USA > Iowa > Dickinson County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 33
USA > Iowa > Emmet County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 33
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B. A. WEBB.
B. A. Webb, cashier of the Bank of Montgomery, has had experience which makes him well qualified for his present duties and responsibilities and which contributes to the success of the institution, which ranks with the safe, reliable financial concerns of this part of the state. He was born in Shelby county, Illinois, March 6, 1865, and is a son of William Y. and Angeline (Blythe) Webb, both of whom were natives of Tennessee. While still young they removed to Illinois and in 1880 came to Dickinson county, Iowa, where the mother yet resides but the father departed this life in . 1890. In their family were five children, of whom three are now living.
B. A. Webb was a youth of fifteen years when he came to Dickinson county and here he completed his education as a public school pupil. He then took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for a few terms, at the end of which time he began farming and devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits until 1906, when he went upon the road as a travel- ing salesman. Four years were passed in that connection and since 1911 he has engaged in the banking business at Montgomery, filling the office
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of cashier throughout the intervening period. He has thoroughly ac- quainted himself with every phase of the banking business and he is a courteous and obliging official, doing everything to aid the patrons of the bank that is consistent with the safeguarding of the interests of depos- itors. In addition to his banking interests he is well known because of his investments in farm land. He owns one tract of one hundred and thirty acres and also a half interest in another tract of one hundred and sixty acres, from which he derives a substantial annual income.
Mr. Webb has been married twice. In 1899 he wedded Millie Elliott, who died in 1904, leaving a daughter, Stella, who is now the wife of Michael Albert. In 1908 Mr. Webb was again married, his second union being with Luella Tritle. Mr. Webb is a member of the Baptist church while the religious faith of his wife is indicated in her membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a democrat and keeps in close touch with the questions and issues of the day, so that he is well versed concerning the principles upon which the party platform is based. He filled the office of township treasurer and has also been school director. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and with the Masons, having membership in Twilight Lodge, No. 329, F. & A. M., of Spirit Lake. His has been an active and useful life. He is alert, enterprising and progressive and possesses in large measure that quality of common sense the lack of which is so often the cause of business failure.
CHRISTOPH SCHROEDER.
The agricultural interests of Dickinson county have a worthy repre- sentative in Christoph Schroeder, who owns and operates a fine farm of two hundred acres on section 14, Lloyd township. His early home was on the other side of the Atlantic, for he was born in Germany, October 12, 1860, and his parents were John and Walla Schroeder, also natives of the fatherland. There John Schroeder died and his wife subsequently came to America, where her death occurred. All their five children are still living.
Christoph Schroeder spent the first fifteen years of his life in his native land and was given good educational advantages. Bidding goodby to friends and relatives he sailed for the new world and on reaching this country proceeded at once to Will county, Illinois, where he worked as a farm hand for some years. Being economical as well as industrious he was able to save some of his wages and on coming to Dickinson county, Iowa, in 1889, he purchased a farm on section 14, Lloyd township, con- sisting of two hundred acres of land. Its neat and thrifty appearance plainly indicates the care and labor he has bestowed upon it and he now has a well improved place in a high state of cultivation. Besides his farm property he also owns nine lots and a residence in the village of Terril.
In February, 1890, Mr. Schroeder married Miss Ina Randt, who was
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also born in Germany and in childhood accompanied her parents on their emigration to America. She is a daughter of Ferdinand and Sophia (Peters) Randt, natives of Germany, who on coming to the United States, first located in Illinois but finally removed to Dickinson county, Iowa, where Mr. Randt died in 1910. His widow is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder were born three children: Christoph, deceased ; William H., who attended the Terril high school and is now at home; and Sarah, in school.
Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder hold membership in the Lutheran church and are people of prominence in the community where they reside. Mr. Schroeder is an adherent of the republican party but is not a politician in the sense of office seeking. He is now enjoying a comfortable competence secured by his own labor for he has made his own way in the world from an early age and well merits the prosperity that has come to him.
JOHN HANSON.
