USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 25
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 25
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55
Angustus F. Lackore was educated in the common schools and early became trained to business methods under his father's direction. After attaining his majority he remained at home and cooperated with his father in the promotion of farming interests. There was a very strong bond of sympathy between the
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father and son and they continued to live together until the death of the former, an ideal companionship existing. Augustus F. Lackore still owns one hundred and sixty acres of the old homestead, on which he continued to reside until 1911, when he retired and removed to Forest City, where he has since made his home, resting from further business cares save for the supervision of his investments.
On December 25, 1882, Mr. Lackore was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Merrill, of Forest City, lowa, a daughter of Dudley and Matilda ( Edwards) Merrill, pioneers of lowa. To this union were born nine children, eight of whom still survive, as follows: Roy C., who is principal of schools at Bucyrus, North Dakota ; Raymond C., an agriculturist residing at Little Falls, Minnesota ; Floyd M., a paper hanger and painter who makes his home at Forest City ; Clyde E., who is county road boss and resides in Forest City : Clara F., a high school student ; Hazel M., at home: and Forest A., and Sylvan H., who attend the graded schools. Mrs. Lackore is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Lackore has membership with the American Yeomen and his political support is given to the republican party. All who know him esteem him as a man of sterling worth whose life has been one of activity and honor, while his well directed industry has brought to him substantial and gratifying prosperity.
CHRISTIAN C. SCHAEFER.
Christian C. Schaefer, who is residing on section 27, German township, Hancock county, is a native of Wisconsin, his birth having occurred in Dodge county, on the 23d of August, 1869. His parents, Chris and Mary (Schneider ) Schaefer, were born in Germany and came to America in 1833. They resided in Milwaukee and in Watertown. Wisconsin, for many years and about 1892 removed to Iowa, at which time the father purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 27. German township, Hancock county, for which he paid thirty-one dollars per acre. The farm was at that time somewhat improved. . He owned the farm for six or seven years, after which he disposed of the property. He is, however, still living and is now about ninety years of age.
Christian C. Schaefer acquired a common school education at Lowell, Wisconsin, where he pursued his studies for several years, and in the school of experience he has also learned many valuable lessons which have been of a most practical and helpful character. He worked with his father until he reached the age of about twenty-seven years, when he invested in his present home place on seetion 27. German township, Hancock county. llere he has a good tract of land appropriately named the Pleasant View Farm. He is making a specialty of stock raising. handling Poland China hogs, Percheron Norman horses of high grade and Guern- sey cattle, and in addition he cultivates the cereals best adapted to soil and climate. Both his stock raising and his farming interests are bringing to him good return. for his business affairs are carefully, wisely and systematically managed.
On the 15th of June, 1901, Mr. Schaefer was married to Miss Amelia Lembgen, a daughter of John and Christina ( Reinhard) Lembgen, who were natives of Ger- many and on emigrating to America settled at Lowell, Wisconsin, at which time only Indians were residents of that section of the state. In other words, they
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casi in their lot with the first settlers of a pioneer district and shared in all the hardships and privations incident to the development of a new country. The mother is still living at Watertown, Wisconsin, and is now nearly eighty years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Schaefer have become the parents of two sons and two daugh- ters: Emery W., Alvin E. and Hilda M., who are fifteen, thirteen and eleven years of age respectively ; and Doris A., a maiden of nine summers.
In his political views Mr. Schaefer is a republican, and while not an office seeker, he has served as school director for six years. His religious belief is that of the German Methodist Episcopal church and to its teachings he gives loyal support. His has been an active life directed by honorable purposes, and his dili- gence and energy have constituted the foundation upon which he has builded hi- sucress.
FRED J. OXLEY.
Fred J. Oxley, living on section 9. Magor township, Hancock county, has sub- stantial possessions in farm lands and is engaged quite extensively in the raising of hogs. He has also become identified with financial and other business interests of the county and is one of the progressive and representative men of his section of the state. He was born in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, on the 14th of August. 1863, and is one of the thirteen children of William and Maria (Vincent) Oxley, who were natives of England and in 1852 eame to America.
