USA > Iowa > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 32
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MARK R. KEMPTHORNE.
Franklin county numbers among its progressive and successful native sons Mark R. Kempthorne, who, since 1905 has owned and operated the farm in Hamilton township upon which he was born. He follows the most practical and progressive methods in the con- duct of his property and has met with a degree of success which places him in the front ranks of leading agriculturists of his locality. His birth occurred May 25, 1869, his parents being Charles and Jane (Richards) Kempthorne, natives of England. The father came
464
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
to America when he was about ten years of age and located in Wis- consin, whence he moved to Franklin county about 1867. He took up his residence upon the farm now occupied by the subject of this review and there died in May, 1904, having survived his wife since 1895. To their union were born eight children: Mark R., of this review; two sons who died in infancy; Rose, the wife of Charles Scantlebury of Hampton; James Henry, of Aberdeen, South Dakota; Haymond, of Sterling, Illinois; Emily, the wife of a Mr. Stangland, of Tacoma, Washington; and Florence.
Mark R. Kempthorne acquired his early education in the public schools of Franklin county and later attended Ellsworth College at Iowa Falls, graduating in 1896. Following this he engaged in teach- ing in the district schools for seven years, engaging in carpentering work during the summer months. In 1905 he bought the old home- stead of three hundred and twenty acres on section 25, Hamilton township, and here he has since engaged in general farming and stock-raising. His success is well merited, for it has come to him as a result of perseverance, enterprise and intelligently directed effort.
On the 20th of May, 1903, Mr. Kempthorne married Miss Ocea Myers, a native of Franklin county, and to this union have been born three children: Charles G., whose birth occurred March 16, 1904; Clara Garnet, born September 7, 1907; and Ocea Eyvon, born April 27, 1913. Mr. Kempthorne is a member of the Methodist church and a republican in his political views. He is well known through- out his native community as an honest and capable farmer and enjoys the respect and confidence of all with whom he is associated.
WILLIAM F. BECKER.
William F. Becker needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, for he is one of the successful and representative farmers of Osceola township, owning and operating one hundred and twenty acres on section 13. He was born in Dodge county, Wisconsin, Sep- tember 17, 1870, and is a son of August and Wilhelmina Bertha (Brammer) Becker, natives of Germany, the former of whom came to America in 1868 and the latter in 1861. The father located in Wisconsin and later moved to Butler county, Iowa. He took up his residence in Butler county, Washington township, this state, in 1871 and in 1887 moved to Franklin county, where he passed away July 2, 1889. His wife survived him some years, dying December 23. IQ12. To their union were born ten children: William F., of this
465
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
review; Ida, the wife of J. Aldinger of Rowan, lowa; a son who died in infancy; Louisa, the wife of F. P. Sailer of Osceola town- ship; a daughter who died in infancy; Bertha, the wife of Fred Sailer of Hardin county; Herman, a resident of Ackley; a son, who died in infancy; Martha L., also deceased; and Olga, the wife of F. Miske of Ackley. After the death of her husband the mother of the subject of this review married F. Bulson, and to this union were born two children: Martha, the wife of H. Lepine, of Hart- ford, Wisconsin; and Anna, who married F. Uble, also of Hartford.
William F. Becker remained at home throughout the period of his boyhood and youth, was reared to farm labor and early became familiar with the best and most practical agricultural methods. His entire active life has been devoted to farming. At the age of twenty- seven he rented one hundred and twenty acres of land in Butler county and after developing this for two years moved to Franklin county, where he rented one hundred and sixty acres. At the end of one year he bought one hundred and twenty acres on section 13, Osceola township, and here he has since continued to reside, oper- ating the property along practical and modern lines. In addition to general farming he also raises and feeds stock, and has managed his interests so capably and intelligently that he has met with rapid and well deserved success.
On the 8th of April, 1896, Mr. Becker was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Stoher, a native of Franklin county and a daughter of John and Becky ( Barger) Stoher, natives of Germany. The father came to America in 1868 and the mother crossed the Atlantic when she was four years of age. They reside in Iowa, the father engag- ing in stationary engineering. In their family were twelve children : Maggie, the wife of the subject of this review; Edward, deceased ; Herman, a resident of Ackley; Hannah, who married William Sau- ter of Ackley; Henry, deceased; Benjamin, of Marshalltown, Iowa; Edward, who has passed away; John, of Eldora, Iowa; Bertha, who married F. Hintzen, of Mason City; Lizzie, deceased; and Mary and Taldine, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Becker have two children: Minnie Bertha, born April 30, 1898; and John H., whose birth occurred March 7, 1905. Mr. Becker is a member of the Lutheran church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He has held a number of township offices, in all of which he has dis- charged his duties in a manner creditable to himself and satisfactory to his constituents. He has been carried forward into important
466
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
relations with agricultural interests of his locality, and his personal characteristics have gained him the lasting regard of those with whom he has come in contact.
