USA > Iowa > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 27
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DIETRICH MENSING.
Dietrich Mensing is well known in Franklin county as an exten- sive stock feeder and shipper. He owns one hundred and sixty- three acres of excellent land on section 7, Marion township, and through his intelligent cultivation of this property has made it one of the valuable farms of the locality. He was born in Germany, March 1, 1869, and is a son of Dietrich and Wilhelmina ( Dohrman) Mensing, also natives of Germany, who came to America in 1887. They resided in Cook county, Illinois, for three years, and then moved to Franklin county, Iowa, locating on section 7, Marion township. Both have passed away. To them were born four chil- dren: Dietrich, of this review; Fred, of Mott township; Henry, a missionary in Australia; and Louisa, who married John Schnable, of Marion township.
Dietrich Mensing came with his parents to Franklin county and he has lived upon the home farm in Marion township since that time. In 1897 he bought the property, which comprises one hun- dred and sixty-three acres on section 7, and here he engages in gen- eral farming, specializing in the breeding of blooded percheron horses. He is a stock feeder and shipper on an extensive scale and is recognized as an expert judge of stock values.
On the 10th of February, 1898, Mr. Mensing was united in mar- riage to Miss Louisa Hoffmeier, a native of Cedar county, Iowa, and they have become the parents of five children, Herman, Lydia,
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Theodore, Hubert and Victor. Mr. Mensing is a member of the Lutheran church and a republican in his political beliefs, serving for several years as school director. He is widely known through- out the county as a representative citizen and commands the confi- dence and respect of the entire community.
THOMAS E. MCCOY.
Since 1883 Thomas E. McCoy has been connected with agricul- tural interests of Franklin county and since 1899 has lived upon his present farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 35, Hamilton township. He was born in Wayne county, Ohio, September 17, 1862, and is a son of William I. and Ruth (McClellan) McCoy, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. They removed to Indiana and thence to Wisconsin, where the father passed away. To them were born six children: James, deceased; John, of Minnesota; Thomas E., of this review; Nelson, of Wis- consin ; Belle and Mary, deceased.
Thomas E. McCoy came to Franklin county in 1883 and turned his attention to farming here. In 1888 he bought one hundred and fifty-one acres of land and improved and operated this farm until 1899, when he disposed of it. Two years previously he had bought two hundred and forty acres on section 35, Hamilton township. When he sold his first farm he removed to Iowa Falls, but later to this property, where he has since resided. His farm is in excel- lent condition, reflecting the many years of intelligent care and labor which he has bestowed upon it.
Mr. McCoy married Miss Lucilla Stockdale, a native of Frank- lin county and a daughter of Thomas and Katherine (Hamilton) Stockdale, pioneers of Hamilton township. Her father was born in Ireland in 1833 and emigrated to America in 1851, making his home for three years in New York state, where he engaged in farm- ing. From there he removed to Wisconsin and in 1859 came to Franklin county, Iowa. In politics he was a republican. He was twice married, his first wife being Katherine Hamilton, who died in 1877, leaving four children, Stewart, Charles, Lucilla and Aaron. His second wife was Caroline Killious, by whom he had six children, Fred, Maggie, Arthur, Clinton, Edith and Vera. Mr. and Mrs. McCoy have two children, twins, Willis and Wiltsey, born in 1898.
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Mr. McCoy is a member of the Methodist church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is interested in the development of the county, where he has lived for thirty years, and his influence has been a tangible force for good in the community.
JOHN FRASER.
John Fraser, living retired in Bradford after many years of close and successful connection with agricultural interests of Franklin county, was born in Wisconsin on the 11th of March, 1849. He is a son of John W. and Jane M. (Mcintyre) Fraser, natives of New York, of Scotch ancestry. They came to Iowa in 1870 and located on a farm on section 1, Lee township, whereon the father resided until his death, which occurred October 5, 1886. His wife survived him many years, dying September 7, 1903. To their union were born eight children: William, who has passed away; James K., of Big Bend, Wisconsin; John, the subject of this review; Mary Jane, the wife of P. L. Loss; Belle, at home; Allan and Joseph, deceased ; and Eleanor, at home.
