USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 20
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 20
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Martin M. Ilage was reared in his native township and acquired his early education in the district schools there. For four years he was a student in the Waldorf College at Forest City and then entered Hahnemann Medical College at Chicago, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in May, 1912. Ile at once opened an office in Thompson, where he has since followed his pro- fession, and the large and representative practice which he has built up is evi- dence of the confidence placed in his ability and conscientious devotion to his
DR. MARTIN M. HAGE
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profession. Ile owns a fine residence in the western part of town and is gen- erally recognized as one of the leading citizens of Thompson.
Dr. Ilage was married on the 6th of March, 1912, to Miss Leavie Silvers, a daughter of William A. and Amanda (Gatewood) Silvers, natives of Indiana and early settlers of Indianapolis. They are now making their home with Dr. and Mrs. Hage. To this union have been born three children, of whom two died in infancy, the one surviving being Maxine, who was born on the 27th of February, 1917.
Dr. Hage exercises his right of franchise in support of the republican party and is the present health officer of Thompson. Ile takes the keenest interest in his work in that connection and is doing all in his power to make the public health conditions of the town as good as possible. He is a member of the Lutheran church and his professional connections are with the Winnebago and Hancock County Medical Society and the Iowa State Medical Society. Ilis standing among his colleagues is enviable, and the gratifying measure of success which he has already gained in his profession is high tribute to his ability and progressive spirit.
F. W. ZEIGER.
F. W. Zeiger is one of the self-made men of Garner who have builded their success upon business enterprise, progressiveness and laudable ambition. He is now proprietor of a well appointed drug store in Garner and is conducting a steadily growing business. He was born at Eldora, Iowa, January 31, 1879, a son of N. W. and Kathryn (Ellsworth) Zeiger, the former a native of Indiana, while the latter was born in Pennsylvania. The father was a son of George Zeiger, who brought his family to Iowa in 1846, and the mother was also brought to this state in early childhood. It was here that the marriage of N. W. Zeiger and Kathryn Ellsworth was celebrated. The father was a wagon inaker by trade and followed that pursuit for many years but is now living retired in Garner, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves.
F. W. Zeiger attended the public schools and afterward became a student in Highland Park College, in which he completed a course in pharmacy by grad- nation with the class of 1901. He had clerked in a drug store in Buffalo Center from 1899 until 1901 and later he bought out the drug store of Bass & MeMann at Garner, becoming proprietor of this establishment on the 25th of January, 1902, since which time he has conducted the store. lle remodeled it in 1916 and it is a well appointed establishment, neat and attractive in appearance and tasteful in arrangement. He carries a large line of drugs and druggists' sun- dries and his reasonable prices, his straightforward methods and his enterprise have constituted the foundation upon which he has builded his steadily growing success.
In 1904 Mr. Zeiger was married to Miss Joy Lamson, a daugter of George Lamson, of Garner, and they have two children, Katherine and Marion. In politics Mr. Zeiger is a republican and for a year and a half he filled the office of deputy sheriff, while later he served as sheriff of Hancock county for six months
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during the year 1912, for the sheriff, John Surrballd, had resigned and removed elsewhere. Mr. Zeiger is well known in Masonic circles, holding membership in both lodge and chapter, while in his life he conforms to the beneficent teachings upon which the craft is based.
THOMAS TOBIASON.
Thomas Tobiason, who is successfully carrying on general agricultural pur- suits on section 22, Forest township, Winnebago county, was born in Cook county, Illinois, February 8, 1854, and is one of the eight children whose parents were Tobias and Nettie Tobiason, who were natives of Norway. Leaving the land of the midnight sun, they came to the new world and took up their abode in Chicago, Illinois, in 1850. There they spent their remaining days and reared their family of eight children, but only two are now living, the sister of 'Thomas Tobiason being Matilda Tobiason, who yet makes her home in Chicago.
