History of Kossuth and Humbolt 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 102

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Union Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 898

USA > Iowa > Humboldt County > History of Kossuth and Humbolt 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 102

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'The next building erected was the resi- dence of E. B. Squires. This gentleman is the partner in the business house of W. H. Foley & Co.

The stock business is in the hands of J. H. Foley & Son, and is growing in impor- tance.

The school house here was erected .in the fall of 1883, and cost about $600. The first and only teacher is Mary Gara- han. She has now some seventeen chil- dren in attendance.

The postoffice was originally located at the house of J. H. Foley, in Vernon town- ship, and was then known as Viona. But it was moved here in April, 1882, and J. H. Foley still continued in the office of postmaster, although the business is at- tended to by W. H. Foley, his son.

William H. Foley, merchant, of the firm of Foley & Co., located at Hardy, is a na- tive of Kane Co., Ill., born July 6, 1861. He is a son of J. H. Foley, an old settler of Vernon township. His youth was spent and education obtained in this county, as the family came here in 1864. He spent

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his younger days upon a farm and made agriculture a business until 1882, when, with Mr. Squires, he engaged in mercan- tile trade at Hardy. Although a very young man Mr. Foley has business quali- fications which fit him for his chosen trade, and he stands high in the opinion of the community in which he lives.

The Church history of this village and township ante-dates the life of the village. In 1865 Rev. John Robbins, of Goldfield, Wright county, came to this neighbor- hood and held services in an old log school house, just south of the residence of John Foley. These meetings were uot regular, but in 1866 this was made an ap- pointment of the Methodist Church, and was filled regularly by the pastor of the Church at Goldfield. The following is a partial list of the original and early mem- bers of this Church, which was organized in 1866, and was then known as the Gold- field Church: J. E. Flaherty and wife, J. Il. Foley and wife, E. F. Hartwell and wife, W. L. Saxton and wife, J. Bartholomew and wife, Marshall Fleming and wife, Ebenezer McLaury and wife, A. G. Ste- venson and wife, Mrs. Olden, Mrs. Mary Stage, Mrs. Butler, Wesley Spooner, Eliza Spooner and Mrs. Baker. The Church remained connected with the Goldfield congregation until 1874, when, in September of that year, it was attached to the Irvington circuit and Rev. F. Frank- lin became the pastor. In 1875 and 1876 Rev. C. W. Clifton was in charge of the infant Church, and was succeeded, in 1876, by Rev. I. B. Keeling, who filled the place for that and the next year. Rev. F. Franklin was again put in charge and held it during 1878-9. This was about

that time known as the Viona circnit, Kev. L. B. Keeling having built a sinall parsonage on the sonthwest cor- ner of the southeast quarter of sec- tion 34. In 1881 Rev. G. H. Cheney was in charge and the circuit was known as that of Livermore. During his adminis- tration the church edifice at Hardy was commenced and nearly completed. In 1882 the circuit was called that of Hardy, and Rev. C. W. Clifton placed in charge, and he is the present incumbent of the pul- pit. The church building is a handsome frame edifice, 26x44 feet in size, and is an ornament to the town. The parsonage is not in use, as the pastor resides in the village. Revival meeting have been held at various times in the Church, with vary- ing success.

Abner G. Stevenson, a representative farmer of this county, is a native of Champaign Co., Ohio, born Feb. 5, 1822, and there lived until ten years old, when the family removed to St. Joseph Co., Ind., and Abner there spent his youth upon a farm, and continued in that business until 1837, when he emigrated to Boone Co., Ill., and remained until 1855, then went to Winueshiek Co., Iowa, residing there until 1869, when he came to Vernon town- ship, this county, where he remained until the spring of 1883, then located in the town of Hardy, Lake township, where he uow lives. He still owns a farm in Vernon township, consisting of 160 acres. He was married Dec. 10, 1850, to Sarah A. Tongue, a widow, whose maiden name was Rockwell. In August, 1862, he en- listed in company D, 38th Iowa Infantry, served twenty-six months, and was dix- charged in September, 1864, on account of disability. Mr. Stevenson has for many years been a local preacher of the M. E. Church, and is a prominent worker in the cause of religion. He is present justice of the peace for Lake township.

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CHAPTER XXVIII.

· NORWAY TOWNSHIP.

