USA > Iowa > Dickinson County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 25
USA > Iowa > Emmet County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 25
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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
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result of his industry, his good management and his thrift and his many excellent qualities commended him to the esteem of his fellows.
On the 18th of November, 1869, Mr. Korrect was united in mar- riage to Miss Sophia Trecker, a daughter of Henry and Ann M. (Brochite) Trecker, also natives of Germany. The family came to America in 1853, the mother and four children locating in Peru, Illinois. The father was taken sick en route and died after an illness of only three days and was buried at sea. Two years after her arrival in this country Mrs. Trecker was again married and for many years her second husband engaged in farming in the Prairie state. Her demise occurred in July, 1912, when she was eighty-eight years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Korrect were born ten children, as follows : William, who is farming in Minnesota ; John P., an architect and civil engineer, who resides with his mother; George, who is living retired in Armstrong; Anna, the wife of Edward Scully, of Kossuth county ; Elizabeth, the wife of Edward Reilly, of Lone- rock, Iowa; Josephine, who married Albert Turnbaugh, of Swea City, Iowa; Ida, the wife of Anton Guerdet, of Kossuth county, Iowa; Henry, who died in March, 1912, when twenty-eighth years old; Rosa, at home ; and Minnie, the wife of Fred C. Boland, of Armstrong.
Mr. Korrect did not consider himself bound by allegiance to any party but voted for the man whom he deemed best fitted for the office in question. His religious faith was that of the Catholic church. His demise was widely regretted and there are many who still hold him in affectionate memory.
W. A. DE LONG.
W. A. De Long, the well-known and popular mayor of Terril, Iowa, was born in Marshall county, Illinois, on the 13th of May, 1871, and is a son of Abraham De Long, who in early life engaged in teaching in that state but later followed farming in Marshall county, where he died in 1892. Our subject was only six weeks old when his mother passed away and his father subsequently married again. He remained at home up to his fifteenth year and then started out to make his own way in the world. For the first few years he worked in a livery stable and was employed at various other occupations, but since twenty years of age has devoted his attention principally to the drainage business. For some time he worked on small ditches on Illinois farms but in 1893 he went to Manson, Calhoun county, Iowa, where he spent two years and then removed to Greene county, this state. When the state drainage law was passed Mr. De Long took up the drainage business in earnest and made some of the first ditches dug in this state. During the following five years he was one of the most prominent drainage men in Iowa. In the spring of 1913 he came to Terril, Dickinson county, and took charge of the larg- est drainage proposition that has ever been undertaken in the county, and
W. A. DE LONG
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up to 1916 he had constructed the largest drainage systems in the state. For the past eight years he has had in his employ from one hundred to one hundred and fifty men. At present he is engaged on a large drainage proposition in Greene county and has three drainage ditches under con- struction in Dickinson county. Success has attended his efforts along this line and in all his undertakings he has steadily prospered. In March, 1916, he established an automobile business in Terril, which is now in charge of his son Charles, who is conducting a modern garage at that place. Beside his town property Mr. De Long owns three hundred and twenty acres of land in Milford township, Dickinson county, and one hundred and sixty acres near Pipestone, Minnesota.
In 1895 Mr. De Long was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle Arch of Calhoun county, Iowa, and to them have been born three children, Charles W., Maud G., and Ralph G., all at home. Mrs. De Long is an active member of the Christian church and is connected with the Ladies Aid Society. She is also a member of the Embroidery Club of Terril, of which she is treasurer, and both she and Mr. De Long hold membership in the Eastern Star. He belongs to Terril Lodge No. 612, A. F. & A. M. and to the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. The republican party finds in him a stanch supporter of its principles and in the spring of 1916 he was elected mayor of Terril, in which capacity he is still serving, with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. He is one of the representative citizens of Dickinson county, taking an active and commendable interest in public affairs and doing everything in his power to promote the interests of his town and county. He is widely and favorably known and has a host of friends in the commuinty where he resides.
KNUDT BONNICKSEN.
