USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 42
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 42
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who died at the age of one and a half years; and Leonard, Vernie and Helen, all at home.
Mr. Bell is a Lutheran in religious faith and politieally is identified with the republican party. He is now serving as a trustee of King township, having capably filled that office for sixteen years. Ile is also a stockholder and director of the Farmers Elevator Company and the Cooperative Creamery Company of Thompson, and is a man of sound judgment and good business ability.
B. F. DENNEY, M. D.
Dr. B. F. Denney, now successfully engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery at Britt, Iowa, was born on the 19th of July, 1883, in Mountain Grove, Missouri, a son of James M. and Minnie (Reeves) Denney, who are natives of Missouri and Tennessee respectively, and are still living on their farm in Texas county of the former state. During her girlhood the mother removed with her parents to Missouri and was later married in that state. James M. Denney is one of the prominent democrats of Texas county and has taken a very active and influential part in publie affairs, serving as county clerk for eight years.
Dr. Denney pursued his literary education in the public schools and high school of Mountain Grove and in 1905 took up the study of medicine, entering the Chi- cago College of Medicine and Surgery, from which he received his medical degree with the class of 1909. Following his graduation he served an interneship in St. Mary's Hospital, remaining there until the following year, when he located for private practice at Nemaha, Iowa. A year later, however, he came to Britt and since 1911 has been one of the leading physicians of Haneock county, having built up a large and remunerative practice.
In 1912 Dr. Denney was united in marriage to Miss Guenn Ilarden, of Casey, lowa, and they have made many friends during their residence in Britt. The Doctor is a member of Darius Lodge, No. 431, A. F. & A. M., of Britt; Mingo Lodge, No. 174, of Mingo, lowa ; and the Improved Order of Red Men; and in the line of his profession he also belongs to the Winnebago and Hancock Counties Medical Society and to the lowa State Medieal Society. In polities he is inde- pendent and is at present serving as health officer of Britt. He is a physician of recognized ability, who stands high in the esteem of his professional brethren as well as with the public, and he is regarded as one of Britt's leading and repre- sentative eitizens.
S. G. HONSEY.
For many years S. G. Honsey was one of the most influential and public- spirited citizens of Norway township, Winnebago county, his home being on seetion 25. He came from the land of the midnight sun, his birth occurring in Viksogn, Norway, July 21, 1845, but his parents, Gutterm and Anna Honsey, never left their native land, making their home in Norway throughout life. S. G. HIonsey was about fifteen years of age when he and his brother, T. G., crossed the ocean
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and settled in Winneshiek county, lowa. In 1871, however, they removed to Winnebago county and together purchased two hundred and forty acres of land in Norway township. This they operated in partnership until 1880, when the land was divided and S. G. Honsey eventually became the owner of two hundred acres of very valuable and productive land lying on the north half of section 25, the north half of the northeast quarter of section 36 and the southeast corner of section 25, Norway township, where he had forty acres. He continued to carry on Farming with good success until his death, which occurred on the 11th of January, 1916. His remains were interred in the Lime Creek church cemetery.
In 1829 Mr. Honsey was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Brekke, a daughter of Ingebrikt and Johanna Brekke, who were early settlers of Winnebago county. Of the six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Honsey one is deceased, George having died at the age of two years. Those living are: Gustav, now a resident of St. Paul, Minnesota ; Albert, who is now operating the home farm; Selmer, also a farmer of Norway township; Louise, the wife of T. O. Helgeson, a farmer of Norway township : and George, at home with his mother and brother Albert.
On becoming a naturalized citizen of the United States Mr. Honsey cast in his lot with the republican party and became quite prominent in local affairs, serv- ing as county supervisor several terms. He also filled many township offices with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. His religious connection was with the United Lutheran church.
JOE T. ANDERSON.
