USA > Iowa > Allamakee County > Past and present of Allamakee county, Iowa. A record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 13
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When Hans Simenson was eleven years of age he accompanied his parents to America and settled with them in Winneshiek county. Four years later he moved to Allamakee county and here he afterwards began farming for himself, buying land on section 21, Hanover township. For a long period thereafter he improved and cultivated this property, the years bringing him success, prominence and substantial fortune and a place among the prominent and representative agriculturists. From time to time he added to his holdings and finally accumulated three hundred and sixty acres of land, of which one hundred and eighty were in a high state of cultivation. In its development he adhered always to the most progressive and practical methods and his farm became one of the finest in this vicinity, reflecting in its neat and attractive appearance the many years of careful supervision and practical labor which the owner had expended upon it.
In 1869 Mr. Simenson was united in marriage to Miss Patrena Larson, a native of Norway and a daughter of Christian and Anna Larson, who came to America in 1852 and settled in Allamakee county. The father purchased land in Hanover township and operated it until his death. His wife survives him and makes her home in Waukon, being now eighty-seven years of age. They were the parents of ten children of whom four still survive, the wife of the subject of this review being the first in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Simenson became the parents of four children: Sarah, the wife of W. H. Allen, a rancher in California; Oscar C., a farmer in Winneshiek county ; Jane,
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who married E. W. Allen, engaged in the transfer business in Waukon; and Alfred, who owns the old homestead. The latter his added to his father's hold- ings, owning now three hundred and seventy-eight acres of land, on which he carries on general farming and stock-raising. Mrs. Simenson survives her husband and makes her home with her son. She is a lady of many excellent traits of mind and character and is widely known and highly respected, her upright life having won for her the confidence and good-will of all who know her.
In the life of Hans Simenson was a creditable military chapter. In 1861 he enlisted in Company H, Ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry and went to the front as a private. He participated in many of the most important engagements of the Civil war, serving four years, and at the close of hostilities was mustered out as corporal. He was always a most earnest and patriotic citizen, manifesting these qualities at home as well as on the battlefield and he was never known to withhold his support from any progressive public project. He served with ability and distinction in almost all of the township offices, considering it the duty of every citizen to serve his fellowmen when called upon to do so. His upright life was guided by the doctrines of the Presbyterian church of which he was a devout member and he kept in touch with his comrades of fifty years ago through his connection with the Waukon Post of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Simenson's death occurred on his farm in Hanover township, and it deprived this part of Iowa of a representative and valued citizen-a man of proved patriotism, loyalty and uprightness, whose life was guided and directed by high ideals and whose accomplishments were important as factors in the general development of this part of the state.
WILLIAM H. KERNDT.
William H. Kerndt, a successful and prominent farmer of French Creek township and a worthy representative of one of Allamakee county's most honored pioneer families, was born on the farm which he now owns December 19. 1859. He is a son of Herman Kerndt, a native of Schlesien, Germany, born in 1823, and one of five Kerndt brothers who came to Allamakee county in 1853. Herman Kerndt purchased two hundred acres of unimproved land in French Creek township and devoted the remainder of his life to general farming, becoming one of the substantial and representative agriculturists of the community. His first home, a little shanty upon his holdings, was afterward replaced by a log cabin and still later by the frame dwelling now occupied by the subject of this review. This in turn he intends to replace next spring by a fine modern dwelling, for which he has the material already upon his place. The father became a successful and prosperous farmer and as his financial resources grew added to his holdings until his farm comprised three hundred and ninety acres of land lying on section 36. Hlerman Kerndt married Miss Godlieba Breuer, also a native of Germany, and both passed away upon this farm, the mother dying February 21, 1901, and the father, January 12, 1911. They were the parents of eight children : Alvina, who lives in Lansing; Maria, who is now Mrs. Haas;
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Jennie, who died at the age of twenty-two; Charles, who met his death by drown- ing when he was about twenty years of age; Gustave H., a farmer of Lansing township; Emma, now Mrs. H. R. Weirking, of Mankato, Minnesota; Annie, who is housekeeper for her brother, Gustave H .; and William H., of this review. Mr. and Mrs. Herman Kerndt were devout members of the Congregational church and the father was a stanch supporter of the republican party.
