USA > Iowa > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 19
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ARTHUR LEWIS WOOD, D. V. S.
Dr. Arthur Lewis Wood, a successful veterinary surgeon of Hampton, was born in Prairie City, Iowa, February 27, 1878. He is a son of George M. and Margaret (Ryan) Wood, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of New York. In their family were two children: Arthur Lewis, of this review; and Roscoe David, deceased.
Arthur L. Wood acquired his early education in the public schools of Prairie City, Iowa, and later attended Iowa State Col- lege at Ames, graduating from the department of veterinary surgery in 1902. In the same year he moved to Franklin county and located at Hampton, where he has since engaged in the practice of his pro- fession. His ability has become widely recognized, and he has built up a large and steadily growing patronage. He has a completely
العيد
DR. ARTHUR L. WOOD
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equipped establishment in Hampton, provided with all the appa- ratus necessary in the treatment of diseases of animals.
On the 18th of December, 1902, Dr. Wood was united in mar- riage to Miss Anna Haines, of Prairie City, Iowa, a daughter of Anson and Isabel (Yuill) Haines. The father is a farmer of Jasper county, Iowa, but the mother has passed away. To the union of Dr. and Mrs. Wood have been born four children: Lawrence A., George Robert, Roscoe David and Isabel. Dr. Wood is a member of the Methodist church and connected fraternally with the Masonic order and the Modern Woodmen of America. He gives his polit- ical allegiance to the republican party and for the past eight years has creditably filled the position of assistant state veterinarian. He has won gratifying success in his profession, and he holds the respect and confidence of all who are in any way associated with him.
W. H. ROWE.
W. H. Rowe, who has lived retired in Chapin for the past eight years, devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits through- out his active business career and is still the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Richland township. He came to Franklin county with his parents in 1870 and has here resided continuously throughout the intervening forty-three years. His birth occurred in England on the 22d of May, 1852, his parents being William and Peggy (Jones) Rowe, who emigrated to the United States in 1866. They spent one year in Pennsylvania and subse- quently lived for three years in Lafayette county, Wisconsin. In 1870 the family home was established in Richland township, Frank- lin county, Iowa, the father purchasing two hundred and twenty acres of land, on which stood a log house. Here he followed farm- ing throughout the remainder of his active business career, spending his last days in honorable retirement at Chapin, where both he and his wife passed away. Their children were nine in number, as fol- lows : Elizabeth Jane, who is a resident of Mason City, Iowa; Helen, living at Bisbee, Arizona; Thomas, whose demise occurred in Kan- sas ; John, who makes his home in Madison, South Dakota; W. H., of this review; Alfred, of Hampton, Iowa; Mary, who is the wife of Charles Seney, of Mason City; Florence, who gave her hand in marriage to William Riddle, of Ross township; and one, who died in infancy.
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W. H. Rowe was a youth of fourteen when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world and had attained the age of eighteen when the family came to this county in 1870. He purchased an unimproved farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Richland township and began its development, devoting his atten- tion to its operation with such excellent results that he won the com- petence which now enables him to live retired. In 1905 he put aside the active work of the fields and took up his abode in Chapin, where he has remained during the past eight years.
In Franklin county Mr. Rowe wedded Miss Ella Engebretson, a sister of Evan Engebretson, of Hampton. To them were born four children, namely: Willard, who is married and lives in Ross town- ship; Lottie, the wife of Royal Sanders, who resides on the farm of his father-in-law; one who died in infancy; and Alma, who passed away at the age of seven years.
In politics Mr. Rowe is a republican, loyally supporting the men and measures of that party at the polls. While living on the farm he held the office of township trustee and also acted as a school director. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Chapin. He has always shown great interest in all that pertains to the general welfare and has been known as a public-spirited man who has always found time and inclination to cooperate in the movements for the public good. In all the relations of life he has been honorable and straightforward, and his example is well worthy of emulation .:
GEORGE F. PARKINSON.
