USA > Iowa > Dickinson County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 27
USA > Iowa > Emmet County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 27
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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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In 1882 Mr. Hansen was united in marriage to Miss Maren Eskelund, whose parents spent their entire lives in Denmark. Mr. and Mrs. Hansen had six children: Lena, now Mrs. Hans C. Christiansen, of Denmark township; Anna, the wife of Peter Johansen, of Denmark township; J. E., who is married and is a banker of Crystal Lake, Iowa; Emma and Carl, both at home; and William, who is married and resides in Ringsted.
The democratic party received the support of Mr. Hansen but his political activity was confined to the exercise of his right of franchise. He served, however, as school director for seven years and had much at heart the educational advancement of his community. His religious faith was indicated by his membership in St. John's Danish Lutheran church. His untimely death deprived his family of a loving husband and father and his community of a citizen whose support could always be counted upon for the furtherance of all worthy projects.
HORACE H. OVEROCKER.
Horace H. Overocker still owns a valuable farm in Dickinson county but is now living retired in Milford, leaving the cultivation of his land to tenants. He was born in New York state on the 28th of September, 1849, one of seven children whose parents were Jacob and Elizabeth (Hollister) Overocker, also natives of New York, where they passed their entire lives. Both are buried in a cemetery in Oneida county, that state.
Horace H. Overocker received a common school education and as a boy assisted his father with the operation of the home farm, thus gaining knowledge concerning agricultural methods that later proved of the great- est value. When sixteen years of age he left home and came west alone, locating in Grundy county, Illinois, where he worked as a farm hand until twenty-one years old. He then rented a farm and for seven years, culti- vated land as a renter but at length accumulated sufficient capital to pur- chase a farm in that county. He carried on agricultural pursuits there until 1905, when he came to Dickinson county, Iowa, and bought his pres- ent place in Milford township. He is now retired from active life, his farm being operated by tenants, and he takes great enjoyment in the fine modern home which he erected in Milford. Although he has given up the work of the farm he is connected with the financial circles of the town as president of the Milford State Bank.
In 1873 Mr. Overocker was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Dewey, a daughter of Sylvester and Melissa (Fisk) Dewey, of Grundy county, Illinois, where both passed away and are buried. Mr. and Mrs. Over- ocker have a son, Burton, who is married and is living in Milford township.
Mr. Overocker is a stanch advocate of republican principles and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. For a number of years he has been treasurer of the school board of Milford and his duties in that connection have been discharged with promptness and accuracy.
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Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic lodge at Milford and in the teachings of that organization are found the principles which govern his conduct. He has depended solely upon his own resources since he was a boy of sixteen and the success which he has gained is evidence of his business acumen, persistency of purpose and industry.
MAURICE EDWARD WILSON, M. D.
Almost every section on the face of the globe has contributed to the citizenship of Emmet county, and it is a recognized fact that the quota furnished by Canada is of a most substantial and valuable character. A recognition of the fact comes in the review of the life records of such men as Dr. M. E. Wilson, who for a number of years has been actively and successfully engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Esther- ville. A native of Ontario, Canada, he is a son of John M. and Isabelle Wilson. With the removal of the family to Iowa he received his professional training in the State University of Iowa, from which he was graduated in 1897 on the completion of the medical course. He then located for prac- tice in Estherville, where he has since remained, and with the passing years his practice has constantly grown in volume and importance. He has kept in touch with the trend of modern scientific thought and investigation and is continually reading and studying along lines that promote his knowledge and advance his efficiency, being recognized today as one of the most eminent physicians and surgeons of northeastern Iowa. He has also extended his business interests by becoming a stockholder and one of the directors of the First National Bank.
On the 18th of October, 1899, at Sparta, Wisconsin, Dr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Margaret A. Jones, daughter of E. R. Jones. They have one child, Dorothy E. In his political views Dr. Wilson is a republican but cannot be said to be a politician in the sense of office seeking, although from 1908 until 1916 he served as coroner of Emmet county. He is an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity, demonstrating in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft. He and his wife hold mem- bership in the Presbyterian church and their social position is an enviable one in those circles where culture and personal worth are accepted as the passports into good society.