A good farm of two hundred and fourteen acres on section 21, Amsterdam township, Hanevek county, pays tribute to the care and labor bestowed upon it by the owner, Joe T. Anderson, who made purchase of a part of this place in 1900 and has since resided thereon. He was born in Norway on the 26th of March, 1867, and is a son of Torres and Bertha (Johnson) Anderson, who were also natives of the land of the midnight sun. There his youthful days were passed and he attended school to the age of fourteen. He was a youth of fifteen when he came to America, arriving on the 25th of March, 1883. He made his way to Herscher, Illinois, and spent about sixteen years as a farm hand in that locality. Ile then came to lowa, settling in Wright county, where for two years he engaged in renting land, and in 1900 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 24, Amster- dam township, Hancock county. Ten years later he acquired an additional tract of fifty-four aeres on the same section and thus became owner of a farm of two hundred and fourteen acres, which he is carefully cultivating according to modern progressive methods. Upon his place are found all the equipments and accessories of the model farm of the twentieth century, including the latest improved ma- chinery to facilitate the work of the fieldls. Mr. Anderson studies closely the best methods of improving his farm work and also those questions which have to do with the advancement of the interests of farmers as a class. He believes in co- operation and thus he has become connected with the Kanawha Creamery and the Kanawha Elevator Company and he is also a stockholder in the Kanawha Telephone Company.
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On the 12th of September, 1891, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Thompson, a daughter of Torbjoren and Purnell (Jacobson ) Thompson. who were natives of Norway. Four children have been born of this marriage: George T., Elmer L. and Nanette J., all of whom are married; and Perry B., at home. Mr. Anderson and his wife are faithful members of the Norwegian Luth- eran church and they enjoy the high regard of all who know them by reason of their many sterling traits of character. Mr. Anderson votes with the republican party and has served as township trustee and as school director. He is interested in all matters relating to the general welfare and, deliberately choosing to become an American citizen. he has always been loyal to the interests of his adopted land.
HENRY THOMPSON.
For forty-eight years Henry Thompson has resided upon his present farm on section 24, C'enter township, and the history of Winnebago county is to him largely a matter of personal experience. Ile was born in Norway on the 7th of May, 1856. a son of Gunder and Nellie Thompson, who were also born in Norway, where they resided until 1867, when they brought their family to the United States. After two years' residence in Chicago they came to Winnebago county, Iowa, and the father purchased forty acres in Center township, which he improved and operated until his demise in June, 1886. Three years later the mother also passed away.
Henry Thompson began his education in Norway and continued it in the public schools of Chicago and Winnebago county, being but eleven years of age at the time of the emigration of the family to the United States. He remained at home until he had attained his majority and then purchased two hundred and twenty acres on section 24, Center township, which still remains his home. He has made it one of the most highly developed farms in the county, and it bears little resem- blance to the tract of raw land which he bought in 1877. for before he could place it under cultivation it was even necessary to clear the greater part of timber. Since seventeen years old he has raised bees and has been engaged in that business longer than any other man in the county. He now has thirty swarms and finds this side line a source of both pleasure and profit.
Mr. Thompson was married in March, 1879, to Miss Betsy Lakevold, a daughter of Ole and Carrie Lakevold, who came to the United States in 1869 and settled in Iowa. Both are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have been born nine children, namely : Alice, the wife of E. L. Thoe, a farmer residing in North Dakota ; George, who is also farming in that state; Bertha, the wife of Henry Martin of Minnesota ; Lottie, who married Carl Tiedmanson, now operating Mr. Thompson's farm ; Mary, the wife of Ed Menzi, of Mason City, Iowa : Hans and Henry, both at home ; and two who died in infancy.
Mr. Thompson is trustee of Center township, in which capacity he has served for three years, and he has also been clerk, assessor, road superintendent, member of the board of county supervisors, which office he has held at two different times, and member of the school board, in which connection he has served continuously for eighteen years. Ile was one of the organizers of the Lake Mills Lumber Com- pany, of which he was a director and president for twenty years, and he also assisted
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in organizing the Lake Mills Creamery Company, of which he was secretary for thirteen years. Ile is a republican in polities and fraternally is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. His wife is a communicant of the Lutheran church, and he was formerly a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Al- though he still resides upon his farm, he leaves its operation largely to his son-in- law, having through many years of arduous and well planned work gained the right to a period of leisure.
ALFRED J. TOFTE.
