USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 22
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 22
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Mrs. Helen (Charlson) Colby Groning, daughter of Nels and Ellen Charlson and the eldest in their family of ten children, was born in Norway, May 4, 1844, and was brought by her parents to the United States when she was seven years of age. She was educated in Dane county, Wisconsin, and in 1859 was married to Eli Colby of that county. They had no capital but were determined to succeed and in the course of years won prosperity, although for some time they had to work very hard in order to gain a start. They never gave way to discouragement, how- ever, and at length reaped the reward of their untiring industry and good manage- ment and their sterling qualities gained them the unqualified respect of all who knew them. Mr. Colby died March 12, 1886, and is buried in the Huege cemetery at Primrose, Wisconsin. To them were born twelve children: Charles, of Center
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township ; Mary, the wife of Nels Gilbert, of Beeler, Idaho; Ella, the wife of M. M. Anderson, of Center township: Elizabeth, who married Ephraim Wilson, of Wit- tenberg. Wisconsin ; Joseph, a practicing dentist of Lake Mills, Iowa; Julia, who died at the age of twenty-one and is buried at Primrose: Nora, the wife of Edward Brattrnd, of Center township; William, who died at the age of thirty-seven and is buried in North cemetery at Lake Mills: Clara, the wife of H. C. Sehnman, of lone. Oregon ; Norman, of Fort Madison, lowa: Frank, a resident of Sioux City; and Jessie, of Lake Mills.
In 1901 Mrs. Colby married Hans Groning, now a retired former of Lake Mills, of whom a sketch follows.
HANS GRONING.
Hans Groning, a well known retired farmer living in Lake Mills, was born in Norway. December 31, 1830, and there he received his education and grew to manhood. In 1857 he came alone to the United States and purchased land in Dane county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in farming for more than four decades, or until 1901, when he removed to Winnebago county, Iowa. lle purchased a farm in Center township which he operated for a year, after which he removed to Lake Mills, where he has a fine residence. Hle met with gratifying success in his agri- cultural work and has a competence which insures him all the comforts of life.
Mr. Groning was married in Wisconsin to Miss Mildred Torgeson, who died in 1896 and is buried in the United Lutheran cemetery at Primrose, Wisconsin. She left a son, Hans, Jr., who is living in Madison, Wisconsin. In 1901 Mr. Groning was married to Mrs. Helen Colby, widow of Eli Colby, of Dane county, Wis- consin.
Mr. Groning is a stanch supporter of the republican party but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He has ever taken the interest of a good citizen in public affairs and has given his support to projects seeking the general welfare. In religious faith both he and his wife are Free Lutherans. They have made many friends since removing to Winnebago county and are numbered among the highly esteemed residents of Lake Mills.
OLE A. THOMPSON.
Ole A. Thompson is an active and well known representative of commercial interests in Forest City as senior partner in the firm of Thompson & Clanson, proprietors of a large general store. The greater part of his life has here been passed, for he arrived in Forest City in 1888, when a youth of thirteen. He was born in Norway, June 25, 1875, a son of T. O. and Martha Thompson, who in 1880 became residents of Mahaska county, Iowa, where the father followed the cooper's trade, which he had learned in his native land. In 1888 he removed to Forest City and purchased a farm in Mount Valley township, where he secured eighty acres. For twenty-six years thereafter he continued to develop and improve
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his property, but has recently cold and taken up his abode in Forest City, where he is now living retired.
Ole A. Thompson acquired a public school education and supplemented it by a business course at Dixon. He made his initial step in business circles as an employe in the clothing store of Olson Brothers at Forest City in 1899. While in that connection he thoroughly acquainted himself with modern business methods and he also carefully saved his carnings with the hope of one day engaging in business on his own account. In 1908, therefore, he purchased a half interest in a general store and became a partner of C. H. Ellsworth, who, however, sold out the same year. In 1910 Mr. Thompson admitted A. E. Clauson to a partnership under the firm style of Thompson & Clauson. They conduct a general store, handling groceries, dry goods, ladies' ready-to-wear clothing, shoes and other lines and are now accorded a liberal patronage which makes their trade a profitable one. They erected a building in 1914 which is forty-four by one hundred feet and two stories in height with basement. This they occupy in the conduct of their trade and their business has now reached substantial and gratifying proportions.
