USA > Iowa > Dickinson County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 19
USA > Iowa > Emmet County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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
Oscar N. Young, who was one of a family of six children divided his time between farm work and attendance at the district schools until seventeen years of age, after which his entire attention was given to the work of the fields on the old home place for four years longer. On attaining his majority he rented a farm in his native county and subse- quently purchased land there, which he cultivated until 1896. In that year he arrived in Emmet county and purchased a farm in Jack Creek township which at that time was a tract of raw prairie without improve- ments. His labors wrought an immediate transformation in the appearance of the place whereon he remained until 1905, when he removed to Ringsted to give his children the better opportunities of the public schools. In 1908 he returned to the farm but again took up his abode in Ringsted, after which he spent his winters in the city and the summer months on his farm near Winnipeg, Canada. He was one of the original directors of the Hoprig Creamery and his business judg- ment was a contributing element to the success of that undertaking. He was also a member of the board of directors of the Emmet County Mutual Insurance Company. His farm interests were carefully and wisely managed, bringing to him substantial success. He was a man of too great energy to be content without some business interest, and fol- lowing his removal to Ringsted, having purchased a large amount of stock in the Ringsted Bank, he was elected to its presidency and so continued until his demise.
On the 12th of February, 1888, Mr. Young was married to Miss Ada B. Kelly, a daughter of John and Kathryn (Gross) Kelly, who lived in Henry county, Iowa, for a considerable period but afterward removed to Mahaska county. Her father passed away but her mother still sur-
247
EMMET AND DICKINSON COUNTIES
vives. Mr. and Mrs. Young became the parents of three children : Edith, the wife of H. W. Jensen, of Ringsted; Blanche, a teacher in the public schools of Sioux Falls; and Harry L., who is a student in the Iowa College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts at Ames.
Mr. Young was a stalwart supporter of the republican party and held a number of township offices, although he was not a politician, preferring to give the greater part of his time and attention to the management of his business affairs. Since her husband's death Mrs. Young has had the management of his interests, in which work she displays most creditable ability. She owns a half section of land twelve miles from Winnipeg, Canada, besides the interests left her in Emmet county. The death of Mr. Young occurred on the 16th of July, 1915. He was then a man in the prime of life and it seemed that he should have been spared for years to come. One of the local papers wrote of him: "He was a man of generous impulses and never forgot the hos- pitable ways of the pioneer. He had borne adversity bravely and enjoyed prosperity quietly. In the relations of son, brother, husband, father and friend he had met every duty and obligation. At all times and under all circumstances he walked in the well beaten path of righteous- ness, and from the beauty of his life one may well gain inspiration."
LORENZO LOUGH.
For over a quarter of a century Lorenzo Lough has been in the service of what is now the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company as one of its trusted employes. He was born in Scott county, Minnesota, on the 19th of April, 1870, and is the sixth in order of birth in a family of seven children, whose parents were James W. and Alcy Ann (Darland) Lough, natives of Indiana. In 1857 they became pio- neers of Minnesota, where the father followed farming until 1877, when he decided to move to Missouri and started south, driving a large herd of cattle. Stopping at Estherville, Iowa, he was so well pleased with the place that he purchased a farm at the edge of town and took up his abode thereon. When the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad was built through Estherville in 1882 he laid out two additions to the town but continued to farm the remainder of his place. For two years prior to his death, however, he conducted a general store under the firm name of the Estherville Mercantile Company. He passed away in September, 1906, and was buried in the East Side cemetery. His widow now resides at 1009 East Robert street, Estherville.
Lorenzo Lough was only seven years of age when the family came to Iowa and here he grew to manhood, acquiring his education in the public schools of Estherville. Until he attained his majority he assisted his father in the operation of the home farm and then started as a fire- man on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad, now a part
248
EMMET AND DICKINSON COUNTIES
of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. In 1901 he was pro- moted to engineer and has since served in that capacity.
Mr. Lough was married in 1893 to Miss Minnie B. Neville, a daugh- ter of Oswald and Mary Neville, old settlers of Estherville who are still living. To this union have been born three children: Harold, William Emerald and Frances Marian, all at home. The family occupy a fine residence on the west side and are held in the highest esteem by all who know them. Mr. Lough is a member of the Brotherhood of Loco- motive Engineers, of the Masonic blue lodge and Eastern Star chapter, and is also identified with the First Church of Christ, Scientist.
