USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 43
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 43
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55
443
WINNEBAGO AND HANCOCK COUNTIES
advantage of these conditions, his credit being good at the banks, and he bought cattle as low as two dollars per hundred and calves at five dollars per head. Cattle which he purchased at two and two dollars and a half per hundred were fed on eight to twelve cent corn and marketed at four dollars and a half per hundred. He bought everything offered for sale and sold at a profit what he could not feed. Ile has added to his home farm until it now comprises three hundred and fifty acres of some of the most fertile land in Hancock county and he also owns sixty- four acres adjoining the corporate limits of Forest City and a farm of one hundred and twenty aeres on sections 15 and 16, Ellington township. Mr. Brooker now makes a specialty of breeding registered Aberdeen Angus cattle, having been build- ing up his herd since 1909, and Poland China hogs. He has nothing but regis- tered stock on his place and has made a reputation as a breeder.
To Mr. and Mrs. Brooker have been born three children, of whom two are living : Myrtle M., at home with her parents; and Jay E., who is located on his father's farm adjoining Forest City. Mr. and Mrs. Brooker are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church and take an active part in its work. For several years Mr. Brooker served as superintendent of the Sunday school and has also been president of the Epworth League. In politics he is an ardent republican and for four years served as chairman of the board of township trustees. He was one of the prime movers in the organizing of the Farmers Mutual Switch Board Company of Forest City, which installed the farmers' telephone system, now oper- ating more than a thousand telephones. Mr. Brooker was also one of the organ- izers of the Farmers Elevator Company of Forest City and is one of the prominent men of affairs in Hancock county, being preeminently publie-spirited and progres- sive. Hle never Withholds his support from any enterprise which he believes will prove of public benefit and in business affairs usually carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
FRANK H. CLARK.
Frank H. Clark, engaged in general agricultural pursuits on section 23, Twin Lake township, has been a resident of Hancock county since he was fourteen years of age. He was born in Indiana, on the 26th of August, 1863, a son of John B. and Mary ( Robison) Clark, the former a native of Massachusetts, while the latter was born in Ohio. They removed westward to Iowa and established their home upon a farm in Wright county when Frank H. Clark was six months old. He began his education under the direction of his father, who was a school teacher. Ile herded cattle when eleven years old and when fourteen he was farming with his brother- in-law in Hancock county. After this brother-in-law died he conducted the farm for his sister. Then for several years he broke prairie and worked with his team at whatever he could get to do. When twenty-seven years old he rented land for a year and then became owner of a forty-acre traet, for which he traded a pair of horses and an old wagon. This was situated on section 12, Twin Lake township, Hancock county. With characteristic energy he began the development of the farm and after some years he became the owner of three hundred and twenty aeres on section 22 of the same township. When two years had passed, however, he sold that
444
WINNEBAGO AND HANCOCK COUNTIES
place and invested in one hundred and sixty acres on section 23, Twin Lake town- ship, where he now makes his home. Ile carries on general farming, carefully tilling the soil in the production of those cereals best adapted to climatic condi- tions here. Ilis labors have brought to him a comfortable competence.
On the 9th of August, 1912, Mr. Clark was married to Miss Emma De Meret, a daughter of John and Harriet De Meret, natives of Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have a son, Harold F. Politically Mr. Clark is a republican but has never sought nor desired office, preferring to concentrate his time and energies upon his business affairs, which have been wisely managed. His life has been one of diligence and illustrates what may be accomplished through persistent, earnest effort and laudable ambition.
BERT G. HANNA.
Bert G. Hanna, a farmer residing on section 10, Mount Valley township, is a native son of Winnebago county, having been born February 12, 1872, on the farm where he now resides. His parents, Gunder G. and Dorothy (Charlson) Ifanna, were both natives of Norway and in boyhood and girlhood came to the United States with their respective parents, the families settling in Dane county, Wis- consin, where Mr. and Mrs. Hanna were reared and married. At the outbreak of the Civil war the former responded to the country's call for aid and joined the Union army, with which he served for three years, participating in a number of hotly contested engagements. It was after his return home that he was married and for five years more he continued to reside in Dane county, Wisconsin, but in the spring of 1820 removed to lowa and purchased the farm upon which his son Bert now resides and which is still his property. His wife passed away in 1888 and the father now spends a goodly portion of his time with his son Bert.
