USA > Iowa > Dickinson County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 28
USA > Iowa > Emmet County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 28
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In 1887 Mr. Toft was married to Miss Abilena Wilson, a daughter of Andrew and Katherine Wilson, natives of Schleswig, who, however, emigrated to the United States. They lived for some time in Clinton, Iowa, but subsequently made their home in Hancock county, Iowa, with their son Jesse, now a resident of Armstrong, Iowa. The mother died in Hancock county, but the father passed away in Emmet county while living with Mr. and Mrs. Toft. He is buried in St. John's cemetery.
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Mr. and Mrs. Toft have become the parents of six children: Alma, who died at the age of eighteen and is buried in St. John's cemetery; Tina, now Mrs. Knut Bonnicksen, of Denmark township; and Andrew, George, Olga and Siegfried, all at home.
Mr. Toft is a stalwart advocate of republican principles and can be depended upon to support the candidates of that party at the polls. He has made his own way in the world, having neither capital nor influential friends to aid him in gaining a start, but the necessity of depending upon his own resources did not discourage him as he believed that persistence and careful management would enable him to gain suc- cess. This faith has been more than justified and he now ranks among the substantial men of Ringsted.
PAUL H. GRAVES.
Paul H. Graves, engaged in the grain and coal trade at Gruver and identified with farming interests in Center township, Emmet county, was born in La Salle county, Illinois, March 24, 1889, a son of W. A. and Ida Graves, both of whom are natives of La Salle county, where the father engaged in business as a lumber dealer. There he and his wife still make their home. In their family were five children who are yet living, and one of the daughters, Gertrude, now the wife of M. H. Wilkinson, is a resident of Ellsworth township, Emmet county.
Paul H. Graves spent the days of his boyhood and youth in La Salle county, Illinois, and he supplemented his early education, acquired in the common schools, by two years' study in Knox College at Galesburg, Illinois. In 1908 he arrived in Emmet county, Iowa, where he worked for his grandfather, P. H. Graves, upon the home farm for a year. He then became manager of the Henry Rippe Grain Company at Gruver and has since been continuously identified with the business enterprise and commercial upbuilding of that town. Later he engaged in the imple- ment trade on his own account, continuing his activity along that line until 1913, when he built an elevator at Gruver which he has since operated. In addition to buying grain he also sells coal, and he has a good patronage in both branches of his business. He also owns one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 15, Center township, consti- tuting the southwest quarter of the section. His elevator and his farm are the visible evidences of a life of well directed energy and thrift.
In 1908 Mr. Graves was united in marriage to Miss Mae Hoff, a daughter of Chris and Rachel Hoff, of Traer, Iowa, who are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Graves have become parents of three children: Russell, Geraldine and Myron. Mr. Graves is a member of North Star Lodge, No. 447, F. & A. M., of Estherville, and in his life exemplifies the bene- ficent spirit upon which the order is based. He and his wife hold mem- bership in the Presbyterian church and are most loyal to its teachings.
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In politics he is a republican and is serving on the council at Gruver. He cooperates heartily in all plans and movements for the upbuilding of his town, his county and his state and he stands as a high type of American manhood and chivalry.
JACOB MARTINI.
Jacob Martini, who follows farming on section 10, Lloyd township, is one of the citizens that Germany has, furnished to Iowa, his birth occurring in the fatherland December 9, 1853. His parents, Gerald and Maria (Klinkler) Martini, were also natives of Germany, where they continued to make their home until 1866, which year witnessed their emigration to America. They first located in Stephenson county, Illinois, but in 1882 came to Iowa, where they continued to reside until called to their final rest. They had a family of six children, three of whom are still living.
In his native land Jacob Martini acquired a good practical educa- tion which has been of great benefit to him in later years. He accom- panied his parents on their removal to the United States in 1866 and remained with them for some time. It was in 1893 that he arrived in Dickinson county, Iowa, and purchased his present farm on section 10, Lloyd township. Here he now owns a valuable tract of three hundred and twenty acres upon which he has made excellent improvements, and in its cultivation he has met with good success. He has become inter- ested in other enterprises and is today a director of the First National Bank of Terril.
