USA > Iowa > Allamakee County > Past and present of Allamakee county, Iowa. A record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 24
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ALBERT C. JOHNSON.
Albert C. Johnson, one of the prosperous, enterprising and substantial agri- culturists of Allamakee county, owns and operates a fine farm of two hundred acres, a well improved and valuable property three miles beyond Waukon. He is a native son of this section of Iowa, born in Union Prairie township, July 27, 1869, his parents being Charles and Helen (Ruen) Johnson, natives of Norway. The father grew to manhood in that country and after reaching maturity crossed the Atlantic to America, first locating in Winneshiek county, Iowa, where he was numbered among the earliest pioneers. He purchased land and opened up and developed a new farm, later selling his property and moving to Allamakee county, where he purchased two hundred acres of land, upon which he lived for many years, rearing his children there and there spending the remainder of his life. His death occurred in 1907, when he was seventy-five years of age. His wife sur- vived him for a few years, dying in 1911.
Albert C. Johnson was reared upon his father's farm in Union Prairie town- ship and from his early childhood aided in its operation, gaining thus a thorough and practical knowledge of the best agricultural methods. When he began his independent career he purchased two hundred acres on section 35, in the same township, constituting the farm upon which he now resides. The property was slightly improved but he has steadily carried forward the work of development, erecting a large, two-story frame house, three good barns, a silo with a capacity of one hundred and thirty tons and fine outbuildings. He has the latest improved machinery and in equipment and accessories his farm is worthy of rank with the best agricultural properties of the state. He has paid particular attention to its attractive appearance, putting out groves of forest and evergreen trees and keeping a beautiful lawn in front of his house. He makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock for the market and also conducts a profitable dairy, his busi- ness interests being carefully and capably managed and his success placing him among the substantial and progressive farmers of this vicinity. He was one of the promoters of the Farmers Stock & Produce Company and is still a stockholder
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in the concern. He is a member also of the Ludlow Cooperative Creamery Asso- ciation and is a stockholder in the Peoples National Bank of Waukon, which he aided in organizing.
In Winneshiek county, October 14, 1897, Mr. Johnson married Miss Clara Rockswold, who was born and reared in that section. They have three chidlren, Carl Alvin, Earl A. and Albert C., Jr. The parents are members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Johnson gives his political allegiance to the republican party and he served for two years as township assessor and is now treasurer of his school dis- trict. He is a careful and conservative business man and by his own labor and good management has accumulated a valuable and well improved property. Perse- verance, diligence and integrity have constituted the guiding qualities of his life, bringing him to the honorable position which he now occupies in the opinion of his fellowmen among whom he has long lived and labored.
CLARENCE R. THORNTON.
Clarence R. Thornton, the owner of an excellent farm of two hundred and thirty-seven acres on section 10, Franklin township, enjoys an enviable reputa- tion as one of the progressive and substantial agriculturists of the community. His birth occurred in Post township, Allamakee county, on the 5th of June, 1875, his parents being Alonzo and Eliza (Minnick) Thornton, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania respectively. The former was born on the 23d day of March, 1834, while the latter's natal day was December 3, 1835. Alonzo Thornton was married in Ohio and in 1861 came to Iowa, settling near Hardin and securing employ- ment as a farm hand. In 1862 he enlisted for service in the Civil war as a mem- ber of Company A, Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry, remaining with that com- mand as a private for three years. He was wounded in battle in Louisiana, being shot through the jaw and neck, and was confined in a hospital. After being honorably discharged from the army he returned to Hardin and resumed his labors as a farm hand, working for others during the remainder of his life. His demise occurred in June, 1904. His widow, who makes her home with her chil- dren, is well known and highly esteemed throughout the community in which she has now resided for more than half a century.
Clarence R. Thornton, the youngest in a family of eight children, attended the district schools of Post township and also pursued a course of study at Post- ville. When a youth of thirteen he began working as a farm hand and at the age of eighteen was married and established a home of his own. He continued work- ing for others until 1907 and then rented a tract of land, being actively engaged in its cultivation until 1912. In that year he purchased the farm of two hundred and thirty-seven acres on section 10, Franklin township, which he is now operating. His careful supervision is manifest in the neat appearance of the place, and the well tilled fields annually yield bounteous harvests in return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them.
