USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 37
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 37
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JOHN HELGREN.
John Helgren, a well known farmer of King township, Winnebago county, living on section 29, was born in Sweden, November 24, 1867, and is a son of Peter and Bertha IFelgren, who were also natives of that country, where they spent their entire lives.
The youthful days of John Helgren were passed in his native land and its public schools afforded him his educational opportunities. He was twenty years of age when he severed home ties and sailed for the new world. He did not tarry on the Atlantic coast but made his way at once to the Mississippi valley and located first in Forest City, lowa. He was employed as a farm hand for four years but he was desirous of engaging in farming on his own account and at length felt that his experience was sufficient to enable him to take that step. He then rented land and at the end of two years, having carefully saved his earnings, he was able to purchase one hundred and sixty acres on section 29, King township, Winne- bago county. With characteristic energy he at once began to develop and improve that place, which he has since owned and cultivated, and that he has led a busy life is proven by the very attractive appearance of the farm, which has been care- fully cultivated and improved. He is a stockholder of the Farmers Elevator Company and of the Cooperative Creamery Company of Thompson and in addi- tion to cultivating his home place he also farms one hundred and sixty acres of land which he rents.
On the 10th of March, 1893, Mr. Helgren was married to Miss Martha Fingle- berg, a daughter of Ole Fingleberg, and they have become the parents of seven children : Palmer, Clarence, Mabel, Hazel, Myrtle and Leonard, all at home; and IIelen, who died in infancy.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Lutheran church and in his
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political belief Mr. Helgren is a republican. Ile has served as assessor of King township for the past eleven years and has been a member of the school board for many years, while at the present time he is serving as its treasurer. His influence is always on the side of progress and improvement and he gives loyal aid to those interests which tend to promote the material, social, intellectual and moral welfare of his community.
EDWARD WILLIAMS.
The farming and stock raising interests of Hancock county have a worthy repre- sentative in Edward Williams, who makes his home on section 35, Boone township, where he has a well improved place of one hundred and sixty acres. He was born on the 25th of August, 1853, in Macon, Illinois, and is a son of Jackson and Levina (Long) Williams, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania.
Edward Williams attended school until about nineteen years of age and when not busy with his studies assisted in the labors of the home farm and thus acquired an excellent knowledge of the occupation which he has made his life work. At the age of twenty-two years he rented a farm in Illinois and commenced farming on his own account. Six years later he came to Hancock county, Iowa, and in 1892 purchased his present farm on section 35, Boone township, paying for his quarter section seventeen dollars and a half per acre. He now gives considerable attention to the raising of fine stock, his specialty being pure bred Shorthorn cattle, Poland China hogs and Clydesdale horses, and he is regarded as an excellent judge of stock.
On November 25, 1886, Mr. Williams married Miss Leona Still, a native of Cerro Gordo, Illinois, and a daughter of George and Anna (Ainsworth) Still. Her grandmother Ater was the first white woman to locate in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have two daughters: Mildred, now the wife of William Snyder, living at Fairfax, Iowa : and Charity Eugenia, the wife of Fred Brand, living with her par- ents on the home farm. The family attend the United Brethren church and are among the most highly respected citizens of the community in which they live.
II. C. ARMSTRONG.
H. C. Armstrong, vice president of the First National Bank and one of the foremost citizens of Britt, is one of Iowa's native sons, his birth having occurred in Greene. Butler county, on the 24th of February, 1875. His parents were A. J. and Myrtie C. (Clark) Armstrong, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Prince Edward Island, Canada, but they were married in Franklin county, Iowa. In the late '50s the father accompanied his parents on their removal to Franklin county, of which the family were pioneer settlers. On leaving Prince Edward Island the Clark family removed to Wisconsin and went from there to Franklin county, Iowa. In early life A. J. Armstrong learned the carpenter's trade and subsequently became a contractor and builder, carrying on operations in Greene and Emmetsburg. Later he became identified with the lumber business and
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removed to Boise, Idaho, being a prominent figure in the lumber industry of that state up to the time of his death in November, 1912. His widow is still living and continues to reside in Boise.
