USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 47
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 47
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In 1826 Mr. Gifford was united in marriage to Miss Rosa Dodge, of Scott county, lowa, and following her demise he wedded Mrs. Mary Hitchcock, a daughter of Ira and Lydia Noble, who were natives of Indiana. In the family of Mr. Gifford are nine children, namely : Abigail, who gave her hand in marriage to Fred Jurgens; Jessie L .: Chester D .: Elizabeth Belle: Cornelia ; Allen Ray ; Edward ( .: Rosa L. : and Mary L.
Mr. Gifford is a man whom to know is to respect and honor. He is a faithful, adherent of the Methodist Episcopal church and has throughout his entire life endeavored to do unto others as he would have them do unto him. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and his fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and ability, have frequently called him to public office. He has served as road supervisor for'ten years, as township trustee for two years and was also school director for two years. He is over loyal to the trust reposed in him and is honorable in every relation of life.
JOHN SEVERSON.
John Severson, who is engaged in farming on section 23, Norway township, Winnebago county, has for more than four decades lived upon this farm. His has been an active life devoted to general agricultural pursuits, and whatever success he has achieved or enjoyed is attributable entirely to his own well directed etforts. He was born in Norway, October 15, 1847, a son of Sever and Martha Anderson. in whose family were fifteen children, of whom seven are yet living. All are resi- dents of the United States, but John Severson of this review and his sister Sophia, now the wife of Ole Singlestad, of Norway township, are the only ones living in Winnebago county. The father was a fisherman.
John Severson came to America when a little lad of nine years with his uncle. Thomas Johnson, who settled in Freeborn county, Minnesota. He lived with and worked for his unele until he attained his majority and then, ambitious to engage in farming on his own account, he bought the west half of the northwest quarter of section 33, Norway township, Winnebago county, Iowa, and began the cultivation of his eighty aere tract of land. He has since farmed and improved this place, converting it into one of the attractive properties of the township. He and his wife still occupy forty aeres of the original place. After John Severson had been a resident of the United States for some time his parents also crossed the Atlantic and settled in Freeborn county, Minnesota, where the father engaged in general agricultural pursuits. Both passed away there and were buried in the Lime Creek cemetery.
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When twenty-three years of age John Severson was united in marriage to Miss Julia Thompson, a sister of C. O. Thompson, of Norway township, and they had one child, Ole, who died at the age of a year. Mr. and Mrs. Severson are members of the Synod Lutheran church and his political endorsement is given to the republi- can party, for he believes that its principles combine the best elements of good government. He is thoroughly American in spirit and interests. For more than sixty years he has lived in this country and has always been identified with the middle west. lle has lived a life of activity which has brought substantial results and he is now in very comfortable financial circumstances.
NELS E. BAGNE.
America owes much to her citizens of Norwegian nationality or descent. The people of the land of the midnight sun have always been characterized by thrift and diligence, qualities which go far toward establishing a substantial citizenship. Nels E. Bagne is among those who are of Norwegian lineage and he possesses many of the sterling traits of his race. He was born in Winneshiek county, Iowa, June 12, 1868, a son of Andrew and Anna Bagne, who were natives of Norway but eame to the United States in childhood. Their marriage was celebrated in Winneshiek county, Iowa, and to them were born five children: Anna, now the wife of C. G. Egerdal, of Detroit, Minnesota ; Inger, the wife of O. T. Omundson, of Detroit ; James, living in Montana; N. E .; and Ole, whose home is in Lisbon, North Dakota. After coming to the new world the father engaged in farming in Winneshiek county until a few years prior to his death, when he removed to Norway township, Winne- bago county, taking up his abode in 1897 on the southwest quarter of section 29, Norway township. He put all the improvements upon the place and continued to further develop and cultivate it until his demise, which occurred in 1901. His widow survived him for six years and was laid to rest in 1907 in Synod cemetery at Lake Mills. In his political views Mr. Bagne was always a stalwart republican. He won success as the result of close application and persistency of purpose and in his business was always found thoroughly reliable.
