USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 54
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 54
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Mr. Thompson is not affiliated with any political party but stands for progress and improvement in public affairs and has been called upon to serve in the town- ship offices. IIe belongs to the Lutheran church and has guided his life according to its teachings. He is truly a self-made man and he deserves much eredit for what he has accomplished. He is reaping the benefit of his earnest toil and with a handsome competence aequired through persistent, earnest labor he is now living retired in the enjoyment of the comforts of life.
J. J. RUSLEY.
Business enterprise, sound judgment and unfaltering industry find expression in the life record of J. J. Rusley, now a valued and representative farmer of Mount Valley township, Winnebago county, living on section 11. He was born on the farm where he now makes his home and which he now owns, his natal day being February 12, 1873. His parents were John K. and Sarah (Jacobson) Rusley, both of whom were natives of Norway, where they were reared and mar- ried. In 1864 they came to the United States, settling in Dane county, Wisconsin, where they resided, however, for only two years. They then became residents of Freeborn county, Minnesota, establishing their home near Twin Lakes, where they lived for two years. In 1868 they arrived in Winnebago county, lowa, and purchased the farm which now constitutes the home place of J. J. Rusley. There the father took up his abode and spent his remaining days, giving his time, thought and energies to the further development and improvement of the land until his life's labors were ended in death on the 15th of February, 1909. For three years he had survived his wife, who passed away February 12, 1906.
J. J. Rusley obtained his education in the district schools, his time being
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divided between his textbooks and the work of the fields. In 1895, after reaching his twenty-second year, he took charge of the home farm and continued to operate the place until 1901, when he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 12, Mount Valley township. To this he removed and for eight years continued its cultivation. In 1909, after his father's death, he purchased the home farm and returned to the place of his birth. He has since lived thereon with the exception of two years spent in Joice, Worth county. However, he still retains the ownership of both farms and is regarded today as one of the sub- stantial agriculturists and leading men of Mount Valley township. His property returns to him a gratifying annual income and in all business affairs he displays sound judgment and keen discrimination. In the spring of 1915 he removed to Joice and for two years he was there engaged in the buying and shipping of live stock but in the spring of 1917 returned to the home farm. He is now a stock- holder in the Lake Mills Lumber Company and a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company of Joice.
In 1901 Mr. Rusley was united in marriage to Miss Tomine Ramsey, her father being T. T. Ramsey, a prominent agriculturist of Worth county, Iowa. They now have five children, namely : Truman, Selmer, Glenn, Irene and Ruth, the eldest being in his fifteenth year.
Mr. Rusley gives his political allegiance to the republican party and for four years he served as a member of the board of township trustees. He was also a mem- ber of the town council of Joice when residing there and he is a recognized leader in local party ranks. For two years he served as chairman of the republican central committee of Mount Valley township and he does all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of the party, believing that its platform contains the best elements of good government. lle and his family are members of the United Lutheran church and are widely and favorably known in the community where they make their home. During an active business career Mr. Rusley has worked his way steadily upward and at all times and in every relation of life he has displayed those traits which make for honorable manhood and citizenship.
K. K. KILAND.
K. K. Kiland is now living retired at Lake Mills but for a considerable period was closely connected with the agricultural interests of Winnebago county and his enterprise, industry and perserverance brought to him the success that now enables him to rest from further labor in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. Hle was born in Norway on the 10th of August, 1847, a son of K. H. and Aase Kiland, who were also natives of that country. The father was a farmer of Norway, where he spent his entire life, there passing away in 1864. Ilis wife survived until 1875.
Their son, K. K. Kiland, was reared and educated in his native land and was there employed as a farm hand until 1869, when at the age of twenty-one years he determined to come to America, feeling that he might have better oppor- tunities on this side the Atlantic. He first settled in Dane county, Wisconsin, where he was employed until he came to Winnebago county in 1872, at which
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time he purchased eighty acres of land in Newton township. This he improved and cultivated for four years and then sold that property, after which he bought a farm in Center township. Subsequently he added to his holdings until he now owns two hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land on section 19, Center township, which he has brought to a high ¿state of cultivation, making many splendid improvemenis thereon. Ile continued actively to operate his farm until 1915, when he retired and removed to Lake Mills, where he has since made his home. His life has been one of diligence and determination, and his labors have brought to him a substantial measure of success, placing him among the well-to-do citizens of Winnebago county.
