USA > Iowa > Webster County > Fort Dodge > History of Fort Dodge and Webster County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 16
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Halligan passed away on the 10th of March, 1912, after a brief illness.
In matters of religious faith Mr. Halligan is a Roman Cath- olic and his wife was also a communicant of that church. In poli- tics he is a democrat and stanchly supports the men and meas- ures of that party. He has served as a member of the town council and at the present time is treasurer of both the town board and school board. Mr. Halligan takes an active interest in all local industries, particularly those affecting the agricultural sec- tions and is one of the stockholders of the Cooperative Cream- ery Company of Des Moines. He is a young man of tireless energy, determination of purpose and laudable ambition, which commendable qualities are rapidly leading him on to the goal of achievement and will ultimately rank him high in the list of the county's representative citizens.
CHRIS CHRISTENSEN.
Chris Christensen is manager of the Badger branch of the lum- ber business conducted by J. H. Queal & Company, having risen to this responsible position in a short time by hard work. energy and persistent attention to the interests of his employers. Since I911 he has operated a restaurant in the same city and is meet- ing with his usual success in this field of activity. He was born in Denmark, January 8. 1876, and is a son of Lars and Johanna (Jensen) Christensen. The father was a stonecutter and worked at his trade in Denmark, where his death occurred in May, 1908. His wife is still living in her native land.
Chris Christensen was reared at home and was educated in the public schools of Denmark. At the age of sixteen he emi- grated to America, locating in Ringstead, Iowa, in 1892. He ob- tained employment as a farm hand and gained his livelihood by this work for several years. He was thrifty and ambitious and saved his money so that he was soon able to rent a farm near Ringsted, which he operated and improved for two years. He then moved into the village and became engaged in the draying business which after a year he abandoned in order to work in a lumberyard in a humble position. After four months' service in this capacity his employers sent him to Lone Rock in order
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to take charge of a yard operated by J. H. Queal & Company. Here he did such efficient and practical work that after four years he was transferred to Badger, where he has since been general manager of the branch house. In 1911 Mr. Christensen added to his activities by starting a restaurant which he still conducts.
On March 16, 1898, Chris Christensen was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jepson, a daughter of Nels and Anna C. Nissen Jep- son, natives of Denmark. To Mr. and Mrs. Christensen have been born three children, Thora, Albert and Clarence, aged re- spectively twelve, ten and five years.
Mr. Christensen owns the building in which he conducts his business and the property on which it stands and is one of the progressive and enterprising citizens of Badger. He belongs to the Improved Order of Red Men and to the Modern Woodmen of America, affiliating also with the Danish Brotherhood. He is a believer in the Lutheran religion. In his political views he is a consistent republican and has served as town clerk for several years and also did able work as school director. He is one of the promising young business men of Badger, active in promoting his own success but at the same time mindful of his obligations as a citizen. He has made the two business enterprises with which he is connected successful by always seizing any favorable oppor- tunity for expansion and by adhering faithfully to high standards of personal and commercial honor.
I. VERNE MILLER.
L. Verne Miller, assistant cashier of the Savings Bank at Dun- combe, is one of Iowa's native sons, his birth having occurred in Hamilton county on the 18th of August. 1882. His parents are John and Amelia ( Woodward ) Miller, the former a native of lowa and the latter of the state of New York. John Miller was only a boy when he located in Hamilton county with his parents. There he was reared to manhood and when old enough to begin work- ing, turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and by reason of his diligence and thrift subsequently acquired a farm of his own The cultivation and improvement of his land engaged his undi-
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vided attention until 1910, when he retired to Webster City, where he and his wife are still residing.
The first twenty years in the life of L. Verne Miller were passed under the parental roof, his time being largely devoted to the acquirement of an education. Upon terminating his school days he engaged in teaching, being identified with this profes- sion for six years. He next accepted a position as relief clerk in the postoffice at Webster City. following which he became cashier for the Illinois Central Railroad Company. He served in the latter capacity until May 2, 1911, when he resigned to accept the position of bookkeeper in the Duncombe Savings Bank. In the fall of the same year he was promoted to the office of assistant cashier, his services in this connection having proven to be highly acceptable. Mr. Miller is a young man of genial disposition and accommodating manner and by reason of his unfailing courtesy has become very popular with the patrons of the bank.
