USA > Iowa > Webster County > Fort Dodge > History of Fort Dodge and Webster County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 5
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of the Civil war, among which may be mentioned those of Mill Springs, Kentucky; the siege of Corinth; the battles of Houver Gap (Tennessee), Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge; and all the battles of the Atlanta campaign, which occurred be- fore the army got within nine miles of the city. After the battle of Pumpkin Vine Ridge, Georgia, which occurred May 29, 1864, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant major and twice given special mention in the official records for bravery. His first term of enlistment expired in 1864, and on October 5th of the same year he reenlisted in the same regiment, spending the first year drilling recruits. During the following winter he was appointed quartermaster sergeant for the Third Battalion and stayed at regimental headquarters at Columbus. From here, on October 19, 1865, he went to Fort Kearney, Nebraska, and was there ap- pointed post sergeant major and in the same year was advanced to the position of ordnance sergeant of the post. He was sta- tioned successively at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and at Camp Douglas, Utah, where he served as ordnance sergeant until April, when the Third Battalion of the Eleventh United States Infantry was made into the Thirty-Sixth United States Infantry, at the reorganization of the army at the close of the war. He was stationed with his regiment at Fort Saunders, Dakota territory, and there remained until October 5, 1867, when he received his final discharge as quartermaster sergeant.
On returning to Bloomfield. Ohio, he rode over the first five hundred miles of the Union Pacific Railroad. After his arrival in the city he went to work at the blacksmith's trade and remained in Bloomfield until March 1, 1868, when he went to Buford, in the same state, where he again worked at his chosen occupation. From Buford he went to Council Bluffs and from there to Mace- donia, Iowa, where he started a blacksmith shop on May 18. 187.4. He still resides in this city and is one of the prominent and suc- cessful men of his community. He and his family have lived in Macedonia continuously since the time of his original settlement. A short period was, however, spent traveling in the Black Hills and in Yellowstone Park. He is now living retired. He married December 16, 1868, Miss Mary Ellen Frey, and they became the parents of seven children: Martha Ann May, who was born at Buford, Ohio, October 18, 1869; Fredrick Elmer, born in the same city, September 6, 1872; Albert Edgar, born in Buford, April 5. 1874: Armanis Frey. of this review: twin boys, who
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were born in Macedonia, Iowa, November 3, 1882, and who died the same day ; and Edna Emma, whose birth occurred in Mace- donia, June 22, 1885.
Armanis Frey Patton was reared at home and the first lesson which he learned from his parents was that of the value of hard work. While he was not obliged to remain out of school and work for his living he was taught that honest toil was the greatest blessing of mankind. During the vacations he was given odd jobs and was responsible to his parents for the capable performn- ance of his duties. He learned how to sympathize with the boy who has to ride the lead horse in the harvest field, or hoe weeds in the cornfield, because many times he did this work for his farmer friends at fifty cents a day. However, his education was not neglected. He finished the grade departments in the district schools and was one of the first class to graduate from the Mace- donia high school, there being only two to finish the course mapped out by the school board that year. His classmate, who graduated with him, was Lillian B. Ashley, and the exercises took place June 29, 1893, with the principal, Miss Olive A. Benn, presiding.
Before his graduation Mr. Patton began to learn the printer's trade in the home office, working nights, mornings and Satur- days, and since that time has followed that business as his chosen occupation. On November 26, 1894, he left Macedonia for Day- ton, and began work on the Dayton Review, under J. G. Durell, who at that time owned and published the paper. He retained this position until February 1, 1898, when he in partnership with Emory A. Rolfe, principal of the Dayton public schools, purchased the plant and began operating the newspaper. On October 12, 1899, they expanded their interests by purchasing the Gowrie News and conducted both papers under the name of Patton & Rolfe. Mr. Rolfe remained in Dayton to take charge of the affairs of the Review and Mr. Patton moved to Gowrie to look after the interests of the News. This partnership continued until June 1, 1900, when it was dissolved, Mr. Rolfe taking full control of the Dayton paper and Mr. Patton retaining the Gowrie News.