Reared upon the home farm in his native county, Fred J. Oxley began his education as a district school pupil when a little lad of about six years and pursued his studies as opportunity offered until he reached the age of eighteen. In 1864 the family removed to Fayette county, Iowa, where our subject was employed as a farm hand for four years, when, feeling that his age and experi- ence justified his starting in business on his own account, he came to Hancock county, loeating in Magor township in 1881. There he rented land which he cultivated for four years. While thus engaged he carefully saved his earnings until the sum was sufficient to enable him to purchase property. His land was raw, unbroken prairie land when it came into his possession, but today his farm is one of the best equipped in the county and his home possesses all the modern conveniences, His holdings now include one hundred and sixty acres of land on Feetion 9, Magor township, eighty acres on seetion 8 of the same township and two hundred acres in Freeborn county, Minnesota. He makes a specialty of raising Duroc and Chester White hogs and that branch of his business is proving very profitable. He has also become interested in other business projects and is now president of the Commercial Savings Bank, a stockholder in the Farmers Savings Bank and for twelve years has been president of the telephone company of Corwith.
On the 20th of April, 1887, Mr. Oxley was united in marriage to Miss Julia Sanford, a daughter of John V. and Loecada Sanford. She passed away in April, 1897. There were three children of that marriage: Fred E., who is now married and resides in Minnesota ; Hilton J., whose death occurred in 1895; and Mildred J., who was graduated in June, 1917, from St. Mary's College at Prairie du
MR. AND MRS. FRED J. OXLEY
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Chien, Wisconsin. Having lost his first wife, Mr. Oxley later married Miss Elizabeth Pybus, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Hoppe) Pybus, who were natives of England. The children of the second marriage were: Leslie V .; Gladys, who died in March, 1902; Gail; and John H.
Mrs. Oxley is actively interested in the raising of chickens, making a specialty of Rhode Island Reds and Plymouth Roeks. She uses incubators entirely for hatching and in 1917 is raising one thousand chickens. She also has Indian Runner ducks and the fine poultry makes a very pleasing and interesting feature of the farm.
In polities Mr. Oxley is a republican and has been called upon to fill various positions of honor and trust. He was county supervisor for nine years and did much to further publie interests in that connection. He has also been township trustee and the cause of education has long received his stalwart support, his activities as a member and president of the school board doing much for progress along that line. He is also well known in fraternal circles, holding membership with the Masons, the Odd Fellows, the Rebekahs and the Yeomen. He and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and they are highly esteemed socially, enjoying the warm regard of all with whom they have been brought in contact.
E. H. HURLESS.
E. H. Hurless, of Thompson, has met with gratifying success as a dealer in har- ness and shoes. He was born in Tama county, Iowa, February 2, 1872, a son of G. W. and Jennie ( Mullinex ) Hurless, natives of Ohio and of New York state respec- tively, who in 1880 removed to Towa, where the father engaged in farming for many years. He is now living retired, however, at Shellsburg, Iowa, but the mother died in 1893 and is buried at Shellsburg.
E. H. Hurless attended the common schools of Shellshurg until he was sixteen years old and then learned the harness maker's trade, which he followed in the employ of others for a period. In 1895, however, he established a shop of his own at Thompson and in 1903 added a line of shoes. He has built up a large trade in both lines and enjoys an enviable reputation for reliability and fair dealing.
In 1895 occurred the marriage of Mr. Hurless and Miss Emma Leamer, a daughter of David Leamer, who died in Vinton, Iowa, in 1916 and is there buried. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hurless: Neeta and Helen, aged respectively fifteen and ten years; and one who died in infancy. On the 27th of October, 1915, Mrs. Hurless passed away and is buried in Evergreen cemetery at Vinton.
Mr. Hurless supports the republican party where national issues are at stake but at local elections votes independently. For eight years he was a member of the town council and for seven years served on the school board, thus manifesting his interest in educational matters. He belongs to King Lodge, No. 592, I. O. O. F., in which he has filled all the chairs, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Only one other man has been in business continuously in Thompson for a longer period than he, and during the twenty-two years that he
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has been connected with the commercial life of the town he has at all times been found ready to aid in movements seeking the general welfare. Ile has made all that he has and is now in more than comfortable circumstances and is therefore entitled to the honor accorded a self-made man.
OTTO BECKJORDEN.