HERMAN R. MADSEN.
Herman R. Madsen, who is engaged in stock raising upon the family homestead on section 3, Denmark township, was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, August 14, 1889. His parents, Peter and Margaret (Madsen) Madsen, were born in Denmark, but were married in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The father was engaged in railroad work there and in the '90s removed with his family to Denmark township, Emmet county, and bought the south half of section 3, which was but little improved when it came into his possession. He succeeded in accumulating a competence and from time to time made improvements upon the place, which became at length one of the most highly developed farms of the locality. He was active in politics and filled practically all the township offices. He belonged to St. Paul's Danish Lutheran church and is interred in its cemetery. He passed away on the 2d of May, 1910, but was survived until April 1, 1915, by his wife, who is buried at his side. To them were born six children, namely: Herman R .; John and Eleanor, both residing in Ringsted; Sophia; Agnes; and Clara, who died at the age of eleven and is buried in St. Paul's cemetery.
The education of Herman R. Madsen was acquired in the district schools, which he attended until he was twelve years of age, and through assisting his father he became thoroughly familiar with all phases of farm work. Following the latter's death Mr. Madsen of this review acquired title to the home farm, which he has since operated on his own account. He raises considerable stock as well as the usual grains and so manages his affairs as to secure a handsome profit from the sale of the farm produce.
On the 3d of June, 1913, Mr. Madsen was married to Miss Inge- borg Thomsen, a daughter of Knud and Gina (Nielsen) Thomsen, who were born in Denmark but emigrated to America, locating first in Grundy county, Iowa, and later removing to Denmark township, Emmet county, where the father is still engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Madsen are the parents of three children, Amelia, Clara and Gina.
Mr. Madsen is a republican but his activity in politics has never
249
EMMET AND DICKINSON COUNTIES
extended beyond the exercise of his right of franchise. In religious faith he is a Danish Lutheran and his church membership is held in St. Paul's. He possesses the same perseverance, good judgment and industry that enabled his father to acquire a competence by his own unaided efforts and he, too, ranks among the prosperous and substantial agriculturists of the county.
JOHN DUNDAS.
For many years John Dundas was actively identified with the agri- cultural interests of this section of the state but his last days were spent in retirement in Estherville, where he passed away on the 6th of July, 1915, honored and respected by all who knew him. He was born in Ireland, May 1, 1838, a son of James and Anne Dundas, who emigrated with their family to the new world when John was only four years of age. They first located near Quebec, Canada, where the father engaged in farming for a few years, but in 1861 removed to De Kalb county, Illinois, living there for five years. At the end of that time he came to Emmet county, Iowa, and took up a homestead in Armstrong Grove township, where he followed farming until his death. The mother is also deceased and both were laid to rest in the Armstrong cemetery.
John Dundas accompanied his parents on their various removals until the family came to Emmet county, when he took up a homestead just over the line in Kossuth county. There he successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1893, when he retired to Estherville and built a home on the west side. He lived there until 1913, when he removed to another residence on the same side, it continuing to be the place of his abode until called from this life.
On the 7th of April, 1868, Mr. Dundas was united in marriage to Miss Jane Gibbon, a daughter of William and Jane Gibbon, who were born in England and on crossing the Atlantic settled near Montreal, Canada, but later came to Iowa, the family becoming residents of Winne- shiek county when Mrs. Dundas was quite small. Mr. Gibbon took up a homestead in Kossuth county, ten miles from Armstrong, about the same time the Dundas family located in that neighborhood. Fifteen years later, however, Mr. and Mrs. Gibbon removed to Oregon, settling in the Willamette valley, near Salem, where both died and were buried. All the brothers and sisters of Mrs. Dundas still live in that locality.
Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dundas, namely: Frank H., now a resident of Armstrong; Anna, the deceased wife of Arthur Lewis of Armstrong; Jane, now the widow of James Carroll of Kossuth county and a resident of Armstrong; Carrie, the wife of U. V. James of Estherville; William, who died in infancy; Mina, who died at the age of nine years; and Dora, now Mrs. William Hirth, livng near Arm- strong.