The Jatter is indebted to the common school system of Winnebago eounty for the educational opportunities which he enjoyed. He early took up the work of the fields, devoting the summer months to the task of plowing, planting and har- vesting, and the carly experience which he received well qualified him to take over the management of the home farm at a later period. He was about nineteen years of age when he assumed this responsibility. Ile operated the land as a renter until about 1897, when he purchased the place, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land which he has brought to a high state of cultiva- tion and from which he annually gathers good harvests. He is praetical as well as progressive in all that he does and the neat and thrifty appearance of his place indicates his careful supervision and his sound judgement. Not only is he a success- ful farmer, but he is also well known as a reliable business man in other connections. He is a stockholder in the Farmers elevator at Joice and a stockholder in the Farm- ers Cooperative Creamery Company of Lake Mills and in the Lake Mills Lumber Company. In addition to tilling the soil in the production of crops best adapted to climatic conditions here, he makes a specialty of raising Chester White hogs.
In 1894 Mr. Ilanna was united in marriage to Miss Linda Revland, of Mount Valley township, and they have become parents of five children, two sons and three daughters: Leslie, Marie, Selma, Glenn and Pearl, all at home. In polities Mr.
445
WINNEBAGO AND HANCOCK COUNTIES
Hanna is a republican and is now serving as a member of the township board of trustees. fle has also been township assessor for ten years and for several years was a member of the school board. He stands loyally for those forces which he be- lieves to be of the greatest publie benefit and his aid and cooperation can be counted upon to further any movement promulgated for the publie good.
P. II. PETERSEN.
P. II. Petersen, now living retired on section 16, Norway township, Winnebago county, has resided here for almost sixty years and during his active business life was prominently identified with the agricultural interests of this locality. He was born in Norway on the 4th of January, 1848, and is a son of llalvor and Anna (Overbo) Petersen. In that country the father engaged in farming to a limited extent, but when our subject was six and a half years of age the family came to the United States and located in Dane county, Wisconsin, which was their home until 1858, when they removed to Mitehell county, fowa. The following year, how- ever, they came to Winnebago county and the father purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 16, Norway township, which he at once began to improve and cultivate. On his retirement from active labor this farm was taken over by our subject, who operated it successfully until 1902, since which time he has lived retired. The father died on the 6th of March, 1908, at the age of ninety years, and the mother passed away June 11, 1892, when nearly eighty years old, the remains of both being interred in the Lime Creek cemetery.
In their family were eight children, of whom four lived to maturity. Martha, the oldest of these, was born July 6, 1842, and married John 1. Dahle, a son of Iver and Anna Dahle, who were early-settlers of Worth county, lowa, living just over the Winnebago county line. Of that union seven children were born, namely : Ida, at home with her parents; Peter C., who is living on the Dahle farm in Worth county ; Anna, who married A. E. Brudvig, of Norway township, Winne- bago county, and died leaving two children, Mildred and Nels; Anna Karina, now the wife of Michael Dahle, of Stutsman county, North Dakota; Julius, also a resi- dent of Stutsman county ; and Joel M. and Eva, both at home. Rachel, the second in the Petersen family to reach adult age, is now deceased. She married Ole Wil- helmson and lived in Waukesha county, Wisconsin. P. H. Petersen is the next in order of birth. L. H. Petersen, a resident of Norway township, completes the family.
