USA > Iowa > Webster County > Fort Dodge > History of Fort Dodge and Webster County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 22
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
Samuel McQuilkin, the father of our subject, was reared in Pennsylvania and followed farming throughout his active career. In 1866 he came west to Iowa, locating in Benton county, where he continued to reside until called to his final rest in 1878. He was widely recognized as a substantial and esteemed citizen of his community and ably served in the capacity of justice of the peace. In religious faith he was a Presbyterian. His widow, who is still living at the age of eighty-nine years, also belongs to that church. To them were born eleven children, six sons and five daughters, eight of whom grew to maturity, namely : Joseph K., who is a resident of Waterloo, Iowa; Robert R., living in La- porte City, Iowa; Andrew, who has passed away; Belle, the wife of L. D. Woodley, of Galt, Iowa; James L., who is deceased; Nanna, the wife of John Willmore, of Fort Dodge; Ella, who is deceased; and Archie D., of this review.
The last named was but two years of age when his parents re- moved to Benton county, this state, and there attended the dis- trict schools in the acquirement of an education. When about fifteen years of age he left the home farm and began clerking in a drug store at Laporte City, being thus employed for eighteen months, while subsequently he conducted a meat market there for four years. On the expiration of that period he went upon the road as a traveling salesman for a publishing concern, covering Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois. Later he embarked in business at Burlington, Iowa, as a dealer in furniture, jewelry, carpets and queensware, there conducting an establishment of that character for eleven years. In 1902 he came to Fort Dodge and, as above stated, has remained in business here to the pres- ent time. His store, comprising several floors, has forty-four thousand feet floor space or over an acre and is crowded with one of the most extensive and finest assortments of furniture, carpets, rugs, pictures and chinaware to be found in the state of Iowa. Mr. McQuilkin is accorded a large and well merited patronage, for he is a man of splendid business ability and keen discernment. He carries an attractive and artistic line of goods at reasonable prices and does everything in his power to please and satisfy his customers.
On the 17th of June. 1889, Mr. McQuilkin was united in mar- riage to Miss Jennie Kline, a native of Pennsylvania and a daugh- ter of Elisha and Sarah Kline, who were likewise born in that state. They became early settlers of Blackhawk county, Iowa,
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and there spent the remainder of their lives. Elisha Kline and his oldest son, Alonzo, participated in the Civil war. Mrs. McQuil- kin was one of a family of two daughters and five sons, the others being as follows: Alonzo, Willis, Albert, William, Boyd and Mariette, who died in infancy. To Mr. and Mrs. McQuilkin have been born three children: Merope, who died at the age of two months; Marion, who passed away when two years old; and Marjorie, who is now twelve years of age.
In his political views Mr. McQuilkin is republican, while fra- ternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His religious faith is indi- cated by his membership in the Presbyterian church, to which his wife also belongs and of which he is serving as president of the board of trustees. Through his enterprise he has won success in business and through his fidelity to upright principles he has commanded the respect and confidence of his fellowmen.
MICHAEL F. HEALY
Michael F. Healy, a Harvard man and also an alumnus of Michi- gan University, brought to the starting point of his career certain rare gifts including a strong personality, an excellent presence and marked strength of character. These, combined with a thorough grasp of the law and the ability to correctly apply its principles, have been the factors in his effectiveness as an advocate. He is now prac- ticing as a member of the firm of Healy & Healy, with offices at No. 6201/2 Central avenue, Fort Dodge. He is a native of Lansing, Iowa, born April 1, 1863, and comes of Irish ancestry. His paternal grand- father, Michael Healy, died in Ireland in 1845 when fifty-six years of age. His wife, Mrs. Eleanor Healy, afterward came to America and passed away in Lansing, Iowa, at the very advanced age of eighty- nine years. In their family were five children, Michael, Thomas F., Hannah Daley, Mary Sullivan and Nanna. After the death of her first husband Mrs. Healy became the wife of James Hinchon, and they had three children, Cornelius, John W. and Julia McGuough.
