USA > Iowa > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 20
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ARTHUR C. HUGHES.
Arthur C. Hughes was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, May 19, 1873. a son of George W. and Julia A. (Bracken) Hughes, in whose family were six children: Mrs. Lizzie Hayward, of Lincoln, Nebraska ; Jimmie; Harvey L., a resident of Superior, Nebraska; Mrs. Jennie Callahan, of Amarillo, Texas; Arthur C., of this review; and Mrs. Jessie Short, of Omaha, Nebraska. George W. Hughes passed away February 25, 1906, and his wife on the 29th of January, 1912.
Arthur C. Hughes moved with his parents to Missouri when he was ten years of age and received his education in the public schools of that state. He came to O'Brien county, Iowa, in 1890 and spent several years in that section, going to Nebraska eventually and dy- ing at Beatrice, August 2, 1909, when he was only thirty-six years of age.
On the 20th of February, 1896, Mr. Hughes was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary L. Sowers, a native of Ellsworth township, Ham- ilton county, born February 7, 1871. She is a member of one of the pioneer families in this section of Iowa and grew to womanhood in her native township. She and her husband became the parents of ten children: Claude Guy, who was born in O'Brien county, De- cember 22, 1896, and who died on February 25, of the following year : Arthur Ray, who was born January 24, 1898, and who is residing with his mother; Royal Herbert, who was born February 23. 1899. and died March 3, of the same year ; Lloyd Elmer and Floyd Delmer. twins, born October 24, 1900, the latter of whom passed away No- vember 19, 1909; Chester Lee, born March 16, 1902; Edward Neal and Edgar Noel, twins, born December 16, 1904, both of whom are deceased, the former passing away August 2, 1905, and the lat- ter on August 4, of the same year; Roland Lester, born February 3. 1907; and Julia Rebecca, born July 30, 1908. The family are miem- bers of the Christian church.
After the death of her husband Mrs. Hughes removed to the family home in Ellsworth township and has nobly assumed the re-
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sponsibility of raising a large family of children. She owns forty acres of the old Sowers' homestead on section 35, one of the most attractive farms in the section. The improvements were put up by Mrs. Hughes' father, who also planted the grove and large or- chard, which add beauty and attractiveness to the appearance of the place. Here she has made a real home for her children and is de- voting her energies to their upbringing, cheerfully and willingly making the utmost sacrifices in order that they may become good, upright and worthy men and women.
ALBERT W. ROSS.
Albert W. Ross, who is engaged in the hardware business in Will- iams, was born in the vicinity of Epworth, Dubuque county, Iowa, on the 22d of August, 1875. His father, Norman A. Ross, was born in Massachusetts, but has long been a resident of Iowa, and now makes his home in Council Bluffs. In 1879, the family removed to Waterloo, Iowa, going from there to Fort Dodge, thence to Sedalia, Missouri, and subsequently to Williams, Iowa. Shortly before re- moving to Waterloo the father had entered the service of the Illi- nois Central Railroad Company in the capacity of telegraph lineman, but he only followed this vocation for about two years and then en- tered the train service and is now passenger conductor between Fort Dodge and Omaha, Nebraska. The mother, whose maiden name was Leola Ann Jaques, was born near Findlay, Ohio, whence she removed with her parents to Dubuque county, Iowa, in 1868. Her father was one of the trustees of Epworth Seminary, at Epworth, this state, and her brother W. K. Jaques, is a well known physician of Chicago. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Ross numbers three, two sons and a daughter, our subject being the eldest. The daughter. Hattie Leola, who is the next in order of birth, was born near Ep- worth, Iowa, on the 9th of February, 1877, and graduated from the Williams high school with the class of 1892. She is the wife of R. S. Goulden, a graduate of the Iowa State College at Ames, who is engaged in teaching mathematics and manual training in one of the Arkansas state schools, at Monticello, that state. Ozro N., who is the youngest member of the family, was also born in the vicinity of Ep- worth, his natal day being December 29, 1879. After graduating from the Williams high school he attended the Iowa State College
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for a year and subsequently became deputy clerk of the courts of Hamilton county, in which capacity he served for four years. He is now residing in Webster City and is employed in the abstract of- fice of Varick C. Crosley.
