USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 6
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 6
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
In May, 1891, Mr. Gettis was married to Miss Maggie Scanlon, a daughter of Patrick and Johanna ( Mulvahill) Scanlon, who were natives of Ireland and came to America at an early day. The father engaged in railroad building and was one of the pioneers of this section of the state. He bought land in Linden town- ship and thereafter devoted his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits. Ile passed away in March, 1909, while his wife survived only until February, 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Gettis have become the parents of six children: Sarah, who is the
59
WINNEBAGO AND HANCOCK COUNTIES
wife of R. T. Norvet, of Forest City ; Ethel, the wife of Harry Anderson, a farmer living near Leland, Iowa; Callie B., who is teaching school in Newion township ; Patrick, at home; and Cora and Dora, twins.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Gettis has given his allegiance to the repub lican party and he is now serving for the second term as a trustee of Newton town ship. He has also been for eight years a member of the school board and believes in giving the young every opportunity for advancement along educational lines, that they may be well qualified for the practical and responsible duties of life. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church, according to whose teachings his life has been directed, and Mrs. Gettis is a Catholic. He enjoys high regard, not only as a successful business man but as a patriotie citizen and as one whose life has at all times measured up to high standards.
CHARLES D. SMITH.
Charles D. Smith, of Lake Mills, Iowa, has reached the advanced age of eighty- five years and is living retired, enjoying the fruits of his former well directed labor. He came to Winnebago county in early manhood and, being well pleased with the opportunities offered here, east in his lot with that of this then new and undeveloped section and as the years have passed he has watched with pleasure the progress that has been made as the raw prairie and scattered settlers' homes have given place to highly improved farms and up-to-date, hustling towns and cities. He was born in Washington county, Vermont, November 26, 1832, a son of Alvin and Amanda (Barnett) Smith, also natives of the Green Mountain state. The parents removed to Winnebago county five years after their son, Charles D., had taken up his residence here and the father engaged in farming in the county until his death. Ile was long survived by his wife, who passed away in 1908. Both are buried in Sunnyside cemetery at Lake Mills. To them were born seven children, of whom three survive, namely : Charles D .; William D., who is living near Lake Mills; and Norman, of Spokane, Washington.
Charles D. Smith received a common school education in Vermont and when sixteen years of age began working for others, so continuing for a number of years. In 1856 he came to Winnebago county and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Center township, to which he subsequently added by pur- chase, owning at one time five hundred acres. The greater part of his home farm has since been sold as lots but he still retains forty acres, upon which he raises the usual erops. Ile also owns other land, his total holdings at present being three hundred acres. While actively engaged in agricultural pursuits he ranked as one of the most businesslike and progressive farmers of the county and he brought his land to a high state of cultivation. He was also engaged in the milling busi- ness for a considerable period, having built a flour mill in Lake Mills in 1866 in partnership with S. D. Wadsworth. He is a director in the Farmers State Bank.
On the 26th of February, 1863, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Janet Smith, who was born in Canada in 1835 and who died on the 25th of March, 1915. She is buried in the Sunnyside cemetery. To their union were born six children,
60
WINNEBAGO AND HANCOCK COUNTIES
namely : Walter (., who is living near Marshalltown, Iowa ; Anna J., now the wife of Iloratins Hastings, of Boston, Massachusetts: Emeline, deceased ; Charles W., who is married and lives at Lake Mills; Bessie J., the deceased wife of A. J. Durgan, of St. Cloud, Minnesota ; and Hattie, who died when young.
Mr. Smith is a democrat in politics and has filled a number of positions of honor. He was township trustee for a number of years, was county supervisor for eight years, was a member of the town council for ten years and was the first mayor of Lake Mills, serving for a term of two years. His official record is one that will bear the closest serutiny, for he at all times discharges his duties with an eye single to the publie welfare and with the same careful attention to all details that he gave to the management of his farm. Ilis friends are found in all parts of the country and he receives the honor to which his long and well spent life entitles him.
