USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 44
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 44
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Oscar Solomonson, a well known and highly respected farmer of Newton town- ship, Winnebago county, living on section 1, was born on the 30th of August, 1879, in the township where he yet makes his home, his parents being Ole and Karie (Haugland) Solomonson, who were natives of Norway. Leaving the land of the midnight sun in 1866, the father came to the new world and established his home in Winneshiek county, Iowa, where he was employed for a few years. How- ever, he carefully saved his earnings, for he was ambitions to have a farm of his own, and when he had gained a little capital as the result of his industry and economy he purchased forty acres of land, which he cultivated for five years. In 1876 he arrived in Winnebago county and purchased land in Newton township. which he improved and cultivated throughout his remaining days, winning a place among the valued and substantial farmers of the district. He died April 5, 1909, but his widow still survives,
Oscar Solomonson was reared and educated in Newton township, pursuing his studies in the district schools, while vacation periods were spent largely in the fields, so that he early became familiar with the work of plowing, planting and harvesling. He remained with his parents until he attained his majority and then purchased eighty aeres of land on section 33, Logan township. This he cultivated for six years, when he sold out and purchased his present place of one hundred and sixty acres on section 1, Newton township. He has developed this farm to a con- siderable extent and has now cultivated it for seven years, bringing the fields to a high point of productiveness in the cultivation of corn, wheat and other cereals. The place is divided into fields of convenient size by well kept fences and he utilizes
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the latest improved machinery to further his work. He is actuated by a spirit of cooperation and progressiveness and has become a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company of Lake Mills, in the Farmers Elevator Company of Scarville and in the Lake Mills Creamery Company.
On the 7th of October, 1908, Mr. Solomonson was united in marriage to Miss Gena Rosheim, by whom he has four children, namely: Ole, Iver, Cora and Be- linda. The parents hold membership in the Lutheran church and are loyal to its teachings. Mr. Solomonson is a republican in his political views and is now serving as one of the trustees of Newton township. His has been an active and well spent life. Ile has always lived in Winnebago county and his friends, who are many, speak of him in terms of high regard.
NELS LARSON.
Nels Larson, who for a long period was identified with farming interests in Logan township, Winnebago county, spent his last days in honorable retirement in Searville, where he passed away on the 20th of August, 1913. He was born in Denmark, February 3, 1854, a son of Louis and Trena Larson, both of whom passed away in Denmark.
It was in the common schools of his native country that Nels Larson pursued his edneation to the time that he was confirmed. When eighteen years of age he crossed the Atlantic to the new world, attracted by the better business oppor- tunities that he believed he might seeure on this side the water. For three years he lived in Dane county, Wisconsin, and then came to Iowa, establishing his home near Northwood, in Worth county, where he cultivated a rented farm for five years. He then removed to Logan township, Winnebago county, and after renting land for two years he purchased the east half of the southwest quarter of section 11 and also an eighty-acre tract on section 14, thus becoming the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land, upon which he placed all the improvements. He converted this farm from a comparatively wild traet into a highly developed place equipped with all the accessories and conveniences of the model farm of the twentieth century. He brought his fields to a high state of cultivation and an- nually gathered good harvests as a reward for his practical methods of tilling the soil. Ile was thus engaged in general farming until 1913, when he sold his farm and removed to Searville, but was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, for there he passed away on the 20th of August, of that year, when in the sixtieth year of his age.
On April 2, 1878, Mr. Larson was united in marriage to Miss Anne Sofie Anderson, a daughter of Christian and Susan Anderson, who were natives of Norway, where they were reared and married, and there their daughter Sofie was born. In the year 1855 they came with their family to the United States, settling in Dane county, Wisconsin, where they resided for five years. On the expiration of that period they removed to Freeborn county, Minnesota, where they lived for eight years, and later they came to Winnebago county. Here Mr. Anderson pur- chased a farm in Norway township and continued thereon to engage in general agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in September, 1907. The
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mother died in August, 1902. To Mr. and Mrs. Larson were born seven children. Christopher, now a resident of Scarville, married Miss Ingre Folken and they have tive children, William, Thea, Lucy, Luther and Ingeborg. Walter, who is living near Joice, married Hilda Knutson, who died, leaving two children, Clifford and Laura. Dena is the wife of Ole Bilste, of Lake Mills, and their children are five in number, Walter, Palma, Lillian, Reuben and Valborg. Laura is the wife of Martin Holland, whose home is near Joice, and they have two children, Stanford and Norman. Albert wedded Nettie Brakke and follows farming near Joice. Nels S. and Benjamin are at home with their mother, the family residence being still maintained in Scarville, where Mrs. Larson and her sons are widely and favorably known.
