USA > Iowa > Audubon County > History of Audubon county, Iowa; its people, industries, and institutions > Part 26
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Class of 1915-Marion Bagley, Eloise Buck, Arthur Cole, Genevieve Foley, Jennie Hollenbeck, Esther Jacobsen, Roy Jensen, Holger Jensen, Walter Kester, Bessie Miller, Harry Nailor, Ella Petersen, John Rutherford, Vera Rutherford, Bessie Turner, Rose Weighton, Mabel Weldy.
DIRECTORY FOR 1915.
At the present time Audubon has a population of two thousand and eighty. The following is a business directory of the city: Mayor-Halleck J. Mantz. Marshal-Benton L. Darnold. Clerk-William J. Laubender. Assessor-A. L. Weaver. Treasurer-Charles L. Johnson. Justice of the peace-Charles S. White, Daniel L. Thomas. Constables-L. M. Anderson, Wesley H. Jay. Township clerk-Daniel L. Freeman. Postmaster- Robert C. Spencer. Lawyers-John M. Griggs, Charles Bagley, James M.
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Graham, John A. Graham, Joseph H. Ross, Charles S. White, Halleck J. Mantz, Lewis C. Bagley, Sidney C. Kerberg. Physicians-Alfred L. Brooks, Ratford F. Childs, John M. Fulton, George A. May, Daniel Frank- lin, William H. Halloran. Chiropractor-M. O. Kingsbury. Dentists- Carrie Wood, Charles S. McLeran, John K. Donaldson. Veterinary surg- eons-George W. Weighton, Will Ellery, James Hollenbeck.
Clergymen-Rev. Ed. B. Cousins, Rev. Thomas B. Greenlee, Rev. Jackson Giddens, Rev. Clinton F. Smith, Rev. Father James McDonald, Rev. D. W. Bryant, Rev. J. P. Christensen. Railroad agents-W. W. Smith, Jesse A. Hunniston. Photographers-Thomas Mason, Sorensen Stu- dio. Music store-J. W. Landrum, manager. Cornet band-D. F. Gifford. Music teachers-D. F. Gifford, Bessie Wilde, Martha Dunn, Mrs. George Green. Public library-Laura V. Delahoyde, librarian. Milliners-Long & Burr, Mrs. L. E. Kline, Mrs. Ben Carr. Dressmakers-Mary McGuire, Mrs. Hecker, Mary Mccarthy, Mrs. E. E. Weeks, Clara Anderson, Mrs. J. H. Thorp. Dressmaker colleges-Belle B. Smith, Frances Morrissey. Jewelers-William H. Cowles, J. S. Johnson. Tailors-J. R. Best, C. J. Thomsen. Abstracters-Charles Bagley, Arnold, Ross & Rasmussen. Insur- ance agents-Ralph D. Hawks, S. B. Morrissey. Life insurance-Arthur Farquhar, V. M. Jones. Real estate agents-Frank M. Herndon, E. H. Jacobsen. Popcorn-Alex. Ferguson. Barbers-Bert A. Keith, William Bai- ley, Jens J. Haals, E. E. Weeks.
First National Bank-F. S. Watts, cashier. Farmers State Bank- H. M. Bilharz, cashier. Blacksmiths-E. M. Johnson, Rasmus Rasmussen, B. F. Wilson, P. Fredericksen. Carpenters-Hermansen & Stone, Jens Loss, Walter Fredericksen, Jacob Mogg, A. H. Dollahide, James Petersen, John Hepp, George Green. Painters and paper-hangers-E. E. Bailey, J. K. Jensen, Ping Brothers Mumfgaard & Kjer, Clem McCuen, D. J. Conklin & Son, Harry Gleason, Nels Paag, Colonel Fenney. Plumbers-Test Plumb- ing Company, A. T. Smith. Masons-Robert G. Ping, Kelley & Gaston, Koch & Lund. Harnessmakers-David E. Soar, A. M. Currier, Martin Larsen. Electric lights-R. G. Weiland. Hotels-Park Hotel, Arlington Hotel, Farmers' Home, Boston House, L. O. Petersen.
