USA > Iowa > Allamakee County > Past and present of Allamakee county, Iowa. A record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 23
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Returning to Allamakee county, he disposed of the eighty acres of land, to which he had acquired title before the war, and purchased from a brother an adjoining eighty acres, to the breaking and cultivation of which he gave his entire time. Following progressive methods, his labors soon resulted in financial returns and gradually all of his land was brought to a high state of cultivation. He erected suitable and substantial buildings, giving his active labor to the work of the fields until age compelled him to turn over the more arduous duties to a
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younger generation. All his buildings were destroyed by fire at one time, but undaunted by this misfortune he again set to work to rebuild his barn and out- houses and residence, and his farm today must be numbered among the most productive of its size in the county.
Mr. Dowling was twice married, his first .union being with Miss Charity Hartley, a native of England, who passed away soon after her marriage. He then married Mrs. Russell Lane, who died May 10, 1913. She was in her maiden- hood Miss Esther Pollard and a native of Worcester, Massachusetts. Her parents were John and Sarah ( Buckley) Pollard, who in 1866 became residents of Allamakee county. Both have passed away. By her former marriage Mrs. Dowling had two sons: Russell Lane, who married Barbara Hahn, by whom he has four children, Verne, Florence, Jessie and Russell; and Charles Lane, who married Kate Smith, by whom he has three children, Ethel, Lillian and Esther. Both Russell and Charles Lane live on the Dowling homestead and the latter looks after the active management of the farm.
Mr. Dowling is highly respected and esteemed in his locality, not only for what he has achieved along material lines but for the splendid service which he rendered his country at the most critical period of its existence. The principles which caused him to take up the Union cause at the time of the Civil war he has always upheld politically and has ever voted the republican ticket. Many years ago he served several terms as township assessor, but otherwise has not actively participated in political life. He is a member of the Grand Army Post of Waukon. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church, of which denomination he has been a lifelong adherent and in the work of which he takes a helpful interest. Viewed from every point, the life record of John M. Dowling shows that he has fulfilled his duties in every respect to the best of his ability ; that he has contributed to agricultural growth; that he has given evidence of his patriotic spirit, and that he has accomplished something which has a part in the advancement the American race has made.
PETER PAULSON.
Among the early Norwegians to settle in Allamakee county is Peter Paulson, who has done much toward promoting the agricultural growth of his district, still owning a valuable farm of three hundred and five acres on section 32, Center township, although he has for the past twenty years lived retired. Nearing the age of eighty-five, he is among the patriarchs of the Norwegian race who settled in this part of the state, and is one of those few remaining pioneers who have done so much towards bringing about the present prosperous conditions. Mr. Paulson was born at Nordre Land, Norway, on August 19, 1828, and is a son of Paul and Elizabeth ( Hanson) Halverson. In 1853 the parents came to America and made their way to Allamakee county in 1854. where the father passed away in the same year. The mother attained the extraordinary age of one hundred and three years, ten months and twenty-six days.
Peter Paulson came to the United States in 1852, empty in pocket but rich in resources and possessed of industry and energy to realize on them. He even
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owed for his passage after coming to America. Making his way inland he worked for one year on the first railroad running west out of Chicago, at the end of which period he drove a team to Rock county, Wisconsin, there engaging in lum- bering until 1854, when he came to Allamakee county. Denying himself all pleasures, he had acquired the means to purchase one hundred and twenty acres of wild land in Center township, and thereon he made his home for twelve years, devoting his labors to breaking the land and putting it under cultivation. He subsequently came to his present farm, eighty acres of which he had previously acquired. He has since made his home here and has passed his years in improv- ing the property, adding substantial buildings and bringing his acres to the highest state of fertility. From time to time he added to his land, his farm now com- prising three hundred and five acres. For the last twenty years he has turned over the active cultivation of the farm to his sons and in the evening of life enjoys rest from arduous labor,-a rest well merited by reason of many years of close application.