Nels E. Bagne attended the district schools until he reached the age of sixteen years and afterward worked for his father until he attained his majority, receiving a thorough training in all departments of farm work. Hle afterward rented his father's farm until his death, after which he purchased the home place and is now the owner of a valuable and highly productive tract of land on which he has made many improvements. His fields are carefully tilled and bring forth substantial harvests annually and neatness and thrift characterize the place in every particular.
On June 5, 1900, Mr. Bagne was married to Miss Anna Johnson, a daughter of George and Gertie Johnson, of Newton township, Winnebago county, who still reside upon their farm there. Mr. and Mrs. Bagne have two children, Alfa and George, both at home.
Mr. Bagne votes with the republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but has never been ambitious to seek office, preferring to concentrate is energies upon his business affairs. He is a member of the Synod Lutheran church and is interested in the cause of education, serving for a number of
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years as school director. In a word, his aid and influence are always on the side of progress, reform and improvement and he has done much to further the best interests of the community in which he lives.
JOHN G. TANNER.
John G. Tanner, living on section 4, Twin Lake township, is numbered among the leading and well known farmers of Hancock county. He was born October 15, 1877. a son of Frank and Lena ( Walter) Tanner, who were natives of Switzerland and of Ohio respectively. Through the period of his boyhood John G. Tanner was a resident of Kansas and there acquired his education in the district schools, which he attended to the age of fourteen years, when he began working as a farm hand. Hle was thus employed until he reached the age of twenty-seven and then began farming independently by renting land. In this way he acquired the capital that enabled him to purchase property and his investment made him owner of two hun- dred aeres on section 3 and one hundred and twenty acres on section 4, Twin Lake township. Hancock county. He devotes his farm largely to the cultivation of cereals but also keeps some good grades of stock upon his place. His work is carefully managed, plowing, planting and harvesting being done at the proper time and according to progressive methods based upon an understanding of the scientific principles which underlie his work. In addition to his farm property Mr. Tanner is the owner of stock in the Klemme creamery."
On the 20th of February, 1904, Mr. Tanner was married to Miss Rosa Schaper, a daughter of Frederick and Amelia Schaper, who were natives of Germany, the former born in 1821 and the latter in 1831. It was about 1851 that they made the voyage to the new world and took up their abode near Freeport, Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Tanner have been born six children, namely: Clarence V., Bernice L., Luther 1., John R., Francis L. and Florence L.
Mr. Tanner and his family attend the German Methodist Episcopal church and he also holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America. His poli- tieal endorsement has been given to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has served as township trustee and as school director but is not ambitions to hold office, preferring to concentrate his time and attention upon his business affairs, which have been carefully directed and have brought to him a gratifying degree of prosperity.
FRED STORK.
Fred Stork is now living retired in Garner after twenty years devoted to general farming on land on section 25, Garfield township, Hancock county. He was born in Iowa county, Wisconsin, March 3, 1860, a son of Joseph and Theresa Stork, who were natives of Austria and of Bohemia respectively. Both have now passed away.
Fred Stork acquired a common school education but had the privilege of attend- ing only until thirteen years of age, when his textbooks were put aside in order that
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he might assist his father in farming and carpentering. He is one of a family of eight sons and two daughters, his surviving brothers being: Frank, who is now married and resides in Mason City, Iowa ; Thomas, who is married and makes his home south of Clear Lake; JJacob, who is married and resides at Ventura, Iowa ; and Edward, who is married and lives at Clear Lake. Joc, John and Anthon have passed away and the daughters are: Thesa, now Mrs. C. Smith, of Pipe county, Pennsylvania, and Lizzie, now Mrs. (. K. Moe, of Garner, lowa.
After some years devoted to assisting his father, Fred Stork began farming on his own account and ultimately acquired possession of ninety-two acres of land on section 25, Garfield township. He took up his abode upon that property in 1897 and continued to occupy and develop it until 1917, when he retired and removed to Garner. He had brought his fields to a high state of cultivation and had added many substantial and modern improvements to his place. He carefully tilled the soil and the crop production of his farm was annually increased. He also became identified with other business interests, purchasing stoek in the Farmers National Bank of Garner and also becoming a stockholder in the Farmers Cooperative Creamery Company.
