History of Winneshiek and Allamakee counties, Iowa, Part 63

Author: Alexander, W. E; Western Publishing Company (Sioux City, Iowa)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Sioux City, Ia. : Western Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 772

USA > Iowa > Allamakee County > History of Winneshiek and Allamakee counties, Iowa > Part 63
USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > History of Winneshiek and Allamakee counties, Iowa > Part 63

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).

John Fredenburgh, Burr Oak, farmer. Sec. 6, Canoe tp .; son of Hezekiah and Catharine Fredenburgh; was born April 2, 1819, in N. J. His parents moved to Canada, near Niagara Falls, when he was quite young, where he remained till the fall of 1850, when he came to Winneshiek Co. and located a part of his present farm soon after. He now owns 200 acres, valued at $30 per acre. He married Miss Eliza Weeks, a native of Ill., July 4, 1853. Their children are John C. and Ralph F.

Mons K. Foss, P. O. Decorah; farmer, sec. 34, Canoe tp .; son of Knudt and Susan Mickelson Foss; was born April 6, 1828, in Norway; emigrated to the U. S. in 1849, locating at Janesville, Wis .; where he worked at the mason's trade, which he continued until 1851, in the spring of which year he started for California, where he remained till February, 1853, engaged in mining. He then returned via Isthmus and New Orleans and up the Missis- sippi river to Galena, Illinois. The same spring, in company with a cousin, he started from Dane County, Wisconsin, on foot, came to Decorah, and continued on to Minnesota, on a prospect- ing tour for land. He finally purchased from the government 250 acres of land in Pleasant township, this county, and com- menced improving and making a home, which he sold out in the spring of 1866, moved to Vernon Co., Mo., and purchased a farm of 400 acres; but sickness of family caused him to return to old Winneshiek Co. the following fall, purchasing a part of his ' present farm, which now contains 360 acres valued at $12,000. He married Miss Agnes Fossum, November 15, 1853; they have five children, Lawrence, Caroline, Michael, Sophia and Julius, and have lost one daughter, Sophia. Mr. F. has served as assessor of his township, and is a live, energetic farmer.

A. O. Flaskerud, of the firm of S. H. Moen & Co., dealers in furniture, was born in this county in 1858, and became a member of the above firm in the spring of 1881. He married Ella Wangness, a native of Wis.

Milo R. Farnsworth, farmer, sec. 3; owns 320 acres of land valued at $35 per acre; was born in New Vork in 1822; in 1844 removed to Woodford County, Illinois, where he lived four years. and again moved to Walworth County, Wisconsin, remain-

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ing until 1868, when he removed to Winneshiek County, Iowa, and settled on his present farm. He is a son of Oliver and Nancy Farnsworth; his father is a native of Vermont, and his mother of New York. He married Lucy Pardee, a native of New York, in March, 1844, and has seven children, four sons and three daughters. The oldest, Byron, is living in Rock Co., Wiscon- sin; C. W. in Howard Co., Deette in Cresco, Mary in Cresco, Frank O. at home, Chas. H. at home, Etta in this county, and are all married except Chas.

A. H. Finrow, J. P., Conover; was born in Norway, in 1843; was there employed as clerk, also engaged in buying grain. In 1864 he came to the U. S., stopping in Chicago, III., and Pesh- tigo, Wisconsin, until 1865; then came to Conover, where he en- gaged for a time in clerking; then entered the mercantile busi- ness, in which he continued for about one year; then engaged in the grain business for three years, after which he became a farm- er. In 1867 he was married to Andrea Peterson, who died in May, 1880, leaving four children, Gustaf H., Caroline A., Emil K. and Otto A. He was again married July 1, 1881, to Martha Olsen. Mr. F. is a member of the Lutheran Church.