Boarding house-Charles Reynolds. Restaurant and bakery-Turner Brothers. Cafe-"The Booster." Ralph Garnett. Drug stores-Alex. H. Roberts, Frick Drug Company, F. W. Smith, Griffith & Company. Gen- eral stores-Evan Marqusen, Chris Olsen, Wilson & Freeman, Renftle & Reed, James H. Baker. Grocers-Hans Albertsen, George W. Preston. Hardware-Audubon Hardware Company, Rinemund Hardware Company,
J
HIGH SCHOOL, AUDUBON
DY.
PUBLIC LIBRARY, AUDUBON
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Oelke & Company, Ruhs & Carter. Clothing-Jensen & Weaver, Fred A. Buthweg. Furniture-George W. Hoover, A. C. Harmon. Variety-L. E. Wray, W. H. Simcox. Meat market-J. F. McCort. Boots and shoes- Matthias & Hansen, Rasmussen & Jensen. Tobacco-Dennis & Company. Flour mill-Culver & Son. Laundry-Charles H. Stocking. Machinery and implements-Johnson & Buck. Billiard parlors-Barentsen & Dye, Jen- sen & Madsen, Vern Snellbaker, Ray Booton.
Garages-Pete Jensen, John Markinsen. Machine shop-Shrader & Marsh. Bridge contractor-Ward & Weighton. Liveryman-Park Liv- ery. Feed stables-George Brady, Nels Sorensen, Andrew Christensen. Sale stable-F. O. Miklasen. Cream station and produce-Charles Wilde, Audubon Produce Company. Standard Oil Company-Olaf Jensen, mana- ger. Cedar Rapids Oil Company -- Ren Phelps, manager. Audubon Can- ning Company-R. J. Loveland, manager. Stock food-Martin Mogg, Jr. Live stock dealers-Northup Brothers, O. L. Lane. Green Bay Lumber Company-F. H. Adams, manager. Dixon Lumber Company, W. J. Lau- bender, manager. Grain dealer-A. J. Leak, Walter Roth, manager. Opdyke Grain Company-D. C. Hart, manager. Johnson Grain Company-Charles L. and Alva Johnson. Brick and tile works-L. E. Tramp & Tramp. Dray- men-J. S. Dennis, W. S. Roberts & Son, L. C. Johnson, Ralph Garnett, Mike Ceronek, Roy Prather.
BRAYTON.
The town of Brayton was laid out by John S. Jenkins and John T. Jenkins on the northwest quarter of section 19, Exira township, December 16, 1878. It was incorporated in 1899. These have held the office of mayor: Dr. William R. Koob, Frank G. Jenkins, Nis Larsen, Lewis C. Heath.
The first school in Brayton was in 1896. The teachers have been : Francina Heath, Anna Stender, Lucille Connrardy, Maye Jenkins, Miss Noalty, Nellie Boockout. Ida Cannon and Vivian Bartlett.
OFFICIAL AND BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
Population, two hundred and thirty-five.
Mayor, Lewis C. Heath ; marshal, L. M. Parrott ; clerk, Lewis P. Ras- mussen; justice of the peace, Thomas J. McGovern; constable, Calvin I. Dimick.
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Postmistress-Vivian Bartlett; railroad agent-Lloyd Drew ; physi- cian-William R. Koob; hotel-David B. Beers; restaurant-C. P. Peter- sen : barbers-William Clemensen, Clyde Freeman, - Jensen; garage- Anton Juhl; blacksmiths-Ben Gros, Nick Skanning; live-stock dealer- Thomas J. McGovern; Princess Theatre-Chris Hoegh; drug store-Harry Miller & Co .; grain dealer-Hans Hansen, manager; public hall-Jens P. Juhl; billiard parlors-Frank L. Freeman, George Hardwick; pumps and repairs-Molgaard & Nelson; electric lights-George W. Hoegh; bank- Brayton Savings Bank. L. F. Miller, cashier ; produce-Brayton Produce Company, Ed. Brown, manager; lumber-Brayton Lumber Company, Lewis P. Rasmussen, manager ; cement-Brayton Cement Works-A. T. Rasmussen, manager; general stores-Jacob Andersen, Henry Hansen & Company, Nis Larsen & Son; hardware and implements-Nelsen Brothers ; telephones-Nora Larsen, Amelia Andersen; drayman-Garner A. Bart- lett.
