USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 26
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 26
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Benjamin F. Barthell, was one of a family of twelve children, eight of whom are now living. Spending his youthful days in his native county, he there pursued his education in the public schools, eventually becoming a high school pupil. Through vacation periods he assisted in the work of the home farm or aided his father in whatever line of work demanded his attention. On attaining his majority ne turned his attention to the hardware business at Waukon, Iowa, where he con- ducted a store for three years and then sold out. In 1902 he purchased the farm on which he now resides on section 9. Forest township, Winnebago county, compris- ing three hundred acres of rich and valuable land which he has brought to a high state of cultivation, adding many modern improvements and equipping the farm according to the requirements of a model farm property of the twentieth century. He makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock and he has a fine herd of Angus cattle upon his place. He believes in keeping high grade stock, having demon- strated the value of this course, and his live stock interests constitute an important
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and profitable feature of his business. He is also a stockholder of the Farmers Elevator.
On the 6th of October, 1914, Mr. Barthell was married to Miss Caroline Frevert, a native of Rice county, Minnesota, and a daughter of Fred and Catharyn (Beckley) Frevert, who were born respectively in Germany and in Indiana and who removed to Sae county. Iowa, about 1872. The father was a soldier in the Civil war and is deceased but the mother is living and resides in Charles City. Iowa. In his political views Mr. Barthell is a republican and in fraternal circles is well known, holding membership with the Masons, having taken all of the degrees up to and including the thirty-second. le is likewise connected with the Knights of Pythias. He has made for himself a most creditable position as one of the leading farmers of his township and his ability in business is widely recognized. Ile has ever displayed unfaltering enterprise and sound judgment and has carried forward to successful completion whatever he has undertaken.
JAMES ELLICKSON.
James Ellickson, deceased, was one of Winnebago county's honored pioneers and highly esteemed citizens, who took a very active and prominent part in public affairs. He was born in Wanshara county, Wisconsin, on the 4th of September. 1859, and was a son of John and Cheste Elliekson, natives of Norway, who came to America and located in Wisconsin. There the father engaged in farming throughout his active business life and passed away in March, 1911. The mother is still living.
In the state of his nativity James Ellickson grew to manhood, receiving the usual educational advantages of the country boy. While living at home he worked in the pineries of Wisconsin for some years and was also employed as a farm hand in Minnesota for a time. On the 22d of May. 1881, he arrived in Winnebago county, lowa, and purchased land two and a half miles from Thompson. At that time there were only three other settlers in King township and none in Buffalo township. To the development and improvement of his land Mr. Ellickson at once turned his attention and he continued to engage in farming with good success until 1892, when he rented his land and removed to Thompson, becoming manager of the Northern Lumber Company at that place. He continued with that corpora- tion for eighteen years and at the same time engaged in the grain business with his brother John, later selling out to the Farmers Cooperative Company." He was also interested in the agricultural implement business for some time and for twenty years was a director of the First National Bank of Thompson, serving as its vice president much of that time.
On the 25th of November, 1886, Mr. Elliekson married Miss Katie A. Larson, a daughter of Christian and Ellen ( Madson ) Larson, who were born in Norway and were also pioneers of Winnebago county. ller father is still living and is now vice president of the First National Bank of Thompson, but her mother passed away on the 10th of September, 1916. To Mr. and Mrs. Elliekson were born the follow- ing children : C'ora J., now a teacher in the Thompson schools; Clara E., the wife of Walter Italverson ; Edith U., a clerk in the Thompson postoffice ; James K. and
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Marion A., both attending school; and Edwin W., Clarence, Edna, Emil and Arthur, all of whom died in infancy.
