USA > Iowa > Dickinson County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 32
USA > Iowa > Emmet County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 32
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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
In 1887 Mr. Weir was united in marriage to Miss Libbie M. Wade, a daughter of Elisha and Othelia Wade, of Jackson county, Minnesota, who are now deceased and are buried in Oak Hill cemetery of Esther- ville. Mr. and Mrs. Weir have six children: Roy, who is married and is engaged in business with his father ; Rene, the wife of Elmer Chambers of Emmet township; Ruby, the wife of Russel Heneman, of Estherville; and Richard, Rose and Ray, all at home.
The family attend the Presyterian church, of which Mr. and Mrs. Weir are members, and he is past venerable consul of the camp of Modern Woodmen of America, to which he belongs. The democratic party finds in him a stanch supporter of its principles and he is now efficiently serving as county supervisor. He has also filled the offices of school director and town trustee and has always been found true to any trust reposed in him. As a business man he stands high in the com- munity and he well merits the success that has come to him for he started out in life for himself with no capital and his prosperity is due to his own industry, enterprise and good management.
CARL ANDERSON.
Carl Anderson, of Emmet township, Emmet county, who has won gratifying success in his chosen occupation of farming and stock raising, was born in Sweden, February 10, 1858. His parents, Andrew and Anna (Anderson) Anderson, were also natives of that country and lived there during their entire lives. Four of their nine children still survive.
Carl Anderson remained in Sweden until his early manhood and is
415
EMMET AND DICKINSON COUNTIES
indebted for his education to the schools of that country. It was in 1881 that he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and for five years there- after he rented land in Emmet county, Iowa, at the end of which time his financial circumstances permitted him to buy eighty acres of land, to which a few years later he added a similar tract by purchase. His hold- ings now comprise three hundred and eighty-five acres, all on section 25, Emmet township, and the value of his farm has been much increased by the excellent improvements thereon. The buildings are substantial and modern in design and there is also a fine grove which he planted himself. He makes a specialty of raising Duroc-Jersey hogs, finding it more profit- able to feed his grain than to sell it.
In 1881 Mr. Anderson was married to Miss Anna Johnson, who was born in Sweden and is a daughter of John and Mary (Larson) Johnson, who lived and died in that country. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, namely: Augustine; Mary C., the wife of Henry Hoganson; Johanna, the wife of George Bartleman, now residing in Minnesota; Gust, at home; Nora, the wife of Ralph Smith, and Nettie, deceased.
Mr. Anderson is a stanch adherent of the republican party and the interest which he takes in matters pertaining to the general welfare is indicated by the fact that he has served as a member of the school board. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Lutheran church and its work receives their hearty support. The prosperity which is now his should be doubly a source of gratification to him as it is the direct result of his own hard work and habits of thrift.
O. F. LINDQUIST.
O. F. Lindquist, general manager of the Consumers' Independent Lumber Company, is now efficiently serving as mayor of Spirit Lake and never were the reins of city government in more capable hands. He was born in Grundy county, Iowa, on the 12th of January, 1879, and is a son of Julius and Mary (Larson) Lindquist, both natives of Denmark. They had reached manhood and womanhood before coming to the United States and were married in Cedar Falls, Black Hawk county, Iowa. For a num- ber of years the father engaged in farming in that county and in Grundy county, Iowa, but in 1886 came to Dickinson county and purchased a farm four miles northeast of Spirit Lake in Spirit Lake township, to the im- provement and cultivation of which he devoted his eneregies until his retirement from active labor in 1910. He then removed to Spirit Lake, where he passed away two years later. He is still survived by his wife, who now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Adrian Hurd, in this city.
During his boyhood O. F. Lindquist attended the district school near his home and aided in the work of the farm. In the spring of 1900, just
.
416
EMMET AND DICKINSON COUNTIES
after attaining his majority, he came to Spirit Lake and began his busi- ness career by accepting a position in a butcher shop, where he was em- ployed that summer. In the following fall he became connected with the lumberyard, of which he is now general manager. For about four years he worked as yard man but in 1904 was placed in charge of the business, over which he has since so successfully presided, and he is also auditor for the company for this part of the state.
