USA > Iowa > Dickinson County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 14
USA > Iowa > Emmet County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 14
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38
On the 10th of February, 1869, Mr. Kessey was united in marriage to Miss Emma Zink, a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Grayborne) Zink, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of England. On coming to Iowa, Mr. Zink located in Plymouth Rock, Winneshiek county, where
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he engaged in blacksmithing until 1871, when he removed to Milford at the time Mr. Kessey also settled there, but the former was not long per- mitted to enjoy his new home for he passed away the same year, being accidently killed. Mrs. Zink long survived him, dying December 8, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Kessey have two children : Henry Curtis, now a resident of Victor, Colorado; and Orville B., who is conducting a bank at Springfield, Oregon.
Politically, Mr. Kessey affiliates with the republican party, and he has served as trustee and treasurer of Milford township, Dickinson county. In religious faith he is a Congregationalist. During his early life he worked untiringly until prosperity crowned his efforts and he is justly entitled to the rest he is now enjoying. He is one of the representative citizens of his community and is held in high regard by all who know him.
NIELS CHRIS NIELSEN.
Niels Chris Nielsen, a retired farmer residing in Ringsted, was born in Denmark on the 28th of October, 1855, of the marriage of Niels and Johanna (Christensen) Nielsen. The father passed away in that country in 1857 and in 1871 the mother came to the United States and spent the remainder of her life here, dying in Parkersburg, Iowa.
Niels C. Nielsen was reared and educated in Denmark but his op- portunities for schooling were very meager as when seven years of age he had to begin earning his own living, his father having died when he was but two years old. In 1874, when nineteen years old, he came to America and for three years worked on farms near Parkersburg, Iowa. During that period he carefully saved his money and at length was able to rent a farm, which he operated for two years. The following summer he was again employed as a farm hand but in the autumn he went to Cedar Falls, Iowa, where he was connected with a flour mill for three years. The next seventeen years were devoted to the operation of rented land, but in 1900 he came to Emmet county, Iowa, and took up his resi- dence upon a farm belonging to his wife. There he successfully engaged in farming and stock raising until 1912, when, having accumulated a competence, he retired from active life and built a comfortable residence in Ringsted, where he has since lived. He is a stockholder in the Farm- ers Elevator Company at Ringsted and also in the opera house here.
On the 4th of March, 1881, Mr. Nielsen was united in marriage to Miss Christina Oster, who passed away in 1898. She was the mother of five children, namely: Andrew, who is the proprietor of a hotel in Ring- sted; Mary, the wife of John Timmion, of Cedar Falls; Alfred, who is farming in Denmark township, this county; William, who died in 1894; and Elvina, the wife of Fred Timmion, who is living near Cedar Falls. In January, 1901, Mr. Nielson was married to Mrs. Christina (Kroh),
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Schultz, widow of Peter Schultz, by whom she had four children, John, Anna, Ole and Betilda C. Mr. Schultz, who was one of the first settlers in Denmark township, purchased land here which he cultivated until his death in 1895.
Mr. Nielsen supports the republican party at the polls and for the past twelve years has been road superintendent of Denmark township. He is a member of the Lutheran church and is also identified with Den- marks Minde, a society composed of those of Danish descent.
THADDEUS S. HAYS.
In the death of Thaddeus S. Hays, Emmet county mourned the loss of one of its valued and representative citizens, for he was long identified with business and financial interests in the county and was ever found loyal and faithful to the trust reposed in him. He was born in Prairie City, Illinois, in November, 1867, a son of Charles and Mattie (Loughry) Hays, who were natives of Pennsylvania and at an early day became residents of Illinois. While living in McDonough county, that state, the father served as county sheriff and accordingly became a resident of Macomb. Later he removed to Iowa and subsequently to South Dakota, where he filled the office of county treasurer.
