USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 30
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 30
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In 1904 Mr. Holst was married to Miss Mary Brones, a daughter of Peter N. Brones, mentioned elsewhere in this work. They have four children, Phyllis S. R., James P., Mable I. and Alvin C. The parents are members of the Norwegian Methodist Episcopal church and guide their lives according to its teachings. Their influence is always on the side of right and progress, reform and improvement, and their genuine personal worth is indicated in the large number of their friends.
GEORGE W. BEADLE.
In the history of George W. Beadle is given the life record of one who for many years was a prominent factor in the business life and development of Iowa. He was recognized as a man of sterling worth. He arrived in Winnebago county in the period of its pioneer development and lived to witness the remarkable changes which have transformed this from a frontier district into one of the populous and prosperous counties of the state. He was born in Woodbury, Wash- ington county, Vermont, on the 8th of July, 1835, and was there reared to man- hood, while its public schools afforded him his educational opportunities. In
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1855, when twenty years of age, he came to Iowa, making his way first to Lyons, Clinton county, where he resided for two years. He was afterward in Worth county for two years and then came to Winnebago county. llowever, as a youth of twenty years he had visited Winnebago county, where he became ac- quainted with an old trapper and for a short period was associated with him in trapping and hunting in the vicinity of the present town of Lake Mills. He arrived in this district about the same time as Judge Robert Clark and they later became fast friends. Ile established a brickyard, which he operated for a year or two, and made the brick for the first courthouse and the old Clark Hotel. He then bought land from the government and settled at Ellington, the old county seat of Hancock county. There he engaged in farming and upon that place made his home for thirty-two years. He also bought other land adjoining his first purchase and ultimately acquired seven hundred acres, which he con- verted into rich and productive fields. In addition to tilling the soil he also engaged in stock raising and for several years he conducted a general store at Ellington. Ile was also postmaster there for many years and was a very promi- nent factor in the development and progress of the district in which he lived. He continued upon the farm for many years. A year and a half was spent in Britt, Iowa, where he organized and, as its president, conducted the Farmers Savings Bank. At the end of that period, however, he sold the bank and in 1895 he came to Forest City, where he conducted a general store for five years. At the end of that period he disposed of his general mercantile interests and retired from active business.
On the 24th of June, 1860, Mr. Beadle was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Streeter, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, who survives him. Her father, Zimri Streeter, was a native of Vermont and in 1856 came to Iowa, where his remaining days were passed. lle engaged in farming near Cedar Falls and was in the legis- lature three years. Although not a lawyer he served as one in many instances. His wife was in her maidenhood Lucinda Dean. To Mr. and Mrs. Beadle were born five children : Howard G .; Clara, now the wife of Michael O'Neil: Julia M .; Charles L., who is mentioned elsewhere in this work; and Angie, who died when but ten months old. There are also eleven grandchildren and one great-grand- son. For a few years John Beadle, a brother, made his home with Mr. Beadle of this review. John Beadle was born in Newport, Vermont, February 5, 1829, and in 1849 went to California by way of Central America. In 1852 he returned to his native state and the year following came to Iowa, but again went back to Vermont. In 1859, however, he located at Bristol, Worth county, Iowa, and later removed to Ellington township, Hancock county. Ile enlisted at the first call for volunteers for service in the Civil war and fought in nearly all the most important battles in the war, including Gettysburg. He was a member of Com- pany C, Twelfth United States Infantry. At the close of hostilities he returned to Iowa and bought two hundred and seventy-six acres of land five miles south of Forest City. He lived there until a few years before his death, when he went to live with his brother, G. W. Beadle. He passed away July 9, 1913, at the age of eighty-four years.