Mr. Stork was united in marriage to Miss Anna Roase, a daughter of Frank and Agnes ( MeGruder) Roase, who are natives of Illinois. Mr. Stork holds membership in the Catholic church and is also identified with the Catholic Order of Foresters. In polities he has always been a democrat and in 1909 he entered upon a two years' term as town trustee, while at the present time he is serving for the sixth year as county supervisor. He is loyal to the public interests in the discharge of his duties and puts forth every effort in his power to advance the welfare and progress of the county along lines leading not only to present benefit but also to future welfare.
DAVID BECKMAN.
David Beekman, a native of son of Mount Valley township, Winnebago eounty. is there engaged in farming on section 27, and his well directed efforts are rewarded by a gratifying financial return. He was born on the 4th of June, 1876, and is a son of Andrew P. and Clara R. (Larson) Beckman, natives of Sweden, where they remained until after their marriage. It was in 1874 that they came to the United States and their first residence in this country was in the eity of Duluth, Minnesota. Subsequently they removed to St. Paul and in 1876 came to Winnebago county, Iowa, where they remained for a short time. They then took up their residence upon a farm in Ellington township, Hancock county, and there remained until called by death, the father's demise occurring in March, 1903, and the mother's on the 7th of September, 1915. Both were highly esteemed in their community, and in his work as a farmer the father was very successful.
David Beckman was reared at home and in the acquirement of his education attended the district schools. On going to work he was first employed for two years as a elerk in a hardware store in Forest City and then, deeiding that the occupation to which he had been reared offered better chances of advancement, began farming in Mount Valley township. He purchased his present farm on section 27 not long after his marriage and has made a number of improvements upon the place. He
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raises both grain and stock and both phases of his business have proved profitable. He also is financially interested in the Forest City Creamery.
In 1903 Mr. Beckman was united in marriage to Miss Ida Anderson of Mount Valley township, a daughter of Carl G. Anderson, who was born in Sweden and was one of the early settlers of Winnebago county. To Mr. and Mrs. Beckman have been born a son and a daughter, namely, Raymond and Mildred.
The republican party has a stanch adherent in Mr. Beckman and he is now serving as a member of the public school board. He realizes the great importance of a good educational system and is always willing to do anything that he can to advance the interests of the local schools. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, and his wife is a member of the Baptist church. Both are known as people of high principles and those who have been most intimately associated with them are their stanchest friends.
JOHN M. SLOAN.
John M. Sloan, who for eighteen years has been successfully engaged in general farming and stoek raising in Hancock county, makes his home on section 9, Magor township. He was born in Livingston county, Illinois, on the 11th of February, 1872, a son of James and Jane (Thomson) Sloan, who were natives of Scotland. In early life they came to America, establishing their home in Illinois about 1864.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof in the usual manner of farmi bred boys, John M. Sloan attended district school and in the summer months worked in the fields. His time was thus passed until he attained his majority, after which he concentrated his efforts upon farm work through the succeeding year. At the age of twenty-two he rented land from his father in Livingston county. Illinois, and continued the cultivation of that tract for a number of years, after which he deter- mined to own property and removed to lowa, purchasing two hundred and forty aeres on section 9, Magor township, Hancock county. In all of his business interests he was associated with his brother James until 1911, when he purchased eighty aeres on section 9. Magor township. The brothers have carried on general farming and make a specialty of stock raising and feeding. They have been closely associated in all their business interests, having everything in common, and they have carefully, wisely and successfully managed their affairs.
In 1911 Mr. Sloan was nnited in marriage to Miss Dorothy Ruth flanlon, a daughter of Patrick and Mary ( Foy ) Hanlon, who were natives of Ireland and came to America in 1861, making their way at once to La Salle county, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Sloan have become the parents of two children, John Maxwell and Mary Virginia.
