USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 15
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 15
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engaged in feeding stock and the careful management of his business interests is bringing to him most gratifying success.
In September, 1888, Mr. Boman was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Olson, a native of Sweden, who came to America when but eleven years of age. Six children have been born of this union: Albert R., who is married and now resides on. one of his father's farms; Chenney C., who is also married and follows farming; Luella M., who after graduating from the Forest Club high school spent one year in study at Cedar Falls and is now teaching; John O. and Esther S., both at home; and Clarence R., who died at the age of eight years. Mr. Boman and his family are all members of the Swedish Baptist church and guide their lives according to its teachings. Ile may truly be called a self-made man, for through his own efforts and the assistance of his wife, who has indeed been a helpmate to him, he has won a handsome fortune and is today one of the most prominent and prosperous farmers of Forest township. His life record shows what may be accomplished through persistent and earnest effort. In his vocabulary there has been no such word as fail, and obstacles and difficulties in his path have seemed to serve but as an impetus for renewed effort.
F. J. BROOKER.
F. J. Brooker owns and operates a splendid four hundred acre traet of land on seetions 17 and 18, Linden township, Winnebago county, and also has other busi- ness interests, thus ranking among the most successful men of his locality. He was born in Livingston county, Illinois, September 30, 1867, a son of Thomas and Lucinda (Wilber) Brooker, natives respectively of Kent, England, and of Vermont. In 1839, when about twenty years of age, the father came to the United States, and as the vessel on which the voyage was made was shipwrecked he became separated from relatives who were crossing on the same ship and did not see them again until about eighteen months later. He located at Cleveland, Ohio, where he remained until a short time after his marriage, when he removed with his bride to La Salle county, Illinois. Subsequently they removed to a farm in Livingston county, that state, and there they experienced the inconveniences and hardships incident to frontier life. The unsettled condition of that part of the country can be gathered from the fact that the nearest market town was Ottawa, thirty miles distant, and it was then a matter of no little difficulty to secure supplies which could not be produced upon the farm. In 1886 they removed to Ida county, Iowa, and in March of the following year came to Winnebago county. The father purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 18, Linden township, and his remaining years were devoted to the operation of that place. He died September 8, 1892, but the mother survived for more than twenty-four years, as her death occurred on the 7th of January, 1917.
F. J. Brooker received his education in the public schools of Illinois. He began assisting his father with the farm work in early boyhood and as the years passed he became more and more proficient as an agriculturist. After attaining his majority he took charge of the operation of the home farm in Linden township, Winnebago county, and cared for his parents during their last years. In 1889,
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F. J. BROOKER AND FAMILY
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when but twenty-one years old, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 17, Linden township, lying across the road from the home farm, and this place he cultivated, together with the homestead. Following the death of his father he purchased the home farmn also, and later added to his holdings an eighty acre tract adjoining the home place on the south, so that he has altogether a farm of four hundred acres. The improvements upon the place are of the most modern type, the fertility of the soil has been conserved by scientific methods of cultivation and everything is kept in the best of repair. He derives a good income from the sale of his grain and stock and ranks among the foremost farmers of Linden township. He also owns eighty acres of land in Oklahoma, three and one- half miles from Avery and in the oil belt, being within twelve miles of spouting wells. Ile likewise owns stock in the Farmers Co-operative Creamery Company of Thompson and is a director of the Farmers Elevator Company at Thompson, of which he was for six years president.
Mr. Brooker was married on March 20, 1890, to Miss Ella J. Johnson, a daugh- ter of Benjamin Johnson, of Forest City, who was an early settler of Winnebago county, coming here in 1869 from Sweden. Mrs. Brooker was one of the pioneer school teachers of Winnebago county. To Mr. and Mrs. Brooker have been born five children, as follows : Elsie E., the wife of L. C. Anderson, of Grant township, this county; Lottie E., a teacher of Humboldt county, Iowa; Ruth V., who is attending the state normal school at Cedar Falls; and Charlie F. and Alice M., at home.