During his boyhood and youth H. C. Armstrong attended the public schools and completed his education in the Emmetsburg high school. When about sixteen years of age he began his business career as proprietor of a bicycle and machine shop at that place, which he carried on successfully for three years. In April, 1898, he laid aside all personal interests and entered the service of his country at the outbreak of the Spanish-American war. He had previously been a member of the National Guard of lowa and on entering the United States service was as- signed to Company K, Fifty-seccond Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with the rank of quartermaster sergeant. He was discharged in November of the same year but on the reorganization of the regiment the following spring was elected captain of his company, in which official capacity he served for three years. Captain Arm- strong was then appointed inspector of small arms practice with the rank of captain, there being only four such officials in the state. After serving two or three years the office was abolished and Captain Armstrong severed his connection with the National Guard.
It was in 1902 that he first became interested in the banking business, accepting the position of bookkeeper in the Farmers & Merchants Savings Bank of Rake, Winnebago county, where his ability was soon recognized and rewarded by his being elevated to assistant cashier and afterward cashier of the institution within three years. In 1905 he accepted the cashiership of the First National Bank of Titonka, Iowa, with which he was connected for eight years, and was then identified with the Emmetsburg National Bank for one year. In August, 1914, Captain Armstrong came to Britt and purchased an interest in the First National Bank, of which he was made vice president, soon becoming the managing force in the direc- tion of the bank's financial policy. Ile is a man of good business and executive ability, who thoroughly understands banking in principle and detail, and today occupies an enviable position in financial circles in this part of the state.
In 1899 Captain Armstrong was united in marriage to Miss Mabel L. Henry of Emmetsburg and they have become the parents of three sons, namely: Neil H .. Dean M. and Gordon C. The republican party has always found in the Captain a stanch supporter of its principles but he has never been an aspirant for office though he served for five or six years as mayor of Titonka, giving the city a very businesslike and progressive administration. Ile still takes a commendable interest in public affairs and never withholds his support from any enterprise which he believes will prove of public benefit.
OSCAR SWANSON.
Oscar Swanson is an active representative of farming and stock raising interests in Ell township, Ilancock county, his home being on section 33, where he owns and cultivates one hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land. He has resided thereon since 1905, and his labors have greatly improved and developed his place. Ile was born in Sweden on the 29th of January, 1866, a son of Swen P.
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and Mary Sophia Peterson. He continued in his native country until he had reached the age of twenty-two years. Attracted by the favorable reports which he had heard concerning America and her opportunities, he then determined to come to the new world, and made arrangements to cross the Atlantic. The voyage over. he continued his journey to Wexford county, Michigan, where he resided for two years. Hle afterward spent two years in Chicago and eighteen years in Grundy county, Illinois. He took up farming on his own account on rented land, but desir- ous of owning property he carefully saved his earnings and purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 33, Ell township, Hancock county. He is now making a specialty of breeding and raising Chester White hogs and handling thoroughbred stock, and holds a sale of hogs each year. He also feeds Shorthorn cattle to some extent and he breeds his own horses, which are Percherons. The fine stock upon his place indicates his progressive spirit and laudable ambition.
Mr. Swanson as been married twice. In 1895 he wedded Hulda Johnson, and for his second wife he chose Anna Dahlgren, whom he married in 1905. By his first marriage he had five children, Mary. Albert, Carl, Esther and one who died in infancy, and by the second marriage there are six children, Ruth, Roy, Dora, Leonard, Edith and Ethel. The children are still at home.
Mr. Swanson votes with the republican party, believing firmly in its principles. but he has never sought nor desired office. Ilis religious faith is that of the Swedish Lutheran church and he endeavors to follow its teachings in all his life activities. He is found to be honest and straightforward in business as well as progressive and enterprising, and in every relation of life he is a man who can be depended upon to support what is right.
WILLIAM EDGAR GOURLEY.
William Edgar Gourley is the owner of a valuable farm on section 8, Magor township, Hancock county, whereon he is engaged in buying, selling and feeding stock, making a specialty of handling hogs. His business affairs are carefully and wisely conducted and managed and his success is the direct outcome of his intelligent effort.
