USA > Iowa > Dickinson County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 36
USA > Iowa > Emmet County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 36
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In 1889 Mr. Thomsen was united in marriage to Miss Gina Nielsen, a daughter of Johannes and Ingeborg (Balmer) Nielsen, natives of Den- mark, where the father is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Thomsen have
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seven children, namely: Thomas; Ingeborg, the wife of Herman Madsen, of Denmark township; Marie, who married Hans Carstensen, also of Denmark township; and John, Andrew, Frederick and Eleanore, all at home.
Mr. Thomsen is a strong republican and can be counted upon to loyally support the candidates and measures of that party. He is serv- ing his third term as township trustee, his continuance in that office being evidence of his efficiency. His religious faith is indicated by the fact he is a communicant of St. Paul's Danish Lutheran church and fraternally he is connected with Denmarks Minde. He is highly spoken of wherever known and his personal friends are many.
OLE ANDERSON BJORKJONLI.
Ole Anderson Bjorkjonli, a retired farmer living in Estherville, has been a resident of Emmet county for thirty-four years and a life of well directed energy and thrift has brought him to a place where he is now in possession of a comfortable competence that enables him to rest from further labors. He was born in Norway on the 14th of May, 1842, and is a son of Andrew and Mary (Olson) Jorgenson, who came to the United States in 1868, a year after the arrival of their son, Ole Anderson Bjork- jonli, in this country. They settled in Worth county, Iowa, and there the mother passed away in 1881, after which the father made his home with his son Ole until his death, which occurred in 1904.
Mr. Bjorkjonli acquired a limited education in the common schools of Norway and in 1867 came to the United States, establishing his home in Cerro Gordo county, Iowa, after one year spent in Winneshiek county, Iowa. In Cerro Gordo county he purchased one hundred acres of land and began farming on his own account. The same year he made further preparations for a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Hannah Paulson, also a native of Norway, who came to the United States with her parents when in her fifteenth year.
Mr. Bjorkjonli became a resident of Emmet county in 1882, but in 1876 he purchased two hundred and forty acres of land, upon which he took up his abode six years later. In subsequent years he added to his holdings from time to time as his financial resources increased until his farm comprised almost a full section of land. Later, however, he sold a portion of this property but still owns four hundred acres in Emmet county and two hundred and forty acres in Todd and Cass counties, of Minnesota, his landed possessions affording him an excellent annual in- come. While upon the farm he converted his place into rich and product- ive fields, from which he annually gathered good harvests that enabled him to put aside something from his earnings year by year until in 1906, pos- sessing a handsome competence, he retired from active farm life and re- moved to Estherville, where he has since made his home, enjoying a rest
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OLE ANDERSON BJORKJONLI AND FAMILY
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PUMPCHIBEARY
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which he has truly earned and richly deserves. In the meantime Mr. Bjorkjonli broadened the scope of his activities by becoming one of the organizers of the Emmet County Farmers' Cooperative Insurance Com- pany and upon its organization was made a member of its board of direc- tors, in which position he has served continuously since, covering twenty- four years, while for the past sixteen years he has been treasurer of the company. He is now agent for several Scandinavian steamship lines but otherwise has no active business connections.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bjorkjonli have been born thirteen children, eight of whom still survive, as follows: Albert, who follows farming in Emmet township, Emmet county ; George, who is engaged in the land business at Estherville, Iowa; John, an agriculturist of Clearwater county, Minne- sota; Isaac, who follows farming in Todd county, Minnesota; Josephine, the wife of Frank Doyle, of St. Paul, Minnesota; Nettie, the wife of Edward Koenecke, who operates one of Mr. Bjorkjonli's farms in Emmet county ; Jacob, a student in the Iowa State University; and Jennie, the wife of Lawrence Sargeant, who cultivates the old home farm of Mr. Bjorkjonli.
