USA > Iowa > Dickinson County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 11
USA > Iowa > Emmet County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 11
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CLEM N. PETERSON.
Clem N. Peterson, actively engaged in the grocery business in Estherville, has throughout the entire period of his business career been connected with the trade interests of this city. He was born in Solomon, Kansas, March 4, 1879, a son of Lawrence and Gertrude Peterson, who were natives of Sweden and of Germany, respectively. In early manhood the father was employed by a lumber company and when his son Clem was three years of age he removed with his family to Estherville, where he established a lumber business which he conducted for six or seven years. He then turned his attention to general merchandising and con- tinued his operations in that field until his death, which occurred in 1906. His widow survived him for about seven years and passed away in 1913, the remains of both being interred in the Catholic cemetery, which indi- cates the fact that they were members of the Catholic church.
Clem N. Peterson, spending his youthful days under the parental roof, entered the public schools and was graduated from the high school of Estherville. He then became the active assistant of his father in the general merchandise store, with which enterprise he was associated as an employe until 1901, when he was admitted to a partnership by his father, this relation being maintained until 1906. He then engaged in the grocery business in partnership with his brother, Charles H. Peter- son, and in 1913 he bought out his brother's interest and now carries on business alone, handling a complete line of staple and fancy groceries. He makes a specialty of the goods put up and handled by Reid, Murdoch & Company, the Monarch brand goods, and the Pillsbury and Golden Cream flours. His trade has steadily grown, for his business methods commend him to the patronage and support of the public and he now has
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a business of gratifying proportions, making his one of the fine stores of the town.
On the 5th of October, 1911, Mr. Peterson was married to Miss Mabel Thorson, a daughter of T. L. and Jennie Thorson, of Armstrong, Iowa, where her father is engaged in the hardware business. They have one child, Marian, born May 5, 1916. The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church, and Mr. Peterson is identified also with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He votes with the Republi- can party and he has membership in the Commercial Club, thus co-oper- ating in well-defined plans and measures for the upbuilding of his city and the extension of its commercial connections.
EDWARD H. ELLERSTON.
Many of the substantial citizens of Emmet county are of Norwegian birth or ancestry and possess the sterling traits of that hardy race, who have ever been characterized by industry and reliability. Among the number in Emmet county is Edward H. Ellerston, who was born in Chicago on the 14th of December, 1868, a son of Christian and Jennie (Jensen) Ellerston, who were natives of Norway. After coming to the new world the father became captain of a commission boat on Lake Michigan but later removed to Iowa and engaged in the milling business at Norway, Benton county, taking up his abode there when his son Edward was but a year old. He continued his residence there until about 1890, when he returned to the old country, where he died. Later his widow came to Estherville, where she is now living.
Edward H. Ellerston has practically been a lifelong resident of Iowa and in the district schools he pursued his education to the age of fifteen years. He worked at different vocations for ten years and when a young man of twenty-five years came to Emmet county, where he invested his savings in land, becoming the owner of the north half of section 25, Em- met township. He still owns this property, comprising three hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land which he has carefully cultivated throughout all the intervening years, converting the tract into well tilled fields which are divided by well built fences. He has good buildings upon his farm and is leading a most busy life in the further cultivation of the land in the production of those cereals which are best adapted to soil and climate.
In 1893 Mr. Ellerston was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Johnson, a daughter of John and Mary Johnson, of Norway, Iowa. Their four children, Irving, Ruby, Verna and Leona, are all attending the Esther- ville schools and reside with their paternal grandmother. In his political views Mr. Ellerston has always been a republican and is now filling the office of road superintendent. He belongs to the Episcopal church and his entire life is in harmony with his professions. He has ever been
EDWARD H. ELLERSTON
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found honorable and upright and thoroughly reliable in his business connections, and those who know him entertain for him warm personal regard.
C. J. APPELQUIST.
Sweden has furnished to Iowa many of her most enterprising and progressive business men, and among these are numbered C. J. Appel- quist, who is now conducting a general store in Terril. He was born in Sweden, January 20, 1886, and is a son of John and Ingerborg Appel- quist, who throughout life continued to reside in that country. In their family were only two children, the daughter being Ebba, who is now the wife of F. O. Flygare, a resident of Minnesota.