On the 15th of August, 1868, Mr. Gourley was born in Livingston county. Illinois, a son of Alfred and Rebecca (Farris) Gourley, who were natives of Vir- ginia. After acquiring a district school education, continuing his studies to the age of seventeen years, William E. Gourley began work as a farm hand and also was employed in connection with the livery business at Cornell, Illinois, for five years. lle was desirous, however, of engaging in business on his own account and carefully saved his earnings until the sum was sufficient to enable him to purchase one hundred and sixty acres of land near Cornell. He remained upon that farm for a year and then sold the property, after which he came to Hancock county, Iowa, in 1901, and purchased three eighty-aere tracts on section 22, Magor town- ship. He afterward added to his holdings eighty acres on the same section and four hundred and eighty acres on section 8. where he makes his home. He owns altogether eight hundred acres. He is now engaged in buying, selling and feeding cattle and for three years he has continuously and successfully engaged in buying
i1-19
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hogs. Ile has made splendid improvements upon his place in the way of good buildings and all modern accessories, which indicate a progressive spirit in agri- cultural life. His labors have wrought splendid results and he is now numbered among the men of affluence in his county. He also has other business interests, being a stockholder in the Farmers Savings Bank, the Commercial Savings Bank, the Kanawha Elevator Company and the Kanawha Creamery Company.
On the 13th of March, 1893, Mr. Gourley was married to Miss Nellie J. Mills, a daughter of Samuel and Mary ( Kimbers) Mills, who were natives of England and in early life became residents of Illinois, where their daughter. Mrs. Gourley, was born, their home at the time being in La Salle county. By her marriage Mrs. Gourley has become the mother of eight children: Ellery C .; Jessie V., the wife of Webb Shipman: Seth D .: Carrie E .: John E .: Alfred Ross: Liste E .; and William E.
Politically Mr. Gourley is a republican and for two years tilled the office of township assessor and for two years has been township trustee. lle belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and his religious faith is indicated by his con- nection with the Methodist Episcopal church. He has ever been upright and honorable in his dealings, progressive in all that he has undertaken, and through determined and persistent effort intelligently guided he has reached a place among the prosperous and representative farmers and business men of Hancock county.
OLE MICHAELSON.
Ole Michaelson is now living retired in Leland, where for a long period he was actively engaged in grain buying, while with farming interests he was also connected. The rest which he is now enjoying is well deserved and has come to him as the reward of his former activity and enterprise. He was born in Norway, January 31, 1858, a son of Michael Thoring and Mary Oleson Belverud, who were likewise natives of the land of the midnight sun. They came to America in 1882 and settled on a farm in this part of the state, here remaining until ealled to their final rest. In their family were nine children, of whom six are yet living.
Ole Michaelson was reared and educated in his native country to the age of twenty years, when in 1878 he came to the United States, making his way at once to Winnebago county. For four years he was employed as a common laborer, at the end of which time he began buying grain in Leland. With the business he was continuously and successfully connected until a very recent date, when he retired, but he still owns an elevator. He displayed sound and discriminating judgment in buying grain and his business affairs were so carefully and wisely conducted that success in large measure rewarded his efforts, lle is also the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of rich and valuable land on section 19. Newton township, Winnebago county, which returns to him a gratifying annual income. Moreover, he is financially interested in other business concerns, being now the president of the Farmers Savings Bank at Leland, while he is also a stockholder of the Leland Creamery Company.
On June 23, 1886, Mr. Michaelson was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Branstad, a native of Norway, who was brought to the United States in her early
OLE MICHAELSON
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girlhood by her parents, Andrew and Dorothea (Grytnes) Branstad, who were also natives of Norway. They made the voyage to the new world in 1873 and settled first in Winneshiek county, Iowa, where they lived for a year before coming to Winnebago county. Ilere the father passed away, but the mother is still living and is now in her eighty-first year. In their family were eight children, who yet survive. To Mr. and Mrs. Michaelson have been born ten children: Minnie ("., the wife of O. Theodore Moen, now of Minneapolis; Delia E., at home ; Ruth, Rudolph and Elvin, who have passed away ; Ruth J., the second of the nanre, now a student in college; Clarence O., who is a graduate of Waldorf College and is now attending St. Olaf College of Minnesota ; Victor, deceased ; and Agnes L., and Obed B., at home.