Mrs. Larson holds membership in the United Lutheran church. In his political views Mr. Larson was a democrat, but did not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his attention and energies upon his farming interests. He, too, was a member of the United Lutheran church and was laid to rest in the Lutheran cemetery at Searville. He never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for he found here favorable business opportunities and in their utilization worked his way upward in a financial way and at his death was able to leave his family in comfortable circumstances.
HANS N. SANDE.
Ilans N. Sande, who is successfully engaged in farming on section 25, Logan township, has been a resident of Winnebago county since 1878 and has therefore witnessed almost its entire development and upbuilding. His early home, however, was on the other side of the Atlantic, for he was born in Sogn, Norway, May 6, 1857, a son of Nels Hanson Sande and Bertha Ericsdatter Tue, Tue being the name of the farm on which the family resided. The parents never came to the United States and the mother died when our subject was only three and a half years old, leaving three children, namely : Uni, now Mrs. Ole Tuftedahl of Sogn, Norway; Hans N., of this review ; and Erick, who died in Norway township, Winnebago county, Iowa. For his second wife the father married Gunild Johns- datter Ilusebo, by whom he had three children, Bertha, Joe and Nelsma, all living in Norway, as does their mother. The father died when Hans N. was ten years of age.
During his minority Mr. Sande of this review remained in his native land but at the age of twenty-one years, he crossed the ocean and on reaching the shores of the new world continued his journey westward until he arrived in Winnebago county, Iowa. For two years he worked on the farm of Eric Moen in Norway township, and then located on a quarter section of land on section 25 Logan town- ship, with the intention of buying the same, but as crops were a failure during the following two years he was unable to make the payments. Subsequently he pur- chased the north half of the southeast quarter of the same section, for which he paid five dollars per acre, and lived thereon for eight years. He was then able to buy the tract on which he first settled and has since devoted his energies to its cultivation and improvement with most gratifying results.
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At the age of twenty-two years Mr. Sande married Miss Carrie Olesdatter, who came to this country on the same ship as her future husband and was also from the same place in Norway. Her parents were lifelong residents of that country. Mr. and Mrs. Sande have five children : Nels O., who assists in the operation of the home farm ; Caroline, at home; Stephen, who is attending a theologieal school in St. Paul, Minnesota; Bertha, the wife of Jacob Olson, of Norway township, Winnebago county ; and Emma, at home. The family hold membership in the Synod Lutheran church and are people of prominence in the community where they reside. In politics Mr. Sande is a republican and has capably filled the office of township trustee for four years and of school director for a number of years.
JULIUS CHRISTIANSON.
Julius Christianson, who owns and operates a good farin on section 34, Norway township, has been a resident of Winnebago county since 1880, but his early home was on the other side of the Atlantie, for he was born in Norway, November 1. 1852, a son of Christian and Johanna (Arnesdatter) Johanson, who were farming people of that country and never came to the United States. Mr. Christianson is the sixth in order of birth in their family of ten children and in his native land he grew to manhood. Before leaving Norway he was united in marriage to Miss Olivia Erickson, whose parents were also lifelong residents of that country.
Mr. Christianson was twenty-eight years of age when, accompanied by his wife, he sailed for 'the new world and continued his journey westward until reaching Winnebago county, Iowa. On first locating in Norway township he worked as a farm hand and later engaged in farming on his own account upon rented land. At the end of ten years he was able to purchase his present farm, consisting of the west half of the northeast quarter of section 34, Norway township, upon which he has made substantial improvements. He now has a fine farm under excellent cultivation and is also a stockholder in the Lake Mills Creamery Company and the Farmers Elevator Company at Lake Mills.
