USA > Iowa > Allamakee County > History of Winneshiek and Allamakee counties, Iowa > Part 68
USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > History of Winneshiek and Allamakee counties, Iowa > Part 68
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S. Pike was born in Clinton Co., N. Y., in 1831, and is a son of Jesse and Elizabeth Niles Pike; his parents being farmers, he was raised in that avocation. He entered the employ of the rail- road company at an early age, which he continued at intervals un- til the breaking out of the rebellion in 1861, when he became in- terested in raising the 96th N. Y. regiment; he enrolled forty- two men, a greater number than any other man. He was taken sick soon after his regiment was enrolled, and was unable to ac- cept the position of captain, which had been previously offered him. In 1863 he came west, and located in Frankville, this Co., and began farming, which proved rather unsuccessful; he then removed to Calmar, again entering the employ of the railroad com- pany, and in 1866 came to Ridgeway, still in the employ of the railroad company, a position which he held until 1870. Of Mr. Pike's ancestors his father's family are of Irish extraction, and his mother's of the old Anglo Saxon stock, his grandfathers on both sides being soldiers in the revolutionary war. Mr. Pike married Elizabeth B. Way, a native of Grand Isle Co., Vt .; they have but one child living, David Emmett, having lost their youngest son, Delbert.
J. C. Rollins, farmer, Burr Oak tp .; born in St. Albans, Somer- set Co., Me., in 1826, and followed farming and lumbering. In 1848 he moved to Union, Rock Co., Wis., where he engaged in farming; remained there one year; thence to Adams Co., Wis., and two years later to Washara Co., Wis .; afterwards to Portage City, Wis., where he engaged in the livery and stage business for about three years, and then came to Io., settling where he now re- sides. He bought the land in the fall of 1864. The land was par-
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tially improved, there being about 40 acres broken and a log house thereon. The land is now all improved, and in place of the log house is a fine residence. The other farm buildings are all of the highest order, including a fine large barn, which is well stocked with fine horses, Mr. Rollins making a specialty of horses, owning four full-blooded, pedigreed Normans, besides a large number of half-bloods, about 40 in all; also good graded cattle and fine Po- land and Berkshire hogs. Mr. R. is a member of Decorah Lodge, A. F. and A. M. He married in 1847, at St. Albans, Me., Miss Mary F. Tripp, and they have seven children, Olive I., Clayton E., Alvin, Franklin. Emma J., Edna B. and Guy. Clayton E., his oldest son, owns 160 acres of land near his father's, the same be- ing improved and well stocked.
Luther Reed, farmer, owning 300 acres in Hesper tp. and 23 acres of timber; was born in Allamakee Co., Io., in 1851. His parents located there in June, 1850, and bought land, and farmed there eleven years; the moved to Winneshiek Co. and bought this place, which is now owned in partnership with his father, and is all improved, well stocked and under fence, with good residence and barns. He was married Jan., 1875, in Allamakee Co., to Miss Celia M. Kellen; they have four children, Ezra G., Luther O .. Alma and Cora.
W. C. Reed. farmer, Hesper tp .; was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, in 1835, and in 1843 came to the U. S. His parents located in Rock Co., Wis., remaining there until 1850; then came to Allamakee Co. He bought the farm he resides on in 1861. It was partially improved, and is now thoroughly so, and all under fence, with good residence, barns, etc., and well stocked. Mr. Reed is a member of the I. O. O. F. He was mar- ried in 1859 at Waukon, to Miss Phebe Knights; they have nine children, William H., Edgar, Franklyn, Charles, Isaac, Jesse, Emma, Ernest, Elsie. Bertie died in Dec. 1880, at four years of age.
