USA > Iowa > Dickinson County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 24
USA > Iowa > Emmet County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 24
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Mr. Sorensen was married in 1909 to Miss Ida Carrie Henricksen, a daughter of John and Hannah Henricksen, of Denmark township.
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Two children have been born to this union, namely: Arnold, whose birth occurred December 9, 1910; and Edna, born December 16, 1914.
The republican party has a stanch supporter in Mr. Sorensen but he has never had the time nor the inclination to take an active part in politics. Fraternally he is connected with the Yeomen at Ringsted and his church membership is held in St. Paul's. The same qualities which have enabled him to win a place among the substantial men of his locality ensure his continued success.
HILAND H. SHIPMAN.
Hiland H. Shipman, now living retired in Milford, Iowa, was born on the 20th of April, 1841, in Vermont, of which state his parents, Asher and Mary (Taylor) Shipman, were also natives. The father worked at the shoemaker's trade and was also a dealer in shoes at Weathersfield, Vermont, where he died in 1842. The mother subse- quently married again and her death occurred in Milford, Iowa, in - 1902.
In the Green Mountain state Hiland H. Shipman grew to manhood, in the meantime pursuing his studies in the local schools. He was twenty years of age when the Civil war broke out and he offered his services to the Union, enlisting in 1861 in Company E, Fourth Vermont Volunteer Infantry. After spending about one year at the front, he was honorably discharged on account of illness and returned to his home in Vermont. A year and a half later he removed to Fulton, New York, where he engaged in clerking in a store for one year and then worked for an uncle about the same length of time.
It was in 1865 that Mr. Shipman came to Iowa, accompanying his mother and stepfather on their removal to Delaware county, where he worked at the carpenter's trade until 1871. Since that time he has been a resident of Dickinson county. On his arrival here he took up a home- stead on section 36, Milford township, on which he erected sod buildings, and at once began to break the ground and put the land under cultivation. Later he built a frame house and made other substantial improvements, continuing the operation of that farm until September, 1892, when he removed to a tract of twenty-one acres south of Milford. At that time he practically retired from active labor but continued to supervise his farming interests until 1912, when he took up his abode at his present residence in Milford. For several years he served as a director of the First National Bank of that place but later resigned although he is still a stockholder.
On the 24th of December, 1874, Mr. Shipman married Miss Abbie Bisbee, a daughter of Alvin and Diana (Litchfield) Bisbee, who were natives of Massachusetts and pioneers of Dickinson county, arriving here in 1872. After following farming for many years Mr. Bisbee sold
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out and removed to Osage, Iowa, where he passed away May 18, 1906. His widow is still living at the age of eighty-nine years and makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Shipman. To our subject and his wife was born one child, Minnie, who married J. B. Coyle and died in April, 1905, and Mr. Coyle passed away November 16, 1913.
Politically Mr. Shipman is a republican and while residing upon his farm he served as township trustee, clerk and assessor of Milford township. In 1890 he built several bridges in Dickinson county and has borne a prominent part in the development of this region, especially along agricultural lines. In religious faith he is a Congregationalist and he is now serving as commander of Waller Post, G. A. R., of which he has long been an honored member. A loyal and patriotic citizen, he has been found as true to his country in days of peace as in time of war and he is held in the highest esteem by all who know him.
JOSEPH JOHN ESTES.
Joseph John Estes, who is still engaged in farming in Spirit Lake township, was one of the early settlers of the county and throughout the many years of his residence here has been held in high esteem by all who know him. He was born near Princeton, in Bureau county, Illinois, on the 23d of January, 1859, and is a son of John Marion and Polly (Johnstone) Estes. The father was born in Indiana, received a good education in that state and in his youth learned the mechanic's trade. He was mar- ried in Indianapolis and went with his bride partly by river and partly overland to Muscatine, Iowa, where he was employed on the construction of an iron bridge which the government was building across the Mississippi. Subsequently he conducted a machine and blacksmith shop in Bureau county, Illinois, near Princeton, manufacturing plows, etc. After the com- pletion of the railroad to Sheffield he removed to that town, where he passed his remaining days. His wife, a native of Allisonville, now a part of Cincinnati, Ohio, was taken by her parents to Indianapolis, Indi- ana, when but five years old, the family traveling the entire distance on horseback. She died in Sheffield.
