USA > Iowa > Webster County > Fort Dodge > History of Fort Dodge and Webster County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 17
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Mr. Forsberg was united in marriage to Miss Louise Ek- lund, a daughter of Gustavus A. and Josephine Eklund and a native of Sweden. The parents were also natives of Sweden, the father's birth occurring in 1853, and there they were married. They emigrated to the United States in 1882, settling on a farm west of Dayton in Dayton township. There the mother passed away and the father subsequently went to northwestern Iowa, locating in Palo Alto county, where he farmed as a renter for six years, and then bought eighty acres of excellent land. He has ever since devoted his energies to the further improvement and cultivation of this place and now owns a valuable and at- tractive farm. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fors- berg, as follows: Wilmer, Milchen, Melvin. Gladys and Chester.
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Mr. Forsberg is a member of Dayton Camp. M. W. . A., and votes the republican ticket. He is one of the progressive citizens of Dayton township, where his diligence and energetic methods and his reliability in matters of business fully entitle him to the respect and esteem of his community.
SVEND P. SWANSON.
Svend P. Swanson, who engages in general farming and stock- raising on an eighty acre tract of land located on section 9 of Dayton township, was born in Northern Gilland, Denmark, on the 16th of September, 1858. He is a son of Peter and Magda- line (Christensen) Swanson, likewise natives of Denmark, where for many years the father engaged in farming. He is still liv- ing on the old home place, but the mother passed away in 1911. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Swanson numbered twelve, as fol- lows: Annie, who is at home with her father in Denmark; Kris- ten, the wife of Tom Larson, a farmer in Virginia; Hannah, de- ceased; Christina, the widow of Peter Morris, of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Svend P., our subject : Andrew, who is a resident of Mis- souri Valley, Iowa; Minnie, who married H. P. Johnson, a farmer of Kearney county, Nebraska; Lawrence, a farmer of Harrison county, Iowa; Trena, who married James Morris, a merchant and the postmaster in Stork, Minnesota; Knute, who died in the Danish army ; and two children, who died in infancy.
Svend P. Swanson was reared on the farm where he was born and educated in the schools of the vicinity. He assisted his father in tilling the fields and caring for the crops until he was twenty- two years of age, when he decided that the future held but little promise for him in his native land and resolved to come to America. He had several sisters living in the United States, so in 1880 he took passage for this country, with Council Bluffs, Iowa. as his destination. Soon after his arrival there he obtained work on a farm, where he was employed for four years. At the expira- tion of that time he returned to Council Bluffs and worked in a restaurant for two years. He was next employed as a coachman, but he gave this up five years later and went to Washington He followed various pursuits there for two years, then returned to Council Bluffs and worked for a year In 1804 he went to
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Harrison county, Iowa, and purchased a farm comprising eighty acres and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He met with very good success in the cultivation of his land, but he rented his place in 1898 and came to Webster county, Iowa. Here he subsequently bought his present place on section 9 of Dayton township. This also consists of eighty acres, all of which is under cultivation and in a high state of productivity. Mr. Swanson is a very enterprising man of progressive methods as is manifested by the well kept appearance of his farm and the excellent condi- tion of his stock. He uses good judgment in the direction of his activities and gives his personal supervision to every detail con- nected with the operation of his farm, and as a result there is a general air of thrift and prosperity about the place that sug- gests capable and efficient management. As his circumstances have warranted he has improved his farm and in 1911, he erected an attractive and comfortable residence and a large, substantial barn, both equipped with all modern appointments. He is the owner of one of the most valuable properties in the community and is numbered among the prosperous and substantial citizens of Dayton township.
