USA > Iowa > Dickinson County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 37
USA > Iowa > Emmet County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 37
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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
Alna V. Anderson was reared under the parental roof and received his education in the country schools of Emmet county and in the high school at Armstrong, from which he was graduated. In 1914 he went into business for himself, establishing a general store at Dolliver, which he has since conducted with gratifying success. He gives a great deal of thought to the selection of his stock, keeping in mind the particular re- quirements of his customers, and is up-to-date in his methods of display-
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ing and selling his goods. He has gained an enviable reputation for square dealing and his patronage has shown a steady increase.
In January, 1914, Mr. Anderson was married to Miss Estella Baker and they have a son, Paul. The republican party has a stanch adherent in Mr. Anderson and both he and his wife are Methodists in religious affiliation. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic blue lodge and with the Royal Arch chapter and in his daily life seeks to practice the teachings of the craft.
PETER JOHNSON.
Peter Johnson, residing on section 6, Lloyd township, has spent his entire life in Dickinson county, being born on the farm where he now resides, March 3, 1876, and a representative of an old and honored pioneer family of this county. His parents, Jacob and Mary (Larsdatter) John- son, were natives of Norway, where they were reared and married and where they continued to reside until after the birth of their oldest child. It was in 1866 that they crossed the Atlantic to the United States and located in Wisconsin. In 1870 they came to Dickinson county, Iowa, and the father homesteaded the quarter section in Lloyd township on which his son Peter now resides. On coming to this locality they drove from Fort Dodge in a wagon, which also contained their household goods and during the early days experienced all the hardships and difficulties of pioneer life. They passed through the grasshopper scourge but at length prosperity crowned their efforts and in due course of time the father acquired five hundred and sixty acres of land, which has since been divided among his sons. He continued to reside upon his original homestead until his death, which occurred on the 26th of December, 1906. His widow is still living at the age of eighty-two years and makes her home with our subject.
Peter Johnson passed his boyhood and youth under the parental roof and by assisting in the work of the farm became thoroughly fami- liar with agricultural pursuits, while at the same time he pursued his literary studies in the district school. As early as his eighteenth year he practically assumed the operation of the home farm of two hundred and forty acres and has continued in charge of the same, which is still a part of the estate left by his father. He owns one hundred and sixty acres constituting the northeast quarter of section 17, Westport town- ship, Dickinson county, and he also owns the southwest quarter of sec- tion 12, Milford township, both of these tracts being now operated by tenants.
On the 10th of June, 1901, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Christina Hendricksen, a native of Jasper county, Iowa, whose parents came to this country from Denmark in 1868 and located in Kellogg, Iowa, where her father was employed on the Chicago, Rock
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Island & Pacific Railroad for several years. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have three children : Julius Valoris, Lavanna and Martin.
In his political affiliations Mr. Johnson is a republican and for sev- eral years he served as a member of the school board. Both he and his wife are faithful members of the Seventh Day Advantist church and he is one of the trustees of the church. An enterprising and energetic business man, he has met with success in his farming operations and is today numbered among the representative citizens of his community- a man honored and esteemed wherever known.
SOLOMON SOLOMONSON.
Thrift and enterprise have characterized the business career of Solomon Solomonson, who is now farming on section 6, Swan Lake town- ship, Emmet county. He was born in Lee county, Illinois, September 4, 1864, and is a son of Lars and Ragnilda (Winterton) Solomonson, who were natives of Norway and in 1858 came to the United States, estab- lishing their home in Lee county, Illinois, where the father passed away in 1876. His widow still survives and yet makes her home in that county.
At the usual age Solomon Solomonson became a pupil in the public schools of his native county and no event of special importance occurred to vary for him the routine of farm life during the days of his boyhood and youth. On the 8th of July, 1886, however, occurred an important event-his marriage to Miss Emma Johnson, who was born in La Salle county, Illinois, and whose parents came from Norway in the '50s.