The record of John Hanson, who owns four hundred and forty acres of the finest land in Emmet county, is one that should prove very stim- ulating to young men just beginning their independent career as when he arrived in the United States he was not only a stranger to the customs of the country but was also handicapped by lack of capital. However, he possessed in large measure the determination and energy characteristic of the Norwegian race and the exercise of these qualities has brought him to his present notable position as one of the leading farmers in this pros- perous agricultural county. He raises stock on an extensive scale, special- izing in the feeding of sheep for the market.
Mr. Hanson was born in Norway on the 19th of December, 1870, and is one of the four surviving children of a family of five whose parents were Hans and Bertha Hanson, lifelong residents of the land of the mid- night sun. He attended the schools of his native country in the acquire- ment of an education but in 1889, when nineteen years of age, emigrated to America, making his way to Grundy county, Illinois, where for eight years he worked as a farm hand. He next rented land in Webster county, Iowa, for six years but in 1903 removed to Emmet county and bought one hundred and forty-six acres on section 18, Center township. Three years later he sold that place and for two years cultivated rented land but at the end of that time purchased a farm in High Lake township, on which he resided for a year. He then disposed of that property and purchased Jand in Webster county which he cultivated for three years. Upon selling that farm he came again to Emmet county and bought his present place, comprising four hundred and forty acres on section 26, Center township. He has erected a number of substantial and up-to-date buildings and has otherwise improved his place, which is one of the model farms of the township. He raises all kinds of stock but pays particular attention to
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feeding sheep, having a thousand head upon the farm during the winter of 1916-17.
Mr. Hanson was married in 1897 to Miss Martha Larson, a native of Webster county, Iowa, and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Larson, the latter of whom is deceased. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hanson have been born nine children, namely, Belle S., Tillie H., Clarence J., Ernest, Lawrence, Clifford, Melvin. Lester and Genevieve.
Mr. Hanson is an adherent of the republican party and has always taken the interest in public affairs incumbent .upon an American citizen but has not been an aspirant for political office. However, he has served his district as school director. Both he and his wife are communicants of the Lutheran church and are factors in the advancement of its work.
JOHN R. WHITE.
John R. White, a resident farmer of Dickinson county, his home being on section 13, Diamond Lake township, is numbered among Iowa's native sons, for he was born in Wapello county, February 23, 1878. His parents were E. G. and Nancy J. (Robinson) White, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland respectively. They came to Iowa at an early day and at the time of the Civil war the father responded to the country's call for troops, serving for four years in the Twenty-second Iowa Volunteer Infantry with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He made a most creditable military record and at the close of hostilities was honor- ably discharged. Following his return home he devoted his energies to general agricultural pursuits until his life's labors were ended in death in 1889. His wife survived until 1893.
Of the nine children of the family all are yet living. John R. White was but five years of age when his parents removed from Wapello to Andobon county, Iowa, where he was reared and educated, pursuing a common school course. He early became familiar with the best and most practical methods of cultivating the fields and at length rented a farm which he continued to develop until 1910. That year witnessed his arrival in Dickinson county at which time he purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 13, Diamond Lake township, and began the improvement of his present farm, which is now an excellent property equipped with all modern accessories and conveniences. The fields have been brought under a high state of cultivation and the neat and thrifty appearance of the place indicates his sound judgment and enterprising spirit.
In 1900 Mr. White was married to Miss Birdella Wilson, a native of Missouri and a daughter of Clark and Belle (Neeley) Wilson, who are natives of Iowa and Ohio respectively. Both still survive. Unto Mr. and Mrs. White have been born five children, Homer C., Harold A., John M., Kenneth W., and Glenn E.
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Mr. White holds membership in the Ancient Order of United Work- men. In politics his support is given to the republican party and he is now serving as township trustee and also as school director. He is inter- ested in everything pertaining to the public welfare and gives active aid and cooperation to many plans for the general good. At the same time he has carefully managed his private business interests and has become one of the substantial farmers of his adopted county.
REV. P. A. QUESNEL.
