USA > Iowa > Dickinson County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 23
USA > Iowa > Emmet County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 23
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has made an excellent record as a public official, being at all times loyal to the trust reposed in him, while his skill and efficiency in dis- charging the duties of his positions have won for him high regard. During the long period of his residence in this part of the state he has become widely and favorably known and everywhere is spoken of in terms of admiration and respect.
HANS W. JENSEN.
For fifteen years Hans W. Jensen has been identified with the bank- ing interests of Ringsted and is today regarded as one of the foremost citizens of that place. He is a native of Ringsted, Denmark, and in 1882 accompanied his parents, Hans and Mary Jensen, on their emigration to America: Coming direct to Emmet county, Iowa, the family located on a farm near Ringsted in Denmark township, where the father followed agricultural pursuits until 1890, and then removed to Graettinger, where he was engaged in the buying of grain in partnership with H. N. Osher until 1906, selling out in that year to the Farmers Elevator Company. Mr. Jensen died in the winter of 1911 but his widow is still living.
During his boyhood Hans W. Jensen attended the public schools of Graettinger and for two winters pursued his studies in a night school in order to keep up with his classes while working in a large store at that place. He began his business career as clerk in the department store of H. N. Osher at Graettinger, where he was employed until 1902, and then accepted a position as bookkeeper in the Danish-American Savings Bank at Ringsted, where he has since made his home. In 1903, at the early age of twenty-three years, he was elected cashier of the bank and continued to serve in that capacity until the 1st of January, 1905. Mr. Jensen then resigned to engage in mercantile business with Carl Iverson, under the firm name of Iverson & Jensen, and they conducted general stores in Ringsted, Hoprig and Halfa until 1908, when he sold his interest in these establishments to H. L. Iverson. After the sale of the Danish-American Savings Bank to parties in Algona he was again offered the position of cashier, which he accepted June 1, 1909, and which he filled until Decem- ber 14, 1911. The bank was then consolidated with the Ringsted State Bank and Mr. Jensen was elected assistant cashier of the new organiza- tion and served as such until the 1st of January, 1915, since which time he has filled the office of vice president. He owns considerable stock in the Ringsted State Bank and several business houses in the town besides some valuable farm land.
On the 27th of October, 1909, at Ringsted, Mr. Jensen was united in marriage to Miss Edith M. Young, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar N. Young living near Hoprig, Iowa. Her father, who was one of the suc- cessful farmers in that locality and stood high in the community, served as vice president of the Danish-American Savings Bank, of which he was
HANS W. JENSEN
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a director, and in 1915 was elected president of the Ringsted State Bank. He died in July of that year, leaving a wife and two daughters, Edith May and Blanche Irene, and son, Harry. Mrs. Jensen was born in Oskaloosa, Iowa, and came with her parents to Emmet county in 1896. She was graduated from the Ringsted schools and studied music at Storm Lake, Iowa, in Buena Vista College, after which she engaged in teaching music in and around Ringsted for several years. She is now the organist of the Presbyterian church at that place and is a leader in church work. Mr. and Mrs. Jensen have a daughter, Verda Belle, born December 3, 1910.
During the years 1898 and 1899 Mr. Jensen was one of the most prominent cyclists in this section of the state, being classed among the professional riders, and he won a great many gold and silver medals. He was the champion rider of Palo Alto county and many times won races at Estherville and other places. He took part in the national events at St. Paul, Minneapolis, and other cities, where there were professional riders from all over the United States. During one of these races for the national three-mile handicap there were seventeen starters but only three of them finished the race and Mr. Jensen was one of these, coming in third. He is a republican in politics and is a member of the Masonic lodge at Armstrong, Iowa. He is one of the leading and prominent members of the Presbyterian church of Ringsted and is now serving as an elder and one of its board of trustees. He occupies an envi- able position in business circles, where his true worth is widely recog- nized, and the success that has come to him is but the just reward of his own well-directed efforts.
