USA > Iowa > Dickinson County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 10
USA > Iowa > Emmet County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 10
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Mr. and Mrs. Herum are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. His political endorsement is given to the Republican party and he has filled the office of road supervisor. He has also been school direc- tor for two years and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. Practically his entire life has been passed in Emmet county, where he has now lived for forty-seven years, and there is no phase of its development and progress with which he is not familiar, having wit- nessed the greater part of its growth and upbuilding.
GEORGE W. SHADLE.
Commercial activity in Estherville finds a substantial, well known and highly respected representative in George W. Shadle, who is num- bered among the native sons of the state. He was born in Pleasantville, lowa, in 1873, a son of F. M. and Ann (Pence) Shadle, who are natives of Pennsylvania, but removed westward to Iowa, where since 1879 the father has been identified with mercantile pursuits. To him and his wife have been born seven sons: Owen, who is residing at Pleasantville; George W., Christian, Merlin, who is a widower; Lee, Elton, and Wil- lard, deceased.
George W. Shadle, spending his youthful days under the parental roof, mastered the branches of learning taught in the public schools of Pleasantville, continuing his studies through successive grades until he became a high school pupil. He afterward worked for his father until he reached the age of twenty-five years and later spent three years in the drug business at Pleasantville. In 1901 he came to Estherville and has since been identified with the commercial interests of the city. His stock of goods was destroyed by fire in 1914, but with characteristic energy he resumed business operations and is today one of the progres- sive and reliable merchants of the city, dealing in dry goods of all
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descriptions and Stylecraft garments. His store displays the latest out- put of the manufactories of the country and the progressive methods of the proprietor insure to him continued and growing success.
In 1906 Mr. Shadle was married to Miss Emma Thorson, a daughter of T. L. and Jennie Thorson, the former proprietor of the pioneer hard- ware store of Armstrong, Iowa. They have two children, Francis, born in 1907; and Virginia, in 1912. Theirs is an attractive home on Maple street and its hospitality is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. Fra- ternally Mr. Shadle is connected with the Elks and with the Knights of Pythias. His religious belief is that of the Presbyterian church, while his political support is given to the Republican party. He has never sought to figure prominently in any public light outside of business, pre- ferring to concentrate his energies upon his commercial interests which, carefully, wisely, systematically and intelligently directed, have brought to him substantial success.
GEORGE T. HAAHR.
George T. Haahr, of Denmark township, has gained a competence through unrelaxing attention to his work as a farmer and through the practice of thrift. His birth occurred in Denmark, August 25, 1875, and he is one of seven children born to Knud and Christiana (Andersen) Haahr. The mother passed away in 1884 in Audubon county, Iowa, where the family had located upon their emigration to the United States in 1883. The father subsequently married again, choosing as his second wife Karen Mikkelsen, by whom he had eight children. He purchased a farm in Audubon county, but after living there for seven years re- moved to Buena Vista county, whence after two years he went to Lari- more, North Dakota, where he and his wife are still living.
George T. Haahr attended the district schools for a time in Audubon county, but as soon as he was old enough began working as a farm hand. When twenty-six years of age he rented a farm in Buena Vista county which he operated for two years. Since the spring of 1905 he has resided in Denmark township, Emmet county, and after farming the northwest quarter of section 11 for three years under lease he purchased the place, which he is still operating. The farm is well improved and everything is kept in first-class condition, thus facilitating the work of caring for the crops and livestock. Mr. Haahr was for some time a direc- tor of both the Denmark Creamery and the Farmers' elevator and is accounted one of the substantial men of his township.
On the 2nd of October, 1901, he was united in marriage to Miss Kate M. Christiansen, a daughter of Christopher and Karen M. (Nelsen) Christiansen, who located in Blackhawk county, Iowa, on removing from their native Denmark to the United States. They resided in that county for eighteen years and subsequently lived for a considerable period in
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Buena Vista county, but at length took up their residence in Denmark township, Emmet county, where the father died. He is buried in St. John's cemetery. The mother survives and makes her home with her children in Denmark township. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Haahr, as follows: Earl, deceased ; Orvil Eugene, Earlys Ardell, Marion Thorlund, and Lavinia Christiansen.
