USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 7
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 7
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ANSON AVERY.
Prominent among the honored early settlers of Hancock county was Anson Avery. he and his wife being the first white family to locate in this county. He was born in Connecticut on the 2d of October, 1822, and in early life went to Cass county, Michigan, where he was united in marriage to Miss Lovina Philo, a native of Ohio, whose birth occurred in Upper Sandusky. January 22, 1831. In 1854 they left their old home in the Buckeye state and started for lowa, traveling westward with ox teams and transporting their household goods in covered wagons. On reaching Hancock county they settled in what is now Avery township. At that time only a very few settlements had been made and the country was all wild and unimproved. During those early days the family endured many hardships and privations but as time passed Mr. Avery steadily prospered in his farming opera- tions and became one of the prosperous citizens of the community. He was always a hard working, home loving man and commanded the respect and confidence of all with whom he came in contaet either in business or social life. He died very suddenly on Sunday, November 22, 1903, while out in the pasture. His estimable wife, who shared with him the hardships of pioneer days, is still living and now makes her home in Goodell.
In the family of this worthy couple were six children as follows: Alice, the oldest, is the wife of Marshall Fuller and resides in Elberta. Arkansas. George. who was the first white male child born in Hancock county. now makes his home in Belmond, lowa. Mary E., married A. W. Schmalle and lives in Garner. Their daughter. Mrs. Gladys A. Bennett, is now connected with the postoffice at Garner, and is a Daughter of the American Revolution, being eligible to that society through
MR. AND MRS. ANSON AVERY
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her great-great-grandfather, Nicholas Haskins, who valiantly fought for the inde- pendence of the colonies. He was the grandfather of Mrs. Anson Avery. Louis G. Avery, the next of the family, is a farmer of Hancock county. Layton reared a family but is now deceased. Charles died in childhood.
THOMAS EGAN.
Thomas Egan is proprietor of the Egan Hotel at Thompson but is, perhaps best known as an auctioneer, as he is in demand for the crying of sales through- out a large part of the states of Iowa and Minnesota. He was born in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, January 27, 1851, of the marriage of Thomas and Catherine (Godfrey) Egan, the former a native of Kings county, Ireland, and the latter of County Tipperarry, Ireland. In 1828 the father crossed the Atlantic to America and for a short time lived in Halifax. Hle next removed to St. Louis, Missouri, whence in 1846 he went to Chicago, where he was engaged in railroad contracting. Still later he lived for a time in Galena, Illinois, and while there went to Chicago and return by stage, as there was then no railroad connection between the two places. On leaving Galena he removed to Jo Daviess county. He was engaged in grading ou the Mineral Point Railroad in Lafayette county, Wisconsin, until the completion of that road and then purchased fifty-three acres of land in that county, on which he resided until his death in March, 1910, when he had reached the advanced age of ninety-three years. Ile had long survived his wife as her death occurred on the 8th of January, 1886.
Thomas Egan was largely reared and educated in Lafayette county, Wisconsin, and remained with his parents until he was twenty-five years old. He then pur- chased a farm in that county but after operating his place for two years turned his attention to railroad contracting, which he followed off and on until 1891, although during three years of that period he devoted practically his entire time to agricultural pursuits. In October, 1891, he went to Mason City, Iowa, where he engaged in teaming for a short time. He also did some county grading at Clear Lake that fall and later in the year came to Thompson, Winnebago county, at which time there was only one store in the town. Ile purchased three quarter sections of land in this locality, but during the panie of 1893 lost his farm holdings. He then took up his residence upon land in the vicinity of Lake Mills and for two years engaged in farming and stock raising there. At the end of that time he became a resident of Thompson and for four years served as postmaster under appointment of President Cleveland. Since his removal to Thompson he has also done some railroad grading, including the work which he did in 1900 for the Rock Island on their line from Armstrong to Estherville. In 1909 he went into the hotel business and the Egan Hotel at Thompson has a reputation of being one of the best hotels to be found in the small towns of Iowa. For the past twenty-six years, however, a great deal of his time and attention has been devoted to auctioneering and he has eried sales all over Iowa and Minnesota, the demand for his service indicating his unusual efficiency in that business. Ile owns land in Sheridan county, North Dakota, and is in excellent financial eir- cumstanees.
