USA > Iowa > Dickinson County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 16
USA > Iowa > Emmet County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 16
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Niels J. Nielsen, who was the third in order of birth of the four children born to the first marriage of his mother, attended the public schools until he was confirmed and later was for seven months a student at a military school. After leaving that institution he worked upon farms until he was thirty years old, when he came to the United States and located at Reinbeck, Iowa. For about two years he was employed as a farm hand but in 1902 rented a farm in Emmet county, near Dolliver, which he cultivated until 1911. He then purchased eighty acres in Swan Lake township and a year later bought the east half of the northeast quarter of section 7, Denmark township, upon which he has since resided. The excellent condition of the place is evidence of his good management and he realizes a gratifying profit from the sale of his grain and stock.
It was in 1904 that Mr. Nielsen was married, his bride being Miss Anne Enemark, a daughter of Peter and Henrietta Enemark, residents of Copenhagen, Denmark. Mr. and Mrs. Nielsen have three children, Gerda. Henrietta and Robert.
Mr. Nielsen does not consider himself bound by party ties but votes for the candidate whom he deems best fitted to discharge the duties of the office in question. He holds membership in St. John's Danish Luth- eran church and is also identified with the Danish Brotherhood. When he began his independent career he was empty handed but was determ- ined to succeed and as the years have passed his resources have steadily increased until he is now in comfortable circumstances.
REV. JOHN R. HORSWELL.
Rev. John R. Horswell, one of the well known and valued residents of Emmet county now living retired in Estherville, was born in England, May 13, 1846, a son of Richard and Mary Ann (Wood) Horswell, both of whom were natives of England. They crossed the Atlantic to Canada about 1849 and there resided for twelve years, after which they returned to England, where they again lived for six years. On the expiration of that period they went once more to Canada, where they settled in 1867. The mother contracted cholera on the journey and died in Kingston, Can- ada, soon after their arrival. In the year 1869 the Rev. John R. Horswell came to the United States, establishing his home in Humboldt, Iowa, and in the fall of the same year he was joined by his father, who, after living in Humboldt for two years, learned of a homestead in Emmet county adjoining Armstrong which had been abandoned by a former settler. Mr. Horswell accordingly came to Emmet county and filed on the homestead, which he continued to occupy up to the time of his death. He was in his ninety-fourth year when he passed away on the 4th of August, 1915,
REV. AND MRS. JOHN R. HORSWELL
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and he remained very active to the last, being a remarkably well pre- served man.
Rev. John R. Horswell acquired his education in the common schools, supplemented by academic training in England, and there he prepared for the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church. He entered upon ministerial work in Canada in 1868 and soon afterward came to Iowa. For thirty years he was identified with the Des Moines annual conference, his first charge being at Humboldt, Iowa. After the mission was opened from Manson to Storm Lake on the Illinois Central Railroad, Rev. Hors- well established churches at various points from Manson to Alta and he was the first Methodist Episcopal minister at Storm Lake. For many years thereafter he was one of the well known preachers in the state, working zealously and untiringly for the advancement of the cause. His labors were not denied the full harvest nor the aftermath and constituted a most forceful factor in the moral progress of the districts in which he labored. In 1895 he entered into superannuated relations with the church and removed to his farm in Emmet county which he had previously pur- chased. Through the following eighteen years he devoted himself to agricultural pursuits and thereby regained his health, which had become impaired through close confinement in church work. He made a spe- cialty of raising cattle while upon the farm and was one of the first to recognize how much it would mean to the community to produce a better grade of cattle. He built up a herd of thoroughbred Aberdeen Angus cattle and was the first man to exhibit from Emmet county at the state fair and at the International Stock Show, receiving premiums at both shows. The herd which he sold at the time he retired from active busi- ness brought about ten thousand dollars. He had become recognized as one of the foremost stockmen of his part of the state and he had proven his ability not only through contributing to the moral development of his community but also by aiding in its material progress. He was very suc- cessful in his farming and cattle raising interests and acquired eight hundred acres of land, but has since disposed of four hundred acres by sale and by division among his sons.
