USA > Iowa > Audubon County > History of Audubon county, Iowa; its people, industries, and institutions > Part 29
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Miss Stearns is a member of the Presbyterian church. She takes an active part in the affairs of the "P. E. O." and the Columbian Club and the Woman's Club of Audubon and is universally esteemed by all classes in Audubon county for her many excellent qualities and her ability as an educator. Despite the fact that her teaching experience has been longer than most teachers of the county, she has never allowed her energy and determi- nation to flag, or herself to retrogade intellectually or mentally, and she has kept pace with the latest developments in her profession ..
CHARLES SUNBERG.
Specific mention is made of many of the worthy citizens of Audubon county, Iowa, within the pages of this book. Citizens who have figuerd in the growth and development of this favored locality and whose interests are identified with its every phase of progress. Each has contributed in his special sphere of activity to the well-being of the community in which he resides and to the advancement of its moral and legitimate growth. Among this number is Charles Sunberg, to whose career peculiar interest attaches from the fact that a good part of his life has been spent in Audubon county and that he is now filling one of the responsible offices within the gift of the people of this county, being the present efficient and popular sheriff of Aubu- bon county.
Charles Sunberg was born on a farm in Johnson county, Iowa, on September 9, 1871, son of Henry and Hannah (Ahrend) Sunberg, natives of Germany. Henry Sunberg was born in 1843, the son of a farmer, and with his wife came to America in the spring of 1871, settling on a farm near Iowa City, in Johnson county, this state, where he resided until 1885, a period of fourteen years, after which he came to Audubon county and settled on a farm of two hundred and forty acres in Melville township. In 1907 he moved to a farm south of Audubon and in the spring of 1914 retired
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and moved to Audubon, at that time being the owner of two hundred and eighty acres. The children born to Henry and Anna (Ahrend) Sunberg were seven in number, namely : Fred C., who lives near the old home place; Charles, the subject of this sketch; Frank, now living retired in Audubon; Mrs. Minnie Owen, living in Viola township; John, living in Hamlin town- ship; Henry, Jr., of Viola township, and Mrs. Anna Leflar, who lives on the old home place.
Charles Sunberg attended school in Johnson county, and on coming to Audubon county assisted his father on the farm until he attained his majority. He then rented a farm in the eastern part of Melville township for four years, after which he took up contracting and building, with head- quarters in Audubon. In 1911 he was appointed deputy sheriff, and served two years in that office. In the fall of 1912 Mr. Sunberg was selected sheriff and was re-elected for the second term in the fall of 1914, now filling that office very efficiently.
On June 21, 1905, Charles Sunberg was married to Clemency Leib, the daughter of Ernest and Louisa (Frieberg) Leib, natives of Germany, who settled in Michigan after coming to this country and were there married. From that region they removed to Montgomery county, Iowa, and in 1844 they came to Audubon county, locating on the farm, where Ernest Lieb died in 1902. His widow, who lives in Audubon, was born in Germany in 1838, and emigrated to Michigan with her mother when a young woman and was there married. Mrs. Sunberg is one of ten children, four sons and six daughters, as follow: Leopold, who lives in South Dakota ; Robert, of Guthrie county, Iowa; Richard, of Audubon county; Otto, of Guthrie county; Frank, who was killed in Audubon in the spring of 1904; Mrs. Emma Lee, who lives in Guthrie county; Mrs. Dena Lee, of Sac City; Mrs. Anna Brown, of Sac City; Mrs. G. C. Dettmann, of Valley Junc- tion, Iowa, and Clemency, who married Mr. Sunberg.
Charles Sunberg is an ardent Democrat and for many years has been active in the councils of that party in Audubon county. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. and Mrs. Sunberg are members of the Methodist Episco- pal church, and are active in the affairs of that church and of the Sunday school.
Sheriff Charles Sunberg naturally is well known throughout the length and breadth of Audubon county, and is a man highly respected for his many good qualities of head and heart. being held in the warmest esteem by all who know him.
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FRANK KREAMER.
Not too often can be repeated the life history of one who has lived so honorable and useful a life as Frank Kreamer, the present efficient post- master of Exira, Iowa. As a private citizen and as a public official, he has been a pronounced success. There are individuals in nearly every com- munity who, by reason of their ability and force of character, rise above the heads of the masses and command the esteem of their fellow men. These individuals are characterized by perseverance and a directing spirit, two virtues that never fail. They always make their presence felt and the vigor of their strong personalities serves as a stimulus to others. To this enterprising and energetic class, Frank Kreamer very properly belongs.
