USA > Iowa > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 37
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JAMES M. BELL.
James M. Bell is conducting an up-to-date grocery store at No. 921 Seneca street, Webster City, Iowa, and has gained during the years of his connection with this enterprise a reputation of the highest character for fair and honest dealing and true ability along this line. He was born in Webster county, Iowa, in 1855, and is a son of Alonzo and Sarah J. (Neese) Bell. His father was a native of Indiana and came to Webster county with his father, Isaac Bell, who was one of the pioneers in the early settlement of Iowa. He had two sons. Alonzo and Preston, both of whom have been prominent in various sections of Iowa from an early date. Alonzo Bell settled in Webster county in 1852 and his brother Preston was successful in Hamilton county as early as 1849. The Bell family have been prominent in business, commercial and social circles of Webster county for many years and Benjamin Bell, the great-grandfather of our subject was the first man buried in Vigers cemetery in that section. Alonzo Bell was married in Webster county and died there in 1903 at the age of sixty-nine years.
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His wife passed away in 1857, when she was only twenty-one years of age.
James M. Bell was reared at home and educated in the public schools of Webster and Story counties. His early life was spent upon the farm which his father was operating and he was active in agri- cultural lines until 1876 in which year he attained his majority and purchased property for himself in Story county which he developed and improved for four years. In 1880 he made a journey to the American northwest and located in Vancouver, Washington, where he was employed in a general merchandise store for seven years. He eventually returned to Story county to his original farm and spent two years as an agriculturist in that section followed by a like period of activity in Hamilton county. In 1891 he again went to Vancouver, where he engaged in various lines of mercantile endeavor until 1900, when he returned to Webster City and after spending four years in various capacities established his present grocery business in 1904. He has been identified with this concern since that time and each year has seen a marked advancement in his prosperity.
In 1888 Mr. Bell was united in marriage to Miss Ella S. Storey, a daughter of O. W. Storey, of Hamilton county, who was one of the representative and enterprising agriculturists of that region until his death in 1887, when he was sixty-five years of age. His wife survived him until 1905, dying at the age of eighty-two. To Mr. and Mrs. James M. Bell have been born two children : Ernest`C., born in 1892; and Esther I., whose birth occurred in 1895. They reside with their parents at No. 9211/2 Seneca street, Webster City.
Mr. Bell has been successful as a grocer because he buys and sells the right goods at the right prices and is systematic in his expenditures. He is prosperous and honored for his business integrity and sagacity, which qualities are the basis of his successful career as a merchant.
CASH & LEHNHARD.
The clothing and tailoring establishment of Cash & Lehnhard, one of the leading enterprises of the kind in Webster City and Hamilton county, was established in 1869 by F. I. Cash, the father of the senior partner of the firm as it now exists. He had as a partner a Mr. Smith and later was joined in the business by W. W. Wells. This part- nership was maintained for about two years, after which F. I. Cash
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conducted his tailoring establishment alone until 1890, when he was joined by his son, F. F. Cash, who has been connected with the business from that time to the present. The partnership between father and son still exists under the style of F. I. Cash & Son and prosperity at- tended the undertaking as it had previously done. In 1900 Fred F. Cash and L. A. Lehnhard became partners in the clothing business under the firm name of Lehnhard & Company, which in 1909 was changed to Cash & Lehnhard. They opened a men's furnishing store and carry ready-made clothing and also conduct a merchant tailoring business. The latter is presided over by Emil Beck, acknowledged to be one of the best cutters and tailors in Iowa. Mr. Cash spends much of his time upon the road soliciting trade, and the patronage of the house is steadily growing. The partners are men of recognized busi- ness ability, enterprising, alert, active and determined, and their even- paced energy is carrying them steadily forward to success.
Fred F. Cash was born in Webster City, Iowa, in 1869, his parents being F. I. and Nancy A. (Johnson) Cash. The father's birth oc- curred in Danville, Indiana, November 20, 1832, and in 1867 he wed- ded Miss Nancy Johnson, who was born in Harrison county, Ohio, in 1835. They became the parents of three children, Maud A., Fred F. and Emma M. The elder daughter is now the wife of W. R. Ryan, of Webster City, and Emma M. is the wife of R. E. Towle, of Boston. Massachusetts. The father died in 1904, having for almost a quarter of a century survived his first wife, who passed away in 1880. Both were laid to rest in the cemetery of Webster City. The father was again married and is survived by his second wife, who bore the maiden name of Harriett Johnson and is living in Webster City. Throughout the period of his residence here F. I. Cash maintained an enviable place and reputation in business circles, having the warm regard of many friends, for he was ever found trustworthy and reliable.