In 1906 Mr. Ellickson was appointed postmaster of Thompson, and continued to fill that office until his death, which occurred February 12, 1916, after a short illness. The republican party always found in him a stanch supporter of its principles and he was honored with several important official positions. In 1887 he was elected a member of the board of county supervisors and served as such for a number of years. He was also a school director for seventeen years and was the first mayor of Thompson. In 1891 he was elected to the state legislature and so acceptably did he fill that position that he was reelected in 1893, being a member of the house for. two terms. Mr. Ellickson never allowed his other interests to interfere with his religious duties but always took an active and prominent part in church work as a member of the United Lutheran denomination. It was largely through his efforts that the church was established at Thompson and he served as superintendent of the Sunday school for eleven years. Mr. Elliekson was also one of the promoters of Waldorf College at Forest City and was a member of its board of directors at the time of his death. He was a man of exceptional business ability, farsighted and energetic and usually carried forward to successful com- pletion whatever he undertook. No confidence reposed in him was ever misplaced and in his death the community realized that it had lost a saluable and public- spirited citizen.
JOHN HI. MORTENSON.
Among those who in former years were actively identified with the business development and progress of Hancock county was numbered John II. Mortenson, now deceased. Hle resided on section 30. Crystal township, where he followed general farming. He was born in Denmark, December 8, 1866, a son of Chris- tian and Maren (Peterson) Mortenson, both of whom were natives of that country, whence they came to the new world in 1870. They first took up their abode in Winnebago county, Iowa, where their remaining days were passed. There they reared their family of nine children, four of whom are yet living.
John 11. Mortenson was a small child when brought to the United States, so that his youthful days were passed in Jowa amid the experiences and environ- ment of farm life. Ile early learned mueh concerning the work of the fields and he always followed general agricultural pursuits. In 1891 he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Paulson, who was born in Denmark, a daughter of Jens and Christina (Smith) Paulson, who in 1871 came to the United States, estab- lishing their home upon a farm in Winnebago county, Iowa. Later, however, they returned to Denmark, where they spent their remaining days. Mr. and Mrs. Mortenson became the parents of four children: Emily J., the wife of Edmond Sorenson ; Jens C .; Ethel C., now attending the high school at Britt; and Stella II.
It was after his marriage that Mr. Mortenson purchased the farm upon which his widow now resides, becoming the owner of the property in 1892. He after- ward purchased one hundred and sixty aeres of land in Linden township, Winne-
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JOHN H. MORTENSON
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bago county, and at the time of his death was the owner of four hundred acres of rich and productive land in northern lowa.
Mrs. Mortenson attends the Lutheran church, where Mr. Mortenson also wor- shiped. In 1897 he became a member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Thompson and was a member at the time of his death. He passed away on the 19th of January, 1917, at the age of fifty years, and was laid to rest in the Crystal Lake cemetery. His had been an active and useful life and diligence and enterprise had brought to him the measure of success which he enjoyed. He left a good farm to his widow, who still conduets the place and is showing good business ability in its management.
HELMER C. MYRE.
Ilelmer C. Myre is busily engaged in the cultivation of a farm of eighty-two acres on section 4, Linden township. His entire life has been passed within the borders of Winnebago county, which claims him as a native son. He was born January 2, 1891, and is a son of Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Myre, who are represented elsewhere in this work. His youthful experiences were those of most boys who are reared upon farms. He began his education in the common schools and eventually became a high school pupil in Forest City. He remained at home until he attained his majority and at the same time he became widely known throughout the district for feats of strength and skill in athletics. Ile is today the light heavyweight champion wrestler of Jowa and frequently engages in bouts. He now cultivates two hundred acres of land, which he has brought to a high state of devel- opment, producing the various erops best adapted to soil and climate here. He is also raising and feeding stock and his farm work is wisely, carefully and profit- bly managed.
In 1913 Mr. Myre was married to Miss Ethel Trail, who was born in Mount Carroll, Carroll county, Illinois, a daughter of Charles and Sarah ( Klitz) Trail. Iler father is now deceased, while the mother makes her home in Winnebago county, Iowa. Mr and Mrs. Myre have one son, Herman Theodore, who was born February 21, 1916. The parents are members of the Lutheran church and Mr. Myre votes with the republican party. Ile is a young man, representing the spirit of modern-day enterprise and development in farm work, and his labors are ren- dering his land more and more productive.