The education of Albert W. Ross was begun in the public schools of Fort Dodge and continued in those of Sedalia, Missouri, and Williams. He was one of the first four graduates of the Williams high school and was a member of the class of 1892, as was also his sister. After leaving school he apprenticed himself to the tinner's trade in the shop of Tomlinson & Talcott of Williams, being identi- fied with this firm for three years, with the exception of one winter. when he attended the seminary at Epworth. In 1896, he became as- sociated with S. E. Aumiller, under the firm name of Ross & Aumil- ler, in the hardware business at Vincent, Iowa. The next year he withdrew from this enterprise and went to Bancroft, Kossuth county, accepting a position as tinner with Bronson & Company of that place. They subsequently sold out to Nemmers Brothers, but their succes- sors retained the services of Mr. Ross, who was connected with this concern for a year. At the expiration of that time he returned to Williams, and was employed in the hardware store of William Sawyer, until it was destroyed in the big fire, in February, 1899. Very soon thereafter, Mr. Ross once more engaged in business for himself in the old school building at the corner of Main and Third streets, where he conducted a tin shop and bicycle store until 1901, when he moved to his present location. He carries a good assort- ment of shelf and heavy hardware, cutlery, and tinware in connection with which he maintains a repair department and tin shop. He owns the building where his store is located and is meeting with success, having built up a good trade in Williams and the surrounding coun- try.
At Woolstock, Iowa, on the Ist of January, 1900, Mr. Ross was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Gerard, a native of Lee county, Illinois, who died in Williams on November 2, 1900. Her parents were residents of Woolstock, to which place they had removed from Illinois in 1892. On the 19th of August, 1910, Mr. Ross was mar- ried to Miss Emma Mills, whose natal day was November 24, 1888. She was graduated from the Williams high school in 1906 and subse- quently took a stenographic course in the Waterloo College of Com- merce. She is a daughter of Samuel Fillmore and Mary L. (Hizer) Mills, the former a native of Oak Park, Cook county, Illinois, his birth having there occurred on the 7th of January, 1850, while the
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mother was born in Steuben, Oneida county, New York, on August 15, 1853. They located in the southern part of Wright county, Iowa, in 1877, and there the father engaged in farming for several years. In 1907 Mr. Mills withdrew from active work and removed to Wil- liams, where he purchased some property and erected a modern resi- dence on the site where stood the first house built in the town. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mills, of whom Mrs. Ross is the youngest. In order of birth the others are as follows: Clara S., who was born in the vicinity of Rockford, Illinois, on July 17, 1874, the wife of E. D. Harding, who is operating the old Mills' farm in Vernon township; Sarah J., who was born on the 14th of January, 1876, and became the wife of M. C. Peterson, of Dolliver, Iowa; Lucy L., whose birth occurred December 17, 1877, the wife of L. V. Vaughan, of Rockford, Illinois; Charles Willard Francis, whose natal day was December II, 1879, residing near Rockford, Illinois; and James Lee Martin, who was born on the 5th of December, 1883, of Wright county, Iowa.
Mr. and Mrs. Ross attend the services of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which she is a member. Fraternally Mr. Ross is affiliated with Alamo Lodge, No. 547, A. F. & A. M., in which he has filled all of the chairs; and Hope Chapter, No. 88, R. A. M., of Webster City. He also belongs to Jungle Camp, 1844, M. W. A .; the Royal Neighbors, of which he is one of the managers of the local order, No. 633; and the Yeomen. He votes the republican ticket, and has been town recorder for four years and chief of the fire department for ten. Mr. Ross is one of the public-spirited, enterprising business men of the town, where he is widely known and held in high esteem.
