USA > Iowa > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 21
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In 1897, Mr. Bergeson was married to Miss Martha Swenson, who was born on the 28th of August, 1872, and is the twelfth in order of birth in a family of thirteen. Her parents, Aad and Sarah (Nelson) Swenson, were born, reared and married in Norway, whence they emigrated to America with their family in 1886, locating in this county. Here the father passed away on February 13, 1902, at the age of seventy-six, but the mother was eighty-one at the time of her death, which occurred on the 6th of August, 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Bergeson have four children, Anna Mabel, Sylvia Agnes, George Mar- shall and Porter Benton.
The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church, and fraternally he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America, be- ing secretary of Enterprise Camp, No. 4100. He is a democrat in politics and has represented his ward in the town council for the past seven years. Mr. Bergeson owns his residence and a business block here and is one of the stockholders of the Ellsworth Mutual Tele- phone Company, of which he is the secretary. He is a man of dili- gence and enterprise in matters of business, while as a citizen he is progressive and public-spirited, and is held in high esteem by his neighbors and fellow townsmen.
WILLIAM A. ALLINSON.
William A. Allinson is the owner of a barber shop in Williams, which he has successfully conducted since 1902. He was born in Illinois, on the 15th of August, 1870, and is a son of William and Jane (Armstrong) Allinson. The father, who died in Williams, February 22, 1901, was also a native of Illinois, but the mother was
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born in Grant county, Wisconsin. She is now sixty-six years of age and is a resident of this city. In 1875, Mr. and Mrs. Allinson came to Iowa with their family and located on a farm in the vicinity of Williams, where they remained for two years. At the expiration of that time they removed to town and the father here established a wagon and blacksmith shop, which he .conducted for many years, and for a time he also served as postmaster. In religious faith he was a Methodist and his widow and family affiliate with the same church. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Allinson numbered four, our subject be- ing the third in order of birth. The others are as follows: Ada, who was born in 1865 and died at Zion City, Illinois, in September, 1903, the deceased wife of John I. Johnson: Jennie, whose birth occurred in July, 1869, the wife of Frank Millsap, of Rose Grove township; and John W., a resident of Williams, whose natal day was the 7th of June, 1884. The two eldest are natives of Illinois, but the last named was born in Hamilton county.
William A. Allinson was only a child of five years when he ac- companied his parents on their removal to Hamilton county, where he has ever since made his home. He obtained his education in the public schools of Williams and subsequently assisted his father in the operation of the wagon shop. Later he turned his attention to agri- cultural pursuits, and for a time worked out as a farm hand, giving this up to enter upon the duties of assistant postmaster under H. N. Hurd. He retained this position under his father and John Hurd, and served the present incumbent, C. M. Stevens, in a like capacity for three and a half years, the length of his term being substantial evidence of his general efficiency. After resigning this office he en- gaged in the meat business in Williams for three years, and then clerked for Wilde & Company for a year. In 1902 he purchased the barber shop of Charles Miller, and during the intervening years has succeeded in building up a lucrative business in this line. He has many friends in the town and surrounding country, and through his efficient work, accommodating manner and unfailing graciousness has won a large patronage, which is constantly increasing.
On the 24th of May, 1892, Mr. Allinson was married to Miss Adeline Millsap, who was born near Toronto, Canada, on the 25th of August, 1874, and is a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Graham) Millsap, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Canada. In 1880, the family came to Hamilton county, settling in Williams, but later they removed to a farm and subsequently located in Hardin county. There the parents passed away, the father's death occurring
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in May, 1901, and that of the mother on the 4th of June, 1894. Their family numbered nine, Mrs. Allinson being the youngest. The oth- ers are as follows : Joseph; Sinclair; Frank; Edward; May, the wife of Albert Grose; Lydia, who became Mrs. John Dickey: Jennie, the wife of W. F. Shields; and Nellie, who married Amos Fenwell. Mr. and Mrs. Allinson have had three children: Harold Vincent, who was born October 2, 1893, graduated from the Williams high school with the class of 1911 and is assisting his father in the barber shop; Thomas LeRoy, who was born February 17, 1895, a member of the high-school class of 1912; and Angie Leah, who was born on the 6th of October, 1898, and is a student of the public schools. She was one of the members of her class who was accorded the privilege of taking the state examination this year and made a creditable record. The eldest son was born in Hardin county, but the births of the other two occurred in Williams.