Wm. Fallows, M. D., Fort Atkinson; was born in Manchester, England, 1839; came to America with his parents in 1846; set- tled in Dane County, Wisconsin, and engaged at farming. Wil- liam Fallows graduated at the Wisconsin State University, at Madison, in 1862, and in the fall of that year enlisted in the 12th Wis. Inf., Co. H, served with the regiment two years, was then commissioned 2d lieutenant in the 1st Wis. Heavy Artillery, and served through the Vicksburg and Atlanta campaigns, and in other important engagements; was discharged at Milwaukee in July, 1865, and returned home. In the fall of the same year he removed to Iowa and settled near Waucoma, Fayette County, farming and school teaching. In the fall of 1870 he attended Rush Medical College at Chicago, remained two years and gradu- ated in the spring of 1872; then located at this place and com- menced practice. He has met with good success and established a good practice. He was married in 1856 at Waucoma, Fayette County, to Miss Emily Dodd, and they have four children, Ernest E., Nellie M., Flora M. and Clarence W. Mr. F. is a member of the I. O. O. F.

Captain George Q. Gardner, assistant cashier of the First Na- tional Bank, was born in Madison Co .. Ill., on the 21st of July, 1840. His father was Silas E. Gardner, whose ancestors bore a conspicuous part in the struggle for our national independence. Among them are found Major Temple, who was killed at the bat- tle of Lundy's Lane. and O. Flinn. who with his four sons, aided Col. Miller in taking the battery at said battle. His mother, Mariah D. Harrison, was a daughter of William and Mary Mc- Clure Harrison, the former a first cousin of Gen. William Henry

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Harrison, and the latter the fifth white child born in the State of Kentucky. The subject of this sketch, while yet a small boy, re- moved with his parents into the State of Wis., where he received a common school education. When the civil war broke out Geo. Q. Gardner, then a young man twenty-one years of age, showed his patriotism by enlisting in the 5th Wis. Battery, Light Artil- lery, and was mustered in as 4th Lieut., but being a gallant sol- dier he was promoted from rank to rank, so that by the spring of 1863 he is found captain of the battery, and the second youngest officer with said rank in the artillery service of the western army. The field of operations of said battery was first with Gen. Pope's army, during which time it participated in the taking of Island No. 10 and the siege of Corinth; then under Gen. Buell's com- mand it took an active part in the campaign against Bragg, in which the battle of Perryville was fought; next under Gen. Rose- cranz it did good service in the battles of Stone river and Chicka- mauga; and last, but not least, it did efficient work under Gen. Sherman in the Atlanta campaign. During this last campaign Capt. Gardner was constantly in command, and for over one hun- dred days and nights under constant fire. In the official reports honorable mention is frequently made of Capt. Gardner and the battery of which he had command. Capt. Gardner was never wounded, although he had some "close calls." At the battle of Stone River his horse was shot under him, the bullet cutting the stirrup strap of his saddle and passing through the heart of his horse, and during the Atlanta campaign he had his shirt collar removed by the aid of a musket ball. Capt. Gardner served his country faithfully as a soldier until the spring of 1865, when with regret he resigned on account of physical disability. He then returned to Wis. and accepted a position in the Provost Mar- shal's department of the Third Congressional District, in which he served until the fall of 1865. He then came to Io., and for one year was engaged in the mercantile business at Conover, at the end of which time he came to Decorah, and has since been in the First National Bank and a member of the firm of James H. Easton & Co., brokers and real estate dealers. He also owns a farm of 200 acres in Hesper tp., and has the same well stocked. Capt. Gardiner, believing that the State of Io. ought to have a well organized militia, which could be called upon to serve and protect the State at any time, organized, in 1876, the Decorah Light Guards, now Co. G., 4th Io. Inf., and was first Major and afterwards Lieut .- Colonel of the same; but as his business did not permit him to give it the care he thought it required, he resigned. When the city of Decorah became in need of a well organized fire department, Capt. Gardner again came to the front, and is now foreman of Hose Company No. 2, which he has well drilled and and able to do efficient work in case of need. The fact is, Capt. ·

George Q. Gardner is always ready to lend a helping hand to any-

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WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES.

thing that tends to promote the welfare of his family, his State, or his country. He is genial, social, eminently warm-hearted, and full of good humor. His character is unblemished and unexcep- tional, and he is therefore surrounded by warm friends. He is a member of the school board, and takes active interest in education. He is city treasurer, and has been tendered county offices by both political parties, but has never accepted any, as he has not the time to attend to the duties of the same, neither does he wish to mingle in politics. Capt. Gardner was married in September, 1861, to Miss Carrie Humes, of Monroe, Wis., and they now have one daughter, Mabel.

