USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 45
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 45
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(. E. MULHOLLAND.
The home farm of C. E. Mulholland is on section 9, Amsterdam township. Itancock county, where he owns and enltivates two hundred and forty acres of good land. In addition he has one hundred and sixty acres on section 17, Erin township, and he is a stockholder in the Kanawha Creamery. These interests show him to be one of the active, energetic and progressive business men of his community. His affairs are carefully and wisely managed and his farm work is bringing to him a gratifying measure of prosperity. He was born on the 14th of Angust, 1874, in Webster county, Iowa, a son of Washington and Margaret ( Little) Mulholland, who were natives of Ohio.
In the district schools of Webster county C. E. Mulholland pursued his ednea- tion to the age of seventeen years and then put aside his text-books in order to concentrate his efforts upon farm work, with which he had been more or less familiar from early boyhood, having aided to a considerable extent in the work of the fields through the periods of vacation. He continued to assist his father in the cultivation and management of the home place until twenty-two years of age, when he rented land for three years, and during that period he carefully saved his earnings until the sum was sufficient to enable him to purchase his present home place on section 9, Amsterdam township, Hancock county. Not con- tent with that amount of land, he has since added one hundred and sixty aeres on section 17. Erin township, and from his land he is now deriving a substantial an- nual income as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields. Ilis methods are both practical and progressive and his farm work results in the harvesting of good crops annually.
On the 22d of July, 1896, Mr. Mulholland was married to Miss Agnes Wil- liams, a daughter of George and Harriet (Brewer) Williams, who were natives of Pennsylvania. They have four children, Esther Vera, Edith E., Alice and Mar- garet R., all of whom are yet at home.
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Mr. Mullholland votes with the republican party and has been president of the township board of trustees for four years. He is also a school director, the cause of education finding in him a warm friend. He and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and they have many friends in the community. In a word, they are actively and helpfully interested in all that pertains to the material, social, intellectual and moral welfare of Hancock county.
JOHN H. AITCHISON.
Since 1902 John II. Aitchison has been owner of the farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 16, Boone township, Hancock county, which he now ocenpies and cultivates. lle has always been a resident of the middle west and the spirit of enterprise and progress which has been the donimant factor in the. upbuilding of this section of the country finds exemplification in his life record. He was born in Marshall county, Illinois, July 12. 1876, and is a son of George and Elizabeth (Shearer) Aitchison, who were natives of Scotland. At the usual age he became a pupil in the district school and therein mastered the common branches of learn- ing, pursuing his studies to the age of sixteen. He then put aside his text-books to assist in the work of the home farm and continued to aid his father until he reached the age of twenty-two years, when he decided to start out in business on his own account. lle afterward rented land in Illinois, where he continued to carry on farming for five years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Iowa and for five years was a resident of Kossuth county. In 1902 he bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 16. Boone township, Hancock county, and through the intervening period, covering a decade and a half, he has carried on general farming here. The result of his labors is seen in the excellent appearance of his place, which shows his careful management and practical methods.
On the 15th of June, 1898, Mr. AAitchison was united in marriage to Miss Florence Edna Calder, a daughter of Clarence and Phoebe (Armstrong) Calder, who were natives of New York and of Illinois respectively. Mrs. Aitchison was born in Marshall county, Illinois, in 1877, and by her marriage has become the mother of four children: Emily May, Clarence Eugene, Vera Ethelyn and Mer- win Edward.
Mr. Aitchison exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and meas- ures of the republican party and has filled the office of town clerk. He belongs to the Brotherhood of American Yeomen and the guiding principles of his life are found in the teachings of the United Brethren church, to which he belongs.
ELMER J. ARNOLD.
No history of Klemme and of Avery township, Hancock county, would be complete withont extended reference to Elmer J. Arnold, a most energetic, active and farsighted business man whose carefully directed labors have brought sub- stantial success, but while he has won individual prosperity, he has also con-
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tributed to the welfare and progress of his community. In a word, his labors have been a most potent factor in developing the district in which he lives and in pro- moting its business interests. Ile was born in Clayton county, Iowa, on the 30th of April. 1879, and is a son of Fred and Mary ( Renziehausen) Arnold, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Ohio. The father has passed away, but the mother is still living at the age of sixty-four years.
