USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 27
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 27
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The wife and mother died January 12, 1899, and on the 10th of October, 1900. Mr. Turner was married to Mrs. Luretta M. (Robbins) Kyle, of Lake Mills, the widow of the late John A. Kyle, who was the owner and editor of the Lake Mills Graphic.
Mr. Turner is a stanch adherent of the republican party and discharges to the full his civic duties and has served with credit as a member of the town eonneil. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonie order and the Modern Woodmen of America.
FRANK OTIS.
An excellent tract of land of one hundred and sixty aeres on section 28, Forest township, Winnebago county, pays tribute to the care and labor bestowed upon it by the owner, Frank Otis, whose life of diligence and determination has brought to him a substantial measure of success. He was born in Winnebago county on the 17th of September, 1876, his father being J. J. Otis, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work. Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, Frank Otis acquired his education in the public schools, mastering the usual branches of learning while dividing his time between the work of the schoolroom and the work of the farm. He continued to assist his father in the development of the fields until he attained his majority, when he started out in farm life on his own account and for three years rented land. He then purchased the farm whereon he now resides on seetion 28, Forest township, comprising one hundred and sixty aeres and through the intervening period he has bent his energies to te further development and improvement of this property. He has brought his fields to a high state of cultivation and annually gathers good crops as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon his place. He is prompt in all that he undertakes and is systematic in his work. Aside from his farming he is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator at Forest City.
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On the 23d of September, 1903, Mr. Otis was married to Miss Katherine McCann, who was born at Iowa Falls, Iowa, a daughter of William and Mary (Cooney ) McCann, who were natives of Ireland and New York respectively. The father is now deceased but the mother is living in Forest City, Iowa. Both Mr. and Mrs. Otis are members of the Catholic church and in the community where they reside they are held in high esteem.
CHARLES L. BEADLE.
Charles L. Beadle is now a retired farmer living in Forest City. He was born in Hancock county on the 16th of May, 1820, and has been a lifelong resident of Iowa. Ilis parents, George W. and Sarah (Streeter) Beadle, were pioneers of this seetion and are mentioned at length on another page of this work.
The son was educated in the publie schools and in the Deeorah (Ia.) Normal School, after which he taught for one term, but on the expiration of that period resumed farming, to which pursuit he had been reared, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. ITis father's training well qualified him for later responsibilities and he took up farming on his own account in Ellington township, Haneoek county, where he purchased land on which he resided for twenty-one years. In the spring of 1916 he removed to Forest City, where he is now living retired, enjoying the fruits of his former intelligently directed effort. He still owns a farm of one hundred and fifty acres, from which he derives a substantial ineome, and the sneeess of his former years enables him to have all of life's comforts and many of its luxuries.
In September, 1893, Mr. Beadle was united in marriage to Miss Mary Streeper, of Britt, Iowa, and they have become the parents of four children: Irene L., a teacher in the schools of Hancock eounty; Lois M., a teacher in the Winnebago county schools ; Sarah C., who is attending Waldorf College at Forest City; and George M., a pupil in the graded schools.
In his political views Mr. Beadle is a republican and has ever been a close student of the political questions and issues of the day but has never been an office seeker. IIe represents one of the old pioneer families of the county and has himself been a resident of this section for forty-seven years. Ile has a wide acquaintance and those who know him speak of him in terms of warm regard.
A. O. STALIIEIM.
Winnebago county has no more progressive or up-to-date farmer living in its midst than A. O. Stalheim, who owns and operates a highly improved farm on section 21, Norway township. He was born in Norway on the 17th of November, 1864, and is a son of Ole and Olina (Andrea) Anderson, also natives of that country, where the mother died. The father, who is a farmer by occupation, is still living there. In their family were seven children, all of whom are still living. Two are still in Norway but five have come to the new world.