Mr. Brooker is a stalwart advocate of republican principles and has been quite active in local affairs. For many years he has been a member of the board of trustees and he is also serving on the school board. His interest in matters affect- ing the general welfare is further indicated by the fact that for four years he was president of the Winnebago County Fair and Park Association. Both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and in its teachings are found the principles which govern their conduct. In all that he has done he has manifested sound judgment, executive ability and uncompromising integrity, and he is de- servedly held in the highest esteem.
PROFESSOR H. O. BATEMAN.
Professor II. O. Bateman, identified with educational and agricultural inter- ests at Forest City, was born in Kaneville, Kane county, Illinois, March 22, 1862, a son of Marcus and Hannah (Ravlin) Bateman, who were natives of Rutland, Vermont, and of Kane county, Illinois, respectively. They were married in the latter place, to which the father had removed in young manhood, and in 1868 they came to Iowa, establishing their home in Black Hawk county, where the death of Mr. Bateman occurred in 1901. His widow still survives and is now residing in Waterloo, Iowa.
Professor Bateman had liberal educational opportunities. He attended Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, Iowa, from which he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1888. Prior to this time he had taken up teaching as a profession and after his college days were over he resumed educational work and has contributed
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much to the development of the schools of the middle west. He has been prin- cipal of the schools of Lisbon, North Dakota, also at Nora Springs, Iowa, and superintendent of the schools at Dysart, Iowa. In 1901 he came to Forest City as superintendent of schools and served in that capacity for six years. tle was reared on a farm and during his long identification with educational work he continued to hold farming interests and keep in touch with agricultural develop- ment. In 1907 he retired from the schoolroom and has since given his attention wholly to the cultivation of his land. In his holdings he is associated with his brother, G A. Bateman, of Minneapolis, and they are owners of seven hundred and twenty acres in Winnebago county, also five hundred and sixty aeres in Black Hawk county, near Waterloo, and one thousand acres near St. Paul, Minnesota. They personally supervise the cultivation of the greater part of their vast holdings and keep in touch with the most progressive agriculturat methods. In fact their work largely sets a standard for agricultural development in the localities where they own land.
On the 31st of August, 1892, Professor Bateman was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Kay, of Nora Springs, lowa, a daughter of Edward and Sarah (Belamy) Kay, natives of England, who came to America when young and settled near Madison, Wisconsin, later removing to Jowa. Both have passed away. Prof. and Mrs. Bateman have a daughter, Dorothy K., who was grad- uated from the Forest City high school with the class of 1917 and will enter Cornell College in the fall. Mr. Bateman is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Sigma Nu, a Greek letter college fraternity, while he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and guide their lives according to its teachings. She is also a member of the Tourists Club of Forest City. His political allegiance has long been given to the republican party. For an extended period he has been recognized as one of the most sub- stantial and valued eitizens of the state, his life work contributing in large measure to its progress. Those who know him, and he has a wide acquaintance, recognize his marked ability and feel that he has ever held to the highest standards for the individual and also in community life.
HANS JACOBS.
ITans Jacobs, whose time and energy are devoted to the operation of his excellent farm on section 3, Linden township. Winnebago county, was born in Norway, November 25, 1864. His parents, Jacob and Anna (Thorson) Jorgen- son, came with their family to the United States in 1868 and after a year spent in lloward county, Iowa, located in Forest township, Winnebago county. The father purchased eighty acres of land and for about thirty-three years made his home upon that farm, his death occurring in 1901, when he was seventy-three years old. The mother survived for four years and died at the advanced age of eighty-one years.
Hans Jacobs was less than four years of age when brought to America and received his education in the district schools of Forest township, in the Forest City high school, in the lowa State Normal College at Cedar Falls and in the
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State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts at Amnes. When only eighteen years old he began teaching and during the next decade alternately taught and attended school and also during the summers did some farm work. At length he took charge of a farm belonging to his brother, Thomas Jacobs, and operated that place for two years. Hle then returned to the home place and gave his undivided time and attention to the cultivation of that farm. Following his father's death he removed to his present home farm on section 3, Linden township, which he had purchased the previous year. lle gives a great deal of thought to the man- agement of his work and is very efficient in his methods. He is progressive but at the same time has had sufficient experience in actual farm work to enable him to guard against taking up too quickly with untried and perhaps impractical innovations. He owns stock in the Farmers Co-operative Creamery and the Farmers Elevator Company of Thompson. It was on Mr. Jacobs' farm that a large meteorite fell about four o'clock in the afternoon one day many years ago with an explosion heard fifteen miles away.
