USA > Iowa > Howard County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 9
USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume II > Part 9
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Mr. Ashley is a member of the Beaver Valley Farmers Equity Association. He is also identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and gives his political support to the republican party. He is widely and favorably known throughout this section of the state and has long been regarded as one of the representative, progres- sive and successful farmers of Deerfield township.
EDMUND DUGSTAD.
A spirit of modern business enterprise finds expression in Edmund Dugstad, a dealer in lumber and building materials at Chester. He ranks with the foremost busi- ness men of the town and his activities have been an element in its commercial de- ยท velopment. Mr. Dugstad was born near Spring Valley, Minnesota, on the 4th of March, 1880, a son of Sever S. and Caroline (Johnson) Dugstad, the former a native of Norway, while the latter was born on a farm near Harmony, Minnesota, her parents having emigrated to this country from Norway. Sever S. Dugstad carried on general farming near Spring Valley, Minnesota, up to the time of his death. In the spring of that year he started on a visit to Norway and died in Liverpool, England, ere reach- ing his destination. His remains were brought back home for interment. His widow is still living and now resides in Spring Valley.
Edmund Dugstad was reared upon the home farm and early became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the farm-bred boy as he divides his time between the attainment of a public school education, the pleasures of the play- ground and the work of the fields. He attended the district schools and afterward became a student in the Decorah (Ia.) Institute. When twenty-one years of age he removed to Chester and during the summer months worked in the lumberyards of Bratrud Brothers. In the winter seasons he continued his education in the Decorah Institute and following the completion of his studies he gave his entire time to the lumber business in connection with yards at Chester. On the 26th of December, 1903, he formed a partnership with John Bratrud, a brother of the former owner, and pur- chased the business of Bratrud Brothers. For six years they conducted the yards under the firm style of Bratrud & Dugstad, but in 1910 Mr. Dugstad purchased the interest of his partner and has since been sole owner of the business. He has a large lumberyard, carrying an excellent stock of lumber and builders' supplies, and his business has reached gratifying proportions.
On the 27th of June, 1906, Mr. Dugstad was married to Miss Harriett Halver, of Chester, a daughter of William Halver, a well known stock buyer of the town. To Mr. and Mrs. Dugstad have been born two children, Donald E. and Evelyn G.
In his political views Mr. Dugstad is a republican and has served as mayor of his city and also as member of the town council, taking active interest in promoting the welfare and upbuilding of the city through the exercise of his official duties. Fra- ternally he is connected with Chester Lodge, No. 444, I. O. O. F., and also with the Modern Woodmen of America. He belongs to the Lutheran church and is interested Vol. 11-5
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in everything that has to do with the welfare and upbuilding of his city and the maintenance of its legal and moral standards. As the years have passed he has pros- pered in his business undertakings and aside from the lumberyard is now the owner of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in South Dakota. He is forceful and re- sourceful, progressive and diligent, and deserves much credit for what he has accom- plished.
CHARLES B. BOUSKA.
Charles B. Bouska is a representative farmer, residing on section 13, New Oregon township, in Howard county. He was born December 31, 1886, upon the farm which is still his home, and belongs to one of the representative old Bohemian families of this section of the state, mentioned at length in connection with the sketch of John Bouska on another page of this work. The family has always followed farming and Charles B. Bouska worked with his father upon the old homestead until September 8, 1914, when he was united in marriage to Miss Christina Kobliska, a daughter of Frank and Barbara Kobliska, of Chickasaw county. Her parents were also pioneer settlers of Iowa, being among those who settled in Winneshiek county when it was a frontier district. Her father engages in farming and is today one of the leading agriculturists of Chickasaw county, Iowa. Both he and his wife were educated in the public schools of Winneshiek county, while Mrs. Bouska pursued her education in the public schools of Chickasaw county.
