USA > Iowa > Clay County > History of Clay County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1909 > Part 58
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On the home farm in Denmark Andrew Anderson spent the days of his boyhood and youth, and attended the common schools. From time to time he heard interesting reports concerning America, its business conditions and its opportunities, and at length these proved to him an irresistible attraction, so that he bade adieu to friends and native country and in January, 1882, came to the United States. For seven months he was a resident of Chicago and on the 4th of September of that year arrived in Spencer, where he was employed in various ways, his course at all times, however, being characterized by progress. For over fifteen years he was in the employ of R. Trundale and this long connection indicated his faithfulness to the interests which he represented. On the expira- tion of that period he purchased an elevator which he operated for two years, and in connection with grain also handled coal and hogs. He then sold out to the Hunton Elevator Company of McGregor, Iowa, but continued in charge as
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manager for two years, and also handled coal and hogs on his own account. The Hunton Elevator Company then sold out to the Farmers' Elevator Company, which also purchased Mr. Anderson's business as a dealer in coal and hogs in 1907. He has since acted as manager for the company and in this connection is doing good service, being thoroughly familiar with the trade and handling a large amount of business for the company annually.
On the 4th of May, 1883. occurred the marriage of Mr. Anderson to Miss Anna Dorothy Peterson, a daughter of Jorgen Peterson. There were six chil- dren of that marriage, Emma, Mary, William. Arthur, Clarence and Raymond. The elder daughter is now the wife of Charles Howe, assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Spencer, and they have one child. Dorothy. Both Mr. and Mrs. Anderson hold membership in the Danish Lutheran church, are inter- ested in its work and do all in their power to promote its influence. Since becoming a naturalized American citizen Mr. Anderson has yoted with the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to good govern- ment. He has now been a resident of America for twenty-seven years and he never feels that he has any reason to regret his determination to seek his fortune on this side of the Atlantic, for he has found a good home here. has met with fair success in his business and has gained many friends whose regard and com- panionship make life pleasant for him.
· KNUD CHRISTENSEN.
Knud Christensen, a prominent and prosperous agriculturist near Royal, this county, is one of that 'sturdy type of Europeans who are doing so much toward cultivating the lands of the middle and far west. His birth occurred on the Island of Fynn, Denmark, on November 29. 1850, a son of Christian Peterson, the variation in the names being due to a prevailing custom of that country by which the son takes the given name of the father and adopts it as a surname. On the same island Mr. Peterson was born and there he spent his life in agricultural pursuits until his death in 1859, the records showing that his people had been engaged in farming there for above six generations. His mother was Anna Knudsdaughter, born in Denmark, where she died in 1898, interment taking place on the Island of Fynn. Mr. Peterson had been married before and had the following children by his first wife: Marian, who died in her native land; Hans, who passed away in Spencer, Clay county, Iowa: and Budileete Christina, who resides in Denmark. To his second wife were born: Peter, who is an agricul- turist of Clay township, this county : and Knud Christensen, the subject of this review.
Knud Christensen acquired an excellent education in his native land, having taken a preliminary course of study in the common schools and subsequently a course of training in the high school. He remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age, in the meantime having learned the brick mason's trade which he followed as a journeyman until 1872, when he set sail for the United States. His objective point was Chicago, Illinois, which he had heard offered an excellent opportunity for bricklayers as it was then being rebuilt after
MR. AND MRS. KNUD CHRISTENSEN
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR. LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
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the big fire of 1871. Upon his arrival in that city he looked over the ground but was not satisfied with the offers made him, and upon receiving intelligence of the agricultural advantages of Iowa, he came here, settling in Clay county, near Royal. At that time there was but one house between the place upon which he located and Spencer. He did not locate permanently until after his marriage, when he purchased eighty acres of land which he at once improved and put in a fit state for cultivation. Since taking up the land he has put forth every energy to reap full benefit from the soil and so great has been his success that his har- vests from year to year have enabled him to accumulate other landed interests until at the present time he owns three hundred and sixty acres of highly improved land in Lincoln and Clay townships. In addition to engaging in general farming he also pays considerable attention to stock raising, dealing only in graded classes of cattle, sheep and hogs which he ships throughout this and adjoining states.
