USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 3
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 3
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55
Mikkel J. Holstad grew to manhood upon his father's farm but in early life learned the tailor's trade, at which he worked for some time. Later he operated the home farm in Norway, remaining there until 1867. . In the meantime he married Miss Martha Thorsdatter Vold, whose parents were Thor and Solvei (Honsey) Vold. They came to America a few years after the Holstad family located here and settled in Winneshiek county, Iowa, where Mr. Vold followed farming until his death. Both he and his wife were buried in Ridgeway, Iowa.
In 1867, accompanied by his wife and two children, as well as his brother, Mr. Holstad came to the new world and took up his abode in Winneshiek county, Iowa, where he remained one year. He then removed to Winnebago county and purchased the east half of the southeast quarter of section 26, Norway township, and the west half of the southwest quarter of section 25, whereon he made his home until his death, which occurred on the 9th of August, 1892. As
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time passed he prospered in his farming operations and added to his farm the north half of the northwest quarter of section 36. IIis widow still resides on the old homestead. He was a republican in polities and was a member of the United Lutheran church.
Before leaving Norway two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. IIolstad, these being Thor or Thomas, who lives near Kiester, Minnesota; and Julia, who makes her home with her mother. The children born in America are John, born Sep- tember 8, 1867; Edward, born February 3, 1870; and Sylvia, born May 8, 1872. John and Edward are engaged in farming in Rolette county, North Dakota, near Kelvin.
P. P. MEDLANG.
P. P. Medlang, now successfully operating the old Holstad farm in Norway township, Winnebago county, was born on the 19th of May, 1873, and is a son of Peter E. and Inger (Olesdatter) Medlang, both of whom are now deceased. They spent their entire lives in Norway, where the father followed farming and also worked at the carpenter's trade. P. P. Medlang is the fifth in order of birth in a family of twelve children. He aided his father in the work of the home farm until nineteen years of age, at which time he and two sisters came to the United States and located in Northwood, Iowa, where he worked on a farm for one year. In 1900 he took charge of the Holstad farm and is still engaged in its operation. This place consists of the west half of the southwest quarter of section 25 and the north half of the northwest quarter of section 36, Norway township, and is a valuable tract. Its neat and thrifty appearance testifies to the industry and good management of Mr. Medlang, who thoroughly understands the occupation which he follows and is a man of good business ability.
In 1900 Mr. Medlang married Miss Sylvia Holstad, who was born on the 8th of May, 1872, and is a daughter of Mikkel J. and Martha IIolstad, whose sketch appears above. By this union five children have been born but Selena died at the age of five years and was buried in the United Lutheran cemetery. Those living are Martha, Palmer, Inger and Thelma.
Mr. and Mrs. Medlang are members of the United Lutheran church and he casts his ballot with the republican party. For several years he has served as school director and has always taken a commendable interest in the welfare of his adopted country. Wherever known he is held in high esteem and he has many friends throughout Winnebago county.
OLAF WESTERBERG.
Olaf Westerberg, who follows farming on section 5, Ellington township, Han- cock county, and is meeting with excellent success in his chosen occupation, was born on the 7th of March, 1879, in Sweden, of which country his parents, John and Anna (Hockinson) Westerberg, were also natives. In 1882 the family came
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to the United States and took up their abode in Hancock county, Iowa, where the father purchased a farm, but he and his wife are now living in Forest City. They have two sons, the older being E. J. Westerberg, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume.
Olaf Westerberg was only three years of age when brought to this country by his parents and upon the home farm in Hancock county he grew to manhood, his education being acquired in the district schools of the neighborhood. He was only fifteen years of age when his brother married and the responsibility of carrying on the home farm devolved upon him. Success has attended his well directed efforts and he is today one of the prosperous farmers of the community. After his marriage his parents removed to Forest City and he remained on the homestead, which he had purchased of his father the year previous. This place comprises one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 5, Ellington township, Hancock county, and he also owns eighty acres on section 8, one-half mile south of the home farm, all under excellent cultivation.