In 1878 Mr. Martini was united in marriage to Miss Cornelia Smith, also a native of Germany, and to them have been born eight children, but four are now deceased, those living being: Maria, now the wife of Claus Stratman; Elsa, at home; Jennie, the wife of Fred Ern, of Atwater, Minnesota; and Grace, at home. During their residence in Dickinson county the family have become widely and favorably known. Mr. Martini casts his ballot for the men and measures of the republican party but has never been an office seeker, his time being wholly taken up by his business interests. He has a good farm and is recognized as a man of business and executive ability.
FRANK J. STEINER.
Frank J. Steiner, who for a number of years has successfully engaged in the hotel business in Armstrong, Emmet county, is a representative of the fine class of citizens that Germany has given to Iowa. He was born in that country October 25, 1859, and there his parents spent their
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entire lives. He received his education in the schools of the fatherland and in his youth learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed there until twenty-three years old. He then, in 1882, came to America and was employed as a farm hand near Emmetsburg, Iowa, until his marriage, after which he removed to Dubuque, Iowa. Still later he located at St. Paul, Minnesota, and there he followed his trade until 1894. He then came to Armstrong, Emmet county, Iowa, and during the twenty-three years which have since intervened he has concentrated his energies upon the conduct of the hotel. Since October, 1908, his wife and their son, Frank J. Steiner, Jr., have engaged in the restaurant business. They also operate a bakery and the success with which their efforts have been attended is remarkable. They do an enormous business in their restaurant, their trade being the largest in the county, and also find a ready sale for their bakery goods. In the management of their interests they have displayed foresight and business acumen and they hold to the highest standards in regard to the quality and purity of the food served. They also own two business properties in the town.
On the 23d of June, 1885, Mr. Steiner was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Namer, a daughter of John and Anna Namer, natives of Ger- many, who emigrated to America in the '50s and located in Ohio, where the father farmed. Later removal was made to Palo Alto county, Iowa, and there he passed away in February, 1889. His wife, however, is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Steiner are the parents of five children, Mamie, Jennie, Frank J., William and V.
Mr. Steiner is a democrat in his political belief and in religious faith is a Catholic. The family are well known not only in Armstrong but throughout the county and are held in the highest respect because of the many admirable qualities which characterize them.
THOMAS V. GAMMELGAARD.
Thomas V. Gammelgaard, deceased, was an honored citizen of Emmet county, his home being on section 21, Denmark township, where his family still reside. Of Danish descent, he was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, and there he was reared and educated. His parents, who are also deceased, never came to the United States. In their family were only two children, a son and daughter, and the latter is still a resident of Den- mark.
Mr. Gammelgaard, of this review, served for three years in the Danish army, and at the age of twenty-five years came alone to America, believing that here he could better his financial condition. He first located in Clinton county, Iowa, but a year later removed to Humboldt county, this state, where he worked as a farm hand for a time. In 1894 he became a resident of Denmark township, Emmet county, where he engaged in farm- ing upon rented land for six years, and in 1900 purchased the west half
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of the southwest quarter of section 21, where he continued to follow farm- ing with good results until his death, which occurred June 30, 1907. His remains were interred in St. John's cemetery.
In 1897 Mr. Gammelgaard married Miss Laura Petersen, whose parents died in Clinton, Iowa, when she was quite small, and she was adopted by P. L. and Christina Petersen, now living retired in Ringsted. To Mr. and Mrs. Gammelgaard were born four children : Alfred, Myrtle, Edward and Emil, all at home. By a former marriage Mr. Gammelgaard had one son. Chris, who is now engaged in farming near Rutland, Iowa.
Mr. Gammelgaard cast his ballot with the democratic party and acceptably served as school director in his district. He was an earnest and consistent member of St. John's Lutheran church, and also held mem- bership in the Danish Brotherhood, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was one of the highly esteemed citizens of his community and had the confidence and respect of all who knew him.
KNUT K. SKATTEBO.