John Greer is a native of Montreal, Canada, and was born in 1832. He was reared on a farm, living with his father (his mother having died in 1835) until he became 21 years of age. He then went to Port Henry, Essex Co., N. Y., where for two years he was superintendent of an iron ore bed. In 1855 Mr. Greer came to Io., and May 18th settled at Decorah. Here he first com- menced work in a plow manufactory, and subsequently became a partner in the business. He continued in said business, also manu- facturing fanning mills, farming implements, &c., for about eleven years, after which he had an interest in the wagon factory until 1873. Mr. Greer then, in partnership with Jos. Hunter, erected the Ice Cave flouring mills, at a cost (including mill site, water power, &c.) of over $40,000. This mill has seven run of stone and two sets of rollers, and has manufactured over 40,000 barrels of flour annually. December 5, 1881, H. Greer became proprietor. John Greer, in 1857, married Miss Hannah Stringer, a native of Canada; they have six children.

R. F. Greer is a native of Canada, and was born in 1839. He lived with his parents on a farm until he was twenty.one years of age. He then came to Decorah, followed farming one year, then blacksmithing, and in the fall of. 1862 enlisted in Co. D., 6th Io. Cav., and served three years. After the war Mr. Greer returned to Decorah and followed farming about three years. He then drove dray for other parties, also spent two seasons on a home- stead in the west, and in 1873 formed a partnership with R. W. Jamieson, for the purpose of running a city dray line. Mr. Jamie- son subsequently withdrew. In 1880 J. W. Protheroe became a partner in the business, and now as Greer & Protheroe they are proprietors of the City 'Bus and Dray Line, which is an extensive and well paying business. Mr. Greer, in 1870 married Margaret Kennedy, a native of Canada.

H. W. Garfield is a son of Ira and Lucinda Garfield, natives of New England, who settled in Winneshiek Co. in 1857. He was born in the State of Vermont in 1844, came to Iowa with his parents, and in 1862 enlisted in Co. E., 38th Io., but was not ac- cepted, on account of his age. In June, 1863 he enlisted in Co. H., 7th Io. Cav., was commissioned quartermaster's sergeant and

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WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES.

served three years and seventeen days, when he was mustered out as 1st Lieut. He then returned to Decorah, and in the spring of 1866 commenced dealing in grain, in which business he continued until 1877, since which time he has been in the employ of the C. M. & St. P R. R. Co. Mr. Garfield was married in 1869 to Miss Helen Van Pelt, and they now have four children .

C. N. Goddard, a native of Rutland, Vermont, was born in 1835; came to Iowa with his parents in 1854, and in 1856 settled in Winneshiek County; served as clerk until 1860, when he en- gaged in business for himself. In 1862 he became a partner in the firm of Goddard, Henry & Hutchinson, subsequently God- dard & Henry. In 1874 the firm became Goddard & Ellsworth, and so continued until 1880, since which time Mr. Goddard has continued the business alone, and now carries a stock of merchan- dise amounting to about $25,000. His present store he built in 1871; it is located on the site formerly occupied by the first store of Decorah. Mr. Goddard was married in 1861 to Miss Jen- nie Richardson, then of Clayton County, Iowa, but a native of Vermont. The children are Harry, Clara, Herbert and Fred.

A. W. Grow was born in the state of New York in January, 1842. He was reared on a farm; in 1862 enlisted in the 10th New York Heavy Artillery, and served with the same about nine months, when he was commissioned first lieutenant of the 6th U. S. Colored Regiment. Six months later he was promoted to the rank of captain, and served as such until November, 1865, when he was mustered out as major. After leaving the U. S. service he returned to Jefferson County, New York, and in 1866 com- menced buying eggs and preserving the same for winter use. The first year he put up twenty barrels. In 1872 he came to Decorah, and has since continued the same business in which he has met with marked success, increasing the same so that he now pre- serves about 4,000 barrels annually. Mr. Grow married in 1865 Miss Belle C -- -; they have one daughter, Minnie.

