USA > Iowa > Boone County > History of Boone County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 64
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On the 30th of July, 1902, Mr. Byington was united in marriage to Miss Edith Zalesky, the ceremony taking place at Belle Plaine, Iowa. She is a daughter of Joseph and Amelia (Crystal) Zalesky, and bore her husband the following children: Frederick Jackson, born February 24, 1904, in Boone; and Corinne, born November 11, 1905.
Mr. Byington is a member of the Presbyterian church and gives his moral and material support to that organization. His political faith connects him with the republican party, although he is to a large degree independent, particularly in local issues, preferring to support the men best fitted for the office to which he aspires regardless of his party affiliations. Fraternally he belongs to the blue lodge of Masons at Ashland, Wisconsin, being a member of Landmark Lodge, No. 41. He practices the benevolent principles of his order in his everyday life and thoroughly believes in the brotherhood of man. He is highly esteemed by his employes, who regard him with respect and all of whom consider him their friend. Thoroughly efficient, trustworthy and faithful, Mr. Byington is an ideal type of railroad man and yet higher honors may be prophesied for him in the future.
FRANK G. PETERSON.
Frank G. Peterson, of Boone, is one of that city's well known and successful business men, being a member of the firm of Hartman & Peterson, wagon manu- facturers and blacksmiths. He was born in Sweden on May 25, 1858, and is a son of Per Erson and Magdalena (Anderson) Peterson. The father was a well-to-do farmer in his native land, where he passed away at the age of forty- nine, in 1879. His widow is still living there, at the age of eighty-four. Their children were: Per, of Sweden; Andrew, deceased; Frank G., our subject ; Anna, who is married and lives in Sweden; Olaf, a farmer of California; Lars, of Sweden; and William, an agriculturist, of Madrid, Iowa.
Frank G. Peterson attended the public schools of his native land until sixteen years of age, when he began work, assisting his father. He subsequently learned the blacksmith's trade and came to America in 1880, when twenty-two years of age, sailing from Stockholm to New York. He remained for six months in New York and then came to Boone, where he had friends and rela- tives. Here he remained until the fall of that year and then went to Dayton, Iowa, where he was employed at his trade for six months. He then established himself independently in Pilot Mound, where he remained until his marriage, after which he returned to Boone. From 1883 until 1891 he held the position of engineer at Reed's flour mill and then moved to Madrid, buying an interest
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in the Davis Milling Company. He continued with that firm for a year and a half and then ran a general merchandise store for a year. In July, 1893, he returned to Boone and ran a blacksmith shop for six months alone. He then formed a partnership with Theodore Thompson, and for seventeen years they operated a general repair blacksmith shop and wagon factory. In 1912 he estab- lished his present business with Perry Hartman. Mr. Peterson enjoys a large and profitable trade which is justified by the high quality of the work turned out. He has not only large experience in his line, but is also a good business man and is today numbered among the substantial citizens of Boone.
On July 25, 1883, Frank G. Peterson married Miss Christina Shold of Day- ton, Iowa, a daughter of Olaf and Annie Shold. They reside at No. 310 Greene street, Boone, and there they often entertain their many friends. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have the following children: Tharon Frank, a graduate mechanical engineer, who for a time was located in Highland Park and Lansing, Michigan, and then was sent to Adelaide, Australia, where he died of pneumonia in June, 1913; Carl E., a farmer in Colorado; and Louise, aged fourteen.
Mr. and Mrs. Peterson are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a trustee. Politically he is a republican and served as councilman from the third ward for two terms or four years. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen. Mr. Peterson is entitled to great credit for what he has achieved in life, as he has built his career and success entirely through his own efforts. He is ever interested in public enterprises and more than ready to give material support to any good cause.
CARL O. NELSON, M. D. C.
Dr. Carl O. Nelson, of Ogden, Iowa, is not only very successful in the field of veterinary surgery but also conducts a profitable livery business. Dr. Nel- son is yet a comparatively young man and stands but on the threshold of a successful career. He was born in Des Moines, Iowa, July 23, 1880, and is a son of Peter and Mary ( Anderson) Nelson, natives of Sweden, who after crossing the ocean located in Des Moines, Iowa, at an early day in that city's history. The father was a grading contractor and also gave considerable atten- tion to farming, following both occupations to the end of his days. He passed away March 15, 1905, being survived by his wife.
