USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 29
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 29
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ANDREW A. RODBERG.
As its name indicates, Norway township, Winnebago county, has been largely settled by those who were born in the land of the midnight sun or whose parents came from that country. Andrew A. Rodberg first opened his eyes to the light of day at North Fjord, Norway, March 13. 1862, being the second child of Amund and Anna Rodberg, who are farming people and who had a family of six children : John, who is now a resident of Scarville, lowa; A. A .; Jeneea, now the wife of Louis Opdahl, of North Fjord, Norway : Olina, the wife of Rasmus Nelson, also living in that country; Gertrude, the wife of Andrew Kvernaveck, of Norway : and Jacob, who died in Norway. The first two were the only ones who ever came to the United States, the parents and other members of the family still living in Norway.
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Andrew A. Rodberg spent the period of his boyhood and youth in his native land and when twenty-one years of age came alone to the United States, first settling near Northwood, Worth county, Iowa. He worked as a farm hand for a short time and then removed to Norway township, Winnebago county, where he was employed at farm labor until he reached the age of twenty-seven years. In the meantime he carefully saved his earnings until his industry and economy had brought to him a sufficient sum to enable him to purchase the northeast quarter of section 31, Norway township. With characteristic energy he at once began to clear and develop that property, upon which he still makes his home. He soon cleared the land, plowed under the native prairie grasses, harrowed his fields, planted his seed and in due course of time was gathering good harvests. All through the intervening years to the present he has carefully cultivated his land and the result of his labors is seen in a splendidly developed farm, upon which are good improvements. Ile rotates his erops, studies the best methods of enhancing the yield and utilizes the latest improved machinery in planting and harvesting.
When twenty-eight years of age Mr. Rodberg was married to Miss Anna Ide, who came to the United States with her brothers, who settled in Worth county. Iowa, where they still make their home. To Mr. and Mrs. Rodberg were born four children: Perry, who married Sarah Linde, a daughter of O. P. Linde, of Norway township: Amanda, the wife of R. Jacobson, who is cultivating the home farm and by whom she has two children, Asta and Alma : and John and Elmer, who are still at hime. The wife and mother passed away July 3, 1913, and her remains were laid to rest at Lake Mills.
Throughout his life A. A. Rodberg has been actuated by high and honorable principles for he has long been a consistent member of the United Lutheran church. His political views constitute an endorsement of the republican party. but he has never been ambitions to hold office. For forty-four years he has lived continuously in Iowa and is thoroughly American in spirit and interests, standing at all times for those forces which work for the betterment of county, state and nation.
BICK CONNER.
Bick Conner, proprietor of a livery stable at Forest City, was born in Fayette county, łowa September 18, 1873, a son of Isaac and Emily (Clark) Conner, who were natives of Indiana and of Ohio respectively. The father came to Iowa in 1859, establishing his home in Fayette county, whenee he afterward removed to Winnebago county, settling on a farm in Forest township. Hle was thus identified with general agricultural pursuits of that locality for a long period. To him and his wife were born ten children, of whom nine are now living.
Biek Conner pursued his education in the public schools and when not busy with his textbooks worked in the fields. He began farming on his own account in Fayette county, Iowa, where he remained for a year and then came to Winnebago county, where he rented land which he cultivated for six years. At the end of that time he had saved money enough to purchase a farm and became the owner of
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a tract of land of eighty acres on section 9, Forest township. Upon that place he remained for twelve years, converting it into a highly improved and productive property. His farm work was wisely and carefully managed and conducted and brought to him a substantial measure of success, At length he removed to Forest City and opened his livery barn, since which time he has conducted a growing business. lle has a large number of vehicles and horses and it is over his carnest desire to please his customers, while his reliable methods have brought to him a large patronage from the public.
In 1894 Mr. Conner was married to Miss Mary Boleyn, a native of Fayette county and a daughter of Thomas and Sarah Boleyn, the former now deceased, while the mother is still living. Mrs. Conner was an only child. Mr. Conner belongs to the Brotherhood of American Yeoman and he exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party. Ile has never sought nor desired public office but has concentrated his efforts and attention upon his business interests and he is now well known in this county, in which he has resided for many years.
