USA > Iowa > Webster County > Fort Dodge > History of Fort Dodge and Webster County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 7
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GEORGE D. H.ART, M. D.
No student of history can carry his investigations far into the records of Webster county without learning that the Hart family has figured prominently in its substantial upbuilding and development, and it is, therefore, with pleasure that we present to our readers the sketch of Dr. George D. Ilart. long an able and distinguished phy- sician of Otho, whose labors, however, have constituted but one phase of his life, for he has ever been mindful of his obligations and duties to his fellowmen and to city, state and nation. He was born in Adams county, Illinois, July 26, 1835, his parents being Norman and Marcia (Hale) Hart, who were natives of Connecticut. The father went to Adams county, Illinois, in 1834 and after a brief residence there removed to Kane county, Illinois, where he entered land from
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
Ils. Elevage 2. Hart
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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the government. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made on his place and with characteristic energy he began preparing the land for cultivation. Year after year he tilled his fields until 1854. when he sold that property and removed to Webster county, entering eighty acres of land in Otho township. The other mem- bers of the family also entered land, which he improved and culti- vated to the time of his death. He died suddenly on the 3Ist of March, 1880, having for a few years survived his wife, who passed away in February, 1875. They were, indeed, worthy pioneer set- tlers of this region, arriving here when there was not a single rail- road in this state, while a railway line extended only half way across the state of Illinois. It was at their home on the 13th of March, 1855, that the First Congregational church of Otho was organized, these two worthy people becoming charter members and remaining faithful thereto until called to their reward. For about two years services were held at least part of the time in their home. For a long period Mr. Hart served as one of the officers of the church and his son Norman was the first superintendent of the Sunday school.
George D. Hart was reared and educated in Big Rock township, Kane county, Illinois, and there remained until nineteen years of age, when, in 1854, he accompanied his parents as they drove across the country to Webster county, Iowa. Here he purchased one hun- dred and twenty acres of land at two dollars and a half per acre. A year after arriving here he set about improving his place and operated it from 1858 until August 16, 1862, when patriotism be- came the dominant element in his life and he enlisted as a member of Company I, Thirty-second Iowa Infantry. He never served in the ranks, however, for when the regiment started south from Dubuque he was left in charge of the sick at Camp Franklin and after rejoining his command at New Madrid, Missouri, on the 2d of December, following, he served as hospital warden, being thus on duty throughout the remainder of his term of enlistment. He was finally honorably discharged because of disability on the Ist of July, 1865. It was his hospital experience that laid the foundation for his profession. He became interested in the practice of medi- cine and on his return home pursued a course of study in the office of Dr. S. B. Olney, who was chief surgeon in his regiment. Having thus qualified for active practice, he opened an office in Otho, where he has since remained. His ability in the field of his chosen pro- fession has been widely recognized and has grown with further reading and study, for he has kept in touch with the advanced scien- Vol. 1-5
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tific methods which are the result of modern investigation. He still owns eighty acres of the land which he first purchased here on section 28, Otho township, and he has a beautiful home in the village.