In December, 1870, Mr. Kiland was united in marriage to Miss Anna Hanson, and to them were born three children, but all died in infancy, and the wife and mother passed away in June, 1890. On the 1st of June, 1891, Mr. Kiland was married to Miss Anna M. Holland and they became the parents of three sons: Clarence A., who was born May 30, 1892, and died on the 6th of September, 1903; Orville M., who was born May 11, 1894, and is now operating the home farm; and Conrad A., who was born September 25, 1896, and is now serving in the United States navy.
While Mr. Kiland has retired from active farm work, he still has business connections, being a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company, in the Lake Mills Creamery Company, the Lake Mills Lumber Company and the Leland Elevator Company. Ile is a man of good business judgment and his affairs have been so carefully conducted that he has won a very gratifying measure of success. In all of his dealings he has been thoroughly reliable as well as progressive, and his fellow townsmen speak of him in terms of high regard. Ilis religious faith is that of the Lutheran church and he exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party. Mr. Kiland has lived in Winnebago county from pioneer times, having for forty-five years been a witness of the growth and development of this section of the state. He has contributed in no small measure to publie progress and improvement and there is no feature of the county's development with which he is not familiar. He can relate many interesting incidents of the early days when homes were widely scattered, when there were large tracts of land uncultivated and when the farmers had to depend mostly upon their own efforts and the assistance of their neighbors, as it was a long distance to market and there was comparatively little ready money in the county. Mr. Kiland has lived to witness remarkable changes, for Winnebago county is now populated by a prosperous and contented people, many of whom have won their success within the borders of the county.
DR. A. O. MOSSTAD.
Dr. A. O. Mosstad, of Lake Mills, has built up a large practice as a veterinary surgeon and is highly esteemed not only as a representative of his profession but also as a citizen. for he has thoroughly identified his interests with those of his eity. He was born in Norway, JJanuary 1, 1864, the ninth in a family of ten children whose parents were Ole and Hannah ( Orskow) Mosstad. The father
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engaged in farming during his active life and passed away in his native country when seventy-eight years old. The mother reached the venerable age of ninety-six years.
A. O. Mosstad attended the common schools until he was confirmed and later worked on farms for others. At length ho purchased land which he operated, and while living in Norway he prepared for the practice of veterinary surgery. At the age of twenty-eight years he came to the United States and is the only one of the family to emigrate to this country. He at once made his way to Winnebago county, Iowa, and bought one hundred and sixty aeres, which he farmed for two years, or until the death of his wife. He then began the practice of his profession but continued to reside upon the farm for five years, after which he removed to Lake Mills, where he has since resided. He has been very successful in his practice and has prospered financially, being now one of the substantial men of his city.
In Norway Mr. Mosstad was married to Miss Olena Steivold, whose parents remained lifelong residents of Norway, To Mr. and Mrs. Mosstad were born nine children, of whom six survive: Andreana and Carline, both residents of St. Paul, Minnesota ; Ole, who is farming near Walters, Minnesota ; Lena, now Mrs. Charles Sends, of Spokane, Washington : Edward, a resident of St. Paul ; and Hannah, the wife of Abner Peters, of Forest City, lowa. The wife and mother passed away and is buried near Thompson, Winnebago county. Mr. Mosstad chose for his second wife Miss Mary Gunderson, a daughter of Olaf and Helena Gunderson, of Mount Valley township, this county, both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Mosstad died in 1907 and is buried in the United Intheran cemetery at Lake Mills. She left a daughter, Emma, who is still at home. Dr. Mosstad was married a third time, choosing as his wife Anna Engeland, a daughter of John and Britta Engeland, who lived and died in Norway.