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Mr. Stalheim of this review is the oldest of the family. In his native land he grew to manhood, being nineteen years of age when he came to the United States alone to try his fortune, believing that better opportunities were afforded young men on this side of the Atlantic than in the older countries of Europe. ITis destination was Sharon, Wisconsin, where he worked as a section hand on the railroad for eight years, but has since devoted his time and attention to farming. He was twenty-seven years of age when he arrived in Winnebago county and for several years was employed as a farm hand in Norway township. Later he engaged in farming for himself upon rented land and in 1910 purchased the northwest quarter of section 21, Norway township, where he now makes his home. In con- nection with the operation of his own land he cultivates the southeast quarter of section 20, which he rents.
Since buying his farm Mr. Stalheim has made many improvements thereon. He has remodeled the residence, making it modern in every respect, and has built the finest barn in Winnebago county and perhaps in the northern part of the state. It is a large cement foundation structure with the upper part of frame. with cement floors, Lowden stanehions and stalls, eleetrie lights and water, sewer and ventilating tubes. There are refuse carriers traveling on suspended overhead tracks and each stall has individual convertible feeding and watering cement troughs. Mr. Stalheim is now planning to build a hog barn on the same plan and also a cess tank for refuse. When these are completed he will have one of the most modern and up-to-date farms in the state, with all its equipment efficient and sanitary.
At the age of nineteen years Mr. Stalheim was married in Wisconsin to Miss Mary Jurgenson, whose parents never came to the United States but she came over on the same ship with her husband. To them were born three children, namely : Ole, who is married and living near Northwood, Iowa; Nels, who is also married and living near Joice, Iowa; and Edward, who is single and at home. The mother of these children died in Wisconsin in 1895 and was buried at Jefferson Prairie, that state, Mr. Stalheim was again married in 1897, his second union being with Miss Mary Sanden, a daughter of Eriek and Katrina Sanden, of Norway township, Winnebago county. Iowa, who are now deceased and are buried in Lime Creek cemetery. There was one child by this marriage, Gina, at home.
The family hold membership in the Synod Lutheran church and are people of prominence in the community where they reside. Since becoming an American citizen Mr. Stalheim has affiliated with the republican party but has taken no active part in polities aside from voting.
DANIEL H. PETERSON.
For many years Daniel II. Peterson engaged in farming in Winnebago county. but is now living retired in Lake Mills, having accumulated a competence and feeling that he has earned a period of leisure. He was born in Norway, January 30, 1833, and has therefore passed the eighty-fourth milestone on life's journey, but in health and mental vigor seems many years younger. He is a son of Hans and Caroline Peterson, also natives of Norway, where the father engaged in
MR. AND MRS. DANIEL H. PETERSON
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farming until his death, which occurred when his son Daniel II. was abont ten years old. The mother subsequently removed with he. children to the United States.
Daniel Il. Peterson, after remaining at Waupaca, Wisconsin, during the first summer of his residence in this country, removed to La Salle county, Ilinois, whence three years later he went to Rochester, Minnesota. He was employed on farms in that vieinity for about six years and on the 4th of July, 1865, arrived in Winnebago county, Iowa. He took up a homestead in Center township, which was then practically a frontier region, the only other settlers being Charles Smith and Helen Benson Groe. Ile erected a log house, in which he resided for a number of years, although later it was replaced by a commodious frame strue- ture. Ile made other improvements upon his farm and in all his work strove to combine progressiveness with practicality with the result that as the years passed his resources steadily increased. In 1893 he retired and removed to Lake Mills, where he has since resided.
When twenty-four years old Mr. Peterson was married to Miss Martha Angle- son, of La Salle county, Illinois, who passed away twenty-five years later. To them were born ten children, of whom four survive, namely: Ilans, who is residing upon the home farm; Nels, a resident of Lake Mills; Bessie, now Mrs. Tom Angleson, of Brock, South Dakota; and Martha, the wife of II. M. John- son, who resides near Blanchardville, Wisconsin. The wife and mother was buried in the North cemetery. In 1883 Mr. Peterson married Miss Harborg Angleson, a sister of his first wife.
