USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 19
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 19
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WINNEBAGO AND HANCOCK COUNTIES
ton, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railway, now the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, from Forest City to Armstrong. When this line of railroad was extended west he platted and laid out, on land that he owned at the time, the town of Thompson, giving it its name, and the town of Buffalo Center, both in Winnebago county. lle organized the electric light company in Forest City and for several years was president of the company. These town plats with his large land holdings at that time have since been sold out by him, but he still owns eight hundred acres of land in two farms three miles west of Forest City, all under cultivation, and upon each farm he has a large and splendidly improved orchard. He likewise owns several other farm properties in Winnebago and Hancock counties, together with a half section of land in North Dakota and eighty-five acres of valuable land in Florida. Hle is also a member of the firm of Thompson Brothers, which deals in Iowa farm loans and has loaned over fifteen million dollars and has never had a foreclosure or default of interest.
On the 22d of November, 1875, at Forest City, Iowa, Mr. Thompson was united in marriage with Miss Julia A. Clark, eldest daughter of Judge Robert Clark, mentioned elsewhere in this work, and they became the parents of seven children, but only two are now living: Merle M .; and Paul Foster, who is a high school student. Those deceased are: John Clark, Clyde Clifton, Lulu Ann, Imogene and Ora.
In politics Mr. Thompson is a stalwart standpat republican and has made many campaign speeches in his county and district. His influence largely brought to the front IIon. J. P. Dolliver, who became United States senator from Iowa. He has served in several local offices and undoubtedly much higher polit- ical honors would have come to him had his ambition centered along that line. For two terms he has been mayor of Forest City and for several terms he was the president of the board of education, doing effective work for the interests of the schools and for the welfare and civic betterment of Forest City in general while he was acting as mayor. IIe has also served as president of the Board of Trade. He was appointed by Governor Larrabee and reappointed by Governor Boies a delegate to the Farmers National Congress. Mr. Thompson is a charter member of Hayden Post, No. 141, G. A. R., and its commander since its inception and served as inspector general on the staff of his brother, Colonel J. K. P. Thompson, now deceased, a department commander of Iowa.
He was made a member of the preliminary committee to locate the Vicksburg military park and has acted as special aid on the staff of both state and national commanders of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a prominent Mason, belonging in Forest City to Truth Lodge, No. 213, A. F. & A. M., of which lodge he has been master. He has taken higher degrees in Masonry, is a Knight Templar (York Rite) and has attained the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite, belonging to the Des Moines Consistory. IIe belongs to El Kahir Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Cedar Rapids. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church. IIe belongs to the Iowa State Bar Association, the State Bankers Asso- ciation and the National Geographic Society and is a member of the Iowa Divi- sion of the Sons of the American Revolution. IIe holds a commission from Gov- ernor C. C. Carpenter as second lieutenant of Company E, Military Battalion, S. U. I., the only military organization the university had at that time (1874- 1875). He with a few other prominent business men of Forest City contributed
ii-10
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liberally of their money and energy in establishing Waldorf College in his town, which college now has an attendance of from four hundred to four hundred and fifty students. For two years after the establishment of this institution Mr. Thompson was one of the faculty as professor and lecturer on common law and civil government. He has a beautiful home and a fine library, is widely read and has gained that broad knowledge and culture which only travel brings. In manner he is quiet and without ostentation, yet there is not about him the least shadow of mock modesty. In a word, he is a most capable business man, a pleasant, genial gentleman, a man of upright character and high ideals. He is a strong man, strong in his ability to plan and perform, strong in his honor and his good name.
MERLE M. THOMPSON.
Merle M. Thompson, cashier of the Winnebago County State Bank, has been a lifelong resident of Forest City, where his birth occurred April 1, 1883. In his life work he has followed in the footsteps of his father and his own ereditable record has added new luster to a name that has ever been an untarnished one in business circles in Forest City. lle acquired a publie school education and afterward attended Cornell College at Mount Vernon, Iowa, thus qualifying for life's practical and responsible duties. In 1904 he became assistant cashier of the Winnebago County State Bank and in 1911 was chosen cashier, which posi- tion he has since filled, giving his undivided time and attention to promoting the interests of the bank and extending its business connections.