JAMES CHAPMAN.
James Chapman, senior member of the firm of Chapman & Son, engaged in the automobile business in Terril, Iowa, was born March 19, 1853, in Sidney, Shelby county, Ohio, and is a son of Stephen and Maria (Kirtley) Chapman. The father was born in New York and when a young
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man removed to Ohio, where he was married. The mother, however, was a native of Kentucky and as a child was taken by her parents to the Buckeye state. The Kirtley family, while living in the south, were slave holders for many years, but two years before the Civil war they freed all their slaves. In 1866 the father brought his family to lowa, and first located in Poweshiek county but subsequently removed to O'Brien county where the mother died. After her death he made his home with our subject.
James Chapman began his education in his native state and was thir- teen years of age on the removal of the family to Iowa. Here he grew to manhood, and in 1879 embarked in the livery business at Audubon, but remained there only a short time, however. He next became a resident of Sheldon, O'Brien county, where he conducted a livery stable for several years. On leaving that place he moved to Adrian, Minnesota, and about 1895 came to Terril, Iowa, where he continued in the livery business until automobiles came into prominence, and since 1911 has conducted a garage. He has the agency for the Ford cars at Terril and in the automobile busi- ness has met with good success. His son Walter is now a member of the firm, and in connection with their city property they own two hundred and forty acres of good farming land in Minnesota.
In 1879 Mr. Chapman married Miss Mary McAdam, then a resident of lowa county, Iowa, but a native of New York state. They have become the parents of two children: Elizabeth, now the wife of Ervin Ruckman of Alberta, Canada; and Walter, who is associated in the automobile busi- ness with his father.
The republican party finds in Mr. Chapman a stanch supporter of its principles and he has taken a very active interest in political affairs. For many years he has served as constable and no trust reposed in him is ever betrayed. Fraternally he is a member of Milford Lodge, K. P., and is also connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. He is one of the leading business men of Terril and the success that has come to him is the just reward of earnest and persistent labor.
ALEXANDER DUNDAS.
Alexander Dundas, who is living retired in Armstrong after many years of successful farming, was born in Canada, April 17, 1852. His parents, James and Anna (McFadden) Dundas, were natives respect- ively of Scotland and of Ireland but the mother was also of Scotch descent. On emigrating to America in 1824 the father located in Canada, where he farmed for many years. At length, however, he went to De Kalb county, Illinois, where he rented land until the spring of 1865, when he removed with his family to Kossuth county, lowa, driving from Illi- nois to his destination. A son-in-law, John Carroll, came west at the same time and they drove their live stock the entire distance. The house- hold effects of the two families were brought in four covered wagons.
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ALEXANDER DUNDAS AND FAMILY
THE NEW YORK IT ODLIC LIBE : RY
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Mr. Dundas took up a homestead in Kossuth county but after farming there for five years removed across the line into Emmet county, pur- chasing eighty acres of land in Armstrong Grove township. He resided upon that place for a number of years but passed away in Armstrong on the 9th of February, 1891, when he had reached the venerable age of ninety-one years. His wife died on the 13th of the same February, when she was eighty-five years old.
