USA > Iowa > Story County > History of Story County, Iowa; a record of organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 39
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Mr. Hill was married to Mrs. Clara Thorson, nee Seymour, of Kendall county, Illinois. Her parents were Sebert and Isabella (Thompson) Sey- mour, who came to America from Norway. To Mr. and Mrs. Hill four children have been born, as follows: Albert T., residing at Cambridge; Martha H., who is attending Drake University at Des Moines; John, who is a student in the State Agricultural College at Ames; and one child, deceased. Mr. Hill is a prohibitionist in politics and both he and his wife are faithful members of the Lutheran church.
JAMES W. DUNAHOO.
One of the well known farms of Story county is the Dunahoo home- stead, which is located on sections 2 and 3, Indian Creek township, and upon which the third generation of this family is now living. James W. Dunahoo, the present head of the family, was born in Marion county, Indiana, on the 3d of April, 1841. His parents, William M. and Sarah (Sheets) Dunahoo, were both natives of Virginia, where they were reared and married. A few years later they migrated to Ohio and the next year they removed to Marion county, Indiana, where they made their home for several years. In August, 1854, they came west, locating in Story county, Iowa, on the farm which is now owned by their grandson, our subject's son. William Dunahoo entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government, upon which he continued to make his home until the time of his death in 1874. His wife survived him for thirty years and passed away in 1904.
James W. Dunahoo remained a member of his father's household until he had attained manhood, attending the district school, assisting with the work of the farm and enjoying such diversions as fell to the lot of the young people of that day. He acquired the rudiments of his education in an old log schoolhouse with puncheon floors and slab benches and lighted and ventilated by means of pieces cut out of the logs which formed the walls. In those early days he drove oxen to market to Des Moines and Iowa City and sold wheat in Cedar Rapids for forty cents per bushel.
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At the age of twenty-two years Mr. Dunahoo began farming on his own account on land which he rented, but at the end of two years by un- remitting toil, tireless energy and thrift he was able to buy twenty-four acres of the present home farm and thus become a landowner. He kept adding to his holdings from time to time until he had acquired two hundred and twenty-five acres of Story county's most valuable land. Mr. Dunahoo did not remove to this place until 1868 but since that time he has lived here continuously.
In 1865 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ellen Webb. Her parents were Virginians by birth but came to lowa from Indiana, settling first in Polk county, where they lived for two years, and then locating in Story county. Two children were born of this marriage: Ehner Clayton, who is a farmer of Indian Creek township, and Major R., who is also a farmer and lives on the old Dunahoo homestead, which he now owns. The family circle was broken when Mrs. Dunahoo passed away in 1901.
They always attend the Methodist church, of which the parents were members and of which Mr. Dunahoo is still a communicant. Although he has never taken a particularly active part in politics, never aspiring to public office or political honors of any kind, he is at the polls at every election and casts his vote for the republican candidates. The name of Dunahoo has always been highly respected in Story county, cach representa- tive of that family being well worthy of the esteem of his fellow citizens, which has always been freely accorded.
JOSEPH II. TWEDT.
One of the successful agriculturists in Howard township. Story county, is Joseph H. Twedt, who was born in the locality where he now resides. Hle is a son of Hans J. and Julia (Asland) Twedt, both natives of Nor- way, who emigrated to the United States in 1855 and coming directly to lowa located in Story county, where they remained the rest of their lives. The father, who possessed all the unwearied perseverance and tireless energy which characterizes the Norse races, by his close application and careful expenditures accumulated considerable property before his demise at an advanced age. Unto him and his wife were born twelve children. eight of whom survive and are as follows: Abel 11 .. Joseph H .. Samuel 11., Andrew H., Henry, Jane, Hattie and Julia.