The township bearing this name is in the southeastern corner of Humboldt county, its east line joining Wright county, on the north lies Lake township, on the west Beaver, while the south line is in contact with Webster county. It comprises all of congressional township 91 north, range 27 west. The surface is nearly level prairie, and although much of the central portion of it is of a wet, marshy description, still the greater part of it is tillable, arable land. Even the low portion has its uses, as the rich, luxuriant growth of native grasses, which delight in such moist spots, forms the best of pasturage for all kinds of stock. The settlers are nearly all of Scandinavian birth or descent, hence its name. The Toledo branch of the Chi- cago & Northwestern Railroad intersects the entire township from east to west, almost on its central -line, and the one station, at the village of Thor, is the cen- ter of the trade and traffic of this town- ship.

For years after the settlement of the other portions of the county none chose to locate here, and not until 1870 did a settler appear within its limits. But in the spring of that year Ole S. Tang, a representative of the Norse Vikings of old, came and located a farm upon section 31. He came here from Wisconsin and

built the first house and broke ground on the farm where he now resides.

II. Douglass settled on the southeast quarter of section 16 in 1870, but staid only about five years, when he returned to Minnesota, from which State he had come.

However, O. W. Williksen, although not a settler of that year, was the first to cultivate land in the township. In July, 1869, he located a claim herein and broke the sod on the same with his ox-team on the 3d, 4th and 5th of that month. He did not settle here until in the spring of 1871, but raised a crop the year 1870. This was the first grain grown in the township. He erected a house on his farm on section 16, in the spring of 1871, and moved into it a little later. When he came here Mr. Williksen had nothing to commence life with but strength, health and ambition. He had purchased his land at public sale in September, 1869, giving notes for the same, payable in ten years. He, in part- nership with his brother, owned a team that consisted of an ox and a heifer, and this was his all; and now he is comfortably well off in this world's goods, and is really the father of the Norwegian colony planted in this township.

Ole W. Williksen was one of the first settlers of Norway township, and the first

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to break its virgin soil. He was born March 2, 1841, at Hardanger, Norway. At fourteen years of age he left his na- tive land to lead a "life upon the ocean wave." For thirteen years he traversed many waters and sailed under many dif- ferent flags. The first two years his na- tive flag was over him; the succeeding eight years his allegiance was owed to the English ensign, and three years Amer- ican, Russian, Greek and other flags floated above him. In the year 1867 he sought his native country and emigrated to Wisconsin the following year, living in Dane county until April, 1869, when he came to Humboldt county. He has a large farm adjoining Thor station. He was married Dec. 15, 1868, to Martha Ole- son, of Hardanger, Norway. They have five children-Wilhelmina I., Inger C., William W., Alena G. and Adolph O. He has held school and township offices, and has earned esteem and influence in local affairs, The first house put up by Mr. Willik- sen was of the primitive style, being but four stakes driven into the ground, and with a board roof, which the wind blew off every once in a while for a change. His present house is a log one, the tim- bers of which were ent near Owl lake.

In the spring of 1871 John R. Olson settled upon section 21. Here he lived until in 1880, when he moved on to section 18, which was more desirable, and where he now resides.

The same year came E. Tenneson, who located upon section 17, and opened up the fine farm where he now lives in peace and content.

Emanuel Tenneson was born in Nor- way, Sept. 16, 1837. He was one of a

family of sixteen children. In 1853 he emigrated to Chicago, Ill., where he worked at sail making till 1868, then went to Lee Co., Ill., and rented a farin two years. In 1870 he went to Webster Co., Iowa, and in the spring of 1871, settled upon the farm where he now lives, in Humboldt county. He owns 160 acres of well im- proved land. His wife was formerly Nellie Olson, a native of Norway, and sister of the Olsons of this township. They are the parents of four children- Theodore O., Annie G., Emma N. and Clara O. Mr. Tenneson is a member of the Lutheran Church. He has held the office of township trustee for several years, and has also been secretary and director of the school board.

Michael Olson also settled in Norway township in the spring of the year, and yet resides on the original homestead, on section 17.

In March, 1871, Lewis Sheldos settled upon the farm he now lives upon, on sec- tion 19, and is one more of the pioneers of the township. Lewis Sheldos owns 160 acres of rich and well improved land in Norway township. He is a native of Norway, born Ang. 1, 1846. He was reared upon a farm in his native country, where he remained until 1868. Ile then emigrated to the United States and settled in Lee Co., Ill. He lived there about three years, and in 1871 came to Hunt- boldt county, and settled on his present farm. He was married March 22, 1871, to Augusta Berven, a native of Norway. They have one child-Julia O. Mr. Shel- dos is a member of the Lutheran Church.