The eldest child of the first marriage was Michael Healy, the father of Michael F. Healy, of this review. He was born in County Cork, Ireland, and left there when a boy of fifteen or sixteen years. Cross- ing the Atlantic he settled first in Massachusetts, working in the
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M. F. HEALY
HARARY
1I NOX AND N FO INDA IONS.
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mills there for a time, but on the Ist of January, 1850, he enlisted for service in the regular United States army, with which he remained for five years. On the 14th of March, 1855, he wedded Catharine Murphy, who was also a native of County Cork, and a daughter of Patrick and Mary (McCarty ) Murphy. Mr. Murphy was a farmer by occupation and both he and his wife lived to old age. Their children were: Sarah Stuart, of Newton, Massachusetts; Ellen Murphy ; Hannah Taggart; Elizabeth McNamara; Patrick Murphy; and Catha- rine.
Following their marriage Michael and Catharine (Murphy) Healy removed westward to Allamakee county, Iowa, where he followed farming for eight years and also served as county treasurer for four years. He then turned his attention to merchandising at Lansing, Iowa, and conducted his store until 1882, when he removed to Fort Dodge, where he engaged in the agricultural implement business for several years. In the meantime he purchased four hundred and eighty acres of land in Webster county in 1868. His judicious investments and his business activity brought him a substantial measure of suc- cess and after retiring from the implement business he spent his re- maining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest to the time of his death, which occurred June 3, 1910, when he was eighty-four years of age. His wife passed away June 5, 1908, when seventy-four years of age. Both were loyal members of the Catholic church. They had a family of nine children: Ella, who is the widow of Matthew Joyce; Mary, the widow of P. H. Vaughan; Anna ; Michael F .; Thomas D., who died January 15, 1910; William M .; Elizabeth, who is in a con- vent in Philadelphia, engaged in the Drexel educational work of edu- cating the negroes; Robert, a partner of Michael; and Catharine.
Michael F. Healy was reared in Lansing, Iowa, until nineteen years of age, and has since lived in Fort Dodge. He was a pupil in the public schools of his native city and in Notre Dame University at South Bend, Indiana, before entering Harvard University. His prepa- ration for the bar was made as a student in the law department of the University of Michigan and he was admitted to the bar on the Ist of October, 1885. He at once opened an office in Fort Dodge, where he has since remained in active practice. He throws him- self easily and naturally into an argument with the self-possession and deliberation which indicates no straining after effect. There is a precision and clearness in his statement, a quietness and strength in his argument which speak a mind trained in the severest school of investigation, and to which the closest reasoning is habitual and easy.
Vol. 11-15
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On the 30th of June, 1891, Mr. Healy was married to Miss Mary E. Kerndt, a daughter of Moritz and Mary (Nimsgern) Kerndt, of Lansing, Iowa. Mrs. Healy was born in that town while her father was a native of Saxony, Germany, and her mother of Alsace Lorraine. In 1856 they established their home in Lansing, where they still re- side. In their family were eight children, Gustav M., Charles M., William M., Mary E., Clara M., Anna, Moritz and Catharine. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Healy were Mr. and Mrs. John Chris- tian Kerndt. The former died in Germany and the latter in Lansing. They had a large family, including Herman, Gustav, William, Moritz, Julius, Clara, Haas, Emma Boeckh, and Mrs. Rieth. The children of the maternal grandfather were five in number: Mary Kerndt, Anna Kennedy, Emma Stowers, Mrs. Wuest, and Anna Urmersbach.
Mr. and Mrs. Healy have six children, Kerndt M., Thomas M., Ruth, Margaret, Eleanor and Catharine. The parents are members of the Catholic church and Mr. Healy belongs to the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias, the Arcanum, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Sons of Herman. In politics he is an earnest democrat and is a recognized leader of the party, having served as chairman of the dentocratic state central committee in 1896 and 1897. yet he has never sought nor desired office for himself, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his professional duties whereby the firm of Healy & Healy has become one of the leading law firms of Fort Dodge.
PETER M. MITCHELL.
