USA > Iowa > Audubon County > History of Audubon county, Iowa; its people, industries, and institutions > Part 63
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Mr. Larsen is a Baptist, and holds the office of treasurer in his church, at which he is a regular attendant. He has also held some of the township. offices, among them being treasurer for a term of five years, trustee four years, and was elected school director in 1915. He has always voted the Republican ticket.
The parents of our subject never came to this country, preferring to remain in the land of their birth. His father was a farmer in Denmark, and
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owned about eighty acres of land. He was a soldier in the war between Germany and Denmark. To him and his wife, Gertrude, were born five children, Anna, Lars, Nets, Christiana, Martin. Anna and Christiana live in Denmark. Martin lives on a farm in Douglas township, Audubon county.
In 1894, Lars P. Larsen was united in marriage with Mary Larsen, daughter of Martin Larsen, of Sharon township, at the home of the bride. They are the parents of six children, Esther, Alfred, Arthur, Gertrude, Stella, Myrtle. Esther received her education at the Des Moines College and is now teaching music. The other children are at home.
HENRY MINERMAN.
One of the best-known, most progressive and most prosperous farmers of Greeley township, this county, is Henry Minerman, a native of Germany, who came to this country when he was eighteen years of age, landing in the city of New Orleans on the day which marked the deadly riot in that city following the election of General Grant to the Presidency, in which twelve persons were killed. His first impressions of this country, therefore, were not of the most agreeable character and he would have turned back to his native land, had he been able to do so. Needless to say, he never since has had cause to regret that he did not follow his inclination to flee from what he first regarded as a land of violence and sudden death.
Henry Minerman was born on January 30, 1850, in Osnabruck, Han- over, Germany. His mother was an Ellinghouse. His father died when Henry was three years old, leaving a widow and another son, Charles; the latter now lives in Matamoras, Pennsylvania. Upon his father's death, Henry was adopted into another family and was carefully reared, receiving a good education in his native land. At the age of eighteen he came to America, reaching New Orleans, as noted above, on the day of the deadly election riots. He proceeded up the river to St. Louis, en route to the home of his aunt, near Johannesburg, Illinois, where he lived for eight years, work- ing on the farm, at the end of which time he moved to Johnson county, Iowa, where he worked for a year or two and where he was married. In the spring of 1882 he came to Audubon county, this state, buying eighty acres of rail- road land in Greeley township, giving for the same ten dollars an acre, and on this farm ever since has made his home. He prospered here and in 1892 bought an additional tract of one hundred and twenty acres in sections 21 and 27, in Greeley township, to which he since has added one hundred and
MR. AND MRS. HENRY MINERMAN
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twenty acres in the same township. He has recently built an entirely new set of buildings on the home farm in section 21, and now has one of the best- equipped and best-tilled farms in that part of the county.
In October, 1877, in Johnson county, Iowa, Henry Minerman was united in marriage to Elizabeth Watson, who was born in Burroughs county, Illi- nois, the daughter of Thomas and Mary A. (How) Watson, the former of whom was a native of Scotland and the latter of Ireland. To this union seven children have been born, of whom six are living: Charles, who lives in South Dakota, married Bertie May, to which union four children were born: Leonard, Vivian, Beatrice and Marcella; William, who lives in Cali- fornia, married Ada Mason and has one child, Wilma; Minnie, who married William Wahlert, lives in Aneta, Iowa, and has four children; Harold, Lyman, Ruth Vellma and Hazel Eunice; Bertie, who attended the Dennison high school, the western college at Harlan and Highland Park College at Des Moines, is a teacher in the schools of Greeley township; Veda, who followed the same course of training, also is teaching in the Greeley township schools, and Walter is a student in the Exira high school.
Mr. Minerman is a member of the Lutheran church, while his wife and Bertie are members of the Methodist church. He is a Republican and takes an active interest in the political affairs of the county. He is a substantial citizen and very popular with all who know him.
CHRIST JENSEN.
Christ Jensen, who owns a farm of a hundred and eighty acres in Doug- las township, Audubon county, Iowa, and who is a well-known farmer and stockman of this township, was born, April 16, 1864, the son of Christian and Karsen Christians, both of whom spent all their lives in their native land, Denmark. Christian Christians owned a small farm of twenty-seven acres in Denmark. He served in the war of 1864 between Germany and Denmark as a private soldier, and died in his native land. Christian and Karsen Christians were the parents of four children, Mary, Christ, Jens and Sophia.