Mrs. Allinson and the children belong to the Methodist Episcopal church, and fraternally he is affiliated with Alamo Lodge, No. 547, A. F. & A. M .; and Williams Camp, No. 1844, M. W. A. Mr. Allin- son is one of the public-spirited men of the town and takes an active interest in all political affairs, giving his support to the republican party. He is a member of the board of education and served for two years as township clerk. He is a most desirable type of citizen, as he is diligent and enterprising in his business, owns his residence and is personally interested in promoting the development of the community along permanent, substantial lines. Despite the fact that his business claims much of his time and attention, he finds opportunity to indulge his fondness for baseball, and is pitcher for the local team, which is one of the best nines in the county, and has established a record by defeating the teams of the surrounding towns.
JAMES RANKIN.
Among the loyal and patriotic citizens of Iowa who donned the blue in defense of the Union in 1861 is numbered James Rankin, who for more than thirty years was identified with the agricultural development of Hardin county, but is now living retired in Williams, enjoying in his latter years the competence acquired by his early thrift and diligence.
MR. AND MRS. JAMES RANKIN
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He was born in Ireland in 1838, and is a son of John and Esther (McBurney ) Rankin, who were born, reared and married in the Em- erald isle. In 1839, they emigrated to America, locating in Canada, where they resided until 1855, when they crossed the border into the United States, settling in Cedar county, Iowa. They subsequently removed to Greene county, this state, and there the father passed away in 1875. He was long survived by the mother, who died in Harrison county, Iowa, March 29, 1899, and was buried in the fam- ily lot in Greene county. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Rankin num- bered nine, the first two of whom were born in Ireland, the next four in Canada, and the remainder in Cedar county, Iowa. In order of birth they are as follows: Abraham, who is a resident of Wood- bine, Iowa: James, our subject ; William, who is living in Harrison county, Iowa; George, of Clear Water, Nebraska; Belle, now Mrs. William Ayers, of Grand Junction, Iowa; Margaret, who married John Tipton, of Armstrong, Iowa; Letitia, the wife of John Sullivan of Beaver, this state; Sarah, who married George Smith, of Soldier, Iowa; and Esther, who became the wife of Fred Bowers, of Paton. this state.
James Rankin was only an infant when his parents emigrated to America, and a youth of seventeen years at the time they located in Iowa. He was reared on a farm and given the advantages of a com- mon-school education, which he obtained in Canada. When the call came for troops in 1861, he responded as also did a brother, and went to the front as a private in Company E, Eleventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry. His term of service expired on the 3Ist of December. 1863, and he was honorably discharged at Vicksburg. He reenlisted the same day and served until the close of the war, being under the command of Colonel Hall. When mustered out he returned to Iowa, 'where he resumed his agricultural pursuits. In 1868, he removed to Hardin county, and there engaged in general farming and stock-rais- ing until 1902, when he went to North Dakota to avail himself of his homestead rights as a veteran of the Civil war. He remained there for two years and at the expiration of that time came back to Iowa and purchased a residence in Williams, where he and his wife have ever since made their home.
In Cedar county, this state, on the 30th of August. 1866, Mr. Rankin was married to Miss Jane Cash, who was born in Oneida county, New York, on January 4, 1847. She is a daughter of Wil- liam and Sarah (Webb) Cash, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of England. They came to Iowa during the pioneer days and
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settled in Cedar county, and there the mother passed away in 1868, at the age of fifty-five years. She was long survived by the father, who was eighty at the time of his death, which occurred in Cedar county in 1884. They had another daughter, Sarah Ann, who was born in New York state on April 4, 1832, and died in Cedar county in June, 1894. She was the wife of Henry Britcher. To Mr. and Mrs. Rankin were born six children: Albert, who was born in Cedar county, Iowa, July 22, 1867, residing at Armstrong, Iowa; Sarah, whose natal day was October 16, 1869, the wife of John A. Carns, of Boise, Idaho; Ella, who was born March 13, 1872, and became the wife of Albert J. Palmer, of Hollister, Idaho; Henry, who was born September 30, 1875, and married Rose Johnson, a resident of Long Hill, Hardin county, Iowa ; David, who was born on the 22d of April, 1877, and married Mary Craig, residing in the vicinity of Alden, this state; and Mary, who was born on the 2d of July, 1883, the wife of Nelson Dutton, residing at Herdsfield, North Dakota. All but the eldest son were born in Hardin county, this state.
