have  contributed  a  large  quota  to  the  progressive 
citizenship  of  Winnebago  county.  The  number  includes  A.  N.  Lundstrum,  who 
was  bom  in  Sweden,  April  6,  1852.  He  is  a  sop  of  Nels  and  Mattie  Miller,  who 
were  also  natives  of  that  country,  where  they  spent  their  entire  lives.  They  had  a 
family  of  nine  children,  of  whom  six  are  yet  living. 

No  event  of  special  importance  occurred  to  vary  the  routine  of  life  for  A.  N. 
Lundstmm  during  his  boyhood  and  youth.  He  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade  in 
Sweden  and  that  gave  him  the  privilege  of  taking  any  name  desired.     Accordingly 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  181 

he  took  the  name  of  Lundstrum,  which  his  brother  also  chose.  Thinking  to  find 
better  opportunities  in  the  new  world,  he  crossed  the  Atlantic  in  1873  and  made 
his  way  into  the  interior  of  the  country,  settling  first  at  Mason  City,  Iowa,  where 
he  remained  for  a  short  time.  He  afterward  removed  to  Mitchell  county,  Iowa, 
where  he  was  employed  as  a  farm  hand  for  three  years.  He  then  worked  at  his 
trade  in  a  foundry  in  Osage,  that  county,  for  one  year. '  He  next  came  to  Winnebago 
county  and  invested  his  hard  earned  savings  in  forty  acres  of  land,  constituting 
the  nucleus  of  his  present  farm  on  section  24,  Forest  township.  He  afterward 
added  eighty  acres  and  now  has  a  good  farm  property  of  one  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  on  sections  13  and  24,  Forest  township,  known  as  the  Walnut  and  Maple 
Hill  Farm.  He  has  improved  it  with  fine  buildings,  adding  all  the  accessories  and 
conveniences  of  the  model  farm  of  the  twentieth  century.  He  built  an  addition 
to  his  house  with  lumber  made  from  trees  which  he  planted  and  which  he  also 
sawed.  In  addition  to  his  farm  property  he  has  other  business  interests,  being  a 
stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  of  Forest  City  and  the  Forest  City  Coopera- 
tive Creamery  Company. 

In  1877  Mr.  Lundstrum  was  married  to  Miss  Anna  Olson,  a  native  of  Wiscon- 
sin, and  they  have  become  parents  of  eight  children :  William,  a  farmer  of  Newton 
township ;  Lewis,  who  is  living  in  Madison,  Wisconsin ;  Martha,  at  home ;  Ida,  the 
wife  of  John  J.  Halverson ;  Elmer,  who  is  farming ;  Lillian,  at  home ;  Lloyd,  deceased 
and  Lloyd,  the  second  of  the  name,  now  at  home.  Mr.  Lundstrum  holds  mem- 
bership in  the  Brotherhood  of  American  Yeomen  and  he  and  his  wife  are  faithful 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  His  political  allegiance  is  given 
the  republican  party  and  he  has  served  as  one  of  the  trustees  of  his  township  and 
as  school  director.  He  is  never  neglectful  of  his  duties  of  citizenship,  but  on  the 
contrary  is  ready  and  willing  to  aid  in  matters  relating  to  the  welfare  and  upbuild- 
ing of  his  district.  His  life  has  been  one  of  unremitting  industry  and  his  per- 
severance and  energy  have  constituted  the  foundation  upon  which  he  has  builded 
his  success. 


JOSEPH  B.  KEELER. 


Joseph  B.  Keeler  was  at  diflEerent  times  active  in  various  fields  of  endeavor,  but 
for  a  few  years  before  his  death  lived  retired  save  for  the  supervision  which  he 
gave  to  his  investments.  He  was  well  known  not  only  in  Lake  Mills  but  through- 
out the  entire  county  and  his  demise  was  the  occasion  of  much  sincere  regret.  He 
was  the  first  white  child  bom  in  Bristol,  Worth  county,  Iowa,  his  natal  day  being 
October  15,  1859.  His  parents  were  James  and  Cornelia  (Streeter)  Keeler,  the 
former  a  native  of  Norwalk,  Connecticut.  They  removed  to  Worth  county,  Iowa, 
in  1859,  being  numbered  among  its  earliest  settlers^  and  there  the  father  practiced 
medicine  imtil  1896,  when  he  took  up  his  residence  in  Lake  Mills.  He  lived  retired 
here  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  June,  1899.  He  was  survived  by  his  widow 
until  January,  1913. 

Joseph  B.  Keeler  passed  his  boyhood  and  youth  in  Worth  and  Osage  coun- 
ties, Iowa,  and  is  indebted  for  his  education  to  the  district  schools.  He  devoted 
several  years  to  farming  in  Worth  county,  but  at  length  removed  to  Lake  Mills 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  183 

David  Bonar  was  reared  under  the  parental  roof  and  was  a  little  lad  of  but 
eight  years  when  he  came  to  this  state.  His  educational  opportunities  were  those 
afforded  by  the  common  schools,  but  as  his  father  was  in  humble  financial  circum- 
stances he  was  obliged  to  forego  the  privilege  of  attending  school  to  a  considerable 
extent  after  he  reached  the  age  of  ten  years,  for  he  then  became  a  wage  earner, 
working  as  a  chore  boy  and  farm  hand.  He  thereby  assisted  his  father  in  main- 
taining the  home  and  he  continued  to  contribute  to  the  support  of  the  family  until 
he  reached  his  twenty-fifth  year.  In  1880  he  began  farming  on  his  own  account, 
cultivating  a  tract  of  land  in  Hancock  county,  and  the  second  year  he  began  farm- 
ing in  Winnebago  county.  For  seven  years  he  cultivated  rented  land,  but  carefully 
saved  his  earnings,  and  during  the  third  year  of  his  renting  he  purchased  a  tract 
of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  Hancock  county,  on  which  he  took  up  his  abode 
in  the  winter  of  1886-7.  With  the  exception  of  a  period  of  four  years  spent  in 
Forest  City,  he  then  resided  continuously  upon  that  farm  until  the  spring  of  1916, 
when  he  retired  from  active  business  life  and  again  removed  to  Forest  City,  where 
he  now  makes  his  home  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  fruits  of  his  former  toil.  In  the 
past  year  he  has  erected  a  handsome  residence  and  is  now  most  comfortably 
situated. 

In  early  manhood  Mr.  Bonar  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Minnie  Filter,  a 
native  of  Germany,  who  accompanied  her  parents  on  their  emigration  to  the  United 
States  in  1872,  when  a  maiden  of  fourteen  years.  The  family  home  was  estab- 
lished in  Forest  City,  where  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Filter  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bonar  have  been  bom  four  children,  three  of  whom  survive, 
namely:  Ernest  E.,  who  follows  farming  in  Hancock  county,  Iowa;  Euth,  the 
wife  of  Elmer  Yohn,  of  Klemme,  Hancock  county,  Iowa;  and  Mary  Edith,  who 
gave  her  hand  in  marriage  to  Henry  Meyer,  of  Gamer,  Iowa. 

Mr.  Bonar  exercises  his  right  of  franchise  in  support  of  the  men  and  measures 
of  the  republican  party  and  has  served  in  various  township  offices,  the  duties  of 
which  he  has  discharged  with  promptness  and  fidelity.  He  is  one  of  the  highly 
esteemed  and  substantial  residents  of  Forest  City,  his  well  spent  life  having  won 
for  him  the  good  will  and  confidence  of  all  with  whom  he  has  come  in  contact. 
He  has  contributed  much  to  the  agricultural  development  of  this  section  of  the 
state  and  his  life  record  shows  what  can  be  accomplished  when  determination  and 
energy  lead  the  way. 


THOMAS  A.  THOMPSON. 

Thomas  A.  Thompson,  residing  on  section  29,  Center  township,  is  "one  of  the 
substantial  farmers  of  Winnebago  county,  now  owning  and  operating  a  valuable 
tract  of  two  hundred  and  twenty  acres.  He  was  bom  in  Norway  on  the  3d  of 
May,  1857,  a  son  of  Thor  and  Elizabeth  (Anderson)  Albertson,  who  were  also 
natives  of  Norway.  In  1862  the  family  came  to  America  and  located  in  Dane 
county,  Wisconsin,  where  the  father  engaged  in  farming  for  about  three  years, 
and  then  came  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa.  He  purchased  land  in  Center  town- 
ship, a  part  of  which  is  now  owned  by  his  son  Thomas,  and  at  once  began  to 
dear  and  improve  his  place,  converting  it  into  a  very  desirable  farm,  on  which 


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184  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  died  on  the  Ist  of  July,  1896,  and  his 
wife  passed  away  in  May,  1907. 

Mr,  Thompson,  of  this  review,  was  only  five  years  of  age  on  the  emigration 
of  the  family  to  America  and  his  boyhood  and  youth  were  mainly  passed  in 
Winnebago  county,  where  he  attended  the  district  schools  in  the  acquirement  of 
an  education.  He  remained  with  his  parents  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of 
age  and  later  purchased  one  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  the  home  farm  on  sec- 
tion 9,  Center  township,  whereon  he  has  since  resided,  following  farming  and 
stock  raising  with  go«d  results.  He  is  now  the  owner  of  two  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  of  very  productive  land,  improved  with  good  and  substantial  build- 
ings, and  the  neat  and  thrifty  Appearance  of  his  place  plainly  indicate  his  enter- 
prise and  good  business  ability.  He  raises  pure  bred  Hereford  cattle  and  is  a 
stockholder  in  the  Farmers'  Elevator  Company,  the  Lake  Mills  Creamery  Com- 
pany and  the  Lake  Mills  Lumber  Company,  all  of  Lake  Mills,  and  the  Farmers 
Elevator  Company  of  Leland  and  the  Leland  Creamery  Company. 

In  July,  1895,  Mr.  Thompson  married  Miss  Annie  Haugland,  a  daughter  of 
B.  0.  and  Signa  (Sunderiand)  Haugland,  a  sketch  of  whom  appears  on  another 
page  of  this  volume.  To  this  union  were  bom  eleven  children,  of  whom  Cornelia 
died  in  infancy  and  Conrad  died  at  the  age  of  two  years.  Those  living  are 
ilussell,  Selma,  Kilman,  Olga,  Agnes,  Arthur,  Walter,  Alpha  and  Leonard.  The 
family  are  identified  with  the  United  Lutheran  church  and  are  people  of  promi- 
nence in  the  community  where  they  reside.  In  politics  Mr.  Thompson  is  a  demo- 
crat. 


N.  K.  ANDERSON. 


N.  K.  Anderson,  who  follows  farming  on  section  27,  King  township,  Winne- 
bago county,  was  bom  in  Sogn,  Norway,  November  17,  1868,  and  is  a  son  of 
Andrew  and  Celia  (Elvejen)  Anderson,  also  natives  of  that  country.  The  father, 
who  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  died  in  Norway  in  1875,  and  the  mother  brought 
her  family  to  America  in  1882,  taking  up  her  abode  in  Forest  City,  Iowa.  In 
1886  she  married  Knute  Anderson,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  who  was  bom  in 
Winneshiek  county,  Iowa,  but  after  the  war  removed  to  Winnebago  county  and 
purchased  land  in  Mount  Valley  township,  which  he  operated  for  a  time.  He 
died  in  1909,  having  survived  his  wife  for  about  three  years.  She  passed  away 
in  1907. 

Mr.  Anderson  of  this  review  began  his  education  in  the  public?  schools  of 
Norway  and  was  about  fourteen  years  of  age  when  he  accompanied  his  mother 
on  her  removal  to  the  United  States.  Since  then  he  has  made  his  home  in  Winne- 
bago county,  Iowa,  and  his  knowledge  of  the  English  language  was  obtained  in 
the  common  schools  of  this  locality,  which  he  attended  at  intervals  until  twenty- 
one  years  of  age.  He  remained  with  his  mother  up  to  this  time  and  worked  for 
neighboring  farmers  during  the  summer  months  until  he  was  twenty-seven.  He 
was  then  able  to  purchase  land  on  section  32,  King  township,  which  he  at  once 
began  to  improve  and  cultivate.  After  living  thereon  for  nineteen  years,  he 
rented  that  farm  and  bought  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  on  section  27,  Bang 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  187 

township,  where  he  now  resides.  Here  he  has  a  well  improved  place  and  has  met 
with  success  in  its  operation. 

In  December,  1894,  Mr.  Anderson  married  Miss  Martha  Groath,  a  daughter  of 
Sandel  and  Mary  (Groves)  Groath,  who  were  born  in  Winneshiek  county,  Iowa, 
and  came  to  Winnebago  county  in  1879.  Her  father  purchased  land  in  Mount 
Valley  township  and  engaged  in  farming  thereon  for  many  years,  but  he  and 
his  wife  are  now  living  retired  near  Leland.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Anderson  have  seven 
children,  namely:  Agnes,  Ethel,  Evelyn,  Norman,  Walter,  Gladys  and  Harold, 
all  at  home. 

The  family  hold  membership  in  the  Lutheran  church  and  by  his  ballot  Mr. 
Anderson  supports  the  men  and  measures  of  the  republican  party.  For  five  years 
he  served  as  county  supervisor  with  credit  to  himself  and  to  the  entire  satisfaction 
of  his  constituents.  He  has  also  filled  the  oflBces  of  township  clerk  and  trustee 
and  is  now  president  of  the  Farmer?  Elevator  Company  of  Thompson,  and  a 
stockholder  and  vice  president  of  the  Cooperative  Creamery  Company.  I^  con- 
nection with  general  farming  he  raises  high  grade  stock,  making  a  specialty  of 
Guernsey  cattle,  and  is  a  man  of  good  business  and  executive  ability  who  com- 
mands the  respect  and  confidence  of  all  with  whom  he  is  brought  in  contact. 


OLAP  J.  SIME. 


Winnebago  county  numbers  Olaf  J.  Sime  among  her  native  sons.  He  now 
lives  on  section  10,  Logan  township,  but  was  bom  in  Norway  township  on  the 
25th  of  August,  1883,  at  the  family  home  of  his  parents,  John  and  Anna  Doro- 
thea (Linset)  Sime,  who  were  natives  of  Illinois  and  of  Norway  respectively. 
The  latter  had  come  to  Iowa  with  relatives  who  lived  in  Worth  county  and  there 
she  fonned  the  acquaintance  of  John  Sime,  who  sought  her  hand  in  marriage. 
His  youth  had  been  spent  in  Illinois,  where  his  parents  were  farming  people, 
remaining  residents  of  that  state  until  they  were  called  to  their  final  rest.  After 
attaining  his  majority  John  Sime  came  to  Iowa,  settling  in  Worth  coimty,  but 
immediately  after  his  marriage  he  removed  to  Norway  township,  Winnebago 
county,  and  purchased  eighty  acres  on  section  36  and  forty  acres  on  section  25, 
thus  becoming  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  good  land  which 
responded  readily  to  the  care  and  labor  which  he  bestowed  upon  it.  He  there 
carried  on  farming  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1894.  Later  his  widow 
removed  to  Scarville,  where  she  passed  away  in  1903,  and  was  laid  to  rest  in 
the  Lime  Creek  cemetery.  In  their  family  were  seven  children:  Anna,  now  the 
wife  of  Andrew  Sime,  of  Eden  township;  Rachel,  who  became  the  wife  of  Jacob 
Simonson,  of  Waterloo,  Iowa,  and  has  passed  away;  Lettie,  the  wife  of  John 
Hartlieb,  of  Waterloo;  Alfred,  who  is  living  near  De  Grey,  Hughes  county.  South 
Dakota;  0.  J.;  and  two  who  died  in  infancy. 

Olaf  J.  Sime  pursued  his  education  in  the  pioneer  schools  of  Winnebago 
county,  which  he  attended  until  he  reached  the  age  of  fifteen  years.  When  seven- 
teen years  of  age  he  took  over  the  operation  of  the  home  farm,  on  which  he  con- 
tinued until  he  attained  his  majority.  The  farm  was  then  sold  and  he  purchased 
the   southwest   quarter   of   section    10,   Logan  township.    This   he   cleared   and 


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188  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

drained,  thus  rendering  it  arable  and  productive.  He  has  since  carried  on  the 
work  of  further  improvement  and  still  occupies  the  place,  which  is  today  one  of 
the  excellent  farms  of  the  township,  the  fields  having  been  brought  to  a  high 
state  of  cultivation,  while  good  buildings  have  been  erected  and  all  the  equipment 
and  accessories  of  the  model  farm  have  been  added. 

On  March  9,  1904,  Mr.  Sime  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Andrina  Hauge, 
a  daughter  of  Nels  and  Mary  Hauge,  who  lived  just  across  the  line  in  Worth 
county.  The  father  has  now  passed  away  and  the  mother  has  since  become  the 
wife  of  Tom  Johnson,  a  resident  of  Eden  township,  Winnebago  coimty.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Sime  have  five  children  who  are  yet  living,  Norma,  Alma,  Milton,  Olive  and 
Sylvan,  and  they  also  lost  one,  who  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Sime  and  his  family  hold  membership  in  the  United  Lutheran  church 
and  in  his  political  views  he  is  a  republican.  He  is  now  serving  as  township 
trustee  and  has  been  president  of  the  school  board.  He  is  interested  in  all  that 
pertains  to  the  welfare  and  progress  of  his  community  and  he  stands  for  advance- 
ment in  farm  work  and  in  every  line.  He  started  out  empty  handed.  He  has 
worked  persistently  and  earnestly  and  each  forward  step  which  he  has  made  in 
his  business  career  has  brought  him  a  broader  outlook  and  wider  opportunities. 
Today  he  is  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  which  is  the  fitting  reward  of  his  earnest 
and  persistent  labor. 


KNUDT  JOHNSON. 


Many  of  the  most  highly  honored  citizens  of  Lake  Mills  are  retired  farmers 
and  among  this  number  is  Knudt  Johnson.  He  is  a  native  of  Norway  but  has 
resided  in  this  country  since  boyhood  and  no  native  born  American  has  given 
more  undivided  loyally  to  the  United  States  than  he.  At  the  time  of  the  Civil 
war  he  bore  arms  in  defense  of  the  Union  and  in  times  of  peace  he  has  always 
subordinated  private  interests  to  the  general  welfare.  His  birth  occurred  in  Nor- 
way, September  12,  1841,  and  his  parents  were  John  and  Ingeborg  (Hanson) 
Torgeson,  the  latter  of  whom  died  when  her  son  Knudt,  the  youngest  of  eight 
children,  was  but  five  years  old.  In  1853  the  father  with  his  son  Knudt  and 
another  child  came  to  the  United  States  and  located  near  Madison,  Dane  county, 
Wisconsin,  where  an  older  brother  had  taken  up  a  homestead  in  1849.  The 
father  died  upon  that  place  in  1876  and  is  there  buried. 

Knudt  Johnson  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Norway  and 
after  his  removal  to  the  United  States  made  his  home  with  and  worked  for  a 
cousin  for  two  years.  From  the  age  of  fifteen  to  the  age  of  twenty  years  he 
worked  for  various  farmers  but  on  the  20th  of  September,  1861,  he  enlisted  in 
the  Twelfth  Wisconsin  Volunteer  Infantry  and  for  four  years,  or  until  the  27th 
of  September,  1865,  was  in  the  army,  seeing  a  great  deal  of  hard  service  during 
that  time.  He  entered  as  a  private  but  was  mustered  out  at  Louisville  with  the 
rank  of  corporal.  At  different  times  he  was  under  the  command  of  Generals 
Grant,  Sherman  and  McPherson  and  took  part  in  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  in  the 
battles  of  Jackson,  Mississippi,  Baker's  Creek,  Atlanta  and  Jonesboro,  an  engage- 
ment fought  in  the  course  of  Sherman's  march  from  Savannah  to  the  sea,  and 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  189 

finally  in  the  battle  of  Bentonville,  North  Carolina,  the  last  important  battle 
before  the  end  of  the  war. 

After  receiving  his  honorable  discharge  from  military  service  he  returned  to 
Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  where  he  purchased  forty  acres  of  land.  In  1869  he 
came  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  and  bought  two  hundred  acres  on  section  17, 
Center  township,  where  he  made  his  home  until  1913,  when  he  retired  to  Lake 
Mills.  During  the  forty-four  years  that  he  resided  upon  that  place  he  brought 
it  to  an  unusually  high  state  of  cultivation  and  not  only  gained  more  than  a 
competence  from  his  labors  but  also  aided  in  the  agricultural  development  of  the 
district,  for  he  was  always  among  the  first  to  adopt  a  new  method  or  a  more 
eflBcient  type  of  farm  implement.  In  the  early  days  in  the  history  of  the  state 
a  large  tract  of  swamp  land  was  given  to  the  st^  by  the  federal  government,  but 
since  no  survey  was  made  there  was  no  way  of  ascertaining  the  exact  limits  of 
the  tract  and  as  a  result  of  this  uncertainty  confiicting  titles  were  given  to  lands 
contained  within  it  by  the  state  and  federal  governments.  This  led  to  a  great 
deal  of  trouble  and  at  last  the  matter  was  straightened  out  by  a  survey  of  the 
land  in  question.  Mr.  Johnson,  as  agent  for  the  American  Emigrant  Company, 
supervised  the  survey  of  a11  such  swamp  land  in  Winnebago  county  and  in  this 
work  utilized  a  plat  furnished  him  by  the  secretary  of  state. 

In  1865  Mr.  Johnson  married  Miss  Elsa  Paulson,  a  daughter  of  Paul  and 
Helge  (Gunderson)  Kettelson,  of  Perry,  Wisconsin,  who  spent  their  last  years  in 
the  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson.  Both  have  passed  away  and  are  buried  in 
a  cemetery  near  the  Johnson  homestead.  Ten  children  were  bom  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Johnson,  namely:  John  P.,  of  Pike  Eiver,  North  Dakota;  Carl  T.,  who  is 
married  and  is  farming  in  Center  township;  George  E.,  who  is  mar- 
ried and  resides  near  May  wood.  North  Dakota;  Rev.  Torge  A.,  who  is  married 
and  is  minister  of  the  Lutheran  church  at  Brandon,  South  Dakota;  Paul  6., 
at  home;  Helen,  the  wife  of  Chris  Lyng,  of  Lake  Mills;  Mary,  who  mar- 
ried Oscar  Dahlan,  of  Eden  township;  Anna  M.  and  Clare  E.,  both  at  home;  and 
Henrietta,  the  wife  of  Rush  Adams,  of  Lake  Mills. 

Mr.  Johnson  is  a  stanch  republican  and  has  given  a  great  deal  of  time  to  public 
affairs,  having  served  on  the  county  board  of  supervisors  for  six  years,  on  the 
school  board  for  thirty-four  years  and  as  township  clerk  fbr  fifteen  years.  More- 
over, he  was  United  States  census  enumerator  for  three  years  and  for  fourteen 
years  was  treasurer  of  the  Farmers  Association,  an  organization  which  did  much 
to  further  an  interest  in  cooperative  effort  among  the  farmers  of  the  county.  He 
is  a  communicant  of  the  Synod  Lutheran  church  and  has  endeavored  to  guide 
his  life  by  the  teachings  of  Christianity.  His  personal  friends  are  many  and  all 
who  have  come  in  contact  with  him  hold  him  in  the  highest  respect. 


PETER  PAULSON: 


The  farming  interests  of  Hancock  county  have  a  worthy  representative  in 
Peter  Paulson,  who  carries  on  operations  on  section  36,  Ellington  township.  He 
is  a  native  of  the  neighboring  state  of  Wisconsin,  bom  in  Dane  county,  November 
7,  1867,  and  is  a  son  of  Ole  and  Mary  Paulson,  who  came  to  this  country  from 


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190  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

Norway  as  a  young  man  and  young  woman  and  were  married  in  Dane  county, 
Wisconsin,  where  they  resided  until  1872.  That  year  witnessed  th^ir  removal 
to  Iowa  and  until  1876  they  made  their  home  in  Mitchell  county.  The  father 
then  brought  his  family  to  Hancock  county  and  purchased  the  farm  in  Ellington 
township  where  our  subject  now  resides.  Here  he  spent  his  remaining  days, 
passing  away  in  June,  1902. 

Peter  Paulson  was  about  nine  years  of  age  when  he  accompanied  his  parents 
on  their  removal  to  Hancock  county,  where  he  grew  to  manhood  and  in  the  dis- 
trict school  near  his  home  he  acquired  his  education.  Under  the  guidance  of  his 
father  he  gained  a  good  knowledge  of  agricultural  pursuits  and  at  the  age  of 
twenty  years  began  farming  on  his  own  account  on  rented  land.  Later  he  pur- 
chased the  home  farm  on  which  he  has  now  resided  for  forty-one  years  and  there 
is  probably  only  one  other  man  in  Ellington  township  who  has  lived  continuously 
upon  one  farm  for  as  many  years. 

In  1888  Mr.  Paulson  married  Miss  Martha  Halverson,  a  daughter  of  Hans 
Halverson,  of  Clayton  county,  Iowa,  and  to  them  have  been  bom  two  children, 
namely:  Beulah  and  Ella,  both  at  home.  The  family  are*  identified  with  the 
Norwegian  Lutheran  church  and  Mr.  Paulson  is  also  aflBliated  with  the  repub- 
lican party.  For  some  years  he  served  as  a  member  of  the  school  board  and  the 
cause  of  education  has  always  found  in  him  a  faithful  friend.  He  is  a  stock- 
holder of  the  Farmers  Cooperative  Creamery  Company  and  the  Farmers  Elevator 
Company,  both  of  Ventura,  and  is  today  numbered  among  the  substantial  farmers 
and  successful  business  men  of  Ellington  township  as  well  as  one  of  its  repre- 
sentative citizens  who  commands  the  respect  and  confidence  of  all  with  whom  he 
comes  in  contact. 


JOSEPH  BARTH. 


Joseph  Barth,  one  of  the  valued  residents  of  Forest  City,  now  living  retired 
after  long  years  of  active  connection  with  agricultural  interests,  was  one  of  the 
earliest  settlers  of  Hancock  county,  arriving  in  this  part  of  the  state  in  1855, 
when  the  work  of  progress  and  development  seemed  scarcely  begun.  His  memory 
therefore  forms  a  connecting  link  between  the  primitive  past  and  the  progressive 
present.  A  native  of  Germany,  he  was  bom  in  Wurtemberg  on  the  23d  of  March, 
1833,  a  son  of  Andrew  and  Victoria  (Smith)  Barth,  both  of  whom  died  in  that 
country. 

In  the  common  schools  of  Germany  Joseph  Barth  pursued  his  education  and 
in  1852,  when  a  youth  of  nineteen  years,  he  crossed  the  Atlantic  to  the  United 
States,  landing  in  New  York  city  on  the  9th  of  August.  For  three  and  a  half 
years  he  was  employed  in  New  York  state  as  a  farm  hand  and  in  the  fall  of  1855 
he  sought  the  opportunities  oflEered  in  the  growing  west,  making  his  way  to  Iowa 
as  a  member  of  a  party  of  five  who  came  out  to  buy  land.  Four  of  them  located 
in  Hancock  county,  while  the  fifth  returned  to  New  York.  The  four  companions 
purchased  a  tract  of  timber  land  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  for  which 
they  paid  three  hundred  and  twenty-eight  dollars,  and  at  that  time  they  had  the 
choice  of  the  prairie  land.     For   two  hundred  dollars  Mr.   Barth  purchased   a 


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JOSEPH  BARTH 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  193 

quarter  section  from  George  Green,  who  had  obtained  the  land  from  the  govern- 
ment. Eapidly  accruing  interest,  however,  ran  the  cost  of  the  land  up  to  four 
hundred  and  twenty-eight  doUats  before  he  could  make  his  last  payment.  He 
afterward  sold  the  land  for  fifty  dollars  an  acre.  This  farm  covered  the  northeast 
quarter  of  section  21,  Ellington  township,  Hancock  county,  and  he  also  bought 
one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  adjoining,  which  is  now  owned  and  occupied  by  his 
son  Lewis.  Still  later  he  acquired  another  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
near  Buffalo  Center  in  Kossuth  county,  for  which  he  paid  forty  dollars  an  acre 
and  which  he  sold  for  one  hundred  dollars  an  acre.  He  still  owns  about  twenty 
acres  of  timber  land.  In  1895  he  retired  from  active  agricultural  pursuits  and 
removed  to  Forest  City,  where  he  has  since  lived.  In  1894  he,  with  his  son  John  A., 
purchased  a  furniture  store  which  they  conducted  under  the  name  Barth  &  Barth 
until  1904,  when  they  sold  out. 

On  June  27,  1860,  Mr.  Barth  was  married  to  Miss  Catherine  Bing,  of  Benton, 
Lafayette  county,  Wisconsin,  and  they  became,  the  parents  of  thre6  sons  and  a 
daughter:  Lewis,  who  is  living  in  Hancock  qounty;  John  A.,  residing  in  Sac 
City,  Iowa;  Mary  A.,  at  home;  and  Edmund,  living  in  Greene,  Iowa.  The  wife 
and  mother  passed  away  in  1878  and  the  following  year  Mr.  Barth  wedded  Mrs. 
Nancy  J.  (Cain)  Brewington.  There  is  one  child  of  this  marriage,  Daisy  M., 
residing  at  home.     Mrs.  Barth  died  February  9,  1914. 

In  politics  Mr.  Barth  is  a  democrat  and  for  some  years  he  served  as  township 
trustee,  while  for  a  quarter  of  a  century  he  filled  the  office  of  school  treasurer  of 
Ellington  township,  Hancock  county.  Those  who  know  him  esteem  him  as  a  man 
of  sterling  worth.  His  life  record  shows  what  may  be  accomplished  when  energy 
and  determination  point  out  the  way,  for  his  success  is  attributable  entirely  to  his 
own  efforts.  In  the  spring  of  1856  he  carried  the  chain  for  the  survey  of  the 
town  of  Forest  City  and  he  has  witnessed  the  development  of  Winnebago  and  Han- 
cock counties  from  pioneer  times  to  the  present. 


JAMES  PETER  HANSON. 

• 
James  Peter  Hanson,  who  is  the  owner  of  two  excellent  farms  in  Hancock 
county  but  is  now  living  retired  in  Gamer,  put  aside  the  more  active  work  of  the 
fields  in  March,  1916,  and  is  now  enjoying  a  rest  which  he  has  truly  earned  and 
richly  deserves.  He  was  bom  in  Denmark,  March  2,  1849,  a  son  of  Hans  Jenson 
and  Anna  Hanson.  His  grandfather  served  for  fifteen  years  in  the  Napoleonic 
wars. 

James  Peter  Hanson  is  indebted  to  the  common  school  system  of  Denmark  for 
the  educational  opportunities  which  he  enjoyed.  He  left  that  country  in  1870, 
when  a  young  man  of  twenty-one  years,  and  took  up  his  abode  in  Chicago,  where  he 
resided  until  1876.  In  that  year  he  arrived  in  Hancock  county,  Iowa,  and 
established  his  home  near  Britt,  where  he  turned  his  attention  to  general  agricul- 
tural pursuits.  For  forty  years  thereafter  he  was  closely  associated  with  the  farm- 
ing interests  of  the  county  and  through  wise  management,  systematic  effort  and 
indefatigable  diligence  he  won  success.  He  added  to  his  holdings  as  opportunity 
offered  and  is  today  the  owner  of  two  excellent  farms.     He  gave  personal  supervision 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  195 

just  east  of  town.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Cooperative  Creamery, 
the  Farmers  Elevator  at  Leland,  the  Farmers  Savings  Bank  and  the  Lake  Mills 
Lumber  Company.  He  has  built  all  the  bridges  constructed  in  Winnebago  county 
during  the  last  fourteen  years. 

On  the  19th  of  June,  1888,  Mr.  Ambrosen  married  Miss  Trena  Carlson,  of 
Forest  township,  Winnebago  county.  She  was  bom  in  Madison,  Wisconsin,  and 
is  a  daughter  of  ToUaf  Carlson,  a  native  of  Norway,  who  came  to  the  United 
States  about  1857  and  removed  from  Wisconsin  to  Winnebago  coullty,  Iowa,  in 
1869.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ambrosen  have  been  bom  seven  children,  all  of  whom 
are  still  living,  namely:  Nettie,  now  the  wife  of  0.  H.  K.  Eidahl,  a  merchant 
of  Leland;  Oscar,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  on  land  adjoining  Leland;  Alfred, 
a  grain  buyer  and  manager  of  the  Farmers  Elevator  at  Leland;  and  Edward, 
Walter,  Irving  and  Allott  May  all  at  home. 

The  family  hold  membership  in  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church  and  are 
people  of  prominence  in  the  community  where  they  reside.  By  his  ballot  Mr. 
Ambrosen  supports  the  men  and  measures  of  the  republican  party  and  he  has 
taken  quite  an  active  and  influential  part  in  public  affairs  now  serving  as  a  member 
of  the  school  board  also  the  board  of  township  trustees  and  as  a  member  of  the 
town  council  of  Leland.  He  is  a  business  man  of  far  more  than  ordinary  ability 
and  the  prosperity  that  has  come  to  him  is  due  to  his  own  industry,  enterprise 
and  good  management  and  to  the  assistance  of  his  wife  to  whom  he  gives  much 
credit  for  his  success.  He  stands  deservedly  high  in  the  esteem  of  his  fellow 
citizens  and  has  the  confidence  and  respect  of  all  who  know  him. 


JOHN  FOSTEE  THOMPSON. 

John  Foster  Thompson,  president  of  the  Winnebago  County  State  Bank  at 
Forest  City,  has  long  been  an  honored  and  prominent  resident  of  the  county.  In 
the  paternal  line  his  ancestry  is  traced  back  to  Isaac  and  Sarah  (Bell)  Thomp- 
son, natives  of  Belfast,  Ireland,  and  both  related  to  the  famous  Sir  Thomas  Cruse, 
an  earl,  who  was  compelled  to  flee  from  his  country  on  account  of  his  participa- 
tion in  the  revolution  of  1798.  He  came  to  the  United  States  and  passed  away 
soon  afterward.  Isaac  Thompson  was  the  grandfather  of  John  Foster  Thomp- 
son, whose  parents  were  Math ew  and  Martha  (Spaulding)  Thompson,  the  latter 
a  daughter  of  Abel  Spaulding,  who  served  with  distinction  in  the  Revolutionary 
war  and  was  a  noted  physician  and  surgeon.  Through  that  line  the  ancestry  is 
traced  back  to  Aquila  Chase,  who  settled  in  Newbury,  Massachusetts,  in  1640, 
and  to  this  family  belonged  Bishop  Philander  Chase.  Mrs.  Martha  Thompson 
was  also  an  own  cousin  of  Salmon  P.  Chase,  secretary  of  the  treasury  under 
President  Lincoln.  Mathew  Thompson  was  bom  at  Head  Elk,  Cecil  county, 
Maryland,  in  1791,  and  served  as  first  lieutenant  in  the  War  of  1812.  In  1857 
he  removed  from  Ohio  to  Clayton  county,  Iowa. 

John  Foster  Thompson,  son  of  Mathew  Thompson,  was  bom  at  Carey,  Ohio, 
September  3,  1848,  and  was  nine  years  of  age  when  the  family  home  was  estab- 
lished in  Iowa,  where  he  attended  the  district  schools.  On  the  27th  of  May, 
1863,  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years,  he  enlisted  at  Elkader,  Iowa,  under  A.  P. 


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196  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

Tipton,  who  was  recruiting  Company  I  of  the  Eighth  Iowa  Cavalry.  However, 
he  was  not  mustered  into  Company  I  but  was  transferred  and  mustered  into  the 
Fourth  Iowa  Battery.  He  made  a  most  creditable  military  record  although  but 
a  boy  in  years  and  was  wounded  in  the  Red  River  campaign.  While  at  the  front 
he  captured  the  bugle  of  a  Confederate  soldier,  on  which  he  has  had  inscribed 
the  words:  "Captured  from  a  detachment  of  the  rebel  army,  war  of  1861-5,  in 
northwestern  Louisiana,  U.  S.  A.,  April,  1864,  by  John  F.  Thompson,  a  bugler 
in  the  Fourth  Iowa  Battery,  who  was  at  that  time  fifteen  years  and  six  months 
old."  When  Mr.  Thompson  returned  home  at  the  close  of  the  war  he  entered 
the  McGregor  high  school  and  for  a  time  divided  his  time  between  teaching  and 
attending  school,  meeting  the  expenses  of  his  course  by  his  work  as  a  teacher. 
In  1869  he  became  principal  of  the  high  school  at  Strawberry  Point,  Iowa,  and 
he  also  served  as  deputy  county  superintendent  there.  In  1872  he  began  the 
practice  of  law  at  Forest  City,  where  he  also  entered  the  real  estate  and  collection 
business.  In  further  preparation  for  the  bar  he  pursued  a  special  academic 
course  in  the  Iowa  State  University  and  also  the  regular  law  course,  winning 
the  regular  LL.  B.  degree  in  1874.  He  was  then  appointed  deputy  register  of 
the  state  land  office  at  Des  Moines  but  in  1876  resigned  and  returned  to  Forest 
City,  where  he  again  entered  the  line  of  business  in  which  he  had  formerly  been 
engaged,  organizing  his  interests  under  the  name  of  the  Winnebago  County  Bank 
as  senior  partner  in  the  firm  of  J.  F.  Thompson  &  Company.  This  was  the  first 
bank  of  Winnebago  county.  After  returning  to  Forest  City  in  the  summer  of 
1876  he  resumed  the  practice  of  law  which  he  had  successfully  followed  for  a 
number  of  years.  In  1878  James  H.  Easton,  president  of  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Decorah,  Iowa,  bought  a  half  interest  in  Mr.  Thompson's  business  at 
Forest  City  and  the  firm  name  was  changed  from  J.  F.  Thompson  &  Company 
to  that  of  Easton  &  Thompson,  which  firm  continued  the  banking  business,  Mr. 
Thompson  continuing  the  practice  of  law.  In  1896  he  organized  his  bank  into  a 
state  institution  changing  the  name  to  the  Winnebago  County  State  Bank,  of 
which  institution  he  has  been  the  business  manager  during  all  these  years,  and  is 
now  and  has  been  for  many  years  its  president.  He,  with  his  wife  and  his  son. 
Merle  M.  Thompson,  own  a  large  majority  of  the  capital  stock,  the  bank  being 
capitalized  at  fiity  thousand  dollars  with  a  surplus  of  more  than  twenty-five 
thousand  dollars. 

Mr.  Thompson's  organization  of  this  institution  was  but  his  initial  step  in 
the  banking  business  in  Iowa.  During  his  business  career  he  organized  and  was 
president  of  many  like  institutions  and  at  one  time  was  at  the  head  of  nine 
banks  and  loan  companies.  He  organized  the  Citizens  Bank  of  Britt;  the  State 
Bank  of  Thompson,  of  which  institution  he  was  president  for  seventeen  years; 
the  First  National  Bank  of  Buffalo  Center;  the  First  National  Bank  of  Argyle, 
Minnesota,  of  which  institution  he  was  president  for  several  years;  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Crystal  Lake;  and  the  Security  Bank  of  Wesley,  Iowa.  He 
also  organized  and  was  manager  for  many  years  of  the  Iowa  Northern  Land  Com- 
pany and  the  Chicago  &  loWa  Western  Land  &  Town  Lot  Company  and  the 
Winnebago  County  Abstract  Company;  and  was  treasurer  of  the  Minnesota  & 
Iowa  Southern  Railway  Company,  which  built  the  Minneapolis  &  St.  Louis  Rail- 
road from  Albert  Lea  to  Angus;  and  was  also  treasurer  of  the  Chicago  &  Iowa 
Western  Railroad  Company,  which  built  the  Forest  City  extension  of  the  Burling- 


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ton,  Cedar  Eapids  &  Northern  Railway,  now  the  Chicago,  Rock  Island  &  Pacific 
Railroad,  from  Forest  City  to  Armstrong.  When  this  line  of  railroad  was 
extended  west  he  platted  and  laid  out,  on  land  that  he  owned  at  the  time,  the 
town  of  Thompson,  giving  it  its  name,  and  the  town  of  Buffalo  Center,  both  in 
Winnebago  county.  He  organized  the  electric  light  company  in  Forest  City  and 
for  several  years  was  president  of  the  company.  These  town  plats  with  his  large 
land  holdings  at  that  time  have  since  been  sold  out  by  him,  but  he  still  owns 
eight  hundred  acres  of  land  in  two  farms  three  miles  west  of  Forest  City,  all 
under  cultivation,  and  upon  each  farm  he  has  a  large  and  splendidly  improved 
orchard.  He  likewise  owns  several  other  farm  properties  in  Winnebago  and 
Hancock  counties,  together  with  a  half  section  of  land  in  North  Dakota  and 
eighty-five  acres  of  valuable  land  in  Florida.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  firm 
of  Thompson  Brothers,  which  deals  in  Iowa  farm  loans  and  has  loaned  over 
fifteen  million  dollars  and  has  never  had  a  foreclosure  or  default  of  interest. 

On  the  22d  of  November,  1875,  at  Forest  City,  Iowa,  Mr.  Thompson  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Julia  A.  Clark,  eldest  daughter  of  Judge  Robert 
Clark,  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  work,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  seven 
children,  but  only  two  are  now  living:  Merle  M.;  and  Paul  Foster,  who  is  a 
high  school  student.  Those  deceased  are:  John  Clark,  Clyde  Clifton,  Lulu  Ann, 
Imogene  and  Ora. 

In  politics  Mr.  Thompson  is  a  stalwart  standpat  republican  and  has  made 
many  campaign  speeches  in  his  county  and  district.  His  influence  largely 
brought  to  the  front  Hon.  J.  P.  Dolliver,  who  became  United  States  senator  from 
Iowa.  He  has  served  in  several  local  oflBces  and  undoubtedly  much  higher  polit- 
ical honors  would  have  come  to  him  had  his  ambition  centered  along  that  line. 
For  two  terms  he  has  been  mayor  of  Forest  City  and  for  several  terms  he  was  the 
president  of  the  board  of  education,  doing  effective  work  for  the  interests  of  the 
schools  and  for  the  welfare  and  civic  betterment  of  Forest  City  in 
general  while  he  was  acting  as  mayor.  He  has  also  served  as  president  of  the 
Board  of  Trade.  He  was  appointed  by  Governor  Larrabee  and  reappointed 
by  Governor  Boies  a  delegate  to  the  Farmers  National  Congress.  Mr.  Thompson 
is  a  charter  member  of  Hayden  Post,  No.  141,  G.  A.  R.,  and  its  commander 
since  its  inception  and  served  as  inspector  general  on  the  staff  of  his  brother, 
Colonel  J.  K.  P.  Thompson,  now  deceased,  a  department  commander  of  Iowa. 
He  was  made  a  member  of  the  preliminary  committee  to  locate  the  Vicksburg 
military  park  and  has  acted  as  special  aid  on  the  staff  of  both  state  and  national 
commanders  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  He  is  a  prominent  Mason, 
belonging  in  Forest  City  to  Truth  Lodge,  No.  213,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  which  lodge 
he  has  been  master.  He  has  taken  higher  degrees  in  Masonry,  is  a  Knight 
Templar  (York  Rite)  and  has  attained  the  thirty-second  degree  in  the  Scottish 
Rite,  belonging  to  the  Des  Moines  Consistory.  He  belongs  to  El  Kahir  Temple, 
A.  A.  0.  N.  M.  S.,  of  Cedar  Rapids.  His  religious  faith  is  that  of  the  Methodist 
church.  He  belongs  to  the  Iowa  State  Bar  Association,  the  State  Bankers  Asso- 
ciation and  the  National  Geographic  Society  and  is  a  member  of  the  Iowa  Divi- 
sion of  the  Sons  of  the  American  Revolution.  He  holds  a  commission  from  Gov- 
ernor C.  C.  Carpenter  as  second  lieutenant  of  Company  E,  Military  Battalion, 
S.  U.  L,  the  only  military  organization  the  university  had  at  that  time  (1874- 
1875).     He  with  a  few  other  prominent  business  men  of  Forest  City  contributed 

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198  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

liberally  of  their  money  and  energy  in  establishing  Waldorf  College  in  his  town, 
which  college  now  has  an  attendance  of  from  four  hundred  to  four  hundred  and 
fifty  students.  For  two  years  after  the  establishment  of  this  institution  Mr. 
Thompson  was  one  of  the  faculty  as  professor  and  lecturer  on  common  law  and 
civil  government.  He  has  a  beautiful  home  and  a  fine  library,  is  widely  read 
and  has  gained  that  broad  knowledge  and  culture  which  only  travel  brings.  In 
manner  he  is  quiet  and  without  ostentation,  yet  there  is  not  about  him  the  least 
shadow  of  mock  modesty.  In  a  word,  he  is  a  most  capable  business  man,  a 
pleasant,  genial  gentleman,  a  man  of  upright  character  and  high  ideals.  He  is 
a  strong  man,  strong  in  his  ability  to  plan  and  perform,  strong  in  his  honor  and 
his  good  name. 


MEELE  M.  THOMPSON. 

Merle  M.  Thompson,  cashier  of  the  Winnebago  County  State  Bank,  has  been 
a  lifelong  resident  of  Forest  City,  where  his  birth  occurred  April  1,  1883.  In  his 
life  work  he  has  followed  in  the  footsteps  of  his  father  and  his  own  creditable 
record  has  added  new  luster  to  a  name  that  has  ever  been  an  untarnished  one 
in  business  circles  in  Forest  City.  He  acquired  a  public  school  education  and 
afterward  attended  Cornell  College  at  Mount  Vernon,  Iowa,  thus  qualifying  for 
life's  practical  and  responsible  duties.  In  1904  he  became  assistant  cashier  of 
the  Winnebago  County  State  Bank  and  in  1911  was  chosen  cashier,  which  posi- 
tion he  has  since  filled,  giving  his  undivided  time  and  attention  to  promoting 
the  interests  of  the  bank  and  extending  its  business  connections. 

On  the  11th  of  August,  1909,  Mr.  Thompson  was  married  to  Miss  Dora  Colby, 
a  daughter  of  K.  Colby,  of  Forest  City,  and  they  have  three  children,  Lucile, 
Clark  and  Margaret.  Mr.  Thompson  votes  with  the  republican  party,  which  he 
has  supported  since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise.  Fraternally 
he  is  identified  with  Truth  Lodge,  No.  213,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  is  a  worthy 
exemplar  of  the  craft.  He  has  a  wide  acquaintance  in  this  city,  in  which  his 
entire  life  has  been  passed,  and  his  circle  of  friends  is  almost  coextensive  there- 
with. 


OLE  S.  JOHNSON. 


Ole  S.  Johnson,  one  of  the  prosperous  farmers  and  representative  citizens  of 
Winnebago  county,  residing  on  section  21,  Logan  township,  is  a  native  of  Norway, 
born  in  Nass  Hallingdal,  on  the  22d  of  November,  1873,  and  is  a  son  of  Sven  and 
Carrie  (Olson)  Johnson.  In  that  country  the  father  worked  at  the  shoemaker^s 
trade  but  determined  to  try  his  fortune  in  America  and  in  1871  crossed  the  ocean. 
He  purchased  a  farm  near  Kensett  in  Worth  county,  Iowa,  and  there  engaged  in 
agricultural  pursuits  throughout  the  remainder  of  his  life,  passing  away  in  1911. 
Hi^  wife  is  still  living  and  continues  to  reside  on  the  home  farm  in  that  county. 

In  the  family  of  this  worthy  couple  are  nine  children,  all  living,  namely: 


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OLE  S.  JOHNSON  AND  FAMILY 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  203 

Carrie,  the  wife  of  Halvor  Grossland,  superintendent  of  the  county  farm  in  Worth 
county ;  Ole  S.,  whose  name  introduces  this  sketch ;  John  S.,  a  resident  of  Richland 
county,  North  Dakota ;  Sam  S.,  also  of  Richland  county ;  Martin  S.,  of  Saskatche- 
wan, Canada;  Astre,  the  wife  of  Herman  C.  Stendel,  who  is  engaged  in  the 
creamery  business  in  Vinje,  Winnebago  county,  Iowa;  Amund  S.,  of  Richland 
county,  North  Dakota;  Otto  S.,  of  Saskatchewan,  Canada;  and  Carl  S.,  also  of  that 
province. 

Ole  S.  Johnson  was  reared  and  educated  in  Worth  county,  Iowa,  and  after 
leaving  school  gave  his  father  the  benefit  of  his  labor  until  his  marriage.  He  then 
came  to  Winnebago  county  and  purchased  the  northeast  quarter  of  section  21, 
Logan  township,  which  he  at  once  began  to  clear  and  improve.  Later  he  bought 
the  north  half  of  the  northwest  quarter  and  the  southwest  quarter  of  the  northwest 
quarter  and  the  northwest  quarter  of  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  22,  so  that 
he  now  has  a  fine  farm  of  three  hundred  acres  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and 
improved  with  good  and  substantial  buildings.  Mr.  Johnson  was  administrator 
of  his  father's  estate  and  is  manager  of  the  farm. 

At  the  age  of  twenty-two  years  Mr.  Johnson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Mary  Holstad,  a  daughter  of  Martin  and  Mary  Holstad,  of  Bristol,  Worth  county, 
now  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson  have  seven  children,  namely:  Mabel  C, 
Melvin  Selmer,  Olinda  Minnie,  Otto,  Benjamin  Rudolph,  Alfred  Leroy  and  Bemice 
Evelana,  all  at  home.  The  family  are  aflBliated  with  the  United  Lutheran  church 
and  politically  Mr.  Johnson  is  identified  with  the  republican  party.  He  is  now 
serving  as  school  treasurer  and  township  trustee.  He  is  president  of  the  Vinje 
Creamery  Company  and  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  of 
Scarville.  He  is  a  man  of  good  business  and  executive  ability  and  usually 
carries  forward  to  successful  completion  whatever  he  undertakes.  All  that  he 
now  possesses  has  come  to  him  as  the  result  of  his  own  industry,  enterprise  and 
good  management. 


JOHN  J.  KLOPPEN. 


John  J.  Kloppen,  who  has  met  with  gratifying  success  as  an  agriculturist  and 
owns  an  excellent  farm  on  section  2,  Linden  township,  Winnebago  county,  was 
bom  in  Norway,  November  27,  1863,  of  the  marriage  of  John  J.  and  Carrie 
(Gertsdatter)  Elloppen,  lifelong  residents  of  that  country.  He  received  his  edu- 
cation there,  but  in  1884,  as  a  young  man  of  about  twenty-one  years,  crossed  the 
Atlantic  to  the  United  States.  Although  he  had  only  seventy-two  dollars  in  money 
he  possessed  valuable  assets  in  his  energy  and  his  willingness  to  work  and  he  felt 
confident  that  in  this  new  country  he  could  gain  prosperity.  He  at  once  made 
his  way  to  Winnebago  county  and  after  working  as  a  farm  hand  for  five  years, 
during  which  time  he  carefully  saved  his  money,  he  was  able  to  purchase  two 
forty-acre  tracts  of  land,  one  on  section  2  and  the  other  across  the  road  on  section 
3.  He  has  since  added  to  his  holdings  from  time  to  time  until  he  now  owns 
two  hundred  acres  in  a  body.  He  has  made  excellent  improvements  upon  the 
farm,  which  is  in  all  respects  one  of  the  highly  developed  places  of  the  township. 
He  raises  both  grain  and  stock  and  his  well  directed  labors  return  him  a  good 


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204  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

income.  He  is  financially  interested  in  the  Farmers  Cooperative  Creamery  and 
in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  of  Thompson. 

Mr.  Kloppen  was  married  in  1892  to  Miss  Sissel  Anderson,  who  was  bom  in 
Winneshiek  county,  Iowa,  of  Norwegian  stock.  The  parents,  who  came  to  this 
country  shortly  after  their  marriage,  lived  in  Winneshiek  county  for  a  time,  but 
about  1882  came  to  Winnebago  county.  Her  father,  Ame  A.  Gryte,  survives 
and  is  living  five  miles  west  of  Lake  Mills.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kloppen  have  been 
bom  six  children,  namely:  Galena  M.,  Jensina  A.,  Alfred  J.,  Ingeborg  M., 
Melvin  C.  and  Gordon  I.,  all  at  home. 

Mr.  Kloppen  is  a  stanch  republican  and  loyally  supports  the  candidates  and 
measures  of  that  party  at  the  polls.  He  has  served  acceptably  for  some  years  as 
a  member  of  the  school  board  and  can  always  be  depended  upon  to  support 
measures  calculated  to  promote  the  general  good.  His  religious  faith  is  indicated 
by  his  membership  in  the  United  Lutheran  church. 


PATRICK  GAVIN. 


Among  those  actively  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business  in  Forest  City  is 
numbered  Patrick  Gavin,  who  throughout  his  entire  business  life  has  manifested 
industry,  determination  and  perseverance,  wisely  and  carefully  utilizing  each 
opportunity  that  has  come  to  him  until  he  is  now  numbered  among  the  substan- 
tial citizens  of  Winnebago  county.  Having  retired  from  active  farm  life,  he  is 
now  engaged  in  the  purchase  and  sale  of  property  and  has  negotiated  many 
important  realty  transfers. 

As  the  name  indicates,  Mr.  Gavin  is  of  Irish  birth.  He  was  bora  in  County 
Mayo,  Ireland,  December  24,  1855,  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Mullen)  Gavin. 
The  father  came  to  America  in  the  '40s,  soon  after  the  death  of  his  first  wife, 
but  a  few  years  later  returned  to  Ireland  and  there  wedded  Mary  Mullen.  In 
the  spring  of  1857  he  again  came  to  the  United  States,  establishing  his  home  in 
Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  engaged  in  the  livery  and  feed  business,  con- 
tinuing a  resident  of  that  city  until  his  demise. 

Patrick  Gavin  was  but  one  year  of  age  when  brought  by  his  parents  to  the 
new  world,  and  the  schools  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  afforded  him  his  educa- 
tional opportunities,  yet  his  chance  of  attending  school  was  limited  owing  to  the 
fact  that  it  was  necessary  for  him  to  begin  to  earn  his  livelihood  when  but  a 
young  lad.  In  1877  he  left  home  and  went  to  Palestine,  Texas,  where  he  worked 
in  a  sawmill  for  a  short  time.  Later  he  located  at  Fort  Scott,  Kansas,  where  he 
was  employed  in  the  coal  mines,  and  later  he  went  to  St.  Louis,  where  he  took  a 
grading  contract  on  the  building  of  the  West  End  Narrow  Gauge  Eailway.  He 
was  afterward  in  the  coal  mines  in  Monroe  county,  Iowa,  during  the  winter  of 
1879-80  and  then  went  to  Wisconsin^  where  he  worked  on  the  construction  of  the 
Wisconsin  Central  Eailroad.  He  was  subsequently  at  Albert  Lea,  Minnesota, 
and  thence  came  to  Winnebago  county,  where  he  secured  a  contract  on  the  grading 
of  the  Minneapolis  &  St.  Louis  Eailroad.  When  that  work  was  completed  he 
removed  to  Des  Moines  and  was  made  foreman  in  charge  of  the  construction  of 
some  of  the  first  sewers  of  that  city.     He  continued  a  resident  of  Des  Moines 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  205 

until  1885,  when  he  again  came  to  Winnebago  cpunty  and  here  purchased  a  farm 
of  one  hundred  and  ninety  acres  a  quarter  of  a  mile  north  of  the  corporate  limits 
of  Forest  City.  For  thirty  years  he  was  continuously  engaged  in  general  agri- 
cultural pursuits  and  converted  his  land  into  a  richly  productive  farm,  adding  to 
it  many  modem  improvements  and  equipping  it  with  all  of  the  accessories  of  a 
model  farm  property  of  the  twentieth  century.  In  1915,  however,  he  retired 
from  farm  life  and  removed  to  Forest  City,  where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in 
dealing  in  real  estate.  The  only  time  he  has  been  away  from  Winnebago  county 
since  1885  was  when  in  1898  he  went  to  Alaska,  attracted  by  gold  discoveries  in 
that  country.  There  he  remained  for  sixteen  months  but  did  not  meet  with 
the  success  that  he  anticipated  and,  much  disgusted  with  conditions  there,  he 
returned. 

Mr.  Gavin  was  united  in  marriage  while  living  in  Des  Moines  to  Miss  Jennie 
Thurston,  a  native  of  Wisconsin  and  of  Norwegian  descent.  The  five  surviving 
members  of  their  family  of  seven  children  are  as  follows:  Mary  B.,  who  is 
employed  as  bookkeeper  in  a  butter  and  egg  house  of  Minneapolis;  Thomas  F., 
an  agriculturist  of  Winnebago  county,  Iowa;  Eose,  who  is  the  wife  of  James 
McCroden,'of  Danube,  Eenville  county,  Minnesota;  William  G.,  who  operates  the 
home  farm;  and  Lillian  A.,  a  trained  nurse  in  the  State  Hospital  at  Lincoln, 
Nebraska. 

The  religious  faith  of  the  family  is  that  of  the  Catholic  church.  In  politics 
Mr.  Gavin  is  a  republican  and  has  filled  various  local  oflBces,  serving  as  township 
trustee,  as  road  supervisor  for  a  number  of  years  and  as  school  director.  He  is 
ever  interested*  in  matters  of  public  moment  and  cooperates  in  many  plans  for  the 
upbuilding  and  further  development  of  his  county.  His  own  career  illustrates 
what  may  be  accomplished  when  energy  and  determination  point  out  the  way. 
He  has  achieved  success  through  close  application  and  has  steadily  worked  his  way 
upward  until  now  he  has  considerable  means  at  his  command,  all  won  through 
persistent  and  indefatigable  energy. 


AENE  S06AED. 


One  of  the  representative  farmers  of  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  is  Ame  Sogard, 
now  residing  on  section  30,  Mount  Valley  township,  where  he  is  successfully 
engaged  in  the  cultivation  of  a  tract  of  forty  acres.  He  was  bom  in  Norway, 
August  22,  1856,  and  was  a  lad  of  eleven  years  when  he  came  to  the  United  States 
with  his  parents,  Thron  A.  and  Mary  (Hoye)  Sogard,  wKo  were  also  natives  of 
the  land  of  the  midnight  sun.  On  crossing  the  Atlantic  in  1867  the  family 
located  in  Eacine  county,  Wisconsin,  and  after  residing  there  for  three  years 
came  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  taking  up  their  abode  in  Forest  City.  In  1873 
the  father  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  on  section  31,  Mount  Valley  township, 
where  he  continued  to  carry  on  farming  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  1881.  The  mother  survived  him  for  thirty-four  years,  passing  a^ay 
in  1915. 

Ame  Sogard  began  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  Norway  and  after 
the  emigration  of  the  family  to  America  attended  the  public  schools  here,  com- 


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206  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

pleting  his  studies  in  the  high  school  of  Forest  City.  He  assisted  in  the  operation 
of  the  home  farm  until  his  marriage  and  then  took  charge  of  the  place,  which  he 
continued  to  farm  for  ten  years  thereafter.  In  the  meantime  he  purchased  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land,  also  on  section  31,  Mount  Valley  township,  on 
which  he  located  in  1889,  but  in  1892  he  sold  that  farm  and  bought  the  forty-acre 
tract  on  which  he  has  since  resided. 

In  March,  1879,  Mr.  Sogard  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Annie  Osmund, 
of  Winnebago  county,  who  was  born  in  Michigan  of  Norwegian  parentage.  Nine 
children  were  born  of  this  union,  of  whom  five  are  still  living,  namely:  Sarah 
Amanda,  the  wife  of  Joseph  P.  Jensen,  of  St.  Paul,  Minnesota;  Matilda  Theo- 
dora, the  wife  of  Lewis  A.  Clark,  of  Jenkins,  Minnesota;  Minnie  Lenora,  who  is 
now  keeping  house  for  her  father;  and  Leonard  Thomas  and  Elmer  Marion,  also 
at  home.     The  wife  and  mother  passed  away  on  the  24th  of  April,  1907. 

The  family  hold  membership  in  the  United  Lutheran  church  and  are  people 
of  prominence  in  the  community  where  they  reside.  In  politics  Mr.  Sogard  is 
a  stanch  republican  and  for  several  years  past  he  has  filled  various  township 
offices,  including  those  of  township  trustee  and  assessor.  For  the  long  period 
of  eighteen  years  he  has  served  on  the  school  board  and  he  has  always  taken  a  very 
active  and  prominent  part  in  public  affairs  in  Mount  Valley  township.  He  is  a 
stockholder  of  the  Winnebago  County  Fair  Association  and  has  done  much  to 
promote  the  interests  of  his  conmiunity  along  various  lines. 


JOHN  HALVORSON. 


John  Halvorson,  who  from  1903  until  his  death  in  1914  conducted  a  dry 
goods  store  in  Thompson,  was  born  in  Norway,  August  22,  1849,  but  was  brought 
to  the  United  States  by  his  parents  when  only  three  years  old.  The  family  located 
in  Portage  county,  Wisconsin,  and  there  the  father  died  soon  afterward.  The 
mother  continued  to  make  her  home  upon  the  farm  which  he  had  purchased  in 
that  county  and  there  she,  too,  passed  away. 

John  Halvorson  attended  the  district  schools  until  he  was  sixteen  years  old 
and  for  two  years  thereafter  worked  upon  the  home  place.  He  then  secured 
employment  in  a  mill  in  that  locality  and  remained  in  that  connection  until  he 
was  thirty  years  of  age.  He  then  married  and  not  long  afterward  came  to  Winne- 
bago county,  Iowa,  and  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  King  township. 
After  farming  that  place  for  two  years  he  sold  it  and  bought  a  mill  at  Nora 
Springs,  Iowa,  which  he  operated  for  one  year.  Later  he  conducted  a  meat  mar- 
ket at  Forest  City  for  eighteen  years,  but  in  1903  came  to  Thompson  and  estab- 
lished a  dry  goods  store.  From  that  time  until  his  death  in  1914  he  ranked 
among  the  leading  merchants  of  his  part  of  the  county  and  his  patronage  grew 
steadily  owing  to  the  excellent  stock  carried  and  the  reasonable  prices  asked.  The 
business  is  now  owned  by  his  son,  J.  Walter  Halvorson,  who  is  following  the 
liberal  policy  instituted  by  his  father. 

Mr.  Halvorson  was  married  in  Wisconsin  in  1879  to  Miss  Anna  Sophia  Omit, 
a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  Omit,  who  were  of  Norwegian  descent  and 
were  well  known  residents  of  Portage  county,  Wisconsin,  where  both  died  during 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  207 

the  childhood  of  their  daughter  Anna.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Halvorson  were  born 
five  children:  Edward,  who  is  a  filer  by  trade  and  resides  with  his  mother; 
Fred,  who  died  when  twenty-seven  years  old  and  is  buried  in  the  Rosehill  ceme- 
tery; Helen,  now  Mrs.  H.  P.  Juhl,  of  Thompson;  Emma,  at  home;  and  J.  Walter, 
who  is  married  and  is  conducting  the  store  established  by  his  father. 

Mr.  Halvorson  was  a  republican  in  politics  and  loyally  supported  the  measures 
of  that  party  but  never  sought  office.  He  was  a  public-spirited  citizen,  however, 
being  willing  to  give  of  his  time  and  energy  in  the  furtherance  of  the  welfare  of 
his  community  and  at  all  times  conformed  his  conduct  to  high  ethical  standards. 
He  was  respected  both  for  his  ability  and  his  unquestioned  probity,  and  his 
death,  which  occurred  on  the  12th  of  May,  1914,  was  recognized  as  a  loss  to  his 
town. 


HANS  SWENSOK 


Hans  Swenson  is  proprietor  of  the  Maple  Grove  Farm  situated  on  section  4, 
Forest  township,  and  so  named  from  a  beautiful  grove  of  maple  trees  which  he 
planted.  For  about  forty-five  years  he  has  lived  in  Winnebago  county  upon  the 
farm  which  he  now  owns  and  occupies  and  for  a  still  longer  period  has  been  a 
resident  of  Iowa.  He  was  bom,  however,  in  Norway  on  the  22d  of  February, 
1845,  and  is  a  son  of  Swen  and  Augusta  (Bent)  Swenson.  The  father  died  in 
his  native  land,  after  which  the  mother  came  to  the^new  world  and  spent  her  last 
days  in  the  home  of  her  son  Hans,  there  passing  away  in  1892.  In  the  family  were 
seven  children,  of  whom  three  are  yet  living. 

Through  the  period  of  his  boyhood  and  youth  Hans  Swenson  remained  a  resi- 
dent of  Norway  and  there  acquired  a  common  school  education.  Ambitious  to 
enjoy  better  opportunities  than  he  could  secure  in  his  native  country,  he  came  to 
America  in  1867  and  made  his  way  to  Iowa,  settling  first  in  Winneshiek  county. 
There  he  was  employed  as  a  farm  hand  for  about  six  years,  after  which  he  came 
to  Winnebago  county  and  invested  his  savings  in  a  tract  of  land  on  section  4, 
Forest  township.  He  has  since  improved  the.  property,  which  he  has  converted 
into  a  valuable  farm  with  well  kept  fields  and  fine  buildings.  In  fact,  the  Maple 
Grove  Farm  is  one  of  the  finest  in  Forest  township,  lacking  none  of  the  equip- 
ment or  accessories  of  the  model  farm  property  of  the  twentieth  century.  Not 
only  has  he  carefully  tilled  the  soil  but  has  also  successfully  engaged  in  raising 
and  feeding  stock,  this  branch  of  his  business  constituting  an  important  source  of 
his  income. 

In  1869  Mr.  Swenson  was  married  to  Miss  Dora  Olson,  a  native  of  Norway, 
and  they  became  the  parents  of  six  children:  Anna,  the  wife  of  E.  J.  Hill; 
Otto,  who  is  engaged  in  the  hardware  business  at  Thompson,  Iowa;  Simon  and 
Henry,  who  are  now  residents  of  McKenzie  county.  North  Dakota;  Alfred,  who 
is  cultivating  the  old  homestead  farm;  and  Tom  E.  The  wife  and  mother  passed 
away  on  the  16th  of  June,  1913,  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  United  Lutheran 
cemetery  near  the  West  Prairie  church,  in  which  she  held  membership.  She  left 
not  only  a  husband  and  six  children  to  mourn  her  loss  but  also  many  warm 
friends  who  deeply  regretted  her  passing.     Mr.  Swenson  is  also  a  member  of  the 


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208  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

Lutheran  church  and  his  religious  faith  has  been  a  guiding  force  in  his  life.  In 
politics  he  is  an  earnest  republican,  having  supported  the  party  since  becoming  a 
naturalized  American  citizen.  He  has  served  as  township  trustee  and  as  school 
director  but  has  never  been  ambitious  to  hold  oflSce.  He  may  truly  be  called  a 
self-made  man,  for  all  that  he  possesses  and  enjoys  has  been  acquired  through  his 
own  efforts  since  he  came  to  the  new  world.  His  has  been  a  well  spent  life  and 
he  well  merits  the  prosperity  which  he  now  enjoys. 


CHARLES  J.  SCHNEIDER. 

Charles  J.  Schneider,  well  known  for  many  years  in  connection  with  business 
interests  of  Garner,  has  been  a  lifelong  resident  of  Iowa,  his  birth  having  occurred 
in  Monona,  January  1,  1865,  his  parents  being  Adam  and  Mary  Schneider.  He 
dates  his  residence  in  Garner  from  1886,  and  for  thirty-one  years  has  been  iden- 
tified with  its  conmiercial  pursuits,  conducting  a  general  store. 

On  the  15th  of  October,  1892,  Mr.  Schneider  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Lucy  M.  Bliss,  a  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  R.  M.  Bliss,  and  they  have  two  sons, 
Carl  and  Harold.  The  religious  faith  of  the  family  is  that  of  the  Congregational 
church.  Mr.  Schneider  holds  high  rank  as  a  citizen  and  business  man.  During 
the  long  period  of  his  connection  with  Hancock  county  he  has  become  widely 
known,  and  the  course  that  he  has  pursued  has  gained  for  him  the  favorable 
regard  of  all.  His  friends,  and  they  are  many,  speak  of  him  as  one  possessed  of 
sterling  qualities  and  who  at  all  times  has  been  a  factor  in  the  substantial  develop- 
ment and  progress  of  this  part  of  the  state,  contributing  much  to  the  upbuilding 
of  Gamer, -especially  along  the  line  of  its  commercial  progress. 


MARTIN  M.  HAGE,  M.  D. 

Dr.  Martin  M.  Hage,  who  is  successfully  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine 
at  Thompson,  is  a  native  of  Winnebago  county,  having  been  born  in  Logan 
township  on  the  7th  of  July,  1885.  His  parents,  Knut  M.  and  Martha  (Bjorgo) 
Hage,  were  natives  of  Norway,  but  shortly  after  the  close  of  the  Civil  war 
emigrated  to  the  United  States.  After  living  for  a  short  time  in  Winneshiek 
county  they  came  to  Winnebago  county,  and  the  father  purchased  land  in  Logan 
township.  He  remained  upon  that  place  and  devoted  his  time  to  its  operation 
until  1912,  when  he  retired  and  took  up  his  residence  in  Scarville.  The  mother 
also  survives. 

Martin  M.  Hage  was  reared  in  his  native  township  and  acquired  his  early 
education  in  the  district  schools  there.  For  four  years  he  was  a  student  in  the 
Waldorf  College  at  Forest  City  and  then  entered  Hahnemann  Medical  College  at 
Chicago,  from  which  he  was  graduated  with  the  degree  of  M.  D.  in  May,  1912. 
He  at  once  opened  an  office  in  Thompson,  where  he  has  since  followed  his  pro- 
fession, and  the  large  and  representative  practice  which  he  has  built  up  is  evi- 
dence of  the  confidence  placed  in  his  ability  and  conscientious  devotion  to  his 


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DR.  MARTIN  M.  RAGE 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  211 

profession.  He  owns  a  fine  residence  in  the  western  part  of  town  and  is  gen- 
erally recognized  as  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Thompson. 

Dr.  Hage  was  married  on  the  6th  of  March,  1912,  to  Miss  Leavie  Silvers,  a 
daughter  of  William  A.  and  Amanda  (Gatewood)  Silvers,  natives  of  Indiana 
and  early  settlers  of  Indianapolis.  They  are  now  making  their  home  with  Dr. 
and  Mrs.  Hage.  To  this  union  have  been  born  three  children,  of  whom  two  died 
in  infancy,  the  one  surviving  being  Maxine,  who  was  born  on  the  27th  of 
February,  1917. 

Dr.  Hage  exercises  his  right  of  franchise  in  support  of  the  republican  party 
and  is  the  present  health  officer  of  Thompson.  He  takes  the  keenest  interest  in 
his  work  in  that  connection  and  is  doing  all  in  his  power  to  make  the  public 
health  conditions  of  the  town  as  good  as  possible.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Lutheran  church  and  his  professional  connections  are  with  the  Winnebago  and 
Hancock  County  Medical  Society  and  the  Iowa  State  Medical  Society.  His 
standing  among  his  colleagues  is  enviable,  and  the  gratifying  measure  of  success 
which  he  has  already  gained  in  his  profession  is  high  tribute  to  his  ability  and 
progressive  spirit. 


F.  W.  ZEIGER. 


F.  W.  Zeiger  is  one  of  the  self-made  men  of  Gamer  who  have  builded  their 
success  upon  business  enterprise,  progressiveness  and  laudable  ambition.  He  is 
now  proprietor  of  a  well  appointed  drug  store  in  Gamer  and  is  conducting  a 
steadily  growing  business.  He  was  bom  at  Eldora,  Iowa,  January  31,  1879,  a 
son  of  N.  W.  and  Kathryn  (Ellsworth)  Zeiger,  the  former  a  native  of  Indiana, 
while  the  latter  was  born  in  Pennsylvania.  The  father  was  a  son  of  George 
Zeiger,  who  brought  his  family  to  Iowa  in  1846,  and  the  mother  was  also  brought 
to  this  state  in  early  childhood.  It  was  here  that  the  marriage  of  N.  W.  Zeiger 
and  Katliryn  Ellsworth  was  celebrated.  The  father  was  a  wagon  maker  by  trade 
and  followed  that  pursuit  for  many  years  but  is  now  living  retired  in  Garner, 
enjoying  a  rest  which  he  has  truly  earned  and  richly  deserves. 

F.  W.  Zeiger  attended  the  public  schools  and  afterward  became  a  student  in 
Highland  Park  College,  in  which  he  completed  a  course  in  pharmacy  by  grad- 
uation with  the  class  of  1901.  He  had  clerked  in  a  drug  store  in  Buffalo  Center 
from  1899  until  1901  and  later  he  bought  out  the  dmg  store  of  Bass  &  McMann 
at  Gamer,  becoming  proprietor  of  this  establishment  on  the  25th  of  January, 
1902,  since  which  time  he  has  conducted  the  store.  He  remodeled  it  in  1916 
and  it  is  a  well  appointed  establishment,  neat  and  attractive  in  appearance  and 
tasteful  in  arrangement.  He  carries  a  large  line  of  dmgs  and  dmggists'  sun- 
dries and  his  reasonable  prices,  his  straightforward  methods  and  his  enterprise 
have  constituted  the  foundation  upon  which  he  has  builded  his  steadily  growing 
success. 

In  1904  Mr.  Zeiger  was  married  to  Miss  Joy  Lamson,  a  daugter  of  George 
Lamson,  of  Gamer,  and  they  have  two  children,  Katherine  and  Marion.  In 
politics  Mr.  Zeiger  is  a  republican  and  for  a  year  and  a  half  he  filled  the  office 
of  deputy  sheriff,  while  later  he  served  as  sheriff  of  Hancock  county  for  six  months 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  213 

in  Sogn,  Norway,  but  were  married  in  Illinois.  On  emigrating  to  the  United 
States  in  1846,  the  father  settled  near  Green  Bay,  Wisconsin,  and  there  his  first 
wife  died,  leaving  two  children.  He  chose  as  his  second  wife  Mary  Olson,  who 
had  come  to  the  United  States  in  1845,  and  they  had  ten  children,  of  whom  seven 
survive.  By  occupation  he  was  a  farmer  and  on  leaving  Illinois  located  in 
Mitchell  county,  Iowa,  where  he  bought  land,  which  he  operated  until  1871.  In 
that  year  he  homesteaded  forty  acres  of  land  in  Center  township,  Winnebago 
county,  and  later  added  to  his  holdings  by  purchase.  During  the  last  years  of 
his  life  he  made  his  home  with  his  children,  his  death  occurring  February  25, 
1906,  when  he  was  ninety-one  years  old.  The  mother  died  at  the  age  of  sixty-six 
years.     They  are  buried  in  the  North  cemetery  at  Lake  Mills. 

Die  B.  Jenson  received  a  common  school  education  and  early  in  life  began 
helping  with  the  farm  work,  thus  becoming  thoroughly  familiar  with  practical 
methods  of  agriculture.  After  leaving  school  he  worked  for  farmers  until  he 
was  twenty-one  years  old  and  then  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Center 
township,  Winnebago  county.  From  time  to  time  he  bought  other  land  and  now 
owns  three  hundred  and  forty-eight  acres  in  the  county,  all  fertile  land  in  a  high 
state  of  cultivation.  He  engaged  in  farming  until  1903,  when  he  purchased  a 
fine  home  in  Lake  Mills  and  took  up  his  residence  here,  renting  his  land.  He  is 
a  man  of  excellent  business  ability  and  managed  his  affairs  so  well  that  he  accu- 
m.ulated  more  than  a  competence.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Farmers 
Elevator  at  Lake  Mills  and  is  interested  in  the  Lake  Mills  Lumber  Company  and 
the  Winnebago  County  Mutual  Insurance  Company. 

On  January  13,  1893,  Mr.  Jenson  was  married  to  Miss  Malina  Solomonson, 
(a  daughter  of  Ole  and  Carrie  Solomonson,  natives  of  Norway,  who  emigrated  to 
the  United  States  many  years  ago  and  located  in  Newton  township,  Winnebago 
county,  Iowa,  where  the  father  farmed.  He  died  April  5,  1909,  and  is  buried 
in  the  North  Prairie  cemetery,  but  the  mother  is  still  living  and  makes  her  home 
vrith  her  son  Oscar  in  Newton  township.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jenson  have  been 
bom  seven  children,  the  three  living  being:  Olga  C,  Martha  M.  and  Olive  Jose- 
phine, all  at  home. 

Mr.  Jenson  believes  firmly  in  the  principles  of  the  republican  party  and 
loyally  supports  its  candidates  at  the  polls.  For  two  years  he  served  as  township 
trustee  but  has  not  taken  a  very  active  part  in  politics.  The  family  attend  the 
United  Lutheran  church.  Mr.  Jenson^s  strict  adherence  to  high  moral  standards 
has  won  him  the  unqualified  respect  of  all  who  have  come  into  contact  with  him 
and  his  personal  qualities  are  such  that  he  has  gained  the  warm  friendship  of 
many. 


F.  CLYDE  LESLIE,  D.  D.  S. 

Dr.  .F.  Clyde  Leslie,  of  Lake  Mills,  has  gained  more  than  ordinary  success 
in  his  chosen  profession  and  his  unexpected  demise  at  the  early  age  of  forty-one 
years  was  very  untimely.  He  was  born  in  Brownsville,  Pennsylvania,  on  the 
11th  of  April,  1871,  and  was  a  son  of  James  C.  and  Mandilla  (Smith)  Leslie, 
the  former  a  native  of  Scotland  and  the  latter  of  Pennsylvania.     The  father 


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214  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

located  in  the  Keystone  state  on  his  emigration  to  the  United  States  and  engaged 
in  the  general  merchandise  business  at  Millers  Station,  Pennsylvania,  but  is  now 
living  retired  at  the  age  of  seventy  years  at  Cambridge  Springs,  Pennsylvania. 
The  mother  died  in  1882. 

F.  Clyde  Leslie  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  state  and  after  graduating  from 
the  Cambridge  (Pa.)  high  school  completed  a  course  in  the  State  Normal  School 
at  Edinboro.  He  then  removed  to  Iowa  City  and  in  1896  was  graduated  in 
dentistry  from  the  State  University  of  Iowa.  He  at  once  located  for  practice  at 
Lake  Mills  and  remained  here  until  his  death.  He  kept  in  touch  with  the  rapid 
advancement  made  in  the  science  of  dentistry,  had  a  fully  equipped  office  and 
dentist.  He  had  a  large  and  lucrative  practice  and  was  in  excellent  financial 
possessed  to  a  high  degree  that  manual  skill  so  necessary  to  the  successful 
circumstances. 

On  the  19th  of  October,  1898,  Dr.  Leslie  was  married  to  Miss  Adeline  M. 
Sheely,  of  Sioux  City,  a  daughter  of  John  L.  and  Mary  E.  (Bryan)  Sheely,  who 
were  bom  respectively  in  New  York  and  in  Wisconsin.  Her  father  is  a  loco- 
motive engineer  and  is  now  on  a  fast  passenger  train  running  between  Sioux  City 
and  Minneapolis.  The  mother  is  also  still  living.  Mrs.  Leslie  graduated  from 
Morningside  College  at  Sioux  City,  Iowa,  with  the  class  of  1896  and  came  to  Lake 
Mills  as  a  teacher  in  that  year  and  was  so  engaged  for  two  years,  or  until  her 
marriage.  She  has  three  children,  all  of  whom  are  attending  school:  Jeane, 
who  was  born  September  3,  1899;  ^farjorie  Kathleen,  bom  June  23,  1905;  and 
Donald  Clyde,  bom  October  8,  1908. 

Dr.  Leslie  gave  his  stanch  support  to  the  republican  party  and  although  not 
a  seeker  for  political  office  served  as  a  member  of  the  school  board,  as  he  took  a 
lively  interest  in  everything  affecting  the  welfare  of  the  schools.  He  belonged 
to  the  Masonic  order,  the  Yeomen  and  the  Modem  Woodmen  of  America  and 
exemplified  in  his  life  the  spirit  of  fraternity  upon  which  those  organizations  are 
based.  He  recognized  the  important  place  that  religion  plays  in  life,  held  mem- 
bership in  the  Methodist  church,  of  which  denomination  the  family  are  all  mem- 
bers, was  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school  and  a  member  of  the  board  of 
stewards.  He  made  his  life  a  force  for  good  and  it  was  generally  felt  that  when 
he  passed  away  death  had  called  one  whom  the  community  could  ill  afford  to  lose. 
His  demise  occurred  on  the  22d  of  April,  1912,  when  he  was  but  forty-one  years 
and  eleven  days  old. 


H.  R.  KLUVER. 


H.  R.  Kluver  is  actively  engaged  in  general  farming  on  section  16,  Crystal 
township,  and  is  one  of  the  extensive  landowners  of  Hancock  county.  He  has 
ever  been  a  wide-awake  and  enterprising  business  man  whose  affairs  have  been 
carefully  conducted  and  whose  investments  have  been  judiciously  made,  bringing 
to  him  a  gratifying  measure  of  success.  He  was  born  in  Butler  county,  Iowa, 
on  the  12th  of  Febmary,  1866,  and  is  a  son  of  Charles  F.  and  Dora  (Bowman) 
Kluver,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Germany.  They  came  to  America  in  1859 
and  first  settled  in  Chicago,  where  they  resided  for  three  years.    On  the  expiration 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  217 

of  that  period  they  came  to  Iowa,  establishing  their  home  upon  a  farm  in  Butler 
county,  where  the  father  passed  away,  while  subsequently  the  death  of  the  mother 
occurred  in  Cerro  Gordo  county,  Iowa.  They  had  a  family  of  eleven  children, 
seven  of  whom  are  yet  living. 

n.  B.  Ivluver  spent  his  boyhood  days  in  Butler  county  and  in  fact  was  iden- 
tified therewith  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty-five,  when  he  removed  to 
Hancock  county,  where  he  has  made  his  home  continuously  since  1891,  or  for  a 
period  of  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century.  He  purchased  a  farm  in  this 
county  and  in  1902  became  the  owner  of  the  farm  upon  which  he  now  resides,  on 
section  16,  Crystal  township.  He  has  ever  recognized  the  fact  that  real  estate 
is  the  safest  of  all  investments  and  as  his  financial  resources  have  increased  he 
has  added  to  his  holdings  from  time  to  time  until  he  is  now  the  owner  of  twelve 
hundred  and  ninety  acres  in  Iowa,  from  which  he  derives  a  most  gratifying  annual 
income.  In  South  Dakota  he  owns  four  hundred  and  eighty  acres,  three  hundred 
and  twenty  acres  in  Texas  and  eighty  acres  in  Minnesota  and  his  entire  holdings 
are  improved  with  the  exception  of  the  Texas  land.  His  extensive  farm  property 
is  the  visible  evidence  of  his  life  of  well  directed  energy  and  thrift.  In  addition 
to  carefully  tUling  the  soil  he  is  engaged  extensively  in  raising  and  feeding  stock, 
making  a  specialty  of  shorthorn  Hereford  cattle,  red  Duroc  hogs  and  Shropshire 
sheep.  He  is  likewise  one  of  the  stockholders  and  the  president  of  the  Farmers 
National  Bank  of  Crystal  Lake,  which  he  aided  in  organizing. 

In  1896  Mr.  Kluver  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Maggie  Stewart,  a  native 
of  this  state,  and  to  them  have  been. bom  four  children:  Myrtle,  now  deceased; 
Hazel,  in  college;  and  Glenn  and  Orville,  at  home.  The  parents  are  active  and 
faithful  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  of  which  Mr.  Kluver  is  one 
of  the  trustees.  His  political  endorsement  is  given  to  the  republican  party,  and 
while  he  has  never  sought  nor  desired  office  he  has  served  on  the  school  board 
and  is  interested  in  all  those  forces  which  work  for  the  uplift  and  progress  of 
the  community.  He  is  a  man  of  sterling  worth  and  of  notable  business  ability 
and  sagacity.  Be  is  seldom,  if  ever,  at  fault  in  matters  of  judgment  and  his 
enterprise,  laudable  ambition  and  determination  have  made  him  one  of  the  pros- 
perous citizens  of  Hancock  county. 


JAMES  A.  TRUMBELL. 

James  A.  Trumbell,  a  general  farmer  of  Avery  township,  Hancock  county, 
living  on  section  29,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  on  the  28th  of  January  1867,  a 
son  of  Cornelius  and  Adeline  (Smith)  Trumbell,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  who 
became  early  residents  of  Belmond,  Iowa.  Both  are  still  living,  the  father  having 
reached  the  age  of  seventy-four  years,  while  the  mother  is  now  eighty-one  years 
of  age. 

James  A.  Trumbell  acquired  his  early  education  in  the  district  schools  of 
Pennsylvania,  which  he  attended  until  he  reached  the  age  of  seventeen  years, 
and  then  accompanied  his  parents  on  their  removal  westward  to  this  state.  He 
assisted  his  father  in  the  development  and  further  improvement  of  the  home 
farm  for  five  years  and  when  twenty-two  years  of  age  started  out  on  his  own 


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218     WINNEBAGO  AND  HANCOCK  COUNTIES 

account.  He  has  since  been  dependent  entirely  upon  his  own  resources,  so  that 
whatever  success  he  has  achieved  is  the  direct  result  and  reward  of  his  labor.  For 
four  years  he  cultivated  a  rented  farm  and  then  purchased  two  hundred  and  forty 
acres  of  land  in  Palo  Alto  county,  Iowa.  Some  time  afterward  he  sold  that  prop- 
erty and  came  to  Hancock  county,  where  he  rented  land  for  two  years.  He  next 
purchased  two  hundred  and  thirty  acres  on  section  29,  Avery  township,  constitut- 
ing his  present  farm,  which  is  today  one  of  the  excellent  farm  properties  of  the 
district.  His  first  trading  point  was  at  Belmond,  which  at  that  time  was  a 
little  village  containing  four  or  five  stores.  There  was  also  one  store  at  Amster- 
dam conducted  by  6.  N.  Elder,  the  eldest  brother  of  Mrs.  Trumbell.  There  was 
much  wheat  and  flax  produced  in  those  days,  but  all  around  were  evidences  of  the 
fact  that  the  work  of  development  and  improvement  was  still  in  its  initial  stage. 
The  original  courthouse  of  Hancock  county  now  stands  on  the  Hetland  farm  and 
at  the  time  of  the  arrival  of  the  Trumbell  family  M.  P.  Rosecrans  was  county 
judge,  with  Reuben  Church  as  county  treasurer,  George  Louppe  as  county  clerk, 
C.  M.  Church  as  county  sheriff  and  John  Porter  as  district  judge.  Mr.  Trum- 
bell has  devoted  his  entire  life  to  general  farming  and  his  place  of  two  hundred 
and  thirty  acres  is  now  a  valuable  tract,  which  has  been  most  carefully  and  sys- 
tematically developed  and  improved  until  it  forms  one  of  the  most  pleasing 
features  of  the  landscape.  Its  fields  annually  yield  rich  harvests  and  good  grades 
of  stock  are  seen  upon  the  farm,  while  the  latest  improved  machinery  facilitates 
the  work  of  the  fields. 

On  the  11th  of  August,  1891,  Mr.  Trumbell  was  married  to  Miss  Carrie  K. 
Elder,  a  daughter  of  George  and  Margaret  (McNutt)  Elder,  who  were  natives 
of  Pennsylvania  but  came  to  Hancock  county  in  1865.  Both  have  long  since 
passed  away.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Trumbell  are  now  the  parents  of  three  children, 
James  S.,  Harry  E.  and  Florence  Mabel.  The  elder  son  was  married  March  8, 
1916,  to  Miss  Frances  Christie,  a  daughter  of  Archie  and  Delia  Christie,  natives 
of  Wisconsin. 

Mrs.  Trumbell  belongs  to  the  United  Brethren  church  and  he  has  membership 
relations  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  while  his  political  endorsement 
is  given  to  the  democratic  party.  While  interested  in  its  success  because  of  his 
firm  belief  in  its  principles,  he  has  never  sought  nor  desired  political  oflSce, 
always  preferring  to  concentrate  his  energies  and  attention  upon  his  business 
affairs,  which  have  been  wisely  directed  and  have  made  him  one  of  the  substan- 
tial farmers  of  Avery  township. 


OTTO  H.  SWENSON. 


Otto  H.  Swenson,  successfully  engaged  in  the  hardware  business  in  Thompson, 
is  one  of  Winnebago  county's  native  sons,  his  birth  occurring  in  Forest  township, 
July  10,  1874.  His  parents,  Hans  and  Theodora  (Olson)  Swenson,  were  bom, 
reared  and  married  in  Decorah,  Winneshiek  county,  Iowa,  where  the  father  engaged 
in  farming  for  five  years.  In  1872  he  brought  his  family  to  Winnebago  county 
and  purchased  land  in  Forest  township,  which  he  at  once  began  to  improve  and 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  219 

cultivate.  He  has  pince  resided  upon  that  place  and  has  now  reached  the  age  of 
seventy-three  years.    His  wife  passed  away  on  the  16th  of  June,  1913. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Forest  township,  Otto  H.  Swenson  pursued  his 
studies  in  the  district  schools  of  the  neighborhood  and  when  not  in  school  assisted 
Lis  father  in  the  work  of  the  farm  until  twenty-two  years  of  age.  He  then  bought 
a  tract  of  land  in  Newton  township,  Winnebago  county,  whereon  he  engaged  in 
agricultural  pursuits  for  eight  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  rented  his  farm 
and  removed  to  Thompson,  where  he  became  interested  in  the  windmill  and  pump 
business.  Seven  years  later  he  sold  out  to  his  brother  and  for  the  past  seven 
years  has  engaged  in  the  hardware  business  on  quite  an  extensive  scale.  He 
carries  a  large  stock  and  occupies  a  double  store  room.  In  business  affairs  he  is 
notajbly  prompt  and  reliable  and  has  therefore  built  up  an  excellent  patronage. 

Mr.  Swenson  was  married  on  the  19th  of  August,  1896,  to  Miss  Ida  Lund,  by 
whom  he  has  four  children,  namely:  Helnier,  born  July  15,  1897;  Melvin, 
November  28,  1898;  Edith,  December  22,  1903;  and  Orville,  June  25,  1906.  The 
family  hold  membership  in  the  Lutheran  church,  and  Mr.  Swenson  aflBliates^  with 
the  republican  party.  His  fellow  citizens  recognizing  his  worth  and  ability, 
elected  him  a  member  of  the  town  council  of  Thompson,  in  which  he  served  for 
twelve  years  with  credit  to  himself  and  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  his  constituents, 
and  for  ten  years  he  also  served  as  trustee  of  King  township. 


G.  A.  DAHL. 


6.  A.  Dahl  owns  and  operates  a  farm  on  sections  12  and  13,  Norway  town- 
ship, Winnebago  county,  upon  which  he  has  lived  for  about  seventeen  years.  He 
was  born  November  7,  1875,  in  Silver  township.  Worth  county,  Iowa,  his  parents 
being  6.  G.  and  Bertha  (Loberg)  Dahl,  the  former  a  native  of  Norway.  The 
latter  was  born  in  Worth  county,  where  her  father  settled  at  a  very  early  period 
in  the  development  of  that  district  and  where  the  family  continued  to  reside  for 
many  years,  both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Loberg  there  passing  away.  Mr.  Dahl  was  but 
fourteen  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  the  United  States  with  his  parents,  Gilbert 
and  Anna  Opdahl,  the  family  home  being  established  near  Northwood  in  Worth 
county,  while  later  they  secured  a  homestead  in  Silver  Lake  township  in  the  same 
county.  Their  son,  G.  G.  Dahl,  changed  the  family  name  to  its  present  form. 
He  worked  for  his  father  until  he  attained  his  majority  and  then  purchased  land 
in  Worth  county,  where  he  vcontinued  to  engage  in  farming  until  a  few  years  ago, 
when  he  retired  from  active  business  life  and  established  his  home  in  Emmons, 
Minnesota,  where  he  now  resides.  His  wife,  however,  has  passed  away,  and  her 
remains  were  interred  in  Lime  Creek  cemetery. 

G.  A.  Dahl  was  a  pupil  in  the  public  schools  of  Worth  county  until  he  reached 
the  age  of  sixteen  years.  Yet  his  opportunities  during  that  period  were  somewhat 
limited  as  his  labors  were  needed  upon  the  home  farm.  When  his  text-books 
were  put  aside  he  concentrated  his  entire  attention  upon  farm  work  and  remained 
with  his  father  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty-five  years.  Desirous  of  engaging 
in  business  on  his  own  account,  he  then  purchased  the  south  half  of  the  southeast 
quarter  of  section  12  and  the  north  half  of  the  northeast  quarter  of  section  13, 


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220  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

Norway  township,  Winnebago  county.  Taking  up  his  abode  upon  this  place  in 
1900,  he  has  since  continued  its  cultivation  and  has  added  many  modern  improve- 
ments to  the  farm.  He  also  owns  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  on  section  19, 
Silver  Lake  township.  Worth  county,  and  from  his  properties  derives  a  substantial 
annual  income. 

Mr.  Dahl  was  married  May  20,  1900,  to  Miss  Julia  Ringestad,  a  daughter  of 
Nels  and  Anna  Eingestad,  the  former  of  whom  is  a  native  of  Winneshiek  county, 
Iowa,  while  the  latter  was  bom  in  Sweden  but  was  brought  to  the  United  States 
when  eight  years  old.  They  are  still  living  upon  their  farm,  which  adjoins  that 
owned  by  Mr.  Dahl.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dahl  have  been  born  four  children.  Alma, 
Norris,  Lawrence,  and  Cora,  all  at  home.  Mr.  Dahl  holds  membership  with  the 
Sons  of  Norway,  and  his  religious  faith  is  indicated  by  his  membership  in  the 
United  Lutheran  church.  He  has  served  on  the  school  board  and  as  road  boss,  but 
has  never  been  active  as  a  political  worker.  He  is  a  republican  and  keeps  well 
informed  on  questionB  and  issues  of  the  day.  He  now  owns  a  well  improved  farm 
carefully  cultivated,  so  that  good  crops  are  annually  gathered.  All  that  he  pos- 
sesses has  come  to  him  as  the  reward  of  earnest,  persistent  labor,  for  he  had  no 
assistance  when  he  started  out  in  life. 


JOHN  0.  BERGFALD. 


On  the  roster  of  oflBcials  in  Winnebago  county  appears  the  name  of  John  0. 
Bergfald,  of  Forest  City,  who  is  now  serving  as  county  recorder  and  is  making 
an  excellent  record  by  the  prompt,  efficient  and  systematic  manner  in  which  he 
discharges  his  duties.  He  was  bom  in  Norway,  June  88,  1862,  a  son  of  Ole  and 
Karen  (Kiplesund)  Bergfald.  Through  the  period  of  his  boyhood  and  youth 
John  0.  Bergfald  remained  in  his  native  country  and  in  1884,  at  the  age  of 
twenty-two  years,  came  to  the  United.  States,  locating  first  in  Linden  township, 
Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  where  he  attended  school  and  afterward  taught  in  the 
country  schools  for  several  years.  In  1889  he  went  to  Colorado  and  spent  two 
and  one-half  years  in  Denver,  after  which  he  resided  in  the  south  for  two  years. 
In  1896  he  returned  to  Linden  township,  where  he  again  taught  school  for  a  few 
years,  and  in  1901  he  was  appointed  deputy  recorder  of  Winnebago  county,  which 
position  he  filled  until  the  fall  of  1904.  He  afterward  had  charge  of  the  county 
poor  farm  for  a  year  and  a  half,  being  the  first  superintendent  thereof.  He  later 
removed  to  Thompson,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  hardware  business  until  1910, 
in  which  year  he  was  elected  county  recorder.  The  fact  that  he  has  been  four 
times  elected  to  that  position  is  incontrovertible  proof  of  his  capability  and  the 
confidence  reposed  in  him  by  the  public.  He  has  ifiade  a  most  splendid  record  in 
office  and  has  proven  faultless  in  honor  and  stainless  in  reputation.  He  also 
served  for  a  term  and  a  half  as  assessor  of  Linden  township  before  being  elected 
deputy  recorder.  His  political  allegiance  has  always  been  given  to  the  republican 
party  and  he  is  a  most  stalwart  champion  of  its  principles. 

In  March,  1898,  Mr.  Bergfald  was  married  to  Miss  AUie  J.  Lofton,  of  Arkan- 
sas, a  daughter  of  Giles  and  Margaret  (Boyd)  Lofton.  They  now  have  three 
children:     Carrie  Margaret,   Orren   Thomas  and  John  Milburn.     Mr.   Bergfald 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  221 

and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  of  which  he  is  a  devoted 
adherent,  guiding  his  life  by  its  teachings.  All  who  know  him,  and  he  has  a 
wide  acquaintance,  speak  of  him  in  terms  of  high  regard  because  of  his  fidelity  to 
the  principles  which  govern  upright  manhood  and  unswerving  integrity. 


ED  SEVEBSON 


Ed  Severson  is  actively  engaged  in  farming  on  section  24,  Linden  township, 
and  in  this  undertaking  is  a  partner  of  Oscar  I.  Indvik.  He  was  bom  in  South 
Dakota,  March  13,  1889,  and  is  a  son  of  Sever  and  Tona  (Fellan)  Severson,  both 
of  whom  were  natives  of  Norway.  On  leaving  the  land  of  the  midnight  sun  in 
1868  they  sailed  for  the  United  States,  settling  first  in  Minnesota,  where  they 
lived  for  two  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  they  came  to  Winnebago 
county,  Iowa,  and  took  up  their  abode  on  a  farm  in  Mount  Valley  township, 
where  they  resided  for  eleven  years.  Their  next  home  was  in  South  Dakota, 
where  they  continued  for  nine  years.  The  mother  passed  away  in  1893  after 
which  the  father  returned  to  Winnebago  county,  where  he  is  still  living.  To  him 
and  his  wife  were  bom  six  children,  all  of  whom  survive. 

Ed  Severson,  whose  name  introduces  this  review,  was  largely  reared  in  Winne- 
bago county  and  acquired  the  greater  part  of  his  education  in  its  public  schools, 
although  for  one  year  he  pursued  a  college  course.  From  the  age  of  fourteen 
he  has  been  dependent  upon  his  own  resources  and  whatever  success  he  has 
achieved  or  enjoyed  is  the  result  of  his  eamest  labors.  He  first  worked  on  a 
farm  and  when  he  felt  that  his  experience,  his  age  and  his  capital  were  sufficient 
to  enable  him  to  take  an  independent  step  he  rented  land  which  he  cultivated  for 
three  years.  His  economy  was  continued  through  that  period  so  that  he  was  at 
length  enabled  to  purchase  eighty  acres,  becoming  owner  of  a  tract  on  section 
12,  Forest  township.  He  operated  that  farm  for  three  years  and  then,  in  1916, 
removed  to  his  present  place  on  section  24,  Linden  township.  He  and  his 
brother-in-law,  Oscar  Indvik,  are  now  cultivating  five  hundred  and  twenty  acres 
of  land.  They  not  only  grow  the  crops  best  adapted  to  soil  and  climate,  but  they 
also  make  a  specialty  of  raising  and  breeding  hogs,  milch  cows  and  Belgian 
horses.  They  have  some  of  the  finest  stock  to  be  found  in  the  county  and  their 
business  affairs  are  most  wisely  and  carefully  managed,  bringing  to  them  a  very 
substantial  and  gratifying  measure  of  success. 

In  1911  Mr.  Severson  was  married  to  Miss  Isabel  Indvik,  who  was  bom  on 
the  farm  where  they  now  reside.  Her  parents  were'  Ole  J.  and  Mary  Michael- 
son)  Indvik,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Norway.  In  young  manhood  and 
womanhood  they  came  to  the  new  world,  and  as  the  years  passed  the  father 
advanced  step  by  step  along  the  road  of  indefatigable  industry  to  the  goal  of 
success.  He  is  still  living  in  Winnebago  county  but  his  wife  passed  away  in 
1907.  In  their  family  were  six  children  of  whom  only  Mrs.  Severson  and 
Oscar  0.  Indvik  now  survive.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Severson  have  become  the  parents 
of  four  children,  Elsworth  S.,  Orlie  M.,  Merrill  0.  and  Edward  I.  The  parents 
are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  in  social  circles  they  occupy  an  enviable 
position,  hiving  the  warm  and  kindly  regard  of  all  with  whom  they  have  been 


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222  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

brought  in  contact.  Mr.  Severson  votes  with  the  republican  party  and  he  has 
served  as  assessor  and  as  trustee  of  Forest  township.  He  is  always  loyal  in 
matters  of  public  duty  and  is  ever  willing  to  cooperate  in  work  for  the  general 
good. 


OSCAR  0.  INDVIK. 


No  history  of  agricultural  development  of  Winnebago  county  would  be  com- 
plete without  mention  of  the  Indvik  family  of  which  Oscar  0.  Indvik  is  a  repre- 
sentative,  for  the  family  was  established  here  in  pioneer  times  and  has  since  been 
active  in  promoting  agricultural  progress  here.  Oscar  0.  Indvik  was  bom  Sep- 
tember 13,  1888,  upon  the  farm  where  he  still  resides  on  section  24,  Linden 
township,  and  is  a  son  of  Ole  J.  Indvik,  a  native  of  Norway  and  for  many  years 
a  representative  farmer  of  this  district. 

Reared  under  the  parental  roof  Oscar  0.  Indvik  acquired  a  public  school 
education,  mastering  the  branches  of  learning  which  fitted  him  for  life's  practical 
and  responsible  duties.  He  was  reared  to  the  occupation  of  farming  to  which 
he  has  given  his  attention  and  energies  since  attaining  man's  estate.  In  fact,  he 
was  early  trained  to  the  work  of  the  fields  and  in  summer  months  assisted  in  the 
task  of  plowing  and  planting  and  harvesting,  while  the  winter  months  were  given 
to  school  work.  In  connection  with  his  sister,  Mrs.  Ed  Severson,  he  owns  four 
hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  land  on  sections  23,  24  and  25,  Linden  township. 
This  property  they  inherited  from  their  father,  and  it  is  now  being  further  devel- 
oped and  cultivated  by  Mr.  Indvik  and  Mr.  Severson,  who  are  also  cultivating  an 
additional  tract,  having  now  five  hundred  and  twenty  acres.  There  are  splendid 
improvements  upon  the  farm  in  the  way  of  excellent  buildings  and  well  kept 
fences  and  modem  farm  machinery.  They  also  have  good  grades  of  stock  upon 
the  place,  and  everything  indicates  their  progressive  spirit  and  enterprising  methr 
ods.  Mr.  Indvik  votes  with  the  republican  party  to  which  he  gives  intelligent 
support,  always  closely  studying  the  questions  and  issues  of  the  day. 


ISAAC  SWEIGARD. 


Isaac  Sweigard,  identified  with  financial  interests  in  Gamer  as  president  of 
the  Farmers  National  Bank,  was  bora  in  Pennsylvania,  March  10,  1849,  a  son 
of  Andrew  and  Elizabeth  (Smith)  Sweigard,  who  spent  their  entire  lives  in  the 
Keystone  state,  where  the  father  followed  the  occupation  of  farming. 

Isaac  Sweigard  acquired  a  public  school  education  and  in  early  manhood 
went  to  Illinois  in  1870  and  established  and  conducted  a  drug  store  in  Shannon 
in  connection  with  his  brother-in-law.  He  also  taught  school  while  in  that 
state.  In  1877  he  removed  to  Kossuth  county,  Iowa,  and  was  actively  identified 
with  its  business  interests  as  a  buyer  of  grain  and  hogs  and  also  as  a  dealer  in 
lumber.  While  there  he  also  served  as  a  member  of  the  county  board  of  super- 
visors.    In  1882  he  removed  to  Gamer,  where  he  entered  into  partnership  with 


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ISAAC    SWEIGARD 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  225 

A.  C.  Eipley,  under  the  finn  style  of  A.  C.  Eipley  &  Company,  for  the  conduct 
of  a  real  estate  and  abstract  business.  Mr.  Eipley  was  a  lawyer  and  Mr.  Sweigard 
largely  had  charge  of  the  business.  In  1887  his  fellow  townsmen,  having  recog- 
nized his  worth  and  ability,  called  him  to  public  office,  electing  him  clerk  of  the 
courts,  in  which  capacity  he  served  for  four  years.  He  was  afterward  in  Mr. 
Bipley's  oflBce  for  a  short  time  and  was  then  again  called  to  a  position  of  public 
trust,  being  chosen  county  treasurer,  in  which  position  he  served  for  one  term. 
Later  he  was  again  associated  with  Mr.  Eipley  for  a  short  time,  but  on  account 
of  his  wife's  health  removed  to  Missouri,  where  he  remained  until  1904,  when  he 
purchased  an  interest  in  the  Farmers  Savings  Bank  of  Gamer,  with  which  he 
has  since  been  associated. 

In  1872  Mr.  Sweigard  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ludnda  Layman, 
who  was  bom  in  Pennsylvania  but  lived  in  Illinois  at  the  time  of  her  marriage. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sweigard  have  three  children,  namely:  Harvey  A.,  who  is  post- 
master at  Gamer;  Etta,  who  is  the  wife  of  B.  C.  Plummer,  of  Forest  City;  and 
C.  E.,  the  cashier  of  the  Farmers  National  Bank.  Fraternally  Mr.  Sweigard  is 
connected  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  has  taken  various 
degrees  in  Masonry,  belonging  to  Bethel  Lodge,  No.  319,  F.  &  A.  M.;  Bethel 
Chapter,  No.  116,  E.  A.  M.;  Bethel  Council,  No.  33,  E.  &  S.  M.;  and  Antioch 
Commandery,  K.  T.,  of  Mason  City.  Of  the  blue  lodge  he  is  a  past  master.  His 
family  is  connected  with  the  Methodist  church.  In  politics  Mr.  Sweigard  is  a 
stalwart  democrat  and  in  addition  to  the  offices  previously  mentioned  he  has 
served  as  mayor  of  Gamer.  In  a  word,  he  is  a  prominent  and  influential  citizen 
there  who  has  done  much  to  shape  public  thought  and  action  and  establish  a 
progressive  public  policy.  At  the  same  time  he  is  an  energetic  business  man, 
alert  to  the  opportunities  opened  for  activity  in  various^  fields,  and  his  enterprise 
has  brought  to  him  a  substantial  measure  of  success. 


OLE  HALVOBSON  BEEKKE. 

Ole  Halvorson  Brekke,  a  retired  farmer  of  Lake  Mills,  is  a  native  of  Norway 
and  has  manifested  the  excellent  qualities  characteristic  of  his  race.  He  was  born 
November  19,  1843,  of  the  marriage  of  Halvor  Olson  and  Helge  (Johnsdatter) 
Brekke,  who  passed  their  entire  lives  in  Norway,  where  the  father  engaged  in 
farming. 

Ole  H.  Brekke,  who  is  the  fourth  child  and  the  oldest  of  four  sons,  obtained 
a  common  school  education  in  Norway  and  devoted  some  time  to  military  training. 
He  learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  which  he  followed  in  Norway  until  he  was 
twenty-six  years  of  age,  when  he  emigrated  to  America  alone,  crossing  the  Atlantic 
on  a  sailing  vessel  and  landing  at  Quebec,  Canada.  He  at  once  went  to  Dane 
county,  Wisconsin,  where  he  worked  as  a  carpenter  for  a  year,  but  in  1870  he 
went  by  way  of  the  Milwaukee  Eailroad  to  Clear  Lake,  which  was  then  the 
terminus  of  the  road,  and  from  that  point  by  ox  team  to  Forest  City,  Winnebago 
county,  Iowa.  For  one  year  he  was  employed  as  a  farm  hand  and  then  invested 
his  savings  in  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  35,  Center  township.  Pop 
forty-one  years  his  time  and  attention  were  taken  up  with  the  cultivation  of  that 


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226  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

place^  which  he  made  one  of  the  model  farms  of  his  locality,  and  his  hard  work, 
progressive  spirit  and  good  management  made  him  in  time  financially  independent. 
In  1911  he  retired  from  active  life  and  built  a  fine  home  in  Lake  Mills,  where  he 
has  since  resided.  He  was  a  director  of  the  Lake  Mills  Stock  Yards  for  some  time 
and  also  of  the  Lake  Mills  Creamery  Company. 

On  the  5th  of  September,  1870,  Mr.  Brekke  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Liv  TuJlockson,  a  daughter  of  TuUock  and  Ture  (Toresdatter)  TuUockson,  who 
passed  their  entire  lives  in  Norway.  Mrs.  Brekke  came  to  the  United  States  with 
a  brother.  She  has  become  the  mother  of  seven  children,  namely:  Helene,  the 
wife  of  Lawrence  Lintvet,  of  Becker  county,  Minnesota;  Anna  S.,  who  is  the 
widow  of  Herman  Jencer  and  resides  in  Becker  county,  Minnesota;  Gunild  T., 
the  wife  of  Andrew  Branstad,  of  Forest  City;  Susanna  0.,  who  married  Knudt  K. 
Tveten,  of  Comstock,  Clay  county,  Iowa;  Gunild  Andrea,  the  wife  of  Ellsworth 
P.  Brones,  residing  near  Leland,  Winnebago  county;  Hannah,  at  home;  and 
Emma,  the  wife  of  Conrad  Oscar  Harung,  of  Kensett,  Worth  county. 

Mr.  Brekke  supports  the  democratic  party  where  national  issues  are  at  stake, 
but  otherwise  votes  for  the  man.  He  served  on  the  school  board  a  number  of 
years  and  was  also  for  some  time  township  trustee  and  gave  to  the  discharge  of 
his  official  duties  the  same  careful  attention  that  characterized  his  management  of 
his  farming  interests.  He  holds  membership  in  the  United  Lutheran  church,  to 
the  support  of  which  he  contributes  generously.  The  success  which  he  has  gained 
is  doubly  creditable  in  that  he  began  his  independent  career  without  capital  or 
influential  friends  and  has  at  all  times  relied  entirely  upon  his  own  efforts  to  win 
advancement. 


JOHN  LUNDBERG, 


Business  enterprise  in  Forest  City  finds  a  worthy  representative  in  John 
Lundberg,  now  a  successful  dealer  in  wood,  coal  and  ice.  He  is  numbered  among 
the  pioner  residents  of  Winnebago  county,  where  he  has  resided  for  forty-six  years, 
an  interested  witness  of  the  development  of  this  section  of  the  state  and  an 
active  participant  in  many  plans  and  projects  for  the  public  good.  He  was  born 
in  Denmark,  July  3,  1857,  a  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Anderson)  Lundberg,  who 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1867,  reaching  New  York  city  on  the  2d  of  September 
of  that  year.  They  made  their  way  at  once  across  the  country  to  Oshkosh,  Winne- 
bago county,  Wisconsin,  and  tliere  resided  for  four  years.  '  In  February,  1871,  tliey 
became  residents  of  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  and  the  father,  who  had  hitherto 
followed  the  tailor's  trade,  here  turned  his  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits,  pur- 
chasing a  small  farm  of  forty  acres.  He  afterward  sold  that  property  and  bought 
eighty  acres  in  Hancock  county,  five  miles  east  of  Garner.  Three  years  later  he 
sold  out  and  returned  to  Winnebago  county,  buying  forty  acres  adjoining  Forest 
City.  Upon  that  farm  he  lived  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  August,  1916. 
His  widow  yet  survives  and  still  occupies  the  old  home  place. 

John  Lundberg  attended  the  district  schools,  but  his  educational  opportunities 
were  limited,  for  he  was  the  eldest  child  and  his  parents  were  in  straitened  finan- 
cial circumstances,  so  tliat  his  labors  were  needed  in  the  further  development  of 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  227 

the  home  farm.  He  worked  in  the  fields  from  early  youth  and  soon  became 
familiar  with  the  best  methods  of  tilling  the  soil  and  caring  for  the  crops.  He 
was  twenty  years  of  age  when  he  became  a  resident  of  Forest  City,  where  for  nine 
years  he  had  charge  of  the  live  stock  of  J.  A.  Plummer.  He  afterward  spent  a 
year  in  the  employ  of  the  Central  Elevator  Company,  which  he  represented  on  the 
road,  looking  after  their  live  stock  interests.  He  next  accepted  a  position  as  grain 
buyer  for  Barton  &  Gardner,  with  whom  he  was  associated  for  five  years.  In 
1895  Mr.  Gardner  purchased  Mr.  Barton's  interest  and  soon  thereafter  Mr.  Lund- 
berg  was  admitted  to  a  partnership  under  the  firm  name  of  Gardner  &  Lundberg. 
That  association  was  maintained  for  two  years  and  in  1897  Mr.  Lundberg  bought 
out  Mr.  Gardner's  interest  and  the  same  year  built  a  new  elevator,  which  he 
operated  independently  for  five  or  six  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period 
he  sold  his  elevator  but  continued  to  deal  in  live  stock  and  also  to  handle  wood 
and  coal,  for  in  the  meantime  he  had  extended  the  scope  of  his  activities  to  include 
the  sale  of  fuel.  He  still  remains  an  active  and  prosperous  dealer  in  wood,  coal 
and  ice  and  is  accorded  a  liberal  patronage  by  reason  of  his  enterprising  methods 
and  his  honorable  dealing.  He  also  has  other  important  interests,  having  served 
as  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  and  as  secretary  of  the  telephone  company 
for  a  number  of  years.  In  fact  he  has  been  one  of  the  foremost  representatives  of 
the  business  life  of  Forest  City  for  an  extended  period  and  his  interests  have  ever 
been  of  a  character  which  have  contributed  to  public  progress  as  well  as  to  indi- 
vidual prosperity. 

In  November,  1888,  Mr.  Lundberg  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Lydia  A. 
Cooper,  of  Waukon,  Allamakee  county,  Iowa,  by  whom  he  had  four  children,  three 
of  whom  still  survive,  namely:  Beatrice,  who  is  the  wife  of  Dr.  J.  E.  Charlson, 
of  Goldfield,  Iowa;  and  Zylpy  Jane  and  J.  Harmon,  both  at  home.  Politically 
Mr.  Lundberg  is  a  republican  and  his  fellow  townsmen,  appreciating  his  worth 
and  ability,  have  frequently  called  him  to  public  office.  He  has  served  for  eleven 
years  as  a  member  of  the  town  council  and  is  the  present  street  commissioner  of 
Forest  City.  Any  plan  or  measure  for  the  upbuilding  of  the  community  is  sure 
to  receive  his  endorsement  and  cooperation  and  his  work  has  long  been  an  eflfectivt 
element  in  advancing  the  welfare  of  city  and  county.    • 


ARNE  E.  DAHL. 


Ame  E.  Dahl,  who  passed  away  in  1900,  had  not  only  gained  a  place  among 
the  representative  farmers  of  Linden  township,  Winnebago  county,  but  was  also 
held  in  high  esteem  personally,  for  his  dominant  qualities  were  such  as  command 
respect.  He  was  bom  in  Norway,  May  20,  1833,  of  the  marriage  of  Erik  and 
Anna  Dahl,  both  of  whom  passed  their  entire  lives  in  their  native  country.  He 
received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  Norway  and  remained  there  for 
a  considerable  period  after  reaching  mature  years.  It  was  in  1872  that  he  came 
to  the  United  States  and  during  the  succeeding  five  years  he  resided  in  Rock 
county,  Wisconsin.  In  1877,  however,  he  rented  land  in  Linden  township,  Winne- 
bago county,  Iowa,  which  he  farmed  for  five  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  be 
purchased  forty  acres,  to  which  he  added  at  different  times  an  adjoining  tract  of 


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228  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

similar  size  and  an  eighty  acre  tract,  becoming  the  owner  of  the  northeast  quarter 
of  section  4,  Linden  township.  He  devoted  his  time  and  energy  to  the  raising  of 
the  usual  grains  and  to  the  breeding  of  stock  and  both  phases  of  his  business 
proved  profitable.  He  also  had  other  interests  as  he  owned  stock  in  the  Farmers 
Cooperative  Creamery  Company  of  Leland  until  the  plant  burned  and  later  was 
a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Cooperative  Creamery  of  Thompson.  He  passed 
away  on  the  1st  of  August,  1900,  mourned  by  his  many  friends. 

Mr.  Dahl  was  married  in  Norway  to  Miss  Mary  Olson,  who  survives  and  still 
lives  upon  the  home  farm.  To  their  union  were  born  twelve  children,  of  whom 
eight  are  living,  namely:  Erik,  a  resident  farmer  of  Cavalier  county.  North 
Dakota;  Nettie,  the  wife  of  Adam  Bell,  residing  in  Winnebago  county;  Ole,  also 
engaged  in  farming  in  Cavalier  county.  North  Dakota;  Lewis,  residing  in  Thomp- 
son, Winnebago  county;  Mary,  the  wife  of  Edward  Thorland,  of  Eden  township, 
Winnebago  county;  Betsy,  the  wife  of  Oscar  Lund,  residing  in  McKenzie  county. 
North  Dakota;  Albert,  who  is  operating  the  home  farm;  and  Helmer,  a  resident 
of  McKenzie  county.  North  Dakota. 

Mr.  Dahl  was  a  republican  in  his  political  views  and  took  the  interest  of  a 
good  citizen  in  public  affairs  but  was  never  an  oflSce  seeker.  For  twenty-three  years 
he  was  a  resident  of  Linden  township  and  his  sterling  worth  was  recognized  by  all 
who  came  in  contact  with  him.  Mrs.  Dahl  holds  membership  in  the  Lutheran 
Synod  and  conforms  her  life  to  its  teachings. 


GISLE  M.  LEE,  M.  D. 


Dr.  Gisle  M.  Lee,  a  successful  physician  and  surgeon  living  at  Thompson,  was 
born  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  July  10,  1867,  a  son  of  John  E.  J.  and  Martha 
(Venaass)  Lee,  natives  of  Norway.  When  sixteen  years  old  the  father  accom- 
panied his  parents  to  the  United  States  and  the  family  located  in  Dane  county, 
Wisconsin,  where  the  grandfather  of  our  subject  engaged  in  farming  until  his 
death.  The  mother  was  brought  to  Dane  county  when  an  infant  by  her  parents, 
who  resided  upon  a  farm  there  until  called  by  death.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  E, 
J.  Lee  are  buried  in  the  East  Koshkonong  church  cemetery. 

Gisle  M.  Lee  attended  the  common  schools  and  later  Luther  College  at  Decorah, 
Iowa,  while  his  professional  education  was  received  in  Rush  Medical  College  at 
Chicago,  which  conferred  upon  him  the  M.  D.  degree  in  1893.  In  the  following 
year  he  came  to  Thompson,  which  had  been  founded  only  two  years  previously, 
and  was  the  first  physician  and  surgeon  to  locate  here.  He  has  since  continuously 
engaged  in  practice  and  has  a  high  standing  among  his  professional  colleagues 
in  the  county.  Through  his  membership  in  the  American  Medical  Association 
and  through  wide  reading  he  keeps  in  touch  with  the  trend  of  modern  practice 
and  he  has  been  very  successful  in  the  treatment  of  disease. 

Dr.  Lee  was  married  in  1895  to  Miss  Jessie  Seversen,  of  Cambridge,  Wiscon- 
sin, and  they  have  four  children :  Gisle  J.,  who  is  editor  of  a  newspaper  at  Sher- 
burn,  Minnesota;  and  Melvin,  Evelyn  and  Mabel,  all  at  home. 

Dr.  Lee  supports  the  republican  party  at  the  polls  and  has  taken  quite  an 
active  part  in  public  affairs,  having  been  coroner  of  the  county  for  the  last  eight 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  229 

years  and  having  also  served  as  mayor  of  Thompson  for  one  term  and  as  secretary 
of  the  school  board  for  eight  years.  He  belongs  to  the  Lutheran  church  and 
furthers  its  work  in  every  way  possible.  He  has  thorougldy  identified  himself  with 
the  interests  of  his  community  and  is  deservedly  held  in  high  esteem  by  all  who 
know  him. 


JOHN  I.  OFSTEDAHL. 

Norway  has  made  valuable  contribution  to  the  citizenship  of  Winnebago 
county.  Many  of  her  citizens  have  come  from  the  land  of  the  midnight  sun  and 
their  love  for  that  country  was  manifest  in  the  fact  that  Norway  township  was 
named  in  honor  of  their  old  home.  They  have,  however,  been  most'  loyal  to  all 
American  interests  and  have  been  active  factors  in  the  upbuilding  and  development 
of  this  section.  Among  the  number  is  John  I.  Ofstedahl,  who  was  born  in  Norway 
May  27,  1857,  a  son  of  Iver  and  Gertie  (Olson)  (Bursly)  Ofstedahl,  who  were 
farming  people.  They  had  a  family  of  six  children,  of  whom  John  I.  is  the  eldest. 
In  1864  they  brought  their  family  to  the  United  States  and  for  six  months  lived 
with  a  brother  of  the  father  in  Olmsted  county,  Minnesota.  They  then  took  up 
their  abode  in  Mansfield  township,  Freeborn  county,  Minnesota,  where  Mr. 
Ofstedahl  secured  a  homestead  claim  and  developed  the  farm  upon  which  he  is 
still  living.  He  yet  enjoys  good  health,  although  he  is  now  eighty-seven  years  of 
age,  being  splendidly  preserved  for  one  who  has  traveled  so  far  on  life's  journey. 
In  1911  he  was  called  upon  to  mourn  the  loss  of  his  wife,  who  passed  away  on  the 
26th  of  January  of  that  year  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  Synod  Lutheran  cemetery. 
Their  children  are:  John  I.;  Ole,  who  is  now  living  in  Norman  county,  Minne- 
sota; Iver  and  Albert,  who  are  residents  of  Freeborn  county,  Minnesota;  Iner, 
whose  home  is  in  Saskatchewan,  Canada;  and  Agnes,  the  wife  of  Jacob  Aldal,  of 
Fargo,  North  Dakota. 

John  J.  Ofstedahl  was  reared  upon  the  western  frontier  and  with  the  family 
shared  in  the  hardships  and  privations  incident  to  pioneer  life.  He  aided  in  the 
arduous  task  of  developing  a  new  farm  and  when  opportunity  offered  he  attended 
the  pioneer  schools,  using  his  advantages  to  secure  an  education  until  he  reached 
the  age  of  eighteen  years.  He  then  concentrated  his  attention  upon  farm  work 
for  his  father  until  twenty-six  years  of  age,  when  he  began  farming  on  his  own 
account.  During  the  next  two  years  he  farmed  with  his  father  on  shares  and  in 
March,  1887,  when  thirty  years  of  age,  he  became  a  resident  of  Norway  township, 
Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  where  he  purchased  the  east  half  of  the  southwest  quarter 
of  section  23.  He  immediately  began  its  development  and  his  labors  brought 
to  him  a  measure  of  success  that  enabled  him  later  to  purchase  the  west  half  of 
the  same  quarter,  so  that  he  is  now  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of 
land.  The  soil  had  in  it  the  properties  that  rendered  it  rich  and  productive  when 
carefully  cultivated  and  he  soon  transformed  the  place  into  well  kept  fields  from 
which  he  has  annually  gathered  golden  harvests.  When  he  made  his  purchase 
there  was  a  log  cabin  and  straw  stables  upon  the  place.  He  has  since  added  many 
modem  improvements  and  the  good  buildings,  the  well  kept  farm  machinery  and 
the  neat  appearance  of  his  fields  all  indicate  his  careful  supervision  and  progressive 


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230  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

methods.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Lake  Mills  Creamery  Company  and  in  the 
Farmers  Elevator  Company. 

Mr.  Ofstedahl  was  married  to  Miss  Karen  Saxerud,  a  daughter  of  Amon  and 
Panella  Saxerud,  of  Norway,  who  passed  away  in  their  native  land,  never  coming 
to  the  United  States.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ofstedahl  are  the  parents  of  five  children,  as 
follows:  Tina,  who  is  now  the  wife  of  Ed.  Torvold,  of  Worth  county,  Iowa; 
Oscar,  a  resident  of  Minneapolis;  Isaac,  who  assists  in  the  operation  of  the  home 
farm ;  Clara,  who  gave  her  hand  in  marriage  to  Harry  Adams,  of  Hayfield,  Han- 
cock county,  Iowa;  and  Alfred,  at  home. 

The  parents  are  members  of  the  Synod  Lutheran  church  and  in  its  teachings 
find  the  guiding  spirit  of  their  lives.  Mr.  Ofstedahl  is  a  republican  but  not  an 
office  seeker,  yet  he  is  not  remiss  in  the  duties  of  citizenship  and  delights  in  the 
progress  that  is  being  made  along  civic  lines.  From  early  boyhood  he  has  known 
what  hard  work  means  and  he  has  never  been  afraid  of  the  industry  and  close 
application  which  are  so  necessary  in  the  attainment  of  success.  In  fact,  it  has 
been  along  those  lines  that  he  has  reached  a  position  among  the  well-to-do  farmers 
of  Norway  township. 


NELS  AND  ELLEN  CHARLSON. 

Nels  and  Ellen  Charlson,  both  natives  of  Norway,  came  to  the  United  States  in 
1851,  first  lived  for  a  year  at  Stoughton,  Wisconsin,  and  then  moved  to  Primrose, 
Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  where  Mr.  Charlson  purchased  a  farm  which  he  im- 
proved and  cultivated  until  1866,  when  he  homesteaded  in  Center  township,  Winne- 
bago county,  Iowa,  removing  here  with  his  family  in  that  year  and  thereby  be- 
coming one  of  the  pioneers  of  this  section.  Mr.  Charlson  continued  agricultural 
pursuits  in  this  county  until  his  demise,  which  occurred  March  1,  1904.  He  had 
survived  his  wife  several  years,  as  she  passed  away  April  1,  1898.  Both  are  buried 
in  a  cemetery  on  the  home  farm.  They  were  pioneer  settlers  of  this  section  of 
the  state,  took  an  active  part  in  advancing  general  interests  contributing  to  the 
public  welfare,  and  Mr.  Charlson  did  much  in  promoting  the  agricultural  develop- 
ment .of  the  district.  When  they  passed  away  they  were  survived  by  many  friends 
who  had  come  to  esteem  them  highly.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Charlson  were  born  ten 
children,  of  whom  six  survive.  Eli,  the  youngest,  is  still  residing  on  the  home 
farm. 

Mrs.  Helen  (Charlson)  Colby  Groning,  daughter  of  Nels  and  Ellen  Charlson 
and  the  eldest  in  their  family  of  ten  children,  was  bom  in  Norway,  May  4,  1844, 
and  was  brought  by  her  parents  to  the  United  States  when  she  was  seven  years 
of  age.  She  was  educated  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  and  in  1859  was  married  to 
Eli  Colby  of  that  county.  They  had  no  capital  but  were  determined  to  succeed 
and  in  the  course  of  years  won  prosperity,  although  for  some  time  they  had  to  work 
very  hard  in  order  to  gain  a  start.  They  never  gave  way  to  discouragement,  how- 
ever, and  at  length  reaped  the  reward  of  their  untiring  industry  and  good  manage- 
ment and  their  sterling  qualities  gained  them  the  unqualified  respect  of  all  who 
knew  them.  Mr.  Colby  died  March  12,  1886,  and  is  buried  in  the  Huege  cemetery 
at  Primrose,  Wisconsin.    To  them  were  born  twelve  children :     Charles,  of  Center 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  231 

township ;  Mary,  the  wife  of  Nels  Gilbert,  of  Beeler,  Idaho ;  Ella,  the  wife  of  M.  M. 
Anderson,  of  Center  township;  Elizabeth,  who  married  Ephraim  Wilson,  of  Wit- 
tenberg, Wisconsin;  Joseph,  a  practicing  dentist  of  Lake  Mills,  Iowa;  Julia,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  and  is  buried  at  Primrose ;  Nora,  the  wife  of  Edward 
Brattrud,  of  Center  township ;  William,  who  died  at  the  age  of  thirty-seven  and  is 
buried  in  North  cemetery  at  Lake  Mills;  Clara,  the  wife  of  H.  C.  Schuman,  of 
lone,  Oregon;  Norman,  of  Fort  Madison,  Iowa;  Frank,  a  resident  of  Sioux  City; 
and  Jessie,  of  Lake  Mills. 

In  1901  Mrs.  Colby  married  Hans  Groning,  now  a  retired  former  of  Lake 
Mills,  of  whom  a  sketch  follows. 


HANS  GRONING. 


Hans  Groning,  a  well  known  retired  farmer  living  in  Lake  Mills,  was  born  in 
Norway,  December  31,  1830,  and  there  he  received  his  education  and  grew  to 
manhood.  In  1857  he  came  alone  to  the  United  States  and  purchased  land  in 
Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  for  more  than  four  decades, 
or  until  1901,  when  he  removed  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa.  He  purchased  a  farm 
in  Center  township  which  he  operated  for  a  year,  after  which  he  removed  to  Lake 
Mills,  where  he  has  a  fine  residence.  He  met  with  gratifying  success  in  his  agri- 
cultural work  and  has  a  comp>etence  which  insures  him  all  the  comforts  of  life. 

Mr.  Groning  was  married  in  Wisconsin  to  Miss  Mildred  Torgeson,  who  died  in 
1896  and  is  buried  in  the  United  Lutheran  cemetery  at  Primrose,  Wisconsin.  She 
left  a  son,  Hans,  Jr.,  who  is  living  in  Madison,  Wisconsin.  In  1901  Mr.  Groning 
was  married  to  Mrs.  Helen  Colby,  widow  of  Eli  Colby,  of  Dane  county,  Wis- 
consin. 

Mr.  Groning  is  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  republican  party  but  has  never 
been  a  politician  in  the  sense  of  office  seeking.  He  has  ever  taken  the  interest  of 
a  good  citizen  in  public  affairs  and  has  given  his  support  to  projects  seeking  the 
general  welfare.  In  religious  faith  both  he  and  his  wife  are  Free  Lutherans.  They 
have  made  many  friends  since  removing  to  Winnebago  county  and  are  numbered 
among  the  highly  esteemed  residents  of  Lake  Mills. 


OLE  A.  THOMPSON. 


Ole  A.  Thompson  is  an  active  and  well  known  representative  of  commercial 
interests  in  Forest  City  as  senior  partner  in  the  firm  of  Thompson  &  Clauson, 
proprietors  of  a  large  general  store.  The  greater  part  of  his  life  has  here  been 
passed,  for  he  arrived  in  Forest  City  in  1888,  when  a  youth  of  thirteen.  He  was 
born  in  Norway,  June  25,  1875,  a  son  of  T.  0.  and  Martha  Thompson,  who  in 
1880  became  residents  of  Mahaska  county,  Iowa,  where  the  father  followed  the 
cooper's  trade,  which  he  had  learned  in  his  native  land.  In  1888  he  removed  to 
Forest  City  and  purchased  a  farm  in  Mount  Valley  township,  where  he  secured 
eighty  acres.    For  twenty-six  years  thereafter  he  continued  to  develop  and  improve 


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232  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

his  property,  but  has  recently  sold  and  taken  up  his  abode  in  Forest  City,  where 
he  is  now  living  retired. 

Ole  A.  Thompson  acquired  a  public  school  education  and  supplemented  it  by 
a  business  course  at  Dixon.  He  made  his  initial  step  in  business  circles  as  an 
employe  in  the  clothing  store  of  Olson  Brothers  at  Forest  City  in  1899.  While  in 
that  connection  he  thoroughly  acquainted  himself  with  modern  business  methods 
and  he  also  carefully  saved  his  earnings  with  the  hope  of  one  day  engaging  in 
business  on  his  own  account.  In  1908,  therefore,  he  purchased  a  half  interest  in  a 
general  store  and  became  a  partner  of  C.  H.  Ellsworth,  who,  however,  sold  out 
the  same  year.  In  1910  Mr.  Thompson  admitted  A.  E.  Clauson  to  a  partnership 
under  the  firm  style  of  Thompson  &  Clauson.  They  conduct  a  general  store, 
handling  groceries,  dry  goods,  ladies'  ready-to-wear  clothing,  shoes  and  other  lines 
and  are  now  accorded  a  liberal  patronage  which  makes  their  trade  a  profitable  one. 
They  erected  a  building  in  1914  which  is  forty-four  by  one  hundred  feet  and  two 
stories  in  height  with  basement.  This  they  occupy  in  the  conduct  of  their  trade 
and  their  business  has  now  reached  substantial  and  gratifying  proportions. 

On  the  4th  of  September,  1911,  Mr.  Thompson  was  married  to  Maude  Snipps, 
of  Forest  City,  a  daughter  of  J.  P.  and  Belle  (Fisher)  Snipps."  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Thompson  have  one  son,  Malcolm,  and  by  a  former  marriage  Mrs.  Thompson  had 
a  daughter.  Hazel. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Thompson  is  connected  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows,  while  politically  he  maintains  an  independent  course,  casting  his  ballot 
according  to  the  dictates  of  his  judgment.  There  have  been  no  spectacular  phases 
in  his  life  record.  He  has  worked  steadily  and  persistently  year  after  year,  en- 
larging the  scope  of  his  interests  as  his  experience  and  capabilities  have  broadened, 
and  he  is  justly  accounted  one  of  the  progressive  merchants  of  Winnebago  county. 


HENBY  0.  HANSING. 


Among  the  representative  farmers  of  King  township,  Winnebago  county,  is 
numbered  Henry  0.  Hansing,  who  lives  on  section  29.  He  has  one  of  the  best 
improved  places  in  the  county  and  his  residence  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  and 
attractive  homes  of  this  district.  All  this  is  indicative  of  the  well  spent  life  and" 
indefatigable  energy  of  Mr.  Hansing,  who  was  bom  in  Iowa  county,  Wisconsin, 
in  January,  1879,  a  son  of  Arne  and  Julia  (Harldson)  Hansing,  who  were  natives 
of  the  land  of  the  midnight  sun.  Coming  to  America  in  an  early  day,  they 
established  their  home  in  Iowa  county,  W^isconsin,  where  for  a  time  the  father 
cultivated  a  rented  farm,  but  at  length  purchased  land  which  he  further  devel- 
oped and  improved,  and  later  moved  to  Blair,  Nebraska,  spending  his  remaining 
days  there.     He  passed  away  in  December,  1900,  and  is  still  survived  by  his  wife. 

Henry  0.  Hansing  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  county  and  remained 
with  his  parents  until  he  attained  his  majority,  when  he  started  out  in  the 
business  world  independently.  Removing  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  he  was 
here  employed  for  about  seven  years  and  then  married  and  moved  upon  his  wife's 
farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  29,  King  township.  He  at  once 
began  the  further  development  of  the  place,  which  he  has  since  operated  and  has 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  235 

converted  it  into  one  of  the  finest  improved  farms  of  the  county,  upon  which 
he  has  erected  a  residence  tliat  is  scarcely  equaled  and  is  not  surpassed  in  this 
section  of  the  state.  He  follows  the  most  progressive  methods  in  his  farm  work, 
which  is  conducted  along  scientific  lines,  and  his  life  of  diligence  and  deter- 
mination has  brought  a  notable  and  gratifying  measure  of  prosperity.  He  is 
also  a  stockholder  in  the  elevatoy  and  the  creamery  companies  of  Thompson. 

In  August,  1906,  Mr.  Hansing  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mrs.  Mary  (Dahi) 
Grasley,  a  daughter  of  the  Rev.  I.  N.  and  Catherine  (Maursund)  Dahl,  who  were 
natives  of  Norway.  The  father  was  for  six  years  a  missionary  in  India  and 
Mrs.  Hansing  was  born  in  that  country  in  December,  1872.  Mr.  Dahl  came  to 
America  in  1873,  establishing  his  home  in  Winnebago  county,  where  he  engaged 
in  preaching  as  a  minister  of  the  Lutheran  church  throughout  his  remaining 
days,  passing  away  November  1,  1906.  He  was  better  known  among  the  Scan- 
dinavian people  of  the  northwest  than  perhaps  any  other  one  man  and  for  many 
years  he  took  a  prominent  part  in  shaping  the  civic  and  religious  development 
of  his  community.  He  was  born  near  Tromsoe,  Norway,  December  14,  1836. 
His  father,  August  Dahl,  was  a  fisherman,  becomnig  connected  with  what  was 
then  the  principal  industry  of  the  coast  towns.  In  1860  Bev.  Dahl  went  to  Ger- 
many and  studied  for  the  ministry,  remaining  for  six  years  in  the  Harmsburg 
Theological  Mission  at  Hanover.  He  afterward  spent  six  years  in  missionary 
work  in  India,  and  throughout  his  entire  life  his  influence  was  a  potent  factor 
for  good  in  the  communities  in  which  he  lived.  In  July,  1896,  his  daughter 
Mary  became  the  wife  of  Andrew  Grasley  and  to  them  were  bom  three  children. 
James  0.  is  now  serving  in  the  United  States  navy,  and  the  two  other  children 
died  in  infancy.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hansing  have  become  the  parents  of  five  children, 
Irene  G.,  Earl  M.,  Valborg  C,  Harold  M.  B.  and  Henrietta  M. 

Mr.  Hansing  has  been  a  member  of  the  school  board  in  his  district  and  has 
served  as  its  president.  He  votes  with  the  republican  party  and  he  and  his 
family  are  connected  with  the  Lutheran  church,  doing  all  in  their  power  to 
promote  its  growth  and  extend  its  influence.  His  has  been  an  active,  useful 
and  honorable  life.  Both  he  and  his  wife  enjoy  the  warm  regard  of  all  who  know 
them  and  in  Winnebago  county  they  have  a  circle  of  friends  almost  coextensive 
with  the  circle  of  their  acquaintance. 


ALBERT  E.  SOALS. 


The  farming  interests  of  Winnebago  county  find  a  worthy  and  substantial  rep- 
resentative in  Albert  E.  Soals,  who  resides  on  section  14,  Forest  township.  It  was 
upon  this  farm  that  his  birth  occurred  May  16,  1873,  his  parents  being  Shuble  K. 
and  Anna  (Heckle)  Soals.  The  father,  a  native  of  the  state  of  New  York,  came 
to  Winnebago  county  about  1870  and  settled  on  the  farm  which  is  now  the  home 
of  his  son  Albert.  Upon  that  place  he  continued  to  reside  until  called  to  his  final 
rest  in  1892.  There  he  reared  his  family,  numbering  eight  children,  of  whom  two 
are  now  living.    The  mother  still  survives  and  has  become  the  wife  of  J.  J.  Otis. 

Albert  E.  Soals  lived  upon  the  old  homestead  through  the  period  of  his  boy- 
hood and  youth  and  after  attending  the  common  schools  went  to  Lincoln,  Nebraska, 


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236  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

where  he  remained  for  three  years.  He  then  returned  to  the  old  home,  which  he 
has  since  occupied.  It  is  a  valuable  tract  of  land  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
on  section  14,  Forest  township,  Winnebago  county,  and  it  has  been  greatly  im- 
proved with  modem  buildings  and  the  best  farm  machinery.  He  raises  various 
cereals  adapted  to  soil  and  climatic  conditions  here  and  he  is  also  successfully 
engaged  in  stock  raising. 

In  1900  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Soals  and  Miss  Laura  Arnold,  a  native 
of  Nebraska  and  a  daughter  of  James  L.  and  Jemima  (Shephard)  Arnold,  who 
are  natives  of  Ohio,  whence  they  removed  to  Rock  Island  county,  Illinois.  They 
afterward  became  residents  of  Nebraska  and  subsequently  took  up  their  abode  in 
Forest  City,  Iowa,  where  they  are  now  residing.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Soals  attend  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  Mr.  Soals  belongs  to  the  Odd  Fellows  Lodge  No. 
440  at  Forest  City  and  both  are  connected  with  the  Bebekahs.  He  has  filled  all  of 
the  chairs  in  the  lodge  and  is  one  of  its  earnest  and  helpful  members.  In  politics 
he  is  a  democrat,  but  he  has  never  held  political  oflBce.  He  is  working  diligently 
and  persistently  along  those  lines  which  lead  to  success  and  already  he  has  made 
for  himself  a  most  creditable  "position  among  the  enterprising  and  prosperous 
farmers  and  stock  raisers  of  Forest  township. 


PETEB  0.  PETEBSEN. 


Peter  0.  Petersen,  who  successfully  carries  on  farming  on  section  26,  Ellington 
township,  Hancock  county,  was  born  March  31,  1886,  on  the  farm  where  he  now 
resides,  his  parents  being  Pieter  0.  and  Marie  (Jurgensen)  Petersen,  natives  of 
Denmark.  In  that  country  they  were  reared  and  married  and  remained  there 
until  after  the  birth  of  two  of  their  children.  It  was  in  1875  that  they  crossed 
the  ocean  and  took  up  their  residence  in  Clinton  county,  Iowa,  where  they  made 
their  home  for  ten  years.  In  1885  they  removed  to  Hancock  county  and  the 
father  purchased  the  farm  on  section  26,  Ellington  township,  where  our  subject  now 
resides.  After  living  thereon  for  twenty  years  he  built  a  comfortable  residence  on 
an  adjoining  forty  acres  on  section  27,  where  he  spent  his  remaining  days,  passing 
away  on  the  26th  of  January,  1913.  His  widow  still  survives  him  and  now  makes 
her  home  in  Ventura. 

Mr.  Petersen  of  this  review  was  reared  in  much  the  usual  manner  of  farmer 
boys  and  is  indebted  to  the  district  schools  for  the-edHeatwaiie  obtained  during 
his  boyhood.  As  early  as  his  fifteenth  year  he  became  a  wage  earner,  working  for 
neighboring  farmers,  and  in  1909  he  began  farming  on  his  own  account,  he  and 
his  brother  Fred  renting  and  operating  the  home  farm  in  partnership  for  four 
years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  went  to  Forest  City,  where  he  worked  as  a 
mechanic  in  a  garage  for  one  year,  and  then  returned  to  the  farm,  being  engaged 
in  the  cultivation  of  one  hundred  acres  during  the  following  year.  After  his 
marriage  in  1914  he  took  entire  charge  of  the  home  farm,  consisting  of  the  south- 
west quarter  of  section  26,  Ellington  township  and  the  forty  acres  adjoining  on 
section  27,  and  has  since  operated  the  place.  The  land  is  in  a  high  state  of  culti- 
vation and  is  made  to  produce  good  harvests  by  the  care  and  labor  bestowed 
upon  it. 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  237 

In  1914  Mr.  Petersen  Mfas  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Anna  Anderson,  of  Clear 
Lake,  Iowa,  and  they  have  become  the  parents  of  two  children,  Everett  M.  and 
Virginia  S.  The  family  attend  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  by  his  ballot 
Mr.  Petersen  supports  the  men  and  measures  of  the  democ*ratic  party.  He  is  a 
stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Cooperative  Creamery  Company  of  Ventura  and  is 
secretary  of  the  Ellington  Telephone  Company.  He  is  one  of  the  leading  citizens 
of  his  community  and  well  merits  the  confidence  reposed  in  him  by  his  fellow 
citizens. 


MORRIS   M.    TAPAGER. 

Since  1897  Morris  M.  Tapager  has  been  identified  with  the  business  interests 
of  Thompson  and  is  today  recognized  as  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  the  place. 
His  early  home  was  on  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic,  for  he  was  born  in  Denmark, 
January  22,  1873,  a  son  of  Michael  and  Maren  (Dalgaard)  Tapager.  He  was 
quite  young  when  his  mother  died  and  his  father  remarried.  In  1890  the  family 
came  to  the  new  world  and  the  father,  who  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  made 
his  home  in  Albert  Lea,  Minnesota,  until  his  death  in  1905.  His  widow  is  still 
living  there. 