On the 24th of May, 1894. Mr. Swanson was united in mar- riage to Miss Emma Swansen, the event being celebrated at 1.0- gan, Iowa. She is a daughter of Johan Peter and Marie (Mun- son) Swansen. The father is deceased but the mother makes her home in Dayton. Mr. Swansen was born at Hvetlanda Parish, Sweden, September 11. 1828, and there he was married in the fall of 1854 to Miss Munson. It was his desire to become a citizen of the United States and on the 14th of September, 1868. together with his eldest son he took passage for the United States. He worked diligently during the succeeding two years, and in 1870 sent for the other members of his family. Upon their arrival he located at Altona, Illinois, where he resided until 1882, when he removed to Dayton township, and engaged in farming. In 1898, he retired to Dayton and there he passed away on the 14th of April, 1900. Mrs. Swanson, who was a child of seven years when she emigrated to the United States with her mother, was the fifth in a family of eight children, born to her parents, the others being as follows: Sophia and Christina, both of whom are deceased; Johan, who is a resident of California : Caroline, who is deceased: Marie, of Dayton: William T., who is living on the old homestead in Dayton township: and Charles
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F., also deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Swanson have one child, Flor- ence, whose birth occurred on the 31st of March, 1895. She has been a student in the public schools of Dayton for the past eight years and graduated from the high school in June. 1912.
Fraternally, Mr. Swanson belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, and his political support he gives to such men and measures as he deems best qualified to subserve the highest in- terests of the community. He is now serving his tenth year as school director. Mr. Swanson has led a quiet, unobtrusive life. but his untiring diligence and his faithful discharge of all the duties and responsibilities of citizenship, as well as the integrity and high principles he has manifested in his business transac- tions, has won him the respect and esteem of his entire com- munity.
ALVIN EMERSON TENNANT.
Alvin Emerson Tennant, who has been a resident of Fort Dodge for more than a third of a century, lives at No. 1220 Central ave- nule and has been in the service of the Oleson Drug Company as bookkeeper for about twenty-six years. His birth occurred in New Milford, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, on the 29th of March, 1840, his parents being William W. and Phoebe ( Lewis) Tennant. The father was born in Rhode Island on the 24th of January, 1804, while the mother's birth occurred in Hartford. Connecticut, on the 24th of June, 1808. Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Tennant, the paternal grandparents of our subject, lived to a ripe old age. Their children included Oliver, William, Abigail, Merrily, Nancy and Frances. The maternal grandfather was a sea captain and met his death while at sea in early manhood. Ils wife, Mrs. Mary Lewis, passed away in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania. Their children included Thurston, Lebeans, Rob- inson, Joseph, Phoebe, Sallie and Mary.
William W. Tennant. the father of Alvin E. Tennant, was a farmer by occupation. In early manhood he went to Pennsylva- nia, purchased two hundred and sixty acres of timber land m Susquehanna county, cleared and improved the property and reared his family thereon. In 1867 he and his wife came to Web- ster county, Iowa, and here they spent the remainder of their
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lives, passing away in Burnside township. Mr. Tennant died on the 22d of September, 1879, when more than seventy-five years old, and his wife was called to her final rest in 1883 at the age of seventy-five. Both were devoted members of the Baptist church. To them were born seven sons, as follows: Orange W. and George W., both of whom are deceased; John W., a resident of Webster county, Iowa; Lewis W., living in New Milford, Penn- sylvania ; Alvin Emerson, of this review; William Riley, of Fort Dodge; and Austin D.
Alvin Emerson Tennant was reared on his father's farm in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, and there attended the com- mon schools in the acquirement of an education. In 1860 he re- moved westward to Lee county, Illinois, and there was engaged as a farm hand for one year, on the expiration of which period he worked on the Mississippi river. In the fall of 1863 he re- turned to Illinois and enlisted for service in the Union army of the Civil war, becoming a member of Company C, Seventh Illinois Cavalry, and remaining at the front to the time of the cessation of hostilities. He enlisted as a private and was detailed as a clerk under Colonel Flint at General Palmer's headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky, where he was honorably discharged. After the close of the war he returned to Illinois and followed farming in Lee county until 1867, when he came to Iowa, settling near Burnside. He afterward spent three years in Nebraska but since 1878 he has made his home in Fort Dodge. He has been con- nected with the Oleson Drug Company in the capacity of book- keeper for about twenty-six years. His long retention in the em- ploy of this firm is unmistakable evidence of his ability, fidelity and trustworthiness. He formerly was in the service of the Fort Dodge National Bank for several years.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Tennant chose Miss Eva M. Tripp, who was born at Amboy, Illinois, on the HIth of September, 1859, her parents being Ralph O. and Satirah (Powell) Tripp, natives of New York and To- ronto, Canada, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. David Tripp, the pa- ternal grandparents of Mrs. Tennant, had the following children : Ralph, David, Hannah, Lorette, Philosia and Laura. Her ma- ternal grandparents, William and Catharine Ann Powell, lived to reach the ages of sixty-five and ninety-eight years respectively. Their children were five in number. Satirah, James, Mary. Eliza and Maria. Ralph O. Tripp was taken to Illinois when but four
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years of age, and his wife was a maiden of fourteen years when she took up her abode in that state. They came to Iowa about 1868. Ralph O. Tripp was a farmer by occupation and during the period of the Civil war served as a private in an Illinois regi- ment for nearly two years, being mustered out at the close of hostilities. His demise occurred at Liscomb, Iowa, in 1898, when he had attained the age of sixty-six years, while his wife was called to her final rest in 1884 at the age of forty-eight years. Mrs. Tennant, who is their only child, is the mother of six children, Inez M., Blanche M., Alvin Earl. Vera, Marie and Ralph.
