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 113

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 113
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 113
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 113

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N. B. Thompson has been a resident since 1879. He then purchased a quarter section of land on section 14, and has im- proved a farm. He was born in Boone Co., Ill., Feb. 2, 1852, and a year later his parents removed to Winneshiek Co., Iowa, where he was reared and educated. In 1871 he went to Worth Co., Iowa, and there resided for eight years, then came to Winnebago county. Mr. Thompson was united in marriage, Nov. 30, 1876, to Maddel Svalleson. They have been blessed with three children-Fosten Christian, Maddel Pernille and Svalle Al- mer. The family are enrolled on the membership record of the Lutheran Church.

J. J. Sharp was born in Ayrshire, Scot- land, Dec. 18, 1845, where he was raised un- until eighteen years of age, when he came to America and settled in Dane Co., Wis, at Cambridge, where he learned the millers' trade. lIe lived there until October, 1880, and came to Winnebago county and set- tled in Newton township, section 28. He

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IIISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

has 160 acres of land. He was married Oct. 1, 1864, to Matilda Mathison. By this union there are two sons and three daughters-Eddie, Ida, Louisa, Johnnie and Susan. Ile is a republican politi- cally.

O. O. Ulve, son of Ole and Isabel Holden, was born in Norway, Dec. 5, 1857. Ile came to America with his parents in 1868 and settled in Dane Co., Wis. He

lived there one year, then removed to Grant Co., Wis., where his father died. Ile lived there seven years, then moved to Mower Co., Minn., living there four years: thence to Winnebago county, locating in Newton township, on section 4. ITis mother lives with him. He has held the offices of secretary of schools and justice of the peace. He is a member of the Lu- theran Church.

CHAPTER XXIII.

NORWAY TOWNSHIP.

This township lies in the extreme northeast corner of Winnebago county, and comprises all of congressional town- ship 100 north, of range 23. The surface of the township is quite rolling, and the soil is very productive. A few years ago about one-third of the area of the town- ship was covered with a heavy growth of timber, but the woodman's ax has been busy hewing down the giants of the for- est for lumber and fuel, until to-day the wooded portion, about one-fourth of the township, is mostly underbrush and scrub- oak. The inhabitants of the township are well-to-do, industrious and hospitable. The stranger always finds the "latch -- string" out, and is made welcome to the best in the house.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

This part of history proves at once the most interesting as well as the most in-

structive. It leads the reader back to primitive days, when the country was just being opened up by the hardy pioneers. The vicissitudes, the discomforts, the dis- appointments, under which the pioneer must have staggered, come vividly before the mind. And then, as the country comes up, slowly and painfully, as it were, to a certain degree of civilization and im- provement, it is noticeable that the excel- lence, in whatever degree, is due to the energy and enterprise of the pioneer. This township has been settled by a sturdy class of men, who came to stay, and who have wrought prosperity out of the soil.

The first settler to locate in the town- ship was William Tennis, who located 160 acres of land on section 21, in 1856. Mr. Tennis was born in Fort Wayne, Allen Co., Ind. Mr. Tennis is still a res- ident of the township, having lived on the

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

same farm for over a quarter of a century. Hle has one of the best farms in the town- ship, comfortable buildings, and has made a good competency for himself and family.

William Tennis is a son of Samuel and Jane Tennis, who reside with our subject, the former aged ninety-three, and the lat- ter seventy-eight years. He was boru on the east bank of the Manmee river, near Fort Wayne, Allen Co., Ind., Sept. 30, 1832. In 1855 Mr. Tennis came to Iowa and laid claim to a quarter section of land on Bear creek, east of Forest City, Winnebago county. In 1856 he sold his claim to Judge Robert Clark, then of Ma- son City, Cerro Gordo county, but of late years a resident of Forest City, Iowa. In 1856 Mr. Tennis laid claim to a quarter section in Norway township, and built a log cabin thereon, 18x24 feet in dimen- sions. In May, 1857, he attended the land sales at Osage, Mitchell county, and obtained a deed for his land. Ile imme- diately returned to Indiana, where he re- mained until 1859. In that year he took the overland route for Pike's Peak, Col., reaching his destination in 1860. In No- vember, 1864, he returned to Winnebago Co., Iowa, but in 1865 went back to Colo- rado, where he remained until the fall of 1873. Ile then came again to Winnebago county, and, in the spring of 1874, made a third trip to Colorado to settle up his business, and returned home to live perma- nently. Mr. 'Tennis was interested in several gold mines of Colorado, the largest of which was the "Unexpected." At the present writing he possesses an in- terest in the Humboldt mine, of Colorado. Hle owns 320 acres of land, all under cul- tivation with the exception of ten acres

of. timbered land. On Sept. 5, 1878, Mr. Tennis was united in marriage with Laura Westbury, of Forest City, Iowa. They are the parents of two children-Lloyd Austin and Lillie Eva. Mrs. Tennis is a member of the M. E. Church at Forest City.