Politically Mr. Bjorkjonli is a republican, having long supported the party. He served as township trustee for fifteen years and as justice of the peace for about the same length of time and in both offices discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity, his decisions as justice being strictly fair and impartial-a fact which is indicated by his long retention in the office. He has been officially connected with the schools for many years as a member of the school board and he has put forth every possible effort to advance the welfare of the community and uphold its civic stan- dards. Mr. and Mrs. Bjorkjonli are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and are numbered among the well known and highly esteemed residents of this part of the state. Laudable ambition prompted Mr. Bjorkjonli to sever home ties in early manhood and seek his fortune in the new world. With the passing years he has made steady progress and his energy and determination have enabled him to overcome all difficulties and obstacles in his path. His life record should serve to inspire and encourage others, showing what may be accomplished through individual effort and proving also that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously.
J. P. NELSON.
J. P. Nelson, a well known implement and hardware dealer of Mont- gomery, Dickinson county, was born at Jewell, Iowa, on the 2d of May, 1881. His parents, Peter and Tina Nelson, were both natives of Den- mark and there resided until 1868, when they came to America. For two years they lived at Marshalltown, Iowa, but at the end of that time removed to Hamilton county, where they resided for many years.
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There the mother died in 1908 and in 1913 the father removed to Los Angeles, California. To them were born three children, all of whom survive.
J. P. Nelson grew to manhood in Hamilton county and after com- pleting the course offered in the public schools there was a student in the Lutheran College at Jewell. Subsequently he engaged in the harness business at Jewell in partnership with his father, but at length disposed of his interests in that enterprise and for a year and a half owned and conducted a livery stable at Jewell. At the expiration of that period his father retired from business and J. P. Nelson sold out his interest in the livery barn and became a fireman on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. Three years later he purchased a farm, which he operated for six years and then sold. He next bought the implement and hardware business in Montgomery which he is still conducting and which has proved very profitable. He carries the largest stock of imple- ments and hardware to be found in the county and has always followed the policy of giving the customer the benefit of the doubt. The wisdom of this course is evidenced by the large and representative trade which he has built up. He has other business interests, owning four buildings in Montgomery.
In 1901 Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to Miss Millie Johnson, a native of Jewell, and they have four children, Peter, Wilhelm, Charles and Mildred. Mr. Nelson is a stanch adherent of the republican party but has never been an office seeker, preferring to concentrate his energies upon the conduct of his business. He belongs to Beach Lodge, No. 452, I. O. O. F., and to Republic Lodge, No. 468, A. F. & A. M., both of Jewell. In all that he does he manifests a progressive spirit, enterprise and good judgment and these qualities have not only been the founda- tion of the success which he has already achieved, but are also the best guarantee that still greater prosperity is in store for him in the future.
HANS MORTENSEN.
Hans Mortensen, who is engaged in general farming and stock rais- ing on section 35, Denmark township, is one of the representative agri- culturists of Emmet county. He was born in Denmark on the 26th of January, 1856, and is a son of Martin and Karen (Wine) Mortensen, now deceased. In the family were nine children. The parents never came to the United States, but continued residents of Denmark through- out life. By occupation the father was a brewer.
Hans Mortensen attended the public schools of Denmark until con- firmed and two years were later devoted to military training. In early life he learned the cigar maker's trade, which he followed in his native land until twenty-seven years of age, when he resolved to try liis for- tune in the new world and sailed for America. He first located in Cook
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county, Illinois, where he worked as a farm hand for two years, and then removed to Humboldt county, Iowa, where he continued in the employ of others for some time. At length, however, he was able to engage in farming on his own account upon rented land and in 1893 purchased the northeast quarter of section 35, Denmark township, Emmet county, to the improvement and cultivation of which he has since devoted his time and attention with good results. He has converted the tract into a fine farm and has devoted considerable attention to the raising of full blooded stock, making a specialty of Percheron horses.
In 1891, Mr. Mortensen was united in marriage to Miss Kate Koll, a daughter of Adolph and Mary (Engle) Koll, who are natives of Ger- many and Denmark respectively. On coming to this country they first located in Humboldt county, Iowa, but are now residents of Denmark township, Emmet county. Mr. and Mrs. Mortensen have twelve chil- dren, namely : Carl, Adolph, Peter, Caroline, Mary, Hans, Jr., Frederick, Anna, Amanda, Martin, Frances and Henrietta.