On the 27th of December, 1893, Mr. Thornton was united in marriage to Miss Mattie Entwisle, who was born in Jefferson township, this county, on the 7th of June, 1875, her parents being William and Martha (Hancock) Entwisle. The
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father's birth occurred in England on the 18th of August, 1826, while the mother was born in Indiana on the 15th of September, 1831. When a youth of twelve years William Entwisle accompanied his parents on their emigration to the United States, the family home being established in Iowa. He grew to manhood in Alla- makee county and became a landowner of Franklin township, maintaining his residence there until called to his final rest in 1892. His wife passed away in March, 1905. In their family were twelve children, Mrs. Thornton being the tenth in order of birth. By her marriage she has become the mother of eight children, as follows: Ross, whose birth occurred on the 28th of December, 1894 : William, who was born October 6, 1896, and passed away July 22, 1903 ; George, whose natal day was October 25, 1898; Henry, whose birth occurred on the 22d of July, 1901 ; one who was born on the 6th of September, 1903, and died in in- fancy ; Ruth Alice, born July 10, 1905 ; Vernie, whose natal day was October 9, 1908; and Daisy, born July 6, 1911. In his political views Mr. Thornton is a stanch republican. With him perseverance, diligence and integrity have consti- tuted the guiding posts of his life, bringing him to the honorable position which he now occupies in the opinion of his fellowmen in the county, among whom he has spent his entire life.
H. E. BAKKUM.
HI. E. Bakkum, who was born on the farm on which he now resides on January 9, 1856, is to be numbered among the more substantial agriculturists of Center township, where he owns a valuable farm of one hundred and seventy-four acres. He is a son of Erick Bakkum, a native of Nordre Land, Norway, who came to the United States in 1851, and after spending one year in Rock county, Wisconsin, in 1852 located on the land upon which his son now resides. He first acquired title to eighty acres of wild land, where he erected a log shanty in which the family lived until 1869, when his present home was built. The father added to his lands from time to time until he was able to give each of his sons a good-sized farm. He was prominent in his locality and highly esteemed, passing away on May 23, 1897. He had married in Norway Miss Gunel Engen, who passed away on the farm about thirteen years later than her husband, on June 1, 1910. The parents were members of the Lutheran church and the father gave his support to the republican party. In their family were six children: Andrew E., of Paint Creek township; Sophia, the deceased wife of Peter Paulson ; Carrie Martha, who died at the age of eighteen ; H. E., our subject ; Hannah Drogsett, deceased; and E. E., of Center township.
H. E. Bakkum was reared under the parental roof and grounded by his par- ents in the old-fashioned virtues of honesty and industry. In the acquirement of his education he attended the district schools and early began to assist his father with the work of the farm. He has always remained at home and subse- quently came into possession of the old farm residence and one hundred and seventy-four acres of land. He has done much towards improving this property, has installed modern machinery and implements and in every way has increased the yield of his land. He is today esteemed as one of the most substantial agricul-
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turists of his locality and such success as has come to him is highly commendable, as it has largely been the result of his own labors.
In Allamakee county Mr. Bakkum was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Ericson, who was born in this county and is a daughter of Andrew Ericson. They have four children, Gusta, Annette, Eilert and Eleanor. Mr. and Mrs. Bakkum are members of the United Lutheran church and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. While Mr. Bakkum has attained individual prosperity, he has never lost sight of the general welfare and has done as much as any other citizen in promoting worthy public enterprises. He enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him and is considered a serviceable factor in his com- munity.
MRS. E. A. SHATTUCK.
Mrs. E. A. Shattuck is well and favorably known in Allamakee, her native county, as a woman of excellent business ability, for with the assistance of her sons she manages her extensive landed holdings in Union Prairie township, em- bracing two hundred and eighty acres on section 25. She was born in Allamakee county and is a daughter of Marcus Clark, a native of Massachusetts and one of the pioneer settlers in Union Prairie township. He married for the second time in this section and here reared his family, dying at an advanced age.