Rev. P. A. Quesnel, pastor of the St. Mary's Catholic church at Arm- strong, Iowa, and of the Sacred Heart church at Ledyard, in Kossuth county, Iowa, is a well known figure in Catholic circles of this region. He was born at Lachine, province of Quebec, Canada, January 4, 1866, and is a son of Jean B. and Glaphire Quesnel, likewise natives of that province. The father engaged in farming during his entire active life, and was also prominent in politics and served as mayor of Lachine and Pointe Claire. His death occurred November 28, 1909, and on the 3rd of April, 1911, the mother also passed away.
Father Quesnel attended the district schools of his native town and was later a student in St. Therese College, where he took the degree of B. A. He prepared for the priesthood in the Grand Seminary of Montreal, and was ordained on the 21st of December, 1889. He came to lowa in 1912. He was stationed at Early, Iowa, for some time and in November, 1913, the Right Rev. Phillip J. Garrigan, D. D., of Sioux City, Iowa, sent him to take charge of the Armstrong and Ledyard missions. Many im- provements have been made on the church property since he has been in this locality, and he is planning now to erect a modern parsonage, which is badly needed. The affairs of the church are in splendid condition, and Father Quesnel enjoys the respect and friendship of all the Catholics and of the non-Catholics as well.
The parish contains forty families, and its record is an unusual one, as during the past three years only three deaths have occurred in the church membership. The church was built in 1894, Rev. Father James P. Taken, the pastor at Forest City at that time, erecting the building. Before the church was built the Catholics used to hear mass in the house of the late Peter Conlin. Father Taken is now located at La Porte City, Iowa. The first resident pastor, Rev. F. Carroll, was appointed by Most Rev. John Hennessy, D. D., of Dubuque, in 1895. In 1896 he built the present parsonage. His health failed and shortly afterward he died in California, where he had gone to recuperate. Father John Hassett replaced him in 1898. He passed away to his eternal reward in 1900. His kindness to all shall always live. In 1901 Father F. Wren, now of Duncombe, Iowa, took charge of the parish. In 1903 he was followed by Father Michael Bradley, who is now stationed at Hawarden, Iowa. In 1905 Father J. G. Perrault
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came and in 1906 he was succeeded by Father S. P. Roth, the present pastor of Larchwood, Iowa. Father Perrault died in Chicago in 1912. Father Roth remained here about five years. During his pastorate the old church at Estherville was bought for six hundred dollars and removed to Led- yard, where it became the house of worship for the Sacred Heart congre- gation. Father Roth was removed to Larchwood in 1911, regretted by all. Father H. C. Eckhart was then appointed to succeed Father Roth. He stayed here two years. He was then transferred to St. Benedict, Iowa, where after a few months he had to resign on account of poor health. He is retired at the St. Antonio Sanitarium, in Texas.
Father Quesnel has been in charge since November 1, 1913. He is continuing the good work of his worthy predecessors. He has great hopes in the Armstrong parish, and he sees the day when it will have a large membership and be equipped with a parochial school. The land here is very rich, and Father Quesnel believes that the northern part of Iowa is bound to become the very cellar of Iowa, with an inexhaustible larder filled with bounteous crops. Father Quesnel says Armstrong is the cap- ital of the Promised Land in Iowa, where milk and honey flow. He wishes he had a voice loud enough to make himself heard wherever there is a man looking for a location. He would say to him, "Come to Armstrong or Ledyard and locate in the land of plenty."
HARVEY A. WELTY.
The name of Harvey A. Welty, of Spirit Lake township, Dickinson county, is well known in stock raising circles of the middle west, for he has as fine a herd of Aberdeen Angus cattle as can be found within the limits of the state. He has met with unusual success in all that he has undertaken, as before turning his attention to stock raising he was for years a teacher and held a number of important positions in the educa- tional field which he filled with marked ability. He was born in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, May 30, 1866, a son of Christ and Susan (Poffen- berger) Welty. The father was born in Maryland but for a number of years engaged in farming in West Virginia, and in 1871 removed to the vicinity of Oregon, Ogle county, Illinois. There he also purchased land, to the cultivation of which he devoted his energies until 1881, when he took up his residence on a farm near Ames, Story county, Iowa. Many years later he removed to Colo, Iowa, and there he passed away. His wife, who was born in Harpers Ferry, likewise died at Colo.