The Doctor is a republican in politics but although he takes the interest of a good citizen in all publie affairs he has never been an office seeker. Ile is a com- municant of the United Lutheran church and its teachings have guided his life in all its relations. He has many warm friends and his salient qualities are such as have always commanded respect and regard.
SEVER GUNDERSON.
Sever Gunderson, living upon a farm on section 2, Center township, was born in Kongsvinger, Norway, March 14, 1872, a son of Gunder and Caroline D. (Holmen) Severson, who were also natives of that country. The father there followed the occupation of farming and never came to America, passing away in his native land in 1883, while his wife died there in the year 1878.
Sever Gunderson spent his first twelve years in his native country and then came to America with relatives in 1884, at which time Worth county, Iowa, was made their destination. lle had begun his education in Norway and he continued to attend school in Worth county during the winter seasons, during which periods he worked for his board. In the sunner months he was employed at farm labor. In early manhood he turned his attention to the meat business, peddling meat in Worth county. The year 1894 witnessed his arrival in Winnebago county, at
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which time he secured employment in a meat market at Lake Mills. After a short period he purchased an interest in the business, becoming a partner of L. J. Holland, with whom he was thus associated for five years. Later he retired, but after two years out of business he purchased another meat market, which he conducted for a decade, meeting with substantial success in that under- taking. lle afterward turned his attention to farming, purchasing eighty acres of land on seetion 2, Center township, within the corporation limits of Lake Mills. He has since given his attention to the improvement of the place, devoting his energies to its further development for six years. He is also a stockholder in the Lake Mills Lumber Company, the Farmers Elevator Company and the Lake Mills Creamery Company and he also owns a gravel pit, furnishing gravel to the town of Lake Mills.
On the 16th of February, 1898, Mr. Gunderson was married to Miss Julia O. Sunderland and they have become parents of eight children, namely : Ole R., George L .; Gladys S .; Alfred ; Selmer G .; Joseph R .; Carl, who died in infancy ; and Clara.
In religious faith the parents are connected with the United Lutheran church, in which Mr. Gunderson has served as a trustee, and he is now one of the members of the school board of Lake Mills. His political endorsement is given to the republican party. His life has been an active and busy one and upon his diligence and determination has been based his success. He has never regretted coming to America in his youthful days, for here he has found the chance for working upward and has based his advancement upon indefatigable industry. Ile has never allowed difficulties nor obstaeles to make him disheartened or discouraged and his persisteney of purpose has brought him to a place among the substantial citizens of C'enter township.
IVAR O. ROSHEIM.
Ivar O. Rosheim, an active, energetic farmer living on section 36, Logan town- ship, was born in Sogn, in the stift of Bergen, Norway, April 6, 1854, his parents being Ole J. and Joroi Hopperstad. The father was an army officer and died when Ivar O. was but six months old, he being an only child. The mother after- ward became the wife of Endre E. Rosheim and by that marriage there were four children : Erik, who is still upon the home farm in Norway; Sarah, the wife of G. Boe, also a farmer of Norway; Olina, the wife of Ellend E. Breke, also of Norway ; and John, who died at the age of nine years.
Ivar O. Rosheim spent the first twenty years of his life in his native land and then came to the United States alone in 1874. He first made his way to Ridgeway, Winneshiek county, Iowa, where he lived for four years, working as a farm hand. In 1848 he arrived in Worth county, Iowa, and was employed at farm labor in Silver Lake township for two years. In 1881 he removed to Logan township, Winnebago county, and invested his earnings in one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 36. It was wild and undeveloped, but he at once began to clear and improve the place and has since devoted his attention to farm work with good success. After a time he purchased one hundred and sixty
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aeres on section 35 and one hundred and sixty acres on section 26, but since then he has deeded one hundred and sixty acres to his sons. Ole and Andrew. His has been a busy, active and useful life and he still owns three hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land, which he has brought under a high state of cultivation and transformed into a very fine farm. He has added many modern improvements in the way of good buildings and equipment and in fact there is no feature of the model farm of the twentieth century that is lacking upon his place.
