USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 53
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 53
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55
Christian Nelson pursued his education in the common schools of his native country until confirmed. He remained a resident of Norway until twenty-four years of age, when the favorable reports which he heard concerning the business conditions and opportunities of the new world proved to him an irresistible attraction and he crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1872. Ile made his way first to Benton county, lowa, where he remained for five years and then removed to Worth county where his older brother, Ole, had previously located, he being the only other member of the family in the United States. For two years Christian Nelson worked as a farm hand and then purchased the southeast quarter of section 25, Eden township. Winnebago county. It was a tract of raw land on which not a furrow had been turned, nor an improvement made, but he at once began to develop the property and resided thereon for five years, his labors producing a marked change in the appearance and in the condition of the farm. At length he sold that property and bought one hundred and twenty aeres on section 27. Eden township. This, too, was wild land but in a short space of time it had been placed under the plow and was producing good crops He has since extended the boundaries of his place by the purchase of an additional tract of one hundred and twenty acres and is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres of valuable land in Eden township. He is also a stockholder in the elevator and creamery of Thompson.
On the 23d of May, 1878. Mr. Nelson was married to Miss Carrie Gilbertson, a daughter of Gilbert and Anna Dahl, who were natives of Norway, where they were reared and married. Their daughter, Mrs. Nelson, was two years of age when they crossed the Atlantic with their family and established their home near Northwood, in Worth county, Iowa. Still later they became residents of Silver Lake township in that county and there the father engaged in farming until his life's labors were ended in death. Both he and his wife were laid to rest in the Lime Creek Church cemetery near Emmons, Minnesota. Mr. and
540
WINNEBAGO AND HANCOCK COUNTIES
Mrs. Nelson have become parents of nine children, as follows: Nels, who resides near Leland, in Winnebago county; Anna, who gave her hand in marriage to Tom Slyde, of Thompson; Minnie, who is the wife of Chris Jensen, of Forest township; Gina, the wife of Hans Ellefson, of Stutsman county, North Dakota; Andrew, who operates the home farm; Clara, the wife of Charles Mans, of Stutsman county, North Dakota; Gilbert, who cultivates the home place; and Ada and Oscar, both at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Nelson hold membership in the United Lutheran church and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. Itis has been an active and useful life, fraught with good results. The excellence of a plan is determined by the real accomplishment of its full purpose. Mr. Nelson has always formed his plans carefully and has carried them forward to successful completion. He carly realized that obstacles and difficulties can be overcome by persistent, earnest effort and he has therefore never allowed them to bar his path. Working dili- gently, making each day count as a full-faithed attempt to accomplish something. he has gone on year by year and has won a place among the men of affluence in Eden township, being now the possessor of a comfortable competence.
MARTIN BUCKLY.
Martin Buckly, a representative of the farming interests of Hancock county, is living on section 4, German township, and that he has prospered as the years have gone on is indicated in the fact that he has from time to time added to his landed possessions until his holdings now amount to two hundred and forty acres. Ile was born November 12, 1857, in Clayton county, Iowa, a son of Dennis and Mary ( MeCarthy) Buckly, who were natives of Ireland and crossed the broad Atlantic to the new world in 1847, at which time they took up their abode near Brattleboro, Vermont, where the father followed railroading for a time. At an early day, however, they came to lowa, casting in their lot with the pioneer settlers of Clayton county, and both are now deceased.
Reared under the parental roof, Martin Buckly attended the public schools of Clayton county until he reached the age of sixteen years and afterward had the benefit of another year's instruction, thus qualifying for life's practical and responsible duties. At the age of twenty years he began working as a farm hand and was employed in that way and in herding cattle in Hancock county for eight years. He afterward purchased eighty acres of land on section 7, German township, for which he paid five dollars per acre. This was about 1880. His second purchase was made in 1890, when he secured eighty acres on section 12, Erin township, for which he paid sixteen dollars and a half per acre. Hle after- ward bought eighty aeres on section ? in 1909 and for that tract paid thirty-five dollars per acre. His land has since greatly increased in value, owing to his cultivation and to the improvements which he has put upon the property. His work has wrought a marked transformation in the appearance of the place and his labors result in the harvesting of good crops annually. He is also a stockholder in the Britt Creamery and in the Farmers Elevator of Britt.