Thomas Tobiason was reared and educated in his native county and had reached the age of thirty-three years when in 1887 he came to Iowa, establishing his home in Winnebago county, where he purchased the farm upon which he now resides, situated on section 22, Forest township. He afterward made investment in another farm of one hundred acres on section 15 of the same township and he has since improved his land by careful cultivation and by the erection of good buildings. Ilis home place is known as the Forest View Farm and his one hundred acre tract is known as the Clover Valley Farm. He makes a specialty of raising stock of all kinds and his live stock interests constitute a very impor- tant branch of his business. Hle is likewise a stockholder in the Farmers Ele- vator and in the Forest City Cooperative Creamery Company.
On September 12, 1885, Mr. Tobiason was united in marriage to Miss Olena E. Tineson, a native of Norway, and they have become parents of nine children : Lillie, the wife of Oscar Ranburg, of Winnebago county; Theodore C., living in Winnebago county; Tobias W., also a farmer of Winnebago county ; Arthur M., Norman S. and Martin L., all at home; and Norman T., Tobias M. and Walter, all now deceased.
Mr. Tobiason votes with the republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He has served on the school board and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. Both he and his wife are members of the United Lutheran church, and in Winnebago county they have a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintance.
OLE B. JENSON.
Since 1903 Ole B. Jenson has lived retired in Lake Mills, but for many years he was one of the leading farmers of Center township, Winnebago county. Itis birth occurred in La Salle county, Illinois, May 15, 1854, and he is a son of Jens and Mary (Olson) Jenson, who were born respectively in Stavanger and
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in Sogn, Norway, but were married in Illinois. On emigrating to the United States in 1846, the father settled near Green Bay, Wisconsin, and there his first wife died, leaving two children. He chose as his second wife Mary Olson, who had come to the United States in 1845, and they had ten children, of whom seven survive. By occupation he was a farmer and on leaving Illinois located in Mitchell county, Iowa, where he bought land, which he operated until 1871. In that year he homesteaded forty acres of land in Center township, Winnebago county, and later added to his holdings by purchase. During the last years of his life he made his home with his children, his death occurring February 25, 1906, when he was ninety-one years old. The mother died at the age of sixty-six years. They are buried in the North cemetery at Lake Mills.
Ole B. Jenson received a common school education and early in life began helping with the farm work, thus becoming thoroughly familiar with practical methods of agriculture. After leaving school he worked for farmers until he was twenty-one years old and then purchased eighty acres of land in Center township, Winnebago county. From time to time he bought other land and now owns three hundred and forty-eight acres in the county, all fertile land in a high state of cultivation. He engaged in farming until 1903, when he purchased a fine home in Lake Mills and took up his residence here, renting his land. He is a man of excellent business ability and managed his affairs so well that he acen- mulated more than a competence. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers Elevator at Lake Mills and is interested in the Lake Mills Lumber Company and the Winnebago County Mutual Insurance Company.
On January 13, 1893, Mr. Jenson was married to Miss Malina Solomonson, a daughter of Ole and Carrie Solomonson, natives of Norway, who emigrated to the United States many years ago and located in Newton township, Winnebago county, Iowa, where the father farmed. He died April 5, 1909, and is bnried in the North Prairie cemetery, but the mother is still living and makes her home with her son Oscar in Newton township. To Mr. and Mrs. Jenson have been born seven children, the three living being: Olga C., Martha M. and Olive Jose- phine, all at home.
Mr. Jenson believes firmly in the principles of the republican party and loyally supports its candidates at the polls. For two years he served as township trustee but has not taken a very active part in politics. The family attend the United Lutheran church. Mr. Jenson's strict adherence to high moral standards has won him the unqualified respect of all who have come into contact with him and his personal qualities are such that he has gained the warm friendship of many.
F. CLYDE LESLIE, D. D. S.
Dr. F. Clyde Leslie, of Lake Mills, has gained more than ordinary success in his chosen profession and his unexpected demise at the early age of forty-one years was very untimely. IIe was born in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, on the 11th of April, 1871, and was a son of James C. and Mandilla (Smith) Leslie, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of Pennsylvania. The father
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located in the Keystone state on his emigration to the United States and engaged in the general merchandise business at Millers Station, Pennsylvania, but is now living retired at the age of seventy years at Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania. The mother died in 1882.