OAKFIELD.
It was situated on the southwest quarter of section 20, Exira town- ยท ship, on the claim first taken up by John S. Jenkins in 1851, who sold it to Samuel B. Hopkins, and he to Isaac P. Hallock, Sr., in 1855. About the same time Hallock sold it to Erasmus D. Bradley, his son-in-law, who came from Illinois, and was the first merchant in the county. He built the first store house here in 1855. which stood on or near block 9, Oakfield. The town was laid out and platted by Erasmus D. Bradley and Alva B. Brown. The name was suggested by Elam W. Pearl, who settled there, in honor of his former home, a town in New York named Oakfield. Bradley and Brown soon moved away and the Bradley store was succeeded by Elam W. and Joshua A. Pearl and with them was associated Julius M. Hubbard. They were succeeded by Almond Goodale, about 1863-4. His store stood on the corner next north of the present store of Ward Smith. In 1866, Goodale was succeeded by Norton & Jones, who built a new store building on the opposite side of the street. They sold to Keith & Ransford about 1867-8, and moved to Avoca, Iowa. Their successors did a thriving business, which they transferred to Hallock, Jenkins & Powers about 1875. They. later closed out to Earl Cotton, who moved the stock to Exira.
About 1874, William Essington and Thomas Walker started a hard- ware store at Oakfield. They were succeeded by Rudolph Kremmling, who continued the business but a short time. About 1889, Dan Zentmeir started a small store in the Hallock store building. He was succeeded about 1892.
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by Frank Greer, who was succeeded by Thomas McGuire about 1893, he by Sykes & Greer about 1895, and they by Frank Greer in 1896. The con- cern was closed out by Isaac P. Hallock, Jr., and the stock sold to Ward Smith in 1904.
In 1891 a firm was started by a man and wife and their son, styled Three Smiths, which was succeeded, in 1908, by William Pardee, and he by Ward Smith in 1910.
In the early days of Oakfield, a water-power saw-mill was built, in which Alva B. Brown, Julius M. Hubbard, Elam W. Pearl and Joshua A. Pearl were owners at different periods. About 1870 Henry Kincaid was the proprietor and conducted it several years, when it was torn down. Then, on the same site, a company erected a fine flouring-mill, which was sold to Isaac P. Hallock, Jr. George E. Cotton succeeded him in 1878 and con- tinued the business several years, when it was converted into a sorghum manufactory. The entire business has been obsolete many years.
Until the railroad came to Brayton, Oakfield was the second best town in the county. It was a busy place. Among its citizens were some of the most progressive, enterprising men of the county. Some of the old settlers were: John S. Jenkins, Benjamin F. Jenkins, John T. Jenkins, Isaac H. Jenkins, Samuel B. Hopkins, Alva B. Brown, Isaac P. Hallock, Sr., Richard S. Hallock, Isaac P. Hallock, Jr., Erasmus D. Bradley, William C. Norton, John C. Norton, Charles H. Norton, Julius M. Hubbard, Giles N. Jones, James M. Jones, Mark Heath, Norman Archer, Richard M. Lewis, Elam WV. Pearl, Joshua A. Pearl, A. M. Graves, Thomas Roland, Alonzo N. Arnold, Robert N. Day, Thomas T. Rogers, James Howlett, Samuel How- lett, Mrs. Maria D. Butler, Joseph Porter, Mrs. Julia Delahoyde, Peter Delahoyde, Almond Goodale, Henry Kincade, Orris C. Keith, H. Ransford, Dr. Tingle, Harmon G. Smith, George E. Cotton, James W. Brown, Will- iam S. Ordway.