On the 4th of September, 1911, Mr. Thompson was married to Maude Snipps, of Forest City, a daughter of J. P. and Belle ( Fisher) Snipps. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have one son, Malcohn, and by a former marriage Mrs. Thompson had a daughter, Ilazel.
Fraternally Mr. Thompson is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while politically he maintains an independent course, casting his ballot according to the dictates of his judgment. There have been no spectacular phases in his life record. He has worked steadily and persistently year after year, en- larging the scope of his interests as his experience and capabilities have broadened, and he is justly accounted one of the progressive merchants of Winnebago county.
HENRY O. HANSING.
Among the representative farmers of King township, Winnebago county, is numbered Henry O. Hansing, who lives on section 29. He has one of the best improved places in the county and his residence is one of the most beautiful and attractive homes of this district. All this is indicative of the well spent life and indefatigable energy of Mr. Hansing, who was born in lowa county, Wisconsin, in January, 1879, a son of Arne and Julia ( Harldson ) Hansing, who were natives of the land of the midnight sun. Coming to America in an early day, they established their home in fowa county, Wisconsin, where for a time the father cultivated a rented farm, but at length purchased land which he further devel- oped and improved, and later moved to Blair, Nebraska, spending his remaining days there. He passed away in December, 1900, and is still survived by his wife.
Henry O. Hansing was reared and educated in his native county and remained with his parents until he attained his majority, when he started out in the business world independently. Removing to Winnebago county, Iowa, he was here employed for about seven years and then married and moved upon his wife's farm of one hundred and sixty aeres on section 29, King township. He at onee began the further development of the place, which he has since operated and has
REV. I. N. DAHL
MR. AND MRS. HENRY O. HANSING
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converted it into one of the finest improved farms of the county, upon which he has erected a residence that is scarcely equaled and is not surpassed in this seetion of the state. He follows the most progressive methods in his farm work. which is conducted along scientific lines, and his life of diligence and deter- mination has brought a notable and gratifying measure of prosperity. He is also a stockholder in the elevator and the creamery companies of Thompson.
In August, 1906, Mr. Hansing was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary ( Dahl) Grasley, a daughter of the Rev. I. N. and Catherine ( Maursund) Dahl, who were natives of Norway. The father was for six years a missionary in India and Mrs. Ilansing was born in that country in December, 1872. Mr. Dahl came to America in 1873, establishing his home in Winnebago county, where he engaged in preaching as a minister of the Lutheran church throughout his remaining days, passing away November 1, 1906. He was better known among the Scan- dinavian people of the northwest than perhaps any other one man and for many years he took a prominent part in shaping the civie and religious development of his community. He was born near Tromsoe, Norway, December 14, 1836. His father, August Dahl, was a fisherman, becomnig connected with what was then the principal industry of the coast towns. In 1860 Rev. Dahl went to Ger- many and studied for the ministry, remaining for six years in the Harmsburg Theological Mission at Hanover. Ile afterward spent six years in missionary work in India, and throughout his entire life his influence was a potent factor for good in the communities in which he lived. In July, 1896, his daughter Mary became the wife of Andrew Grasley and to them were born three children. James O. is now serving in the United States navy, and the two other children died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Hansing have become the parents of five children, Irene G., Earl M., Valborg C., Harold M. B. and Henrietta M.
Mr. Ilansing has been a member of the school board in his district and has served as its president. Ile votes with the republican party and he and his family are connected with the Lutheran church, doing all in their power to promote its growth and extend its influence. Ilis has been an active, useful and honorable life. Both he and his wife enjoy the warm regard of all who know them and in Winnebago county they have a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintance.
ALBERT E. SOALS.
The farming interests of Winnebago county find a worthy and substantial rep- resentative in Albert E. Soals, who resides on section 14, Forest township. It was upon this farm that his birth occurred May 16, 1873, his parents being Shuble K. and Anna (Heckle) Soals. The father, a native of the state of New York, came to Winnebago county about 1870 and settled on the farm which is now the home of his son Albert. Upon that place he continued to reside until called to his final rest in 1892. There he reared his family, numbering eight children, of whom two are now living. The mother still survives and has become the wife of J. J. Otis.