L. E. PETERSON.
L. E. Peterson, engaged in the real estate business in Forest City, was born in Dodge county, Minnesota, September 15, 1870, a son of Ellef and Engeborg Peter- son, both of whom were natives of Norway. Coming to the United States in 1849, they located in Wisconsin and in 1856 removed to Minnesota, where the father followed the occupation of farming, purchasing school land. He lived there amid pioneer conditions and continued his residence in that state for eighteen years, or until 1874, when he came to Winnebago county, lowa. Soon
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afterward he purchased a farm in Center township and thereon lived until called to his final rest on the 13th of August. 1902. For a brief period he had survived his wife, who passed away in 1900. For almost thirty years Mr. Peterson had been an active farmer of this county and was widely known by reason of his enterprise and progressiveness in agricultural affairs.
L. E. Peterson was a lad of but four summers when brought to Winnebago county and at the usual age he became a public school pupil. When he had mastered the elementary branches of learning he entered the Decorah (la.) Insti- tute, from which he was graduated in 1893. ite then turned his attention to carpentering and contracting, following that business for two years, after which he resumed farming, in which he engaged until 1906. Removing to Oregon. he conducted a real estate business on the Pacific coast until 1911, when he returned to Forest City, but after six months he again took up the occupation of farming, to which he devoted the following year. On the expiration of that period he once more returned to Forest City and for a year was connected with the Olson Land Company. In 1914 he embarked in business on his own account under the name of the L. E. Peterson Land Company for buying and selling property. He handles land in Minnesota, in the Dakotas and in Iowa, making a specialty of farm property but also handling a large amount of city realty. He not only buys and sells but also builds houses for sale and his speculative building has contributed much to his success. lle likewise owns the L. E. Peterson Mercantile Business, a general store. and he is the owner of the old homestead farm and also of a place just across the road. making two hundred and twenty acres in all. His farm property is leased and brings to him a substantial annual income.
On the 12th of June, 1900, Mr. Peterson was united in marriage to Miss Emma Haugland, of Center township, Winnebago county, a daughter of R. O. and Sarah Haugland, who were early farming people of that community. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have four children, Selma Elvira, Rouben Ervin, Luella Annette and Margaret Antonia.
In his political views Mr. Peterson is a republican, while in religious faith he and his wife are connected with the United Lutheran church. With the exception of a brief period spent in the Pacific northwest he has continuously resided in lowa from the age of four years and is widely known in Winnebago county, where his sterling worth and business enterprise have gained him high position and favorable regard.
JOHN DANIEL KUNS.
John Daniel Kuns is now living retired in Forest City but was long actively identified with farming and stock raising interests and is still the owner of valuable farm property in Winnebago county. He was born near Pierceville, Indiana. August 22, 1850, a son of Jacob and Jemima ( floobler) Kuns, who were natives of Pennsylvania, whence they removed to Indiana and there remained for three years. They afterward became residents of Livingston county, Illinois, where the father passed away. The mother still resides there at the very advanced age of ninety-three years. In their family were eight children, four of whom survive.
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John Daniel Kuns was reared and educated in Livingston county, Illinois, his early experiences being those of the farm bred boy who divides his time between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields. After reaching man's estate he began farming on his own account in Illinois and in 1889 he removed to Winnebago county, Iowa, where he purchased a farm, residing thereon until 1906. In that year he retired from active business life and removed to Forest City. In the meantime he had brought his fields to a high state of cultivation and had added many modern improvements to his place. converting it into one of the valuable farm properties of the district. He was practical and progressive in all that he did and as the result of his untiring industry and sound judgment he annually gathered good harvests. He is still the owner of six hundred and forty acres of land in this county, all of which is improved. While upon the farm he also fed stoek of various kinds and this branch of his business contributed much to his income.
