USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 16
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 16
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R. W. Cuffel received a common school education but when sixteen years old put aside his textbooks and for five years thereafter devoted his entire time and attention to assisting his father on the home farm. By the time he attained his majority he was thoroughly familiar with all phases of farm work and for four years he was employed as a hired hand in the vicinity of Lake Mills. When twenty-five years old he went to Bremer county, Iowa, and purchased land, which he cultivated for a few years, later farming in Butler county for eight years. At the end of that time he bought land in Logan township, Winnebago county, but
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after operating that place for five years rented it and took up his residence in Lake Mills, where he is still living. Ile is in excellent financial circumstances and his success is doubly creditable in that it is due solely to his own hard work and good management.
Mr. Cuffel was married October 10, 1881, to Miss Mary McCaffree, a daughter of Charles and Cynthia ( Messenger) McCatfree, the former born in Kentucky and the latter in Indiana. They removed to Bremer county, Iowa, in territorial days and the father turned the first furrow within the limits of the county. Both passed away there and are buried near Waverly. They were well known among the early settlers and were held in the highest esteem. Mr. and Mrs. Cuffel have a a daughter, Gertrude Blanche, who married II. B. Hill, of Lake Mills, by whom she has a daughter, Elaine, born September 16, 1914.
Mr. Cuffel exercises his right of franchise in support of the candidates and measures of the republican party but has never been an aspirant for office. He and his wife are members of the Methodist church and do all in their power to further its work and extend its influence. His life has been characterized by quiet etliciency, by the strictest adherence to high moral standards and by strong and lasting friendships.
VICTOR L. BELLMAN.
Victor L. Bellman, a well known general merchant of Thompson, Iowa, has spent his entire life in this state, his birth occurring in Dows, Wright county, on the 11th of September, 1874. His parents, Sven and Sophia (Donaldson) Bellman. were natives of Sweden but in early life came to the United States and first located in Michigan, where they spent four years. At the end of that time they removed to Wright county, Iowa, where the father purchased land and engaged in farming for twelve years, and then turned his attention to mercantile pursuits, condneting a store at Dows for a number of years. Later he engaged in the real estate busi- ness at that place. After a useful and well spent life he passed away in May, 1913, having survived his wife only a few months, as she died in January of the same year. Both were earnest and consistent members of the Swedish Lutheran church.
Reared in his native county, Victor L. Bellman is indebted to the publie schools of Dows for the early educational privileges he enjoyed, and he remained with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-seven years. He then went to Garner, Iowa, where he conducted a store for two months, and on leaving there engaged in general merchandising at Germania for three years. For about fifteen years, however, he has owned and operated a store in Thompson and has built up an excellent trade in the town and surrounding country. Ile carries a large and well selected stock of goods and his liberal prices and fair dealing have gained for him a good patronage. Mr. Bellman is also a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Com- pany and the Farmers Creamery Company of Thompson and has an interest in Wiseonsin farm land.
On the 1st of January, 1901, Mr. Bellnan was united in marriage to Miss Leona Sanders, and they have become the parents of two children, Opal, now fourteen years of age ; and Merle, aged seven years. Mrs. Bellman holds member-
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ship in the Methodist church, and Mr. Bellman takes an active interest in the moral and material development of his community. Mr. Bellman is also atliliated with the Masonie order and the Knights of Pythias and is a stanch supporter of the republican party. For three years he efficiently served as a member of the town council and is a stalwart champion of all measures for the public good.
HANS P. JUHL.
Hans P. Juhl, the capable and well liked postmaster at Thompson, was born in Nysted, Denmark, March 25, 1881, a son of Christian and Margaret Juhl, who are still living in Nysted. The father is by occupation a farmer. Hans P. Juhl, who is the third in order of birth in a family of six children, attended the common schools in his native country until he was sixteen years old, after which he was variously employed until he was eighteen years of age, when with an unele he emigrated to the United States, locating at Britt, Iowa, where another uncle, Nels Lorensen, was farming. Ile remained there for a year and subsequently worked for farmers in the locality of Thompson for two years. For a short time he fol- lowed the butcher's trade and later elerked in a clothing store in Forest City. In 1911 he came to Thompson and bought a restaurant, which he conducted until 1914, when he established a moving picture theater, which he disposed of in 1916. On the 1st of April, 1917, he assumed the duties of postmaster and has already given evidence that he is well fitted for the place.
