USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 11
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 11
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55
WILLIAM C. WELLS.
William C. Wells, one of the prominent early settlers of Garner, now living retired at that place, comes from the old Pine Tree state, for he was born in Maine in 1827. When a young man he went to Michigan and later to Wisconsin, where he met the lady who afterward became his wife. In 1870 he came to Garner, Iowa, arriving here before the railroad was completed to this place, and here he embarked in the lumber business, which he carried on until his retirement from business.
In 1870 Mr. Wells was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Fitch, a native of Connecticut and a daughter of Gordon and Sarah (Gould) Fitch. On leaving the east her family also removed to Michigan and later to Wisconsin, where she engaged in teaching school for a time. Mrs. Wells passed away on the 11th of January, 1916, leaving many friends as well as her immediate family to mourn her loss. To Mr. and Mrs. Wells were born two children. The son, George, is now dean of the law school of the State University of Grand Forks, North Dakota. He married Miss Grace Gillette, of Toledo, Ohio, and they have a son, William G. Alice, the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wells, married George Hahn, of Garner, who died in 1908, and she now makes her home with her father. She is a well educated lady and is serving as librarian of the public library of Garner. The family has long been one of prominence of this city and now in his declining years Mr. Wells is surrounded by a host of warm friends who hold him in the highest esteem.
FRED R. CHASE
Among the progressive young farmers of Avery township is Fred R. Chase, who is living on section 22 and has been a lifelong resident of Iowa. His parents, William and Mary (Nelius) Chase, were natives of New York and of Iowa respectively and both have now departed this life. Fred R. Chase was reared under the parental roof with the usual advantages and opportunities that come to the farm bred boy. He attended the district schools until he reached the age of sixteen and then concentrated his entire attention upon farm work, in which he had already received considerable training, having assisted his father in the work of the fields through the summer months. He continued to farm for his father and for others in the neighborhood until he reached the age of twenty-four years, when, having carefully saved his earnings, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Ell township, Hancock county. For this tract he paid twenty-eight dollars
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per acre in the month of March and in the fall of that year he sold it for thirty- three dollars per aere, thus realizing quite a handsome little sum on his investment. In 1900 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 22, Avery township, for thirty-six dollars per acre and this property he still owns. He carries on general farming and his fields present a neat and attractive appearance, indicating his careful methods and wise supervision of the work. He makes a specialty of raising chickens of the Rhode Island Red variety, having now two hundred and thirty-five hens and many young chickens.
On the 11th of October, 1897, Mr. Chase was married to Miss Elva Lange, a daughter of William and Mary (Arnold) Lange, the former a native of Indiana, while the latter was born in Germany. Mrs. Chase was one of a family of three children and by her marriage has become the mother of seven children, Clifford W., Gerald F., Marvel M., Dale D., Nettie A., Iola E. and Jessie A., all yet at home.
The parents hold membership in the United Brethren church and Mr. Chase has membership in the Yeomen lodge. Ilis political endorsement has been given to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and while he has never sought nor desired political office he has served for seven years as a school director. Diligence and enterprise have been the determining factors in shaping his life and they have won for him a substantial measure of success, placing him among the representative farmers of his community.
HANS LARSON.