Joseph J. Estes received his education in his native county but was compelled to go to work at the early age of ten years as his father had died five years previously and the family was in limited circumstances. He worked during the summers and had the privilege of attending school during the winter months. He remained in the prairie state until he was twenty-five years old, when he emigrated westward, arriving in Spirit Lake in March, 1884. For twelve years he rented land in Spirit Lake township and in 1896 bought one hundred and thirty-five acres on section 73, that township, to which he has added by subsequent purchase, his hold- ings now comprising two hundred and forty acres in a body. When he bought his farm there were some fairly good buildings thereon but he
JOSEPH J. ESTES
I.LO
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has made many other improvements, thereby greatly enhancing the value of the place. He does general farming but is giving particular attention to the raising of registered Poland China hogs. He aided in organizing the telephone company and is ranked among the substantial men of his township.
On the 17th day of May, 1881, Mr. Estes was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Parker at Princeton, Illinois. She was born in Bureau county, that state, and there received her education. Her parents, Albert M. and Effie (Coleman) Parker, were both born in Hackettstown, New Jersey, but became early settlers of Bureau county, Illinois, where the father engaged in farming for many years. He lived retired in Sheffield, Illinois, until his death, March 26, 1917. His wife passed away some years previous. To Mr. and Mrs. Estes have been born nine children. Joseph Randall, a native of Bureau county, Illinois, owns and operates land on section 13, Spirit Lake township. He married Miss Altona Gray, of Dickinson county, and they have a son, Harold Randall. Laura May, who was born in Spirit Lake township, is the wife of Ernest C. Carlton, the present treasurer of Dickinson county. Dora Hazel, who was born in Diamond Lake township, Dickinson county, is the wife of George E. Mitchell, a member of the firm of Mitchell Brothers, owners of the Spirit Lake Motor Company. Albert Monroe, who was born in Diamond Lake township, Dickinson county, is now a mechanic and resides in Spirit Lake. Elsie Genevieve, who was also born in Diamond Lake township, is the wife of Clyde Beck, a farmer of Jackson county, Minnesota. Jesse Earl and Bes- sie Pearl are twins. Tracy and Ruth Elizabeth are attending school.
Mr. Estes is a stanch democrat in politics and has served his town- ship as tax assessor and has also been secretary of the school board for eight years. In religious faith he is a Universalist and fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America at Spirit Lake, in which he has held various offices. He is characterized by sound judgment, enterprise and a progressive spirit and the prosperity which he has won is but the natural result of the exercise of those qualities.
INGVAL S. REFSELL.
Ingval S. Refsell is a representative of a prominent and well known family of Emmet county. He has practically been a lifelong resident here, for he was only two and one-half years of age when brought by his parents to Iowa. He was born in Norway, December 3, 1864, a son of Ole and Mary Refsell, who in 1867 came to the United States and established their home in Emmet county, casting in their lot with its early settlers. The family home was one of the pioneer farms of the district and thereon Ingval S. Refsell was reared, while his education was acquired in the district schools not far distant. When not busy with his textbooks he worked in the fields and his youth was a period
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of earnest labor in which he learned to correctly value industry and perseverance as factors in the attainment of success. He remained at home until he attained his majority and then purchased the farm upon which he now resides, comprising two hundred and twenty acres of land on section 21, High Lake township. In the intervening years he has wrought a marked transformation in the appearance of his place, to which he has added many modern improvements, including fine buildings that furnish ample shelter to grain and stock. His home is an attrac- tive residence and is the abode of warm-hearted hospitality. In addition to tilling his fields he makes a specialty of raising stock and in that undertaking is meeting with deserved success.
On December 12, 1894, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Refsell and Miss Bertha Nestegaard, a native of Norway and a daughter of Lars and Bertha (Swenson) Nestegaard, who were also born in the same country. They came to America in early life and spent their remaining days in Emmet county. Mr. and Mrs. Refsell have become parents of a son and three daughters: Ole L., Mabel S., Ina Bertha and Alice Irene.