Alvin Emerson Tennant gives his political allegiance to the republican party and fraternally is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He retains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in Fort Donelson Post, G. A. R. Mr. and Mrs. Tennant and five of their children are members of the Christian church. The parents have a host of warm friends throughout the community and justly merit the regard and esteem which is uniformly accorded them.
ALBERT EDWARD ACHER, M. D.
Dr. Acher is one of the thoroughly prepared and successful physicians of Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he has been engaged in the general practice of his profession since January 1, 1907. Ile was born near Napoleon, Indiana, November 23, 1878, and is a son of John and Martha Magdalene (Flick) Acher. The father was a native of Prussia, Germany, and emigrated to America in 1859, settling first in Minnesota, where he was engaged in farm- ing. At the opening of the Civil war he answered the call of his adopted country to defend the flag of the Union and enlisted in the Minnesota volunteer infantry for the entire period of the war. At the close of that great civil conflict he was honorably discharged and returned to his home in Minnesota, from which he later moved to Napoleon, Indiana, where he purchased land located near that eity and on that property followed farming until the close of his life, which occurred in 1886. ITis widow remained with her children on the farm until 1892, when she established her residence in Napoleon, where she now resides.
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Dr. Acher was reared at home and received his early education in the public schools of the district in which he lived, and was graduated from the Napoleon high school with the class of 1894. During his years as a student in the public schools he prepared himself for teaching and for three years was engaged in that work in Webster county in the district near his home. Indus- trious and economical in his habits, he was able to save a sufficient sum with which to pursue for one year a literary course in the State University of Indiana and later he took up the study of medicine in the medical department of that university, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. (regular) in the class of 1905. Immediately following his graduation he served for one year as interne in the Deaconess Hospital in Indianapolis. He then made his first location as a practicing physician at Nora, not far from Indianapolis, where he remained for six months, after which he came to Fort Dodge, Iowa. On January 1, 1907, he opened an office in the Reynolds block on Central avenue and there engaged in the general practice of his profession. When the new First National Bank building was completed he removed his offices to more suitable rooms which he found located at Nos. 511 and 512 in that building, at which place he has since re- mained. The offices contain every convenience suited to the prac- tice of his profession, having a well appointed reception room which is jointly used by the subject of this review and Dr. W. R. Bates. In the practice of medicine at Fort Dodge, Dr. Acher has met with well merited success and has already taken a prominent place among his brother practitioners in the field.
In June, 1906, Dr. Acher was united in marriage to Miss Marna Pierson, a daughter of John C. and Martha J. (Fowler) Pierson, the former of German descent and a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter a native of Ohio. The father was engaged in the con- tracting and building business and for many years was one of the best known contractors of Indianapolis. In that city he has erected some of the largest business blocks and many of the buildings which now help to adorn and make beautiful the capital city of Indiana. He was also the builder of the famous Tom Taggart Hotel at French Lick, Indiana. His death occurred in Indianapolis in May, 1910, and his widow still maintains her residence in that city. To Dr. and Mrs. Acher three children were born: John Chandler, born May 19. 1907; Martha Jane.
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who was born February 1, 1909, and died May 23. 1910; and Chiron Chester, born January 9. 1912.