N. E. ISAACS.
N. E. Isaacs, who has made a highly creditable record as president of the First National Bank of Thompson, Iowa, was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, July 23. 1872, a son of John and Carrie ( Olson) Isaacs, natives of Norway. The father came to America when fifteen years old on a sailing vessel that required fifteen weeks to make the trip. le engaged in farming in Wisconsin for several years and then entered the drug business, but at the time of the Civil War he enlisted in a Wisconsin regiment and for three years and two months was at the front. In 1881 he removed to Forest City, Winnebago county, fowa, and there conducted a general store for a long period. For two terms he served as county auditor and gave to the discharge of his publie duties the same careful attention that he always devoted to his business interests. He is now living retired at Forest City at the age of seventy-seven years and his wife also survives. She was brought by her parents to the United States when a child of two years.
N. E. Isaacs was reared and educated in Winnebago county and after grad- nating from the Forest City schools went to Dixon, Illinois, where he took a com- mercial course. On his return to Forest City he worked for six months in the county auditor's office and then taught school for two terms in Norway township. after which he was for six months clerk in a department store in Madison, Minne- sota. In 1894 he came to Thompson, lowa, and accepted the position of book- keeper in a private bank here conducted by Thompson Brothers. He remained there for three years, during which time he was promoted to assistant cashier. On the 2d of January, 1897, however, he joined with F. W. Thompson, Hon. G. S. Gilbertson, Hon. (. H. Kelly and others in the organization of the First National Bank of Thompson and became the assistant cashier of the institution. In a short time he was made eashier, later became vice president and for a number of years has been president of the bank, which is capitalized for fifty thousand dollars, has a surplus of twenty-five thousand dollars and deposits of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The bank is housed in its own building, a fine modern structure on Main street. At the time of its organization the First National bought out the Farmers Savings Bank, which had a capital stock of ten thousand
63
WINNEBAGO AND HANCOCK COUNTIES
dollars. Having been connected with the First National in an official capacity during its entire existence, Mr. Isaacs has played an important part in the formu- lation of its policy and in its development and there is no phase of its business with which he is not familiar. lle keeps in elose touch with the financial and commercial conditions in the bank's territory and seeks to make it of the utmost possible service to its patrons, while at the same time safeguarding the funds entrusted to it. He owns valuable farm lands in Winnebago county and is also a stockholder and treasurer of the Farmers Elevator Company and the Farmers Creamery Company and a stockholder in the Opera House Association.
Mr. Isaacs was married in September, 1897, to Miss Josie Jacobson, a daughter of lIon. Jacob and Josie Jacobson, both of whom were born in lowa. They are now, however, residents of Minnesota, where the father was a pioneer settler and where he has long been recognized as a leader in public affairs. For sixteen years he served as a member of the state legislature and at one time was the nominee of the republican party for governor, but was defeated by Hon. JJohn S. Johnson, the democratie candidate. To Mr. and Mrs. Isaacs have been born seven children, namely: Carol, eighteen years of age; Ruth, fourteen years old; Roy, ten : Carmen, seven ; Margaret, four : Milton, who was killed in an automobile accident when five years old ; and Fern, who met an accidental death when a year old.
Mr. Isaacs is a stanch advocate of republican principles and loyally supports the candidates of that party at the polls. For twelve years he has served upon the town council and in that connection has worked constantly for the public interest. lle is a member of the Congregational church and can always be depended upon to support measures seeking to advance the moral welfare of his community. As a banker and as a publie-spirited citizen he has done much to further the advancement of Thompson and is deservedly held in the highest esteem by all who know him.
NELS OLSON BERGAN.
Nels Olson Bergan, deceased, was one of the honored pioneers and represen- tative farmers of Hancock county, his home being at Ellington township, where his family still reside. Ile was born in Janesville, Wisconsin, on the 1st of April, 1853, and his parents were of Norwegian birth. In early life they came to this country and were among the pioneers of Wisconsin. Our subject was only a year old, however, when the family removed to Clayton county, Iowa, where he lived up to his twenty-first year, in the meantime attending the distriet schools as he . found opportunity.