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Mr. Egan was married on the 24th of November, 1874, to Miss Catherine Reardon, and they have become the parents of ten children as follows: Mary, the wife of Luke Krynborg of Kincaid, Nebraska; Thomas and George, both of whom are residents of Des Moines, Iowa; James, who was killed in a railroad wreck ; Ellen, who is a trained nurse and a resident of Thompson; Agnes, the wife of John Lloyd of Des Moines; Robert, who is living in Omaha; Joseph S., of Des Moines ; and Clara and Vera, both of whom died in 1901.
Mr. Egan has supported the democratic party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and four times he has been his party's nominee for the office of county sheriff. In religious faith he is a Roman Catholic and in his conduct he has measured up to high ethical standards. He has a wide acquaintance and his dominant qualities are such that his personal friends are many.
THOMAS H. TWITO.
Important business interests are carefully directed by Thomas Il. Twito, an energetic, enterprising man, who has been connected with mercantile and agri- cultural interests in Winnebago county for a number of years. Ile is today occupying a farm on section 10, Center township, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. Ilis residence in the county covers forty-three years and therefore he has been a witness of much of its growth and development. He was born in Muskego, Wisconsin, May 15, 1845, a son of Hans and Ausloug H. (Jacobson) Twito, who were natives of Norway, whence they came to the new world, the mother crossing the Atlantic in 1842, while Mr. Twito made the voyage in 1843. Traveling across the country to Wisconsin, he there purchased land which he cultivated and improved until 1855, when he sold that property and removed to Houston county, Minnesota. In that district he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he also brought to a high state of cultivation, giving his remaining days to its further improvement. Upon that place he passed away in February, 1866, at the age of fifty-five years, while his widow, who long survived him, reached the age of eighty-eight years, her death occurring July 16, 1913.
Thomas 11. Twito was reared and educated in Wisconsin and in Minnesota. spending his youthful days on his father's farms, where he early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. On attaining his majority. which he reached about the time of his father's death, he began farming on his own account on rented land and resided thereon for three years. Ile afterward went to Fillmore county, Minnesota, where he purchased land which he tarmed for three years, and at the same time he engaged in threshing and in breaking land for others. Afterward he went to Emmet county, lowa, where he followed farming, purchasing eighty acres, but the grasshoppers destroyed his crops and he sold his property there. In the fall of 1873 he arrived in Winnebago county and for eleven years thereafter was a resident of Lake Mills, during which period he engaged in the sale of machinery and farm implements. He then took up his abode upon a farm which he had purchased some years before. Ile has cultivated this tract altogether for thirty-three years. It comprises one hundred and thirty-nine acres of rich and productive land on section 10, Center township,
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and is today a finely improved place. He had to clear about twenty-five acres of this land before he could cultivate it. Today the entire tract is converted into productive fields which respond readily to the care and labor which he bestows upon them. His methods are at once practical and progressive and his farm presents a very neat and attractive appearance. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator Company, in the Lake Mills Creamery Company and in the Lake Mills Lumber Company. His investments have been wisely and judiciously placed and bring to him good returns.
In March, 1820, Mr. Twito was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Olson, of Dane county, Wisconsin, and they became the parents of two children : Hilda, now the wife of T. S. Tweed, cashier of the Farmers' State Bank of Lake Mills; and one who died in infancy. The wife and mother passed away in 1874 and on the 14th of May, 1878, Mr. Twito wedded Maggie Hanson, of Racine county, Wiscon- sin. Six children were born of this marriage: Mattie, the wife of Jens Charlson, a resident farmer of Newton township; Amanda, Josie, Hans and Oscar, all at home; and Josie, who died in infancy. Mrs. Twito passed away October 2, 1916, and her death was the occasion of the deepest regret not only to her immediate family but also to the many friends whom she had won during the period of her residence in Winnebago county. She belonged to the United Lutheran church, of which Mr. Twito is also a member. Ilis political endorsement is given to the republican party and for twenty-two years he has served as a trustee of Center township. He has also ben a member of the school board and the cause of educa- tion finds in him a stalwart champion. In fact his aid and influence are always given on the side of progress and improvement and those who know him entertain for him warm regard, recognizing that his life has at all times been an upright and honorable one.