On April 22, 1898, Mr. Patton was united in marriage to Miss Anna Adella Vederstrom, who was born at Norrkoping, Sweden, April 29, 1879. She is a daughter of Oscar and Christine Veder- strom, and she came to this country with her widowed mother when she was only three years of age. She has one brother, Axel
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W., who is engaged in the heating and plumbing business at Mar- athon, Iowa. Mrs. Patton received a good common-school educa- tion and was graduated from the Dayton public school, June 29, 1896. Afterward she taught in the Webster county schools until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Patton have four children: Lorimer Lee, who was born May 9, 1900, attending district school ; Rudolph Frey, who was born May 26, 1902, and who is attending the same school; Murray James William, who was born October 23, 1904, and who died August 6, 1905; and Harris Elric, born March 24. 1909. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church, of Gowrie.
Mr. Patton is well known in fraternal circles of the city, holding membership in Rose Lodge, No. 506, F. & A. M., and in the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows. He is also well known in the affairs of the Modern Woodmen of America and belongs to Myrtle Lodge, No. 330, Knights of Pythias. Inheriting the honorable and worthy qualities of a long line of sturdy, determined and forceful men, he has worked out an honorable destiny and accomplished a worthy success. Influenced by their traditions and principles he has ever adhered to the standards of unflinching integrity and stanch loyalty, by which they molded their upright lives and his career has added luster to an honored name.
MICHAEL D. GURNETT.
Michael D. Gurnett is a native son of Iowa and his father was a pioneer in its development. Our subject has been a resident of Web- ster county since 1896, where for a time he was successful as an active agriculturist, being still an extensive owner of farm lands. He is now operating a large grain elevator in Barnum and has made his energy, determination and enterprise the basis of a distinct and substantial success. He was born in Linn county, Iowa, March 22, 1873, and is a son of Andrew and Ellen ( Martin) Gurnett, natives of Ireland. His father came to America in 1850 and located in La Salle, Illinois, where he worked as a railroad brakeman for three years. At the end of that time he moved to Linn county, Iowa, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, paying six dollars per acre. He operated and improved this farm for three years and sold it at the end of that time for twelve dollars per acre. He later
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purchased two hundred and forty acres at six dollars, adding to his holdings from time to time until he owned a large tract of highly cultivated land, comprising five hundred and twenty acres. He con- tinued to be engaged in agricultural pursuits upon this property until 1909, when he retired from active life and moved to the vicinity of Fairfax, where he is making his home with his daughter, Mrs. Frank Cahill. His wife passed away in 1904.
Michael D. Gurnett was reared at home and was educated in the public schools of Fairfax, Linn county, graduating with the class of 1893. For three years afterward he aided his father in the work of the farm, coming eventually to Webster county, where he rented land three miles north of Barnum in Johnson township, which he operated and developed for three years. In 1899 he abandoned agricultural pursuits and moved into Barnum, where he purchased a grain elevator which he has operated ever since. He now has one of the most prosperous commercial undertakings in the village. He has won his success by close attention to busi- ness, earnest labor and practical application of his business knowl- edge. He has made about fifty thousand dollars in the past six- teen years and has invested his money judiciously, being num- bered among the substantial and representative citizens of the district. He owns four hundred and forty-four acres of highly improved land in Johnson and Jackson townships, one hundred and sixty acres in South Dakota and a fine home in Barnum, in which he resides, beside business property in this village.
On October 22, 1902, Mr. Gurnett was united in marriage to Miss Mary Condon, a daughter of David and Ellen (Reid) Condon, natives of Ireland. Mrs. Gurnett's parents reside at No. 1321 Second avenue, South, Fort Dodge, Iowa.
In his political affiliations Mr. Gurnett is a consistent republican and has served as town treasurer of Barnum with ability. He is a stockholder in the Corn Belt Package Company of Fort Dodge and in the Barnum Telephone Company. He belongs to the Roman Catholic church and holds membership in the Knights of Columbus and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is firm in his faith in the future of the middle western states and believes that the greatest opportunity offered to the young man of today is to acquire land in this section, predicting that property in Webster county will sell within the next ten years at three hundred dollars per acre. Mr. Gurnett has a thorough knowledge of real-estate values and engages to some extent along this line, buying and selling farm lands. He
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has a record of sixteen years continuous identification with brwness in Barnum and is numbered among the progressive, enterprising and modern men of his section. He has all the qualifications of energy, buoyancy and public spirit and his personal achievements are an addition to the resources of the community in which he resides, not only as owner of an important undertaking but also in the qualities and standards of citizenship he possesses. His labors have been con- stantly constructive and have had practical results.
