USA > Iowa > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 23
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DR. CLAUDE F. OSBORNE
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results which have followed his surgical work. One of the old-time physicians of the county said: "He will shortly be the leading physician and surgeon here if he isn't already." Such is the opinion of his brethren of the profession, who recognize the power that native and acquired ability has given him.
On the 1st of October, 1900, Dr. Osborne was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Lang, of Clear Lake, a daughter of Frank and Julia Lang, the father a prominent retired farmer of this section of the state. Dr. and Mrs. Osborne have one child, Gail M., born June 1, 1904.
Dr. Osborne holds membership with the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Politically he is a republican, but is too busy with professional duties to give much time to politics. In association with Dr. Powers he has established a private hospital in Hampton and is doing more surgery in the city than all the other physicians together. He is modest and unas- suming in manner, but with most commendable ambition is striv- ing to reach the top of the profession, prompted by a sense of obligation toward his fellowmen in his efforts to alleviate suffering and check the ravages of disease. He never speaks boastingly of what he has accomplished, being willing that his reputation should be established by the report of his fellow citizens, and the con- sensus of public opinion now places him among the eminent rep- resentatives in the practice of medicine and surgery in Hampton and this part of the state.
CARL HANSON.
Norway has furnished many valuable citizens to the United States and particularly agriculturists have found this country a large field of opportunity. Carl Hanson is among those who have come from the land of the midnight sun and have become well-to-do in following farming pursuits in the middle west. He now owns two hundred acres of highly improved land in Morgan township, and his financial independence must be largely attributed to his sturdy characteristics of honesty, industry and energy. He was born in Norway, April 16, 1853, and is a son of Hans and Rosa (Windrom) Hanson, both natives of the Norseland, where they passed away. They had three children: Bertha, who is the wife of Ole Gunder- son, of Wisconsin; Carl, of this review; and Annie, who married
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William Bear, of Hardin county, this state. The mother, after the death of her first husband, married Paul Soerum, and to this union was born one daughter, Mary, the wife of Hans Hansen, of North Dakota.
Carl Hanson acquired his early education in his native country, but at the age of fourteen was sent by his mother to an uncle in America in order to grow up among the opportunities afforded in the west of this great country. His uncle was subsequently killed by Indians in Minnesota, and Mr. Hanson worked largely at farm labor in that state and Wisconsin until thirty years of age. He then came to Franklin county, Iowa, where he bought eighty acres of land in Oakland township, which he cultivated for four years. Gratify- ing returns attended his labors, and he then acquired title to a quar- ter section in the same township, upon which he remained until 1902, when he purchased one-half section on section 34, Morgan township. Mr. Hanson immediately set himself to the task of improving his land and has erected thereon a number of substantial buildings. He now owns two hundred acres which yield him rich harvests. He engages in general farming and stock-raising and always follows the most modern methods.
On January 1, 1878, Mr. Hanson wedded Miss Gertrude Gar- daland, a daughter of Ole and Gunnell (Flatigar) Gardaland natives of Norway. The father died there, and the mother passed away in Wisconsin. They had eight children: Annie, deceased ; Henry, of Oakland township; Ole, deceased; Mrs. Gertrude Han- son; Julia, who married Iver Larson, of Wisconsin; Christie, the widow of Thomas Elefson, of Thompson, Iowa; Erick, of the same place; and Benjamin, of Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson of this review have three children : Henry O., of Albert City, lowa; Gun- nell, who married Edward Evans, of Morgan township; and Benja- min R., at home.
Mr. Hanson is a republican and has held several township offices. He always interests himself in public affairs and not only has become a prosperous agriculturist but a valuable American citizen. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church, in which they take a deep and lasting interest. Mr. Hanson on his mother's side is descended from the French. Her grandfather for seven years par- ticipated in the great French wars at the beginning of the century and also served for four years in the war between Norway and Sweden. A brother of this grandfather was taken a prisoner by Turkish pirates and kept in captivity for two years. However, he made his escape from prison and with four others succeeded in mak-
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ing his way back to Norway. The record of Mr. Hanson would not be complete without this bit of family history, which shows him to be descended from two of the leading races of Europe, however dif- ferent they may be in their characteristics. It is evident from his character and his success that he combines in himself the best quali- ties of both.