Charles Golz was born in Prussia in 1823; learned cabinet making, and in 1853 came to the United States; was engaged in the furniture business at Davenport, lowa, four years, since which time he has been in the same business at Decorah. He was mar- ried in his native country in 1847 to Miss Caroline Noske; they have five children, three sons and two daughters.

Geo. Grob, baker, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1844; came to the U. S. in 1868, and first stopped at Cleveland, Ohio, where he was married to Miss Hermeni Bentz; removed to Le Roy, Minn., and in a few months came to Io., and settled at Decorah in February, 1869. Here he worked at his trade as baker for other parties until 1874, when he established his present business. The children are, George, Fred, Minnie; Emma and Ida.

T. E. Gaston, manager of the Decorah scale works, was born in Beloit, Wis., in 1853. His father, N. B Gaston, is one of the

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WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES.

pioneers of that city. In 1844 he established the Beloit Scale Works, of which he is still a part owner, being the senior member of the firm of N. B. Gaston & Son. The subject of this sketch wes brought up in the city of Beloit, and naturally inclined to follow in the footsteps of his father, which he did by close appli- cation and hard work in his father's factory for a number of years. He traveled in the west as salesman for the Beloit Scale Works. and in the spring of 1880 located permanently in Decorah and es- tablished the Decorah Scale Works. He married Emma Heivly, who was born in this Co. They have three children, Roy, Min- nie and Arthur

Silas Gripman, P. O. Decorah, farmer, Section 36. Canoe tp .; was born December 13th, 1813, in Saratoga Co., N. Y .; was mar- ried there to Mrs. Martha Gorton, whose maiden name was Havi- land, in 1840, after which he moved to Lenawee Co., Mich., and from there to this Co. in 1855, and in 1859 came on to his present farm. His children are, Richard, Rhoda, Eunice, Christopher, Samuel, Silas and Amy. His wife has three children by her for- mer marriage; their names are Charles, Zilpha and Hannah E. Richard was born in 1842, and is the present assessor of the tp .. Christopher was born in 1848 and Samuel in 1850.

B. F. Giles, P. O. Decorah; farmer, Section 28, Canoe tp .; son of Samuel and Fanny Allen Giles; was born March 16, 1822, in Cayuga Co., N. Y; received his early education at the Auburn Academy; immigrated to McHenry Co., Ill., in 1845; where he fol- lowed farming summers and teaching school winters. In 1848 he went into the southern States-Mississippi and Alabama, mostly -followed teaching school principally till in 1855 he came to Win- neshiek Co., locating on a part of his present farm, which he had previously purchased in 1851. He now owns 200 acres of land, well improved and worth $35 per acre; has served his tp. as justice of the peace, assessor, and tp. clerk for many years. He was married to Miss Caroline Russell, a native of Ills., Dec. 9th, 1855. Their children are, Edmund, Ellen, Clarence and Frank, and they have lost by death three, Amy, Fanny and an infant.

Naroe Gilbertson, P. O. Decorah; farmer, Section 10, Madison tp .; owns 600 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre; was born in January, 1832, in Norway; emigrated to the U. S. in 1849, first stopping in Rock Co., Wis., and subsequently at Beloit and thence to Kendall Co., Ill. In 1851 he went to California by overland route; while there engaged in farming summers and mining win- ters. On his return he came to this Co., and located on his pres- ent farm. He married Miss Anna Helgerson in 1869; their chil- dren are, Henry Otto, Mene, and Gilbert. Mr. G. is a member of the Lutheran church.

H. B. George, proprietor of the George House, Calmar, Iowa, was born in England in 1815. He came with his parents to the United States in 1820, and located in Massachusetts where he

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WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES.

lived until about 1852. He spent two years in Ohio, then came to Iowa and located at McGregor, where he engaged in the fur- niture business. In 1868 he removed to Ossian; thence two years later to Calmar, where he engaged in his present business. He married Adeline A. Dunham, a native of Vt., and has one son, Henry.

