USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 51
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 51
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The last named enjoyed such educational privileges as the pioneer schools of Winnebago county afforded. He pursued his studies to the age of sixteen in the local schools and afterward spent two winter terms in St. Ansgar Academy, while for one year he was a student in the fowa State Teachers College. He left the farm to give his attention to other business interests and from 1900 until 1904
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owned and conducted a hardware store in Hanlontown. For five years there- after he was employed in the grain business there and in 1910 he became manager of the Farmers Elevator at Scarville, in which connection he has since remained, carefully, systematically and successfully conducting the business.
On August 24, 1903, Mr. Monson was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Moe, daughter of Il. P. and Elizabeth Moe, of Logan township, Winnebago county. Mr. and Mrs. Monson now have three children, Esther, Kenneth and Catherine. The parents are members of the United Lutheran church and in his political views Mr. Monson is a republican. He has been a director of the Scarville school board for six years and is now serving as a member of the town council. He stands for progressive interests in matters of citizenship, seeking to promote public welfare along practical and helpful lines, and he is much interested in the growth and progress of Winnebago county, witnessing its development from pioneer times to the present.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK.
The First National Bank of Forest City was organized in 1891 by B. A. Plummer and established in 1893, succeeding the City Bank, which had been established by Mr. Plummer as a private banking institution in 1876. The original location was on Main street, where Nelson's jewelry store now stands. The first officers were: B. A. Plummer, president ; Engene Secor, vice president ; David Secor, vice president ; and W. O. llanson, cashier. The bank was capital- ized for fifty thousand dollars, but in 1915 the capital stock was increased to seventy-five thousand dollars. In 1882 the bank was removed to the brick build- ing built by the Secors opposite the courthouse square and in 1915 became estab- lished in a home of its own, having erected the fine building now occupied. This building was erected at a cost of over fifty thousand dollars, is finished throughout most attractively and is equipped in a most modern way. The officers of the bank are now : B. A. Plummer, president ; R. C. Plummer and M. Jane Plummer, vice presidents ; W. O. llanson, also vice president : John Olson, cashier; and W. C. Haugland, assistant cashier ; with Etta A. Plummer as one of the directors. This bank has now maintained a prosperous existence for forty-one years and has long been accounted one of the most safe and reliable financial institutions of the state, while as a factor in the upbuilding of Winnebago county it has con- tributed much toward public progress and business development.
TORENIUS S. BRUSTAD.
Torenins S. Brustad, busily engaged in farming on section 26, Logan township, Winnebago county, was born in southeastern Norway, in the stift of Hedemarken, his natal day being December 16, 1872. Ilis parents were Thorson and Ragnild (Kjensle) Brustad, who were farming people of the land of the midnight sun.
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They had a family of nine children. The parents never came to the United States and both are now deecased.
Torenius S. Brustad came alone to America when a young man of twenty and made his way direct to Lake Mills, where he worked for a farmer for a year. He then rented land in Norway township for three years and practiced close economy and industry during that period in order to gain a sum sufficient to enable him to purchase property. He then bought one hundred and sixty acres on seetion 26 and eighty acres on section 27, Logan township. At that time it was an undeveloped traet, but he cleared it and made it ready for the plow. He then bent his energies to the development of the fields and was soon gathering good harvests. lle has continued to add various improvements as the years have gone on and he now has one of the fine farms of his distriet.
On the 31st of May, 1901, Mr. Brustad was united in marriage to Miss Caro- line Qualle, her parents being T. T. and Mary Qualle, of Norway township. To them have been born three children, Mabel, Selmer and Thelma. The parents are members of the Synod Lutheran church and Mr. Brustad votes with the republican party. He is a substantial and valued citizen of Logan township. Native-born citizens, it often seems, come by the privileges of American life too easily to appreciate them in the fullest degree. At least some of those who have sacrificed and suffered to obtain them value these blessings more highly than those to whom they come as a matter of course. Mr. Brustad was one who made sacrifice to establish his home on the American continent. Hle has never regretted the change, for here he found the business opportunities which he sought and in their utilization he has worked his way upward to success. He feels that he owes allegiance to his adopted country, under the protection of whose laws he has long lived, and as the years have gone on he has been loyal to his chosen land.
