USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 38
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 38
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During his boyhood Ole G. Thune attended the district schools and also acquired an excellent knowledge of farm work. Later he worked at various ovenpations for some years but in 1898 bought eighty acres of land adjoining his present home farm on the east. He has since engaged in farming and in 1910 purchased the place where he now lives, locating thereon in 1911. Ilis farm now comprises two hundred aeres, all in one tract, and he is successfully engaged in its operation. Ile is a stockholder in the Leland Farmers Elevator Company and also in the Farmers Cooperative Creamery Company of Leland.
In 1901 Mr. Thune married Miss Anna Peterson, and to them have been born seven children, those still living being: Gisle M .. Delbert AAustin, Oscar Carl. Wilma Ruth, Palmer and Edna Margaret. The family are members of the United Lutheran church and Mr. Thune is a republican in politics. He never withholds his support from any enterprise which he believes calculated to promote the moral or educational welfare of his community and for sixteen years has efficiently served in some official capacity in his township. He is now filling his second term as Township clerk, has been a member of the board of township trustees ten years, and is president of the school board at the present time. He is also secretary of the Farmers Elevator Company and is regarded as one of the leading citizens of his locality.
ERIK B. STENE.
The name of Stene has been associated with the agricultural development of Winnebago county from a very early period in the settlement of this section of the state. The homestead farm of Erik B. Stene, which is situated on section 11. Norway township, was taken over by his uncle and aunt, Ole and Anna forum, as a government claim. They were among the first group of Norwegians to establish homes in this section of the state and Erik B. Stene purchased his farm from them. Hle was born in Norway, October 14, 1849, a son of Botolf and Ingeborg Steno, who were farming people of that land, where they spent their entire lives and reared their family of seven children, of whom four are still living. Erik B. being the eldest. The others who survive are: Elling, who resides upon the old homestead farm in Norway, Johannes, also living in Norway ; and L. B., who is located in Norway township, Winnebago county.
Erik B. Stene spent the period of his minority in his native country, but on reaching the age of twenty-one years determined to try his fortune in America.
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for the reports which had reached him had convinced him that better opportuni- ties might be seenred on this side of the Atlantic. It requires determination and courage. however, to sever home ties and go to a new country, with the language and customs of which one is unfamiliar. This must of itself involve the individual in many hardships, but Mr. Stene possessed a resolute will and carried out his purpose. lle made his way at once to Towa and began earning his living as a farm hand, being thus employed until he reached the age of thirty-five years. In the meantime, however, he was saving his earnings with the purpose of some day owning a farm and eventually he purchased land on the northwest quarter of section 11 and the northeast quarter of section 10, Norway township, Winnebago county. This he cleared and improved and to the further development and culti- vation of the tract has since given his attention. The excellent appearance of the place bears testimony to the care and labor which he has bestowed upon it.
When twenty-five years of age Mr. Stene was united in marriage to Torgron Nelson, whose parents were Nels and Anna Nelson, natives of Norway, who became residents of Freeborn county. Minnesota, where the father continued to engage in farming until his death. Both he and his wife lie buried there in Lime Creek cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Stene became the parents of four children, of whom one died in infancy. while three are yet living, namely: Emma, now the wife of Peter Dahle, of Worth county. Towa : Butler, who is living in Norway township; and Anna, the wife of Gilbert Hanson, of the same township. The wife and mother passed away September 11, 1882, and her remains were interred in the family cemetery on the farm. Mr. Stene was married August 14, 1887, to Gure Lange- land, a daughter of Lars and Mageli (Nelson) Langeland, who were natives of Norway, where both passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Stone have three children, namely : Matilda, who is the wife of Oscar Thompson, of St. Paul, Minnesota ; Alfred, who operates the home farm : and Eha, who is yet under the parental roof.
Mr. Stene votes with the republican party and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have frequently called him to public office. Ile has filled most of the township positions, including that of assessor, trustee and school treas- urer. IJe and his wife belong to the Synod Lutheran church and they are much esteemed in the community, occupying an enviable position in social circles in their neighborhood. Mr. Stene has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the United States, for while he has worked hard, he has secured the results of his labors and has made for himself a creditable position among the substantial and representative farmers of Norway township.
