USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 9
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 9
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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
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elimate he always gave much attention to raising and feeding stock and that braneh of his business proved very profitable.
Mr. Otis has been married three times. He first wedded Calista Van Order and they became the parents of four children, but all have passed away. Following the death of his first wife he wedded her sister, Emeline Van Order, and to them were born the following children: Laura, deceased; George, a resident farmer of Winnebago county ; William; Anna, the wife of William Simmons; Ella, the wife of William Welman; Jesse and Frank, who are engaged in farming; Maggie, deceased; Lydia, the wife of Irvin Ambrose; Fred, who is engaged in the jewelry business; and Jerome, who follows farming. The present wife of Mr. Otis was formerly Mrs. Anna Soals and she has two sons, Albert E. and John A., who are farmers of this county.
Politieally Mr. Otis follows an independent course, voting for the man rather than for party. He has served as school director for twenty years and was trustee for seven years. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His has been an active and useful life. He has worked hard and made good use of his time and his opportunities. Thus as the years went by he accumulated a comfortable competence that now enables him to live retired, enjoying a well earned rest, his capital being sufficient to supply him with all of the necessities and comforts of life and some of its luxuries. He well deserves mention in eon- neetion with the history of Winnebago county, where he has so long resided. Through almost a half century he has been a witness of the growth and progress of this section of the state and has lived to see it converted from a pioneer region into a populous and prosperous district. He has always delighted in its progress and has cooperated in many movements leading to its upbuilding.
J. O. OSMUNDSON.
J. O. Osmundson, vice president of the State Bank of Thompson, has had an influential voice in the management of that institution, which enjoys the full confidence of the community and whose affairs are in an excellent condition. He was born near Stevens Point, Wisconsin, January 1, 1866, a son of Eriek and Johanna (Johnson) Osmundson, who removed from Norway to the United States and settled in Wisconsin at an early day in the history of that state. After farm- ing near Stevens Point for a time the father removed with his family to the vicinity of Mount Horeb, the same state, whence in 1873 he eame to Winnebago county, Iowa. He purchased a farm in Linden township and engaged in agricultural pursuits there until his death in 1879. He was buried in a cemetery in that township and his wife was laid by his side at her death in 1884. To them were born eight children, of whom six survive: J. O .; Ole, of Lake Mills; Henry, a resident of Walters, Minnesota ; Susan, who is now Mrs. George Clark, of Pasa- dena, California ; Inger, now Mrs. Charles Poole, of Pasadena; and Mabel, now the wife of Hal Brantner, of San Diego, California.
J. O. Osmundson attended the district schools and was for one winter a student in the Forest City high school. When but sixteen years old he purchased eighty aeres of land in Linden township, making a cash payment thereon and paying the
RESIDENCE OF J. O. OSMUNDSON
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remainder of the purchase price in installments. For a number of years he rented his land to others and for a time worked as a farm hand. Later he devoted the winters to teaching school, while in the summers he ran a threshing machine and broke land for others. When twenty-three years old he went to Forest City and for two years was a clerk in the law office of C. L. Nelson. At the end of that time he was appointed deputy sheriff, in which capacity he served for several years, and at the same time dealt in real estate to some extent but in 1896 removed to Thompson and became assistant cashier of the State Bank, with which institution he has since been connected. He has risen to the position of vice president and is active in the direction of its policy and the management of its affairs. It was organized as a private institution by Thompson Brothers, of Forest City, immediately after the founding of the town of Thompson and in 1896 received a charter as a state bank. Twenty years later, in 1916, the charter was renewed for a term of twenty years with the following officers: B. J. Thompson, president ; J. O. Osmundson, vice president; G. Gordon, cashier; and H. W. Nel- son, assistant cashier. It was capitalized at thirty thousand dollars and there is a surplus of eight thousand dollars, which indicates that its management is con- servative and keeps constantly in mind the safeguarding of the interests of depositors and stockholders. The bank was opened in a wooden building but not long afterward the fine brick structure which it now occupies was erected.