Alexander Dundas remained at home until he was twenty-two years of age and received his education in the public schools. On beginning his independent career he went to Oregon, where he was employed on a ranch for three years, after which he returned home and operated the home- stead for two years. He next drove the stage from Webster City, Iowa, to Algona, a distance of sixty-five miles, for a year, and then turned his attention to breaking the prairie for others. In all he broke eighteen hundred acres of land, a record equaled by few. In the early days in the county the nearest mill was at Estherville, Iowa, or Blue Earth, Minne- sota, and as horses were very scarce most of the settlers used oxen as draft animals. At length he decided to turn his attention to some field of activity other than agricultural pursuits and for two years was em- ployed in an implement store, working one year for Jack Graham and one year for J. B. Johnson. At the end of that time he again took up the work of the fields, purchasing a farm from his brother in Kossuth county. Eleven years were devoted to the opreation of that place. He then removed to Armstrong and for two years took care of his parents, who were then advanced in years. After returning to his farm he engaged in agricultural pursuits for eight years but at length sold the place and went with his family to Oregon, where he remained for only six months. He came again to Emmet county and bought land one mile from Arm- strong, farming that place for three years. He kept well informed as to the discoveries in scientific agriculture and was constantly seeking to become more efficient in the management of his farm work. He was the first man in the county to raise alfalfa and was ranked among those who lead rather than those who follow in the development of the agricultural interests of the county. In March, 1904, he retired from active life and removed to Armstrong, where he purchased a good residence, and there he still makes his home. He has seen many different parts of the country. In addition to the places already mentioned he lived for a time in Texas, going there when a young man. He was not pleased with conditions, however, and only remained for six months, returning to Iowa. He is fully convinced that the opportunities offered the farmer in Emmet county are the equal of those to be found anywhere else in the country.
On the 12th of December, 1888, Mr. Dundas was united in marriage to Miss Susie Brayton and they have five children: Edith V., the wife of Peter H. Gehrtz, a resident of northern Minnesota; Minnie R., who married John Van Buskirk and resides in Montana; Clifford, who is living in Armstrong; F. Louvin, a resident of Washburn county, Wisconsin ; and Nellie M., at home.
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Mr. Dundas is a stanch republican and served ably as justice of the peace and as school director while living in Kossuth county. He attends the Presbyterian church and is a member of the Masonic order and the Eastern Star, these associations indicating the principles which have governed his life. He has a wide acquaintance in this locality and is an authority upon the history of this region as he removed here when it was just being opened to settlement. In fact he and his brother David are the oldest living settlers of this locality. He has at all times discharged to the full the obligations resting upon him as a man and a citizen and the high esteem in which he is held is well deserved.
PETER C. SMITH.
Peter C. Smith, who is devoting his time and attention to the opera- tion of his well-improved farm of eighty acres on sections 22 and 23, Arm- strong Grove township, was born in Germany, of Danish stock, on the 9th of June, 1862. His parents, Ahrindt and Eleanora (Grav) Smith, were natives of Denmark. The mother died in Germany in 1880 and the father came to this country in 1890. During his active years he was a black- smith but after his emigration to this country lived retired, making his home with his son, J. P., in Clinton, Iowa, and passing away in August, 1895.
Peter C. Smith was reared in his native country and there attended the public schools. He learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed until 1882, when he came to the United States and located in Clinton county, Iowa, where he was employed in the saw-mills for some time. Later he worked as a farm hand and then became connected with a wholesale hardware store in Clinton. After seven years spent with that concern he came to Emmet county, Iowa, in 1899 and in connection with his brother purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 10, Jack Creek town- ship. They made a number of improvements upon the place, which they operated for nine years, but at the end of that time Peter C. Smith came to Armstrong Grove township and purchased eighty acres on sections 22 and 23. The buildings, which are located on section 23, are substantial and well adapted to their purposes and everything about the place is kept in excellent condition. He engages in general farming and derives a gratifying income from his well directed labors.
On the 2d of January, 1900, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Maria S. Lund, a daughter of Jens N. and Carolina C. (Thomsen) Lund, natives of Denmark, who in 1864 came to America and located in Clinton county, Iowa. There the father bought a farm which he operated for many years but he is now retired and resides at Camanche, Clinton county. He has reached the age of seventy-seven years and his wife is seventy-two years old. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born three children: one, who was born in February, 1901, and died in infancy; Eleanora C., who died
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March 21, 1903, at the age of six months; and Florence, who was born June 21, 1904, and is attending school.
Mr. Smith gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church. He has been quick to recognize and utilize the opportunities offered him here in this relatively new country and as a result has won a gratifying measure of success.
JOHN C. HARRISON.