On the 11th of November, 1858, Dr. Hart was married to Miss Orlinda S. Moore, who was born in Ohio on November 26, 1840, and was a daughter of Homer and Sarah (Minton) Moore, who came with their family to Iowa in 1856. In the following summer Mrs. Hart taught the first term of school and was one of the prominent pioneer women of Elkhorn township. She passed away on the 28th of January, 1883, leaving two children. Lillie H., the elder, born September 1, 1859, became the wife of Fred E. Payne and died September 30, 1898, leaving two children: Calla H., born Septem- ber 6, 1881; and George E., born May 16, 1887. Hoyt N. Hart, born March 26, 1867, owns and operates a ranch at Paxton, Keith county, Nebraska. He first married Carrie M. Plummer and they had one child, Harrison Dolliver, born June 17, 1888. In 1906 Hoyt N. Hart married Miss Lula Salisbury and to them was born one child, Lois, on November 22, 1911. Dr. Hart was again mar- ried June 11, 1885, his second union being with Pervilla R. Alsever, who was born in Oswego, New York, March 20, 1857, and in 1866 came to Webster county, Iowa, with her parents, Abram and Arminda (Fish) Alsever, who were natives of New York. On arriving here her father took up river land and also bought lots in the village of Burnside, where he lived until 1902, when he retired from active business life and removed to Fort Dodge. There he remained until 1909, when he took up his abode in the town of Otho, where he passed away in January, 1910. His first wife died in April, 1877, and he was subsequently married to Mrs. Annie Perry, who now makes her home in Lehigh, this county. By the second marriage of Dr. Hart there has been born one son, Seth Norman, on August 18, 1888, who was married, November 6, 1910, to Bess R. Everett and they have one son, Norman Dwight, born September 10, 1912. Seth N. Hart has since lived in Ohio, where he owns and conducts a photographic studio, enjoying a large practice. On the 12th of October, 1895, Dr. and Mrs. Hart adopted an orphan girl, Albertina Anderson, who was born March 29, 1880, and was married January I, 1901, to Henry W. Wakeman, a farmer of Otho township. They have four children : Florence P., born December 16, 1901 : Lola B., born October 29, 1903; George M., born November 15, 1905; and Lewis A., born February 3, 1908. Dr. and Mrs. Hart also adopted a son, Dwight M., a son of J. M. Moore, who was one of the early
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settlers of the county. Dwight was born December 16, 1876, in Steele City, Nebraska, and in 1902 married Hattie La Valley. They have one child, Erma, born in 1903.
Aside from his activity as a physician, Dr. Hart has done well for his community in public office, serving as a trustee of his town- ship for a number of years and also as its first road supervisor. He has been justice of the peace for three different terms and overseer of the cemetery of Otho for more than a half century. He was a charter member of Fort Donelson Post, G. A. R., of Fort Dodge, Iowa, and he has always given his political allegiance to the republi- can party, believing firmly in its principles. He holds membership in the First Congregational church of Otho, of which he has been a deacon since 1880. He was present on its organization, March 13, 1855, and on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary celebration. He has long taken a most active and helpful part in the church work and his aid and influence are ever given to promote the moral prog- ress of the town and county. He has a wide acquaintance and all who know him are glad to call him friend, for his has been an up- right, honorable life, bringing to him the confidence and justly merited regard of those with whom he has been associated.
M. B. DALY.
M. B. Daly is one of the well known merchants of Lehigh, Webster county, Iowa, where he is successfully engaged in conducting a gen- eral mercantile store located in the Tyson block. He was born De- cember 16, 1878, and is a son of Patrick and Anna (Halpin) Daly. The father was for some years engaged in the coal business in com- pany with our subject, under the firm name of the Daly Coal Com- pany, but later they sold their coal mines. The father died at the age of sixty-three years. Patrick Daly was a member of the Knights of Columbus of Fort Dodge, and he and his wife were loyal mem- bers of the Catholic church of that city and are buried at Fort Dodge. They were the parents of fourteen children, twelve of whom are living.
M. B. Daly was reared at home and received his early education in the public schools of Lehigh, Iowa. After completing his school years he was engaged in the mercantile business with his father in Lehigh, the latter having established the business where E. L. Woodle's
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store now stands, and in addition to his mercantile interests Mr. Daly was interested in the operation of a coal mine, which was later sold, but he continued to maintain and operate his coal yards in addition to his store. He later sold his store and purchased the Bird Supply Company, a general merchandising establishment located in South Lehigh. That property he successfully operated for two years, after which time he changed his location and established his business in the Tyson block, where he has since continued and has met with gratifying success. He carries a full line of rubber goods and gen- eral merchandise. He delivers his sales to the city trade and also has a substantial trade from the surrounding country within a dis- tance of four or five miles from his store. He is one of the principal stockholders of the First National Bank of Lehigh.