Mr. Osmundson was married November 17, 1891, to Miss Carrie Olson, whose parents, Martin and Gurie Olson, were natives of Norway but became early settlers of Hancock county, Iowa. Both are deceased and are buried in Ellington town- ship cemetery, that county. To Mr. and Mrs. Osmundson have been born nine children : Lulu, the wife of S. C. Larson, of Forest City; Ernest, at home; Cora; Floyd ; Pauline; John ; Sylvian, Mildred, and Helen.
Mr. Osmundson is a republican and is also a strong supporter of the prohibi- tion movement. For one term he was mayor of Thompson and during that time mueh was done to advance the interests of the municipality. His religious faith is that of the United Lutheran church, and in all relations of life he has conformed his conduct to high ethical standards, thus winning the sincere respect of all with whom he has come in contact, while his personal qualities are such as to gain him the warm friendship of many.
GUST BOEHNKE
Gust Boehnke, a prosperous farmer of Concord township, Hancock county, Iowa, was born on the 22d of September, 1865, in Germany, and is a son of Carl and Amelia (Bahr) Boehnke, also natives of that country. In 1884 the parents left the fatherland and came to America, taking up their abode in Hancock county, Iowa. The father purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 12, Concord township, for which he paid twenty dollars per acre and throughout his active business life followed farming with good results. He has now reached the ripe old age of eighty-two years and his wife is seventy-two years of age. They are among the highly respected citizens of their locality.
Gust Boehnke is indebted to the public schools of his native land for the educa-
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tional advantages he enjoyed during his boyhood, and when not in school he assisted his father in the work of the home farm until seventeen years of age. It was in 1883 that he crossed the Atlantic to the new world and for five years after his arrival worked as a farm hand in Haneoek county, Iowa. During the following year he engaged in farming on his own account upon rented land and then pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres on section 10, Concord township, at fifteen dollars per acre. As much of the land was under water it had to be thoroughly drained and it was a difficult task to convert it into tillable fields, but he persevered in his labors and now has a fine farm uuder excellent cultivation. Ile has added to the original tract, buying one hundred and sixty acres on section 11, Concord township, in 1911 ; two hundred acres on section 3 in 1913; and also eighty acres on section 18 in 1904. At one time he also owned about two hundred acres in Ransom county, North Dakota, but sold this in 1912. Ile is a progressive, up-to-date farmer and has met with most excellent success in his undertakings. He is a stockholder in the Concord Creamery Company and also in the Farmers Coopera- tive Elevator Company at Ventura, Iowa.
On the 5th of March, 1888, Mr. Boehnke married Miss Alvina Woiwood, a daughter of August and Wilhelmina (Rost) Woiwood, who spent their entire lives in Germany. To this union were born three sons and one daughter who are still living, namely : William R., who married Martha Jass, a daughter of Albert and Wilhelmina Jass of Hancock county ; Gus II., who married" Magdelene Hitzemann, a daughter of William Hitzemann of St. Paul, Minnesota; and Edward M. R. and Selma G., both at home with their parents. The son, Gus II., was educated for the ministry of the German Lutheran church, attending school in St. Paul for six years and in St. Louis for three years. Ile is now located in Saskatchewan, Canada, and preaches in six different places, traveling three hundred miles by team, as his different congregations are far apart.
The family are identified with the German Lutheran church and are held in high esteem by all who know them. In politics Mr. Boehnke is a republican and for ten years has efficiently served as school director in his district. He has recently been elected township trustee and is now filling that office in a most satis- factory manner.
HARRY F. THOMPSON, M. D.
Dr. Harry F. Thompson, engaged in the practice of medicine in Forest City, was born in McGregor, Iowa, September 30, 1869, a son of Jasper and Clara K. Thompson. In 1871 the family removed to Forest City and here he acquired a public school education. Determining to make the practice of medicine his life work, he entered Rush Medical College of Chicago and was graduated therefrom with the class of 1894. He afterward practiced in various places until 1907. He was at Buffalo Center from 1900 until 1907, and in the latter year came to Forest City, where he has since devoted his attention and energies to pro- fessional duties. Ile has taken special post graduate work in children's diseases and obstetrics.