Almon Rice, farmer, Bluffton tp .; born in 1821, in Lewis Co., N. Y .; was in the farming and mercaatile business at Parishville, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., and in 1856 came to Io. and bought land in this Co. as an investment, and not with the intention of set- tling; but seeing immigratian heavy and prospects good, he re- mained until the following fall and established his citizenship here, and after the election went back, and disposed of his prop- erty in the east, and in the spring of 1857 moved his family to this Co., and settled first in Orleans tp. on the tp. line on his land there, and afterwards moved across the line on to his land in this tp. He owns 490 acres in Bluffton tp. where he resides, and 510 in Orleans tp. The land is all improved and rented. He has a fine residence which cost him $3,000, where he resides with his son, William H. Mr. Rice is part owner with Mr. Hale of the Bluffton Mills, and is one of the heaviest real estate owners and
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most prominent citizens of the Co. He has been twice a member of the board of county supervisors, first during the war, and ap- pointed to fill vacancy in 1880, and in the same fall was elected for the regular term on the republican ticket. He was married in 1845 in N. Y. to Miss Phebe Simmway, and has one son, Wil- liam H.
Walter Rathburn, farmer and stock raiser, owrs 240 acres, all tillable land, except 40 acres timber, in Frankville tp .; was born in Allegany Co., N. Y., in 1824, and moved with hi parents in 1842 to Winnebago Co., Ill. In March, 1850, he came to Frank- ville tp., this Co., and took a claim at government land price, paying for the same in Mexican land warrants, which he bought at a discount, so the land only cost him about $1.00 per acre. Of the land, 160 acres was in the east part of the tp .; he sold it in 1853, and bought the farm he now resides on. It is fine rolling prairie, and very productive; he has a fine herd of good grade cattle, fine bred hogs, and has a handsome residence, barns and every con- venience and necessity for comfort.
R. F. Rudolph, druggist, Decorah; is a son of C. Rudolph, and was born in Wis. in 1856; came with his parents to Decorah. He was educated in the schools of the city, also taking a course at the business college of Milwaukee, where he graduated at the age of 16 years. Mr. Rudolph learned the drug business at McGregor, Io., and in 1872, in partnership with his father, engaged in his present business, and has since been managing partner of the firm of C. Rudolph & Son. He was married in 1879 to Miss Alice A. Stewart.
D. A. Reed, blacksmith, was born in Ohio in 1830; in July, 1848, he oame with his parents to Winneshiek Co., and settled in Bloomfield tp. His father, David Reed, subsequently served as the first County Judge of Winneshiek Co., holding the office two terms. The subject of this sketch was reared as a farmer, and af- terwards ran machinery in steam mills until 1860. He then com- menced work at his trade, and has since continued the same; estab- lished his present business in 1867. Mr. Reed in 1850 married Miss Mary L. Topliff, daughter of Judge Topliff, of Allamakee Co .; they have four children.
C. Rudolph is a native of Germany, born in 1823; emigrated to the U. S. in 1853, and first located at St. Louis, Mo .; in 1854 he removed to Wis .; two years subsequently to Minn., and in 1259 came to Io. and settled at Decorah, and has since been engaged in the saloon business. He built the Rudolph Block in 1869, a brick structure, 33x80 feet, three stories high besides basement. In 1872 he established the drug business of C. Rudolph & Son, and has since been a partner in the business. He was married in 1853 to Miss Fredericke Borchert. The children living are Anna, now Mrs. Albert Bagemill, Robert F., Edward, Amelia and Augusta.
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Hiram Rosa, farmer, Frankville tp .; was born in Ulster Co., N. Y., in 1834; came to this place with his parents and brothers in 1850. He broke the first furrow on Washington prairie, where the family settled, and which is now a heavy settlement. He used seven yoke of cattle, and a plow that turned three feet of sod. The country was wild and new, the Winnebago Indians being here at that time, but were removed west soon after. He was mar- ried in this tp., Feb. 4, 1864, to Sarah Freer. The farm on which they reside is in Sec. 31, contains 106 acres, 90 acres fine, tillable land and about 16 acres of timber. He has thoroughly improved the place; has a residence second only to his brother Peter's, and of similar style, and surrounded by a beautiful garden, which shows great neatness and care. The farm is well stocked and thoroughly adapted for stock purposes.
