USA > Iowa > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 6
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Albert Sowers gives his allegiance to the democratic party and is serving as school director in his district. However, he has devoted practically all his time since the beginning of his active career to farming and by upright methods and honorable standards has gained that prosperity which results from earnest and well directed effort, being accounted one of the leading agri- culturists of his native section.
FRANK E. BROWN.
The successive steps in the business career of Frank E. Brown are easily discernible and have brought him to a prominent position in commercial circles. His present enterprise is one that contributes to general business activity and prosperity as well as to his individual success. He is now president and was the organizer of the Brown Spring Ice Skate Company, which was organized in 1896. New York claims him as one of her native sons, his birth having occurred in Elmira in 1846. His father, Isaac M. Brown, was an inventor as well as a pictorial painter of note. The later years of his life were spent in Canada where he died in 1886. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Emily Alice Gardner, survived him for almost two decades, passing away in 1905.
Frank E. Brown was educated in the common schools of Elmira and at the age of fourteen years began learning the carriage build- ers' trade in that city. He was about eighteen years of age when in 1865 he offered his services to the country in defense of the Union cause, enlisting in the One Hundred and Ninety-fourth New York Volunteers, with which he served until the end of the war. He then came to Iowa and spent two years in Cedar Rapids and in Spring- ville, Iowa. He afterward worked in various capacities in the state until 1870, when he took up his abode in Webster City and opened a carriage and blacksmith shop. His business was extended in its scope to include the manufacture of speed carts and this business he carried on until 1889, when he sold a two-thirds interest in his speed cart business. He then went to Des Moines, to which city the enter- prise was removed, being there conducted under the name of the Brown Carriage Company. About 1891 he disposed of his remain- ing third interest and went to Anamosa, Iowa, where with his son, William E. Brown, he established a drug business under the name of
F. E. BROWN
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Brown & Son, the store, however, being known as the "Two Brown- ies." Operations were there continued for five years, at the end of which time Mr. Brown disposed of the store and came to Webster City. Having patented a spring ice skate, in 1896 he organized the Brown Spring Ice Skate Company and began the manufacture of skates. He has continuously served as president of the company and is now at the head of a large and growing business. The enterprise has been developed along substantial lines and has been a paying one almost from the outset. A number of employes are now engaged in the manufacture of skates and the output is sent over a wide territory.
In 1870, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Phil- lips Toogood, a daughter of Sidney Toogood, who is a farmer of Linn county, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have two sons. William Earl was born February 17, 1873, and wedded Miss Jeannette Fox, of Iowa Falls, Iowa. He is now engaged in the drug business in Web- ster City and is known as "Buster Brown." Bernice R. Brown is the secretary of the Brown Spring Ice Skate Company. The family residence is at No. 902 First street. Mr. Brown maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in Winfield Scott Post, No. 66, G. A. R. He is also a loyal represen- tative of the Elks lodge of Webster City. His life has been one of unfaltering industry and his intelligently directed efforts have brought him to a creditable position in business circles where success crowns his efforts. He is justly accounted one of the substantial citizens here and the sterling traits of character which he has ever displayed have firmly established him in public regard.
FRANK E. WILLSON.
Frank E. Willson, who spent his entire life in Webster City, passing away here on the 29th of March, 1907, was widely recog- nized as a prominent factor in business circles and acted as gen- eral manager of the Crooked Creek Railroad & Coal Company. His birth occurred on the IIth of June, 1859, his parents being Walter C. and Calista (Rickerson) Willson. The father was the founder of Webster City and had extensive business interests here. He was one of the organizers of the Crooked Creek Rail- road & Coal Company and erected a number of buildings, includ- ing the Willson Hotel, which was rebuilt by him in 1885.
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Frank E. Willson was educated in the Webster City public schools and also pursued a commercial course in the Milwaukee Business College. After putting aside his text-books he became an associate of his father and when the latter passed away, in 1900, he assumed full charge of his father's affairs, becoming the general manager of the Crooked Creek Railroad & Coal Com- pany. He possessed excellent business ability and sound judg- ment, conducting important interests ably and successfully. For two years prior to his demise, however, he was an invalid.