C. J. Appelquist, the only son, obtained his education in the schools of his native land, where he spent the first seventeen years of his life, but in June, 1903, he came to America and first located in Minnesota. In 1913, however, he became a resident of Dickinson county, Iowa, and has since engaged in general merchandising at Terril. He has built up a good trade which is constantly increasing owing to his courtesy, fair dealing and reasonable prices.
In 1908 Mr. Appelquist married Miss Anna Flygare, who was born in Martin county, Minnesota, but is of Swedish parentage, being a daugh- ter of Swen and Christina Flygare, natives of Sweden, whence they came to America in early life. Her father is deceased, but her mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Appelquist have four children, namely: Alvira, Leonard, Katherine and LeRoy.
In politics Mr. Appelquist is a Republican and he takes a deep and commendable interest in public affairs, now serving as a member of the town council. He belongs to Terril Lodge, No. 612, A. F. & A. M., and both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church. He is one of the self-made men of his community, and is one of the leading merch- ants of Dickinson county.
NIELS JAKOBSEN.
Among the successful farmers whom Denmark has given to Emmet township is Niels Jakobsen, who now owns one hundred and sixty acres on section 11, Denmark township. His birth occurred November 4, 1870, and he was one of the seven children born to Robert and Carrie (Han- sen) Jakobsen, who passed their entire lives in their native country. He received his education in the public schools of Denmark and after put- ting aside his textbooks worked for others there until he was nineteen years of age, when he came alone to the United States. He made his
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way to the vicinity of Grandville, Michigan, and during the summer was employed as a farm hand, while the winter was spent in the lumber camps. In the spring of 1890 he came to Denmark township, Emmet county, Iowa, and for thirteen years rented land here. At the end of that time he had saved sufficient capital to enable him to purchase the north half of the southeast quarter of section 11, where he still resides. He is industrious and up-to-date in his methods and it is but natural that he should receive a gratifying financial return from his land.
In 1894 occurred the marriage of Mr. Jakobsen and Miss Elsie Marie Mikkelsen, a daughter of Lars and Paulina Mikkelsen, natives of Den- mark, where both passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Jakobsen have been born seven children, Robert, Lawrence, Clara, Ernest, Lillian, Metha and Harvey.
Mr. Jakobsen is a stanch Democrat in politics, but has confined his activity in public affairs to the exercise of his right of franchise. He holds membership in St. John's Danish Lutheran church and fraternally is connected with Denmarks Minde. He has made his own way unaided since a boy in his teens and the competence which he has won is the best evidence of his ability.
WILLIAM NELSEN.
William Nelsen is living retired in Ringsted save for the supervis- ion which he gives to his property interests. A native of Denmark, he was born September 21, 1844, a son of Anders and Anna Nelsen, also natives of that country, where the father followed the profession of teaching. He died there in 1851 but the mother survived for many years, passing away in 1894 when ninety years old.
William Nelsen was reared in his native country and after complet- ing his education worked as a farm hand for three years, but at the age of seventeen went to sea before the mast. He followed the sea until 1865, when he again turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, in which he was engaged until 1869. In that year he emigrated to the United States and made his way across the country to Clinton, Iowa, where he worked as a farm hand for a year. He was next employed at a sawmill at Clinton and remained there for thirteen years, or until 1883, when he came to Emmet county, Iowa, and purchased land in Denmark township, to the cultivation and improvement of which he devoted nine years. He then returned to Denmark, where he remained during the summer and then came again to the United States, settling at Algona. Iowa. He engaged in the dairy business for some time. He remained at Algona for seven years and during that period built a number of resi- dences which he rented, thus adding in substantial measure to his income. When the town of Ringsted was founded about 1899 he took up his abode here and built four residences and a store building, which he still owns.
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He derives a good rental from these properties and is living practically retired. He is also interested financially in the Ringsted State Bank.