George W. Beadle always took an active interest in politics and for many years filled the office of county supervisor, discharging his duties with marked
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promptness, capability and fidelity. Ile was deeply interested in education, served during his entire residence in llancock county as a member of the school board and for many years was school treasurer. He ever contributed to public progress through his aid and cooperation in movements projected for the general good. Ile never united with any church but was a man of deep religious convictions, which he manifested in his everyday affairs and in his relations with his fellow- men. Ilis death occurred on the 18th of August, 1914, and he was laid to rest in the Ellington cemetery, leaving a widow, four children and many friends to mourn his loss. His was an active and well spent life which won for him the respect and confidence of all with whom he came in contact and many who knew him entertained for him the warmest regard. Mrs. Beadle still owns the old homestead of four hundred and forty acres in Hancock county, a finely improved tract of land. She is a woman whose many admirable qualities have won her the friendly regard and confidence of all who know her. No history of this section of the state would be complete without extended reference to Mr. and Mrs. Beadle, for from early pioneer times he was connected with Hancock and Winnebago counties, witnessing their development from a wild frontier region and ever bearing his part in the task of promoting the upbuilding of his section of the state.
B. N. MACOMBER.
B. N. Macomber, engaged in the lumber business in Forest City, was born in Oneida county, New York, February 1, 1867, a son of George H. and Phoebe (Dunaway) Macomber, who were also natives of the Empire state, the former of Scotch descent, while the latter was of English lineage. In October, 1869, they arrived in Forest City, traveling from Waverly, Iowa, by team, and Mr. Macomber then rented land that is now included within the boundaries of the county seat. Later he turned his attention to the teaming business, hauling freight between Forest City and various other points in an early day before the building of a railroad. He died in the year 1913, having for a decade survived his wife, who passed away in 1903.
B. N. Macomber largely devoted his early youth to mastering the branches of learning taught in the public schools near his father's home and then started out in the business world as clerk in a store. He afterward became proprietor of a general store which he owned and conducted until 1902. After selling out he became manager of the lumber yard of J. H. Queal & Company at Leland, Iowa, where he continued for two years. He afterward spent a similar period at Bryceland with the same company and next came to Forest City as manager of the Queal interests at this point. He is thoroughly acquainted with the lumber trade and in his responsible position is conducting a large and growing business.
On the 26th of December, 1894, Mr. Macomber was married to Miss Henrietta Thurston, of Albert Lea, Minnesota, a daughter of Henry Thurston, who was one of the early settlers of that state. Ile became a prominent educator there and was an active and influential leader in politics.
Mr. Macomber votes with the republican party and is an active worker in its ranks. He has served as a member of the town council but prefers to leave
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office holding to others. Fraternally he is well known, belonging to Truth Lodge, No. 213, A. F. & A. M., and to the Eastern Star. He is also identified with the Odd Fellows lodge, the Rebekahs and with the Modern Woodmen. His has been a life of activity and what he has undertaken he has accomplished.
JOHN W. MAHONEY.
No history of Winnebago county would be complete without extended mention of J. W. Mahoney, who is now deceased but who for many years was one of the foremost merchants of Forest City, locating there in pioneer times and taking active part in its development along many lines. He served for many years as postmaster, was also a member of the city council and was connected with various business interests. IIis birth occurred in Laporte county, Indiana, April 24, 1841, and there he remained until his seventeenth or eighteenth year, when he removed with his parents to Floyd county, Iowa. He was educated in the common schools and in 1861, upon the outbreak of the Civil war, he enlisted as a member of the Third lowa Battery, with which he served until the close of hostilities, participating in the engagements at Pea Ridge, at Ilelena and at Little Rock, Arkansas, and also in the Yazoo expedition. Ile proved a loyal and faithful soldier, manifesting his loyalty by the prompt performance of every duty that devolved upon him.
At the close of the war Mr. Mahoney returned to Floyd county, where he resided until 1869, when he came to Forest City and engaged in merchandising, erecting the first good store building in the town. Therein he conducted the first mercantile establishment of importance in Forest City, being associated with B. A. Plummer for a year and a half. On the expiration of that period he took over Mr. Plummer's interests and conducted the business independently for a number of years. Later his son, Irving W., became his partner and the energy and enterprise of the young man, and the sagacity and experience of the father, made a strong business combination. Mr. Mahoney was also financially interested in Forest City's first sawmill, which was subsequently converted into a grist mill. He was that type of man who, when anything needed to be done in the town, did not stand back and wait for some one else to do it but took his place in the vanguard and led the movement.
