USA > Iowa > Webster County > Fort Dodge > History of Fort Dodge and Webster County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 4
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Floyd B. Olney was four years of age when brought to Fort Dodge by his parents and has here resided continuously since, with the exception of about ten years. He attended the public schools and was a member of the first graduating class from the high school. After putting aside his text-books he learned the printer's trade and as a representative of the "art preservative" worked on a number of city papers, including the Chicago Trib- une. Later he devoted his attention to the study of medicine and in 1881 was graduated from the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago. Fort Dodge has been the scene of his professional labors throughout the intervening period of thirty-one years, and the extensive practice accorded him is unmistakable proof of his skill and ability in the line of his chosen vocation. He is a mem- ber of the Webster County Medical Society and the Iowa State Medical Society, and thus keeps in close touch with the progress of the profession.
· On the 5th of April, 1877, Dr. Olney was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Elizabeth Greig, a native of Nunda, New York, and a daughter of Alexander W. and Melinda (George) Greig, who were born in New York and New Hampshire respectively. Vo! ! 1-3
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The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Olney was George Greig. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander W. Greig were the parents of one son and four daughters, namely: Hattie, Mattie, Carrie, Georgia and Charles D. Unto Dr. and Mrs. Olney have been born four chil- drén, as follows: Kate, who died in 1899 when twenty years of age; Anne, who is a graduate of Michigan University at Ann Arbor and is now a teacher of Latin and German in the Burling- ton high school; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Nathan Barr Jones and resides in St. Maries, Idaho; and Doris, who is the wife o Benjamin Harrison Merritt and lives on a farm near Hereford, Colorado.
Dr. Olney gives his political allegiance to the republican party and served as pension surgeon for a number of years. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Ashlar Lodge, No. III, F. & A. M .; Delta Chapter, No. 51, R. A. M .; and Calvary Commandery, No. 24, K. T. He is likewise connected with the Red Men and the Woodmen of the World. Both Dr. Olney and his wife are members of the Christian church, the former acting as church trustee. In all the relations of life he has stood as a man among men, accepting no false standards, holding to high ideals and exemplifying his sympathy with the world's progress in his own life.
ARTHUR C. LINDBERG.
On the roster of county officials in Webster county appears the name of Arthur C. Lindberg, who is filling the position of treasurer. On the whole the county has been signally favored in the class of men who have occupied its public offices, for they have been loyal to the interests entrusted to their care and have sought the welfare of the many rather than of the few. A repre- sentative of this class is Mr. Lindberg, who is one of Iowa's native sons, his birth having occurred in Dayton, March 19, 1879. The family comes of Swedish ancestry. John A. Lindberg, the grandfather, was a native of Sweden and became an early settler of Knox county, Illinois, whence he removed to Webster county in 1854. He cast his lot with its early settlers and followed the occupation of farming. Both he and his wife lived to a ripe old age and they reared four children, including Mary, Lenore and
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
John A. Lindberg. The last named was born in Knox county, Illinois, but was reared upon the homestead farm in Webster county, early becoming familiar with all of the experiences and incidents of frontier life. He supplemented his early education by a course in the State University of Iowa and was graduated from its law department. He practiced law for a time but turned his attention to newspaper publication in the '70s, becoming owner and publisher of the Dayton Review at Dayton, Iowa. He re- mained at the head of that paper until 1894, when he sold out and he has since given his attention to financial and real-estate inter- ests, having throughout the intervening period been president of the Farmers State Bank of Dayton. He engaged in the real- estate, loan and insurance business there and has a large clientage that makes his business a profitable one. His judgment is sound and his discrimination keen, while his enterprise is unfaltering. He votes with the republican party and for thirty years has served as justice of the peace. What higher proof could be given of faithful and efficient service in office? He has also served as mayor of Dayton for a number of terms, giving to the city a business-like and public-spirited administration which has brought about various useful reforms and improvements. He married Amelia A. Brundien, a native of Knox county, Illinois, where her parents settled at an early date. Her family became early residents of Webster county and her father followed farming near Dayton. He was killed in a runaway accident when he and one of his daughters were on their way to Fort Dodge. He was, at that time, about fifty years of age. His wife lived to be more than eighty years of age. In their family were but two children, Peter and Amelia. Mr. and Mrs. John A. Lindberg had two chil- dren : Clarence J., a resident of Edna, Texas ; and Arthur C.