Charles B. Bouska of this review is indebted to the public school system of Howard county for the early educational opportunities which he enjoyed and he also spent two seasons in pursuing a normal course at Decorah, Iowa, and for a brief period pursued two short courses in the Agricultural College at Ames. His attention has always been given to the raising of live stock as well as the production of grain. In September, 1914, following his marriage, he took over the home farm from his father and has steadily cultivated it. He has a thoroughly modern place and the indications for his future are very bright. He is energetic and progressive and his dominant qualities promise further success.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bouska have been born two daughters and one son, Evelyn C., Agnes A. and Daniel C. The parents attend the Catholic church at Protivin and Mr. Bouska gives his political support to the democratic party. For the past eight years he has served as a trustee of his township and has made an excellent record in that office by his loyalty to the public welfare. Practically his entire life has been spent in Howard county but in 1907 and 1908 he was in the Imperial valley of California, residing upon a ranch there. This experience was of great help to him in learning how to take care of himself and become an enterprising business man. That he is such today is well known and his prosperity is well deserved.
JOSEPH J. FRANTZEN.
Joseph J. Frantzen, who carries on farming in Washington township, Chickasaw county, was born in Sioux county, Iowa, April 12, 1882, a son of Peter and Catherine (Steichen) Frantzen, who are natives of Luxemburg. The father came to the United States when twelve years of age and the mother crossed the Atlantic when but four years old with her parents, who settled in Dubuque county, Iowa, where the Frantzen family was also established. After reaching manhood Peter Frantzen removed to Sioux county, Iowa, and there took up a homestead claim. It was in that county that he met and married Catherine Steichen and he has since resided in Sioux county, yet occupying the old homestead, which comprises two hundred and forty acres of excellent farm land.
Joseph J. Frantzen was educated in the public schools, was reared to the occupation of farming and after his marriage began the cultivation of a tract of rented land in
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Marshall county, on which he lived for three years. He then bought his present home farm of one hundred and sixty acres and removed with his family to Chickasaw county, since which time he has concentrated his efforts and attention upon the development and cultivation of his farm. He has greatly improved the property by the erection of fine modern buildings and has made his place one of the very attractive farms of Wash- ington township.
In 1908 Mr. Frantzen was united in marriage to Miss Rose Stalzer, a daughter of John Stalzer, of Marshall county, Iowa. They have become the parents of six children, five daughters and a son, namely: Oliva, John, Marie, Dorothy, Frieda and Bernice.
In politics Mr. Frantzen is a democrat but has never been an office seeker. He was one of the active supporters of war work and served on all of the Liberty Loan commit- tees. In his business affairs he has ever been actuated by a spirit of progress and his labors have found expression in the splendid development of his home farm. He has been gradually tiling his land, putting in nine thousand tile in 1918 and fourteen thou- sand in 1919, thus greatly enhancing the productiveness of his place. He and his family are members of the Catholic church and their sterling worth is recognized by all with whom they have been brought in contact.
J. P. WHELAN.
The spirit of business progress finds exemplification in the life record of J. P. Whelan, the proprietor of the Whelan Produce Company at Elma. One of Iowa's native sons, he was born in Chickasaw county on the 14th of March, 1869, a son of Thomas and Mary A. (Reilly) Whelan. the former a native of Kilkenny, Ireland, while the latter was born in Boston, Massachusetts. They were married in Boston, the father having come to the new world in young manhood in 1845. In 1850 he removed westward to Iowa, settling in Chickasaw county upon a farm. He was actively engaged in general agricul- tural pursuits from that period until his declining years and contributed much to the agricultural development of the district. He served in the office of justice of the peace for thirty-five years and for about the same length of time held the office of town clerk. His death occurred October 9, 1903, when he had reached the age of seventy-seven years, and his wife passed away in 1893, when fifty-seven years of age.
J. P. Whelan was educated in the district schools and remained upon the home farm until his twenty-second year, when he accepted a position as helper with the Jervice Creamery Company. He learned the butter making trade in that establishment during the following two years and was then offered and accepted the position of head butter maker by the creamery. He served in that important capacity for four years, after which he became the manager of the creamery at Lourdes, Iowa, for W. R. Owen. A year later he went to Blue Hill, Nebraska, where he managed a large creamery for a year, and in 1902 he accepted the position of manager and butter maker with the Elma Cooperative Creamery Company of Elma, Iowa, over which industry he presided for fifteen years, resigning his position in 1917. In the fall of the same year he bought out the business of O. A. Dunton, a dealer in cream separators and gasoline engines and also handling cream, poultry and eggs. He has continued the business under the name of the Whelan Produce Company and in the spring of 1918 he equipped his plant with a modern butter making outfit and has since conducted a creamery business in connection with the handling of produce, his sales in both departments having reached an extensive and gratifying figure.