George F. Parkinson is one of the prosperous farmers of Frank- lin county, where he owns a valuable property in Morgan town- ship. He was born in Hardin county, Iowa, October 18, 1860, and is a son of Samuel and Elmina (Stephens) Parkinson, the father born in England and the mother in Illinois. Samuel Parkinson came to America in 1850 and located in Ohio. Thence he went to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and then to Iowa Falls. From the latter city he came to Morgan township, where he resided for a number of years, pass- ing the remainder of his life in California, where he died in April, IOIO. His wife now makes her home in Los Angeles, that state. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Parkinson had six children: Annie, the wife of George C. Gibson, of Los Angeles, California; George F., of
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this review; William S., of Los Angeles; Florence, who married J. D. Thompson, of Pasadena, California; Alice, of Los Angeles; and Edith, deceased.
George F. Parkinson remained under the parental roof until twenty-nine years of age. He received his education in schools near his father's home and subsequently gave his attention to agricul- tural pursuits, assisting his father until he bought two hundred and fifty-seven acres on section 31, Morgan township. He has greatly improved his place, has erected modern buildings and has his land in a high state of cultivation. He engages in general farming and also gives considerable attention to stock-raising. His farming ven- ture is entirely profitable, and he has since also acquired a quarter section of land in the state of Kansas.
On December 21, 1886, Mr. Parkinson wedded Miss Minnie Rice, a native of Winneshiek county, this state, and to this union were born four children: Merle L., born October 5, 1888, of Los Angeles, California; Fay Alton, September 15, 1891, at home; Alfred Clarence, born August 28, 1893; and Edith Winifred, who married Roscoe Robinson, of Belmond, Iowa. Mr. Parkinson is a republican. For five years he has been a school director and fra- ternally belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. The career of Mr. Parkinson is proof of the fact that ambition is the key of success, for he has always been ambitious, industrious and energetic. He is one of the foremost agriculturists of Franklin county and the prosperity that has attended his efforts has come to him in well merited return for honorable labor.
A. C. ANDERSON.
Since 1878 A. C. Anderson has been engaged in farming in Franklin county and he is today the owner of a valuable property of three hundred and twenty acres in Richland township. He was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, January 22, 1852, and is a son of Christian and Ellen Anderson, natives of Norway. They crossed the Atlantic in a sailing vessel in 1851 and after six weeks upon the ocean landed in America. They went by way of the canal and Great Lakes to Milwaukee and walked from that point to Madison. They made their home in Dane county, Wisconsin, until 1855 and then moved to Iowa, locating in Butler county, where the father
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died in the same year. The mother afterward married Paul Rude, and died at Cedar Falls, lowa, at the age of eighty-five.
A. C. Anderson spent his boyhood in Butler county and there remained until 1878. In that year he came to Franklin county and bought one hundred and twenty acres of unimproved land in Rich- land township. To this he has since added at intervals until he now owns three hundred and twenty acres, all in a high state of culti- vation. He has erected substantial buildings and provided the place with all the accessories necessary to the conduct of a modern farm- ing property. The entire place reflects his careful supervision and is a valuable addition to the agricultural resources of the locality.
Mr. Anderson married Miss Isabelle Jacobson, a native of Wis- consin, and they have become the parentsof seven children: Eva, the wife of William Hunt of Cerro Gordo county, Iowa; Julia, who married Harry York, of Edmonton, Alberta; Ellen, the wife of Ed Letzring, of Mason City; Minnie; Ida; Albert; and Clara, who is attending school in Mason City.
Mr. Anderson is a member of the Lutheran church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party, serving for fifteen years as school director. The long period of his residence here has made him widely and favorably known, for he has followed always the most straightforward business methods and the highest and most honorable personal standards.
FRANK W. KORTH.
Frank W. Korth is a successful farmer of Morgan township. Franklin county, where he owns eighty acres on section 14. He was born in Wisconsin, on the 21st of February, 1869, and is a son of Wilhelm and Caroline (Wilke) Korth, natives of Germany, who came to America in the early '6os, locating in Wisconsin. There they made their home for about seven years and then came to Morgan township, where the father passed away on the 20th of February, 1908. He was widely known in his township and favor- ably regarded by all who knew him. Mrs. Caroline Korth lives in Dows. To their union were born ten children, as follows: a son who died and was buried at sea; Bertha, the wife of G. H. Butenhoff, of Hamilton township; Frank W .; Albert, of Morgan township; Matilda, who married H. W. Lempke, of Morgan township; Theo- dore, also of Morgan township; Sarah, a resident of Dows; Otto, of
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Morgan township; Amanda, of Dows; and Walter, of Morgan township.