On November 19, 1862, in Allamakee county Mr. Paulson was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Bakkum, a daughter of Erick Bakkum, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this volume, and who was one of the early Center township farmers. Mrs. Paulson was born in Nordre Land, August 10, 1844, and passed away at the age of nearly sixty-eight years, on July 1, 1912. In their family were seven children : Mrs. Peter Hagen, of Paint Creek township: Gustav and Gilbert, at home : Mrs. Ole Storla, of Paint Creek township ; Mrs. Oscar Hesla, deceased ; and Pauline and Emma, at home.
Mr. Paulson has been a lifelong member of the Lutheran Synod church, lielped to organize the society and assisted in building their house of worship here, which stands on his land. He has ever borne his share of time and money in promoting public welfare and is highly respected and esteemed by all who know him. In his political views he is a republican, stanchly upholding the candi- dates of that party. He is influential among his countrymen, among whom he is a Nestor, and great credit must be given him for directing the steps of many of Norway's sturdy sons to this part of the state. Nature has been kind to him, for he has never abused her laws. One usually thinks of old age as a period when mental as well as physical powers weaken, but there is an old age which grows stronger and brighter mentally and morally as the years go by and gives out its rich store of wisdom and experience for the benefit of others. Such has been the life of Peter Paulson, who is not only one of the most venerable but also one of the most honored citizens of Allamakee county, respected wherever known and most of all where best known.
MICHAEL J. BARTHELL.
A power of initiative, ambition, energy and a progressive spirit, directed into important business channels, have carried Michael J. Barthell forward into close relations with the general business life of Allamakee county and of Waukon, where he makes his home. Under the firm name of Barthell Brothers he is associated with his brother in the conduct of one of the largest and most profitable
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real-estate enterprises in this county and he is also a force in agricultural circles, owning and developing two fine farms in Winneshiek county. His enterprise and business aggressiveness, dominating and influencing all the activities of his career, have made the various interests with which he is connected successful and profitable and place him today among the leading and influential men of Allamakee county.
A native of this county Mr. Barthell was born on a farm in Makee township, April 6, 1871, a son of John M. Barthell, who is numbered among the earliest settlers in Iowa, having located in Allamakee county in pioneer times. For many years he was a prosperous farmer in Makee township but later he removed to Waukon where he turned his attention to the live-stock business, becoming a dealer and shipper on an extensive scale. His death occurred in the city, March 6, 1902, and he is survived by his wife who makes her home in the family residence in Waukon. They were the parents of ten children, six sons and four daughters, all of whom grew to maturity. Of this family four sons and four daughters still survive, the sons being : M. J., B. F., and Charles, who live in Allamakce county ; and George, who makes his home in the state of Washington.
Michael J. Barthell was reared on the home farm in Makee township and from his childhood aided in the operation of the property, gaining in this way a practi- cal knowledge of the best agricultural methods, which has been invaluable to him in his present farming operations. He acquired his education in the district school but is largely self-educated, having made up for his early deficiencies in this line by reading, observation and study since reaching mature years. When he left the farm he came to Waukon and for a few years thereafter was associated with his brother in the conduct of a hardware business. This enterprise they later sold and turned their attention to the real-estate business in which they are now engaged under the firm name of Barthell Brothers. They handle a great deal of valuable property, dealing extensively in Waukon residence and business property and in Allamakee and Winneshiek county farming lands, and they control an important and growing trade having won the confidence of the public at large by their straightforward and honorable business methods. They conduct also a loan department in connection with their real-estate enterprise and have done much to stimulate general business activity in this way. Michael Barthell and his brother also own and operate two fine farms in Winneshiek county, which they have improved and developed along modern and scientific lines, making their properties among the best and most profitable in this part of the state. Along the lines of his interests Mr. Barthell has proved himself a reliable, far-sighted and resourceful business man, modern in his views, progressive in his ideas and honorable and upright in his standards. He has done a great deal of important work in the development of the county where he was born and his private pros- perity is counted a public asset.