Fraternally he is affiliated with Elmo Lodge, No. 63. I. O. O. F., of Webster City. He takes an active interest in local politics, giving his support to the republican party and is treasurer of the school board. General efficiency, fidelity to duty and unques- tionable integrity are the most striking characteristics of this young man, who enjoys the esteem and respect of a large circle of Duncombe's citizens.
ARTHUR L. RICHARDS.
Arthur L. Richards has been a resident of Vincent since 1892 and has been engaged in various important business enterprises in the village since that time. He is one of the well known, progressive and enter- prising business men of the section and his activities which are al- ways of a constructive kind, have been factors in local development. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1854, a son of Edwin C. and Thilena ( Shaw) Richards, natives of Massachussetts. His father was a musician and followed this line of occupation for almost forty years. When he came to Iowa he located in Chapin, Franklin county, in 1875, and there taught a large music class. He also pur- chased land and operated his farm until his death, which occurred in 1886. His wife passed away in 1883.
MRS. ADDA J. RICHARDS
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
( , L NOX AND T : D N FOUNDATIONS.
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Arthur L. Richards was reared and educated in Ohio. When he laid aside his books at the age of sixteen he came to Iowa with his par- ents and after a short time began farming, cultivating the soil until he was twenty-five years of age. Subsequently, in 1892, he came to Vincent and in partnership with Anderson Brothers bought an eleva- tor, of which he had charge for a number of years. He has recently been engaged in handling stock and makes frequent trips to Canada to buy high-grade animals. He gives his allegiance to the repub- lican party and for eleven years was postmaster of Vincent.
On August 22, 1872, Mr. Richards was united in marriage to Miss Ada J. Riddle, a daughter of T. C. and Sarah (Colt) Riddle, the former a native of New York and the latter of Niagara Falls. Her mother was born on the farm, upon which one end of the suspension bridge over the Niagara river was afterward built. For some time her father operated a small boat on the Erie canal and continued in this line of activity until 1857, when he came with his family to Iowa and located at Grinnell. From there he went to Franklin county, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he improved and developed until his death on February 24. 1876. His wife is still living in the eighty-sixth year of her age and makes her home with the subject of this review. Mr. and Mrs. Richards have four children: Edwin C., who is engaged as a tinner and plumber at Waverly, and who married Miss Maude Burbank : Sarah 1., the wife of John Arnold, a real-estate dealer in Fort Meade, Florida; Alberta M., who married Frank Arnold, agent for the Chicago & Great Western Railroad at Thornton; and Clarence A., who is attending the Fort Dodge business college, and who is also assistant postmaster of Vincent. Mrs. Richards is one of the prominent and well known women of the village in which she resides and is not only an ex- emplary wife and mother but a remarkably able business woman. She is a stockholder in the Vincent Savings Bank and in the Vincent Telephone Company and also for some years assisted her husband in the operation of a hotel barbershop and livery business. On August 22, 1911, she was appointed postmistress of Vincent and has since served in that capacity, discharging her duties ably and conscien- tiously.
Mr. Richards is well known in local fraternal circles, holding mem- bership in the Modern Woodmen of America, the Independent Order of Odd Fellow's and the Masonic order, while his wife holds member- ship in the Order of the Eastern Star. He served for eleven years as postmaster and was also the town marshal for several years. He and
Vol. II-11
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his family belong to the Methodist church. Mr. and Mrs. Richards own much valuable property in Vincent, including several fine business lots and the postoffice building. They have also a three hundred acre farm in Canada and are interested in various local enterprises, all of which are important and remunerative. They are among the most prominent and highly respected citizens of Vincent, where both are well known in business and social circles. In spirit and interests they are representative of the highest standards and their lives and activ- ities have been useful and valuable in various directions.