Frank W. Korth attended district school near his father's farm and assisted him in the work of the home place until he had reached the age of thirty-one years. He became efficient in agricultural pursuits and after leaving the home farm set himself up inde- pendently, acquiring title to eighty acres on section 14, Morgan township. He has his acres under high cultivation, and his improve- ments make the place one of the valuable ones of the neighborhood. Mr. Korth follows up-to-date methods and such success as has come to him is the result of indefatigable labor, well applied energy and good judgment.
On January 27, 1910, Frank W. Korth was united in marriage to Miss Winifred Mckenzie, who was born in Franklin county and is a daughter of Charles R. and Marie (Murphy) Mckenzie, natives of Ohio and pioneers of Franklin county, who came here in 1868, locating near Sheffield, but later removing to Hampton. The father died in February, 1906, and the mother now makes her home in the latter city. They were the parents of six children: Ambrose, of Denver, Colorado; Mary, of Hampton; Winifred, who is now Mrs. Frank W. Korth; Florence, who married G. W. Froelich, of St. Paul, Minnesota; Frances, of Hampton, who teaches public school at Manning; and Aileen, deceased. Mrs. Korth before her marriage was for three years a school teacher and for five terms was principal of the west side school at Hampton. Mr. Korth is a. republican and is interested in the welfare of his party, stanchly supporting its candidates at the polls. He served for some time as a director of the school board of Morgan township and is a member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Korth is public-spirited and takes part in promoting all public improvements. He stands high in the confidence of his friends and neighbors.
EVIN MILLET.
Evin Millet, one of the valued and representative citizens of Bradford, living in retirement after many years of close connection with agricultural interests of Franklin county, was born in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, September 24, 1856. He is a son of Andrew and Lovern (Henderson) Millet, natives of Ohio, who came to Franklin county in 1870, locating in Reeve township. The father died here
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in January, 1909, and his widow makes her home in Hampton. To their union were born six children : Albert, a resident of Hampton ; Evin, of this review; Ellen, deceased; Sarah, the wife of James Osborn, of Illinois; and Alma and George, deceased.
Evin Millet's entire active life was devoted to farming. He was reared upon his father's homestead and aided in its operation for some time, becoming familiar at an early age with the details of farm operation. When he left home he purchased land of his own and has owned farms in various parts of the county. These proper- ties he managed always in a capable and progressive way and became well known as a successful and representative agriculturist. He is now living in Bradford in practical retirement, although he owns seven acres of improved land just outside the town limits.
Mr. Millet married Miss Dana Pickering, a native of Illinois, and they have become the parents of five children: Charles, a resi- dent of Dows, Iowa; Mabel, the wife of W. I. Stockdale; Arthur, at home; Jessie, the wife of John Hickther, of Lee township; and Emma, who married Edward Fits, also of Lee township. Mr. Millet is a member of the Methodist church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is well known throughout the county for his many excellent traits of character and has com- manded the respect and confidence of his neighbors and friends.
FRANK PEKAREK
Frank Pekarek, a prosperous and progressive agriculturist of Franklin county, who has been for many years prominently con- nected with farming interests of Geneva township as the owner of the Maple Grove Farm, is a native of Bohemia, born December 25, 1837. He is a son of John and Kate Pekarek, who lived and died in their native country. Three children were born to their union: Frank, of this review; Annie, deceased; and John.
Frank Pekarek was reared in Bohemia and there acquired his education. In 1867 he came to America and settled first in Wiscon- sin, where he remained for three years. He afterward moved to Iowa, spending a similar period of time in Marshall county, whence he came to Franklin county, where he engaged in railroad work for seven years. At the end of that time he bought forty acres of land in Osceola township and after developing this for nine years bought his present farm of two hundred acres, on sections 28 and 33, Geneva
MR. AND MRS. FRANK PEKAREK
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township. This property is known as the Maple Grove Farm and Mr. Pekarek has managed it practically and intelligently, making it in the course of time one of the finest farms in his locality.