Morris  M.  Tapager  spent  the  first  seventeen  years  of  his  life  in  his  narive 
land,  where  he  attended  school  until  about  fourteen  years  old,  and  then  turned 
his  attention  to  the  carpenter^s  trade.  He  came  with  the  family  to  America  in 
1890  and  located  in  Albert  Lea,  Minnesota,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade  for  a 
time,  but  later  learned  butter  making,  which  occupation  he  followed  at  that  place 
for  two  years.  In  1896  he  accepted  the  position  of  manager  of  a  creamery  at 
Emmons,  Minnesota,  where  he  remained  one  year,  and  then  came  to  Thompson, 
Iowa,  working  as  a  butter  maker  here  for  two  and  a  half  years.  Mr.  Tapager  was 
next  engaged  in  the  hotel  business  for  two  years,  and  then  clerked  in  the  general 
store  of  Ed  Monday  for  three  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  again  entered, 
the  creamery  business  and  in  1910  purchased  an  interest  in  what  is  known  as  the 
Farmers  Cooperative  Creamery  Company,  of  which  he  has  since  been  secretary. 
He  continued  to  actively  engage  in  butter  making  until  1914,  but  has  since  given 
his  attention  to  general  contracting.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator 
Company  and  the  Thompson  Telephone  Company  and  also  owns  farm  land  in 
King  township,  Winnebago  county,  adjoining  Thompson. 

In  1894  Mr.  Tapager  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  Bertelson,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Nels  P.  and  Marion  (Jorgenson)  Bertelson,  who  were  natives  of  Denmark, 
and  on  coming  to  the  United  States  in  1868  located  on  a  farm  near  Albert  Lea, 
Minnesota,  which  the  father  operated  throughout  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He 
died  in  July,  1908,  at  the  age  of  sixty-four  years,  but  the  mother  is  still  living  in 
Albert  Lea  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tapager  have  become  the 
parents  of. five  children:  Elmer,  born  in  August,  1896;  Clare,  in  February,  1898; 
Alonzo,  May  1,  1904;  Luella,  in  September,  1907;  and  Alice,  who  was  born  in 
January,  1895,  and  died  in  January,  1896. 

The  family  are  connected  with  the  Lutheran  church  and  Mr.  Tapager  is  also 
a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.    By  his  ballot  he  supports  the  men 


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238  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

and  measures  of  the  republican  party  and  his  fellow  citizens,  recogmzing  his  worth 
and  ability,  have  called  upon  him  to  serve  in  several  official  positions,  including 
that  of  city  treasurer.  He  has  also  been  a  member  of  the  school  board  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  town  council,  where  he  served  in  a  most  creditable  and  acceptable 
manner. 


MRS.  ALICE  HAHN. 


Mrs.  Alice  Hahn  is  widely  and  favorably  known  in  Gamer  and  throughout 
Hancock  county,  where  she  has  spent  her  entire  life.  She  was  bom  in  Gamer  in 
1883  and  is  a  daughter  of  William  Crawford  and  Eliza  (Fitch)  Wells,  who  were 
early  settlers  of  Hancock  county,  having  ^removed  from  Wisconsin  to  Garner  in 
1870.  From  that  time  forward  representatives  of  the  family  have  taken  an  active 
and  helpful  part  in  promoting  the  work  of  general  progress  and  improvement  in 
this  section. 

Spending  her  girlhood  days  under  the  parental  roof,  Alice  Wells  attended 
the  public  schools  and  passed  through  consecutive  grades  to  her  graduation  from 
the  high  school  of  Garner  with  the  class  of  1899.  She  afterward  entered  the 
Oberlin  College  and  Conservatory  at  Oberlin,  Ohio,  where  she  studied  for  two 
years.  In  September,  1903,  she  became  the  wife  of  George  William  Hahn,  who 
five  years  later  passed  away.  Mrs.  Hahn  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational 
church  and  the  nature  of  her  interests  is  further  indicated  in  her  membership  with 
the  Daughter^  of  the  American  Revolution  and  in  the  Recital  Club,  which  is  a 
literary  organization.  She  is  a  lady  of  refined  taste  and  liberal  culture,  who 
has  always  occupied  an  enviable  position  in  the  social  circles  of  the  city  in  which 
her  entire  life  has  been  passed. 


RASMUS  J.  HILL. 


Rasmus  J.  Hill,  who  follows  the  occupation  of  farming  on  section  4,  Forest 
township,  Winnebago  county,  where  his  property,  known  as  the  Evergreen  Farm, 
comprises  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  rich  and  productive  land,  was  born  in 
Norway,  January  7,  1863,  a  son  of  John  J.  and  Engbur  Hill,  who  were  also 
natives  of  the  land  of  the  midnight  sun.  The  father  came  with  his  family  to 
America  in  1872  and  settled  in  Ogle  county,  Illinois,  where  he  resided  until  1884. 
He  then  removed  to  Winnebago  county  and  took  up  his  abode  on  the  farm,  which 
continued  to  be  his  place  of  residence  until  his  death,  which  occurred  April  4, 
1906,  when  he  was  seventy-two  years  old.  His  wife  died  in  Winnebago  county, 
October  21,  1915,  at  the  age  of  eighty-one  years.  In  their  family  were  seven 
children,  of  whom  two  are  now  living. 

Rasmus  J.  Hill  was  a  little  lad  of  nine  years  at  the  time  of  the  emigration 
to  the  new  world  and  was  reared  and  educated  in  Illinois.  He  came  to  Winnebago 
county  in  1885,  when  a  young  man  of  twenty-two  years,  and  purchased  forty 
acres.     Subsequently  he  purchased  the  farm  upon  which  he  now  resides.     It  is  a 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  239 

quarter  of  section  4,  Forest  township,  and  is  appropriately  named  the  Evergreen 
Farm,  by  reason  of  the  fine  grove  of  evergreen  trees  upon  the  place.  Mr.  Hill  has 
planted  all  the  trees  on  the  farm,  deciduous  and  others,  and  they  add  much  to  the 
attractive  appearance  of  his  place.  He  has  also  erected  splendid  buildings,  includ- 
ing a  commodious  and  pleasant  residence  and  substantial  bams  and  sheds  which 
furnish  ample  shelter  to  grain  and  stock.  He  makes  a  specialty  of  dairying  in  con- 
nection with  the  raising  of  crops  best  adapted  to  soil  and  climate  and  for  his  dairy 
purposes  keeps  high  grade  cows. 

Mr.  Hill  has  been  married  twice.  In  1891  he  wedded  Miss  Anna  Sampson  and 
they  became  parents  of  a  son,  Enoch.  The  wife  and  mother  died  in  1892  and  in 
1B98  Mr.  Hill  wedded  Anna  Swenson,  by  whom  he  has  eight  children:  John  E., 
Hilda  D.,  Eosa,  Regtor,  Henning,  Arthur,  Delmer  and  Jester.  The  parents  are 
members  of  the  United  Lutheran  church  and  guide  their  lives  according  to  its 
teachings.  Mr.  Hill  is  a  republican  in  politics  but  has  never  sought  nor  desired 
office  of  a  political  character.  He  is  serving,  however,  as  one  of  the  school  directors 
of  his  district.  He  may  truly  be  called  a  self-made  man,  for  all  that  he  enjoys 
has  been  acquired  through  his  persistent,  earnest  efforts  since  starting  out  in  life 
for  himself  empty  handed.  He  has  worked  diligently  and  persistently  and  the 
rewards  of  earnest,  honest  labor  are  today  his. 


DAVID  W.  BUCK. 


David  W.  Buck,  who  is  living  retired  in  Lake  Mills,  is  one  of  the  ever  decreasing 
number  of  veterans  of  the  Civil  war.  He  was  bom  on  the  5th  of  March,  1839,  in 
New  Hampshire,  and  is  a  son  of  Stickney  and  Maria  (Woods)  Buck,  also  natives 
of  that  state.  The  father  engaged  in  farming  there  and  later  in  Wisconsin  and  in 
Minnesota  and  reached  the  age  of  seventy-six  years,  dying  in  January,  1879. 
The  mother  attained  the  venerable  age  of  ninety-three  years  and  passed  away  in 
June,  1895. 

David  W.  Buck  accompanied  his  parents  on  their  removal  to  the  west  and 
remained  at  home  until  he  was  grown.  He  then  accompanied  his  sister  to  Indiana, 
where  in  1861  he  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Sixteenth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry, 
with  which  command  he  served  at  the  front  for  thirteen  months.  At  the  end  of 
that  time,  in  August,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  H,  Fifth  Indiana  Cavalry,  and 
after  three  months'  service  with  that  body  of  troops  was  given  the  privilege  of 
joining  the  regular  army  and  became  a  member  of  Company  F,  First  United 
States  Cavalry.  He  remained  in  the  army  for  three  years  after  the  close  of  the 
war,  but  at  the  end  of  that  time  was  mustered  out  and  returned  to  Minnesota.  For 
four  years  he  operated  his  father's  farm,  but  in  1879  came  to  Winnebago  county, 
Iowa,  and  bought  eighty  acres  of  land  a  half  mile  east  of  Lake  Mills.  He  at  once 
set  about  clearing  his  farm  and  made  a  number  of  improvements  upon  the  place 
during  the  two  years  that  he  operated  it.  His  health  failed  at  the  end  of  that 
period  and  he  was  obliged  to  give  up  agricultural  work.  He  removed  to  Lake 
Mills  and  for  eight  years  was  employed  in  an  elevator  here,  but  subsequently  went 
to  North  Dakota,  where  he  proved  up  on  a  homestead.  During  the  last  five 
years  he  has  lived  retired,  enjoying  the  fruits  of  his  former  well  directed  labor. 


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240  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

On  March  23,  1866,  Mr.  Buck  was  married  to  Miss  Emma  Farmer,  a  daughter 
of  John  and  Mary  Ann  (Hooker)  Farmer,  who  lived  in  Ohio.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Buck  celebrated  the  fiftieth  anniversary  of  their  marriage.  They  are  the  parents 
of  three  children,  as  follows :  Lucian  C,  who  was  bom  February  20,  1867,  and  is 
farming  south  of  Lake  Mills;  Mary  M.,  who  was  born  February  22,  1^68,  and  is 
residing  in  Montana ;  and  Ethel  L.,  who  was  born  November  20,  1888,  and  is  the 
wife  of  Oscar  Godtland,  of  Lake  Mills. 

Mr.  Buck  cast  his  first  ballot  for  Abraham  Lincoln  for  president  and  has 
since  stanchly  supported  the  candidates  of  the  republican  party — the  party  which 
stood  for  the  maintenance  of  the  Union  when  its  existence  was  threatened.  He 
belongs  to  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  which  affords  him  opportunity  to 
keep  in  touch  with  his  comrades  of  the  Civil  war.  In  religious  faith  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Buck  are  Methodists.  He  has  a  wide  acquaintance  in  the  county  and  the  fact 
that  those  who  have  been  most  •  intimately  associated  with  him  are  his  stanchest 
friends  is  proof  of  his  sterling  worth  as  a  man. 


HENRY  DENZEL. 


For  a  long  period  Henry  Denzel  has  been  connected  with  the  grain  and  live 
stock  business  at  Forest  City,  and  while  he  disposed  of  his  grain  elevator  in  1916, 
he  is  still  active  as  a  live  stock  dealer  and  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  representative 
business  men  of  Winnebago  county.  A  native  of  Ohio,  he  was  born  in  Vermilion 
on  the  18th  of  August,  1871,  a  son  of  John  and  Margaret  (Sumner)  Denzel,  both 
of  whom  were  natives  of  Germany.  In  early  manhood  and  womanhood  they 
crossed  the  Atlantic  and  for  some  years  after  their  marriage  resided  in  Ohio,  while 
about  1877  they  came  to  Iowa,  settling  on  a  farm  three  and  one-half  miles  south 
of  Forest  City.  The  father  died  about  1910  and  the  mother,  who  still  survives, 
makes  her  home  with  her  son  Henry. 

Reared  under  the  parental  roof,  Henry  Denzel  acquired  a  common  school 
education  and  on  attaining  his  majority  became  a  wage  earner.  He  was  employed 
the  first  year  as  a  farm  hand  and  for  his  twelve  months'  service  received  one  hun- 
dred and  forty  dollars,  of  which  sum  he  saved  one  hundred  dollars.  He  continued 
farm  work  another  year  and  then  took  up  his  abode  in  Forest  City,  where  he 
entered  the  employ  of  Seibert  Brothers,  general  merchants,  for  whom  he  engaged 
in  clerking  for  five  or  six  years.  He  was  anxious  to  carry  on  business  on  his 
own  account  and  on  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  purchased  the  Pevee  elevator 
and  turned  his  attention  to  the  grain  trade.  He  continued  to  operate  that  elevator 
for  four  or  five  years  and  two  months  after  his  insurance  expired  it  was  burned 
to  the  ground,  causing  a  total  loss.  This  was  a  great  blow  to  his  business,  but 
with  resolute  spirit  he  set  to  work  to  retrieve  his  losses  and  soon  afterward  pur- 
chased the  elevator  of  the  Kingsbury  Company,  which  he  continued  to  operate 
until  August,  1916,  when  he  sold  out  to  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company.  He  was 
for  many  years  a  well  known  figure  in  the  grain  trade  and  his  business  was  of  a 
character  that  constituted  an  asset  in  commercial  development  and  prosperity  here, 
furnishing  a  market  for  the  grain  raisers.  Through  all  these  years  he  also  engaged 
in  dealing  in  live  stock,  which  he  still  handles.     He  is  likewise  the  owner  of  a 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  241 

farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  five  miles  east  of  Forest  City  and  gives  per- 
sonal supervision  to  its  cultivation  and  improvement. 

In  1900  Mr.  Denzel  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Etta  Steinhoff,  of  Xewman 
Grove,  Nebraska.  He  is  a  member  of  the  American  Yeomen,  of  the  Mystic  Toilers 
and  of  Albert  Lea  Lodge,  No.  813,  B.  P.  0.  E.  His  political  allegiance  is  given 
to  the  democratic  party  and  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.  He  is  esteemed  as  a  progressive  and  thoroughly  reliable  business  man, 
as  a  public-spirited  citizen  and  one  who  in  social  relations  has  ever  commanded  and 
won  the  confidence  and  good  will  of  all  with  whom  he  has  been  brought  in 
contact. 


THOMAS  H.  THOMPSON. 

Thomas  H.  Thompson,  residing  in  Garner  and  filling  the  office  of  county 
treasurer,  to  which  he  has  been  re-elected,  is  of  Norwegian  birth,  his  natal  day 
being  March  4,  1873.  His  parents,  Holstein  and  Bertha  (Molstere)  Thompson, 
came  to  the  United  States  with  their  family  in  1883  and  established  their  home 
in  Hamilton  county,  Iowa,  where  the  father  purchased  land  and  engaged  in  farm- 
ing for  about  nine  years.  In  1891  he  removed  to  Hancock  county  and  invested 
in  farm  land  in  Twin  Lake  township.  Later  he  removed  to  Erin  township,  where 
he  carried  on  general  agricultural  pursuits  until  his  death  in  1913.  His  widow 
still  sur\ive8  and  is  now  making  her  home  with  her  son,  A.  0.  Thompson,  in 
Britt,  Iowa. 

Thomas  H.  Thompson  was  a  little  lad  of  but  ten  years  at  the  time  of  the 
emigration  of  the  family  to  the  new  world.  Since  then  he  has  been  a  resident 
of  Iowa  and  is  indebted  to  its  public  school  system  for  the  educational  privileges 
which  he  enjoyed.  He  was  reared  to  the  occupation  of  farming,  early  becoming 
familiar  with  the  best  methods  of  tilling  the  soil  and  caring  for  the  crops.  When 
twenty-seven  years  of  age  he  began  farming  on  his  own  account  and  his  previous 
experience  brought  to  him  success  in  that  undertaking.  He  was  thus  engaged 
until  1909,  when  he  was  appointed  postmaster  of  Kanawha  and  occupied  that 
position  for  about  four  and  a  half  years,  or  until  September,  1913,  when  he  was 
elected  county  treasurer  of  Hancock  county.  He  proved  a  faithful  custodian  of  the 
public  funds,  prompt  and  accurate  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties,  and  in  1916  he 
was  re-elected.  He  has  held  various  township  offices  and  fidelity  to  duty  is  recog- 
nized as  one  of  his  marked  characteristics  in  positions  of  public  trust.  His  political 
allegiance  has  always  been  given  to  the  republican  party,  foi*  he  is  a  firm  believer 
in  its  principles. 

On  the  3d  of  July,  1900,  Mr.  Thompson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Sadie 
Stonerson,  who  was  born  in  Hamilton  county,  Iowa,  a  daughter  of  Frank  and 
Gertie  Stonerson.  They  removed  to  Emmet  county,  where  they  engaged  in  farm- 
ing for  years.  The  father  is  now  deceased  but  the  mother  still  survives.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Thompson  became  the  parents  of  six  children,  but  lost  their  second  son, 
Sidney,  who  died  at  the  age  of  two  years.  The  otlier  children  are  Franklin, 
Bertha,  Thelma,  Edward  and  Leona. 

Mr.  Thompson  is  identified  with  various  fraternal  orders,  being  a  Woodman, 

il— 12 


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242  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

a  Yeoman,  an  Odd  Fellow  and  a  Mason,  having  taken  the  degrees  of  both  lodge 
and  chapter.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  those  who  know 
him  esteem  him  as  a  man  of  sterling  worth,  his  life  having  ever  been  guided  by 
high  and  honorable  principles. 


ENOCH  B.  HILL. 


Enoch  R.  Hill,  who  is  carrying  on  general  agricultural  pursuits  on  section  3, 
Forest  township,  Winnebago  county,  being  the  owner  of  the  Plain  View  Farm, 
was  bom  December  20,  1890,  in  the  county  where  he  still  resides,  his  parents 
being  B.  J.  and  Inger  (Sampson)  Hill.  His  boyhood  days  were  passed  in  the 
usual  manner  of  the  farm  bred  boy,  his  time  being  divided  between  the  duties 
of  the  schoolroom,  the  pleasures  of  the  playground  and  the  work  of  the  fields. 
He  supplemented  his  public  school  training  by  a  year's  study  in  college.  He 
lived  with  his  grandparents  from  the  time  that  he  was  two  weeks  old,  and  after 
they  had  been  called  to  their  final  rest  he  inherited  the  old  homestead  property 
on  section  3,  Forest  township,  comprising  one  hundred  and  fifteen  acres  of  well 
improved  and  highly  cultivated  land.  He  is  one  of  the  enterprising  and  pro- 
gressive farmers  of  his  township  and  carefully,  wisely  and  systematically  culti- 
vates his  fields  and  manages  his  farm  property. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Hill  is  a  republican  and  keeps  well  informed  on  the 
questions  and  issues  of  the  day  but  has  never  been  an  oflBce  seeker.  His  religious 
faith  is  indicated  by  his  membership  in  the  Lutheran  church. 


ANDEEW  INGEBBETSON. 

Among  the  prosperous  farmers  and  highly  esteemed  citizens  of  Center  town- 
ship, Winnebago  county,  is  numbered  Andrew  Ingebretson,  whose  home  is  on 
section  32.  He  was  born  on  the  24th  of  June,  1844,  in  Norway,  of  which  country 
his  parents,  Ingebret  and  Gudve  Ingebretson,  were  life  long  residents.  The 
father,  who  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  died  in  July,  1844,  and  the  mother's  death 
occurred  in  1853. 

Andrew  Ingebretson  was  thus  left  an  orphan  at  the  early  age  of  nine  years. 
He  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  land,  where  he  attended  school  to  a  limited 
extent  as  he  found  opportunity,  and  completed  his  education  after  coming  to  this 
country.  It  was  in  June,  1867,  that  he  landed  in  America  and,  continuing  his 
journey  westward,  settled  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  where  he  worked  as  a  farm 
hand  for  eight  years,  being  in  the  employ  of  one  man  for  six  years  of  that  time. 
In  1875  Mr.  Ingebretson  came  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  and  purchased  one 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  on  section  32,  Center  township,  to  which  he 
has  since  added  twenty  acres.  Upon  his  place  he  has  erected  good  and  substantial 
buildings  and  has  converted  the  tract  into  a  very  productive  farm.  In  connection 
with  general  farming  he  is  engaged  in  stock  raising,  making  a  specialty  of  pure 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  245 

blooded  cattle,  and  he  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  of 
Leland,  the  Leland  Creamery  Company  and  the  Lake  Mills  Lumber  Company. 

On  the  17th  of  April,  1873,  Mr.  Ingebretson  married  Miss  Caroline  Tollefson, 
by  whom  he  has  had  eleven  children,  namely:  Annie;  Ida;  Obert;  Josie;  Nettie, 
who  died  October  12,  1913,  leaving  four  children;  Palmer;  Garfield;  Luther; 
Emma  and  Sylvan,  twins ;  and  Nellie.  In  religious  faith  the  family  are  Lutherans, 
and  by  his  ballot  Mr.  Ingebretson  supports  the  men  and  measures  of  the  republican 
party.  At  one  time  he  returned  to  Norway  and  spent  three  delightful  months  in 
visiting  old  friends  and  the  scenes  with  which  he  was  familiar  during  his  boy- 
hood. 


ED  HENDERSON. 


A  number  of  the  leading  business  enterprises  of  Lake  Mills  and  practically 
all  of  the  projects  for  the  advancement  of  the  civic  interests  of  the  community 
have  felt  the  stimulus  of  the  enthusiasm  and  initiative  of  Ed  Henderson  and  his 
keenness  of  insight  has  often  excited  the  admiration  of  those  associated  with  him. 
He  established  himself  in  business  here  when  Lake  Mills  was  only  a  village  and 
was  for  many  years  actively  engaged  in  merchandising,  but  has  now  disposed  of 
his  interests  along  that  line,  although  he  is  still  connected  with  a  number  of 
important  concerns.  He  was  bom  in  Norway,  June  26,  1850,  the  third  in  order  of 
birth  in  a  family  of  eight  children  whose  parents,  Ole  and  Sarah  (Gamkin) 
Henderson,  removed  to  the  United  States  in  1852.  The  family  located  near- 
Argyle,  Lafayette  county,  Wisconsin,  and  there  the  father  purchased  land  from 
the  government  which  he  farmed  until  his  death  in  1898.  The  mother  passed 
away  a  decade  later  and  both  are  buried  at  that  place. 

Ed  Henderson  was  but  two  years  of  age  when  brought  to  the  United  States  and 
in  the  attainment  of  his  education  attended  the  common  schools  of  Wisconsin  until 
he  was  sixteen  years  old.  During  this  time  he  also  received  training  from  his 
father  in  farm  work,  but  when  nineteen  years  old  began  following  the  tinner^s 
trade.  At  the  age  of  twenty  years  he  established  a  tin  shop  and  later  added  a  line 
of  hardware,  engaging  in  business  in  Wisconsin  until  1874,  when  he  sold  out  and 
removed  to  Northwood,  Worth  county,  Iowa,  becoming  associated  with  his  brother, 
J.  M.  Henderson,  who  was  a  hardware  dealer  there.  In  1880  they  started  a  second 
store  at  Lake  Mills  with  Ed  Henderson  in  charge.  In  1886  the  partnership  was 
dissolved,  Mr.  Henderson  of  this  review  retaining  the  Lake  Mills  business.  As  the 
years  passed  his  trade  continued  to  grow  as  the  natural  result  of  his  progressive 
and  liberal  policy.  He  kept  his  stock  up  to  date  and  spared  no  effort  to  give  his 
customers  the  greatest  possible  satisfaction.  In  1912  he  retired  from  the  manage- 
ment of  the  store  but  still  gives  personal  supervision  to  his  other  important 
interests.  He  still  owns  the  Henderson  block,  which  he  erected  in  1887  and  which 
was  the  second  brick  structure  built  in  Lake  Mills.  He  also  built  two  other  blocks 
but  has  since  sold  them.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Crystal  Ijake  State 
Bank  at  Crystal  Lake,  the  First  National  Bank  at  Lake  Mills,  the  Lake  Mills  Land 
&  Loan  Company,  and  the  Northern  Investment  Company  of  Crystal  Lake,  of  all  of 
which  he  was  a  director  for  several  years  but  is  not  now  interested  in  any  of  these 


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246  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

institutions,  although  he  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  State  Bank  of  Lake 
Mills.  He  has  invested  in  real  estate,  recognizing  its  great  desirability,  and  owns 
four  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  fine  land  in  Worth  county,  Iowa.  When  he 
established  his  store  here  there  was  no  bank  in  the  town  and  in  order  to  accom- 
n^odate  his  customers  he  carried  on  a  banking  business  to  some  extent,  cashing 
checks  in  extreme  eases  and  selling  exchange.  He  cashed  the  check  in  payment 
for  the  first  carload  of  hogs  shipped  from  Lake  Mills  and  his  services  as  a  banker 
were  highly  appreciated  in  the  community.  He  has  always  been  one  of  the  first 
to  give  his  support  to  plans  for  the  promotion  of  the  commercial  advancement 
of  Lake  Mills  and  has  had  an  important  part  in  the  development  of  its  business 
interests. 

Mr.  Henderson  was  married  February  21,  1883,  to  Miss  Eliza  Lee,  a  daughter 
of  Ole  and  Tone  (Grover)  Jjee,  natives  of  Norway,  who,  however,  accompanied 
their  respective  parents  to  the  United  States  in  childhood.  The  two  families  were 
early  settlers,  first  in  Mitchell  county  and  later  in  Worth  county.  Both  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Jjee  have  passed  away  and  are  buried  in  Concordia  cemetery  in  Worth  county. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henderson  have  been  bom  six  children,  who  are  giving  an  excel- 
lent account  of  themselves  and  are  a  great  credit  to  their  parents.  Estella  Theresa, 
who  is  a  graduate  of  Cornell  College  at  Mount  Vernon,  Iowa,  and  of  the  Cedar 
Bapids  Business  College,  and  has  taken  a  course  in  the  Art  Institute  at  Chicago, 
has  been  a  teacher  of  penmanship  in  the  West  high  school  at  Des  Moines  and  has 
been  elected  director  of  penmanship  in  Des  Moines.  She  will  have  the  supervision 
of  the  work  in  that  branch  in  about  fifty  grade  schools.  Clara  Olivia  is  a  graduate 
of  the  Cedar  Falls  State  Teachers'  College  and  taught  school  at  Lake  Mills  for 
four  years.  She  is  also  a  graduate  nurse  and  is  practicing  at  Minneapolis,  Minne- 
sota. Elmer  Alexander  graduated  from  the  Luther  Seminary  at  St.  Paul  with  the 
class  of  1915,  spent  the  year  1916  in  post  graduate  study  at  the  Princeton  Theo- 
logical Seminary  and  expects  to  enter  the  ministry  of  the  English  branch  of  the 
Lutheran  church  soon.  Lillian  Sophia  is  a  graduate  of  the  Northwestern  Con- 
servatory of  Music  at  Minneapolis  and  is  at  present  with  the  Minnesota  Public 
Health  Association,  visiting  rural  schools  as  school  nurse.  Arthur  J.  G.  is  a  gradu- 
ate of  St.  Olaf's  College  of  Northfield,  Minnesota,  and  is  now  a  medical  student  in 
the  University  of  Illinois.  Euth  Elizabeth,  who  completes  the  family,  is  a  member 
of  the  class  of  1917  of  the  Lake  Mills  high  school. 

Mr.  Henderson's  home  life  has  been  an  ideal  one.  What  success  he  has  achieved 
in  business  and  otherwise  is  greatly  due  to  the  cooperation  of  his  wife,  who  as  a 
true  Christian  woman  has  entered  heartily  into  all  his  work,  helped,  encouraged 
and  supported  him  in  the  many  years  of  strenuous  work,  in  business,  church  and 
home,  having,  in  short,  always  done  her  share  of  the  work  and  planning.  She  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Bristol  and  Northwood  and  learned  the  dress- 
making trade  in  Northwood.  She  has  taken  an  active  part  in  church  work,  organ- 
ized the  first  Ladies'  Aid  Society  of  the  Synod  church  of  Lake  Mills,  was  for  many 
years  a  member  of  the  church  choir  and  organized  the  Ladies'  Home  Club,  of 
which  she  is  still  a  member.  In  short,  she  has  taken  an  active  part  in  church  and 
social  affairs  for  the  betterment  of  the  town.  However,  she  is  preeminently  a 
home  woman  and  has  ever  delighted  in  making  the  home  an  ideal  place.  Their 
fine  new  home  was  planned  and  built  according  to  her  suggestions  and  the  work 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  247 

in  the  minutest  details  was  done  according  to  her  ideas,  and  so  perfect  has  it 
proven  that  although  five  years  have  now  elapsed  since  it  was  completed  not  a 
single  change  has  been  made. 

Mr.  Henderson  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party,  served  as 
a  member  of  the  school  board  for  several  terms,  during  part  of  which  time  he  was 
president  of  that  body,  was  town  clerk'  for  one  term  and  councilman  for  three 
terms.  His  religious  faith  is  that  of  the  Synod  Lutheran  church.  He  is  a  fine 
example  of  a  self-made  man,  for  he  has  worked  his  way  upward  from  a  humble 
beginning  to  a  position  among  the  capitalists  of  his  city.  His  dominant  character- 
istics are  determination,  independence  of  judgment  and  enterprise — qualities  which 
invariably  command  admiration  and  which  are  an  excellent  foundation  for  success 
in  any  line  of  endeavor.  The  past  three  winters  he  has  spent  in  California,  but 
he  still  considers  Lake  Mills  his  home. 


ANTHONY  0.  TOBIASSEN. 

Anthony  0.  Tobiassen,  who  at  different  times  has  been  connected  with  a 
variety  of  business  interests  in  an  important  capacity  but  is  now  largely  concen- 
trating his  energies  upon  the  real  estate  business  and  upon  selling  silos,  was  born 
in  Norway,  M^y  22,  1853.  He  is  the  eldest  of  five  children,  whose  parents,  Abra- 
ham and  Torie  (Anderson)  Tobiassen,  came  to  the  United  States  in  1864  and 
settled  in  Legrand,  Marshall  county,  Iowa.  The  father  had  farmed  in  Norway  but 
followed  the  stone  mason's  trade  in  Iowa.  In  1885  he  removed  to  the  state  of 
Washington,  locating  near  Lynden,  and  there  he  engaged  in  farming  until  his 
death  in  1913  at  the  age  of  eighty-nine  years.  He  is  buried  there  but  his  wife  is 
interred  in  the  North  cemetery  at  Lake  Mills,  as  she  passed  away  in  1902  when 
visiting  her  son  Anthony.    The  rest  of  the  children  all  live  in  Lynden,  Washington. 

Anthony  0.  Tobiassen  received  his  early  education  in  the  common  schools  and 
worked  for  others  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old,  when  he  went  to  Chicago 
and  engaged  in  the  nursery  business.  In  1874,  realizing  that  a  better  education 
would  be  of  great  value  to  him,  he  entered  Grinnell  College,  where  he  was  a  student 
for  two  terms.  In  1876  he  came  to  Lake  Mills,  which  he  had  visited  in  1869,  and 
for  five  years  he  taught  school  in  Winnebago  «ounty.  In  1881  he  began  working 
in  an  implement  store  in  Lake  Mills  and  later  turned  his  attention  to  cattle  raising, 
taking  up  his  residence  on  a  farm  which  he  owned  in  Norway  township.  While 
living  there  he  also  served,  as  deputy  sheriff  for  three  terms  under  Jacob  Twito 
and  he  made  an  excellent  record  in  that  capacity.  In  1888  he  became  connected 
with  a  lumber  company  in  Lake  Mills  and  three  years  later  became  president  of 
the  local  creamery  company  and  also  secretary  of  the  Winnebago  County  Mutual 
Insurance  Company.  In  1892  he  was  one  of  the  incorporators  of  the  Lake  Mills 
Lumber  Company,  of  which  he  was  manager  and  treasurer  until  1903,  during 
which  time  the  business  was  very  ably  conducted  and  yielded  a  good  profit  to  its 
stockholders.  In  1903  he  formed  a  partnership  with  A.  A.  Sanden  for  the  con- 
duct of  a  real  estate  business,  but  in  1906  went  to  Lyman  county.  South  Dakota, 
where  he  homesteaded  land.  He  became  active  in  the  real  estate  field  there,  dealing 
in  lands  in  that  state  until  1911,  when  he  returned  to  Lake  Mills  and  again  became 


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248  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

manager  and  treasurer  of  the  Lake  Mills  Lumber  Company,  serving  in  those  capaci- 
ties until  1915.  He  has  since  given  his  time  and  attention  to  selling  silos  and 
to  his  interests  as  a  real  estate  and  insurance  agent  and  for  the  past  thirty-two 
years  he -has  been  a  representative  of  the  Fidelity  Phoenix  Fire  Insurance  Com- 
pany.   He  still  owns  several  valuable  tracts  of  land  in  South  Dakota. 

In  September,  1879,  Mr.  Tobiassen  was  married  to  Miss  Clara  Twito,  a^  daugh- 
ter of  Hans  and  Aslaug  (Jacobson)  Twito,  who  in-  1846  removed  from  Norway 
to  the  United  States.  Both  settled  in  Muskego,  Wisconsin,  where  they  were  mar- 
ried, and  later  they  removed  to  Spring  Grove,  Minnesota,  where  the  father  died  in 
1866  and  where  he  was  buried.  The  mother  and  her  children  removed  to  Esther- 
ville,  Iowa,  and  in  1871  came  to  Lake  Mills,  where  Mrs.  Twito's  death  occurred  in 
1914.  She  was  buried  in  the  North  cemetery  here.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tobiassen 
were  born  four  children,  one  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  the  others  being:  J.  Ben, 
who  is  married  and  is  engaged  in  the  hardware  business  in  Draper,  South  Dakota ; 
A.  Homer,  who  is  married  and  is  a  general  merchant  of  Draper,  South  Dakota; 
and  Ijottie,  the  wife  of  Joseph  Beach,  a  banker  of  Draper. 

Mr.  Tobiassen  has  been  a  lifelong  republican  and  has  always  discharged  to 
the  full  all  the  duties  devolving  upon  him  as  a  good  citizen.  He  held  the  office 
of  township  clerk  for  several  years  and  has  also  served  as  township  assessor  and 
his  official  record  is  highly  creditable  to  his  ability  and  public  spirit.  In  religious 
faith  he  is  a  Lutheran,  and  fraternally  is  a  charter  member  of  the  Modern  Wood- 
men of  America  lodge  at  Lake  Mills.  His  has  been  a  life  of  intense  and  well 
directed  industry  and  although  he  began  his  independent  career  empty  handed 
he  is  now  financially  independent.  He  naturally  finds  satisfaction  in  his  material 
prosperity,  but  values  even  more  the  high  place  which  he  has  won  in  the  esteem 
of  his  fellow  citizens  through  his  strict  adherence  to  high  moral  standards  in  all 
relations  of  life. 


GUSTAV  GOKDOX. 


Gustav  Gordon,  cashier  of  the  State  Bank  of  Thompson,  claims  Wisconsin  as 
his  native  state,  his  birth  occurring  in  Primrose  township,  Dane  county,  on  the 
11th  of  October,  1869,  and  he  is  a  son  of  Knute  and  Bertha  (Gothompson)  Gordon. 
The  father  was  born  in  Norway  but  was  only  a  year  old  when  brought  to  this 
country,  and  the  mother  was  born  in  Albany,  Wisconsin.  After  reaching  manhood 
Knute  Gordon  followed  farming  in  Wisconsin  until  1881,  when  he  removed  to 
North  Dakota,  and  there  purchased  land  which  he  operated  for  seven  years.  In 
1889  he  became  a  resident  of  Palo  Alto  county,  Iowa,  where  he  also  owned  land 
and  engaged  in  farming  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1893,  when  he  was  only 
forty-seven  years  of  age.  His  widow  is  now  a  resident  of  Thompson,  Iowa,  and 
has  attained  the  age  of  sixty-eight  years.  To  this  worthy  couple  were  born  four- 
teen children,  of  whom  the  following  are  still  living:  Gustav,  of  this  review; 
Mrs.  W.  C.  Sundermeyer,  of  Rake,  Iowa;  Sever  B.,  engaged  in  the  real  estate 
business  in  Madelia,  Minnesota;  Carl,  a  farmer  of  Palo  Alto  county,  Iowa;  Mrs. 
A.  E.  Helland,  of  Rake;  Anna  and  Marie,  who  are  living  with  their  mother,  the 
latter  a  teacher  in  the  Thompson  schools;  and  Henry,  who  is  attending  Luther 
College  at  Decorah,  Iowa. 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  249 

Gustav  Gordon  accompanied  his  parents  on  their  removal  to  North  Dakota  and 
the  greater  part  of  his  education  was  acquired  in  the  schools  of  Mayville,  that  state. 
Later  he  took  a  business  course  at  the  Capital  City  Commercial  College  in  Des . 
Moines,  Iowa,  and  then  accepted  a  position  as  bookkeeper  in  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Emmetsburg,  Iowa,  where  he  remained  for  five  years.  For  three  years  he 
was  cashier  of  their  branch  bank  at  Cylinder,  Iowa,  and  in  1911  came  to  Thompson, 
Winnebago  county,  and  purchased  an  interest  in  the  State  Bank  of  Thompson,  of 
which  he  has  since  been  cashier.  The  bank  is  today  one  of  the  most  solid  and  pros- 
perous financial  institutions  of  this  section  of  the  state,  its  deposits  now  amounting 
to  one  hundred  and  eighty-two  thousand  dollars.  The  capital  is  thirty  thousand 
dollars  and  there  is  a  surplus  of  eight  thousand  dollars.  The  officers  are  B.  J. 
Thompson,  president;  J.  0.  Osmundson,  vice  president;  Gustav  Gordon,  cashier; 
and  H.  W.  Nelson,  assistant  cashier,  all  good  reliable  business  men.  Besides  his 
interest  in  the  bank  Mr.  Gordon  is  a  stockholder  and  director  in  the  Town  Mutual 
Telephone  Company  and  a  stockholder  and  treasurer  of  the  Farmers  Cooperative 
Creamely  Company. 

In  June,  1905,  was  celebrated  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Gordon  and  Miss  Clara 
Kittleson,  and  to  them  have  been  born  four  children,  namely:  Verna,  bom 
September  21,  1909;  Vivian,  born  in  September,  1912;  Buth,  bom  in  July,  1914; 
and  Ruby,  who  was  born  March  21,  1917,  and  died  five  days  later. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gordon  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  he  is  an  ardent 
republican  in  politics,  taking  an  active  and  commendable  interest  in  public  affairs. 
He  has  efficiently  served  as  a  member  of  the  town  council  and  has  also  been  treas- 
urer of  the  independent  school  district.  He  occupies  an  enviable  position  in  busi- 
ness circles,  being  a  man  of  good  executive  ability  and  thoroughly  reliable  in  all 
transactions. 


HANS  C.  ENGEBBETSON. 

Hans  C.  Engebretson,  a  representative  farmer  of  Logan  township,  Winnebago 
county,  living  on  se<;tion  16,  has  been  a  lifelong  resident  of  this  county  and  is  a 
representative  of  one  of  its  old  pioneer  families.  He  was^om  May  20,  1877,  in 
Logan  township,  on  school  land  on  which  his  father  had  taken  up  his  abode  ere 
it  was  placed  upon  the  market  for  sale.  He  is  a  son  of  Christian  Engebretson, 
mentioned  at  length  on  another  page  of  this  work.  He  began  his  education  in 
the  pioneer  schools  of  the  county,  which  he  attended  to  the  age  of  sixteen,  after 
which  he  spent  one  term  in  study  in  Breckenridge  College  at  Decorah,  Iowa.  He 
afterward  worked  for  his  father  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty-four  years  and 
then  began  farming  his  father^s  land  on  the  shares.  Two  years  later  he  rented 
a  farm  in  Faribault  county,  Minnesota,  in  connection  with  his  brother  Carl  and 
lived  thereon  for  a  year.  He  afterward  spent  two  years  on  a  farm  of  eighty  acres 
on  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  16,  Logan  township,  Winnebago  county,  as  a 
renter,  and  on  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  purchased  the  property,  to  which 
he  has  since  added  various  modern  and  attractive  improvements.  He  is  still  cul- 
tivating this  land,  which  is  now  one  of  the  excellent  farm  properties  of  the  county, 
and  he  also  owns  a  third  interest. in  the  northeast  quarter  of  section  34,  Logan 


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250  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

township.  His  activities  are  directed  along  lines  which  ultimately  produce  sub- 
stantial results  and  he  has  already  made  for  himself  ^a  place  among  the  valued 
and  enterprising  farmers  of  Logan  township. 

On  December  16,  1903,  Mr.  Engebretson  was  married  to  Miss  Ella  H.  Peter- 
son, her  parents  being  Henry  and  Elsie  Peterson,  who  were  early  settlers  of  Free- 
born county,  Minnesota,  and  now  reside  in  Logan  township,  Winnebago  county, 
this  state.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Engebretson  have  three  children,  Clarence  Melvin, 
Gayler  Alvin  and  Harold  Ernest.  The  parents  hold  membership  in  the  United 
Lutheran  church  and  Mr.  Engebretson  exercises  his  right  of  franchise  in  support 
of  the  men  and  measures  of  the  republican  party,  in  the  faith  of  which  he  was 
reared.  His  study  of  political  situations  and  questions  of  the  present  day  leads 
him  still  to  the  belief  that  the  principles  of  this  party  contain  the  best  elements 
of  good  government,  and  at  all  times  he  ranks  with  the  public-spirited  and  pro- 
gressive men  of  his  district. 


HENEY  GRIESEMER. 


Henry  Griesemer  is  now  living  retired  from  active  business,  making  his  home 
in  Garner.  At  various  periods  he  has  been  identified  with  commercial  and  agri- 
cultural interests  in  Hancock  county,  where  he  has  made  his  home  for  about 
forty  years.  He  was  born  December  10,  1855,  in  Richfield,  Washington  county, 
Wisconsin,  a  son  of  John  and  Kate  (Hyer)  Griesemer,  who  were  natives  of  Ger- 
many, whence  they  came  to  America  about  1833.  Making  their  way.  westward 
they  established  their  home  in  Washington  county,  Wisconsin,  where  John  Grie-* 
semer  engaged  in  business  as  a  contractor  and  builder.  Later  he  took  up  the 
occupation  of  farming,  but  both  he  and  his  wife  are  now  deceased. 

Henry  Griesemer  was  a  pupil  in  the  public  and  German  schools  of  his  native 
county  until  he  reached  the  age  of  fourteen  years,  when  he  went  to  Milwaukee, 
Wisconsin,  and  entered  the  shoe  factory  of  Andrew  Oswald.  He  afterward  spent 
eight  years  with  various  manufacturing  concerns  and  in  1877  he  arrived  in  Han- 
cock county,  Iowa,  where  he  was  employed  for  a  year.  He  then  returned  to 
Milwaukee  but  in  1880  again  came  to  Iowa,  settling  in  Britt,  where  he  conducted 
a  shoe  business  for  two  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  turned  his 
attention  to  farming  to  which  he  devoted  three  years  in  Concord  township.  In 
1886  he  became  a  resident  of  Garner  where  he  opened  a  harness  shop  and  shoe 
repair  shop.  He  continued  in  the  business  for  thirty  years  and  then  retired, 
since  which  time  he  has  enjoyed  a  well  earned  rest.  His  has  been  an  active  and 
useful  life,  and  his  close  application  and  industry  in  business  brought  him  a 
substantial  measure  of  prosperity.  He  erected  a  nice  home  in  Gamer,  so  that  he 
is  now  comfortably  located.     He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  State  Bank  of  Klemme. 

On  the  11th  of  November,  1880,  Mr.  Griesemer  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Justina  Mayer,  a  daughter  of  Paul  and  Gertrude  (Sanders)  Mayer,  who 
were  natives  of  Germany  and  became  pioneer  settlers  of  Sheboygan  county,  Wis- 
consin. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Griesemer  had  a  family  of  three  children,  a  daughter  and 
two  sons:  Catherine,  the  wife  of  Edward  Stiels,  a  resident  farmer  of  Hancock 
county;  P.  M.,  who  is  president  of  the  State  Bank  of  Klemme;  and  Alexander, 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  251 

who  died  July  24,  1914.  Mr.  Griesemer  gives  his  political  indorsement  to  the 
democratic  party  but  he  has  never  been  ambitious  for  office,  preferring  to  concen- 
trate his  time  and  attention  upon  his  business  affairs,  which  have  been  carefully 
managed  and  have,  therefore,  won  him  success.  He  has  been  dependent  upon 
his  own  resources  from  the  age  'of  fourteen  years  and  may  be  termed  a  self-made 
man. 


OLE  HELGESON. 


Ole  Helgeson,  who  follows  farming  on  section  14,  Norway  township,  Winne- 
bago county,  is  numbered  among  the  pioneers  of  Iowa,  having  for  sixty  years 
resided  within  the  borders  of  this  state,  during  which  period  he  has  witnessed 
a  marked  transformation  and  in  fact  has  contributed  in  no  small  measure  to  the 
changes  which  have  been  wrought,  especially  along  agricultural  lines.  lie  was 
born  in  Norway,  June  4,  1857,  a  son  of  Helge  and  Chaste  Helgeson,  who  came 
to  the  United  States  with  their  family  when  their  son  Ole  was  but  three  years 
of  age.  The  family  home  was  established  in  Winneshiek  county,  Iowa,  where  the 
father  purchased  land  and  engaged  in  farming  until  his  death.  Both  he  and 
his  wife  were  laid  to  rest  in  Madison  cemetery  in  Madison  township,  Winneshiek 
county,  Iowa.  They  had  reared  a  family  of  nine  children,  of  whom  seven  are 
yet  living,  five  being  residents  of  Winneshiek  county,  while  but  two  reside  in 
Winnebago  county,  these  being  Ole  and  his  sister  Christie,  who  is  now  the  wife 
of  Ole  Wangness,  of  Lake  Mills. 

Reared  under  the  parental  roof,  Ole  Helgeson  attended  such  schools  as  were 
to  be  found  in  Winneshiek  county  in  pioneer  times,  pursuing  his  studies  until 
he  reached  the  age  of  sixteen.  His  undivided  attention  was  thereafter  given  to 
farm  work  for  his  father  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty-two  years,  when  he 
started  out  in  life  independently.  During  the  two  succeeding  years  he  went 
from  place  to  place  seeking  for  suitable  land  which  he  might  purchase,  and 
when  twenty-five  years  of  age  he  took  up  his  abode  in  Norway  township,  Winne- 
bago county,  purchasing  the  southeast  quarter  of  section  14,  upon  which  Hendrick 
Larson  had  taken  up  his  abode  in  1856,  being  among  the  first  farmers  of  this 
section  of  the  state.  The  work  begun  by  Mr.  Larson  was  continued  by  Mr.  Helge- 
son, who  is  today  one  of  the  best  farmers  of  the  county.  He  has  splendid  improve- 
ments upon  the  place,  including  an  attractive  residence,  large  bams  and  outbuild- 
ings and  the  latest  improved  machinery.  In  fact  he  has  secured  all  the  equip- 
ments which  will  facilitate  farm  work  according  to  modem  methods.  Only  thirty 
acres  of  land  was  broken  when  it  came  into  his  possession  and  he  turned  the  first 
furrows  in  many  of  his  fields.  In  fact  he  cleared  the  remainder  of  timber  and 
dug  out  the  stumps  and  bmsh.  Furrows  were  then  turned,  harrowing  was  done 
and  seeds  planted.  In  time  good  crops  were  gathered  and  as  the  work  of  cultiva- 
tion has  been  continued  year  after  year  the  soil  has  become  more  productive.  He 
practices  the  rotation,  of  crops  and  utilizes  all  modem  methods  to  keep  his  farm 
up  to  first-class  condition.  At  the  time  he  made  the  purchase  there  were  log 
buildings  upon  the  land  but  these  have  long  since  been  replaced  by  modem 
stmctures  and  his  home  is  one  of  the  attractive  residences  of  Winnebago  county. 


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252     WINNEBAGO  AND  HANCOCK  COUNTIES 

On  January  28,  1882,  about  the  time  that  he  removed  to  this  farm,  Mr.  Helge- 
son  married  Miss  Margaret  Vrolson,  a  daughter  of  Jens  and  Tonie  A^rolson, 
who  were  natives  of  Norway  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1869.  They 
resided  in  Fillmore  county,  Minnesota,  'for  five  years  and  then  took  up  their 
abode  in  Pope  county,  that  state;  where  they  continued  to  live  until  called  to 
their  final  rest.  The  father  was  by  occupation  a  farmer.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Helge- 
son  have  become  the  parents  of  ten  children,  namely:  Clara  A.,  who  is  the 
wife  of  Edward  Ausen,  of  Freeborn  county,  Minnesota;  Henry  C,  who  died  at 
the  age  of  twenty-one  years  and  was  buried  in  Lime  Creek  cemetery;  John  0., 
who  married  Gertrude  Nelson  and  resides  at  Thompson,  Winnebago  county;  Til- 
ford  0.,  who  married  Louise  Honsey  and  makes  his  home  in  Norway  township; 
Oscar  M.,  Clarence  E.,  Myrtle  V.,  Gilma  T.  and  James  A.,  all  of  whom  are  still 
under  the  parental  roof;  and  Mamie,  who  died  in  infancy. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Helgeson  is  a  republican  and  has  held  a  number  of 
the  township  ofiBces,  the  duties  of  which  he  has  discharged  with  promptness  and 
fidelity.  He  was  school  director  for  many  years  and  president  of  the  board. 
The  family  hold  membership  in  the  United  Lutheran  church  and  their  lives  are 
actuated  by  high  and  honorable  principles.  His  entire  career  has  measured  up 
to  advanced  standards  of  manhood  and  of  citizenship. 


THEODORE  E.  ISAACSON. 

Theodore  E.  Isaacson,  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Thompson,  Iowa, 
was  born  in  Forest  township,  Winnebago  county,  in  June,  1877,  a  son  of  Nels 
and  Karen  (Olson)  Isaacson.  The  parents  were  natives  of  Norway  but  in  1864 
emigrated  to  America  and  located  in  Chicago,  where  they  resided  until  1870.  In 
that  year  they  came  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  and  the  father  purchased  land  in 
Forest  township,  to  the  improvement  and  cultivation  of  which  he  devoted  the 
remainder  of  his  life.  He  died  in  December,  1903,  when  seventy  years  old  and 
the  mother  passed  away  in  July,  1916,  when  seventy-four  years  of  age. 

Theodore  E.  Isaacson  was  reared  in  this  county  and  graduated  from  the 
high  school  at  Forest  City.  He  remained  with  his  parents  until  he  was  twenty- 
three  years  old,  when  he  went  to  Neils,  Iowa,  where  he  engaged  in  buying  grain 
and  live  stock  for  five  years.  He  then  served  as  assistant  cashier  in  the  Farmers 
&  Drovers  Bank  at  Buffalo  Center  for  three  years  and  in  1909  came  to  Thompson 
and  entered  the  First  National  Bank  as  cashier,  which  office  he  has  filled  during 
the  intervening  eight  years.  He  has  an  influential  voice  in  the  management  of 
the  affairs  of  the  bank  and  in  the  direction  of  its  policy,  and  his  familiarity  with 
all  phases  of  the  business  and  the  soundness  of  his  judgment  are  recognized  by 
all  who  have  had  dealings  with  him.  He  owns  stock  in  that  institution  and  also  in 
the  Farmers  Elevator  Company,  the  Farmers  Creamery  Company  and  the  Tele- 
phone Company,  all  prosperous  local  concerns.  In  addition  he  holds  title  to 
farm  land  in  Winnebago  county. 

Mr.  Isaacson  was  married  in  July,  1903,  to  Miss  Nellie  Johnson,  of  Belmond, 
Iowa,  .and  to  them  was  born  a  daughter,  Lola,  E.,  whose  birth  occurred  in  May, 
1906.    The  wife  and  mother  passed  away  after  a  few  days'  illness  in  January,  1910. 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  255 

In  February,  1912,  Mr.  Isaacson  was  married  to  Mrs.  Louise  Thurston,  and  they 
have  a  son,  Leslie  B. 

Mr.  Isaacson  is  a  stanch  republican  in  politics  and  has  served  on  the  town 
council,  but  gives  the  greater  part  of  his  time  and  attention  to  his  duties  at  the 
bank.  In  religious  faith  he  is  a  United  Lutheran  and  the  teachings  of  that  church 
govern  his  conduct  in  all  the  relations  of  life.  He  has  a  wide  acquaintance 
throughout  the  county  and  it  is  indisputable  testimony  to  his  sterling  worth  that 
those  who  have  known  him  intimately  since  boyhood  are  his  stanchest  friends. 


•  C.  H.  EYGMYR. 


C.  H.  Rygmyr,  proprietor  of  a  restaurant  at  Forest  City,  was  bom  in  Winne- 
bago county,  March  12,  1891,  a  son  of  N.  U.  and  Bertha  E.  (Spilda)  Rygmyr, 
both  of  whom  were  brought  to  Winnebago  county  when  children  and  both  of 
whom  are  living  in  Forest  City.  He  pursued  a  common  school  education  and 
his  early  training  was  that  of  the  farm  bred  boy  who  works  in  the  fields  when 
not  busy  with  the  duties  of  the  schoolroom.  On  leaving  home  he  started  out  as 
clerk  in  a  restaurant  and,  finding  this  business  congenial,  he  afterward  embarked 
in  the  same  line  on  his  own  account,  opening  the  restaurant  in  1913  which  he  has 
since  conducted.  His  business  is  carried  on  in  first-class  style  and  he  has  won 
his  patronage  by  the  high  standard  that  he  has  maintained  in  his  service  to  the 
public. 

On  the  14th  of  June,  1915,  Mr.  Rygmyr  was  married  to  Miss  Katherine  Wag- 
ner, a  native  of  South  Dakota  and  a  daughter  of  Mathew  and  Elizabeth  (Peter- 
son) Wagner,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Germany.  They  came  to  America 
at  an  early  day  and  settled  in  South  Dakota,  where  the  father  still  makes  his 
home,  but  the  mother  has  now  passed  away.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rygmyr  attend  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  his  political  allegiance  is  given  to  the  republican 
party,  but  he  does  not  seek  nor  desire  the  honors  and  emoluments  of  public  office. 
He  prefers  on  the  contrary  to  give  his  undivided  time  and  attention  to  his  business 
and  in  this  way  he  is  winning  deserved  success,  his  indefatigable  energy  and  per- 
sistency of  purpose  enabling  him  to  work  his  way  steadily  upward  toward  pros- 
perity. 


S.  P.  STREEPER. 


S.  P.  Streeper,  who  is  successfully  engaged  in  farming  on  section  27,  Elling- 
ton township,  Hancock  county,  was  born  in  Indiana  on  the  22d  of  July,  1852, 
and  is  a  son  of  Stephen  R.  and  Isabella  (Todd)  Streeper,  natives  of  Penn- 
sylvania, in  which  state  they  were  reared  and  married.  Subsequently  they  removed 
to  Indiana  and  about  1861  came  to  Iowa,  locating  in  Jones  county,  where  the 
father  continued  to  make  his  home  until  his  death,  which  occurred  about  1900. 

In  the  Hoosier  state  S.  P.  Streeper  spent  his  early  boyhood  and  began  his 
education  in  its  district  schools.     When  nine  years  of  age  he  was  brouglit  by 


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256  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

his  parents  to  Iowa  and  he  remained  with  them  until  1875,  in  which  year  Be 
went  to  the  Pacific  coast.  For  two  and  a  half  years  he  was  employed  on  ranches 
in  the  Sacramento  valley  of  California  and  then  returned  to  Iowa,  where  he 
engaged  in  farming  on  rented  land  for  two  years. 

In  1881  Mr.  Streeper  came  to  Hancock  county  and  the  following  year  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Wealthy  Smith,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  Smith,  who 
in  1875  had  removed  with  his  family  to  this  county  from  Winneshiek  county, 
Iowa.  For  two  years  aft^r  his  marriage  Mr.  Streeper  continued  to  cultivate 
rented  land  and  in  1884  bought  his  present  home  farm  on  section  27,  Ellington 
township,  consisting  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  but  he  did  not  locate  thereon 
until  the  following  year,  since  which  time  he  has  devoted  his  energies  to  its  improve- 
ment and  cultivation. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Streeper  have  three  children,  namely:  Clarence  B.,  who  assists 
in  the  operation  of  the  home  farm ;  Lulu  L.,  the  wife  of  J.  L.  Thompkins,  a  farmer 
of  Ellington  township;  and  Claude  L.,  who  is  now  attending  high  school  in  Forest 
City.  In  religious  faith  the  parents  are  Methodists  and  in  politics  Mr.  Streeper 
is  a  republican.  He  has  efficiently  served  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  township 
trustees  and  as  a  public-spirited  citizen  does  all  in  his  power  to  promote  the  inter- 
ests of  his  community.  He  is  a  wide-awake,  progressive  farmer  and  is  meeting 
w^ith  good  success  in  his  operations. 


HELMER  T.  MTRE. 


Helmer  T.  Myre,  who  carries  on  general  farming  on  section  26,  Linden  town- 
ship, has  spent  his  entire  life  in  Winnebago  county  and  from  the  age  of  thirteen 
has  been  dependent  upon  his  own  resources.  He  was  very  young  to  face  life's 
responsibilities  and  duties  unaided,  but  he  bravely  took  up  the  task  which  con- 
fronted him  and  in  the  intervening  years  has  provided  for  his  own  support.  He 
was  born  March  1,  1890,  his  parents  being  T.  C.  and  Goodnell  (Baken)  Myre, 
both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Iowa  and  spent  their  last  days  in  Winnebago 
county,  both  having  now  passed  away.  They  had  a  family  of  four  children,  three 
of  whom  are  yet  living. 

When  a  little  lad  of  six  summers  Helmer  T.  Myre  became  a  pupil  in  the 
common  schools  and  therein  mastered  the  elementary  branches  of  learning,  but 
he  was  only  thirteen  years  of  age  when  his  father  died  and  the  necessity  of  pro- 
viding for  his  own  support  then  came  to  him.  He  has  since  worked  earnestly 
and  persistently  to  make  for  himself  a  creditable  position  in  the  business  world. 
In  1912  he  began  farming  on  the  old  homestead,  where  he  now  resides  on  section 
26,  Linden  township,  and  the  evidence  of  his  labor  is  seen  in  the  neat  and  thrifty 
appearance  of  his  place.  The  fields  are  carefully  cultivated  and  in  the  pastures 
are  seen  good  grades  of  stock  which  he  is  raising  and  feeding. 

On  the  Ist  of  March,  1917,  Mr.  Myre  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Range,  a  native  of  Illinois  and  a  daughter  of  Peter  and  Elizabeth  (Smith) 
Range,  who  are  natives  of  Germany  and  are  now  residents  of  Minnesota.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Myre  are  well  known  young  people  of  their  section  of  the  county  and 
the  hospitality  of  the  best  homes  is  freely  accorded  them.     Mr.  Myre  has  voted 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  257 

with  the  republican  party  since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  is  interested  in  all  those  forces 
which  work  for  betterment  in  the  community.  Naturally  his  time  and  attention 
are  most  largely  given  to  his  fanning  activities.  He  is  the  owner  of  a  third  interest 
in  the  old  homestead  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  constituting  a  splendidly 
improved  property  of  Linden  township. 


GAEL  OSCAB  MARTINSON. 

Carl  Oscar  Martinson,  of  the  firin  of  Gordon  &  Martinson,  agents  for  the 
Ford  and  Buick  cars  at  Lake  Mills,  is  an  alert,  up-to-date  and  successful  young 
business  man  and  is  highly  esteemed  in  his  community.  He  was  born  in  Norway 
township,  Winnebago  county,  January  20,  1886,  of  the  marriage  of  Martin  I. 
and  Alena  (Anderson)  Martinson.  The  mother,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Norway, 
accompanied  her  parents  to  the  United  States  when  twelve  years  of  age  and  when 
five  years  old  the  father  removed  with  his  parents  from  Wisconsin,  his  native 
state,  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa.  Here  he  grew  to  manhood  and  in  time  pur- 
chased land  in  Norway  township  which  he  has  brought  to  a  high  state  of  cultiva- 
tion. He  is  still  engaged  in  farming,  which  he  finds  at  once  profitable  and 
congenial.  The  mother  also  survives.  To  them  were  born  twelve  children,  of 
whom  three  have  passed  away,  Selmer,  Carl  and  Selmer,  while  those  who  survive 
are  Ingebret,  Oscar,  Selma,  Clara,  Gilma,  Nettie,  Alice,  Melvin  and  William. 

Carl  Oscar  Martinson  passed  the  days  of  his  boyhood  and  youth  upon  the 
homestead  and  obtained  his  early  education  in  the  district  schools.  Subsequently 
he  took  a  course  in  the  Mankato  Commercial  College  and  in  Luther  Academy  at 
Albert  Lea,  Minnesota.  When  twenty-three  years  old  he  left  the  parental  roof 
lind  removed  to  Lake  Mills,  where  for  two  years  he  was  an  employe  of  Eckert  & 
Williams,  implement  dealers.  He  then  began  business  on  his  own  account,  buying 
an  interest  in  the  Winnebago  Auto  Company,  which  he  disposed  of  four  years  later, 
or  in  1914.  He  then  formed  a  partnership  with  0.  T.  Gordon  under  the  style  of 
Gordon  &  Martinson  and  they  have  since  been  agents  for  the  Ford  and  Buick  cars. 
They  do  a  large  business,  the  number  of  their  annual  sales  being  limited  only  by  the 
number  of  cars  they  can  secure  from  the  factory.  In  1916  they  sold  thirty-six 
Fords  and  ten  Buicks  and  could  easily  have  sold  more  cars  but  were  unable  to  get 
them.  Their  success  is  proof  of  their  thorough  knowledge  of  the  construction  of 
automobiles,  their  aggressiveness  and  their  fair  dealing.  In  addition  to  his  interest 
in  the  business  Mr.  Martinson  owns  stock  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company,  a 
prosperous  local  concern. 

On  May  13,  1909,  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Martinson  and  Miss  Sarah 
Hanson,  a  daughter  of  Hans  and  Martha  (Davidson)  Hanson,  of  Norway  township, 
Winnebago  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Martinson  have  had  four  children:  Marvin 
Howard,  who  died  July  7,  1911;  Marvin  H.,  born  July  12,  1911;  Laurence,  who 
was  born  in  July,  1913;  and  C.  Eldon,  born  in  March,  1915. 

Mr.  Martinson  is  a  stanch  republican  but  has  confined  his  public  activity  to 
the  exercise  of  his  right  of  franchise.  He  is  a  communicant  of  the  Lutheran 
church  and  is  heartily  in  sympathy  with  its  work.     Although  a  young  man  he 


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258  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

already  ranks  as  an  important  factor  in  the  business  development  of  Lake  Mills  and 
his  sterling  qualities  of  character  and  his  social  nature  have  won  for  him  many 
sincere  friends. 


ALVIN  E.  CLAUSON. 


Alvin  E.  Clauson,  junior  partner  in  the  firm  of  Thompson  &  Clauson,  general 
merchants  of  Forest  City,  has  thus  been  identified  with  the  business  interests  of 
the  town  since  1908  and  has  concentrated  his  attention  and  efforts  upon  the  develop- 
ment and  extension  of  his  trade.  He  was  here  bom  December  20,  1889,  a  son  of 
Nels  C.  and  Hannah  C.  Clauson,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Sweden.  Coming 
to  America,  they  settled  in  Forest  City  in  1886  and  for  some  time  the  father  was 
connected  with  railway  interests,  but  is  now  living  retired,  enjoying  the  fruits  of 
his  former  toil. 

Spending  his  boyhood  days  under  the  parental  roof,  Alvin  E.  Clauson  acquired 
a  public  school  education  which  he  completed  by  graduation  from  the  high  school. 
He  was  a  young  man  when  in  1908  he  purchased  an  interest  in  the  general  store 
of  Ole  A.  Thompson,  thus  forming  the  present  firm  of  Thompson  &  Clauson.  To 
the  experience  and  understanding  of  tlie  senior  partner  was  added  the  enterprise 
of  the  young  man  and  they  have  made  a  strong  firm,  occupying  an  enviable  position 
in  the  business  circles  of  their  city. 

On  the  31st  of  December,  1911,  Mr.  Clauson  was  married-  to  Miss  Mabel  Ells- 
worth, of  Forest  City,  a  daughter  of  H.  T.  and  Emogene  (Lewis)  Ellsworth.  They 
occupy  an  enviable  social  position  and  the  hospitality  of  their  own  home  is  greatly 
enjoyed  by  their  many  friends. 

Mr.  Clauson  is  independent  in  politics,  while  religiously  he  is  connected  with 
the  Baptist  church.  His  life  has  been  guided  by  high  and  honorable  principles  and 
he  is  neglectful  of  none  of  the  duties  of  citizenship  but  on  the  contrary  cooperates 
in  many  well  devised  plans  and  measures  for  the  public  good. 


MICHAEL  J.  STEDJE. 


Although  born  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  April  5,  1874,  Michael  J.  Stedje  has 
been  a  resident  of  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  since  his  first  year  and  since  reaching 
manhood  has  been  prominently  identified  with  the  agricultural  interests  of  Center 
township,  owning  and  operating  a  good  farm  on  section  30.  His  parents,  Jens  L. 
and  Annie  (Michaelson)  Stedje,  were  born  and  reared  in  Norway,  whence  they 
emigrated  to  America  in  April,  1869.  In  June  of  that  year  they  took  up  their 
abode  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  where  the  father  worked  as  a  section  hand  on  the 
railroad  for  three  years.  In  the  meantime  he  purchased  a  tract  of  land  three  miles 
west  of  Stoughton,  which  he  cultivated  until  coming  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa, 
in  1875.  Here  he  bought  one  hundred  acres  on  section  30,  Center  township,  and 
at  once  began  its  improvement  and  development,  making  his  home  thereon  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  on  the  2d  of  April,  1903.   His  widow  is  still  living  at  the 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  259 

ripe  old  age  of  eighty-one  'years  and  makes  her  home  with  her  son  Michael,  who 
is  the  youngest  of  the  family.  Lewis,  the  older  son,  died  July  29,  1909.  Susan, 
the  only  daughter,  is  the  wife  of  John  Lund,  of  Flaxton,  North  Dakota. 

Michael  J.  Stedje  attended  the  district  schools  near  his  boyhood  home  and 
early  became  familiar  with  all  kinds  of  farm  work  while  assisting  his  father  in  the 
operation  of  the  home  place.  He  also  worked  for  others  to  some  extent  and  is 
today  a  very  progressive  and  up-to-date  farmer.  On  his  father's  death  he  inherited 
the  homestead,  on  which  he  has  since  made  some  valuable  improvements  and  has 
met  with  good  success  in  the  operation  of  his  farm.  He  also  owns  a  section  of  land 
at  Oslo,  Hansford  county,  Texas,  and  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Com- 
pany of  Leland,  Iowa,  and  the  Leland  Creamery  Company. 

On  the  17th  of  May,  1904,  Mr.  Stedje  married  Miss  Clara  Johnson,  by  whom 
he  has  four  children:  Cora,  bom  November  14,  1907;  James  A.,  September  2, 
1909;  Mary,  January  19,  1912;  and  Gordon,  October  29,  1914.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Stedje  are  faithful  and  consistent  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  are  most 
estimable  people.     Politically  he  is  identified  with  the  republican  party. 


OLE  T.  GROE. 


Ole  T.  Groe,  president  and  manager  of  the  local  creamery  company  and  also  of 
the  I-ake  Mills  Telephone  Company  and  secretary  of  the  Lake  Mills  Lumber  Com- 
pany, was  born  in  Worth  county,  Iowa,  on  the  12th  of  May,  1859.  His  parents, 
Tostin  0.  and  Carrie  (Mellen)  Groe,  were  natives  of  Norway  but  settled  in  the 
western  part  of  Worth  county,  Iowa,  when  it  was  still  a  frontier  district.  There 
the  father  purchased  land  which  he  operated  until  his  death  in  1895.  He  is  buried 
in  the  Silver  Lake  cemeteiy  in  Worth  county,  as  is  his  wife,  who  died  in  1897. 
They  were  the  parents  of  six  children,  of  whom  three  died  in  infancy,  and  of  those 
surviving  our  subject  is  the  eldest. 

Ole  T.  Groe  passed  his  boyhood  upon  the  home  farm  and  early  began  helping 
with  the  work,  caring  for  the  stock  and  cultivating  the  fields.  When  sixteen  years 
old  he  left  school  and  for  the  following  five  years  gave  his  entire  time  to  assisting 
his  father.  When  he  had  attained  his  majority  he  bought  two  hundred  acres  of 
good  land,  which  he  farmed  until  1892,  when  he  took  up  his  residence  in  Lake 
Mills.  However,  he  still  owns  valuable  property  there,  his  land  holdings  in  Worth 
county  totaling  four  hundred  and  eighty-six  acres.  Upon  his  removal  to  this  city 
he  became  the  partner  of  G.  Nystuen  in  the  ownership  of  a  general  store,  but  after 
two  years  and  a  half  disposed  of  his  interest  therein.  He  is  now  manager  and 
president  of  the  local  creamery  company,  in  which  capacities  he  has  served  con- 
tinuously since  the  organization  of  the  concern  with  the  exception  of  seven  years. 
Since  1908,  in  which  year  the  Lake  Mills  Telephone  Company  was  organized,  he 
has  been  its  president  and  manager,  and  for  fourteen  years  he  has  been 
secretary  of  the  Lake  Mills  Lumber  Company,  while  for  sixteen  years  he 
has  been  a  member  of  its  directorate.  He  is  also  a  director  of  the  Lake  Mills 
Canning  Company.  His  official  connection  with  these  prosperous  corporations 
indicates  the  high  estimate  placed  upon  his  executive  ability  by  the  representative 
business  men  of  the  city. 


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260  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

On  June  13,  1881,  Mr.  Groe  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Anna  Simmons,  a 
daughter  of  John  and  Gertrude  (Troe)  Simmons,  who  removed  from  Norway  to 
Worth  county,  Iowa,  when  their  daughter  Anna  was  nine  years  old.  Both  are 
deceased  and  are  buried  in  the  Silver  Lake  cemetery.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Groe  have 
been  born  eight  children:  Thomas,  who  is  a  graduate  of  the  Capital  City  Com- 
mercial College  and*  is  now  assistant  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  at  Xorth- 
wood,  Iowa;  Clara  J.,  who  died  when  seven  years  old  and  is  buried  in  the  Silver 
Lake  cemetery  in  Worth  county;  Gina  B.,  who  was  graduated  from  the  State  Uni- 
versity of  Iowa  in  1010  and  is  now  the  wife  of  E.  J.  Hickox,  of  Colorado  Springs, 
Colorado;  Clarence,  a  resident  of  Lake  Mills,  Iowa;  Josephine,  at  home;  Alvin  0., 
who  died  when  seven  years  old  and  is  buried  in  the  Silver  Lake  cemetery;  Roy  G., 
who  is  attending  the  Lake  Mills  high  school ;  and  Orin  K.,  who  is  a  student  in  the 
graded  schools. 

Mr.  Groe  supports  the  republican  party  at  the  polls  and  while  a  resident  of 
Worth  county  was  for  several  years  a  member  of  the  school  board,  of  which  he  was 
for  some  time  secretary,  was  justice  of  the  peace  and  for  two  years  held  the  office 
of  township  assessor.  He  was  also  city  assessor  of  Lake  Mills  for  two  years  and 
for  two  terms,  or  six  years,  served  on  the  school  board  at  Lake  Mills  and  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Lake  Mills  Improvement  Association.  He  holds  membership  in  the 
United  Lutheran  church,  which  indicates  the  principles  which  have  governed  his 
conduct.  His  sound  judgment  and  energy  have  enabled  him  to  carry  to  successful 
completion  whatever  he  has  undertaken  and  he  is  recognized  as  a  leader  in  his 
community. 


AUGUSTUS  F.  LACKORE. 

One  of  the  earliest  pioneers  of  Winnebago  county  now  living  is  Augustus  F. 
Lackore,  of  Forest  City,  who  about  1856  or  1857  was  brought  to  the  county.  He 
was  born  in  Illinois  on  the  31st  of  January,  1855,  a  son  of  William  and  Elizabeth 
(Church)  Lackore,  the  former  a  native  of  New  York  and  the  latter  of  England, 
whence  she  came  to  the  United  States  in  her  girlhood  with  her  parents  when  but 
seven  years  of  age.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lackore  were  married  in  New  York  and  eight 
children  were  born  to  them  there.  About  1854  they  removed  to  Illinois  and  in 
that  state  Augustus  F.  and  Jesse  Lackore  were  added  to  the  family.  In  1856  or 
1857  a  removal  was  made  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  where  the  father  had  pre- 
viously purchased  seven  hundred  acres  of  land.  He  settled  at  Forest  City,  build- 
ing the  first  good  frame  residence  in  the  town  and  becoming  one  of  the  pioneer 
settlers  of  this  part  of  the  state.  Soon  after  his  arrival  he  purchased  a  sawmill 
which  he  operated  for  a  number  of  years,  but  eventually  he  sold  that  property  and 
concentrated  his  energies  upon  farming,  which  he  continued  to  follow  until  his 
demise  in  1886.  His  wife  survived  him  for  more  than  a  decade,  passing  away 
on  the  17th  of  April,  1897. 

Augustus  F.  Lackore  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  early  became 
trained  to  business  methods  under  his  father's  direction.  After  attaining  his 
majority  he  remained  at  home  and  cooperated  with  his  father  in  the  promotion 
of  farming  interests.     There  was  a  very  strong  bond  of  sympathy  between   the 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  261 

father  and  son  and  they  continued  to  live  together  until  the  death  of  the  former, 
an  ideal  companionship  existing.  Augustus  F.  Lackore  still  owns  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  of  the  old  homestead,  on  which  he  continued  to  reside  until  1911, 
when  he  retired  and  removed  to  Forest  City,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home, 
resting  from  further  business  cares  save  for  the  supervision  of  his  investments. 

On  December  25,  1882,  Mr.  Lackore  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Jennie 
Merrill,  of  Forest  City,  Iowa,  a  daughter  of  Dudley  and  Matilda  (Edwards) 
Merrill,  pioneers  of  Iowa.  To  this  union  were  born  nine  children,  eight  of  whom 
still  survive,  as  follows:  Roy  C,  who  is  principal  of  schools  at  Bucytus,  North 
Dakota;  Raymond  C,  an  agriculturist  residing  at  Little  Falls,  Minnesota;  Floyd 
M.,  a  paper  hanger  arid  painter  who  makes  his  home  at  Forest  Citv ;  Clyde  E.,  who 
is  county  road  boss  and  resides  in  Forest  City;  Clara  F.,  a  high  school  student; 
Hazel  M.,  at  home ;  and  Forest  A.,  and  Sylvan  H.,  who  attend  the  graded  schools. 
Mrs.  Lackore  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Mr.  Lackore  has 
membership  with  the  American  Yeomen  and  his  political  support  is  given  to  the 
republican  party.  All  who  know  him  esteem  him  as  a  man  of  sterling  worth 
whose  life  has  been  one  of  activity  and  honor,  while  his  well  directed  industry  has 
brought  to  him  substantial*  and  gratifying  prosperity. 


CHRISTIAN  C.  SCHAEFER. 

Christian  C.  Schaefer,  who  is  residing  on  section  27,  German  township,  Hancock 
county,  is  a  native  of  Wisconsin,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  Dodge  county,  on  the 
23d  of  August,  1869.  His  parents,  Chris  and  Mary  (Schneider)  Schaefer,  were 
bom  in  Germany  and  came  to  America  in  1833.  They  resided  in  Milwaukee  and 
in  Watertown,  Wisconsin,  for  many  years  and  about  1897  removed  to  Iowa,  at  which 
time  the  father  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  on  section  27, 
German  township,  Hancock  county,  for  which  he  paid  thirty-one  dollars  per  acre. 
The  farm  was  at  that  time  somewhat  improved.  •  He  owned  the  farm  for  six  or 
seven  years,  after  which  he  disposed  of  the  property.  He  is,  however,  still  living 
and  is  now  about  ninety  years  of  age. 

Christian  C.  Schaefer  acquired  a  common  school  education  at  Lowell,  Wisconsin, 
where  he  pursued  his  studies  for  several  years,  and  in  the  school  of  experience  he 
has  also  learned  many  valuable  lessons  which  have  been  of  a  most  practical  and 
helpful  character.  He  worked  with  his  father  until  he  reached  the  age  of  about 
twenty-seven  years,  when  he  invested  in  his  present  home  place  on  section  27, 
German  township,  Hancock  county.  Here  he  has  a  good  tract  of  land  appropriately 
named  the  Pleasant  View  Farm.  He  is  making  a  specialty  of  stock  raising, 
handling  Poland  China  hogs,  Percheron  Norman  horses  of  high  grade  and  Guern- 
sey cattle,  and  in  addition  he  cultivates  the  cereals  best  adapted  to  soil  and  climate. 
Both  his  stock  raising  and  his  farming  interests  are  bringing  to  him  good  return, 
for  his  business  affairs  are  carefully,  wisely  and  systematically  managed. 

On  the  16th  of  June,  1901,  Mr.  Schaefer  was  married  to  Miss  Amelia  Lembgen, 
a  daughter  of  John  and  Christina  (Reinhard)  Lembgen,  who  were  natives  of  Ger- 
many and  on  emigrating  to  America  settled  at  Lowell,  Wisconsin,  at  which  time 
only  Indians  were  residents  of  that  section  of  the  state.     In  other  words,  they 

11—13 


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262  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

cast  in  their  lot  with  the  first  settlers  of  a  pioneer  district  and  shared  in  all  the 
hardships  and  privations  incident  to  the  development  of  a  new  country.  The 
mother  19  still  living  at  Watertown,  Wisconsin,  and  is  now  nearly  eighty  years  of 
age.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schaefer  have  become  the  parents  of  two  sons  and  two  daugh- 
ters: Emery  W.,  Alvin  E.  and  Hilda  M.,  who  are  fifteen,  thirteen  and  eleven 
years  of  age  respectively ;  and  Doris  A.,  a  maiden  of  nine  summers. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Schaefer  is  a  republican,  and  while  not  an  office 
seeker,  he  has  served  as  school  director  for  six  years.  His  religious  belief  is  that 
of  the  German  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  to  its  teachings  he  gives  loyal 
support.  His  has  been  an  active  life  directed  by  honorable  purposes,  and  his  dili- 
gence and  energy  have  constituted  the  foundation  upon  which  he  has  builded  his 
success. 


FEED  J.  OXLEY. 


Fred  J.  Oxley,  living  on  section  9,  Magor  township,  Hancock  county,  has  sub- 
stantial possessions  in  farm  lands  and  is  engaged  quite  extensively  in  the  raising 
of  hogs.  He  has  also  become  identified  with  financial  and  other  business  interests 
of  the  county  and  is  one  of  the  progressive  and  representative  men  of  his  section 
of  the  state.  He  was  bom  in  Jefferson  county,  Wisconsin,  on  the  14th  of  August, 
1863,  and  is  one  of  the  thirteen  children  of  William  and  Maria  (Vincent)  Oxley, 
who  were  natives  of  England  and  in  1852  came  to  America. 

Reared  upon  the  home  farm  in  his  native  county,  Fred  J.  Oxley  began  his 
education  as  a  district  school  pupil  when  a  little  lad  of  about  six  years  and 
pursued  his  studies  as  opportunity  offered  until  he  reached  the  age  of  eighteen. 
In  1864  the  family  removed  to  Fayette  county,  Iowa,  where  our  subject  was 
employed  as  a  farm  hand  for  four  years,  when,  feeling  that  his  age  and  experi- 
ence justified  his  starting  in  business  on  his  own  account,  he  came  to  Hancock 
county,  locating  in  Magor  township  in  1881.  There  he  rented  land  which  he 
cultivated  for  four  years.  While  thus  engaged  he  carefully  saved  his  earnings 
until  the  sum  was  sufficient  to  enable  him  to  purchase  property.  His  land  was 
raw,  unbroken  prairie  land  when  it  came  into  his  possession,  but  today  his  farm 
is  one  of  the  best  equipped  in  the  county  and  his  home  possesses  all  the  modem 
conveniences.  His  holdings  now  include  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  on 
liection  9,  Magor  township,  eighty  acres  on  section  8  of  the  same  township  and 
two  hundred  acres  in  Freeborn  county,  Minnesota.  He  makes  a  specialty  of 
raising  Duroc  and  Chester  White  hogs  and  that  branch  of  his  business  is  proving 
very  profitable.  He  has  also  become  interested  in  other  business  projects  and  is 
now  president  of  the  Commercial  Savings  Bank,  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers 
Savings  Bank  and  for  twelve  years  has  been  president  of  the  telephone  company 
of  Corwith. 

On  the  20th  of  April,  1887,  Mr.  Oxley  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Julia 
Sanford,  a  daughter  of  John  V.  and  Loecada  Sanford.  She  passed  away  in 
April,  1897.  There  were  three  children  of  that  marriage:  Fred  E.,  who  is  now 
married  and  resides  in  Minnesota;  Hilton  J.,  whose  death  occurred  in  1895;  and 
Mildred  J.,  who  was  graduated  in  June,  1917,  from  St.  Mary's  College  at  Prairie  du 


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MR.   AND   MRS.   FRED   J.   OXLEY 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  265 

Chien,  Wisconsin.  Having  lost  his  first  wife,  Mr.  Oxley  later  married  Miss 
Elizabeth  Pybus,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Hoppe)  Pybus,  who  were 
natives  of  England.  The  children  of  the  second  marriage  were:  Leslie  V.; 
Gladys,  who  died  in  March,  1902;  Gail;  and  John  H. 

Mrs.  Oxley  is  actively  interested  in  the  raising  of  chickens,  making  a  specialty 
of  Rhode  Island  Reds  and  Plymouth  Rocks.  She  uses  incubators  entirely  for 
hatching  and  in  1917  is  raising  one  thousand  chickens.  She  also  has  Indian 
Runner  ducks  and  the  fine  poultry  makes  a  very  pleasing  and  interesting  feature 
of  the  farm. 

In  politics  Mr.  Oxley  is  a  republican  and  has  been  called  upon  to  fill  various 
positions  of  honor  and  trust.  He  was  county  supervisor  for  nine  years  and  did 
much  to  further  public  interests  in  that  connection.  He  has  also  been  township 
trustee  and  the  cause  of  education  has  long  received  his  stalwart  support,  his 
activities  as  a  member  and  president  of  the  school  board  doing  much  for  progress 
along  that  line.  He  is  also  well  known  in  fraternal  circles,  holding  membership 
with  the  Masons,  the  Odd  Fellows,  the  Rebekahs  and  the  Yeomen.  He  and  his 
wife  hold  membership  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  they  are  highly 
esteemed  socially,  enjoying  the  warm  regard  of  all  with  whom  they  have  been 
brought  in  eontact. 


E.  H.  HTJRLESS. 


E.  H.  Ilurless,  of  Thompson,  has  met  with  gratifying  success  as  a  dealer  in  har- 
ness and  shoes.  He  was  bom  in  Tama  county,  Iowa,  February  2,  1872,  a  son  of  6. 
W.  and  Jennie  (Mullinex)  Hurless,  natives  of  Ohio  and  of  New  York  state  respec- 
tively, who  in  1880  removed  to  Iowa,  where  the  father  engaged  in  farming  for 
many  years.  He  is  now  living  retired,  however,  at  Shellsburg,  Iowa,  but  the 
mother  died  in  1893  and  is  buried  at  Shellsburg. 

E.  H.  Hurless  attended  the  common  schools  of  Shellsburg  until  he  was  sixteen 
years  old  and  then  learned  the  harness  maker^s  trade,  which  he  followed  in  the 
employ  of  others  for  a  period.  In  1895,  however,  he  established  a  shop  of  his  own 
at  Thompson  and  in  1903  added  a  line  of  shoes.  He  has  built  up  a  large  trade  in 
both  lines  and  enjoys  an  enviable  reputation  for  reliability  and  fair  dealing. 

In  1895  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Hurless  ^imd  Miss  Enima  Leamer,  a 
(laughter  of  David  Leamer,  who  died  in  Vinton,  Iowa,  in  1916  and  is  fliere  buried. 
Three  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hurless:  Neeta  and  Helen,  aged 
respectively  fifteen  and  ten  years;  and  one  who  died  in  infancy.  On  the  27th  of 
October,  1915,  Mrs.  Hurless  passed  away  and  is  buried  in  Evergreen  cemetery  at 
Vinton. 

Mr.  Hurless  supports  the  republican  party  where  national  issues  are  at  stake 
but  at  local  elections  votes  independently.  For  eight  years  he  was  a  member  of 
the  town  council  and  for  seven  years  served  on  the  school  board,  thus  manifesting 
his  interest  in  educational  matters.  He  belongs  to  King  Lodge,  No.  592,  I.  0. 
0.  F.,  in  which  he  has  filled  all  the  chairs,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church.  Only  one  other  man  has  been  in  business  continuously  in 
Thompson  for  a  longer  period  than  he,  and  during  the  tweniy-two  years  that  he 


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266  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

has  been  connected  with  the  commercial  life  of  the  town  he  has  at  all  times  been 
found  ready  to  aid  in  movements  seeking  the  general  welfare.  He  has  made  all 
that  he  has  and  is  now  in  more  than  comfortable  circumstances  and  is  therefore 
entitled  to  the  honor  accorded  a  self-made  man. 


OTTO  BECKJORDEN. 


Otto  Beckjorden,  assistant  cashier  of  the  Winnebago  State  Bank,  with  which 
institution  he  has  been  connected  since  1909,  was  born  August  26,  1879,  in  the 
county  where  he  still  resides,  a  son  of  Halvor  and  Homelin  (Gjerde)  Beckjorden, 
natives  of  Norway.  The  father  located  in  Wisconsin  in  1871  and  the  mother  settled 
in  Dane  county,  that  stete,  in  1872.  Both  came  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  in  1876, 
and  their  marriage  occmrred  in  this  county  the  following  year.  The  father  was  a 
farmer  by  occupatitm  and  through  the  cultivation  of  the  soil  provided  for  the 
support  of  his  family  until  death  ended  his  labors.  His  widow  is  still  living  and 
makes  her  home  in  Forest  City.  They  were  the  parents  of  four  children,  those 
besides  our  subject  being:  Martin;  Henry;  and  Bessie,  who  married  Magnus 
Isaacson  of  Forest  City. 

Otto  Beckjorden  supplemented  his  public  school  education,  acquired  near  his 
father^s  farm,  by  six  months'  study  in  the  Albert  Lea  College  of  Minnesota  and  in 
Ellsworth  College  at  Iowa  Falls.  Through  vacation  periods  he  worked  in  the 
fields  and  as  a  young  man  continued  to  labor  on  the  home  farm  until  December, 
1906.  At  that  date  he  was  called  to  the  position  of  deputy  county  auditor  and 
served  for  two  years.  In  1909  he  entered  the  Winnebago  County  State  Bank,  the 
oldest  financial  institution  of  the  county,  and  after  three  years'  preliminary  service, 
in  which  he  was  constantly  gaining  knowledge  of  the  various  phases  of  the  banking 
business,  he  was  made  assistant  cashier  in  1912  and  has  now  filled  that  position  for 
five  years. 

In  1905  Mr.  Beckjorden  was  married  to  Miss  Emma  Colley,  of  this  county,  a 
daughter  of  J.  T.  Colley,  a  farmer,  and  they  now  have  two  children,  Harold  and 
Evelyn  May.  Mrs.  Beckjorden  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  while  Mr. 
Beckjorden  holds  membership  with  the  Brotherhood  of  American  Yeomen  and  the 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  His  political  allegiance  is  given  to  the  republican 
party  and  while  not  an  oflRce  seeker  he  is  now  serving  as  school  treasurer  of  the 
independent  school  district  of  Forest  City.  He  stands  for  all  that  is  progressive 
in  the  public  life  of  the  community  and  gives  stalwart  support  to  those  interests 
which  are  a  matter  of  civic  virtue  and  civic  pride. 


NILS  GORANSON. 


Nils  Goranson  whose  farm  on  section  6,  Linden  township,  is  one  of  the  best 
improved  places  in  Winnebago- county,  is  concentrating  his  efforts  upon  raising 
high  grade  stock  and  has  gained  a  position  of  leadership  in  that  line  of  activity. 
He  was  born  in  Sweden,  March  7,  1872,  of  the  marriage  of  Goran  and  Hannah 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  267 

(Larson)  Olson,  both  of  whom  spent  their  entire  lives  in  that  country.  He  attended 
the  common  schools  in  Sweden  and  was  for  one  term  a  student  in  a  school  in  Iowa 
after  his  emigration  to  the  United  States  in  1889.  He  landed  in  New  York  city 
on  the  26th  of  April  of  that  year.  He  did  not  remain  in  the  east,  however,  but 
went  to  Delaware  county,  Iowa,  where  a  brother  and  sister  were  living.  He  was 
then  seventeen  years  of  age  and  secured  work  as  a  farm  hand  in  that  county,  where 
he  remained  until  1896,  when  he  came  to  Winnebago  county.  For  one  year  he 
rented  land  here  and  then  bought  (me  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  his  present  farm 
on  section  6,  Linden  township,  to  which  five  years  later  he  added  the  quarter 
section  adjoining  on  the  west.  Therefore  his  farm  now  includes  the  north  half  of 
section  6,  Linden  township,  and  he  has  greatly  added  to  its  value  by  the  improve- 
ments which  he  has  placed  upon  it.  The  buildings  are  new  and  modem  in  every 
particular  and  as  he  raises  stock  extensively,  in  fact  feeding  all  the  grain  grown 
upon  the  farm,  the  fertility  of  the  soil  has  been  conserved.  He  breeds  Poland 
China  hogs  and  shorthorn  cattle  and  believes  firmly  that  it  is  the  best  policy  to 
raise  only  high  grade  stock.  Aside  from  his  farm  his  financial  interests  include 
stock  in  the  Farmers  Cooperative  Creamery  Company  of  Thompson  and  in  the 
Farmers  Elevator  Company  of  Thompson,  of  which  he  is  secretary. 

Mr.  Qoranson  was  married  in  Delaware  county,  Jowa,  February  20,  1895,  to 
Miss  Alice  Hunt.  Her  father,  James  Hunt,  was  bom  in  England  but  came  to 
the  United  States  when  a  boy  with  his  parents  and  became  one  of  the  prominent 
farmers  of  Delaware  county,  Iowa.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Goranson  have  been  born 
eleven  children,  of  whom  eight  sur\iive,  namely,  Henrietta  E.,  James  H.,  Nels 
Henry,  Evlon,  Alice  E.,  Darley  L.,  Phoebe  V.  and  Gladys  C. 

Mr.  Goranson  is  a  republican  in  his  political  views  but  has  confined  his  partici- 
pation in  public  affairs  to  the  exercise  of  his  right  of  franchise.  The  success  which 
be  has  gained  as  a  stock  raiser  is  due  in  part  to  the  fact  that  he  has  concentrated 
bis  energies  upon  that  business  and  to  the  careful  study  which  he  has  made  of  it  in 
its  various  phases.  He  has  prospered  financially  and  has  also  been  instrumental 
in  promoting  the  stock-raising  interests  of  his  township.  Personally  he  is  popular 
and  it  is  recognized  that  his  integrity  is  above  question. 


WIXXEBAGO  COUNTY  STATE  BANK. 

The  Winnebago  County  State  Bank  is  the  oldest  banking  institution  of  Forest 
City.  It  had  its  origin  in  a  real  estate,  loan  and  collection  business  established  in 
1868  by  Robert  Clark,  the  founder  of  Forest  City  and  the  first  county  judge  of 
Winnebago  county.  Its  business  was  taken  over  by  his  son-in-law,  J.  F.  Thompson, 
and  was  continued  as  a  private  banking  business  until  1896,  when  a  re-organization 
was  effected  under  the  name  of  the  Winnebago  County  State  Bank.  Business  had 
previously  been  carried  on  under  the  name  of  the  Winnebago  County  Bank  from 
the  latter  ^TOs  with  a  capital  stock  of  fifty  thousand  dollars.  The  partners  in  the 
undertaking  were  J.  Thompson,  J.  F.  Thompson,  William  Larrabce  and  E.  Hunt- 
ington. With  the  re-organization  of  the  bank  as  a  state  bank  Jasper  Thompson 
became  the  president,  J.  F.  Thompson  vice  president  and  B.  J.  Thompson  cashier, 
while  the  other  stockholders  and  directors  of  the  bank  were  William  Larrabee,  E. 


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268  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

Huntington,  I.  N.  Perry,  Josiah  Little,  F.  X.  Viiuglin,  T.  Jacobs  and  J.  M.  Clark. 
Articles  of  incorporation  were  filed  June  29,  1896,  and  the  bank,  capitalized  for 
fifty  thousand  dollars,  occupied  a  small  one  story  brick  building  on  the  site  of  its 
present  home.  In  1904  J.  F.  Thompson  was  elected  to  the  presidency,  Jasper 
Thompson  having  sold  out.  B.  J.  Thompson  resigned  as  cashier  and  in  that  year 
M.  M.  Thompson  was  chosen  assistant  cashier,  which  position  he  continued  to  fill 
until  March  29,  1911,  when  he  was  elected  cashier.  The  officers  of  the  bank  at 
this  writing  are:  J.  F.  Thompson,  president;  B.  J.  Thompson,  vice  president;  M. 
M.  Thompson,  cashier;  and  Otto  Beckjorden  assistant  cashier,  with  T.  Jacobs 
and-'Jiilia  A.  Thompson  also  as  directors.  In  1899  the  present  two  story  brick 
business  block  was  erected,  the  upper  floor  being  used  as  offices,  while  the  first  floor 
is  occupied  by  the  bank,  which  has  a  most  modern  equipment  and  is  fitted  up  in  a 
very  attractive  manner.  A  general  banking  business  is  conducted  and  the  bank 
from  the  beginning  has  maintained  a  safe,  conservative  pQlicy  that  fully  protects 
its  stockholders  and  yet  does  not  hamper  that  progressiveness  which  is  manifest  in  a 
growing  business. 


ALBERT  C.  ANDERSON. 

Since  reaching  man's  estate  Albert  C.  Anderson  has  been  identified  with  the 
agricultural  interests  of  Winnebago  county  and  is  now  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm 
on  section  16,  Norway  township,  where  he  was  born  on  the  27th  of  June,  1873.  His 
parents,  Chris  and  Susan  Anderson,  were  bom,  reared  and  married  in  Norway  and 
continued  to  reside  there  until  after  the  birth  of  two  of  their  children,  Andrew, 
now  a  resident  of  Hancock  county,  Iowa,  and  Peter.  It  was  in  1855  that  the  father 
brought  his  little  family  to  the  new  world  and  located  near  Stoughton,  Wisconsin, 
where  he  resided  for  five  years.  The  following  year  was  spent  in  Freeborn  county, 
Minnesota,  but  in  1861  he  came  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  and  purchased  the 
northeast  quarter  of  section  16,  Norway  township.  His  first  home  here  was  a 
dugout  and  later  he  built  a  log  house  which  is  still  standing  upon  the  place.  To 
the  development  and  cultivation  of  his  farm  he  devoted  his  energies  until  called 
from  this  life  on  the  16th  of  October,  1907.  His  wife  had  passed  away  on  the 
19th  of  the  previous  August,  and  both  were  laid  to  rest  in  the  Lime  Creek  ceme- 
tery. They  were  faithful  and  consistent  members  of  the  Synod  Lutheran  church 
and  Mr.  Anderson  was  a  republican  in  politics.  Seven  children  were  born  to  this 
worthy  couple  after  coming  to  this  country,  namely :  Sophia,  now  the  wife  of  Nels 
Larson,  of  Scarville,  Iowa;  John,  deceased;  Ole,  a  resident  of  Lake  Mills;  Susan, 
deceased;  Mary,  the  wife  of  Nels  Bakke,  of  Northfield,  Minnesota;  Lena,  the  wife 
of  Abe  Winden,  of  Minneapolis,  Minnesota;  and  A.  C,  of  this  review. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm,  Albert  C.  Anderson  is  indebted  to  the  distri<  t 
schools  of  the  neighborhood  for  the  educational  advantages  he  enjoyed  during  his 
youth.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  years  he  put  aside  his  textbooks  and  gave  his  father 
the  benefit  of  his  services  on  the  farm  until  his  marriage.  He  then  operated  the 
place  on  the  shares  until  the  death  of  his  parents  and  now  owns  the  farm  where  his 
entire  life  has  been  passed.  He  is  a  wide-awake  and  progressive  farmer  and  has 
made  his  place  one  of  the  most  attractive  farms  in  the  locality. 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  269 

Mr.  Anderson  was  married  at  the  age  of  twenty-four  years,  on  the  28th  of 
August,  1897,  to  Miss  Bandy  Tangen,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  Tangeu,  of 
Brooten,  Minnesota,  and  to  this  union  six  children  have  been  born  as  follows: 
Christopher,  Madeline,  Jemima,  Ingeborg,  Alvina  and  Leroy,  all  at  home. 

The  republican  party  finds  in  Mr.  Anderson  a  stanch  supporter  of  its  principles 
and  he  has  always  taken  a  deep  and  commendable  interest  in  public  affairs.  He 
has  been  especially  interested  in  education  and  efficiently  served  as  school  director 
for  a  number  of  years.  He  is  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  his  community  and 
wherever  4cnown  is  held  in  high  esteem. 


ADELBERT  W.  STBEETER. 

Adelbert  W.  Streeter,  a  well  known  retired  farmer  and  business  man  living  in 
Lake  Mills,  was  bqrn  in  a  log  house  near  Cedar  Falls,  Iowa,  on  the  17th  of  June, 
1856,  and  is  a  son  of  Edward  P.  and  Elizabeth  (Dobson)  Streeter,  pioneer  settlers 
of  that  locality,  having  located  there  in  1852.  The  father  engaged  in  farming  for 
a  long  period  but  is  now  living  retired  in  Cedar  Falls.  He  and  his  wife  are  both 
enjoying  good  health  at  the  advanced  ages  of  eighty-four  and  eighty  years  respec- 
tively, and  on  the  5th  of  September,  1916,  celebrated  the  sixty-first  anniversary  of 
their  marriage.  To  them  were  born  eight  children,  of  whom  six  survive.  Our 
subject  and  his  brother,  Thomas  W.,  are  residents  of  Winnebago  county.  Another 
brother,  Fred  H.,  lives  in  Aberdeen,  South  Dakota.  A  sister,  Mrs.  B.  F.  Smith, 
makes  her  home  in  Chelan,  Washington;  Mrs.  W.  W.  Goodykoontz  lives  in  Boone, 
Iowa,  and  Mrs.  J.  G.  Packard  resides  in  Cedar  Falls. 

Adelbert  W.  Streeter  attended  the  district  schools  until  he  was  fifteen  years 
old,  when  the  family  removed  to  Cedar  Falls,  where  he  completed  a  high  school 
course.  When  twenty-one  years  of  age  he  began  operating  the  home  farm  on  his 
own  account  and  continued  there  for  four  years.  He  came  to  Winnebago  county 
in  1884  and  after  renting  a  farm  in  Bristol  township  for  two  years  bought  three 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  there,  which  he  cultivated  until  1898,  and  which  he 
still  owns  and  rents.  He  then  took  up  his  residence  in  Lake  Mills,  where  he  pur- 
chased a  livery  barn  and  for  fifteen  years  devoted  his  time  and  attention  to  the 
conduct  of  that  business.  He  proved  very  successful  in  that  connection,  as  he  had 
in  his  agricultural  work,  and  in  1913,  feeling  that  his  financial  circumstances  war- 
ranted his  enjoying  a  period  of  leisure,  he  disposed  of  his  livery  business  and 
retired. 

In  1878  Mr.  Streeter  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Emma  Saul,  of  Cedar  Falls, 
who  passed  away  March  27, 1881,  and  was  buried  at  Cedar  Falls.  She  was  the  mother 
of  a  son,  Clark  H.,  now  city  engineer  of  Cedar  Falls.  On  the  28th  of  February,  1884, 
Mr.  Streeter  wedded  Miss  Nettie  Lane,  of  Cedar  Falls,  by  whom  he  had  two  chil- 
dren;  Jennie,  now  the  wife  of  H.  M.  Wescott,  of  Winnebago,  Minnesota;  and 
Clifford  W.,  a  banker  living  at  Baldwin,  North  Dakota.  Mrs.  Streeter  died  Sep- 
tember 20,  1911,  and  was  buried  in  the  North  cemetery  at  Lake  Mills.  On  the  7th 
of  October,  1913,  Mr.  Streeter  was  again  married,  Mrs.  June  Thomas,  of  Lake 
Mills,  becoming  his  wife.  She  was  the  widow  of  Charles  D.  Thomas,  a  son  of 
George  and  Hattie  Thomas,  early  settlers  of  Winnebago  county.     He  engaged  in 


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270  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

farming  on  quite  an  extensive  scale  in  Center  township  and  in  addition  to  growing 
the  usual  crops  of  grain  gave  much  attention  to  raising  full  blooded  stock.  He 
passed  away  on  the  4th  of  March,  1905,  and  was  buried  in  the  South  cemetery  at 
Jjake  Mills.  He  was  married  June  29,  1887,  to  Miss  June  Burdick,  who  was  bom 
in  Worth  county,  Iowa,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Alfred  and  Sarah  (Platts)  Burdick, 
early  settlers  of  Winnebago  county.  Her  father  died  September  5,  1904,  and  her 
mother  passed  away  January  17,  1914.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomas  were  born  the 
following  children :  George,  who  is  farming  in  Center  township ;  Mayme,  the  wife 
of  Olaf  Anderson,  of  Madison,  Wisconsin;  Rush,  a  civil  engineer  in  the  employ  of 
the  Illinois  state  highway  commission;  Bessie,  now  the  wife  of  Arthur  Kobberbig, 
who  is  farming  in  Bristol  township ;  Frank,  who  is  attending  college  in  Minneapolis ; 
and  Nellie  and  Clara,  high  school  students.  Following  the  death  of  her  husband 
Mrs.  Thomas  removed  to  Lake  Mills^  and,  as  previously  stated,  in  1913  became  the 
wife  of  Adelbert  W.  Streeter.  She  holds  title  to  four  hundred  and  twenty  acres 
of  fine  land  in  Center  township. 

Mr.  Streeter  is  a  republican  and  for  ten  years  served  as  a  member  of  the  town 
council,  during  which  time  he  constantly  favored  measures  calculated  to  promote 
the  general  welfare.  His  well  spent  life  has  gained  him  a  high  place  in  the  regard 
of  his  fellow  citizens  and  liis  personal  friends  are  many.  He  owns  a  fine  residence 
and  is  numbered  among  the  substantial  citizens  of  Lake  Mills. 


BENJAMIN  F.  BARTHELI^. 

Benjamin  F.  Barthell,  who  follows  general  farming  on  section  9,  Forest  town- 
ship, Winnebago  county,  was  born  in  Allamakee  county,  Iowa,  May  2,  1880,  and  is 
a  son  of  John  M.  and  Martha  M.  (Page)  Barthell,  the  former  a  native  of  Germany 
and  the  latter  of  Quebec,  Canada.  The  father  came  to  the  United  States  in  his 
boyhood  days  and  located  in  New  York,  where  he  remained  for  three  years.  In  the 
fall  of  1851  he  removed  westward  to  Iowa  and  took  up  his  abode  in  Winneshiek 
county.  He  continued  his  residence  in  this  state  until  called  to  his  final  rest  in 
1903,  and  his  widow  is  still  living  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight  years,  at  Waukon, 
Iowa. 

Benjamin  F.  Barthell,  was  one  of  a  family  of  twelve  children,  eight  of  whom 
are  now  living.  Spending  his  youthful  days  in  his  native  county,  he  there  pursued 
his  education  in  the  public  schools,  eventually  becoming  a  high  school  pupil. 
Through  vacation  periods  he  assisted  in  the  work  of  the  home  farm  or  aided  his 
father  in  whatever  line  of  work  demanded  his  attention.  On  attaining  his  majority 
ne  turned  his  attention  to  the  hardware  business  at  Waukon,  Iowa,  where  he  con- 
ducted a  store  for  three  years  and  then  sold  out.  In  1902  he  purchased  the  farm 
on  which  he  now  resides  on  section  9,  Forest  township,  Winnebago  county,  compris- 
ing three  hundred  acres  of  rich  and  valuable  land  which  he  has  brought  to  a  high 
state  of  cultivation,  adding  many  modern  improvements  and  equipping  the  farm 
according  to  tlie  requirements  of  a  model  farm  property  of  the  twentieth  century. 
He  makes  a  specialty  of  raising  and  feeding  stock  and  he  has  a  fine  herd  of  Angus 
cattle  upon  his  place.  He  believes  in  keeping  high  grade  stock,  having  demon- 
strated the  value  of  this  course,  and  his  live  stock  interests  constitute  an  important 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  271 

and  profitable  feature  of  his  business.     He  is  also  a  stockholder  of  the  Farmers 
Elevator. 

On  the  6th  of  October,  1914,  Mr.  Barthell  was  married  to  Miss  Caroline  Frevert, 
a  native  of  Eice  county,  Minnesota,  and  a  daughter  of  Fred  and  Catharyn 
(Beckley)  Frevert,  who  were  born  respectively  in  Germany  and  in  Indiana  and 
who  removed  to  Sac  county,  Iowa,  about  1872.  The  father  was  a  soldier  in  the 
Civil  war  and  is  deceased  but  the  mother  is  living  and  resides  in  Charles  City, 
Iowa.  In  his  political  views  Mr.  Barthell  is  a  republican  and  in  fraternal  circles 
is  well  known,  holding  membership  with  the  Masons,  having  taken  all  of  the 
degrees  up  to  and  including  the  thirty-second.  He  is  likewise  connected  with  the 
Knights  of  Pythias.  He  has  made  for  himself  a  most  creditable  position  as  one  of 
the  leading  farmers  of  his  township  and  his  ability  in  business  is  widely  recognized. 
He  has  ever  displayed  unfaltering  enterprise  and  sound  judgment  and  has  carried 
forward  to  successful  completion  whatever  he  has  undertaken. 


JAMES  ELLICKSON. 


James  EUickson,  deceased,  was  one  of  Winnebago  county's  honored  pioneers 
and  highly  esteemed  citizens,  who  took  a  very  active  and  prominent  part  in  public 
affairs.  He  was  born  in  Waushara  county,  Wisconsin,  on  the  4th  of  September, 
1859,  and  was  a  son  of  John  and  Cheste  EUickson,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came 
to  America  and  located  in  Wisconsin.  There  the  faiher  engaged  in  farming 
throughout  his  active  business  life  and  passed  away  in  March,  1911.  The  mother 
is  still  living. 

In  the  state  of  his  nativity  James  EUickson  grew  to  manhood,  receiving  the 
usual  educational  advantages  of  the  country  boy.  While  living  at  home  he  worked 
in  the  pineries  of  Wisconsin  for  some  years  and  was  also  employed  as  a  farm  hand 
in  Minnesota  for  a  time.  On  the  22d  of  May,  1881,  he  arrived  in  Winnebago 
county,  Iowa,  and  purchased  land  two  and  a  half  miles  from  Thompson.  At  that 
time  there  were  only  three  other  settlers  in  King  township  and  none  in  Buffalo 
township.  To  the  development  and  improvement  of  his  land  Mr.  EUickson  at 
once  turned  his  attention  and  he  continued  to  engage  in  farming  with  good  success 
until  1892,  when  he  rented  his  land  and  removed  to  Thompson,  becoming  manager 
of  the  Northern  Lumber  Company  at  that  place.  He  continued  with  that  corpora- 
tion for  eighteen  years  and  at  the  same  time  engaged  in  the  grain  business  with  his 
brother  John,  later  selling  out  to  the  Farmers  Cooperative  Company.*  He  was 
also  interested  in  the  agricultural  implement  business  for  some  time  and  for  twenty 
years  was  a  director  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Thompson,  serving  as  its  vice 
president  much  of  that  time. 

On  the  25th  of  November,  1886,  Mr.  EUickson  married  Miss  Katie  A.  Larson,  a 
daughter  of  Christian  and  Ellen  (Madson)  Larson,  who  were  born  in  Norway  and 
were  also  pioneers  of  Winnebago  county.  Her  father  is  still  living  and  is  now  vice 
president  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Thompson,  but  her  mother  passed  away 
on  the  10th  of  September,  1916.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  EUickson  were  bom  the  follow- 
ing children:  Cora  J.,  now  a  teacher  in  the  Thompson  schools;  Clara  E.,  the  wife 
of  Walter  Halverson;  Edith  TJ.,  a  clerk  in  the  Thompson  postoffice;  James  K.  and 


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272  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

Marion  A.,  both  attending  school;  and   Edwin  W.,   Clarence,   Edna,  Emil  and 
Arthur,  all  of  whom  died  in  infancy. 

In  1906  Mr.  Ellickson  was  appointed  postmaster  of  Thompson,  and  continued 
to  fill  that  office  until  his  death,  which  occurred  February  12,  1916,  after  a  short 
illness.  The  republican  party  always  found  in  him  a  stanch  supporter  of  its 
principles  and  he  was  honored  with  several  important  oflBcial  positions.  In  1887  he 
was  elected  a  member  of  the  board  of  county  supervisors  and  served  as  such  for  a 
number  of  years.  He  was  also  a  school  director  for  seventeen  years  and  was  the 
first  mayor  of  Thompson.  In  1891  he  was- elected  to  the  state  legislature  and  so 
acceptably  did  he  fill  that  position  that  he  was  reelected  in  1893,  being  a  member 
of  the  house  for. two  terms.  Mr.  Ellickson  never  allowed  his  other  interests  to 
interfere  with  his  religious  duties  but  always  took  an  active  and  prominent  part  in 
church  work  as  a  member  of  the  United  Lutheran  denomination.  It  was  largely 
through  his  efforts  that  the  church  was  established  at  Thompson  and  he  served  as 
superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school  for  eleven  years.  Mr.  Ellickson  was  also  one 
of  the  promoters  of  Waldorf  College  at  Forest  City  and  was  a  member  of  its  board 
of  directors  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  a  man  of  exceptional  business 
ability,  farsighted  and  energetic  and  usually  carried  forward  to  successful  com- 
pletion whatever  he  undertook.  No  confidence  reposed  in  him  was  ever  misplaced 
and  in  his  death  the  community  realized  that  it  had  lost  a  valuable  and  public- 
spirited  citizen. 


JOHN  H.  MORTENSON. 

Among  those  who  in  former  years  were  actively  identified  with  the  business 
development  and  progress  of  Hancock  county  was  numbered  John  H.  Mortenson, 
now  deceased.  He  resided  on  section  30,  Crystal  township,  where  he  followed 
general  farming.  He  was  born  in  Denmark,  December  8,  1866,  a  son  of  Chris- 
tian and  Maren  (Peterson)  Mortenson,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  that  country, 
whence  they  came  to  the  new  world  in  1870.  They  first  took  up  their  abode  in 
Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  where  their  remaining  days  were  passed.  There  they 
reared  their  family  of  nine  children,  four  of  whom  are  yet  living. 

John  H.  Mortenson  was  a  small  child  when  brought  to  the  United  States, 
so  that  his  youthful  days  were  passed  in  Iowa  amid  the  experiences  and  environ- 
ment of  farm  life.  He  early  learned  much  concerning  the  work  of  the  fields 
and  he  always  followed  general  agricultural  pursuits.  In  1891  he  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Anna  Paulson,  who  was  bom  in  Denmark,  a  daughter  of  Jens 
and  Christina  (Smith)  Paulson,  who  in  1871  came  to  the  United  States,  estab- 
lishing their  home  upon  a  farm  in  Winnebago  county,  Iowa.  Later,  however, 
they  returned  to  Denmark,  where  they  spent  their  remaining  days.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Mortenson  became  the  parents  of  four  children:  Emily  J.,  the  wife  of  Edmond 
Sorenson;  Jens  C;  Ethel  C,  now  attending  the  high  school  at  Britt;  and 
Stella  H. 

It  was  after  his  marriage  that  Mr.  Mortenson  purchased  the  farm  upon  which 
his  widow  now  resides;  becoming  the  owner  of  the  property  in  1892.  He  after- 
ward purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  Linden  township,  Winne- 


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JOHN    H.   MORTENSON 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  275 

bago  county,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  the  owner  of  four  hundred  acres  of 
rich  and  productive  land  in  northern  Iowa. 

Me6.  Mortenson  attends  the  Lutheran  church,  where  Mr.  Mortenson  also  wor- 
shiped. In  1897  he  became  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  lodge  at  Thompson 
and  was  a  member  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He  passed  away  on  the  19th  of 
January,  1917,  at  the  age  of  fifty  years,  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  Crystal  Lake 
cemetery.  His  had  been  an  active  and  useful  life  and  diligence  and  enterprise 
had  brought  to  him  the  measure  of  success  which  he  enjoyed.  He  left  a  good 
farm  to  his  widow,  who  still  conducts  the  place  and  is  showing  good  business 
ability  in  its  management. 


HELMER  C.  MYRE. 


Helmer  C.  My  re  is  busily  engaged  in  the  cultivation  of  a  farm  of  eighty-two 
acres  on  section  4,  Linden  township.  His  entire  life  has  been  passed  within  the 
borders  of  Winnebago  county,  which  claims  him  as  a  native  son.  He  was  born 
January  2,  1891,  and  is  a  son  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  C.  C.  Myre,  who  are  represented 
elsewhere  in  this  work.  His  youthful  experiences  were  those  of  most  boys  who 
are  reared  upon  farms.  He  began  his  education  in  the  common  schools  and 
eventually  became  a  high  school  pupil  in  Forest  City.  He  remained  at  home  until 
he  attained  his  majority  and  at  the  same  time  he  became  widely  known  throughout 
the  district  for  feats  of  strength  and  skill  in  athletics.  He  is  today  the  light 
heavyweight  champion  wrestler  of  Iowa  and  frequently  engages  in  bouts.  He  now 
cultivates  two  hundred  acres  of  land,  which  he  has  brought  to  a  high  state  of  devel- 
opment, producing  the  various  crops  best  adapted  to  soil  and  climate  here.  He 
is  also  raising  and  feeding  stock  and  his  farm  work  is  wisely,  carefully  and  profit- 
bly  managed. 

In  1913  Mr.  Myre  was  married  to  Miss  Ethel  Trail,  who  was  born  in  Mount 
Carroll,  Carroll  county,  Illinois,  a  daughter  of  Charles  and  Sarah  (Klitz)  Trail. 
Her  father  is  now  deceased,  while  the  mother  makes  her  home  in  Winnebago 
county,  Iowa.  Mr  and  Mrs.  Myre  have  one  son,  Herman  Theodore,  who  was  born 
February  21,  1916.  The  parents  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  Mr. 
Myre  votes  with  the  republican  party.  He  is  a  young  man,  representing  the  spirit 
of  modern-day  enterprise  and  development  in  farm  work,  and  his  labors  are  ren- 
dering his  land  more  and  more  productive. 


L.  E.  PETERSON. 


L.  E.  Peterson,  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business  in  Forest  City,  was  born  in 
Dodge  county,  Minnesota,  September  15,  1870,  a  son  of  Ellef  and  Engeborg  Peter- 
son, both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Norway.  Coming  to  the  United  States  in  1849, 
they  located  in  Wisconsin  and  in  1856  removed  to  Minnesota,  where  the  father 
followed  the  occupation  of  farming,  purchasing  school  land.  He  lived 
there  amid  pioneer  conditions  and  continued  his  residence  in  that  state 
for  eighteen  years,  or  until  1874,  when  he  came  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa.     Soon 


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276  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

afterward  he  purchased  a  farm  in  Center  township  and  thereon  lived  until  called 
to  his  final  rest  on  the  13th  of  August,  1902.  For  a  brief  period  he  had  survived 
his  wife,  who  passed  away  in  t900.  For  almost  thirty  years  Mr.  Peterson  had  been 
an  active  farmer  of  this  county  and  was  widely  known  by  reason  of  his  enterprise 
and  progressiveness  in  agricultural  affairs. 

L.  E.  Peterson  was  a  lad  of  but  four  summers  when  brought  to  Winnebago 
county  and  at  the  usual  age  he  became  a  public  school  pupil.  When  he  had 
mastered  the  elementary  branches  of  learning  he  entered  the  Decorah  (la.)  Insti- 
tute, from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1893.  He  then  turned  his  attention  to 
carpentering  and  contracting,  following  that  business  for  two  years,  after  which 
he  resumed  farming,  in  which  he  engaged  until  1906.  Removing  to  Oregon,  he 
conducted  a  real  estate  business  on  the  Pacific  coast  until  1911,  when  he  returned 
to  Forest  City,  but  after  six  months  he  again  took  up  the  occupation  of  farming, 
to  which  he  devoted  the  following  year.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  once 
more  returned  to  Forest  City  and  for  a  year  was  connected  with  the  Olson  Land 
Company.  In  1914  he  embarked  in  business  on  his  own  account  under  the  name 
of  the  L.  E.  Peterson  Land  Company  for  buying  and  selling  property.  He  handles 
land  in  Minnesota,  in  the  Dakotas  and  in  Iowa,  making  a  specialty  of  farm  property 
but  also  handling  a  large  amount  of  city  realty.  He  not  only  buys  and  sells  but 
also  builds  houses  for  sale  and  his  speculative  building  has  contributed  much  to  his 
success.  He  likewise  owns  the  L.  E.  Peterson  Mercantile  Business,  a  general  store, 
and  he  is  the  owner  of  ijie  old  homestead  farm  and  also  of  a  place  just  across  the 
road,  making  two  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  all.  His  farm  property  is  leased 
and  brings  to  him  a  substantial  annual  income. 

On  the  12th  of  June,  1900,  Mr.  Peterson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Emma 
Haugland,  of  Center  township,  Winnebago  county,  a  daughter  of  R.  0.  and  Sarah 
Haugland,  who  were  early  farming  people  of  that  community.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Peterson  have  four  children,  Selma  Elvira,  Reuben  Ervin,  Luella  Annette  and 
Margaret  Antonia. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Peterson  is  a  republican,  while  in  religious  faith  he 
and  his  wife  are  connected  with  the  United  Lutheran  church.  With  the  exception 
of  a  brief  period  spent  in  the  Pacific  northwest  he  has  continuously  resided  in  Iowa 
from  the  age  of  four  years  and  is  widely  known  in  Winnebago  county,  where  his 
sterling  worth  and  business  enterprise  have  gained  him  high  position  and  favorable 
regard. 


JOHN  DANIEL  KUNS. 


John  Daniel  Kuns  is  now  living  retired  in  Forest  City  but  was  long  actively 
identified  with  farming  and  stock  raising  interests  and  is  still  the  owner  of  valuable 
farm  property  in  Winnebago  county.  He  was  born  near  Pierceville,  Indiana, 
August  22,  1850,  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Jemima  (Hoobler)  Kuns,  who  were  natives 
of  Pennsylvania,  whence  they  removed  to  Indiana  and  there  remained  for  three 
years.  They  afterward  became  residents  of  Livingston  county,  Illinois,  where  the 
father  passed  away.  The  mother  still  resides  there  at  the  very  advanced  age  of 
ninety-three  years.     In  their  family  were  eight  children,  four  of  whom  survive. 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  277 

John  Daniel  Kuns  was  reared  and  educated  in  Livingston  county,  Illinois,  his 
early  expeiiences  being  those  of  the  farm  bred  boy  who  divides  his  time  between 
the  duties  of  the  schoolroom,  the  pleasures  of  the  playground  and  the  work  of  the 
fields.  After  reaching  man's  estate  he  began  farming  on  his  own  account  in 
Illinois  and  in  1889  he  removed  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  where  he  purchased 
a  farm,  residing  thereon  until  1906.  In  that  year  he  retired  from  active  business 
life  and  removed  to  Forest  City.  In  the  meantime  he  had  brought  his  fields  to  a 
high  state  of  cultivation  and  had  added  many  modern  improvements  to  his  place, 
converting  it  into  one  of  the  valuable  farm  properties  of  the  district.  He  was 
practical  and  progressive  in  all  that  he  did  and  as  the  result  of  his  untiring 
industry  and  sound  judgment  he  annually  gathered  good  harvests.  He  is  still 
the  owner  of  six  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land  in  this  county,  all  of  which  is 
improved.  While  upon  the  farm  he  also  fed  stock  of  various  kinds  and  this  branch 
of  his  business  contributed  much  to  his  income. 

On  September  2,  1871,  Mr.  Kuns  was  married  to  Miss  Phoebe  M.  Brooker,  who 
was  bom  in  La  Salle  county,  Illinois,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Lucinda  (Wilber) 
Brooker,  the  former  a  native  of  England,  while  the  latter  was  born  in  Ohio.  They 
were  married  in  the  Buckeye  state  and  thence  removed  to  Illinois,  while  in  1887 
they  became  residents  of  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  where  their  remaining  days 
were  passed,  the  father  dying  September  9,  1891,  and  the  mother  January  7,  1917. 
In  their  family  were  ten  children,  nine  of  whom  are  yet  living.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Kuns  were  born  ten  children:  Delia  May,  who  became  the  wife  of  John 
Conner  and  died  in  1903 ;  Bertha  L.,  the  wife  of  R.  V.  Hotchkiss,  living  in  Fair- 
mont, Minnesota ;  Mabel  F.,  the  wife  of  Raymond  McBride,  of  Mount  Valley,  Iowa ; 
Erastus  E.,  a  resident  of  Montana ;  Ammond  R.,  who  married  Esther  Witter  and  is 
living  in  Hancock  county ;  Grace  Belle,  who  is  the  wife  of  Earl  Patten,  and  is  living 
in  Rowan,  Iowa;  Edward  A.,  who  married  Flora  Studer  of  Luveme,  Iowa;  Lula 
Pearl,  the  wife  of  Henry  Nelson,  of  Forest  City;  John  J.,  who  married  Gladys 
Walsh  and  lives  at  Clear  Lake,  Iowa ;  and  George  Dewey,  at  home. 

The  family  attend  the  Baptist  church  and  they  are  numbered  among  the  valued 
and  respected  citizens  of  this  part  of  tlie  state.  In  politics  Mr.  Kuns  has  long 
has  long  been  a  stalwart  republican  and  he  has  served  for  several  years  as  school 
director  and  as  justice  of  the  peace.  He  owes  his  success  to  his  own  efforts  and 
the  assistance  of  his  estimable  wife.  Through  their  labors  they  have  won  a  hand- 
some fortune  and  are  now  reaping  the  benefits  of  their  former  toil.  Moreover, 
their  success  has  been  so  honorably  won  and  so  worthily  used  that  the  most  envious 
could  not  grudge  them  their  prosperity. 


MELVIX  JOHNSON. 


Melvin  Johnson  was  born  on  the  farm  on  section  14,  Ellington  township,  Han- 
cock county,  on  which  he  now  resides,  the  date  of  his  birth  being  November  18, 
1888.  His  father,  Charles  Johnson,  is  a  native  of  Norway  and  on  attaining  his 
majority  severed  the-4iee-wbieh  bound  him  to  that  land  and  crossed  the  Atlantic  io 
America,  becoming  a  resident  of  Clayton  county,  Iowa.  In  the  '80s  he  removed 
to  Hancock  county  and  purchased  a  farm  on  section  14,  Ellington  township,  which 


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278  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

is  now  the  old  family  homestead.  Year  after  year  lie  carefully  and  persistently 
tilled  the  soil  and  harvested  golden  crops,  thus  winning  the  success  that  pow  enables 
him  to  live  retired.  He  continued  to  cultivate  his  land  until  1909,  when  he  put 
aside  business  cares  and  now  makes  his  home  in  Miller.  He  married  Xettie 
Halverson,  who  passed  away  in  1910. 

Melvin  Johnson  was'one  of  a  family  of  six  children  and  his  youthful  days  were 
spent  upon  the  old  home  farm  where  he  still  resides  and  which  is  therefore  endeared 
to  him  through  the  associations  of  his  boyhood  as  well  as  of  his  manhood.  After 
attaining  adult  age  he  rented  the  old  home  place,  which  he  as  since  cultivated.  His 
public  school  education  was  supplemented  by  two  terms  of  college  training,  which 
qualified  him  for  life's  practical  and  responsible  duties.  His  life  has  been  charac- 
terized by  diligence  and  determination  and  as  the  years  have  gone  on  success  has 
attended  his  efforts  in  the  cultivation  and  improvement  of  the  home  farm. 

In  1912  Mr.  Johnson  was  married  to  Miss  Marvea  Xelson,  a  native  of  Forest 
City,  Iowa,  and  a  daughter  of  Andrew  and  Betsy  (Erickson)  Nelson,  wha  were  born 
in  Sweden  but  in  childhood  came  to  the  new  world.  They  are  now  residents  of 
Ellington  township,  Hancock  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson  have  one  son,  Arlo 
C,  who  was  born  May  7,  1914.  The  parents  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church, 
while  in  political  faith  Mr.  Johnson  is  a  republican.  He  is  well  known,  being  a 
lifelong  resident  of  his  community,  and  his  record  is  as  an  open  book  which  all  may 
read. 


HOMER  A.   BROWN. 


Homer  A.  Brown,  a  well  known  attorney  of  Forest  City,  was  born  in  VVestfield, 
Vermont,  February  5,  1867,  a  son  of  Thomas  0.  and  Ellen  R.  Brown,  who  in 
the  year  1870  left  Xew  England  and  removed  westward  to  Mitchell  county,  Iowa, 
where  the  father  followed  the  occupation  of  farming. 

In  attendance  at  the  public  schools  Homer  A.  Brown  mastered  the  elementary 
branches  of  learning  and  then  in  preparation  for  a  professional  career  matriculated 
in  the  State  University,  being  graduated  from  the  law  department  with  the  class  of 
1890.  The  same  year  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  and  located  for  practice  at 
Riceville,  Iowa,  where  he  remained  for  two  years.  In  1893  he  came  to  Forest 
City,  where  he  opened  an  office  and  has  since  followed  his  profession,  doing  excellent 
work  at  the  bar  as  an  able  lawyer  who  possesses  a  comprehensive  knowledge  of  the 
principles  of  jurisprudence  and  is  accurate  in  applying  these  principles  to  the 
points  in  litigation.  He  prepares  his  cases  with  great  thoroughness  and  care,  is 
sound  in  his  reasoning  and  logical  in  his  deductions. 

In  1897  Mr.  Brown  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Maida  Clark,  of  Rockford, 
Illinois,  a  daughter  of  H.  G.  and  Mary  Clark.  Their  children  are  Phyllis,  Mar- 
jorie.  Ellith  and  Roger,  all  at  home. 

Mr.  Brown  is  a  well  known  Mason,  belonging  to  the  lodge  at  Forest  City  and 
the  chapter  at  Garner.  He  is  a  past  master  of  Truth  Lodge,  No.  213,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. 
His  political  allegiance  was  given  to  the  republican  party  until  1912,  when  he 
joined  the  progressive  party,  and  in  1916  was  the  candidate  on  its  ticket  for  the 
office  of  attorney  general  of  the  state.     He  has  been  city  attorney  for  the  past  nine 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  279 

years  and  has  made  a  moat  creditable  record  in  that  position.  He  has  also  served 
as  a  member  of  the  school  board  and  the  cause  of  education  has  found  in  him  a 
stalwart  champion.  He  and  his  family  attend  the  Congregational  and  Methodist 
churches  and  their  influence  is  always  on  the  side  of  those  forces  of  righteousness 
and  civic  betterment  which  work  for  the  upbuilding  of  the  community. 


SAMUEL   K.    TUBNER. 

There  is  probably  no  resident  of  Lake  Mills  with  a  wider  or  more  favorable 
acquaintance  throughout  the  county  than  Samuel  K.  Turner.  He  has  made  his 
home  in  the  town  for  many  years  but  has  continued  to  engage 'in  farming  and  has 
met  with  gratifying  success  in  that  connection.  Moreover,  for  more  than  three 
decades  he  has  been  either  deputy  sheriff  or  constable.  He  was  bom  March  10, 
1856,  in  Fennimore,  Grant  county,  Wisconsin,  and  is  a  son  of  James  and  Harriett 
(Brown)  Turner.  The  former  was  bom  in  Lancashire,  England,  and  the  latter 
in  Belgium  but  when  a  child  was  taken  by  her  parents  to  Virginia.  In  early 
manhood  the  father  emigrated  to  the  United  States  and  located  in  Lancaster, 
Wisconsin,  where  he  farmed  until  the  discovery  of  gold  in  California.  In  1849 
he  made  the  long  journey  to  the  Pacific  coast  and  was  more  successful  there  than 
the  average  miner  as  at  the  end  of  three  years  he  returned  to  Wisconsin  a  wealthy 
man.  He  took  up  his  residence  in  Fennimore  and  became  the  owner  of  three 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  valuable  land  in  that  locality,  engaging  in  raising 
grain  and  stock  until  he  enlisted  as  second  lieutenant  of  a  Wisconsin  Infantry 
Company  for  service  in  the  Civil  war.  He  was  at  the  front  for  a  year  and  a 
half,  or  until  the  close  of  hostilities,  and  when  honorably  discharged  held  the  rank 
of  captain.  When  peace  had  been  restored  he  returned  to  Wisconsin  and  continued 
to  reside  there  during  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  died  in  1870,  when  sixty- 
three  years  of  age,  from  the  effects  of  a  wound  received  in  battle.  He  was  one 
of  the  foremost  citizens  of  his  section  of  the  state  and  for  a  term  filled  the  impor- 
tant position  of  state  treasurer.  He  was  a  brother  of  the  well  known  General 
Turner,  who  was  killed  in  battle  at  the  beginning  of  the  Boer  war.  The  mother 
of  our  subject  survived  until  1890,  passing  away  at  the  advanced  age  of  seventy- 
seven  years. 

Samuel  K.  Turner  was  reared  upon  the  homestead  and  in  the  acquirement 
of  his  education  attended  the  public  schools.  When  he  reached  mature  years  he 
took  charge  of  the  operation  of  the  home  place  and  also  bought  and  sold  horses, 
Fo  continuing  until  1876.  In  that  year  he  came  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  and 
the  following  year,  in  partnership  with  his  brother,  purchased  a  half  section  of 
land  which  is  now  worth  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  an  acre  but  which  they 
bought  for  four  and  a  half  dollars  an  acre.  They  never  operated  that  place  and 
in  fact  sold  it  after  a  few  years.  Mr.  Turner  of  this  review  removed  to  Lake 
Mills  and  for  three  years  engaged  in  the  livery  business,  and  at  the  same  time 
Fcrved  as  deputy  sheriff  under  J.  H.  Twito  and  M.  C.  Wheeler.  He  retained  that 
office  for  eleven  years.  Since  the  end  of  his  connection  with  the  sheriff's  oflSce, 
or  for  twenty-three  years,  he  has  been  constable,  and  has  made  a  splendid  record. 
While  still  living  in  Wisconsin  he  was  deputy  sheriff  for  five  years  and  the  number 


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280  WIN^fEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

of  times  he  has  been  called  to  oflBce  testifies  to  the  high  esteem  in  which  he  has 
always  been  held  by  his  fellow  citizens.  In  1893  he  bought  a  quarter  section  of 
land  in* Logan  township  and  although  continuing  to  reside  in  Lake  Mills  he  has 
farmed  that  place  himself  save  for  three  years  when  he  rented  it  to  others.  He 
understands  thoroughly  the  various  phases  of  agricultural  work,  is  industrious 
and  progressive,  and  his  annual  income  ranks  him  among  the  substantial  men 
of  his  county.  He  is  also  a  stock  holder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  and 
the  Mutual  Telephone  Company  and  for  thirty-five  years  he  has  engaged  in  auction- 
eering, during  which  time  he  has  cried  many  sales  occurring  in  the  county.  Although 
the  activities  enumerated  are  seemingly  sufficient  to  require  all  of  his  time  and 
energy  he  also  practiced  as  a  veterinarian  from  the  age  of  fifteen  years  until  two 
years  ago,  retiring  from  that  work  in  1915. 

Mr.  Turner  was  married  September  24,  1884,  to  Miss  Minnie  Witchenthal, 
and  to  them  were  born  five  children,  Ethel  H.,  who  married  Earl  Harkness*;  Lulu 
B.,  who  married  Gus  Gisinger,  Beulah  F.,  who  married  Dr.  L.  R.  Turner,  of 
Renwick,  Iowa;  Lyle  K.,  who  enlisted  at  the  age  of  seventeen  years  in  Troop  M 
of  the  Thirteenth  Minnesota  Cavalry  and  served  eighteen  months  with  that  com- 
ijiand,  being  stationed  at  Columbus,  New  Mexico,  and  El  Paso,  Texas;  and  Glenn  F. 

The  wife  and  mother  died  January  12,  1899,  and  on  the  10th  of  October, 
1900,  Mr.  Turner  was  married  to  Mrs.  Luretta  M.  (Robbins)  Kyle,  of  Lake  Mills, 
the  widow  of  the  late  John  A.  Kyle,  who  was  the  owner  and  editor  of  the  Lake 
Mills  Graphic. 

Mr.  Turner  is  a  stanch  adherent  of  the  republican  party  and  discharges  to  the 
full  his  civic  duties  and  has  served  with  credit  as  a  member  of  the  town  council. 
Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Masonic  order  and  the  Modem  Woodmen  of  America. 


FRANK   OTIS. 


An  excellent  tract  of  land  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  28,  Forest 
township,  Winnebago  county,  pays  tribute  to  the  care  and  labor  bestowed  upon 
it  by  the  owner,  Frank  Otis,  whose  life  of  diligence  and  determination  has  brought 
to  him  a  substantial  measure  of  success.  He  was  bom  in  Winnebago  county  on 
the  17th  of  September,  1876,  his  father  being  J.  J.  Otis,  of  whom  mention  is 
made  elsewhere  in  this  work.  Spending  his  youthful  days  under  the  parental 
roof,  Frank  Otis  acquired  his  education  in  the  public  schools,  mastering  the  usual 
branches  of  learning  while  dividing  his  time  between  the  work  of  the  schoolroom 
and  the  work  of  the  farm.  He  continued  to  assist  his  father  in  the  development 
of  the  fields  until  he  attained  his  majority,  when  he  started  out  in  farm  life  on 
his  own  account  and  for  three  years  rented  land.  He  then  purchased  the  farm 
whereon  he  now  resides  on  section  28,  Forest  township,  comprising  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  and  through  the  intervenfng  period  he  has  bent  his  energies  to 
te  further  development  and  improvement  of  this  property.  He  has  brought  his 
fields  to  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and  annually  gathers  good  crops  as  a  reward 
for  the  care  and  labor  which  he  bestows  upwa  his  place.  He  is  prompt  in  all  that 
he  undertakes  and  is  systematic  in  his  work.  Aside  from  his  farming  he  is  a 
stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  at  Forest  City.  i 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  281 

On  the  23d  of  September,  1903,  Mr.  Otis  was  married  to  Miss  Katherine 
MeCann,  who  was  born  at  Iowa  Falls,  Iowa,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Mary 
(Cooney)  McCann,  who  were  natives  of  Ireland  and  New  York  respectively.  The 
father  is  now  deceased  but  the  mother  is  living  in  Forest  City,  Iowa.  Both  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Otis  are  members  of  the  Catholic  church  and  in  the  community  where 
they  reside  they  are  held  in  high  esteem. 


CHAELES   L.    BEADLE. 

Charles  L.  Beadle  is  now  a  retired  farmer  living  in  Forest  City.  He  was  bom 
in  Hancock  county  on  the  16th  of  May,  1870,  and  has  been  a  lifelong  resident 
of  Iowa.  His  parents,  George  W.  and  Sarah  (Stteeter)  Beadle,  were  pioneers 
of  this  section  and  are  mentioned  at  length  on  another  page  of  this  work. 

The  son  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  in  the  Decorah  (la.)  Normal 
School,  after  which  he  taught  for  one  term,  but  on  the  expiration  of  that  period 
resumed  farming,  to  which  pursuit  he  had  been  reared,  early  becoming  familiar 
with  the  best  methods  of  tilling  the  soil  and  caring  for  the  crops.  His  father^s 
training  well  qualified  him  for  later  responsibilities  and  he  took  up  farming  on 
his  own  account  in  Ellington  township,  Hancock  county,  where  he  purchased  land 
on  which  he  resided  for  twenty-one  years.  In  the  spring  of  1916  he  removed 
to  Forest  City,  where  he  is  now  living  retired,  enjoying  the  fruits  of  his  former 
intelligently  directed  effort.  He  still  owns  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres, 
from  which  he  derives  a  substantial  income,  and  the  success  of  his  former  years 
enables  him  to  have  all  of  life's  comforts  and  many  of  its  luxuries. 

In  September,  1893,  Mr.  Beadle  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  Streeper, 
of  Britt,  Iowa,  and  they  have  become  the  parents  of  four  children:  Irene  L.,  a 
teacher  in  the  schools  of  Hancock  county;  Lois  M.,  a  teacher  in  the  Winnebago 
county  schools;  Sarah  C,  who  is  attending  Waldorf  College  at  Forest  City;  and 
George  M.,  a  pupil  in  the  graded  schools. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Beadle  is  a  republican  and  has  ever  been  a  close 
student  of  the  political  questions  and  issues  of  the  day  but  has  never  been  an 
oflBce  seeker.  He  represents  one  of  the  old  pioneer  families  of  the  county  and  has 
himself  been  a  resident  of  this  section  for  forty-seven  years.  He  has  a  wide 
acquaintance  and  those  who  know  him  speak  of  him  in  terms  of  warm  regard. 


A.  0.  STALHEIM. 


Winnebago  county  has  no  more  progressive  or  up-to-date  farmer  living  in  its 
midst  than  A.  0.  Stalheim,  who  owns  and  operates  a  highly  improved  farm  on 
section  21,  Norway  township.  He  was  bom  in  Norway  on  the  17th  of  November, 
1864,  and  is  a  son  of  Ole  and  Olina  (Andrea)  Anderson,  also  natives  of  that 
country,  where  the  mother  died.  The  father,  who  is  a  farmer  by  occupation,  is 
still  living  there.  In  their  family  were  seven  children,  all  of  whom  are  still  living. 
Two  are  still  in  Norway  but  five  have  come  to  the  new  world. 


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282      '     WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

Mr.  Stalheim  of  this  review  is  the  oldest  of  the  family.  In  his  native  land 
he  grew  to  manhood,  being  nineteen  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  the  United 
States  alone  to  try  his  fortune,  believing  that  better  opportunities  were  afforded 
young  men  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic  than  in  the  older  countries  of  Europe. 
His  destination  was  Sharon,  Wisconsin,  where  he  worked  as  a  section  hand  on  the 
railroad  for  eight  years,  but  has  since  devoted  his  time  and  attention  to  farming. 
He  was  twenty-seven  years  of  age  when  he  arrived  in  Winnebago  county  and  for 
several  years  was  employed  as  a  farm  hand  in  Norway  township.  Later  he  engaged 
in  farming  for  himself  upon  rented  land  and  in  1910  purchased  the  northwest 
quarter  of  section  21,  Norway  township,  where  he  now  makes  his  home.  In  con- 
nection with  the  operation  of  his  own  land  he  cultivates  the  southeast  quarter  of 
section  20,  which  he  rents. 

Since  buying  his  farm  Mr.  Stalheim  has  made  many  improvements  thereon. 
He  has  remodeled  the  residence,  making  it  modem  in  every  respect,  and  has  built 
the  finest  barn  in  Winnebago  county  and  perhaps  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
state.  It  is  a  large  cement  foundation  structure  with  the  upper  part  of  frame, 
with  cement  floors,  Lowden  stanchions  and  stalls,  electric  lights  and  water,  sewer 
and  ventilating  tubes.  There  are  refuse  carriers  traveling  on  suspended  overhead 
tracks  and  each  stall  has  individual  convertible  feeding  and  watering  cement 
troughs.  Mr.  Stalheim  is  now  planning  to  build  a  hog  bam  on  the  same  plan 
and  also  a  cess  tank  for  refuse.  When  these  are  completed  he  will  have  one  of 
the  most  modern  and  up-to-date  farms  in  the  state,  with  all  its  equipment 
efficient  and  sanitary. 

At  the  age  of  nineteen  years  Mr.  Stalheim  was  married  in  Wisconsin  to  Miss 
Mary  Jurgenson,  whose  parents  never  came  to  the  United  States  but  she  came 
over  on  the  same  ship  with  her  husband.  To  them  were  bom  three  children, 
namely:  Qle,  who  is  married  and  living  near  Northwood,  Iowa;  Nels,  who  is  also 
married  and  living  near  Joice,  Iowa;  and  Edward,  who  is  single  and  at  home. 
The  mother  of  these  children  died  in  Wisconsin  in  1895  and  was  buried  at  Jefferson 
Prairie,  that  state.  Mr.  Stalheim  was  again  married  in  1897,  his  second  union 
being  with  Miss  Mary  Sanden,  a  daughter  of  Erick  and  Katrina  Sanden,  of 
Norway  township,  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  who  are  now  deceased  and  are  buried 
in  Lime  Creek  cemetery.    There  was  one  child  by  this  marriage,  Gina,  at  home. 

The  family  hold  membership  in  the  Synod  Lutheran  church  and  are  people 
of  prominence  in  the  community  where  they  reside.  Since  becoming  an  American 
citizen  Mr.  Stalheim  has  aflBliated  with  the  republican  party  but  has  taken  no 
active  part  in  politics  aside  from  voting. 


DANIEL  H.  PETEKSON. 

For  many  years  Daniel  H.  Peterson  engaged  in  farming  in  Winnebago  county, 
but  is  now  living  retired  in  Lake  Mills,  having  accumulated  a  competence  and 
feeling  that  he  has  earned  a  period  of  leisure.  He  was  born  in  Norway,  Japuary 
30,  1833,  and  has  therefore  passed  the  eighty-fourth  milestone  on  life's  journey, 
but  in  health  and  mental  vigor  seems  many  years  younger.  He  is  a  son  of  Hank 
and   Caroline   Peterson,   also  natives  of   Norway,   where   the  father  engaged  in 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  285 

farming  until  his  death,  which  occurred  when  his  son  Daniel  H.  was  about  ten 
years  old.  The  mother  subsequently  removed  with  he^  children  to  the  United 
States. 

Daniel  H.  Peterson,  after  remaining  at  Waupaca,  Wisconsin,  during  the  first 
summer  of  his  residence  in  this  country,  removed  to  La  Salle  county,  Illinois, 
whence  three  years  later  he  went  to  Kochester,  Minnesota.  He  was  employed  on 
farms  in  that  vicinity  for  about  six  years  and  on  the  4th  of  July,  1865,  arrived  in 
Winnebago  county,  Iowa.  He  took  up  a  homestead  in  Center  township,  which 
was  then  practicfilly  a  frontier  region,  the  only  other  settlers  being  Charles 
Smith  and  Helen  Benson  Groe.  He  erected  a  log  house,  in  which  he  resided  for 
a  number  of  years,  although  later  it  was  replaced  by  a  conmiodious  frame  struc- 
ture. He  made  other  improvements  upon  his  farm  and  in  all  his  work  strove 
to  combine  progressiveness  with  practicality  with  the  result  that  as  the  years 
passed  his  resources  steadily  increased.  In  1893  he  retired  and  removed  to  Lake 
Mills,  where  he  has  since  resided. 

When  twenty-four  years  old  Mr.  Peterson  was  married  to  Miss  Martha  Angle- 
son,  of  La  Salle  county,  Illinois,  who  passed  away  twenty-five  years  later.  To 
them  weie  born  ten  children,  of  whom  four  survive,  namely:  Hans,  who  is 
residing  upon  the  home  farm;  Nels,  a  resident  of  Lake  Mills;  Bessie,  now  Mrs. 
Tom  Angleson,  of  Brock,  South  Dakota;  and  Martha,  the  wife  of  H.  M.  John- 
son, who  resides  near  Blanchardville,  Wisconsin.  The  wife  and  mother  was 
buried  in  the  North  cemetery.  In  1883  Mr.  Peterson  married  Miss  Harborg 
Angleson,  a  sister  of  his  first  wife. 