LEONARD J. KRON.
Among the representative and valued citizens of Hampton is numbered Leonard J. Kron, who in the course of many years' con- nection with agricultural and business interests of Franklin county has accumulated valuable landed holdings and made important busi- ness connections, the extent of which places him in a position where he may now live in honorable retirement. He was born in Rockford, Illinois, May 8, 1846, and is a son of Frederick and Julia (Heming) Kron, the former a native of Germany, and the latter of Maine. The father came to America when he was about twenty-one years of age and after locating for a short time in New York moved to Rockford, Illinois, where he became associated with the Leveretts, of New York city, who owned a great deal of land in that vicinity. In their inter- ests Frederick Kron took charge of a number of sheep and also en- gaged in general farming. He died near Rockford, Illinois, and his wife passed away in Monona county, Iowa. To their union were born two children : Leonard J., of this review; and G. F., of Monona county.
Leonard J. Kron was reared in Rockford and acquired his edu- cation in the public schools. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted in Company F, One hundred and Forty-second Illinois Infantry, reenlisted in Company G, One hundred and Fifty-third Illinois Infan- try, in which he served fourteen months. He was mustered out at Chicago, Illinois, and immediately returned to Rockford, where he engaged in the contracting, building and lumber business until 1876, when he moved to Franklin county. Here he bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 20, Reeve township, and operated this property for many years thereafter, becoming known as one of the most progressive and practical farmers in his locality. He invested extensively in land in various parts of the county and has now important and valuable holdings. He is also well known as part owner of a bank in Lansing, of which his son-in-law has charge.
Mr. Kron married Miss Rosella Beemer, of Winnebago county, Illinois, and they have become the parents of two children : Myrta, the wife of R. G. Miller, manager of Mr. Kron's bank at Lansing;
.
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
and Fred W., of Reeve township. After the death of his first wife Mr. Kron was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Carrie North, a native of New York.
Mr. Kron is connected with the Grand Army of the Republic and is a member of the Congregational church. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and for more than forty years was continuously in public office, serving for twenty years as county surveyor. His official record is a credit to his conscientiousness, ability and public spirit and in this and in all other relations of life he has held to high and pure ideals, winning in consequence the esteem and confidence of a wide circle of friends.
CHRISTIAN PETER CHRISTIANSEN.
Christian Peter Christiansen, of Morgan township, Franklin county, is a representative of the greatest industry in the United States-that of farming. Although a comparatively young man, he has already attained a position which places him among the substan- tial agriculturists of his district. He was born in Wisconsin, April 30, 1876, his parents being Nicolay and Hannah (Hanson) Chris- tiansen, natives of Denmark, who about 1870 came to America. They first located in Illinois, where the father for nine years was con- nected with railroad work. At the end of that time he took up farm- ing in Franklin county, locating in Hamilton township. He became a respected resident of his neighborhood and now lives near Coulter. His wife passed away in 1883, having borne him six children. The first two were twins, of whom one died in infancy. The other, Hans, is living. The third in this family is Christian P. Christiansen, of this review. The others were: John, of Coulter; Henry, also of that city; and Hannah, who died in infancy.
Christian Peter Christiansen remained with his father until 1897, in which year he reached his majority. He had such school educa- tion as the neighborhood afforded. After leaving home he worked at tiling for some time and also engaged in carpenter work for two years. He then rented one hundred and sixty acres, cultivating this tract for three years, and at the end of that period bought eighty acres on section 1, Morgan township. Mr. Christiansen has labored inde- fatigably to place his land under cultivation, and his acres are in a high state of productivity. He has made a number of excellent improvements, and his buildings are substantial and well equipped.
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
He has erected a silo of two hundred tons capacity, and implements and machinery of modern manufacture bespeak his progressiveness and his up-to-date methods.