Frank Kreamer was born in Cass county, Iowa, on August 23, 1879, the son of George and Elvina (Cahoon) Kreamer, both natives of Penn- sylvania. George Kreamer left Pennsylvania when a young man with his parents, and located in Illinois, where he farmed with his father. When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in the Forty-sixth Illinois Regiment, Vol- unteer Infantry, and served about a year. He then returned home and after his marriage came to Iowa, settling in Cass county, where he purchased a farm, remaining there until 1891, in which year he moved to Exira, this county, where he purchased a grocery store, in partnership with F. L. Odell, the business being conducted under the firm name of Kreamer & Odell for nine years, at the end of which time Mr. Kreamer retired, his death oc- curring in 1904. His wife had preceded him to the grave in 1893. They were the parents of four children, Ida, who married F. L. Odell; Edna, who married Clarence Maisling; Salome, who married Frank Shranger, and Frank, who is the subject of this sketch.
Frank Kreamer received his 'elementary education in the schools of Cass county, and at Exira, and was graduated from the Exira high school, after leaving which he attended Ames College for three years. After leav- ing college, he enlisted as a soldier in the Spanish-American War, enlisting at Des Moines, Iowa, in Company F., Fifty-second Iowa Volunteer Infantry, in which he served six months, being mustered out on November 30, 1898. Upon his return home he went west, where he remained for a few years, after which he returned to Exira, where he had charge of a mail route for three years, at the end of which time he engaged in the coal and feed business for one year, and on August 1, 1911, became postmaster of Exira and is still occupying that position.
On August 8, 1908, Frank Kreamer was married to Maude Hamlin,
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daughter of Nathaniel Douglas and Elva (Crane) Hamlin, to which union three children have been born, Elva, Mona and Kathleen.
Mr. Kreamer is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He is an ardent Republican and is influential in the councils of that party in this county. He is a good citizen and well deserves the words of com- mendation, confidence and esteem which have been bestowed upon him by his fellow citizens.
GEORGE W. HOOVER.
George W. Hoover belongs to that class of men who win in life's battles by sheer force of personality and determination, coupled with soundness of judgment and keen discrimination. In whatever Mr. Hoover has under- taken, and he has been engaged in many lines of activity, he has shown him- self to be a man of ability and honor. He is always ready to lend his aid in defending the principles affecting the public good. He has ably and con- scientiously performed all the duties of a public and private citizen, and has conducted himself in such a manner as to win the unqualified indorsement and support of his business associates and his fellow citizens.
George W. Hoover was born in Johnson county, Iowa, on January 14, 1856, a son of George and Catherine (Horton) Hoover, who were both natives of Pennsylvania. They were married in the latter state and came to Iowa, shortly after their marriage, settling in Johnson county, where they spent the rest of their lives. To George and Catherine (Horton) Hoover were born five children, Charles, Emily, Levi, George W. and Maria, all of whom are living with the exception of Levi.
George W. Hoover was educated in the common schools of Johnson county, Iowa, receiving a good common-school education, and after leaving school, took up farming as a vocation, which he followed for several years, being also incidentally engaged in carpenter work and contracting for some time. Mr. Hoover was not only a successful farmer, but he made a success of the contracting business as well. In 1888 he engaged in the hardware business in the city of Audubon and continued in this line for twenty years, at the expiration of which time he disposed of his hardware business. In the meantime he had built up a large and lucrative trade in the retail sale of hardware and implements under the firm name of the Audubon Hardware Company. At the present time Mr. Hoover is engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, and has one of the best stores in Audubon.
G. W. Hoover voulez
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George W. Hoover was married in 1880 to Maggie Reynolds, the daughter of John and Lucy Reynolds, both natives of Johnson county, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Hoover are the parents of four children: May, who married W. W. Waldron, and Karl, Jessie and Jessamine, who are at home.
Mr. Hoover is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Atlantic. He is a Democrat, but has never been active in political affairs, and has never held office. He has been largely and actively interested in public affairs, however, and was president of the Audubon County Agricul- ture Society for thirteen years, during which time he developed it into a strong organization. Mr. Hoover also has had charge of Maple Grove cemetery for the past eight years and has cleaned it up and added very much to its attractiveness.