Mr.  Peterson  supports  republican  candidates  and  measures  at  the  polls,  but 
has  never  sought  office  as  a  reward  for  his  party  fealty.  The  rules  which  govern 
his  life  are  found  in  the  teachings  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  his 
close  adherence  to  high  ethical  standards  has  gained  him  the  respect  of  all  who 
know  him.  He  was  quick  to  recognize  and  take  advantage  of  opportunities,  and 
although  he  began  his  independent  career  empty  handed,  he  is  now  financially 
independent.  After  he  had  begun  to  prosper  he  loaned  money  without  interest 
to  twenty-three  friends  in  Norway  to  pay  their  transportation  across  the  Atlantic 
and  all  of  them  emigrated  to  this  country,  where  they  too,  met  with  success. 
He  is  stanch  in  his  loyalty  to  America  and  all  that  it  stands  for,  and  has  ever 
been  willing  to  place  the  general  good  above  his  private  interests. 


NATHAN   BKONES. 


Nathan  Brones,  who  is  engaged  in  general  agricultural  pursuits  on  section  33, 
Mount  Valley  township,  was  born  on  what  is  known  as  the  old  Brones  homestead, 
on  section  7  of  the  same  township,  and  has  been  a  lifelong  resident  of  Winnebago 
county.  His  natal  day  was  July  10,  1877,  his  parents  being  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peter 
N.  Brones,  of  whom  extended  mention  is  made  elsewhere  in  this  work. 

The  son  remained  under  the  parental  roof  through  the  period  of  his  boyhood 
and  youth  and  divided  his  time  between  the  acquirement  of  an  education  in  the 
district  schools  and  the  work  of  the  fields,  for  he  early  assisted  in  planting,  caring 
for  and  harvesting  the  crops.    On  attaining  his  majority  he  did  not  seek  to  change 


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286  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

his  occupation  but  began  farming  on  his  own  account  on  the  old  homestead,  which 
he  rented  for  a  year.  During  the  succeeding  three  years  he  rented  and  cultivated 
other  land  and  while  thus  engaged  he  carefully  saved  his  earnings  so  that  he  was 
then  able  to  purchase  forty  acres  and  thereby  became  the  owner  of  a  tract  on 
section  21,  Mount  Valley  township.  He  resided  there  for  two  or  three  years, 
after  which'  he  went  to  North  Dakota  and  took  up  a  homestead  of  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres.  He  proved  up  on  that  property  and  subsequently  sold  it  for 
twenty-five  hundred  dollars.  On  returning  to  Winnebago  county  he  purchased 
his  present  home  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  on  which  he  has  lived 
since  1911.  It  was  a  tract  of  wild  land  when  it  came  into  his  possession.  He 
erected  thereon  substantial  farm  buildings,  dug  out  the  brush,  fenced  the  land 
and  converted  the  place  into  rich  and  productive  fields.  He  today  has  a  valuable 
and  fertile  farm  and  the  land  which  he  purchased  for  $36.25  per  acre  he  now 
regards  as  worth  more  than  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  dollars  per  acre.  In 
fact  he  has  recently  refused  that  sum.  There  are  good  buildings  upon  the  place 
and  he  employs  modem  farm  machinery  in  facilitating  the  work  of  the  fields. 

In  1901  Mr.  Brones  was  married  to  Miss  Malena  Felland,  a  daughter  of 
Torjus  Felland,  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Mount  Valley  township,  who  arrived 
here  in  the  ^60s  and  who  is  now  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brones  have  had  seven 
children,  of  whom  six  are  living,  Gladys  A.,  Lyle  S.,  Alpha  C,  Palmer  P.,  Stanley 
K.  and  Mildred  M.  The  parents  attend  the  Norwegian  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
and  they  are  well  known  in  their  section  of  the  county,  whtre  they  have  a  circle 
of  friends  almost  coextensive  with  the  circle  of  their  acquaintance. 


T.  A.   SOKBON. 


T.  A.  Sorbon,  who  is  living  retired  in  Lake  Mills,  was  bom  in  Norway,  May 
3,  1854,  but  when  fourteen  years  old  accompanied  the  rest  of  the  family  ,on  their 
emigration  to  the  United  States.  His  parents,  Andreas  and  Ellen  (Scar)  Sorbon, 
believed  that  better  opportunities  awaited  them  in  this  country  than  in  their  native 
land  and  found  theif  hopes  more  than  realized.  They  came  here  in  1868  and 
for  a  year  resided  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  after  which  they  removed  to  Mitchell 
county,  Iowa,  where  the  father  purchased  a  farm  which  he  operated  until  1891, 
when  he  removed  to  Lake  Mills.  He  lived  retired  there  until  his  death  in  1896  and  a 
year  later  the  mother  also  passed  away.    They  were  buried  in  the  North  cemetery. 

T.  A.  Sorbon,  who  is  the  oldest  in  a  family  of  four  children,  received  his 
education  in  the  common  schools  of  Norway  and  through  assisting  his  father  with 
the  farm  work  received  valuable  training  in  the  cultivation  of  the  fields  and  the 
care  of  stock.  When  twenty-five  years  old  he  purchased  land  in  Mitchell  county 
and  his  time  and  attention  were  taken  up  with  its  cultivation  until  1891,  when 
he  disposed  of  the  place  and  took  up  his  residence  in  Lake  Mills.  He  became  a 
member  of  the  firm  of  Sorbon  &  Aasgaard,  dealers  in  hardware,  and  remained  in 
that  connection  for  four  years.  In  1896,  however,  he  bought  out  the  Nelson 
interests  in  the  Scar- Nelson  clothing  store  and  was  part  owner  of  that  business 
for  fourteen  years.  Upon  disposing  of  his  interest  in  that  store  he  purchased  a 
farm  near  Scarville  and  for  five  years  followed  agricultural  pursuits  there.     He 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  287 

then  retired  from  active  life  and  took  up  his  residence  in  Lake  Mills,  where  in 
1915  he  erected  a  fine  modem  home. 

Mr.  Sorbon  was  married  in  1886  to  Miss  Carrie  Lindeley,  a  daughter  of  0.  0. 
and  Carrie  Lindeley,  of  Mitchell  counly,  Iowa,  by  whom  he  has  four  living  children : 
Edward  K.  and  Louis  H.,  who  are  residents  of  Rapid  City,  South  Dakota;  and 
Cora  E.  and  Alma  0.,  both  at  home. 

The  democratic  party  has  a  stanch  supporter  in  Mr.  Sorbon,  who,  however, 
has  limited  his  participation  in  politics  to  the  exercise  of  his  right  of  franchise. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  blue  lodge,  in  which  he  has  filled  all  the  chairs, 
and  his  religious  faith  is  indicated  in  his  meriibership  in  the  TJnited  Lutheran 
church.  The  competence  which  he  has  gained,  which  enables  him  to  rest  from 
further  labor,  has  been  acquired  solely  through  his  own  efforts  and  is  evidence  of 
his  enterprise  and  sound  judgment 


T.  I.  THOMPSON. 


T.  I.  Thompson,  who  is  residing  upon  his  finely  improved  farm  of  three  hundred 
and  twenty  acres  on  section  35,  Linden  township,  Winnebago  couty,  is  one  of  the 
foremost  men  of  his  township  and  at  one  time  held  title  to  from  twelve  to  thirteen 
hundred  acres  of  land,  but  has  now  disposed  of  his  holdings  save  for  his  home 
place.  He  was  bom  in  Norway,  December  22,  1855,  a  son  of  Knute  and  Sena 
(Goodmanson)  Thompson,  the  latter  of  whom  died  when  he  was  but  two  weeks 
old.  The  father  came  to  the  TJnited  States  about  1882,  and  from  that  time  until 
his  death  in  1902  ma(le  his  home  with  his  son,  T.  I. 

The  last  named  received  his  early  education  in  his  native  Coimtry,  but  in  1872, 
when  in  his  seventeenth  year,  came  to  the  United  States  on  a  sailing  vessel  which 
required  eight  weeks  to  make  the  voyage.  He  landed  at  Quebec,  Canada,  in  July 
of  that  year,  and  at  once  made  his  way  to  the  United  States,  locating  in  Lee  county, 
Illinois.  He  secured  work  on  a  farm  and  was  given  the  privilege  of  attending 
school  during  the  winter  months.  After  spending  about  five  years  as  a  farm  hand 
in  Lee  coimty  he  went  to  Chicago,  where  he  found  employment  on  the  government 
piers  as  a  ca;T)enter.  For  six  years  he  made  his  home  in  that  city  and  then  was 
for  three  years  a  resident  of  Story  county,  Iowa,  farming  rented  land  during  that 
time.  In  1885  he  removed  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  and  purchased  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  of  his  present  farm  on  section  35,  Linden  township.  He  was  from 
the  start  very  successful  as  an  agriculturist  and  as  he  prospered  he  invested  in 
additional  land  until  he  became  the  owner  of  between  twelve  and  thirteen  hundred 
acres.  In  1905,  however,  since  he  did  not  wish  to  be  burdened  with  the  over- 
sight of  the  operation  of  so  much  land,  he  disposed  of  his  holdings  save  the 
three  hundred  aniJ  twenty  acre  farm  in  Linden  township  on  which  he  resides. 
This  place  is  one  of  the  model  farms  of  the  township  and  the  equipment  includes 
all  implements  that  have  been  devised  to  increase  the  efiBciency  of  farm  work.  He 
also  owns  stock  in  the  Crystal  Lake  Savings  Bank. 

In  1880  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Thompson  and  Miss  Rebecca  Baggeson, 
a  native  of  Norway,  and  they  have  become  the  parents  of  six  children  as  follows: 
Harry  L,  and  Walter  J.,  both  of  whom  are  farming  in  Forest  township,  Winnebago 


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288  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

county;  Arthur  J.,  who  is  a  farmer  and  cattle  man  residing  in  Alberta,  Canada; 
Frank  I.,  and  Mabel  and  Lilly,  at  home. 

Mr.  Thompson  supports  the  republican  party  and  has  for  many  years  served 
as  a  member  of  the  school  board  but  has  not  held  any  other  office.  His  wife  and 
children  belong  to.  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  the  work  of  which  they  take 
an  active  part.  The  signal  measure  of  success  which  he  has  gained  as  a  farmer  has 
been  due  in  large  measure  to  his  progressive  spirit,  and  this  has  also  characterized 
him  in  his  relation  to  his  community,  as  he  has  at  all  times  stood  firmly  for 
measures  calculated  to  promote  the  common  good. 


WILLIAM   H.   ANNETT. 

William  H.  Annett,  owner  and  editor  of  the  Buffalo  Center  Tribune,  has 
devoted  his  entire  career  to  newspaper  work  and  his  long  and  varied  experience 
in  that  field  is  evidenced  in  the  efficiency  which  he  displays  in  the  management 
of  his  present  paper.  That  he  has  time  to  devote  to  other  interests  than  his  private 
business  affairs  is  fortunate  for  his  community,  for  he  possesses  sound  judgment 
and  the  ability  to  secure  hearty  cooperation  from  his  associates  in  any  undertaking, 
and  as  mayor  of  Buffalo  Center  he  has  done  much  to  forward  the  interests  of  the 
municipality.  He  was  born  in  Galena,  Illinois,  July  29,  1871,  and  is  of  English 
descent.  Ilis  parents,  John  B.  and  Harriet  (Richardson)  Annett,  removed  there 
after  coming  to  America  many  years  ago.  The  father  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade, 
but  after  locating  in  Galena,  became  connected  with  the  police  department  there 
and  for  several  years  held  the  office  of  chief.  At  the  time  of  the  Civil  war  he 
enlisted  in  Company  C,  Forty-fifth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  through- 
out the  period  of  hostilities  with  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant.  After  the  restoration 
of  i)eace  he  went  to  Spencer,  Iowa,  and  took  up  a  homestead  in  that  locality,  but 
as  the  grasshopper  plague  caused  him  to  suffer  heavy  financial  loss  he  returned  to 
Galena,  Illinois,  where  he  lived  until  1877.  In  that  year  he  again  became  a 
resident  of  Spencer,  Iowa,  and  served  as  the  first  city  marshal.  Moreover,  the 
Grand  Army  post  there  is  named  in  his  honor.  He  passed  away  in  July,  1880, 
deeply  mourned  by  his  many  friends.  Our  subject'6  grandmother,  Mary  Richardson, 
was  the  custodian  of  General  Grant's  home  at  Galena  and  there  John  B.  'Annett 
was  married  to  Miss  Harriet  Richardson,  who  survives  him  and  makes  her  home 
in  Idaho. 

William  H.  Annett  was  only  a  child  at  the  time  of  his  father's  death,  but 
as  he  was  the  oldest  son  he  had  to  go  to  work  and  help  support  the  family.  He 
left  scliool  when  twelve  years  old  and  entered  a  printing  office,  there  learning  the 
trade.  He  has  ever  since  been  identified  with  newspaper  offices  and  has  made 
gratifying  progress  in  his  chosen  work.  For  nine  years  he  was  foreman  of  the 
Clay  County  News,  in  which  he  bought  an  interest  in  1895,  but  three  years  latei* 
he  disposed  of  his  holdings  therein  and  became  part  owner  of  the  Spencer  Reporter, 
with  which  he  severed  his  connection,  however,  in  1904.  He  then  went  to  Idaho 
and  for  six  years  was  foreman  of  a  large  publishing  house  in  that  state,  but  returned 
to  Iowa  on  account  of  his  wife's  health.  For  a  year  he  was  employed  in  Sioux 
City  and  in  1912  came  to  Buffalo  Center,  Iowa,  and  purchased  the  Buffalo  Center 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  289 

Tribune,  which  he  has  since  owned  and  edited.  His  plant  is  well  equipped  and  in 
addition  to  publishing  the  Tribune  he  does  a  large  job  business.  He  has  won 
an  enviable  reputation  for  enterprise,  high  class  work  and  honorable  dealing  and 
has  been  markedly  successful  both  as  a  newspaper  publisher  and  as  a  job  printer. 
Mr.  Annett  was  married  June  2,  1897,  to  Miss  Jessie  Bender  and  they  have 
had  two  children:  Marguerite,  who  was  bom  in  May,  1898,  and  died  in  1901;  and 
Pauline,  born  in  September,  1904.  Mr.  Annett  is  a  republican  in  his  political 
belief  and  since  1916  has  been  mayor  of  Buffalo  Center.  His  work  as  a  newspaper 
man  has  naturally  kept  him  in  close  touch  with  public  affairs  and  this  knowledge 
of  matters  pertaining  to  local  government  has  been  of  great  value  to  him  in  the 
discharge  of  his  duties  as  mayor,  enabling  him  to  work  efficiently  for  the  town's 
good.  His  public  service  has  also  included  his  incumbency  of  the  office  of  secretary 
of  the  Winnebago-Kossuth  Institute  and  Short  Course  for  two  years  and  he  still 
takes  a  most  lively  interest  in  plans  for  giving  farmers  the  benefit  of  the  scientific 
investigation  that  is  constantly  being  made  along  agricultural  lines.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  order  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  He  also  belongs  to 
the  Congregational  church  and  is  a  member  of  the  male  quartette  there  and  his 
wife  is  choir  leader.  His  varied  interests  make  such  heavy  demands  upon  his 
time  and  energy  as  would  tax  the  powers  of  a  less  enterprising  man,  but  he  is 
never  so  busy  that  he  cannot  find  time  to  give  to  his  friends,  of  whom  there  are 
many. 


SAMUEL   KLIPPING. 


Samuel  Klipping,  of  Forest  City,  is  now  living  retired  after  long  connection 
with  agricultural  interests  in  Hancock  county.  He  was  born  in  Stephenson  county, 
Illinois,  March  23,  1853,  a  son  of  Conrad  and  Marie  Klipping,  who  were  natives 
of  Germany,  where  they  were  reared  and  married.  While  they  were  en  route 
for  America  their  eldest  child,  a  daughter,  was  born  on  shipboard.  They  became 
pioneer  settlers  of  Stephenson  county,  Illinois,  where  the  father  secured  land  and 
engaged  in  farming  until  his  death. 

Samuel  Klipping  attended  the  common  schools  to  the  age  of  sixteen  years  and 
afterward  worked  for  his  father  upon  the  home  farm  until  he  attained  his  twenty- 
second  year.  He  then  rented  land  and  began  farming  on  his  own  account,  con- 
tinuing his  connection  with  agricultural  interests  in  his  native  county  for  fourteen 
years.  In  1890  he  arrived  in  Hancock  county,  Iowa  and  the  following  year 
removed  his  family,  after  which  he  cultivated  a  rented  farm  for  four  years.  In 
1895  he  purchased  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land,  which  he  cultivated 
until  the  spring  of  1916,  or  for  a  period  of  twenty-one  years,  after  which  he  retired 
to  Forest  City,  where  he  is  now  most  comfortably  and  pleasantly  located.  He 
still  owns  one  hundred  and  sixty-six  acres  of  his  farm,  while  his  son  George  is 
now  owner  of  the  remainder.  His  place  returns  to  him  a  gratifying  annual  income, 
for  he  has  converted  the  land  into  rich  and  productive  fields. 

In  1876  Mr.  Klipping  was  joined  in  wedlock  to  Miss  Mary  Meyer,  of  Stephenson 
county,  Illinois,  by  whom  he  had  eleven  children,  ten  of  whom  still  survive,  as 
follows:  George,  an  agriculturist  of  Hancock  county;  Rose,  who  is  the  wife  of 


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290  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

Henry  Schultz,  of  Winnebago  county;  Jessie,  who  is  married  and  lives  in  Waterloo,. 
Iowa;  Arthur,  a  resident  of  Red  Lake  Falls,  Minnesota;  Elmer,  living  on  the 
h6me  farm;  Louisa,  the  wife,  of  Leonard  Bryant,  of  Waterloo;  Clara,  who  is  the 
wife  of  Henry  Jones,  of  Estherville,  Iowa;  Roy,  living  on  the  home  farm;  Leonard, 
who  is  in  the  employ  of  Henry  Schultz;  and  Ima  who  is  employed  as  a  clerk  in 
Waterloo,  Iowa. 

Mr.  Klipping  exercises  his  right  of  franchise  in  support  of  the  men  and 
measures  of  the  republican  party.  He  has  for  three  years  been  township  trustee 
but  could  never  be  called  a  politician  in  the  sense  of  office  seeking  although  he 
keeps  well  informed  on  the  questions  and  issues  of  the  day.  He  started  out  in 
life  empty  handed;  but  he  early  realized  the  fact  that  determination  and  energy 
are  the  basis  of  honorable  success.  He  has  worked  his  way  upward  along  those 
lines  and  what  he  has  accomplished  represents  the  fit  utilization  of  his  time  and 
his  innate  powers  and  talents.  .' 


HANS  AND  HALVOR  FUGLEBERG. 

Hans  and  Halvor  Fugleberg,  actively  interested  in  farming  on  section  7,  Center 
township,  have  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  in  their  home  farm  and 
have  other  investments  in  land  and  business  enterprises.  They  are  well  known 
and  substantial  citizens  of  Winnebago  county,  within  the  borders  of  which  they 
have  always  lived.  They  were  bom  in  Forest  township,  Hans  on  the  29th  of 
April,  1876,  and  Halvor  on  the  4th  of  February,  1879.  They  are  sons  of  Ole 
and  Mary  Fugleberg,  who  were  natives  of  Norway  and  in  1865  came  to  America, 
settling  first  in  Winneshiek  county,  Iowa,  where  the  father  engaged  in  farming 
for  seven  years.  He  then  sold  that  property  and  removed  to  Winnebago  county, 
purchasing  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  Forest  township.  This  he 
improved  and  cultivated  for  seventeen  years,  when  he  sold  out  and  took  up  his 
abode  in  Center  township,  purchasing  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  on 
section  7.  He  cultivated  and  developed  this  property  throughout  his  remaining 
days,  his  life's  labors  being  ended  in  death  on  tiie  5th  of  September,  1907.  His 
wife  had  previously  passed  away,  her  death  occurring  June  6,  1900. 

Hans  and  Halvor  Fugleberg  spent  their  youthful  days  upon  the  farms  on 
which  their  parents  lived  in  Forest  and  Center  townships.  They  attended  the 
district  schools  and  as  they  advanced  in  age  and  strength  they  more  and  more 
largely  assisted  in  the  work  of  the  home  farm.  Following  the  death  of  the  father 
Hans  Fugleberg  purchased  the  home  place  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  and 
Halvor  Fugleberg  bought  an  eighty-acre  tract  on  section  6,  Center  township,  just 
north  of  the  home  place.  They  have  since  together  operated  the  entire  tract  of 
two  hundred  acres  and  have  made  it  one  of  the  productive  farms  of  the  county. 
They  work  persistently  and  diligently  in  the  further  development  of  the  property, 
and  their  practical  and  progressive  methods  are  indicated  in  the  success  which  has 
attended  them.  They  are  stockholders  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  and  in 
the  Lake  Mills  Creamery  Company,  while  Hans  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers 
Elevator  Company  of  Scarville. 

Like  many  of  the  people  of  Norwegian  nationality  or  descent,  the  Fugleberg 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  291 

brothers  adhere  to  the  faith  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  guide  their  lives  by  ita 
teachings.  They  vote  with  the  republican  party  and  keep  well  informed  on  the 
questions  and  issues  of  the  day,  so  that  they  are  able  to  support  their  position 
by  intelligent  argument. 


ANDKEW    CHARLSON. 


Andrew  Charlson  is  a  retired  farmer  of  Forest  township,  Winnebago  county, 
who  now  makes  his  home  on  section  23.  He  is  a  representative  of  that  large  and 
substantial  quota  of  citizens  that  Norway  has  furnished  to  Iowa,  his  birth  having 
occurred  in  that  country  on  the  13th  of  October,  1841.  In  1852  his  parents,  Carl 
Anderson  and  Bertha  (Halverson)  Charlson,  came  to  the  United  States  with  their 
family  from  Anfenesrue,  near  Drammen,  Norway,  on  a  sailing  vessel  that  took 
seven  weeks  to  make  the  voyage.  They  established  their  home  in  Dane  county, 
Wisconsin.  The  father  was  employed  on  the  construction  of  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee 
&  St.  Paul  Eailroad  from  Stoughton  to  Madison,  Wisconsin,  and  he  continued 
his  residence  in  that  state  until  called  to  his  final  rest,  after  which  the  mother 
brought  the  family  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa;  in  1866. 

Andrew  Charlson  was  reared  and  educated  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  pursuing 
his  studies  in  one  of  the  old-time  log  schoolhouses,  with  its  slab  benches  and  other 
primitive  furnishings,  while  the  methods  of  instruction  were  almost  as  crude  in 
those  pioneer  times.  However,  in  the  school  of  experience  he  has  learned  niany 
practical  and  valuable  lessons.  In  the  spring  of  1866  he  came  to  Winnebago 
county,  Iowa,  with  his  mother  and  in  connection  with  her  purchased  a  small  tract 
of  land  in  Forest  township  on  which  was  a  log  cabin.  In  that  primitive  home 
the  family  was  established  and  there  resided  for  several  years.  Mr.  Charlson  was 
ambitious  and  industrious  and  through  his  earnest  and  indefatigable  effort  he  waa 
able  to  earn  the  money  that  enabled  him  from  time  to  time  to  add  to  his  posses- 
sions. He  has*  at  intervals  made  purchases  until  he  is  now  the  owner  of  eight 
hundred  acres  of  valuable  farm  land,  all  of  which  he  has  improved  and  which  is 
now  being  further  developed  and  cultivated  by  his  children,  with  the  exception  of 
the  small  tract  of  fifty  acres  whereon  he  now  resides.  This  splendid  property  is 
the  visible  evidence  of  his  life  of  well  directed  energy  and  thrift.  In  addition 
to  his  farming  interests  he  is  a  stock  holder  in  the  Lake  Mills  Lumber  Company 
and  in  the  Farmers  Cooperative  Creamery  Company  of  Forest  City. 

On  July  26,  1870,  Mr.  Charlson  was  married  to  Miss  Bertha  C.  Peterson,  a 
native  of  La  Salle  county,  Illinois,  and  a  daughter  of  Hans  H.  Peterson,  who  came 
to  America  from  Norway  in  1850  and  settled  in  La  Salle  county,  Illinois.  In 
that  state  he  was  married  to  Kristana  Thors  Nelson  Vareberg,  who  emigrated  to 
America  from  Stavanger,  Norway.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Charlson  have  become  parents 
of  seven  children,  of  whom  five  are  yet  living,  namely :  Clarence  H.,  who  follows 
farming  in  Winnebago  county ;  Bertha  M.,  the  wife  of  George  Klipping,  a  resident 
farmer  of  Hancock  county;  and  Joseph  W.,  Arthur  Bliss  and  Irving  W.,  all  of 
whom  are  farmers  of  this  part  of  the  state,  taking  up  the  work  for  their  father 
upon  his  land. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Charlson  are  devoted  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 


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292  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

and  have  guided  their  lives  according  to  its  teachings.  His  political  endorsement 
is  given  to  the  republican  party  and  in  1864  he  first  exercised  his  right  of  franchise 
by  voting  for  Abraham  Lincoln.  It  was  in  that  year  that  he  joined  the  Union 
army  as  a  soldier  of  the  Civil  war,  becoming  a  member  of  Company  I,  Forty-third 
Wisconsin  Infantry,  with  which  he  remained  until  the  cessation  of  hostilities.  He 
has  served  as  a  member  of  the  school  board  in  his  district  and  has  filled  several 
of  the  township  offices,  the  duties  of  which  he  has  ever  discharged  with  promptness 
and  fidelity.  He  is  today  numbered  among  the  old  settlers  of  Winnebago  county 
and  is  one  of  its  most  highly  esteemed  citizens.  He  certainly  deserves  much  credit 
for  what  he  has  accomplished,  for  he  has  worked  diligently  and  with  determination 
to  win  his  success  and  his  life  record  indicates  what  may  be  accomplished  when 
there  is  a  will  to  dare  and  to  do.  He  did  not  shirk  the  responsibilities  that  early 
came  to  him  nor  grumble  that  fate  was  unkind  to  him  but  worked  along  lines 
that  led  to  success  and  is  today  one  of  the  prosperous  citizens  of  Winnebago  county. 


JOHN  N.  BEUDVIG. 


John  N.  Brudvig,  actively  and  successfully  engaged  in  general  farming  on 
section  29,  Norway  township,  Winnebago  county,  was  born  in  a  little  island 
called  Osterand,  in  the  northeastern  part  of  Bergen,  Norway,  his  natal  day  being 
April  20,  1844.  His  parents  were  Nels  and  Anna  (Olson)  Anderson,  farming 
people,  who  had  a  family  of  three  children,  of  whom  John  N.  was  the  eldest. 
His  two  brothers  were  Andrew  M.  and  Ole  Brudvig.  The  former  became  an 
early  settler  of  Norway  township,  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  and  contributed  to 
the  pioneer  development  of  that  section,  where  he  lived  for  many  years  and  then 
passed  to  the  home  beyond.  The  younger  brother  died  in  Norway  in  1866,  when 
but  eighteen  years  of  age.  The  mother  paiftsed  away  in  Norway  in  1871.  It 
was  more  than  a  decade  later,  or  in  1882,  that  the  father  emigrated  to  the  United 
States.  In  the  meantime  he  had  married  again  and  by  the  second  union  there 
were  bom  three  children:  Andrew  M.,  now  a  minister  of  the  gospel  in  Colton, 
South  Dakota;  Emma,  the  wife  of  Andrew  J.  Brudvig,  of  Stutsman  county. 
North  Dakota;  and  Bertha,  the  wife  of  Joseph  Johnson,  of  Thompson,  Iowa. 
On  coming  with  his  family  to  the  new  world  the  father  made  his  way  at  once 
to  the  home  of  his  son,  John  N.  Brudvig,  and  lived  with  him  for  three  years. 
He  then  purchased  a  farm  on  section  20,  Norway  township,  and  continued  to 
further  develop  and  improve  the  place  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1900. 
His  widow  is  still  living  and  now  makes  her  home  with  a  daughter  in  Thompson, 
Iowa.  In  his  political  views  Mr.  Anderson  was  a  republican,  for  his  study  of 
the  political  situation  of  the  country  led  him  to  the  belief  that  the  principles 
of  that  party  contained  the  best  elements  of  good  government.  His  religious 
faith  was  that  of  the  United  Lutheran  church.  He  was  a  self-made  man,  his 
persistency  of  purpose  and  his  energy  enabling  him  to  overcome  obstacles  and 
difficulties  and  work  his  way  steadily  upward  to  success. 

John  N.  Brudvig  attended  the  public  schools  near  his  boyhood  home  until  he 
reached  the  age  of  sixteen  years,  when  he  began  earning  his  living  as  a  farm 
hand  and  was  thus  employed  in  Norway  until  1867.     He  then  resolved  to  try  his 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  295 

fortune  in  the  new  world  and  came  alone  to  the  United  States,  making  the  voyage 
on  a  sailing  vessel.  He  crossed  the  country  to  Lodi,  Columbia  county,  Wisconsin, 
where  he  secured  employment  as  a  farm  hand  and  thus  worked  until  the  fall  of 
1870,  when  he  removed  to  Worth  county,  Iowa,  and  secured  employment  near 
Northwood.  He  remained  in  the  service  of  others  for  six  years  and  in  1873  he 
bought  the  south  half  of  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  29,  Norway  township. 
He  paid  for  it  by  working  in  Worth  county  and  in  1877  he  took  up  his  abode 
upon  that  place,  binding  his  efforts  to  the  work  of  clearing,  developing  and 
improving  the  place.  He  has  converted  the  wild  land  into  productive  fields,  from 
which  he  annually  gathers  good  harvests.  He  is  interested  in  the  Farmers  Ele- 
vator at  Scarville,  Iowa,  and  in  the  Scarville  Creamery. 

It  was  in  1883  that  Mr.  Brudvig  was  united  in  marriage  to.  Miss  Lena  Holmset, 
a  daughter  of  John  Olson  and  Johanna  (Ludvigson)  Holmset,  both  now  deceased, 
their  remains  having  been  interred  in  the  Lime  Creek  cemetery.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Brudvig  have  become  the  parents  of  ten  children:  John,  who  is  now  living  in 
Logan  township;  Nels,  who  is  assisting  in  the  operation  of  the  home  farm; 
Martin,  who  died  in  1911  at  the  age  of  twenty-five  years;  Aiina,  wjio  passed 
away  in  1010  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years;  Hannah,  who  is  living  in  Mason 
City;  Carl,  a  resident  of  Logan  township;  Hilda,  also  of  Mason  City;  Emma, 
who  died  in  infancy ;  and  Emma,  second  of  the  name,  and  Clara,  both  at  home. 

Mr.  Brudvig  votes  with  the  republican  party,  but  while  he  has  never  sought 
nor  desired  political  office  he  has  served  as  school  director  for  a  number  of  terms 
and' believes  in  sustaining  good  sqjiools  in  order  that  the  children  may  have  the 
training  which  fits  them  for  life's  practical  and  responsible  duties.  Both  he 
^nd  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Synod  Lutheran  church.  Mr.  Brudvig  has  never 
had  occasion  to  regret  his  determination  to  come  to  the  new  world,  for  here  he 
has  found  the  opportunities  which  he  sought  and  in  their  utilization  has  worked 
his  way  steadily  upward.  Energy  and  ability  have  brought  him  to  the  front  as 
a  successful  farmer  and  his  life  record  should  serve  as  a  means  of  encouragement 
to  others,  showing  what  may  be  accomplished  through  individual  labor. 


CASPER  K.  MOE. 


Prominent  among  the  citizens  that  Norway  has  furnished  Hancock  county  is 
Casper  K.  Moe  of  Concord  township,  who  has  steadily  prospered  since  coming  to 
the  new  world  and  is  today  one  of  the  most  substantial  men  of  the  community. 
He  was  born  in  Norway  on  the  1st  of  February,  1858,  a  son  of  Christian  and 
Bertha  (Tolloson)  Moe,  who  were  lifelong  residents  of  that  country.  There  Mr. 
Moe  was  reared  and  educated,  being  twenty-two  years  of  age  when  he  crossed  the 
ocean  and  located  in  Boston  in  1880.  He  worked  at  the  shoemaker's  trade  in  that 
city  for  six  months  and  then  came  west. 

It  was  in  1881  that  Mr.  Moe  arrived  in  Hancock  county,  Iowa,  with  whose 
interests  he  has  since  been  identified.  For  a  short  time  he  worked  as  a  section 
hand  on  the  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  Railroad  but  on  the  18th  of  August,  1881, 
accepted  a  position  in  a  shoe  store  in  Garner,  where  he  was  employed  for  two  years 
and  a  half,  and  then  engaged  in  the  same  line  of  business  on  his  own  account  for 


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296  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

eight  years.  In  1887  he  purchased  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  on 
section  28,  Concord  township,  Hancock  county,  ior  which  he  paid  the  highest 
price  ever  given  for  land  in  this  county  up  to  that  time,  and  in  1917  he  sold  the 
tract  for  two  hundred  and  twelve  and  a  half  dollars  per  acre,  which  is  the  record 
price  paid  for  land  in  this  locality.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  his  farm  was  the 
finest  in  Concord  township,  it  being  under  excellent  cultivation  and  splendidly 
improved  with  substantial  buildings,  which  stood  as  monuments  to  his  thrift  and 
enterprise.  Mr.  Moe  has  not  confined  his  attention  wholly  to  agricultural  pursuits 
but  has  become  interested  in  a  number  of  business  enterprises  which  have  had  an 
important  bearing  upon  the  prosperity  and  development  of  Hancock  county.  From 
1902  to  1910  he  served  as  president  of  the  Farmers  National  Bank  of  Garner; 
was  one  of  the  original  stockholders  and  the  first  treasurer  of  the  Farmers  Coopera- 
tive Elevator  Company;  and  also  a  stockholder  of  the  Cooperative  Creamery  at 
Garner. 

On  the  28th  of  January,  1885,  Mr.  Moe  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary 
Elizabeth  Stork,  who  was  bom  in  Wisconsin,  May  15,  1866,  and  is  a  daughter  of 
Joseph  and  Barbara  Stork,  natives  of  Germany  and  Bohemia  respectively.  In  1870 
her  parents  became  residents  of  Muscoda,  Grant  county,  Wisconsin,  but  are  now 
deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moe  have  three  children,  namely:  Chester  H.,  who 
married  Dorothy  Eeeves,  a  native  of  Missouri;  Vera  I.,  the  wife  of  Walter  H. 
Moore,  a  native  of  Indiana ;  and  Vivian  Lucille,  who  is  at  home. 

Since  becoming  an  American  citizen,  Mr.  Moe  has  affiliated  with  the  republican 
party  and  has  taken  quite  an  active  and  influential  part  in  local  politics.  He  has 
given  special  attention  to  educational  affairs  and  served  as  school  trustee  six  years, 
school  treasurer  ten  years  and  school  director  for  six  years.  Jn  religious  faith  he 
is  a  Congregational ist,  and  in  his  fraternal  relations  is  connected  with  the  blue 
lodge,  chapter,  council  and  eommandery  of  the  Masonic  order.  He  is  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Eastern  Star  and  belongs  to  the  Modem  Woodmen  of  America.  He  is 
a  man  of  prominence  in  his  community  and  has  the  confidence  and  respect  of  all 
who  know  him. 


B.  C.  BURDICK. 


B.  C.  Burdick,  a  highly  respected  retired  farmer  living  in  Lake  Mills,  was  born 
in  Cedar  Falls  on  the  3d  of  August,  1861,  and  is  a  son  of  Alfred  and  Sarah  (Platts) 
Burdick,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  New  Hampshire  respectively.  The  father 
came  to  Iowa  in  young  manhood  and  the  mother  was  brought  to  this  state  when  a 
girl  by  her  brother,  Henry  Platts.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Burdick  resided  for  a  short 
time  in  Cedar  Falls  and  were  pioneer  settlers  in  both  Winnebago  county  and  in 
Worth  county,  just  across  the  line.  The  father  had  extensive  land  holdings  in  both 
counties,  including  a  homestead  on  Burdick  island  in  Kice  lake,  near  Lake  Mills. 
In  the  '60s  he  conducted  a  store  in  Bristol,  Worth  county,  in  connection  with  his 
farm.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  deceased  and  are  buried  in  Sunnyside  cemetery  in 
Lake  Mills. 

B.  C.  Burdick  attended  the  district  schools  until  he  was  sixteen  years  of  ago 
and  during  the  following  nine  years  worked  for  his  father.    When  twenty-five  years 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  297 

old  he  was  married  and  pureliased  a  farm  in  Silver  Lake  township,  Worth  county, 
which  he  operated  for  eleven  years.  He  then  rented  that  place  and  took  up  his 
residence  in  Lake  Mills,  but  nine  years  later  bought  a  farm  in  Bristol  township, 
Worth  county.  After  following  agricultural  pursuits  there  for  five  years  he  retired 
from  active  life  and  became  a  resident  of  Lake  Mills.  He  is  in  enviable 
financial  circumstances  and  is  assured  of  all  the  comforts  of  life  without  further 
recourse  to  labor. 

Mr.  Burdick  was  married  in  1887  to  Miss  Xellie  Wright,  a  daughter  of  Abel  J. 
and  Anice  (Balsom)  Wright,  natives  of  New  York  state,  where  they  were  married 
and  six  of  their  children  were  born.  The  father  came  to  Iowa  in  1868  but  did  not 
bring  his  family  until  1872,  making  several  trips  between  New  York  and  Iowa 
in  the  meantime.  In  1872  the  family  located  in  Bristol,  Worth  county,  Iowa,  and 
the  father  conducted  a  store  there  and  also  engaged  in  farming.  In  1886  he 
removed  to  Lake  Mills,  Winnebago  county,  and  retired  from  active  life.  He  died 
September  5,  1904,  and  his  wife  January  17,  1914,  and  both  are  buried  in  Sunny- 
side  cemetery.  Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Burdick,  namely: 
Juva  N.,  the  wife  of  Milton  Bergland,  of  Mason  City;  Beryl,  who  married  Glenn 
Gaskill,  of  Lake  Mills;  Clarence  A.;  and  Donald,  who  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  BuMick  is  a  democrat  in  his  political  belief  and  his  interest  in  public  aflfairs 
is  that  of  a  good  citizen.  He  served  many  years  as  a  member  of  the  school  board 
in  Worth  county  and  was  trustee  for  several  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Yeomen 
and  of  the  Methodist  church,  associations  which  indicate  the  nature  of  his  interests. 
He  has  a  wide  and  favorable  acquaintance  througliout  the  county,  his  salient  qual- 
ities being  such  as  invariably  command  respect  and  regard. 


MARTIN  I.  MAETINSON. 

Martin  I.  Martinson  has  been  a  resident  of  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  since  six 
years  of  age  and  since  reaching  man's  estate  has  been  prominently  identified  with 
her  agricultural  interests,  now  owning  and  operating  a  good  farm  on  section  29, 
Norway  township.  He  is  a  native  of  the  neighboring  state  of  Wisconsin,  his 
birth  occurring  in  Lafayette  county,  June  24,  1859,  and  he  is  a  son  of  Ingebrit  and 
Gertrude  (Odden)  Martinson,  of  whom  extended  mention  is  made  in  the  sketch  of 
Ole  I.  Martinson  on  another  page  of  this  volume. 

Martin  I.  Martinson  accompanied  his  parents  on  their  removal  to  Winnebago 
county,  Iowa,  about  1865,  and  here  he  pursued  his  studies  in  the  public  schools 
until  sixteen  years  of  age.  He  remained  at  home  until  twenty-five  and  then 
purchased  the  southeast  quarter  of  section  29,  Norway  township,  and  also  the  west 
half  of  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  28.  Upon  this  farm  he  has  since  resided 
and  has  given  his  undivided  attention  to  its  cultivation  and  improvement  with 
good  results.  He  is  now  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator,  Lake  Mills 
Creamery  Company  and  Farmers  Lumber  Company  of  Lake  Mills  and  is  one  of 
the  well-to-do  citizens  of  his  community. 

On  the  29th  of  March,  1884,  Mr.  Martinson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Lena  Anderson,  a  daughter  of  Ole  and  Carrie  Anderson,  who  were  natives  of 
Norway  and  came  to  the  United  States  forty  years  ago.    The  father  was  a  farmer 


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298  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

and  passed  away  in  Winnebago  county  in  1897.  He  is  buried  in  Liine  Creek  ceme- 
tery. The  mother  is  living  in  Wisconsin  at  the  age  of  eighty-three  years.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Martinson  have  been  born  twelve  children,  of  whom  the  following 
are  still  living:  Ingebrit  M.,  a  resident  of  Center  township;  Carl  Oscar,  of  Lake 
Mills;  Selma  C,  the  wife  of  Ed  Johnson,  of  Center  township,  Winnebago  county; 
Clara  C,  the  wife  of  Alfred  Thompson,  of  Center  township;  and  Gilma,  Annetta 
C,  Alice  B.,  Melvin  0.  and  William  R.,  all  at  home. 

The  family  are  identified  with  the  Synod  Lutheran  church  and  in  politics  Mr. 
Martinson  affiliates  with  the  republican  party,  in  whose  principles  and  policies 
he  firmly  believes.  For  a  number  of  years  he  filled  the  office  of  school  director  and 
the  cause  of  education  has  always  found  in  him  a  faithful  friend.  Wherever  known, 
he  is  held  in  high  regard  and  he  is  numbered  among  the  representative  citizens 
of  his  locality. 


NBLS   P.   BAYERS. 


Among  the  most  prosperous  residents  of  Winnebago  county  is  Nels  P.  Bayers, 
a  retired  farmer  now  living  in  Forest  City.  There  is  much  of  interest  concerning 
his  life  record  and  the  methods  which  he  has  pursued  in  the  attainment  of  success 
that  can  with  profit  be  set  down.  He  was  bom  in  Schleswig-Holstein,  Denmark, 
May  6, 1848,  a  son  of  Christ  and  Carrie  ( Vestergaard )  Bayers,  the  former  of  whom 
died  in  Germany  and  the  latter  in  Copenhagen. 

Reared  under  the  parental  roof,  Nels  P.  Bayers  acquired  his  education  in  his 
native  country  and  was  a  young  man  of  twenty-three  years  when  in  1871  he 
crossed  the  Atlantic  to  the  new  world,  settling  in  Manistee,  Michigan,  on  the 
25th  of  October  of  that  year.  There  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Bertha 
Marie  Anderson,  who  came  to  the  United  States  from  Denmark  in  1872.  For 
five  years  Mr.  Bayers  continued  a  resident  of  Michigan,  but  thinking  to  find  better 
opportunities  in  the  west,  resolved  to  remove  to  Iowa. 

It  was  in  1876  that  he  arrived  in  Hancock  county  and  purchased  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  Britt  township,  ten  miles  west  of  Gamer,  which  he  sold 
shortly  afterwards.  He  then  bought  forty  acres  four  miles  east  of  Garner,  where 
he  remained  for  two  years,  after  which  he  sold  that  and  purchased  ninety  acres 
in  Ellington  township,  which  he  cultivated  for  a  time.  Later  he  disposed  of  that 
land  and  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  the  same  township.  His  next 
investment  made  him  owner  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  adjoining  and  still 
later  he  bought  one  hundred  and  eighty  acres  where  the  town  of  Miller  is  now 
located.  He  continued  to  occupy  and  cultivate  his  farm  in  Ellington  township 
until  1901,  when  he  retired  and  removed  to  Forest  City.  He  remains,  however, 
an  extensive  holder  of  farm  lands,  his  possessions  including  five  hundred  and  forty- 
seven  acres  of  valuable  land  near  Rochester,  Minnesota^  two  hundred  and  thirty-six 
acres  near  Charles  City,  Iowa,  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  irrigated  land  in 
Laramie  county,  Wyoming,  and  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Sumner  county,  Kansas, 
which  has  become  very  valuable  owing  to  oil  discoveries  there.  Mr.  Bayers 
is  rated  among  the  wealthy  men  of  Forest  City.  He  has  been  very  successful, 
for  although  he  came  to  this  country  a  poor  young  man,  he  has  worked  his 


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.;^  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  299 

way  steadily  upward.  When  he  arrived  in  Manistee,  Michigan,  he  had  had 
no  breakfast  and  possessed  not  a  penny  to  buy  his  dinner.  Two  days  later  he 
had  fifteen  dollars  in  his  pocket,  which  his  earnest  labor  had  brought  him — 
as  much  money  as  he  made  in  the  mother  country  in  six  months.  He  was 
ambitious  and  determined  to  get  ahead.  He  worked  hard,  utilizing  every  advan- 
tage that  would  enable  him  to  progress  in  a  business  way,  and  year  by  year  marked 
an  increase  in  his  fortunes,  owing  to  his  persistent  effort,  his  careful  invest- 
ment and  his  keen  sagacity.  In  addition  to  his  farming  interests  he  became  the 
organizer  of  the  Farmers  Mutual  Insurance  Company  of  Hancock  County,  of  which 
for  twelve  years  he  was  the  president.  He  was  also  the  organizer  of  the  Farmers 
Alliance  of  Hancock  County  and  for  two  years  served  as  its  president.  He  is 
now  a  stockholder  in  the  First  National  Bank  of  Forest  City.  For  many  years  he 
was  president  of  the  Farmers  Mutual  Creamery  Company  of  Forest  City,  the  first 
mutual  creamery  company  in  Winnebago  county. 

In  1908  Mr.  Bayers  was  called  upon  to  mourn  the  loss  of  his  first  wife,  who 
passed  away  on  the  2d  of  April  of  that  year,  leaving  ten  children,  while  three  have 
departed  this  life.  Those  who  still  survive  are:  Celia  M.,  the  wife  of  H.  J. 
Ries,  of  Billings,  Montana;  Mamie,  who  gave  her  hand  in  marriage  to  C.  C. 
Clark,  of  Minneapolis,  Minnesota;  Peter  C,  a  resident  of  Antler,  North  Dakota; 
Carrie,  the  wife  of  John  M.  Walls,  of  Grafton,  North  Dakota;  Arthur,  a  banker, 
who  makes  his  home  in  Lavina,  Montana;  iGeorge  W.,  residing  in  Denver,  Colo- 
rado; Marie,  who  is  a  music  teacher  of  Minneapolis,  Minnesota;  John  and  Walter, 
who  are  Montana  homesteaders;  and  Valeta,  a  trained  nurse  of  Minneapolis, 
Minnesota.  In  May,  1909,  Mr.  Bayers  married  Miss  Olivia  Hendrickson  of 
Chicago,  Illinois,  who  is  a  native  of  Denmark. 

Mr.  Bayers  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  democratic  party  but  has  never 
sought  nor  desired  office.  However,  he  served  on  the  school  board  in  Hancock 
county  for  several  years.  He  is  interested  in  progressive  citizenship  and  his 
activities  have  been  an  element  in  the  continued  growth  and  development  of  his 
section  of  the  state.  Here  he  has  lived  for  more  than  forty  years  and  has  ever 
been  an  interested  witness  of  the  events  which  have  occurred  that  have  molded 
the  history  of  the  county. 


ANDREW  A.  RODBERG. 

As  its  name  indicates,  Norway  township,  Winnebago  county,  has  been  largely 
settled  by  those  who  were  bom  in  the  land  of  the  midnight  sun  or  whose  parents 
came  from  that  country.  Andrew  A.  Rodberg  first  opened  his  eyes  to  the  light 
of  day  at  North  Fjord,  Norway,  March  13,  1862,  being  the  second  child  of  Amund 
and  Anna  Rodberg,  who  are  farming  people  and  who  had  a  family  of  six  children : 
John,  who  is  now  a  resident  of  Scarville,  Iowa;  A.  A.;  Jeneca,  now  the  wife  of 
Louis  Opdahl,  of  North  Fjord,  Norway;  Olina,  the  wife  of  Rasmus  Nelson,  also 
living  in  that  country;  Gertrude,  the  wife  of  Andrew  Kvernaveck,  of  Norway; 
and  Jacob,  who  died  in  Norway.  The  first  two  were  the  only  ones  who  ever  came 
to  the  United  States,  the  parents  and  other  members  of  the  family  still  living 
in  Norway. 


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300  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

Andrew  A.  Rodberg  spent  the  period  of  his  boyhood  and  youth  in  his  native 
land  and  when  twenty-one  years  of  age  came  alone  to  the  United  States,  first 
settling  near  Northwood,  Worth  county,  Iowa.  He  worked  as  a  farm  hand  for 
a  short  time  and  then  removed  to  Norway  township,  Winnebago  county,  where 
he  was  employed  at  farm  labor  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty-seven  years. 
In  the  meantime  he  carefully  saved  his  earnings  until  his  industry  and  economy 
had  brought  tp  him  a  sufficient  sum  to  enable  him  to  purchase  the  northeast 
quarter  of  section  31,  Norway  township.  With  characteristic  energy  he  at  once 
began  to  clear  and  develop  that  property,  upon  which  he  still  makes  his  home. 
He  soon  cleared  the  land,  plowed  under  the  native  prairie  grasses,  harrowed  his 
fields,  planted  his  seed  and  in  due  course  of  time  was  gathering  good  harvests. 
All  through  the  intervening  years  to  the  present  he  has  carefully  cultivated  his 
land  and  the  result  of  his  labors  is  seen  in  a  splendidly  developed  farm,  upon 
which  are  good  improvements.  He  rotates  his  crops,  studies  the  best  methods  of 
enhancing  the  yield  and  utilizes  the  latest  improved  machinery  in  planting  and 
harvesting. 

When  twenty-eight  years  of  age  Mr.  Rodberg  was  married  to  Miss  Anna  Ide, 
who  came  to  the  United  States  with  her  brothers,  who  settled  in  Worth  county, 
Iowa,  where  they  still  make  their  home.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rodberg  were  bom 
four  children :  Perry,  who  married  Sarah  Linde,  a  daughter  of  0.  P.  Linde,  of 
Norway  township;  Amanda,  the  wife  of  R.  Jacobson,  who  is  cultivating  the  home 
farm  and  by  whom  she  has  two  children,  Asta  and  Alma;  and  John  and  Elmer, 
who  are  still  at  hime.  The  wife  and  mother  passed  away  July  3,  1913,  and  her 
remains  were  laid  to  rest  at  Lake  Mills. 

Throughout  his  life  A.  A.  Rodberg  has  been  actuated  by  high  and  honorable 
principles  for  he  has  long  been  a  consistent  member  of  the  United  Lutheran 
church.  His  political  views  constitute  an  endorsement  of  the  republican  party, 
but  he  has  never  been  ambitious  to  hold  office.  For  forty-four  years  he  has 
lived  continuously  in  Iowa  and  is  thoroughly  American  in  spirit  and  interests, 
standing  at  all  times  for  those  forces  which  work  for  the  betterment  of  county, 
state  and  nation. 


BICK    CONNER. 


Bick  Conner,  proprietor  of  a  livery  stable  at  Forest  City,  was  bom  in  Fayette 
county,  Iowa  September  18,  1873,  a  son  of  Isaac  and  Emily  (Clark)  Conner,  who 
were  natives  of  Indiana  and  of  Ohio  respectively.  The  father  came  to  Iowa  in 
1859,  establishing  his  home  in  Fayette  county,  whence  he  afterward  removed  to 
Winnebago  county,  settling  on  a  farm  in  Forest  township.  He  was  thus  identified 
with  general  agricultural  pursuits  of  that  locality  for  a  long  period.  To  him  and 
his  wife  were  bom  ten  children,  of  whom  nine  are  now  living. 

Bick  Conner  pursued  his  education  in  the  public  schools  and  when  not  busy 
with  his  textbooks  worked  in  the  fields.  He  began  farming  on  his  own  account 
in  Fayette  county,  Iowa,  where  he  remained  for  a  year  and  then  came  to  Winnebago 
county,  where  he  rented  land  which  he  cultivated  for  six  years.  At  the  end  of  that 
time  he  had  saved  money  enough  to  purchase  a  farm  and  became  the  owner  of 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  301 

a  tract  of  land  of  eighty  acres  on  section  9,  Forest  township.  Upon  that  place  he 
remained  for  twelve  years,  converting  it  into  a  highly  improved  and  productive 
property.  His  farm  work  was  wisely  and  carefully  managed  and  conducted  and 
brought  to  him  a  substantial  measure  of  success.  At  length  he  removed  to  Forest 
City  and  opened  his  livery  barn,  since  which  time  he  has  conducted  a  growing 
business.  He  has  a  large  number  of  vehicles  and  horses  and  it  is  ever  his  earnest 
desire  to  please  his  customers,  while  his  reliable  methods  have  brought  to  him  a 
large  patronage  from  the  public. 

In  1894  Mr.  Conner  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Boleyn,  a  native  of  Fayette 
county  and  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Sarah  Boleyn,  the  former  now  deceased, 
while  the  mother  is  still  living.  Mrs.  Conner  was  an  only  child.  Mr.  Conner 
belongs  to  the  Brotherhood  of  American  Yeoman  and  he  exercises  his  right  of 
franchise  in  support  of  the  men  and  measures  of  the  republican  party.  He  has 
never  sought  nor  desired  public  oflSce  but  has  concentrated  his  efforts  and  attention 
upon  his  business  interests  and  he  is  now  well  known  in  this  county,  in  which  he 
has  resided  for  many  years. 


NELS  0.  BEBG. 


Nels  0.  Berg,  proprietor  of  the  only  exclusive  grocery  store  in  Thompson, 
Iowa,  was  born  in  Norway  on  the  3d  of  February,  1865,  and  is  a  son  of  Ole  and 
Aima  (Nelson)  Berg,  also  natives  of  that  country,  where  the  family  continued 
to  reside  until  June,  1865,  when  they  emigrated  to  America.  Locating  in  Winne- 
shiek county,  Iowa,  the  father  purchased  land  nine  miles  east  of  Decorah  and 
engaged  in  farming  there  until  1902,  when  he  retired  from  active  labor  and 
removed  to  Decorah,  making  his  home  in  that  city  until  he  passed  away  in  April, 
1915.    The  mother  of  our  subject  died  in  1869. 

It  was  during  his  infancy  that  Nels  0.  Berg  was  brought  to  the  new  world 
and  he  was  reared  and  educated  in  Winneshiek  county,  Iowa.  After  leaving  home 
he  learned  tlie  carpenter^s  trade  in  Decorah  and  later  followed  that  occupation  in 
St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  for  three  years.  During  the  autumn  season  he  engaged  in 
threshing  in  North  Dakota  for  three  years  and  in  the  fall  of  1891  came  to  Forest 
City,  Iowa,  but  soon  afterward  returned  to  his  old  home  in  Winneshiek  county, 
where  he  spent  one  year.  In  1892  Mr.  Berg  again  came  to  Winnebago  county  and 
settled  in  Thompson  before  the  railroad  had  been  built  to  this  place.  Here  he 
engaged  in  contracting,  erecting  many  of  the  early  buildings  of  the  town,  but  later 
spent  two  more  years  in  Winneshiek  county.  On  his  return  to  Thompson  he 
bought  an  interest  in  a  general  store,  which  he  conducted  for  a  time,  and  subse- 
quently engaged  in  the  restaurant  business  for  eight  years.  Since  then  he  has 
given  his  attention  to  the  grocery  business  and  now  carries  a  large  and  complete 
stock  of  staple  and  fancy  groceries,  for  which  he  finds  a  ready  sale,  having  built 
up  an  excellent  patronage.  Mr.  Berg  is  also  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Co- 
operative Creamery  Company  and  in  the  Town  Mutual  Telephone  Company  and 
is  the  owner  of  two  store  buildings  besides  his  fine  home  in  Thompson. 

On  the  1st  of  January,  1895,  Mr.  Berg  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Hattie  Halverson,  and  they  have  become  the  parents  of  three  children:  Millard, 

il— 16 


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302  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

bom  October  21,  1898;  Hattie  Lucille,  born  March  16,  1913;  and  the  lattert  twin 
sister,  Nettie  Luella,  who  died  August  8,  1914. 

In  his  political  aflSliations  Mr.  Berg  is  a  republican  and  is  a  recognized  leader 
in  the  local  ranks  of  that  party.  He  is  now  eflSciently  serving  as  a  member  of  the 
town,  council  and  has  also  filled  the  office  of  school  treasurer.  In  religious  f  aith^ 
he  is  a  Lutheran.  He  ^ves  his  hearty,  support  to  all  measures  calculated  to  ad- 
vance the  moral,  educational  or  material  welfare  of  the  community  and  is  re- 
garded as  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Thompson  as  well  as  one  of  its  most 
enterprising  business  men. 


ANDREW  B.  MYHR. 


The  home  farm  of  Andrew  B.  Myhr  is  situated  on  sections  27  and  28,  King 
township.  This  is  the  old  homestead  of  the  family  and  became  the  property  of 
the  present  owner  in  1916.  He  was  bom  in  Nebraska  on  the  5th  of  April, 
1884,  and  is  a  son  of  Berge  A.  and  Helen  (Thorsheim)  Myhr,  who  were  natives 
of  Norway  and  came  to  America  in  1882,  locating  in  Illinois.  After  a  yea^ 
they  removed  to  Nebraska  and  obtained  a  homestead  claim  which  Mr.  Myhr 
continued  to  cultivate  until  1888.  He  then  came  to  Winnebago  county  and  pur- 
chased eighty  acres  on  section  28,  King  township.  This  he  further  developed 
ajid  improved  and  continued  to  engage  in  farming  thereon  until  called  to  his 
final  rest.  He  died  in  June,  1901,  being  killed  by  a  bull.  His  widow  is^  still 
living. 

Andrew  B.  Myhr  was  reared  and  educated  in  Winnebago  county,  dividing 
his  time  between  the  work  of  the  schoolroom,  the  pleasures  of  the  playground 
and  the  tasks  assigned  him  in  connection  with  the  cultivation  of  the  fields.  He 
remained  with  his  parents  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty-two  years,  when 
he  purchased  land,  and  since  then  has  bought  and  sold  several  fanns,  becoming 
the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  the  old  home  place  in  1916.  There 
were  at  one  time  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  in  this  farm^  but  a  part  of  it  had 
been  sold.  Mr.  Myhr  has  made  excellent  improvements  upon  it  since  he  took 
up  his  abode  there  and  he  now  has  one  of  the  nicest  homes  of  the  county.  In 
the  rear  of  the  residence  stand  good  bams  and  outbuildings  and  these  are  sur- 
rounded by  highly  cultivated  fields.  The  place  presents  a  most  neat  and  attractive 
appearance  and  constitutes  one  of  the  pleasing  features  of  the  landscape.  Mr. 
Myhr  is  also  well  known  in  business  circles  and  in  other  connections.  He  is  a 
stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  and  in  the  Cooperative  Creamery 
Company  of  Thompson.  He  has  served  as  vice  president  and  as  president  of 
the  King  Mutual  Telephone  Company  for  several  years,  occupying  the  latter 
position  at  the  present  time.  He  now  makes  a  specialty  of  raising  stock,  handling 
pure  bred  Guernsey  cattle  and  Chester  White  hogs,  while  his  wife  is  engaged 
quite^  extensively  in  raising  White  Wyandotte  chickens. 

It  was  in  March,  1907,  that  Mr.  Myhr  wedded  Miss  Clara  Anderson,  a  daugh- 
ter of  K.  B.  Anderson,  a  native  of  Norway,  who  came  to  the  United  States  when 
but  ten  years  of  age.  He  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war  and  was  one  of  the 
pioneer  settlers  of  Winnebago  county,  where  he  passed  away  in  the  fall  of  1910, 


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MR.    AND    MRS.    ANDREW    B.    MYHR 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  305 

having  for  a  few  years  survived  his  wife,  who  died  in  the  spring  of  1906.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Myhr  have  an  adopted  daughter.  Alpha  K.,  who  is  now  five  years  oi 
age* 

Their  religious  faith  is  that  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  politically  Mr.  Myhr 
is  a  republican.  He  is  the  present  township  clerk  of  King  township,  which 
position  he  has  occupied  for  about  eight  years,  and  in  1914  he  was  made  his 
party's  candidate  for  county  treasurer.  While  undoubtedly  not  without  that  laud- 
able ambition  which  is  so  valuable  as  an  incentive  for  faithful  service  in  public 
life,  he  yet  regards  private  pursuits  as  abundantly  worthy  of  his  best  efforts  and 
in  business  has  made  a  creditable  record.  His  plans  are  always  well  defined  and 
carefully  executed  and  his  careful  management  of  his  farming  interests  has 
brought  gratifying  returns. 


SIGTJED  C.  BBOCKEY. 


Iowa  ranks  with  the  great  agricultural  states  of  the  Union,  leading  in  the 
production  of  some  crops.  Its  reputation  in  this  regard  is  due  not  to  any  little 
group  of  individuals  but  to  the  combined  effort  of  many  enterprising  and  progres 
sive  farmers  who  have  gathered  to  this  section  from  all  parts  of  the  world. 
Among  those  who  have  come  from  Norway  is  Sigurd  C.  Brockey,  who  is  now  living 
on  section  27,  Mount  Valley  tovniship,  Winnebago  county.  He  was  bom  Septem- 
ber 14,  1847,  his  parents  being  Christian  and  Sarah  (Segerson)  Brockey,  who 
were  also  natives  of  that  country,  where  the  wife  and  mother  passed  away.  The 
father  afterward  came  to  the  new  world  in  1857  and  took  up  his  abode  in  Minne- 
sota, where  he  continued  to  reside  until  his  demise. 

Sigurd  C.  Brockey  was  about  ten  years  of  age  when  he  came  with  his  father 
to  the  United  States  and  under  the  parental  roof  he  remained  until  he  had 
attained  his  majority.  He  was  early  trained  to  the  work  of  the  fields,  receiving 
practical  experience  in  the  best  methods  of  cultivating  the  soil  and  caring  for 
the  crops  when  the  harvest  was  ripe.  On  reaching  man^s  estate  he  began  farming 
on  his  own  account  in  Minnesota  and  in  1875  he  removed  to  Iowa,  establishing 
his  home  in  Winnebago  county,  where  he  purchased  the  farm  on  section  27, 
Mount  Valley  township,  on  which  he  now  resides.  It  bears  little  resemblance  at 
the  present  time,  however,  to  the  tract  of  land  which  came  into  his  possession  more 
than  four  decades  ago,  for  he  has  improved  the  place  according  to  modern  farm 
methods  and  has  erected  thereon  substantial  buildings.  At  one  time  he  owned 
one  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  land.  He  has  always  made  a  specialty  of  raising 
and  feeding  stock  of  all  kinds  and  his  work  in  this  connection  has  added  not  a 
little  to  his  income.    He  is  likewise  a  stockholder  in  the  creamery  at  Forest  City. 

In  1871  Mr.  Brockey  was  joined  in  wedlock  to  Miss  Betsy  Swenson,  a  native 
of  Norway,  and  they  have  become  the  parents  of  eight  children,  as  follows: 
Sarah  H.,  who  is  the  vrif  e  of  Gottlieb  Riehm ;  Christian,  deceased ;  Lottie  S.,  who 
gave  her  hand  in  marriage  to  Arthur  Larson;  William,  who  has  passed  away; 
Swan  S.,  who  operates  the  homestead  farm;  Willie,  deceased;  Dena  C;  and  Carl 
G.,  who  has  also  passed  away. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brockey  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  are  interested 


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306  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

in  all  those  moral  forces  which  work  for  the  uplift  of  the  community.  Mr. 
Brockey  early  found  that  industry  is  the  key  which  unlocks  the  portals  of  success. 
He  has  led  a  life  of  activity  and  has  been  most  practical  in  all  that  he  has  under- 
taken, so  tliat  substantial  results  have  crowned  his  efforts.  Although  he  has  now 
almost  reached  the  Psalmist's  span  of  three  score  years  and  ten,  he  is  yet  an 
active  worker  in  the  world's  work  and  Winnebago  county  classes  him  with  her 
representative  farmers. 


JOHN   P.    NELSEN. 


John  P.  Nelsen,  who  at  the  time  of  his  demise  was  living  upon  the  farm  now 
owned  by  his  widow,  on  section  30,  Linden  township,  Winnebago  county,  was  a 
man  of  many  admirable  qualities,  and  his  memory  is  cherished  by  his  friends.  He 
was  bom  in  Germany,  July  21,  1846,  and  remained  there  until  he  was  eleven 
years  old,  when  the  family  removed  to  Denmark,  where  he  finished  his  education. 
He  was  married  in  that  country  where  he  continued  his  residence  until  1878,  when 
he  came  to  the  United  States  and  located  at  Monmouth,  Illinois.  For  thirteen 
years  he  maintained  his  home  there  but  in  1891  removed  to  Hancock  county,  Iowa, 
whence  two  years  later  he  came  to  section  30,  Linden  township,  Winnebago  county, 
and  bought  a  good  farm  of  eighty  acres.  He  gave  his  time  and  attention  to  the 
operation  of  that  place  until  he  was  called  by  death  on  March  17,  1895.  Although 
lie  had  resided  in  Winnebago  county  but  two  years  he  had  gained  the  unqualified 
respect  and  warm  regard  of  those  who  had  come  in  contact  with  him,  and  his 
demise  was  deeply  regretted.    His  remains  were  interred  in  Crystal  Lake  cemetery. 

Mr.  Nelsen  was  married  in  Denmark  to  Miss  Matilda  Nelsen,  and  to  their 
union  were  bom  seven  children,  four  of  whom  survive,  as  follows :  Louisa,  the  wife 
of  M.  Daniels  of  North  Dakota ;  John  and  George,  who  are  living  in  Mason  City, 
Iowa;  and  Arthur,  living  at  Woden,  Iowa.  Mrs.  Nelsen  resides  upon  the  farm  in 
Linden  township  purchased  by  her  husband  in  1893.  She  holds  membership  in 
the  Lutheran  church,  of  which  Mr.  Nelsen  was  a  life-long  and  consistent  member. 
He  was  a  man  of  sterling  character,  his  conduct  at  all  times  conforming  to  high 
standards  of  ethics. 


K.    G.   OSHEIM. 


K.  G.  Osheim,  who  was  prominently  identified  with  the  business  life  of 
Thompson  as  a  member  of  the  hardware  firm  of  Jerde  &  Osheim,  but  is  now  living 
retired,  was  born  in  Norway,  July  20,  1855.  When  two  years  old  he  was  brought 
to  America  by  his  parents,  Gunder  and  Bertha  Osheim,  who  purchased  a  farm  in 
Winneshiek  county,  Iowa.  There  the  father  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  until 
his  death  at  the  age  of  sixty-three  years.  He  is  buried  in  the  Stavanger  Church 
cemetery.     Five  children  of  the  family  of  four  sons  and  two  daughters  survive. 

K.  G.  Osheim  received  a  limited  education  in  the  district  schools  of  Winneshiek 
county  and  subsequently  spent  several  years  working  for  his  father,  but  when 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  307 

twenty-one  years  old  rented  a  farm*  in  that  county.  A  year  later  he  bought  that 
place,  which  he  operated  until  1892,  when  he  removed  to  Winnebago  county  and 
purchased  a  quarter  section  in  Linden  township,  to  which  he  added  by  purchase 
until  his  holdings  comprised  four  hundred  and  eighty  acres.  In  1896  he  gave 
up  farm  work,  sold  his  land  and  became  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Jerde  &  Osheim, 
dealers  in  hardware  at  Thompson.  At  length  he  bought  out  his  partner  and  in 
association  with  his  son  Lawrence  conducted  business  until  1910,  when  he  disposed 
of  his  interests  therein  and  retired  from  active  life. 

In  1876  Mr.  Osheim  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Bertha  Danielson,  who 
passed  away  leaving  two  children:  Lawrence,  now  a  resident  of  Bosholt,  South 
Dakota ;  and  Julia,  the  wife  of  Lars  Ritland,  of  Adams  county,  Iowa. 

Mr.  Osheim  gives  his  support  to  the  republican  party  but  has  not  been  very 
active  in  public  affairs,  preferring  to  concentrate  his  attention  upon  his  business 
interests.  He  is  a  communicant  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  seeks  to  extend  its 
influence  and  further  its  work.  He  early  realized  the  fact  that  he  must  win  for 
himself  whatever  success  he  gained  and  bent  all  his  energy  to  making  his  way  in 
the  world.  His  industry,  determination,  and  good  management  have  been  well 
rewarded,  for  he  now  has  a  competence  that  ensures  him  all  the  comforts  of  life. 


BUBT   J.   THOMPSON. 

Burt  J.  Thompson  is  a  well  known  representative  of  the  Winnebago  coimty  bar, 
practicing  at  Forest  City,  but  this  does  not  by  any  means  cover  the  scope  of  his 
activities,  for  he  is  an  equally  forceful  and  resourceful  man  in  banking  circles  and 
is  a  prominent  representative  of  the  agricultural  interests  of  the  state.  He  combines 
persistency  of  purpose  with  keen  sagacity  and  the  ability  to  discriminate  between 
the  essential  and  the  nonessential  in  all  business  affairs. 

Mr.  Thompson  was  bom  May  19,  1872,  in  the  city  which  is  still  his  home, 
his  parents  being  Jasper  and  Clara  (King)  Thompson,  who  are  mentioned  else- 
where in  this  work.  Following  the  completion  of  his  public  school  course  Burt 
J.  Thompson  entered  Grinnell  College  at  Grinnell,  Iowa,  and  was  graduated  there- 
from with  the  class  of  1894.  With  thorough  preparatory  training  he  then  entered 
the  Harvard  Law  School  of  Cambridge,  Massachussetts,  and  won  his  professional 
degree  with  the  class  of  1904.  Through  the  intervening  period  he  was  prominently 
connected  with  the  professional  and  business  interests  of  Winnebago  county.  For 
six  years  before  entering  the  law  school  he  was  cashier  of  the  Winnebago  County 
State  Bank  and  in  1898  and  1899  he  was  traveling  around  the  world,  being  in  the 
Philippines  at  the  time  of  the  Spanish-American  war  and  there  witnessing  several 
engagements.  While  upon  this  trip  he  contributed  several  articles  concerning  his 
travels  to  the  Midland  Magazine.  Following  his  return  he  began  preparation  for 
the  bar  and  has  since  been  actively  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  in  Winnebago 
county,  making  for  himself  a  most  creditable  position  at  the  bar  by  reason  of  his 
comprehensive  knowledge  of  the  principles  of  jurisprudence  and  his  accuracy  in 
applying  these  principles  to  the  points  of  litigation.  His  reasoning  is  clear,  his 
deductions  sound  and  his  arguments  forceful.  Associated  with  him  in  practice 
are  Alan  Loth  and  Byron  L.  Sifford,  both  young  men  of  notable  ability.     Mr.  Loth 


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308  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

completed  the  liberal  arts  course  in  the  Chicago  University  and  won  his  degree  in 
the  Chicago  Law  School  before  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age.  He  at  once  entered 
into  his  present  partnership  relation  and  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  brilliant 
young  trial  lawyers  in  northern  Iowa.  Mr.  SifiEord  is  a  graduate  of  the  State 
University  of  Iowa  in  both  the  academic  and  law  departments  and  is  now  in  charge 
of  the  Buffalo  Center  branch  of  the  firm's  practice.  He  was  the  most  brilliant 
honor  student  in  the  law  department  of  the  university  in  many  years  and  in  his 
practice  is  carrying  out  the  promise  of  his  student  days. 

The  success  which  Mr.  Thompson  has  won  as  a  lawyer  would  satisfy  many  a 
man,  but  with  him  the  recognition  of  opportunity  is  always  a  call  to  action  and  in 
various  other  fields  he  has  won  notable  distinction  and  success,  equaling  the 
prominence  which  he  has  attained  as  a  distinguished  member  of  the  Iowa  bar.  In 
financial  circles  he  is  well  known,  for  he  is  the  vice  president  of  the  Winnebago 
County  State  Bank  of  Forest  City,  is  the  president  of  the  State  Bank  of  Thompson, 
was  formerly  vice  president  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Buffalo  Center  for  many 
years,  is  secretary  of  the  Iowa  Northern  Land  Company  of  Fort  Dodge  and  presi- 
dent of  the  Thompson  Land  Company,  of  Thompson,  Iowa.  He  is  also  deeply 
interested  in  agriculture  and  the  development  and  improvement  of  farm  lands.  He 
has  become  the  owner  of  large  land  interests  in  Iowa  and  in  Texas,  taking  all  of  his 
farms  in  the  raw  and  improving  them.  His  methods  bring  quick  results,  as  he  con- 
verts the  wild  prairie  into  richly  productive  fields.  Formerly  he  made  a  specialty 
of  the  raising  of  high  bred  shorthorn  cattle  but  is  now  confining  his  attention  more 
largely  to  crop  cultivation,  operating  his  farms  through  tenants.  He  has  purchased 
tract  after  tract  which  he  has  tiled  and  improved  and  has  thus  contributed  largely 
to  the  progress  of  the  state  along  agricultural  lines. 

In  February,  1910,  Mr.  Thompson  was  married  to  Ethel  (Satterlee)  Bennett, 
of  Los  Angeles,  California,  a  daughter  of  Dr.  Dwight  Satterlee,  who  was  born  in 
Connecticut  and  represented  a  family  prominent  in  textile  manufacturing.  Dr. 
Satterlee  served  for  five  years  with  the  Federal  army  in  the  Civil  war  as  a  surgeon 
with  the  rank  of  major.  He  had  charge  of  a  hospital  in  Richmond.  Following 
the  cessation  of  hostilities  Dr.  Satterlee  located  at  Dunlap,  Iowa,  where  he  engaged 
in  the  practice  of  medicine  for  forty  years.  He  was  also  the  owner  of  a  drug 
store  there  and  was  president  of  the  Dunlap  Bank.  He  also  served  as  county  super- 
visor and  filled  other  offices  and  was  prominently  connected  with  many  projects  of 
importance  to  the  community.  Later  he  became  a  resident  of  Des  Moines,  Iowa, 
and  later  went  to  Denver,  Colorado,  and  on  to  California,  where  he  took  up  his 
abode  about  1901.  He  is  a  man  of  much  more  than  ordinary  ability  and  his  activ- 
ities constitute  a  valuable  contribution  to  the  world's  work.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomp- 
son are  the  parents  of  the  following  children :  Wilma  Charlotte,  Bruce  and  Janice. 

In  politics  Mr.  Thompson  has  always  been  a  stalwart  republican,  believing 
firmly  in  the  principles  of  the  party  yet  never  seeking  nor  accepting  nomination  for 
office.  Fraternally  he  is  connected  with  Truth  Lodge,  No.  213,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and 
also  vrith  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  He  is  happy  in  having  back  of  him  an  honorable 
ancestry  and  fortunate  in  that  his  lines  of  life  have  been  cast  in  harmony  therewith. 
He  has  made  his  life  one  of  broad  usefulness,  directing  his  efforts  not  alone  along 
lines  bringing  individual  success  but  also  into  fields  which  constitute  a  source  of 
public  service.     In  June,  1915,  he  was  elected  a  trustee  of  Grinnell  College  at 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  309 

Grinnell,  Iowa,  and  was  elected  a  director  of  the  Grinnell  Foundation,  which  is  the 
business  corporation  of  the  college,  in  June,  1916.  In  the  winter  of  1915-16  he 
was  sent  by  the  school  to  be  its  representative  at  meetings  held  by  its  local  alumni 
associations  in  Seattle,  Tacoma,  San  Francisco,  Los  Angeles,  Denver  and  Kansas 
City.  The  high  purposes  of  his  life  have  ever  found  fulfillment  in  the  attainment 
of  practical  results,  for  he  has  ever  been  a  man  of  action  rather  than  of  theory. 


JOHN   J.   HOLST. 


John  J.  Hoist,  a  resident  farmer  of  Mount  Valley  township,  Winnebago  county, 
has  his  home  on  section  34,  where  he  owns  and  cultivates  eighty  acres  of  rich 
and  productive  land.  He  was  born  in  Sweden  on  the  10th  of  August,  1871,  and 
is  a  son  of  Jens  0.  and  Sophia  (Larson)  Hoist,  both  of  whom  spent  their  entire 
lives  in  Sweden.  It  was  in  the  year  1893  that  John  J.  Hoist  came  to  the  new 
world.  He  had  spent  the  period  of  his  minority  in  his  native  land  and  had  acquired 
his  education  in  its  public  schools.  He  settled  in  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  where 
he  went  to  work  as  a  farm  hand,  and  he  continued  to  work  for  wages  for  eleven 
years,  but  desirous  of  engaging  in  business  on  his  own  account,  he  rented  land  in 
1904  and  b^an  farming  for  himself.  He  carefully  saved  his  earnings  through 
the  succeeding  period  of  eight  years  and  in  1912  he  purchased  his  present  farm  of 
eighty  acres  in  Mount  Valley  township.  For  five  years  he  has  resided  upon  this 
place  and  his  labors  are  manifest  in  the  well  kept  appearance  of  his  farm  with 
its  carefully  tilled  fields,  its  substantial  buildings  and  other  improvements.  He  is 
also  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Cooperative  Creamery  Company  of  Forest  City 
and,  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  of  Forest  City,  and  he  is  interested 
in  all  those  projects  and  measures  which  are  looking  to  the  improvement  of  conditions 
for  the  farmer  or  which  promote  agricultural  progress  as  exemplified  in  the  raising 
of  crops. 

In  1904  Mr.  Hoist  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Brones,  a  daughter  of  Peter 
N.  Brones,  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  work.  They  have  four  children,  Phyllis 
S.  B.,  James  P.,  Mable  I.  and  Alvin  C.  The  parents  are  members  of  the  Norwegian 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  guide  their  lives  according  to  its  teachings.  Their 
influence  is  always  on  the  side  of  right  and  progress,  reform  and  improvement, 
and  their  genuine  personal  worth  is  indicated  in  the  large  number  of  their  friends. 


QEOBGE  W.  BEADLE. 


In  the  history  of  George  W.  Beadle  is  given  the  life  record  of  one  who  for 
many  years  was  a  prominent  factor  in  the  business  life  and  development  of  Iowa. 
He  was  recognized  as  a  man  of  sterling  worth.  He  arrived  in  Winnebago  county 
in  the  period  of  its  pioneer  development  and  lived  to  witness  the  remarkable 
changes  which  have  transformed  this  from  a  frontier  district  into  one  of  the 
populous  and  prosperous  counties  of  the  state.  He  was  born  in  Woodbury,  Wash- 
ington county,  Vermont,  on  the  8th  of  July,  1835,  and  was  there  reared  to  man- 
hood, while  its  public  schools  afforded  him  his  educational  opportunities.     In 


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310  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

1855,  when  twenty  years  of  age,  he  came  to  Iowa,  making  his  way  first  to  Lyons, 
Clinton  county,  where  he  resided  for  two  years.  He  was  afterward  in  Worth 
county  for  two  years  and  then  came  to  Winnebago  county.  However,  as  a 
youth  of  twenty  years  he  had  visited  Winnebago  county,  where  he  became  ac- 
quainted with  an  old  trapper  and  for  a  short  period  was  associated  with  him 
in  trapping  and  hunting  in  the  vicinity  of  the  present  town  of  Lake  Mills.  He 
arrived  in  this  district  about  the  same  time  as  Judge  Robert  Clark  and  they 
later  became  fast  friends.  He  established  a  brickyard,  which  he  operated  for  a 
year  or  two,  and  made  the  brick  for  the  first  courthouse  and  the  old  Clark  Hotel. 
He  then  bought  land  from  the  government  and  settled  at  Ellington,  the  old 
county  seat  of  Hancock  county.  There  he  engaged  in  farming  and  upon  that 
place  made  his  home  for  thirty- two  years.  He  also  bought  other  land  adjoining 
his  first  purchase  and  ultimately  acquired  seven  hundred  acres,  which  he  con- 
verted into  rich  and  productive  fields.  In  addition  to  tilling  the  soil  he  also 
engaged  in  stock  raising  and  for  several  years  he  conducted  a  general  store  at 
Ellington.  He  was  also  postmaster  there  for  many  years  and  was  a  very  promi- 
nent factor  in  the  development  and  progress  of  the  district  in  which  he  lived. 
He  continued  upon  the  farm  for  many  years.  A  year  and  a  half  was  spent  in 
Britt,  Iowa,  where  he  organized  and,  as  its  president,  conducted  the  Farmers 
Savings  Bank.  At  the  end  of  that  period,*  however,  he  sold  the  bank  and  in 
1895  he  came  to  Forest  City,  where  he  conducted  a  general  store  for  five  years. 
At  the  end  of  that  period  he  disposed  of  his  general  mercantile  interests  and 
retired  from  active  business. 

On  the  24th  of  June,  1860,  Mr.  Beadle  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Sarah  J.  Streeter,  of  Cedar  Falls,  Iowa,  who  survives  him.  Her  father,  Zimri 
Streeter,  was  a  native  of  Vermont  and  in  1856  came  to  Iowa,  where  his  remaining 
days  were  passed.  He  engaged  in  farming  near  Cedar  Falls  and  was  in  the  legis- 
lature three  years.  Although  not  a  lawyer  he  served  as  one  in  many  instances. 
His  wife  was  in  her  maidenhood  Lucinda  Dean.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beadle  were 
born  five  children :  Howard  G. ;  Clara,  now  the  wife  of  Michael  O'Neil ;  Julia  M. ; 
Charles  L.,  who  is  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  work;  and  Angle,  who  died  when 
but  ten  months  old.  There  are  also  eleven  grandchildren  and  one  great-grand- 
son. For  a  few  years  John  Beadle,  a  brother,  made  his  home  with  Mr.  Beadle 
of  this  review.  John  Beadle  was  born  in  Newport,  Vermont,  February  5,  1829, 
and  in  1849  went  to  California  by  way  of  Central  America.  In  1852  he  returned 
to  his  native  state  and  the  year  following  came  to  Iowa,  but  again  went  back 
to  Vermont.  In  1859,  however,  he  located  at  Bristol,  Worth  county,  Iowa,  and 
later  removed  to  Ellington  township,  Hancock  county.  He  enlisted  at  the  first 
call  for  volunteers  for  service  in  the  Civil  war  and  fought  in  nearly  all  the  most 
important  battles  in  the  war,  including  Gettysburg.  He  was  a  member  of  Com- 
pany C,  Twelfth  United  States  Infantry.  At  the  close  of  hostilities  he  returned 
to  Iowa  and  bought  two  hundred  and  seventy-six  acres  of  land  five  miles  south 
of  Forest  City.  He  lived  there  until  a  few  years  before  his  death,  when  he  went 
to  live  with  his  brother,  G.  W.  Beadle.  He  passed  away  July  9,  1913,  at  the  age 
of  eighty-four  years. 

George  W.  Beadle  always  took  an  active  interest  in  politics  and  for  many 
years  filled  the  office  of  county  supervisor,  discharging  his  duties  with  marked 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  311 

promptness,  capability  and  fidelity.  He  was  deeply  interested  in  education,  served 
during  his  entire  residence  in  Hancock  county  as  a  member  of  the  school  board 
and  for  many  years  was  school  treasurer.  He  ever  contributed  to  public  progress 
through  his  aid  and  cooperation  in  movements  projected  for  the  general  good. 
He  never  united  with  any  church  but  was  a  man  of  deep  religious  convictions, 
which  he  manifested  in  his  everyday  affairs  and  in  his  relations  with  his  fellow- 
men.  His  death  occurred  on  the  18th  of  August,  1914,  and  he  was  laid  to  rest 
in  the  Ellington  cemetery,  leaving  a  widow,  four  children  and  many  friends  to 
mourn  his  loss.  His  was  an  active  and  well  spent  life  which  won  for  him  the 
respect  and  confidence  of  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact  and  many  who  knew 
him  entertained  for  him  the  warmest  regard.  Mrs.  Beadle  still  owns  the  old 
homestead  of  four  hundred  and  forty  acres  in  Hancock  county,  a  finely  improved 
tract  of  land.  She  is  a  woman  whose  many  admirable  qualities  have  won  her 
the  friendly  regard  and  confidence  of  all  who  know  her.  No  history  of  this 
section  of  the  state  would  be  complete  without  extended  reference  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Beadle,  for  from  early  pioneer  times  he  was  connected  with  Hancock  and 
Winnebago  counties,  witnessing  their  development  from  a  wild  frontier  region  and 
ever  bearing  his  part  in  the  task  of  promoting  the  upbuilding  of  his  section  of 
the  state. 


B.  N.  MACOMBER. 


B.  N.  Macomber^  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  in  Forest  City,  was  bom  in 
Oneida  county.  New  York,  February  1,  1867,  a  son  of  George  H.  and  Phoebe 
(Dunaway)  Macomber,  who  were  also  natives  of  the  Empire  state,  the  former 
of  Scotch  descent,  while  the  latter  was  of  English  lineage.  In  October,  1869, 
they  arrived  in  Forest  City,  traveling  from  Waverly,  Iowa,  by  team,  and  Mr. 
Macomber  then  rented  land  that  is  now  included  within  the  boundaries  of  the 
county  seat.  Later  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  teaming  business,  hauling 
freight  between  Forest  City  and  various  other  points  in  an  early  day  before  the 
building  of  a  railroad.  He  died  in  the  year  1913,  having  for  a  decade  survived 
his  wife,  who  passed  away  in  1903. 

B.  N.  Macomber  largely  devoted  his  early  youth  to  mastering  the  branches 
of  learning  taught  in  the  public  schools  near  his  father^s  home  and  then  started 
out  in  the  business  world  as  clerk  in  a  store.  He  afterward  became  proprietor 
of  a  general  store  which  he  owned  and  conducted  until  1902.  After  selling  out 
he  became  manager  of  the  lumber  yard  of  J.  H.  Queal  &  Company  at  Leland, 
Iowa,  where  he  continued  for  two  years.  He  afterward  spent  a  similar  period 
at  Bryceland  with  the  same  company  and  next  came  to  Forest  City  as  manager 
of  the  Queal  interests  at  this  point.  He  is  thoroughly  acquainted  with  the  lumber 
trade  and  in  his  responsible  position  is  conducting  a  large  and  growing  business. 

On  the  26th  of  December,  1894,  Mr.  Macomber  was  married  to  Miss  Henrietta 
Thurston,  of  Albert  Lea,  Minnesota,  a  daughter  of  Henry  Thurston,  who  was 
one  of  the  early  settlers  of  that  state.  He  became  a  prominent  educator  there 
and  was  an  active  and  influential  leader  in  politics. 

Mr.  Macomber  votes  with  the  republican  party  and  is  an  active  worker  in 
its  ranks.     He  has  served  as  a  member  of  the  town  council  but  prefers  to  leave 


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312  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

oflBce  holding  to  others.  Fraternally  he  is  well  known,  belonging  to  Truth  Lod^, 
No.  213,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  to  the  Eastern  Star.  He  is  also  identified  with  the 
Odd  Fellows  lodge,  the  Rebekahs  and  with  the  Modem  Woodmen.  His  has  been 
a  life  of  activity  and  what  he  has  undertaken  he  has  accomplished. 


JOHN   W.   MAHONEY. 


No  history  of  Winnebago  county  would  be  complete  without  extended  mention 
of  J.  W.  Mahoney,  who  is  now  deceased  but  who  for  many  years  was  one  of  the 
foremost  merchants  of  Forest  City,  locating  there  in  pioneer  times  and  taking 
active  part  in  its  development  along  many  lines.  He  served  for  many  years 
as  postmaster,  was  also  a  member  of  the  city  council  and  was  connected  with 
various  business  interests.  His  birth  occurred  in  Laporte  county,  Indiana,  April 
24,  1841,  and  there  he  remained  until  his  seventeenth  or  eighteenth  year^  when  he 
removed  with  his  parents  to  Floyd  county,  Iowa.  He  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools  and  in  1861,  upon  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war,  he  enlisted  as  a  member 
of  the  Third  Iowa  Battery,  with  which  he  served  until  the  close  of  hostilities, 
participating  in  the  engagements  at  Pea  Eidge,  at  Helena  and  at  Little  Rock, 
Arkansas,  and  also  in.  the  Yazoo  expedition.  He  proved  a  loyal  and  faithful 
soldier,  manifesting  his  loyalty  by  the  prompt  performance  of  every  duty  that 
devolved  upon  him. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  Mr.  Mahoney  returned  to  Floyd  county,  where  he 
resided  until  1869,  when  he  came  to  Forest  City  and  engaged  in  merchandising, 
erecting  the  first  good  store  building  in  the  town.  Therein  he  conducted  the  first 
mercantile  establishment  of  importance  in  Forest  City,  being  associated  with  B.  A. 
Plummer  for  a  year  and  a  half.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  took  over 
Mr.  Plummer's  interests  and  conducted  the  business  independently  for  a  number 
of  years.  Later  his  son,  Irving  W.,  became  his  partner  and  the  energy  and 
enterprise  of  the  young  man,  and  the  sagacity  and  experience  of  the  father,  made 
a  strong  business  combination.  Mr.  Mahoney  was  also  financially  interested  in 
Forest  City's  first  sawmill,  which  was  subsequently  converted  into  a  grist  mill. 
He  was  that  type  of  man  who,  when  anything  needed  to  be  done  in  the  town, 
did  not  stand  back  and  wait  for  some  one  else  to  do  it  but  took  his  place  in  the 
vanguard  and  led  the  movement. 

Mr.  Mahoney  was  connected  with  many  interests  of  public  importance.  In 
1870  he  was  appointed  deputy  postmaster  of  Forest  City  and  in  1873  was  made 
postmaster,  which  office  he  filled  for  about  fourteen  years.  He  was  also  a  member 
of  the  first  board  of  councilmen  of  Forest  City,  being  called  to  that  office  in  1878 
and  serving  for  two  years,  and  for  a  similar  period  held  the  office  of  mayor.  Hie 
served  on  the  school  board  for  many  years  and  did  everything  in  his  power  to 
advance  the  cause  of  education.  In  1888  he  was  elected  to  represent  his  district  in 
the  state  legislature  for  a  two  years'  term  and  was  a  candidate  for  renomination, 
but  the  nomination  was  declared  a  tie  and  in  order  to  keep  harmony  he  resigned 
in  favor  of  his  opponent.  He  worked  for  the  betterment  of  public  conditions  and 
the  development  of  the  resources  of  Winnebago  county  and  co-operated  in  every 
plan  and  measure  for  the  general  good. 


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JOHN  W.  MAHONEY 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  315 

On  March  20,  1868,  Mr.  Mahoney  was  joined  in  wedlock  to  Miss  Mary  E. 
Bannore,  of  Eockford,  Iowa,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Julette  (Waters)  Barmore, 
natives  of  New  York  state,  who  removed  to  Wisconsin  in  1845  by  wagon  and  in 
the  early  '60s  came  to  Iowa.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mahoney  became  the  parents  of  three 
children :  Irving  W.,  an  abstractor  and  prominent  citizen  of  Jackson,  Minnesota ; 
Edna  M.,  who  is  the  wife  of  N.  L.  Baker,  of  Minneapolis,  Minnesota,  the  patentee 
of  the  Baker  change-making  machine,  and  who  has  a  daughter,  Beth;  and  Hugh 
J.,  a  resident  of  Forest  City. 

Mr.  Mahoney  was  a  stanch  republican  in  politics  and  he  was  for  forty  years 
a  member  of  the  Masonic  lodge  of  Forest  City,  of  which  he  was  ever  a  most  loyal 
adherent,  exemplifying  in  his  life  the  beneficent  spirit  of  the  craft.  He  passed 
away  February  9,  1909,  while  he  and  his  wife  were  spending  the  winter- with  their 
daughter  in  Oklahoma  City.  In  his  passing  Winnebago  county  lost  one  of  its  most 
prominent  and  most  beloved  citizens.  During  the  funeral  all  the  business  houses 
were  closed,  the  flag  in  the  courthouse  yard  was  suspended  at  half  mast  and  the 
old  soldier  comrades  of  Mr.  Mahoney  attended  the  services  in  a  body.  He  and 
his  vdfe  attended  the  Congregational  church.  He  was  generous  to  a  fault,  giving 
freely  in  aid  of  those  who  needed  assistance.  He  was  prominent  in  social  circles 
of  the  city  and  is  everywhere  spoken  of  as  one  of  Nature's  noblemen.  His  life  was 
ever  upright  and  honorable,  actuated  by  high  purposes  and  fraught  with  splendid 
results.     Of  him  it  might  well  be  said: 

"  He  was  a  man ;  take  him  for  all  in  all, 
I  shall  not  look  upon  his  like  again.'' 


SOEEN  OLSON. 


Soren  Olson  is  included  within  Norway's  contribution  to  the  citizenship  of 
Winnebago  county,  for  he  was  born  in  the  land  of  the  fjords  on  the  3d  of  April, 
1851,  his  birthplace  being  in  the  parish  of  Opdahl,  near  Bergen.  His  parents 
were  Ole  Hanson  and  Martha  Nelson,  who  were  farming  people  of  that  country. 
Their  family  numbered  six  children,  but  only  two  are  now  living:  Soren;  and 
Nels,  who  still  occupies  the  old  homestead  in  Norway.  The  parents  never  came 
to  the  United  States. 

Soren  Olson  crossed  the  Atlantic  in  1872,  when  a  young  man  of  twenty-one 
years.  The  reports  which  had  reached  him  concerning  the  opportimities  and 
advantages  of  the  new  world  proved  to  him  an  irresistible  attraction  and  after 
landing  at  Quebec,  Canada,  he  made  his  way  across  the  country  to  Freeborn 
county,  Minnesota,  where  he  lived  for  a  few  months.  Later  he  spent  two  years 
in  Mitchell  county,  Iowa,  where  he  was  employed  as  a  farm  hand,  and  in  1875 
he  came  to  Norway  township,  Winnebago  county,  and  purchased  the  west  half 
of  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  30.  The  following  year  he  acquired  the 
remainder  of  that  quarter  section,  thus  becoming  owner  of  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  of  good  land  which  he  cleared  and  developed,  continuously  farming  this 
until  1910.  He  then  removed  to  another  farm,  which  he  had  previously  pur- 
chased, comprising  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land  on  section  20.  He  also 
bought  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  on  section  19  and  another  forty  acre  tract 


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316  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

on  section  30.  At  one  time  he  was  the  owner  of  four  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
of  valuable  farm  land  in  Norway  township,  but  has  since  sold  all  but  two  hundred 
and  eighty  acres  of  this.  Year  after  year  he  carefully  and  systematically  engaged 
in  farming,  winning  success  by  his  unfaltering  and  intelligently  directed  efforts, 
but  in  1916  he  retired  from  active  life  and  removed  to  Scarville,  where  he  and 
his  wife  now  occupy  an  attractive  home. 

In  May,  1878,  Mr.  Olson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Anna  Olson,  daughter 
of  Jacob  and  Gunilda  Olson,  who  were  natives  of  Norway  and  in  1861  came  to 
the  United  States,  establishing  their  home  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  where  they 
lived  for  three  years  and  then  removed  to  Freeborn  county,  Minnesota,  where  they 
followed  farming  until  called  to  their  final  rest,  their  remains  being  interred  in 
Lime  Crefek  Church  cemetery.  They  were  devoted  members  of  the  United  Luth- 
eran church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Olson  became  parents  of  ten  children:  Ole,  living 
in  Scarville  with  his  parents ;  Jacob,  who  is  upon  the  home  farm  in  Norway  town- 
ship; Matilda,  the  wife  of  Herman  Branvig,  of  Crookston,  Minnesota;  Gilbert, 
whose  home  is  in  Logan  township,  Winnebago  county;  Carrie,  now  the  wife  of 
Henry  Severson,  of  Norway  township;  Emma,  the  wife  of  R.  A.  Riley,  of  Norway 
township;  Nellie,  the  deceased  wife  of  Axel  Anderson,  of  Scarville;  Severt  and 
Oscar,  who  are  also  residents  of  Norway  township;  and  Minnie,  at  home. 

The  parents  are  members  of  the  United  Lutheran  church  and  in  his  political 
belief  Mr.  Olson  is  a  republican.  For  more  than  twenty  years  he  acceptably 
filled  the  office  of  township  trustee,  was  also  road  supervisor  for  a  number  of 
years  and  for  some  time  filled  the  office  of  school  director  and  was  president  one 
year.  He  was  likewise  interested  in  various  cooperative  companies  of  which  he 
was  a  director,  but  he  has  now  put  aside  all  business  cares  and  is  resting  in  the 
enjoyment  of  the  fruits  of  his  former  toil.  His  life  record  should  serve  to  inspire 
and  encourage  others,  for  it  shows  what  may  be  accomplished  through  individual 
effort.  He  was  practically  penniless  when  he  came  to  the  new  world,  but  he  took 
advantage  of  the  opportunities  which  he  here  found  and  through  persistent, 
earnest  labor,  worked  his  way  upward  and  is  now  numbered  among  the  men  of 
afiluence  in  this  section  of  the  state. 


JACOB  OLSON. 


Jacob  Olson,  devoting  his  attention  to  general  agricultural  pursuits  on  the 
old  homestead  farm  in  Norway  township,  Winnebago  county,  was  born  upon  that 
place  January  14,  1881,  a  son  of  Soren  Olson.  At  the  usual  age  he  became  a 
public  school  pupil  and  continued  his  studies  until  he  reached  the  age  of  sixteen, 
when  he  left  the  schoolroom  to  concentrate  his  efforts  and  attention  upon  assisting 
his  father  in  the  work  of  the  home  farm.  He  was  employed  by  his  father  until 
he  reached  the  age  of  twenty-six,  when  he  rented  the  old  homestead,  which  he 
still  cultivates,  and  in  addition  he  has  become  the  owner  of  forty  acres,  of  land 
on  section  30,  Norway  township.  He  is  a  busy  man,  constantly  occupied  with  his 
farm  cares  and  duties,  and  his  activities  are  bringing  him  a  growing  measure  of 
success. 

On  the  18th  of  February,  1914,  Jacob  Olson  was  united*  in  marriage  to  Miss 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  317 

Bertha  Sande,  a  daughter  of  Hans  N.  and  Carrie  Sande,  of  Logan  township,  and 
they  have  one  child,  Katherine  Adeline,  who  was  born  October  13,  1915.  The 
parents  are  members  of  the  United  Lutheran  church  and  Mr.  Olson  votes  with  the 
republican  party.  His  entire  life  has  been  spent  upon  the  farm  which  he  now 
occupies  and  cultivates,  and  while  there  are  no  spectacular  phases  in  his  career, 
his  activities  have  made  him  one  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  his  community. 


CHABLES  JACOB  NAUMANN. 

The  excellent  condition  of  the  affairs  of  the  Farmers  Savings  Bank  at  Cor- 
with  is  evidence  of  the  ability  of  Charles  Jacob  Naumann,  who  has  served  as 
cashier  since  the  organization  of  the  institution  in  1908.  He  was  bom  in  Blairs- 
town,  Benton  county,  Iowa,  May  19,  1879,  and  is  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Catharine 
(Keck)  Naumann.  The  father  was  born  near  Weibelskerchen,  Germany,  and 
received  his  education  in  his  native  country.  At  the  age  of  twenty  years  he  se- 
cured a  position  as  clerk  in  a  store  there  and  following  his  emigration  to  America 
he  clerked  in  a  store  in  Marshallville,  Ohio,  for  some  time.  At  the  beginning  of 
the  Civil  war,  however,  he  enlisted  in  an  Ohio  regiment  for  the  defense  of  the 
Union  and  was  in  the  military  service  for  four  years.  After  being  at  the  front 
for  a  time  he  was  sent  north  on  recruiting  duty,  and  after  securing  enough  men 
to  fill  up  the  regiment  he  returned  to  the  south  and  thereafter  saw  much  active 
service.  When  the  war  was  over  he  returned  to  Marshallville,  Ohio,  where  he  re- 
mained until  1869,  during  which  time  he  was  married.  After  establishing  his 
home  in  Blairstown,  Benton  county,  Iowa,  he  went  into  the  hardware  business  and 
was  numbered  among  the  successful  merchants  of  the  town  until  his  demise  in 
1883.  His  wife,  who  was  a  native  of  Marshallville,  Ohio,  reared  her  children  to 
maturity  and  continued  to  reside  in  Blairstown  until  1908,  when  she  took  up  her 
home  with  her  son,  Charles  Jacob,  at  Corwith.  She  reached  an  advanced  age 
and  died  January  16,  1917. 

Charles  J.  Naumann  was  reared  in  his  native  town  and  after  completing  the 
course  in  the  high  school  there  entered  the  Ep worth  Seminary  at  Ep worth,  Iowa, 
and  later  was  a  student  in  Cornell  College.  In  1899  he  secured  a  position  as  clerk 
in  a  bank  at  Wall  Lake,  Iowa,  and  remained  with  that  institution  for  eight  years, 
becoming  cashier.  He  resigned  that  ofBce  to  become  teller  of  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa,  but  not  long  afterward  was  made  cashier  of  the 
Farmers  Savings  Bank  at  Corwith,  which  was  organized  in  1908  by  the  men 
back  of  the  First  National  Bank.  He  has  proved  well  worthy  of  the  confidence 
reposed  in  him  and  has  so  formulated  and  carried  out  the  business  policy  of  the 
Farmers  Savings  Bank  that  the  institution  has  won  the  confidence  of  the  public. 
Its  business  has  shown  a  steady  increase  and  it  has  been  the  means  of  promoting 
the  financial  and  commercial  interests  of  Corwith  in  many  different  ways.  Mr. 
Naumann  owns  three  or  four  good  farms  and  his  knowledge  of  agricultural  con- 
ditions and  the  business  problems  which  confront  the  farmer  have  been  of  great 
value  to  him  in  adapting  the  service  of  his  bank  to  the  needs  of  the  farmers  of  the 
surrounding  territory. 

Mr.  Naumann  was  married  at  Toledo,  Iowa,  June  7,  1906,  to  Miss  Winifred 


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318  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

Markee^  who  was  born  in  Wisconsin  but  was  reared  in  Toledo.  She  attended  the 
public  and  high  schools  there  and  also  attended  Western  College,  now  known  as 
Leander  Clark  College,  at  Toledo.  She  engaged  in  teaching  before  her  marriage 
and  taught  in  the  high  schools  at  Lake  City,  Toledo  and  Wall  Lake,  where  she 
met  Mr.  Naumann.  Her  parents,  William  T.  and  Harriet  (Wheelwright)  Markee, 
were  bom  in  Wisconsin  but  removed  to  Iowa  in  early  manhood  and  womanhood. 
Both  are  now  living  at  Toledo,  where  the  father  is  in  business  as  a  painting  con- 
tractor. Mrs.  Naumann  passed  away  on  the  24th  of  May,  1908,  leaving  a  daugh- 
ter, Harriet  Alice,  who  was  bom  on  the  10th  of  May,  1908. 

Mr.  Naumann  is  a  republican  in  his  political  views  and  is  now  village  treas- 
urer. His  greatest  public  service,  however,  has  been  in  advancing  the  educational 
standards  of  the  town.  He  has  given  a  great  deal  of  study  to  educational  prob- 
lems, is  well  informed  as  to  the  advanced  methods  that  have  been  worked  out  by 
leaders  in  that  field  and  has  labored  in  season  and  out  of  season  to  make  the 
schools  of  Corwith  thoroughly  modern  in  every  respect.  He  was  for  some  time 
president  of  the  school  board  and  is  now  a  member  of  the  board  of  the  consoli- 
dated school  district  and  it  is  generally  conceded  that  to  him  belongs  much  of  the 
credit  for  making  the  high  school  an  accredited  school.  The  most  improved 
equipment  has  been  provided  and  the  teachers  are  all  alert,  progressive  and 
deeply  interested  in  their  profession.  His  fraternal  connections  are  with  Paradise 
Lodge,  No.  553,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Corwith,  and  with  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows,  in  which  he  has  served  as  noble  grand.  He  is  also  very  active  in 
church  work,  being  now  a  trustee  and  also  a  steward  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church. 


OLE  H.  SEVEBSON. 


Ole  H.  Severson,  living  on  section  16,  Amsterdam  township,  Hancock  county, 
has  here  made  his  home  since  March,  1902,  and  is  quite  extensively  and  success- 
fully engaged  in  the  raising  of  polled  Angus  cattle.  He  was  born  in  Vieka,  Nor- 
way, on  the  5th  of  May,  1852,  his  parents  being  Henry  and  Mary  (Olson)  Sever- 
son, who  came  to  America  in  the  year  1881.  At  the  usual  age  Ole  H.  Severson 
became  a  pupil  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  land,  there  pursuing  his  studies 
to  the  age  of  sixteen,  when  he  quit  school  and  was  employed  as  a  farm  hand  in 
Norway,  receiving  but  twenty  dollars  per  year  for  his  services.  Seeing  little  busi- 
ness outlook  there,  he  determined  to  try  his  fortune  in  America  and  came  to  the 
TTnited  States  when  twenty-nine  years  of  age.  He  worked  by  the  month  in  Ken- 
dall county,  Illinois,  for  three  years  and  operated  rented  land  for  one  year,  after 
which  he  rented  land  in  Grundy  county,  Illinois,  for  seven  years.  On  the  expira- 
tion of  that  period  he  came  to  Iowa,  settling  first  in  Wright  county,  where  he 
rented  land  for  eight  years.  He  arrived  in  Hancock  county  with  five  hundred 
dollars  and  in  March,  1902,  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land 
on  section  16,  Amsterdam  township,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  He  is 
busily  engaged  in  the  cultivation  of  his  fields,  devoted  to  com,  wheat  and  other 
cereals  well  adapted  to  soil  and  climate,  and  one  of  the  most  important  features 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  319 

of  his  farm  work  is  the  raising  of  polled  Angus  cattle,  of  which  he  has  a  fine  herd, 
his  live  stock  interests  constituting  an  important  branch  of  his  business. 

On  the  21st  of  February,  1884,  Mr.  Severson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Ellen  A.  Johnson,  a  daughter  of  John  H.  and  Bertha  (Thompson)  Johnson,  who 
were  natives  of  Norway  and  came  to  America  with  their  family,  arriving  on  the 
8th  of  July,  1872.  Mrs.  Severson  was  bom  in  Carmoen,  Norway,  and  is  now 
fifty-two  years  of  age.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Severson  have  become  the  parents  of  ten 
children,  of  whom  eight  are  yet  living,  namely :  Jay  H.,  Beri;ha  M.,  Sadie  A.,  and 
Mabel,  all  of  whom  are  married;  Melvin  B.,  Anna,  Edith  N.  and  Orville  B.,  who 
are  yet  at  home. 

Mr.  Severson  is  a  stanch  advocate  of  the  republican  party  and  its  principjies, 
for  he  believes  that  its  platform  contains  the  best  elements  of  good  government. 
He  does  not  seek  oflBce,  for  he  prefers  to  give  his  undivided  time  and  attention 
to  his  business  affairs,  and  in  addition  to  his  farming  interests  he  is  connected 
with  the  Kanawha  Creamery  and  the  Kanawha  Elevator  as  a  stockholder.  Both 
he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  United  Norwegian  Lutheran  church  and  their 
lives  are  guided  by  its  teachings. 


EDWAED  PEICE. 


Edward  Price  is  successfully  engaged  in  farming  on  one  hundred  and  six 
acres  of  good  land  in  Norway  township  adjoining  Lake  Mills  and  upon  that  place 
his  birth  occurred  on  the  25th  of  May,  1879.  He  is  the  only  son  of  James  and 
Caroline  (Cuffel)  Price,  of  Scotch-Irish  and  Scotch  descent,  respectively.  The 
maternal  grandmother  was  Eebecca  Newton,  a  direct  descendant  of  Isaac  Newton, 
who  came  to  America  on  the  Mayflower.  The  father  was  bom  a  short  time  after 
the  emigration  of  his  parents  to  the  United  States,  on  the  18th  of  May,  1836,  at 
Sault  Ste.  Marie,  Michigan.  His  father  became  a  member  of  the  regular  army 
and  was  stationed  at  Port  Snelling,  Minnesota,  where  he  died.  Subsequently  the 
mother  married  George  West  and  they  removed  to  Mitchell  coimty,  Iowa,  where 
she  passed  away.  James  Price  was  reared  in  Mitchell  county  and  at  the  outbreak 
of  the  Civil  war,  in  1861,  enlisted  in  the  Fourteenth  Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry  and 
was  in  active  service  until  the  restoration  of  peace.  He  then  returned  to  Iowa 
and,  going  to  Lake  Mills,  purchased  forty  acres  of  land  west  of  Lake  Mills,  but 
he  subsequently  sold  this  tract  and  bought  eighty  acres,  also  west  of  Lake  Mills, 
and  nine  years  later  his  son  Edward  purchased  twenty-six  acres  adjoining,  making 
a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  six  acres  on  which  our  subject  still  resides.  The 
father  cultivated  this  land  for  many  years  but  at  length  retired  and  removed  to 
Lake  Mills,  where  he  died  on  the  12th  of  April,  1913.  He  was  buried  in  the 
Hinman  Park  cemetery.  His  wife  still  resides  in  Lake  Mills.  To  them  were 
bom  three  children:  Mrs.  C.  E.  McCaffree,  of  Lake  Mills;  Nettie,  who  is  teach- 
ing in  the  schools  of  Lake  Mills;  and  Edward. 

The  last  named  attended  school  in  Lake  Mills  until  he  was  sixteen  years  old 
and  for  five  years  thereafter  worked  for  his  father  upon  the  home  farm,  but  on 
attaining  his  majority  became  his  father's  partner  in  the  operation  of  the  place 
and  so  continued  until  1907,  when  his  parents  removed  to  Lake  Mills,  leaving  him 


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320  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

in  entire  charge  of  the  farm.  He  now  owns  the  place,  which  is  well  improved 
and  which  is  rendered  more  valuable  because  of  its  good  location.  He  has  erected 
a  number  of  fine  buildings  of  the  most  improved  design  and  keeps  everything 
upon  the  farm  in  excellent  condition.  He  raises  high  grade  stock  and  has  met 
with  gratifying  success  in  that  connection  as  well  as  in  the  growing  of  grain. 

Mr.  Price  was  married  June  4,  1907,  to  Miss  Mary  Davis,  a  daughter  of  John 
W.  and  Kate  (Oliver)  Davis,  the  former  a  native  of  Wales  and  the  latter  of 
Scotland.  After  their  removal  to  America  they  lived  in  various  places  in  the 
United  States  but  since  1903  have  been  residents  of  Lake  Mills.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Price  have  been  born  two  children,  Shirley  E.  and  Kathlyn  M. 

The  religious  faith  of  the  parents  is  indicated  by  their  connection  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  whose  work  profits  by  their  keen  interest  therein. 
Mr.  Price  endorses  the  principles  of  the  republican  party  but  although  loyal  in  the 
support  of  its  candidates  has  never  been  an  office  seeker.  He  has  concentrated 
his  energies  upon  his  farm  work  and  in  so  doing  has  gained  a  competence  and 
has  also  contributed  to  the  agricultural  development  of  his  locality. 


FRED  A.  SIEVERT. 


Fred  A.  Sievert,  living  on  section  30,  Boone  township,  Hancock  county,  is 
well  known  as  a  successful  general  farmer  and  stock  raiser.  The  equipment  of 
his  farm  is  thoroughly  modern  and  he  has  one  hundred  and  seventy-one  acres  of 
rich  and  productive  land  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation  save  that  portion  which 
is  used  for  pasturage  for  his  high  grade  stock.  He  was  born  in  Germany,  July 
18,  1865,  and  is  a  son  of  William  and  Fredericka  (Piehl)  Sievert,  who  came  to 
the  new  world  in  1870  and  settled  in  Appleton,  Wisconsin. 

Fred  A.  Sievert  was  at  that  time  a  little  lad  of  five  years.  He  acquired  his 
education  in  the  district  schools,  pursuing  his  studies  to  the  age  of  fifteen  years, 
when  he  went  to  Durand,  Winnebago  county,  Illinois,  where  he  resided  for  seven 
years,  working  as  a  farm  hand  during  that  period.  He  afterward  engaged  in 
farm  work  near  Pecatonica,  Illinois,  until  1894,  and  in  the  meantime  he  was 
adding  continuously  to  his  savings,  working  diligently  and  persistently  to  acquire 
a  sum  that  would  enable  him  to  purchase  land  an4  engage  in  farming  inde- 
pendently. The  year  1894  saw  the  fulfillment  of  his  hopes,  for  at  that  time  he 
became  the  owner  of  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  seventy-one  acres  on  section  30, 
Boone  township,  Hancock  county,  Iowa.  Through  the  intervening  period  of 
twenty-three  years  he  has  resided  thereon  and  his  labors  have  wrought  marked 
change  in  the  appearance  of  the  place,  which  indicates  his  practical  and  progres- 
sive methods  in  its  well  tilled  fields  and  its  substantial  buildings.  Everything  is 
kept  in  good  repair  and  the  latest  improved  machinery  is  used  to  facilitate  the 
work  of  the  fields.  He  is  also  making  a  specialty  of  raising  Chester  White  hogs 
and  shorthorn  cattle  and  his  live  stock  interests  constitute  a  substantial  feature 
of  his  growing  success. 

Mr.  Sievert  has  been  married  twice.  He  first  wedded  Emma  Glawe,  who 
passed  away,  and  on  the  29th  of  July,  1914,  he  married  Minnie  Miller,  a  daughter 
of  Charles  Miller  and  a  native  of  Wisconsin.    He  has  had  three  children:    Mabel 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  321 

Maud,  the  wife  of  E.  K.  Greene,  of  Durand,  Illinois;  Laura  Belle;  and  Orville 
H.,  who  died  in  1901. 

Mt.  Sievert  holds  membership  in  the  English  Lutheran  church  and  guides 
his.  life  by  its  teachitigs.  His  political  endorsement  is  given  to  the  republican  party 
and  he  has  served  as  township  trustee  for  ten  years,  making  a  most  creditable 
record  in  that  position.  Fraternally  he  is  connected  with  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows.  There  have  been  no  unusual  or  spectacular  phases  in  his  life 
record.  His  is  the  story  of  honest  industry  and  thrift.  It  is  a  well  known  fact 
that  progress  is  a  cumulative  process,  and  that  where  there  is  no  advancement 
there  has  been  no  effort.  Mr.  Sievert  has  ever  worked  diligently  and  persistently 
and  his  energy  has  brought  to  him  the  success  which  he  now  enjoys. 


E.  E.  BEANSTAD. 


E.  E.  Branstad  is  the  owner  of  four  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  valuable  land 
in  Winnebago  county  and  from  his  holdings  he  derives  a  substantial  annual  income 
by  reason  of  the  practical  and  progressive  methods  which  he  follows  in  the  con- 
duct of  his  farming  interests.  He  was  bom  in  Norway  on  the  5th  of  June,  1866, 
a  son  of  Endre  and  Dorde  (Gryttnes)  Branstad,  who  are  mentioned  in  connection 
with  the  sketch  of  their  son,  Andrew  E.  Branstad,  on  another  page  of  this  work. 
•it  was  in  1873  that  the  family  crossed  the  Atlantic  to  the  new  world,  at  which 
time  E.  E.  Branstad  was  a  little  lad  of  but  seven  summers.  His  education  was 
acquired  in  the  common  schools  of  this  country  and  about  the  time  he  attained 
his  majority  he  began  farming  on  his  own  account,  bringing  to  this  work  the 
knowledge  and  ability  which  he  had  gained  from  practical  experience  in  his 
youthful  years.  He  rented  the  old  homestead  for  three  years  and  afterward  culti- 
vated other  land  for  a  year.  In  1892,  with  capital  acquired  through  his  industry 
and  economy,  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Newton  township,  on 
which  he  took  up  his  abode,  there  continuing  his  residence  until  1904,  when  he 
removed  to  his  present  home  farm  of  eighty  acres.  He  now  owns  two  farms  of 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  each  in  Newton  township  and  another  tract  of  forty 
acres  in  the  same  township,  so  that  his  holdings  now  embrace  four  hundred  and 
forty  acres  of  rich  and  valuable  land  that  responds  readily  to  the  care  and  labor 
which  he  bestows  upon  it.  His  place  is  divided  into  fields  of  convenient  size  by 
well  kept  fences  and  he  has  the  latest  improved  farm  machinery  and  equipments 
upon  his  place. 

Mr.  Branstad^s  whole  life  is  dominated  by  the  spirit  of  serving  his  community. 
This  is  shown  by  the  brave  step  taken  in  the  critical  time  of  1900.  Centralizers 
were  then  trying  to  induce  the  people  to  ship  their  cream.  Against  this  course, 
he  set  to  work,  heart  and  soul,  fighting  for  the  preservation  of  local  creameries  in 
its  stead.  His  efforts  were  not  in  vain  and  the  creamery  was  reorganized  at 
Thompson,  Iowa.  The  success  of  his  earnest  labors  is  marked  by  the  growth 
of  the  band  of  patrons  from  fifty,  with  more  than  half  of  the  people  shipping 
their  cream,  to  three  hundred  and  seventy  in  the  course  of  four  years  of  his 
management,  with  not  a  single  man  shipping.  His  field  of  serving  was  not  lim- 
ited to  this  alone,  as  he  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  one  of.  the  first  farmers' 


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322  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

elevators  organized  in  Winnebago  county  and  a  member  of  the  first  board  of 
directors  of  this  elevator  at  Thompson.  When  the  bill  was  passed  providing  for 
the  free  mail  delivery,  he  gave  his  time  that  the  people  of  his  community  might 
enjoy  this  privilege,  and  he  succeeded  in  getting  two  routes  from  his  home  town 
of  Leland,  a  small  place  of  less  than  one  hundred  and  seventy  inhabitants.  Mr. 
Branstad  is  still  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  of  Leland  and  is 
a  stockholder,  and  the  secretary  and  manager  of  the  Farmers  Cooperative  Cream- 
ery Company.  He  was  the  dominant  factor  in  the  organization  of  both  of  these, 
his  efforts  being  largely  instrumental  in  bringing  the  two  companies  into  exist- 
ence. 

On  the  3d  of  May,  1887,  Mr.  Branstad  was  Tinited  in  marriage  to  Mrs.  Delia 
0.  (Olson)  Hage,  the  widow  of  Lars  Hage,  of  Fertile,  Worth  county,  Iowa.  Her 
parents  emigrated  to  the  United  States  from  Norway  and  took  up  their  abode 
among  the  early  pioneers  of  Winnebago  county,  Iowa.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Branstad 
have  been  born  eight  children,  seven  of  whom  survive,  as  follows:  Philip  is  a 
graduate  of  Waldorf  College  and  cultivates  one  of  his  father^s  farms.  David, 
who  is  a  carpenter  by  trade,  lives  at  home.  Daisy,  a  graduate  of  Waldorf  College, 
is  now  the  wife  of  H.  P.  Lien  of  Newton  township,  Winnebago  county.  Rudolph 
has  completed  a  course  in  violin  at  the  Siegel-Myers  School  of  Music  and  also  a 
course  in  C.  A.  Coey's  School  of  Motoring  and  is  now  assisting  his  father  in 
operating  the  home  farm.  Esther  and  Ellen  are  students  in  Waldorf  College  at 
Forest  City.  Ruth  is  attending  school  in  Leland.  Nels  Hage,  a  son  of  Mrs. 
Branstad  by  her  fijst  husband,  operates  one  of  his  stepfather's  farms. 

Mr.  Branstad  exercises  his  right  of  franchise  in  support  of  the  men  and  meas- 
ures of  the  democratic  party  and  has  been  especially  honored  in  being  chosen  for 
many  positions  in  this  organization,  such  as  chairman  of  county  conventions, 
member  of  the  county  central  committee  and  delegate  to  various  other  conven- 
tions. He  was  twice  nominated  as  state  representative  from  Winnebago  county 
without  opposition  and  at  the  primaries  June  5,  1916,  on  the  fiftieth  anniversary 
of  his  birth,  he  was  nominated  as  state  senator  from  the  forty-first  senatorial  dis- 
trict. This  was  a  very  special  honor,  being  the  first  one  the  democratic  party  of 
this  district  had  ever  nominated  for  this  office.  Although  he  made  no  active  cam- 
paign and  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  the  district  is  strongly  republican,  seventeen 
hundred  votes  were  cast  at  the  polls  for  the  democratic  candidate.  Mr.  Branstad 
is  a  member  of  the  United  Lutheran  church  and  a  stockholder  in  the  Waldorf 
College  Association.  He  is  a  believer  in  all  those  forces  which  work  for  the  uplift 
of  the  individual  and  the  betterment  of  mankind,  and  his  aid  and  influence  are 
given  to  the  side  of  progress  and  improvement  as  related  to  the  development  of 
his  county  in  many  ways. 


JOHN  C.  ENGEBRETSON. 

Among  those  names  in  Winnebago  county  which  are  synonymous  with  progress 
along  agricultural  lines  and  also  with  good  citizenship  is  that  of  John  C.  Enge- 
bretson,  a  representative  of  one  of  the  pioneer  families  of  northern  Iowa.  He  was 
bom  in  Logan  township,  upon  his  father's  farm,  July  20,  1875,  and  is  a  son  of 


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JOHN  C.  EXGEBRETSOX  AND  FAMILY 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  325 

Christian  Engebretson,  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  work.  At  the  nsnal  age  he 
became  a  pupil  in  the  early  schools,  where  he  mastered  such  branches  of  learning 
as  then  constituted  the  public  school  curriculum.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  went 
to  Decorah,  Iowa,  and  for  two  terms  was  a  pupil  in  Breckenridge  College,  thus 
becoming  well  qualified  for  life's  practical  and  responsible  duties.  He  then  re- 
turned to  Winnebago  county  and  took  up  the  profession  of  teaching,  which  he 
successfully  followed  for  ten  terms  in  Logan  township,  imparting  clearly  and 
readily  to  others  the  knowledge  that  he  had  acquired.  When  twenty-five  years 
of  age  he  started  farming  on  his  own  account  on  the  northeast  quarter  of  section 
19,  Logan  township.  He  began  putting  fine  improvements  upon  it  and  from 
time  to  time  he  purchased  a  part  of  the  farm  until  he  had  become  owner  ^of  the 
entire  tract.  He  is  also  interested  with  his  father  and  brother  in  the  ownership 
of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  34,  Logan  township. 

On  the  4th  of  July,  1900,  Mr.  Engebretson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss' 
Carrie  Hylland,  a  daughter  of  Nels  0.  and  Anna  Hylland,  formerly  of  Logan 
township,  but  now  residents  of  Woonsocket,  South  Dakota.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Enge- 
bretson became  the  parents  of  five  children,  but  two  of  the  number,  Matilda  and 
Gehard,  died  in  infancy.  The  others,  Clarence  J.,  Nora  Amanda  and  Matilda, 
are  all  at  home.  Mr.  Engebretson  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  TTnited 
Lutheran  church.  He  votes  with  the  republican  party  and  is  one  of  its  acknowl- 
edged leaders  in  Winnebago  county.  He  has  been  called  upon  to  fill  various 
local  positions,  serving  as  township  clerk  for  ten  years,  as  assessor  for  four  years, 
as  road  superintendent  for  seven  years  and  as  a  member  of  the  school  board  for 
two  years.  His  duties  are  always  discharged  with  promptness  and  fidelity  and 
over  the  record  of  his  oflBcial  career  there  falls  no  shadow  of  wrong  nor  suspicion 
of  evil.  His  entire  life  has  been  passed  in  Logan  township  and  that  his  career 
has  been  an  honorable  and  upright  one  is  indicated  in  the  fact  that  many  of  hia 
stanchest  friends  have  known  him  from  his  boyhood  to  the  present  time. 


HARVEY  A.  SWEIGARD. 

Harvey  A.  Sweigard,  postmaster  of  Gamer  and  well  known  in  business  and 
political  circles  of  Hancock  county,  was  bom  in  Carroll  county,  Illinois,  Novem- 
ber 29, 1872,  a  son  of  Isaac  Sweigard,  of  whom  mention  is  made  elsewhere  in  this 
work.  With  the  removal  of  the  family  to  this  state  his  education  was  acquired 
in  the  public  schools  of  Iowa  and  his  initial  business  training  came  to  him  under 
tiie  direction  of  his  father,  a  well  known  banker  of  Gamer,  with  whom  he  con- 
tinued in  the  bank  until  January,  1914,  when  he  was  appointed  postmaster.  His 
training  in  the  bank  was  thorough  and  for  some  time  he  was  connected  with  the 
State  Savings  Bank  at  Goodell,  Iowa,  there  serving  in  the  capacity  of  cashier 
from  1896  until  1902.  In  the  latter  year  he  organized  the  State  Savings  Bank  at 
Klemme,  Iowa,  where  he  continued  as  cashier  until  1907,  after  which  he  was 
associated  with  the  Farmers  National  Bank  of  Garner,  of  which  his  father  is  the 
president.  There  he  remained  until  called  to  his  present  position  by  presidential 
appointment. 

On  the  22d  of  August,  1914,  Mr.  Sweigard  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 


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326  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

Caroline  V.  Noble,  of  New  Hampton,  Iowa,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  E.  Noble. 
They  are  members  of  the  Congregational  church  and  in  social  circles  of  Gamer 
they  occupy  an  enviable  position.  Mr.  Sweigard  votes  with  the  democratic  party 
and  is  a  stalwart  champion  of  its  interests.  Fraternally  he  is  connected  with 
Bethel  Lodge,  No.  319,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  Bethel  Chapter,  No.  116,  E.  A.  M.,  of 
which  he  is  a  past  master.  Bethel  Council,  R.  &  S.  M.,  Chivalric  Lodge,  No.  82, 
K.  P.,  and  the  Woodmen  of  the  World.  His  interests  are  broad  and  as  a  citizen  he 
stands  fo'r  all  those  measures  and  projects  which  work  for  the  betterment  of  the 
community  and  for  the  upholding  of  high  civic  standards. 


THOMAS  BEECHER. 


Thomas  Beecher,  who  for  more  than  thirty  years  has  resided  on  his  present 
farm  on  section  6,  Magor  township,  Hancock  county,  was  bom  on  the  Ist  of 
January,  1866,  in  the  state  of  New  York,  a  son  of  John  and  Emily  (Kirschner) 
Beecher,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Germany.  In  the  district  schools  of  the 
Empire  state  Thomas  Beecher  pursued  his  education  until  he  reached  the  age  of 
sixteen  years,  when  he  started  out  to  earn  his  own  living,  being  employed  as  a 
farm  hand.  He  afterward  rented  land  for  six  years  and  in  that  way  gained  a 
sum  sufficient  to  enable  him  to  purchase  property.  He  has  been  a  resident  of 
Hancock  county  since  1885  and  in  1886  his  father  purchased  the  farm  on  section  6, 
Magor  township.  Since  his  death  our  subject  and  his  brother  have  continued 
operating  the  place,  devoting  their  time  and  energies  to  the  further  cultivation 
and  development  of  this  farm,  which  is  now  a  rich  and  productive  tract  of  land, 
annually  yielding  golden  harvests  in  return  for  the  care  and  labor  which  is 
bestowed  upon  it. 

Mr.  Beecher  of  this  review  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  church  and  he  gives 
his  political  allegiance  to  the  democratic  party,  but  has  never  sought  nor  desired 
office  as  a  reward  for  party  fealty,  preferring  rather  to  give  his  undivided  atten- 
tion to  his  business  affairs.  His  life  has  been  one  of  unfaltering  activity  and  his 
success  is  well  deserved. 


JAMES  W.  SLOAN. 


James  W.  Sloan  is  well  known  as  a  representative  farmer  and  substantial 
business  man  of  Magor  township,  Hancock  county,  his  home  being  on  section  9. 
He  has  lived  in  this  county  continuously  since  1899  and  is  widely  and  favorably 
known.  He  was  born  at  Dwight,  Livingston  county,  Illinois,  April  9,  1875,  a  son 
of  James  and  Jane  (Thomson)  Sloan,  who  were  natives  of  Scotland,  but  about 
1864  crossed  the  Atlantic  to  the  new  world  and  established  their  home  in  Illinois. 

No  event  of  special  importance  occurred  to  vary  the  routine  of  fann  life  for 
James  W.  Sloan  during  the  period  of  his  boyhood  and  youth.  He  worked  in 
the  fields  and  in  the  winter  months  attended  the  coimtry  school^  pursuing  his 
education  until  he  attained  his  majority.     He  afterward  was  employed  upon  the 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  327 

home  farm  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty-two,  after  which  he  cultivated 
land  in  Livingston  county,  which  he  rented  from  his  father.  He  is  a  brother  of 
John  M.  Sloan,  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  work.  The  two  have  been  most 
closely  associated.  They  attended  school  together  and  have  been  connected  in 
all  their  business  interests  since  that  time.  They  came  to  Hancock  county 
together  in  1899  and  purchased  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land  on  section 
9,  Magor  township.  With  characteristic  energy  they  began  the  further  develop- 
ment and  improvement  of  this  property  and  had  no  separate  interests  until  1911, 
when  John  M.  Sloan  purchased  eighty  acres  more  on  section  9,  Magor  township. 
They  have  continuously  and  successfully  engaged  in  general  farming  and  also 
in  stocking  calves,  which  they  keep  until  feeding  time  and  then  sell  for  feeding 
purposes. 

On  the  17th  of  June,  1907,  Mr.  Sloan  was  married*  to  Miss  Lizzie  Krauss,  a 
daughter  of  George  and  Sophia  (Hotz)  Krauss,  who  were  natives  of  Germany. 
Two  children  have  been  bom  of  their  union,  Margaret  I.  and  Marvin  J. 

The  parents  are  members  of  the  German  Lutheran  church  and  in  politics  Mr. 
Sloan  is  a  republican,  having  supported  the  party  since  age  conferred  upon  him 
the  right  of  franchise.  Those  who  know  him,  and  he  has  a  wide  acquaintance  in 
Hancock  county,  esteem  him  as  a  man  of  business  ability  and  of  sterling  personal 
worth  and  both  he  and  his  brother  enjoy  the  warm  regard  of  all  with  whom 
they  have  been  brought  in  contact. 


JOHN  J.  BYE. 


John  J.  Bye,  deceased,  was  one  of  the  substantial  farmers  and  honored  citi- 
zens of  Norway  township,  Winnebago  counly,  his  home  being  on  section  8,  where 
his  widow  now  resides.  He  came  from  the  land  of  the  midnight  sun,  being  bom 
in  Norway,  February  18,  1851,  and  in  that  country  his  parents  continued  to 
reside  throughout  life.  He  was  nineteen  years  of  age  when  he  crossed  the  ocean 
and  located  in  Lyle,  Minnesota,  where  he  spent  one  year,  but  in  1871  came  to 
Iowa,  being  employed  as  a  farm  hand  near  Plymouth,  Cerro  Gordo  county,  for 
two  years.  Coming  to  Winnebago  county  in  1873,  Mr.  Bye  purchased  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  acres  of  land  on  section  8,  Norway  township,  and  at  once  began 
to  improve  and  cultivate  his  farm.  As  time  passed  he  prospered  in  his  labors 
and  was  able  to  add  to  his  holdings,  owning  at  the  time  of  his  death  the  south 
half  of  section  8  and  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  the  south  half  of  section  17, 
Norway  township.  Upon  his  place  he  erected  good  and  substantial  buildings  and 
the  fields  were  made  to  produce  abundant  harvests. 

In  April,  1873,  Mr.  Bye  was  married  in  Norway  township  to  Miss  Julia 
Saue,  a  daughter  of  Lars  and  Sigtrue  Saue,  who  were  early  settlers  of  Winnebago 
county,  but  later  removed  to  Polk  county,  Minnesota,  and  spent  their  last  days 
in  Reynolds,  North  Dakota,  where  both  died  and  were  buried.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Bye  were  bom  ten  children,  as  follows:  Thea,  is  the  wife  of  John  Jordre, 
living  near  Eckman,  North  Dakota,  and  their  children  are  Anna,  James,  Mattie, 
Cora,  Julia  and  Elizabeth.  Sarah  died  at  the  age  of  seven  years.  John  married 
Sarah  Erickson  and  resides  in  Glenbum,  North  Dakota.     Lena  is  the  wife  of 


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328  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

B.  J.  Butler,  living  near  Kensett,  Iowa,  and  their  children  are  Elvina,  Margaret, 
Ingeborg,  Lawrence  and  Agnes.  Matilda,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  I.  Opdahl 
of  Polk  counly,  Minnesota.  Selmer,  living  in  Norway  township,  Winne- 
bago county,  Iowa,  is  married  and  has  three  children,  Orlando,  Bemice  and  Mel- 
borne.  Sarah  is  the  wife  of  Corbit  Adams  of  Joice,  Iowa.  Louis  married  Bur- 
lette  Iverson  and  has  one  child,  Juleta.  Emil  and  Jennette  are  both  at  home. 
Louis  and  Emil  are  operating  the  home  farm. 

After  a  useful  and  well  spent  life  Mr.  Bye  passed  away  June  6,  1914,  and 
was  laid  to  rest  in  Lime  Creek  cemetery.  He  served  as  school  director  in  his 
district  for  a  number  of  years  and  also  filled  the  office  of  road  supervisor.  In 
politics  he  was  a  republican.  His  success  in  life  was  due  entirely  to  his  own 
well  directed  efforts  and  he  certainly  merited  the  prosperity  that  came  to  him. 


.  JOHN  CARSON. 


John  Carson,  mayor  of  Forest  City,  is  making  an  excellent  record  in  office, 
his  course  showing  an  even  balance  between  that  conservatism  which  precludes 
useless  expenditure  and  that  progressiveness  which  looks  ever  to  the  upbuilding 
and  furtherance  of  public  interests.  He  was  born  in  Cook  counly,  Illinois, 
December  12,  1857,  a  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Carson,  both  of  whom  were 
natives  of  Scotland.  They  came  to  the  United  States  in  the  early  '4:0s  and, 
settling  in  Cook  coimty,  Illinois,  were  there  identified  with  farming  interests, 
both  passing  away  in  that  county. 

John  Carson  acquired  a  public  school  education  at  Arlington  Heights  and  in 
the  Bryant  &  Stratton  Business  College  at  Chicago.  His  early  training  was 
that  of  the  farm  bred  boy  and  through  the  periods  of  vacation  he  assisted  with 
the  work  of  the  farm  and  also  after  his  text-books  were  put  aside  gave  his  atten- 
tion to  the  work  of  the  fields  for  a  considerable  period.  In  1887,  however,  he 
came  to  Winnebago  county  and  settled  in  Forest  township,  where  he  purchased 
three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land.  With  characteristic  energy  he  took  up 
the  work  of  further  developing  and  improving  his  farm,  which  he  cultivated  until 
1891,  when  he  leased  the  property  and  removed  to  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  which 
he  purchased  a  mile  and  a  half  from  Forest  City.  His  attention  was  chiefly 
given  to  the  work  of  the  fields  there  until  1910,  when  he  retired  from  agricultural 
life  and  took  up  his  abode  in  the  county  seat.  Since  then  he  has  lived  retired 
from  active  business  cares  but  still  retains  the  ownership  of  his  farm  property, 
from  which  he  derives  a  gratifying  annual  income.  His  life  has  been  a  busy  and 
useful  one  fraught  with  success  that  now  permits  the  leisure  which  enables  him 
to  give  most  of  his  attention  to  public  service. 

In  February,  1888,  Mr.  Carson  was  married  to  Miss  Clara  A.  Cooley,  a  native 
of  Cook  county,  Illinois,  and  a  daughter  of  Charles  and  Clara  Cooley.  They  have 
but  one  son,  Carroll,  who  is  farming  the  old  home  place.  He  wedded  Vera 
Hickok  and  has  one  son,  David  Hickok  Carson. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carson  are  members  of  the  Congregational  church,  to  the  sup- 
port of  which  they  make  liberal  contribution,  while  of  its  teachings  they  are 
loyal  adherents.     In  politics  he  has  been  an  earnest  republican  since  age  con- 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  329 

ferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise.  He  has  served  as  township  clerk^  as 
secretary  of  the  school  board  for  thirteen  years,  and  in  March,  1916,  was  elected 
mayor  of  Forest  City  for  a  two  years'  term,  so  that  he  is  now  the  incumbent 
in  the  oflBce,  in  which  connection  he  is  concentrating  his  eflforts  upon  a  wise, 
safe  and  equitable  administration  of  public  affairs. 


CLAEENCE  A.  AENOLD. 

One  of  the  most  enterprising  citizens  and  business  men  of  Hancock  county 
is  Clarence  A.  Arnold,  who  carries  on  agricultural  pursuits  according  to  modern 
scientific  methods  and  bases  his  activities  upon  thorough  study,  resulting  in 
complete  comprehension  of  the  questions  involved.  He  is  today  one  of  the  most 
prominent  farmers  and  stock  raisers  of  his  section  of  the  state.  He  was  born 
in  Clayton  county,  Iowa,  on  the  19th  of  August,  1883,  and  is  a  son  of  Fr^d  and 
Mary  (Benziehausen)  Arnold,  natives  of  Germany  and  of  Ohio,  respectively. 
In  tile  year  1895  the  family  removed  to  Hancock  county,  Iowa,  where  the  mother 
is  still  living  at  the  age  of  sixty-four  years,  but  the  father  has  passed  away. 

Liberal  educational  advantages  were  accorded  Clarence  A.  Arnold,  who  after 
attending  the  district  schools  for  six  years,  spent  two  years  in  the  graded  schools 
of  Klemme  and  a  short  period  in  the  Nora  Springs  Seminary.  Later  he  matricu- 
lated in  the  Upper  Iowa  University  at  Fayette,  Fayette  county,  and  also  at  the 
Iowa  State  College  at  Ames,  specializing  in  agronomy  and  animal  husbandry. 
Moreover,  he  has  remained  a  close  student  of  the  best  magazines  and  other  pub- 
lications which  have  a  bearing  upon  every  subject  connected  with  farming  and 
stock  raising,  and  he  had,  too,  practical  training,  for  he  early  began  to  assist 
his  father  in  the  cultivation  and  development  of  the  home  farm.  The  family 
home  was  established  on  section  5,  Avery  township,  Hancock  county,  on  the 
6th  of  April,  1895,  and  in  his  boyhood  days  Clarence  A.  Arnold  aided  in  the 
work  of  the  fields,  performing  such  tasks  as  he  could,  his  responsibilities  and 
work  increasing  as  the  years  went  by.  Today  he  is  actively  engaged  in  the  culti- 
vation of  four  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  land  on  section  8  and  in  the  raising 
of  pure  bred  Polled  Durham  cattle  and  Duroc  hogs.  He  is  a  most  successful 
agriculturist  and  his  work  is  an  exemplification  of  the  practical  value  of  the 
scientific  methods  which  he  follows.  He  has  studied  soils  and  their  adaptation  to 
particular  needs,  knowing  just  which  crops  can  be  raised  most  profitably,  and 
he  has  also  studied  every  feature  of  stock  breeding  and  raising.  He  stands  as  a 
most  prominent  representative  of  scientific  farming  and  success  in  large  measure 
has  been  his.  He  is  today  a  student  of  such  papers  as  Wallace's  Farmer,  The 
Agricultural  Digest,  Successful  Farming,  the  Kimball  Dairy  Farmer,  Hoard's 
Dairyman,  the  Prairie  Farmer,  the  Breeders'  Gazette  and  the  Iowa  Agriculturist. 
In  addition  to  his  other  activities  Mr.  Arnold  is  a  director  and  stockholder  in  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Klemme. 

On  the  28th  of  August,  1912,  Mr.  Arnold  was  married  to  Miss  Emilie  M. 
Lenz,  a  daughter  of  Ernest  and  Friedrika  (Koerner)  Lenz,  natives  of  Germany. 
The  father  came  to  the  new  world  in  1865  and  lived  in  Wisconsin.  The  mother 
crossed  the  Atlantic  in  1869  and  lived  for  a  time  near  Freeport,  Illinois.     For 


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330  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

thirty-nine  years  they  have  been  residents  of  Hancock  county.  Mrs.  Arnold  was 
one  of  four  children.  She  is  a  lady  of  liberal  culture  and  refinement,  sharing 
in  her  husband's  studies  and  tastes.  On  their  table  are  found  such  magazines 
as  the  Christian  Herald,  the  Literary  Digest,  the  Outlook,  the  Pathfinder,  the 
Ladies'  Home  Journal,  the  Woman's  Home  Companion,  the  Mother's  Magazine 
and  others,  showing  that  both  are  keeping  in  touch  with  the  trend  of  modem 
thought  and  progress.  Their  religious  faith  is  indicated  in  their  membership  in 
the  German  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in  the  work  of  which  they  take  an 
active  and  helpful  part.  Mr.  Arnold  has  served  as  assistant  superintendent  of  the 
Sunday  school  and  he  has  also  filled  the  offices  of  township  trustee  and  of  school 
director.  His  political  allegiance  is  given  to  the  republican  party.  His  efforts  to 
further  the  welfare  of  the  community  have  been  directed  along  the  lines  of  educa- 
tional campaigns.  He  is  president  of  the  Klemme  Cooperative  Creamery,  of  the 
Cow-Testing  Association  of  Klemme  and  of  the  Short  Course  Association  and 
director  of  the  Federation  of  Cow-Testing  Associations.  He  recognizes  the  fact 
that  activity  must  be  preceded  by  desire%and  the  desire  for  advancement,  progress 
and  improvement  in  community  life  as  well  as  in  stock  breeding  and  raising 
must  be  furthered  by  instruction.  No  man  has  done  more  to  promote  knowledge 
and  advance  the  interests  of  scientific  farming  in  Hancock  county  and  his  work 
will  long  bear  fruit.  In  his  own  affairs,  too,  he  has  displayed  the  utmost  enter- 
prise, combined  with  keen  sagacity  and  discrimination,  and  his  business  judgment 
is  seldom,  if  ever,  at  fault. 


HENEY  L.  SUCKOW. 


Since  1878  Henry  L.  Suckow  has  been  a  resident  of  Hancock  county,  Iowa, 
and  now  makes  his  home  on  section  34,  German  township,  where  he  owns  and 
operates  a  well  improved  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres.  A  native  of  the 
Empire  state,  he  was  bom  in  Albany,  February  11,  1865,  and  is  a  son  of  John 
and  Caroline  (Liverance)  Suckow,  who  came  to  this  country  from  Germany 
about  1855  and  located  in  Albany,  New  York.  There  the  father  engaged  in  the 
boot  and  shoe  business  for  twelve  years  and  after  his  removal  to  Clayton  county, 
Iowa,  in  1869,  continued  in  the  same  business  for  a  few  years  longer.  He  then 
purchased  a  farm  and  turned  his  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits,  but  at  the 
end  of  five  years  sold  his  property  in  Clayton  county  and  removed  to  Hancock 
county  in  1878.  He  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  34,  German 
township,  and  engaged  in  its  operation  for  some  years  but  is  now  living  retired, 
enjoying  the  fruits  of  his  former  toil. 

Henry  L.  Suckow  attended  the  district  schools  of  Clayton  and  Hancock 
counties  until  eighteen  years  of  age  and  in  the  meantime  acquired  an  excellent 
knowledge  of  farming  while  assisting  his  father  in  the  labors  of  the  fields.  He 
aided  in  operating  the  home  farm  until  twenty-one  years  of  age  and  then  bought 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  on  section  35,  German  township,  where  he 
farmed  for  ten  years.  On  selling  that  place  he  purchased  the  old  homestead  com- 
prising one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  34,  where  he  has  since  carried  on 
general  farming  and  has  also  engaged  in  the  raising  of  cattle  and  hogs  to  some 


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WINNEBAGO  AND  HANCOCK  COUNTIES     331 

extent.  He  has  a  well  improved  place  under  excellent  cultivation  and  has  met 
with  success  in  his  undertakings. 