Mr. Refsell supports the republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He has served as school director but has never been a politician in the usually accepted sense of seeking office. He and his wife are consistent members of the Lutheran church, loyal to its teachings and its purposes, and they have gained many warm friends by reason of the spirit of Christianity which they display in every relation of life. Mr. Refsell has proven himself an enterprising and progressive business man, utilizing his time and talents to good advantage, and he has ever keep abreast with the spirit of progress in the methods in which he carries on his farm work.
CHRIS ECKHART.
Since removing to Armstrong from his farm Chris Eckhart has conducted a horse and auto livery and has proved very successful in the management of his business interests. A native of Illinois, he was born in Lee county on the 17th of April, 1862, a son of Henry and Martha (Motz) Eckhart, who removed from Germany to America many years ago. The father purchased land in Lee county, Illinois, and engaged in farming there until his death in 1876. He was survived for many years by his widow, who died in October, 1913.
Chris Eckhart was reared and educated in Lee county, Illinois, and remained with his mother until he became of age, when he removed westward to Tama county, Iowa. He rented land there until 1892, when he arrived in Emmet county and bought land in Lincoln township. The farm was unimproved when it came into his possession, but as the years passed he made it one of the best developed farms of his locality,
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devoting his entire attention to its operation until February, 1916, when he sold the place and came to Armstrong. He has since conducted a horse and auto delivery and derives a good income from his business. He likewise owns stock in the Farmers Elevator Company of Armstrong and the Farmers Savings Bank at Dolliver.
In 1895 Mr. Eckhart was united in marriage to Miss Lena Bloss, who died in 1898, leaving two children, Fred and Mary, both still at home. On the 17th of December, 1900, Mr. Eckhart was married to Miss Henrietta Sievers and they had two children, but both died in infancy.
Mr. Eckhart is a strong republican and has discharged to the full the duties devolving upon him as a good citizen but has never been an office seeker. He is in sympathy with the work of all the churches, but has never been identified with any one denomination. He is characterized by broad-mindedness, enterprise and strict honesty and is justly held in high esteem by all who know him.
CECIL McNARY.
The time and energy of Cecil McNary have been devoted to the management of important business interests and an active participation in the public life of his town. He is manager of the James A. Smith Lumber Company at Terril, and is also vice president of the First National Bank. A native of Iowa, he was born in Linn county, July 20, 1870, a son of John and Rebecca (Gift) McNary. The father's birth also occurred in that county, where his parents settled in the early days. There he grew to manhood and was married, but in 1870 he home- steaded land in O'Brien county, where he maintained his residence until 1882, in which year he removed to Palo Alto county. For thirty years he engaged in merchandizing in Ruthven, but for the past two or three years has lived retired there.
Cecil McNary was graduated from the high school at Ruthven in 1887 and during the next eight years was employed in his father's store. In 1895 he came to Terril and for about eighteen years conducted a hardware store, building up a trade of large volume. When the First National Bank was organized in 1912 he became one of its stockholders and was elected a member of the board of directors. In 1916 he was chosen vice president of the bank and is still filling that office. Since 1914 he has had charge of the Terril branch of the James A. Smith Lumber Company, and the interests entrusted to his care have profited greatly from his careful and enterprising management. He is one of the substantial men of Terril, and owns a business block in addition to his residence.
Mr. McNary was united in marriage in 1895 to Miss Marie Burten of Ruthven, and they have six children: Gladys E., the wife of Horton
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Sperry, of Willmar, Minnesota; and Frank E., Mildred L., Howard L., Everett and Eva May, at home.
Mr. McNary is a republican in politics and has served as a member of the town council and as mayor. He has also held the office of justice of the peace and has been a member of the school board, and nothing effecting the interests of his community has been foreign to him. Fra- ternally he belongs to Richloyd Lodge, No. 612, A. F. & A. M., of Terril; Superior Lodge, No. 674, I. O. O. F., of Superior, and the Modern Wood- men of America. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. The success which he has gained and the high esteem in which he is universally held are but the natural results of his well directed energy and his strict adherance to high moral standards.