HANS BERGAN.
After many years devoted to agricultural pursuits Hans Bergan is now living retired in Forest City, Iowa, enjoying a well earned rest and the fruits of his former toil. lle was born in Norway, on the 10th of February, 1841, and is a son of Ilans and Beret ( Lattestad) Bergan, who spent their entire lives in that country. He was educated in the common schools of his native land and remained at home with his parents until thirty-two years of age.
Having determined to try his fortune in the new world, where he believed that better opportunities were afforded an ambitious young man, Mr. Bergan came to the United States in 1873, though he had to borrow the money to pay his passage. Ile first located in Dane county, Wisconsin, and resided there until 1882, when he came to Winnebago county, Iowa, and for six or seven years engaged in farming on rented land. llaving lived economically he was then able to purchase one hundred and sixty acres of land in Newton township. This was a wild traet for which he paid six dollars and twenty-five cents per acre. Mr. Bergan built thereon a residence and farm buildings and as time passed placed his land under excellent cultivation, so that it became a very valuable tract. After operating that farm fer about twenty-six years, he sold it in 1914 for one hundred dollars per acre and
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then removed to Forest City, where he is now living retired, having a comfortable town residence surrounded by about five acres of ground.
On September 12, 1885, Mr. Bergan was united in marriage to Miss Ingeborg Homelin, of Winnebago county. She is a native of Norway and on coming to the United States in 1823 settled in Dane county, Wisconsin, where she spent four years. At the end of that time she became a resident of Winnebago county, Iowa. She is a daughter of Ole and Carrie ( Fikan) Homelin, the former of whom died in Norway in 1853. The mother came to the United States in 1821 and died in 1898 in Newton township, when eighty-five years old. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bergan are earnest and consistent members of the Lutheran synod and are held in the highest esteem by all who know them. Although Mr. Bergan came to the new world in debt he steadily worked his way upward to prosperity until he is now accounted one of the well-to-do men of his community, for he possesses good busi- ness ability and has never been afraid of hard work.
GUNDER DYBENDAHL.
Among those who were at one time active in promoting the progress of Winne- bago county but who have been called to their final rest, is numbered Gunder Dybendahl, who was born in August, 1856. lle belonged to that class of worthy citizens that Norway has furnished to Iowa. Coming to America in his boyhood days he here lived a life of usefulness and activity which, however, was terminated in death March 7, 1896, when he was forty years of age.
Mr. Dybendahl was united in marriage in 1888 to Miss Lena BjeHand, who still survives. They became the parents of five children, all of whom are yet living: T. Andrew, who operates the home farm for his mother; Selma, who is the wife of S. L. Dahl, of Estherville, lowa ; Laura, at home; Sidney, who is con- nected in business with his brother Andrew, their attention being given to the development and further improvement of two hundred and forty acres of land; and Julia, who is at home. Mrs. Dybendahl still owns the old homestead farm of eighty aeres which is situated on section 2, Linden township. To the property has been added various good buildings and a number of substantial and high class improvements. Mrs. Dybendahl is a member of the Lutheran church, to which Mr. Dybendahl also belonged. High and honorable principles guided him in all the relations of life and those who knew him entertained for him warm regard, for he always displayed those qualities which in every land and elime command the good will and confidence of one's fellows.
WALTER S. BLACKWELL.
Walter S. Blackwell, county steward of the Hancock County Home at Garner, was born in La Salle county, Illinois, November 25, 1853, and is a son of Robert and Mary ( Probasco) Blackwell, who were natives of Ohio. They were born near Columbus, Ohio, and in early life the father removed westward to Illinois. Walter
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S. Blackwell acquired a common school education in Streator and in Ottawa, tlli- nois. Ile was reared to the occupation of farming, early becoming familiar with the duties and tabors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He became a resident of Ilancock county in 1900 and during the intervening period he has several times been called upon to serve in public offices. He filled the position of county super- visor for four years and was trustee for twelve years. lle has also been county steward for ten years, succeeding Charles Hunt in his present position. He has had charge of the Hancock County Home for ten years, or since the present build- ing was erected, and he has done excellent work in this connection, applying businesslike methods, indefatigable energy and sound judgment to the management of the interests entrusted to his care.