Thaddeus S. Hays was largely reared and educated in Shenandoah, Iowa, and after putting aside his textbooks was appointed to the position of deputy county treasurer under his father at Woonsocket, South Dakota. After retiring from that position he entered a bank there and later re- moved to Chicago, where he was employed in the collection department of Deering & Company for four years. When that period had passed he went to Graettinger, Iowa, where he engaged in the banking business but later removed to Armstorng, where he became cashier of the Arm- strong State Bank and one of its large stockholders. He continued to act in that official capacity throughout his remaining days and was not quite thirty-seven years of age when, after an illness of less than a week, he passed away in August, 1904. In addition to his business interests at Armstrong he was the vice president of a bank at Dolliver and director of the bank at Winnebago, Iowa, and he also owned considerable farm land in Kossuth and Emmet counties.
It was on the 3d of June, 1896, that Mr. Hays was united in mar- riage to Miss Hannah L. Gaarder, a daughter of Harry and Bergitte (Leerberg) Gaarder, who were natives of Norway, whence they came to the new world in early life. The father was a farmer and engaged in tilling the soil for many years. Eventually he became a resident of Graettinger, Iowa, and in that vicinity purchased land which he rented. He died in 1901, while his wife passed away in Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Hays became the parents of three children, Gladys, Francis and Thaddeus S., all of whom are attending school, the eldest being now a college stu-
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dent in Huron, South Dakota. Mrs. Hays has taken up the management of her husband's business interests. She has been a stockholder and one of the directors of the Armstrong State Bank for the past twelve years and she has valuable property holdings which return to her a most grati- fying income. Her residence is one of the most beautiful homes of Arm- strong and is the abode of warm-hearted hospitality.
In all of his business career Mr. Hays was thoroughly reliable as well as enterprising and his activities measured up to the highest stan- dards. He ever assisted in movements for the benefit and welfare of his community and he served as a member of the town council of Armstrong and also as a member of the school board. His political allegiance was given to the republican party. Fraternally, he was a Mason and a Knight of Pythias, while his religious faith was that of the Presbyterian church, While devoted to the public welfare and to the interests of his friends, his best traits of character were ever reserved for his own home and fireside and there he was a most devoted husband and father, counting no sacrifice on his part too great if it would enhance the happiness and welfare of his wife and children.
WILLIAM A. KERR.
William A. Kerr, who since 1910 has been manager and is one of the stockholders of the Estherville branch of the Spurbeck-Lambert Cream- ery Supply Company of Algona, Iowa, was born at Eagle Center, this state, on the 12th of April, 1875, a son of William and Eliza (McMurray) Kerr, who were natives of Ireland and New York respectively. Through the period of his youth William A. Kerr attended the common schools and worked upon his father's farm until he reached the age of sixteen years, when he secured a position in a tin shop, with which he was con- nected until 1906. He worked his way gradually upward in that busi- ness and during the last three years of the time was proprietor of the shop. In 1906 and 1907 he was employed in a hardware store at Ban- croft and in the latter year he entered the employ of the Spurbeck-Lam- bert Creamery Supply Company of Algona, Iowa. In 1910 he was made manager of the Estherville branch of the business and is now one of the stockholders in this company, which is operating extensively along the line indicated and controls a large and gratifying business. This com- pany was incorporated as an Algona concern in 1892 but the original owners are now deceased, their plants being taken over by others, Mr. Kerr being now vice president. The company manufactures butter tubs, tanks, etc., and handles a complete line of creamery supplies of all kinds. They find an excellent market in Iowa, which is so largely given to dairy- ing, and their trade now covers a wide territory.
In 1900 Mr. Kerr was united in marriage to Miss Lotta Bliss, a daughter of A. E. and Charlotte (Liscum) Bliss, then of Fenton, Iowa,
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WILLIAM A. KERR
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but later of Bismarck, North Dakota. The father has now passed away, his remains having been interred at Springdale, Arkansas, but the mother is yet living and makes her home at Bismarck. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr have become the parents of a son, William, who was born in 1901.
Mr. Kerr exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and exemplifies in his life the beneficent spirit upon which that organization is based. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church and his has been an upright, honorable life actuated by good purposes and fraught with kindly deeds.
GUNDER MATHESON.
Gunder Matheson, an honored pioneer and one of the substantial citizens of Dickinson county now living retired in Milford, was born on the 27th of August, 1838, in Norway. His parents, Mathes and Magde- line Matheson, spent their entire lives in the land of the midnight sun. The father, who was a fisherman and farmer by occupation, died in 1860, and the mother passed away in 1847.
