History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 112

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 950

USA > Iowa > Kossuth County > History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 112
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 112
USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 112

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Church, where the family worship. "Pure and upright in all his duties, he leaves a name truly honorable, and a character worthy of emulation." At the time of his death, he was a resident of Mount Valley township.

Simon Sogard is a son of T. A. Sogard, and came to this county with his parents in 1870. He has held several positions of trust, in 1881 being a clerk in the county treasurer's office. At present he is assistant in the auditor's office.

Arne T. Sogard was born Aug. 22, 1856, in Norway. When he was eleven years old his parents, T. A. Sogard and Maren (Hoye) Sogard, came to America, and located in Racine Co., Wis. After living there three years, they moved to Iowa, settling in Forest City, Winnebago county. One year later his father pur- chased eighty acres of land on section 31, Mount Valley township. Mr. Sogard, the subject of this sketeh, lived on the farm until his father's death, which took place in 1881, when he bought the old home- stead, and has since remained there, farm- ing a portion of the time and teaching school the rest of the year. Mr. Sogard taught the winter term of school, 1883, in distriet No. 4. He has been school direc- tor. On March 28, 1879, he married An- nie Osmund, of Forest City. They have had three children, two of whom are liv- ing-Mary C. and Thomas L. Mr. Sogard is a republican, and has figured quite ex- tensively in politics.

Syver Syverson was born in Norway Sept. 8, 1849, and there reared on a farm. He emigrated to America in the spring of 1870 and settled in Freeborn Co., Minn., where he lived three years, then came to

920

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

Winnebago county, and settled in Mount Valley township, on section 26, where he has eighty acres of land. He was married Sept. 9, 1874, to Mary Olson. By this union there were four children-Ole. Julius, Emma and Stina. Mrs. Syverson died June 22, 1881, and is buried in the cemetery of the Lutheran Church. He was again married to Tina Felland March 10, 1883. Mr. Syverson is a republican, and has held several local offices.

G. H. Levoid was born in Norway Dec. 20, 1847. He was raised on a farm, and received a common school education. Hle came to America in 1866, and settled in Dane Co., Wis., where he lived two years, then removed to Boone Co., lowa, where he remained five years, thence to Winne- bago county, and settled in Mount Valley township, on section 14. He has eighty acres of land, valued at $25 per acre. Ile was married in June, 1868; to Betsey Ol- son, also born in Norway. By this union there are five children, four danghters and one son-Emma L., Henry, Anna, Tilda and Julia. They are all members of the Lutheran Church. He is a repub- lican.

John Foss, a prominent farmer of Mount Valley township, was born May 22, 1854, in Norway. In 1868 he came to America, locating in Winneshiek Co., Iowa, where he lived six years, then went to Clay Co., Dakota, stayed a short time, and came back to lowa, settling in the western part of the State. From there he moved to Mitchell county, remained only a few months, and returned to Wuneishiek county, then went to Winnebago county, locating in Mount Valley township, where he bought forty aeres of land on section

29, all of which is under cultivation, and valued at $25 per acre. He has a large two story house on his farm, one of the finest farm houses in the county. Mr. Foss was married in July, 1879, to Mrs. Anna Groves, of Mount Valley township. They have one child-Eddie Theodore. Mrs. Foss is a member of the Lutheran Church. In politics, he is a republican.

Sandel Olson, one of the well-to-do farmers of this township, was born in Nor- way, in November, 1845. Mr. Olson lived in Norway until 1854, when he came to this country and located near Stoughton, Wis. He remained there about a year, and then came to Winneshick Co., Iowa, where his father bought a farm. Mr. Olson remained with his father until 1875, when he came to this county, locating on sec- tion 29, Mount Valley township, where he bought forty acres of land, which is valued at about $15 per acre. He was married in 1866 to Mary Groves, of Win- neshiek Co., Jowa. The result of this union is nine children-Martha, Alfred, Lars, Peter, John, Iner and Eddie, twins, Henry and Ole. Mr. and Mrs. Olsou be- long to the Lutheran Church of the Synod. He is a republican.

Sigur C. Brokke, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Norway, and was born Sept. 14, 1847. In 1856 he left the old country and came to America, locat- ing in Houston Co., Minn., where he bought forty acres of land. He remained in Houston county nineteen years and then removed to this county, locating in Mount Valley township, and buying 120 acres of improved land, paying therefor $1,240. Mr. Brokke was married on the first day of the year 1869. He has five children

921

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

living-Sarah, Charlotta, Edward, Olloas and Wilhelm C. Mr. and Mrs. Brokke are members of the Lutheran Church. He is a republican. Mr. Brokke had one brother, Hulver C., who was killed in the Civil War. He belonged to the 19th Wisconsin, company B.