The early years of Joseph H. Twedt were as unvaried in their routine of school, work and play as are those of the majority of young people who are reared in the more sparsely settled districts. At the usual age he laid aside his school books to assume the heavier responsibilities of life, choosing for his life work farming, the vocation for which he had been trained from childhood and felt he was best adapted. He remained at
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home until he had attained his majority, when he began working for him- self. He was first employed as a farm hand by the month but later en- gaged in farming on the shares. Economy and industry brought him the usual reward and in 1890 he had acquired sufficient capital to enable him to buy one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 14, Howard town- ship. Through diligence and capable management he has added to his holdings at various times until the present aggregate of his real estate is two hundred and forty acres. His farm contains good improvements, a nice grade of stock and the fields are given the careful supervision which results in abundant harvests. In addition to his realty holdings Mr. Twedt is a stockholder and director of the Farmers Savings Bank of Roland.
He established a home of his own when he married Miss Bertha Pier- son, and they have become the parents of six children, five of whom are living: Rose, Howard, Otis, Joseph, Ruth and Mamie, deceased. Ever since age conferred upon him the full rights of citizenship Mr. Twedt has cast his ballot for the candidates of the republican party, believing that its policy of protection is essential to the best development of the country. He is now occupying the office of trustee in Howard township. Almost his entire life has been spent in that township, where he was born, and greater tribute can be paid to the character of no man than that the com- rades of his boyhood are the friends of his manhood.
E. ROLAND ROBISON.
One of the most successful farmers and cattle-raisers of Story county is E. Roland Robison, who is one of the substantial and enterprising citi- zens of Indian Creek township. Born in that township, July 9, 1862, he is the son of Alexander and Nancy (Greer) Robison, both of whom were natives of western Pennsylvania. The father was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, May 15, 1822, and died at Nevada, Iowa, January 23, 1907, at the age of eighty-four years. He was a representative of one of the early families of this country, his great-grandfather having settled in or near Wilmington, Delaware. His youth was spent in Pennsylvania and he was married in Mercer county, that state, in March, 1856, to Miss Nancy Greer, who survives him.
E. Roland Robison spent his youth at home, attending the public school when not working on the farm. There he remained until attaining his ma- jority, when he married and purchased eighty acres of his present farm, on which he took up his residence. During the succeeding twenty-two years he added to his property from time to time until at present he owns four hundred and thirteen acres of the most valuable land in Story county. When he was married he had two or three hundred dollars with which to make payment on his first eighty acres, and this was unimproved land.
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Now he has one of the best farms in this section of the county, containing all of the most modern improvements. He has made a specialty of cattle feeding, in which he has met with unusual success.
The marriage of Mr. Robison took place April 4, 1888, when he was united to Miss Mattie Whitaker, a daughter of Samuel and Harriett ( Mil- ler ) Whitaker, of Indian Creek township. Her mother was a native of Indiana, while her father was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania. The latter came to Story county in 1855 and is now a resident of Maxwell. To Mr. and Mrs. Robison have been born four children, two of whom survive, namely: Edith, and Clay A. The daughter is now a teacher in the district schools. She is a graduate of the Maxwell high school and at- tended the Iowa State Normal school at Cedar Falls.
In politics Mr. Robison is a republican and he has served for several years as a member of the school board. He is affiliated with Maxwell Lodge, No. 465, I. O. O. F. Mrs. Robison, prior to her marriage, was a teacher in the public schools and is a highly accomplished woman. She is a member of the United Evangelical church.
OLEY NELSON.
Among the well established citizens of Story county there is none who deserves more honorable mention than Oley Nelson, who is now living re- tired at Slater. He is a native of Rock county, Wisconsin, born August 11, 1845, and son of Nels and Aase ( Chrestensdotter) Olson Evensrue, both of whom were natives of Rollag, Numedal, Norway. They were mar- ried in Norway and came to America in 1843, locating at Jefferson Prairie in Rock county, Wisconsin. The father entered forty acres of govern- ment land and in 1845 declared his intention of becoming a citizen of the United States. In the spring of 1848 he removed to Primrose, Dane county, Wisconsin, and entered one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he proceeded to improve. On August 10, 1861, he enlisted in Company 11, known as the Sugar River Rifles, of the Eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, the regiment gaining a wide reputation as the Live Eagle Regi- ment. The regiment left Camp Randall at Madison, Wisconsin, about October 1, 1861, and went to St. Louis, from there going to Iron Moun- tain, Missouri, where they drove out the rebels and secured the ore for the use of the government. They then went to Raleigh and from that place to St. Louis and thence down the Mississippi river, assisting in the capture of Island No. 10. The regiment was then ordered to Corinth and after the capture of that city to Vicksburg. On the way from Corinth to Vicks- burg the father of our subject received a sixty day furlough to enable him to visit his home as his health had been seriously impaired. He went aboard a boat at Memphis and came as far north as Keokuk, lowa, when
OLEY NELSON
1
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he was taken off the boat in an unconscious condition and conveyed to the hospital, where he died August 4, 1862.
