USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 32
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 32
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ferred upon him the right of franchise. He has served as township clerk, as secretary of the school board for thirteen years, and in March, 1916, was elected mayor of Forest City for a two years' term, so that he is now the incumbent in the office, in which connection he is concentrating his efforts upon a wise, safe and equitable administration of public affairs.
CLARENCE A. ARNOLD.
One of the most enterprising citizens and business men of Hancock county is Clarence A. Arnold, who carries on agricultural pursuits according to modern scientific methods and bases his activities upon thorough study, resulting in complete comprehension of the questions involved. He is today one of the most prominent farmers and stock raisers of his section of the state. He was born in Clayton county, Iowa, on the 19th of August, 1883, and is a son of Fred and Mary (Renziehausen) Arnold, natives of Germany and of Ohio, respectively. In the year 1895 the family removed to Hancock county, lowa, where the mother is still living at the age of sixty-four years, but the father has passed away.
Liberal educational advantages were accorded Clarence A. Arnold, who after attending the district schools for six years, spent two years in the graded schools of Klemme and a short period in the Nora Springs Seminary. Later he matricu- lated in the Upper Iowa University at Fayette, Fayette county, and also at the Iowa State College at Ames, specializing in agronomy and animal husbandry. Moreover, he has remained a close student of the best magazines and other pub- lications which have a bearing upon every subject connected with farming and stock raising, and he had, too, practical training, for he early began to assist his father in the cultivation and development of the home farm. The family home was established on section 5, Avery township, Hancock county, on the 5th of April, 1895, and in his boyhood days Clarence A. Arnold aided in the work of the fields, performing such tasks as he could, his responsibilities and work increasing as the years went by. Today he is actively engaged in the culti- vation of four hundred and eighty acres of land on section 8 and in the raising of pure bred Polled Durham cattle and Duroc hogs. He is a most successful agriculturist and his work is an exemplification of the practical value of the scientific methods which he follows. He has studied soils and their adaptation to particular needs, knowing just which crops can be raised most profitably, and he has also studied every feature of stock breeding and raising. He stands as a most prominent representative of scientific farming and success in large measure has been his. He is today a student of such papers as Wallace's Farmer, The Agricultural Digest, Successful Farming, the Kimball Dairy Farmer, Hoard's Dairyman, the Prairie Farmer, the Breeders' Gazette and the Iowa Agriculturist. In addition to his other activities Mr. Arnold is a director and stockholder in the First National Bank of Klemme.
On the 28th of August, 1912, Mr. Arnold was married to Miss Emilie M. Lenz, a daughter of Ernest and Friedrika (Koerner) Lenz, natives of Germany. The father came to the new world in 1865 and lived in Wisconsin. The mother crossed the Atlantic in 1869 and lived for a time near Freeport, Illinois. For
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thirty-nine years they have been residents of Hancock county. Mrs. Arnold was one of four children. She is a lady of liberal culture and refinement, sharing in her husband's studies and tastes. On their table are found such magazines as the Christian Iterald, the Literary Digest. the Outlook, the Pathfinder, the Ladies' Home Journal, the Woman's Home Companion, the Mother's Magazine and others, showing that both are keeping in touch with the trend of modern thought and progress. Their religious faith is indicated in their membership in the German Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful part. Mr. Arnold has served as assistant superintendent of the Sunday school and he has also filled the offices of township trustee and of school director. Ilis political allegiance is given to the republican party. Ilis efforts to further the welfare of the community have been directed along the lines of educa- tional campaigns. Ile is president of the Klemme Cooperative Creamery, of the Cow-Testing Association of Klemme and of the Short Course Association and director of the Federation of Cow-Testing Associations. He recognizes the fact that activity must be preceded by desire. and the desire for advancement, progress and improvement in community lite as well as in stock breeding and raising must be furthered by instruction. No man has done more to promote knowledge and advance the interests of scientific farming in Hancock county and his work will long bear fruit. In his own affairs, too, he has displayed the utmost enter- prise, combined with keen sagacity and discrimination, and his business judgment is seldom, if ever, at fault.