One of the foremost business men of Fort Dodge a decade ago was the late Peter M. Mitchell, founder of The Mitchell Imple- ment Company, a thriving enterprise of the city, which stands as a monument to his unceasing diligence and energy. He was born at Marseilles, La Salle county, Illinois, on April 9, 1853, a son of Patrick and Anne ( Kennedy) Mitchell. The father was a native of County Galway, Ireland, whence he emigrated to the United States with his family in the late '40s. He located in La Salle county, Illinois, and engaged in farming until 1855, when he re- moved to Webster county, Iowa, and resumed his agricultural pursuits in Badger township. His efforts met with good financial
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returns and he subsequently retired to Fort Dodge, where he was living at the time of his death. The mother is still living and now makes her home at 425 North Ninth street, this city.
Peter M. Mitchell was only a child of two years when his parents removed to Iowa and here he passed the remainder of his life. He began his education in the district schools of Badger town- ship and continued it in Fort Dodge high school, after which he became a student at Ames College, Ames, Iowa. He was soon compelled to leave college, owing to the state of his health, and for ten years thereafter engaged in teaching in Webster county. In 1882 he withdrew from this occupation and went into the implement business with Clemmon L. Granger, who is men- tioned elsewhere in this work. Their store was located on the public square in the building now occupied by the Granger Com- pany. They were associated together for fifteen years, but at the expiration of that time, Mr. Mitchell withdrew from the busi- ness and founded The Mitchell Implement Company. This is a wholesale and retail establishment and is located at 601 to 61I First avenue, South. It has prospered from its incipiency and is now ranked as one of the leading implement stores of the city, the controlling interest in the business still being in the posses- sion of Mr. Mitchell's heirs. He was president and manager of the company until the time of his death, and as he was a man of progressive methods, foresight and sagacity in the conduct of this enterprise he adopted a policy which commended him to the con- fidence of all with whom he had transactions and won him the cooperation of his patrons. In addition to his interest in this corporation, he had acquired quite extensive and valuable real- estate holdings in Webster and adjoining counties of northwest- ern Iowa, and he was a stockholder in several local enterprises, among them the Fort Dodge Light & Power Company, the Ole- son Land Company, the Mineral City Park Association, the Iowa Land & Loan Company, and the First National Bank, all highly reputable and prosperous business enterprises.
In Fort Dodge, on the 21st of January, 1884, Mr. Mitchell was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Furlong, a daughter of Richard and Anna S. (Ryan) Furlong. The parents were both natives of Maine but of Irish extraction. Mrs. Furlong's grandfather was born in Nova Scotia and her ancestors participated in the War of 1812. They were among the pioneer settlers of Webster county, where for a time Mr. Furlong engaged in farming. Later
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he withdrew from this occupation and coming to Fort Dodge opened a general mercantile store. He subsequently became as- sociated with J. M. Mulroney in the conduct of this establish- ment, but after they dissolved partnership, Mr. Furlong located at II to 13 North Fifth street, the site now occupied by Furlong & Brennan, where he continued in business until his death in 1892. Mr. Furlong was twice married, his second union being with Miss Nora Moriarity, of Dubuque, Iowa, who died in 1899. Six chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell, as follows: Marcia, who has been teaching in Minnesota, now at home; Anne, a for- mer teacher in a private school in Washington, D. C., and now connected with the public library at Fort Dodge; Richard, who graduated from the law department of the Iowa State University with the class of 1912; Alice, who is attending school in Milwau- kee; Granger, a member of the class of 1912 of Fort Dodge high school; and Katharine, also a student of the high school.
The family are all communicants of the Roman Catholic church, as was likewise the father, and belong to Corpus Christi parish. Mr. Mitchell was a member of Fort Dodge Lodge, No. 306, B. P. O. E., and his political support he gave to the democratic party. He was always an active and earnest worker on behalf of his party and took a prominent part in local campaigns. He held a prominent position in the community and was numbered among the foremost representatives of the commercial fraternity of the city, in the progress and development of which he was one of the dominant factors.
JOHN A. LINDBERG.