In October, 1872, Mr. Nelsen was married to Miss Riga Bossen and they have had two children: Ambrosina, the wife of F. M. Stacey, of Ringsted, by whom she has five children, Myrta, Clara, Carl, Helen and Florence; and one who died in infancy.
Mr. Nelsen is a Democrat in politics and served as trustee of Den- mark township for some time, has been a member of the town council of Ringsted and has been honored by election to the office of mayor for three terms. He has also been a member of the school board and in whatever office he has served has invariably placed the public good above all other considerations. He belongs to the Yeomen and the Danish Brotherhood, and in religious faith is a Lutheran. His life has been a long and useful one and he is held in the highest esteem wherever known.
GEORGE W. VANCE.
As the improvements upon the farm belonging to George W. Vance, of Spirit Lake township, are thoroughly modern and everything is kept in the best of condition, it is evident that he is a successful, progressive and energetic agriculturist and this is further indicated by the fact that he has won many prizes for the high quality of his corn. He has also secured an unusually large yield per acre, his crop more than once averaging one hundred bushels to the acre. He has likewise been suc- cessful as a stock raiser. A native of Indiana, his birth occurred on the 29th of May, 1852, and he is a son of John F. and Mary (Cooper) Vance. The father was born in Pennsylvania, where he remained until he was twenty-one years of age, when he removed to Ohio, later locating in Indiana. After spending several years in that state he removed still further west, arriving in Winneshiek county, Iowa, on the 14th of Octo- ber, 1857. He purchased land near Castalia and there carried on general farming until his death on the 5th of March, 1909. His wife was a native of Ohio and continued to reside in that state until after her marriage. Following the death of Mr. Vance she removed to Dickinson county and here she passed away.
George W. Vance was but five years old when the family removed to Winneshiek county and his education was acquired in the public schools there. In early manhood he took charge of the operation of the homestead and followed agricultural pursuits there until 1887, when he went to Dakota territory, arriving in Aurora county on the 10th of March. He bought one hundred and twenty acres of good land there and for five years devoted his entire attention to its improvement and cultivation. He at length decided, however, that conditions were more favorable in Iowa, and traded his South Dakota farm, comprising one hundred and twenty acres, free of encumbrance, for eighty acres on
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section 23, Spirit Lake township, Dickinson county, Iowa, assuming a five hundred dollar mortgage on the Iowa farm. He has spent a great deal of money in improving his place, erecting new buildings, setting out shade trees and also a good orchard and in many other ways adding to the beauty and value of his farm. The land is divided into twenty acre fields and no equipment that has proved of valne in farm work is lacking. Mr. Vance is one of the most successful corn growers in the state, his yield often averaging one hundred bushels to the acre, and his corn has taken prizes at the Farmers' Institute for several years past, which indi- cates that the quality is also unusually high. He has given considerable attention to the raising of high grade hogs and has likewise engaged in breeding horses. He has owned a number of registered horses and his team of Hambletonian colts has taken first prize wherever shown.
Mr. Vance was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Mitchell, a representative of a pioneer family of this state, but a native of Canada. When she was but eight years old she was brought to Iowa by her par- ents, John and Margaret (Ross) Mitchell, who were born, reared and married in Scotland. On emigrating to the new world they located in Canada, whence they removed to Winneshiek county, Iowa. After farm- ing there for a number of years they came to Dickinson county and are now living at Spirit Lake. To Mr. and Mrs. Vance have been born two children, Ruby May and James Waldo, both at home. The son is assist- ing his father with the operation of the home farm and owns land in South Dakota.
Mr. Vance is an advocate of Republican principles and supports the candidates of that party at the polls but has never sought office. He does not belong to any lodges or clubs, preferring to spend his leisure hours at his own fireside and deriving the greatest pleasure from the companionship of his family. The operation of his farm has made such heavy demands upon his time and energy that he has had no opportunity to take part in public affairs, but in successfully carrying on the work of cultivating the fields and raising stock he has not only won a sub- stantial competence for himself but has also contributed to the develop- ment of his locality along those lines.
LOUIS A. KOON.