Mr. Peterson supports republican candidates and measures at the polls, but has never sought offiee as a reward for his party fealty. The rules which govern his life are found in the teachings of the Methodist Episcopal church and his close adherence to high ethical standards has gained him the respect of all who know him. lle was quick to recognize and take advantage of opportunities, and although he began his independent career empty handed, he is now financially independent. After he had begun to prosper he loaned money without interest to twenty-three friends in Norway to pay their transportation across the Atlantic and all of them emigrated to this country, where they too, met with success. Ile is staneh in his loyalty to America and all that it stands for, and has ever been willing to place the general good above his private interests.
NATHAN BRONES.
Nathan Brones, who is engaged in general agricultural pursuits on seetion 33, Mount Valley township, was born on what is known as the old Brones homestead, on section 7 of the same township, and has been a lifelong resident of Winnebago county. His natal day was July 10, 1877, his parents being Mr. and Mrs. l'eter N. Brones, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this work.
The son remained under the parental roof through the period of his boyhood and youth and divided his time between the acquirement of an education in the district schools and the work of the fields, for he carly assisted in planting, earing for and harvesting the crops. On attaining his majority he did not seek to change
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his occupation but began farming on his own account on the old homestead, which he rented for a year. During the succeeding three years he rented and cultivated other land and while thus engaged he carefully saved his earnings so that he was then able to purchase forty aeres and thereby became the owner of a tract on section 21, Mount Valley township. le resided there for two or three years, after which he went to North Dakota and took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres. He proved up on that property and subsequently sold it for twenty-five hundred dollars. On returning to Winnebago county he purchased his present home farm of one hundred and sixty acres, on which he has lived since 1911. It was a tract of wild land when it came into his possession. He erected thereon substantial farm buildings, dug out the brush, fenced the land and converted the place into rich and productive fields. He today has a valuable and fortile farm and the land which he purchased for $36.25 per acre he now regards as worth more than one hundred and twenty-five dollars per acre. In fact he has recently refused that sum. There are good buildings upon the place and he employs modern farm machinery in facilitating the work of the fields.
In 1901 Mr. Brones was married to Miss Malena Felland, a daughter of Torjus Felland, one of the pioneer settlers of Mount Valley township, who arrived here in the '60s and who is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Brones have had seven children, of whom six are living, Gladys A., Lyle S., Alpha G., Palmer F., Stanley R. and Mildred M. The parents attend the Norwegian Methodist Episcopal church and they are well known in their section of the county, where they have a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintance.
T. A. SORBON.
T. A. Sorbon, who is living retired in Lake Mills, was born in Norway, May 3, 1854, but when fourteen years old accompanied the rest of the family on their emigration to the United States. His parents, Andreas and Ellen (Scar) Sorbon, believed that better opportunities awaited them in this country than in their native land and found their hopes more than realized. They came here in 1868 and for a year resided in Dane county, Wisconsin, after which they removed to Mitchell county, Iowa, where the father purchased a farm which he operated until 1891. when he removed to Lake Mills. He lived retired there until his death in 1896 and a year later the mother also passed away. They were buried in the North cemetery.
T. A. Sorbon, who is the oldest in a family of four children, received his education in the common schools of Norway and through assisting his father with the farm work received valuable training in the cultivation of the fields and the care of stock. When twenty-tive years old he purchased land in Mitchell county and his time and attention were taken up with its cultivation until 1891, when he disposed of the place and took up his residence in Lake Mills. He became a member of the firm of Sorbon & Aasgaard, dealers in hardware, and remained in that connection for four years. In 1896, however, he bought out the Nelson interests in the Scar-Nelson clothing store and was part owner of that business for fourteen years. Upon disposing of his interest in that store he purchased a farm near Scarville and for five years followed agricultural pursuits there. He
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then retired from active life and took up his residence in Lake Mills, where in 1915 he erected a fine modern home.
Mr. Sorbon was married in 1886 to Miss Carrie Lindeley, a daughter of O. O. and ('arrie Lindeley, of Mitchell county, Iowa, by whom he has four living children : Edward K. and Louis II., who are residents of Rapid City, South Dakota; and Cora E. and AAlma O., both at home.