In 1878 Mr. Christensen was united in marriage to Miss Maria Christina Ellison, a native of Zeeland, Denmark, and they have five children, namely: Charles Lewis, an agriculturist of this township; Peter Albert, who also follows farming here: Anna Elizabeth, who became the wife of Thomas Hagadorn, an agriculturist of Lincoln township; and Clara Evalina and John Edward, who complete the family. Mr. Christensen's political affiliations are with the repub- lican party to which he has been loyal since casting his first vote, and in the township he has efficiently served both as trustee and school director. He is a man of high moral character and being one who does not permit business affairs to crowd out his religious obligations, always finds time for church work, holding membership in the Danish Lutheran church, of which he is a liberal supporter. Mr. Christensen is well known throughout that region, being one of the highly respected and progressive citizens of Clay county.
O. A. WEBER.
A worthy representative of the agricultural interests of Sioux township was O. A. Weber, whose home farm of three hundred and seventy acres is situated on sections I and 2, while altogether he possessed four hundred and fifty acres. Iowa long numbered him among her citizens, for he came to the state in 1866 and although he lived in Clay county only since 1892, his circle of friends was almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance. These friends therefore mourn his loss, his death having occurred March 14, 1909. He came to the new world with the strong and sterling characteristics of a Teutonic ancestry. A native of Germany, he was born in the province of Prussia on the 26th of April, 1855, and came to the new world when a lad of ten years. No delay kept him in the east, for he at once came to Iowa and for many years thereafter lived in Clayton county, during which time he received the educational advantages offered by the common schools. His father, Herman Weber, was likewise a native of Prussia and there grew to manhood. After reaching adult age he wooed and won Miss Louisa Moritz, also a native of Germany. He was a
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mechanic, possessing considerable natural ability along that line. He learned and followed the locksmith trade, with which he was connected while still in Prussia. Before he left his native land four children had been added to the family, and with his wife and little ones he came to the United States, arriving in the year 1866. Making his way direct to Iowa his remaining days were passed in Clayton county, where he purchased land that hitherto had been wild and undeveloped. He at once resolutely set himself to the task of opening up a new farm and, though his labor was often difficult and arduous, he persevered until he became the owner of a tract of valuable land of two hundred and forty acres. Year after year he plowed and planted and carried on the work of the farm, remaining there until his life's labors were ended in death. His wife still survives him and is now living with a son.
In his youthful days O. A. Weber met with the experiences and hardships incident to establishing a home on the frontier. As his years and strength increased he aided more and more largely in the farm work, so that broad practical experience enabled him to profitably carry on farming interests when he started out in life for himself. He was married in Clayton county in 1880 to Miss Albertina Zieman, who was born in Clayton county but was of German lineage. His capital was very limited and would not permit of him buying a place, but he resolved that his labors should benefit himself and therefore he rented a farm. To this he gave his energies for eleven years, during which time he carefully saved liis earnings, until in 1892 he was enabled to purchase land in Clay county. Removing to this county he bought one hundred and sixty acres in Sioux township, located thereon and began the development and improvement of the property. Later he purchased another farm of one hundred and sixty acres southeast of Spencer, rented that and afterward sold it. He then bought some land where he resided at the time of his demise, having three hundred and seventy acres in his home place, while his holdings of four hundred and fifty acres made him one of the leading land owners of the locality. The farm residence is an attractive two-story dwelling built in modern style of archi- tecture, supplied with all up-to-date equipment and conveniences and tastefully and comfortably furnished. There are also two large barns on the place and an orchard of his own planting yields its fruit in season. He fenced the farm and during the last three years laid six hundred and fifty rods of tiling, so that the wet soil has been drained and been converted into productive fields. He like- wise raised and fed stock and the pasture and other feeding grounds have a large number of high grade animals. He was a stock holder in the Dickens Creamery and in the Webster Rural Telephone Company. Undaunted enterprise and willingness to work earnestly and persistently constituted the chief features in his business development.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Weber were born two sons and three daughters. The eldest son, William A. Weber, is married and operates a part of his father's land. Rudolph is also cultivating a part of the old homestead farm. Clara is the wife of Oliver Stuky and is likewise living on one of her father's farms. Cora and Jessie are young ladies at home. The parents were reared in the faith of the Lutheran church. In his political views Mr. Weber was a repub- lican, served on the school board, but was never an office seeker. He could truly
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have been called a self-made man. All that he possessed or enjoyed came to him as the reward of his labor. He early realized that success is not a matter of genius, as held by some, but is rather the result of experience and industry. He therefore learned life's lessons well, made good use of his opportunities and, · through his persistency of purpose, actuated by a laudable ambition, he became one of the substantial farmers of the county, holding extensive property which constantly increased in value through his labor and cultivation.