OTTO E. GUNDERSON.
Otto E. Gunderson, assistant cashier and one of the directors of the Forest City National Bank, has in various ways been identified with publie progress in this and other seetions of lowa, his efforts being especially helpful in the educa- tional field. He was born at Kensett. Worth county, Iowa, February 25, 1875, a son of Edward and Olivia (Kalgaarden) Gunderson. The father went west with the gold seekers in the late '50s as far as Pike's Peak, but turned back and afterward was employed in connection with shipping on the Missouri river. He finally reached New Orleans, where he made his home for some time. In 1861, while residing in the Crescent City, he was drafted for service in the Confederate army, with which he was on active duty until the close of the war. He was wounded only once, sustaining a wound at the battle of Gettysburg. Later he returned to the north, becoming a resident of Worth county, Iowa, where both he and his wife are now residing. They have three sons living: Otto E., of this review ; Carl O., county attorney of Worth county and a resident of North- wood ; and Gilbert, who is operating the home farm.
Otto E. Gunderson acquired his early education in rural schools and after-
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ward attended successively the high school at Northwood, Iowa, the St. Ansgar Seminary and the Northern Ilinois Normal School at Dixon, Illinois, In early manhood he engaged in teaching in both fowa and in North Dakota and for several years he was connected with commercial interests at Kensett and at Ilanlontown, conducting a store in both places. In the spring of 1913 he removed from Northwood to Forest City, where he has since made his home, and is now well known in its financial circles as assistant cashier and one of the directors of the Forest City National Bank.
On the 19th of April, 1892, at Kenyon, Minnesota, Mr. Gunderson was mar- ried to Miss Gurine Finnesgaard, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. K. Finnesgaard, who were among the earliest settlers of Goodhue county, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Gunderson now have three children: Esther, seventeen years of age, who is a student in St. Olaf College at Northfield, Minnesota : Harvey and Maurice, aged respectively ten and six years.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Lutheran church and in his political views Mr. Gunderson is a republican. He has supported the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. While living in Kensett he served as town clerk in 1899 and 1900. and in 1904 was elected county superintendent of schools in Worth county, which position he continuously filled until 1913, making a most creditable record in the office by reason of the efficient work which he did in raising the standard of the schools and introducing methods of practical value. In 1915 he was chosen president of the board of trustees of the Forest City. public library, and in 1916 was appointed a member of the city council, filling both of these positions at the present time. fle is thoroughly publie-spirited and progressive, and his cooperation in any movement constitutes an effective and valuable foree in the attainment of desired results.
OLE J. HAMLIN.
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Since 1904 Ole J. Hamlin has owned the farm upon which he now resides and to the cultivation and improvement of which he devotes his entire time and attention. He was born in Norway in January, 1863, and is a son of Jewel and Minnie (Beckjorden ) Hamlin, who were also natives of that country. About. 1844. however, they bade adieu to friends and native land and came with their children to the new world, crossing the continent to Dane county, Wisconsin. There the father followed the occupation of farming for seven years, after which he came to Winnebago county, Jowa, and bought eighty acres of land on section 25, King township, constituting the farm that is now the home of his son Ole. Ile at once began to develop and improve the land, which he carefully tilled throughout his remaining days. He was recognized as one of the leading and representative farmers of the district and was ever known as a most reliable busi- ness man. Ite passed away June 16, 1908, having for a year survived his wife, who died on the 3d of June, 1907.
Ole J. Hamlin was a little lad of eleven summers when his parents came to the new world. this education, which had been begun in the schools of Norway,
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was continued in the public schools of Wisconsin and of Iowa after the removal of the family to Winnebago county. Through his boyhood he devoted the summer months to farm work, and when he had completed his education his entire atten- tion was given to his farm duties. He continued to cultivate the old homestead with his father until 1904, when he purchased the farm and has since owned and operated it. Ile has added various improvements during the period of his ownership-improvements that have greatly enhanced its attractive appearance and which are indicative as well of his progressive spirit.
