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 95
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 95
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 95
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In October, 1863, David Secor was elected treasurer and recorder. During his term the offices were separated and he was retained as treasurer, while J. P. Gardner, in 1864, was elected
768
IIISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
COUNTY RECORDER,
and was the first to fill that office as it is to-day. Mr. Gardner held the office for two years and made a very efficient offi- cer. He had a fair education and was a good, lionest business man. He came to Forest City from Clear Lake, Cerro Gordo county, in 1863, and remained here until his death, which occurred in 1867. His widow is still living in Forest City and is now the wife of Myron Barton, a mer- chant of that place.
HI. S. Bottsford was elected to the office in the fall of 1866 and held the office one term. Mr. Bottsford came to Forest City in 1859 and followed the carpenter's trade until his election to office. In 1869 he settled in the north part of the county, where he engaged in farming. In 1862 he was married to Laura Tennis, daughter of Samuel Tennis. He finally removed to Nebraska, where he was when last heard from. He made a very good officer.
Nelson K. Landru was the next recorder, being elected in the fall of 1868, and re- elected in 1870. Ile was a brother of Hiram K. Landru, at one time county auditor. Mr. Landru was a native of Norway, and while young came with his parents to the United States. He came to Winnebago county in 1863, and worked at farming until elected to office. He is now in Yellow Medicine Co., Minn.
E. L. Stillson succeeded Landru as re- corder. He was elected in the fall of 1872 and again in 1874. Mr. Stillson made a very efficient officer, serving with honor to himself and giving entire satis- faction to those with whom he transacted business. Mr. Stillson is now engaged in the hardware business in Forest City.
John Law was the next recorder. He was elected in the fall of 1876, and re- elected in 1878.
O. T. Severs was elected recorder in 1880 and again in 1882, being the present incumbent.
O. T. Severs, county recorder, was born near Bergen, Norway, in 1845. When a mere child his parents emigrated to Amer- ica, locating in Cambridge, Dane Co., Wis., where they remained until 1873, when they removed to Winnebago Co., Iowa. Ilis father was buried in Dane county, where his mother had been pre- viously buried. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, receiving a liberal education. In the fall of 1872 he removed to Winnebago county, and in 1873 was elected county surveyor. In 1874 he was elected to the office of clerk of the courts, and in 1880 was elected county recorder, being re-elected in 1882. In 1875 he was married at Augusta, Wis., to Betsy Bor- son. Four children have blessed this union-Rankin W., Nannie Amelia, Ettie E. and Stella B. Mr. Severs has forty acres of land within the city limits, val- ued at $20 per acre, and has 160 aeres in Newton township, valued at $3,000. Mr. Severs is a graduate of Eastman's Busi- ness College.
COUNTY TREASURER.
The first to hold this office was David Secor. He was elected in 1863 to the combined offices of treasurer and recorder, held over as treasurer on their separation, and was elected to the treasurership in 1865. A sketch of Mr. Secor is found under the head of "State Representation."
In 1867 Robert Clark was elected treas- urer. He was re-elected in 1869, 1871,
769
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
1873 and 1875, holding the office until his death, which occurred Ang. 12, 1876. Mr. Clark was the first county judge,and is rep- resented at length in the judicial chapter.
W. A. Burnap was appointed to the treasurership to hold until the next gen- eral election. Mr. Burnap was a lawyer, and is noticed at length in the bar chap- ter.
William Larson was elected in Novem- ber, 1876, to fill out the unexpired term of Mr. Clark. He held the office but one year. Mr. Larson is a native of Norway. He came to the county in 1867 and located at Lake Mills, where he engaged in the mercantile business. He is still in trade at that place. Mr. Larson was a strict business man, well educated, and proved a very efficient public officer.
Mikkel Peterson became the next county treasurer by the election in the fall of 1877. He held the office two terms. Mr. Peterson is a native of Norway, and be- came a resident of this county in 1866. Hle is now following farming.
At the election in 1881 B. A. Plummer was elected treasurer. He was re-elected in 1883.
CLERK OF THE COURTS.
At the organization of the county, in 1857, B. F. Denslow was elected the first clerk of courts, and held the office until Jan. 1, 1861. Mr. Denslow came to the county in the spring of 1857, locating in Forest City. In 1861 he enlisted in the United States service, was taken prisoner by the rebels, and died of starvation in Libby prison. Mr. Denslow was a man of excellent moral character, and made a popular public officer.
