USA > Iowa > Dickinson County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 6
USA > Iowa > Emmet County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38
M. J. Iverson pursued his education in the common schools of his native county and in 1893 came to Emmet county, his first investment in land making him owner of one hundred and sixty acres, on which he now resides. Ambitious to attain success, however, he has added to his possession and is now the owner of two hundred and sixty-eight acres in his home farm, in addition to which he has one hundred and sixty acres on section 18, Lincoln township, and two hundred and forty acres in Martin county, Minnesota. He is a progressive agriculturist, studying closely the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for his crops, and
69
EMMET AND DICKINSON COUNTIES
he annually gathers rich harvests. He also raises thoroughbred stock and is one of the progressive and successful agriculturists of Emmet county. In addition to his farming interests he was one of the organi- zers of the Farmers Savings Bank of Dolliver and in 1915 was elected to the presidency, in which position he still continues.
In 1895 Mr. Iverson was united in marriage to Miss Cora Olson, of Hardin county, Iowa, by whom he has three children: Albert, Josephine and Leona. Politically, Mr. Iverson is a republican and has served as township trustee and township clerk. He has also been a member of the school board for many years and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. The extent and importance of his business affairs and his activity in support of those interests which contribute most to the welfare of the community make him an influential and valued vitizen of Lincoln township.
CONRAD BRAUN.
For several years Conrad Braun was actively identified with the agricultural interests of Dickinson county but although he still owns land within its borders he has now laid aside active labors and is living retired in Milford. He was born in Baden, Germany, December 25, 1842, and is a son of Conrad and Margaret (Struble) Braun, also natives of Baden, where the father followed farming until 1847. That year witnessed his emigration to America and he became a resident of Rock Island county, Illinois, but was not long permitted to enjoy his new home as he passed away in 1848. The mother subsequently married Conrad Lenhart and they lived upon a farm in Rock Island county, Illinois, where Mr. Len- hart died in 1892 and his wife in 1881.
Conrad Braun remained with his mother until he reached manhood, attending the public schools of Rock Island county and assisting in the labors of the farm. In 1862 he joined the boys in blue of Company C, Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for three years. At the close of the Civil war, when his services were no longer needed, he was honorably discharged and returned to Rock Island county, Illinois, where he remained until 1870. He then removed to Nichols, Iowa, where he engaged in farming upon rented land for two years, but at the end of that time purchased a farm in Muscatine county at fourteen dollars and a half an acre. He improved that place and engaged in its operation until 1902, when he came to Dickinson county and located on land which he had purchased in 1890 for fourteen dollars and a half an acre. In 1902 he bought one hundred and sixty acres in Westport town- ship at forty-five dollars an acre, which he now rents. In 1907 he bought one hundred and sixty acres for sixty dollars an acre but has since sold that quarter section. He is now living retired in Milford, where he owns and occupies a nice residence.
70
EMMET AND DICKINSON COUNTIES
On the 2d of February, 1868. Mr. Braun was married in Jefferson county, lowa, to Miss Maggie Schmidt, and to them have been born six children, namely: Mary, now the wife of John Trabert, a farmer of Westport township, Dickinson county; Henry, a farmer of Muscatine county ; Louisa, the wife of Fred Wrang, a farmer of Westport township, Dickinson county ; Emma, the wife of Thomas Hartman, of Mercer county, Illinois; Mollie, the wife of Elmer Meyerdirk of Milford, Iowa; and Annie, the wife of Jacob Frutchy, a farmer of Okoboji township. Diekin- son county.
Mr. Braun affiliates with the republican party and during his resi- dence in Muscatine county served as county supervisor in a most ereditable and acceptable manner. He is an honored member of Waller Post, G. A. R., and religiously is identified with the Congregational church. Upright and honorable in all the relations of life, he has commanded the confidence and respect of all with whom he has been brought in contact and wher- ever he has lived has made many warm friends.
TOLLEF O. SANDO.