On the 7th of June, 1874, Mr. Bergan married Miss Jane Halvorson, a dangh- ter of Lars Halvorson, who was one of the pioneer settlers of Clayton county and a sister of Ole Halvorson, a prominent farmer and old time resident of Ellington township, Hancock county. To Mr. and Mrs. Bergan were born ten children, of whom eight survive, namely: Ole N .; Lena, the wife of Thove Thoveson, of Ellington township, Hancock county; Lewis, a farmer of the same township; Anna, the wife of William Fogue, a farmer of Ellington township; Julia, the wife of Albert A. Olson, a farmer of the same township; Henry, at home: Benjamin, a
64
WINNEBAGO AND HANCOCK COUNTIES
farmer of Cerro Gordo county, Iowa ; and Emma, at home. The sons, Ole N. and Henry are now operating the home farm.
Immediately following his marriage Mr. Bergan brought his bride to Hancock county and that summer worked for wages, but in 1875 purchased forty acres of the home farm in Ellington township, where he continued to reside up to the time of his death. Some years after his first modest purchase he bought a tract of one hundred and sixty acres adjoining, so that the farm then consisted of two hundred acres, to which the family have added ten acres since his death. He also owned another farm of one hundred and forty acres on sections 23 and 24, Ellington township, and was numbered among the most successful and substantial farmers of his community. Hle was also a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company of Forest City and the Farmers Elevator Company and . Farmers Cooperative Creamery Company of Ventura.
After a useful and well spent life Mr. Bergan passed away on the 17th of February, 1917, honored and respected by all who knew him. He was a member of the United Unthearn church, to which his wife and family also belong, and h. well merited the confidence and trust reposed in him by his fellow citizens. For Forty-three years he was a resident of Hancock county and he therefore witnessed almost its entire development and in its upbuilding he bore an important part.
ROBERT W. CLARK.
Robert W. Clark, a well known and highly esteemed citizen of Thompson, is a native of Kentucky, born July 25, 1851, and is a son of Robert and Marion (Laurie) Clark, who came to this country from Scotland- their native land-in 1840 and located in Cincinnati, Ohio, where they spent two or three years. The father was a machinist by trade but also followed farming and on leaving Cincin- nati removed to Kentucky, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for some time. Later he became a resident of Cumberland county. Illinois, where he pur- chased land and followed farming until life's labors were ended in November. 1882. The mother of our subject had passed away in September, 1855.
Robert W. Clark was reared and educated in Cumberland county, Ilinois, and he remained with his father until he attained his majority, in the meantime becoming thoroughly familiar with all kinds of farm work. He then engaged in farming on his own account. Coming to Towa in 1881 he located in Jasper county, where he engaged in the operation of rented land for a few years, and then purchased a farm, whereon he lived for three years. At the end of that time he removed to Hancock county, Iowa, where he farmed on rented land for nine years, and then became the owner of ninety-four acres of land four miles north of Thompson in Winnebago county, which he improved and cultivated for four years. On selling that farm he again rented land for two years and afterward bought his present place of fourteen acres inside the corporation limits of Thompson. Owing to an accident which required the amputation of his right leg, he has been com- pelled to abandon extensive farming operations. Ile is a stockholder of the Town Mutual Telephone Company.
In September, 1874. Mr. Clark married Miss Emily Potts, by whom he has had
65
WINNEBAGO AND HANCOCK COUNTIES
five children, namely : Ruth, now the wife of C. E. Harden, of Buffalo Center. lowa; Frances. at home; Bessie, a trained nurse now connected with the Central Hospital at Chicago, Illinois; Lewis A., a farmer of Cass county, Minnesota; and Maggie, who married II. F. Holle and died in September, 1912.
The family attend the Congregational church, of which Mrs. Clark and daughters are members, and have a wide circle of friends and acquaintances in. Thompson. Mr. Clark also affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and casts his ballot with the republican party.
R. E. HANSON, M. D. V.
Dr. R. E. Hanson, engaged in the practice of veterinary surgery in Forest City, was born in Winnebago county, February 25, 1881, a son of N. P. and Pauline (. Hanson, both of whom are natives of Denmark. They came to the United States in the '70s and both are still living. The father is a blacksmith by trade and in following that pursuit provided for the support of his family, numbering a wife and six children, all of whom still survive, the family circle being yet un- broken by the hand of death.
