USA > Iowa > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 28
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The three eldest members of the family were born in Marshall county and the last named in Hardin county.
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The boyhood and early youth of L. M. Crosley were passed on a farm in the vicinity of Radcliffe, where the family located in 1878. This period of his life was passed in very much the same manner as that of other lads who are reared in the rural sections. His education was completed in the high schools of Radcliffe and Hubbard, and at the age of seventeen he began his business career as a clerk in a drug store. Two years later he successfully passed the state examination and was granted his license as a registered pharmacist. On January 1, 1898, he came to Randall and established the drug store he is now conducting. Being a young man of more than average foresight and sagacity, he readily recognized the opportunities the town afforded in a business way and began to avail himself of its advantages. He es- . tablished the first restaurant and ice cream parlor in the town and also installed the first soda fountain. To him also belongs the honor of having opened the first jewelry store in Randall, and he has been prominently identified with various other local enterprises. Later he engaged in the real-estate business with Mr. Nelson, under the firm name of Crosley & Nelson, and as they are both men of marked enter- prise they have met with a gratifying degree of success in the de- velopment of this undertaking. In addition to local town and coun- try properties they engage in the buying and selling of Minnesota farms and are general agents for the Rio Grande Valley lands. Mr. Crosley takes an active and helpful interest in forwarding the de- velopment of the town and was one of the promoters of the Farmers Telephone system in Ellsworth township. Despite the exactions made on his time by his varied interests they are all given due attention. His store is unusually well equipped, up-to-date and presents an invit- ing appearance, and his lines of drugs are always fresh, up-to-stand- ard and of the very highest grade. In addition to drugs and patent medicines he carries toilet articles and sundries such as are found in establishments of this kind, while he has become widely known through the surrounding country by reason of his large and carefully selected stock of holiday goods, which draw customers from a radius of miles. Mr. Crosley's business career has not been free from ad- versities, but he has self-reliance, energy and confidence in himself and others, and he finds his greatest incentive to further effort in set- backs, utilizing these as lessons and stepping-stones to a larger and more secure success.
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On the 5th of May, 1898, Mr. Crosley was united in marriage to Miss Edith May Beecher, who was born in the vicinity of New Provi- dence, Hardin county, on May 30, 1878. She is the only child of G. W. and Amanda (Hall) Beecher, who are residing on a farm near Lawn Hill, Hardin county. She was educated in the academy at New Providence and was subsequently postmaster at Lawn Hill. To Mr. and Mrs. Crosley has been born one daughter, Bessie, whose na- tal day was the 2d of January, 1911. Mr. Crosley recently disposed of his residence to good advantage. He holds title to some business lots in town, however, which are becoming more and more valuable. He has made creditable progress in the development of his career, which must be attributed entirely to his enterprising spirit,-his deter- mination of purpose which refuses to recognize failure.
Mr. and Mrs. Crosley attend the Methodist Episcopal church, and fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias at Story City, hav- ing been initiated in this organization at Hubbard, and of the Benevo- lent Protective Order of Elks of Webster City. Politically he is a republican and has served for two terms as township trustee, while on several occasions he has been sent as a delegate to county con- ventions.
EDWARD PETERSON.
Edward Peterson is one of the well known and respected citizens of Stratford and is engaged as cashier of the State Bank of Stratford. He was born July 20, 1869, in Webster county, Iowa, and is a son of Daniel A. and Hattie S. (Hanson) Peterson, both of whom were na- tives of Sweden and emigrated with their parents to America in early childhood. They were married in Webster county, where they have since continued to reside. The father has been engaged in agri- cultural pursuits during his entire residence in this country. In the family were five children, of whom the subject of this review is the eldest.