Tollef O. Sando is now living retired in Wallingford but for many years was closely and prominently connected with agricultural interests in Emmet county and is still the owner of a valuable farm of two hun- dred and eighty acres, which returns to him a gratifying annual income. He is a native of Wisconsin, his birth having occurred in Rock county, December 22, 1845. His parents, Ole E. and Barbara (Opsata) Sando, were both natives of Norway and in 1845 they came to the new world, taking up their abode upon a Wisconsin farm, which they occupied until 1849, when they came to lowa, settling in Clayton county upon a farm which remained their home for four years. They then removed to Mitchell county, Iowa, where they resided until 1863, which year wit- nessed their arrival in Emmet county. They took up their abode upon a farm in Estherville township, the father homesteading this land, for up to that time it had been in possession of the government and was a wild and totally unimproved tract, not a furrow having been turned upon the place. His first buildings were constructed of logs and covered with elapboard roofs and amid such conditions the family lived for several years or until the father could earn a sufficient sum to introduce modern improvements. As soon as possible he built a more commodious and attractive home and in time he added substantial barns and outbuildings, converting his place into one of the best improved farms of the district. He was a very energetic, industrious man and his success was the measure of his enterprise and determination. He died in the year 1882, while his widow, surviving him for more than two decades, passed away in 1903. In their family were six children, of whom three are now living.
Tollef O. Sando has practically been a lifelong resident of Iowa and
J7, LENOX
NO
LLAN ! CA-
. L
بـ
TOLLEF O. SANDO AND FAMILY
THE SANDO LOG CABIN HOME
T
.LLA HOURS
75
EMMET AND DICKINSON COUNTIES
to its public school system is indebted for the educational opportunities which he enjoyed. His early training was that of the home farm and he continued to assist in the development of the fields until he attained his majority, when he took up a homestead in Estherville township. He, too, first built a log cabin upon his place and his was one of the primitive homes of the district. With characteristic energy he began the arduous task of developing his fields and his labors soon wrought a marked trans- formation in the appearance of his land. Later he sold his original property and bought a farm in Twelve Mile Lake township which he occupied until 1914, converting it into a very valuable place. In that year he retired and removed to Wallingford but still owns his farm of two hundred and eighty acres, constituting a splendidly improved prop- erty which adds materially to his income. In addition to his Emmet county property he owns an interest in eighty acres of land in Minnesota. His life has been well spent and his prosperity is the deserved and mer- ited reward of his persistent, earnest and honorable labor.
In 1871 Mr. Sando was married to Miss Berget Sando, a native of Norway, and they have become the parents of nine children: Barbara, the wife of G. Gilbert; Randina and Beatta, at home; Herman, now a resident of Jackson, Minnesota; Erick, living in Estherville, Emmet county ; Helen and Otto, who have passed away; Emma, the wife of Antony Story ; and Ferdinand, deceased.
The parents are consistent and faithful members of the Lutheran church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful part. They are highly respected in the community where they reside, having many warm friends who greatly esteem them for their personal worth. Mr. Sando has justly won the proud American title of self-made man. Through his own efforts he has acquired a handsome fortune and is now reaping the benefit of his former toil, his success making it possible for him to enjoy all the comforts and some of the luxuries of life without further recourse to labor.
BERT L. CLARK.
Bert L. Clark, engaged in the real estate and insurance business at Dolliver, was born in Rock Falls, Wisconsin, April 29, 1882, and is a son of B. P. and Ella (Wallace) Clark, the former also a native of Wisconsin and the latter of Pennsylvania. The parents were married in Wisconsin where they continued to reside until 1889 and then came to Emmet county, Iowa, locating on a farm in Iowa Lake township which the father still owns. The mother passed away October 26, 1916, leav- ing two children, namely: Grace, now the wife of W. A. Richmond; and Bert L., of this review.
The latter was seven years of age on the removal of the family to Emmet county, where he passed the days of his boyhood and youth
76
EMMET AND DICKINSON COUNTIES
in much the usual manner of farmer boys. He attended the common schools and was graduated from the high school of Estherville in 1901. He also pursued a commercial course in a business college at Cedar Rapids and for one year was connected with the Iowa Savings Bank at Esther- ville, Iowa. In 1906 he was made cashier of the Citizens Bank of Dolliver and after its reorganization as the Farmers Savings Bank in 1912 con- tinued in that position until January 1, 1917. He is now engaged in the real estate and insurance business. He owns a nice residence in the village and also one hundred and twenty acres of land and a half interest in an eighty-acre tract in Emmet county.