Mr. Juhl was married in 1911 to Miss IIelen Halvorson, a daughter of John and Anna Halvorson, natives respectively of Norway and Wisconsin. For a number of years the father conducted a general store in Thompson but is now deceased. The mother is still living here. Mr. and Mrs. Juhl have three children, John Harold, Robert Sidney and Paul Vincent.
Mr. Juhl is a stanch supporter of the democratic party and is well informed as to the questions and issues of the day. He is now serving as town assessor as well as postmaster, and all of his official duties are discharged promptly and efficiently. He owns a fine home in Thompson and is recognized as a successful and enterprising young man.
FOREST CITY NATIONAL BANK.
The Forest City National Bank, an important element of business development in Winnebago county, was organized in July, 1895, with C. J. Thompson as president, G. S. Gilbertson cashier and Judge C. H. Kelly as vice president. In addition there were on the board of directors O. A. Olson, S. C. Gardner and T. G. Tweed, while Charles A. Isaacs became assistant cashier. The bank was capitalized for fifty thousand dollars and erected a building at the northwest corner of Clark and K streets. On the 12th of January, 1901, Mr. Thompson sold his interest in the bank and G. S. Gilbertson succeeded to the presidency, while B. H. Thomas was elected cashier. The other directors were C. II. Kelly, O. A. Olson, G. B. Anderson,
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W. O. Hanson, I. R. Irish and C. A. Isaacs. In January, 1905, C. A. Isaacs became cashier and served in that capacity until September, 1912, when he with- drew from the bank, selling his interest. He was succeeded by R. W. Stephenson in the office of cashier. On the 7th of April, 1913, G. S. Gilbertson sold his bank stock and W. S. Wadsworth was elected president, while HI. R. Cleophas became vice president. A further change in the presidency occurred January 12, 1915, when Hon. G. N. Ilaugen, congressman, was called to that office. Judge C. II. Kelly is the vice president, while Mr. Cleophas is cashier. O. E. Gunderson is the assistant cashier of the bank, while in addition to the president and the cashier the directors are F. D. Peet, G. I. Koto, John A. Peters and G. B. Anderson. These are all men of substantial worth and business ability. The persistent purpose, sound judgment and unfaltering enterprise of Mr. Cleophas are constituting important sources of the growth of the bank and he displays marked ability in administrative direction and executive control. Mr. Gunderson as assistant cashier is making good in his position and the clerical force of the bank is competent and courteous. In a word, the personnel of the bank has had much to do with its success. The officers and directors of the bank are all men of high standing and have had much experience in banking business. Hon. G. N. Haugen is president of the First National Bank of Northwood and is interested in several other banks of Iowa, Minnesota and North Dakota, while Judge Kelly is vice president of the First National Bank of Thompson, lowa, and of other banks in the state. F. I). Peet is president of the State National Bank of Iowa Falls and he, too, is interested in other banking institutions.
The Forest City National Bank has accumulated a surplus and undivided profits since April, 1913, of twenty-eight thousand dollars. At that time its deposits were only three hundred and five thousand dollars, while in April, 1917, the deposits had reached five hundred and two thousand dollars. The bank thus shows a steady growth in its business, which is conducted along most safe and conservative lines, but its poliey does not hinder continuous progression.
JOSEPHI NEDVED.
Joseph Nedved is a resident farmer of Garfield township, Hancock county, living on seetion 32, where he owns and cultivates one hundred and sixty aeres of rich and productive land. He was born in Bohemia, March 7, 1864, and is a son of John and Mary (Borz) Nedved. The father died in Hancock county in 1904 and the mother is still living in this county. In their family were five sons, the brothers of Joseph being: John, Stenk, Frank and Charles, who are all mar- ried and reside in Garfield township, Hancock county.