In 1901 Mr. Westerberg was united in marriage to Miss Anna Clauson, a daughter of Nels Clauson, of Forest City, who was one of the early settlers of Winnebago county. They have become the parents of two children, a son and a daughter, Arvid R. and Ruth E.
Mr. and Mrs. Westerberg are faithful members of the First Swedish Baptist church of Forest City and are people of prominence in the community where they reside. The republican party finds in Mr. Westerberg a staunch supporter of its principles and he does all within his power to promote the moral and material welfare of his community. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Co-operative Creamery Company of Forest City and is one of the substantial farmers of Elling- ton township.
JENS M. TAPAGER.
Jens M. Tapager, who is a cashier of the First National Bank at Lake Mills, is a representative of the fine class of citizens which Denmark has given to the United States. His birth occurred on the 2d of August, 1871, and he is the son of Mikkel Kristensen and Maren (Dalgaard) Tapager. Mr. Tapager is the second child and was left motherless when a year and a half old. A number of years later his father remarried, and in 1889 emigrated to the United States, settling on a farm near Albert Lea, Minnesota, where he resided until his death in 1905 His widow is still living there.
Mr. Tapager attended the common schools until he was confirmed, and later took a liberal arts course in a private institution. He graduated in July, 1889, from the University of Copenhagen. For the next two years he taught in the government schools, and in 1891 emigrated to the United States, settling at Albert Lea, Minnesota. He entered the employ of the Albert Lea Creamery Com- pany as engineer, holding that position at the time their plant was erected. After remaining with this company for two years, he came to Winnebago county and became buttermaker for the Logan Butter Factory, which was being built at that time in Logan township. After six years spent with this concern he moved to
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Thompson, where iu partnership with his brother, Morris Tapager, he purchased a hotel. Ile also managed the Thompson Creamery. IIe was in business at Thompson from 1899 to 1901. In the fall of 1901 Mr. Tapager with his family moved to Lake Mills, Iowa, he having accepted the position of assistant cashier of the Farmers State Bank of that city. In 1905 he accepted a similar position in the First National Bank, and two years later became cashier, in which capacity he has since served. That the direction of the affairs of this institution has been in able hands is shown by the steady growth of the business of this bank in the intervening years, and by the high place which Mr. Tapager holds in the confidence of the general public.
On the 25th of August, 1891, Mr. Tapager was married to Miss Mary Willad- sen, a daughter of O. L. and Dorothy (Kristensen) Willadsen, of Herning, Denmark. Mrs. Tapager's mother died when she was fourteen years of age, but her father is still living in that country. To Mr. and Mrs. Tapager have been born six children : Ethel, deccased February 28, 1901; Cyril, who was a student at the University of Minnesota, but, joined the United State Marine Corps and left Minneapolis May 3, 1917, for Mare Island, California; and Roy Willard, Merle Ethelyn, Vernon James, and Virginia Mary, all at home.
Mr. Tapager is a standpat republican and supports loyally the candidates and policies of his party. Ile has filled the office of city treasurer since 1905, and his long service in that connection indicates his popularity. Furthermore, he has been president of the Lake Mills Commercial Club for the past two years. Mr. Tapager holds membership in the Lutheran church, and in all relations of life conforms his conduct to high ethical standards. The success which he has gained reflects great credit upon his enterprise and business ability, as he began his inde- pendent career empty handed.
JOHN JOHNSON.
For almost a third of a century John Johnson has been a resident of Winnebago county, where he started out in life as a farm hand and was thus employed for eight years. He then purchased property and has since carried on general agri- cultural pursuits on his own account, being today one of the substantial farmers of his locality. Ile was born in the stift of Bergen, Norway, August 7, 1862, and was the fourth in order of birth in a family of eight children whose parents were John and Madle Nelson, farming people of that country. The parents never came to the United States and the father has now passed away. Seven of their children are yet living and those still in Norway are Nels, Mons, Haldor and Ole. Those in America are: Madle, the wife of Emil Larson, of Cherokee, Iowa; Nels, living in British Columbia; and John, of this review.