Mr. Daly was united in marriage on the 29th of November, 1906, to Miss Mary E. Powers, a daughter of Thomas and Ellen Powers. Mr. Daly is affiliated with the democratic party and has his fraternal relations with the Knights of Columbus, belonging to Fort Dodge Lodge, No. 613, and is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America of Lehigh. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church. Mr. Daly, from the early period of his young manhood, has been constantly engaged in business enterprises in Webster county, and for many years has been numbered among the representative men of Lehigh. His well known reputation for integrity in business mat- ters and the uprightness of his character have placed him among the desirable and useful citizens of his county and state.
CHARLES A. ANDERSON.
Charles A. Anderson is one of the enterprising agriculturists of Webster county, Iowa, where he is successfully operating a stock and grain farm of one hundred and seventy-five and one-half acres located on section 6. Burnside township. He was born July 28, 1866, and is a son of J. S. and Emma Elizabeth (Lundgren) Anderson, both of whom were natives of Sweden, and with their family of two chil- dren emigrated to the United States and settled in Henry county, Illinois, and later the father established his home on section 33, Clay township, Webster county, Iowa, in 1874. J. S. Anderson was twice married. He and his first wife were the parents of six children; Charles A., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Anna Lundquist, a resi-
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dent of Nebraska; Mrs. Amanda Larson, who resides five miles northeast of Gallary, Clay township; Mrs. Agnes E. Sedholm; Robert, whose home is located three miles northeast of Gallary; and Paul, who is living five miles northeast of Gallary, Iowa. The last three named were born in Webster county, Iowa. By his second union Mr. Anderson had a family of six children, all of whom are de- ceased. He belongs to the democratic party and is a member of the Swedish Lutheran church.
Charles A. Anderson was reared at home and received his educa- tion in the public schools of Webster county, Iowa. He later taught school in Clay township for four years, and in the spring of 1893 he purchased from Thomas Wright of Fort Dodge, a farm of one hun- dred and seventy-five and one-half acres, for years known as the McBane place. At the time Mr. Anderson purchased the farm it was all unbroken prairie land and he has since improved the property with suitable farm dwellings and brought the land to a high state of culti- vation. The county drain runs directly through his land, thus afford- ing a perfect drainage for every acre of land. On this property he has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits and makes a speciality of high-grade cattle and thoroughbred hogs and horses. Mr. Ander- son maintains his residence at Fort Dodge and drives to his farm mornings and at the close of the day returns home for the night. He has been a trustee of Burnside township for a number of years and is known as one of the reliable and enterprising citizens of that town- ship of which he has been a resident for nearly a quarter of a century.
ARNOLD E. HOUGE.
Arnold E. Houge, numbered among the younger business men of Webster county, is actively engaged in the conduct of a hardware establishment at Badger and in this connection is meeting with well merited success. His birth occurred in Badger township, this county, on the 3d of April. 1885, his parents being Peter A. and Elnora (Lindberg) Houge, the former a native of Wisconsin and the latter of Webster county, this state. Peter A. Houge, who came to this county at an early date, turned his attention to the operation of a farm left him by his father and was actively engaged in its cultiva- tion and improvement until 1893, when he put aside the work of the fields and took up his abode in Badger, where for several years pre-
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viously he had conducted a hardware store. After coming to Badger he devoted his entire attention to that business, remaining an active factor in commercial circles here until he died. His sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. His widow has spent her entire life in Webster county and is well known and highly esteemed within its borders.
Arnold E. Houge obtained his early education in the schools of his native county and subsequently attended Drake University at Des Moines. After putting aside his text-books he came to Badger and embarked in the hardware business as a partner of his father, at whose death he became sole proprietor of the establishment. He carries an extensive line of shelf and heavy hardware and enjoys a liberal patronage. In addition to his store building he owns an attractive residence in the town of Badger.
On the 2d of June, 1909, Mr. Houge was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Peterson, a daughter of Rasmus and Rhoda Peterson. They have one child, Doris Evelyn, who is in her second year. Mr. Houge gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is ably serving as a member of the town council. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church, while fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, acting as clerk of the local lodge of that order. . \ man of high worth and sterling integrity, Mr. Houge is widely respected and esteemed in the community which has always been his home.
JOHN A. LIND.
