USA > Iowa > Dickinson County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 34
USA > Iowa > Emmet County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 34
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FREDERICK W. LA DOUX.
Frederick W. La Doux is a worthy representative of the farming and stock raising interests of Dickinson county, now carrying on operations on section 22, Center Grove township, and he has achieved a wide repu- tation as a breeder of registered Chester White hogs. He was born on the farm where he now resides, July 4, 1871, and belongs to one of the oldest families of this locality, being a son of Peter and Betsy (Warner) La Doux. The father was a native of New York state and the mother of Potter county, Pennsylvania. When the latter was a child of twelve years she accompanied her parents on their removal to Dickinson county in the early '60s. Prior to the Civil war Peter La Doux enlisted as a private in Company 1, Ninth lowa Cavalry, and was stationed at Fort Dodge, Iowa, at the time of the Indian massacre in Dickinson county in 1857. Imme- diately following that horrible event he was sent with a military expedi- tion to this locality and soon after the return of the guard to Fort Dodge he again came to Dickinson county and filed a homestead on the quarter section of land where the Howe family, victims of the massacre, had been buried. Later their bodies were disinterred and laid by the side of others murdered at the same time in Arnolds Park. After his discharge from the army Mr. La Doux located upon his land and continued to reside thereon until his death, which occurred in June, 1907. His wife is still living on the old homestead.
Frederick W. La Doux began his education in the common schools and later attended Young's Academy at Spirit Lake, after which he suc- cessfully engaged in teaching for four years. On the 16th of June, 1895, he was united in marriage to Miss Rena Helms, who was reared on an adjoining farm and is a daughter of Newell and Esther (Pillsbury) Helms. Her maternal grandfather was Rev. S. L. Pillsbury, one of the pioneer ministers of Dickinson county. Her father was also one of the earliest settlers of the county, having located here in 1856. He served through the war in Company G. Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry. Mr. and Mrs. La Doux have four children, namely : Burness, who is now attending the State University at Iowa City ; Marian E .; Margery E .; and Carlyle C.
After his marriage Mr. La Doux located on his present farm on section 22, Center Grove township, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres of land, for which his father paid eight dollars per acre and which he
FREDERICK W. LA DOUX AND FAMILY
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presented to our subject at the time of his marriage. To this the latter added one hundred acres by purchase. The state Young Men's Christian Association camp on the lake, which has attained a national reputation, is a part of this tract and twenty-six acres was sold to them by Mr. La Doux. He now owns two hundred acres of very valuable and productive land, upon which he has excellent improvements, and in its cultivation he has met with good success. In 1907 he began the breeding of thor- oughbred Chester White hogs and in this venture has also prospered. For several years he has exhibited his stock at the state and inter-state fairs and taken many ribbons and championships.
Since attaining his majority Mr. La Doux has affiliated with the republican party and has taken an active and prominent part in local politics, serving for a number of years as secretary of the school board and township trustee. He is a member of Spirit Lake Lodge, K. P., and also of the Yeomen, and both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. They are worthy representatives of old and honored families of Dickinson county and are held in the highest esteem by all who know them.
GEORGE E. MOORE.
George E. Moore, actively engaged in general farming and stock raising on section 1, High Lake township, Emmet county, is a native of Schuyler county, Illinois. He was born May 24, 1866, of the marriage of William and Frances (Bagby) Moore, who were natives of Ohio and Kentucky respectively, the latter being a descendant of Daniel Boone. William Moore became a resident of Illinois when a lad of but twelve years and took up his abode upon a farm in Schuyler county, where his remaining days were passed. There he was for many years actively connected with agricultural pursuits. His widow survives and is now living in Estherville at the age of seventy-six years.