Elmer J. Arnold came to Hancock county with his parents in 1895, when a youth of sixteen years, and assisted his father in farming and in the cattle busi- ness, making a specialty of the raising of shorthorn cattle and also handling Duree hogs and Percheron horses. His school days had been spent in Clayton county, lowa, and he was a student in the Nora Springs Seminary for two years. and in Drake University at Des Moines for one year, and afterward attended the Upper Towa University. He pursued a short agricultural course at Ames and then returned to the old homestead, situated on sections 4, 5 and 8, Avery town- ship. Hancock county, the buildings being upon section 5. The farm comprises five hundred acres of rich and valuable land which was purchased by his father in 1889 for eight dollars and a quarter per acre. He also owns a small farm in Clayton county, Iowa. His place is splendidly improved. It has upon it good buildings, including ample barns and sheds for the shelter of grain and stock. modern machinery and in fact all the equipments and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century. Mr. Arnold's efforts are most intelligently directed and his labors result in the attainment of success. Hle is also a stockholder in the creamery company of Klemme.
In 1912 Mr. Arnold was married to Miss Nellie Lau, a daughter of Henry and Mary ( Roswag) Lau, who are natives of Clayton county, Towa, and are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold have two children, Curtis C. and Wilbur. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and generously contribute to its support. In polities Mr. Arnold is a republican but has never sought po- litical office. lle has, however, been a member of the school board, serving for four years as its president, and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion, for he believes that the young should have ample opportunity for that training which qualifies them for life's practical and responsible duties. His own education was liberal and in it he sees the foundation of his success. There is no resident of Hancock county who carries on farming along more scientific lines or whose labors are attended with a greater measure of success. He has closely studied the question of soils, their productiveness and adaptability to various crops. le is familiar with various scientific points of stock breeding and he utilizes his knowledge in most resultant manner.
FRED ARNOLD.
The life record of Fred Arnold, of Hancock county, now deceased, was that of the successful farmer and banker and the story of his career illustrates what may be accomplished by persistent. earnest effort and should serve as a source of encouragement and inspiration to the young men who must start out as he did, empty handed. Hle was born in Germany, but was only six years of age when
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brought to AAmerica by his parents, Fred and Christina Arnold, who after crossing the Atlantic made their way westward over the American continent to Clayton county, lowa, where they took up their abode. They were in limited financial cir- cunstances but displayed energy in the development and improvement of their farm.
Fred Arnold was but seventeen years of age when his father died and he thus became the sole support of the family. When a young man he purchased a small farm that constituted the nucleus of his later realty holdings and although he started in business in a limited way he became prosperous and at one time was the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of rich and prodnetive land in Clayton county. In 1895 he removed to Hancock county, where he had previously bought land, a tract of prairie, on which he turned the furrows and soon made extensive improvements. As the years went on he became firmly established as a prosperous farmer and stock raiser and as his financial resources increased he kept adding to his investments until he was the owner of several thousand acres of land in Hancock county. together with farm property in Clayton county and still more in South Dakota. He also figured as a factor in financial circles in this part of the state. Before removing to Hancock county he aided in organizing the First National Bank of Klemme and was active in formulating its policy, continuing as its president until his demise.
Mr. Arnold was united in marriage to Miss Mary Renzichausen, a native of Ohio, who went to Clayton county with her parents, who were among the earliest settlers of that region. Mrs. Arnold survives her husband and is now living at Klemme, where she has a pleasant home and is surrounded by all of life's com- forts and some of its Inxuries. By her marriage she became the mother of six children : Mrs. Emma Larson, now living in Klemme; Fred A., cashier of the First National Bank of Klemme; Ella, the wife of James Schneider, living at Goodell, lowa; E. J. and Clarence A., who are farmers of Hancock county and are mentioned elsewhere in this work: and Amanda. the wife of Dr. C. B. Tice, of Sioux Rapids, Iowa.