Mr. Haahr supports the Democratic party where national issues are at stake, but at local elections votes for the candidates whom he deems best fitted to fill the office without regard to their party affiliation. He is identified with the Danish Brotherhood and his religious faith is indi- cated by his membership in St. John's Danish Lutheran church. He began his independent career with no assets save his knowledge of farm work, his energy and his determination to succeed, and with these as a foundation he has builded well, gaining financial success and the unquali- fied respect of all who know him.
JAMES WARREN MORSE.
Prominent among the representatives of the Emmet county bar is James Warren Morse, who is now practicing as a member of the firm of Morse & Kennedy. He was born in Mitchell county, Iowa, October 21, 1877, and is a son of Isaac H. and Olive Morse, in whose family were three children. Those besides our subject are: Albert, now a resident of Mitchell county; and Mrs. Lois Wolff, also of that county. The par- ents are both living at Osage, Iowa.
A student in the State University of Iowa from 1898 until 1901, James W. Morse devoted that period to the study of law and the classical course in the college of liberal arts and following his admission to the bar located for practice in Estherville. He had no friends or relatives here and alone and unaided made his initial professional step. He prac- ticed alone until 1903, when he became a partner of M. H. Kendall, with whom he continued until February, 1904. He then removed to Emmets- burg and was associated in a partnership with E. B. and P. H. Soper, father and son. In 1907 he returned to Estherville and entered into part- nership with C. W. Crim, an association that was maintained until the 1st of July, 1910. For about four years thereafter Mr. Morse was again alone in practice, but on the 1st of April, 1914, entered into his present relation as a member of the law firm of Morse & Kennedy. He devotes his attention to the general practice of law and is recognized as a strong and able attorney. He is never surprised by the unexpected attack of an opponent, for he most carefully prepares his cases, preparing for attack as well as for defense. He follows a clear course of reasoning and his application of legal principles is seldom, if ever, at fault. He never seeks to enshroud his cause in any sentimental garb or illusion but presents it in the strong, clear light of reason and his close conformity to a high
JAMES W. MORSE
A LIEN ARY
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standard of professional ethics has won for him the high respect of col- leagues and contemporaries. In the early years of his residence in Es- therville he served as city attorney, resigning the office when he removed to Emmetsburg. In 1908 he was elected county attorney and filled that position in a most acceptable manner for four years.
On the 5th of August, 1903, Mr. Morse was married to Miss Wini- fred Williams, a daughter of John and Olive Williams, of Mitchell county, Iowa, and they have become the parents of two children: Olive, born November 24, 1907; and John, born September 22, 1911.
Mr. and Mrs. Morse are well known in Estherville, where high re- gard is entertained for them by the many friends whom they have won during the period of their residence in this city. Mr. Morse gives his political allegiance to the republican party and he is connected with sev- eral fraternal organizations, being a past master of the Masonic lodge and a member of the Yeomen, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
JOHN T. CHEEVER.
John T. Cheever, who owns and operates two hundred and forty acres on sections 14 and 15, Iowa Lake township, was born in Oneida county, New York, August 12, 1866. His parents, S. W. and Helen (Tufts) Cheever, were also natives of the Empire state. The father followed contracting there until 1874, when with his family he removed to Butler county, lowa, where he became a landowner. There he engaged in farming until his death on the 2nd of June, 1891, at the age of sixty- six years and three months. The mother's death occurred in March, 1896, and she was at that time fifty-seven years and seven months old.
John T. Cheever attended the public schools in New York State and Butler county, Iowa, in the acquirement of his education, and through assisting his father as a boy and youth gained a valuable knowledge of farm work. After attaining his majority he rented land in Butler county, in March, 1896, came to Emmet county and rented land here. He oper- ated that place for two years, after which he bought his present farm, comprising two hundred and forty acres on sections 14 and 15, Iowa Lake township. The buildings are located on section 14 and they, as well as the other improvements upon the farm, have been placed there by Mr. Cheever. His property is one of the best developed and most attractive and valuable farms in the locality. He raises both grain and stock and finds that the two phases of farming co-ordinate well. He is a stock- holder in the Armstrong Cement Company.