On the 12th of October, 1876, Mr. Blackwell was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Lewis, a daughter of Nathan Lewis, of Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, and they have three children. Arthur Lewis, the eldest, married Edith Sliek am they reside at Savage, Minnesota. Lillian is now the wife of Edward Phillips, of Forest City, Iowa. Walter Kent married Iris Brown and is now engaged in the banking business at Goldfield, lowa. There was also another son, Frank Pierce, who is deceased.
Mr. Blackwell belongs to the Odd Fellows Lodge at Garner and is loyal to its teachings and purposes. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and he has been an active worker in its ranks, doing all in his power to further its interests and secure its legitimate success. He has made a splendid record as an official by his loyalty and efficiency and he has the respect, confidence and high regard of many with whom he has been brought in contact.
J. ELMER TWITO.
J. Elmer Twito, of Lake Mills, has built up a large clientage as a real estate dealer and has handled many valuable properties, especially local lands. lle was born in Forest City, May 30, 1878, a son of Jacob and Carrie (Halverson) Twi natives respectively of Wisconsin and Norway. The mother removed with her parents to Forest City at a very early period in the development of Winnebago county and the father also came here in pioneer times. He was well known and highly respected and for fourteen years held the office of county sheriff. On remov- ing to Lake Mills he became an employe of the Lake Mills Lumber Company, with which concern he was connected until his death in July, 1904. Ile is buried in the North Side cemetery. The mother still survives.
J. Elmer Twito attended the public schools of his native town until he was eleven years old, when the family removed to Lake Mills, where he has since con- tinuously resided. lle was in school here until he was fifteen years old, when he began working as a elerk, and was so employed in various stores until 1901. In that year he engaged in the real estate business in partnership with his father and after the latter's demise was alone for a year. Subsequently he was associated in business with Daniel Lunoe, but in the early part of 1917 that partnership was dissolved and he is now in business alone. Ile makes a specialty of handling lands and is recognized as an authority upon land values in this section of the state.
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Ilis business returns him a good profit and he is in very comfortable financial circumstances.
In 1906 Mr. Twito was married to Miss Regina Sponem, a daughter of Tosten and Isabei (Kobbervig) Sponem, natives of Norway, who on emigrating to the United States located in Dane county, Wisconsin. There the father passed away and is buried and the mother is now located in Mount Vernon, Wisconsin. To Mr. and Mrs. Twito have been born eight children : James T., Irving C., Earl R .. Bernice R., Gladys Viola, George Harold, Royden W., and Levona F.
Mr. Twito exercises his right of franchise in support of the candidates and measures of the republican party where national issues are at stake, but otherwise votes for the man. Ile belongs to the United Lutheran church and gives his sup- port to its work for the moral upbuilding of the community. He has made all that he has himself and possesses the self-reliance and initiative characteristic of the self-made man.
LUDVIG JACOBSON.
Ludvig Jacobson is actively engaged in farming on section 1, Linden township, Winnebago county, and he displays the characteristics of industry, energy and thrift which have ever dominated the Norwegian people. He was born in Norway, April 10, 1863, and is a son of Jacob Erickson and Christina Talkenson, who were also natives of that land. They crossed the Atlantic to America in 1886 and made their way westward to Iowa, establishing their home in Story county, where they spent their remaining days. They had a family of ten children of whom two are now living.
Ludvig Jacobson was reared and educated in Norway, remaining in that coun- try until he reached the age of nineteen years. He then determined to try his fortune in the new world, thinking that he might enjoy better opportunities on this side of the Atlantic than he could obtain in Norway. He made Story county, Iowa, his destination and there he remained for twenty-four years. He also spent four years at Crookston, Minnesota, but in 1909 he came to Winnebago county and pur- chased his home farm which is situated on section 1, Linden township. He care- fully tilled the soil and as he prospered he added to his holdings by investing in one hundred and six acres on section 6, Forest township. He, therefore, owns today a valuable property of two hundred and sixty-eight acres, which is splendidly im- proved with good buildings. In addition to his substantial residence there are large barns and sheds that give ample shelter to grain and stock. He makes a specialty of raising cattle, hogs and horses, and this branch of his business con- stitutes an important source of his revenue. He uses the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and annually he gathers good erops.