John A. Lind has been a resident of Iowa since 1876. He is the president of the Harcourt Savings Bank, and since 1908 has been postmaster of Harcourt, in which city he resides. He was born in Folkoping. Sweden, May 4, 1848. and is a son of Andrew and Kate (Jackson) Swanson, both of whom were natives of Sweden, where the father followed farming. He emigrated with his family to Amer- ica in 1866, and upon reaching the port of New York the ship was quarantined for seven weeks on account of its having on board seven hundred passengers who were afflicted with cholera, among whom was the father of the subject of this review. He was removed to a hospital where he died and was buried in New York. The mother
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with the surviving members of her family settled in Rockford, Illi- nois, at which place a sister of our subject was living.
John A. Lind, after establishing his home in Rockford, took up work in the foundry of the N. C. Thompson Company at that place and continued in that occupation until he came to Webster county, in 1868, and purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, after which he returned to Rockford, where he again engaged in foundry work until 1874. In that year he went to his farm and cultivated the land for one year and then returned again to Rockford and engaged in work for a similar length of time. In 1876 he made his permanent settlement on his farm in Webster county and was continuously engaged in agricultural pursuits for the twenty-seven years follow- ing. He is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres of highly developed land. In 1903 he established his residence in Harcourt. where he has since continued to reside. He is president of the Har- court Savings Bank, and in November, 1907, received the appoint- ment as postmaster of Harcourt and has since continued in that office.
Mr. Lind was married in 1871 to Miss Amanda Clay, a daughter of Andrew Clay of Rockford, Illinois. The father was a native of Sweden and is now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Lind have been born seven children. Jennie married August Peterson, who is engaged in the butcher business in Harcourt, and they now have eight chil- dren. Victor, who is a leading meat dealer of Boxholm, is married and has four children. Oscar, an agriculturist of Lost Grove town- ship, is married and the father of three children. Emily became the wife of Oscar Schill, a farmer of Lost Grove township, and is the mother of two children. Arthur, who operates the old homestead, is married and has two children. Martin, who is married and has two children, is engaged in agricultural pursuits. Esther became the wife of Frank D. Carlson, a railroad employe at Davenport, Iowa, and now resides in that city. The mother of this family died on the home farm in Lost Grove township, September 29, 1880, and in Feb- ruary, 1886, the father wedded Miss Anna Johnson, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Ephraim Johnson. To this union four children were born: Hilma, a student in Drake University at Des Moines, Iowa; Reuben, a resident of Boxholm; and Mamie and Roy, who are attend- ing Tobin College at Fort Dodge, Iowa.
Mr. Lind is affiliated with the republican party and has served as road supervisor and assessor of Lost Grove township. He has been a member of the board of supervisors for seven years and
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trustee of the township for six. He and his family are members of the Swedish Lutheran church of Harcourt. During his residence in Iowa he has steadily gained in the esteem of the people of Webster county and has for many years been placed by public opinion among the enterprising and public-spirited citizens of his portion of the state.
GEORGE SCHNURR.
George Schnurr is well known in business circles of Webster county as one of the proprietors of the Kalo Brick & Tile Company, which plant he purchased in partnership with his brother William a number of years ago. At the present time he is serving as postmaster of Otho, where he makes his home. He was born in Buffalo, Scott county, Iowa, on the 14th of February. 1874, his parents being Andrew and Amelia ( Haase ) Schnurr, more extended mention of whom is made on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of Wil- liam Schnurr, a brother of our subject.
George Schnurr accompanied his parents on their removal to this county, when six years of age, and here obtained his education. After leaving school he went to work in the coal mines, being thus em- ployed until 1893. In that year, in association with his brother and father, he embarked in the lumber and grain business at Otho. Later he and his brother William purchased the brick and tile plant of John- son Brothers near Kalo, which they have operated to the present time, under the name of the Kalo Brick & Tile Company, enlarging it as the business grew and expanded under their capable mangement. At the present time their daily output is about eight carloads. George Schnurr is the president, a stockholder and a director of the Otho Mercantile Company, the other officers of that concern being as fol- lows: William Schnurr, treasurer; John D. Fortney, secretary; Paul Scheerer, vice president ; and O. C. Hanson, manager. Our subject is a stockholder in the Leighton Supply Company of Fort Dodge, Iowa, the Monarch Telephone Company of Fort Dodge and the Fort Dodge National Bank. He owns an attractive residence in Otho and he and his brother William have an excellent farin of three hundred and twenty acres in this county. He possesses untiring energy, is quick of perception, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execu-
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tion, and his close application to business and· excellent management have brought to him the prosperity which is today his.