F. Clyde Leslie grew to manhood in his native state and after graduating from the Cambridge (l'a.) high school completed a course in the State Normal School at Edinboro. He then removed to Iowa City and in 1896 was graduated in dentistry from the State University of Iowa. lle at once located for practice at Lake Mills and remained here until his death. He kept in touch with the rapid advancement made in the science of dentistry, had a fully equipped office and dentist. Ile had a large and lucrative practice and was in excellent financial possessed to a high degree that manual skill so necessary to the successful circumstances.
On the 19th of October, 1898, Dr. Leslie was married to Miss Adeline M. Sheely, of Sioux City, a daughter of John L. and Mary E. (Bryan) Sheely, who were born respectively in New York and in Wisconsin. Her father is a loco- motive engineer and is now on a fast passenger train running between Sioux City and Minneapolis. The mother is also still living. Mrs. Leslie graduated from Morningside College at Sioux City, Iowa, with the class of 1896 and came to Lake Mills as a teacher in that year and was so engaged for two years, or until her marriage. She has three children, all of whom are attending school: Jeane, who was born September 3, 1899: Marjorie Kathleen, born June 23, 1905; and Donald Clyde, born October 8, 1908.
Dr. Leslie gave his stanch support to the republican party and although not a seeker for political office served as a member of the school board, as he took a lively interest in everything affecting the welfare of the schools. He belonged to the Masonic order, the Ycomen and the Modern Woodmen of America and exemplified in his life the spirit of fraternity upon which those organizations are based. Ile recognized the important place that religion plays in life, held mem- bership in the Methodist church, of which denomination the family are all mem- bers, was superintendent of the Sunday school and a member of the board of stewards. He made his life a force for good and it was generally felt that when he passed away death had called one whom the community could ill afford to lose. His demise occurred on the 22d of April, 1912, when he was but forty-one years and eleven days old.
H. R. KLUVER.
II. R. Kluver is actively engaged in general farming on section 16, Crystal township, and is one of the extensive landowners of Hancock county. He has ever been a wide-awake and enterprising business man whose affairs have been carefully conducted and whose investments have been judiciously made, bringing to him a gratifying measure of success. He was born in Butler county, Iowa, on the 12th of February, 1866, and is a son of Charles F. and Dora (Bowman) Kluver, both of whom were natives of Germany. They came to America in 1859 and first settled in Chicago, where they resided for three years. On the expiration
H. R. KLUVER AND FAMILY
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of that period they came to Iowa, establishing their home upon a farm in Butler county, where the father passed away, while subsequently the death of the mother occurred in Cerro Gordo county, Iowa. They had a family of eleven children, seven of whom are yet living.
II. R. Khiver spent his boyhood days in Butler county and in fact was iden- tified therewith until he reached the age of twenty-five, when he removed to Hancock county, where he has made his home continuously since 1891, or for a period of more than a quarter of a century. Ile purchased a farm in this county and in 1902 became the owner of the farm upon which he now resides, on section 16, Crystal township. He has ever recognized the fact that real estate is the safest of all investments and as his financial resources have increased he has added to his holdings from time to time until he is now the owner of twelve hundred and ninety acres in Iowa, from which he derives a most gratifying annual income. In South Dakota he owns four hundred and eighty acres, three hundred and twenty acres in Texas and eighty acres in Minnesota and his entire holdings are improved with the exception of the Texas land. Ilis extensive farm property is the visible evidence of his life of well directed energy and thrift. In addition to carefully tilling the soil he is engaged extensively in raising and feeding stock, making a specialty of shorthorn Hereford cattle, red Duroc hogs and Shropshire sheep. He is likewise one of the stockholders and the president of the Farmers National Bank of Crystal Lake, which he aided in organizing.
In 1896 Mr. Kluver was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Stewart, a native of this state, and to them have been, born four children: Myrtle, now deceased ; Hazel, in college; and Glenn and Orville, at home. The parents are active and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Kluver is one of the trustees. Ilis political endorsement is given to the republican party, and while he has never sought nor desired office he has served on the school board and is interested in all those forces which work for the uplift and progress of the community. Ile is a man of sterling worth and of notable business ability and sagaeity. ITe is seldom, if ever, at fault in matters of judgment and his enterprise, laudable ambition and determination have made him one of the pros- perous citizens of Hancock county.