Oakfield's first school house must have been built as late as 1858, prob- ably by Alonzo N. Arnold, on the east side of town, on the hill in the edge of the timber, about block 13 or 14. In 1871-2 a new two-story school house was built, which is still doing duty.
It is impossible to obtain an accurate list of the teachers who have taught school there, or the order in which they were employed. Some of the teachers were: Miss Disbrow, Jane Beers, Mary Crane, Hattie Beers, Mary Beck, John A. Hallock, Darthula Rogers, Arabella Macomber (she was the famous Major Belle Reynolds of Shiloh fame), Robert N. Day. Harmon G. Smith, Julius M. Hill, E. S. Fales, Mr. Farrell, William H.
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Brinkerhoff, Claude N. Andrews, Clara Ordway, Miss Derby, J. O. Cotton, Ernest Smith, Moses Brinkerhoff, Mr. Enenbeck, V. Roberson, Mr. Stiles, Mr. Koob, Mr. Eversol, Lettie Smith, Mr. Vanderlin, B. O. Spillman, Miss Maulsby, Miss Anderson, Francina Pottle, Nettie Bruner, Pearl Jenkins, Gladys Chamberlain, Edith Brown, Maye Jenkins, Nellie Boockout, Pluma Freeman, Mary Curry and Vivian Bartlett.
About 1874 a public hall was erected, which was occupied by the Odd Fellows lodge. It was moved to Brayton in 1882. The coming of the rail- road in 1868 carried most of the business to Brayton. The only remaining business house is the store of Ward B. Smith. Dr. Richard S. Hallock was the resident physician many years, except when he was in the army. He went to Salida, Colorado, in 1882.
GRAY.
Gray was laid out by George Gray in section 12, Lincoln township, on August 10, 1881. The Northwestern railroad came into the town from Carroll, by way of Manning, early in 1882. George Gray was for many years the most prominent business man here. He built a grain elevator, office, hotel and residence. He was not only proprietor, but owned thous- ands of acres of the best farms in the vicinity and was the first grain and stock dealer in town.
Among the early business men in 1881 were: Mr. Motter, general store, who sold to William R. Johnson the same year; Mr. Reeves, hard- ware, who sold to Stotts & Myers the same year; George Eby, liveryman ; George Farmer, meat market; Mr. Smith, boarding house: Doctor Warner, physician. Other settlers the same year were: A. G. Forsbeck, Charles McLaughlin and George Mclaughlin.
In 1882 Stotts & Gifford started a general store; David DeGood, blacksmith; L C. Whipple, hotel; Dr. Frank Hinsdale, physician; Green Bay Lumber Co., with O. B. Francisco, manager, succeeded by Mr. Wake- field, he by P. C. Moeller and he by Henry Mohr; Charles Stuart & Son, grain and lumber dealers, with W. H. Kellogg, manager, succeeded by W. H. Stowell in 1883: Audas Brothers and Railey Brothers, merchants in 1885; B. and H. W. Lebeck, general store; Lancelot & Rees started a gen- eral store in 1886. Fred C. Hepp started the blacksmith and hardware business in 1886: Welty & Crow, hardware, in 1888.
Other old settlers were A. F. Aikman, Frank P. Rees, Seth Gifford,
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Thomas J. Spilker, Dr. A. L. Brooks, Samuel T. Thompson, Horace Shelley, Dr. Lawrence A. Beers.
The first postmaster was Willis P. Stotts, 1882. Other postmasters have been : Mr. Jones, Walter J. Audas, William J. Lancelot, Fred C. Hepp, A. F. Greenwalt, C. Eugene Mertz, Elmer Audas, B. A. Swart and Clar- ence Shingledecker.
