Biographical and historical memoirs of Story County, Iowa, Part 43

Author:
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Goodspeed
Number of Pages: 484

USA > Iowa > Story County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Story County, Iowa > Part 43

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

James Earl is the proprietor of an exception- ally well appointed livery and sale stable at Ne- vada, and has followed this occupation very successfully for the past five years. His birth occurred in the " Empire State " May 16, 1830, and like the majority of native New Yorkers he is intelligent, enterprising and industrions. His parents, Holland and Matilda (Post) Earl, were also born in that State, but their deaths occurred in Ogle County, Ill., at the age of forty-nine and sixty-eight years, respectively. They were pioneers of Ogle County, having moved thither in 1848, and Mr. Earl was a fairly prosperous farmer. To this occupation the subject of this sketch was reared, but, in addition to following the plow, he was sent to the district schools near his home, where he ac-

319

STORY COUNTY.

quired a good practical education. At the age of twenty-two years he began following the plow on his own account and this occupation continued to receive his attention until 1870, when he came to Story County, Iowa, and set- tled on a farm on East Indian Creek, and re- mained there for thirteen years. In 1883 he moved to the town of Nevada, and two years later opened his present livery establishment, which is one of the best in this section of the State. His vehicles and animals are always in good condition and ready for use, and his prices are very reasonable. He has always been hon- orable and upright in his dealings with the public, and he commands the respect and es- teem of a wide circle of acquaintances. He was married, in 1853, to Miss Wealthy Ann Stickney, who passed from life in the month of December, 1884, having borne two children: Clarence and Elva. Mr. Earl is one of four surviving members of a family of five children. He has always been a Republican in his polit- ical views. His son, Clarence W. Earl, was born in Ogle County, Ill., February 11, 1864, and came with his parents to Story County, Iowa, at the age of five years, and is now asso- ciated with his father in the livery business. His marriage, which occurred on the 31st of December, 1889, was to Miss Kate E. Elliott, a native of Story County. Like his father he affiliates with the Republican party, and so- cially belongs to the K. of P.

Michael Erickson was born in Norway on November 11, 1836, and is a son of Jacob Erickson, who married Miss Ellen Michaelson. In 1849 the family emigrated to America, locat- ing in Grundy County, Ill., where the father farmed for seven years, at the end of which time he moved to Iowa and located in Story County, where they resided until his death in 1881. His wife had died three years before, and they left three sons and two daughters, of

whom Michael is the oldest. The subject of this sketch passed his childhood in Illinois, at- tending school, and remained with his parents until grown, at which period he commenced farming, and invested in some valuable land. At present he is one of the most prominent farmers and lumber dealers of Story County, and naturally finds life quite enjoyable, since success crowns his efforts in the business line. In politics he is a strong Republican, and a popular man in that party, and is also a school trustee. Mr. Erickson was married, in 1856, to Miss Sarah Olson, a native of Norway. But Death likes "a shining mark" and claimed her for the other world about 1863. She left two children, Ida and Elizzie. In 1866 our sub- ject was again married, this time to Miss Mar- tha Olson, a sister of his first wife. They are the parents of three children: Olaf Jacob, Severt and Anna May. The family are prominent mem- bers of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Erickson has indeed been fortunate in receiving "the goods the gods provide," being to-day one of the wealthiest and happiest citizens of Story County.

Anfen Ersland, farmer and stock-raiser, Cambridge, Iowa. Anfen Ersland, the subject of this sketch, was born on Ersland Farm, in Norway, near the ancient city of Bergen, April 17, 1841, and is now one of the prominent citi- zens of foreign birth in Story County. [See further particulars of parents in sketch of Mrs. Apland. ] His parents were both natives of Norway, and are deceased. The father was a cooper by trade and an agriculturist by occu- pation. He was about seventy years of age at the time of his death, and the mother, who died in 1855, was about forty years of age. Anfen Ersland received his early education in Nor- way, and a small share of English education in Iowa. He commenced life for himself at the age of about twenty years, and, with very little

320

HISTORY OF IOWA.