P. II. Petersen was a lad of eleven years on the removal of the family to Winnebago county and on completing his education in the district schools devoted his entire time and attention to agricultural pursuits. Hle still owns the old home farm, consisting of one hundred and sixty aeres, and also has an adjoining tract of sixty acres but, as previously stated, is now living retired, renting his land to others. In 1879 he was united in marriage to Miss Margareta Sanden, a daughter of Erick and Katrina Sanden, who came to this country from Norway and spent their last days in Norway township, Winnebago county, Iowa. When called from this life they were also buried in the Lime Creek cemetery.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Petersen has taken a very active and promi-
446
WINNEBAGO AND HANCOCK COUNTIES
nent part in local polities and has been honored with several important official positions. For six years he served as county supervisor and was United States census enumerator in 1880 and in 1890 besides filling all of the township offices with the exception of clerk and constable. No trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed and he is a man honored and respected wherever known. He was secre- tary of the Mutual Fire & Lightning Insurance Company of Winnebago county for twenty-five years, and was also secretary of the Norman Creamery Association. For forty years he was a deacon of the Lime Creek Synod church.
JOHN BATCHELOR.
John Batchelor, a well known stoek dealer of Thompson, was born on the 10th of May, 1867, in New York, and is a son of William and Mary (Chapple) Batche- lor, natives of England. At an early day the parents came to America and lo- cated in Lyons, New York, where the father engaged in farming for a number of years. They then removed to Lee county, Illinois, where he continued to engage in agricultural pursuits for many years but is now living retired in Ashton, Illi- nois. Ilis wife is also living.
John Batchelor began his education in the schools of New York, being fourteen years of age at the time of the removal of the family from the Empire state to Illinois, where he continued his studies for some time. Ile remained under the parental roof until twenty-four years of age, assisting in the labors of the farm, and on leaving home engaged in farming on his own account in Lee county for three years. In 1896 he came to Winnebago county, lowa, and purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land one-half mile north of Thompson. Hle improved and operated that farm until 1910, when he sold the place and removed to Thomp- son, where he has since engaged in the buying and selling of stock. He still owns two hundred acres of land in Winnebago county and three hundred and twenty acres in South Dakota, and is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company and the Farmers Creamery Company. Mr. Batchelor has also successfully and exten- sively engaged in the breeding of registered Aberdeen Angus cattle, Poland China hogs and fancy poultry and was the first to introduce that breed of cattle into Winnebago county. He has always been a great admirer of fancy stock.
On the 26th of February, 1891, Mr. Batchelor married Miss Sophia Kersten. and they have become the parents of four children: Edward William, who is now engaged in farming in South Dakota: Florence M., who is clerking in a store in Thompson ; Willard L. and Wallace Donald, both attending school.
In religious faith the family are Methodists and Mr. Batchelor is also identified with the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the blue lodge, chapter, consistory, Shrine and Eastern Star. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Rebekahs. In politics he is independent, supporting the men whom he believes best qualified to fill the offices. He is now efficiently serving on the school board and also as one of the trustees of King township. For several years he served as township clerk and for many years was one of the directors of the Mutual Insurance Company from King township. No trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed and he has the confidence and respect of all who know him
447
WINNEBAGO AND HANCOCK COUNTIES
for he has been found thoroughly reliable in every relation of life. Ile is a shrewd and capable business man and success has attended his efforts until he is now numbered among the substantial citizens of Thompson.
PETER O. STORBY.
For over twenty years Peter O. Storby has operated his present farm on section 8, Center township, Winnebago county, and he has also, for a long period, owned a threshing outfit. He was born near Ridgeway, Winneshiek county, Iowa, on the 2d of March, 1871, a son of Ole and Sigrie ( Askalson) Storby, who were born in Norway but came to America prior to the Civil war. For two years the father worked as a farm hand in Winneshiek county, Jowa, and was similarly employed in Minnesota for two years. In 1877 the family removed to Winnebago county, Iowa, and the father bought land in Norway township, which he farmed for six years. Ile then removed to Center township and acquired title to one hundred and forty acres on sections 5 and ?. This place remained his home until his death in October, 1902. The mother was killed in a train accident on the 22d of September, 1904.
