USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 28
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 28
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Mr. Klipping exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party. He has for three years been township trustee but could never be called a politician in the sense of office seeking although he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He started out in life empty handed, but he early realized the fact that determination and energy are the basis of honorable snecess. He has worked his way upward along those lines and what he has accomplished represents the fit utilization of his time and his innate powers and talents.
HANS AND HALVOR FUGLEBERG.
Hans and Halvor Fugleberg, actively interested in farming on section ?, Center township, have one hundred and twenty acres of land in their home farm and have other investments in land and business enterprises. They are well known and substantial citizens of Winnebago county, within the borders of which they have always lived. They were born in Forest township, Hans on the 29th of April, 1875, and ITalvor on the 4th of February, 1879. They are sons of Ole and Mary Fugleberg, who were natives of Norway and in 1865 came to America, settling first in Winneshiek county, lowa, where the father engaged in farming for seven years. Ile then sold that property and removed to Winnebago county, purchasing one hundred and sixty aeres of land in Forest township. This he improved and cultivated for seventeen years, when he sold out and took up his abode in Center township, purchasing one hundred and twenty acres of land on seetion 7. He cultivated and developed this property throughout his remaining days, his life's labors being ended in death on the 5th of September, 1907. His wife had previously passed away. her death occurring June 6, 1900.
Hans and Halvor Fugleberg spent their youthful days upon the farms on which their parents lived in Forest and Center townships. They attended the district schools and as they advaneed in age and strength they more and more largely assisted in the work of the home farm. Following the death of the father Hans Fugleberg purchased the home place of one hundred and twenty aeres and Halvor Fugleberg bought an eighty-aere traet on section 6, Center township, just north of the home place. They have since together operated the entire traet of two hundred aeres and have made it one of the productive farms of the county. They work persistently and diligently in the further development of the property, and their practical and progressive methods are indicated in the sneeess which has attended them. They are stockholders in the Farmers Elevator Company and in the Lake Mills ('reamery Company, while Hans is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company of Scarville.
Like many of the people of Norwegian nationality or deseent, the Fugleberg
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brothers adhere to the faith of the Lutheran church and guide their lives by its teachings. They vote with the republican party and keep well informed on the questions and issues of the day, so that they are able to support their position by intelligent argument.
ANDREW CHARLSON.
Andrew Charlson is a retired farmer of Forest township, Winnebago county, who now makes his home on section 23. He is a representative of that large and substantial quota of citizens that Norway has furnished to Iowa, his birth having oceurred in that country on the 13th of October, 1841. In 1852 his parents, Carl Anderson and Bertha (Halverson) Charlson, came to the United States with their family from Anfenesrue, near Drammen, Norway, on a sailing vessel that took seven weeks to make the voyage. They established their home in Dane county, Wisconsin. The father was employed on the construction of the C'hicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad from Stoughton to Madison, Wisconsin, and he continued his residence in that state until called to his final rest, after which the mother brought the family to Winnebago county. lowa, in 1866.
Andrew Charlson was reared and educated in Dane county, Wisconsin, pursuing his studies in one of the old-time log schoolhouses, with its slab benches and other primitive furnishings, while the methods of instruction were almost as erude in those pioneer times. However, in the school of experience he has learned many practical and valuable lessons. In the spring of 1866 he came to Winnebago county, Iowa, with his mother and in connection with her purchased a small traet of land in Forest township on which was a log cabin. In that primitive home the family was established and there resided for several years. Mr. Charlson was ambitious and industrious and through his earnest and indefatigable effort he was able to earn the money that enabled him from time to time to add to his posses- sions. He has at intervals made purchases until he is now the owner of eight hundred acres of valuable farm land, all of which he has improved and which is now being further developed and cultivated by his children, with the exception of the small tract of fifty acres whereon he now resides. This splendid property is the visible evidence of his life of well directed energy and thrift. In addition to his farming interests he is a stock holder in the Lake Mills Lumber Company and in the Farmers Cooperative Creamery Company of Forest City.