Mr. Clark was married in 1911 to Miss Hazel Follett, a native of Emmet county and a daughter of E. A. and Katherine (Gardner) Fol- lett. Her father was born in New York state and her mother in Vermont, but for many years they have made their home in lowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Clark have been born three children: Faye C., who died March 15, 1916; Loraine E .; and Mavis C. Mr. Clark affiliates with the republican party and is now serving on the town board. Fraternally, he is identified with Armstrong Lodge, No. 533, A. F. & A. M. He is one of the representa- tive business men of the town and wherever known he is held in the highest esteem.
JOHN B. BLOM.
John B. Blom, living on section 3, Center township, was born in Holland, June 26, 1860, a son of Barnard and Mary (Myers) Blom, who were also natives of the same country. In 1871 they severed home ties there and came with their family to America, establishing their home at Ackley, Hardin county, lowa, where their remaining days were passed. They had a family of twelve children, seven of whom are yet living.
John B. Blom was a youth of eleven years at the time of the emigra- tion to the new world and upon the home farm in Hardin county he was reared, while his education was acquired in the district schools of the neighborhood. He was early trained to the work of the farm and soon became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. After attaining his majority he began railroad work with the bridge and wrecking gang of the Iowa Central Railroad, with which he was connected for five years. At the end of that time he married and · began farming on his own account on rented land in Grundy county, Iowa, where he remained for seven years. In 1892 he removed to Emmet county and purchased his present farm on section 3, Center township, becoming owner of one hundred and sixty acres, which he has since im- proved with substantial buildings. His farm is today one of the at- tractive features of the landscape. In addition to the work of tilling the soil he has made a specialty of raising and feeding stock of all kinds and this branch of his business is proving very profitable, for he is an ex-
77
EMMET AND DICKINSON COUNTIES
cellent judge of stock and therefore makes his investments wisely, lead- ing to profitable sales.
Mr. Blom was united in marriage to Miss Tillie Juergens, a native of Germany. They have become parents of eight children: Jerry, living in Emmet county ; Bennard, now of Minnesota; Aldrick, Joe, Chris and Thomas, all in Emmet county; Mary, the wife of Charles Fank; and one who died in infancy.
The parents are consistent and loyal members of the Lutheran church and Mr. Blom is a stalwart supporter of the republican party, believing that is platform contains the best elements of good government. He is now serving as road superintendent and he has also served on the school board. He is interested in all those forces which work for the progress and upbuilding of the community and at no time is he remiss in the duties of citizenship. He works for the benefit and upbuilding of the district as well as for the advancement of his own fortunes and in his business career he may well be termed a self-made man, for he owes his prosperity entirely to his close application and indefatigable energy.
MORRIS P. BACHMAN, M. D.
Dr. Morris P. Bachman, a prominent physician and surgeon of Lake Park, Iowa, was born on the 18th of April, 1867, in Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, and is a son of William H. and Anna D. (Kriebel) Bachman, also natives of the Keystone state, where they were reared and married. In the latter part of 1867 or the fore part of 1868 they came to Iowa and located on a farm in Black Hawk county, but after residing there for two years removed to Waterloo, where the father was engaged in the farm implement business for a time but subsequently turned his attention to the music business, with which he was identified for many years. About 1911 he retired from active business and in 1914 returned to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he now resides. His wife died in Waterloo, Iowa, in 1912.
Dr. Bachman was educated in the schools of Waterloo and after leaving the high school he was appointed a cadet in the Annapolis Naval Academy in 1887 but at the end of two years resigned and returned to civil life. Shortly after his return to Waterloo he entered the railroad service as an office man and was identified with that line of work for about ten years, six years of that time being employed as ticket agent in the Southern Pacific office at Portland, Oregon. While serving in that capacity he began the study of medicine in 1895 under the perceptor- ship of Dr. Harry Mckay, of Portland, and the following year returned to Iowa, entering the medical department of the Iowa University, from which he was graduated in the class of 1900. After receiving his M. D. degree he was for two years located near Oskaloosa as assistant surgeon at the coal mines, and in 1902 located at Mitchell, Iowa, where he spent
78
EMMET AND DICKINSON COUNTIES
four years. In 1906 he became a resident of Lake Park, where in the intervening ten years he has built up a lucrative practice and has won a foremost place for himself among the medical practitioners of north- ern Iowa.