Edward Peterson was reared at home and received his elementary education in the public schools. He remained under the parental roof until he was twenty years of age and at that time started out in life for himself as a telegraph operator in the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company at Dayton. At the end of two years he accepted the position of deputy county recorder of Webster
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county, and in that office he served for two years. In 1894 he came to Stratford, becoming cashier of the State Bank of Stratford, and to the interests of that institution he has since given his attention. He is one of the stockholders in the bank and is the owner of ninety- five acres of farm land in Hamilton county, owning also three hun- dred and twenty acres of land in Webster county. He is also a stock- holder in the Security Title & Loan Company of Webster City. The State Bank of Stratford was established in 1891 with a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars, which was owned by local investors and by citizens of Fort Dodge. The first officers of the bank were Augustus Anderson, president ; Jonas Fallin, vice president ; and J. T. Drug, cashier. In 1909 the bank was reorganized and the capital stock increased to thirty-five thousand dollars. It now has a surplus and undivided dividends, in addition to its capital stock, of fifteen thousand dollars. At the time of the reorganization the stock held by non-residents of Stratford was purchased by the present officers, who are now the exclusive owners of the entire issue. The officers are P. A. Swanson, president ; F. E. Lundell, vice president; and Edward Peterson, cashier. The State Bank of Stratford is one of the solid financial institutions of Hamilton county and its officers and board of directors are among the most enterprising and trusted citizens of this part of the state.
Mr. Peterson was united in marriage in 1903 to Miss Hilma Peter- son, of Dayton, Iowa. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nels Peter- son, in whose family were five children, of whom Mrs. Peterson is the fourth in order of birth, born October II, 1878. Edward Peter- son is well and favorably known throughout business circles of Hamil- ton county and is a man who by virtue of his well known integrity and constant attention to business is placed among the reliable and trustworthy members of the community in which he resides.
GEORGE STEWART BARNER, LL. B.
George Stewart Barner, a prominent and leading resident of Web- ster City, has served in the capacity of city solicitor since January, 1908. He was born at Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, on the 26th of October, 1878, being the only child of John L. and Ella M. (Long) Barner, who still reside at Shippensburg. John L. Barner acted as agent of the Cumberland Valley Railroad for twelve years and sub-
GEORGE S. BARNER AND FAMILY
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sequently assisted his father-in-law in the various undertakings with which he was connected, involving real estate and other interests.
George Stewart Barner acquired his education in the public schools of Shippensburg, the Chambersburg Academy and the Washington and Jefferson College of Washington, Pennsylvania. Having deter- mined upon the legal profession as a life work, he entered the Dick- inson School of Law at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, which institution con- ferred upon him the degree of LL. B. in 1906. Coming at once to Webster City, Iowa, he began the practice of law here in partner- ship with M. J. Mattice under the firm style of Barner & Mattice. This association was maintained with mutual pleasure and profit un- til January, 1908, when it was dissolved, Mr. Barner being at that time appointed city solicitor to fill out an unexpired term. His ser- vices in that connection proved so satisfactory that he was elected to ยท the office in 1909 and reelected in 1911, making him the present in- cumbent.
On the 30th of October, 1906, Mr. Barner was united in marriage to Miss Romayne H. Brenneman, her parents being Lemuel Todd and Florence (Hertzler) Brenneman, the former a farmer of Car- lisle, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Barner have three sons: John Lemuel, George Brenneman and Richard Long, who were born in the years 1907, 1908 and 1911 respectively. The family reside in a beautiful home at No. 407 Des Moines street, Webster City.
Mr. Barner is a prominent and actice worker in the local ranks of the republican party and since June, 1910, has served as secretary of the republican county central committee. In Masonry he has at- tained high rank, belonging to the following organizations: Cumber- land Valley Lodge, No. 315, F. & A. M., of Shippensburg, Pennsyl- vania ; St. John's Chapter, R. A. M., of Carlisle, Pennsylvania; Tri- une Commandery, No. 41, K. T., of Webster City; Za-Ga-Zig Tem- ple, N. M. S., of Des Moines; and Des Moines Consistory, No. 3, S. P. R. S. He is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Elmo Lodge, No. 62, of which he is past grand, Ridgley Encampment, No. 9, and Eureka Canton. He is like- wise connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is past exalted ruler of Lodge No. 302. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church and he is a valued member of the Country Club of Webster City, the Commercial League of Webster City and the Grant Club of Des Moines. Mr. Barner is very popular both in professional and social circles and is a young man who has the re- spect and confidence of all with whom he is brought in contact. Hc
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has made advancement through the wise utilization of the oppor- tunities that have come to him and the simple weight of his char- acter and ability has carried him into important professional and political relations.