In their family were three children: George E .; Homer O., now a resident of Schuyler county, Illinois; and Maggie M., the wife of J. A. Dunham. The ancestry of the family can be traced back to Ireland, for it was in that country that the grandfather of George E. Moore was born in 1800. He came to America in 1819, crossing the Atlantic in a sailing vessel which was six weeks in making the trip. He afterward took up his abode upon a farm in Carroll county, Ohio, and subsequently removed to Schuyler county, Illinois, where he built a log cabin covered with a clapboard roof, while at one end of the building was a mud and stick chimney, the floor being of earth. He lived in that primitive home for about twenty years, but as he prospered in his undertakings added modern improvements to his farm, erecting good buildings and becom- ing one of the substantial agriculturists of his district. He died in the year 1882 and his wife also passed away in Schuyler county.
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George E. Moore was reared and educated in Illinois, attending the common schools. During the summer months he worked in the fields and remained upon his father's farm until his marriage, which was cele- brated in 1888, Miss Josephine Lillard becoming his wife. She was born in Christian county, Illinois, a daughter of Perry and Nancy J. (Finley) Lillard, who were also natives of that state. The father is now a resi- dent of Kansas, but the mother passed away in 1896. In their family were five children, of whom four are yet living. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Moore has been blessed with two children: Raymond M., who is a graduate of Dubuque College at Dubuque, lowa; and Ruby A., who is now attending college in Aurora, Illinois.
It was in the spring of 1892 that Mr. Moore came with his family to Iowa, settling in Emmet county. He took up his abode upon the farm on which he now resides, in High Lake township. He is today one of the extensive landowners of the county, having seven hundred and seventy acres of highly improved and valuable land, which he has con- verted into a very productive farm. He makes a specialty of dairying, having a fine herd of Holstein cattle, and he is also extensively engaged in the raising of Hampshire hogs, having over four hundred head upon his place at the present time. He is an excellent judge of stock, seldom, if ever, at fault in estimating the value of an animal, and his live-stock interests have long constituted an important branch of his business, adding much to his prosperity. He is a most progressive, energetic man, carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. He is now president of the Wallingford Creamery Company and also presi- dent of the Farmers Telephone Company.
Mr. and Mrs. Moore hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and guide their lives according to its teachings. His political support is given to the democratic party and he is a stalwart advocate of its principles but is not an office seeker, preferring to concentrate his time and energies upon his business affairs, which have been capably and wisely directed, making him one of the most substantial and pros- perous farmers of Emmet county.
G. L. ATKINS, M. D.
Dr. G. L. Atkins, successfully engaged in the general practice of med- icine in Superior, was born July 20, 1876, in Clear Lake, Iowa, a son of E. P. and Viola (Ellis) Atkins, both of whom were natives of this state. The father became a prominent and influential farmer of Clear Lake and afterward retired from the farm and became a resident of Spirit Lake and deals in real estate and loans.
Dr. Atkins was a little lad of but six years when his parents removed to Texas, remaining for a year in the south. They then returned to Iowa, settling at Spirit Lake, where he attended the public schools from 1884
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until 1897, mastering those branches of learning which constituted the curriculum of the Spirit Lake schools, a course similar to that which has put Iowa in the front rank in the school advantages offered to its boys and girls. He afterward devoted three years to teaching school and was engaged in various other occupations until 1901, when he found it possible to carry out his desire of becoming a medical student in the Iowa State University. He pursued the regular four years' course and was graduated with the class of 1905. He then opened an office in Superior, where he has now practiced for twelve years, being accorded throughout the entire period a liberal patronage which has steadily grown in volume and im- portance. He also holds a license to practice in Minnesota.
On the 28th of June, 1905, Dr. Atkins was united in marriage to Miss Fern G. Stow, of Spirit Lake, Iowa. They are widely and favorably known in Superior and their part of the county. Dr. Atkins is a member of the Presbyterian church and Mrs. Atkins of the Episcopal church. Dr. Atkins also holds membership with the Modern Woodmen and with the Odd Fellows. In politics he maintains an independent course but is always pro- gressive in matters of citizenship and at all times manifests a public- spirited devotion to the general good. Along the line of his profession he has connection with the Dickinson County, the Iowa State and the Amer- ican Medical Associations, and his standing among his colleagues and con- temporaries in this section of the state is indicated in the fact that he was for three years honored with the presidency of the county medical society.