Joseph Nedved acquired a common school education in Bohemia, where he remained until he reached the age of seventeen years. He then determined to try his fortune in the new world, believing that he might have better opportunities on this side the Atlantic. Accordingly on the 4th of June, 1881, he arrived in the United States and from the eastern coast made his way at once into the interior of the country. When he first came to lowa he earned sixty eents per day at husk- ing eorn, four men being engaged to husk with one wagon. Land at that day sold
MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH NEDVED
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at from four to eight dollars per acre. One could pick any land desired at the top price of eight dollars. Mr. Nedved, however, had to earn the money before he could make a purchase, but ultimately became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres on section 32, Garfield township, Hancock county, for which he paid ten dollars and a quarter per aere. In his farming operations he has prospered and today he owns another tract of one hundred and sixty acres sitnated in German township. His fields are carefully cultivated and his industry and enterprise are bringing to him a substantial measure of success.
On the 28th of July, 1890, Mr. Nedved was married to Miss Anna Hoydar, a daughter of Frank and Mary Vonesh Hoydar, the former of whom died Decem- ber 6, 1914, while the latter is still living in Hancock county. Mrs. Nedved was born in Winneshiek county, Iowa, July 26, 1873, and by her marriage has become the mother of five sons : Edward B., who is married and lives in Iowa Falls, where he is operator on the Rock Island Railroad; James J., who is agent for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad at Parkersburg, Iowa; Joseph V. and George P., who are operating the home farm; and Raleigh S., who is attending the Britt high school.
Mr. and Mrs. Nedved are members of the Catholic church and for nineteen years he has been connected with the Modern Woodmen, of which he is a trustee. In polities he is a republican and is now serving for the second term of two years as township trustee. Hle was also school director for six years. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he has found the opportunities which he sought and by a life of industry and persever- anee has made for himself a position among the substantial farmers of the locality.
OLAF A. MOGEN.
One of the best improved and most attractive farm properties of Winnebago county is that owned by Olaf A. Mogen, whose place comprises three hundred aeres on section 23, Center township. He has resided thereon for almost a third of a century and its neat and attractive appearance is the visible evidence of his life of well directed energy and thrift. Ile was born in Norway May 17, 1854, and is a son of Aslok and Sigrid (Sovtestad) Olson, who were likewise natives of the land of the midnight sun and there remained nntil called to the home beyond. The father served in the regular army in Norway for about forty years and became a sergeant.
The youthful days of Olaf A. Mogen were spent in Norway and his education was acquired in its publie schools. After attaining his majority, in 1880. he made the long voyage across the briny deep and settled first in Dane county, Wisconsin, where he spent one winter. Ile then again started westward with Worth county, Iowa, as his destination and there he secured employment at farm labor, devoting the summer months to the work of the fields, while in the winter seasons he taught school in Worth and Winnebago counties. In this way be finally earned the capital which enabled him to purchase land and he invested in three hundred aeres on section 23, Center township, Winnebago county. This he set about clearing and
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improving. Ile has cleared two hundred and seventy acres of his farm and today has one of the best improved places in the county, equipped with all the conveniences and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century. It bears proof of the thirty-two years of lahor which he has devoted thereto and each year he garners good crops as a reward for his effort. He is also a stockholder in the Lake Mills Cream- ery Company and in the Farmers Elevator Company of Lake Mills.
In February, 1884, Mr. Mogen was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Knutson and they have become the parents of three sons, Andrew O., Conrad C. and Gustav Theodore, all of whom are farming in Center township.
Mr. Mogen's life has ever been actuated by high and honorable principles. He holds membership in the United Lutheran church and his position upon the temper- ance question is indicated by the stalwart support which he gives to the prohibition party. Those who know him, and he has a wide acquaintance, esteem him as a man of sterling worth and the course which he has followed might well serve as an example to others, while his life history also proves conclusively that snecess and an honored name may be won simultaneously.
SIMON A. SMITH.
Simon A. Smith, a retired farmer living in Lake Mills, has passed the seventy- ninth milestone on life's journey but is still in good health and takes a keen interest in all happenings of the day. He was born in Middlesex, Vermont, July 27, 1837, the third child in a family of six children whose parents were Simon and Amelia (Moore) Smith. natives of Massachusetts. Ile was the only one to come to Iowa and all of the others have passed away save his sister Sarah, now the widow of George Butler and a resident of Montpelier, Vermont.