Knudt Bonnicksen, who is giving his undivided attention to the operation of a good farm of eighty acres on section 13, Denmark town- ship, was born in Clinton, Iowa, on the 14th of June, 1885. His parents, Jurgen and Laura Bonnicksen, were born in Denmark but emigrated to the United States many years ago and after living for a time in Clinton, Iowa, removed to Kossuth county, where the father is now farming.
Knudt Bonnicksen, who is the firstborn of a family of nine children, attended the public schools of Kossuth county until he was sixteen years old and later was for two terms a student in Elkhorn College at Elk- horn, Iowa. He assisted his father with the operation of the home place until he was twenty-five years old and then came to Denmark township, Emmet county, where he rented land for four years. Two years were spent as a renter in Kossuth county, but at the end of that time he returned to Denmark township, Emmet county, and bought the west half of the southeast quarter of section 13, on which he has since resided. He has made a number of improvements upon his farm and
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is careful to conserve the fertility of the soil. He is up-to-date and at the same time practical in his methods and receives a good annual income from his land.
Mr. Bonnicksen was united in marriage on the 26th of January, 1910, to Miss Gina Toft, a daughter of Hans and Abilena Toft, who were among the first settlers of Denmark township and are now living retired in Ringsted. Mr. and Mrs. Bonnicksen are the parents of three children, namely, Vivian, Chalmer and Harry.
Mr. Bonnicksen supports the republican party at the polls, but has not been otherwise active in politics. He is a member of St. John's Danish Lutheran church and fraternally is identified with the Danish Brotherhood. He has been entirely dependent upon his own resources since starting out in life for himself and the prosperity which he has gained is an indication of his ability and industry.
QUINTUS C. FULLER, M. D.
Dr. Quintus C. Fuller has gained a large practice in Milford and ranks among the successful physicians of Dickinson county. He erected the Milford Hospital in 1908 and has since had charge of its manage- ment. A native of Illinois, he was born in Pawpaw on the 29th of July, 1867, a son of Andrew J. and Susan (Colton) Fuller, both of whom were born in Vermont, where the father followed farming until his removal to Emmet county, Iowa. He bought land in Center township and for many years engaged in its cultivation, but in 1900 removed to Milford, making his home thereafter with his son Quintus until he was called by death in 1914. He had long survived his wife, who died in 1887 and was buried in Okoboji cemetery.
Quintus C. Fuller attended the public schools until he was fourteen years of age and supplemented the education so acquired by study in the Ames College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, graduating from the veterinary department of that institution in 1890. Subsequently he took a medical course in Drake University and received the M. D. degree with the class of 1892. He located for practice in Harlan, Iowa, and two years later came to Milford, Dickinson county, where he has since remained. He has kept informed on the newest developments in medical science and has been very successful in curing disease. In 1908 he erected the Milford Hospital, which has afforded needed facilities for expert medical and surgical treatment.
In 1899 Dr. Fuller was united in marriage to Miss Florence Guthrie, a daughter of J. C. and Phoebe Guthrie, of Milford. She passed away in 1912, leaving two children: Lucile, who is now attending school in St. Albans, Vermont; and Stanley, who is a student in the schools of Milford. In 1913 Dr. Fuller married Miss Opal Gillette, whose parents, W. R. and Eunice Gillette, are living on a farm in Milford township. One daughter, Grace, has been born to this union.
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Dr. Fuller is a republican in politics and finds time to take an active part in public affairs. He was for some time a member of the town council and for the past eighteen years has served on the school board. Fraternally he is well known, belonging to all the Masonic bodies, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America and along strictly professional lines he holds membership in the County and State Medical Societies and in the American Medical Association.
JULIUS A. MATHIESON.
Julius A. Mathieson, of Ringsted, is engaged in the collection busi- ness and is also a justice of the peace, his duties in that connection making considerable demand upon his time and attention. His birth occurred in Denmark, July 31, 1847, and he is one of the four children born to Jacob and Louisa (Fredriksen) Mathieson. The father rented a large dairy farm in Denmark, but felt that still better opportunities were offered in the United States and accordingly in 1866 removed with his family to this country and located in Marinette, Wisconsin. There he and his son Julius were employed in a sawmill for about four years. Subsequently he removed to Palo Alto county, where he homesteaded land, and in that county both he and his wife passed away. They are interred in a cemetery near Cylinder.