After the father's death the mother continued to live on the farm and the son took charge of the work. However, in the spring of 1864, desir- ing to take the place of his father in defense of the Union, he enlisted in Company D, Fortieth Wisconsin Infantry, and was present at the last cap- ture of Memphis later in the same year. The regiment was sent to Holly Springs and Jackson, Mississippi, and at the latter place Mr. Nelson was taken sick with fever and jaundice and in the fall of the year was sent home on a furlough. He was in a very serious condition on his arrival at Madison and was practically incapacitated for any service for several months. He received his honorable discharge from the army in December, 1864.
Mr. Nelson continued with his mother in Wisconsin until 1867. In the winter of 1864-5 the honte farm was sold under foreclosure on account of a security debt, and they then moved to eighty acres in which the mother had an equity. In the spring of 1867 she disposed of this equity, receiv- ing two hundred and twenty-five dollars. They also possessed a span of colts and three head of young heifers, and having secured a prairie schooner started westward, having decided to cast their lot in Iowa. Upon reaching Skunk river opposite Cambridge, Story county, Iowa, they found the river bottom flooded, making it extremely dangerous to attempt to cross with a wagon. Accordingly Mr. Nelson left his mother upon the bank and hired a pilot for five dollars to assist him in crossing with the wagon and animals. After reaching the opposite shore he waded back, the water reaching above his waist, and took his mother on his shoulders, she being a small woman weighing only about ninety pounds, and carried her across in safety. The effort practically exhausted him, but after resting a while they resumed their journey and crossed the county line to Polk county, subsequently lo- cating on eiglity acres of raw prairie. As their resources were extremely limited Mr. Nelson found it necessary to sell the horses and wagon and pur- chase a yoke of oxen, this transaction replenishing the treasury by about one hundred dollars. He hauled lumber and brick from Polk City to build a house and they lived comfortably during the following winter. In the fall of 1867 the grasshoppers ate up everything green in that section and it was indeed a gloomy outlook, especially as payments were due on the farm and other obligations had been incurred.
In the spring of 1869 Mr. Nelson sold the oxen and wagon and went to Des Moines, where he secured a position the first day of S. A. Robertson to haul brick from his yard at a salary of thirty dollars per month and board. In the fall of the same year he received his first introduction to the mercantile business in the house of Luce & Mahanna, his salary being fifteen dollars per month, twelve dollars of which he was obliged to pay for board. Subsequently he conducted a farmers boarding house and in 1874 removed to Sheldahl, where lie erected the first store building in the town, Vol. II-22
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continuing as a merchant and grain buyer until he retired on account of the encroachments of age. He was organizer of the Farmers Savings Bank at Slater and was its first president, being at the present time a member of the board of directors.
In December, 1869. Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Ersland, of Cambridge, and by this union ten children were born, namely : George E .. Elsie C., Carrie Il., Anna G., Bell O., Mattie A., Elemer O., and Beatrice D., and Kuttie A. and Amos K., who died in infancy. The first five are now married.