CHARLES VICTOR LUNDBERG.
Charles Victor Lundberg is a worthy representative of the mercantile interests of Dayton, where he has won the success that invariably rewards honorable business methods when followed with diligence and perseverance. He was born in Andover, Henry county, Illinois, on the 4th of December, 1860, and is a son of Jonas P. and Johanna Matilda (Price) Lundberg. The parents were both natives of Sweden, and there they were mar- ried. When Jonas P. Lundberg was a little lad of five years his mother died and he was reared by his grandmother until he was deemed old enough to learn a trade. At the age of eight he entered the service of a local tailor, with whom he remained until he was grown. After the expiration of his period of service he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and went to work for a farmer at eighteen dollars per year and his clothing. In accordance with the requirements of the country two years of his early manhood were spent in the Swedish army, following which he again engaged in farming. The hard work and meager wages and apparent hopelessness of advancement, served to make him most discontented with his lot and in 1852 he emigrated with wife and family to the United States. Upon his arrival in this country he located at Andover, Illinois, where for some years thereafter he worked as a laborer. By reason of thrift he accumulated sufficient means to enable him to engage in farming, and he then rented a place which he operated until 1875. In the spring of that year he came to Webster county, and rented a farm in Day- ton township. The next year he removed to Grant township, Boone county, and purchased one hundred and twenty acres of
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
land, which he cultivated during the remainder of his active life. There he passed away on March 12, 1894, at the age of seventy- seven, his natal year having been 1817. The mother is still liv- ing and continues to make her home on the old farm in Boone county. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Lundberg numbered thir- teen, as follows: John A. and Jonas A., both deceased; Charles Victor, our subject ; Gustaf L., a farmer of Clay township, this county ; Andrew W., deceased; Frank O., who is farming in Cooper township, Webster county; Christine S., the wife of Gus Hemstrom, a farmer of Bertrand, Nebraska: Peter O. and Han- nah, both deceased: Theodore L., who is a farmer of Grant town- ship; Edwin, who is a resident of Riverside, California; Emily, who is at home with her mother ; and Gilbert, who died in infancy. The family always attended the Swedish Lutheran church, of which the father was a member while the mother is still affiliated with this organization.
The first fifteen years in the life of Charles Victor Lundberg were passed in his native state, to whose district schools he is indebted for his education. After laying aside his text-books he assisted his father with the work of the farm until he was nine- teen, when he started out to earn his own living. He returned to Illinois, where he worked as a farm hand for a year, and then came back to Dayton and entered the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad as a construction hand. During the suc- ceeding two years he followed the carpenter's trade in Dayton. but at the expiration of that period he accepted a position as clerk in the store of John Lundeen for two and one-half years.
In 1886 he entered upon a clerkship with Samuel Burnquist. Sr. Mr. Lundberg continued to retain his position until the death of Mr. Burnquist in 1895. He then became associated with J. A. Burnquist. a brother of his former employer, and together they purchased the stock from the heirs. Five years later. Mr. Burn quist sold his interest in the business to his nephew, Samuel Burnquist, Jr., who is still in partnership with Mr. Lundberg. Their establishment is one of the oldest and most successful commercial enterprises in the town, and is favored with an ex- cellent patronage. The store is operated under the name of Burn- quist & Lundberg and is conducted in accordance with a policy that has won them the confidence of the entire community They carry a large and varied assortment of general merchandise, which they offer at reasonable prices, and as their goods are always
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found to be exactly as represented they are enjoying a gratifying trade. Mr. Lundberg has prospered in his undertakings and in addition to his interest in the store is a large stockholder in the First National Bank of Dayton, of which he is president.