In his native land Gunder Matheson grew to manhood, receiving the usual educational advantages afforded in that country at that time, and he remained with his father until 1857, when he decided to try his for- tune on this side of the Atlantic. After reaching the United States he spent two months in Chicago and then went to Michigan, where he worked in the pineries for one year. The following winter was spent in Winne- shiek county, Iowa, and in 1859 he came to Dickinson county, where he has since made his home. On his arrival here he homesteaded eighty acres of land in Okoboji township, which he at once began to improve, and he also bought an adjoining eighty acre tract. Upon his place he erected the largest log house in the county and as time passed made many improvements upon his farm, which he continued to operate until 1900. He then retired from active labor and removed to Milford, where he has built one of the finest residences in the town.
On the 7th of July, 1866, Mr. Matheson married Miss Anna Larson, who was born in Norway, June 11, 1847, and is the oldest daughter of Nels and Sarah Larson. When she was five years of age the family emi- grated to America and settled in Wisconsin, but in 1865 removed to Jack- son county, Minnesota, where Mr. Larson followed farming throughout the remainder of his life, dying there in 1881. His wife passed away in 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Matheson have three children. Anna, born January 17, 1868, is now the life of Carl Thorstenson of Milford and they have seven children, Kella, Selma, Tilen, Nanson, Rowell, Milford and Gunder. Daniel, born June 30 1870, is married and living in Montana. He has one child, Lloyd. Tilda, born December 22, 1876, is the wife of John Amundson, who is now operating Mr. Matheson's farm in Dickinson
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county, and they have eight children, Geno, Inga, Justin, Isabelle, Alton, Rose, Harold and Roweld.
Feeling that his adopted country needed his services during the Civil war, Mr. Matheson enlisted at Spirit Lake in 1861 in Company A, Seventh lowa Cavalry, and was mustered in at Sioux City. Later his command was changed to Company I. In the spring of 1863 his regiment, together with the Sixth Iowa Cavalry and the Second Nebraska Cavalry, were sent to quiet the Indian uprising at White Stone Hill in the Devils Lake country of North Dakota. At the end of his first term Mr. Matheson re- enlisted, in the fall of 1864 and remained in the service for three years and forty days, most of that time being spent in the north keeping the Indians in subjection. He is today an honored member of Waller Post, G. A. R., at Milford, and has been a stanch supporter of the republican party since casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. Both he and his wife are faithful members of the Lutheran church and stand high in the community where they reside. Three times they have re- turned to Norway on visits and although they thoroughly enjoyed these trips, they have never regretted their emigration to America for here they have prospered and made for themselves and family a most com- fortable home. Although now seventy-eight years of age, Mr. Matheson has not a gray hair on his head and has the vigor and strength of a man much younger. He has always taken a commendable interest in the affairs of his community and served as school director and trustee of Okoboji township while living in the country. He is a stockholder and director of the First National Bank of Milford and is one of the repre- sentative citizens of his community, a man honored and esteemed wherever known.
HENRY PETERS. -
Henry Peters, living on section 11, Lloyd township, is one of the representative farmers of Dickinson county. He claims Germany as his native land, his birth there occurring September 8, 1850, his parents being Christ and Margaret (Meyer) Peters. The father died in Germany in 1868 and two years later the mother came to America with her two daugh- ters and her son Henry. The family located in Will county, Illinois, where her death occurred.
After residing in Will county, Illinois, for about twelve years, Henry Peters removed to Otter county, Nebraska, where the following five years were spent, and in 1894 he came to Dickinson county, Iowa. Ten years previous to this he had purchased his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Lloyd township from the Milwaukee Railroad, and on locating upon his property gave his undivided attention to its culti- vation and improvement. He is a man of good business and executive ability and in his farming operations has met with most excellent success.
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While residing in Will county, Illinois, Mr. Peters was married in 1884 to Miss Mary Hahn, also a native of Germany, and they became the parents of four children, three of whom are still living, namely : Henry, at home; Minnie, the wife of Henry Ernst, of Lloyd township; and Elizabeth, also at home. The mother of these children died in the early '90s and in 1896 Mr. Peters was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Polso, of Will county, who was also born in Germany. There are four children by this union, Christ, John, Annie and Herman, all at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Peters hold membership in the Lutheran church and have a wide circle of friends and acquaintances throughout Dickinson county. By his ballot Mr. Peters supports the men and measures of the republican party, and he takes an active and commendable interest in the welfare of his adopted country.