C. W. Giesen, dealer in lumber, doors, sash, blinds, etc., was born in Prussia in 1848; came to America in 1854 with his par- ents and settled in Rossville, Allamakee County, Iowa. In 1865 he moved to Conover and engaged in general merchandise and lumber business; remained there until 1874, then came to Cal- mar and established his present business. Mr. G. is the present mayor of Calmar, and has been a town trustee several times. He married Arnie C. Huber, a native of this county. She is a daugh- ter of F. J. Huber. They have three sons, Henry J., Frank H. and Charles W.

Louis Groos, P. O. Fort Atkinson; farmer, Sec. 33, Calmar tp .; son of John and Catharine Groos; was born in Germany, Decem- ber 25, 1825, emigrated to the U. S. in 1849, and located in Lake County, Ohio, where he remained two years then went to Trumbull County, and from there to this county in 1857, and lo- cated on his present farm which now contains 230 acres valued at $25 per acre. He was married Oct. 13, 1848, to Miss Elizabeth Schafer, a native of Germany, born in 1824. They have seven children, Louis, Jr., John, George, 'Mary, Louisa, Elizabeth and Caroline. They have lost one son, Charles, who died May 4th, 1869. Mr. Groos and family are members of the Lutheran Church at Ft. Atkinson.

Wesley M. Gibbs, farmer, Bluffton tp .; was born in Essex County, New York, in March, 1844, and moved with his par- ents to Iowa in 1863. They located in Decorah township and bought land, and he resided there with them until 1871, when he bought land here and has resided here ever since; owns 180 acres within a half mile of the village of Bluffton. The land is im- proved and under fence; SO acres of the same is fine timber. The farm is well stocked and has good buildings. He is a prominent citizen and has filled several offices of trust in the township. He was married in 1868, in Freeport, to Miss Sarah J. Morse.

Hans Gulbranson Melos, farmer, Bluffton tp .; was born in Nor- way in 1818; came to the U. S. in 1852 and settled in Decorah, Iowa; remained there two years, and then came to this township and entered land from the government, 100 acres, and has bought the rest since; now owns 500 acres in sections 18, 20 and 31. He resides in 18, where he has built a fine residence, barns, etc. This farm is well improved and stocked. He married in 1854 at De- corah, Miss Caroline Jensen, and has nine children, Gilbert, Joy, Hans, Ole, Gustav, Rachael, Carrie, Ann and Bertie.

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WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES.

Andrew Gilbertson, P. O. Washington Prairie, farmer, Sec. 25, Glenwood tp .; owns a farm of 160 acres, valued at $40 per acre. He was born in 1836 in Norway; emigrated to the U. S. in 1852, locating in Columbia Co., Wis., and remaining till 1856, when he came to Winneshiek Co., and located on his present farm. He was married to Miss Betsy E. Evenson, by whom he had three children, William, Clara and Matilda. His wife died in 1880. Mr. Gilbertson has served as trustee of his tp., school director, etc., and is a member of the Lutheran church.

H. Gulbranson, dealer in harness and horse furnishing goods, was born in Norway in 1836; came to America in 1854, and set- tled in Decorah, where he remained until 1861, when he enlisted in Co. D, 3d Ia. Inf., and served four years and three months. He returned to Decorah and engaged in the harness trade, and in 1867, came to Ridgeway and entered business as above. He has been twice married, first to Carrie Anderson, who died in 1879, leaving three children, Ida, Fred and Mena; his second marriage was to Christena Peterson.

John Greenhalgh, farmer, Sec. 9, P. O. Cresco, owns 200 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre; was born in Delaware in 1849; is the sixth son of William and Elizabeth Greenhalgh. He was married in 1873 to Susan Fuller, a native of New York. When eight years old he came to Winneshiek Co. with his parents, and has since resided in the county. In 1881 he purchase his father's old homestead, his father having removed to Cresco.