Knut K. Skattebo is now living retired in Wallingford but for a con- siderable period was actively connected with farming interests in Twelve Mile Lake township and was accounted one of the leading and progressive farmers of Emmet county. Wisconsin claims him as a native son, his birth having occurred in Manitowoc county, January 14, 1859, his par- ents being Knut and Emma (Roble) Skattebo, who were natives of Nor- way. The father followed the occupation of farming in order to provide for the support of his family, which included nine children.
Reared under the parental roof, Knut K. Skattebo attended the dis- trict schools until sixteen years of age and then concentrated his efforts upon the farm work, continuing to assist his father in the further devel- opment and improvement of the fields on the old homestead until he reached the age of twenty-five years. Seeking opportunities offered else- where he came to Emmet county in 1885 and for three years rented farm land, residing for two years of that period in High Lake township and for one year in Twelve Mile Lake township. With the money which he had thus earned he then purchased the northeast quarter of section 1, Twelve Mile Lake township, and thereafter was busily engaged in gen- eral agricultural pursuits until 1915, when he put aside the work of the fields and retired to Wallingford, where he now makes his home. His labors wrought a marked change in the appearance of his place, for he brought his land to a high state of cultivation and annually gathered good crops as the reward for the care and labor which he bestowed upon his fields.
On July 3, 1884, Mr. Skattebo was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary O. Odegard, her parents being Ove and Mary (Berge) Odegard, of Mani-
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KNUT K. SKATTEBO AND FAMILY
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towoc county, Wisconsin, both of whom have passed away. They were the parents of seven children, of whom five survive. To Mr. and Mrs. Skattebo have been born nine children, as follows: Clarence I., who is married and resides on the home place; Mable, the deceased wife of Clarence Clemensen ; Charlotte, who is the wife of John Graff and lives near Raleigh, Iowa; Minnie, at home; Augusta, who is residing at Ames; and Lloyd, Arthur, Frances and Leonard, all at home.
Mr. Skattebo is a republican in his political views and strongly in- dorses the principles of his party. For a number of years he has served as a member of the township school board but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He belongs to the Norwegian Lutheran church and his has been an honorable, upright life, commending him to the confidence and good will of those who have known him. He started out empty handed and his success is due to industry and perseverance, those qualities constituting the foundation upon which he has built his prosperity. He is justly entitled to the rest which he is now enjoying, for his earnest and persistent labor in former years brought to him the capital that now supplies him with all the comforts and some of the lux- uries of life.
R. C. COLEMAN, M. D.
Striving ever to reach high professional standards, his attainments along the line of his chosen life work have brought Dr. R. C. Coleman prominently before the public as a most capable physician and surgeon of Estherville. He was born in Livermore, Iowa, on the 12th of Novem- ber, 1889, a son of Isaac Coleman, a native of Toronto, Canada, who when about sixteen years of age crossed the border into New York state, where he resided for five years. He then removed westward to Iowa, settling at Lost Nation, Jackson county, where he spent three years. He after- ward removed to Livermore, Humboldt county, and in 1899 came to Emmet county, establishing his home in Dolliver, where he remained for four years. During that period he devoted his attention to the hardware business, after which he took up the occupation of farming, in which he continued throughout the remainder of his active business life. In 1914, however, he put aside business cares and removed to Estherville, where he is now enjoying a well earned rest. It was subsequent to his removal to Iowa that he married Miss Nettie Moulton, of Maquoketa, whose parents had removed to Jackson county, Iowa, from New York in 1844, being among the first of the pioneer settlers of that district.
At the usual age Dr. Coleman became a public school pupil and continued his education in the high school at Armstrong, from which he was graduated with the class of 1904. In the fall of 1905 he entered the Iowa State University, in which he pursued a two years' course in the liberal arts. In 1908 he matriculated in the medical department of the
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State University and won his M. D. degree in due course of time as a graduate of the class of 1912. He spent the following year as an interne in the University Hospital and in post graduate work and through his hospital experience gained that broad knowledge and efficiency which can be secured in no other way as quickly as in hospital practice. In July, 1913, he went to Europe for further study and spent eight months in attendance at the clinics in Vienna, after which he made his way to Gratz, Austria, where he spent six months in further study, whereby he became familiar with the methods of some of the most eminent phy- sicians and surgeons of the old world. In October, 1914, he returned to the United States to take up the practice of his profession and on the 20th of January, 1915, opened an office in Estherville, Iowa, where in the past two years he has built up an extensive practice.
