USA > Iowa > Dickinson County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 8
USA > Iowa > Emmet County > History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 8
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In community affairs Mr. Larson has also taken a deep and helpful interest and for five years he filled the office of postmaster under Presi- dent Cleveland. He was justice of the peace for eight years, during which time his rulings were strictly fair and impartial. For seven years he served as president of the school board and while at Turtle Lake, Wisconsin, was police justice and justice of the peace and also a mem- ber of the town council and the board of health. He has never lightly regarded the obligations of citizenship but has faithfully performed every task devolving upon him in that connection. He became a member of Turtle Lake Lodge, No. 328, I. O. O. F., assisted in organizing the Modern Woodmen camp at Wallingford, of which he served as clerk for eleven years, and also became connected with the Royal Neighbors. He holds membership with the Norwegian Lutheran church and he has always voted with the democratic party. It is well known that he is a man true to his honest convictions and nothing can swerve him from a course which he believes to be right.
THOMAS SUNDE.
Among the successful and progressive farmers of Ellsworth town- ship is Thomas Sunde, a native of Norway. His birth occurred on the 6th of December, 1859, and he is a son of Lars and Engeborg Sunde, who passed their entire lives in the land of the midnight sun. They had a family of eight children, but only two are now living.
Thomas Sunde obtained his education in the schools of Norway and remained in that country until 1884, when he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, having heard much concerning the opportunities here of- fered the young man of industry and enterprise. For some time he was employed as a farm hand in Grundy county, Illinois, but since 1887 has resided in Emmet county, lowa. He owns three hundred and twenty acres of rich and well improved land on section 15, Ellsworth township,
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and his annual income is such as to insure him the comforts of life. He raises stock on an extensive scale and is thoroughly familiar with all phases of that business.
Mr. Sunde was married in 1906 to Mrs. Gertrude (Mathison) Olson, who as a child accompanied her parents, Knut and Sarah Mathison, from Norway to America. Both her father and mother are still living in Grundy county, Illinois. By her first marriage Mrs. Sunde has three children: Torkel, residing in Ellsworth township; Amos T., of Esther- ville; and Sadie C., at home. To Mr. and Mrs. Sunde have been born two children, Elvin L. and Hazel I.
Mr. Sunde is a republican and has served acceptably as trustee of his township. He is also a trustee of the Lutheran church, to which his wife likewise belongs, and all forces seeking the moral advancement of their community receive their hearty support. The determination, sound judgment and energy which have enabled him to win success have also gained him the respect of those who know him, and added to these ad- mirable qualities are unswerving honesty and a scrupulous regard for the rights of others.
JOHN F. DAVIS.
John F. Davis, the period of whose residence in Dickinson county covers a third of a century and who was long and successfully identified with agricultural pursuits in Okoboji township, has lived retired in Milford since 1912 but still owns two hundred and forty acres of valuable farming land. His birth occurred in Ohio on the 13th of February, 1849, his parents being James and Jane (Fullerton) Davis, who were natives of Ireland and of Scotch-Irish descent. The father, an agriculturist by occupation, emigrated to the United States and took up his abode in Ohio in 1847, there purchasing land which he improved and cultivated during the remainder of his life. He passed away on the 2d of July, 1901, at the age of eighty-four years and five months, while the demise of his wife occurred April 7, 1910, at the age of eighty-three years and ten months.
John F. Davis was reared and educated in the state of his nativity and remained under the parental roof until he had attained the age of twenty-three years. He taught school in Ohio for a time and in 1873 made his way to Jones county, Iowa, where he worked by the month as a farm hand for seven years, during three winter seasons of which period he followed the profession of teaching. Subsequently he spent two years in farming with his brother and in the spring of 1884 came to Dickin- son county, taking up his abode on a tract of land in Okoboji township which he had purchased in 1882. He at once began the further cultiva- tion and improvement of the property and there successfully carried on agricultural pursuits until 1912, when he put aside the active work of
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the fields and removed to Milford, where he has since lived in the enjoy- ment of weil-earned ease. He still owns two hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land and is rated with the wealthy residents of Dick- inson county.
