USA > Iowa > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 21
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32
On the 21st of February, 1907, Mr. Atkinson was united in mar- riage to Miss Netha Law, a native of Illinois, who came to Franklin county in 1894, locating in Hampton. Her father was at that time a traveling salesman and is now engaged in farming in Cherokee county. In his family were ten children : Mabel, the wife of H. Klingensmith, of Cherokee county; Marvin, deceased; Netha, the wife of our, sub-
306
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
ject; Hollan, of Cherokee county; Alta, the wife of Irvin Whyte, of Cherokee county ; and Ellen, Charles, Glenn, Lester and Leta, all of Cherokee. Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson have become the parents of a son, Robert Lynn, born April 18, 1908. Mr. Atkinson is a member of the Baptist church and gives his political allegiance to the repub- lican party. Success has attended his well directed efforts, and he now occupies an enviable position in agricultural circles.
JOHN E. CARR.
The agricultural development of the middle west is largely due to such energetic men as John E. Carr, who owns one hundred and seventy acres of land on section 22, Oakland township, which he devotes to general farming. The Carr farm is in a high state of productivity and by its appearance bespeaks that the latest methods of farming are employed there. Mr. Carr is also interested in other real estate and is president of the bank at Popejoy. He was born in Grant county, Wisconsin, November 18, 1859, and is a son of Nicholas and Mary (Richardson) Carr, natives of England, who came to America about 1845 and located in Wisconsin. There the father lived for about twenty years, his death occurring in 1865. The father was a shoemaker by trade but during the last four years of his life, followed agricultural pursuits. His wife survived him many years, her death occurring January 24, 1909. To this union were born seven children: Henry H., of Popejoy; Sarah, who mar- ried William Doran, of Volin, South Dakota; William, of Bowman, North Dakota; John E .; Minnie, who married C. H. Meyers, of Traer, Iowa; Eva, deceased; and Cora, the wife of Pierce Cole, of Traer, Iowa.
When John E. Carr was about nine years of age his mother married again, and he shortly thereafter left home and until fifteen years of age remained with strangers. On April 17, 1875, he made his first appearance in Oakland as an agriculturist. He was mar- ried when twenty years of age and in 1881 bought eighty acres of land in Oakland township. This property he sold two years later and then acquired title to one hundred and seventy acres on section 22, of which he is now the owner. He has instituted a number of valuable improvements, and his buildings are kept well in repair and are splendidly equipped. Mr. Carr is an up-to-date agricultur- ist and such success as has come to him is well merited, as it is due to
JOHN E. CARR
309
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
close application, unceasing industry and unflagging energy. Mr Carr is also interested in real estate in Popejoy. Moreover he is president of the bank there and in the management of its affairs displays executive ability and knowledge of financial needs and con- ditions.
In 1880, when about twenty-one years of age, he married Miss Nellie Baker, a native of Franklin county, who passed away in 1886. Of this union three children were born: Lucia V., the wife of C. C. Hart, of Kerman, California; Luella, who married Dr. W. G. Brady, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Nellie, who died in infancy. On January 29, 1889, Mr. Carr married Miss Alice Cor- bin, a native of Indiana, and they have five children: Lorena, who married Floyd Runnell, of Dows, Iowa; Inez, at home, who teaches school at Popejoy; J. E., Jr., also at home; and Gladys and Wood- row C., at home.
Mr. Carr is a republican and has always upheld the principles of that party. For six years he has been township assessor and is now president of the school board, the cause of education finding in him a valuable champion. For seven years he has been a mem- ber of the board of supervisors and in the government of Franklin county has taken a laudable interest, always turning his efforts to good account. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church, while fraternally he is a Mason and a Modern Woodman. Mr. Carr is a successful agriculturist who has helped to make possible the prosperous conditions now existing. He is a man of high char- acter and a valuable and public-spirited citizen. Such men as he are the backbone of the nation.
EMANUEL H. CAPELLEN.