Alfred J. Tofte, actively engaged in the cultivation of a farm of eighty aeres on section 25, Amsterdam township, Hancock county, was born in Norway on the 30th of December, 1882, a son of Lars and Inga ( Scott) Tofte, both of whom were natives of Norway. On coming to the new world they did not tarry on the Atlantic coast but made their way at once into the interior of the country, settling near Morris, Illinois, where they resided for sixteen years and then came to Hancock county, where the father purchased eighty acres of land on section 25, Amsterdam township, for which he paid forty-two and a half dollars per acre, although the land is worth very much more than that at the present time .- He farmed until his death on October 20, 1912.
Alfred J. Tofte acquired his education in the schools of Gardner, Illinois, which he attended until he reached the age of fourteen, after which he gave his undivided attention to work upon the home farm for four years. He then engaged in tiling for six years and his entire life has been one of unremitting industry and toil. On the expiration of that period he rented the home place in Amsterdam township and has since given his attention to its further cultivation, being now actively and successfully engaged in general farming. The plans which he fol- lows and his systematic methods of developing his fields result in the production of good harvests and his work is attended with success.
Mr. Tofte is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and since age conferred upon him the right of franchise he has been a supporter of the republican party. lle is loyal to any cause which he espouses, for he never allies himself with any interest without firm belief in its worth. He is now well known in IIan- cock county as an enterprising and progressive agriculturist and he enjoys the good will and respect of his fellow townsmen.
IRA ZEIGLER.
Ira Zeigler, living on section 16, Boone township, Hancock county, today has one hundred and twenty acres of good land devoted to general farming and he also is engaged in raising Percheron horses. Ile was born in Livingston county, Illinois, September 8, 1882, a son of Jacob and Mary ( Fleischman) Zeigler, the former a native of Pennsylvania. During the boyhood of his son Ira, Jacob Zeigler removed with his family to lowa, settling in Hancock county, and thus
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it was that Ira Zeigler pursued his education in the district schools, which he attended until he reached the age of fifteen years, after which he began earning his living by working as a farm hand by the month. lle spent five years in that way, after which he engaged in farming on rented land for three years. le prae- tired economy during that period and at length his savings enabled him to pur- chase eighty acres of land on section 8. Amsterdam township. He cultivated that farm for a time and then sold it, buying eighty aeres on section 11, Magor town- ship. This, too, he occupied and improved for a period, but at length traded that place for one hundred and sixty acres on section 16, Boone township, where he now resides. He has since sold forty acres of that place but retains possession of one hundred and twenty acres of good land, which he devotes to the raising of corn, wheat and other cereals well adapted to soil and climatic conditions here. Ile also raises Percheron horses and some fine stock is seen in his pastures. Ile is likewise a stockholder in the elevator company and in the Kanawha Harvester Company.
Mr. Zeigler was married November 25, 1902, to Miss Ava D. Martin, who was born in Hancock county in 1884, a daughter of James and Dora (Woods) Martin, and they have four children, Cecil E., Vera F., Elmer J. and Ervin F. Mr. Zeigler and his wife belong to the United Brethren church. He has voted with the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and he has filled the office of road superintendent and also has been a school director. Ile is interested in all that pertains to the progress and upbuilding of town and county but concentrates the major part of his attention upon his business affairs and has won for himself a place among the substantial farmers of his district.
ANDREW K. MARSAA.
Andrew K. Marsaa, postmaster of Rake and well known as a progressive and publie-spirited citizen, was born in Norway, February 19, 1870, a son of Karolens and Bertha (Rake) Marsaa, who were also natives of the land of the midnight sun. The father there followed the occupation of farming and is still living in that country.
Andrew K. Marsaa was reared and educated there, coming to the new world when a youth of nineteen. He arrived in America on the 17th of May, 1889, and made his way to North Dakota, where he resided until 1891. Ile then came to Winnebago county and for a year was employed at farm labor. He then entered into partnership with Mr. Rake, who was his uncle, and after five years he pur- chased the business and built a store near the creamery to which he removed his stock of goods. There he remained for five years. He then formed a partnership with M. J. Erdahl. They built a store and conducted business for a year and a half, at the end of which time Mr. Marsaa sold ont. In 1901 he was appointed postmaster of Rake, which position he has continuously filled to the present time, being prompt and systematic in the discharge of all of his duties and thus receiving the endorsement of the general public. Ile is also a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company of Rake and has extensive interests in silver and gold mines of
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Idaho, being one of the directors of the Silver City Mining & Milling Company of that state.