Politically Mr. Nelson has ever since arriving at the age of manhood given his support to the republican party and has served in a number of responsible positions. He was postmaster at Sheldahl from 1874 10 1880 and school treasurer from 1874 to 1885. He was elected to the twenty-first and twenty-second general assembly, serving in 1882 and 1884 with dis- tinguished ability, being especially active in behalf of better drainage laws, better school laws and free text-books. He was a delegate to the national republican convention which nominated James G. Blaine for president and has been employed many times by the state republican committee as a cam- paign speaker, having appeared in more than fifteen counties in Iowa and in four counties in Minnesota. Religiously, he is identified with the United Lutheran church, in which he has for many years been a prominent worker. In 1904 he was elected president of the board of directors of St. Olof Col- lege and since 1890 has been a member of the board of the United Nor- wegian church of America, being now vice president of that body.
Mr. Nelson possessed limited opportunities of school education in his early life. His mother, however, was a woman of fine education and was his principal teacher until he came into contact with the world. Ilis tastes were originally for mechanical pursuits but conditions led him into mercan- tile life, in which he attained deserved success. As a public speaker he has been highly efficient and his services have been in urgent demand. Today he is recognized as a leader among Norwegians of lowa, due to his high character and marked business ability, and he is greatly esteemed wherever he is known.
DICK R. SPIEKER.
Dick R. Spieker, cashier of the Peoples Savings Bank of Nevada and recognized as one of the most progressive young business men of the city. was born in Grundy county, Iowa, September 17, 1880. He is a son of John and Hattie ( Husinga ) Spieker, both natives of Germany. The father came to this country with his parents in infancy, the family locating in Hardin county, Iowa, in 1852. Our subject's Grandfather Spieker did not possess a liberal amount of this world's goods when he established his
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home in the country of his adoption, but he was industrious, frugal and persevering and succeeded even beyond his expectations. As an indication of his character it may be stated that he walked from his farm, a distance of one hundred miles, to Des Moines to file his land entry papers. The father of our subject was reared on the home farm and has devoted his entire life to agriculture and stock-raising. He is the owner of five hundred acres of land, which he acquired through his industry and good manage- ment, and is recognized as one of the substantial and influential citizens of the state. He is a member of the board of directors of the Farmers Savings Bank of Aplington, Butler county, Iowa. Politically he gives his support to the republican party but has never sought public office, his at- tention being mainly devoted to his private interests. The mother of our subject was born in Germany in 1850 and came to the United States with her parents about 1865.
There were eight children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. John Spieker, namely: Matilda, now the wife of Charles Wilke, a contractor and cement block and tile manufacturer of Aplington ; one who died in infancy ; Dick R., our subject : Claude, further mention of whom is made below; and Tena, Anna, Lena and John, all at home. Claude Spieker, who was born in Grundy county, lowa, in 1882, received his education in the district schools, after which he attended the State Normal School, the Capital City Commercial College and Drake University, taking the commercial law course in the latter. Since leaving the university he has been engaged in the banking business at Des Moines, Aplington and Nevada, now being associated with his brother as assistant cashier of the Peoples Savings Bank.
Dick R. Spieker grew to manhood upon the home farm and early gave indications that his tastes lay in other directions than those of agricultural pursuits. He became a student of the State Normal School at seventeen years of age and after teaching for two years took a course in the Capital City Commercial College, graduating in 1903. Seeking practical experience in a well established banking institution, he became connected with the Des Moines National Bank, where he continued for three years. In 1905 he assisted in organizing the Farmers Savings Bank at Aplington and became its cashier, holding that position for three years and building up the business until the institution became recognized as one of the reliable concerns of the county. In May, 1909, he came to Nevada as cashier of the Peoples Savings Bank, which office he now holds. He and his brother are large stockholders in this bank and it has shown a remarkable growth under their management.
In March, 1909, Mr. Spieker was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle A. Graham, who was born in Des Moines, in 1884, a daughter of David and Augusta (Sinn) Graham, the father being a well known contractor. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Spieker one child, Roy, was born April 5, 1910.
Mr. Spieker is an active member of the American Bankers Association and also of the Iowa Bankers Association and keeps thoroughly informed
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on all important movements in financial affairs. He gives his support to the republican party and his religious belief is indicated by membership in the Baptist church. Mrs. Spieker is a member of the Christian church. Since taking up his residence in Nevada Mr. Spieker has erected a bean- tiful modern residence, which is a credit to his taste and an ornament to the city. Although living here comparatively a short time, he has made many friends and has shown a capability as a business man and financier which gives brilliant promise for his future.