On the 20th of December, 1871, Rev. Horswell was married to Miss Susan C. Murton, of Kingston, Ontario, and to them were born six chil- dred, four sons and two daughters: Ulysses M., now a practicing physi- cian of Wausaukee, Wisconsin; Abigail, a teacher in Bennet Academy at Mathiston, Mississippi; John S., who follows farming near Harris, Iowa ; Floy Georgetta, the wife of H. H. Hansen, of Estherville, Iowa; Joy R., who is engaged in the real estate business at Estherville; and Hugo W., who is operating the home farm.
Rev. Horswell's more recent public work in this county has been the organization of the Emmet County Farm Improvement Association, which employs a graduate of the State Agricultural College, who keeps in close touch with the farming interests and works for more intensive cul- tivation and for better farming methods generally. After the organiza- tion Rev. Horswell was chosen president, in which capacity he is now
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serving. The society is proving a most potent force in Emmet county in raising the standards and improving the methods of farming and splendid results are being achieved thereby. He was also instrumental in the organization of the Emmet County Fair Association and in secur- ing the passage of a bill whereby twelve thousand dollars was voted for the purchase of a tract of land of sixty acres adjoining the city of Esther- ville. This was done at the November election of 1916, the grounds to be ready for exhibition purposes in the fall of 1917. Rev. Horswell is a member of the board of directors of the Fair Association and he is like- wise secretary and a member of the board of directors of the Esther- ville Free Public Library. In politics he is a republican and has been importuned to accept the nomination for state representative but has declined the honor. Emmet county places his name high on the roll of its foremost citizens, recognizing the value and worth of his work in advancing higher standards for the material, intellectual, social and moral development of the community.
EDWARD E. OLSON.
Edward E. Olson, actively and prominently identified with agricul- tural interests in Emmet county, is now living on section 8, High Lake township, where he has a well-improved farm of eighty acres. He was born in Story county, Iowa, November 6, 1869, and is a son of Jeremiah and Inger (Danielson) Olson, the former a native of Norway and the latter of Lasalle county, Illinois. When a lad of twelve years Jeremiah Olson came to the new world and for some time lived in Chicago, after which he became a resident of Story county, Iowa, in 1864. There he took up his abode upon a farm which he still owns and occupies, and throughout the intervening period his time and energies have been con- tinuously, carefully and successfully devoted to agricultural pursuits. In 1910 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away leaving a husband and six children to mourn her loss.
Edward E. Olson, spending his youthful days upon the old home farm in Story county, there pursued his early education and when not busy with his textbooks assisted in the work of the fields, becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He later attended Red Wing Seminary for two years and Tilford Collegiate Academy at Vinton, Iowa, for one year. After reaching manhood he rented a farm in Story county and there resided until 1899, when he removed to Estherville and purchased a feed yard, which he conducted for two years. He then sold out that business and returned to Story county, where he occupied a rented farm for three years. He next removed to Hamilton county, Iowa, where he remained for four years, after which he purchased a farm in Dickinson county, Iowa, upon which he lived for two years. Subsequently he sold that property and went to Winnebago
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county, this state, where he purchased a farm which he owned for three years. He then sold out and bought the farm on which he now lives on section 8, High Lake township, Emmet county, comprising eighty acres of rich and productive land. His time and attention have since been given to its further development and improvement and he is now devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits there. He also owns one hun- dred and sixty acres of land in Hyde county, South Dakota.
In 1901 Mr. Olson was united in marriage to Miss Mary Lein, who was born in Story county, Iowa, a daughter of Thor A. and Christie (Ingerbritson) Lein, who were natives of Norway and in early life came to the new world, settling first in Illinois, whence they afterward removed to Story county. The father, who loyally served his adopted country as a soldier in the Civil war and in days of peace, was equally devoted to the welfare of America, has now passed away. His widow survives and is now living in Estherville. In their family were nine children, six of whom are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Olson have become parents of three chil- dren: Charlotte, born May 30, 1902; Jeremiah T., born October 14, 1904; and Eugene Marion, born August 31, 1907.