Hans Larson, one of the foremost residents of Forest City, where he is engaged in the land business, was born in Norway on the 27th of February, 1860, a son of Lars and Leva (Larson) Larson, both of whom spent their entire lives in the land of the midnight sun. It was in 1880 that Hans Larson, then a young man of twenty years, crossed the Atlantic, landing at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the 4th of July. Ile made his way direct across the country to Winnebago county, Iowa, where he was employed during the summer months as a farm hand at eight dollars per month, while during the winter seasons he worked for his board. Ilis passage money had been sent to him from Winnebago county by his cousins, Hans and L. T. Thompson, and this money he repaid soon afterward by his work as a farm hand. He was employed in that way for three years, at the end of which time he purchased a team of horses, rented land and started out independently as a farmer. From that point forward he has rapidly won success. Ile bent every energy to the development and improvement of his place and made his efforts count for the utmost in the attainment of prosperity. In 1885 he purchased eighty acres of land in Forest township, on which he took up his abode and there resided for twelve years. In the meantime he continued to purchase land whenever oppor- tunity offered. Hle carefully saved his earnings and the money was invested in other property until he was the owner of some eight different farms in Hancock and Winnebago counties. In recent years he has sold some of this land, but he is still one of the large land holders of this section of the state and in addition he owns extensive interests in city property at Forest City and also has large
WA IJN
HANS LARSON
بيعـ
بيان مدى جبنلسي
١٢١٢: ٢٢١٣٢٢٢١
RESIDENCE OF HANS LARSON, FOREST CITY
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land holdings in Texas, including a tract of four hundred acres near Houston which he has recently leased for oil development. He was emigration agent for several railroads of the Northwest and was the means of bringing many hundreds of settlers to North Dakota, Idaho and Washington. In 1897 he took up his abode in Forest City, where he has since resided, and he today owns and occu- pies its most beautiful home. In fact, he is justly accounted one of the most progressive and substantial residents of his part of the state. While he has been a progressive and enterprising farmer, the greater part of his wealth has been acquired through his successful speculations in land. He has displayed almost intuitive wisdom in recognizing the value of property and its possible risc, and land which he has purchased at a low figure has been sold at a good profit, bringing to him a gratifying return.
On May 15, 1885, Mr. Larson was united in marriage to Miss Anna Jolinson, of Forest township, Winnebago county, by whom he had eight children, six of whom still survive, as follows: John M. and Lena E., both of whom are graduates of the Waldorf Lutheran College; Minnie M., also a graduate of that institution; Harry; Ida, a high school student; and Alma. Clara passed away soon after completing her course in the Waldorf Lutheran College. Lena E. is now the wife of A. D. Hewitt and resides in Lemon, South Dakota, and Minnie M. married Dr. R. E. Hansen, of Forest City, but the other surviving children are still under the parental roof.
The parents are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and in politics Mr. Larson is a republican. He may truly be called a self-made man and he deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, for his energy and industry have carried him into important relations. His life is an indication of what may be achieved when laudable ambition points out the way and persistency of purpose characterizes one's course.
RASMUS O. HAUGLAND. €
Rasmus O. Haugland, a retired farmer living in Lake Mills, has reached the advanced age of eighty-two years and receives the respect and honor to which. his long, active and well spent life entitles him. He was born in Norway, October 18, 1834, of the marriage of Ole G. and Ingeborg (Gunderson) Haugland who in 1846 removed with their family to Dane county, Wisconsin, where both passed away and are buried. The father engaged in farming and also taught school in Norway. To them were born twelve children, of whom three grew to maturity and of whom our subject is the only one now living.
Rasmus O. Haugland began his education in the common schools of his native country and continued it in the schools of Dane county, Wisconsin, until he was sixteen years old. From that time until 1867 he worked as a hunberman, cutting timber along the Wisconsin river and taking the lumber down the Mississippi to St. Louis. In 1867 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Center township, Winnebago county, Iowa, and from that time until 1914 was continuously engaged in its improvement and cultivation. During that time his land, which had been in a raw state when it came into his possession, was brought to a high
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degree of cultivation, many improvements were made thereon and his resources steadily increased, enabling him to retire from active life in 1914. He then took up his residence in Lake Mills, where he owns an attractive home. He helped organize the Lake Mills Creamery Company, the Lake Mills Lumber Company, the Leland Creamery Company, the Farmers Elevator Company at Leland and the Mount Valley Threshing Company at Leland. He still owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he rents, and twenty acres of timber land.