For a number of years Mr. Mortensen was president of the Forsythe Creamery Company, and he has served as school director and road super- visor in his district. In politics he is a democrat and in religious faith is a Lutheran, holding membership in St. John's church. He is one of the representative farmers of his community and is held in high esteem by all who know him.
LEWIS IVERSON.
Lewis Iverson, who owns and cultivates one hundred and sixty acres of excellent farm land on section 25, High Lake township, has through- out his entire life been identified with agricultural interests. He was born in that township on a farm that had been homesteaded by his ' parents, John and Julia Iverson, in 1865. The father was a native of Norway and was thirty-nine years of age when he took up his claim in Emmet county. After coming to the new world he had resided for some time in Wisconsin and was there married, his wife being a native of that state. They became closely associated with the pioneer develop- ment of northwestern Iowa, aiding in reclaiming this region for the purposes of civilization. They remained valued residents of the district for many years but in 1901 removed to South Dakota. There the father died the following year and his remains were brought back for inter- ment in High Lake cemetery. Mrs. Iverson survived him until 1912. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom six are yet living, three being residents of South Dakota and two of North Dakota.
The other member of the family is Lewis Iverson of this review, whose early associations were such as fall to the lot of most boys who are reared upon a farm. He attended the district schools until he reached the age of sixteen years and in the school of experience has since
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learned many valuable lessons. After that time he concentrated his efforts upon farm work upon the old homestead, assisting his father until he reached the age of twenty-six, when he began farming on his own account, purchasing the southwest quarter of section 25, High Lake township, whereon he now resides. He has converted the place into a valuable and productive farm, which he conducts according to modern progressive ideas of agriculture.
In High Lake township Mr. Iverson was united in marriage to Miss Ella Johnson, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Johnson, of Mitchell county, Iowa, both of whom have now passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Iverson have become the parents of four children: Edith, the wife of Robert Elsenbast, of Palo Alto county, Iowa; and Gladys, Elmer and Mabel, all at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Iverson give loyal support to the Norwegian Lutheran . church, in which they hold membership. His political endorsement is given to the republican party, in the work of which he has been some- what active, serving for three years as county trustee. The major part of his thought, time and attention, however, have been given to his agricultural interests and by hard work he has become the owner of a well improved farm, while at the same time he has developed a character that commands the respect and goodwill of all who know him.
ROY D. CARSON.
Roy D. Carson, a well known resident of Armstrong, is one of Iowa's native sons, his birth occurring in Union, Hardin county, October 23, 1882. His parents were Eli William and Melissa (Humphrey) Carson, natives of Indiana and Ohio respectively. During the Civil war the father served in the Union army for three years and eight months and was holding the rank of lieutenant when mustered out. He afterward removed to Cresco, Iowa, where he purchased land and engaged in farm- ing for some time. Subsequently he owned and operated a farm near Union in Hardin county for many years, but finally retired from active labor and removed to Union, where he was living at the time of his death, which occurred in October, 1915, when he was seventy-nine years of age. His wife had passed away in 1901.
In the public schools of Union, Iowa, Roy D. Carson acquired his education and in early life he learned the barber's trade, at which he worked in different places until 1914. In 1908 he had become a resident of Armstrong, Emmet county, and since selling his barber shop there has conducted a billiard hall at that place and has also engaged in the real estate business, handling Iowa, Minnesota and North and South Dakota lands. To some extent he has also followed auctioneering. He owns the building in which he is now engaged in business and also a nice residence in Armstrong.
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On the 31st of March, 1905, Mr. Carson married Miss Lulu Shea, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Shea, and they have one child, Vir- ginia, born in 1915. In religious faith they are Methodists, and Mr. Carson is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. The republican party finds in him a stanch supporter of its principles and he takes a deep and commendable interest in public affairs. Wherever known he is held in high esteem and he has a host of friends in and around Armstrong.
ELMER E. CRUMB.