NELS O. BERG.
Nels O. Berg, proprietor of the only exclusive grocery store in Thompson, Iowa, was born in Norway on the 3d of February, 1865, and is a son of Ole and Anna (Nelson) Berg, also natives of that country, where the family continued to reside until June, 1865, when they emigrated to America. Locating in Winne- shiek county, Iowa, the father purchased land nine miles east of Decorah and engaged in farming there until 1902, when he retired from active labor and removed to Decorah, making his home in that city until he passed away in April, 1915. The mother of our subject died in 1869.
It was during his infancy that Nels O. Berg was brought to the new world and he was reared and educated in Winneshiek county, Iowa. After leaving home he learned the carpenter's trade in Decorah and later followed that occupation in St. Paul, Minnesota, for three years. During the autumn season he engaged in threshing in North Dakota for three years and in the fall of 1891 came to Forest City, Iowa, but soon afterward returned to his old home in Winneshiek county, where he spent one year. In 1892 Mr. Berg again came to Winnebago connty and settled in Thompson before the railroad had been built to this place. Here he engaged in contracting, erecting many of the early buildings of the town, but later spent two more years in Winneshiek county. On his return to Thompson he bought an interest in a general store, which he conducted for a time, and subse- quently engaged in the restaurant business for eight years. Since then he has given his attention to the grocery business and now carries a large and complete stock of staple and fancy groceries, for which he finds a ready sale, having built up an excellent patronage. Mr. Berg is also a stockholder in the Farmers Co- operative Creamery Company and in the Town Mutual Telephone Company and is the owner of two store buildings besides his fine home in Thompson.
On the 1st of January, 1895, Mr. Berg was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Halverson, and they have become the parents of three children: Millard,
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born October 21, 1898; Hattie Lucille, born March 16, 1913; and the latter's twin sister, Nettie Luella, who died August 8, 1914.
In his political affiliations Mr. Berg is a republican and is a recognized leader in the local ranks of that party. He is now efficiently serving as a member of the town council and has also filled the office of school treasurer. In religious faith he is a Lutheran. He gives his hearty. support to all measures calculated to ad- vance the moral, educational or material welfare of the community and is re- garded as one of the leading citizens of Thompson as well as one of its most enterprising business men.
ANDREW B. MYHR.
The home farm of Andrew B. Myhr is situated on sections 27 and 28, King township. This is the old homestead of the family and became the property of the present owner in 1916. He was born in Nebraska on the 5th of April, 1884, and is a son of Berge A. and Helen (Thorsheim) Myhr, who were natives of Norway and came to America in 1882, locating in Illinois. After a year they removed to Nebraska and obtained a homestead claim which Mr. Myhr continued to eultivate until 1888. He then came to Winnebago county and pur- chased eighty acres on section 28, King township. This he further developed and improved and continued to engage in farming thereon until called to his final rest. He died in June, 1901, being killed by a bull. His widow is still living.
Andrew B. Myhr was reared and educated in Winnebago county, dividing his time between the work of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the tasks assigned him in connection with the cultivation of the fields. He remained with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-two years, when he purchased land, and since then has bought and sold several farms, hecoming the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of the old home place in 1916. There were at one time two hundred and forty acres in this farm, but a part of it had been sold. Mr. Myhr has made excellent improvements upon it since he took up his abode there and he now has one of the nicest homes of the county. In the rear of the residence stand good barns and outbuildings and these are sur- rounded by highly cultivated fields. The place presents a most neat and attractive appearance and constitutes one of the pleasing features of the laudscape. Mr. Myhr is also well known in business circles and in other connections. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company and in the Cooperative Creamery Company of Thompson. He has served as vice president and as president of the King Mutual Telephone Company for several years, occupying the latter position at the present time. He now makes a specialty of raising stock, handling pure bred Guernsey cattle and Chester White hogs, while his wife is engaged quite extensively in raising White Wyandotte chickens.