Theodore Rosa, farmer, Frankville tp .; was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., Nov. 4, 1838; owns part of the old homestead, the claim that was taken by his father when he first came to this Co., situ- ated in the northwest corner of Sec. 31. and containing 110 acres, all tillable land except 15 acres of timber, and all in Frankville tp. The land is thoroughly improved, with residence and barns, is thoroughly fitted and rented to tenants, as he does not farm himself. The Rosas were the most extensive farmers in this local- ity for years, and one season raised 10,070 bushels of wheat alone. Theodore Rosa is a member of the Masonic order, Lodge No. 66, Frankville.
Ole P. Ruksvold, farmer and postmaster, Thoton P. O .; owns 160 acres in Sec. 14, and 100 acres in Sec. 15; was born in Nor- way in 1832; was reared on a farm; came to the U. S. in 1853 and located in Wis., but only remained there two months; then came to Winneshiek Co., and bought a farm in Sec. 11, on which he lived several years, which he since sold to his brother in 1860, and then bought where he now resides. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. G, 12th Io. Inf., and served three years and two months. He received promotion to corporal at Pittsburg Landing, two days be- fore he was taken prisoner at Shiloh. The rebels took him with other prisoners to Mobile, Cahaba, and then to Macon, Ga., where he was kept about five months, and then to Libby Prison, where he was confined ten days and exchanged at Aiken's Landing, on the James River. He was then taken to Annapolis and afterwards to St. Louis, where the regiment was reorganized, and then went to Vicksburg in Feb., 1863, and went through the campaign with Sherman and Grant. He was wounded at Pleasant Hill, on the Red River, La., being shot in the thigh with buck shot, which he still carries with him as an unpleasant reminder of those interest- ing days. He was disharged at Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 7, 1864, and returned to Io. and resumed farming. He is one of the oldest settlers and prominent citizens, and has been a member of the board of county supervisors two terms, besides having held many
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township offices; is a republican in politics. Mr. R. was married in 1865 in this tp., to Miss Anna Gilbertson; they have eight children. During the war his farm was carried on by his younger brother, Anton P. Rucksvold, who now owns the farm in Sec. 11. He is a prominent citizen and has filled every office in the tp .; was married in 1873 in this tp., to Miss Anna Amundson.
Peter Rosa, farmer, Frankville tp .; one of the leading and most prominent citizens in the Co .; was born in Ulster Co., N. Y., April 17, 1831; his parents moved shortly after to near Auburn, Cay- uga Co., N. Y .; farmed there, and moved in 1847 to Clayton Co., Io., where they farmed three seasons, 'and in March, 1850, came to Winneshiek Co. and bought school lands. Peter took up a claim and opened the same, as well as helping his father, Abraham E. Rosa, with his farm, being about 1,000 acres, which he divided between his seven sons. He died August 12, 1877; his wife, Rachel Rosa, died June 19, 1871. The farm on which Peter Rosa resides is one of the handsomest and most attractive in that part of the county, is on Sec. 28, and is thoroughly improved. The residence is the finest farm residence in the neighborhood, is gothic in style of architecture, and cost over $3,000; is surrounded by a handsome garden, orchard and lawn, in which Mrs. Rosa takes especial pride, everything being the picture of neatness. With its neat and luxuriant surroundings, this is indeed a model country home. The farm is well stocked with a fine herd of good grade cattle, nine head of horses, and a large drove of fine hogs. Mr. R. has filled the office of justice of the peace several years in the tp., and is a member of the Masonic order, Frankville Lodge. He was married Dec. 10, 1867, at Postville, Allamake Co., to Cassin- dina Webster; they have one son, Webbie.