IIENRY C. BEIER.
Henry (. Beier, who is engaged in general farming on section 29, German township, Hancock county, was born in Delaware on the 25th of August, 1869, a son of William J. and Louisa ( Schlei) Beier, natives of Germany, who about 1864 came to the new world. The father has now passed away, but the mother is still living.
The youthful days of Henry C. Beier were largely devoted to the acquirement of a common school education and to work upon the home farm. He continued
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to assist his father until he reached the age of twenty-eight years, receiving no wages for his services. At that time his father deeded him a farm on section 29, German township, Hancock county, which has been in his possession since 1897. That he has prospered in his undertakings is indicated in the fact that in 1914 he purchased a second farm, comprising one hundred and sixty acres. Ilis places are well developed and improved, showing all the evidences of modern progressive farming. Ile has good buildings upon his place and utilizes scientific methods in conducting the various branches of his work. His attention is principally given to the raising of Holstein cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs, and his high grade stock brings gratifying prices when put upon the market.
On the 22d of December, 1897, Mr. Beier was married to Miss Ida Lenz, a daughter of Fred and Lena (Rolfus) Lenz, both of whom are natives of Ger- many, whenee they came to the new world, and who are now living in Hancock county. For a long period the father was engaged in farming, but has now retired from active business.
Politically Mr. Beier is a republican, giving stalwart support to the party. IIe has filled the offices of township clerk and school director, and he eooperates in many movements and plans which he believes will prove helpful in the upbuild- ing of the community. He is a director of the creamery company at Klemme. He has never become identified with any lodges, but has taken an active part in promoting the moral progress of the community through his support of the German Methodist Episcopal church, in which he holds membership. He has always devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and stock raising, and thus concentrating his efforts along a single line, he has worked his way upward, winning a substan- tial measure of success as the years have gone on.
PETER KNUDSEN.
Prominent among the prosperous farmers of Hancock county who have come to the new world empty handed and have won success through their own well directed efforts is Peter Knudsen, whose home is on section 26, Magor township. lle was born in Demmark on the 22d of April, 1855, and is a son of Nickoly and Catherine (Rasmussen) Knudsen, who came to the United States in 1880 and located in Mitchell county, Iowa.
Peter Knudsen began his education in the schools of his native land, but also had the advantage of attending school in Germany for some time. On laying aside his textbooks at the age of sixteen years he found work in Germany and was there employed for about three years. He emigrated to the United States in 1873 and took up his abode in Mitchell county, Iowa, where he worked as a farm hand for a number of years. He then had charge of an elevator at Carpenter for one year and in 1879 came to Hancock county for the purpose of securing a farm of his own. He bought eighty acres on section 26. Magor township and in 1886 bought another eighty acres on the same section. Having steadily prospered in his farming operations, he extended the boundaries of his place by the purchase of eighty acres on section 19, Amsterdam township, in 1900, and in 1903 bought one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 26, Magor township. At one
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time he devoted considerable attention to the raising of cattle and hogs, but is now practically living retired, leaving the active work of the farm to others. He has a well improved place under high cultivation and is regarded as one of the leading farmers of his community.
On the 26th of September, 1880, occurred the marriage of Mr. Knudsen and Miss Bertha Wilkie, a native of Germany and a daughter of Frederick and Fred- ricka (Redincel) Wilkie. She came with her parents to America in 1876 and located in Mitchell county, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Knudsen have three children, Mate M., Fred N. and Ella Bertha, all married.
Mr. Knudsen is a republican in politics and has always taken an active interest in public affairs, serving as township assessor for twenty years, township trustee for four years and school treasurer for ten years. In religious faith he is a German Lutheran. He is a stockholder in the Kanawha Elevator, Creamery and Telephone companies, and is also a stockholder and director of the First National Bank of Kanawha. He is a farsighted, enterprising business man, who generally carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes, and he is today one of the most substantial citizens of his community.