In 1867 Mr. Haugland married Miss Sarah Sunderland, a daughter of Ole II. and Anna Sunderland, natives of Norway, who on emigrating to the United States first located in Dane county, Wisconsin, but in 1866 removed to Winnebago county, Iowa, whence they went to Wright county, North Dakota, where they died and are buried. To Mr. and Mrs. Ilaugland were born eleven children, of whom four died in youth, while seven survive, namely : Emma, now Mrs. L. E. Peterson, of Forest City, Jowa; Anna, the wife of T. A. Thompson, of Center township; Oscar, who married and resides at Nashua, Montana; Edward, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume; Helmer, who is married and resides in Lake Mills; Emil, a traveling salesman of St. Paul, Minn .; and William, a resident of Forest City.
Mr. Ilaugland is a stanch republican and has done much effective work for his party. His first presidential vote was cast for John C. Fremont and he has lived under eighteen presidents in the United States and under "two kings in Norway. He has always taken a commendable interest in publie affairs and for one term was county supervisor, for four years justice of the peace and for a number of years sehool director. In religions faith he is a United Lutheran. He began his inde- pendent career with no capital save his energy, strength and sound judgment, and these qualifications have proved amply sufficient, as he is now one of the substantial men of the county. ITe has a wide acquaintance and holds a warm place in the regard of many.
EDWARD R. HAUGLAND.
Edward R. Haugland is one of the most successful business men of Lake Mills and the meat market which he conducts is a model establishment of the kind, no expense having been spared to secure the most complete, up-to-date and sanitary equipment. Ile was born in Center township, this county, August 21, 1882, and is a son of Rasmus and Sarah (Sunderland) Haugland, a sketch of whose lives appears above. Until sixteen years old he attended the common schools and subse- quently for seven years gave his time and attention to helping with the work of the home farm. When twenty-three years old he rented that place and operated it on his own account for three years, after which he went to Ward county, North Dakota, where he purchased a quarter section of land. Three years later he sold that place and returned to Winnebago county. For a year he was employed as a butcher by M. G. Johnson, of Lake Mills, and then engaged in the butchering busi- ness for himself in Rowan, Wright county, Iowa. Upon selling that business he, in partnership with M. G. Johnson, bought a meat market at Lake Mills from Bang & Mortenson. Two years later his brother, Helmer C. Haugland, bought
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out Mr. Johnson's interest and the two brothers have since conducted the market, which is one of the leading business enterprises of Lake Mills. The sales room is finished in white and there is also a specially constructed cooling and freezing room supplied with the modern type of ammonia refrigerating system. They do their own killing and their methods of preparing the meat for the market are the best known. At every step the utmost care is taken to ensure absolute cleanliness.
Mr. Haugland makes his home with his parents. In religious faith he is a United Lutheran and his political views are in accord with the principles of the republican party, whose candidates he supports at the polls. In the management of his business he displays unusual progressiveness coupled with sound judgment and his continued success is assured.
HARRY R. IRISH, M. D.
Dr. Ilarry R. Irish, of Forest City, was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, October 4, 1860, a son of David and Harriett (Brownell) Irish, who were natives of Vermont. About 1854 they removed to the middle west, settling in Wisconsin, and in 1867 they established their home in Jasper county, Iowa, where the father purchased land and engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1885. His wife passed away in 1890.
After acquiring a public school education Dr. Irish attended the Hazel Dell Academy at Newton, Iowa, and he began preparation for a professional career by reading medicine in the office and under the direction of Dr. J. R. Smith, of Kellogg, Iowa. Later he entered the medical department of the State University of Michigan, from which he was graduated with the class of 1883. Immediately afterward he came to Forest City, where he opened an office, and here he has since remained, covering a period of more than a third of a century. His ability in his profession has brought him prominently to the front in this connection and he has long been accorded a very liberal patronage. He has been a constant student of his profession and his broad reading has kept him in touch with the trend of modern scientific investigation and discovery.