JAMES A. TRUMBELL.
James A. Trumbell, a general farmer of Avery township, Hancock county, living on section 29, was born in Pennsylvania on the 28th of January 1867, a son of Cornelius and Adeline (Smith) Trumbell, natives of Pennsylvania, who beeame early residents of Belmond, Iowa. Both are still living, the father having reached the age of seventy-four years, while the mother is now eighty-one years of age.
James A. Trumbell acquired his early education in the distriet schools of Pennsylvania, which he attended until he reached the age of seventeen years, and then accompanied his parents on their removal westward to this state. He assisted his father in the development and further improvement of the home farm for five years and when twenty-two years of age started out on his own
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account. He has since been dependent entirely upon his own resources, so that whatever success he has achieved is the direct result and reward of his labor. For four years he cultivated a rented farm and then purchased two hundred and forty aeres of land in Palo Alto county, lowa. Some time afterward he sold that prop- erty and came to Hancock county, where he rented land for two years. Ile next purchased two hundred and thirty aeres on section 29, Avery township, constitut- ing his present farm, which is today one of the excellent farm properties of the district. llis first trading point was at Belmond, which at that time was a little village containing four or five stores. There was also one store at Amster- dam conducted by G. N. Elder, the eldest brother of Mrs. Trumbell. There was much wheat and flax produced in those days, but all around were evidences of the fact that the work of development and improvement was still in its initial stage. The original courthouse of Hancock county now stands on the Hetland farm and at the time of the arrival of the Trumbell family M. P. Rosecrans was county judge, with Reuben Church as county treasurer, George Louppe as county clerk, C. M. Church as county sheriff and John Porter as district judge. Mr. Trum- bell has devoted his entire life to general farming and his place of two hundred and thirty acres is now a valuable traet, which has been most carefully and sys- tematically developed and improved until it forms one of the most pleasing features of the landscape. Its fields annually yield rich harvests and good grades of stock are seen upon the farm, while the latest improved machinery facilitates the work of the fields.
On the 11th of August, 1891, Mr. Trumbell was married to Miss Carrie K. Elder, a daughter of George and Margaret (MeNutt) Elder, who were natives of Pennsylvania but came to Hancock county in 1865. Both have long since passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Trumbell are now the parents of three children, James S., Ilarry E. and Florence Mabel. The elder son was married March 8, 1916, to Miss Franees Christie, a daughter of Archie and Della Christie, natives of Wisconsin.
Mrs. Trumbell belongs to the United Brethren church and he has membership relations with the Modern Woodmen of America, while his political endorsement is given to the democratic party. While interested in its success because of his firm belief in its principles, he has never sought nor desired political office, always preferring to concentrate his energies and attention upon his business affairs, which have been wisely directed and have made him one of the substan- tial farmers of Avery township.
OTTO IL. SWENSON.
Otto H. Swenson, successfully engaged in the hardware business in Thompson, is one of Winnebago county's native sons, his birth occurring in Forest township, July 10, 1874. His parents, Hans and Theodora (Olson) Swenson, were born, reared and married in Decorah, Winneshiek county, Iowa, where the father engaged in farming for five years. In 1872 he brought his family to Winnebago county and purchased land in Forest township, which he at once began to improve and
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cultivate. Ile has since resided upon that place and has now reached the age of seventy-three years. His wife passed away on the 16th of June, 1913.
Reared on the home farm in Forest township, Otto II. Swenson pursued his studies in the district schools of the neighborhood and when not in school assisted his father in the work of the farm until twenty-two years of age. He then bought a tract of land in Newton township, Winnebago county, whereon he engaged in agricultural pursuits for eight years. At the end of that time he rented his farm and removed to Thompson, where he became interested in the windmill and pump business. Seven years later he sold out to his brother and for the past seven years has engaged in the hardware business on quite an extensive scale. lle carries a large stock and occupies a double store room. In business affairs he is notably prompt and reliable and has therefore built up an excellent patronage.