On January 15, 1899, Mr. Christiansen married Miss Mary Win- ters, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Christian and Nelcina (Knudsen) Winters, natives of Denmark, who upon their arrival in the United States located at first in Illinois. They came to Franklin county about 1880. Here they made settlement in Hamilton town- ship, and they now live in Coulter. The eldest of their three chil- dren is the wife of Mr. Christiansen while the other two are : Henry, of Hamilton township; and John, of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Christiansen have five children : Hannah Josephine, born November 7, 1899; Leslie H., November 11, 1901 ; Everett K., May 13, 1906; Floyd W., November 7, 1911; and Hazel Nelcina, Octo- ber 10, 1913. Mr. Christiansen is well and favorably known in Mor- gan township. Not only has he acquired a competency for himself, but he has been a valuable factor in promoting agricultural develop- ment in this district. Politically he is a republican, and his faith is that of the Lutheran church. He is interested in the growth and advancement of the community and gives his material and moral sup- port to all public enterprises of a worthy character.
CHARLES G. LAIPPLE.
Charles G. Laipple, one of the best known farmers and stock- raisers of Osceola township, has since 1902 made his home on an excellent property of one hundred and sixty acres on section 15, three miles north and one-half mile west of Ackley. In the manage- ment and conduct of his interests he displays excellent business ability and enterprise, and these qualities are the factors which have gained him the substantial place he is now filling as one of the lead- ing agriculturists of this locality. He was born in Germany, Novem- ber 17, 1876, and is a son of John G. and Sophia ( Laipple) Laipple, also natives of Germany. The parents came to America in 1881 and after spending one summer in Indiana settled in Osceola township, this county, where the father engaged in farming until his death. His wife has also passed away. To their union were born fifteen children: Sophia, the wife of William Sailer, of Osceola township; Gottlob, occupying the old homestead; Charles G., of this review; William, a resident of Geneva; John, who has passed away; Ernest
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
A., a resident of Montana; Rosa, the wife of Charles Burkley, of Osceola township; Anna, Fred, John and Louisa, all at home; Amelia, a teacher in the public school at Geneva; two children who died in infancy ; and Johanna Katharine.
Charles G. Laipple came to America with his parents in 1881 and assisted his father in the operation of the farm in Osceola town- ship until he was twenty-six years of age, after which he rented land for two years. He eventually bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 15, Osceola township, and here in connection with general farming, he specializes in the breeding and raising of regis- tered shorthorn cattle, a branch of his business which he has made exceedingly profitable. He has remodeled and rebuilt the house upon his property and has erected a number of substantial farm buildings, including a ninety ton silo. That his labors have been practical is indicated by the results which he has achieved, as he now owns one of the best farms in his locality.
On the 29th of December, 1903, Mr. Laipple was united in mar- riage to Miss Clara De Boer, a daughter of Claas and Louisa ( Eisen- trager) De Boer, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Illinois. The parents now reside in Butler county, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Laipple have two children: Harvey Leroy, born May 14, 1907, and Earl Douglas, born May 24, 1909. Mr. Laipple is a member of the Lutheran church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He occupies a position among the pros- perous farmers of Franklin county, and the most envious cannot grudge him his success, so worthily has it been won.
ANDREW F. BROWN.
Denmark has long been celebrated as one of the foremost agri- cultural countries of Europe, and many of its citizens who have come to America have made a success at this vocation in the United States. Among these is Andrew F. Brown, or, as he spelled his name in Danish, Anders Fredrick Brunn, who owns two hundred and forty acres of valuable land on sections 10 and 11, Morgan town- ship, Franklin county. Mr. Brown was born in Denmark, Novem- ber 5, 1857, and is a son of Eller and Maria Brunn, who were born in Denmark and both of whom are deceased. They had eight chil- dren : Lars and Mary, who have passed away ; Hannah, of Denmark ;
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
Martin and Nicolai, deceased; Dorothy, of Denmark; Lena, who has also passed away; and Andrew F., of this review.
The last named attended school in his native country and at the early age of sixteen began to farm for himself. He was so occupied for two years but then took up the miller's trade, in which occupa- tion he was active for about seven years. Previous to this period in his career he had for four months served in the Danish army. In 1881, when about twenty-four years of age, he came to America, locating at first in Illinois, where he farmed for one year. He then found a position in a wire factory, continuing in that employment for sixteen months, and subsequent to that period made his way to Hampton, Iowa, again turning his attention to farming. In 1891 he acquired title to one hundred and twenty acres of land on sections IO and 11, Morgan township, and he was so successful in the cultiva- tion of this tract that he gradually has been enabled to add to it until he now owns two hundred and forty acres. All of this land is under high cultivation, planted to cereals most suitable for soil and climate. Mr. Brown engages in general farming, giving some atten- tion to stock-raising. His improvements are excellent and his build- ings in good repair, the appearance of his farm attesting the prosperity of its owner.