Dr. Acher is a member of the Webster County Medical So- ciety, of which he is serving his first term as president, and also belongs to the Iowa State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He is affiliated with the democratic party, and fraternally is a member of Ashlar Lodge, No. III, F. & .1. M., of Fort Dodge. He also belongs to the Fort Dodge Lodge. No. 248, A. O. U. W., also the lodge of the Loyal Order of Moose, and is a member of the Sons of Herman. Dr. Acher is already recognized as one of the successful physicians of Fort Dodge and he has long since gained the respect of the citizens of that place and is looked upon as one of the reliable and desir- able members of the community in which he lives. The home of Dr. and Mrs. Acher is located at No. 708 North Sixteenth street and here their many friends are always assured of a cordial greeting.
E. T. DAVIDSON.
E. T. Davidson, who has been the incumbent of the office of postmaster in Duncombe for the past three years, was born in Hamilton county, this state, on the 20th of April, 1877. He is a son of Thomas and Isabelle Davidson, natives of Norway. The father came to the United States in 1866, first locating in Ili- nois, where he worked out by the month as a farm hand for five years. At the end of that time he continued his journey westward to Iowa, settling in Hamilton county. After engaging in farm- ing there as a renter for several years, he removed with his family to Webster county and here he has ever since lived. Shortly after his arrival he bought eighty acres of land in Colfax township, diligently applying himself to its further improvement and cultivation until 1900. In the latter year he disposed of his farm and he and the mother removed to Duncombe.
E. T. Davidson was reared in his native county and educated in the common schools. As usual with lads living in the country he was early trained to agricultural pursuits, remaining at home and assisting his father with the operation of the home place until it was sold. More and more of the responsibility con-
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nected with its cultivation devolved upon him until several years before coming to town he had entire charge of the property. Soon after they located in Duncombe he was appointed post- master and is still serving in that capacity, having proven to be a competent and efficient man for the office.
In October, 1904, Mr. Davidson was married to Miss Jessie Nelson, a daughter of N. J. and Mary Nelson and to them have been born two children: Mae, who is six years of age; and Curtis, who has passed the second anniversary of his birth. The family are members of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Davidson votes the republican ticket, and has served as clerk of Colfax township, while residing there, and is now secre- tary of the school board. He owns his residence and is one of the stockholders and vice president of the Farmers Savings Bank of Duncombe, one of the well established and thriving financial institutions of the county. Mr. Davidson is well liked by the citizens of the community generally, as he is gracious and accommodating and satisfactorily meets the many demands on his office.
EDWARD KENDALL.
Edward Kendall, who is living retired in Badger, has been for many years prominently connected with the agricultural and business development of the section in which he resides and is an honored veteran of the Civil war. He has been enterprising, straightforward and honorable in all relations of his life and de- serves the rest which he is enjoying because he has earned it by diligent and long-continued labor. He was born in Ashby, Massachusetts, April 19, 1841, and is a son of John E. and Laura A. (Kendall) Kendall, natives of that state. The father was a carpenter by trade and spent his entire life engaged in that occupation in Massachusetts. He died in Ashby in 1903, having long survived his wife, who passed away in 1841.
Edward Kendall pursued his studies in the public schools of his native city, continuing his education there until he was nine years of age. At that time he left home in order to live with an uncle in Peru, Illinois, where he resumed his lessons. In 1856 our subject's Uncle Bradford Kendall moved to Otho township
EDWARD KENDALL
THE NEWY PJBLIC
N FC N.
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-buying a quarter of a section and lived there three years. The uncle then returned to Peru, but our subject remained and worked as a farm hand. At Fort Dodge on August 20, 1861, Edward Ken- clall enlisted in Company A., Eleventh Volunteer Cavalry, and served for three years and two months, taking part in various im- portant engagements. He was shot in the right leg at South Anna Bridge, eight miles from Richmond, Virginia, and so seriously disabled that he is troubled by his wound at the present time. On October 20, 1864. he received his discharge and returned to Iowa and worked as a fireman on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad for a year, going at the end of that time to Fort Dodge, where he drove a stage for some time. He later obtained employ- ment by the month as a farm laborer, being active in this capacity for several years before he was able to rent land. This he eventu- ally did and followed farming in this way for two years. . At the end of that time he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in Newark township and began its cultivation. He farmed along the most progressive and systematic lines, improving his property to the best of his ability, erecting new buildings and installing modern machinery. He remained upon this tract of land until 1890, when he sold his holdings and moved to Badger, where he engaged in the buying and selling of horses. After eleven years of activity along this line he retired but still makes his home in Badger, where he owns a comfortable and attractive residence and has many acquaintances and friends.