In January, 1914, Mr. Hamlin was married to Miss Annie Knutson, and they are now parents of an interesting little daughter, Amanda, born in June, 1915. Politically Mr. Hamlin is a republican and his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. He and his wife are held in warm regard by their many friends in King township, and he has gained a place among the substantial farmers to whom effort has opened the highroad to success. Along this road he is steadily progressing and has already gained a place among the well-to-do farmers of the county.
WILLIAM D. SMITH.
For over half a century William D. Smith has been prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Winnebago county and is today the owner of a valuable farm in Center township, his home being on section 12. He was born in Middle- sex, Vermont, on the 26th of December, 1841, and belongs to an old New England family. Ilis parents, Alvin and Amanda ( Barnett) Smith, were natives of Con- nectieut. During his childhood the father was taken by his parents to Vermont, where he grew to manhood and engaged in farming for some years. Eventually he removed to Winnebago county, Iowa, and purchased forty acres of land where the town of Lake Mills now stands, but was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, dying shortly after his arrival in 1868. His widow long survived him, passing away in 1906 at the advanced age of ninety-four years.
In the state of his nativity William D. Smith was reared and educated in much the usual manner of farmer boys, and when the country became involved in civil war he put aside all personal interests and entered the Union service. He was nineteen years of age when he enlisted in Company B, Thirteenth Vermont Volun- teer Infantry, and he remained at the front for one year, the last engagement in which he participated being the battle of Gettysburg. On being mustered out Mr. Smith came direct to Winnebago county, Iowa, and purchased eighty aeres of his present farm in Center township at two dollars per acre. Later he bought eighty aeres more and today has one of the best improved and most highly culti- vated places in the locality. His land is located on sections 12, 13 and 1, Center township, and is now operated by his son-in-law, Byron Cronk, who makes a specialty of raising Black Polled eattle.
On the 25th of October, 1872. Mr. Smith married Miss Ella Keeble, who died on the 1st of November, 1899, after a year's illness. By this union were born six children, namely: Minnie, who is now the wife of Byron Cronk and has two children, Margaret and Majel; Frank, a farmer of Center township; Fred A., also
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a farmer of Center township, who is married and has one child, Melva; Etta, who is the wife of M. J. Godfrey, of Chapin, Iowa, and has two children, Clinton and Clifford ; Etta, who died at the age of eight years; and William, who died at the age of two years.
Mr. Smith has practically retired from active labor, but still owns his farm and is a stockholder in the Lake Mills Lumber Company and the Lake Mills Creamery Company. Since casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lin- coln. he has always supported the republican party and for a number of years he served on the school board in his district. In religious faith he is a Methodist and he was a member of the Grand Army Post at Lake Mills until it was dis- banded. In days of peace he has been found as true to his country's interests as in time of war and he is regarded as one of the leading and representative citizens of his community, a man honored and respeeted by all who know him.
JOIIN I. KINDEN.
John I. Kinden, who is living on section 10, Norway township, Winnebago county, is cultivating about two hundred aeres of land which he and his wife own. Ilis farm interests are carefully managed and intelligently directed, and that he is leading a life of energy and thrift is indicated in the excellent appearance of his place. He was born in Norway, May 21, 1860, a son of Ingebrit and Niekolai Kinden, who were farming people and had a family of seven children, of whom John is the youngest. The parents never came to the United States and only two of the children crossed the Atlantic, these being John and his sister Syneve, now the wife of John Forde, of Worth county, lowa. The death of the mother occurred on the 21st of April, 1881, while the father passed away on the 20 of July, 1885.
John I. Kinden was at that time a young man of about twenty-five years. His boyhood and youth had been spent in his native country and its public school system had afforded him his educational opportunities. Following his father's death he eame alone to the United States, and the fact that there were many of the sons of Norway living in Winnebago county, Iowa, attraeted him to this section of the state. For a time he taught a Norwegian school at Norman but afterward turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits and upon his farm established his family. Hle now owns the west half of the northwest quarter of seetion 11, Norway township, while his wife owns one hundred and twenty aeres of the southeast quarter of section 10. He carefully tills his fields in the pro- duction of those crops best adapted to soil and elimate, and the result of his labors is seen in the excellent harvests which he annually gathers.