BENJAMIN F. ANDREWS.
Benjamin F. Andrews, who since July, 1897, has served with credit and ability as postmaster of Latimer, was born in Indiana, May 22, 1843. He is a son of George F. and Christiana (Hunt) Andrews, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Con- necticut. The parents moved to Illinois about 1855, and in that state the father conducted a hotel for several years. In 1877 he moved to Wright county, Iowa. His death occurred in South Dakota. His wife has also passed away. To their union were born eleven children: Pholinda, Eliza and Wallace, all of whom have passed away; Washington, who died in Andersonville prison during the Civil war; Benjamin F., of this review; Minerva, deceased; Ralza, of Nebraska; Seth, who has passed away; Orro, also deceased ; Myron, of South Dakota; and Oscar, at the Cherokee Hospital.
Benjamin F. Andrews was reared in Indiana and Illinois and when he was eighteen years of age enlisted in Company G, Third Missouri Cavalry, going to the front September 4, 1861, and receiv- ing his honorable discharge at St. Louis, Missouri, November 4, 1864. He returned to Illinois and thence in 1865 came to Franklin county, Iowa, locating in Hampton, where he was for several years in the harness business. He afterward turned his attention to farm- ing and followed this occupation successfully for eleven years. At the end of that time he moved to Latimer and in July, 1897, was appointed postmaster of the city, a position which he has held con- tinuously since that time and the duties of which he discharges in a prompt, systematic and capable manner.
On the 7th of July, 1869, Mr. Andrews married Miss Catherine C. Inman, a native of Illinois, who died March 27, 1913. To their union were born four children, the eldest of whom died in infancy. The others are: Arthur H., born February 12, 1873, now assisting his father ; Ashley C., engaged in the implement business at Latimer; and Lucy, the wife of Robert Givens, of Marion township. Mr.
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Andrews is a member of the Methodist church and is connected fraternally with the Grand Army of the Republic. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served as deputy sheriff and in a number of township offices. During the period of his residence in Latimer he has become widely and favorably known and he holds the esteem and confidence of all with whom business or official relations have brought him into contact.
GEORGE DANIEL THOMPSON.
George Daniel Thompson is operating one hundred and sixty acres of excellent land on section 7, Geneva township, and has made this one of the finest farms in his locality. He is a man to whom prosperity has come as the result of hard work, perseverance and energy, for he started out to earn his own livelihood at an early age and has steadily worked his way upward to success. He was born in this township, June 9, 1858, and is a son of William H. Thomp- son, a native of New Hampshire, born in 1831. The father grew to manhood on a farm in that state, attending the common school and academy in his native town, where he also engaged in teaching. In the fall of 1855 he came to Iowa and Franklin county and pur- chased from the government the farm that remained his home until his death, which occurred. August 26, 1913. On the 7th of May, 1857, he was married to Miss Lucy Elizabeth Joslin, also a native of New Hampshire, who died in October, 1911. To this union were born six children. George Daniel, of this review; Julia E., who died in childhood; Abraham Lincoln, who also passed away in childhood ; Herbert W., whose death occurred in 1894; Clarence Henry, who passed away in the same year ; and Roland Joslin, of Reeve township. William H. Thompson took a leading part in community affairs dur- ing his residence in Franklin county, serving as the first township clerk and afterward holding other positions of trust and responsibility. He was a gentleman of rare mental capacity and one who always stood in the front ranks for the best interests of the people of his locality. He loved Franklin county with a loyal affection and was always eager to do all that he could to better the condition of its citizens. Few men are more loyal to duty and few leave a cleaner life's record behind them.
