USA > Iowa > Dickinson County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 22
USA > Iowa > Emmet County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 22
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FRANK H. RHODES
MED. ARY
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one of the founders of the First Presbyterian church and was interested in many matters relative to the general good. Mrs. Rhodes is a graduate of the Estherville high school and has been very active in church and club work, serving for a number of years as regent of the Okamanpadu Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes have four children: Jennie C., the wife of Dr. A. R. Moon, of Williamsburg, Iowa; Edwin J., a student in the University of Wisconsin; and Cecil and Lillian, both attending the Estherville high school.
The parents are members of the First Presbyterian church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful interest, Mr. Rhodes serving as trustee and treasurer. He belongs to the Estherville Com- mercial Club, of which he is a director and the treasurer, and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He served for six years, from 1897 until 1903, as a member of the city council and exercised his official prerogatives in support of many plans and measures which have been of value in promoting the best interests of the city.
LAURITZ P. BAAGO.
Lauritz P. Baago, a well known and successful farmer of Denmark township, has never had occasion to regret his decision to emigrate to America for he has found here the opportunities which he sought and through their utilization has won prosperity. He was born in Schleswig, now a part of Germany but then belonging to Denmark, on the 23d of April, 1861, and is a son of Cresten and Anna Christina Lauritzen, who passed their entire lives in their native country. The father was by profession a school teacher.
Lauritz P. Baago, who is one of a family of five children, received his education under the instruction of his father, and, following his con- firmation went to work as a farm hand. He was so employed until he was twenty-three years old, when he came to the United States. After spending four years in New York state in the employ of various farmers he removed to Emmet county, Iowa, and bought eighty acres of land in Armstrong township. He devoted thirteen years to the operation of that place and then sold it and bought a farm in Jackson county, Minne- sota, which he operated until 1912, when he returned to Emmet county and bought the north half of the northeast quarter of section 23, Den- mark township, where he has since made his home. The land is in a high state of cultivation, the buildings are substantial and of practical design and his work is kept well in hand. He raises both grain and stock as he finds such a course more profitable than specializing in either.
In 1893 Mr. Baago was married to Miss Marie Christianson, whose father died in Norway. Subsequently the mother came to the United States and is now living with her son Erland, a resident of Graettinger,
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lowa. Mrs. Baago passed away in 1895 and is buried in St. Paul's cemetery. She left one son, Hans. For his second wife Mr. Baago chose Miss Helga Vik, a daughter of Sjur and Jurga Vik, natives of Norway, whence they emigrated to the United States many years ago. The mother is deceased and is buried in Jackson county, Minnesota, while the father makes his home with Mr. Baago. Mrs. Baago died in 1906 and is buried in Jackson county, Minnesota. She was the mother of four children, Anna, Marie, Christina and John.
Mr. Baago is a republican in his political affiliation but has never held office. He has, however, served as school director. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in St. John's Danish Lutheran church and the teachings of that denomination have been the guiding principle of his life. He has succeeded solely through his own efforts and is accorded the honor due a self-made man.
K. R. HAUGEN.
K. R. Haugen, an honored pioneer of Dickinson county whose home is on section 12, Lloyd township, was born in Norway, May 28, 1838, and is the only survivor in a family of four children. His parents were Rier- son and Raghneld C. (Culberson) Haugen, who continued to make their home in Norway throughout life. There he was reared and educated in much the usual manner of boys of that period, but believing that he could better his financial condition in the new world, he sailed for America in 1861. He first located in Wisconsin, where he lived for two years and then came to Iowa, spending the following five years in Winneshiek county. At the end of that time he became a resident of Dickinson county, Iowa, and homesteaded the land on which he now resides, it being a fine tract of one hundred and sixty acres on section 12, Lloyd township. At that time, however, it was entirely unimproved and he built thereon a log cabin in which he lived for several years. He has since erected a good residence and other substantial buildings for the shelter of grain and stock and his farm is now one of the best improved in the locality. In con- nection with general farming he has always made a specialty of the rais- ing of all kinds of stock and in all his undertakings has met with well merited success.