On the 7th of November, 1895, Mr. Schnurr was joined in wed- lock to Miss Cora Fortney, a daughter of David and Isabelle (Todd) Fortney, of whom more extended mention is made on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of George William Fort- ney, a brother of Mrs. Schnurr. Mr. and Mrs. Schnurr have one child, Gilbert .A., who is fifteen years of age.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise George Schnurr has supported the men and measures of the republican party, believing that its principles are the most conducive to good government. He is serving as postmaster of the town of Otho, ably discharging the duties devolving upon him in that connection. In religious faith he is a Methodist, while fraternally he is identified with the Modern Wood- men of America. High and manly principles have characterized his entire life, winning for him a creditable position in the regard of his fellowmen.
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WILLIAM J. MCDERMOTT.
Although the life of William J. McDermott has not been in any way extraordinary, his opportunities have been intelligently utilized and his energies directed toward the achievement of success. He is a native of Webster county, his birth having occurred in Pleasant Valley township, in November, 1869, and a son of Ambrose and Bridget (Lahiff) McDermott. Both are of Irish lineage. although the father is a native of Iowa, while the mother was born in New Hampshire. Ambrose McDermott came to Webster county in 1866, locating in Pleasant Valley township. Later he removed to Fort Dodge and established a blacksmith shop, which he conducted for sev- eral years. At the expiration of that time he purchased forty acres of land in Jackson township and once more identified himself with agri- cultural pursuits. His efforts in this direction were well rewarded and he was subsequently able to extend his holdings until he had ac- quired two hundred acres of fertile land. He energetically applied himself to the further improvement and cultivation of his farm until 1902, when he retired from active work. His death occurred on September 20, 1912.
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William J. McDermott was reared at home and educated in the public schools. He assisted his father in various ways about the farm until he had attained his majority, when he left home and started out for himself. Purchasing eighty acres of his father's hold- ings in Jackson township he engaged in farming for himself, con- tinuing his agricultural pursuits for about nine years. At the expira- tion of that time he sold his place and coming to Clare went into the insurance and real-estate business, which he has since followed. He has won the success that invariably rewards diligent effort and well defined purpose and in addition to a fine residence property in Clare, owns a farm of a hundred and seventy-five acres in Clay county, Iowa. He was one of the organizers of the Clare Mutual Telephone Com- pany and owns stock in this enterprise, of which he is manager.
In June, 1906, Mr. McDermott was married to Miss Anna T. Hood, a daughter of John T. and Bridget (Rial) Hood, natives of Canada and Pennsylvania, respectively. Two children have been born of this marriage: Howard A., who is four years of age: and Isabelle, who is two.
The parents are communicants of the Roman Catholic church and fraternally Mr. McDermott is affiliated with the Knights of Colum- bus, the Catholic Order of Foresters and the Modern Woodmen of America. Politically he supports the democratic party. He was sec- retary of the school board in Jackson township for twelve years, and he also held the office of trustee. At the present time he is discharg- ing the duties of town clerk and is secretary of the independent school district. He is a man of laudable ambition, earnest purpose and un- ceasing energy, which qualities have constituted dominant factors in the achievement of his success.
STEWART CARTER.
The death of Stewart Carter occurred on November 1, 1861. He was born in Virginia. February 14, 1821, and his parents, Edwin and Judith (Carter) Carter, were also natives of that state. They re- moved to St. Louis, Missouri, when the subject of our sketch was a child and he received his early training and education in the public schools of that city. Upon putting aside his books Stewart Carter entered the army, and his distinguished military service is still remem- bered and commented upon in St. Louis. He served the government as assistant paymaster during the war with Mexico, and after hostil-
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