In June, 1897, Mr. Marsaa was married to Miss Martha Erdahl and they be- came parents of four children, Bertha, Ruth, Agnes and Carl, but the third dangh- ter died in December, 1915. The religious faith of the parents is that of the Lutheran church. In politics Mr. Marsaa maintains an independent course, espe- cially at local elections where no issue is involved. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world. He realized that success cannot be won in a day nor without effort and he was willing to work for prosperity. Ilis has been an active and useful life and as the years have gone on he has steadily advanced in a business way, being now numbered among the substantial citizens of his town.
WILLIAM IL. COMBS.
William H. Combs, proprietor of the Orchard Hill Farm on section 18, King township. Winnebago county, is successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising, making a specialty of pure blooded Shorthoru cattle. Ile was born in Merrill, Wisconsin, on the 18th of June, 1858, and is a son of Harrison and Elvira ( Niles) Combs, natives of Pennsylvania. As early as 1854 the father went to Wisconsin, becoming one of the pioneer Imbermen of that state, where he operated a sawmill until 1873. In that year he came to Iowa and bought land in Butler county, where he improved a farm, but after operating it for four years he rented the place and returned to Wisconsin, where he again engaged in the lumber business until 1890, when we again find him on his farm in Butler county, lowa. He continued to reside thereon until killed in a runaway in July, 1895. The mother of our subject passed away in Wisconsin on the 13th of October, 1870.
William I. Combs is indebted to the public schools of his native state for the early educational privileges he enjoyed, and later he attended a business col- lege at Keokuk, lowa. He remained with his father until twenty-five years of age and then rented the farm in Butler county, Iowa, which he operated for two years. At the end of that time he returned to Wisconsin and operated a sawmill in partnership with his father for three years. In November, 1891, he again came to Iowa, but this time located in Winnebago county, buying one hun- dred and sixty acres of land on section 18, King township, where he now resides. He has extended the boundary of his farm until it now comprises the south half of section 18 and has given to the place the name of the Orchard Hill Farm. It is up-to-date in all its appointments and is made to yield a gratifying income as a reward for the care and labor bestowed upon it.
In January, 1884, Mr. Combs was united in marriage to Miss Geneva Parrott, who was born in Butler county, Iowa, May 19. 1857, and is a daughter of Anthony and Malinda (Spangler) Parrott, natives of Illinois. After farming in Butler county for several years Mr. Parrott removed to Sac county, this state, where he purchased land and operated a farm until his death, which occurred in 1877. His widow is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Combs have six children namely . Harrison R. and Anthony R. (twins), Ethel, Clyde, Robert and Richard.
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The family are identified with the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Combs is also a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His sons are also Masons. Since attaining his majority he has affiliated with the republican party and for four years has acceptably filled the office of county supervisor. Ile is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Com- pany and the Cooperative Creamery Company of Thompson and is one of the most prominent and influential citizens of his community.
SAMUEL E. CHAMBERS,
Samuel E. Chambers was for many years a successful farmer of Kossuth county but was later engaged in the implement business in Corwith and his demise was felt as a personal loss to many citizens of the town. He was a veteran of the Civil war and in times of peace manifested the same spirit of public service that led to his enlistment in the Union army. He was born in Harrison county, Ohio, October 10, 1843, and was a son of Samuel and Tamar Chambers. The father accompanied his parents on their removal from Ireland to the United States and grew to manhood in Harrison county, Ohio. There he engaged in farming for many years but in 1854 removed with his wife and children to Polk county, Iowa. where he developed a tract of raw land into an improved farm. He also hunted and trapped, as game was plentiful and as prices for farm produce were so low that the income received from the sale of his grain and stock was hardly sufficient to support the family.