J. S. Roome, physician and surgeon, was born in Canada in 1839. In 1863 he came to Mich. and entered the Ann Arbor med- ical institute, from which he graduated in the class of '66. He immediately came to Calmar and began the practice of his profes- sion. He married Gertrude Hilliard, who was born in Madison, Wis., and who died in 1878. They had one child, Toldie.
Peter Roney, Sec. 23, P. O. Decorah; farmer and dairyman; was born in Essex Co., N. Y., in 1841; came to this Co. in 1855, and engaged as a laborer on the farm he now owns, and which he pur- chased in 1875, since which time he has carried on the dairy busi- ness; furnishes milk to the citizens of Decorah. He keeps from thirty to thirty-five cows. Mr. R. was married to Miss Almira L. Gibbs, also a native of Essex Co., N. Y .; their children are Clara M., Minnie C., Charles H., Albert M., William E., Frank A. and John P.
C. D. Roome, M. D., was born in Canada in 1843, and is a son of W. F. and Catherine Roome. He came to the U. S. in 1865, his first location being Oregon, Dane Co., Wis. He received his medical education at Ann Arbor, Mich., and Rush Medical Col-
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lege, of Chicago, graduating at the latter named place in the class of '71. In 1874 he came to Ridgeway and engaged in practice. He married Annie Irwin, also a native of Canada; they have one daughter, Maggie.
M. Ringeon, of the firm of Ringeon & Dorn, grain dealers, was born in Norway in 1838; is a son of Severt and Annie Ringeon. In 1858 he came to America, and settled in Dane Co., Wis., and followed farming until 1861; he then returned to Norway, remain- ing two years and a half, and on his return to America he located at Conover, and engaged in the grain business, which he continued until 1868, when he removed to Ridgeway, and entered business as above. He was married to Martha Oleson, a native of Wis- consin; they have five children, four sons and one daughter.
Ebenezer Rice, farmer, Sec. 13, P. O. Cresco; has 160 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre; was born in N. Y., in 1818. In 1857 left there and came to Winneshiek Co., Io., and has been a resi- dent of that Co. ever since. He is the fifth son of Ebenezer and Sarah Rice. Mr. Rice was married in 1848 to Miss Lydia Pease, a native of N. Y., and has one son, 30 years of age, Charles H. Mr. Rice has been tp. trustee, and has held the office of justice of the peace.
Enoch Robinson, farmer, Sec. 25, P. O. Cresco; owns 360 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre, was born in 1815 in N. J .; is the oldest son of Joel and Hannah Robinson. When he was four years old his mother died, but his father survived his mother long enough to rear a large family by a second marriage. Mr. Robin- son, at his mother's death, was adopted by his uncle, and removed with him to Ohio, and lived there until 12 years old; then moved to Ind., and lived there for some time; then came to Allamakee Co., and after a residence of four years there came to Winneshiek Co. He was married in Ind. to Miss Eliza Fetterman, a native of Penn. Mrs. Robinson lived but a few years, and in 1858 Mr. Robinson married Mrs. Mary Green, a native of Penn. He has one child, a daughter, Emily Josephine.
Steen Sandersen, Burr Oak; was born in Norway in 1815, came to America in 1846, settled first in Racine Co., Wis., and farmed there until 1869; then came to Io., settling at this place where he purchased a farm. It is situated on Sec. 10 and contains 235 acres, all improved except ten acres of timber. There are good build- ings, etc., and the farm is well stocked. It is operated by his sons. Mr. S. was married in Norway in 1845 to Miss Sarah Errickson, and they have two childern, Sander and Tolef.
John Stead, farmer, Burr Oak tp .; owns 375 acres, including 15 acres of timber. He was born in Canada East, near the N. Y. state line, in 1823. In the fall of 1853 he came to the U. S., and settled in this place, purchasing 160 acres at that time at the government price, and has bought the rest at various times since. The land is thoroughly improved and all under fence. Eighty
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acres of the land is farmed by his son, Robert F. Stead. The land is situated on Secs. 14 and 15. His residence, which is a hand- some brick building, and the barns, etc., are on Sec. 14. The place is well stocked. He was married in N. Y. in 1850, to Miss Mary A. Russell, and they have four children, Robert F., Edwin G., Hannah and Elizabeth.