On the 11th of August, 1909, Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Dora Colby, a daughter of K. Colby, of Forest City, and they have three children, Lucile, Clark and Margaret. Mr. Thompson votes with the republican party, which he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. Fraternally he is identified with Truth Lodge, No. 213, A. F. & A. M., and is a worthy exemplar of the craft. He has a wide acquaintance in this city, in which his entire life has been passed, and his circle of friends is almost coextensive there- with.
OLE S. JOHNSON.
Ole S. Johnson, one of the prosperous farmers and representative citizens of Winnebago county, residing on section 21, Logan township, is a native of Norway, born in Nass Hallingdal, on the 22d of November, 1873, and is a son of Sven and Carrie (Olson) Johnson. In that country the father worked at the shoemaker's trade but determined to try his fortune in America and in 1871 crossed the ocean. He purchased a farm near Kensett in Worth county, Iowa, and there engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout the remainder of his life, passing away in 1911. His wife is still living and continues to reside on the home farm in that county.
In the family of this worthy couple are nine children, all living, namely :
AL RARY
SVEN JOHNSON AND FAMILY
-
OLE S. JOHNSON AND FAMILY
L
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Carrie, the wife of Halvor Grossland, superintendent of the county farm in Worth county ; Ole S., whose name introduces this sketch ; John S., a resident of Richland county, North Dakota; Sam S., also of Richland county ; Martin S., of Saskatche- wan, Canada; Astre, the wife of Herman C. Stendel, who is engaged in the creamery business in Vinje, Winnebago county, Iowa; Amund S., of Richland county, North Dakota; Otto S., of Saskatchewan, Canada; and Carl S., also of that province.
Ole S. Johnson was reared and educated in Worth county, Iowa, and after leaving school gave his father the benefit of his labor until his marriage. Ile then came to Winnebago county and purchased the northeast quarter of section 21, Logan township, which he at once began to clear and improve. Later he bought the north half of the northwest quarter and the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter and the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 22, so that he now has a fine farm of three hundred acres in a high state of cultivation and improved with good and substantial buildings. Mr. Johnson was administrator of his father's estate and is manager of the farm.
At the age of twenty-two years Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Mary Holstad, a daughter of Martin and Mary Holstad, of Bristol, Worth county, now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have seven children, namely: Mabel C., Melvin Selmer, Olinda Minnie, Otto, Benjamin Rudolph, Alfred Leroy and Bernice Evelana, all at home. The family are affiliated with the United Lutheran church and politically Mr. Johnson is identified with the republican party. Ile is now serving as school treasurer and township trustee. He is president of the Vinje Creamery Company and is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company of Scarville. He is a man of good business and executive ability and usually carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. All that he now possesses has come to him as the result of his own industry, enterprise and good management.
JOHN J. KLOPPEN.
John J. Kloppen, who has met with gratifying success as an agriculturist and owns an excellent farm on section 2, Linden township, Winnebago county, was born in Norway, November 27, 1863, of the marriage of John J. and Carrie (Gertsdatter) Kloppen, lifelong residents of that country. He received his edu- cation there, but in 1884, as a young man of about twenty-one years, crossed the Atlantic to the United States. Although he had only seventy-two dollars in money he possessed valuable assets in his energy and his willingness to work and he felt confident that in this new country he could gain prosperity. He at once made his way to Winnebago county and after working as a farm hand for five years, during which time he carefully saved his money, he was able to purchase two forty-acre tracts of land, one on section 2 and the other across the road on section 3. He has since added to his holdings from time to time until he now owns two hundred acres in a body. He has made excellent improvements npon the farm, which is in all respects one of the highly developed places of the township. He raises both grain and stock and his well directed labors return him a good
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income. Ile is financially interested in the Farmers Cooperative Creamery and in the Farmers Elevator Company of Thompson.