W. B. Goocher, farmer, Sec. 14, P. O. Cresco; owns 440 acres of land, valued at $10 per acre; was born in Germany in the year 1828; is the second son of Martin and Catherine Goocher; in 1848 he came with his parents to America, and settled in Wis .; after staying there four years he went to Ill. and lived there till 1855, when he came to Io. and settled in Winneshiek Co. Mr. Goocher was married in 1857 to Miss Mary A. Bootle, a native of Germany, and has three children, Henry W., George B. and Carrie.

Nathan Griffin, wagon maker, Fort Atkinson, was born in Otselic, Chenango Co., N. Y., in 1839; learned his trade in North Brook- field, Madison Co., N. Y., with Fiteh, Boone & Co., wagon manu- facturers. In 1863 he went into business at that place in part- nership with H. House, and conducted it two years; then was two years in the business in Chatauqua Co .; then two years in Ni- agara Co .; afterwards returned to Chatauqua Co .; and then came to Iowa, settling at Waucoma, Fayette Co., and engaged at farm- ing for three years. He owns 180 aeres of land there, and has improved the same. He moved to this place in May, 1881, estab- lished his present business, and rents his farm; occupies a well fitted shop, and manufactures wagons and buggies; has established a good trade in repairing and manufacturing, having the only establishment of the kind in town.

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WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPIHES.

Lawrence Glass, proprietor St. Cloud Flouring Mills, situated on Turkey River, is a native of Germany, came to America about the year 1851; and after remaining one year in Penn., he came to this county and engaged at farming. In 1878 he purchased the mills of A. Ames, and has since run the same. The mills are fitted for merchant work, and also does custom work; are 45x50 feet; four stories and basement, fitted with five run of burrs, bran dusters, purifiers and all the latest improvements and machinery necessary for patent process mills, use four Huston water wheels, and have fine water power; capacity 150 barrels per day. The mills are operated and managed by his son, Charles Glass. They also own 350 acres near the mills, situated in Section 5 all improved and well stocked, fine large residence and other buildings; also own 75 acres in Calmar tp., which latter they rent; they have also 35 acres of timber, near West Union, Fayette Co., beside other real estate property.

H. J. Hardin, farmer, was born in Clinton County, New York, in 1826, and followed the trade of blacksmith. In 1858 he came to Iowa, locating in the village of Burr Oak, this county. He bought town property and opened a shop, and followed his trade there until 1873; then bought the land in sections 26 and 35, there being 240 acres, where he still resides. It is well improved and stocked, with good residence and farm buildings. Mr. Hardin was a member of the county board of supervisors in 1861-2, having been elected on the republican ticket. He has also been assessor for several years in his township, and has filled various other offi- ces. He was married in New York to his first wife, who is now dead, having left four children, and he afterwards married in 1872, at this place, Mrs. Atkinson (nee Wingale). The children of his first wife M. W. Hardin, who is county clerk; H. W. B. Hardin, Chloe and Lewes.

F. G. Hale, junior member and manager of the firm of Rice & Hale, proprietors of the Bluffton Mills; was born in Portage o., Ohio, 1846, and in 1866 came with his parents to this county. They located at Freeport, and for two years owned and ran the flouring mill there. They then sold out and moved to Fremont township and engaged in farming near Plymouth Rock. In 1873 he quit farming, and engaged in business at Kendallville in the same township, with a stock of general merchandise. He re- mained in this business until the fall of 1875, when he was elect- ed county auditor on the republican ticket. He then closed out his business in time to enter upon his official duties in January, 1876. He was re-elected in 1877, and again in 1879. He had served three years previous to his election to the office of auditor as a member of the board of supervisors. At the expiration of his term of office he came to this place, having three years before bought, in partnership with Almon Rice, the mill property here. He purchased residence property and has resided here ever since,

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History of Winneshiek and Allamakee counties, Iowa, Part 63

Author: Alexander, W. E; Western Publishing Company (Sioux City, Iowa) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Sioux City, Ia. : Western Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 772

Author: Alexander, W. E; Western Publishing Company (Sioux City, Iowa)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Sioux City, Ia. : Western Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 772