USA > Iowa > Audubon County > History of Audubon county, Iowa; its people, industries, and institutions > Part 35
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T. M. Rasmussen was born in Denmark on March 26, 1872, son of M. P. and Elsie Rasmussen, natives of that kingdom. In the year 1889, when T. M. Rasmussen was seventeen years of age, the family emigrated to
TONY M. RASMUSSEN
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America and came to this county. After residing one year in Exira, they settled on a farm in Hamlin township. The mother of T. M. Rasmussen died in Denmark in 1876, and the father married a second time before com- ing to America. M. P. Rasmussen died in Seattle, Washington, in October, 1909. There were two sons by the first marriage, Anthony M., or "Tony" M., the subject of this review, and C. M., a resident of Spokane, Washing- ton. By the second marriage there were six sons, namely: E. I., who was drowned during the summer of 1899, while in bathing; Chris, a citizen of the state of Washington; Martin, deceased, and Andrew and Gerlow, both residing in the state of Washington.
After coming to Audubon county with his parents, Tony Rasmussen assisted his father upon the farm and attended the district school in the neighborhood of the farm home. The young man was ambitious and had a desire to advance among his fellows; consequently, he studied diligently, preparing himself for the vocation of teaching, and taught for four years in the schools of Audubon county after he had attained the age of twenty-six years. In fact, the career of this Danish-American citizen did not properly begin until after the time when most boys of American birth are fairly well established in their callings or professions. Tony Rasmussen landed upon the shores of America at an age when American-born youth are almost through the high school. He was handicapped by not being able to speak our language: yet, in spite of this and the other handicaps of being poor and having to make his own way in the world, this immigrant boy quickly acquired a speaking knowledge of the English language and educated him- self while working in the fields. His ambition did not stop at becoming proficient in the art of teaching, but he began the study of law while engaged in his school work. He saved his money, entered Drake University and was graduated with honor from the law school of that excellent institution of learning in 1904, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Thus admirably equipped he was admitted to the bar and at once began the practice of his profession at Exira. Mr. Rasmussen is recognized as one of the ablest legal lights in the county and has met with gratifying success.
In 1906, T. M. Rasmussen was united in marriage to Martha E. Nelson, daughter of Lorenz P. Nelson, of this county, to which union two children have been born, Chester Cole and Elsie. Mayor Rasmussen was reared in the Danish Lutheran faith, but is not now a member of any religious denom- ination. He is fraternally connected with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, a member of the lodge at Exira. He is a Democrat in politics and for years has been regarded as one of the leaders of his party in Audubon
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county. He is now serving his second term as mayor of Exira and it is said of him that he is one of the most capable and progressive executives that the city has ever had. Mr. Rasmussen's success is the outcome of patient pur- pose, backed by the exercise of native ability, and is all the more striking when adverse conditions under which he labored from the outset of his career in Audubon county are taken into consideration.
JOSEPH ALEXANDER CALDWELL.
While success cannot be achieved without unflagging industry. the futil- ity of effort is often noticeable in the business world, resulting from the fact that it is not combined with sound judgment. Many a man who gives his life to earnest and unremitting toil does not acquire a competence, but when his labors are well directed, prosperity always follows him. Mr. Caldwell's work has been supplemented by careful management, and today he is num- bered among the successful men of Audubon county.
Joseph A. Caldwell was born in Virginia on November 27, 1854, the son of Lewis and Julia (Shepherd) Caldwell. the former a native of West Virginia, born in 1830, and the latter a native of Belmont county, Ohio, born on November 27, 1831. Lewis Caldwell and his wife were married in Vir- ginia and migrated to Illinois when their son. Joseph A., was only six years old. Mr. Caldwell was a farmer and remained in Illinois the rest of his life. He and his wife were the parents of six children, of whom Joseph A. was the eldest. the other five being Mary, Hortense, Isaac Franklin, William and Lewis, Jr. Of these children Hortense and Lewis, Jr., are deceased. Lewis Caldwell died in Illinois and his widow, who is still living with her son, Joseph A., is now eighty-four years of age.
