USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 14
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 14
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In 1869 Mr. Olson was married in Sweden to Miss Ingar Peterson, a native of that country, and they became parents of eight children, as follows: Olaf, Wil- liam and Allen, all of whom reside in North Dakota; Oscar, of Winnebago county, Iowa : Neil and Albert, who also live in North Dakota: Tilla, who makes her home in Montana; and John, who is deceased. The wife and mother passed
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away in 1914 and was laid to rest in the Forest City cemetery, leaving a husband and seven children to mourn her loss.
In politics Mr. Olson is a democrat, and while not an office seeker, he has served as school director. Ile stands for all those interests which work for the good of the community and, moreover, he is a self-made man whose life record should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, for all that he possesses has been acquired since he came to the United States through the utilization of those opportunities which are here offered to every individual.
FRANK L. WACHOLZ.
Frank L. Wacholz, postmaster of Forest City, is one of the widely known residents of Winnebago county, where he has figured in connection with various public offices and has at the same time been actively associated with its banking interests, while as a raiser of fine paeing and trotting stock his name is known throughout the country. Mr. Wacholz was born at New Hampton, lowa, May 4, 1873, a son of Edward F. and Mary (Werner) Wacholz, the former born near Bublitz, West Prussia, Germany, on the 19th of August, 1841, while the latter was born in New York city, August 10, 1844. Reared in his native land, the father served as a soldier in the war with Austria in 1866. In 1868 he came to the new world, landing at Baltimore, and after ten weeks spent on the Atlantic coast he made his way to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from which point he proceeded west- ward, working on the Milwaukee Railroad. IIe was thus engaged as far west as Emmetsburg, Iowa. He was a blacksmith by trade and made as much advance- ment in that line as was possible. His wife was reared in Troy, New York, and later became a resident of Raeine and of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1856 she came to Iowa, locating at New Hampton, Iowa, and both are yet living. There were two daughters in the family, of whom one survives, while the other passed away in 1915.
The only son, Frank L. Wacholz, pursned his education in the public schools of his native eity until graduated at the age of sixteen years on the 14th of June, 1889. Ile then took up the study of pharmacy and for three years clerked in a drug store, but at the end of that time entered the First National Bank of New Hampton as bookkeeper. After a brief period he became bookkeeper in the First National Bank of Forest City, beginning in September, 1892, and subsequently he spent a year in the First National Bank of Britt, lowa, as assistant cashier under the presidency of George W. Beadle. Returning to Forest City, he became deputy treasurer of Winnebago county under S. II. Larson, and later he again entered the First National Bank as assistant cashier, there remaining until March, 1911, when he sold his interest to John Olson, formerly with the Winnebago County Bank, and removed to Los Angeles. After seeing the glories of that wonderland he returned to Forest City in 1915 and on the 30th of January, 1917, was appointed postmaster, which position he is still filling. Mr. Wacholz has also held other local offices, including that of eity treasurer, eity elerk, secretary of the County Fair Association and county chairman of the democratic party.
Another line of activity which has elaimed much thought, attention and
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FRANK L. WACHOLZ
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effort from Mr. Waeholz has been the breeding, raising and training of some of the fastest trotters and pacers of the world. He was the owner of Miss Dens- more, the world's champion half mile track trotter, with a record of 2:071/4; Don Densmore, the fastest paeer ever foaled in Iowa, with a record of 2:0214; and Densmore, famous for his great nine-heat raee at Pittsburg, with a record of 2:10. All of the above were colts of Nina Densmore, with a record of 2:17, her colts having won more than sixty thousand dollars in prizes. Mr. Wacholz has always advocated the best blood lines in horses and cattle and brought to this county some of the famous Biltmore Jersey cattle.
On the 6th of June, 1893, Mr. Wacholz was married to Miss Effa Juliet Plummer, the eldest daughter of B. A. and M. Jane Plummer. They have become parents of four children : Margaret, Maxine, Donald and Woodrow. . Margaret was born on the present site of Waldorf College, February 6, 1898, and passed out of this life in Los Angeles, California, December 3, 1911. Maxine was born in Forest City, October 11, 1903, and passed out of this life December 18, 1904. Donald was born November 9, 1905, in Forest City; and Woodrow was born in Los Angeles, California, February 10, 1913. Such in brief is the history of Frank L. Wacholz, a well known and valued citizen of Winnebago county, whose activities along many lines have contributed to the development, progress and upbuilding of this section of the state and whose worth is widely acknowledged by all who know him.
