USA > Iowa > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 20
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On the 24th of December, 1902, Mr. Switzer married Miss Sarah Way, a native of Wisconsin, and both are well known in Hampton. Mr. Switzer attends the Congregational church, of which his wife is a member. He is connected fraternally with the Modern Woodmen of America and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He occupies a high place in business circles, and his success is the natural result of his ability and industry.
NIS SORENSEN.
Nis Sorensen is one of the most extensive landowners in Franklin county and is also connected with financial interests as president of the Bank of Latimer. He was born in Germany, February 13, 1853, and is a son of C. N. and Mattie Sorensen. He remained in his native country until he was eighteen years of age and then crossed the Atlantic to America, settling in Ohio, where he remained five years. At the end of that time he returned to Germany but after two years journeyed again to Ohio, making his home in that state until 1879. In that year he came to Franklin county and settled on a farm in Morgan township, operating and improving this property for twelve years thereafter. He then established himself in the hard- ware business in Latimer but at the end of two years turned his attention to the lumber business, following this until 1900. He has accumulated extensive landed interests, owning four hundred and forty acres in Franklin county and valuable property in North Dakota. He is connected with financial interests of Latimer as presi- dent of the Bank of Latimer and manages this institution in an able and conservative way, making it one of the leading banks in this part of the county.
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On the 10th of June, 1879, Mr. Sorensen married Miss Annie B. Stork, a native of Germany, and they became the parents of seven children : Mary and Louis, deceased; C. N., of Latimer; Jake, con- nected with the Bank of Latimer as cashier; Andrew, at home; Mary, deceased; and a child, who died in infancy.
Mr. Sorensen is a member of the Lutheran church. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is now serving on the city council, lending the weight of his influence to many measures of advancement and reform. His life has been a busy, useful and active one, and his success places him among the representative citi- zens of Latimer.
ERVIN BUGE.
Ervin Buge belongs to the younger generation of successful agri- culturists of Franklin county. He cultivates an attractive farm of eighty acres, which is nicely improved and speaks well for his abil- ity and progressiveness. Mr. Buge is a native son of this county and was born October 31, 1884. His parents were August and Caroline (Guds) Buge, natives of Germany, both of whom came in their youth to America. They were married in Eldorado, Wisconsin, and resided there for five years before making their way to Franklin county in October, 1875. They located on section 13, Morgan town- ship, where the father acquired eighty acres of land. In 1908 he turned over this property to our subject. They were the parents of ten children : Otto, of Morgan township; Amelia, who married Ernst Gaulke, of Morgan township; Albert, of Coulter; Matilda, the wife of Albert Korth, of Morgan township; Ida, who married William Bush, of Hampton; Hulda, deceased; Helena, the wife of H. Stet- horn, of Hampton; Louisa, who married H. McAllister, of Morgan township; Ervin, our subject; and John, deceased.
Ervin Buge was reared upon the farm which he now owns and in the acquirement of his education attended the schools of that neigh- borhood. As soon as old enough he began to participate in farm labor, assisting his father, and in 1908 the latter deeded the home farm to him. It comprises eighty acres and is in a high state of cultivation. Mr. Buge devotes himself to general farming and has been very suc- cessful along that line, employing the most modern methods. He is systematic in his work and ever ready to embrace new ideas. He is a member of the Evangelical church, in the work of which he takes
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a laudable interest. Mr. Buge is popular among the younger people in Morgan township and is highly esteemed by all who know him because of his high qualities of mind and character.
OTTO ROLINE.
The industry that more than any other has raised the United States to a foremost place amongst the nations of the world is that of farm- ing and it is to the agriculturist that the people of this country must give thanks for this gratifying accomplishment. This result has been brought about by the sons of all nations who have settled in this coun- try and among the foremost agriculturists who have been an import- ant factor in farming development are the Swedish Americans. To this hardy race belongs Otto Roline, who owns a valuable place of two hundred and seventy-five acres in Morgan township, Franklin county. He was born in Sweden, March 2, 1862, and is a son of Anderson and Mary (Peterson) Roline, natives of that country. There both the father and mother died. Of their eight children all are deceased but our subject. Four died in infancy and the others were Peter, August, and Emanuel.