Mr. Kloppen was married in 1892 to Miss Sissel Anderson, who was born in Winneshiek county, lowa, of Norwegian stock. The parents, who came to this country shortly after their marriage, lived in Winneshiek county for a time, but about 1882 came to Winnebago county. Her father, Arne A. Gryte, survives and is living five miles west of Lake Mills. To Mr. and Mrs. Kloppen have been born six children, namely: Galena M., Jensina A., Alfred J., Ingeborg M., Melvin C. and Gordon I., all at home.
Mr. Kloppen is a stanch republican and loyally supports the candidates and measures of that party at the polls. He has served acceptably for some years as a member of the school board and can always be depended upon to support measures calculated to promote the general good. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the United Lutheran church.
PATRICK GAVIN.
Among those actively engaged in the real estate business in Forest City is numbered Patrick Gavin, who throughout his entire business life has manifested industry, determination and perseverance, wisely and carefully utilizing each opportunity that has come to him until he is now numbered among the substan- tial citizens of Winnebago county. Having retired from active farm life, he is now engaged in the purchase and sale of property and has negotiated many important realty transfers.
As the name indicates, Mr. Gavin is of Irish birth. He was born in County Mayo, Ireland, December 24, 1855, a son of Thomas and Mary ( Mullen) Gavin. The father came to America in the '40s, soon after the death of his first wife, but a few years later returned to Ireland and there wedded Mary Mullen. In the spring of 1857 he again came to the United States, establishing his home in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in the livery and feed business, con- tinning a resident of that city until his demise.
Patrick Gavin was but one year of age when brought by his parents to the new world, and the schools of Scranton, Pennsylvania, afforded him his educa- tional opportunities, yet his chance of attending school was limited owing to the fact that it was necessary for him to begin to earn his livelihood when but a young lad. In 1877 he left home and went to Palestine, Texas, where he worked in a sawmill for a short time. Later he located at Fort Scott, Kansas, where he was employed in the coal mines, and later he went to St. Louis, where he took a grading contract on the building of the West End Narrow Gauge Railway. He was afterward in the coal mines in Monroe county, Iowa, during the winter of 1879-80 and then went to Wisconsin, where he worked on the construction of the Wisconsin Central Railroad. He was subsequently at Albert Lea, Minnesota, and thence came to Winnebago county, where he secured a contract on the grading of the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad. When that work was completed he removed to Des Moines and was made foreman in charge of the construction of some of the first sewers of that city. He continued a resident of Des Moines
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until 1885, when he again came to Winnebago county and here purchased a farm of one hundred and ninety acres a quarter of a mile north of the corporate limits of Forest City. For thirty years he was continuously engaged in general agri- cultural pursuits and converted his land into a richly productive farm, adding to it many modern improvements and equipping it with all of the accessories of a model farm property of the twentieth century. In 1915, however, he retired from farm life and removed to Forest City, where he has since been engaged in dealing in real estate. The only time he has been away from Winnebago county since 1885 was when in 1898 he went to Alaska, attracted by gold discoveries in that country. There he remained for sixteen months but did not meet with the success that he anticipated and, much disgusted with conditions there, he returned.
Mr. Gavin was united in marriage while living in Des Moines to Miss Jennie Thurston, a native of Wisconsin and of Norwegian descent. The five surviving members of their family of seven children are as follows: Mary B., who is employed as bookkeeper in a butter and egg house of Minneapolis; Thomas F., an agriculturist of Winnebago county, Iowa; Rose, who is the wife of James McCroden, of Danube, Renville county, Minnesota; William G., who operates the home farm; and Lillian A., a trained nurse in the State IFospital at Lincoln, Nebraska.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church. In politics Mr. Gavin is a republican and has filled various local offices, serving as township trustee, as road supervisor for a number of years and as school director. He is ever interested in matters of public moment and cooperates in many plans for the upbuilding and further development of his county. Ilis own career illustrates what may be accomplished when energy and determination point out the way. He has achieved success through close application and has steadily worked his way upward until now he has considerable means at his command, all won through persistent and indefatigable energy.