John Fraser came to Iowa with his parents in 1870 and since that time he has been a resident of Franklin county. During his father's lifetime he aided in the operation of the homestead and after- ward came into possession of the property. He engaged in general farming and stock-raising in Lee township for many years, winning a gratifying personal success and also contributing in substantial meas- ure to general growth and progress. He has sold his eighty acres of the homestead and has moved into Bradford, where he lives retired.
On the 24th of November, 1875, Mr. Fraser was united in mar- riage to Miss. Mahala E. Mason, a native of Indiana and a daughter of Thomas and Mahala (Puckett) Mason, natives of North Caro- lina. In their family were nine children: Nathan and Giley, deceased; Elwood, a resident of Missouri; Clarinda, deceased ; Isam, of Nebraska; James, who died during the Civil war; Talitha, the wife of George W. Ganfield, of Minnesota; Mahala E., the wife of the subject of this review; and a daughter, who died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Fraser became the parents of five children : Mabel, who died in infancy; Arthur, a resident of North Dakota; Donald, of Franklin county; Winnifred, residing in Hardin county; and
MR. AND MRS. JOHN FRASER
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Violet E., the wife of Lee Miller, of Franklin county. Donald mar- ried Miss Mabel Miller, and they have three children: Ronald, born November 22, 1907; Pearl, born December 6, 1909; and Steril, born May 26, 1913. Mrs. Fraser is a member of the Christian church, and Mr. Fraser gives his political allegiance to the repub- lican party. He has served as supervisor and as a member of the school board and in matters of citizenship has been found always helpful and progressive, eager to cooperate in measures of advance- ment or reform. By a life which has been straightforward and hon- orable in all its relations he has won the confidence and respect of all who have come in contact with him.
PHILLIP F. SAILER.
Phillip F. Sailer is one of the prosperous farmers and business men of Franklin county. He owns one hundred and twenty acres of valuable land on section 3, Osceola township, whereon he suc- cessfully engages in general farming and stock-raising. He was born in Germany, May 4, 1864, and is a son of John Jacob and Louise (Off) Sailer, natives of Germany. The parents came to America in 1885 and settled immediately in Franklin county, where the father died September 14, 1913, and the mother December 29, 1910. In their family were eleven children, of whom the following survive: John Jacob, of Grant township; Carolina, the wife of Thomas Sesler, of Osceola township; Charles, a resident of Ger- many; Fred, of Osceola township; Louisa, the widow of G. Hof- meister; John, a resident of Osceola township; Paulina, the wife of Christ Sailer, of Osceola township; and Phillip F., of this review.
Phillip F. Sailer came to America-with his parents in 1885. He was reared at home and during his entire active life has been engaged in farming. In 1894 he and his brother purchased a homestead of three hundred and twenty acres which they divided, Phillip F. Sailer receiving one hundred and twenty acres. This land is located on section 3, Osceola township and under Mr. Sailer's able manage- ment has become a productive and valuable property equipped with substantial buildings and modern machinery.
On the 27th of April, 1896, Mr. Sailer was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Beecker and they became the parents of five chil- dren : August Frederick, Wilhelm Hermann, Clara Luise and
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Anna Wilhelmine, at home; and Emma, who has passed away. Mr. Sailer is a member of the Lutheran church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is a man who, through enter- prise and honesty, has acquired an excellent reputation in his com- munity.
PETER MILLER.
Peter Miller, who since 1892 has been connected in an influential way with farming interests of Franklin county and whose enterprise has contributed much toward the agricultural development of the community, was born in Denmark, March 9, 1852, a son of Mogens and Karen Marie ( Beck) Miller, also natives of that country. The parents came to America in 1883 and located in Grundy county, Iowa, whence they moved to Franklin county in 1886, locating in Morgan township. The father afterward purchased land in section 10, Hamilton township, and upon that property passed away on the 14th of March, 1910. The mother died July 2, 1909. They had celebrated both their golden and diamond wedding anniversaries upon their homestead in Hamilton township. To their union were born five children : Jens, of Withee, Wisconsin; Peter, of this review ; Frederick, deceased; Ann Elizabeth; and Ann Elizabeth, second of the name, both of whom have passed away.