It was in March, 1888, that Mr. Solomonson left Illinois and removed to Iowa, establishing his home in Swan Lake township, Emmet county. Six years later he bought his first farm land, making investment in his present place of two hundred and seven acres, on which he has now resided for twenty-three years. His labors have wrought a marked trans- formation in the appearance of the place, converting it into highly pro- ductive fields from which he annually gathers good harvests. The place is well fenced and well improved with modern buildings and an air of neatness and thrift pervades the farm and indicates Mr. Solomonson as one of the progressive agriculturists of his county.
Mr. and Mrs. Solomonson are the parents of five children, as fol- lows: Retta L., who is the wife of Jacob Taylor, of Gruver, Emmet county ; Harvey A., who follows farming in Center township, Emmet county ; Laurence M., a carpenter living at home; and Orvie A. and Albert, who are also yet under the parental roof. In his political views Mr. Solomonson is a republican and has served as a member of the school board, but otherwise has not sought nor cared to fill public office. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and he holds membership in the Norwegian Lutheran church. His life is
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actuated by high and honorable principles and worthy motives. There have been no sensational chapters in his career, but fidelity to duty and unfaltering industry in business have won him success and an honored name.
T. W. MINER.
T. W. Miner is one of the substantial farmers of Richland township, Dickinson county, owning and operating a good farm on section 16. He is one of Iowa's native sons, his birth occurring in Benton county, Aug- ust 2, 1862, and he is a son of Hiram and Mary (Anderson) Miner, who were born in Illinois and Ohio, respectively. During their childhood they were taken by their parents to Benton county, Iowa, where they were subsequently married, and then located on a farm in that county, living thereon until the death of the father, which occurred in Septem- ber, 1913. The mother is still living and now resides in Blairstown, Benton county.
T. W. Miner pursued his studies in the district schools near his boy- hood home and aided in the work of the farm. After reaching man's estate he and his brothers operated the farm up to 1896, when he came to Dickinson county and purchased his present place, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres on section 16, Richland township. In 1900, however, he returned to Benton county and for the following eight years had charge of his father's farm. At the end of that time he again took up his residence upon his land in Dickinson county, where he spent three years, but on the expiration of two years returned to Benton county. Having met with an accident, the following two years were spent in recuperating his health and in 1913 he again came to Dickinson county, where he has since farmed with good success.
On the 5th of February, 1908, Mr. Miner married Miss Sophia Mueller, of Ida county, Iowa, and to them have been born three children, Victor, Helen and Esther. Mrs. Miner is a consistent member of the Lutheran church and is a most estimable lady. In politics Mr. Miner is a socialist. He is one of the representative citizens of his community and wherever known is held in high regard.
WILLIAM MCCULLOUGH.
William McCullough, devoting his time and energies to general farming in Jack Creek township, Emmet county, is a native of Pennsyl- vania. He was born January 20, 1851, of the marriage of John and Mary J. (Anderson) Mccullough, both of whom were natives of Scot- land. They crossed the Atlantic in early life and became residents of
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Pennsylvania, where the father spent his remaining days. Following his demise the mother removed to Illinois, where she remained until her death. In their family were eight children, but only three are now liv- ing: James, a resident of Ames, Iowa; Margaret, the wife of David Sloper, whose home is in California; and William.
The last named was reared and educated in Iowa, spending his youthful days near Davenport, in Scott county. He remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority and after working for a time on the home farm turned his attention to carpentering. He became a resident of Emmet county in 1892 and purchased his present farm, then a tract of raw prairie land, on section 35, Jack Creek town- ship. With characteristic energy he began its development and has since added many modern improvements, including buildings which fur- nish ample shelter for grain and stock. He has engaged quite exten- sively in stock raising in addition to the cultivation of the crops best adapted to soil and climate here, and both branches of his business have proven profitable.