Dr. Ilanson was reared and educated in Winnebago county and supplemented his public school education by three years' study in the Ames Agricultural College at Ames, Iowa. He also spent a year as a student in a veterinary college at Chicago and was graduated in 1910. Ile then opened an office in Forest City, where he has since been located, and through the intervening period his practice has steadily grown in extent and in importance. In 1910 he was appointed to the position of assistant state veterinarian, a position which he has since continuously filled.
Dr. Hanson was married in 1914 to Miss Minnie M. Larson, a native of Winnebago county, and they have become the parents of two daughters, Margaret and Geneva. Dr. and Mrs. Hanson attend the Lutheran church and he gives his political support to the republican party. He is also a member of Forest City Lodge, No. 440, I. O. O. F., in which he has filled all the chairs, being recognized as a worthy representative of that order. His attention, however, is chiefly given to his professional duties and he has shown marked capability in his chosen line.
ROLAND E. ROLANDS.
Roland E. Rolands, who is now carrying on agricultural pursuits with marked success, has spent his entire life on the old home farm on section 23, Norway township, Winnebago county, where he was born on the 10th of September, 1871, a son of Andrew and Ragnilda (Orvaldahl) Rolandson, natives of Norway. The father was eighteen years of age when he came alone to the United States and after spending a few years in Chicago, Illinois, came to Iowa. Hle first located in Winneshiek county, where he was subsequently married. There he purchased a farm and engaged in its operation until 1869, when he removed to Winnebago county, here becoming owner of the west half of the southeast quarter of section 23
66
WINNEBAGO AND HANCOCK COUNTIES
and the west half of the northeast quarter of section 26, Norway township. Upon this place he continued to make his home throughout the remainder of his life. He died on the 17th of January, 1885, and was laid to rest in the Lime Creek Lutheran church cemetery. Although he came to this country in limited circum- stanees he prospered in his farming operations and became quite well-to-do through his own persistent efforts. Politically he was a republican and religiously was an earnest and consistent member of the Synod Lutheran church. His widow is still living and makes her home with her son, Roland, at the age of eighty-three years. In the family were ten children, of whom seven survive, but Roland and his brother John are the only ones now living in Winnebago county.
Roland E. Rolands, the youngest of the family, received a limited education in the early schools of his locality, which he attended as he found opportunity until sixteen years of age. Ilis training at farm labor, however, was not so meager, and he assisted in the operation of the home place until twenty-six, at which time he received title to the west half of the southeast quarter of section 23 and the north half of the west half of the northeast quarter of section 26. Ilere he continues to make his home and has met with good success as an agriculturist.
In 1902 Mr. Rolands was united in marriage to Miss Anna Auson, a daughter of Iver and Ture Auson, who came to this country from Norway in early life and were married in the United States. They were among the early settlers of Norway township, Winnebago county, lowa, and Mrs. Auson is still living on the home farm. Her husband is deceased and is buried in the United Lutheran cemetery near Emmons. Mr. and Mrs. Rolands have six living children, Edna, Iver, Rag- nold, Thomas, Reuben and Clayton, while Russell died at the age of two years and was buried in the Lime Creek Church cemetery. The family hold membership in the Synod Lutheran church and in politics Mr. Rolands is identified with the repub- liean party. Those who have known him from boyhood are numbered among his warmest friends and he has the confidence and high regard of all with whom he has been brought in contaet either in business or social life.
CHARLES H. LACKORE.
Charles II. Lackore, a banker and merchant of Hayfield, well known as a prominent and valued representative of the business interests of Haneoek county, was born at Forest City, Iowa, August 12, 1862, and is one of the family of eight children, of whom five are yet living, born of the marriage of. George W. and Mary J. (Ball) Lackore. The father was a native of New York and the mother of Indiana. They became residents of Forest City, Iowa, in 1852, removing there from Chicago, and afterward took up their abode upon a farm in Winnebago county. Subsequently they removed to Hancock county, where the father continued to engage in general agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1910. Ilis widow still survives at the age of seventy-four years.