WILLIAM L. NICHOLSON, M. D.
The late Dr. William L. Nicholson was not only one of the pioneers of Fort Dodge, but had the additional distinction of being the second physician to locate in the city. He was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, on September 25, 1832, and was a son of Robert and Mary (Blundon) Nicholson, the father a native of England, but the mother of French extraction. In the paternal line Dr. Nicholson was a descendant of the Danish knight, Ralph Nikelsen, whose valiant service at Hastings caused William, Duke of Normandy, and subsequently king of England, to bestow upon him a large land grant in England, a coat of arms and a crest. This was a lion rampant surmounting a shield bear- ing three suns, two bars ermine and three bars azure with the motto "Fide et Honore." Ilis descendant, Robert Nikelsen accompanied Henry III. to Ireland on his first invasion of that country, but the Nikelsen family did not permanently settle in Ireland until 1645. In the latter year Robert Nickolson, a captain of horse in the army of Oliver Cromwell, was given a large land grant in Counties Tipperary and Waterford by Cromwell, and the family thereafter resided on the Emerald isle.
The eldest son of his parents, Dr. Nicholson was reared on the family estate in Ireland. He inherited pronounced scholarly in- stincts, which were further developed by early environment and associations. His education was begun in the schools of Water- ford and at the age of seven he had a very good knowledge of Latin. He attended various private schools, among them a col- lege located on his father's estate, until old enough to enter Trinity College at Dublin, from which institution he was grad- uated with honors. Later he entered the University of Glasgow
William h. Nicholsen
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND )INONDATIONS.
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and pursued a professional course, being graduated with the degree of M. B. in 1852. At the age of twenty-one years he left his native land and came to America, locating in Canada. Two years later, in 1855, he crossed the border into the United States, settling in Fort Dodge, Iowa. As this country was very sparsely settled at that time, there was little demand for the services of a physician, so he turned his attention to teaching and for a time conducted a private school here. As the country became better settled he withdrew from teaching and engaged in the practice of his profession. On the 16th of August, 1862, he en- listed as a private in Company E, Thirty-second Iowa Volun- teer Infantry at Fort Dodge under Captain J. Hutchisson and Colonel Scott. At Davenport on the 6th of October, he was promoted to the office of second lieutenant and in December of the same year he was appointed to the medical corps as assistant surgeon of the Twenty-ninth regiment of the Iowa Volunteer Infantry under Colonel Benton. He was subsequently made chief surgeon with the rank of major. He took part in the White River expedition in January, 1863, and that of the Yazoo Pass in the following February. He likewise participated in the battle at Helena, Arkansas, on July 4; Bayou Meto, August 27; and Little Rock, September 10. He was also at Terre Noire on the 2d of April, 1864; Elkins Ford, April 4; Prairie d'Anne, April 10 and 12; Camden, April 16: and Jenkins Ferry, April 30. At the latter point, Dr. Nicholson was taken prisoner, but his re- lease was soon effected through an exchange of prisoners. Soon thereafter he obtained a thirty days furlough, which he passed at Fort Dodge, rejoining his regiment on the 31st of December, 1864. He was stationed at Mobile, Alabama, from March 17 to April 9. 1865, and took part in the assault on Spanish Fort, Alabama, April 8. He was present at Fort Blakely on the 9th of April and at Mobile on the 12th of that month, while he was in the Texas campaign until July, 1865. On the 10th of August he was mustered out at New Orleans, receiving his honorable dis- charge on the 19th of the September, following. Upon his return to Fort Dodge, he resumed his practice, continuing to be actively identified with his profession until his death. He was a very progressive man and kept in close touch with the development of his profession, and in 1882 he pursued a post-graduate course in Des Moines. The year following together with R. W. Crawford he opened a drug store here, but the heavy exactions of his prac- Vol. II-4
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tice made it impossible for him to engage in any business activi- ties, so he soon withdrew from this. For four years prior to his death, Dr. Nicholson was in very poor health, suffering very much at times from hay fever. He was a man of remarkable versatility, and his well stored mind, ready wit and brilliant con- versational powers made him a delightful companion. He was very fond of nature and although the exactions of his profession gave him very little outside time he contributed many able and scholarly articles to the "American Field." A lover of music and poetry and in fact all of the arts, he had an extensive acquaint- ance with the literature of practically all nations and was a poet himself of considerable ability.