Dr. Nelson was reared and educated in Des Moines. After completing his preliminary education he entered the Chicago Veterinary College, from which he graduated with the class of 1908. on April 1 of that year. Shortly thereafter he came to Ogden, where he established himself in practice. He has ever since been located in this city and has built up a large and profitable patronage. He is well versed in the scientific branches of veterinary surgery and in the years that have passed has gained in experience. Some time after locating here Dr. Nelson acquired a livery barn, which he is now conducting and which is the only barn in Ogden. He buys and sells horses and mules and his judgment of these animals is entirely to be relied upon. In all his business pursuits he has
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proven himself a man of honorable principles and in full measure enjoys the confidence of those who have business relations with him.
In March, 1910, Dr. Nelson was united in marriage to Miss Effie Olson, a daughter of Carl and Mary Olson, natives of Sweden, who were pioneers of Sac county, this state. Both father and mother are now living retired at Odebolt, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson are popular in social circles of Ogden. Frater- nally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and gives his political allegiance to the republican party, although he has no aspirations for public office. He takes a lively interest in the development of his section and is ever ready to give his support to beneficial measures. Although yet young in years, he owns a valuable business and a handsome residence. Along profes- sional lines he is connected with the Iowa and Missouri Valley Veterinary Associations and in exchanging views with the brethren of his profession keeps in touch with the latest scientific developments in veterinary science. His re- ligious faith is that of the Swedish Lutheran church. Dr. Nelson is a valuable citizen of Ogden, who through his activities contributes toward the advance- ment of this city.
KARL C. KASTBERG.
Karl C. Kastberg, who since 1903 has filled the position of city engineer and superintendent of the city waterworks at Boone, is well qualified by experience and careful training for the position which he now so acceptably fills. He was born at Des Moines, November 28, 1874, and is a son of Mads and Wilhelmina (Groneman) Kastberg, the former a native of Schleswig-Holstein, then a part of Denmark, and the latter a native of Hanover, Germany. The father was born on the 15th of February, 1846, and after spending the first twenty years of his life on the European continent, crossed the Atlantic to the new world about 1866. He did not tarry on the eastern coast, but made his way at once into the interior of the country, settling first at Muscatine, Iowa. He afterward removed to Des Moines, where he was engaged in merchandising along various lines. Later he took up the business of contracting and at one time was assessor of Des Moines, in which city he still makes his home. His wife, who was born in Hanover on the 14th of February, 1851, came to this country about the same time as Mr. Kastberg, who later sought and won her hand in marriage. They became parents of three children : Karl C .; Johannah, the wife of H. P. Hansen of Cheyenne, Wyoming; and Martha, the wife of the Rev. Horace Martin of Atchison, Kansas.
Spending his youthful days in his native city, Karl C. Kastberg attended the public schools and passed through consecutive grades until graduated from the high school of East Des Moines with the class of 1891. He afterward entered the State Agricultural College at Ames, where he pursued an engineering course, studying there from 1891 until 1893. He afterward secured a position in con- nection with the engineering department at Des Moines, where he remained until 1895. Subsequently he spent about a year with the Iowa Central Railroad at Marshalltown as assistant civil engineer and later took up the study of en-
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gineering at Drake University in Des Moines, where he remained until 1897. He then reentered the engineering department in that city, spending a year or more in that connection. In 1898 he entered the employ of the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy Railroad, his duties taking him to various points in Nebraska, Wyoming and Montana during the years 1899, 1900 and 1901, during which time he acted as civil engineer on construction. In 1902 he accepted the position of assistant engineer in the city engineering department of Des Moines and in 1903 he came to Boone as city engineer and superintendent of the city waterworks, in which position he has now served eleven years. The record which he has made in this office is one most acceptable to the public, for he is prompt, reliable and efficient.