In 1904 Dr. Bachman was united in marriage to Miss Lucy O'Donnell, of Epworth, Iowa, and to this union has been born a son, Donnell William. Dr. Bachman is a member of the American Yeomen and of Ivanhoe Lodge, No. 1, K. of P., of Portland, Oregon. He is a veteran member of the latter organization, having received the jewel on the 12th of Octo- ber, 1915. In the line of his profession he belongs to the Dickinson County Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He stands high in the esteem of his professional brethren, who recognize his ability, and he today ranks among the promi- nent physicians and surgeons in this part of the state.
JOSEPH SOPHUS PETERSON.
Joseph Sophus Peterson, now acceptably serving as cashier of the Ringsted State Bank, is a native of Iowa, born near Neola in Pottawat- tamie county, March 4, 1882, and is a son of Mr. and Mrs. James Peter- son, who came to this country from Denmark in 1881. They first located near Neola but in 1883 removed to Council Bluffs, where they resided for three years, and in 1886 became residents of Emmet county. Three years later they went to Palo Alto county and made their home near Emmets- burg for twelve years but in 1901 returned to Emmet county and have since lived near Ringsted.
During his boyhood and youth Joseph S. Peterson accompanied his parents on their various removals and his early education was largely acquired in the country schools of Palo Alto county, his first teacher being Mrs. L. P. Stillman, then Miss Nina Wells. Later he attended Humboldt College at Humboldt, Iowa, for two years and a half. He began his busi- ness career as a bookkeeper in the Ringsted State Bank in August, 1904, and two years later was elected assistant cashier of that institution. In 1909 he resigned in order to become identified with the Bank of Hedges, at Hedges, Montana, of which he was cashier until December, 1910, when he resigned and returned to Ringsted to accept the cashiership of the Ring- sted State Bank. In January, 1915, he bought an interest in the bank and was elected a director. He is a man of good business and executive ability, who makes a thorough study of financial affairs and much of the success of the bank is due to his untiring efforts and sound judgment. He is the owner of a nice home in the village and is also interested in two farms near Ringsted.
On the 19th of August, 1909, Mr. Peterson was united in marriage to Miss Marthilda Petersen, of Randall, Iowa, who was born in Denmark and came to the United States to live with her brother. Her parents are
JOSEPH S. PETERSON
ATOMLINUX IILDEN !. ....
81
EMMET AND DICKINSON COUNTIES
deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have three children: Inas Marie, born October 6, 1911; James Marlow, born October 20, 1913; and George Harold, born November 6, 1915.
Fraternally Mr. Peterson is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Homesteaders and the Masonic order, while religiously both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. In politics he is a democrat and he takes a commendable interest in public affairs, never withholding his support from any enterprise calculated to pro- mote the general welfare.
CHRISTOPHER ANDERSON.
Actively identified with the farming interests of High Lake township is Christopher Anderson, now the owner of eighty acres on section 24, constituting one of the valuable and well-improved farm properties of the district. He was born in Green county, Wisconsin, November 20, 1851, a son of Andrew and Ingeborg Anderson, who were natives of Norway. Coming to America in 1848, they established their home in Wis- consin, where the father carried on general farming until 1865. That year witnessed his arrival in Emmet county, Iowa, which was at that time a pioneer district in which the work of improvement and develop- ment seemed scarcely begun. Much of the land was still in possession of the government and he homesteaded the northeast quarter of section 24. Upon that tract not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made. He built a log cabin with a sod roof and in true pioneer style began life in his primitive western home, but his labors soon wrought a marked transformation in the appearance of his place and success attended his efforts. To him and his wife were born eight children, four of whom are yet living.
Through the period of his boyhood and youth Christopher Anderson aided in the development of the home farm, continuing thereon until he attained his majority, at which time he bought eighty acres, constituting the west half of the old homestead. He has since given his attention to its further development and improvement and he annually gathers good harvests as the result of his practical methods in operating his land.