On the 29th of November, 1888, Mr. Buckly was married to Miss Ellen
541
WINNEBAGO AND HANCOCK COUNTIES
Quinlan, a daughter of Philip and Ellen ( Donovan) Quinlan, who were natives of Ireland but died in America. Mr. and Mrs. Buckly have become parents of five children, a son and four daughters: Raymond W., Mayme L., Agnes E., Ella M., and Cecelia F. The second daughter is now teaching school.
The family are communicants of the Catholic church and in polities Mr. Buekly is a democrat. He has served as township trustee for many years and for one year was a school director. Ile is interested in community affairs, sup- porting all practical plans and measures for the public good, and he enjoys the confidence and goodwill of his fellow townsmen. For thirty-seven years he has resided upon his present farm and is well known as one of the active and repre- sentative agriculturists of German township.
FOREST SECOR.
Forest Seeor was born October 29, 1890, in Forest City, where he still resides, and is a son of Willard and Gladys (Sallie) Secor, the former also a native of Forest City and a son of the Hon. Eugene Secor. He acquired his education in the local schools and at Cornell College and then engaged in the real estate business in Mora, Minnesota, there continuing until March, 1916, when he disposed of his business interests there and returned to Forest City to settle up his father's estate. In the meantime, he purchased the Forest Theatre, which he is now condueting.
In 1914 Mr. Secor was united in marriage to Miss Zella Moon, of Vinton, Iowa. He is connected with the following organizations: Forest City Lodge, No. 213, A. F. & A. M .: Bethel Chapter, No. 116, R. A. M., of Garner; Forest City Lodge, T. O. O. F .; and the Minneapolis Athletic Club. His political allegiance is given to the republican party.
GEORGE W. PLATT.
An excellent farm in Twin Lake township, Hancock county, situated on section 12, pays tribute to the care and labor bestowed upon it by its owner, George W. Platt. This farm is carefully and systematically cultivated, and Mr. Platt ranks with the wide-awake and progressive agriculturists of his district. Ite was born February 2, 1871, a son of William and Matilda (Eastepp) Platt, the former a native of Maine and the latter of West Virginia.
It was in the schools of West Virginia that George W. Platt pursued his education, after which he devoted six years to farm work in that locality. He then went to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he was employed for three years in a bakery, and later he engaged in peddling for eighteen months. lle was also employed for two years as a coal miner in West Virginia and devoted three years to work in the steel mills of Ohio. On the expiration of that period he eame to Iowa and engaged in railroad work for three months. He afterward secured work as a farm hand in Illinois, where he spent five years and then came
542
WINNEBAGO AND HANCOCK COUNTIES
to Iowa, where he worked for one year on a farm. In purchasing land he secured one hundred and sixty acres on section 12. Twin Lake township. Hancock county, eighty acres on section 13 and eighty acres on section 11, so that he owns alto- gether three hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land in Twin Lake township. He is carrying on general farming and his labors are attended with a gratifying measure of prosperity, for his affairs are wisely managed.
On the 30th of January, 1902. Mr. Platt was married to Mrs. Lizzie Etchen, a daughter of IIerman and Caroline (Bernoking) Eickmeier, who were natives of Germany and about 1860 became residents of Illinois. By her former marriage Mrs. Platt had six children, Louis F., Lillie, Albert, Fred, Rosa and John. In his political views Mr. Platt is a republican and his life is guided by the teachings of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a loyal and helpful member.
OLE O. TVETEN.
Ole O. Treten still holds title to two hundred acres in Center township and also owns land in Minnesota but is leaving the operation of his properties to others and is enjoying a well earned rest, making his home in Lake Mills, He was born March 12, 1840, in Nissedal. Norway, and is the youngest son of Ole Halvorson and Torbor (Johnsdatter) Tveten, lifelong residents of the land of the midnight sun.