On the 3d of April, 1895, Dr. Thompson was united in marriage to Miss
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Katherine Gabriella Richardson, a daughter of G. H. Richardson, of Belmond, Iowa. Her death occurred in 1906 and in 1910 he wedded Louise 'Taylor, who was born in Alden, Iowa, a daughter of Peter Taylor. There were three children born of his first marriage, Clara Jeannette, Richardson Jasper and Katherine Cecelia, while by the second marriage there is a daughter, Helen Mar.
Dr. Thompson is a member of Nain Lodge, No. 213, A. F. & A. M., of Buffalo Center, of which he is a past master. In politics he is a republican. Ile served as coroner of Lyon county in 1896, was coroner of Winnebago county in 1912 and was again called to that office in 1917. There is an interesting military chapter in his life record. He served in the Spanish-American war with the First South Dakota Infantry, enlisting at Sioux Falls in 1898 as a private. He was on active duty and was mustered out in October, 1899, as first lieutenant and assistant surgeon. Professionally he is well known. Ile belongs to the Austin Flint Cedar Valley Medical Society, has several times been president and secretary of the Winnebago County Medical Society and belongs also to the Iowa State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, thus keeping in close touch with the trend of scientific thought and investigation along medical lines.
F. A. SAMUELSON.
F. A. Samuelson, residing on section 30, Mount Valley township, is today one of the leading cement contractors of Winnebago county. His early home was on the other side of the Atlantic, for he was born in Sweden, October 1, 1859, a son of Samuel Johansen and Marie Rebecca Swenson, who spent their entire lives in that country. There Mr. Samuelson was reared and educated, attending the com- mon schools of his native land for some years.
Believing that he could better his financial condition in the new world, he came to the United States in the spring of 1883 and continued his journey west- ward to Iowa. After spending a couple of days in Fort Dodge he proceeded to Winnebago county, where he has since made his home. He had previously learned the stone mason's trade in Sweden and on his arrival here went to work at that occupation. At the end of two years he purchased twenty acres of land in Mount Valley township, which is today a part of his present farm, and erected thereon a residence which has since been his home. In the intervening years he has bought and sold considerable land but still owns the old home farm, which now comprises eighty acres under excellent cultivation. The place, however, has been operated almost wholly by hired help while Mr. Samuelson has continued to work at his trade of stone mason. For the past seven years he has been one of the prominent cement contractors of Winnebago county, having done much of the foundation and sidewalk work of Forest City.
Mr. Samuelson was married in Norway in 1881 to Miss Christina Larsdater, by whom he has had twelve children, those still living being S. Martin, proprietor of a poolroom in Forest City ; Ludwig G., at home; Gilbert, a farmer of Winnebago county ; Frances A., at home; Christian, who assists his father in the cement business ; and Algot N., attending school.
The family hold membership in the Lutheran church and are highly respected
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by all who know them. In politics Mr. Samuelson is a republican and he takes a commendable interest in public affairs. ITis business life has been above reproach and he well merits the success that has come to him, as it is due entirely to his own untiring efforts and good management.
MRS. JENNIE HAMMILL.
Woman has proven her capability in every position to which she has been called where intellectual alertness is demanded, and the citizens of Hancock county mani- fested their faith in one woman's capability at least when they elected Mrs. Jennie Hammill to the office of county recorder. She is a native of Illinois and a daughter of Andrew and Birthine (Jorgeson) Aageson, the former a native of Sweden and the latter of Denmark. They came to America in early life and were married in Illinois, whence they removed to lowa in 1889, settling at Britt. The father was a tile and drainage contractor, recognized as one of the active and enterprising businesss men of that locality.
Mrs. Jennie llammill pursued her education in the public schools of Britt, passing through consecutive grades to her graduation from the high school. She afterward took up the profession of teaching, which she successfully followed for ten years. Residents of the county recognized her business ability as well as her intellectual force and in 1914 she was elected to the office of county recorder, entering upon the duties of that position in the following January for a two years' term. In the fall of 1916 she was reelected, thus receiving public endorsement of her excellent service.
ALBERT ROENFANZ.