On  the  9th  of  November,  1887,  Mr.  Suckow  married  Miss  Taldine  Brouwer, 
a  daughter  of  J.  B.  and  Katherine  Brouwer,  who  are  natives  of  Germany  and 
are  now  living  retired  in  Gamer,  Iowa.  On  their  emigration  to  America  they 
came  direct  to  Hancock  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Suckow  have  seven  children, 
namely:  Edna,  now  the  wife  of  Herman  Paul,  a  farmer  of  Hancock  county; 
John,  a  carpenter  of  Klemme;  May,  the  wife  of  Lawrence  Schaefer,  also  a  farmer 
of  Hancock  county;  and  Carl,  William,  Henry  and  Louis,  all  at  home. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Suckow  are  members  of  the  German  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
and  are  held  in  the  highest  esteem  by  all  who  know  them.  Mr.  Suckow  has 
always  taken  an  active  interest  in  public  affairs  and  has  e£5ciently  served  as  justice 
of  the  peace,  secretary  of  the  school  board,  road  supervisor  and  township  assessor. 
No  trust  reposed  in  him  has  ever  been  betrayed  in  the  slightest  degree. 


C.  F.  LEHMAN. 


C.  F.  Lehman,  residing  on  section  21,  King  township,  Winnebago  county,  has 
spent  practically  his  entire  life  in  Iowa,  although  he  is  a  native  of  Wabasha 
coimty,  Minnesota.  He  was  bom  in  May,  1861,  a  son  of  Gottlieb  and  Annie 
(Gephart)  Lehman,  who  were  natives  of  Germany  and  in  early  life  came  to  the 
new  world,  settling  in  Minnesota.  The  father  purchased  land  in  Wabasha  coimty 
and  there  engaged  in  farming.  At  the  time  of  the  Civil  war  he  espoused  the  cause 
of  his  adopted  country  and  joined  the  army,  going  to  the  front  with  the  Union 
troops,  with  which  he  served  for  about  a  year.  He  was  taken  prisoner  but  was 
exchanged  and  was  on  his  way  home  when  a  guerrilla  attack  was  inaugurated  and 
they  took  him  to  Arkansas,  where  he  contracted  yellow  fever  that  terminated  his 
life.     He  passed  away  in  1866  and  his  widow  survived  until  1909. 

It  was  in  1871  that  Mrs.  Lehman  removed  with  her  family  to  Webster  county, 
Iowa,  so  that  C.  F.  Lehman  was  largely  reared  and  educated  in  this  state.  He 
remained  with  his  mother  until  he  reached  the  age  of  seventeen  years  and  then 
began  work  as  a  farm  hand,  being  employed  in  that  way  for  a  decade.  He  next 
went  to  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa,  where  he  learned  the  cooper's  trade,  which  he  followed 
for  sixteen  years.  In  1901  he  arrived  in  Winnebago  county  and  purchased  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  on  section  21,  King  township.  He  has  since 
improved  this  place  and  has  converted  it  into  a  valuable  farm.  He  afterward 
added  to  his  holdings  by  the  purchase  of  an  adjoining  eighty  acres  and  he  is  today 
the  owner  of  an  excellent  farm  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  which  he  carefully 
and  systematically  cultivates  and  improves.  He  carries  on  general  agricultural 
pursuits  and  the  value  of  his  methods  is  seen  in  the  excellent  crops  which  he 
annually  gathers.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  and  in 
the  Cooperative  Creamery  Company  of  Thompson. 

In  January,  1886,  Mr.  Lehman  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Katie  Derscheid 
and  they  have  become  parents  of  three  children:  Fred,  at  home;  Harley,  who  is 
a  bookkeeper  in  Winona,  Minnesota;  and  Marvin,  also  at  home. 

Mr.  Lehman  is  much  interested  in  community  affairs  and  lends  the  weight 


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332  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

of  his  influence  to  progress  and  improvement  along  many  lines.  For  fifteen  years 
he  has  served  as  president  of  the  school  board  and  the  cause  of  education  finds 
in  him  a  stalwart  champion.  Politically  he  is  a  republican  and  he  keeps  in  touch 
with  the  trend  of  modern  thought  as  relating  to  government  affairs  in  county, 
state  and  nation.  His  religious  belief  is  that  of  the  Methodist  church.  Those 
who  know  him,  and  he  has  a  wide  acquaintance,  entertain  for  him  high  regard, 
for  his  entire  life  has  been  characterized  by  high  and  honorable  principles. 


ANDREW  N.  BBONES. 


Among  the  honored  early  settlers  of  Winnebago  county  is  numbered  Andrew 
N.  Brones,  who  has  made  his  home  here  for  fifty-two  years  and  has  therefore 
witnessed  almost  the  entire  development  of  this  section  of  the  state.  Throughout 
the  greater  part  of  his  active  business  life  he  has  followed  farming  and  now 
resides  on  section  18,  Mount  Valley  township,  where  he  owns  and  opemtes  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  valuable  land. 

A  native  of  Norway,  Mr.  Brones  was  born  on  the  old  Brones  homestead,  in 
Modom,  June  23,  1845,  and  is  a  son  of  Nels  0.  and  Mary  (Skretteberg)  Brones, 
who  came  with  their  family  to  the  United  States  in  1852  on  an  old  sailing  vessel, 
Shoffano,  and  located  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  where  the  mother  died  two  years 
later.  In  1865  the  father  brought  his  family  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  and  after 
one  year's  residence  in  Forest  City  purchased  a  farm  four  miles  northeast  of  that 
place.  He  erected  thereon  the  second  house  built  between  Forest  City  and  Lake 
Mills,  the  first  being  at  Bensons  Grove.  He  made  his  home  upon  that  farm  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  1885.  He  was  three  times  married  and  by  the  first 
union  had  four  children,  but  Andrew  N.  is  the  only  one  of  these  now  living.  Three 
were  soldiers  in  the  Civil  war,  Andrew  being  but  nineteen  years  of  age  and 
Peter  N.  not  yet  seventeen  at  the  time*  of  enlistment.  Olavus  was  taken  prisoner 
at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  and  died  in  Andersonville  prison.  By  his  second 
marriage  the  father  had  two  sons.  Christian  and  John,  both  of  whom  are*  still 
living,  and  by  the  third  union-  there  were  five  children,  two  of  whom  survive: 
Mary  and  Nickoline,  who  are  teachers  and  homesteaders  in  Montana. 

During  his  boyhood  Andrew  N.  Brones  attended  the  public  schools  of  Forest 
City  and  later  was  a  student  at  the  Upper  Iowa  University  at  Fayette,  completing 
his  education  with  a  commercial  course  at  the  Upper  Iowa  Commercial  College. 
In  the  meantime,  however,  he  had  served  his  adopted  country  as  one  of  the  boys 
in  blue.  In  1864  he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Forty-third  Wisconsin  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and  remained  in  the  service  until  the  close  of  the  Civil  war.  After 
being  mustered  out  he  joined  the  family  in  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  whither 
they  had  removed  early  in  the  spring  of  1865.  On  the  completion  of  his  education 
he  began  teaching  school  and  was  the  first  Norwegian  to  teach  in  the  English 
schools  of  Winnebago  county.  For  many  years  he  was  prominently  identified  with 
educational  work  and  for  six  years  served  as  county  superintendent  of  schools  in 
Winnebago  county,  during  the  '80s.  Prior  to  this  he  had  filled  the  oflSce  of  county 
supervisor  for  two  terms.     In  1866  Mr.  Brones  purchased  his  present  home  farm 


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MR.  AND  MRS.  ANDRFAV  N.  BRONES 


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i    * 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  335 

of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  18,  Mount  Valley  township,  but  did 
not  locate  thereon  until  1889,  since  which  time  he  has  followed  agricultural  pur- 
suits with  good  success.  He  also  owns  another  farm  of  the  same  size  in  Kossuth 
county,  Iowa. 

On  the  22d  of  June,  1881,  Mr.  Brones  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Emma 
Jacobs,  a  sister  of  Thomas  Jacobs,  a  prominent  merchant  of  Forest  City.  Her 
father,  Jacob  Jacobs,  came  to  this  country  from  Norway  in  1868  and  first  located 
in  Howard  county,  Iowa,  but  a  year  later  came  to  Winnebago  county,  where  he 
made  his  home  until  his  death  in  1902.  He  was  a  shipbuilder  in  Norway  but 
followed  farming  in  Winnebago  county.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brones  have  been  born 
five  children  but  two  are  deceased,  those  living  being  J.  Warren,  now  a  farmer 
of  Kossuth  county;  and  Alfred  G.  and  Anna  M.,  both  at  home. 

At  an  early  day  Mr.  Brones  joined  the  Masons  and  is  a  republican  in  politics, 
being  for  a  number  of  years  a  prominent  factor  in  public  affairs.  He  has  long  been 
numbered  among  the  foremost  citizens  of  his  county  and  is  a  man  highly  respected 
and  esteemed  wherever  known.  For  over  half  a  century  he  has  been  a  resident 
of  this  locality  and  has  borne  an  important  part  in  its  development  and  upbuilding. 


SHOTWELL  HIGDON. 


For  almost  a  quarter  of  a  century  Shotwell  Higdon  has  made  his  home  in 
Hancock  county  and  his  is  the  creditable  record  of  a  progressive  business  man, 
for  within  this  period  he  has  become  well  established  as  a  substantial  and  highly 
respected  farmer,  his  home  being  on  section  3,  Boone  township,  where  he  is  the 
owner  of  an  excellent  farm  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres.  He  was  bom  in 
Ford  county,  Illinois,  September  9,  1872,  and  is  a  son  of  Peter  B.  and  Marietta  C. 
(Miller)  Higdon,  who  were  natives  of  Ohio  and  Indiana,  respectively. 

Through  the  period  of  the  boyhood  of  their  son  Shotwell  they  were  residents 
of  Illinois,  so  that  he  there  acquired  his  education  in  the  district  schools,  which 
he  attended  through  the  winter  months,  while  the  summer  seasons  were  spent  at 
work  upon  the  home  farm.  His  text-books  were  put  aside  at  the  age  of  twenty 
years,  but  he  continued  to  work  on  the  old  homestead  until  he  reached  the  age 
of  twenty-three.  He  then  came  to  Hancock  county  and  in  the  intervening  period 
has  resided  within  its  borders,  making  steady  progress  along  business  lines  to  the 
goal  of  success.  In  1906  he  purchased  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land 
on  section  3,  Boone  township,  and  is  now  extensively  and  profitably  engaged  in 
raising,  buying  and  selling  shorthorn  cattle  and  in  breeding  Belgian  horses,  being 
recognized  as  one  of  the  leading  stockmen  of  this  section  of  the  state. 

On  the  14th  of  January,  1895,  Mr.  Higdon  was  married  to  Miss  Malinda  Sal- 
strom,  a  native  of  Illinois  and  a  daughter  of  John  and  Hannah  (Anderson)  Sal- 
strom,  who  were  natives  of  Sweden  and  about  1867  came  to  the  new  world. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Higdon  have  four  children,  Gerald  B.,  Harold  H.,  Clarence  and 
Paul  A.,  all  yet  at  home. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Higdon  are  consistent  members  of  the  United  Brethren  church. 
He  exercises  his  right  of  franchise  in  support  of  the  principles  and  candidates  of 


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336  WINNEBAGO  .AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

the  republican  party,  believing  that  the  party  platform  contains  the  best  elements 
of  good  government.  He  concentrates  his  attention  upon  his  business  affairs,  and 
the  wise  direction  of  his  interests  is  bringing  to  him  the  just  profits  of  his  labor, 
making  him  one  of  the  men  of  affluence  in  his  community. 


CLAUDE  STXTLL,  D.  D.  S. 

Dr.  Claude  Stull,  of  Corwith,  was  bom  in  North  English,  Iowa,  February  1, 
1878,  a  son  of  Thomas  Hawkins  and  Lucinda  (Smalley)  Stull.  The  father  resided 
in  Pennsylvania  until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age  and  there  received  his.  general 
education,  although  he  prepared  for  the  practice  of  medicine  in  the  Keokuk 
Medical  College  at  Keokuk,  Iowa.  He  practiced  his  profession  in  North  English, 
Iowa,  for  two  years  but  later  spent  a  shoft  time  in  Livingston,  Wisconsin,  and 
subsequently  removed  to  Linden,  Wisconsin,  whence  he  went  to  Algona,  Iowa. 
There  he  passed  away  in  1912,  and  there  his  wife  still  resides.  She  was  born  in 
Johnson  county,  Iowa,  was  reared  and  educated  in  this  state  and  was  married  at 
South  English. 

Claude  Stull  was  reared  under  the  parental  roof  and  attended  school  in  Lin- 
den, Wisconsin,  until  he  was  fifteen  years  old,  when  he  accompanied  the  family 
to  Algona,  Iowa,  where  he  completed  a  high  school  course.  He  was  for  two  years 
a  student  in  the  dental  college  of  the  Iowa  University  at  Iowa  City  but  completed 
his  course  in  the  dental  college  of  the  Northwestern  University,  from  which  he 
was  graduated  in  1899.  He  immediately  located  for  practice  in  Corwith,  Iowa, 
becoming  the  first  resident  dentist  of  the  town,  and  has  since  remained  here.  In 
the  intervening  years  he  has  built  up  a  large  practice. 

On  the  2d  of  September,  1903,  Dr.  Stull  was  married  at  Corwith  to  Miss 
Mabel  Frances  Stilson,  and  they  have  a  daughter,  Frances  Eleanor,  a  native  of 
Corwith. 

Dr.  Stull  is  a  republican  in  politics  and  is  now  serving  as  mayor  of  Corwith. 
Fraternally  he  belongs  to  Paradise  Lodge,  No.  552,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Corwith,  of 
which  he  is  a  past  master.  Along  strictly  professional  lines  he  holds  membership 
in  the  Iowa  Dental  Society.  Throughout  the  period  of  his  residence  in  Corwith 
he  has  taken  a  leading  part  in  movements  calculated  to  advance  the  general  wel- 
fare and  he  is  recognized  e^s  a  prominent  and  public-spirited  citizen. 


GOTTORM  HONSEY. 


Gottorm  Honsey  is  one  of  the  oldest  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Winnebago 
county  now  living  within  its  borders,  and  it  is  with  pleasure  that  we  present  the 
record  of  his  life  to  our  readers.  He  was  born  in  Norway,  April  15,  1836,  and 
has  therefore  passed  the  eighty-first  milestone  on  lifers  journey.  His  parents,  Ole 
and  Anna  Honsey,  both  died  in  Norway  and  in  that  country  Gottorm  Honsey 
was  reared  and  educated.  Before  leaving  that  country  he  was  married  in  1861, 
but  immediately  afterward  sailed  for  the  United  States  and  became  a  resident  of 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  337 

Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  where  he  was  employed  at  farm  work  for  four  years.  In 
1866  he  came  to  Iowa  and  after  a  year  spent  in  Worth  county  removed  to  Winne- 
bago county  in  1866.  Here,  in  company  with  his  brother,  who  had  come  to  the 
new  world  with  him,  he  purchased  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  3  in  Mount 
Valley  township,  and  for  three  years  he  and  his  brother  Peter  cultivated  their 
land  in  partnership.  Gottorm  Honsey  then  purchased  his  present  home  farm,  on 
which  he  has  resided  for  the  past  forty-eight  years,  and  he  is  today  one  of  the 
best  known  among  the  old  pioneers  of  this  section  of  the  state.  His  farm  was 
wild  land  when  it  came  into  his  possession  and  thereon  he  built  a  log  cabin  which 
he  occupied  for  twenty  years.  He  drove  across  the  country  from  Wisconsin  to 
Iowa  with  oxen  and  he  used  his  ox  team  in  tilling  his  soil  and  developing  the 
fields.  In  fact,  he  became  familiar  with  every  phase  of  pioneer  life  and  his 
industry  and  enterprise  contributed  largely  to  the  early  development  and  prog- 
ress of  this  section  of  the  state.  In  addition  to  his  farming  interests  Mr.  Honsey 
is  a  stockholder  of  the  Farmers  Cooperative  Creamery  Company  of  Lake  Mills 
and  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Lake  Mills  Lumber  Company. 

Mr.  Honsey  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  Olson,  by  whom  he  had 
eight  children,  three  of  whom  survive,  as  follows:  Ole,  who  is  engaged  in  agri- 
cultural pursuits  in  Moimt  Valley  township,  Winnebago  county;  Samuel,  who 
cultivates  the  home  farm;  and  Lena,  the  wife  of  Erik  Reienes,  who  operates  the 
home  place  in  association  with  his  brother-in-law,  Samuel  Honsey. 

Politically  Mr.  Honsey  is  a  republican  and  for  many  years  he  served  as  town- 
ship trustee  and  in  other  local  oflSces.  He  was  also  for  a  long  period  a  member 
of  the  school  board  and  has  ever  been  a  stalwart  champion  of  public  education. 
He  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  United  Lutheran  church  and  his  life  has 
ever  been  guided  by  his  Christian  faith.  His  entire  career  has  been  an  upright 
and  honorable  one,  winning  for  him  the  respect  and  confidence  of  those  with  whom 
he  has  been  associated,  and  in  the  evening  of  life  he  can  look  back  over  the  past 
without  regret  and  forward  to  the  future  without  fear.  He  has  never  had  occa- 
sion to  wish  that  he  had  remained  in  his  native  land,  for  in  America  he  found 
the  opportunities  which  he  sought  and  in  their  utilization  won  success. 


HENEY  K.  NELSON. 


Henry  K.  Nelson,  living  on  section  18,  Norway  township,  Winnebago  county, 
was  bom  in  De  Forest,  Wisconsin,  on  the  4th  of  March,  1874.  His  parents  were 
Knut  Lundon  and  Gertrude  (Halvorson)  Nelson,  both  of  whom  are  natives  of 
Norway,  where  they  were  reared  and  married.  The  only  child  bom  to  them  in 
that  country  was  Nels  Nelson,  who  died  at  the  age  of  one  year,  while  the  parents 
were  en  route  for  the  new  world.  Following  the  burial  of  the  little  one,  the 
parents  continued  on  their  way  until  they  reached  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  where 
they  took  up  their  abode,  and  there  the  father  worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade 
until  about  1885.  In  that  year  they  removed  to  Mount  Valley  township,  Winne- 
bago county,  Iowa,  and  Mr.  Nelson  there  gave  his  time  and  energies  to  general 
agricultural  pursuits  for  twenty-two  years,  becoming  recognized  as  one  of  the 
valued  and  representative  farmers  of  his  district.    He  is  now  living  retired  in 


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338  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

Forest  City  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  rest  which  he  has  truly  earned  and  richly 
deserves.  To  him  and  his  wife  were  bom  seven  children  after  their  arrival  in 
America.  Five  of  the  family  are  yet  living:  Cari  K.,  whose  home  is  in  Forest 
City;  N.  K.,  living  in  Mount  Valley  township; 'Henry  K.;  Hans  Limdon,  who 
resides  in  Forest  City ;  and  Chris  K.,  living  at  Lake  Mills. 

Henry  K.  Nelson  of  this  review  was  a  lad  of  eleven  years  at  the  time  of 
the  removal  of  the  family  to  Iowa.  He  acquired  a  common  school  education, 
continuing  his  studies  to  the  age  of  sixteen,  after  which  he  began  providing  for 
his  own  support  by  working  as  a  farm  hand.  He  was  thus  employed  imtil  he 
reached  the  age  of  twenty-six  years,  when  he  rented  his  father's  farm,  upon  which 
he  lived  for  two  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  turned  his  attention 
to  the  creamery  business,  which  he  followed  in  Fertile,  in  Bristol  and  in  Joice, 
Worth  county,  after  which  he  removed  to  Scarville,  Winnebago  county,  where  he 
continued  in  the  creamery  business  until  1915,  when  he  purchased  the  east  half 
of  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  18  and  the  northeast  quarter  of  the  northwest 
quarter  of  section  19,  making  one  himdred  and  twenty  acres  in  all.  This  place  he 
is  now  farming  and  has  won  a  position  among  the  substantial  agriculturists  of  the 
neighborhood. 

In  1900  Mr.  Nelson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Bertha  Hoveland,  her 
parents  being  G.  0.  and  Guro  (Christopherson)  Hoveland,  of  Mount  Valley 
township.  The  father  still  resides  on  a  farm  in  that  township,  but  the  mother 
died  in  1908,  her  remains  being  interred  in  the  Winnebago  cemetery.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Nelson  have  been  bom  five  children,  namely :  Gladys,  Kenneth,  Harry,  Con- 
rad and  one  who  died  in  infancy. 

In  politics  Mr.  Nelson  has  maintained  an  independent  course.  His  fellow 
townsmen,  recognizing  his  worth  and  ability,  have  called  him  to  several  local 
oflSces.  He  was  the  first  mayor  of  Joice  and  in  that  position  made  a  most  cred- 
itable record.  He  was  also  president  of  the  school  board  of  Joice  and  he  is  now 
a  director  of  the  Scarville  school.  Mr.  Nelson  deserves  much  credit  for  what  he 
has  accomplished,  for  he  started  out  in  life  empty  handed  and  it  has  been  through 
persistent  purpose,  honorable  effort  and  straightforward  dealing  that  he  has  gained 
his  present  position  as  a  substantial  and  progressive  citizen  of  the  community  in 
which  he  now  lives. 


E.  J.  WESTERBERG. 


E.  J.  Westerberg,  living  on  section  5,  Ellington  township,  Hancock  county, 
was  bom  in  Sweden,  although  from  the  age  of  ten  years  he  has  been  a  resident 
of  Iowa  and  through  all  the  intervening  period  has  been  identified  with  agricul- 
tural interests,  being  now  owner  of  the  Lilac  Stock  Farm,  a  valuable  property 
which  constitutes  one  of  the  attractive  features  of  this  section  of  the  state.  His 
birth  occurred  oi^the  21st  of  December,  1871,  his  parents  being  John  and  Anna 
(Hockinson)  Westerberg,  who  are  also  natives  of  Sweden,  where  they  remained 
until  1882,  when  they  brought  their  family  to  the  new  world.  They  did  not 
tarry  on  the  Atlantic  coast,  but  made  their  way  at  once  across  the  country  and 
are  still  residents  of  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  their  home  being  now  in  Forest 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  339 

City.  They  became  parents  of  two  sons,  the  yonnger  being  Olaf,  who  is  also 
living  in  Ellington  township,  Hancock  county. 

E.  J.  liN^esterberg  was  largely  reared  and  educated  in  Winnebago  county  and 
his  youthful  experiences  were  those  of  the  farm  bred  boy.  He  attended  school  in 
the  winter  months  and  through  the  summer  seasons  worked  in  "the  fields,  remaining 
at  home  until  he  had  attained  his  majority.  He  did  not  seek  to  change  his  occu- 
pation, finding  in  farm  work  a  congenial  pursuit,  and  as  soon  as  possible  he  pur- 
chased property,  becoming  owner  of  what  is  known  as  the  Lilac  Stock  Farm,  a 
valuable  tract  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  which  he  has  improved  with 
fine  buildings.  He  has  an  attractive  residence,  substantial  bams  and  sheds  and 
modem  machinery  to  facilitate  the  work  of  the  fields,  raising  the  various  cereals 
best  adapted  to  soil  and  climate.  He  also  makes  a  specialty  of  raising  and  feed- 
ing stock  of  all  kinds  and  this  branch  of  his  business  brings  to  him  a  very  sub- 
stantial financial  return  annually. 

In  1894  Mr.  Westerberg  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Alice  Johnson,  a 
native  of  Sweden  and  a  daughter  of  Martin  and  Carrie  (Pearson)  Johnson,  who 
were  also  bora  in  the  same  country,  where  the  father  still  makes  his  home,  but  the 
mother  has  now  passed  away.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Westerberg  have  become  the  parents 
of  six  children:  Adolph  B.,  Nettie  F.,  Mamie  A.,  RoUie  H.,  Harry  A.  and 
Violet  E.  Mr.  Westerberg  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church 
and  guide  their  lives  according  to  its  teachings.  His  political  endorsement  is 
given  to  the  republican  party,  and  while  never  seeking  oflSce,  he  has  served  for 
several  years  as  school  director  and  is  much  interested  in  having  in  his  community 
schools  that  will  furnish  an  adequate  preparation  to  the  yoimg  for  life's  practical 
and  responsible  duties.  He  is  a  self-made  man,  for  all  that  he  possesses  and 
enjoys  has  been  acquired  through  his  own  efforts  since  he  attained  man's  estate, 
assisted  by  his  estimable  wife,  who  has  indeed  been  a  helpmate  to  him.  Diligence 
and  persistency  of  purpose  have  constituted  the  foundation  upon  which  he  has 
builded  his  success. 


ROBERT  D.  HOADLEY. 

Robert  D.  Hoadley  is  living  on  section  23,  Amsterdam  township,  Hancock 
county,  where  he  is  following  agrijcultural  pursuits  according  to  the  most  modern 
and  progressive  methods.  He  was  bom  in  Earlville,  Illinois,  on  the  2d  of  May, 
1885,  a  son  of  George  R.  and  Kate  (Temple)  Hoadley,  the  former  a  native  of 
England  and  the  latter  of  Scotland. 

After  pursuing  his  early  education  in  the  country  schools,  Robert  D.  Hoadley 
attended  the  high  school  at  Earlville,  Illinois,  and  later  became  a  student  in 
Brown^s  Business  College  at  Ottawa,  Illinois.  His  textbooks  were  put  aside  when 
he  reached  the  age  of  eighteen  years,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming  and 
for  two  years  rented  the  old  home  place.  Subsequently  he  cultivated  rented  land 
at  Emmetsburg,  Iowa,  for  two  years  and  later  he  rented  his  mother's  farm,  but 
eventually  his  earnings  were  such  that  he  was  able  to  purchase  property  and 
invested  in  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  on  section  23,  Amsterdam 
township,  Hancock  county.     Here  he  is  farming  with  a  modem  tractor,  and  in 


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340  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

.fact  he  utilizes  all  the  latest  improved  machinery  to  facilitate  the  work  of  the 
fields  and  care  for  the  harvests.  He  is  a  very  progressive  man,  thoroughly  up-to- 
date  in  everything  that  he  does,  and  in  addition  to  his  fanning  interests  he  holds 
stock  in  the  creamery  at  Kanav^ha. 

On  the  3d  of  October,  1907,  Mr.  Hoadley  was  married  to  Miss  Anna  Johnson, 
a  daughter  of  August  Johnson,  a  native  of  Norway.  They  now  have  two  chil- 
dren, Virla  M.  and  Howard  C,  both  at  home.  Politically  Mr.  Hoadley  is  a 
republican  and  his  religious  faith  is  that  of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church.  •  He 
has  become  well  known  during  the  period  of  his  residence  in  Hancock  county 
and  that  his  has  been  a  well  spent  life  is  indicated  in  the  fact  that  all  who  know 
him  speak  of  him  in  terms  of  warm  regard. 


FRANK   QUIGLEY. 


Frank  Quigley,  living  on  section  24,  Twin  Lake  township,  Hancock  county,  is 
engaged  in  general  agricultural  pursuits,  owning  and  occupying  three  hundred 
and  twenty  acres  of  land,  which  returns  to  him  a  substantial  tribute  for  the  care 
and  labor  he  bestows  upon  his  fields.  His  life  has  been  one  of  intense  and  well 
directed  activity  and  he  has  already  wrought  substantial  changes  in  his  present 
farm  since  taking  possession  thereof  in  1913.  Mr.  Quigley  is  of  Irish  birth,  his 
parents  being  Francis  and  Mary  (Sherry)  Quigley,  who  were  natives  of  Ireland, 
where  the  father  spent  his  entire  life,  passing  away  at  the  age  of  fifty-two  years. 
His  widow  afterward  came  to  the  new  world  and  died  on  this  side  the  Atlantic 
at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-six  years. 

Frank  Quigley,  who  was  bom  on  the  16th  of  March,  1872,  remained  a  resident 
of  the  Emerald  isle  until  1886,  when  at  the  age  of  fourteen  he  came  to  the  United 
States  and  began  earning  his  living  as  a  farm  hand.  He  afterward  rented  land 
for  fifteen  years,  but  it  was  his  earnest  desire  to  own  property  and  he  saved  his 
earnings  until  through  diligence  and  determination  he  had  acquired  a  sufficient 
sum  to  purchase  a  farm.  Since  1913  he  has  been  the  owner  of  three  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  of  valuable  land  on  section  24,  Twin  Lake  township,  Hancock  county, 
Iowa,  which  he  purchased  for  one  hundred  and  ten  dollars  per  acre.  He  now  culti- 
vates all  kinds  of  cereals  upon  his  place  and  also  raises  graded  stock.  He  is  likevnse 
interested  in  a  threshing  outfit  and  he  is  justly  accounted  one  of  the  enterprising 
business  men  of  his  section,  carrying  forward  to  successful  completion  whatever 
he  undertakes. 

On  the  17th  of  February,  1901,  Mr.  Quigley  was  married  to  Miss  Ellen  GoflCney, 
a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Anne  (Brady)  GoflEney,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of 
Ireland,  where  they  spent  their  entire  lives,  the  father  passing  away  at  the  age  of 
seventy-five  years,  while  the  mother  is  now  living  at  the  age  of  sixty-five.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Quigley  have  become  parents  of  four  children :  Francis  James,  Thomas  John, 
Gertrude  Marie  and  Eaymond  AUoysius. 

Politically  Mr.  Quigley  is  a  democrat  and  has  served  as  president  of  the  town- 
ship board.  He  has  also  been  school  director  and  is  interested  in  all  those  questions 
which  have  to  do  with  the  welfare  and  progress  of  his  community.  He  holds 
membership  with  the  Modem  Woodmen  of  America  and  with  the  Knights  of 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  341 

Columbus  and  the  latter  association  is  an  indication  of  the  fact  that  he  is  a  member 
of  the  Catholic  church.  He  may  truly  be  called  a  self-made  man  and  as  the 
architect  of  his  own  fortunes  he  has  builded  wisely  and  well. 


NELS   FEANDSEN. 


For  a  third  of  a  century  Nels  Frandsen  has  been  a  resident  of  Hancock  county 
and  has  therefore  witnessed  much  of  its  development  and  improvement.  He  has 
taken  an  active  part  in  furthering  its  agricultural  development  and  is  now  suc- 
cessfully engaged  in  general  farming  on  section  3,  Crjrstal  township,  where  he 
has  made  his  home  since  1887.  He  was  bom  in  Denmark,  August  3,  1850,  a 
son  of  Franc  J.  and  Christine  (Nelson)  Jensen,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of 
Denmark,  where  they  spent  their  entire  lives. 

Nels  Frandsen  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  country  and  in  1884 
bade  adieu  to  home  and  friends  and  sailed  for  the  new  world,  hoping  to  benefit 
his  financial  condition  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic.  He  at  once  made  his  way  to 
Iowa,  settling  in  Hancock  county,  and  three  years  later,  or  in  1887,  he  became 
the  owner  of  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  on  section  3,  Crystal  township,  and  in  1890 
bought  an  additional  eighty  acres  adjoining  it.  He  has  since  resided  upon  that 
place  and  through  all  the  intervening  years  he  has  carefully  and  systematically 
cultivated  and  improved  it  and  now  has  a  valuable  farm  which  annually  returns 
to  him  golden  harvests,  affording  him  a  good  yearly  income. 

Mr.  Frandsen  was  married  in  Denmark  to  Miss  Carrie  L.  Jergeson,  and  they 
became  the  parents  of  four  children,  Mary,  Carrie,  William  and  Clara,  all  yet  at 
home.  The  son  now  operates  the.  farm  and  gives  much  attention  to  the  raising 
of  stock.  The  wife  and  mother  passed  away  in  April,  1916,  and  was  laid  to  rest 
in  Crystal  Lake  cemetery,  leaving  a  husband,  four  children  and  many  friends  to 
mourn  her  loss. 

Mr.  Frandsen  exercises  his  right  of  franchise  in  support  of  the  men  and 
measures  of  the  republican  party.  He  has  served  as  school  director  and  has  ever 
been  an  advocate  of  a  progressive  school  system  that  will  qualify  the  young  for 
life's  practical  and  responsible  duties.  He  is  a  self-made  man,  his  success  being 
won  through  his  own  efforts  since  coming  to  America.  He  has  therefore  never 
had  occasion  to  regret  his  determination  to  seek  a  home  in  the  new  world  and  has 
become  more  and  more  strongly  attached  to  the  land  of  his  adoption  as  the  years 
have  passed; 


JOHNSTON  BROWN. 


Johnston  Brown,  who  is  residing  on  section  28,  Garfield  township,  Hancock 
county,  is  one  of  the  pioneers  of  that  section  and  remembers  well  when  there  were 
no  railroads  in  the  county  and  when  the  conditions  of  life  were  those  of  a  fron- 
tier district.  He  was  bom  in  Jefferson  county,  New  York,  October  11,  1843,  of 
the  marriage  of  John  and  Sarah  (Stahl)  Brown.    His  boyhood  was  spent  upon 


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342  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

'  the  home  farm  in  the  Empire  etate^  and  his  educational  opportunities  were  meager, 
as  there  were  but  few  schools  in  that  section  at  the  time  and  those  that  were  in 
existence  afforded  but  a  rudimentary  course  of  instruction.  In  his  early  manhood 
he  removed  to  Aurora,  Illinois,  and  engaged  in  farming  in  that  locality  until 
1886,  when  he  came  to  Hancock  county,  Iowa.  He  only  remained  here  for  a 
short  time,  after  which  he  returned  to  HUnois,  but  in  1888  he  located  permanently 
in  Garfield  township,  Hancock  county.  At  that  time  there  were  no  railroads  in 
the  county  and  there  were  only  two  stores  in  the  town  of  (Jamer.  He  devoted 
his  attention  to  farming  and  stock  raising  and  brought  his  land  to  a  high  stat^ 
of  development.  He  has  met  with  a  gratifying  measure  of  prosperity  and  now 
holds  title  to  two  hundred  and  fifty-two  acres  of  land  in  Hancock  county,  his 
residence  being  on  section  28,  Garfield  township,  and  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
in  Todd  county,  Minnesota. 

On  the  11th  of  February,  1868,  Mr.  Brown  was  married  in  Kankakee,  Illinois, 
to  Miss  Caroline  Farr,  a  daughter  of  Alfred  and  Margery  (Bush)  Farr.  Her 
father  was  a  native  of  England,  where  his  parents,  Thomas  and  Mary  (Smith) 
Farr,  spent  their  entire  lives.  When  a  boy  of  fifteen  years  he  came  to  America 
on  a  sailing  vessel  and  it  was  six  months  from  the  time  he  took  passage  until  he 
landed  in  the  new  world,  as  the  ship  was  wrecked  and  the  passengers  cast  on  an 
island.  Margery  Sush  and  her  twin  brother  were  the  first  white  children  bom 
in  Elkhart  county,  Indiana,  but  when  she  was  five  years  old  the  family  removed 
to  Kankakee  county,  Illinois.  Her  uncle  was  the  founder  of  Sush  Medical  Col- 
lege in  Chicago.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brown  have  been  bom  three  daughters  and 
one  son,  as  follows :  Milo,  who  married  Mary  Chipman  and  lives  at  Burt,  Iowa ; 
Mona,  who  married  John  Lowe,  of  Hayfield,  Iowa;  Emma,  the  wife  of  John 
Davison,  of  Long  Prairie,  Minnesota;  and  Myra,  now  Mrs.  John  Tythcott,  of 
Sioux  City,  Iowa. 

Mr.  Brown  is  an  advocate  of  republican  principles  and  has  supported  the 
candidates  of  that  party  at  the  polls  with  the  exception  of  the  1916  election, 
when  he  voted  for  Woodrow  Wilson.  He  has  always  taken  the  interest  of  a  good 
citizen  in  public  affairs,  but  has  held  only  one  oflSce,  having  served  as  township 
trustee  for  two  years.  In  1864  he  enlisted  in  Company  G,  One  Hundred  and 
Thirty-eighth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  under  Captain  Thomas  Lamport,  for 
one  hundred  days*  service.  He  has  a  wide  acquaintance  in  Hancock  county  and 
his  dominant  qualities  are  such  that  aU  who  have  been  brought  in  contact  with 
him  hold  him  in  high  esteem. 


ANDREW  A.  JOHNSON. 

Andrew  A.  Johnson,  living  on  section  30,  Twin  Lake  township,  Hancock 
county,  has  practically  spent  his  entire  life  in  Iowa,  although  he  was  bora  in 
Indiana  on  the  15th  of  January,  1858,  his  parents  being  Benjamin  and  Hen- 
rietta (Thomas)  Johnson,  who  were  natives  of  New  Jersey  and  Indiana  respect- 
ively. They  became  residents  of  Hardin  county,  Iowa,  during  the  pioneer  epoch 
in  its  development,  and  assisted  in  the  work  of  progress  and  improvement  there, 
but  both  are  now  deceased. 


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ANDREW   A.   JOHNSON 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  345 

Andrew  A.  Johnson  was  but  an  infant  when  brought  by  his  parents  to  Iowa, 
so  that  he  was  reared  in  Hardin  county,  where  he  acquired  a  district  school 
education.  His  textbooks  were  put  aside  when  he  had  reached  the  age  of  seven- 
teen years,  after  which  he  worked  with  his  father  on  the  old  homestead  until  he 
attained  his  majority.  Later  he  spent  three  years  at  farm  work  in  the  employ 
of  others  and  on  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  rented  land  which  he  qultivated 
for  three  years.  He  afterward  bought  sixty-five  acres  on  section  30,  paying  one 
thousand  dollars  for  this  tract.  In  1886  he  bought  eighty-five  acres  on  section  30, 
Twin  Lake  township,  for  which  he  paid  two  thousand  dollars  and  for  an  addi- 
tional eighty  acres  on  the  same  section  he  gave  three  thousancL  two  hundred 
dollars.  Throughout  all  the  intervening  years  he  has  concentrated  his  efforts  and 
attention  upon  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  carries  forward  to  successful  com- 
pletion whatever  he  undertakes.  He  is  energetic  and  has  never  been  afraid  of 
hard  work.  He  tills  the  soil,  rotating  his  crops  so  as  to  keep  his  land  productive 
and  not  impoverish  his  fields.  He  also  makes  a  specialty  of  raising  Poland  China 
hogs,  handling  pure  bred  stock,  and  this  branch  of  his  business  adds  materially  to 
his  income. 

On  the  14th  of  February,  1884,  Mr.  Johnson  was  married  to  Miss  Lizzie  Ott, 
a  daughter  of  Matthias  and  Elizabeth  Ott,  who  were  natives  of  Germany,  and  on 
coming  to  Iowa  in  1858  settled  at  Northwood.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson  have 
become  the  parents  of  four  children  of  whom  two  are  married.  Flossie  May  is 
now  the  wife  of  Henry  Hanson,  who  lives  in  Amsterdam  township.  Alice  Marie 
is  the  wife  of  Harold  Stotts,  and  they  make  their  home  in  Minnesota.  The  other 
children  are  Ora  A.  and  Ruth  M.,  yet  at  home. 

Mr.  Johnson  votes  with  the  republican  party,  which  he  has  supported  since 
attaining  his  majority,  and  for  six  years  he  has  capably  filled  the  oflSce  of  township 
trustee.  He  has  likewise  served  as  school  director  and  the  cause  of  education 
finds  in  him  a  stalwart  friend.  Religiously  he  is  identified  with  the  United 
Brethren  church  and  he  displays  many  admirable  characteristics  which  have  won 
for  him  the  respect,  confidence  and  goodwill  of  all  with  whom  he  has  been 
brought  in  contact.  H»e  is  numbered  among  lowa^s  pioneer  settlers,  having  for 
almost  sixty  years  resided  within  the  borders  of  the  state,  during  which  period 
he  has  witnessed  a  marvelous  transformation,  for  the  wild  prairie  land  has  been 
converted  into  fine  farms,  dotted  here  and  there  with  thriving  towns  and  villages, 
and  there  is  no  feature  of  modem  civilization  nor  of  progressive  business  life  that 
is  not  found  in  the  state. 


THOMAS  BEBHOW. 


The  home  farm  of  Thomas  Berhow  is  situated  on  section  4,  Amsterdam  township^ 
Hancock  county,  and  comprises  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  rich  and 
productive  land  upon  which  he  is  extensively  engaged  in  sheep  raising.  He  was 
bom  on  the  29th  of  March,  1875,  in  Story  county,  Iowa,  a  son  of  Ole  and  Bertha 
(Eide)  Berhow,  who  were  natives  of  Norway.  They  reared  their  family,  however, 
in  Iowa  and  Thomas  Berhow  pursued  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Polk 


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346  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

county,  this  state,  dividing  his  time  between  the  work  of  the  scheolroom,  the 
pleasures  of  the  playground  and  the  labors  of  the  fields  until  he  reached  the  age 
of  sixteen.  His  time  thereafter  was  concentrated  upon  assisting  his  father  in 
the  further  development  and  cultivation  of  the  home  farm  until  he  attained  his 
majority.  He  then  started  out  in  life  independently,  beginning  work  as  a  farm 
hand,  his  labors  in  that  way  continuing  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty-four 
years.  He  afterward  rented  land  for  three  years  and  his  first  purchase  made  him 
owner  of  ninety-four  acres  in  Story  county,  Iowa,  which  he  cultivated  for  seven 
years.  He  then  came  to  Hancock  county,  establishing  his  home  on  section  26, 
Amsterdam  township,  where  he  followed  general  farming  for  a  time,  but  at  length 
he  disposed  of  that  place  and  purchased  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  on 
section  4,  Amsterdam  township,  where  he  now  resides.  His  farm  is  equipped 
with  all  modem  conveniences  and  accessories.  There  are  good  buildings  upon  the 
place  and  fences,  which  are  always  kept  in  A  state  of  good  repair,  divide  the  farm 
into  fields  and  pastures  of  convenient  size.  He  is  making  a  specialty  of  sheep 
raising,  handling  high  grade  Shropshires,  and  he  finds  this  a  profitable  source 
of  income.  He  is  also  connected  with  the  Kanawha  Creamery,  and  he  stands  for 
progressiveness  in  all  that  pertains  to  the  life  of  the  agriculturist. 

On  the  14th  of  March,  1899,  Mr.  Berhow  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Jennie  Fatland,  her  parents  being  John  H.  and  Sarah  (Heggen)  Fatland,  the 
former  a  native  of  the  United  States  and  the  latter  of  Norway.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Berhow  have  been  bom  four  children,  namely :  Floyd  William,  Edgar  Orvin, 
Byron  LeEoy  and  Sidney  J.  The  parents  hold  membership  in  the  Norwegian 
Lutheran  church  and  are  interested  in  its  upbuilding,  doing  all  in  their  power 
to  promote  its  growth  and  extend  its  influence.  Mr.  Berhow  votes  with  the 
republican  party  and  keeps  well  informed  on  the  questions  and  issues  of  the  day. 
His  has  been  a  life  of  marked  activity,  intelligently  directed,  and  though  he  started 
out  in  life  empty  handed,  he  is  today  one  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  his  part 
of  the  state. 


HALVOR   0.   KVAMBECK. 

Halvor  0.  Kvambeck,  who  is  devoting  his  time  and  energies  to  general  farming 
on  section  36,  Norway  township,  has  spent  almost  his  entire  life  in  Winnebago 
county  and  throughout  the  entire  period  has  devoted  his  energies  to  agricultural 
pursuits.  He  was  bom  in  Norway,  January  3,  1864,  a  son  of  Ole  S.  and  Ingeborg 
(Halvorson)  Kvambeck,  who  were  farming  people  there.  They  came  to  the  United 
States  when  their  son  Halvor  was  but  two  and  one-half  years  old  and  for  a  year 
resided  near  Northwood,  in  Worth  county,  Iowa,  where  the  father  had  a  brother 
who  was  engaged  in  farming.  The  next  year,  however,  they  removed  to  Winnebago 
county  and  Mr.  Kvambeck  purchased  the  north  half  of  the  northeast  quarter  of 
section  36,  Norway  township.  It  was  then  a  tract  of  raw  land,  but  he  immediately 
began  to  develop  and  improve  the  place,  in  which  he  soon  wrought  a  marked 
transformation.  He  also  bought  the  north  half  of  the  northwest  quarter  adjoining 
section  36  and  likewise  purchased  thirty-seven  and  one-half  acres  on  the  southwest 
quarter  of  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  36,  Norway  township,  and  devoted  his 
remaining  days  to  the  cultivation  of  his  farm.    In  the  fall  of  1906  he  suffered 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  347 

Berions  injuries  through  the  attack  of  a  bull,  which  caused  his  death  on  the  2d 
of  November.  His  widow  survived  him  for  about  four  years,  passing  away  October 
11,  1910,  and  both  were  laid  to  rest  in  the  United  Lutheran  cemetery  at  Lake 
Mills.  In  his  political  views  Mr.  Kvambeck  was  a  republican  and  always  supported 
the  party  from  the  time  that  he  became  a  naturalized  American  citizen.  His  success 
was  the  direct  result  of  his  own  labors.  He  worked  diligently  and  persistently  and 
as  the  years  passed  on  won  a  substantial  measure  of  prosperity.  To  him  and  his 
wife  were  bom  five  children,  one  of  whom  died  when  but  three  years  of  age.  Those 
still  living  are  Simon  0.  and  Halvor  0.,  who  are  farming  together;  Christina; 
and  John,  who  is  also  upon  the  old  homestead.  The  three  brothers  are  associated 
in  the  work  of  the  farm,  while  the  sister  manages  the  household  affairs. 

Halvor  0.  Kvambeck  spent  his  youthful  days  under  the  parental  roof  and  his 
experiences  were  those  which  usually  fall  to  the  lot  of  the  farm  bred  boy.  He 
attended  the  early  schools  of  the  county  until  he  reached  the  age  of  sixteen  years 
and  afterward  worked  for  his  father  until  the  latter^s  death.  He  and  his  brothers 
have  continued  upon  the  home  place  and  he  now  owns  the  southwest  quarter  of 
section  36,  Norway  township.  He  is  financially  interested  in  the  Farmers  Elevator, 
the  Farmers  Lumber  Yard  at  Lake  Mills,  and  the  Lake  Mills  Creamery  Company. 
He  has  led  a  life  of  diligence  and  thrift  and  his  energy  and  industry  are  the  basic 
principles  of  the  success  which  has  come  to  him.*  His  political  allegiance  has 
always  been  given  to  the  republican  party.  He  is  now  town  clerk  and  served  for 
three  or  four  terms  on  the  school  board. 


HENRY   AFRICA. 


Henry  Africa,  the  well  known  and  popular  postmaster  of  Kanawha,  Iowa,  was 
bom  on  the  1st  of  June,  1869,  in  Center  county,  Pennsylvania,  of  which  state  his 
parents,  Samuel  and  Louisa  (Dunlap)  Africa,  were  also  natives.  In  1876  the 
family  came  to  Iowa  and  located  in  Grinnell,  where  our  subject's  maternal  grand- 
parents had  previously  settled.  The  father,  who  was  a  miller  by  trade,  subsequently 
obtained  employment  in  a  gristmill  at  Newton,  Iowa,  where  he  made  his  home 
until  1885,  and  then  removed  to  Hancock  county,  being  employed  as  a  miller  in 
the  old  Amsterdam  mill.  Later  he  became  a  resident  of  Goodell,  where  his  death 
occurred  in  1893,  but  the  mother  of  our  subject  is  still  living  and  continues  to 
make  her  home  in  Gk)odell. 

After  coming  with  the  family  to  Iowa  in  1876,  Henry  Africa  lived  with  his 
maternal  grandparents  on  a  farm  near  Grinnell  for  a  number  of  years  and  obtained 
his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  the  neighborhood.  As  early  as  his  thirteenth 
year,  however,  he  became  a  wage  earner,  working  at  farming  or  anything  by  which 
he  could  earn  an  honest  dollar.  In  the  spring  of  1886  he  joined  his  parents, 
who  were  then  living  in  Webster  City,  Iowa,  and  came  with  them  to  Hancock  county, 
where  he  has  since  made  his  home  most  of  the  time,  though  he  conducted  a  barber 
shop  at  Belmond  for  a  few  years.  On  selling  his  business  there  in  the  spring  of 
1901,  he  removed  to  Kanawha,  where  he  purchased  a  hotel  and  engaged  in  the 
hotel  and  restaurant  business  with  good  success.  His  establishment  was  run  on 
a  high  plane  of  efficiency  and  his  table  became  famed  among  the  traveling  men 


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348     WINNEBAGO  AND  HANCOCK  COUNTIES 

yisitiiig  this  part  of  the  state.  In  1915  he  traded  his  hotel  property  for  a  farm 
of  eighty  acres  five  and  a  half  miles  southwest  of  Kanawha  and  has  since  given 
his  nndivided  attention  to  the  duties  of  the  postofSce^  having  been  appointed 
postmaster  in  1913. 

In  1896  Mr.  Africa  married  Miss  Franke  K.  Dnryea^  of  Hancock  county,  a 
sister  of  the  noted  baseball  pitcher,  Cy  Duryea  (Cyclone  Duryea).  By  this  union 
four  sons  and  one  daughter  have  been  bom,  namely :  George  Arold,  Guy  K.,  Esther, 
Henry  Jr.,  and  James. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Africa  hold  membership  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and 
he  is  also  prominently  identified  with  a  number  of  fraternal  orders,  being  a  member 
of  Corwith  Lodge,  No.  535,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.;  Bethel  Chapter,  No.  116,  E.  A  M., 
of  Gamer;  Bethel  Council,  No.  33,  E.  &  S.  M.;  and  Mount  Lebanon  Commandery, 
No.  61,  K.  T.,  of  Clarion,  Iowa.  He  also  belongs  to  Kanawha  Lodge,  No.  667, 
I.  0.  0.  F.,  the  Eebekahs,  the  Modem  Woodman  of  America  and  the  American 
Yeomen,  while  his  wife  is  a  member  of  Corwith  Chapter,  0.  E.  S.  By  his  ballot 
he  supports  the  men  and  measures  of  the  democratic  party  and  besides  serving 
as  postmaster  he  has  filled  the  oflBce  of  town  clerk  four  or  five  years.  He  has 
always  been  found  true  to  any  trust  reposed  in  him  and  well  merits  the  confidence 
and  esteem  which  his  fellow  citizens  so  freely  accord  him. 


GILBEET   OLSON. 


Gilbert  Olson,  now  successfully  engaged  in  farming  on  section  30,  Center  town- 
ship, has  been  a  resident  of  Winnebago  county  since  1876,  but  his  early  home  was 
on  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic,  for  he  was  bom  in  Norway  on  the  29th  of  August, 
1848.  His  parents,  Ole  and  Klarie  (Hellickson)  Olson,  were  likewise  natives  of 
Norway,  in  which  country  the  father  followed  farming  until  called  to  his  final 
rest  in  1851.  The  mother  subsequently  came  to  the  new  world  and  lived  with 
her  children  until  she  too  passed  away  in  1899. 

In  the  land  of  the  midnight  sun  Gilbert  Olson  grew  to  manhood  with  the 
usual  educational  advantages  of  a  farmer  boy  in  that  country  and  was  twenty 
years  of  age  when  he  determined  to  try  his  fortune  in  America,  where  he  believed 
that  better  opportunities  were  afforded  ambitious  young  men.  On  arriving  here 
in  1868  he  located  in  Wisconsin,  where  he  worked  as  a  farm  hand  for  a  few 
years,  but  in  1876  he  came  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  and  purchased  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  of  land  on  section  23,  Newton  township,  which  he  at  once  began 
to  improve  and  cultivate.  To  this  tract  he  later  added  eighty  acres  and  continued 
to  operate  that  farm  until  the  spring  of  1917,  when  he  rented  the  place  and 
removed  to  Center  township,  having  purchased  the  old  Holland  farm  of  eighty 
acres  on  section  30.  Upon  this  place  is  one  of  the  oldest  log  cabins  in  Winnebago 
county,  it  standing  as  a  monument  of  pioneer  days. 

On  the  8th  of  March,  1888,  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Olson  and  Miss 
Betsy  Quam,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Betsy  (Johan)  Quam,  natives  of  Norway, 
who  came  to  the  United  States  about  1867  and  first  located  in  Goodyear  county, 
Minnesota,  but  afterward  became  early  settlers  of  Newton  township,  Winnebago 
county,  Iowa.     Mr.  Quam  is  deceased  and  his  widow  is  living  in  Mount  Valley 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  349 

township,  Winnebago  county,  with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  John  Haugen.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Olson  have  been  bom  thirteen  children,  but  Bertine  died  February  10, 
1895,  at  the  age  of  a  year  and  a  half.  Those  living  are  Otto,  John,  Carl,  Bept,  Mary, 
Genhart,  Clara,  Melvin,  Tena,  Albert,  Elmer  and  Selma. 

In  religious  faith  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Olson  are  Lutherans  and  in  politics  he  is 
a  stanch  supporter  of  the  republican  party.  He  has  been  called  to  fill  the  offices 
of  justice  of  the  peace  and  trustee  of  Newton  township,  was  also  elected  the  first 
assessor  of  that  township  and  served  in  that  capacity  for  two  terms.  For  the 
long  period  of  twenty  years  he  was  also  treasurer  of  his  schodl  district.  He  is  a 
stockholder  in  the  Lake  Mills  Creamery  Company  and  the  Leland  Creamery 
Company  and  is  a  man  in  whom  the  people  of  the  community  have  the  utmost 
confidence. 


JOSEPH  E.  LEWIS. 


A  life  of  industry  and  thrift  has  made  Joseph  R.  Lewis  one  of  the  substantial 
farmers  of  Winnebago  county,  his  home  being  on  section  18,  Mount  Valley  town- 
ship. He  was  bom  March  14,  1876,  a  son  of  Lars  Pearson  and  Ellen  B.  (Pearson) 
Lewis,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Sweden.  Coming  to  America  in  1871,  they 
established  their  home  upon  a  farm  in  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  and  throughout 
his  remaining  days  the  father  gave  his  thoughtful  and  earnest  attention  to  the 
development  of  his  fields,  winning  a  fair  measure  of  success  through  his  farm  work. 
He  passed  away  in  1910  and  is  still  survived  by  his  widow.  They  had  a  family  of 
six  children,  five  of  whom  are  yet  living. 

At  the  usual  age  Joseph  R.  Lewis  became  a  pupil  in  the  public  schools  and 
therein  mastered  the  branches  of  learning  which  qualified  him  for  lifers  practical 
and  responsible  duties.  From  early  boyhood  he  aided  in  the  work  of  the  fields 
through  the  summer  months  and  as  his  age  and  strength  increased  he  worked  more 
and  more  in  that  connection.  He  has  never  sought  to  change  his  occupation,  believ- 
ing, as  George  Washington  expressed  it,  that  agriculture  is  the  most  useful  as  well 
as  the  most  honorable  occupation  of  man.  He  saved  his  earnings  until  he  was  able 
to  purchase  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  land,  which  he  secured  on  section  18, 
Mount  Valley  township.  In  the  intervening  period  he  has  given  his  attention  to 
crop  production  and  also  to  stock  raising,  and  both  branches  of  his  business  are 
proving  profitable  sources  of  income. 

In  1903  Mr.  Lewis  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  Segerstrom,  a  native 
of  Mitchell  county,  Iowa,  and  a  daughter  of  Nels  and  Bengta  (Swenson)  Seger- 
strom, who  were  natives  of  Sweden  and  in  the  year  1868  made  the  long  voyage 
across  the  Atlantic  to  the  new  world.  They  first  settled  in  Mitchell  county,  Iowa, 
and  afterward  established  their  home  in  Minnesota.  In  the  year  1887  they  became 
residents  of  Winnebago  county,  where  the  mother  passed  away,  but  the  father  is 
still  living.  They  had  a  family  of  seven  children,  five  of  whom  survive.  Mrs. 
Lewis  attended  the  high  school  of  Forest  City  and  for  ten  years  she  successfully 
Luella  A.,  Lyle  J.,  Russell  M.,  Forest  V.  and  Elsie  Buetillie.  The  parents  are 
members  of  the  Baptist  church,  in  which  Mr.  Lewis  is  serving  as  a  steward.    His 


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350  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

political  endorsement  is  given  to  the  republican  party  but  he  has  never  been  ambi- 
tious to  hold  oflBce.  He  is  interested,  however,  in  affairs  of  the  community  and  is 
now  serving  as  a  school  director.  He  lends  his  aid  and  cooperation  to  many  move- 
ments for  the  general  good  and  his  influence  is  always  on  the  side  of  progress. 


CHRISTIAN  ESCHER. 


Christian  Escher  established  his  residence  in  Iowa  in  1896  and  was  the  owner 
of  a  good  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  19,  Magor  township, 
Hancock  county,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occcurred  May  5,  1901,  Illinois 
claimed  him  as  a  native  son,  as  he  was  bom  in  Tazewell  county  on  the  11th  of 
January,  1860.  His  parents  were  John  and  Johannette  Escher,  natives  of 
Germany. 

Christian  Escher  became  a  pupil  in  the  district  schools  of  his  native  county  and 
therein  pursued  his  studies  between  the  ages  of  six  and  seventeen  years.  Then 
he  and  his  brother  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Ford  county,  Illinois, 
and  farmed  there  for  two  years,  dfter  which  the  place  was  sold.  He  then  rented 
land  until  1896,  when  he  removed  to  Iowa,  and  he  was  identifid  with  agricultural 
interests  in  Hancock  county  until  his  death  in  1901.  Since  then  his  son,  Louis, 
has  operated  the  farm.  He  makes  a  specialty  of  raising  Polled  Angus  cattle  and 
has  a  good  herd  upon  the  place.  He  has  added  various  substantial  improvements 
to  the  farm,  which  is  well  equipped. 

On  the  2d  of  November,  1885,  Mr.  Escher  was  married  to  Miss  Augusta  Erp, 
a  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  Erp,  natives  of  Germany,  who  came  to  America  and 
located  in  Ford  county,  Illinois.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Escher  were  bom  six  children, 
William  John,  Louis  Walter,  Joe  Milo,  Reuben,  Laura  E.  and  Erwin  C.  Of  this 
number  Reuben  is  deceased. 

The  religious  faith  of  the  family  is  that  of  the  German  Lutheran  church.  In 
his  political  belief  Mr.  Escher  was  a  republican.  He  was  interested  in  many 
matters  pertaining  to  public  progress  and  improvement  and  was  numbered  among 
the  substantial  and  valued  citizens  of  Magor  township. 


HERMAN  B.  LATJEN. 


Herman  B.  Lauen,  a  resident  farmer  of  Avery  township,  Hancock  county,  living 
on  section  23,  was  bom  in  Germany  on  the  23d  of  February,  1866,  his  parents  being 
Bert  and  Anna  Lauen,  who  were  also  natives  of  that  country,  the  mother  bom  in 
1830.  They  came  to  America  with  their  family  in  1884,  but  both  have  now  passed 
away. 

Herman  B.  Lauen  was  about  eighteen  years  old  when  the  family  arrived  in  the 
United  States  and  from  the  Atlantic  seaboard  they  made  their  way  westward  to 
Wright  county,  Iowa,  where  he  worked  by  the  month  as  a  farm  hand  for  four 
or  five  years.  He  was  ambitious,  however,  to  engage  in  farming  on  his  own 
account  and  at  length  rented  land,  which  he  cultivated  for  six  years.     During  that 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  351 

» 

period  he  carefully  saved  his  earnings  and  at  length  washable  to  purchase  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  23,  Avery  township.  With  characteristic  energy 
he  bent  his  efforts  to  the  development  of  the  place.  He  paid  twenty-five  dollars 
per  acre  for  this  land,  which  was  then  a  wild  tract.  He  broke  the  sod,  harrowed 
the  fields,  put  in  his  seed  and  in  time  gathered  good  crops.  Since  then  he  has  care- 
fully, persistently  and  systematically  cultivated  his  farm  and  has  also  engaged  in 
raising  cattle  and  hogs  and  on  a  limited  scale  has  engaged  in  dairying. 

On  the  2d  of  December,  1903,  Mr.  Lauen  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mrs.  Ida 
M.  Pals,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Pauline  Stadtlander,  who  are  natives  of  Germany 
and  are  still  living.  Mr.  Lauen  is  a  republican  in  his  political  views  and  while  he 
has  never  sought  nor  filled  political  offices,  he  has  served  as  school  director.  He 
and  his  wife  belong  to  the  German  Reformed  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  they 
are  people  of  many  substantial  qualities.  Mr.  Lauen  deserves  much  credit  for  what 
he  has  accomplished  in  a  business  way,  for  his  success  is  due  entirely  to  his  own 
efforts,  his  diligence  and  perseverance  enabling  him  to  overcome  all  the  difficulties 
and  obstacles  in  his  path  and  work  his  way  upward  to  prosperity. 


HENRY  0.  HARRISON. 


Henry  0.  Harrison,  who  carries  on  general  iarming  on  section  11,  Ellington 
township,  has  been  a  resident  of  Hancock  county  for  more  than  thirty-seven  years. 
He  was  bom  in  Wisconsin,  July  10, 1854,  and  was  one  of  a  family  of  seven  children, 
although  only  two  are  now  living.  Their  parents,  Ole  and  Eva  (Medbin)  Harrison, 
were  both  natives  of  Norway  and  the  former  came  to  America  when  but  ten  years 
of  age,  at  which  time  he  became  a  resident  of  Wisconsin.  There  he  was  reared 
and  married  and  in  1867  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Iowa  and  later  went  to 
Hartland,  Minnesota,  where  eventually  he  passed  away  as  the  result  of  wounds 
sustained  during  his  three  years^  service  in  the  Civil  war  as  a  defender  of  the  Union. 

Henry  0.  Harrison  was  a  youth  of  thirteen  years  when  he  came  to  Iowa.  He 
acquired  his  education  in  the  public  schools  and  assisted  in  the  development  and  cul- 
tivation of  the  home  farm  up  to  the  time  of  his  marriage,  which  was  celebrated 
in  1881,  Miss  Thonne  Michalson  becoming  his  wife.  She  was  born  in  Iowa  and 
is  a  daughter  of  Torger  and  Ingbyr  (Qualley)  Michalson,  both  natives  of  Norway, 
whence  they  came  to  the  United  States  in  the  ^60s.  They  established  their  home  in 
Wisconsin  but  after  two  years  removed  to  Decorah,  Iowa,  and  later  to  Lake  Mills, 
where  both  passed  away.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harrison  have  become  parents  of  nine 
children:  Tillie  A.,  and  Albert  T.,  both  deceased;  Oscar,  Eddie  and  Henry  A.,  all 
at  home ;  Marie,  the  wife  of  L.  V.  Donahue ;  Ida  A.,  at  home ;  Emma  T.,  the  wife  of 
Thomas  Rigmer;  and  Thelma  A.  ' 

Following  his  marriage  Mr.  Harrison  purchased  the  farm  upon  which  he  has 
now  continuously  lived  for  thirty-six  years.  .  His  tract  of  land  comprises  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  acres,  which  he  has  since  brought  to  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and  to 
which  he  has  added  many  substantial  modem  improvements.  In  addition  to 
tilling  the  fields  he  is  engaged  in  raising  stock  of  all  kinds  and  keeps  good  grades  of 
stock.  His  business  affairs  are  wisely  and  carefully  conducted  and  economy  and 
industry  have  been  features  of  his  growing  prosperity.     In  addition  to  his  agricul- 


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352  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

tural  interests  he  is  i  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  elevator  at  Ventura,  Iowa,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Harrison  owe  their  success  entirely  to  their  individual  efforts.  They  are 
numbered  among  the  prominent  residents  of  Ellington  township,  where  they  have 
a  large  circle  of  warm  friends.  They  hold  membership  in  the  Lutheran  church 
and  Mr.  Harrison  votes  with  the  republican  party,  which  he  has  supported  since 
age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise.  He  has  served  as  justice  of  the 
peace  and  as  a  member  of  the  school  board  and  has  done  everything  in  his  power 
to  further  the  interests  which  are  cared  for  by  the  two  oflBces.  Those  who  know 
him  esteem  him  highly  because  of  a  well  spent  life.  He  has  lived  to  witness  many 
changes  in  the  county  during  the  long  years  of  his  residence  here  and  his  progressive 
spirit  has  made  him  a  well  known  factor  in  its  agricultural  development 


CHRISTIAN  ENGEBRETSON. 

Christian  Engebretson,  who  is  concentrating  his  time  and  attention  on  general 
farming  on  section  20,  Logan  township,  Winnebago  county,  is  a  self-made  man 
whose  success  is  due  entirely  to  his  close  application  and  persistent  energy.  He 
was  bom  in  Modum,  Norway,  near  Christiania,  June  9,  1845.  His  parents  were 
Engebret  Olson  and  Mary  Knutson.  The  father  followed  farming  in  his  native 
land,  where  he  passed  away  in  1867.  In  the  family  were  eight  children,  of  whom 
Christian  is  the  eldest.  Six  of  the  number  are  yet  living,  and  Mary  and  Anna 
are  still  in  Norway.  The  others  in  America  are:  Hans  Berg,  of  Logan  town- 
ship, Winnebago  county;  Ole,  also  of  Logan  township;  and  John,  who  is  living 
in  Polk  county,  Minnesota. 

Christian  Engebretson  was  twenty-four  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  the 
United  States  and  made  his  way  direct  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  in  1869, 
going  to  the  home  of  his  uncle,  Hans  Knutson,  in  Norway  township.  He  worked 
for  his  uncle  and  for  others  for  a  short  time  and  then  settled  on  school  land  in 
Logan  township  before  it  was  put  up  for  sale.  When  thirty  years  of  age  he  pur- 
chased one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  20,  constituting  the  northwest 
quarter,  and  later  he  purchased  the  southwest  quarter  of  the  same  section,  having 
here  a  valuable  farm  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres.  He  broke  the  prairie 
land  and  put  in  his  crops.  He  carried  on  the  work  of  development  and  improve- 
ment steadily  as  the  years  went  on  and  soon  wrought  a  marked  transformation 
in  the  appearance  of  his  place.  His  mother  afterward  came  to  Winnebago  county 
with  her  son  Hans  and  lived  with  Christian  Engebretson  until  her  death,  which 
occurred  in  1909,  her  remains  being  interred  in  Bethel  cemetery. 

Mr.  Engebretson  was  married,  before  coming  to  the  United  States,  to  Miss 
Maren  Gurine  Qaaserud,  and  they  became  parents  of  eight  children.  Maren 
Helene,  who  was  bom  in  Norway,  November  14,  1867  became  the  wife  of  Herman 
Gulsrud,  of  Hubbard  county,  Minnesota,  and  died  November  20,  1916.  Inga^ 
born  October  13,  1870,  is  the  wife  of  Tom  Gavle,  of  Freeborn  county,  Minnesota. 
Maria,  born  January  1,  1873,  is  the  wife  of  John  Holman,  of  Eden  township, 
Winnebago  county.  Johan  C,  bom  July  20,  1875,  is  living  in  Logan  township. 
Hans  C,  bom  May  20,  1877,  also  makes  his  home  in  Logan  township.  Carl  C, 
bom  March  18,  1880,  is  a  resident  of  Freebom  county,  Minnesota.    Albert  C, 


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MR.  AND  MRS.  CHRISTIAN  ENOEBRETSON 


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il^ 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  355 

bom  June  20,  1882,  is  assisting  in  the  cultivation  of  the  home  farm.  Gunda, 
bom  December  6,  1884,  died  November  24,  1908.  The  wife  and  mother  passed 
away  June  13,  1913,  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  Bethel  cemetery. 

Mr.  Engebretson  is  still  actively  interested  in  farming  and  yet  owns  two  hun- 
dred and  sixty-seven  acres  on  section  20,  Logan  township,  together  with  the 
north  half  of  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  16.  He  likewise  has  a  third 
interest  with  his  sons,  J.  C.  and  H.  C,  in  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  34, 
and  he  has  materially  assisted  his  sons  in  acquiring  their  farms.  He  is  a  stocks 
holder  in  the  Farmers  Creamery  at  Vinje.  His  has  been  a  life  of  diligence  and 
determination,  and  he  has  carried  forward  to  successful  completion  whatever  he 
has  undertaken.  His  history  shows  what  may  be  accomplished  when  one  has  the 
will  to  dare  and  to  do,  for  he  started  out  in  life  empty  handed  and  has  worked 
his  way  steadily  upward. 

Mr.  Engebretson  holds  membership  in  the  United  Lutheran  church.  His 
political  allegiance  is  given  to  the  republican  party  and  for  a  number  of  years 
he  filled  the  oflBce  of  township  tmstee.  He  has  also  been  school  director  for  a 
number  of  years  and  he  is  interested  in  all  that  pertains  to  the  progress  and 
welfare  of  his  adopted  land.  In  early  manhood  he  chose  to  make  this  country 
his  place  of  residence  and  he  has  always  been  loyal  to  the  United  States  and  her 
interests.  Living  under  the  protection  of  her  laws,  he  has  felt  that  he  haa^ 
owed  her  allegiance  and  at  all  times  he  has  stood  for  those  things  which  have 
contributed  to  public  progress  and  improvement  in  the  district  in  which  he 
resides. 


GEOEGE  M.  CABSON,  D.  V.  M. 

Dr.  George  M.  Carson,  of  Lake  Mills,  Iowa,  is  one  of  the  busiest  and  most  up- 
to-date  veterinarians  of  this  part  of  the  state.  A  native  of  of  Cook  county,  Illinois, 
he  was  bom  August  23,  1884,  of  the  marriage  of  Mathew  and  Lizzie  (Crego) 
Carson,  the  former  also  a  native  of  the  Prairie  state.  In  1888  the  family  removed 
to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  and  the  father  purchased  land  here,  which  he  has 
since  farmed.     The  mother  also  survives. 

Dr.  George  M.  Carson  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Thompson  and 
Milford,  Iowa,  graduating  from  the  high  school  of  the  latter  place  with  the  class 
of  1903.  From  that  time  until  he  was  twenty-three  years  of  age  he  worked  upon 
the  home  farm,  after  which  for  three  years  he  rented  a  farm  belonging  to  his 
father.  He  next  entered  the  McKillip  Veterinary  College  of  Chicago  and  upon 
the  completion  of  the  course  there  was  graduated  in  1912  with  the  degree  of  D.  V. 
M.  He  at  once  located  for  practice  at  Lake  Mills,  where  he  still  resides.  He  pur- 
chased property  on  Main  street  and  converted  it  into  a  veterinary  hospital,  which 
has  been  of  great  value  to  the  stock  raisers  of  the  county.  His  practice  extends  into 
a  number  of  counties  in  Iowa  and  Minnesota  and  his  professional  standing  is 
enviable.  He  has  never  ceased  to  be  a  student  of  his  profession  and  keeps  in  close 
touch  with  the  newest  methods  for  the  treatment  of  the  diseases  of  animals.  He 
owns  stock  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  of  Lake  Mills  and  has  already  gained 
a  competence. 


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356  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

Dr.  Carson  was  married  in  June,  1907,  to  Miss  Ethel  V.  Dannatt,  by  whom  he 
has  two  children:  Venetta  V.,  who  was  born  October  2,  1908;  and  Arlo  Bmce, 
bom  April  11,  1914.  The  Doctor  is  a  strong  republican  in  his  political  views, 
belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Homesteaders  lodges  and 
holds  membership  in  the  Congregational  church.  He  is  one  of  the  leading  citizens 
of  Lake  Mills,  and  his  salient  qualities  of  character  are  such  that  he  is  most 
highly  esteemed  by  those  who  know  him  most  intimately. 


SEVERT  M.  JACOBSON. 

Severt  M.  Jacobson,  who  follows  farming  on  section  14,  Amsterdam  township, 
Hancock  county,  has  an  excellent  tract  of  land  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
which  he  carefully  and  systematically  cultivates  and  in  addition  he  is  also  engaged 
in  the  buying"  and  selling  of  horses.  He  was  bom  on  the  18th  of  August,  1877,  in 
Story  City,  Iowa,  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Josephine  (Olson)  Jacobson,  who  were  natives 
of  Norway.  His  education  was  acquired  in  the  district  schools  of  Story  county, 
Iowa,  his  time  being  divided  between  his  school  work  and  the  labors  of  the  fields 
until  he  attained  his  majority.  He  then  quit  school  and  for  a  time  engaged  in 
work  as  a  farai  hand,  but  was  desirous  of  making  his  efforts  of  more  direct  benefit  to 
himself  and  for  thiri;een  years  he  cultivated  a  rented  faraa.  The  money  which  he 
earned  in  that  way  enabled  him  to  purchase  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section 
14,  Amsterdam  township,  Hancock  county,  in  March,  1914,  and  he  has  since  carried 
on  the  work  of  the  farm,  cultivating  the  cereals'  best  adapted  to  soil  and  climate  and 
also  winning  a  considerable  measure  of  profit  through  his  activity  as  a  horse  buyer. 

On  the  22d  of  January,  1902,  Mr.  Jacobson  was  married  to  Miss  Ragnel  Nearam, 
a  daughter  of  Eaiute  Nearam,  a  native  of  Norway,  and  they  now  have  four  children, 
Arthur  J.,  Jeannette  M.,  Clara  Elmira  and  Selma  R.  Since  age  conferred  upon 
him  the  right  of  franchise  Mr.  Jacobson  has  been  a  stalwart  advocate  of  the  repub- 
lican party,  while  his  religious  faith  is  that  of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church. 
He  is  widely  and  favorably  known  in  Amsterdam  township,  where  he  has  a  circle 
of  friends  almost  coextensive  with  the  circle  of  his  acquaintance. 


OSCAR  THOMPSON. 


Oscar  Thompson,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  on  section  16,  Center  township, 
Winnebago  county,  was  born  in  that  township  on  the  Ist  of  May,  1886,  a  son  of 
John  and  Sarah  (Thorvaldson)  Thompson,  natives  respectively  of  Minnesota  and 
Wisconsin.  The  father  settled  in  Winnebago  county  in  its  pioneer  days  and  after 
renting  land  for  a  few  years  purchased  a  quarter  section  in  Center  township,  which 
he  operated  successfully  until  the  spring  of  1907,  when  he  retired  from  active  life 
and  took  up  his  residence  in  Lake  Mills,  where  he  is  now  living.  The  mother  also 
survives. 

Oscar  Thompson  was  reared  upon  the  home  farm  and  in  the  acquirement  of  his 
education  attended  the  district  schools  and  also  schools  at  Lake  Mills  and  Forest 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  357 

City.  After  attaining  his  majority  he  rented  land  and  began  farming  for  himself, 
his  experience  in  agricultural  work,  gained  through  assisting  his  father,  well  fitting 
him  for  his  chosen  life  work.  He  is  now  operating  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on 
section  16,  Center  township,  belonging  to  an  uncle,  and  his  well  directed  labors  are 
rewarded  by  large  crops.  He  also  raises  some  stock  and  finds  that  likewise  profit- 
able. He  is  financially  interested  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  at  Lake  Mills 
and  in  the  Lake  Mills  Creamery  Company,  and  owns  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
of  land  in  Divide  county,  North  Dakota.  On  the  2d  of  June,  1914,  Mr.  Thompson 
married  Miss  Emma  Kvalsrud,  a  daughter  of  Tostin  and  Ausee  Kvalsrud,  who 
were  bom  in  Norway  but  located  in  Worth  county,  Iowa,  many  years  ago.  They 
are  now  living  upon  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Joice.  Mr.  Thompson  is  a  republi- 
can in  his  political  allegiance  and  has  served  for  three  years  as  assessor  of  Center 
township,  in  which  connection  he  has  made  a  highly  creditable  record.  Through 
his  membership  in  the  Lutheran  church  he  has  identified  himself  with  those  forces 
making  for  righteousness,  and  his  many  excellent  qualities  have  gained  him  the 
unqualified  respect  of  those  who  have  known  him  since  boyhood. 


EOLLIN  S.  FILLMORE,  JR.,  M.  D. 

The  large  practice  with  Dr.  RoUin  S.  Fillmore,  Jr.,  of  Corwith,  has  built  up  in 
the  comparatively  short  time  that  he  has  been  a  resident  of  the  town  is  evidence 
that  the  public  recognizes  his  ability  and  devotion  to  his  profession.  He  received 
his  training  in  a  thorough  medical  college  and  in  up-to-date  hospitals  and  gives  his 
patients  the  benefit  of  the  latest  discoveries  in  the  field  of  medicine. 

The  Doctor  was  born  in  Blue  Rapids,  Kansas,  on  the  22d  of  December,  1888,  a 
son  of  Dr.  RoUin  S.  and  Ada  Louise  (Bums)  Fillmore.  The  father,  who  was  born 
on  the  22d  of  December,  1854,  in  Minnesota,  devoted  his  life  to  the  practice  of 
medicine  and  thus  followed  in  the  footsteps  of  his  father,  who  was  a  successful 
physician.  Rollin  S.  Fillmore,  Sr.,  was  graduated  from  the  medical  department  of 
the  University  of  Washington  at  St.  Louis  in  1882  and  in  the  same  year  opened  an 
oflSce  for  practice  in  Blue  Rapids,  Kansas,  where  he  is  still  located.  He  is  one 
of  the  prominent  physicians  and  surgeons  of  his  section  of  the  state  and  has  also 
served  as  mayor  of  Blue  Rapids,  his  -election,  to  that  office  indicating  the  high  esteem 
in  which  he  is  held  by  his  fellow  citizens.  His  wife  was  born  in  Tillsonburg, 
Ontario,  Canada,  on  the  22d  of  December,  1853,  and  rececived  her  education  and 
grew  to  womanhood  in  the  Dominion.  In  1884  she  went  on  a  visit  to  Blue  Rapids, 
Kansas,  and  there  met  Dr.  Fillmore,  her  future  husband.  They  have  three  chil- 
dren :  Louise,  the  wife  of  Dr.  R.  E.  Weston,  a  physician  practicing  at  Tillsonburg, 
Canada;  Rollin  S. ;  and  Benjamin  De  Witt,  who  was  a  student  at  the  University 
of  Kansas  but  left  college  to  enter  the  aviation  corps  of  the  British  army  and  is  now 
serving  in  Egypt. 

Rollin  S.  Fillmore,  Jr.,  completed  the  high  school  course  at  Blue  Rapids, 
Kansas,  and  in  1908  entered  the  medical  college  of  Washington  University  at  St. 
Louis,  the  school  from  which  his  father  graduated,  receiving  the  degree  of  M.  D. 
from  that  institution  in  1912.  For  one  year  he  was  interne  in  St.  Luke^s  Hospital 
at  St.  Louis  and  for  six  months  held  a  similar  position  in  the  Iron  Mountain  Rail- 


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358  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

road  Hospital  at  Little  Bock^  Arkansas.  Subsequently  he  was  physician  at  a 
lumber  camp  at  Bigelow,  Arkansas,  but  in  1914  removed  to  Corwith,  Iowa,  where 
he  has  since  remained.  In  his  practice  here  he  has  adopted  the  methods  in  use  in 
the  most  up-to-date  hospitals  and  has  been  most  successful  in  the  treatment  of 
disease.  He  belongs  to  tlie  Winnebago  &  Hancock  Counties  Medical  Society,  the 
Iowa  State  Medical  Society  and  the  American  Medical  Association  and  through  the 
proceedings  of  those  organizations,  through  individual  study  and  through  wide  pro- 
fessional reading  he  keeps  thoroughly  informed  as  to  the  work  of  the  leading 
physicians  and  surgeons  of  the  country. 

Dr.  Fillmore  is  a  republican  in  politics,  but  although  he  feels  the  concern  of  a 
good  citizen  for  the  welfare  of  his  community  he  has  not  taken  an  active  part 
in  public  affairs,  preferring  to  concentrate  his  attention  upon  his  practice.  He 
belongs  to  Paradise  Lodge,  No.  553,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Corwith,  and  to  Lodge 
No.  29,  B.  P.  0.  E.,  at  Little  Rock,  Arkansas.  He  is  held  in  the  highest  esteem 
throughout  Hancock  county  not  only  professionally  but  also  personally. 


SAM  THEONSON. 


Sam  Thronson,  who  is  engaged  in  general  farming  on  section  30,  Norway 
township,  Winnebago  county,  has  always  devoted  his  life  to  the  tilling  of  the  soil 
and  his  energy  and  determination  have  brought  to  him  success.  He  was  bom  on 
his  father's  farm  in  Norway  township,  December  25,  1885,  a  son  of  Thron  and 
Inger  (Nelson)  Thronson,  who  were  natives  of  Norway,  where  they  were  reared  and 
married.  Before  leaving  that  country  one  child  was  born  to  them,  Lena,  who  is 
now  the  wife  of  H.  W.  Johnson,  of  Emmons,  Minnesota.  On  coming  to  the  United 
States  in  1879  they  made  their  way  at  once  to  Norway  township,  Winnebago 
county,  and  the  following  year  the  father  purchased  the  east  half  of  the  northeast 
quarter  of  section  30.  To  his  original  purchase  he  added  from  time  to  time  as  his 
financial  resources  permitted,  acquiring  the  entire  northeast  quarter  of  section  30 
and  also  purchasing  eighty  acres  on  section  19  of  the  same  township,  so  that  his 
farm  covered  two  hundred  and  forty  acres.  This  he  carefully  and  systematically 
cultivated  and  improved  throughout  his  remaining  days  and  became  recognized  as 
one  of  the  substantial  and  valued  farmers  of  his  community.  He  deserved  much 
credit  for  his  success,  which  was  attributable  entirely  to  his  persistent  effort. 
Becoming  a  naturalized  American  citizen,  he  gave  loyal  support  to  movements  and 
interests  for  the  benefit  of  the  conmiunity  and  he  voted  with  the  republican  party. 
He  held  membership  in  the  Lutheran  church  and  when  called  to  his  final  rest 
on  the  16th  of  January,  1916,  his  remains  were  interred  in  the  Lutheran  cemetery 
at  Scarville.  He  had  the  following  children:  Lena,  Nellie,  Thomas,  Sam  and 
Inga. 

Sam  Thronson  obtained  his  education  in  the  conmion  schools  of  Norway  town- 
ship, which  he  attended  until  eighteen  years  of  age,  after  which  he  worked  for  his 
father  until  the  latter's  death.  He  is  now  farming  the  old  homestead  and  he  also 
rents  and  cultivates  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  30,  so  that  he  is  giving  his 
time  and  energies  to  the  cultivation  of  four  hundred  acres  of  land.  He  is  leading 
a  busy,  useful  and  active  life  and  his  energy  and  thrift  are  evidenced  in  the 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  359 

splendid  appearance  of  his  place.  The  fences  and  buildings  are  kept  in  a  state 
of  good  repair  and  there  are  fine  improvements  upon  the  farm,  while  in  the  culti- 
vation of  his  fields  he  utilizes  the  best  machinery.  He  also  raises  quite  a  number 
of  cattle  and  hogs.  In  a  word,  he  is  a  progressive  agriculturist  and  his  labors 
are  being  attended  by  gratifying  results.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Scarville 
elevator  and  in  the  creamery.  His  political  allegiance  is  given  to  the  republican 
party  but  he  has  never  sought  nor  desired  ofiBce.  His  religious  faith  is  manifest 
in  his  membership  in  the  Synod  Lutheran  church. 


LEWIS  G.  AVERT. 


N(t  history  of  Hancock  county  would  be  complete  without  mention  of  the 
Avery  family  and  one  cannot  carry  his  investigations  far  without  learning  what 
an  important  part  they  have  played  in  the  development  and  upbuilding  of  this 
section  of  the  state.  Lewis  6.  Avery,  who  is  now  engaged  in  general  farming  on 
section  25,  Avery  township,  was  born  November  12,  1867,  his  parents  being  Anson 
and  Lovina  (Philo)  Avery,  who  were  the  first  settlers  of  Hancock  county,  where 
the  father  took  up  the  occupation  of  farming  when  all  this  district  was  a  wild  and 
unbroken  prairie  in  which  as  yet  the  hand  of  civilization  had  wrought  no  changes. 
It  was  in  his  honor  that  Avery  township  was  so  named. 

A  lifelong  resident  of  Hancock  county,  Lewis  6.  Avery  entered  the  public 
schools  at  the  usual  age,  but  attended  only  through  the  winter  seasons  when  his 
labors  were  not  needed  in  the  work*  of  the  farm.  Through  the  summer  months 
he  took  his  place  in  the  fields,  but  he  continued  to  attend  school  as  opportunity 
offered  until  he  reached  the  age  of  seventeen.  Afterward  his  entire  time  was 
devoted  to  farm  work  on  the  old  homestead  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty- 
four  years,  when  his  father  gave  him  seventy-seven  acres  of  land  on  section  20, 
Avery  township,  and  he  afterward  purchased  sixty  acres  on  section  21  of  the  same 
township  and  another  tract  of  five  acres  on  section  20.  This  farm  he  still  owns 
and  he  has  made  it  one  of  the  valuable  and  desirable  properties  of  his  part  of  the 
county.  Stock  raising  has  become  a  prominent  feature  of  his  place  and  he  special- 
izes in  Chester  White  hogs,  shorthorn  Durham  cattle  and  fine  Belgian  horses. 
He  also  thoroughly  understands  scientific  methods  of  crop  production  and  so 
utilizes  his  fields  that  through  the  rotation  of  crops  they  are  kept  at  a  high  state 
of  productiveness  and  splendid  harvests  are  annually  gathered. 

On  the  26th  of  November,  1891,  Mr.  Avery  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Mary  Hughes,  a  daughter  of  Edward  and  Lucy  (Melius)  Hughes.  The  father, 
who  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1839,  came  to  America  when  a  youth  of  seventeen 
years  and  during  the  period  of  the  Civil  war  he  rendered  three  years  of  active 
service  to  his  country  in  behalf  of  the  Union.  His  wife  was  bom  in  1857  and 
both  have  now  passed  away.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Avery  have  become  the  parents  of  two 
daughters:  Mardel  L.  A.;  and  Clara  A.  who  is  the  wife  of  Irvin  F.  Bier,  a  son 
of  Conrad  Bier,  of  Meservey,  Iowa,  and  has  one  child,  Avery  I.  Bier. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Avery  attend  the  United  Brethren  church.  His  political  endorse- 
ment is  given  to  republican  principles  and  upon  the  party  ticket  he  has  been 
elected  township  trustee.     He  has  also  served  as  school  director  and  he  is  much 


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360  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

interested  in  community  affairs,  giving  his  aid  and  cooperation  to  plans  and 
movements  for  the  general  good.  His  has  been  a  well  spent  life.  The  work  insti- 
tuted by  his  father  in  pioneer  times  has  been  carried  on  by  him  and  thus  the 
name  of  Avery  is  closely  associated  with  the  agricultural  development  of  this 
section.  His  memory  forms  a  connecting  link  between  the  primitive  past  and 
the  progressive  present  and  he  has  done  much  to  further  public  progress  not 
only  along  agricultural  lines,  but  in  all  those  branches  of  activity  which  touch 
the  general  interests  of  society. 


CARL  0.  THOMPSON. 


Carl  0.  Thompson  is  a  well  known  and  prominent  resident  of  Norway  township, 
Winnebago  county,  where  he  has  been  called  upon  to  fill  various  public  oflBces  by  his 
fellow  townsmen,  who  recognize  his  worth  and  ability.  His  attention  is  given  to 
general  agricultural  pursuits  and  he  is  now  the  owner  of  two  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  of  rich  and  productive  land  in  Norway  township,  his  home  being  on  section  27. 

Mr.  Thompson  was  bom  January  13, 1861,  in  the  country  of  Norway,  and  is  the 
only  living  child  of  Ole  and  Ingeborg  Thompson,  although  two  other  children 
passed  away  in  infancy.  The  father  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade.  He  was  twice 
married  and  by  his  first  union  had  a  daughter,  Julia,  who  is  now  Mrs.  John 
Severson  of  Norway  township.  In  the  year  1866  Ole  Thompson  brought  his 
family  to  the  United  States  and,  making  his  way  across  the  continent,  established 
his  home  in  Norway  township,  Winnebago  county,  purchasing  one  hundred  and 
forty  acres  of  land  on  section  27  that  is  now  in  possession  of  his  son  Carl.  He 
endured  the  hardships  and  privations  of  pioneer  life  during  the  period  of  early 
development  here,  but  he  resolutely  faced  conditions  and  bent  his  energies  to  the 
development  and  improvement  of  a  farm  with  the  result  that  in  course  of  time  his 
land  became  a  valuable  and  productive  property.  He  devoted  his  attention  to  its 
cultivation  until  his  life's  labors  were  ended  in  death  August  22,  1891.  His 
widow  survived  him  for  a  considerable  period  and  passed  away  August  1,  1905, 
when  she  was  laid  to  rest  by  his  side  in  Lime  Creek  cemetery.  He  was  a  republican 
in  his  political  views  and  his  religious  faith  was  indicated  by  his  membership  in 
the  Synod  Lutheran  church. 

In  his  youthful  days  Carl  0.  Thompson  attended  the  early  schools  of  the 
county,  which  were  then  of  a  somewhat  primitive  character,  as  the  work  of 
organization  and  development  in  the  school  system  had  scarcely  been  begun. 
After  reaching  the  age  of  sixteen  years  he  did  not  go  to  school  any  longer  but 
concentrated  his  entire  attention  upon  the  farm  work  ^nd  was  in  his  father's 
employ  up  to  the  time  of  his  marriage.  He  had  reached  the  age  of  twenty-three 
years  when  in  1884  he  wedded  Anna  Holstad,  a  daughter  of  Ole  and  Anna  Holstad, 
who  resided  near  Northwood  in  Worth  county,  Iowa,  but  have  now  passed  away, 
their  remains  being  interred  in  Somber  cemetery.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thompson 
became  the  parents  of  nine  children,  of  whom  one  has  departed  this  life,  Hilma, 
who  was  the  sixth  bom  and  who  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years.  The  others  are : 
Ole,  who  is  married  and  lives,  near  Lake  Park,  Minnesota;  Ida  B.,  the  wife  of 
Burton  Johnson,  a  farmer  of  Bristol  township,  Worth  county ;  Oscar,  who  is  married 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  361 

and  makes  his  home  now  in  St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  but  expects  soon  to  be  ordained 
as  a  Lutheran  minister  and  will  locate  at  Chinook,  Washington;  Albert  T.,  at 
home;  Clara,  the  wife  of  Alfred  Larson,  living  near  Grantsburg,  Wisconsin;  John 
B.,  Amanda  and  Alice,  all  at  home. 

Following  his  marriage  Mr.  Thompson  began  farming  on  his  own  account  and 
the  success  which  has  come  to  him  is  the  direct  reward  of  his  earnest  and  persistent 
labors.  He  is  now  the  owner  of  the  old  homestead  of  one  hundred  and  forty  acres, 
which  has  been  in  the  possession  of  the  family  for  more  than  a  half  century, 
and  he  also  owns  the  west  half  of  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  33,  Norway 
township,  and  a  quarter  section  of  land  in  Becker  county,  Minnesota.  He 
has  led  a  life  of  thrift  and  industry,  and  that  his  farm  work  is  diligently 
prosecuted  is  manifest  in  the  excellent  appearance  of  the  place  with  its 
growing  crops,  its  modem  machinery  and  fine  improvements  in  the  way  of 
buildings.  Mr.  Thompson  is  now  president  of  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  of 
Lake  Mills  and  of  the  Norway  Farmers  Union  Telephone  Company  and  is  secretary 
of  the  Lake  Mills  Creamery  Company. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thompson  are  well  known  in  Winnebago  county  and  have  a  large 
circle  of  warm  friends.  They  hold  membership  with  the  Synod  Lutheran  church 
and  Mr.  Thompson  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  democratic  party.  He  has 
filled  all  of  the  township  offices  save  that  of  justice  of  the  peace  and  for  six  years 
he  was  a  member  of  the  county  board  of  supervisors.  He  is  now  serving  as 
school  treasurer,  and  in  public  office  he  has  made  a  creditable  record  by  reason  of 
his  promptness  and  fidelity  in  the  discharge  of  duty.  Those  who  know  him  esteem 
him  as  a  man  of  sterling  worth  and  one  who  has  contributed  in  no  small  measure 
to  the  upbuilding  of  this  section. 


FRED  KATTER. 


Progressive  agriculture  in  Hancock  county  finds  a  worthy  representative  in 
Fred  Katter,  the  owner  of  the  Maple  Ash  Lawn  stock  farm,  situated  on  section  27, 
Madison  township.  He  was  bom,  in  Ohio,  November  28,  1866,  and  is  a  son 
of  Henry  and  Elizabeth  (Pater John)  Katter,  both  ,of  whom  were  natives  of 
Germany.  Coming  to  America  in  1860  they  settled  in  Ohio  and  in  1875  came  to 
Iowa,  establishing  their  home  on  a  farm  in  Hancock  county,  where  they  spent  their 
remaining  days.  They  had  a  family  of  twelve  children,  of  whom  eight  are  now 
living. 

Fred  Katter  was  reared  and  educated  in  Hancock  county,  for  he  was  only  about 
eight  or  nine  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  the  removal  of  the  family  west  of  the 
Mississippi.  After  attending  high  school  he  entered  the  business  college  at 
Gamer  and  was  graduated  from  that  institution.  For  a  year  thereafter  he 
devoted  his  attention  to  farming  and  then  engaged  in  merchandising  at  Garner 
for  a  decade.  He  next  sold  that  place  and  turned  his  attention  to  the  real  estate 
and  insurance  business  in  which  he  continued  for  seven  years.  In  19Q7  he  removed 
to  his  present  farm  whereon  he  engages  in  stock  raising  and  breeding,  handling 
Aberdeen  Angus  cattle  and  Chester  White  hogs,  keeping  only  registered  stock.  He 
is  recognized  as  one  of  the  leading  stock  raisers  of  this  section  of  the  state  and  his 

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362  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

annual  sales  reach  a  very  gratifying  figure.  Throughout  his  business  career  he 
has  displayed,  unfaltering  determination  and  energy  and  he  carries  forward  to 
successful  completion  whatever  he  undertakes. 

In  1893  Mr.  Katter  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Louise  Holtkamp  who 
was  born  in  Shelby  county,  Iowa,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  (Neimeyer) 
Holtkamp,  the  former  a  native  of  Germany  and  the  latter  of  Ohio.  They  have 
become  parents  of  six  children  of  whom  five  are  living,  their  first  bom,  Ruth, 
having  died  at  the  age  of  a  year  and  a  half.  The  next  two,  Reuben  and  Calvin, 
are  twins.  The  others  are  Lincoln,  Wilson  and  Emily.  The  parents  are  members 
of  the  Reformed  church  of  Gamer  and  loyally  adhere  to  its  teachings,  doing  all  in 
their  power  to  promote  the  moral  progress  of  the  community.  Mr.  Katter  is  a 
supporter  of  the  republican  party  and  has  been  called  upon  to  fill  several  of  the 
township  ofiBces,  the  duties  of  which  he  has  discharged  with  promptness  and 
fidelity.  He  was  the  organizer  of  the  Farmers  Club  in  his  township  and  was  the 
promoter  of  the  consolidated  school  system.  He  is  constantly  studying  questions 
relative  to  the  improvement  of  farm  life,  not  only  in  regard  to  material  welfare  but 
also  to  social  intercourse  and  moral  progress.  He  feels  that  one  of  the  needs  of 
the  present  hour  is  a  greater  social  spirit  which  will  hold  the  young  people  to  the 
farms,  and  is  also  an  advocate  of  improved  school  conditions  which  will  give  to 
the  young  advantages  equal  to  those  to  be  obtained  in  the  city.  In  a  word,  he  is 
actuated  by  a  most  progressive  spirit  and  his  labors  have  brought  good  results. 


JOHN  OLSON. 


John  Olson  has  since  1911  been  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Forest 
City  but  for  a  much  longer  period  has  been  identified  with  financial  interests  in 
Winnebago  county  and  has  been  a  close  student  of  the  grave  and  important  finan- 
cial problems  of  the  day.  He  is  actuated  in  all  that  he  does  by  a  spirit  of  enter- 
prise and  public  opinion  accords  him  place  with  the  representative  citizens  of  this 
part  of  the  state.  He  was  born  in  Iowa  county,  Wisconsin,  June  8,  1873,  a  son 
of  0.  B.  and  Gunhild  (Anderson)  Olson,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Norway 
but  became  residents  of  Wisconsin  during  their  childhood  days.  At  the  time  of 
the  Civil  war  the  father  responded  to  the  country^s  call  for  troops,  going  to  the 
front  with  a  Wisconsin  regiment  and  thus  aiding  in  defense  of  the  Union.  In 
1880  he  removed  to  Worth  county,  Iowa,  where  he  purchased  a  farm,  devoting 
the  greater  part  of  his  life  to  general  agricultural  pursuits.  He  has  now  passed 
away,  while  his  wife  resides  at  Lake  Mills,  Iowa. 

John  Olson  supplemented  his  public  school  education  by  three  years*  study  in 
the  Valder  Business  College  at  Decorah,  Iowa,  and  on  the  20th  of  July,  1896, 
arrived  in  Forest  City,  then  a  young  man  of  twenty-three  years.  He  became 
official  stenographer  with  Judge  C.  H.  Kelley,  with  whom  he  remained  for  a  year, 
after  which  he  spent  a  year  as  deputy  coimty  treasurer.  Since  then  he  has  been 
closely  identified  with  banking  interests.  He  first  entered  the  Winnebago  County 
State  Bank  as  cashier,  in  which  capacity  he  served  for  a  decade,  after  which  he 
filled  the  office  of  state  bank  examiner  for  two  years.  On  retiring  from  that 
position  he  entered  the  First  National  Bank  of  Forest  City  as  cashier  in  1911  and 


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JOHN  OLSON 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  365 

is  the  present  incumbent  in  that  oflBce,  contributing  in  large  measure  to  the  success 
of  the  institution  by  reason  of  his  fidelity  and  thorough  understanding  of  banking 
in  all  its  various  phases. 

On  the  16th  of  December,  1896,  Mr.  Olson  was  married  to  Miss  Maude  Cole, 
a  daughter  of  A.  T.  and  Phoebe  Cole,  who  were  pioneers  of  Winnebago  County. 
They  have  four  children,  Vance,  Ruth,  Eunice  and  Mark.  The  son  Vance,  a 
senior  in  the  Forest  City  high  school,  enlisted  in  the  United  States  army  in  the 
signal  corps  May  7,  1917,  at  the  age  of  nineteen. 

Mr.  Olson  is  very  prominent  in  fraternal  circles,  holding  membership  in  Truth 
Lodge,  No.  213,  A.  P.  &  A.  M.,  in  Bethel  Chapter,  No.  116,  E.  A.  M.,  of  Gamer; 
in  Porest  City  Lodge,  No.  440,  I.  0.  0.  P.;  in  Linwood  Camp,  No.  717,  M.  W.  A.; 
in  Porest  City  Homestead,  No.  498,  B.  A.  Y.,  and  with  the  lodge  of  the  Mystic 
Toilers,  No.  132,  of  Porest  City.  He  was  national  delegate  to  the  Modem  Wood- 
men Head  Camps,  held  in  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  in  1905,  in  Peoria,  Illinois,  in  1908,  in 
Buffalo,  New  York,  in  1911,  in  Chicago,  Illinois,  in  1912  (special  session)  and  in 
Chicago  Illinois  in  1917.  He  was  also  a  delegate  to  the  national  convention  of  the 
Brotherhood  of  American  Yeomen  in  Colorado  Springs  in  1905,  in  Minneapolis 
in  1909,  in  Oklahoma  City  in  1913  and  in  Detroit,  Michigan,  in  1917,  and  he  is 
in  thorough  sympathy  with  the  spirit  of  fraternity  that  underlies  these  organiza- 
tions. Mr.  Olson  is  also  recognized  as  a  prominent  factor  in  political  circles.  A 
stalwart  republican,  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  city  council  and  also  a  member 
of  the  school  board  and  he  has  done  much  to  further  the  interests  of  his  party 
as  chairman  and  as  secretary  of  the  republican  county  central  committee,  while 
on  four  different  occasions  he  has  been  a  delegate  to  the  republican  state  conven- 
tion. His  position  is  never  an  equivocal  one.  He  stands  loyally  for  what  he 
believes  to  be  the  best  interests  of  the  community  and  his  progressive  spirit  has 
carried  him  into  important  public  relations. 


J.  JOSEPH  BONNSTETTER. 

J.  Joseph  Bonnstetter,  living  on  section  32,  Boone  township,  Hancock  county,  was 
bom  in  Kossuth  county,  Iowa,  April  30,  1879,  a  son  of  Michael  and  Katherina 
(Dorweiler)  Bonnstetter,  who  were  natives  of  Germany  but  became  early  residents 
of  Iowa.  While  spending  his  youthful  days  under  the  parental  roof  J.  Joseph 
Bonnstetter  divided  his  time  between  the  work  of  the  fields  and  the  acquirement 
of  a  district  school  education  until  he  reached  the  age  of  eighteen,  when  he 
entered  the  high  school  at  Des  Moines,  where  he  studied  ffer  six  months.  He 
afterward  began  earning  his  living  as  a  farm  hand  and  carefully  utilized  his  time 
so  that  he  was  later  able  to  purchase  a  farm.  He  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty-five 
acres  in  Kossuth  county,  upon  which  he  lived  for  two  years,  when  he  disposed 
of  his  holdings  there  and  removed  to  Hancock  county,  where  he  invested  in  two 
hundred  and  twenty-three  acres  on  section  32,  Boone  township.  While  he  has 
always  engaged  in  general  farming,  he  has  also  made  a  specialty  of  handling  Belgian 
horses,  breeding  the  pure  bred  stock  and  having  in  his  herd  some  of  the  top  strains, 
and  he  likewise  writes  insurance  for  the  Hancock  County  Mutual  Pire  Insurance 
Company  and  also  for  the  Kossuth  County  Mutual  Pire  Insurance  Company.     His 


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366  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

has  been  a  busy  and  useful  life  as  indicated  by  the  substantial  improvements  which 
he  has  placed  upon  his  farm,  making  it  one  of  the  attractive  properties  of  his 
part  of  the  county. 

On  the  16th  of  June,  1900,  Mr.  Bonnstetter  was  married  to  Miss  Ada  M. 
Ludwig,  a  native  of  Wisconsin  and  a  daughter  of  Dr.  Herman  and  Christina  (Till) 
Ludwig,  who  were  natives  of  Germany.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bonnstetter  have  five  chil- 
dren, Gilbert  A.,  Eaymond  E.,  Lester  M.,  Ernest  J.  and  Esther  B. 

The  parents  are  communicants  of  ttie  Catholic  church.  Mr.  Bonnstetter  holds 
membership  in  the  Masonic  order  and  he  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  demo- 
cratic party.  He  has  served  as  school  director  but  has  never  sought  nor  held 
political  oflBce.  Working  diligently  and  persistently  since  starting  out  in  life  on 
his  own  account,  he  has  become  the  owner  of  an  excellent  farm  and  is  now  numbered 
among  the  men  of  affluence  in  his  community. 


F.  L.  MILLER. 


F.  L.  Miller  is  well  known  in  financial  circles  of  Hancock  county  as  tho  cashier 
of  the  Bank  of  Miller,  which  was  organized  in  1899.  Moreover,  he  has  always 
been  a  resident  of  this  section  of  the  state.  He  was  bom  July  4,  1 878,  in  the  town 
in  which  he  still  resides,  his  parents  being  E.  C.  and  Phoebe  W.  (Morey)  Miller, 
the  former  a  native  of  Vermont,  while  the  latter  was  born  in  Pennsylvania.  When 
but  three  years  of  age  she  was  taken  to  Illinois  and  in  that  state  she  gave  her  hand 
in  marriage  to  E.  C.  Miller.  In  1875  they  removed  to  Hancock  jcounty,  Iowa,  and 
settled  on  the  farm  where  the  village  pf  Miller  now  stands,  the  father  thereafter 
giving  his  time  and  enrgies  to  general  agricultural  pursuits  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  January  14,  1912.  His  widow  is  still  living  on  the  old  homestead.  In 
their  family  were  three  children:  F.  L. ;  A.  L.,  who  remains  upon  the  fartn;  and 
Nellie,  the  wife  of  George  F.  Hanson. 

F.  L.  Miller  was  reared  in  his  native  county  and  supplemented  his  early 
education,  acquired  in  the  common  schools,  by  study  in  the  business  college  at 
Mason  City,  Iowa.  In  1903  he  became  cashier  of  the  Bank  of  Miller  and  has  since 
acted  in  that  capacity,  covering  a  period  of  fourteen  years,  during  which  his  sound 
business  judgment,  his  executive  force  and  his  enterprise  have  contributed  much  to 
the  upbuilding  of  the  institution.  He  is  still  owner  of  an  interest  in  the  old 
homestead. 

In  1910  Mr.  Miller  was  married  to  Mrs.  Cora  D.  Wilcox,  who  was  born  in 
Benton  county,  Iowa.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Fred  and  Anna  (Jones)  Phillips, 
who  are  now  residents  of  Kossuth  county,  Iowa.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller  have  become 
parents  of  a  daughter  and  a  son :  Mona  Maurine,  born  August  27,  1911 ;  and  Edwin 
Fred,  born  September  13,  1913.  The  parents  are  consistent  members  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  church  and  are  prominent  socially.  Mr.  Miller  is  a  republi- 
can in  his  political  views  and  for  several  years  has  filled  the  office  of  township 
clerk.  Fraternally  he  is  connected  with  Garner  Lodge,  No.  319,  F.  &  A.  M., 
and  also  with  the  Royal  Arch  Chapter  and  has  held  several  offices  in  the  lodge.  He 
likewise  belongs  to  the  Modem  Woodmen  Camp  No.  6862,  of  which  he  is  clerk. 
His  is  a  well  balanced  character  and  the  various  interests  of  life  receive  from  him 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  367 

due  attention.  While  an  active  and  energetic  business  man,  be  has  ever  realized 
his  duties  of  citizenship  and  his  obligations  to  his  fellows  and  has  cooperated  in 
many  well  defined  plans  and  measures  for  the  public  good. 


OLE  HOVEY. 


Although  he  started  out  in  life  for  himself  in  limited  circumstances  Ole  Hovey, 
is  today  one  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  Ellington  township,  Hancock  county, 
owning  and  operating  a  fine  farm  on  section  12.  He  is  of  Scandinavian  birth, 
being  bom  in  Norway,  June  24,  1844,  and  is  a  son  of  Ole  and  Runde  Hovey,  who 
were  lifelong  residents  of  that  country.  During  his  boyhood  our  subject  attended 
the  common  schools  of  Norway  and  he  remained  in  his  native  land  until  about 
twenty-three  years  of  age. 

It  was  in  the  spring  of  1867  that  Mr.  Hovey  crossed  the  Atlantic  to  the 
United  States  and  located  in  Winneshiek  county,  Iowa,  where  he  worked  as  a  farm 
hand  for  two  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  came  to  Hancock  county  and 
purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  on  section  14,  Ellington  township. 
As  money  was  scarce  at  that  time  and  hard  to  get  he  traded  eighty  acres  of  his 
land  for  a  team  of  horses  and  later  sold  forty  acres  of  the  original  tract  but  has 
since  added  to  his  property  from  time  to  time  until  he  now  owns  two  hundred 
acres  of  very  valuable  land  and  his  wife  owns  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres. 
That  he  thoroughly  understands  the  occupation  he  has  chosen  as  a  life  work  is 
demonstrated  by  the  success  that  he  has  achieved  and  he  now  ranks  among  the 
well-to-do  farmers  of  his  community. 

In  1867  Mr.  Hovey  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Sarah  Eude,  also  a  native 
of  Norway,  who  came  to  the  United  States  on  the  same  vessel  which  brought  her 
husband  to  this  country.  Of  the  six  children  bom  to  them,  three  are  living, 
namely :  Oscar,  now  a  ranchman  of  Colorado ;  K.  0.,  who  operates  the  home  farm ; 
and  Emma,  the  wife  of  Joseph  Harris,  of  Cerro  Gordo  county,  Iowa. 

Mr.  Hovey  is  now  practically  living  retired,  leaving  his  son  K.  0.  to  carry  on 
the  work  of  the  farm.  In  the  early  days  he  endured  many  hardships  and  priva- 
tions but  as  time  passed  he  steadily  prospered  and  is  now  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm 
under  excellent  cultivation.  By  his  ballot  he  supports  the  men  and  measures  of  the 
republican  party  and  he  takes  a  commendable  interest  in  public  affairs. 


WALTER  F.  THOMPSON. 

Since  1896  Walter  F.  Thompson  has  been  a  resident  of  Hancock  county,  Iowa, 
and  for  several  years  he  has  been  regarded  as  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  Boone 
township,  owning  and  operating  a  large  and  valuable  farm  on  sections  33  and  35. 
He  was  bom  in  Livingston  county,  Illinois,  on  the  16th  of  May,  1868,  and  is  a 
son  of  fiobert  and  Margaret  (Jury)  Thompson,  natives  of  Scotland  and  England 
respectively.  On  coming  to  America  in  1853  the  father  settled  in  Livingston 
county,  Illinois,  where  he  followed  farming  for  some  years. 


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368  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

Upon  the  old  home  place  Walter  F.  Thompson  grew  to  manhood  with  the 
usual  educational  advantages  of  a  country  boy  at  that  time  and  he  continued  to 
attend  the  common  schools  of  his  native  county  until  about  twenty  years  of  age. 
In  the  meantime  he  had  also  become  thoroughly  familiar  with  agricultural  pursuits 
and  after  putting  aside  his  textbooks  assisted  his  father  in  the  operation  of  the 
farm  until  the  spring  of  1896.  In  the  fall  of  1894,  however,  he  had  purchased 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  on  section  33,  Boone  township,  Hancock  county, 
Iowa,  and  on  leaving  the  parental  roof  located  upon  this  tract.  Subsequently  he 
bought  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  on  section  35,  the  same  township,  and  has 
since  made  many  valuable  and  useful  improvements  upon  his  place,  the  neat  and 
thrifty  appearance  of  which  plainly  indicates  his  thrift  and  enterprise  as  well  as 
his  untiring  industry.  He  gives  some  attention  to  stock  raising,  making  a  specialty 
of  Duroc  Jersey  hogs. 

On  the  4th  of  December,  1894,  Mr.  Thompson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Alice  N.  Wolfe,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Sarah  E.  (Hawkins)  Wolfe,  who  were 
bom  in  West  Virginia,  and  are  now  living  in  Stilson,  Iowa.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Thompson  Jiave  two  children:  Maud  Mary,  who  married  Marcie  Hunsley  and 
lives  on  section  35,  Boone  township ;  and  Orin  Leo. 

By  his  ballot  Mr.  Thompson  supports  the  men  and  measures  of  the  republican 
party  and  he  has  filled  the  oflSce  of  school  director.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  church  and  is  also  identified  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America  and  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  is  one  of  the  representa- 
tive men  of  his  community  and  is  held  in  high  regard  by  all  who  know  him. 


MBS.  JULIA  WILSON. 


Mrs.  Julia  Wilson  is  residing  on  section  29,  Twin  Lake  township,  Hancock 
county,  where  she  owns  an  excellent  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres.  She 
was  bom  in  New  York,  December  27,  1854,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Ann  (Maloney) 
Maghum,  who  were  natives  of  Ireland  but  in  early  life  crossed  the  Atlantic  to  the 
new  world.  The  father  died  when  but  twenty-two  years  of  age,  while  the  mother 
survived  to  the  age  of  sixty-five  years. 

Mrs.  Wilson  was  but  two  years  of  age  when  taken  from  New  York  to  Bockford, 
niinois,  and  much  of  her  girlhood  was  spent  in  Independence,  Iowa,  where  she 
pursued  her  education  in  the  public  schools.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  she  went  to 
Gentry  county,  Missouri,  where  on  the  15th  of  April,  1874,  she  became  the  wife  of 
Mark  Wilson,  a  son  of  Timothy  and  Sarah  (Ehodes)  Wilson,  who  were  natives  of 
England  where  they  spent  their  entire  lives. 

For  about  fourteen  years  after  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilson  remained 
residents  of  Gentry  county,  Missouri,  and  then  removed  to  Wright  county,  Iowa, 
where  they  lived  for  four  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  they  took  up 
their  abode  in  Hancock  county  and  in  1891  purchased  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  on  section  29,  Twin  Lake  township,  on  which  Mrs.  Wilson  still  makes 
her  home.  By  her  marriage  she  became  the  mother  of  eleven  children,  ten  of 
whom  are  yet  living,  the  eldest  son,  George,  having  passed  away.    Those  who  still 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  369 

survive  are  Sarah,  Julia  Ann,  Mary,  Benjamin,  Timothy,  John,  Daisy,  Ellen,  Lily, 
and  William  K.  All  are  now  married  with  the  exception  of  John  and  William  K. 
The  family  circle  was  broken  by  the  death  of  the  husband  and  father  in  1905. 
His  death  was  deeply  deplored  for  he  had  many  friends.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  Church  of  England  and  he,  gave  his  political  support  to  the  democratic  party. 
Mrs.  Wilson  still  occupies  the  old  homestead  on  which  she  has  now  lived  for  twenty- 
six  years.  The  farm  was  originally  ditched  with  oxen  and  through  all  the  inter- 
yening  years  the  work  has  been  carried  on  along  progressive  .lines  until  the  farm  is 
now  a  very  productive  and  valuable  one,  Mrs.  Wilson  deriving  therefrom  a  sub- 
stantial income  that  keeps  her  in  very  comfortable  circumstances. 


HENEY  I.  MARTINSON. 

Henry  I.  Martinson  resides  on  section  27,  Norway  township,  on  the  old  family 
homestead  on  which  his  birth  occurred  January  9,  1870.  He  has  always  resided 
in  Winnebago  county  and  is  a  representative  of  one  of  its  old  and  valued  families. 
His  parents  were  Ingebrit  and  Gertrude  (Vegum)  Martinson,  who  were  natives  of 
Norway,  where  they  were  reared  and  married.  Before  they  came  to  the  United 
States  two  children  were  bom  to  them :  Ole,  who  is  now  living  in  Norway  town- 
ship; and  Carrie,  the  wife  of  John  N.  Dahle,  living  near  Kiester,  Minnesota.  After 
crossing  the  Atlantic  the  parents  had  five  children  and  all  are  still  living  in 
Winnebago  county  with  the  exception  of  Carrie  and  Anna,  who  is  the  wife  of 
Gilbert  Holstad  and  is  a  resident  of  Worth  county,  Iowa.  On  reaching  the  new 
world  Ingebrit  Martinson  made  his  way  to  Wisconsin  but  after  a  brief  period  spent 
in  that  state  came  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  where  he  purchased  one  hundred  and 
eighty  acres  of  land  on  section  27,  Norway  township.  Later  he  bought  forty  acres 
adjoining  and  upon  that  farm  continued  until  his  death,  which  occurred  December 
7,  1911.  He  had  long  been  a  resident  of  the  county,  where  he  was  known  as  an 
energetic  and  progressive  farmer.  His  widow  still  survives  and  makes  her 
home  with  her  son  Henry,  enjoying  good  health  at  the  very  advanced  age  of 
ninety-one  years. 

Henry  I.  Martinson  was  reared  in  Winnebago  county  when  it  was  a  frontier 
district  and  he  pursued  his  education  in  the  pioneer  schools,  continuing  his  studies 
to  the  age  of  sixteen  years.  His  attention  was  afterward  given  in  undvided  manner 
to  the  work  of  the  home  farm  and  upon  reaching  the  age  of  twenty-five  years  he 
rented  the  farm  from  his  father  and  has  since  occupied  and  cultivated  it.  It  is 
now  a  splendidly  improved  property  and  in  its  well  kept  appearance  indicates  his 
careful  supervision. 

In  1896  Mr.  Martinson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Johanna  Holstad,  her 
parents  being  John  and  Julia  Holstad,  natives  of  Norway.  After  coming  to  the 
United  States  they  established  their  home  in  Worth  county,  Iowa,  where  the 
fathey  passed  away,  his  remains  being  interred  in  the  cemetery  near  Northwood. 
The  mother  is  still  living  and  makes  her  home  in  Northwood.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Martinson  have  three  children,  Ingvald  J.,  George  and  Gladys  B.,  all  at  home. 

The  family  attend  the  Synod  Lutheran  church,  in  which  the  parents  hold 
membership.     Mr.  Martinson  has  voted  with  the  republican  party  since  age  con- 


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370  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

ferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise  and  keeps  well  informed  concerning  the 
questions  and  issues  of  the  day.  Those  who  know  him,  and  he  has  a  wide  acquain- 
tance,  recognize  in  him  a  reliable  business  man  and  substantial  citizen.  There 
have  been  no  spectacular  phases  in  his  life  record,  but  he  has  been  loyal  to  duty  in 
both  public  and  private  life  and  his  chief  characteristics  are  those  which  everywhere 
awaken  confidence  and  regard. 


MILTON  P.  GALLOWAY. 

Upon  a  farm  on  section  31,  Bodne  township,  Hancock  county,  comprising  one 
hundred  and  seventy  acres  of  land,  resides  Milton  P.  Galloway  and  the  place  con- 
stitutes one  of  the  pleasing  features  of  the  landscape.  There  are  great  fields  of  com, 
wide  fields  of  clover  and  rich  pasture  lands  on  which  are  found  grazing  good  grades 
of  cattle.  In  a  word,  Mr.  Galloway  is  practical  and  progressive  in  all  that  he 
undertakes  and  is  winning  merited  success  by  his  intelligently  directed  eflEort.  He 
was  bom  in  Logan  county,  Illinois,  June  16,  1867,  and  is  a  son  of  Joseph  and 
Mary  (Moran)  Galloway,  who  were  natives  of  New  York  and  Ohio  respectively. 

While  spending  his  youthful  days  under  the  parental  roof  Milton  P.  Galloway 
acquired  a  common  school  education.  He  remained  at  home  until  he  attained  his 
majority,  after  which  he  engaged  in  the  operation  of  a  tUe  factory  at  Latham,  Illi- 
nois, for  two  years.  He  later  returned  to  the  occupation  to  which  he  had  been 
reared  and  for  nineteen  years  cultivated  rented  land.  On  the  expiration  of  that 
period,  in  1912,  he  came  to  Hancock  county,  Iowa,  and  purchased  one  hundred  and 
seventy  acres  of  land  in  Boone  township,  not  far  from  Corwith.  He  also  bought 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Woodward  county,  Oklahoma.  Upon  his  Iowa  farm 
he  is  carefully  cultivating  com,  clover  and  other  crops  best  adapted  to  soil  and 
climate  and  is  raising  graded  cattle  and  Plymouth  Rock  chickens.  The  products 
of  his  farm  annually  bring  to  him  a  good  income,  enabling  him  to  live  in  comfort. 

On  the  26th  of  February,  1892,  Mr.  Galloway  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Tillie  Sennett,  who  was  born  in  Illinois  on  the  29th  of  July,  1872,  her  parents  being 
Robert  and  Iseline  (Allison)  Sennett,  also  natives  of  Hlinois.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Galloway  have  three  sons,  Clarence  E.,  Robert  J.  and  Louis  E.,  all  at  home. 

Mr.  Galloway  is  a  supporter  of  republican  principles  but  has  never  been  an 
oflSce  seeker.  In  his  life  he  exemplifies  the  beneficent  teachings  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity,  of  which  he  is  a  representative,  and  he  attends  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.  His  life  has  always  been  actuated  by  high  and  honorable  principles  and  he 
has  ever  endeavored  to  do  unto  others  as  he  would  have  them  do  unto  him. 


CHARLES  A.  HARTWIG. 

Charles  A.  Hartwig,  who  has  won  an  enviable  reputation  as  the  best  com 
grower  in  Hancock  county,  is  today  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of  two  hundred 
acres  in  Magor  township,  Hancock  county,  his  home  being  on  section  23.  He 
was  born  on  the  4th  of  October,  1861,  in  Germany,  which  was  also  the  birthplace 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  371 

of  his  parents,  Carl  and  Christina  (Gundlach)  Hartwig,  who  brought  their  family 
to  America  in  1870  and  settled  in  Mitchell  county,  Iowa,  and  in  1880  came  to 
Hancock  county.    By  occupation  the  father  was  a  fanner. 

Charles  A.  Hartwig  was  about  nine  years  of  age  when  he  accompanied  his 
parents  on  their  emigration  to  the  new  world  and  in  this  state  he  grew  to  manhood 
with  the  usual  educational  advantages  of  the  country  boy  of  those  days  when  schools 
were  few  and  far  apart.  He  began  working  as  a  section  hand  on  the  Minneapolis 
&  St.  Louis  Eailroad  and  was  thus  employed  for  two  summers,  after  which  he 
engaged  in  farming  on  rented  land  for  three  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he 
was  able  to  purchase  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  23,  Magor  township, 
Hancock  county,  where  he  has  since  resided,  and  besides  this  tract  he  now  owns 
forty  acres  on  section  26,  the  same  township.  This  is  a  fertile  farm  under  excellent 
cultivation  and  well  adapted  to  the  raising  of  com,  and  in  1915  and  1916  Mr. 
Hartwig  won  the  first  prize,  a  silver  cup,  for  the  best  com  grown  in  Hancock 
county  at  the  Iowa  Com  Growers  Association.  He  is  also  interested  in  stock 
raising,  making  a  specialty  of  Clydesdale  horses,  of  which  he  has  some  fine 
specimens  upon  his  farm. 

On  the  28th  of  August,  1895,  Mr.  Hartwig  married  Miss  Paulina  Zuehl,  also 
a  native  of  Germany  and  a  daughter  of  Carl  and  Fredericka  (Doring)  Zuehl,  who 
on  coming  to  this  country  with  their  family  located  near  Madison,  Dane  county, 
Wisconsin.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hartwig  have  five  children,  namely :  Clara  Irene,  Oscar 
Carl,  Ella  A.,  Emma  Paulina  and  Lena  F.,  all  at  home. 

The  family  are  connected  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  Mr. 
Hartwig  casts  his  ballot  for  the  men  and  measures  of  the  republican  party.  He 
is  a  stockholder  in  the  Kanawha  Elevator  Company  and  is  one  of  the  representa- 
tive farmers  and  honored  citizens  of  his  community,  held  in  high  esteem  by  all 
who  know  him. 


S.  0.  SOLOMONSON. 


S.  0.  Solomonson,  who  is  successfully  engaged  in  farming  on  section  34,  Logan 
township,  Winnebago  county,  was  born  on  the  24th  of  June,  1865,  in  the  stift  of 
Bergen,  Norway,  but  was  only  a  year  old  when  brought  to  the  United  States  by  his 
parents,  Ole  and  Carrie  Solomonson.  The  family  first  located  in  Allamakee  county, 
Iowa,  where  they  spent  one  year,  and  then  removed  to  Winneshiek  county,  this 
state,  which  was  their  home  for  nine  years.  At  the  end  of  that  period  they  came 
to  Winnebago  county  and  the  father  purchased  a  farm  in  Newton  township,  which 
he  continued  to  operate  imtil  his  death  on  the  5th  of  April,  1909.  His  remains 
were  interred  in  the  North  Prairie  church  cemetery.  The  mother  is  still  living  and 
resides  with  her  son  Oscar.  In  the  family  were  seven  children,  five  of  whom 
survive,  namely:  S.  0.,  of  this  review;  Louis,  a  resident  of  Newton  township, 
Winnebago  county;  Malena,  the  wife  of  0.  B.  Jenson,  of  Lake  Mills;  Anna,  who 
is  living  with  her  brother  Oscar,  the  youngest  of  the  family  and  a  resident  of 
Newton  township. 

S.  0.  Solomonson  was  reared  to  agricultural  pursuits  and  early  became  familiar 
with  all  the  duties  which  fall  to  the  lot  of  a  farmer.     His  literary  education  was 


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372  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

obtained  in  the  district  schools.  He  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until  1892, 
when  he  purchased  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  34,  Logan  township,  Winne- 
bago county,  and  has  since  devoted  his  time  and  attention  to  its  improvement  and 
cultivation.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  elevators  at  Scarville  and  Lake 
Mills,  the  Lake  Mills  Lumber  Company  and  the  cooperative  creameries  at  Scarville 
and  Lake  Mills. 

On  January  28,  1900,  Mr.  Solomonson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mrs.  Sarah 
(Martinson)  Twito,  the  widow  of  John  Twito,  of  Lake  Mills,  and  a  daughter  of 
Ingebrit  and  Gertrude  Martinson,  of  Norway  township,  Winnebago  county, 
both  now  deceased.  By  her  first  marriage  Mrs.  Solomonson  has  four  children: 
Helmer,  now  a  resident  of  Lorraine,  North  Dakota;  Emlet,  who  married  Lillian 
Albertson  and  is  now  operating  the  farm  which  belonged  to  the  father  of  Mr. 
Solomonson  in  Newton  township;  Isabel,  the  wife  of  Swan  Green,  of  Logan 
township;  and  Archer,  at  home.  Five  children  have  been  bom  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Solomonson:  Catherine,  Carroll,  Evelyn,  John  F.,  and  Milford.  The  family  are 
connected  with  the  Synod  Lutheran  church  and  are  highly  esteemed  by  all  who 
know  them.  By  his  ballot  Mr.  Solomonson  supports  the  men  and  measures  of 
the  republican  party  and  he  has  been  called  upon  to  fill  the  offices  of  township 
assessor  and  school  director,  the  duties  of  which  he  has  most  capably  discharged. 
He  is  one  of  the  representative  citizens  of  his  community. 


ISAAC  0.  FLORENCE. 


Since  starting  out  in  life  for  himself  Isaac  0.  Florence  has  been  interested 
in  the  dredging  business  and  now  carries  on  operations  under  the  firm  name  of 
I.  0.  Florence  &  Company  with  headquarters  at  Thompson,  Iowa,  where  he  has 
made  his  home  since  1905.  He  was  born  in  Wood  county,  West  Virginia,  on  the 
16th  of  February,  1876,  and  that  state  was  also  the  birthplace  of  his  parents, 
Marshall  0.  and  Patience  A.  (Boice)  Florence.  In  1884  the  family  removed  to 
Ohio,  where  the  father  engaged  in  farming  and  contracting,  and  he  continued 
to  reside  in  the  Buckeye  state  until  called  to  his  final  rest  in  November,  1910. 
The  mother  is  still  living. 

Isaac  0.  Florence  was  eight  years  of  age  when  he  accompanied  his  parents  on 
their  removal  to  Ohio,  where  he  grew  to  manhood,  in  the  meantime  acquiring  a 
good  conmion  school  education.  At  the  age  of  twenty  years  he  left  the  parental 
roof  and  began  to  make  his  own  way  in  the  world.  He  entered  the  employ  of  the 
dredging  firm  of  A.  V.  Wills  &  Sons,  of  Pittsfield,  Illinois,  at  a  salary  of  twenty 
dollars  per  month,  and  remained  with  that  company  for  five  years.  The  following 
two  years  he  was  with  C.  H.  Sternberg  &  Sons  of  Chicago  and  has  since  engaged 
in  the  dredging  business  on  his  own  accoimt,  starting  in  business  for  himself  in 
Indiana  in  1904  under  the  name  of  the  Indiana  Drainage  Company.  The  follow- 
ing year  he  came  to  Thompson,  Iowa,  but  continued  to  carry  on  operations  under 
the  name  of  the  Indiana  Drainage  Company  until  1910,  when  the  name  was 
changed  to  I.  0.  Florence  &  Company.  He  has  built  up  a  good  business,  which 
is  constantly  increasing,  and  he  has  become  widely  and  favorably  known  through- 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  375 

out  this  section  of  the  state.  His  work  now  takes  him  all  over  Iowa  and  Min- 
nesota. 

On  the  4th  of  July,  1898,  Mr.  Florence  married  Miss  Maude  A.  Hatten,  and 
they  have  become  the  parents  of  five  children,  the  first  three  born  in  Indiana  and 
the  others  in  Iowa,  namely:  Oral,  born  February  12,  1900;  Dale  Chadwick, 
February  13,  1902;  Fairy  Fairbanks,  May  19,  1904;  Glee,  December  20,  1909; 
and  Marshall  0.,  October  12,  1914. 

In  religious  faith  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Florence  are  Methodists,  and  he  is  also 
identified  with  the  Modem  Woodmen  of  America.  In  politics  he  is  a  republican 
and  is  now  efficiently  serving  as  a  member  of  the  Thompson  school  board.  During 
his  residence  here  he  has  made  a  host  of  warm  friends  and  wherever  known  is  held 
in  high  regard. 


JOHNNIE  BAKE. 


Johnnie  Rake,  a  well  known,  highly  respected  and  popular  resident  of  Bake,  is 
cashier  of  the  State  Savings  Bank.  He  was  born  in  Nordf  jord,  Norway,  July  3, 
1890,  a  son  of  Cornelius  and  Malina  Bake.  The  father  was  a  farmer  of  Norway, 
where  he  is  still  living,  but  the  mother  passed  away  there  in  1890. 

At  the  age  of  six  years  Johnnie  Bake  came  to  America  with  his  uncle,  A.  A. 
Bake,  who  had  resided  for  a  time  in  Minnesota  and  who  in  1882  came  to  Winnebago 
county,  finally  taking  up  his  abode  on  land  adjoining  the  present  site  of  Bake, 
which  town  was  named  in  his  honor.  He  cultivated  his  farm  in  Lincoln  town- 
ship for  many  years  and  also  turned  his  attention  to  general  merchandising, 
opening  a  store  in  Bake  which  he  owned  and  successfully  managed  for  a  number 
of  years.  At  length  his  establishment  was  destroyed  by  fire.  He  then  organized 
the  Bake  Banking  Company  and  devoted  his  entire  attention  to  the  banking  busi- 
ness until  he  retired  from  active  life.  While  the  establishment  had  been  organized 
as  a  private  bank,  it  was  converted  into  a  state  savings  bank  in  1914  with  a  capital 
stock  of  fifteen  thousand  dollars.  Today  the  bank  has  over  one  hundred  and  fifty 
thousand  dollars  on  deposit  and  there  is  a  surplus  of  two  thousand  dollars.  The 
company  erected  one  of  the  most  modern  bank  buildings  in  the  county  in  1916. 
On  retiring  from  business  Arent  A.  Bake  was  succeeded  as  president  of  the  bank, 
by  A.  Christopherson,  with  S.  C.  Jenswold  as  vice  president  and  Johnnie  Bake  as 
cashier. 

The  last  named  was  reared  and  educated  in  Lincoln  township  and  made  his 
initial  step  in  the  business  world  as  assistant  cashier  in  his  uncle's  bank.  He 
thoroughly  acquainted  himself  with  the  duties  of  the  position  and  his  developing 
ability  secured  for  liim  the  position  of  cashier  in  September,  1915.  He  is  also  a 
stockholder  in  the  bank  and  his  activity  and  efforts  are  contributing  much  to  its 
continued  success.  In  a  word,  he  is  actuated  by  a  spirit  of  enterprise  and  progress 
and  it  is  his  habit  to  carry  forward  to  successful  completion  whatever  he  undertakes. 
The  State  Savings  Bank  of  Bake  has  one  of  the  finest  bank  build^Igs  in  Iowa, 
thoroughly  equipped  in  every  way,  and  the  policy  of  the  bank  is  one  which  will 
bear  the  closest  investigation  and  scrutiny.  In  addition  to  his  connection  there- 
with Mr.  Bake  is  treasurer  of  the  Lincoln  Cooperative  Creamery  Company. 


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376  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

In  his  political  belief  Mr.  Rake  is  a  republican  and  his  religious  faith  is  that 
of  the  Lutheran  church.  For  more  than  a  year  he  has  been  city  clerk  of  Bake 
and  is  also  school  treasurer.  He  takes  a  deep  interest  in  all  community  afihirs, 
giving  his  aid  and  influence  on  the  side  of  progress  and  improvement,  and  is  a  most 
public-spirited  citizen. 


THOMAS  HOLTAN. 


For  many  years  Thomas  Holtan  has  been  prominently  identified  with  the  agri- 
cultural and  business  interests  of  Winnebago  county  and  has  been  an  important 
factor  in  the  development  of  this  region  along  various  lines.  He  resides  upon  the 
old  homestead  on  section  16,  Mount  Valley  township,  which  his  father  purchased 
on  coming  to  this  county  in  1866,  and  is  successfully  engaged  in  its  operation. 
He  is  also  interested  in  a  number  of  business  enterprises  that  have  an  important 
bearing  upon  the  prosperity  of  the  locality. 

Mr.  Holtan  was  bom  in  Olmsted  county,  Minnesota,  on  the  3d  of  January, 
1866,  and  is  a  son  of  Hans  and  Margit  (Torgerson)  Holtan,  who  came  to  the  United 
States  from  Norway  in  1862  and  located  in  Olmsted  county,  Minnesota,  but  after 
residing  there  for  four  years  came  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa.  The  father  pur- 
chased a  quarter  section  of  land  on  section  16,  Mount  Valley  township,  but  did  not 
locate  there  until  the  spring  of  1867,  the  family  spending  the  winter  with  Harris 
Olson.  Mr.  Holtan  began  the  erection  of  a  log  house  upon  his  farm  but  only  com- 
pleted about  a  third  of  it  at  that  time.  Into  this  the  family  moved  and  continued 
to  live  about  five  years  before  the  entire  building  was  roofed  and  finished.  In  1885 
Mr.  Holtan  bought  an  adjoining  eighty  acres  but  the  following  year  went  to 
McLean  county.  North  Dakota,  where  he  took  up  a  homestead  and  continued  to 
reside  until  his  death,  which  occurred  on  the  3d  of  October,  1915.  His  wife  had 
passed  away  July  6,  1906.  As  a  republican  he  took  a  very  active  and  prominent 
part  in  local  politics  in  early  days  and  filled  a  number  of  oflBces,  including  those  of 
road  commissioner,  school  director,  school  treasurer  and  assessor.  Both  he  and 
his  wife  were  faithful  members  of  the  United  Lutheran  church  and  were  most 
estimable  people.  He  became  a  large  land  owner  having  at  one  time  nine  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  in  McLean  county.  North  Dakota,  and  three  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  in  Montana. 

It  was  during  his  infancy  that  Thomas  Holtan  was  brought  to  Winnebago 
county,  where  he  was  reared  and  educated  in  much  the  usual  manner. of  farmer 
boys  at  that  time.  When  his  father  went  to  North  Dakota,  he  took  charge  of  the 
home  farm  here,  which  he  operated  alone  for  two  years  and  later  in  partnership  with 
his  brother  Halvor,  but  a  year  after  his  marriage  this  business  connection  was 
dissolved  and  Halvor  removed  to  his  own  farm.  Thomas  Holtan  continued  to 
rent  the  old  homestead  for  the  following  four  years  and  operated  it  independently. 
In  1896  he  purchased  the  place  and  has  since  made  many  improvements  thereon, 
including  the  erection  of  good  modem  farm  buildings,  so  that  it  is  now  one  of  the 
best  improved  farms  of  the  locality.  Mr.  Holtan  has  not  confined  his  attention 
solely  to  agricultural  pursuits  but  is  now  serving  as  president  of  the  Citizens  Mutual 
Telephone  Company,  is  a  stockholder  and  director  of  the  Forest  City  Cooperative 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  377 

Creamery  Company;  a  stockholder  of  the  Lake  Mills  Lumber  Company;  and  of 
both  the  Leland  and  Forest  City  Farmers  Elevator  Companies. 

On  the  3d  of  June,  1891,  Mr.  Holtan  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Esther 
Thorvildson,  a  daughter  of  Aslag  ThorvUdson,  who  came  to  the  United  States  from 
Norway  about  1861  and  settled  in  Fillmore  county,  Minnesota,  but  in  1865  became 
a  resident  of  Center  township,  Winnebago  county,  Iowa.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Holtan 
have  been  bom  nine  children,  all  of  whom  are  still  living,  namely :  Tilda  A.,  at 
home;  Mabel  H.,  the  wife  of  Theodore  Fjelstad,  of  Center  township;  Edwin  C; 
Sarah  A. ;  the  wife  of  Peter  Haugen,  a  farmer  residing  near  Leland ;  and  Ella  H., 
Agnes  B.,  Hilda  G.,  Hans  0.  and  Bertha  K.,  all  at  home. 

Since  attaining  his  majority  Mr.  Holtan  has  affiliated  with  the  republican  party 
and  he  is  now  serving  his  third  term  as  township  trustee.  He  has  filled  the  office 
of  school  treasurer  for  twenty  years  and  has  always  taken  an  active  and  conmiend- 
able  interest  in  public  affairs.  He  and  his  family  hold  membership  in  the  United 
Lutheran  church  and  are  people  of  prominence  in  the  commimity  where  they  reside. 


KNUT  M.  LAESEN. 


Knut  M.  Larsen  is  a  self-made  man  who  has  won  success  through  indefatigable 
effort  and  persistency  of  purpose.  He  resides  on  section  19,  Norway  township, 
Winnebago  couniy,  where  he  has  a  valuable  farm  property,  and  he  is  also  officially 
and  financially  connected  with  several  business  enterprises  of  this  section  of  the 
state.  He  was  bom  in  Fillmore  county,  Minnesota,  June  10,  1864,  a  son  of  Michael 
and  Martha  (Knutson)  Larsen,  who  were  natives  of  Norway  but  were  married  in  the 
United  States.  They  had  a  family  of  five  children:  Louis,  who  is  living  in 
Stockholm,  South  Dakota;  Mrs.  Betsey  Peck,  a  resident  of  Salem,  Oregon;  Knut 
M.,  of  this  review;  Lena,  the  wife  of  Andrew  Lunda,  whose  home  is  near  Parker, 
South  Dakota ;  and  Martha,  the  wife  of  M.  0.  Sletten,  of  Norway  township. 

In  the  year  of  his  birth  Knut  M.  Larsen  was  taken  by  his  parents  to  \'7orth 
county,  Iowa,  where  the  father  purchased  a  small  farm,  and  there  both  he 
and  his  wife  passed  away  when  their  son,  Knut  M.  Larsen,  was  but  seven  years 
ago,  their  remains  being  interred  in  Silver  Lake  cemetery.  The  boy,  thus  left  an 
orphan,  afterward  lived  with  his  uncle,  Hans  Ingebritson,  an  early  settler  of 
Norway  township,  Winnebago  county,  with  whom  he  remained  until  he  reached  the 
age  of  fourteen  years.  He  then  started  out  to  earn  his  living  by  working  as  a  farm 
hand  and  was  employed  in  that  way  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty-nine  years, 
when  he  was  married  and  began  farming  on  his  own  account.  He  purchased  the 
northeast  quarter  of  section  19  and  the  southeast  quarter  of  the  northwest  quarter 
of  the  same  section  in  Norway  township  and  thus  became  the  owner  of  two  hundred 
acres  of  rich  and  productive  land  which  he  has  since  owned  and  occupied.  His 
labors  are  manifest  in  the  highly  cultivated  fields  and  in  the  good  improvements 
which  he  has  put  upon  the  property.  Almost  his  entire  time  is  devoted  to  its 
further  development  and  improvement  and  annually  he  gathers  good  crops  which 
are  the  reward  of  his  industry  and  perseverance.  He  has  had  other  business  inter- 
ests and  connections.  He  is  now  a  trustee  and  was  formerly  the  manager  of  the 
Scarville  Creamery.     He  acted  as  manager  for  eight  years  and  at  the  present 


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378  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

time  is  vice  president  of  the  company.  He  is  also  a  director  and  the  vice  president 
of  the  Farmers  Elevator  at  Scarville  and  is  a  director  of  the  Lake  Mills  Lumber 
Company. 

As  a  companion  and  helpmate  on  the  journey  of  life  Mr.  Larsen  chose  Miss 
Betsey  Bakken,  her  parents  being  Harry  and  Tilda  Bakken,  of  Winneshiek  county, 
who  are  now  deceased  and  lie  buried  in  that  couniy.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Larsen  have 
eight  children,  namely :  A.  Melvin,  Harry  0.,  John  C,  Tilda,  George  A.,  Benja- 
min, Elalmer  L.,  and  Clifford  L. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Larsen  hold  membership  in  the  United  Lutheran  church  and  he 
votes  with  the  republican  party.  For  one  term  he  served  as  township  clerk  and  for 
eight  years  he  filled  the  office  of  school  director.  He  stands  for  all  that  is  beneficial 
to  the  community  and  heartily  cooperates  in  many  plans  and  movements  for  the 
general  good.  At  the  same  time  he  has  carefully  managed  his  business  affairs  and 
energy  and  reliability  have  brought  him  success.  While  he  started  out  empty- 
handed,  he  is  now  in  the  possession  of  a  comfortable  competence.  His  home  place 
is  a  highly  improved  farm  in  the  midst  of  which  stands  a  fine  modem  residence, 
indicating  that  he  is  now  able  to  surround  himself  with  all  of  life's  comforts  and 
some  of  its  luxuries. 


JOHN  HELGREN. 


John  Helgren,  a  well  known  farmer  of  King  township,  Winnebago  coimty, 
living  on  section  29,  was  bom  in  Sweden,  November  24,  1867,  and  is  a  son  of  Peter 
and  Bertha  Helgren,  who  were  also  natives  of  that  country,  where  they  spent  their 
entire  lives. 

The  youthful  days  of  John  Helgren  were  passed  in  his  native  land  and  its 
public  schools  afforded  him  his  educational  opportunities.  He  was  twenty  years  of 
age  when  he  severed  home  ties  and  sailed  for  the  new  world.  He  did  not  tarry 
on  the  Atlantic  coast  but  made  his  way  at  once  to  the  Mississippi  valley  and 
located  first  in  Forest  City,  Iowa.  He  was  employed  as  a  farm  hand  for  four  years 
but  he  was  desirous  of  engaging  in  farming  on  his  own  account  and  at  length 
felt  that  his  experience  was  suflBcient  to  enable  him  to  take  that  step.  He  then 
rented  land  and  at  the  end  of  two  years,  having  carefully  saved  his  earnings,  he  was 
able  to  purchase  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  29,  King  township,  Winne- 
bago county.  With  characteristic  energy  he  at  once  began  to  develop  and  improve 
that  place,  which  he  has  since  owned  and  cultivated,  and  that  he  has  led  a  busy 
life  is  proven  by  the  very  attractive  appearance  of  the  farm,  which  has  been  care- 
fully cultivated  and  improved.  He  is  a  stockholder  of  the  Farmers  Elevator 
Company  and  of  the  Cooperative  Creamery  Company  of  Thompson  and  in  addi- 
tion to  cultivating  his  home  place  he  also  farms  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of 
land  which  he  rents. 

On  the  10th  of  March,  1893,  Mr.  Helgren  was  married  to  Miss  Martha  Fingle- 
berg,  a  daughter  of  Ole  Fingleberg,  and  they  have  become  the  parents  of  seven 
children:  Palmer,  Clarence,  Mabel,  Hazel,  Myrtle  and  Leonard,  all  at  home; 
and  Helen,  who  died  in  infancy. 

The  religious  faith  of  the  family  is  that  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  in  his 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  379 

political  belief  Mr.  Helgren  is  a  republican.  He  has  served  as  assessor  of  King 
township  for  the  past  eleven  years  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  school  board  for 
many  years,  while  at  the  present  time  he  is  serving  as  its  treasurer.  His  influence 
is  always  on  the  side  of  progress  and  improvement  and  he  gives  loyal  aid  to  those 
interests  which  tend  to  promote  the  material,  social,  intellectual  and  moral  welfare 
of  his  community. 


EDWARD   WILLIAMS. 