Julius A. Mathieson attended the public schools until he was con- firmed and also took a course in a dairy school, from which he was graduated at the age of eighteen. He became overseer of a dairy farm, working in that capacity until he accompanied the family to America. In 1870 removal was made to Fairfield township, Palo Alto county, Iowa, and there he homesteaded land on section 2. For thirty years he farmed his homestead and the energy and good judgment which have always characterized him led to his success as an agriculturist. In 1900 he removed to Ringsted and for a time engaged in merchandising in con- nection with his son-in-law, E. T. Sorem. After two years he disposed of his interests to Carl Iversen and subsequently was for a year engaged in the implement business, but sold out to Fink Brothers. He is now dividing his time between his duties as justice of the peace and the management of a collection business, in which difficult field he has been quite successful.
In 1873 Mr. Mathieson was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Nelson, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nels Swendson, who passed their entire lives in Sweden. To Mr. and Mrs. Mathieson have been born eight children: Anna, who is now Mrs. Louis Christian and resides upon the homestead in Fairfield township, Palo Alto county; Emma, the wife of E. T. Sorem; Ida, now Mrs. J. J. Fink, of Ringsted; Nettie, who married Peter Nissen, of Orange City, Iowa; Fred, who died when eleven years old; Minnie, the wife of Carl Johnson, of Ringsted; Andrew, who died when three years old; and Clarence J., at home.
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Mr. Mathieson believes thoroughly in the policies of the republican party and supports the candidates of that organization at the polls. He was a member of the town council for several years and for two terms filled acceptably the office of mayor of Ringsted, forwarding in every way possible the interests of the municipality. He belongs to St. Paul's Danish Lutheran church and no movement seeking to moral welfare of the community lacks his loyal support. He began his career without capital and has at all times been dependent upon his own resources, but has proven equal to the demands made upon him and has accumulated more than a competence. In addition to his fine farm in Palo Alto county he owns an attractive modern residence in Ringsted.
C. G. GUGE.
The year 1890 witnessed the arrival of C. G. Guge in Emmet county, where he has since made his home. He is today the owner of an ex- cellent farm in Emmet township, which he has improved according to modern, progressive ideas. He has always made good use of his time and opportunities since starting out in life for himself when eighteen years of age. He was born in Germany, January 21, 1851, and was there reared and educated, remaining in that country until he reached the age of eighteen years, when he bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for America. He first located in Ohio, where he worked at the shoemaker's trade for three years and on the expiration of that period he became a resident of Nebraska, where he engaged in the cultivation of a rented farm for four years. In 1890 he removed to Emmet county, Iowa, and bought the farm upon which he now makes his home-an ex- cellent tract of land in Emmet township which he has converted into rich and arable fields, annually gathering therefrom substantial harvests of the grains best adapted to soil and climatic conditions here. He has im- proved his place with fine buildings and in addition to an attractive resi- dence has large barns and outbuildings which furnish ample shelter for grain and stock. He has also planted an extensive orchard and has large and small fruits of all kinds. He makes a specialty of stock raising, which constitutes an important branch of his business.
In January, 1883, Mr. Guge was married to Miss Marie Schafer, also a native of Germany, and in the passing years eleven children have been born to them: Paulina, now deceased; Ernest G .; Carolina S., the wife of J. Herbronson ; Katie, the wife of Claude Jackman, of Minnesota ; Marie, the wife of Albert Aasby, of Minnesota; Carl J .; William; John, Louisa; Lawrence; and Martin.
The parents are members of the Lutheran church and are people of genuine personal worth, enjoying the high regard of all with whom they come in contact. Mr. Guge is a republican and has filled a number of
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LIBERTY
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local offices, serving as road supervisor, as township trustee and as school director for a number of years. Laudable ambition prompted Mr. and Mrs. Guge to come to the new world. They felt that they might have better business opportunities on this side the Atlantic and they have here made good use of their chances, Mr. Guge carefully and persistently carrying on his business affairs, while his wife has wisely managed the interests of the household and thus ably rounded out and supplemented the labors of her husband. Both are well known in the community where they make their home and their genuine worth has gained for them many friends.