Peter Miller remained in his native country until 1871 and then crossed the Atlantic to America, landing in New York on Novem- ber 28th of that year. For four years afterward he engaged in car- pentering there, after which he moved to Cedar Falls, Iowa, and first rented a farm for five years and later purchased land in the vicin- ity of the city, following farming there for ten years. In 1892 he moved to Franklin county and bought one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 10, Hamilton township. To this he has since added another one hundred and twenty acre tract on section 11 and upon this fine property carries on general farming and stock-raising, mak- ing a specialty of feeding cattle. He has an excellent set of build- ings upon the place, including a modern silo, and the entire farm is in excellent condition, showing the care and supervision of an able agriculturist. In addition to his farming interests Mr. Miller is president of the Hamilton Creamery Company of Coulter and has held this position with credit and ability for the past twenty years
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On March 8, 1877, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Kirsten Jensen, a native of Denmark, who died July 11, 1913. To their union were born eleven children: Frederick, deceased; Jens, principal of a school in Bruno, Minnesota; Karen, who married Andrew Jorgensen, of Hamilton township; Mette, who married Peter Lund, of Hamilton township; Dagmar, engaged in teaching in Franklin county; Anna and Benjamin, at home; Esther, teaching in the public schools of Franklin county; Ida, who is also engaged in teaching; and Ruth and Ezra, at home. Mr. Miller is a member of the Lutheran church and gives his political allegiance to the dem- ocratic party. He is a man who takes a deep interest in the general welfare of the community, and he commands the respect and con- fidence of his fellow citizens.
EDWARD IVERSON.
Edward Iverson, who was born in Norway, May 5, 1858, now owns a valuable farm in Morgan township, Franklin county, where he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He is a son of Erick Iverson, who is more extensively mentioned in connection with Ole Iverson.
Edward Iverson at the age of ten years had to depend upon his own resources. Thus it is the more commendable that he has suc- ceeded and attained prosperity. In 1885 Mr. Iverson acquired title to one hundred and sixty acres on sections 26 and 27, Morgan town- ship, and he has added since two hundred and forty acres to this farm, now owning four hundred acres of valuable land. His is one of the best improved farms in the section. Mr. Iverson is up-to-date and modern in his methods, and his success must be largely ascribed to the good judgment which he has used in the cultivation of his land. He has put up a number of substantial farm buildings and also has erected a silo of two hundred tons capacity. In addition to his farming he engages to a considerable extent in stock-raising and derives a gratifying income from both sources.
On April 28, 1885, Mr. Iverson married Miss Andrina Iverson, who was born in Green county, Wisconsin, and who is an adopted daughter of A. O. Sime. Mr. and Mrs. Iverson have four chil- dren, all yet at home: Amos Julius, Martha Annette, Elmer Theo- dore and Alma Rosetta. They also have taken care of a boy whom they reared, Elmer Arendt.
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Mr. Iverson is interested in public affairs and has served as township trustee and school director. He is a member of the Lutheran church and in politics is a republican. He is one of the leading farmers of Morgan township and has contributed toward raising agricultural standards here. He is greatly admired for his sturdy qualities of character and has many friends.
OLIVER FRYSLIE.
Oliver Fryslie is the owner of a valuable farm of two hundred and ten acres on section 7, Oakland township, Franklin county. There he engages in general farming and stock-raising. His farm is noted for its fine improvements and Mr. Fryslie has achieved a reputation as a modern agriculturist who successfully follows the best approved methods. He was born in Green county, Wisconsin, May 6, 1858, and is a son of Ole E. and Julia ( Knutsen) Fryslie, natives of Norway. They came to America in the early '40s and located in Green county, Wisconsin. About 1876 they came to Frank- lin county, making settlement in Oakland township. The father died on November 25, 1899, and the mother when our subject was but six years of age. They had three children: Oliver; Andrew, of Dows; and Julia, who married Hans Hanson, of Dows. The father after the demise of his first wife married Ellen Nelson, who is now making her home at Fort Dodge, Iowa. To this union were born the following children: Josephine Matilda, deceased wife of Ed Evans of Wright county; Bertha Maria, wife of Oscar Sime; Nim, of Oregon ; Carrie, the widow of Fred Hoppe, of Hampton ; Edward, of Burdette, lowa; Albertine, deceased; Oscar, of Britton, South Dakota; Lena, the widow of Martin Losland, of Fort Dodge; Louise, who is married ; Luella and Laura, of Fort Dodge; Frank, of Oak- land township; Ida, of Fort Dodge; and two who died in infancy.