It was in March, 1907, that Mr. Myhr wedded Miss Clara Anderson, a daugh- ter of K. R. Anderson, a native of Norway, who came to the United States when but ten years of age. He was a veteran of the Civil war and was one of the pioneer settlers of Winnebago county, where he passed away in the fall of 1910,
MR. AND MRS. ANDREW B, MYHR
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having for a few years survived his wife, who died in the spring of 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Myhr have an adopted daughter, Alpha K., who is now five years of age.
Their religious faith is that of the Lutheran church and politically Mr. Myhr is a republican. He is the present township clerk of King township, which position he has occupied for about eight years, and in 1914 he was made his party's candidate for county treasurer. While undoubtedly not without that laud- able ambition which is so valuable as an incentive for faithful service in public life, he yet regards private pursuits as abundantly worthy of his best efforts and in business has made a creditable record. His plans are always well defined and carefully executed and his careful management of his farming interests has brought gratifying returns.
SIGURD C. BROCKEY.
Iowa ranks with the great agricultural states of the Union, leading in the production of some crops. Its reputation in this regard is due not to any little group of individuals but to the combined effort of many enterprising and progres sive farmers who have gathered to this section from all parts of the world. Among those who have come from Norway is Sigurd C. Brockey, who is now living on section 27, Mount Valley township, Winnebago county. He was born Septem- ber 14, 1847, his parents being Christian and Sarah (Segerson) Brockey, who were also natives of that country, where the wife and mother passed away. The father afterward came to the new world in 1857 and took up his abode in Minne- sota, where he continued to reside until his demise.
Sigurd C. Brockey was about ten years of age when he came with his father to the United States and under the parental roof he remained until he had attained his majority. He was early trained to the work of the fields, receiving practical experience in the best methods of cultivating the soil and caring for the crops when the harvest was ripe. On reaching man's estate he began farming on his own account in Minnesota and in 1875 he removed to Iowa, establishing his home in Winnebago county, where he purchased the farm on section 27, Mount Valley township, on which he now resides. It bears little resemblance at the present time, however, to the tract of land which came into his possession more than four decades ago, for he has improved the place according to modern farm methods and has erected thereon substantial buildings. At one time he owned one hundred and eighty acres of land. He has always made a specialty of raising and feeding stock of all kinds and his work in this connection has added not a little to his income. He is likewise a stockholder in the creamery at Forest City.
In 1871 Mr. Brockey was joined in wedlock to Miss Betsy Swenson, a native of Norway, and they have become the parents of eight children, as follows: Sarah H., who is the wife of Gottlieb Riehm; Christian, deceased ; Lottie S., who gave her hand in marriage to Arthur Larson; William, who has passed away; Swan S., who operates the homestead farm; Willie, deceased; Dena C .; and Carl G., who has also passed away.
Mr. and Mrs. Brockey are members of the Lutheran church and are interested
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in all those moral forces which work for the uplift of the community. Mr. Brockey carly found that industry is the key which unlocks the portals of success. Ile has led a life of activity and has been most practical in all that he has under- taken, so that substantial results have crowned his efforts. Although he has now almost reached the Psalmist's span of three score years and ten, he is yet an active worker in the world's work and Winnebago county classes him with her representative farmers.
JOIIN P. NELSEN.
John P. Nelsen, who at the time of his demise was living upon the farm now owned by his widow, on section 30, Linden township, Winnebago county, was a man of many admirable qualities, and his memory is cherished by his friends. He was born in Germany, July 21, 1846, and remained there until he was eleven years old, when the family removed to Denmark, where he finished his education. He was married in that country where he continued his residence until 1878, when he came to the United States and located at Monmouth, Illinois. For thirteen years he maintained his home there but in 1891 removed to Hancock county, Iowa, whence two years later he came to section 30, Linden township, Winnebago county, and bought a good farm of eighty acres. He gave his time and attention to the operation of that place until he was called by death on March 17, 1895. Although he had resided in Winnebago county but two years he had gained the unqualified respect and warm regard of those who had come in contact with him, and his demise was deeply regretted. Ilis remains were interred in Crystal Lake cemetery.