J. A. DUNKEL.
J. A. Dunkel is a thoroughly equipped civil engineer and to his activities in this line brings a scientific and technical knowledge of the details of his business and a sound theory often successfully tested in practical work. Mr. Dunkel was born in Illinois in 1881, and is a son of John M. and Annie ( Hall) Dunkel, the former a prominent farmer and stock-raiser in Illinois. In this state the father still makes his home, but the mother has passed away. The public schools of his native state afforded J. A. Dunkel his early opportunities in an edu- cational line and he pursued his studies until he had completed the
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usual course of studies. His engineering career began in 1900, when he entered the employ of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Rail- road, where he perfected himself in civil engineering. He had an apt and alert mind, scientifically inclined and he was also endowed with a degree of mechanical skill. These qualities stood him in good stead in his chosen field and after five years of continuous applica- tion he had achieved a special education along this line which put him in the front rank in his profession. In 1905 he was employed by the city engineer of Tuscola, Illinois, and became in 1906 identified as a partner with the newly organized Tuscola Supply & Construction Company, formed to do business in Iowa and having its office in Webster City. In the following year Mr. Dunkel removed to the lat- ter city and took up his active duties in the construction line of activi- ties. He remained with the Tuscola Supply & Construction Com- pany until February 1, 1911. In that year he disposed of his inter- ests to W. H. Omstead and established an enterprise of his own which he has since conducted. He makes a specialty of drainage work. He thoroughly understands engineering, construction and the various intricate mechanical details of the profession with which he is identified. He has a systematic and technical mind, stored with a large amount of broad general knowledge and a wide acquaintance with the special details of his profession.
In January, 1906, Mr. Dunkel was united in marriage to Miss Clara Stimson, of Ellettsville, Indiana, and to their union has been born one son, James Stimson, whose birth occurred in October, 1908. The family residence is at No. 908 Second street, Webster City, Iowa, and Mr. and Mrs. Dunkel are well known in the younger social circles of the city. He believes firmly in specialization as a factor in effi- ciency and has conformed his own business activities to this theory. His youth makes his present degree of attainment a mere preliminary to greater future success to which his many friends in Webster City look forward as a certainty.
PETER J. OKLAND.
One of Hamilton county's sons whose business career. reflects credit upon himself, family and community is Peter J. Okland, one of the foremost representatives of the commercial activities of Randall. His birth occurred in Ellsworth township on the 24th of March,
P. J. OKLAND
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1879, his parents being Nels P. and Julia M. (Ellingson ) Okland. The father is a native of Norway and the mother of Benton county, Iowa, where they were married and began their domestic life. They came to Hamilton county during the pioneer period, locating in Ells- worth township, where for many years the father engaged in agricul- tural pursuits, but he has now withdrawn from active work and he and the mother are residing in Randall. To them were born the following children: Peter J., who was born in Benton county in 1875 and died in infancy: Mrs. Julia G. Thompson, who resides in the vicinity of Williams ; Peter J., our subject ; Ellen, who is deceased ; Jolin, who is a resident of Ellsworth township; Halver, who lives in Minnesota : and Alma, who is deceased. All but the first named were born in Hamilton county, where they were likewise reared.
Peter J. Okland was born and reared on a farm and educated in the rural schools of Ellsworth township, and also attended the Jewell Lutheran College for two years. His life has not been un- ustal in any way but has passed in the routine which is characteris- tic of small communities. The son of a self-made man, as a child he had instilled in his youthful mind many valuable precepts on thrift and diligence and the important part they played in the achievement of a successful career. In common with the majority of youths who are reared in the country he early began to assist in the tilling of the fields and care of the crops, continuing to follow agricultural pur- suits until 1902. Believing that commercial activities afforded better returns he then gave up farming and accepted a clerkship in a general mercantile store in Randall, preparatory to fitting himself for a business career. Five years later, feeling that he was fully qualified to engage in the operation of a like enterprise for himself, he re- signed his position and established a general mercantile store under the firm name of Okland & Company. The marked development of his business and the excellent patronage he enjoys leaves no doubt as to the wisdom of his decision, but on the contrary is substantial proof of his possessing clear foresight and sound judgment. He carries as large and varied an assortment as will be found in any similar establishment in the county and draws his patrons from the surround- ing country for a radius of several miles. His success must be at- tributed to a careful study of the varied needs and circumstances of his customers, no less than to his gracious, accommodating manner and upright business methods.