George D. Thompson acquired his education in the district schools of Geneva township and began his independent career at the age of
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twenty, when he went to South Dakota, where he engaged in break- ing prairie land. He afterward walked to Yankton and thence went by rowboat down the Missouri river over five hundred miles into Nebraska, where he secured a position as a harvest hand. He worked his way north to Minnesota and thence returned home. In December of the same year he went to the timber section of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and went up in the woods eighty miles and worked until June and then came down and saw the big flood. He then went to St. Paul and down the river to Dubuque and then home for harvest. In the fall he drove a span of mules back to the woods and hauled logs through the winter, which proved to be a very hard one. He worked on Thorn Apple river about four miles from the Deitz' farm where the fight with the officers occurred. Mr. Thompson drove logs on the Fisher in the spring and then went to St. Paul, Minnesota, whence he went to Farmington, Minnesota, and worked in the har- vest and threshing. He went home in the fall and bought a span of horses, which he took up and sold, and then came back and bought another span and worked on the Flambeau, hauling supplies from Phillips, Price county, Wisconsin. In the spring he sold the horses and drove logs on Mud Brook. He then returned to Farmington and harvested and threshed again. In the fall he went home and bought five horses, which he drove up into the woods, where he sold three, hauling supplies with the remaining team until spring, when he sold this team also. He drove logs on the river and then went to North Dakota, where he harvested. He then returned home and remained there that winter, going to Nebraska with six horses in the spring. In 1887 he came to Franklin county from Nebraska, repeat- ing this journey several times. He rented a farm in Nebraska during one of his stays there and operated this for six years, from 1888 to 1894. In the latter year he moved to Chapman but again returned to Franklin county, where he rented one hundred and sixty acres of his father's homestead, a property upon which he has since resided. He is a stock-raiser on an extensive scale, feeding and shipping three loads of cattle every year.
Mr. Thompson was united in marriage to Miss Susan Hays, a daughter of Henry W. and Mary (Lewis) Hays, natives of Lincoln- shire, England. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson became the parents of four children; Cleon Henry, who was born January 17, 1886, and who died October 24, 1887; Wilbur H., whose birth occurred Novem- ber 4, 1888, and who is now a resident of Fernwood, Idaho; a son who died in infancy; and Orva McKinley, who was born June 9, 1893, and who is now residing in Wardner, Idaho.
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Mr. Thompson is connected fraternally with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masonic lodge. He gives his political allegiance to the progressive party, has served six years as township trustee and is now town clerk. He is a man of many excellent qual- ities of character, and his industry, integrity and ability have brought him a gratifying degree of success.
HEZEKIAH C. CLOCK.
Hezekiah C. Clock, who in partnership with his two sons operates a large general merchandise store in Geneva, is numbered among the early settlers in Franklin county, having come here in 1861. He was born in Painesville, Ohio, July 24, 1839, and is a son of Ebenezer and Lucinda (Jarvis) Clock, natives of Long Island. The father died in Ohio in 1847, and the mother passed away in Illinois. To their union were born eight children: Alonzo, of Geneva; Jarvis, who died in Franklin county; Edward L., of Geneva; Hezekiah C., of this review; Charles L., of Redlands, California, formerly county auditor and county treasurer of Franklin county ; Henry A., of Long Beach, California; and Sarah Ann and Nancy, both of whom died in childhood. Henry A. was for thirty years a resident of Franklin county and with his brother Charles founded the town of Latimer. He served as county treasurer for four years.
When Hezekiah C. Clock was nine years of age he was bound out as an apprentice and continued in service until 1853, when he moved to Illinois. Four years later he came to Franklin county, but shortly afterward returned to Illinois where he spent six months. About 1859 he came again to Franklin county and engaged in teaching school here for one winter. He enlisted in Company C, Sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, being mustered into service June 24, 1861. He served for three years and then reenlisted at Scottsboro, Alabama, January 1, 1864. He went with his regiment to Jonesboro and from there was sent to a hospital at Lookout Mountain. He was discharged as captain of his company in February, 1865, and returned to Iowa, where he has since resided.
Mr. Clock formed a partnership with his brother Edward L. in 1865 and together they operated a mercantile establishment in Mays- ville until 1870, when he purchased his brother's interest and removed to Geneva. There he erected a store and conducted it until the building was destroyed by fire in 1896. This he replaced by a fine
HEZEKIAH C. CLOCK
MRS. HEZEKIAH C. CLOCK
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steel and frame structure in 1897 and here has since engaged in business, having his two sons in partnership with him. They carry a full line of general merchandise and in the course of years have built up a large and representative patronage, for they have steadily adhered to straightforward and honorable business methods.