Dr. Nicholson was twice married, his first union was with Miss Anna J. Leonard of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on the 31st of Decem- ber, 1865, and they became the parents of one son, W. L. Nichol- son, who is engaged in the lumber business in El Paso, Texas. She passed away on the 15th of January, 1875, and on the 27th of November, 1876, the Doctor was married to Miss Sarah L. Sher- man, a native of County Roscommon, Ireland. Mrs. Nicholson is a daughter of James and Mary Ann (Comyns) Sherman, both natives of Ireland, but the mother was of Scotch extraction, while the paternal ancestors were Irish. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sherman died in their native land, and while still in her early childhood Mrs. Nicholson was brought to the United States, and later became a resident of Fort Dodge, where she was married. One daughter, Anna, was born to Dr. and Mrs. Nicholson. She early manifested marked musical ability and was given the advantage of studying under the best teachers in this country, after which she went abroad and was graduated from the Conservatory of Leip- sic. She studied under several eminent masters elsewhere and upon her return to Fort Dodge opened a studio and has ever since been engaged in teaching. Mrs. Nicholson and her daughter live at 827 Second avenue, South, which has been the family resi- dence for many years.
Dr. Nicholson was a communicant of the Roman Catholic church, as likewise are his widow and daughter, and he was an honored member of Fort Donelson Post. No. 236. G. . A. R. of Fort Dodge. In politics he was a democrat, and served for one term as city clerk. Immediately after the close of the war he was pension examiner, being one of the first appointed to this office, and he held the same position during President Cleveland's
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administration. He was a member of the Catholic Mutual Ben- efit Association and for many years was examining physician of this organization, while up to the time of his death he was surgeon for all of the railroads running into Fort Dodge. He maintained relations with the other members of his profession through the medium of his connection with the county, district and state medical societies, and for some years was president of the District Medical Society. He enjoyed the regard and esteem of a large circle of friends, many of whom he had known from the time he came to Iowa, and has left behind him the memory of a bright, genial, kindly, helpful nature, whose ready sympathy and encouraging word won him the confidence and good-will of both young and old. He passed away on the 11th of November, 1890.
JOHN TODD.
John Todd, who has lived in honorable retirement at Otho for the past eight years, was for many years engaged in farming and min- ing in this county, winning success in both activities. His birth oc- curred in Wisconsin on the Ist of January, 1844, his parents being William and Mary (Warton) Todd, both of whom were natives of England. The father worked as a miner in that country until 1843, when he emigrated to the United States, locating in Illinois. After a short time, however, he removed to Wisconsin, working in the lead mines of that state until 1849. In that year he drove across the coun- try to California and spent a year at work in the gold mines. On the journey back to Wisconsin he became ill, dying in New York in 1850. The demise of his wife occurred in 1889.
John Todd was reared and educated in his native state and after putting aside his text-books began working in the lead mines. In 1862 when a youth of eighteen, he left his widowed mother in order to join the boys in blue, becoming a member of Company F, Twen- tieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, with which command he re- mained until the close of hostilities between the north and the south. When the country no longer needed his military aid he returned to Wisconsin and there worked in the mines until 1869. In that year he came to Webster county, Iowa, locating in Otho township, where he was employed at digging coal. At the end of the year, however,
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he returned to Wisconsin, continuing to reside in that state for seven years. On the expiration of that period he again came to this county and once more began mining here. Subsequently he purchased thirty-two acres of land and began mining coal on his own account, later also carrying on farming. He operated his thirty- two acre tract and likewise cultivated rented land. The pursuits of mining and farming claimed his attention until 1904, when he took up his abode in Otho, where he owns a handsome residence and two lots and where he has since lived in honorable retirement. He still owns his farm of thirty-two acres, situated three-fourths of a mile from Otho. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Com- pany of Otho and has long been numbered among the substantial and esteemed citizens of the community.