Emanuel H. Capellen is a successful agriculturist of Morgan township, giving much attention to the cultivation of sorghum. He has been quite successful along this line and has demonstrated that Iowa land is well adapted to this plant. His efforts, therefore, have not only been beneficial to himself but have been of value to the general farming community. Mr. Capellen was born in Franklin county, July 30, 1868, and is a son of Henry and Magdalena (Kai- ser) Capellen, natives of Germany. As a young man the father came to America, locating at first in Wisconsin and making his way
310
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
to Franklin county in 1863. He was a wagon maker by trade but in later years followed farming. He died in Franklin county, December 16, 1882, highly honored and respected. The mother survived him for a number of years, her death occurring August 5, 1911. Of their twelve children seven are now living: Henry, of Nebraska; Mary, the wife of H. Rankin, of Dows; James, also of Dows; Lydia, who married George Rankin, of Dows; Wil- liam, of Morgan township; Emanuel H., our subject; and Sarah, the wife of F. Hackbarth, of Morgan township.
Emanuel H. Capellen early took up farm labor, assisting his mother on the old homestead after his father's death. In 1891, when about twenty-three years of age, he bought eighty acres on section 28, Morgan township, and on this land he has made a specialty of raising sorghum. He has been highly successful along this line and has made many improvements upon his property. His buildings are kept in excellent repair and his machinery is of the most approved type. Mr. Capellen has had the honor of supplying sorghum for the table of Woodrow Wilson, president of the United States, and a local paper has the following to say in regard to his shipments to the White House: "Few of our people know it, but according to press reports President Wilson uses good old-fashioned sorghum on his table. Not only that, but it is Iowa sorghum and is furnished by E. H. Capellen, a Franklin county farmer, who lives in Morgan township. A special dispatch in Saturday's daily papers says : 'While William Jennings Bryan is getting close to the common peo- ple by using grape juice on his table, Woodrow Wilson is making a strong bid for the farm vote of the great midwest by using lowa sorghum as a lubricant for his plate of flapjacks every morning. E. H. Capellen, who lives in Franklin county, lowa, has just dis- patched the president's winter supply of old-fashioned sorghum to the White House. And taking cognizance of the government's endeavor to make it interesting for the express companies, the Iowa farmer forwarded the president's supply of the thick, sweet cane juice by parcel post. The Iowa sorghum supply is short this year, too, so the president's appreciation of the product should be corres- pondingly high. Mr. Capellen was able to squeeze out only seven hundred gallons of the sweet this year as against almost twice that much last year. Fifteen acres of cane yielded his supply this year and it will bring him in above four hundred dollars. In addition, however, he will have three hundred bushels of cane seed, which will bring him another four hundred dollars, or a total income from fifteen acres of rich Iowa soil of about eight hundred dollars.'"
311
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
On October 17, 1894, Mr. Capellen married Miss Emma Schwie- ger, who was born in Franklin county and is a daughter of John C. and Gertrude (Blum) Schwieger, natives of Germany, who came to Iowa about 1870, locating in Morgan township. The parents were widely and favorably known among farming people of this section. The father died January 16, 1913, and the mother, March 21, 1912. They were the parents of eight children: Emma, the wife of the subject of this review; John William, a farmer of Morgan township; Martha, the wife of H. J. Benz, of Charles City, Iowa; Lydia R., who married Rev. A. W. Gauger, of McGregor; Louis E., of Dows; George B., of Twin Falls, Idaho; Fred C., who resides on the old family homestead; and Grace E., of Franklin county. Mr. and Mrs. Capellen have three children: Ruth Beatrice, born October 16, 1897; Fern Esther, November 12, 1903; and Gerald E., Decem- ber 12, 1909.
Mr. Capellen has always taken a deep interest in the cause of education and for fifteen years was secretary of the township school board. His religion is that of the Methodist church. In politics he is a republican and stanchly upholds the candidates of his party. He enjoys a high reputation in his neighborhood and is esteemed for his good qualities of character. Such success as has come to him is well merited, and none can begrudge him his prosperity.
FRANK HUSHKA.
