USA > Iowa > Monona County > History of Monona County, Iowa; containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 65
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Bernard D. Holbrook was united in marriage, May 13, 1862. with Miss Mary F. Oliver, a dangli-
ter of Henry W. Oliver. She was born in Ire- land, July 14, 1838, and came to America with her parents when she was but four years of age. Her father settled in Pittsburg. Pa., where he died No- vember 25, 1888, at the age of eighty-two years. Her mother is still living in Pittsburg. By their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Holbrook are the parents of nine children. of whom the following is the record: Olive E., born June 21, 1863. died Feb- ruary 8, 1864; Parker K., born September 23. 1861; Margery O., born June 14, 1866, died Janu- ary 31, 1871; George O .. born December 27, 1867; David O., May 29, 1872; Evans, January 15, 1875 ; Norah, December 21, 1876; Edith, March 27. 1880; and Frank L. born August 26, 1882, died April 18, 1883.
Mr. Holbrook is a member of Vesper Lodge, No. 223, A. F. & A. M., and has been for several years Master of the lodge.
A member of the Onawa Improvement Com- pany, Mr. Holbrook gives a large share of his at- tention to the upbuilding of his home city and county, and has the interests of the community at heart. In politics Mr. Holbrook is a stanch Demo- crat, and was a member of the National Peace Convention in Philadelphia, in 1866, and the Na- tional Democratic Convention of 1868.
ILLIAM H. STANLEY, a self-reliant, en- ergetic and enterprising farmer living on seetion 9, in the town of Fairview, is a na- tive of Winchester, Randolph County, Ind. He is the only son of Jonathan and Sarah ( Cox) Stanley, and was born January 16, 1839. He had one sister, Mary. Both his parents were natives of North Carolina who had removed to Indiana at an early day, in which State in the fall of 1862, the father died at Warwick, in the Government hospital, he being at the time a member of the Seventeenth Wisconsin Infantry. The mother died in 1880.
William HI. Stanley obtained an excellent educa- tion in the district schools in his youth, and in early manhood assisted his father in carrying on the farm. June 14, 1857, he was united in marriage
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with Miss Matilda E. Davis, a native of Maryland, and daughter of James and Elizabeth Davis, and in the following fall removed to Sauk County, Wis., where he established a home of his own and com- menced life on his own account. He purchased forty acres of land and succeeded fairly as a farmer. Being a man of fair abilities and rigid integrity of character, he filled minor offices of trust in that lo- cality, among them that of clerk of the school board, constable, etc. In the fall of 1865, he dis- posed of his property, and removing to Monona County, located upon some railroad land which he cultivated until the fall of 1870, when he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land on sections 8 and 17. In 1879, the Missouri River having washed away the greater part of his land, he went to O'Brien County, this State, where he engaged in carrying on a farm and in auctioneering, until the fall of 1881. From there he removed to Sioux Rapids, Buena Vista County. where he opened a restaurant, but in July. 1882, removed back to Monona County, purchasing the farm where he now lives. Upon this place he has erected a neat and comfortable house and convenient outbuild- ings, and personal observation of his farm shows that thrift and enterprise are leading characteristics of the hardworking owner. He takes considerable interest in political affairs, and has held the office of Township Clerk and Town Trustee here. He is a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and a consistent Christian gentleman.
ON. FERGUSON F. ROE, a valued and re- speeted citizen of Center Township, who is at present representing the Seventy-third District, in the Representative branch of the General Assembly of the State, is one of the pioneers of Monona County, and one of its largest land-owners. lle is engaged in carrying on his large and productive farm of seven hundred and sixty-four acres of land, his residence is situated upon section 18. Ile was born in Darke County, Ohio, November 18, 1832, and is the son of Fred- erick and Catherine ( Breakfield) Roe. His father.
a native of Pennsylvania, born about 1800, died in Darke County, Ohio, in November, 1871. Ilis mother. a native also of the Keystone State, of German ancestry, died in the winter of 1856, in Ohio. Our subject was the fourth in a family of eight children, the others being, Eliza J .; Rheney E., Harrison and William are deceased; Jeremiah, .Joel and Eli.