In 1888 one of the country school houses was moved into town. The present independent district of Gray embraces the west one-half of sec- tions 6 and 7; the northwest one-quarter of section 18, Cameron township ; all of section 1 ; east one-half of sections 2 and II; all of section 12; north one-half of section 13, and northeast one-quarter of section 14 in Lincoln township. A new school house was erected in 1901 at the cost of two thousand five hundred dollars. The school is graded and employs three teachers ; sixty-eight pupils are enrolled in 1915. These have been teach- ers : Etta Barrich, principal; Anna Bovaird, primary; Aeta Crow, principal : Lillian Ott, primary; Nora O'Leary, principal; Miss DeMotte and Alta Crow, primary; Will H. Lancelot, principal; Mrs. J. A. Crow and Mabel Swaney, primary; William Meek, principal; Mabel Swaney, primary; Will- iam Cunningham, principal; Mabel Swaney, primary; Charles Ford, princi- pal; Emerson Shelley, intermediate; Mollie Barger, primary; K. G. Lance- lot, principal; Emerson Shelley, Arden Shelley, Howard Kittell, interme- diates ; Mollie Barger and Ella Denton, primaries; Belle Lancelot, princi- pal; Grace Swaney, intermediate ; Ella Denton, primary.
These have also been teachers: Ella Forsbeck, Bessie Bunker, Maude Carpenter, Blanche Shaffer, May Delaney, Anna O'Leary, Matilda Jensen, Frank White, Will Hammond, Lucille Snyder, Raba McVey, A. J. Albin. Lillian Halford, C. R. Wiseman, Mildred Bowen, Bessie Ross, Emma Wickwire and perhaps others.
The town was incorporated in 1897 and embraced all of section 12. Lincoln township. The following named gentlemen have held the office of mayor of the town: Walter J. Audas, William J. Lancelot, C. Eugene Mertz, Frank J. Rogers, Fred C. Hepp, Harry A. Bates, A. G. McMullen, A. G. Forsbeck.
OFFICIAL AND BUSINESS DIRERTORY.
Mayor, A. G. Forsbeck; clerk, Charles C. Linn; marshall and con- stable, Frank J. Rogers; assessor, Howard Rogers; postmaster, Clarence Shingledecker ; mail carrier, George Garber; principal of school, Leo Bruce.
Clergyman-J. A. Mitchell; railroad agent-Thomas J. Spilker; bank
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-Farmers Savings Bank, Ed. C. Rice, cashier; hotel-Mrs. Garber ; drug store-Elmer Audas; restaurant-Frank J. Rogers; general store-James A. Rutherford; hardware-L. Groteluschen Company; harnessmaker-D. C. Ross; garage-John Shaw; blacksmiths-Fred C. Hepp, Link O'Con- nell; liveryman-L. L. Farrell; barber-Guy E. Farrell; stock-buyer-D. O. Corner ; grain-Opdyke Grain Company, Austin L. Linn, manager ; Trans- Miss. Grain Company, D. J. Sweeney, manager ; Green Bay Lumber Co., Frank Murphy manager; carpenter-John Markley; painter and paper- hanger-B. A. Swart; drayman-Chris. Jensen ..
HAMLIN STATION.
The town of Hamlin Station was laid out on the southeast quarter of section 10, Hamlin township, by J. Lewis Drew, on November 10, 1890. The following named persons have been among the residents of the town : Mordicai Hutton, Henry Young, Samuel Atkinson, John E. McGuire, Charles Higgins, Nels Rattenborg, J. P. M. Jensen, Simon Christensen, Peter Reisgaard, Hans P. Mortensen, Mrs. Petersen, Chris. Johnson, Fred Heilman, Philip Young, S. D. Coonrod, Hans J. Hansen, Hans Aagaard, Wilhelm Olesen, Victor Nelson, Jacob Sandbeck, Mrs. Mary C. Haahr, Soren Sandbeck, Hans Carstensen, John McNutt.
These have been postmasters: James Elrod, William McGuire, Chris. Justensen, Thomas Brahn, Robert H. Garnett, Knut J. Petersen.
Population, eighty-five.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
Postmaster, Knut J. Petersen; railroad agent-T. O. McCarthy; school teacher-Grace Lee; hotel-Karen Mortensen; Farmers Savings Bank- L. C. Christoffersen, cashier; garage -- Cal Belcher; blacksmith, Rasmus Johansen ; general stores-Hans J. Johnson, C. P. Christensen; hardware- Nels Mortensen ; barber and billard parlor-Will Krohn; lumber dealer and cement works-Fred O. Anderson, manager; creamery-Marinus Nielsen, manager ; grain and stock dealer-Peter Nelson; drayman-Gill Petty.