HENRY L. SUCKOW.
Since 1878 Henry L. Suckow has been a resident of Hancock county, Iowa, and now makes his home on section 34, German township, where he owns and operates a well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres. A native of the Empire state, he was born in Albany, February 11, 1865, and is a son of John and Caroline (Liverance) Suckow, who came to this country from Germany about 1855 and located in Albany, New York. There the father engaged in the boot and shoe business for twelve years and after his removal to Clayton county, Iowa, in 1869, continued in the same business for a few years longer. Ile then purchased a farm and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, but at the end of five years sold his property in Clayton county and removed to Hancock county in 1878. He bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 34, German township, and engaged in its operation for some years but is now living retired, enjoying the fruits of his former toil.
Henry L. Suckow attended the district schools of Clayton and Hancock counties until eighteen years of age and in the meantime acquired an excellent knowledge of farming while assisting his father in the labors of the fields. He aided in operating the home farm until twenty-one years of age and then bought one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 35, German township, where he farmed for ten years. On selling that place he purchased the old homestead com- prising one hundred and sixty acres on section 34, where he has since carried on general farming and has also engaged in the raising of cattle and hogs to some
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extent. He has a well improved place under excellent cultivation and has met with success in his undertakings.
On the 9th of November, 1887, Mr. Suckow married Miss Taldine Brouwer, a daughter of J. B. and Katherine Brouwer, who are natives of Germany and are now living retired in Garner, Iowa. On their emigration to America they came direct to Hancock county. Mr. and Mrs. Suckow have seven children, namely : Edna, now the wife of Herman Paul, a farmer of Hancock county ; John, a carpenter of Klemme; May, the wife of Lawrence Schaefer, also a farmer of Hancock county ; and Carl, William, Henry and Louis, all at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Suckow are members of the German Methodist Episcopal church and are held in the highest esteem by all who know them. Mr. Suckow has always taken an active interest in public affairs and has efficiently served as justice of the peace, secretary of the school board, road supervisor and township assessor. No trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree.
C. F. LEHMAN.
C. F. Lehman, residing on section 21, King township, Winnebago county, has spent practically his entire life in Iowa, although he is a native of Wabasha county, Minnesota. Ile was born in May, 1861, a son of Gottlieb and Annie (Gephart) Lehman, who were natives of Germany and in early life came to the new world, settling in Minnesota. The father purchased land in Wabasha county and there engaged in farming. At the time of the Civil war he espoused the cause of his adopted country and joined the army, going to the front with the Union troops, with which he served for about a year. He was taken prisoner but was exchanged and was on his way home when a guerrilla attack was inaugurated and they took him to Arkansas, where he contracted yellow fever that terminated his life. He passed away in 1866 and his widow survived until 1909.
It was in 1871 that Mrs. Lehman removed with her family to Webster county, Iowa, so that C. F. Lehman was largely reared and educated in this state. He remained with his mother until he reached the age of seventeen years and then began work as a farm hand, being employed in that way for a decade. He next went to Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he learned the cooper's trade, which he followed for sixteen years. In 1901 he arrived in Winnebago county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 21, King township. He has since improved this place and has converted it into a valuable farm. He afterward added to his holdings by the purchase of an adjoining eighty acres and he is today the owner of an excellent farm of two hundred and forty acres which he carefully and systematically cultivates and improves. He carries on general agricultural pursuits and the value of his methods is seen in the excellent crops which he annually gathers. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company and in the Cooperative Creamery Company of Thompson.
In January, 1886, Mr. Lehman was united in marriage to Miss Katie Derscheid and they have become parents of three children: Fred, at home; Harley, who is a bookkeeper in Winona, Minnesota; and Marvin, also at home.