Mr. and Mrs. Rankin are Methodists in their religious faith and hold membership with the church of that denomination in Williams. His fraternal relations are confined to this connection with C. Fair- child Post, No. 431, G. A. R., and in politics he is a republican. In his early years Mr. Rankin led an active, enterprising life, meeting with the success that invariably crowns earnest effort when intelli- gently put forth. He is now numbered among the substantial citi- zens of Williams, where he has property interests which are yielding him a good annual dividend.
ALEXANDER CARUTH.
Alexander Caruth, who is extensively engaged in general farming in Williams township, having under cultivation five hundred and twenty acres, has been identified with the agricultural interests of Hamilton county for twenty-three years. His birth occurred at Bridgeport, Hamilton county, Ohio, on the 23d of October, 1861. He is of Irish extraction in the paternal line, his father, Matthew Ca- ruth, having been born on the Emerald isle, in November, 1842. The mother, whose maiden name was Mary Jane Cochran, was born and reared in Ohio, but passed away in Williams, April 2, 1909. The early domestic life of Mr. and Mrs. Caruth was passed in Ohio, whence
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they removed to Mendota, La Salle county, Illinois, residing there until 1889. On March I of that year, they came to Hamilton county, locat- ing on a farm in Williams township in the cultivation of which the father was engaged for many years. He has now retired from active work, however, and is living in Williams. Our subject is the eldest in a family of eight, the other members in order of birth being as fol- lows: Sarah, the wife of Al Walters, of Waterloo, Iowa; William, who is a resident of La Salle county, Illinois ; Robert, deceased; Adam, who is engaged in the implement business in La Salle, Illinois; Andrew of Williams; John, a resident of Williams; and Mary, who became the wife of Dr. Moorehouse, residing at Harlan, Iowa. The two elder children were born in Ohio and the others in Illinois.
The education of Alexander Caruth was obtained in the common schools of La Salle county, Illinois, where he was reared to manhood and fitted for the vocation he is now following. He came to Hamil- ton county after his marriage and has ever since been a resident of Williams township, where he owns a farm of one hundred and twenty acres. Mr. Caruth is enterprising and diligent and is meeting with success in his undertakings. In addition to the cultivation of his own fields he rents four hundred acres of land from his father, from which he annually reaps abundant harvests. He takes great pride in his homestead and has devoted much time and expense to its cultiva- tion and improvement. His land is substantially fenced, he has ample barn room for the shelter of his stock and grain and a comfortable residence, all of which are kept in repair. His farm presents a good appearance and manifests the exercise of capable management and systematic supervision in its operation.
On the IIth of December, 1886, Mr. Caruth was married to Miss Mattie Cummings, who was born twelve miles from Albany, New York, on the 9th of October, 1861, and is a daughter of Henry and Perces (Chappell) Cummings. The father was born in the state of NNew York on February 14, 1836, while the mother is a native of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, her birth having there occurred on February 14, 1835. They passed their early married life in New York, but in 1865. removed to Illinois, subsequently coming from there to Iowa, and are now residing in Iowa Falls, Hardin county, this state. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Cummings numbers four: Mrs. Caruth : Irene, who was born in August, 1862, the wife of James Chase, of Weblake, Wisconsin; Orlando, whose birth occurred on October 5. 1864, a resident of Texas; and Ethel, whose natal day was the 2d of June, 1876, the wife of Arthur Ragan, of Hardin county. All were
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born in New York, with the exception of Mrs. Ragan, who is a na- tive of Illinois.
Mr. and Mrs. Caruth have had twelve children: Iva Fay and Myrtle Irene, both of whom are deceased; Ina, who was born March 14, 1889, the wife of A. E. Howes, who is mentioned at greater length elsewhere in this work; Harry, whose birth occurred October 10, 1891, a resident of Williams township; Cyril, born on the 17th of July, 1892, living at home; Henry Matthew, whose natal day was April 25, 1894; Clifford, born on the 3d of November, 1895: one, who died in infancy; Frederick, whose birth occurred on the 28th of December, 1897; Mary Jane, who died in infancy; Raymond, who was born August 6, 1901; and Robert, whose birth occurred on the 14th of January, 1905. The three eldest were born in Illinois and the younger members of the family in Hamilton county, this state.