Mr. and Mrs. Christianson have two children, both born in this country, namely : C'lara, who is now the wife of Ingebret Martinson, of Norway township ; and Oscar, who lives on the home farm and assists his father in its operation. Ile married Miss Sarah Erickson and they have one child, Kermit. The family are members of the United Lutheran church and are highly respected by all who know them. In politics Mr. Christianson is a republican.
J. E. HANSEN.
Active and enterprising is J. E. Hansen, the cashier of the Farmers National Bank of Crystal Lake. He has worked his way steadily upward in business con- nections until he is now occupying a position of prominence and responsibility. He was born at Ringsted, Emmet county, Iowa, on the 27th of December, 1888, a son of Lars and Maren (Eskelund) Hansen, who were natives of Denmark and
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came to America in the "20s, settling in Emmet county, Iowa, upon a farm which the father developed and improved. Hle there continued to carry on general agri- cultural pursuits until his life's labors were ended in death. His widow still sur- vives and six of the seven children who were born to them are still living.
J. E. Hansen was reared and educated in Emnet county, pursuing his studies in the common schools. Later he attended the State Normal College at Cedar Falls. He was carly trained to habits of industry and remained at home until he reached the age of twenty years, when he started out in the business world by entering the State Bank of Ringsted as bookkeeper. For six years he remained in that institution as bookkeeper and assistant cashier and in November, 1915, he came to Crystal Lake. He next entered into active connection with the Farmers National Bank of Crystal Lake, of which he is now the cashier and one of the stockholders. This bank was organized in 1910 and has enjoyed a profitable exist- ence, its business steadily growing along substantial lines.
In 1912 Mr. Hansen was married to Miss Anna M. Peterson, a native of Emmet county, lowa, and they have a family of three children, Edmund C., Gladys E. and Gerald E. The parents attend the Methodist Episcopal church and their influence is always on the side of progress and improvement. Fraternally Mr. Hansen is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and his political support is given to the democratic party, for he believes that its platform contains the best ele- ments of good government. Ile has made for himself a creditable position in busi- ness circles and is spoken of in terms of high regard throughout Hancock county.
PETER EDWIN GUNDERSON.
Peter Edwin Gunderson is a self-made man who, starting out in life empty handed, has worked his way upward to success, being now numbered among the substantial farmers and stock raisers of Hancock county, his home being on see- tion 36, Amsterdam township. He was born in Hancock county, Iowa, on the 22d of December, 1887, a son of Ole and Carrie Gunderson, who were natives of Nor- way and in early life came to America.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, Peter Edwin Gunderson mastered the preliminary branches of learning in the district schools and afterward attended the graded schools at Behnond, Iowa, to the age of seventeen years. He then began work as a farm hand and was employed in that way for six years. On the expiration of that period he rented a farm and in 1912 he took up his abode on his present place on section 36, Amsterdam township, where he is at present renting one hundred and sixty aeres. In addition to developing his fields he is engaged quite extensively and profitably in the raising of Scotch shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs, being regarded as one of the leading stockmen of his part of the county.
On the 19th of March, 1908, Mr. Gunderson was united in marriage to Miss Anna E. Helland, a daughter of John and Mary (Helland) Helland, who were natives of Norway and in early life came to the new world. Mr. and Mrs. Gunder- son are parents of two sons, Ernest Myron and Chester Blaine. They are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and Mr. Gunderson exercises his right of fran-
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chise in support of the men and measures of the republican party. He has served as township assessor but is not a politician in the usually accepted sense of office seeking, preferring to concentrate his time and energies upon his business interests. He is a stockholder in the creamery at Kanawha but gives the major part of his attention to his farm, which he is carefully developing and improving, while as a stock raiser he has gained a creditable position, his business etforts in that direction bringing to him a most gratifying financial return.
MATTHEW H. CARSON.