In 1888 Mr. Willson was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Arthur, a daughter of Horace and Mary Arthur, of Webster City. They had one son, Walter C. Willson, whose birth occurred in Webster City, June 29, 1893, and who is now engaged in the news business with Richard Ferrall, under the firm name of Willson & Ferrall, at No. 618 Des Moines avenue.
Frank E. Willson was prominent in the local organization of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, being past exalted ruler of Lodge No. 302. His widow now supervises the affairs of the Willson estate and has proven herself to be a woman of splendid executive ability and keen discernment. She resides in her home at No. 715 First street and has an extensive circle of friends in Webster City.
WILLIAM ANDERSON.
William Anderson, now serving as mayor of Jewell, has long been recognized as one of the leading and influential citizens of the town. He twice represented this county in the state leg- islature and was a prominent factor in financial circles as presi- dent of the State Bank of Jewell, resigning that position on the Ist of January, 1912. His birth occurred near London, Ontario, on the 8th of April, 1852, his parents being Duncan and Cath- erine (Corsant) Anderson. The paternal grandfather of our subject was born and educated in Glasgow, Scotland, but the maternal grandfather was born in America, Mrs. Anderson's ancestors coming to this country in the Mayflower. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan Anderson had eighteen children, all of whom were born and reared in Ontario.
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William Anderson obtained his early education in the public schools of London, Ontario, and at Middlesex Seminary of Komoka, Ontario, being graduated from that institution in 1869. During the following four years he taught school in London, Ontario, and in 1873 crossed the border into the United States, coming direct to Hamilton county, Iowa. Settling in Lyon town- ship, he there worked on a farm during the summer months and in the winter followed the profession of teaching. In 1874 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 26, Lyon township, and has since extended the boundaries of his farm until at the present time it embraces five hundred acres. He devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits and also taught school until 1883, when he was elected auditor of Ham- ilton county, being reelected two years later and serving a second term. In 1887 he was elected county superintendent of the Ham- ilton county schools and, owing to the fact that he was reelected in 1889, served in that capacity until 1892. The following year he assisted in the organization of the State Bank of Jewell and acted as its vice president until 1899, when he was made presi- dent of the institution. On the Ist of January, 1912, however, he resigned his position as chief executive officer. From 1896 until 1899 he also served as cashier of the First National Bank of Webster City, ably discharging his duties in this connection and thus promoting the growth and success of the institution. He is a director and treasurer of the Jewell Telephone Company and likewise a director of the Jewell Electric Light Company.
In November, 1875, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Morisini F. Everett, of Virginia, by whom he had seven children, four of whom still survive. Cecil, a veterinary surgeon residing at Jewell, married Miss Minnie Sweeney, by whom he has two children. Charles E., also married, is a practicing dentist of Madrid, Iowa. Hattie is a teacher in the high school at Boone, Iowa. Keo A., the mother of one daughter, is the wife of Willard Minert, a grain and coal dealer of Waukon, Iowa. Merle, who was a student in the Chicago Veterinary College at Chicago, Illinois, passed away September 19, 1912.
Politically Mr. Anderson has always been a stanch repub- lican. In 1906 he was elected state representative from Ham- ilton county and two years later was reelected, having won the enthusiastic approval and renewed support of his constituents. In March, 1912, he was chosen mayor of Jewell for a term of two
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years and is therefore the present incumbent in the office, exer- cising his official prerogatives in support of many measures of reform and improvement. Few men are more prominent or more widely known in the enterprising city of Jewell than Mr. Ander- son. He has been an important factor in business circles and his prosperity is well deserved, as in him are embraced the char- acteristics of an unbending integrity, unabating energy and in- dustry that never flags. Both he and his estimable wife have a host of warm friends throughout the community and justly merit the regard and esteem which is uniformly accorded them.
WILLIAM T. OAKLAND.