Joseph A. Caldwell received his education in the common schools and took up farming in Illinois, which vocation he followed in that state until he was twenty-seven years of age, at which time he came to this county, locating in Sharon township, where he purchased eighty acres of land. Later he sold this tract and purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Leroy township. which he later sold, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres in a different part of Leroy township, to which he later added forty acres, still later adding another forty, and is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres of fine farming land in that township.
On May 7, 1878, Joseph A. Caldwell was married to Hattie E. Godwin,
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who was born on May 10, 1854, a daughter of John and Anna (Tong) Godwin, the former of whom was a native of Canada, but who was reared in Ohio. His wife was born in England and came to this country at the age of ten years, her parents settling in LaSalle county, Illinois.
To Joseph A. and Hattie E. (Godwin) Caldwell one child has been born, a son, Chester Arthur, born on August 17, 1880. He married Anna Anderson, to which union four children have been born, Dick, Merle, Mil- dred and Harriet.
Joseph A. Caldwell is the present street commissioner of Audubon. During the time that he was living in Leroy township he served as trustee of that township. Mr. Caldwell is a man who is keenly interested in educa- tion and good roads and in public improvements of all kinds. As a progres- sive citizen, who has stood as a stanch advocate of improvements, he has contributed much to the development of Audubon county. He is a Republi- can and has always taken a keen interest in the affairs of his party in this county. The Caldwells are all earnest and faithful members of the Meth- odist church, and are active in the affairs of this church.
KRISTINE M. SORENSEN.
Kristine M. Sorensen, a well-known photographer of Audubon, has made a remarkable success of her vocation. It is customary to speak of this inan or that man as self-made, and in this respect Kristine M. Sorensen is well entitled to rank as a self-made woman, having worked her way unaided through the vicissitudes and adversities of life to an admirable and influential position in the business life of Audubon. Her success in business affairs has been due to her steady persistence, her unfailing integrity and excellent judgment qualities, which always assure success. Miss Sorensen enjoys the confidence and esteem of the public to a marked degree.
Kristine M. Sorensen was born in Denmark on February 7, 1886, daugh- ter of Jeppe and Johanna ( Madsen) Sorensen, natives of that splendid little kingdom, who were married in their native country. Jeppe Sorensen, who now is practically retired from the more arduous duties of life, was a farmer and was also engaged in fishing, which vocation he carried on during the summer months. He also carried the mail across to the mainland, his home being on an island. Jeppe Sorensen and his wife were the parents of ten children, Soren Peter, Bodel, Marie, Mads, Olie, Kristine, Claus, Jens, Christ-
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ian and Johanna, all of whom are living with the exception of Bodel and Marie. Mrs. Johanna (Madsen) Sorensen died in her native land, while her husband, who survives her, is still living in Denmark.
Kristine M. Sorensen was educated in the public schools of her native county, and after leaving school took up the profession of teaching, which she continued for seven years in Denmark. after which she came to America, arriving in this country in September, 1913. She proceeded almost imme- diately to Cedar Falls, Iowa, where she remained for six months, at the end of which time she came to this county, locating at Audubon, where she opened a photograph gallery, and has been active as a photographer since that time. No better work in photography is done in Audubon county than that done at the studio of Kristine M. Sorensen, which enjoys a large and lucrative patronage, not only from the people of Audubon, but from the people of the county and surrounding country as well. Miss Sorensen's brothers, Christian, Mads, Olie and Claus, came to America some years ago, but they later returned to Denmark. Miss Sorensen is a member of the Lutheran church, and takes an active interest in this denomination in Audu- bon, as well as in all good works hereabout, and is held in the highest regard in her large circle of friends and acquaintances.
J. M. GRAHAM.
J. M. Graham, a well-known attorney of Audubon, Iowa, a member of the firm of Graham & Graham, has been a resident of this county since 1871, having come here with his parents at the age of three years, when they removed from Washington, Iowa, to this county. Few attorneys in this part of the state received a more thorough and extensive training for the law than J. M. Graham, whose ability and talents were quickly recognized by the people of this county, and who, during a practice here of twenty years, has built up a large and lucrative law business. Like so many lawyers of the present generation, Mr. Graham came from the school room into the court room, having, after being graduated from one of the leading institu- tions of learning in this state, served two years as the principal of the Bayard high school.