On the 26th of October, 1904, Mr. Kastberg was united in marriage to Miss Nell Palmer of Boone, a daughter of William and Jane (Scott) Palmer, who were early settlers of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Kastberg have one child. Mathew Palmer, born on the Ist of September, 1905. Mr. Kastberg is well known in fraternal circles, holding membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken the degrees of lodge, chapter and commandery. He is inde- pendent in politics, voting as his judgment dictates, and he has never sought office outside the strict path of his profession. As an engineer, his ability has in- creased with the exercise of effort, and his experience, thorough training and devotion to his duty have gained him positions of responsibility.
GEORGE L. STARK.
George L. Stark is successfully engaged in farming, owning and cultivating a tract of twenty-five acres inside the corporation limits of Pilot Mound. His birth occurred in Dodge township, Boone county, Iowa, on the Ist of August, 1863, his parents being Ansel and Louisa (Defore) Stark, both of whom were natives of Indiana. They took up their abode among the earliest settlers of this county, and Ansel Stark here enlisted for service in the Civil war. He was killed under the command of General Sherman, in the battle of Atlanta, thus laying down his life on the altar of his country. The mother of our subject, who married a second time, still resides in Boone and is the widow of George E. Jones.
George L. Stark was reared and educated in this county, attending the district schools and also the Boone public schools. He remained with his mother until he had attained his majority and then came to Pilot Mound to learn the barber's trade, subsequently conducting a barber shop here for twenty-three years. On the expiration of that period he removed to South Dakota and drew a claim in the Rosebud drawing, engaging in farming in that state for one year. After disposing of the property he returned to Pilot Mound. Iowa, and purchased twenty-five acres of land inside the corporation limits of the town which he has cultivated with excellent results to the present time, being widely recognized as one of the substantial and representative citizens of the community.
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In July, 1892, Mr. Stark was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Mckinley, a distant relative of William McKinley and a daughter of Samuel and Caroline (Bullock) Mckinley, who were natives of Kentucky and Missouri respectively. They became pioneer settlers of Jackson county, lowa. and are both now de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Stark have one child, Hazel, who is twenty years of age and is the wife of Grover Craven, an agriculturist of Pilot Mound township.
Mr. Stark is a republican in politics and has served on the town council and also in the capacity of justice of the peace, making a highly commendable record in both connections. He is a charter member of the local lodge of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and is likewise connected with the Yeomen. His religious faith is that of the Baptist church. He has spent practically his entire life in Boone county and has long been numbered among its respected, enter- prising and prosperous citizens.
CHARLES A. WHEELER.
There are many representatives of railway interests in Boone, which is a division point on the Chicago & Northwestern. This company Charles A. Wheeler now represents as passenger engineer. IIe has been in its service for the past thirty-eight years, or since 1876, entering railway circles as a brakesman, while subsequently he was advanced, having for the past thirty years been in the engineering department. Illinois numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Oregon, Ogle county, on the 21st of October, 1856. He is a son of Silas F. and Athelia ( Mathewson) Wheeler. both of whom were natives of Wheelock, Vermont, where they were reared and married. In the early '50s they removed westward to Illinois and the father, who was a photographer by profession, conducted a studio at Rochelle for a number of years, there residing until 1862, when he removed to Lyons, Clinton county, Iowa. At that place he made his home until he returned to Vermont, in which state his wife died on the 25th of April. 1873. when forty-two years of age. The father afterward came to Iowa and passed away in Toledo, this state, in 1895, at the age of sixty-three years. The greater part of his life was devoted to photography. Mrs. Wheeler was a member of the Freewill Baptist church.
In the family were seven children, of whom three sons reached adult age, the brothers of Charles A. Wheeler being Orley T. and Merton A., both of whom became firemen on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad and died at Boone in early manhood. Charles A. Wheeler spent his boyhood days in the Green Moun- tain state and attended school at Omaha and other points, but his educational opportunities were somewhat limited, for he was the oldest in the family and began to work when quite young, since which time he has been dependent entirely upon his own resources, so that whatever success he has achieved is the merited reward of his labor. For some years he worked upon a farm in the east and then turned his attention to railroading in 1876. He has since followed that pursuit and after working for some time as a brakesman he became a fireman and later was promoted to the position of engineer, in which capacity he has served for thirty years, acting as engineer in passenger service for fifteen years.