Albert E. Soals lived upon the old homestead through the period of his boy- hood and youth and after attending the common schools went to Lincoln, Nebraska,
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where he remained for three years. He then returned to the old home, which he has since occupied. It is a valuable traet of land of one hundred and sixty aeres on section 14, Forest township, Winnebago county, and it has been greatly in- proved with modern buildings and the best farm machinery. He raises various cereals adapted to soil and climatic conditions here and he is also successfully engaged in stock raising.
In 1900 occurred the marriage of Mr. Soals and Miss Laura Arnold, a native of Nebraska and a daughter of James L. and Jemima (Shephard) Arnold, who are natives of Ohio, whence they removed to Rock Island county, Ilinois. They afterward became residents of Nebraska and subsequently took up their abode in Forest City, lowa, where they are now residing. Mr. and Mrs. Soals attend the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Soals belongs to the Odd Fellows Lodge No. 440 at Forest City and both are connected with the Rebekahs. He has tilled all of the chairs in the lodge and is one of its carnest and helpful members. In politics he is a democrat, but he has never held political office. He is working diligently and persistently along those lines which lead to success and already he has made for himself a most creditable position among the enterprising and prosperous farmers and stock raisers of Forest township.
PETER O. PETERSEN.
Peter O. Petersen, who successfully carries on farming on section 26, Ellington township, Hancock county, was born March 31, 1886, on the farm where he now resides, his parents being Peter O. and Marie (Jurgensen) Peterseu, natives of Denmark. In that country they were reared and married and remained there until after the birth of two of their children. It was in 1825 that they crossed the ocean and took up their residence in Clinton county, fowa, where they made their home for ten years. In 1885 they removed to Hancock county and the father purchased the farm on section 26, Ellington township, where our subject now resides. After living thereon for twenty years he built a comfortable residence on an adjoining forty aeres on section 27, where he spent his remaining days, passing away on the 26th of January, 1913. His widow still survives him and now makes her home in Ventura.
Mr. Petersen of this review was reared in much the usual manner of farmer boys and is indebted to the district schools for the education he obtained during his boyhood. As early as his fifteenth year he became a wage earner, working for neighboring farmers, and in 1909 he began farming on his own account, he and his brother Fred renting and operating the home farm in partnership for four years. At the end of that time he went to Forest City, where he worked as a mechanic in a garage for one year, and then returned to the farm, being engaged in the cultivation of one hundred acres during the following year. After his marriage in 1914 he took entire charge of the home farm, consisting of the south- west quarter of section 26, Ellington township and the forty acres adjoining on section 27, and has since operated the place. The land is in a high state of culti- vation and is made to produce good harvests by the care and labor bestowed upon it.
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In 1914 Mr. Petersen was united in marriage to Miss Anna Anderson, of Clear Lake, Iowa, and they have become the parents of two children, Everett M. and Virginia S. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church and by his ballot Mr. Petersen supports the men and measures of the democratic party. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Cooperative Creamery Company of Ventura and is secretary of the Ellington Telephone Company. He is one of the leading citizens of his community and well merits the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens.
MORRIS M. TAPAGER.
Since 1897 Morris M. Tapager has been identified with the business interests of Thompson and is today recognized as one of the leading citizens of the place. His early home was on the other side of the Atlantic, for he was born in Denmark, January 22, 1873, a son of Michael and Maren (Dalgaard) Tapager. He was quite young when his mother died and his father remarried. In 1890 the family came to the new world and the father, who was a farmer by occupation, made his home in Albert Lea, Minnesota, until his death in 1905. His widow is still living there.
Morris M. Tapager spent the first seventeen years of his life in his native land, where he attended school until about fourteen years old, and then turned his attention to the carpenter's trade. le came with the family to America in 1890 and located in Albert Lea, Minnesota, where he worked at his trade for a time, but later learned butter making, which occupation he followed at that place for two years. In 1896 he accepted the position of manager of a creamery at Emmons, Minnesota, where he remained one year, and then came to Thompson, Iowa, working as a butter maker here for two and a half years. Mr. Tapager was next engaged in the hotel business for two years, and then clerked in the general store of Ed Monday for three years. At the end of that time he again entered the creamery business and in 1910 purchased an interest in what is known as the Farmers Cooperative ('reamery Company, of which he has since been secretary. Hle continued to actively engage in butter making until 1914, but has since given his attention to general contraeting. He is a stoekholder in the Farmers Elevator Company and the Thompson Telephone Company and also owns farm land in King township. Winnebago county, adjoining Thompson.