Samuel E. Chambers was reared and educated in Ohio and Polk county, Iowa, and through assisting his father became familiar with agricultural work. He farmed in Polk county until 1884, when he purchased land in Kossuth county, four miles west of Corwith. He made many improvements upon the farm, carefully conserved the fertility of the soil and as the years passed steadily added to his resources. As a result of his practical and progressive methods he harvested large crops and he also met with gratifying success as a stock raiser. He owned four hundred and eighty acres of land and the farm is still in the possession of the family, but during the last few years of his life he was engaged in the implement business in Corwith. When a resident of Kossuth county he made Corwith his trading point and was so well known to the business men here that he seemed one of the citizens of the town. His death occurred on the 18th of November. 1892, and was due to the effects of the hard service which he saw at the front during the Civil war. lle enlisted in the Eighth Towa Cavalry in 1862 and was in active service from that time until the close of hostilities.
On the 28th of February, 1867, in Jasper county, Iowa, Mr. Chambers was married to Miss Eleanor Schaeffer, who was born in Licking county, Ohio, but in 1852, when seven years old, was taken by her parents to Lee county, Iowa, whence removal was subsequently made to Jasper county. There she received the greater part of her education and in young womanhood she taught school in that county and also in Polk county. Following her husband's death she re- mained upon the home farm in Kossuth county until 1900, when she took up her residence in Corwith, where she is still living. She is prominently identified with
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all of the social activities of the town and is one of the leading members of the Methodist Episcopal church, taking a very active part in the various phases of its work. To Mr. and Mrs. Chambers were born nine children, namely: George Franklin, who was born in Jasper county and is farming in Kossuth county : William P., who is also a native of Jasper county and is engaged in the real estate business in Corwith : Charles, who was born in Jasper county and is deceased : Harrison O., and Edward, who are natives of Polk county and are farming in Kossuth county : Mary, born in Polk county and now the wife of Harry A. Newlin, a merchant of Corwith: Laura Belle, who is a native of Kossuth county and is the wife of Ernest Vaughn, a farmer residing in Tennessee: Ava, who is a native of Kossuth county and is teaching school ; and John, operating a part of the home farm.
Mr. Chambers was an advocate of republican principles and held the offices of school director and supervisor. Ilis religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church and it was the gniding force in his life. He was prominent in the work of the church and all movements for the moral advancement of his com- munity received his heartiest support. Through his identification with the Grand Army post at Garner he kept in touch with his comrades in blue and found in that association a great deal of pleasure. In all relations of life he measured up to high standards of manhood, and his death was the occasion of widespread grief, for he had a large acquaintance and was held in the highest esteem.
J. W. BROOKER.
J. W. Brooker, residing on section 17. Ellington township, is a worthy repre- sentative of the agricultural interests of Hancock county and is a business man of exceptional ability. A native of Illinois, he was born in Livingston county. August 4, 1862, and is a son of Thomas and Lucinda (Wilber) Brooker, of whom extended mention is made in the sketch of F. J. Brooker on another page of this volume. In the county of his nativity our subject grew to manhood with the usual educational advantages of the country boy and on the 11th of August, 1886. was united in marriage to Miss Ida A. Ellis, also a native of Livingston county, Illinois.
In March, 1887, Mr. Brooker brought his wife to Iowa and after residing for one year in Ida county removed to Winnebago county in 1888, locating on the farm in Linden township now owned by his brother Fred but at that time belong- ing to his father. Two years later, in 1890, he purchased the northwest quarter of section 6. Madison township, Hancock county, and the east half of the northeast quarter of section 1, Crystal township, paying for the same two thousand dollars and selling it two years later for five thousand dollars. He next bought eighty acres in Mount Valley township, Winnebago county, but did not locate thereon, and in September, 1892, purchased one hundred and thirty-five acres of his present farm in Ellington township, Hancock county, for which he paid twenty-five dollars per acre. At the time of the financial panic during President Cleveland's adminis- tration was laid the cornerstone of his success. Cattle could then be bought at one's own price and corn was selling at eight cents per bushel. Mr. Brooker took
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