Mr. Okland was married on the 6th of December, 1906, to Miss Bertha G. Anderson, who was born in Jewell Junction, this state, Vol. II-14
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on the same day and month in the year 1884. Her father, John P. Anderson, is a native of Denmark, whence he emigrated to the United States in early life. Here he met and married Miss Mary J. Idso, a native of Kendall county, Illinois. They resided in Story county, Iowa, during the early period of their married life, coming from there to Hamilton county, locating here during pioneer days. They now make their home in Randall. Nine children have been born to them in the following order: Carl, who was born in Story county on the 18th of October, 1878, and is associated in business with Mr. Okland; Bertha, deceased; D. Martin, a hardware merchant of Randall; Mrs. Okland; Mabel, who is clerking for Okland & Com- pany; Anna, deceased; Rasmus, a resident of Randall; and Alfred and Albert, who are deceased. The three eldest were born in Story county, this state, but the last named are natives of Hamilton county. Mr. and Mrs. Okland have two children: Lloyd H., who was born on the 12th of October, 1908; and Ralph L., whose natal day was October 18, 1909.
Mr. and Mrs. Okland are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and his political support Mr. Okland accords to the repub- lican party. The owner of his residence, one of the best in the town, and a thriving business, he takes an active and helpful interest in forwarding the development of the community and is in every sense of the word a most desirable type of citizen.
N. H. BAWDEN.
Business success is a direct result of centralized energy, an alert mind and an intelligent power of discrimination. Political ability comes from a discerning sense of the values of men, constructive or- ganization and genuine honesty. These qualities united in the char- acter of N. H. Bawden, now serving as supervisor of Hamilton county, where he has made his home for many years, a representa- tive business man in Webster City and one of the efficient public officials of his county. He was born near Galena, Illinois, Decem- ber 21, 1852. His parents, Nicholas and Anna (Harris) Bawden, were both natives of England and their families for many generations were residents of Cornwall. Representatives in the paternal line were engaged in mining in that vicinity while the maternal side of the family have been agriculturists for a long period. Mr. and Mrs.
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Nicholas Bawden were married in England and both came to the United States prior to 1850, the father, however, preceding the mother by about two years, the latter bringing with her their eldest daughter. Mr. Bawden made the journey across the Atlantic on a sailing vessel and it was accomplished under difficult conditions. Ves- sels at that time were entirely dependent upon the winds and these being adverse at the time of Mr. Bawden's crossing, lengthened the journey to over four months. When he finally landed in America he pushed on immediately to Lafayette county, Wisconsin, and thence to Jo Daviess county, Illinois. Here the father followed his occu- pation of mining and became a well known citizen of his adopted district before his death, in 1858. His wife survived him until 1880, in which year her death occurred. Beside the daughter born in Eng- land Mr. and Mrs. Bawden were the parents of seven sons, whose births occurred in the United States.
N. H. Bawden was reared at home and educated in the public schools of Jo Daviess county, Illinois. He pursued the usual course of study until he was fourteen years of age and then laid aside his books to accept a position in the iron mines of the northern peninsula of Michigan, near Marquette, where he remained for seven years. He then went to Apple River, Illinois, and engaged in the butcher business with some success until 1877.' In that year his residence in Webster City began and has continued with an interruption of two years since that time. In 1877 he started a meat market in Webster City and was active and successful in its operation for a few months. When the mining rush to the Black hills of South Dakota commenced he aban- doned his business interests in Webster City and removed to the ore fields, where he spent one year prospecting with, however, but little success. In 1878 he returned to Webster City and eventually purchased a tract of land in Freedom township, Hamilton county, which he developed and improved along modern agricultural lines for ten years. His farming was practical and productive of good results and during his period of identification with this line of ac- tivity Mr. Bawden accomplished much for the farming interests of his county. In 1890 he again removed to Webster City and has re- mained there since that time engaged in various commercial enter- prises. His ambition and energy and his undoubted business ability have always been directed towards expanding and developing ends. He has been for many years a prominent figure in business circles of Webster City and his citizenship has been a valuable asset in the municipal progress. He has been identified with the grocery business
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and has spent two years in the creamery line. He successfully con- ducted for five years a flour and feed business, which under his man- agement and direction became one of the largest concerns of its kind in the city. During the last few years he has given his time principally to the political activities and duties incident to his public career. He has never deviated from his allegiance to the republican party and has served his community in various positions. From 1902 to 1903 he was constable in Webster City and did effective work in this capacity. He was deputy sheriff from 1909 to 1910 and was elected to his present office of county supervisor on the Ist of January. 1911. He is a capable and efficient public servant, keenly interested in the public welfare and thoroughly awake to developing conditions. His political activities have been distinguished by a rare honesty of purpose and a high intelligence in the promotion of the interests of his constituents.
