USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 50
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 50
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PEDER OLSON DEGNEPOLD.
Peder Olson Degnepold follows farming on section 23, Logan township, Winne- bago county, and comes of a family long identified with farming interests in Norway. His great-grandfather. Ole Degnepold, and his grandfather, Lars Degne- pold, both followed the occupation of farming. His parents were Ole Larsen and Christie Pedersen. The father was both a farmer and fisherman and in his native country he reared his family of four sons and three daughters. One of the daughters, Mrs. John Amundsen, came to America, while another, Mrs. Lena Aase, passed away in Norway. There are two brothers still in Norway, the elder being Lars, a farmer, mechanic and boat builder, while the younger is Hans, a school teacher.
Peder O. Degnepold was a young man of twenty-two years when in 1877 he came to the United States, settling first at Northwood, in Worth county, lowa. In his youthful days and early manhood he was employed at farm labor, but became tired of working for others and resolved that his labors should more directly benefit himself. Accordingly he carefully saved his earnings until he had an amount that enabled him to purchase eighty acres of land in Winnebago county. Ilis first purchase was made in 1885, at which time he settled upon his farmi
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and still makes it his home. He has, however, extended the boundaries of his place, having purchased one hundred and sixty acres more in September, 1897, so that he is now the owner of a good tract of land of two hundred and forty acres, which is situated on section 23, Logan township. For almost a third of a century he has continuously cultivated his farm and the result of his labor is seen in broad fields which bring forth rich harvests and also in the excellent improve- ments upon his land.
On the 13th of February, 1889, in Selo church, Nordfjord, Norway, Mr. Degnepold was united in marriage to Miss Johanne Marie Johnson Skrom, a daughter of John Kristensen and Ingeborg Andersen. To Mr. and Mrs. Degne- pold have been born four children, Jennie Christine, Emma Alida, Christie and Ole Martinus.
The religious faith of the family is that of the United Lutheran church. Mr. Degnepold has always been interested in the moral and intellectual progress of the community and for three years served as a school director. Ile is a stand- pat republican, giving unfaltering allegiance to the party which he has supported since becoming a naturalized American citizen. For forty years he has lived in northern Iowa and throughout the entire period has been actively interested in farming. His success is the merited reward and the direct outcome of his own labors. He was empty handed when he crossed the Atlantic, but he possessed a spirit of industry and determination, which constitutes a safe foundation upon which to build prosperity. As the years have gone on he has added to his holdings and his financial resources and is today the possessor of a comfortable competenee.
HON. O. K. MABEN.
Hon. O. K. Maben, secretary and one of the directors of the Hancock County Farmers Mutual Insurance Association, was born on a farm in Ellington town- ship, Hancock county, where he still lives. Ilis father, Grover Maben, a native of New York, came to this county in 1856, taking up his abode in Ellington township, where he resided until his death, which occurred January 6, 1900. In March, 1859, he wedded Elvira Pike, who still survives him.
O. K. Maben, after mastering the common branches of learning in the distriet schools, attended the Breckenridge Normal Academy at Decorah, lowa, for sev- eral terms, and afterward became a student in the Northern lowa Business College at Garner, from which he was graduated in 1890. He took up the occupation of farming and in 1900 became actively identified with the Haneock County Farmers Mutual Insurance Association, in which year he was made one of its directors and its secretary. He continued to occupy the dual office until 1904, when he was elected treasurer and director, serving in those capacities until 1907. In 1915 he was again chosen director and secretary, in which capacities he is now serving. The success of the association is attributable in large measure to his enterprise, his business ability and his progressive spirit.
On the 21st of February, 1893, in Forest City, lowa, Mr. Maben was united in marriage to Miss Jennie B. Lewis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Lewis.
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To them have been born three children: (litford G. Maurice, who died in infancy ; Merle: and Orville K.
Mr. Maben votes with the republican party and has long been one of its recognized leaders in Hancock county. In the year 1903 he was chosen to repre- sent his district in the general assembly and served during the thirtieth, thirty- first and thirty-second sessions. He carefully studied questions which came up for settlement and his support of any measure was proof of his belief in its efficiency as a factor in good government. He has ever stood for progress and improvement, for justice, truth and advancement. and the weight of his influence has been a potent force in the substantial development of county and state.