Oliver Fryslie remained with his father until he reached his twenty-first birthday. Becoming the owner of a team of horses, he then rented land and, breaking prairie, brought his rented tract under cultivation. Gradually he acquired the means which enabled him in 1892 to buy two hundred and ten acres on section 7, Oakland township, which he now farms. He is very prosperous in his under- takings and gives much attention to stock-raising. He has made numerous valuable improvements, and his buildings are in excel-
MR. AND MRS. OLIVER FRYSLIE
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
lent repair. The family home is two stories in height, acetylene lighted and modern in all its appointments.
On January 18, 1880, Mr. Fryslie married Miss Alice Hanson, a daughter of Ole and Mary Hanson, natives of Norway, who in 1869 made their way to Wisconsin. In that state they remained five years and then came to Oakland township, Franklin county. Both are deceased. They had seven children: Helena G., deceased; Andrew, of Belmond, Iowa; Mary, the wife of Ole L. Oleson, of Oakland township; Carrie, who married Ole W. Oleson, of Morgan township, this county; Alice, the wife of our subject; and two sons who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Fryslie became the parents of four children : Martha Julia, who married L. A. Anderson; Louis Raymond, at home; and two who died in infancy.
Mr. Fryslie is a republican and has ever stanchly voted for the candidates of that party. He is interested in matters of education and for some time has been a school director. His religion is that of the Lutheran church. Mr. Fryslie is an enterprising man and has contributed by his labor toward agricultural standards in Franklin county. He stands high in the estimation of his fellow citizens, and such success as has come to him is well merited.
GEORGE GOPPINGER.
George Goppinger, who has lived retired in Sheffield for the past ten years, came to this county forty-four years ago and under- went all the experiences and hardships of the pioneer agriculturist. Today he owns six hundred acres of rich and productive land in Ross township and an attractive and commodious town residence. His birth occurred in Bavaria, Germany, on the 31st of December, 1855, his parents being Joseph and Frances Goppinger, who passed away in that country when our subject had been in the United States for ten or twelve years. Both died when seventy years of age.
George Goppinger acquired his education in the common schools of his native land. Early in life he became imbued with the desire to see America and determined that as soon as old enough he would set sail for the new world. He worked at the shoemaker's trade until he had saved enough money to pay his passage and in August, 1869. emigrated to the United States. He reached Milwaukee, Wisconsin, without funds and was obliged to borrow two dollars in order to get to Sheboygan, spending the winter at work in the lumber woods.
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The year 1870 witnessed his arrival in Franklin county, lowa. He bought a team at sheriff's sale, gave a mortgage on the horses and worked on the old Iowa Central Railway, now the Minneapolis & St. Louis, which was being built through Sheffield, while later he was employed on the railroad in Minnesota. In the spring of 1871 he came to Sheffield and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of wild prairie land in Ross township for seven dollars an acre. He erected a shanty, eight by ten feet, and for ten years farmed and kept bachelor's hall. This was still a pioneer district and the hard- ships of its early settlers were numerous. During certain seasons of the year, when the region was largely a swamp, Mr. Goppinger's primitive little dwelling was often extremely uncomfortable because of invading water and dampness. He was obliged to sell his team of horses in order to purchase lumber for a house and used a span of oxen in his farm work. He bought a plow for two dollars and fifty cents and during the first year had not even a wagon. The farm machinery of those days he could not afford, as a Marsh harvester sold for three hundred and twenty-five dollars and the McCormick self-rake for one hundred and sixty dollars, while a four-foot mower cost one hundred dollars. Unable to give security for a pair of boots, he went barefooted all summer and often worked for twenty-five cents a day. In 1880 he was married and built a new house twelve by fourteen feet. The furniture comprised a homemade bedstead, a table and bench. For five years Mr. Goppinger had no "Sunday" clothes. However, he was long-headed enough to realize that land here would eventually become valuable and therefore worked indus- triously, earnestly and untiringly until he was enabled to add to his original purchase. Today he owns six hundred acres of excellent farming land in Ross township and a substantial residence in Shef- field, where he has lived retired for the past ten years, enjoying the fruits of his former toil in well earned ease.