Fred F. Cash has practically spent his entire life in Webster City. pursuing his education in its public schools and here passing the period of his boyhood. Since starting out in the business world he has been connected with tailoring, clothing and the sale of men's furnishing goods. He became associated with his father, under whom he received his business training, and since 1890 has been a partner in the store.
In 1907 Mr. Cash was united in marriage to Miss Linda Bart- lett, of Disco, Wisconsin, a daughter of L. and Jennie (O'Hearn) Bartlett. Her father was engaged in farming and the implement busi- ness at Melrose, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Cash have become the par- ents of one son, Frank Jackson Bartlett, who was born March 20, 1909.
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Louis Lehnhard, junior partner in the firm of Cash & Lehnhard, was born in Ohio, June 17, 1875, and is a son of Louis C. and Mary ( Blankenbuhler) Lehnhard. The father was also a native of Ohio. while the mother's birth occurred in Pennsylvania. In their family were two sons and one daughter. In the schools of his native state Louis Lehnhard acquired his education and in 1890 he came with his mother to Iowa. The following year he entered the employ of F. I. Cash and with the reorganization of the business was admitted to part- nership in 1900. He is a practical tailor and thoroughly understands the business in every phase and detail. In manner he is social and genial and one with whom it is a pleasure to trade.
In December, 1900, Mr. Lehnhard was married to Miss Martha M. Young, a daughter of J. W. Young, and they have become the parents of two children: Margaret L., born July 22, 1903; and Mary F., December 8, 1905. Both partners are well known and representative business men of Webster City, where they have long resided. They give close and unremitting attention to their business affairs, and seek success along honorable lines by straightforward business methods.
ALBERT P. HOLT.
Albert P. Holt is one of the well known citizens of Ellsworth, Hamilton county, Iowa, and is numbered among the enterprising and successful farmers of the township in which he lives. He was born September 9, 1869, in Norway and is a son of Peter K. and Martha Holt, both of whom were natives of Norway. The parents emigrated to America in 1875. settling first in Illinois. In 1882 they removed to Iowa, where the father rented a farm and was engaged in the cultiva- tion of that land for a period of six years. He then bought one hun- dred and eighty-five acres located on section 30. Lincoln township, Hamilton county, which he improved and on which he continued to reside until the time of his death, which occurred in 1904. The mother died in 1905 and she and her husband are buried in Homewood cemetery. They were the parents of eight children.
Albert P. Holt was reared in his parents' home and received his early education in the public schools. He remained under the parental roof until after the death of his parents, when in company with his brother. Bardinus P. Holt, he continued the cultivation of the home- stead until 1912, at which time his brother, who was the sixth child in
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order of birth in his father's family, his birth having occurred August 5, 1864, became the owner of the old homestead, on which he has since continued to live. On June 15, 1896, Bardinus P. Holt was united in marriage to Miss Inga Olson and they became the parents of two children, both of whom died in infancy, while the mother's death occurred July 26, 1902. On September 29, 1904, the father was again married, his second union being with Miss Emily Olson, of Hamilton county. She was the youngest member of a family of six children and was born May 9, 1873. The two children of this marriage are Martha T. and Raymond P. Bertil Holt, the brother of the subject of this re- view, was born September 29, 1858, and now resides on his farm of one hundred and sixty acres located on section 30, Lincoln township. Hamilton county, which property he purchased in 1890. He was the fourth in line of birth in his father's family and was united in mar- riage in 1891 to Miss Helen Arre, a native of Norway. To their union five children were born, Martin, Adolph, Clarence, Otto and Helen. The mother of these children died in 1900 and in 1908 Mr. Holt wedded Miss Bartina Eik, of Norway, and they are the parents of two children, Berghat and Perry.
The three brothers, Albert P., Bardinus P. and Bertil Holt, are all engaged in general farming, each on his own land in Hamilton county. They belong to the republican party and are affiliated with the Nor- wegian Lutheran church. They are numbered among the substan- tial, reliable men of Hamilton county and have made a gratifying success in agricultural pursuits.
