USA > Iowa > Boone County > History of Boone County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 50
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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY
In 1881 Mr. Peter was united in marriage to Miss Julia Klider, who was born December 8, 1862, near Hausfeldt, Germany, and came to this country in 1875. She, too, in that year became a resident of Boone county, living near the city of Boone. She is a niece of the late John Herman, a sketch of whom appears else- where in this volume. She resided near Boone until her marriage and then went to her husband's home in Harrison township. She passed away January 12, 1912, leaving three sons and a daughter beside her husband to mourn her loss. Fred, the eldest son, a resident of Harrison township, married Leda Lininger and has two children. George operates the home farm. Emma and Otto are also with their father.
Mr. Peter has made excellent improvements upon the home place, supplying it with all of the accessories and conveniences of a model farm of the twentieth century. In his political views Mr. Peter is a democrat and has served as road boss and in other local offices. He has frequently acted as school director, and he is a member of the German Lutheran church of Harrison township, which indicates his interest in the moral progress of the community. His has been a well spent life, and during the forty years of his residence in Boone county he has ever enjoyed and received the respect, confidence and good-will of his fellow townsmen.
REED C. WILSON.
Reed C. Wilson controls and owns Wilson's Baggage and Transfer and Stor- age, a prosperous business enterprise of Boone. In the upbuilding of this estab- lishment he has proven himself a farsighted and capable man who has recognized opportunities and has used them in promoting his interests. His office is located at No. 823 Story street, and it may be truthfully said that it is one of the liveliest places in town. Mr. Wilson specializes in packing, shipping and moving house- hold goods, pianos and safes as well as theatre baggage and does any kind of transfer business which comes within the scope of his activities. He is a thor- oughly modern and up-to-date man and has succeeded because he has applied himself closely to his interests, because he gives personal attention to all matters intrusted to him, because of his punctuality and because of the fairness and honesty which influence all his transactions. Mr. Wilson was born in Independence. lowa, August 26, 1872, and is a son of William P. and Mary Flora ( Van Niman ) Wilson. His paternal grandfather was Clinton Wilson.
Reed C. Wilson became a resident of Boone at the age of six years, and there he attended the public schools until fourteen. He then worked on a farm until sixteen and, returning to Boone, engaged in the teaming business with his father until June 12, 1903. On that day his father lost his life, being killed by a train, and Mr. Wilson of this review succeeded to the business. He has greatly enlarged the same, having had but one team when he took charge, while he now employs seven teams. His drays are well built, capacious and modern. He has ample storing facilities and is renowned all over the town and countryside for the care- fulness with which he handles goods in moving. His business ability is also well
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recognized and in the course of years he has taken rank among the substantial citizens of Boone.
On November 15, 1903, Mr. Wilson married Miss Vinnie Hartman, a native of Boone and a daughter of Perry and Almira Des Moines ( Vernon) Hartman. To this union two children have been born, Walter R. and Maurice William. Mr. Wilson was reared in the Christian church but is at present not a member of any particular denomination. However, he is a man of Christian principles and gives his support to all movements undertaken in order to improve the moral tone of humanity. He is a republican, interested in his party yet not an office seeker. Fraternally he belongs to Boone Lodge, No. 324, of the Knights of Pythias and the Elks Lodge, No. 563. Mr. Wilson is one of the useful and successful citizens of Boone and by promoting his private enterprise has contributed toward the growth of his city.
ANDREW MONGU'S ANDERSON.