On January 26, 1876, Mr. Bawden was united in marriage to Miss Canzetta J. Foval, a daughter of George Foval, of Jo Daviess county, Illinois. To this marriage were born four children: Earl, a cement contractor in Oklahoma, who married Miss Rose Mikel. by whom he has one son, Harold; Irene, who became the wife of Fred Knudson, a hardware merchant in Sibley, Iowa, and is the mother of two children, Jack and Virginia; Beyel, who became the wife of J. W. Mason, of Webster City, and passed away in 1908; and Arthur Grant, who resides on a farm in Freedom township, Hamilton county, Iowa, with his wife, who was in her maidenhood Miss Susie Mason. The first Mrs. Bawden died on August 28, 1898, and on December 10, 1902, our subject was again married. His second wife was Mrs. Carrie Mullen, a daughter of A. H. Malcolm, one of the pioneer set- tlers of the state of Iowa. He is a representative and valued citi- zen of Rolfe, that state, and has been identified with some of the leading interests in its pioneer development. He took part in the troubles following the Spirit Lake massacre and is a distinguished veteran of the Civil war. He is now in the eightieth year of his age and is living in Rolfe with his wife, who is sixty-eight years old. Mrs. Bawden is the mother of two children by her first marriage: Jean Mullen, born in 1889, a resident of Pocahontas, Iowa; and Malcolm, whose birth occurred in 1891 and who is residing in Web- ster City. Mrs. Bawden is a charming and hospitable woman and is well known in social circles of the city. She is a member of the Order of Rebekahs, and her religious work in the interests of the Methodist Episcopal church is active and efficient.
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Mr. Bawden is prominently identified with various fraternal or- ganizations in his city. His connection with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows has existed since he attained his majority. He now belongs to Webster City Lodge, No. 342, I. O. O. F., and is a past grand of that organization and for the last fifteen years has served as its banker. He also holds membership in Ridgley Encampment, No. 9, and is past chief patriarch and banker for this branch of the order. He belongs to Webster City Lodge, No. 23, Eureka Canton, and has held the position of banker in this organization also. His fraternal affiliations form one of the active interests of his life and his business ability and organizing skill have been valuable assets to the societies with which he is connected. Mr. Bawden is a man whose broad and intelligent citizenship makes him representative and prominent in business, political and social circles of Webster City. Honorable and broad-minded in his purposes, always careful to con- serve the interests not only of his constituents but of the general public, active, energetic and discriminating, his political labors are of the expanding and developing kind which bring definite and cer- tain results.
GEORGE B. BERGESON.
George B. Bergeson, who is engaged in the piano business, is one of the well known residents of Ellsworth, where he has been identi- fied with commercial interests for twenty years. He was born in La Salle county, Illinois, on the 17th of May, 1875, and is a son of Peter and Anna M. (Peterson) Bergeson, natives of Norway. They came to America in the early '50s and were married in La Salle county, Illi- nois, where the father subsequently engaged in farming. In 1883 the family removed to Hamilton county, Iowa, settling on two hun- dred and forty acres of partially improved land in Lincoln township, where Mr. Bergeson continued his agricultural pursuits. He dili- gently applied himself to the further improvement and cultivation of his farm until 1901, when he removed to Ellsworth, where he lived in retirement until his death which occurred on January 15, 1906, at the age of seventy-five years. The mother, who is seventy-seven years of age, resides in Ellsworth.
The youngest member in a family of five George B. Bergeson was reared at home and educated in the common schools. He assisted
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his father until he was twenty-one, when he engaged in farming for himself on the old homestead. He continued his agricultural pursuits there for five years and at the expiration of that period bought eighty acres of land. After cultivating this place for a year, he disposed of it and came to Ellsworth, where he purchased the furniture and un- dertaking establishment of O. N. Sexy. He subsequently extended the scope of his activities by adding a stock of pianos and musical in- struments, in which line he built up an excellent trade. On the Ist of May, 1912, Mr. Bergeson sold his furniture and undertaking business and now devotes his entire time and attention to his music store.
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