help, has become one of the most extensive farmers and stock-raisers in the county. In the spring of 1861 he went to Kendall County, Ill., to seek employment, remaining there until the summer of 1862, and on March 17, 1863, was married to Miss Alice Nelson, a native of Norway, who was educated in Illinois. Four- teen children were the fruits of this union- eight sons and six daughters-twelve of whom are living: Knute A. [see sketch ], Seward (resides in Story County, and is a public- school teacher; educated in Cambridge graded schools, Decorah, Iowa, and Adrian, Minn .; he is a very successful educator), Eli (resides at home and has fitted himself for a teacher, but is at present engaged in cultivating the soil ), Carl (resides at home, and is engaged in merchan- dising), Randa (was educated in the Cam- bridge graded schools, and is now a school teacher, and a very successful one), Carrie (resides at home), Anna, Martha, Joseph, Aggie, Lewis and Arthur. Amos died at the age of two years, and an infant died unnamed. At Springfield, Ill., August 12, 1862, Mr. Ers- land enlisted in Company E, Ninety-first Illi- nois Volunteers, and was mustered into service at Camp Butler. He was assigned to the Army of the Gulf, and was in the following engage- ments: Elizabethtown (Ky.), where the most of his regiment was captured by the rebel Gen. Morgan, Chaffelia (La.), and from there went to Texas, where he remained fourteen months, and was engaged in several skirmishes; also in the bombardment of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakeley. He was honorably discharged at Mobile, Ala., and was mustered out at Spring- field, Ill., July 14, 1865. He then returned to Kendall County, Ill., and, when twenty-five years of age, emigrated to Story County, Iowa, where he has remained ever since, engaged in the arduous duties of the farm. Mr. Ersland has always identified himself with the Repub-

lican party, and his first presidential vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln, at his second elec- tion. He has served as trustee one term, and is now holding the position of county super- visor with credit to himself and to the people. He has held this position for nine years. He is a member of the G. A. R. Post No. 234, which has about forty members in good stand- ing, and he is quartermaster of the same. He and Mrs. Ersland are members of the Lutheran Fjeldberg Church, in Palestine Township, and are active workers in the same. Mr. Ersland is also deeply interested in edu- cational matters; was district treasurer for ten years, and has held the position of secretary and director for many years. He is the owner of 160 acres of land, on which is a good farm- residence, out-buildings, etc., and here he and wife expect to make their home for the future.

Knute A. Ersland, farmer and stock-raiser, Cambridge, Iowa. Although a young man Mr. Ersland has risen to a position in agricultural affairs in Story County which many older in years and opportunities might envy. [For par- ticulars of parents see sketch of Anfen Ers- land. ] He was born in Kendall County, Ill., December 10, 1863, and was reared principally in Iowa, receiving his primary education in the common schools. Later he attended the graded schools of Cambridge, Iowa, and there finished his education. He commenced life for himself at the age of twenty, and although his capital was not very large to begin with, he had the right spirit to succeed, and is acknowledged by all to be a young man of enterprise and ambi- tion. He was married to Miss Ragnhild Ap- land June 20, 1886, a native of Iowa, born Sep- tember 23, 1864, and to them were born three children-two sons and a daughter: Olum Al- len (died at the age of about eight months), Clara A. and Clarkson. Mrs. Ersland was edu- cated first in the common schools and then

---

321

STORY COUNTY.

graduated at St. Olaff's College, at Northfield, Minn. She is a lady of intelligence and ami- ability. Mr. Ersland is a Republican in poli- tics, and socially is a member of the I. O.O. F., Cambridge Lodge, having passed through all the chairs of the same. He is also connected with the A. F. & A. M., of Cambridge, and is secretary at the present time. He is a member of the S. of V., consisting of about twenty-five members, and has held all the chairs of this order. Mr. Ersland has been connected with the public schools of his dis- trict for the last three years, and was one of the recent census enumerators. He and Mrs. Ers- land are the owners of 131 acres of valuable land, a fair farm residence, and a barn 84x40 feet. They have a good grade of stock on their farm, and are in comfortable circum- stances.

Brit. O. Fatland is a citizen and merchant of the town of Cambridge, Iowa, his establishment comprising an excellent and extensive stock of agricultural implements. He was born in Ken- dall County, Ill., April 5, 1852, and was the first in a family of ten children born to his father's second marriage, the other members of the family being: Henry ( who is married to Martha Helleland, and is a furniture dealer of Cam- bridge), Esther (who died at the age of thir- teen years), Peter (who is married to a Miss Larson, and is engaged in farming in Wright County ), Oley ( who is a school teacher of Story County, and is now studying medicine in Iowa City), Sarah (who is the wife of L. A. Larson, a dealer in furniture, carpets, pianos, organs and sewing machines, at Cambridge), Carl (who is a farmer of the county), Mary (who died in infancy), Mary E. and Lena. The half brothers and sisters of the subject of this sketch are as follows: Ellen (who is the wife of Anfin Anfinson, a farmer), and John (who is a farmer of the county, and is married to Sarah Heg-