Andrew Mongus Anderson, who was born on the farm in Douglas township which he now owns and occupies, belongs to one of the early pioneer families of Boone county. His birth occurred March 23, 1857, and he is a son of Andrew Peter and Melinda (Johnson) Anderson, natives of Sweden, the former born January 15, 1828, and the latter June 29, 1835. The father came to America in1 1846 and after many years of successful agricultural labors died in Douglas township, September 20, 1895. The mother emigrated to America in 1851 and (lied in Madrid, November 20, 1904. They had twelve children, as follows: Andrew Mongus, of this review; Mrs. Mary Anderson, born January 3. 1859, who makes her home with her brother Andrew on the home farm in Douglas township; John Peter, who was born October 10, 1860, and resides in Garden township; Greta Elizabeth, born April 23, 1862, who married C. M. Anderson and died January 6, 1891 ; Mrs, Oscar Oakleaf, who was born September 4, 1864, and is now a resident of Madrid: Carl Gustav, who was born December 12, 1866, and died February 26, 1910; Swen Albert, whose birth occurred October 9. 1868. and who died October 8, 1897; Joseph Edward, born March 22, 1870, a resident of Garden township; Samuel, born October 2, 1872, of Madrid; an infant, born February 26, 1875, deceased ; Malinda, born December 29, 1875 ; and Ida Christina, who was born March 24, 1877, and died in 1905. All of this family were born and reared in Douglas township. Mrs. Mary Anderson, who resides with our subject, had two children, but one, born July 12, 1893, died in infancy. The other, L. F., born August 2, 1894, is attending school in Madrid. At her death Greta Elizabeth Anderson left one daughter, Esther Elizabeth, who is now the wife of Vidus Swansen of Madrid and has two sons, Loren, born April 7, 1912; and Carl, born February 10, 1914.
Mr. Anderson gives his allegiance to the republican party. Both he and his sister are members of the Swedish Lutheran church of Madrid. His valuable farm comprises two hundred and twenty-two acres of choice land on section 26, Douglas township, and includes the old Anderson homestead. He has always followed the most modern agricultural methods, having up-to-date equipment
MR. AND MRS. ANDREW P. ANDERSON
ANDREW M. ANDERSON
MRS. MARY ANDERSON
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upon his land and having erected a large number of barns and sheds, all of which are substantially built and kept in good repair. One of the earliest build- ings in Boone county is to be found on this farm. Mr. Anderson's home is conveniently arranged and equipped with modern comforts. Besides giving attention to general farming he has for many years been identified with the raising of pure blooded shorthorn cattle and has met with success along this line, being a leader in the movement to bring this stock to the highest perfection. In that way he has not only acquired individual prosperity but has largely con- tributed toward promoting the stock interests of the state. All who know him speak highly of Mr. Anderson, recognizing in him a thoroughly progressive and public-spirited citizen. Such success as has come to him has been the reward of years of efficient labor and judicious management. There is no man to be found in Boone county who more justly merits prosperity.
OSCAR A. NELSON.
Oscar A. Nelson, who controls most of the stock of the McCune Shoe Company of Boone, is one of the city's most successful merchants, serving at present as secretary and treasurer of this firm. He was born in Rockford, Illinois, Novem- ber 3, 1868, and is a son of Andrew and Elna (Anderson) Nelson. The paternal grandfather was Nels Torkelson, whose wife died when the father of our subject was in his infancy. The grandfather, a widower, canie to the United States, land- ing in New York, whither his son Andrew had preceded him one year before, locating shortly afterward in Rockford, Illinois. In 1868 Andrew Nelson came to Montana City, as it was then called-now Boone-and there he was joined by his father and his four other children. The grandfather was a tailor by trade and already well along in years when he came to this country. After locating in Boone he followed his trade to some extent and died there in 1880.
Andrew Nelson learned the trade of a tailor in Sweden, where he attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education. He remained throughout his life in the tailoring business and died July 17, 1912. He married in Sweden Miss Elna Anderson, who came to the United States with him and who passed away in Boone, May 27, 1913. All of their children were born in this country. The parents were members of the Swedish Evangelical Mission church, of which the father was a charter member and in which he served as deacon and trustee. He was an adherent of the republican party until a few years prior to his death, when he became an independent, giving his support to such candidates as he considered best adapted for the office to which they aspired without regard to party dictates.
Oscar A. Nelson attended the public schools of Boone until fifteen years of age, completing his education by two years' attendance in high school. He en- tered upon his business career as clerk in the book store of F. A. Bolt, later accepting a position in a grocery store which was conducted by G. F. Miller. After severing this connection he entered the shoe store of C. A. McCune, the business being incorporated in 1890 as the McCune Shoe Company. At that time Mr. Nelson acquired stock in the concern, continuing as clerk therein, and tol 11-25
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was made vice president of the company, serving as such until 1900. He then was elected president, in which capacity he continued until 1907, when he acquired the controlling interest in the firm and has since served as secretary-treasurer. The McCune Shoe Company conduct a prosperous retail business at No. 721 Story street and enjoy a high reputation for carrying a most reliable and up-to- date stock. The success of the firm is largely due to the methods and policy instituted by Oscar A. Nelson, its secretary-treasurer, who is considered one of the most shrewd and able business men in the town. Personally he is courteous and affable, having attracted many customers to his store by his pleasing person- ality.