Frank Hushka, prominently connected with business interests of Bradford as manager of a grain elevator, was born in Austria, July 25, 1864. He is a son of Ferdinand and Hannah Hushka, also natives of that country, who came to America in the '70s, locating in Grant township, Franklin county, Iowa. They remained there for twelve years and then moved to Kossuth county, this state, whence they removed to Winnipeg, Canada. They afterward made their home in the province of Saskatchewan, where the father died. His wife survives him and now makes her home in Kossuth county with her son. To their union were born ten children: Theresa, the wife of Mr. Markle, of Minnesota; Frank, of this review; John, of Kossuth county, Iowa; Joseph, a resident of Minnesota; Fred, of South Dakota; Fannie, who is married and lives in Minnesota; Mary, a trained nurse, residing in Chicago; Caroline, the wife of John Finn, of Minnesota; Henry, a resident of South Battleford,
312
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
Saskatchewan; and William, who makes his home in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Frank Hushka acquired his education in the public schools of Grant township and at the age of twenty-one began his independent career, engaging in farming upon rented land. Ten years later he bought eighty acres in Grant township, this county, and two years afterward sold this property and moved into Bradford, one of the earliest settlers in that community. Since that time his interests have extended to many fields, touching closely the upbuilding and develop- ment of the town, so that he has become one of the prominent and leading citizens. In 1907 he associated himself with W. J. Hamil- ton and they established a grain elevator here, since which time Mr. Hushka has acted as manager. He is a business man of keen insight and discrimination, and his success is the best proof of his capability.
On the 25th of February, 1890, Mr. Hushka married Miss Mary E. Croft, a native of Franklin county, and they have two children : Leo F., who was born July 4, 1893, and who is now associated with his father in business; and Mabel E., born January 9, 1896.
Mr. Hushka is a member of the Christian church and connected fraternally with the Modern Woodmen of America. A stanch repub- lican in his political beliefs, he has held various positions of public trust and responsibility, serving with great credit as school director, road supervisor and township assessor. In all official, business and personal relations he holds to high ideals and has commanded the esteem and confidence of all who know him.
O. M. WEBBER.
General farming and stock-raising interests command the atten- tion of O. M. Webber, who since 1881 has owned and operated one hundred and sixty acres of excellent land on section 7, Grant town- ship. He was born in Maine, June 10, 1858, and is a son of M. A. and Olive L. (Dyer) Webber, the former a native of Maine and the latter of New Hampshire. The parents came to Iowa in 1875 and located on section 15, Grant township, where the father engaged in farming for a number of years. He later moved to Iowa Falls, where he was for some time in the brick and tile business. He spent the later years of his life in retirement in Iowa Falls, where his widow still resides. To their union were born four children: Ida
315
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
Ella, who passed away in 1877; O. MI., of this review; Ora W., a resident of Spirit Lake, lowa; and Scott I., of Iowa Falls.
O. M. Webber came to Iowa with his parents in 1875, being at that time seventeen years of age. He afterward assisted with the operation of the homestead until 1881, when he purchased one hun- dred and sixty acres on section 7, Grant township. Upon this prop- erty he has since resided, and the years have brought him steadily increasing success, so that today he is numbered among the repre- sentative farmers of his locality. He has steadily carried forward the work of improving his homestead and has provided it with sub- stantial buildings and modern equipment. He engages in general farming and stock-raising, his interests along both lines being exten- sive and important.
On the 17th of September, 1879, Mr. Webber was united in marriage to Miss Zilpha A. Lyman, a native of Wisconsin, and they have become the parents of three children: Guy Russell; Ida May, who married James M. Smith, of Bradford, and has one son, Lyman W .; and Żera D., the wife of Clinton B. Stockdale. Mr. and Mrs. Stockdale have one son, Forrest W. Guy Russell Webber acquired his education in district school and in Ellsworth College at Iowa Falls, from which he was graduated in June, 1899. He afterward engaged in railroad work as fireman for the Illinois Central Rail- road Company for three years and one year as engineer and then turned his attention to farming. He is now operating Mr. Web- ber's property in Spirit Lake, Iowa.
O. M. Webber is a member of the Christian church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He has held all of the township offices and is now filling the position of township clerk. He has rendered excellent service in this capacity and in all rela- tions of life has proven himself upright, honorable and straight- forward, well worthy of the high regard in which he is uniformly held.
JOHN WILLIAM SCHWIEGER.