His daughter was reared and educated in Allamakee county and remained upon her father's farm until October 24. 1874, when she gave her hand in mar- riage to Lyman Shattuck. The latter was a native of Vermont and there grew to maturity, later coming west and locating in Indiana where his first marriage occurred in 1855. Soon afterward he moved to Iowa and settled in Winnshiek county where he purchased land which he continued to develop and improve for ten years thereafter, making it a valuable and productive property. When he sold this farm he moved to Allamakee county and in Union Prairie township bought two hundred and eighty acres of land, whereon his wife and children now reside. It was a tract of raw and unimproved property, which Mr. Shattuck broke, fenced and cultivated, opening up a new farm. Upon it he later built a large, two story brick residence, good barns and outbuildings and steadily car- ried forward the work of improvement. His first wife died here and he after- ward married the subject of this review by whom he had two sons, Louis and Collins C., who for the past six years have assisted their mother in the opera- tion of the homestead. Mr. Shattuck became one of the prosperous and substantial farmers of Allamakee county and his death in 1893 was a distinct loss to agri- cultural interests in this part of the state.
After the death of her husband Mrs. Shattuck rented out the farm for a number of years, but in 1906 she again assumed its management, having since carried forward the work with the help of her sons. She owns a neat and well improved farm located one mile beyond Waukon, on section 25, Union Prairie township, the attractive appearance of which indicated her constant supervision and careful labor. In connection with general farming she and her sons engage in stock-raising on an extensive scale, raising pure-blooded and high-grade Durham
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cattle and Poland China hogs. They also keep a number of fine milch cows in the dairy and they have made this branch of their business important and profit- able. They are known as practical and progressive farmers and success has steadily followed their well directed labors. Mrs. Shattuck has acquired a com- fortable competency which she does not hoard selfishly but is generous in her helpfulness to the needy and charitable toward every good cause. She has many friends in Allamakee county where her entire life has been spent and all who know her have for her none but words of praise and commendation.
ARTHUR A. JONES.
Arthur A. Jones, a worthy representative of one of the honored pioneer fami- lies of Allamakee county, is the owner of a well improved farm of one hundred and eighty acres on section 9, Franklin township. His birth occurred in Makee township, this county, on the 30th of July, 1868, his parents being Charles and Elizabeth (Lane) Jones. The father was born in England in 1832, while the mother's birth occurred in Pennsylvania in 1836. When a young man Charles Jones crossed the Atlantic to the United States, first locating in New York and working on the canal. Subsequently he made his way westward and for a number of years sailed on the Mississippi river. In 1852 he came to lowa and in 1854 entered a tract of land just north of Wankon, the district being then a wilderness. After residing there for a number of years he moved into Franklin township and here purchased another tract of land, retaining possession of his original home place, however, until 1893, when he disposed of the property. He remained a resident of Franklin township until his death in 1898, when the community lost one of its esteemed pioneer settlers and representative agriculturists. He held various township offices and ever discharged the duties devolving upon him in a prompt and able manner. His widow is still living and resides in Franklin town- ship with her sons.
Arthur A. Jones, the seventh in order of birth in a family of twelve children, began his education in Makee township and later entered the Red schoolhouse, a district school. After putting aside his text-books he assisted his father in the operation of the home farm and also worked for others at intervals. When a young man of twenty-two he secured employment as a stonecutter in the quarries of Clayton county and worked therein for about ten years. During this period he acquired sufficient capital to invest in land, and while working at the stonecutting trade also devoted some attention to farming. He now gives his entire time to the operation of his farm of one hundred and eighty acres in the Yellow river valley of Franklin township, carrying on general agricultural pursuits with gratifying re- sults. In 1911 there was raised a crop of corn yielding one hundred and seven- teen and a half bushels to the acre. That he keeps in touch with the modern spirit of progress which is manifested in agricultural lines and that his knowledge of farming is both thorough and comprehensive is indicated by the highly im- proved appearance of his place, upon which are found substantial buildings and all of the modern accessories necessary for facilitating farm labor.