The democratic party has a stanch supporter in Mr. Sorbon, who, however, has limited his participation in polities to the exercise of his right of franchise. He is a member of the Masonic blue lodge, in which he has filled all the chairs, and his religious faith is indicated in his membership in the United Lutheran church. The competence which he has gained, which enables him to rest from further labor, has been acquired solely through his own efforts and is evidence of his enterprise and sound judgment.
T. I. THOMPSON.
T. I. Thompson, who is residing upon his finely improved farm of three hundred and twenty acres on section 35, Linden township, Winnebago couty, is one of the foremost men of his township and at one time held title to from twelve to thirteen hundred acres of land, but has now disposed of his holdings save for his home place. He was born in Norway, December 22, 1855, a son of Knute and Sena (Goodmanson) Thompson, the latter of whom died when he was but two weeks old. The father came to the United States about 1882, and from that time until his death in 1902 made his home with his son, T. I.
The last named received his early education in his native country, but in 1872, when in his seventeenth year, came to the United States on a sailing vessel which required eight weeks to make the voyage. He landed at Quebec, Canada, in July of that year, and at once made his way to the United States, locating in Lee county, Illinois. He secured work on a farm and was given the privilege of attending school during the winter months. After spending about five years as a farm hand in Lee county he went to Chicago, where he found employment on the government piers as a carpenter. For six years he made his home in that city and then was for three years a resident of Story county, Iowa, farming rented land during that time. In 1885 he removed to Winnebago county, lowa, and purchased one hundred and sixty aeres of his present farm on section 35, Linden township. Ile was from the start very successful as an agriculturist and as he prospered he invested in additional land until he became the owner of between twelve and thirteen hundred acres. In 1905, however, since he did not wish to be burdened with the over- sight of the operation of so much land, he disposed of his holdings save the three hundred and twenty acre farm in Linden township on which he resides. This place is one of the model farms of the township and the equipment includes all implements that have been devised to increase the efficiency of farm work. Ile also owns stock in the Crystal Lake Savings Bank.
In 1880 occurred the marriage of Mr. Thompson and Miss Rebecca Baggeson, a native of Norway, and they have become the parents of six children as follows: Harry I., and Walter J., both of whom are farming in Forest township, Winnebago
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county ; Arthur J., who is a farmer and cattle man residing in Alberta, Canada; Frank 1., and Mabel and Lilly, at home.
Mr. Thompson supports the republican party and has for many years served as a member of the school board but has not held any other oflice. His wife and children belong to the Methodist Episcopal church in the work of which they take an active part. The signal measure of success which he has gained as a farmer has been due in large measure to his progressive spirit, and this has also characterized him in his relation to his community, as he has at all times stood firmly for measures calculated to promote the common good.
WILLIAM H. ANNETT.
William Il. Annett, owner and editor of the Buffalo Center Tribune, has devoted his entire career to newspaper work and his long and varied experience in that field is evidenced in the etticiency which he displays in the management of his present paper. That he has time to devote to other interests than his private business affairs is fortunate for his community, for he possesses sound judgment and the ability to secure hearty cooperation from his associates in any undertaking, and as mayor of Buffalo Center he has done mieh to forward the interests of the municipality. Ile was born in Galena, Illinois, July 29, 1821, and is of English descent. His parents, John B. and Harriet ( Richardson) Annett, removed there after coming to America many years ago. The father was a shoemaker by trade, but after locating in Galena, became connected with the police department there and for several years held the office of chief. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted in Company (. Forty-fifth Ilinois Volunteer Infantry, and served through- out the period of hostilities with the rank of first lieutenant. After the restoration of peace he went to Spencer, lowa, and took up a homestead in that locality, but as the grasshopper plague caused him to suffer heavy financial loss he returned to Galena, Illinois, where he lived until 1877. In that year he again became a resident of Spencer, lowa, and served as the first city marshal. Moreover, the Grand Army post there is named in his honor. He passed away in July, 1880. deeply mourned by his many friends. Our subject's grandmother, Mary Richardson. was the custodian of General Grant's home at Galena and there John B. Annett was married to Miss Harriet Richardson, who survives him and makes her home in Idaho.