On the 16th of October, 1901, Mr. Lindquist was united in marriage to Miss Lydia O. Arp, of Spirit Lake, a daughter of Peter Arp, who for many years was prominent as a boat builder in this city but is now re- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Lindquist are active and prominent members of the Presbyterian church, and, possessing a good voice, Mr. Lindquist has sung in the choir for about twenty-three years. He is also an honored member of Twilight Lodge, No. 329, A. F. & A. M. ; Royal Arch Chapter, R. A. M., of Spirit Lake, Esdraelon Commandery, No. 52, K. T., of Estherville; and Summit Lodge, No. 86, K. P., of Spirit Lake. The republican party has always found in him a stanch supporter of its principles and he has been honored with important official positions, the duties of which he has always faithfully and conscientiously performed. For four years he served on the town council of Spirit Lake and in the spring of 1916 was elected mayor, in which capacity he is now serving with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. He is a wide-awake, energetic business man, progressive and public-spirited, and never with- holds his support from any enterprise which he believes will promote the public welfare.
B. P. HENDERSON.
B. P. Henderson, who owns the Forest Hill farm in Milford township and is one of the leading farmers and stock raisers in Dickinson county, was born in Pecatonica, Illinois, June 5, 1858. His parents, Zina and Mary Ann (Strong) Henderson, were both born in New York state, where they were reared, but were married in Illinois. The father enlisted in the Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Cavalry and saw active service in the Civil war until he was disabled by the kick of a horse in 1862. He was then honor- ably discharged and returned home. In the fall of 1863, when he had recovered from his injury, he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Center Grove township, Dickinson county, Iowa, and the follow- ing year the family removed here by wagon. He cleared his land and built a log house, which remained the family home for some time. Later, how- ever, substantial and attractive buildings were erected upon the place and it was otherwise improved. For the first seven years of his residence here the father tilled the soil with cattle as he did not have sufficient capi- tal to purchase horses or even oxen. While a resident of Illinois he fol- lowed the gunsmith's and blacksmith's trades and after his sons grew old
-
-
= =
ZINA HENDERSON AND FAMILY
PUREE LIB. AMI
1
419
EMMET AND DICKINSON COUNTIES
enough to operate the homestead in Dickinson county he worked at those trades at Okoboji. In politics he was a democrat and his advice was listened to with great respect in local political circles. He served as county supervisor and as justice of the peace and in both those capacities made a record creditable alike to his ability and integrity. His fraternal con- nection was with the Masonic order. Both he and his wife are deceased and are buried in the Okoboji cemetery. They were the parents of six children who are still living, four of the number being residents of Dickin- son county.
B. P. Henderson was brought to this county in early childhood and received his education in its pioneer schools. For some time after putting aside his textbooks he aided his brothers in the operation of the home farm but subsequently purchased the east half of section 5, in Milford township, where he has since resided. He has brought the place to a high state of cultivation and the improvements thereon are among the finest to be found in his part of the county. He grows some grain but gives a great deal of his attention to the raising of registered stock and is recognized as an important factor in the development of the stock raising interests of the county. He is at once practical and progressive in all that he does and the success which he has gained is due solely to his own ability and enter- prise as he began his independent career empty handed. He has given his place the name of the Forest Hill farm and has spared no expense in making it a model property.
Mr. Henderson was married in 1888 to Miss Lettie Bingham, a daugh- ter of Joseph and Hannah Bingham, natives respectively of Maine and New York. However, they were numbered among the early settlers of Dickinson county, where both lived until death, and they are buried in the Spirit Lake cemetery.
Mr. Henderson supports the republican party where national issues are at stake but otherwise votes independently. For one term he served as township trustee and has never failed to take an active interest in public affairs. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias of Mil- ford. Practically his entire life has been passed in Dickinson county and his genuine worth is indicated by the fact that those who have been inti- mately acquainted with him since boyhood are his stanchest friends.
F. E. HENDERSON.
F. E. Henderson, who follows farming on section 29, Center Grove township, is one of the honored pioneers of Dickinson county, where he has now made his home since 1864. He was born in Boone county, Illinois, on the 20th of July, 1853, his parents being Zina and Mary (Strong) Henderson, who were natives of New York state but at an early day removed to Illinois and in 1864 came to Iowa, locating in Dickinson county. Here the father took up a homestead and erected a log cabin, in which the
420
EMMET AND DICKINSON COUNTIES
family lived for ten or twelve years, while he broke his land and began the development of his farm. Upon that place both he and his wife died. In their family were seven children, of whom six are still living.