On May 7, 1881, was celebrated the marriage of Andrew F. Brown and Anna Bohl, a daughter of Hans Peter and Martha Bohl, natives of Denmark. However, the family was of German origin. Both parents have passed away. They had seven children: Chris- tina, deceased; Mrs. Anna Brown; Matilda, of Denmark ; Peter P., of Albert Lea, Minnesota; Hans P., of Oregon; a son who died in infancy; and Matt, of Buffalo Center, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew F. Brown had two children : Henry Christian, at home; and Elfreda Matilda, deceased. The former married Miss Lorena Lackey on June 12, 1912, and they have a daughter, Lucille Elfreda. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew F. Brown also adopted a daughter, Sarah L. M., who is seventeen years of age.
Andrew F. Brown votes for the republican party and for three years served as school director of his district. He is a member of the Lutheran church and has always taken a deep interest in this organization. Mr. Brown has become a valuable American citi- zen and by his labors has contributed toward making Franklin county one of the richest agricultural districts in lowa.
INDEX
Alert, F. W.
1 197
Allen, C. J. .
74
('lock, E. L. . 204
Allen, George
('lock, II. C. 349
Allen, G. II. . 415
('lock, S. A. .363
Allinson, J. S. . $3
Anderson, A. C. 279
Andrews, B. F.
.339
Andrews, E. P. .214
Argent, R. G. . 140
Arthur, H. G. .182
Atkinson, A. B. 75
Atkinson, F. R. .305
Atkinson, J. A. 386
Atkinson, Reuben . 242
Atzbaugh, J. W.
58
Baldwin, H. D. .104
Barker, J. M. 49
Barry, Willianı .271
Becker, W. F. .464
Beed, A. W. 59
Beed, Charles
196
Beed, F. C.
.357
Beed, H. O.
19
Beemer, E. A. .165
Benning, David . 53
.407
Bergen, James
.319
Bieknese, Henry
.455
Bird, G. A.
32
Blaekford, J. V.
73
Blain, S. T.
57
Blake, B. F.
.356
Blake, Richard
435
Boehmler, H. E.
.265
Bonewitz, Samuel 423
Booth, George 67
Booth, Guy
.225
Boots, J. W.
Franklin County State Bank 90
Fraser, .John .396
French, J. L. 105
Froning, A. J. 37
Froning, H. E. 139
Fryslie, Oliver
Ganlke. T. W. 140
Gibson, A. D.
Goppinger, George .405
Graff, George
Grant, W. B.
Green, J. A.
Gruis, Wolhertus .179
Guldberg, John 347
Carr. J. E. . .306
Christiansen, C. P. .467
Clawson, F. W. 153
106
HInecker, L. E.
.. .. 20
Vol. II-22
Capellen, E. H. .309
Carhart, L. B. .122
.141
Bushyager, J. G.
Butler, D. F. . . 457
Butler, Samuel .111
Buzzell, Henry
.442
Brown, A. F.
.469
Bruns, Fred
. . 408
Bryan, W. B. . . 147
Buge, Ervin
.292
Bunker. W. R. . . 439
Burmester, Henry . . 103
Evans, E. I.
.270
Evans, Frank
.424
Evans, W. D.
Fahey, J. M. 247
Finn, F. P. . 449
Engebretson, Evan . 158
Enslin, John
.355
Erickson, John .. 393
Evans, D. W. .121
Dovey, W. M. 320
Duit, Anton
Duit, ('. J.
.
44
Dunn, George
Damm, P. M. 324
Davenport, R. (. .177
Davis, S. A. 203
De Forest. Frank .326
Dirst. F. H.
Dodd, F. E.
Corning, G. A. 100
Crawford, G. W. .163
Creighton, A. M. . . 446
Cunningham, B. G. 11×
C'oble, L. D. .3×3
C'ole, 3. J. .. 190
Collins, J. L.
Cook, James .150
Coonley, J. E. 94
Dohrmann, F. D. .:: 49
Benson, Andrew
Eberhart, Frank 295
Ellis, T. C. .259
471
Hackbarth, .1. H. .327
Hackbarth, F. H. ...... .. 6
Claypool, N. B.
.447
Brass, Aeilt
('lock, D. W.
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