250
EMMET AND DICKINSON COUNTIES
By his ballot Mr. Dundas supported the men and measures of the republican party and was called upon to fill a number of township offices while a resident of Kossuth county. He was an earnest and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his widow also belongs, and their circle of friends was almost coextensive with their circle of acquaintances. Although he started out in life with nothing, Mr. Dundas was able to leave his family in comfortable circumstances for he was a man of good business ability and met with success in his undertakings.
A. W. BASCOM.
A. W. Bascom, president of the First National Bank, formerly engaged in the grain business in Terril, ranks among the prosperous and successful citizens of Dickinson county, where he has now made his home for almost a third of a century. A native of Iowa, he was born in Farm- ersburg, Clayton county, on the 27th of February, 1859, and is a son of J. S. and Phoebe (Spencer) Bascom. The father was a native of Ver- mont, but the mother was born in Wisconsin. It was in 1854 that they became residents of Clayton county, Iowa, where they lived on a farm until 1866, in which year they removed to Clinton county, Iowa. In the latter county they continued to make their home until called to the world beyond. In their family were five children, four of whom are still living.
A. W. Bascom was six years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Clinton county, where he grew to manhood. He attended the local schools in the acquirement of an education and while aiding his father on the farm became thoroughly familiar with agricultural pursuits. Coming to Dickinson county in 1885 he located on a farm in Lloyd township and devoted his time and energies to its cultivation and improvement until 1900, when he removed to Terril, where he engaged in the grain business for twelve years. He is president of the First National Bank, of which he was one of the organizers and which is one of the leading financial institutions of the county, the men at its head being good reliable business men who have the confidence of the public. Mr. Bascom is the owner of considerable valuable farming land in Dick- inson county and elsewhere.
In 1904 he was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Leeser, a native of Oregon and a daughter of W. J. and Loretta A. (Wilson) Leeser. Her father is now deceased but her mother is still living in Oregon. Mrs. Bascom is a member of the Episcopal church and is a most estimable lady.
Fraternally, Mr. Bascom is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and Lodge No. 612, A. F. & A. M., in which he has held office. The republican party has always found in him a stanch supporter of its principles and he is now serving as county supervisor in a most credit-
A. W. BASCOM
THE NEVINIK PUBLIC LIBRARY
TILD .1. 1
-
253
EMMET AND DICKINSON COUNTIES
able and acceptable manner. He was also township trustee for seven years and has been school director in his district. As a business man he occupies a position of prominence in the community and the success that has come to him is but the merited reward of his own well-directed efforts.
WESLEY ROBB.
Since 1893 Wesley Robb has been a resident of Emmet county and has been prominently identified with its farming and stock raising inter- ests. He now makes his home in Estherville and is engaged in feeding and selling stock, doing quite an extensive business in that line. He was born in Grundy county, Illinois, February 13, 1855, and is the youngest of three children whose parents were Andrew Jackson and Betsey (Hultz) Robb, natives of Ohio. In the early '40s they removed to Illinois and for many years the father followed farming in Grundy county, where both parents died and were buried.
At the usual age Wesley Robb entered the district schools of his native county and continued his education until sixteen years old. During his minority he gave his father the benefit of his services in the operation of the home farm and in this early way acquired an excellent knowledge of agricultural pursuits. At the age of twenty-one he began farming on rented land in Grundy county, Illinois, and later purchased a tract of land in that county, where he continued farming until 1893. That year wit- nessed his arrival in Emmet county, Iowa, and he bought two hundred and forty acres in Denmark township but never farmed it. In 1894 he purchased a quarter section in Estherville township, to which he later added another one hundred and sixty acres, and he continued farming there for ten years. Since then he has made his home in Estherville, where he owns a nice residence at 515 North Seventh street, and i's now engaged in feeding and selling stock. Besides his city property he owns six hundred and forty acres-all of section 29, Emmet township-also the east half of section 32, and a half interest in the southwest quarter of section 6, Twelve Mile Lake township, Emmet county.