In Story county, Iowa, Mr. Jacobson was united in marriage to Miss Kate Nelson, a native of Denmark, and to them have been born ten children: Emil, Carl, Engvil, Clara, the wife of Levi Hellen, of Minnesota; Anna at home; John. Lewis, Ludvig, Rasen, and Hannah. The parents are members of the Lutheran church, to which they give generous support while faithfully following its precepts. in politics Mr. Jacobson is a democrat but never seeks nor desires office, preferring
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to give his undivided thought and attention to his business affairs. He certainly deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, as his fortune has all been won since he came to America. Gradually he has worked his way upward, leading a most active life, and day after day he has cultivated his fields, cared for his crops and performed other farm work. His life record should serve to inspire and encourage others, showing what can be accomplished through persistent purpose.
ERNEST L. STILSON.
Ernest L. Stilson, of Hancock county, clerk of the district court, was born in MeHenry county, Illinois, January 15, 1845, a son of Leonard and Arahelle ( Pow- ers) Stilson, the former a native of New York and the latter of Michigan. They were married, however, in Illinois. The mother died in Michigan and in 1866 the father removed to lowa, settling at Clear Lake, where he turned his attention to mercantile pursuits, although by trade he was a carpenter and builder and had previously been active along that line. He returned to Michigan after living for a time at Clear Lake, but in 1867 again came to Iowa, settling at Lake Mills, where he once more embarked in merchandising, remaining there until 1869, Hle afterward made his home in Forest City with his son Ernest, there residing until his demise.
In the public schools of Michigan, Ernest L. Stilson largely acquired his educa- tion. Prior to the Civil war, however, he returned to Illinois and there in August, 1862, in response to the country's call for aid, he enlisted as a member of Company II, Ninety-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, being mustered out in 1865 after almost three years of active service in defense of the Union. He was often in the thickest of the fight. He participated in the engagements at Guntown and Vicks- burg, Mississippi, in the Red River campaign, in the battle of Nashville and the siege of Fort Blakely. In fact he was on active duty throughont the entire period of his connection with the army and made a most creditable military record.
After the war Mr. Stilson returned to Illinois and thence went to Michigan, where his father was then living. In the fall of 1866 he removed to Clear Lake, Iowa, but later returned to Michigan and was there married. In October, 1867, he established his home at Lake Mills, where he engaged in general merchandising in partnership with his father for a time. Later, however, he sold out and opened a hardware store in Forest City in 1869, there continuing actively and successfully in business until 1885. In that year he removed to Corwith, Iowa, where he opened the first bank of the town under the name of E. L. Stilson & Company. Subsequently the private bank was reorganized as a state bank, at which time Mr. Stilson became the president. In 1907 the bank cashier absconded, causing the institution to close its doors. His fellow citizens, appreciative of his worth. and ability, elected him to the office of clerk of the district court in 1914 and in 1916 attested their approval of his capable service in office by reelecting him to that position, which he is now filling.
On the 16th of October, 1867, Mr. Stilson was married to Miss Sarah E. Cooper. of Michigan, who passed away at Forest City, Iowa, in 1886. In 1888 he was joined in wedlock to Miss Celia Munson, of Forest City, and they still make their
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home at Corwith. By his first marriage he had one son, Roy C., living in Corwith, and by the second marriage there is a daughter, Bernice W., at home.
The family attend the Baptist church, although Mr. Stilson is a member of the Methodist church. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and for two terms he filled the office of county recorder in the "70s, making a ereditable record in this position as in the other offices to which he has been called. Hle is an earnest party worker because of his firm belief in republican principles. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has filled all of the chairs in the local lodge. In Masonry he has taken the degrees of lodge, chapter, council and commandery. Ile is likewise a valued member of the Grand Army of the Republic and he has ever manifested the same loyalty in matters of citizenship that he dis- played when upon southern battlefields he followed the stars and stripes.
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