In the fall of 1860 A. K. Curtis was elected clerk of courts, and served part of a term. He was of a roving disposition, and soon resigned his office and went to Nebraska. J. II. T. Ambrose was ap- pointed to fill out the term.
J. H. T. Ambrose, one of the early set- tlers of Winnebago county, was born in Hamburg, Germany, Sept. 22, 1834. Here he grew to manhood and received his edu- cation at the University of Kidd. In 1853 he left Germany and emigrated to America, locating in Chicago, at which place he remained one year and studied our language. In 1855 he was employed in an engineer corps in LaSalle Co., Ill. In 1856, he removed to Mason City, where he was elected as county surveyor, which office he filled for four years. In 1860 he removed to Forest City, Winne- bago county, receiving an appointment to the clerk of the courts, to fill the vacancy made by Keeler Curtis, who had resigned. He was elected county surveyor at the end of his appointment, which office he has since filled, with the exception of one term. In 1861 he was married to Emma Jane Church, a daughter of Charles Church. By this union there has been eight children, seven of which are living -Ella, Nettie, Clinton, Lillie, Fannie, Irving and Clyde. Mr. Ambrose 'has re- sided in the county for nearly a quarter of a century, and has seen the prairies covered with game chased by the Indians, but which in a few short years has been changed to good cultivated farms, and the hut has been supplanted by comfortable homes. Probably there is not a man in the county more conversant with its every facilities than Mr. Ambrose.
770
IIISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
In 1862 E. D. Hinman was elected clerk and served three terms. Mr. Hin- man was a careful business man and made a good public record. His popularity as an official may be inferred from the fact that he was retained in office for six years. He is now living on his farm close to Lake Mills.
Eugene Secor was elected Mr. IIinman's successor in the fall of 1868, and was re elected in 1870 and 1872. Mr. Seeor has since been elected county auditor and is noticed at length in that connection.
O. T. Severs was the next clerk, elect- ed in 1874. Hle is the present county re- corder and under that head may be found his biographical sketch.
In the fall of 1876 W. O. Hanson was elected clerk of courts. lIe is the pres- ent incumbent, having been re-elected in 1878, 1880 and 1882.
W. O. Hanson, clerk of the courts of Winnebago county, was born near Lille- hammer, on the Miosen, Norway, May 13, 1843. lle emigrated with his parents to America in 1854, his father dying on the way, of cholera, at Pine Lake, Wis. The family, destitute of means, consisted of the widowed mother and four children- William O., aged eleven years; Christian H.,aged six years; John I'., aged three years and Ella S., aged two months, and born on the Atlantic ocean. They settled in Jefferson Co., Wis. The subject of this sketeh was thrown upon his own resources to provide for himself and to assist in the support of the family. The years of his boyhood were variously occupied, chiefly on the farm, at school, in the saw mill and in the store. In the fall of 1864, he re- moved to Decorah, Winneshiek Co., Iowa,
where he secured a situation in a store. In 1866 he embarked in the mercantile business on his own account, under the firm name of Wilson & Hanson, with a satisfactory degree of success. In the fall of 1867 the firm sold out, and with some other gentlemen organized a stock com- pany for the manufacture of woolen goods and carrying on a general mercantile busi- ness, under the name and style of the Winneshiek Manufacturing & Commer- eial Association, and founded the "Win- neshiek Woolen Mills." Mr. Hanson be- ing treasurer and manager of the merean- tile department for over three years, when he sold his interest and resigned. On the 31st of May, 1868, he was married to Mary Wood, of the town of Ashippun, Dodge Co., Wis., who died on the 3d of Septem- ber, following. In the fall of 1870 he moved to Forest City, Winnebago Co., Iowa, and again engaged in the mercantile business, under the firm name of W. O. Ilanson & Co., afterwards Aiken & Han- son. He subsequently purchased the in- terest of Mr. Aiken and continued in the business until 1876. He was married to Jennie Anderson, of Decorah, Iowa, on the 13th of May, 1871, and by this mar- riage has had four children, three of whom are living-Ilarry M., Ida E. and Nellie M. In the fall of 1871, he was elected a member of the county board of supervisors, hold- ing the position of chairman for two years. In 1876 he was elected clerk of the courts and re-elected, without any opposition, to speak of, in 1878, 1880 and 1882. Upon the incorporation of the town of Forest City, in 1878, he was appointed, by the circuit court, one of the commissioners to perfeet the organization of the town, and
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY,
at the first election of officers of the in- corporation, he was elected a member of the council and has since held that office by re-election. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hanson are members of the Con- gregational Church. In politics, he is a republican, and takes a lively interest in public affairs. Mr. Hanson came to this country a poor boy, but by hard work has gained himself a position, of which he may well be proud.