Ole O. Tveten was educated in his native country and remained there until he was twenty-two years old, when he brought his wife to the United States, settling in Dane county, Wisconsin. He remained there for two years and was for one year a resident of Goodhne county, Minnesota, and for two years of MeLeod county. that state. His next removal was to Winnebago county, lowa, and during the intervening period, or for more than a half century, he has continued to reside within its borders. He bought one hundred and sixty aeres of land in Center town- ship and later two hundred and eighty acres and successfully engaged in farming until 1912, when he retired and took up his home in Lake Mills. He made many improvements upon his place and brought his land to a high state of cultivation. As the years passed his resources steadily increased, for his grain and stock brought good prices on the market and he managed his business affairs well. He is now in excellent circumstances. He retains title to his home farm and also owns land in Minnesota.
In 1862, in Norway, Mr. Tveten was married to Miss Susanna Abramsdatter Midbo, whose parents never came to America. To Mr. and Mrs. Tveten have been born ten children, as follows: Torbor, the wife of Olaf Tveit, of Mahnomen, Minnesota : Abram, who is married and resides in Center township; Gunhild, who died in infancy : Ole, whose home is in Lake Mills: Halvor, who is married and resides in Lake Mills : Gunhild, also of Lake Mills; Anne Helene, who died at the age of thirty-three years : Jacob, who is married and is a pastor at Lee, Illinois : Andrea, the wife of Torval Torvalson, of Center township: and Johanna, the wife of T. Ebrech, of Crosby, North Dakota.
Mr. Tveten has been a staunch supporter of the republican party but has never sought office. He belongs to the United Lutheran church and in its teachings are found the principles which have guided his conduct. Practically his entire life has
543
WINNEBAGO AND HANCOCK COUNTIES
been given to agricultural pursuits and during the years that he was actively engaged in farming he was a factor in the development of the county along those lines, for he was always ready to discard an old method for a new one that promised to be more effective.
JOSEPH II. REVELL.
Winnebago county has been signally fortunate in the class of men who have occupied her public offices, for on the whole they have been progressive citizens, putting forth earnest effort to protect the best interests of the community. On the list of capable officials here appears the name of Joseph H. Revell, who is now county sheriff and who makes his home at Forest City. He was born in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, January 31, 1859, a son of John and Mary (Rhames) Revell, who in 1861 became residents of Mitehell county. Iowa, where the father engaged in farming. There the mother passed away and later Mr. Revell removed to North Dakota, where his remaining days were spent.
Joseph H. Revell acquired a public school education and in the year 1875 he became a resident of Lake Mills, Iowa, where he worked for four years in the employ of George Thomas. He afterward spent one year in Mitchell county, this state, and then returned to Lake Mills, where for a year he was employed by S. D. Wadsworth. On the expiration of that period he removed to Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he continued for eight years. Once more he became a resident of Lake Mills and was employed in the implement store of Eckert & Williams. In 1910, however, he was called to public office, being nominated and eleeted to the position of sheriff of Winnebago county. The faithfulness and capability which he displayed during his first term led to his reelection and he is now serving for the fourth term in that position, proving a most faithful custodian of the rights and liberties of the individual under the law.
In October, 1901, Mr. Revell was married to Mrs. Villie Davey, of Lake Mills. Her father was one of the pioneer settlers of that part of the county. By a former marriage Mr. Revell had five children and by his second marriage has one. In politics he has ever been an earnest republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Yeomen. He has become widely known in Winnebago county, where he first took up his abode in 1875, and his reliability and progres- sive spirit have made him a valued eitizen, well worthy of the confidence which is accorded him.
ANDREW JORDANGER.
Andrew Jordanger, living on section 29. Amsterdam township, is the owner of an excellent farm of three hundred and twenty acres and is regarded as one of the representative agriculturists of Hancock connty. In addition to his home place he has other valuable properties in lowa, his landed possessions aggregating altogether seven hundred and sixty acres. He was born in Norway in November,
544
WINNEBAGO AND HANCOCK COUNTIES
1860, a son of Essen and Carrie (Jordanger) Jordanger, who were likewise natives of that country.