The family affiliate with the Presbyterian church of Williams, and Mr. Caruth belongs to the local camp of the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a stanch democrat in his political views. He is not remiss in matters of citizenship and takes an active interest in all things pertaining to the progress of the community or the general welfare of its residents. ,
ALVIN C. HENDERSON.
Alvin C. Henderson, a former agriculturist of Hamilton county, who is now residing in Williams, was born in De Kalb county, Illinois. on the 26th of June, 1873. He is a son of James W. and Eliza (Hip- ple) Henderson, natives of Perry county, Pennsylvania, the father's birth having there occurred on August 12, 1834, and that of the mother on May 5, 1837. They removed from the Keystone state to Somonauk, De Kalb county, Illinois, in 1860, where for many years the father engaged in farming. He is now deceased, his death having occurred in July, 1897, but the mother is still living, and continues to make her home in Somonauk. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Henderson, our subject being the seventh in order of birth and the youngest son. The other members of the family are as follows : Laura, now Mrs. J. L. Carms, of Courtland, Nebraska; Ida, the wife of J. M. Skinner, of Beuhler, Kansas; John A,, a resident of Somo- nauk, Illinois; Matilda, who married W. A. Hines, of Sandwich. Illinois ; James F., a resident of Somonauk, Illinois ; Mary, deceased :
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and Martha, now Mrs. A. Gletty, of Courtland, Nebraska. They were all born and reared on the old homestead in De Kalb county, Illinois.
The early years in the life of Alvin C. Henderson were passed on the farm where he was born, his education being obtained in the dis- trict schools and the high school at Somonauk. As is common with farmer lads he early began assisting his father with the work of the fields and care of the crops, thus familiarizing himself with the prac- tical duties of the agriculturist. On the Ist of March, 1899, he came to Hamilton county, Iowa, where the December preceding he had pur- chased one hundred and twenty acres of land located in Rose Grove township. He diligently applied himself to the further cultivation and improvement of his farm during the succeeding thirteen years. meeting with fair success. In August, 1910. Mr. Henderson began auctioneering, and as he was efficient and capable the demand for his services steadily increased until he decided to give up farming and devote his entire attention to the former vocation. He, therefore, rented his farm and bought a residence in Williams, where he removed with his family on the Ist of March. 1912.
On the 27th of June, 1894. Mr. Henderson was married to Miss Sarah C. Davis, who was born in Somonauk, Illinois, on October I, 1878, and there she was reared to womanhood, acquiring her edu- cation in the common schools. She is a daughter of J. W. and Mary A. (Arnold) Davis, the former a native of New York, his birth there occurring on October 30. 1848, while the mother was born in Batavia, Illinois, on the Ist of November. 1855. They removed from Illinois to Hamilton county, and now reside in Rose Grove township, this county. Their family numbered ten, all of whom were born in De Kalb county, Illinois, with the exception of the youngest, who is a native of this county. In order of birth they are as follows: Lizzie, the wife of John Johnson, of Webster City: Mrs. Henderson: Edgar T., who is a resident of Wyoming; Anna, now Mrs. L. B. Wood, of Williams: Clara, who is living in Williams: George, deceased; and Roy. Frank, Melvin and Jay, all of whom are living in Williams.
Mr. and Mrs. Henderson have five daughters: Ethel, who was born on the 6th of July, 1895; Grace, whose natal day was the 2d of January. 1898: Ella, who was born June 8, 1900; Fern, whose birth occurred on the 12th of October, 1902; and Vira, who was born No- vember 7. 1904. The two eldest were born in La Salle county, Illi- nois, and the remaining three in this county.
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The family attend the services of the Methodist Episcopal church of Williams, of which Mrs. Henderson is a member. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and his political support he accords the republican party. He served for eight years as clerk of Rose Grove township and he was also a member of the school board during his residence there. Mr. Henderson is one of the highly esteemed men of the community and enjoys the confidence of all with whom he has dealings, as he is straightforward and upright and conducts his transactions in an honorable manner.