CHARLES J. DRUGG.
Charles J. Drugg is a resident farmer of Mount Valley township, Winnebago county, his home being on section 28. He was born on the old Drugg homestead on section 33 of the same township, his natal day being July 4, 1876. His parents, Andrew and Mary Louise (Peterson) Drugg, were both natives of Sweden and were there reared and married. Immediately afterward they came to the United States, landing in New York city in the early part of December, 1869. They did not tarry on the eastern coast, however, but made their way at onee into the interior of the country and spent the first winter in MeGregor, Iowa. In the spring of 1870 they came to Winnebago county and Mr. Drugg purchased forty acres of the present home farm. It was then in the midst of a wild and undeveloped region, for the work of progress and improvement seemed searcely begun in this section of the state. He built a log cabin sixteen by sixteen feet and took up his abode on his new farm, beginning the arduous task of reclaiming it for purposes of civilization. It was not long before his labors wrought a marked transformation in the wild prairie tract, and afterward he bought an adjoining forty aeres, making his present farm one of eighty acres, on which he has resided continuonsly for the past forty-seven years. The work of con- verting the raw prairie into productive fields was slow and laborious. Oxen were used in plowing and it was necessary to go to Albert Lea or to Mason City for supplies, to which points Mr. Drugg drove his ox team. There was compara- tively little at that day to indicate the changes which were rapidly to oceur and make this one of the populous and prosperous sections of the state. Mr. Drugg
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certainly bore his full share in bringing about modern day conditions and he is now living at the age of seventy-eight years to enjoy the fruits of his former toil. He was born February 1, 1839, while his wife was born March 20, 1845. and has therefore reached the age of seventy-two years. Both have long been consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and have ever enjoyed the confidence and good will of those with whom they have been bronght in contact.
Charles J. Drugg was reared at home and at the usual age became a pupil in the district school near his father's place. He afterward had the benefit of instruction in the Forest City high school and when eighteen years of age he left the parental roof and for five years worked as a farm hand for Peter Seibert, of Haneock county. Subsequently he took charge of and operated the old home place and in 1901 he purchased his present farm, which lies just across the road from the old homestead. Since then he has operated both tracts of land and is leading a busy, active and useful life in which success has attended his intelli- gently directed efforts. Since his marriage he has resided upon his home farm and the neat and thrifty appearance of the place indicates his careful supervision and thoroughly modern methods. There are good buildings upon his land and he has secured all the latest improved machinery and other facilities to promote the work of the fields. He is likewise a stockholder in the Farmers Co-operative Creamery Company of Forest City, a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Com- pany of Forest City and in the Mount Valley Manufacturing Company of Leland.
On the 29th of December, 1914, Mr. Drugg was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary McGuire, a daughter of John McGuire, one of the well known farmers of Winnebago county, now deceased. They have become the parents of a daughter, Mary Louise.
In politics Mr. Drugg maintains an independent course, voting for men and measures rather than for party, but he is never remiss in the duties of citizenship and co-operates in many well formulated plans for the public good. He is one of the representative farmers of Mount Valley township and his life record indi- cates what may be accomplished through determination and energy. Ile may well be termed a successful man and, moreover, the methods which he has pursued in the attainment of his prosperity are such as have gained for him the con- fidence and high regard of all with whom he has been associated.
W. T. KENDALL.
W. T. Kendall, deceased, established a store and served as postmaster on the site of Thompson before the town was platted and continued in his dual eapaeity as storekeeper and postmaster in the new town until his demise in 1898. Ile was born in Michigan in 1832 and on his father's side was descended from an old American family, while on his mother's side his ancestry was French. The father was a minister in Michigan until his demise, and the mother also passed away in that state.
W. T. Kendall received his education in the common schools and in early
.