On August 12, 1896, Mr. Nelson married Miss Agnes G. Zandell of Boone, a daughter of Alfred and Ida ( Blomberg) Zandell. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have two children: Eloise G. and Myron A. The parents are devout members of the Swedish Evangelical Mission, in which the father has served as a trustee for ten years. Politically he is a member of the progressive party, completely in sympathy with the ideals which that party has set out to realize. Mr. Nelson has ever been interested in educational matters and served on the town board of education for six years, rendering valuable help in making possible the erection of a beautiful new schoolhouse, which was opened in January, 1914, and is one of the most practical, sanitary and best equipped in the state. Mr. Nelson is a public-spirited and patriotic citizen who by his activities has contributed toward the development of his city and who is ever ready to sacrifice personal interest in order to pro- mote community welfare. He is justly entitled to the predicate of self-made man, for he has succeeded through his own efforts only, efforts which have been based upon ambition, industry, determination and honesty.
J. A. CARLSON.
J. A. Carlson is a farmer and stock-raiser residing on section 34, Harrison township, where he owns a fine farm of two hundred acres. Its present splendid condition is due to his efforts, as when it came into his possession it was raw prairie. Mr. Carlson was born in the province of Jönköping Län, Sweden, April 12, 1845, a son of Carl Frederick and Anna Greta (Johnson) Carlson, both of whom spent their entire lives in Sweden. They were members of the Lutheran church and were highly respected farming people. Our subject was one of a family of eight children, of whom one brother and three sisters came to America. Charley J. and Josephine, a widow, are both residents of Chicago.
J. A. Carlson was reared on the home farm in Sweden but came to America in 1868, when a young man of about twenty-three years. He had no capital and began life in this country as a farm hand, working by the month in Princeton, Illi- nois. . He was industrious and saved his wages and when he removed to Shelby county, Iowa, he had about five hundred dollars in money. He then rented land on shares for two and one-half years and as he was a careful agriculturist his labors were rewarded by gratifying financial returns. In 1876 he came to Boone county, Iowa, and bought eighty acres of land at twelve dollars and a half per acre. In the years intervening since that time he has added to his holdings until
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he now has title to two hundred acres of land in this county and also owns one hundred and sixty acres in Sanborn, South Dakota, which is operated by his son.
Mr. Carlson was married at Princeton, Illinois, in 1873, to Miss Hannah Sam- uelson, who was born in 1853 in Sweden and came with a sister to America when about twelve years of age. Her brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Johnson, are now living in honorable retirement at Boone. To Mr. and Mrs. Carlson were born nine children: Emma is now the wife of Samuel Clark, a farmer residing near Riceville, Iowa, and each has a child by a former union. Laura is the wife of Ernest Johnson, who operates a part of our subject's farm on section 28, Harrison township : Eva is the wife of W. H. Wheeler, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Nellie resides at home. Millie is the wife of Charles Richards, of Harrison township, and they have one son. Oscar de- parted this life at the early age of twenty-seven, leaving a widow, who was before her marriage Grace Johnson. Artie, a resident of South Dakota, married Nellie Smalley, a daughter of R. F. Smalley, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Lester and Reuben, who complete the family, are at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Carlson are members of the Swedish Mission church of Boone and follow its precepts in their daily lives. Mr. Carlson gives his political alle- giance to the republican party and has acceptably served in school and road offices. He is a loyal citizen of his adopted country as he has here found opportunities which he has utilized and which have led him to success and prosperity.
OLAF W. TORNELL.