Scientific efficiency is the standard of attainment in modern agriculture and William T. Oakland has made it his end and ambition in the cultivation of his excellent farm of two hundred and forty acres in Liberty township. He was born in Illinois, April 14, 1878. His father, Enoch Oakland, is a native of Nor- way where his birth occurred on the 5th of May, 1849. His first journey to America was made in 1871 and at this time he resided four years in the United States. At the end of that time he returned to Norway and remained in his native country a year and a half. After his second journey to America he located in Illinois, where he followed farming for a short time. In 1892 he came with his family to Hamilton county, Iowa, and with the exception of two years during which he was a resident of Web- ster City, he has cultivated the soil in Liberty township since that time. He purchased here one hundred and sixty acres and is now numbered among the representative and substantial agri- culturists of his section. His wife was in her maidenhood Miss Marie Erickson and she was also born in Norway. Unto their union were born four children, namely: Mrs. Emma Jaycox, of Minneapolis, Minnesota ; William T., of this review ; Edward. de- ceased; and Mrs. Ella Neveln, of Storm Lake, Iowa.
William T. Oakland was reared at home and was educated in the district schools of Illinois and Iowa. He came to Ham- ilton county with his father in 1892 and has followed farming during all of his active life. He is the owner of a tract of two hundred and forty acres in Liberty township which is in excellent
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condition as a result of his well directed work. He has made extensive improvements upon his holdings, has fenced, tiled and drained his farm, built barns, granaries and other outbuildings and has recently erected an attractive home in which is found every modern comfort and luxury. In his farming operations he has been active and energetic, his labor resulting in the very gratifying success which he is now enjoying.
Mr. Oakland was united in marriage, March 25, 1903, to Miss Lizzie Jaycox, who was born in Blairsburg township, Hamilton county, on January 26, 1882. Her parents, Isaiah and Emma J. (Ireland) Jaycox, were among the pioneers in this section of Iowa. Her father was a native of New York who came to Hamilton county before his daughter was born. He died in Pipestone, Minnesota, on August 29, 1908. He had been twice married. His first wife was in her maidenhood Miss Mary Van Tassel, a native of Cold Springs, New York, who died in the same section. To that union were born three children: Mrs. Lucy Sayre, of Blairsburg; Howard, of Valentine, Nebraska; and Mrs. Charles W. Hoag, of Williams township. After the death of his first wife Mr. Jaycox was again married, his second union occurring on August 29, 1868, when he wedded Miss Emma J. Ireland, also a native of Cold Springs, New York, born Septem- ber 12, 1851. To this union were born seven children, as follows : Benjamin, born December 27, 1869, now residing in Blairsburg : Guy C., born August 24, 1872, who is living in Kamrar, Iowa; Willard, born November 8, 1874, whose death occurred at the age of two years; Louis E., born April 1, 1877, a resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota ; LeRoy I., born December 15, 1879, who is living at Woodstock, Minnesota; Mrs. Oakland; and Mrs. Mary E. Evans, born October 28, 1885, whose home is in Blairs- burg. With the exception of the eldest, Benjamin, who is a native of Webster City, all of the children were born on a farm north of Blairsburg, in Blairsburg township. Mrs. Oakland has spent her life in Hamilton county with the exception of two years during which she resided with her father in Minnesota. She and her husband are the parents of two sons: Glen Adelbert, was born September 8, 1905, and died in infancy; and Lloyd, born on July 24, 1906, in Liberty township.
In his political views Mr. Oakland is a republican but takes no very active part in local affairs. He belongs to the Congrega- tional church of Blairsburg and is a member of the Modern
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Woodmen of America. He is a man of resourceful business ability who looks beyond the exigencies of the present to the needs of the future and utilizes the means at hand for the further- ance of his success. In all his dealings he is thoroughly reliable and honorable and is a worthy representative of that class of citizens who lead quiet, industrious, honest and useful lives and constitute the most forceful element in any community.
OLE J. HENDERSON.
Ole J. Henderson, a law graduate of the University of Min- nesota and a practitioner at the bar of Webster City since 1903, is now filling the office of county attorney and is numbered among the leading and successful representatives of the bar of Hamilton county. He was born in this county in 1878, his parents being Lars and Sarah (Mikelson) Henryson. The father was born in Norway and in 1847 came to the United States. He made his way into the interior of the country, settling in Illinois, and in 1858 he took up his abode in Scott township, Hamilton county, Iowa. He was prominent among the Norwegian set- tlers of that section and held many official positions there, being trustee, a member of the board of supervisors and postmaster, in addition to holding other local offices. He was always loyal to the land of his adoption while retaining the love for the land of his birth. He died in 1896 and is still survived by his widow, who in December, 1911, passed the seventy-fifth milestone on life's journey.
