USA > Iowa > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 31
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Although the boyhood of R. L. Doolittle seemed uneventful to him at the time, to the youth of today it must seem full of interesting
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happenings. He can recollect when the country from Fort Dodge to Story county was largely unbroken prairie, and has been an inter- ested observer of its development into one of the finest farming sec- tions of the state. He was educated in the district schools and re- ceived much the same training as other farmer lads, remaining at home with his parents until he had attained his manhood. One year before his marriage he purchased a hundred and sixty acres of land in Liberty township, this county, on which he and his young wife took up their residence on the 26th of February, 1884. His capital was limited but he was descended from the sturdy stock which sub- dued the west, and not only possessed faith in his own powers and the unfailing optimism of youth, but the tenacity of purpose and de- termination of spirit which belongs to the conqueror in any walk of life. Those early years were most difficult, but he would not have had them different, for-the greatest happiness of his life was found in conquering adverse conditions, which at times almost engulfed him. He worked early and late in the fields, and Mrs. Doolittle aided his efforts by her capable management of the household affairs, her resources at times being sorely taxed to meet the many needs of an increasing family. The passing years brought prosperity, however, and as his circumstances warranted Mr. Doolittle extended his hold- ings until he held title to five hundred and sixty acres of land, lo- cated on sections 23 and 24. This has been divided into practically three farms, each of which is provided with a full set of improve- ments. He also owns sixty acres of unimproved land located a mile south of the courthouse at Webster City. Although his extensive in- terests absorb much of his time, his home and family are his deepest concern. The house is well furnished and provided with good books and music for the benefit of his children. Mr. Doolittle leads an ac- tive life as is evidenced by the general appearance of his farm, the condition of which manifests efficient and systematic supervision and management.
In Story county on the 4th of October, 1883, Mr. Doolittle was united in marriage to Miss Annie C. Brown, whose birth occurred there, April 11, 1864. She is a daughter of James F. and Rebecca (Smiley) Brown, natives of Crawford county, Pennsylvania, the father's birth occurring, December 8, 1832, and that of the mother on the 20th of February, 1833. They came to Story county on the 13th of April, 1856, and began their pioneer life on a tract of gov- ernment land in a house fourteen by sixteen feet. Here they reared their children which were born in the following order: O. S., whose
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natal day was the 8th of April, 1857; George P., who was born on December 2, 1858, and died on the home farm north of Gilbert, Iowa, on the 20th of May, 1908; Charlie, a resident of Ames, whose birth occurred on October 12, 1861 ; Mrs. Doolittle, born April 11, 1864; and Grant, who was born on the 8th of August, 1868, living on the old homestead near Story City. The parents, who are still living, celebrated their golden wedding January 1, 1906. To Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle have been born six children: Charles Frank, who was born February 2, 1885, and died four days later ; Effie F., now Mrs. Grein- er of Lakefield, Minnesota, who was born March 5, 1887; Fred B., whose birth occurred on the 8th of March, 1890; Guy H., who was born February II, 1893; Clyde G., who was born on the 13th of October, 1895; and Harry S., whose natal day was the 29th of De- cember, 1900. All are living at home with the exception of Mrs. Greiner, who has two children: Loren Marion, who was born on the 9th of March, 1908; and Lyman Wade, whose birth occurred on February 8, 1911. They are also natives of Liberty township.
Fraternally, Mr. Doolittle is identified with Silver Link Lodge, No. 458, I. O. O. F. of Williams. He gives his political support to the democratic party and has served his township as trustee, while for fifteen years he has been a member of the board of education. He is highly esteemed in his community and is a worthy representa- tive of a respected pioneer family. His home contains several in- teresting relics among them an old kettle and a skimmer, which were used in the Ward family more than a hundred years ago and were presented to him by his maternal grandmother, and Mrs. Doolittle has a newspaper containing President Lincoln's message to Congress in 1863.
NELS PEHRSON.
Nels Pehrson, who is living retired in Ellsworth, is one of the pioneer settlers of Hamilton county, having located here over forty years ago. He was born in Sweden on the 6th of January, 1837, and is a son of P. and Anna (Neilson) Pehr Swenson, likewise natives of Sweden. The father was one of the prominent citizens of his com- munity, where he owned five farms and a packing house and was also interested in a line of ocean vessels and owned a windmill. He and the mother always resided in the old country, where they both passed away in 1871.