CHARLES BAGLEY.
Professional success results from merit. Frequently in commercial life one may come into possession of a lucrative business through inheritance or gift, but in what is known as the learned professions advancement is gained only through painstaking and long-continued effort. The lawyer or physician does not enjoy the privilege of exploiting his profession in order 10 gain a clientele. He must thoroughly prepare himself and be educated broadly in order that his mental development may be such as to enable him to quickly grasp the points of a cause presented for his consideration. He must be well grounded in the deep, underlying principles of his profession; whereas, the business man or merchant often engages in trade or commerce with little or no preparation other than his native ability. It frequently happens that members of the legal profession are called upon the take charge of extensive business undertakings, lawyers being required in the conduct of great corporations and kindred concerns on account of their thorough, and well-grounded knowledge of business law and ethics. As a general rule, they are excellent financiers and not infrequently achieve success in other lines which may properly be conducted along with their legal busi- ness. A high type of successful attorney, a prominent member of the bar of western Iowa, is found in the person of Charles Bagley, of Audubon, whose name forms the caption of this biographical sketch.
Charles Bagley was born on May 29, 1854, in West Liberty, Cedar
(21)
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county, Iowa, son of William A. and Lucretia (Burgan) Bagley, natives of the old Buckeye state. The Bagley family is a very old one in America, Charles Bagley tracing his lineage back to Mary Chilton, who came over from England in the "Mayflower." The father of William A. Bagley emigrated from Vermont to Ohio and thence to Iowa, where he became the owner of the land on which the city of West Liberty was built. This tract was deeded to William A. Bagley by his mother after his father's death. William A. Bagley, after he grew to manhood, married and settled on a farm in Muscatine county, after a residence in Cedar county, where Charles was born. In 1873 he removed to Cass county and tilled a fine farm there until his retirement to the city of Atlantic, where he died in 1909.
To William A. and Lucretia (Burgan) Bagley were born the following children : W. F., of Topeka, Kansas; Bert, a farmer near Atlantic, Iowa; Mrs. Mary Smedley, of Randolph, Nebraska; Mrs. Hattie Alexander, a resident of Colby, Kansas; Mrs. Kate Alexander, of Atlantic, Iowa; Mrs. Sallie Ellett, living at Guthrie Center, Guthrie county, Iowa; Charles, the subject of this sketch; Emma, who died at the age of twenty-five years; Louise, of Atlantic, and Scott, residing in Oregon.
Charles Bagley was educated in the district school and at a select school at Walton Junction, Iowa, later attending the high school at At- lantic. From his boyhood days, he practically made his own way and edu- cated himself in preparation for the practice of law. The only assistance that he received from his father was a team of horses. This team was given him to assist him in farming. After attending the high school, Mr. Bagley taught school and farmed in order to raise money with which to defray the expenses of a higher education. He managed to gain a liberal educa- tion, not only in literature and the sciences but in the legal department of the State University as well, and was graduated from the collegiate department of the State University, and also was graduated, with the de- gree of Bachelor of Laws, in the State University at Iowa City in 1881. He taught a term of school in Nebraska in 1881 and then located in Audubon, where he became one of the pioneer attorneys of the new and growing town. He began the practice of law and also took up the real estate and insurance business and has been successful in his various enterprises. He also added an abstract department which he is yet conducting with the assistance of his two sons, who are now associated with him in the offices. Mr. Bagley has prospered and has a fair share of this world's goods. He
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is the owner of a farm of two hundred and fifty-five acres in Audubon county, in addition to being the owner of considerable real estate.
In 1888, Charles Bagley was united in marriage with Amanda Williams, of Audubon, a native of Jasper county, Iowa, daughter of Richard Will- iams, to which union four children have been born, namely: Louis C., a graduate of the Audubon high school and the law college of the State University, who is now with his father in the law offices; Frank, also a graduate of the Audubon high school, likewise associated with his father, and Marion and Russell, students in the high school.