The parents are consistent and faithful members of the Lutheran church, doing all in their power to promote its growth and extend its influence. In politics Mr. Michaelson is a republican and for twenty-five years he has served on the school board, of which he is still a member. IIe has ever been a stanch champion of the cause of education and he is now acting as one of the trustees of Waklorf College. Ile is also one of the directors of the Fair Association of Forest ('ity and is interested in all the plans and projects which look to the upbuilding of the county along the lines of material, intellectual, social and moral development.
RUDOLPH C. GLAWE.
Rudolph C. Glawe, a well known and highly respected farmer of Boone town- ship, Haneock county, makes his home on section 19, where he has one hundred and sixty acres of land. Ile is a native of Germany, his birth having there occurred on the Sth of April, 1865. Ilis parents, William and Elizabeth ( Miller) Glawe, were also natives of that country and, resolving to try their fortune in America, they crossed the Atlantic in 1870 and establishing their home at Appleton. Wisconsin. The father was a farmer and Rudolph C. Glawe was reared in the usual manner of the farm bred boy dividing his time between the duties of the schoolroom the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields. IIe attended a German school until he was about thirteen years of age and then started out to earn his own living by working in a carriage shop at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where he was employed for a year and a half. He then went to Durand, Illinois, where he worked by the month as a farm hand for ten years. Ile carefully saved his carnings and in this way gained a sum that enabled him eventually to purchase his present farm. He invested in one hundred and sixty acres of land on the southeast quarter of section 19, Boone township, Hancock county, Iowa, and has since devoted his time and attention to the further development and improvement of his property. There were no fenees upon the place when it came into his pos- session and no bridges had been built. He has since been closely identified with the work of general improvement. IIe assisted Richard Allison in hauling the first load of tile to the county and has at all times stood for progressive methods of farming. He has made many improvements upon his place and is putting forth every effort to enhance its productiveness.
On the 9th of July, 1894, Mr. Glawe was married to Miss Mary Stritzel, who
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was born in Germany, a daughter of August and Henrietta ( Miller) Stritzel, who were natives of the fatherland. Mr. and Mrs. Glawe have become the parents of six children, Elda Ida, Elmer William, Anna Myrtle, Maud Itannah, Hazel Freda and George Rudolph, all yet at home.
In his political views Mr. Glawe is a republican and he has served as a member of the town board and as judge of elections. He belongs to the English Methodist Episcopal church and lives an upright, honorable life that commands for him the confidence and goodwill of all with whom he comes in contact. His record, too, shows how effective are industry and persistency of purpose as forces in business life, for it is along those lines that he has attained his success, even- tually reaching a position among the substantial farmers of his adopted county.
CHRISTIAN TORGERSON.
Forty years have come and gone since Christian Torgerson arrived in Winnebago county and through much of the intervening period he has been closely identified with its farming interests but is now living retired in the enjoyment of well warned rest, making his home on section 10, King township. He was born six miles from Christiania, Norway, in February, 1848, a son of Torger and Ingeborg (Gulliekson) Torgerson, who were natives of Norway, where the father followed the occupation of farming to the time of his death. He passed away in 1900, while his widow survived only until 1903.
Christian Torgerson was reared and educated in Norway, where he remained until he reached the age of eighteen years and then came to the United States in 1866. Ile located in Dane county, Wisconsin, where he was employed for several years, and in 1877 he arrived in Winnebago county, where he continued to work as a farm hand for some time. He carefully saved his earnings and as soon as possible purchased a yoke of oxen and forty acres of land situated on section 17, King township. He at once began to develop and improve the property and, continuing his close economy and his unremitting industry, he was afterward able to add eighty aeres. Eventually he obtained forty-six aeres which he added to his homestead in King township, and he continued to cultivate and develop his farm until 1911, when he retired, since which time he has lived with his daughter. He also became the owner of one hundred and twenty aeres in Eden township, which his sons are now farming. He formerly made a specialty of raising Shorthorn eaffle and he is still a stockholder in the Cooperative Creamery Company of Thompson.