In 1906 Mr. Whelan was united in marriage to Miss Ella G. Fitzgerald, of Elma, and to them have been born four children, two sons and twin daughters, namely: Thomas J .. John Gerald, Muriel and Miriam.
In his political views Mr. Whelan is a democrat and has served as mayor of Elma for one term. At the present writing, in 1919, he is a member of the city council and has occupied this position twelve years, his record being a most commendable one, marked by faithful service and progressiveness. He is likewise a member of the Elma Board of Education, in which capacity he has continued for a period of ten years. His religious
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faith is that of the Catholic church. Elma justly accounts him one of her leading citizens and most progressive business men, while the same spirit of advancement is manifest in all of his relations to the public.
JAMES MUSEL.
James Musel, busily engaged in the further development of his farm on section 4, Paris township, Howard county, is a native son of Iowa, his birth having occurred in Tama county, September 8, 1869, his parents being Albert and Ann (Herska) Musel, who were born in Bohemia. They came to the United States in youth with their respective parents, both families settling in Iowa. For a short period they were residents of Iowa City and then made permanent location a year or so later in Tama county, being among the first of the settlers in that part of the state. The first habitation of the Musel family was a dugout in the side of a hill with a board lean-to. It was in Tama county that the parents of James Musel were married and they are still residents of that county. They have lived to witness many changes as the work of progress and improvement has been carried forward and their present comfortable home bears no resemblance to the pioneer dwelling which they occupied.
James Musel was educated in the district schools but his opportunities were some- what limited, for from the age of ten years he assisted in the work of the fields. When- ever there were tasks to be done on the home farm he had to remain to assist in the work. The teacher, however, always boarded at the Musel home and James Musel was given much help in his studies in the evenings by reason of this fact. On the 2d of January, 1894, he married Miss Fannie Upah, of Tama county, and following his mar- riage carried on farming for a few years in that county. He afterward devoted four years to general agricultural pursuits in Pocahontas county and on Christmas day of 1912 removed to Howard county, purchasing his present home farm, which is a valuable tract of land of three hundred and four acres. This he has brought to a high state of cultivation and the many modern improvements which he has added make it one of the valuable farm properties of the district.
To Mr. and Mrs. Musel have been born eight children, namely: Charles, Carrie, Albert, Edward, Lucille, Leo, Pauline and Joseph. The family are members of the Catholic church. and Mr. Musel is a member of the Farmers Catholic Workmen. His political endorsement is given to the democratic party but he has never sought nor desired office. His time and energies have ever been concentrated upon his business affairs and his close application and unremitting industry constitute the foundation of his growing success in business.
DIEDRICH LAUE.
There seems to be a considerable similarity in the lives of the farmers and yet there are in each individual certain traits of character which set him apart from his fellows-qualities and characteristics which he manifests that are the basic elements of his success or his failure. Diedrich Lave is now busily engaged in farming on section 5, Howard township, but has not devoted his entire life to agricultural inter- ests. However, since taking up farm work he has displayed a ready adaptability that has enabled him to steadily progress and he now occupies an enviable position on the plane of affluence. He is also the secretary of the Maple Leaf Creamery Company and one of Howard county's foremost business men. He was born in Germany, Janu- ary 1, 1860, a son of Henry and Betha (Christopher) Laue, both of whom spent their entire lives in Germany.
The son, however, when but fourteen years of age left that land and went to sea. He followed a seafaring life for five years and first touched at New York in 1874. In 1879 he determined to make permanent settlement in the United States and estab-
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lished his home in Brooklyn, New York, where he remained for two and a half years. He then removed westward to Nebraska, where he was employed at farm labor for a year and a half, and later he removed to South Dakota, spending about eight months near Sioux Falls. The year 1882 witnessed his arrival in Iowa, at which time he be- came a resident of Bremer county, where for a number of years he worked at the carpenter's trade.