Mr. Bagley is a member of the Presbyterian church and contributes of his time and means to the support of that denomination. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He is a Republican, but has never been an office seeker nor sought political preferment to any extent. How- ever, he fulfilled his civic obligations to his home town by serving two terms as mayor of Audubon. Otherwise, he has been content to take his place in the ranks of the mass of voters and vote for his favorite principles of government and for the most capable candidates who, in his estimation, were best fitted to fill the offices sought. Mr. Bagley is a cultured, well- read and broad-minded gentleman, who is highly esteemed by all who know him in his home community.
HARRY A. NORTHUP.
To write the personal records of men who have raised themselves from humble circumstances to positions of responsibility and trust in a community is no ordinary pleasure. Self-made men, men who have achieved success by reason of their personal qualities and who have left the impressions of their individualities upon the business and political life of their community; men who affect for good such institutions as are embraced in their spheres of usefulness unwittingly, perhaps, built monuments more enduring than marble obelisks or granite shafts. Such a man is Harry A. Northup, the present auditor of Audubon county, Iowa, member of the firm of Northrup Brothers, dealers in grain and live stock, one of the best-known citizens of Audubon county.
Harry A. Northup was born on February 7, 1876, on a farm in Johnson county, Iowa, son of Nathan and Harriet (Sherlock) Northup, the former of whom was a native of Vermont, and the latter a native of England.
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Nathan Northup was born in 1817 and died in 1891. He was reared in Vermont and in early manhood migrated to Ohio, where he married, and in the sixties came to Iowa, locating in Johnson county, where his wife died and he married, secondly, Harriet Sherlock, who was born in England in 1835, the daughter of Thomas Sherlock, who located in Johnson county, Iowa, upon coming to this country, where he spent the rest of his life. Nathan Northup came to Audubon county in 1882, settling on a farm of eighty acres in Douglas township, where the remainder of his life was spent.
To Nathan and Harriet (Sherlock) Northup the following children were born: Ernest, deceased; Edwin, who lives at Vallesca, Iowa; Richard, ex-sheriff of this county; Mrs. Martha Oxer, of Franklin, Nebraska; Mrs. Mary Myers, deceased; George, who is a partner of his brother, Harry, in the grain and live stock business at Audubon; Mrs. Myra Holcomb, of Spokane, Washington; Jasper, of Audubon; Harry A., the subject of this sketch, and Mrs. Emma Norton, of Yale, Iowa. The mother of these children died on August 30, 1909, having survived her husband nearly twenty years.
Harry A. Northrup was educated in the public schools of Douglass township, this county, and farmed with his brother on the home place, renting land until he became eighteen years of age. He then managed the farm until his widowed mother sold it, and after that returned to Johnson county, this state, where he worked for one season. In 1897 Mr. Northup married and moved to a farm in Cameron township, this county, where he remained for ten years. He then, for a little more than three years, bought and shipped grain at Ross, Iowa, for the Trans-Mississippi Grain Company, and in the spring of 1910 moved to Audubon, where he formed a partnership with his two brothers, George and Richard, in the grain and live-stock business, under the firm name of Northup Brothers.
On March 10, 1897, Harry A. Northup was married to Cora A. Mc- Cristal, of Audubon, daughter of William and Martha McCristal, both of whom are now deceased. To this happy union two children have been born, Hazel, born on January 24, 1898, and Merrill, July 27, 1900.
In the fall of 1914 Harry A. Northup was a candidate on the Demo- cratic ticket for auditor of Audubon county and was triumphantly elected. He took the office of county auditor on January 1, 1915, and is now filling that office with credit to himself and with satisfaction to the people of Audubon county who elected him. Mr. Northup is a stanch Democrat and for many years has been active in the councils of his party. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Modern Woodmen of America.
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SOREN MADSEN.
The career of Soren Madsen, a retired farmer of Greeley township, this county, and the president of the First National Bank of Exira, should serve as an inspiration to every young man. Mr. Madsen's youth was filled with few of the joys which fall within the experience of most boys of today. From the time he was eight years old he was compelled to support himself by the labor of his own hands. Coming to America when he was twenty years old, he took up quickly with the ways of his adopted country and in a com- paratively brief period became a successful farmer and banker. He is now known throughout Audubon county as one of the most successful citizens of this part of the state. His career only goes to show what determination, industry and personal economy will accomplish. Many of Soren Madsen's fellow countrymen have made good in America, and they deserve unfailing credit for their achievements.