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On the 13th of November, 1895, Mr. Jones was united in marraige to Miss Nannie B. McShane, who was born in Franklin township on the 11th of March, 1869, her parents being Cornelius and Margaret (Durr) McShane, the former a native of Monongalia county, West Virginia, and the latter of Greene county, Pennsylvania. Cornelius McShane followed general agricultural pursuits through- out his active business career. In 1851 or 1852 he came to Iowa, acquiring and locating on a tract of land in Linton township, Allamakee county. About two years later he took up his abode in Franklin township and there spent the re- mainder of his life, passing away on the 7th of February, 1907. His wife was called to her final rest on the 29th of January, 1905. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jones have been born six children, as follows: Nellie Fern, Lottie Grace, Charles Sam- uel, Ethel Gladys, Stella and one who died in infancy.
In politics Mr. Jones is independent, supporting men and measures rather than party. He has served as a school director for his district and has manifested his public-spirited citizenship in many other ways. He has been identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since twenty-two years of age and also belongs to the Modern Brotherhood of America. Mr. and Mrs. Jones enjoy the warm esteem and friendship of many with whom they have come in contact and the hospitality of the best homes of the locality is cordially extended theni.
BENJAMIN DAVID HELMING.
Benjamin David Helming, one of the progressive and active farmers and stock-raisers of Allamakee county, owns and operates a fine property of one hundred and sixty acres lying in section 34, Union Prairie township. This farm has been in possession of members of his family for many years and upon it his birth occurred on the 29th of January, 1874, his parents being Simon and Augusta (Simmonsmeier ) Helming. The father was born in Westphalia, Ger- many, and came to America in the '50s, settling in Iowa. On the 14th of October, 1852, he purchased of Dennis Haley the northwest quarter-one hundred and sixty acres-of section 34, in township 98, north of range 6, Union Prairie town- ship, for a consideration of two hundred and fifty dollars. This is now the homestead belonging to the subject of this review. For this land Thomas Haley received on the Ist of October, 1852, a United States patent signed by Millard Fillmore, president of the United States, and the quarter section has never been owned by any other than the Haley and Helming families.
Benjamin D. Helming attended country school and the public schools of Wau- kon, later spending one year at Cornell College at Mount Vernon and another at the State Agricultural College at Ames. He was reared upon his father's farm, his education supplementing practical experience in agricultural work, so that when he began his independent career he was already an able and progressive agriculturist. His farm today reflects in its neat and attractive appearance his competent supervision and practical methods in its cultivation and is a valuable and productive property. In addition to general farming Mr. Helming breeds and raises shorthorn cattle, Duroc Jersey hogs and good horses, and his stock-raising interests are extensive and an important source of income to him.
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In Waukon, on the 5th of October, 1899, Mr. Helming was united in mar- riage to Miss Winifred Augusta May, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. M. May, of that city. She was graduated from the Waukon high school in 1893 and at- tended the Nora Springs Academy for one year thereafter. She was also a student at Cornell College for a similar period of time and was then for three years employed in the office of the Waukon Standard, of which her father has been editor for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Helming have become the parents of seven children, Carolyn Elizabeth, Dorothy Hager, Paul Hayward, Benjamin David, Robert Bruce, Frederic Simon and John Albert.
Mr. Helming was a member of Company I, Iowa National Guards, of Waukon, for two years and he is connected fraternally with the Knights of Pythias. He gave his political allegiance to the republican party until June, 1912, when he joined the progressive party under the leadership of Theodore Roosevelt. He has always taken an active part in public affairs, cooperating heartily in measures of advance- ment and progress and rendering his township excellent service in various posi- tions of trust and honor. He is well and favorably known in Union Prairie town- ship where he has resided since his birth and having steadily adhered to high business and personal standards, enjoys the respect and confidence of all who have associated with him.