In 1883 Mr. Haugen was united in marriage to Miss Christina Olson, also a native of Norway, who came to the United States in early life with her father, who died in this country. Her mother passed away in Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Haugen have one daughter, Dena Carolina, who is a graduate of the Terril high school and is at home with her parents.
The family hold membership in the Lutheran church and are held in the highest respect by all who know them. Since becoming a naturalized citizen Mr. Haugen has affiliated with the republican party and his fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, have called upon him to serve as township assessor and township trustee. He has also been a member
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of the school board for several years and has always faithfully performed any duty devolving upon him whether in public or private life. He is one of the representative farmers of his community and is now quite well-to-do.
GEORGE L. GORTON.
George L. Gorton, who follows farming on section 13, Estherville township, Emmet county, is one of Iowa's native sons, his birth occurring in Linn county, March 23, 1871, and he is the seventh in a family of ten children. His parents, Foster E. and Lucy (Herrick) Gorton, were born in New York and Ohio respectively and at an early day came to Iowa. It was in 1894 that they became residents of Estherville township, Emmet county, where the father purchased the southwest quarter of section 13, on which our subject now resides.
At the usual age George L. Gorton began his education in the district schools near his home, and he continued his studies until sixteen years of age. He then gave his father the benefit of his services until twenty- five, when he took charge of the home place and cared for his parents until they were called to the world beyond, the father dying in 1910 and the mother in 1909. They were buried in Oak Hill cemetery near Esther- ville. George L. Gorton still lives on the homestead and in his farming operations has met with well merited success, being regarded as one of the substantial citizens of his community.
In 1901 Mr. Gorton was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Frank, a daughter of Henry and Katherine Frank, who came to this country from Germany in early life, the former settling in Emmet county, Iowa, and the latter in Dickinson county. Mr. Frank has passed away and is buried in Estherville, but his wife is still living and makes her home in that city. Mr. and Mrs. Gorton have two children, Ruth and Esther.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Gorton has affiliated with the repub- lican party and for a number of years he efficiently served as township trustee. In religious faith he is a Methodist. He is a man of good busi- ness ability and as he thoroughly understands the occupation which he follows, is progressive and energetic, he has met with success in his farm- ing operations and is today quite well-to-do.
O. O. ANDERSON.
Wallingford's business interests find a substantial and prominent rep- resentative in O. O. Anderson, the cashier of the Farmers' Savings Bank, of which he was one of the organizers. He is a representative of that substantial class of citizens that Norway has furnished to Iowa. He was born in the land of the midnight sun July 30, 1868, and is a son of Ole
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and Haldis (Paulson) Anderson, who were also natives of that country. Coming to America, they reached Emmet county, Iowa, in July, 1871, and took up their abode upon a farm within its borders. The father at once concentrated his energies upon the task of developing and improv- ing his fields and he is still a respected resident of Emmet county but in 1910 was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away on the 7th of August of that year. In their family were five children, all of whom are yet living.
O. O. Anderson was less than three years of age when brought by his parents to the United States, so that practically his entire life has been passed in Emmet county. The common school system afforded him his educational privileges and when he had mastered the branches of learn- ing taught in the district schools he went to Red Wing, Minnesota, where he continued his studies for three years. Later he pursued a commercial course in Decorah, Iowa, following which he returned to his father's farm and was his active assistant in the management and development of the property for eight years. He then became one of the organizers of the Farmers Savings Bank at Wallingford and accepted the position of cashier, in which capacity he has since continued. This bank is capitalized for fifteen thousand dollars and has a surplus of fifteen thousand dollars. It has always had a prosperous existence and its business relations have been constantly broadened. In addition to his banking interests he owns a fine residence in Wallingford.
In his political views Mr. Anderson is a stalwart republican. He has never been an office seeker although interested in the success of his party and at all times keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day. For sixteen years he served as school treasurer. He is a member of the Lutheran church and his life is guided by its teachings, his upright, honorable career causing his fellow townsmen to speak of him always in terms of high regard.