In 1894 Mr. Tapager was united in marriage to Miss Mary Bertelson, a daugh- ter of Nels P. and Marion (Jorgenson) Bertelson, who were natives of Denmark, and on coming to the United States in 1868 located on a farm near Albert Lea. Minnesota, which the father operated throughout the remainder of his life. He died in July, 1908, at the age of sixty-four years, but the mother is still living in Albert Lea at the age of sixty-eight. Mr. and Mrs. Tapager have become the parents of five children : Elmer, born in August, 1896; Clare, in February, 1898; Alonzo, May 1, 1904; Luella, in September, 1907; and Alice, who was born in January, 1895, and died in January, 1896.
The family are connected with the Lutheran church and Mr. Tapager is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. By his ballot he supports the men
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and measures of the republican party and his fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, have called upon him to serve in several official positions, including that of city treasurer. He has also been a member of the school board and a mem- ber of the town council, where he served in a most creditable and acceptable manner.
MRS. ALICE HAHN.
Mrs. Alice Hahn is widely and favorably known in Garner and throughout Hancock county, where she has spent her entire life. She was born in Garner in 1883 and is a daughter of William Crawford and Eliza ( Fitch) Wells, who were early settlers of Hancock county, having removed from Wisconsin to Garner in 1870. From that time forward representatives of the family have taken an active and helpful part in promoting the work of general progress and improvement in this section.
Spending her girlhood days under the parental roof, Alice Wells attended the public schools and passed through consecutive grades to her graduation from the high school of Garner with the class of 1899. She afterward entered the Oberlin College and Conservatory at Oberlin, Ohio, where she studied for two years. In September, 1903, she became the wife of George William Hahn, who five years later passed away. Mrs. Hahn is a member of the Congregational church and the nature of her interests is further indicated in her membership with the Daughters of the American Revolution and in the Recital Club, which is a literary organization. She is a lady of refined taste and liberal culture, who has always occupied an enviable position in the social circles of the city in which her entire life has been passed.
RASMUS J. HILL.
Rasmus J. Hill, who follows the occupation of farming on section t, Forest township, Winnebago county, where his property, known as the Evergreen Farm, comprises one hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land, was born in Norway, January 7, 1863, a son of John J. and Engbur Hill, who were also natives of the land of the midnight sun. The father came with his family to America in 1872 and settled in Ogle county, Illinois, where he resided until 1884. He then removed to Winnebago county and took up his abode on the farm, which continued to be his place of residence until his death, which occurred April t. 1906, when he was seventy-two years old. His wife died in Winnebago county, October 21, 1915, at the age of eighty-one years. In their family were seven children, of whom two are now living.
Rasmus J. Hill was a little lad of nine years at the time of the emigration to the new world and was reared and educated in Illinois. Ile came to Winnebago county in 1885, when a young man of twenty-two years, and purchased forty acres. Subsequently he purchased the farm upon which he now resides. It is a
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quarter of section 4, Forest township, and is appropriately named the Evergreen Farm, by reason of the fine grove of evergreen trees upon the place. Mr. Hill has planted all the trees on the farm, deciduous and others, and they add much to the attractive appearance of his place. He has also erected splendid buildings, includ- ing a commodious and pleasant residence and substantial barns and sheds which furnish ample shelter to grain and stock. He makes a specialty of dairying in con- nection with the raising of crops best adapted to soil and climate and for his dairy purposes keeps high grade cows.
Mr. Hill has been married twice. In 1891 he wedded Miss Anna Sampson and they became parents of a son, Enoch. The wife and mother died in 1892 and in 1898 Mr. Ilill wedded Anna Swenson, by whom he has eight children: John E., Hilda D., Rosa, Regtor, Ilenning. Arthur, Delmer and Jester. The parents are members of the United Lutheran church and guide their lives according to its teachings. Mr. Hill is a republican in politics but has never sought nor desired office of a political character. He is serving. however, as one of the school directors of his district. He may truly be called a self-made man, for all that he enjoys bas been acquired through his persistent, earnest efforts since starting out in life for himself empty handed. Ile has worked diligently and persistently and the rewards of earnest, honest lahor are today his.