In his youth, Mr. Roe attended the district school in Jackson Township, Darke County, Ohio, and at the age of eighteen years commenced sery- ing an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade, at which he served about two years. The succeed- ing year he was engaged in studying in the school again. but in 1852 removed to Union City. Randolph County, Ind., on the line, and started a forge of his own, and there remained until September, 1855, when selling his tools, and packing up, he came to lowa. He had been successful in speculating in town lots in that city, and had when he came here about $700, besides his wagon and span of horses. Ile arrived in Monona County, in October, of the same year and settled upon the east half of section 18. where he now lives. In December, 1856, he went to Story County, and through that winter was engaged in teaching school, returning to his farm in the spring. As the summer of 1857 drew to a close he returned to Story County and was there married. October 1. 1857, to Miss Eliza A. Miller, a native of Hancock County, Ohio, born July 3, 1840. The following winter he taught school in the same locality, and in the summer of 1858 was engaged in carrying on the farm of his mother-in- law, in that county. In the spring of the succeed- ing year he settled on his farm here, which he has made his residence ever since. He was identified with the organization of the township and taught the first school within its limits, in the winter of 1861-62.
Probably within the county there is no better known or more highly valued citizen than onr sub- jeet, and the appreciation of the people has been shown at several times by placing him in promi- nent positions of honor and trust. In 1869 he took his place on the board of supervisors of the county and held that position for about two years. In the fall of 1887 he was elected as Representative
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to the Twenty-second General Assembly of Iowa, which position he is filling at this writing, hav- ing been re-elected to the Twenty-third General Assembly in the fall of 1889.
Mr. and Mrs. Roe are the parents of seven chil- dren, born as follows : Benjamin F., September 17, 1858; Ruey M., October 27, 1860; John F., born November 14,1862, died January 13, 1863; Charles F., born January 22, 1861; William C., March 7, 1866: Flora. born March 25, 1868. died Oeto- ber 10. 1878; and Ray F., born February 25, 1881 Mrs. Roc is the daughter of John and Marzy ( Mil- ler) Miller, the former a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1813, and died in February, 1855, in Jasper County, Iowa. The latter a native of Ohio, born about 1811, died November 30, 1871. in Monona County.
E DWARD E. BAKKE, the well-known and enterprising dealer in boots and shoes, at Onawa, is a native of Norway, and was born near Christiana, July 22, 1812. His father was a farmer by occupation, and our subject was reared in the rural districts of his fatherland, receiving his education in the Government schools. At the age of eleven years he was apprenticed to a shoemaker to learn the trade, serving five years, as is the custom in the old country. He worked at this business in Norway until the spring of 1866, when he came to America and located in Dane County, Wis., where he followed the same avocation. July 3, 1868, he arrived at Onawa, and entered the employ of Elijah J. Walker, with whom he followed his trade until November 1, 1872, at which date he bought out the stock and business of his employer and started for himself. This was in a small rented building on the corner of lowa Avenue and West Broadway, but, three years later, he removed to a larger one, and in 1882 erected his present sub- stantial store building, at a cost of $1,900, where he carries a complete stock of everything in his line.
Our subject was married, July 1, 1871, at On- awa, by the Rev. A. Arveson, to Miss Mathea
Christofferson. She was born in Norway, Febru- ary 24. 1816. and came to America June 22, 1870, with her brother, Martin Christofferson, and sister. the wife of Carl Moen, of Onawa. By this union they have had a family of three children-Oscar C .. who was born February 11, 1873; Lonise A., May 13, 1876; and Agnes O .. July 2. 1880. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and he took a prominent part in the organization of the society of that denomination at Onawa. Ile is a Republican in politics, and has served as a mem- ber of the City Council. and is a member of the Onawa Buikling Association. He is also the owner of a well-improved farm on section 17, in Lake Township, and in the summer of 1888 erected the fine brick building now occupied by J. R. Thurston & Son, at a cost of $2,600, the upper room of which is fitted up as a hall, and is occupied by the I. O. O. F. and K. of P. lodges.
Mr. Bakke came to this county without any means, he and two brothers being the first Nor- wegians to settle at the village, but by industry. economy, and that happy faculty of making friends given to but few, he has acquired a position worthy Į of emulation.
HOMAS A. DENTON, an influential and prominent eitizen of the town of Jordan, living on section 2, was born in Greene County, Ind., October 30, 1848, and is the son of George B. and Margaret (Rector) Denton His father was born in Putnam County, Ind., in 1821 and grew to manhood in that locality. At the age of nineteen years, the latter went to farming in Greene County on his own account, but after four years removed to Texas. Two years experience in that country sent him back to Indiana, where he lived until 1879, and then removed to his present residence in Butler County, Kan. About the year 1811 he was married, his wife being a native of Owen County. Ind .. who was born in 1819.