Peter Seibert, one one of the well-to-do farmers of Mount Valley township, was born in Eisen, Germany, July 10, 1852. In 1861 he emigrated to this country with his parents, and located in Forest City, Winnebago Co., Iowa. His father pur- chased land in Hancock county, a short distance from Forest City. Mr. Seibert worked on his father's farm several years, when he went to Forest City to live, and bought property there. For about five years he was the proprietor of a store in Forest City, keeping on hand a large stock of general merchandise. In 1878, Mr. Seibert had to give up business on account of bad health, and purchased a farm of eighty acres on section 25, Mount Valley township. He removed on his farm and his health has since improved to a great extent. Mr. Seibert was married in 1879 to Louisa Denzel, of Hancock county. They have had two children- Viola and Lily. Mr. and Mrs. Seibert belong to the M. E. Church. For the past three years he has been preaching the gospel of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has no permanent location as preacher, but preaches to different congregations throughout Winnebago and Hancock counties. In politics he is a republican.

Peter H. Johnson was born Jan. 14, 1841, in Norway. In 1862 he came, in company with his mother and sister, to America, locating in Fillmore Co., Minn.

After living there two years he enlisted in company C, 7th Minnesota regiment, and served his country faithfully to the end of the war, taking part in the battles of Nashville and Spanish Fort. After the war he returned to Minnesota, bought 155 acres of land, and followed farming till the spring of 1876, when he sold out and came to Iowa, locating in Mount Val- ley township, where he purchased 160 acres of land on section 7, afterwards buy- ing eighty aeres on section 4. All of this land is under cultivation except twenty aeres of timber. He devotes himself chiefly to the raising of cattle, hogs and sheep for market. In politics he is a re- publiean. Mr. Johnson has been twice married. Ilis first wife was Christa Pe- terson of Fillmore Co., Minn., she only lived six months, dying of consumption. He then married her sister, Julia Peter- son. They have no children except one they have adopted-Theodore Adolph (Christoferson) Johnson.

John Denzel, one of the well-to-do farm- ers of Mount Valley township, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, on the 4th of December, 1830. He lived in the Old Country until 1849, when he emigra- ted to America. Mr. Denzel located in Cleveland, Ohio, where he obtained em- plopment in a wholesale grocery house. He remained in the employ of this firm for fifteen years, when he removed to Ver- million Co., Ohio, and went to work on a farm. Mr. Denzel remained in Vermil- lion county about four years, then he came to this State. He worked on a farm for quite awhile, then rented a farm and went to work for himself. At the present time he has rented, in partnership with his son-

922

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

in-law, 160 acres of land in Mount Valley township, section 24, His son-in-law is Peter Siebert. In 1857 Mr. Denzel was married. He has eight children-Jacob, Wilhelm, Georgia, . Ilenry, Theodore, Sophia, Louisa and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Denzel belong to the M. E. Church. Ile is republican in politics.

Hans P. Olson, one of the well-to-do farmers of Mount Valley township, was born Nov. 18, 1855, in Norway. When six months old, he came with his parents to America. They settled in LaSalle Co., Ill., where his father still lives, Mr. O]- son remained with his father till he was twenty-two years of age, when he came to Iowa, and located in Adams county. After one year he came to Winnebago county, and settled in Mount Valley township, where he built himself a house on the land of some speculator, on section 21, where he has since lived. In 1879 he married Sarah A. Thompson, of Mount Valley township. They have one child- Cora Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Olson are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a republican.

Peder Halvorson Wambheim, one of the old pioneers of the northwest, was born in Norway, June 29, 1821. Mr. Wambheim lived in Norway until 1850, when he emigrated to America and set- tled near Arlington, Columbia Co., Wis. lle bought a farm of 200 acres near that place and operated on a rather large scale. In 1875 he moved to Mitchell Co., Iowa, and bought a farm near West Mitchell. In this place he remained four years, and then came to Winnebago county and lo- cated in Mount Valley township. In 1882 he bought forty acres of land on section

30, near Forest City. This land he val- ues at $25 per acre. In 1847 Mr. Wamb- heim was married to Susie Opham, of Norway. They have seven children liv- ing-Martha, Mary, Sarah, Susie, Helen, Katherine and Emma. Two of these daughters, Helen and Katherine, are school teachers. The former having taught five terms, and the latter one term of school. The four eldest daughters are married, one of whom lives in Lodi, Wis., and the other three in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Wambheim belong to the Luth- eran Church of the Synod of Forest City. Mr. Wambheim was formerly a demo- crat, having cast his first vote for Frank- lin Pierce for President. Since that time he has become convinced that the repub- lican party is the better party in existence, and consequently votes that ticket. When in the old country he owned and sailed a fishing vessel named Familia. Mr. Wambheim is now sixty-two years of age, and time has whitened his locks to a silvery gray. He still car- ries on his little farm and enjoys life in the midst of a happy family. Mr. Wambheim enlisted in the regular army in the old country under Gen. Broek, and served eight years.