The  farming  and  stock  raising  interests  of  Hancock  county  have  a  worthy  repre- 
sentative in  Edward  Williams,  who  makes  his  home  on  section  35,  Boone  township, 
where  he  has  a  well  improved  place  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres.  He  was  born 
on  the  25th  of  August,  1853,  in  Macon,  Illinois,  and  is  a  son  of  Jackson  and  Levina 
(Long)  Williams,  the  former  a  native  of  Ohio  and  the  latter  of  Pennsylvania. 

Edward  Williams  attended  school  until  about  nineteen  years  of  age  and  when 
not  busy  with  his  studies  assisted  in  the  labors  of  the  home  farm  and  thus  acquired 
an  excellent  knowledge  of  the  occupation  which  he  has  made  his  life  work.  At  the 
age  of  twenty-two  years  he  rented  a  farm  in  Illinois  a^d  commenced  farming  on 
his  own  account.  Six  years  later  he  came  to  Hancock  county,  Iowa,  and  in  1892 
purchased  his  present  farm  on  section  35,  Boone  township,  paying  for  his  quarter 
section  seventeen  dollars  and  a  half  per  acre.  He  now  gives  considerable  attention 
to  the  raising  of  fine  stock,  his  specialty  being  pure  bred  Shorthorn  cattle,  Poland 
China  hogs  and  Clydesdale  horses,  and  he  is  regarded  as  an  excellent  judge  of  stock. 

On  November  25,  1886,  Mr.  Williams  married  Miss  Leona  Still,  a  native  of  Cerro 
Gordo,  Illinois,  and  a  daughter  of  George  and  Anna  (Ainsworth)  Still.  Her 
grandmother  Ater  was  the  first  white  woman  to  locate  in  Ohio.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Williams  have  two  daughters :  Mildred,  now  the  wife  of  William  Snyder,  living  at 
Fairfax,  Iowa;  and  Charity  Eugenia,  the  wife  of  Fred  Brand,  living  with  her  par- 
ents on  the  home  farm.  The  family  attend  the  United  Brethren  church  and  are 
among  the  most  highly  respected  citizens  of  the  community  in  which  they  live. 


H.  C.  AEMSTRONG. 


H.  C.  Armstrong,  vice  president  of  the  First  National  Bank  and  one  of  .the 
foremost  citizens  of  Britt,  is  one  of  Iowa's  native  sons,  his  birth  having  occurred  in 
Greene,  Butler  county,  on  the  24th  of  February,  1875.  His  parents  were  A.  J. 
and  Myrtie  C.  (Clark)  Armstrong,  the  former  a  native  of  Ohio  and  the  latter  of 
Prince  Edward  Island,  Canada,  but  they  were  married  in  Franklin  county,  Iowa. 
In  the  late  '50s  the  father  accompanied  his  parents  on  their  removal  to  Franklin 
county,  of  which  the  family  were  pioneer  settlers.  On  leaving  Prince  Edward 
Island  the  Clark  family  removed  to  Wisconsin  and  went  from  there  to  Franklin 
county,  Iowa.  In  early  life  A.  J.  Armstrong  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  and 
subsequently  became  a  contractor  and  builder,  carrying  on  operations  in  Greene 
and   Emmetsburg.     Later   he  became   identified   with  the   lumbier  business   and 


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380  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

removed  to  Boise,  Idaho,  being  a  prominent  figure  in  the  lumber  industry  of  that 
state  up  to  the  time  of  his  death  in  November,  1912.  His  widow  is  still  living 
and  continues  to  reside  in  Boise. 

During  his  boyhood  and  youth  H.  C.  Armstrong  attended  the  public  schools 
and  completed  his  education  in  the  Emmetsburg  high  school.  When  about  sixteen 
years  of  age  he  began  his  business  career  as  proprietor  of  a  bicycle  and  machine 
shop  at  that  place,  which  he  carried  on  successfully  for  three  years.  In  April, 
1898,  he  laid  aside  all  personal  interests  and  entered  the  service  of  his  country 
at  the  outbreak  of  the  Spanish-American  war.  He  had  previously  been  a  member 
of  the  National  Guard  of  Iowa  and  on  entering  the  United  States  service  was  as- 
signed to  Company  K,  Fifty-seccond  Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry,  with  the  rank  of 
quartermaster  sergeant.  He  was  discharged  in  November  of  the  same  year  but 
on  the  reorganization  of  the  regiment  the  following  spring  was  elected  captain  of 
his  company,  in  which  official  capacity  he  served  for  three  years.  Captain  Arm- 
strong was  then  appointed  inspector  of  small  arms  practice  with  the  rank  of 
captain,  there  being  only  four  such  officials  in  the  state.  After  serving  two  or 
three  years  the  office  was  abolished  and  Captain  Armstrong  severed  his  connection 
with  the  National  Guard. 

It  was  in  1902  that  he  first  became  interested  in  the  banking  business,  accepting 
the  position  of  bookkeeper  in  the  Farmers  &  Merchants  Savings  Bank  of  Rake, 
Winnebago  county,  where  his  ability  was  soon  recognized  and  rewarded  by  his 
being  elevated  to  assistant  cashier  and  afterward  cashier  of  the  institution  within 
three  years.  In  1905  he  accepted  the  cashiership  of  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Titonka,  Iowa,  with  which  he  was  connected  for  eight  years,  and  was  then  identified 
with  the  Emmetsburg  National  Bank  for  one  year*  In  August,  1914,  Captain 
Armstrong  came  to  Britt  and  purchased  an  interest  in  the  First  National  Bank,  of 
which  he  was  made  vice  president,  soon  becoming  the  managing  force  in  the  direc- 
tion of  the  bank's  financial  policy.  He  is  a  man  of  good  business  and  executive 
ability,  who  thoroughly  understands  banking  in  principle  and  detail,  and  today 
occupies  an  enviable  position  in  financial  circles  in  this  part  of  the  state. 

In  1899  Captain  Armstrong  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mabel  L.  Henry 
of  Emmetsburg  and  they  have  become  the  parents  of  three  sons,  namely :  Neil  H., 
Dean  M.  and  Gordon  C.  The  republican  party  has  always  found  in  the  Captain 
a  stanch  supporter  of  its  principles  but  he  has  never  been  an  aspirant  for  oflBce 
though  he  served  for  five  or  six  years  as  mayor  of  Titonka,  giving  the  city  a  very 
businesslike  and  progressive  administration.  He  still  takes  a  commendable  interest 
in  public  affairs  and  never  withholds  his  support  from  any  enterprise  which  he 
believes  will  prove  of  public  benefit. 


OSCAE  SWANSON. 


Oscar  Swanson  is  an  active  representative  of  farming  and  stock  raising  interests 
in  Ell  township,  Hancock  county,  his  home  being  on  section  33,  where  he  owns  and 
cultivates  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  rich  and  productive  land.  He  has 
resided  thereon  since  1905,  and  his  labors  have  greatly  improved  and  developed  his 
place.     He  was  bom  in  Sweden  on  the  29th  of  January,  1866,  a  son  of  Swen  P. 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  381 

and  Mary  Sophia  Peterson.  He  continued  n\  his  native  country  until  he  had 
reached  the  age  of  twenty-two  years.  Attracted  by  the  favorable  reports  which  he 
had  heard  concerning  America  and  her  opportunities,  he  then  determined  to  come 
to  the  new  world,  and  made  arrangements  to  cross  the  Atlantic.  The  voyage  over, 
he  continued  his  journey  to  Wexford  county,  Michigan,  where  he  resided  for  two 
years.  He  afterward  spent  two  years  in  Chicago  and  eighteen  years  in  Grundy 
county,  Illinois.  He  took  up  farming  on  his  own  account  on  rented  land,  but  desir- 
ous of  owning  property  he  carefully  saved  his  earnings  and  purchased  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  on  section  33,  Ell  township,  Hancock  county.  He  is  now  making 
a  specialty  of  breeding  and  raising  Chester  White  hogs  and  handling  thoroughbred 
stock,  and  holds  a  sale  of  hogs  each  year.  He  also  feeds  Shorthorn  cattle  to  some 
extent  and  he  breeds  his  own  horses,  which  are  Percherons.  The  fine  stock  upon 
his  place  indicates  his  progressive  spirit  and  laudable  ambition. 

Mr.  Swanson  as  been  married  twice.  In  1895  he  wedded  Hulda  Johnson,  and 
for  his  second  wife  he  chose  Anna  Dahlgren,  whom  he  married  in  1905.  By  his 
first  marriage  he  had  five  children,  Mary,  Albert,  Carl,  Esther  and  one  who  died 
in  infancy,  and  by  the  second  marriage  there  are  six  children,  Ruth,  Roy,  Dora, 
liconard,  Edith  and  Ethel.     The  children  are  still  at  home. 

Mr.  Swanson  votes  with  the  republican  party,  believing  firmly  in  its  principles, 
but  he  has  never  sought  nor  desired  oflBce.  His  religious  faith  is  that  of  the 
Swedish  Lutheran  church  and  he  endeavors  to  follow  its  teachings  in  all  his  life 
activities.  He  is  found  to  be  honest  and  straightforward  in  business  as  well  as 
progressive  and  enterprising,  and  in  every  relation  of  life  he  is  a  man  who  can 
be  depended  upon  to  support  what  is  right. 


WILLIAM  EDGAR  GOURLEY. 

William  Edgar  Gourley  is  the  owner  of  a  valuable  farm  on  section  8,  Magor 
township,  Hancock  county,  whereon  he  is  engaged  in  buying,  selling  and  feeding 
stock,  making  a  specialty  of  handling  hogs.  His  business  affairs  are  carefully 
and  wisely  conducted  and  managed  and  his  success  is  the  direct  outcome  of  his 
intelligent  effort. 

On  the  15th  of  August,  1868,  Mr.  Gourley  was  born  in  Livingston  county, 
Illinois,  a  son  of  Alfred  and  Rebecca  (Farris)  Gourley,  who  were  natives  of  Vir- 
ginia. After  acquiring  a  district  school  education,  continuing  his  studies  to  the 
age  of  seventeen  years,  William  E.  Gourley  began  work  as  a  farm  hand  and  also 
was  employed  in  connection  with  the  livery  business  at  Cornell,  Illinois,  for  five 
years.  He  was  desirous,  however,  of  engaging  in  business  on  his  own  account  and 
carefully  saved  his  earnings  until  the  sum  was  sufficient  to  enable  him  to  purchase 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  near  Cornell.  He  remained  upon  that  ff\rm 
for  a  year  and  then  sold  the  property,  after  which  he  came  to  Hancock  county, 
Iowa,  in  1901,  and  purchased  three  eighty-acre  tracts  on  section  22,  Magor  town- 
ship. He  afterward  added  to  his  holdings  eighty  acres  on  the  same  section  and 
four  hundred  and  eighty  acres  on  section  8,  where  he  makes  his  home.  He  owns 
altogether  eight  hundred  acres.  He  is  now  engaged  in  buying,  selling  and  feeding 
cattle  and  for  three  years  he  has  continuously  and  successfully  engaged  in  buying 

ii— 19 


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382  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

hogs.  He  has  made  splendid  improvements  upon  his  place  in  the  way  of  good 
buildings  and  all  modern  accessories,  which  indicate  a  progressive  spirit  in  agri- 
cultural life.  His  labors  have  wrought  splendid  results  and  he  is  now  numbered 
among  the  men  of  affluence  in  his  county.  He  also  has  other  business  interests, 
being  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Savings  Bank,  tlie  Commercial  Savings  Bank, 
the  Kanawha  Elevator  Company  and  the  Kanawha  Creamery  Company. 

On  the  13th  of  March,  189.3,  Mr.  Gourley  was  married  to  Miss  Nellie  J.  Mills, 
a  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Mary  (Kimbers)  Mills,  who  were  natives  of  England 
and  in  early  life  became  residents  of  Illinois,  where  their  daughter,  Mrs.  Gourley, 
was  born,  their  home  at  the  time  being  in  La  Salle  county.  By  her  marriage  Mrs. 
Gourley  has  become  the  mother  of  eight  children :  Ellery  C. ;  Jessie  V.,  the  wife 
of  Webb  Shipman;  Seth  D. ;  (^arrie  E. ;  John  E. ;  Alfred  Ross;  Lisle  E. ;  and 
William  E. 

Politically  Mr.  Gourley  is  a  republican  and  for  two  years  filled  the  office  of 
township  assessor  and  for  two  years  has  been  township  trustee.  He  belongs  to  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  his  religious  faith  is  indicated  by  his  con- 
nection with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  has  ever  been  upright  and 
honorable  in  his  dealings,  progressive  in  all  that  he  has  undertaken,  and  through 
determined  and  persistent  effort  intelligently  guided  he  has  reached  a  place  among 
the  prosperous  and  representative  farmers  and  business  men  of  Hancock  county. 


OLE  MICHAELSON. 


Ole  Michaelson  is  now  living  retired  in  Leland,  where  for  a  long  period  he  was 
actively  engaged  in  grain  buying,  while  with  farming  interests  he  was  also 
connected.  The  rest  which  he  is  now  enjoying  is  well  deserved  and  has  come  to 
him  as  the  reward  of  his  former  activity  and  enterprise.  He  was  born  in  Norway, 
January  31,  1858,  a  son  of  Michael  Thoring  and  Mary  Oleson  Belverud,  who 
were  likewise  natives  of  the  land  of  the  midnight  sun.  They  came  to  America 
in  1882  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  this  part  of  the  state,  here  remaining  until  called 
to  their  final  rest.     In  their  family  were  nine  children,  of  whom  six  are  yet  living. 

Ole  Michaelson  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  country  to  the  age  of 
twenty  years,  when  in  1878  he  came  to  the  United  States,  making  his  way  at  once 
to  Winnebago  county.  For  four  years  he  was  employed  as  a  common  laborer,  at 
the  end  of  which  time  he  began  buying  grain  in  Leland.  With  the  business  he 
was  continuously  and  successfully  connected  until  a  very  recent  date,  when  he 
retired,  but  he  still  owns  an  elevator.  He  displayed  sound  and  discriminating 
judgment  in  buying  grain  and  his  business  affairs  were  so  carefully  and  wisely 
conducted  that  success  in  large  measure  rewarded  his  efforts.  He  is  also  the 
owner  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  rich  and  valuable  land  on  section  10, 
Newton  township,  Winnebago  county,  which  returns  to  him  a  gratifying  annual 
income.  Moreover,  he  is  financially  interested  in  other  business  concerns,  being 
now  the  president  of  the  Farmers  Savings  Bank  at  Leland,  while  he  is  also  a 
stockholder  of  the  Leland  Creamery  Company. 

On  June  23,  1886,  Mr.  Michaelson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Bertha 
Branstad,  a  native  of  Norway,  who  was  brought  to  the  United  States  in  her  early 


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OLE  MICHAELSOX 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  385 

girlhood  by  her  parents,  Andrew  and  Dorothea  (Grytnes)  Branstad,  who  were  also 
natives  of  Norway.  They  made  the  voyage  to  the  new  world  in  1873  and  settled 
first  in  Winneshiek  county,  Iowa,  where  they  lived  for  a  year  before  coming  to 
Winnebago  county.  Here  the  father  passed  away,  but  the  mother  is  still  living 
and  is  now  in  her  eighty-first  year.  In  their  family  were  eight  children,  who 
yet  survive.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Michaelson  have  been  born  ten  children:  Minnie 
C,  the  wife  of  0.  Theodore  Moen,  now  of  Minneapolis;  Delia  E.,  at  home;  Ruth, 
Rudolph  and  Elvin,  who  have  passed  away;  Ruth  J.,  the  second  of  the  nanie,  now 
a  student  in  college;  Clarence  0.,  who  is  a  graduate  of  Waldorf  College  and  is 
now  attending  St.  Olaf  College  of  Minnesota;  Victor,  deceased;  and  Agnes  L., 
and  Obed  B.,  at  home. 

The  parents  are  consistent  and  faithful  members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  doing 
all  in  their  power  to  promote  its  growth  and  extend  its  influence.  In  politics 
Mr.  MichaeUon  is  a  republican  and  for  twenty-five  years  he  has  served  on  the 
school  board,  of  which  he  is  still  a  member.  He  has  ever  been  a  stanch  champion 
of  the  cause  of  education  and  he  is  now  acting  as  one  of  the  trustees  of  Waldorf 
College.  He  is  also  one  of  the  directors  of  the  Fair  Association  of  Forest  City 
and  is  interested  in  all  the  plans  and  projects  which  look  to  the  upbuilding  of  the 
county  along  the  lines  of  material,  intellectual,  social  and  moral  development. 


RUDOLPH    C.    GLAWE. 

Rudolph  C.  Glawe,  a  well  known  and  highly  respected  farmer  of  Boone  town- 
ship, Hancock  county,  makes  his  home  on  section  19,  where  he  has  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  of  land.  He  is  a  native  of  Germany,  his  birth  having  there 
occurred  on  the  8th  of  April,  1865.  His  parents,  William  and  Elizabeth  (Miller) 
Glawe,  were  also  natives  of  that  country  and,  resolving  to  try  their  fortuBte  in 
America,  they  crossed  the  Atlantic  in  1870  and  establishing  their  home  at  Appleton, 
Wisconsin.  The  father  was  a  farmer  and  Rudolph  C.  Glawe  was  reared  in  the 
usual  manner  of  the  farm  bred  boy  dividing  his  time  between  the  duties  of  the 
schoolroom  the  pleasures  of  the  playground  and  the  work  of  the  fields.  He  attended 
a  German  school  until  he  was  about  thirteen  years  of  age  and  then  started  out 
to  earn  his  own  living  by  working  in  a  carriage  shop  at  Oshkosh,  Wisconsin,  where 
he  was  employed  for  a  year  and  a  half.  He  then  went  to  Durand,  Illinois,  where  he 
worked  by  the  month  as  a  farm  hand  for  ten  years.  He  carefully  saved  his  earnings 
and  in  this  way  gained  a  sum  that  enabled  him  eventually  to  purchase  his  present 
farm.  He  invested  in  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  on  the  southeast 
quarter  of  section  19,  Boone  tovmship,  Hancock  county,  Iowa,  and  has  since 
devoted  his  time  and  attention  to  the  further  development  and  improvement  of 
his  property.  There  were  no  fences  upon  the  place  when  it  came  into  his  pos- 
session and  no  bridges  had  been  built.  He  has  since  been  closely  identified  with 
the  work  of  general  improvement.  He  assisted  Richard  Allison  in  hauling  the 
first  load  of  tile  to  the  county  and  has  at  all  times  stood  for  progressive  methods 
of  farming.  He  has  made  many  improvements  upon  his  place  and  is  putting  forth 
every  effort  to  enhance  its  productiveness. 

On  the  9th  of  July,  1894,  Mr.  Glawe  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Stritzel,  who 


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386  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

was  bom  in  Germany,  a  daughter  of  August  and  Henrietta  (Miller)  Stritzel,  who 
were  natives  of  the  fatherland.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Glawe  have  become  the  parents 
of  six  children,  Elda  Ida,  Elmer  William,  Anna  Myrtle,  Maud  Hannah,  Hazel 
Freda  and  George  Rudolph,  all  yet  at  home. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Glawe  is  a  republican  and  he  has  served  as  a 
member  of  the  town  board  and  as  judge  of  elections.  He  belongs  to  the  English 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  lives  an  upright,  honorable  life  that  commands 
for  him  the  confidence  and  goodwill  of  all  with  whom  he  comes  in  contact.  His 
record,  too,  shows  how  effective  are  industry  and  persistency  of  purpose  as  forces 
in  business  life,  for  it  is  along  those  lines  that  he  has  attained  his  success,  even- 
tually reaching  a  position  among  the  substantial  farmers  of  his  adopted  coimty. 


CHRISTIAN   TORGERSON. 

Forty  years  have  come  and  gone  since  Christian  Torgerson  arrived  in  Winnebago 
county  and  through  much  of  the  intervening  period  he  has  been  closely  identified 
with  its  farming  interests  but  is  now  living  retired  in  the  enjoyment  of  well 
earned  rest,  making  his  home  on  section  10,  King  township.  He  was  bom  six 
miles  from  Christiania,  Norway,  in  February,  1848,  a  son  of  Torger  and  Ingeborg 
(Gullickson)  Torgerson,  who  were  natives  of  Norway,  where  the  father  followed 
the  occupation  of  farming  to  the  time  of  his  death.  He  passed  away  in  1900, 
while  his  widow  survived  only  imtil  1903. 

Christian  Torgerson  was  reared  and  educated  in  Norway,  where  he  remained 
until  he  reached  the  age  of  eighteen  years  and  then  came  to  the  United  States 
in  1866.  He  located  in  Dane  coimty,  Wisconsin,  where  he  was  employed  for 
several  years,  and  in  1877  he  arrived  in  Winnebago  county,  where  he  continued 
to  work  as  a  farm  hand  for  some  time.  He  carefully  saved  his  earnings  and 
as  soon  as  possible  purchased  a  yoke  of  oxen  and  forty  acres  of  land  situated  on 
section  17,  King  township.  He  at  once  began  to  develop  and  improve  the  property 
and,  continuing  his  close  economy  and  his  unremitting  industry,  he  was  afterward 
able  to  add  eighty  acres.  Eventually  he  obtained  forty-six  acres  which  he  added 
to  his  homestead  in  King  township,  and  he  continued  to  cultivate  and  develop 
his  farm  until  1911,  when  he  retired,  since  which  time  he  has  lived  with  his 
daughter.  He  also  became  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  Eden 
township,  which  his  sons  are  now  farming.  He  formerly  made  a  specialty  of  raising 
Shorthorn  cattle  and  he  is  still  a  stockholder  in  the  Cooperative  Creamery  Company 
of  Thompson. 

In  May,  1869,  Mr.  Torgerson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Julia  WatenbrjTi, 
by  whom  he  has  six  children,  as  follows:  Theodore,  who  operates  the  old  home 
place;  Julius,  George  and  Ole,  all  of  whom  are  engaged  in  farming  in  Eden  town- 
ship; Albert,  who  is  employed  as  a  farm  hand;  and  Mary,  who  is  the  wife  of 
Eddie  Ellefson,  an  agriculturist  residing  on  section  10,  King  township.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Ellefson  have  four  children :  Marion,  Opal,  Mildred  and  Carroll. 

Mr.  Torgerson  has  served  on  the  school  board  for  a  number  of  years  and 
does  all  in  his  power  to  further  the  interests  of  public  education  in  his  district. 
He  exercises  his  right  of  franchise  in  support  of  the  men  and  measures  of  the 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  387 

democratic  party  and  his  religious  belief  is  that  of  the  Lutheran  church.  His 
has  been  an  active,  useful  and  honorable  life  and  his  present  rest  is  well  merited, 
for  he  worked  most  diligently  and  persistently  for  many  years  and  in  all  of  his 
business  dealings  was  found  thoroughly  reliable.  Today  he  is  the  possessor  of 
a  comfortable  competence  which  enables  him  to  rest  from  further  labor. 


DRS.  HELENA  AND  GENA  THORESEN. 

Drs.  Helena  and  Gena  Thoresen  have  built  up  a  very  large  practice  in  Lake 
Mills  as  chiropractors  and  hold  a  high  place  in  the  esteem  of  all  who  know  them. 
They  are  daughters  of  Lars  and  Gurie  (Loftsgaard)  Thoresen,  natives  of  Norway, 
who  became  early  settlers  of  Clayton  county,  Iowa,  whence  they  removed  to  Palo 
Alto  county.  They  were  also  among  the  first  people  to  settle  in  that  couniy,  and 
the  father  purchased  land  which  he  fanned  for  many  years  in  addition  to  operating 
a  blacksmith  shop.  He  is  now  seventy-four  years  of  age  and  is  making  his  home 
with  his  children.  The  mother  died  in  October,  1900.  There  were  ten  children 
in  the  family,  of  whom  seven  are  living,  namely:  Susanna,  the  wife  of  Dr.  Th. 
T.  Nae,  of  Graettinger,  Iowa;  Theodore  and  Ole,  both  of  whom  are  farming  in 
Palo  Alto  county;  Helena,  who  was  bom  September  22,  1877;  Anna,  who  is  a 
doctor  of  chiropractic,  practicing  in  Red  Wing,  Minnesota;  John,  a  chiropractor 
of  Glenwood,  Minnesota;  and  Gena,  bom  September  10,  1882. 

Drs.  Helena  and  Gena  Thoresen  were  reared  in  Palo  Alto  county  and  received 
their  early  education  in  the  public  schools  there.  In  1912  both  entered  the 
Universal  School  of  Chiropractic  at  Davenport,  Iowa,  where  they  completed  the 
course.  Dr.  Helena  Thoresen  has  taken  advanced  post  graduate  work  and  holds 
four  diplomas.  In  1914  she  opened  an  office  in  Lake  Mills  and  in  June,  1916, 
was  joined  by  her  sister  and  they  are  practicing  in  partnership  under  the  name 
of  Thoresen  &  Thoresen.  They  have  purchased  a  fine  residence,  have  a  splendidly 
equipped  offce  and  have  built  up  an  extensive  and  representative  practice.  They 
also  maintain  an  office  at  Forest  City,  and  Dr.  Helena  Thoresen  spends  three  days 
of  the  week  there.  They  belong  to  the  Chiropractic  Society  and  find  that  con- 
nection of  great  value  inasmuch  as  it  enables  them  to  profit  by  the  experience 
of  other  up-to-date  and  successful  practitioners.  In  religious  faith  they  are 
Lutherans,  and  their  lives  conform  to  the  teachings  of  that  church. 


OLE   G.   THUNE. 


Ole  G.  Thune,  residing  on  section  4,  Mount  Valley  township,  Winnebago  county, 
owns  and  operates  a  fine  farm  of  two  hundred  acres,  which  he  has  placed  under  high 
cultivation  and  improved  with  good  substantial  buildings  which  stand  as  monuments 
to  his  thrift  and  enterprise.  A  native  of  Iowa,  he  was  bom  in  Winneshiek  county, 
December  31,  1868,  and  is  a  son  of  Gullick  and  Aaste  (Olson)  Thune,  natives 
of  Norway.  In  the  spring  of  1868  the  parents  crossed  the  Atlantic  and  took 
up  their  residence  in  Winneshiek  county,  Iowa,  where  they  lived  for  three  years. 
In  1871  they  came  to  Winnebago  county,  and  after  working  as  a  farm  hand  for 


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388  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

two  years  in  this  locality  the  father  was  able  to  purchase  eighty  acres  of  land  on 
section  4,  Mount  Valley  township,  on  which  he  erected  a  log  house  with  a  thatched 
roof.  In  this  humble  little  home  the  family  lived  for  some  years,  but  at  length 
a  more  modern  residence  was  erected  upon  land  adjoining  which  the  father  had 
bought  in  the  meantime.  There  he  died  on  the  22d  of  March,  1916,  at  the  ripe 
old  age  of  eighty-six  years  and  three  months.  The  mother  of  our  subject  had 
passed  away  in  1874  and  the  father  was  again  married  in  1885,  his  second  union 
being  with  Miss  Ingeborg  Void,  who  died  in  1901.  By  the  first  marriage  there 
were  three  children,  those  still  living  being  Ole  G.  and  his  brother  Gilbert,  who 
resides  on  the  home  place. 

During  his  boyhood  Ole  G.  Thune  attended  the  district  schools  and  also 
acquired  an  excellent  knowledge  of  farm  work.  Later  he  worked  at  various 
occupations  for  some  years  but  in  1898  bought  eighty  acres  of  land  adjoining 
his  present  home  farm  on  the  east.  He  has  since  engaged  in  farming  and  in 
1910  purchased  the  place  where  he  now  lives,  locating  thereon  in  1911.  His  farm 
now  comprises  two  hundred  acres,  all  in  one  tract,  and  he  is  successfully  engaged 
in  its  operation.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Leland  Farmers  Elevator  Company 
and  also  in  the  Farmers  Cooperative  Creamery  Company  of  Leland. 

In  1901  Mr.  Thune  married  Miss  Anna  Peterson,  and  to  them  have  been  bom 
seven  children,  those  still  living  being:  Gisle  M.,  Delbert  Austin,  Oscar  Carl, 
Wilma  Ruth,  Palmer  and  Edna  Margaret.  The  family  are  members  of  the  United 
Lutheran  church  and  Mr.  Thune  is  a  republican  in  politics.  He  never  withholds 
his  support  from  any  enterprise  which  he  believes  calculated  to  promote  the  moral 
or  educational  welfare  of  his  community  and  for  sixteen  years  has  eflBciently 
served  in  some  oflBcial  capacity  in  his  township.  He  is  now  filling  his  second  term 
a«  township  clerk,  has  been  a  member  of  the  board  of  township  trustees  ten  years, 
and  is  president  of  the  school  board  at  the  present  time.  He  is  also  secretary 
of  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  and  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  leading  citizens 
of  his  locality. 


ERIK   B.    STENE. 


The  name  of  Stene  has  been  associated  with  the  agricultural  development  of 
Winnebago  county  from  a  very  early  period  in  the  settlement  of  this  section  of 
the  state.  The  homestead  farm  of  Erik  B.  Stene,  which  is  situated  on  section  11, 
Norway  township,  was  taken  over  by  his  uncle  and  aunt,  Ole  and  Anna  Terum, 
as  a  government  claim.  They  were  among  the  first  group  of  Norwegians  to 
establish  homes  in  this  section  of  the  state  and  Erik  B.  Stene  purchased  his  farm 
from  them.  He  was  born  in  Norway,  October  14,  1^49,  a  son  of  Botolf  and 
Ingeborg  Stene,  who  were  farming  people  of  that  land,  where  they  spent  their 
entire  lives  and  reared  their. family  of  seven  children,  of  whom  four  are  still  living, 
Erik  B.  being  the  eldest.  The  others  who  survive  are:  Elling,  who  resides  upon 
the  old  homestead  farm  in  Norway,  Johannes,  also  living  in  Norway;  and  L.  B., 
who  is  located  in  Norway  township,  Winnebago  county. 

Erik  B.  Stene  spent  the  period  of  his  minority  in  his  native  country,  but 
on  reaching  the  age  of  twenty-one  years  determined  to  try  his  fortune  in  America. 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  389 

for  the  reports  which  had  reached  him  had  convinced  him  that  better  opportuni- 
ties might  be  secured  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic.  It  requires  determination  and 
courage,  however,  to  sever  home  ties  and  go  to  a  new  country,  with  the  language 
and  customs  of  which  one  is  unfamiliar.  This  must  of  itself  involve  the  individual 
in  many  hardships,  but  Mr.  Stene  possessed  a  resolute  will  and  carried  out  his 
purpose.  He  made  his  way  at  once  to  Iowa  and  began  earning  his  living  as  a 
farm  hand,  being  thus  employed  until  he  reached  the  age  of  thirty-five  years.  In 
the  meantime,  however,  he  was  saving  his  earnings  with  the  purpose  of  some  day 
owning  a  farm  and  eventually  he  purchased  land  on  the  northwest  quarter  of 
section  11  and  the  northeast  quarter  of  section  10,  Norway  township,  Winnebago 
county.  This  he  cleared  and  improved  and  to  the  further  development  and  culti- 
vation of  the  tract  has  since  given  his  attention.  The  excellent  appearance  of 
the  place  bears  testimony  to  the  care  and  labor  which  he  has  bestowed  upon  it. 

When  twenty-five  years  of  age  Mr.  Stene  was  united  in  marriage  to  Torgron 
Nelson,  whose  parents  were  Nels  and  Anna  Nelson,  natives  of  Norway,  who  became 
residents  of  Freeborn  county,  Minnesota,  where  the  father  continued  to  engage  in 
farming  until  his  death.  Both  he  and  his  wife  lie  buried  there  in  Lime  Creek 
cemetery.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stene  became  the  parents  of  four  children,  of  whom  one 
died  in  infancy,  while  three  are  yet  living,  namely :  Emma,  now  the  wife  of  Peter 
Dahle,  of  Worth  county,  Iowa ;  Butler,  who  is  living  in  Norway  township ;  and 
Anna,  the  wife  of  Gilbert  Hanson,  of  the  same  township.  The  wife  and  mother 
passed  away  September  11,  1882,  and  her  remains  were  interred  in  the  family 
cemetery  on  the  farm.  Mr.  Stene  was  married  August  14,  1887,  to  Gure  Lange- 
land,  a  daughter  of  Lars  and  Mageli  (Nelson)  Langeland,  who  were  natives  of 
Norway,  where  both  passed  away.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stene  have  three  children,  namely : 
Matilda,  who  is  the  wife  of  Oscar  Thompson,  of  St.  Paul,  Minnesota;  Alfred, 
who  operates  the  home  farm ;  and  Elma,  who  is  yet  under  the  parental  roof. 

Mr.  Stene  votes  with  the  republican  party  and  his  fellow  townsmen,  recognizing 
his  worth  and  ability,  have  frequently  called  him  to  public  office.  He  has  filled 
most  of  the  township  positions,  including  that  of  assessor,  trustee  and  school  treas- 
urer. He  and  his  wife  belong  to  the  Synod  Lutheran  church  and  they  are  much 
esteemed  in  the  community,  occupying  an  enviable  position  in  social  circles  in 
their  neighborhood.  Mr.  Stene  has  never  had  occasion  to  regret  his  determination 
to  come  to  the  United  States,  for  while  he  has  worked  hard,  he  has  secured  the 
results  of  his  labors  and  has  made  for  himself  a  creditable  position  among  the 
substantial  and  representative  farmers  of  Norway  township. 


HENRY  C.  BEIER. 


Henry  C.  Beier,  who  is  engaged  in  general  farming  on  section  29,  German 
township,  Hancock  county,  was  born  in  Delaware  on  .the  25th  of  August,  1869,  a 
son  of  William  J.  and  Louisa  (Schlei)  Beier,  natives  of  Germany,  who  about 
1864  came  to  the  new  world.  The  father  has  now  passed  away,  but  the  mother 
is  still  living. 

The  youthful  days  of  Henry  C.  Beier  were  largely  devoted  to  the  acquirement 
of  a  conmion  school  education  and  to  work  upon  the  home  farm.    He  continued 


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390  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

to  aBsist  his  father  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty-eight  years,  receiving  no 
wages  for  his  services.  At  that  time  his  father  deeded  him  a  farm  on  section  29, 
German  township,  Hancock  county,  which  has  been  in  his  possession  since  1897. 
That  he  has  prospered  in  his  undertakings  is  indicated  in  the  fact  that  in  1914  he 
purchased  a  second  farm,  comprising  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres.  His  places  are 
well  developed  and  improved,  showing  all  the  evidences  of  modem  progressive 
farming.  He  has  good  buildings  upon  his  place  and  utilizes  scientific  methods  in 
conducting  the  various  branches  of  his  work.  His  attention  is  principally  given 
to  the  raising  of  Holstein  cattle  and  Duroc-Jersey  hogs,  and  his  high  grade  stock 
brings  gratifying  prices  when  put  upon  the  market. 

On  the  22d  of  December,  1897,  Mr.  Beier  was  married  to  Miss  Ida  Lenz,  a 
daughter  of  Fred  and  Lena  (Rolf us)  Lenz,  both  of  whom  are  natives  of  Ger- 
many, whence  they  came  to  the  new  world,  and  who  are  now  living  in  Hancock 
county.  For  a  long  period  the  father  was  engaged  in  farming,  but  has  now 
retired  from  active  business. 

Politically  Mr.  Beier  is  a  republican,  giving  stalwart  support  to  the  party. 
He  has  filled  the  offices  of  township  clerk  and  school  director,  and  he  cooperates 
in  many  movements  and  plans  which  he  believes  will  prove  helpful  in  the  upbuild- 
ing of  the  conununity.  He  is  a  director  of  the  creamery  company  at  Klenmie. 
Ho  has  never  become  identified  with  any  lodges,  but  has  taken  an  active  part  in 
promoting  the  moral  progress  of  the  community  through  his  support  of  the  German 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in  which  he  holds  membership.  He  has  always 
dovotod  his  life  to  agricultural  pursuits  and  stock  raising,  and  thus  concentrating 
his  oflforts  along  a  single  line,  he  has  worked  his  way  upward,  winning  a  substan- 
tial measure  of  success  as  the  years  have  gone  on. 


PETER  KNUDSEN. 


Prominent  among  the  prosperous  farmers  of  Hancock  county  who  have  come 
to  the  now  world  empty  handed  and  have  won  success  through  their  own  well 
directed  efforts  is  Peter  Knudsen,  whose  home  is  on  section  26,  Magor  township. 
He  was  born  in  Denmark  on  the  22d  of  April,  1855,  and  is  a  son  of  Nickoly  and 
Catherine  (Rasmussen)  Knudsen,  who  came  to  the  United  States  in  1880  and 
located  in  Mitchell  county,  Iowa. 

Peter  Knudsen  began  his  education  in  the  schools  of  his  native  land,  but  also 
had  the  advantage  of  attending  school  in  Germany  for  some  time.  On  laying 
aside  his  textbooks  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years  he  found  work  in  Germany  and 
was  there  employed  for  about  three  years.  He  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in 
1873  and  took  up  his  abode  in  Mitchell  county,  Iowa,  where  he  worked  as  a  farm 
hand  for  a  number  of  years.  He  then  had  charge  of  an  elevator  at  Carpenter  for 
one  year  and  in  1879  came  to  Hancock  county  for  the  purpose  of  securing  a  farm 
of  his  own.  He  bought  eighty  acres  on  section  26,  Magor  township  and  in  1886 
bought  another  eighty  acres  on  the  same  section.  Having  steadily  prospered  in 
his  farming  operations,  he  extended  the  boundaries  of  his  place  by  the  purchase 
of  eighty  acres  on  section  19,  Amsterdam  township,  in  1900,  and  in  1903  bought 
one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  on  section  26,  Magor  township.     At  one 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COIPNTIES  391 

time  he  devoted  considerable  attention  to  the  raising  of  cattle  and  hogs,  but  is  now 
practically  living  retired,  leaving  the  active  work  of  the  farm  to  others.  He  has 
a  well  improved  place  under  high  cultivation  and  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  leading 
farmers  of  his  community. 

On  the  26th  of  September,  1880,  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Knudsen  and 
Miss  Bertha  Wilkie,  a  native  of  Germany  and  a  daughter  of  Frederick  and  Fred- 
ricka  (Redincel)  Wilkie.  She  came  with  her  parents  to  America  in  1876  and 
located  in  Mitchell  county,  Iowa.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Knudsen  have  three  children. 
Mate  M.,  Fred  N.  and  Ella  Bertha,  all  married. 

Mr.  Knudsen  is  a  republican  in  politics  and  has  always  taken  an  active  interest 
in  public  affairs,  serving  as  township  assessor  for  twenty  years,  township  trustee 
for  four  years  mnd  school  treasurer  for  ten  years.  In  religious  faith  he  is  a 
German  Lutheran.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Kanawha  Elevator,  Creamery  and 
Telephone  companies,  and  is  also  a  stockholder  and  director  of  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Kanawha.  He  is  a  farsighted,  enterprising  business  man,  who  generally 
carries  forward  to  successful  completion  whatever  he  undertakes,  and  he  is  today 
one  of  the  most  substantial  citizens  of  his  community. 


W.  G.  GREEN. 


Agricultural  interests  of  Hancock  county  find  a  substantial  representative  in 
W.  G.  Green,  who  follow^  farming  on  section  24,  Madison  township.  Wisconsin 
claims  him  as  a  native  son,  his  birth  having  there  occurred  on  the  5th  of  October, 
1858.  His  parents,  William  and  Ann  (Watts)  Green,  were  natives  of  England, 
but  came  to  America,  locating  in  Wisconsin.  In  the  ^BOs  they  removed  to  Iowa, 
settling  in  Black  Hawk  county,  but  later  they  became  residents  of  Bremer  county, 
where  both  passed  away.  They  had  a  family  of  three  children,  all  of  whom  are 
yet  living. 

W.  G.  Green  was  largely  reared  and  educated  in  Bremer  county,  pursuing  his 
studies  in  the  common  schools,  while  his  training  was  that  of  the  home  farm. 
He  early  became  familiar  with  the  best  methods  of  tilling  the  soil  and  caring 
for  the  crops  and  he  continued  with  his  parents  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty- 
five  years  and  then  began  farming  on  his  own  account  on  rented  land  in  Bremer 
county,  where  he  continued  to  reside  for  a  decade.  In  1894  he  came  to  Hancock 
county  and  purchased  his  present  farm  on  section  24,  Madison  township.  This 
he  has  since  improved  with  good  buildings  and  has  made  it  one  of  the  excellent 
farms  of  his  section.  He  raises  and  feeds  stock  of  all  kinds,  as  well  as  cultivates 
the  cereals  best  adapted  to  soil  and  climatic  ccTnditions  here,  and  his  practical  and 
progressive  methods  are  indicated  in  the  neat  and  attractive  appearance  of  his 
place.  In  addition  to  his  agricultural  interests  Mr.  Green  is  a  stockholder  in  the 
Farmers  elevator  and  also  in  the  Forest  City  Creamery. 

In  1884  *Mr.  Green  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ella  Smith,  a  native  of 
Buchanan  county,  Iowa,  and  a  daughter  of  William  and  Emily  (Smith)  Smith, 
who,  although  of  the  same  name,  were  not  related.  Both,  however,  were  natives 
of  England  and  came  to  America  in  the  ^50s.  They  first  settled  in  Jo  Daviess 
county,  Illinois,  but  afterward  removed  to  this  state,  where  both  passed  away. 


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392  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

Mrs.  Green  was  one  of  a  family  of  eight  children,  five  of  whom  are  now  living, 
and  by  her  marriage  she  has  become  the  mother  of  a  son,  Orville  E. 

In  his  fraternal  connections  Mr.  Green  is  a  Knight  of  Pythias  and  politically 
he  is  a  democrat.  For  some  years  he  served  as  school  director  and  for  six  years 
filled  the  office  of  county  supervisor,  making  a  creditable  record  in  that  position. 
His  worth  is  widely  recognized  and  those  who  know  him  esteem  him  highly. 


MRS.  LOUISA  F.  BEIER. 

Mrs.  Louisa  F.  Beier  resides  on  section  34,  German  township,  and  is  well 
known  in  Hancock  county,  where  she  has  long  made  her  home:  She  was  bom 
in  Germany,  August  14,  1842,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Caroline  (Winka)  Schlei, 
who  spent  their  entire  lives  in  their  native  country.  Mrs.  Beier  passed  the  period 
of  her  girlhood  in  the  fatherland,  and  was  a  young  woman  of  twenty-two  when 
she  came  to  the  United  States,  arriving  in  Clayton  county,  Iowa,  in  the  month 
of  June.  On  the  8th  of  October  following  she  became  the  wife  of  William  J. 
Beier,  a  native  of  Germany,  who  was  then  residing  at  Delhi,  Clayton  county, 
Ij/wa.  He  was  a  farmer,  living  upon  rente3  land,  but  the  family  were  ambitious 
to  own  a  farm  and  carefully  saved  their  earnings  until  in  1877  Mr.  Beier  was 
able  to  purchase  property,  securing  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  34, 
German  township,  Hancock  county,  for  which  he  paid  five  hundred  and  sixty 
dollars.  This  was  still  a  frontier  district  at  the  time.  There  were  no  trees 
upon  the  place,  no  roads  through  this  section  of  the  county  and  no  bridges.  In 
hauling  wheat  Mr.  Beier  would  have  to  throw  oflf  one-half  of  his  load  at  the 
river,  then  go  on  to  Garner  and  return  for  the  other  half.  He  paid  for  seed  at 
the  rate  of  a  dollar  and  a  half  per  bushel  and  sold  his  crop  at  fifty  cents  per 
bushel.  The  seed  was  largely  sown  by  hand  and  the  raking  was  done  with  teams. 
Corn  was  put  in  the  ground  with  hand  planters  and  farm  work  of  all  kinds  was 
done  in  a  primitive  manner  as  compared  with  present-day  methods  that  have 
been  brought  about  through  the  use  of  modern  machinery.  The  Beier  family 
were  among  the  first  to  settle  in  this  section,  there  being  only  three  houses  between 
their  place  and  Garner,  a  distance  of  ten  miles.  They  built  their  own  house, 
there  being  no  carpenters  in  the  neighborhood,  and  for  eight  years  they  occupied 
their  pioneer  dwelling.  It  was  then  replaced  by  a  more  commodious  and  attractive 
residence,  and  from  time  to  time  other  improvements  were  added  to  the  farm, 
which  in  the  course  of  years  was  converted  into  one  of  the  valuable  farm  properties 
of  German  township. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beier  became  the  parents  of  eight  children,  of  whom  seven  are 
yet  living:  Henry  C,  who  married  Ida  Lenz,  a  daughter  of  Fred  and  Lena 
(Rolfus)  Lenz;  Ida  M.,  the  wife  of  August  Bidder,  living  in  Klemme;  William  F., 
who  married  Bertha  Lemke,  a  daughter  of  Henry  Lemke;  Emma  A.,  the  wife  of 
William  Kulper,  a  resident  of  Waterloo,  Iowa;  Fred  Charles,  at  home;  Emil  G., 
who  cultivates  the  old  home  flarm ;  and  Lydia  M.,  who  is  also  at  home. 

The  husband  and  father  passed  away  on  the  26th  of  July,  1911,  and  his  death 
was  deeply  deplored  by  many  friends  who  had  come  to  esteem  him  as  a  man  of 
sterling  worth  and  as  a  valued  citizen  of  the  community.     His  political  allegiance 


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MR.  AND  MRS.  WILLIAM  J.  BEIER 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  395 

was  given  to  the  republican  party,  and  he  based  his  support  upon  an  intelligent 
understanding  of  party  principles.  For  years  he  was  a  school  director  and  the 
cause  of  education  found  in  him  a  stalwart  champion.  He  was  also  a  loyal 
member  of  the  German  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  to  which  Mrs.  Beier  still 
belongs.  She  has  now  reached  the  age  of  seventy-five  years  and  she  yet  occupies 
the  old  homestead.  She  is  one  of  the  highly  esteemed  ladies  of  this  section  and 
a  worthy  pioneer  woman  who  has  lived  to  witness  the  entire  development  of  this 
part  of  the  state.  Hancock  county  today  bears  little  resemblance  to  the  district 
in  which  she  and  her  husband  settled  many  years  ago,  for  at  that  time  the  wild 
prairie  was  all  around  them,  covered  by  one  unbroken,  dazzling  sheet  of  snow  in 
the  winter  months,  but  starred  with  a  million  wild  flowers  in  June.  Mrs.  Beier 
can  relate  many  interesting  incidents  of  the  early  days  when  the  work  of  pioneer 
development  was  being  carried  forward.  In  early  times  she  assisted  in  the  work 
and  stacked  all  of  the  grain  on  a  whole  section  of  land,  amounting  to  fifty-four 
hundred  bushels  of  oats  and  fifteen  hundred  bushels  of  wheat.  She  aided  in 
the  threshing  and  did  everything  possible  to  assist  her  husband  in  getting  a  start 
Today  she  is  surrounded  with  not  only  the  necessities  and  comforts  but  some  of 
the  luxuries  of  life,  and  is  able  to  enjoy  that  rest  which  has  come  to  her  after  a 
most  active  and  useful  career.  The  farm  work  is  now  being  carried  on  by  her 
son,  E.  6.  Beier,  who  is  a  representative  farmer,  active  and  energetic  in  all  his 
undertakings. 


WILLIAM  E.  HAES. 


William  E.  Haes,  who  is  carrying  on  general  farming  on  section  33,  Garfield 
township,  Hancock  county,  has  been  a  lifelong  resident  of  Iowa,  his  birth  having 
occurred  in  Worth  county  oh  the  30th  of  November,  1877.  His  parents,  Andrew 
and  Amelia  Haes,  were  also  natives  of  this  state  and  the  mother  is  now  residing  in 
Gamer,  Iowa.  The  father  passed  away  April  26,  1916,  at  Grafton,  Iowa.  In 
their  family  were  eleven  children:  Minnie,  William,  Martha,  Mollie,  Henry, 
Emil,  Fred,  Lena,  Elmer,  Alvin  and  Julius.  Five  of  the  number  are  now  married 
and  five  reside  in  Hancock  county.  Minnie  lives  at  St.  Paul,  Minnesota;  Mollie 
and  Henry  at  Ventura,  Iowa;  and  Emil  and  Fred  at  Waterloo,  Iowa.  Martha 
died  when  a  baby.     She  and  William  were  twins. 

William  E.  Haes  acquired  a  common  school  education  and  throughout  his 
entire  life  he  has  been  connected  with  agricultural  interests.  He  purchased  land 
on  section  33,  Garfield  township,  Hancock  county,  where  he  now  has  one  hundred 
and  twenty  acres,  and  to  the  further  development  and  improvement  of  this  prop- 
erty he  is  giving  his  time  and  attention.  Annually  he  gathers  good  crops  as  a 
reward  for  the  care  and  labor  which  he  bestows  upon  his  fields,  and  the  neat  and 
thrifty  appearance  of  his  place  indicates  his  careful  and  progressive  methods. 
He  is  also  the  owner  of  stock  in  the  Farmers  Cooperative  Creamery  and  in  the 
Farmers  Elevator  at  Garner. 

On  the  26th  of  November,  1903,  Mr.  Haes  was  married  to  Miss  Martha  Kettle- 
son,  a  daughter  of  Charles  and  Emma  Kettleson,  who  are  now  residing  in  Bruce, 
Wisconsin.     Two  children  have  been  bom  of  this  union,  Mildred  and  Ernest.     In 


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396  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

his  political  views  Mr.  Haes  is  a  democrat  and  for  one  year  served  as  township 
assessor,  but  has  never  been  an  ofBce  seeker.  He  and  his  wife  belong  to  the 
English  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  are  well  known  and  highly  esteemed  in 
the  community  where  they  make  their  home.  Mr.  Haes  has  lived  a  life  of  industry 
and  thrift  and  has  never  allowed  difficulties  and  obstacles  to  bar  his  path,  but  has 
regarded  them  rather  as  an  impetus  to  renewed  effort  on  his  part. 


MONS  N.  HELLE. 


Mons  N.  Helle,  deceased,  was  one  of  the  honored  citizens  and  prosperous 
farmers  of  Norway  township,  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  his  home  being  on  section 
11,  where  his  widow  still  resides.  He  came  from  the  land  of  the  midnight  sun, 
for  he  was  bom  in  Norway,  March  18,  1848,  and  in  that  country  was  reared  and 
educated.  His  parents  never  came  to  the  United  States,  but  when  he  was  twenty 
years  of  age  he  resolved  to  try  his  fortune  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic  and  on 
reaching  the  new  world  continued  his  journey  westward  to  Spring  Prairie,  Wis- 
consin, where  he  spent  one  year  and  a  half.  It  was  in  1870  that  he  arrived  in 
Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  and  purchased  the  southeast  quarter  of  section  11,  Nor- 
way township,  which  he  placed  under  cultivation  and  improved  with  good  and 
substantial  buildings.  He  met  with  success  in  his  farming  operations  and  con- 
t^ued  to  engage  in  agricultural  pursuits  until  called  to  his  final  rest  on  the  4th 
of  May,  1914.    His  remains  were  interred  in  the  Lime  Creek  cemetery. 

On  May  26,  1876,  Mr.  Helle  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Catherine  Dahle, 
who  was  also  born  in  Norway  on  the  19th  of  September,  1853,  and  was  about 
twenty  years  of  age  when  Fhe  came  alone  to  the  United  States  to  make  her  home 
with  her  brother,  Ole  M.  Dahle,  who  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Norway  town- 
ship, Winnebago  county.  Her  parents  were  lifelong  residents  of  Norway.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Helle  were  bom  nine  children,  but  Melvin  and  Cora,  twins,  died  in 
infancy.  Those  living  are  Mabel,  now  the  wife  of  N.  E.  Brudvig,  of  Logan  town- 
ship, Winnebago  county ;  Carrie,  the  wife  of  John  Dahle,  of  the  same  township ; 
Nels  M.  and  Mikkel,  both  residents  of  Stutsman  county.  North  Dakota;  Clara,  at 
home;  Marie,  the  wife  of  Nels  Olson,  of  Iowa  City;  and  Ole  M.,  who  is  farming 
the  home  place.  Wherever  known  the  family  are  held  in  the  highest  esteem.  By 
his  ballot  Mr.  Helle  supported  the  men  and  measures  of  the  republican  party,  but 
was  never  a  politician  in  the  sense  of  office  seeking.  He  was  one  of  the  representa- 
tive farmers  of  his  community  and  his  success  was  well  merited,  as  it  was  due 
entirely  to  his  own  industry  and  good  management. 


DAVID   T.    DUNCAN. 


David  T.  Duncan,  residing  upon  a  farm  on  section  22,  Amsterdam  toiraship, 
has  for  sixteen  years  lived  in  Hancock  county.  He  was  bom  at  Deer  Creek, 
Illinois,  on  the  24th  of  April,  1861,  a  son  of  George  and  Jessie  (Tyrie)  Duncan, 
who  were  natives  of  Scotland.     He  obtained  his  education  in  the  district  schools 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  397 

of  Illinois,  which  he  attended  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty  years,  and  then 
rented  land  for  six  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  purchased  eighty 
acres  of  the  old  homestead  in  Illinois  but  afterward  determined  to  try  his  fortune 
in  Iowa  and  came  to  Hancock  county,  where  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  of  land  on  section  22,  Amsterdam  township.  Upon  this  place  he  has  since 
made  his  home  and  it  is  well  known  as  the  Bonnie  View  Farm.  Hereon  he  raises 
pure  bred  Percheron  horses  and  Poland  China  hogs,  his  stock  raising  interests 
being  an  important  feature  of  his  business.  He  also  cultivates  the.  cereals  best 
adapted  to  soil  and  climate  and  his  farm  work  is  carefully  and  systematically 
managed. 

On  the  28th  of  January,  1886,  Mr.  Duncan  was  married  to  Miss  Clara  Chaflfer, 
a  daughter  of  Fred  and  Bebecca  (Lee)  Chaflfer,  natives  respectively  of  England 
and  of  Pennsylvania.  To  this  union  six  children  have  been  bom,  Jessie  May, 
Stella  R.,  Nellie  M.,  Hazel,  Myrtle  F.  and  Florence  C. 

Mr.  Duncan  is  a  republican  but  has  never  been  an  oflBce  seeker.  He  belongs 
to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  in  his  life  he  displays  many  substantial 
qualities  and  traits  of  character  which  command  for  him  the  good  will,  confidence 
and  high  regard  of  all  with  whom  he  is  associated.  He  has  won  prosperity  through 
earnest,  diligent  and  intelligently  directed  eflFort  and  he  certainly  deserves  much 
credit  for  what  he  has  undertaken  and  accomplished. 


ELWYN  G.  GASKILL. 


Elwyn  6.  Gaskill,  who  owns  the  family  homestead  of  three  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  in  Magor  township,  operates  the  place  on  the  same  principle  that  a  business 
man  conducts  his  aflPairs  and  ranks  among  the  most  progressive  and  most  efficient 
agriculturists  of  Hancock  county.  He  was  bom  in  Bureau  county,  Illinois, 
October  23,  1874,  a  son  of  William  and  Alice  (Holroyd)  Gaskill.  The  father  was 
born  in  Blackstone,  Massachusetts,  but  was  taken  as  a  child  by  his  parents  to 
Illinois  and  was  reared  upon  the  home  farm  near  Wyanet.  He  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  district  schools  of  the  Prairie  state  and  resided  there  until  a  number 
of  years  after  his  marriage.  In  1884  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Hancock 
county,  Iowa,  and  purchased  the  south  half  of  section  17,  Magor  township,  which 
he  operated  for  many  years.  He  was  highly  esteemed  by  all  who  knew  him  and 
his  death  in  1913  was  deeply  regretted.  He  was  quite  active  in  public  aflPairs  and 
served  as  township  trustee  and  also  as  school  director.  His  wife  was  a  native  of 
Bureau  county,  Illinois,  and  lived  there  until  the  removal  of  the  family  to  Hancock 
county,  Iowa,  in  1884.     Her  demise  occurred  upon  the  home  farm  in  1911. 

Elwyn  G.  Gaskill  was  but  nine  years  old  when  the  family  home  was  established 
in  Hancock  county,  and  accordingly  his  education  was  largely  obtained  in  the 
district  schools  here.  He  aided  his  father  in  farming  the  home  place  until  the 
latter'?  death  and  is  now  the  owner  of  the  homestead,  which  comprises  the  south 
half  of  section  17,  Magor  township,  and  which  is  as  fine  a  farm  as  can  be  found 
in  the  county.  The  land  is  well  drained  and.  tba  buildings  commodious,  substan- 
tial and  well  adapted  to  their  purposes.  He  raises  the  usual  grains  and  also  gives 
considerable  attention  to  breeding  high  grade  stocV.     In  addition  to  his  general 


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398  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

farming  interests  he  buys  and  sells  stock  to  some  extent  and  is  a  director  of  the 
Farmers  Savings  Bank  at  Corwith.  From  1904  until  1913  he  was  managing 
director  of  the  Corwith  Eural  Telephone  Company  and  made  an  excellent  record 
in  that  connection,  keeping  the  service  up  to  a  high  standard  and  also  making 
the  concern  pay  financially. 

Mr.  Gaskill  was  married  on  the  5th  of  November,  1903,  at  Livermore,  Iowa, 
to  Miss  Winnifred  Bravender,  who  engaged  in  teaching  before  her  marriage.  She 
taught  in  Livermore  for  some  time  and  was  following  her  profession  in  Corwith 
when  she  met  Mr.  Gaskill.  She  is  a  daughter  of  A.  E.  and  Lucy  (Lyons)  Braven- 
der, the  former  born  in  Canada  and  the  latter  in  Iowa.  The  father  engaged  in 
fanning  in  Humboldt  county,  Iowa,  near  Livermore,  for  a  long  period,  but  is  now 
living  retired  at  Marshall,  Minnesota.  The  mother  also  survives.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Gaskill  have  three  children,  William  Albert,  Marjorie  and  George,  all  born  on  the 
homestead. 

Mr.  Gaskill  supports  the  republican  party  at  the  polls  and  is  now  serving  as 
trustee  of  Magor  township  and  as  treasurer  of  the  school  board.  In  the  discharge 
of  his  official  duties  he  manifests  the  same  grasp  of  situations  and  the  same  almost 
unerring  judgment  that  have  characterized  him  in  the  management  of  his  business 
interests.  He  belongs  to  Paradise  Lodge,  No.  553,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Corwith,  and 
exemplifies  in  his  life  the  beneficent  spirit  of  the  craft.  He  is  a  trustee  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  is  very  active  in  its  work  and  contributes  liberally 
to  its  support.  His  wife  is  also  a  prominent  church  worker  and  is  now  teaching 
a  Sunday  school  class.  The  name  of  Gaskill  has  been  associated  in  Hancock  county 
with  progressive  spirit,  unquestionable  integrity  and  ability  for  more  than  three 
decades,  and  Mr.  Gaskill  of  this  review  is  accorded  the  same  honor  and  esteem 
given  his  father  before  him. 


ANDREW  OLSON. 


Throughout  an  active,  useful  and  well  spent  life  Andrew  Olson  followed  the 
occupation  of  farming,  taking  up  his  abode  in  Twin  Lake  township,  Hancock 
county,  in  1871,  at  which  time  he  secured  four  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land 
on  sections  30  and  31.  For  many  years  he  carefully  tilled  the  soil  and  developed 
the  place,  but  his  life's  labors  were  ended  in  death  in  1909.  He  was  bom  on  the 
13th  of  December,  1839,  in  Norway,  a  son  of  Ole  Olson,  who  was  a  native  of 
Norway  but  became  a  resident  of  Wisconsin,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  and 
where  both  he  and  his  wife  died. 

The  youthful  days  of  Andrew  Olson  were  passed  in  the  usual  manner  of  the 
farm  bred  boy,  who  divides  his  time  between  the  acquirement  of  an  education,  the 
work  of  the  fields  and  the  pleasure  of  the  playground.  After  attaining  his  major- 
ity he  was  married  in  Norway  to  Miss  Lena  Holberg,  a  native  of  that  country 
and  a  daughter  of  John  Holberg.  To  them  were  bom  six  children,  Ole,  Minnie, 
John,  Edwin,  Anton  and  Benton,  all  of  whom  were  born  in  Twin  Lake  township, 
Hancock  county,  Iowa.  The  first  two  and  the  last  two  are  now  married.  The 
other  sons  still  remain  upon  the  old  homestead,  which  they  are  now  carefully  and 
profitably  cultivating. 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  399 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Olson  was  a  republican  and  his  fellow  townsmen, 
recognizing  his  worth  and  ability,  called  him  to  several  local  oflBces.  He  served  as 
township  trustee  and  town  supervisor  and  school  director.  His  religious  faith  was 
that  of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church,  and  he  guided  his  life  according  to  its 
teachings,  attempting  always  to  do  unto  others  as  he  would  have  them  do  unto 
him.  He  was  found  thoroughly  reliable  in  his  business  transactions,  and  his 
friends  and  neighbors  came  to  esteem  him  as  an  upright,  honorable  man.  In 
business  affairs  he  displayed  sound  judgment,  and  whatever  success  he  achieved 
was  the  direct  reward  of  his  own  labors. 


HANS  FBEDBICKSON. 


Hans  Fredrickson  is  one  of  the  prosperous  farmers  and  representative  citizens 
of  Hancock  county  whose  home  is  in  Crystal  township,  where  he  owns  and  operates 
a  valuable  tract  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land.  Like  many  of  the  lead- 
ing men  of  the  county,  he  is  of  Scandinavian  birth,  being  bom  in  Denmark  on 
the  4th  of  July,  1857,  a  son  of  Lars  and  Caroline  (Hanson)  Fredrickson.  He 
was  a  child  of  only  four  years  when  his  father  died  and  his  mother  subsequently 
married  Nels  Larson,  With  whom  she  came  to  the  United  States  in  the  spring  of 
1872.  The  family  located  in  Freeborn  county,  Minnesota,  Mr.  Larson  purchasing 
a  farm  eight  miles  east  of  Albert  Lea,  but  later  he  sold  that  place  to  a  brother 
of  our  subject  and  bought  another  farm  two  miles  west  of  the  same  city,  where 
he  resided  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  September  21,  1912.  Mrs. 
Larson  had  passed  away  in  January,  1910. 

In  the  land  of  his  nativity  Hans  Fredrickson  passed  the  first  fifteen  years  of 
his  life  and  his  education  was  mainly  acquired  in  the  common  schools  of  that 
countryf  for  he  only  attended  school  four  months  after  coming  to  America  with  the 
family  in  1872.  When  in  his  sixteenth  year  he  began  earning  his  own  livelihood, 
working  by  the  month  as  a  farm  hand  for  some  time.  At  length  he  was  able  to 
purchase  property  and,  coming  to  Hancock  county  in  1882,  he  bought  one  hundred 
and  twenty  acres  of  land  on  section  28,  Crystal  township,  which  he  at  once  began 
to  cultivate  and  improve.  In  1889  he  sold  that  farm  and  purchased  eighty  acres 
of  his  present  farm  on  section  19,  Crystal  township,  to  which  he  added  eighty 
acres  in  1901  and  another  eighty  acre  tract  in  1916,  so  that  he  now  has  ftn  excel- 
lent farm  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres.  This  he  has  tiled  and  otherwise 
improved  and  the  fields  are  made  to  yield  abundant  harvests. 

On  the  1st  of  May,  1885,  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Fredrickson  and  Miss 
Anna  Jensen,  also  a  native  of  Denmark,  who  came  to  the  United  States  only  a 
short  time  previous  to  her  marriage.  To  them  have  been  born  eight  children,  all 
living,  namely:  Hilda,  now  the  wife  of  Hans  Larson,  a  farmer  of  Rusk  county, 
Wisconsin ;  Clara  and  Arthur,  both  at  home ;  Eleanor,  the  wife  of  Martin  Madson, 
a  farmer  of  Crystal  township,  Hancock  county,  Iowa;  Emma,  who  lives  at  home 
and  is  teaching  in  the  district  schools;  Neva,  who  is  attending  the  Britt  high 
school ;  and  William  and  Clifford,  both  at  home. 

Having  little  opportunity  during  his  youth  to  gain  an  education,  Mr.  Fred- 
rickson has  come  to  realize  what  an  education  means  in  these  days  of  progress, 


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400  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

and  has  endeavored  to  give  his  children  good  advantages  along  that  line.  For 
ten  years  he  eflficiently  served  as  school  director  and  the  cause  of  education  has 
always  found  in  him  a  hearty  supporter.  In  politics  he  is  a  democrat,  and  he  is 
an  earnest  and  consistent  member  of  the  Danish  Lutheran  church,  to  which  his 
wife  and  family  alFo  belong.  He  is  a  stockholder  of  the  Farmers  Cooperative 
Creamery  Company  of  Crystal  Lake  and  is  a  man  of  good  business  ability  and 
sound  judgment  whose  success  in  life  is  due  entirely  to  his  own  well  directed 
efforts  and  untiring  industry. 


ALBERT  H.  PETERSON. 

Albert  H.  Peterson,  who  carries  on  general  farming  on  section  18,  Norway 
township,  Winnebago  county,  has  a  good  tract  of  land  which  responds  readily  to 
the  care  and  labor  that  he  bestows  upon  it,  and  by  reason  of  his  practical  and 
progressive  methods  he  has  come  to  rank  with  the  substantial  farmers  of  Winne- 
bago county.  He  was  bom  in  Winneshiek  county,  Iowa,  October  1,  1869,  a  son 
of  Hans  and  Anna  (Twito)  Peterson,  the  former  a  native  of  Norway,  while  the 
latter  was  bom  near  Muskego,  Wisconsin,  which  was  the  first  Norwegian  settle- 
ment in  the  United  States.  The  father  was  but  a  young  lad  when  brought  by  his 
parents  to  the  new  world,  the  family  home  being  established  in  Winnebago  county, 
Wisconsin,  where  his  parents  followed  farming  until  called  to  the  home  beyond. 
They  were  laid  to  rest  near  Winchester  in  that  county.  Hans  Peterson  acquired 
his  education  in  the  pioneer  schools  of  the  Badger  state,  and  after  the  outbreak 
of  the  Civil  war  joined  Company  K  of  the  Eleventh  Wisconsin  Infantry.  He  saw 
active  service  throughout  the  period  of  hostilities,  and  after  peace  was  declared  he 
removed  to  Fillmore  county,  Minnesota,  where  he  married  Anna  Twito,  a  daughter 
of  Hans  Twito,  who  came  from  Norway  in  1843  and  settled  in  Muskego,  Wis- 
consin, but  later  removed  to  Fillmore  county,  Minnesota.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peterson 
began  their  domestic  life  upon  a  rented  farm,  upon  which  they  lived  for  a  short 
time,  and  later  they  removed  to  Emmet  county,  Iowa,  where  Mr.  Peterson  endeav- 
ored to  develop  a  homestead,  but  the  crops  were  destroyed  by  grasshoppers,  and 
in  1876  they  removed  to  Winnebago  county.  At  one  time  Mr.  Peterson  served  as 
deputy  sheriff  of  the  county.  He  lived  at  Lake  Mills  until  a  few  years  ago,  but 
he  and  his  wife  are  now  residents  of  Perkins  county,  South  Dakota,  making  their 
home  with  their  daughter  Nettie,  who  is  the  wife  of  Peter  Larson.  They  have  a 
family  of  five  children :  Albert  H. ;  Hilda,  who  is  now  the  widow  of  Isaac  Larson 
and  makes  her  home  in  Freebom  county,  Minnesota;  MoUie,  the  wife  of  Martin 
Dakken,  of  Lake  Mills;  Nettie,  now  Mrs.  Peter  Larson;  and  Amanda,  the  wife 
of  J.  S.  Hood,  of  Perkins  county,  South  Dakota. 

Albert  H.  Peterson  attended  the  common  schools  until  he  reached  the  age  of 
sixteen  years  and  then  began  earning  his  living  as  a  farm  hand.  He  was  thus 
employed  until  he  attained  his  majority,  when  he  began  farming  on  his  own 
account  on  rented  land  in  Newton  township.  He  spent  four  years  in  that  way, 
during  which  period  he  carefully  saved  his  earnings  until  the  sum  was  sufficient 
to  enable  him  to  purchase  property.  He  invested  in  land  in  Lyon  county,  Minne- 
sota, on  which  he  lived  for  a  year,  and  when  twenty-seven  years  of  age  he  bought 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  401 

eighty  acres  on  section  18,  Norway  township,  which  he  has  since  owned  and  culti- 
vated save  that  in  the  year  1907  he  resided  upon  a  quarter  section  of  land  in 
Lyman  county,  South  Dakota,  in  order  to  obtain  that  property  under  the  home- 
stead act.  He  exercises  great  care  and  thought  in  the  management  of  his  farm 
and  annually  gathers  golden  harvests  as  a  reward  for  the  care  and  labor  which  he 
bestows  upon  the  fields. 

Mr.  Peterson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Gertie  Kvale,  a  daughter  of 
Engebret  and  Berit  (Kvale)  Kvale,  who  came  to  this  country  from  Norway,  and 
after  residing  in  Winneshiek  county,  Iowa,  for  four  years,  removed  to  Winnebago 
county  about  1875,  settling  in  Norway  township.  Mrs.  Kvale  died  in  1908,  but 
Mr.  Kvale  is  still  living  on  the  home  farm.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peterson  have  become 
the  parents  of  eight  children,  as  follows :  Alpha  B.,  Hamlet  E.,  Hilda  M.,  Alice 
G.,  Melvin  Reuben,  Isabelle  M.,  Marie  G.  and  Henry  T.,  all  at  home. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peterson  hold  membership  in  the  Synod  Lutheran  church  and 
he  votes  with  the  republican  party.  For  twelve  years  or  more  he  served  on  the 
school  board  as  a  director  from  the  time  the  school  district  was  organized.  He 
has  never  sought  nor  desired  office,  however,  preferring  to  concentrate  his  time 
and  energies  upon  his  business  affairs.  All  that  he  possesses  he  has  made  through 
his  own  efforts,  for  he  started  out  empty  handed.  Today  he  is  the  owner  of  a 
splendidly  improved  farm  and  is  &  stockholder  of  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company 
and  the  creamery  company  of  Scarville.  He  stands  as  a  representative  of  that 
type  of  citizens  of  whom  Iowa  has  reason  to  be  proud — ^men  whose  force  of  char- 
acter and  ability  is  sufficient  to  enable  them  to  overcome  difficulties  and  obstacles 
and  steadily  work  their  way  upward  to  success. 


JOSEPH  E.  ERICKSON. 

Joseph  E.  Erickson,  actively  engaged  in  general  farming  on  section  26,  Amster- 
dam township,  Hancock  county,  displays  the  qualities  of  western  enterprise  and 
progress  which  have  been  the  dominant  features  in  the  development  of  this  section 
of  the  country.  He  was  bom  August  29,  1876,  his  parents  being  Erick  and  Ellen 
(Nelson)  Erickson,  the  former  a  native  of  Norway  and  the  latter  of  Hlinois. 
They  came  to  Iowa  by  covered  wagon  before  the  year  1860  and  cast  in  their  lot 
with  the  pioneer  settlers  who  were  contributing  to  the  early  development  and 
upbuilding  of  the  state.  ^  The  father  is  still  living  at  the  age  of  sixty-five  years 
and  the  mother  at  the  age  of  sixty-six. 

Reared  upon  the  home  farm,  Joseph  E.  Erickson  acquired  a  district  school 
education,  pursuing  his  studies  to  the  age  of  seventeen,  after  which  his  entire 
time  was  concentrated  upon  farm  work  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty-one. 
He  then  went  to  North  Dakota,  where  he  carried  on  farming  for  seven  years,  and 
later  he  was  for  a  time  at  Spokane,  Washington.  On  leaving  that  state  he  took  up 
his  abode  in  Story  county,  Iowa,  and  for  two  years  rented  his  father's  farm.  He 
then  bought  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land,  which  he  cultivated  for  a 
time,  and  after  selling  that  property  he  came  to  Hancock  county,  establishing  his 
home  on  section  26,  Amsterdam  township,  where  he  became  owner  of  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  of  land  which  he  has  converted  into  rich  and  productive  fields, 

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402  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

gathering  therefrom  good  harvests  annually.  He  follows  progressive  methods  in 
developing  his  farm  and  has  made  it  an  attractive  and  valuable  property.  In 
addition  to  tilling  the  soil  he  is  interested  in  the  Kanawha  Creamery. 

On  the  16th  of  May,  1896,  Mr.  Eriekson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Char- 
lotte Quam,  her  parents  being  Peter  and  Yetta  Gurina  (Vatsoog)  Quam,  natives 
of  Norway.  They  have  six  children,  namely:  Gaylord  E.,  Ernest  P.,  Bert  A., 
Mabel  R.,  Jordan  C.  and  Viola  B.,  all  of  whom  are  still  under  the  parental  roof. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Eriekson  are  members  of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church  and  in 
his  political  views  the  former  is  a  republican,  but  he  does  not  seek  nor  desire 
office,  preferring  to  give  his  undivided  attention  to  his  business  affairs.  He  has 
always  followed  farming,  which  more  than  a  century  ago  George  Washington 
said  "is  the  most  useful  as  well  as  the  most  honorable  occupation  of  man.*'  He 
has  worked  diligently  and  persistently  and  his  efforts  have  been  rewarded  by  a 
substantial  measure  of  success. 


E.  P.  HANSON. 


Hancock  county  has  been  signally  favored  in  the  class  of  men  who  have  occupied 
her  public  offices,  for  on  the  whole  they  have  been  capable  and  devoted  to  duty. 
Such  an  official  is  found  in  E.  P.  Hanson,  who  is  now  serving  as  county  auditor. 
He  was  bom  in  Hancock  county,  Iowa,  September  14,  1878,  a  son  of  Peter  and 
Anna  (Sorensen)  Hanson,  who  are  natives  of  Denmark  and  a  record  of  whom 
appears  elsewhere  in  this  volume. 

E.  P.  Hanson  spent  his  youthful  days  under  the  parental  roof  and  acquired  a 
public  school  education.  He  was  reared  to  the  work  of  the  home  farm,  early 
becoming  familiar  with  the  best  methods  of  tilling  the  soil  and  caring  for  the 
crops.  When  his  textbooks  were  put  ^side  he  concentrated  his  efforts  upon  agricul- 
tural pursuits  and  continued  to  follow  farming  until  January,  1906,  when  he  was 
elected  county  recorder,  which  position  he  filled  for  four  years.  He  afterward 
took  up  farming  again,  devoting  two  years  to  the  work  of  the  fields,  and  in  1913 
he  was  made  assistant  cashier  in  the  Crystal  Lake  Savings  Bank,  in  which  institu- 
tion he  was  elected  to  the  vice  presidency  in  1914.  In  January,  1916,  he  was 
again  chosen  vice  president  of  the  bank  but  from  1914  until  1916  was  not  actively 
connected  with  its  management.  In  the  former  year  he  was  elected  county  auditor, 
entering  upon  the  duties  of  the  position  in  January,  1915,  and  on  the  7th  of 
November,  1916,  he  was  reelected  for  a  second  term  of  two  years  without  opposition 
— a  fact  which  indicates  how  faithfully  and  well  he  had  discharged  his  duties. 

On  the  28th  of  March,  1900,  Mr.  Hanson  was  married  to  Miss  Margaret 
Schroeder,  who  was  born  in  Grundy  county,  Iowa,  a  daughter  of  Andrew  Schroeder. 
Their  children  are  Maurice,  Leon,  Lorraine,  Naomi  and  Elwood  Peter.  The 
family  is  widely  and  favorably  known  in  Garner  and  throughout  Hancock  county. 
In  his  political  views  Mr.  Hanson  has  always  been  a  republican  and  has  done 
splendid  work  for  the  party,  contributing  in  large  measure  to  its  successes. 
Fraternally  he  is  connected  with  the  Red  Men,  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows  and  with  the  Masons,  having  taken  the  degrees  of  lodge,  chapter  and 
council,  while  in  his  life  he  exemplifies  the  beneficent  spirit  upon  which  the  craft 


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E.  P.  HANSON 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  405 

rests.  His  has  been  an  active  and  useful  career  and  his  life  record  stands  in 
contradistinction  to  the  old  adage  that  a  prophet  is  not  without  honor  save  in  his 
own  country,  for  Mr.  Hanson  is  a  native  son  of  the  county  in  which  he  still  resides 
and  in  which  he  has  spent  his  entire  life,  his  course  being  such  as  to  win  for 
him  the  confidence  and  high  regard  of  all  with  whom  he  as  been  brought  in  contact. 


ERIK  REIENES. 


Erik  Reienes,  an  enterprising  and  progressive  fanner  of  Mount  Valley  town- 
ship, Winnebago  county,  living  on  section  10,  was  bom  in  Norway  on  the  6th  of 
April,  1882,  a  son  of  Knute  and  Christina  Reienes.  The  mother  died  in  Norway, 
October  30,  1916,  and  the  father  still  makes  his  home  in  that  land. 

Erik  Reienes  pursued  a  common  school  education  and  on  attaining  his  majority 
came  to  the  United  States,  crossing  the  Atlantic  in  1903.  He  made  his  way  direct 
to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  where  he  has  since  lived.  Here  he  went  to  work 
for  Gottorm  Honsey  and  has  since  remained  in  his  employ.  In  later  years  he  has 
operated  the  Honsey  farm  in  connection  with  his  brother-in-law,  Samuel  Honsey. 
He  is  an  energetic  and  enterprising  business  man  who  in  the  conduct  of  the  farm 
displays  most  practical  and  progressive  methods.  He  is  also  a  stockholder  in  the 
Farmers  Cooperative  Creamery  Company  of  Lake  Mills  and  in  the  Farmers 
Elevator  Company  of  that  place. 

In  1908  Mr.  Reienes  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Lena  A.  Honsey,  daugh- 
ter of  Gottorm  Honsey,  a  sketch  of  whom  appears  on  another  page  of  this  work. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Reienes  have  been  born  four  children,  namely:  Conrad  6., 
Melvin  C,  Geneva  M.  and  Esther  0.  The  family  are  members  of  the  United 
Lutheran  church  and  in  the  social  circles  of  Mount  Valley  township  they  occupy 
an  enviable  position.  Mr.  Reienes  has  lived  a  life  of  activity  and  usefulness,  and 
the  diligence  and  determination  which  he  has  displayed  have  brought  to  him  the 
measure  of  success  which  he  now  enjoys. 


JACOB  SWEERS. 


Jacob  Sweers,  a  general  farmer  living  on  section  12,  Boone  township,  Hancock 
county,  was  bom  in  Germany  on  the  6th  of  March,  1857,  and  is  a  son  of  Herman 
and  Hannah  (Gerder)  Sweers.  In  accordance  with  the  laws  of  his  native  land, 
he  attended  school  there  until  he  reached  the  age  of  fourteen  years,  after  which 
he  began  to  earn  his  living  by  working  as  a  farm  hand.  He  was  thus  employed 
until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty,  after  which  he  spent  two  years  as  a  member 
of  the  German  army.  He  then  resumed  farm  work,  in  which  he  continued  actively 
until  1890,  when  he  crossed  the  Atlantic  to  the  new  world  and  became  a  resident 
of  Butler  county,  Iowa.  For  two  years  he  was  employed  on  a  stock  farm  and  then 
removed  to  Hancock  county,  where  he  rented  land  which  he  cultivated  for  thirteen 
years.  He  practiced  economy  as  well  as  industry  and  at  the  end  of  that  time 
was  able  to  purchase  the  farm  which  he  had  rented,  comprising  one  hundred  and 


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406  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

sixty  acres  on  section  12,  Boone  township.  Six  years  later  he  extended  the  bounda- 
ries of  his  farm  by  an  additional  purchase  and  is  now  the  owner  of  three  hundred 
and  twenty  acres  of  rich  and  productive  land  which  he  devotes  to  general  agri- 
cultural pursuits,  raising  the  cereals  best  adapted  to.  soil  and  climate.  Everything 
about  his  place  is  kept  in  good  condition.  The  buildings  and  fences  are  always 
well  repaired  and  the  latest  improved  machinery  facilitates  the  work  of  the  fields. 
Efficiency  is  his  watchword  and  his  success  has  come  from  his  thoroughness  and 
close  application. 

In  May,  1882,  Mr.  Sweers  was  married  to  Miss  Cornelia  Weiland,  a  native  of 
Germany  and  a  daughter  of  John  and  Tina  (KruU)  Weiland,  who  were  also  bom 
in  that  country.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sweers  have  become  parents  of  twelve  children, 
but  only  six  are  now  living :  Tina  and  Herman,  both  of  whom  are  married ;  John, 
at  home;  Hannah  and  Anna,  who  are  married;  and  Benjamin,  who  is  yet  on  the 
home  farm. 

The  parents  are  members  of  the  German  Reformed  church  and  in  his  political 
views  Mr.  Sweers  is  a  republican,  having  supported  the  party  since  becoming  a 
naturalized  American  citizen.  He  has  never  regretted  his  determination  to  seek 
his  fortune  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic,  for  here  he  found  the  business  opportunities 
which  he  sought  and  in  their  utilization  he  has  worked  his  way  upward  to  success. 


PETER  HATTERSCHIED. 

For  a  third  of  a  century  Peter  Hatterschied  hds  been  engaged  in  the  grain 
business  in  Corwith,  Hancock  county,  and  during  that  period  has  constantly  held 
to  the  highest  standards  in  all  his  business  dealings,  gaining  an  enviable  reputa- 
tion for  integrity  as  well  as  for  enterprise  and  ability.  He  was  bom  in  Cologne, 
Germany,  January  28,  1850,  a  son  of  Amold  and  Margaret  (Odenbach)  Hatter- 
schied, also  natives  of  the  fatherland.  The  .father  was  engaged  in  the  lumber 
business  there  and  also  hauled  coal  and  ore  from  the  niines  by  contract.  Prom 
1838  to  1842  he  served  in  the  German  army.  Both  parents  passed  away  in  Ger- 
many. 

'  Peter  Hatterschied  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  city  and  in  early- 
manhood  was  associated  with  his  father  in  the  lumber  business.  In  1868  he 
entered  the  German  army,  becoming  identified  with  the  artillery,  and  he  served 
throughout  the  Franco-Prussian  war.  He  took  part  in  a  great  many  battles, 
including  the  most  important  engagements  of  the  war,  Metz,  Sedan  and  Verdun. 
On  the  4th  of  October,  1871,  he  was  discharged  from  service  in  the  first  line,  but 
was  a  member  of  the  reserve  corps  until  1882.  On  the  19th  of  March  of  the  latter 
year  he  came  to  America  to  study  conditions  here  with  the  view  of  emigrating  to 
this  country.  He  traveled  over  twenty-one  states  and  after  carefully  comparing 
the  opportunities  offered  selected  the  town  of  Corwith  in  Hancock  county,  Iowa, 
as  the  place  that  seemed  to  aflPord  him  the  best  chances  for  advancement.  He 
returned  to  Germany  and  later  with  his  wife  and  children  came  to  this  country, 
arriving  at  Corwith  on  the  6th  of  April,  1884.  For  some  time  he  worked  as  a 
section  hand  for  the  Minneapolis  &  St.  Louis  Railroad  and  also  hunted  and  trapped 
in  order  to  add  to  his  income.     In  1887  he  began  buying  hay  and  later  in  that 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  407 

year  leased  the  grain  elevator  at  Corwith  and  took  charge  of  the  business.  In 
1889  he  purchased  the  elevator  and  continued  in  business  there  until  1914,  when 
he  erected  a  fine  elevator,  modem  in  every  particular,  and  with  a  much  larger 
storage  capacity  than  the  old  building.  He  enjoys  the  entire  confidence  of  the 
farmers  of  this  section,  as  his  dealings  have  always  been  straightforward,  and  his 
annual  trade  has  reached  extensive  proportions.  He  was  vice  president  and  owned 
a  controlling  interest  in  the  old  First  National  Bank  of  Corwith,  of  which  his  son 
Hugo  was  cashier,  but  at  length  he  disposed  of  his  interest  therein  and  the  insti- 
tution was  consolidated  with  the  Farmers  Savings  Bank  of  Corwith. 

Mr.  Hatterschied  was  married  in  Cologne,  Germany,  June  6,  1875,  to  Miss 
Charlotte  Giesen,  also  a  native  of  that  city  and  a  daughter  of  Karl  and  Jennie 
(Trumpbeter)  Giesen.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hatterschied  have  been  bom  ten  chil- 
dren, of  whom  eight  survive,  namely:  Karl,  who  was  bom  in  Germany,  is  a 
graduate  of  the  Chicago  Veterinary  College  and  is  now  deputy  state  veterinary 
surgeon  of  Montana,  with  residence  at  Glendive ;  Hugo,  who  was  bom  in  Germany 
and  is  a  banker  of  Cedar  BluflPs,  Nebraska;  Mary,  the  wife  of  H.  H.  Mullin,  a 
^ain  dealer  of  Britt,  Iowa,  by  whom  she  has  two  children,  Charlotte  and  Kath- 
erine;  Max,  who  is  a  native  of  Germany  and  is  associated  with  his  father  in  the 
grain  business;  Kathryn,  who  was  bom  in  Corwith  and  is  the  wife  of  Dr.  Fill- 
more, of  Corwith;  Lawrence,  who  was  bom  in  Corwith  and  is  with  his  father  in 
business ;  Anna,  likewise  a  native  of  Corwith  and  now  the  wife  of  Harry  Chapman, 
of  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa,  a  conductor  on  the  Miniieapolis  &  St.  Louis  Bailroad,  by 
whom  she  has  one  child,  Cheryl;  and  Charlotte,  who  was  bom  at  Corwith  and  is 
at  honie.  All  the  children  have  received  good  educations  and  all  have  more  than 
usual  musical  ability.  They  have  developed  into  men  and  women  of  refinement 
and  force  of  character  and  are  a  credit  to  their  parents. 

Mr.  Hatterschied  is  a  republican  in  politics,  served  as  a  member  of  the  village 
board  of  Corwith  for  three  years  and  for  three  terms  served  on  the  school  board, 
during  which  time  the  new  school  building  was  erected.  He  belongs  to  Lodge 
No.  306,  B.  P.  0.  E.,  of  Fort  Dodge,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Colum- 
bus at  Algona,  Iowa.  He  is  a  communicant  of  the  Boman  Catholic  church  and  is 
generous  in  his  contributions  to  its  work.  He  gave  liberally  to  the  erection  of 
the  new  church  edifice  at  Corwith  and  has  contributed  to  many  worthy  movements 
outside  of  the  activities  of  the  church.  His  broad-mindedness  is  indicated  in  the 
helpful  interest  which  he  takes  in  the  furtherance  of  all  good  works,  and  it  is  gen- 
erally recognized  that  no  legitimate  appeal  is  made  to  him  in  vain.  Throughout 
his  life  the  beneficial  effects  of  the  military  training  which  he  received  in  the 
German  army  have  been  apparent  in  his  self-control,  in  the  system  which  he  has 
applied  to  all  of  his  work  and  in  his  ability  to  cooperate  with  others.  To  his 
service  in  the  army  he  also  attributes  his  erect  carriage  and  fine  bearing.  A  num- 
ber of  years  after  he  had  taken  up  his  home  in  Iowa  he  received  through  the 
German  consul  at  Chicago  medals  awarded  him  by  the  imperial  government  in 
recognition  of  his  loyal  and  gallant  service  in  the  Franco-Prussian  war.  It  is 
needless  to  say  that  they  are  among  the  most  cherished  possessions  of  the  family. 
During  the  three  decades  and  more  of  his  residence  in  Hancock  county  he  has  been 
an  important  factor  in  the  life  of  his  community  and  whether  a  private  citizen  or 
an  oflSce  holder  has  without  exception  subordinated  his  private  interests  to  the 


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408  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

public  good.  The  large  measure  of  financial  success  which  he  has  gained  is  due  in 
part  to  the  excellent  opportunities  which  this  section  affords  and  which  led  to  his 
locating  here,  but  it  is  due  to  a  greater  extent  to  his  industry,  business  insight  and 
perseverance,  for  without  such  qualities  in  the  individual  the  most  favorable 
chances  are  of  little  worth.  His  residence  is  thoroughly  modem  and  is  one  of  the 
most  attractive  homes  in  the  town.  There  his  friends  often  gather,  for  hospital- 
ity is  one  of  his  most  marked  characteristics.  He  is  not  only  one  of  the  pioneers 
of  Corwith  but  is  also  one  of  its  most  highly  esteemed  citizens,  and  no  history  of 
Hancock  county  would  be  complete  without  a  record  of  his  life. 


ARENT  A.  RAKE. 


The  life  record  of  Arent  A.  Rake  constitutes  an  important  chapter  in  the  devel- 
opment and  upbuilding  of  Winnebago  county,  especially  that  section  which  is 
comprised  within  Lincoln  township.  Moreover,  his  history  should  serve  as  a 
source  of  inspiration  and  encouragement  to  others,  showing  what  may  be  accom- 
plished through  persistent  energy  and  indefatigable  effort.  He  was  bom  in  Nor- 
way, November  3,  1858,  and  is  a  son  of  Arent  and  Malinda  (Loen)  Rake,  who 
were  also  natives  of  the  land  of  the  midnight  sun.  The  father  was  a  farmer  by 
occupation  and  died  in  Norway  in  1897,  having  for  more  than  a  decade  survived 
his  wife,  who  passed  away  in  1885. 

Arent  A.  Rake  was  reared  and  educated  in  Norway  and  remained  under  the 
parental  roof  until  he  reached  the  age  of  nineteen  years,  when  he  heard  and  heeded 
the  call  of  the  west.  Bidding  adieu  to  friends  and  native  land,  he  sailed  for  the 
new  world  in  1878  and  took  up  his  abode  at  Wells,  Minnesota.  In  that  locality 
he  worked  by  the  month  as  a  farm  hand  for  two  years,  after  which  he  felt  that 
his  experience  and  his  age  justified  him  in  beginning  business  for  himself.  He 
then  rented  land,  which  he  continued  to  cultivate  for  two  years,  and  in  1882  he 
came  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  where  he  purchased  land  on  section  16,  Lincoln 
township.  This  he  improved  and  operated  until  1910,  when  he  sold  his  farm, 
having  in  the  meantime  won  a  substantial  measure  of  success  by  the  use  of  prac- 
tical and  progressive  methods  in  tilling  his  fields  and  caring  for  his  crops.  In 
1886  he  had  established  a  postoffice  and  around  this  clustered  various  homes  and 
business  interests  leading  to  the  gradual  upbuilding  of  the  town  of  Rake.  Later 
he  established  a  general  merchandise  store  there  and  continued  in  the  business 
for  fifteen  years.  In  1907  he  established  a  private  bank  under  the  name  of  the 
Rake  Banking  Company,  of  which  he  became  president.  He  instituted  a  safe 
policy,  tempering  progressiveness  by  a  wise  conservatism,  and  his  careful  control 
of  the  interests  of  the  bank  led  to  its  continuous  growth.  In  1914  it  was  reor- 
ganized into  a  state  savings  bank,  of  which  he  became  the  president  and  so  served 
until  1915,  when,  desiring  to  retire  from  active  business  life,  he  sold  his  interest. 
He  occupies  an  attractive  residence  in  the  west  part  of  the  town,  surrounded  by 
sixteen  acres  of  land,  which  he  cultivates,  thus  occupying  his  time,  for  indolence 
and  idleness  are  utterly  foreign  to  his  nature  and  he  would  not  be  content  without 
some  occupation.  He  is  also  a  stockholder  in  the  Cooperative  Creamery  Company, 
of  which  he  was  one  of  the  organizers.     He  likewise  aided   in  organizing  the 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  409 

Fanners  Elevator  Company  of  Rake,  of  which  he  was  president,  but  is  not  inter- 
ested financially  therein  at  the  present  time.  He  is  likewise  a  stockholder  of  the 
Bankers  Trust  Company  of  Des  Moines,  capitalized  for  one  million  dollars,  and 
is  a  stockholder  in  the  Twin  City  Insurance  Company  of  Minneapolis. 

In  December,  1879,  Mr.  Rake  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Rande  Elling- 
pon  and  to  them  were  bom  six  children:  Theodore,  an  automobile  dealer  of 
Rake;  Mary;  Laura;  Minnie;  Josie;  and  Abbie. 

The  parents  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  Mr.  Rake's  position 
concerning  the  temperance  question  has  led  him  to  ally  himself  with  the  pro- 
hibition party.  He  has  served  as  township  clerk  and  as  trustee  of  Lincoln  town- 
ship. He  has  long  been  a  member  of  the  school  board  of  his  locality,  was  treas- 
urer at  the  time  that  the  three  townships  were  consolidated  and  is  now  president 
of  the  board.  He  has  taken  an  active  and  helpful  interest  in  church  work  and 
upon  his  farm  built  the  Lutheran  church,  which  was  later  removed  to  the  town. 
His  aid  and  influence  have  always  been  on  the  side  of  right  and  progress,  reform, 
truth  and  improvement,  and  his  honorable  and  upright  career  has  established 
him  very  high  in  public  regard.  His  life  work  has  indeed  been  a  valuable  element 
in  the  upbuilding  of  the  section  in  which  he  lives. 


THORVIL  A.  THORVILSON. 

Thorvil  A.  Thorvilson  is  now  occupying  the  homestead  in  Center  township, 
Winnebago  county,  and  ranks  high  both  as  a  grain  raiser  and  stock  raiser.  He 
was  born  upon  that  place  on  the  4th  of  November,  1868,  of  the  marriage  of  Aslak 
and  Ture  (Gulbrandson)  Thorvilson,  who  came  to  America  from  their  native 
Norway  in  1861  and  located  in  Fillmore  county,  Minnesota.  After  farming  there 
for  five  years  they  removed  to  Winnebago  count}%  Iowa,  and  the  father  purchased 
a  relinquishment  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  22,  Center  township, 
to  which  he  subsequently  added  an  adjoining  eighty  acres.  He  at  once  set  about 
clearing  and  improving  his  place,  which  became  in  time  one  of  the  highly  devel- 
oped farms  of  the  county.  He  devoted  his  attention  to  its  operation  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  in  March,  1895,  when  he  was  sixty-four  years  old.  His 
wife  survived  him  until  January  1,  1913,  passing  away  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight 
years. 

Thorvil  A.  Thorvilson  was  reared  upon  the  homestead  and  is  indebted  for  his 
education  to  the  district  schools.  After  attaining  his  majority  he  became  his 
father's  partner  in  the  operation  of  the  farm,  and  this  relationship  was  main- 
tained until  the  death  of  Mr.  Thorvilson,  Sr.  Later  our  subject  bought  the  inter- 
ests of  the  other  heirs  in  one  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  the  home  place  and  has 
since  farmed  that  property  independently.  He  has  placed  unusually  good  im- 
provements thereon  and  taken  advantage  of  all  inventions  that  simplify  the  work 
of  cultivating  the  fields.  He  not  only  grows  large  crops  of  grain  annually  "but 
also  raises  about  sixty  head  of  hogs  a  year.  He  is  interested  financially  in  the 
Farmers  Elevator  Company  at  Lake  Mills,  in  the  Lake  Mills  Lumber  Company  and 
in  the  Lake  Mills  Creamery  Company. 

On  the  17th  of  March,  1903,  Mr.  Thorvilson  was  married  to  Miss  Andrea 


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410  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

Tweten,  a  daughter  of  Ole  0.  and  Susanna  Tweten,  pioneers  of  Iowa,  an  account 
of  whose  lives  appears  elsewhere  in  this  work.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thorvilson  have 
been  bom  seven  children,  namely:  Adolph  0.,  Stella,  Bernice,  Horace,  Mabel, 
Thelma  and  Obert.     The  four  oldest  are  attending  school. 

Mr.  Thorvilson  is  a  stanch  republican  in  his  political  belief  and  loyally  sup- 
ports the  candidates  and  measures  of  that  party  at  the  polls.  He  is  serving  as 
trustee  of  Center  township,  which  oflRce  he  has  held  for  two  years,  and  his  efficiency 
and  devotion  to  the  public  welfare  are  generally  recognized  by  his  constituents. 
He  holds  membership  in  the  Lutheran  church  and  the  highest  moral  principles 
have  guided  his  life  in  all  its  relations. 


HANS  J.  KNUTSON. 


No  history  of  the  pioneer  development  of  Winnebago  county  would  be  com- 
plete without  mention  of  Hans  J.  Knutson,  who  in  the  period  of  earliest  develop- 
ment here  established  his  home  in  Norway  township  and  for  many  years  thereafter 
was  closely  associated  with  agricultural  interests.  He  was  a  native  of  Norway 
and  his  parents  never  left  that  land.  It  was  in  the  year  1853  that  he  crossed 
the  Atlantic  and  took  up  his  abode  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  where  he  resided 
for  three  years.  During  that  period  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ingeborg 
Dahl,  who  was  also  a  native  of  Norway  and  came  to  America  when  about  eighteen 
years  of  age  in  company  with  her  sister,  Mrs.  H.  G.  Emmons,  who  was  a  repre- 
sentative of  one  of  the  first  nine  families  to  come  to  Winnebago  county.  It  was 
in  1856  that  these  families  left  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  and  with  ox  teams  drove 
across  the  country  to  this  locality.  Although  they  settled  near  each  other,  the 
homes  of  some  of  the  party  were  in  Norway  township,  Winnebago  county,  while 
the  others  were  in  Worth  county,  Iowa,  and  Freeborn  county,  Minnesota.  They 
were  the  families  of  Colben  Larson,  Hans  J.  Knutson,  Ole  Terum,  Narve  Grun- 
hovd,  Eric  Braaton,  H.  G.  Emmons,  Hendrick  Larson,  Stengrim  Jelle  and  Louis 
Nelson. 

Hans  J.  Knutson  took  up  a  homestead  on  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  10, 
Norway  township,  Winnebago  county,  which  he  cleared,  drained  and  improved, 
and  as  time  passed  he  added  to  this  the  southeast  quarter  of  section  9  and  the 
southwest  quarter  of  the  southeast  quarter  of  section  10,  making  three  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  in  all.  This  he  converted  into  a  fine  farm  and  continued  to  engage 
in  agricultural  pursuits  until  his  death,  which  occurred  on  the  4th  of  March,  1888. 
His  wife  survived  him  for  a  long  period,  passing  away  on  the  5th  of  January,  1906, 
when  she  was  laid  to  rest  by  his  side  in  Lime  Creek  cemetery.  This  worthy 
couple  were  the  parents  of  ^yg  sons  and  two  daughters,  of  whom  the  eldest,  K.  H., 
died  in  1916.  The  others  were:  Tina,  who  became  the  wife  of  Iver  Lien  and 
died  in  1914 ;  Mary,  the  wife  of  Veger  Gulbrandson,  living  in  Albert  Lea,  Minne- 
sota; Lewis  H.,  who  is  still  owner  of  the  old  homestead,  which  is  now  one  of  the 
best  improved  farms  in  Winnebago  county;  Ole,  a  resident  of  Emmons,  Minne- 
sota; and  Magnus  and  Anton,  who  died  in  childhood. 

Having  deliberately  chosen  to  become  an  American  citizen,  Hans  J.  Knutson 
was  always  loyal  to  the  interests  of  his  adopted  land  and  proved  his  allegiance 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  411 

by  active  service  during  the  Civil  war  when  he  became  one  of  the  defenders  of  the 
Union.  His  regiment  was  attached  to  the  army  under  the  conamand  of  General 
Sherman,  with  whom  he  participated  in  various  hotly  contested  campaigns  as 
well  as  the  march  to  the  sea.  When  hostilities  ceased  he  returned  home,  but 
never  completely  regained  his  health.  His  political  allegiance  was  given  to  the 
republican  party  and  he  stood  at  all  times  for  what  he  believed  to  be  the  best 
interests  of  the  majority.  He  was  an  excellent  farmer  and  through  his  own 
unaided  efforts  won  prosperity.  In  the  passing  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hans  J.  Knutson 
the  county  lost  two  of  its  best  known  and  most  worthy  pioneer  settlers.  In  the 
middle  of  the  nineteeivth  century  they  had  cast  in  their  lot  with  the  early  resi- 
dents of  northern  Iowa  when  the  work  of  progress  and  improvement  seemed  scarcely 
begun  in  all  this  region.  There  were  great  tracts  of  uncultivated  prairie  land 
and  the  timber  was  uncut.  Few  roads  had  been  made  and  it  was  a  long  distance 
to  market.  The  country  offered  no  advantages  save  that  land  was  to  be  had  at  a 
very  low  figure.  It  required  much  strenuous  effort,  however,  to  convert  it  into 
productive  fields,  but  this  did  not  deter  the  Knutsons  and  other  substantial  Nor- 
wegian families  that  were  here  founded,  and  they  should  ever  be  remembered  as 
among  those  who  laid  broad  and  deep  the  foundation  for  the  present  progress  and 
prosperity  of  the  county. 


ROSCOE  W.  WILES. 


Roscoe  W.  Wiles,  living  on  section  19,  Avery  township,  is  a  well  known  repre- 
sentative of  agricultural  interests  in  Hancock  county.  He  was  bom  on  the  Slst 
of  May,  1887,  a  son  of  Martin  L.  and  Janet  (Christie)  Wiles.  The  father  was 
bom  in  Jefferson  county,  Ohio,  May  2,  1840,  and  when  twenty-six  years  of  age 
removed  to  Hancock  county,  Iowa,  locating  on  section  17,  Avery  township.  The 
mother  is  a  native  of  Canada  and  of  Scotch  parentage.  In  early  life  she  accom- 
panied her  parents  on  their  removal  to  Wisconsin,  where  she  resided  for  two  years, 
and  in  May,  1861,  came  to  Hancock  county,  Iowa,  becoming  one  of  the  pioneer 
school  teachers  of  this  locality.  She  is  still  living  on  the  old  home  farm  in  Avery 
township,  at  the  age  of  eighty-seven  years,  but  her  husband  has  passed  away.  They 
were  married  on  the  13th  of  February,  1877.  Mr.  Wiles  took  quite  a  prominent 
part  in  local  affairs  and  efficiently  served  as  township  secretary,  clerk,  trustee  and 
school  director. 

Roscoe  W.  Wiles  was  a  pupil  in  the  district  schools  of  Avery  township  until 
he  reached  the  age  of  fourteen  years,  when  he  began  farming  for  himself.  Although, 
but  a  boy,  he  was  ambitious  to  earn  something,  and  he  planted  sixteen  acres  to 
com,  from  which  he  gathered  seventy  bushels  to  the  acre.  He  continued  upon 
the  old  homestead  until  1912  and  then  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  on  section 
20,  Avery  township.  He  also  received  sixty  acres  through  inheritance  and  today 
has  a  good  tract  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  which  he  is  carefully  and  sys- 
tematically cultivating.  That  his  labors  are  practical  is  shown  in  the  good  results 
achieved,  for  he  annually  gathers  substantial  harvests  which  bring  to  him  a  gratify- 
ing yearly  income. 

On  the  12th  of  June,  1912,  Mr.  Wiles  was  married  to  Miss  Flora  Schuldt,  a 
daughter  of  Henry  and  Flora  (Avenger)  Schuldt,  who  were  natives  of  Germany 


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412  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

and  of  Iowa  respectively.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wiles  now  have  three  children,  Oliver  R., 
Wilber  and  Eunice  J. 

Mr.  Wiles  votes  with  the  republican  party,  which  he  has  always  supported 
since  attaining  his  majority,  and  his  religious  faith  is  indicated  in  his  member- 
ship in  the  United  Brethren  church.  A  lifelong  resident  of  this  section  of  the 
state,  he  is  well  known  and  is  spoken  of  in  terms  of  warm  regard  by  reason  of  his 
enterprise  and  reliability  in  business,  his  loyalty  and  progressiveness  in  citizenship 
and  his  faithfulness  to  any  trust  reposed  in  him. 


CHARLES  ROLIN  WOOD. 

Charles  Rolin  Wood,  a  successful  attorney  of  Corwith,  practicing  in  both  the 
state  and  federal  courts,  is  also  known  for  the  large  share  which  he  has  had  in 
the  upbuilding  of  his  town.  He  was  bom  in  Gouvemeur,  St.  Lawrence  county. 
New  York,  February  15,  1851.  His  father,  Charles  R.  Wood,  was  bom  in  that 
county,  April  26,  1818,  and  was  there  reared  and  educated.  In  1854  he  took  up 
his  residence  on  a  farm  near  Yorkville,  Kendall  county,  Illinois,  and  there  he 
followed  agricultural  pursuits  until  his  death  in  1884  at  the  age  of  sixty-six 
years.  He  was  married  in  St.  Lawrence  county,  New  York,  to  Miss  Mary  A. 
Gilbert,  who  was  born  and  educated  in  New  Britain,  Connecticut.  She  passed 
away  in  Onarga,  Illinois.  To  them  were  born  eight  children,  of  whom  but 
three  survive :  Harriet  A.,  the  wife  of  Rev.  0.  W.  Van  Opdel,  D.  D.,  pastor  of 
the  Wealthy  Avenue  Baptist  church  of  Grand  Rapids,  Michigan;  Charles  Rolin j 
and  Herbert  E.,  who  is  a  stockman  living  at  Yorkville,  Illinois.  The  eldest  son, 
Edgar  H.  Wood,  enlisted  at  Aurora,  Illinois,  August  10,  1862,  in  the  Eighty- 
ninth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  killed  in  battle  near  Dallas,  Georgia, 
May  27,  1864.  Another  son,  James  S.  Wood,  enlisted  at  Aurora,  Illinois,  March 
10,  1863,  in  the  Fifteenth  Illinois  Volunteer  Cavalry,  which  regiment  was  sub- 
sequently converted  into  the  Tenth  Illinois  Volunteer  Cavalry.  He  contracted 
a  disease  which  resulted  in  his  death  in  January,  1865.  His  widow  and  two 
daughters  live  at  Rock  Island,  Illinois. 

Charles  R.  Wood  received  his  early  education  in  the  district  schools  of  Ken- 
dall county,  Illinois,  and  in  the  schools  of  Yorkville,  that  state,  and  he  began 
the  study  of  law  in  Aledo,  Mercer  county.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at 
Ottawa,  Illinois,  September  23,  1878,  and  for  a  time  practiced  at  Aledo  and  Rock 
Island,  but  in  1881  removed  to  Ottawa,  Kansas,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Kansas 
bar  November  14,  1884.  On  the  2d  of  January,  1891,  he  became  a  resident 
of  Corwith,  Hancock  county,  Iowa,  and  on  the  4th  of  October,  1894,  became  a 
member  of  the  Iowa  bar.  He  has  since  been  admitted  to  practice  in  the  federal 
as  well  as  the  state  courts  and  his  clientage  is  both  large  and  representative. 
He  is  careful  in  the  preparation  of  his  cases,  neglecting  no  point  that  might 
have  a  bearing  upon  the  outcome  of  the  trial,  and  in  presenting  his  evidence  is 
logical  and  forceful,  and  his  record  of  cases  won  compares  favorably  with  that 
of  any  other  attorney  in  the  district.  There  is  only  one  man  who  outranks  him 
in  length  of  practice  in  the  county  and  he  is  held  in  the  highest  esteem  by  his 
professional  brethren  as  well  as  by  the  general  public.     He  was  elected  county 


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CHARLES   I?.    WOOD 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  415 

attorney  in  1894  and  was  reelected  in  1896  and  in  1910  and  in  1912  was  again 
chosen  for  that  position,  serving  in  all  for  four  terms  of  two  years  each  and 
making  a  record  in  that  capacity  that  was  an  honor  to  himself  and  to  the  county. 

Mr.  Wood  was  married  at  Aledo,  Illinois,  on  the  9th  of  July,  1878,  to  Miss 
Linnie  R.  Houk.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Rufus  Cowden  and  Lydia  A.  Houk, 
natives  of  Pennsylvania.  The  father  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war  and  in  all 
relations  of  life  measured  up  to  high  standards  of  manhood.  Both  he  and  his 
wife  have  passed  away.  Mrs.  Wood  was  bom  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  but  accom- 
panied her  parents  on  their  removal  to  Aledo,  Illinois,  and  was  there  reared  and 
educated.  She  has  become  the  mother  of  four  children:  Charles  Rolin,  Jr.,  who 
was  bom  in  Rock  Island,  Illinois,  is  a  graduate  of  the  Iowa  State  College  at 
Ames  and  is  a  civil  engineer  residing  at  Cerro  Gordo;  Helen  H.,  who  was  bora 
at  Corwith  and  is  at  home;  and  two  who  are  deceased. 

Mr.  Wood  is  a  stalwart  republican  in  politics  and  gives  careful  study  to  the 
questions  and  issues  of  the  day.  He  is  a  charter  member  of  Paradise  Lodge, 
'No.  553,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Corwith,  in  which  he  has  held  all  of  the  chairs; 
has  taken  the  thirty-second  degree  of  the  Scottish  Rite  in  Consistory  No.  2  at 
Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa;  is  a  past  worthy  patron  of  the  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star, 
and  is  also  a  member  of  the  White  Shrine  of  Jerusalem,  No.  1,  at  Cedar  Rapids. 
His  wife  is  a  past  worthy  matron  of  the  Eastern  Star  and  is  likewise  a  member 
of  the  White  Shrine.  His  fraternal  connections  also  include  membership  in  the 
Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen  at  Emporia,  Kansas.  He  and  his  wife  are 
very  active  members  of  the  Baptist  church,  of  which  he  is  clerk  and  treasurer, 
and  his  son  is  also  a  prominent  church  worker.  He  belongs  to  the  Iowa  Bar 
Association  and  has  a  wide  acquaintance  among  the  lawyers  of  the  state.  For 
the  past  twenty-five  years  he  has  been  prominently  identified •  with  all  move- 
ments for  the  improvement  of  Corwith  and  Hancock  county,  and  is  conceded  to 
have  done  much  for  the  advancement  of  the  town.  A  man  of  strong  character 
and  quiet  dignity,  it  is  but  natural  that  he  should  have  gained  a  position  of  leader- 
ship, and  another  side  of  his  personality  is  evidenced  in  the  number  and  strength 
of  his  friendships. 


GEORGE  T.  GEIBEL. 


George  T.  Geibel,  who  is  engaged  in  general  farming  on  section  9,  Boone  town- 
ship, Hancock  county,  was  bom  in  Germany  on  the  23d  of  July,  1852,  his  parents 
being  George  and  Mary  (Geibel)  Geibel.  The  father  died  in  Germany,  but  the 
mother  came  to  America  in  1872.  George  T.  Geibel  acquired  his  education  in 
his  native  country,  attending  the  schools  of  that  land  until  he  reached  the  age 
of  fourteen  years,  and  he  also  had  to  attend  Sunday  school  until  he  reached  the 
age  of  eighteen.  For  eight  years  he  studied  music  in  Germany,  possessing  the 
love  of  that  art  so  characteristic  of  the  German  people.  At  length  he  determined 
to  try  his  fortune  in  the  United  States  and  crossed  the  Atlantic  to  the  new  world, 
making  his  way  to  Iowa,  where  he  became  identified  with  farming  interests,  work- 
ing as  a  farm  hand  and  also  renting  land.  In  this  way  he  earned  the  money 
with  which  to  purchase  property.     In  1900  he  made  investment  in  one  hundred 


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416  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

and  sixt}  acres  on  section  9,  Boone  township,  Hancock  county,  and  has  since 
occupied  that  place.  It  was  a  wet  tract  and  many  would  have  thought  it  impos- 
sible to  convert  it  into  a  productive  farm,  but  Mr.  Geibel  systematically  under- 
took the  task  and  tiled  and  ditched  his  land,  the  drainage  converting  it  into 
productive  fields.  The  soil  is  naturally  rich  and  when  the  farm  was  drained  it 
soon  brought  forth  good  crops  in  return  for  his  plowing  and  planting.  His  work 
is  always  systematically  and  carefully  managed  and  his  energy  and  persistency 
of  purpose  have  constituted  the  basis  of  his  growing  success. 

On  the  9th  of  November,  1881,  Mr.  Geibel  was  married  to  Miss  Lizzie  Moschel, 
a  native  of  Illinois  and  a  daughter  of  Christian  and  Marie  (Sandneyer)  Moschel, 
who  were  natives  of  Germany.  At  an  early  day  they  crossed  the  Atlantic  to  the 
new  world  and  became  residents  of  Washburn,  Illinois.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Geibel  are 
the  parents  of  four  children,  George  H.,  Mary  E.,  John  S.  and  Joseph  C.  The 
first  two  and  the  last  named  of  this  family  are  married,  while  John  resides  upon 
the  home  farm. 

The  religious  faith  of  the  family  is  that  of  the  German  Lutheran  church,  and 
to  its  teachings  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Geibel  give  their  loyal  adherence.  He  votes  with 
the  republican  party,  but  does  not  seek  nor  desire  ofiice.  Coming  to  America,  he 
found  here  the  business  opportunities  which  he  sought.  He  has  enjoyed  the 
advantages  here  offered,  the  protection  of  the  laws  of  the  land  and  the  benefit  of  its 
business  conditions  and  in  return  he  renders  to  it  loyal  allegiance. 


A.  W.  JOHNSON. 


Notably  energetic,  prompt  and  reliable,  A.  W.  Johnson  has  made  an  excellent 
record  as  a  representative  of  conmiercial  interests  at  Gamer,  where  he  located  in 
March,  1915,  to  engage  in  the  sale  of  boots,  shoes,  furnishings  and  ready-to-wear 
clothing.  Iowa  claims  him  as  a  native  son,  for  he  was  bom  in  Dubuque,  July  9, 
1876,  his  parents  being  J.  E.  and  Elizabeth  (O^Shay)  Johnson.  The  father,  a 
native  of  Lakeland,  Minnesota,  was  employed  for  a  long  period  as  a  sawyer  by 
the  KnapStout  Lumber  Company. 

A.  W.  Johnson  is  indebted  to  the  public  school  system  of  Rockwell,  Iowa,  for 
the  early  educational  opportunities  which  he  enjoyed  and  which  were  supple- 
mented by  a  two  years'  course  at  Grinnell  College.  He  then  became  connected 
with  the  clothing  business  in  the  capacity  of  clerk  and  in  1898  went  to  Mason 
City,  Iowa,  where  he  engaged  in  clerking  for  Mitchell  Brothers  and  also  for  the 
Ensign  Company.  In  1906  he  embarked  in  business  on  his  owi>  account  in  con- 
nection with  C.  H.  Barber,  but  after  conducting  the  store  for  five  years  sold  out. 
He  then  became  head  salesman  for  Gildner  Brothers,  of  Mason  City,  and  in 
March,  1915,  came  to  Garner,  where  he  purchased  an  interest  in  the  branch  store 
of  Gildner  Brothers.  Here  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  dealing  in  boots,  shoes, 
furnishings  and  ready-to-wear  clothing,  occupying  a  one  story  and  basement  build- 
ing twenty-two  by  seventy-five  feet,  having  two  clerks  and  a  manager.  Under  his 
guidance  the  business  has  steadily  grown  and  he  puts  forih  every  legitimate  effort 
to  extend  its  trade  connections. 

In  1903  Mr.  Johnson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Kate  A.  Barber,  of 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  417 

Mason  City,  Iowa,  and  they  have  a  wide  acquaintance  in  Garner  and  this  section 
of  the  state.  Fraternally  Mr.  Johnson  is  a  Mason  and  in  politics  is  a  republican. 
He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Booster  Club  of  Garner  and  became  its  first 
president.  The  club  has  between  seventy-five  and  one  hundred  members  and  has 
raised  over  thirty-five  hundred  dollars  during  the  past  year  for  public  improve- 
ments. It  was  through  its  agency  that  the  electric  street  lighting  was  established. 
The  club  also  opened  up  a  new  street  for  the  town,  maintains  the  rest  room  at  the 
public  library  and  makes  it  possible  to  have  the  library  open  five  and  a  half  hours 
per  day,  when  previously  it  was  open  only  eight  hours  per  week.  The  club  holds 
monthly  banquets,  when  good  speakers  address  its  members  upon  live  questions 
of  the  day.  Mr.  Johnson,  as  the  president,  is  agitating  the  question  of  paving 
on  Main  street  and  in  all  that  he  has  undertaken  has  been  actuated  by  a  most 
commendable  public  spirit.  He  never  stops  short  of  successful  accomplishment 
in  what  he  undertakes,  his  carefully  formulated  plans  being  carried  forward  to 
completion. 


C.  N.  ANDERSON. 


C.  X.  Anderson,  living  on  section  17,  Twin  Lake  township,  Hancock  county, 
belongs  to  that  class  of  substantial  citizens  that  Norway  has  furnished  to  Iowa. 
He  was  born  in  the  land  of  the  midnight  sun  May  20,  1867,  a  son  of  Nels  and 
Bertha  Anderson,  who  were  also  natives  of  that  country.  It  was  in  1871  that 
the  father  came  to  the  United  States,  reaching  Chicago  about  the  time  of  the 
great  fire.  He  had  been  a  resident  of  this  country  about  two  years  when  he  was 
joined  by  his  family,  for  he  had  determined  to  make  America  his  permanent 
place  of  abode.  From  1874  until  1880  they  were  residents  of  Mitchell  county, 
Iowa,  and  when  six  years  had  passed  they  came  to  Hancock  county  in  1880.  Here 
the  father  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  situated  on  section  17, 
Twin  Lake  township,  and  bent  his  energies  to  the  development  and  improvement 
of  the  farm. 

C.  N.  Anderson  largely  acquired  his  education  in  Mitchell  county,  Iowa.  He 
was  but  a  young  lad  when  brought  by  his  mother  to  the  new  world  and  he  after- 
ward attended  the  district  schools  until  he  reached  the  age  of  thirteen  years 
when  his  textbooks  were  put  aside  that  he  might  give  his  entire  attention  to  the 
task  of  assisting  his  father  in  the  work  of  the  fields.  Following  his  father^s 
death  he  purchased  the  interest  of  the  other  heirs  in  the  old  homestead,  te  which 
he  acquired  title  in  1907.  It  is  a  tract  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  which  he 
has  carefully  developed  and  improved,  and  in  addition  to  carrying  on  general 
farming  he  holds  stock  in  the  Farmers  Cooperative  Creamery,  in  the  Fanners 
Elevator  and  in  the  Farmers  Telephone  Company.  His  business  affairs  are'  all 
wisely  and  carefully  directed  and  in  their  management  he  displays  sound  judg- 
ment and  keen  sagacity. 

Mr.  Anderson  votes  with  the  republican  party,  which  he  has  supported  since 
age  granted  him  the  right  of  franchise.  He  filled  the  oflBce  of  township  assessor 
for  eight  years  and  was  township  trustee  for  one  year.  He  has  also  been  secre- 
tary of  the  school  board  and  he  is  interested  in  all  those  forces  which  work  for 


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418  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

the  betterment  and  upbuilding  of  his  community.  He  belongs  to  the  Norwegian 
Lutheran  church  and  is  one  of  the  respected  and  valued  residents  of  this  section 
where  he  has  now  lived  for  thirty-seven  years,  remaining  throughout  the  entire 
period  upon  the  farm  which  is  still  his  home. 


WESLEY  G.  LENZ. 


Wesley  G.  Lenz,  actively  engaged  in  general  fanning  on  section  15,  German 
township,  was  bom  on  the  8th  of  February,  1879,  and  Hancock  county  has  for 
a  considerable  period  numbered  him  among  its  progressive  agriculturists.  He  is 
a  son  of  Fred  and  Lena  (Rolf us)  Lenz,  natives  of  Germany,  who  are  still  living 
in  Hancock  county,  but  the  father  has  retired  from  active  business  life  after  long 
connection  with  the  agricultural  development  of  this  district. 

Wesley  G.  Lenz  was  reared  as  a  farm  boy,  receiving  the  usual  instruction  of 
the  district  schools,  while  his  business  training  was  that  which  he  received  under 
his  father,  whom  he  assisted  in  farm  work  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty- 
three  years.  Ambitious  to  engage  in  farming  on  his  own  account,  he  then  pur- 
chased one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  on  section  15,  German  township,  for 
which  he  paid  sixty-five  dollars  per  acre.  He  has  since  owned  and  occupied  that 
place,  which  is  today  a  well  improved  and  highly  cultivated  farm.  Its  neat  and 
thrifty  appearance  indicates  his  careful  supervision  and  his  practical  and  pro- 
gressive methods.  He  studies  the  question  of  soil  fertility,  practices  the  rotation 
of  crops  and  conducts  his  farm  work  according  to  modern  methods.  He  is  also  a 
stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Cooperative  Creamery  at  Gamer. 

In  1902  Mr.  Lenz  was  married  to  Miss  Matilda  Greiman,  a  daughter  of  Fred 
and  Dema  (Katter)  Greiman,  natives  of  Germany,  who  came  to  America  in  early 
life.  They  are  yet  well  known  residents  of  Hancock  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lenz 
are  the  parents  of  four  children :  Ruth  E.,  Norma  E.,  Clarence  A.  and  Lois  D., 
all  yet  at  home. 

Mr.  Lenz  votes  with  the  republican  party  and  keeps  well  informed  on  the  ques- 
tions and  issues  of  the  day.  He  has  served  as  school  director  and  as  school  treas- 
urer, filling  the  latter  position  for  a  period  of  six  years,  and  he  is  now  road  boss. 
He  is  ever  willing  to  give  his  aid  and  cooperation  to  movements  for  the  general 
good  and  stands  for  progress  and  improvement  in  public  affairs  as  well  as  in  busi- 
ness. He  and  his  wife  hold  membership  in  the  German  Reformed  church,  and 
their  loyalty  to  its  teachings  has  won  for  them  the  favorable  regard  of  all  with 
whom  they  have  come  in  contact. 


HERMAN  E.  HAGEN. 


Herman  E.  Hagen,  who  is  successfully  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  on 
section  36,  Norway  township,  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  was  bom  in  Norway 
on  the  2d  of  February,  1851,  and  is  a  son  of  Filing  and  Marie  (Lilliandahl) 
Botlsen,  who  spent  their  entire  lives  in  that  country,  where  the  father  followed 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  419 

farming  and  also  worked  at  the  blacksmith^s  trade.  Herman  E.  Hagen  is  the 
youngest  in  a  family  of  six  children  and  of  this  number  only  two  came  to  the 
United  States,  the  other  being  his  sister  Breta,  now  Mrs.  Torsten  Hanson,  living 
near  Clarkfield,  Minnesota. 

Mr.  Hagen  of  this  review  was  nineteen  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  the 
new  world,  and  after  spending  a  short  time  in  Long  Prairie,  Illinois,  became  a 
resident  of  Winneshiek  county,  Iowa,  where  he  worked  as  a  farm  hand  for  about 
eight  years.  In  1878  he  arrived  in  Winnebago  county  and,  having  saved  his 
earnings,  was  able  to  purchase  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  on  section 
36,  Norway  township,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  He  has  made  many 
improvements  upon  this  place  and  the  land  is  now  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation. 

In  1880  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Hagen  and  Miss  Gurina  Kaldal,  a 
daughter  of  Hans  and  Anna  Kaldal,  whose  home  was  near  Northwood,  in  Worth 
county,  Iowa.  To  this  union  have  been  born  six  children,  as  follows:  Edward, 
who  is  now  engaged  in  farming  on  a  place  adjoining  the  old  homestead  in  Norway 
township;  Helmer,  at  home;  Anna,  a  resident  of  Mason  City,  Iowa;  Mary,  the 
wife  of  Edward  Kramer,  of  Estherville,  Iowa ;  and  Ella  and  Josie,  both  at  home. 

The  family  hold  membership  in  the  United  Lutheran  church  and  by  his  ballot 
Mr.  Hagen  supports  the  men  and  measures  of  the  republican  party.  He  is  one  of 
the  self-made  men  of  his  conmiunity  and  all  that  he  has  acquired  has  been  secured 
through  his  own  unaided  efforts  and  good  business  ability. 


JOHN  B.  GEVING. 


John  B.  Geving,  proprietor  of  a  garage  and  machine  shop  in  Lake  Mills  and 
one  of  the  representative  business  men  of  Winnebago  county,  was  bom  on  the 
18th  of  January,  1871,  in  Winneshiek  county,  Iowa,  and  is  a  son  of  Benjamin 
and  Engeboranne  (Hill)  Geving,  now  residents  of  Decorah,  Iowa.  The  parents 
are  natives  of  Trondhjem,  Norway,  and  on  their  emigration  to  America  in  1870 
located  in  Allamakee  county,  Iowa,  but  later  went  to  Spring  Grove,  Minnesota, 
where  they  spent  six  months.  At  the  end  of  that  time  they  became  residents  of 
Winneshiek  county,  Iowa,  where  the  father  opened  a  blacksmith  shop  and  engaged 
in  business  along  that  line  for  five  years.  He  then  purchased  land  and  followed 
farming  with  good  success  until  1912,  when  he  retired  from  active  labor  and 
removed  to  Decorah,  where  he  and  his  wife  are  now  living,  surrounded  by  all  the 
comforts  and  many  of  the  luxuries  of  life. 

John  B.  Geving  was  reared  and  educated  in  Winneshiek  county  and  during 
his  boyhood  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade  under  the  able  direction  of  hip  father. 
He  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until  twenty-two  years  of  age  and  then  went 
to  Waukon,  Iowa,  where  he  worked  at  the  machinist's  trade.  On  the  2d  of  Jan- 
uary, 1895,  he  removed  to  Lake  Mills,  Winnebago  county,  where  he  started  a 
machine  shop  and  has  since  conducted  the  same.  He  erected  a  fine  brick  building 
on  Main  street  for  a  garage  and  shop  and  here  he  now  carries  on  business  with 
marked  success.  He  handles  the  Maxwell  cars  and  is  enjoying  a  large  patronage. 
Mr.  Geving  is  also  a  stockholder  in  the  Lake  Mills  Lumber  Company,  the  Lake 


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420  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

Mills  Telephone  Company  and  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company,  also  of  Lake  Mills, 
and  is  today  one  of  the  leading  business  men  of  the  town. 

On  the  18th  of  October,  1894,  Mr.  Geving  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Paulina  Amundrud,  who  died  July  10,  1915,  after  a  lingering  illness  of  three 
years.  There  were  seven  children  bom  of  this  union,  but  Annie  died  September 
17,  1915,  at  the  ago  of  nineteen  years;  Lewis  died  in  1899  at  the  age  of  two 
years;  and  -Olga  died  February  6,  1917,  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years  and  seven 
months.     Those  still  living  are  Benhart  0.,  Palma  J.,  Josephine  N.  and  Geneva  M. 

Since  attaining  his  majority  Mr.  Geving  has  affiliated  with  the  republican 
party  and  he  takes  a  deep  interest  in  public  affairs.  In  religious  faith  he  is  a 
Lutheran.  He  is  a  wide-awake,  energetic  business  man  of  known  reliability  and 
commands  the  respect  and  confidence  of  all  with  whom  he  is  brought  in  contact. 


C.  W.  TRAVELUTE. 


C.  W.  Travelute  is  numbered  among  those  who  have  made  Hancock  county  a 
very  rich  and  productive  agricultural  section,  for  he  has  been  busily  and  success- 
fully engaged  in  farming  on  section  31,  Madison  township,  for  many  years  and 
still  gives  personal  supervision  to  the  operation  of  his  farm,  although  he  is  now 
nearing  the  eightieth  milestone  on  life's  journey.  He  was  bom  in  Pennsylvania, 
August  31,  1838,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Julia  (Nolan)  Travelute,  the  former 
a  native  of  Germany,  while  the  latter  was  born  on  the  Atlantic  while  her  parents 
were  en  route  from  their  native  Ireland  to  America.  After  living  for  a  long 
period  in  Pennsylvania,  John  Travelute  removed  with  his  family  to  Ogle  county, 
Illinois,  in  1855,  and  there  resided  on  a  farm  up  to  the  time  of  his  demise. 

C.  W.  Travelute  began  his  education  in  one  of  the  old-time  log  schoolhouses 
of  pioneer  days.  The  little  temple  of  learning  was  indeed  a  primitive  structure. 
Not  only  was  it  built  of  logs,  but  its  floor  was  made  of  puncheons  and  it  was 
seated  with  slab  benches,  while  the  methods  of  instruction  were  almost  as  crude 
as  the  furnishings.  After  mastering  the  branches  of  learning  therein  taught  Mr. 
Travelute  became  a  teacher  in  the  same  school,  but  followed  that  profession  for 
only  two  years.  He  then  turned  his  attention  to  farming  by  renting  land  in 
Ogle  county,  Illinois,  but  in  1882  he  removed  to  Hancock  county,  Iowa,  where 
for  ten  years  he  continued  to  cultivate  land  which  he  leased.  In  1891  he  pur- 
chased his  present  home  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  on  which  he  has 
now  resided  for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century.  He  has  carefully  and  per- 
sistently cultivated  his  fields  until  he  has  transformed  the  tract  into  a  valuable 
farm  property  from  which  are  annually  gathered  good  harvests. 

In  1865  Mr.  Travelute  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  Jane  Smith,  of 
Ogle  county,  Illinois,  and  to  them  have  been  born  eight  children,  five  of  whom  are 
yet  living :  Myrtle,  the  wife  of  T.  R.  Riehm,  of  Garner,  Hancock  county ;  Albert, 
who  is  living  in  Ogema,  Minnesota;  Robin,  whose  home  is  in  Tuscola,  Illinois; 
Earl,  a  resident  of  Gladys,  North  Dakota;  and  Lulu,  the  wife  of  J.  A.  Metz,  of 
Ogema. 

In  his  political  views  *Mr.  Travelute  has  always  been  a  democrat  since  age 
conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise  and  in  1906  he  was  elected  assessor  of 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  421 

Madison  township,  in  which  position  he  has  served  continuously  since.  He  has 
also  filled  the  office  of  township  clerk  in  Crystal  township  and  he  was  justice  of 
the  peace  in  the  early  days  of  Hancock  county,  in  which  connection  he  rendered 
decisions  that  were  strictly  fair  and  impartial.  In  a  word,  he  has  been  a  loyal 
oflBcial  in  every  position  which  he  has  been  called  upon  to  fill  and  his  entire  life 
record  is  a  commendable  one,  for  he  has  made  good  use  of  his  time,  talents  and 
opportunities  and  has  worked  his  way  steadily  upward. 


WILLIAM  P.  ERDMAN. 

William  F.  Erdman,  a  well  known  farmer  and  stock  raiser  of  Hancock  county, 
resides  on  section  23,  Magor  township,  where  he  has  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
of  good  land.  Upon  this  farm  he  is  raising  horses,  cattle  and  hogs,  and  his 
experience  has  enabled  him  to  speak  with  authority  upon  questions  relative  to 
live  stock  interests.  He  has  been  identified  with  the  development  and  improve- 
ment of  this  section  of  the  state  since  pioneer  times.  He  was  born  in  Germany 
on  the  8th  of  June,  1860,  a  son  of  Fred  and  Minnie  (Kurston)  Erdman,  who 
were  natives  of  Germany.  He  had  attained  his  majority  ere  he  left  his  native 
land,  where  he  attended  the  public  schools  to  the  age  of  fourteen  years,  after 
which  he  was  employed  at  home  until  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age.  He  then 
became  a  sailor  and  joined  the  crew  of  a  sailing  vessel,  with  which  he  visited 
various  parts  of  the  worid.  He  attained  his  majority  in  the  year  in  which  he 
arrived  in  the  United  States — in  1881.  He  first  went  to  Baltimore,  Maryland, 
where  for  three  years  he  was  employed  at  factory  work.  On  the  expiration  of 
that  period  he  removed  westward  to  Illinois  and  rented  land  in  La  Salle  county. 
Ottawa  was  his  trading  point  and  for  sixteen  years  he  devoted  his  attention  and 
his  energies  to  farming.  He  then  decided  to  remove  to  Iowa  and  came  to  Han- 
cock county  in  1900,  which  at  that  time  was  just  entering  upon  a  period  of  sub- 
stantial development.  He  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  on  section 
23,  Magor  township,  and  has  since  carried  on  general  farming  upon  that  place. 
He  has,  however,  become  well  known  as  a  stock  raiser,  handling  Percheron  horses, 
Durham  cattle  and  Jersey  hogs.  He  is  also  engaged  in  raising  Plymouth  Rock 
chickens  and  he  has  good  improvements,  which  are  located  upon  the  Boone  river 
and  include  various  and  substantial  and  commodious  bams  and  outbuildings  for 
the  shelter  of  grain  and  stock.  In  addition  to  his  home  place  he  owns  sixteen 
acres  of  land  in  Hidalgo  county,  Texas.  At  the  time  of  his  arrival  here  the 
nearest  trading  point  was  at  Cor  with.  Kanawha  had  just  been  started  and  was 
a  tiny  hamlet.  He  took  his  first  ride  on  the  old  Iowa  Central  between  Hampton 
and  Algona.  He  has  seen  great  changes  and  has  contributed  in  no  small  measure 
to  the  growth,  development  and  improvement  of  this  section.  His  activities  as  a 
live  stock  dealer  have  demonstrated  what  can  be  done  along  that  line  and  he  has 
become  one  of  the  foremost  leaders  in  the  breeding  and  raising  of  horses  in  Han- 
cock county.     He  has  membership  in  the  Percheron  Horse  Society  of  Chicago. 

On  the  8th  of  February,  1887,  Mr.  Erdman  was  married  to  Miss  Augusta 
Bublitz,  a  daughter  of  August  and  Kellan  (Wagner)  Bublitz,  who  were  natives  of 
Germany  and  in  early  life  came  to  the  new  world.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Erdman  have 

ii— 21 


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422  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

two  children:     Emma,  the  wife  of  George  Oxley,  a  resident  of  Hancock  county, 
and  William  George  Walter,  at  home. 

The  parents  are  members  of  the  German  Lutheran  church.  Mr.  Erdman  votes 
with  the  republican  party  and  has  served  as  road  boss  and  as  school  director. 
Starting  out  to  earn  his  own  living  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years,  he  has  since 
been  dependent  upon  his  own  resources.  He  has  never  had  occasion  to  regret  his 
determination  to  come  to  the  United  States.  On  the  contrary,  he  has  always  been 
glad  that  he  chose  America  as  his  place  of  residence  and,  recognizing  the  fact  that 
he  has  lived  under  the  protection  of  its  laws  and  benefited  by  the  business  condi- 
tions here  existing,  he  has  always  been  loyal  to  the  interests  of  his  adopted  land. 


JOSEPH    E.    COLBY,   D.    D.    S. 

Dr.  Joseph  E.  Colby,  of  Lake  Mills,  occupies  an  enviable  position  as  a  dentist, 
for  his  ability  is  recognized  by  both  his  professional  brethren  and  the  general  public, 
and  his  practice  is  large  and  extensive.  He  also  owns  valuable  farm  property,  from 
which  he  derives  a  gratifying  addition  to  his  income.  His  birth  occurred  in 
Primrose,  Wisconsin,  April  21,  1869,  and  he  is  a  son  of  Eli  and  Helen  (Charleson) 
Colby,  who  in  early  manhood  and  womanhood  removed  from  Norway  to  America. 
After  following  the  lather's  trade  in  Chicago  for  two  years  the  father  removed  with 
his  family  to  Primrose,  Wisconsin,  and  purchased  land  in  Primrose  township, 
Dane  county.  He  took  up  his  residence  upon  that  place,  which  he  improved  as 
rapidly  as  possible  and  to  the  operation  of  which  he  devoted  the  remainder  of 
his  life,  passing  away  March  14,  1888.  His  widow  subsequently  married  Hans 
Groening,  a  sketch  of  whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this  work,  and  they  now  reside 
in  Lake  Mills,  Iowa. 

Joseph  E.  Colby  grew  to  manhood  upon  the  home  farm  in  Wisconsin  and  as 
a  boy  attended  the  public  schools.  When  twenty-four  years  of  age  he  took  up  the 
study  of  dentistry  under  the  supervision  of  a  local  dentist  and  subsequently  entered 
the  Keokuk  Dental  College  at  Keokuk,  Iowa,  where  he  completed  the  required 
course.  In  the  spring  of  1898  he  came  to  Iowa  and  after  successfully  passing  the 
state  board  examination,  located  for  practice  at  Lake  Mills,  where  he  has  sincc^ 
remained  with  the  exception  of  nine  months  spent  in  Forest  City.  He  did  the 
first  piece  of  bridge  work  in  Winnebago  county  and  throughout  the  years  has 
kept  up  with  the  advanced  thought  that  has  been  made  in  dental  theory  and 
practice.  The  gratifying  success  which  he  has  gained  is  the  direct  result  of  his 
efficiency  and  his  extreme  cleanliness  in  his  work,  and  his  patients  come  not  only 
from  the  city  but  also  from  the  entire  county.  He  has  invested  in  farm  land  and 
now  owns  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Winnebago  county  and  eighty  acres 
in  Worth  county,  all  of  which  is  well  improved.  He  takes  a  great  deal  of  interest 
in  the  management  of  his  farms  and  has  found  his  investment  highly  profitable. 

He  was  the  first  to  raise  sweet  corn  for  ensilage  and  put  it  in  the  silo,  his 
being  the  first  silo  built  in  this  section.  Upon  investigation  he  found  that  sweet 
corn  stalks  if  left  three  weeks  after  the  ears  were  snapped  and  then  put  in  ensilage, 
made  much  better  fodder  than  yellow  com  with  the  ears  left  on.  He  arrived  at 
this  conclusion  through  scientific  research  and  was  the  first  one  to  fill  silos  with 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  427 

sweet  corn  stalks.  The  com  was  raised  for  canning  and  the  farmers  considered 
the  stalks  worth  nothing  save  that  the  fields  were  a  good  place  in  which  to  allow 
stock  to  run  after  the  corn  was  picked.  By  analysis  Dr.  Colby  found  that  by 
leaving  the  stalks  standing  for  two  or  three  weeks  after  the  corn  was  picked  they 
became  matured  and  contained  much  more  sugar  and  fattening  substances.  Until 
Dr.  Colby  had  made  this  discovery,  the  farmers  turned  their  stock  into  the  fields  to 
pick  their  living  and  over  half  of  the  value  of  the  stalks  was  wasted.  Dr.  Colby 
today  devotes  two  hundred  acres  or  more  each  year  to  the  production  of  sweet 
com  and  then  uses  the  stalks  as  indicated,  thus  conserving  every  particle  of  the 
crop. 

Dr.  Colby  was  married  on  the  24th  of  March,  1898,  to  Miss  Millie  Eiel,  a 
daughter  of  John  and  Olina  Eiel,  natives  of  Norway  but  pioneers  of  Winnebago 
county,  Iowa.  The  father  is  now  living  retired  with  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Colby  after 
many  years  devoted  to  agricultural  pursuits.  The  mother  died  January  1,  1915. 
Mrs.  Colby  was  graduated  from  Palmer^s  Business  College  at  Cedar  Rapids  and 
subsequently  studied  for  one  year  at  Ames  College.  She  began  teaching  when 
but  sixteen  years  of  age  and  successfully  tau^t  for  eight  years  prior  to  her  marriage. 
To  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Colby  have  been  born  five  .children:  John  W.  and  Eli  F.,  who 
are  attending  college  at  Annapolis,  Maryland ;  and  Joseph  M.,  Olina  S.  and  Hubert 
E.,  who  are  students  in  the  Lake  Mills  Schools. 

Dr.  Colby  exercises  his  right  of  franchise  in  support  of  the  candidates  and 
measures  of  the  republican  pariy  and  has  always  taken  an  interest  in  matters 
aflEecting  the  public  welfare,  although  not  an  oflBce  seeker.  He  belongs  to  the 
Lutheran  church  and  fraternally  is  identified  with  the  Modem  Woodmen  of 
America  and  the  Mystic  Workers.  In  his  professional  capacity  and  as  a  farmer 
he  has  made  valuable  contribution  to  business  interests  in  this  section.  Scientific 
research  has  promoted  his  eflBciency  in  each  connection  and  he  not  only  keeps 
abreast  with  the  trend  of  modern  thought  and  investigation  but  has  also  been 
a  leader  in  advanced  methods. 


PETER  BENSON. 


Peter  Benson  is  the  owner  of  an  excellent  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  on  section  26,  Amsterdam  township,  Hancock  coimty,  and  is  extensively 
engaged  in  the  raising  of  hogs.  Throughout  almost  the  entire  period  of  his 
residence  in  the  United  States  he  has  lived  in  Iowa,  but  is  a  native  of  Sweden, 
in  which  coimtry  his  birth  occurred  December  17,  1870,  his  parents  being  Ben 
and  Nella  (Parson)  Swenson,  who  were  also  natives  of  that  land.  There  Peter 
Benson  spent  the  days  of  his  boyhood  and  youth  and  had  reached  the  age  of 
twenty-six  years  when  he  crossed  the  Atlantic  to  the  new  world  and  became  a 
resident  of  Muscatine  county,  Iowa.  He  had  attended  school  to  the  age  of 
fourteen  and  had  then  begun  work  on  a  farm.  After  coming  to  the  new  world 
he  was  employed  as  a  farm  hand  for  three  years,  after  which  he  purchased  ten 
acres  of  land  at  Dixon,  Illinois,  which  he  owned  for  two  years.  On  the  expira- 
tion of  that  period  he  came  to  Hancock  county,  where  he  cultivated  a  rented  farm 
for  eight  years,  during  which  period  he  carefully  saved  his  eamings  until  he  had 


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428  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

a  sufficient  sum  to  purchase  eighty  acres.  The  following  year  he  acquired  another 
eighty  acre  tract  on  section  26,  Amsterdam  township,  and  is  thus  the  owner,  of  a 
quarter  section  which  he  has  carefully  developed  and  improved  until  it  is  one  of 
the  desirable  farms  of  the  township.  Not  only  does  he  till  the  fields  in  the  cultiva- 
tion of  the  crops  best  adapted  to  soil  and  climate,  but  also  engages  extensively 
in  raising  hogs. 

On  the  8th  of  June,  1903,  Mr.  Benson  was  married  to  Mrs.  Augusta  Anderson, 
a  daughter  of  Jonas  and  Lena  (Moody)  Nelson.  By  her  former  marriage  she 
had  two  children,  Minnie  P.  and  Ellen  G.,  both  of  whom  are  married.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Benson  have  become  the  parents  of  a  son,  Harvey,  who  is  at  home.  They 
are  members  of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church  and  guide  their  lives  according 
to  its  teachings.  Mr.  Benson  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party 
and  studies  closely  those  questions  which  are  of  vital  interest  to  the  welfare  of  his 
district,  his  state  and  his  adopted  land.  He  has  never  regretted  the  fact  that  he 
severed  home  ties  and  came  to  the  new  world,  for  he  here  found  good  business 
chances  and  through  persistency  of  purpose  and  indefatigable  industry  he  has 
worked  his  way  upward. 


ADAM  BELL. 


Adam  Bell,  whose  home  is  on  section  32,  King  township,  is  one  of  the  repre- 
sentative farmers  of  Winnebago  county,  and  like  many  of  its  leading  citizens  he  is 
a  native  of  Norway.  He  was  born  July  19,  1857,  and  is  a  son  of  Louis  and 
Carrie  (Adams)  Bell,  who  came  to  this  country  in  1861  and  located  in  Wisconsin, 
where  the  father  purchased  land.  After  improving  and  cultivating  that  farm  for 
some  time  he  sold  it  and  bought  another  farther  south,  consisting  of  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres,  whereon  he  made  his  home  throughout  the  remainder  of  his  life. 
He  died  about  1895,  having  long  purvived  the  mother  of  our-  subject,  who  passed 
away  in  1866. 