The death of the husband and father occurred December 12, 1907, when he had reached the age of sixty-three years. Ile had made for himself a very creditable and enviable position in business circles. He had never been known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellowmen in any business transaction and along constructive lines had furthered his fortunes, depending upon close application, persistency of purpose and indefatigable industry for his success. He was always loyal in friendship and he counted no personal sacrifice on his part too great if it would promote the welfare and happiness of his wife and children.
BENJAMIN F. ZEIGLER.
Progressive farming finds an advocate and a representative in Benjamin F. Zeigler, who since 1904 has made his home upon a farm of one hundred and eighty acres on section 2, Magor township. He was born April 29, 1870, in Livingston county, Illinois. a son of Jacob and Margaret ( Fleischman) Zeigler, who were natives of l'ennsylvania and of Indiana respectively.
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Reared upon the old homestead farm in his native state, Benjamin F. Zeigler had the usual experiences of the farm boy who divides his time between the work of the schoolroom and of the fields. He continued his studies in the district schools until he reached the age of sixteen years, after which he devoted his entire time for two years to work upon the old homestead. He was then employed by others as a farm hand for two years, after which he rented the old home place for a similar period. His father then purchased three hundred and twenty aeres of land on section 18. Amsterdam township. Hancock county, and he cultivated that farm for a time. In 1904. however, he purchased his present place of one hundred and eighty acres on section 2, Magor township, and here he is carefully tilling the soil and also is engaged in the raising of Duroe hogs. He has good improvements upon the place and it is his intention to breed his stock up to higher standards. In a word, he is actuated by a progressive spirit in all his business methods and the results which he is achieving are satisfactory.
On the 6th of October, 1896. Mr. Zeigler was married to Miss Luella Dibler, a daughter of James and Eva ( Meyers) Dibler. Mrs. Zeigler is a native of Ogle county, Illinois, and by her marriage has become the mother of a son and a daugh- ter. Vernon James and Alice, both at home.
The parents are members of the United Brethren church and Mr. Zeigler is a republican in his political views but has never been active as an office seeker. He has always given his attention to farm work and he thoroughly understands every phase of the business. His diligence and determination are among his leading characteristics and have enabled him to work his way upward to success.
LOUIS HL. PETERSEN.
Louis It. Petersen, residing on section 21, Norway township, is one of the prosperous farmers of Winnebago county as well as one of the representative citi- zens of his community. He was born on the 16th of November, 1854. in Norway. It was only six months old when brought to the United States by his parents. Halvor and Anna ( Overbo) Petersen, also natives of Norway. of whom extended mention is made in the sketch of P. 11. Petersen on another page of this volume.
For four years after coming to the new world the family lived in Dane county, Wisconsin, but in 1858 removed to Mitchell county, lowa, and the following year came to Winnebago county, the father purchasing a farm in Norway township. Here Louis II. Petersen grew to manhood, his early education being acquired in the public schools, which he attended until sixteen years of age. Later he attended Luther College at Decorah, lowa, for two years and thus obtained a good practical education. He then returned home and assisted his father in the operation of the farm until his marriage. His first purchase of land consisted of the east half of the southeast quarter and the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 21, Norway township, to which he later added the north half of the northeast quar- ter of the same section. He is now the owner of two hundred acres of very valuable and productive land. upon which he has made excellent improvements which stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise.
At the age of twenty-six years, Mr. Petersen married Miss Carrie Arneson, a
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daughter of Erick and Catherine ( Bendickson) Arneson, of Worth county, Iowa. Her parents are both deceased and are buried in Lime Creek cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Petersen have three children: Anna, now the wife of P. A. Weberg, of Nor- way township: Hartwick E., at home; and Edwin C., who was married February 25, 1916, to Miss Anna Martinson and is now operating the home farm.
Mr. and Mrs. Petersen hold membership in the United Lutheran church and have a wide circle of friends and acquaintances in the locality where they make their home. Politically Mr. Petersen supports the republican party and he has been called upon to fill a number of local offices, serving as township elerk four years ; township trustee the same length of time: a member of the school board for a number of years; and road supervisor for eight consecutive years. His official duties have always been faithfully and efficiently performed and as a publie- spirited and progressive citizen he has done much to promote the interests of his community along various lines.