J. M. Graham was born in Monroe county, Ohio, on October 25, 1868, the son of Samuel A. and Ellen (Hunter) Graham, both natives of that county, who, in 1870, removed to Washington county, Iowa, and one year later came to Audubon county. Samuel A. Graham was a well-known
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farmer in Ohio, and enjoyed a remarkable success in farming after coming to this state. He taught several terms of school in his native state, and at one time was school commissioner in Monroe county, Ohio. He also was a member of the board of supervisors of Audubon county for six years after removing to this state. In 1871 he and his wife and family located in the southwest quarter of section 16, Melville township, and there he engaged in general farming until 1899, when he retired and moved to Audubon. He owned at one time three hundred and twenty acres of land. To Samuel A. and Ellen (Hunter) Graham were born two sons, J. M. and John, who are now in partnership in the practice of law in Audubon.
J. M. Graham received his preliminary education in the common schools of Melville township, and in the high school at Audubon, having been a member of the first class that was graduated from the Audubon high school, in 1887. After finishing high school he attended Ames College and in 1890 was graduated from that institution, taking the degree of Bachelor of Science. Upon leaving Ames College, Mr. Graham taught school for two years, serving as principal of the high school at Bayard. In 1893 he entered the law school of Drake University at Des Moines, from which institution he received the degree of Bachelor of Law in 1894. Upon leaving Drake University, Mr. Graham returned to Audubon and began the practice of law. He formed a partnership with his brother, John, in 1910, since which time the brothers have been practicing under the firm name of Graham & Graham and have been very successful.
On July 19, 1894, J. M. Graham was married to Catherine Brown, daughter of Leonard and Nancy Brown, to which union six children have been born, Lorrain, Ellen, Margaret, Maxine, Catherine and Mabel, all of whom are living save the latter.
A Democrat in politics, Mr. Graham served two terms as county attor- ney of Audubon county, which is the legal limit for such service in this state. He has been a member of the school board for eleven years. Mrs. Graham is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Graham is a Mason and a Knight Templar, a member of the commandery at Audubon and of the Shrine at Des Moines. He also is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Maccabees at Audubon.
An earnest and sincere counselor in the law, a learned and capable prac- titioner in court, Mr. Graham is a well-known citizen of Audubon county and popular with all classes. His pleasing and agreeable personality has been no small factor in the building up of the extensive practice which he enjoys; and the firm with which he is connected has the full confidence of both bench and bar, as well as of the general public hereabout.
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CHARLES L. JOHNSON.
It is not an easy task to describe adequately the man who has led an eminently active and busy life, and who has attained to a position of relative distinction in the community with which his interests are allied, but biography finds its most perfect justification, nevertheless, in tracing and recording such life histories. It is with a full appreciation of all that is demanded, and with the painstaking scrutiny which must be accorded each statement that the writer has essayed the task of touching briefly upon the details of Mr. Johnson's career. Charles L. Johnson, a well-known member of the Johnson Grain Company, of Audubon, Iowa, has achieved a notable success in life, and is one of the best-known citizens of this county.
Charles L. Johnson was born on October 19, 1884, in Dallas county, Iowa. the son of Matt and Maria ( Christensen) Johnson, the former of whom was a native of Schleswig, Germany, and the latter of Denmark. Matt Johnson came to this country when he was twenty-seven years of age, and located first at Des Moines, Iowa, where he was married. He worked for a time in the coal mines near Des Moines, and from that place removed to Dallas county, Iowa, where he purchased a farm of two hundred and sixty-two acres. This farm he later sold for thirty-five dollars an acre, and in 1891 came to this county, locating in Audubon, where he engaged in the grain and live-stock business, which he continued successfully for twelve years, after which he added coal to his business, and built up a large and lucrative patronage in grain, live stock and coal in Audubon and the sur- rounding community. Matt Johnson died on December 26, 1911. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, Anna. Lena, Mollie, Elda, Emma, Charles L., May and Alva, all of whom are living, with the exception of Anna and Mollie. Mrs. Johnson is still living in Audubon.
Charles L. Johnson spent one year in the public schools of Dallas county, Iowa, afterwards finishing his education in the schools of Audubon county, and after leaving school entered the grain and coal business in Audubon with his father, and has now been engaged in this business for fourteen years, at present being associated with his brother, Alva, also a well-known and progressive business man of Audubon county.