GREGERS JUHL.
Gregers Juhl, who is engaged in general agricultural pursuits on section 4, Center township, Emmet county, was born in Denmark on the 9th of January, 1850, his parents being Eric and Anna Juhl, who spent their entire lives in Denmark. There they reared their family of six children, of whom Gregers was the only son. Four of the daughters are now deceased, the surviving sister of Gregers Juhl being Mrs. P. C. Pet- erson, living in Buena Vista county, Iowa. The father followed the occu- pation of wagon making and he and his wife remained residents of Denmark until called to the home beyond.
Gregers Juhl spent the first seventeen years of his life in his native country and then came alone to the new world, for the tales which he had heard concerning business conditions and opportunities on this side
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MR. AND MRS. GREGERS JUHL
TUELE LILE TRY
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the Atlantic led him to the belief that he might have better advantages in America. He first made his way to Lee county, Iowa, where he pur- chased land and carried on farming for thirteen years. In 1886 he arrived in Emmet county and purchased the northwest quarter of section 4, Cen- ter township. Since that time he has added to his holdings a tract of eighty acres on section 33, Ellsworth township, so that he is today the owner of two hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land which his careful labors have brought to a high state of cultivation. His is a well- improved farm and he annually harvests good crops as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields.
In 1874 Mr. Juhl was united in marriage to Miss Dorothy Thomp- son, of Lee county, Iowa, and they became the parents of six children : Eric, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work; Chris, who is married and is practicing veterinary surgery at Osage, Mitchell county, Iowa; Thomas, who is married and follows farming in Ellsworth township, Emmet county ; Andrew, who is a widower engaged in farming in Center township, Emmet county ; Louis, who is married and lives in Eagle Grove, Iowa; and John, who is married and follows farming in Ellsworth town- ship.
Mr. Juhl is a member of the Danish and Norwegian Lutheran church and his life is guided by its teachings. Throughout his entire career he has followed honorable principles and his life record is one which will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he has found the opportunities which he sought, and by reason of his persistent effort intelligently directed has gained substantial success.
PETER KYHL.
Peter Kyhl won success as a farmer and is now living retired in Ringsted, enjoying at his ease the comforts of life. A native of Den- mark, his birth occurred on the 12th of March, 1854, and he is one of the six children born to Nes and Anna (Scott) Kyhl, life-long residents of Denmark, where the father worked as a laborer.
Peter Kyhl spent his first eighteen years in his native country and there received his education. Attracted by the many favorable reports which he heard concerning the United States, he came to this country with his sister Anna, who later became the wife of Rasmus Rasmussen, of Clinton, and is now deceased. For several years before leaving Den- mark he worked for others and after coming to this country was employed in a sawmill and lumberyard at Clinton, Iowa, for six years. In 1883 he came to Denmark township, Emmet county, and purchased the north half of the northeast quarter of section 23, upon which he took up his residence at once. There he lived for over three decades and during those years gave the closest attention to the cultivation of his
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fields and the care of his live stock. His umremitting industry and his wise management were rewarded by a gratifying financial return and he in time accumulated a competence. In 1915 he retired and built an attractive home in Ringsted, where he now resides.
In Clinton, Iowa, Mr. Kyhl was married to Miss Anna Holm, like- wise a native of Denmark, where her parents passed their entire lives. By her marriage she became the mother of six children: Robert, who is married and is farming in Denmark township; Albert, who is mar- ried and is a resident of Clinton county, Iowa; Anna, now the wife of Peter Cliver, a banker of Potania, North Dakota; Nes, who is married and lives near Doyon, North Dakota; Alma, the wife of Henry Sorem, of Seneca. Kossuth county, Iowa; and August, who is married and is farming in Denmark township. The wife and mother died March 1, 1910, and is buried in St. Paul's cemetery. In 1912 Mr. Kyhl was united in marriage to Mrs. Christiana (Hansen) Kyhl, the widow of his brother, Jurgen Kyhl, of Marcus, Iowa, where he had settled with his wife upon their emigration to the United States in 1883. They were the parents of a daughter, Anna, who died at the age of fourteen and is buried in Marcus. The father and mother of Mrs. Kyhl were lifelong residents of Denmark.