The well ordered appearance of the farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Armstrong Grove township, Emmet county, belonging to John C. Harrison is evidence of the care and labor which he bestows upon the place and which enables him to secure a gratifying income from his land. He was born on the 12th of March, 1846, in Michigan, a son of Alanson and Eleanor (Patek) Harrison, both natives of New York state. The father followed the stonecutter's trade in the east, but after his removal to Michigan engaged in farming there. At length he retired and removed to a nearby town, where he spent his last years, his death occurring January 2, 1882. On the 9th of May, 1884, his wife also passed away.
John C. Harrison grew to manhood in his native state and received his education in the common schools. On attaining his majority he left home and traveled during the greater part of the time for three years. He then went to California, where he was employed as a railroad brake- man for some time and where he learned and followed the carpenter's trade. At length he returned to Michigan, but in the spring of 1871 he and two brothers came to Emmet county, Iowa, where all took up home- steads. John C. Harrison filed on one hundred and sixty acres on section 20, Armstrong Grove township, and has there made his home during the intervening forty-six years. During that time the transforma- tion wrought in his farm and in the county as a whole has been nothing short of marvelous. When he came here this was a frontier district, much of the land was unbroken and there were few white settlers. Now his highly cultivated and splendidly improved place is typical of the farms of the county and country life has many advantages that even a comparatively few years ago were supposed to belong to city life exclusively. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Creamery Company of Armstrong and the Farmers Telephone Company, believing thoroughly in the importance of cooperation among farmers.
Mr. Harrison was married February 16, 1877, to Mrs. Elizabeth Baker, a daughter of George and Jane (Froice) Martin, natives of Eng- land, whence they emigrated to America many years ago. Mr. Martin farmed in New York state and also engaged in the butcher business there until 1871, when he removed with his family to Iowa City, Iowa, where he operated a meat market for three years. He then came to Emmet
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county, Iowa, where a son homesteaded land. Following the death of the son Mr. Martin took over the operation of the place, which he con- tinued to cultivate for several years. At length he sold the property and from that time until his death, which occurred in 1904, made his home with Mr. Harrison. The mother died in December, 1893. To Mr. and Mrs. Harrison has been born a son, Harry, whose birth occurred in December, 1877, and who is now operating the home place. He married Miss Amy Moore and they have a daughter, Mabel Viola.
Mr. Harrison votes the republican ticket and has acceptably filled the offices of assessor and township clerk and has likewise been a school director. His religious faith is indicated in his membership in the Presbyterian church and in all relations of life he has sought to conform his conduct to high ethical standards.
ROBERT P. PETERSON.
Robert P. Peterson was for many years identified with the develop- ment of Denmark township, of which his father was one of the first set- tlers, and his life was so ordered that he won the respect and the warm regard of those who were brought into close contact with him. A native of Denmark, he was born May 8, 1867, and he was a son of Morton Peter- son, who removed with his family to the United States in 1870 and located in Manistee, Michigan, where the home was maintained for three years. It was there that the wife and mother died. Subsequently the father and children lived in Chicago for two years and then resided in Clinton, Iowa, for a time, but in 1883 came to Denmark township, Emmet county, be- coming the first of the Danish settlers of the township. The father pur- chased the southwest quarter of section 1, which he farmed until 1902, when he retired and took up his residence in Ringsted, where he passed away in 1912. In 1878, in Clinton, he was married a second time, choos- ing as his wife Anna Petersen, also a native of Denmark, where her par- ents passed their entire lives. She survived him for two years, dying in 1914, and is buried by his side in St. Paul's cemetery. By each of his two marriages he had three children.
Robert P. Peterson was brought to the United States when a child and received his education in the public schools of this country. He gave his father the benefit of his labor until he was twenty-four years of age and then purchased the northeast quarter of section 12, Denmark town- ship, to the cultivation and improvement of which he devoted his time and attention until 1910. Everything about his place was kept in good repair and he used up-to-date methods in his work with the result that as the years passed his resources increased. He was still actively engaged in farming at the time of his death in 1910. Mrs. Peterson continued to reside upon the farm until 1912, when she retired and removed to Ring- sted, where she erected a fine residence.