Soren Madsen was born in Denmark on February 7, 1861, son of Nels and Marie (Jacobsen) Madsen, both of whom were native-born citizens of Denmark. Nels Madsen was a farmer and worked as a farm hand until he came to America in 1885, joining his son, Soren, in Hamlin township, this county, where he purchased forty acres of land, which he farmed for a time. His wife died in 1887, and two years afterward, in 1889, he passed away. Nels and Marie (Jacobsen) Madsen had only two children, Soren and Marie, the latter of whom married Hans Rasmussen, who is now deceased, his widow living in Hamlin township. From the time Soren Madsen was eight years old, and after leaving school, he worked out as a farm hand until he came to America.
Upon arriving in this country, in 1881, at the age of twenty years, Soren Madsen located first at Avoca, Iowa. After working there for eleven months on a railroad, he went to Utah. In the fall of 1882, one year after his arrival in America, he began working in a smelter and mining camp, a position he held for two and one-half years, at the end of which time he came to Audubon county, where he purchased eighty acres of land in Hamlin township. By characteristic energy and good management, Mr. Madsen was able to increase his farm holdings to one hundred and sixty acres, after which he moved to Sharon township, where he lived for eleven years. Selling his farm property in Sharon township, Mr. Madsen purchased two hundred and forty-six acres in Greeley township, and engaged in general farming and stock raising until he retired. During all this period Mr. Madsen raised from a hundred and twenty-five to a hundred and fifty head of hogs every year, besides a carload
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of cattle. In fact his experience in raising hogs and cattle was the basis of his success as a farmer.
On May 15, 1888, Soren Madsen was married to Christina Wolf, the daughter of Peter and Margaret (Petersen) Wolf, both natives of Schleswig, Germany. Peter Wolf was a farmer in his native land, and was also engaged in purchasing cattle. He came to America in 1883 and located in Audubon county, purchasing land west of Exira, living there until 1903, in which year he retired and moved to Exira. He prospered and increased his original holdings of ninety-one acres to one hundred and fifty acres. Peter Wolf and wife were the parents of eight children, of whom Christina, wife of Mr. Madsen, was the fourth born. The others were Welberg, Jens, Chris, Botilda, Margaret, Mary and Lena.
To Soren and Christina (Wolf) Madsen four children have been born, Marie, Anna, Nels and August. All of these children are unmarried, and all the living at home with their parents.
Mr. Madsen is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He is county supervisor of Audubon county and a member of the Exira town council. In politics he is an ardent and enthusiastic Democrat. For some time Mr. Madsen has been serving as president of the First National Bank of Exira, and has proved himself to be a man capable of performing the import- ant and highly technical duties of a successful banker.
DANIEL FRANKLIN, M. D.
The world has little use for the misanthrope. The universal brotherhood of men is widely recognized, as is also the truth that he serves God best who serves his fellow man. There is no profession, business or vocation which calls for greater sacrifice or more devoted personal attention than the medical profession. The most successful physician is he who, through love of his fellow men, gives his time and earnest attention to the relief of human suffering. The successful physician is bound to make friends wherever he is known and he will retain the respect and esteem of all classes of people. Among the able young physicians of Audubon, this county, is Dr. Daniel Franklin, a young man who deserves great credit for his accomplishments.
Daniel Franklin, the youngest son of Harry and Bessie Franklin, was born in Russia on July 27, 1893. His primary studies were directed by a private tutor and when ten years of age he entered the gymnasium. After
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four years of study there he came to America, landing in New York City on December 1, 1907. Spending only a few days in the cities of New York and in Chicago, he heeded the advice of Horace Greeley, and came west, locating at Omaha, Nebraska, where he entered the public schools, and, by the diligent study of English, qualified himself for admittance to Creighton Medical College. During his period of attendance at this college, in order to defray his college expenses, he worked as chemist for a creamery, and during the last year of his attendance at the medical school was a resident interne at the Omaha general hospital. He was graduated from the Creigh- ton Medical College on April 30, 1914, and immediately after receiving his diploma came to this county, locating in Audubon on May 9th of that year, at once entering on the active practice of his profession. Although he is a young man, Doctor Franklin's practice is growing rapidly, and, by his courteous manners, his careful practice of the ethics of his profession and the high standard of his professional skill, he is fast gaining the confi- dence and respect of the people of Audubon county.
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