WILLIAM HENRY WILLSON, M. D.
Nine years of conscientious devotion to the demands of his pro- fession has not only enabled Dr. William Henry Willson to build up a lucrative practice in Randall but has placed him in the front rank of the medical circles of Hamilton county. By birth he was a Brit- . ish subject having been born in the province of Ontario, Canada, on the 28th of November, 1873. He is a son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Morgan) Willson, also natives of Ontario, where for many years the father was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. They are now residing in Wardsville, one of the oldest towns in Ontario, hav- ing been founded before London, of that province. Their family of whom our subject is the eldest, was as follows: Walter, deceased; Mrs. Jennie Durden, a resident of London, Ontario; Rilla, the wife of John Atcheson, of the Cobalt district, Canada; Bertha, who is living at home; Ernest, deceased; Morgan James and Mordecai Jud- son, twins, who are cultivating the old family homestead in Ontario; Arthur, who is a resident of Wardsville; and E. G., a telegrapher in the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company, who passed away in 19II.
Being the eldest child in a large family of moderate circumstance, the early advantages of Dr. Willson were somewhat limited. He was reared at home and educated in the public schools of his native province, terminating his student days a year before completing his high-school course. His father was a farmer and when not in school his time was largely spent in the fields, in the tilling of which he began to assist when little more than a child. Ambition to enter professional ranks early took hold of William Willson and he de- cided upon the medical profession, knowing full well that the achieve- ment of his desire entailed much work and self denial, as it would be necessary for him to earn the money to complete his education. Vari- ous occupations claimed his attention during the ensuing years but ultimately his circumstances permitted him to begin his professional course and he matriculated in the Medical College at Keokuk, this
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
state. He was awarded his degree with the class of 1903 and subse- quently went to Pioneer, this state, and established an office. Con- ditions there, however, came not up to his expectations and he later removed to Randall, locating here on the 14th of May, 1903. Dur- ing the first few years of his residence he met with the usual diffi- culties experienced by the majority of young men who are striving to gain a foothold in the professional world, but the memory of those early struggles has been cast into shadow by the light of his more recent successes. His rise has not been at all phenomenal, but is in every way consistent with the determination of purpose and un- ceasing effort of this man, whose sympathetic nature and conscien- tious devotion to his patients have been important factors in winning him recognition. He has always been a zealous student and keeps in close touch with the progress of science and his profession through the medium of the various medical journals. Feeling the need of a more practical knowledge of modern surgical methods, he has twice pursued post-graduate courses in Chicago, once at the Poly- clinic and on another occasion at the Post Graduate Hospital. His keen powers of discernment and excellent mental qualities seldom lead him astray in a diagnosis, which has served to strengthen his faith in himself and enabled him to inspire confidence in all who seek his services. The hardships and struggles Dr. Willson has experienced in his own life, have not, as is so often the case, hardened him, but given him a sympathetic understanding and appreciation of human nature, which compels him to recognize the bond of fellowship and brotherhood, and extend to the less fortunate a helping hand.
On the 5th of August, 1905, Dr. Willson was married to Miss Elizabeth Grace Heywood, who was born in Ontario, Canada, on the 15th of July, 1877, and there she was reared to womanhood, completing her education in the Wardsville high school and the Ridge Town Academy, which she attended for two years. She is a daughter of Thomas and . Sarah (Stephens) Heywood, to whom were born eight children: Mrs. Cora York, a professional nurse, residing in Chicago, Illinois; Alice, deceased, who also was a trained nurse : Mrs. Jennie Harper and Edith, milliners, of Chicago; Mrs. Willson ; William Thomas, who is a resident of Montana; Mrs. George Ade- nam, whose home is in the Canadian northwest; and Bert, who lives in Cleveland, Ohio. The father still resides in Wardsville, but the. mother, who was a native of Cleveland, Ohio, passed away in 1892. Dr. and Mrs. Willson have two children: Florence Sarah, who
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was born on the 18th of May, 1906; and William Henry, Jr., whose birth occurred October 28, 1907.