Mr. Lehman is much interested in community affairs and lends the weight
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of his influence to progress and improvement along many lines. For fifteen years he has served as president of the school board and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. Politically he is a republican and he keeps in touch with the trend of modern thought as relating to government affairs in county, state and nation. IIis religious belief is that of the Methodist church. Those who know him, and he has a wide acquaintance, entertain for him high regard, for his entire life has been characterized by high and honorable principles.
ANDREW N. BRONES.
Among the honored early settlers of Winnebago county is numbered Andrew N. Brones, who has made his home here for fifty-two years and has therefore witnessed almost the entire development of this section of the state. Throughout the greater part of his active business life he has followed farming and now resides on section 18, Mount Valley township, where he owns and operates one hundred and sixty aeres of valuable land.
A native of Norway, Mr. Brones was born on the old Brones homestead, in Modom, June 23, 1845, and is a son of Nels O. and Mary (Skretteberg) Brones, who came with their family to the United States in 1852 on an old sailing vessel, Shoffano, and located in Dane county, Wisconsin, where the mother died two years later. In 1865 the father brought his family to Winnebago county, Iowa, and after one year's residence in Forest City purchased a farm four miles northeast of that place. IIe erected thereon the second house built between Forest City and Lake Mills, the first being at Bensons Grove. He made his home upon that farm until his death, which occurred in 1885. He was three times married and by the first union had four children, but Andrew N. is the only one of these now living. Three were soldiers in the Civil war, Andrew being but nineteen years of age and Peter N. not yet seventeen at the time of enlistment. Olavus was taken prisoner at the battle of Chickamauga and died in Andersonville prison. By his second marriage the father had two sons, Christian and John, both of whom are still living, and by the third union there were five children, two of whom survive: Mary and Nickoline, who are teachers and homesteaders in Montana.
During his boyhood Andrew N. Brones attended the public schools of Forest City and later was a student at the Upper Iowa University at Fayette, completing his education with a commercial course at the Upper Iowa Commercial College. In the meantime, however, he had served his adopted country as one of the boys in blue. In 1864 he enlisted in Company I, Forty-third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and remained in the service until the close of the Civil war. After being mustered out he joined the family in Winnebago county, Iowa, whither they had removed early in the spring of 1865. On the completion of his education he began teaching school and was the first Norwegian to teach in the English schools of Winnebago county. For many years he was prominently identified with educational work and for six years served as county superintendent of schools in Winnebago county, during the '80s. Prior to this he had filled the office of county supervisor for two terms. In 1866 Mr. Brones purchased his present home farm
MR. AND MRS. ANDREW N. BRONES
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of one hundred and sixty acres on section 18, Mount Valley township, but did not locate thereon until 1889, since which time he has followed agricultural pur- suits with good success. He also owns another farm of the same size in Kossuth county, Iowa.
On the 22d of June, 1881, Mr. Brones was united in marriage to Miss Emma Jacobs, a sister of Thomas Jacobs, a prominent merchant of Forest City. Her father, Jacob Jacobs, came to this country from Norway in 1868 and first located in Howard county, Iowa, but a year later came to Winnebago county, where he made his home until his death in 1902. He was a shipbnilder in Norway but followed farming in Winnebago county. To Mr. and Mrs. Brones have been born five children but two are deceased, those living being J. Warren, now a farmer of Kossuth county; and Alfred G. and Anna M., both at home.
At an early day Mr. Brones joined the Masons and is a republican in politics, being for a number of years a prominent factor in public affairs. Ile has long been numbered among the foremost citizens of his county and is a man highly respected and esteemed wherever known. For over half a century he has been a resident of this locality and has borne an important part in its development and upbuilding.
SHOTWELL HIGDON.
For almost a quarter of a century Shotwell Higdon has made his home in Hancock county and his is the creditable record of a progressive business man, for within this period he has become well established as a substantial and highly respected farmer, his home being on section 3, Boone township, where he is the owner of an excellent farm of three hundred and twenty acres. He was born in Ford county, Illinois, September 9, 1872, and is a son of Peter B. and Marietta C. (Miller) Iligdon, who were natives of Ohio and Indiana, respectively.