gen). The parents of these children were born in Norway, and both are now living, the former being seventy-two years of age, and the latter sixty-two. They emigrated to America in 1847, and in Story County, Iowa, Brit. O. Fatland obtained his education, being an attendant of the common schools, thereby becoming fitted for the practical issues of life. He is a warm advocate of the public-school system, and in fact educational institutions of all kinds find in him a friend and liberal supporter. He com- menced to make his own way in the world when he attained his twenty-second year, and although reared to a farm life, he has for some time given his attention to his present busi- ness. He emigrated direct from Kendall Coun- ty, Ill., to Story County, Iowa, in 1855, at which time the country was in a very virgin condi- tion, the prairies not being settled at all, and only a few homes along Skunk River. The county had no drainage to speak of, and it was then thought that the western part would never be settled, but since that time wonders have been accomplished, and it is now one of the most fertile regions of the State. He was mar- ried to Miss Elsa Berhard, a native of Europe, whose education was received in the common schools of Iowa, and to them a family of eight children have been born: Cora (aged sixteen years), Oscar (aged fifteen), Willie (aged twelve), Nettie (died in infancy), Olive Ber- netta (aged eight), Lenora (aged five), Hen- rietta (aged three) and Vidah L. (an infant). Mr. Fatland is a Republican, his first presi- dential vote being cast for Rutherford B. Hayes, and he has always upheld the principles of his party. He has held the position of town clerk for three terms, and filled this position very creditably. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. at Cambridge, and he and wife are ardent members of the Lutheran Church, and both have been teachers in the Sunday-school. They

0/5

322

HISTORY OF IOWA.

have always been interested in the welfare of Story County, and expect to make Cambridge their future home, where they already have a host of friends and acquaintances.

James D. Ferner is doing an excellent busi- ness in real estate, and is noted for his straight- forward method of conducting his affairs. He was born in Somerset County, Penn., Febru- ary 11, 1834, and is a son of Joseph and Nancy (Miller) Ferner, both of whom were born in the Keystone State. They each died in Somerset County, the former in 1876, at the age of seventy years, and the latter in 1889, also at that age. Of eleven children born to them, eight are now living, of whom James D. is the eldest, and in his early days he was taught the details of farming by his father, who had been a tanner in early life. On May 8, 1856, Mr. Ferner removed to Story County, and here for some time he followed the occupation of tanning, but at a later per- iod he opened a grocery store and continued to successfully follow this calling until 1863, when he enlisted in Company D, Twelfth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, serving his country faith- fully and well until the close of the war. For some time he was United States mail agent of the Fourteenth Army Corps, the duties of which position he filled for about seven months. He was wounded at Nashville, Tenn., but soon recovered and was again ready for duty. He had three brothers in the service, all of whom enlisted from Pennsylvania. In 1866 Mr. Ferner came to Nevada, Iowa, and after following the drug business for about two years he began dealing in real estate, and has proved a pushing, intelligent and enterprising man of business. He is one of the stock- holders in the First National Bank, and in his political views has always been an uncompro- mising Republican. He belongs to Lodge No. 99, of Masons, of Nevada, and is a member

of James D. Ferguson Post of the G. A. R. He and wife, whom he married in June, 1856, and whose maiden name was Helen Statler, were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The latter died in 1860, leaving one child-Catherine. His second marriage took place in July, 1869, his wife, Miss Virginia Jones, having been born in Virginia in 1847. They have two children: Edith and Elva.

Jacob R. Fetterhoff (deceased). The life of this highly honored gentleman was one of more than ordinary success as well as activity ; and the enviable position to which he attained was reached only by years of industry and strict adherence to the calling to which he was brought up -- that of farming. He was originally from Franklin County, Penn., where his birth occurred on the 20th of March, 1840, and his parents, Jacob and Catherine Ann (Rough) Fetterhoff, were natives also of the Keystone State. The father died in Pennsyl- vania and the mother in Maryland. Jacob R. Fetterhoff was reared with a farm experience, was educated in the common schools, and in 1862 he enlisted in Company H, Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, with which he remained until discharged as first sergeant at Lynch- burg, Va., in the spring of 1865. He was in thirty-one engagements during the years 1863 and 1864, and received but one wound. He was in the bloody and disastrous battle of Gettysburg, where so many thousand brave men were slain, but he escaped without injury. In the spring of 1866 he came to Story Coun- ty and settled on the farm where his widow now resides, four miles south of Nevada. He owned 182 acres of well-improved land, and here he died on the 28th of February, 1885. His death was the occasion of universal sorrow, for all felt the loss which would be sustained by the departure of such a man. He was mar- ried on the 12th of October, 1865, to Miss

---

323

STORY COUNTY.