William H. Kerndt was reared upon his present farm and acquired his education in the district schools of Makee township, in the independent district of Lycurgus. During the last years of his father's life he assumed the management of the homestead and after his death bought the interests of the other heirs and has since been the sole owner. There are excellent improvements upon the place, Mr. Kerndt having steadily carried forward the work of development until the farm is today a valuable and productive property.
On the 19th of May, 1891, Mr. Kerndt was united in marriage to Miss Lena Nierling, a native of Allamakee county and a daughter of Anton and Mary (Buck) Nierling, both of whom have passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Kerndt have become the parents of six children: Herman, Maria, Leslie, Theodore, Willard and Clarence, all of whom are at home. The parents are devout members of the Congregational church and are liberal contributors to its support. Mr. Kerndt gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and is keenly inter- ested in local advancement and development, although this interest never takes the form of office seeking. A resident of French Creek township since his birth, he is largely familiar with the history of the county and has an intimate knowledge of the events which have changed its annals and affected its policies. His work and accomplishments entitle him to mention among the representative men of this community.
CHRISTIAN FRAHM.
The history of the pioneer settlement of Allamakee county contains the record of no more honorable, worthy and upright man than that of Christian Frahm, who, landing in America with only one dollar in his pocket, has worked steadily and courageously during the intervening years, winning finally success, prominence and an honored name. He is one of the earliest settlers in Allama- kee county, his residence here dating from 1856, and he has borne an active part in the work of progress which has since reclaimed the wilderness for purposes of civilization. He was born in the province of Holstein, Germany, December 23, 1830, and in 1853 took passage aboard a three-masted vessel called Hemisphere, sailing from Liverpool. After a long journey he arrived in New York and pushed westward to Chicago, landing in the latter city with a capital of one dollar. He found employment in Chicago, working at any- thing he could find to do, his occupations including the plowing of a cornfield which grew where the business section of the city now stands. From Chicago he made his way to Dubuque, Iowa, and there worked on the railroad and at other occupa- tions until he came to Allamakee county, settling in Lansing, November 10, 1856. He proceeded to Waukon, where he spent three months, but in the spring
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of the same year obtained a position as a farm laborer on what is now known as Lansing Ridge. He later was employed by his brother in Lansing township and afterward was for seven years on the Adam Hirth farm. Being ambitious, economical and energetic, he saved his money, gradually accumulating enough to rent land. He engaged in farming in this way for one year and then, on the 7th of March, 1864, purchased the farm, buying at that time sixty-two acres, about forty of which could be cultivated. He erected a home upon this property and with confidence, courage and steadfast purpose carried forward the work of development, replacing the old buildings by new ones when necessary so that only one of the original structures now remains. He later added forty acres to his holdings, so that his farm now comprises one hundred and two acres. It is said that in the early days he could plow a straighter furrow across eighty acres of land with a yoke of oxen with no reins nor anything to guide his team but "gee" and "haw" than can be done today with a team of horses and the best plow manufactured. He engaged in general farming for many years, success steadily attending his well directed and practical labors, and he accumu- lated finally a comfortable competency, on which he was able to retire from active business life. He has given over the management of the homestead to his son and daughter, who care for their father in his old age.
In Lansing township, in 1868, Mr. Frahm married Miss Mary Wessel, born in Hanover, Germany, August 7, 1840. When a young woman she crossed the Atlantic to America, landing in this country after a journey of forty-nine days. After her arrival she worked for wages in order to obtain the money to pay for her passage over, and her life was afterward filled with the hard work always to be found upon a farm. All difficulties . she faced with confidence and courage, proving a worthy helpmate to her husband and aiding him materially in his struggle upward to success. She passed away in Lansing township, August 8, 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Frahm became the parents of five children, two of whom survive, Sophia and Henry. They live upon the homestead, Henry managing the work of the farm and Sophia taking charge of household matters.