Through the period of the boyhood of their son Shotwell they were residents of Illinois, so that he there acquired his education in the district schools, which he attended through the winter months, while the summer seasons were spent at work upon the home farm. His text-books were put aside at the age of twenty years, but he continued to work on the old homestead until he reached the age of twenty-three. He then came to Hancock county and in the intervening period has resided within its borders, making steady progress along business lines to the goal of success. In 1906 he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land on section 3. Boone township, and is now extensively and profitably engaged in raising, buying and selling shorthorn cattle and in breeding Belgian horses, being recognized as one of the leading stockmen of this section of the state.
On the 14th of January. 1895, Mr. Higdon was married to Miss Malinda Sal- strom, a native of Illinois and a daughter of John and Hannah (Anderson) Sal- strom, who were natives of Sweden and about 1867 came to the new world. Mr. and Mrs. Higdon have four children, Gerald B., Harold H., Clarence and Paul A., all yet at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Higdon are consistent members of the United Brethren church. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the principles and candidates of
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the republican party, believing that the party platform contains the best elements of good government. He concentrates his attention upon his business affairs, and the wise direction of his interests is bringing to him the just profits of his labor, making him one of the men of affluence in his community.
CLAUDE STULL, D. D. S.
Dr. Claude Stull, of Corwith, was born in North English, lowa, February 1, 1878, a son of Thomas Hawkins and Lucinda (Smalley) Stull. The father resided in Pennsylvania until he was twenty years of age and there received his, general education, although he prepared for the practice of medicine in the Keokuk Medical College at Keokuk, Iowa. Ile practiced his profession in North English, Iowa, for two years but later spent a short time in Livingston, Wisconsin, and subsequently removed to Linden, Wisconsin, whence he went to Algona, Iowa. There he passed away in 1912, and there his wife still resides. She was born in Johnson county, Iowa, was reared and educated in this state and was married at South English.
Claude Stull was reared under the parental roof and attended school in Lin- den, Wisconsin, until he was fifteen years old, when he accompanied the family to Algona, lowa, where he completed a high school course. He was for two years a student in the dental college of the Iowa University at lowa City but completed his course in the dental college of the Northwestern University, from which he was graduated in 1899. Ile immediately located for practice in Corwith, Iowa, becoming the first resident dentist of the town, and has since remained here. In the intervening years he has built up a large practice.
On the ed of September, 1903. Dr. Stull was married at Corwith to Miss Mabel Frances Stilson, and they have a daughter, Frances Eleanor, a native of Corwith.
Dr. Stull is a republican in politics and is now serving as mayor of Corwith. Fraternally he belongs to Paradise Lodge, No. 552, A. F. & A. M., of Corwith, of which he is a past master. Along strictly professional lines he holds membership in the Iowa Dental Society. Throughout the period of his residence in Corwith he has taken a leading part in movements calculated to advance the general wel- fare and he is recognized as a prominent and public-spirited citizen.
GOTTORM MONSEY.
Gottorm Honsey is one of the oldest of the pioneer settlers of Winnebago county now living within its borders, and it is with pleasure that we present the record of his life to our readers. He was born in Norway, April 15, 1836, and has therefore passed the eighty-first milestone on life's journey. His parents, Ole and Anna Honsey, both died in Norway and in that country Gottorm Honsey was reared and educated. Before leaving that country he was married in 1861, but immediately afterward sailed for the United States and became a resident of
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Dane county, Wisconsin, where he was employed at farm work for four years. In 1865 he came to Iowa and after a year spent in Worth county removed to Winne- bago county in 1866. Here, in company with his brother, who had come to the new world with him, he purchased the southwest quarter of section 3 in Mount Valley township, and for three years he and his brother Peter cultivated their land in partnership. Gottorm Honsey then purchased his present home farm, on which he has resided for the past forty-eight years, and he is today one of the best known among the old pioneers of this section of the state. His farm was wild land when it came into his possession and thercon he built a log cabin which he occupied for twenty years. He drove across the country from Wisconsin to Iowa with oxen and he used his ox team in tilling his soil and developing the fields. In fact, he became familiar with every phase of pioneer life and his industry and enterprise contributed largely to the early development and prog- ress of this section of the state. In addition to his farming interests Mr. IIonsey is a stockholder of the Farmers Cooperative Creamery Company of Lake Mills and was one of the organizers of the Lake Mills Lumber Company.