In 1880 Mr. Roshein was united in marriage to Miss Betsy Knutson, a daughter of Elling and Mary Knutson, who were natives of Norway but were married in Dane county, Wisconsin and were among the earliest pioneer settlers of Worth county, lowa, making their home in Silver Lake township until called to their final rest. Their remains were interred in the Lime Creek United Lutheran cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Rosheim have become the parents of twelve children : Ole, who is engaged in farming in Logan township; Elling I., a practicing dentist of Roland, Iowa; Andrew, also a resident farmer of Logan township: Knut I., a dental student in the Northwestern University at Chicago; John and Isaac, who are cultivating the home farm : Ivar T. and Mary, also at home; Jorgina, the wife of Osear O. Solomison, of Newton township; and Sarah, Anna and Ida, who are students in Luther Academy at Albert Lea, Minnesota.
The parents are members of the North Prairie Synod Lutheran church and in politics Mr. Roshenn is a democrat. He served for several terms as township trustee, but has not been a politician in the sense of office seeking, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs. He has been prompt and faithful in the discharge of all of his duties, however, and his energy and industry have enabled him to work his way steadily upward until he is now numbered among the valued and substantial residents of Winnebago county. Itis life record proves that success is not the result of any especially fortunate cireum- stances, but is the direct reward of earnest, persistent labor, for Mr. Rosheim started out empty-handed and has worked his way steadily upward by diligence and per- severance, becoming ultimately one of the men of allinence in his adopted county.
HERBERT R. CLEOPIAS.
Herbert R. Cleophas is the cashier of the Forest City National Bank and is an alert, enterprising young business man who is making steady progress in the field of finance to which he has turned his attention. He was born in Rock county, Wisconsin, January 6, 1884, a son of Ira and Anna (Stordock) Cleophas, the former a farmer by occupation.
After attending the public schools near his father's home Herbert R. Cleophas pursued a preparatory course of study in Ottawa, Illinois, and for one year was a student of civil engineering in the Lewis Institute of Chicago. He afterward matriculated in the University of Wisconsin, in which he studied for a year, and later he purchased land in North Dakota, where he engaged in dealing in horses for a year. His initial step in banking circles was made in connection with the Kensett Bank at Kensett, Iowa, in which he filled the position of assistant cashier for a year. at the end of which time he was promoted to cashier. In September,
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1913, he arrived in Forest City and was made vice president of the Forest City National Bank, which position he filled until January 12, 1915, when he was chosen cashier.
Mr. Cleophas is well known in fraternal eireles. He belongs to Northern Light Lodge, No. 266. A. F. & A. M .. of Northwood, lowa ; to Heredon Chapter, No. 135, R. A. M., of Northwood; and is also a prominent representative of the Knights of Pythias, having held all of the chairs in the local lodge and served as a member of the grand lodge. He is likewise connected with the Elks of Mason City. His political allegiance is given to the republican party.
K. M. IIAGE.
Norway has sent a large quota of citizens to Winnebago county and they have brought with them the industry and perseverance which characterizes the people of that land. Among those of Norwegian birth now living in Scarville is K. M. Ilage, who for a long period was identified with agricultural interests but since 1912 has lived retired, enjoying a well earned rest. He was born in Voss, in the parish of Vinje, Norway, June 24, 1844, a son of Mikkel and Gertrude (Severson) Hage, who spent their entire lives in their native country. The mother was twice married and by her first union had three children : Nils Knutson, now deceased ; Anna, the wife of John JJolison, of Story county, lowa : and Marie, the wife of Brungila Hefte, who is still living in Norway. The three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hage are: K. M., of this review ; Sever Mikkelson, who resided in Webster county, lowa, but is now deceased; and Peter, who lived in Goodyear county, Minnesota, but has passed away.