ROBERT P. PETERSON
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It was in 1891 that Mr. Peterson was united in marriage to Miss Kirsten Jensen, a daughter of Peter and Marie (Andersen) Jensen, na- tives of Denmark, where they lived and died. To Mr. and Mrs. Peterson were born eight children: Anna, now Mrs. J. E. Hansen, of Crystal Lake, Iowa; Marie, the wife of O. E. Olsen, of Comfrey, Minnesota ; Mar- tin H., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Walter, who is living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Ella, Dora, Eugene and Edna, all at home.
Mr. Peterson supported the candidates and measures of the repub- lican party at the polls but never had time to be an active participant in political affairs. He held membership in St. Paul's Danish Lutheran church and contributed to the support of its work. His was a life of un- relaxing effort and his death was not only the occasion of great sorrow to his family and friends but was also deeply regretted by the community at large as he was recognized as a man of sterling worth and as a public- spirited citizen.
GEORGE H. ROBB.
George H. Robb, one of the prominent and influential citizens of Emmet county, successfully engaged in farming and stock raising on section 13, Estherville township, was born on the 15th of February, 1881, in Morris, Illinois, of which state his parents, Wesley and Eudora (Clow) Robb, were also natives. In their family were seven children. Our sub- ject was a lad of thirteen years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Emmet county, Iowa. The father purchased the east half of section 13, Estherville township, on which he engaged in farming and stock raising on an extensive scale for ten years, but is now practically living retired in Estherville.
George H. Robb began his education in the district schools of Illinois and later attended the high school of Estherville, Iowa, and a business college at Kankakee, Illinois. Under his father's able direction he early became familiar with agricultural pursuits and since the age of twenty years he has been in partnership with his father in their farming and stock raising operations. He now owns one hundred and thirty-five acres in the south half of the east half of section 13, Estherville township, and the west half of the southwest quarter of section 18 of Center township, and the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of the same section. His place is well improved with good and substantial buildings and the fields are in a high state of cultivation. His stock is of a good grade and commands the highest price on the market.
Mr. Robb was married in 1902 to Miss Nellie Crim, a daughter of A. A. and Eva Crim, who are farming people of Center township. Mr. and Mrs. Robb have two children, Maurine and Merrill. The republican party finds in Mr. Robb a stanch supporter of its principles and his fellow
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citizens, recognizing his worth and ability have called upon him to fill many positions of honor and trust. He was a member of the republican central committee two years, was township assessor four years and has been township clerk for the past three years. He has also been president, treasurer and a director of the Farmers Institute and does all in his power to promote the interests of his community. In religious faith he is a Methodist.
HANS C. TOFT.
Many of the most highly esteemed residents of Ringsted are retired farmers and among this number is Hans C. Toft, who was born in Schleswig, Germany, of Danish descent, the sixth in order of birth in a family of seven children born to George and Ellen (Jessen) Toft. The father was a carpenter and mason.
Hans C. Toft was the only one of the family to come to the United States save his youngest brother, who was accidentally scalded to death on a steamboat running from San Francisco to Portland. Mr. Toft of this review attended school in his native country until he was sixteen years old and later spent eighteen months in the Danish army according to the requirements of the country. Upon returning to civil life he was employed as a farm hand for two years, but in 1881 came to the United States and made his way to Battle Creek, Iowa. There he took out his first naturalization papers as it was his intention from the beginning to thoroughly identify himself with his adopted country. He worked for farmers in that locality for a time, but as soon as possible bought land, becoming the owner of eighty acres in Ida county. After farming that place for four years he went to Clinton, Iowa, where he was employed in a sawmill until 1893, in which year he removed to Kossuth county. He rented a farm near the Emmet county line and for three years was engaged in its operation, but at the end of that period purchased the west half of the southeast quarter of section 13, Denmark township, Emmet county. There he engaged in farming and stock raising until he retired from active life in 1915 and removed to Ringsted, where he is now making his home. He was thoroughly familiar with the most approved methods of cultivating the fields and caring for the live stock and was energetic and industrious, allowing nothing to interfere with his farm work, and thus it was that he gained a competence.
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