On April 16, 1907. Charles L. Johnson was married to Jessie Mushruch, daughter of Michael and Eliza Mushruch. The Mushruch family is one of the oldest in Audubon county, having come here when most of the farming land was a raw prairie. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are the parents of two chil- dren, Ruby and Mary.
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Mr. Johnson is a Republican and was elected city treasurer of Audubon several years ago, and is now serving in this office for the third term, this fact alone speaking well for the manner in which he has discharged the duties of this responsible office. He has been prominent for many years in the councils of his party in the city of Audubon and in the county.
The Johnson Grain Company is well known throughout Audubon county, and has built up an enviable reputation for honest and scrupulous dealing, the 'reputation of this firm being founded upon the upright charac- ters of the two brothers, Charles L. and Alva Johnson, who have so suc- cessfully carried out the sterling business principles adopted by their father when he established the business many years ago.
EDWIN S. VAN GORDER.
Edwin S. Van Gorder, now president of the First National Bank, of Audubon, this county, was born on July 6, 1871, in Exira, Audubon county, Iowa, son of Charles and Laura J. (Delahoyde) Van Gorder, the former of whom is vice-president of the First National Bank, of Audubon (a bio- graphical sketch of whom, with portrait, is presented elsewhere in this volume), and educated in the common schools and at Grinnell College, at Grinnell, Iowa, from which latter institution he was graduated with the class of 1893, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. In 1894 he took a post-graduate course in Harvard University, and a short time later entered the banking business, with his father, in Audubon, becoming president of the First National Bank in 1911, having begun his service with that bank as assistant cashier. He has been engaged in the banking business throughout his entire business career, and is generally recognized as one of the most careful bankers in this section of the state, holding a high place in the regard of those connected with banking circles hereabout.
On June 28, 1898, Edwin S. Van Gorder was married to Helen Get- chell, of Des Moines, Iowa, daughter of Charles Getchell, a prominent lum- berman of that city. To this union two sons have been born, Edwin S., Jr., and Charles G.
Mr. Van Gorder is a heavy land-holder, owning large tracts in Iowa and in the northeastern part of South Dakota. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Audubon and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In politics, he is a Republican.
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AUDUBON COUNTY, IOWA.
FRANK OSCAR NIKLASON.
The history of a county or state as well as that of a nation, is chiefly a chronicle of the lives and deeds of those who have conferred honor and dignity upon society. The world judges the character of a community by those of its representative citizens, and yields its tribute of admiration and respect to those whose words and actions constitute the record of a com- munity's prosperity and pride. Among the prominent citizens of this county, who are known because of their success in its affairs, and the part they have taken in the civic life of Audubon county, is Frank Oscar Niklason, who is a well-known horse dealer and real-estate man of Audubon.
Frank Oscar Niklason was born on June 13, 1869, in Gullspong, Sweden, the son of Niklas and Matilda (Hajlund) Niklason, who were farmers in their native land. Niklas Niklason was a dealer in live stock, also, and was a very well-to-do man, owning a fine estate in Sweden.
Frank Oscar Niklason was educated in the schools of his native land, and when a little past fifteen years of age came to America, where he joined his uncle, John Swansen. After arriving in this country he was engaged in farm labor for one year on his uncle's farm, and also worked for two years for a man by the name of Yaggy. Mr. Niklason began farming for himself in Douglas township, this county, where he rented land for two years, after which he purchased two hundred acres of land at twenty dollars an acre, and operated this land for fourteen years, at the end of which period he bought one hundred and twenty acres east of Audubon, in Leroy township, where he lived for one year. After owning this latter farm for two years he disposed of it and in the fall of 1903 purchased six hundred acres of land in Douglas township. In the spring of 1914 he bought a tract of eighty acres located east of. Audubon, in a good farming community, and now owns altogether six hundred and eighty acres of well-improved land.
Frank O. Niklason moved to Audubon in the spring of 1905, and has been engaged in buying and selling horses for the past ten years. He ships annually something like one thousand head, which amounts practically to a carload of horses weekly. Mr. Niklason purchased a fine modern house, and has lived in this home since the fall of 1911.