Olaf W. Tornell, a leading and prominent citizen of Pilot Mound, has been successfully engaged in the hardware and implement business for the past twenty- two years and is the proprietor of the only establishment of its kind in the town. His birth occurred in Sweden on the 24th of May, 1860, his parents being Olaf and Carrie (Olson) Tornell, who were likewise natives of that country. They crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1865, locating in Webster county, Iowa, and a year later in Boone county, the father purchasing sixty acres of land on the present site of the town of Pilot Mound. He improved the property and operated it successfully until 1881, when he subdivided the tract into lots and laid out the town of Pilot Mound. Here he continued to reside until his death, which occurred in July, 1895. The period of his residence in this county covered nearly three decades and in his passing the community lost one of its respected and valued citizens. His wife was called to her final rest in the year 1902.
Olaf W. Tornell, who was a little lad of five years when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world, acquired his education in the schools of Webster and Boone counties and remained on the home farm until seventeen years of age. Subsequently he worked for three years as a farm hand in Marshall county, Iowa, and on the expiration of that period located on a tract of land which he had purchased in association with his father. He improved the property and was busily engaged in its operation for a period of nine years, then going to Gowrie, Webster county, where for two years he was employed in a grain and implement store. In the fall of 1892 he came to Pilot Mound and embarked in
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the hardware and implement business on his own account, having conducted an establishment of that character continuously and successfully since. On the 9th of February, 1914, his store was completely destroyed by a disastrous fire which also demolished the places of business of several other merchants of the town. Mr. Tornell is now rebuilding his establishment. He is the only hardware mer- chant of Pilot Mound and is accorded an extensive and gratifying patronage. He is a factor in financial circles as vice president and a stockholder of the Pilot Mound Savings Bank and likewise holds stock in the Leonard Hi-Oven Range Company of Cedar Rapids.
On the 3d of March, 1890, Mr. Tornell was united in marriage to Miss Au- gusta Youngren, a daughter of Gustaf and Mary Youngren, who were natives of Sweden and emigrated to America about 1865. The father followed farming in Webster county, Iowa, for a number of years and subsequently came to Boone county, where he spent the remainder of his life. The mother is still living. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Tornell have been born eight children, as follows: Ruth and Bernice, who are college students in Des Moines ; Ward, Della, Clifford and Roger, all of whom are attending school; and Vernon and Blanche, both of whom died in infancy.
Mr. Tornell gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served his fellow townsmen as a member of the town council and also in the mayor's chair, making a highly commendable record in both connections. His fraternal relations are with the Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his wife is a devoted and consistent member of the Swedish Mission church. He is highly esteemed in the community, where he has ever manifested the strictest integrity in his business transactions and has contributed his share in promoting development and progress.
LEVI C. NOLAND.
Levi C. Noland, who is engaged in tin, furnace and sheet metal work in Boone, Iowa, conducts a store at No. 605 Story street and is one of that city's successful business men. He was born in Peoples township, Boone county, on the Noland family homestead, on May 16, 1872, and there attended the public schools until sixteen years of age. He is a son of Nathaniel and Angeline Noland, the former a farmer of Peoples township. Their son, Levi C. Noland, spent his boyhood upon the parental farm, turning his attention to agricultural work after leaving school. When he was seventeen the parents removed to Boonesboro, where their son improved his education by attending the high school. At the age of twenty- one he entered the employ of Mellor Brothers as an apprentice, completing his term under H. T. Mallery. At the end of that time he had gained wide experi- ence in his field and subsequently worked for three years as journeyman. In 1899 he established himself independently in Boone and has since most success- fully conducted his business there. He has done practically all of the work in connection with his trade on the principal buildings of his city and enjoys the highest reputation for integrity and efficiency. Mr. Noland makes a specialty of furnace work, and his services along that line are eagerly sought. He is an
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experienced man and in the installation of new equipment and in repairing always gives satisfaction to his patrons.
On March 22, 1896, Levi C. Noland was united in marriage to Miss Anna Guard of Boone, formerly of New York. They have four children : Otho Guard, who is seventeen years of age and attending high school; Angeline Leone, four- teen years of age, who is attending school; Homer Eugene, who is twelve; and Bessie. Mr. Noland has few outside interests beside his business, finding his greatest happiness at his own fireside. Although he is not politically active, he is sincerely interested in the growth of his city and ever ready to give support to movements which have for their purpose the material, moral and intellectual upbuilding of his community and county. Both he and his wife stand high in the estimation and respect of their fellow citizens, among whom they have many friends who are sincerely devoted to them.