On the 24th of May, 1916, Dr. Coleman was united in marriage to Miss Josephine'Dean Smith, of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is a member of Estherville Lodge, No. 545, B. P. O. E., and of the Phi Rho Sigma. a college fraternity. Dr. Coleman also belongs to the Emmet County Medical Society and the Iowa State Medical Association, and while one of the younger, he is also recognized as one of the foremost physicians and surgeons of Emmet county, thoroughly in touch with the most modern methods and scientific practices known to the profession.
RASMUS HANSEN.
For six years Rasmus Hansen was actively identified with the com- mercial interests of Emmet county as one of the leading business men of Ringsted but now devotes his time and attention to agricultural pur- suits, owning and operating a fine farm on section 30, Denmark town- ship. He was born on the 27th of March, 1865, in Denmark, and is the fourth in order of birth in a family of eight children whose parents were Mads P. and Karen Marie (Jensen) Hansen. The first fifteen years of his life were spent in his native land and he then accompanied the family on their emigration to the new world. It was in 1880 that they arrived in Story City, Iowa, and the father purchased a farm in Story county, which he operated for five years. In 1885 he removed with his family to Palo Alto county, locating just across the line from Denmark township, Emmet county, and the farm which he there secured he improved and cultivated for a number of years. At length his son Rasmus purchased the place and cared for his parents until death. The father passed away on the 31st of December, 1898, and the mother died January 18, 1916, both being laid to rest in St. John's cemetery.
During his boyhood and youth Rasmus Hansen became thoroughly familiar with the best methods of carrying on agricultural pursuits and he followed farming until 1900, when he embarked in the hardware business at Ringsted and continued operations along that line for three
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years. During the following three years he was engaged in the coal and feed business at that place, but in 1906 resumed farming, purchasing the southwest quarter of section 30, Denmark township, Emmet county, where he now resides. He has drained the land and made many sub- stantial improvements thereon, converting it into one of the best farms of the locality. He raises high grade Holstein cattle and also hogs, keep- ing registered boars for that purpose.
In 1893 Mr. Hansen married Miss Johanna Marie Madsen, a daugh- ter of Jens P. and Maren Madsen, who were lifelong residents of Den- mark. Mr. and Mrs. Hansen have four children: Carrie, Sine, Minnie and August. The family are communicants of St. Paul's Lutheran church and Mr. Hansen is identified with the democratic party. He assisted in the incorporation of the town of Ringsted and served on the council two years. He takes an active and commendable interest in public affairs and never withholds his support from any enterprise which he believes calculated to promote the moral, educational or material welfare of his community. He is a straightforward and reliable business man and well merits any trust reposed in him.
LUDVIG LARSEN.
Ludvig Larsen, living on a farm on section 6 in High Lake town- ship, was born in Norway, June 7, 1866. His parents, Lars and Inger (Kril) Larsen, were also natives of that country, where they lived and died. They had a family of nine children, six of whom yet survive.
Spending his youthful days in his native land, Ludvig Larsen there obtained a public school education and in 1886, when twenty years of age, came to the new world. He did not tarry on the Atlantic coast, but made his way at once west of the Mississippi and settled in Jones county, Iowa, where he lived for sixteen years. He then returned to Norway, where he remained for four and one-half years, when he came once more to America and established his home in Emmet county. He set- tled upon the farm where he now lives on section 6, High Lake town- ship, and gives his attention to the further development and improvement of his fields. Within the boundaries of his farm are comprised one hun- dred and ninety-nine acres, constituting one of the attractive and well improved farms of the township. It is lacking in none of the modern accessories which facilitate farm work and promote the success of the agriculturist. Mr. Larsen makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock and as the years have gone by he has won substantial returns as the reward of his labor, being now one of the prosperous citizens of Emmet county.