FRED E. HANSEN.
It is doubtful if a more promising advocate at the bar is to be found in Story county than Fred E. Hansen, whose name introduces this review. Hle was born at Chicago, November 14. 1873, and comes of Danish and Norwegian ancestry. The father, Thomas P. Hansen, was born in Denmark and after reaching manhood became a seaman. Ile established his home in the United States and for a number of years was identified with inland water traffic, being at the time of his death, in 1894. captain of the W. O. Goodman, a merchantman plying on the Great Lakes. He was energetic and thoroughly competent in his calling and attained a high reputation as a conscientious and trustworthy officer. He was a member of the Masonic order and politically gave his adherence to the republican party. He mar- ried Nathalia Werfel, who was a native of Chicago and departed this life some years before the death of her husband. Her mother was a Norwegian and her father a Dane. Her religion was that of the Baptist church. She was the mother of five children, all of whom are deceased except the sub- ject of this review. The father was again married after the death of his first wife, but there were no children by that union.
Fred E. Hansen came to lowa at eleven years of age and took up his home with Henry Thompson, a friend of the family, living near Roland. Here he grew to manhood and continued for sixteen years. He received his preliminary education in the public schools graduating from the Roland high school in 1893. After spending two years as a student in the State Agricultural College at Ames, he began teaching in which he continued for five years, serving for two years of that time as principal of the Roland high school. His ability as a teacher received general recognition in the county and in 1900 he was elected county superintendent of schools, being reelected in 1902. Upon retiring from this position he went upon the road as a traveling salesman, in the meantime preparing for admission to the bar by taking the prescribed course of the Sprague Correspondence School of Law. He also studied law in the office of Fitchpatrick & M-Call, of Nevada, and in the fall of 1906 was duly admitted to the bar. He has been
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in active practice at Nevada since January, 1907, meeting with success due to thorough preparation and conscientious effort.
On the 6th of June, 1900, Mr. Hansen was united in marriage to Miss Anna R. Hegland, who was born at Roland, Iowa, July 19, 1883, a daughter of O. O. and Engeborg (Johnson) Hegland. The father is one of the old and influential farmers of the county and is now living retired. Two chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hansen: Floyd, who died at the age of six years; and Margaret, who was born January 2, 1910.
Mr. Hansen has made a favorable start in a profession that calls for the best energy and talent, and there is no doubt that he will attain an enviable position at the bar. He is a constant student and fluent speaker and the possessor of well tested business capacity which cannot fail to assist him very materially in his career. He is a member of the Story County Bar Association and politically is identified with the republican party. He has not sought official responsibility but is now serving most acceptably as a member of the board of trustees of the public library. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias and has attained in the latter organization the title of chancellor commander. He and his wife are active workers in the Memorial Lutheran church, of which Mr. Hansen is a deacon. Having made the right start in life, he is winning success and has many warm per- sonal friends in central Iowa.
JESSE R. WOOD.
Few citizens of Indian Creek township have exercised a stronger force or more potent influence on the life of the community than did Jesse R. Wood during the period of his residence in this locality. Ohio claimed him as a native son, his birth occurring in Allen county, that state, on the 19th of August, 1832. His parents, John G. and Anna ( Kennison ) Wood. were both natives of Virginia, whence they removed to Ohio in early life. In the '30s they took up their abode in Indiana and there the mother passed away. Later the father was again married, after which he removed to Story county, Iowa, locating on a farm near lowa Center, which remained his home throughout his remaining days.
Leaving his native state in early childhood, Jesse R. Wood accompanied his parents on their removal to Indiana, and there he was reared to man- hood. As a pupil in the common schools he received his elementary train- ing and later matriculated in the Central University at Pella, Iowa. prompted by a desire for a thorough education. It was decreed. however. that he should not complete his university course, for at the outbreak of the Civil war he put aside all personal interests, actuated by a strong spirit of patriotism, and, offering his aid in defense of the Union cause, en-
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