Mr. Anderson was married in 1874 to Miss Andria Johnson, a daugh- ter of Lars and Martha Johnson, who were natives of Norway. They afterward became farming people of Wisconsin, in which state they took up their abode in 1844, and subsequently they removed to Emmet county, where they spent their remaining days. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have a daughter, Mabel, now the wife of Herbert Bryan, who is the owner of a farm of eighty acres on section 13, High Lake township, and they have become the parents of three children, Ralph A., Ardythe L. and Wayne H.
Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. He votes with the republican party but has never been an office
82
EMMET AND DICKINSON COUNTIES
seeker, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs, which are wisely and carefully directed, so that he is acknowledged to be one of the enterprising farmers of his district.
HANS J. RASMUSSEN.
Hans J. Rasmussen, proprietor of a general store and one of the leading citizens of Ringsted, was born on the 15th of May, 1883, in Den- mark, of which country his parents, John and Mary (Hansen) Rasmussen, were also natives. Deciding to try their fortunes on this side of the Atlantic the family came to America in 1888 and first located in Manistee, Michigan, where they resided for two years. From there they removed to Cerro Gordo county, Iowa, and made their home there until the spring of 1902, when they came to Emmet county. The father purchased land in Denmark township adjoining the town of Ringsted, and engaged in its operation for six years, since which time he has lived retired, making his home in Ringsted at the age of eighty-three years. The mother is now seventy-eight years old and they are numbered among the most highly esteemed citizens of the place.
Being a little lad of seven years on the removal of the family to Cerro Gordo county, Iowa, Hans J. Rasmussen was practically educated in the schools of that locality. He remained with his parents until reach- ing manhood and assisted his father with the operation of the home farm. Later he engaged in farming and threshing on his own account for a few years, but in 1911 he opened a general store in Ringsted and has since given his attention wholly to mercantile pursuits. He carries a well- selected stock and enjoys a liberal share of the public patronage. In September, 1913, he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Jensen. They hold membership in the Lutheran church and by his ballot Mr. Rasmussen supports the men and measures of the republican party. He is now serving as a member of the town council and takes an active and commendable interest in public affairs.
GEORGE W. MURRAY.
George W. Murray, of Estherville township, has the enviable dis- tinction of being the owner of what is generally conceded to be the finest farm in Emmet county, Iowa. His land is in a high state of cultivation and the improvements leave nothing to be desired. He is specializing in the breeding of full blooded stock and is recognized as a leader in that field. He was born in Sheridan, Ohio, on the 12th of March, 1861, and his parents, John and Marie (Underwood) Murray, were natives re- spectively of Pennsylvania and of Ohio. The mother died in 1873 and the
83
EMMET AND DICKINSON COUNTIES
father in 1880 and both are buried in Sheridan, Ohio. To them were born two children: George W. and Kate, the wife of G. H. Wheelock.
After the death of his mother George W. Murray made his home with George and Sarah (Underwood) Wells, an uncle and aunt, living in Grundy county, Iowa, remaining with them until 1881. For twelve years he lived in first one place and then another but in 1893 formed a partner- ship with his uncle, Mr. Wells, settling on a farm owned by the latter in Kossuth county. Mr. Wells was one of the earliest settlers of Grundy county. He acquired large tracts of land in Grundy and Kossuth counties and also at one time held title to thirty-eight hundred acres of land in Emmet county, although he never resided here. Mr. Murray remained upon the farm in Kossuth county until 1905 and subsequently operated another tract in that county for three years but in 1908 came to Emmet county and purchased the south half of section 12, Estherville township, where he has since resided. He spares no time nor expense in bringing his farm to the highest possible state of development and all the improve- ments are thoroughly modern, the barns being of concrete and of the most approved design, while the residence is one of the finest farm houses in Emmet county. He raises grain but pays particular attention to breed- ing full blooded Percheron horses and registered Duroc hogs.
Mr. Murray was married in 1892 to Miss Frances Gaines, a daughter of P. W. and Margaret (Tolen) Gaines, of St. Paul, Minnesota. They previously resided in Winona, that state, and there they are buried. Mr. and Mrs. Murray have two children : John Gaines, at home; and Kathryn Margaret, a student in the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.