During his boyhood, which was spent in his native land, John Johnson had no special advantages to aid him in preparation for life's responsibilities and duties. He came to the United States alone when twenty-three years of age and made his way at once to Winnebago county. He had no capital and necessity rendered it imperative that he obtain employment immediately. He began work- ing as a farm hand and spent eight years in that way, but he was desirous of
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engaging in business on his own account and carefully saved his earnings, until about 1893 he was able to purchase a farm in connection with his brother-in-law, Emil Larson. After his marriage he took possession of the south half of the south- west quarter and the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 12, Logan township, comprising a farm of one hundred and twenty acres. Upon this place he yet resides and through the intervening period he has worked a marked transformation in the appearance of the place, converting it into a valuable and productive tract from which he annually gathers good crops.
When thirty-two years of age Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Ada Anderson. They have become parents of seven children who are yet living, namely : Elmer, Cora, Melvin, Kenneth, Mabel, Joseph and Clarence. They also lost two children in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson hold membership in the Synod Lutheran church and he votes with the republican party, but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him. His time is fully devoted to his business affairs and today he is the owner of a finely improved farm because of his untiring activity and persistency of purpose. He has never regretted coming to America, feeling that he has here found better opportunities than he could have enjoyed in Norway, and having voluntarily chosen to become an American citizen, he has ever been loyal to the interests of his adopted land.
MARTIN RASMUSSON.
Martin Rasmusson, a well known farmer living on section 19, Crystal town- ship, is one of Hancock county's native sons, born on the 24th of July 1884. His parents, N. P. and Anna (Madson) Rasmusson, were natives of Denmark, in which country they were reared and educated, but in 1881 they emigrated to America with the hope of bettering their financial condition in this country with its broader opportunities and natural advantages. On landing here they continued their journey westward to Hancock county, Iowa, where the father has since made his home, but the mother passed away in 1914. In their family were eight chil- dren of whom five still survive.
During his boyhood and youth Martin Rasmusson had the advantages of a common school education and when not busy with his text books assisted his father in the labors of the farm. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-one years of age and then began farming on rented land, being thus employed for eight years. Having lived economically and prospered in his labors, Mr. Rasmusson was able to purchase his present farm in 1910 and is now the owner of two hundred acres of very fertile and productive land on section 19, Crystal township, Hancock county, on which he has made many useful and valu- able improvements. He is engaged in general farming but makes a specialty of the raising of stock of all kinds which he finds quite profitable.
In 1914 Mr. Rasmusson married Miss Rachel Davis, who was born in Iowa Falls, Iowa, and is a daughter of Henry and Luella (Johnson) Davis, natives of Wisconsin and Norway respectively. Her parents are now living retired in Crystal township, Hancock county, enjoying a well earned rest. To Mr. and Mrs.
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Rasmusson have been born two children but the first died in infancy. The other, Anna Fern, was born April 3, 1916. Mr. Rasmusson supports the men and measures of the republican party and is regarded as one of the leading citizens of his community.
REV. MARTIN HEGLAND, PH. D.