For the past fifty years Mr. Frahm has been a member of the German Methodist church. He affiliated with the republican party until the election in November, 1912, when he allied his interests with the progressives. He is a splendid example of the self-made man, for, unaided by capital or influential friends, he has worked out his own success. His life of toil and labor has been crowned with a gratifying measure of prosperity and by his perseverance, industry and integrity he has won an honored name as well as success.
CHARLES H. KRUMM.
No citizen in Allamakee county has achieved greater success as a general agriculturist and stock-raiser than Charles H. Krumm, whose attractive home- stead lies in Post township and comprises one hundred and eight acres of land. He was born in Mechlenberg. Germany, September 6, 1860, and is a son of John and Caroline (Freil) Krumm, natives of the same locality, where the mother died in 1870. Eight years later the father crossed the Atlantic
CHARLES H. KRUMM
MRS. CHARLES H. KRUMM
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to America, joining his son who had located in Iowa some years before. II settled on a farm south of Garnavillo, where he remained for seven years, retiring from active life at the end of that time and making his home with his sons until his death in 1885. In Germany he had served in the regular army, having begun his term of enlistment in 1848. He never neglected any of the duties which fell to his lot as a man and as a citizen, and his death was widely and deeply regretted in the community where his many sterling traits of character had become well known.
Charles H. Krumm acquired his education in the public schools of Germany and when he was eighteen years of age accompanied his father to America, settling in Clayton county, Iowa, where for a number of years he engaged in farming in the employ of others. He was ambitious, industrious and energetic and by the time he was twenty-two had accumulated enough money to rent land, following farming as a renter until he purchased his present property of one hundred and thirteen acres in Allamakee county. Upon this he has since made substantial improvements, erecting modern buildings, installing the neccessary equipment and steadily carrying forward the work of development along prac- tical and progressive lines. In addition to this property he owns a five acre timber tract two miles north of his farm and a large amount of stock in the Postville Clay Products Company and in the Cooperative Creamery. Most of his attention is, however, given to his stock-raising interests, which have contin- ually increased in volume and importance and which now form one of the most profitable sources of his income. He makes a specialty of breeding and raising full blooded Poland China hogs and his shipping business has expanded rapidly, his markets last year covering fourteen different states. For a number of years he bred cattle on an extensive scale but he has since discontinued this branch of his business and now raises only milch cows for dairy purposes. His business interests are always carefully and capably conducted, gaining him a gratifying measure of success and a place among the representative farmers and stock raisers in this vicinity.
On the 16th of January, 1882, Mr. Krumm married Miss Minnie Schierholz, who was born in Garnavillo township, Clayton county, November II, 1856, a daughter of Herman and Anna (Taugeman) Schierholz, natives of Germany, the father born in Oldenburg in 1805 and the mother in the province of Hanover in 1816. Mr. Schierholz came to America when he was twenty-eight years of age, spending three months on the Atlantic. Landing in New Orleans, he walked from that city to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and there secured employment as a cabinet-maker and carpenter, trades which he had learned in the fatherland. Later he removed to Ohio, settling on a farm near New Bremen, whereon he resided until 1845, when he came as a pioneer into Iowa, taking up a grant of government land in Garnavillo township, Clayton county. He steadily carried forward its improvement and cultivation until 1890, when he retired from active life and moved into Garnavillo where he passed away in 1897, at the remarkable age of ninety-one years, nine months and thirteen days. His wife had died in 1891. He was one of the first settlers in Garnavillo township and no man was more familiar with pioneer conditions in that section of the state than he, for he made his first settlement there when it was a mere frontier district and Vol. II -:
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when the Indians were yet numerous on the prairies. He witnessd the great government round-up of three thousand Indians at Garnavillo and he bought the first reaper ever used in this part of Jowa. In his death, Clayton county lost one of her honored pioneer citizens and his passing was sincerely regretted by all who were fortunate enough to come within the close circle of his friendship.
