USA > Iowa > Dickinson County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 29
USA > Iowa > Emmet County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 29
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Laurence F. Heinrich was reared and educated in his native county and remained under the parental roof until he had attained the age of twenty-three years. He then started out as an agriculturist on his own account and cultivated a tract of rented land in Benton county, Iowa, for eight years, at the end of which time he purchased a farm of one hun- dred and fifty acres in Emmet township, Emmet county. After operat- ing the place for a year he sold out and bought his present farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 14, Iowa Lake township, on which he has made substantial improvements and which he has cultivated con-
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tinuously and successfully since. In connection with the raising of cereals he feeds about two cars of hogs annually, this branch of his business adding materially to his income.
On the 21st of December, 1905, Mr. Heinrich was united in mar- riage to Miss Meta Combs, a daughter of Thomas and Martha (Walters) Combs, who are natives of Kentucky and Pennsylvania respectively. The father, an agriculturist by occupation, removed to Benton county, Iowa, at an early day, having for several years previously been engaged in farming in Linn county, this state. He carried on the work of the fields for many years in Benton county, but he and his wife are now living retired at Blairstown, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Heinrich have two children, namely: Marion A., who was born October 6, 1906; and Clark D., whose natal day was October 10, 1907.
Mr. Heinrich gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is now serving as a trustee of Iowa Lake township. He is also one of the board of directors of the Emmet County Fair Association and was director of the Emmet County Improvement Association until his recent resignation. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Evangelical Association of North America. His life is upright and honorable in every relation and he enjoys an enviable reputation as one of the representative citizens and prosperous agriculturists of his community.
J. W. OAKES.
J. W. Oakes, a representative farmer of Jack Creek township, Emmet county, makes his home on section 27 and a well developed tract of land there pays tribute to the care and labor which he bestows upon it. He is a native of Laporte county, Indiana, born March 22, 1866, and is a son of William Mc and Anna E. (Forseman) Oakes, who were natives of Pennsylvania. They were married, however, in Indiana, to which state they had removed with their parents in early life. In 1867 they became residents of Ogle county, Illinois, and there the father continued to engage in the occupation of farming until death terminated his labors in 1899. His widow is still living and now resides with a daughter in Oregon, Illinois.
J. W. Oakes was educated in the common schools and in the high school at Valparaiso, Indiana, and in 1886 he began farming on his own account. He had been reared to the work of the fields and was thoroughly familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He first rented land in Ogle county and in 1887 he came to Iowa, where for four years he rented land in Lyon county. There he carried on farm- ing until 1891, which year witnessed his arrival in Emmet county. The same year he purchased his present home farm, comprising one hundred and sixty acres on section 27, Jack Creek township. On this place he has
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since made his home and his labors have been concentrated upon its further development and improvement with the result that it is today one of the fine farms of the locality.
In 1892 Mr. Oakes was united in marriage to Miss Eda Kent, of Polk county, Iowa, by whom he had five children, four of whom still sur- vive, namely: William Mc, a resident of Ringsted, Emmet county; and Kent, Joseph W., Jr., and Grace E., all at home.
Politically, Mr. Oakes is independent, while fraternally he is identi- fied with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Loyal Order of Moose. He is one of the best known men of Jack Creek township, respected as a progressive agriculturist and as a public-spirited citizen, his life record at all times having conformed to the highest standards of manhood and citi- zenship.
ERNEST ALBERT WOODS.
The firm of Woods & Woods, dealers in implements at Milford, is one of the important factors in the commercial life of the town and the . men who comprise it, Ernest Albert Woods and his brother, George P. Woods, are acknowledged to be men of sterling integrity, enterprise and sound judgment. Ernest A. Woods is likewise prominent in public affairs and is now filling the office of mayor. He was born in Clay county, Iowa, December 14, 1880, a son of John and Emma (Williams) Woods, both natives of Chestershire, England. The mother was born in the city of Chester, one of the oldest towns in England. In 1878 they came to the United States and located in Clay county, Iowa, where the father farmed for several years. Subsequently he removed to Westport township, Dickinson county, and after retiring from active life took up his residence in Milford, where he passed away. He and his wife are buried in Okoboji cemetery. To them were born four sons and one daughter, namely : Jennie, now Mrs. W. B. Herrick, of Faith, South Dakota; F. C., of Stephen, Minnesota; George P., who is associated with Ernest Albert in business; Leonard, who died when four years old and is buried in Clay county ; and Ernest Albert.