Harvey A. Welty received his early education in the district schools of Ogle and Stephenson counties, Illinois, making his home for several years with his uncle, H. Poffenberger, a resident of Stephenson county. Later he attended high school at State Center, Marshall county, Iowa, and continued his education in the Iowa State Teachers' College at Cedar Falls, Iowa, and in Carthage College at Carthage, Illinois, where he took
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a scientific course. He earned the money which paid his expenses while a student at Carthage College by teaching school and also by selling books. Following his graduation he was chosen principal of the schools at Colo, Iowa, and in 1893 was elected to a similar position in the schools of Lake Park, Dickinson county, lowa. In 1894 he was made superintendent of schools of Dickinson county and in the following year established the Spirit Lake Normal School, which he conducted during the years 1895, 1896 and 1897. This was a private school and the reputation which he had made as an instructor and educational leader in the county was such that the attendance was large for a school of that character, it averaging about eighty students. However, he found that the conduct of the school interfered with his work as county superintendent and accordingly he discontinued it in 1897. He filled the office of county superintendent until 1901, when he became principal of schools at Hull, Iowa, which position he resigned in 1903 to accept the superintendency of schools at Ruthven, Iowa, at a third increase in salary. Six years later he purchased the Spirit Lake Herald, of which he was editor and publisher for a short period. During that time he built up its circulation and after placing it upon a sound basis was able to sell it at an advantage. In the latter part of 1909 he took up his residence upon a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Lloyd township, Dickinson county, near Terril, which he had purchased ten years before. He farmed that place for a year and then taught school at Wiota, Iowa, for a similar period and at Arnolds Park, Dickinson county, for two years, during which time he consolidated the schools there. In 1913 he purchased his present home farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 34, Spirit Lake township, where he has since engaged in general farming and in the breeding of registered Aberdeen Angus cattle, of which he has seventy-five head, the largest herd of registered stock of that breed in northwestern Iowa. He has owned a number of imported cows and his herd challenges comparison with any in the state. He sells his cattle for breeding purposes and is well known as a stock raiser throughout the middle west, finding a market for his cattle over a wide territory. In addition to his home place he still owns his farm in Lloyd township.
On the 6th of October, 1898, at Arnolds Park, Mr. Welty was mar- ried to Miss Grace Laurene Yearows, who was born at Webster City, Hamilton county, but was educated in the schools of Eagle Grove, Wright county, graduating from the high school there when quite young. As soon as she was old enough she began teaching in the schools of Dickinson county and followed that profession until her marriage. She is pres- ident of the Parent-Teachers' Association of Spirit Lake and takes the keenest interest in its work. Her parents, Jacob John and Harriet W. (Richardson) Yearows, were natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania respect- ively but were early settlers of Hamilton county, Iowa. Subsequently they removed to Wright county and in 1896 settled in Milford, Dickinson county, later taking up their abode in Arnolds Park, where the father passed away. He was a contractor and builder by occupation. The
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mother, although a native of the Keystone state, was educated in Ohio, where her marriage occurred, and for many years has been a resident of Iowa. She now makes her home with a son in Eagle Grove, Wright county. To Mr. and Mrs. Welty have been born seven children; Juanita Cleona, Kenneth Bertram and Ardeth Laurene, all of whom were born in Diekinson county ; Melville Ivins and Prudence Beatrice, born in Palo Alto county; Prentiss Harvey, who was born in Dickinson county ; and one who died in infancy.
Mr. Welty has given careful study to the questions which divide the great political parties and is a staneh advocate of republican principles and candidates. He served as mayor of Arnolds Park and during his administration the interests of the municipality were forwarded to a marked degree. He belongs to the Presbyterian church and for many years has been a teacher in the Sunday school, while his wife is a mem- ber of the Christian Science church. He has the enviable reputation of having been the best teacher that Dickinson county has known and he has never ceased to feel a lively interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the schools. He is a man of wide information and holds a broad-minded view upon all questions. He has a great capacity for friendship and his home is marked by a charming hospitality. It is needless to add that he is held in the highest esteem and that his personal friends are many.