Mr. Jacobs was married in 1897 to Miss Lizzie Isaacson, of Forest township, a daughter of Nels Isaacson, who removed to Winnebago county from Chicago about 1870. To Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs have been born six children, of whom four survive, namely: Mabel A., who is a graduate of the Thompson high school and is teaching ; and James N., Leonard HI. and Emma G., all at home.
Mr. Jacobs supports the republican party at the polls, for four years was a member of the township board of trustees and for a number of years has been treasurer of the school board. A public office has been to him a publie trust and his duties have been discharged with an eye single to the good of the community. Ile is recognized as a successful farmer, a public-spirited citizen and a man of the highest character. The rules which have governed his life are found in the teachings of the United Lutheran church, to which he and his family belong.
RAYMOND F. SCHNEIDER.
Raymond F. Schneider, who in 1916 became owner and editor of the Democrat, published at Garner, his native city, brought to his new business connection the benefit of long experience in the newspaper field, having at different times been employed on various papers. He was born September 17, 1892, a son of John and Dora (Walk) Schneider, who in 1870 removed to Hancock connty, where the father engaged in the draying and bus business.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, the son entered the public schools at the usual age and passed through consecutive grades to the high school. When his textbooks were put aside he began learning the printer's trade, at which he has worked from the age of sixteen years. For five years he was employed on the Garner Signal and in 1913 began conducting a newspaper at Emery, Sonth Dakota, where he continued for a year. He then returned to the Garner Signal, with which he was later identified for a year and a half, when he entered the office of the Democrat and in 1916 purchased the paper, of which he is now owner and editor. The Hancock County Democrat was established in 1883 as a weekly paper. After a decade it became the property of W. M. Bracket, who was proprietor
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and editor until January, 1916, when he sold out to Mr. Schneider, who has since installed a new lineograph and job press. The paper is a home print journal from eight to twelve pages and has a eirculation of eleven hundred and fifty copies, largely in Hancock county. In its publication he keeps in touch with modern ideas of journalism and is doing excellent work along lines leading to substantial results.
On the 18th of March, 1916, Mr. Schneider was married to Miss Lella Bates, of Garner, a daughter of S. C. Bates. They are members of the Methodist church and are highly esteemed in the community where they live. In politics Mr. Schneider maintains an independent course and through the columns of his paper champions those measures and movements which he recognizes as of benefit to the community. Fraternally he is connected with the Mystic Workers and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His entire life has been passed in this section of the state, where he is now widely known. His course in business has not been marked by any spectacular phases but has been characterized by that steady and persistent progress which ultimately wins success.
OLE L. HALVORSEN.
Ole L. Halvorsen, living on seetion 13, Ellington township, dates his residence in Hancock county from 1875, covering a period of forty-two years, in which he has witnessed nearly all of the changes which have brought the county to its present state of development and improvement. He was born in Norway, Septem- ber 19, 1848, his parents being Lars and Ellen (Hanson) Halvorsen, who were also natives of the land of the midnight sun. Coming to America in 1852, they settled in Clayton county, Iowa, where their remaining days were passed, and there they reared their family of twelve children, eight of whom are yet living.
Ole L. Halvorsen was a little lad of only about four years when brought to the United States and his youthful experiences made him familiar with the pioneer development of Clayton county, where he assisted in the farm work through the summer months, while in the winter seasons he had the opportunity of attending school. Ile mastered not only the elementary branches of learning but also the studies taught in high school, and when his textbooks were put aside he concen- trated his entire attention upon farm work on the old homestead, there remaining until he reached the age of twenty-seven. It was in 1875 that he removed to Hancock county and purchased the farm on section 13, Ellington township, upon which he has now remained for more than four decades. It is a tract of two hundred acres of rich and productive land which he has improved with excellent buildings and modern equipments such as facilitate farm work. He carries on the labor of the fields according to progressive methods of agriculture and annually harvests good erops as a reward for his care and labor. Ile is also a stockholder of the Farmers Elevator of Ventura.