Mr. Honsey was united in marriage to Miss Mary Olson, by whom he had eight children, three of whom survive, as follows: Ole, who is engaged in agri- cultural pursuits in Mount Valley township, Winnebago county; Samuel, who cultivates the home farm; and Lena, the wife of Erik Reienes, who operates the home place in association with his brother-in-law, Samuel Honsey.
Politically Mr. Honsey is a republican and for many years he served as town- ship trustee and in other local offices. He was also for a long period a member of the school board and has ever been a stalwart champion of public education. He and his family are members of the United Lutheran church and his life has ever been guided by his Christian faith. His entire career has been an upright and honorable one, winning for him the respect and confidence of those with whom he has been associated, and in the evening of life he can look back over the past without regret and forward to the future without fear. He has never had occa- sion to wish that he had remained in his native land, for in America he found the opportunities which he sought and in their utilization won success.
HENRY K. NELSON.
Henry K. Nelson, living on section 18, Norway township, Winnebago county, was born in De Forest, Wisconsin, on the 4th of March, 1874. His parents were Knut Lundon and Gertrude (Halvorson) Nelson, both of whom are natives of Norway, where they were reared and married. The only child born to them in that country was Nels Nelson, who died at the age of one year, while the parents were en route for the new world. Following the burial of the little one, the parents continued on their way until they reached Dane county, Wisconsin, where they took up their abode, and there the father worked at the carpenter's trade until about 1885. In that year they removed to Mount Valley township, Winne- bago county, Iowa, and Mr. Nelson there gave his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits for twenty-two years, becoming recognized as one of the valued and representative farmers of his district. He is now living retired in
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Forest City in the enjoyment of a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. To him and his wife were born seven children after their arrival in America. Five of the family are yet living: Carl K., whose home is in Forest City ; N. K., living in Mount Valley township; Henry K .; Hans Lundon, who resides in Forest City ; and Chris K., living at Lake Mills.
Henry K. Nelson of this review was a lad of eleven years at the time of the removal of the family to Iowa. He acquired a common school education, continuing his studies to the age of sixteen, after which he began providing for his own support by working as a farm hand. He was thus employed until he reached the age of twenty-six years, when he rented his father's farm, upon which he lived for two years. On the expiration of that period he turned his attention to the creamery business, which he followed in Fertile, in Bristol and in Joice, Worth county, after which he removed to Scarville, Winnebago county, where he continued in the creamery business until 1915, when he purchased the east half of the southwest quarter of section 18 and the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 19, making one hundred and twenty acres in all. This place he is now farming and has won a position among the substantial agriculturists of the neighborhood.
In 1900 Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Hoveland, her parents being G. O. and Guro (Christopherson) Hoveland, of Mount Valley township. The father still resides on a farm in that township, but the mother died in 1908, her remains being interred in the Winnebago cemetery. To Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have been born five children, namely: Gladys, Kenneth, Harry, Con- rad and one who died in infancy.
In politics Mr. Nelson has maintained an independent course. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to several local offices. He was the first mayor of Joice and in that position made a most cred- itable record. He was also president of the school board of Joice and he is now a director of the Scarville school. Mr. Nelson deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, for he started out in life empty handed and it has been through persistent purpose, honorable effort and straightforward dealing that he has gained his present position as a substantial and progressive citizen of the community in which he now lives.
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