Melvina C. Cook, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1843, and five living children are the result of this union: Anna M., Harvy G., Cleo Pearl, Benola A. and Etta B. Mr. Fetterhoff affiliated with the Republican party, and was quite active in political affairs. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church from 1866 to the time of his death, and was held in high esteem by its members. Mrs. Fetterhoff joined the church at the same time with her husband, and is a noble Christian woman. The father of Mrs. Fetterhoff, Samuel Cook, was born in Pennsylvania and died in that State when about forty-four years of age. Her mother, whose maiden name was Miss Mary Ann Beaver, was also a native of Pennsyl- vania, and died in that State when forty-six years of age.

Francis M. Finch, owner of the Walnut Grove Stock Farm, four and a half miles south of Ames, is a native of Michigan, and the young- est in a family of seven children born to Charles B. and Isabel ( Harford) Finch, natives of the Empire State. Francis Finch's broth- ers and sisters are named as follows: Marcel- lus, Samuel, Daniel, Charles B., Olivia and Eloisa. His grandfather, Moses Finch, was of English descent, and the latter's parents were early settlers of New York. Moses Finch was the father of eleven sons and two daughters, nearly all of whom he outlived. He was a carpenter by trade, as were many of his sons. Removing to Indiana at an early day, he later went to Michigan, then to Wisconsin, and finally to Minnesota, where he died about 1860, at the advanced age of nearly one hundred. Charles B. Finch was born about 1788, and served in the War of 1812, receiving a wound during that struggle that eventually caused his death, He moved to Indiana and thence to Michigan at an early day, and being a carpenter by trade, was one of those employed in building the

first capitol building of Wisconsin. Charles Finch was a shoemaker as well as carpenter, and made shoes for his own family. He worked several years in Indiana and Michigan at the carpenter's trade, and built a hewed-log house for Gen. Harrison at what was then called South Bend of the Ohio River, in South- ern Ohio. In Milton, Wis., he built the Mil- ton House for Joseph Goodrich, and also a large hotel at Madison, Wis., being an excel- lent workman. Francis M. Finch grew to manhood in the last-named State, and was married there in 1860 to Miss Mary Watt, daughter of Samuel and Catherine Watt, natives of Scotland. In the fall of 1860 he left Wisconsin for Iowa, and landed in Cam- bridge, Story County, Iowa, where he engaged in teaching school. He received a good edu- cation in Wisconsin, which has served him to good purpose at all times. He purchased land, and has followed agricultural pursuits ever since, although he has given his special atten- tion to the raising of blooded horses. For the past ten years he has kept from eighteen to twenty-five horses on his farm at all times, and has some splendid animals. Although he has not been prepared to develop them, they are as well if not better bred than any in the county, dating back to Bashaw, Morgan and Hambletonian and Blackhawk, and are selling at fancy prices. To Mr. Finch's marriage were born seven children: Charles J. (super- intendent of the great tin mines of the Black Hills), Calvin B., Annie Bell (now Mrs. Mahlan Sims, of Story County), Marcellus, Leila, Francis and Ella. Mr. Finch comes of Whig descent, but is a Republican in politics.

Joseph A. Fitchpatrick, attorney at law, loan and abstract agent, and vice-president of the First National Bank at Nevada, Iowa, be- longs to one of the representative families of this county, having been born in Washington

324

HISTORY OF IOWA.