Mr. Lundberg was married on the 18th of October, 1893, to Miss Emma M. Peterson, a daughter of Nels and Christine Peter- son, natives of Sweden. The father emigrated to the United States in his early manhood and located in Henry county, Illi- nois, and there for several years he farmed as a renter. Later he came to Iowa, purchasing eighty acres of land in Webster county, and as his circumstances warranted he increased his hold- ings until they aggregated four hundred acres. For many years he industriously applied himself to the further improvement and cultivation of his land until he abandoned active farm work and removed to Dayton, where he passed away in November, 1906. Mr. Peterson was married twice, his second union being with Mrs. Caroline Linderholm of Dayton. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lundberg, as follows: Byron Irwin, who graduated from the Dayton high school with the class of 1911, living at home; Frances Irene, who is attending high school; and Esta Mildred, who is going to the kindergarten.
The political support of Mr. Lundberg is accorded to the re- publican party. He represented his ward in the town council for six years and since September, 1903, has been treasurer of the local school board. He is one of the influential and prominent citizens of the town, where his long and successful connection with the various business interests has proven him to be a man of marked capability. His career has not been distinguished by any extraordinary or spectacular achievements but it has been characterized by steady progress and substantial development, giving assurance of permanence and stability.
THOMAS K. PETERSON.
Thomas K. Peterson is a native of Norway but has been in America since he was eight years of age. He was a boy of fourteen when he came to Badger township, where he is now numbered among the well known and representative citizens. During the period of his residence here he has been identified with various busi-
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ness enterprises and has held his present position as cashier of the Badger Savings Bank since 1894. proving himself during that time an able and systematic financier and an honest, upright and straight- forward man. Mr. Peterson was born in Norway, August 6, 1868, and is a son of Knud and Christina (Ostius) Peterson, natives of that country. The father farmed in Norway until 1876, when he came to the United States, settling in Champaign county, Illinois, where he purchased land. He bought eighty acres and moved upon his property, which he improved and operated until the spring of 1882, when he disposed of his farm and came to Webster county, Iowa, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres in Badger township. This land is now included in the corporation limits of the town of Badger and upon it the father of our subject carried on agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in March, 1892. His wife survived him until November, 1898.
Thomas Peterson was eight years of age when he came to America with his parents. He completed an education begun in Norway in the public schools of Champaign county, Illinois, and in Badger township, Webster county, finishing his studies at Highland Park College in Des Moines. When he had completed his course he returned to Badger and accepted a position as clerk in a general store belonging to H. P. Hanson and after a year's activity in this capacity purchased a half-interest in the enterprise. For two years he continued this identification, after which he accepted his present position as cashier in the Badger Savings Bank. In that capacity he has acted with increasing success since 1894 and he is also a stockholder and director in the institution. The bank is the only one in the village of Badger. It was organized on June 8. 1889, under the name of the Bank of Badger, which title was later changed to the State Bank of Badger. In 1894 it was reorganized under the name of the Badger Savings Bank with a capital stock of ten thousand dollars, which in 1911 was increased to twenty- five thousand dollars. Its officers at the present time are : ( 11 Maher, president : C. Knudson, vice president : and T. K. Peter son, cashier. Mr. Peterson has been a valuable addition to the institution with which he is connected, for he understands bank- ing thoroughly, is careful and conservative but at the same time progressive, and his individual success has been a factor in the prosperity of the bank.
In June, 1898, Mr. Peterson was united in marriage to Miss .Ade- line Knudson, a daughter of Christopher and Anna (Arent)
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Knudson, natives of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have four children, Kenneth C., Clara A., Gladys P., and Lloyd O., aged respectively twelve, eleven, nine and six years.
In his political affiliations Mr. Peterson is a firm republican and has been active in local affairs since he took up his residence in Badger. He was the first mayor of the village, in which capacity he is now serving, and for years filled the office of secretary of the school board, being at the present time treasurer of that organiza- tion. He belongs to the Lutheran church. That he has been successful in business and judicious in his investments is evidenced by the fact that he now owns his father's home place of one hundred and sixty acres on section 15. Badger township, and a fine dwelling in the village, surrounded by twelve acres of land. He is also the proprietor of two hundred and forty acres in Clay township and is managing his affairs and promoting his success by reason of his qualities of energy, diligence and honesty, characteristics which the United States welcomes so eagerly in its adopted citizens.