SHERIFFS.
The first sheriff in Winnebago county was John S. Blowers, who was elected in the fall of 1857, when the county was first organized.
M. P. Goodell was the second sheriff, elected in 1861. He did not serve long, however, bat resigned and enlisted into the service, joining the 32d Iowa Volun- teer Infantry. The only news ever re- ceived in regard to what became of him is that he was wounded in the battle of Pleasant Hill, and left on the field for dead.
John Maben was appointed the succes- sor of Mr. Goodell, and held the office until Jan. 1, 1862. Mr. Maben is the pres- ent treasurer of Hancock county.
The next sheriff was Joseph Tennis, elected in the fall of 1862. He held the office one year.
He was succeeded by A. P. Harper, who was elected in the fall of 1863. Dur- ing the one term that Mr. Harper held the office, he became quite unpopular, and people thought, and still say that he was in league with law-breakers. He left the county some time after the expiration of
his term of office, and his whereabouts at present is not known.
In 1865 Charles Lutz was elected sheriff and held the office one term. Mr. Lutz came here from Indiana in the spring of 1856. He located on a farm and tried farming on a small scale. Ile also specu- lated somewhat in lands and attended the land sale at Osage in the fall of 1857. Al- though a sharp, shrewd fellow, he never made much and what he did make he could not keep. He left, in 1870, a poor man, and went to Dakota. As an officer he was not very efficient.
H. K. Landru was elected sheriff in 1867 and beld the office one term. A sketch of him is given under the head of county auditor, to which office he was elected in 1869.
The next sheriff was Peter Lewis, who who was elected in 1869, and re-elected in 1871, 1873 and 1875.
Mr. Lewis came to Winnebago county, from Wisconsin, in 1863, and settled at Forest City. He was married while here to Carrie Brones, a resident of the county. Mr. Lewis was one of the most efficient and popular men ever elected to the office. He was kind and considerate in his official position, but was neverthe- less a true custodian of the law and would perform his duties with firmness and dis- patch. He bore a good character and as a man was esteemed by every one. He died in 1879.
He was succeeded by J. H. Twito, who was elected in 1877. Mr. Twito has held the office ever since, being last elected in 1883.
Jacob H. Twito, sheriff of Winnebago Co., Iowa, was born in Racine Co., Wis.,
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
Feb. 21, 1847. IIe was a son of Hans Twito, who emigrated from Norway to Racine county, in 1842, where he became acquainted with Ellen Jacobson and whom he soon after married. They were the parents of eight children, four sons and four daughters. In 1852 he removed to Ilouston Co., Minn., where he purchased land and engaged in farming. He was a large, powerful man, being six feet two inches in height and weighing 210 pounds. He was considered one of the strongest men who had left Norway. He died in Houston county, in 1865, leaving a wife and large family to monrn his loss. Mrs. Twito is still living in Winnebago county. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and received a limited education, being principally self-educated. In 1875 he was married to Carrie J. Halverson, of Winnebago county, by whom he has had four children-Henry, James E., Ellen G. and Cora. In October, 1877, he was elected to the office of sheriff, and re-elected in 1879, 1881 and 1883. Mr. Twito is a man who attends close to his business, giving general satisfaction to all as a good officer and one of the best detectives in the State. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and with his wife is a member of the Lutheran Church.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
The office of superintendent of common schools for each county was created by an act of the General Assembly in the winter of 1857-8, and an election called in April, 1858, to fill the office.
C. W. Scott was elected the first super- intendent of schools, for Winnebago county, in the spring of 1858.
Mr. Scott came here from Indiana in 1856 and engaged in farming. He left the county in 1868, going to Iowa Falls, Hardin county. Ile is now dead.
In 1859 B. F. Denslow was elected to this office and held for one term. A sketch of Mr. Denslow is given under head of clerk of courts.
Martin Bumgardner was the next super- intendent, elected in 1861. Mr. Bum- gardner was a native of New York, and, coming to this county in an early day, he figured prominently in its affairs. IIe was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and was the builder of the present court house in Forest City. Ile remained here until 1868, then went to Mason City, where he lived several years. He is now engaged in farming in Hancock county. Mr. Bumgardner resigned before his term expired, and David Secor was ap- pointed to fill the vacancy, holding about one year.