Matthew II. Carson, living on section 32, Newton township, is numbered among the highly respected farmers of Winnebago county, where he owns and cultivates four hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land. His methods are at all times practical and progressive and what he undertakes he carries forward to successful completion. He was born in Cook county, Illinois, August 27, 1853. and is a son of John and Bethia (Dick) Carson, who were natives of Glasgow and of Paisley, Scotland, respectively. The father worked as a laborer in his native land until 1842, when he sailed for America and made his way across the con- tinent to Chicago. There he learned the wagon maker's trade, which he followed for a time. He also purchased forty acres of land twenty miles northwest of Chicago for a dollar and a quarter per acre and on this paid an interest of seventy- five per eent. Even at that exorbitant rate he managed to meet his indebtedness and later he purchased more land, which he continued to cultivate and improve, giving his remaining days to the further development of his farm. He became the owner of two hundred acres of fine land in Cook county, which he converted into a valuable property. He died on the 12th of October, 1888, while his widow survived until May 16, 1893. To them were born six children, as follows: Ellen. who married Allen Sloss, of Reinbeck, Iowa : David, deceased; Mary, who married Dr. Webster M. Dyas, of Arlington Heights, Illinois; Matthew H., of this review : John. a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work: and Anna, who married G. J. Schaeffer, a resident of Winnebago county.
Matthew H. Carson was reared in his native county, remaining with his parents until he attained his majority, although at intervals he worked out as a farm hand. At length he was married and in 1888 he came to Winnebago county, Towa, where he invested in three hundred and twenty acres on seetion 32, Newton township. With characteristic energy he began improving the property and in 1900 he extended the boundaries of his place by the additional purchase of eighty acres. In 1906 he secured forty acres more, so that his landed possessions now aggregate four hundred and forty aeres. His time and energies have been con- tinnously given to the further development and improvement of the property, which is today regarded as one of the valuable farms of the county. He raises high grade stock, feeding a carload of cattle and a carload of hogs annually. His farm work is conducted according to modern scientific methods. He practices the rotation of erops and does all that will maintain or enhance the productiveness of the soil. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company and in the
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Cooperative Creamery Company of Thompson and he is a member of the Fair Association of Forest City.
On November 20, 1883, Mr. Carson was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Crego, a daughter of Gibson and Laura ( Mitchell) Crego, who were natives of Canada. The father was of Pennsylvania-Dutch lineage, while the mother came of Scotch ancestry. He took up farming in early life but afterward turned his attention to the study of medicine and was engaged in the practice of his profes- sion at the time of his death. About 1824 he removed to New York and resided near Lockport, that state, until called to his final rest on the 11th of May, 1859. flis wife passed away July 29, 1908, at the age of eighty-six years. To Mr. and Mrs. Carson have been born five children : George M., who is a veterinary sur- geon practicing at Lake Mills; Gilbert Bruce, Robert, Rose Anna and Walter Ed- ward, aged respectively thirty, twenty-eight, twenty-six and twenty-three years. all yet at home.
Mr. Carson exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and is one of the recognized leaders of his party in his locality. For eighteen years he has served as a trustee of Newton township and has made a most excellent record in office, as his repeated elections indicate. He attends the Congregational church, as does the family, and has guided his life according to its teachings. He possesses many sterling traits of character manifest in thoroughly reliable as well as progressive business methods, in loyalty in friend- ship and in patriotic devotion to his country.
CHRIS GILLSTRAP.
Chris Gillstrap, a resident of Crystal Lake, lowa, was born in Keokuk county, this state, March 25, 1877, a son of John G. and Rachel E. (Lentz) Gillstrap, who were natives of Kentucky and of Iowa respectively. The father has now passed away, but the mother is still living and all of their seven children yet survive.