PAUL M. MILLER.
Paul M. Miller, who is acting as delivery agent for the Adams Express Company and is also assistant at the Minneapolis & St. Louis depot, was identi- fied with agricultural interests, but some time since retired from active farm operations. He was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, June 4, 1854, and in tracing back his ancestry it is found that the family is of German lineage. George Miller, the grandfather, was born in Pennsylvania and became a farmer and teamster. Unto him and his wife, both of whom died when past middle life, were born six children, Paul, Eliza, Mary, Matilda, John and David.
Paul Miller, the father of our subject, was likewise a native of the Keystone state, and in early manhood became a school teacher, devoting some time to educational work. He also followed carpentry and subsequently became a farmer. In 1855 he removed to Benton county, Iowa, and settled near Shells- burg, where he developed and improved a farm, bringing his land under a high state of cultivation. He died there in September, 1885, at the age of seventy- two years, while his wife survived him until 1890 and also passed away, at the age of seventy-two years. Mrs. Miller bore the maiden name of Catharine Jones. Her birth occurred in Pennsylvania, her parents being James and Barbara (Walters) Jones, who were also natives of the Keystone state and lived to a good old age. Their children were Catharine, John, Mary, George, Morrow, Phobe, Emma and Susie. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Miller had a family of twelve children, nine of whom reached adult age, while six are now living: James J., of Waukegan, Illinois; Lucinda M., the wife of William Sutton of Oklahoma ; Hannah M., the widow of Theodore Greenwood of Shellsburg, Iowa ; John W., also of Shellsburg; Paul M., of this review ; and Emma M., wife of N. E. Perry of Seattle, Washington. The parents were members of the Presbyterian church and were people of the highest respectability.
Brought to Iowa in his boyhood days, Paul M. Miller was reared in Benton county upon the home farm. At that time it was a frontier district in which the work of improvement and progress had scarcely been begun. At the usual age he was sent as a pupil to the district schools and therein mastered the com- mon branches of English learning. Through the vacation periods he assisted in the work of the farm and remained at home until twenty years of age, when he started out in life for himself, working by the month as a farm hand for the first year. He believed that he was capable of doing something better, how- ever, and rented a farm, thus carrying on general agricultural pursuits for ten years. During that time he carefully saved his earnings, and in 1889 he removed
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to Clay county, where he purchased eighty acres of unimproved land in Gillett Grove township. On this tract he turned the first furrow and as the work of plow- ing and planting continued his farm took on the appearance of a well developed property, and in the course of years yielded abundant harvests. As his financial resources increased he added to the property until he now owns two hundred and thirty-four acres of finely improved land. He lived there until 1905, when he rented his farm to his eldest son and removed to Spencer. Indolence and idleness, however, were totally foreign to his nature and, as he could not be content without some business interests. he entered the employ of the railroad company and the Adams Express Company, and to this work now devotes his energies.