Mr. Cheever was married on the 31st of January, 1893, to Miss Ella M. Babcock, and they have become the parents of three children, namely: Carl A., who was born January 9, 1895, and died the follow-
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ing June; Linden L., born in September, 1899, and Laura H., born December 3, 1904.
Mr. Cheever is an advocate of Republican principles and supports the candidates of that party at the polls. He is now township assessor and for the past two years has been one of the school directors. He has been characterized throughout his life by industry, perseverance and strict integrity, qualities which go far toward gaining success in any field of endeavor.
O. P. OLSEN.
One of the most substantial farmers and influential citizens of Lloyd township, Dickinson county, is O. P. Olsen, who owns and operates a highly improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres in section 12. He is a native of Denmark, born September 4, 1855, and is a son of Nels and Catherine (Jensen) Olsen, both of whom spent their entire lives in that country. In the common schools of Denmark he acquired a good prac- tical education and he continued to make his home there until 1885, when he crossed the Atlantic and became a resident of Shelby county, Iowa. During his first two years in this country he worked as a farm hand and then began farming on his own account upon rented land. Subsequently he removed to Clay county, Iowa, where he resided for eight years, and in 1900 came to Dickinson county. It was in 1912 that he purchased his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres and he has since devoted his time and energies to its improvement and cultivation. There are good and substantial buildings upon the place and the fields yield boun- teous returns for the labor he bestows upon them.
In February, 1885, Mr. Olsen was united in marriage to Miss Chris- tina Krieger, a native of Germany, and to them have been born five chil- dren, namely: Christ, deceased; Thomas and Louis, both residents of Arnolds Park, Dickinson county ; Catherine, the wife of Claude Ferguson, of Estherville; and Peter, at home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Olsen are earnest and consistent members of the Lutheran church, and in politics he is an ardent Democrat. He has never regretted his emigration to the new world, for here he has steadily prospered and today is regarded as one of the leading citizens of his community.
WILLIAM H. HAGEBOECK.
William H. Hageboeck, a well-known druggist of Lake Park, Iowa, was born on the 23rd day of July, 1873, in Germany, of which country his parents, William F. and Mary (Konemann) Hageboeck, were also natives. His father, who was an officer in the German army, died in
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that country, and the mother is still living there. Our subject spent the first sixteen years of his life in his native land, attending school during the most of that time, and in 1889 came to the United States, landing in New York City on the 26th of May. He proceeded at once to lowa and first located in Davenport, where he began his apprenticeship in the drug house of C. L. Richards, but in 1890 removed to Clinton, this state. In 1895 he took a course in the Chicago Institute of Pharmacy and the following year passed the required examination and received his diploma as a registered pharmacist.
In 1897 and 1898 Mr. Hageboeck was employed as a pharmacist at Calmar, Iowa, but in the latter year started on an educational trip through America and Europe, being gone thirteen months. Coming to Lake Park, Iowa, in February, 1899, he purchased the drug store of Shultz & Company, over which he has since presided, and in the mean- time he has built up an excellent business.
On the 21st of November, 1905, Mr. Hageboeck was united in mar- riage to Miss Amy Thompson, a daughter of Henry Thompson, who is a retired business man of Lake Park, and to this union has been born a son, William Thompson Hageboeck. Mr. Hageboeck affiliates with the Republican party and for thirteen years efficiently served as a member of the town council of Lake Park. He is an honored member of Silver Lake lodge, No. 527, A. F. & A. M., and is regarded as one of the fore- most business men and leading citizens of the town. He is public-spirited and progressive, and is willing to aid all worthy enterprises calculated to promote the general welfare of the community.
F. W. RUEF.
F. W. Ruef, one of the proprietors and the general manager of the Maple Hill Mercantile Company, owning and conducting a general mer- chandise business, a grain elevator and an extensive lumberyard at Maple Hill, Emmet county, has in his life demonstrated the possibilities for the attainment of success even when one has to start out without the assist- ance of family or friends. Iowa claims him as a native son, his birth having occurred in Clermont, Fayette county, on the 2nd of January, 1883, his parents being Ferdinand and Margaret (Sutter) Ruef, the for- mer a native of Germany and the latter of Switzerland. In young man- hood and young womanhood they came to the new world, settling first in Fayette county, Iowa, where they were married and spent their remaining days. The father was a stone mason by trade and thus pro- vided for the support of his family. He died in 1896, while his wife sur- vived only until 1898.