Mr. Nelsen was married in Denmark to Miss Matilda Nelsen, and to their union were born seven children, four of whom survive, as follows: Louisa, the wife of M. Daniels of North Dakota ; John and George, who are living in Mason City, Iowa ; and Arthur, living at Woden, Iowa. Mrs. Nelsen resides upon the farm in Linden township purchased by her husband in 1893. She holds membership in the Lutheran church, of which Mr. Nelsen was a life-long and consistent member. He was a man of sterling character, his conduct at all times conforming to high standards of ethics.
K. G. OSHEIM.
K. G. Osheim, who was prominently identified with the business life of Thompson as a member of the hardware firm of Jerde & Osheim, but is now living retired, was born in Norway, July 20, 1855. When two years old he was brought to America by his parents, Gunder and Bertha Osheim, who purchased a farm in Winneshiek county, Iowa. There the father engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death at the age of sixty-three years. He is buried in the Stavanger Church cemetery. Five children of the family of four sons and two daughters survive.
K. G. Osheim received a limited education in the district schools of Winneshiek county and subsequently spent several years working for his father, but when
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twenty-one years old rented a farm in that county. A year later he bought that place, which he operated until 1892, when he removed to Winnebago county and purchased a quarter section in Linden township, to which he added by purchase until his holdings comprised four hundred and eighty acres. In 1896 he gave up farm work, sold his land and became a member of the firm of Jerde & Osheim, dealers in hardware at Thompson. At length he bought out his partner and in association with his son Lawrence conducted business until 1910, when he disposed of his interests therein and retired from active life.
In 1876 Mr. Osheim was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Danielson, who passed away leaving two children: Lawrence, now a resident of Rosholt, South Dakota ; and Julia, the wife of Lars Ritland, of Adams county, Iowa.
Mr. Osheim gives his support to the republican party but has not been very active in public affairs, preferring to concentrate his attention upon his business interests. He is a communicant of the Lutheran church and seeks to extend its influence and further its work. He carly realized the fact that he must win for himself whatever success he gained and bent all his energy to making his way in the world. IFis industry, determination, and good management have been well rewarded, for he now has a competence that ensures him all the comforts of life.
BURT J. THOMPSON.
Burt J. Thompson is a well known representative of the Winnebago county bar, practicing at Forest City, but this does not by any means cover the scope of his activities, for he is an equally forceful and resourceful man in banking circles and is a prominent representative of the agricultural interests of the state. He combines persistency of purpose with keen sagacity and the ability to discriminate between the essential and the nonessential in all business affairs.
Mr. Thompson was born May 19, 1872, in the city which is still his home, his parents being Jasper and Clara (King) Thompson, who are mentioned else- where in this work. Following the completion of his public school course Burt J. Thompson entered Grinnell College at Grinnell, Iowa, and was graduated there- from with the class of 1894. With thorough preparatory training he then entered the Harvard Law School of Cambridge, Massachussetts, and won his professional degree with the class of 1904. Through the intervening period he was prominently connected with the professional and business interests of Winnebago county. For six years before entering the law school he was cashier of the Winnebago County State Bank and in 1898 and 1899 he was traveling around the world, being in the Philippines at the time of the Spanish-American war and there witnessing several engagements. While upon this trip he contributed several articles concerning his travels to the Midland Magazine. Following his return he began preparation for the bar and has since been actively engaged in the practice of law in Winnebago county, making for himself a most creditable position at the bar by reason of his comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence and his accuracy in applying these principles to the points of litigation. His reasoning is clear, his deductions sound and his arguments forceful. Associated with him in practice are Alan Loth and Byron L. Sifford, both young men of notable ability. Mr. Loth
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completed the liberal arts course in the Chicago University and won his degree in the Chicago Law School before he was twenty-two years of age. He at once entered into his present partnership relation and is regarded as one of the most brilliant young trial lawyers in northern Iowa. Mr. Sifford is a graduate of the State University of Iowa in both the academic and law departments and is now in charge of the Buffalo Center branch of the firm's practice. He was the most brilliant honor student in the law department of the university in many years and in his practice is carrying out the promise of his student days.