Prominent among the successful farmers and stock raisers of Hancock county is numbered Albert Roenfanz, whose home is situated on section 25, Ellington township. He was born in Germany, December 7, 1869, and there spent the first fifteen years of his life, but in 1884 was brought to the United States by his parents, Carl and Henrietta (Steinke) Roenfanz. The family first located in Cerro Gordo county, Iowa, but a year later removed to Hancock county, the father purchasing two hundred and twenty acres of land now comprised in the present home farm of our subject. He is still living and now resides with his son.
Albert Roenfanz began his education in the public schools of Germany and later attended the district schools of Iowa after the emigration of the family to America. He also acquired an excellent knowledge of agricultural pursuits and in 1891 made his first purchase of land, becoming the owner of two hundred and eleven aeres in Cerro Gordo county, just across the Hancock county line. After living upon that place for two years he sold it and bought the home farm in Ellington township, Hancock county, where he has since resided. Prosperity has attended his well directed efforts and he has added to his property from time to
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time until he now owns six hundred and ten acres of very valuable and productive land.
In 1892 Mr. Roenfanz married Miss Clara Bohn, a daughter of William Bohn, one of the pioneer settlers of Cerro Gordo county, and to this union have been born five children, those living being Walter, Mabel and Alice, all at home.
For seven years past Mr. Roenfanz has been one of the large and successful cattle feeders of Hancock county and during the winter of 1916-17 fed four carloads which brought him twelve dollars and a half per hundred. He also sold a carload of hogs which brought him fourteen and a half and fifteen dollars per hundred. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Cooperative Creamery Company and the Farmers Elevator Company of Ventura and a stockholder and director in the First National Bank at Clear Lake, Iowa, and is recognized as one of the most successful business men of his community. ITis farm is one of the best improved places in Ellington township and stands as a monument to his thrift and enterprise. In politics he is a republican, and he and his family are members of the German Lutheran church.
K. J. ALDAL.
K. J. Aldal, devoting his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits i on section 23, Norway township, has spent much of his life in Winnebago county and is a native son of Iowa. He was born in Winneshiek county, February 10, 1855, a son of John K. and Susan (Vata) Aldal, who were natives of Norway. They came to the United States in youth and the father made his way to Kosh- konong, Wisconsin, where he afterward purchased a farm upon which he resided for several years. It was during his residence in that state that he was married. Removing westward to Winneshiek county he purchased a farm upon which he lived for about twelve years, and then went to Mitchell county, Iowa, where in 1864 he purchased land. Upon that place he continued to engage in general agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred March 20, 1882. His widow survived for more than a quarter of a century, passing away on the 7th of May, 1908, the remains of both being interred at St. Ansgar, in Mitchell county.
K. J. Aldal pursued his education in the pioneer schools of Iowa until he reached the age of seventeen years after which he worked for his father until he reached the age of twenty-five, and during the last two years of that period he farmed the southwest quarter of section 24 and the east half of the southeast quarter of section 23 in Norway township, Winnebago county, the father having purchased this land in 1874. K. J. Aldal put all the improvements upon the place and after cultivating the land for his father for some time purchased the property and has since resided thereon. He has converted it into a rich and valuable farm which responds readily to his care and cultivation, producing excellent crops, so that his business is now one of importance in the community.
On the 13th of June, 1880, Mr. Aldal was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Nelson, a daughter of Torson and Susan Nelson, of Freeborn county, Minnesota, both now deceased, their remains being interred in the United Lutheran cemetery near Emmons, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Aldal have become the parents of nine children : John, who is living in Saskatchewan, Canada; Theodore, at home;
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Stephen, who resides in Norman county, North Dakota: and Sylvia, Joseph, Minnie, Clarence, Mabel, and Sarah, all of whom are yet under the parental roof.
The parents are members of the United Lutheran church and are people of sterling worth who enjoy the confidence and warm regard of all with whom they are brought in contact. Mr. Aldal votes with the republican party but is not an office seeker, preferring to do his public duty as a private citizen. He is loyal to the best interests of the community and co-operates with all those forces which mean most in advancing the welfare of the community. In his business affairs he has displayed sound judgment as well as enterprise and industry and, starting out in life empty handed, he is today one of the substantial citizens of Norway township, owning one of the best farms in Winnebago county.
LARS O. DAHILEN.