E. H. DACK.
E. H. Dack, wide-awake and enterprising in his business affairs, is now the owner of a valuable farm property of two hundred and forty acres on section 10, Swan Lake township, Emmet county, to which he removed in 1912. He is yet a young man, his birth having occurred in Dallas county, Iowa, November 5, 1881, his parents being John F. and Nancy A. (Fox) Dack, the former a native of Canada and the latter of England. At an early period in the development of Iowa they became residents of this state, where the father followed the occupation of farm- ing, and both he and his wife died in Dallas county. In their family were four children, three of whom yet survive.
E. H. Dack was reared and educated in Dallas county, pursuing a common school course, while his youthful experiences upon the home farm made him familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He was thirty years of age when he removed to Emmet county in 1912 and purchased his present farm on section 10, Swan Lake township, a tract of two hundred and forty acres of rich and arable land which he has brought under a high state of cultivation, adding many modern improvements to the place. It is now a splendid
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farm and thereon he makes a specialty of dairying, keeping high grade cows for this purpose.
Mr. Dack was married in 1902 to Miss Myrtle J. Boll, a native of Dallas county, Iowa, and a daughter of M. B. and Hannah Boll. Her mother is now deceased, but her father is still living in Dallas county. Mr. and Mrs. Dack have two children, Herald A. and Verna I.
Mr. Dack votes with the republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He has been school director and township assessor and he is interested in all those forces which make for the upbuilding and development of the district in which he lives. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and guide their lives according to its teachings, so that many sterling traits of character have won for them the warm regard of all with whom they have been brought in contact.
L. P. STILLMAN.
Among the prosperous and highly esteemed residents of Dolliver is L. P. Stillman, cashier of the Dolliver Savings Bank. He was born in Allamakee county, Iowa, January 1, 1872, and is a son of L. P. and Mary G. (Phipps) Stillman, natives respectively of New York state and of Canada. Both came to Iowa, however, in youth and their marriage occurred in this state. The father passed away in 1886 but the mother is still living at the age of fifty-nine years. Six of their seven children survive.
L. P. Stillman received his education in the common schools of Palo Alto county, Iowa, and remained with his mother until he was twenty- one years of age, when he began farming on his own account, which occupation he followed for six years. He decided that he would prefer another line of activity and secured the position of bookkeeper in the First National Bank at Emmetsburg, Iowa. Two years later, or in 1899, he came to Dolliver as cashier of the Dolliver Savings Bank, which had just been established, and he is still filling that position. He has been very successful in his direction of the policy of the bank and its enviable stand- ing in the community is evidence of his ability and trustworthiness. He realizes the value of real estate as an investment and owns three hundred and twenty acres of land in Emmet county and has an interest in several other farms.
In 1899 occurred the marriage of Mr. Stillman and Miss Mina F. Wells, a native of Hardin county, Iowa. Her parents, A. A. and Mary A. Wells, were born respectively in New York state and in Illinois but in 1855 became residents of Iowa. The father is deceased but the mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Stillman have become the parents of five children, namely: Linus P., Bernice N., Gerald W., James and Nadine C.
Mr. Stillman casts his ballot in support of the republican party. He
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belongs to Emmet Lodge, No. 533, A. F. & A. M., at Armstrong and has taken the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He is also identified with the Yeomen and the Modern Woodmen of America. Both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a trustee, and the work of that organization profits by their moral and financial support. Although his duties as cashier receive his first atten- tion he finds time to aid those movements which are working for the de- velopment of his community along various lines. For nine years Mr. Stillman was a member of the National Guard of Iowa and on leaving the service was holding the rank of lieutenant. During the Spanish-American war he entered the United States service as a member of Company K, Fifty-second Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and for some time was stationed at Chickamauga, Georgia, returning home in the fall of 1898.
JOHN HENRIKSEN.