The last named attended the district schools in Clay county and also in Dickinson county and was for three years a student in the high school at Peterson, Iowa. Subsequently he taught a district school in Okoboji township for two years, but in 1903 he came to Mil- ford and became a member of the firm, Woods & Woods, at the time of his father's death. They carry a general line of farm implements and give particular attention to their trade in tractors, which have been found adapted to so many uses on the modern farm. The proven relia- bility of the partners has been an important factor in the development of their large trade and custom once gained has usually been retained.
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They have a large stock, which is strictly up-to-date, and spare no pains to satisfy their patrons.
In Jesup, Iowa, on August 25, 1909, Mr. Woods was married to Miss Alice Barger, a daughter of James and Lovina Barger, of Hampton, Iowa, both of whom are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Woods have been born three children, Jene, Marion and Winifred.
Mr. Woods is a stanch supporter of the republican party and is recognized as a leader in affairs of local government. For the past ten years he has been a member of the town council and he is now mayor, in which capacity he has done excellent work in furthering the interests of the municipality. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and is also identified with the Masonic blue lodge and with the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a man of varied interests and has a broad-minded outlook which enables him to give to each factor in life its due emphasis.
BERT B. ANDERSON.
A prominent figure in connection with the grain trade in this sec- tion of Iowa is Bert B. Anderson, of Estherville, who owns a number of elevators along the line of the Rock Island Railroad. He possesses marked business enterprise and determination and carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes, allowing no obstacle to bar his path if it can be overcome by persistent, earnest effort.
Mr. Anderson is a native of the state of New York. He was born October 2, 1859, of the marriage of George A. and Nancy Anderson, who were also natives of the Empire state and who in 1873 removed with their family to Winneshiek county, Iowa, where they took up their abode upon a farm. In 1877 they became residents of Lyon county, Iowa, where the father and mother spent their remaining days. They had a family of five children, all of whom are yet living.
Bert B. Anderson was a youth of fourteen at the time the family came to this state. He acquired a public school education in New York and in Iowa and through the period of his minority aided more and more largely in the work of the home farm as his age and strength increased. After attaining his majority he purchased land in Lyon county and resided thereon for five years, at the end of which time he sold that property and turned to commercial pursuits, engaging in the hardware, implement and grain business in connection with G. M. Anderson at Inwood, Iowa. He was located there for many years, but at length removed to Minneapolis, where he became a stockholder in the Skewis Moen Grain Company. He was traveling auditor for the company for four years and at the end of that time the company dissolved. In 1905 Mr. Anderson came to Estherville and here began dealing in grain and coal. He has since acquired elevators at various points along the Rock
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Island Railroad and is doing an extensive business as a grain merchant. He thoroughly understands the trade and his enterprise and progressive- ness are bringing to him substantial returns.
In 1885 Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Lydia J. Harrington, of Farmington, Illinois, by whom he has two children, George H. and C. Morton, both at home.
In his political views Mr. Anderson is a republican, but has never been an aspirant for office. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and the Odd Fellows at Estherville, with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the United Commercial Travelers. He is also a member of the Commercial Club and both he and his wife hold membership in the Presbyterian church. Their lives are actuated by high and honorable principles and they are now numbered among Estherville's most valued and respected citizens, having here a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintance.