H. O. DEAN.
H. O. Dean has won a gratifying measure of prosperity and built up a business that is a factor in the development of Terril and the sur- rounding country. He deals in butter, eggs and poultry and concen- trates his energy and attention upon the management of his business interests. He was born in Carroll county, Iowa, April 18, 1875, and is a son of Horace F. and Electa (Pelham) Dean, both natives of the state of New York, whence they removed to Iowa, he in young man- hood and she as a girl with her parents. After living for two years in Clinton, Iowa, both families removed to Clinton county, where Mr. Dean and Miss Pelham were married. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted in Company H, Twenty-sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was at the front for three years and three months, seeing a great deal of active service as his regiment was one of the famous fighting regiments of the war. For valor and meritorious conduct he was promoted to first ser- geant and color bearer. After the close of the war he returned to Iowa, and two years later took up his residence in Carroll county, that state, where he farmed until he retired from active life in 1892
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and removed to Dunlap, Harrison county, where he lived until his death December 22, 1909. He had survived his wife for five years, as she passed away in 1904.
H. O. Dean was educated in the public schools of Westside, Iowa, and after graduating from the high school in 1893 he entered a drug store in Rockwell City in order to study pharmacy, and subsequently was con- nected with a drug store in Dunlap. After devoting seven years to the drug business he was employed by a grain and stock buyer in Dunlap for some time, or until 1905. In that year he came to Terril and for five years bought grain for the DeWolf & Wells Company of Spencer, Iowa. Since 1910 he has been engaged on his own account in the produce business, handling butter, eggs and poultry, and he is ranked among the prominent business men of Terril. He believes in the value of real estate investment and holds an equity in two farms, one in Dick- inson county and the other in Emmet county.
Mr. Dean was married in 1895 to Miss Edith Miller of Pomeroy, Iowa, and they have two daughters, Iva M. and Daisy L. Mr. Dean suports the candidates of the republican party at the polls and is interested in everything affecting the welfare of his country. He is now serving on the school board and gives careful attention to the discharge of his official duties. He has a number of fraternal connections, belonging to Richloyd Lodge, No. 612, A. F. & A. M., of Terril: Spirit Lake Chapter, No. 132, R. A. M .; and the Modern Woodmen of America. His has been an active and well spent life and he has won not only financial success but also the unqualified respect of all who know him.
WILLIAM ALFRED LADD.
William Alfred Ladd, attorney at law at Estherville, where he has practiced continuously for thirty-five years, was born November 10, 1856, on a farm near Damascus, Mahoning county, Ohio, a son of Joshua and Lydia C. Ladd, the former a native of Charles City county, Virginia, and the latter of Mahoning county, Ohio.
In the common schools of his native state William A. Ladd began his education and later attended Damascus Academy and Mount Union College of Mount Union, Ohio, completing the philosophical course in the latter institution in 1876. Determining upon the practice of law as a life work, he began studying in the office of an attorney and later matriculated in the State University of Iowa, graduating from the law department of that institution with the. class of June, 1880. Before entering upon his law studies, however, he engaged in farming and stock raising in Ohio and during the winter and spring seasons taught in the common schools for a number of years. It was in 1879 that he came to this state and began his law reading, at the same time acting as law clerk in the office where he studied. In 1881 he entered into
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partnership with O. L. Binford, of Marshalltown, Iowa, and in August, 1882, removed to Estherville, where he formed a partnership with J. B. Binford. That relationship was maintained until 1886, since which time Mr. Ladd has been in business alone.
On the 3d of October, 1883, in Marshalltown, Iowa, Mr. Ladd was married to Miss Eva M. Estabrook, a daughter of Royal and Augusta (Franklin) Estabrook. She was born in Vermont, of which state her father was also a native, but her mother was born in Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Ladd have a son, Clarence E., who is now living at Grand Forks, North Dakota. He married Alizanah Bachman on the 17th of June, 1908, and they have a daughter, Ruth Mary.
Mr. and Mrs. Ladd are members of Grace Episcopal church of Estherville and fraternally he is connected with the Brotherhood of American Yeomen and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In politics he has always been a republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and for four or more terms he served as city attorney of Estherville and was also county superintendent of schools for Emmet county from 1882 to 1892. He is recognized as a lawyer of pronounced ability, careful and painstaking in the preparation of his cases, direct and forceful in argument and logical in his conclusions.