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Throughout this entire time there has been no accident occasioned through any fault or negligence on his part.
In 1878 Mr. Wheeler was united in marriage to Miss Mary Windett, who died in 1890, leaving a daughter, Mary A., who is now the wife of Graham Ray of Berkeley, California. For his second wife Mr. Wheeler chose Bertha Kail, whom he wedded in 1892, and they have become parents of two children, Charles and Lois, both of whom are in school. Mrs. Wheeler was born in Wayne county, Iowa, but in young womanhood came with her parents to Boone, where she has since made her home. She belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, and the family attend its services. Politically Mr. Wheeler is a progressive republican. He cast his first presidential vote for James G. Blaine in 1884 and gave stalwart support to the party until, believing that the progressive movement was a step in advance, he became identified therewith. He belongs to the Brother- hood of Locomotive Engineers and is the present secretary and treasurer of the local organization. He is identified with both the subordinate lodge and the Uniform Rank of the Knights of Pythias, and his wife is a member of the ladies' auxiliary of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and also of the Pythian Sisters. In these organizations both Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler have gained many warm friends.
EMORY P. WELLS.
After years of careful study along electrical lines and several years of most interesting service as wireless operator in the United States navy, Emory P. Wells is now manager of the Iowa Light & Power Company branch at Woodward, and is also at the head of the Woodward Electrical Supply Company, of which he is the proprietor. His expert knowledge in this line of business and his executive ability are the most important factors in his success.
He was born in Madrid, Iowa, February 19, 1886, and is a son of Charles Eugene and Alice A. ( Williams) Wells, their other children being Vaughn H., who was born March 4, 1889, and lives in Woodward ; and Gail, who was born June 25, 1895, and is attending school in Washington, D. C. The mother was born December 1, 1866, and died in Madrid, July 19, 1897. Her parents were Benjamin and Elizabeth Williams, of whom extended mention is made in another part of this work. When our subject was seven years of age the parents, who were married in 1884, removed to Boone, Iowa, where they remained until 1896, when, upon his mother becoming an invalid, he and his two brothers were taken into the home of their grandmother, Mrs. Elizabeth Williams, of Madrid. Charles E. Wells, the father, was born in Chicago, Illinois, October 31, 1861, and belongs to an old Pennsylvania family. He organized the first telephone company of Boone county and has been engaged in organizing enterprises of this sort in different parts of the United States, particularly in Kansas and Texas. At present he is president of the Hillsboro Telephone Company of Hills- boro, Oregon.
Emory P. Wells attended the public schools of Boone and Madrid and June 8, 1908, when twenty-two years of age, took the examination for a position in the
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United States navy, passing the rigid standards which are demanded in order to join this splendid organization of men. He was sent from Kansas City, Missouri. to the Naval Electrical College of New York city and, completing his work there, was at once detailed at Annapolis, Maryland, for instruction in wireless teleg- raphy. After finishing his work he went on active duty in charge of the wireless on the U. S. S. Chicago. After completing the detail on the Chicago he was as- signed under general orders to the navy yard at Norfolk, Virginia, awaiting orders to be transferred to the United States armored cruiser, Montana, Fifth Division, United States Atlantic Fleet. Shortly after going aboard the Montana, the cruiser sailed from Hampton Roads for the West Indies and South American ports, May 5, 1910. They arrived in Havana, May 11, 1910, and anchored beside the wreck of the old Maine. Continuing southward, they touched at St. Thomas, Danish West Indies, where a large supply of bay rum was taken aboard. Mr. Wells visited all of the places of historical interest in the Danish West Indies, including the castle of the famous pirate, Bluebeard. From St. Thomas they sailed for Port of Spain in order to coal and on the 28th of May passed into the equatorial dominion of Neptune Rex, where the initiatorial degree was conferred on all the landlubbers who crossed the equator for the first time. Six hundred joined the fraternity at this occasion. Mr. Wells has written a description of this mysterious initiation, recounting in detail the work which all seamen have to undergo in order to be initiated into the Royal Domain and Mysteries of the Deep. Major General Leonard Wood was on board the Montana from Hampton Roads as a special ambassador of the United States to the Argentine Republic, where an international celebration