Christ Jensen attended school in Denmark until fourteen years of age, when he began working out. After working out for two or three years he came to America, landing in New York City. From there he traveled to Independence, Iowa, where he worked on a farm and in the timber for two
(42)
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years. At the end of this time he moved to Shelby county and purchased eighty acres of land, where he lived until 1892, when he sold out his farm and all his property and bought a farm in section 15, of Douglas township, Audubon county, comprising eighty acres. Mr. Jensen paid twenty dollars an acre for the farm, and since this time has been increasing his holdings of farm land until he now owns one hundred and eighty acres. He has invested some four thousand dollars in all kinds of improvements and his farm is especially well drained. His principal crops are corn and small grain.
In 1890 Christ Jensen was married to Mary Jensen, daughter of Louis Jensen, a citizen of Elkhorn. To them have been born seven children, John, Lydia, Larson, Joseph, Alex, Alvin and Ella. John married Pearl Cofman and they live in Audubon. The remainder of the family are living at home. Two of the children are attending school.
A member of the Danish Lutheran church, Mr. Jensen has been secre- tary and trustee of the congregation for the past ten years. He is a Republi- can in politics, and has served as school director for one year, and as road supervisor for three or four years.
Not only is Christ Jensen well known as a farmer, but he is well known as an enterprising and valuable citizen of Douglas township. Like so many of his fellow countrymen he has become thoroughly accustomed to the ways and manners of this country, and no land is nearer and dearer to him than America, and no flag is more beautiful than the stars and stripes.
ANDREW P. HANSON.
Among the citizens of Audubon county, Iowa, who have built up com- fortable homes and surrounded themselves with valuable personal property and real property as well, few have attained a greater degree of success than Andrew P. Hanson, a well-known farmer of Oakfield township. With few opportunities except what his own efforts were capable of mastering and with many discouragements to overcome he has achieved an exceptional success in life, and now has the gratification of knowing that the community has been benefited by his presence and by his counsel. He is regarded as a good busi- ness man and excellent manager, a man possessed of sound judgment and keen foresight, and one who believes in always pressing forward. Mr. Han- son has ever enjoyed the respect and esteem of those who know him. His
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friendly manner, his business ability, his interest in public affairs, and upright living has won for him the universal esteem of the people of Audubon county.
Andrew P. Hanson was born on April 7, 1869, at Fyn, Denmark, son of Jens and Karen (Axelsen) Hanson, both natives of Denmark. The former was born on March 10, 1836, and the latter on June 4, 1830. Jens P. Han- son received his education in Denmark. His parents were very poor, and he had to start out early in life and work as a farm hand. He served in the German and Danish War of 1864. By careful economy he managed to save part of his wages, both in his native land and in this country. He came to America in 1874 and located at Avoca, Iowa, where he purchased a house for thirty dollars. It was twelve feet square. Mr. Hanson started to work for the railroad as a section hand, and was thus employed for four years. After this he purchased forty acres of land in section 4, of Oakfield township. This land was bought from the Rock Island Railroad at six dollars an acre. Mr. Hanson paid sixty-six dollars cash for the first payment. Later he increased his holdings to one hundred and twenty acres.
Jens and Karen (Axelsen) Hanson had four children, Christian, Chris- tiana, Lena and Andrew P. Christian married Botilda Wolf. Christiana married Nels Christensen. Lena married Chris Peterson.
Andrew P. Hanson received a very limited education in Avoca, Iowa, where he attended school for two years. Then his parents moved to Audu- bon county. Since there were no schools in the township where they settled, the children had no opportunity of continuing their studies. Andrew P. worked at herding cattle for four years. His father's health failed and he had to take up his father's work, and worked for him until he was twenty- one years old. His father turned over the farm to him, which is the place upon which he is now living. Mr. Hanson purchased a hundred and sixty acres in addition. He now owns two hundred and eighty acres. He has put ten thousand dollars worth of improvements upon the place. He has modern barns. His home is strictly modern, and has electric lights, hardwood floors, and all other conveniences. Mr. Hanson raises about one hundred acres of corn a year which averages at least fifty bushels to the acre. He also raises seventy acres of small grain, which produces thirty-five bushels to the acre. Mr. Hanson feeds about a hundred and fifty head of cattle a year, and milks about twenty cows the year round. He keeps about one hundred head of cattle on the place, and this has proved a very profitable investment.