In the fall of 1863 Augustus Oulman was elected and held the office two years. Mr. Oulman came here from Philadelphia, Penn., in 1860. Ile was a Frenchman by birth, was fairly educated, and was a wood carver by trade. He is now living at Lake Mills, where he has for some years been engaged at carpentering.
Next in office came C. A. Steadman, who was elected in 1865, and re-elected in 1867. Mr. Steadman was a teacher by profession, and made a very efficient su- perintendent. On coming to Forest City in 1862 he became teacher of the public school. Ile is now living on his farm north of Forest City.
In 1869 Martin Cooper was elected county superintendent. He is a lawyer
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
by profession, and is still a resident of Forest City.
His successor was A. L. Shay, who was elected in the fall of 1871. Mr. Shay was a physician of Lake Mills.
In 1873 W. W. Olmstead was elected and held the office for two years. Mr. Olmstead is a lawyer by profession.
W. A. Chapman was elected superin- tendent in the fall of 1875, and was re- eleeted in 1877. He is now practicing law at Lake Mills.
In 1879 A. N. Brones was elected. He is now serving on his third term, being last elected in 1883.
A. N. Brones, superintendent of schools of Winnebago county, was born near Christrand, Norway, June 23, 1847. When six years of age his parents emigrated to America and located in Dane Co., Wis., where they engaged in farming. Ilere Mr. Brones grew to manhood, receiving his education in the district school. In the fall of 1864 he enlisted in the 43d regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers, com- pany I, and served in the last battle at Nashville, and until the close of the war. In July, 1865, he removed to Winnebago county, where he entered the graded school of Forest City, then spending two terms at the Upper Iowa University, at Fayette, Fayette county, and graduated in the commercial department. After
leaving school he engaged in teaching, which he followed until 1880. In 1872 he was elected as county supervisor, serv- Ing two terms. In the fall of 1879 he was elected as county superintendent of schools, and re-elected in 1881 and 1883, which position he has filled with due credit. On June 22, 1881, he was joined
in wedlock to Emma Jacobs, a daughter of Jacob Jacobs, of Winnebago county. This union has been blessed with one child-Oliver Jay. Mr. Brones is a Mas- ter Mason, a member of Truth Lodge, No. 213. Mrs. Brones is a member of the Lutheran Church, where the family wor- ship.
COUNTY SURVEYOR.
The first surveyor of Winnebago county was C. W. Scott, who was elected in 1857. He held the office until 1862.
Augustus Oulman was elected in the fall of 1861 and performed the duties of the office for two years.
J. H. T. Ambrose was the next surveyor, elected in 1863. A sketch of Mr. Am- brose is given in connection with the office of clerk of courts.
In 1865 Augustus Oulman was again elected to the office. lle was re-elected in 1867, and was succeeded by J. II. T. Am- brose, who was elected in 1869.
In 1871 W. C. Hayward was elected surveyor. He held the office for a short time, then resigned and W. A. Burnap was appointed to take his place. Mr. Hay- ward was for a time connected with the Winnebago Press.
O. T. Severs was elected in 1873 and after holding the office about six weeks he resigned, and John Ambrose received the appointment. Mr. Severs is the pres- ent county recorder. Mr. Ambrose was elected in 1875, and held two years longer.
In 1877 Augustus Oulman was again elected, but did not serve out his regular term as the records show that John Am- brose succeeded him by the election of 1878. Mr. Ambrose was re-elected in 1879 and 1881.
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IIISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
In 1883 L. T. Thompson was elected county surveyor.
CORONER.
The first coroner, Philip Tennis, was elected in the spring of 1858,and held the office one term. Mr. Tennis was born in Indiana, and was a son of Samuel Tennis, Winnebago county's last county judge. Ile was a genial fellow and was well liked. He died a few years after the expiration of his term of office.
He was succeeded by Thomas Bearse, who also held the office one term. Mr. Bearse was one among the first settlers of the connty, and is noticed at length in that connection.
Darius Bray was the next coroner, elected in 1863. He held the office until 1870. Mr. Bray was one of the early set- tlers of the county, and is noticed at length in that connection.
D. C. Hayes was the next coroner. He was elected in 1869 and held the office one term. Mr. Hayes' sketch appears in the bar chapter.