BENJAMIN F. WHETSLER.
Benjamin F. Whetsler, a resident farmer of Magor township, Hancock county, his home being on section 33, is numbered among the more recent arrivals here, dating his residence from 1912, but in the intervening period he has become widely and favorably known and ranks today among the leading stock raisers and shippers of this section. Ile was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, June 20, 1861, and is a son of Samuel and Ruth (Stewart) Whetsler, who were also natives of the Keystone state.
Removing westward in April, 1868, the family settled in McLean county, Illi- nois, during the carly boyhood of Benjamin F. Whetsler, who there pursued a public school education to the age of nineteen years. He was employed at farm labor in McLean county for fourteen years and then rented land there for six years. On the expiration of that period he purchased a farm in that state and still owns his old homestead property there, which comprises eighty acres in De Witt county. In 1912 he arrived in Hancock county, lowa, and made invest- ment in three hundred and twenty acres of land, constituting the east half of section 33, Magor township. He also bought one hundred and twenty acres on section 34 of the same township, so that he now has an excellent and extensive tract of land of four hundred and eighty acres, much of which has been brought under a high state of cultivation, while other parts of the farm are devoted to pasturage, for he is extensively engaged in raising and shipping stock. He makes a specialty of Shorthorn cattle and also ships and feeds Duroc hogs and Percheron horses, and his live stock interests constitute a most important and profitable feature of his business.
On the 23d of February, 1883, Mr. Whetsler was united in marriage to Miss Ruth A. Sprague, who was born in De Witt county, Illinois, and is a daughter of Charles L. and Mary Sprague, natives of Ohio. The children of this marriage are seven in number: Henry E., at home: Almeda and Frank C., who are mar- ried : Lela B., John W .. Ara L. and Ruth A., all yet under the parental roof.
Mr. and Mrs. Whetsler hold membership in the Christian church and guide their lives according to its teachings. In politics he does not ally himself with any party but maintains an independent course, voting according to the dictates of his judgment. Magor township regards him as a valuable addition to its citizenship and he has made for himself a creditable position in public regard
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during the five years of his residence there. In business affairs he is found to be thoroughly reliable as well as enterprising and he has that spirit of determina- tion which enables him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes,
BENJAMIN MOE.
Among the progressive and enterprising young farmers of Winnebago county is numbered Benjamin Moe, who lives on section 24, Logan township. He was born on the 29th of September, 1889, in the home of his parents. Ilerlang P. and Elizabeth (Jordre) Moe, who were natives of Norway, but were married in Winneshick county, Iowa, on the 9th of June, 1871. The following year they removed to Winnebago county and the father purchased eighty aeres of land on section 21, Logan township, and eighty acres on section 19, Norway township, a part of which was sold for the townsite of Scarville. With characteristic energy he began to clear his land and transform it into productive fields. The work of plowing, planting and harvesting was carried on and his labors resulted in making this a valuable and productive farm. Ile was long identified with the agricultural interests of the community, continuing to cultivate his land to the time of his death, which occurred April 9, 1915, when he was laid to rest in Bethel cemetery in Logan township. His success was of a substantial character and was entirely the reward of his persistent, earnest labors. In his political views he was a republican and his religious faith was that of the Lutheran church. His widow still resides upon the home farm with her son Benjamin, and there she reared her family of ten children. The father had been married before, his first wife dying in Norway. There were two children by that union : Anna, who passed away in Norway ; and Peter II., who actively assisted his father in the development of the home farm in Logan township and passed away at the age of forty-five years. The ten children born to Ilerlang P. and Elizabeth Moe were as follows: Anna, Dorothea and Elizabeth, all of whom are deceased ; Hannah, who is the wife of S. C. Monson, of Scarville: John, deceased ; Thea, who gave her hand in marriage to A. S. Odegard, of Spokane, Washington; Louise, who has passed away : Benjamin ; Maria, who is the wife of A. I. Rosheim, of Scarville ; and Helena, deceased.
NELS N. NESJE.