On the 29th of November. 1911. Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Miss Georginea Boxwell, a daughter of Robert and Prudence (Jolly) Boxwell, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Indiana respectively. The father, a farmer by occupation, settled in Linn county, lowa, in 1846, taking up government land in Linn township for which he paid a dollar and a quarter per acre. He improved the property and con- tinued its cultivation during the remainder of his life, passing away on the 4th of September, 1916, at the age of eighty-four years, six months and twenty-two days, for his natal year was 1832. His widow, who was born in 1838, still survives. Mrs. Davis taught school from 1891 to 1910, the last six years being spent as mission teacher among the Mexi- cans in San Pablo, Colorado.
Mr. Davis is a stanch republican in politics and ably served as trustee of Okoboji township for a period of twelve years. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Congregational church. His record is indeed worthy of emulation and praise, for his success has been won through untiring industry and careful management and he has gained a place among the respected and leading citizens of his com- munity.
EDWIN H. BAILEY.
Since 1913 Edwin H. Bailey has conducted a hardware store in Terril and is today regarded as one of the leading business men of that place. He was born in Clay county, Iowa, October 1, 1873, and is a son of William and Alma A. (Wells) Bailey, both natives of Vermont. From the Green Mountain state they came to Iowa at an early day and here the mother died, but the father is still living and three of their five children also survive.
Edwin H. Bailey attended the common and high schools of his native county and later pursued his studies in the State Normal School at Cedar Falls, Iowa. He also took a business course in a commercial college at Cedar Rapids. At the age of eighteen years he started out in life for himself and has since been dependent entirely upon his own resources for a livelihood. For several years he successfully engaged in teaching school and later was with the Farmers Insurance Company of Cedar Rapids for one year. For fifteen years he was a resident of Spencer, engaged in the lumber business, but in 1913 he came to Dickinson county and has since engaged in the hardware business at Terril with marked success.
Mr. Bailey was married in 1898 to Miss Temperance M. Hagerty, a
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native of Wisconsin and a daughter of William and Adaline (Williams) Hagerty, who are still living in Clay county, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have three children: Mabel E. and Wellard L., who are now attending high school in Terril; and Alma A.
The family attend the Christian church, of which Mr. and Mrs. Bailey are members. He is also identified with Terril Lodge, No. 612, A. F. & A. M .; the Odd Fellows lodge, No. 247, of Spencer, Iowa, in which he has filled all the chairs; and the Camp and the Rebekahs, of Spencer. In politics he affiliates with the republican party and is now serving in the town council. He is one of the leading citizens of Terril, being a prominent representative of its business interests and an influential factor in public affairs.
NAU BROTHERS.
The clothing firm of Nau Brothers at Estherville is composed of Knut K. and Chris K. Nau, both prominent and representative citizens who through their commercial activity have contributed to the substantial development of this part of the state. Chris K. Nau was born in Norway in 1871 and Knut K. Nau in 1874. They are sons of Knut and Christina Nau. The father died in 1914 but the mother is still living in Norway, where a brother is engaged in merchandising and is also filling the office of postmaster. The sons acquired a common school education and after- ward attended college in Norway and Germany. Chris K. Nau was a young man of twenty years when he came alone to the United States, first making his way to Chicago, where he was employed as a clerk in a clothing store until 1898, when with his brother Knut he came to Estherville.
It was in the year 1906 that Chris K. Nau was united in marriage to Johanna Isaakson, a daughter of Isaac and Marit Olson. In his political views Mr. Nau is a republican and, while never an office seeker, the fact that he is interested in the general welfare and progress of his com- munity is shown in his identification with the Commercial Club. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
Knut K. Nan continued his education in the College of Languages in Norway until he reached the age of eighteen years, when he, too, crossed the Atlantic, making the voyage alone. He then traveled over the con- tinent as far as Rochelle, Illinois, where he secured employment in a dry goods store, with which he was connected for five years. In the spring of 1898 he came to Estherville, where in connection with his brother Chris he established a store for the sale of men's clothing and furnish- ings and for the past eleven years they have occupied their present quar- ters. They handle the Hirsh Wickwire and Society Brand clothes, the Michaels Sterns and Keith "Tiger" hats and the Florsheim shoes. Theirs is the oldest clothing house in Estherville and they carry a large and
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attractive stock, while their reasonable prices and honorable business methods have secured to them a constantly growing patronage. They are ever courteous and obliging in their treatment of patrons and their busi- ness integrity stands as an unquestioned fact in their career.
