USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 1
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 1
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55
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IVO WINNEBAGO (V.) HISTORY ...
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY AND
HANCOCK COUNTY IOWA
A RECORD OF SETTLEMENT, ORGANIZATION PROGRESS AND ACHIEVEMENT
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME II
CHICAGO THE PIONEER PUBLISHING COMPANY 1917
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LICENANY 99261B
1 TL. . .. . R
ROBERT CLARK
BIOGRAPHICAL
ROBERT CLARK.
No history of Winnebago county would be complete without extended reference to Robert 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 City, 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 county, June 5, 1825, 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 afterward he disposed of his property there and became a resident of Rockford, 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. Ile entered a large tract, began its development and was ever afterward closely associated with the growth and improvement of the county 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 he 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 office of postmaster after four years' 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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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 George and Julia (Printz) Brentner, who were natives of Germany and of Virginia, respectively. The birth of Mrs. Clark occurred in Rockford, 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 born to them: Julia Ann; Brentner M .; Duncan R., 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 born 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: "His 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 sixty 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 the 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 O. Blair, of Reno, Nevada; Belle, who married William Frazier and resides near Reno; 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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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 Lake 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 children, 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 Verndale, Minnesota; June, now Mrs. R. W. Lloyd, of Verndale; 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 office 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 Royal 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 E. 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. Ile 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. IIe early became acquainted with all kinds of
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farm work and he has continued in active connection with general agricultural pursuits throughout his entire life. Removing 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 in 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 born 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 E .; Ray B .; and Mervyn. Homer spent two years in college and Ray 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. R. BAGGS.
J. R. Baggs has for some years been prominently identified with educational affairs and is now efficiently serving as county superintendent of schools in Hancock county, his home being in Garner. He was born 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 subsequently 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 Garner, 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, Robert and William. Both Mr. and Mrs. Baggs are members of the Methodist Episcopal
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J. R. BAGES
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church and he is also identified with the Masonic fraternity. IIe 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 inen 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 his section of the state.
Mr. Thompson was born 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. Ifis 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 Eldora. For this service the man paid him in
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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 immediately 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, he 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. Ile 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. His 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, eondueting his store with growing success until 1883.
In that year Mr. Thompson turned his attention to banking. Ile 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 & fowa 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. F. Thompson. Hon. William Larrabee and others under the firm name of Thompson Brothers. IIe 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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viee president and B. J. Thompson as cashier. In 1886 this firm organized the Citizens National Bank of Britt, with Jasper Thompson, J. F. 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 Mr. 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 ereeted the flax palace at Forest City. In 1893 he organized the Chicago & Iowa Western Land 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 reeognition of his untiring and resultant efforts for the develop- ment of that seetion 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 suceess.
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. HI. 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 born. Afterward Mr. Thompson engaged to build cellars for a barn and a house, in exchange for which he was to receive forty aeres 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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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.
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