O. P. Bakke was born in Norway on the 6th of March, 1830. IIe lived in the home of his birth until 1861, when he crossed the ocean to America, and settled in Houston Co., Minn., where he bought a quarter section of land. He lived in Houston county until the spring of 1883; then he came to this State and located in Mount Valley township, Winnebago county. Ile purchased 120 acres of land on section 26. This land is all under cul-

923

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

tivation except about twenty aeres of young timber. Mr. Bakke has been mar- ried twice. The first time to Mrs. Marn Olson, of Norway. By this wife he has two children-Ole Peter and Martin. The second time he was married to Lena Christianson, in 1859. Result of union, eight children-Minnie, Mary, John, Ed- win, Olef, Samuel, Theresa and Christian. Mr. and Mrs. Bakke belong to the M. E. Church of Forest City. In the fall of 1863 Mr. Bakke enlisted in the 11th Min-

nesota Infantry, company K. He served his country faithfully until his time ex- pired, and was honorably discharged. He is republican in polities. He has three sons in Dakota, near Fargo, who own farms and are doing business on a large scale. Peter Bakke, father of the subject of this sketch, is ninety-three years old, and makes his home with him. The old gentleman has been blind for the past ten years, but otherwise is quite healthy.

CHAPTER XXII.

NEWTON TOWNSHIP.

This township embraces three congres- sional townships-township 99, of ranges 24, 25 and 26, altogether about 69,120 aeres. This township is mostly prairie, with highly productive soil, and one of the best for agricultural and grazing pur- poses that there is in the county. The surface is quite rolling, in places inelined to be hilly, but almost the whole of the township is fit for farming, there being but a small acreage of untillable land. The township is well watered by several small streams -Lime creek, Pike Run and the north and south branches of Buffalo fork. Lime creek flows through the southeast corner of the township. Pike Run rises in the center of the township, flows toward the southeast, and empties into Lime ereek on section 25. The other streams are of little consequence except for drainage. -

The township was named Newton in honor of Newton H. Bailey, son of John and Naney F. (MeDonald) Bailey, resi- dents of the township.

ORGANIC.

Prior to 1881 Newton was a part of Center township. In that year, however, a petition was presented by O. T. Seevers to the board of county supervisors, who established the boundaries and issued an order for an election for the purpose of electing township officers. The election was held in the fall of 1881, at the Bur- nap school house. The clerks appointed for the election were Andrew Seevers and N. H. Bailey; judges, H. O. Sunder- land, N. B. Thompson and J. J. Sharp.

The officers elected were as follows: N. II. Bailey, J. J. Sharp and H. O. San- derland, trustees; N. B. Thompson, elerk; M. Ragan and Andrew Seevers, justices

924

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

of the peace; C. O. Rose and Ole Johnson, constables; Gilbert Olson, assessor; Ole Johnson, John Bailey, Iver Qualle and John Christianson, road supervisors.

In 1883 the officers were: J. J. Sharp, Newton Bailey and O. O. Ulve, trustees; N. B. Thompson clerk; O. O. Ulve and E. II. Hall, justices; C. O. Rose, consta- ble; Gilbert Olson, assessor; John Chris- tianson, O. E. Johnson, N. H. Bailey and C. J. Humlin, road supervisors.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The first settler in this township was a man by the name of Benson, who settled on section 36, of township 99, range 24, in 1855. He settled in what is now known as Benson's Grove. He remained six or eight months and sold his elaim to Jeptha Adams.

Mr. Adams moved to the claim in April, 1856, and occupied the same cabin that Benson had built. He lived there one year and then went to Minnesota. He is now living somewhere near Red Wing of that State.

In June, 1856, James Collier and a man by the name of Lee settled on the south half of the southeast quarter of section 36. They both wanted the same piece of land and had considerable trouble over the matter. Finally a prairie fire burned Lee's house and he soon after left Collier in peaceful possession of the claim. Col- lier lived on the land until in the summer of 1857, when he sold to James Turner, of Clear Lake, and moved to section 31, of what is now Center township. One year later he moved to seetion 25, of Forest township and shortly after died.