Not only is John William Schwieger the owner of a prosperous farm in Morgan township, but he is also treasurer of the Farmers Cooperative Elevator Company, showing himself an able business man in this position. Mr. Schwieger was born in Franklin county, Morgan township, June 12, 1874. He is a son of Johann C. and
316
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
Gertrude (Blum) Schwieger, the former born August 17, 1835, and the latter October 27, 1844. Both parents have passed away, the mother dying March 21, 1912, and the father January 16, 1913. They were natives of Germany and were married in Freeport, Illi- nois, on the 7th of February, 1871. The father settled in Iowa in 1870. They had eight children: Emma, the wife of E. H. Capel- len; John William; Martha, the wife of H. J. Benz, of Charles City, Iowa; Lydia R., who married Rev. A. W. Gauger, of McGregor, Iowa; Louis E., of Dows; George B., of Twin Falls, Idaho; Fred C., who resides on the old family homestead ; and Grace E., of Franklin county.
John W. Schwieger was reared under the parental roof and in acquiring his education attended the schools in the neighborhood of his father's farm. He early became acquainted with farm work and took this up when he started upon his independent career, buy- ing eighty acres of land on section 23, Morgan township. He has made excellent improvements upon the land and his acres are care- fully cultivated. His buildings are kept in good repair, and he has erected a silo with a capacity of one hundred tons. He engages in general farming, following the most modern methods.
On September 27, 1898, Mr. Schwieger was united in marriage to Miss Flora E. Melcher, a native of Floyd county, Iowa, and a daughter of Lewis and Caroline (Stoeber) Melcher, the former a native of New York and the latter of Grant county, Wisconsin. Years ago they came to Iowa, and they are now residing in Charles City. The father is a veteran of the Civil war. The parents had eight children: Sylvanus G. and Henry E., deceased; Flora E., wife of the subject of this review; Charles O., of Charles City; Evelyn E., the wife of J. Stratte, of Idaho Falls, Idaho; Herbert O., deceased; Clarence L., of Charles City, Iowa; and Mabel E., who married Louis Schneider, of Charles City. Mr. and Mrs. Schwieger have three children: Oliver W., born August 14, 1899; Viola E., born January 26, 1902; and Howard W., born August 12, 1907.
Mr. Schwieger is public-spirited and interests himself in town- ship affairs to quite an extent. He is a republican and for some time served as township assessor. He has also been treasurer of the local telephone company and is now treasurer of the Farmers Cooperative Elevator Company. He is not only a successful agriculturist but a shrewd and able business man and his services have been of great benefit to the corporation of which he is an officer. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which he gives
317
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
his moral and material support. Mr. Schwieger has many friends in Morgan township and stands high in the confidence of the general public. He is a successful man, and his prosperity has come to him in response to closely applied effort.
E. M. MOORE.
E. M. Moore is an enterprising and representative young citi- zen of Franklin county who has for a number of years devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits and still owns two hundred and forty acres of valuable land on section 25, Ross township, but is now planning to give all of his time to the real-estate business at Chapin, having found this a congenial and profitable field of endeavor. His birth occurred in Stokes county, North Carolina, on the 22d of February, 1881, his parents being W. H. and Annie (Martin) Moore, likewise natives of that state. The family is of Scotch and Irish descent in the paternal line but has been represented in the United States for several generations. The parents of our subject recently came to Franklin county and are now residing in Marion township.
E. M. Moore was reared in the state of his nativity and attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education. Since put- ting aside his text-books he has been engaged in the work of the fields. About thirteen years ago he came to Towa and secured employ- ment by the month as a farm hand in Hardin county. When he had accumulated sufficient capital he purchased a tract of eighty acres in that county and subsequently bought a farm of similar size in Franklin county. Two years ago he came into possession of the old Randolph farm, comprising one hundred and forty-four acres on section 31, Ross township, which he has recently sold. He next pur- chased two hundred and forty acres on section 25, Ross township. but has already put this on sale and is preparing to establish himself in the real-estate business at Chapin. Mr. Moore has done consid- erable buying and selling of realty with gratifying results and believes that in this field he will find greater opportunity for the exercise of his business ability and judgment. Industry and energy are among his salient characteristics and augur well for a successful future.
In Hardin county, Iowa, Mr. Moore was united in marriage to Miss Florence Fowler, a native of that county and a daughter of J. W. and Arena (Clemens) Fowler, the former born in Ohio and
318
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
the latter in Hardin county, Iowa. Our subject and his wife have two children, Clarence and Johnnie.
Mr. Moore gives his political allegiance to the prohibition party and is a total abstainer from all alcoholic beverages, believing that the liquor traffic is one of the worst evils which besets the nation. Mrs. Moore is a member of the Friends church while Mr. Moore's religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Baptist church. His religion is an active and vital force in his life and has given to an upright and honest business man the added qualification of a worthy and honorable Christian gentleman.