NELS P. PETERSON.
On the list of honored dead in Emmet county appears the name of Nels P. Peterson, who for a long period was actively, successfully and honorably identified with the agricultural interests of this section of the state. He made his home on a farm on sections 17 and 18, High Lake township. His birth occurred in Norway, July 5, 1835, and when a boy he came to the new world, first making his way to Wisconsin, where he attained his majority. In that state he was married May 14, 1860, to Miss Betsy Erickson, who was born in Norway March 26, 1836, and was a daughter of Ole and Julia (Goorie) Erickson. Her mother died while they were upon the sea enroute for the new world, in 1857, after which the father took his children to Wisconsin, where he lived for some time and then removed with his family to Emmet county, Iowa, where his remaining days were passed.
Mr. and Mrs. Peterson became residents of Emmet county in 1860 and established their home upon a farm on sections 17 and 18, High Lake township, comprising two hundred and thirty acres of rich and pro- ductive land. With characteristic energy Mr. Peterson began to develop and improve his place, but at the time of the Civil war he put aside all personal and business considerations in order to espouse the cause of the Union and went to the front. It was while serving his country that his health became impaired and he never afterward fully recovered but passed away in the '70s. He left to his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name and his memory is yet cherished by many who knew him.
To Mr. and Mrs. Peterson were born six children: Peter, deceased ; Peter, who was the second of the name and is now living in the state of Washington; George, who has departed this life; Ole, living in Wash- ington; and Julia and Gertenia, both now deceased.
Mrs. Peterson still owns the old homestead farm which she has always occupied but now rents the land, deriving therefrom a substantial income. She is a consistent member of the Lutheran church and is one of the well known residents of High Lake township, where she has
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now made her home for much more than a half century. She has lived to witness notable changes here as the work of transformation and improvement has been carried steadily forward and she can tell many an interesting tale of the early days when pioneer conditions were pre- valent and the county bore little resemblance to present-day conditions.
FRANK CARPENTER.
Frank Carpenter, who since 1888 has been connected with the Estherville Democrat and has been owner and editor of the paper since November, 1896, is now also filling the position of postmaster in Esther- ville. Iowa numbers him among her native sons, for his birth occurred in Webster City, November 5, 1870. His parents were Charles and Louise P. (Miller) Carpenter. In the schools of Webster City and of Estherville he pursued his education and his early life was devoted to agricultural pursuits, but later he took up the newspaper business, in which he has since been engaged, securing a position on the Estherville Democrat in 1888. Finding this pursuit congenial, he worked his way upward and in November, 1896, took over the paper by purchase and has since been its owner and publisher, making it one of the chief demo- cratic organs and leading newspapers in the northwestern part of the state. Ile also has other business interests, being one of the stock- holders and directors of the Iowa Savings Bank of Estherville.
Mr. Carpenter is identified with several fraternal organizations, hav- ing membership with the Elks, the Woodmen, the Homesteaders and the Moose. In politics he has always been an earnest democrat since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and from 1910 until 1914 he served as chairman of the democratic county central committee. In July, 1913, he was appointed by President Wilson to the position of postmaster of Estherville and has since served in that capacity. He has ever stood for progress and improvement in community affairs as well as for advancement in matters of national importance and he is recognized as a splendid type of American manhood and chivalry.
L. E. CRIM.
L. E. Crim, postmaster at Wallingford, to which position he was appointed on the 12th of January, 1916, is a native son of Emmet county, his birth having occurred at Estherville, August 18, 1888. His parents were A. A. and Eva (Brown) Crim, the former a native of Boone county, Iowa, and the latter of Massachusetts. About forty years ago A. A. Crim took up his abode in Emmet county, where he and his wife are still living, being among the well known and worthy farming
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people of this section of the state. In their family were four children and the family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death.