On September 2, 1871, Mr. Kuns was married to Miss Phoebe M. Brooker, who was born in La Salle county, Illinois, a danghter of Thomas and Ineinda ( Wilber) Brooker, the former a native of England, while the latter was born in Ohio. They were married in the Buckeye state and thence removed to Illinois, while in 1887 they became residents of Winnebago county, Iowa, where their remaining days were passed, the father dying September 9, 1891, and the mother January 7, 1917. In their family were ten children, nine of whom are yet living. To Mr. and Mrs. Kuns were born ten children: Della May, who became the wife of John Conner and died in 1903: Bertha L., the wife of R. V. Ilotchkiss, living in Fair- mont, Minnesota : Mabel F., the wife of Raymond MeBride, of Mount Valley, łowa ; Erastus E., a resident of Montana : Ammond R., who married Esther Witter and is living in Hancock county ; Grace Belle, who is the wife of Earl Patten, and is living in Rowan, lowa ; Edward A., who married Flora Studer of Luverne, Iowa : Lula Pearl. the wife of Henry Nelson, of Forest City; John J., who married Gladys Walsh and lives at Clear Lake, Iowa; and George Dewey, at home.
The family attend the Baptist church and they are numbered among the valued and respected citizens of this part of the state. In politics Mr. Kuns has fong has long been a stalwart republican and he has served for several years as school director and as justice of the peace. lle owes his success to his own etforts and the assistance of his estimable wife. Through their labors they have won a hand- some fortune and are now reaping the benefits of their former toil. Moreover, their success has been so honorably won and so worthily used that the most envious could not grudge them their prosperity.
MELVIN JOHNSON.
Melvin Johnson was born on the farm on section 14, Ellington township, Ilan- coek county, on which he now resides, the date of his birth being November 18, 1888. His father, Charles Johnson, is a native of Norway and on attaining his inajority severed the ties which bound him to that land and erossed the Atlantic to America, becoming a resident of Clayton county, Iowa. In the '80s he removed to Hancock county and purchased a farm on section 14, Ellington township, which
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is now the old family homestead. Year after year he carefully and persistently tilled the soil and harvested golden crops, thus winning the success that now enables him to live retired. He continued to cultivate his land until 1909, when he put aside business cares and now makes his home in Miller. He married Nettie Halverson, who passed away in 1910.
Melvin Johnson was one of a family of six children and his youthful days were spent upon the old home farm where he still resides and which is therefore endeared to him through the associations of his boyhood as well as of his manhood. After attaining adult age he rented the old home place, which he as since cultivated. flis public school education was supplemented by two terms of college training, which qualified him for life's practical and responsible duties, His life has been charac- terized by diligence and determination and as the years have gone on success has attended his efforts in the cultivation and improvement of the home farm.
In 1912 Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Marvea Nelson, a native of Forest City, Iowa, and a daughter of Andrew and Betsy ( Erickson ) Nelson, who were born in Sweden but in childhood came to the new world. They are now residents of Ellington township, Hancock county. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have one son. Arlo C., who was born May 2, 1914. The parents are members of the Baptist church, while in political faith Mr. Johnson is a republican. He is well known, being a lifelong resident of his community, and his record is as an open book which all may read.
HOMER A. BROWN.
Homer A. Brown, a well known attorney of Forest City, was born in Westfield, Vermont, February 5, 1867, a son of Thomas O. and Ellen R. Brown, who in the year 1870 left New England and removed westward to Mitchell county, Iowa, where the father followed the oceupation of farming.
In attendance at the public schools Homer A. Brown mastered the elementary branches of learning and then in preparation for a professional career matriculated in the State University, being graduated from the law department with the class of 1890. The same year he was admitted to the bar and located for practice at Riceville, lowa, where he remained for two years. In 1893 he came to Forest City, where he opened an office and has since followed his profession, doing excellent work at the bar as an able lawyer who possesses a comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence and is accurate in applying these principles to the points in litigation. He prepares his cases with great thoroughness and care, is sound in his reasoning and logical in his deductions.
In 1897 Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Maida Clark, of Rockford. Illinois, a danghter of Il. G. and Mary Clark. Their children are Phyllis, Mar- jorie. Ellith and Roger, all at home.