On July 26, 1870, Mr. Charlson was married to Miss Bertha C. Peterson, a native of La Salle county, Illinois, and a daughter of Hans H. Peterson, who came to America from Norway in 1850 and settled in La Salle county, Illinois. In that state he was married to Kristana Thors Nelson Vareberg, who emigrated to America from Stavanger, Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Charlson have become parents of seven children, of whom five are yet living, namely : Clarence II., who follows farming in Winnebago county ; Bertha M., the wife of George Klipping, a resident farmer of Hancock county ; and Joseph W., Arthur Bliss and Irving W., all of whom are farmers of this part of the state, taking up the work for their father upon his land.
Mr. and Mrs. Charlson are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church
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and have guided their lives according to its teachings. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and in 1864 he first exercised his right of franchise by voting for Abraham Lincoln. It was in that year that he joined the Union army as a soldier of the Civil war, becoming a member of Company 1, Forty-third Wisconsin Infantry, with which he remained until the cessation of hostilities. Ile has served as a member of the school board in his distriet and has filled several of the township offices, the duties of which he has ever discharged with promptness and fidelity. Ile is today numbered among the old settlers of Winnebago county and is one of its most highly esteemed citizens. He certainly deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, for he has worked diligently and with determination to win his success and his life record indicates what may be accomplished when there is a will to dare and to do. He did not shirk the responsibilities that early came to him nor grumble that fate was unkind to him but worked along lines that led to success and is today one of the prosperous citizens of Winnebago county.
JOHN N. BRUDVIG.
John N. Brudvig, actively and successfully engaged in general farming on section 29, Norway township, Winnebago county, was born in a little island called Osterand, in the northeastern part of Bergen, Norway, his natal day being April 20, 1844. His parents were Nels and Anna ( Olson) Anderson, farming people, who had a family of three children, of whom John N. was the eldest. Ilis two brothers were Andrew M. and Ole Brudvig. The former became an early settler of Norway township, Winnebago county, lowa, and contributed to the pioneer development of that section, where he lived for many years and then passed to the home beyond. The younger brother died in Norway in 1866, when but eighteen years of age. The mother passed away in Norway in 1871. It was more than a decade later, or in 1882, that the father emigrated to the United States. In the meantime he had married again and by the second union there were born three children: Andrew M., now a minister of the gospel in Colton, South Dakota: Emma, the wife of Andrew J. Brudvig, of Stutsman county, North Dakota; and Bertha, the wife of Joseph Johnson, of Thompson, Iowa. On coming with his family to the new world the father made his way at once to the home of his son, John N. Brudvig, and lived with him for three years. Ile then purchased a farm on section 20, Norway township, and continued to further develop and improve the place until his death, which occurred in 1900. ITis widow is still living and now makes her home with a danghter in Thompson. Towa. In his political views Mr. Anderson was a republican, for his study of the political situation of the country led him to the belief that the principles of that party contained the best elements of good government. His religious faith was that of the United Lutheran church. Ile was a self-made man, his persisteney of purpose and his energy enabling him to overcome obstacles and, difficulties and work his way steadily upward to success.
John N. Brudvig attended the public schools near his boyhood home until he reached the age of sixteen years, when he began earning his living as a farm hand and was thus employed in Norway until 1867. He then resolved to try his
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fortune in the new world and came alone to the United States, making the voyage on a sailing vessel. Hle crossed the country to Lodi, Columbia county, Wisconsin, where he seeured employment as a farm hand and thus worked until the fall of 1870, when he removed to Worth county, Iowa, and secured employment near Northwood. He remained in the service of others for six years and in 1873 he bought the south half of the southwest quarter of seetion 29, Norway township. He paid for it by working in Worth county and in 1877 he took up his abode upon that place, bending his efforts to the work of elearing, developing and improving the place. He has converted the wild land into productive fields, from which he annually gathers good harvests. He is interested in the Farmers Ele- vator at Searville, Iowa, and in the Searville Creamery.