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The education of Nels Pehrson was acquired in his native land, and after leaving school he turned his attention to agricultural pur- suits and for some years thereafter operated one of his father's farms. In 1869 he resolved to come to America, and with his wife took pas- sage for the United States. The first four months of his residence in this country were spent at Mendota, Illinois. From there he came to Hamilton county, Iowa, where for several years thereafter he worked out by the month, and for a time he carried mail from Williams to Ames, making the journey on horseback. He subsequently removed to Dubuque, entering the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad Company. He also assisted in constructing the bridge across the Mississippi at that point, and for a time conducted a boarding house. Later he went to Clinton, and for three years worked in the sawmill of W. J. Young. In 1876 he once more became a resident af Hamil- ton county, locating on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Lincoln township. He made all of the improvements on this prop- erty and engaged in its cultivation until 1905, when he sold out to his sons and came to Ellsworth, having since made his home at the hotel.
In Sweden on the 29th of December, 1864, Mr. Pehrson was united in marriage to Miss Carriene Turwerson, and to them were born four children : Johanna, the wife of Allen Carter, who is residing in the vicinity of Des Moines ; and Nicholas P., Anna and Fritz, all of whom are living on the farm, as is also the mother.
In matters of religious faith both Mr. Pehrson and his family are Lutherans. His political allegiance he gives to the republican party, and while residing in Lincoln township served for four years as road supervisor and he also discharged the duties of school director. Mr. Pehrson has witnessed many changes in Hamilton county during the long period of his residence, in which the conditions of the pioneer period have disappeared with the advent of modern improvements and inventions.
HAROLD H. KEESEE.
Harold H. Keesee, who is engaged in the hotel and livery business in Ellsworth, and is also mail carrier on rural route No. I, was born in Hamilton county, on the 22d of May, 1874. He is the youngest of the four children born to Harry R. and Sophia D. (Staples) Kee- see. The father was a native of Ohio and the mother of Maine, but
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they were married in this state, and soon thereafter settled on a farm in Lyon township. There the father continues to reside but the mother passed away in July, 1893, and is buried in Lakins Grove cemetery.
At the age of nineteen years Harold H. Keesee became self-sup- porting. He followed various occupations, severing his connection with one enterprise and identifying himself with another, whenever he saw an opportunity of advancing his interests. In 1902 he was appointed carrier on the rural mail route from the postoffice at Ells- worth, and is still holding that position. In 1910 he became associated with A. B. Staples in the livery business in Ellsworth under the firm name of Keesee & Staples. This proved to be a profitable venture, and in March of the next year, he still further extended the scope of his activities by engaging in the hotel business. Mr. Keesee is meeting with good returns from his various interests and owns thirty acres of land in Lyon township, which he has acquired through the judicious management and direction of his undertakings.
On March 6, 1894, Mr. Keesee was married to Miss Bertha M. Dalbey, a daughter of F. R. and R. S. Dalbey, of Ellsworth. Mrs. Keesee, being second in order of birth in a family of four, was born on March 10, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Keesee have four children, Ver- nal M., Royce R., Beatrice and Roxana Levan.
Fraternally Mr. Keesee belongs to Ellsworth Lodge, No. 619, I. O. O. F., and Enterprise Camp, No. 4100, M. W. A. Politically he is a stanch republican. He enjoys a wide and favorable acquaint- ance among the citizens of Hamilton county, where he has passed his entire life, and has many friends.
FRED A. SCHRODER.
Fred A. Schroder has for the past twelve years been successfully engaged in business as a carpenter contractor of Webster City. He is a native of Germany, in which country his birth occurred in the year 1868, his parents being John and Minnie (Paup) Schroder. In 1871 they crossed the Atlantic to the United States, settling in Wright county, Iowa, where they still reside. John Schroder has lived re- tired for the past few years, having won a comfortable competence during his career as an agriculturist. He is now sixty-eight years old and his wife is sixty-six years of age.