W. P. LINN.
W. P. Linn has held the office of postmaster in Pilot Mound for five years but has recently resigned that position and as soon as his successor is appointed will again turn his attention to agricultural pursuits, with which he was formerly identified for many years. He has spent his entire life within the borders of Boone county, his birth having occurred in Pilot Mound township on the 14th of July, 1855. His parents, Gust and Catherine (Lundblad) Linn, were natives of Sweden who on emigrating to the United States in 1852 came directly to Boone county, Iowa. The father, a carpenter by trade, here worked at his occupation for some time at twenty-five cents per day. Subsequently he purchased land in Pilot Mound township, improved the property and there carried on general agri- cultural pursuits throughout the remainder of his life. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted for service in the Union army as a member of Company D, Thir- ty-second Iowa Volunteer Infantry, remaining with that command for about two years. He underwent all of the dangers and exposure of warfare and for four- teen months was held a prisoner at Tyler, Texas. His demise occurred on the 9th of October, 1897, after a residence of forty-five years in this county, and was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. On the 15th of January, 1912, his wife was called to her final rest.
W. P. Linn attended the district schools of this county in the acquirement of an education and remained on the home farm with his parents until twenty-two years of age. Subsequently he cultivated rented land for three years and on the expiration of that period purchased eighty acres of the old homestead in Pilot Mound township. He improved the property and afterward bought an additional tract of seventy-eight acres, while later he purchased forty acres more. General agricultural pursuits claimed his time and energies until 1908, when he disposed of his property and came to Pilot Mound, where he was appointed postmaster and has capably served in that capacity continuously since. He has recently resigned the office, however, and intends to begin farming again as soon as his successor is appointed.
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On the Ioth of March, 1880, Mr. Linn was united in marriage to Miss Flor- ence Wilson, a daughter of Simon and Elizabeth (Ball) Wilson, both of whom were natives of England. They took up their abode among the pioneer settlers of Boone county, Iowa, and here the father devoted his attention to farming throughout the remainder of his life, passing away in October, 1865. His wife, · surviving him for more than four decades, was called to her final rest on the 29th of January, 1906. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Linn have been born seven children, as follows: Robert R., who is employed by the John Deere Plow Company of Des Moines, Iowa ; Floyd S., who is in the service of the Randall Lumber Company and also resides in Des Moines ; Alva C. and Guy G., both of whom follow farm- ing in Pilot Mound township ; Ivy F., at home; and two who died in infancy.
Mr. Linn has always exercised his right of franchise in the interests of the republican party and for fourteen years acted as a trustee of Pilot Mound town- ship, while he has also done able service as a member of the town council and as a school director. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church. Through his enterprise he has won financial success and through his fidelity to upright principles he has commanded the respect and confidence of his fellowmen.
WILLIAM G. CROWE.
William G. Crowe is one of Boone's successful business men, being connected with a profitable and growing enterprise of this city-a well appointed garage-in the conduct of which he is proving that success is the result of close application, sound judgment and unfaltering enterprise. He is a son of William Crowe, who for a considerable period has been closely connected with the development of the coal fields of this part of the state. The son has found an excellent example in the father's business career, for William Crowe, Sr., is a self-made man, whose industry and determination have constituted the foundation upon which he has builded his prosperity. A native of Scotland, he was born on the 17th of Feb- ruary, 1847, of the marriage of Garvin and Margaret (Bullock) Crowe. His paternal grandfather, William Crowe, lived to be more than ninety years of age. Garvin Crowe was always a resident of Scotland and after a connection with a bleaching factory in his early manhood turned his attention to farming. His death occurred in 1898, when he reached the age of seventy years. His widow died in 1899, at the age of seventy-three years. Both were Presbyterians in religious faith and exemplified in their lives the Christian teachings of the church. Garvin Crowe also enjoyed a most creditable reputation for activity and reli- ability in business and for fidelity in friendship. His wife was a daughter of William Bullock, a weaver by trade, who followed that pursuit for a number of years and afterward conducted a coal yard. He married Elizabeth Davidson, who passed away at the age of sixty-five years, while his death occurred at the age of seventy.
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