HENRY J. WILKE.
Henry J. Wilke, who since 1892 has been connected with agricultural interests of Allamakee county, owning today two fine farms in Post township, is a native of lowa, his birth having occurred in Elkader, Clayton county, July 2, 1868. He is a son of Fred and Mary ( Kamin) Wilke, both of whom were born in Germany, the father May 1, 1844, and the mother July 15, 1838. The former crossed the Atlantic with his parents when he was about ten years of age and located with them on a farm in Clayton county, Iowa, where he grew to manhood, continuing to reside there until 1893. In that year he removed to a farm in Dallas county, near Des Moines, whereon he now lives retired, his sons managing the property and all his business interests. His first wife passed away in 1878, leaving only one child, the subject of this review, and he later married again, becoming, by this second union, the father of three children.
Henry J. Wilke was reared on his father's farm in Clayton county and in his childhood divided his time between the work of the homestead and attendance at district school. He remained at home until he was twenty-four years of age and then began his independent career, buying land in Post township, upon which he resided for a number of years, making it in the meantime a well improved and valuable property. About 1907 he sold his farm and bought forty acres which he still owns. He purchased also another farm of one hundred and four acres, eighty rods distant, and the two properties are connected by a roadway, making it possible for him to give personal supervision to the development of both. He carries on general farming, raising fine crops of hay and grain and engaging extensively in stock-raising, keeping high grade cattle, hogs and horses. The farms are substantially improved and neat and attractive
MR. AND MRS. HENRY J. WILKE
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in every particular, evidencing in many ways the owner's practical methods and his well directed care and labor.
On the 21st of February, 1893, Mr. Wilke was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Ziegler, who was born in McGregor, Iowa, December 18, 1871. She is a daughter of George and Mary (Bierbaum) Ziegler, natives of Germany, where her father learned the carpenters' trade. In early life he followed that occupation but later turned his attention to farming, purchasing land near Luana, Iowa, whereon he resided until his death, which occurred about the year 1893. His wife survived him some years, dying in 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Wilke became the parents of two children : Wilbert, who was born in 1894: and Mabel, born March 3, 1898.
Mr. Wilke is a member of the Lutheran church of Postville and his upright life has always been in closest harmony with his professions. He gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and, as a loyal and public-spirited citizen, takes an intelligent interest in community affairs. He is especially interested in the promotion of public education and since 1898 has been a member of the school board, accomplishing a great deal of valuable and important work during that time. His attention is, however, chiefly concentrated upon the development of his farms and by his able work along agricultural lines he has made substantial contributions to the growth and progress of the community where he makes his home and where he is counted among the representative and valued citizens.
E. E. BAKKUM.
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In the rich agricultural state of lowa there is no section more fertile than that of Allamakee county, and in that county no farm which bespeaks more thorough methods or returns better yields than that of E. E. Bakkum, who farms one hun- dred and ninety acres on section 19 in Center township. He is a son of a pioneer and was born on the farm upon which his father settled, on February 5, 1861, a son of Erick Bakkum, who is mentioned at greater length in another part of this work.
In the acquirement of his education E. E. Bakkum attended the district schools and subsequently a Waukon school, completing his training by a course at Breck- enridge Institute in Decorah. Early he learned agricultural methods from his father and when old enough the latter gave him property comprising one hun- dred and fifty acres, upon which E. E. Bakkum engaged independently and where he has since made valuable improvements and installed modern machinery in order to increase the yield of his acres. He engages in mixed farming, giving attention to grain raising and his live-stock interests, and that his work is crowned with suc- cess is evidenced by the fact that he has been enabled to add forty acres to the original tract.
In Allamakee county Mr. Bakkum was united in marriage to Miss Isabelle Sevatson, a daughter of Severt Sevatson, and they have five children, Ida K., Melinda G., Selma E., Egbert R. and Emily 1. All of these are yet at home. Mr. and Mrs. Bakkum are members of the Lutheran church and ever interested in its expansion and beneficial work. He gives his allegiance to the republican party
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