Otto Roline was reared in the parental home in his native land and attended public school until he was old enough to engage in farm labor. He worked along that line for two years and then made his way to Norway, where he remained for a similar period of time. Returning to Sweden, he again spent two years in that country. Stories having reached him of the golden opportunities that were awaiting the young man in America, he made his way to this coun- try and coming to Dows, farmed in the vicinity, carefully saving his earnings. In 1883 he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Morgan township, which he cultivated with such good success that he was enabled to extend the boundaries of his farm so that he now owns two hundred and seventy-five acres. His land is highly im- proved, and his buildings are kept in good repair. He engages in general farming, planting the cereals most suitable to soil and cli- mate, and also gives his attention to stock-raising.
On May 1, 1883, Mr. Roline married Miss Johannah Peterson, a native of Sweden, and they became the parents of seven children: a son, who died in infancy; Rudolph, of Morgan township; a son, who died in infancy; and Hilmar, Arthur, Tekla and Victor, at home. Mr. Roline is a member of the Evangelical church and in-
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terested in its work. He gives his political allegiance to the republi- can party, whose candidates he has ever upheld at the polls, and he has served as school director of Morgan township. Not only has Mr. Roline attained to individual prosperity, but he has been a factor in agricultural development in Franklin county. He is highly es- teemed by all who know him and has made many friends since locat- ing here. He combines the good qualities of the Swedish race with the aggressiveness and enterprise that seem peculiar to this country.
LARS L. OLESON.
Lars L. Oleson, the owner of a well improved farm located in Morgan township, is a native son of Franklin county, his birth hav- ing here occurred on September 5, 1875. His parents, Ole L. and Mary (Hanson) Oleson, were natives of Wisconsin and Norway, respectively. In their family were thirteen children: Nellie, the wife of William Donaldson, of Alden, Iowa; Mary, who married J. Jacobsen, of Dows; Ole, of North Dakota; Lars L., of this review; Amanda, the wife of S. M. Davis, of Clarence, Iowa; Oscar, of Morgan township; Henry, of Wright county; Martha, the wife of L. Barnhardt, of Dows; Louis F., of Oakland township; Andrew and Caroline, of Popejoy; Matilda, the wife of L. Carpenter, of Minnesota; and Laura, deceased.
Lars L. Oleson at the age of fourteen took up farming, having then terminated his school education. In 1899, when about twenty- four years of age, he acquired title to eighty acres of land on section 14, Morgan township, and has since given his sole attention to its cultivation. His farm betrays by its prosperous appearance the modern methods employed by its owner. Mr. Oleson has now a two-story home conveniently appointed, and the other buildings on the land are equally modern. He also has erected a silo which furnishes him the desired amount of feed during the winter season.
On October 28, 1897, Mr. Oleson wedded Miss Mary Rasmus- sen, a native of Monroe county, this state, and a daughter of Andrew and Sophia (Anderson) Rasmussen, natives of Denmark. The par- ents came to Franklin county when Mrs. Oleson was but two years of age. Both have passed away. Their children were: Clara, thc wife of W. Caster, of Gifford, Iowa; Hannah, who married F. Anderson, of Morgan township; Peter, deceased; Mary, the wife of the subject of this review; and Anna, who married Oscar Oleson,
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of Morgan township. Mr. and Mrs. Oleson have three children : Lawrence W., born May 1, 1898; Bernetta, born July 1, 1903; and Laverne, born January 28, 1912. The parents are members of the Lutheran church and interested in its work and its allied societies. Both are popular in the neighborhood and have many friends. Mr. Oleson is a republican and has ever upheld the candidates of his party. For one year he served as treasurer of the local telephone company, showing himself to be an able business man. He takes an interest in all affairs of a public character affecting the welfare of the township and is a public-spirited citizen. Personally Mr. Ole- son is well liked, not only for what he has achieved, but for those qualities of character which have made possible his success.
FRANK EBERHART.