In May, 1865, Mr. Clock was united in marriage to Miss Emily J. Roberts, a native of Pennsylvania, who died in November, 1899. By that union he had the following children: Claude J., employed in the auditor's office of the Chicago & Alton Railroad at Blooming- ton, Illinois; Doris Le Verne, a resident of Geneva, lowa; Laura, deceased; Earle R., of Grinnell, where he is engaged in manufac- turing; Ernest E., of Hampton ; Sherwood A., represented on another page of this volume ; Oakley J., also a resident of Geneva ; and Mabel, who died in infancy. Mr. Clock has also an adopted daughter, Irene, who assists in the store. In 1904 he was again married, his second wife being Miss Amanda B. Harris, a native of Painesville, Ohio.
Mr. Clock is a member of the Grand Army post at Geneva and belongs to the Masonic chapter at Hampton. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and served with credit and ability as postmaster of Geneva for over fifteen years, being the first post- master there. He has lived in Franklin county for almost fifty years and during that period has become known as a man of energy, hon- esty and enterprise, who has made his individual success a factor in the promotion of general progress.
JOHN GULDBERG.
John Guldberg is one of the younger generation of successful agriculturists of Morgan township, Franklin county. He is a native of Iowa, his birth having occurred in Cedar Falls, October 31, 1882. His parents were Hans and Carrie (Nelson) Guldberg, natives of Denmark, the former coming to America as a young man. He located at Cedar Falls, Iowa, and remained there for a short time but then returned to his native land, where he made his home for two years. He again crossed the Atlantic, and coming back to Cedar Falls, made that city his home for about seven years. At the end of that period he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 3, Morgan township, Franklin county, and there he spent the remainder of his life in agricultural labors. He passed away, Vol HI-16
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a highly esteemed citizen and successful agriculturist on March 29, 1911. His wife still lives on the home farm. They were the parents of ten children : Peter, deceased; Anna, who married L. Stenehjem, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Albert, of Davenport, lowa; Sophia, who married F. H. Rodemeyer, of Redmond, Oregon; Emanuel, of Thornton, lowa; John, of this review; George, of Wallace, South Dakota; Marie, who married Sigrid Anker, of Seattle, Washington; Matilda, the wife of A. F. Iverson, of Popejoy; and Clara, at home.
John Guldberg was reared under parental care and attended school in this state. After laying aside his text-books he assisted his father with the work of the home farm and since the death of the latter has taken charge of this place. He has since made a number of valuable improvements, and his land is in a high state of cultiva- tion. He engages in general farming and stock-raising. Mr. Guld- berg is not yet married and his mother looks after his household affairs. Politically he is a republican, and his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. He is an energetic, serious-minded young man of good qualities of character and pleasant in manner. He has many friends in his neighborhood, who esteem him highly and who consider it an honor to call him friend.
A. H. RUST.
A. H. Rust, who has lived in Franklin county for the past three decades, now resides on sections 13 and 24, Richland township, and owns one of the best equipped farms within the borders of the county. He devotes his attention to general agricultural pursuits, and his holdings embrace five hundred and seventy acres of produc- tive land in Ross and Richland townships. His birth occurred in Germany on the 16th of November, 1854, his parents being H. A. and Altye (Lulling) Rust, of whom more extended mention is made on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of H. A. Rust, Jr., brother of our subject.
A. H. Rust was eleven years of age when he came to the United States with his parents, the family home being established in Stephen- son county, Illinois. His education was largely acquired in the schools of his native land. At the early age of twelve he began work- ing by the month as a farm hand and his father received his earnings until he had attained his majority. In December, 1882, he was mar- ried, and January 1, 1883, he came to Franklin county, Iowa, having
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a few months before purchased a slightly improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Richland township. The further develop- ment and cultivation of that property claimed his time and energies for a number of years, and there he carried on farming until 1900, when he purchased his present place in Richland township, which at that time had but few improvements. He has replaced the old structures by modern and substantial buildings, and the farm is now one of the best equipped and most attractive in the county, boasting a commodious residence and barns and also an evergreen grove. His holdings comprise five hundred and seventy acres of land in Ross and Richland township and in the conduct of his agricultural interests he has won a gratifying and richly merited measure of pros- perity.