Amid pioneer scenes F. E. Henderson grew to manhood and in the acquirement of an education he attended the district schools of Dickinson county. He aided in the arduous task of transforming the wild land into productive fields and on attaining his majority took charge of the old home- stead. Later he purchased the same and is now the owner of two hundred and sixty-seven acres of land on section 29; Center Grove township. He has made many improvements on the place since it came into his posses- sion and has successfully engaged in general farming.
In 1902 Mr. Henderson married Miss Verda Murray, who was born in Dickinson county and is a daughter of W. W. Murray, now living with other daughters in the state of Washington. Her mother is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Henderson have two children: Mabel and Frank Murray, who are now attending high school at Arnolds Park. The family are mem- bers of the Friends church and are most estimable people, whose circle of friends is almost coextensive with their circle of acquaintances. Mr. Henderson affiliates with the republican party and has served as township trustee one term and as a member of the school board for a number of years.
HENRY U. ARTHUR.
Prominent among the representative farmers and stock raisers of Dickinson county is Henry U. Arthur, the senior member of the firm of H. U. Arthur & Sons, proprietors of Arthurs Homestead Stock & Seed Farm on section 11, Center Grove township. He was born in New York state on the 19th of March, 1856, a son of Homer D. and Lucy (Payne) Arthur, who were also natives of New York, the former born in Martinsburg and the latter in Constableville. In 1857 the family removed to Wisconsin and two years later came to Dickinson county, Iowa, where Homer D. Arthur filed on the homestead now owned and occupied by his son Henry. Here the father died on the 26th of February, 1909, and the mother passed away June 17, 1889.
Being only three years of age when the family came to Dickinson county, Henry U. Arthur passed his boyhood and youth on the farm where he now resides and acquired his education in the district schools of the neighborhood. On the 29th of January, 1881, he was united in marriage to Miss Ellie A. Abbott, also a native of the Empire state and a daughter of Charles E. Abbott, who came west in pioneer days and after a period spent in Wisconsin proceeded to Dickinson county, Iowa, in 1869, being one of the well known homesteaders of Center Grove township. To Mr. and Mrs. Arthur have been born four children: Edith J., now the wife of J. W. Kilpatrick, of Spencer, Iowa; Charles H. and
421
EMMET AND DICKINSON COUNTIES
Edwin D., who are in business with their father under the name of H. U. Arthur & Sons; and Janet L., a teacher in the district schools of Dickinson county.
For about thirteen years after his marriage Mr. Arthur resided in Spirit Lake, where he was variously employed, but in 1894 he pur- chased the old homestead farm where his father had located in 1859 and here he has since carried on operations. In 1908 the firm of H. U. Arthur & Sons was organized and has since gained an enviable reputa- tion as breeders of registered Percheron horses, shorthorn cattle, Poland China hogs and fancy poultry. They are also recognized authorities in the production of farm seeds and have three times made exhibits at the State Fair, gaining a wide reputation on their various specialties. Their farm is beautifully located on section 11, Center Grove township, border- ing on East Okoboji Lake, one of the most famous summer resorts of the middle west. The junior members of the firm are both married and occupy modern establishments of their own adjacent to the home place. The firm has built up an extensive business, breeding stock on a large scale and raising grain for seed. They make shipments to all parts of the country and enjoy an enviable reputation in their line.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Arthur are representatives of old New York families of Revolutionary stock and Mrs. Arthur and daughter Janet L. are members of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The family are also connected with the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Arthur is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, while both he and his son Edwin belong to the American Yeomen. In politics he affiliates with the republican party, but has never had the time nor inclination for public office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his exten- sive business interests. At the present time he and his sons are num- bered among the foremost stock breeders of the middle west.
HENRY L. SUNDE.
On the list of Emmet county's substantial citizens who have passed away appears the name of Henry L. Sunde, who for a considerable period was a worthy and valued resident of this section of the state. He was born in Norway, June 20, 1867, and is a son of Lars and Engebor Sunde, both of whom were natives of the land of the midnight sun, where their entire lives were passed. There they reared a family of five children, but only two are now living.