Mr. Brown is a well known Mason, belonging to the lodge at Forest City and the chapter at Garner. He is a past master of Truth Lodge, No. 213, 1. F. & A. M. His political allegiance was given to the republican party until 1912, when he joined the progressive party, and in 1916 was the candidate on its ticket for the office of attorney general of the state. He has been city attorney for the past nine
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years and has made a most ereditable record in that position. He has also served as a member of the school board and the cause of education has found in him a stalwart champion. Ile and his family attend the Congregational and Methodist churches and their influence is always on the side of those forces of righteousness and civic betterment which work for the upbuilding of the community.
SAMUEL K. TURNER.
There is probably no resident of Lake Mills with a wider or more favorable acquaintance throughout the county than Samuel K. Turner. He has made his home in the town for many years but has continued to engage in farming and has met with gratifying success in that connection. Moreover, for more than three decades he has been either deputy sheriff or constable. He was born March 10, 1856, in Fennimore, Grant county, Wisconsin, and is a son of James and Harriett ( Brown) Turner. The former was born in Lancashire, England, and the latter in Belgium but when a child was taken by her parents to Virginia. In carly manhood the father emigrated to the United States and located in Lancaster, Wisconsin, where he farmed until the discovery of gold in California. In 1849 he made the long journey to the Pacific coast and was more successful there than the average miner as at the end of three years he returned to Wisconsin a wealthy man. He took up his residence in Fennimore and became the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land in that locality, engaging in raising grain and stoek until he enlisted as second lieutenant of a Wisconsin Infantry Company for service in the Civil war. He was at the front for a year and a half, or until the close of hostilities, and when honorably discharged held the rank of captain. When peace had been restored he returned to Wisconsin and continued to reside there during the remainder of his life. He died in 1870, when sixty- three years of age, from the effects of a wound received in battle. He was one of the foremost citizens of his seetion of the state and for a term filled the impor- tant position of state treasurer. He was a brother of the well known General Turner, who was killed in battle at the beginning of the Boer war. The mother of our subject survived until 1890, passing away at the advanced age of seventy- seven years.
Samuel K. Turner was reared upon the homestead and in the acquirement of his education attended the public schools. When he reached mature years he took charge of the operation of the home place and also hought and sold horses, so continuing until 1826. In that year he came to Winnebago county. Iowa, and the following year, in partnership with his brother, purchased a half seetion of land which is now worth one hundred and fifty dollars an aere but which they bought for four and a half dollars an aere. They never operated that place and in fact sold it after a few years. Mr. Turner of this review removed to Lake Mills and for three years engaged in the livery business, and at the same time served as deputy sheriff under J. II. Twito and M. C. Wheeler. He retained that office for eleven years. Since the end of his connection with the sheriff's office, or for twenty-three years, he has been constable, and has made a splendid record. While still living in Wisconsin he was deputy sheriff for five years and the number
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of times he has been called to office testifies to the high esteem in which he has always been held by his fellow citizens. In 1893 he bought a quarter section of land in Logan township and although continuing to reside in Lake Mills he has farmned that place himself save for three years when he rented it to others. He understands thoroughly the various phases of agricultural work, is industrious and progressive, and his annual income ranks him among the substantial men of his county. He is also a stock holder in the Farmers Elevator Company and the Mutual Telephone Company and for thirty-five years he has engaged in auction- cering, during which time he has eried many sales occurring in the county. Although the activities enumerated are seemingly sufficient to require all of his time and energy he also practiced as a veterinarian from the age of fifteen years until two years ago, retiring from that work in 1915.
Mr. Turner was married September 2t, 1881, to Miss Minnie Witchenthal, and to them were born five children, Ethel II., who married Earl Harkness; Lulu B., who married Gus Gisinger, Beulah F., who married Dr. L. R. Turner, of Renwick, Iowa: Lyle K., who enlisted at the age of seventeen years in Troop M of the Thirteenth Minnesota Cavalry and served eighteen months with that com- mand, being stationed at Columbus, New Mexico, and El Paso, Texas ; and Glenn F.
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