JENS J. RAVN.
The population of Denmark township consists chiefly of farmers and among them is numbered Jens J. Ravn, whose progressiveness and hard work have gained him a substantial competence. He was born in Denmark on the 29th of November, 1867, and is a son of Hans Jensen and Signe (Hansdatter) Ravn. The father was during his active days a maker of wooden shoes and was also known as a violinist. He is still living at the age of seventy-seven but the mother died when sixty-seven years old.
Jens J. Ravn, who is one of a family of four children, attended the common schools until he was fourteen years old, when he was confirmed. For the next three years he worked as a bricklayer, but when only seven- teen years old, came alone to the United States and settled in Armstrong Grove township, Emmet county, Iowa. After working as a farm hand for several years he cultivated rented land in Denmark township for six years, during that time carefully saving his money, as it was his ambi- tion to become a landowner. At length he bought the north half of the northwest quarter of section 15 and has since operated that place. He has made a number of improvements thereon, carefully conserves the fertility of the soil and keeps everything in excellent condition.
On the 22d of March, 1892, Mr. Ravn was married to Miss Helena Marie Gaarde, a daughter of A. N. and Anna Marie Gaarde, who were among the early settlers of Denmark township, living for a number of years upon the farm that is now the home of Mr. Ravn. They are both deceased and are buried in St. Paul's cemetery. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Ravn are nine in number, namely: Hans Martin, Myrtie Jensina, Ralph Peter, Adella Marie, Esther Martina, Arna Sievert, Lehmann Chris- tian, Velinda Andrea and Brady Gordon.
Mr. Ravn does not consider himself bound by party ties but casts
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his ballot independently. He is identified with the Danish Brotherhood, thus keeping in touch with others of his race, and in religious faith is a Danish Lutheran, holding membership in St. John's church. His has been a life of hard work intelligently directed and the prosperity which is now his is well deserved.
GLENN L. REISINGER.
Glenn L. Reisinger is widely and prominently known as one of the extensive stock raisers of Emmet county and his home in pleasantly and conveniently located on sections 26 and 35, Center township, where he has four hundred acres of rich and valuable land, constituting one of the best farms of this district. In its management and control he displays excellent business ability and his plans are always' carefully considered and promptly executed. He is a native of the neighboring state of Illi- nois, his birth having occurred at Baileyville on the 12th of July, 1866, his parents being Peter and Priscilla Reisinger, who were natives of Ohio and Canada respectively. The father was a blacksmith by trade.
Glenn L. Reisinger was reared by his grandparents between the ages of six and nine years, or from 1872 until 1875, and afterward remained with relatives until he reached the age of thirteen. He then started out independently and has since earned his living through persistent, able and determined effort. He continued to work as a farm hand for others until he reached the age of twenty-two years, when, desirous of engaging in business for himself, he rented land in Grundy county about 1888.
Mr. Reisinger was united in marriage March 5, 1891, to Miss Mar- garet Smith, a daughter of Thomas H. and Eliza (Dulbert) Smith, then of Smith county, Kansas, but afterward residents of Grundy county, Iowa. The mother departed this life in March, 1908, and was laid to rest in the cemetery at Reinbeck, Iowa, while the father made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Don Spaulding, of Center township, Emmet county, until his death, which there occurred December 18, 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Reisinger have become the parents of five children. Wesley E., of Gruver, Iowa, married Leona Stagg, a daughter of Dr. W. A. Stagg, of Esther- ville, and they have a son, Glenn William. The other members of the family are Vera E., Rex Thomas, Ralph W. and Ruby B., all at home.