Thomas A. received a common-school education and grew to manhood at the home of his father, but at the age of twenty-two years be emigrated to
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Wooodruff County, Ark .. but a year later came to Iowa, and after spending three years in Adams County, located in Pottawattamie County, where he farmed three years. Between this and contract- ing on street work in Council Bluffs, he remained thus occupied until the spring of 1881, when he re- moved to his present residence, purchasing one hundred and three arres of land. seventy-five of which he has under cultivation.
Mr. Denton was married December 31, 1865, to Miss Naney Ellis, a native of Green Bay County, Ind., and daughter of William and Martha ( Ellis) Robinson. A family of seven children have come to them, of whom the following is the record: Martha M. (Mrs. Charles E. Jones,) was born November 25, 1866; Elizabeth ( Mrs. John Rhoten). April 25, 1868; Winnie May, May 31, 1874; Mary Alice, May 25, 1876; Anna Capitola, April 20, 1879; George William, February 21, 1882; Saralı Jane, born, March 7, 1873, who died May 8, the - same year. Mr. Denton is Justice of the Peace of Jordan Township, and has always voted the Demo- cratie ticket.
ARRY C. MOSHIER, of the firm of HI. C. & H. J. Mosher, proprietors of the Sherman Stoek and Grain Ranch. one and one-balf miles north of Blencoe, is one of the lead- ing stock-raisers and dealers of the county. Ile came to Onawa, Monona County, October 1, 1869, with his son, Henry J., who was then about nine years of age, and brought with him about thirty- five head of cattle from Cass County, Mich., which, after taking care of for two years, he sold for 85 a bundred. This proving a profitable deal he took his son and started for the Pacific Coast, and after spending a year in Oregon, came back to this county, in July, 1873. He then purchased a lot of cattle, fed them through the winter, and shipped them in March to Chicago, but without much profit. About that time he removed to U'tah Ter- ritory, and worked in a lumber camp, keeping the boy in school at Ogden, and January 18, 1875, made his way into Nevada, and thence to Califor-
nia, in the meantime sending his son to Oregon to an uncle. Returning to this county, in 1876, he a short time after, made a trip to the Black Hills but in the fall of 1877, came back and helped his brother upon his farm in this county, and thus con- tinned antil 1880, when he and the son formed the present partnership, and purchased the farm of two hundred and forty-five acres on section 3, Sher- man Township, upon which their ranch is situated.
The subject of this sketch was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., June 7, 1833, and is the son of Je- ronomy and Laura ( Deuel) Mosher, both of whom were also natives of the Empire State. His father was both a farmer and carpenter, and about the year 1837 removed with his family to Cass County, Mich., where he died in the fall of 1817. Mrs. Mosher passed from this life in the spring of 1851. The subject of this narrative started in life for himself in 1852, leaving the farm in charge of his eldest brother, and worked out by the month for five years. He then purebased a place in Cass County, and was engaged in agriculture in that locality un- til the fall of 1868, when he sold out. and came to this county the following spring.
Our subject was united in marriage in 1857, to Miss Hannah Jones, who died June 28, 1868, in Cass County, Mich. She was a native of Ohio, and the mother of two children, one of whom died in infaney ; the other, Henry J., is in partnership with his father.
OHN P. OLSON. a prominent and influen- tial citizen of Fairview Township, residing on seetion 16, came to Monona County in 1869, having, in partnership with his brother Martin, purchased a farm on section 8. About a year subsequently he bought his brother's interest. and upon this farm he lived some five years longer. and then purchased the place where he now lives. This contains abont one hundred and seventy-five acres. eighty-six of which are under cultivation, the balance being devoted to meadow and pasture. Ile has a large and commodious house and good ontbuildings, and gives a large share of his atten -. tion to the raising of stock, some six head of
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horses, seventy of graded cattle and one hundred and fifty hogs forming his herd.
Mr. Olson is a native of Skeen, Norway, and was born October 1, 1843. He is the son of John and Sarah Olson. the former of whom died when John was about three years of age, and the latter one year later. He was brought up by his uncle Simon Simonson, and spent the time until his twelfth year in attending school. llis relatives dying he removed to the village of Skeen, where he pursued his edneation until about sixteen years of age. The next two years were spent as a sailor on board the " Speed," a vessel engaged in the Ium- ber trade, making a voyage to England, to America, ! to Sweden and to Spain. Having seen the futility of his efforts in this line to advance his prospects, he left his native land, April 20, 1862, on a sailing vessel bound for the l'nited States, and landed at Quebec, Canada. in the latter part of June. From there he went to Neenah, Wis., where he spent some two years in farming, succeeded by sailing on the lakes for five years; after which he came to Monona County.