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manhood spent a few years as a railway station agent. Later he owned the steamboat High Water, which plied on Spirit Lake, Iowa, and which he com- manded as captain for a considerable period. In the later '70s he removed to Forest City and conducted a hardware store there for a short time. In 1890 he established a general store in King township, Winnebago county, and he also aeted as postmaster, so continuing after the town was laid out by Mr. Thompson, of Forest City. At length he sold all his stock save the furniture, but continued in business as a furniture dealer until he passed away in 1898. He also served as postmaster until his demise, and his record was one of efficient and public- spirited service.
In 1891 occurred the marriage of Mr. Kendall and Miss Anna T. Byer, a daughter of Joseph and Magdalene Byer, natives of Vienna, Austria, where they passed their entire lives. When seventeen years of age Mrs. Kendall came alone to the United States and for twelve years lived in New York. She was employed as a German governess in the families of several millionaires of that city and while acting as governess made five trips to Europe. On leaving the east she joined a brother and sister in Garner, Iowa, and lived with them until her mar- riage in 1891. She has two children. William Thompson, who was the first child born in the town of Thompson, for which he was named, is married and resides in Altoona, Iowa. May married C. W. Goslin, and they reside in Clarion, Iowa.
Mr. Kendall gave his political allegiance to the republican party, but aside from filling the office of postmaster never took an active part in public affairs. He was a representative of the Masonic fraternity, whose teachings concerning the brotherhood of man were exemplified in his daily life. Rosehill cemetery, in which he is buried, was chosen and named by him at the founding of the town and the money for purchasing the land was raised by Mrs. Kendall, who still serves as president of the Cemetery Association. She is a resident of Thompson, where she is held in high esteem. The demise of Mr. Kendall was deeply re- gretted throughout the county, for he had a wide acquaintance and a large num- ber of loyal friends.
DUANE R. SWEET.
Duane R. Sweet, a well known resident of Forest City, was formerly identified with farming interests in Winnebago county and his well directed efforts along that line brought him success. He was born in Adams county, Wisconsin, April 10, 1872, a son of A. J. and Mary ( Pettis) Sweet. He was reared and educated in Haneoek county, Iowa, and remained at home until he attained his majority, after which he purchased a farm in that county comprising two hundred and forty acres on section 2, Bingham township. His labors converted that place into a highly improved and productive tract. He made a specialty of the raising and breeding of stock and thereby he contributed much to his income and to his success. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator and in the Farmers Co- operative Creamery Company. He continued to remain upon his farm until March 1, 1917, when he retired and removed to Forest City, where he now owns and oeeupies a fine residence.
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In January, 1889, Mr. Sweet was united in marriage to Miss Etta Carriel, a native of Hardin county, Iowa, and a danghter of Calvin and Lura (Furman) Carriel. The father was born in New York and the mother in Pennsylvania, and both are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Sweet have been born seven children, namely : Carriel, Marjorie, Marion D., Bernice, Allen and two who died in infancy. The parents attend the Baptist church and Mr. Sweet votes with the democratic party but has never songht nor desired office, preferring to concen- trate his energies upon his business affairs, which, carefully directed, have brought to him substantial and well deserved success.
FARMERS NATIONAL BANK.
The Farmers National Bank was established in 1891 with G. E. Abbey as cashier. It was organized as the Farmers Savings Bank and was conducted under state law until 1906, when it was reorganized as a national bank, with C. K. Moe as president, G. E. Troeger as vice president, Isaac Sweigard as cashier and M. R. Pollock as assistant cashier. When Mr. Moe sold out in 1910, C. H. Nelson was elected to the presidency, with A. Kelly, as vice president, although Mr. Troeger remained a stockholder. In 1910 C. R. Sweigard became assistant cashier of the bank and in January, 1913, when Mr. Nelson sold out, Isaac Sweigard became the president, with C. R. Sweigard as cashier and F. E. Blackstone as vice president. These gentlemen still continue as the officers of the bank, which was capitalized for sixteen thousand dollars in 1891. The capital stock, however, has been increased to twenty-five thousand dollars and there is now a surplus of twenty-five thousand dollars. In 1916 the bank tore down its old building and erected a beautiful new structure at a cost of twenty thousand dollars. It is thoroughly modern in its architecture, equipment and furnishings. The bank occupies the entire new part, having an attractive directors' room up- stairs, with also an assembly room for farmers' and trustees' meetings and a ladies' parlor. In fact, everything possible is done to promote the comfort and convenience of depositors and stockholders. There are safety deposit boxes and every possible burglar proof protection. The policy of the bank is a progressive one and yet the interests of depositors are safeguarded in every way, no unwar- ranted risks being taken.