In 1892 Mr. Kinden was united in marriage to Mrs. Emma Butler, the widow of John Butler, who was one of the early settlers of Norway township but passed away August 27, 1887, and was laid to rest in Lime Creek cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Butler had four children, namely : Bernard, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Worth county; Albert, who follows farming in Center township, Winne- bago county ; Sarah, the wife of Martin Eriekson, of Brown county, Minnesota ; and Marie, who gave her hand in marriage to Edward Bergeson, of Freeborn county, Minnesota. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Kinden have been born
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five children, as follows: Nickolai, Ingebrigt, Selina, Anna and Sarah, all at home. They are also rearing Mrs. Kinden's grandson, Alfred, who is a son of Albert J. and Anna ( Peterson ) Butler, his mother having died March 24, 1911.
In his political views Mr. Kinden is a republican, but the honors and emolu- inents of office have had no attraction for him. He belongs to the Synod Lutheran church and has long guided his life by its teachings. Ile came to America imbued with the hope of finding better opportunities than he believed he could secure in his native land. and having elected to east in his fortunes with the American people, he has ever been loyal to the interests of the country.
HORACE H. EICHORN.
Horace H. Eiehorn, a resident farmer of King township, Winnebago county, makes his home on section 24, where he is the owner of a good farm of two hun- dred acres. In fact, his labors have resulted in making this one of the best improved places of the county and in the production of grain and in the raising of high grade stock he is meeting with success. He was born in Wright county, Iowa, August 24, 1872, and is a son of Chris and Margaret ( Arnold) Eiehorn, the former a native of Germany, while the latter was born in Johnson county, Iowa. It was about 1854 that the father came to the United States and made his way westward to Johnson county, where he purchased land and began the development and improvement of a farm, upon which he lived for several years. At the time of the Civil war, however, he put aside all business and personal considerations and joined the army, enlisting in Johnson county as a member of Company B. Eighth Towa Infantry, with which he remained at the front for two years. He was wounded on the field of battle and his was a most ereditable military record, characterized by the utmost loyalty to his adopted land. Follow- ing his military experience Mr. Eichorn was married and established his home in Wright county, Iowa, where he rented land for a time. He afterward removed to Webster county, this state, and bought two hundred and forty aeres, constitnt- ing the fine farm upon which he spent his remaining days. His labors wrought a marked transformation in its appearance and in its value, for he added to it many modern equipments and improvements and carried on his farm work according to the most progressive methods. He died October 22, 1894. Ilis widow married Rudolph Wilkosske and is now living in Faribault, Minnesota.
Horace 11. Eichorn was reared in Webster county and pursued his education in the district schools of Fort Dodge. No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for him in his boyhood and he remained with his parents until he attained his majority. In 1898 he arrived in Winnebago county and purchased two hundred acres of land on section 24, King township, on which he has now lived for almost two decades. His labors have been attended with substantial results, for he has today one of the best improved farms of the county. This he has continuously and successfully cultivated, practicing the rota- tion of crops and utilizing seientifie methods of farming to enhance the productive- ness of his fields. He now makes a specialty of raising pure bred Poland China hogs. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company and the Coopera-
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tive Creamery Company of Thompson : also a stockholder in the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company ; and is secretary and a director of the Coon Grove Telephone Company.
On the 4th of September, 1898, Mr. Eichorn was married to Miss Evelyn Schreiber and to them have been born four children, Luella, Pearl, Wallace and Vera. The religious faith of the family is that of the Methodist church, while in his fraternal relations Mr. Eiehorn is a Knight of Pythias. Sinee age con- ferred upon him the right of franchise he has voted with the republican party and is a loyal advocate of its principles. Ile stands for progress and improve- ment in public affairs as well as in private business and has ever given his aid and cooperation to plans and measures for the general good. In business he is thoroughly progressive and enterprising, and his success is the legitimate and merited reward of his persistent etfort.