MR. AND MRS. F. A. SCHRODER
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Fred A. Schroder obtained his education in the country schools of Wright county and after putting aside his text-books worked at farm labor, at the same time learning the carpenter's trade. He abandoned the work of the fields in 1897 and gave his entire atten- tion to carpentering. In 1900 he took up his abode in Webster City, where he has since been engaged in business as a carpenter contrac- tor, his ability being now so widely recognized that his services are always in demand.
Mr. Schroder has been married twice. In 1892 he wedded Miss Kate Sweet of Wright county, by whom he had a son, Ray, who was born in July, 1893. In 1909 he married Anna Bohning, a daughter of August Witte, who is a retired agriculturist, residing in Webster City. The two children of this union are as follows : Leo, whose birth occurred August 25, 1911 ; and Ruth, who was born January 29, 1912. The family residence is at No. 1001 Bank street in Webster City.
In politics Mr. Schroder is a stanch democrat and while a resident of Wright county he served as school director. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Webster City Lodge, No. 342. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the German Lutheran church. He is a wide-awake, energetic business man of known reliability, who has won success along lines which bear close investigation and scrutiny, for he has never sacrificed the interests of others to further his own prosperity.
OLIFF B. OLSON.
Oliff B. Olson, who owns and operates forty acres of well im- proved land in Ellsworth township, is one of Hamilton county's pio- neers but a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred in La Salle county, that state, on the 13th of October, 1851. He is a son of Lars B. and Uber Olson, natives of Norway. The father was born on the 29th of September, 1806, and the mother on June 21, 1829. It re- quired six months for the former to make his first journey to America, a trip which can now be made in less than that many days. Having decided after two years residence in the United States to locate here permanently, he went back to Norway for his bride. Upon his return he settled in La Salle county, Illinois, residing there until June, 1856, when he removed with his family to Hamilton county, Iowa, locating
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on a farm in Ellsworth township. They made the journey from Illi- nois in an emigrant wagon, as there were but few railroads west of the Mississippi at that time. The Indians still inhabited the forests, and although they were near neighbors and frequent visitors never caused any trouble. There were but few white settlements and these were scattered along the river, and where today are highly cultivated farms and thriving towns, stretched miles of unbroken prairie. Mar- ket facilities were very poor and there was but little demand for the products of the farmer, butter only bringing four cents per pound at Nevada, Iowa, while dressed hogs commanded two dollars and twenty- five cents per hundred. The first butter the father sold he hauled to Iowa City, a distance of one hundred and five miles. Their nearest trading point at that time was Iowa City, and as the roads were little more than wagon tracks across the prairie they only made the jour- ney at rare intervals. The hardships and privations endured by those brave men and women who formed the advance guard of civilization can hardly be imagined by the present generation, as the farm house of today is very often provided with all the comforts and conveniences found in the modern city residence.
To Lars B. Olson and his first wife there were born two children, Oliff and Mrs. Esther Knutson, both of whom are now deceased. By his second marriage were born the following children: Oliff B., our subject; Mrs. Melinda Henderson, whose birth occurred on the 29th of June, 1853, and who died November 16, 1900; Caroline, whose birth occurred June 13, 1855; Lizzie, who was born June 1, 1857; Ida, born May 5, 1859; Mrs. Melinda Millang, born July 6, 1861 ; Ida, who was born January 2, 1864, and passed away on the 23d of Febru- ary, 1888; and Gertha, who was born August 15, 1866, and died on the 25th of February, 1871. The father passed away in Ellsworth township on the 12th of October, 1878, but he was long survived by the mother, whose death occurred in the same place, May 18, 1910.
Oliff B. Olson was a lad of only five years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Hamilton county, and here he has since made his home. He passed his boyhood and youth in very much the same manner as other pioneer lads, obtaining his education in the district schools. Mr. Olson relates in a most entertaining man- ner many interesting experiences of those early days, of which he has a vivid recollection. His energies have always been devoted to agricultural pursuits, in connection with which he has engaged in veterinary surgery for more than twenty years. In this connection he has traveled all over Iowa and the neighboring states and has met
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with unusual success. His farm is comprised of forty acres of rich, fertile land, which under his supervision has been brought into a high state of productivity. He is enterprising and progressive and has still further enhanced the value of his place by the erection of substantial buildings, while his equipment is complete and modern.