In May, 1869, Mr. Torgerson was united in marriage to Miss Julia Watenbryn, by whom he has six children, as follows: Theodore, who operales the old home place : Julius, George and Ole, all of whom are engaged in farming in Eden town- ship; Albert, who is employed as a farm hand; and Mary, who is the wife of Eddie Ellefson, an agriculturist residing on seetion 10, King township. Mr. and Mrs. Ellefson have four children : Marion, Opal, Mildred and Carroll.
Mr. Torgerson has served on the school board for a number of years and does all in his power to further the interests of public education in his district. He exereises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the
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democratic party and his religious belief is that of the Lutheran church. His has been an active, useful and honorable life and his present rest is well merited, for he worked most diligently and persistently for many years and in all of his business dealings was found thoroughly reliable. Today he is the possessor of a comfortable competence which enables him to rest from further labor.
DRS. HELENA AND GENA THORESEN.
Drs. Helena and Gena Thoresen have built up a very large practice in Lake Mills as chiropractors and hold a high place in the esteem of all who know them. They are daughters of Lars and Gurie (Loftsgaard) Thoresen, natives of Norway, who became early settlers of Clayton county, lowa, whence they removed to Palo Alto county. They were also among the first people to settle in that county, and the father purchased land which he farmed for many years in addition to operating a blacksmith shop. He is now seventy-four years of age and is making his home with his children. The mother died in October, 1900. There were ten children in the family, of whom seven are living, namely: Susanna, the wife of Dr. Th. T. Nae, of Graettinger, Towa; Theodore and Ole, both of whom are farming in Palo Alto county : Helena, who was born September 22, 1877; Anna, who is a doctor of chiropractie, practicing in Red Wing, Minnesota; John, a chiropractor of Glenwood, Minnesota ; and Gena, born September 10, 1882.
Drs. Helena and Gena Thoresen were reared in Palo Alto county and received their early education in the public schools there. In 1912 both entered the Universal School of Chiropractie at Davenport, lowa, where they completed the course. Dr. Helena Thoresen has taken advanced post graduate work and holds four diplomas. In 1914 she opened an office in Lake Mills and in June, 1915, was joined by her sister and they are practicing in partnership under the name of Thoresen & Thoresen. They have purchased a fine residence, have a splendidly equipped offee and have built up an extensive and representative practice. They also maintain an office at Forest City, and Dr. Helena Thoresen spends three days of the week there. They belong to the Chiropractic Society and find that con- nection of great value inasmuch as it enables them to profit by the experience of other up-to-date and successful practitioners. In religious faith they are Lutherans, and their lives conform to the teachings of that church.
OLE G. THUNE.
Ole G. Thune, residing on section 4, Mount Valley township, Winnebago county, owns and operates a fine farm of two hundred acres, which he has placed under high cultivation and improved with good substantial buildings which stand as monuments to bis thrift and enterprise. A native of lowa, he was born in Winneshiek county, December 31, 1868, and is a son of Gullick and Aaste (Olson) Thune, natives of Norway. In the spring of 1868 the parents crossed the Atlantic and took up their residence in Winneshiek county, Iowa, where they lived for three years. In 1871 they came to Winnebago county, and after working as a farm hand for
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two years in this locality the father was able to purchase eighty acres of land on section 1, Monnt Valley township, on which he erected a log house with a thatched roof. In this humble little home the family lived for some years, but at length a more modern residence was erected upon land adjoining which the father had bought in the meantime. There he died on the 22d of March, 1916, at the ripe old age of eighty-six years and three months. The mother of our subject had passed away in 1874 and the father was again married in 1885, his second union being with Miss Ingeborg Vold, who died in 1901. By the first marriage there were three children, those still living being Ole G. and his brother Gilbert, who resides on the home place.
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