Peter Kyhl is a republican and has served as township trustee for a number of years and has likewise been a member of the school board for several terms. He belongs to St. Paul's Danish Lutheran church and fraternally is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows of Ringsted and the Danish Brotherhood. He found in this country the opportunities which he sought and through their utilization has not only won individual prosperity, but has also contributed his share toward the advancement of his community along various lines.
A. M. JOHNSON, JR.
A. M. Johnson, Jr., is one of the most progressive and up-to-date business men of Spirit Lake as well as one of its most public-spirited citizens. He was born in this eity on the 23d of December, 1883, and comes of one of its old and honored families, being a son of A. M. Johnson, Sr., mention of whom is made elsewhere in this work. He attended both the grammar and high schools of Spirit Lake and also pursued a business course in a commercial college at Indianola, Iowa.
Mr. Johnson began his early business training in his father's store at Spirit Lake and later started a grocery store at Hayward's Bay on the shores of Spirit Lake for his father to supply the wants of summer boarders. In 1910 he took over the clothing department of his father's business, establishing an up-to-date clothing store in Spirit Lake, which is thoroughly modern in all its appointments, and the stock carried is of the latest designs and the best quality.
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On the 27th. of September, 1909, in Spirit Lake, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Johnson and Miss Beulah Greattrax, who was born in Hull, Iowa, and came to spirit Lake with her parents during childhood. Her father, Dr. J. H. Greattrax, a well known physician and surgeon, is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have one child, Ellabel, who was born in Spirit Lake.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Johnson has affiliated with the republican party and religiously both he and his wife are connected with the Methodist Episcopal church. He belongs to the Masonic blue lodge, chapter and commandery, has taken the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite, and is also a member of the Mystic Shrine. For the past eight years he has been secretary of the Dickinson County Fair Associa- tion and is untiring in his efforts to promote its interests. Public-spirited and progressive, he has done much to advance the welfare of his com- munity along various lines and is today recognized as one of the leading citizens of Spirit Lake.
GEORGE S. ZERFOSS.
George S. Zerfoss, who owns and operates a fine farm of two hun- dred acres on section 26, Superior township, Dickinson county, claims New York as his native state, his birth occurring February 12, 1844. His parents were Abraham and Elizabeth (Brightman) Zerfoss, the former also a native of the Empire state and the latter of Fall River, Massachusetts. They were married in New York, where they continued to make their home until 1855, when they removed to Iowa and located in Delaware county. The father was not long permitted, however, to enjoy his new home, for he died the year of his arrival here. The mother survived him for several years.
George S. Zerfoss was reared and educated in much the usual manner of farm boys and on reaching manhood began farming on his own account in Delaware county, on land which he had purchased from his father. He continued to reside thereon until 1883 when he came to Dickinson county and purchased one hundred and forty-five acres of his present farm in Superior township. Prospering in his under- takings he was able to add to his property until he now owns two hun- dred acres of very valuable and productive land. He has erected all the buildings upon his place and has a large orchard in good condition. His farm is well improved and the neat and thrifty appearance of the place plainly indicates that he thoroughly understands the occupation which he follows.
In 1876 Mr. Zerfoss married Miss Elizabeth Stewart, of Delaware county, Iowa, but a native of Canada. They became the parents of ten children, namely: Charles, who is now a lumber dealer of Bemis, South Dakota; Mamie, the wife of Ora Shepherd, of Superior township, Dick-
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inson county; Mabel, the wife of Robert Miner, of Blairstown, Iowa; Jud, at home: Donley, a resident of Wahkon, Minnesota; Blanche, the wife of Ora Hasbrook, a resident of Minnesota; Bessie and Bonnie, twins, the former now the wife of John Fries of Minnesota and the latter living with her sister Mamie: Oceana, the wife of William Sanders, of Superior township, Dickinson county; and Robert, at home. The wife and mother passed away on December 30, 1905, leaving many friends as well as her immediate family to mourn her loss.