In 1901 Knut K. Nau was married to Miss Evaline Lein, a daughter of Thomas and Christina Lein. Her father was a veteran of the Civil war and became one of the early settlers of Emmet county. He is now deceased but his widow yet makes her home in Estherville.
Knut K. Nau gives his political support to the republican party and he belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias. He is also a member of the Commercial Club and he is justly regarded as a progressive, enterprising business man and one whose record should serve to inspire and encourage others, showing what may be accomplished through determination, energy and laudable ambi- tion.
LUMON L. BIXBY.
Lumon L. Bixby, deceased, was for many years a resident of Emmet county, where for a time he was engaged in general agricultural pursuits and then turned his attention to commercial interests. He was always thoroughly reliable and his upright life, characterized by honorable princi- ples, won for him the confidence and high regard of those who knew him. He was born in Vermont, April 5, 1839, a son of William and Patience (Nye) Bixby, who were also natives of the Green Mountain state, in which they spent their entire lives. They had a family of thirteen chil- dren, of whom but two are now living.
Lumon L. Bixby spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Vermont and more than forty years ago came to Iowa, settling on a farm in Emmet county, after which he devoted his time and attention to the cultivation and development of the fields for a number of years. Later he took up his abode in Estherville, where he established a harness store and later he conducted a meat market. He was a thrifty, energetic and active busi- ness man who contributed much to the material development of the city in which he made his home. He was thoroughly reliable in his undertak- ings and his well-directed energy brought to him a substantial measure of success.
Mr. Bixby was a Civil war veteran, for following the outbreak of hostilities between the north and south he joined Company D of the Tenth Vermont Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for one year, when he was honorably discharged because of illness. He then returned to his home and family in Vermont, for he had previously married. It was in 1860 that he wedded Miss Ellen M. Wells, who was born in the Green Mountain state in 1842, a daughter of Nathaniel and Lovey (Carr) Wells, who spent their entire lives in that state. Mrs. Bixby was the
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youngest in a family of five children, four of whom have passed away, and by her marriage she became the mother of thirteen children: Amanda Jeannette, the wife of Orville Manning, a resident of Waterloo, Iowa; Lumon J., now living in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Arby Anson; Clarence M .; Roswell W., living in Waverly, Iowa; Burt G., Cora B., Cora E. and Daisy M., all now deceased; Charles D .; Adelbert R., who is living in South Dakota; Archie, of Estherville; and Migie, who has also departed this life.
The death of the husband and father occurred December 2, 1905, and he was laid to rest in the East Side cemetery, leaving a widow and seven children to mourn his loss. He held membership in the Grand Army post at Estherville and his demise was greatly deplored by his old army comrades as well as by many other friends who had learned to know and highly respect him through the long years of his residence in Estherville. He lived a quiet and unostentatious life but he possessed many sterling traits of character that endeared him to those with whom he came in contact.
WILLIAM S. OSBORN.
William S. Osborn, now living retired in Milford, Iowa, was born December 20, 1854, in Lockport, New York, and is a son of Stephen and Sarah (White) Osborn, natives of England and Indiana respectively. In early life the father came to America and after spending about three years in New York continued westward to Iowa, taking up his abode near Plymouth Rock in Winneshiek county, where he bought a relin- quishment. He made many improvements upon his farm and engaged in its operation for forty years, after which he retired from active labor and removed to Cresco, Iowa, there spending the remainder of his life. He died in the fall of 1900, having long survived his wife as she passed away in 1887.