In his political views Mr. Sloan is a republican and keeps well informed on the political situation of the country and the dominant issues before the people today. He holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a member of the Catholic church. While interested in all those things which have to do with the public welfare, he concentrates the greater part of his time and atten- tion upon his business and he has won a substantial measure of success. Aside from his farming interests he is a stockholder in the Farmers Savings Bank at
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Corwith. Ilis life has been one of diligence and determination and, overcoming the obstacles and difficulties which ever bar the path to success, he has worked his way steadily upward and is now one of the substantial farmers of his adopted county.
TONNES MORTENSON.
Tonnes Mortenson now owns and operates a well improved farm on section 17, King township, Winnebago county, where he has resided for the past seven years. Ile was born in Norway, on the 17th of March, 1856, and is a son of Morten Nelson and Malena (Aase) Fuglestad, also natives of Norway, where they continued to make their home throughout life. By occupation the father was a farmer.
Tonnes Mortenson was principally reared and educated in his native land, being twenty years of age on his emigration to Ameriea. On his arrival in this country he continued his journey westward to lowa and first located in Story City, where he was employed for a time. Later he worked at Radeliffe, Hardin county, and subse- quently rented land in that county, which he operated for three years. At the end of that time he was able to purchase eighty acres, on which he lived for two years, and then came to Winnebago county, where, in partnership with his brother, he bought a half section of land where the town of Thompson is now located but did not come into full possession of that property. Hle next bought two hundred and forty acres on seetion 31. King township, to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted ten years. The following three years were spent in Thompson, where he worked at the carpenter's trade. He then bought an additional one hundred and twenty acres adjoining his land, on which he lived for six years. After selling that place he purchased one hundred and sixty aeres on section 17, King township, where he has since made his home. Being a carpenter, he has erected all the buildings upon the place and now has a well improved farm in a high state of cultivation.
In November. 1890, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Mortenson and Miss Sarah Sviland, a daughter of Osmund and Sarina (Sviland) Sviland, natives of Norway. in which country Mrs. Mortenson was born July 12, 1862. There her par- ents both died. Mr. and Mrs. Mortenson hold membership in the Lutheran church and he casts his ballot with the republican party. For four years he has served as secretary of the school board and has always taken a commendable interest in publie affairs. He is a stockholder of the Farmers Elevator Company and the Cooperative Creamery Company of Thompson and is one of the well-to-do citizens of his com- munity, who commands the respect of all with whom he comes in contact.
W. C. SUNDERMEYER.
W. C. Sundermeyer, editor of The Rake Register, is a substantial citizen of Winnebago county, actuated by a spirit of enterprise and progress in all that he undertakes. He was born in Dubuque county, lowa, September 30, 1867, and is a son of Henry and Augusta ( Kemp) Sundermeyer, who were natives of Germany.
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They came to America at an early day and settled in Dubuque county, Iowa, where the father took up the occupation of farming. He bought and improved land there and continued its cultivation until March, 1883, when he removed to Palo Alto county, lowa, where again he bought land which he cleared, developed and improved, spending his remaining days npon that farm, which he converted into a valuable and productive property. He died in October, 1896, while his wife survived for almost a decade, passing away in June, 1906.
W. C. Sundermeyer was reared and educated in Dubuque and Palo Alto counties and prepared for the profession of teaching, which he followed successfully for twelve terms, making his home with his parents during that period. He was thus engaged until 1901, when he came to Rake and secured a position as teacher of the town school for one winter. In the spring of 1902 he purchased The Rake Register, a weekly newspaper, which he has since owned and published. He and A. K. Marsaa, the postmaster, have occupied the same building since 1904. The Register was established in 1900, the first issue being printed on August 3d. Schaucke & Sandum were the proprietors and W. A. Calvey the editor. I It now has a circula- tion of about four hundred. It is a bright, newsy sheet, devoted to local interests as well as to the dissemination of general news, and as the supporter of interests of public moment it has done much for the welfare of the community.