THORVALD OLSEN.
Thorvald Olsen, actively identified with farming interests in Swan Lake township, his home being on section 35, was born in Norway on the 14th of May, 1856, a son of Ole and Gunhilda (Thronson) Olsen. The father died in Norway, after which the mother came to the United States with her son Thorvald and made her home with a son in Illinois. She passed away in 1879.
Through the period of his boyhood and youth Thorvald Olsen at- tended the common schools of his native country and when eighteen years of age crossed the Atlantic to the new world, making his way to Lee county, Illinois, where he resided for nine years, being employed as a farm hand in that district. His brother, who was at that time a resident of Lee county, sent him his ticket to come to the United States. In 1883 Thorvald Olsen removed to Iowa and for eight months resided in Ham- ilton county but in the spring of 1884 came to Emmet county, where two years before, or in 1882 he had purchased eighty acres of land in Arm- strong Grove township. On his arrival in Emmet county he located upon that land and for five years occupied the farm. He then sold out and bought his present home place, comprising one hundred and sixty acres on section 35, Swan Lake township. This farm he has improved and it is now one of the valuable properties of the district. It is well equipped according to modern methods of agricultural development and his labors have brought to him substantial financial returns.
In 1884 Mr. Olsen was united in marriage to Miss Julia Berven, a native of Norway, who came to America about 1882. Five sons and a daughter have blessed this marriage: Ole, at home; Knute, who is a ranchman of Montana ; Thomas, who is farming in Emmet county ; Gustav, a twin brother of Thomas and a resident of South Dakota; Alfred, at home; and Lizzie, the wife of Herman Sorum, of Estherville.
Mr. Olsen votes with the republican party and is thoroughly conver- sant with the leading questions and issues of the day. He has served as
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township trustee and as school director for several years. He and his family are members of the Norwegian church and they are people of gen- uine worth, esteemed and respected by all with whom they have come in contact. Mr. Olsen deserves much credit for what he has accomplished. He arrived in America practically penniless and from that point has worked his way steadily upward, making good use of his time and oppor- tunities. He has never been afraid of hard work and his diligence and determination have been the basic elements of his growing success.
HOWARD GRAVES.
Howard Graves, who for fifty-three years remained one of the dis- tinguished and eminent citizens of Emmet county, honored by all who knew him, took active part in promoting public progress and improve- ment along many lines from the period of pioneer development down to the time of present-day progress and prosperity. So closely was he connected with the county that his life history will be of the deepest interest to many of our readers. He was a native of St. Lawrence county, New York, and a son of Gaylord Graves, who removed with his family to Wiscon- sin, where he took active part in public affairs, becoming a member of the territorial legislature and afterward serving as a member of the state legislature. In the early days of Emmet county, Iowa, he came here with his son, Howard Graves, and was one of the grantors of the original plat of Estherville.
When the work of progress and improvement had scarcely been begun in Emmet county, Howard Graves took up his abode here. From that time forward the part which he played in the development of the county was a very important one. For twenty years he served as postmaster of Estherville and he was also a member of the city council, in which connection he gave earnest consideration to the questions that came up for settlement regarding municipal welfare. He also filled most of the county offices and in 1866 he was elected to represent his district in the Iowa general assembly. His was indeed a useful career and at all times he was found fearless in conduct and stainless in repu- tation.
. Mr. Graves was closely connected with business interests in Emmet county as a banker. In 1871 he founded the first banking house within the borders of the county. This was originally a private bank and afterward became the Estherville State Bank, of which Mr. Graves was chosen president, so continuing until the year of his death-1913. He was actively engaged in its conduct and management from the time of its establishment until his demise.
Mr. Graves was united in marriage to Miss Mary Louise Blackman, a native of Connecticut. She came to Emmet county with him and together they endured the hardships of pioneer life. She was a woman
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of strong character and kindly spirit and her benevolence and hospi- tality were noteworthy. Her activity in church and social circles was continued until her death in 1902. Mr. Graves was characterized as a man of kindly disposition and of simple life and tastes. He possessed keen judgment and was always governed by the most rigid honesty and integrity. His generosity and charity were well known to all those with whom he came in contact. The familiar face and figure of Howard Graves will never be forgotten by those who have resided here nor by those who have come and gone in the long period during which Emmet county has developed from an unpeopled prairie into a prosperous and populous section of the state.