Mr. Olson was married. April 22, 1870, to Miss Stena Gullickson. a native of Norway, who had come to the United States and settled in Wiscon- sin. In 1851 her people had removed to Mine- sota, and in 1868 came to Monona County. By this marriage there have been ten children-Julia, James K., Carl C., George E., William II., Gustav A .. Leonard S., Carl C., John S. and Stella. All are living except the two who bore the name of Carl (., one of whom died in April, 1882, and the other January 3, 1884.
EORGE R. OUTHOUSE, a representative of one of the oldest pioneer families of Mo- nona County, and who is one of the most extensive farmers and stock-raisers of Jordan Township, resides upon seetion 21. Our subject was born in Clinton County, Ill., August 28, 1831, and is the son of John and Martha (Smith) Out.
house, a biography of whom is given elsewhere in the pages of this ALBUM. When some five years of age he removed with his parents to Caldwell County. Mo .. but in 1839 was taken by them to Adams County. Il., and while there, at the age of eight years, was baptised into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and still practically and hopefully holds to the faith of that denomina- tion, although repudiating the doctrine of polyg- amy and all its vices, and has been a conscientious believer in the church founded by Joseph Smith, the Prophet. About 1840, with the family, he set- tled at Nauvoo, Ilancock County, Ill., where he remained until September, 1847, when, owing to persecution from the surrounding people, the family left that city of refuge and went down the river on a flatboat to St. Louis, thence to Clinton County, where they made their home for about five years. George doing a large share in supporting the family on account of his father's ill health. After a short sojourn in Andrew County, Mo., the family re- moved to Pottawattamie County, Iowa, in the spring of 1851, where they made their home for about two years. Having been up in this region in the winter of 1853-4 prospecting, George R. Onthouse brought the family here on the 4th of April, 1854, and settled at Preparation. where they made their home until 1855.
Our subject resided on a farm which he pur- chased in 1855, in Belvidere Township, to which he removed the family, until 1871, at which date he removed to Jordan Township, locating on the site of his present residence. He is the owner of five hundred and sixty acres of land, the greater portion of which is in one body, and he has over two hundred aeres in cultivation, devoting the bal- anee of his land to stock-raising.
Mr. Outhouse was married September 21, 1863, near Mondamin, Harrison County, to Miss Nancy Phillis Shaw, a native of England, who was brought to this country when an infant, by her pa- rents, Henry and Nancy Shaw. She died August 5. 1864, having been the mother of one child, Joseph Alma, born June 27, 1864. Mr. Outhouse was again married, November 244, 1867, wedding Miss Mary M. Ilunter, who was born in Caldwell County, Mo., December 5. 1840, and was the daughter of
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A. L. Ilunter, of Jordan Township. Of this union there have been born eight children : George Paul, September 1, 1868; John Thomas, January 1. 1869, and died September 15, 1870; David Parley, born March 27. 1871; Oley Menno. March 28, 1873; Nancy Rhoda, March 7, 1875: Peter Marcus, No- vember 30. 1877; William Ryan, July 12, 1879; and Mary Emma, February 18. 188]. Mrs. Out- house died March 23. 1881. and is buried in Jordan · Cemetery.
AVID W. LOTSPEICH, a successful far- mer and stock-raiser, of Belvidere Town- ship, residing on section 25, was born in Des Moines County, Iowa, near the city of Burlington, August 8, 1846, and is the son of Eden L. and Malinda (Caldwell) Lotspeich. His father was born in Ross County, Ohio, September 9, 1810, and received a better education than was common to the majority of people of that day. The latter grew to man's estate in that State, and at an early age in manhood removed to Menard County, III., where he engaged in farming. From the latter place he removed to Des Moines County, Iowa, and was one of those who organized and named Washı- ington Township, where he made his home until May 4, 1884, when he died and was buried in Trinity Cemetery. He was the son of Ralph and Amelia (Rigby) Lotspeich, the former a native of Ohio, and one of the pioneer Methodist preachers, who traveled the country over in company with the famous Peter Cartright. Eden L. was married in 1835, to Miss Malinda Caldwell, a native of Ross County, Ohio, born February, 19, 1814, and had a family of eleven children
David W. grew to manhood. received his educa- tion in the common schools of Des Moines County, and at the age of twenty-three years, after a short visit to his parent's place of nativity, went to In- diana, where he was employed as Superintendent of sales by a machine company having a territory of several counties in the eastern part of the State. After four years' service in that locality he was transferred to the eastern part of Iowa, and for
five years attended to the business of the same eor- poration in that locality. In 1878 he removed to Fremont County, Iowa, and engaged in farming, and thence removed, in June, 1881, to Monona County, and located where he now lives. having purchased eighty acres of wild land. He has added to this place until he now owns about two hon- dred acres, all of which is under fence, and one hundred acres under the plow. the balance being in meadow and pasture. Upon this place, which is known as the liawatha Valley Farm, he is, to some extent, engaged in the breeding of llolstein cattle and Poland-China hogs.