On the 4th of April, 1878, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Martha E. Greenwood, a daughter of Abraham and Caroline S. (Shuev ) Greenwood. Mrs. Miller was born in Carroll county, Maryland, and her parents were natives of that state. They removed westward to Benton county, lowa. about 1867, and were well known farming people in that locality. The father died in 1896, at the age of seventy-two years, and the mother was also of the same age when called to her final rest, hier death occurring in 1898. In the family there were fifteen children, of whom the following are now living : Mrs. Ada B. Baldwin, Mrs. Hannah Parker. Martha E .. Elhanian, Mrs. Adeline Parker, George. Mrs. Maggie Kitzmiller, and Mrs. Leavina Kitzmiller.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Miller has been blessed with four children : Bernice E., who is the wife of Howard E. King, a resident of Spencer, by whom she has two children. Harold D. and Victor: Bernard, who is operating the home farm and married Luella LaRue, by whom he has one son; John, who is operator at the Minneapolis & St. Louis depot in Spencer : and Paul E., who is station agent and operator at Badger. Iowa. The last named married Minnie O. Pinneo and they have two sons, Vernon J. and Donald Pinneo.
Mr. and Mrs. Paul M. Miller are members of the Congregational church. and are interested in its work and active in its support. Mr. Miller votes with the democracy and for three terms has served as trustee of Gillett Grove township. He well deserves the good American title of a self-made man. for he started out in life empty-handed and possessed only of a determination to win prosperity through persistent and honorable effort. Gradually he has advanced toward the goal of prosperity and is now the owner of an excellent farm property, while to this he has added the annual income which he derives from his labor.
THOMAS D. GRIGGS.
It is only in rare cases that fortune seems to favor certain individuals and they gain wealth through inheritance or some lucky chance. The great majority, however, labor for what they possess, and it is well known that men of strongest character, who are regarded as most valuable in citizenship and in business relations, are they who have carved out their own fortunes. It has been through his energy, perseverance and well directed activity that Thomas D. Griggs has won a place among the prosperous farmers of Summit township, his home being
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on section 34, where he owns three hundred and seventy-six acres of well improved land. He has lived in Clay county since 1888. He has now passed the eighty-first milestone on life's journey, for his birth occurred in Utica, New York, June 24, 1828. His father, Isaac Griggs, was born in Connecticut and on leaving New England took up his abode in the state of New York. He lived for a time in Chautauqua county, that state, and was identified with business interests there. The opportunities of the growing west attracted him, however, and in 1841 he made his way to Ohio, settling in Trumbull county, where he carried on manufacturing and mercantile interests. In that locality he reared his family and spent his last years, being regarded for a long period as one of the valued citizens of the community, because of the energy and enterprise which he displayed in the conduct of his business interests.
Thomas D. Griggs was reared to manhood in Trumbull county, Ohio. He had good school advantages and in early manhood was appointed to the position of superintendent of the penitentiary, taking charge of that institution under Governor Medill, while later he was retained in the office by Governor Chase. He occupied the position three and a half years and was loyal to the trust reposed in him.
Going to Wisconsin. Mr. Griggs was married in Janesville, Rock county, on the 28th of December, 1860, to Miss Hannah James, who was born and reared in that state. Following their marriage they located on a farm in Rock county, where Mr. Griggs owned one hundred and sixty acres. He further improved and developed that property and continued to carry on general farming there for about twenty-eight years, after which he sold out and bought where he now resides. Coming to Iowa, he settled on section 34. Summit township. where he invested in a farm of two hundred and twenty-eight acres of land that was partially improved. This he began to farm and further develop, and as he prospered he bought more land and at different times has owned a number of farms, making judicious investments in property and later selling at a good profit. He now owns a large and valuable tract of land comprising three hun- dred and seventy-six acres. Year after year the fields are carefully tilled and good grades of stock are raised and fed, the sale thereof bringing to him a sub- stantial financial return.