During the same year (1856) the follow- ing named came to the township: Colburn Larson, Hans Knudson, Lewis Nelson, Heinrich Larson, Harvey, Knudson, Jas- per Fricker and Archibald Murray. Col- burn Larson and Hans Knudson are still residents of the township. The former settled on section 15, the latter on sec- tion 10.

Lewis Nelson settled on section 22, and made that his home until his death, in 1869.

Heinrich Larson located on the north- east quarter of section 14, remaining there till his demise, which occurred in 1873. His widow still lives on the farm.

Mr. Harvey, whose first name is forgot- ten, commenced pioneering on the north- east quarter of section 23. In 1862 he died, and his family, except one son and a daughter, returned to the eastern part of the State. The son and daughter are still living on the old place.

Mr. Knudson settled on the northwest quarter of section 11. In 1861 he was killed by being run over by a wagon. His widow still owns and manages the old place.

In June, 1856, Jasper Frieker and fam- ily settled on section 33 and commenced making improvements. On New Year's night, 1875, Mrs. Fricker died, and a few years later Mr. Fricker went to Minnesota.

In 1857 there was but one new settler in the township-Joseph Tennis, who still lives here.

In 1859 HIalvor Peterson and Christian Anderson came to Norway township, lo- cating on section 16. They are still resi- dents of the township.

John Iverson came to the township in 1860, locating on the northwest quarter of section 21, where he has since made his home.

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

The year 1862 marks the arrival of Samnel Tennis and his son Joseph, who settled on section 21. Samuel Tennis was among the most prominent of the early settlers, and is noticed elsewhere in this volume. His son Joseph is still a resident of the township.

In 1863 the number of residents of the township was increased by the arrival of Halvor Larson and H. S. Bottsford. Botts- ford settled on seetion 26 and made that his home until 1869, then sold to Joseph Tennis. He is now in Nebraska. llal- vor Larson located on the northwest quar- ter of section 26, and still makes that his home.

HISTORICAL ITEMS.

The first breaking in the township was done by William Tennis, who also put in the first grain. .

The first school house was built in 1859. It was a frame building, and was erected on section 15, in what is now district No. 2. Here Mrs. Nellie Hinman taught the first school in the winter of 1859-60. In 1868 the first school house was torn down and a new one erected.

The first child born in the township was Annie Larson, daughter of Colburn Larson. She was born sometime during the year 1857.

The first death was that of Mrs. C. L. Nelson; died March 14, 1857.

ORGANIC.

Norway township was created by act of the board of county supervisors in June, 1864, and the first election was held shortly afterward, at what is known as the Colburn Larson school house. The fol- lowing were the officers elected : H. S. Bottsford, clerk ; Samuel Tennis, justice ; Samnel Tennis, John Iverson and Halvor Peterson, trustees.

In 1883 the officers were : S. G. Honsey, clerk ; Gilbert Larson and H. M. Aldine, justices ; Ole Dahle, Sern Olson and Ingle- brit Martin, trustees; E. Moon and Erick Steene, constables.

EDUCATIONAL.

In this respect Norway is not behind other townships in the county. The first

school was taught in the winter of 1859- 60, and there were twenty-four scholars in attendance. There are five school dis- triets in the township, and in each there is a good school house.

District No. 1 has a school house on see- tion 14. It was first built on seetion 11, in 1873, at a total cost of $750. In 188] it was moved to section 14. It is a frame building, 18x28 feet.

The school house in district No. 2 was built in 1868, on the site of the first one built in the township. It is 20x32 feet in size, and cost about $900.

Distriet No. 3 has a school house on section 17, built in 1873, at a cost of $500. It is 18x28 feet in size.

The school house in distriet No. 4 is sit- uated on section 29. It was built in 1875, is 18x28 feet in size, and cost about $600.

The school house in distriet No. 5 was built in t>78 on section 26.

RELIGIOUS.

The Norwegian Lutheran church of Noway township was built in 1873. The edifice is not yet completed, but when finished will cost not less than 86,000. It is situated on prominent ground on see- tion 13, is 40x75 feet, twenty feet high. The steeple is about 125 feet in height. It was mainly through the efforts of Rev. Torgeson, the present pastor, that the church was built, and the present good standing of the society is due greatly to him. The membership now numbers over 200. Rev} Torgeson lives near Bristol, Worth county.