Adam  Bell  was  only  four  years  of  age  when  brought  to  the  United  States  by 
his  parents  and  he  grew  to  manhood  in  Wisconsin.  When  not  in  school  he  assisted 
in  the  labors  of  the  home  farm  and  gave  his  father  the  benefit  of  his  services 
until  twenty-nine  years  of  age.  During  the  following  two  years  he  was  engaged 
in  farming  on  his  own  account  in  Wisconsin,  after  which  he  came  to  Winnebago 
county,  Iowa,  where  he  has  since  been  identified  with  its  agricultural  interests 
with  the  exception  of  one  year  when  engaged  in  the  butchering  business  in  Thomp- 
son. On  locating  here  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  on  section  32,  King 
.township,  and  has  since  bought  another  eighty  acres  on  section  33,  so  that  he  now 
has  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  on  which  he  has  made  good  and 
substantial  improvements,  which  stand  as  monuments  to  his  thrift  and  enterprise. 

In  November,  1887,  Mr.  Bell  married  Miss  Nettie  Dahl,  a  daughter  of  Arne 
and  Marie  Dahl,  pioneers  of  Winnebago  county.  Her  mother  is  still  living,  but 
her  father  died  in  1902.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bell  have  been  bom  eleven  children, 
namely:  Carrie,  now  the  wife  of  Oscar  Syse,  a  farmer  living  south  of  Forest 
City;  Annie,  the  wife  of  L.  Asmus,  a  farmer  of  King  township;  Carl,  at  home; 
Obert,  a  resident  of  Minnesota;  Alfred,  Emily  and  Henry,  all  at  home;  Marie, 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  433 

who  died  at  the  age  of  one  and  a  half  years ;  and  Leonard,  Vernie  and  Helen,  all 
at  home. 

Mr.  Bell  is  a  Lutheran  in  religious  faith  and  politically  is  identified  with  the 
republican  party.  He  is  now  serving  as  a  trustee  of  King  township,  having 
capably  filled  that  oflBce  for  sixteen  years.  He  is  also  a  stockholder  and  director 
of  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  and  the  Cooperative  Creamery  Company  of 
Thompson,  and  is  a  man  of  soimd  judgment  and  good  business  ability. 


B.  P.  DENNEY,  M.  D. 


Dr.  B.  F.  Denney,  now  successfully  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine  and 
Furgery  at  Britt,  Iowa,  was  born  on  the  19th  of  July,  1883,  in  Mountain  Grove, 
Missouri,  a  son  of  James  M.  and  Minnie  (Reeves)  Denney,  who  are  natives  of 
Missouri  and  Tennessee  respectively,  and  are  still  living  on  their  farm  in  Texas 
county  of  the  former  state.  During  her  girlhood  the  mother  removed  with  her 
parents  to  Missouri  and  was  later  married  in  that  state.  James  M.  Denney  is 
one  of  the  prominent  democrats  of  Texas  county  and  has  taken  a  very  active  and 
influential  part  in  public  affairs,  serving  as  county  clerk  for  eight  years. 

Dr.  Denney  pursued  his  literary  education  in  the  public  schools  and  high  school 
of  Mountain  Grove  and  in  1905  took  up  the  study  of  medicine,  entering  the  Chi- 
cago College  of  Medicine  and  Surgery,  from  which  he  received  his  medical  degree 
with  the  class  of  1909.  Following  his  graduation  he  served  an  intemeship  in  St. 
Mary's  Hospital,  remaining  there  until  the  following  year,  when  he  located  for 
private  practice  at  Nemaha,  Iowa.  A  year  later,  however,  he  came  to  Britt  and 
since  1911  has  been  one  of  the  leading  physicians  of  Hancock  county,  having  built 
up  a  large  and  remunerative  practice. 

In  1912  Dr.  Denney  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Guenn  Harden,  of  Casey, 
Iowa,  and  they  have  made  many  friends  during  their  residence  in  Britt.  The 
Doctor  is  a  member  of  Darius  Lodge,  No.  431,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Britt;  Mingo 
Jjodge,  No.  174,  of  Mingo,  Iowa;  and  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men;  and  in  the 
line  of  his  profession  he  also  belongs  to  the  Winnebago  and  Hancock  Counties 
Medical  Society  and  to  the  Iowa  State  Medical  Society.  In  politics  he  is  inde- 
pendent and  is  at  present  serving  as  health  oflBcer  of  Britt.  He  is  a  physician 
of  recognized  ability,  who  stands  high  in  the  esteem  of  his  professional  brethren 
as  well  as  with  the  public,  and  he  is  regarded  as  one  of  Britf  s  leading  and  repre- 
sentative citizens. 


S.  G.  HONSEY. 


For  many  years  S.  G.  Honsey  was  one  of  the  most  influential  and  public- 
spirited  citizens  of  Norway  township,  Winnebago  county,  his  home  being  on  section 
25.  He  came  from  the  land  of  the  midnight  sun,  his  birth  occurring  in  Viksogn, 
Norway,  July'  21,  1845,  but  his  parents,  Gutterm  and  Anna  Honsey,  never  left 
their  native  land,  making  their  home  in  Norway  throughout  life.  S.  G.^onsey 
was  about  fifteen  years  of  age  when  he  and  his  brother,  T.  G.,  crossed  the  ocean 


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434  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

and  settled  in  Winneshiek  county,  Iowa.  In  1871,  however,  they  removed  to 
Winnebago  county  and  together  purchased  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land  in 
Norway  township.  This  they  operated  in  partnership  until  1880,  when  the  land 
was  divided  and  S.  G.  Honsey  eventually  became  the  owner  of  two  hundred  acres 
of  very  valuable  and  productive  land  lying  on  the  north  half  of  section  25,  the 
north  half  of  the  northeast  quarter  of  section  36  and  the  southeast  comer  of 
section  25,  Norway  township,  where  he  had  forty  acres.  He  continued  to  carry  on 
farming  with  good  success  until  his  death,  which  occurred  on  the  11th  of  January, 
1916.     His  remains  were  interred  in  the  Lime  Creek  church  cemetery. 

In  1879  Mr.  Honsey  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Katherine  Brekke,  a 
daughter  of  Ingebrikt  and  Johanna  Brekke,  who  were  early  settlers  of  Winnebago 
county.  Of  the  six  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Honsey  one  is  deceased,  George 
having  died  at  the  age  of  two  years.  Those  living  are :  Gustav,  now  a  resident  of 
St.  Paul,  Minnesota;  Albert,  who  is  now  operating  the  home  farm;  Selmer,  also  a 
farmer  of  Norway  township;  Louise,  the  wife  of  T.  0.  Helgeson,  a  farmer  of 
Norway  township;  and  George,  at  home  with  his  mother  and  brother  Albert. 

On  becoming  a  naturalized  citizen  of  the  United  States  Mr.  Honsey  cast  in 
his  lot  with  the  republican  party  and  became  quite  prominent  ih  local  affairs,  serv- 
ing as  county  supervisor  several  terms.  He  also  filled  many  township  oflBces  with 
credit  to  himself  and  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  all  concerned.  His  religious 
connection  was  with  the  United  Lutheran  church. 


JOE  T.  ANDERSON. 


A  good  farm  of  two  Imndred  and  fourteen  acres  on  section  24,  Amsterdam 
township,  Hancock  county,  pays  tribute  to  the  care  and  labor  bestowed  upon  it  by 
the  owner,  Joe  T.  Anderson,  who  made  purchase  of  a  part  of  this  place  in  1900 
and  has  since  resided  thereon.  He  was  bom  in  Norway  on  the  26th  of  March, 
1867,  and  is  a  son  of  Torres  and  Bertha  (Johnson)  Anderson,  who  were  also 
natives  of  the  land  of  the  midnight  sun.  There  his  youthful  days  were  passed  and 
he  attended  school  to  the  age  of  fourteen.  He  was  a  youth  of  fifteen  when  he  came 
to  America,  arriving  on  the  25th  of  March,  1883.  He  made  his  way  to  Herscher, 
Illinois,  and  spent  about  sixteen  years  as  a  farm  hand  in  that  locality.  He  then 
came  to  Iowa,  settling  in  Wright  county,  where  for  two  years  he  engaged  in  renting 
land,  and  in  1900  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  24,  Amster- 
dam township,  Hancock  county.  Ten  years  later  he  acquired  an  additional  tract 
of  fifty-four  acres  on  the  same  section  and  thus  became  owner  of  a  farm  of  two 
hundred  and  fourteen  acres,  which  he  is  carefully  cultivating  according  to  modern 
progressive  methods.  Upon  his  place  are  found  all  the  equipments  and  accessories 
of  the  model  farm  of  the  twentieth  century,  including  the  latest  improved  ma- 
chinery to  facilitate  the  work  of  the  fields.  Mr.  Anderson  studies  closely  the  best 
metliods  of  improving  his  farm  work  and  also  those  questions  which  have  to  do 
with  the  advancement  of  the  interests  of  farmers  as  a  class.  He  believes  in  co- 
operation and  thus  he  has  become  connected  with  the  Kanawha  Creamery  and  the 
Kanawlj^  Elevator  Company  and  he  is  also  a  stockholder  in  the  Kanawha  Telephone 
Company. 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  435 

On  the  12th  of  September,  1891,  Mr.  Anderson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Nellie  Thompson,  a  daughter  of  Torbjoren  and  Purnell  (Jacobson)  Thompson, 
who  were  natives  of  Norway.  Four  children  have  been  born  of  this  marriage: 
George  T.,  Elmer  L.  and  Nanette  J.,  all  of  whom  are  married;  and  Perry  B.,  at 
home.  Mr.  Anderson  and  his  wife  are  faithful  members  of  the  Norwegian  Luth- 
eran church  and  they  enjoy  the  high  regard  of  all  who  know  them  by  reason  of  their 
many  sterling  traits  of  character.  Mr.  Anderson  votes  with  the  republican  party 
and  has  served  as  township  trustee  and  as  school  director.  He  is  interested  in  all 
matters  relating  to  the  general  welfare  and,  deliberately  choosing  to  become  an 
American  citizen,  he  has  always  been  loyal  to  the  interests  of  his  adopted  land. 


HENRY  THOMPSON. 


For  forty-eight  years  Henry  Thompson  has  resided  upon  his  present  farm  on 
section  24,  Center  township,  and  the  history  of  Winnebago  county  is  to  him  largely 
a  matter  of  personal  experience.  He  was  born  in  Norway  on  the  7th  of  May,  1856, 
a  son  of  Gunder  and  Nellie  Thompson,  who  were  also  bom  in  Norway,  where  they 
resided  until  1867,  when  they  brought  their  family  to  the  United  States.  After 
two  years'  residence  in  Chicago  they  came  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  and  the 
father  purchased  forty  acres  in  Center  township,  which  he  improved  and  operated 
until  his  demise  in  June,  1886.     Three  years  later  the  mother  also  passed  away, 

Henry  Thompson  began  his  education  in  Norway  and  continued  it  in  the  public 
schools  of  Chicago  and  Winnebago  county,  being  but  eleven  years  of  age  at  the 
time  of  the  emigration  of  the  family  to  the  United  States.  He  remained  at  home 
until  he  had  attained  his  majority  and  then  purchased  two  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  on  section  24,  Center  township,  which  still  remains  his  home.  He  has  made 
it  one  of  the  most  highly  developed  farms  in  the  county,  and  it  bears  little  resem- 
blance to  the  tract  of  raw  land  which  he  bought  in  1877,  for  before  he  could  place 
it  under  cultivation  it  was  even  necessary  to  clear  the  greater  part  of  timber. 
Since  seventeen  years  old  he  has  raised  bees  and  has  been  engaged  in  that  business 
longer  than  any  other  man  in  the  county.  He  now  has  thirty  swarms  and  finds 
this  side  line  a  source  of  both  pleasure  and  profit. 

Mr.  Thompson  was  married  in  March,  1879,  to  Miss  Betsy  Lakevold,  a  daughter 
of  Ole  and  Carrie  Lakevold,  who  came  to  the  United  States  in  1869  and  settled  in 
Iowa.  Both  are  now  deceased.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thompson  have  been  bom  nine 
children,  namely :  Alice,  the  wife  of  E.  L.  Thoe,  a  farmer  residing  in  North  Dakota ; 
George,  who  is  also  farming  in  that  state;  Bertha,  the  wife  of  Henry  Martin  of 
Minnesota;  Lottie,  who  married  Carl  Tiedmanson,  now  operating  Mr.  Thompson's 
farm;  Mary,  the  wife  of  Ed  Menzi,  of  Mason  City,  Iowa;  Hans  and  Henry,  both  at 
home ;  and  two  who  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Thompson  is  trustee  of  Center  township,  in  which  capacity  he  has  served 
for  three  years,  and  he  has  also  been  clerk,  assessor,  road  superintendent,  member 
of  the  board  of  county  supervisors,  which  office  he  has  held  at  two  different  times, 
and  member  of  the  school  board,  in  which  connection  he  has  served  continuously 
for  eighteen  years.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Lake  Mills  Lumber  Com- 
pany, of  which  he  was  a  director  and  president  for  twenty  years,  and  he  also  assisted 


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436  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

in  organizing  the  Lake  Mills  Creamery  Company,  of  which  he  was  secretary  for 
thirteen  years.  He  is  a  republican  in  politics  and  fraternally  is  connected  with 
the  Modem  Woodmen  of  America.  His  wife  is  a  communicant  of  the  Lutheran 
church,  and  he  was  formerly  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Al- 
though he  still  resides  upon  his  farm,  he  leaves  its  operation  largely  to  his  son-in- 
law,  having  through  many  years  of  arduous  and  well  planned  work  gained  the 
right  to  a  period  of  leisure. 


ALFRED  J.  TOFTE. 


Alfred  J.  Tofte,  actively  engaged  in  the  cultivation  of  a  farm  of  eighty  acres 
on  section  25,  Amsterdam  township,  Hancock  county,  was  bom  in  Norway  on  the 
30th  of  December,  1882,  a  son  of  Lars  and  Inga  (Scott)  Tofte,  both  of  whom  were 
natives  of  Norway.  On  coming  to  the  new  world  they  did  not  tarry  on  the  Atlantic 
coast  but  made  their  way  at  once  into  the  interior  of  the  country,  settling  near 
Morris,  Illinois,  where  they  resided  for  sixteen  years  and  then  came  to  Hancock 
county,  where  the  father  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  on  section  25,  Amsterdam 
township,  for  which  he  paid  forty-two  and  a  half  dollars  per  acre,  although  the 
land  is  worth  very  much  more  than  that  at  the  present  time.  He  farmed  until  his 
death  on  October  20,  1912.  , 

Alfred  J.  Tofte  acquired  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Gardner,  Illinois, 
which  he  attended  until  he  reached  the  age  of  fourteen,  after  which  he  gave  his 
undivided  attention  to  work  upon  the  home  farm  for  four  years.  He  then  engaged 
in  tiling  for  six  years  and  his  entire  life  has  been  one  of  unremitting  industry  and 
toil.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  rented  the  home  place  in  Amsterdam 
township  and  has  since  given  his  attention  to  its  further  cultivation,  being  now 
actively  and  successfully  engaged  in  general  farming.  The  plans  which  he  fol- 
lows and  his  systematic  methods  of  developing  his  fields  result  in  the  production 
of  good  harvests  and  his  work  is  attended  with  success. 

Mr.  Tofte  is  a  member  of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church  and  since  age 
conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  been  a  supporter  of  the  republican 
party.  He  is  loyal  to  any  cause  which  he  espouses,  for  he  never  allies  himself 
with  any  interest  without  firm  belief  in  its  worth.  He  is  now  well  known  in  Han- 
cock county  as  an  enterprising  and  progressive  agriculturist  and  he  enjoys  the  good 
will  and  respect  of  his  fellow  townsmen. 


IRA  ZEIGLER. 


Ira  Zeigler,  living  on  section  16,  Boone  township,  Hancock  county,  today  has 
one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  good  land  devoted  to  general  farming  and  he 
also  is  engaged  in  raising  Percheron  horses.  He  was  born  in  Livingston  county, 
Illinois,  September  8,  1882,  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Mary  (Fleischman)  Zeigler,  the 
former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  During  the  boyhood  of  his  son  Ira,  Jacob 
Zeigler  removed  with  his  family  to  Iowa,  settling  in  Hancock  county,  and  thus 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  437 

it  was  that  Ira  Zeigler  pursued  his  education  in  the  district  schools,  which  he 
attended  until  he  reached  the  age  of  fifteen  years,  after  which  he  began  earning 
his  living  by  working  as  a  farm  hand  by  the  month.  He  spent  five  years  in  that 
way,  after  which  he  engaged  in  fanning  on  rented  land  for  three  years.  He  prac- 
ticed economy  during  that  period  and  at  length  his  savings  enabled  him  to  pur- 
chase eighty  acres  of  land  on  section  8,  Amsterdam  township.  He  cultivated  that 
farm  for  a  time  and  then  sold  it,  buying  eighty  acres  on  section  11,  Magor  town- 
ship. This,  too,  he  occupied  and  improved  for  a  period,  but  at  length  traded  that 
place  for  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  16,  Boone  township,  where  he 
now  resides.  He  has  since  sold  forty  acres  of  that  place  but  retains  possession 
of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  good  land,  which  he  devotes  to  the  raising  of 
com,  wheat  and  other  cereals  well  adapted  to  soil  and  climatic  conditions  here. 
He  also  raises  Percheron  horses  and  some  fine  stock  is  seen  in  his  pastures.  He 
is  likewise  a  stockholder  in  the  elevator  company  and  in  the  Kanawha  Harvester 
Company. 

Mr.  Zeigler  was  married  November  25,  1902,  to  Miss  Ava  D.  Martin,  who  was 
born  in  Hancock  county  in  1884,  a  daughter  of  James  and  Dora  (Woods)  Martin, 
and  they  have  four  children,  Cecil  E.,  Vera  P.,  Elmer  J.  and  Ervin  F.  Mr. 
Zeigler  and  his  wife  belong  to  the  United  Brethren  church.  He  has  voted  with 
the  republican  party  since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise  and  he 
has  filled  the  office  of  road  superintendent  and  also  has  been  a  school  director.  He 
is  interested  in  all  that  pertains  to  the  progress  and  upbuilding  of  town  and  county 
but  concentrates  the  major  part  of  his  attention  upon  his  business  affairs  and  has 
won  for  himself  a  place  among  the  substantial  farmers  of  his  district. 


ANDREW  K.  MABSAA. 


Andrew  K.  Marsaa,  postmaster  of  Rake  and  well  known  as  a  progressive  and 
public-spirited  citizen,  was  born  in  Norway,  February  19,  1870,  a  son  of  Karoleus 
and  Bertha  (Rake)  Marsaa,  who  were  also  natives  of  the  land  of  the  midnight  sun. 
The  father  there  followed  the  occupation  of  farming  and  is  still  living  in  that 
country. 

Andrew  K.  Marsaa  was  reared  and  educated  there,  coming  to  the  new  world 
when  a  youth  of  nineteen.  He  arrived  in  America  on  the  17th  of  May,  1889,  and 
made  his  way  to  North  Dakota,  where  he  resided  until  1891.  He  then  came  to 
Winnebago  county  and  for  a  year  was  employed  at  farm  labor.  He  then  entered 
into  partnership  with  Mr.  Rake,  who  was  his  uncle,  and  after  five  years  he  pur- 
chased the  business  and  built  a  store  near  the  creamery  to  which  he  removed  his 
stock  of  goods.  There  he  remained  for  five  years.  He  then  formed  a  partnership 
with  M.  J.  Erdahl.  They  built  a  store  and  conducted  business  for  a  year  and  a 
half,  at  the  end  of  which  time  Mr.  Marsaa  sold  out.  In  1901  he  was  appointed 
postmaster  of  Rake,  which  position  he  has  continuously  filled  to  the  present  time, 
being  prompt  and  systematic  in  the  discharge  of  all  of  his  duties  and  thus  receiving 
the  endorsement  of  the  general  public.  He  is  also  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers 
Elevator  Company  of  Rake  and  has  extensive  interests  in  silver  and  gold  mines  of 


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438  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

Idaho,  being  one  of  the  directors  of  the  Silver  City  Mining  &  Milling  Company 
of  that  state. 

In  June,  1897,  Mr.  Marsaa  was  married  to  Miss  Martha  Erdahl  and  they  be- 
came parents  of  four  children,  Bertha,  Ruth,  Agnes  and  Carl,  but  the  third  daugh- 
ter died  in  December,  1915.  The  religious  faith  of  the  parents  is  that  of  the 
Lutheran  church.  In  politics  Mr.  Marsaa  maintains  an  independent  course,  espe- 
cially at  local  elections  where  no  issue  is  involved.  He  has  never  had  occasion  to 
regret  his  determination  to  come  to  the  new  world.  He  realized  that  success  cannot 
be  won  in  a  day  nor  without  effort  and  he  was  willing  to  work  for  prosperity.  His 
has  been  an  active  and  useful  life  and  as  the  years  have  gone  on  he  has  steadily 
advanced  in  a  business  way,  being  now  numbered  among  the  substantial  citizens 
of  his  town. 


WILLIAM  H.  COMBS. 


William  H.  Combs,  proprietor  of  the  Orchard  Hill  Farm  on  section  18,  King 
township,  Winnebago  county,  is  successfully  engaged  in  general  farming  and 
stock  raising,  making  a  specialty  of  pure  blooded  Shorthorn  cattle.  He  was 
bom  in  Merrill,  Wisconsin,  on  the  18th  of  June,  1858,  and  is  a  son  of  Harrison 
and  Elvira  (Niles)  Combs,  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  As  early  as  1854  the  father 
went  to  Wisconsin,  becoming  one  of  the  pioneer  lumbermen  of  that  state,  where 
he  operated  a  sawmill  until  1873.  In  that  year  he  came  to  Iowa  and  bought 
land  in  Butler  county,  where  he  improved  a  farm,  but  after  operating  it  for 
four  years  he  rented  the  place  and  returned  to  Wisconsin,  where  he  again  engaged 
in  the  lumber  business  until  1890,  when  we  again  find  him  on  his  farm  in  Butler 
county,  Iowa.  He  continued  to  reside  thereon  until  killed  in  a  runaway  in 
July,  1895.  The  mother  of  our  subject  passed  away  in  Wisconsin  on  the  13th  of 
October,  1870. 

William  H.  Combs  is  indebted  to  the  public  schools  of  his  native  state  for 
the  early  educational  privileges  he  enjoyed,  and  later  he  attended  a  business  col- 
lege at  Keokuk,  Iowa.  He  remained  with  his  father  until  twenty-five  years  of 
age  and  then  rented  the  farm  in  Butler  county,  Iowa,  which  he  operated  for 
two  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  returned  to  Wisconsin  and  operated  a 
sawmill  in  partnership  with  his  father  for  three  years.  In  November,  1891,  he 
again  came  to  Iowa,  but  this  time  located  in  Winnebago  county,  bujring  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  acres  of  land  on  section  18,  King  township,  where  he  now  resides. 
He  has  extended  the  boundary  of  his  farm  until  it  now  comprises  the  south  half 
of  section  18  and  has  given  to  the  place  the  name  of  the  Orchard  Hill  Farm.  It 
is  up-to-date  in  all  its  appointments  and  is  made  to  yield  a  gratifying  income  as 
a  reward  for  the  care  and  labor  bestowed  upon  it. 

In  January,  1884,  Mr.  Combs  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Geneva  Parrott, 
who  was  bom  in  Butler  county,  Iowa,  May  19,  1857,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Anthony 
and  Malinda  (Spangler)  Parrott,  natives  of  Illinois.  After  farming  in  Butlei 
county  for  several  years  Mr.  Parrott  removed  to  Sac  county,  tliis  state,  where 
he  purchased  land  and  operated  a  farm  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1877. 
His  widow  is  still  living.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Combs  have  six  children  namely. 
Harrison  E.  and  Anthony  R.  (twins),  Ethel,  Clyde,  Robert  and  Richard. 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  441 

The  family  are  identified  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  Mr. 
Combs  is  also  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows.  His  sons  are  also  Masons.  Since  attaining  his  majority  he  has 
afl&liated  with  the  republican  party  and  for  four  years  has  acceptably  filled  the 
ofiice  of  county  supervisor.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Com- 
pany and  the  Cooperative  Creamery  Company  of  Thompson  and  is  one  of  the 
most  prominent  and  influential  citizens  of  his  community. 


SAMUEL  E.  CHAMBERS. 

Samuel  E.  Chambers  was  for  many  years  a  successful  farmer  of  Kossuth  county 
but  was  later  engaged  in  the  implement  business  in  Corwith  and  his  demise  was 
felt  as  a  personal  loss  to  many  citizens  of  the  town.  He  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil 
war  and  in  times  of  peace  manifested  the  same  spirit  of  public  service  that  led 
10  his  enlistment  in  the  Union  army.  He  was  born  in  Harrison  county,  Ohio, 
October  10,  1843,  and  was  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Tamar  Chambers.  The  father 
accompanied  his  parents  on  their  removal  from  Ireland  to  the  United  States  and 
grew  to  manhood  in  Harrison  county,  Ohio.  There  he  engaged  in  farming  for 
many  years  but  in  1854  removed  with  his  wife  and  children  to  Polk  county,  Iowa, 
where  he  developed  a  tract  of  raw  land  into  an  improved  farm.  He  also  hunted 
and  trapped,  as  game  was  plentiful  and  as  prices  for  farm  produce  were  so  low 
that  the  income  received  from  the  sale  of  his  grain  and  stock  was  hardly  sufficient 
to  support  the  family. 

Samuel  E.  Chambers  was  reared  and  educated  in  Ohio  and  Polk  county,  Iowa, 
and  through  assisting  his  father  became  familiar  with  agricultural  work.  He 
farmed  in  Polk  county  until  1884,  when  he  purchased  land  in  Kossuth  county,  four 
miles  west  of  Corwith.  He  made  many  improvements  upon  the  farm,  carefully 
conserved  the  fertility  of  the  soil  and  as  the  years  passed  steadily  added  to  his 
resources.  As  a  result  of  his  practical  and  progressive  methods  he  harvested  large 
crops  and  he  also  met  with  gratifying  success  as  a  stock  raiser.  He  owned  four 
hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  land  and  the  farm  is  still  in  the  possession  of  the 
family,  but  during  the  last  few  years  of  his  life  he  was  engaged  in  the  implement 
business  in  Corwith.  When  a  resident  of  Kossuth  county  he  made  Corwith  his 
trading  point  and  was  so  well  known  to  the  business  men  here  that  he  seemed 
one  of  the  citizens  of  the  town.  His  death  occurred  on  the  18th  of  November, 
1892^  and  was  due  to  the  effects  of  the  hard  service  which  he  saw  at  the  front 
during  the  Civil  war.  He  enlisted  in  the  Eighth  Iowa  Cavalry  in  1862  and  was  in 
active  service  from  that  time  until  the  close  of  hostilities. 

On  the  28th  of  February,  1867,  in  Jasper  county,  Iowa,  Mr.  Chambers  was 
married  to  Miss  Eleanor  Schaeffer,  who  was  born  in  Licking  county,  Ohio,  but 
in  1852,  when  seven  years  old,  was  taken  by  her  parents  to  Lee  county,  Iowa, 
whence  removal  was  subsequently  made  to  Jasper  county.  There  she  received 
the  greater  part  of  her  education  and  in  young  womanhood  she  taught  school  in 
that  county  and  also  in  Polk  county.  Following  her  husband's  death  she  re- 
mained upon  the  home  farm  in  Kossuth  county  until  1900,  when  she  took  up  her 
residence  in  Corwith,  where  she  is  still  living.    She  is  prominently  identified  with 


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442  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

all  of  the  social  activities  of  the  town  and  is  one  of  the  leading  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  taking  a  very  active  part  in  the  various  phases  of  its 
work.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Chambers  were  bom  nine  children,  namely:  George 
Franklin,  who  was  born  in  Jasper  county  and  is  farming  in  Kossuth  county: 
William  P.,  who  is  also  a  native  of  Jasper  county  and  is  engaged  in  the  real  estate 
business  in  Corwith;  Charles,  who  was  born  in  Jasper  county  and  is  deceased; 
Harrison  0.,  and  Edward,  who  are  natives  of  Polk  county  and  are  farming  in 
Kossuth  county ;  Mary,  born  in  Polk  county  and  now  the  wife  of  Harry  A.  Newlin, 
a  merchant  of  Corwith;  Laura  Belle,  who  is  a  native  of  Kossuth  county  and  is 
the  wife  of  Ernest  Vaughn,  a  farmer  residing  in  Tennessee;  Ava,  who  is  a  native 
of  Kossuth  county  and  is  teaching  school ;  and  John,  operating  a  part  of  the  home 
farm. 

Mr.  Chambers  was  an  advocate  of  republican  principles  and  held  the  oflSces  of 
school  director  and  supervisor.  His  religious  faith  was  that  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  and  it  was  the  guiding  force  in  his  life.  He  was  prominent  in 
the  work  of  the  church  and  all  movements  for  the  moral  advancement  of  his  com- 
munity received  his  heartiest  support.  Through  his  identification  with  the  Grand 
Army  post  at  Garner  he  kept  in  touch  with  his  comrades  in  blue  and  found  in  that 
association  a  great  deal  of  pleasure.  In  all  relations  of  life  he  measured  up  to  high 
standards  of  manhood,  and  his  death  was  the  occasion  of  widespread  grief,  for  he 
had  a  large  acquaintance  and  was  held  in  the  highest  esteem. 


J.  VV.  BROOKER. 


J.  W.  Brooker,  residing  on  section  17,  Ellington  township,  is  a  worthy  repre- 
sentative of  the  agricultural  interests  of  Hancock  county  and  is  a  business  man 
of  exceptional  ability.  A  native  of  Illinois,  he  was  bom  in  Livii^gston  county, 
August  4,  1862,  and  is  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Lucinda  (Wilber)  Brooker,  of  whom 
extended  mention  is  made  in  the  sketch  of  F.  J.  Brooker  on  another  page  of  this 
volume.  In  the  county  of  his  nativity  our  subject  grew  to  manhood  with  the 
usual  educational  advantages  of  the  country  boy  and  on  the  11th  of  August,  1886, 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ida  A.  Ellis,  also  a  native  of  Livingston  county, 
Illinois. 

In  March,  1887,  Mr.  Brooker  brought  his  wife  to  Iowa  and  after  residing  for 
one  year  in  Ida  county  removed  to  Winnebago  county  in  1888,  locating  on  the 
farm  in  Linden  township  now  owned  by  his  brother  Fred  but  at  that  time  belong- 
ing to  his  father.  Two  years  later,  in  1890,  he  purchased  the  northwest  quarter 
of  section  6,  Madison  township,  Hancock  county,  and  the  east  half  of  the  northeast 
quarter  of  section  1,  Crystal  township,  paying  for  the  same  two  thousand  dollars 
and  selling  it  two  years  later  for  five  thousand  dollars.  He  next  bought  eighty 
acres  in  Mount  Valley  township,  Winnebago  county,  but  did  not  locate  thereon, 
and  in  September,  1892,  purchased  one  hundred  and  thirty-five  acres  of  his  present 
farm  in  Ellington  township,  Hancock  county,  for  which  he  paid  twenty-five  dollars 
per  acre.  At  the  time  of  the  financial  panic  during  President  Cleveland's  adminis- 
tration was  laid  the  cornerstone  of  his  success.  Cattle  could  then  be  bought  at 
one's  own  price  and  com  was  selling  at  eight  cents  per  bushel.    Mr.  Brooker  took 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  443 

advantage  of  these  conditions,  his  credit  being  good  at  the  banks,  and  he  bought 
cattle  as  low  as  two  dollars  per  hundred  and  calves  at  five  dollars  per  head.  Cattle 
which  he  purchased  at  two  and  two  dollars  and  a  half  per  hundred  were  fed  on 
eight  to  twelve  cent  corn  and  marketed  at  four  dollars  and  a  half  per  hundred. 
He  bought  everything  offered  for  sale  and  sold  at  a  profit  what  he  could  not  feed. 
He  has  added  to  his  home  farm  until  it  now  comprises  three  hundred  and  fifty 
acres  of  some  of  the  most  fertile  land  in  Hancock  county  and  he  also  owns  sixty- 
four  acres  adjoining  the  corporate  limits  of  Forest  City  and  a  farm  of  one  hundred 
and  twenty  acres  on  sections  15  and  16,  Ellington  township.  Mr.  Brooker  now 
makes  a  specialty  of  breeding  registered  Aberdeen  Angus  cattle,  having  been  build- 
ing up  his  herd  since  1909,  and  Poland  China  hogs.  He  has  nothing  but  regis- 
tered stock  on  his  place  and  has  made  a  reputation  as  a  breeder. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brooker  have  been  bom  three  children,  of  whom  two  are 
living:  Myrtle  M.,  at  home  with  her  parents;  and  Jay  E.,  who  is  located  on  his 
father's  farm  adjoining  Forest  City.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brooker  are  faithful  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  take  an  active  part  in  its  work.  For  several 
years  Mr.  Brooker  served  as  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school  and  has  also 
been  president  of  the  Epworth  League.  In  politics  he  is  an  ardent  republican 
and  for  four  years  served  as  chairman  of  the  board  of  township  trustees.  He  was 
one  of  the  prime  movers  in  the  organizing  of  the  Farmers  Mutual  Switch  Board 
Company  of  Forest  City,  which  installed  the  farmers'  telephone  system,  now  oper- 
ating more  than  a  thousand  telephones.  Mr.  Brooker  was  also  one  of  the  organ- 
izers of  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  of  Forest  City  and  is  one  of  the  prominent 
men  of  affairs  in  Hancock  county,  being  preeminently  public-spirited  and  progres- 
sive. He  never  Withholds  his  support  from  any  enterprise  which  he  believes  will 
prove  of  public  benefit  and  in  business  affairs  usually  carries  forward  to  successful 
completion  whatever  he  undertakes. 


FRANK  H.  CLARK. 


Frank  H.  Clark,  engaged  in  general  agricultural  pursuits  on  section  23,  Twin 
Lake  township,  has  l)een  a  resident  of  Hancock  county  since  he  was  fourteen  years 
of  age.  He  was  bom  in  Indiana,  on  the  26th  of  August,  1863,  a  son  of  John  B.  and 
Mary  (Robison)  Clark,  the  former  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  while  the  latter  was 
born  in  Ohio.  They  removed  westward  to  Iowa  and  established  their  home  upon  a 
farm  in  Wright  county  when  Frank  H.  Clark  was  six  months  old.  He  began  his 
education  under  the  direction  of  his  father,  who  was  a  school  teacher.  He  herded 
cattle  when  eleven  years  old  and  when  fourteen  he  was  farming  with  his  brother- 
in-law  in  Hancock  county.  After  this  brother-in-law  died  he  conducted  the  farm 
for  his  sister.  Then  for  several  years  he  broke  prairie  and  worked  with  his  team 
at  whatever  he  could  get  to  do.  When  twenty-seven  years  old  he  rented  land  for  a 
year  and  then  became  owner  of  a  forty-acre  tract,  for  which  he  traded  a  pair  of 
horses  and  an  old  wagon.  This  was  situated  on  section  12,  Twin  Lake  township, 
Hancock  county.  With  characteristic  energy  he  began  the  development  of  the  farm 
and  after  some  years  he  became  the  owner  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  on 
section  22  of  the  same  township.    When  two  years  had  passed,  however,  he  sold  that 


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444  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

place  and  invested  in  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  23,  Twin  Lake  town- 
ship, where  he  now  makes  his  home.  He  carries  on  general  farming,  carefully 
tilling  the  soil  in  the  production  of  those  cereals  best  adapted  to  climatic  condi- 
tions here.    His  labors  have  brought  to  him  a  comfortable  competence. 

On  the  9th  of  August,  1912,  Mr.  Clark  was  married  to  Miss  Emma  De  Meret, 
a  daughter  of  John  and  Harriet  De  Meret,  natives  of  Nebraska.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Clark  have  a  son,  Harold  F.  Politically  Mr.  Clark  is  a  republican  but  has  never 
sought  nor  desired  office,  preferring  to  concentrate  his  time  and  energies  upon 
his  business  affairs,  which  have  been  wisely  managed.  His  life  has  been  one  of 
diligence  and  illustrates  what  may  be  accomplished  through  persistent,  earnest 
effort  and  laudable  ambition. 


BERT  G.  HANNA. 


Bert  G.  Hanna,  a  farmer  residing  on  section  10,  Mount  Valley  township,  is  a 
native  son  of  Winnebago  county,  having  been  born  February  12,  1872,  on  the  farm 
where  he  now  resides.  His  parents,  Gunder  G.  and  Dorothy  (Charlson)  Hanna, 
were  both  natives  of  Norway  and  in  boyhood  and  girlhood  came  to  the  United 
States  with  their  respective  parents,  the  families  settling  in  Dane  county,  Wis- 
consin, where  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hanna  were  reared  and  married.  At  the  outbreak 
of  the  Civil  war  the  former  responded  to  the  country's  call  for  aid  and  joined  the 
Union  army,  with  which  he  served  for  three  years,  participating  in  a  number  of 
hotly  contested  engagements.  It  was  after  his  return  home  that  he  was  married 
and  for  five  years  more  he  continued  to  reside  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  but  in 
the  spring  of  1870  removed  to  Iowa  and  purchased  the  farm  upon  which  his  son 
Bert  now  resides  and  which  is  still  his  property.  His  wife  passed  away  in  1888 
and  the  father  now  spends  a  goodly  portion  of  his  time  with  his  son  Bert. 

The  latter  is  indebted  to  the  common  school  system  of  Winnebago  county  for 
the  educational  opportunities  which  he  enjoyed.  He  early  took  up  the  work  of 
the  fields,  devoting  the  summer  months  to  the  task  of  plowing,  planting  and  har- 
vesting, and  the  early  experience  which  he  received  well  qualified  him  to  take  over 
the  management  of  the  home  farm  at  a  later  period.  He  was  about  nineteen  years 
of  age  when  he  assumed  this  responsibility.  He  operated  the  land  as  a  renter 
until  about  1897,  when  he  purchased  the  place,  comprising  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  of  rich  and  productive  land  which  he  has  brought  to  a  high  state  (Jf  cultiva- 
tion and  from  which  he  annually  gathers  good  harvests.  He  is  practical  as  well 
as  progressive  in  all  that  he  does  and  the  neat  and  thrifty  appearance  of  his  place 
indicates  his  careful  supervision  and  his  sound  judgement.  Not  only  is  he  a  success- 
ful farmer,  but  he  is  also  well  known  as  a  reliable  business  man  in  other  connections. 
He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  elevator  at  Joice  and  a  stockholder  in  the  Farm- 
ers Cooperative  Creamery  Company  of  Lake  Mills  and  in  the  Lake  Mills  Lumber 
Company.  In  addition  to  tilling  the  soil  in  the  production  of  crops  best  adapted 
to  climatic  conditions  here,  he  makes  a  specialty  of  raising  Chester  White  hogs. 

In  1894  Mr.  Hanna  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Linda  Revland,  of  Mount 
Valley  township,  and  they  have  become  parents  of  five  children,  two  sons  and  three 
daughters:    Leslie,  Marie,  Selma,  Glenn  and  Pearl,  all  at  home.    In  politics  Mr. 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  445 

Hanna  is  a  republican  and  is  now  serving  as  a  member  of  the  township  board 
of  trustees.  He  has  also  been  township  assessor  for  ten  years  and  for  several  years 
was  a  member  of  the  school  board.  He  stands  loyally  for  those  forces  which  he  be- 
lieves to  be  of  the  greatest  public  benefit  and  his  aid  and  cooperation  can  be  counted 
upon  to  further  any  movement  promulgated  for  the  public  good. 


P.  H.  PETERSEN. 


P.  H.  Petersen,  now  living  retired  on  section  16,  Norway  township,  Winnebago 
county,  has  resided  here  for  almost  sixty  years  and  during  his  active  business  life 
was  prominently  identified  with  the  agricultural  interests  of  this  locality.  He  was 
born  in  Norway  on  the  4th  of  January,  1848,  and  is  a  son  of  Halvor  and  Anna 
(Overbo)  Petersen.  In  that  country  the  father  engaged  in  farming  to  a  limited 
extent,  but  when  our  subject  was  six  and  a  half  years  of  age  the  family  came  to 
the  United  States  and  located  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  which  was  their  home 
until  1858,  when  they  removed  to  Mitchell  county,  Iowa.  The  following  year,  how- 
ever, they  came  to  Winnebago  county  and  the  father  purchased  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  of  land  on  section  16,  Norway  township,  which  he  at  once  began  to 
improve  and  cultivate.  On  his  retirement  from  active  labor  this  farm  was  taken 
over  by  our  subject,  who  operated  it  successfully  until  1902,  since  which  time  he 
has  lived  retired.  The  father  died  on  the  6th  of  March,  1908,  at  the  age  of  ninety 
years,  and  the  mother  passed  away  June  11,  1892,  when  nearly  eighty  years  old, 
the  remains  of  both  being  interred  in  the  Lime  Creek  cemetery. 

In  their  family  were  eight  children,  of  whom  four  lived  to  maturity.  Martha, 
the  oldest  of  these,  was  born  July  6,  1842,  and  married  John  I.  Dahle,  a  son  of 
Iver  and  Anna  Dahle,  who  were  early -settlers  of  Worth  county,  Iowa,  living  just 
over  the  Winnebago  county  line.  Of  that  union  seven  children  were  bom,  namely : 
Ida,  at  home  with  her  parents;  Peter  C,  who  is  living  on  the  Dahle  farm  in 
Worth  county;  Anna,  who  married  A.  E.  Brudvig,  of  Norway  township,  Winne- 
bago county,  and  died  leaving  two  children,  Mildred  and  Nels;  Anna  Karina,  now 
the  wife  of  Michael  Dahle,  of  Stutsman  county.  North  Dakota ;  Julius,  also  a  resi- 
dent of  Stutsman  county;  and  Joel  M.  and  Eva,  both  at  home.  Rachel,  the  second 
in  the  Petersen  family  to  reach  adult  age,  is  now  deceased.  She  married  Ole  Wil- 
helmson  and  lived  in  Waukesha  county,  Wisconsin.  P.  H.  Petersen  is  the  next  in 
order  of  birth.  L.  H.  Petersen,  a  resident  of  Norway  township,  completes  the 
family. 

P.  H.  Petersen  was  a  lad  of  eleven  years  on  the  removal  of  the  family  to 
Winnebago  county  and  on  completing  his  education  in  the  district  schools  devoted 
his  entire  time  and  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits.  He  still  owns  the  old  home 
farm,  consisting  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  and  also  has  an  adjoining  tract 
of  sixty  acres  but,  as  previously  stated,  is  now  living  retired,  renting  his  land  to 
others.  In  1879  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Margareta  Sanden,  a  daughter 
of  Erick  and  Katrina  Sanden,  who  came  to  this  country  from  Norway  and  spent 
their  last  days  in  Norway  township,  Winnebago  county,  Iowa.  When  called  from 
this  life  they  were  also  buried  in  the  Lime  Creek  cemetery. 

Since  attaining  his  majority  Mr.  Petersen  has  taken  a  very  active  and  promi- 


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446  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTII^S 

nent  part  in  local  politics  and  has  been  honored  with  several  important  ofiBcial 
positions.  For  six  years  he  served  as  county  supervisor  and  was  United  States 
census  enumerator  in  1880  and  in  1890  besides  filling  all  of  the  township  offices 
with  the  exception  of  clerk  and  constable.  No  trust  reposed  in  him  has  ever  been 
betrayed  and  he  is  a  man  honored  and  respected  wherever  known.  He  was  secre- 
tary of  the  Mutual  Fire  &  Lightning  Insurance  Company  of  Winnebago  county 
for  twenty-five  years,  ^and  was  also  secretary  of  the  Norman  Creamery  Association. 
For  forty  years  he  was  a  deacon  of  the  Lime  Creek  Synod  church. 


JOHN  BATCHELOR. 


John  Batchelor,  a  well  known  stock  dealer  of  Thompson,  was  born  on  the  10th 
of  May,  1867,  in  New  York,  and  is  a  son  of  William  and  Mary  (Chappie)  Batche- 
lor, natives  of  England.  At  an  early  day  the  parents  came  to  America  and  lo- 
cated in  Lyons,  New  York,  where  the  father  engaged  in  farming  for  a  nimiber 
of  years.  They  then  removed  to  Lee  county,  Illinois,  where  he  continued  to  engage 
in  agricultural  pursuits  for  many  years  but  is  now  living  retired  in  Ashton,  Illi- 
nois.    His  wife  is  also  living. 

John  Batchelor  began  his  education  in  the  schools  of  New  York,  being  fourteen 
years  ef  age  at  the  time  of  the  removal  of  the  family  from  the  Empire  state  to 
Illinois,  where  he  continued  his  studies  for  some  time.  He  remained  under  the 
parental  roof  until  twenty-four  years  of  age,  assisting  in  the  labors  of  the  farm, 
and  on  leaving  home  engaged  in  farming  on  his  own  account  in  Lee  county  for 
three  years.  In  1896  he  came  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  and  purchased  three 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  one-half  mile  north  of  Thompson.  He  improved 
and  operated  that  farm  until  1910,  when  he  sold  the  place  and  removed  to  Thomp- 
son, where  he  has  since  engaged  in  the  buying  and  selling  of  stock.  He  still  owns 
two  hundred  acres  of  land  in  Winnebago  county  and  three  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  in  South  Dakota,  and  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  and 
the  Farmers  Creamery  Company.  Mr.  Batchelor  has  also  successfully  and  exten- 
sively engaged  in  the  breeding  of  registered  Aberdeen  Angus  cattle,  Poland  China 
hogs  and  fancy  poultry  and  was  the  first  to  introduce  that  breed  of  cattle  into 
Winnebago  county.    He  has  always  been  a  great  admirer  of  fancy  stock. 

On  the  26th  of  February,  1891,  Mr.  Batchelor  married  Miss  Sophia  Kersten, 
and  they  have  become  the  parents  of  four  children :  Edward  William,  who  is  now 
engaged  in  farming  in  South  Dakota;  Florence  M.,  who  is  clerking  in  a  store  in 
Thompson;  Willard  L.  and  Wallace  Donald,  both  attending  school. 

In  religious  faith  the  family  are  Methodists  and  Mr.  Batchelor  is  also  identified 
with  the  Masonic  fraternity,  belonging  to  the  blue  lodge,  chapter,  consistory. 
Shrine  and  Eastern  Star.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows  and  the  Rebekahs.  In  politics  he  is  independent,  supporting  the  men 
whom  he  believes  best  qualified  to  fill  the  offices.  He  is  now  efficiently  serving  on 
the  school  board  and  also  as  one  of  the  trustees  of  King  township.  For  several 
years  he  served  as  township  clerk  and  for  many  years  was  one  of  the  directors 
of  the  Mutual  Insurance  Company  from  King  township.  No  trust  reposed  in  him 
has  ever  been  betrayed  and  he  has  the  confidence  and  respect  of  all  who  know  him 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  447 

for  he  has  been  found  thoroughly  reliable  ih  every  relation  of  life.  He  is  a  shrewd 
and  capable  business  man  and  success  has  attended  his  efforts  until  he .  is  now 
numbered  among  the  substantial  citizens  of  Thompson. 


PETER  0.  STORBY. 


For  over  twenty  years  Peter  0.  Storby  has  operated  his  present  farm  on 
section  8,  Center  township,  Winnebago  county,  and  he  has  also,  for  a  long  period, 
owned  a  threshing  outfit.  He  was  born  near  Ridgeway,  Winneshiek  county,  Iowa, 
on  the  2d  of  March,  1871,  a  son  of  Ole  and  Sigrie  (Askalson)  Storby,  who  were 
bom  in  Norway  but  came  to  America  prior  to  the  Civil  war.  For  two  years  the 
father  worked  as  a  farm  hand  in  Winneshiek  county,  Iowa,  and  was  similarly 
employed  in  Minnesota  for  two  years.  In  1877  the  family  removed  to  Winnebago 
county,  Iowa,  and  the  father  bought  land  in  Norway  township,  which  he  farmed 
for  six  years.  He  then  removed  to  Center  township  and  acquired  title  to  one 
hundred  and  forty  acres  on  sections  5  and  7.  This  place  remained  his  home  until 
his  death  in  October,  1902.  The  mother  was  killed  in  a  train  accident  on  the 
22d  of  September,  1904. 

Peter  0.  Storby  was  but  six  years  old  when  the  removal  was  made  to  Winne- 
bago county  and  he  received  his  education  in  the  local  schools.  He  remained  at 
home  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old,  when  he  rented  a  farm,  which  he  oper- 
ated for  three  years.  He  then  purchased  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  on 
section  8,  Center  township,  in  partnership  with  his  brother,  and  they  farmed  that 
place  together  for  five  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  they  divided  the  property 
and  have  since  cultivated  their  land  independently.  Mr.  Storby  of  this  review 
makes  a  specialty  of  raising  high  grade  Poland  China  hogs  and  also  grows  some 
grain  for  the  market.  He  owns  stock  in  the  Farmers  State  Bank  of  Lake  Mills, 
in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company,  the  Lake  Mills  Lumber  Company,  the  Lake 
Mills  Creamery  Company  and  the  Lake  Mills  Teleph«iie  Company.  He  owns  a 
threshing  machine  and  has  found  its  operation  very  profitable.  His  land  is  in  a 
high  state  of  cultivation,  the  buildings  and  other  improvements  upon  the  place 
are  excellent,  and  although  he  paid  but  thirty  dollars  an  acre  for  the  farm  it  is 
now  worth  two  hundred  and  thirty-five  dollars  per  acre,  the  increase  in  value 
being  due  in  part  to  the  general  development  of  the  county  and  in  part  to  the 
improvements  which  he  has  made. 

On  the  5th  of  September,  1899,  Mr.  Storby  was  married  to  Miss  Ida  Peterson, 
a  daughter  of  Anton  and  Annie  (Thompson)  Peterson,  natives  of  Norway.  On 
emigrating  to  this  country  the  father  first  located  in  Wisconsin  but  a  short  time 
afterward  came  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  where  he  worked  out  by  the  month 
until  his  marriage.  He  then  rented  a  farm  for  some  time,  but  at  length  purchased 
land  in  Newton  township,  which  he  operated  for  about  thirty-five  years.  He  then 
sold  out  and  removed*  to  a  small  place  in  Norway  township,  a  mile  and  a  half 
north  of  Lake  Mills.  Mrs.  Peterson  also  survives.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Storby  have 
been  born  six  children,  as  follows:  Otis  S.,  at  home;  Alma  A.,  who  is  attending 
the  high  school  at  Lake  Mills;  Clifford  E.  G.,  and  Bernard  M.,  both  of  whom  are  in 
school;  Alice  and  Irving. 

11—22 


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448  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

The  republican  party  has  a  stalwart  adherent  in  Mr.  Storby,  and  he  has  filled 
a  number  of  offices.  For  some  time  he  was  road  superintendent,  is  now  serving  his 
third  year  as  township  trustee  and  for  sixteen  years  has  been  a  member  of  the 
school  board,  while  for  fourteen  years  he  has  served  as  president  of  that  body. 
He  holds  membership  in  the  United  Lutheran  church  and  can  always  be  depended 
upon  to  support  movements  seeking  the  moral  welfare  of  his  community. 


PETER    N.    BRONES. 


Peter  N.  Brones,  deceased,  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Winnebago  county  and 
contributed  in  substantial  measure  to  the  early  development  as  well  as  the  later 
improvement  of  this  section  of  the  state.  He  was  born  in  Modom,  Norway,  on  the 
29th  of  June,  1847,  and  in  his  childhood  came  with  his  parents  to  the  United 
States,  the  family  home  being  established  at  Primrose,  Dane  county,  Wisconsin. 
He  was  a  youth  of  eighteen  years  when  in  1865  a  removal  was  made  to  Winnebago 
county,  Iowa,  where  his  parents  resided  until  called  to  their  final  rest. 

Peter.  N.  Brones  was  reared  under  the  parental  roof  and  acquired  his  education 
in  the  public  schools.  On  reaching  young  manhood  he  put  aside  his  textbooks 
and  worked  as  a  farm  hand  in  the  employ  of  neighboring  farmers.  In  1864,  how- 
ever, he  put  aside  all  business  and  personal  considerations  in  order  to  respond  to 
the  country's  call  for  troops  and  enlisted  as  a  member  of  Company  I,  Forty-third 
Regiment  of  Wisconsin  Volunteer  Infantry,  with  which  he  served  until  honorably 
discharged  on  the  24th  of  June,  1865.  In  the  fall  of  that  year  he  came  to  Winne- 
bago county,  whither  his  parents  had  removed  in  the  previous  spring.  He  then 
resided  in  Forest  City  until  the  spring  of  1866,  when  the  family  purchased  a  farm  in 
Mount  Valley  township.  Peter  N.  Brones  continued  to  assist  in  the  development 
and  improvement  of  the  old  homestead  up  to  the  time  of  his  marriage,  which 
occurred  on  the  7th  of  January,  1871,  the  lady  of  his  choice  being  Miss  Hattie 
Peters,  a  daughter  of  Peter  and  Tena  (Olson)  Elefson.  The  mother  died  in  Wiscon- 
sin and  the  father  came  to  Winnebago  county  in  1873. 

Following  his  marriage  Mr.  Brones  took  up  his  abode  on  a  farm  of  eighty  acres 
in  Mount  Valley  township,  which  he  had  previously  purchased,  and  after  the  death 
of  his  parents  he  bought  two  hundred  acres  of  the  old  home  place,  which  adjoined 
his  eighty-acre  farm.  In  1907,  on  account  of  ill  health,  he  left  the  farm  and  removed 
to  Forest  City,  where  he  passed  away  on  the  Ist  of  September,  1910,  after  having 
been  an  invalid  for  ten  years,  during  which  he  suffered  much,  and  during  the  last 
two  years  of  his  life  he  sat  in  a  chair  day  and  night. 

In  his  passing  his  family  lost  a  devoted  husband  and  father.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Brones  were  bom  five  children,  as  follows:  Mary,  who  is  the  wife  of  John  Hoist, 
of  Mount  Valley  township,  Winnebago  county,  and  has  four  children-,  Phillis,  Mabel, 
James  and  Alvin;  Carrie,  who  gave  her  hand  in  marriage  to  Ole  Thompson,  of 
Mount  Valley  township,  Winnebago  county,  and  had  three  children,  Horace,  Laura 
and  Mabel,  deceased;  Nathan,  an  agriculturist  of  Mount  Valley  township,  who  mar- 
ried Molena  Fellend,  their  children  being  Gladys,  Archie,  deceased,  Liel,  Palmer, 
Alpha,  Stanley  and  Myrtle ;  Clifford,  who  follows  farming  in  Pine  county,  Minne- 
sota, and  who  married  Jennie  Anderson,  by  whom  he  has  two  children,  Harriet 


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PETER  N.  BROXES 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  451 

and  Peter;  and  Ellsworth,  a  farmer  of  Center  township,  Winnebago  county,  who 
married  Ida  Halvorson  and  has  four  children,  Lloyd,  Richard,  Eleanor  and  Helen. 
Mrs.  Brones  still  makes  her  home  in  Forest  City,  where  she  is  widely  and  favorably 
known,  and  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  she  is  a  devoted  member. 

Mr.  Brones  gave  stanch  support  to  the  republican  party  and  for  many  years 
filled  various  township  ofiBces,  the  duties  of  which  he  discharged  with  promptness 
and  fidelity.  He  was  for  many  years  a  member  of  the  schoolboard  and  was  also 
its  president.  He  held  membership  in  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  post  at 
Forest  City  and  the  funeral  was  in  charge  of  that  organization.  He  was  one  of 
the  most  highly  esteemed  men  of  his  part  of  the  state.  He  gave  most  liberally  of  his 
abundance  to  the  poor  and  needy,  and  it  is  said  that  no  person  who  sought  food 
or  shelter  at  his  door  was  ever  turned  away.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Masonic  lodge 
for  more  than  forty  years,  and  ever  followed  in  his  life  its  teachings  concerning  the 
brotherhood  of  man  and  the  obligations  thereby  imposed.  A  modern  philosopher 
has  said:  "Not  the  good  that  comes  to  us,  but  the  good  that  comes  to  the  world 
through  us,  is  the  measure  of  our  success  f  and  judged  by  this  standard  Mr.  Brones 
was  a  most  successful  man,  for  many  benefited  by  his  immediate  aid,  others  by  his 
counsel  and  advice,  and  all  who  knew  him  by  the  inspiration  of  his  life  of  nobility 
and  worth. 


LOUIS  0.  SOLOMONSON. 

In  presenting  the  life  record  of  Louis  0.  Solomonson  we  give  to  our  readers 
the  history  of  one  who  has  been  a  lifelong  resident  of  Iowa  and  who  in  his  business 
career  has  ever  exemplified  the  spirit  of  western  enterprise  and  progress  which 
has  led  to  the  substantial  development  of  this  great  state.  He  now  resides  on 
section  4,  Newton  township,  Winnebago  county,  where  he  has  an  excellent  farm. 
He  was  born  in  Winneshiek  county,  Iowa,  October  10,  1871,  a  son  of  Ole  and 
Karie  Solomonson.  He  was  reared  in  Winnebago  county,  his  parents  removing 
from  Winneshiek  county  when  he  was  a  little  lad  of  five  summers.  He  remained 
imder  the  parental  roof  until  he  had  reached  the  age  of  thirty  years  and  then 
purchased  one  hundred  and  forty-four  acres  of  land  on  sections  3  and  4,  Newton 
township,  the  buildings  being  on  section  4.  He  has  wonderfully  improved  this 
place  and  is  planning  to  erect  a  fine  modern  home  in  the  year  1917.  He  has 
continuously  cultivated  his  farm  through  the  intervening  period  since  the  pur- 
chase was  made  and  has  lived  in  Newton  township  altogether  for  forty-one  years. 
His  fields  have  been  brought  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and  everything 
about  his  place  is  indicative  of  his  progressive  methods  and  practical  care.  He 
has  one  of  the  finest  and  largest  barns  in  the  county  and  he  also  owns  property 
in  Lake  Mills.  He  keeps  upon  his  farm  a  large  number  of  cattle  and  other  stock 
and  during  the  winter  of  1916-'17  cared  for  one  hundred  head  of  cattle.  He  has 
become  financially  interested  in  several  local  business  enterprises,  being  a  stock- 
holder in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  of  Lake  Mills,  the  Farmers  Elevator 
Company  of  Scarville,  of  which  he  is  also  a  director,  and  in  the  Lake  Mills  Cream- 
ery Company. 

On  the  9th  of  October,  1901,  Mr.   Solomonson  was  married  to  Miss  Inger 


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452  WINNEBAQO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

Kioster  and  to  them  have  been  bom  five  children :  Andrew,  Nora,  Ole,  Carl  and 
Emma.  Mrs.  Solomonson  is  a  daughter  of  Andrew  and  Anna  (Lande)  Kloster, 
natives  of  Norway, 'where  they  were  married  in  1873,  and  in  the  same  year  they 
came  to  the  United  States.  They  settled  in  Winneshiek  county,  Iowa,  and  later 
Mr.  Kloster  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  on  section  2,  Newton 
township,  Winnebago  county,  which  he  improved  with  good  buildings.  He  died 
in  August,  1900.  In  his  family  were  eight  children,  namely :  John,  now  farming 
near  Scarville,  Iowa;  Carl,  who  died  in  infancy;  Carl,  a  resident  of  North  Da- 
kota ;  Berit,  who  died  at  the  age  of  eleven  years ;  Job,  now  farming  the  old  home- 
stead; Inger,  now  Mrs.  Solomonson;  Anna,  who  died  in  1916;  and  Andrew, 
deceased. 

The  religious  faith  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Solomonson  is  that  of  the  Lutheran 
church  and  Mr.  Solomonson  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party. 
He  has  served  as  a  republican  committeeman  of  his  township  and  does  all  in 
his  power  to  secure  the  adoption  of  the  political  principles  in  which  he  believes. 
He  has  also  been  a  member  of  the  school  board  and  he  is  numbered  among  the 
leading  and  representative  residents  of  Newton  township,  standing  as  he  does  at 
all  times  for  progress  and  improvement.  His  enterprising  business  methods  have 
been  the  basis  of  his  success  and  his  life  work  has  been  an  exemplification  of  mod- 
ern scientific  methods  of  farming. 


OSCAR  SOLOMONSON. 


Oscar  Solomonson,  a  well  known  and  highly  respected  farmer  of  Newton  town- 
ship, Winnebago  county,  living  on  section  1,  was  bom  on  the  30th  of  August, 
1879,  in  the  township  where  he  yet  makes  his  home,  his  parents  being  Ole  and 
Karie  (Haugland)  Solomonson,  who  were  natives  of  Norway.  Leaving  the  land 
of  the  midnight  sun  in  1866,  the  father  came  to  the  new  world  and  established  his 
home  in  Winneshiek  county,  Iowa,  where  he  was  employed  for  a  few  years.  How- 
ever, he  carefully  saved  his  earnings,  for  he  was  ambitious  to  have  a  farm  of  his 
own,  and  when  he  had  gained  a  little  capital  as  the  result  of  his  industry  and 
economy  he  purchased  forty  acres  of  land,  which  he  cultivated  for  five  years.  In 
1876  he  arrived  in  Winnebago  county  and  purchased  land  in  Newton  township, 
which  he  iinproved  and  cultivated  throughout  his  remaining  days,  winning  a  place 
among  the  valued  and  substantial  farmers  of  the  district.  He  died  April  5,  1909, 
but  his  widow  still  survives. 

Oscar  Solomonson  was  reared  and  educated  in  Newton  township,  pursuing  his 
studies  in  the  district  schools,  while  vacation  periods  were  spent  largely  in  the 
fields,  so  that  he  early  became  familiar  with  the  work  of  plowing,  planting  and 
harvesting.  He  remained  with  his  parents  until  he  attained  his  majority  and  then 
purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  on  section  33,  Logan  township.  This  he  cultivated 
for  six  years,  when  he  sold  out  and  purchased  his  present  place  of  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  on  section  1,  Newton  township.  He  has  developed  this  farm  to  a  con- 
siderable extent  and  has  now  cultivated  it  for  seven  years,  bringing  the  fields  to 
a  high  point  of  productiveness  in  the  cultivation  of  corn,  wheat  and  other  cereals. 
The  place  is  divided  into  fields  of  convenient  size  by  well  kept  fences  and  he  utilizes 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  453 

the  latest  improved  machinery  to  further  his  work.  He  is  actuated  by  a  spirit  of 
cooperation  and  progressiveness  and  has  become  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers 
Elevator  Company  of  Lake  Mills,  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  of  Scarville 
and  in  the  Lake  Mills  Creamery  Company. 

On  the  7th  of  October,  1908,  Mr.  Solomonson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Gena  Rosheim,  by  whom  he  has  four  children,  namely:  Ole,  Iver,  Cora  and  Be- 
linda. The  parents  hold  membership  in  the  Lutheran  church  and  are  loyal  to  its 
teachings.  Mr.  Solomonson  is  a  republican  in  his  political  views  and  is  now  serving 
as  one  of  the  trustees  of  Newton  township.  His  "has  been  an  active  and  well  spent 
life.  He  has  always  lived  in  Winnebago  county  and  his  friends,  who  are  many, 
speak  of  him  in  terms  of  high  regard. 


NELS  LARSON. 


Nels  Larson,  who  for  a  long  period  was  identified  with  farming  interests  in 
Logan  township,  Winnebago  county,  spent  his  last  days  in  honorable  retirement 
in  Scarville,  where  he  passed  away  on  the  20th  of  August,  1913.  He  was  born 
in  Denmark,  February  3,  1864,  a  son  of  Louis  and  Trena  Larson,  both  of  whom 
passed  away  in  Denmark. 

It  was  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  country  that  Nels  Larson  pursued 
his  education  to  the  time  that  he  was  confirmed.  When  eighteen  years  of  age 
he  crossed  the  Atlantic  to  the  new  world,  attracted  by  the  better  business  oppor- 
tunities that  he  believed  he  might  secure  on  this  side  the  water.  For  three  years 
he  lived  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  and  then  came  to  Iowa,  establishing  his  home 
near  Northwood,  in  Worth  county,  where  he  cultivated  a  rented  farm  for  five 
years.  He  then  removed  to  Logan  township,  Winnebago  county,  and  after  renting 
land  for  two  years  he  purchased  the  east  half  of  the  southwest  quarter  of  section 
11  and  also  an  eighty-acre  tract  on  section  14,  thus  becoming  the  owner  of  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land,  upon  which  he  placed  all  the  improvements. 
He  converted  this  farm  from  a  comparatively  wild  tract  into  a  highly  developed 
place  equipped  with  all  the  accessories  and  conveniences  of  the  model  farm  of  the 
twentieth  century.  He  brought  his  fields  to  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and  an- 
nually gathered  good  harvests  as  a  reward  for  his  practical  methods  of  tilling  tbe 
soil.  He  was  thus  engaged  in  general  farming  until  1913,  when  he  sold  his  farm 
and  removed  to  Scarville,  but  was  not  long  permitted  to  enjoy  his  new  Home,  for 
there  he  passed  away  on  the  20th  of  August,  of  that  year,  when  in  the  sixtieth 
year  of  his  age. 

On  April  2,  1878,  Mr.  Larson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Anne  Sofie 
Anderson,  a  daughter  of  Christian  and  Susan  Anderson,  who  were  natives  of 
Norway,  where  they  were  reared  and  married,  and  there  their  daughter  Sofie  was 
born.  In  the  year  1855  they  came  with  their  family  to  the  United  States,  settling 
in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  where  they  resided  for  five  years.  On  the  expiration 
of  that  period  they  removed  to  Freeborn  county,  Minnesota,  where  they  lived  for 
eight  years,  and  later  they  came  to  Winnebago  county.  Here  Mr.  Anderson  pur- 
chased a  farm  in  Norway  township  and  continued  thereon  to  engage  in  general 
agricultural  pursuits  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  September,  1907.     The 


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454  WTINNEBAGK)    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

mother  died  in  August,  1907.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Larson  were  born  seven  children. 
Christopher,  now  a  resident  of  Scarville,  married  Miss  Ingre  Folken  and  they  have 
five  children,  William,  Thea,  Lucy,  Luther  and  Ingeborg.  Walter,  who  is  living 
near  Joice,  married  Hilda  Knutson,  who  died,  leaving  two  children,  Clifford  and 
Laura.  Dena  is  the  wife  of  Ole  Bilste,  of  Lake  Mills,  and  their  children  are  five 
in  number,  Walter,  Palma,  Lillian,  Reuben  and  Valborg.  Laura  is  the  wife  of 
Martin  Holland,  whose  home  is  near  Joice,  and  they  have  two  children,  Stanford 
and  Norman.  Albert  wedded  Nettie  Brakke  and  follows  farming  near  Joice. 
Nels  S.  and  Benjamin  are  at  honft  with  their  mother,  the  family  residence  being 
still  maintained  in  Scarville,  where  Mrs.  Larson  and  her  sons  are  widely  and 
favorably  known. 

Mrs.  Larson  holds  membership  in  the  United  Lutheran  church.  In  his  political 
views  Mr.  Larson  was  a  democrat,  but  did  not  seek  nor  desire  office,  preferring  to 
concentrate  his  attention  and  energies  upon  his  farming  interests.  He,  too,  was 
a  member  of  the  United  Lutheran  church  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  Lutheran 
cemetery  at  Scarville.  He  never  had  occasion  to  regret  his  determination  to  come 
to  the  new  world,  for  he  found  here  favorable  business  opportunities  and  in  their 
utilization  worked  his  way  upward  in  a  financial  way  and  at  his  death  was  able 
to  leave  his  family  in  comfortable  circumstances. 


HANS  N.  SANDE. 


Hans  N.  Sande,  who  is  successfully  engaged  in  farming  on  section  25,  Logan 
township,  has  been  a  resident  of  Winnebago  county  since  1878  and  has  therefore 
witnessed  almost  its  entire  development  and  upbuilding.  His  early  home,  however, 
was  on  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic,  for  he  was  born  in  Sogn,  Norway,  May  6, 
1857,  a  son  of  Nels  Hanson  Sande  and  Bertha  Ericsdatter  Tue,  Tue  being  the 
name  of  the  farm  on  which  the  family  resided.  The  parents  never  came  to  the 
United  States  and  the  mother  died  when  our  subject  was  only  three  and  a  half 
years  old,  leaving  three  children,  namely:  Uni,  now  Mrs.  Ole  Tuftedahl  of  Sogn, 
Norway;  Hans  N.,  of  this  review;  and  Erick,  who  died  in  Norway  township, 
Winnebago  county,  Iowa.  For  his  second  wife  the  father  married  Gunild  Johns- 
datter  Husebo,  by  whom  he  had  three  children,  Bertha,  Joe  and  Nelsma,  all  living 
in  Norway,  as  does  their  mother.  The  father  died  when  Hans  N.  was  ten  years 
of  age. 

During  his  minority  Mr.  Sande  of  this  review  remained  in  his  native  land 
but  at  the  age  of  twenty-^one  years,  he  crossed  the  ocean  and  on  reaching  the  shores 
of  the  new  world  continued  his  journey  westward  until  he  arrived  in  Winnebago 
county,  Iowa.  For  two  years  he  worked  on  the  farm  of  Eric  Moen  in  Norway 
township,  and  then  located  on  a  quarter  section  of  land  on  section  25  Logan  town- 
ship, with  the  intention  of  buying  the  same,  but  as  crops  were  a  failure  during  the 
following  two  years  he  was  unable  to  make  the  payments.  Subsequently  he  pur- 
chased the  north  half  of  the  southeast  quarter  of  the  same  section,  for  which  he 
paid  five  dollars  per  acre,  and  lived  thereon  for  eight  years.  He  was  then  able 
'to  buy  the  tract  on  which  he  first  settled  and  has  since  devoted  his  energies  to  its 
cultivation  and  improvement  with  most  gratifying  results. 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  455 

At  the  age  of  twenty-two  years  Mr.  Sande  married  Miss  Carrie  Olesdatter,  who 
came  to  this  country  on  the  same  ship  as  her  future  husband  and  was  also  from 
the  same  place  in  Norway.  Her  parents  were  lifelong  residents  of  that  country. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sande  have  five  children:  Nels  0.,  who  assists  in  the  operation  of 
the  home  farm ;  Caroline,  at  home ;  Stephen,  who  is  attending  a  theological  school 
in  St.  Paul,  Minnesota;  Bertha,  the  wife  of  Jacob  Olson,  of  Norway  township, 
Winnebago  county;  and  Emma,  at  home.  The  family  hold  membership  in  the 
Synod  Lutheran  church  and  are  people  of  prominence  in  the  community  where 
they  reside.  In  politics  Mr.  Sande  is  a  republican  and  has  capably  filled  the 
office  of  township  trustee  for  four  years  and  of  school  director  for  a  number  of 
years. 


JULIUS  CHEISTIANSON. 

Julius  Christiansen,  who  owns  and  operates  a  good  farm  on  section  34,  Norway 
township,  has  been  a  resident  of  Winnebago  county  since  1880,  but  his  early  home 
was  on  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic,  for  he  was  born  in  Norway,  November  1, 
1852,  a  son  of  Christian  and  Johanna  (Arnesdatter)  Johanson,  who  were  farming 
people  of  that  country  and  never  came  to  the  United  States.  Mr.  Christiansen  is 
the  sixth  in  order  of  birth  in  their  family  of  ten  children  and  in  his  native  land 
he  grew  to  manhood.  Before  leaving  Norway  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Olivia  Erickson,  whose  parents  were  also  lifelong  residents  of  that  country. 

Mr.  Christiansen  was  twenty-eight  years  of  age  when,  accompanied  by  his  wife, 
he  sailed  for'the  new  world  and  continued  his  journey  westward  until  reaching 
Winnebago  county,  Iowa.  On  first  locating  in  Norway  township  he  worked  as  a 
farm  hand  and  later  engaged  in  farming  on  his  own  account  upon  rented  land. 
At  the  end  of  ten  years  he  was  able  to  purchase  his  present  farm,  consisting  of  the 
west  half  of  the  northeast  quarter  of  section  34,  Norway  township,  upon  which 
he  has  made  substantial  improvements.  He  now  has  a  fine  farm  under  excellent 
cultivation  and  is  also  a  stockholder  in  the  Lake  Mills  Creamery  Company  and  the 
Farmers  Elevator  Company  at  Lake  Mills. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Christiansen  have  two  children,  both  born  in  this  country, 
namely :  Clara,  who  is  now  the  wife  of  Ingebret  Martinson,  of  Norway  township ; 
and  Oscar,  who  lives  on  the  home  farm  and  assists  his  father  in  its  operation.  He 
married  Miss  Sarah  Erickson  and  they  have  one  child,  Kermit.  The  family  are 
members  of  the  United  Lutheran  church  and  are  highly  respected  by  all  who 
know  them.     In  politics  Mr.  Christiansen  is  a  republican. 


J.  E.  HANSEN. 


Active  and  enterprising  is  J.  E.  Hansen,  the  cashier  of  the  Farmers  National 
Bank  of  Crystal  Lake.  He  has  worked  his  way  steadily  upward  in  business  con- 
nections until  he  is  now  occupying  a  position  of  prominence  and  responsibility. 
He  was  bom  at  Eingsted,  Emnret  county,  Iowa,  on  the  27th  of  December,  1888,  a 
son  of  Lars  and  Maren   (Eskelund)   Hansen,  who  were  natives  of  Denmark  and 


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456  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

came  to  America  in  the  *708,  settling  in  Emmet  county,  Iowa,  upon  a  farm  which 
the  father  developed  and  improved.  He  there  continued  to  carry  on  general  agri- 
cultural pursuits  until  his  life's  labors  were  ended  in  death.  His  widow  still  sur- 
vives and  six  of  the  seven  children  who  were  born  to  them  are  still  living. 

J.  E.  Hansen  was  reared  and  educated  in  Emmet  county,  pursuing  his  studies 
in  the  common  schools.  Later  he  attended  the  State  Normal  College  at  Cedar 
Falls.  He  was  early  trained  to  habits  of  industry  and  remained  at  home  until 
he  reached  the  age  of  twenty  years,  when  he  started  out  in  the  business  world  by 
entering  the  State  Bank  of  Eingsted  as  bookkeeper.  For  sir  years  he  remained 
in  that  institution  as  bookkeeper  and  assistant  cashier  and  in  November,  1915, 
he  c^me  to  Crystal  Lake.  He  next  entered  into  active  connection  with  the  Farmers 
National  Bank  of  Crystal  Lake,  of  which  he  is  now  the  cashier  and  one  of  the 
stockholders.  This  bank  was  organized  in  1910  and  has  enjoyed  a  profitable  exist- 
ence, its  business  steadily  growing  along  substantial  lines. 

In  1912  Mr.  Hansen  was  married  to  Miss  Anna  M.  Peterson,  a  native  of  Emmet 
county,  Iowa,  and  they  have  a  family  of  three  children,  Edmund  C,  Gladys  E.  and 
Gerald  E.  The  parents  attend  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  their  influence 
is  always  on  the  side  of  progress  and  improvement.  Fraternally  Mr.  Hansen  is 
connected  with  the  Modem  Woodmen  of  America  and  his  political  support  is  given 
to  the  democratic  party,  for  he  believes  that  its  platform  contains  the  best  ele- 
ments of  good  government.  He  has  made  for  himself  a  creditable  position  in  busi- 
ness circles  and  is  spoken  of  in  terms  of  high  regard  throughout  Hancock  county. 


PETER  EDWIN  GUNDERSON. 

Peter  Edwin  Gunderson  is  a  self-made  man  who,  starting  out  in  life  empty 
handed,  has  worked  his  way  upward  to  success,  being  now  numbered  among  the* 
substantial  farmers  and  stock  raisers  of  Hancock  county,  his  home  being  on  sec- 
tion 36,  Amsterdam  township.  He  was  born  in  Hancock  county,  Iowa,  on  the  22d 
of  December,  1887,  a  son  of  Ole  and  Carrie  Gunderson,  who  were  natives  of  Nor- 
way and  in  early  life  came  to  America. 

Spending  his  youthful  days  under  the  parental  roof,  Peter  Edwin  Gunderson 
mastered  the  preliminary  branches  of  learning  in  the  district  schools  and  afterward 
attended  the  graded  schools  at  Belmond,  Iowa,  to  the  age  of  seventeen  years.  He 
then  began  work  as  a  farm  hand  and  was  employed  in  that  way  for  six  years.  On 
the  expiration  of  that  period  he  rented  a  farm  and  in  1912  he  took  up  his  abode 
on  his  present  place  on  section  36,  Amsterdam  township,  where  he  is  at  present 
renting  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres.  In  addition  to  developing  his  fields  he  is 
engaged  quite  extensively  and  profitably  in  the  raising  of  Scotch  shorthorn  cattle 
and  Poland  China  hogs,  being  regarded  as  one  of  the  leading  stockmen  of  his 
part  of  the  county. 

On  the  19th  of  March,  1908,  Mr.  Gunderson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Anna  E.  Helland,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Helland)  Helland,  who  were 
natives  of  Norway  and  in  early  life  came  to  the  new  world.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gunder- 
son are  parents  of  two  sons,  Ernest  Myron  and  Chester  Blaine.  They  are  members 
of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church  and  Mr.  Gunderson  exercises  his  right  of  fran- 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  457 

chise  in  support  of  the  men  and  measures  of  the  republican  party.  He  has  served 
as  township  assessor  but  is  not  a  politician  in  the  usually  accepted  sense  of  oflBce 
seeking,  preferring  to  concentrate  his  time  and  energies  upon  his  business  interests. 
He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  creamery  at  Kanawha  but  gives  the  major  part  of  his 
attention  to  his  farm,  which  he  is  carefully  developing  and  improving,  while  as  a 
stock  raiser  he  has  gained  a  creditable  position,  his  business  efforts  in  that  direction 
bringing  to  him  a  most  gratifying  jSnancial  return. 


MATTHEW  H.  CARSON. 

Matthew  H.  Carson,  living  on  section  32,  Newton  township,  is  numbered  among 
tlie  highly  respected  farmers  of  Winnebago  county,  where  he  owns  and  cultivates 
four  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  rich  and  productive  land.  His  methods  are  at  all 
times  practical  and  progressive  and  what  he  undertakes  he  carries  forward  to 
successful  completion.  He  was  born  in  Cook  county,  Illinois,  August  27,  1853, 
and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Bethia  (Dick)  Carson,  who  were  natives  of  Glasgow 
and  of  Paisley,  Scotland,  respectively.  The  father  worked  as  a  laborer  in  his  native 
land  until  1842,  when  he  sailed  for  America  and  made  his  way  across  the  con- 
tinent to  Chicago.  There  he  learned  the  wagon  raaker^s  trade,  which  he  followed 
for  a  time.  He  also  purchased  forty  acres  of  land  twenty  miles  northwest  of 
Chicago  for  a  dollar  and  a  quarter  per  acre  and  on  this  paid  an  interest  of  seventy- 
five  per  cent.  Even  at  that  exorbitant  rate  he  managed  to  meet  his  indebtedness 
and  later  he  purchased  more  land,  which  he  continued  to  cultivate  and  improve, 
giving  his  remaining  days  to  the  further  development  of  his  farm.  He  became 
the  owner  of  two  hundred  acres  of  fine  land  in  Cook  county,  which  he  converted 
into  a  valuable  property.  He  died  on  the  12th  of  October,  1888,  while  his  widow 
survived  until  May  16,  1893.  To  them  were  bom  six  children,  as  follows:  Ellen, 
who  married  Allen  Sloss,  of  Reinbeck,  Iowa;  David,  deceased;  Mary,  who  married 
Dr.  Webster  M.  Dyas,  of  Arlington  Heights,  Illinois  j  Matthew  H.,  of  this  review ; 
John,  a  sketch  of  whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this  work;  and  Anna,  who  married 
G.  J.  Schaeffer,  a  resident  of  Winnebago  county. 

Matthew  H.  Carson  was  reared  in  his  native  county,  remaining  with  his  parents 
until  he  attained  his  majority,  although  at  intervals  he  worked  out  as  a  farm 
hand.  At  length  he  was  married  and  in  1888  he  came  to  Winnebago  county, 
Iowa,  where  he  invested  in  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  on  section  32,  Newton 
township.  With  characteristic  energy  he  began  improving  the  property  and  in 
1900  he  extended  the  boundaries  of  his  place  by  the  additional  purchase  of  eighty 
acres.  In  1906  he  secured  forty  acres  more,  so  that  his  landed  possessions  now 
aggregate  four  hundred  and  forty  acres.  His  time  and  energies  have  been  con- 
tinuously given  to  the  further  development  and  improvement  of  the  property, 
which  is  today  regarded  as  one  of  the  valuable  farms  of  the  county.  He  raises 
high  grade  stock,  feeding  a  carload  of  cattle  and  a  carload  of  hogs  annually. 
His  farm  work  is  conducted  according  to  modern  scientific  methods.  He  practices 
the  rotation  of  crops  and  does  all  that  will  maintain  or  enhance  the  productiveness 
of  the  soil.    He  is  also  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  and  in  the 


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458  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

Cooperative  Creamery  Company  of  Thompson  and  he  is  a  member  of  the  Fair 
Association  of  Forest  City. 

On  November  20,  1883,  Mr.  Carson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Elizabeth 
Crego,  a  daughter  of  Gibson  and  Laura  (Mitchell)  Crego,  who  were  natives  of 
Canada.  The  father  was  of  Pennsylvania-Dutch  lineage,  while  the  mother  came 
of  Scotch  ancestry.  He  took  up  farming  in  early  life  but  afterward  turned  his 
attention  to  the  study  of  medicine  and  was  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profes- 
sion at  the  time  of  his  death.  About  1824  he  removed  to  New  York  and  resided 
near  Lockport,  that  state,  until  called  to  his  final  rest  on  the  11th  of  May,  1859. 
His  wife  passed  away  July  29,  1908,  at  the  age  of  eighty-six  years.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Carson  have  been  born  five  children :  George  M.,  who  is  a  veterinary  sur- 
geon practicing  at  Lake  Mills;  Gilbert  Bruce,  Robert,  Rose  Anna  and  Walter  Ed- 
ward, aged  respectively  thirty,  twenty-eight,  twenty-six  and  twenty-three  years, 
all  yet  at  home. 

Mr.  Carson  exercises  his  right  of  franchise  in  support  of  the  men  and  measures 
of  the  republican  party  and  is  one  of  the  recognized  leaders  of  his  party  in  his 
locality.  For  eighteen  years  he  has  served  as  a  trustee  of  Newton  township  and 
has  made  a  most  excellent  rec^ord  in  office,  as  his  repeated  elections  indicate.  He 
attends  the  Congregational  church,  as  does  the  family,  and  has  guided  his  life 
according  to  its  teachings.  He  possesses  many  sterling  traits  of  character  manifest 
in  thoroughly  reliable  as  well  as  progressive  business  methods,  in  loyalty  in  friend- 
ship and  in  patriotic  devotion  to  his  country. 


CHRIS  GILLSTRAP. 


Chris  Gillstrap,  a  resident  of  Crystal  Lake,  Iowa,  was  born  in  Keokuk  county, 
this  state,  March  25,  1877,  a  son  of  John  G.  and  Rachel  E.  (Lentz)  Gillstrap, 
who  were  natives  of  Kentucky  and  of  Iowa  respectively.  The  father  has  now 
passed  away,  but  the  mother  is  still  living  and  all  of  their  seven  children  yet 
survive. 

The  boyhood  and  youth  of  Chris  Gillstrap  were  passed  in  his  native  county 
and  in  the  acquirement  of  his  education  he  mastered  the  branches  of  learning 
taught  in  the  common  and  high  schools.  In  1894  he  removed  to  Hancock  county, 
where  he  was  employed  for  a  year  at  farm  labor.  Anxious,  however,  to  enjoy 
better  educational  opportunities,  he  then  spent  a  year  as  a  pupil  in  the  Normal 
School  at  Forest  City,  after  which  he  took  up  the  profession  of  teaching,  which 
he  followed  for  four  years.  He  turned  his  attention  to  the  grain  business  at 
Crystal  Lake  and  was  active  along  that  line  for  eight  years,  meeting  with  sub- 
stantial success  in  his  undertakings.  He  ne^t  became  actively  connected  with 
the  banking  business  as  cashier  in  the  Crystal  Lake  Savings  Bank,  which  position 
he  occupied  for  eight  years.  He  owned  a  controlling  interest  in  the  bank  during 
that  period,  but  in  1915  he  sold  some  of  his  stock.  However,  he  still  retains 
the  presidency  of  the  bank.  He  abo  owns  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land 
in  Hancock  county  which  is  highly  improved  and  cultivated  and  his  property 
holdings  inelude  the  finest  residence  in  Crystal  Lake.  At  the  present  time  he  is 
handling  real  estate  and  has  negotiated  many  important  property  transfers. 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  461 

In  1904  Mr.  Gillstrap  was  married  to  Miss  Matie  Blakely,  of  Hardin  county, 
Iowa,  a  daughter  of  E.  C.  and  Caroline  (Johnson)  Blakely.  They  are  now  the 
parents  of  thi;ee  children,  John  L.,  Arline  and  Caroline  L.  The  family  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  enjoy  the  high  regard  of  all  with 
whom  they  come  in  contact  by  reason  of  their  personal  worth  and  many  admirable 
qualities.  Mr.  Gillstrap  is  also  faithful  to  the  teachings  of  the  craft  as  a  member 
of  Truth  Lodge,  No.  213,  A.  F.  &  A.  M-,  at  Forest*  City,  and  of  Bethel  Chapter, 
No.  116,  at  Garner.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gillstrap  are  also  members  of  the 
Eastern  Star.  His  political  endorsement  is  given  to  the  republican  party  and 
he  keeps  well  informed  on  the  questions  and  issues  of  the  day.  He  has  served  in 
various  township  oflBces,  the  duties  of  which  he  has  discharged  in  a  prompt  and 
efficient  manner.  His  business  activity,  his  public  service  and  his  admirable 
personal  qualities  all  combine  to  make  him  one  of  the  representative  citizens  of 
Hancock  county. 


JOHN  J.  LANDE. 


For  many  years  John  J.  Lande  was  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  Winnebago 
county  but  is  now  living  retired  in  Lake  Mills  surrounded  by  all  the  comforts 
and  many  of  the  luxuries  of  life.  He  was  born  in  Norway  on  the  10th  of  October, 
1864,  and  is  the  youngest  of  the  six  children  of  Job  and  Christina  (Tufte) 
Lande.  The  father,  who  was  a  sailor,  is  now  deceased,  but  the  mother  is  still  living 
and  makes  her  home  in  Halsnoen,.  Norway.  'They  never  came  to  the  United 
States.  The  first  of  their  family  to  cross  the  Atlantic  was  Anna,  now  Mrs.  Andrew 
Kloster,  of  Newton  township,  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  and  John  J.  was  the  next 
to  come  to  the  new  world,  emigrating  in  1884.  The  following  year  Mons  and  Eli, 
now  Mrs.  Gunder  Johnson,  came  together  to  Lake  Mills,  but  the  others  remained 
in  Norway,  where  Enger  died  and  where  Signe  is  still  living. 

John  J.  Lande  was  only  nineteen  years  of  age  when  he  set  foot  on  American 
soil  and  continued  his  journey  westward  to  Lake  Mills,  Iowa.  In  this  locality  he 
worked  as  a  farm  hand  for  four  years  and  then  purchased  the  north  half  of  the 
northwest  quarter  of  section  4,  Newton  township,  Winnebago  county.  Subse- 
quently he  bought  the  west  half  of  the  southeast  quarter  of  section  33,  Logan 
township  and  continued  to  cultivate  both  tracts  until  the  spring  of  1914,  when  he 
retired  from  farnyng  and  removed  to  Lake  Mills.  He  still  owns  a  half  section  of 
finely  improved  land,  however,  and  from  the  same  derives  a  comfortable  income. 
For  several  years  he  carried  on  his  farming  operations  in  partnership  with  his 
brother  Mons,  who  is  unmarried  and  is  living  with  him.  Mons  Lande  was  bom 
July  14,  1855,  and  was  thirty  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  America.  After  work- 
ing as  a  farm  hand  until  1891  he  purchased  the  south  half  of  the  northwest  quarter 
of  section  4,  Newton  township,  adjoining  his  brother's  farm,  and  together  they 
engaged  in  the  cultivation  of  their  land. 

On  January  9,  1890,  John  J.  Lande  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Carrie 
Monson,  a  daughter  of  Johannes  and  Carrie  Monson,  who  were  early  settlers  of 
Newton  township  and.  are  now  deceased,  their  remAins  being  interred  in  the  North 
Prairie  church  cemetery.    Mrs.  Lande  died  in  1905  and  was  also  laid  to  rest  in  that 


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4C2  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

cemetery.  Mr.  Lande  was  again  married  March  9,  1907,  his  second  union  being 
with  Miss  Jennie  Johnson,  a  daughter  of  George  L.  and  Gertrude  Johnson,  who 
are  still  living  on  their  farm  in  Newton  township,  where  they  located  at  an  early 
day.  Mr.  Lande  has  seven  children,  namely:  Carl  J.,  Gilma  J.,  J.  Martin, 
Gladys  B.,  Cora  E.,  John  S.  and  Raymond  L. 

Mr.  Lande  is  a  member  of  the  Synod  Lutheran  church  and  by  his  ballot  sup- 
ports the  men  and  measures  of  the  republican  party.  For  eighteen  years  he  filled 
the  office  of  township  trustee  and  was  also  a  member  of  the  school  board  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  and  was  president  of  the  creamery  company  at  Gryte,  Logan  town- 
ship. He  and  his  brother  Mons  have  twice  visited  their  native  land,  first  spending 
three  months  there  in  1902.  The  summer  after  his  removal  to  Lake  Mills  in  1914 
they  again  went  to  Norway  and  nof  only  visited  their  parents  and  old  friends  but 
also  attended  the  centennial  celebration  of  the  union  of  Norway  and  Sweden  in 
getting  freedom  of  territory  in  Christiania.  After  a  very  enjoyable  time  they  re- 
turned to  America  content  to  make  this  country  their  home  and  enjoy  the  advan- 
tages and  privileges  here  afforded. 


C.  E.  MULHOLLAND. 


The  home  farm  of  C.  E.  MulhoUand  is  on  section  9,  Amsterdam  township, 
Hancock  county,  where  he  owns  and  cultivates  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of 
good  land.  In  addition  he  has  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  17,  Erin 
township,  and  he  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Kanawha  Creamery.  These  interests 
show  him  to  be  one  of  the  active,  energetic  and  progressive  business  men  of  his 
community.  His  affairs  are  carefully  and  wisely  managed  and  his  farm  work  is 
bringing  to  him  a  gratifying  measure  of  prosperity.  He  was  bom  on  the  14th  of 
August,  1874,  in  Webster  county,  Iowa,  a  son  of  Washington  and  Margaret  (Little) 
MtllhoUand,  who  were  natives  of  Ohio. 

In  the  district  schools  of  Webster  county  C.  E.  MulhoUand  pursued  his  educa- 
tion to  the  age  of  seventeen  years  and  then  put  aside  his  text-books  in  order  to 
concentrate  his  efforts  upon  farm  work,  with  which  he  had  been  more  or  less 
familiar  from  early  boyhood,  having  aided  to  a  considerable  extent  in  the  work 
of  the  fields  through  the  periods  of  vacation.  He  continued  to  assist  his  father 
in  the  cultivation  and  management  of  the  home  place  until  twenty-two  years  of 
age,  when  he  rented  land  for  three  years,  and  during  that  period  he  carefully 
saved  his  earnings  until  the  sum  was  sufficient  to  enable  him  to  purchase  his 
present  home  place  on  section  9,  Amsterdam  township,  Hancock  county.  Not  con- 
tent with  that  amount  of  land,  he  has  since  added  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on 
section  17,  Erin  township,  and  from  his  land  he  is  now  deriving  a  substantial  an- 
nual income  as  a  reward  for  the  care  and  labor  which  he  bestows  upon  the  fields. 
His  methods  are  both  practical  and  progressive  and  his  farm  work  results  in  the 
harvesting  of  good  crops  annually. 

On  the  22d  of  July,  1896,  Mr.  MulhoUand  was  married  to  Miss  Agnes  Wil- 
liams, a  daughter  of  George  and  Harriet  (Brewer)  Williams,  who  were  natives  of 
Pennsylvania.  They  have  four  children,  Esther  Vera,  Edith  E.,  Alice  and  Mar- 
garet R.,  all  of  whom  are  yet  at  home. 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  463 

Mr.  MuUholland  votes  with  the  republican  party  and  has  been  president  of  the 
township  board  of  trustees  for  four  years.  He  is  also  a  school  director,  the  cause 
of  education  finding  in  him  a  warm  friend.  He  and  his  wife  belong  to  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  they  have  many  friends  in  the  commuiyty.  In  a 
word,  they  are  actively  and  helpfully  interested  in  all  that  pertains  to  the  material, 
social,  intellectual  and  moral  welfare  of  Hancock  county. 


JOHN  H.  AITCHISON. 


Since  1902  John  H.  Aitchison  has  been  owner  of  the  farm  of  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  on  section  16,  Boone  township,  Hancock  county,  which  he  now  occupies 
and  cultivates.  He  has  always  been  a  resident  of  the  middle  west  and  the  spirit 
of  enterprise  and  progress  which  has  been  the  donimant  factor  in  the.  upbuilding 
of  this  section  of  the  country  finds  exemplification  in  his  life  record.  He  was  born 
in  Marshall  county,  Illinois,  July  12,  1876,  and  is  a  son  of  George  and  Elizabeth 
(Shearer)  Aitchison,  who  were  natives  of  Scotland.  At  the  usual  age  he  became 
a  pupil  in  the  district  school  and  therein  mastered  the  common  branches  of  learn- 
ing, pursuing  his  studies  to  the  age  of  sixteen.  He  then  put  aside  his  text-books 
to  assist  in  the  work  of  the  home  farm  and  continued  to  aid  his  father  until  he 
reached  the  age  of  twenty-two  years,  when  he  decided  to  start  out  in  business  on 
his  own  account.  He  afterward  rented  land  in  Illinois,  where  he  continued  to 
carry  on  farming  for  five  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  removed 
to  Iowa  and  for  five  years  was  a  resident  of  Kossuth  county.  In  1902  he  bought 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  16,  Boone  township,  Hancock  county,  and 
through  the  intervening  period,  covering  a  decade  and  a  half,  he  has  carried  on 
general  farming  here.  The  result  of  his  labors  is  seen  in  the  excellent  appearance 
of  his  place,  which  shows  his  careful  management  and  practical  methods. 

On  the  15th  of  June,  1898,  Mr.  Aitchison  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Florence  Edna  Calder,  a  daughter  of  Clarence  and  Phoebe  (Armstrong)  Calder, 
who  were  natives  of  Xew  York  and  of  Illinois  respectively.  Mrs.  Aitchison  was 
bom  in  Marshall  county,  Illinois,  in  1877,  and  by  her  marriage  has  become  the 
mother  of  four  children:  Emily  May,  Clarence  Eugene,  Vera  Ethelyn  and  Mer- 
win  Edward. 

Mr.  Aitchison  exercises  his  right  of  franchise  in  support  of  the  men  and  meas- 
ures of  the  republican  party  and  has  filled  the  oflBce  of  town  clerk.  He  belongs 
to  the  Brotherhood  of  American  Yeomen  and  the  guiding  principles  of  his  life 
are  found  in  the  teachings  of  the  United  Brethren  church,  to  which  he  belongs. 


ELMER  J.  ARNOLD. 


No  history  of  Klemme  and  of  Avery  township,  Hancock  county,  would  be 
complete  without  extended  reference  to  Elmer  J.  Arnold,  a  most  energetic,  active 
and  farsighted  business  man  whose  carefully  directed  labors  have  brought  sub- 
stantial success,  but  while  he  has  won  individual  prosperity,  he  has  also  con- 


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464  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

tributed  to  the  welfare  and  progress  of  his  community.  In  a  word,  his  labors  have 
been  a  most  potent  factor  in  developing  the  district  in  which  he  lives  and  in  pro- 
moting its  business  interests.  He  was  born  in  Clayton  county,  Iowa,  on  the  30th 
of  April,  1879,  and  is  a  son  of  Fred  and  Mary  (Renziehausen)  Arnold,  the  former 
a  native  of  Germany  and  the  latter  of  Ohio.  The  father  has  passed  away,  but  the 
mother  is  still  living  at  the  age  of  sixty-four  years. 

Elmer  J.  Arnold  came  to  Hancock  county  with  his  parents  in  1895,  when  a 
youth  of  sixteen  years,  and  assisted  his  father  in  farming  and  in  the  cattle  busi- 
ness, making  a  specialty  of  the  raising  of  shorthorn  cattle  and  also  handling 
Duroc  hogs  and  Percheron  horses.  His  school  days  had  been  spent  in  Clayton 
county,  Iowa,  and  he  was  a  student  in  the  Nora  Springs  Seminary  for  two  years, 
and  in  Drake  University  at  Des  Moines  for  one  year,  and  afterward  attended  the 
Upper  Iowa  University.  He  pursued  a  short  agricultural  course  at  Ames  and 
then  returned  to  the  old  homestead,  situated  on  sections  4,  5  and  8,  Avery  town- 
ship, Hancock  county,  the  buildings  being  upon  section  5.  The  farm  comprises  five 
hundred  acres  of  rich  and  valuable  land  which  was  purchased  by  his  father  in 
1889  for  eight  dollars  and  a  quarter  per  acre.  He  also  owns  a  small  farm  in 
Clayton  county,  Iowa.  His  place  is  splendidly  improved.  It  has  upon  it  good 
buildings,  including  ample  barns  and  sheds  for  the  shelter  of  grain  and  stock, 
modern  machinery  and  in  fact  all  the  equipments  and  accessories  of  a  model  farm 
of  the  twentieth  century.  Mr.  Arnold's  efforts  are  most  intelligently  directed  and 
his  labors  result  in  the  attainment  of  success.  He  is  also  a  stockholder  in  the 
creamery   company   of   Klemme. 

In  1912  Mr.  Arnold  was  married  to  Miss  Nellie  Lau,  a  daughter  of  Henry 
and  Mary  (Roswag)  Lau,  who  are  natives  of  Clayton  county,  Iowa,  and  are 
still  living.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Arnold  have  two  children,  Curtis  C.  and  Wilbur.  The 
parents  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  generously  contribute 
to  its  support.  In  politics  Mr.  Arnold  is  a  republican  but  has  never  sought  po- 
litical office.  He  has,  however,  been  a  member  of  the  school  board,  serving  for 
four  years  as  its  president,  and  the  cause  of  education  finds  in  him  a  stalwart 
champion,  for  he  believes  that  the  young  should  have  ample  opportunity  for  that 
training  which  qualifies  them  for  life's  practical  and  responsible  duties.  His  own 
education  was  liberaland  in  it  he  sees  the  foundation  of  his  success.  There  is 
no  resident  of  Hancock  county  who  carries  on  farming  along  more  scientific  lines 
or  whose  labors  are  attended  with  a  greater  measure  of  success.  He  has  closely 
studied  the  question  of  §oils,  their  productiveness  and  adaptability  to  various 
crops.  He  is  familiar  with  various  scientific  points  of  stock  breeding  and  he 
utilizes  his  knowledge  in  most  resultant  manner. 


FRED  ARNOLD. 


The  life  record  of  Fred  Arnold,  of  Hancock  county,  now  deceased,  was  that 
of  the  successful  farmer  and  banker  and  the  story  of  his  career  illustrates  what  may 
be  accomplished  by  persistent,  earnest  effort  and  should  serve  as  a  source  of 
encouragement  and  inspiration  to  the  young  men  who  must  start  out  as  he  did, 
empty  handed.      He  was  born  in  Germany,  but  was  only  six  years  of  age  when 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  465 

brought  to  America  by  his  parents,  Fred  and  Christina  Arnold,  who  after  crossing 
the  Atlantic  made  their  way  westward  over  the  American  continent  to  Clayton 
county,  Iowa,  where  they  took  up  their  abode.  They  were  in  limited  financial  cir- 
cumstances but  displayed  energy  in  the  development  and  improvement  of  their 
farm. 

Fred  Arnold  was*  but  seventeen  years  of  age  when  his  father  died  and  he  thus 
became  the  sole  support  of  the  family.  When  a  young  man  he  purchased  a  small 
farm  that  constituted  the  nucleus  of  his  later  realty  holdings  and  although  he 
started  in  business  in  a  limited  way  he  became  prosperous  and  at  one  time  was  the 
owner  of  three  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  rich  and  productive  land  in  Clayton 
county.  In  1895  he  removed  to  Hancock  county,  where  he  had  previously  bought 
land,  a  tract  of  prairie,  on  which  he  turned  the  furrows  and  soon  made  extensive 
improvements.  As  the  years  went  on  he  became  firmly  established  as  a  prosperous 
farmer  and  stock  raiser  and  as  his  financial  resources  increased  he  kept  adding 
to  his  investments  until  he  was  the  owner  of  several  thousand  acres  of  land  in 
Hancock  county,  together  with  farm  property  in  Clayton  county  and  still  more  in 
South  Dakota.  He  also  figured  as  a  factor  in  financial  circles  in  this  part  of 
the  state.  Before  removing  to  Hancock  county  he  aided  in  organizing  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Klemme  and  was  active  in  formulating  its  policy,  continuing  as 
its  president  until  his  demise. 

Mr.  Arnold  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  Renziehausen,  a  native  of 
Ohio,  who  went  to  Clayton  county  with  her  parents,  who  were  among  the  earliest 
settlers  of  that  region.  Mrs.  Arnold  survives  her  husband  and  is  now  living  at 
Klemme,  where  she  has  a  pleasant  home  and  is  surrounded  by  all  of  life's  com- 
forts and  some  of  its  luxuries.  By  her  marriage  she  became  the  mother  of  six 
children:  Mrs.  Emma  Larson,  now  living  in  Klemme;  Fred  A.,  cashier  of  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Klemme;  Ella,  the  wife  of  James  Schneider,  living  at 
Goodell,  Iowa;  E.  J.  and  Clarence  A.,  who  are  farmers  of  Hancock  county  and 
are  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  work;  and  Amanda,  the  wife  of  Dr.  C.  B.  Tice,  of 
Sioux  Rapids,  Iowa. 

The  death  of  the  husband  and  father  occurred  December  12,  1907,  when  he  had 
reached  the  age  of  sixty-three  years.  He  had  made  for  himself  a  very  creditable 
and  enviable  position  in  business  circles.  He  had  never  been  known  to  take 
advantage  of  the  necessities  of  his  fellowmen  in  any  business  transaction  and  along 
constructive  lines  had  furthered  his  fortunes,  depending  upon  close  application, 
persistency  of  purpose  and  indefatigable  industry  for  his  success.  He  was  always 
loyal  in  friendship  and  he  counted  no  personal  sacrifice  on  his  part  too  great  if  it 
would  promote  the  w^elfare  and  happiness  of  his  wife  and  children. 


BENJAMIN  F.  ZEIGLER. 

Progressive  farming  finds  an  advocate  and  a  representative  in  Benjamin  F. 
Zeigler,  who  since  1904  has  made  his  home  upon  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  eighty 
acres  on  section  2,  Magor  township.  He  was  born  April  29,  1870,  in  Livingston 
county,  Illinois,  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Margaret  (Fleischman)  Zeigler,  who  were 
natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  of  Indiana  respectively. 


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466  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

Reared  upon  the  old  homestead  farm  in  his  native  state,  Benjamin  F.  Zeigler 
had  the  usual  experiences  of  the  farm  boy  who  divides  his  time  between  the  work 
of  the  schoolroom  and  of  the  fields.  He  continued  his  studies  in  the  district  schools 
until  he  reached  the  age  of  sixteen  years,  after  which  he  devoted  his  entire  time 
for  two  years  to  work  upon  the  old  homestead.  He  was  then  employed  by  others 
as  a  farm  hand  for  two  years,  after  which  he  rented  the  old  home  place  for  a  similar 
period.  His  father  then  purchased  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  on 
section  18,  Amsterdam  township,  Hancock  county,  and  he  cultivated  that  farm 
for  a  time.  In  1904,  however,  he  purchased  his  present  place  of  one  hundred  and 
eighty  acres  on  section  2,  Magor  township,  and  here  he  is  carefully  tilling  the  soil 
and  also  is  engaged  in  the  raising  of  Duroc  hogs.  He  has  good  improvements  upon 
the  place  and  it  is  his  intention  to  breed  his  stock  up  to  higher  standards.  In  a 
word,  he  is  actuated  by  a  progressive  spirit  in  all  his  business  methods  and  the 
results  which  he  is  achieving  are  satisfactory. 

On  the  6th  of  October,  1896,  Mr.  Zeigler  was  married  to  Miss  Luella  Dibler,  a 
daughter  of  James  and  Eva  (Meyers)  Dibler.  Mrs.  Zeigler  is  a  native  of  Ogle 
county,  Illinois,  and  by  her  marriage  has  become  the  mother  of  a  son  and  a  daugh- 
ter, Vernon  James  and  Alice,  both  at  home. 

The  parents  are  members  of  the  United  Brethren  church  and  Mr.  Zeigler  is  a 
republican  in  his  political  views  but  has  never  been  active  as  an  office  seeker.  He 
has  always  given  his  attention  to  farm  work  and  he  thoroughly  understands  every 
phase  of  the  business.  His  diligence  and  determination  are  among  his  leading 
characteristics  and  have  enabled  him  to  work  his  way  upward  to  success. 


LOUIS  H.  PETERSEN. 


Louis  H.  Petersen,  residing  on  section  21,  Norway  township,  is  one  of  the 
prosperous  farmers  of  Winnebago  county  as  well  as  one  of  the  representative  citi- 
zens of  his  community.  He  was  bom  on  the  16th  of  November,  1854,  in  Nurwaj, 
but  was  only  six  months  old  when  brought  to  the  United  States  by  his  parents, 
Halvor  and  Anna  (Overbo)  Petersen,  also  natives  of  Norway,  of  whom  extended 
mention  is  made  in  the  sketch  of  P.  H.  Petersen  on  another  page  of  this  volume. 

For  four  years  after  coming  to  the  new  world  the  family  lived  in  Dane  county, 
Wisconsin,  but  in  1858  removed  to  Mitchell  county,  Iowa,  and  the  following  year 
came  to  Winnebago  county,  the  father  purchasing  a  farm  in  Norway  township. 
Here  Louis  H.  Petersen  grew  to  manhood,  his  early  education  being  acquired  in 
the  public  schools,  which  he  attended  until  sixteen  years  of  age.  Later  he  attended 
Luther  College  at  Decorah,  Iowa,  for  two  years  and  thus  obtained  a  good  practical 
education.  He  then  returned  home  and  assisted  his  father  in  the  operation  of  the 
farm  until  bis  marriage.  His  first  purchase  of  land  consisted  of  the  east  half  of 
the  southeast  quarter  and  the  southeast  quarter  of  the  northeast  quarter  of  section 
21,  Norway  township,  to  which  he  later  added  the  north  half  of  the  northeast  quar- 
ter of  the  same  section.  He  is  now  the  owner  of  two  hundred  acres  of  very  valuable 
and  productive  land,  upon  which  he  has  made  excellent  improvements  which  stand 
as  monuments  to  his  thrift  and  enterprise. 

At  the  age  of  twenty-six  years,  Mr.  Petersen  married  Miss  Carrie  Arneson,  a 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  467 

daughter  of  Erick  and  Catherine  (Bendickson)  Arneson,  of  Worth  county,  Iowa. 
Her  parents  are  both  deceased  and  are  buried  in  Lime  Creek  cemetery.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Petersen  have  three  children :  Anna,  now  the  wife  of  P.  A.  Weberg,  of  Nor- 
way township;  Hartwick'E.,  at  home;  and  Edwin  C,  who  was  married  February 
25,  1916,  to  Miss  Anna  Martinson  and  is  now  operating  the  home  farm. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Petersen  hold  membership  in  the  United  Lutheran  church  and 
have  a  wide  circle  of  friends  and  acquaintances  in  the  locality  where  they  make 
their  home.  Politically  Mr.  Petersen  supports  the  republican  party  and  he  has 
been  called  upon  to  fill  a  number  of  local  ofi&ces,  serving  as  township  clerk  four 
years ;  township  trustee  the  same  length  of  time ;  a  member  of  the  school  board  for 
a  number  of  years;  and  road  supervisor  for  eight  consecutive  years.  His  official 
duties  have  always  been  faithfully  and  efficiently  performed  and  as  a  public- 
spirited  and  progressive  citizen  he  has  done  much  to  promote  the  interests  of  his 
community  along  various  lines. 


0.  E.  DAKKEN. 


After  many  years  of  active  life,  mainly  devoted  to  agricultural  pursuits,  0.  E. 
Dakken  is  living  retired  in  Lake  Mills,  Iowa,  enjoying  a  well  earned  rest  and  the 
fruits  of  former  toil.  He  was  born  in  Norway  on  the  1st  of  September,  1849,  and 
is  a  son  of  Eric  and  Margaret  (Olson)  Dakken,  who  were  likewise  natives  of  that 
country,  where  they  continued  to  make  their  home  until  1851,  when  they  took 
passage  on  a  vessel  bound  for  the  United  States.  They  located  in  Dane  county, 
Wisconsin,  where  the  father  purchased  land  and  turned  his  attention  ^o  farming. 
There  he  died  in  1864  and  his  wife,  who  long  survived  him,  passed  away  in  1905, 
at  the  age  of  eighty  years. 

0.  E.  Dakken  was  only  two  years  of  age  when  the  family  crossed  the  ocean  and 
took  up  their  abode  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  where  he  passed  his  boyhood  and 
youth  with  the  usual  educational  advantages.  His  father  was  an  invalid  for  two 
years  prior  to  his  death  and  our  subject  took  charge  of  the  farm  and  assumed  the 
responsibility  of  caring  for  the  family.  As  soon  as  large  enough  to  reach  the  plow 
handles  he  began  work  on  the  farm  and  gave  his  mother  the  benefit  of  his  labor 
until  he  reached  mature  years.  Mr.  Dakken  came  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  in 
1869,  and  purchased  land  in  Mount  Valley  township,  where  he  followed  farming 
for  six,  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  sold  his  place  and  bought  a  farm  in 
Worth  county,  which  he  successfully  operated  for  seventeen  years.  Prosperity 
having  attended  his  efforts,  he  was  able  to  lay  aside  business  cares  and  for  the  past 
eleven  years  has  practically  lived  retired  in  Lake  Mills.  In  addition  to  general 
farming  he  was  quite  extensively  engaged  in  stock  raising,  making  a  specialty  of 
Percheron  and  Norman  horses,  high  grade  cattle  and  thoroughbred  Chester  White 
hogs,  and  he  is  now  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  of  Joice,  Iowa. 

On  the  12th  of  June,  1870,  Mr.  Dakken  married  Miss  Signa  Halverson,  who 
died  October  16,  1900.  By  that  union  eight  children  were  born,  namely:  Sena, 
who  died  in  1890  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years;  Edward,  now  a  resident  of  Wiscon- 
sin; Henry,  of  Lake  Mills,  Iowa;  Annie,  who  married  Dr.  P.  A.  Helgeson  and  died 
in  1911:  Martin,  a  resident  of  Lake  Mills:  Nora,  the  wife  M  Henry  Freeman,  of 

li— 23 


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468  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

Minneapolis,  Minnesota;  Lewis,  of  Lake  Mills;  and  Mamie,  at  home  with  her 
father.  Mr.  Dakken  was  again  married  June  7,  1906,  his  second  union  being  with 
Mrs.  Lena  (Thompson)  Larson,  a  daughter  of  Gunder  and  Nellie  Thompson,  of 
whom  mention  is  made  in  the  sketch  of  Henry  Thompson  on  another  page  of  this 
volume. 

Mr.  Dakken  is  an  earnest  and  consistent  member  of  the  Methodist  church, 
and,  being  a  strong  temperance  man,  he  votes  the  prohibition  ticket,  believing  that 
the  liquor  traffic  is  one  of  the  nation's  greatest  evils.  He  served  as  school  director 
and  constable  in  Mount  Valley  township,  Winnebago  county,  and  has  ever  taken  a 
commendable  interest  in  public  affairs  as  every  public-spirited  citizen  should. 


NELS    ELI    CHARLSON. 

Nels  Eli  Charlson  has  carried  on  farming  with  marked  success  since  starting 
out  in  life  for  himself  and  is  now  the  owner  of  a  valuable  farm  of  four  hundred 
acres  in  Center  township,  Winnebago  county,  his  home  being  on  section  28.  He 
was  born  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  on  the  8th  of  January,  1858,  and  is  a  son 
of  Nels  and  p]llen  (Axendal)  Charlson,  who  came  to  this  country  from  Norwa? 
in  1850  and  first  located  in  Stoughton,  Wisconsin,  but  after  residing  there  for  a 
short  time  removed  to  Dane  county,  that  state,  where  the  father  purchased  land 
and  engaged  in  farming  until  1865.  In  that  year  he  brought  his  family  to  Winne- 
bago county,  Iowa,  and  took  up  a  homestead  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres 
on  section  28,  Center  township,  where  our  subject  now  resides.  To  the  improvement 
and  cultivation  of  this  farm  he  devoted  his  energies  until  1877,  when  he  retired 
from  active  labor,  but  continued  to  reside  upon  the  farm  until  called  from  this  life 
March  1,  1905,  when  he  had  reached  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-three  years.  His 
wife  had  died  in  March,  1897. 

Mr.  Charlson  of  this  review  was  about  seven  years  of  age  when  the  family 
came  to  Winnebago  county,  and  here  he  grew  to  manhood,  his  education  being 
obtained  in  the  district  schools  near  home.  He  never  left  the  parental  roof,  but 
in  1877  purchased  the  farm  belonging  to  his  father  and  has  since  added  to  it  until 
he  now  owns  four  hundred  acres  of  as  fertile  and  productive  land  as  is  to  be  found 
anywhere  in  the  county.  He  has  also  made  many  useful  and  valuable  improve- 
ments upon  the  place,  making  it  one  of  the  most  attractive  country  homes  in 
Winnebago  county.  At  the  present  time,  however,  most  of  his  land  is  operated  by 
tenants. 

On  the  17th  of  June,  1882,  Mr.  Charlson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Rachel 
Jenson,  a  daughter  of  Jens  and  Marie  Jenson,  further  mention  of  whom  is  made 
elsewhere  in  this  work.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Charlson  have  been  bom  nine  children,  but 
Josephine,  who  became  a  teacher,  died  in  1910  at  the  age  of  twenty  years,  and  Nels, 
Alvin  and  Josie  all  died  in  infancy.  Those  still  living  are :  Ellen,  at  home  with  her 
father;  Bertha,  who  is  now  attending  college  at  Cedar  Falls,  Iowa;  Selma,  who  is 
teaching  school  in  Center  township;  and  Evelyn  and  Hazel,  both  attending  Waldorf 
College  at  Forest  City.  After  a  lingering  illness  of  two  years  the  wife  and  mother 
passed  away  February  16,  1915. 

Mr.  Charlson  has  not  only  prospered  in  his  farming  operations  but  has  also 


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MR.  AND  MRS.  NELS  CHARLSOX 


THE  FIRST  LOG  HOUSE  IN  THE  COUNTY 
Built  by  Nels  Charlson  in  1866,  outside  of  Forest  City 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  473 

met  with  success  in  stock  raising,  making  a  specialty  of  high  grade  Chester  White 
hogs,  Shropshire  sheep  and  shorthorn  cattle.  Ht  has  become  interested  in  other 
business  enterprises  and  is  now  a  stockholder  and  director  of  the  Farmers  Elevator 
Company  and  the  Lake  Mills  Creamery  Company  and  is  also  a  stockholder  in  the 
Lake  Mills  Lumber  Company.  He  is  a  good  reliable  business  man  of  marked 
ability  and  foresight  and  the  success  that  has  come  to  him  is  but  the  just  reward 
of  his  own  labors.  His  political  support  is  given  the  men  and  measures  of  the 
republican  party  and  he  is  a  consistent  member  of  the  United  Lutheran  church. 


B.  E.  STENE. 


Among  Winnebago  county's  native  sons  who  have  remained  here  to  win  success 
in  their  chosen  calling  is  B.  E.  Stene,  one  of  the  most  energetic  and  substantial 
farmers  of  Norway  township.  He  was  bom  on  the  28th  of  July,  1879,  on  his 
father's  farm  on  section  17,  Xorway  township,  being  a  son  of  E.  B.  Stene,  whose 
sketch  appears  on  another  page  of  this  volume.  He  was  reared  in  much  the  usual 
manner  of  farmer  boys  and  was  educated  in  the  district  school  near  his  home,  which 
he  attended  until  sixteen  years  of  age.  In  the  meantime  he  also  acquired  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  agricultural  pursuits  and  after  laying  aside  his  textbooks 
continued  to  assist  his  father  in  the  work  of  the  home  farm  until  twenty-one  years 
of  age.  He  then  purchased  the  south  half  of  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  17, 
Norway  township,  and  has  since  bought  from  his  father  the  northeast  quarter  of 
the  same  section,  so  that  he  now  has  a  fine  farm  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres. 
Its  neat  and  attractive  appearance  plainly  indicates  his  thrift  and  enterprise  and 
shows  conclusively  that  he  thoroughly  understands  the  occupation  he  has  chosen  as 
a  life  work. 

In  1902  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Stene  and  Miss  Gertie  Hanson,  a  daughter 
of  Hans  and  Martha  (Davidson)  Ingebritson,  who  were  early  settlers  of  Norway 
township  but  are  now  deceased,  their  remains  being  interred  in  Lime  Creek  ceme- 
tery. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stene  have  a  family  of  six  children,  namely :  Martha,  Elmer, 
George,  Harry,  Laura  and  Mildred.  The  parents  are  identified  with  the  United 
Lutheran  church  and  are  among  the  highly  respected  citizens  of  their  locality. 
By  his  ballot  Mr.  Stene  supports  the  men  and  measures  of  the  republican  party  and 
he  has  filled  the  office  of  school  director  for  four  vears. 


M.  N.  FLUGUM. 


M.  N.  Flugum,  the  owner  of  a  well  improved  and  highly  cultivated  farm  on 
section  16,  King  township,  has  been  a  resident  of  Winnebago  county  since  1873  and 
throughout  his  active  business  life  has  been  identified  with  its  agricultural  interests. 
He  was  born  in  Norway,  June  7,  1865,  but  was  only  two  years  of  age  when  brought 
to  this  country  by  his  parents,  Nels  and  Martha  (Eggum)  Flugimi.  The  family 
first  located  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  where  the  father  taught  school  for  six 
years,  and  in  the  spring  of  1873  came  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa.     He  purchased 


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474  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

a  farm  in  Mount  Valley  township,  which  he  cleared  and  improved,  but  he  continued 
to  engage  in  teaching,  following  that  profession  for  over  sixty  acres.  He  is  now 
living  retired  upon  his  farm  at  the  ripe  old  age  of  eighty-seven  years.  His  wife 
died  in  April,  1905. 

Being  only  eight  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  Winnebago  county  M.  X.  Flugum 
was  practically  reared  and  educated  in  this  locality  and  he  remained  with  his 
parents  until  he  attained  his  majority.  For  three  years  he  worked  for  neighboring 
farmers  and  then  commenced  farming  on  his  own  account.  His  first  purchase  of  land 
consisted  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  17,  King  township,  and  subse- 
quently he  bought  another  quarter  section  on  section  16.  He  has  converted  his 
place  into  one  of  the  best  cultivated  farms  of  that  region  and  has  erected  thereon 
good  and  substantial  buildings.  Besides  his  valuable  property  he  now  owns  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  Texas,  now  operated  by  his  oldest  son,  and 
he  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  C(»npany,  the  Cooperative  Creamery 
Company,  in  the  Yarland  Telephone  Company  and  the  Farmers  Mutual  Insurance 
Company,  being  an  officer  in  the  last  named  organization  for  some  time.    . 

In  December,  1889,  Mr.  Flugum  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Jane  Jacobs, 
and  they  have  become  the  parents  of  nine  children,  namely:  Nels,  Alfred,  Joseph, 
Clara,  Oscar,  Jewel,  Charles,  Martha  and  Lloyd.  The  family  are  communicants 
of  the  Lutheran  church  and  Mr.  Flugum  is  a  republican  in  politics.  He  has  served 
on  the  school  board  for  the  past  eight  years  and  gives  his  hearty  support  to  all 
measures  calculated  to  advance  the  moral  or  educational  welfare  of  his  community. 
He  is  a  public-spirited  citizen  and  well  merits  the  high  esteem  in  which  he  is  held. 


GEORCJE  KRAU8S. 


George  Krauss,  living  on  section  28,  Boone  township,  has  been  a  resident 
of  Hancock  county  since  1901,  in  which  year  he  purchased  his  present  farm,  and  to 
its  further  development  and  improvement  he  has  since  devoted  his  energies.  He 
was  born  in  Germany  on  the  17th  of  June,  18g7,  and  is  a  son  of  Christian  and 
Marie  (Hoerr)  Krauss,  who  always  remained  residents  of  Germany.  In  his  native 
land  George  Krauss  pursued  his  education  to  the  age  of  seventeen  years  and 
afterward  worked  at  the  shoemaker's  trade  in  Germany  for  about  three  years. 
Attracted  by  the  business  opportunities  of  the  new  world,  however,  he  came  to 
America  in  1886  and  was  employed  as  a  farm  hand  by  the  month  in  Illinois  for 
seven  years.  He  then  felt  that  his  experience  and  capital  were  sufficient  to  justify 
his  engaging  in  farming  on  his  own  account  and  rented  land  in  Hlinois.  He  con- 
tinued to  cultivate  farms  which  he  leased  in  that  state  for  seven  years  and  then 
came  to  Iowa,  reaching  Hancock  county,  as  previously  stated,  in  1901.  Here  he 
purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  and  has  since  carefully  conducted  his  farm,  raising 
the  cereals  best  adapted  to  soil  and  climate  and  also  engaging  in  the  raising  of 
TTereford  cattle,  Jersey  hogs  and  Percheron  horses.  In  adition  to  his  farming  and 
stock  raising  interests  Mr.  Krauss  is  connected  with  the  Kanawha  Elevator  and  the 
Kanawha  Creamery  Companies  and  is  thus  a  factor  in  that  organized  effort  which 
is  looking  to  the  advancement  of  the  interests  of  farmers  through  active  cooperation. 

On  the  2()th  of  Fe])ruary,  1886,  Mr.  Krauss  was  married  to  Miss  Sophia  Hotz, 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  475 

a  native  of  Germany,  and  they  have  two  children:  Lizzie,  the  wife  of  James 
Sloan,  living  in  Magor  township;  and  Marie,  the  wife  of  Fred  Oxley,  Jr.,  a  resi- 
dent of  Minnesota. 

Politically  Mr.  Krauss  is  a  republican  but  has  never  been  an  office  seeker. 
Fraternally  he  is  connected  with  the  Modem  Woodmen  of  America  and  both  he 
and  his  wife  hold  membership  in  the  German  Lutheran  church.  They  are  much 
esteemed  in  the  community  and  enjoy  the  warm  regard  of  all.  Mr.  Krauss  is 
loyal  to  the  interests  of  his  adopted  country.  He  voluntarily  chose  to  become  a 
resident  here,  feeling  that  he  could  have  better  business  opportunities  on  this  side 
the  Atlantic,  and  he  feels  that  he  owes  his  first  allcj^ance  here.  As  a  farmer  he 
is  diligent  and  persevering  and  his  success  has  come  as  the  direct  reward  of  his 
earnest  effort. 


PRANZ  PRINGNITZ. 


Franz  Pringnitz  is  one  of  the  large  landowners  of  Hancock  county,  his  posses- 
sions aggregating  six  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land.  His  home  place  is  on 
section  8,  Twin  Lake  township,  where  he  has  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres 
devoted  to  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  was  bom  in  Germany,  March 
15,  1845,  a  son  of  Sigismund  and  Frederica  Sophia  (Jahnke)  Pringnitz,  who 
were  also  natives  of  that  land. 

Reared  under  the  parental  roof,  Franz  Pringnitz  attended  the  public  schools 
until  he  reached  the  age  of  fourteen  years,  when  he  began  working  for  others,  thus 
starting  out  independently.  He  was  thus  employed  until  thirty  years  of  age  and 
spent  some  time  in  buying  hides  and  in  selling  shoes  as  a  traveling  salesman  on  the 
road.  In  1882  he  came  to  the  United  States,  hoping  to  find  still  better  business 
opportunities  on  this  side  the  Atlantic.  He  made  his  way  to  Ackley,  Iowa,  and  for 
eleven  years  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  Company.  He 
then  turned  his  attention  to  farming,  renting  land  near  Ackley  upon  which  he  lived 
for  three  years.  In  1896  he  came  to  Hancock  county,  where  he  again  rented  land 
and  thus  followed  farming  for  five  years,  but  in  the  meantime  he  was  so  directing 
his  energies  that  through  his  industry  and  economy  he  was  acquiring  a  capital  that 
enabled  him  to  purchase  his  present  property.  In  1901  he  invested  in  three  tracts, 
one  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  on  section  8  and  one  of  a  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  on  section  16,  Twin  Lake  township,  together  with  a  quarter  section  in  German 
township.  He  still  owns  all  this  property  and  he  has  become  widely  known  as  one 
of  the  leading  stock  raisers  of  his  section,  making  a  specialty  of  Scotch  graded 
shorthorns,  Poland  China  hogs  and  Belgian  horses.  He  handles  fine  stock  and  his 
annual  sales  bring  to  him  a  gratifying  income.  His  farm  is  a  splendidly  improved 
property  on  which  are  good  buildings,  fine  farm  machinery  and  in  fact  all  the 
accessories  and  equipments  of  a  model  farm  of  the  twentieth  century.  He  is  like- 
wise a  stockholder  in  the  State  Bank  at  Klemme  and  in  the  First  National  Bank 
at  Kanawha,  Iowa. 

On  the  17th  of  April,  1876,  Mr.  Pringnitz  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Fredericka  S.  Jahnke,  a  daughter  of  Joachim  and  Sophia  (Radloff)  Jahnke,  who 
were   natives  of  Germany,  where  they   spent   their   entire  lives.     Mr.   and   Mrs. 


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476  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

Pringnitz  have  a  family  of  four  sons:  Otto,  Helmuth  W.,  Frank  A.  and  Emil  F. 
There  is  also  a  stepdaughter,  Marie  Louise  Krueger.  The  family  attend  the 
German  Lutheran  church,  in  which  the  parents  hold  membership.  Mr.  Pringnitz 
vot€8  with  the  democratic  party  and  has  filled  the  oflBce  of  township  trustee  for  three 
years  but  does  not  seek  nor  desire  political  preferment  as  a  reward  for  party  fealty, 
and  in  fact  desires  to  give  his  time  and  attention  to  his  business  affairs.  He  has 
now  passed  the  Psalmist's  allotted  span  of  three  score  years  and  ten  but  still 
remains  an  active  factor  in  the  world's  work,  being  classed  with  the  leading  and 
representative  agriculturists  of  Twin  Lake  township. 


OLE  I.  MARTINSOX. 


Ole  I.  Martinson,  a  well  known  farmer  residing  on  section  29,  Norway  township, 
Winnebago  county,  was  born  on  the  29th  of  March,  1853,  in  Norway,  of  which 
country  his  parents,  Ingebrit  and  Gertrude  (Odden)  Martinson,  were  also  natives. 
There  the  father  worked  as  a  day  laborer  until  our  subject  was  six  years  of  age 
when  he  brought  his  family  to  America  and  first  located  in  LaFayette  county, 
Wisconsin.  After  spending  six  years  in  that  locality  he  started  westward  with  an 
ox  team  and  on  reaching  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  purchased  two  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  of  land  on  section  27,  Norway  township,  where  he  followed  farming 
throughout  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  died  December  11,  1911,  aged  seventy- 
nine  years,  honored  and  respected  by  all  who  knew  him,  and  his  widow  now  lives  on 
the  old  homestead  with  their  son  Henry  I.,  and  is  ninety-two  years  old.  In  the 
family  are  seven  children,  all  living,  of  whom  Ole  I.  is  the  oldest,  the  others  being 
Carrie,^ now  the  wife  of  John  Dahle,  living  near  Kiester,  Minnesota;  M.  I.,  a  resi- 
dent of  Norway  township,  Winnebago  county;  Anna,  the  wife  of  G.  Holstad,  of 
Worth  county,  Iowa;  A.  I.,  of  Norway  township;  Sarah,  the  wife  of  S.  0.  Solo- 
monson,  of  Logan  township,  Winnebago  county;  and  Henry  I.,  living  on  the 
old  homestead. 

Ole  I.  Martinson  began  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  LaFayette  county, 
Wisconsin,  and  continued  his  studies  in  the  district  schools  of  Winnebago  county 
after  the  removal  of  the  family  to  this  state.  On  leaving  school  at  the  age  of 
sixteen  years  he  gave  his  father  the  benefit  of  his  labors  on  the  home  farm  until  he 
attained  his  majority  and  then  bought  the  south  half  of  the  northeast  quarter  of 
section  29,  Norway  township,  and  began  farming  on  his  own  account.  He  has 
improved  the  place  and  is  still  engaged  in  its  operation. 

In  1871  Mr.  Martinson  married  Miss  Celia  Moen,  a  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Erick  E.  Moen,  who  were  old  settlers  of  Norway  township  but  have  now  passed  to 
the  world  beyond  and  are  buried  in  Lime  Creek  cemetery.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Martinson 
have  ten  children,  namely:  Ed,  a  resident  of  Lake  Mills;  Martin,  living  near 
Twin  Lakes,  Minnesota;  Louis,  Ingebrit,  Bertine  and  Emma,  all  at  home;  Rachel, 
the  wife  of  L.  P.  Johnson,  of  Norway  township ;  Ella,  the  wife  of  Edwin  Petersen, 
of  the  same  township;  Inger,  the  wife  of  A.  S.  Moen,  also  of  Norway  township; 
and  Louisa,  the  wife  of  L.  J.  Olson,  of  Logan  township,  Winnebago  county. 

The  republican  party  has  always  found  in  Mr.  Martinson  a  stanch  supporter  of 
its  principles  since  he  became  of  age,  and  he  has  taken  quite  an  active  part  in  local 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  477 

afEairs,  serving  as  school  director  a  number  of  years,  as  township  trustee  six  years 
and  as  road  supervisor  the  same  length  of  time.  His  religious  faith  is  indicated 
by  his  membership  in  the  Synod  Lutheran  church  and  his  life  has  ever  been  in 
harmony  with  his  professions. 


GEORGE  HOWARD  OXLEY. 

#  Among  the  prominent  residents  of  Corwith  is  George  Howard  Oxley,  who  is 
engaged  in  the  liver}'  business  and  is  also  dealing  in  poultry.  A  native  of  Iowa,  he 
was  born  in  Fayette  county,  October  28,  1879,  of  the  marriage  of  Joseph  William 
and  Anna  (Bealer)  Oxley.  The  father  was  born  in  Battle  Creek,  Michigan, 
January  10,  1856,  but  when  eight  years  of  age  was  taken  to  Fayette  county  by  his 
parents,  William  and  Maria  (Vincent)  Oxley,  natives  respectively  of  Sheffield 
and  London,  England.  It  was  in  1853  that  the  father  emigrated  to  New  York 
city  and  the  following  year  the  mother  came  to  the  United  States.  They  were 
married  in  this  country  and  resided  for  a  time  in  Battle  Creek,  Michigan,  going 
subsequently  to  Waukesha,  Wisconsin,  whence  they  removed  to  Fayette  county, 
Iowa,  taking  up  their  residence  upon  a  farm  near  West  Union.  In  1878  they 
removed  to  Hancock  county,  and  the  father  followed  agricultural  pursuits  here  until 
he  retired  from  active  life.  His  last  days  were  spent  in  Corwith  and  his  death 
occurred  in  1909.  The  mother  is  also  deceased.  Mrs.  Anna  (Bealer)  Oxley  was 
born  upon  a  farm  in  Whiteside  county,  Illinois,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Christian 
and  Maria  (Wall)  Bealer,  both  natives  of  Germany,  although  their  marriage 
occurred  in  Whiteside  county.  Mr.  Bealer  located  near  Sterling,  Illinois,  about 
1848  and  in  1865  removed  to  the  vicinity  of  Morrison,  that  state,  where  his  death 
occurred.  He  was  a  baker  by  trade.  His  daughter  Anna  received  her  education  in 
the  common  schools  and  remained  upon  the  home  farm  until  her  marriage  to 
Mr.  Oxley.  She  is  now  a  resident  of  Corwith,  Iowa.  She  is  the  mother  of  six 
children:  Charles,  who  is  farming  in  Hancock  county;  George  Howard;  May, 
who  is  at  home;  James  Roy,  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business  in  Corwith;  and 
Jessie  and  Trix,  at  home. 

George  Howard  Oxley  was  taken  by  his  parents  to  Cerro  Gordo  county,  Iowa, 
in  1880,  and  the  family  home  was  there  maintained  until  1887,  when  removal  was 
made  to  Hancock  county,  Iowa.  He  received  a  good  common  school  education  and 
under  the  careful  training  of  his  father  became  familiar  with  all  kinds  of  farm 
work.  He  followed  agricultural  pursuits  either  in  association  with  his  father  or 
independently  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  old,  when  in  1901  he  came  to  Corwith 
and  engaged  in  the  livery  business.  In  the  intervening  years  he  has  built  up  a 
large  trade,  and  he  is  also  dealing  in  poultry,  which  business  he  likewise  finds 
profitable. 

On  the  8th  of  February,  1915,  Mr.  Oxley  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Emma 
M.  Erdman,  who  was  born  in  Grand  Ridge,  Illinois,  but  has  been  a  resident  of 
Hancock  county,  Iowa,  since  the  age  of  thirteen  years.  Her  parents,  William  and 
Gustie  (Booblits)  Erdman,  were  born  in  Germany  but  were  married  in  Illinois. 
They  have  lived  in  Hancock  county  since  1900  and  the  father  is  successfully 
engaged  in  farming. 


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478  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

Mr.  Oxley  supports  the  republican  party  at  the  pplls  and  has  taken  quite  an 
active  part  in  public  aflfairs.  He  is  ex-mayor  of  Corwith  and  at  the  present  time 
is  filling  the  oflSce  of  justice  of  the  peace,  in  which  connection  he  has  gained  an 
enviable  reputation  for  strict  impartiality.  As  a  business  man  he  is  progressive 
and  energetic,  as  a  citizen  is  public-spirited  and  in  the  private  relations  of  life 
combines  justice  with  kindness. 


JOHN  JURGENSEN. 


John  Jurgensen,  who  carries  on  general  agricultural  pursuits  on  section  2, 
Magor,  township,  Hancock  county,  was  born  in  Douglas  county,  Illinois,  April  2, 
1873,  a  son  of  Peter  and  Anna  (Dussler)  Jurgensen,  who  were  natives  of  Germany. 
After  arriving  at  the  age  of  six  years  John  Jurgensen  became  a  pupil  in  the  district 
schools  of  his  native  county,  which  he  continued  to  attend  until  he  reached  the 
age  of  fifteen  years.  He  afterward  worked  upon  the  home  farm  until  he  attained 
his  majority,  after  which  he  started  out  by  the  month  as  a  farm  hand,  spending  a 
year  in  that  way.  He  also  rented  land  for  a  year  at  Luverne,  Iowa,  and  eventually 
he  purchased  eighty  acres  on  section  35,  Boone  township,  Hancock  county.  This 
he  sold  and  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  2,  Magor  township. 
Here  he  has  a  good  farm  supplied  with  substantial  improvements  and  in  addition 
to  cultivating  the  cereals  best  adapted  to  soil  and  climate  he  is  engaged  in  the 
raising  of  Duroc  hogs  and  in  feeding  cattle.  His  entire  attention  is  devoted  to 
the  branches  of  his  farm  work  and  in  this  he  is  meeting  with  well  merited  success. 

Mr.  Jurgensen  attends  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  is  loyal  to  its 
teachings.  lie  votes  with  the  republican  party  and  keeps  well  informed  on  the 
questions  and  issues  of  the  day  but  does  not  seek  oflBce  as  his  entire  attention  is 
given  to  his  business  affairs,  which  are  wisely  and  successfully  directed. 


MARTIN  COSGRIFF. 


Martin  Cosgriff,  a  farmer  and  stock  raiser  of  Hancock  county,  living  on  section 
17,  Amsterdam  township,  was  bom  in  Ireland  on  the  23d  of  October,  1860,  a  son  of 
Patrick  and  Nora  (Grady)  Cosgriflf,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Ireland.  Martin 
Cosgriff  obtained  his  education  in  this  land,  pursuing  his  studies  at  intervals  to  the 
age  of  twenty- three  years.  He  afterward  worked  on  a  farm  in  Cedar  and  Greene 
counties,  Iowa,  until  1886,  when  he  went  to  the  northwest  and  was  engaged  as 
section  foreman  on  the  Northern  Pacific  Railroad  through  Montana  for  about  seven 
years. 

It  was  in  the  year  1892  that  Martin  Cosgriff  arrived  in  Hancock  county  and 
made  his  first  purchase  of  land,  becoming  owner  of  a  tract  of  eighty  acres  on  section 
17,  Boone  township.  Later  he  made  investment  in  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on 
section  17,  Amsterdam  township,  where  he  now  makes  his  home.  He  has  here  a 
well  developed  farm  known  as  the  Mulberry  Lane  Stock  Farm.  He  has  brought 
his  land  to  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and  in  addition  he  makes  a  specialty  of 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  479 

raising  fine  stock,  handling  pure  bred  Dnroc  hogs,  Belgian  horses  and  Hereford 
cattle.  Upon  his  place  is  found  some  of  the  finest  stock  to  be  seen  in  the  county 
and  Mr.  Cosgriff  is  most  progressive  in  his  methods  of  developing  his  stock  and 
caring  for  them.  He  is  also  a  stockholder  in  the  elevator,  in  the  telephone  company 
and  in  the  creamery  at  Kanawha. 

On  the  25th  of  February,  1886,  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  CosgriflF  and 
Miss  Maggie  Gilligan,  a  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Alice  (Haley)  Gilligan.  Her 
father  lived  to  the  very  remarkable  old  age  of  one  hundred  years  and  ten  days, 
while  his  wife  passed  away  at  the  age  of  sixty-seven.  She  was  a  native  of  England, 
while  Mr.  Gilligan  was  bom  in  Ireland.  Mrs.  CosgriflE  was  the  second  child  born 
at  Jefferson,  Greene  county,  Iowa,  showing  that  the  family  has  been  identified 
with  this  state  since  early  pioneer  times. 

Mr.  Cosgriff  is  a  republican  in  his  political  views  and  a  Catholic  in  his  religious 
faith.  He  has  become  widely  and  favorably  known  during  the  period  of  his  resi- 
dence in  Hancock  county  and  his  many  substantial  qualities  have  gained  for  him 
the  respect,  confidence  and  good  will  of  those  with  whom  he  has  been  brought 
in  contact. 


ANDREW  HANSON. 


Andrew  Hanson,  who  follows  farming  on  section  36,  Mount  Valley  township, 
Winnebago  county,  is  a  representative  of  the  Scandinavian  contribution  to  Iowa's 
citizenship  and  he  displays  many  of  the  sterling  traits  of  the  race  from  which  he 
comes.  He  was  born  in  Sweden,  August  12,  1867,  and  is  a  son  of  Hans  Rapp,  who 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1879.  After  two  years,  however,  he  l-eturned  to 
Sweden,  where  he  spent  the  succeeding  six  years  and  then  again  in  1887  came  to 
the  new  world,  establishing  his  home  in  Winnebago  county.  Five  years  afterward 
he  removed  to  Hancock  county,  where  he  has  since  resided. 

Andrew  Hanson  continued  a  resident  of  his  native  country  through  the  period  of 
his  minority  and  acquired  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Sweden,  but  in  1888  he 
resolved  to  try  his  fortune  in  the  new  world  and  bade  adieu  to  friends  and  native 
land,  after  which  he  sailed  for  America.  For  two  years  he  was  employed  in  St. 
Paul,  Minnesota,  and  in  1890  he  came  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  where  he  took 
up  farming  on  his  own  account  as  a  renter.  He  carefully  saved  his  earnings, 
however,  and  each  ye^r  added  a  little  more  to  his  capital.  At  the  end  of  five 
years  he  was  able  to  purchase  eighty  acres  of  his  present  home  farm,  but  he  did 
not  discontinue  his  habit  of  industry  and  of  economy.  In  five  years  more  he  was 
able  to  purchase  an  adjoining  eighty-acre  tract  and  is  today  the  owner  of  an 
excellent  farm  property  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres.  He  has  brought  his  fields 
to  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and  has  achieved  a  gratifying  measure  of  success  as 
the  result  of  unabating  energy  and  industry  that  never  flags. 

In  1891  Mr.  Hanson  was  joined  in  wedlock  to  Miss  Mary  Nyhus,  her  father 
being  Halvor  Nyhus,  who  emigrated  from  Norway  to  the  United  States  in  1869 
and  took  up  his  abode  in  Winnebago  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hanson  have  five 
children,  as  follows :  Ida,  who  is  the  wife  of  Henry  Lovik,  of  Winnebago  county ; 
and  Halvor,  Ella,  Dora  and  Irving,  all  yet  at  home. 


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480  WI?TNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

Mr.  Hanson  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and  for  several 
years  he  has  served  as  a  member  of  the  school  board  but  has  never  sought  nor 
desired  political  office.  He  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  United  Lutheran 
church.  His  entire  life  has  been  actuated  by  high  and  honorable  principles  and 
by  worthy  purposes  and  his  record  shows  what  may  be  accomplished  when  there  is 
a  will  to  dare  and  to  do.  He  has  never  had  occasion  to  regret  his  determination  to 
come  to  the  new  world,  for  he  has  here  found  the  opportunities  which  he  sought  and 
in  their  utilization  has  made  steady  progress  toward  the  goal  of  prosperity. 


JOHN  L.  MOEN. 


John  L.  Moen,  a  representative  farmer  of  Winnebago  county,  carrying  on 
operations  on  section  30,  Center  township,  is  one  of  Iowa's  native  sons,  his  birth 
occurring  in  Winneshiek  county,  December  3,  1869.  His  parents,  Lewis  A.  and 
Carrie  L.  (Anderson)  Moen,  were  born  and  reared  in  Norway  and  emigrated  to 
America  in  1866.  After  living  near  Madison,  Wisconsin,  for  a  time,  they  removed 
to  Winneshiek  county,  Iowa,  where  the  father  worked  as  a  farm  hand  until  1870, 
which  year  witnessed  his  arrival  in  Winnebago  county.  Hiere  he  purchased  two 
hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land  on  section  30,  Center  township,  and  devoted  his 
energies  to  its  improvement  and  cultivation  throughout  the  remainder  of  his  life, 
passing  away  here  in  June,  1885,  at  the  age  of  forty-six  years.  His  widow  has  now 
attained  the  age  of  eighty  years  and  is  still  living  on  the  old  home  farm  with 
our  subject. 

John  L.  Moen  is  the  second  in  order  of  birth  in  the  family  of  six  children,  the 
others  being  Andrew  L.,  now  a  resident  of  Forest  City,  Iowa;  Edward  L.,  who  is 
also  living  on  the  old  homestead;  Iver,  a  resident  of  Lake  Mills;  and  Iver  and 
Rowland,  both  deceased. 