In 1894 Mr. Griggs was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who on the 13th of December of that year passed away and was laid to rest in Spencer cemetery. They were the parents of five children: Cassius J., who is now engaged in farming in Ward county. North Dakota: Clifford, who is carrying on the home place : Guy T., who is married and resides at Dickens; Minnie, the wife of John Scott, of South Dakota; and Grace, the wife of Arthur Little, who is an engineer on the Milwaukee Railroad, living at Sioux City, Iowa. The son Clifford, who operates the home farm, was born in Janesville, Wis., and reared and educated in this county. He was married here on Christmas day of 1902, to Miss Nellie Wilson, and their children are Audra and Berkley. In his political views Mr. Griggs is a democrat and while living in Rock county, Wisconsin, he held several local offices of honor and trust: but political positions have never had much attraction for him. He is now spending the evening of his life on his home farm in Summit township, his son Clifford relieving him of the active
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work of the fields. His life has always been a busy and useful one and the qualities of honorable manhood and good citizenship have been his. Today he receives the respect and veneration which should ever be accorded to one of advanced years whose life has been worthily passed, but while Mr. Griggs has reached the eightieth milestone on life's journey he seems much younger in spirit and interests and converses well upon the general topics and questions of the day, while he at the same time relates many interesting incidents of the carly days.
FRANK SHERMAN.
The enterprising town of Greenville numbers among its representative citi- zens its present postmaster, Frank Sherman, who is also engaged in general merchandising. He is accomplishing substantial results in his business career and his industry and determination constitute the basic elements of his prosperity. He was born in Brookfield township. La Salle county, Illinois, April 7, 1867, and is a son of William and Elizabeth ( Pickett) Sherman, natives of New York and of England respectively. The Sherman family to which our subject belongs was undoubtedly founded in the Empire state at an early day, for his grand- father, William Sherman, was there born. He followed the occupation of farm- ing there and in that locality reared his family, while to both him and his wife was allotted a ripe old age. The maternal grandfather was William Pickett, a native of Dorchestershire, England. In 1844 he came to America, settling in La Salle county, Illinois, where he followed the occupation of farming. He married Elizabeth Brett and his life of usefulness and activity covered a period of eighty-three years ere he passed to the home beyond.
It was through agricultural pursuits that William Sherman provided for his family. On leaving the east he made his way to Chicago and thence went to La Salle county, where he secured land and engaged in tilling the soil. He mar- ried Elizabeth Pickett, who was but a young girl when brought by her parents from England to the United States. Unto their marriage were born four chil- dren : Sarah, Albert, Frank and David. The mother still survives and is yet living in La Salle county, but the father passed away there in 1876. Mrs. Sherman is a member of the Methodist church and a most estimable lady, having an extended circle of warm friends in the community where she makes her home. Mr. Sherman was also widely and favorably known there and he, too, belonged to the Methodist church.
Frank Sherman, spending his boyhood days in his father's home in Streator, La Salle county, Illinois, attended the district schools and thus gained the knowl- edge which has served as the foundation upon which to build his business prog- ress. After leaving home he spent considerable time in the western states and in 1893 entered the employ of the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad Company, being thus engaged as carpenter and builder. In 1900 he came to Greenville as bridge watchman with the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad Company, continu- ing with that corporation until January 1. 1907. Desirous, however, of engaging in business for himself, in 1901 he opened a small store here and has since con-
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ducted it, although he has greatly enlarged the scope of his activities by increasing his stock and thus reaching out for a more extensive trade. His store is taste- fully and attractively arranged and his reasonable prices, fair dealing and earnest desire to please his customers have brought to him a liberal patronage.
On the 21st of March, 1904, occurred the marriage of Mr. Sherman and Miss Elizabeth Syra, a daughter of Fountain W. and Elizabeth Syra. There are two children by that marriage, David Fountain and Margaret Leno Sherman. Mr. Sherman belongs to Greenville Lodge, No. 727. I. O. O. F., and gives his political support to the republican party. In the spring of 1908 he was appointed postmaster of Greenville and is now filling the position. There have been no exciting chapters in his life record, but it is the history of a man who has been faithful to duty and has worked diligently to achieve advancement. Such men are the real strength of the nation, for they can always be depended upon in times of crisis to serve the best interests of their country, and in community affairs they support those things which are of substantial benefit to the locality in which they reside.
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