Mr. Swenson was married on the 19th of August, 1896, to Miss Ida Lund, by whom he has four children, namely : Ilelmer, born July 15, 1897; Melvin, November 28, 1898; Edith, December 22, 1903; and Orville, June 25, 1906. The family hold membership in the Lutheran church, and Mr. Swenson affiliates with the republican party. ITis fellow citizens recognizing his worth and ability, elected him a member of the town council of Thompson, in which he served for twelve years with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents, and for ten years he also served as trustee of King township.
G. A. DAIIL.
G. A. Dahl owns and operates a farm on sections 12 and 13, Norway town- ship, Winnebago county, upon which he has lived for about seventeen years. Ile was horn November 7, 1875, in Silver township, Worth county, Iowa, his parents being G. G. and Bertha (Loberg) Dahl, the former a native of Norway. The latter was born in Worth county, where her father settled at a very early period in the development of that district and where the family continued to reside for many years, both Mr. and Mrs. Loberg there passing away. Mr. Dahl was but fourteen years of age when he came to the United States with his parents, Gilbert and Anna Opdahl, the family home being established near Northwood in Worth county, while later they secured a homestead in Silver Lake township in the same county. Their son, G. G. Dahl, changed the family name to its present form. He worked for his father until he attained his majority and then purchased land in Worth county, where he continued to engage in farming until a few years ago, when he retired from active business life and established his home in Emmons, Minnesota, where he now resides. His wife, however, has passed away, and her remains were interred in Lime Creek cemetery.
G. A. Dahl was a pupil in the public schools of Worth county until he reached the age of sixteen years. Yet his opportunities during that period were somewhat limited as his labors were needed upon the home farm. When his text-books were put aside he concentrated his entire attention upon farm work and remained with his father until he reached the age of twenty-five years. Desirous of engaging in business on his own account, he then purchased the south half of the southeast quarter of section 12 and the north half of the northeast quarter of seetion 13,
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Norway township, Winnebago county. Taking up his abode upon this place in 1900, he has since continued its cultivation and has added many modern improve- ments to the farm. Ile also owns one hundred and twenty acres on section 19, Silver Lake township, Worth county, and from his properties derives a substantial annual income.
Mr. Dahl was married May 20, 1900, to Miss Julia Ringestad, a daughter of Nels and Anna Ringestad, the former of whom is a native of Winneshiek county, Iowa, while the latter was born in Sweden but was brought to the United States when eight years old. They are still living upon their farm, which adjoins that owned by Mr. Dahl. To Mr. and Mrs. Dahl have been born four children, Alma, Norris, Lawrence, and Cora, all at home. Mr. Dahl holds membership with the Sons of Norway, and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the United Lutheran church. He has served on the school board and as road boss, but has never been active as a political worker. He is a republican and keeps well informed on questions and issues of the day. He now owns a well improved farm carefully cultivated, so that good crops are annually gathered. All that he pos- sesses has come to him as the reward of earnest, persistent labor, for he had no assistance when he started out in life.
JOIIN O. BERGFALD.
On the roster of officials in Winnebago county appears the name of John O. Bergfald, of Forest City, who is now serving as county recorder and is making an excellent record by the prompt, efficient and systematic manner in which he discharges his duties. Ile was born in Norway, June 28, 1862, a son of Ole and Karen ( Kiplesund) Bergfald. Through the period of his boyhood and youth John O. Bergfald remained in his native country and in 1884, at the age of twenty-two years, came to the United States, locating first in Linden township, Winnebago county, lowa, where he attended school and afterward taught in the country schools for several years. In 1889 he went to Colorado and spent two and one-half years in Denver, after which he resided in the south for two years. In 1896 he returned to Linden township, where he again taught school for a few years, and in 1901 he was appointed deputy recorder of Winnebago county, which position he filled until the fall of 1904. IIe afterward had charge of the county poor farm for a year and a half, being the first superintendent thereof. He later removed to Thompson, where he was engaged in the hardware business until 1910, in which year he was elected county recorder. The fact that he has been four times elected to that position is incontrovertible proof of his capability and the confidence reposed in him by the public. He has made a most splendid record in office and has proven faultless in honor and stainless in reputation. He also served for a term and a half as assessor of Linden township before being elected deputy recorder. Ilis political allegiance has always been given to the republican party and he is a most stalwart champion of its principles.
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