EMIL OLESON.
Among the enterprising and successful agriculturists of Morgan township, Franklin county, is Emil Oleson, a native of Sweden, where he was born April 1, 1874. He is a son of Olaf and Inga (Johnson) Oleson, both natives of that country, where the father passed away. The mother crossed the Atlantic and is now living in Iron Mountain, Michigan. They were the parents of seven chil- dren : John, of Dows; Emil, our subject; Malvina, the wife of Gust Erickson, of Iron Mountain, Michigan; Lydia, who married Joel Axberg, also of Michigan; a son, who died in infancy; Ellen, the wife of Charley Anderson, of Michigan; and Samuel, also of that state.
Emil Oleson early began life's active work. At the age of twelve he undertook to do farm labor and until eighteen years of age was so engaged. He then came to Dows, where he was successful as a renter, acquiring the means which enabled him to buy in 1907 the one hun- dred and twenty acres of land on section 10, Morgan township, which he now owns and upon which he engages in general farming and stock-raising. He is progressive and up-to-date and has made valu- able improvements upon his farm. His buildings are in good repair, and his property bespeaks by its appearance the prosperity of its owner.
The marriage of Mr. Oleson to Miss Ada Erickson occurred on December 21, 1897. She is a daughter of John Erickson, who is mentioned at greater length in another part of this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Oleson had six children: John V., deceased; and Claud Milford, Edna Alida, Floyd Randolph, Inez Christina and Arnold J.
319
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
Mr. Oleson is not only a successful agriculturist but a public- spirited citizen, who takes an interest in all matters that affect the public welfare. He is interested in the cause of education and serves on the school board of Morgan township. He is a member of the Free Mission church, which he supports. Mr. Oleson stands high in the estimation of all who know him, not only for what he has accomplished, but for those qualities of mind and character which have led him to prosperity.
JAMES BERGEN.
Among the young agriculturists of Franklin county is James Bergen, a native of Illinois, who for a number of years has culti- vated one hundred and twenty acres on section 10, Oakland town- ship. By employing the most modern methods he has become one of the successful agriculturists of this section. He was born in Bureau county, Illinois, on July 16th, 1870, and is a son of John and Hannah (Shaw) Bergen, natives of Ireland. The parents came to American and made their home in New York city for four years, whence they removed to Massachusetts, where they spent one year. They then sought the middle west, where the father was employed in the pineries and engaged in lumbering for about two years in Michigan. They left that state for Illinois, where Mr. Bergen, Sr., turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and became a well-to- do farmer. He died on the 15th of February, 1913, and his wife still makes her home in Illinois. They were the parents of nine children : Mary J., who married Charles Sabin, of Bureau county, that state; Patrick H., also of Illinois; John and Nellie, twins, the former of Illinois and the latter deceased; James and Sarah, twins, the former our subject and the latter of Illinois; Thomas, who makes his home with James Bergen; George, of Illinois; and one, who died in infancy.
James Bergen was reared under the parental roof and had such school education as was afforded in the neighborhood where he was then residing. He left his home at the age of nineteen, coming to Franklin county with a neighbor, for whom he worked that year. Being careful of his earnings he was enabled in 1900 to buy eighty acres of land in Wright county, which he sold at the end of a year and then acquired title to the one hundred and twenty acres which he now owns on section 10, Oakland township. Mr. Bergen's prop-
320
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
erty is well improved and in a good state of cultivation. He follows the latest methods of farming and has installed the most modern machinery. He also gives his attention largely to stock-raising.
On December 20, 1899, Mr. Bergen married Miss Caroline Johnson, a native of Iowa and a daughter of Martin and Annie John- son. They have three children: Beulah Blanche, born December 2, 1900; Maynard James, born December 14, 1903; and Luella Belle, February 24, 1906.
Mr. Bergen gives his allegiance to the republican party and fraternally is a Modern Woodman of America. He is a member of the school board and has done valuable work in promoting the cause of education. Such success as has come to him is well merited as it has been built upon honesty, energy and industry. Mr. Bergen is popular in the neighborhood and has made many friends since locating in Franklin county.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.