PETER HENRIKSEN.
Among the well known young farmers and stock raisers of Denmark township, Emmet county, is Peter Henriksen, who is operating the south half of the southeast quarter of section 1 and one hundred and sixty aeres in Kossuth county. He was born in Denmark township on the 22d of December, 1887, and is a son of John and Johanna (Madsen) Henriksen, who were among the early settlers of Denmark township and a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
Peter Henriksen, the third in order of birth in a family of nine chil- dren, attended the district schools until he was sixteen years of age and the following five years were spent in working for his father. He then rented a farm three miles from the home place for a year in partnership with his brother Henry and at the end of that time bought the farm, which he has since cultivated on his own account. It comprises eighty acres of fine land on section 1 and he also owns an adjoining quarter section in Kossuth county. He raises both grain and stock and in all his work fol- lows up-to-date methods.
On the 8th of June, 1910, Mr. Henriksen was married to Miss Helen Jepsen, a daughter of Nels and Anna (Nissen) Jepsen, natives of Den- mark and for a number of years residents of Denmark township, Emmet county, Iowa. They are now living retired in Ringsted. To Mr. and Mrs.
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Henriksen have been born two children: Ervin, whose birth occurred in 1911; and Frances, born in 1915.
Mr. Henriksen supports the candidates of the republican party at the polls but has never had time to take an active part in politics as he has concentrated his attention upon his farming interests. He holds mem- bership in the Danish Lutheran church and supports heartily the work of that organization. He is one of the younger farmers of the township and also one of the most successful. He is popular in the local lodge of the Loyal Order of Moose, to which he belongs, and also has a host of friends outside of that organization.
C. F. HANSON.
C. F. Hanson, a well known farmer and stock raiser residing on sec- tion 9, Richland township, Dickinson county, was born on the 19th of August, 1855, in Racine county, Wisconsin, his parents being Hiram and Ellen (Jones) Hanson, both natives of England. It was in 1843 that they came to America and settled in Wisconsin, but in 1856 they came to Iowa, locating in Fayette county, where both died. To them were born three children, all of whom are living.
C. F. Hanson remained under the parental roof until thirty years of age, in the meantime acquiring an excellent knowledge of agricultural pursuits and pursuing his studies in the common schools during his boy- hood. On leaving home he purchased a farm in Fayette county, Iowa, upon which he lived for six years, and on selling that place in 1893 came to Dickinson county, locating upon the farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 9, Richland township, which he now owns and operates. Besides this valuable tract he and his son own one hundred and sixty acres on section 3, Richland township, which is also under cultivation and well improved. In connection with general farming Mr. Hanson has engaged in the raising and feeding of stock on quite an extensive scale and has met with success in that business.
In 1885 he was united in marriage to Miss Isabelle Irvine, a native of Canada and a daughter of David and Esther (Thompson) Irvine, who were born in Ireland and on crossing the Atlantic settled in Canada at an early day. From the Dominion they came to lowa and took up their abode in Fayette county, where the mother died and where the father is still living. To them were born seven children, all of whom survive. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hanson: Harry C., who was born January 14, 1887, and is now engaged in farming in Dick- inson county ; Albert L., who was born October 20, 1888, and died July 7, 1911; Susie E., who was born January 25, 1896, and since her graduation from the Cedar Falls schools has engaged in teaching; William I., who was born January 17, 1898, and is now attending school; and Esther E., born September 7, 1904.
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The republican party finds in Mr. Hanson a stanch supporter of its principles and for six years he has served as township trustee. He has also filled the office of school director and never withholds his support from any enterprise calculated to promote the educational, moral or mate- rial welfare of his community. Both he and his wife are faithful mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church and they are held in the highest esteem by all who know them.
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