William Il. Annett was only a child at the time of his father's death, but as he was the oldest son he had to go to work and help support the family. He left school when twelve years old and entered a printing office, there learning the trade. Ile has ever since been identified with newspaper offices and has made gratifying progress in his chosen work. For nine years he was foreman of the Clay County News, in which he bought an interest in 1895, but three years later he disposed of his holdings therein and became part owner of the Spencer Reporter, with which he severed his connection, however, in 1904. He then went to Idaho and for six years was foreman of a large publishing house in that state, but returned to lowa on account of his wife's health. For a year he was employed in Sionx City and in 1912 came to Buffalo Center, Towa. and purchased the Buffalo Center
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Tribune, which he has sinee owned and edited. His plant is well equipped and in addition to publishing the Tribune he does a large job business. He has won an enviable reputation for enterprise, high class work and honorable dealing and has been markedly successful both as a newspaper publisher and as a job printer.
Mr. Annett was married June 2, 1897, to Miss Jessie Bender and they have had two children: Marguerite, who was born in May, 1898, and died in 1901; and Pauline, born in September, 1904. Mr. Annett is a republican in his political belief and since 1916 has been mayor of Buffalo Center. His work as a newspaper man has naturally kept him in close touch with public affairs and this knowledge of matters pertaining to local government has been of great value to him in the discharge of his duties as mayor, enabling him to work efficiently for the town's good. His publie service has also included his incumbency of the office of secretary of the Winnebago-Kossuth Institute and Short Course for two years and he still takes a most lively interest in plans for giving farmers the benefit of the scientifie investigation that is constantly being made along agricultural lines. lle is a member of the Masonie order and the Knights of Pythias. Ile also belongs to the Congregational church and is a member of the male quartette there and his wife is choir leader. Ilis varied interests make such heavy demands upon his time and energy as would tax the powers of a less enterprising man, but he is never so busy that he cannot find time to give to his friends, of whom there are many.
SAMUEL KLIPPING.
Samuel Klipping, of Forest City, is now living retired after long connection with agricultural interests in Haneoek county. He was born in Stephenson county, Illinois, March 23, 1853, a son of Conrad and Marie Klipping, who were natives of Germany, where they were reared and married. While they were en route for America their eldest child, a daughter, was born on shipboard. They became pioneer settlers of Stephenson county. Illinois, where the father secured land and engaged in farming until his death.
Samuel Klipping attended the common schools to the age of sixteen years and afterward worked for his father upon the home farm until he attained his twenty- second year. He then rented land and began farming on his own account, con- tinning his connection with agricultural interests in his native county for fourteen years. In 1890 he arrived in Hancock county, Iowa and the following year removed his family, after which he cultivated a rented farm for four years. In 1895 he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land, which he cultivated until the spring of 1916, or for a period of twenty-one years, after which he retired to Forest City, where he is now most comfortably and pleasantly located. He still owns one hundred and sixty-six acres of his farm, while his son George is now owner of the remainder. His place returns to him a gratifying annual ineome, for he has converted the land into rich and productive fields.
In 1876 Mr. Klipping was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Meyer, of Stephenson county, Illinois, by whom he had eleven children, ten of whom still survive, as follows: George, an agriculturist of Hancock county; Rose, who is the wife of
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Henry Schultz, of Winnebago county ; JJessie, who is married and lives in Waterloo, Iowa: Arthur, a resident of Red Lake Falls, Minnesota ; Elmer, living on the home farm; Louisa, the wife of Leonard Bryant, of Waterloo; Clara, who is the wife of Henry Jones, of Estherville, Iowa ; Roy, living on the home farm ; Leonard, who is in the employ of Henry Schultz; and Ima who is employed as a clerk in Waterloo, Iowa.
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