Arthur C. Lindberg was reared in Dayton and attended the public schools there. The experiences of his youth were such as most boys have, and with the completion of his education he turned his attention to the business world in search of a position that would yield him a good living. In 1896 he entered the Farmers State Bank of Dayton as bookkeeper and was later assistant cashier. On the Ist of January, 1907, he became deputy county treasurer under Peter Hadley and he was elected county treasurer in November, 1910, assuming the duties of the position on the Ist of January following, so that he is now the incumbent in that office. His previous experience as deputy well qualified
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
him for his duties in this connection and he is making an ex- cellent record for efficiency. For several years he was city clerk at Dayton.
Arthur C. Lindberg holds membership with the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Ancient Order of United Workmen and he is secretary of the local Country Club. His political alle- giance is given the republican party and he is popular and well liked wherever known. He has a wide acquaintance in this county, where his entire life has been passed, and the record he is making is a creditable one.
EDWARD E. HASTINGS, D. D.
Dr. Edward E. Hastings, who has been pastor of the First Presbyterian church for the past five years, is one of the most highly esteemed and influential citizens of Fort Dodge. He was born at Carroll, Iowa, on the 25th of September, 1871, and is a son of E. R. and Kate M. (Manning) Hastings. The father was a native of Ohio, whence he removed to Wisconsin, coming from there to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in the early '60s. He completed his education at Western College, Western, Iowa, and was subsequently admitted to the bar, but soon withdrew from the law and turned his attention to newspaper work, following this during the remainder of his life. During the early period of his journalistic career he purchased a half interest in the "Carroll Herald," Carroll, Iowa, later becoming the sole proprietor. He was a man of fine mental attainments and a forceful writer, and readily became recognized as one of the foremost newspaper men in northwestern Iowa. He always took an active interest in political affairs and became one of the republican leaders in that section of the state, his paper heartily indorsing and championing the principles of this party. While still in his prime. Mr. Hastings was compelled to give up his work owing to failing health, and sold the Herald to John B. Hungerford, the present owner. He continued to make his home in Carroll, however, and there he passed away in 1886. He was one of the most widely known men in the county, as in addition to editing his paper lie served as postmaster at Carroll for twelve years, discharging the duties of this office in a highly efficient and capable manner. The
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
mother, who is a native of Indiana, is still living and now makes her home with our subject.
Dr. Hastings was reared amid the refining influences of a good home, and from early childhood had the advantages of an intellectual and cultured environment. At the usual age he entered the public schools of Carroll, continuing his studies there until graduated from high school. In the autumn, following, he entered Coe College at Cedar Rapids, being awarded the degree of Ph. B. from this institu- tion with the class of 1893. Having decided to become a minister, he subsequently matriculated in the McCormick Theological Semi- nary at Chicago, having been licensed by the Cedar Rapids Pres- bytery and received as a student for the ministry from the First Presbyterian church of Cedar Rapids, of which Dr. E. R. Burk- holder was then pastor. Dr. Hastings graduated from the semi- nary in 1896 and was ordained by the Presbytery of Sioux City, Iowa. He began his ministerial duties as pastor of the church at Odebolt, Iowa, remaining there for four years. During the period of his pastorate he greatly increased the membership of the church and erected and dedicated a beautiful new house of worship. From there he went to Inwood, Lyon county, but he resigned his charge eighteen months later in order to accept a call to the First Presbyterian church of Grundy Center, Iowa, which is in the Waterloo Presbytery. In 1907, Dr. Hastings came to Fort Dodge, as pastor of the First church of this city. The possessor of rare spiritual and mental qualities, a pleasing personality and fine presence, he has proven to be a most in- fluential factor in the community and is accomplishing excel- lent results. His discourses are scholarly and highly creditable achievements, manifesting careful preparation and deep thinking; their power being greatly increased by his able delivery. He has one of the largest congregations in the city, and the church and its various organizations are thriving, the work of the different depart- ments being carried on in a most enthusiastic and capable manner under his leadership.