Nels N. Nesje, who follows farming on section 23, Eden township, Winnebago county, was born at Opstrein Nesje, on the North fjord, in Norway, February 14, 1848, a son of Nels P. and Martha ( Flo) Nesje, who were farming people of that country, where they reared their family of ten children, of whom four are yet living: Carrie, now the wife of Andrew Erdahl, of Emerald township, Fari- bault county, Minnesota ; Martha, the wife of Ole Erdahl, also of Emerald town- ship; and John Nelson and Nels N., twins. the former a resident of Frost,
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Minnesota. The parents never came to the United States and the father died when the subject of this review was but a year old.
Through the period of boyhood and youth Mr. Nesje and his twin brother remained in the land of the midnight sun, but in 1869, on attaining their major- ity, came to the new world to try their fortunes and made their way to Faribault county, Minnesota, settling near Blue Earth. Mr. Nesje secured employment as a farm hand, working in that way for six years, after which he became a resident of Eden township, Winnebago county, and purchased one hundred and twenty aeres of land on section 23. This he at once began to clear and develop and his attention has since been given to its further improvement, his labors converting it into one of the excellent farms of the neighborhood.
On the 15th of October, 1875, Mr. Nesje was married to Miss Johanna Gudal, a daughter of Colben and Sine Gudal, who were natives of Norway and became residents of Emerald township, Faribault county, Minnesota. The father died in 1911 and was laid to rest in the Dale Lutheran cemetery, while the mother is still living in Emerald township. Mr. and Mrs. Nesje have become the parents of nine children: Nels, living in Eden township; Martha, who died at the age of twenty-two years; Christina and Ella, twins, the former now at home, while the latter is the wife of John Harvey, of Stanwood, Washington ; Serena, Henry, Carl and Selmer, all at home; and Carrie, who became the wife of John Simonson, of Eden township, and passed away in 1912.
Mr. Nesje votes with the republican party, believing that its platform con- tains the best elements of good government. He and his wife are members of the United Lutheran church and are highly respected people, enjoying the con- fidence and goodwill of all with whom they have been associated through the long years of their residence in this part of the country.
STENER HANSON.
A considerable proportion of the citizens of Winnebago county claim Norway as the land of their nativity. Among this number is Stener Hanson, who was there born February 22, 1842, a son of Hans and Annie ( Scarborough ) Hanson, who were also natives of Norway. Coming to America with their family, they settled in Racine county, Wisconsin, in 1846, and there the father secured land and carried on farming throughout his remaining days, his death occurring in 1881. He had for six years survived his wife, who passed away in 1875.
Stener Hanson was reared and educated in Wisconsin and at the age of twenty years he responded to the call of his adopted country for troops, enlisting in defense of the Union as a member of Company E, Nineteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, in 1862. With that command he served until the close of the war and after the cessation of hostilities he returned home and worked at the mason's trade, which he followed for many years. In 1882 he came to Lake Mills, Winnebago county, where he has since followed his trade and has thus been actively connected with industrial interests of the district. He also has a nice farm of forty acres on section 10, Center township, and has improved the prop-
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erty to a considerable extent. Upon the place is an old log cabin which was built in 1867 and remains one of the landmarks of this section.
In January, 1882, Mr. Hanson was married to Miss Margaret Larson and to them have been born four children: Hans; Louisa, who is a nurse in a Chicago hospital; Lawrence, a telegraph operator; and Theresa, a teacher in the schools of Emmet county, lowa.
In his political views Mr. Hanson is a republican, while his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church, to the teachings of which he loyally adheres. IIe was formerly identified with the Grand Army of the Republic when a post existed at Lake Mills, but it has been disbanded. However, in days of peace he has been as true and loyal to his country as when he followed the stars and stripes on the battlefields of the sonth. He has ever been actuated by a spirit of devotion to the public good, and his work and worth both as a man and a citizen have been widely acknowledged.
OLE SWENSON.
Norway's contribution to the citizenship of Winnebago county is an important one, for those who have come from the land of the midnight sun have brought with them the characteristic diligence and enterprise which are the basis of sub- stantial material development and which also constitute valuable factors in eiti- zenship. Ole Swenson was for a long period actively and successfully engaged in farming in Newton township, and through his close application and good business management he acquired a competence that enables him to now live retired. Hle was born in Norway, October 24, 1848, and is a son of Swen and Carrie ( Bigen) Swenson, both of whom were natives of Norway. The father was a laborer in the old country, and both he and his wife died in their native land.