Frank Eberhart, carrying on general farming and stock-raising upon one hundred and sixty acres on section 36, Mott township, was born in Fulton county, New York, March 28, 1854. He is a son of Henry and Betsy (La Deau) Eberhart, the former a native of Germany and the latter of New York. They moved to Illinois in 1866 and afterward settled in southern Iowa, where they remained three years. The father died at Creston, and his wife has also passed away. Six children were born to their union: Menzo and Alonzo, twins, who have passed away; Margaret, the wife of Dewitt Wilson, of Plainfield. Illinois; Frank, of this review; Melissa, the wife of Arnold Thayer, of Moline, Illinois; and Sarah, who married Charles Kern, of Des Moines, Iowa.
Frank Eberhart was reared at home and acquired a public-school education. He moved to Franklin county in 1887 and since that time has been connected with agricultural interests here, owning today one hundred and sixty acres on section 36, Mott township. Upon this property he engages in general farming and has met with that success which always follows earnest and persistent labor.
On the 29th of December, 1881, Mr. Eberhart was united in marriage to Miss Mary Costello, a native of Will county, Illinois, and a daughter of Daniel and Mary Costello, natives of Ireland, who came to America in their early years and located in Illinois, where the father passed away. The mother afterward came to Franklin county, Iowa, where her death occurred. They were the parents of two children: William James, of Hampton; and Mary,
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wife of the subject of this review. Mr. and Mrs. Eberhart are the parents of a daughter, Mary Elizabeth, now the wife of Clarence Moore.
Mr. Eberhart is a republican in his political views and interested in the growth and development of Franklin county. During a period of residence here covering twenty-six years he has become widely and favorably known, his upright and honorable life commanding for him the respect and confidence of all with whom he comes in contact.
CHARLES FREDERIC JOHNSTON.
Charles Frederic Johnston, a prominent attorney and banker of Franklin county, is the sole proprietor of the Citizens Bank of Shef- field, a private concern which was organized in 1899 and is one of the leading institutions of the county. He has likewise been a leading figure in local politics, representing Franklin county in the lower house of the state legislature during the twenty-fifth and twenty-sixth general assemblies. His birth occurred on the old Johnston home- stead a mile and a half east of Hampton, January 17, 1866, his father being James J. Johnston, of whom extended mention is made on another page of this volume.
Charles F. Johnston spent his boyhood on a farm and acquired his early education in the district schools, while subsequently he attended the Hampton high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1887. During the winter of 1885-86 he taught in a country school. Following his graduation he studied law under D. W. Hen- ley, who later became a member of the firm of Henley & Bedell and afterward was the senior member of Henley, Bedell & Andrews. On the 26th of September, 1888, Mr. Johnston came to Sheffield and opened an office of his own. In 1889 he pursued a law course in the State University of Iowa, passed the examination before the supreme court of the state and was admitted to the bar in 1891. Throughout the intervening twenty-two years he has been successfully engaged in the practice of law at Sheffield, Iowa. He served as mayor of the city in 1890 but resigned this office and went to Hampton, where he was engaged in the practice of law at Sheffield, Iowa. He served as mayor of the city in 1890 but resigned this office and went to Hamp- ton, where he was engaged in the practice of law in association with J. W. Luke for one year. During his absence his brother, G. A.
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CHARLES F. JOHNSTON
MRS. CHARLES F. JOHNSTON
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Johnston, had charge of affairs at Sheffield. His success in a pro- fessional way affords the best evidence of his capabilities in this line. He is a strong advocate with the jury, and concise in his appeals before the court. Much of the success which has attended him in his professional career is undoubtedly due to the fact that in no instance will he permit himself to go into court with a case unless he has absolute confidence in the justice of his client's cause. Basing his efforts on this principle, from which there are far too many lapses in professional ranks, it naturally follows that he seldom loses a case in whose support he is enlisted. Mr. Johnston is also the sole pro- prietor of the Citizens Bank of Sheffield, a private concern which was organized in 1899. His brother George A. was associated with him as partner in its conduct for several years until his death Feb- ruary 7, 1910. Since March, 1911, W. H. Reynolds has been cashier of the bank, which is one of the leading institutions of Franklin county and one of the foremost in the state for a city the size of Sheffield. It has been built up and managed on a sound, conservative basis and is recognized as a safe and solid institution in every par- ticular.