The success which Mr. Thompson has won as a lawyer would satisfy many a man, but with him the recognition of opportunity is always a call to action and in various other fields he has won notable distinction and success, equaling the prominence which he has attained as a distinguished member of the Iowa bar. In financial circles he is well known, for he is the vice president of the Winnebago County State Bank of Forest City, is the president of the State Bank of Thompson, was formerly vice president of the First National Bank of Buffalo Center for many years, is secretary of the lowa Northern Land Company of Fort Dodge and presi- dent of the Thompson Land Company, of Thompson, Iowa. Ile is also deeply interested in agriculture and the development and improvement of farm lands. Ile has become the owner of large land interests in Iowa and in Texas, taking all of his farms in the raw and improving them. His methods bring quick results, as he con- verts the wild prairie into richly productive fields. Formerly he made a specialty of the raising of high bred shorthorn cattle but is now confining his attention more largely to erop cultivation, operating his farms through tenants. Ile has purchased tract after tract which he has tiled and improved and has thus contributed largely to the progress of the state along agricultural lines.
In February, 1910, Mr. Thompson was married to Ethel (Satterlee) Bennett, of Los Angeles, California, a daughter of Dr. Dwight Satterlee, who was born in Connecticut and represented a family prominent in textile manufacturing. Dr. Satterlee served for five years with the Federal army in the Civil war as a surgeon with the rank of major. He had charge of a hospital in Richmond. Following the cessation of hostilities Dr. Satterlee located at Dunlap, Iowa, where he engaged in the practice of medicine for forty years. He was also the owner of a drug store there and was president of the Dunlap Bank. He also served as county super- visor and filled other offices and was prominently connected with many projects of importance to the community. Later he became a resident of Des Moines, Iowa, and later went to Denver, Colorado, and on to California, where he took up his abode about 1901. He is a man of much more than ordinary ability and his activ- ities constitute a valuable contribution to the world's work. Mr. and Mrs. Thomp- son are the parents of the following children : Wilma Charlotte, Bruce and Janice.
In politics Mr. Thompson has always been a stalwart republican, believing firmly in the principles of the party yet never seaking nor accepting nomination for office. Fraternally he is connected with Truth Lodge, No. 213, A. F. & A. M., and also with the Knights of Pythias. He is happy in having back of him an honorable ancestry and fortunate in that his lines of life have been cast in harmony therewith. He has made his life one of broad usefulness, directing his efforts not alone along lines bringing individual success but also into fields which constitute a source of public service. In June, 1915, he was elected a trustee of Grinnell College at
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Grinnell, Iowa, and was elected a director of the Grinnell Foundation, which is the business corporation of the college, in June, 1916. In the winter of 1915-16 he was sent by the school to be its representative at meetings held by its local alumni associations in Seattle, Tacoma, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver and Kansas City. The high purposes of his life have ever found fulfillment in the attainment of practical results, for he has ever been a man of aetion rather than of theory.
JOHN J. HOLST.
John J. Holst, a resident farmer of Mount Valley township, Winnebago county, has his home on section 34, where he owns and cultivates eighty acres of rieh and productive land. He was born in Sweden on the 10th of August, 1871, and is a son of Jens O. and Sophia (Larson) IIolst, both of whom spent their entire lives in Sweden. It was in the year 1893 that John J. Holst came to the new world. He had spent the period of his minority in his native land and had acquired his education in its publie sehools. Ile settled in Winnebago county, Iowa, where he went to work as a farm hand, and he continued to work for wages for eleven years, but desirous of engaging in business on his own account, he rented land in 1904 and began farming for himself. Ile carefully saved his earnings through the succeeding period of eight years and in 1912 he purchased his present farm of eighty acres in Mount Valley township. For five years he has resided upon this place and his labors are manifest in the well kept appearance of his farm with its carefully tilled fields, its substantial buildings and other improvements. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers Cooperative Creamery Company of Forest City and a stoekholder in the Farmers Elevator of Forest City, and he is interested in all those projects and measures which are looking to the improvement of conditions for the farmer or which promote agricultural progress as exemplified in the raising of erops.
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