At the time of his demise Lars O. Dahlen had retired from his labors as an agriculturist and was living in Lake Mills, where he was held in the highest esteem, and his death was recognized as a loss to his community as well as to his family and intimate friends. He was one of the first settlers of Winnebago county, coming here from Wisconsin by prairie schooner in 1870, at which time conditions were far different from those obtaining at present. He was born in Norway, November 29, 1838, and was a son of Ole and Ragna Dahlen, farming people of that country, where they passed their entire lives.
Lars O. Dahlen was a pupil in the common schools of Norway until he was confirmed in the Lutheran Church and remained in that country until 1864, when he came alone to the United States, crossing the Atlantic on a sailboat which was thirteen weeks in making the voyage. He worked on farms in Columbia county, Wisconsin, for six years, or until 1820, when by prairie schooner he came to Winnebago county, lowa. Ile purchased a quarter section of land in Center township and for thirty-seven years gave his undivided attention to the operation of that place, which he made one of the valuable farm properties of his township. He raised both grain and stock, and as he was industrious and progressive he received a good annual income. He organized the Farmers Mutual Insurance Com- pany, of which he was director and manager for a number of years, and was one of the organizers of the Lake Mills Lumber Company, the Lake Mills Creamery and the Center Telephone Company. In 1907, feeling that he had earned a period of leisure, he retired and purchased a fine home in Lake Mills, where he resided until his death, which occurred on the 20th of May 1915. He is buried in North cemetery at Lake Mills.
The marriage of Mr. Dahlen and Miss Magdalene Ljone was solemnized in Wis- consin November 27, 1869. She is a daughter of Ole and Jorund Ljone, who were born and married in Norway, but in 1847 settled in Lafayette county, Wisconsin. They died in that state, the father at the age of ninety-three years and the mother when in her seventy-first year, and they are buried in Lodi, Wisconsin. To Mr. and Mrs. Dahlen were born six children: Oscar L .. who died at the age of nine years; Josephine M., the wife of George E. Johnson, of Mayville, North Dakota; Rachel J., who died at the age of thirteen ; Oscar L., who is married and resides
MR. AND MRS, LARS O. DAHLEN
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near Scarville, in Winnebago county ; Martha O., at home; and Adolph R., who died at the age of cighteen.
Mr. Dahlen was a republican in his political belief and held a number of township offices, such as school director and trustec, the duties of which he dis- charged promptly, conscientionsly and capably. He manifested the keenest interest in educational matters and the first school in Center township was held upstairs in the log cabin which was the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dahlen. Nothing that pertained to the development of the community was unimportant to him. He gave his hearty support to the work of the United Lutheran church, of which he was a communicant, and in fact all forces working for moral advancement profited by his aid. He was a man of sterling character and won and retained the friendship of practically all who came into close contact with him. Ilis widow still lives in Lake Mills and in addition to the five acres on which the residence is situated she owns two hundred and forty acres of fine land in Center township. She has a wide acquaintance throughout the county and is highly esteemed.
LARS N. THOE.
Lars N. Thoe, a widely known and highly esteemed retired farmer and merchant of Lake Mills, was born in Tysnes Bergen, Norway, April 14, 1848, the youngest of the five children whose parents were Nels and Martha Thoe. The father engaged in farming and both he and the mother passed away in their native country, where they are buried.
Lars N. Thoe attended the common schools until he was confirmed and in 1866, when eighteen years old came to the United States in company with his sister Ellen. He located in Madison, Wisconsin, where his brother, Zacharias Thoe, had settled a few years previously. After working upon farms in that locality for four years Lars N. Thoe came to Winnebago county, Iowa, in 1870, and purchased a farm in Center township, to the operation of which he devoted a quarter of a century. He then removed to Lake Mills and established a general store in partnership with his son, Nels L. Thoe. Five years later he sold his interest in that business and retired from active life although he owns stock in the Union department store, of which he was one of the organizers and of which his son, Nels L., is now president. He was one of the organizers and a director of the Lake Mills Lumber Company and a director and vice president of the Lake Mills Canning Company. He holds title to four hundred acres of well improved land in Center township, which he rents.
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