In 1892 Mr. Johnston was united in marriage to Miss Delle Haecker, a native of Franklin county and a daughter of Henry and Barbara Haecker. She was graduated from the Hampton high school with the class of 1888 and followed the profession of teaching prior to her marriage. She is still a faithful worker in the cause of education and was named a member of the Better Iowa School Com- mission by the state superintendent of public instruction. Her cooperation is ever given on the side of mental and moral uplift and her efforts have not been without result. By her marriage she has become the mother of three children, namely: Charles Frederic, Jr., who is a member of the freshman class at the University of Wis- consin in Madison; Winifred, who is seven years of age; and one son who died in infancy.
As stated above, Mr. Johnston has been a prominent figure in local political ranks. He represented Franklin county in the lower house of the state legislature during the twenty-fifth general assembly and acted as chairman of the elections committee, also helping to make the new 1897 code. While a member of the lower house of the twenty-sixth general assembly he served as chairman of the railroad commit' `e of the house of representatives and was strongly recom- mended as speaker of the house. In 1898 he was appointed deputy revenue collector for fourteen counties in the northern half of the state, ably serving in that capacity for six years or until 1904. He is
Vol. 11-14
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identified fraternally with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has served as president of the board of trustees for fifteen years. Both he and his wife have spent their entire lives in Franklin county and are among its best known and most highly esteemed residents. At this point it would be almost tautological to enter into any series of statements as showing Charles F. Johnston to be a man of broad intel- ligence and genuine public spirit, for these have been shadowed forth between the lines of this review. Strong in his individuality, he never lacks the courage of his convictions, but there are as domi- nating elements in this individuality a lively human sympathy and an abiding charity which, as taken in connection with the sterling integrity and honor of his character, have naturally gained for him the respect and confidence of men.
WILLIAM SENF.
William Senf, living retired in Latimer after many years of close connection with business interests of the city, was born in DuPage county, Illinois, December 31, 1869. He is a son of August and Mary (Schermer) Senf, natives of Germany. The father came to America when he was twenty-one years of age and located first in Cook county, Illinois, whence he moved to DuPage county. In 1890 he came to Franklin county, Iowa, and located in Marion town- ship, where he resided until he retired from active life. He and his wife are now living in Latimer. Among their eleven children are included the following: Henry, of Minnesota; Louisa, deceased ; William, of this review; Annie, the wife of F. H. Menning, of Lati- mer; and Herman and Louis, both deceased.
William Senf was reared in DuPage county and in 1892 estab- lished himself in the hardware business in Latimer, this county, and operated this enterprise for ten years thereafter, building up a large and representative patronage. When he disposed of this business he bought a grain elevator, which he conducted successfully for eleven years, or until he retired from active life in 1913. He owns a fine house in Latimer and two hundred acres of excellent land in Wisner township.
On the 26th of November, 1892, Mr. Senf married Miss Emma Schmidt, a native of DuPage county, Illinois, and they have become
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the parents of four children, Herbert, Edna, Laura and Luella. Mr. Senf is a member of the Evangelical church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He served as township clerk for six years and is at all times interested in the growth and develop- ment of his community. He has contributed in substantial measure to the commercial progress of Latimer, and his present period of leisure rewards many years of active and earnest labor in the past.
HENRY F. RICHTSMEIER.
Henry F. Richtsmeier is carrying on general farming and stock- raising upon one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 7, Osce- ola township, and is numbered among the successful and progressive agriculturists of his locality. He was born in Illinois, August 12, 1874, and is a son of Henry F. and Martha (Stoneberg) Richts- meier, natives of Germany. The father came to America when he was twelve years of age and located in Illinois, where he grew to manhood. He moved to Iowa in 1883 and purchased a farm in Grant township, this county, whereon he resided until his death, which occurred on the 4th of February, 1909. His wife survives him and still resides upon the homestead. To their union were born seven children: Henry F., of this review ; Fred, of Franklin county ; John, residing in Bradford; William, of Geneva; and Herman, Frank and Christ, of Grant township.
Henry F. Richtsmeier was nine years of age when he moved with his parents to Franklin county and has been a resident of this part of Iowa since that time. In his childhood he learned farming through practical experience upon his father's property, and his entire active life has been given over to this occupation. He now rents the homestead of one hundred and sixty acres on section 7, Osceola township, and here carries on general farming and stock-raising, both branches having become under his able management important and profitable.