J. ANTON SORENSEN.
J. Anton Sorensen so managed his affairs while actively engaged in farming that he secured a gratifying profit from the sale of his grain and stock and his resources are now such that he is able to live retired in Ringsted. He was born in Denmark, September 30, 1856, and is a son of Soren and Hannah Sorensen. The father was a farmer by occupation and passed his entire life in Denmark, dying when his son J. Anton was a year old. His death was due to disease contracted as the result of exposure while serving in the Prussian war. The mother survived for fifteen years.
J. Anton Sorensen, who was one of a family of three children, attended the public schools until he was confirmed and subsequently was employed on farms until he was eighteen years old, when he came to the United States and located in Dakalb county, Illinois. He remained there for five years, during the greater part of which time he worked as a hired hand, and later he purchased eighty acres of good land in Franklin county, Iowa, to which he subsequently added one hundred and sixty acres. For twenty years he farmed in that county, but in 1902 bought the northwest quarter of section 24, Denmark township, Emmet county, upon which place he resided for eleven years. He also acquired by later purchase the south half of the southwest quarter of section 13 and the north half of the southeast quarter of section 24 and the operation of those tracts left him little time for outside interests. In 1913 he put aside the active work of the fields and removed to Ring- sted, where he erected a fine modern home.
In 1878 occurred the marriage of Mr. Sorensen and Miss Mary Davidsen, a daughter of Daniel and Maren Davidsen, natives of Den- mark. The mother passed away in that country, but the father came to
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the United States and for the last twenty years of his life made his home with Mr. and Mrs. Sorensen. He died in 1901 and is buried in Franklin county. To Mr. and Mrs. Sorensen have been born eight chil- dren : Daniel, who is married and is operating the home place; John, of Ringsted; Anna, the wife of T. B. Petersen, of Ringsted; Torvald, who is farming in Kossuth county; Peter, who is with his brother Torvald; Alfred, who died when eighteen years old and is buried in St. John's cemetery; and Lena and IIelga, both at home.
Although Mr. Sorensen believes in the basic principles of the repub- lican party he votes independently when he believes that he can best serve public interests by so doing. He is now the incumbent in the office of township trustee and has made an excellent record in that capacity, performing his duties promptly and efficiently. He belongs to St. John's Lutheran church and takes a commendable interest in the furtherance of its work.
JOHN JACKSON.
John Jackson is numbered among the self-made men of Wallingford with a record that redounds to his credit and honor, for it has been through persistent purpose, indefatigable energy and perseverance that he has won the success that now enables him to live retired. He was born in Scotland, August 20, 1860, and his parents, George and Anna (Carrol) Jackson, were also natives of that country, where the father was a shepherd. In their family were twelve children.
Reared in the land of hills and heather, John Jackson remained there until twenty-three years of age, when the reports which he heard con- cerning the opportunities of the new world led to his determination to try his fortune on this side the Atlantic. He came alone to America and made his way to Bismarck, North Dakota. Soon afterward he became identified with the sheep and cattle industry there, working for others for four years, on the expiration of which period he purchased a home- stead right in Emmons county, North Dakota. where he lived for fifteen years. In 1899 he came to Emmet county, Iowa, after having paid a visit to his old home in Scotland. The following spring his mother, two brothers and two sisters came to the United States, two older brothers having previously crossed the Atlantic. All went to North Dakota and with the exception of Mr. Jackson of this review none of the family ever became residents of Iowa. His father had died in Scotland in 1896 ere the mother and four children came to the new world. Mrs. Jackson still makes her home in Bismarck, living with her son Hugh, and is enjoying good health at the age of eighty-three years.
After taking up his abode in Emmet county, Iowa, John Jackson joined Benjamin Allen in the purchase of land in Twelve Mile Lake town- ship. Seven years later they divided their land interests, Mr. Jackson
JOHN JACKSON AND FAMILY
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becoming the owner of the east half and the southwest quarter of section 23. Since that time he has sold one hundred and sixty acres but still retains the east half of the section, upon which his son, Charles P. Jack- son, now resides. It constitutes a valuable property of three hundred and twenty acres of rich Iowa farm land which he converted into very pro- ductive fields, annually gathering therefrom abundant harvests as a re- ward for the care and labor bestowed upon the land. He also added many substantial improvements to the place in the way of good build- ings, well kept fences and modern machinery and his progressive farm work made him in time one of the men of affluence of Emmet county.