The usual experiences of the farm bred boy came to L. E. Crim in the period of his youth. He attended the district schools and through the summer months aided in the work of the fields, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agri- culturist. In 1913 he engaged in the hardware and implement business at Wallingford and has since conducted his store in that city. He carries a carefully selected line, representing the leading manufacturers of the country, and from the beginning his trade has constantly grown. He is also filling the position of postmaster, as previously indicated, thus becoming one of the active officials of his city.
In 1911 Mr. Crim was married to Miss Gay Shaffer, a native of Grundy county, Iowa, and a daughter of W. A. and Lydia Shaffer, who are now residents of Waterloo, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Crim have become the parents of a son, Keith W., who was born on the 18th of June, 1912.
Mr. Crim has always been a democrat since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and gives stalwart support to the party, believing firmly in its principles. His entire life has been passed in Emmet county, where he has a very wide and favorable acquaintance, and he is now numbered among its enterprising and substantial young business men.
OLE OPSAL.
Ole Opsal, a well known and up-to-date farmer residing on section 3, Armstrong Grove township, was born in Norway, January 31, 1874. His parents, Johannas and Johanna (Christenson) Johnson, were like- wise natives of that country, where the father engaged in carpentering during his active life. He passed away in 1875 but the mother is still living in Norway.
Ole Opsal grew to manhood in Norway and there received his edu- cation. On leaving home he went to sea and was a sailor for four years, during that time visiting most parts of the world. In 1893 he came to America and for a year was employed as a farm hand in La Salle county, Illinois. He next removed to Shelby county, Iowa, where he worked for others for seven years, after which he made his way to Emmet county. Here he operated rented land for five years but at the end of that time bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 3, Arm- strong Grove township, which he has since converted into one of the best improved farms in the county. He is giving the greater part of his attention to the raising of thoroughbred shorthorn cattle, feeding about two carloads of cattle a year, and he has gained a high standing among the cattle raisers of this section of the state. He has prospered
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financially and not only owns his valuable farm but also is financially interested in the Farmers Elevator Company and the Farmers Creamery Company, both of Armstrong.
Mr. Opsal was united in marriage on the 4th of December, 1899, to Miss Mary Johnson, and they have become the parents of eight chil- dren, namely: Jennie, Mabel, Eunice, Otis, Orville, Theodore, Ruby and Sadie, but the last named died in November, 1904.
The republican party has a stanch adherent in Mr. Opsal and in religious faith he is a Lutheran. He has never regretted his emigration to this country, for here he has found opportunities, the utilization of which has enabled him to gain a gratifying measure of success. He has many warm personal friends throughout the county and is recognized as a man of genuine worth.
CHARLES F. MAUSS.
Charles F. Mauss, president of the First National Bank at Milford, Dickinson county, Iowa, has proved efficient and reliable in the discharge of his important duties and ranks among the representative bankers of Dickinson county. He was born in La Salle county, Illinois, on the 29th of April, 1880, a son of Henry and Mary (Moehl) Mauss, natives of Ger- many and Maryland respectively. The family resided in Illinois until 1890, when removal was made to Wright county, Iowa, where the father purchased land which he operated for a number of years. Both he and his wife are now living retired in Spencer, Iowa.
Charles F. Mauss, who is the third in order of birth in a family of eleven children, began working in a bank in Belmond, Iowa, when fifteen years old, remaining there for three years and seven months. He was next employed by a lumber company in that town for a year and a half and then devoted a year to the operation of the home farm. In 1902 he came to Milford as assistant cashier of the First National Bank, with which he has since been continuously connected. He was promoted to the position of cashier and served in that capacity until January 1, 1917, when he was made president and as such directs the policy of the insti- tution. He realizes that the confidence of the community is necessary for the permanent prosperity of a banking institution and has made it his first care to protect the depositors and stockholders from loss. The sound policy which he has followed has received the endorsement of the public and the bank has a large and growing patronage. It was organized in 1884 as a private bank and in 1900 was nationalized with Peter Ras- mussen as the president. He continued in that office until the 1st of Jan- uary, 1917, when he was succeeded by Mr. Mauss, and P. O. Bjorenson became cashier. The institution is capitalized for thirty-five thousand dollars and is housed in its own building, a fine brick structure erected in 1911.
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