At Carroll, Iowa, on the 23rd of October, 1894, Dr. Hastings was united in marriage to Miss May T. Bailey, a former school and college mate, and a daughter of Dr. T. S. and Helen (Gee) Bailey. Dr. Bailey is a native of Ohio and was educated at the Ohio State University at Columbus, being a member of the class of '69. He subsequently entered the Presbyterian Ministry and held many important charges in Ohio and Iowa, and for sixteen years was
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
synodical superintendent of home missions of the Presbyterian church of Iowa. He made his home in Carroll for some years, but he has now retired and he and his wife are residing in Cedar Rapids. Dr. Bailey is an honored veteran of the Civil war, having remained at the front from the opening of hostilities until honorably discharged after the close of the siege of Vicksburg, where he lost an arm. Dr. and Mrs. Hastings have three children, all of whom are stu- dents of the public schools. In order of birth they are as fol- lows : Eugene, who is fifteen years of age; Robert, who has passed the thirteenth anniversary of his birth; and Catherine, who is looking forward to her tenth birthday.
Mrs. Hastings is a very active church worker and has been of invaluable assistance to her husband in the discharge of his multi- tudinous duties. She is a member of the Wahkonsa Club, and is interested in promoting the intellectual development of the com- munity. The political views of Dr. Hastings coincide with the principles of the republican party, but he very often casts an inde- pendent ballot at municipal elections, considering that it is more a question of the man best adapted for the office than of political issues. He was chosen as a member of the board of trustees of Coe College in 1902, and three years later his alma mater honored him with the degree of doctor of divinity. He is now and has been for some time secretary of the Synodical Board of Iowa .Home Missions of the Presbyterian church, and he has held other positions of responsibility and trust in connection with the various organiza- tions of the church. Dr. Hastings has acquired much more than a local reputation and is numbered among the most scholarly and able ministers in this section of the state.
JOHN D. DWYER.
The present mayor of Barnum is John D. Dwyer, a type of public official who is a force in the growth and development of the community. He is one of the sterling and substantial citizens of Webster county and for many years was successful as general agriculturist and stock-raiser, although he has now definitely abandoned this phase of occupation and has taken up his resi- dence in Barnum, where he has a comfortable and attractive home. Mr. Dwyer was born in Ireland, February 14. 1841, and is
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
a son of John and Johannah (Dee) Dwyer, also natives of the Emerald isle. The father was a farmer and came to this country in 1851, settling first in Clinton county, New York, where he bought and improved a farm which he operated until the end of his life. He died in June, 1863, and was survived by his wife until 1906, when she died at the age of ninety-three years.
John Dwyer attended the public schools of his native country until he was ten years of age, completing his education in Ver- mont. After laying aside his books he learned the trade of car- pentering, working at that occupation for a number of years in New York, Michigan, Iowa and Illinois. He eventually went to Fort Dodge, Iowa, locating in that city in 1869. Here he worked at his trade until 1871, when he went to Chicago, Illinois, on account of work to be obtained there, as result of the great fire. Here he followed carpentering for two years, going to New York at the end of that time and spending one year in the latter city. He then returned to Webster county, where he bought eighty acres of land in Johnson township, to which he later added at various times until he owned two hundred and eighty acres. He was also the proprietor of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in South Dakota. For fourteen years he carried on general agricultural pursuits upon a tract of land in Webster county and met with a gratifying degree of success at that occupation and at stock-raising, which he subsequently added to his activities. In 1891, however, he retired and moved to Barnum, where he pur- chased thirty-seven acres of town property and upon it built a beautiful and modern home, where he has resided since that time. He is interested in the growth and development of the village and is always eager to do his part in promoting it, and is ranked among the progressive, substantial and enterprising cit- izens of his district.