was held in Buenos Aires. Every nation was represented at this celebration. There an international boat race took place, in which the little brown men from Japan were the victors. On leaving that beautiful city the Montana stopped at Rio de Janeiro for a few days, and shore parties were made up, including Mr. Wells, who visited all the interesting places in the neighborhood of that most beautiful harbor of the world. The cruiser then returned to Hampton Roads, where stores were taken aboard, and they then proceded to Newport, Rhode Island, on an official trip. On September 9th the Montana was made the flagship of the squadron and proceeded to Provincetown, Massachusetts, to participate in torpedo practice. Thence they sailed to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where the ship went into dock on November 1st. At this time presidential orders were received for a high-speed trip to Panama in order to convey William Howard Taft to the canal zone. Leaving Portsmouth November I, they proceeded to Charlestown, North Carolina, where on the 7th the president of the United States embarked, and soon the Montana stood to the south at an eighteen knot clip. The ship docked at Colon on November 14th and on the 17th the president reembarked after having transacted official business with Colonel Goethals, the famous engineer of the canal. In a few days Portsmouth navy yard was reached and the ship was laid up for repairs for a little while. They subsequently made a number of trips in order to participate in the target practice which was held on southern dueling grounds. The Montana later participated in the Hudson Fulton celebra- tion in New York and then went to Bar Harbor, Maine, for admiral's inspection, J. Pierpont Morgan being a distinguished guest. In his many subsequent trips Mr. Wells visited all the seaports along the Atlantic coast, numerous ports in Vol. II-32
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Asia and all along the Mediterranean, and in shore parties saw many places of historical interest. For seven months he was assigned to general detail at Ports- mouth and then was transferred to the Philadelphia navy yard, leaving New York, June 8, 1912. In that port he took a steamer for Galveston, Texas, in order to pay a visit to his father and brothers.
After remaining there for three months Mr. Wells and a brother came to Madrid, Iowa, and he then assumed the duties of manager of the Iowa Light & Power Company branch at Woodward, which important position he has since filled. His naval training, his experience along electrical lines and the general knowledge that comes from travel make him a most efficient manager. He is also proprietor of the Woodward Electrical Supply Company, a business which has been in existence since October 19. 1912. Mr. Wells is very popular and greatly liked by all who know him for his open-heartedness, his kindness, his modesty and also the determination with which he undertakes any enterprise upon which he centers his attention.
Mr. Wells is a member of the Iowa State Contractors Association and of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Fraternally he belongs to Peaceful Lodge, No. 454, A. F. & A. M., of Woodward. He takes a great interest in the growth and advancement of his city and county and is ever ready to support valuable public enterprises, to which he contributes materially and which he helps along with an enthusiasm that stamps him a patriotic and public- spirited citizen.
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GEORGE H. REUTTER.
One of the more successful among the younger representatives of agricul- tural interests in Boone county is George H. Reutter, who owns and operates a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 25, Grant township. He was born in that township on the 18th of December, 1884, a son of Jacob and Hannah ( Metzger) Reutter, both of whom were natives of Wurtemberg, Germany. They emigrated to America in 1866, locating in Henry county, Illi- nois, where the father was engaged in farming for five years. At the end of that time he came to Boone county, Iowa, purchasing and improving a tract of land in Grant township and being busily engaged in its cultivation throughout the remainder of his active business career. He spent his declining years in well earned ease, making several trips to Germany and residing in California during the winter seasons. His demise occurred in September, 1910, while his wife passed away in April, 1905.
George H. Reutter was reared and educated in the place of his nativity and when fifteen years of age began working as a farm hand, being thus engaged for four years. Subsequently he devoted his attention to the cultivation of rented land for five years and on the expiration of that period purchased the old home- stead of one hundred and sixty acres on section 25, Grant township, the operation of which has claimed his time and energies continuously since. Success has rewarded his well directed efforts, and he is today in control of a valuable
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