Louis A. Koon, cashier of the Terril Savings Bank, is a native of Illinois, born in Clay county, August 2, 1882. He is a son of Charles J. and Louise (McMeans) Koon, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Illinois. They are now residents of Salem, Oregon, and are the parents of seven children, five of whom are still living.
Louis A. Koon was practically reared and educated in Ford county, Illinois, where he attended the common schools and was also graduated from a seminary. In 1908 he removed to Calhoun county, Iowa, where he
LOUIS A. KOON
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lived for two years and in 1910 came to Dickinson county. Here he purchased a farm and successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits for a time. He has bought and sold over two thousand acres of land in this locality and is still the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and sixty acres. In 1914 he became a resident of Terril and turned his attention to the banking business, becoming cashier of the Terril Savings Bank. In that capacity he is still serving and is regarded as one of the able finan- ciers of Dickinson county.
Mr. Koon was married in 1904 to Miss Martha Wood, a daughter of John and Martha Wood, both deceased. They have become the parents of five children, namely: L. Vernon, Mildred, Dorothy, and Clifford and Cleora, twins. Mr. and Mrs. Koon hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and he is quite prominent in fraternal circles, being a member of the Blue Lodge No. 612, A. F. & A. M., at Terril, in which he has filled all the chairs. He has also taken the degree of the Royal Arch chapter and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Both in business and social circles he stands high, and he is today recognized as one of the foremost citizens of Terril.
JOHN W. GEISSINGER.
Since 1881 John W. Geissinger has been a resident of Dickinson county and he bore an important part in its early development, espe- cially along agricultural lines, owning and operating a fine farm in West- port township. At the present time, however, he is living retired in Milford, enjoying a well-earned rest. He was born on the 13th of Decem- ber, 1835, in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, of which state his par- ents, John and Jane (Barrick) Geissinger, were also natives. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, died in Pennsylvania in 1886, and the mother passed away there in 1870.
In the Keystone state John W. Geissinger grew to manhood, his early life being devoted to the acquirement of an education and to assisting in the operation of the home farm. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-six years of age, giving his father the benefit of his serv- ices, and then commenced farming on his own account. In 1881 he came to Dickinson county, Iowa, and after operating rented land for several years purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Westport township. He improved and cultivated that tract until 1902, when he sold the place and retired. The following ten years were spent in Spencer but since that time he has made his home in Milford, where he owns a nice resi- dence, and surrounded by all the comforts of life is spending his last days in ease, free from the cares of business life.
On the 13th of June, 1861, was celebrated the marriae of Mr. Geis- singer and Miss Mary Boden, a daughter of Mathew and Margaret Boden, who were natives of Scotland. The father died in Ireland prior
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to the emigration of the family to America, but the mother came to this country with her children and located in Lewisburg, Union county, Penn- sylvania. She passed away in that state in 1900. To Mr. and Mrs. Geissinger have been born ten children, namely: Anna, now the wife of Henry Herrick, of Grimes, Iowa; Mattie, the wife of Frank Ewen, a farmer of Dickinson county; Ida, who died at the age of a year and a half; Irvin, a resident of California; Flora, a resident of Milford, and the widow of Reuben Donaldson, who was killed in an automobile acci- dent ; Margaret, the wife of A. W. Hall, of Canada; Alonzo, also a resi- dent of Canada; Mary E., who died at the age of six months; Clara, who died in 1902 at the age of twenty-four years; and John D., a physician of Spirit Lake, Iowa.
The Republican party finds in Mr. Geissinger a stanch supporter of its principles and while a resident of Westport township served for six years as township assessor and was also a member of the school board. In religious faith he is a Methodist and has tried to conform his life to the principles of that church. During his long residence in Dickinson county he has made a host of warm friends and wherever known is held in the highest regard.
MILTON MAHAN KNAPP.