Mr. Lotspeich was married, December 31, 1876. at Burlington, Iowa, to Miss Adda Peckham, a na- tive of Columbus, Ohio, born February 26, 1853, and the fifth child of Richard M. and Malvina (Webb) Peckham. Her father was born in George- town, District of Columbia, June 15. 1812, and on attaining his majority removed to Columbus, Ohio. where he was engaged as a master mechanic. In 1854 be removed to Des Moines County, Iowa, where he is engaged in farming on a large scale. His wife was born at Andes, Delaware County, N. Y., April 28, 1826, and removed with her par- ents to Ohio in childhood. She died February 26, 1872, in Des Moines County. this State.
Mr. and Mrs. Lotspeich have three interesting children-Rose M., born November 22, 1877; Ruth E, March 24, 188] ; and Kathie E., June 15, 1886. When the family first came to Monona County Mrs. Lotspiech taught the first term of school in District No. 4, Belvidere Township, in her sitting room, and had about twenty scholars.
LE KNUTSON LEE, a prominent and rep- resentative citizen of Soldier Township, engaged in carrying on his large and well- improved farm on section 34, came to Monona County. in the spring of 1878, and for two years lived upon a rented farm. In 1880 he purchased forty acres of land where he now lives, and made a dug-out, and broke up about twenty-five acres. For three years he lived in this humble fashion, and then
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MONONAA COUNTY.
erected his present commodious residence. He came to this county in extremely limited cireum- stances, but by the exercise of judicions economy diligence and industry, he has acquired a fine prop- erty, his farm consisting of some three hundred acres, and it is well improved and well stocked.
Mr. Lee was born in Norway, July 27, 1848, and is the son of Knut and Carrie (Mikleson) Lee. When about two years of age he was brought to America by his parents, who settled in Dane County, Wis., near Madison, the capital of the State, where they made their home for about five years. At the expiration of that time they removed to Green County, in the same State, where he received his education and grew to manhood. Ile made his home beneath the parental roof, and assisted in carrying on his father's homestead until attaining majority, when he started out in life for himself. lle remained in that county, engaged in farm labor, until the spring of 1878, when he came to Monona County, as already mentioned. Ilere he has made his home ever since, and bas been identified with the interests of the township to a large degree.
Mr. Lee was united in marriage, December 25, 1869, in Green County, Wis., to Miss Mary Lee, a native of Dane County. Wis., who was born May 10, 1847, and is a daughter of Egbert and Julia (Solsaa) Lee, and of this union there have been born seven children, upon the following dates. Clara, April 11, 1870; Sadie. May 12. 1872; Emma, September 28, 1874; Frank, June 25, 1877; Josie, August 15, 1879; Minnie, December 27, 1881 ; and Laura, June 7, 1884.
ENTEL F. ERTEL, residing on section 1, 84, 44, C'enter Township, eame to Monona County in 1863. Ile was born in Warren County, Ohio, June 26, 1831, and received a very limited edueation in his youth. At the age of seventeen he started out for himself, in 1853, re- moving to Bureau County, Ill., whenee he re- moved to this eounty. Ile was married there to Miss Betsy R. Norton, a native of Maine, born July 7, 1838, who has had a family of ten children:
John D., Mary E., Sarah A., Frank W., Emily J., Charles B., Martha B .. Carrie M., William Il. and Elmer E. Mr. Ertel's father, JJohn Ertel, was born, reared and died in Warren County, his death tak- ing place in March, 1851. His mother, Elizabeth (Eyer) Ertel, died in 1833. Mr. Ertel's wife died September 11, 1876, and her body lies in Center Cemetery.
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