It was during his infancy that William S. Osborn was brought to Iowa by his parents and in Winneshiek county he was reared and edu- cated. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-five years of age and then rented the home place, which he operated for three years in addition to a farm of his own which he had purchased from his father. He continued farming in Winneshiek county until 1894, when he came to Dickinson county and purchased eighty acres of land in Excelsior township. Later he bought another tract of eighty acres and upon his place he made many useful and valuable improvements. In connection with general farming he devoted considerable attention to stock raising, including some thoroughbred shorthorn cattle. He con- tinued to engage in agricultural pursuits until the fall of 1910, when he retired and removed to Canton, Minnesota, but after living there
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for one year he returned to Dickinson county, Iowa, and has since made his home in Milford.
In November, 1884, Mr. Osborn was united in marriage to Miss Alice Seelye, by whom he had five children: Stacey, who died in 1885; Garner T., Sidney S. and Floyd, all living; and Bernice, who died in infancy. The mother of these children passed away in October, 1893, and in September, 1894, Mr. Osborn married her sister, Miss Julia Seelye. To them has been born one child, Grace, now the wife of J. W. Caauwe, a farmer of Osceola county, Iowa.
Mr. and Mrs. Osborn hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and are most estimable people who have a host of friends in Milford. Politically Mr. Osborn affiliates with the republican party and he has always taken a commendable interest in local affairs, efficiently serving as school secretary in Excelsior township for six years; as town- ship clerk one year; as assessor for five years; and as township trustee for two years. He has always been found true to any trust reposed in him and is regarded as one of the foremost citizens of his community.
HANS C. JENSEN.
Hans C. Jensen is farming on sections 12 and 13, Denmark town- ship, and has never had occasion to regret the choice of agriculture as a life work. He was born in Denmark, June 9, 1869, and his parents, Jorgen and Caroline (Hansen) Jensen, were likewise natives of that country, where the father engaged in farming. They came to the United States when their son Hans was fifteen years of age and the father bought the north half of the northeast quarter of section 13 and subsequently added thereto the south half of the southeast quarter of section 12, Denmark township, Emmet county. He also became the owner of the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 13 and resided upon his land until two years before his death. Having accumulated a competence, he removed to Ringsted, where he lived retired until his demise, which occurred on the 20th of June, 1914. He was survived by his wife until November, 1915. Both are buried in St. Paul's cemetery. They had three children : Hans C .; Jens P., who is farming in Denmark township; and Christine, now Mrs. H. J. Fink, of Ringsted.
Hans C. Jensen received a common school education and assisted his father in the cultivation of the home place until he was thirty years of age, when, in 1900, he began farming on his own account, buying the south half of the southwest quarter of section 12, which he still owns, together with the north half of the northwest quarter of section 13. He is energetic and progressive and derives a good annual income from his farm.
In 1901 occurred the marriage of Mr. Jensen and Miss Katrine
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N. Jensen, whose parents, Nels and Elsie (Petersen) Jensen, lived and died in Denmark. To Mr. and Mrs. Jensen have been born six chil- dren, namely, Anna, Richard, Esther, Harold, Jens, Christian and Ruth.
Mr. Jensen votes the republican ticket but has never held political office. He has, however, served as school director and has always felt a strong interest in everything relating to educational advancement. He is a communicant of St. Paul's Danish Lutheran church and his life has conformed to the highest standards of manhood.
MISS HATTIE RUDD.
Miss Hattie Rudd is the owner of a valuable and well improved farm of two hundred and fourteen acres on section 22, Superior town- ship, Dickinson county, where she now makes her home. A native of Iowa, she was born in Des Moines and is a daughter of Samuel and Emma (Armstrong) Rudd. The father was born in England and in the '60s came to the United States. His death occurred in Missouri, but the mother, who was a native of Iowa, died in this state. They were the parents of seven children, of whom five are still living.
In 1914 Miss Rudd purchased her present farm in Dickinson county and upon it she and her brother Reuben have since resided. He gives his attention to its operation and in connection with general farming makes a specialty of raising mules. The place is known as Cottonwood Farm and its neat and attractive appearance plainly indicate the care and labor bestowed upon it. Miss Rudd is an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is a woman of good business and execu- tive ability, who capably manages her affairs and who is held in the highest esteem by all who know her.