KIMBALLTON.
The town of Kimballton was founded and laid out by Hans J. Jorgen- sen on the northeast quarter of section 30, Sharon township, in 1883. The
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first merchant was Louis Hansen, in 1883. The business interests in 1889 were represented by Marquesen & Mehard and A. Bergreen, general stores; Eveck & Gray, hardware and farm implements; Carl Johnson, blacksmith, and L. C. Johnson, carpenter.
Hans J. Jorgensen was the first postmaster, in 1883, and was suc- ceeded by Hans Marquesen, in 1888. The Atlantic Northern railroad was built from Atlantic to Kiniballton in 1907.
Kimballton was incorporated on June 1, 1908. The mayors of the town have been P. E. James and Thomas Thompson. It is an independent school district, and its teachers are the Dallinger sisters, Flora, Bertha and Margaret. Its waterworks system was established in 1912, and its elec- tric light plant in 1913.
OFFICIAL AND BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
Population, three hundred and fifty.
Mayor, Thomas Thompson; clerk. Hans Madsen; marshal, Conrad Nelsen : justice of the peace, Chris T. Christensen; constable, Jens Smith ; postmaster. Frank Thompson.
Clergyman-Rev. J. Jorgensen; physician-Peter Soe; photographer -Mads Knudsen; bankers-Hans Madson and Math. Nessager; news- paper-Fred N. Harmon; hotel-Marie Rasmussen; restaurant-Peter Kirk; drug store-Jorgensen & Thompson; jeweller-S. H. Sovensen; musical instruments-H. M. Nordley; picture show-A. J. Mautz; real estate agents-George Nelsen, Martin Frederickson, Hjalmar Rasmussen; tailor-Walter Madsen; barber-J. E. Tvenstrup; blacksmith-Jens West; harness shop-Evald Trukken ; public library ; mason-Nels B. Bennedsen ; carpenter-Hans P. Hansen; liveryman-Lars Rasmussen; auto livery-A. J. Winther; painters and paper-hangers -- Chris Hansen, - Randolph,
Andersen; general stores-Faaborg & Co., Larsen & Jorgensen; grocer-G. G. Muller & Co .; hardware-H. P. Bonnesen; hardware and implements-Hansen & Sorensen; grain elevator-Andrew Rattenborg, manager; live stock dealer-Chris O. Jensen; Farmers Shipper's Union- Paul Bjorn, manager; furniture-Nelsen & Andersen; electric lights-John Nelsen; garage-Martin N. Esbeck; motor and auto supplies-Henbusker & Larsen; creamery-Peter Thuesen, manager; construction company- Thorwald Jensen; lumber dealers-Olaf Hansen, manager; Hans Boldt, manager; Standard Oil Co .- Peter J. Bertelsen, manager ; meat markets- Magnus Nelsen, Jens Nelsen; railroad agents: brick and tile works-Ole Jacobson.
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ROSS.
The town of Ross was laid out in section 4. Leroy township, and was platted on July 28, 1882. A postoffice was established there in 1883. The former postmasters were L. D. Thomas and John Wagner. The railroad depot was built in 1885, and the first merchants were Fox & Johnson. J. F. Luse had a store there in 1889. Charles Stuart & Son and George Gray were formerly engaged there in the grain and coal trade. Other residents have been Mr. Zebol, Jesse Neitzel, Mr. Keonick, John Petersen, John Wag- ner, John McKee, John Ehlit, Nels Olsen and George McEwing.
The business directory of the town in 1915 is as follows: Postmistress, Lena Mack; railroad agent, Inman Sherman; store, Max Ehlert; black- smith, William Smith; lumber dealer, Fred Jones; grain elevators, Jesse Ferguson and Bert McNutt; implements, machinery and harness, William Bauers; drayman, John Bonnett. There are Methodist and Lutheran churches.
OBSOLETE TOWNS.