In 1887 Dr. Irish was married to Miss Alice Peirce, of Sanborn, New York, a teacher of Forest City and a daughter of Edward and Susan (Rose) Peirce. The former was a soldier of the Civil war and laid down his life on the altar of his country in defense of the Union. To Dr. and Mrs. Irish have been born a daughter and son: Leita, the wife of Henry Clausen, of Clear Lake, Iowa; and Thomas, who is now a student in the medical department of the State Univer- sity. Fraternally Dr. Irish is connected with Truth Lodge, No. 213, F. & A. M., of which he is a past master, and he also belongs to the Woodmen Camp No. 717. In polities he may be called an independent democrat, for while he supports many of the principles of the party, he does not consider himself bound by party ties. Ife has filled the office of mayor of Forest City, to which he has given a beneficial and public-spirited administration, and that he is a stalwart champion of the cause of public education is indicated in his twenty-two years' service as a member of the school board. He has also been pension examiner. In addition to his large private practice he is acting as surgeon for the Rock Island Railway and he belongs
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to the Winnebago County, the Iowa State and the American Medical Associations and also to the American Association of Railway Surgeons. IFis ability is pro- nounced and throughout his entire professional career he has neglected no duty or responsibility that has devolved upon him.
OLE WHITE.
Ole White, who is now practically living retired on section 27, Ellington township, Ilancock county, Iowa, claims Demmark as his native land, his birth occurring May 25, 1855. His parents, Rasmer and Prena White, were also born in that country, where they continued to reside throughout life. There Ole White was reared and educated, attending the common schools as he had opportunity. Believing that he could better his financial condition in the new world where competition is not so great, he came to America in 1873, at the age of eighteen years and first located in Michigan, where he spent two years. IIe then removed to Illinois, where he made his home for a number of years.
In the latter state Mr. White was married in 1880 to Miss Alice Gentry, by whom he has had five children, namely: Effie, now the wife of W. A. Carr; Lena, the wife of M. Rasmus; Wilson, who is operating the home farm; Prena, the wife of Clarence Drake; and Raymond, at home.
It was in 1899 that Mr. White brought his family to Iowa and, deeiding that Hancock county would be a good location, purchased the northwest quarter of section 26, Ellington township. To the improvement and cultivation of that place he devoted his energies for several years with most gratifying results and continued to make his home thereon until recently, when he retired from active farming and turned the place over to his son, who is now operating it. Mr. White then removed to a forty acre tract on section 27, Ellington township, where he now resides, enjoying the fruits of his years of industry, surrounded by all the comforts which make life worth the living. He is a worthy member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, and in politics he is a progressive. He is one of the representative men of his community and wherever known is held in high esteem.
A. F. SEGERSTROM.
Classed with the progressive and representative citizens of Mount Valley town- ship, Winnebago county, is A. F. Segerstrom, who is now engaged in farming on section 27, where he has a tract of land whereon he took up his abode in 1910. He had previously been connected with commercial pursuits and has ever occupied a prominent position in business circles of this section of the state. He was born in Worthington, Minnesota, July 24, 1875, and is a son of Nels and Bengta (Swenson) Segerstrom, both of whom were natives of Sweden, where they were reared and married. About 1867 they crossed the Atlantic to the United States, establishing their home in Osage, Iowa, where they continued to reside until 1874,
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when they became residents of Worthington, Minnesota. Mr. Segerstrom after- ward spent twenty years in California and in later years he returned to Iowa, now making his home in Winnebago county.
At the usual age A. F. Segerstrom became a pupil in the district school near his father's home and afterward had the benefit of instruction in the Forest City high school. He came to Winnebago county with his mother in 1887, at which time they settled in Forest City. Soon after reaching his thirteenth year A. F. Segerstrom became an apprentice to the tinner's and plumber's trade in Forest City and for several years was thus employed, in fact was continuously engaged at his trade and in the hardware business for twenty-two years. In 1897 he established a hardware store, which he successfully conducted until 1910. He then retired from mercantile business on account of his health and took up farm- ing, removing to his present place in Mount Valley township.