John A. Lindberg, president of the Farmers State Bank of Day- ton, has for many years been numbered among the foremost busi- ness men of Webster county, while he has occupied an equally prominent position in the public life of the community. He was born in Victoria, Knox county, Illinois, on the 29th of December, 1850, and is a son of John and Christine (Aaronson) Lindberg. The parents were both natives of Sweden, the father having been born in 1815 and the mother in 1819, and there they were also reared and married. John Lindberg entered the service of his country in his early manhood, but as the future seemed to promise
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little or nothing in Sweden and he had heard wonderful stories of the possibilities afforded in America, he obtained a substitute and withdrew from the army at the end of five years. Together with his wife and family he emigrated to the United States in 1849, sixteen weeks having been spent on the water before they dropped anchor in the harbor of New York. They made their way inland to Victoria, Illinois, where the father engaged in farming until 1856. In October of that year the family again started westward, Webster county being their destination on this occasion. The father first settled on what was supposed to be government land but later proved to be river land in Hardin township. In 1857 he preempted a quarter section, which he cultivated until 1877, when he removed to a farm three miles east of Fort Dodge. The parents continued to reside there until 1881, when they went to Badger and made their home with a daughter, Mrs. P. A. Houge. There the father passed away in 1893. He was survived by the mother, whose death occurred six months later. The paternal grandfather of our subject was John Mood, who was in the volunteer service of the King of Sweden, for twenty-four years, having entered the army immediately after at- taining his majority and having remained in the service until he had reached the age limit, forty-five years.
John A. Lindberg, who was a lad of six years when his parents removed to Iowa, began his education in the district schools near Boonesboro, Boone county, Iowa. After graduating from the high school in the latter place he matriculated in the law depart- ment of the Iowa State University at Iowa City, from which in- stitution he was granted the degree of LL. B. with the class of 1871. He was admitted to the bar immediately after attain- ing his majority but has never practiced. After leaving the university he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, with which he had been familiar from early boyhood, and for two years thereafter devoted his entire time and energies to farming, three miles east of Fort Dodge. In 1880 he came to Dayton and purchased the "Dayton Review," a weekly newspaper which had been established here the year previously. Mr. Lindberg edited this journal for ten years, and during that period developed it into one of the best papers in the county. As he is a public- spirited man, of progressive ideas and enterprising methods he made it a prominent factor in the development not only of the town, but of the entire section. It was a clean, wholesome sheet,
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noticeably free from scurrilous attacks on the candidates of the opposing party during political campaigns, while its columns were always used to defend the weak or champion any good or worthy cause. In 1890, Mr. Lindberg sold his paper to J. G. Durrel and withdrawing from the field of journalism engaged in the real-estate and insurance business with August Lillyard. Three years later, together with several other local business men, he organized the Farmers State Bank, of which he has ever since been president. They incorporated the institution for twenty-five thousand dollars, but they have since increased their capital stock to forty thousand dollars, and have a ten thousand dollar surplus. It has always been conducted in strict accordance with a most conservative policy, and as a result it has developed into one of the thriving and substantial financial institutions of the county. The officials are all men of recognized standing and unquestionable integrity, who are well known in local business circles. C. J. Swanstrom is vice president ; E. M. Lundeen, cashier ; and D. J. Christensen, assistant cashier, while the direc- tors are as follows: C. A. Lundblad, S. A. Burnquist; B. B. Charles Staymen ; G. S. Ringland ; and John Blomberg. In addi- tion to this connection with the bank Mr. Lindberg is identified with the fire and life insurance business, in which he has met with excellent success.
On the 7th of June, 1874. Mr. Lindberg was married to Miss Amelia A. Brundien, who was born at Victoria, Knox county, Illinois, on the 2d of October, 1852. She is a daughter of William and Ellen Brundien, both natives of Sweden, whence they emi- grated to the United States in 1848. Upon their arrival in this country they located at Bishop's Hill, Illinois, where they were subsequently married. In 1857 they came to Iowa, settling in Dayton. Here the father passed away in 1862 but the mother survived him for many years, her death occurring in 1905. Two sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lindberg, both of whom have made highly creditable records in business and public life. Clar- ence J., the elder, who was in the government service and spent a year in Cuba during the Spanish-American war, having been a member of the first United States pack train that left San An- tonio, Texas, owns and operates a large cotton plantation at Edna. Jackson county, Texas. He married Miss Luna Dedmon, of Texas, and they have one son, the only grandchild, who was christened John W., but is called "Billy." Arthur C., the younger
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son, is now serving as county treasurer of Webster county. He was for several years assistant cashier in the Farmers State Bank of Dayton, and subsequently served for four years as deputy county treasurer under Peter Hadley.