It  was  during  his  infancy  that  John  L.  Moen  was  brought  by  his  parents  to 
Winnebago  county,  where  he  grew  to  manhood,  receiving  his  education  in  the 
district  schools  of  Center  township.  He  was  sixteen  years  of  age  when  his 
father  died  and  he  has  since  given  his  time  and  attention  to  the  operation  of  the 
home  farm,  upon  which  he  has  made  many  useful  and  valuable  improvements.  He 
is  interested  in  stock  raising,  making  a  specialty  of  polled  Hereford  cattle,  and  is 
a  stockholder  in  the  Lake  Mills  Creamery  Company.  His  religious  faith  is  that 
of  the  Lutheran  church  and  his  political  support  is  given  the  men  and  measures 
of  the  republican  party.  Mr.  Moen  is  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  his  community 
and  wherever  known  is  held  in  the  highest  esteem. 


WILLIAM  F.  STILLE. 


William  F.  Stille,  who  carries  on  general  agricultural  pursuits  on  section  36, 
German  township,  Hancock  county,  was  born  August  10,  1865,  in  Missouri,  a  son 
of  Henry  and  Louisa  (Stineker)  Stille,  who  were  natives  of  Germany.  The  father 
has  passed  away  but  the  mother  is  still  living  and  resides  in  Klemme. 


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JOHN  L.  MOEN 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  483 

At  the  usual  age  William  F.  Stille  began  attending  the  common  schools,  but 
afterward  benefited  by  instruction  in  the  Garner  Academy,  where  he  completed* 
his  education  when  twenty-four  years  of  age.  He  farmed  in  German  township 
previous  to  his  marriage  and  then  for  five  years  he  was  engaged  in  general  merchan- 
dising at  Klemme,  but  resumed  farm  work,  renting  land  on  section  36,  German 
township,  Hancock  county,  where  he  lived  for  three  years.  He  carefully  saved  his 
earnings  and  his  economy  and  industry  brought  him  sufficient  capital  to  enable 
him  to  purchase  the  land  on  section  36,  German  township.  He  has  since  added  to 
his  holdings  until  he  is  now  the  owner  of  four  hundred  acres  of  rich  and  productive 
land,  and  in  addition  to  tilling  the  soil  and  the  production  of  crops  best  adapted 
to  climatic  conditions  here  he  is  also  successfully  and  extensively  engaged  in  stock 
raising,  making  a  specialty  of  Chester  White  hogs,  shorthorn  cattle  and  Belgian 
horses.  His  stock  is  of  high  grade  and  finds  a  ready  sale  on  the  market.  He  is 
also  one  of  the  directors  and  stockholders  of  the  Klemme  Creamery.  Upon  his 
place  he  has  the  latest  improved  farm  machinery  and  other  facilities  for  promoting 
his  work,  yet  his  memory  goes  back  to  the  time  when  he  drove  oxen  for  his  father 
in  farm  work  in  this  section  of  the  state,  at  which  period  there  were  only  two 
stores  in  Garner. 

On  the  18th  of  July,  1894,  Mr.  Stille  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Sarah 
Koerner,  a  daughter  of  the  Rev.  William  and  Mary  (Venekolt)  Koerner,  the 
former  a  native  of  Germany  while  the  latter  was  born  in  Illinois.  The  father 
became  a  minister  of  the  German  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  Hancock  county 
and  has  been  actively  identified  with  the  moral  progress  of  this  section  of  the  state. 
He  was  born  in  1842,  so  that  he  has  now  reached  the  advanced  age  of  seventy-five 
years,  and  his  wife,  who  was  born  in  1852,  is  also  living.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stille  have 
become  the  parents  of  three  sons  and  a  daughter,  C.  Lester,  Harvey  H.,  Donald  L., 
and  Elvira  I.  Mr.  Stille  is  a  republican  and  while  he  has  never  sought  political 
office  he  has  served  for  many  years  as  school  director,  the  cause  of  education  finding 
in  him  a  stalwart  champion,  for  he  believes  in  providing  the  young  with  school 
privileges  that  will  adequately  prepare  them  for  life's  practical  and  responsible 
duties.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stille  hold  membership  in  the  German  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church  and  their  lives  are  passed  in  harmony  with  its  teachings. 


JOHX  E.  GIFFORD. 


John  E.  Giflford,  living  on  section  9,  Amsterdam  township,  is  one  of  the  active 
and  energetic  farmers  and  stock  raisers  of  Hancock  county.  He  has  occupied  his 
present  place  since  1886  and  his  labors  have  wrought  a  marked  transformation  in 
its  appearance,  it  being  regarded  today  as  one  of  the  most  pleasing  features  in  the 
landscape. 

It  was  on  the  2d  of  January,  1851,  that  John  E.  Gifford  was  bom  in  Wilson, 
New  York,  a  son  of  Jesse  and  Abigail  (Hill)  Gifford,  the  former  a  native  of 
Canada  and  the  latter  of  New  York.  The  common  schools  afforded  John  E.  Gifford 
his  early  educational  privileges  and  between  the  ages  of  ten  and  sixteen  years  he 
attended  the  country  schools  of  Scott  county,  Iowa.  He  afterward  worked  on  the 
farm  through  the  summer  months  and  engaged  in  coal  mining  in  the  winter.     At 


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484  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

length  he  rented  land  and  began  farming  on  his  own  account.  He  won  success 
in  this  undertaking,  for  he  had  had  broad  and  liberal  experience  in  every  depart- 
ment of  farm  work.  He  continued  to  rent  land  until  1886,  when  he  purchased 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  9,  Amsterdam  township,  Hancock  county, 
and  here  he  is  extensively  engaged  in  the  raising  of  pure  bred  Durham  cattle  and 
full  blooded  Duroc  hogs.  His  live  stock  interests  constitute  an  important  feature 
of  his  business,  adding  materially  to  his  income.  He  is  also  connected  with  the 
Kanawha  Elevator  and  the  Kanawha  Creamery  Companies. 

In  1876  Mr.  Gifford  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Rosa  Dodge,  of  Scott 
county,  Iowa,  and  following  her  demise  he  wedded  Mrs.  Mary  Hitchcock,  a 
daughter  of  Ira  and  Lydia  Noble,  who  were  natives  of  Indiana.  In  the  family 
of  Mr.  Gifford  are  nine  children,  namely :  Abigail,  who  gave  her  hand  in  marriage 
to  Fred  Jurgens;  Jessie  L.;  Chester  D. ;  Elizabeth  Belle;  Cornelia;  Allen  Ray; 
Edward  C. ;  Rosa  L. ;  and  Mary  L. 

Mr.  Gifford  is  a  man  whom  to  know  is  to  respect  and  honor.  He  is  a  faithful, 
adherent  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  has  throughout  his  entire  life 
endeavored  to  do  unto  others  as  he  would  have  them  do  unto  him.  He  exercises  his 
right  of  franchise  in  support  of  the  men  and  measures  of  the  republican  party  and 
his  fellow  townsmen,  appreciative  of  his  worth  and  ability,  have  frequently  called 
him  to  public  office.  He  has  served  as  road  supervisor  for  ten  years,  as  township 
trustee  for  two  years  and  was  also  school  director  for  two  years.  He  is  ever  loyal 
to  the  trust  reposed  in  him  and  is  honorable  in  every  relation  of  life. 


JOHX  SEVERSON. 


John  Severson,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  on  section  23,  Norway  township, 
Winnebago  county,  has  for  more  than  four  decades  lived  upon  this  farm.  His  has 
been  an  active  life  devoted  to  general  agricultural  pursuits,  and  whatever  success 
he  has  achieved  or  enjoyed  is  attributable  entirely  to  his  own  well  directed  efforts. 
He  was  bom  in  Norway,  October  15,  1847,  a  son  of  Sever  and  Martha  Anderson, 
in  whose  family  were  fifteen  children,  of  whom  seven  are  yet  living.  All  are  resi- 
dents of  the  United  States,  but  John  Severson  of  this  review  and  his  sister 
Sophia,  now  the  wife  of  Ole  Singlestad,  of  Norway  township,  are  the  only  ones 
living  in  Winnebago  county.     The  father  was  a  fisherman. 

John  Severson  came  to  America  when  a  little  lad  of  nine  years  with  his  uncle, 
Thomas  Johnson,  who  settled  in  Freeborn  county,  Minnesota.  He  lived  with  and 
worked  for  his  uncle  until  he  attained  his  majority  and  then,  ambitious  to  engage 
in  farming  on  his  own  account,  he  bought  the  west  half  of  the  northwest  quarter  of 
section  33,  Norway  township,  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  and  began  the  cultivation 
of  his  eighty  acre  tract  of  land.  He  has  since  farmed  and  improved  this  place, 
converting  it  into  one  of  the  attractive  properties  of  the  township.  He  and  his  wife 
still  occupy  forty  acres  of  the  original  place.  After  John  Severson  had  been  a 
resident  of  the  United  States  for  some  time  his  parents  also  crossed  the  Atlantic 
and  settled  in  Freeborn  county,  Minnesota,  where  the  father  engaged  in  general 
agricultural  pursuits.  Both  passed  away  there  and  were  buried  in  the  Lime 
Creek  cemetery. 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  485 

When  twenty-three  years  of  age  John  Severson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Julia  Thompson,  a  sister  of  C.  0.  Thompson,  of  Norway  township,  and  they  had 
one  child,  Ole,  who  died  at  the  age  of  a  year.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Severson  are  members 
of  the  Synod  Lutheran  church  and  his  political  endorsement  is  given  to  the  republi- 
can party,  for  he  believes  that  its  principles  combine  the  best  elements  of  good 
government.  He  is  thoroughly  American  in  spirit  and  interests.  For  more  than 
sixty  years  he  has  lived  in  this  country  and  has  always  been  identified  with  the 
middle  west.  He  has  lived  a  life  of  activity  which  has  brought  substantial  results 
and  he  is  now  in  very  comfortable  financial  circumstances. 


NELS  E.  BAGNE. 


America  owes  much  to  her  citizens  of  Norwegian  nationality  or  descent.  The 
people  of  the  land  of  the  midnight  sun  have  always  been  characterized  by  thrift  and 
diligence,  qualities  which  go  far  toward  establishing  a  substantial  citizenship.  Nels 
E.  Bagne  is  among  those  who  are  of  Norwegian  lineage  and  he  possesses  many  of 
the  sterling  traits  of  his  race.  He  was  bom  in-  Winneshiek  county,  Iowa,  June  12, 
1868,  a  son  of  Andrew  and  Anna  Bagne,  who  were  natives  of  Norway  but  came  to 
the  United  States  in  childhood.  Their  marriage  was  celebrated  in  Winneshiek 
county,  Iowa,  and  to  them  were  bom  five  children :  Anna,  now  the  wife  of  C.  G. 
Egerdal,  of  Detroit,  Minnesota;  Inger,  the  wife  of  0.  T.  Omundson,  of  Detroit; 
James,  living  in  Montana ;  N.  E. ;  ttfid  Ole,  whose  home  is  in  Lisbon,  North  Dakota. 
After  coming  to  the  new  world  the  father  engaged  in  farming  in  Winneshiek  county 
until  a  few  years  prior  to  his  death,  when  he  removed  to  Norway  township,  Winne- 
bago county,  taking  up  his-  abode  in  1897  on  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  29, 
Norway  township.  He  put  all  the  improvements  upon  the  place  and  continued  to 
further  develop  and  cultivate  it  until  his  demise,  which  occurred  in  1901.  His 
widow  survived  him  for  six  years  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  1907  in  Synod  cemetery  at 
Lake  Mills.  In  his  political  views  Mr.  Bagne  was  always  a  stalwart  republican. 
He  won  success  as  the  result  of  close  application  and  persistency  of  purpose  and  in 
his  business  was  always  found  thoroughly  reliable. 

Nels  E.  Bagne  attended  the  district  schools  until  he  reached  the  age  of  sixteen 
years  and  afterward  worked  for  his  father  until  he  attained  his  majority,  receiving  a 
thorough  training  in  all  departments  of  farm  work.  He  afterward  rented  his 
father's  farm  until  his  death,  after  which  he  purchased  the  home  place  and  is  now 
the  owner  of  a  valuable  and  highly  productive  tract  of  land  on  which  he  has  made 
many  improvements.  His  fields  are  carefully  tilled  and  bring  forth  substantial 
harvests  annually  and  neatness  and  thrift  characterize  the  place  in  every  particular. 

On  June  5,  1900,  Mr.  Bagne  was  married  to  Miss  Anna  Johnson,  a  daughter  of 
George  and  Gertie  Johnson,  of  Newton  township,  Winnebago  county,  who  still  reside 
upon  their  farm  there.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bagne  have  two  children,  Alfa  and  George, 
both  at  home. 

Mr.  Bagne  votes  with  the  republican  party  and  keeps  well  informed  on  the 
questions  and  issues  of  the  day  but  has  never  been  ambitious  to  seek  office,  preferring 
to  concentrate  is  energies  upon  his  business  affairs.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Synod 
Lutheran  church  and  is  interested  in  the  cause  of  education,  serving  for  a  number  of 


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486  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

years  as  school  director.  In  a  word,  his  aid  and  influence  are  always  on  the  side 
of  progress,  reform  and  improvement  and  he  has  done  much  to  further  the  best 
interests  of  the  community  in  which  he  lives. 


JOHN  G.  TANNER. 


John  G.  Tanner,  living  on  section  4,  Twin  Lake  townsliip,  is  numbered  among 
the  leading  and  well  known  farmers  of  Hancock  county.  He  was  bom  October  15, 
1877,  a  son  of  Frank  and  Lena  (Walter)  Tanner,  who  were  natives  of  Switzerland 
and  of  Ohio  respectively.  Through  the  period  of  his  boyhood  John  G.  Tanner  was 
a  resident  of  Kansas  and  there  acquired  his  education  in  the  district  schools,  which 
he  attended  to  the  age  of  fourteen  years,  when  he  began  working  as  a  farm  hand. 
He  was  thus  employed  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty-seven  and  then  began 
farming  independently  by  renting  land.  In  this  way  he  acquired  the  capital  that 
enabled  him  to  purchase  property  and  his  investment  made  him  owner  of  two  hun- 
dred acres  on  section  3  and  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  on  section  4,  Twin  Lake 
township,  Hancock  county.  He  devotes  his  farm  largely  to  the  cultivation  of 
cereals  but  also  keeps  some  good  grades  of  stock  upon  his  place.  His  work  is 
carefully  managed,  plowing,  planting  and  harvesting  being  done  at  the  proper  tinre 
and  according  to  progressive  methods  based  upon  an  understanding  of  the  scientific 
principles  which  underlie  his  work.  In  addition  to  his  farm  property  Mr.  Tanner 
is  the  owner  of  stock  in  the  Klemme  creamery.* 

On  the  20th  of  February,  1904,  Mr.  Tanner  was  married  to  Miss  Rosa  Schaper, 
a  daughter  of  Frederick  and  Amelia  Schaper,  who  were  natives  of  Germany,  the 
former  bom  in  1821  and  the  latter  in  1831.  It  was  about  1851  that  they  made  the 
voyage  to  the  new  world  and  took  up  their  abode  near  Freeport,  Illinois.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tanner  have  been  born  six  children,  namely:  Clarence  V.,  Bernice 
L.,  tiuther  I.,  John  R.,  Francis  L.  and  Florence  L. 

Mr.  Tanner  and  his  family  attend  the  German  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
and  he  also  holds  membership  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  His  poli- 
tical endorsement  has  been  given  to  the  republican  party  since  age  conferred  upon 
him  the  right  of  franchise.  He  has  served  as  township  trustee  and  as  school  director 
but  is  not  ambitious  to  hold  office,  preferring  to  concentrate  his  time  and  attention 
upon  his  business  affairs,  which  have  been  carefully  directed  and  have  brought 
to  him  a  gratifying  degree  of  prosperity. 


FRED  STORK. 


Fred  Stork  is  now  living  retired  in  Garner  after  twenty  years  devoted  to  general 
farming  on  land  on  section  25,  Garfield  township,  Hancock  county.  He  was  born 
in  Iowa  county,  Wisconsin,  March  3,  1860,  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Theresa  Stork,  who 
were  natives  of  Austria  and  of  Bohemia  respectively.     Both  have  now  passed  away. 

Fred  Stork  acquired  a  common  school  education  but  had  the  privilege  of  attend- 
ing only  until  thirteen  years  of  age,  when  his  textbooks  were  put  aside  in  order  that 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  487 

he  might  assist  his  father  in  farming  and  carpentering.  He  is  one  of  a  family  of 
eight  sons  and  two  daughters,  his  surviving  brothers  being:  Frank,  who  is  now 
married  and  resides  in  Mason  City,  Iowa;  Thomas,  who  is  married  and  makes  his 
home  south  of  Clear  Lake;  Jacob,  who  is  married  and  resides  at  Ventura,  Iowa; 
and  Edward,  who  is  married  and  lives  at  Clear  Lake.  Joe,  John  and  Anthon  have 
passed  away  and  the  daughters  are:  Thesa,  now  Mrs.  C.  Smith,  of  Pipe  county, 
Pennsylvania,  and  Lizzie,  now  Mrs.  C.  K.  Moe,  of  Gamer,  Iowa. 

After  some  years  devoted  to  assisting  his  father,  Fred  Stork  began  farming  on 
his  own  account  and  ultimately  acquired  possession  of  ninety-two  acres  of  land  on 
section  25,  Garfield  township.  He  took  up  his  abode  upon  that  property  in  1897 
and  continued  to  occupy  and  develop  it  until  1917,  when  he  retired  and  removed  to 
Gamer.  He  had  brought  his  fields  to  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and  had  added 
many  substantial  and  modem  improvements  to  his  place.  He  carefully  tilled  the 
soil  and  the  crop  production  of  his  farm  was  annually  increased.  He  also  became 
identified  with  other  business  interests,  purchasing  stock  in  the  Farmers  National 
Bank  of  Garner  and  also  becoming  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Cooperative 
Creamery  Company. 

Mr.  Stork  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Anna  Roase,  a  daughter  of  Frank  and 
Agnes  (McGruder)  Boase,  who  are  natives  of  Illinois.  Mr.  Stork  holds  membership 
in  the  Catholic  church  and  is  also  identified  with  the  Catholic  Order  of  Foresters. 
In  politics  he  has  always  been  a  democrat  and  in  1909  he  entered  upon  a  two  years' 
term  as  town  trustee,  while  at  the  present  time  he  is  serving  for  the  sixth  year  as 
county  supervisor.  He  is  loyal  to  the  public  interests  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties 
and  puts  forth  every  effort  in  his  power  to  advance  the  welfare  and  progress  of  the 
county  along  lines  leading  not  only  to  present  benefit  but  also  to  future  welfare. 


DAVID  BECKMAN. 


David  Beckman,  a  native  of  son  of  Mount  Valley  township,  Winnebago  county, 
is  there  engaged  in  farming  on  section  27,  and  his  well  directed  efforts  are  rewarded 
by  a  gratifying  financial  return.  He  was  bom  on  the  4th  of  June,  1876,  and  is  a 
son  of  Andrew  P.  and  Clara  E.  (Larson)  Beckman,  natives  of  Sweden,  where  they 
remained  until  after  their  marriage.  It  was  in  1874  that  they  came  to  the  United 
States  and  their  first  residence  in  this  country  was  in  the  city  of  Duluth,  Minnesota. 
Subsequently  they  removed  to  St.  Paul  and  in  1876  came  to  Winnebago  county, 
Iowa,  where  they  remained  for  a  short  time.  They  then  took  up  their  residence 
upon  a  farm  in  Ellington  township,  Hancock  county,  and  there  remained  until 
called  by  death,  the  father's  demise  occurring  in  March,  1903,  and  the  mother's  on 
the  7th  of  September,  1915.  Both  were  highly  esteemed  in  their  community,  and 
in  his  work  as  a  farmer  the  father  was  very  successful. 

David  Beckman  was  reared  at  home  and  in  the  acquirement  of  his  education 
attended  the  district  schools.  On  going  to  work  he  was  first  employed  for  two  years 
as  a  clerk  in  a  hardware  store  in  Forest  City  and  then,  deciding  that  the  occupation 
to  which  he  had  been  reared  offered  better  chances  of  advancement,  began  farming 
in  Mount  Valley  township.  He  purchased  his  present  farm  on  section  27  not  long 
after  his  marriage  and  has  made  a  number  of  improvements  upon  the  place.     He 


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488  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

raises  both  grain  and  stock  and  both  phases  of  his  business  have  proved  profitable. 
He  also  is  financially  interested  in  the  Forest  City  Creamery. 

In  1903  Mr.  Beckman  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ida  Anderson  of  Mount 
Valley  township,  a  daughter  of  Carl  G.  Anderson,  who  was  born  in  Sweden  and  was 
one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Winnebago  county.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beckman  have 
been  born  a  son  and  a  daughter,  namely,  Raymond  and  Mildred. 

The  republican  party  has  a  stanch  adherent  in  Mr.  Beckman  and  he  is  now 
serving  as  a  member  of  the  public  school  board.  He  realizes  the  great  importance 
of  a  good  educational  system  and  is  always  willing  to  do  anything  that  he  can  to 
advance  the  interests  of  the  local  schools.  He  belongs  to  the  Metiiodist  Episcopal 
church,  and  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church.  Both  are  known  as  people 
of  high  principles  and  those  who  have  been  most  intimately  associated  with  them  are 
their  stanchest  friends. 


JOHN  M.  SLOAN. 


John  M.  Sloan,  who  for  eighteen  years  has  been  successfully  engaged  in  general 
farming  and  stock  raising  in  Hancock  county,  makes  his  home  on  section  9,  Magor 
township.  He  was  born  in  Livingston  county,  Illinois,  on  the  11th  of  February, 
1872,  a  son  of  James  and  Jane  (Thomson)  Sloan,  who  were  natives  of  Scotland. 
In  early  life  they  came  to  America,  establishing  their  home  in  Illinois  about  1864. 

Spending  his  youthful  days  under  the  parental  roof  in  the  usual  manner  of  farm 
bred  boys,  John  M.  Sloan  attei;^ded  district  school  and  in  the  summer  months  worked 
in  the  fields.  His  time  was  thus  passed  until  he  attained  his  majority,  after  which 
he  concentrated  his  efforts  upon  farm  work  through  the  succeeding  year.  At  the  ago 
of  twenty-two  he  rented  land  from  his  father  in  Livingston  county.  Illinois,  and 
continued  the  cultivation  of  that  tract  for  a  number  of  years,  after  which  he  deter- 
mined to  own  property  and  removed  to  Iowa,  purchasing  two  hundred  and  forty 
acres  on  section  9,  Magor  township,  Hancock  county.  In  all  of  his  business  interests 
he  was  associated  with  his  brother  James  imtil  1911,  when  he  purchased  eighty  acres 
on  section  9,  Magor  township.  The  brothers  have  carried  on  general  farming  and 
make  a  specialty  of  stock  raising  and  feeding.  They  have  been  closely  associated  in 
all  their  business  interests,  having  everything  in  common,  and  they  liave  carefully, 
wisely  and  successfully  managed  their  affairs. 

In  1911  Mr.  Sloan  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Dorothy  Ruth  Hanlon,  a 
daughter  of  Patrick  and  Mary  (Foy)  Hanlon,  who  were  natives  of  Ireland  and  came 
to  America  in  1861,  making  their  way  at  once  to  La  Salle  county,  Illinois.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Sloan  have  become  the  parents  of  two  children,  John  Maxwell  and  Mary 
Virginia. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Sloan  is  a  republican  and  keeps  well  informed  on 
the  political  situation  of  the  country  and  the  dominant  issues  before  the  people 
today.  He  holds  membership  in  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  is  a 
member  of  the  Catholic  church.  While  interested  in  all  those  things  which  have 
to  do  with  the  public  welfare,  he  concentrates  the  greater  part  of  his  time  and  atten- 
tion upon  his  business  and  he  has  won  a  substantial  measure  of  success.  Aside 
from  his  farming  interests  he  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Savings  Bank  at 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  489 

Corwith.  His  life  has  been  one  of  diligence  and  determination  and,  overcoming  the 
obstacles  and  difficulties  which  ever  bar  the  path  to  success,  he  has  worked  his  way 
steadily  upward  and  is  now  one  of  the  substantial  farmers  of  his  adopted  county. 


TONNES  MORTENSON. 


Tonnes  Mortenson  now  owns  and  operates  a  well  improved  farm  on  section  17, 
King  township, 'Winnebago 'county,  where  he  has  resided  for  the  past  seven  years. 
He  was  born  in  Norway,  on  the  17th  of  March,  1856,  and  is  a  son  of  Morten  Nelson 
and  Malena  (Aase)  Fuglestad,  also  natives  of  Norway,  where  they  continued  to 
make  their  home  throughout  life.     By  occupation  the  father  was  a  farmer. 

Tonnes  Mortenson  was  principally  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  land,  being 
twenty  years  of  age  on  his  emigration  to  America.  On  his  arrival  in  this  country 
he  continued  his  journey  westward  to  Iowa  and  first  located  in  Story  City,  where  he 
was  employed  for  a  time.  Later  he  worked  at  Radcliffe,  Hardin  county,  and  subse- 
quently rented  land  in  that  county,  which  he  operated  for  three  years.  At  the  end 
of  that  time  he  was  able  to  purchase  eighty  acres,  on  which  he  lived  for  two  years, 
and  then  came  to  Winnebago  county,  where,  in  partnership  with  his  brother,  he 
bought  a  half  section  of  land  where  the  town  of  Thompson  is  now  located  but  did 
not  come  into  full  possession  of  that  property.  He  next  bought  two  hundred  and 
forty  acres  on  section  31,  King  township,  to  the  improvement  and  cultivation  of 
which  he  devoted  ten  years.  The  following  three  years  were  spent  in  Thompson, 
where  he  worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade.  He  then  bought  an  additional  one  hundred 
and  twenty  acres  adjoining  his  land,  on  which  he  lived  for  six  years.  After  selling 
that  place  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  17,  King  township, 
where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  Being  a  carpenter,  he  has  erected  all  the 
buildings  upon  the  place  and  now  has  a  well  improved  farm  in  a  high  state  of 
cultivation. 

In  November,  1890,  was  celebrated  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Mortenson  and  Miss 
Sarah  Sviland,  a  daughter"  of  Osmund  and  Sarina  (Sviland)  Sviland,  natives  of 
Norway,  in  which  country  Mrs.  Mortenson  was  born  July  12,  1862.  There  her  par- 
ents both  died.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mortenson  hold  membership  in  the  Lutheran  church 
and  he  casts  his  ballot  with  the  republican  party.  For  four  years  he  has  served  as 
secretary  of  the  school  board  and  has  always  taken  a  commendable  interest  in  public 
affairs.  He  is  a  stockholder  of  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  and  the  Cooperative 
Creamery  Company  of  Thompson  and  is  one  of  the  well-to-do  citizens  of  his  com- 
munity, who  commands  the  respect  of  all  with  whom  he  comes  in  contact. 


W.  C.  SUNDERMEYER. 


W.  C.  Sundermeyer,  editor  of  The  Rake  Register,  is  a  substantial  citizen  of 
Winnebago  county,  actuated  by  a  spirit  of  enterprise  and  progress  in  all  that  he 
undertakes.  He  was  born  in  Dubuque  county,  Iowa,  September  30,  1867,  and  is  a 
son  of  Henry  and  Augusta  (Kemp)  Sundermeyer,  who  were  natives  of  Germany. 


11—24 


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490  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

They  came  to  America  at  an  early  day  and  settled  in  Dubuque  county,  Iowa,  where 
the  father  took  up  the  occupation  of  farming.  He  bought  and  improved  land  there 
and  continued  ite  cultivation  until  March,  1883,  when  he  removed  to  Palo  Alto 
county,  Iowa,  where  again  he  bought  land  which  he  cleared,  dereloped  and  improved, 
spending  his  remaining  days  upon  that  farm,  which  he  converted  into  a  valuable  and 
productive  property.  He  died  in  October,  1896,  while  his  wife  survived  for  almost 
a  decade,  passing  away  in  June,  1906. 

W.  C.  Sundermeyer  was  reared  and  educated  in  Dubuque  and  Palo  Alto  counties 
and  prepared  for  the  profession  of  teaching,  which  he  followed-  successfully  for 
twelve  terms,  making  his  home  with  his  parents  during  that  period.  He  was  thus 
engaged  until  1901,  when  he  came  to  Bake  and  secured  a  position  as  teacher  of  the 
town  school  for  one  winter.  In  the  spring  of  1902  he  purchased  The  Rake  Register, 
a  weekly  newspaper,  which  he  has  since  owned  and  published.  He  and  A.  K. 
Marsaa,  the  postmaster,  have  occupied  the  same  building  since  1904.  The  Register 
was  established  in  1900,  the  first  issue  being  printed  on  August  3d.  Schaucke  & 
Sandum  were  the  proprietors  and  W.  A.  Calvey  the  editor.  It  now  has  a  circula- 
tion of  about  four  hundred.  It  is  a  bright,  newsy  sheet,  devoted  to  local  interests 
as  well  as  to  the  dissemination  of  general  news,  and  as  the  supporter  of  interests  of 
public  moment  it  has  done  much  for  the  welfare  of  the  community. 

On  the  22d  of  May,  1900,  Mr.  Sundermeyer  was  married  to  Miss  Emma  Gordon 
and  they  have  become  parents  of  three  children:  Bertha,  who  died  in  March,  1917, 
at  the  age  of  fourteen  and  one-half  years ;  Herbert  G.,  ten  years  of  age;  and  Kenneth 
W.,  seven  years  of  age. 

Politically  Mr.  Sundermeyer  is  a  progressive  republican.  He  is  a  clear  thinker 
and  his  views  are  the  outcome  of  his  own  investigation  rather  than  of  party  dictation. 
His  religious  faith  is  that  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  he  stands  for  all  those  forces 
which  are  most  worth  while  to  the  community — those  forces  which  work  for  the 
uplift  of  the  individual  and  for  the  general  benefit  of  the  district. 


GULLIK  G.  BELSHEIM. 

Gullik  G.  Belsheim,  who  is  actively  and  successfully  engaged  in  farming  on 
section  6,  Mount  Valley  township,  Winnebago  county,  was  bom  in  Norway  on 
the  12th  of  April,  1840,  a  son  of  Gullik  and  Anna  (Gilbertson)  Belsheim,  who 
spent  their  entire  lives  in  the  land  of  the  midnight  sun.  Gullik  G.  Belsheim 
pursued  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  Norway  and  at  twenty-one  years 
of  age  he  enlisted  in  the  Norwegian  army,  with  which  he  served  for  three  years. 
In  1866  he  came  to  the  United  States  and  established  his  home  in  Winneshiek 
county,  Iowa,  where  for  three  years  he  worked  for  a  cousin  on  a  farm.  On  the 
expiration  of  that  period  he  began  farming  on  his  own  account  and  for  a  year 
continued  to  rent  land  in  Winneshiek  county. 

It  was  in  1870,  in  that  county,  that  Mr.  Belsheim  was  married  to  Miss  Ellen 
Michaelson  and  the  following  year  he  came  to  Winnebago  county,  while  in  the 
same  spring  he  purchased  the  farm  upon  which  he  now  resides.  It  was  then  a 
tract  of  wild  land,  on  which  he  put  up  a  little  shelter  until  he  could  build  a  log 
cabin.     He  occupied  the  log  house  for  sixteen  years,  after  which  he  purchased 


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GULLIK    G.    BELSHEIM    AND    FAMILY 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  493 

a  farm  on  section  7  of  the  same  township  and  occupied  that  farm  for  sixteen 
years.  He  removed  to  that  place  in  order  to  educate  his  children,  for  there  was  a 
schoolhouse  upon  the  farm.  He  then  returned  to  his  original  property,  on 
which  he  has  since  resided.  He  owns  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  his  home 
place,  also  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  5  and  one  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  on  section  7  of  Mount  Valley  township,  together  with  one  hundred 
and  twenty  acres  in  Center  township.  His  holdings  are  thus  extensive  and  from 
Kis  farm  properties  he  derives  a  substantial  annual  income.  Formerly  he  was 
the  owner  of  four  hundred  and  twenty-five  acres  in  Tennessee,  which  he  held  for 
sixteen  years,  but  he  has  recently  sold  that  land.  In  the  early  days  he  farmed 
with  oxen  and  he  bore  all  the  hardships  and  privations  incident  to  the  settle- 
ment of  the  frontier.  His  nearest  markets  were  at  Albert  Lea  and  at  Mason 
City  and  from  those  points  he  had  to  haul  his  lumber  and  other  supplies  with  ox 
teams.  He  bravely  faced  the  difficulties  of  pioneer  life,  however,  and  as  the  years 
passed  on  time  and  man  wrought  many  changes  and  he  has  benefited  by  these  as 
the  years  have  gone  on. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Belsheim  have  become  parents  of  four  children:  Anna,  the 
wife  of  B.  H.  Braehl,  of  McLean  county.  North  Dakota;  Christina,  who  gave  her 
hand  in  marriage  to  C.  T.  Johnson,  of  Center  township,  Winnebago  county; 
Emma,  who  is  the  wife  of  John  Hermonson,  of  Winnebago  county ;  and  Oscar  G., 
who  operates  the  home  farm. 

In  politics  Mr.  Belsheim  is  a  democrat  and  in  religious  faith  he  and  his  family 
are  United  Lutherans.  His  financial  position  is  in  marked  contrast  to  his  con- 
dition at  the  time  of  his  arrival.  When  he  came  to  Iowa  he  had  but  five  dollars 
in  his  pocket  and  this  he  gave  to  a  friend  with  which  to  buy  a  cow.  Today  he 
has  large  land  holdings  all  free  from  indebtedness  and  a  handsome  bank  account. 
His  prosperity  is  the  direct  and  legitimate  reward  of  his  labors  and  so  honorably 
has  he  won  his  success  that  the  most  envious  cannot  grudge  him  his  prosperity. 
His  life  record  shows  what  may  be  accomplished  when  there  is  a  will  to  dare  and 
to  do,  and  his  history  should  serve  to  inspire  and  encourage  others. 


H.  J.  STILLE. 


H.  J.  Stille,  a  well  known  farmer  and  stock  raiser  of  German  township  and  a 
worthy  representative  of  one  of  the  honored  pioneer  families  of  Hancock  county, 
claims  Missouri  as  his  native  state,  his  birth  occurring  in  Franklin  county,  October 
20,  1867.  His  parents  were  Henry  and  Louisa  Stille,  the  former  a  native  of 
Germany  and  the  latter  of  Missouri,  from  which  state  the  family  removed  to  Han- 
cock county,  Iowa,  in  1874.  The  father  took  up  land  in  German  township,  whese 
he  followed  farming  until  his  death.     His  widow  now  makes  her  home  in  Klemme. 

H.  J.  Stille  began  his  education  In  the  district  schools  near  his  boyhood  home 
and  later  took  a  special  course  of  study  at  Galena,  Illinois,  and  at  Garner,  Iowa. 
On  starting  out  in  life  for  himself  he  conducted  a  general  store  in  Klemme  in  part- 
nership with  his  brother,  W.  F.  Stille,  but  at  length  sold  out  and  later  returned  to 
the  old  homestead.  In  the  meantime  he  had  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  of  land  in  German  township  and  subsequently  bought  the  home  farm,  making 


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494  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  on  sections  22  and  23,  German  township,  improved 
with  good  and  substantial  buildings.  Besides  this  property  he  owns  an  eighty  acre 
tract  on  section  19,  German  township,  which  he  rents,  and  he  is  successfully  engaged 
in  general  farming  and  in  stock  raising  to  some  extent. 

In  1891  was  celebrated  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Stille  and  Miss  Emma  Koerner,  a 
daughter  of  Eev.  William  Koerner,  who  is  a  Methodist  minister.  To  this  union 
have  been  born  two  children:  Herbert,  who  is  now  a  resident  of  Kiowa  county, 
Colorado;  and  Paul,  who  is  attending  school  at  Iowa  Falls.  The  family  are  iden- 
tified with  the  Methodist  church  and  are  people  of  prominence  in  the  community 
where  they  reside.  Mr.  Stille  has  been  called  upon  to  serve  as  township  clerk, 
trustee  and  assessor  and  has  recently  been  elected  township  supervisor.  He  has 
capably  filled  these  positions  and  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  representative  citizens 
of  Hancock  county. 


DANIEL  N.  JOHNSON. 


The  united  efforts  of  many  men  have  made  Iowa  a  great  agricultural  state,  second 
to  none  in  its  crop  production  along  certain  lines.  Daniel  N.  Johnson,  who  has 
been  actively  connected  with  the  farming  interests  of  Winnebago  county  for  many 
years,  is  now  residing  on  section  30,  Norway  township.  He  was  born  on  the  26th 
of  December,  1846,  in  Valestrand,  Sondhorland,  Bergen,  Norway,  his  parents  being 
Njeld  and  Margaret  a  (Haavig)  Johnson.  The  father  was  employed  as  a  farmer  and 
laborer  in  his  native  country  until  1857,  when  he  took  passage  on  a  sailboat  bound 
for  the  United  States  and  with  his  wife  and  three  children  came  to  the  new  world. 
He  did  not  tarry  on  the  Atlantic  coast  but  made  his  way  at  once  into  the  interior  of 
the  country,  settling  in  Kendall  county,  Illinois,  where  he  remained  until  the  fall 
of  1859,  when  he  went  to  Winneshiek  county,  Iowa,  where  he  resided  until  1866.  In 
that  year  he  traveled  by  ox  team  to  Winnebago  county,  four  families  making  the 
trip  together  in  the  same  manner.  This  was  then  a  wild  western  frontier  district, 
in  which  the  work  of  progress  and  improvement  seemed  scarcely  begun.  There  were 
no  settlers  between  the  state  line  and  Forest  City  west  of  Lime  Creek.  Their  nearest 
market  was  at  Austin,  Minnesota,  thirty  miles  away,  and  there  was  no  road  to  Lake 
Mills,  until  1879.  Mr.  Johnson  purchased  land  in  Center  township  and  engaged  in 
farming  there  until  his  death,  which  occurred  June  24,  1881.  His  widow  continued 
to  reside  upon  the  old  homestead  until  she,  too,  passed  away  in  November,  1902, 
when  her  remains  were  interred  by  the  side  of  her  husband  in  a  cemetery  on  section 
7,  Center  township.  The  place  has  now  been  abandoned  for  further  burial  purposes 
but  has  been  preserved  by  the  children  of  those  buried  there.  In  his  political  views 
Njeld  Johnson  was  a  republican,  while  his  religious  faith  was  indicated  in  his 
membership  in  the  Synod  Lutheran  church.  He  worked  diligently  to  gain  a  start 
and  used  industry,  determination  and  perseverance  as  a  foundation  upon  which  to 
build  his  success.  While  he  was  practically  empty  handed  when  he  came  to  the 
new  world,  he  had  become  the  possessor  of  a  comfortable  competence  ere  death 
called  him  to  the  home  beyond. 

Daniel  N.  Johnson  acquired  his  education  in  the  pioneer  schools,  which  he 
attended  as  opportunity  offered,  for  his  time  was  largely  devoted  to  work  upon  the 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  495 

home  farm,  where  he  remained  until  lie  attained  his  majority,  sharing  with  the 
family  in  all  of  the  hardships  and  privations  incident  to  pioneer  life.  In  the 
family  were  three  children,  of  whom  he  was  the  eldest.  His  sister  Martha  became 
the  wife  of  Ole  Bendickson,  of  Center  township,  Winnebago  county,  and  died  some 
years  afterward,  leaving  a  family  of  twelve  children.  The  other  sister,  Guri,  became 
the  wife  of  S.  G.  Smith,  formerly  of  Ridgeway,  Winnesheik  county,  but  later  of 
Norway  township,  Winnebago  county,  where  they  resided  until  about  twenty  years 
ago  and  then  removed  to  Genesee,  Washington,  and  subsequently  to  Moscow,  Wash- 
ington, where  Mrs.  Smith  still  makes  her  home,  but  her  husband  passed  away,  March 
30, 1911. 

Leaving  home  on  attaining  his  majority,  Daniel  N.  Johnson,  then  secured  a 
homestead  of  his  own  in  Center  township,  comprising  the  west  half  of  the  north- 
west quarter  and  the  west  half  of  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  7.  He  at  once 
began  the  arduous  task  of  developing  a  new  farm.  He  cleared  the  land,  plowed 
under  the  wild  prairie  grasses  and  prepared  the  fields  for  planting.  Year  after  year 
he  carefully  cultivated  the  place  and  remained  thereon  until  1874,  when  he  sold  out. 
He  then  bought  the  southeast  quarter  of  section  30,  Norway  township.  This,  too, 
he  had  to  clear  and  all  of  the  work  of  converting  it  into  the  present  valuable  property 
has  been  done  by  him.  He  has  continuously  farmed  the  place  and  has  made  all  of 
the  improvements  thereon.  His  first  house  was  a  dugout  and  later  he  built  a  log 
house,  which  in  1900  was  replaced  by  his  present  fine  home.  He  has  also  secured 
the  latest  improved  farm  machinery  to  facilitate  the  work  of  the  fields,  and  good 
barns  and  outbuildings  have  been  erected  for  the  shelter  of  grain  and  stock.  For 
seven  years,  Mr.  Johnson  was  secretary  of  the  Scarville  Creamery  Company,  in 
which  he  still  owns^  stock,  and  he  is.  also  a  shareholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator 
Company  of  Scarville,  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  of  Lake  Mills  and  the  Lake 
Mills  Lumber  Company.  All  this  is  the  visible  evidence  of  his  life  of  well  directed 
energy  and  thrift,  for  he  started  out  empty-handed  and  has  made  his  success  through 
his  own  effort.  # 

On  the  7th  of  February,  1867,  Mr.  Johnson  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  Davidson, 
a  daughter  of  Lars  and  Guri  Davidson,  natives  of  Norway,  who  in  1864  crossed  the 
Atlantic  to  the  new  world  and  established  their  home  in  Freeborn  county,  Minnesota, 
where  they  remained  until  called  to  the  home  beyond.  Mrs.  Johnson  was  born  May 
23,  1847,  and  by  her  marriage  became  the  mother  of  fifteen  children:  Nels  J., 
whose  home  is  in  Burke  county.  North  Dakota;  Margaret  Marie,  the  wife  of  T.  J. 
eleven,  of  Logan  township;  Lars  D.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-four  years; 
Peter  J.,  living  at  Lake  Park,  Minnesota ;  Dina  G.,  now  the  wife  of  A.  M.  Elvebak, 
of  Eden  township,  Winnebago  county ;  two  children  who  were  named  Syvert  0.,  and 
died  in  infancy;  Syvert  0.,  third,  now  living  in  Burke  county.  North  Dakota;  Hans 
Gilbert,  who  is  in  business  with  his  brother  at  Lake  Park,  Minnesota ;  Martha  B.,  a 
resident  of  Plenty  wood,  Montana;  Anna  S.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  seven  years; 
Guri  0.,  the  wife  of  Andrew  Hole,  who  is  assisting  in  the  work  of  the  home  farm; 
Selmer  N.  M.,  now  located  at  Plentywood,  Montana;  Frederick  Oscar  E.,  living  in 
Emmons,  Minnesota;  and  Anna  Sophia,  also  a  resident  of  Plentywood.  The  wife 
and  mother  passed  away  March  13,  1911,  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  Lime  Creek 
United  Lutheran  church  cemetery.  She  was  a  member  of  the  United  Lutheran 
church,  of  which  Mr.  Johnson  also  is  a  member. 


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496  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

His  political  endorsement  is  given  to  the  republican  party  and  he  has  been  called 
to  fill  some  local  offices,  serving  for  fourteen  years  as  justice  of  the  peace  of  his 
township,  in  which  he  rendered  decisions  that  were  strictly  fair  and  impartial  and 
won  golden  opinions  from  all  sorts  of  people.  In  1915  he  was  president  of  the 
school  board,  of  which  he  became  a  member  two  years  before,  and  he  is  interested 
in  all  those  forces  which  work  for  the  upbuilding  and  progress  of  the  community  in 
which  he  lives,  his  influence  ever  being  on  the  side  of  right  and  improvement. 
Moreover,  his  life  record  should  serve  to  inspire  and  encourage  others,  showing  what 
may  be  accomplished  by  determination,  energy  and  ability. 


CHABLES    PRULL. 


Charles  Prull,  living  on  section  3,  Amsterdam  township,  Hancock  county,  has 
two  hundred  and  twenty-one  acres  of  rich  and  productive  land  devoted  to  general 
farming.  He  was  bom  on  the  30th  of  January,  1875,  in  Germany,  a  son  of 
Gerhard  and  Marie  (Arnholz)  Prull,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  that  country. 
The  common  schools  afforded  him  his  educational  privileges  and  he  pursued  hia 
studies  until  he  reached  the  age  of  eighteen  years,  spending  the  summer  months 
at  work  upon  the  home  farm.  He  afterward  rented  land  for  twelve  years  and  in 
this  way  gained  his  start  in  life.  At  length  he  purchased  land  and  is  today  the 
owner  of  two  hundred  and  twenty-one  acres  on  sections  2  and  3,  Amsterdam  town- 
ship, Hancock  county.  He  devotes  his  place  to  general  farming  and  is  a  wide-awake, 
alert  and  enterprising  in  all  that  he  undertakes  in  a  business  way.  He  is  systematic 
in  his  work  and  his  methods  are  the  expression  of  sound  judgment  and  long 
experience.  In  addition  to  cultivating  his  home  place  he  has  extended  his  business 
connections  by  becoming  a  stockholder  in  the  creamery,  elevator  and  telephone 
companis  of  Kanawha  and  thus  cooperates  in  movements  which  are  indicative  of 
the  progressive  spirit  of  the  farming  community  of  Hancock  county. 

On  the  28th  of  February,  1898,  Mr.  Prull  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Fannie  Eenhuis,  her  parents  being  John  and  Grace  Eenhuis,  natives  of  Germany. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Prull  have  four  children :  Gerhard,  Grace  L.,  John  A.,  and  Fritz  M. 
The  family  attend  the  German  Lutheran  church,  in  which  the  parents  hold 
membership.  Mr.  Prull  votes  with  the  republican  party,  to  which  he  has  given 
his  support  since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise.  He  does  not 
geek  nor  desire  office,  however,  preferring  to  concentrate  his  efforts  and  attention 
upon  his  farming  interests,  and  his  close  application  has  been  one  of  the  chief 
features  of  his  growing  success. 


RODERICK   L.   McCARTNEY. 

Roderick  L.  McCartney,  living  on  section  18,  Boone  township,  has  been  a 
resident  of  Hancock  county  since  1885  and  throughout  this  period  has  witnessed 
the  greater  part  of  its  development  and  progress.  He  has  been  active  among 
those  who  have  done  so  much  to  promote  the  upbuilding  of  this  section  of  the 
state,  especially  along  the  line  of  its  agricultural  development.     At  the  time  of 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  497 

his  arrival  here  there  were  practically  no  roads  in  this  section,  no  ditching  had 
been  done  to  drain  the  land  and,  fis  he  expresses  it,  "there  was  nothing  but  water/' 
He  came  as  a  young  man  to  the  new  world  to  try  his  fortune  on  this  side  the 
Atlantic,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  Scotland,  April  22,  1865.  He  was  bom  of 
the  marriage  of  Hugh  and  Elizabeth  (Murray)  McCartney,  who  never  came  to 
the  United  States. 

Having  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  native  country  to  the  age  of  twelve 
years,  Roderick  L.  McCartney  then  began  to  earn  his  own  living  by  taking  care 
of  horses  and  was  employed  as  a  groom  until  he  reached  the  age  of  eighteen, 
when  he  determined  to  test  the  truth  of  the  reports  which  he  had  heard  concerning 
the  favorable  business  opportunities  to  be  found  in  the  United  States.  He  arrived 
in  Iowa  in  June,  1885,  and  for  four  or  five  years  was  employed  by  the  month 
as  a  farm  hand.  He  afterward  rented  land  in  Hancock  county  for  two  years  and 
at  the  end  of  that  time  his  savings  were  sufBcient  to  enable  him  to  purchase  one 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  on  section  18,  Boone  township.  To  this  he  added  forty 
acres  in  1910.  He  bought  land  at  from  fifteen  to  thirty  dollars  per  acre,  for  it 
was  wet  and  apparently  uncultivable,  but  ditching  and  tiling  persistently  and 
systematically  done,  soon  wrought  a  marked  transformation  in  the  appearance 
of  his  place  and  the  planting  was  followed  by  the  gathering  of  large  crops.  He 
is  now  successfully  engaged  in  general  farming  and  is  the  owner  of  a  valuable* 
quarter  section. 

On  the  1st  of  January,  1895,  Mr.  McCartney  was  married  to  Miss  Clara  Bellot, 
a  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Albertina  (Jako)  Bellot,  who  were  natives  of  France 
and  in  early  life  came  to  America,  settling  in  Illinois.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McCartney 
have  three  children,  Clara  Ann,  Kinnie  and  Donald.  The  first  named  is  now  the 
wife  of  Carl  Beery  and  resides  at  Knox,  Indiana. 

Mr.  McCartney  and  his  wife  hold  membership  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  and  he  is  a  valued  representative  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  the  Inde- 
dependent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  In  politics  he  is  a  republican  and  has  served 
as  town  trustee  and  as  school  director.  While  still  retaining  a  love  for  the  land 
of  hills  and  heather,  he  feels  that  his  first  duty  is  toward  his  adopted  country  and 
Hancock  county  numbers  him  among  its  substantial  and  public-spirited  citizens. 


WILLIAM    D.    SCHROEDER. 

The  home  farm  of  William  D.  Schroeder  is  on  section  1,  Amsterdam  township, 
Hancock  county,  and  comprises  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  but  does 
not  constitute  his  entire  possessions,  for  he  also  has  property  on  sections  3  and 
11  of  the  same  township.  He  was  born  in  Germany  on  the  4th  of  April,  1854, 
a  son  of  Jacob  and  Margaret  (Davis)  Schroeder,  who  were  also  natives  of  th« 
fatherland.  The  son  began  his  education  in  the  schools  of  that  country  and  con- 
tinued his  studies  in  the  district  schools  of  Clinton  county,  Iowa,  after  coming 
with  his  parents  to  the  new  world  in  1865.  His  textbooks  were  put  aside  when 
he  reached  the  age  of  fourteen  yearsj  at  which  time  he  began  earning  his  living 
as  a  farm  hand,  and  he  was  thus  employed  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty- 
two.    He  felt  that  his  experience  was  then  suflBcient  to  enable  him  to  engage  in 


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498  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

farming  on  his  own  account  and  for  sixteen  years  he  cultivated  rented  land  in 
Tama  and  Hancock  counties,  Iowa.  His  earnings  were  carefully  saved  during 
that  period  and  at  length  his  capital  was  enough  to  enable  him  to  purchase  property. 
He  invested  in  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  on  section  1,  Amsterdam 
township,  Hancock  county,  and  since  that  time  he  has  added  to  his  holdings  by 
further  purchase,  securing  eighty  acres  on  section  11  and  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  on  section  3  of  the  same  township.  Today  this  is  a  splendidly  developed 
region  peopled  by  a  prosperous  and  contented  class  of  citizens,  but  when  he  made  his 
first  purchase  the  work  of  development  and  progress  seemed  scarcely  begun  in  his 
locality.  The  land  was  Jow  and  wet  and  he  made  his  first  purchase  for  twenty-seven 
dollars  per  acre.  Great  changes  have  since  been  wrought  and  his  fields  are  now 
rich  and  most  productive.  In  addition  to  cultivating  the  cereals  best  adapted  to 
soil  and  climate  he  is  also  engaged  in  the  raising  of  Duroc  Jersey  hogs.  In  addi- 
tion to  his  farming  and  stock  raising  interests  Mi:.  Schroeder  is  a  stockholder  in 
the  Kanawha  Creamery  and  Elevator  Companies  and  is  the  vice  president  and  a 
director  of  the  Farmers  State  Bank  of  Kanawha. 

Mr.  Schroeder  has  been  twice  married.  In  1876  he  wedded  Miss  Lena  Jepp, 
by  whom  he  had  eight  children,  namely :  Augusta  C. ;  Henry  D.,  who  is  married ; 
Fred  E. ;  Herman  M.,  who  is  married ;  Otto  L. ;  Emil  C. ;  Martha  M. ;  and  Alfred  6. 
For  his  second  wife  Mr.  Schroeder  chose  Mrs.  Martha  Tenney,  a  daughter  of 
John  and  Martha  (Bethel)  Maguire,  the  former  of  Ireland  and  the  latter  of 
Scotland.    By  her  first  marriage  Mrs.  Schroeder  has  one  daughter,  Maude  6. 

Politically  Mr.  Schroeder  is  a  republican  and  keeps  well  iuformed  on  the 
questions  and  issues  of  the  day  but  is  not  an  office  seeker.  He  belongs  to  the 
German  Lutheran  church,  while  his  wife  holds  membership  with  the  English 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  The  cause  of  education  finds  in  him  a  stalwart 
champion  and  he  is  now  serving  as  president  of  the  school  board.  His  influence 
is  always  on  the  side  of  progress  and  improvement  and  he  has  done  much  to 
further  the  welfare  of  the  district  in  which  he  resides.  Moreover,  he  is  one  of 
the  most  progressive  of  its  business  men.  His  activities  have  been  well  planned, 
his  investments  carefully  made  and  his  unflagging  industry  has  enabled  him  to 
overcome  all  difficulties  and  obstacles  and  advance  steadily  toward  the  goal  of 
prosperity. 


JOHN    0.    EUSLEY. 


John  0.  Rusley,  now  successfully  operating  the  farm  belonging  to  the  Old 
Peoples  Home  on  section  27,  Center  township,  Winnebago  county,  was  bom  in 
that  township,  August  20,  1879,  and  is  a  son  of  Ole  and  Hannah  (Christopherson) 
Rusley,  natives  of  Norway.  It  was  during  his  childhood  that  the  father  came  to 
America  with  his  mother,  reaching  this  country  during  the  Civil  war,  about  1863, 
and  locating  in  Wisconsin,  where  the  family  resided  for  three  years.  At  the 
end  of  that  time  the  family  removed  to  Freeborn  county,  Minnesota,  where 
Ole  Rusley  grew  to  manhood,  but  after  living  there  for  five  years  came  to 
Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  and  purchased  land  in  Center  township,  which  fhe 
farmed   until   1880.       He   then   sold   that  place  and  bought  a  tract  of  land  in 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  499 

Grant  township,  which  he  operated  for  ten  years.  On  disposing  of  that  farm  he 
purchased  another  in  Mount  Valley  township,  where  he  continued  to  reside  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  on  the  11th  of  May,  1894,  when  he  was  forty-two  years 
of  age.  His  wife  survived  him  several  years,  passing  away  in  January,  1910,  at 
the  age  of  seventy-three  years. 

John  0.  Rusley  was  reared  and  educated  in  Grant  and  Mount  Valley  townships 
and  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until  he  attained  his  majority,  in  the  mean- 
time becoming  thoroughly  familiar  with  agricultural  pursuits.  On  leaving  home 
he  became  interested  in  the  creamery  business,  to  which  he  devoted  his  attention 
for  ten  years,  and  then  resumed  farming,  having  for  the  past  seven  years  had 
charge  of  the  farm  belonging  to  the  Old  Peoples  Home  on  section  27,  Center 
township.  This  tract  was  donated  by  Ole  J.  Cleven  for  the  purpose  for  which  it 
is  now  used  and  consists  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  valuable  land,  which 
Mr.  Rusley  has  placed  under  excellent  cultivation.  He  makes  a  specialty  of  raising 
thoroughbred  Duroc-Jersey  hogs  and  keeps  thirty  head  of  cows  for  dairy  purposes. 
He  is  not  only  a  progressive  and  up-to-date  farmer  but  is  a  man  of  good  business 
ability  and  is  now  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  and  the  Lake 
Mills  Creamery  at  Lake  Mills. 

In  1905,  Mr.  Eusley  married  Miss  Andrena  Honsey,  a  daughter  of  Peter  and 
Anna  (Wikeren)  Honsey,  who  came  to  the  United  States  from  Norway  at  an  early 
day  and  located  in  Worth  county,  Iowa,  where  Mr.  Honsey  farmed  for  many  years, 
but  in  1915  retired  from  active  labor  and  removed  to  Lake  Mills,  where  he  died 
on  the  13th  of  April,  1917,  at  the  age  of  eighty-five  years.  His  widow  is  still 
living.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rusley  have  three  children,  namely:  Agnes,  bom  March 
12,  1906;  Glen,  born  November  6,  1911;  and  Opal,  bom  Febmary  14,  1914. 
The  parents  hold  membership  in  the  United  Lutheran  church,  and  in  politics 
Mr.  Rusley  is  a  republican. 


C.   B.   CURLEY. 


C.  B.  Curley,  now  living  on  section  28,  King  township,  Winnebago  county, 
is  one  of  lowa^s  native  sons,  his  birth  occurring  in  Buchanan  county  on  the  16th 
of  July,  1855.  His  parents,  Leonard  and  Elizabeth  (Place)  Curley,  were  bom 
in  Pennsylvania  and  at  a  very  early  day  came  to  Iowa,  locating  in  Buchanan  county 
when  this  state  was  still  on  the  frontier.  The  family  endured  all  of  the  hardships 
and  privations  incident  to  pioneer  life  and  the  father  helped  to  pick  out  the 
townsite  for  Independence.  He  purchased  a  tract  of  railroad  land,  which  was 
wild  and  unimproved,  and  converted  it  into  a  good  farm,  making  his  home  thereon 
throughout  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  died  in  1904  and  his  wife  passed 
away  the  following  year. 

Amid  pioneer  scenes  C.  B.  Curley  grew  to  manhood  upon  the  home  farm  in 
Buchanan  county  and  he  is  indebted  to  the  district  schools  for  the  early  educational 
advantages  he  enjoyed.  He  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until  he  attained 
his  majority,  although  he  worked  for  others  several  years  previous  to  that  time. 
He  then  purchased  ten  acres  of  land,  on  which  he  located,  but  his  buildings  were 
afterward  destroyed  by  fire  and  he  sold  the  place  and  operated  rented  land  for 


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500     •      WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

several  years.  Subsequently  Mr.  Curley  took  up  a  homestead  in  Nebraska,  on 
which  he  lived  for  two  yearg  but  the  grasshoppers  destroyed  his  crops  and  his 
buildings  were  struck  by  lightning.  He  then  returned  to  Iowa  and  Engaged  in 
farming  on  rented  land  for  four  years.  Later  he  followed  farming  in  Chickasaw 
county,  this  state,  for  a  time,  and  subsequently  conducted  a  butcher  shop  at 
Sumner.  On  leaving  there  he  came  to  Winnebago  county  and  purchased  eighty 
acres  of  land  on  section  28,  King  township,  which  he  improved  and  cultivated  for 
a  few  years.  He  was  next  engaged  in  the  butcher  business  in  Thompson  for 
two  years  and  later  conducted  a  general  store  at  that  place  for  ten  years,  but  on 
the  1st  of  March,  1916,  he  sold  out  and  returned  to  his  farm,  though  he  still  owns 
his  store  building  in  Thompson.  He  has  a  well  improved  farm  and  thoroughly 
understands  the  occupation  which  lie  follows. 

In  April,  1876,  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Curley  and  Miss  May  Condon, 
and  to  them  were  bom  three  children:  Leo;  Mabel,  the  wife  of  J.  E.  Cunningham, 
of  Lester,  Iowa,  and  Izola,  now  the  wife  of  D.  R.  Harrison,  Rosedale,  Oklahoma. 
Mr.  Curley  was  again  married  in  November,  1890,  his  second  wife  being  Mis» 
Sarah  Sankey,  by  whom  he  has  two  children:  Cora,  now  Mrs.  P.  B.  Matson,  of 
Webster  City,  Iowa;  and  Ethan,  who  is  attending  school. 

In  religious  faith  Mr.  Curley  is  a  Methodist,  and  in  politics  he  is  an  ardent 
republican,  taking  a  deep  and  commendable  interest  in  public  affairs.  He  is  a 
stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company,  the  Farmers  Telephone  Company, 
and  the  Cooperative  Creamery  Company  of  Thompson,  and  although  he  has  met 
with  reverses  in  his  business  career  he  is  now  in  comfortable  circumstances  for 
he  has  overcome  all  difficulties  and  obstacles  in  his  way  to  success.  For  forty 
years  he  has  given  considerable  attention  to  thoroughbred  horses  and  he  helped 
to  train  Axtel  and  Allerton,  two  famous  racers,  at  Independence,  Iowa.  He  is 
a  man  of  recognized  ability  and  is  widely  and  favorably  known. 


DELL  SHERMAN  FOWLER 

Among  the  wide-awake  and  progressive  farmers  of  Forest  township,  Winne- 
bago county,  is  numbered  Dell  Sherman  Fowler,  who  deserves  much  credit  for  what 
he  has  accomplished  inasmuch  as  his  success  has  come  entirely  as  the  reward  of 
persistent,  earnest  and  indefatigable  effort.  He  was  born  near  Lafayette,  Indiana, 
June  19,  1870,  and  is  a  son  of  George  and  Eunice  (Strawn)  Fowler,  who  were 
natives  of  Michigan  and  New  York  respectively.  Removing  westward,  they 
resided  for  some  time  in  Indiana  and  afterward  established  their  home  in  Kansas, 
where  they  lived  for  eight  years.  They  then  returned  eastward  to  Ohio,  where 
the  mother  passed  away,  but  the  father  spent  his  last  years  in  Iowa.  In  their 
family  were  six  children,  all  of  whom  survive. 

Dell  Sherman  Fowler  was  largely  reared  and  educated  in  Ohio,  pursuing  his 
studies  in  the  public  schools  of  that  state.  When  his  textbooks  were  put  aside  he 
took  up  the  occupation  of  farming  and  in  1893  he  became  a  resident  of  Winnebago 
county,  Iowa.  For  several  years  he  rented  the  farm  upon  which  he  now  resides 
on  section  17,  Forest  township,  and  during  that  period  carefully  saved  his  earnings 
until  his  industry  and  economy  had  brought  him  sufficient  capital  to  enable  him 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  503 

to  purchase  the  place,  comprising  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres.  This  he  has  since 
improved  by  the  erection  of  good  buildings  and  he  now  has  a  well  equipped  farm. 
It  is  divided  into  fields  of  convenient  size  by  well  kept  fences  and  he  annually 
gathers  good  crops,  for  he  displays  sound  judgment  as  well  as  industry  in  planting 
and  caring  for  his  fields.  He  also  raises  and  feeds  stock  and  has  made  that  a 
profitable  department  of  his  business. 

On  January  15,  1893,  Mr.  Fowler  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  Bragg,  of  La  Salle 
county,  Illinois,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Bessie  (Getchell)  Bragg,  the  former 
born  in  England  and  the  latter  in  Maine  and  both  now  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Fowler  have  four  children :  Forest  A. ;  Ada  May,  the  wife  of  Asel  Dexter,  now  of 
Minnesota ;  George  W.,  and  Eva  J.  Mrs.  Fowler  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  Mr.  Fowler  gives  his  political  support  to  the  republican  party,  and 
while  he  has  never  sought  nor  desired  political  oflBce,  he  has  served  as  school 
director.  Mr.  Fowler  by  reason  of  the  qualities  which  he  has  displayed  in  business, 
as  well  as  his  sterling  traits  of  character  manifest  in  every  relation  of  life,  has 
gained  the  confidence  and  high  regard  of  his  fellowmen  in  an  unusual  degree  and 
is  justly  accounted  one  of  the  most  prominent  of  the  farmers  of  Forest  township. 


OLE    OSMUNDSON. 


Among  the  substantial  citizens  of  Lake  Mills,  Iowa,  is  numbered  Ole  Osmundson, 
who  has  taken  a  very  active  and  prominent  part  in  public  affairs.  He  was  bom 
in  Waupaca  county,  Wisconsin,  on  the  30th  of  August,  1867,  and  is  a  son  of 
Erick  and  Thorvor  (Johnson)  Osmundson.  The  parents  came  to  this  country 
from  Norway  and  first  located  in  Wisconsin,  near  Stevens  Point,  where  the 
father  followed  farming  for  a  time.  Later  they  made  their  home  near 
Mount  Horeb  and  in  1873  came  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa.  The  father  purchased 
a  farm  in  Linden  township  $nd  operated  the  same  until  his  death  in  1879.  The 
mother  died  in  1884  and  both  were  laid  to  rest  in  a  cemetery  in  that  township. 
In  their  family  were  eight  children,  six  of  whom  survive,  namely:  J.  0.,  whose 
sketch  appears  on  another  page  of  this  volume;  Ole,  of  this  review;  Henry,  a 
resident  of  Walters,  Minnesota;  Mrs.  Susan  Clark,  of  Pasadena,  California;  and 
Mabel,  the  wife  of  Hal  Brentner,  of  San  Diego,  California. 

Ole  Osmundson  was  only  three  years  of  age  when  he  accompanied  his  parents 
on  their  removal  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa.  For  a  few  years  the  family  made 
their  home  in  Mount  Valley  township  but  later  removed  to  Linden  township, 
where  he  received  a  limited  education  in  the  district  schools.  On  putting  aside  his 
textbooks  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years  he  began  work  as  a  farm  hand  and  was 
thus  employed  in  this  locality  until  he  attained  the  age  of  twenty.  During  the 
following  five  years  he  spent  much  of  his  time  upon  the  Pacific  coast,  working 
in  various  places,  and  then  returned  to  Winnebago  county,  taking  up  his  abode 
in  Lake  Mills.  For  two  years  he  conducted  a  meat  market  and  then  turned  his 
attention  to  the  livery  business,  in  which  he  was  engaged  for  five  years.  On  selling 
his  livery  stable  he  began  dealing  in  real  estate,  which  business  claimed  his 
attention  for  several  years.  In  the  meantime,  however,  he  served  as  sheriflf  of 
Winnebago  county.     In   1906  he  was  appointed  to  that  position  to  fill  out  an 


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504  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

unexpired  term  and  the  following  year  was  elected  for  a  two  years'  tenn.  So 
acceptably  did  he  fill  the  oflBce  that  he  was  reelected,  serving  in  all  five  years. 
At  the  expiration  of  that  time  he  returned  to  Lake  Mills  and  resumed  business 
as  a  real  estate  dealer. 

In  April,  1892,  Mr.  Osmundson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Emma 
Anderson,  a  daughter  of  John  A.  and  Betsy  (Berdahl)  Anderson,  who  were  early 
settlers  of  Center  township,  Winnebago  county,  but  both  are  now  deceased,  their 
remains  being  interred  in  the  Forest  City  cemetery.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Osmundson 
have  one  child,  Edna  0.,  at  home. 

The  family  occupy  a  nice  home  in  Lake  Mills,  and  besides  this  property  Mr. 
Osmundson  also  owns  the  northeast  quarter  of  section  19,  Newton  township. 
Success  has  come  to  him  through  untiring  industry  and  good  management  of 
his  affairs  and  he  is  now  one  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  his  town.  In  politics 
he  is  a  stanch  republican  and  has  always  exerted  considerable  influence  in  political 
affairs  and-  has  been  honored  with  a  number  of  official  positions  of  trust  and 
responsibility.  For  several  terms  he  has  served  on  the  city  council  in  Lake  Mills 
and  also  filled  the  office  of  county  supervisor  for  four  years  besides  serving  as 
sheriff  of  the  county.  He  is  a  public-spirited  and  progressive  citizen  and  never 
withholds  his  support  from  any  enterprise  which  he  believes  will  promote  the 
general  welfare. 


JOHN  N.  HOLMAN. 


The  contribution  which  Norway  has  made  to  the  citizenship  of  Winnebago 
county  is  a  most  valuable  one,  for  those  who  have  come  from  the  land  of  the 
midnight  sun  have,  on  the  whole,  been  men  of  business  ability,  possessing  the 
industry,  determination  and  enterprise  which  characterize  the  Norwegian  race. 
They  have  therefore  contributed  in  a  very  large  measure  to  the  substantial  devel- 
opment, progress  and  prosperity  of  this  section. 

John  N.  Holman,  living  on  section  24,  Eden  township,  was  bom  near  Drammen, 
in  Modum,  Norway,  January  6,  1868,  a  son  of  Nels  Anderson  and  Gunhild 
(Gaaserud)  Holman,  who  were  farming  people.  Their. family  numbered  seven 
children,  of  whom  four  are  yet  living:  Maren,  who  is  still  in  Norway;  Julia, 
the  wife  of  Gregger  Greggerson,  of  Norway;  Andrew,  living  in  Grand  Forks 
county,  North  Dakota;  and  John  N.  The  father  died  when  the  last  named  was 
but  four  years  of  age  and  the  mother  afterward  married  Lars  Erickson,  by  whom 
she  had  two  children:  Lewis,  a  resident  of  Polk  county,  Minnesota;  and  Gunda, 
the  wife  of  Theodore  Johnson,  of  Eden  township.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lars 
Erickson  have  now  passed  away.  They  came  to  the  United  States  when  Mr. 
Holman  of  this  review  was  but  twelve  years  of  age,  establishing  their  home  in 
Eden  township,  Winnebago  county,  in  1880.  There  they  lived  for  two  years 
and  then  removed  to  Steele  county.  North  Dakota,  where  Mr.  Erickson  took  up 
a  homestead.  Later  they  returned  to  Winnebago  county  and  took  up  their  abode 
with  Mr.  Holman.  Mrs.  Erickson  died  at  the  home  of  her  son  and  was  laid  to 
rest  in  Bethel  cemetery.  About  two  years  before  Mrs.  Erickson  died  Mr.  Erickson 
returned  to  Norway  to  visit. his  daughter  and  while  there  passed  away. 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  505 

John  X.  Holman  is  largely  indebted  to  the  pioneer  schools  of  Iowa  and  of 
Dakota  for  the  educational  opportunities  which  he  enjoyed.  He  continued  his 
studies  to  the  age  of  sixteen  and  afterward  worked  as  a  farm  hand  for  others 
until  he  had  passed  the  age  of  thirty  years.  He  next  rented  a  farm  in  Logan 
township  upon  which  he  lived  for  six  years,  and  his  energy  and  industry  during 
that  period  brought  to  him  the  capital  which  enabled  him  at  length  to  purchase 
land.  He  acquired  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  on  section  24,  Eden  township, 
upon  which  he  placed  excellent  improvements,  and  upon  that  farm  he  has  since 
made  his  home. 

In  1896  Mr.  Holman  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  Engebretson,  a 
daughter  of  Christian  and  Maren  Engebretson,  of  Logan  township,  and  they 
are  the  parents  of  seven  living  children:  Nora,  Gina,  Mabel,  James,  George, 
Andrew  and  Melvin,  all  of  whom  are  still  under  the  parental  roof.  They  also  lost 
one  son,  Clarence,  who  died  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years. 

The  religious  faith  of  the  family  is  that  of  the  United  Lutheran  church,  while 
in  political  belief  Mr.  Holman  is  a  republican,  and  his  fellow  townsmen,  appre- 
ciative of  his  worth  and  ability,  have  called  him  to  various  public  oflSces  in  which 
he  has  capably  served.  For  three  terms  he#was  township  assessor,  was  for  four 
years  township  trustee  and  from  June  to  November,  1912,  was  a  member  of  the 
board  of  county  supervisors.  He  has  also  been  a  precinct  committeeman  of  the 
republican  party  and  he  does  all  in  his  power  to  promote  the  growth  and  insure 
the  success  of  his  party  in  Winnebago  county.  He  keeps  abreast  with  modern 
political  thought  and  is  able  to  support  his  position  by  intelligent  argument.  He 
is  today  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm,  and  while  he  started  out  empty  handed,  he  is 
now  numbered  among  the  men  of  affluence  of  his  district. 


NELS   GUNDERSON    OPSAHL. 

Nels  Gunderson  Opsahl,  who  was  long  well  known  as  an  active,  enterprising 
and  highly  respected  farmer  of  Norway  township,  devoted  his  attention  to  general 
agricultural  pursuits  on  section  32,  and  Winnebago  county  claimed  him  as  one 
of  its  representative  citizens.  He  was  bom  in  Norway  in  1839  and  resided  in  his 
native  land  until  he  reached  young  manhood.  His  parents  never  came  to  the 
Ignited  States,  but  he  determined  to  try  his  fortune  on  this  side  the  Atlantic  and 
made  his  way  to  the  new  world,  settling  in  Worth  county,  Iowa,  where  he  was 
employed  as  a  farm  hand  up  to  the  time  of  his  marriage,  which  occfurred  when 
he  was  twenty-nine  years  of  age.  He  then  bought  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Worth 
county  which  he  cultivated  for  a  few  years.  He  next  removed  to  North  Dakota, 
taking  up  a  claim  near  Park  Eiver,  after  which  he  proved  up  on  the  property 
and  secured  title  thereto.  He  then  returned  to  Worth  county,  where  he  engaged 
in  the  cultivation  of  rented  land  until  1897.  In  that  year  he  removed  to  Winnebago 
county  and  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  comprising  the  northwest 
quarter  of  section  32,  Norway  township.  That  tract  still  remains  the  home  place 
of  his  family.  He  bent  his  energies  to  the  further  development  and  improvement 
of  the  farm  and  made  it  one  of  the  excellent  properties  of  the  neighborhood, 
bringing  the  fields  to  a  high  state  of  cultivation. 


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506  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

When  twenty-nine  years  of  age  Mr.  Opsahl  was  married  to  Miss  Ingeberg  Brua, 
a  daughter  of  Nels  Torkelson  and  Anna  Brua,  who  were  natives  of  Norway.  They 
were  married,  however,  in  Wisconsin,  of  which  state  Mrs.  Opsahl  is  a  native. 
On  leaving  Wisconsin  her  parents  took  up  their  abode  in  Winneshiek  county, 
Iowa,  and  afterward  esta^blished  their  home  in  Freeborn  county,  Minnesota,  where 
the  father  continued  to  carry  on  general  agricultural  pursuits  until  his  demise. 
His  life  was  ever  an  upright,  honorable  one,  being  guided  by  the  teachings  of 
the  Lutheran  church,  in  which  he  held  membership,  and  he  was  laid  to  rest  in 
the  Lutheran  cemetery  just  over  the  state  line  in  Minnesota.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Opsahl 
became  the  parents  of  eight  children,  of  whom  one  died  in  infancy,  the  others 
being:  Oustinus,  who  is  assisting  in  the  cultivation  of  the  home  farm;  Nikolai, 
also  on  the  home  place;  Albert,  who  is  living  at  Albert  Lea,  Minnesota;  Lars, 
at  home;  Ida,  the  wife  of  Carl  Qualle,  of  Norway  township,  Winnebago  county; 
Bernard,  whose  home  is  at  Twin  Lakes,  Minnesota;  and  Johan,  upon  the  home 
place. 

Mr.  Opsahl  continued  to  carry  on  the  farm  work  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  March,  1915,  when  he  was  seventy-six  years  of  age.  His  was  an 
active  and  useful  life,  and  those  who  knew  him  entertained  for  him  warm  regard, 
because  of  his  many  sterling  traits  of  character  and  his  reliability  in  business 
affairs.  He  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  Lutheran  cemetery  at  Scar\'ille.  He  had  long 
been  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  in  his  political  views  he  was  a 
republican.  Mrs.  Opsahl  still  resides  upon  the  home  farm  with  her  sons  and 
is  one  of  the  highly  esteemed  ladies  of  the  neighborhood.  She  has  carefully 
reared  her  family  and  by  her  wise  management  of  the  household  affairs  contributed 
in[  no  small  measure  to  her  husband's  success. 


OSMUND  0.  FELLE. 


When  Osmund  0.  Felle  purchased  his  present  farm  on  section  3,  Center  town- 
ship, Winnebago  county,  it  was  covered  with  timber  which  had  to  be  cleared 
before  the  land  could  be  placed  under  cultivation.  This  fact  indicates  that  he 
is  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  the  county,  and  during  the  many  years  of  his 
residence  here  he  has  ranked  as  a  capable  farmer  and  a  public-spirited  citizen.  His 
birth  occurred  in  Norway  on  the  1st  of  January,  1843,  and  his  parents  were  Ole 
and  Karie  (Jorgensen)  Felle,  who  passed  their  entire  lives  in  that  country. 

Osmund  0.  Felle  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  land,  remaining 
there  until  1870,  when  he  came  to  the  United  States.  He  at  once  made  his 
way  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  and  purchased  eighty  acres  on  section  3,  Center 
township.  He  immediately  set  about  clearing  his  place  of  timber  and  as  soon 
as  possible  planted  the  usual  crops.  As  the  years  have  passed  he  has  erected 
good  buildings  and  otherwise  improved  his  farm,  and  he  derives  from  his  land  a 
gratifying  annual  income.  He  actively  engaged  in  its  operation  for  many  years, 
but  is  now  living  practically  retired,  leaving  the  farm  work  to  others.  He  owns 
stock  in  the  Lake  Mills  Creamery  Company  and  derives  from  that  investment  a 
good  return. 

On  the  4th  of  February,  1876,  Mr.  Felle  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  507 

Susanna  Osmund,  and  to  them  were  bom  two  sons,  Osmund  and  Ole,  both  of 
whom,  however,  died  in  infancy.  They  have  an  adopted  son,  Frank  E.,  who  was 
born  December  31,  1881,  and  is  now  operating  the  home  place,  though  he  formerly 
engaged  in  railroading. 

Mr.  Felle  supports  the  republican  party  by  his  ballot,  but  has  never  been 
an  aspirant  for  oflBce.  In  religious  faith  he  is  a  Lutheran.  The  competence 
which  he  enjoys  is  the  direct  result  of  his  industry  and  good  management,  and  his 
many  admirable  personal  qualities  have  gained  for  him  the  respect  of  all  with 
whom  he  has  come  in  contact. 


HENRY  H.  STERRENBERG. 

Henry  H.  Sterrenberg,  living  on  section  1,  King  township,  is  the  owner  of 
one  of  the  valuable  and  attractive  farms  of  Winnebago  county  and  is  prominently 
known  as  one  of  the  leading  stock  raisers,  making  a  specialty  of  handling  thorough- 
bred Aberdeen-Angus  cattle.  He  was  bom  in  Germany,  March  20,  1857,  and 
is  a  son  of  \^.  and  Kuna  (Haupmann)  Sterrenberg,  who  were  also  natives  of 
that  country,  where  the  father  followed  the  occupation  of  farming  throughout 
his  entire  life.  He  passed  away  in  1911,  having  long  survived  his  wife,  whose 
death  occurred  in  1862. 

In  his  youthful  days  Henry  H.  Sterrenberg  assisted  his  father  in  farm  work 
in  Germany,  there  remaining  until  1881,  when,  attracted  by  the  reports  which  he 
had  heard  concerning  the  opportunities  of  the  new  world,  he  crossed  the  Atlantic 
when  a  young  man  of  twenty-four  years.  He  located  in  Hardin  county,  Iowa, 
and  during  the  second  year  of  his  residence  at  Abbott  he  engaged  in  general  mer- 
chandising, which  he  followed  for  seventeen  years.  He  next  came  to  Winnebago 
county,  Iowa,  and  moved  upon  a  farm  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  on  section  1, 
King  township,  which  he  had  previously  purchased.  To  this  he  has  added, 
extending  the  boundaries  of  his  farm  until  it  now  comprises  four  hundred  and 
sixteen  acres  of  splendidly  improved  land.  He  has  continuously  and  successfully 
operated  his  farm  and  has  recently  completed  one  of  the  finest  residences  in  the 
county.  His  farm  work  has  been  carried  on  with  notable  skill  and  efficiency, 
and  everything  about  his  place  indicates  his  careful  supervision  and  his  practical 
and  progressive  methods.  His  farm  is  cross-fenced,  dividing  it  into  forty  acre 
fields,  and  it  is  all  tiled,  the  drainage  making  his  fields  very  productive.  He 
practices  the  rotation  of  crops  and  utilizes  many  modem  scientific  methods  of 
improving  his  farm.  He  makes  a  specialty  of  handling  pure  bred  Aberdeen- 
Angus  cattle,  keeps  a  herd  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  head  on  hand  and 
feeds  and  ships  about  two  carloads  of  cattle  annually.  He  also  is  a  stockholder 
in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  and  in  the  (Cooperative  Creamery  Company  of 
Thompson. 

In  1885  Mr.  Sterrenberg  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Anna  Albertus,  and 
to  them  have  been  born  four  children,  John,  William,  Kuna  and  Henry.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Sterrenberg  hold  to  the  Lutheran  faith  and  are  generous  supporters  of  the 
church.  His  political  endorsement  is  given  to  the  republican  party,  and  while 
he  has  never  Fought  nor  desired  public  office,  he  has  served  for  a  number  of  years 


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508  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

as  a  member  of  the  school  board  and  the  cause  of  education  finds  in  him  a  stal- 
wart champion.  He  has  never  had  occasion  to  regret  his  determination  to  try  his 
fortune  on  this  side  the  Atlantic.  He  felt  that  his  efforts  would  not  be  as  ham- 
pered in  this  country  as  in  his  native  land  and  he  was  ambitious  to  make  the 
best  possible  use  of  his  time  and  talents.  Gradually  he  has  worked  his  way 
upward  and  each  year  has  marked  his  advancement  in  a  business  way  until  he 
now  stands  as  one  of  the  foremost  representatives  of  the  farming  and  stock  raising 
interests  of  Winnebago  county.  He  enjoys,  moreover,  the  high  regard  and  respect 
of  all  with  whom  he  has  come  in  contact,  for  his  business  methods  have  been 
reliable  and  he  has  never  taken  advantage  of  the  necessity  of  a  fellowman  in 
any  commercial  transaction. 


ROBERT   CLARK    PLUMMER. 

With  the  development  of  the  financial  interests  of  Forest  City  the  name  of 
Plummer  is  prominently  connected  and  throughout  the  period  of  his  business 
activity  Robert  Clark  Plummer  has  been  connected  with  the  First  J!^ational  Bank. 
He  has  also  taken  a  prominent  part  in  promoting  public  interests.  He  was 
appointed  postmaster  in  March,  1914,  but  resigned  in  1917.  Forest  City  claims 
him  as  a  native  son.  He  was  born  November  4,  1871,  a  son  of  Brookins  A.  and 
Margaret  Jane  (Brentner)  Plummer,  the  former  a  native  of  New  York  and  the 
latter  of  Iowa.    Further  mention  of  them  appears  elsewhere  in  this  work. 

Reared  under  the  parental  roof,  Robert  C.  Plummer  acquired  a  public  school 
education  supplemented  by  a  business  course,  and  when  his  textbooks  were  put 
aside  he  entered  the  First  National  Bank,  booming  an  active  assistant  of  his  father. 
He  has  since  been  connected  with  the  business  and  has  made  an  excellent  record 
as  a  financier  and  progressive  business  man.  In  1914  he  was  called  to  the  office 
of  postmaster  through  appointment  of  President  Wilson  in  March  ot  that  year  and 
resigned  March  1,  1917. 

In  1891  Mr.  Plunmaer  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ella  A.  Sweigard,  of 
Garner,  Iowa,  and  they  have  two  children,  Ruth  and  Lehman.  The  parents  are 
widely  and  favorably  known  in  the  social  circles  of  the  city  and  the  hospitality  of 
their  own  home  is  greatly  enjoyed  by  their  many  friends.  The  interests  of  life 
are  with  Mr.  Plummer  well  balanced.  He  gives  due  time  and  attention  to  business 
and  to  his  public  duties  and  as  a  man  and  citizen  his  life  measures  up  to  high 
standards. 


SEVERT  L.  HAMERSLAND. 

Norway  has  furnished  to  Winnebago  county  many  of  its  substantial  and  valued 
citizens  and  this  number  includes  Severt  L.  Hamersland,  who  resides  on  section 
32,  Forest  township.  He  was  born  January  2,  1874,  in  the  land  of  the  midnight 
sun,  his  parents  being  Barney  and  Belle  (Bouge)  Hamersland,  who  were  also 
natives  of  Norway.    They  came  to  America  in  1877  and  first  settled  in  Lee 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  509 

county,  Illinois,  where  the  mother  passed  away,  after  which  the  father  came  to 
Iowa,  establishing  his  home  in  Story  county,  where  he  is  still  living.  In  the 
family  were  six  children  and  four  of  the  number  still  survive. 

Severt  L.  Hamersland  was  a  little  lad  of  but  three  summers  when  brought 
to  the  new  world  and  much  of  his  boyhood  and  youth  was  passed  in  Story  county, 
Iowa,  where  he  attended  the  public  schools  and  through  the  summer  months 
worked  upon  the  home  farm,  early  becoming  familiar  with  the  best  methods  of 
tilling  the  soil  and  caring  for  the  crops.  He  remained  at  home  until  he  attained 
his  majority  and  then  rented  a  farm  in  Story  county,  upon  which  he  lived  for  a 
decade.  In  1910  he  purchased  the  farm  upon  which  he  now  resides  on  section 
32,  Forest  township,  Winnebago  county,  comprising  a  tract  of  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  of  land  which  is  naturally  rich  and  productive  and  which  responds 
readily  to  the  care  and  labor  which  he  bestows  upon  it,  producing  excellent  crops 
of  com,  wheat  and  other  cereals.  He  is  at  once  practical  and  progressive  in  his 
methods  and  the  neat  and  thrifty  appearance  of  his  place  indicates  his  careful 
supervision.     He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  at  Forest  City. 

On  December  14,  1900,  Mr.  Hamersland  was  married  to  Miss  Anna  Boyd, 
a  native  of  Illinois,  and  they  have  become  the  parents  of  six  children:  Beatrice, 
Annette,  Earl,  Knute,  Willard  and  Hazel.  The  parents  are  consistent  and  faithful 
members  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  their  many  sterling  traits  of  character  have 
won  for  them  the  confidence  and  goodwill  of  all  with  whom  they  have  been 
brought  in  contact.  Mr.  Hamersland  is  a  self-made  man,  for  he  started  out 
empty  handed  to  earn  his  living  and  from  that  point  has  steadily  progressed, 
reaching  the  position  which  he  now  occupies  as  one  of  the  substantial  and 
respected  citizens  of  Winnebago  county. 


SIMON  ELLINGSON  STENE. 

Business  enterprise  and  determination  finds  expression  in  the  life  work  of 
Simon  Ellingson  Stene,  who  for  almost  half  a  century  has  lived  in  Norway  town- 
ship, Winnebago  county.  He  was  born  August  30,  1845,  in  Norway,  his  parents 
being  Ellings  Simonson  and  Martha  (Oium)  Stene,  who  were  farming  people 
and  reared  a  family  of  three  children.  They  never  came  to  the  United  States, 
spending  their  entire  lives  in  the  land  of  the  midnight  sun.  The  father  was  bom 
in  Aurland,  Sogn,  and  the  mother  in  Vestre  Slire,  Valders,  Norway. 

Simon  E.  Stene  remained  in  his  native  country  until  he  had  attained  his 
majority  and  then  crossed  the  Atlantic,  becoming  a  resident  of  Goodhue  county, 
Minnesota,  where  he  worked  at  farm  labor.  In  1868,  however,  he  crossed  the 
border  into  Iowa  and  purchased  a  tract  of  land  on  section  11,  Norway  township, 
Winnebago  county.  This  he  has  continuously  cultivated  since  1870,  and  he  has 
purchased  other  land  on  section  7,  Norway  township,  and  one  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  on  section  18  of  the  same  township.  He  has  thus  become  the  owner 
of  valuable  farm  property.  His  labors  have  made  the  soil  rich  and  productive, 
80  that  he  annually  garners  substantial  harvests.  He  has  worked  diligently  and 
persistently  to  bring  about  this  result  and  his  life  reoerd  is  an  illustration  of 
what  may  be  accomplished  through  industry  and  effort. 


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510  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

On  February  12,  1872,  Mr.  Stene  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Betsey 
Nelson,  a  daughter  of  Nels  and  Ragnild  Knutson,  who  were  natives  of  Norway. 
After  coming  to  the  new  world  they  established  their  home  near  Adams,  Minne- 
sota, where  the  father  now  lies  buried.  In  the  later  years  of  her  life  Mrs.  Knutson 
lived  with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Stene,  and  when  called  to  her  final  rest  her  remains 
were  interred  in  Lime  Creek  cemeter}\  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stene  were  born  nine 
children,  as  follows:  Rachel,  who  is  the  wife  of  M.  T.  Nelson,  of  Norway  town- 
ship, Winnebago  county ;  Martin,  who  operates  the  home  farm ;  Elling,  a  resident 
of  Emmons,  Minnesota ;  Martha,  who  gave  her  hand  in  marriage  to  Nels  Stephens, 
of  Scarville,  Winnebago  county;  Ingeborg,  at  home;  Nellie,  who  is  the  wife  of 
Oliver  Honsey,  of  Norway  township,  Winnebago  county;  Sarah,  at  home;  one 
who  died  in  infancy;  and  Carl  E.,  who  passed  away  at  the  age  of  twenty-five 
years  and  was  buried  in  Lime  Creek  cemetery.  The  death  of  Mrs.  Stene  occurred 
February  10,  1917.  She  left  behind  her  many  warm  friends  who  esteemed  her 
highly  because  of  her  many  admirable  qualities.  She  was  a  devoted  wife  and 
mother  and  her  careful  management  of  household  affairs  contributed  in  no  small 
measure  to  her  husband's  success. 

Mr.  Stene  holds  membership  in  the  Synod  Lutheran  church,  of  which  he  is 
a  faithful  representative.  He  votes  with  the  republican  party  and  keeps  well 
informed  on  the  questions  and  issues  of  the  day,  but  has  no  ambition  to  hold 
office,  preferring  to  concentrate  his  energies  and  attention  upon  his  business 
affairs.  Starting  out  in  life  empty  handed,  he  is  now  in  the  possession  of  a  sub- 
stantial competence.  Moreover,  he  has  for  many  years  been  connected  with 
Winnebago  county  and  has  seen  the  changes  which  have  occurred  and  the  results 
which  have  been  wrought  as  men  have  reclaimed  the  district  for  the  purposes  of 
civilization  and  developed  here  the  homes  of  a  prosperous  and  contented  people. 


LEE    NICHOLS. 


Lee  Nichols,  living  on  section  25,  King  township,  Winnebago  county,  was  born 
in  Bloomington,  Illinois,  on  the  22nd  of  January,  1865,  a  son  of  John  and 
Comfort  (Nichols)  Nichols,  who  were  natives  of  Kentucky  and  of  Illinois  respec- 
tively. The  father  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  in  early  life  went  to  Illinois, 
where  he  engaged  in  farming  throughout  his  remaining  days,  his  death  occurring 
in  1867.    His  widow  still  survives  and  is  now  a  resident  of  Bloomington,  Illinois. 

Lee  Nichols  spent  his  youthful  days  under  the  parental  roof  at  Heyworth, 
Illinois,  and  his  educational  opportunities  were  those  afforded  by  the  district 
schools.  He  was  only  twelve  years  of  age,  however,  when  he  began  to  provide  for 
his  own  support  by  working  as  a  farm  hand  at  twelve  dollars  per  month.  He 
was  employed  in  that  way  for  twenty  years,  after  which  he  rented  land  in  Dallas 
county,  Iowa,  and  continued  its  cultivation  for  about  five  years.  He  then  pur- 
chased the  farm  upon  which  he  was  living  and  further  developed  and  improved 
it  for  thirteen  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  came  to  Winnebago 
county  and  in  1913  bought  two  hundred  and  twenty-one  and  three-fourths  acres 
of  land  on  sections  7  and  18,  Linden  township.  For  four  years  he  has  cultivated 
and  improved  this  place,  which  is  now  a  valuable  property.     The  buildings  are 


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MR.  AND    MRS.  LEE  NICHOLS 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCI^    COUNTIES    ,       513 

insured  for  over  five  thousand  dollars  and  the  improvements  upon  it  make  it  a 
model  farm  property.  At  length,  however,  he  rented  that  place  and  removed  to 
King  township,  since  which  time  he  has  cultivated  a  tract  of  one  hundred  and 
fifty-four  acres  on  section  25,  which  he  purchased.  He  today  has  a  nicely  improved 
place,  pleasantly  and  conveniently  located  about  two  miles  from  Thompson.  He 
is  a  wide-awake  and  progressive  farmer,  carrying  on  his  work  according  to  pro- 
gressive methods,  and  his  labors  bring  good  results.  He  is  engaged  in  the  raising 
of  thoroughbred  Hampshire  hogs  and  for  years  made  a  business  of  feeding  stock 
but  does  not  carry  on  that  work  at  the  present  time,  concentrating  his  energies 
upon  the  raising  of  hogs  and  upon  the  general  development  of  his  farm. 

On  the  28th  of  February,  1901,  Mr.  Nichols  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Alchie  Cole,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Lucas)  Cole,  who  were  natives  of 
Indiana.  The  father  was  a  farmer  and  followed  that  occupation  in  Indiana  for 
a  few  years,  after  which  he  drove  across  the  country  to  Dallas  county,  Iowa,  in 
1855,  before  the  era  of  railroad  building  through  this  section  of  the  middle  west. 
He  became  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Dallas  county,  where  he  purchased  govern- 
ment land  at  a  dollar  and  a  quarter  per  acre.  He  at  once  began  to  develop  and 
improve  that  tract  and  continued  its  cultivation  throughout  his  remaining  days,  his 
death  occurring  May  8,  1899.  His  wife  survived  for  only  a  brief  period,  passing 
away  September  14,  1902. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Nichols  is  connected  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows  and  is  true  to  the  teachings  and  purposes  of  the  organization.  He  is  also 
a  loyal  and  helpful  member  of  the  Methodist  church  and  his  political  allegiance 
is  given  to  the  republican  party.  While  a  believer  in  its  principles,  he  does  not 
seek  nor  desire  office,  preferring  to  give  his  undivided  attention  to  his  farm  work, 
which  is  now  carefully  and  successfully  managed. 


PEDER  OLSON  DEGNEPOLD. 

Peder  Olson  Degnepold  follows  farming  on  section  23,  Logan  township,  Winne- 
bago county,  and  comes  of  a  family  long  identified  with  farming  interests  in 
Norway.  His  great-grandfather,  Ole  Degnepold,  and  his  grandfather,  Lars  Degne- 
pold, both  followed  the  occupation  of  farming.  His  parents  were  Ole  Larsen  and 
Christie  Pedersen.  The  father  was  both  a  farmer  and  fisherman  and  in  his 
native  country  he  reared  his  family  of  four  sons  and  three  daughters.  One  of 
the  daughters,  Mrs.  John  Amundsen,  came  to  America,  while  another,  Mrs.  Lena 
Aase,  passed  away  in  Norway.  There  are  two  brothers  still  in  Norway,  the  elder 
being  Lars,  a  farmer,  mechanic  and  boat  builder,  while  the  younger  is  Hans,  a 
school  teacher. 

Peder  0.  Degnepold  was  a  young  man  of  twenty-two  years  when  in  1877  he 
came  to  the  United  States,  settling  first  at  Northwood,  in  Worth  county,  Iowa. 
In  his  youthful  days  and  early  manhood  he  was  employed  at  farm  labor,  but  became 
tired  of  working  for  others  and  resolved  that  his  labors  should  more  directly 
benefit  himself.  Accordingly  he  carefully  saved  his  earnings  until  he  had  an 
amount  that  enabled  him  to  purchase  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Winnebago  counfy. 
His  first  purchase  was  made  in  1885,  at  which  time  he  settled  upon  his  farm 


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514      ,      WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

and  still  makes  it  his  home.  He  has,  however,  extended  the  boundaries  of  his 
place,  having  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  more  in  September,  1897, 
so  that  he  is  now  the  owner  of  a  good  tract  of  land  of  two  hundred  and  forty 
acres,  which  is  situated  on  section  23,  Logan  township.  For  almost  a  third  of  a 
century  he  has  continuously  cultivated  his  farm  and  the  result  of  his  labor  is  seen 
in  broad  fields  which  bring  forth  rich  harvests  and  also  in  the  excellent  improve- 
ments upon  his  land. 

On  the  13th  of  February,  1889,  in  Selo  church,  Xordfjord,  Norway,  Mr. 
Degnepold  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Johanne  Marie  Johnson  Skrom,  a 
daughter  of  John  Kristensen  and  Ingeborg  Andersen.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Degne- 
pold have  been  bom  four  children,  Jennie  Christine,  Emma  Alida,  Christie  and 
Ole  Martinus. 

The  religious  faith  of  the  family  is  that  of  the  United  Lutheran  church. 
Mr.  Degnepold  has  always  been  interested  in  the  moral  and  intellectual  progress 
of  the  community  and  for  three  years  served  as  a  school  director.  He  is  a  stand- 
pat  republican,  giving  unfaltering  allegiance  to  the  party  which  he  has  supported 
since  becoming  a  naturalized  American  citizen.  For  forty  years  he  has  lived  in 
northern  Iowa  and  throughout ,  the  entire  period  has  been  actively  interested 
in  farming.  His  success  is  the  merited  reward  and  the  direct  outcome  of  his 
own  labors.  He  was  empty  handed  when  he  crossed  the  Atlantic,  but  he  possessed 
a  spirit  of  industry  and  determination,  which  confltitutes  a  safe  foundation  upon 
which  to  build  prosperity.  As  the  years  have  gone  on  he  has  added  to  his 
holdings  and  his  financial  resources  and  is  today  the  possessor  of  a  comfortable 
competence. 


HON.  0.  K.  MABEN. 


Hon.  0.  K.  Maben,  secretary  and  one  of  the  directors  of  the  Hancock  County 
Farmers  Mutual  Insurance  Association,  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Ellington  town- 
ship, Hancock  county,  where  he  still  lives.  His  father,  Grover  Maben,  a  native 
of  New  York,  came  to  this  county  in  1856,  taking  up  his  abode  in  Ellington 
township,  where  he  resided  until  his  death,  which  occurred  January  6,  1900.  In 
March,  1859,  he  wedded  Elvira  Pike,  who  still  survives  him. 

0.  K.  Maben,  after  mastering  the  common  branches  of  learning  in  the  district 
schools,  attended  the  Breckenridge  Normal  Academy  at  Decorah,  Iowa,  for  sev- 
eral terms,  and  afterward  became  a  student  in  the  Northern  Iowa  Business  College 
at  Garner,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1890.  He  took  up  the  occupation  of 
farming  and  in  1900  became  actively  identified  with  the  Hancock  County  Farmers 
Mutual  Insurance  Association,  in  which  year  he  was  made  one  of  its  directors 
and  its  secretary.  He  continued  to  occupy  the  dual  office  until  1904,  when  he 
was  elected  treasurer  and  director,  serving  in  those  capacities  until  1907.  In 
1915  he  was  again  chosen  director  and  secretary,  in  which  capacities  he  is  now 
serving.  The  success  of  the  association  is  attributable  in  large  measure  to  his 
enterprise,  his  business  ability  and  his  progressive  spirit. 

On  the  21st  of  February,  1893,  in  Forest  City,  Iowa,  Mr.  Maben  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Miss  Jennie  B.  Lewis,  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nathan  Lewis. 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  515 

To  them  have  been  bom   three  children:     Cliflford   G.   Maurice^  who   died   in 
infancy;  Merle;  and  Orville  K. 

Mr.  Maben  votes  with  the  republican  party  and  has  long  been  one  of  its 
recognized  leaders  in  Hancock  county.  In  the  year  1903  he  was  chosen  to  repre- 
sent his  district  in  the  general  assembly  and  served  during  the  thirtieth,  thirty- 
first  and  thirty-second  sessions.  He  carefully  studied  questions  which  came  up 
for  settlement  and  his  support  of  any  measure  was  proof  of  his  belief  in  its 
eflSciency  as  a  factor  in  good  government.  He  has  ever  stood  for  progress  and 
improvement,  for  justice,  truth  and  advancement,  and  the  weight  of  his  influence 
has  been  a  potent  force  in  the  substantial  development  of  county  and  state. 


BENJAMIN  F.  WHETSLER. 

Benjamin  F.  Whetsler,  a  resident  farmer  of  Magor  township,  Hancock  county, 
his  home  being  on  section  33,  is  numbered  among  the  more  recent  arrivals  here, 
dating  his  residence  from  1912,  but  in  the  intervening  period  he  has  become 
widely  and  favorably  known  and  ranks  today  among  the  leading  stock  raisers  and 
shippers  of  this  section.  He  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Pennsylvania,  June  20, 
1861,  and  is  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Ruth  (Stewart)  Whetsler,  who  were  also  natives 
of  the  Keystone  state. 

Removing  westward  in  April,  1868,  the  family  settled  in  McLean  county,  Illi- 
nois, during  the  early  boyhood  of  Benjamin  F.  Whetsler,  who  there  pursued  a 
public  school  education  to  the  age  of  nineteen  years.  He  was  employed  at  farm 
labor  in  McLean  county  for  fourteen  years  and  then  rented  land  there  for  six 
years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  purchased  a  farm  in  that  state  and 
still  owns  his  old  homestead  property  there,  which  comprises  eighty  acres  in 
De  Witt  county.  In  1912  he  arrived  in  Hancock  county,  Iowa,  and  made  invest- 
ment in  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land,  constituting  the  east  half  of 
section  33,  Magor  township.  He  also  bought  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  on 
section  34  of  the  same  township,  so  that  he  now  has  an  excellent  and  extensive 
tract  of  land  of  four  hundred  and  eighty  acres,  much  of  which  has  been  brought 
under  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  while  other  parts  of  the  farm  are  devoted  to 
pasturage;  for  he  is  extensively  engaged  in  raising  and  shipping  stock.  He  makes 
a  specialty  of  Shorthorn  cattle  and  also  ships  and  feeds  Duroc  hogs  and  Percheron 
horses,  and  his  live  stock  interests  constitute  a  most  important  and  profitable 
feature  of  his  business. 

On  the  23d  of  February,  1883,  Mr.  Whetsler  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Ruth  A.  Sprague,  who  was  bom  in  De  Witt  county,  Illinois,  and  is  a  daughter 
of  Charles  L.  and  Mary  Sprague,  natives  of  Ohio.  The  children  of  this  marriage 
are  seven  in  number:  Henry  E.,  at  home;  Almeda  and  Frank  C,  who  are  mar- 
ried ;  Lela  B.,  John  W.,  Ara  L.  and  Ruth  A.,  all  yet  under  the  parental  roof. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Whetsler  hold  membership  in  the  Christian  church  and  guide 
their  lives  according  to  its  teachings.  In  politics  he  does  not  ally  himself  with 
any  party  but  maintains  an  independent  course,  voting  according  to  the  dictates 
of  his  judgment.  Magor  township  regards  him  as  a  valuable  addition  to  its 
citizenship  and  he  has  made  for  himself  a  creditable  position  in  public  regard 


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516  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

during  the  five  years  of  his  residence  there.  In  business  affairs  he  is  found  to 
be  thoroughly  reliable  as  well  as  enterprising  and  he  has  that  spirit  of  determina- 
tion which  enables  him  to  carry  forward  to  successful  completion  whatever  he 
undertakes. 


BENJAMIN  MOE. 


Among  the  progressive  and  enterprising  young  farmers  of  Winnebago  county 
is  numbered  Benjamin  Moe,  who  lives  on  section  24,  Logan  township.  He  was 
born  on  the  29th  of  September,  1889,  in  the  home  of  his  parents,  Herlang  P.  and 
Elizabeth  (Jordre)  Moe,  who  were  natives  of  Norway,  but  were  married  in 
Winneshiek  county,  Iowa,  on  the  9th  of  June,  1871.  The  following  year  they 
removed  to  Winnebago  county  and  the  father  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  on 
section  24,  Logan  township,  and  eighty  acres  on  section  19,  Norway  township, 
a  part  of  which  was  sold  for  the  townsite  of  Scarville.  With  characteristic  energy 
he  began  to  clear  his  land  and  transform  it  into  productive  fields.  The  work  of 
plowing,  planting  and  harvesting  was  carried  on  and  his  labors  resulted  in 
making  this  a  valuable  and  productive  farm.  He  was  long  identified  with  the 
agricultural  interests  of  the  community,  continuing  to  cultivate  his  land  to  the 
time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  April  9,  1915,  when  he  was  laid  to  rest  in 
Bethel  cemetery  in  Logan  township.  His  success  was  of  a  substantial  character 
and  was  entirely  the  reward  of  his  persistent,  earnest  labors.  In  his  political 
views  he  was  a  republican  and  his  religious  faith  was  that  of  the  Lutheran 
church.  His  widow  still  resides  upon  the  home  farm  with  her  son  Benjamin, 
and  there  she  reared  her  family  of  ten  children.  The  father  had  been  married 
before,  his  first  wife  dying  in  Norway.  There  were  two  children  by  that  union: 
Anna,  who  passed  away  in  Norway ;  and  Peter  H.,  who  actively  assisted  his  father 
in  the  development  of  the  home  farm  in  Logan  township  and  passed  away  at 
the  age  of  forty-five  years.  The  ten  children  bom  to  Herlang  P.  and  Elizabeth 
Moe  were  as  follows:  Ajina,  Dorothea  and  Elizabeth,  all  of  whom  are  deceased; 
Hannah,  who  is  the  wife  of  S.  C.  Monson,  of  Scarville;  John,  deceased;  Thea, 
who  gave  her  hand  in  marriage  to  A.  S.  Odegard,  of  Spokane,  Washington; 
Louise,  who  has  passed  away ;  Benjamin ;  Maria,  who  is  the  wife  of  A.  I.  Rosheim, 
of  Scarville;  and  Helena,  deceased. 


NELS  N.  NESJE. 


Nels  N.  Nesje,  who  follows  farming  on  section  23,  Eden  township,  Winnebago 
county,  was  born  at  Opstrein  Nesje,  on  the  North  fjord,  in  Norway,  February  14, 
1848,  a  son  of  Nels  P.  and  Martha  (Flo)  Nesje,  who  were  farming  people  of 
that  country,  where  they  reared  their  family  of  ten  children,  of  whom  four  are 
yet  living:  Carrie,  now  the  wife  of  Andrew  Erdahl,  of  Emerald  township,  Fari- 
bault county,  Minnesota;  Martha,  the  wife  of  Ole  Erdahl,  also  of  Emerald  town- 
ship;  and   John   Nelson  and    Nels   N.,  twins,   the   former  a   resident  of   Frost, 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  517 

Minnesota.  The  parents  never  came  to  the  United  States  and  the  father  died 
when  the  subject  of  this  review  was  but  a  year  old. 

Through  the  period  of  boyhood  and  youth  Mr.  Nesje  and  his  twin  brother 
remained  in  the  land  of  the  midnight  sun,  but  in  1869,  on  attaining  their  major- 
ity, came  to  the  new  world  to  try  their  fortunes  and  made  their  way  to  Faribault 
county,  Minnesota,  settling  near  Blue  Earth.  Mr.  Nesje  secured  employment  as 
a  farm  hand,  working  in  that  way  for  six  years,  after  which  he  became  a  resident 
of  Eden  township,  Winnebago  county,  and  purchased  one  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  of  land  on  section  23.  This  he  at  once  began  to  clear  and  develop  and  his 
attention  has  since  been  given  to  its  further  improvement,  his  labors  converting 
it  into  one  of  the  excellent  farms  of  the  neighborhood. 

On  the  15th  of  October,  1875,  Mr.  Nesje  was  married  to  Miss  Johanna  Gudal, 
a  daughter  of  Colben  and  Sine  Gudal,  who  were  natives  of  Norway  and  became 
residents  of  Emerald  township,  Faribault  county,  Minnesota.  The  father  died 
in  1911  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  Dale  Lutheran  cemetery,  while  the  mother  is 
still  living  in  Emerald  township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nesje  have  become  the  parents 
of  nine  children:  Nels,  living  in  Eden  township;  Martha,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  twenty-two  years;  Christina  and  Ella,  twins,  the  former  now  at  home, 
while  the  latter  is  the  wife  of  John  Harvey,  of  Stanwood,  Washington;  Serena, 
Henry,  Carl  and  Selmer,  all  at  home;  and  Carrie,  who  became  the  wife  of  John 
Simonson,  of  Eden  township,  and  passed  away  in  1912. 

Mr.  Nesje  votes  with  the  republican  party,  believing  that  its  platform  con- 
tains the  best  elements  of  good  government.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of 
the  United  Lutheran  church  and  are  highly  respected  people,  enjoying  the  con- 
fidence and  goodwill  of  all  with  whom  they  have  been  associated  through  the  long 
years  of  their  residence  in  this  part  of  the  country. 


STENER  HANSON. 


A  considerable  proportion  of  the  citizens  of  Winnebago  county  claim  Norway 
as  the  land  of  their  nativity.  Among  this  number  is  Stener  Hanson,  who  was 
there  bom  February  22,  1842,  a  son  of  Hans  and  Annie  (Scarborough)  ^anson, 
who  were  also  natives  of  Norway.  Coming  to  America  with  their  family,  they 
settled  in  Racine  county,  Wisconsin,  in  1846,  and  there  the  father  secured  land 
and  carried  on  farming  throughout  his  remaining  days,  his  death  occurring  in 
1881.     He  had  for  six  years  survived  his  wife,  who  passed  away  in  1875. 

Stener  Hanson  was  reared  and  educated  in  Wisconsin  and  at  the  age  of 
twenty  years  he  responded  to  the  call  of  his  adopted  country  for  troops,  enlisting 
in  defense  of  the  Union  as  a  member  of  Company  E,  Nineteenth  Wisconsin 
Volunteer  Infantry,  in  1862.  With  that  command  he  served  until  the  close  of 
the  war  and  after  the  cessation  of  hostilities  he  returned  home  and  worked  at 
the  mason's  trade,  which  he  followed  for  many  years.  In  1882  he  came  to  Lake 
Mills,  Winnebago  county,  where  he  has  since  followed  his  trade  and  has  thus  been 
actively  connected  with  industrial  interests  of  the  district.  He  also  has  a  nice 
farm  of  forty  acres  on  section  10,  Center  township,  and  has  improved  the  prop- 


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518  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

erty  to  a  considerable  extent.  Upon  the  place  is  an  old  log  cabin  which  was 
built  in  1867  and  remains  one  of  the  landmarks  of  this  section. 

In  January,  1882,  Mr.  Hanson  was  married  to  Miss  Margaret  Larson  and  to 
them  have  been  bom  four  children:  Hans;  Louisa,  who  is  a  nurse  in  a  Chicago 
hospital;  Lawrence,  a  telegraph  operator;  and  Theresa,  a  teacher  in  the  schools 
of  Emmet  county,  Iowa. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Hanson  is  a  republican,  while  his  religious  faith  is 
that  of  the  Lutheran  church,  to  the  teachings  of  which  he  loyally  adheres.  He 
was  formerly  identified  with  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  when  a  post  existed 
at  Lake  Mills,  but  it  has  been  disbanded.  However,  in  days  of  peace  he  has  been 
as  true  and  loyal  to  his  country  as  when  he  followed  the  stars  and  stripes  on  the 
battlefields  of  the  south.  He  has  ever  been  actuated  by  a  spirit  of  devotion  to 
the  public  good,  and  his  work  and  worth  both  as  a  man  and  a  citizen  have  been 
widely  acknowledged. 


OLE  SWENSON. 


Norway's  contribution  to  the  citizenship  of  Winnebago  county  is  an  important 
one,  for  those  who  have  come  from  the  land  of  the  midnight  sun  have  brought 
with  them  the  characteristic  diligence  and  enterprise  which  are  the  basis  of  sub- 
stantial material  development  and  which  also  constitute  valuable  factors  in  citi- 
zenship. Ole  Swenson  was  for  a  long  period  actively  and  successfully  engaged 
in  farming  in  Newton  township,  and  through  his  close  application  and  good 
business  management  he  acquired  a  competence  that  enables  him  to  now  live 
retired.  He  was  bom  in  Norway,  October  24,  1848,  and  is  a  son  of  Swen  and 
Carrie  (Bigen)  Swenson,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Norway.  The  father 
was  a  laborer  in  the  old  country,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  died  in  their  native 
land. 

It  was  there  that  Ole  Swenson  was  reared  and  educated,  and  when  his  text- 
books were  put  aside  he  began  earning  his  own  living  at  rafting  and  at  farm 
labor.  He  was  thus  engaged  until  he  reached  the  age  of  thirty-one  years,  or  until 
1879,  when  he  came  to  the  new  world  and  took  up  his  abode  in  Webster  county, 
Iowa,  where  he  was  in  the  employ  of  others  for  a  considerable  period.  However, 
he  early  grasped  the  elemental  thought  that  industry  wins,  and  industry  became 
the  beacon  light  of  his  life.  It  was  his  desire  to  own  land  and  engage  in  farming 
on  his  own  account,  and  therefore  he  carefully  saved  his  earnings  until  his  indus- 
try and  economy  enabled  him  to  purchase  a  farm.  He  secured  land  in  Webster 
county  and  there  continued  to  reside  for  five  years,  after  which  he  came  to  Winne- 
bago county  and  purchased  two  hundred  acres  on  section  24,  Newton  township. 
He  at  once  began  to  further  develop  and  improve  that  place,  and  his  labors  made 
it  one  of  the  highly  productive  farms  of  the  county.  This  he  continued  to  culti- 
vate until  1909,  when  he  retired  and  removed  to  Lake  Mills.  There  he  purchased 
a  fine  home  and  twenty  acres  of  land  at  the  edge  of  town.  He  is  thus  most 
comfortably  and  pleasantly  situated  and  in  well  earned  rest  is  enjoying  the  fruits 
of  his  former  toil.  He  is  also  a  stockholder  in  the  Lake  Mills  Creamery  Company 
but  has  no  active  business  connections  at  the  present  time. 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  519 

On  the  6th  of  May,  1877,  Mr.  Swenson  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  Lee,  and 
to  them  were  bom  four  children:  Carrie,  who  resides  at  home  with  her  parents, 
her  husband,  William  Colby,  having  passed  away  February  28,  1916;  Nettie,  who 
is  keeping  house  for  her  brother  on  the  old  homestead;  Olof  0.,  who  is  farming 
in  Newton  township ;  and  Gilbert,  who  is  cultivating  the  old  home  place. , 

Mr.  Swenson  is  a  republican  and  keeps  well  informed  on  the  political  situation 
of  the  country.  His  religious  faith  is  that  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  he  has 
guided  his  life  according  to  its  teachings.  It  requires  considerable  courage  to 
sever  home  ties,  to  leave  kindred,  friends  and  native  land  and  seek  a  hom^  and 
fortune  at  points  far  distant.  But  this  Mr.  Swenson  did,  and  he  has  never  had 
occasion  to  regret  his  determination  to  come  to  the  new  world,  for  here  he  found 
the  business  opportunities  which  he  sought  and  has  worked  his  way  steadily 
upward.  In  America  opportunities  are  afforded  to  every  one  who  is  willing  to 
embrace  them.  Humble  birth  and  poverty  are  no  handicap  to  the  American  man. 
While  opportunities  slip  away  from  the  sluggard  and  tauntingly  play  before  the 
dreamer,  they  surrender  to  the  individual  with  high  purpose,  undaunted  courage 
and  indefatigable  industry,  and  it  has  been  through  the  possession  of  these  quali- 
ties that  Mr.  Swenson  has  come  to  be  ranked  with  the  men  of  afiSuence  in  Lake 
Mills. 


ALBERT  S.  TINDERHOLT. 

Albert  S.  Tinderholt,  living  on  section  36,  King  township,  is  a  well  known 
farmer  who  since  1897  has  owned  and  cultivated  his  present  place,  comprising 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  rich  and  arable  land,  fie  was  bom  in  Winneshiek 
county,  Iowa,  July  22,  1871,  and  is  a  son  of  Soren  and  Martha  (Storhoug)  Tin- 
derholt, who  were  natives  of  Norway.  The  father  came  to  America  with  his 
parents  in  1840  when  seven  years  of  age  and  established  his  home  in  Wisconsin, 
where  he  lived  for  two  years,  after  which  the  family  home  was  established  in 
Winneshiek  county,  Iowa.  There  Soren  Tinderholt  was  reared  and  educated, 
sharing  with  the  family  in  all  of  the  hardships  and  privations  incident  to  pioneer 
life,  for  Iowa  was  still  a  frontier  state  at  that  time.  After  reaching  manhood 
he  turned  his  attention  to  farming,  purchased  land  and  afterward  carried  on 
general  agricultural  pursuits  for  many  years.  At  the  present  time  he  is  living 
Retired,  however,  enjoying  a  rest  which  he  has  truly  earned  and  richly  deserves. 
He  still  occupies  the  old  home  place  with  his  daughter,  his  wife  having  passed 
away  in  1881. 

During  his  youthful  days  Albert  S.  Tinderholt  remained  a  resident  of  Winne- 
shiek county  and  his  experiences  were  those  of  most  of  the  farm-bred  boys,  his 
time  being  divided  between  the  duties  of  the  schoolroom,  the  pleasures  of  the 
playground  and  the  work  of  the  fields.  He  came  to  Winnebago  county  in  1897 
and  here  invested  in  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  on  section  36,  King 
township.  With  characteristic  energy  he  began  to  develop  and  further  improve 
this  place  and  today  it  is  one  of  the  excellent  farms  of  the  locality,  responding 
readily  to  the  care  and  labor  which  he  bestows  upon  it  in  the  production  of  crops. 
He  is  also  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  and  in'the  Cooperative 
Creamery  Company  of  Thompson. 


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520  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

In  October,  1905,  Mr.  Tinderholt  was  married  to  Miss  Millie  Gullickson  and 
to  them  have  been  born  four  children :  Adron,  Margaret,  Waldo  and  Ruth.  Mr. 
Tinderholt  has  served  as  a  school  director  for  a  number  of  years  and  politically 
he  is  a  republican,  while  his  religious  faith  is  that  of  the  Lutheran  church.  His 
entire  life  has  been  spent  in  Iowa  and  the  spirit  of  western  progress  and  enter- 
prise which  has  been  the  dominant  factor  in  the  upbuilding  of  this  section  of  the 
country  finds  expression  in  his  life. 


GEORGE  L.  COX. 


That  Iowa  is  one  of  the  foremost  of  the  great  agricultural  states  of  the 
Union  is  due  not  to  the  labors  of  a  single  individual  or  to  a  small  group  of  men 
but  to  the  combined  efforts  of  many  farmers  who  are  alert,  enterprising  and 
progressive  and  who  keep  in  touch  with  the  trend  of  modern  progress  along 
agricultural  lines.  To  this  class  belongs  George  L.  Cox,  living  on  section  25, 
Eden  township,  Winnebago  county.  He  was  born  in  Green  Lake  county,  Wis- 
consin, January  20,  1863,  and  is  a  son  of  William  and  Lovina  (Terrill)  Cox,  who 
were  natives  of  England  and  were  farming  people.  They  had  a  family  of  nine 
children,  of  whom  five  are  still  living:  William  Henry,  residing  in  North 
Dakota;  Emma,  the  deceased  wife  of  Chance  Curtis,  of  King  township,  Winne- 
bago county;  George  L. ;  Reuben,  living  in  Forest  township,  Winnebago  county; 
John,  a  resident  of  Colorado  Springs,  Colorado;  and  Elizabeth,  the  wife  of  Ira 
Stillwell,  a  resident  of  Minnesota.  The  other  children  died  in  early  life  and 
the  parents  have  now  passed  away.  In  1874  they  became  residents  of  Winnebago 
county,  settling  in  Forest  township,  where  the  father  purchased  a  farm,  upon 
which  they  resided  until  called  to  the  home  beyond,  when  their  remains  were 
interred  in  Oakwood  cemetery  at  Forest  City.  He  was  entirely  a  self-made  man, 
owing  his  success  in  the  fullest  measure  to  his  persistent  and  earnest  efforts. 
His  religious  faith  was  that  of  the  Methodist  church  and  his  political  views  were 
in  accord  with  the  principles  of  the  republican  party,  but  he  was  never  an  office 
seeker. 

George  L.  Cox  attended  the  common  schools  until  he  reached  the  age  of  six- 
teen years  and  afterward  worked  for  his  father  until  he  attained  his  majority. 
He  was  then  employed  as  a  farm  hand  by  others  for  three  years  and  on  the 
expiration  of  that  period  rented  a  farm  in  Forest  township,  Winnebago  county, 
for  two  years,  while  for  a  similar  period  he  cultivated  a  tract  of  land  in  King 
township,  which  he  leased.  While  thus  engaged  he  carefully  saved  his  earnings 
and  at  length  was  able  to  purchase  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Grant  township,  upon 
which  he  lived  for  one  year.  He  later  sold  and  bought  eighty  acres  of  the  north- 
west quarter  of  section  25,  Eden  township,  and  from  time  to  time  as  his  financial 
resources  have  increased  he  has  added  to  his  holdings,  extending  the  boundaries 
of  his  farm  until  it  now  comprises  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  rich  and 
valuable  land,  upon  which  he  has  made  a  number  of  modern  improvements,  trans- 
forming it  into  one  of  the  fine  farms  of  this  section  of  the  state.  He  is  a  stock- 
holder in  the  Thompson  elevator  and  creamery. 

When  twenty-three  years  of  age  Mr.  Cox  was  married  to  Miss  Jane  H.  Charl- 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  521 

ton,  a  daughter  of  Edward  and  Mary  (Greeley)  Charlton,  who  were  natives  of 
England  and  Wisconsin  respectively.  They  became  residents  of  Bristol  township, 
Winnebago  county,  and  afterward  of  Newton  township,  Worth  county,  but  both 
have  now  passed  away.  The  father  was  laid  to  rest  in  Bristol  cemetery  and  the 
mother  was  buried  in  Montana,  having  during  the  last  few  years  of  her  life  lived 
on  a  claim  in  that  state  with  her  son.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cox  have  become  the  parents 
of  seven  children:  William,  who  is  living  near  Lovejoy,  Montana;  Herbert,  who 
is  assisting  in  the  work  of  the  home  farm;  Lillian,  the  wife  of  Lewis  Rygh,  of 
Norway  township,  Winnebago  county;  George,  who  is  with  his  brother  William 
on  a  claim;  Walter,  of  Eden  township;  and  Charles  and  Emily,  both  at  home. 

The  family  attend  the  Lutheran  church.  Mr.  Cox  gives  his  political  endorse- 
ment to  the  men  and  measures  of  the  republican  party,  but  he  has  never  sought 
office  as  a  reward  for  party  fealty.  His  entire  attention  has  been  claimed  by  his 
business  interests  and  it  has  been  through  his  close  application  and  persistent 
energy  that  he  has  won  a  place  among  the  well-to-do  farmers  of  Winnebago  county, 
being  now  the  possessor  of  a  splendid  property,  wisely  managed  and  carefully 
cultivated  according  to  progressive  ideas  of  agriculture. 


SEVER  C.  MONSON. 


Sever  C.  Monson,  who  is  operating  the  Farmers  Elevator  at  Scarville,  was 
born  on  the  old  family  homestead  in  Logan  township,  Winnebago  county,  August 
8,  1875,  a  son  of  Colben  and  Bertha  (Vinje)  Monson,  who  were  natives  of  Norway, 
where  they  were  reared  and  married.  Four  children  were  born  to  them  ere  they 
came  to  the  new  world,  namely:  M.  C,  living  in  Worth  county,  Iowa;  K.  C, 
whose  home  is  in  Chicago,  Illinois;  Anna,  the  wife  of  Halvor  Sagen,  deceased, 
whose  home  was  in  Fertile,  Iowa;  and  Carrie,  living  near  Fertile.  In  the  year 
1869  the  parents  came  with  their  family  to  the  new  world  and  settled  in  Winne- 
shiek county,  Iowa,  whence  they  removed  to  Logan  township,  Winnebago  county, 
in  1870.  For  ten  years  they  lived  upon  government  land  that  was  not  for  sale. 
As  soon  as  it  was  placed  upon  the  market,  however,  their  son,  M.  C,  purchased 
the  property,  comprising  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  16,  Logan  township. 
After  living  for  ten  years  in  Winnebago  county  the  father  removed  to  Worth 
county,  establishing  his  home  near  Fertile.  There  he  purchased  a  farm  upon 
which  he  resided  until  his  death,  which  occurred  October  31,  1913.  Both  he 
and  his  wife  were  laid' to  rest  in  Brush  Point  cemetery  in  Worth  county.  They 
were  well  known  farming  people  of  this  section  of  the  state  and  enjoyed  the  high 
regard  of  all  with  whom  they  came  in  contact.  Following  their  arrival  in  the 
new  world  they  became  parents  of  three  children,  namely:  Martha,  who  is 
the  wife  of  S.  A.  Nesheim,  of  Chicago;  Albert,  also  a  resident  of  Chicago;  and 
Sever  C,  of  this  review. 

The  last  named  enjoyed  such  educational  privileges  as  the  pioneer  schools  of 
Winnebago  county  afforded.  He  pursued  his  studies  to  the  age  of  sixteen  in  the 
local  schools  and  afterward  spent  two  winter  terms  in  St.  Ansgar  Academy,  while 
for  one  year  he  was  a  student  in  the  Iowa  State  Teachers  College.  He  left  the 
farm  to  give  his  attention  to  other  business  interests  and  from  1900  until  1904 


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522  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

owned  and  conducted  a  hardware  ^tore  in  Hanlontown.  For  five  years  there- 
after he  was  employed  in  the  grain  business  there  and  in  1910  he  became  manager 
of  the  Farmers  Elevator  at  Scarville,  in  which  connection  he  has  since  remained, 
carefully,  systematically  and  successfully  conducting  the  business. 

On  August  24,  1903,  Mr.  Monson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Johanna 
Moe,  daughter  of  H.  P.  and  Elizabeth  Moe,  of  Logan  township,  Winnebago  county. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Monson  now  have  three  children,  Esther,  Kenneth  and  Catherine. 
The  parents  are  members  of  the  United  Lutheran  church  and  in  his  political 
views  Mr.  Monson  is  a  republican.  He  has  been  a  director  of  the  Scarville  school 
board  for  six  years  and  is  now  serving  as  a  member  of  the  town  council.  He 
stands  for  progressive  interests  in  matters  of  citizenship,  seeking  to  promote  public 
welfare  along  practical  and  helpful  lines,  and  he  is  much  interested  in  the  growth 
and  progress  of  Winnebago  county,  witnessing  its  development  from  pioneer  times 
to  the  present. 


FIRST  NATIONAL  BANK. 

The  First  National  Bank  of  Forest  City  was  organized  in  1891  by  B.  A. 
Plummer  and  established  in  1893,  succeeding  the  City  Bank,  which  had  been 
established  by  Mr.  Plummer  as  a  private  banking  institution  in  1876.  The 
original  location  was  on  Main  street,  where  Nelson's  jewelry  store  now  stands. 
The  first  oflBcers  were:  B.  A.  Plummer,  president;  Eugene  Secor,  vice  president; 
David  Secor,  vice  president;  and  W.  0.  Hanson,  cashier.  The  bank  was  capital- 
ized for  fifty  thousand  dollars,  but  in  1915  the  capital  stock  was  increased  to 
seventy-five  thousand  dollars.  In  1882  the  bank  was  removed  to  the  brick  build- 
ing built  by  the  Secors  opposite  the  courthouse  square  and  in  1915  became  estab- 
lished in  a  home  of  its  own,  having  erected  the  fine  building  now  occupied.  This 
building  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  over  fifty  thousand  dollars,  is  finished  throughout 
most  attractively  and  is  equipped  in  a  most  modem  way.  The  oflScers  of  the 
bank  are  now:  B.  A.  Plummer,  president;  R.  C.  Plimimer  and  M.  Jane  Plununer, 
vice  presidents;  W.  0.  Hanson,  alpo  vice  president;  John  Olson,  cashier;  and 
W.  C.  Haugland,  assistant  cashier ;  with  Etta  A.  Plummer  as  one  of  the  directors. 
This  bank  has  now  maintained  a  prosperous  existence  for  forty-one  years  and 
has  long  been  accounted  one  of  the  most  safe  and  reliable  financial  institutions 
of  the  state,  while  as  a  factor  in  the  upbuilding  of  Winnebago  county  it  has  con- 
tributed much  toward  public  progress  and  business  development. 


TORENIUS  S.  BRUSTAD. 

Torenius  S.  Brustad,  busily  engaged  in  farming  on  section  26,  Logan  township, 
Winnebago  county,  was  born  in  southeastern  Xorway,  in  the  stift  of  Hedemarken, 
his  natal  day  being  December  16,  1872.  His  parents  were  Thorson  and  Ragnild 
(Kjensle)   Brustad,  who  were  farming  people  of  the  land  of  the  midnight  sun. 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  523 

They  had  a  family  of  nine  children.     The  parents  never  came  to  the  United 
States  and  both  are  now  deceased. 

Torenius  S.  Brustad  came  alone  to  America  when  a  young  man  of  twenty 
and  made  his  way  direct  to  Lake  Mills,  where  he  worked  for  a  farmer  for  a  year. 
He  then  rented  land  in  Norway  township  for  three  years  and  practiced  close 
economy  and  industry  during  that  period  in  order  to  gain  a  sum  suflScient  to 
enable  him  to  purchase  property.  He  then  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
on  section  26  and  eighty  acres  on  section  27,  Logan  township.  At  that  time  it 
was  an  undeveloped  tract,  but  he  cleared  it  and  made  it  ready  for  the  plow.  He 
then  bent  his  energies  to  the  development  of  the  fields  and  was  soon  gathering- 
good  harvests.  He  has  continued  to  add  various  improvements  as  the  years  have 
gone  on  and  he  now  has  one  of  the  fine  farms  of  his  district. 

On  the  31st  of  May,  1901,  Mr.  Brustad  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Caro- 
line Qualle,  her  parents  being  T.  T.  and  Mary  Qualle,  of  Norway  township.  To 
them  have  been  bom  three  children,  Mabel,  Selmer  and  Thelma.  The  parents 
are  members  of  the  Synod  Lutheran  church  and  Mr.  Brustad  votes  with  the 
republican  party.  He  is  a  substantial  and  valued  citizen  of  Logan  township. 
Native-born  citizens,  it  often  seems,  come  by  the  privileges  of  American  life  too 
easily  to  appreciate  them  in  the  fullest  degree.  At  least  some  of  those  who  have 
sacrificed  and  suffered  to  obtain  them  value  these  blessings  more  highly  than 
those  to  whom  they  come  as  a  matter  of  course.  Mr.  Brustad  was  one  who 
made  sacrifice  to  establish  his  home  on  the  American  continent.  He  has  never 
regretted  the  change,  for  here  he  found  the  business  opportunities  which  he 
sought  and  in  their  utilization  he  has  worked  his  way  upward  to  success.  He 
feels  that  he  owes  allegiance  to  his  adopted  country,  under  the  protection  of 
whose  laws  he  has  long  lived,  and  as  the  years  have  gone  on  he  has  been  leyal  to 
his  chosen  land. 


OTTO  E.  GUNDERSON. 

Otto  E.  Gunderson,  assistant  cashier  and  one  of  the  directors  of  the  Forest 
City  National  Bank,  has  in  various  ways  been  identified  with  public  progress  in 
this  and  other  sections  of  Iowa,  his  efforts  being  especially  helpful  in  the  educa- 
tional field.  He  was  born  at  Kensett,  Worth  county,  Iowa,  February  25,  1875, 
a  son  of  Edward  and  Olivia  (Kalgaarden)  Gunderson.  The  father  went  west 
with  the  gold  seekers  in  the  late  '50s  as  far  as  Pike's  Peak,  but  turned  back  and 
afterward  was  employed  in  connection  with  shipping  on  the  Missouri  river.  He 
finally  reached  New  Orleans,  where  he  made  his  home  for  some  time.  In  1861, 
while  residing  in  the  Crescent  City,  he  was  drafted  for  service  in  the  Confederate 
army,  with  which  he  was  on  active  duty  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was 
wounded  only  once,  sustaining  a  wound  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg.  Later  he 
returned  to  the  north,  becoming  a  resident  of  Worth  county,  Iowa,  where  both 
he  and  his  wife  are  now  residing.  They  have  three  sons  living:  Otto  E.,  of 
this  review;  Carl  0.,  county  attorney  of  Worth  cojunty  and  a  resident  of  North- 
wood;  and  Gilbert,  who  is  operating  the  home  farm. 

Otto  E.  Gunderson  acquired  his  early  education  in  rural  schools  and  after- 


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524  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

ward  attended  successively  the  high  school  at  Northwood,  Iowa,  the  St.  Ansgar 
Seminary  and  the  Northern  Illinois  Normal  School  at  Dixon,  Illinois.  In  early 
manhood  he  engaged  in  teaching  in  both  Iowa  and  in  North  Dakota  and  for 
several  years  he  was  connected  with  commercial  interests  at  Kensett  and  at 
Hanlontown,  conducting  a  store  in  both  places.  In  the  spring  of  1913  he 
removed  from  Northwood  to  Forest  City,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home,  and 
is  now  well  known  in  its  financial  circles  as  assistant  cashier  and  one  of  the 
directors  of  the  Forest  City  National  Bank. 

On  the  19th  of  April,  1897,  at  Kenyon,  Minnesota,  Mr.  Gunderson  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Gurine  Finnesgaard,  a  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  K.  Finnesgaard, 
who  were  among  the  earliest  settlers  of  Goodhue  county,  Minnesota.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Gunderson  now  have  three  children:  Esther,  seventeen  years  of  age,  who 
is  a  student  in  St.  Olaf  College  at  Northfield,  Minnesota;  Harvey  and  Maurice, 
aged  respectively  ten  and  six  years. 

The  religious  faith  of  the  family  is  that  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  in  his 
political  views  Mr.  Gunderson  is  a  republican.  He  has  supported  the  party  since 
age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise,  and  he  keeps  well  informed  on  the 
questions  and  issues  of  the  day.  While  living  in  Kensett  he  served  as  town  clerk 
in  1899  and  1900,  and  in  1904  was  elected  county  superintendent  of  schools  in 
Worth  county,  whicji  position  he  continuously  filled  until  1913,  making  a  most 
creditable  record  in  the  office  by  reason  of  the  efficient  work  which  he  did  in 
raising  the  standard  of  the  schools  and  introducing  methods  of  practical  value. 
In  1915  he  was  chosen  president  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  Forest  City 
public  library,  and  in  1916  was  appointed  a  member  of  the  city  council,  filling 
both  of  these  positions  at  the  present  time.  He  is  thoroughly  public-spirited 
and  progressive,  and  his  cooperation  in  any  movement  constitutes  an  effective  and 
valuable  force  in  the  attainment  of  desired  results. 


OLE  J.  HAMLIN. 


Since  1904  Ole  J.  Hamlin  has  owned  the  farm  upon  which  he  now  resides 
and  to  the  cultivation  and  improvement  of  which  he  devotes  his  entire  time  and 
attention.  He  was  born  in  Norway  in  January,  1863,  and  is  a  son  of  Jewel  and 
Minnie  (Beckjorden)  Hamlin,  who  were  also  natives  of  that  country.  About 
1874,  however,  they  bade  adieu  to  friends  and  native  land  and  came  with  their 
children  to  the  new  world,  crossing  the  continent  to  Dane  county,  Wisconsin. 
There  the  father  followed  the  occupation  of  farming  for  seven  years,  after  which 
he  came  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  and  bought  eighty  acres  of  land  on  section 
25,  King  township,  constituting  the  farm  that  is  now  the  home  of  his  son  Ole. 
He  at  once  began  to  develop  and  improve  the  land,  which  he  carefully  tilled 
throughout  his  remaining  days.  He  was  recognized  as  one  of  the  leading  and 
representative  farmers  of  the  district  and  was  ever  known  as  a  most  reliable  busi- 
ness man.  He  passed  away  June  16,  1908,  having  for  a  year  survived  his  wife, 
who  died  on  the  3d  of  June,  1907. 

Ole  J.  Hamlin  was  a  little  lad  of  eleven  summers  when  his  parents  came  to 
the  new  world.     His  education,  which  had  been  begun  in  the  schools  of  Norway, 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  525 

was  continued  in  the  public  schools  of  Wisconsin  and  of  Iowa  after  the  removal 
of  the  family  to  Winnebago  county.  Through  his  boyhood  he  devoted  the  summer 
months  to  farm  work,  and  when  he  had  completed  his  education  his  entire  atteii- 
tion  was  given  to  his  farm  duties.  He  continued  to  cultivate  the  old  homestead 
with  his  father  until  1904,  when  he  purchased  the  farm  and  has  since  owned 
and  operated  it.  He  has  added  various  improvements  during  the  period  of  his 
ownership — improvements  that  have  greatly  enhanced  its  attractive  appearance 
and  which  are  indicative  as  well  of  his  progressive  spirit. 

In  January,  1914,  Mr.  Hamlin  was  married  to  Miss  Annie  Knutson,  and  they 
are  now  parents  of  an  interesting  little  daughter,  Amanda,  born  in  June,  1915. 
Politically  Mr.  Hamlin  is  a  republican  and  his  religious  faith  is  that  of  the 
Lutheran  church.  He  and  his  wife  are  held  in  warm  regard  by  their  many  friends 
in  King  township,  and  he  has  gained  a  place  among  the  substantial  farmers  to 
whom  effort  has  opened  the  highroad  to  success.  Along  this  road  he  is  steadily 
progressing  and  has  already  gained  a  place  among  the  well-to-do  farmers  of  the 
county. 


WILLIAM  D.  SMITH. 


For  over  half  a  century  William  D.  Smith  has  been  prominently  identified  with 
the  agricultural  interests  of  Winnebago  county  and  is  today  the  owner  of  a  valuable 
farm  in  Center  township,  his  home  being  on  section  12.  He  was  born  in  Middle- 
sex, Vermont,  on  the  26th  of  December,  1841,  and  belongs  to  an  old  New  England 
family.  His  parents,  Alvin  and  Amanda  (Barnett)  Smith,  were  natives  of  Con- 
necticut. During  his  childhood  the  father  was  taken  by  his  parents  to  Vermont, 
where  he  grew  to  manhood  and  engaged  in  farming  for  some  years.  Eventually 
he  removed  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  and  purchased  forty  acres  of  land  where 
the  town  of  Lake  Mills  now  stands,  but  was  not  long  permitted  to  enjoy  his  new 
home,  dying  shortly  after  his  arrival  in  1868.  His  widow  long  survived  him, 
passing  away  in  1906  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-four  years. 

In  the  state  of  his  nativity  William  D.  Smith  was  reared  and  educated  in  much 
the  usual  manner  of  farmer  boys,  and  when  the  country  became  involved  in  civil 
war  he  put  aside  all  personal  interests  and  entered  the  Union  service.  He  was 
nineteen  years  of  age  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  Thirteenth  Vermont  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  and  he  remained  at  the  front  for  one  year,  the  last  engagement  in 
which  he  participated  being  the  battle  of  Gettysburg.  On  being  mustered  out 
Mr.  Smith  came  direct  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  and  purchased  eighty  acres  of 
his  present  farm  in  Center  township  at  two  dollars  per  acre.  Later  he  bought 
eighty  acres  more  and  today  has  one  of  the  best  improved  and  most  highly  culti- 
vated places  in  the  locality.  His  land  is  located  on  sections  12,  13  and  1,  Center 
township,  and  is  now  operated  by  his  son-in-law,  Byron  Cronk,  who  makes  a 
specialty  of  raising  Black  Polled  cattle. 

On  the  25th  of  October,  1872,  Mr.  Smith  married  Miss  Ella  Keeble,  who  died 
on  the  Ist  of  November,  1899,  after  a  year's  illness.  By  this  union  were  bom 
six  children,  namely :  Minnie,  who  is  now  the  wife  of  Byron  Cronk  and  has  two 
children,  Margaret  and  Majel ;  Frank,  a  farmer  of  Center  township ;  Fred  A.,  also 


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526  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

a  fanner  of  Center  township,  who  is  married  and  has  one  child,  Melva ;  Etta,  who 
is  the  wife  of  M.  J.  Godfrey,  of  Chapin,  Iowa,  and  has  two  children,  Clinton  and 
Clifford;  Etta,  who  died  at  the  age  of  eight  years;  and  William,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  two  years. 

Mr.  Smith  has  practically  retired  from  active  labor,  but  still  owns  his  farm 
and  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Lake  Mills  Lumber  Company  and  the  Lake  Mills 
Creamery  Company.  Since  casting  his  first  presidential  vote  for  Abraham  Lin- 
coln, he  has  always  supported  the  republican  party  and  for  a  number  of  years 
he  served  on  the  school  board  in  his  district.  In  religious  faith  he  is  a  Methodist 
and  he  was  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army  Post  at  Lake  "Mills  until  it  was  dis- 
banded. In  days  of  peace  he  has  been  found  as  true  to  his  country's  interests  as 
in  time  of  war  and  he  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  leading  and  representative  citizens 
of  his  community,  a  man  honored  and  respected  by  all  who  know  him. 


JOHN  I.  KINDEN. 


John  I.  Kinden,  who  is  living  on  section  10,  Norway  township,  Winnebago 
county,  is  cultivating  about  two  hundred  acres  of  land  which  he  and  his  wife  own. 
His  farln  interests  are  carefully  managed  and  intelligently  directed,  and  that  he 
is  leading  a  life  of  energy  and  thrift  is  indicated  in  the  excellent  appearance  of 
his  place.  He  was  bom  in  Norway,  May  21,  1860,  a  son  of  Ingebrit  and  Nickolai 
Kinden,  who  were  farming  people  and  had  a  family  of  seven  children,  of  whom 
John  is  the  youngest.  The  parents  never  came  to  the  United  States  and  only  two 
of  the  children  crossed  the  Atlantic,  these  being  John  and  his  sister  Syneve,  now 
the  wife  of  John  Forde,  of  Worth  county,  Iowa.  The  death  of  the  mother  occurred 
on  the  21st  of  April,  1881,  while  the  father  passed  away  on  the  2d  of  July,  1885. 

John  I.  Kinden  was  at  that  time  a  young  man  of  about  twenty-five  years. 
His  boyhood  and  youth  had  been  spent  in  his  native  country  and  its  public  school 
system  had  afforded  him  his  educational  opportunities.  Following  his  father's 
death  he  came  alone  to  the  United  States,  and  the  fact  that  there  were  many  of 
the  sons  of  Norway  living  in  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  attracted  him  to  this 
section  of  the  state.  For  a  time  he  taught  a  Norwegian  school  at  Norman  but 
afterward  turned  his  attention  to  general  agricultural  pursuits  and  upon  his  farm 
established  his  family.  He  now  owns  the  west  half  of  the  northwest  quarter  of 
section  14,  Norway  township,  while  his  wife  owns  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres 
of  the  southeast  quarter  of  section  10.  He  carefully  tills  his  fields  in  the  pro- 
duction of  those  crops  best  adapted  to  soil  and  climate,  and  the  result  of  his  labors 
is  seen  in  the  excellent  harvests  which  he  annually  gathers. 

In  1892  Mr.  Kinden  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mrs.  Emma  Butler,  the  widow 
of  John  Butler,  who  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Norway  township  but  passed 
away  August  27,  1887,  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  Lime  Creek  cemetery.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Butler  had  four  children,  namely :  Bernard,  who  is  engaged  in  agricultural 
pursuits  in  Worth  county ;  Albert,  who  follows  farming  in  Center  township,  Winne- 
bago county;  Sarah,  the  wife  of  Martin  Erickson,  of  Brown  county,  Minnesota; 
and  Marie,  who  gave  her  hand  in  marriage  to  Edward  Bergeson,  of  Freeborn 
county,  Minnesota.     To  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kinden  have  been  bom 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  527 

five  children,  as  follows:  Nickolai,  Ingebrigt,  Selma,  Anna  and  Sarah,  all  at 
home.  They  are  also  rearing  Mrs.  Kinden's  grandson,  Alfred,  who  is  a  son  of 
Albert  J.  and  Anna  (Peterson)  Butler,  his  mother  having  died  March  24,  1911. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Kinden  is  a  republican,  but  the  honors  and  emolu- 
ments of  oflBce  have  had  no  attraction  for  him.  He  belongs  to  the  Synod 
Lutheran  church  and  has  long  guided  his  life  by  its  teachings.  He  came  to 
America  imbued  with  the  hope  of  finding  better  opportunities  than  he  believed  he 
could  secure  in  his  native  land,  and  having  elected  to  cast  in  his  fortunes  with 
the  American  people,  he  has  ever  been  loyal  to  the  interests  of  the  country. 