On September 5, 1887, Mr. Jackson was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Keith, a daughter of Archie and Kate (McArthur) Keith, natives of Scotland, where they passed away, the mother in 1870 and the father in 1901, never having come to the United States. To their union were born nine children. Following the death of his first wife Mr. Keith married Mary Quantin and they became the parents of five children, of whom two survive. Six of the children of the first marriage are still living but Mrs. Jackson is the only one who has come to the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have two children. Charles P., who is farming the old home place in Twelve Mile Lake township, was married Septem- ber 18, 1912, to Miss Mabel Andahl, a daughter of George and Anna Andahl, of the same township, and to this union has been born a son, Bernard Francis, whose natal day was June 17, 1916. Janet K. was married on the 26th of November, 1913, to Arthur Andahl, who is also engaged in farming in that township, and they have a daughter, Goldie May, born October 20, 1915.
Mr. Jackson continued upon the farm until 1912, when he put aside the cares of business life and established his home in Wallingford, where he is now comfortably located. He gives his political endorsement to the men and measures of the republican party and he and his wife are consistent members of the Presbyterian church, their well spent lives having gained for them the goodwill and kindly regard of those with whom they have been associated.
JOHN L. McDONALD.
John L. McDonald, proprietor of Sunny Crest Farm in Estherville township, is one of the representative agriculturists of Emmet county. He was born in Elgin, Kane county, Illinois, on the 1st of October, 1865, his parents being John and Rebecca (Frost) McDonald, natives of Scotland and England respectively. By occupation the father was a farmer. In the family were ten children, of whom John L. is the youngest. The others still living are Mary, now the widow of Henry Allenson and a resident of Minneapolis; G. H., of Pasadena, California; and Nettie, the wife of Archer Johnson, of Palo Alto county, Iowa.
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During his boyhood and youth John L. MeDonald attended the public schools and also an academy at Elgin, Illinois, and on laying aside his textboods at the age of eighteen years began clerking in a dry goods store, where he was employed until 1899. In that year he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, purchasing a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Palo Alto county, Iowa, which he operated for nine years. In 1909 he came to Emmet county and bought a tract of simi- lar size in Center township, whereon he lived for two years. On selling that place he purchased the west half of the northwest quarter of see- tion 13. Estherville township, and fifty-five acres in the northeast quarter of section 1I, the same township. Here he is now successfully engaged in general farming and dairying and has a well improved place, known as Sunny Crest Farm.
Mr. McDonald married Miss Kittie C. Briggs, a daughter of Henry J. and Sarah A. (Bartlett) Briggs. Her father was killed in the Civil war and her mother is also deceased. The father was buried at Spring- field, Missouri, and the mother at Elgin, Illinois, where she made her home. Mr. and Mrs. McDonald have three children: Boyd J., at home; and Marine and Glenn B., now in Cedar Rapids, lowa.
While a resident of Palo Alto county, Mr .. McDonald filled most of the township oflices, but has never taken an active part in public affairs since coming to Emmet county. In politics he is a republican, and in his religious connection is a member of the Presbyterian church. He is widely and favorably known and well merits the confidence reposed in him.
WARNER L. HOPPUS.
The operation of his fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Armstrong Grove township requires practically the entire attention of Warner L. Hoppus, leaving him little time for outside interests. He was born in Clayton county, Iowa, December 8, 1857, and is a son of Daniel and Frances (Hanna) Hoppus, natives respectively of Pennsyl- vania and of Ohio. The father was a butcher by trade but following his removal to lowa carried on farming here. Subsequently he was similarly engaged in Minnesota and in Canada, his death occurring in the Dominion in August, 1912, when he had reached the venerable age of eighty-eight years. His wife is still living in that country.