Dayton was platted on July 9, 1855. It was the first county seat, but contained only two buildings, and the county seat was changed to Exira in 1861. It was vacated many, many years ago and is now embraced in a farm.
Audubon City was platted and laid out by Thomas S. Lewis and Nathaniel Hamlin on the southwest quarter of section 25. Exira township. on September 3, 1856. It was a failure from the start. It contained a residence or two and a store. The first school house was there, all before 1861. It was all vacated many years ago and is now embraced in a farm.
Louisville was laid out and platted by Nathaniel Hamlin on the north- west quarter of the southeast quarter of section 17, Exira township, on October 23. 1866. It was the site of the Green & Burnham steam-mill in 1856. Howard J. Green, Franklin Burnham and Charles L. Chapin lived there in 1856, and others lived there subsequently, before 1865. In 1866 it was the busiest place in the county, with saw and flouring-mill, store, blacksmith shop and quite a number of residences. It continued to be a busy place as late as 1874. During its business career its residents, besides those mentioned, were: Levi Zaner, Nathaniel Hamlin, John B. Connrardy. Adonijah J. Harris, James Harris, Horatio P. Smith, Leman Carley,
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Francis J. Shrauger, Robert T. Smart, Daniel W. Miller, John S. Wright, Charles E. Hartman, Kizer, Robinson and others.
It is now embraced in the farm of Julius E. Herrick, Esq. Audubon Lodge No. 217, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the oldest lodge in the county, was organized at Louisville, October 19, 1871, and built an Odd Fellows hall. The lodge was moved to Oakfield in 1874 and the hall was torn down.
Hamlin was laid out by the Hamlin Town Company, consisting of Nathaniel Hamlin, I. N. Donnel, P. Gad Bryan, George W. Seevers, Hugh W. Maxwell and H. Devere Thompson, in sections I and 2, in Hamlin township, in 1872. The plat was filed on April 29, 1873. It was the fairest townsite ever founded in Audubon county. It contained a hotel, several stores, a school house and several dwellings. It was defeated for county seat in 1873, a lamentable event and to the lasting injury of the county that it was not selected for the permanent county seat. It was vacated many years ago and is now embraced in a farm.
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CHAPTER XIX.
1
THE DANES.
Between Exira and Harlan in the west part of Audubon county and the east part of Shelby county is a large settlement of Danish people. Their rise and progress have been something remarkable and interesting. The first of these people settled in Shelby county, and came later to Audubon county. As early as 1863, Chris Johnson, better known to old setlers as "Big Chris," lived on a homestead in Shelby county, near the northwest corner of Oakfield township, about two miles south of the present town of Elkhorn. In the early days he was instrumental in settling several Danish people in the west- ern part of Audubon county. These people came direct from Denmark to his place and lived with him to learn the language of the country and the methods of agriculture. He assisted them in buying and improving their lands, and in making their initial start at home making and farming, in many ways.
The first Dane who settled in the county was Jens U. Hansen, who came in 1869 from Shelby county and lived temporarily in a shanty in the north part of section 5, Exira township, near John W. Dodge. He was a carpenter and a very industrious man; worked with Mr. Dodge and helped build the old big barn on the Pray place, now owned by Martin P. Mardensen, on section 27, Hamlin township. He also helped build the Congregational church in Exira, in 1870; built a house for Charles Van Gorder, in Exira, in 1871, and built the John D. Bush house in Exira. He improved a farm in section 36, Sharon township, in 1870, upon which he settled in 1871, and lived there many years. He now resides in the same vicinity. During suc- ceeding years many Danish people setled in Audubon county.
Following is a list of the early Danish settlers in Audubon county, with places and dates of settlement :
OAKFIELD TOWNSHIP.
In Section 2. Lorenz P. Nelsen, 1883.
In Section 3. M. Ballmus, 1880; C. Christensen, 1880.
In Section 4. A. P. Hansen, 1878; Rasmus Axelsen, 1875; Andrew P. Hansen, 1878; Jens Hansen, 1878; Chris Hansen, 1878; Lars N. Esbeck,
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