In Waukon, on the 27th of December, 1905, Mr. Barthell was united in mar- riage to Miss Jessie Stilwell, a daughter of C. S. Stilwell, one of the well known lawyers of Waukon, of whom further mention is made on another page in this work. Mrs. Barthell was born and reared in this city and after graduating from high school took a two year kindergarten course. Mr. and Mrs. Barthell have a daughter, Barbara Elizabeth.
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Politically Mr. Barthell is identified with the republican party but has never sought nor held publie office, preferring to devote all of his time to his business affairs. He belongs to the Masonic order, holding membership in the lodge, chapter and commandery, and in his religious views he is a devout Presbyterian. He and his wife attend the Presbyterian church in Waukon to which he is a contributor, although he has also given generously toward the building of the Baptist and German churches. He is preeminently a business man and the energy, aggressiveness and determination necessary for success in business life are dominating forces in his character. Waukon is fortunate in numbering him among her citizens, for his work has been a potent force in the city's development and the record of his career is worthy of a place in a history of its successful and able men.
OLIVER A. DIXON.
As superintendent of the Allamakee county farm Oliver A. Dixon has gained the commendation of his fellow citizens, for his efforts in behalf of those who have come under his care during his incumbeney in office have been of a character to awaken public appreciation and regard. He was born in Winneshiek county, May 15, 1865, and is a son of William J. Dixon, a native of County Mayo, Ire- land. As a young man the father crossed the Atlantic and located in Massachu- setts, working at anything which would bring him an income. He married in that state Miss Celia Curran, also a native of Ireland, and they moved west to Iowa, settling in Winneshiek county, where Mr. Dixon purchased land and opened up a farm. Three of their children were born in that section but they later sold their property there and in 1869 moved to Allamakee county, buying two hundred and forty aeres in Hanover township. They continued to make their home upon that farm for several years, the mother dying in 1877. The father later made his home with his daughter, with whom he now resides, having reached the ad- vanced age of ninety-six.
Oliver A. Dixon was reared upon his father's farm and accompanied his parents to Allamakee county. From his early childhood he assisted with the work of the homestead and after reaching maturity took entire charge, remaining as manager until 1903. In that year he moved to California and located in San Bernardino, where for one year he was employed by a gas company, remaining a resident of that city for four years. Returning to lowa in 1907, he made his home in Waukon and soon afterward was appointed superintendent of the county farm, assuming his duties in the same year. In that institution Allamakee county cares for both its poor and its insane and the home has now thirty-five inmates, all of whom are under Mr. Dixon's care. With the help of his wife and another married couple he operates the farm, the products of which in 1911 netted the county over twenty-two hundred dollars. The property comprises two hundred and forty-nine acres and under Mr. Dixon's management has been greatly im- proved, the home having been remodeled and repaired, a number of water towers and a hose house erected, a silo built and cement walks laid wherever needed. Mr. Dixon is proving himself competent in the performance of the duties that have
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devolved upon him in connection with this position and the institution under his direction is being conducted in a manner which wins him the commendation of all concerned. He is carrying on its affairs in a most businesslike way, following the methods most approved in the conduct of public institutions of this char- acter, and at all times he has an eye for the comfort and well-being of the inmates, a fact which makes him a popular official.
Mr. Dixon married in Hanover township Miss Kathryn Sullivan, a native of Lafayette township, Allamakee county. She acquired her education in the public schools of her native section, in the Lansing high school and later in a commercial college at Waukon. After her graduation she taught in the public schools of Allamakee county for several years. Since her husband has had charge of the county farm she has proven an able, energetic and efficient assistant and much credit for the good management and excellent condition of the institution is due to her. Mr. and Mrs. Dixon have three children : May and Kathryn, who were born in San Bernardino, California ; and Frances, a native of La Crosse, Wisconsin. The family are members of the Catholic church of Lycurgus and Mr. Dixon is affiliated with the Catholic Order of Foresters. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party but he has never sought office and aside from his present position has never been connected with public life. In private relations he has been actuated by the principles which govern honorable and upright manhood and the same high ideals have ever been manifest in his dealings with those with whom he has been connected in an official capacity.