Warner L. Hoppus grew to manhood in Hardin county, lowa, and had the privilege of attending the common schools until he was fourteen years old. He then began working as a farm hand and so continued until 1881, when he rented land. Two years later he bought a farm in Hardin county which he operated for three years but at the end of that time he again rented land, which he cultivated for two years. He at length purchased another farm in Franklin county, Iowa, but after giving five
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years to its operation he came to Emmet county in 1894. For seventeen years he operated one farm in Armstrong Grove township under lease but at the end of that time realized a long cherished purpose as he pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of fine land. His place is situated on section 21, Armstrong Grove township, and its value has been increased by many improvements. He is engaged in general farming and his yearly income is a gratifying one.
Mr. Hoppus was married on the 28th of December, 1881, to Miss Julia Rogers and to them were born three children: Lyman E., who was born on the 13th of November, 1883, and died in 1886; Lee L., who was born October 7, 1887, and is now farming in Armstrong Grove town- ship; and Luella Blanche, born July 30, 1889. On the 6th of May, 1911, the wife and mother died suddenly of heart failure. She had many warm friends and her demise was the occasion of much sincere grief.
In politics Mr. Hoppus is a republican and fraternally is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America. In successfully managing his agricultural interests and improving his farm he is not only gaining pros- perity for himself but is also contributing to the development of his town- ship and county, whose wealth consists chiefly of rich farm lands.
CARL H. OLSON.
Prominent among the energetic, farsighted and successful business men of Estherville is numbered Carl H. Olson, who is the proprietor of a well equipped jewelry store, carrying a large and attractive line of goods. His progressive spirit has enabled him to work his way steadily upward in a business way and he has been dependent upon his own resources from the age of fifteen years. A native of Norway, he was born in Christiania, June 22, 1871, a son of Nels and Karn (Bolsoe) Olson, both of whom were natives of the land of the midnight sun, where they spent their entire lives, the father there engaging in business as a tailor.
Carl H. Olson was reared and educated in Norway and when a youth of fifteen years began learning the jeweler's trade, which he followed in his native country until he attained his majority. He then bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for America, hoping to benefit his financial condition by the opportunities offered in the new world. He located first at Moscow, Idaho, and there secured employment in a jewelry store, remaining in that city until 1896, when he removed to Milford, Iowa, where he was employed until 1898. He then came to Estherville, where he worked at the jewelry business for three years and then started a store on his own account. His first location was in the building now occupied by the drug store of Charles Kane and later he was where Strube Brothers' music store is now seen. In September, 1916, he removed to his new store and now has a thoroughly up-to-date jewelry establishment, carrying a large and attractive line. His reasonable prices, honorable
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dealing and earnest desire to please his patrons are the qualities which have secured to him a growing and representative trade, making him one of the prosperous merchants of his adopted city.
In October, 1907, Mr. Olson was married to Miss Anna Olson, a daughter of Halvor and Annetta Olson, the latter now deceased. Her father is still living and is engaged in farming in Emmet county. Mr. and Mrs. Olson hold membership in the Lutheran church and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party: He keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and is a loyal son of his adopted country, striving ever to further the interests and welfare of city and state. He has never regretted his determination to come to the new world, for here he has found the opportunities which he sought and in their utilization has made steady advancement along business lines.
E. J. STARKEY.
E. J. Starkey, assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Terril, was born in Jerauld county, South Dakota, on the 23d of February, 1884, a son of Louis S. and Belle (Bergeson) Starkey, the former a native of Allamakee county, Iowa, while the latter was born in Winneshiek county, this state. Her parents came to Dickinson county during the early girl- hood of Mrs. Starkey and filed on a homestead two miles southeast of Terril. Louis S. Starkey came to Dickinson county with two brothers, K. S. and S. Starkey, in young manhood. In this county he was married and four or five years later removed to South Dakota, taking up a home- stead elaim in Jerauld county. In the fall of 1895 he returned to Diek- inson county and for four years devoted his energies to farming, after which he spent ten years as an implement dealer of Terril, while for the past three years he has resided in Palo Alto county.
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