Otto Beekjorden, assistant cashier of the Winnebago State Bank, with which institution he has been connected since 1909, was born August 26, 1879, in the county where he still resides, a son of Halvor and Homelin (Gjerde) Beckjorden, natives of Norway. The father located in Wisconsin in 1871 and the mother settled in Dane county, that state, in 1872. Both came to Winnebago county, lowa, in 1876, and their marriage occurred in this county the following year. The father was a farmer by occupation and through the cultivation of the soil provided for the support of his family until death ended his labors. Ilis widow is still living and makes her home in Forest City. They were the parents of four children, those besides our subject being : Martin; Henry; and Bessie, who married Magnus Isaacson of Forest City.
Otto Beckjorden supplemented his public school education, acquired near his father's farm, by six months' study in the Albert Lea College of Minnesota and in Ellsworth College at Towa Falls. Through vacation periods he worked in the fields and as a young man continued to labor on the home farm until December, 1906. At that date he was called to the position of deputy county auditor and served for two years. In 1909 he entered the Winnebago County State Bank, the oldest financial institution of the county, and after three years' preliminary service, in which he was constantly gaining knowledge of the various phases of the banking business, he was made assistant eashier in 1912 and has now tilled that position for five years.
In 1905 Mr. Beckjorden was married to Miss Emma Colley, of this county, a daughter of J. T. Colley, a farmer, and they now have two children, Harold and Evelyn May. Mrs. Beekjorden is a member of the Baptist church, while Mr. Beckjorden holds membership with the Brotherhood of American Yeomen and the Modern Woodmen of America. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and while not an office seeker he is now serving as school treasurer of the independent school district of Forest City. Ile stands for all that is progressive in the public life of the community and gives stalwart support to those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride.
NILS GORANSON.
Nils Goranson whose farm on section 6, Linden township, is one of the best improved places in Winnebago county, is concentrating his efforts upon raising high grade stock and has gained a position of leadership in that line of activity. He was born in Sweden. March 7, 1872, of the marriage of Goran and Hannah
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(Larson) Olson, both of whom spent their entire lives in that country. He attended the common schools in Sweden and was for one term a student in a school in Iowa after his emigration to the United States in 1889. Ile landed in New York city on the 26th of April of that year. Ile did not remain in the east, however, but went to Delaware county, lowa, where a brother and sister were living. lle was then seventeen years of age and secured work as a farm hand in that county, where he remained until 1896, when he came to Winnebago county. For one year he rented land here and then bought one hundred and sixty acres of his present farm on section 6, Linden township, to which five years later he added the quarter section adjoining on the west. Therefore his farm now includes the north half of seetion 6, Linden township, and he has greatly added to its value by the improve- ments which he has placed upon it. The buildings are new and modern in every partieular and as he raises stock extensively, in fact feeding all the grain grown upon the farm, the fertility of the soil has been conserved. Ile breeds Poland ('hina hogs and shorthorn cattle and believes firmly that it is the best policy to raise only high grade stock. Aside from his farm his financial interests include stoek in the Farmers Cooperative Creamery Company of Thompson and in the Farmers Elevator Company of Thompson, of which be is secretary.
Mr. Goranson was married in Delaware county, lowa, February 20, 1895, to Miss Alice Hunt. Iler father, James Hunt, was born in England but came to the United States when a boy with his parents and became one of the prominent farmers of Delaware county, lowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Goranson have been born eleven children, of whom eight survive, namely, Henrietta E., James H., Nels Henry, Evlon, Alice E., Darley L., Phoebe V. and Gladys C.
Mr. Goranson is a republican in his political views but has confined his partici- pation in public affairs to the exercise of his right of franchise. The snecess which he has gained as a stock raiser is due in part to the fact that he has concentrated his energies upon that business and to the careful study which he has made of it in its various phases. Ile has prospered financially and has also been instrumental in promoting the stock-raising interests of his township. Personally he is popular and it is recognized that his integrity is above question.
WINNEBAGO COUNTY STATE BANK.