Mr. and Mrs. Krumm became the parents of six children, three of whom are deceased. Those living are: Alice, who was born March 13, 1887, and who married H. F. Schmidt, superintendent for the Johnson Brothers Manufacturing Company at Madison, Wisconsin ; Minnie Elizabeth, who was born August 27, 1888, and resides at home; and Effie Roselea, whose birth occurred on the 5th of November, 1804.
Fraternally Mr. Krumm is affiliated with the Masonic order. holding member- ship in Brotherly Love Lodge at Postville, the chapter at Elgin, the commandery at West Union and the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Cedar Rapids. He is identified also with the Modern Brotherhood. the Yeoman and the Turner Society. His religious views are in accord with the doctrines of the German Lutheran church and politically he is independent, voting according to his per- sonal convictions without regard to party lines. Although he has never sought nor desired public office he was for a number of years treasurer of the school board and during that time did a great deal of important work in school affairs. lle is a progressive. enterprising and loyal citizen and. having thoroughly identified his interests with those of this part of lowa, has made substantial and lasting contributions to its agricultural growth and progress.
THOMAS ELLINGSON.
Among the many upright, able and representative citizens whom Norway has given to America is numbered Thomas Ellingson, whose entire active life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits in Iowa. In association with his wife he owns four hundred and sixty-two acres in Hanover township and extensive holdings in Winneshiek county and he has gained a high place in agricultural circles of this vicinity, where he is recognized as an able and progressive farmer. Ile was born in Norway in 1869 and with his parents came to America in 1873, settling with them in Allamakee county. The father here turned his attention to farming and continued to engage in that occupation until his death, which occurred in 1893. His wife survives him and makes her home in Winneshiek county. To their union were born eleven children, eight of whom still sur- vive.
Thomas Ellingson remained at home until he was nineteen years of age and then began his independent career, working as a farm laborer for six years thereafter. At the end of that time he began farming for himself and he has since accumulated valuable land holdings, which he owns in association with his wife. The home farm comprises four hundred and sixty-two acres lying in llanover township and is an excellent and well improved property, equipped with fine buildings and modern machinery. Mr. Ellingson owns also one hundred
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and sixty acres in Winneshick county and his business interests are carefully and capably conducted.
In April, 1894. Mr. Ellingson was united in marriage to Miss Ella Hanson, who was born in Hanover township, this county, in 1873. She is a daughter of Hans A. and Maren Hanson, natives of Norway, who came to America and settled in Allamakee county, Iowa, where their marriage occurred. The father bought a farm ou section 29 and gave his entire attention to its development and improvement until 1897, when he retired from active life, purchasing a home in Waukon, in which he resided until his death, which occurred in 1910. He was at that time the owner of five hundred and eighty-two acres of improved land, two hundred of which were in a high state of cultivation. He was very active in local republican politics and held various positions of trust and respon- sibility, filling almost all of the township offices. His wife passed away in 1898. To their union were born nine children, six of whom still survive. Mr. and Mrs. Ellingson have become the parents of eight children: Harris M., who was born in 1895; Mabel H., whose birth occurred in 1898; Kenneth T., born in 1900; Mildred A., in 1903; Alden E., in 1904; Carl J., in 1907; Lester M., in 1909; and Ella T., in 1913.
Mr. Ellingson is a member of the Lutheran church and is a man of exemplary character, guiding his honorable and upright life by the principles in which he believes. Indefatigable energy is perhaps his strongest characteristic and it has led him forward in his business relations to a prominent place among the success- ful farmers of his township.
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LOUIS HIRTH.