On the 14th of September, 1892, Mr. Laue was united in marriage to Miss Mary S. Schrater, a native of Tripoli, Bremer county, Iowa, and soon after his marriage he was appointed to the position of town marshal and night watchman of Tripoli, in which capacity he efficiently served until March, 1902. He then came to Howard county and took up his abode upon his present home farm of eighty acres, which he had purchased two years previously. He has recently sold this farm, however, and in March, 1920, will remove to the Maple Leaf Farm, comprising two hundred and thirty-five and a half acres of rich and productive land, which he purchased after selling the old home place. He has ever been very energetic and progressive in carry- ing on his farm work and his labors have met with a substantial measure of success. For fifteen years he has also served as the secretary of the Maple Leaf Creamery Com- pany and has contributed in marked measure to the success of this undertaking.
To Mr. and Mrs. Laue have been born eight children, all of whom are yet living, as follows: Be'ha, who is the wife of Louie Deterding, a farmer of Howard town- ship; Minnie; Richard C .; Paul J .; Herman H .; Arnold J .; Carl; and R. Ida. With the exception of the married daughter, all are still under the parental roof.
In his political views Mr. Laue has been an earnest democrat since becoming a naturalized American citizen. He served for eight consecutive years as township as- sessor and has recently been reelected, so that he is the present incumbent in the office, serving for the eleventh year in that capacity. For a number of years he was also a member of the school board and did everything in his power to advance and uphold the standards of education. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church and fraternally he is connected with Alta Vista Lodge, No. 658, I. O. O. F., of which he has been a representative for twenty years. He is likewise a member of the Modern Brotherhood of America and the Modern Woodmen of America and is held in the highest esteem not only by his brethren of these organizations but by all who know him, for he is regarded as one of the most reliable and leading citizens of Howard county.
R. M. THOMSON.
R. M. Thomson, owner of one of the most valuable farms in Howard county, resides on section 22, Vernon Springs township, where he is actively and successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits. His birth occurred in Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- vania, on the 24th of January, 1881, his parents being Robert and Eva (Tillson) Thom- son, the former a native of Scotland, while the latter was born in Waukesha, Wis- consin. The father came to the United States when eighteen years of age, locating at Bay View, Wisconsin, where he worked in the iron mills. In 1886 or 1887, he established his home permanently in Iowa and became the founder of the Cresco Union Savings Bank, of which he has remained at the head throughout the intervening period of one-third of a century. The institution has enjoyed a most prosperous existence and Mr. Thomson has long been recognized as one of the leading and representative citizens of Cresco.
R. M. Thomson pursued his education in the graded and high schools of Cresco and after putting aside his textbooks turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits on his own account, renting the farm which he now owns and still operates. He was married five or six years later and at that time purchased the property, which com- prises one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 22, Vernon Springs township, constituting one of the most valuable and productive farms in the county. The neat
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and thrifty appearance of the place indicates the progressive spirit of the owner, whose capable management of his farming interests has resulted in well merited success.
In 1905 Mr. Thomson was united in marriage to Miss Jessie Steinman, of Vernon Springs township, by whom he has a daughter, Evelyn A. Mr. Thomson gives his political allegiance to the republican party. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to the lodge at Cresco. His religious belief is indicated by his membership in the Congregational church, while his wife is of the Baptist faith. He has lived in Howard county from early boyhood and has gained a circle of friends that is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
REV. B. H. FORKENBROCK.
A man of untiring zeal in behalf of his church, one whose labors have been productive of splendid results, Rev. B. H. Forkenbrock is greatly endeared to the people of his parish. He is in charge of St. Mary's Catholic church in New Hampton, Chickasaw county, and the story of his life is an interesting one, displaying marked devotion to the cause to which he has dedicated himself. He was born at New Vienna, Iowa, October 17, 1865, and on October 19th was baptized by Rev. Anton Kortenkamp, of Dyersville, Iowa. His early education was acquired in the paro- chial schools at New Vienna and Dyersville, where the family moved in 1874 and where the father died May 27, 1916, the dutiful mother having been called to her eternal reward February 1, 1908. R. I. P. At the age of twelve he was sent to St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There he attended school six years and four months, eighteen months at St. Joseph's College, Dubuque, followed, and three more years at St. Francois Seminary completed his college education. He received his first Holy Communion May 12, 1878, in St. Francis church, Dyers- ville, Iowa, and at St. Francis seminary, St. Francis, Milwaukee county, Wisconsin. He was confirmed June 29, 1879, and received tonsure and minor orders March 17, 1888, and sub-deaconship and deaconship April 5 and 6, 1889, respectively.