James Sharp, farmer, Burr Oak tp .; was born in Pocahontas Co., W. Va., in 1820, came to Io. in 1855, and settled first in Hes- per tp., this Co., where he lived eight years; thence to this place, bought land. and now owns 160 acres in Sec. 16, where he resides; also farms 155 acres in Sec. 15, which he formerly owned, and which now belongs to P. E. Truman. He was married in 1842 in W. Va., to Miss Rachel Moore, and they have eight children liv- ing, George, Robert, Martha, Jane, Luvena, Eddie and Prudie. George, the oldest son, assists his father in the management of the farm, and was born in W. Va. in 1843, and came to this Co. with his parents. He resides with his father, and was married in 1875 in this tp., to Miss Susannah Peacock; they have one son, Stewart.
Knudt Salveson, farmer, Hesper tp .; was born in Southern Nor- way in 1851, came to the U. S. with his parents in 1853, and set- tled in this tp. His father bought part of his land at government price, and also some of settlers. He thoroughly improved the same, and in 1878 the land came into the possession of its present owner. There is a good residence and barns. The farm is well stocked, and is fine level land. Mr. S. was married in 1875 in De- corah to Miss Anna Siverson, and they have one child, Salve.
Engebret G. Soland, P. O. Decorah; farmer, Sec. 1, Springfield tp .; was born in Norway in 1824, where he remained till 1842, when he emigrated to the U. S., first stopping in Racine Co., Wis., a short time, and thence to Kendall Co., Ill. In 1851 he came to this Co. and in Feb., 1852, came to his present farm, which now contains nearly 700 acres, well improved and with first-class build- ings, and is one of the best farms in the Co. Mr. Soland was married to Miss Helen Clement in 1850. She died in Nov., 1879, leaving himself and two sons, Gilbert and Errick, to mourn her loss. Since the death of his wife he has divided the most of his farm between his two sons, and lives with his son Gilbert, who was married to Miss Magdalene Egge, April 25, 1878, and has one daughter, Ella B. Errick was married to Miss Henrietta Hegg, May 21, 1880.
D. E. Shelmidine, nurseryman and florist, proprietor of the " Kendalville Nursery; " was born in Courtland Co., N. Y., Dec. 9, 1817. In 1829 his parents moved to Oil Creek, Crawford Co., Penn., and went into the lumber business. In 1854, after the death of his father, he moved to Io., and arriving at this place he drove stakes, before the tp. was organized. He took the claim he now owns, proved upon the same, and obtained patent; sold the
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greater portion of the original claim, which was 160 acres, now owning only 33 acres, joining the village of Kendalville, and es- tablished the above named nursery thereon in 1872. There are ten acres of timber and the balance is laid out as the nursery. It is rich bottom land, and well fitted with choice nursery stock, in- cluding many varieties of apple trees, all varieties of Hybrids; also all varieties of small fruits, and shade and ornamental trees and evergreens. Mr. S. is doing an extensive business. He has a good barn and comfortable residence, which latter was erected in 1856, built of logs and boarded. He served one term of two years as member of the board of supervisors in 1861 and 1862. There was one member elected from each tp. in those days, and they received the handsome amount of $1.50 per day as remunera- tion, receiving pay in warrants worth 65 cents on the $1.00. He was married in 1844 in Penn., to Miss Sarah W. Hunter, who died June 24, 1878, at this place, leaving four children, Melinda, Ad- die, Allie and Edgar.