Peter O. Storby was but six years old when the removal was made to Winne- bago county and he received his education in the local schools. He remained at home until he was twenty-one years old, when he rented a farm, which he oper- ated for three years. He then purchased three hundred and twenty acres on section 8. Center township, in partnership with his brother, and they farmed that place together for five years. At the end of that time they divided the property and have since cultivated their land independently. Mr. Storby of this review makes a specialty of raising high grade Poland China hogs and also grows some grain for the market. Ile owns stock in the Farmers State Bank of Lake Mills, in the Farmers Elevator Company, the Lake Mills Lumber Company, the Lake Mills Creamery Company and the Lake Mills Telephone Company. He owns a threshing machine and has found its operation very profitable. His land is in a high state of cultivation, the buildings and other improvements upon the place are excellent, and although he paid but thirty dollars an acre for the farm it is now worth two hundred and thirty-five dollars per acre, the increase in value being due in part to the general development of the county and in part to the improvements which he has made.
On the 5th of September, 1899, Mr. Storby was married to Miss Ida Peterson, a daughter of Anton and Annie (Thompson) Peterson, natives of Norway. On emigrating to this country the father first located in Wisconsin but a short time afterward came to Winnebago county, lowa, where he worked out by the month until his marriage. Ile then rented a farm for some time, but at length purchased land in Newton township, which he operated for abont thirty-five years. He then sold out and removed to a small place in Norway township, a mile and a half north of Lake Mills. Mrs. Peterson also survives. To Mr. and Mrs. Storby have been born six children, as follows: Otis S., at home; Alma A., who is attending the high school at Lake Mills: Clifford E. G., and Bernard M., both of whom are in school ; Alice and Irving.
ii-22
448
WINNEBAGO AND HANCOCK COUNTIES
The republican party has a stalwart adherent in Mr. Storby, and he has filled a number of offices. For some time he was road superintendent, is now serving his third year as township trustee and for sixteen years has been a member of the school board. while for fourteen years he has served as president of that body. Hle holds membership in the United Lutheran church and can always be depended upon to support movements seeking the moral welfare of his community.
PETER N. BRONES.
Peter N. Brones, deceased, was one of the pioneers of Winnebago county and contributed in substantial measure to the carly development as well as the later improvement of this section of the state. He was born in Modom, Norway, on the 29th of June, 1847, and in his childhood came with his parents to the United States, the family home being established at Primrose, Dane county, Wisconsin. He was a youth of eighteen years when in 1865 a removal was made to Winnebago county, Iowa, where his parents resided until called to their final rest.
Peter. N. Brones was reared under the parental roof and acquired his education in the public schools. On reaching young manhood he put aside his textbooks and worked as a farm hand in the employ of neighboring farmers. In 1864, how- ever, he put aside all business and personal considerations in order to respond to the country's call for troops and enlisted as a member of Company I. Forty-third Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until honorably discharged on the 24th of June, 1865. In the fall of that year he came to Winne- bago county, whither his parents had removed in the previous spring. Ile then resided in Forest City until the spring of 1866, when the family purchased a farm in Mount Valley township. Peter N. Brones continued to assist in the development and improvement of the old homestead up to the time of his marriage, which occurred on the 7th of January, 1871, the lady of his choice being Miss Hattie Peters, a daughter of Peter and Tena (Olson) Elefson. The mother died in Wiscon- sin and the father came to Winnebago county in 1873.
Following his marriage Mr. Brones took up his abode on a farm of eighty acres in Mount Valley township, which he had previously purchased, and after the death of his parents he bought two hundred acres of the old home place, which adjoined his eighty-acre farm. In 1907, on account of ill health, he left the farm and removed to Forest City, where he passed away on the 1st of September, 1910, after having been an invalid for ten years, during which he suffered much, and during the last two years of his life he sat in a chair day and night.
In his passing his family lost a devoted husband and father. To Mr. and Mrs. Brones were born five children, as follows: Mary, who is the wife of John Holst. of Mount Valley township, Winnebago county, and has four children, Phillis, Mabel, James and Alvin ; Carrie, who gave her hand in marriage to Ole Thompson, of Mount Valley township, Winnebago county, and had three children, Horace, Laura and Mabel, deceased ; Nathan, an agriculturist of Mount Valley township, who mar- ried Molena Fellend, their children being Gladys, Archie, deceased, Liel, Palmer, Alpha, Stanley and Myrtle; Clifford, who follows farming in Pine county, Minne- sota, and who married Jennie Anderson, by whom he has two children, Harriet
PETER N. BRONES
1
1
451
WINNEBAGO AND HANCOCK COUNTIES
and Peter; and Ellsworth, a farmer of Center township, Winnebago county, who married Ida Halvorson and has four children, Lloyd, Richard, Eleanor and Helen. Mrs. Brones still makes her home in Forest City, where she is widely and favorably known, and of the Methodist Episcopal church she is a devoted member.