On the 12th of December, 1882, in Illinois, Mr. Rust was united in marriage to Miss Christina Lubbers, a native of Germany, by whom he has seven children: Heike A .; Henry L .; Albert G; Joseph ; Altye M. ; and Orville and Arthur, twins. All are still under the parental roof.
In politics Mr. Rust is a stanch republican. He has done valu- able service for the cause of education as a school director, was for- merly president of the board and now acts as secretary of the Richland township school board. He and his wife and children are devoted and consistent members of the Baptist church at Sheffield. One son, Henry L., is an ordained minister of the Baptist church and has served as pastor at Rockwell, Iowa, for the past five years. He is attending college at Des Moines. Mr. Rust is widely known here, and his substantial qualities of manhood and of character have gained for him an enviable position in the regard of those with whom he has come in contact.
FREDERICK D. DOHRMANN.
Frederick D. Dohrmann, engaged in general farming and stock- raising on one hundred and twenty acres of land in Marion town- ship, was born in Hanover, Germany, September 28, 1867. He is a son of George H. and Louisa (Mueller) Dohrmann, natives of Ger- many, who came to America in 1870 and located in Du Page county, Illinois. There the mother died October 12, 1872, and four years later the father came with his family to Franklin county, Iowa, locat- ing in Marion township, where he now resides, having reached the
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age of eighty-six years. He and his wife had five children: A. H., a resident of Marion township; C. F., of Dodge county, Minnesota ; Sophia, the wife of Louis Jacobs, of Alexander, Iowa; Frederick D., of this review; and Louis, who died in infancy.
Frederick D. Dohrmann came to Franklin county with his father in 1876 and remained upon the homestead until he was twenty-two years of age. He then rented one hundred and twenty acres on sec- tion 17, Marion township, from his father, and after operating this property for four years purchased it. He has erected a fine modern nine-room home upon it and has provided it with substantial barns and ourbuildings and also modern machinery. His general farming and stock-raising interests have increased yearly and have reached extensive proportions at the present time.
On the toth of July, 1891, Mr. Dohrmann was united in mar- riage to Miss Louisa Vahlsing, a native of Cedar county, Iowa, whose parents reside in Butler county. Mr. and Mrs. Dohrmann have become the parents of five children. Arnold, deceased ; Frieda; Amanda; Emil; and Louisa.
Mr. Dohrmann is a member of the Evangelical church and gives his political allegiance to the progressive party, serving at the pres- ent time as a member of the school board of Latimer. He is well known in Marion township, where practically his entire life has been spent and where he is held in high honor and esteem by reason of his genuine personal worth.
GEORGE S. YAW.
George S. Yaw, a successful and representative citizen of Frank- lin county, has resided within its borders for nearly three decades and during that entire period has devoted his attention to farming and stock-raising, owning a valuable tract of land embracing one hundred and four acres on section 6, Scott township. For the past seven years he has also been engaged in the butcher business at Alex- ander and in this connection enjoys a gratifying and extensive patron- age. His birth occurred in Lafayette county, Wisconsin, on the 3d of February, 1867, his parents being Harvey C. and Mary E. (Smith) Yaw, the former a native of Ashtabula county, Ohio, and the latter of Galena, Illinois. The maternal grandparents of our subject came to America from Scotland, first settling in New York and subsequently in Galena, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey C. Yaw
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followed their son George to Franklin county, Iowa, and have since remained respected and substantial residents of the community, now living in a comfortable home at Alexander. Their children are as follows: Albert E., born August 12, 1865, who conducts a hard- ware store in Alexander and is the second oldest business man of the town ; George S., of this review; W. H., a resident of Scott town- ship, this county; Mrs. Charles Hanson, living in Scott township; Mrs. E. J. Vanness, of Algona, lowa; and Minnie, who lives with her parents in Alexander. All the above named are natives of Lafay- ette county, Wisconsin. Albert E. and George S. Yaw were the first members of the family to come to this county, the others arriving here later.
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