Mr. Mahoney was connected with many interests of public importance. In 1870 he was appointed deputy postmaster of Forest City and in 1873 was made postmaster, which office be filled for about fourteen years. He was also a member of the first board of councilmen of Forest City, being called to that office in 1878 and serving for two years, and for a similar period held the office of mayor. He served on the school board for many years and did everything in his power to . advance the cause of education. In 1888 he was elected to represent his district in the state legislature for a two years' term and was a candidate for renomination, but the nomination was declared a tie and in order to keep harmony he resigned in favor of his opponent. He worked for the betterment of public conditions and the development of the resources of Winnebago county and co-operated in every plan and measure for the general good.
JOHN W. MAHONEY
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On March 20, 1868, Mr. Mahoney was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary E. Barmore, of Rockford, Iowa, a daughter of John and Julette (Waters) Barmore, natives of New York state, who removed to Wisconsin in 1845 by wagon and in the early '60s came to Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Mahoney became the parents of three children : Irving W., an abstractor and prominent citizen of Jackson, Minnesota; Edna M., who is the wife of N. L. Baker, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, the patentee of the Baker change-making machine, and who has a daughter, Beth; and Hugh J., a resident of Forest City.
Mr. Mahoney was a stanch republican in politics and he was for forty years a member of the Masonic lodge of Forest City, of which he was ever a most loyal adherent, exemplifying in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft. He passed away February 9, 1909, while he and his wife were spending the winter with their daughter in Oklahoma City. In his passing Winnebago county lost one of its most prominent and most beloved citizens. During the funeral all the business houses were closed, the flag in the courthouse yard was suspended at half mast and the old soldier comrades of Mr. Mahoney attended the services in a body. He and his wife attended the Congregational church. He was generous to a fault, giving freely in aid of those who needed assistance. He was prominent in social circles of the city and is everywhere spoken of as one of Nature's noblemen. His life was ever upright and honorable, actuated by high purposes and fraught with splendid results. Of him it might well be said :
" He was a man; take him for all in all,
I shall not look upon his like again."
SOREN OLSON.
Soren Olson is included within Norway's contribution to the citizenship of Winnebago county, for he was born in the land of the fjords on the 3d of April, 1851, his birthplace being in the parish of Opdahl, near Bergen. His parents were Ole Hanson and Martha Nelson, who were farming people of that country. Their family numbered six children, but only two are now living: Soren; and Nels, who still occupies the old homestead in Norway. The parents never came to the United States.
Soren Olson crossed the Atlantic in 1872, when a young man of twenty-one years. The reports which had reached him concerning the opportunities and advantages of the new world proved to him an irresistible attraction and after landing at Quebec, Canada, he made his way across the country to Freeborn county, Minnesota, where he lived for a few months. Later he spent two years in Mitchell county, Iowa, where he was employed as a farm hand, and in 1875 he came to Norway township, Winnebago county, and purchased the west half of the northwest quarter of section 30. The following year he acquired the remainder of that quarter section, thus becoming owner of one hundred and sixty acres of good land which he cleared and developed, continuously farming this until 1910. He then removed to another farm, which he had previously pur- chased, comprising two hundred and forty acres of land on section 20. He also bought one hundred and twenty acres on section 19 and another forty acre tract
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on section 30. At one time he was the owner of four hundred and sixty acres of valuable farm land in Norway township, but has since sold all but two hundred and eighty acres of this. Year after year he carefully and systematically engaged in farming, winning success by his unfaltering and intelligently directed efforts, but in 1916 he retired from active life and removed to Scarville, where he and his wife now occupy an attractive home.