In matters of religious faith the parents are both Methodists, Dr. Willson holding membership in Chatham Square church of Keokuk. Fraternally he is affiliated with Hammond Lodge, No. 327, A. F. & A. M., of the Erie district, Ontario; and with Briar Lodge, No. 679, I. O. O. F., of Story City. He maintains relations with his fellow practitioners through the medium of his connection with the county and state Medical Societies and the American Medical Association. He owns one of the attractive residences of the town and a well equipped office and a good medical library. He is one of the highly esteemed citizens of Randall, where he has many stanch friends, who accord him the respect he merits by reason of his many fine quali- ties, no less than because of his professional skill.
HOWARD CLARENCE SMITH.
Howard Clarence Smith, president and one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Jewell, has for twenty-eight years been a resident of Hamilton county, and is numbered among its most enter- prising and progressive citizens. He was born in Kenton, Hardin county, Ohio, on the 28th of December, 1858, and is the youngest member in a family of six. His parents, Nathan and Mary ( McLain) Smith, were born in Zanesville, Ohio, but were married in Hardin county, that state, where the mother, who is now ninety years of age, still resides. The father, however, is deceased, having passed away in October, 1911, in his ninety-fourth year. His energies were al- ways devoted to agricultural pursuits.
The boyhood and youth of Howard Clarence Smith were passed on the old homestead in Ohio, and were very similar to those of other lads who are reared in the country. At the usual age he began his education in the common schools of his native county, and completed it in the Ohio Wesleyan University, located at Delaware, that state, being graduated from this institution with the class of 1884. The same year he came to Hamilton county and purchased three hundred and twenty acres of unimproved land in Lyon township, and engaged in farming. A man of practical and intelligent ideas and earnest pur- pose, he applied himself diligently to the development of his farm, converting it into one of the most attractive and valuable properties
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in the community. In the spring of 1901 he became associated with others in the organization of the First National Bank of Jewell, of which he was made president, and the year following he rented his farm and removed to town, where he purchased a very pleasant and comfortable residence. Mr. Smith has proven as efficient and capable in the discharge of his present duties as in the development of his agricultural interests, and without doubt it is largely due to his efforts that the bank has progressed so successfully. It is now numbered among the well established and stable financial institutions of the county and is doing an excellent business. Mr. Smith is also a stock- holder in the Farmers' State Bank of Kamrar, and together with Alpheus Alexander owns the building in which the First National Bank is located in Jewell.
On the 8th of September, 1909, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Ida Watsabaugh, a daughter of Peter Watsabaugh, of Leon, Decatur county, Iowa, and the third in order of birth in a family of nine.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith affiliate with the Congregational church, and fraternally he is identified with Republic Lodge, No. 468, A. F. & A. M. His political allegiance he gives to the republican party. He has served as mayor of the town of Jewell, and takes an active and helpful interest in the development of the town and the advancement of its various public utilities.
BERENT M. BRANFORD.
While Berent M. Branford is now a resident of Spokane, Wash- ington, where he is engaged in the practice of law, he has a wide ac- quaintance in Hamilton county, where the earlier years of his life were passed and where his people still reside. He was born near Randall, this county, August 27, 1869, a son of Ole O. and Helene Christina Branjord. The father was born in Gudbrandsdalen, Nor- way, and for convenience sake the spelling of the family name was changed to its present form in 1901. His wife was born near Tor- nea, Finland, and they were married in Hammerfest, Norway, in 1861. Coming to the United States they settled in Hardin county, Iowa, in 1864 and in 1867 removed to the vicinity of Story City, Iowa. In the spring of 1869 they took up their abode on a prairie farm near Randall, Hamilton county, and there through industry, economy and careful management they have succeeded in acquiring a comfortable
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competence, enabling them at length to leave the farm and live retired in Ellsworth, Iowa, where they now make their home.