ARNE SOGARD.
One of the representative farmers of Winnebago county, Iowa, is Arne Sogard, now residing on section 30, Mount Valley township, where he is successfully engaged in the cultivation of a tract of forty acres. He was born in Norway, August 22, 1856, and was a lad of eleven years when he came to the United States with his parents, Thron A. and Mary (IIoye) Sogard, who were also natives of the land of the midnight sun. On crossing the Atlantic in 1867 the family located in Racine county, Wisconsin, and after residing there for three years came to Winnebago county, Iowa, taking up their abode in Forest City. In 1873 the father purchased eighty acres of land on section 31, Mount Valley township, where he continued to carry on farming up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1881. The mother survived him for thirty-four years, passing away in 1915.
Arne Sogard began his education in the common schools of Norway and after the emigration of the family to America attended the public schools here, com-
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pleting his studies in the high school of Forest City. He assisted in the operation of the home farm until his marriage and then took charge of the place, which he continued to farm for ten years thereafter. In the meantime he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, also on section 31, Mount Valley township, on which he located in 1889, but in 1892 he sold that farm and bought the forty-acre tract on which he has since resided.
In March, 1879, Mr. Sogard was united in marriage to Miss Annie Osmund, of Winnebago county, who was born in Michigan of Norwegian parentage. Nine children were born of this union, of whom five are still living, namely: Sarah Amanda, the wife of Joseph P. Jensen, of St. Paul, Minnesota; Matilda Theo- dora, the wife of Lewis A. Clark, of Jenkins, Minnesota; Minnie Lenora, who is now keeping house for her father; and Leonard Thomas and Elmer Marion, also at home. The wife and mother passed away on the 24th of April, 1907.
The family hold membership in the United Lutheran church and are people of prominence in the community where they reside. In politics Mr. Sogard is a stanch republican and for several years past he has filled various township offices, including those of township trustee and assessor. For the long period of eighteen years he has served on the school board and he has always taken a very active and prominent part in public affairs in Mount Valley township. He is a stockholder of the Winnebago County Fair Association and has done much to promote the interests of his community along various lines.
JOIIN HALVORSON.
John Halvorson, who from 1903 until his death in 1914 conducted a dry goods store in Thompson, was born in Norway, August 22, 1849, but was brought to the United States by his parents when only three years old. The family located in Portage county, Wisconsin, and there the father died soon afterward. The mother continued to make her home upon the farm which he had purchased in that county and there she, too, passed away.
John Halvorson attended the district schools until he was sixteen years old and for two years thereafter worked upon the home place. He then secured employment in a mill in that locality and remained in that connection until he was thirty years of age. lle then married and not long afterward came to Winne- bago county, Iowa, and purchased one hundred and sixty aeres in King township. After farming that place for two years he sold it and bought a mill at Nora Springs, Iowa, which he operated for one year. Later he conducted a meat mar- ket at Forest ('ity for eighteen years, but in 1903 came to Thompson and estab- lished a dry goods store. From that time until his death in 1914 he ranked among the leading merchants of his part of the county and his patronage grew steadily owing to the excellent stock carried and the reasonable prices asked. The business is now owned by his son, J. Walter Halvorson, who is following the liberal policy instituted by his father.
Mr. Halvorson was married in Wisconsin in 1879 to Miss Anna Sophia Omit, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Omit, who were of Norwegian descent and were well known residents of Portage county, Wisconsin, where both died during
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the childhood of their daughter Anna. To Mr. and Mrs. Halvorson were born five children: Edward, who is a filer by trade and resides with his mother; Fred, who died when twenty-seven years old and is buried in the Rosehill ceme- tery ; Helen, now Mrs. H. P. Juhl, of Thompson ; Emma, at home ; and J. Walter, who is married and is conducting the store established by his father.