K. M. Hage spent the period of his youth in his native country and came to America in 1866, when a young man of twenty-two years. He at once made his way westward to lowa, settling in Story county, where he was employed as a farm hand for two years. He then removed to Winneshiek county, where he engaged in farm work for eight years, and in 1876 he arived in Winnebago county, at which time he rented a farm in Logan township. He lived upon that place for a year and in the following year purchased one hundred and sixty aeres on seetion 22, Logan township, which he cleared and improved, converting it into rich and productive fields. His farm work was carefully and persistently carried on year after year with splendid results. The generous harvests which he gathered brought to him a good financial return and thus as the years went by he added to his savings until his capital was suthicient to enable him to put aside further business cares and activities. He then retired and removed to Searville, where he has since resided, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil.
In 1876 Mr. Ilage was married to Miss Martha Borgo, a daughter of Lars and Inga Borgo, who were natives of Norway and there spent their entire lives. They had a family of seven children: Eda, now the wife of David Olson, of Mason City, Iowa : Minnie, the wife of Ed Torson, of Logan township, Winnebago county ; Louis, who is upon the home farm: Clara, now the wife of Jacob Knutson, of Hanlontown, Iowa ; Martin M., a physician practicing in Thompson, lowa : Sehner,
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living in Saskatchewan, Canada ; and Anna, the wife of Martin Torgeson, of Little Falls, Minnesota.
The parents hold membership in the United Lutheran church and Mr. Hage is interested in all those things which tend to promote the material, intellectual and moral welfare of the community. He has served as school director and for a number of years was road supervisor. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party. His has been an active and well spent life in which he has won a substantial competence as the reward of his earnest and persistent effort. His life record should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, showing what may be accomplished when one has the will to dare and to do, for he came to America empty handed and all that he possesses has been won by him.
HENRY J. MOE.
Henry J. Moe, a resident farmer of Winnebago county, living on section 33, Norway township, was born in Worth county, fowa, September 1, 1874, a son of John S. and Elie ( Ellefson) Moe, who were natives of Norway but came to the United States in early life with their respective parents. The father located in Minnesota, near Brooten, while the mother became a resident of Spring Green, Sauk county, Wisconsin, where her parents spent their remaining days, her father there following the occupation of farming. After living for some time in Minne- sota the Moe family removed to Winnebago county, where the paternal grand- father passed away and was laid to rest in North cemetery at Lake Mills. His wife was buried at Waubay, Day county, South Dakota, where she had lived with her son after her husband's death. For about eight years John S. and Elie Moe made their home in Worth county, Iowa, where they settled in pioneer times. Mr. Moe performed the arduous task of developing a new farm and they met all of the experiences and hardships of life on the frontier. On selling his farm there, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres just east of Lake Mills, in Winnebago county, and lived thereon for eighteen years but at the end of that time again bought his first farm, on which he made his home until his removal to Emmons, Minnesota, just across the state boundary line. He also purchased another farm in Silver Lake township, Worth county, and made many improve- ments on both places. His remains were interred in North cemetery at Lake Mills and his widow is now living at Lake Mills. They became the parents of five children, but two died in infancy. Those still living are : Inger, now the wife of Gilbert Rovang, of Worth county, Iowa; Mary, the wife of Oscar Horvei, of Lake Mills; and flenry J.
The last named acquired his education in the schools of Lake Mills, which he attended to the age of fifteen years. Through the remaining period of his minority he worked with his father upon the home farm in Winnebago county, near Lake Mills. On the 17th of January, 1896, he was united in marriage to Miss Anna forvei, a daughter of Andrew J. and Anna Horvei, of Worth county, where her mother is still living. Her father, however, has passed away and his grave was made in Silver Lake cemetery, Worth county. In their family were
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the following children: Agnes; John : Martha, deceased; Olai ; Christina; Oscar; Anna ; Louis; and Albert, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Moe have become the parents of thirteen children, namely: Alfred; Evelyn; Mabel, who died at the age of nine years; Wilma; Benlah; IFulda; Millie; Carl; Violet; Lillian; Eleanor; Hamlet ; and Myrtle.
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