In the educational field the name of Dr. Martin Hegland, president of Waldorf College at Forest City, is well known. He is yet a comparatively young man but has already made for himself an enviable position in the field of Christian educa- tion and his work is reaching out through its influence and inspiration over a wide territory. He took charge of Waldorf College and its work on the 1st of January, 1915, being then thirty-five years of age. His birth occurred on the 20th of January, 1880, in Merton, Steele county, Minnesota, to which place his parents had removed on leaving Nedre Telemarken, Norway, their native country. They settled upon a farm upon which Dr. Hegland spent his boyhood and youth, acquiring his early education in the country schools, after which he entered upon the work of the eighth grade in the schools of Owatonna, Minnesota, where he later completed high school work, being graduated after taking the Latin-scientific course. He was president of his class in his senior year. After finishing his high school course he matriculated in St. Olaf College at Northfield, Minnesota, where he pursued the study of the classics and during that period was an active member of the different college societies. Ile also served for two years on the editorial staff of the college paper and was editor-in-chief of the "Viking '04." As a representative of the senior class he won the Ware oratorical contest and as representative of the college won the state contest in competition with the different colleges of the state. Following his graduation from St. Olaf College he was elected superin- tendent of schools and teacher in the high school at Fertile, Minnesota, where he remained for three years, and while engaged in secular school work he continued an active worker in the church as superintendent of the Sunday school, as president of the Luther League and as teacher of the Bible class in the United Church con- gregation. His interest in church work led him to take up the study of theology at the United Church Seminary, from which he was graduated with the class of 1910, and while there he also studied at the University of Minnesota, specializing along the lines of English philology, education and history of philosophy. He won the M. A. degree in 1908 and during the summer vacation of that year he substi- tuted for Rev. C. K. Solberg, of the Zion church in Chicago. During the follow- ing summer he was advance agent for the St. Olaf Band on their twelve weeks' trip to the Pacific coast, which included a visit to the Seattle Exposition, and in the summer of 1910 he filled the pulpit during the absence of the Rev. J. C. Roseland in the Covenant church of Chicago.
Dr. Hegland afterward became a student at Columbia University in New York city, where he specialized on education, pursuing the studies of history of education, educational philosophy and psychology, and educational administration and com- parative education, the last two receiving particular attention. He was awarded the Foreign Fellowship by the university and went abroad to make a special study
WALDORF COLLEGE
REV. MARTIN HEGLAND, Ph. D.
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of the school systems of the European countries. He also visited most of the colleges and universities in the eastern part of the United States.
Following his return from Europe, Dr. Hegland was called to the pastorate of the United Lutheran congregation at Grand Forks, North Dakota, and in 1913 was ordained to the ministry. The same year he submitted his thesis on the subject "The Danish People's High School," and the degree of Ph. D. was con- ferred upon him by Columbia University in 1914. At the annual meeting of the United Church in that year he was elected one of the associate editors of the "United Lutheran."
In the fall of 1914 he was called to the pastorate of the United Lutheran congregation of Forest City and to the presidency of Waldorf College and on the 1st of January, 1915, entered upon his duties. Ile is often called upon to speak on educational and religious matters and is a contributor to church publications.
Dr. Hegland was married in 1911 to Miss Georgina E. Dicson, of Dell Rapids, South Dakota, who was graduated from the high school there and later from St. Olaf College in 1904. She served as teacher and preceptress at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota, from 1904 until 1907, and occupied the same position at St. Olaf College from 1909 until 1911. She also did some post-grad- uate work at the Columbia University and she is of great assistance to her hus- band in the performance of his duties in both the pastoral and educational fields. Dr. and Mrs. Hegland now have a little daughter, Anna Tonette, born June 13, 1915.
Dr. Hegland is concentrating every effort upon the upbuilding of the church and school. It would he tautological in this connection to enter into any series of statements showing him to be a man of broad scholarly attainments, for this has been shadowed forth between the lines of this review. He ever keeps in close touch with the trend of modern thought concerning all those questions which have to do with the welfare of mankind and are of vital significance to the country. While possessing a studious nature, he combines with it the intensely practical and is thoroughly alive to all those questions and interests which are engaging public thought and calling forth activity. He lives not in the past nor the future but in the present with its multiform duties and problems, and yet he looks beyond the exigencies of the moment to the opportunities and possibilities for good in later years.