Mr. Pekarek married Miss Mary Kopacek, who died September 23, 1868, leaving a daughter, Annie, now the wife of Patrick Ryan, of Kalamazoo, Michigan. After the death of his first wife Mr. Pekarek married Miss Josephine Kudge and to this union were born twelve children: Charles, of Geneva; Joseph, of Minnesota; Mary, the wife of John Seikart, of Ackley, Iowa; Sophie, who married Wil- liam Seikart, also of Ackley; Kate, the wife of L. Thomas, of Geneva ; Emma, who married G. Bolander, of Rockwell City; Frank, of Iowa Falls; John E., at home; Albert. of Geneva; Ella, who married F. Thomas, of Geneva; Edward, of Minnesota ; and George, of Geneva.
Mr. Pekarek is a member of the Roman Catholic church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is one of the early residents of Franklin county, identified for many years with agricultural interests, and he has won a degree of success which places him among the representative and valued citizens of his township.
DANIEL H. HELD.
Through well directed business activity and enterprise Daniel H. Held has won for himself a foremost place among the leading farmers and stock dealers of Franklin county. He owns four hun- dred and eighty acres of valuable land on sections 31 and 32, Geneva township, and has made this farm a productive and valuable prop- erty, evidencing everywhere the intelligent care and labor he bestows upon it. He was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, September 24, 1868, and is a son of Peter and Margaret (Schultz) Held, the for- mer a native of Germany and the latter of New York. The father came to America with his parents when he was still a boy and located with them in Wisconsin. In 1886 he came to Iowa, where he had purchased a farm in Geneva township immediately after the Civil war. He resided upon this property for a number of years and also discharged his duties as an Evangelical minister. For a period of thirty years he had made the circuit in Wisconsin and was well known in religious circles of that state. He died in Ackley, Iowa, March 3, 1903, and is survived by his wife, who resides in Ackley. Five children were born to their union: Caroline, the wife of Mat Stauffacher, of Ackley; Daniel H., of this review; Benjamin, a res-
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ident of Ackley; Ida, who died at the age of one year; and William, of Hansell.
Daniel H. Held came to Geneva township with his parents in 1886 and has since remained a resident of this part of the county. He aided in the operation of the homestead until after his father's death and then purchased the interests of the other heirs. He owns four hundred and eighty acres on sections 31 and 32, Geneva town- ship, and there engages in general farming and stock-raising, being also a shipper on an extensive scale. His interests are all carefully conducted and have brought him a gratifying and well deserved success.
On the 9th of July, 1896, Mr. Held was united in marriage to Miss Christina Walter, a native of Germany, and they have become the parents of three children: Walter, Elmer and Roy. Mr. Held is a member of the Evangelical church and is connected fraternally with the Modern Woodmen of America. His life has been one of well directed activity and intelligent effort, resulting in the attain- ment of a fair measure of success, and wherever he is known he is respected and esteemed by reason of his genuine personal worth.
FRANK H. HACKBARTH.
Frank H. Hackbarth is a prosperous farmer of Morgan town- ship, Franklin county, where he owns one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 23, all highly improved. He was born in Wiscon- sin, September 7, 1869, and is a son of A. H. Hackbarth, of whom more extended mention is made in another part of this work. Frank H. Hackbarth was educated in the district schools, attending near his father's farm, and he remained with the latter until he was twenty-three years of age, when he bought eighty acres on section 23, Morgan township, to which he has since added forty acres. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and his labors return him a gratifying income. His farm by its appearance por- trays the prosperity of its owner, and he has installed there the most modern machinery and has made a number of excellent improv- ments. His buildings are kept in good repair and his fields are in a high state of cultivation.
On July 19, 1893, Mr. Hackbarth was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Capellen, a daughter of Henry Capellen, of whom more extended mention is made in connection with the biography of E.
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H. Capellen in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Hackbarth of this review had six children, as follows: Lee G., born March 28, 1895; Leta Edna, born March 8, 1897, who died a few days later, on the 16th of the same month; Lester Edwin, born May 9, 1898; Floyd Frank, born October 2, 1903; Daniel Harold, October 25, 1905; and Ver- lynn Dallas, born July 24, 1911.