It was there that Ole Swenson was reared and educated, and when his text- books were put aside he began earning his own living at rafting and at farm labor. He was thus engaged until he reached the age of thirty-one years, or until 1879, when he came to the new world and took up his abode in Webster county, Iowa, where he was in the employ of others for a considerable period. However, he early grasped the elemental thought that industry wins, and industry became the heacon light of his life. It was his desire to own land and engage in farming on his own account, and therefore he carefully saved his earnings until his indus- try and economy enabled him to purchase a farm. lIe secured land in Webster county and there continued to reside for five years, after which he came to Winne- hago county and purchased two hundred acres on section 24, Newton township. HIe at one began to further develop and improve that place, and his labors made it one of the highly productive farms of the county. This he continued to culti- vate until 1909, when he retired and removed to Lake Mills. There he purchased a fine home and twenty acres of land at the edge of town. Ile is thus most comfortably and pleasantly situated and in well earned rest is enjoying the fruits of his former toil. He is also a stockholder in the Lake Mills Creamery Company but has no active business connections at the present time.
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On the 6th of May, 1877. Mr. Swenson was married to Miss Sarah Lee, and to them were born four children: Carrie, who resides at home with her parents, her husband, William Colby, having passed away February 28, 1916; Nettie, who is keeping house for her brother on the old homestead; Olof O., who is farming in Newton township: and Gilbert, who is cultivating the old home place. .
Mr. Swenson is a republican and keeps well informed on the political situation of the country. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church and he has guided his life according to its teachings. It requires considerable courage to sever home ties, to leave kindred, friends and native land and seek a home and fortune at points far distant. But this Mr. Swenson did, and he has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he found the business opportunities which he sought and has worked his way steadily upward. In America opportunities are afforded to every one who is willing to embrace them. Humble birth and poverty are no handicap to the American man. While opportunities slip away from the sluggard and tauntingly play before the dreamer, they surrender to the individual with high purpose, undaunted courage and indefatigable industry, and it has been through the possession of these quali- ties that Mr. Swenson has come to be ranked with the men of affluence in Lake Mills.
ALBERT S. TINDERHOLT.
Albert S. Tinderholt, living on seetion 36, King township, is a well known farmer who since 1897 has owned and cultivated his present place, comprising one hundred and sixty aeres of rich and arable land. He was born in Winneshiek county, lowa, July 22, 1871, and is a son of Soren and Martha (Storhoug) Tin- derholt, who were natives of Norway. The father came to America with his parents in 1840 when seven years of age and established his home in Wiseonsin, where he lived for two years, after which the family home was established in Winneshiek county, lowa. There Soren Tinderholt was reared and educated, sharing with the family in all of the hardships and privations ineident to pioneer life, for lowa was still a frontier state at that time. After reaching manhood he turned his attention to farming, purchased land and afterward carried on general agricultural pursuits for many years. At the present time he is living retired, however, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. He still occupies the old home place with his daughter, his wife having passed away in 1881.
During his youthful days Albert S. Tinderholt remained a resident of Winne- shiek county and his experiences were those of most of the farm-bred boys, his time being divided between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields. He came to Winnebago county in 1897 and here invested in one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 36, King township. With characteristic energy he began to develop and further improve this place and today it is one of the excellent farms of the locality, responding readily to the care and labor which he bestows upon it in the production of crops. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company and in the Cooperative Creamery Company of Thompson.
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In October, 1905, Mr. Tinderholt was married to Miss Millie Gullickson and to them have been born four children: Adron, Margaret, Waldlo and Ruth. Mr. Tinderholt has served as a school director for a number of years and politically he is a republican, while his religions faith is that of the Lutheran church. His entire life has been spent in lowa and the spirit of western progress and enter- prise which has been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of this section of the country finds expression in his life.
GEORGE L. COX.