In June, 1871, Ole Halgrims settled upon section 27, where he now resides. He

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is an intelligent and prominent citizen of Norway township, and was born in Norway, Jan. 13, 1846. He came at the age of four years with his parents to America, and his youthful days were spent in Rock Co., Wis. In 1862 he re- moved to Clayton Co., Iowa, where he lived eleven years. He then entered the Intheran College at Decorah, Iowa, from which he graduated in 1865, and returned to Clayton county, where he followed teaching six years. He was then agent for the Rochester, N. Y., nursery, two years. On June 5, 1871, he came to this county, and located on section 27, of Nor. way township, where he now lives. He owns a good farm of 160 acres, all fenced with groves and hedges along the roads. He was united in marriage Vet. 14, 1869, with Theresa Groth, a native of Norway. They are the parents of five children- Barbo, Cornelius, Rosina, Barbo and Theodore. Barbo, the first child died the 4th day of September, 1877, and Mrs. Halgrims died the 27th day of Septem- ber, 1882. Hle was again married the 5th day of February, 1884, to Helina Gange- stad, a native of Norway. Mr. Halgrims and family are,and always have been,mem- hers of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Hal- grims has held various offices of honor and trust in the township, having been justice of the peace, township clerk, as- Sensor, treasurer, road supervisor, director and school secretary.

Edward Hanson, also one of the resi- dents of this township, settled in June, 1872, on section 36, his present place of abode.

Jacob Hanson was a settler of 1871, although he did not purchase any land at

that time, preferring to rent a farm for the time. He is now one of the most prominent men in the township.

Jacob Hanson was born in Norway, July 15, 1848, where he was reared, and from his seventeenth year followed the ocenpation of sailor. In 1867 he came .to America and settled in Dane Co., Wis., there working out at farming, one year. In May, 1869, in company with his brother, he started with an ox team for Webster Co., Iowa, arriving at their destination after a five weeks journey. He rented land in Webster and Humboldt counties at different periods, until 1871, when he bought forty acres on section 18, on which he lived until October, 1880. He then located on his present farm, where he owns 200 acres of land. He is a sample of what industry, economy and persever- ance can accomplish, coming here, as he did, with nothing, and passing through all the hardships and misfortunes incident to a new country. We find him now, after only a few years, with a good farm, and well supplied with means for man- aging the same. Ile was married April 1, 1870, to Bertha S. Johnson, a native of Norway. They have three children- Hannah, John and Edward E. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson are members of the Lutheran Church. He was township trustee two terms, township clerk two terms, and a member of the school board four terms.

Jacob Opheim, who resides upon section 28, was also a settler of this year, build- ing his house and moving into it in the summer of 1871.

Stewart Olson made his appearance in the spring of 1872, and taking up land on

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section 22, remains there until the present time.

Among the other settlers of the year 1872, may be mentioned the following: Ole T. Thompson, Halvor Thompson, Knut Nelson, Nels. M. Johnson, Jacob I .. Onerem, Ole Espen, Ommund Sauven, Nels and O. Nelson.

Ole T. Thompson was born June 21, 1851, in Norway. He is the son of Thor- kel and Guro Thompson. In 1857, the family emigrated to America and settled in Clayton Co., Iowa, where Ole was reared and educated. In May, 1872, he came to this county and located on his present fine farm. He owns 160 acres of finely improved land, which is well stocked. Hle was married Feb. 17, 1876, to Julia Benson, a native of Norway. They have four children-Emmel T., Gorena M. Thomas B. and Henry I .. Mr. Thomp- son's father, mother, brother and sister, reside with him. He has held the offices of township constable, assessor, and school director, and is the present secre tary of the Hendrickson branch of the Lutheran Church.

Neln. M. Johnson was born in Norway, July 27, 1839, where he was educated and spent his life as a sailor until 1864, when he came to America, stopping at Chicago Ill., from which point he sailed on the lakes until 1871, when he went to Lee Co, Ill., and lived until the spring of 1872, and then came to this county, set- tling on his present place. He has 240 acres of good land well improved. He was married Feb. 17, 1872, to Margaret Larson, of Norway. They have five chil- dren-John, Martin, Mandins, Lars and Margarette. They are members of the

Lutheran Church. He is the present township treasurer, and has heen assessor and school director.