On February 15, 1893, Frank O. Niklason was married to Martha Stetzel, the daughter of George Stetzel, an early settler in Douglas town- ship, this county, who is now deceased, to which union three children have been born: Clarence Raymond, now a student at Leland Stanford Uni-
FRANK O. NIKLASON
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AUDUBON COUNTY, IOWA.
versity, in California, and Harold Franklin and Donald Niklas, students in the Audubon high school.
Mr. Niklason is identified with the Republican party and has served in the city council of Audubon for two terms, but with that exception has not been especially prominent in politics. The career of Mr. Niklason shows what may be accomplished by a young man of upright habits and strong determination. Having come to this country from a foreign land with no resources, Mr. Niklason is now one of the wealthy and substantial men of Audubon county, and has accumulated all of his property within a compara- tively few years. Mr. and Mrs. Niklason and family are members of the Evangelical church, and Mr. Niklason is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and of the Modern Woodmen of America.
ARTHUR C. HARMON.
The history of a county or state, as well as that of a nation, is chiefly a chronicle of the lives and deeds of those who have conferred honor and dignity upon society. The world judges the character of a community by the enterprise and progress of its citizens and yields its tributes of admiration and respect to those whose words and actions constitute the record of a state's prosperity and pride. Among the prominent citizens of Audubon county who are well known because of the part they have taken in public affairs and because of a long residence in the county, from boyhood to the present, Arthur C. Harmon, successful merchant and county coroner, concerning whose life this review is prepared, occupies high rank.
Arthur C. Harmon was born on June 9, 1873, in Henry county, Mis- souri, son of George and Seretta (Newell) Harmon, natives of Kentucky and Ohio, respectively. George Harmon was a Union soldier who served in the Fourteenth Kentucky Cavalry for four long years during the Civil War, in which service he took part in many hard-fought battles and engagements. His command was part of the army under General Sherman and he saw the hardest kind of fighting under this brave and intrepid commander, his last service being in the final fighting around Richmond. After the war, George Harmon migrated to Illinois and thence to Missouri. From Missouri he came to Iowa, about the year 1875, and purchased a farm near the town of Avoca, in Pottawattamie county. In 1880 he came to Audubon county and (25)
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settled on a farm three miles west of Audubon, in Douglas township. In 1910 he retired from active farming operations and moved to Audubon, the county seat, where he died on August 20, 1912, his wife having departed this life but few days before, on August 12, of that same year. George and Seretta (Newell) Harmon were the parents of three sons and three daughters, as follow: Arthur C., the subject of this sketch; Albert M., a farmer living near Exira, this county ; Mrs. Mary Hollister, of Guthrie county, Iowa ; Mrs. Daisy Fairholm, of Messina, Iowa; Mrs. Lulu Gray, residing in Audubon, this county, and Frank C., who is engaged in the furniture and undertaking business at Mingo, Iowa.
Arthur C. Harmon was educated in the district schools of Audubon county and followed the vocation of farming until about three years after his marriage, in 1898. In the year 1901 he left the farm and moved to Audubon, where he has since resided. For a period of eight years after moving to Audubon he was employed in a furniture and undertaking establishment and in 1909 engaged in the furniture business for himself. In November, 1910, he moved his furniture stock into his present commodious quarters, his store occupying a large brick structure on South Park place, twenty-five by ninety feet in extent, filled with a modern stock of goods suitable for his extensive trade. Mr. Harmon's store was visited by a disastrous fire on February 3, 1913, and the entire stock of goods was destroyed. Undaunted by this dis- aster, the owner immediately restocked his place and was soon doing busi- ness again.
On January 15, 1898, Arthur C. Harmon was married to Lola B. Cham- berlain, daughter of George and Rhoda (Mallett) Chamberlain, natives of Virginia and New York, respectively. Mr. Harmon was born in Powieshiek county, Iowa. In 1880 the Chamberlain family settled in Guthrie county, this state, where they resided until 1893, in which year they came to Audu- bon county, Mr. Chamberlain still residing on the farm he bought at that time. Mrs. Chamberlain died in May, 1909. Mrs. Harmon is a member of the Pythian Sisters and of the Eastern Star lodges and is popular in the social life of Audubon. She is an intelligent and capable woman, an excellent and faithful helpmeet to her husband. To Arthur C. and Lola B. (Cham- berlain) Harmon one son has been born, Harold George, born on February 17, 1900, who now is attending the public school.
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