GEORGE O. PRESCOTT.
George O. Prescott, who owns and conducts a meat market, has been a resident of Ellsworth for more than twenty years, during which time he has been successfully identified with various commer- cial activities, and is numbered among the town's most capable busi- ness men. He was born in Norway on the 12th of October, 1874, and is a son of Odde and Curo (Prestegaard) Prescott. The parents still reside in Norway, where the father, who for many years followed the blacksmith's trade, is now living retired at the age of eighty, while the mother has passed the seventieth anniversary of her birth.
George O. Prescott was a youth of only seventeen years when he left his native land and emigrated to the United States, where he con-
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pleted his education. He came direct to Hamilton county, and dur- ing the first year of his residence here was a member of a section crew on the railroad. He next obtained employment drilling wells, but after following this occupation for two years, he engaged in the same business for himself, and during the succeeding five years drilled sixty- six deep wells. At the expiration of that period he disposed of this business and purchased a livery barn and dray line, which he operated until 1899. In the latter year he likewise disposed of this enterprise and went into the restaurant business, but in 1903 he withdrew from the latter enterprise and turned his attention to commercial pursuits. For two years thereafter he engaged in the general mercantile busi- ness, but at the end of that period he sold his store and went back to Norway on a visit. Six months later he returned to Hamilton county and rented a farm, and for six years thereafter devoted his entire time and attention to agricultural pursuits with excellent success. During that period he purchased the meat market he now owns, hiring a man to operate it until March. 1911, when he left the farm and moved to town to take charge of his business. In 1910, he erected the fine two- story brick building, where his market is now located, and in April, 19II, he built his present residence, the two costing him about fifteen thousand dollars. His home is thoroughly modern in all of its ap- pointments and is one of the very attractive places of the town. Mr. Prescott still engages in farming, cultivating the twenty-five acres of land where his residence is located in addition to eighty acres which he rents. He has manifested clear judgment and much sagacity in the direction of his undertakings and has met with a corresponding de- gree of prosperity. He has an interest in one hundred and twenty acres of land north of town, and owns stock in the Ellsworth Cream- ery and Ellsworth Telephone Company, having been one of the organ- izers of the latter.
In Chicago, on the 18th of February, 1908, Mr. Prescott was united in marriage to Miss Dora Tonneson, a daughter of Nels and Thora Tonneson, natives of Norway, and they have become the parents of two children: George Oliver, who is three years of age; and Melda Thelma, who has passed the first anniversary of her birth.
The parents affiliate with the Lutheran church, and fraternally Mr. Prescott is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, be- ing identified with the Webster City lodge. His political allegiance he gives to the republican party and served for three years as road supervisor. He is one of the enterprising, progressive citizens of Ells- worth, where he is held in high esteem by reason of his upright prin-
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ciples and honorable methods of conducting his transactions. Mr. Prescott has never had occasion to regret transferring his allegiance to this country, as he has found here the opportunities he sought and is prospering in his undertakings.
L. G. OMVIG.
L. G. Omvig is one of the most prosperous, enterprising and suc- cessful farmers in Ellsworth township and has been identified with ag- ricultural pursuits since his early childhood. He was born upon the farm which he now operates January 8, 1879, a son of T. J. and Alice (Mason) Omvig, natives of Norway, who came to America, July 17, 1861, and settled on a farm near Morris, Illinois. From there they removed to Hamilton county, Iowa, upon the homestead now operated by their sons. They had twelve children: Mrs. Anna Osman, whose home is at Story City: John, a resident of Hardy; Mrs. Martha Malmanger, who lives at Ames; Thomas, a resident of Hardy: Mrs. Inger Stout, of Jewell, Iowa; L. G .; Mrs. Ellen Mal- manger, of Crookston, Minnesota; Mrs. Bertha Sylvester, of Crooks- ton, Minnesota ; Mrs. Louise Stout, of Clear Lake township; Edward, who resides with the subject of this sketch on the old home farm: Martin, of Story City: and Emil, of Hardy. Anna and John were born near Norway, Benton county, Iowa, and the younger children were born in Ellsworth township, Hamilton county.