GEORGE A. PORTS.
George A'. Ports, cashier of the Huntington Bank, has been con- tinuously identified with banking interests since making his initial step in the business world in 1900. He has closely applied himself to his work and is now thoroughly conversant with all of the main points in banking and many of the details. He was born in Carroll county, Illi- nois, April 18, 1880, a son of J. J. and Lottie (Walters) Ports, who were natives of Maryland and of Illinois respectively. In 1892 they removed to Iowa, settling first at Iowa Falls, where they resided for five years. On the expiration of that period they established their home upon a farm in Emmet county, whereon they resided until 1912, the father becoming one of the leading agriculturists of the district. They then removed to Estherville, where they now reside, and they are among the highly respected residents of that place.
George A. Ports is one of a family of four children, of whom three are yet living. He pursued his education in the schools of Iowa Falls, becoming a high school pupil there, and eventually he entered a busi- ness college at Minneapolis, Minnesota, from which he was graduated in July, 1900, thus qualifying for life's practical and responsible duties. He afterward turned his attention to the banking business at Dolliver, where he remained for a year and a half, and in 1902 he removed to Huntington, accepting the position of cashier in the bank of that place. He has since served in that capacity, taking an active part in directing the policy and shaping the business interests of the bank.
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In August, 1903, Mr. Ports was married to Miss Louise Rackliff, who was born at Humboldt, Iowa, and is a daughter of Eli and Addie (Neal) Rackliff, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Ports have become the parents of three sons: Engene H., born May 26, 1904; Jay N., September 22, 1906; and Paul F., January 2, 1909.
The family occupy a fine new home at Huntington which is the property of Mr. Ports. He and his wife are members of the Presby- terian church and he belongs also to the Masonic lodge at Estherville and to the Modern Woodmen camp at Huntington, of which he has been clerk for ten years. In politics he is a republican and he is now filling the office of township school treasurer. He is actuated in all that he does by a public-spirited devotion to the general good and his energy and industry have made him a representative business man of the town in which he resides.
NELS H. NELSON.
On coming to the new world Nels H. Nelson was in limited circum- stances but as the result of his own untiring efforts and sound judgment is today the owner of a valuable farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Emmet county, his home being on section 27, Denmark township. He was born in Sweden on the 19th of June, 1849, and is a son of Nels P. and Christine Catherine (Larson) Nelson, who continued to make their home in that country throughout life, the father following the occupa- tion of farming to support himself and family. There were eight chil- dren, of whom Nels H. is the second in order of birth. At the usual age he entered the common schools, where he continued his studies until con- firmed and for two years he trained for the army as is the custom in Sweden. Leaving home he worked on neighboring farms until twenty-two years of age and then engaged in cutting and hauling lumber until com- ing to the United States at the age of thirty-one years.
Before leaving Sweden Mr. Nelson married Miss Mary F. Johnson, whose parents were lifelong residents of that country and are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have four children: Henry, born in Sweden, and Herman, born in Fulton county, Illinois, who now aids in in the operation of the home farm; Charles, who was born in Clinton, Iowa, and is now a banker of St. James, Minnesota; and Esther, who was born in Emmet county, Iowa, and is connected with a bank at Tyler, Minnesota. Charles is married and has one child, Richard Charles.
It was in 1880 that Mr. Nelson, accompanied by his family, sailed for the United States and on reaching this country proceeded to Fulton, Illinois, where he worked in a lumberyard for a time. Subsequently he moved across the Mississippi river to Clinton, Iowa, where seven years were spent, and in the spring of 1888 came to Emmet county and took up his abode in Denmark township, purchasing eighty acres of land com-
MR. AND MRS. NELS H. NELSON
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prising the north half of the southwest quarter of section 27. Later he bought the west half of the northwest quarter of the same section and the southeast quarter of section 28, so that he now has a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres, which he has placed under excellent cultivation. He has been a director of the Forsythe Creamery Company and has served as its president and treasurer. In politics he is a repub- lican and in religious faith is a Lutheran, belonging to St. Paul's church. He is a progressive, up-to-date farmer who has met with success in his undertakings.