G. P. Smith succeeded Hayes, and held the office two years.
He was succeeded by P. C. Jones, who was elected in 1873.
V. A. Jones was elected coroner in 1874, and was re-elected in 1875.
In 1877 Dr. J. M. Hull was elected. Dr. Hull is a practicing physician, of Lake Mills.
'T. G. Tweed was elected in 1879 and served two years.
Ile was succeeded by J. II. Brakke, who was elected in the fall of 1881.
In 1883 C. E. Keeler was elected to the office.
DRAINAGE COMMISSIONER.
J. B. Torbert was the first to hold this office. He was elected in the spring of 1858 and served two terms.
In 1861 the choice of the people fell upon Darins Bray, who held the office two terms.
J. B. Hill was the next elected, in 1865, and was succeeded by William Lackore, in the fall of 1867.
In 1869 Darius Bray was again elected, and held the office until it was abolished by law.
775
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
CHAPTER VI.
THE PRESS.
One of the most powerful and far reaching instrumentalities which exerts a great influence upon society and morals, is the press of the land. Visit the larger cities and there we find the press daily pouring column after column of news matter before its readers; it enters almost every home and is the enjoyment of almost every fireside, thus moulding, as it were, minds and characters and extending its already powerful influence. Again, visit the smaller towns and villages and there is found the weekly press entering into every household to acquaint the peo- ple of the world's doings. Thus it is that the press becomes one of the most power- ful levers in moving the world. The tal- ented minister of the gospel, on the Sab- bath day, preaches to a few hundred peo- ple; on the following morning his thoughts are reproduced more than a thousand fold by the press and are read and discussed . throughout the length and breadth of the land. The attorney at the bar, in burning words of eloquence, pleads for his client, perhaps the criminal arraigned for trial, of- ten causing the jury to return a verdict to- tally at variance with the law and testimo ny in the case. ITis words are reproduced in every daily that is reached by the tele- graphic wire, and his arguments are calmly weighed by unprejudiced men and ac-
cepted for what they are worth. The politician takes the stand and addresses a handful of men upon the political questions of the day; his speech is reported to the press and is read by 1,000 men for every one that heard the address. Sud- denly a terrific tornado sweeps over a por- tion of the country, devastating the land for miles and miles, destroying homes, scattering ruin, death and misery all along its wild path, leaving homeless and destitute thousands, who once possessed happy homes and prosperous fields. The terri- ble news is borne along the wire with the rapidity of lightning; the press takes it up and sends the tidings forth to the world. No time is lost in sending relief; the press has made known their wants, and they are instantly supplied. "Chicago is on fire! Two hundred millions worth of property destroyed! Fifty thousand people rendered homeless!" Such is the dread intelligence proclaimed by the press. Food and clothing are hastily gathered, trains are chartered, and the immediate wants of the sufferers are in a measure relieved.
The local press is justly considered among the most important institutions of every city, town and village. The people of every community regard their particu- lar newspaper or newspapers as of peculiar value, and this not merely on account of
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
the fact already alluded to, but because these papers are the repositories wherein are stored the facts and the events, the deeds and the sayings, the undertakings and the achievements, that go to make up final history. One by one these things are gathered and placed in type ; one by one these papers are issued; one by one these papers are gathered together and bound, and, another volume of local, gen- eral and individual history is laid away imperishable. The volumes thus collected are sifted by the historian, and the book for the library is ready. Owing to the numerous changes in the proprietorship of the papers in Winnebago county, perfect files cannot be found, and where in places discrepancies occur they are attributable alone to incompleteness in files of the papers.
WINNEBAGO PRESS.
The first newspaper in the county bore the above name, the initial number of which appeared June 14, 1867, at Forest City, with Will Kelly as editor and pub- lisher. Owing to delay in getting part of the material here Mr. Kelly could not publish a complete paper, so printed a half-sheet. He apologized for this ex- ense of a paper and promised that as soon as the "pi" could be sorted and the press made to work all right he would present a more respectable looking sheet. The following week the Press was issued full size. It was a five column quarto, well, filled with news of a local and general character, and contained a fair number of advertisements. It seems, however, that Mr. Kelly lacked in those firm business qualities so necessary to the success of his enterprise. lle was a fair writer and
seemed to be energetic and full of spirit, but he lacked that courage and stability, which, had he possessed, might have en- abled him to successfuly overcome the difficulties that are always encountered by the pioneer journalist.
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