In May, 1878, Mr. Olson was united in marriage to Miss Anna Olson, daughter of Jacob and Gunilda Olson, who were natives of Norway and in 1861 came to the United States, establishing their home in Dane county, Wisconsin, where they lived for three years and then removed to Freeborn county, Minnesota, where they followed farming until called to their final rest, their remains being interred in Lime Creek Church cemetery. They were devoted members of the United Luth- eran church. Mr. and Mrs. Olson became parents of ten children: Ole, living in Scarville with his parents: Jacob, who is upon the home farm in Norway town- ship; Matilda, the wife of flerman Branvig, of Crookston, Minnesota ; Gilbert, whose home is in Logan township, Winnebago county; Carrie, now the wife of Henry Severson, of Norway township; Emma, the wife of R. A. Riley, of Norway township; Nellie, the deceased wife of Axel Anderson, of Searville: Severt and Oscar, who are also residents of Norway township: and Minnie, at home.
The parents are members of the United Lutheran church. and in his political belief Mr. Olson is a republican. For more than twenty years he acceptably filled the office of township trustee, was also road supervisor for a number of years and for some time filled the office of school director and was president one year. He was likewise interested in various cooperative companies of which he was a director, but he has now put aside all business cares and is resting in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. His life record should serve to inspire and encourage others, for it shows what may be accomplished through individual etfort. He was practically penniless when he came to the new world, but he took advantage of the opportunities which he here found and through persistent, earnest labor. worked his way upward and is now numbered among the men of affluence in this section of the state.
JACOB OLSON.
Jacob Olson, devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits on the old homestead farm in Norway township, Winnebago county, was born upon that place January 14, 1881, a son of Soren Olson. At the usual age he became a public school pupil and continued his studies until he reached the age of sixteen, when he left the schoolroom to concentrate his efforts and attention upon assisting his father in the work of the home farm. He was employed by his father until he reached the age of twenty-six, when he rented the old homestead, which he still cultivates, and in addition he has become the owner of forty acres of land on section 30, Norway township. He is a busy man, constantly occupied with his farm cares and duties, and his activities are bringing him a growing measure of success.
On the 18th of February, 1914, Jacob Olson was united' in marriage to Miss
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Bertha Sande, a daughter of Hans N. and Carrie Sande, of Logan township, and they have one child, Katherine Adeline, who was born October 13, 1915. The parents are members of the United Lutheran church and Mr. Olson votes with the republican party. His entire life has been spent upon the farm which he now occupies and cultivates, and while there are no spectacular phases in his career, his activities have made him one of the substantial citizens of his community.
CHARLES JACOB NAUMANN.
The excellent condition of the affairs of the Farmers Savings Bank at C'or- with is evidence of the ability of Charles Jacob Naumann, who has served as cashier since the organization of the institution in 1908. He was born in Blairs- town, Benton county, Iowa, May 19, 1879, and is a son of Jacob and Catharine (Keck) Naumann. The father was born near Weibelskerchen, Germany, and received his education in his native conntry. At the age of twenty years he se- cured a position as clerk in a store there and following his emigration to America he clerked in a store in Marshallville, Ohio, for some time. At the beginning of the Civil war, however, he enlisted in an Ohio regiment for the defense of the Union and was in the military service for four years. After being at the front for a time he was sent north on recruiting duty, and after securing enough men to fill up the regiment he returned to the south and thereafter saw much active service. When the war was over he returned to Marshallville, Ohio, where he re- mained until 1869, during which time he was married. After establishing his home in Blairstown, Benton county, lowa, he went into the hardware business and was numbered among the successful merchants of the town until his demise in 1883. His wife, who was a native of Marshallville, Ohio, reared her children to maturity and continued to reside in Blairstown until 1908, when she took up her home with her son, Charles Jacob, at Corwith. She reached an advanced age and died January 16, 1917.