W. G. GREEN.
Agricultural interests of Hancock county find a substantial representative in W. G. Green, who follows farming on section 24, Madison township. Wisconsin claims him as a native son, his birth having there occurred on the 5th of October, 1858. His parents, William and Ann ( Watts) Green, were natives of England, but came to America, locating in Wisconsin. In the '60s they removed to Iowa. settling in Black Hawk county, but later they became residents of Bremer county. where both passed away. They had a family of three children, all of whom are yet living.
W. G. Green was largely reared and educated in Bremer county, pursuing his studies in the common schools, while his training was that of the home farm. Ile early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops and he continued with his parents until he reached the age of twenty- five years and then began farming on his own account on rented land in Bremer county, where he continued to reside for a decade. In 1894 he came to Hancock county and purchased his present farm on section 24, Madison township. This he has since improved with good buildings and has made it one of the excellent farms of his section. He raises and feeds stoek of all kinds, as well as cultivates the cereals best adapted to soil and climatic conditions here, and his practical and progressive methods are indicated in the neat and attractive appearance of his place. In addition to his agricultural interests Mr. Green is a stockholder in the Farmers elevator and also in the Forest City Creamery.
In 1884'Mr. Green was united in marriage to Miss Ella Smith, a native of Buchanan county, Iowa, and a daughter of William and Emily (Smith) Smith, who, although of the same name, were not related. Both, however, were natives of England and came to America in the '50s. They first settled in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, but afterward removed to this state, where both passed away.
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Mrs. Green was one of a family of eight children. five of whom are now living, and by her marriage she has become the mother of a son, Orville E.
In his fraternal connections Mr. Green is a Knight of Pythias and politically he is a democrat. For some years he served as school director and for six years filled the office of county supervisor, making a creditable record in that position. IFis worth is widely recognized and those who know him esteem him highly.
MRS. LOUISA F. BEIER.
Mrs. Louisa F. Beier resides on section 31. German township, and is well known in Hancock county, where she has long made her home. She was born in Germany, August 14. 1842, a daughter of John and Caroline (Winka) Schlei, who spent their entire lives in their native country. Mrs. Beier passed the period of her girlhood in the fatherland, and was a young woman of twenty-two when she came to the United States, arriving in Clayton county, Iowa, in the month of June. On the Sth of October following she became the wife of William J. Beier, a native of Germany, who was then residing at Delhi, Clayton county, Iowa. Hle was a farmer, living upon rented land, but the family were ambitious to own a farm and carefully saved their earnings until in -1877 Mr. Beier was able to purchase property, seeuring one hundred and sixty aeres on seetion 34, German township. Hancock county, for which he paid five hundred and sixty dollars. This was still a frontier district at the time. There were no trees upon the place, no roads through this section of the county and no bridges. In hanling wheat Mr. Beier would have to throw off one-half of his load at the river, then go on to Garner and return for the other half. He paid for seed at the rate of a dollar and a half per bushel and sold his crop at fifty cents per bushel. The seed was largely sown by hand and the raking was done with teams. Corn was put in the ground with hand planters and farm work of all kinds was done in a primitive manner as compared with present-day methods that have been brought about through the use of modern machinery. The Beier family were among the first to settle in this section, there being only three houses between their place and Garner, a distance of ten miles. They built their own house, there being no carpenters in the neighborhood, and for eight years they occupied their pioneer dwelling. It was then replaced by a more commodions and attractive residence, and from time to time other improvements were added to the farm, which in the course of years was converted into one of the valuable farm properties of German township.
Mr. and Mrs. Beier became the parents of eight children, of whom seven are yet living : Henry C., who married Ida Lenz, a daughter of Fred and Lena ( Rolfns) Lenz : Ida M., the wife of August Ridder, living in Klemme ; William F., who married Bertha Lemke, a daughter of Ilenry Lemke; Emma A., the wife of William Kulper, a resident of Waterloo, Iowa: Fred Charles, at home; Emil G., who cultivates the old home farm : and Lydia M., who is also at home.