The boyhood and youth of Chris Gillstrap were passed in his native county and in the acquirement of his education he mastered the branches of learning taught in the common and high schools. In 1894 he removed to Hancock county, where he was employed for a year at farm labor. Anxious, however, to enjoy better educational opportunities, he then spent a year as a pupil in the Normal School at Forest City, after which he took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for four years. He turned his attention to the grain business at Crystal Lake and was active along that line for eight years, meeting with sub- stantial success in his undertakings. He next became actively connected with the banking business as cashier in the Crystal Lake Savings Bank, which position he occupied for eight years. He owned a controlling interest in the bank during that period, but in 1915 he sold some of his stock. However, he still retains the presidency of the bank. He also owns two hundred and forty aeres of land in Hancock county which is highly improved and cultivated and his property holdings include the finest residence in Crystal Lake. At the present time he is handling real estate and has negotiated many important property transfers.
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CHRIS GILLSTRAP AND FAMILY
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In 1904 Mr. Gillstrap was married to Miss Matie Blakely, of Hardin county, Iowa, a daughter of E. C. and Caroline (Jolinson) Blakely. They are now the parents of three children, John L., Arline and Caroline L. The family are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church and enjoy the high regard of all with whom they come in contact by reason of their personal worth and many admirable qualities. Mr. Gillstrap is also faithful to the teachings of the eraft as a member of Truth Lodge, No. 213, A. F. & A. M., at Forest City, and of Bethel Chapter, No. 116, at Garner. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gillstrap are also members of the Eastern Star. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. fle has served in various township offices, the duties of which he has discharged in a prompt and efficient manner. His business activity, his publie service and his admirable personal qualities all combine to make him one of the representative eitizens of Haneoek county.
JOHN J. LANDE.
For many years John J. Lande was one of the leading farmers of Winnebago county but is now living retired in Lake Mills surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. He was born in Norway on the 10th of October, 1864, and is the youngest of the six children of Job and Christina (Tufte) Lande. The father, who was a sailor, is now deceased, but the mother is still living and makes her home in Halsnoen, Norway. They never came to the United States. The first of their family to cross the Atlantic was Anna, now Mrs. Andrew Kloster, of Newton township, Winnebago county, lowa, and John J. was the next to come to the new world, emigrating in 1884. The following year Mons and Eli, now Mrs. Gunder Johnson, came together to Lake Mills, but the others remained in Norway, where Enger died and where Signe is still living.
John J. Lande was only nineteen years of age when he set foot on American soil and continued his journey westward to Lake Mills, Iowa. In this locality he worked as a farm hand for four years and then purchased the north half of the northwest quarter of seetion 4, Newton township, Winnebago county. Subse- quently he bought the west half of the southeast quarter of section 33, Logan township and continued to cultivate both traets until the spring of 1914, when he retired from farming and removed to Lake Mills. He still owns a half section of finely improved land, however, and from the same derives a comfortable income. For several years he carried on his farming operations in partnership with his brother Mons, who is unmarried and is living with him. Mons Lande was born July 14, 1855, and was thirty years of age when he came to America. After work- ing as a farm hand until 1891 he purchased the south half of the northwest quarter of section 4, Newton township, adjoining his brother's farm, and together they engaged in the cultivation of their land.
On January 9, 1890, John J. Lande was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Monson, a daughter of Johannes and Carrie Monson, who were early settlers of Newton township and are now deceased, their remains being interred in the North Prairie church cemetery. Mrs. Lande died in 1905 and was also laid to rest in that
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cemetery. Mr. Lande was again married March 9, 1907, his second union being with Miss Jennie Johnson, a daughter of George L. and Gertrude Johnson, who are still living on their farm in Newton township, where they located at an early day. Mr. Lande has seven children, namely: Carl J., Gilma J., J. Martin. Gladys B., Cora E., John S. and Raymond L.
Mr. Lande is a member of the Synod Intheran church and by his ballot sup- ports the men and measures of the republican party. For eighteen years he filled the office of township trustee and was also a member of the school board for a num- ber of years and was president of the creamery company at Gryte, Logan town- ship. He and his brother Mons have twice visited their native land, first spending three months there in 1902. The smmner after his removal to Lake Mills in 1914 they again went to Norway and not only visited their parents and old friends but also attended the centennial celebration of the union of Norway and Sweden in getting freedom of territory in Christiania. After a very enjoyable time they re- turned to America content to make this country their home and enjoy the advan- tages and privileges here afforded.
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