Nels Nelson is of Norwegian parentage, but born in Iowa Co., Wis., Feb. 24, 1848. He followed farming in his native county until 1872. In that year he came to Hum- boldt county and commenced breaking upon his present farm, and returned to Wisconsin for the winter. In the spring of 1873 he came again to this county, where he has since resided. He owns 120 acres of land. Nov. 11, 1877, he was married to Dora Gilbertson, of Norway. They are the parents of three children- Rorena, Ahna and Jessie J. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and has been township trustee two terms, and road overseer.

Oliver Nelson was born in Iowa Co., Wis., April 12, 1850. Ile was reared and educated in his native county, living there upon a farm until 1872, when he came with his brother, Nels, to this conn- ty, and that summer and fall they broke land on their present farms. They returned to Wisconsin and spent the winter. In the spring of 1873 they came again to their land in this county, where he has since lived. He owns a fine farm of 160 acres. He was married Nov. 11, 1877, to Lena Furuseth, a native of Norway. They have two children-Lyman O. and Joseph R. N. Nelson is a member of the Li- theran Church, and one of the directors of the township school board.

Alex Nelson is a native of Iowa Co., Wis., born June 21, 1852, where his youth was spent, working on the farm and attending school until the spring of 1873, when with Nels Nelson, his brother,

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he came to this county and bought his present farm, which contains eighty acres. In the fall of 1882 he built the house in which he now lives. He was married to Anna Paul, of Wisconsin. They have one child-Pearl Orington.

FIRST ITEMS.

The first birth was that Cornelius Ilal- grims, son of Ole Halgrims, who was born on the 30th of April, 1872.

The first death that occurred in the township was that of Ole Johnson, the parent of the Olson brothers, who died during the year 1873.

The first school was taught by Ole Halgrims, at the house of Ole T. Thomp- son, in the fall of 1872. This was before the district was made a separate one.

The first marriage was that of Sander Olson and Cecilia Groth, which took place in June, 1972.

The first sermon preached in the town- « ip was delivered by Rev. Mr. Aaserod, in June, 1871.

The first land was broken and the first grain sown by O. W. Williksen, the for- mer in July, 1869, the latter in the spring of 1870.

The first house was erected by Ole S. Tang, in the spring of 1870, on section 31.

The first grove in Norway township was set out by O. W. Williksen in 1870,

The first farm improved in the north- east portion of this township was the northeast quarter of section 12, by A. Hoover, who then lived in Wright county and rented this place. The land here was broken in the spring of 1871.

Aaron Hoover, a prosperous farmer of Norway township, is a native of Wayne Co., Ohio, born July 17, 1843. Ile was

brought up on a farm, and obtained his education in his native county. In 1863 he removed with his parents to Black Ilawk Co., Iowa, where he lived until 1870, then came to Goldfield, Wright Co., lowa, there engaging in the cattle busi- ness, and part of the time in improving his present farm. He now owns 240 acres of good land. Ile was married Oct. 14, 1874, to Regina Atwater, a native of Wis- cousin. They have two children-Mary A. and Nellie I.

The first meeting to elect school direc- tors, was held at the house of Ole T. Thompson, in March, 1873, at which time E. Tenneson was elected sub-director to represent the district. In the fall of 1874 Norway was set off as a district township of itself, and the school house, now known as the C'entral, built. This latter stands on the southwest corner of the southwest quarter of section 16, and is 16x35 feet in size. It is a neat substantial frame build- ing and cost abont $500, to erect. The first term of school was held in this build- ing commencing ou the third Monday in January, 1875, and was continued to Sep- tember 15. There are now in the district fifty-two female children,and twenty-three males between the ages of five and twen- ty-one. Two male teachers are employed at a monthly salary of $25 each, who handle all the fundamental branches.

Norway township was organized in 1875, and the first election was held in the fall of that year. At that time the fol- lowing officers were chosen : J. L. On- erem, William Glover and Christian Der- shid, trustees ; O. Halgrims, clerk. The present officers are the following named :

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Ole Williksen, L. Olson and N. M. John- sou, trustees ; J. L. Onerem, clerk.

The postoffice of Verbeck was trans- ferred to the rising village of Thor, in August, 1881. Stewart Olson, the pioneer postmaster being continued in the new · place, and remains in charge of the new office in Thor.

In 1879 C. J. Lund and J. O. Naset opened a store at Verbeck postoffice, and trading under the name and style of Lund & Co., carried on the general merchan- dise trade. This was continued until the fall of 1880, when on the inception of the village of Thor, it was removed to that place.

THE VILLAGE OF THOR.