The son, Berent M. Branford, spent his youth largely upon the old homestead and supplemented his early education, acquired in the district schools, by study in St. Olaf's school (now a college) at Northfield, Minnesota, during the winter of 1885-86, while in 1892-3 he attended the Drake University at Des Moines and from January, 1899, until June, 1900, was a student in the State University of Iowa. While there he gave his attention to preparation for the legal profes- sion and was graduated from the law department with the degree of LL. B. In the same month he was admitted to practice at the Iowa bar and has since followed his profession. Attracted by the rapidly growing west, he went to Spokane in May, 1901, and has since been a representative of the bar in that city. His progress has been con- tinuous and in a profession where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit, effort and ability, he has steadily worked his way upward.
In Spokane, on the 28th of June, 1905, Mr. Branford was mar- ried to Miss Ellen Johanna Ove, a daughter of T. T. Ove, now resid- ing in Spokane, and a twin sister of the Rev. T. T. Ove, now of Los Angeles, California. Mr. and Mrs. Branford have two children: Bernice Eleanor, who is six years of age; and Margaret Christine, two years old. The parents hold membership in the Lutheran church. Mr. Branford has for years voted with the republican party but is now identified with the progressive movement which holds to the teachings of Roosevelt, believing that the time is ripe for a forward step in politics rather than the blind following of party leaders who seek the advancement of self rather than the welfare of the country.
FRANK E. LUNDELL.
Frank E. Lundell is numbered among the influential citizens of Stratford, of which place he has been postmaster since 1908. He was born in Boone county, Iowa, and is a son of John and Augusta (Peterson) Lundell, both of whom are natives of Sweden. The paternal grandfather, Lars Larson, a native of Sweden, who fol- lowed farming for a livelihood, died in his native country in 1852. The grandmother, Sophia (Olofson) Larson, was later married to Swan Hossellstrom, and with her husband emigrated to America,
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settling in Marion township, Hamilton county, in 1873, on a farm where she has since continued to reside, being now eighty-one years of age. The father of our subject, John Lundell, was reared and educated in Sweden and in 1871 he emigrated to America locat- ing first in Chicago, at which place he established his headquar- ters. Shortly after reaching Chicago he engaged in work in the pineries of Michigan and during his time of employment in the north- ern lumber woods he lost all of his personal belongings in the great Chicago fire. On his return to Chicago he removed to Hamilton county and there rented a farm, which he operated until 1881, after which time he came to Stratford and engaged in the livery business. He also bought and sold cattle and hogs and speculated in real es- tate, continuing in that business for a period of fifteen years. One of his principal real-estate transactions was the purchase of sixty- six acres of land within the corporate limits of Stratford. He platted that property and recorded the plat as Lundell's addition to the city of Stratford. Since 1900, with the exception of two years, he has been identified with the mercantile business. John Lundell was united in marriage to Augusta Peterson in December, 1875. She is a daugh- ter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Peterson, both of whom are natives of Sweden. To Mr. and Mrs. Lundell six children have been born: Frank E., the subject of this review; Samuel, who is manager of the elevator at Stratford; Amy, at home; Adelia, the wife of Roy Coulter, of Stratford; Olga, who married George Harmon, who is employed as bookkeeper in the State Bank; and Maudie, who is engaged in teaching school. Mr. Lundell is affiliated with the democratic party and has served as councilman for eighteen years. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Stratford.
Frank E. Lundell was reared in his parents' home and received his education in the public schools of Hamilton county, Iowa. After completing his school course he accepted a clerkship with the mercan- tile firm of Swanson & Rodine, with whom he remained until 1896. During that year he suffered a severe accident which resulted in the loss of his left leg above the knee, in consequence of which he was incapacitated for further service of any kind until 1898. He then became manager of his father's business and continued in that position until 1907. On February 17, 1908, he was appointed post- master of Stratford and has since continued to serve with great ac- ceptability in that office and has this year been reappointed. He is the owner of the business block which is occupied by the postoffice and is the vice president of the State Bank of Stratford.
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