CARL K. NELSON.
Three times elected to the office of county auditor after having served for a partial term to fill out a vacancy is indisputable evidence of the ability and fidelity which Carl K. Nelson has displayed as an incumbent in that position. Ile was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, December 11, 1840, a son of Knut and Gertrude ( Halvorsdatter) Nelson, who were natives of Norway and following their marriage came to the United States in 1868, They settled first in Dane county, Wisconsin, and in 1885 came to Winnebago county, lowa. The father is a carpenter by trade but followed the occupation of farming in lowa, and he and his wife are still residents of Winnebago county. They became the parents of eight children, of whom Carl K., Nels, Henry, lans and Christian are now living. They lost two children who were named Nels and one other who died in infancy.
Carl K. Nelson was educated in the public schools of Winnebago county and at Decorah, lowa, and in the Highland Park School at Des Moines. While in the capital city he took up the study of telegraphy, but followed it for only a year. He afterward engaged in grain buying at Searville, Iowa, for five years and in 1906 he was a candidate for the position of county recorder, on which occasion he was defeated by only forty-three votes. After the election he was appointed deputy county treasurer and made a most excellent record in that posi- tion, in which he was retained for five years, or until October, 1911, when he was appointed county anditor to fill a vacancy for one year. On the expiration of that period he was elected for a two years' term and has been twice reelected, having no opposition at any of his three elections, for the publie has long since become convinced not only of his fidelity but of his marked capability in office and feels that public office could not be in safer hands, Mr. Nelson has also served as township clerk of Logan township and as secretary of the school board in Scarville. He has always given his political allegiance to the republican party and is a firm believer in its principles.
On the ith of July, 1897, Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to Miss Emma Rusley. Mrs. Nelson is a daughter of Ole O. and Johanna ( Christopherson) Rusley, both born in Telemarken, Norway. The father was born in 1850 and was
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eleven years of age when he came with his parents to the United States in 1861. The birth of the mother occurred in 1847 and in 1869 she accompanied her parents on their removal to the new world. Mr. and Mrs. Rusley were married in Winne- bago county, lowa, in 1843, and became the parents of seven children, namely : Ole, Emma, Christopher, John, Tilda, Sever and Leva. The father died in 1892, and the mother passed away in 1910. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Nelson died in infaney, but they have an adopted daughter. Selma.
Mr. and Mrs. Nelson hold membership in the United Lutheran church and they make their home in Forest City. Mr. Nelson is also the owner of a farm which he rents, deriving therefrom a good income. They are widely and favor- ably known in the county, enjoying the warm regard of all with whom they come in contact, and over the record of his public career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.
CHRIST CHRISTENSON.
Christ Christenson is living on a farm on section 23, Eden township, Winne- bago county, which he purchased in 1915 and has since cultivated. His entire experience has been along the line of general agricultural pursuits and he was thus well qualified to take charge of a farm of his own, He was born October 8, 1880, in Eden township, his parents being Anton and Anna (Olson) Christenson, who are natives of Norway but came to the United States in youth. They resided for a time in Faribault county, Minnesota, and were there married. Soon after- ward they became residents of Eden township, where the father cultivated a rented farm for a few years. He next purchased the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of seetion 23 and cleared and improved his tract of forty aeres. As his financial resources increased he added to his possessions, his second purchase making him the owner of eighty acres on section 23, while later he bought eighty acres on seetion 24 and now has altogether two hundred acres of good land. His has been a busy life devoted to general farming. Both he and his wife are mem- bers of the United Lutheran church and his political endorsement is given to the republican party. He has now reached the age of seventy-two years, while his wife is sixty-four years of age. All that they possess has been acquired through their earnest labor and the life record of Anton Christenson indicates what may be accomplished when one is ambitious and energetie. In the family were but two children, Christ and Ole. The latter married Stella Larson, a daughter of Thomas Larson, one of the pioneer settlers of Winnebago county, who, however, is now residing near Fosston, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Ole Christenson have two children, Anna and a baby boy. He is also a farmer of Eden township, eulti- vating eighty acres of land which he owns on section 24.
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