On the 15th of February, 1899, Mr. Richtsmeier was united in marriage to Miss Tillie Heitland, a native of Germany and a daugh- ter of Henry and Maggie (Nortman) Heitland, also natives of the fatherland. They came to America in 1891, locating in Grant town- ship, this county, where the father engaged in farming for ten years. He is now living retired in Buffalo Center, Iowa. In this family were ten children: Henry and Herman, who reside in Hardin
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county ; Vina, of Buffalo Center; Tillie, wife of the subject of this review; George, of Buffalo Center; Elizabeth, the wife of William Marske, of Portland, Oregon; Maggie, who married John Sleeper, of Iowa; Jennie, the wife of Cort Micelsen, of Portland, Oregon ; Gertrude, who resides in Hardin county, Iowa; and a son who died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Richtsmeier had three children, Martha Rose and Jennie Gertrude, at home, and one who died in infancy. Mr. Richts- meier is a member of the Lutheran church and gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. In business his course has been characterized by strict fidelity to principle, and in social relations he has displayed a courtesy and cordiality which have won him many friends.
ANDREW W. STEWART.
Andrew W. Stewart still owns a valuable farm of fifty-three acres on section 22, Oakland township. Success has come to him in response to indefatigable labor, judicious management and up-to- date methods. Mr. Stewart was born in lower Canada, April 15, 1845, his parents being Andrew and Margaret (Evans) Stewart, natives of Ireland. The father came to America when a boy, and the parents moved to Iowa in 1870, locating in Delaware county. From there they came to Franklin county in 1880, making their home near Burdette. They have both passed away. They were the par- ents of fourteen children, of whom seven are now living, as follows: Mary, the wife of James Lowrey, of the province of Quebec, Can- ada; Robert, of Iowa Falls; A. W .; George, of Colorado; Ella, the wife of Albert Story, of Idaho; Edward, of Iowa Falls; and Susan, who married William Hill, of Dixon, Missouri.
Andrew W. Stewart spent the early part of his active career on farms in Vermont, where he worked for several years during the Civil war. In 1870 he made his way to Michigan and there farmed for five years, before coming to Iowa. He became a resident of Delaware county in 1880 and later came to Franklin county, locating near Burdette, making his home there for five years. He then bought one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 22, Oakland town- ship, of which he still owns fifty-three acres. He has brought his land to a high state of productivity and has instituted all modern improvements about his place. He engages in general farming,
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and his industry, energy and close application to his work have resulted in his financial independence.
On April 15, 1868, Mr. Stewart married Miss Olive F. Lee, a native of Canada, and a daughter of Edward and Betsey (Willey) Lee, the father a native of England and the mother born in Connecti- cut. They had eleven children, of whom five are now living, namely : William, of Boston; Malina, who married Charles Thurston, of Boston; Olive F., who is now Mrs. Andrew W. Stewart; Isabelle, the wife of J. Stevens, of Boston; and Charles R., of Toledo, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart have three children: Cora B., who married Lee A. Montgomery, of Arkansas; Carrie, the wife of Dell Soddey, of Dows, Iowa; and Minnie E., who married J. T. Bellman, of Can- astota, South Dakota.
Mr. Stewart is one of the progressive agriculturists of Franklin county and has contributed his part toward improving land values in the middle west and raising agricultural standards. He is a repub- lican and has always done a citizen's duty faithfully, although he has never aspired to public office. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Order of Odd Fellows, and his religious faith is that of the Congregational church. He enjoys the confidence and good- will of his friends and neighbors and such success as has come to him is highly merited.
FRANK R. ATKINSON.
Frank R. Atkinson, engaged in general farming on section 15, Mott township, was born in Hampton, February 22, 1878, and is a son of John Atkinson, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work. Mr. Atkinson of this review attended school in Hamp- ton and when he began his independent career worked in William Beed's feed store for four years. He afterward worked in H. O. Beed's hardware store two years, then followed carpentering for three years and then turned his attention to general farming. He is now farming two hundred and eighty acres in Mott township.
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