DAVID W. BUCK.
David W. Buek, who is living retired in Lake Mills, is one of the ever decreasing number of veterans of the Civil war. Tle was born on the 5th of March, 1839, in New Hampshire, and is a son of Stickney and Maria ( Woods) Buck, also natives of that state. The father engaged in farming there and later in Wisconsin and in Minnesota and reached the age of seventy-six years, dying in January, 1879. The mother attained the venerable age of ninety-three years and passed away in June, 1895.
David W. Buck accompanied his parents on their removal to the west and remained at home until he was grown. He then accompanied his sister to Indiana. where in 1861 he enlisted in Company D, Sixteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which command he served at the front for thirteen months. At the end of that time, in August, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, Fifth Indiana Cavalry, and after three months' service with that body of troops was given the privilege of joining the regular army and became a member of Company F, First United States Cavalry. He remained in the army for three years after the close of the war, but at the end of that time was mustered out and returned to Minnesota. For four years he operated his father's farm, but in 1879 came to Winnebago county, lowa, and bought eighty acres of land a half mile east of Lake Mills. Ile at once set about clearing his farm and made a number of improvements upon the place during the two years that he operated it. Ilis health failed at the end of that period and he was obliged to give up agricultural work. lle removed to Lake Mills and for eight years was employed in an elevator here, but subsequently went to North Dakota, where he proved up on a homestead. During the last five years he has lived retired, enjoying the fruits of his former well directed labor.
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On March 23, 1866, Mr. Buck was married to Miss Emma Farmer, a daughter of John and Mary Ann ( Hooker) Farmer, who lived in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Buek celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage. They are the parents of three children, as follows: Lucian (., who was born February 20, 1867, and is farming south of Lake Mills: Mary M., who was born February 22, 1868, and is residing in Montana; and Ethel L., who was born November 20, 1888, and is the wife of Oscar Godtland, of Lake Mills,
Mr. Buck east his first ballot for Abraham Lincoln for president and has since stanchly supported the candidates of the republican party-the party which stood for the maintenance of the Union when its existence was threatened. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, which affords him opportunity to keep in touch with his comrades of the Civil war. In religious faith Mr. and Mrs. Buck are Methodists. He has a wide acquaintance in the county and the fact that those who have been most intimately associated with him are his stanchest friends is proof of his sterling worth as a man.
HENRY DENZEL.
For a long period Henry Denzel has been connected with the grain and live stock business at Forest City, and while he disposed of his grain elevator in 1916, he is still active as a live stock dealer and is regarded as one of the representative business men of Winnebago county. A native of Ohio, he was born in Vermilion on the 18th of August, 1871, a son of John and Margaret ( Sumner) Denzel, both of whom were natives of Germany. In early manhood and womanhood they crossed the Atlantic and for some years after their marriage resided in Ohio, white about 1877 they came to lowa, settling on a farm three and one-half miles south of Forest City. The father died about 1910 and the mother, who still survives, makes her home with her son Ilenry.
Reared under the parental roof, Henry Denzel acquired a common school education and on attaining his majority became a wage earner. He was employed the first year as a farm hand and for his twelve months' service received one hun- dred and forty dollars, of which sum he saved one hundred dollars. He continued farm work another year and then took up his abode in Forest City, where he entered the employ of Seibert Brothers, general merchants, for whom he engaged iu clerking for five or six years. He was anxious to carry on business on his own account and on the expiration of that period he purchased the Pevee elevator and turned his attention to the grain trade. He continued to operate that elevator for four or five years and two months after his insurance expired it was burned to the ground, causing a total loss. This was a great blow to his business, but with resolute spirit he set to work to retrieve his losses and soon afterward pur- chased the elevator of the Kingsbury Company, which he continued to operate until August, 1916, when he sold out to the Farmers Elevator Company. He was for many years a well known figure in the grain trade and his business was of a character that constituted an asset in commercial development and prosperity here, furnishing a market for the grain raisers. Through all these years he also engaged in dealing in live stock, which he still handles. He is likewise the owner of a
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