F. W. Ruef was a lad of but thirteen years at the time of his father's death and was left on orphan when fifteen. Being an only son, at his father's death he became the bread-winner for the family and has not
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only made his own way in the world from that time forward, but also contributed to the support of his mother during her lifetime. He was first employed in a brickyard at Clermont, where he received a wage of three dollars per week. Following the death of his mother he made his home with an older sister in Armstrong, lowa, and there found employ- ment in a hardware store. During his three years' service in that con- nection he learned much of the plumbing business and in 1901 he went to the Pacific coast, where for eight years he was employed in a plumb- ing establishment, working throughout the state for a firm at Salem, Oregon. In 1910 he returned to Iowa and settled at Maple Hill, where he purchased the interest of Mr. Dows in the Maple Hill Mercantile Company, the present owners of the business being Mr. Ruef, Mrs. Grace Slessor and B. F. Robinson, the last named being also cashier of the First National Bank at Armstrong, lowa. The firm conducts an exten- sive mercantile and lumber business and operates the Maple Hill elevator. In fact this firm is one of the most important in the business circles of Emmet county, controlling and directing large interests which contrib- ute much to the commercial upbuilding and consequent prosperity of this section of the state.
In 1908 Mr. Ruef was united in marriage to Miss Edith Robinson, her father being B. F. Robinson, of Armstrong, senior member of the Maple Hill Mercantile Company. Mr. and Mrs. Ruef have two children, Elizabeth Margaret and Benjamin Edward. In his political views, Mr. Ruef is a Republican and has filled the office of postmaster at Maple Hill. He is also the treasurer of the Consolidated School of Maple Hill, one of the important educational institutions of the county, in which are em- ployed five teachers. A new school building has been erected at a cost of twenty-one thousand dollars. Fraternally, Mr. Ruef is connected with Emmet Lodge, No. 565, F. & A. M., of Armstrong, and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, guiding their lives according to its teachings. Mr. Ruef is a representative citizen and leading business man, and in the accomplishment of his purposes has followed honorable methods.
MRS. SUSAN JOHNSON.
Mrs. Susan Johnson is well known in High Lake township, making her home on section 11, where she owns a good farm. She was born in Sogn, Norway, March 30, 1845, a daughter a Peter N. Brudjeld and Ger- trude Thorsness. Her parents came to the United States when their daughter Susan was a little maiden of three summers, bringing with them their family of five children. They made their way to Wisconsin, settling in Columbia county, where they resided until 1865, in which year they came to Iowa, establishing their home in High Lake township, Em- met county. They were among its earliest residents and contributed in no small measure to the development of the district.
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MRS. SUSAN JOHNSON, FAMILY AND RESIDENCE
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Mrs. Johnson was a young woman of twenty years at the time the family came to this state and she was married in 1870 to John K. Johnson, a son of Knut and Sigre Johnson, who were natives of Norway, in which country the mother passed away. The father afterward came to the new world and for a time was a resident of Emmet county, Iowa, but spent his last days in Faribault county, Minnesota, where his death oc- curred in 1884. The birth of John K. Johnson occurred in Norway, September 3, 1841, and he was twenty years of age when he came with his parents to the United States. Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson located on the west half of the southwest quarter of section 11, High bake township, on which farm they still make their home, and where he and his son are actively and successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits.
To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were born eight children: Tina, now the wife of O. T. Johnson, of Bricelyn, Minnesota; Nels, who is on the home farm ; Hannah, the wife of O. M. Olson, a resident of Pequot, Minnesota ; Carrie, the wife of Olin Anderson, living in High Lake township, Emmet county ; Helen, the wife of L. E. Berg, whose home is in Twelve Mile Lake township; Sena, the wife of J. O. Carter, of Pequot, Minnesota ; Bertha, who died in infancy; and Manda, the wife of Otto Larson, of High Lake township.