Mr. Lindberg's views in religious matters coincide with the principles of the Unitarian faith and he is affiliated with the American Unitarian Association. He is a Mason and also be- longs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, while in politics he is a stanch republican. During the long period of his residence in Dayton, Mr. Lindberg has always been one of the leaders in municipal affairs, and for twenty years he served in the town council. In 1878 he was elected justice of the peace in Dayton township and has continuously discharged the duties of this office since that time, a period of thirty-four years. He has several times filled the mayor's chair, while he was postmaster under both Presi- dent Garfield and President Harrison, and for several years he was a member of the school board. He was once nominated for county clerk, but was defeated by a heavy democratic majority. Mr. Lindberg is one of the highly esteemed citizens not only of Dayton but of Webster county, where he has established an enviable reputation, his career both as a business man and a public official being noticeably free from any imputation that could reflect upon his character. He is a man who would be an acquisition to any community because of his high standards of citizenship, progressive spirit and disinterested help- fulness in all matters pertaining to the common welfare.
CHARLES C. KNUDSON.
Charles C. Knudson is the proprietor of the only general store in Badger, keeping a full and up-to-date line of merchandise and operating his establishment in an up-to-date and progressive way. He is interested in local business expansion aside from his activities as a merchant and holds stock in various other enter- prises, being public-spirited to a marked degree and an active factor in the development of the section in which he was born. Mr. Knudson's birth occurred in Badger township. September 30. 1872, and he is a son of Christ and .Anna ( Arent ) Knudson, na- tives of Norway. The father emigrated to America in 1860 and subsequently located on a farm in Badger township in 1868, com-
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ing to this section from Illinois, where he had settled upon his arrival in America. He enlisted in Henshaw's Battery and served for four years in the Civil war, returning to Illinois after the close of hostilities. In that state he was married and there farmed for two years before eventually locating in Badger town- ship. Here he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land which he improved and cultivated for a number of years, adding to his holdings from time to time until he at length possessed nine hundred and sixty acres and was among the most extensive land- owners in the section. He was engaged in general agricultural pursuits upon this property for thirty-six years and then retired from active life, moving to the town of Badger, where he has since resided. He is one of the leading and important citizens of the section, is vice president of the Badger Savings Bank and still owns four hundred and eighty acres of fertile and productive land in Webster county.
Charles Knudson was reared at home and received his early education in the public schools of Badger township, completing his studies at Highland Park College of Des Moines. He later at- tended Tobin College at Fort Dodge, graduating from that insti- tution with the class of 1896. After laying aside his books he accepted a position in the employ of the Peavey Elevator Company, working first at Badger and then at Lake Mills, Iowa. After two years he went to Fort Dodge, where he clerked in a shoe store conducted by a Mr. Rudesill for a similar period of time, returning finally to his native section, where he established himself in the mercantile business. He was successful from the beginning and his prosperity has come as a natural result of his industry and ability. Owing to a recent fire in the business section of the village Mr. Knudson is the proprietor of the only general store. He carries a large and varied stock of goods and owns the building in which he conducts his business. He is one of the leading and prominent merchants in Badger, operating his enterprise along modern lines and interested in the general growth and welfare. He is one of the officers of the Badger Tele- phone Company, is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Com- pany of Badger, and is also a stockholder in the Corn Belt Packing Company of Fort Dodge.
In May, 1896, Mr. Knudson was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Williams, a daughter of Michael and Mary ( Reilly) Williams. To their union have been born two children: Charles
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A., who is eight years old; and Robert A., aged three. Mr. Knudson is a progressive republican and is serving as president of the school board. He is a member of the town council, has served since January 3, 1907, as postmaster of the village, and is doing able and effective work in local politics. He belongs to ยท the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, holding his member- ship in the Fort Dodge lodge, and is a devout adherent of the Lutheran church. Mr. Knudson devotes most of his time to the management of his store and to the operation of his other affairs, which are ably conducted, making him one of the leading business men in Badger.
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