That towa is one of the foremost of the great agricultural states of the Union is due not to the labors of a single individual or to a small group of men but to the combined efforts of many farmers who are alert, enterprising and progressive and who keep in touch with the trend of modern progress along agricultural lines. To this class belongs George L. Cox, living on section 25, Eden township, Winnebago county. He was born in Green Lake county, Wis- consin, January 20, 1863, and is a son of William and Lovina ( Terrill) Cox, who were natives of England and were farming people. They had a family of nine children, of whom five are still living: William Henry, residing in North Dakota; Emma, the deceased wife of Chance Curtis, of King township, Winne- bago county; George L .; Reuben, living in Forest township. Winnebago county ; John, a resident of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Elizabeth, the wife of Ira Stillwell, a resident of Minnesota. The other children died in early life and the parents have now passed away. In 1874 they became residents of Winnebago county. settling in Forest township, where the father purchased a farm, upon which they resided until called to the home beyond, when their remains were interred in Oakwood cemetery at Forest City. He was entirely a self-made man, owing his success in the fullest measure to his persistent and earnest efforts. His religious faith was that of the Methodist church and his political views were in accord with the principles of the republican party, but he was never an office seeker.
George L. Cox attended the common schools until he reached the age of six- teen years and afterward worked for his father until he attained his majority. lle was then employed as a farm hand by others for three years and on the expiration of that period rented a farm in Forest township, Winnebago county, for two years, while for a similar period he cultivated a traet of land in King township, which he leased. While thus engaged he carefully saved his earnings and at length was able to purchase eighty acres of land in Grant township, upon which he lived for one year. He later sold and bought eighty acres of the north- west quarter of section 25, Eden township, and from time to time as his financial resources have increased he has added to his holdings, extending the boundaries of his farm until it now comprises three hundred and twenty acres of rich and valuable land, upon which he has made a number of modern improvements, trans- forming it into one of the fine farms of this section of the state. He is a stock- holder in the Thompson elevator and creamery.
When twenty-three years of age Mr. Cox was married to Miss Jane II. Charl-
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ton, a daughter of Edward and Mary (Greeley) Charlton, who were natives of England and Wisconsin respectively. They became residents of Bristol township, Winnebago county, and afterward of Newton township. Worth county, but both have now passed away. The father was laid to rest in Bristol cemetery and the mother was buried in Montana, having during the last few years of her life lived on a claim in that state with her son. Mr. and Mrs. Cox have become the parents of seven children: William, who is living near Lovejoy. Montana ; Herbert, who is assisting in the work of the home farm; Lillian, the wife of Lewis Rygh, of Norway township, Winnebago county; George, who is with his brother William on a claim ; Walter, of Eden township ; and Charles and Emily, both at home.
The family attend the Lutheran church. Mr. Cox gives his political endorse- ment to the men and measures of the republican party, but he has never sought office as a reward for party fealty. His entire attention has been claimed by his business interests and it has been through his elose application and persistent energy that he has won a place among the well-to-do farmers of Winnebago county, being now the possessor of a splendid property, wisely managed and carefully cultivated according to progressive ideas of agriculture.
SEVER C. MONSON.
Sever C. Monson, who is operating the Farmers Elevator at Searville, was born on the old family homestead in Logan township, Winnebago county, August 8, 1875, a son of Colben and Bertha (Vinje) Monson, who were natives of Norway, where they were reared and married. Four children were born to them ere they eame to the new world, namely: M. C., living in Worth county, Iowa; K. C., whose home is in Chicago, Illinois: Anna, the wife of Halvor Sagen, deceased, whose home was in Fertile, fowa; and Carrie, living near Fertile. In the year 1869 the parents came with their family to the new world and settled in Winne- shiek county, Iowa, whenee they removed to Logan township, Winnebago county, in 1870. For ten years they lived upon government land that was not for sale. As soon as it was placed upon the market, however, their son, M. C., purchased the property. comprising the northwest quarter of section 16, Logan township. After living for ten years in Winnebago county the father removed to Worth county, establishing his home near Fertile. There he purchased a farm upon which he resided until his death, which occurred October 31, 1913. Both he and his wife were laid'to rest in Brush Point cemetery in Worth county. They were well known farming people of this section of the state and enjoyed the high regard of all with whom they came in contact. Following their arrival in the new world they became parents of three children, namely: Martha, who is the wife of S. A. Nesheim, of Chicago; Albert, also a resident of Chicago; and Sever C., of this review.
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