In June, 1856, James Redmile came to the township and took up his residence on

setion 36, with Jeptha Adams. That fall, in August, he was married to Jane Adams. After a few months of married life they separated and Redmile returned to one of the eastern States.

In July, 1856, Philip A. Pulver bought the farm of Jeptha Adams, on section 36, and began making improvements. In August he and Adams got into a dispute over the land and Pulver had to leave. Ile sold to A. T. Cole soon after, and took up his residence in Forest City. He finally went to Missouri.

A. T. Cole settled in the township, on the land he had purchased of Pulver, in September, 1856, and remained until May 28, 1857, when he moved to section 23, of Forest township,

Up to 1862 there were no new settlers in the township. Some time during the war J. B. Hill located on the south half of the southeast quarter of section 36. He is still living on the same place.

About the same time a man by the name of Shannon settled on the same sec- tion with Hill, who was a relative. He remained several years, then sold to a man by the name of O'Connor, and went south to one of the southern States. O'Connor lived in the township until his death, which occurred in about 1878.

In the fall of 1867, John Millington came to the township and located on see- tion 7, township 99, range 24. He built a log cabin and engaged in dairying and cheese making lle remained about one year and a half, then went to Hancock county. He is now in the southern part of the State.

In April, 1869, John Bailey and his son, Newton, came from Cook Co., Ill., and

925

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

settled on section 7. Mr. Bailey has con- tinned a resident ever since and has now one of the best stock farms in the town- ship. He engages mostly in raising cattle.

In the fall of 1870, Henry Bushnell lo- cated on section 27, township 99, range 24. lle lived there two or three years then returned to Connecticut, and after a stay of three years there returned to his land in this township. Three years later he moved to Clear Lake.

EDUCATIONAL.

In 1883 there were six schools being taught in Newton township, four in build- ings owned by the sub-districts and two in rented houses. The four school houses referred to are frame buildings, and are valued at $2,000. Number of persons of school age, or between the ages of five and twenty-one years, 158, of which ninety are males and sixty-eight females ; number of scholars enrolled in the schools . of the township, 114. Number of teach- ers employed in the township, nine, of which two are males and seven females; average compensation per month, $27.50 for males, and $30 for females. Number of months school taught in the township for the school year ending Sept. 17, 1883, thirty-six ; value of school apparatus, $2,000.

FIRST TININGS.

The first death among the residents of the township occurred in 1878, and car- ried away a blind man by the name of O'Connor.

In December, 1856, three travelers per- ished in a severe snow storm while pass- ing through the township. The names of two were Porter and Snyder ; the name of the other, a stranger, is forgotten.

The first residents of the township to get married were James Redmile and Jane Adams. They were married at Ma- son City.

The first school house was built in 1871, on section 36, of township 99, range 24.

POSTOFFICES.

Deering postoffice is situated on section 7, in Coon's Grove, and was named in honor of N. C. Deering, member of Congress. John Bailey was the first postmaster, ap- pointed June 7, 1880. He is the present incumbent.

John Bailey has been a resident of Coon's Grove since 1859. He was born in Haverhill, Mass., Feb. 12, 1814. He was there reared to manhood, and re- ceived a very good education in the dis- triet school. In 1838 he went to Vermil- ion Co., Ill., and there learned the trades of bricklayer and shoemaker. He also en- gaged in the cattle trade, driving to Wis- consin for seven years, and then shipped by rail to New York city, and after locat- ing in Iowa, shipped the first cattle from Hancock and Winnebago counties to Chi- cago. He then embarked in the boot and shoe business at Danville, Ill., and after ten years experience in that line of trade, engaged in farming. In 1860 he removed to Cook Co., Ill., and in 1869, settled on section 7, of Newton township, where he still lives. Politically, Mr. Bailey is con- nected with the republican party. He was married Nov. 22, 1840, to Nancy F. McDonald, a native of Edgar Co., Ill. Nine children have been given them, six living-Mary J., Daniel S., Newton K., Katie, Nettie and Alice. William, Flor- ence and Donald are deceased. The fam-

926

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

ily are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church.

Benson Grove postoffice is located on section 36, township 99, range 24, in what is known as Benson Grove. The office was established July 1, 1864, and J. B. Hill appointed first postmaster. Mr. Ilill has been postmaster ever since.