On the 10th of March, 1866, Mr. Todd was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Shipley, a daughter of Thomas and Maria (Watson) Shipley, both of whom were natives of England. Thomas Shipley. who followed mining in that country, emigrated to the United States in 1856, locating in Wisconsin, where he worked in the mines until seventy years of age. His demise occurred in that state in March. 1896, while his wife was called to her final rest in September, 1907. To Mr. and Mrs. Todd were born nine children, as follows: Eva: Cora: Agnes: Emma: Gertrude; Laura: Thomas; Floyd; and William, who passed away in 1869.
John Todd is a stanch republican, while his religious faith is that of the Methodist church. His life, lived in accordance with high principles and spent in useful endeavor, has been of valuable ser- vice to the community and makes him deserving of the respect he enjoys.
S. R. E. ANDERSON.
S. R. E. Anderson, who is one of the successful business men of Gowrie, is a native of this city, born May 13, 1877. His par- ents were A. E. and Sophie (Anderson) Anderson, natives of Sweden. The father came to America in 1866, locating at Gales- burg, Illinois, and later removed to Chicago. He afterward came to Gowrie, settling on a farm in Clay township of this county, where he resided until he died. His wife, Sophie (Anderson) .Ander- son is still living. In their family were nine children: Ellen. the
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wife of G. B. Steinlean of Gowrie; S. R. E., of this review; E. B. of Fort Dodge; Ella, the wife of Albert Swan of Marshalltown; Teckla, who is now Mrs. France Johnson of Gowrie; Constant, who is engaged in farming; Hilma, a student of Drake University, at Des Moines; and Antonia and Edith, both of whom are at home.
S. R. E. Anderson was educated in the public schools, graduating from high school when he was nineteen years of age. He afterward completed a normal-school course. Subsequently he started in the restaurant business in Gowrie in which he remained for four years. Later he became connected with the Andrew Wood firm, dealers in general produce, remaining with them until 1907. He then took charge of the produce-commission business for Swift & Company of Chicago, with whom he has since been actively connected. He buys poultry, eggs, butter and cream and has a large and remunerative trade. Mr. Anderson has been very successful in his financial affairs and owns a fine residence here.
In February, 1899, Mr. Anderson was married to Miss Martha E. Nelson, who was born in Dubuque, Iowa, a daughter of August Nel- son, a resident of Gowrie. To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have been born four children, Gulhar, Medford, Raymond, and Ardella, all of whom are at home. In his political views S. R. E. Anderson is repub- lican and he has ever taken an active interest in the welfare of the community. He and all the members of his family belong to the Lutheran church. Fraternally he is identified with the Yeomen and the Modern Woodmen of America, at Gowrie. Having always resided in this town Mr. Anderson is well known here and his upright life and honest business methods have won for him the high regard of all with whom he has associated.
THOMAS ASHTON.
Thomas Ashton is a member of the firm of Ashton Brothers, con- ducting a grocery establishment at the corner of Twelfth street and Central avenue in Fort Dodge. The brothers, Thomas and James B. Ashton, have been successfully engaged in business together for the past twenty-eight years. Thomas Ashton was born in Lincoln- shire, England, on the 13th of October, 1846, his parents being Robert and Elizabeth (Beers) Ashton, who were likewise natives of that county. His paternal grandparents, who died in England, had
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one son and four daughters. Mr. and Mrs. James Beers, the maternal grandparents of our subject, were natives of Ireland and the latter died in England. Mr. Beers subsequently emigrated to the United States, passing away in New York city at an advanced age. He had two children, Elizabeth and Thomas.
Robert Ashton, the father of Thomas Ashton, was a bricklayer by trade and, coming to the new world, located at Plymouth, Michigan. Subsequently he took up his abode in Ann Arbor, that state, where his demise occurred in 1857, when he had attained the age of about forty-nine years. His wife, who survived him, passed away at the age of about sixty-eight. Both were Catholics in religious faith. Their children were eight in number, namely: Maria, who is the wife of Henry Hayler, of San Diego, California; Robert, deceased ; Thomas, of this review : Hannah, the deceased wife of Patrick Shee- han, of Ann Arbor, Michigan; Theresa, who is the wife of Calvin Tryon, of Davidson Station, Michigan; Agnes, who gave her hand in marriage to Frederick Martin, of Saginaw, Michigan; James B., who is engaged in the grocery business in partnership with his brother Thomas; and John Henry, who lives near Saginaw, Michigan.
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