The Winnebago County State Bank is the oldest banking institution of Forest ('ity. It had its origin in a real estate, loan and collection business established in 1868 by Robert Clark, the founder of Forest City and the first county judge of Winnebago county. Its business was taken over by his son-in-law, J. F. Thompson, and was continued as a private banking business until 1896, when a re-organization was effected under the name of the Winnebago County State Bank. Business had previously been carried on under the name of the Winnebago County Bank from the latter "0s with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars. The partners in the undertaking were J. Thompson, J. F. Thompson, William Larrabee and E. Hunt- ington. With the re-organization of the bank as a state bank Jasper Thompson hecame the president, J. F. Thompson vice president and B. J. Thompson cashier, while the other stockholders and directors of the bank were William Larrabee, E.
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Huntington, I. N. Perry, Josiah Little, F. N. Vaughn, T. Jacobs and J. M. Clark. Articles of incorporation were filed June 29, 1896, and the bank, capitalized for fifty thousand dollars, occupied a small one story brick building on the site of its prosent home. In 1901 J. F. Thompson was elected to the presidency, Jasper Thompson having sold out. B. J. Thompson resigned as cashier and in that year M. M. Thompson was chosen assistant cashier, which position he continued to fill until March 29, 1911, when he was elected cashier. The officers of the bank at this writing are: J. F. Thompson, president ; B. J. Thompson, vice president : M. M. Thompson, cashier: and Otto Bockjorden assistant cashier, with T. Jacobs and Julia A. Thompson also as directors. In 1899 the present two story brick business block was erected, the upper floor being used as offices, while the first floor is occupied by the bank, which has a most modern equipment and is fitted up in a very attractive maner. A general banking business is conducted and the bank from the beginning has maintained a safe, conservative policy that fully protects its stockholders and yet does not hamper that progressiveness which is manifest in a growing business.
ALBERT C. ANDERSON.
Since reaching man's estate Albert. C. Anderson has been identified with the agricultural interests of Winnebago county and is now the owner of a fine farm on section 16, Norway township, where he was born on the 27th of June, 1823. His parents, Chris and Susan Anderson, were born, reared and married in Norway and continued lo reside there until after the birth of two of their children, Andrew, now a resident of Hancock county, Iowa, and Peter. It was in 1855 that the father brought his little family to the new world and located near Stoughton, Wisconsin, where he resided for five years. The following year was spent in Freeborn county, Minnesota, but in 1861 he came to Winnebago county, Towa, and purchased the northeast quarter of section 16, Norway township. His first home here was a dugout aud later he built a log house which is still standing upon the place. To the development and cultivation of his farm he devoted his energies until called from this life on the 16th of October, 1907. His wife had passed away on the 19th of the previous August, and both were laid to rest in the Lime Creek ceme- tery. They were faithful and consistent members of the Synod Lutheran church and Mr. Anderson was a republican in politics. Seven children were born to this worthy couple after coming to this country, namely : Sophia, now the wife of Nels Larson, of Scarville, lowa : John, deceased ; Ole, a resident of Lake Mills: Susan, deceased ; Mary, the wife of Nels Bakke, of Northfield, Minnesota: Lena, the wife of Abe Winden, of Minneapolis, Minnesota ; and A. C., of this review.
Reared on the home farm. Albert C. Anderson is indebted to the district schools of the neighborhood for the educational advantages he enjoyed during his youth. At the age of sixteen years he put aside his textbooks and gave his father the benefit of his services on the farm until his marriage. He then operated the place on the shares until the death of his parents and now owns the farm where his entire life has been passed. He is a wide-awake and progressive farmer and has made his place one of the most attractive farms in the locality.
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Mr. Anderson was married at the age of twenty-four years, on the 28th of August, 1897, to Miss Randy Tangen, a daughter of John and Mary Tangen, of Brooten, Minnesota, and to this union six children have been born as follows: Christopher, Madeline, Jemima, Ingeborg, Alvina and Leroy, all at home,
The republican party finds in Mr. Anderson a stanch supporter of its principles and he has always taken a deep and commendable interest in public affairs. He has been especially interested in education and efficiently served as school director for a number of years. He is one of the leading farmers of his community and wherever known is held in high esteem.
ADELBERT W. STREETER.