Milton Mahan Knapp, division freight agent at Estherville for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway Company, has a notable record of faithful and continuous railroad service, having never lost a day's salary during the last forty-four years. He was born August 6, 1851, near Larue, Marion county. Ohio, a son of Calvin Williams and Emily (Gilmer) Knapp. He is a representative of the eighth generation of the descendants of Nicholas Knapp, who emigrated from England to Ameri- ca in 1630 and settled in Watertown, Massachusetts, with Governor Win- throp's second installment of colonists to Massachusetts. Early records, covering the years 1279 and 1280, show the name to have been of Saxon origin.
Milton M. Knapp acquired a country school education and when a youth of seventeen years entered the telegraph office at Larue, Ohio, on the 19th of October, 1868. He was afterward employed in various locali- ties as telegraph operator and station agent and on the 11th of August, 1873, he was appointed train dispatcher and superintendent of telegraph for the Davenport & St. Paul Railroad Company at Davenport, Iowa, in which position he remained until 1879, when the railroad was absorbed. He was next appointed agent for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul at Sabula, Iowa, and served as agent for the same railway at Davenport, Iowa, from 1882 until September 9, 1884, when he received the appointment of agent of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railway at Luverne, Minnesota. His next appointment, received on the
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25th of August, 1885, made him traveling freight agent for the same road, and in 1886 he became traveling passenger agent. On the 1st of March, 1889, he was appointed chief clerk in the general freight office at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and on the 4th of January, 1891, was advanced to the position of general agent at Davenport, Iowa. On the 1st of Sep- tember, 1893, he was appointed division freight agent, which position he still retains, with headquarters at Estherville. Forty-four years of continuous service without a day's loss of salary indicates a record that is indeed most commendable. His fidelity stands as an unquestioned fact in his career, as does his capability, for great corporations like the rail- road companies do not retain incompetent men in their employ. Added duties and responsibilities have come to him with his various promotions and his powers have been found adequate to every task imposed upon him.
On the 20th of September, 1877, at Davenport, Iowa, Mr. Knapp was united in marriage to Miss Jessie C. Randall and they have a daughter, Mabel R., who was married August 17, 1905, to Alexander Johnston, of Estherville, by whom she has one child, Virginia Knapp Johnston, born November 26, 1912.
In his political views Mr. Knapp has always been a stalwart Repub- lican, but not an office seeker. He belongs to North Star Lodge, No. 445, F. & A. M., of which he served one term as senior warden, and he was enrolled as the second charter member of Estherville Lodge, No. 528, B. P. O. E. He is today one of the best known representatives of rail- road interests in the state with a record unsurpassed for faithful and loyal service.
O. C. OLSON.
O. C. Olson, who is actively connected with farming interests in High Lake township, Emmet county, his home being on section 15, owns and cultivates two hundred and seventy-five acres of rich and valuable land. He was born in Norway, March 8, 1866, and is a son of Colman and Carrie Olson. The mother died in the land of the midnight sun and the father afterward came to the United States but has now passed away. In their family were eight children, seven of whom are yet living.
O. C. Olson was a lad of twelve years when he accompanied his father to the United States and through much of the time until he attained his majority he was employed at farm labor. After reaching man's estate he was married in 1892 to Miss Tena Peterson, a native of Emmet county and a daughter of William and Carrie Peterson, who were also natives of Norway, but became pioneer residents of Emmet county and homesteaded in High Lake township. They lived for a time in a log cabin and met the usual hardships and privations incident to
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settlement on the frontier. Both the father and mother are now de- ceased. Their family numbered eight children, of whom five are yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Olson became the parents of seven children, Clar- ence L., Blanche L., Lloyd P., Artie A., Myrtle A., Orlando 1. and Nor- man R., but Artie A., the fourth in order of birth, is deceased.
Following his marriage Mr. Olson began farming on his own account on rented land, which he continued to lease for eight years, but during that period he carefully saved his earnings until his industry and economy had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase the farm where he now resides, situated on the south half of section 15, High Lake township. He owns altogether two hundred and seventy-five acres of rich and productive land, from which he annually gathers good crops. He is also a stockholder and one of the directors of the Farmers' elevator at Wallingford and his business interests have been so wisely and care- fully conducted that he is now numbered among the substantial citizens of his part of the state.
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