Jonathan B. Hill, postmaster at Benson Grave, was born in the village of Abing- ton, Wayne Co., Ind., Nov. 24, 1819. When three years old, his parents re- moved to Shelby Co., Ind., when the country was very new and inhabited by Indians. He received a liberal education in the public schools, and in 1844 went to Green Co., Wis., while that was yet a territory, and voted for the first constitu- tion of that State. In October, 1846, he was united in marriage to Eliza Sanborn, and they raised four children-Reuben H., Abraham N., David N. and Marilla M. In 1863, Mr. Hill came to Winnebago county, and located at Benson Grove, on section 36, of Center township. Mr. Hill has been honored by his neighbors and friends with numerous township and county offices, and has been the postmas- ter for the Benson Grove office for twenty years. The children are all married and comfortably situated in life, and the par- ents are managing the home farm, which comprises 240 acres.

Philip Gannett came in 1865. Ile was born in Windsor Co., Vt., Aug. 5, 1826, and there lived till he was twenty-nine years of age. In 1856 he removed to Rock Co., Wis., and two years later to Freeborn Co., Minn .; thence, after a four years residence there, to Osage, Mitchell Co., Iowa, where he lived three years,

then returned to Freeborn Co., Minn. In 1867 he went to Worth Co., Iowa, and in 1882 came to this county and located on section 2, of this township. On April 4, 1853, he was married to Submit G. Camp- bell, and four children have been sent to brighten their home-S. G. L., Fred D., Minnie A. and Linda J.

Ole H. Sunderland was born in Norway, Dec. 11, 1820. He lived in his native land until forty-two years of age, then emigrated to America (in 1862) and set- tled in Dane Co., Wis., where he resided four years. In 1866 he came to Winne- bago county, and located on section 11, of Newton township, where he still resides, and his farm now comprises 120 acres. In 1846 he married Anna Opdahl, who has borne him nine children-Halvor, Kari, Sigri, Salve, Julia, Torger, Charles, Knudt and Thea C. Mr. and Mrs. Sunderland are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Sunderland has been teaching school in the Norwegian language, for about fifteen years.

John Christianson was born in Norway July 5, 1849. He came to America in 1873, and settled in Winnebago county, Newton township, on section 11, where he has since resided. Ile was united in mar- riage in November, 1873, to Inger Olson. The fruits of this union are five children -Christian, Olaf, Andreas, Oscar and Bertha. They are membersof the Luther- an Church.

John Halvorsen is a native of Norway, born in March, 1847. He came to Amer- ica in 1869, and settled in Dane Co., Wis., living there four years; thence to Winnebago Co., Iowa, Newton township, and located on section 27. Mr. IIalvorsen

927

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

came here in moderate circumstances, but has accumulated a snug home and is well fixed. He was married May 13, 1874, to Eliza Carlson, born in Norway. They have seven children. They belong to the Lutheran Church.

M. V. Ragan was born near Black Rock, Canada, May 13, 1832. When quite young he went to Erie Co., Penn., where he lived eleven years, then went to Kane Co., Ill., and resided there for eighteen years. In 1865 he made a settlement in Mitchell Co., Iowa, and in 1876 located on section 24, of Newton township, where he has made a permanent settlement. IIe is a republican in polities, and served one term as justice of the peace. He married Christina P. Holland at Earlville, Ill., in 1857, and seven children have blessed their union-Ella, Charles II., Daniel, Paul, Jame, Albert, Louis and Cora May.

Edward McGreevey was born in county Roscommon, Ireland, March 18, 1838. He · was left an orphan at the age of four years, and passed his earlier life among his native scenes. In 1856, when but eighteen years of age, he emigrated to America, and finally located in Orleans Co., N. Y., and worked on a farm for six years. While there he became acquainted with Mary A. Hanlan, to whom he was united in marriage Sept. 6, 1861. Miss Hanlan was born in county Roscommon, Ireland, in May, 1844. She emigrated to America in 1854, at the age of ten years. After their marriage they removed to Ken- osha Co., Wis. Mr. McGreevey was fore- man on a farm of 1,400 acres for ten years. IIe afterwards bought a farm on which he lived six years. In November, 1877, he came to Winnebago county, and settled

on section 34, in Newton township, where he has since resided, and now owns 160 aeres of fine farming land, with a commo- dious residence. Mr. MeGreevey is pres- ident of the board of school directors of Newton township, and one of the town- ship's most influential citizens. Mr. and Mrs. MeGreevey have eight children- Maggie L., John W., Edward G., James R., May E., Frank F., Annie A. and Ella, all of whom were born in Wisconsin, except Ella, who is a native of Iowa. The family are members of the Roman Catho- lie Church. Politically, Mr. McGreevey is a true believer in the principles promul- gated by the democratie party.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 112

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 950

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 950