The hamlet, whose name recalls the memories of Norse mythology, is situated upon section 17, and was laid out by the Western Town Lot Company in the fall of 1881, the plat being filed for record on the 7th of March, of the succeeding year. The first store building on the town site was a small edifice, shanty would perhaps be the right name, built by L. and S. Olson, who in December, 1881, opened a general merchandise store for the accommodation of the population in this vicinity. This building was but 14x16 feet in size, but they put up with the inconvenience of such cramped quarters until May, 1882, when they built their present building. This is 20x32 feet, sixteen feet high. In April, 1883, they took in, as a partner, Ole Thompson, since which time the firm has been known as Olson Brothers & Co. They carry a stock of $3,000 of a general description and are doing a most excel- lent business, which they merit, being ac-

tive, enterprising and upright business men.

Lewis and Stewart Olson, merchants at Thor, were born in Norway, the former, June 14, 1838, the latter June 17, 1849. They remained in their native country until 1859, when they emigrated to America, locating in Lee Co., Ill., where they engaged in farming. In 1868 Lewis went to Benton county and lived there three years, then removed to Fort Dodge and remained until 1874, when he came to this county, where Stewart was then liv ing, having emigrated from Lee county in 1872. In 1879 Lewis returned to Lee county, and remained until Angust, 1881, when he came back to this county and in December, of that year formed a partner- ship with his brother and engaged in their present business, and farming to anne extent. Lewis was married in Sep- ·ember, 1868,to Eveline Warner,a native of Pennsylvania. They have two children- Henrietta and Oscar. Stewart was married Dec. 24, 1872, to Jennie Kluge, a native of Norway. They have five children-Ma- linda, Olie, Clara, Alletta and Amanda. The Messrs. Olson are both members of the Lutheran Church, and have held prom- inent township offices.

In June, 1882, Lund & Co., of which O. W. Williksen was the company, opened a new store, in the general merchandise store which is in full blast at present. They carry a good stock of all desirable goods in their line, and by close attention to the wants of the community, have succeeded in building up a good trade. Mr. Willik. sen continned a partner in this house until March, 1883, when he withdrew from it.

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858 HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY.

Christian J. Lund, merchant at Thor, is a native of Norway, born May 4, 1857. IIe remained in the old country until 1860, when he and his parents, Jan- and Secelia Lund, came to America and settled down in Clinton Co., Iowa, and after four years removed to Benton Co., Iowa, where Christian remained with the family, farm- ing, until 1877. In the fall of that year he came to this county and located on section 34, and followed farming. In the fall of 1879, after his parents had bought a farm and settled down in this county, he engaged in merchandising at what was then known as Verbeck postoffice, remain- ing abont two years. He engaged in his present business in August, 1882. Ile was married Jan. 18, 1883, to Martha Riveland, of Benton Co., Iowa. They have one child-Jens Cornelius. Mr. Lund is at present justice of the peace, and town- ship clerk of Norway township.

The pioneer blacksmith shop was opened by Ommund Erickson, in Septem- ber, 1882, and it still flourishes under his able hands.

Field & Smith established their drug store in Thor, in October, 1883, and are building up some desirable trade. The senior partner, Dr. D. L. Field, is a prac- ticing physician, and attends to most of the aches and ills of the community.

Ole Olson opened a saloon here, in No- vember, 1883, and it continues to supply the needs of the thirstily inclined.

The carpenter shop of S Sivertson was opened in December, 1883, and already, the convenience of the trade being located is appreciated.

RELIGIOUS. Ullensvangs Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized in Aug-

nst, 1872, with the following members: L. Olson, S. Olson, M. Olson, J. R. Olson, L. Sheldos, E. Tenueson, J. Onerem, Ole Espe, J. Opheim, Nels S. Johnson, Nels M. Johnson, Ommand Sauven, Lars Maage, Mrs. Carrie Olson and K. Nelson. As is usual in this denomination, this in- cluded their families. The above first meeting was held in Mrs. Carrie Olson's house, and the minister on that and fol- fowing occasions, was O. A. Saner. The church edifice was built in the summer of 1881, and stands on section 28. It is a neat and tasty building of frame, an orna- ment to the neighborhood. It cost some- thing like $1,300 to put it up, and is the pride of the society. Mr. Sauer contin- ned the pastor of the Church until Janu- ary, 1882, when he was succeeded by Rev. John Tackle, of Fort Dodge, who is at present in charge. The Church now num- bers some forty families.

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History of Kossuth and Humbolt 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 102

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Union Publishing Company Number of Pages: 898

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Union Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 898