Mr. Olson was married on the 13th of October, 1875, to Miss Betsey Henderson, whose birth occurred in Kendall county, Illinois, March 26, 1855, her family having located there July 12, 1847. She is a daughter of Lars and Anna (Rafdahl) Henderson, natives of Norway, the father born March 27, 1822, and the mother on the 2d of January, 1826. They removed to Hamilton county in 1857, locat- ing in Scott township, where the mother passed away on the IIth of January, 1862. The father survived her for many years, his death occurring in Ellsworth township, November 12, 1896. He was the second postmaster of Randall, in which capacity he served for a number of years, the office being located in his residence. The first postoffice in the town was located in the old Biggs homestead. Mrs. Olson is the youngest in a family of five children, the others being: H. L. and Mrs. Anna Sheldahl, both of whom are deceased; Oscar, a resident of Scott township; and Thomas.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Olson is as follows : Louis A., who was born on the 6th of December, 1877, and is residing in Elmore, Minne- sota ; Ubert S., who was born on March 5, 1879, and is living in Ran- dall; Martin G., who was born on the 10th of February, 1881, and is engaged in the creamery business in Randall; Mrs. Anna T. Hall, who was born on the 26th of November, 1883, and resides in Lawn Hill, Hardin county, Iowa; Hiram I., who was born April 28, 1887, and lives in Scott township; Orvel Elmer, who was born December 26, 1889, and died on the 20th of January, 1890; Orvel Milton, who was born January 30, 1891, and is employed in a hardware store in Ran- dall; Ida Belle, who was born on the 5th of May, 1894, and died De- cember 5, the same year; Melvina Belle, who was born September II, 1896, and is living at home; and Clarence Henry, who was born De- cember 23, 1898, and died on Christmas day, the same year. They were all born on the family homestead in Ellsworth township.
In matters of faith the family are Lutherans and belong to the Norwegian church of that denomination at Randall. His political support Mr. Olson gives to the republican party and since granted the right of franchise has been more or less actively connected with town- ship affairs. He was clerk for twelve years and a member of the school board for fourteen, while for a long period he was road super-
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visor. Mr. Olson has a letter written by his maternal grandmother when she was eighty years of age. Naturally the advanced age at which it was written makes it a dearly prized possession, but added to this is the fact that comparatively few Norwegian women of that period were educated. He is equally proud of a curious old writing desk of quaint design, which was formerly the property of his pater- nal grandfather, and is therefore considerably more than a hundred years old. Among his more recently acquired treasures is a combina- tion Derringer scalping knife presented to him by a friend at Ma- rengo in 1872. Mr. Olson is widely known and highly esteemed in Ellsworth township, as he is a man of high standards of conduct and good business principles, of which he has given substantial evidence in both public and private life.
HENRY HEINS.
Henry Heins, who owns and operates a farm of three hundred and twenty acres on section 9, Independence township, is one of the enterprising citizens Germany has furnished to Hamilton county. He was born in the province of Hanover, on the 27th of February, 1857, and is a son of Frederick and Elsie Heins, who passed their en- tire lives in the old country. Mr. and Mrs. Heins were the parents of seven children, our subject being the second in order of birth.
Henry Heins was reared and educated in his native land, where he passed the first twenty-four years of his life. In 1882 he emigrated to the United States, coming direct to Hamilton county, where he worked on the railroad with a section crew for a year and then found employment as a farm hand, following the latter occupation for five years. At the expiration of that time he leased his father-in-law's farm, which he cultivated for seven years, thus acquiring sufficient money to buy a hundred and twenty acres of land in Independence township. There he continued his agricultural pursuits for another seven years, and then disposing of his property invested the proceeds in a quarter section of land located in the same township. The fur- ther improvement and cultivation of the latter place claimed his atten- tion during the ensuing eight years, at the end of which period he likewise sold it and purchased his present farm, where he has been residing since 1910. Here he engages in general farming, his fields being largely in corn, oats and hay, his principal crops, in connection
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with which he makes a specialty of raising stock, breeding Percheron horses, Shorthorn cattle and Poland China and Duroc Jersey hogs. Mr. Heins also buys and feeds large quantities of cattle for the mar- ket. He is a man of tireless energy, perseverance and determination of purpose, and is meeting with the success in the development of his interests that invariably crowns well organized and definitely directed effort. His farm is one of the best in the township. It is all fenced, forty acres of it hog tight, and his fields are tiled and in a high state of productivity.