The husband and father passed away on the 26th of July, 1911, and his death was deeply deplored by many friends who had come to esteem him as a man of sterling worth and as a valued citizen of the community. His political allegiance
MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM J. BEIER
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was given to the republican party, and he based his support upon an intelligent understanding of party principles. For years he was a school director and the cause of education found in him a stalwart champion. He was also a loyal member of the German Methodist Episcopal church, to which Mrs. Beier still belongs. She has now reached the age of seventy-five years and she yet occupies the old homestead. She is one of the highly estecmed ladies of this section and a worthy pioneer woman who has lived to witness the entire development of this part of the state. Haneoek county today bears little resemblance to the district in which she and her husband settled many years ago, for at that time the wild prairie was all around them, covered by one unbroken, dazzling sheet of snow in the winter months, but starred with a million wild flowers in June. Mrs. Beier can relate many interesting incidents of the early days when the work of pioncer development was being carried forward. In early times she assisted in the work and stacked all of the grain on a whole section of land, amounting to fifty-four hundred bushels of oats and fifteen hundred bushels of wheat. She aided in the threshing and did everything possible to assist her husband in getting a star. Today she is surrounded with not only the necessities and comforts but some of the luxuries of life, and is able to enjoy that rest which has come to her after a most active and useful career. The farm work is now being carried on by her son, E. G. Beier, who is a representative farmer, active and energetic in all his undertakings.
WILLIAM E. HAES.
William E. Haes, who is carrying on general farming on section 33, Garfield township, Hancock county, has been a lifelong resident of Iowa, his birth having occurred in Worth county on the 30th of November, 1877. His parents, Andrew and Amelia Haes, were also natives of this state and the mother is now residing in Garner, Iowa. The father passed away April 26, 1916, at Grafton, Iowa. In their family were eleven children: Minnie, William, Martha, Mollie, Henry, Emil, Fred, Lena, Elmer, Alvin and Julius. Five of the number are now married and five reside in Hancock county. Minnie lives at St. Paul, Minnesota : Mollie and Henry at Ventura, lowa; and Emil and Fred at Waterloo, Iowa. Martha died when a baby. She and William were twins.
William E. Haes acquired a common school education and throughout his entire life he has been connected with agricultural interests. He purchased land on seetion 33, Garfield township, Hancock county. where he now has one hundred and twenty acres, and to the further development and improvement of this prop- erty he is giving his time and attention. Annually be gathers good erops as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon his fields, and the neat and thrifty appearance of his place indicates his careful and progressive methods. He is also the owner of stock in the Farmers Cooperative Creamery and in the Farmers Elevator at Garner.
On the 26th of November, 1903, Mr. Haes was married to Miss Martha Kettle- son, a daughter of Charles and Emma Kettleson, who are now residing in Bruce, Wisconsin. Two children have been born of this union, Mildred and Ernest. In
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his political views Mr. Haes is a democrat and for one year served as township assessor, but has never been an office seeker. Ile and his wife belong to the English Methodist Episcopal church and are well known and highly esteemed in the community where they make their home. Mr. Haes has lived a life of industry and thrift and has never allowed difficulties and obstacles to bar his path, but has regarded them rather as an impetus to renewed effort on his part.
MONS N. HELLE.
Mons N. Helle, deceased, was one of the honored citizens and prosperous farmers of Norway township, Winnebago county, Iowa, his home being on section 11, where his widow still resides. He came from the land of the midnight sun, for he was born in Norway, March 18, 1848, and in that country was reared and educated. His parents never came to the United States, but when he was twenty years of age he resolved to try his fortune on this side of the Atlantic and on reaching the new world continued his journey westward to Spring Prairie, Wis- consin, where he spent one year and a half. It was in 1870 that he arrived in Winnebago county, Iowa, and purchased the southeast quarter of section 11, Nor- way township, which he placed under cultivation and improved with good and substantial buildings. Hle met with success in his farming operations and con- tinued to engage in agricultural pursuits until called to his final rest on the 4th of May. 1914. His remains were interred in the Lime Creek cemetery.