W. A. BRUNEMEIER.
One of the most prominent and influential citizens of Lake Park is W. A. Brunemeier. He was born in Warren county, Missouri, on the 26th of June, 1869, and is of German parentage, being a son of Christian and Minnie (Vichrabe) Brunemeier, who came to America from Germany in the early '60s and located in Illinois. They only remained in that state a short time, however, and then removed to Missouri. In 1881 they came to Iowa and settled in Hardin county, where the father died in 1886. The mother died February 8, 1917. Four of their six children still survive.
W. A. Brunemeier remained at home until twenty years of age and during that time acquired an excellent knowledge of agricultural pur- suits. On starting out in life for himself he worked as a farm hand and then engaged in farming on rented land for one year. During the following ten years he was interested in the harness business in Hardin county but at the end of that time sold out and purchased a farm, which he operated for two years. In 1902 he came to Dickinson county and bought another farm, whereon he lived until 1907. During the next three years he was engaged in the grain business at Lake Park, having charge of the Farmers elevator, but at the end of that time he returned to his farm and operated the same for four years. Since then he has been a resident of Lake Park and is now manager of the Farmers ele- vator, in which he owns stock. He is also a stockholder in the creamery at this place and is one of the representative business men of the town.
On the 14th of March, 1900, Mr. Brunemeier married Miss Rose M. McFarland, a native of Hardin county, Iowa, and a daughter of L. D. and Hulda McFarland. By this union there has been born a son, Harold A., whose birth occurred October 29, 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Brunemeier are earnest and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he has served as superintendent of the Sunday school for several years. He also belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and is a stanch republican in politics, taking an active and commendable interest in public affairs. In 1910 he was elected county supervisor from the second district and served at that time for four years. In 1916 he
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was reelected and will take office in January, 1918. He is also president of the Dickinson County Farm Improvement Association and for nine years has been a member of the school board. His official service has been above reproach and he has always been found true to any trust l'eposed in him whether of a public or private nature. He is regarded as one of the foremost citizens of his community and wherever known is held in high regard.
C. R. HENRY.
Business enterprise, intelligently directed, has made C. R. Henry one of the representative merchants of Emmet county, within whose borders he has made his home since 1913. He is now proprietor of a hardware store at Gruver. His birth occurred at Bonfield, Illinois, July 20, 1891, his parents being George O. and Emma (Bally) Henry, who are also natives of that state, where they are still living. To them were born eight children and the family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death.
C. R. Henry spent his boyhood and youth in the state of his nativity and is indebted to its public school system for the educational oppor- tunity which he enjoyed. He left home at the age of seventeen years to make his own way in the world and whatever success he has since achieved is attributable entirely to his earnest effort. His first posi- tion was that of shipping clerk with James H. Watson at Bradley, Illi- nois, where he remained for a year. He next entered the service of the Chicago, Indiana & Southern Railroad Company, with which he con- tinued for a year, and on the expiration of that period he spent two years with the firm of Sears, Roebuck & Company. In 1913 he arrived in Emmet county and opened the hardware store at Gruver which he now carries on. He is one of the enterprising merchants of the town and his business activity is bringing to him merited success.
Mr. Henry belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party, feeling that its platform contains the best elements of good government. He is actuated in all that he does by a spirit of enterprise and progress which assures his continued advancement in the business world.
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AUGUST DOBBERSTEIN.
A large and well developed farm of two hundred and seventy-nine acres on section 18, Emmet township, pays tribute to the care and labor bestowed upon it by its owner, August Dobberstein, whose life of well directed energy and thrift has brought him a substantial measure of success. He was born in Germany, April 6, 1858, and is a son of Antone
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and Julia Dobberstein, both of whom were natives of Germany, where they spent their entire lives, there rearing their family of six children, four of whom survive.