In 1877 Mr. Halvorsen was married to Miss Clara Mickelson, a native of Norway, and they have become the parents of nine children: Mary, deceased ; Lena, the wife of Carl Solsa, of Haneoek county ; Julia, the wife of P. G. Johnson ; Vina and Lewis, at home; Mary, the wife of Don Foley, now of Colorado; Emma, the wife of Jolin Osner ; Clarence, a farmer ; and Ella, at home.
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Mr. Halvorsen exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party, and while he has never sought nor desired politi- cal office, he has served for some years as a member of the school board, the cause of education finding in him a warm friend. Ile and his wife are members of the Lutheran church and they believe in all those forces which work for righteousness, truth and justice. They are recognized as leading residents of Ellington township and enjoy the confidence and warm regard of those with whom they have been brought in contact.
ANDREW B. NESSET.
Andrew B. Nesset, who is engaged in general farming on section 13, Forest township, Winnebago county, has so carefully directed his business affairs that he is today one of the substantial citizens of his community. He was born in Waseca county, Minnesota, August 23, 1867, his parents being Jens and Johanna (Quam) Nesset, who were natives of Norway and came to America as boy and girl in 1835 on the same ship. Their marriage occurred in this country. For five years they lived in Wisconsin and on the expiration of that period removed to Winneshiek county, Iowa, where Mr. Nesset carried on farming for five years. He then took his family to Minnesota and settled on a farm, on which he remained for a number of years, but at length returned to this state and became a farmer of Winnebago county, taking up his abode on the land on which Andrew B. Nesset now resides. Upon this place his remaining days were passed, but the death of his wife occurred in Minnesota. In their family were five children, of whom four are yet living.
Andrew B. Nesset acquired his education in the public schools of his native state and and after attaining his majority he purchased land and engaged in farming there. Eventually, however, he came to Winnebago county, Iowa, and bought the old Anderson homestead on section 31, Forest township, west of Forest City. This place was purchased in 1880 by Mr. Nesset's father-in-law, Steele Anderson, at which time Mrs. Nesset was but five years of age. After living on that farm for seven years Mr. Nesset sold it and bought a place on section 16 which he owned for eight years and on which he continued to reside for three years after disposing of it. He next took up his abode on the Nesset homestead on section 13, Forest township, where he now owns three hundred and thirty-nine acres, all of which is improved. He has brought his fields to a high state of cultivation and annually gathers golden harvests as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon his land. He also makes a specialty of feeding stock of all kinds and he like- wise is one of the stockholders of the Farmers Elevator at Forest City, the Farmers Elevator at Leland and the Forest City Cooperative Creamery Company.
On October 12, 1892, Mr. Nesset was married to Miss Elizabeth Anderson, a native of Forest City and a daughter of Steele and Christina Anderson, who were born in Norway. Leaving the land of the midnight sun, they came to America in 1871 and took up their abode in Winnebago county, while at the present time they are residents of Mason City, Iowa. In their family were nine children, all of whom are yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Nesset have become parents of three children : Jared A., who married Hazel Harris and has one child, Violet, and who follows
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farming in Winnebago county, on Sunset View Farm : Stanley HI., also a farmer ; and Leo (. The first two are college graduates, having completed their studies at. Waldorf College at Forest City. The family are most pleasantly located in an attractive home on the Oak Lawn Farm : another place which Mr. Nesset owns is known as the Sunset View Farm; and his farm of ninety-nine acres in Mount Valley township is named Hickory Grove Farm. Fraternally Mr. Nesset is con- nected with the Odd Fellows Lodge No. 440 at Forest City and he and his wife are identified with the Rebekah degree. They are also members of the Methodist Episcopal church, to the teachings of which they loyally adhere. In his political views Mr. Nesset is a republican and for six years he filled the office of township trustee, while for a number of years he was a member of the school board. Ile is a public-spirited and patriotic citizen and one to whom the community can ever look for substantial aid in support of measures for the general good. The secret of his success is to be found in diligence and determination, combined with thorough reliability in all business transactions.