Elmer E. Crumb, who owns and operates a valuable farm in Emmet township, was born in New York state on the 30th of August, 1862, a son of John and Maria H. (Nye) Crumb, also natives of that state. In 1866 the family removed to Emmet county, Iowa, and the father homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres on section 24, Emmet town- ship. That was in the early period of the development of the county and for a number of years the family lived in a log cabin, while the other conditions of life were such as are usually found in an unsettled region. The mother passed away on the 13th of March, 1875, and on the 5th of October, 1886, the father likewise responded to the final summons. To them were born seven children but two are now deceased.
Elmer E. Crumb was reared in Emmet county, being but four years of age when brought here by his parents, and his education was that afforded by the pioneer schools. On attaining his majority he took over the management of the homestead and subsequently purchased one hundred acres of the place. He still owns that property and as the years have passed has made his farm one of the best improved in the township. He has erected commodious and substantial buildings and sees to it that everything is kept in excellent repair. He divides his time and attention between grain farming and stock raising and feels that he thus secures the greatest possible return from his land.
On the 12th of December, 1888, Mr. Crumb was married to Miss Sadie A. Butler, who was born in Minnesota, a daughter of Uriel and Amy (Comstock) Butler, natives of New York, who became early set- tlers of Wisconsin, whence they removed to Minnesota. The mother died on the 26th of April, 1896, in Palo Alto county, but the father survived until January 29, 1911, and died in Emmet county. Mrs. Crumb is one of six children, of whom but two survive, and by her marriage has become the mother of three children, namely: Frank W .; Elma L., at home ; and one who died in infancy.
Mr. Crumb is a stanch advocate of republican principles and is faithful in the discharge of all his duties as a citizen. He is especially interested in the welfare of the schools and for several years was a member of the school board. Both he and his wife belong to the Bap-
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tist church and his fraternal affiliation is with the Modern Woodmen of America. He is very loyal to the interests of the county, in which almost his entire life has been spent, and is satisfied that the opportunities here offered the agriculturist cannot be surpassed elsewhere.
ANDREW ANDERSON.
For more than fifteen years Andrew Anderson has been a resident of Emmet county, where he has a large and well developed farm prop- erty, regarded as one of the finest farms of his section of the state. In March, 1917, however, he retired to Estherville, there to spend his remain- ing days in the enjoyment of a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. He was born in Norway, March 24, 1855, a son of Andrew Osmundson and Helga Peterson. They were the parents of a family of eleven children, five sons and six daughters, of whom five now lie buried in Norway, while six are yet living, four sisters of the family having come to the United States.
At the usual age Andrew Anderson became a pupil in the common schools of Norway, which he attended until he reached the age of fifteen. He worked for his father on the farm until 1870. Bidding adieu to friends and native land, he sailed for the new world and crossed the con- tinent to Grundy county. Illinois, where he was employed at farm labor for three years. In 1873 he was joined by his parents in Grundy county and they lived with Mr. Anderson, who in that year purchased a farm. He prospered as time passed and ultimately became the owner of two excellent farms in that locality. In 1899 the parents removed to Ham- ilton county, Iowa, to live with their daughter, Anna, the wife of Thomas Thompson, and there both the father and mother passed away. It was in 1901 that Mr. Anderson severed his connection with Illinois, and came to Iowa, establishing his home in Emmet county, where he purchased the northwest quarter of section 10 and the northwest quarter of the south- west quarter of the same section. He is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land, constituting one of the finest farms of the county. His place has been well tiled, affording excellent draining and thus greatly enhancing the productiveness of his fields. His farm is also well stocked with cattle and hogs and his live stock interests constitute an important source of revenue to him. He uses the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and annually gathers good harvests, which are the reward of well directed effort and ability. However his farm does not constitute the sole evidence of his life of well directed thrift and industry, for other substantial business interests profit by his cooperation and financial support, as he is now a stockholder in the Farmers Savings Bank, the creamery and the Farmers Elevator at Wallingford.