On the 22d of May, 1900, Mr. Sundermeyer was married to Miss Emma Gordon and they have become parents of three children : Bertha, who died in March, 1917, at the age of fourteen and one-half years ; Herbert G., ten years of age ; and Kenneth W., seven years of age.
Politically Mr. Sundermeyer is a progressive republican. He is a clear thinker and his views are the outcome of his own investigation rather than of party dictation. His religions faith is that of the Lutheran church and he stands for all those forces which are most worth while to the community-those forces which work for the uplift of the individual and for the general benefit of the district.
GULLIK G. BELSHEIM.
Gullik G. Belsheim, who is actively and successfully engaged in farming on section 6, Mount Valley township, Winnebago county, was born in Norway on the 12th of April, 1840, a son of Gullik and Anna (Gilbertson) Belsheim, who spent their entire lives in the land of the midnight sun. Gullik G. Belsheim pursued his education in the common schools of Norway and at twenty-one years of age he enlisted in the Norwegian army, with which he served for three years. In 1866 he came to the United States and established his home in Winneshiek county, lowa, where for three years he worked for a cousin on a farm. On the expiration of that period he began farming on his own account and for a year continued to rent land in Winneshiek county.
It was in 1870, in that county, that Mr. Belsheim was married to Miss Ellen Michaelson and the following year he came to Winnebago county, while in the same spring he purchased the farm upon which he now resides. It was then a tract of wild land, on which he put up a little shelter until he could build a log cabin. Ile oceupied the log house for sixteen years, after which he purchased
GULLIK G. BELSHEIM AND FAMILY
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a farm on section 7 of the same township and occupied that farm for sixteen years. He removed to that place in order to edueate his children, for there was a schoolhouse upon the farm. He then returned to his original property, on which he has since resided. He owns one hundred and sixty acres in his home place, also one hundred and sixty aeres on section 5 and one hundred and twenty acres on section ? of Mount Valley township, together with one hundred and twenty acres in Center township. His holdings are thus extensive and from his farm properties he derives a substantial annual income. Formerly he was the owner of four hundred and twenty-five acres in Tennessee, which he held for sixteen years, but he has recently sold that land. In the early days he farmed with oxen and he bore all the hardships and privations ineident to the settle- ment of the frontier. His nearest markets were at Albert Lea and at Mason City and from those points he had to haul his lumber and other supplies with ox teams. Ile bravely faced the difficulties of pioneer life, however, and as the years passed on time and man wrought many changes and he has benefited by these as the years have gone on.
Mr. and Mrs. Belsheim have become parents of four children: Anna, the wife of B. H. Braehl, of McLean county, North Dakota; Christina, who gave her hand in marriage to C. T. Johnson, of Center township, Winnebago county; Emma, who is the wife of John Hermonson, of Winnebago county ; and Osear G., who operates the home farm.
In politics Mr. Belsheim is a democrat and in religious faith he and his family are United Lutherans. His financial position is in marked contrast to his eon- dition at the time of his arrival. When he came to Towa he had but five dollars in his pocket and this he gave to a friend with which to buy a cow. Today he has large land holdings all free from indebtedness and a handsome bank account. His prosperity is the direct and legitimate reward of his labors and so honorably has he won his success that the most envions cannot grudge him his prosperity. His life record shows what may be accomplished when there is a will to dare and to do, and his history should serve to inspire and encourage others.
H. J. STILLE.
H. J. Stille, a well known farmer and stock raiser of German township and a worthy representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Hancock county, claims Missouri as his native state, his birth occurring in Franklin county, October 20, 1867. His parents were Henry and Louisa Stille, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Missouri, from which state the family removed to Ilan- cock county, Iowa. in 1874. The father took up land in German township, where he followed farming until his death. His widow now makes her home in Klemme.
H. J. Stille began his education in the district schools near his boyhood home and later took a special course of study at Galena, Illinois, and at Garner, Iowa. On starting out in life for himself he conducted a general store in Klemme in part- nership with his brother, W. F. Stille, but at length sold out and later returned to the old homestead. In the meantime he had purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in German township and subsequently bought the home farm, making
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