0. E. DAKKEN.
After many years of active life, mainly devoted to agricultural pursuits, O. E. Dakken is living retired in Lake Mills, Iowa, enjoying a well earned rest and the fruits of former toil. He was born in Norway on the 1st of September, 1849, and is a son of Erie and Margaret (Olson) Dakken, who were likewise natives of that country, where they continued to make their home until 1851, when they took passage on a vessel bound for the United States. They located in Dane county, Wisconsin, where the father purchased land and turned his attention to farming. There he died in 1864 and his wife, who long survived him, passed away in 1905, at the age of eighty years.
O. E. Dakken was only two years of age when the family crossed the ocean and took up their abode in Dane county, Wisconsin, where he passed his boyhood and youth with the usual educational advantages. His father was an invalid for two years prior to his death and our subjeet took charge of the farm and assumed the responsibility of caring for the family. As soon as large enough to reach the plow handles he began work on the farm and gave his mother the benefit of his labor until he reached mature years. Mr. Dakken came to Winnebago county, Iowa, in 1869, and purchased land in Mount Valley township, where he followed farming for six years, At the end of that time he sold his place and bought a farm in Worth county, which he successfully operated for seventeen years. Prosperity having attended his efforts, he was able to lay aside business cares and for the past eleven years has practically lived retired in Lake Mills. In addition to general farming he was quite extensively engaged in stoek raising, making a specialty of Percheron and Norman horses, high grade cattle and thoroughbred Chester White hogs, and he is now a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company of Joice, lowa.
On the 12th of June. 1870, Mr. Dakken married Miss Signa Halverson, who died October 16, 1900. By that union eight children were born, namely: Sena, who died in 1890 at the age of nineteen years; Edward, now a resident of Wiscon- sin ; Henry, of Lake Mills, Towa ; Annie, who married Dr. P. A. Helgeson and died in 1911: Martin, a resident of Lake Mills: Nora, the wife of Henry Freeman, of
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Minneapolis, Minnesota ; Lewis, of Lake Mills; and Mamie, at home with her father. Mr. Dakken was again married June 7, 1906, his second union being with Mrs. Lena ( Thompson) Larson, a daughter of Gunder and Nellie Thompson, of whom mention is made in the sketch of Henry Thompson on another page of this volume.
Mr. Dakken is an earnest and consistent member of the Methodist church. and, being a strong temperance man, he votes the prohibition ticket, believing that the liquor traffic is one of the nation's greatest evils. He served as school director and constable in Mount Valley township, Winnebago county, and has ever taken a commendable interest in public affairs as every public-spirited citizen should.
NELS ELL CHAARLSON.
Nels Eli Charlson has carried on farming with marked success since starting out in life for himself and is now the owner of a valuable farm of four hundred acres in Center township, Winnebago county, his home being on section 28. He was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, on the 8th of January, 1858, and is a son of Nels and Ellen ( Axendal) Charlson, who came to this country from Norway in 1850 and first located in Stoughton, Wisconsin, but after residing there for a short time removed to Dane county, that state, where the father purchased land and engaged in farming until 1865. In that year he brought his family to Winne- bago county, lowa, and took up a homestead of one hundred and twenty aeres on section 28, Center township, where our subject now resides. To the improvement and cultivation of this farm he devoted his energies until 1872, when he retired from active labor, but continued to reside upon the farm until called from this life March 1, 1905. when he had reached the advanced age of ninety-three years. His wife had died in March, 1897.
Mr. Charlson of this review was about seven years of age when the family came to Winnebago county, and here he grew to manhood, his education being obtained in the district schools near home. He never left the parental roof, but in 1877 purchased the farm belonging to his father and has since added to it until he now owns four hundred acres of as fertile and productive land as is to be found anywhere in the county. He has also made many useful and valuable improve- ments upon the place, making it one of the most attractive country homes in Winnebago county. At the present time, however, most of his land is operated by tenants.