FRED R. DOWDEN.
A well known representative of banking interests in Emmet county is Fred R. Dowden, numbered among Iowa's native sons, his birth hav- ing occurred in Marion county, December 29, 1882, his parents being W. O. and Frances (Hyer) Dowden, who were natives of Ohio. In the year 1855 they came to Iowa and established their home upon a farm in Marion county. In 1892 they removed to Emmet county and took up their abode upon a farm in Lincoln township. To them were born five children, all of whom are yet living.
Fred R. Dowden was a lad of ten summers when the family home was established in Emmet county, so that he has been largely reared and educated within its borders. After mastering the branches of learn- ing taught in the district schools he continued his education in the
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Dolliver high school, from which in due course of time he was graduated. He continued under the parental roof until after he attained his majority and, starting out in business life, was employed as a bookkeeper in the Dolliver Savings Bank, there remaining for four years. On the expira- tion of that period he went to South Dakota, where he continued for a year, and in 1908 he removed to Gruver, where he now makes his home. In that year he accepted the position of cashier in the Gruver Savings Bank, in which capacity he still continues. That he has prospered as the years have gone by is indicated in the fact that aside from his bank stock he owns a residence in Gruver and is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of excellent farm land on section 31, Ellsworth town- ship.
In 1908 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Dowden and Miss Bessie E. Reed, who was born in Carroll county, Illinois, a daughter of Samuel B. and Sylvia (Bailey) Reed, who were likewise natives of that state and in 1891 came to Emmet county, where they settled upon a farm. Mr. and Mrs. Dowden have become parents of three children: Opal L., who was born December 17, 1909; Avis V., born January 19, 1911; and Eileen E., born September 27, 1914.
Mrs. Dowden is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Dowden is well known in fraternal circles, holding membership in the masonic lodge at Estherville, in which he has filled all the chairs, and in the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 67, in which he has occupied some of the offices. He is also connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and his political allegiance is given to the Republican party. He is actuated by a spirit of enterprise and progress in all that he does and in his business career has made steady advancement that is the direct result of ability and fidelity.
SOREN ANDERSEN.
Soren Andersen, who passed away on the 19th of April, 1913, was one of the leading farmers of Denmark township, Emmet county, where he had made his home since 1889. His early life was spent on the other side of the Atlantic, for he was born in Denmark, April 2, 1851, and was a son of Andrew Sorensen, a small farmer in that country. In the family were seven children. The parents never came to the United States, but continued to reside in Denmark until called to their final rest.
In his native land Soren Andersen pursued his education in the dis- trict schools near his boyhood home and later devoted a year and a half to military training. As an occupation he followed farming in the em- ploy of others until his emigration to America in 1886. For two years he was a resident of Cerro Gordo county, Iowa, and in 1889 came to Emmet county, being engaged in farming on rented land in Denmark township for six years. At the end of that time he purchased the south-
THE FAMILY AND RESIDENCE OF SOREN ANDERSEN
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east quarter of section 20 in the same township and continued its opera- tion up to the time of his death. His remains were interred in St. John's cemetery.
In 1894 Mr. Andersen was united in marriage to Miss Maren Ox- holm, who was born in Schleswig, Germany, June 2, 1865, and of that province her parents, Hans and Anna Marie Oxholm, were lifelong res- idents. When she was nineteen years of age she came to the new world with her brother Carl, who is now a resident of Tyler, Minnesota. Four years later she returned to Denmark and when she again came to the United States she was accompanied by her other brother. Steffen. who is now a banker at Tyler, Minnesota. At the time of her marriage Mrs. Andersen was living in Ringsted, Iowa, with a friend, Mrs. Andrew Lar- son, with whom she had spent a few months. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Andersen are Anna, Hans, Emma and Alma, who are at home with their mother and assist in the operation of the farm. The place is in a high state of cultivation and the fields yield bounteous harvests for the labor bestowed upon them. Mr. Andersen was an enterprising and progressive farmer and the success that he achieved was due entirely to his own well directed efforts. He was a democrat in politics and accept- ably served as township road supervisor for one year.
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