John Henriksen, who passed away on the 11th of April, 1915, was for thirty years a resident of Emmet county and was ranked among the highly efficient farmers of Denmark township. His birth occurred in Denmark in 1857 and there he remained until he was twenty-four years of age, when he came to the United States and made his way to Council Bluffs, Iowa. He worked on a railroad and did teaming for two years and in 1885 came to Denmark township, Emmet county, Iowa, where he purchased eighty acres of land, comprising the north half of the southwest quarter of section 12, Denmark township. Subsequently he purchased the eighty acre tract lying north of his original farm and as the years passed he made his place one of the best developed and most productive farms of the township. He derived a gratifying income from his land and accumulated a competence.
In 1880, in Denmark, Mr. Henriksen was united in marriage to Miss Hanna Madsen, whose parents were lifelong residents of that country. Mr. and Mrs. Henriksen had nine children, namely: Ida, now Mrs. Daniel Sorensen, of Denmark township; Henry, who is married and lives in Ringsted; Peter, who is farming three miles from the home place in Denmark township and whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; Marius, who is married and is farming in Denmark township; Sophia, the wife of James Rasmussen, of Denmark township; Gina, who mar- ried M. H. Petersen, of Denmark township; and Martin, Minnie and Fred, all at home.
Mr. Henriksen was never a seeker for official honors. He was respected wherever known as a man of sterling integrity and his per- sonal friends were many. One of the earliest settlers in Denmark town- ship, he lived to see a wonderful transformation as what had been a frontier region became a thickly settled and highly developed agricul- tural district. He passed away on the 11th of April, 1915, at the age
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of fifty-eight years, and all who knew him felt that a worthy man, a good citizen and a loyal friend had gone to his reward. He is buried in St. Paul's cemetery. Mrs. Henriksen survives and still resides upon the home farm.
P. A. PETERSON.
P. A. Peterson, who follows farming on section 24, Superior town- ship, is one of the representative farmers of Dickinson county. His early home was on the other side of the Atlantic, for he was born in Norway on the 8th of January, 187f, and is a son of Pete and Olena (Olson) Peter- son. The mother never left her native land but died in Norway in 1912. In 1876 the father came to the United States and settled in Will county, Illinois, where he continued to reside until coming to Dickinson county, Iowa, in 1901. His death occurred here in 1906.
P. A. Peterson was reared and educated in Norway, and in 1889, at the age of fifteen years, began a seafaring life and was employed as a sailor for four years. In 1893 he came to America and for two years lived with his father in Will county, Illinois. Subsequently he worked out as a farm hand for two years, and then began farming for himself, oper- ating rented land in Will county for about four years. It was in 1900 that he became a resident of Dickinson county, Iowa, where he continued to follow agricultural pursuits as a renter for six years. Having saved his money he was then able to purchase his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Superior township, and has since engaged in its opera- tion. In connection with general farming he devotes considerable attention to stock raising, making a specialty of Black Polled cattle and registered hogs. He is a wide-awake, energetic farmer and the success which has attended his efforts is certainly well deserved. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the republican party and in religious faith he is a Lutheran. Fraternally he holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America.
CHARLES H. TEMPLETON.
A valuable farm of two hundred and fifty-five acres situated on sections 10, 11, 14 and 15, Okoboji township, Dickinson county, pays tribute to the care and labor bestowed upon it by the owner, Charles H. Templeton, who is one of the enterprising and progressive agricul- turists of his section of the state. He was born in La Salle county, Illinois, January 19, 1856, a son of Hammond and Laura (Morrison) Templeton, who were natives of Vermont and of New York, respectively. The father was a mason by trade, learning the business when in the
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east. In 1830 he removed to La Salle county, Illinois, where he pur- chased land which he developed and improved, continuing there to carry ou general agricultural pursuits throughout his remaining days, his death occurring March 2, 1862. His wife survived for many years, passing away in May, 1906, at the age of seventy-two years.