L. G. Omvig attended the district schools of his native section and from an early date aided his father in the work of the farm, gain- ing thus a detailed and valuable knowledge of methods and standards of operation. In 1909 he and his brother Edward took charge of the old homestead of two hundred acres in Ellsworth township and are engaged in its improvement and operation, bringing to their agri- cultural pursuits experienced knowledge and the business ability to make this knowledge effective. They have one of the finest farms in the district and are ranked among the most important and progressive agriculturists in Ellsworth township.
Mr. Omvig was married in 1901 to Miss Belle Olson, who was born in Clear Lake township, Hamilton county, March 16, 1881. Her father, Benedict Olson, was born in Norway and is now residing in Clear Lake township, in the seventy-third year of his age. Her mother, Tillie Olson, is also a native of Norway and is seventy-two years old.
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The parents came to America in 1871 and were among the earliest settlers in Hamilton county. To them eight children were born: Mrs. Ora Jackson, of Oklahoma; Mrs. Hannah Mathia, of Story City, Iowa; John, whose home is in Fargo, North Dakota; George, a resi- dent of Sioux City, Iowa; Mrs. Ella Extrand, of Tacoma, Washing- ton ; Belle, the wife of our subject; Ivor, of Clear Lake township; and Benjamin, of Morehead, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Omvig have two children: Burnett Tilden, born April 22, 1902; and Arnold Byron, born November 25, 1907.
Mr. Omvig gives his allegiance to the republican party but has never been active as office seeker, preferring to devote his entire time to his farm. Upon it he raises high-grade cattle in addition to general farming and has been remarkably successful in this branch of his ac- tivities. The farm, which was a tract of wild prairie land when his parents settled in Hamilton county, is now one of the most highly im- proved in this section of the state and its owners are ranked among Ellsworth township's most prominent native sons.
DANIEL D. C. TEMPLER.
Daniel D. C. Templer was for many years one of the most promi- nent and valued residents of Hamilton county. He lived in this sec- tion for over a quarter of a century and was closely identified with its business and agricultural interests. He died upon his farm in Ells- worth township, October 17, 1897, having by that time accomplished a distinct and substantial success. Mr. Templer was born in Sche- nectady county, New York, May 2, 1838, a son of William and Ann (Staley) Templer, natives of New York, both of whom died in that state. Members of the Staley family, however, were among the earliest settlers in Hamilton county. Mr. and Mrs. Templer had three sons, all of whom have passed away, Oliver, Daniel D. C. and William. All of the children in this family were born and reared in New York.
Daniel D. C. Templer received his education in the public schools of the Empire state and was twenty-nine years of age when he left home. In 1867 he went west and settled in Hardin county, Iowa, where he remained for three years, coming to Ellsworth township, Hamilton county, in 1870. He purchased one hundred and seven acres of land on section 15 and improved and operated this property until Vol. II-25
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his death. His methods were practical and progressive and conse- quently productive of good results and his farm is one of the finest in this section of the state. He gave all of his time and attention to its development for over twenty-five years and upon it he passed away October 17, 1897, in the fifty-ninth year of his age.
Mr. Templer was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Ennis, who was born in Princeton, New York, December 8, 1845, a daughter of Joseph and Ruth Ann (Norris) Ennis, natives of New York, who died in that state. In their family were five children besides the wife of our subject, Robert, Nathaniel, William, Jennie and Maggie. Of these one daughter and two sons still survive. Mr. and Mrs. Templer became the parents of six children: Mrs. Ann Sowers, residing in Ellsworth township; Jane, who is engaged in teaching school and who is residing with her mother on the home farm; Ettie, who is employed as assistant in a photographer's office in Des Moines; Maggie, who died October 14, 1910; Cammie; and Archie. The two oldest are cultivating the homestead and Archie has recently purchased eighty acres adjoining his father's farm.
Mr. Templer gave his allegiance to the democratic party and was intelligently interested in the growth and progress of his section. He was a man of broad culture and had gained a liberal mind and a breadth of view by constant and well selected reading. His love of books was one of the vital interests of his life and he was familiar with the choicest literature of modern times. Public enterprises looking to- ward further growth and advancement found in him a loyal supporter and his intelligent comprehension of local conditions enabled him to make his public spirit effective. Those who mourn his departure re- member also his integrity of character, his kindliness and his honor- able and upright life.
FRED C. RUNKLE.