The boyhood of Simon A. Smith was passed upon the home farm in Vermont and his education was acquired in the common schools. When sixteen years old he began working for others, following the carpenter's and painter's trades, and was so occupied until 1865, when he came to Winnebago county. Iowa, and homesteaded land in Center township. He there raised grain and stock for many years and his well directed labors brought him a gratifying financial return. At length he rented the land and retired to Lake Mills and has since enjoyed a well earned rest.
On May 20, 1868, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Amelia Ruby, a daughter of Charles and Josephine (Wawada) Ruby, natives of Bohemia. On emigrating to America they located in Hartford, Connecticut, but after two years went to Chicago, where they remained a year. They then resided in Worth county, Iowa, for five years, after which they came to Winnebago county, then a pioneer district. Both have passed away and the father is buried upon the homestead, while the mother's remains are interred in the Sonth cemetery at Lake Mills. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, namely: Millie Josephine, the wife of Clarence Tracy, of Vinton, Iowa; Benjamin Franklin, of Lake Mills; Carlos Wolcott, who died at the age of twelve years and is buried in the North cemetery; Harriet Hermina, the wife of A. J. Bragg, of Clear Lake; Ella Mable, at home; and Frederick Carlos, a wireless operator in the employ of the United States navy.
Mr. Smith votes for the candidates and measures of the republican party and
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has always been a stanch supporter of its principles, which he believes to be best calculated to further the interests of the country. IIe belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and both within and without that organization has many warm friends, for his life has measured up to high standards and he has always held friendship inviolable. For more than five decades he has resided in Winne- bago county and has seen practically its entire transformation from a region of unbroken prairie to a highly developed agricultural district.
HENRY DUESENBERG.
Henry Duesenberg, now successfully engaged in general farming on section 28, Concord township, Hancock county, has been a resident of Iowa since 1884 but his early home was on the other side of the Atlantic, for he was born in Germany, September 16, 1863, his parents being Conrad and Conradine (Potthoff) Duesen- berg. The father died in Germany, and in 1885 the mother came to the United States, where she is still living at the age of seventy-eight years. She purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Floyd county, Iowa, for which she paid twenty-three dollars per acre, and in that county she still makes her home. She was again married, her second husband being Christian Hertz, of Charles City, Iowa.
Henry Duesenberg was reared and educated in his native land, where he remained until 1884, when he resolved to try his fortune in the new world. For three years after coming to this country he worked as a farm hand and then rented a farm in Floyd county, Iowa, which he operated for two years. At the end of that time he turned his attention to shoemaking and harnessmaking in Klemme, Hancock county, where he worked at these trades for five years. The following two years were again devoted to agricultural pursuits, but on the 7th of August, 1897, a hail storm destroyed his crops, leaving him only fifteen bushels of potatoes, worth twenty cents per bushel, for his year's work. On settling up his affairs he found that he was six hundred dollars in debt. Mr. Duesenberg then returned to Floyd county and lived with his mother for a time while working in a harness shop. In April, 1898, he began working for the Patton nursery at Charles City as traveling salesman, and remained with that house for three years. He was engaged in the nursery business at Rockford, Iowa, until his removal to Garner in 1905. He put in a nursery stock but on the 3d of July, 1908, the hail com- pletely ruined thirty thousand apple trees and all of his strawberries, covering an acre and a half. Since then he has engaged in general farming, having purchased in 1905 a tract of one hundred and fifty acres on section 28, Concord township, Hancock county, for which he paid sixty-five dollars per acre.
On the 21st of December, 1887, Mr. Duesenberg was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Byer, a native of Germany, of which country her parents were lifelong residents. To this union were born two children: Hulda, now the wife of Edward Katterhenry; and Wesley, a resident of Jersey City, New Jersey. Mr. Duesenberg was again married October 13, 1898, his second union being with Miss Eva Hicks, a daughter of John and Margaret (Reutzel) Hicks, natives of Germany, who came to this country and settled near Mendota, Illinois, in the fall of 1868.
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In that locality Mrs. Duesenberg was born October 18, 1869, and there her parents still reside,
Mr. and Mrs. Duesenberg are earnest and consistent members of the German Methodist Episcopal church and are people of the highest respectability. In poli- ties Mr. Duesenberg is a republican. Ile is a man of good business ability and is regarded as one of the representative citizens of the community in which he lives.