In 1874 Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Christina
ANDREW ANDERSON
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Iverson, a daughter of Iver Longland, of Grundy county, Illinois. They became the parents of eight children: Andrew N., now living in Winne- bago county, Minnesota, Ed, a resident of Joliet, Illinois; Henry, whose home is in Jack Creek township; Olin, living in the same township; Julius, who is located in Twelve Mile Lake township; Bert, of Jack Creek township; Martha, the wife of Andrew Thompson, of Jack Creek town- ship; and Anna, the wife of Henry Sievol, of Radcliffe, Iowa. The wife and mother of these children passed away in Grundy county, Illinois, and was laid to rest in a cemetery at Saratoga, that state. For his second wife Mr. Anderson chose Josephine Bravik Johnson, of La Salle county, Illinois, and they had a daughter, Clara, who passed away at the age of seventeen and was buried in Saratoga, Illinois, by the side of her mother. In 1897 Mr. Anderson was again married, at which time Johanna Jur- genson, a native of Norway, became his wife. There are three sons and a daughter of this marriage: George, now living in Estherville; and Alfred, Joseph, and Myrtle, all at home.
Mr. Anderson has always been desirous that his children should have good educational opportunities and for ten years he acceptably served as school director in High Lake township. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and his religious faith is that of the Nor- wegian Lutheran church. His life has indeed been an active and useful one and he is numbered among those who have aided largely in winning for Iowa its well earned reputation of being one of the foremost agricul- tural states of the Union.
R. S. HARRIS.
R. S. Harris, proprietor of the Lake Road Farm on section 2, Arm- strong Grove township, Emmet county, is a native of the neighboring state of Illinois. He was born in Carroll county, April 19, 1868, and is a son of John and Eliza (Hanna) Harris. The parents were both natives of Ireland, but in early life came to America and located in New York state, where they made their home for a time. From there they removed to Illinois, and Mr .. Harris purchased a farm in Carroll county, which he operated until ten years prior to his death when he retired from active life. He passed away in August, 1903, and his wife survived him for about two years, dying in May, 1905.
R. S. Harris is indebted to the public schools of his native county for his early education and he remained with his parents until twenty- five years of age. He then rented his father's farm, which he success- fully operated for five years, and at the end of that time removed to Black Hawk county, Iowa. One year later he became a resident of Emmet county and purchased two hundred and forty-five acres in Arm- strong Grove township, to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted the following thirteen years. On disposing of that place he
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bought a half section, a part of which was on section 1 and the remainder on section 2 of Armstrong Grove township, but he subsequently sold a quarter of section 1. He has made many excellent improvements upon the remainder of his land and in its operation and cultivation has met with marked success. In connection with general farming he pays par- ticular attention to stock, and feeds a carload of cattle and hogs for the market every year.
On the 19th of February, 1895, Mr. Harris married Miss Margaret Calder, a daughter of William and Catherine (Mckay) Calder, who were natives of Nova Scotia. There her father died in 1865 and her mother, who long survived him, passed away on the 30th of October, 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Harris have four children, namely: Willis and Wilbur, twins, born August 6, 1896; Ransom C., born August 16, 1899; and Charles R., born February 3, 1907.
In politics Mr. Harris is a stanch republican and his fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, have called upon him to fill positions of trust and responsibility. For the past twelve years he has served as assessor and has also filled the office of trustee of Armstrong Grove township for four years. He is the present secretary of the Farmers Telephone Company, president of the Farmers Elevator Company of Armstrong and vice president of the Farmers Improvement Association of Emmet county. He is also a member of the Armstrong Consolidated high school board and is a trustee of the Presbyterian church, to which he and his wife belong. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Yeomen lodge, and in both social and business circles he occupies an enviable position, having the confidence and respect of all with whom he is brought in contact.
ALNA V. ANDERSON.
Among the enterprising business men of Dolliver who are contrib- uting to the commercial expansion of the place is Alna V. Anderson, the proprietor of a general store. He was born in Hancock county, Iowa, on the 28th of October, 1886, of the marriage of Andrew and Inger Anderson, who are natives of Sweden but who have lived in America since child- hood. For many years the father engaged in farming in Hancock county but they are now living at Armstrong, Iowa. All of their three children survive.
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