JAMES W. BELL.
James W. Bell, living practically retired upon his eighty acre farm in Frank- lin township after many years of close identification with agricultural interests of Winneshiek county, is a native of this part of Iowa, born at Frankville, June 27, 1854. He is a son of Thomas and Kizan ( Williams) Bell, the former born in Dumfrieshire, Scotland, June 22, 1801, and the latter in Tennessee in 1830. The mother passed away when the subject of this review was nine days old but the father survived her many years, dying April 4, 1871. In early life he was a ship carpenter and followed this occupation until about 1840, when he came to America, locating first in Canada and later in Galena, Illinois, where he engaged extensively in lead mining. About the year 1852 he moved to Iowa, locating in Frankville, in Winneshiek county, where for several years thereafter he was em- ployed in a store. He was a man of exceptional education and special training at the carpenter's trade and he had no difficulty in securing employment. In 1856 he moved to Allamakee county and turned his attention to his trade in Franklin township until his death. He was well known in public affairs, having been carried forward into important political relations during the long period of his residence here and he was honored by his fellow citizens by election to various positions of trust and responsibility, rendering his township excellent service as justice of the peace, notary public and township assessor. He and his wife be- came the parents of two children: George, who resides in West Union, Fayette county ; and James W., of this review.
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James W. Bell was reared in the home of his aunt, Mrs. Mary Clark, a resi- dent of this township, who took him when he was nine days old. At the age of twelve he began aiding with the operation of the homestead and thus at an early age became familiar with the best and most practical agricultural methods. After his marriage he purchased his annt's farm and upon it for many years cultivated the soil as an independent landowner, during which time his industry, ability and perseverance brought him substantial and well merited success. In 1911 he sold the property and moved to Waukon, making his home just on the corporation line for one year, after which he bought his present farm of eighty acres lying on sec- tion 9, Franklin township. This he has rented to his son and is living in practical retirement, his period of leisure rewarding many years of active and earnest labor in the past.
On the 30th of December. 1875, Mr. Bell was united in marriage to Miss Ella M. Johnson, who was born in West Virginia, May 9, 1859. She is a daughter of Samuel and Mary ( Beall) Johnson, the former a veteran of the Civil war, who was killed in the battle of Richmond. The mother afterward came west and located in Jefferson township, near Rossville, where she married Oliver Adams, with whom she moved into Franklin township, making her home there until her death. Mr. and Mrs. Bell have become the parents of six children. Anna, born June 28, 1878, is the wife of George E. Decker, a resident of Franklin township, this county. Alta, born October 16, 1880, married James E. Graham, a farmer in Stevens county, Minnesota. Edna, born April 16, 1882, married Ernest Decker and is now deceased. Arlie, who was born October 14, 1884, is the wife of A. Henthorn, a farmer in this vicinity. George, born December 9. 1890, is assisting his father with the operation of the home farm. Gail, who completes the family was born June 9th, 1895, and is attending school in Waukon.
Mr. Bell is connected fraternally with Rossville Lodge, No. 172, I. O. O. F., and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He was justice of the peace for eight years, closing his service with his resignation, but he has never desired and has always avoided political preferment. He is numbered among Allamakee county's most progressive and successful native sons and has many friends in this community, all of whom have learned to respect and esteem him highly by reason of a life upright, straightforward and honorable in all its relations.
SILAS TROENDLE.