LEONARD E. SAMPSON.
Leonard E. Sampson, a resident farmer of Hancock county, his home being on section 33, Ell township, was born on the 24th of June, 1885, in Delaware connty, Iowa, a son of William and Amelia (Schwichtenburg) Sampson, the former a native of Clayton county, Iowa, and the latter of Ohio. Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, Leonard E. Sampson acquired a common school education, devoting the winter months to attending school, while in the summer seasons he worked on the farm. When nineteen years of age he put
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aside his text-books altogether and devoted his entire time to farm work on the old homestead until he reached the age of twenty-four years, when he rented land on section 33, Ell township, Hancock county. Here he has since made his home and in the conduct of the farm he has made a specialty of raising thoroughbred Poland China hogs. He also conducts a dairy business and sells cream.
On the 18th of March, 1914, Mr. Sampson was married to Miss Jennie Wich- mann, a daughter of August and Frieda (Paul) Wichmann, who are natives of Germany and came to the United States in early life. The father was for many years actively engaged in farming but is now living retired at the age of seventy- one years, while his wife has reached the age of sixty-three years. They had a family of seven children. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sampson, Paul E. and Irma.
The parents are members of the German Methodist Episcopal church and are people of genuine worth, loyal to those principles which constitute honorable manhood and womanhood. Mr. Sampson exercises his right of franchise in sup- port of the men and measures of the republican party but has never been an office seeker, preferring to concentrate his time and attention upon his business affairs, which, carefully directed, are bringing to him substantial success.
GILBERT G. HERM, M. D.
Dr. Gilbert G. Herm, a well known and successful physician and surgeon practicing at Lake Mills, was born in Norway, November 18, 1870. His parents, Christopher Gullickson and Ingebor (Davidson) Synve, removed with their fam- ily from Norway to the United States in 1873, settling in Fertile, Iowa. The father farmed in that locality for three years and then purchased land in Logan township, Winnebago county, upon which the family took up their residence. He made many improvements upon the place and engaged in its operation until his death in 1894. The mother survived for about twenty years, dying in June, 1914.
Gilbert G. Herm was but two and a half years old when brought to the United States and received his early education in the schools of Winnebago county. Later he attended the Breckenridge school at Decorah, Iowa, and sub- sequently taught in Winnebago county for eight years, during which time he farmed in the summer months. In 1900 he entered the Ilahnemann Medical College of Chicago, as he had determined to prepare himself for the practice of medicine, and in 1904 he received the degree of M. D. He practiced for three years at Scarville, but at the end of that time removed to Lake Mills and pur- chased the practice of Dr. Christenson. It was not long before his efficiency in the treatment of disease was recognized and his professional standing is high. His practice has reached large proportions and he maintains his office in the beautiful residence which he erected on Main street.
In January, 1905, Dr. Herm was united in marriage to Miss Anna Langland and they became the parents of two children, namely: Ingebor C., whose birth occurred on the 10th of June, 1906; and Reuben C., born October 16, 1911. The mother passed away June 20, 1914, after an illness of two weeks.
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Dr. Herm is a strong advocate of republican principles and has held a num- ber of offices, having served for four years as clerk of Logan township, as justice of the peace for a considerable period and as health officer of Lake Mills. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Mystic Workers and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the United Lutheran church. He has made the interests of Lake Mills his interests and willingly co-operates with all those seeking to promote the welfare of the community.
THOMAS WALPOLE,
Thomas Walpole, editor of the Thompson Courier, has been identified with newspaper work for many years and for almost six decades has been a resident of Iowa. He was born, however, at Groton, in Tompkins county, New York, on the 21st of September, 1855, a son of James and Julia ( Murphy ) Walpole. While comparatively little is known concerning the ancestral history of the family it has been learned that the name originated in Spain, from which country mem- bers of the family removed to France and in later generations from France to England and from England to Ireland. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Thomas Walpole, and the birth of his son James occurred at Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, Ireland, on the 2d of February, 1832. In early manhood the latter emigrated to the United States and after living for several years in New York came with his family to lowa. He farmed in both Delaware and Buena Vista counties and passed away in 1874. His wife was born in Cork, Ireland, on the 5th of August, 1832, and was a representative of one of the old and highly respected families of the Emerald isle. To their union were born nine children, as follows: Thomas; John; James: Mathew; Mrs. John Ilowell; E. E .; Eliza- beth ; Mrs. C. S. Relyea and Mrs. W. If. Irving.