Mr. Dwyer was married in October, 1875, to Miss Mary O'Neal, who was born in Troy, New York, and a daughter of Timothy and Honora (Ryan) O'Neal, natives of Ireland. The parents came to this country at an early date and settled in Clinton county, New York, where the father farmed until his death, which occurred in 1871. His wife survived him by three years. They had six children besides the wife of our subject, of whom all grew to maturity and two sons are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Dwyer have two daughters: Alice S., who attended St. Joseph's Acad- emy at Des Moines, Iowa; and Mary L., attending Corpus Christi
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
Academy of Fort Dodge. Mr. and Mrs. Dwyer are well known and highly respected citizens of Barnum and are highly esteemed for the kindly and charitable impulses which have been forces in their lives.
Mr. Dwyer is prominent in local republican politics. He served as assessor of Johnson township for four terms and also as trus- tee and school director. He was elected mayor of Barnum in 1909 and is still serving, discharging his duties in a prompt and capable manner, which has won him uniform commendation and approval. All movements which tend to promote the public wel- fare receive his sanction and support and he stands as one of the progressive residents of the city.
A. J. EKFELT.
A. J. Ekfelt, who lives retired in Burnside, has served as justice of the peace of Burnside township for eighteen years. He was born in the central part of Sweden, April 18, 1835. He there received a practical education and in 1868, with his family, came to America. making his way direct to Iowa and locating in Des Moines. In that city he worked by the day for ten years and then removed to Day- ton, Iowa, and engaged in farming for about eleven years. Subse- quently he came to Burnside township, locating west of Burnside, on a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of land, and residing there until 1908, when he sold the farm and retired to the town of Burn- side, where he now lives. His son resides on the old home farm. Mr. Ekfelt was very successful in farming and is, therefore, enjoying a comfortable competence.
In Sweden Mr. Ekfelt was united in marriage to Miss Mary Carlson, a native of that country, and they have become the parents of four children : Andrew, of Burnside, and Ellen, of Des Moines, both of whom were born in Sweden: and Henry and Emil, both of whom were born in Des Moines. In his political views Mr. Ekfelt is a republican and he has served on several occasions as juryman at Fort Dodge, Iowa. For the past eighteen years he has been justice of the peace of Burnside township. He has ever taken an active and helpful interest in educational advancement and for sixteen years was a member of the school board of Burnside town- ship. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
Odd Fellows at Kalo, Iowa. Mr. Ekfelt has resided in this coun- try for more than forty-four years and throughout that time has been an active, helpful and highly honored citizen, who well deserves mention in this volume.
BERT BLAINE BURNQUIST.
Bert Blaine Burnquist is well known as an able lawyer and his name is also on the roster of county officials for in the fall of 1910 he was elected to the position of county attorney. Webster county claims him as one of her native sons, his birth having occurred in Dayton on the Ist of May, 1884. His parents were Samuel and Caroline (Peterson) Burnquist, both of whom were natives of Sweden. The former was a son of Andrew and Cath- arine A. Burnquist, farming people of Sweden, who, on coming to the new world settled in Dayton, Iowa, where both passed away, the former reaching the age of four score years, while the latter was eighty-seven years of age at the time of her demise. They had two sons, John A. and Samuel. The latter was a lad of twelve or thirteen years when the family sailed to the United States, and after living for a time in Illinois became a resident of Iowa. He spent a few years on a farm in the vicinity of Dayton and then turned his attention to general merchandising, which he followed in Dayton to the time of his death. He passed away in 1895 at the age of forty-five years, and his wife is still sur- viving him, and makes her home in Fort Dodge. She holds membership in the Lutheran church to which her husband also belonged. At the time of his death Samnel Burnquist was a member of the Iowa legislature. His interest in public affairs ever was that of a citizen who stood for progress and improve- ment. In early manhood he wedded Caroline Peterson, a native of Sweden, and they became the parents of two sons who reached adult age, Samuel A. and Bert B. After the death of her first husband Mrs. Burnquist married Frank A. Dowd, but she is again a widow. She is a daughter of S. P. and Mary Peterson, natives of Sweden. Her father engaged in farming until he retired from business activities in his later years. He came with his family to Iowa about 1866 and died in Dayton at the age of eighty-one, while his wife passed away at the age of seventy years. They
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
had six children: Charles; John P .; Jonas; Caroline; Ida, who married Henry Oleson ; and Mary, who died in early life.