J. WILLIAM WILKINSON.
J. William Wilkinson, senior partner of the firm of Wilkinson Brothers, dealers in general merchandise, is one of the highly es- teemed members of the commercial circles of Williams, where he has been successfully engaged in business since 1909. He was born in Grant county, Wisconsin, on the 3d of July, 1871, and is a son of William Austin and Elizabeth (Tomlinson) Wilkinson. The father was born in Missouri but the mother is a native of Grant county. Wisconsin. Both parents are living and now make their home in Alden, Hardin county, Iowa. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Wilkin- son numbered four, our subject being the second in order of birth. The others are as follows: Maude, who was born July 2, 1869, the wife of J. H. Watson, of Hardin county; Walter, who was born on the 5th of March, 1876, and studied for a time at the Iowa State Col- lege at Ames and subsequently pursued a law course in Drake Uni- versity, now a resident of Quincy, Illinois; and Clifford A., who was born November 19, 1884, and is engaged in business with his brother. J. W., in Williams.
J. William Wilkinson was reared at home and at the usual age began his education in the public schools, terminating his student days before completing his high-school course at Alden, this state, where he resided for sixteen years. In 1909, together with his brother, Clifford A., he established a general mercantile store in Williams, which has proven to be a lucrative undertaking. Their store is fa- vorably located, they have a well assorted stock of merchandise that they offer at reasonable prices, are accommodating and considerate of their patrons and as a result are building up a large trade and have
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every reason to feel gratified with the development of their undertak- ing. They are practical, far-sighted men of enterprising methods and in the conduct of their business have conformned to a policy that commends them to the confidence of the community.
On June 19, 1895, Mr. Wilkinson was married to Miss Kate Mc- Cue, who was born in Amboy, Illinois, on the IIth of February, 1869. She is the seventh in a family of nine children born to Lawrence and Elizabeth McCue, natives of Ireland, who passed their latter years in Williams. In order of birth the other members of the family are as follows: Anna, the wife of James Gelday, of Fort Dodge, Iowa; James, who is a resident of Waterloo; Mary, who married C. H .. Ball, of Chicago; Thomas, who is deceased; Ella, the wife of W. H. Mi- nard, of Williams; Lawrence, who is residing at Nashua, this state : Bart, who lives at Seattle, Washington; and John, a regular in the United States army. The family have long been residents of Hamil- ton county, the two youngest children having been born here. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson have a son and a daughter: Harold T., who was born at Malcom, this state, on September 19, 1897, and is now a stu- dent of the local high school; and Leona E., whose natal day was the 12th of January, 1899, a student in the public school.
The political support of Mr. Wilkinson is given to the republican party, and although he takes an active interest in municipal affairs he has never held office. He is a man of high principles, energetic and diligent in his business, owns his residence, cooperates in promoting the progress of the community and is in every way a desirable citizen and a useful member of society.
CARL J. THORESON.
Carl J. Thoreson, who is engaged in the harness and automobile business, is numbered among the enterprising members of the com- mercial fraternity of Ellsworth. His birth occurred in Hamilton county on the 12th of September, 1876, and he is a son of Gustav and Anna (Egland) Thoreson. The father, who is now sixty-one years of age, is a native of Norway, while the mother was born in Illinois fifty- nine years ago. They were married in this county and here for many years the father devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits, but they have been residing in Jewell since 1895. Our subject is the eldest of the five children born to his parents.
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The boyhood and youth of Carl J. Thoreson were passed on the farm where he was born, his education being obtained in the common schools. He remained at home until his people removed to Jewell, when he started out to make his own way in the world. For three years thereafter he worked out by the month, but at the expiration of that time he came to Ellsworth and opened a meat market, which he conducted for a year. He then disposed of this enterprise and went into the livery and dray business. A year later he likewise sold this business, investing the proceeds in a restaurant, which he conducted four months. In 1902 he bought out the harness shop of Oscar Gor- man, and seven years later he extended the scope of his activities by building and equipping a garage and putting in a line of automobiles. As Mr. Thoreson is an active, wide-awake man of affairs and has es- tablished an excellent reputation for reliability and trustworthiness, he is accorded a large patronage. He has met with more than aver- age prosperity and, besides his place of business and residence in Ells- worth, owns a hundred and sixty acres of land in Kossuth county.
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