Allamakee county lost one of the most deservedly honored and most highly respected of its pioneer citizens when Silas Troendle was called to his final rest. May 5, 1900. He was at that time seventy-four years of age and practically his entire active life had been spent in this part of Iowa so that he was among its oldest residents, having been a witness of its growth and development since pioneer times. He saw the broad prairies claimed and converted into productive farms, he saw the founding of towns and the building of cities and witnessed the growth of the county as it became settled by a prosperous people. In all the work of progress he was an active participant and his well spent life, which
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would bear the closest investigation and scrutiny, gained him the unqualified respect and honor of his fellowmen.
Mr. Troendle was numbered among the many active, industrious and upright citizens whom Germany has given to the new world, for he was born in Baden, January 28, 1826, remaining in his native country until he had reached maturity. As a young man he emigrated to the United States and after working on a farm in Ohio for three years, came to Iowa, making his home with his brother in Makee township, Allamakee county, for a short time. Afterward however he purchased land of his own, buying one hundred and sixty acres on section 9, Center township, a farm which he continued to develop and improve until his death. When Mr. Troendle came to Iowa pioneer conditions prevailed every- where and pioneer hardships and difficulties had to be met with and conquered. His own farm was a wild and unimproved tract, which he had to clear before the work of cultivation could be begun. Upon it he built a crude log house in which he and his family lived for many years, it being eventually replaced by a second log cabin which still stands upon the property, although it has been plastered and weather-boarded and made to look like a frame dwelling. After the work of breaking his land and opening up a new farm was completed, Mr. Troendle turned his attention to general farming and stock-raising and the years brought him prosperity as the reward of his close application and honorable labor. With confidence and courage he carried forward the work of development, building the necessary farm buildings and installing the needed machinery, keeping con- stantly in touch with the trend of agricultural progress and in time making his farm one of the finest and best equipped in this section.
Mr. Troendle married in March, 1860, Miss Anna Mary Kehr, a native of Germany, who when she was three years of age was brought to America by her parents Mr. and Mrs. Peter Kehr. Mr. and Mrs. Troendle became the parents of eleven children, seven of whom are still living: Frank S., a farmer of Center township; Anna Mary, the wife of William Hansmann of Waukon; Matilda, who married Christ Schach; William, who resides in Excelsior, Minnesota ; George, who operates the old homestead; Elizabeth, who married Ferdinand Gruber of Lansing township: and Louisa, the wife of Gust Doehler of North Dakota.
Silas Troendle died upon the farm whereon he had so long resided on the 5th of May, 1900, and his passing deprived Allamakee county of one of the earliest and most worthy of her pioneers. He gave his political allegiance to the democratic party and although he never aspired to public office, served capably in those positions to which he was elected, acting as school director and as road supervisor. He was a devout member of the Roman Catholic church and in his upright and honorable life exemplified the doctrines in which he believed. For many years he was closely associated with work of development and progress in this part of the state and he remained throughout his life an esteemed and loved resident of Allamakee county.
Mrs. Troendle survives him and makes her home with her son George, who is carrying on the work of the homestead, being today recognized as one of the active and progressive young farmers of this section. He was born on the farm which he now owns on the 30th of July, 1871, and acquired his education in the district school. For many years before the death of his father he managed Vol. II-12
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the farm and after the latter's demise purchased the interests of the other heirs and is now sole proprietor of two hundred and eighty acres of well improved and productive land. He is practical and progressive in his methods and therefore successful, his farm being one of the finest agricultural properties in the county.
George Troendle married, in Allamakee county, Miss Frances Rettinger, a native of Lansing township and a daughter of Christ and Catherine ( Rehberger) Rettinger, the former of whom has passed away. The widow now makes her home in Lansing. Mr. and Mrs. George Troendle have five children, Silas L., Louisa Alice, Otto Harold, Carl Henry and George C. Mr. Troendle gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and is a devout member of the Catholic church. A practical and capable farmer and a loyal and upright citizen he has ably carried forward the work his father began and his excellent record is a credit to a name that has been honored in Allamakee county since pioneer times.
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