The family residence is situated on section 26, Center township, and theirs is one of the fine farms of the county, being equipped with sub- stantial buildings and the latest improved facilities for promoting farm work. Mr. Reisinger makes stock raising an important feature of his business and is now extensively engaged in raising cattle, horses and hogs. His life has been one of untiring industry intelligently directed. He has made each move and investment count for the utmost and as the years have passed his labors have brought the substantial results which
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his laudable ambition sought. At the same time he has been appre- ciative of the opportunities of citizenship and had aided in many plans for the public good. He votes with the republican party and for three years he filled the office of county supervisor. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church and his fellow townsmen recognize in him a man whom to know is to trust and honor.
WILLIAM WERTZ.
William Wertz was well known in Emmet county and his death on the 12th of November, 1909, was widely regretted and was recognized as a loss to his community. His birth occurred in Knox county, Ohio, December 16, 1839, but when seven years of age he was taken by his parents to Scott county, Iowa, where he remained until 1879. He then removed to the vicinity of West Branch, in Cedar county, and seven- teen years later, or in 1896, came to Emmet county, where he remained until his death. He was a man of ability and energy and his well directed efforts were rewarded by a gratifying success. He was laid to rest in the cemetery in Iowa City.
In 1870 Mr. Wertz married Miss Julia A. Waldron, who was born in Pennsylvania. Her parents, John L. and Elizabeth (Stewart) Wal- dron, were natives respectively of the Keystone state and of Ohio, but in 1856 removed to the vicinity of Iowa City, Iowa, where both passed away. To them were born six children and by her marriage Mrs. Wertz became the mother of five children, all of whom survive. She is a woman of fine business ability and now owns and manages the Dolliver Telephone Company. She is thoroughly conversant with the details of the business and keeps in close touch with what is being done in all phases of the work. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and her support can be counted upon to further movements seek- ing the moral advancement of the community.
JOHN H. MORRICE.
John H. Morrice, a stockholder and the manager of the Farmers' elevator at Wallingford, belongs to that class of men who have based their success upon industry and resolute purpose. He is a native of Scotland, his birth having occurred in Aberdeenshire on the 9th of August, 1874, his parents being James and Elizabeth Morrice. The father was a sailor.
Spending his youthful days in his native country, John H. Morrice pursued his education in the common schools and in a business college of Scotland and when twenty-two years of age determined to seek his
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fortune in the new world, at which time he crossed the Atlantic to the United States. He did not tarry on the eastern coast but at once made his way to Emmet county, Iowa, and for three years was employed as a farm hand near Estherville. He then returned to Scotland, where he remained for six months, and then again came to the new world, accept- ing a position at an elevator at Wallingford in the employ of Joseph Hardy, there remaining for ten years. He afterwards spent two years as manager of an elevator at Graettinger, Iowa, and in 1907 he returned to Wallingford, where he has since had the management of the Farmers' elevator, of which he is one of the stockholders. He has carried on this business continuously now for the past ten years, carefully and wisely directing the interests of the elevator, in which connection he has built up a big grain trade, furnishing a market to a large percentage of the producers in this section. He is thoroughly familiar with every phase of the grain business and long experience and sound judgment have contributed to his success. He is also secretary and manager of the Wallingford Telephone Company.
In 1902 Mr. Morrice was united in marriage to Miss Laura Ever- son. Her parents were residents of High Lake township, but are now deceased, their remains having been interred in Riverside cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Morrice have two children, Leroy and Victor.
Mr. Morrice belongs to the Modern Woodmen Camp, No. 4740, at Wallingford, also to the Loyal Order of Moose and to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks at Estherville. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and at the present time he is serving as justice of the peace in Wallingford. He also belongs to the Presbyterian church and his has been an honorable, upright life characterized by many admirable qualities which have won for him the friendship and kindly regard for those with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.
DAVID DUNDAS.
David Dundas, who is farming on section 10, Armstrong Grove township, Emmet county, has been a witness of the development of the county since an early period in its history and has done his part in bringing about its advancement along agricultural lines. He was born in Canada in 1849 and is a son of James and Anna (McFadden) Dundas, natives respectively of Scotland and Ireland, although the mother was also of Scotch descent. They emigrated to the Dominion in an early day and the father cultivated land there for many years. At length he went to DeKalb county, Illinois, whence in 1865 he removed with his family to Kossuth county, Iowa. After farming there for five years he came to Emmet county, Iowa, and bought land in Armstrong Grove township and also took up a homestead there. He operated his farm
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