Charles 11. Lackore pursued his education in the schools of Forest City, pass- ing through consecutive grades to his graduation from the high school, after which he attended college. Later he went to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he took up telegraphy and railroad work and was engaged along that line for eighteen years.
67
WINNEBAGO AND HANCOCK COUNTIES
Subsequently he conducted a grain and coal business at Hayfield, Iowa, where he built the first elevator of the town. In 1902 he resigned from his railroad position and concentrated his efforts and attention upon the hardware trade and the banking business, in which he has since been engaged. Of the Bank of Hayfield he is the cashier and the active manager and head of the undertaking. His business affairs are wisely and carefully conducted. He is systematic in all that he does and dis- plays sound judgment in solving intricate business problems. In addition to his financial and commercial interests at Hayfield he is identified with the agricultural life of this section of the state, being the owner of two farms of one hundred and sixty acres each, which are splendidly improved and which are now being operated by his sons.
On the 31st of December, 1890, Mr. Lackore was married to Miss Matilda Johnson, a native of Sweden, who came to America when but five years of age. They have a family of twelve children: Clarence M .; Earl R., a bookkeeper, now a resident of Indiana; Pearl G .; Harris: Norman; Clark; Gladys; Sylvia; Clay- ton; Mabel; and two that died in infancy. The parents attend the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Lackore gives his political endorsement to the republican party and has filled several local offices. He has been assessor and became the first postmaster of Hayfield, which position he filled for five years. Ile has likewise been one of the school directors and is now treasurer of the school board. He takes a very prominent and active part in public affairs of his community and is justly accounted one of the valued and influential citizens of his township and county. Moreover, in a business way he has achieved much, for he started out in life empty handed and by persistent effort and energy has reached the position which he now fills as one of the resourceful men of Hancock county.
JEREMIAH J. LEEHY.
Jeremiah J. Leehy, interested in general farming on seetion 6, Concord town- ship, Hancock county, has a productive tract of rich land which is now quite valuable, although he paid for it only twenty-two dollars per acre. The increase in land values is an indication not only of the settlement of the county but also of the practical and progressive methods which have been followed by its farmers in the development and cultivation of their fields. Mr. Leehy has led a life of industry and whatever success he has achieved and enjoyed is the result of his intelligently directed effort. He was born in Ireland, May 1, 1858, a son of J. J. and Johanna ( Foley) Leehy, who in 1860 came to the new world with their family and settled in Waterloo, Jefferson county, Wisconsin.
There the son acquired a public school education and in his early youth he worked with his father on the home farm and at odd jobs. He was twelve years of age when he went east to Boston, where he remained for several years. He after- ward purchased a ticket to San Francisco, for which he paid one hundred and ten dollars, and, making his way to the Pacific coast, he was there employed in a wholesale liquor house for four years. Returning eastward, he again took up his abode at Waterloo, Wisconsin, where he remained for two years and then came to Garner, Hancock county. For six years he engaged in farming upon rented land
ii-4
68
WINNEBAGO AND HANCOCK COUNTIES
and during that period he carefully saved his earnings until he had a sufficient sum to enable him to purchase property. Accordingly he invested in one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 6. Concord township, for which he paid twenty- two dollars per acre. He has also since become the owner of four hundred and eighty aeres in Jackson county, South Dakota, of which he homesteaded three hun- dred and twenty acres and bought one hundred and sixty acres, so that altogether he owns six hundred and forty acres of very desirable land. For some years he operated a threshing machine and made money in that connection. He has gained a place among the substantial farmers of the county.
Mr. Leehy was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Lynch, a daughter of Richard and Bridget (Holland) Lynch, who were natives of Ireland. They crossed the Atlantic to Canada in 1847 and were married in Montreal in 1850. They came to the United States in 1853, establishing their home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where they resided until their removal to Garner forty-five years ago, at which time there were only two houses in the town. Mr. and Mrs. Leeby have but one child. James T., who lives at home. Their religious faith is that of the Catholic church and in politics Mr. Leehy is a democrat. He has lived a life of industry, working hard in order to gain a start and then carefully directing his labors until his persistency of purpose has gained him a creditable position among the representative farmers of Hancock county.
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.