In July, 1879, Mr. Mccullough was married to Miss Rozetta Bum- bleson, who was born in Boone county, Iowa, a daughter of James and Nancy J. (Simms) Bumbleson, natives of Ohio and Indiana, respective- ly. At an early perid in the development of Iowa they came to this state, where the father passed away, while the mother's death occurred in Kansas. In their family were nine children, all of whom are yet living. Mr. and Mrs. McCullough have become the parents of five children : Blanche, now the wife of Harry E. Reimer, of Des Moines; Oscar, who died at the age of twenty-three years; Nettie B., the wife of H. H. La- grand, and James and Ralph B., both at home.
In his political views Mr. McCullough is a republican, and while he has never sought nor desired political office, he has served on the school board for a number of years, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart champion. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church and their well spent lives have gained for them the friendly regard of all who knew them. At the time of their marriage their finan- cial circumstances were limited, but since starting out in life together they have won a handsome competence, being now numbered among the substantial residents of Jack Creek township.
FRANK B. WING.
Frank B. Wing, engaged in the restaurant business in Estherville since 1910, has through the intervening period been accorded a liberal patronage because of the excellent service which he renders in that con- nection. He has ever recognized the fact that satisfied customers are the best advertisement and he has put forth every effort to please. A
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native of Iowa, he was born at New Providence, September 30, 1877, his parents being J. Bentley and Jane Wing, in whose family were two children who are yet living, Frank B. and Eva, the latter now Mrs. Cotant, of Estherville. The father, who was a railroad employe, has passed away, but the mother is still living in Estherville.
Frank B. Wing was accorded a common school education and also continued his studies in the Quaker Academy at New Providence, Iowa. He started upon his business career as an employe in a hotel in Esther- ville and also worked at the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific buffet. He continued in the service of others at New Providence until 1895. In 1900 he embarked in business on his own account, conducting a restaurant at Lake Park and at Spencer, Iowa, before coming to Estherville in 1910. Here he opened a restaurant which he has since conducted and with the passing years he has enjoyed an increasing patronage that makes his business a profitable one.
In 1905 Mr. Wing was married to Miss Ethel Hoover, a daughter of Jacob and Evelyn Hoover, who were natives of Virginia and of Estherville respectively, the latter being a daughter of R. E. Ridley. Mr. and Mrs. Wing have become the parents of one child, Mildred Evelyn. The parents are members of the Baptist church and guide their lives according to its teachings. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and his political support is given to the republican party, for he firmly believes that its principles contain the best elements of good government.
WALTER R. CUMMINS.
Walter R. Cummins, a representative and progressive agriculturist of Iowa Lake township, Emmet county, cultivates three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land on section 25. His birth occurred at Painted Post, Steuben county, New York, on the 10th of July, 1863, his parents being Dwight and Martha (Drake) Cummins, who were natives of Ver- mont and Ohio respectively. The father, who worked at the millwright's trade throughout his active business career, resided in La Salle county, Illinois, during the greater part of his life. His demise occurred Janu- ary 15, 1893, when he had attained the age of seventy-four years, but his widow still survives and makes her home in Illinois.
Walter R. Cummins was reared and educated in Illinois and there learned the millwright's trade, to which he devoted his time and energies until 1903. In that year, however, he turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits in La Salle county, Illinois, and was thus engaged for four years. On the 28th of February, 1907, he came to Emmet county, Iowa, and rented a half section of land in Iowa Lake township, in the cultivation of which he has been engaged continuously to the present time. He served as secretary and treasurer of the Lake Road
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Telephone Company for one year and is widely recognized as an enter- prising citizen and successful agriculturist of his community.
On the 25th of December, 1883, Mr. Cummins was united in mar- riage to Miss Emma Benton, by whom he has five children, namely: Vivian D., who has held the office of township assessor for four years; Minnie, who is the wife of Roy Drake and resides in Armstrong; and Edna, Rufus and Ralph, all at home.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Cummins has supported the men and measures of the republican party. He is now serving in the capacity of trustee, having been elected to that position for a three years' term in the fall of 1916, and he has also been school director, acting as president of the board of education for seven years. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, while his religious faith is that of the Methodist church. He has become widely known during the period of his residence in Emmet county and his circle of friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
AMUND J. AMUNDSEN.