In 1879 Mr. Robb was united in marriage to Miss Udora Clow, a daughter of John and Mary Clow of Grundy county, Illinois, where both passed away. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Robb are: George, who follows farming in Estherville township; Ida, the wife of Arthur Brown, of Emmet township; Walter, a banker of Alexander, North Dakota ; Ollie, the wife of Benjamin Rugtin, of West Bend, Iowa; Pearl, now Mrs. Carl Egbert, of Estherville; and Laura and Emmet, both at home.
Fraternally, Mr. Robb is a member of the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and religiously both he and his wife are identified with the Methodist church. His political support is given the republican party
254
EMMET AND DICKINSON COUNTIES
and he is now serving as a member of the school board of Estherville, while for two terms he was a member of the city council. He is a wide- awake, energetic business man whose success in life is due to his own unaided efforts for he started out empty handed and the prosperity that has come to him is but the just reward of his industry and good manage- ment. He is now the owner of much valuable property and is numbered among the substantial citizens of the community.
ANDREAS CARL C. RIES.
Andreas Carl C. Ries, a well-known citizen of Ringsted, was for a number of years engaged in farming and also devoted a considerable period to merchandising. He was for a time the proprietor of a general store in Ringsted and later became connected with a cement tile manufactory, in which he still owns a financial interest although he is not actively engaged in its management. He was born in Schleswig, Germany, May 21, 1866, a son of Ludvig A. and Sabina Maria (Bruun) Ries, natives respectively of Schleswig and of Denmark. In 1881 they came to the United States with their family and after residing in Clinton, Iowa, for a year came to Emmet county and bought land on section 5, Denmark township. The father farmed that tract almost until his death in 1900, a year after the demise of his wife. Both are buried in St. Paul's cemetery at Ringsted. The father took an active interest in public affairs and held a number of local politcal offices and was also treasurer of the school board. He was one of the first settlers in his locality and was a factor in its development along agricultural lines.
Andreas C. C. Ries attended the public schools in Schleswig until he was confirmed and following the removal of the family to the United States gave his father the benefit of his labor until he attained his major- ity. From that time until 1890 he farmed in partnership with his father and brothers, Hans J. and Peter A. Ries. Upon serving that con- nection he went to Clinton, Iowa, where he was employed in a store for three years, and then was for four and a half years manager of a general store at Armstrong owned by his brother Hans. In the meantime he pur- chased the southeast quarter of section 5, Denmark township, and at length took up his residence on that place, devoting six years to its culti- vation. Subsequently he bought a store building at Ringsted from William Nelsen. Upon disposing of that property he became part owner of a cement tile manufacturing business in Ringsted, in which he is still inter- ested financially although he is no longer active in its management. He is living retired in the enjoyment of a leisure won by his industry and wise direction of his affairs in past years. He has built a fine modern home and is surrounded with all the comforts of life. He also owns the south- east quarter of section 5, twenty-six acres of the southwest quarter of
255
EMMET AND DICKINSON COUNTIES
the same section and the norheast quarter of section 9, all in Denmark township.
Mr. Ries was married in 1901 to Miss Petrina Nielsen, a daughter of Jens and Karen Nielsen, lifelong residents of Denmark. To this union has been born one son, Sarlock Manfred, at home. Mr. Ries supports the republican party at the polls and was formerly town councilman and is now township clerk. He has discharged to the full satisfaction of his constituents all of the obligations resting upon him as an official and has constantly placed the public welfare above all other considerations. He is a member of St. John's Danish Lutheran church and the sincerity of his faith is evidenced in the integrity of his daily life.
LEWIS JACOBSON.
For over forty years Lewis Jacobson has been a resident of Emmet county and he now owns and operates a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, comprising the southeast quarter of section 34, Estherville township. He was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, March 1, 1857, and is a son of Jacob and Mary (Gilbertson) Thorson, natives of Norway, where they were reared and married. Crossing the Atlantic, they set- tled in Dane county, Wisconsin, in 1848, and were numbered among the pioneers of that locality. There the father owned a tract of one hun- dred and sixty acres, on which he engaged in farming until his death in 1870. The mother survived him for many years, passing away at the home of a son in Dane county in 1908, and both were laid to rest in a cemetery near Perry, Wisconsin.