JOHN HANRAHAN.
John Hanrahan, who has been identified with various business interests in Clare and Webster counties and other points, was born in Ireland, in December, 1850. He is a son of John and Bridget (Morgan) Hanrahan, also natives of the Emerald isle. The family emigrated to the United States in 1864, first locating in Pennsylvania. From there they removed to Dubuque, Iowa, and after five or six years residence in the latter place came to Webster county. Here the father made his home with his chil- dren until his death, which occurred in 1895. The mother passed away in 1884.
John Hanrahan, who was a youth of fourteen years when he accompanied his parents to America, obtained his education in his native land. After the family located in Dubuque he went to work on the railroad, but was later employed on a steamer on the Mississippi. Together with a brother he subsequently engaged in railroad contracting for five years, meeting with a good measure of success. He and his brothers next purchased four hundred and forty acres of land in Jackson township, this county, and turned their attention to agricultural pursuits. This
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farm is now one of the valuable properties of Webster county and is in the possession of the family of one of the Hanrahan brothers. After nine years of cooperative farming, Mr. Hanra- han disposed of his interest in the place and coming to Clare went into the hotel business. He followed this occupation for seven years, and then engaged in the saloon business. The lat- ter enterprise engaged his attention for fifteen years, at the ex- piration of which time he sold out and opened a pool room. He is still conducting the latter place and in connection with it sells soft drinks and also handles cigars. Mr. Hanrahan has acquired extensive realty interests, owning farms in South Dakota, Canada and Texas, and also his business property, a fine residence and several residence lots in Clare.
In April, 1883, Mr. Hanrahan was married to Miss Mary Mor- gan, a daughter of Patrick and Mary ( McNamara) Morgan, na- tives of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Hanrahan have five children : Morgan J., who is a practicing attorney of Winnipeg, Canada : Odessa MI., a stenographer in Des Moines: Leo M. and Char- lotte MI., who are at home: and James, who passed away in 1902.
The family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church, and fraternally Mr. Hanrahan is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus of Fort Dodge. He is a democrat in politics and under Cleveland's administration served for four years as postmaster. He has served on the town council and has also discharged the duties of assessor in Jackson township, and has filled the office of town clerk. Mr. Hanrahan is a genial man of generous im- pulses and has many friends in Clare and the surrounding country where he is widely known.
WILLIAM OLIVER FORSBERG.
William Oliver Forsberg, who owns and operates one of the finest threshing ontfits in Webster county, has passed the greater part of his life in Dayton township, where he is now residing Ile was born in Sweden on the 4th of January. 1875, and is a son of Peter and Martha ( Erickson) Forsberg. The parents were born, reared and married in Sweden, the father's natal day being in 1846 and that of the mother in 1833. Peter Forsberg, who was
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a carpenter, emigrated to the United States with his family in 1880, locating in Dayton. Here he established a shop and con- tinued to follow his trade for four years. In the spring of 1884, he removed to Bassett, Rock county, Nebraska, and homesteaded a hundred and sixty acres of land. He did not survive long there- after, his death occurring in the autumn of 1884. The mother with her family remained on the farm for eight years. At the expiration of that time she rented her place and returned to Dayton, where she still resides.
As he was only a child of five years when he emigrated to the United States with his parents, William Oliver Forsberg has but little recollection of the land of his birth. At the usual age he entered the public schools of Dayton, which he attended until the family removed to Nebraska. There he continued his studies during the winter months and assisted with the work of the farmn during the summer until he was seventeen. In 1892 he returned to Webster county with his mother, who located in Dayton. Dur- ing the succeeding five years he worked out as a farm hand and followed such other pursuits as enabled him to earn an honest living. He was enterprising and thrifty and during that time he managed to save enough from his earnings to enable him to purchase a half interest in a threshing outfit. Three years later he bought his partner's interest in the business and has ever since been alone. As he is a capable man, and thoroughly de- pendable and trustworthy, he has built up a very good business, and now operates one of the most completely equipped outfits in the county.
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