August Dobberstein acquired his education in the schools of the fatherland and remained a resident of that country until he reached the age of twenty-five years, when he severed home ties and crossed the Atlantic in 1883, first making his way to Wisconsin. In 1884 he removed to Butler county, Iowa, where he resided for nineteen years, and in 1903 he became a resident of Emmet county, Iowa, where he purchased the farm on section 18, Emmet township, upon which he now makes his home. It is an excellent tract of land of two hundred and seventy-nine acres, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation and to which he has added many modern and attractive improvements in the way of fine buildings, so that his farm constitutes one of the pleasing features of the landscape.
In 1882 Mr. Dobberstein was united in marriage to Miss Rosella Kreinke, a native of Germany, and to them have been born five children : Elsie, who married Joe Kenny, of Emmet county; August, deceased; John, at home; Lena, the wife of Elmer Herbranson, now of Minot, North Dakota; and Francis, at home. The parents are members of the Catholic church and Mr. Dobberstein gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. His life has been one of untiring activity and all that he possesses has been made by him since he came to the new world. He has steadily and persistently worked his way upward and his achieve- ments show what can be accomplished when one has the will to dare and to do.
EDWARD D. SCHAEFER.
Edward D. Schaefer, who owns a fine farm on section 3, Armstrong Grove township, is making a specialty of raising high grade Chester White hogs and has been a leader in the development of the stock rais- ing interests of the county. He is also financially interested in the Farmers Elevator Company and the Farmers Creamery Company, both of Armstrong. A native of Wisconsin, he was born in Dane county, December 29, 1859, a son of John and Marguerite Schaefer, both of whom were born in Germany. Upon crossing the Atlantic they located in Canada, but after a short time removed to Chicago, whence they went to Milwaukee. Subsequently they removed to Dane county and there the father purchased land which he farmed until his death in 1891. He had survived his wife for ten years.
Edward D. Schaefer grew to manhood in Dane county, Wisconsin, and after completing his education gave his entire time to assisting his father. When he became of age he was given charge of the home farm and operated it for two years, but in 1882 he went to South Dakota
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and took up land under the homestead act, cultivating that tract for seven years. He then disposed of the property and went to Jackson county, Minnesota, whence, three years later, he came to Emmet county, Iowa. For four years he rented land here and at the end of that time was able to buy eighty acres on section 3, Armstrong Grove town- ship, which he still owns. He has given particular attention to the breeding of Chester White hogs and has found that business highly profitable. He has investments other than his farm as he is financially interested in the Farmers Elevator Company and the Farmers Creamery Company of Armstrong.
On the 24th of August, 1880, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Schaefer and Miss Lizzie Ulrich and they have three children: Barbara, the wife of George Paul, of Armstrong, lowa; Clara, who married Fred Mussen, a merchant of Gruver, Emmet county; and Elmer, who mar- ried Pearl Helgason and is farming the home place.
Mr. Schaefer is a stanch advocate of the principles of the demo- cratic party and takes a commendable interest in public affairs, although never an office seeker. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, which indicates his interest in the moral welfare of his community, and his life has conformed so closely to high standards of ethics as to win him the sincere respect of his fellows.
DANIEL SORENSEN.
Daniel Sorensen, who is operating the family homestead in Den- mark township, has chosen to devote his time and energy to dairying and has given careful study to the various phases of that business. He was born in Franklin county, Iowa, November 27, 1881, a son of John A. and Mary (Davidsen) Sorensen, who are living retired in Ringsted and a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. He received his education in the district schools and later attended Des Moines College, being a student there during the year 1902-3. After completing his education he worked as a carpenter for four years, or until he was twenty-five years old, and during the succeeding seven years operated a farm belonging to his father in Kossuth county. In 1913, when his parents retired, he purchased the home place in Denmark township, Emmet county, and has since resided there. His farm comprises the south half of the northwest quarter of section 13 and the north forty acres of the northwest quarter of section 24 and is as good land as can be found in the township. The improvements upon the place are modern and everything is kept in the best of repair. He is specializing in dairying, has a fine herd of cows and receives a gratifying annual income from the sale of his milk.
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