Mr. Brones gave stanch support to the republican party and for many years filled various township offices, the duties of which he discharged with promptness and fidelity. He was for many years a member of the sehoolboard and was also its president. He held membership in the Grand Army of the Republic post at Forest City and the funeral was in charge of that organization. He was one of the most highly esteemed men of his part of the state. He gave most liberally of his abundance to the poor and needy, and it is said that no person who sought food or shelter at his door was ever turned away. Ile was a member of the Masonic lodge for more than forty years, and ever followed in his life its teachings concerning the brotherhood of man and the obligations thereby imposed. A modern philosopher has said : "Not the good that comes to us, but the good that comes to the world through us, is the measure of our success ;" and judged by this standard Mr. Brones was a most successful man, for many benefited by his immediate aid, others by his connsel and advice, and all who knew him by the inspiration of his life of nobility and worth.
LOUIS O. SOLOMONSON.
In presenting the life record of Louis O. Solomonson we give to our readers the history of one who has been a lifelong resident of Iowa and who in his business career has ever exemplified the spirit of western enterprise and progress which has led to the substantial development of this great state. He now resides on seetion 4, Newton township, Winnebago county, where he has an excellent farm. Ile was born in Winneshiek county, lowa, October 10, 1871, a son of Ole and Karie Solomonson. He was reared in Winnebago county, his parents removing from Winneshiek county when he was a little lad of five summers. He remained under the parental roof until he had reached the age of thirty years and then purchased one hundred and forty-four acres of land on sections 3 and 4, Newton township, the buildings being on section 4. He has wonderfully improved this place and is planning to erect a fine modern home in the year 1917. He has continuously cultivated his farm through the intervening period since the pur- chase was made and has lived in Newton township altogether for forty-one years. His fields have been brought under a high state of cultivation and everything about his place is indicative of his progressive methods and practical care. lle has one of the finest and largest barns in the county and he also owns property in Lake Mills. Ile keeps upon his farm a large number of cattle and other stock and during the winter of 1916-17 cared for one hundred head of eattle. He has beeome financially interested in several local business enterprises, being a stock- holder in the Farmers Elevator Company of Lake Mills, the Farmers Elevator Company of Searville, of which he is also a director, and in the Lake Mills Cream- ery Company.
On the 9th of October. 1901, Mr. Solomonson was married to Miss Inger
452
WINNEBAGO AND HANCOCK COUNTIES
Kloster and to them have been born five children: Andrew, Nora, Ole, Carl and Emma. Mrs. Solomonson is a daughter of Andrew and Anna (Lande) Kloster, natives of Norway, where they were married in 1873, and in the same year they came to the United States. They settled in Winneshiek county, Iowa, and later Mr. Kloster purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 2, Newton township, Winnebago county, which he improved with good buildings. He died in August, 1900. In his family were eight children, namely: John, now farming near Scarville, Iowa; Carl, who died in infancy: Carl, a resident of North Da- kota : Berit, who died at the age of eleven years; Job, now farming the old home- stead ; Inger, now Mrs. Solomonson; Anna, who died in 1916; and Andrew, deceased.
The religious faith of Mr. and Mrs. Solomonson is that of the Lutheran church and Mr. Solomonson gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He has served as a republican committeeman of his township and does all in his power to secure the adoption of the political principles in which he believes. He has also been a member of the school board and he is numbered among the leading and representative residents of Newton township, standing as he does at all times for progress and improvement. His enterprising business methods have been the basis of his success and his life work has been an exemplification of mod- ern scientifie methods of farming.
OSCAR SOLOMONSON.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.