No farmer in Allamakee county has achieved greater success in agricultural pursuits and stock-raising than Louis Hirth, now operating the farm in Lansing township upon which he was born. A spirit of enterprise and progress actuates him in all that he does and his well directed energies have brought him to a place among the well-to-do and substantial men of this community. He was born on the farm where he now resides January 24, 1858, and is a son of Adam and Margaret Hirth, natives of Germany. The father was born in Baden and in 1853 came to America, settling on a farm on section 18, Lansing township, in that year. One of the first settlers in that section, he found pioneer conditions everywhere surrounding him but, undiscouraged by this, turned his attention with characteristic energy to improving and developing his property. Upon the three hundred and twenty acres which he bought he built a log cabin, later replacing this by a second and more commodious log house. As the years went by he prospered in his undertakings and upon his death in 1864 was considered one of the most substantial and successful farmers of this vincinity. He was a member of the German Methodist church and a republican in his political beliefs. He and his wife became the parents of six children: Mary, who married Adam Decker, of Lansing township; Adam, who lives in Dubuque, Iowa; Barbara, who married William Wendell, of Lansing township: Annie, a resident of Vancouver island, British Columbia, and the widow of William May, who was
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killed in a snow slide; Louis, of this review ; and Andrew, who makes his home in Lansing.
In the district schools of Lansing township Louis Hirth acquired his early education, later attending for one term a school at Galena, Illinois. His child- hood was spent upon the homestead and even before he laid aside his books he assisted with its operation, later giving his entire time to aiding his mother. When he was twenty-one years of age he and one of his brothers purchased the interests of the other heirs and for several years thereafter conducted the homestead. Eventually Mr. Hirth of this review disposed of his share of the farm to his brother and went to Hanover township, where he purchased land. After farming successfully in that section for ten years he returned to the old home and bought the farm from his brother, now owning the original tract of three hundred and twenty acres, which has been in possession of his family for sixty years. Upon this he has made substantial improvements, building a new and attractive residence, a barn and a silo and all the necessary outbuildings. Since the beginning of his active career he has engaged extensively in the breed- ing of high-grade Percheron horses and keeps registered stallions and mares. He also raises full-blooded Poland China hogs and Aberdeen Angus cattle, his stock-raising interests constituting an important source of his income.
On the 27th of February, 1889, Mr. Hirth was united in marriage to Miss Emma Wild, a native of Allamakee county and a daughter of George Wild, of French Creek township. Mrs. Hirth passed away December 19, 1911, leaving six children : Frank, who lives at home; Cora, who recently married Ed Lentz, with whom she makes her home in Minnesota; and Nora, Flavia, Christina and Kermit, all of whom live at home.
Mr. Hirth is a progressive republican in his political views and is interested in public affairs, keeping himself always well posted on national and local issues. He is active and able in business, progressive in citizenship and upright and hon- orable in all relations of life-a native son whose life record is a credit to the community in which he was born.
FRED W. DUVAL.
A young man not yet thirty years of age, Fred W. Duval has already estab- lished himself as one of the substantial agriculturists of Allamakee county, cultivating a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, near Postville, which is highly improved and by its appearance gives evidence of the successful efforts of its owner. Born in Ludlow township, Allamakee county, on October 16, 1884, Fred W. Duval is a son of Henry and Anna ( Menke) Duval, the father a native of Germany, where he was born in the city of Bremen, and the mother of Wisconsin. In early life the father learned and followed the carpenter's trade and upon coming to this country as a young man located in Allamakee county, east of Waukon, where in the employ of others he followed his occupation. He was so engaged until his marriage, when he purchased a farm in Ludlow town- ship, in the cultivation of which he successfully continued until his death, which occurred in 1896. The mother still resides on the home farm in Ludlow town-
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ship. In their family were eight children, of whom Mr. Duval is the third in order of birth.
In the acquirement of his education Fred W. Duval attended district school in Ludlow township and subsequently made his home with his mother until about twenty-one years of age, when he began his independent career, hiring out as a farm hand and so continuing for three years. Thrift and industry brought him the means with which he was enabled to buy the farm upon which he now lives and which comprises one hundred and twenty acres of fertile land. All of his acres are under high cultivation and devoted to general farming, although he specializes in stock-raising to some extent. His thorough work, and energy and industry, have brought him rich harvests and, although yet young in years, he is on the high road to prosperity.
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