Henry L. Sunde was reared and educated in Norway and in 1892 came to America, then a young man of twenty-five years. He had heard many favorable reports concerning business conditions and opportunities in the new world and he believed that he might better his financial con- dition on this side the Atlantic. Accordingly the long sea voyage was made and Emmet county gained a substantial citizen. Following his arri-
422
EMMET AND DICKINSON COUNTIES
val here he purchased land on section 15, Ellsworth township, and at once began the active work of further developing and improving his farm, upon which he lived until called to his final rest.
In 1899 Mr. Sunde was married to Miss Julia Gure Lowik, a native of Norway and a daughter of Odd and Christina Lowik, who were also born in the land of the midnight sun, where the father still makes his home, although the mother has now passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Sunde became the parents of eight children: Laurence, Oscar, Karl, Christina, Clara, Henry, Emma and Selma. The family circle was broken by the hand of death when in May, 1913, the husband and father was called to the home beyond, leaving behind him a large circle of warm friends to mourn his loss as well as his immediate family. During the period of his residence in Emmet county he had displayed many substantial qual- ities that gained for him the kindly regard and genuine respect of those who knew him. He belonged to the Lutheran church, in which Mrs. Sunde still holds membership. She yet owns and occupies the old home farm which was left to her by her husband and, like him, she is widely and favorably known in this section of the state.
ALEXANDER W. PERCIVAL.
Alexander W. Percival, who is engaged in the real estate business and in stock buying at Montgomery, Dickinson county, was born in Ire- land, September 20, 1876. His parents, R. J. and Elizabeth Percival, removed from the Emerald isle to the United States with their family in 1882, and settled in Black Hawk county, Iowa, but in 1892 came to Dick- inson county and took up their residence.
Alexander W. Percival, who is one of a family of five children, all of whom survive, was but a child at the time of the emigration of the family to the new world and received his education in the schools of Black Hawk county, Iowa. On beginning his independent career he turned his atten- tion to the stock business but in 1907 bought out an implement and hard- ware store at Montgomery which he conducted until 1916, building it up until it was the foremost business enterprise in Montgomery. In that year he disposed of the business and has since been engaged in the real estate business and in buying and selling stock, handling about fifty car- loads of hogs a year. He makes a careful study of the market, is an excellent judge of stock and derives a gratifying profit from his operations in that field. He also receives a good financial return from his land holdings, which comprise one hundred and twenty acres in Dickinson county and one hundred acres in Hamilton county, all of which is well improved. His Dickinson county farm is especially valuable as it lies within the limits of the town of Montgomery.
Mr. Percival was married in 1907 to Miss Mary Gilfillan, a native of Minnesota, and they have three children, Clayton G., Kenneth and Mil-
425
EMMET AND DICKINSON COUNTIES
dred C. The family attends the Methodist Episcopal church and frater- nally Mr. Percival is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party, believing firmly in the soundness of its policies, and served as a member of the township board, in which connection he made a record creditable alike to his con- scientiousness and ability. He has gained recognition not only as a good business man but also as a public-spirited citizen, willing to subordinate personal interests to the general good.
THOMAS WILLIAM DOUGHTY.
Thomas William Doughty, who since 1892 has been cashier of the Emmet County Bank at Armstrong, was born in Dumfriesshire, Scot- land, June 19, 1870, of the marriage of David and Lillias Doughty. He attended school in Dumfriesshire and in Edinburgh, Scotland, and received his business training in a business college at Des Moines, Iowa. He first entered the banking business in 1892, when he was made cashier of the Emmet County Bank at Armstrong. He has since held that office and under his management the affairs of the bank have prospered. It has held the unqualified confidence of the public, has been a factor in the commercial development of the town and has paid good dividends to its stockholders. In addition to the bank stock which he owns he holds title to a great deal of valuable real estate in Emmet county and also in Wisconsin and South Dakota. Some of his farms are recognized as the best improved properties in this section of Iowa and his progressive spirit has been as strongly marked in work for the public good as in the development of his private holdings. It has been largely due to his efforts that many of the forward movements in Armstrong in the last quarter of a century have succeeded.
Mr. Doughty is independent in politics and has been treasurer of the town of Armstrong continuously since 1895. He has been asked to become a candidate for many other offices, including that of state repre- sentative, but has refused. At one time he was associated with the Knights of Pythias, and in religious faith he is a Presbyterian. His sterling worth is indicated in the fact that those who have been intimately associated with him for years are his warmest friends.
JOHN PAUL LITTELL.