The boyhood and youth of Thomas Walpole were spent in Delaware and Buena Vista counties, Iowa, and after completing the work offered in the public schools there he attended for one term the Southwestern Normal School at Shenandoah, Iowa, and also took a business course at Valparaiso University, at Valparaiso, Indiana. Following the death of his father he operated the home farm for eight years and during that time devoted the winter months to teaching school. In 1882 he became superintendent of the schools of Alta, lowa, and filled that position until 1884, when in partnership with A. C. Smith he purchased the weekly paper pub- lished at Alta under the name of the Advertiser. Subsequently his brother, E. E. Walpole, bought out the interest of Mr. Smith but later in turn sold out to C. H. Wegersley. Mr. Walpole of this review, however, was continuously connected with that publication until 1895, when he sold it and bought the Storm Lake Tribune, which he consolidated with the Pilot under the name of the Pilot-Tribune. He was associated in this venture also with A. C. Smith, and they made the paper a recognized force in the molding of public opinion in that section of the state. In 1904, however, Mr. Walpole became the sole owner of the Pilot-Tribune, and con- tinued to publish it with gratifying success until 1910, when he sold it. Ile then located at Manson and purchased the Manson Journal which he owned and published until November, 1916, when he disposed of that paper and came to Thompson,
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Winnebago county. lle purchased the Thompson Courier and the large circulation of the paper is proof that it is a liberal, up-to-date and well edited sheet. Ile has a first class printing establishment and in addition to publishing the Courier does a large job business.
Mr. Walpole was married on the 11th of May, 1887, to Miss Minnie Darnell. Her father, William Darnell, fought in the Civil war as a member of the Seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry and took part in many important engagements. He was with Sherman on his famous march to the sea and participated in the Grand Review at Washington. To him and his wife were born five children, as follows: Mrs. Walpole ; Mrs. C. B. Mitchell ; Mrs. W. N. MacChesney ; Mrs. Joseph Donaghu ; and Mrs. E. S. Ballou. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Walpole are four in number: Elsie, who is a graduate of the Northwestern University at Evanston ; Fay, who is a graduate of the State Teachers' College at Cedar Falls, Iowa; and James W. and Eileen.
Mr. Walpole is a republican in politics and from 1888 to 1896 was county superintendent of schools of Buena Vista county, Iowa, while in 1898 he was made postmaster at Storm Lake, which office he held for many years, or until July 1, 1915. His official record was one of the conscientious and efficient discharge of his duties and received the commendation of all good citizens. He is a member of the Masonie order, of the Court of Honor, of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and in religious faith is a Presby- terian. Although he has been a resident of Thompson for only a short time he has already established his position among the most highly esteemed residents of the town and his personal friends are many.
PETER BOMAN.
Peter Boman, a representative farmer of Winnebago county, living on section 25, Forest township, was born in Sweden, February 18, 1866. His parents spent their entire lives in that country and there reared their family of four children, of whom two are now living.
Peter Boman spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native land and is indebted to its publie school system for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. He came to America in 1886 and settled in Forest City, Iowa, where he was employed at general work for two years; but ambitious to engage in business on his own account, he then began farming on section 25, Forest township, Winnebago county, and later purchased eighty acres on section 24 of the same township. From the beginning of his active connection with agricultural interests in this county he has prospered and is today the owner of one of the most valuable and best improved farms in his township. As prosperity has attended his efforts he has added to his holdings from time to time and is now the owner of eighty acres in Mount Valley township, Winnebago county, and one hundred and twenty aeres in Ellington town- ship, Hancock county, which he has also improved. He is likewise one of the stock- holders in the Farmers Elevator at Forest City. In connection with the cultivation of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he is extensively aud successfully
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