On the 17th of June. 1882, Mr. Charlson was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Jenson, a daughter of Jens and Marie Jenson, further mention of whom is made elsewhere in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Charlson have been born nine children, but Josephine, who became a teacher, died in 1910 at the age of twenty years, and Nels, Alvin and Josie all died in infancy. Those still living are: Ellen, at home with her father: Bertha, who is now attending college at Cedar Falls, Iowa : Selma, who is teaching school in Center township: and Evelyn and Hazel, both attending Waldorf College at Forest City. After a lingering illness of two years the wife and mother passed away February 16, 1915.
Mr. Charlson has not only prospered in his farming operations but has also
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MR. AND MRS. NELS E. CHARLSON
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MR. AND MRS. NELS CHAARLSON
THE FIRST LOG HOUSE IN THE COUNTY Built by Nels Charlson in 1866, outside of Forest City
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met with success in stock raising, making a specialty of high grade Chester White hogs, Shropshire sheep and shorthorn cattle. It has become interested in other business enterprises and is now a stockholder and director of the Farmers Elevator Company and the Lake Mills Creamery Company and is also a stockholder in the Lake Mills Lumber Company. fle is a good reliable business man of marked ability and foresight and the success that has come to him is but the just reward of his own labors. His political support is given the men and measures of the republican party and he is a consistent member of the United Lutheran church.
B. E. STENE.
Among Winnebago county's native sons who have remained here to win success in their chosen calling is B. E. Stene, one of the most energetic and substantial farmers of Norway township. He was born on the 28th of July, 1879, on his father's farm on section 17, Norway township, being a son of E. B. Stene, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. He was reared in much the usual manner of farmer boys and was educated in the district school near his home, which he attended until sixteen years of age. In the meantime he also acquired a thorough knowledge of agricultural pursuits and after laying aside his textbooks continued to assist his father in the work of the home farm until twenty-one years of age. Ile then purchased the south half of the northwest quarter of section 17, Norway township, and has since bought from his father the northeast quarter of the same section, so that he now has a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres. Its neat and attractive appearance plainly indicates his thrift and enterprise and shows conclusively that he thoroughly understands the occupation he has chosen as a life work.
In 1902 occurred the marriage of Mr. Stene and Miss Gertie Hanson, a daughter of Hans and Martha ( Davidson) Ingebritson, who were early settlers of Norway township but are now deceased, their remains being interred in Lime Creek ceme- tery. Mr. and Mrs. Stene have a family of six children, namely : Martha, Elmer, George, Harry, Laura and Mildred. The parents are identified with the United Lutheran church and are among the highly respected citizens of their locality. By his ballot Mr. Stene supports the men and measures of the republican party and he has filled the office of school director for four years.
M. N. FLUGUM.
M. N. Flugum, the owner of a well improved and highly cultivated farm on section 16, King township, has been a resident of Winnebago county since 1873 and throughout his active business life has been identified with its agricultural interests. Hle was born in Norway, June 7, 1865, but was only two years of age when brought to this country by his parents, Nels and Martha ( Eggum ) Flugum. The family first located in Dane county, Wisconsin, where the father taught school for six years, and in the spring of 1873 came to Winnebago county, Iowa. He purchased
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a farm in Mount Valley township, which he cleared and improved, but he continued to engage in teaching, following that profession for over sixty acres. He is now living retired upon his farm at the ripe old age of eighty-seven years. His wife died in April, 1905.
Being only eight years of age when he came to Winnebago county M. N. Flugum was practically reared and educated in this locality and he remained with his parents until he attained his majority. For three years he worked for neighboring farmers and then commeneed farming on his own account. flis first purchase of land consisted of one hundred and sixty acres on section 17, King township, and subse- quently he bought another quarter section on section 16. He has converted his place into one of the best cultivated farms of that region and has erected thereon good and substantial buildings. Besides his valuable property he now owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in Texas, now operated by his oldest son, and he is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company, the Cooperative Creamery Company, in the Varland Telephone Company and the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company, being an officer in the last named organization for some time.
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