NORMAN VILLAGE.

Norway township has but one village within its borders. Norman, a station on the Minneapolis & St. Louis R. R., is sit- uated in the northeast corner of the town- ship, on section 12.

The first buildings erected were the depot and elevator. The next buildings erected were for business houses, and were occupied by the following persons: Ole Sear, general merchandise; B. O. Rindahl, hotel; and Lewis Arneson, blacksmith. The present number of inhabitants is forty-three. The business interests of the

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

town were represented in 1883, by the following: Emmons Bros., general mer- chandise; Thomas Wangsness, same; L. Arneson and Arne Enger, blacksmiths; S. R. Cross, grain buyer; T. M. Hogan, hotel and saloon; Stenar Narveson and Andrew Simmons, saloons.

The postoffice was established in 1879, with Ole Scar postmaster. He served one year and was succeeded by Thomas WVangsness, who served two years, and was succeeded in the fall of 1882, by C. O. Klaver, the present incumbent.

The Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad was built through the township in 1879, and runs through the eastern tier of sec- tions from north to south. S. B. Tanny- hill was the first depot agent at Norman. He remained one year.

John A. Simon is one of the most sub- stantial farmers in Norway township. He located here in 1868, and now owns 120 acres of land, all under cultivation, and valued at $20 per acre. Ile was born in Boone Co., Ill., July 29, 1844. His father died in 1846, and his mother, Betsey (Tis- del) Simon, subsequently married Nevy Kanutson, of Boone Co., Ill. They lived happily together until their death, which occurred in the spring of 1883. When thirteen years of age, John A. Simon came west, and located in Winneshiek Co., Iowa, where he lived four years. He then went to Winona, Minn., and three years later accompanied a man, named Matthews, back to Illinois. In 1867 he returned to Winneshiek Co., Iowa, and went from thence to Rashford, Fillmore Co., Minn. The year following (1868), he located on section 36, of Norway township, where he has since resided. In 1872 he married Annie Lindseth, of Worth Co., Iowa. They have five children-Annie Levisa, Rachel Bertina, Alita, Arnfen and Olef. Mr. Simon is republican in politics, and has held the offices of assessor and road commissioner. Himself and wife have been members of the Lutheran Church of the Synod for abont fourteen years. Mrs. Simon's father, John Lindseth, is still a

resident of Norway. Her mother resides with her.

Michael J. Holstead, one of the well-to- do farmers of Norway township in this county, was born in Bergen stift, Norway, the 5th day of November, 1837. He lived in the old country until 1867, when he came across the ocean to America, and settled in Winneshiek Co., Iowa. He lived in that county about one year, when he came to this county, locating in Nor- way township, on section 26, and bought 166 acres of land ou sections 25 and 26. In 1863 he was married to Martha Thor- son,of Norway. The result of this union is five children- Thomas, Julia, John, Ed- ward and Susan. His father died in 1881 in the old country. His mother is still living. Mrs. Holstead's parents came to this country and located in Winneshiek county, but died some years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Holstead belong to the Lutheran Church of the Conference. He is a re- publican in politics, and has held the office of school director two years since coming to this county. He has always been a farmer and raises considerable stock, hogs, cattle, sheep, horses, etc., a large amount of which he raises for sale.

Bendiek Hermonson, one of the old set- tlers of Norway township, was born in Bergen stift, Norway, on the 2d day of February, 1829. He lived in the old coun- try until 1864, when he emigrated to this country. He located in Winneshiek Co., Iowa, at Burr Oak Springs. He lived there until 1870, when he removed to Winnebago county and located on sec- tion 28, Norway township. He then bought 160 acres of land on section 27, all of which is under cultivation. Mr. Hermonson was married in 1856 to Johan- na G. Rollinson, of Norway. The result of this marriage was fifteen children, thirteen of whom are living-Lewis B, Henry B., Andrew B., Martin B., Thomas B., Albert B., Guttern B., Annie B., Lena B., Caroline B., Bertina B., Tilda B. and Mary B. Mr. and Mrs. Hermonson are members of the Lutheran Church of the Conference of Lake Mills His par-

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

ents died a number of years ago. Mrs. Hermonson's mother is dead, but her fa- ther lives in Winneshiek county. Her father was the first man who settled in Chicago, IlI.