Charles J. Naumann was reared in his native town and after completing the course in the high school there entered the Epworth Seminary at Epworth, Iowa, and later was a student in Cornell College. In 1899 he secured a position as clerk in a bank at Wall Lake, lowa, and remained with that institution for eight years, becoming cashier. Hle resigned that office to become teller of the First National Bank of Fort Dodge, Iowa, but not long afterward was made cashier of the Farmers Savings Bank at Corwith, which was organized in 1908 by the men back of the First National Bank. He has proved well worthy of the confidence reposed in him and has so formulated and carried out the business policy of the Farmers Savings Bank that the institution has won the confidence of the public. Its business has shown a steady increase and it has been the means of promoting the financial and commercial interests of Corwith in many different ways. Mr. Naumann owns three or four good farms and his knowledge of agricultural con- ditions and the business problems which confront the farmer have been of great value to him in adapting the service of his bank to the needs of the farmers of the surrounding territory.
Mr. Naumann was married at Toledo, Iowa, June 7, 1906, to Miss Winifred
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Markee, who was born in Wisconsin but was reared in Toledo. She attended the public and high schools there and also attended Western College, now known as Leander Clark College, at Toledo. She engaged in teaching before her marriage and taught in the high schools at Lake City, Toledo and Wall Lake, where she met Mr. Naumann. Her parents, William T. and Harriet (Wheelwright) Markee, were born in Wisconsin but removed to Iowa in early manhood and womanhood. Both are now living at Toledo, where the father is in business as a painting con- tractor. Mrs. Naumann passed away on the 24th of May, 1908, leaving a daugh- ter, Harriet Alice, who was born on the 10th of May, 1908.
Mr. Naumann is a republican in his political views and is now village treas- urer. His greatest public service, however, has been in advancing the educational standards of the town. He has given a great deal of study to educational prob- lems, is well informed as to the advanced methods that have been worked out by leaders in that field and has labored in season and out of season to make the schools of Corwith thoroughly modern in every respect. He was for some time president of the school board and is now a member of the board of the consoli- dated school district and it is generally conceded that to him belongs much of the credit for making the high school an accredited school. The most improved equipment has been provided and the teachers are all alert, progressive and deeply interested in their profession. His fraternal connections are with Paradise Lodge, No. 553, A. F. & A. M., of Corwith, and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has served as noble grand. He is also very active in church work, being now a trustee and also a steward of the Methodist Episcopal church.
OLE H. SEVERSON.
Ole II. Severson, living on section 16, Amsterdam township, Hancock county, has here made his home since March, 1902, and is quite extensively and success- fully engaged in the raising of polled Angus cattle. He was born in Vieka, Nor- way, on the 5th of May, 1852, his parents being Henry and Mary (Olson) Sever- son, who came to America in the year 1881. At the usual age Ole H. Severson became a pupil in the public schools of his native land, there pursuing his studies to the age of sixteen, when he quit school and was employed as a farm hand in Norway, receiving but twenty dollars per year for his services. Seeing little busi- ness outlook there, he determined to try his fortune in America and came to the United States when twenty-nine years of age. He worked by the month in Ken- dall county, Illinois, for three years and operated rented land for one year, after which he rented land in Grundy county, Illinois, for seven years. On the expira- tion of that period he came to Iowa, settling first in Wright county, where he rented land for eight years. He arrived in Hancock county with five hundred dollars and in March, 1902, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 16, Amsterdam township, where he has since made his home. He is busily engaged in the cultivation of his fields, devoted to corn, wheat and other cereals well adapted to soil and climate, and one of the most important features
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of his farm work is the raising of polled Angus cattle, of which he has a fine herd, his live stock interests constituting an important branch of his business.
On the 21st of February, 1884. Mr. Severson was united in marriage to Miss Ellen A. Johnson, a daughter of John II. and Bertha (Thompson) Johnson, who were natives of Norway and came to America with their family, arriving on the 8th of July, 1872. Mrs. Severson was born in Carmoën, Norway, and is now fifty-two years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Severson have become the parents of ten children, of whom eight are yet living, namely: Jay H., Bertha M., Sadie A., and Mabel, all of whom are married ; Melvin B., Anna, Edith N. and Orville R., who are yet at home.
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