Frank B. Snell, farmer, Bluffton tp .; was born in McKeen Co., Penn., in 1837. In the following year his parents moved to McHenry Co., Ill., where they remained seventeen years; then came to Io., and settled where he now resides. They were among the earliest settlers. They bought government land and improved the same. The property now belongs to Frank B., and contains 125 acres, ten acres of which is timber, well improved, good stone residence, and well stocked. It is situated on the Upper Iowa river, on Secs. 4 and 5. He was married in 1863 in Hesper tp., to Miss Ann Mitchell, and has three children, Angeline, George and Maggie.
John Stockman, farmer, Fremont tp .; owns 600 acres, 160 acres being in Howard Co., and the balance in this Co. and tp., on Secs. 31 and 32. He was born in Isle la Mott, Vt., 1833; worked in a quarry and on government work, etc., by day labor. In 1855 he came to Io. and bought land in Howard Co., and also pre-empted a quarter Sec. in this tp., and has since added the rest, which, with the exception of 50 acres of timber, is all improved, having good residences, barns, etc., and well stocked: Mr. Stockman is one of the most extensive farmers and land owners in the Co., and has ac- cumulated his property by hard work, having come to this state poor and worked for about ten years after coming here at day's work, before he could work his own land to advantage. He oper- ates all his land himself, and employs generally three men, and more in the busiest seasons. He has eighteen head of horses and uses five teams; owns 61 head of cattle and a large drove of hogs. Mr. S. has filled many offices of trust in the tp., and is a leading and respected citizen. He was married in 1854 in Vt., to Miss Sarah Eddy; their children are Sobrina, Mary, William, Winfield, Mattie and Lowena.
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Leonard Standring, Esq., is a native of Lowille, Lewis Co., N. Y., born on the 1st day of April, 1835. After receiving his edu- cation at the Lowille academy, he entered the Bank of Lowille at the age of 14, and remained in that situation six years. Thus at 20 years of age we find him with a broad foundation of useful knowledge and experience on which to build his future career. In Sept., 1855, Mr. Standring immigrated to Io., located at Deco- rah, and in the same year, in co-partnership with William L. Easton, former president of the Bank of Lowille, and E. E. Cooley, Esq., established the Decorah Bank. This banking house proved eventually to be the germ of the First National Bank. The year of the opening of this bank was noted in the history of Decorah as that of the establishment of the Turkey River branch of the U. S. land office, in that place. It was a time of great ex- citement in land speculation; crowds of eager land-buyers gath- ered here from all the country around, and money poured in in almost fabulous quantities. The office was opened on Christmas day, 1855, and that occasion had caused a good deal of drinking and unusual hilarity on the part of the crowd; so much so as to make it necessary that a sober and trusty custodian should be selected to take care of the money and valuable papers in their possession. Mr. Standring was chosen to fulfill that arduous and responsible duty, but the question now arose, where should a safe deposit be found? A dry goods box was obtained as the best sub- stitute, and into this the motley crowd began to empty their treas- ures-warrants, money, belts of gold, shot-bags of coin-till all had been deposited; and over this Mr. Standring stood guard till the equilibrium of the crowd had been restored. Out of that box was counted the next morning over half a million dollars in money and warrants. This incident furnishes a good illustra- tion of the estimate placed upon Mr. Standring's integrity at that early day, when settlers in a new country were not always scrupu- lous as to the character of their acts. In 1859 Mr. Standring withdrew from the bank and the year following purchased forty acres of land near the city limits, and on account of his health commenced farming, which he continued for several years, and as he was very successful he added to his farm from time to time, so that he now owns over six hundred acres adjoining the city. In 1875 Mr. Standring purchased the assets of the Mississippi Valley Insurance Company, and paid off the stockholders. April 17, 1879, he was appointed the assignee of the firm of Ammon, Scott & Co., and has since been engaged as such. Mr. Standring, in all his public and private life, has maintained the reputation of a strictly honest and reliable man, who does precisely as he agrees. . His home is furnished with the applicances and comforts of the best social life, and he has the highest respect of all who know him. He takes no interest in politics further than to per- form his duty as a citizen. Mr. Standring was united in marriage
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