Mr. and Mrs. Olson are members of the Lutheran church and are ever loyal to its teachings. In politics he is a republican and for two years he ยท filled the office of assessor. His entire life has been spent in Iowa and practically throughout the entire period he has been identified with farming interests, being now a well-known representative of agricul- tural activity in Emmet county.
PETER L. PETERSEN.
Peter L. Petersen, who is living retired in Ringsted, has a wide acquaintance throughout the county and is recognized as a man of many sterling qualities. During his active life he engaged in farming and won a competence that enables him to enjoy a period of leisure. His birth occurred in Denmark on the 25th of November, 1852, and he is a son of Lars and Maria (Schot) Petersen, who passed their entire lives in that country. The father was a cabinetmaker and also followed agricultural pursuits.
Peter L. Petersen, the eldest in a family of seven children, obtained his education in Denmark and when nineteen years old came alone to the United States. For four years he was employed in Greenwich, Connec- ticut, and in New York city, but in 1876 removed to Clinton, Iowa, and for a decade worked as a cabinetmaker in that city. In the spring of 1886 he purchased eighty acres of raw land in Denmark township, Emmet county, and for a quarter of a century concentrated his energies upon the cultivation and improvement of his farm. He was enterprising and progressive and as the years passed his resources steadily increased and
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he now ranks among the substantial men of Ringsted, where he has lived since 1911.
In 1875 occurred the marriage of Mr. Petersen and Miss Christine Ganderup. She is a daughter of Hans and Catherine Ganderup, who resided in Stamford, Connecticut, for a number of years but eventually removed to Clinton, Iowa, where both passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Petersen have been born four children, two of whom died in infancy. L. A. married Clara Geronsin, a daughter of George Geronsin, who has resided successively in Clinton, Iowa, in Denmark township, Emmet county, and in Harris, Iowa, his present home. To this union have been born two children : Georgia, whose birth occurred in 1910; and Lawrence, born in 1914. L. A. Petersen is engaged in the furniture and jewelry business in Ringsted and fraternally is well known, belonging to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Loyal Order of Moose and the Danish Brotherhood. Anna M., the other surviving child of Peter L. Petersen, is now the wife of Sophus J. Lund, of Denmark township.
Mr. Petersen is a democrat in his political views and was for twelve years township assessor, for one term township trustee and is now town assessor. He served as school director for a number of years and has never ceased to feel a lively interest in educational affairs. His religious faith is that of the Danish Lutheran church and fraternally he is con- nected with the Danish Brotherhood lodge at Ringsted, of which he is now treasurer. The hope of success in this comparatively new country with large opportunities which led him to emigrate to the United States as a youth of nineteen years has been fulfilled and he has thoroughly identified his interests with those of his, adopted country, becoming an American in spirit as well as in name.
JAY JOHNSTON.
Jay Johnston, an enterprising merchant of Estherville, is engaged in the sale of jewelry, drugs, wall paper and paints. He has always lived in this state and the spirit of western enterprise finds expression in his business career. He was born in New Hampton, Iowa, August 25, 1877, a son of A. W. and Margaret Johnston, both of whom are natives of this state, although representatives of old families of Pennsylvania of Scotch- Irish origin. The father is a carpenter by trade and he and his wife are still residents of New Hampton, Iowa. Their family numbered two sons and a daughter.
After pursuing his education in the public schools of his native city until he had completed the high school course, Jay Johnston entered the Highland Park College at Des Moines, while his practical experience in commercial circles came to him through an apprenticeship in a drug store at New Hampton. He came to Estherville in 1901 and entered the em- ploy of F. H. Richman, with whom he remained until 1903, when he
JAY JOHNSTON
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bought out the business, which he ha's since conducted at the same place, carrying a well selected line of drugs and jewelry, wall paper and paints. He is careful in the selection of his stock and his reasonable prices and fair dealing have won for him constantly increasing success.