When Andrew P. Hanson was twenty-one years old he was elected revisor of the West Hamlin cry. He was elected president of the cry when
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he was twenty-five years old. He held that office for ten years. He has been township trustee of Oakfield township for ten years.
Andrew P. Hanson was married on December 27, 1893, to Elsie Katherine Christensen, daughter of Andrew R. and Elsie Mary (Nelson) Christensen. Ten children have been born to this union, Lillie, James, Mag- gie, Alfred, Elsie, Dollie, William, Hazel, Russel and Ida. All are living at home. Mrs. Hanson was born in Denmark. Her parents were natives of that country. Her father was a tailor by trade and has followed that occupa- tion all his life. He was born in Jutland, Denmark, January 3, 1844. His wife was born October II, 1846, and died January 3, 1884. Andrew R. Christensen died in Denmark, April 19, 1915. He and his wife had four children, Nels, Trena, Thomas and Elsie.
Mr. Hanson's father died October 19, 1895, and his mother died Decem- ber II, 1903.
In politics Andrew P. Hanson is a Republican. He is a member of the Seventh Day Adventist church, and has been an elder in the church for a good many years. He is a member of the church conference of the state of Iowa. and is president of the Marne and Elkhorn Telephone Company.
AUGUST KIENAST.
This country has long been known as the land of opportunity, but it required a high degree of courage and industry to turn the possibilities into reality. When a young man is willing to forsake the land of his birth, and allow hundreds of miles to separate him from his dear ones, it is evident that he considers America the finest country on the face of the globe, and is will- ing to pay the price in resolute endeavor that will win success in his adopted country. This has been exemplified in the life of the man whose name heads this sketch.
August Kienast, general farmer and stockman, of Lincoln township, Audubon county, was born in Germany, June 29, 1865. He came to America at the age of eight years. He attended the public schools of Michigan until he was fourteen years old, and then worked on a farm for four years, when he traveled through the western states for a few years. Returning home in 1887, he bought one hundred and twenty acres of land, and in 1909 bought the balance of his present home place in Lincoln township, amounting in all to four hundred and twenty acres, and on which he has spent about ten thou-
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sand dollars in improvements. His principal crops are corn and small grain, the former of which averages about fifty bushels to the acre, and the latter about thirty-five bushels, the most of which is fed to the stock on the place. He has for sale each year a large number of cattle and about a carload of hogs. He is a faithful member of the German Lutheran church, in which he has held the office of trustee. He is a stanch believer in the principles of the Republican party.
The parents of our subject were both born in Germany, the father being a day laborer and truck farmer. He came to America in 1873, locating in Michigan, where he worked in a saw-mill for four years, after which he moved to Atlantic, Iowa, and worked on a railroad construction train. Having accumulated sufficient funds, he purchased a farm of forty acres near Audu- bon, and farmed for three years, at the end of which time he sold out and went to Lincoln Center, where he bought eighty acres, and soon after added sixty acres more to his possessions, and lived on the place until he died. Their children were Wilhelmena, August and Charles.
August Kienast was married in 1889 to Barbara Ullrich, of Audubon county. They are the parents of six children, Herman, Helena, John, Mary, Eliza, Ida, all of whom are at home but two girls. Helena and Mary, who are in Sioux City. Mrs. Kienast died in 1900, and in 1912 Mr. Kienast married Mima Reekman, daughter of Henry Reekman, by whom he had three chil- dren, Arthur, Harry and Hulda, who are all at home.
ANTHONY MEURER.
It is sometimes considered that the history of great men only is worthy of preservation and little merit exists among the masses to call forth the praises of the historian or the appreciation of the public. However, a care- ful study of the lives of the early settlers of the state of Iowa will teach lessons of patience and perseverance, thrift and industry, that will be helpful to many and are worthy of permanent record.
Among the earlier pioneer citizens of Audubon county, is Anthony Meurer, a retired farmer of Greeley township, now living in Exira.
Anthony Meurer was born in Germany, December 6, 1837, the son of Stephen and Barbara Meurer, both natives of Germany. The former was a carpenter by trade and followed that trade in Germany until he came to
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America in 1841 and located at Utica, New York, where he followed his trade for four years. At the end of this time, he moved to Chicago, Illinois, and after remaining there for four years, moved to Freeport, Illinois. He died there in 1893 and his wife died in 1891. He was born in 1810 and she in 1821. He served three years in the German army.