HORACE  H.  EICHORN. 


Horace  H.  Eichom,  a  resident  farmer  of  King  township,  Winnebago  county, 
makes  his  home  on  section  24,  where  he  is  the  owner  of  a  good  farm  of  two  hun- 
dred acres.  In  fact,  his  labors  have  resulted  in  making  this  one  of  the  best 
improved  places  of  the  county  and  in  the  production  of  grain  and  in  the  raising 
of  high  grade  stock  he  is  meeting  with  success.  He  was  bom  in  Wright  county, 
Iowa,  August  24,  1872,  and  is  a  son  of  Chris  and  Margaret  (Arnold)  Eichom, 
the  former  a  native  of  Germany,  while  the  latter  was  born  in  Johnson  county, 
Iowa.  It  was  about  1854  that  the  father  came  to  the  United  States  and  made 
his  way  westward  to  Johnson  county,  where  he  purchased  land  and  began  the 
development  and  improvement  of  a  farm,  upon  which  he  lived  for  several  years. 
At  the  time  of  the  Civil  war,  however,  he  put  aside  all  business  and  personal 
considerations  and  joined  the  army,  enlisting  in  Johnson  county  as  a  member  of 
Company  B,  Eighth  Iowa  Infantry,  with  which  he  remained  at  the  front  for  two 
years.  He  was  wounded  on  the  field  of  battle  and  his  was  a  most  creditable 
military  record,  characterized  by  the  utmost  loyalty  to  his  adopted  land.  Follow- 
ing his  military  experience  Mr.  Eichorn  was  married  and  established  his  home 
in  Wright  county,  Iowa,  where  he  rented  land  for  a  time.  He  afterward  removed 
to  Webster  county,  this  state,  and  bought  two  hundred  and  forty  acres,  constitut- 
ing the  fine  farm  upon  which  he  spent  his  remaining  days.  His  labors  wrought 
a  marked  transformation  in  its  appearance  and  in  its  value,  for  he  added  to  it 
manv  modern  equipments  and  improvements  a^d  carried  on  his  farm  work 
according  to  the  most  progressive  methods.  He  died  October  22,  1894.  His 
widow  married  Rudolph  Wilkosske  and  is  now  living  in  Faribault,  Minnesota. 

Horace  H.  Eichorn  was  reared  in  Webster  county  and  pursued  his  education 
in  the  district  schools  of  Fort  Dodge.  No  event  of  special  importance  occurred 
to  vary  the  routine  of  farm  life  for  him  in  his  boyhood  and  he  remained  with 
his  parents  until  he  attained  his  majority.  In  1898  he  arrived  in  Winnebago 
county  and  purchased  two  hundred  acres  of  land  on  section  24,  King  township, 
on  which  he  has  now  lived  for  almost  two  decades.  His  labors  have  been  attended 
with  substantial  results,  for  he  has  today  one  of  the  best  improved  farms  of  the 
county.  This  he  has  continuously  and  successfully  cultivated,  practicing  the  rota- 
tion of  crops  and  utilizing  scientific  methods  of  farming  to  enhance  the  productive- 
ness of  his  fields.  He  now  makes  a  specialty  of  raising  pure  bred  Poland  China 
hogs.     He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  and  the  Coopera- 

il— 26 


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528  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

tive  Creamery  Company  of  Thompson;  also  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Mutual 
Insurance  Company;  and  is  secretary  and  a  director  of  the  Coon  Grove  Telephone 
Company. 

On  the  7th  of  September,  1898,  Mr.  Eichorn  was  married  to  Miss  Evelyn 
Schreiber  and  to  them  have  been  bom  four  children,  Luella,  Pearl,  Wallace  and 
Vera.  The  religious  faith  of  the  family  is  that  of  the  Methodist  church,  while 
in  his  fraternal  relations  Mr.  Eichom  is  a  Knight  of  Pythias.  Since  age  con- 
ferred upon  him  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  voted  with  the  republican  party 
and  is  a  loyal  advocate  of  its  principles.  He  stands  for  progress  and  improve- 
ment in  public  affairs  as  well  as  in  private  business  and  has  ever  given  his  aid 
and  cooperation  to  plans  and  measures  for  the  general  good.  In  business  he  is 
thoroughly  progressive  and  enterprising,  and  his  success  is  the  legitimate  and 
merited  reward  of  his  persistent  effort. 


CARL   K.   NELSON. 


Three  times  elected  to  the  office  of  county  auditor  after  having  served  for  a 
partial  term  to  fill  out  a  vacancy  is  indisputable  evidence  of  the  ability  and  fidelity 
which  Carl  K.  Nelson  has  displayed  as  an  incumbent  in  that  position.  He  was 
born  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  December  11,  1870,  a  son  of  Knut  and  Gertrude 
(Halvorsdatter)  Nelson,  who  were  natives  of  Norway  and  following  their  marriage 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1868.  They  settled  first  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin, 
and  in  1885  came  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa.  The  father  is  a  carpenter  by  trade 
but  followed  the  occupation  of  farming  in  Iowa,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  still 
residents  of  Winnebago  county.  They  became  the  parents  of  eight  children,  of 
whom  Carl  K.,  Nels,  Henry,  Hans  and  Christian  are  now  living.  They  lost  two 
children  who  were  named  Nels  and  one  other  who  died  in  infancy. 

Carl  K.  Nelson  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Winnebago  county  and 
at  Decorah,  Iowa,  and  in  the  Highland  Park  School  at  Des  Moines.  While  in 
the  capital  city  he  took  up  the  study  of  te<egraphy,  but  followed  it  for  only  a 
year.  He  afterward  engaged  in  grain  buying  at  Scarville,  Iowa,  for  five  years 
and  in  1906  he  was  a  candidate  for  the  position  of  county  recorder,  on  which 
occasion  he  was  defeated  by  only  forty-three  votes.  After  the  election  he  was 
appointed  deputy  county  treasurer  and  made  a  most  excellent  record  in  that  posi- 
tion, in  which  he  was  retained  for  five  years,  or  until  October,  1911,  when  he 
was  appointed  county  auditor  to  fill  a  vacancy  for  one  year.  On  the  expiration 
of  that  period  he  was  elected  for  a  two  years'  term  and  has  bfeen  twice  reelected, 
having  no  opposition  at  any  of  his  three  elections,  for  the  public  has  long  since 
become  convinced  not  only  of  his  fidelity  but  of  his  marked  capability  in  office 
and  feels  that  public  office  could  not  be  in  safer  hands.  Mr.  Nelson  has  also 
served  as  township  clerk  of  Logan  township  and  as  secretary  of  the  school  board 
in  Scarville.  He  has  always  given  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party 
and  is  a  firm  believer  in  its  principles. 

On  the  7th  of  July,  1897,  Mr.  Nelson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Emma 
Rusley.  Mrs.  Nelson  is  ^  daughter  of  Ole  0.  and  Johanna  (Christopherson) 
Rusley,  both  born  in  Telemarken,  Norway.    The  father  was  born  in  1850  and  was 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  531 

eleven  years  of  age  when  he  came  with  his  parents  to  the  United  States  in  1861. 
The  birth  of  the  mother  occurred  in  1847  and  in  1869  she  accompanied  her  parents 
on  their  removal  to  the  new  world.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rusley  were  married  in  Winne- 
bago county,  Iowa,  in  1873,  and  became  the  parents  of  seven  children,  namely: 
Ole,  Emma,  Christopher,  John,  Tilda,  Sever  and  Leva.  The  father  died  in  1892, 
and  the  mother  passed  away  in  1910.  The  only  child  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nelson 
died  in  infancy,  but  they  have  an  adopted  daughter,  Selma. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nelson  hold  membership  in  the  United  Lutheran  church  and 
they  make  their  home  in  Forest  City.  Mr.  Nelson  is  also  the  owner  of  a  farm 
which  he  rents,  deriving  therefrom  a  good  income.  They  are  widely  and  favor- 
ably known  in  the  county,  enjoying  the  warm  regard  of  all  with  whom  they  come 
in  contact,  and  over  the  record  of  his  public  career  there  falls  no  shadow  of  wrong 
or  suspicion  of  evil. 


CHRIST  CHRISTENSON. 

Christ  Christenson  is  living  on  a  farm  on  section  23,  Eden  township,  Winne- 
bago county,  which  he  purchased  in  1915  and  has  since  cultivated.  His  entire 
experience  has  been  along  the  line  of  general  agricultural  pursuits  and  he  was 
thus  well  qualified  to  take  charge  of  a  farm  of  his  own.  He  was  bom  October  8, 
1880,  in  Eden  township,  his  parents  being  Anton  and  Anna  (Olson)  Christenson, 
who  are  natives  of  Norway  but  came  to  the  United  States  in  youth.  They  resided 
for  a  time  in  Faribault  county,  Minnesota,  and  were  there  married.  Soon  after- 
ward they  became  residents  of  Eden  township,  where  the  father  cultivated  a  rented 
farm  for  a  few  years.  He  next  purchased  the  southeast  quarter  of  the  southwest 
quarter  of  section  23  and  cleared  and  improved  his  tract  of  forty  acres.  As  his 
financial  resources  increased  he  added  to  his  possessions,  his  second  purchase 
making  him  the  owner  of  eighty  acres  on  section  23,  while  later  he  bought  eighty 
acres  on  section  24  and  now  has  altogether  two  hundred  acres  of  good  land.  His 
has  been  a  busy  life  devoted  to  general  farming.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  United  Lutheran  church  and  his  political  endorsement  is  given  to  the 
republican  party.  He  has  now  reached  the  age  of  seventy-two  years,  while  his 
wife  is  sixty-four  years  of  age.  All  that  they  possess  has  been  acquired  through 
their  earnest  labor  and  the  life  record  of  Anton  Christenson  indicates  what  may 
be  accomplished  when  one  is  ambitious  and  energetic.  In  the  family  were  but 
two  children,  Christ  and  Ole.  The  latter  married  Stella  Larson,  i^  daughter  of 
Thomas  Larson,  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Winnebago  county,  who,  however, 
is  now  residing  near  Fosston,  Minnesota.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ole  Christenson  have 
two  children,  Anna  and  a  baby  boy.  He  is  also  a  farmer  of  Eden  township,  culti- 
vating eighty  acres  of  land  which  he  owns  on  section  24. 

Christ  Christenson  attended  the  public  schools  between  the  ages  of  six  and 
sixteen  years  and  then  concentrated  his  entire  attention  upon  farm  work,  with 
which  he  had  already  become  familiar  while  assisting  his  father  in  the  develop- 
ment and  improvement  of  the  old  homestead.  For  a  time  he  engaged  in  culti- 
vating his  father's  farm  on  the  shares  and  in  1915  he  purchased  from  his  father 
one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  on  section  23,  Eden  township,  where  he 


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532  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

now' makes  his  home.  This  is  a  good  farm,  carefully  cultivated  and  well  improved, 
and  everything  about  the  place  indicates  the  progressive  spirit  and  practical 
methods  of  the  owner. 

Mr.  Christenson  belongs  to  the  United  Lutheran  church  and  his  political 
endorsement  is  given  to  the  republican  party,  but  he  has  neither  time  nor  inclina- 
tion to  seek  oflBce,  preferring  to  concentrate  his  efforts  and  his  energies  upon  his 
business  interests.  All  that  he  possesses  has  been  acquired  through  his  own  labor. 
He  has  carefully  formulated  his  plans  and  the  desire  to  own  a  farm  led  him  to 
practice  economy  as  well  as  industry  until  he  had  acquired  enough  to  make  the 
purchase.  The  years  as  they  go  by  chronicle  his  growing  success  and  he  is  now 
numbered  among  the  substantial  agriculturists  of  his  community. 


ERICK   OLSEN   Ka&BERVIG. 

Erick  Olsen  Kobbervig,  living  on  section  31,  Norway  township,  has  been  a 
resident  of  Winnebago  county  for  forty-one  years  and  throughout  the  greater  part 
of  this  period  has  carried  on  general  farming.  He  is  a  self-made  man,  his  suc- 
cess being  attributable  entirely  to  his  own  efforts,  and  he  is  today  the  owner  of 
two  hundred  and  forty-three  acres  of  rich  and  valuable  land.  He  was  bom  in 
Nordre  Valders,  Norway,  September  25,  1846,  a  son  of  Ole  0.  and  Margaret  O. 
(Brager)  Kobbervig,  who  were  farming  people  of  the  land  of  the  midnight  sun, 
where  they  remained  until  1852,  when  they  crossed  the  Atlantic  and  made  their 
way  to  Dane  county,  Wisconsin.  They  took  passage  on  a  sailing  vessel  which  was 
thirteen  weeks  in  crossing  the  Atlantic.  The  father  took  up  farming  in  Dane 
county  and  there  he  and  his  wife  spent  their  remaining  days,  both  having  now 
passed  away.  Three  of  their  children  were  born  in  Norway,  namely:  Isabel, 
now  the  widow  of  Tostin  Spaanem,  of  Mount  Vernon,  Wisconsin;  Erick  0.;  and 
Amey,  of  Lake  Mills.  After  coming  to  the  United  States,  five  others  were  added 
to  the  family :  Martin,  now  living  on  the  old  homestead  in  Dane  county ;  Maria, 
the  wife  of  0.  S.  Olson,  of  Lake  Mills;  Mrs.  Anna  Nelson,  a  widow  residing  in 
Minneapolis;  Mattie,  the  wife  of  George  Nelson,  of  Van  Metre,  South  Dakota; 
and  Ole,  whose  home  is  in  Kalispell,  Montana. 

Erick  0.  Kobbervig  was  a  little  lad  of  but  five  and  one-half  years  when 
brought  by  his  parents  to  the  new  world  and  in  Dane  county  he  acquired  a  com- 
mon school  education.  When  he  was  a  youth  of  sixteen  he  put  aside  his  textbooks 
to  earn  his  living  as  a  farm  hand,  and  was  thus  employed  until  he  reached  the 
age  of  twenty-two.  He  then  felt  his  age  and  experience  were  sufficient  to  enable 
him  to  engage  in  farming  on  his  own  account  and  from  1869  until  1876  he 
engaged  in  cultivating  rented  land  in  Dane  county.  On  the  18th  of  January  of 
the  latter  year  he  came  with  his  family  to  Lake  Mills,  Iowa,  and  there  resided 
for  a  few  years,  during  which  he  engaged  in  the  implement  business.  He  next 
bought  an  eighty-three  acre  farm  in  Center  township  and  has  since  added  to  his 
original  purchase  by  acquiring  the  Foutheast  quarter  of  section  31,  Norway  town- 
ship, just  across  the  road  from  his  first  tract.  He  has  put  all  the  improvements 
upon  his  place  and  his  labors  have  converted  it  into  a  good  farm  which  is  the 
visible  evidence  of  his  life  of  well  directed  energy  and  thrift.     He  is  a  §tock- 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  533 

holder  in  the  Scarville  Creamery  Company,  the  Farmers  elevators  at  Scarville 
and  Lake  Mills  and  the  Savage  Mail  Order  Company  at  St.  Paul. 

When  twenty-five  years  of  age,. in  January,  1872,  Mr.  Kobbervig  was  married  to 
Miss  Julia  Olson,  of  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  whose  parents  were  among  the 
pioneer  settlers  there.  One  child  bom  to  this  union  died  in  infancy,  while  the 
others  are  still  living,  namely:  Malina,  who  is  the  wife  of  T.  J.  Moe,  of  Lake 
Mills;  Caroline,  at  home;  Mattie,  who  is  the  wife  of  Henry  Dakken,  of  Lake 
Mills;  Otis,  residing  in  Glasgow,  Montana;  Sarah,  who  gave  her  hand  in  mar- 
riage to  Chris  Willardson,  of  Albert  Lea,  Minnesota;  Ella,  at  home;  Agard, 
living  in  St.  Paul,  Minnesota ;  Leonard,  at  home ;  Wilf ord,  who  enlisted  in  the 
United  States  cavalry  from  Des  Moines  and  is  now  stationed  at  Fort  Logan, 
Texas;  and  Alpha,  at  home.  The  wife  and  mother  passed  away  in  September, 
1910,  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  North  cemetery  at  Lake  .Mills.  She  had  been  devoted 
to  her  family  and  was  a  consistent  member  of  the  United  Lutheran  church,  to 
which  Mr.  Kobbervig  also  belongs.  His  political  endorsement  is  given  to  the 
democratic  party,  but  he  has  never  sought  nor  desired  oflBce.  He  served,  however, 
on  the  school  board  at  Lake  Mills  and  as  judge  of  elections  several  times,  and 
he  has  ever  been  interested  in  those  forces  and  movements  which  tend  to  promote 
public  progress  and  improvement.  His  life  has  been  an  exposition  of  that  indus- 
try and  perseverance  which  characterize  the  Norwegian  people  and  his  activities 
have  contributed  much  to  the  agricultural  progress  and  development  of  Winne- 
bago county.  He  has  lived  to  witness  many  changes  here,  for  he  took  up  his 
abode  within  its  borders  in  pioneer  times  and  he  aided  in  laying  broad  and  deep 
the  foundation  upon  which  has  been  built  the  present  progress  and  prosperity 
of  the  district. 


SIVERT  RASMUSON. 


Norway^s  contribution  to  the  citizenship  of  Winnebago  county  includes  Sivert 
Rasmuson,  who  is  living  on  section  14,  King  township.  He  was  bom  February  2, 
1864,  and  is  a  son  of  Sivert  and  Delia  (Hendrickson)  Rasmuson,  who  were 
natives  of  Norway,  where  the  father  followed  the  occupation  of  farming  until 
1884,  when  he  determined  to  try  his  fortune  in  America  and  brought  his  family 
to  the  new  world,  settling  first  in  De  Kalb  county,  Illinois,  where  he  was  employed 
at  farm  labor  for  three  years.  He  then  removed  to  Shelby  county,  Iowa,  where 
he  rented  land  and  continued  its  cultivation  for  seven  years.  He  next  went  to 
Madison  county,  Nebraska,  where  he  cultivated  a  rented  farm  for  five  years.  On 
the  expiration  of  that  period  he  retired  from  active  business  and  removed  to  the 
town  of  Newman^s  Grove,  where  he  spent  his  remaining  days,  his  death  occurring 
in  September,  1912.    His  widow  still  survives. 

Mr.  Rasmuson  of  this  review  was  reared  and  educated  in  Norway,  being 
twenty  years  of  age  when  he  came  with  his  parents  to  the  United  States.  The 
financial  resources  of  the  family  were  such  that  it  was  necessary  that  he  imme- 
diately secure  employment  and  he  worked  as  a  farm  hand  in  Illinois  for  a  time. 
He  later  began  farming  on  his  own  account  in  Shelby  county,  Iowa,  where  be 
remained  for  two  years,  and  then  removed  to  Madison  county,  Nebraska,  where 


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534  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

he  purchased  land  which  he  cultivated  for  three  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that 
period  he  returned  to  Shelby  county,  Iowa,  and  bought  eighty  acres,  which  he 
cultivated  for  three  years.  He  afterward  rented  a  farm  for  eleven  years  and  in 
1907  he  came  to  Winnebago  county,  where  he  bought  one  hundred  and  eighty-three 
acres  in  Eden  township.  This  he  cultivated  for  six  years,  when  he  sold  that 
property  and  became  the  owner  of  his  present  place  of  eighty  acres  on  section  14, 
King  township.  He  has  wrought  notable  changes  in  the  appearance  of  the  place 
during  his  ownership,  converting  it  into  rich  and  productive  fields  divided  into 
tracts  of  convenient  size  by  well  kept  fences.  He  is  making  a  specialty  of  raising 
pure  bred  Duroc  hogs  and  high  grade  Holstein  cattle.  He  is  also  a  stockholder 
in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  of  Rake. 

In  December,  1887,  Mr.  Basmuson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Bertha 
Benson  and  they  have  become  the  parents  of  six  children,  Sander,  Lillie,  Tillie, 
Oena,  Selma  and  Sylvia.  The  family  attend  the  Lutheran  church,  in  which  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Rasmuson  hold  membership.  His  political  views  are  in  accord  with  the 
teachings  and  principles  of  the  republican  party,  and  he  does  not  lightly  hold 
the  duties  and  obligations  of  citizenship,  but  is  loyal  to  the  best  interests  of  the 
community  and  manifests  a  love  and  allegiance  for  his  adopted  land  equal  to  that 
of  many  of  its  native  born  citizens.  He  realizes  the  fact  that  it  has  been  through 
business  conditions  here  that  he  has  been  enabled  to  work  his  way  upward.  Suc- 
cess is  not  to  be  won  in  a  day  nor  without  effort,  a  fact  which  Mr.  Rasmuson 
thoroughly  understood,  and  therefore  he  has  wisely  used  his  chances  day  by  day 
and  his  persistent  labor  has  gained  him  place  among  the  representative  farmers 
of  King  township. 


CARL  L.  SUBY. 


In  the  death  of  Carl  L.  Suby,  Winnebago  county  lost  one  of  its  valued  and 
substantial  citizens,  a  man  whose  sterling  worth  was  manifest  in  every  relation 
and  who  by  reason  of  his  splendid  characteristics  commanded  the  fullest  confidence 
and  regard  of  all  who  knew  him.  He  was  born  in  Dodge  county,  Minnesota, 
July  16,  1870,  a  son  of  Leauf  and  Martha  Suby,  who  were  natives  of  Norway 
but  in  early  life  came  to  the  United  States  and  were  married  in  Dodge  county, 
where  the  father  engaged  in  farming  until  1886.  He  then  removed  to  Mount 
Valley  township,  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  for  a 
long  period,  but  in  his  later  years  he  retired  from  active  business  life  and 
removed  to  Lake  Mills,  where  he  spent  his  remaining  days  in  the  enjoyment  of  a 
well  earned  rest,  having  acquired  a  competence  that  was  sufficient  to  supply  him 
with  all  of  the  necessities  and  comforts  and  some  of  the  luxuries  of  life.  He 
died  September  5,  1913,  while  his  wife  survived  only  until  the  5th  of  June,  1914, 
and  they  were  laid  to  rest  in  the  church  cemetery  on  the  farm  of  Fred  Suby  in 
Mount  Valley  township. 

The  early  advantages  of  Carl  L.  Suby  were  somewhat  limited.  He  enjoyed 
such  educational  opportunities  as  the  pioneer  schools  of  Minnesota  afforded  until 
he  reached  the  age  of  sixteen  years,  when  he  felt  that  he  must  provide  for  his 
own  support  and  began  working  for  others.     Later  he  took  up  the  occupation 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  535 

of  fanning  on  his  own  account  on  rented  land  and  when  he  had  saved  fronH  liis 
earnings  a  sufficient  sum  he  purchased  eighty  acres  in  Mount  Valley  township, 
upon  which  he  carried  on  general  agricultural  pursuits  until  he  reached  the  age 
of  twenty-four.  From  the  time  when  he  started  out  he  displayed  the  utmost 
persistency  of  purpose,  combined  with  indefatigable  energy,  and  utilized  every 
possible  opportunity  for  advancement.  At  length  he  determined  to  try  some  other 
pursuit  than  that  to  which  he  was  reared  and  when  twenty-four  years  of  age  he 
entered  the  employ  of  the  clothing  firm  of  Stadhem  &  Larson  at  Lake  Mills, 
remaining  with  them  until  1903.  In  that  year  he  removed  to  Scarville  and  became 
cashier  of  the  Bank  of  Scarville,  with  Ole  Scar  as  the  president  and  Joseph 
Keeler  as  vice  president.  The  bank  was  organized  in  that  year  and  the  original 
officers  continued  in  their  respective  positions  until  1911  with  the  addition,  in 
1907,  of  George  Throntveit  as  assistant  cashier.  In  1911  Mr.  Suby  purchased 
all  the  stock  of  the  bank,  becoming  sole  owner  and  its  president,  with  George 
Throntveit  as  cashier.  The  latter  served  in  that  position  until  1913,  when  he 
was  succeeded  by  L.  R.  Lunoe,  who  remained  as  cashier  until  January,  1914.  At 
that  time  A.  Melvin  Larson  became  cashier  and  is  still  serving.  The  bank  was 
conducted  as  a  private  institution  until  a  recent  date,  when  it  was  incorporated, 
and  is  now  operating  as  a  savings  bank  under  the  laws  of  Iowa  with  a  capital 
stock  of  fifteen  thousand  dollars.  Mr.  Suby  remained  as  the  president  of  the 
bank  until  his  death,  which  occurred  on  the  14th  of  April,  1917.  The  present 
officers  are:  T.  A.  Kin^land,  president;  Dr.  J.  I.  Suby,  vice  president;  and  A. 
Melvin  Larson,  cashier,  and  in  connection  with  these  three  on  the  board  of  directors 
are  George  Throntveit  and  Mrs.  C.  L.  Suby.  In  1916  Dr.  J.  I.  Suby  purchased 
an  interest  in  the  bank  and  was  then  chosen  vice  president.  This  bank  largely 
stands  as  a  monument  to  the  enterprise,  good  business  ability  and  sound  judgment 
of  Carl  L.  Suby,  who  directed  its  policies  from  the  beginning  and  whose  adminis- 
trative power  and  executive  control  placed  it  upon  a  safe  footing,  making  it  one 
of  the  substantial  financial  concerns  of  the  county.  In  addition  to  his  banking 
interests  Mr.  Suby  was  treasurer  of  the  Cooperative  Creamery,  the  elevator  and 
the  telephone  companies  of  Scarville,  and  his  life  record  was  an  exemplification 
of  that  progressive  spirit  which  has  been  manifest  in  the  organization  of  interests 
for  the  benefit  of  the  many. 

On  the  24th  of  January,  1900,  Mr.  Suby  was  married  to  Miss  Gunda  Thront- 
veit, a  daughter  of  Jorgen  and  Gunhild  (Olson)  Throntveit,  who  were  natives  of 
Norway,  where  they  were  reared  and  married,  and  there  the  father  died.  Mrs. 
Suby  came  to  the  United  States  when  a  young  lady  of  twenty  years  and  prior  to 
her  marriage  lived  in  Albert  Lea,  Minnesota.  In  1910  the  mother  came  to 
America  and  is  now  living  with  her  son,  George  Throntveit,  in  Scarville.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Suby  became  the  parents  of  six  children,  namely.  Myrtle  G.,  John  L.,  Lutlier, 
Carl  Gustav,  Le  Roy  M.,  who  died  May  7,  1915,  and  Paul  J. 

The  family  occupy  a  fine  residence  in  Scarville,  Mr.  Suby  having  left  his 
family  in  very  comfortable  financial  circimistances.  He  was  most  devoted  to  the 
welfare  of  his  wife  and  children  and  counted  no  personal  effort  or  sacrifice  on 
his  part  too  great  if  it  would  enhance  their  happiness.  His  life  was  ever  honor- 
able and  upright  and  was  guided  by  the  teachings  of  the  Synod  Lutheran  church, 
of  which  he  was  a  devoted  member.     In  politics  he  was  a  republican  and  for 


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536  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

twelve  years  served  as  mayor  of  Scarville,  while  during  the  last  year  of  his  life  he 
was  treasurer  of  the  town.  His  long  incumbency  in  the  oflBce  of  chief  executive 
indicated  his  marked  fidelity  and  the  ability  with  which  he  discharged  his  duties, 
his  administration  being  characterized  by  various  needed  reforms  and  improve- 
ments. As  a  business  man,  as  a  citizen  and  as  a  husband  and  father  he  ranked 
high  and  he  left  to  his  family  not  only  the  substantial  rewards  of  his  labor  but 
also  the  priceless  heritage  of  an  untarnished  name. 


EDWARD  GRIFFIN. 


Edward  Griffin,  engaged  in  farming  on  section  2,  German  township,  Hancock 
county,  is  also  actively  interested  in  public  affairs  of  his  community  and  has  filled 
a  number  of  the  local  offices.  He  was  bom  in  Germany,  September  1,  1854,  a 
son  of  Ludwig  and  Charlotte  (Horsman)  Griffin,  who  were  also  natives  of  that 
country  and  have  now  departed  this  life.  It  was  in  July,  1880,  that  Edward 
Griffin  came  to  America,  being  then  a  young  man  of  twenty-six  years.  He  made 
his  way  to  Clayton,  Iowa,  where  he  secured  work  on  a  farm  through  the  summer, 
while  in  the  winter  he  engaged  in  chopping  cord  wood.  Two  years  were  thus 
passed,'  after  which  he  was  married  and  established  his  home  in  German  town- 
ship, purchasing  two  hundred  and  sixteen  acres  of  land  on  section  S  for  twenty- 
three  dollars  per  acre.  He  afterward  piirchased  a  tract  of  eighty  acres  on  the 
same  section  and  afterward  another  tract  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres.  His 
next  purchase  made  him  owner  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  29  in 
the  same  township  and  thus  he  has  become  one  of  the  extensive  landowners  of 
the  county.  His  holdings  are  all  well  improved  and  he  is  one  of  the  progressive 
and  representative  farmers  of  his  section  of  the  state.  Great  changes  have  occurred 
as  the  years  have  passed  on.  He  had  no  money  with  which  to  buy  horses,  but 
oxen  sold  at  a  low  price  and  for  a  considerable  time  he  used  an  ox  and  one  horse. 
Great  improvements  have  been  made  in  farm  machinery,  too,  and  he  has  kept 
pace  with  the  changes  that  time  and  man  have  wrought.  The  Rock  Island  Rail- 
road has  been  built  into  this  section  since  his  arrival  and  the  work  of  development 
has  been  carried  steadily  forward,  Mr.  Griffin  bearing  his  part  in  the  advance- 
ment of  the  agricultural  interests  of  this  section,  which  have  been  the  basis  of  all 
the  prosperity  and  upbuilding  of  Hancock  county.  In  addition  to  his  farming 
interests  Mr.  Griffin  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Cooperative  Creamery  of  Gamer. 

On  the  25th  of  November,  1881,  Mr.  Griffin  was  married  to  Mrs.  Mary  Lange, 
a  daughter  of  Frederick  and  Christina  (Sexsaur)  Arnold,  who  were  natives  of 
Germany  and  came  to  the  new  world  in  1851,  settling  in  Clajrton  county,  Iowa, 
where  the  father  purchased  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres.  Both  he  and 
his  wife  are  now  deceased.  By  a  former  marriage  Mrs.  Griffin  had  three  chil- 
dren: -Emaline  A.  Lange,  now  the  wife  of  George  Beavers,  who  is  farming  near 
Algona,  Iowa;  Alvina  T.  Lange,  the  wife  of  Fred  Chase,  who  follows  farming  in 
Avery  township,  Hancock  county;  and  Albert  J.  Lange,  who  married  Maggie 
Hammond  and  is  engaged  in  farming  on  section  28,  German  township.  FouV 
children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Griffin.  John  A.,  who  married  Lillian 
Able,  is  living  on  the  old  homestead  on  section  2,  German  township.    Louis  H., 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  537 

who  wedded  Emma  Schlawein,  resides  on  section  28,  German  township.  Alice  F., 
who  married  Rudolph  XJpmeyer,  devotes  his  attention  to  general  agricultural  pur- 
suits on  section  2,  German  township.  Nettie  M.  is  the  wife  of  Benjamin  Greiman, 
living  on  section  15,  German  township. 

Politically  Mr.  GriflSn  is  a  republican,  having  given  stalwart  support  to  the 
party  since  becoming  a  naturalized  American  citizen.  He  is  now  serving  as  town- 
ship trustee  and  he  has  been  called  upon  to  fill  a  number  of  local  offices  by  his 
fellow  townsmen,  who  have  recognized  his  worth  and  ability.  For  ten  years  he 
was  school  treasurer  and  for  eighteen  years  a  member  of  the  school  board,  while 
for  twelve  years  he  has'  been  road  boss.  His  duties  have  ever  been  discharged 
with  promptness  and  fidelity  and  his  has  been  a  creditable  record  in  office.  His 
religious  faith  is  indicated  by  his  membership  in  the  German  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.  He  has  never  had  occasion  to  regret  his  determination  to  come  to  the 
new  world.  He  voluntarily  made  choice  of  America  as  a  place  of  residence  and 
has  ever  felt  that  he  owes  his  allegiance  to  the  land  of  his  adoption.  He  has, 
therefore,  labored  to  further  the  welfare  of  the  community  in  which  he  lives  and 
has  stood  loyally  by  the  democratic  principles  of  the  government. 


CHRISTIAN  N.  CHARLSON. 

Christian  N.  Charlson,  living  on  section  18,  Center  township,  has  always 
devoted  his  life  to  general  agricultural  pursuits  and  his  labors  have  won  for  him 
a  creditable  position  among  the  substantial  farmers  of  Winnebago  county.  He 
now  owns  four  hundred  acres  of  rich  and  valuable  land  which  is  the  visible  evi- 
dence of  his  life  of  well  directed  energy  and  thrift,  and,  moreover,  his  is  one  of 
the  finest  improved  places  of  the  county.  Mr.  Charlson  is  a  native  of  Wisconsin. 
He  was  bom  in  Dane  county  on  the  8th  of  November,  1855,  and  is  a  son  of 
Nels  and  Ellen  Charlson,  who  are  mentioned  on  another  page  of  this  work. 

Reared  in  his  native  county  to  the  age  of  ten  years.  Christian  N.  Charlson 
then  accompanied  his  parents  to  Iowa  and  has  since  made  his  home  in  Winnebago 
county.  His  education,  b^un  in  the  schools  of  Wisconsin,  was  continued  in  this 
state  and  in  the  school  of  experience  he  has  also  learned  many  valuable  lessons. 
Through  the  period  of  his  boyhood  and  youth  he  worked  with  his  father  upon 
the  home  farm,  remaining  with  his  parents  until  he  attained  his  ihajority,  after 
which  he  started  out  independently,  renting  land  for  a  year.  He  was  ambitious, 
however,  to  own  land  and  engage  in  farming  on  his  own  account,  so  carefully 
saving  his  earnings,  he  was  after  a  year  able  to  purchase  forty  acres  of  his  present 
place,  to  which  he  has  added  from  time  to  time  as  his  financial  resources  have 
increased  until  he  is  now  the  owner  of  four  hundred  acres,  of  which  two  hundred 
and  forty  acres  is  situated  on  sections  7  and  18,  Center  township,  the  buildings 
being  on  the  latter  section.  He  also  has  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section 
13,  Newton  township,  also  a  highly  improved  tract  which  adjoins  the  two  hundred 
and  forty  acres  on  the  west.  There  are  three  sets  of  buildings  upon  his  farm. 
He  has  a  thoroughly  up-to-date  farm  supplied  with  all  modem  equipments,  con- 
veniences and  accessories,  no  feature  of  the  model  farm  of  the  twentieth  century 
being  lacking.  In  addition  to  his  farming  interests  Mr.  Charlson  is  a  stockholder 
of  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company,  of  the  Lake  Mills  Lumber  Company  and  the 


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538  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

Lake  Mills  Creamery  Company  and  of  the  first  two  he  is  a  director.  He  is  much 
interested  in  dairy  farming  and  he  now  milks  twenty-two  cows. 

On  February  13,  1877,  Mr.  Charlson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Bertha 
Jensen,  a  daughter  of  Jens  and  Mary  Jenson,  who  are  mentioned  in  connection 
with  the  sketch  of  L.  A.  Jensen,  an  attorney  of  Forest  City,  on  another  page  of 
this  work.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Charlson  have  been  born  eleven  children,  as  follows: 
Jens  C,  who  married  Miss  Mattie  Twito;  Nels  C,  who  wedded  Miss  Sarah  Tistel; 
Martin,  who  married  Miss  Ada  Twito;  Chris,  who  married  Miss  Emma  J.  Olson; 
Samuel,  who  wedded  Miss  Esther  Meyer ;  Ole ;  Richard ;  Lester ;  Ella,  who  became 
the  wife  of  Oscar  Dahlen  and  passed  away  in  September,  1907;  Clara,  who  gave 
her  hand  in  marriage  to  Gilbert  Thompson,  an  agriculturist  residing  near  Leland ; 
and  Wilma. 

Mr.  Charlson  votes  with  the  republican  party,  which  he  has  supported  since 
age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise.  He  and  his  family  are  connected 
with  the  United  Lutheran  church  and  his  religious  beliefs  guide  him  in  all  life's 
relations,  making  him  a  man  whom  to  know  is  to  esteem  and  honor.  He  has 
many  sterling  qualities  and  everywhere  is  spoken  of  in  terms  of  high  regard. 


ELLING  FLUGUM. 


Elling  Flugum  is  a  representative  farmer  of  King  township  and  one  who  takes 
an  active  and  helpful  interest  in  public  affairs,  doing  all  in  his  power  to  advance 
general  progress  and  improvement.  He  was  born  in  Norway  in  September,  1863, 
a  son  of  Elling  and  Ingeborg  Flugum,  who  were  likewise  natives  of  that  country. 
The  father  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade  and  followed  the  occupation  of  farming  in 
Norway  throughout  his  entire  life.  He  there  passed  away  in  1915,  having  attained 
the  remarkable  old  age  of  ninety-eight  years,  and  his  widow  is  still  living  in  Nor- 
way at  the  age  of  ninety  years. 

Elling  Flugum  was  a  young  man  of  twenty-two  years  when  he  determined  to 
come  to  the  new  world.  Bidding  adieu  to  friends  and  njitive  land,  he  sailed  for 
the  United  States  in  1885,  and  after  reaching  an  American  port  made  his  way 
across  the  country  to  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  where  many  of  his  fellow  country- 
men had  previously  located.  There  he  worked  as  a  farm  hand  for  eleven  years, 
after  which  he  came  with  his  brother  to  Winnebago  county  and  bought  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  acres  of  land  on  section  14,  King  township,  thus  investing  the 
money  which  he  had  previously  acquired  as  the  reward  of  his  industry.  In  this 
purchase  he  was  a  partner  of  his  brother  and  together  they  operated  the  tract  for 
two  years,  after  which  they  divided  the  farm,  Elling  Flugum  taking  the  west  half 
of  the  quarter.  He  has  since  made  splendid  improvements  upon  it,  and  through 
the  intervening  years  has  continuously  owned  and  cultivated  it.  His  labors  find 
visible  evidence  in  the  substantial  buildings,  the  well  kept  fields  and  the  good 
stock  upon  his  place.  He  is  also  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company 
and  in  the  Cooperative  Creamery  Company  of  Thompson,  thus  showing  his  sym- 
pathy with  those  plans  of  organization  and  cooperation  which  are  are  for  mutual 
benefit  among  the  farmers. 

In  January,  1895,  Mr.  Flugum  was  married  to  Martha  Boyum  Olson  and  they 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  539 

became  the  parents  of  seven  children,  Hose,  Elmer,  Ida,  Gertrude,  Jeannette, 
Norma  and  Margaret.  In  religious  faith  the  family  are  Lutherans  and  loyally 
adhere  to  the  teachings  of  the  church.  Mr.  Flugum  votes  with  the  republican 
party  but  has  never  sought  nor  filled  political  office,  although  for  three  years  he 
served  as  a  member  of  the  school  board.  He  is  interested  in  matters  of  public 
moment  as  well  as  in  private  business  affairs  and  has  helpfully  supported  many 
measures  for  the  general  good. 


CHRISTIAN    NELSON. 


Christian  Nelson,  well  known  as  a  representative  and  respected  farmer  of 
Eden  township,  Winnebago  county,  living  on  section  27,  was  born  near  Stavanger, 
in  the  county  of  Vegedal,  Norway,  February  2,  1848,  his  parents  being  Nels  and 
Mary  (Olson)  Nelson.  In  the  family  were  eleven  children,  four  of  whom  are 
yet  living:  Christian;  Severt,  who  still  makes  his  home  in  Norway;  Ada,  the 
wife  of  Nels  Walle,  of  Norway;  and  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Hanson,  of  that  country. 
The  parents  never  came  to  the  United  States,  the  father  always  following  farming 
in  the  Und  of  the  midnight  sun. 

Christian  Nelson  pursued  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native 
country  until  confirmed.  He  remained  a  resident  of  Norway  until  twenty-four 
years  of  age,  when  the  favorable  reports  which  he  heard  concerning  the  business 
conditions  and  opportunities  of  the  new  world  proved  to  him  an  irresistible 
attraction  and  he  crossed  the  Atlantic  to  the  United  States  in  1872.  He  made 
his  way  first  to  Benton  county,  Iowa,  where  he  remained  for  five  years  and  then 
removed  to  Worth  county  where  his  older  brother,  Ole,  had  previously  located, 
he  being  the  only  other  member  of  the  family  in  the  United  States.  For  two 
years  Christian  Nelson  worked  as  a  farm  hand  and  then  purchased  the  southeast 
quarter  of  section  25,  Eden  township,  Winnebago  county.  It  was  a  tract  of 
raw  land  on  which  not  a  furrow  had  been  turned,  nor  an  improvement  made, 
but  he  at  once  began  to  develop  the  property  and  resided  thereon  for  five  years, 
his  labors  producing  a  marked  change  in  the  appearance  and  in  the  condition 
of  the  farm.  At  length  he  sold  that  property  and  bought  one  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  on  section  27,  Eden  township.  This,  too,  was  wild  land  but  in 
a  short  space  of  time  it  had  been  placed  under  the  plow  and  was  producing 
good  crops  He  has  since  extended  the  boundaries  of  his  place  by  the  purchase 
of  an  additional  tract  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  and  is  now  the  owner 
of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  valuable  land  in  Eden  township.  He  is  also 
a  stockholder  in  the  elevator  and  creamery  of  Thompson. 

On  the  23d  of  May,  1878,  Mr.  Nelson  was  married  to  Miss  Carrie  Gilbertson, 
a  daughter  of  Gilbert  and  Anna  Dahl,  who  were  natives  of  Norway,  where  they 
were  reared  and  married.  Their  daughter,  Mrs.  Nelson,  was  two  years  of  age 
when  tliey  crossed  the  Atlantic  with  their  family  and  established  their  home 
near  Northwood,^  in  Worth  county,  Iowa.  Still  later  they  became  residents  of 
Silver  Lake  township  in  that  county  and  there  the  father  engaged  in  farming 
until  his  life's  labors  were  ended  in  death.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were  laid  to 
rest  in  the  Lime  Creek  Church  cemetery  near  Emmons,  Minnesota.     Mr.  and 


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540  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

Mrs.  Nelson  have  become  parents  of  nine  children,  as  follows:  Nels,  who  resides 
near  Leland,  in  Winnebago  county;  Anna,  who  gave  her  hand  in  marriage  to 
Tom  Slyde,  of  Thompson;  Minnie,  who  is  the  wife  of  Chris  Jensen,  of  Forest 
township;  Gina,  the  wife  of  Hans  El lef son,  of  Stutsman  county.  North  Dakota; 
Andrew,  who  operates  the  home  farm;  Clara,  the  wife  of  Charles  Mans,  of 
Stutsman  county.  North  Dakota;  Gilbert,  who  cultivates  the  home  place;  and 
Ada  and  Oscar,  both  at  home. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nelson  hold  membership  in  the  United  Lutheran  church  and 
his  political  allegiance  is  given  to  the  republican  party.  His  has  been  an  active 
and  useful  life,  fraught  with  good  results.  The  excellence  of  a  plan  is  determined 
by  the  real  accomplishment  of  its  full  purpose.  Mr.  Nelson  has  always  formed 
his  plans  carefully  and  has  carried  them  forward  to  successful  completion.  He 
early  realized  that  obstacles  and  difficulties  can  be  overcome  by  persistent,  earnest 
effort  and  he  has  therefore  never  allowed  them  to  bar  his  path.  Working  dili- 
gently, making  each  day  count  as  a  full-faithed  attempt  to  accomplish  something, 
he  has  gone  on  year  by  year  and  has  won  a  place  among  the  men  of  affluence 
in  Eden  township,  being  now  the  possessor  of  a  comfortable  competence. 


MABTIN    BUCKLY. 


Martin  Buckly,  a  representative  of  the  farming  interests  of  Hancock  county, 
is  living  on  section  7,  German  township,  and  that  he  has  prospered  as  the  years 
have  gone  on  is  indicated  in  the  fact  that  he  has  from  time  to  time  added  to 
his  landed  possessions  until  his  holdings  now  amount  to  two  hundred  and  forty 
acres.  He  was  born  November  12,  1857,  in  Clayton  county,  Iowa,  a  son  of 
Dennis  and  Mary  (McCarthy)  Buckly,  who  were  natives  of  Ireland  and  crossed 
the  broad  Atlantic  to  the  new  world  in  1847,  at  which  time  they  took  up  their 
abode  near  Brattleboro,  Vermont,  where  the  father  followed  railroading  for  a 
time.  At  an  early  day,  however,  they  came  to  Iowa,  casting  in  their  lot  with 
the  pioneer  settlers  of  Clayton  county,  and  both  are  now  deceased. 

Reared  under  the  parental  roof,  Martin  Buckly  attended  the  public  schools 
of  Clayton  county  until  he  reached  the  age  of  sixteen  years  and  afterward  had 
the  benefit  of  another  year's  instruction,  thus  qualifying  for  life's  practical  and 
responsible  duties.  At  the  age  of  twenty  years  he  began  working  as  a  farm  hand 
and  was  employed  in  that  way  and  in  herding  cattle  in  Hancock  county  for 
eight  years.  He  afterward  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  on  section  7,  German 
township,  for  which  he  paid  five  dollars  per  acre.  This  was  about  1880.  His 
second  purchase  was  made  in  1890,  when  he  secured  eighty  acres  on  section  12, 
Erin  township,  for  which  he  paid  sixteen  dollars  and  a  half  per  acre.  He  after- 
ward bought  eighty  acres  on  section  7  in  1909  and  for  that  tract  paid  thirty-five 
dollars  per  acre.  His  land  has  since  greatly  increased  in  value,  owing  to  his 
cultivation  and  to  the  improvements  which  he  has  put  upon  the  property.  His 
work  has  wrought  a  marked  transformation  in  the  appearance  of  the  place  and 
his  labors  result  in  the  harvesting  of  good  crops  annually.  He  is  also  a  stockholder 
in  the  Britt  Creamery  and  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  of  Britt. 

On  the  29th   of   November,   1888,   Mr.   Buckly  was  married  to  Miss   Ellen 


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WINNEBAGO  AND  HANCOCK  COUNTIES     541 

Quinlan,  a  daughter  of  Philip  and  Ellen  (Donovan)  Quinlan,  who  were  natives 
of  Ireland  but  died  in  America.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Buckly  have  become  parents  of 
five  children,  a  son  and  four  daughters:  Raymond  W.,  Mayme  L.,  Agnes  E., 
Ella  M.,  and  Cecelia  F.    The  second  daughter  is  now  teaching  school. 

The  family  are  conmiunicants  of  the  Catholic  church  and  in  politics  Mr. 
Buckly  is  a  democrat.  He  has  served  as  township  trustee  for  many  years  and 
for  one  year  was  a  school  director.  He  is  interested  in  community  affairs,  sup- 
porting all  practical  plans  and  measures  for  the  public  good,  and  he  enjoys  the 
confidence  and  goodwill  of  his  fellow  townsmen.  For  thirty-seven  years  he  has 
resided  upon  his  present  farm  and  is  well  known  as  one  of  the  active  and  repre- 
sentative agriculturists  of  German  township. 


FOREST  SECOR. 


Forest  Secor  was  bom  October  29,  1890,  in  Forest  City,  where  he  still  resides, 
and  is  a  son  of  Willard  and  Gladys.  (Sallie)  Secor,  the  former  also  a  native 
of  Forest  City  and  a  son  of  the  Hon.  Eugene  Secor.  He  acquired  his  education 
in  the  local  schools  and  at  Cornell  College  and  then  engaged  in  the  real  estate 
business  in  Mora,  Minnesota,  therd  continuing  until  March,  1916,  when  he 
disposed  of  his  business  interests  there  and  returned  to  Forest  City  to  settle  up 
his  father^s  estate.  In  the  meantime,  he  purchased  the  Forest  Theatre,  which  he 
is  now  conducting. 

In  1914  Mr.  Secor  was  united  in  marriage  to. Miss  Zella  Moon,  of  Vinton, 
Iowa.  He  is  connected  with  the  following  organizations:  Forest  City  Lodge, 
No.  213,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.;  Bethel  Chapter,  No.  116,  R.  A.  M.,  of  Gamer;  Forest 
City  Lodge,  I.  0.  0.  F. ;  and  the  Minneapolis  Athletic  Club.  His  political 
allegiance  is  given  to  the  republican  party. 


GEORGE   W.    PLATT. 


An  excellent  farm  in  Twin  Lake  township,  Hancock  county,  situated  on  section 
12,  pays  tribute  to  the  care  and  labor  bestowed  upon  it  by  its  owner,  George  W. 
Piatt.  This  farm  is  carefully  and  systematically  cultivated,  and  Mr.  Piatt  ranks 
with  the  wide-awake  and  progressive  agriculturists  of  his  district.  He  was  born 
February  2,  1871,  a  son  of  William  and  Matilda  (Eastepp)  Piatt,  the  former 
a  native  of  Maine  and  the  latter  of  West  Virginia. 

It  was  in  the  schools  of  West  Virginia  that  George  W.  Piatt  pursued  his 
education,  after  which  he  devoted  six  years  to  farm  work  in  that  locality.  He 
then  went  to  Pittsburgh,  Penjisylvania,  where  he  was  employed  for  three  years 
in  a  bakery,  and  later  he  engaged  in  peddling  for  eighteen  months.  He  was 
also  employed  for  two  years  as  a  coal  miner  in  West  Virginia  and  devoted  three 
years  to  work  in  the  steel  mills  of  Ohio.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he 
came  to  Iowa  and  engaged  in  railroad  work  for  three  months.  He  afterward 
secured  work  as  a  farm  hand  in  Illinois,  where  he  spent  five  years  and  then  came 


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542  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

to  Iowa,  where  he  worked  for  one  year  on  a  farm.  In  purchasing  land  he  secured 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  12,  Twin  Lake  township,  Hancock  county, 
eighty  acres  on  section  13  and  eighty  acres  on  section  11,  so  that  he  owns  alto- 
gether three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  rich  and  productive  land  in  Twin  Lake 
township.  He  is  carrying  on  general  farming  and  his  labors  are  attended  with 
a  gratifying  measure  of  prosperity,  for  his  affairs  are  wisely  managed. 

.  On  the  30th  of  January,  1902,  Mr.  Piatt  was  married  to  Mrs.  Lizzie  Etchen, 
a  daughter  of  Herman  and  Caroline  (Bemoking)  Eickmeier,  who  were  natives 
of  Germany  and  about  1860  became  residents  of  Illinois.  By  her  former  marriage 
Mrs.  Piatt  had  six  children,  Louis  F.,  Lillie,  Albert,  Fred,  Rosa  and  John.  In 
his  political  views  Mr.  Piatt  is  a  republican  and  his  life  is  guided  by  the  teachings 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  of  which  he  is  a  loyal  and  helpful  member. 


OLE   0.   TVETEN. 


Ole  0.  Tveten  still  holds  title  to  two  hundred  acres  in  Center  township  and  also 
owns  land  in  Minnesota  but  is  leaving  the  o|)eration  of  his  properties  to  others  and 
is  enjoying  a  well  earned  rest,  making  his  home  in  Lake  Mills.  He  was  bom 
March  12,  1840,  in  Nissedal,  Norway,  and  is  the  youngest  son  of  Ole  Halvorson  and 
Torbor  ( Johnsdatter)  Tveten,  lifelong  residents  of  the  land  of  the  midnight  sun. 

Ole  0.  Tveten  was  educated  in  his  native  country  and  remained  there  until 
he  was  twenty-two  years  old,  when  he  brought  his  wife  to  the  United  States, 
settling  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin.  He  remained  there  for  two  years  and  was 
for  one  year  a  resident  of  Goodhue  county,  Minnesota,  and  for  two  years  of  McLeod 
county,  that  state.  His  next  removal  was  to  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  and  during 
the  intervening  period,  or  for  more  than  a  half  century,  he  has  continued  to  reside 
within  its  borders.  He  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  Center  town- 
ship and  later  two  hundred  and  eighty  acres  and  successfully  engaged  in  farming 
until  1912,  when  he  retired  and  took  up  his  home  in  Lake  Mills.  He  made  many 
improvements  upon  his  place  and  brought  his  land  to  a  high  state  of  cultivation. 
As  the  years  passed  his  resources  steadily  increased,  for  bis  grain  and  stock  brought 
good  prices  on  the  market  and  he  managed  his  business  affairs  well.  He  is  now  in 
excellent  circumstances.  He  retains  title  to  his  home  farm  and  also  o\^tis  land 
in  Minnesota. 

In  1862,  in  Norway,  Mr.  Tveten  was  married  to  Miss  Susanna  Abramsdatter 
Midbo,  whose  parents  never  came  to  America.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tveten  have 
been  bom  ten  children,  as  follows :  Torbor,  the  wife  of  Olaf  Tveit,  of  Mahnomen, 
Minnesota;  Abram,  who  is  married  and  resides  in  Center  township;  Gunhild, 
who  died  in  infancy;  Ole,  whose  home  is  in  Lake  Mills;  Halvor,  who  is  married 
and  resides  in  Lake  Mills;  Gunhild,  also  of  Lake  Mills;  Anne  Helene,  who  died  at 
the  age  of  thirty-three  years;  Jacob,  who  is  married  and  is  a  pastor  at  Lee,  Illinois ; 
Andrea,  the  wife  of  Torval  Torvalson,  of  Center  township;  and  Johanna,  the 
wife  of  T.  Ebrech,  of  Crosby,  North  Dakota. 

Mr.  Tveten  has  been  a  staunch  supporter  of  the  republican  party  but  has  never 
sought  office.  He  belongs  to  the  United  Lutheran  church  and  in  its  teachings  are 
found  the  principles  which  have  guided  his  conduct.    Practically  his  entire  life  has 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  543 

been  given  to  agricultural  pursuits  and  during  the  years  that  he  was  actively 
engaged  in  farming  he  was  a  factor  in  the  development  of  the  county  along  those 
lines,  for  he  was  always  ready  to  discard  an  old  method  for  a  new  one  that  promised 
to  be  more  eflfective. 


JOSEPH  H.  REVELL. 


Winnebago  county  has  been  signally  fortunate  in  the  class  of  men  who  have 
occupied  her  public  oflBces,  for  on  the  whole  they  have  been  progressive  citizens, 
putting  forth  earnest  effort  to  protect  the  best  interests  of  the  community.  On 
the  list  of  capable  officials  here  appears  the  name  of  Joseph  H.  Bevell,  who  is 
now  county  sheriff  and  who  makes  his  home  at  Forest  City.  He  was  bom  in 
Beaver  Dam,  Wisconsin,  January  31,  1859,  a  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Rhames) 
Bevell,  who  in  1861  became  residents  of  Mitchell  county,  Iowa,  where  the  father 
engaged  in  farming.  There  the  mother  passed  away  and  later  Mr.  Revell  removed 
to  North  Dakota,  where  his  remaining  days  were  spent. 

Joseph  H.  Revell  acquired  a  public  school  education  and  in  the  year  1875 
he  became  a  resident  of  Lake  Mills,  Iowa,  where  he  worked  for  four  years  in  the 
employ  of  George  Thomas.  He  afterward  spent  one  year  in  Mitchell  county,  this 
state,  and  then  returned  to  Lake  Mills,  where  for  a  year  he  was  employed  by 
S.  D.  Wadsworth.  On  the^piration  of  that  period  he  removed  to  Fort  Dodge, 
Iowa,  where  he  continue^  for  eight  years.  Once  more  he  became  a  resident  of 
Lake  Mills  and  was  employed  in  the  implement  store  of  Eckert  &  Williams. 
In  1910,  however,  he  was  called  to  public  office,  being  nominated  and  elected 
to  the  position  of  sheriff  of  Winnebago  county.  The  faithfulness  and  capability 
which  he  displayed  during  "his  first  term  led  to  his  reelection  and  he  is  now 
serving  for  the  fourth  term  in  that  position,  proving  a  most  faithful  custodian 
of  the  rights  and  liberties  of  the  individual  under  the  law. 

In  October,  1901,  Mr.  Revell  was  married  to  Mrs.  Villie  Davey,  of  Lake  Mills. 
Her  father  was  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  that  part  of  the  county.  By  a  former 
marriage  Mr.  Revell  had  five  children  and  by  his*  second  marriage  has  one.  In 
politics  he  has  ever  been  an  earnest  republican  since  age  conferred  upon  him  the 
right  of  franchise  and  fraternally  he  is  connected  with  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows  and  with  the  Yeomen.  He  has  become  widely  known  in  Winnebago 
county,  where  he  first  took  up  his  abode  in  1875,  and  his  reliability  and  progres- 
sive spirit  have  made  him  a  valued  citizen,  well  worthy  of  the  confidence  which 
is  accorded  him. 


ANDREW  JORDANGER. 

Andrew  Jordanger,  living  on  section  29,  Amsterdam  township,  is  the  owner 
of  an  excellent  farm  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  and  is  regarded  as  one 
of  the  representative  agriculturists  of  Hancock  county.  In  addition  to  his  home 
place  he  has  other  valuable  properties  in  Iowa,  his  landed  possessions  aggregating 
altogether  seven  hundred  and  sixty  acres.    He  was  born  in  Norway  in  November, 


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544  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

1860,  a  son  of  Essen  and  Carrie  (Jordanger)  Jordanger,  who  were  likewise 
natives  of  that  country. 

Andrew  Jordanger  spent  the  first  twenty-seven  years  of  his  life  in  his  native  land 
and  on  coming  to  America  in  1887  made  his  way  to  Morris,  Illinois.  He  had 
pursued  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Norway  to  the  age  of  sixteen  years  and 
after  that  had  depended  upon  his  own  labors  for  his  support.  He  engaged  in 
tiling  for  four  years  and  for  a  similar  period  rented  land.  At  length  he  bought 
property  at  Clarion,  Iowa,  becoming  owner  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  upon 
which  he  lived  for  six  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  came  to  Hancock 
county  and  acquired  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  on  sections  8  and  9,  Amster- 
dam township.  He  has  since  purchased  another  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  on  section  30  of  the  same  township  and  his  holdings  also  include  three 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  at  Crystal  Lake,  Iowa.  His  has  been  an  active,  bu^ 
and  useful  life  and  his  success  is  the  reward  of  earnest  labor  and  careful  manage- 
ment. 

In  1892  Mr.  Jordanger  was  married  to  Miss  Carrie  Neilson,  by  whom  he 
has  seven  children,  namely:  Clarence;  Nellie,  Anna  and  Esther,  all  of  whom 
are  married;  Ida;  Ole;  and  Clifford.  Politically  Mr.  Jordanger  is  a  republican 
and  his  religious  faith  is  indicated  by  his  membership  in  the  Norwegian  Lutheran 
church.  He  has  never  sought  nor  desired  office,  preferring  to  concentrate  his 
energies  and  attention  upon  his  business  affairs,  and  in  addition  to  farming  he 
is  a  stockholder  in  the  Kanawha  creamery  and  the  Kanawha  elevator.  He 
believes  in  that  cooperation  among  farmers  which  is  doing  much  to  improve  agri- 
cultural conditions,  and  throughout  his  entire  life  he  has  been  actuated  by  a 
spirit  of  progress  that  has  brought  splendid  results.  He  is  today  one  of  the 
foremost  citizens  of  Hancock  county  and  his  ability  has  been  demonstrated  in 
his  very  substantial  success. 


IVER   G.   FJILIiAND. 


Iver  G.  Fjilland  is  one  of  the  worthy  citizens  that  Norway  has  furnished 
Winnebago  county  and  although  he  came  to  the  new  world  in  limited  circunl- 
stances  he  is  now  the  owner  of  a  good  farm  on  section  33,  Logan  township, 
where  he  now  makes  his  home.  He  was  bom  in  the  stift  of  Bergen,  Norway, 
February  19,  1864,  a  son  of  Gunder  and  Greta  Fjilland.  The  mother  is  now 
deceased  but  the  father  is  living  and  still  continues  to  reside  in  the  land  of  the 
midnight  sun.  Much  of  his  life  has  been  passed  upon  the  water  as  a  sailor  but 
he  has  also  followed  the  occupation  of  farming  as  a  means  of  livelihood.  The 
parents  had  seven  children,  five  of  whom  are  living  at  the  present  time,  namely: 
Gunder,  whose  home  is  near  Westport,  Washington;  Sinev^i,  the  wife  of  Torgen 
E.  Fjilland  of  Bergen,  Norway;  Iver  G.,  of  this  review;  Halvor,  now  in  Alaska; 
and  Thomas,  a  resident  of  Bergen,  Norway. 

Iver  G.  Fjilland  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  land  and  was  twenty 
years  of  age  when  he  came  alone  to  America.  For  eleven  years  he  worked  as  a 
farm  hand  in  Winneshiek  county,  Iowa,  and  later  spent  a  year  and  a  half  in 
the  state  of  Washington.    On  his  return  to  Iowa  in  1897  he  located  in  Winnebago 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  545 

county  and  purchased  his  present  farm,  becoming  owner  of  the  south  half  of 
the  northeast  quarter  and  the  northeast  quarter  of  the  northeast  quarter  of  section 
33,  Logan  township  whereon  he  still  resides. 

In  1906  Mr.  Fjilland  married  Miss  Josephine  Hasted,  a  daughter  of  John 
and  Serena  Hasted  of  Logan  township,  but  now  living  in  Eden  township,  Winne- 
bago county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fjilland  are  earnest  and  consistent  members  of  the 
Synod  Lutheran  church  and  are  widely  and  favorably  known  in  this  locality. 
The  republican  party  finds  in  Mr.  Fjilland  a  stanch  supporter  of  its  principles 
and  for  eight  years  he  eflBciently  served  as  township  clerk. 


CHARLES  0.  OLSON. 


Charles  0.  Olson,  well  known  in  Lake  Mills,  is  now  living  retired,  although 
for  many  years  he  was  actively  connected  with  the  farming  interests  of  Winnebago 
county,  his  well  directed  energy,  thrift  and  enterprise  bringing  to  him  the  success 
that  now  enables  him  to  enjoy  many  of  life's  comforts.  He  was  bom  in  Dane 
county,  Wisconsin,  December  29,  1860,  a  son  of  0.  E.  and  Louise  (Kneberg)  Nel- 
son, who  were  natives  of  Norway  and  in  1847  came  to  the  new  world,  settling  in 
Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  where  the  father  followed  the  occupation  of  farming  until 
his  death.  He  passed  away,  however,  in  the  same  year  in  which  his  son  Charles 
was  bom  (1860),  while  his  widow  survived  until  November,  1887. 

Charles  0.  Olson  was  reared  and  educated  in  the  county  of  his  nativity,  spend- 
ing his  youthful  days  with  his  grandparents,  with  whom  he  remained  until  he 
attained  his  majority.  He  then  rented  land  in  Dane  county  which  he  continued 
to  cultivate  until  1888,  when  he  removed  to  Winnebago  county  and  bought  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  on  section  28,  Newton  township.  With  charac- 
teristic energy  he  began  to  till  and  improve  the  farm  and  his  business  affairs  were 
1^0  carefully  and  wisely  managed  that  each  year  he  was  able  to  add  to  his  savings 
and  at  length  he  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  more  on  section  9,  Newton 
township.  He  continued  to  cultivate  both  places  until  1913,  when  he  retired  from 
active  farm  work  but  still  continued  to  occupy  the  old  homestead  for  three  years 
more.  In  1916,  however,  he  removed  to  Lake  Mills  and  purchased  a  nice  residence 
in  the  north  part  of  the  town.  There  he  still  resides  and  is  enjoying  a  rest  which 
he  has  tmly  earned  and  richly  deserves.  He  rents  both  of  his  farms  and  from 
these  properties  derives  a  substantial  annual  income.  While  upon  the  farm  he 
made  a  business  of  raising  hogs  and  shipped  a  carload  and  a  half  annually.  He 
also  engaged  in  dairying  and  at  times  milked  thirty  cows.  He  is  now  a  stock- 
holder in  the  Leland  Creamery  Company. 

On  April  17,  1880,  Mr.  Olson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  Beck- 
jordan  and  to  them  were  bora  nine  children:  Bennie  M.,  Gust  0.,  Clarence  E., 
Josie  Enmia,  Walter  S.,  Palmer  Carl  and  Mqrtle  L.  I.,  all  of  whom  are  yet  at 
home;  and  Josephine  and  Charlotte,  who  died  in  infancy.  > 

Mr.  Olson  has  long  given  stalwart  support  to  the  republican  party.  He  served 
as  road  overseer  in  Newton  township  and  for  many  years  filled  the  office  of  school 
director,  taking  an  active  interest  in  upbuilding  the  educational  facilities  of  the 
district.    The  family  are  members  of  the  United  Lutheran  church.    Mr.  Olson^s  » 

11—27 


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546  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

life  has  long  been  guided  by  high  and  honorable  principles^  making  him  a  man 
whom  to  know  is  to  respect  and  honor.  In  all  of  his  business  affairs  he  has  been 
found  to  be  thoroughly  reliable  and  his  diligence  and  determination  have  brought 
to  him  the  success  which  is  now  his. 


ANTON   WEILAND. 


Anton  Weiland,  who  is  engaged  in  general  farming  on  section  22,  Orthel 
township,  Hancock  county,  was  born  in  Germany  on  the  Ist  of  July,  1868,  and  is 
a  son  of  John  B.  and  Tillie  (Krull)  Weiland,  who  were  also  natives  of  that 
country.  At  the  usual  age  the  son  became  a  pupil  in  the  public  schools,  which 
he  attended  until  he  reached  the  age  of  fourteen  years.  He  came  to  America 
in  1883,  when  a  youth  of  fifteen,  and  for  about  fourteen  years  was  a  resident 
of  Grundy  county,  Iowa.  Later  he  established  his  home  in  Hancock  county, 
where  he  rented  land  for  eight  years,  and  while  thus  engaged  he  carefully  saved 
his  earnings  until  he  had  an  amount  large  enough  to  enable  him  to  purchase 
property.  He  first  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  22,  Orthel 
,township,  and  since  that  time  has  added  a  tract  of  eighty  acres  on  section  16. 
He  is  therefore  the  owner  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  and  the  farm  consti- 
tutes one  of  the  valuable  places  of  the  district.  He  has  brought  his  land  to  a 
high   state  of  cultivation  and  has  added  to  it  many  substantial   improvements. 

On  the  27th  of  February,  1895,  Mr.  Weiland  was  married  to  Miss  Hattie 
Wichman,  a  native  of  Illinois  and  a  daughter  of  Everett  and  Cornelia  (Heinegall) 
Wichman,  who  were  natives  of  Germany.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Weiland  have  six  children : 
John,  Everett,  Theodore,  George,  Clarence  and  Richard,  all  yet  at  home. 

Politically  Mr.  Weiland  is  a  republican,  and  while  he  has  never  sought  nor 
desired  political  office  he  has  served  as  school  director.  His  life  is  actuated  by 
the  teachings  of  the  German  Reformed  church,  of  which  he  is  a  member.  For 
more  than  a  third  of  a  century  he  has  lived  on  this  side  the  Atlantic  and  he 
has  ever  stood  for  progress  and  improvement  in  community  affairs^  while  he  has 
made  his  farm  activities  the  expression  of  modem  advancement  in  the  work  of 
the  fields. 


L.   T.   THOMPSON. 


L.  T.  Thompson  is  ndw  living  retired  after  years  of  active  and  well  directed 
business  effort — effort  that  not  only  brought  to  him  substantial  success  but  also 
contributed  to  public  prosperity.  He  was  born  in  Norway,  April  23,  1859,  a  son 
of  Thorston  and  Thora  Thompson,  who  were  also  natives  of  the  land  of  the  mid- 
night sun.  The  father  came  to  America  in  1866,  bringing  with  him  his  wife  and 
children,  at  which  time  the  family  home  was  established  in  Madison,  Wisconsin, 
where  they  lived  for  three  years.  In  1869  a  removal  was  made  to  Albert  Lea, 
Minnesota,  and  the  following  ye^r  they  came  to  Winnebago  county,  settling  on  a 
farm  near  Benson  Grove,  where  the  father  purchased  a  tract  of  land  which  he 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  547 

carefully  tilled  and  cultivated,  he  and  his  wife  both  spending  their  remaining  days 
upon  that  place.  They  had  a  family  of  three  sons:  L.  T. ;  Hans,  living  on  the 
old  homestead ;  and  Ole,  a  farmer  of  Mount  Valley  township. 

L.  T.  Thompson  was  reared  and  educated  in  Winnebago  county  and  supple- 
mented his  common  school  training  by  college  work.  He  afterward  took  up  the 
profession  of  teaching  and  his  fellow  townsmen,  recognizing  his  worth  and  abili^, 
called  him  to  public  oflBce  and  for  twelve  years  he  filled  the  oflBce  of  coun^ 
surveyor,  his  long  retention  in  the  position  indicating  the  capability  with  which 
he  discharged  his  duties.  Mr.  Thompson  also  gave  his  attention  to  farming  and 
stock  raising  for  several  years  and  in  all  that  he  has  undertaken  he  has  won 
success.  In  his  vocabulary  there  is  no  such  word  as  fail,  and  when  he  starts 
out  to  attain  a  given  end  he  is  never  content  until  he  accomplishes  his  purpose. 
He  became  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Farmers  Savings  Bank  of  Leland  and 
still  remains  its  vice  president.  He  has  been  one  of  the  organizers  of  nearly  all  of 
the  cooperative  business  interests  of  the  county,  including  the  Cooperative  Elevator 
and  the  Mutual  Insurance  Company,  serving  at  one  time  as  president  of  the  latter. 
If  was  Mr.  Thompson  who  shipped  the  first  two  car  loads  of  tile  to  the  county. 
He  recognized  what  would  be  the  value  of  adequate  and  scientific  drainage  and 
he  supervised  the  digging  of  several  miles  of  drainage  ditches. 

Mr.  Thompson  is  not  aflBliated  with  any  political  party  but  stands  for  progress 
and  improvement  in  public  affairs  and  has  been  called  upon  to  serve  in  the  town- 
ship oflBces.  He  belongs  to  the  Lutheran  church  and  has  guided  his  life  according 
to  its  teachings.  He  is  truly  a  self-made  man  and  he  deserves  much  credit  for 
what  he  has  accomplished.  He  is  reaping  the  benefit  of  his  earnest  toil  and  with 
a  handsome  competence  acquired  through  persistent,  earnest  labor  he  is  now 
living  retired  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  comforts  of  life. 


J.   J.   RUSLEY. 


Business  enterprise,  sound  judgment  and  unfaltering  industry  ^find  expression 
in  the  life  record  of  J.  J.  Rusley,  now  a  valued  and  representative  farmer  of 
Mount  Valley  township,  Winnebago  county,  living  on  section  11.  He  was  bom 
on  the  farm  where  he  now  makes  his  home  and  which  he  now  owns,  his  natal 
day  being  February  12,  1873.  His  parents  were  John  K.  and  Sarah  (Jacobson) 
Rusley,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Norway,  where  they  were  reared  and  mar- 
ried. In  1864  they  came  to  the  United  States,  settling  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin, 
where  they  resided,  however,  for  only  two  years.  They  then  became  residents  of 
Freeborn  county,  Minnesota,  establishing  their  home  near  Twin  Lakes,  where 
they  lived  for  two  years.  In  1868  they  arrived  in  Winnebago  county,  Iowa,  and 
purchased  the  farm  which  now  constitutes  the  home  place  of  J.  J.  Rusley.  There 
the  father  took  up  his  abode  and  spent  his  remaining  days,  giving  his  time, 
thought  and  energies  to  the  further  development  and  improvement  of  the  land 
until  his  life's  labors  were  ended  in  death  on  the  15th  of  February,  1909.  For 
three  years  he  had  survived  his  wife,  who  passed  away  February  12,  1906. 

J.  J.  Rusley  obtained  his  education  in  the  district  schools,  his  time  being 


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548  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

dividecH)ctween  his  textbooks  and  the  work  of  the  fields.  In  1895,  after  reaching 
his  twenty-second  year,  he  took  charge  of  the  home  farm  and  continued  to  operate 
the  place  until  1901,' when  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land 
on  section  12,  Mount  Valley  township.  To  this  he  removed  and  for  eight  years 
continued  its  cultivation.  In  1909,  after  his  father's  death,  he  purchased  the 
home  farm  and  returned  to  the  place  of  his  birth.  He  has  since  lived  thereon 
with  the  exception  of  two  years  spent  in  Joice,  Worth  county.  However,  he  still 
retains  the  ownership  of  both  farms  and  is  regarded  today  as  one  of  the  sub- 
stantial agriculturists  and  leading  men  of  Mount  Valley  township.  His  property 
returns  to  him  a  gratifying  annual  income  and  in  all  business  affairs  he  displays 
sound  judgment  and  keen  discrimination.  In  the  spring  of  1915  he  removed  to 
Joice  and  for  two  years  he  was  there  engaged  in  the  buying  and  shipping  of  live 
stock  but  in  the  spring  of  1917  returned  to  the  home  farm.  He  is  now  a  stock- 
holder in  the  Lake  Mills  Lumber  Company  and  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers 
Elevator  Company  of  Joice. 

In  1901  Mr.  Kusley  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Tomine  Ramsey,  her 
father  being  T.  T.  Ramsey,  a  prominent  agriculturist  of  Worth  county,  Iowa. 
They  now  have  five  children,  namely:  Truman,  Selmer,  Glenn,  Irene  and  Ruth, 
the  eldest  being  in  his  fifteenth  year. 

Mr.  Rusley  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and  for  four 
years  he  served  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  township  trustees.  He  was  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  town  council  of  Joice  when  residing  there  and  he  is  a  recognized  leader  in 
local  party  ranks.  For  two  years  he  served  as  chairman  of  the  republican  central 
committee  of  Mount  Valley  township  and  he  does  all  in  his  power  to  promote  the 
growth  and  insure  the  success  of  the  party,  believing  that  its  platform  contains 
the  best  elements  of  good  government.  He  and  his  family  are  members  of  the 
United  Lutheran  church  and  are  widely  and  favorably  known  in  the  community 
where  they  make  their  home.  During  an  active  business  career  Mr.  Rusley  has 
worked  his  way  steadily  upward  and  at  all  times  and  in  every  relation  of  life  he 
has  displayed  those  traits  which  make  for  honorable  manhood  and  citizenship. 


K.   K.    KILAND. 


K.  K.  Kiland  is  now  living  retired  at  Lake  Mills  but  for  a  considerable  period 
was  closely  connected  with  the  agricultural  interests  of  Winnebago  county  and 
his  enterprise,  industry  and  perserverance  brought  to  him  the  success  that  now 
enables  him  to  rest  from  further  labor  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  fruits  of  his  former 
toil.  He  was  bom  in  Norway  on  the  10th  of  August,  1847,  a  son  of  K.  H. 
and  Aase  Kiland,  who  were  also  natives  of  that  country,  "the  father  was  a  farmer 
of  Norway,  where  he  spent  his  entire  life,  there  passing  away  in  1864.  His  wife 
survived  until  1875. 

Their  son,  K.  K.  Kiland,  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  land  and 
was  there  employed  as  a  farm  hand  until  1869,  when  at  the  age  of  twenty-one 
years  he  determined  to  come  to  America,  feeling  that  he  might  have  better  oppor- 
tunities on  this  side  the  Atlantic.  He  first  settled  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin, 
where  he  was  employed  until  he  came  to  Winnebago  county  in  1872,  at  which 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  549 

time  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Newton  township.  This  he  improved 
and  cultivated  for  four  years  and  then  sold  that  property,  after  which  he  bought 
a  farm  in  Center  township.  Subsequently  he  added  to  his  holdings  until  he 
now  owns  two  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  rich  and  productive  land  on  section 
19,  Center  township,  which-  he  has  brought  to  a  high  jstate  pt  jcultivation, 
making  many  splendid  improvements  thereon.  He  continued  actively  to  operate 
his  farm  until  1915,  when  he  retired  and  removed  to  Lake  Mills,  where  he  has 
since  made  his  home.  His  life  has  been  one  of  diligence  and  determination,  and 
his  labors  have  brought  to  him  a  substantial  measure  of  success,  placing  him 
among  the  well-to-do  citizens  of  Winnebago  county. 

•  In  December,  1870,  Mr.  Kiland  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Anna  Hanson, 
and  to  them  were  bom  three  children,  but  all  died  in  infancy,  and  the  wife  and 
mother  passed  away  in  June,  1890.  On  the  1st  of  June,  1891,  Mr.  Kiland  was 
married  to  Miss  Anna  M.  Holland  and  they  became  the  parents  of  three  sons: 
Clarence  A.,  who  was  bom  May  30,  1892,  and  died  on  the  6th  of  September, 
1903;  Orville  M.,  who  was  bom  May  11,  1894,  and  is  now  operating  the  home 
farm;  and  Conrad  A.,  who  was  bom  September  25,  1896,  and  is  now  serving 
in  the  United  States  navy. 

While  Mr.  Kiland  has  retired  from  active  farm  work,  he  still  has  business 
connections,  being  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company,  in  the  Lake 
Mills  Creamery  Company,  the  Lake  Mills  Lumber  Company  and  the  Leland 
Elevator  Company.  He  is  a  man  of  good  business  judgment  and  his  affairs  have 
been  so  carefully  conducted  that  he  has  won  a  very  gratifying  measure  of  success. 
In  alj  of  his  dealings  he  has  been  thoroughly  reliable  as  well  as  progressive,  and 
his  fellow  townsmen  speak  of  him  in  terms  of  high  regard.  His  religious  faith 
is  that  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  he  exercises  his  right  of  franchise  in  support 
of  the  men  and  measures  of  the  republican  party:  Mr.  Kiland  has  lived  in 
Winnebago  county  from  pioneer  times,  having  for  forty-five  years  been  a  witness 
of  the  growth  and  development  of  this  section  of  the  state.  He  has  contributed 
in  no  small  measure  to  public  progress  and  improvement  and  there  is  no  feature 
of  the  county's  development  with  which  he  is  not  familiar.  He  can  relate  many 
interesting  incidents  of  the  early  days  when  homes  were  widely  scattered,  when 
there  were  large  tracts  of  land  uncultivated  and  when  the  farmers  had  to  depend 
mostly  upon  their  own  efforts  and  the  assistance  of  their  neighbors,  as  it  was 
a  long  distance  to  market  and  there  was  comparatively  little  ready  money  in 
the  county.  Mr.  Kiland  has  lived  to  witness  remarkable  changes,  for  Winnebago 
county  is  now  populated  by  a  prosperous  and  contented  people,  many  of  whom 
have  won  their  success  within  the  borders  of  the  county. 


DR.   A.    0.    MOSSTAD. 


Dr.  A.  O.  Mosstad,  of  Lake  Mills,  has  built  up  a  large  practice  as  a  veterinary 
surgeon  and  is  highly  esteemed  not  only  as  a  representative  of  his  profession  but 
also  as  a  citizen,  for  he  has  thoroughly  identified  his  interests  with  those  of  his 
city.  He  was  bom  in  Iforway,  January  1,  1864,  the  ninth  in  a  family  of  ten 
children  whose  parents  were  Ole  and  Hannah   (Orskow)   Mosstad.     The  father 


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550  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

engaged  in  farming  during  his  active  life  and  passed  away  in  his  native  country 
when  seventy-eight  years  old.  The  mother  reached  the  venerable  age  of  ninety-six 
years. 

A.  0.  Mosstad  attended  the  common  schools  until  he  was  confirmed  and  later 
worked  on  farms  for  others.  At  length  he  purchased  land  which  he  operated,  and 
while  living  in  Norway  he  prepared  for  the  practice  of  veterinary  surgery.  At  the 
age  of  twenty-eight  years  he  came  to  the  United  States  and  is  the  only  one  of  the 
family  to  emigrate  to  this  country.  He  at  once  made  his  way  to  Winnebago  county, 
Iowa,  and  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  which  he  farmed  for  two  years,  or 
until  the  death  of  his  wife.  He  then  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  but 
continued  to  reside  upon  the  farm  for  five  years,  after  which  he  removed  to  Lake 
Mills,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  has  been  very  successful  in  his  practice 
and  has  prospered  financially,  being  now  one  of  the  substantial  men  of  his  city. 

Tn  Norway  Mr.  Mosstad  was  married  to  Miss  Olena  Steivold,  whose  parents 
remained  lifelong  residents  of  Norway.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mosstad  were  born  nine 
children,  of  whom  six  survive:  Andreana  and  Carline,  both  residents  of  St.  Paul, 
Minnesota ;  Ole,  who  is  farming  near  AValters,  Minnesota ;  Lena,  now  Mrs.  Charles 
Sends,  of  Spokane,  Washington;  Edward,  a  resident  of  St.  Paul;  and  Hannah,  the 
wife  of  Abner  Peters,  of  Forest  City,  Iowa.  The  wife  and  mother  passed  away 
and  is  buried  near  Thompson,  Winnebago  county.  Mr.  Mosstad  chose  for  his  second 
wife  Miss  Mary  Gunderson,  a  daughter  of  Olaf  and  Helena  Gunderson,  of  Mount 
Valley  township,  this  county,  both  of  whom  are  deceased.  Mrs.  Mosstad  died  in 
1907  and  is  buried  in  the  United  Lutheran  cemetery  at  Lake  Mills.  She  left  a 
daughter,  Emma,  who  is  still  at  home.  Dr.  Mosstad  was  married  a  third  time, 
choosing  as  his  wife  Anna  Engeland,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Britta  Engeland, 
who  lived  and  died  in  Norway. 

The  Doctor  is  a  republican  in  politics  but  although  he  takes  the  interest  of  a 
good  citizen  in  all  public  affairs  he  has  never  been  an  oflSce  seeker.  He  is  a  com- 
municant of  the  United  Lutheran  church  and  its  teachings  have  guided  his  life 
in  all  its  relations.  He  has  many  warm  friends  and  his  salient  qualities  are  such 
as  have  always  commanded  respect  and  regard. 


SEVER    GUNDERSON. 


Sever  Gunderson,  living  upon  a  farm  on  section  2,  Center  township,  was  born 
in  Kongsvinger,  Norway,  March  14,  1872,  a  son  of  Gunder  and  Caroline  D. 
(Holmen)  Severson,  who  were  also  natives  of  that  country.  The  father  there 
followed  the  occupation  of  farming  and  never  came  to  America,  passing  away 
in  his  native  land  in  1883,  while  his  wife  died  there  in  the  year  1878. 

Sever  Gunderson  spent  his  first  twelve  years  in  his  native  country  and  then 
came  to  America  with  relatives  in  1884,  at  which  time  Worth  county,  Iowa,  was  made 
their  destination.  He  had  begun  his  education  in  Norway  and  he  continued  lo 
attend  school  in  Worth  county  during  the  winter  seasons,  during  which  periods  he 
worked  for  his  board.  In  the  summer  months  he  was  employed  at  farm  labor.  In 
early  manhood  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  meat  business,  peddling  meat  in 
Worth  county.     The  year  1894  witnessed  his  arrival  in  Winnebago  county,  at 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  551 

which  time  he  secured  employment  in  a  meat  market  at  Lake  Mills.  After  a 
short  period  he  purchased  an  interest  in  the  business,  becoming  a  partner  of 
L.  J.  Holland,  with  whom  he  was  thus  associated  for  five  years.  Later  he 
retired,  but  after  two  years  out  of  business  he  purchased  another  meat  market, 
which  he  conducted  for  a  decade,  meeting  with  substantial  success  in  that  under- 
taking. He  afterward  turned  his  attention  to  farming,  purchasing  eighty  acres 
of  land  on  section  2,  Center  township,  within  the  corporation  limits  of  Lake  Mills. 
He  has  since  given  his  attention  to  the  improvement  of  the  place,  devoting  his 
energies  to  its  further  development  for  six  years.  He  is  also  a  stockholder  in 
the  Lake  Mills  Lumber  Company,  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  and  the  Lake 
Mills  Creamery  Company  and  he  also  owns  a  gravel  pit,  furnishing  gravel  to  the 
town  of  Lake  Mills. 

On  the  16th  of  February,  1898,  Mr.  Gunderson  was  married  to  Miss  Julia  0. 
Sunderland  and  they  have  become  parents  of  eight  children,  namely:  Ole  R., 
George  L. ;  Gladys  S. ;  Alfred ;  Selmer  G. ;  Joseph  R. ;  Carl,  who  died  in  infancy ; 
and  Clara. 

In  religious  faith  the  parents  are  connected  with  the  United  Lutheran  church, 
in  which  Mr.  Gunderson  has  served  as  a  trustee,  and  he  is  now  one  of  the  members 
of  the  school  board  of  Lake  Mills.  His  political  endorsement  is  given  to  the 
republican  party.  His  life  has  been  an  active  and  busy  one  and  upon  his  diligence 
and  determination  has  been  based  his  success.  He  has  never  regretted  coming  to 
America  in  his  youthful  days,  for  here  he  has  found  the  chance  for  working  upward 
and  has  based  his  advancement  upon  indefatigable  industry.  He  has  never  allowed 
diflBculties  nor  obstacles  to  make  him  disheartened  or  discouraged  and  his  persistency 
of  purpose  has  brought  him  to  a  place  among  the  substantial  citizens  of  Center 
township. 


IVAR    0.   ROSHEIM. 


Ivar  0.  Rosheim,  an  active,  energetic  farmer  living  on  section  36,  Logan  town- 
ship, was  bom  in  Sogn,  in  the  stift  of  Bergen,  Norway,  April  6,  1854,  his  parents 
being  Ole  J.  and  Joroi  Hopperstad.  The  father  was  an  army  officer  and  died 
when  Ivar  0.  was  but  six  months  old,  he  being  an  only  child.  The  mother  after- 
ward became  the  wife  of  Endre  E.  Rosheim  and  by  that  marriage  there  were  four 
children:  Erik,  who  is  still  upon  the  home  farm  in  Norway;  Sarah,  the  wife  of 
G.  Boe,  also  a  farmer  of  Norway;  Olina,  the  wife  of  Ellend  E.  Broke,  also  of 
Norway ;  and  John,  who  died  at  the  age  of  nine  years. 

Ivar  0.  Rosheim  spent  the  first  twenty  years  of  his  life  in  his  native  land 
and  then  came  to  the  United  States  alone  in  1874.  He  first  made  his  way  to 
Ridgeway,  Winneshiek  county,  Iowa,  where  he  lived  for  four  years,  working  as  a 
farm  hand.  In  1878  he  arrived  in  Worth  county,  Iowa,  and  was  employed  at 
farm  labor  in  Silver  Lake  township  for  two  years.  In  1881  he  removed  to 
Logan  township,  Winnebago  county,  and  invested  his  earnings  in  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  of  land  on  section  36.  It  was  wild  and  undeveloped,  but  he  at 
once  began  to  clear  and  improve  the  place  and  has  since  devoted  his  attention 
to  farm  work  with  good  success.    After  a  time  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty 


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552  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

acres  on  section  35  and  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  26,  but  since  then  he 
has  deeded  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  to  his  sons,  Ole  and  Andrew.  His  has 
been  a  busy,  active  and  useful  life  ahd  he  still  owns  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres 
of  rich  and  productive  land,  which  he  has  brought  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation 
and  transformed  into  a  very  fine  farm.  He  has  added  many  modem  improvements 
in  the  way  of  good  buildings  and  equipment  and  in  fact  there  is  no  feature  of  the 
model  farm  of  the  twentieth  century  that  is  lacking  upon  his  place. 

In  1880  Mr.  Kosheim  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Betsy  Knutson,  a  daughter 
of  Elling  and  Mary  Knutson,  who  were  natives  of  Norway  but  were  married  in 
Dane  county,  Wisconsin  and  were  among  the  earliest  pioneer  settlers  of  Worth 
county,  Iowa,  making  their  home  in  Silver  Lake  township  until  called  to  their 
final  rest.  Their  remains  were  interred  in  the  Lime  Creek*  United  Lutheran 
cemetery.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bosheim  have  become  the  parents  of  twelve  children: 
Ole,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  in  Logan  township ;  Elling  I.,  a  practicing  dentist 
of  Boland,  Iowa;  Andrew,  also  a  resident  farmer  of  Logan  township;  Knut  I.,  a 
dental  student  in  the  Northwestern  University  at  Chicago;  John  and  Isaac,  who 
are  cultivating  the  home  farm ;  Ivar  T.  and  Mary,  also  at  home ;  Jorgina,  the  wife 
of  Oscar  0.  Solomison,  of  Newton  township;  and  Sarah,  Anna  and  Ida,  who  are 
students  in  Luther  Academy  at  Albert  Lea,  Mitinesota. 

The  parents  are  members  of  the  North  Prairie  Synod  Lutheran  church  and  in 
politics  Mr.  Kosheim  is  a  democrat.  He  served  for  several  terms  as  township 
trustee,  but  has  not  been  a  politician  in  the  sense  of  ofiice  seeking,  preferring  to 
concentrate  his  efforts  and  attention  upon  his  business  affairs.  He  has  been 
prompt  and  faithful  in  the  discharge  of  all  of  his  duties,  however,  and  his  energy 
and  industry  have  enabled  him  to  work  his  way  steadily  upward  until  he  is  now 
numbered  among  the  valued  and  substantial  residents  of  Winnebago  county.  His 
life  record  proves  that  success  is  not  the  result  of  any  especially  fortunate  circum- 
stances, but  is  the  direct  reward  of  earnest,  persistent  labor,  for  Mr.  Rosheim  started 
out  empty-handed  and  has  worked  his  way  steadily  upward  by  diligence  and  per- 
severance, becoming  ultimately  one  of  the  men  of  affluence  in  his  adopted  county. 


HERBERT   R.    CLEOPHAS. 

Herbert  R.  Cleophas  is  the  cashier  of  the  Forest  City  National  Bank  and  is 
an  alert,  enterprising  young  business  man  who  is  making  steady  progress  in  the 
field  of  finance  to  which  he  has  turned  his  attention.  He  was  born  in  Rock  county, 
Wisconsin,  January  6,  1884,  a  son  of  Ira  and  Anna  (Stordock)  Cleophas,  the 
former  a  farmer  by  occupation. 

After  attending  the  public  schools  near  his  father's  liome  Herbert  R.  Cleophas 
pursued  a  preparatory  course  of  study  in  Ottawa,  Illinois,  and  for  one  year  was 
a  student  of  civil  engineering  in  the  Lewis  Institute  of  Chicago.  He  afterward 
matriculated  in  the  University  of  Wisconsin,  in  which  he  studied  for  a  year,  and 
later  he  purchased  land  in  North  Dakota,  where  he  engaged  in  dealing  in  horses 
for  a  year.  His  initial  step  in  banking  circles  was  made  in  connection  with  the 
Kensett  Bank  at  Kensett,  Iowa,  in  which  he  filled  the  position  of  assistant  cashier 
for  a  year,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  was  promoted  to  cashier.    In  September, 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  553- 

1913,  he  arrived  in  Forest  City  and  was  made  vice  president  of  the  Forest  City 
National  Bank,  which  position  he  filled  until  January  12,  1915,  when  he  was  chosen 
cashier. 

Mr.  Cleophas  is  well  known  in  fraternal  circles.  He  belongs  to  Northern 
Light  Lodge,  No.  266,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Northwood,  Iowa ;  to  Heredon  Chapter, 
No.  135,  R.  A.  M.,  of  Northwood;  and  is  also  a  prominent  representative  of  the 
Knights  of  Pythias,  having  held  all  of  the  chairs  in  the  local  lodge  and  served 
as  a  member  of  the  grand  lodge.  He  is  likewise  connected  with  the  Elks  of  Mason 
City.    His  political  allegiance  is  given  to  the  republican  party. 


K.    M.   HAGE. 


Norway  has  sent  a  large  quota  of  citizens  to  Winnebago  county  and  they  have 
brought  with  them  the  industry  and  perseverance  which  characterizes  the  people 
of  that  land.  Among  those  of  Norwegian  birth  now  living  in  Scarville  is  K.  M. 
Hage,  who  for  a  long  period  was  identified  with  agricultural  interests  but  since 
1912  has  lived  retired,  enjoying  a  well  earned  rest.  He  was  bom  in  Voss,  in  the 
parish  of  Vinje,  Norway,  June  24,  1844,  a  son  of  Mikkel  and  Gertrude  (Severson) 
Hage,  who  spent  their  entire  lives  in  their  native  country.  The  mother  was  twice 
married  and  by  her  first  union  had  three  children:  Nils  Klnutson,  now  deceased; 
Anna,  the  wife  of  John  Johnson,  of  Story  county,  Iowa ;  and  Marie,  the  wife  of 
Brungila  Hefte,  who  is  still  living  in  Norway.  The  three  children  bom  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Hage  are:  K.  M.,  of  this  review;  Sever  Mikkelson,  who  resided  in  Webster 
county,  Iowa,  but  is  now  deceased;  and  Peter,  who  lived  in  Goodyear  county, 
Minnesota,  but  has  passed  away. 

K.  M.  Hage  spent  the  period  of  his  youth  in  his  native  country  and  came  to 
America  in  1866,  when  a  young  man  of  twenty-two  years.  He  at  once  made  his 
way  westward  to  Iowa,  settling  in  Story  county,  where  he  was  employed  as  a 
farm  hand  for  two  years.  He  then  removed  to  Winneshiek  county,  where  he 
engaged  in  farm  work  for  eight  years,  and  in  1876  he  arived  in  Winnebago  county, 
at  which  time  he  rented  a  farm  in  Logan  township.  He  lived  upon  that  place 
for  a  year  and  in  the  following  year  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on 
section  22,  Logan  township,  which  he  cleared  and  improved,  converting  it  into 
rich  and  productive  fields.  His  farm  work  was  carefully  and  persistently  carried 
on  year  after  year  with  splendid  results.  The  generous  harvests  which  he  gathered 
brought  to  him  a  good  financial  return  and  thus  as  the  years  went  by  he  added 
to  his  savings  until  his  capital  was  sufficient  to  enable  him  to  put  aside  further 
business  cares  and  activities.  He  then  retired  and  removed  to  Scarville,  where 
he  has  since  resided,  enjoying  in  well  earned  rest  the  fruits  of  his  former  toil. 

In  1876  Mr.  Hage  was  married  to  Miss  Martha  Borgo,  a  daughter  of  Lars  and 
Inga  Borgo,  who  were  natives  of  Norway  and  there  spent  their  entire  lives.  They 
had  a  family  of  Feven  children:  Eda,  now  the  wife  of  David  Olson,  of  Mason 
City,  Iowa;  Minnie,  the  wife  of  Ed  Torson,  of  Logan  township,  Winnebago  county; 
Louis,  who  is  upon  the  home  farm;  Clara,  now  the  wife  of  Jacob  Knutson,  of 
Hanlontown,  Iowa;  Martin  M.,  a  physician  practicing  in  Thompson,  Iowa;  Selmer, 


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554  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

living  in  Saskatchewan,  Canada ;  and  Anna,  the  wife  of  Martin  Torgefon,  of  Little 
Falls,  Minnesota. 

The  parents  hold  membersliip  in  the  United  Lutheran  church  and  Mr.  Hage 
is  interested  in  all  those  things  which  tend  to  promote  the  material,  intellectual 
and  moral  welfare  of  the  community.  He  has  served  as  school  director  and  for  a 
number  of  years  was  road  supervisor.  He  exercises  his  right  of  franchise  in  support 
of  the  men  and  measures  of  the  republican  party.  His  has  been  an  active  and 
well  spent  life  in  wliich  he  has  won  a  substantial  competence  as  the  reward  of 
his  earnest  and  persistent  effort.  His  life  record  should  serve  as  a  source  of 
inspiration  and  encouragement  to  others,  showing  what  may  be  accomplished  when 
one  has  the  will  to  dare  and  to  do,  for  he  came  to  America  empty  handed  and  all  that 
he  possesses  has  been  won  by  him. 


HENRY   J.   MOE. 


Henry  J.  Moe,  a  resident  farmer  of  Winnebago  county,  living  on  section  33, 
Norway  township,  was  bom  in  Worth  county,  Iowa,  September  1,  1874,  a  son 
of  John  S.  and  Elie  (Ellefson)  Moe,  who  were  natives  of  Norway  but  came  to 
the  United  States  in  early  life  with  their  respective  parents.  The  father  located 
in  Minnesota,  near  Brooten,  while  the  mother  became  a  resident  of  Spring  Green, 
Sauk  county,  Wisconsin, 'where  her  parents  spent  their  remaining  days,  her  father 
there  following  the  occupation  of  farming.  After  living  for  some  time  in  Minne- 
sota the  Moe  family  removed  to  Winnebago  county,  where  the  paternal  grand- 
father passed  away  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  North  cemetery  at  Lake  Mills.  His 
wife  was  buried  at  Waubay,  Day  county.  South  Dakota,  where  she  had  lived 
with  her  son  after  her  husband's  death.  For  about  eight  years  John  S.  and  Elie 
Moe  made  their  home  in  Worth  county,  Iowa,  where  they  settled  in  pioneer  times. 
Mr.  Moe  performed  the  arduous  task  of  developing  a  new  farm  and  they  met  all 
of  the  experiences  and  hardships  of  life  on  the  frontier.  On  selling  his  farm 
there,  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  just  east  of  Lake  Mills,  in 
Winnebago  county,  and  lived  thereon  for  eighteen  years  but  at  the  end  of  that 
time  again  bought  his  first  farm,  on  which  he  made  his  home  until  his  removal 
to  Emmons,  Minnesota,  just  across  the  state  boundary  line.  He  also  purchased 
another  farm  in  Silver  Lake  township.  Worth  county,  and  made  many  improve- 
ments on  both  places.  His  remains  were  interred  in  North  cemetery  at  Lake 
Mills  and  his  widow  is  now  living  at  Lake  Mills.  They  became  the  parents  of 
five  children,  but  two  died  in  infancy.  Those  still  living  are  :  Inger,  now  the 
wife  of  Gilbert  Rovang,  of  Worth  county,  Iowa;  Mary,  the  wife  of  Oscar  Horvei, 
of  Lake  Mills;  and  Henry  J. 

The  last  named  acquired  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Lake  Mills,  which 
he  attended  to  the  age  of  fifteen  years.  Through  the  remaining  period  of  his 
minority  he  worked  with  his  father  upon  the  home  farm  in  Winnebago  county, 
near  Lake  Mills.  On  the  17th  of  January,  1896,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Anna  Horvei,  a  daughter  of  Andrew  J.  and  Anna  Horvei,  of  Worth  county, 
where  her  mother  is  still  living.  Her  father,  however,  has  passed  away  and  his 
grave  was  made  in  Silver  Lake  cemetery.  Worth  county.     In  their  family  were 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  555 

the  following  children:  Agnes;  John;  Martha,  deceased;  Olai;  Christina;  Oscar; 
Anna;  Louis;  and  Albert,  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs..Moe  have  become  the  parents 
of  thirteen  children,  namely:  Alfred;  Evelyn;  Mabel,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
nine  years;  Wilma;  Beulah;  Hulda;  Millie;  Carl;  Violet;  Lillian;  Eleanor; 
Hamlet;  and  Myrtle. 

In  the  year  in  which  he  attained  his  majority — also  the  year  of  his  marriage — 
Mr.  Moe  began  farming  for  himself  on  rented  land  in  Center  township  and  for 
four  years  cultivated  property  which  he  leased.  During  that  time  he  and  his 
young  wife  practiced  close  economy  and  thus  carefully  saving  their  earnings  they 
were  at  length  enabled  to  purchase  a  farm.  They  have  acquired  three  different 
eighty-acre  tracts  on  section  33,  Norway  township,  and  today  have  a  valuable 
and  productive  farm  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres.  Mr.  Moe  has  remodeled 
the  buildings  upon  it,  keeps  everything  in  a  state  of  good  repair  and  now  has 
a  well  improved  farm  property  that  constitutes  one  of  the  attractive  features  of 
the  landscape.  He  works  diligently  in  the  production  of  crops  and  his  careful 
management  and  energy  are  bringing  to  him  deserved  success.  He  is  a  stock- 
holder in  the  Lake  Mills  Creamery  Company  and  the  Scarville  Elevator  Company, 
and  also  a  stockholder  and  director  of  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  of  Lake 
Mills.  He  has  never  been  neglectful  of  the  duties  of  citizenship  and  is  interested 
in  all  affairs  pertaining  to  the  welfare  and  progress  of  his  community.  He  votes 
with  the  republican  party  and  is  one  of  its  active  local  workers,  having  served 
as  committeeman.  He  is  also  deeply  interested  in  the  cause  of  education  and  has 
served  as  school  director  and  as  president  of  the  school  board.  The  religious  faith 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moe  is  that  of  the  United  Lutheran  church  and  in  Winnebago 
county  they  are  M'idely  and  favorably  known. 


LEWIS    C.    BROWN. 


Lewis  C.  Brown,  the  well  known  county  superintendent  of  schools  of  Winnebago 
county,  is  a  native  of  the  Empire  state,  his  birth  occurring  in  Madison  county  New 
York,  on  the  22d  of  February,  1854.  His  parents,  Horace  B.  and  Esther  (Crandall) 
Brown,  were  also  born  in  the  same  county,  where  they  continued  to  make  their 
home  until  coming  to  Iowa  in  1854,  and  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives 
in  Prairieburg,  Linn  county,  this  state. 

It  was  during  his  infancy  that  Professor  Brown  was  brought  to  this  state  and 
amid  pioneer  scenes  he  passed  the  days  of  his  boyhood  and  youth.  His  early 
education  was  obtained  in  the  rural  schools  and  later  he  attended  Lenox  College. 
Since  starting  out  in  life  for  himself  he  has  engaged  in  farming  and  teaching 
school  and  has  become  recognized  as  one  of  the  leading  educators  of  this  section 
of  the  state.  In  the  fall  of  1903  he  was  elected  county  superintendent  of  Winnebago 
county  and  entered  upon  the  duties  of  that  position  on  the  1st  of  the  following 
January.  So  capably  did  he  fill  the  office  that  he  has  been  reelected  several  times 
and  at  the  end  of  his  present  term  he  will  have  served  in  that  capacity  for  seven- 
teen consecutive  years  with  the  exception  of  four  years. 

At  Prairieburg,  Iowa,  in  1875,  Professor  Brown  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Emily  Ary,  a  daughter  of  Sinclair  and  Ruth  Ann  Ary,  in  whose  family  were 


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556  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

fourteen  children.  Four  of  her  brothers  were  in  the  Union  army  during  the  Civil 
war.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brown  have  been  born  the  following  children:  Aurilla, 
who  married  H.  D.  Staats;  C.  Edgar,  who  married  Elizabeth  Allen;  Marion  L., 
who  married  Villa  Dwyer;  Dwight  A.;  M.  Edna,  now  the  wife  of  Earl  Fry; 
Claire;  Reginald  J.;  and  James  W. 

Since  attaining  his  majority  Professor  Brown  has  aflBliated  with  the  republican 
party  and  for  forty-three  years  has  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity.  In 
religious  belief  he  is  a  Congregational  ist.  He  is  widely  an  J  favorably  known 
throughout  the  county  and  has  a  host  of  warm  friends  in  Forest  City,  where  he 
now  resides. 


EDWIN    NOTES   BAILEY. 

Edwin  Noyes  Bailey,  who  since  1886  has  been  engaged  in  newspaper  publication 
at  Britt,  was  bom  in  Granville,  Ohio,  June  11,  1849,  a  son  of  John  Dighton  and 
Martha  Ann  (Noyes)  Bailey,  who  were  farming  people  and  removed  from  Ohio 
to  Wisconsin  in  1854.  There  they  resided  for  more  than  two  decades  and  in  1876 
came  to  Hancock  county,  Iowa.  They  established  their  home  upon  a  farm  and 
continued  to  reside  thereon  until  a  few  years  prior  to  their  death. 

Edwin  Noyes  Bailey  was  a  little  lad  of  but  five  years  when  the  family  home 
was  established  in  Wisconsin  and  in  Waupaca  county  he  pursued  his  education  in 
the  district  schools.  Throughout  life,  however,  he  has  remained  a  close  student 
in  the  school  of  experience.  He  is  a  keen  observer,  a  clear  thinker  and  possesses 
a  rententive  memory.  He  came  to  Hancock  county  in  1878  and  the  greater  part 
of  his  life  has  been  devoted  to  newspaper  publication,  for  he  has  edited  the  Britt 
paper  since  1886.  He  is  widely  known  in  this  connection  and  has  long  ranked 
with  the  leading  and  representative  citizens  of  his  part  of  the  state. 


B.  A.  PLUMMER. 


One  of  the  most  prominent  business  men  of  Forest  City,  Iowa,  is  B.  A.  Plum- 
mer,  who  has  been  president  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  this  city  since  its 
establishment.  He  was  bom  at  Big  Foot  Prairie,  McHenry  county,  Illinois,  and 
is  a  son  of  David  and  Bettsie  (Brookins)  Plummer.  He  completed  his  education 
at  Fayette  University  and  since  starting  out  in  life  for  himself  has  engaged  in 
farming  and  in  mercantile  pursuits  besides  banking,  to  which  he  now  devotes  his 
time  and  attention.  In  1876  he  established  the  City  Bank,  of  which  he  is  the 
sole  owner,  and  is  now  carefully  and  successfully  conducting  that  institution. 

In  June,  1870,  Mr.  Plummer  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Jane  Brentner, 
and  to  them  have  been  bom  six  children,  namely:  Robert  Clark,  of  whom  men- 
tion is  made  elsewhere  in  this  work;  Beraice  and  Artie,  both  of  whom  died  in 
infancy;  Eifa,  now  the  wife  of  Frank  L.  Wacholz;  Lovilla,  the  wife  of  Ralph  B. 
Young,  of  San  Diego,  California;  and  Archie,  who  passed  away  when  a  youth  of 
thirteen. 

Mr.  Plummer  is  now  independent  in  politics,  voting  for  the  man  whom  he 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  557 

believes  best  qualified  for  oflBce  regardless  of  party  ties.  For  two  terms,  covering 
eight  years,  he  served  as  treasurer  of  Winnebago  couiity  and  for  several  terms  was 
mayor  of  Forest  City,  to  which  he  gave  a  public-spirited,  businesslike  and  bene- 
ficial administration  characterized  by  various  needed  reforms  and  improvements. 
In  1896  he  was  a  candidate  for  lieutenant  governor  on  the  democratic  ticket,  but 
was  defeated,  as  the  state  gives  a  large  republican  majority.  He  has  rendered 
valuable  service  in  various  public  connections  and  yet  he  believes  that  the  pursuits 
of  private  life  are  in  themselves  abundantly  worthy  of  his  best  efforts  and  in  fact 
prefers  to  give  his  undivided  attention  to  his  business  interests.  Fraternally  he  is 
identified  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  the  Masons  and  the  Yeomen. 
There  is  a  military  chapter  in  his  history,  for  during  the  Civil  war  he  was  one  of 
the  boys  in  blue,  serving  as  a  private  in  the  Ninety-fifth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry 
until  the  close  of  the  war  in  1865.  In  financial  circles  he  now  occupies  an  enviable 
position  and  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  leading  bvsiness  men  of  Forest  City. 


NELS   I.    NELSON. 


The  life  work  of  Nels  I.  Nelson  constituted  a  most  valuable  contribution  to 
the  upbuilding,  business  development  and  municipal  progress  of  Lake  Mills.  He 
was  a  man  whose  genuine  worth  commanded  the  respect,  confidence  and  goodwill 
of  all  and  his  record  proved  that  success  and  an  honored  name  may  be  won  simul- 
taneously. He  was  one  of  the  pioneer  merchants  of  Lake  Mills,  where  he  continued 
actively  in  business  up  to  the  time  of  his  demise.  His  birth  occurred  upon  a  farm 
near  Calmar,  Iowa,  on  the  7th  of  June,  1857,  and  he  was  a  little  lad  of  ten  years 
when  his  parents  removed  to  St.  Ansgar.  There  he  attended  the  common  schools 
and  afterward  became  a  pupil  in  St.  Ansgar  Seminary,  while  later  he  continued 
his  education  in  Decorah  College. 

Mr.  Nelgon  had  reached  the  age  of  twenty-six  years  when  on  the  2d  of  June, 
1883,  he  wedded  Miss  Anna  Christine  Sorban,  of  St.  Ansgar,  and  they  removed 
to  Osage,  Iowa,  where  for  three  years  Mr.  Nelson  was  employed  in  a  hardware  store. 
On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  accompanied  Ole  Scar  to  Lake  Mills,  Mr. 
Scar*  having  proposed  to  Mr.  Nelson  that  they  enter  into  partnership  in  the  con- 
duct of  a  general  store.  Accordingly  in  1886  the  Scar-Nelson  Mercantile  Company 
was  organized  and  for  years  conducted  the  leading  retail  and  wholesale  establish- 
ment of  this  section  of  the  state.  After  1890  they  concentrated  their  energies 
entirely  upon  the  retail  business  but  extended  the  scope  of  their  activities  to  include 
the  conduct  of  a  butter  and  egg  cold  storage  business.  They  erected  a  large  brick 
building  in  Lake  Mills  in  which  to  house  their  stock  and  for  years  they  were  pro- 
prietors of  the  leading  commercial  establishment  of  the  city,  carrying  a  very  large 
and  attractive  line  of  goods.  Their  business  connection  was  most  harmonious,  the 
partnership  being  continued  with  mutual  pleasure  and  profit  until  failing  health 
caused  Mr.  Scar  to  retire  in  1912.  Long  before  this  Mr.  Nelson  had  undertaken 
a  new  enterprise.  Believing  that  a  corn  canning  factory  might  be  profitably  con- 
ducted in  Lake  Mills,  he  succeeded  in  interesting  a  number  of  the  people  of  the 
district  sufficiently  to  buy  stock  and  a  company  was  thus  organized,  of  which  Mr. 
Nelson  was  elected  secretary  and  general  manager.     He  bent  his  energy  toward 


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558  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

the  succepsful  establishment  and  management  of  the  new  undertaking,  which  from 
the  iSrst  proved  a  profitable  one,  sending  out  a  large  output  annually.  For  a  year  he 
was  in  the  real  estate  business.  He  improved  many  farms  and  the  estate  owns 
two  farms  in  Iowa  and  three  in  Minnesota,  which  are  rented. 

Mr.  Nelson  had  been  a  resident  of  Lake  Mills  for  but  a  brief  period  when  he 
became  an  active  factor  in  the  control  of  public  as  well  as  private  affairs.  His 
fellow  townsmen  recognized  in  him  a  citizen  of  worth  and  ability  and  in  1889 
elected  him  a  member  of  the  town  council,  which  positibn  he  filled  almost  con- 
tinuously for  fifteen  years,  exercising  his  official  prerogatives  in  support  of  many 
measures  and  movements  for  the  public  good.  In  1893  he  was  elected  mayor  of 
the  city  and  he  was  also  a  most  earnest  supporter  of  the  public  school  system, 
serving  for  a  number  of  years  on  the  board  of  education  and  acting  also  as  presi- 
dent of  the  board. 

It  was  ill  health  caused  by  too  heavy  business  cares  thad  led  to  Mr.  Nelson's 
death,  which  occurred  at  the  Lawrence  Sanatorium  in  Minneapolis  on  November 
23,  1915.  His  wife  had  paa^d  away  April  8,  1915,  and  her  loss  was  one  from 
which  it  seemed  he  could  not  recover.  He  had  always  been  most  devoted  to  his 
family  and  was  a  loving  husband  and  a  kind  and  indulgent  father.  He  is  sur- 
vived by  two  children,  Irving  and  Eda.  Mr.  Nelson  held  membership  in  various 
fraternal  organizations  and  in  Masonry  had  attained  the  thirty-second  degree.  He 
was  a  very  active  and  helpful  member  of  the  United  Lutheran  church,  assisting 
materially  in  its  business  management  and  making  generous  contribution  to  its 
support.  He  cooperated  in  all  plans  and  movements  for  the  public  good  and  his 
support  could  always  be  counted  upon  to  further  any  measure  that  tended  to  advance 
the  welfare  and  upbuilding  of  his  city.  His  was  an  honored  name,  for  he  was 
ever  thoroughly  reliable  in  his  dealings.  His  business  was  conducted  along  con- 
structive lines  and  his  path  was  never  strewn  with  the  wreck  of  other  men's 
fortunes.  He  held  to  high  ideals  and  embodied  lofty  principles  in  all  that  he  did. 
There  are  many  beautiful  memories  connected  with  his  life — ^memories  of  his  large 
friendships,  his  business  ideals  and  his  public  spirit.  His  work  was  indeed  of  great 
worth  to  Lake  Mills.  A  modern  philosopher  has  said :  "Not  the  good  that  comes 
to  us,  but  the  good  that  comes  to  the  world  through  us,  is  the  measure  of  our 
success;"  and  judged  not  by  what  he  received  but  by  what  he  gave,  the  life  of 
N.  I.  Nelson  was  certainly  a  most  successful  one. 


ORVILLE  M.  KILAND. 


Wide-awake,  alert  and  energetic,  Orville  M.  Kiland  is  numbered  among  the 
leading  young  farmers  of  Winnebago  county,  now  operating  an  excellent  tract 
of  land  on  section  19,  Center  township.  It  was  in  that  township  that  he  was 
born  on  the  11th  of  May,  1894,  a  son  of  K.  K.  and  Anna  (Holland)  Kiland,  who 
are  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  work.  The  father  \kas  for  a  long  period  one  of 
the  energetic  and  representative  farmers  of  this  section  of  the  state  and  continued 
to  engage  actively  in  general  agricultural  pursuits  until  1915,  when  he  retired 
and  removed  to  Lake  Mills,  where  he  and  his  wife  still  reside. 

Upon  the  home  farm  in  Center  township  Orville  M.  Kiland  was  reared,  spending 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  559 

his  youthful  days  in  the  usual  manner  of  farm  lads.  He  worked  in  the  fields 
during  vacation  periods  while  attending  the  common  schools,  and  he  early  became 
familiar  with  the  best  methods  of  tilling  the  soil  and  caring  for  the  crops,  so  that 
when  his  father  abandoned  farming  he  was  ready  to  take  up  the  work.  He 
rented  the  home  place  of  his  father  and  has  since  continued  its  cultivation,  his 
labors  contributing  to  its  further  development  and  improvement.  He  annually 
harvests  good  crops  and  follows  practical,  progressive  methods  in  all  that  he  does. 

Mr.  Kiland  was  reared  in  the  Lutheran  faith,  to  which  he  still  adheres,  and 
«ince  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  been  a  republican, 
keeping  well  informed  on  the  questions  and  issues  of  the  day  but  never  seeking 
office.  He  is  widely  known  as  one  of  the  respected  young  farmers  of  the  community 
and  has  many  friends. 


PETER  A.  C.  WALLE. 


Peter  A.  C.  Walle,  whose  home  is  on  section  15,  Eden  township,  Winnebago 
county,  has  devoted  his  entire  life  to  general  agricultural  pursuits  and  is  today 
the  owner  of  an  excellent  farm  which  he  has  brought  under  a  high  state  of  culti- 
vation. He  was  born  near  Delavan,  Minnesota,  December  14,  1869,  and  is  a 
son  of  Christian  Johnson  and  Beret  (Void)  Walle,  who  were  born  at  Bergen,  in 
the  northern  part  of  Norway.  The  father  was  a  sailor  and  in  that  locality  was 
married.  Five  of  their  children  were  born  in  Norway,  after  which  the  family 
came  to  the  United  States  and  located  in  Minnesota,  where  they  lived  for  nine 
years.  A  removal  was  then  made  to  Eden  township,  Winnebago  county,  where 
Mr.  Walle  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acl-es  of  land  on  section  15.  H6  at 
once  began  to  break  the  sod  and  prepare  the  fields  for  planting  and  in  due  time 
good  harvests  were  gathered.  He  thereafter  continued  to  engage  in  farming  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  1906,  while  his  wife  survived  until  1910.  They  were 
buried  in  the  churchyard  cemetery  upon  the  home  farm.  Mr.  Walle  was  a  repub- 
lican in  his  political  views  and  was  an  earnest,  consistent  Christian  man.  More- 
over, in  a  material  sense  he  was  a  self-made  man,  owing  his  success  entirely  to 
his  own  efforts.  Of  the  five  children  bom  to  him  and  his  wife  in  Norway,  two 
are  let  living:  Ole  B.  C,  who  is  living  in  Lamoure  county.  North  Dakota;  and 
Chris  C,  a  resident  of  Eden  township,  Winnebago  county.  One  of  the  children 
died  in  Norway  in  infancy  and  another  when  on  shipboard  coming  to  the  United 
States,  while  John  died  at  the  age  of  thirty  years.  Four  children  were  born  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Christian  Johnson  Walle  in  this  country,  of  whom  two  are  living: 
Peter  A.  C.  and  Ed,  both  of  whom  are  residents  of  Eden  township.  One  died  in 
early  life,  while  Johanna  became  the  wife  of  Ole  Hauge,  of  Eden  township,  and 
passed  away  in  1916. 

Peter  A.  C.  Walle  began  attending  the  pioneer  schools,  but  his  educational 
opportunities  were  very  limited,  as  deafness  prevented  him  from  pursuing  his 
studies  in  that  way.  This  deafness,  however,  has  fortunately  passed  away.  In 
his  youth  Peter  Walle  worked  in  the  fields  and  began  farming  the  home  place  for 
his  father  on  shares.  He  now  owns  the  home  farm.  When  he  first  started  for 
himself  he  purchased  the  south  half  of  the  northwest  quarter  and  the  northwest 


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560  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

quarter  of  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  14,  but  has  since  sold  that  property 
and  is  today  the  owner  of  the  old  homestead,  which  is  one  of  the  good  farms  of 
Eden  township.  His  entire  life  has  been  devoted  to  general  agricultural  pursuits 
and  the  spirit  of  progress  actuates  him  in  all  that  he  does. 

When  thirty-eight  years  of  age  Mr.  Walle  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Maria  Steffenson,  who  came  to  the  United  States  from  Norway  about  two  years 
prior  to  her  marriage.  She  has  become  the  mother  of  three  children:  Christina 
Bettina,  Anna  Serena  and  Bemice  Jenetta.  Mr.  Walle  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  XTnitied  Lutheran  church  and  are  people  of  genuine  personal  worth,  enjoying 
the  warm  regard  of  all  with  whom  they  have  been  brought  in  contact.  His  polit- 
ical endorsement  is  given  to  the  republican  party.  He  is  now  the  owner  of  a  fine 
farm  and  may  justly  be  called  a  self-made  man,  his  success  being  attributable 
entirely  to  his  persistent,  earnest  labors  carefully  directed. 


B.  C.  ELLSWORTH. 


B.  C.  Ellsworth,  one  of  the  best  known  residents  of  Kanawha  actively  iden- 
tified with  its  public  interests  as  a  champion  of  all  that  stands  for  progress  and 
improvement,  was  bom  in  Eldora,  Hardin  county,  Iowa,  a  son  of  Daniel  V.  and 
Saloma  Ellsworth,  who  were  pioneers  of  that  county.  He  obtained  a  high  school 
and  normal  college  education  and  has  always  been  engaged  in  newspaper  publica- 
tion, which  work  he  began  in  Nebraska.  He  came  to  Kanawha  from  Eldora,  Iowa, 
in  July,  1899,  and  established  a  newspaper  called  The  Kanawha  Record.  From  a 
modest  printing  shop  with  a  second-hand  Washington  hand  press  and  very  little 
cash  assets  the  business  has  been  developed,  the  office  being  transformed  into 
a  modem  and  excellent  plant  for  a  town  of  this  size.  In  1916  the  business 
was  housed  in  a  fine  new  modem  brick  building  erected  by  the  publisher.  His 
patronage  has  been  satisfactory,  a  large  percentage  of  the  business  firms  being 
constant  patrons,  while  the  home  territory  subscription  list  is  particularly  large. 
The  newspaper  has  stood  for  a  clean  town  and  has  always  foreseen  and  early  advo- 
cated every  public  and  semi-public  enterprise  for  the  benefit  of  the  town  and 
conmiunity.  After  nearly  eighteen  years  of  steady  newspaper  service  in  Kanawha 
the  property  was  sold  to  a  stock  company  May  1,  1917.  At  the  time  this  work 
is  in  preparation  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ellsworth  are  enjoying  an  extended  vacation  and 
touring  trip,  with  future  plans  not  fully  matured,  but  retain  their  residence 
property  in  Kanawha. 

In  July,  1899,  Mr.  Ellsworth  arrived  in  Kanawha.  The  town  was  in  its 
early  stages  of  development;  in  fact,  it  was  the  first  year  of  its  existence  and  the 
railroad  was  not  yet  in  operation.  'At  the  time  of  Mr.  Ellsworth's  retirement 
from  business  in  May,  1917,  he  was  the  last  to  sever  business  relations  of  the 
pioneer  men  who  first  located  in  the  town  in  the  early  months  of  its  existence. 

The  political  efforts  of  Mr.  Ellsworth  and  his  newspaper  have  always  been 
for  the  support  of  the  republican  party  and  in  that  service  he  has  held  several 
township,  county  and  district  political  positions.  A  few  months  after  coming  to 
Kanawha  he  formulated  and  personally  circulated  petitions  for  five  rural  mail 


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WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES  561 

delivery  routes,  which  later  were  established  and  are  yet  in  operation,  being  the 
first  mail  service  of  that  nature  to  be  established  in  Hancock  county.  After  a 
year's  residence  here  Mr.  Ellsworth  was  appointed  postmaster,  in  which  position 
he  served  for  more  than  two  terms,  the  service  and  patronage  of  the  office  being 
largely  developed  during  his  administration. 

On  the  9th  of  September,  1903,  at  Forest  City,  Iowa,  Mr.  Ellsworth  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Lillian  K.  Seibert,  who  is  the  eldest  of  a  family  of 
twelve  children,  all  living,  born  to  Peter  and  Louise  Seibert,  who  were  pioneer 
settlers  of  this  section  of  the  state.  Mrs.  Ellsworth  was  born  in  Hancock  county. 
They  have  an  adopted  child,  Eldon  Lovette,  who  was  born  April  2,  1911,  in 
California. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ellsworth's  church  affiliation  is  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  in  which  both  have  rendered  official  service,  taking  an  active  part  in  pro- 
moting its  growth  and  upbuilding,  while  in  the  social  circles  of  the  city  they 
occupy  an  enviable  position,  haying  a  large  number  of  warm  friends.  It  will  be 
noted  that  Mr;  Ellsworth  was  for  a  longer  period  than  any  other  man  continuously 
connected  with  the  business  interests  of  Kanawha,  that  he  established  the  first 
rural  mail  routes  and  in  many  other  ways  has  been  closely  associated  with  the 
growth,  progress  and  development  of  this  section,  so  that  his  life  history  consti- 
tutes an  important  chapter  in  the  annals  of  Hancock  county. 


NELSE.  BRUDVIG. 


Nels  E.  Brudvig,  whose  home  is  on  section  13,  Logan  township,  Winnebago 
county,  has  there  resided  since  1910  and  the  neat  and  thrifty  appearance  of  his 
place  is  the  visible  evidence  of  his  active  life,  which  is  fraught  with  good  results. 
In  all  his  farm  work  he  is  practical  and  progressive  and  thereby  wins  a  fair 
measure  of  prosperity.  Wisconsin  numbers  him  among  her  native  sons,  for  he 
was  bom  in  Columbia  county,  December  4,  1870.  His  parents  were  Erick  and 
Martha  Brudvig,  natives  of  Norway,  who  came  to  the  United  States  in  early 
manhood  and  womanhood  and  were  married  in  Wisconsin,  where  they  resided 
for  three  years.  They  then  came  to  Winnebago  county  and  Mr.  Brudvig  pur- 
chased one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  on  section  14,  Norway  township.  It 
was  entirely  undeveloped  and  unimproved,  but  with  characteristic  energy  he  began 
the  work  of  converting  it  into  a  modern  farm.  He  cleared  the  land,  placed  it 
under  the  plow  and  in  course  of  time  was  gathering  substantial  harvests.  He 
furthered  the  work  of  improvement  in  every  way  and  farmed  thereon  until  his 
death  in  1899,  when  his  remains  were  interred  in  the  Lime  Creek  cemetery. 
His  widow  still  survives  and  yet  occupies  the  old  homestead.  In  their  family  . 
were  nine  children,  of  whom  three  died  in  infancy,  while  those  yet  living  are: 
John  E.,  who  is  upon  the  home  farm  with  his  mother;  Nels  E. ;  Andrew,  living 
in  Norway  township,  Winnebago  county;  and  Dorthea,  Anna  and  Martin,  all 
yet  at  home. 

Nels  E.  Brudvig  was  reared  amid  the  wild  scenes  and  environments  of  frontier 
life,  for  northern  Iowa  was  still   a   largely  undeveloped   and  unsettled   district 

ii— 28 


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562  WINNEBAGO    AND    HANCOCK    COUNTIES 

when  the  family  home  was  estahlislied  in  Winnebago  county.  ITe  was  a  pupil  in 
the  pioneer  schools  of  Norway  township,  thus  pursuing  his  education  until  he 
readied  the  age  of  sixteen  years,  after  which  he  devoted  four  years  to  assisting 
his  father  on  the  old  homestead.  Later  he  spent  three  years  as  a  farm  liand  in 
Columbia  county,  Wisconsin,  and  during  the  following  two  years  rented  a  farm 
there.  Returning  west,  of  the  Mississippi,  he  took  up  his  abode  in  Freeborn 
county,  Minnesota,  where  he  purchased  land,  which  he  owned  and  cultivated  for 
five  years.  He  then  sold  that  property  and  bought  a  farm  in  Newton  township, 
Winnebago  county,  which  he  occui)ied  for  seven  years.  When  he  disposed  of  that 
place  he  bought  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  13,  Logan  township,  and  has 
made  his  home  thereon  since  IDlOj  his  labors  resulting  in  making  this  an  excel- 
lent farm  with  modern  eijuipments,  his  highly  cultivated  fields  indicating  the 
practical  and  progressive  methods  which  he  follows  in  all  of  his  farm  work. 

Mr.  Brudvig  was  married  when  twenty-six  years  of  age  to  Miss  Madel  Ilelle, 
a  daughter  of  Mons  N.  and  Katrina  ITelle,  who  were  early  settlers  of  Norway 
township.  To  this  union  have  been  born  seven  children,  Minnie,.  Clara,  Erick, 
Annette,  Myrtle,  Katherine  and  Gladys. 

The  parents  are  members  of  the  Synod  Lutheran  church  and  are  people  of 
the  highest  respectability,  enjoying  the  goodwill  and  friendship  of  all  who  know 
them.  Mr.  Brudvig  votes  with  the  republican  party,  which  he  has  long  supported. 
lie  is  a  self-made  man,  being  both  the  architect  and  builder  of  his  own  fortunes. 
ITe  has  planned  and  worked  for  his  success  and  has  ever  continued  in  the  line  of 
labor  to  which  he  was  reared,  so  that  long  experience  has  furthered  his  knowledge 
and  made  him  most  efficient  in  all  that  he  does. 


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INDEX 


Aasgaard,  L.  1 84 

Africa,  Henry 347 

Aitchison,  J.  H 463 

Aldal,  K.  J 95 

Ambrosen,  Ambi-ose 194 

Anderson,  A.  C 268 

Anderson,  C.  N 417 

Anderson,  J.  T 434 

Anderson,  L.  S 6 

Anderson,  N.  K 184 

Anderson,  O.  A 57 

Annett,  W.  H 288 

Armstrong,  H.  C 379 

Arnold,  C.  A 329 

Arnold,  E.  J 463 

Arnold,  Fred    464 

Asher,  E.  E 7 

Avery,  Anson 68 

Avery,  L.  G.- 359 

Baggs,  J.  R is 

Bagne,  N.  E 485 

Bailey,  E.  N 556 

Bailey,  L.  B 20 

Barth,  Joseph 190 

Barthell,  B.  F 270 

Batchelor,  John 446 

Batenian,  H.  0 157 

Bayers,  N.  P 298 

Beadle,  C.   L 281 

Beadle,  G.  W 309 

Beckjorden,  Otto 266 

Beckman,    David 487 

Beecher,  Thomas 326 

Beier,  H.  C 389 

Beier,  Louisa  F 392 

Bell,  Adam 428 

Bellman,  V.  L 166 

Belsheim,  G.  G 490 

Bemis,  G.  A 21 

Benson,  Peter 427 

Berg,  N.  0 301 

Bergan,  Hans 73 

Bergan,  N.  0 63 

Bergfald,  J.  0 220 

Berhow,  Thomas 345 

Blackwell,  W.   S 74 

Boehnke,  Gust 91 

Boman,  Peter 153 

Bonar,  David 182 

Bonnstetter,  J.  J 365 

Branstad,  A.   E 107 

Bransted,  E.  E 321 

Brekke,  O.  H 225 

Bridges,  H.  W 139 

Brockey,  S.  C 305 

Brones,  A.  N 332 

Brones,  P.  N 448 

Brones,  Nathan    285 

Brooker,  F.    J 154 

Brooker,  J.  W 442 

563 


Brown,  H.   A 278 

Brown,  Johnston    341 

Brown,  L.  C 555 

Brudvig,  J.   N 292 

Brudvig,  N.  E 561 

Brustad,  T.  S 522 

Buck,  D.  W 239 

Buckly,  Martin 540 

Burdick,  B.  C 296 

Bye,  J.  J 327 

Carson,  G.  M 355 

Carson,  John    328 

Carson,  M.  H 457 

Chambers,  S.  E 441 

Charlson,  Andrew    291 

Charlson,  C.  N 537 

Charlson,  Ellen    230 

Charlson,  Nels    230 

Charlson,  N.  E 468 

Chase,  F.  R 109 

Christenson,   Christ 531 

Christianson,  Julius 455 

Clark,  F.    H 443 

Clark,  Robert 5 

Clark,  R.  W 64 

Clauson,  A.    E 258 

Clausen,  A.  M 51 

Cleophas,  H.  R 552 

eleven,  T.  K 84 

Colby,   J.    E 422 

Combs,  W.  H 438 

Conley,  J.  B 176 

Conner,  Bick 300 

Core,  C.  B 129 

(/osgriff,  Martin 478 

Costello,  J.  W 51 

Cox,  G.  L 520 

Cuffel,  R.  W ir>5 

Curley,  C.  B 499 

Dahl,  A.  E 227 

Dahl,  G.  A 219 

Dahlen,  L.  0 96 

Dakken,  O.  E 467 

Degnepold,  P.  O 513 

Denney,  B.  F 433 

Denzel,  Henry 240 

Drugg,  C.  J 147 

Duesenberg,  Henry 173 

Duncan,  D.  T 396 

Dybendahl,  Gunder 74 

Egan,   Thomas 71 

Eichorn,  H.  H 527 

Eiel,  H.  E 43 

P^llickson,  James 271 

Ellsworth,  B.  C 560 

Engebretson,  Christian 352 

Engebretson,  H.  C 249 

Engebretson,  J.  C 322 

Erdman,  W.  F 421 


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564 


INDEX 


Erickson,  J.  E 401 

Krickson,  Nels   1 19 

Escher,  Christian 350 

Farmers  National  Bank 150 

Felle,  O.  0 506 

Field,   Albert 83 

Fillmore,  R.  S.,  Jr 357 

First  National  Bank 522 

Fjilland,  I.  G 544 

Florence,  I.  0 372 

Flugum,  C.  N 78 

Flugum,  filling    538 

Flugum,  M.  N 473 

Forest  City  National  Bank 167 

Fowler,  D.  S 500 

Frandsen,  Nels 341 

Fredrickson,  Hans 399 

Fugleberg,  Halvor 290 

Fugleberg,  Hans   290 

Galloway,  M.  P 370 

Gaskill,  E.  G 397 

Gavin,  Patrick 204 

Geibel,  G.  T 415 

Gettis,  J.  S 58 

Geving,  J.  B ^ 419 

Giflford,  J.  E 483 

Gillstrap,  Chris 458 

Glawe,  R.  C. 3*'5 

Goranson,  Nils 2e'6 

Gordon,  Gustav 248 

Gourley,  W.  E 3S1 

Green,  W.  G 391 

Griesemer,  Henry    250 

Griesemer,  P.   M 33 

Griffin,   Edward 536 

Groe,  O.  T 259 

Groning,  Hans 231 

Grunhuvd,  Mrs.  K.  E 134 

Gunderson,  O.  E 523 

Gunderson,  P.  E 456 

Gunderson,  Sever 550 

Gunhus,  B.  G 124 

Haes,  W.  E 395 

Hage,  K.  M 553 

Hage,  M.  M 208 

Hagen,  H/  E 418 

Hahn,   Al^ce 238 

Halvorsen,  O.  L 160 

Halvorson,  John    206 

Hamersland,  S.  L 508 

Hamlin    O.  J 524 

Hammill,  Jennie 94 

Hanna,  B.  G 444 

Hansen,  J.  E 455 

Hai^en,  O.  A 140 

Hansing,  H.  0 232 

Hanson,  Andrew    479 

Hanson,  E.  P 402 

Hanson,  F.    M 22 

Hanson,  J.  P 193 

Hanson,  R.  E 65 

Hanson,  Stener    517 

Harrison,  H.  0 351 

Hartwig,  C.  A 370 

Hatterschied,  Peter 406 

Haugland,  E.   R 116 

Haugland,  R.  0 115 

Haugo,  A.  T 86 


Ilegland,  Martin 30 

Hejlik,  Joseph 53 

Helgesen,  P.  A '. 101 

Helgeson,  Ole 251 

Helgren,   John 378 

Helle,  M.  N ; . .  396 

Henderson,  Ed 245 

Herm,  G.  G 15^1 

Higdon,    Shotwell 335 

Hill,  E.  R 242 

Hill,  R.  J 238 

Hinman,  E.  D 44 

Hoadley,  R.  D 339 

Holman,  J.  N 504 

Hoist,  J.  J. 309 

Holstad,  M.  J 25 

Holtan,  Thomas 376 

Honaey,  Gottorm 336 

Honsey,  S.  G 433 

Houg,*  E.  A 174 

Houg,  G.  A 174 

Hovey.  Ole 367 

Howard,  J.  E 34 

Hurless,  E.  H 265 

Indvik,  E.  J 42 

Indvik,  O.  0 222 

fngebretson,    Andrew 242 

Irish,  H.  R 117 

Isaacs,  N.  E 60 

Isaacson,  John   105 

Isaacson,  T.  E 252 

Jacobs,  Hans 1^8 

Jacobson,  Ludvig    76 

Jacobson,  S.   M 3  ")6 

Jensen,  L.  A 126 

Jenson,  J.    B 108 

Jensen,  O.    B. 212 

Johnson,  A.  A .342 

JohnFon,  A.   W 416 

Johi'son,  D.  N 494 

Johnson,  John    28 

Johnson,  Knudt 188 

Johnson,  Melvin 277 

Johnson,  O.    S 198 

Jordanger,  Andrew 543 

Juhl,  H.  P 167 

Jurgensen,    John 478 

Juvland,  O.  K 124 

Kahler,  G.  A 19 

Katter,  Fred 361 

Keeler,  J.  B 181 

Kendall,  W.  T 148 

Keasey,  I.  J 179 

Kiland,  K.  K 548 

Kiland,  O.  M 558 

Kinden,  J.  T 526 

Klipping,    Samuel 289 

Kloppen,  J.  J 203 

Kluckhohn,  E.  F 125 

Kluver,  H.  R 214 

Knadler,  J.  W 139 

Knu<lsen,  Peter 390 

Knutson,  H.  J 410 

Kobbervig,  E.  0 532 

Krauss,   George 474 

Kuns,  J.  D 276 

Kvambeck,  H.  0 346 


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INDEX 


565 


Lackore,  A   F.. 260 

Lackore,  C.   H 66 

Lande,  J.  J 461 

Larsen,  K.  M. 377 

Larson,  Hans   110 

Larson,  Nels 453 

Larson,  S.   H 162 

Lau,  August 85 

Lauen,  H.  B 350 

Lee,  G.  M 228 

Leehy,  J.  J 67 

Lehman,  C.  F 331 

Len?,  W.  G 418 

Leslie,  F.  C 213 

Lewis,  J.  R 349 

Ludvig,  L.  E 123 

Lundberg,  John 226 

Lundstrum,  A.  N 180 

McCartney,  R.  L 496 

McGreevey,  E.  G 102 

Maben,  O.  K 514 

Macomber,  B.  N 311 

Mahoney,  J.  W 312 

Marsaa,  A.  K 437 

Martinson,  C.    0 257 

Martinson,  H.    1 369 

Martinson,  M.  1 297 

Martinson,  O.    1 476 

Medlang,  P.  P 26 

Michaelson,  Ole. .  .    382 

Miller,  F.  L 366 

Mo<9,  Benjamin    516 

Moe,  C.    K 295 

Moe,  K.  J 554 

Moe,  T.  J 82 

Moen,  J.  L 480 

Mogen,  O.  A 171 

Monson,  S.  C 521 

Mortenson,  J.   H 272 

Mortenson,  Tonnes    489 

Mosstad,  A.  0 549 

Mulholland,  C.  E 462 

Myhr,  A.    B 302 

Myre,  C.  C 120 

Myre,  H.  C 275 

Myre,  H.  T 256 

Naumann,  C.  J 317 

Nedved,  Joseph 168 

Nelsen,  J.  P 306 

Nelson,  Christian 539 

Nelson,  C.   K 528 

Nelson,  H.  K 337 

Nelson,  Lewis 180 

Nelson,  N.  1 557 

Nesje,  N,  N 516 

Nesset,  A.  B 161 

Nichols,  Lee 510 

Odden,  J.  C 137 

Ofstedahl,  J.  1 229 

Olson,  Andrew   398 

Olson,  CO 545 

Olson,  Gilbert 348 

Olson,  Jacob 316 

Olson,  John    362 

Olson,  O.  1 143 

Olson,  Soren   315 

Opsahl,  N.  G 505 


Osheim,  K.  G 306 

Osmundson,  J.  0 88 

Osmundson,  Ole  503 

Otis,  Frank 280 

Otis,  J.  J 87 

Oxley,  F.    J 262 

Oxley,  G.  H 477 

Paulson,  Peter 189 

Peters,  A.  J 175 

Petersen,  L.  H 466 

Petersen,  P.  H 445 

Petersen,  P.  0 236  . 

Peterson,  A.  H 400 

Peterson,  D.  H 282 

Peterson,  L.    E 275 

Piatt,  G.  W 541 

Phimmer,  B.   A 556 

Plummer,  B.  C 508 

Price,   Edward 319 

Pringnitz,  Franz 475 

Prull,  Charles 496 

Quigley,  Frank 340 

Rake,  A.  A 408 

Rake,  Johnnie    375 

Ramsay,  W.  H 50 

Rasmuson,  Sivert 533 

Rasmusson,     Martin 29 

Reienes,  Erik 405 

Revell,  J.  H 543 

Rodberg,  A.  A 299 

Roenf an?,   Albert    94 

Rolands,  R.  E 65 

Rosheim,  I.  0 551 

Rusley,  J.  J 547 

Rusley,  J.  0 498 

Russell,  F.  W 40 

Rygmyr,  C.  H 255 

Sampson,  L.  E 150 

Samuelson,  F.  A 93 

Sande,   H.   N 454 

Schaefer,  C.  C 261 

Schneider,  C.   J 208 

Schneider,  R.  F : 159 

Schroeder,  W.  D *. . .  497 

Secor,  Eugene    36 

Secor,  Forest    541 

Segerstrom,  A.  F 118 

Severson,  Ed    221 

Severson,  Gilbert  81 

Severson,  John 4^4 

Severson,  O.    H 318 

Sievert,  F.  A 320 

Sime,  O.  J 187 

Sloan,  J.  M 488 

Sloan,  J  .W 326 

Smith,  CD 59 

Smith,  S.   A 172 

Smith,  W.  D 525 

Soals,  A.  E 235 

Sogard,  Arne 205 

Solomonson,  L.   0 451 

Solomonson,  Oscar    452 

Solomonson,  S.  0 371 

Sorbon,  T.  A 286 

Stalheim,  A.  O 281 

Stedje,  M.  J 258 


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566 


INDEX 


8tene,  B.    E 473 

Stene,  E.    B 3hh 

Stene,  L.  B 138 

8t€De,  8.  E 509 

Sterrenberg,  H.  H 507 

Stille,  H.  J 493 

Stille,  W.   F 4^0 

8tilM)D,  E.  L 77 

Storby,  P.  0 447 

8tork,  Fred 4H6 

Btreeper,  8.  P 235 

Streeter,  A.  W 269 

StuU,  Claude 336 

Subj,  C.  L 534 

8uckow,  H.  L 330 

8undenneyer,  W.  C 4^9 

Swanson,  Oscar 3S0 

Sweers,  Jacob 405 

8weet,  D.  B 149 

Sweigard,  H.  A 325 

Sweigard,  Isaac  222 

8wenson,  Hans 207 

SwensoD,  Ole    518 

Swenson,  O.  H 218 

Tanner,  J.  G 4S6 

Tapager,  J.  M 27 

Tapager,  M.   M 237 

Terhufen,  J.  H 35 

Thoe,  L.  N 99 

Tboe,  N .  L 100 

Thompson,  B.  J 307 

Thompson,  CO 360 

Thompson,  Gilbert 49 

Thompson,  Henry    435 

Thompson,  H.   F 92 

Thompson,  Jasper  11 

Thompson,  J.  F 195 

Thompson,  L.  T 546 

Thompson,  M.  M 198 

Thompson,  Oscar 356 

Thompson,  O.  A 231 

Thompson,  T.   A 183 


Thompson,  T.   H 241 

Thompson,  T.  1 287 

Thompson,  W.  F 367 

Thoresen,  Helena  and  Gena 387 

Thor\  ilson,  T.  A 409 

Thronson,  Sam 358 

Thune,  O.  G 387 

Tinderholt,  A.  8 519 

Tobiason,  Thomas 212 

Tobiai*sen,  A.  0 247 

Tofte,  A.  J 436 

Torgerson,  Cliristian 3S6 

Travelute,  C.  W 420 

Truml>elU  J.  A 217 

Turner.  8.  K 279 

Tveten.  0.0 542 

Tweed,  T.  8 52 

Twito,  J.  E 75 

Twito,  T.  H 72 

Wacholz.  F.  L 144 

Walle,  P.  A.  C 559 

Walpole,  Thomas 152 

Weiland,  Anton 546 

Wellman,  W.  K 141 

Wells,  W.  C 109 

Westerberg,  E.  J 338 

Westerberg,  Olaf 26 

Whetsler,  B.  F 515 

White,    Ole 118 

Wichman,  J.   E 54 

Wiles,  R.  W 4\\ 

Williams,  Edward   379 

Williams,  J.  C ir> 

Wilson,  Julia   36S 

Winnebago  County  State  Bank 267 

Wood,  C.  R -^^C 

Woodcock,  W.  F 142 

Zeiger,  F.  W 211 

Zeigler,  B.  F 46r 

Zeigler,  Ira 436 


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IWMT      AX     1303 


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