Charles H. Templeton was reared in his native county and is indebted to its public school system for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. He remained with his mother until he reached the age of twenty-six years and then went to Livingston county, Illinois, where he began farming on his own account, continuing to cultivate land there until 1883. At that date he accepted the position of fireman on the Illinois Central Railroad and was thus employed for two years. He next went with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, which he represented for two years, making his home at Sanborn, Iowa. On the expiration of that period he purchased a farm near Hartley, Iowa, which he rented to his brothers. A man gave him the use of a farm for five years if he would break the sod, but Mr. Templeton cultivated the tract for only three years, at the end of which time he took up his abode upon his own land, which he then cultivated for five years. On selling the property he removed to Clay county, where he purchased another farm, which he cultivated for three years and then sold and went to Sibley. The farm which he there purchased he continued to develop and improve for five years, but again he sold out and at that date came to Dickinson county, where for five years he engaged in the cultivation of rented land. He next rented another farm for three years, after which he purchased his present place, comprising two hundred and fifty-five acres situated in Okoboji township, his buildings being upon section 10. He has made various improvements upon the place during the period of his incum- bency and has brought his fields to a high state of cultivation. He carefully and wisely manages his interests and as the result of his dili- gence and labor annually harvests good crops. In addition to raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climatic conditions here he feeds about one carload of hogs and a carload of cattle per year, having done this for the past fifteen years. His wife has given much attention to the raising of thoroughbred Barred Plymouth Rock chickens and has many of that breed upon the farm.
It was in 1885 at Galena, Illinois, that Mr. Templeton was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ball, a daughter of James W. and Cypha (Matson) Ball, who were natives of Tioga county, New York. The father was a mason by trade and also took up the occupation of farming. He became a pioneer of La Salle county, Illinois, where he settled in 1832. In the same year he participated in the Black Hawk war, which termi- nated the supremacy of the Indians in that locality. The work of progress and civilization seemed scarcely begun in his section of the state at that time, but he contributed to the pioneer development and later progress of La Salle county, where he persistently and successfully engaged in farming for many years. He finally retired from active
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life and made his home with Mr. and Mrs. Templeton until his demise, which occurred in May, 1892. He had for a considerable period sur- vived his wife, who died May 6, 1874.
Mr. and Mrs. Templeton became the parents of but one child, Myrtle E., who passed away in March, 1904, at the age of sixteen years. Their religious faith is that of the Methodist church and Mr. Templeton belongs to the Masonic fraternity, while both he and his wife are connected with the Eastern Star. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, which he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He is the present assessor of Okoboji township, in which position he has served for five years, and he was also for eight years assessor in O'Brien county, Iowa. He has likewise filled the office of school director in Dickinson county for two years and was similarly connected with the schools in O'Brien county. In a word, he stands for progress and improvement, for development and upbuilding, and his aid and influence are always given on the side of right. His life has been well spent and his many sterling traits of character have gained for him the respect, confidence and goodwill of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
A. D. INMAN.
Agricultural interests of Dickinson county find a well known repre- sentative in A. D. Inman, who took up his abode here in pioneer days and throughout the intervening period has been closely associated with the development of the county along farming lines. He has assisted in the work of transforming wild land into productive fields and his labors have been attended with good results. He was born in Bradford county, Penn- sylvania, September 4, 1840, a son of Benjamin and Salome (Richardson) Inman, who were natives of Steuben county, New York. The father be- came an early resident of Bradford county, Pennsylvania, and there his remaining days were passed, his time and energies being devoted to gen- eral agricultural pursuits. Both he and his wife departed this life in South Creek township and were there laid to rest. They had a family of eight children but only two are now living, the brother of A. D. Inman being Ed Inman, who resides upon the old homestead in Pennsylvania.
The educational advantages which A. D. Inman enjoyed were limited to those offered by the pioneer schools near his boyhood home. He pur- sued his studies until he reached the age of sixteen and then gave his un- divided attention to farm work for his father and others until he reached the age of nineteen. When a young man of twenty years he responded to President Lincoln's first call for troops and enlisted as a member of Com- pany F, Twenty-third New York Infantry. He saw active service through- out the entire war, being largely under the command of Generals Wads- worth and Mead in the Army of the Potomac. He participated in many
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