In 1909 Mr. Segerstrom was united in marriage to Miss Hilma Johnson of Mount Valley township, Winnebago county, her father being O. K. Johnson, who came to this part of Iowa from Illinois in 1882, but is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Segerstrom have two children, Milton A. and Mildred E. Mr. Segerstrom exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the repub- lican party. He and his wife are members of the Swedish Baptist church, take an active interest in developing the work of the church, thus promoting the moral progress of the community, and for twenty years he taught a Sunday school class. He is interested in all those forces which work for public progress. He is a stock- holder in the Farmers Cooperative Creamery Company and in the Farmers Elevator of Forest City and he has studied closely and intelligently questions which affect the business welfare and material development of the district. His has been an active and useful life characterized by honorable purpose and attended by suecess.
NELS ERICKSON.
Iowa has drawn largely upon Norway for its citizenship and from the land of the midnight sun have come many who have done much to further the development and progress of the commonwealth. Actively identified with agricultural interests of Winnebago county is Nels Erickson, who resides on section 24, Norway town- ship. He was born in Norway, June 3, 1849, a son of Erick Iverson and Martha Johansdatter. He attended the common schools of his native country until he reached the age of fifteen years and afterward worked for others in Norway until he had reached the age of twenty-three.
On attaining his majority Mr. Erickson was married to Ingaberg Olson, a daughter of Ole Anderson and Helena Christiansdatter. The former died when Mrs. Erickson was but fourteen years of age and the latter came to the United States when eighty-one years of age and lived with Mr. and Mrs. Erickson until a short time prior to her death, when she went to live with a daughter at Dows, Iowa, where she passed away at the age of eighty-seven. It was in 1872 that Mr. and Mrs. Erickson crossed the Atlantic to the new world and established their home in Franklin county, Iowa, where he was employed as a farm hand for a few years. Later he purchased land in that locality and resided thereon until 1891,
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when he sold that place and came to Winnebago county. Hle purchased the south- east quarter of section 24, Norway township, and forty acres of the northeast quarter of section 25, thus becoming owner of two hundred aeres, which he has sinee cultivated and improved. Ile also extended the boundaries of his farm by purchasing an additional tract of two hundred acres just over the line in Worth county, but has since given this to his children. He owns a store building and stock of goods at Emmons, Minnesota, just over the boundary line. Ile is inter- ested financially in the creamery company and the lumber company at Lake Mills and also in the Farmers elevator there and his business affairs are extensive and important, while his success demonstrates his ability and enterprise.
Mr. and Mrs. Erickson have become the parents of six children, who are yet living : Emma, the wife of L. B. Stene, who was born in Norway and is now residing on a farm adjoining her father's; Ilenry, who is farming in Worth county ; Matilda, the wife of Bert Anderson, of Worth county; Theodore, who is assisting in the operation of the home farm; Olga, the wife of Gus Hanson, of Emmons, Minnesota; and Enge, now the wife of C. C. Siblrud, of Emmons. The parents hold membership with the Synod Lutheran church and Mr. Erickson gives his political support to the republican party. He has never been an office seeker, preferring to concentrate his time and attention upon his business affairs, but was school director in Franklin county for four years. As the years have gone on he has won substantial prosperity which has come entirely as the legitimate and well deserved reward of his industry, perseverance and honorable dealing.
C. C. MYRE.
A valued and enterprising citizen of Linden township, Winnebago county, was called from life when on the 5th of January, 1914, C. C. Myre passed away. Ile was truly a self-made man and his activity brought to him success which enabled him to leave his family in comfortable financial circumstances. He was born in Norway, April 7, 1849, and when four years of age was brought to the new world by his parents. For a year the family lived in Wisconsin and in 1854 came to Winneshiek county, lowa, where both the father and mother passed away.
C. C. Myre was reared and educated in that county, meeting with the usual experiences of farm bred boys. There he was married in 1876 to Miss Breat Indvik, who was born in Norway and came to the United States with her parents in 1872. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Myre came to Winnebago county and took up their abode upon a farm. As the years passed by he carefully managed his business and prosperity enabled him from time to time to add to his holdings until his possessions in farm land aggregated seven hundred and twenty acres. He never allowed difficulties or obstacles to discourage him and his resolute courage and energy carried him forward to the goal of success.
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