Bert B. Burnquist was reared in Dayton, Iowa, and in 1898 came to Fort Dodge, where he has since made his home. He at- tended the public schools in both cities and was graduated from the Fort Dodge high school with the class of 1901. Desirous of entering upon a professional career he recognized the fact that the first step in that direction was the acquirement of a still broader education and accordingly he entered the University of Iowa, completing a course in the collegiate department in 1905. He was graduated from the law school in 1907 and in the same year was admitted to the bar, after which he opened an office in Fort Dodge, where he has since practiced. He is a member of the law firm, Healy, Burnquist & Thomas. He prepares his cases with thoroughness and care and has won favorable criticism for the systematic methods which he uses. In the fall of 1910 he was elected county attorney and he is still acting in that capacity. He has business interests aside from his profession, being a director of the Farmers State Bank of Dayton, the secretary of the Iowa Grocery Company, wholesalers, and the owner of a farm of two hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land in Boone county, Iowa. His judgment in financial, commercial and agri- cultural affairs is accurate and the analytical turn of his mind enables him readily to understand the features of every situation, business or otherwise.
Bert Blaine Burnquist belongs to Ashley Lodge. F. & A. M .; Delta Chapter, R. A. M .: Calvary Commandery. K. T .; and Za- Ga-Zig Temple of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and with the Red Men and his political allegiance has been given to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise.
ARMANIS FREY PATTON.
The name of Patton is recognized and honored in every com- munity where representatives of the same settled and it is highly esteemed because each succeeding generation has upheld the traditions and standards which have made their lives upright
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
and their characters worthy. At the present time Armanis Frey Patton is living in Gowrie, where he is well known as a journalist and business man. The family record begins with Robert Pat- ton, the grandfather of our subject, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1818 and who emigrated to Ohio with his parents when he was still a boy. A short time afterward his father died and he was obliged to earn his own living. He chose the blacksmith's trade for his life work and followed it for a number of years. When the Civil war broke out he enlisted at Belle Center, Ohio, in Company D, Forty-Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served until June 12, 1865, when he was mustered out at Camp Harker, Tennessee. He was with Wolford's cavalry on the famous Mor- gan raid and helped in the capture of Morgan. He was also present at the siege of Knoxville, Tennessee, and served during the Atlanta campaign. He married for the first time Miss Martha Hull, a daughter of Nathaniel and Nancy ( Wyat) Hull, of Waldo, Marion county, Ohio. To this union were born thirteen children : Evaline, Nathaniel Hull, William Henry Harrison, James Elias, Emily, Elizabeth, Murry Buck, Ellen, Emaline, Charles, Emma, Martha, and one who was born dead. Mrs. Patton died at Bloomfield, Ohio, June 8, 1856, when she was thirty-seven years of age.
The fourth child born to Robert Patton and his wife. James Elias Patton, was the father of the subject of this sketch. He was born in Waldo, Marion county, Ohio, April 28, 1841, and moved with his parents when he was three years of age to Wood- bury, Ohio, whence three or four years later they went to Bloom- field, Morrow county, in the same state. When he was about twelve years of age he began to learn the blacksmith's trade from his father and continued to work at his chosen occupation until after he moved to Centerville, Ohio. On April 18, 1861, he en- listed in Company G, Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, at Columbus, for ninety days. Through some misunderstanding with the colonel of the regiment he was sent home on a thirty day furlough to await his discharge and during this period joined the regular army, being the second man to enlist in the Eighteenth United States Regulars, being mustered in July 9, 1861. He served two terms as a member of this regiment and received his final dis- charge at Fort Saunders, Dakota territory. October 5, 1867. Ile was out of the service from July 9, 1864. to October 5th of the same year. He participated in many of the principal engagements
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