On the 15th of June, 1904, Mr. Johnston was married to Miss Anna E. Callwell, a daughter of R. B. and Anna Callwell, both now deceased. Her father was a civil engineer. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnston has been born a son, George Barklie, who is now attending school. The religious faith of the parents is that of the Episcopal church.
Mr. Johnston exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and he belongs to the Commercial Club, thus manifesting his deep interest in the welfare and progress of his city. He has membership also with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is a prominent Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine. He has taken the degrees of the blue lodge, chapter, commandery and con- sistory and in the lodge has filled all the chairs, exemplifying in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft, which is based upon a recognition of the brotherhood of man and the obligations thereby imposed.
ISAAC N. SALYERS.
Isaac N. Salyers, a prominent contractor of Estherville, has borne an important part in the upbuilding and development of Emmet county, where he has now made his home for a third of a century. He was born near Athens, Missouri, February 28, 1862, and is the fifth in order of birth in a family of ten children. He is of good old Irish and Yankee stock, though his parents, William and Elmira (Phillips) Salyers, were both natives of Ohio. At an early day they removed to Appanoose county, Iowa, where the father purchased land and engaged in farming for thirty-two years. He spent his last days at the home of a daughter living near Greenridge, Missouri, and died March 2, 1917, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. He had six great-grand-children and one great-great-grand-child. During the Galveston flood his wife was crippled and remained an invalid the rest of her life, finally passing away in 1906. Her remains were interred at Windsor, Missouri.
At the usual age Isaac N. Salyers began his education in the district schools near his childhood home and continued his studies until seven- teen years of age. He remained under the parental roof until twenty and for two years worked at the carpenter's trade in Keokuk, Iowa. From that city he came to Estherville and has since done an extensive business as a building contractor. His first contract was the Smithberg residence on South Sixth street and he has since erected most of the important build- ings of he town, including the Coon block, the Armory, the Elks club house, the Methodist Episcopal church, the West Side school, the Oransky building, the postoffice and the residences of F. E. Allen and George Zee-
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man besides about two hundred and fifty others. Although he is still. engaged in business as a contractor he now handles automobile supplies and repairs as a side issue.
In 1881 Mr. Salyers married Miss Laura A. Leek, a daughter of Charles and Cynthia (Hull) Leek, who made their home near Keokuk, Iowa, where both died and were buried. Mr. and Mrs. Saylers have lost two children and have five living, namely: Clyde, who is married and living in Estherville; Mabel, now Mrs. R. N. Perkins, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Louis, Paul and Maurice, all at home.
The republican party finds in Mr. Salyers a stanch supporter of its principles and he holds membership in the Mystic Toilers of Des Moines and the Christian church. In business circles he occupies an enviable position owing to the confidence and trust reposed in him and the success that has crowned his efforts is certainly well deserved for he started out in life for himself empty handed and has gradually worked his way up- ward wholly by his own efforts. He is a man of keen insight and sound judgment as well as of reliable business methods and he always faithfully fulfills his part of any contract.
NELS PETERSON.
Nels Peterson, who is concentrating his energies upon the opera- tion of an excellent farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Denmark township, is a Dane by birth. His natal day was May 7, 1877, and his parents, Jens and Karen Peterson, never became residents of the United States, although the mother visited her son here for a year. The father had charge of one section of a government road and was conscientious and efficient in the discharge of his duties.
Nels Peterson, the fourth in order of birth of a family of seven children, attended the public schools until confirmed and later was employed at farm work until seventeen years old, when he came with his sister to Emmet county, Iowa. From 1894 until 1904 he worked as a hired hand in this county but at the end of that time purchased the south half of the southeast quarter of section 4, Denmark township, to which he subse- quently added the northwest quarter of that quarter, his present holdings comprising one hundred and twenty acres. The land is in a high state of cultivation, the buildings are substantial and of practical design and the appearance of the place bespeaks an energetic owner.