On June 24, 1889, he was ordained priest by the Most Rev. Archbishop M. Heiss, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. On July 2, the Feast of the Visitation, he read his first Holy Mass at Dyersville, Iowa. Six months later he was appointed to assist Rev. A. Sauter in work at Festina, where he made the friendship and won the affection of the people, who still hold him in high esteem. He remained at Festina until his appointment to St. Mary's Parish, July 2, 1894. On July 5, 1894, he drove into New Hampton from Festina, being obliged to make the drive on account of the great railroad strike of that year. In 1906 he was elected president of the Catholic Mutual Protective Society of Iowa, and in October, 1918, was elected for the seventh successive term. On June 24, 1914, he celebrated his silver jubilee. The occasion was made a memorable one, many representatives of the Catholic clergy arriving to participate in the silver jubilee celebration. The building of St. Mary's church was begun in 1892 and it was but two years later when Rev. Forkenbrock was appointed to take charge of the parish by the bishop of the diocese. Extensive and fitting ceremonies marked the occasion of the celebration, solemn high mass being observed at nine o'clock, with Rev. Forkenbrock acting as celebrant, while Rt. Rev. G. W. Heer, P. A. M. R., delivered a sermon. At eight o'clock in the evening a reception was held by the parishioners at the Auditorium, on which occa- sion a most attractive program was rendered. St. Mary's parish dates back to 1890, when an organization was perfected and steps taken to establish a parochial school, a school committee being elected on the 18th of October. This committee selected a beautiful site south of the business section of the city and work was at once begun on the school building. Following the arrival of Rev. Forkenbrock in 1894, he at once secured the services of the Franciscan Sisters, who had taught in the school since September of that year. The school developed so rapidly that in 1897 a new and larger building was erected and still the school grew so that in 1908 a large addition thirty-four by sixty feet was built, St. Mary's now having a fine
REV. B. H. FORKENBROCK
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parochial school. The development of the church has been along similar lines, im- provements being constantly made in the church property, which in 1914 was entirely cleared of debt. The work of the church has been splendidly organized under Father Forkenbrock and has long been a potent force for good in the community.
Rev. Forkenbrock is a genial, companionable man in social life, a thorough business man in the administration of the business affairs of his church, a liberal, tolerant man on religious and political questions and a conscientious Christian. Since coming here he has demonstrated his fitness and ability and his rapidly grow- ing congregation stands as an evidence of the fact.
L. J. HILDMAN.
L. J. Hildman is a leading merchant and representative business man of Ionia, where he has successfully conducted a general store for the past eighteen years. He was born in Germany on the 22d of September, 1869, a son of Cristoph and Catherine (Grose) Hildman, who spent their entire lives in that country. His education was acquired in the public schools of his native land and there he spent the period of his minority. In 1890, when twenty-one years of age, he determined to try his fortune in America, having heard many favorable reports concerning the advantages and op- portunities to be enjoyed on this side of the Atlantic. After reaching the United States he spent one month in Albany, New York, and thence made his way into the interior of the country to Iowa, locating at North Buena Vista in Clayton county, where he secured employment as a farm hand. In 1891 he removed to Dubuque county and went to work as clerk in a general store at Holy Cross, where he remained for eleven years and laid the foundation for his later business success. In the fall of 1901, feel- ing that his capital and experience justified him in embarking in business on his own account, he came to Ionia and established his present mercantile interests. He had previously made a trip to Ionia in search of a business location, had purchased a building and made other preparations for his later removal. During the eighteen years of his connection with the town he has built up an extensive and gratifying patronage as a general merchant, for he has gained a well merited reputation for thorough reliability and spares no effort in meeting the needs and wishes of his cus- tomers. His store is neat and attractive in arrangement and he carries a large and well selected line of general merchandise at reasonable prices.
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