The democratic party finds in Mr. Zerfoss an earnest supporter and for some years he served as a member of the board of township trustees and also as a member of the school board. He is one of the well known old residents of Superior township and is widely and favor- ably known throughout Dickinson county, where he has now made his home for over a third of a century.
1 PETER A. GAARDE.
Much of the success which has characterized the history of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company is due to the efficiency of its secre- tary, Peter A. Gaarde, of Armstrong. He was born in Denmark in September, 1877, and his parents, Anderson N. and Mary (Hansen) Gaarde, were likewise natives of that country. About 1880 the family emigrated to the United States and after residing for two years in the vicinity of Clinton, Iowa, removed to Emmet county, where the father purchased land in Denmark township. He engaged in farming there until his wife's death in September, 1887, when he sold out. From that time until his demise, which occurred on the 13th of July, 1907, he made his home with his children.
Peter A. Gaarde was but five years old when the family located in Denmark township, Emmet county, and his early education was therefore acquired in the district schools there. Later he was for a time a stu- dent at Sioux City, Iowa. When but thirteen years old he went to work and at the age of twenty years he purchased land in Denmark township which he operated for about sixteen years. Subsequently he conducted a furniture store in Ringsted for one year, after which he clerked for a year. He then returned to the farm, but in 1915 took up his residence in Armstrong, where he has since remained. He is devoting much of his time and attention to his duties as secretary of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company, a local organization, which has built up a large business. He also looks after his farming interests as he still owns three hundred and twenty aeres in Denmark township and two hundred and forty acres in Iowa Lake township.
On New Year's Day, 1908, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Gaarde and Miss Myna Churchill and they have become the parents
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of five children, Arnold, Fern, Bernetta, Earl and Grace. A careful study of social and political conditions has led Mr. Gaarde to support the socialist party and he keeps well informed concerning the questions and issues of the day. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America lodge and is also a member of the Lutheran church. He has a wide acquaintance throughout the county and his genuine worth is attested by the fact that those who have known him the most intimately are his stanchest friends.
OLIVER O. REFSELL.
The sons of Norway in Iowa constitute a valuable asset in the citizenship of the state. Of this number Oliver O. Refsell is a repre- sentative. He was born in the land of the midnight sun October 8, 1854, and is a brother of James Refsell, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. He was but twelve years of age when brought by his parents to the new world, the family home being established in Emmet county, Iowa, where he was reared and educated, pursuing his studies in the public schools. He worked with his father upon the home farm until he reached the age of thirty-five years and then purchased the old home- stead property, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 28, High Lake township. He has since bent his energies to the further development and improvement of his farm, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation, the fields bringing forth bounteous harvests of those crops which are best adapted to soil and climatic conditions here. In addition to cultivating grain he is engaged quite extensively and successfully in stock raising, both branches of his business proving profitable. He is a very progressive and enterprising business man and owns in addition to his farm property an excellent residence in Walling- ford, Iowa. He is also one of the directors of the Farmers Savings Bank at Wallingford, is a stockholder of the elevator and is secretary of the creamery there. Whatever he undertakes he accomplishes, for in his vocabulary there is no such word as fail. He is determined and energetic and his plans are carefully thought out and then promptly executed.
On July 18, 1889, Mr. Refsell was married to Miss Betsy Olson, a native of Norway, and to them have been born five children: Conrad O .; Morris S., who has departed this life; Lloyd G .; Martin K .; and Olga Beatrice. The parents are consistent members of the Lutheran church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful part, and Mr. Refsell is serving now as one of the elders. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and in 1894 was elected to the office of county treasurer, which position he has filled for four terms. He has held nearly all of the township offices and
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