Andrew Jordanger spent the first twenty-seven years of his life in his native land and on coming to America in 1887 made his way to Morris, Illinois. He had pursued his education in the schools of Norway to the age of sixteen years and after that had depended upon his own labors for his support. He engaged in tiling for four years and for a similar period rented land. At length he bought property at Clarion, lowa, becoming owner of one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he lived for six years. On the expiration of that period he came to llancock county and acquired three hundred and twenty acres on sections 8 and 9, Amster- dam township. He has since purchased another farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 30 of the same township and his holdings also include three hundred and twenty acres at Crystal Lake, lowa. llis has been an active, busy and useful life and his success is the reward of earnest labor and careful manage- ment.
In 1892 Mr. Jordanger was married to Miss Carrie Neilson, by whom he has seven children, namely: Clarence ; Nellie, Anna and Esther, all of whom are married; Ida; Ole; and Clifford. Politically Mr. Jordanger is a republican and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Norwegian Lutheran church. He has never sought nor desired otlice, preferring to concentrate his energies and attention upon his business affairs, and in addition to farming he is a stockholder in the Kanawha creamery and the Kanawha elevator. He believes in that cooperation among farmers which is doing much to improve agri- cultural conditions, and throughout his entire life he has been actuated by a spirit of progress that has brought splendid results. He is today one of the foremost citizens of Hancock county and his ability has been demonstrated in his very substantial success.
IVER G. FJILLAND.
Iver G. Fjilland is one of the worthy citizens that Norway has furnished Winnebago county and although he came to the new world in limited eireum- stances he is now the owner of a good farm on section 33, Logan township, where he now makes his home. Ile was born in the stift of Bergen, Norway, February 19, 1864, a son of Gunder and Greta Fjilland. The mother is now deceased but the father is living and still continues to reside in the land of the midnight sun. Much of his life has been passed upon the water as a sailor but he has also followed the occupation of farming as a means of livelihood. The parents had seven children, five of whom are living at the present time, namely : Gunder, whose home is near Westport, Washington; Sineva, the wife of Torgen E. Fjilland of Bergen, Norway; Iver G., of this review; Halvor, now in Alaska; and Thomas, a resident of Bergen, Norway.
Iver G. Fjilland was reared and educated in his native land and was twenty years of age when he came alone to America. For eleven years he worked as a farm hand in Winneshiek county, Iowa, and later spent a year and a half in the state of Washington. On his return to Iowa in 1897 he located in Winnebago
545
WINNEBAGO AND HANCOCK COUNTIES
county and purchased his present farm, becoming owner of the south half of the northeast quarter and the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 33, Logan township whereon he still resides.
In 1906 Mr. Fjilland married Miss Josephine Hasted, a daughter of John and Serena Hasted of Logan township, but now living in Eden township, Winne- bago county. Mr. and Mrs. Fjilland are earnest and consistent members of the Synod Lutheran church and are widely and favorably known in this locality. The republican party finds in Mr. Fjilland a stanch supporter of its principles and for eight years he efficiently served as township clerk.
CHARLES O. OLSON.
Charles O. Olson, well known in Lake Mills, is now living retired, although for many years he was actively connected with the farming interests of Winnebago county, his well directed energy, thrift and enterprise bringing to him the success that now enables him to enjoy many of life's comforts. He was born in Dane county, Wisconsin. December 29, 1860, a son of O. E. and Louise ( Kneberg) Nel- son, who were natives of Norway and in 1847 came to the new world, settling in Dane county. Wisconsin, where the father followed the occupation of farming until his death. He passed away, however, in the same year in which his son Charles was born (1860), while his widow survived until November, 1887.
Charles O. Olson was reared and educated in the county of his nativity, spend- ing his youthful days with his grandparents, with whom he remained until he attained his majority. He then rented land in Dane county which he continued to cultivate until 1888, when he removed to Winnebago county and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 28, Newton township. With charac- teristic energy he began to till and improve the farm and his business affairs were so carefully and wisely managed that each year he was able to add to his savings and at length he bought one hundred and sixty acres more on section 9, Newton township. He continued to cultivate both places until 1913, when he retired from active farm work but still continued to occupy the old homestead for three years more. In 1916, however, he removed to Lake Mills and purchased a nice residence in the north part of the town. There he still resides and is enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. He rents both of his farms and from these properties derives a substantial annual income. While upon the farm he made a business of raising hogs and shipped a carload and a half annually. He also engaged in dairying and at times milked thirty cows. Ile is now a stock- holder in the Leland Creamery Company.