Mr. Halvorson was a republican in politics and loyally supported the measures of that party but never sought office. He was a public-spirited citizen, however, being willing to give of his time and energy in the furtherance of the welfare of his community and at all times conformed his conduct to high ethical standards. He was respected both for his ability and his unquestioned probity, and his death, which occurred on the 12th of May, 1914, was recognized as a loss to his town.
HANS SWENSON.
Hans Swenson is proprietor of the Maple Grove Farm situated on section 4, Forest township, and so named from a beautiful grove of maple trees which he planted. For about forty-five years he has lived in Winnebago county upon the farm which he now owns and occupies and for a still longer period has been a resident of Iowa. Ile was born, however, in Norway on the 22d of February, 1845, and is a son of Swen and Augusta (Bent) Swenson. The father died in his native land, after which the mother came to the new world and spent her last days in the home of her son Hans, there passing away in 1892. In the family were seven children, of whom three are yet living.
Through the period of his boyhood and youth Hans Swenson remained a resi- dent of Norway and there acquired a common school education. Ambitious to enjoy better opportunities than he could secure in his native country, he came to America in 1867 and made his way to lowa, settling first in Winneshiek county. There he was employed as a farm hand for about six years, after which he came to Winnebago county and invested his savings in a tract of land on section 4, Forest township. He has since improved the property, which he has converted into a valuable farm with well kept fields and fine buildings. In fact, the Maple Grove Farm is one of the finest in Forest township, lacking none of the equip- ment or accessories of the model farm property of the twentieth century. Not only has he carefully tilled the soil but has also successfully engaged in raising and feeding stock, this branch of his business constituting an important source of his income.
In 1869 Mr. Swenson was married to Miss Dora Olson, a native of Norway, and they became the parents of six children: Anna, the wife of R. J. Hill; Otto, who is engaged in the hardware business at Thompson, Iowa; Simon and Henry, who are now residents of Mckenzie county, North Dakota; Alfred, who is cultivating the old homestead farm; and Tom E. The wife and mother passed away on the 16th of June, 1913, and was laid to rest in the United Lutheran cemetery near the West Prairie church, in which she held membership. She left not only a husband and six children to mourn her loss but also many warm friends who deeply regretted her passing. Mr. Swenson is also a member of the
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Lutheran church and his religious faith has been a guiding force in his life. In politics he is an earnest republican, having supported the party since becoming a naturalized American citizen. He has served as township trustee and as school director but has never been ambitions to hold office. Ile may truly be called a self-made man, for all that he possesses and enjoys has been acquired through his own efforts since he came to the new world. His has been a well spent life and he well merits the prosperity which he now enjoys.
CHARLES J. SCHNEIDER.
Charles J. Schneider, well known for many years in connection with business interests of Garner, has been a lifelong resident of Iowa, his birth having occurred in Monona, January 1, 1865, his parents being Adam and Mary Schneider. HIe dates his residence in Garner from 1886, and for thirty-one years has been iden- tified with its commercial pursuits, conducting a general store.
On the 15th of October, 1892, Mr. Schneider was united in marriage to Miss Lucy M. Bliss, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Bliss, and they have two sous, Carl and Harold. The religious faith of the family is that of the Congregational church. Mr. Schneider holds high rank as a citizen and business man. During the long period of his connection with Hancock county he has become widely known, and the course that he has pursued has gained for him the favorable regard of all. His friends, and they are many, speak of him as one possessed of sterling qualities and who at all times has been a factor in the substantial develop- ment and progress of this part of the state, contributing much to the upbuilding of Garner, especially along the line of its commercial progress.
MARTIN M. HAGE, M. D.
Dr. Martin M. Hage, who is successfully engaged in the practice of medicine at Thompson, is a native of Winnebago county, having been born in Logan township on the 7th of July, 1885. His parents, Knut M. and Martha ( Bjorgo) Hage, were natives of Norway, but shortly after the close of the Civil war emigrated to the United States. After living for a short time in Winneshiek county they came to Winnebago county, and the father purchased land in Logan township. He remained upon that place and devoted his time to its operation until 1912, when he retired and took up his residence in Scarville. The mother also survives.
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