In his chosen lifework as an educator Fred C. Runkle has made a most excellent record, and the consensus of public opinion places him with those residents of Patterson, who have had greatest influence in molding the intellectual, political and moral development of the city. He was born in Madison county, Iowa, April 15, 1876, and in Sep- tember. 1902, became a resident of Hamilton county. His father. Thomas Runkle, a native of Virginia, came of German ancestry, the
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family being founded in America in 1751. In his boyhood Thomas Runkle accompanied his parents on their removal to Indiana and in October, 1851, arrived in Madison county, Iowa, taking an active part in its early development. He wedded Mary A. Berry, who was born in Indiana, of Kentucky parentage, and became a resident of Madison county in 1854.
In the acquirement of his education Professor Runkle attended the Patterson high school, the Ackworth Academy and the Iowa State Teachers College. He has remained throughout life a student, broad reading and wide study continually promoting his knowledge and in- creasing his efficiency in the educational field. He began teaching in the rural schools of Madison county in 1895. Later he became prin- cipal of the Patterson schools, had charge of the Stanhope school for eight years and is now serving for the third year as principal of the Ellsworth schools. For four years he was editor of the Stanhope Mail. He has made an excellent record as an educator, imparting in clear and concise manner the knowledge that he has acquired and at all times stimulating in his pupils a desire for further intellectual prog- ress. He studies the specific needs of the individual and he inspires teachers and pupils with much of his own zeal and interest in the work.
On the 19th of June. 1903, in Stanhope, Iowa, Professor Runkle was married to Miss Mabel M. Jenkins, a native of Fayette county, Iowa, and a daughter of F. R. Jenkins. Her grandfather, Major Jen- kins, a native of Vermont, followed the lake route westward, walked through the Wisconsin wilderness and settled in Iowa in 1835. He was driven out by hostile Indians but returned in 1837 and became one of the honored pioneer residents of this state, aiding in its reclamation for the purposes of civilization. Professor and Mrs. Runkle have become the parents of two little daughters: Maurine, aged three : and Maxine, aged one. The parents hold membership in the Church of Christ, in which Professor Runkle has held the offices of clerk. deacon and elder, taking an active and helpful interest in all parts of the church work. He is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America and has served as adviser and counsel of the local camp. His military record covers three years spent as a member of Company G. Fifty-fifth Regiment of the Iowa National Guard.
While not a politician in the usually accepted sense of the term. he has served as mayor of Patterson and gave to the city faithful serv- ice, his administration being characterized by practical reform and im- provement. He is a progressive republican, actively interested in the party. holding with its prominent leaders that each year should show
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advancement made along political lines whereby the interests of the public at large would be conserved and heightened. Professor Runkle is a recognized leader among those seeking continuous improvement. nor is he ever willing to accept the second best.
ALBERT J. PETERSON.
On the roster of county officials appears the name of Albert J. Peterson, who in November, 1910, was elected to the office of county auditor after having previously filled out an unexpired term. He was born in Sweden, December 17, 1864. His parents, John A. and Anna Peterson, came to the United States with their family in 1868, settling first in Illinois, but in 1870 they removed to Webster county, Iowa. taking up their abode upon a farm which continued to be their home until the mother's death in 1901 when sixty-nine years of age. The father has since lived with a son in Calhoun county, Iowa.
Albert J. Peterson was not yet four years of age when the emigra- tion to the United States was made and in the schools of Knoxville, Illinois, he pursued his education, attending college there for a time. It was necessary, however, for him to go to work and in 1889 he entered the employ of a coal company in Webster county, Iowa, re- maining with them for two years. In 1891 he removed to Pomeroy, Iowa, where he engaged in merchandising on his own account for two years. He then sold out and became cashier of the Bank of Modale. Iowa, in which capacity he continued until 1899. He next spent a year in Alaska, after which he returned to Webster City in 1900. For several years thereafter he was employed as a clerk or as a travel- ing salesman, but in 1907 changed his active interests by accepting an appointment as deputy county auditor, which office he continued to fill until he became deputy county treasurer. He served in that ca- pacity from January 1, 1909, until January 1, 1910, when he was ap- pointed county auditor to fill a vacancy for the term ending on the Ist of January, 1911. In the previous November he was elected to the office for a term of two years that will continue until the Ist of January, 1913. He is making a creditable record in this connection and loyalty and progressiveness have ever characterized his official service.
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