In 1900 occurred the marriage of Mr. Larsen and Miss Lena Hankin, a native of Jones county, Iowa. They have become parents of five children : Hilma ; Etta, deceased ; Hannah ; Leo, who has also passed away;
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and Norman. The parents are members of the Lutheran church and guide their lives according to its teachings. In his political views Mr. Larsen has been a republican since becoming a naturalized American citizen. For six years he served as school director and he is always interested in those plans and projects which work for the development and upbuilding of the community. He has many sterling traits of char- acter and his life record indicates what may be accomplished through persistent, earnest effort prompted by laudable ambition.
GEORGE STEWART.
Among the highly respected residents of Armstrong is George Stewart, who devoted the greater part of his active life to farming and was for a few years a general merchant of Armstrong. He has now put aside all business cares, however, and is giving himself over to the enjoyment of a well earned leisure. He was born in Ontario, Canada, October 8, 1853, and is a son of George and Jane (Richmond) Stewart, natives of Scotland, who became residents of Ontario, Canada, in 1849. The father followed farming there for twenty years but in 1869 removed to Kossuth county, Iowa, where he purchased land. He passed away on the 4th of July, 1899, more than thirty-five years after the death of his wife, who was called to her last rest on the 23d of December, 1863.
George Stewart began his education in the schools of Ontario and completed it in those of Kossuth county, Iowa. He remained with his father until he attained his majority and then taught school in Kossuth county, Iowa, for two terms, after which he came to Emmet county and homesteaded land in Armstrong Grove township in 1877. As soon as possible he brought his land under cultivation and as the years passed added to the improvements upon the place. He cultivated his land until 1912 with the exception of five years when it was rented to others, during which time, from 1898 until 1904, he was engaged in the milling business at Armstrong. At the end of that period he returned to the farm but in 1913 took up his permanent abode in Armstrong. For two years he conducted a general store here but in September, 1915, disposed of that property and has since lived retired. While upon the farm he gave particular attention to raising thoroughbred Poland China hogs and from that business received a gratifying profit. He has dis- posed of his farm in Armstrong township but still owns land south of Estherville in Emmet county and holds title to his residence in Arm- strong. He likewise owns stock in the Farmers Elevator Company.
On the 20th of July, 1878, Mr. Stewart was united in marriage to Miss Georgiana P. Steel, by whom he had seven children: Mary J .; Louise; James; John, who was killed by a train September 11, 1911 ; Ada; Minnie V .; and Guy. The wife and mother died on the 24th of
GEORGE STEWART
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TILD.N
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March, 1898, and on the 6th of June, 1900, Mr. Stewart was again married, choosing as his second wife Miss Ella J. Dodds, who died on the 10th of October, 1905. On the 12th of October, 1910, he married Miss Fannie S. Kennedy.
Mr. Stewart is an advocate of republican principles and supports the candidates of that party at the polls. He has been active in local affairs, having served as assessor and trustee of Armstrong Grove town- ship and having also been a member of the town council of Armstrong. While living on the farm he served on the school board for some time and he operated a store and had charge of the postoffice at Armstrong Grove before the town of Armstrong was even thought of. In all of his official connections he has displayed the same energy and foresight which have been such important factors in his individual success. He belongs to the Knight Templar Commandery of the Masonic order and to the Mystic Shrine and his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. He has been a leader in his community along various lines and has the satisfaction of knowing that his life has been well spent.
LAURENCE F. HEINRICH.
Laurence F. Heinrich is well known as the proprietor of the Clover- dale Farm, comprising two hundred and forty acres of rich and pro- ductive land on section 14, Iowa Lake township, Emmet county. His birth occurred in Benton county, Iowa, in July, 1882, his parents being Gustav and Matilda (Becker) Heinrich, the former a native of Australia and the latter of Castle, Pennsylvania. The father, an agriculturist by occupation, came to America at the age of nineteen years, taking up his abode in Benton county, Iowa, where he worked by the month as a farm hand until he was twenty-four years old. At that time he pur- chased a tract of eighty acres which he improved and cultivated for five years, on the expiration of which period he disposed of the property and bought another farm of two hundred and forty acres in Benton county, operating the same until 1910. In that year he put aside the active work of the fields and has since lived in honorable retirement at Waterloo, Blackhawk county, Iowa. His wife passed away in August, 1911.
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