On May 26, 1876, Mr. IFelle was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Dahle, who was also born in Norway on the 19th of September, 1853, and was about twenty years of age when she came alone to the United States to make her home with her brother. Ole M. Dahle, who was one of the early settlers of Norway town- ship, Winnebago county. Her parents were lifelong residents of Norway. To Mr. and Mrs. Helle were born nine children, but Melvin and Cora, twins, died in infancy. Those living are Mabel, now the wife of N. E. Brudvig, of Logan town- ship, Winnebago county : Carrie, the wife of John Dahle, of the same township ; Nels M. and Mikkel, both residents of Stutsman county, North Dakota; Clara, at home; Marie, the wife of Nels Olson, of Iowa City ; and Ole M., who is farming the home place. Wherever known the family are held in the highest esteem. By his ballot Mr. Helle supported the men and measures of the republican party, but was never a politician in the sense of office seeking. He was one of the representa- tive farmers of his community and his success was well merited, as it was due entirely to his own industry and good management.
DAVID T. DUNCAN.
David T. Dunean, residing upon a farm on section 22, Amsterdam township, has for sixteen years lived in Hancock county. Ile was born at Deer Creek, Illinois, on the 24th of April, 1861, a son of George and Jessie (Tyrie) Duncan, who were natives of Scotland. He obtained his education in the distriet schools
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of Illinois, which he attended until he reached the age of twenty years, and then rented land for six years. On the expiration of that period he purchased eighty acres of the old homestead in Illinois but afterward determined to try his fortune in Towa and came to Hancock county, where he purchased one hundred and sixty aeres of land on section 22, Amsterdam township. Upon this place he has sinee made his home and it is well known as the Bonnie View Farm. Hereon he raises pure bred Percheron horses and Poland China hogs, his stoek raising interests being an important feature of his business. He also cultivates the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and his farm work is carefully and systematically managed.
On the 28th of January, 1886, Mr. Duncan was married to Miss Clara Chaffer, a daughter of Fred and Rebecca (Lee) Chaffer, natives respectively of England and of Pennsylvania. To this union six children have been born, Jessie May, Stella R., Nellie M., Hazel, Myrtle F. and Florence C.
Mr. Duncan is a republican but has never been an office seeker. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and in his life he displays many substantial qualities and traits of character which command for him the good will, confidence and high regard of all with whom he is associated. He has won prosperity through earnest, diligent and intelligently directed effort and he certainly deserves much credit for what he has undertaken and accomplished.
ELWYN G. GASKILL.
Elwyn G. Gaskill, who owns the family homestead of three hundred and twenty aeres in Magor township, operates the place on the same principle that a business man conducts his affairs and ranks among the most progressive and most efficient agrieulturists of Haneoek county. He was born in Bureau county, Illinois, October 23, 1874, a son of William and Alice ( Holroyd) Gaskill. The father was born in Blackstone, Massachusetts, but was taken as a child by his parents to Illinois and was reared upon the home farm near Wyanet. He received his educa- tion in the district schools of the Prairie state and resided there until a number of years after his marriage. In 1884 he removed with his family to Hancock county, lowa, and purchased the south half of section 17, Magor township, which he operated for many years. He was highly esteemed by all who knew him and his death in 1913 was deeply regretted. He was quite active in public affairs and served as township trustee and also as school director. His wife was a native of Bureau county, Illinois, and lived there until the removal of the family to Hancock county, Iowa, in 1884. Her demise occurred upon the home farm in 1911.
Elwyn G. Gaskill was but nine years old when the family home was established in Hancock county, and accordingly his education was largely obtained in the distriet schools here. He aided his father in farming the home place until the latter's death and is now the owner of the homestead, which comprises the south half of section 17. Magor township, and which is as fine a farm as can be found in the county. The land is well drained and the buildings commodious, substan- tial and well adapted to their purposes. He raises the usual grains and also gives considerable attention to breeding high grade stoek'. In addition to his general
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