SOREN HI. LARSON.
Soren II. Larson, the efficient president of the Farmers State Bank of Lake Mills, lowa, was born in Boone county, Illinois, March 14. 1857, a son of Halvor and Kari (Berg) Larson, the former a native of Siljord prestegjeld, Ovre Tele- marken, Norway, and the latter of Sovde prestegjeld, Nedre Telemarken, that country. About 1850 the family emigrated to Boone county, Illinois, where the father worked as a laborer for some time. Later he invested his savings in land in that county and improved and operated his farm until 1864, when he removed to Winnebago county, lowa. There he purchased land which he farmed until he retired from active life. His last years were spent at the home of his son, Soren H. Ilis death occurred in May, 1909, when he was nearly eighty-five years old. The mother died in the same month, when nearly eighty-three years of age.
Soren II. Larson was reared and educated in Winnebago county, as he was but six years old when brought here by his parents. In 1881, in early manhood, he went to North Dakota with one of his brothers and his brother-in-law and there they farmed, ran a threshing outfit, dealt in horses and also condueted a country store and postoffice for three years. In 1887, however, Mr. Larson returned to Towa and purchased the home place, which he operated until he was elected treasurer of Winnebago county in 1892, at which time he removed to Forest City, the county seat. Six years later, at the expiration of his term of service as county treasurer, he removed to Lake Mills and, in company with others, organized the First National Bank at that place and served as assistant eashier of that institu- tion until 1902, when he became cashier. In the same year the First National Bank absorbed the P. M. Joiee private bank. While connected with the First National Bank of Lake Mills he, with others, organized the First National Bank of Hannaford, North Dakota, in which he retained his interest for two years.
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In 1905 he severed his connection with the First National Bank at Lake Mills and purchased an interest in the Farmers State Bank of Lake Mills, whose business policy he has since directed as president. It was organized in 1898, has a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars surplus and undivided profits amounting to twenty- five thousand dollars, and about four hundred and thirty thousand dollars in deposits. The other officers are: Ole Ilovie, vice president; T. S. Tweed, cashier ; and G. T. Tweed and Frank Streeter, assistant cashiers. The excellent condition of the finances of the institution is due to the sagacity and enter- prise of the officers and to their fine spirit of co-operation, eaeh seeking to co-ordinate his work with that of the others so as to further the best interests of the bank. Mr. Larson brings to his important work as president a detailed knowledge of banking practice, a thorough understanding of the basic principles of finance and resourcefulness in dealing with unusual situations.
In February, 1894, Mr. Larson was married to Miss Anna D. Bolstad, and they have three children : Kenneth H., born January 7, 1895, and Earl B., born September 19, 1896, both of whom attended St. Olaf College for two years and are graduates of the Minneapolis Business College ; and Adeline S., born January 21, 1903, who is attending school.
In his political belief Mr. Larson is a stanch republican and he has served his community as a member of the town council and is now serving as treasurer of the school board. In those capacities he has made a highly creditable record, giving the same close attention to his official duties that he has always given to the management of his business affairs. Ilis integrity has always been beyond question and his personal friends are many.
R. W. CUFFEL.
R. W. Cuffel, who is living retired in Lake Mills after a number of years of well directed and successful labor as an agriculturist, was born in Kosciusko county, Indiana, August 1, 1852. His parents, Albert and Rebecca (Newton) Cutfel, were born respectively in Ohio and in New York and in 1856 removed from Indiana to Chickasaw county, lowa, where the father farmed for many years. At length he retired and from that time until his death resided with his daughter, Mrs. J. A. Rush, at Sunnyside, Washington. There both he and his wife died and were buried. To them were born eight children, of whom seven survive and of whom our subject is the fourth in order of birth.
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