Mr. Hackbarth now serves as clerk of Morgan township and ably discharges his duties in that position. He also has been for some time on the school board. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and in his religion is a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church. Mr. Hackbarth is highly respected by all who know him, as one of the representative citizens of Franklin county.
OLE IVERSON.
Norway has furnished many of the successful agriculturists to Franklin county, among whom is Ole Iverson, who was born in that country November 29, 1855. He is a son of Erick and Marie (Nelson) Iverson, both natives of the land of the midnight sun. They came to America in 1870 and, making their way to Iowa, located in Oakland township, Franklin county. The father died February 17, 1904, having survived his wife since January, 1871. To them were born seven children: Iver, Nels, Christian, Gertrude and Bertha, deceased; Ole, of this review; and Edward, of Morgan township, this county.
Ole Iverson came with his parents to America when about fifteen years of age, having received most of his education in his native country. He turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, working for three years as a farm hand and receiving ten dollars per month in compensation for his services. He then bought in partnership with his father eighty acres of land on section 8, Oakland township, and later added thereto forty acres. He has since been successfully engaged along agricultural lines. He has put up a number of sub- stantial buildings, and his place is evidence of his careful methods.
On January 10, 1882, Mr. Iverson married Martha Nelson, a native of Norway and a daughter of Ellef and Bertha (Peterson) Nelson, natives of Norway. The parents crossed the Atlantic and in 1872 settled in Green county, Wisconsin. There the father died. The mother in 1882 came to Oakland township, this county, where
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she passed away on September 21, 1907. They were the parents of twelve children: Nels, of Oakland township; Peter, deceased ; Christie, the widow of Lars Golackson; George, of Green county, Wisconsin; Annie, the wife of Amos Bayston, of Orangeville, Illi- nois; Carrie, who married Phillip Maybauen, of Hardin county ; Sarah and Ole, of Green county, Wisconsin; Martha, the wife of our subject; Thomas, deceased; Ellef, of Popejoy; and a daughter, Martha, who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Iverson had three children: Eda Matilda, born in 1882, who died August 26, 1908; Berdelia Marie, who was born September 2, 1883, and for some time taught district school, now being the wife of Alfred Schwab; Nettie Amelia, born June 10, 1885, who became the wife of Alfred Thompson, by whom she has a 'daughter, Marvel Leota, born November 24, 1908. Mr. Thompson died June 26, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Schwab have one son, Walter Orland Schwab, born November 4, 1909.
Ole Iverson is a republican and for seven years was road super- visor. He also has served for some time on the school board of Oakland township. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. Mr. and Mrs. Iverson are highly esteemed by all who know them, and such success as has come to him is well merited, for it has been achieved through energy, industry and honesty.
ISAAC BENJAMIN SWITZER.
Isaac Benjamin Switzer, conducting a feed and sale stable in Hampton, was born in Canada, March 10, 1865, a son of James Switzer, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work. When two years of age he was brought to Iowa by his parents, who established their home on what is now the Mott farm, five miles east of Hampton. Later they took up their abode in Giant township. where James Switzer passed away.
At the age of seven years Isaac B. Switzer went to make his home with his uncle, W. H. Weaver, near what was then the town of Otis- ville and is now known as Dows. There he remained until sixteen years of age, acquiring a common-school education. He engaged as a cattle herder and was afterwards for three years in the cheese business in Franklin county. He afterward took up farming in part- nership with his brother, Julius Nelson Switzer, and was later in the livery business in Dows, Iowa. At the end of six years he became
ISAAC B. SWITZER
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interested in the construction of township roads and after following this occupation for two years again turned his attention to agricul- tural pursuits. In 1904 he bought eighty acres of land in West Fork township, Franklin county, and to this added forty acres, operating the property for six years. At the end of that time he sold his hold- ings and moved to Hampton, where he erected a sale stable and feed barn one hundred and twenty-two by one hundred and thirty-two feet in dimensions and constructed of cement block. He has since oper- ated this enterprise and has a large patronage, for his prices are reasonable and his business methods beyond reproach.
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