Stephen and Barbara Meurer were the parents of six children, as follow : Anthony, the subject of this sketch; Mary, who is deceased, married Joseph Gozell; Emma married Joseph Diggon; Kate married Joseph Kirver; Ger- trude married William Hamilton; John married Anna Broady.
Anthony Meurer attended school in Chicago, Illinois, until his parents moved to Freeport, Illinois, where he worked in a brick-yard for six years. He then secured a position as a farm hand and worked in that capacity until he was married. After his marriage, Mr. Meurer rented a farm for a few years. In 1873 he worked on a cattle ranch as a stock feeder. In 1878 he came to Audubon county and located in Greeley township. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres in 1875 for which he paid twelve dollars an acre for eighty acres and twenty-two and one-half dollars for the other eighty. At one time he had two hundred and forty acres of land. He was engaged in general farming and raised about one hundred and twenty-five head of hogs and fifty head of cattle each year.
Anthony Meurer was married on December 7, 1863, to Mary Kriebs, the daughter of Joseph Kriebs. Six children were born to this marriage, as follow : John married Delilah Lee and has four children, Lola, Thomas, Danell and Lula; Frank married Jennie May and has three children, John, Bernard and Albert; Joseph is single; Mary married Frank Beers and has six children, Bert, George, Orville, Joseph, Margaret and Mary; Anna married Frank Duvall and has five children, Nellie, Olive, Clark, Mildred and Martha ; Emma married Bert May and has six children, Gerald, Elwein, Franklin, Chester, Arnold and Arlene. Mrs. Anthony Meurer was born in Germany and came to America with her parents when three years old. They located at Galena, Illinois, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They had six children. Mrs. Meurer died on November 22, 1914.
Mr. Meurer and family are devout members of the Catholic church. Mr. Meurer has served as school director and road commissioner. He is a Republican. During the Civil War, he enlisted in the Seventh Illinois Cavalry and served nine months. Anthony Meurer is a good citizen and has been an enterprising farmer. By hard labor he acquired a competence for his declin- ing years and now is able to live upon the fruits of his toil.
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LAURITZ PETERSEN.
Lauritz Petersen is one of the best-known general farmers and stock raisers of Douglas township, Audubon county, Iowa. Mr. Petersen has prospered since coming to this country, and now owns a half section of land, a quarter section in his home place and a quarter section which he acquired in two different purchases.
Mr. Petersen was born, December 22, 1860, in Denmark, the son of Peter and Mary (Lawgian) Eskesen, both of whom are natives of Denmark. Peter Eskesen was a carpenter in Denmark. He and his wife were the par- ents of seven children, E. L., Carl, Lena, Soren W., Louritz, and two who died in their native land. Lena and Soren are still living in Denmark. E. L. lives in Shelby county, and Carl lives in Harlan, Shelby county.
Lauritz Petersen received his education in the schools of his native land, quiting school at the age of fifteen. After leaving school he worked on the farm by the month, until twenty years old, when he came to America. After landing in Boston, Massachusetts, he journeyed to Walnut, Iowa, where he worked on a farm by the month for five years. At the end of this period he married and rented a farm of eighty acres in Shelby county. After living there for five years he removed to Audubon county, where he rented a farm near Poplar for three years. Subsequently, he purchased eighty acres of land in Douglas township, Audubon county, paying twenty-five dollars an acre for the farm. A year later he bought another forty acres for twenty-five and one- half dollars an acre, and three years later he purchased eighty acres more. One of these forty-acre tracts he traded in on the hundred and sixty acres of land which comprises the home farm, and which is located in section 28, in Douglas township. For this last farm Mr. Petersen paid ninety-five dollars an acre. About five thousand dollars have been invested in improvements on the place. The farm is thoroughly fenced with a hog-tight fence. Mr. Petersen's principal crops are corn and small grain. The corn averages about fifty bushels to the acre, and the small grain about thirty-five bushels to the acre. He feeds live stock, selling at least a carload of cattle every year and about a hundred and twenty-five head of hogs.