County, Va., October 17, 1840 His parents, William H. and Sarah V. (Hagy) Fitchpatrick, were also born there in 1814 and 1815, re- spectively. In 1842 the family removed to Clinton County, Ind., where they made their home until 1854, then located in Boone County, Iowa, and later in 1857 in Story County. The father and mother are still living, and now re- side near Ames, Story County, Iowa. Joseph A., the eldest of eight children born to them, five of whom are living, spent his youth in at- tending the common schools and following the plow in Story County, sometimes teaching in winter. These occupations he laid aside upon Lincoln's first call for troops, and in May, 1861, enlisted in Capt. Scott's ( afterward Col. Scott) Company E, Third Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry, for three years, with which he served until after the battle of Atlanta (having re-en- listed for the war), when it was consolidated with the Second Iowa Infantry, and became Company A of that organization. He remained with this regiment until the close of the war, engaged in active service from the start. Dur- ing the summer, fall and winter of 1861 he was engaged in skirmishing all over the State of Missouri. He was in the battle of Shiloh April 6 and 7, 1862, where his regiment did valiant service, holding its line all day and re- pulsing every attack of the enemy. It was finally flanked and compelled to fall back, and in doing so, near 6 o'clock P. M., he, with a few others of the regiment including Maj. Stone, the commanding officer, fell in with the Iowa brigade, which a few moments afterward sur- rendered. He was a prisoner of war at Tusca- loosa, Ala., for the following ten weeks, when all the prisoners were paroled, but were not allowed to join their commands until exchanged several months later, during which time they remained in St. Louis, Mo. Mr. Fitchpatrick rejoined his regiment at Moscow, Tenn., in Jan-

uary, 1863, and later took part in the siege of Vicksburg, following which he went to Jack- son, Miss., and was in the unfortunate and ill-timed assault on the enemy's works at that place July 12, 1863, in which more than one- half of those engaged were either killed or wounded. He was in Sherman's Meridian ex- pedition in February, 1864, and was also in the Atlanta campaign, participating in the battles of Atlanta July 21 and 22, 1864. On the last day, after five hours of stubborn fighting, he and several of his comrades were surrounded and captured. The only commissioned officer in the regiment at that time was killed the first day, and on the second day the regiment went into battle without a single officer to command, but did some of the most effective fighting of its whole term of service, literally fighting itself out of existence on that occasion. Mr. Fitchpatrick, with the others then captured, was taken to that foul pen, Andersonville, and there subjected to the most inhuman cruelties and indignities ever inflicted upon prisoners of war by an enemy claiming any of the attributes of civilization. After remaining there three months, he was taken to Florence, S. C., where the treatment was no better, and on the 1st of March, following, was exchanged at Wilming- ton, N. C., having been reduced in flesh to a mere skeleton. From there he was sent to Annapolis, Md., and after a furlough home re- joined his regiment at Washington, D. C., in May, 1865, which soon after went to Louis- ville, Ky., and was there mustered out of serv- ice in July, 1865. Mr. Fitchpatrick was in the service for a period of four years and two months, during which time he was never sick or absent from duty with the exception of a while in prison and as otherwise noted. His career as a soldier was marked by loyalty and devotion to his country, and he returned to his home and friends with the consciousness of having fol-

you a Bitchpatrick

STORY COUNTY.

327

lowed the "stars and stripes " through many struggles to victory. In July, 1865, he reached his old home in Story County, and was soon after elected clerk of the district court, a posi- tion he held with satisfaction to all concerned until January 1, 1877, making in all eleven years. He then engaged in the loan and ab- stract business, a calling he has followed with marked success up to the present time. He was the first one to make a complete set of abstract books in the county. In 1877 he was ad- mitted to the bar of Story County, and almost immediately formed a law partnership with George W. Dyer, and the following year was licensed to practice before the Iowa Supreme Court. He has always been a strong Repub- lican, and is one of the representative and popular men of this section of the country. Socially he is a member of the A. F. & A. M., belonging to Lodge No. 99, of Nevada, 3 X 3 Chapter No. 92, Ex-calibur Commandery No. 13, at Boone, Iowa, and also belongs to the K. of P., Sampson, Lodge No. 77, of which he is a charter member; he is also a member of the I. O. O. F. His marriage to Miss Hat- tie V. Pierce took place August 16, 1866, her birth occurring in Onondaga County, N. Y., in 1843, a daughter of Lyman and Phoebe (Dean) Pierce. To Mr. and Mrs. Fitchpatrick the following children have been born: William P., Viola E. and Genevieve L. The parents and daughters are members of the Presbyterian Church, and are worthy Chris- tians in every respect, following, to the best of their ability, the teachings of the Golden Rule.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Biographical and historical memoirs of Story County, Iowa, Part 43

Author: Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago : Goodspeed Number of Pages: 484

Author:
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Goodspeed
Number of Pages: 484