On April 17, 1880, Mr. Olson was united in marriage to Miss Mary Beck- jordan and to them were born nine children: Bennie M., Gust O., Clarence E., Josie Emma, Walter S., Palmer Carl and Mqrtle L. I., all of whom are yet at home; and Josephine and Charlotte, who died in infancy.
Mr. Olson has long given stalwart support to the republican party. He served as road overseer in Newton township and for many years filled the office of school director, taking an active interest in upbuilding the educational facilities of the district. The family are members of the United Lutheran church. Mr. Olson's
ii-27
.
546
WINNEBAGO AND HANCOCK COUNTIES
life has long been guided by high and honorable principles, making him a man whom to know is to respect and honor. In all of his business affairs he has been found to be thoroughly reliable and his diligence and determination have brought to him the success which is now his.
ANTON WEILAND.
Anton Weiland, who is engaged in general farming on section 22, Orthe) township, Hancock county, was born in Germany on the 1st of July, 1868, and is a son of John B. and Tillie ( Krull) Weiland, who were also natives of that country. At the usual age the son heeame a pupil in the publie schools, which he attended until he reached the age of fourteen years. Tle came to America in 1883, when a youth of fifteen, and for about fourteen years was a resident of Grundy county, lowa. Later he established his home in Hancock county, where he rented land for eight years, and while thus engaged he carefully saved his earnings until he had an amount large enough to enable him to purchase property. Ile first bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 22, Orthe} ,township, and since that time has added a tract of eighty aeres on section 16. Ile is therefore the owner of two hundred and forty acres and the farm consti- tutes one of the valuable places of the district. He has brought his land to a high state of cultivation and has added to it many substantial improvements. On the 25th of February, 1895, Mr. Weiland was married to Miss Hattie Wichman, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Everett and Cornelia (Heinega)}) Wiehman, who were natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Weiland have six children : John, Everett, Theodore, George, Clarence and Richard, all yet at home.
Politically Mr. Weiland is a republican, and while he has never sought nor desired political office he has served as school director. His life is actuated by the teachings of the German Reformed church, of which he is a member. For more than a third of a century he has lived on this side the Atlantie and he has ever stood for progress and improvement in community affairs, while he has made his farm activities the expression of modern advancement in the work of the fields.
L. T. THOMPSON.
L. T. Thompson is now living retired after years of active and well directed business effort-effort that not only brought to him substantial suecess but also contributed to public prosperity. lle was born in Norway, April 23, 1859, a son of Thorston and Thora Thompson, who were also natives of the land of the mid- night sun. The father came to America in 1866, bringing with him his wife and children, at which time the family home was established in Madison, Wisconsin, where they lived for three years. In 1869 a removal was made to Albert Lea. Minnesota, and the following year they came to Winnebago county, settling on a farm near Benson Grove, where the father purchased a tract of land which he
547
WINNEBAGO AND HANCOCK COUNTIES
carefully tilled and cultivated, he and his wife both spending their remaining days upon that place. They had a family of three sons: L. T .; llans, living on the old homestead ; and Ole, a farmer of Mount Valley township.
L. T. Thompson was reared and educated in Winnebago county and supple- mented his eommon school training by college work. He afterward took up the profession of teaching and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, called him to public office and for twelve years he filled the office of county surveyor, his long retention in the position indicating the capability with which he discharged his duties. Mr. Thompson also gave his attention to farming and stock raising for several years and in all that he has undertaken he has won snecess. In his vocabulary there is no such word as fail, and when he starts out to attain a given end he is never content until he accomplishes his purpose. He became one of the organizers of the Farmers Savings Bank of Leland and still remains its vice president. Ile has been one of the organizers of nearly all of the cooperative business interests of the county, ineluding the Cooperative Elevator and the Mutual Insurance Company, serving at one time as president of the latter. If was Mr. Thompson who shipped the first two car loads of tile to the county. Ile recognized what would be the value of adequate and scientifie drainage and he supervised the digging of several miles of drainage ditches.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.