It was in 1883 that Mr. Brudvig was united in marriage to Miss Lena Holmset, a daughter of John Olson and Johanna (Ludvigson) Holmset, both now deceased, their remains having been interred in the Lime Creek cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Brudvig have become the parents of ten children: John, who is now living in Logan township: Nels, who is assisting in the operation of the home farm; Martin, who died in 1911 at the age of twenty-five years; Anna, who passed away in 1910 at the age of twenty-two years: Hannah, who is living in Mason City : Carl, a resident of Logan township; Hilda, also of Mason City; Emma, who died in infancy ; and Emma, second of the name, and Clara, both at home.
Mr. Brudvig votes with the republican party, but while he has never sought nor desired political office he has served as school director for a number of terms and believes in sustaining good schools in order that the children may have the training which fits them for life's practical and responsible duties. Both he and his wife are members of the Synod Lutheran church. Mr. Brudvig has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he has found the opportunities which he sought and in their utilization has worked his way steadily upward. Energy and ability have brought him to the front as a snecessful farmer and his life record should serve as a means of encouragement to others, showing what may be accomplished through individual labor.
CASPER K. MOE.
Prominent among the citizens that Norway has furnished Hancock county is Casper K. Moe of Concord township, who has steadily prospered sinee coming to the new world and is today one of the most substantial men of the community. He was born in Norway on the 1st of February, 1858, a son of Christian and Bertha (Tolloson ) Moe, who were lifelong residents of that country. There Mr. Moe was reared and educated, being twenty-two years of age when he crossed the ocean and located in Boston in 1880. He worked at the shoemaker's trade in that city for six months and then came west.
It was in 1881 that Mr. Moe arrived in Hancock county, Iowa, with whose interests he has since been identified. For a short time he worked as a section hand on the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad but on the 18th of August. 1881, accepted a position in a shoe store in Garner, where he was employed for two years and a half, and then engaged in the same line of business on his own account for
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eight years. In 1887 he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land on section 28, Concord township, Hancock county, for which he paid the highest price ever given for land in this county up to that time, and in 1917 he sold the tract for two hundred and twelve and a half dollars per acre, which is the record price paid for land in this locality. It is needless to say that his farm was the finest in Concord township, it being under excellent cultivation and splendidly improved with substantial buildings, which stood as monuments to his thrift and enterprise. Mr. Moe has not confined his attention wholly to agricultural pursuits but has become interested in a number of business enterprises which have had an important bearing upon the prosperity and development of Hancock county. From 1902 to 1910 he served as president of the Farmers National Bank of Garner ; was one of the original stockholders and the first treasurer of the Farmers Coopera- tive Elevator Company; and also a stockholder of the Cooperative Creamery at Garner.
On the 28th of January, 1885, Mr. Moe was united in marriage to Miss Mary Elizabeth Stork, who was born in Wisconsin, May 15, 1866, and is a daughter of Joseph and Barbara Stork, natives of Germany and Bohemia respectively. In 1870 her parents became residents of Muscoda, Grant county, Wisconsin, but are now (leceased. Mr. and Mrs. Moe have three children, namely: Chester Il., who married Dorothy Reeves, a native of Missouri; Vera I., the wife of Walter II. Moore, a native of Indiana ; and Vivian Lucille, who is at home.
Since becoming an American citizen, Mr. Moe has atliliated with the republican party and has taken quite an active and influential part in local polities. He has given special attention to educational affairs and served as school trustee six years. school treasurer ten years and school director for six years. In religious faith he is a Congregationalist, and in his fraternal relations is connected with the blue lodge, chapter, council and commandery of the Masonic order. He is also a mem- ber of the Eastern Star and belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a man of prominence in his community and has the confidence and respect of all who know him.