Mr. Kendall has been twice married. In 1873 he wedded Miss Clara Kitchen and they became the parents of one child, Myrtle, who was burned to death in Chicago in September. 1907, the accident being caused by the explosion of a gasoline stove. Mr. Kendall's first wife passed away in 1878 and on December 4. 1882, he was united in marriage to Miss Lucretia Roy, a daughter of Robert and Mary ( Rudman) Roy, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of Indiana. The father was a shoemaker by trade and came to this country when he was twenty-one years of age, settling in Indiana and later in Iowa, where he followed his chosen occupation at Algona. Subsequently he moved to Livermore and after many years' residence in that city finally established himself in Rolfe, where he died in 1897, having sur- vived his wife by ten years. Mr. and Mrs. Kendall have font children : Laura, who married Clarence Thompson, a farmer Vol II - 12
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of Badger township; and Frank E., Edna G. and Verne D., all of whom are living at home.
Mr. Kendall is a republican in his political beliefs and has served with ability and conscientiousness as a member of the village council. He was assessor of Newark township for some time and also acted as school director. He is an adherent of the Presbyterian church and a member of Fort Donelson Post. G. A. R., being numbered among the worthy and honored veterans of the war of the Rebellion.
WILLIAM BARROWMAN.
William Barrowman is one of the well known merchants of Lehigh, Iowa, of which city he has been a resident since 1881. He was born near Glasgow, Scotland, June 4, 1841, and in his native land received his early education. He emigrated to Amer- ica in 1869 and settled first in Henry county, Illinois, where he took up work as foreman of a coal mine. He later removed to Lehigh, Iowa, and at once engaged in coal mining with the Crooked Creek Coal Company. Afterward he owned and oper- ated a coal mine of his own for a time and later leased a mine from the Crooked Creek Coal Company. He subsequently retired from mining and established himself in the restaurant business, where the town hall now stands, in Lehigh. He remained in that loca- tion in business until the time of the great fire at Lehigh, which destroyed all of the business houses in that part of the town, and he then removed to the west side of the town and located at a point half way up West Hill and there conducted a restaurant until he had completed a new brick building on the site of his original location. In the new building he opened a general mer- cantile store, to which he gave his attention for two years, after which time he sold the building to the town for the purpose of a town hall. He then purchased his present store, which is lo- cated on the summit of the West Side Hill, opposite the new high school building. The property was formerly known as Silas Smith's old store. In that property the subject of this review has since successfully conducted a general merchandising establish- ment.
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Mr. Barrowman was first married in Scotland to Miss Chris- tiana White, and they were the parents of thirteen children, seven of whom are living, Christiana, Jane, Margaret, William, David, Robert and Charley. The mother of this family died at the age of forty-five years and was buried in Otho cemetery. The father was later married to Mrs. Constance (Bennett) Retallick, who was the widow of John Retallick and a daughter of John and Constance (Dunstan) Bennett, who were natives of England, Mrs. Barrowman by her first husband is the mother of one child, John C. Retallick, and to Mr. and Mrs. Barrowman one child has been born, Hypatia Barrowman. Mr. Barrowman has served as mayor of Lehigh for several terms but for the past twenty-five years he has been at heart a socialist and not interested in present political issues as advocated by the old political parties. He was one of the early pioneers of Lehigh, having settled in that town at a time when the entire mercantile business was conducted from three small stores, one of which was located on the east side and two on the west side of the river, and the bridge to connect the two parts of the town had just been completed. Since his resi- dence in Lehigh he has always enjoyed the good-will and esteem of his fellow citizens and is a man who has always identified him- self with every public measure intended to advance the business and educational interests of the city in which he lives.
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