Amund J. Amundsen, one of the representative farmers of Swan Lake township, Emmet county, was born in Norway on the 2nd of October, 1851, and is a son of John and Rachel Amundsen, both of whom were natives of Norway, where they continued to reside until 1865, when they brought their family to America and located upon a farm in Allamakee county, Iowa. Subsequently they became residents of Emmet county, the father purchasing a farm in Center township upon which he and his wife spent their remaining days. In their family were seven children, five of whom are still living.
In his native land Amund J. Amundsen attended school, being four- teen years old at the time of the emigration of the family to America in 1865. He remained under the parental roof until he had attained his major- ity, early acquiring a knowledge of agricultural pursuits, and during the following ten years worked as a farm hand. At the end of that time he went to North Dakota, where he served as manager of a large farm for three years. Returning to Emmet county he was then able to purchase eighty acres of land which he later sold and then bought the farm on section 29, Swan Lake township, where he now resides. Here he owns one hundred and ninety-three acres of very valuable and productive land, which he has placed under excellent cultivation and upon which he has made many improvements, including the erection of good and substantial buildings. He makes a specialty of the raising and feeding of stock and in all his undertakings has met with well deserved success.
In 1882 Mr. Amundsen married Miss Amelia Amundsen, who though of the same name was no relation. She, too, was born in Norway and has become the mother of seven children, namely: George A., now a resi-
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dent of Illinois; Rubena E., the wife of Clarence Sorum; John A .; Henry B .; Oren E .; Mabel Bertena; and Aline May. Mr. and Mrs. Amundsen are members of the Lutheran church and are numbered among the lead- ing citizens of the community in which they reside. He is a self-made man and the success which has attended his efforts is due entirely to his own industry, enterprise and good management.
JAMES L. BROWN.
James L. Brown, who owns and operates four hundred and seventy- two acres of fine land in Center township, Emmet county, is fully entitled to the honor that is given to a man who through his own efforts has gained prosperity and a place among the leading citizens of his com- munity. He was born on the 19th of March, 1863, in Norway, of which country his parents, Lars and Anna Brown, were also natives. The mother passed away there, but in 1886 the father came to America, where his last years were spent.
James L. Brown is one of a family of six children, of whom four survive, and his education was that afforded by the public schools of Norway. In 1882, when nineteen years old, he came to America as he had heard highly favorable reports concerning conditions here, and he first located in Polk county, Iowa. After working on the railroad for two months he was employed on a farm in Wright county, Iowa, for a time and in 1885 also worked on a farm in Kendall county, Illinois. Subsequently he rented a farm in Wright county, this state, which he cul- tivated for three years. During that time he carefully saved his money and was able to buy eighty acres in Wright county, which he farmed until 1898, when he disposed of the place and purchased his present home farm on section 35, Center township, Emmet county. His holdings now comprise four hundred and seventy-two acres, all under cul- tivation and well improved, and he derives a substantial income from the sale of his grain and stock. In his methods of work he is at once practical and progressive and he also makes a close study of the market so as to sell to the best advantage.
Mr. Brown was married in 1888 to Miss Maggie Larson, a native of Clinton county, Iowa, and a daughter of Thomas and Christina Lar- son, who located in that county on their emigration to America. The mother has passed away, but the father survives. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Brown: Anna C., the wife of Swen Berg; Tilda J., who married Lewis Berg; Clarence C .; Lloyd S .; Joseph M .; Lars Elmer; Milford E .; and Vernon T.
Mr. Brown loyally supports the candidates and measures of the republican party, at the polls as he is a firm believer in its principles. For two terms he held the office of township assessor and is now acting as county supervisor. He has also served as school director. Both he
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and his wife are identified with the Lutheran church, which fact is indicative of the keen interest they take in forces working for the moral uplift of their community.
WILLIAM A. KNOLL.