Lewis Jacobson attended the district schools near his boyhood home as he found opportunity, but during the busy season his services were needed on the farm and he continued to aid in its operation until nine- teen years of age. At that time he came to Emmet county, Iowa, and has since made his home in Estherville township. Two years after his arrival he purchased his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 34. He has placed many useful and valuable improvements upon the place and has been very successful in its operation.
In 1880 occurred the marriage of Mr. Jacobson and Miss Kristi Paulson, who is a native of Norway and a daughter of Tullof and Julia (Olson) Paulson. At an early day her parents came to the new world and settled in Estherville township, Emmet county, Iowa. Both are now deceased and are buried in Riverside cemetery. To Mr. and Mrs. Jacob- son have been born nine children, namely: Mary, now the wife of Andrew Bamble, of Lemmon, South Dakota; Augusta K. and Jacob, both at home; Tilda, the wife of James Kasa, of Riviera, Minnesota; Pauline, the wife of Ben Nelson, of Estherville township, Emmet county; and Lydia, Alpha, Eda and Cecil, all at home. The family are communicants of the Norwegian Lutheran church and Mr. Jacobson is a republican
256
EMMET AND DICKINSON COUNTIES
in politics. He has served on the school board in his district and does all in his power to promote the moral and educational interests of his community.
WILEY S. LAMBERT.
During almost a half century, or for forty-eight years, Wiley S. Lambert has resided in Spirit Lake township, and during that time has aided in the development of Dickinson county. There have been mar- velous changes in conditions since he arrived here in pioneer days and the story of the achievement of a half century seems almost incredible. He was born in Madison county, Indiana, on the 15th of June, 1843, a son of John and Nancy (Brown) Lambert. The father was born near Stanton, West Virginia, but when twenty-eight years of age removed to Indiana, where he was married and lived for some time. In 1853, how- ever, he removed with his family to Winneshiek county, Iowa, and there purchased a good farm, which he operated until he reached the age of seventy-three years. He then retired from active life and from that time until his death made his home with his son, Wiley S., in Dickinson county, dying here in 1880 at the age of eighty years. The mother, who was a Hoosier by birth, was reared and educated in Madison county, Indiana, and passed away at the home of her son, Wiley S., in 1906, when eighty-nine years old.
Wiley S. Lambert began his education in the public schools of Mad- ison county, Indiana, but completed it in the schools of Winneshiek county, Iowa, having accompanied his parents thither in 1853. He remained there until 1869, when he came to Dickinson county, Iowa, and took up a homestead on section 25, Spirit Lake township. The place was raw land when it come into his possession but as soon as possible he broke the virgin prairie sod and planted his land to the usual crops. His homestead comprises one hundred and sixty acres and he also owns a one hundred and sixty acre tract adjoining, which he bought in 1888 and on which his residence now stands. He also holds title to a quarter sec- tion of improved land in Jackson county, Minnesota, just across the state line, and he is in very comfortable circumstances indeed. While actively engaged in farming he raised Polled Angus cattle of good grade and also harvested large crops of grain annually. He aided in organizing the Farmers' Telephone Company, which has had a prosperous existence and has given its subscribers good service. For the past eight years he has lived retired upon his farm, leaving its cultivation to his son.
It was on the 13th of December, 1877, in Dickinson county, that Mr. Lambert was united in marriage to Miss Mary Allen, who was born in Winneshiek county but wy . brought by her parents to Dickinson county when twelve years of ige. She was a student in the public schools here and after putting aside her textbooks remained at home until her mar-
-
WILEY S. LAMBERT AND FAMILY
2
nr
-
1
259
EMMET AND DICKINSON COUNTIES
riage. Her parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Holcomb) Allen, were born respectively in Ohio and Virginia and were pioneer settlers of both Winne- shiek and Dickinson counties, Iowa. The father died in Spirit Lake township, this county, and the mother is now living with a son at Spring Valley, Minnesota. Mrs. Lambert passed away upon the home farm in April, 1913, leaving four children: Maude Lila, Belle and Waldo, all at home; and Roy, who married Miss Josephine Berg and lives in Spirit Lake township.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.