In December, 1887, Mr. Heins was married to Miss Annie Loh- man, a daughter of John and Annie Lohman, natives of Germany, where the mother passed away. The father subsequently emigrated to the United States with his family and located on a farm in Hamil- ton county, which he cultivated until his death in 1902. Mrs. Heins, who is the second in order of birth in a family of four, was born in Germany on the 21st of January, 1857, and has become the mother of seven children. The two eldest, Carl and Louisa, have rented a farm in this township, which they are cultivating, while the next four, Otto, Ernest, Matilda and Lena, are at home. Augusta, the youngest of the family, died at the age of two and a half years.
The family hold membership in the German Lutheran church, of which Mr. Heins has been a trustee for the past five years. He en- joys the privileges of citizenship and accords his political support to the democratic party, but has never been identified with the official life of the township. He is deeply absorbed in his undertaking, and gives his entire time and attention to farming and stock-raising. At the same time he is not remiss in the duties of citizenship and can always be relied upon to sustain every movement that he feels will re- dound to the general benefit of the community.
COLONEL NORMAN PRESTON HYATT.
Colonel Norman Preston Hyatt, a representative of the Web- ster City bar whose success had its foundation in liberal college train- ing and whose ability has grown through experience and study since his college days were over, was born here October 28, 1866, his par- ents being Norman B. and Mary F. (Prouty) Hyatt. The father was a native of Erie county, Pennsylvania, and on removing westward settled in Chicago, where he married. Later he came to Webster
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City, arriving on the 2d of February, 1866. Immediately afterward he opened an office and continued in the practice of law throughout his remaining days. He also served as district judge by appointment for a year and his work in the profession called forth approval and pat- ronage because of his devotion to his clients' interests and his careful preparation of his cases. He died in 1901 at the age of sixty-four years, having long survived his wife, who passed away in 1879 when thirty-five years of age.
After leaving the public schools of Webster City, Colonel Hyatt attended the Iowa State University, and was graduated therefrom in 1886 with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. He then studied law in his father's office and was admitted to the bar by the supreme court of the state in 1888. He began practice as his father's partner under the firm name of Hyatt & Hyatt, which relation was continued until the death of the senior partner, since which time the Colonel has remained alone. He makes a forceful presentation of his cause, basing his arguments upon sound logic and correct application of legal principles to the points in litigation. Aside from his professional in- terests he is the proprietor and manager of the Orpheum Theatre and is manager of the Armory Opera House.
On the 21st of May, 1891, Colonel Hyatt was united in marriage to Miss Edith A. Merry, her father being S. H. Merry, a physician of Iowa City. Our subject and his wife have one son, Norman, who was born on the 22d of May, 1895. Colonel and Mrs. Hyatt extend warm-hearted hospitality to their many friends at their pleasant home at No. 828 Elm street.
Colonel Hyatt is well known in both fraternal and military con- nections, belonging to Acacia Lodge, No. 176, F. & A. M .; Hope Chapter, No. 88, R. A. M .; and Triune Commandery, No. 4I, K. T., of which he is captain general. On July 26, 1888, he enlisted as a private in Company C, Sixth Regiment Iowa National Guards, and in a short time received the appointment of sergeant in the same com- pany. On August 8, 1892, he was appointed battalion adjutant of the Fourth Regiment Iowa National Guard with the rank of first lieuten- ant and held that position until May 25, 1898, when he was mustered into the service of the United States as battalion adjutant in the Fifty- second Regiment Iowa Infantry Volunteers, with the rank of first lieutenant. He served through the Spanish-American war with the First Battalion of that regiment, under command of Major S. J. Parker. Upon the reorganization of the National Guard after the close of the Spanish-American war, he was elected and commissioned
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