Prominent among the successful insurance men of Iowa is John Paul Littell, of Estherville, who represents the National Life Insurance Com- pany of the United States of America. He was born in Presque Isle, Michigan, on the 18th of December, 1855, a son of Aaron and Mary E.
426
EMMET AND DICKINSON COUNTIES
(Brown) Littell. The father was born, reared and educated in Virginia, but when a young man went to Brookfield, New York, where he engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery for some time. Subsequently he removed to Presque Isle, Michigan, becoming one of the pioneer physi- cians of that place, and about 1860 he located in Alma, Wisconsin, where his death occurred in 1865. His wife was a native of Massachusetts and in childhood became a resident of Brookfield, New York, where their marriage was celebrated. In 1870 she accompanied her oldest son to Estherville, Iowa, where she continued to make her home until she passed away in 1887.
John Paul Littell attended school in Alma, Wisconsin, and Wabasha, Minnesota. When a young man he engaged in lumbering in the pine regions of Wisconsin and became foreman of a log drive on the Chippewa river. In 1885 he came to Estherville, Iowa, where his mother and brother had previously located, and here he bought a milk business, which he ran for one year. It was in 1887 that Mr. Littell became identified with the life insurance business as general agent for the Des Moines Life, which merged with the National Life Insurance Company of the United States of America, with headquarters in Chicago, and he has since remained with them, being at the present time general agent for Iowa with head- quarters at Estherville. He has been in the service of the same companies for thirty years, a record probably unexcelled by any other life insurance agent in America and certainly not by any other agent with the National Life. He has probably written more life insurance policies than any other man in Iowa and has frequently led all Iowa insurance agents in the vol- ume of insurance written annually. He is a member of the Hundred Thousand Dollar Club of the National Life Insurance Company and at- tends all of the annual conventions of the club in Chicago.
At Wabasha, Minnesota, Mr. Littell was married July 18, 1878, to Miss Mary Johnson, who was born, reared and educated in Westfield, Wisconsin, and from there removed to Wabasha. Her parents, Albert and Sarah Ann (Lackey) Johnson, were natives of New York and Canada respectively and were pioneers of Wabasha, Minnesota. Near that place her father engaged in farming for some time but later conducted a livery business in Wabasha and spent his last years in retirement at St. Paul, Minnesota, where both he and his wife died. To Mr. and Mrs. Littell were born four children. Harry A. Littell, born in Wabasha and educated in the schools of Estherville, Iowa, is now associated with his father in the insurance business. Ada Littell, also born in Wabasha, was educated in Estherville, Iowa, and won the oratorical contest in the latter city and also the district contest. Her health failed and she died in Estherville at the age of eighteen years. Edith M. Littell, born in Estherville, is now a deaconess of the Methodist Episcopal church at Des Moines. She re- ceived an excellent education, attending the public schools of Estherville, Morningside College at Sioux City, the Iowa State Teachers' College at Cedar Falls and the Deaconess' College at Des Moines, from which she was graduated. The fourth child died in infancy.
427
EMMET AND DICKINSON COUNTIES
Mr. Littell is a stanch supporter of the republican party and has taken an active and influential part in local politics, serving on the congressional committee for Emmet county, but he has never cared to hold office though many nominations have been offered him. He served at one time, how- ever, as city marshal of Estherville. He is a strong temperance worker and active in church affairs, having been for many years a member of the official board of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which he and his wife belong. He has also been a Sunday school teacher for a long period. Mrs. Littell has also been prominent in church and charity work, being now superintendent of the Estherville Associated Charities, and the poor and needy always find in her a friend, no one being turned away without some word of cheer or more substantial aid when they appeal to her for help. Fraternally Mr. Littell is a member of the Masonic Lodge of Estherville. He is the owner of a large and well selected library, with the contents of which he is thoroughly familiar, for he is very fond of reading. He not only enjoys the best literature but is fond of art in its various forms and loves a good lecture or sermon. He is a strong temperance man, never using liquor nor tobacco in any form, and he opposes strongly all those forces which promote vice and as strongly endorses those interests which lead to the acceptance of Christianity among men, doing everything in his power to influence people to turn from the error of their ways to Christianity. He is the owner of a highly improved farm west of Esther- ville besides his city property, for in business affairs he has prospered. He is one of the best known life insurance men in Iowa and is justly accounted one of the leading and representative citizens of the town where he has now made his home for almost a third of a century.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.