Ole J. Henderson was reared under the parental roof and supplemented his public-school education by a course of study in the Iowa State College at Ames, from which he was graduated in 1898 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He then pursued the law course in the University of Minnesota and was gradu- ated in 1902 with the degree of Bachelor of Law. He afterward practiced for a short time in that state and then located in Webster City, having been continuously identified with the bar here since 1903. To him has been accorded a large and dis- tinctively representative clientage, and his devotion to its in- terests is proverbial. He prepares his cases with great thorough- ness and care, is sound in argument and logical in his deductions.
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
In 1910 he was elected to the office of county attorney for a term of two years, so that he is now the incumbent in that posi- tion. Since 1909 he has been lecturer on law in the Iowa State College and in that connection is winning a reputation equal to that which he has gained in the work of the courts. Aside from his profession he is known in financial circles of Story City, Iowa, as one of the directors of the First National Bank.
Mr. Henderson was married in 1906, in Boulder, Colorado, to Miss Mary Brown, a daughter of James A. Brown, of Vinton, Iowa, who was for many years secretary of the school for the blind at Vinton. Mr. and Mrs. Henderson make their home at No. 814 Bank street. They are members of the Congregational church and Mr. Henderson belongs also to the Webster City Country Club and to the Webster City Commercial Club-asso- ciations which indicate much of the nature of his interests and the rules which govern his life. His influence is always given on the side of progress, reform and improvement, and his own record is one of continuous advancement by reason of the wise use he has made of his opportunities.
THEODORE SAGAR.
A man who has for many years been actively interested in agriculture in Freemont township and who brings to his work an intelligent and progressive mind is Theodore Sagar, now cul- tivating one hundred and sixty acres of fertile land in that sec- tion. He is also interested in the cause of education and in the improvement of school facilities and has done efficient and intel- ligent work along this line. He was born in West Virginia in 1870 and is a son of Amos and Catherine (Hishman) Sagar. His parents were natives of the state in which he was born and his father followed agriculture in that region all during his life.
Theodore Sagar was educated in the public schools of West Virginia and followed the usual course of study. He laid aside his books at an early age and in 1891 came to Hamilton county, Iowa. He bought one hundred and sixty acres of unimproved prairie land on section 4, Freemont township, and upon this prop- erty he is now residing. He has developed and improved his place and his land is now under a high state of cultivation. He
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
erected the house in which he now resides and equipped it with all the modern conveniences which make for comfort and pleasure in life. He built barns and outbuildings upon his farm and tiled his land. He is keenly interested in the cause of education, this being one of the dominating activities of his life. He has been a member of the school board for many years and has served as its president since 1902. He brings to his work an intelligent understanding of everything connected with school equipment and requirements and during his period of office has added greatly to country school facilities.
In 1894 Mr. Sagar was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Jane Packman, a daughter of George Packman, one of the early settlers of Hamilton county who has resided in this section since 1860. To Mr. and Mrs. Sagar have been born four children: Robert Emery, Millie Catherine, Ethel and Theodore, Jr. Mr. Sagar is well known in his community and numbers among his friends most of the substantial and representative citizens of Hamilton county.
JOHN PARRY.
John Parry, who is living retired in Webster City, was for many years actively and successfully identified with the agricultural develop- ·ment of Hamilton county. He was born in England on the 12th of October, 1848, and is a son of John and Eliza (Frost) Parry, who passed their entire lives in the mother country.