B. C. BURDICK.
B. C. Burdick, a highly respected retired farmer living in Lake Mills, was born in Cedar Falls on the 3d of August, 1861, and is a son of Alfred and Sarah (Platts) Burdick, natives of Pennsylvania and New Hampshire respectively. The father came to lowa in young manhood and the mother was brought to this state when a girl by her brother, Henry Platts. Mr. and Mrs. Burdick resided for a short time in Cedar Falls and were pioneer settlers in both Winnebago county and in Worth county, just across the line. The father had extensive land holdings in both counties, including a homestead on Burdick island in Rice lake, near Lake Mills. In the '60s he conducted a store in Bristol, Worth county, in connection with his farm. Both he and his wife are deceased and are buried in Sunnyside cemetery in Lake Mills.
B. C. Burdick attended the district schools until he was sixteen years of age and during the following nine years worked for his father. When twenty-five years
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old he was married and purchased a farm in Silver Lake township, Worth county, which he operated for eleven years. He then rented that place and took up his residence in Lake Mills, but nine years later bought a farm in Bristol township, Worth county. After following agricultural pursuits there for five years he retired from active life and became a resident of Lake Mills. He is in enviable financial circumstances and is assured of all the comforts of life without further recourse to lahor.
Mr. Burdick was married in 1887 to Miss Nellie Wright, a daughter of Abel J. and Anice ( Balsom) Wright, natives of New York state, where they were married and six of their children were born. The father came to lowa in 1868 but did not bring his family until 1872, making several trips between New York and Iowa in the meantime. In 1872 the family located in Bristol, Worth county, Iowa, and the father conducted a store there and also engaged in farming. In 1886 he removed to Lake Mills, Winnebago county, and retired from active life. He died September 5, 1904, and his wife January 17, 1914, and both are buried in Sunny- side cemetery. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Burdick, namely : Juva N., the wife of Milton Bergland, of Mason City; Beryl, who married Glenn Gaskill, of Lake Mills; Clarence A .; and Donald, who died in infancy.
Mr. Burdick is a democrat in his political belief and his interest in public affairs is that of a good citizen. Ile served many years as a member of the school board in Worth county and was trustee for several years. He is a member of the Ycomen and of the Methodist church, associations which indicate the nature of his interests, lle has a wide and favorable acquaintance throughout the county, his salient qual- ities being such as invariably command respect and regard.
MARTIN I. MARTINSON.
Martin I. Martinson has been a resident of Winnebago county, Iowa, since six years of age and since reaching man's estate has been prominently identified with her agricultural interests, now owning and operating a good farm on section 29. Norway township. Ile is a native of the neighboring state of Wisconsin, his birth occurring in Lafayette county, June 24, 1859, and he is a son of Ingebrit and Gertrude (Odden) Martinson, of whom extended mention is made in the sketch of Ole 1. Martinson on another page of this volume.
Martin I. Martinson accompanied his parents on their removal to Winnebago county, lowa, about 1865, and here he pursued his studies in the public schools until sixteen years of age. Ile remained at home until twenty-five and then purchased the southeast quarter of section 29, Norway township, and also the west half of the southwest quarter of section 28. Upon this farm he has since resided and has given his undivided attention to its cultivation and improvement with good results. Hle is now a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator, Lake Mills Creamery Company and Farmers Lumber Company of Lake Mills and is one of the well-to-do citizens of his community.
On the 29th of March, 1884, Mr. Martinson was united in marriage to Miss Lena Anderson, a daughter of Ole and Carrie Anderson, who were natives of Norway and came to the United States forty years ago. The father was a farmer
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and passed away in Winnebago county in 1897. He is buried in Lime Creek ceme- tery. The mother is living in Wisconsin at the age of eighty-three years. To Mr. and Mrs. Martinson have been born twelve children, of whom the following are still living: Ingebrit M., a resident of Center township: Carl Oscar, of Lake Mills : Selma C., the wife of Ed Johnson, of Center township, Winnebago county : Clara (., the wife of Alfred Thompson, of Center township; and Gilma, Annetta (., Alice B., Melvin O, and William R., all at home.