In 1880, Mr. Goppinger was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Ormrod, who was born in Newport, Rhode Island, on the 24th of May, 1857, and is a sister of Mrs. S. H. Holmes. They have two daughters : Elizabeth Frances, the wife of H. H. Storck, who resides on the farm of his father-in-law; and Lulu, the wife of A. F. Storck, who lives on his father's farm east of Sheffield. Mr. and Mrs Gop- pinger have one grandchild, Georgearl, born August 16, 1913, the son of Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Storck.
Mr. Goppinger is independent in his political views and has always declined to accept office, preferring to devote his attention to his private business interests. In religious faith he is a Catholic
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The hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a home in America has been more than realized. He found the opportunities he sought, which, by the way, are always open to the ambitious, energetic man, and making the best of these he has steadily worked his way upward. He possesses the resolution, perseverance and reliability so characteristic of his nation, and his name is now enrolled among the representative citizens of Franklin county.
ANDREW BENSON.
Andrew Benson is one of those sturdy sons of the Norseland who, like the vikings of old, crossed the ocean to the western hemisphere in search of large opportunities. He has found what he sought and today is the owner of two hundred and forty acres of highly improved farm land on section 23, Oakland township. He was born in Norway, December 5, 1854, a son of Anton and Alice (Oleva) Benson. They were also natives of the land of the mid- night sun and came to America about 1877, locating in Wisconsin. There the parents lived until their deaths. They had eleven chil- dren: Hans C .; Bertha; Cever and Caroline, deceased; Andrew ; Martha, the wife of John Bruhn, of Wisconsin; Christian, of Wis- consin ; Lilly, who is married and lives in Wisconsin; and three who died in infancy.
Andrew Benson passed his youth in his native land and his beginnings in this country were humble. However, at the age of twenty-seven years he was able to start out independently, renting eighty acres of land. In 1884, when thirty years of age, he came to Franklin county, locating in Hamilton township, where he cul- tivated leased land for four years. He then bought two hundred and forty acres on section 23, Oakland township, which he now owns, being engaged in general farming and also giving consider- able attention to stock-raising. His buildings are kept in good repair and the most modern machinery can be found upon his place. The appearance of his place indicates the prosperity of the owner and his land is in a good state of cultivation.
On the 17th of March, 1880, Mr. Benson married Miss Caro- line Munson, a native of Wisconsin, born of Norwegian parents. Mr. and Mrs. Benson have three children: Melissa, the wife of Thomas Hanson, of Reinbeck, Iowa; Alvin, at home; and Kallum, deceased.
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Mr. Benson has always interested himself in township affairs and has given demonstration of his public spirit by accepting a number of township offices, which he satisfactorily filled. For two terms he has been township trustee and also has been road super- visor and a member of the school board and has taken a deep in- terest in the cause of education. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church, to which he gives his moral and material support. Mrs. Benson passed away on March 20, 1900, deeply mourned by the family and a number of devoted friends. She found her last resting place in Otis Grove cemetery. Mr. Benson has achieved success on account of the high qualities of manhood which have ever guided his life. He left his native land with the idea of achiev- ing independence and he has succeeded in the quest.
FRED BRUNS.
Fred Bruns, who owns and operates two hundred acres of excel- lent land on section 24, Marion township, was born in Cook county, Illinois, May 16, 1866. He is a son of Henry and Philopena ( Guse- welle) Bruns, natives of Germany, who came to America in 1865 and located in Cook county, Illinois. In 1878 they removed to Franklin county, this state, where the father engaged in farming until he retired from active life. He now makes his home with the subject of this review, having survived his wife since November 4, 1894. Six children were born to them: Sophie, deceased; Fred, of this review; Herman; Louisa, the wife of Fred Vahleing, of Marion township ; Lena, twin sister of Louisa, deceased ; and August, also deceased.
Fred Bruns came to Franklin county with his parents in 1878 and he grew to manhood on his father's farm. At the age of twenty- nine he assumed charge of the homestead which he has since pur- chased. He now owns two hundred acres of land on section 24, Marion township, and has improved it with excellent buildings and modern equipment, making it one of the model farms of the locality.
On the 19th of April, 1895, Mr. Bruns married Miss Lena Dohr- man, a daughter of D. and Sophia Dohrman. Mr. and Mrs. Bruns are the parents of six children: Ida, whose birth occurred June 16, 1897; William H., who was born July 3, 1898; Anna, whose birth occurred December 27, 1901; Fred H., born June 4, 1905; Eddie, born January 15, 1909; and Meta, born September 5, 1912.
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