William A. Knoll is actively engaged in general farming on section 32. Center township, Emmet county. He was born in Ottawa, Illinois, on the 20th of December. 1891, a son of William H. and Minnie Knoll, who are natives of Illinois and Germany, respectively. The father devoted his life to farming and thus provided for the support of his family, numbering wife and four children: Edward, Ida, Rena and William A .. all living at Ottawa. Illinois, save the subject of this review.
William A. Knoll spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native city and the educational privileges which he there enjoyed well qualified him for life's practical and responsible duties. In 1900 his father purchased land in Center township, Emmet county, comprising the northwest quarter of section 32, and in 1914 William A. Knoll took up his abode upon this farm and has since devoted his time and energies to its development and improve- ment. He is now busily engaged in its cultivation and his labors are bring- ing forth excellent results.
In 1915 Mr. Knoll was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Gephard, both of whose parents passed away in Ottawa, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Knoll have a daughter, Dorothy. The parents are members of the Ger- man Lutheran church and Mr. Knoll gives his political allegiance to the republican party, believing firmly in its principles. He stands for all that is progressive in citizenship and he is regarded as an ambitious, energetic young man whose success is the merited reward of earnest, per- sistent labor.
AUGUST L. KOENECKE.
Among the enterprising young business men who are contributing in large measure to the commercial upbuilding of Dolliver is August L. Koenecke, who is the proprietor of a hardware store. He was born in Martin county, Minnesota, March 31, 1884, of the marriage of Henry and Augusta (Deering) Koenecke, natives of Germany. For many years, however, they have been residents of Martin county, Minnesota, where the father is still engaged in farming. To them were born twelve chil- dren, of whom the only daughter, Mrs. William J. Parnell, is a resident of Estherville township and a son, Ed, is married and is engaged in farming in Emmet township, Emmet county.
August L. Koenecke attended the public schools until he was seven-
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teen years of age and for four years thereafter worked for his father on the home farm. He then entered the employ of C. L. Jeglum & Company, hardware dealers of Huntington, Iowa, with whom he remained for five years. He was also associated with that business for a year with Albert Myhre, the successor of his first employers. He then entered the Estherville Business College, where he was a student for eight months, thus further preparing himself for a business career. After leaving that institution he was for six months in the employ of T. T. Sunde, Jr., a dealer in hardware and groceries at Huntington, and then entered business on his own account, buying out the hardware store of Gustav Reke at Dolliver. He is still conducting that business and has managed his affairs so efficiently that he has built up a large and profit- able trade. He keeps in close touch with the needs of his patrons and has developed his business in every possible way.
In 1909 Mr. Koenecke was united in marriage to Miss Alice Reed, a daughter of S. B. and Sylvia Reed, of Dolliver. To this union has been born a daughter, Lomena. Mr. and Mrs. Koenecke are members respect- ively of the German Lutheran and Methodist churches and the prin- ciples which have been the determining factors in their lives are found in the teachings of those denominations. He has held the office of town assessor and is now efficiently serving as chief of the fire department. The qualities of foresight, determination and sound judgment, which have made possible the success which he has gained, ensure his increased prosperity in future years.
CHRIS P. ANDERSEN.
Chris P. Andersen, a well established dealer in hardware and farm machinery at Ringsted, is entitled to the credit which is accorded a man who has succeeded through his own unaided efforts as he has at all times been dependent solely upon his own resources. His birth occurred in Denmark, March 15, 1865, and his parents were Jens P. and Christina Sorensen, who in 1881 came with their family to the United States. After remaining for a few months in Chicago they located on section 24, Den- mark township, Emmet county, the father purchasing eighty acres of land. He engaged in farming for some time, but the last years of his life were spent in the enjoyment of a well earned leisure. Both he and his wife are buried in St. Paul's cemetery.
Chris P. Andersen, who is the sixth in order of birth in a family of eight children, received the greater part of his education in the schools of Denmark, but attended the district schools of this county for two years. He worked for his father until he attained his majority and then went to Chicago and was for seventeen years in the employ of the Pull- man Car Company, ten years of that time being spent as traveling inspec- tor. Later he was for six years foreman in the car shops of the Chicago,
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