Lauritz Petersen was married in 1885 to Katrina Hansen, daughter of Hans Hansen, who was a native of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Petersen have eleven children, Mary, Peter E., Katie, Hansen, Soren V., Nels, Lauritz, Jr., Lena, Arthur, Amanda and Elvina. Mary married Nels P. Jensen, they live in Sharon township and have two children. Peter married Stena Clau-
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sen, and they live in Douglas township. Katie married Peter Madsen, and they live in Sharon township. Hansen and Soren live in Douglas township. The remainder of the family are living at home with their parents.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Petersen has served as school director for a period of a year. The Petersen family are members of the Danish Lutheran church, and are prominent in the affairs of this congregation.
Lauritz Petersen, like so many of his fellow countrymen who have established homes and acquired comfortable fortunes in this country, is a good citizen. Intelligent, broad-minded, and genial in his relations with his fellows, he is well liked in the neighborhood where he lives in Douglas town- ship.
JENS JACOBSEN.
Among the younger farmers of Douglas township, Audubon county, Iowa, who are natives of Denmark, and who have made a success of farming in their adopted country, is Jens Jacobsen, a farmer and stock raiser and the proprietor of a hundred and twenty acres of land in Douglas township.
Jens Jacobsen was born, February 29, 1872, in Denmark, the son of Jacob and Elsie Jacobsen, both natives of Denmark. Jacob Jacobsen was a farmer and owned twenty acres of land in the old country. He and his wife had three children, Stena, Jacob and Jens. Stena and Jacob are still living in Denmark.
Jens Jacobsen, after having completed his education in the schools of his native land, quit school at the age of fourteen and began working on a farm, at which he continued until he had reached his majority. Coming to this country, at the age of twenty-one, Mr. Jacobsen first lived in Canada, and after a residence in Canada of a brief period came to Audubon county in 1893, and worked on a farm for six years. Later he worked for the Standard Oil Company at Audubon for seven years, and then purchased a hundred acres of land in sections 33 and 34 of Douglas township. Mr. Jacobsen has invested about six thousand dollars in various improvements. In 1913 he built a new house which cost thirty-five hundred dollars. His principal crops are corn and small grains. His corn averages about fifty bushels and his oats about thirty-five bushels to the acre. Mr. Jacobsen feeds most of the grain to hogs and cattle. Every year he sells fifty head of cattle and about fifty head of hogs from the farm.
Jens Jacobsen was married in 1903 to Mary Christiansen, the daughter
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of James Christiansen. Mrs. Jacobsen's parents still live in their native land, Denmark. She has been the mother of four children, Carl Elmer, Seguro Chris, Ruben Saxholm, and Harvey Korguard. All of these children live at home with their parents. The three eldest children attend the country school.
Mr. Jacobsen is a Republican. He has served as school director in Douglas township, and for many years has been prominent in the local affairs of the Republican party. The Jacobsen family are all members of the Danish Lutheran church, and attend the services of this church with great regularity.
Jens Jacobsen is popular in Douglas township and well and favorably known throughout this section. He is today a stanch American who believes in our institutions and our government, and who, if called upon, would be willing to give valiant service in the cause of freedom.
HANS P. RASMUSSEN.
A general farmer and stock raiser of Douglas township, Audubon county, Iowa, and one of the prominent citizens is Hans P. Rasmussen, who owns a hundred and sixty acres of land in the township.
Mr. Rasmussen was born, July 28, 1861, in Denmark, the son of Rasmus and Malen Hansen, both natives of Denmark. The father, a farm hand in his native land, served in the war between Germany and Denmark in 1848 to 1850. Rasmus and Malen Hansen had nine children, Hanna, Christiana, Kerstinia, P. H., Anna, Christ. Christianna, Martin and Christian. All but three members of the family live in Denmark. Anna lives in Cedar Falls ; Christianna lives in the state of Washington, and Hans P. is the subject of this sketch.
Hans P. Rasmussen received his education in the country schools of Denmark, which he attended until thirteen years of age. He worked on a farm in Denmark until twenty years old, and then came to this country in 1881, on a Scandinavian steamship line, landing in New York City. After being in New York City for a brief time he came to Exira, Audubon county, living for a time with his uncle. For five years Mr. Rasmussen worked on neighboring farms and for a time worked on the railroad as a section hand near Atlantic. Subsequently, he rented a farm in Oakfield township, Audu- bon county, and lived there for one year. He then moved to Douglas town- ship, and rented land for seventeen years, eventually purchasing a hundred and sixty acres of land in section 14 at a hundred and fifteen dollars an acre.
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