The family are identified with the Synod Lutheran church and in politics Mr. Martinson affiliates with the republican party. in whose principles and policies he firmly believes. For a number of years he filled the office of school director and the cause of education has always found in him a faithful friend. Wherever known, he is held in high regard and he is numbered among the representative citizens of his locality.
NELS P. BAYERS.
Among the most prosperous residents of Winnebago county is Nels P'. Bayers. a retired farmer now living in Forest City. There is much of interest coneerning his life record and the methods which he has pursued in the attainment of success that can with profit be set down, He was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Denmark, May 6, 1848. a son of Christ and Carrie ( Vestergaard ) Bayers, the former of whom died in Germany and the latter in Copenhagen.
Reared under the parental roof, Nels P. Bayers acquired his education in his native country and was a young man of twenty-three years when in 1871 he crossed the Atlantic to the new world, setiling in Manistee, Michigan, on the 25th of October of that year. There he was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Marie Anderson, who came to the United States from Denmark in 1872. For five years Mr. Bayers continued a resident of Michigan, but thinking to find better opportunities in the west, resolved to remove to Iowa.
It was in 1856 that he arrived in Hancock county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Britt township, ten miles west of Garner, which he sold shortly afterwards. He then bought forty acres four miles east of Garner, where he remained for two years, affer which he sold that and purchased ninety acres in Ellington township, which he cultivated for a time. Later he disposed of that land and bought one hundred and sixty acres in the same township. His next investment made him owner of one hundred and sixty acres adjoining and still later he bought one hundred and eighty acres where the town of Miller is now located. He continued to occupy and cultivate his farm in Ellington township until 1901, when he retired and removed to Forest City. He remains, however, an extensive holder of farm lands, his possessions ineluding five hundred and forty- seven acres of valuable land near Rochester, Minnesota, two hundred and thirty-six acres near Charles City, Iowa, one hundred and sixty acres of irrigated land in Laramie county, Wyoming, and eighty acres of land in Sumner county, Kansas, which has become very valuable owing to oil discoveries there. Mr. Bavers is rated among the wealthy men of Forest City. He has been very successful, for although he came to this country a poor young man, he has worked his
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way steadily upward. When he arrived in Manistee, Michigan, he had had no breakfast and possessed not a penny to buy his dinner. Two days later he had fifteen dollars in his pocket, which his earnest labor had brought him- as much money as he made in the mother country in six months. He was ambitious and determined to get ahead. He worked hard, utilizing every advan- tage that would enable him to progress in a business way, and year by year marked an increase in his fortunes, owing to his persistent effort, his careful invest- ment and his keen sagacity. In addition to his farming interests he became the organizer of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company of Hancock County, of which for twelve years he was the president. He was also the organizer of the Farmers Alliance of Hancock County and for two years served as its president. He is now a stockholder in the First National Bank of Forest City. For many years he was president of the Farmers Mutual Creamery Company of Forest City, the first mutual creamery company in Winnebago county.
In 1908 Mr. Bayers was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife, who passed away on the 2d of April of that year, leaving ten children, while three have departed this life. Those who still survive are: Celia M., the wife of II. J. Ries, of Billings, Montana; Mamie, who gave her hand in marriage to C. C. Clark, of Minneapolis, Minnesota ; Peter ('., a resident of Antler, North Dakota ; Carrie, the wife of John M. Walls, of Grafton, North Dakota; Arthur, a banker, who makes his home in Lavina, Montana; George W., residing in Denver, Colo- rado: Marie, who is a music teacher of Minneapolis, Minnesota ; JJohn and Walter, who are Montana homesteaders ; and Valeta, a trained nurse of Minneapolis, Minnesota. In May. 1909, Mr. Bayers married Miss Olivia Hendrickson of Chicago, Illinois, who is a native of Denmark.
Mr. Bayers gives his political allegiance to the democratic party but has never sought nor desired office. However, he served on the school board in Hancock county for several years. Hle is interested in progressive citizenship and his activities have been an element in the continued growth and development of his section of the state. Here he has lived for more than forty years and has ever been an interested witness of the events which have occurred that have molded the history of the county.
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