P. M. GRIESEMER.
A thoroughly progressive young business man is P. M. Griesemer, the president of the State Bank of Klemme. His plans are always carefully considered, and industry, perseverance and sagacity characterize his business moves. He was born near Garner, Hancock county, April 6, 1883, a son of Henry and Justina (Mayer) Griesemer, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work. After attending the public schools and pursuing a course in a business college at Mason City, Iowa, he went to Klemme in 1902, when a young man of nineteen years, and secured the position of bookkeeper in the Bank of Klemme, which was organized and opened its doors for business on the 3d of November of that year, with a
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capital stock of fifteen thousand dollars. In February, 1904, it was reorganized as the State Bank of Klemme and its resources are now four hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Griesemer has continued with the bank through the intervening period of fifteen years, filling various positions and advancing step by step until in January, 1917, he was elected to the presidency. He has carefully studied every phase of banking and the policy that he has originated most carefully safeguards the interests of depositors and stockholders.
In his political views Mr. Griesemer maintains an independent course, casting has ballot according to the dictates of his judgment. lle is a member of the Masonic lodge of Garner and also of Bethel Chapter, No. 116, R. A. M., loyally adhering to the teachings of the craft which is based upon mutual helpfulness and mutual kindness. He is well known in the county in which he has spent his entire life, and the circle of his friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
JOSEPH E. HOWARD.
Although now living retired in Forest City, Joseph E. Howard has figured prominently in connection with its professional and public interests. The energy and enterprise which he has displayed in the conduct of business affairs are the qualities which have brought him well deserved success, enabling him now to rest from further labor in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. Iowa claims him as a native son. He was born in Fayette county, August 31, 1855, a son of Samuel and Jane (Alcorn) Howard, natives of Mercer county and of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, respectively. In 1854 they became residents of Iowa and in 1869 took up their abode in Forest City, where their remaining days were passed. Samuel Howard purchased a farm near the town and devoted five years to general agricultural pursuits upon that place. He then removed to the city and here lived until called to his final rest in May, 1907. For fifteen years he had survived his wife, who passed away in May, 1892, in the faith of the Congre- gational church, of which she was a devoted member. Mr. Howard gave his political allegiance to the democratic party and was classed with the valued and representative citizens of his district.
Joseph E. Howard after acquiring a public school education attended the State University at Iowa City, where he pursued a law course. He was admitted to the bar in 1878 and continued in the active practice of law for two years. On the expiration of that period he turned his attention to the real estate business, in which he has since been actively engaged, and throughout the intervening period he has negotiated many important realty transfers which have figured as features in the steady growth and development of this section. He was also editor of the Summit for two years and was one of the owners of that paper in connection with G. S. Gilbertson for a decade.
It is not alone in business circles that Mr. Howard has figured, for he has again and again been tested in relation to public service and never has he been found wanting. At all times he has stood for progress and improvement in community affairs and his efforts to further the best interests of city and county have been
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far-reaching and beneficial. In 1895 he was appointed elerk of the district court. He served for eight years as a member of the city council and for two ternis as mayor of Forest City, while for eight and one-half years he filled the position of postmaster, retiring from that office on the 1st of July, 1907. At a boosters' meeting held recently one of the speakers in reviewing the progress of the city said that if Mr. Howard had been postmaster for four years longer he would have had Des Moines receiving mail by rural delivery from Forest City, which jesting remark indicates the great energy and initiative which Mr. Iloward brings to everything that he undertakes to do. Ile was one of the organizers and proprietors of the first bank established in Buffalo Center, it being founded in 1892 under the name of the Bank of Buffalo Center. It is now known, however, as the First National Bank.
On the 2d of November, 1879, Mr. Howard was married to Miss Charlotte Elnora Skinner, a daughter of D. E. and Anna L. (Swan) Skinner, who came from Connecticut to the middle west, settling in Iowa at an early day after living for some time in Illinois. They established their home in Allamakee county, where Mr. Skinner followed the occupation of farming. Mr. and Mrs. Howard have become parents of seven children, as follows: Ina and Mabel, both at home; Jay E., who is engaged in the lumber business at Estherville, Iowa; Ethel, a teacher at Rock Rapids, Iowa; Dan S., who is in the mail service and resides at Forest City; Alice, who is engaged in teaching at Buffalo Center, Iowa; and Margie, also a teacher at Buffalo Center, this state.
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