HALVOR EGERTSON.
Halvor Egertson, a well known and representative farmer of Twelve Mile Lake township, Emmet county, resides on section 2. He was born in Norway, November 26, 1851, a son of Egert and Gro Erikson, who always remained residents of Norway, never coming to the new world. The father was both a farmer and a mason. In the family were seven children, six sons and a daughter.
Halvor Egertson attended district schools in his native country and in 1881, when in his thirtieth year, crossed the Atlantic to the United States, making his way at once to Iowa. Taking up his abode in Emmet county, he worked on a farm until 1888 and during that period carefully saved his earnings until his industry and economy had brought him enough capital to enable him to purchase land. He then became owner of the south half of the northeast quarter of section 2, Twelve Mile Lake township, and afterward purchased forty acres adjoining his farm on the south, thus making it a tract of one hundred and twenty acres, which he has since carefully and successfully conducted. He now has a well improved farm property and the practical and progressive methods which he follows in cultivating his fields result in winning substantial harvests.
In 1876 Mr. Egertson was united in marriage to Miss Christie Nestegard, a daughter of Lars and Bertha Nestegard, also natives of Norway. To Mr. and Mrs. Egertson were born seven children: Erik; Louis and Gundy, both at home; Stephen, deceased; Belle, at home; Helene, now the wife of A. H. Gunderson, of Twelve Mile Lake township; and Emma, the wife of John Nelson, who is living in Wallingford, Iowa.
The parents are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and guide their lives according to its teachings. In his political views Mr. Egertson is a republican and has held a number of township offices, to which he has been called by his fellow townsmen, who recognize his loyalty and progressiveness in matters of citizenship. He has won suc-
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cess through hard work, earnest effort and persistency of purpose and is now one of the substantial agriculturists of the community.
His eldest son, Erik Egertson, was born in Norway, January 29, 1877, and was therefore a little lad of four years when his parents came to the new world. At the usual age he entered the district schools, in which he pursued his education until he reached the age of sixteen. He then began working for his father on the home farm and also fol- Iowed carpentering until he reached the age of twenty-six. In the mean- time, or when he had attained his majority, he purchased the west half of the southeast quarter of section 2, Twelve Mile Lake township, and five years later he began farming upon that tract of land. He has since given his attention to general agricultural pursuits and has followed progressive methods in all that he has undertaken, transforming his place into a highly improved and productive farm.
In 1903 Erik Egertson was married to Miss Sophia Myhre, a daugh- ter of Ole and Gunild (Brunweld) Myhre, of Center township, Emmet county. They have five children : Hagbert, Oswald, Ernest, Kermit and Lauritz. Erik Egertson has served as school director and, like his father, is interested in all those forces which tend to advance the welfare and progress of his community. At the same time he is, like his father, a representative agriculturist of his section of the county, leading a life of honorable activity fraught with good results.
JOHN KORRECT.
John Korrect was one of the many successful farmers who after accumulating a competence removed to Armstrong, there enjoying a period of rest from labor. He passed away here in April, 1914, when sixty-eight years old. A native of Germany, his birth occurred in Cologne on the 24th of March, 1846, and he was a son of Wymer and Helen (Hiprich) Korrect. At an early day in the development of the middle west the family emigrated from Germany to the United States, the voyage requiring seventy-seven days, and about 1856 located in Peru, Illinois. The father purchased land in that vicinity and farmed there until his death in 1883. The mother died sixteen years later.
John Korrect began his education in Germany and completed it in the schools of Peru, Illinois. He early became familiar with practical methods of farm work and remained with his parents until he was twenty-three years old, when he began farming on his own account in Illinois. It was in 1893 that he purchased land in Kossuth county, Iowa, and for eighteen years he gave his entire attention to the cultivation of that place. At length he removed to Armstrong, where he lived in honorable retirement until his death. He was a stockholder in the First National Bank of Armstrong. The success which he gained was the
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