The first twenty years in the life of John Parry were passed in the land of his birth, but at the expiration of that period he decided to become a citizen of America, so in 1868 he took passage for Quebec. His destination was Bureau county, Illinois, and in June, 1868, he lo- cated in the vicinity of the town of Sheffield, that county, where he worked as a farm hand for two years. He was thrifty and temperate in his habits and during that time he saved a sufficient sum from his meager earnings to enable him to farm on his own account as a renter. He continued to reside in Bureau county for another two years, but at the expiration of that time he disposed of his interests there and came to Iowa, settling in Cass county. After farming as a renter in that county for fourteen years, he went to Cherokee county, where he cultivated leased land until 1891. In the latter year he came to
John Parry Mary A Harry
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Hamilton county and bought eighty acres of partially improved land on section 28 of Freedom township. During the succeeding nine years he applied himself energetically to the further improvement and cul- tivation of this place, which he sold in 1900, investing the proceeds in one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 16 in the same township. Here he continued his agricultural pursuits until the Ist of March, 1908, when he retired from active work and removed to Webster City, where he is now residing.
In 1877, Mr. Parry was married to Miss Mary A. Powell, who was born in England on the 8th of May, 1851, her parents being Alfred and Mary Ann (Webb) Powell, who were born, reared and married in England, and there the mother also passed away. In 1869 the father emigrated to the United States, first locating in Iowa Falls, and buying land in Hamilton county. This tract was raw prairie land and while maintaining his residence in Iowa Falls he broke this land and prepared it for cultivation. After four years spent in Iowa Falls he moved onto his farm in Hamilton county, which he culti- vated and improved until he finally retired from agricultural labors and removed to Webster City, where he died on March 13, 1897, at the venerable age of eighty-two years. He is buried in Graceland cemetery, this city. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Powell, Mrs. Parry being the third in order of birth. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Parry also numbered four: John, the only son, who died in childhood; Nellie Florence, the wife of William Carden, a farmer of Webster county, by whom she has had one child; Etheldra Sarah, who married L. B. Cottington, a farmer of this county, to whom have been born four children; and Elizabeth Mary, who died in childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Parry have a very pleasant residence and many friends in Webster City, and by reason of their diligence and thrift in early life are able to spend their latter years in well earned ease and comfort.
MARTIN L. HENDERSON.
Martin L. Henderson is numbered among the men of Ham- ilton county who by keeping abreast of modern advancement in agricultural methods, by being progressive, up-to-date and systematic in their policies and by constantly improving and developing their fine farms are rapidly raising agriculture to the Vol. II-5
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plane of a definite science. He owns and operates three hun- dred and seventy acres of productive land in Ellsworth township and is ranked among the individual forces in the development and advancement of his section. He is a native of Hamilton county, a son of a pioneer in its settlement and has always been identified with the agricultural interests of his community. He was born in Scott township, January 19, 1864, a son of Lars and Sarah (Mikelson) Henryson. His father was born in Norway, March 22, 1822, and came to Hamilton county in 1858. Although he was a carpenter by trade he engaged in general agricultural pursuits during the greater period of his residence in America and died in Randall, November 12, 1896. His wife was a native of Norway, born in 1836, and she makes her home in Randall. In their family were seven children: Martin L., of this review; Michas, who is now living in Story City; Annas M., who is serv- ing as postmaster of Story City; Alexander, of Story City; Mrs. Jacob Williams, whose husband is serving as postmaster of Randall; Ole J., who is county attorney of Hamilton county ; and Mrs. Maggie Sowers, who resides in Ellsworth township. All of the children were born and reared in Scott township. Lars Henryson, the father of our subject, was one of the early set- tlers in Hamilton county and his life and activities were identified with a period of development and change. When he and his wife came to this part of Iowa they had Indians for neighbors, and there were but few log houses in the vicinity. They were, indeed, pioneers and it can be truthfully said that Lars Henry- son lightened the burdens of many poor settlers, rendering them charity and able service, and aiding in the accomplishment of their prosperity and success in order that Hamilton county might in the future have the very best class of people as factors in its development. That he was a splendid judge of men is best evidenced by the rapid growth of this part of the country. This history would be far from complete were we to omit reference to one who did so much unselfish work in pioneer times and who was such an important factor in making the people of Ham- ilton county prosperous, happy and contented. He left a herit- age to those who followed him greater than any accumulation of material wealth-"He dealt fairly and justly with his fellow- men, never seeking to take any advantage that would materially aid himself." This is the sum and substance of his life work.
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