Mr. Johnson is a republican in his political views and he belongs to the Norwegian Lutheran church, in which Mrs. Johnson also holds mem- bership. She is today one of the oldest residents of Emmet county in years of continuous connection therewith, having lived in High Lake township for more than a half century. She has witnessed many changes that have brought the county to its present condition of advancement and improvement and she can relate many an interesting tale concerning the early settlement here. Her many good qualities have won her the high esteem of those who know her and she has a wide circle of acquaint- ances in this part of the state.
HANS MADSEN.
Among the up-to-date farmers and stock raisers of Denmark town- ship who are not only prospering individually but are also contributing to the development of their localities, is Hans Madsen, whose birth occurred in Denmark, October 9, 1864. His parents, Paul and Maren Sophia (Mikkelsen) Madsen, were born in that country and there the father engaged in farming until his death. Subsequently the mother came to the United States and spent her last days with her son Hans, dying on the 29th of May, 1906. She is buried in St. John's cemetery. Her only daughter is still living in Denmark.
Hans Madsen attended school in his native country until he was
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confirmed and subsequently worked for others in that country until he attained his majority, when he came to the United States. He was employed as a farm hand in Brown county, Wisconsin, for a short time, and in 1885 arrived in Denmark township, Emmet county, Iowa. After remaining in the employ of others for two years he purchased an eighty acre tract on section 14, which he still owns and upon which he has made many improvements. He raises both grain and high grade stock and his well directed labors yield him a good financial return.
On the 14th of July, 1899, Mr. Madsen was united in marriage to Miss Nicolena Jensen, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chris Jensen, life- long residents of Denmark. Mr. and Mrs. Madsen have become the par- ents of eight children, Paul C., Lars Herman, William F., Maren, Katrina M., Ella, Carl M. and Anna Eleanor.
Mr. Madsen is a Republican and takes the interest of a good citizen in public affairs, but has never been an aspirant for office. He has made his own way in the world since a youth in his teens and has just cause to be proud of what he has accomplished.
WILLIAM WARBURTON.
Throughout his active business life, William Warburton was identi- fied with the agricultural interests of Iowa and at the time of his death, which occurred December 9, 1913, was living upon his fine farm of two hundred and forty acres in Lakeville township, Dickinson county. He was born in England on the 12th of March, 1852, and was a son of John and Mary (Gibson) Warburton, also natives of England. On the emi- gration of the family to America they located at Cresco, Howard county, Iowa, and in that locality the father engaged in preaching as a Metho- dist minister up to the time of his death. During the Civil War, how- ever, he manifested his loyalty to his adopted country by enlisting in Captain T. W. Burdick's company, Sixth Iowa Cavalry, with which he served for three years, and was made chaplain of his regiment. When hostilities ceased he returned to his home in Cresco, where he died May 21, 1867. His wife, who was born December 25, 1815, passed away in February, 1895.
It was during his boyhood that William Warburton became a resi- dent of Howard county, Iowa, where he was reared and educated, and he remained with his mother until twenty-seven years of age. He was then married and located on a farm in Howard county, which he oper- ated for sixteen years. In 1895 he came to Dickinson county and pur- chased two hundred and forty acres of land in Lakeville township, upon which he made many useful and valuable improvements. There he spent the remainder of his life and as previously stated passed away December 9, 1913, after three years illness.
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On the 15th of March, 1879, Mr. Warburton was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Clink, a daughter of Joseph and Jane (Stewart) Clink, who were natives of Scotland and came to the new world at an early day, locating in Janesville, Wisconsin. There the father followed farming for some time and subsequently removed to Howard county, Iowa, where he died in April, 1907. His wife had departed this life on the 28th of December, 1903. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Warburton are Gaylord, a farmer of Dickinson county; Fred and Frank both residents of Milford; Jeanie, at home with her mother; and Marietta, the wife of F. J. Hemphill, a farmer of Dickinson county.
Mr. Warburton supported the Republican party at the polls and for several years served as road supervisor and also as school director. He was an earnest and consistent member of the Methodist church, to which his widow also belongs, and he had the respect and confidence of all who knew him on account of his honorable, upright life.
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