ERICK A. AND GILBERT A. HOUG.
Erick A. and Gilbert A. Houg, composing the firm of Houg Brothers, are successfully engaged in the automobile business at Thompson, Iowa, where they own a fine modern garage on Main street. They handle the Chevrolet cars and do a general repairing business, both members of the firm being expert mechanies and men of good business ability.
Natives of Green county, Wisconsin, Erick A. Iloug was born May 19, 1872, and his brother Gilbert A., was born on the 14th of January, 1878. Their parents were Isaac and Barbara (Olesdater) Houg, who came to this country from Norway in 1869 and took up their abode in Green county, Wisconsin, where the father worked as a farm hand until 1842. He then purchased forty acres of land, which he improved and cultivated until 1890, when he sold the place to his son, although he built another house on the land and continued to reside there a few years longer. In 1904, however, he went to Virginia and made his home in that state up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1913 when he was about eighty-two years of age, for he was born in Norway on the 26th of February, 1831. In that country he was married June 29, 1860, to Miss Barbara Olesdater Ilermundpladsen, who was born there March 3, 1835, and died November 25, 1881. By that union there were seven children, namely: Ole, born April 28, 1861; Dorothy, who was born June 27, 1864, and died February 18, 1871 ; Ole, born January 11, 1867; Andrew, born March 15, 1870 ; Erick A., born May 19, 1872; Martin, who was born Febru- ary 14, 1875, and died in the spring of 1910; and Gilbert A., born January 14, 1878.
Erick A. Houg was reared and educated in Wisconsin and at the early age of twelve years began work as a farm hand. In the spring of 1892 he went to Cal- lender, Webster county, lowa, where he worked until the following fall, and then began learning the blacksmith's trade at Dows, where he spent two years. At the end of that time he returned to Wisconsin but after working at his trade there for one summer again came to Dows, Iowa. Shortly afterward, however, he came to Thompson, Winnebago county, where he followed blacksmithing two years, after which we again find him in Dows, where he worked at his trade until the spring of 1900. Mr. Hlong then formed a partnership with Henry Erickson and engaged in general blacksmithing at Thompson under the firm name of Erickson & Houg for one year, at the end of which time our subject sold out and returned to Wiscon- sin. On the 1st of August, 1901, he went to Bricelyn, Minnesota, where he worked at blacksmithing for C. K. Sabo until January, 1902, at which time he returned to Thompson, lowa, and forming a partnership with his brother Gilbert A. leased and operated a blacksmith shop for one year. They then purchased the same and continued to carry on blacksmithing until the spring of 1913, when they rented the
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shop and turned their attention to the automobile business. They erected a good up-to-date garage on Main street, where they do general repairing as well as take care of cars, and they act as agents for the Chevrolet automobile.
Gilbert A. Houg also attended the public schools of his native state and in early life began earning his own livelihood as a farm hand. Like his brother he learned the blacksmith's trade under the direction of L. J. Rnde at Dows, lowa, and he continued to work at that occupation until he embarked in the automobile business as a member of the firm of Houg Brothers. They are both stockholders of the Farmers Elevator Company and the Farmers and Town Mutual Switchboard Company and are numbered among the leading business men of the community.
On the 5th of March, 1903, Erick A. Houg was united in marriage to Miss Rhoda S. Johnson, a daughter of Stephen and Martha Johnson, pioneers of Fari- bault county, Minnesota, now living in Bricelyn. Mr. Ilong and his wife have adopted two of her sister's children, namely : Mabel Overlee, born March 15, 1905; and Sanford Overlee, born February 20, 1911. Gilbert A. Houg was married November 26, 1903, to Miss Cynthia Olson, a daughter of Michael and Thona Olson, who were early settlers of Dows, Wright county, Iowa. Mrs. Iloug died September 25, 1910, after a short illness, leaving a little son, Merrill A., who was born April 27, 1907.
Both brothers are Lutherans in religious faith and cast their ballots with the republican party. They take a commendable interest in public affairs and Erick is now serving as a member of the town council. He is also treasurer of the switchboard company of which he and his brother are stockholders. They stand high in the esteem of their fellow citizens and well merit the success they have achieved in life, as it is due entirely to their own enterprise, good management and untiring industry.
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