T. G. Honsey was born in Norway Dec. 27, 1842, and came to America in 1861. In February, 1872, he came to Winnebago county, with his brother, and has since followed farming. lle was married May 20, 1874, to Ture Wangsness, of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Honsey are the parents of five children-Annie, Gustof, Bertine, Henry and Josephine. Mr. Honsey came to America in hmited circumstances, but by hard labor and judicious management has accumulated a comfortable property, and to-day is one of the well-to-do farmers of Norway township. Mr. Honsey is a member of the Lutheran Church where his family worship. In politics he is a republi- can and has held several local offices of trust in the gifts of the people.

S. G. Ilonsey was born in Norway, July 21, 1845. He emigrated to America in 1861 and located in Calmar, Winne- shiek Co., lowa, where he engaged in farming. In February, 1872 e came to Winnebago county with his brother, T. G. Honsey. They bought a farm in partnership and worked it together until the fall of 1879, when they divided their land, and he now lives on section 25. Ilis farm consists of 140 acres. Mr. Ilonsey is a member of the board of supervisors of Winnebago county, besides holding other local offices. He was married July 19, 1879, to Katarina Brekke. She was born in Illinois. When a mere child her parents emigrated to Worth county, re- maining there four years, when they re- moved to Winnebago county and settled on section 36, where Mrs. Brekke died, in May 1874, and the father in December, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. llonsey are the pa- rents of two children-Gustof I. and Al- bert J. They are members of the Lutheran Church.

James Price resides on section 35, where he located in 1875, and has since been engaged in farming. He was born at

at Sault de St. Marie, in the northern pen- insula of Michigan, May 18, 1837. His father, James Price, was a soldier in the regular army, and shortly after our sub- jeet's birth removed to Niagara, Canada, thence to St. Paul, Minn., and subse- quently to Prairie du Chien, Wis. In 1840 he assisted in the erection of Fort Atkinson, Winneshiek Co., Iowa, and afterwards was stationed at Fort Winne- bago, in Wisconsin, where he received an honorable discharge, and a year later was " called up higher " to receive his reward. His widow married George West, of Fort Winnebago, a few years later, and they removed to Dane Co., Wis., and set- tled on a farm. James Price, Jr., went to Osage, Iowa, in 1854, and in the spring of 1861 joined his brother-in-law, E. D. Hin- man, at Bristol, Worth Co., Iowa. In the fall of that same year he enlisted in the 14th regiment, lowa Volunteers, and served on the frontier at Forts Randall and Sully, Yankton Ageney, and partici- pated in the campaign at Devil's Lake and Mouse river. After the close of the war he again joined Mr. Hinman at Lake Mills, Iowa, and then engaged in railroading. In 1870 he settled down to a more quiet life, and in March, 1871, married Caroline E. Cuffle, of Pearl Rock, Iowa. That same year he bought forty acres of land on section 3, of Center township, and in 1875 purchased eighty acres on section 35, of Norway township, where he has since made his home and cultivated his land. Mr. Price is connected with the republi- can party; was justice of the peace six years, and township trustee two years. In 1881 he received an appointment as railway postal clerk in the United States service, and was on the route between Albert Lea, Minn., and Fort Dodge, Iowa, for about seven months. Mr. Price is a member of Sully Post, No. 180, G. A. R., of Lake Mills, Iowa, and is its present commander. His mother is a member of his family cirele. Mr. and Mrs Price have three children -Jane, Nettie and Edward. The family are members of the M. E. Church at Lake Mills.

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

Samnel Kirkwood Gregg, editor of the Independent Herald, at Lake Mills, was born Aug. 25, 1859, in Marion Co., Iowa. When he was but eight years of age his parents removed to Calhoun county, in the same State, where they now reside. Calhoun eounty at that time was newly and sparsely settled, hence educational advantages were limited. Samuel had no opportunity of attending school until nearly twelve years of age. His father losing his health in the late war, made it necessary for his sons to give more time to the improvement of the farm, which again deprived him of the privilege of an early education; but being desirous of reaching out and becoming something more than a plodding farmer, he read and studied every available book, becoming

thus a self-educated man. In the spring of 1881 he traveled through different States, and finally returned to Iowa. He then began teaching a country school near Forest City, in Winnebago county. In the fall of 1882 he became an assistant local editor of the Review, at Forest City, where he remained until Jan. 1, 1884, when he purchased the Independent Her- ald, assuming editorial charge of the paper. Mr. Gregg is a young man of indomitable pluck, one who has at heart the interest of the community in which he lives. It is his greatest desire to secure and re- tain the good will and friendship of the common people, doing more to that end than to advance his personal interests. The Herald, under his management, will be a success.

OCKER MAR 3 1983

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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 113

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