On the 28th of December, 1903, Mr. Peterson was united in mar- riage to Miss Bertha Rasmussen, whose parents, Lars and Kate Ras- mussen, were born in Denmark but emigrated to the United States. The mother died in New York when her daughter Bertha was very small and is interred there, but the father is still living and resides in Ringsted, lowa. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Peterson, namely, Anina, Carl, Viola, Berthina and Christina.
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Mr. Peterson is an advocate of republican principles and supports the candidates of that party when national issues are at stake but other- wise votes independently. He held the office of school director for four years and his support can be relied upon in the furtherance of any cause calculated to benefit the community. He belongs to St. Paul's Danish Lutheran church and his dominant qualities are such as invariably com- mand respect and esteem.
GEORGE H. BERGESON.
George H. Bergeson resides in Center township, Emmet county, where he owns a quarter section of land, and he also holds title to one hundred and sixty acres in Armstrong Grove township. Although he is now in very comfortable circumstances he began his independent career without capital and without the aid of influential friends. He was born in La Salle county, Illinois, March 13, 1870, a son of Berger and Ellen Ber- geson, natives of Norway. It was in 1856 that they came to America and located in Illinois, where the father became a landowner. Both passed away in that state. To them were born twelve children, of whom four are deceased.
George H. Bergeson is indebted to the common schools of La Salle county, Illinois, for his education and through assisting his father with the operation of the homestead gained valuable training in agriculural work. When twenty-two years of age he left home and rented a farm in Ham- ilton county, Iowa, belonging to his father. Eight years later he went to Norman county, Minnesota, and for three years operated land there which he owned. He then came to Emmet county, Iowa, and after renting land for six years purchased his present home farm, comprising one hundred and sixty acres on section 1, Center township. He has put in many rods of tiling, thus supplementing the natural drainage of the farm, and has also erected fine buildings, making his place one of the model farms of the locality. He prospered financially and at length purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 1, Armstrong Grove township, which is also well improved, and he gives his personal attention to the operation of both places. His life exemplifies the value of persistency and industry, for although he has been dependent solely upon his own resources since starting out in life as a young man, he is now one of the substantial farmers of his township.
Mr. Bergeson was married on the 12th of February, 1894, to Miss Hannah Williams, a native of Hamilton county, Iowa, and a daughter of Elling and Torber Williams, natives of Norway, who emigrated with their family to this country many years ago. The father is deceased but the mother is still living. Twelve children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bergeson, Bert E., Harvey G., Mabel, Laura E., Roy E., Archie O.,
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Amanda, Mildred I., Lester K., Theodore W., Georgia Henrietta and one who died in infancy.
Mr. Bergeson, who is a stalwart republican, takes an active interest in political affairs and is now serving as township trustee. Both he and his wife are communicants of the Lutheran church and its teachings con- stitute the principles which have governed their lives. Both are highly respected and their personal friends are many.
JAMES REFSELL.
James Refsell occupies a fine home in Wallingford, where he is now living retired in the enjoyment of a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. He was long prominently connected with agricultural interests in Emmet county and is still the owner of valuable farming property. He was born in Norway, July 31, 1860, a son of Ole and Mary (Paulson) Refsell, who were likewise natives of that country, where they resided until 1866 and then came to the new world, establishing their home upon a farm in Emmet county, Iowa. Here their remaining days were passed, the father devoting his energies to the development and improvement of his land until his demise, which occurred March 2, 1895. His widow survived him for several years, passing away in October, 1900. In their family were four children, all of whom are yet living.
James Refsell was a little lad of but six years when brought by his family to the new world, so that he was largely reared and educated in Emmet county, attending its common schools. He remained at home until he attained his majority and through that period gained broad experience in the work of the fields, so that he was well qualified to begin farming on his own account when at the age of twenty-one he started out in busi- ness independently. He first rented a farm and made further arrange- ments for having a home of his own by his marriage in 1886 to Miss Annie Osher, who was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, a daughter of Nels and Ingeborg (Nordam) Osher, who were natives of Norway and in 1850 came to the United States, establishing their home in Wisconsin. Subsequently they removed to Emmet county, Iowa, and settled on a farm where they continued to reside until called to their final rest.
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