Adelbert W. Streeter, a well known retired farmer and business man living in Lake Mills, was born in a log house near Cedar Falls, Iowa, on the 17th of June, 1856, and is a son of Edward P. and Elizabeth (Dobson) Streeter, pioneer settlers of that locality, having located there in 1852. The father engaged in farming for a long period but is now living retired in Cedar Falls. Hle and his wife are both enjoying good health at the advanced ages of eighty-four and eighty years respee- tively, and on the 5th of September, 1916, celebrated the sixty-first anniversary of their marriage. To them were born eight children, of whom six survive. Our subject and his brother, Thomas W., are residents of Winnebago county. Another brother, Fred H., lives in Aberdeen, South Dakota. A sister, Mrs. B. F. Smith, makes her home in Chelan, Washington ; Mrs. W. W. Goodykoontz lives in Boone, Towa, and Mrs. J. G. Packard resides in Cedar Falls.
Adelbert W. Streeter attended the district schools until he was fifteen years old, when the family removed to Cedar Falls, where he completed a high school course. When twenty-one years of age he began operating the home farm on his own account and continued there for four years. He came to Winnebago county in 1884 and after renting a farm in Bristol township for two years bought three hundred and twenty acres there, which he cultivated until 1898, and which he still owns and rents. He then took up his residence in Lake Mills, where he pur- chased a livery barn and for fifteen years devoted his time and attention to the conduct of that business. Te proved very successful in that connection, as he had in his agricultural work, and in 1913, feeling that his financial circumstances war- ranted his enjoying a period of leisure, he disposed of his livery business and retired.
In 1878 Mr. Streeter was united in marriage to Miss Emma Saul, of Cedar Falls, who passed away March 27, 1881, and was buried at Cedar Falls. She was the mother of a son, Clark HI., now city engineer of Cedar Falls. On the 28th of February, 1884, Mr. Streeter wedded Miss Nettie Lane, of Cedar Falls, by whom he had two chil- dren : Jennie, now the wife of II. M. Wescott, of Winnebago, Minnesota; and Clifford W., a banker living at Baldwin, North Dakota. Mrs. Streeter died Sop- tember 20, 1911, and was buried in the North cemetery at Lake Mills. On the 7th of October, 1913, Mr. Streeter was again married, Mrs. June Thomas, of Lake Mills, becoming his wife. She was the widow of Charles D. Thomas, a son of George and Ilattie Thomas, early settlers of Winnebago county. He engaged in
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farming on quite an extensive scale in Center township and in addition to growing the usual crops of grain gave much attention to raising full blooded stock. Ile passed away on the 4th of March, 1905, and was buried in the South cemetery at Lake Mills. He was married June 29, 1887, to Miss June Burdick, who was born in Worth county, lowa, and is a daughter of Alfred and Sarah ( Platts) Burdick, early settlers of Winnebago county. Her father died September 5, 1904, and her mother passed away January 12, 1914. To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas were born the following children : George, who is farming in Center township: Mayme, the wife of Olat Anderson, of Madison, Wisconsin ; Rush, a civil engineer in the employ of the Illinois state highway commission; Bessie, now the wife of Arthur Kobberbig. who is farming in Bristol township ; Frank, who is attending college in Minneapolis : and Nellie and Clara, high school students. Following the death of her husband Mrs. Thomas removed to Lake Mills, and, as previously stated, in 1913 became the wife of Adelbert W. Streeter. She holds title to four hundred and twenty acres of fine land in Center township.
Mr. Streeter is a republican and for ten years served as a member of the town council, during which time he constantly favored measures calculated to promote the general welfare. Ilis well spent life has gained him a high place in the regard of his fellow citizens and his personal friends are many. He owns a fine residence and is numbered among the substantial citizens of Lake Mills
BENJAMIN F. BARTHELL.
Benjamin F. Barthell, who follows general farming on section 9, Forest town- ship, Winnebago county, was born in Allamakee county, lowa, May 2, 1880, and is a son of John M. and Martha M. ( Page) Barthell, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Quebec, Canada. The father came to the United States in his boyhood days and located in New York, where he remained for three years. In the fall of 1851 he removed westward to lowa and took up his abode in Winneshiek county. Ile continued his residence in this state until ealled to his final rest in 1903, and his widow is still living at the age of seventy-eight years, at Waukon, Iowa.
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