USA > Iowa > Allamakee County > Past and present of Allamakee county, Iowa. A record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 25
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and keeps intelligently informed upon all questions that affect his locality, his county and his state. Mr. Bakkum has ever shown a laudable interest in educa- tion and has given evidence thereof by his service as school director of his town- ship. Of an old pioneer family, he has preserved the family tradition by a worthy career and is highly respected and esteemed in his community, enjoying the con- fidence and good-will of all who know him.
FRANK L. MAY.
Allamakee county is fortunate in numbering among her public officials so able, efficient and far-sighted a man as Frank L. May, now serving as county attorney. He is in addition a successful and able lawyer, practicing at the bar as a member of the firm of May & Dempsey and connected through his representative patron- age with much important litigation. He was born in Crawford county. Kansas, March 29, 1873, and is a son of Roan C. May, who was born in Summit county, Ohio, in 1838, and was a representative of one of the pioneer families in Iowa, his father, John May, having moved from Ohio to Allamakee county in 1852. He settled in Lansing township, on what is now known as May's Prairie, and there entered land, opening up and developing a new farm. His son Roan was four- teen years of age when the removal was made and he spent the remaining years of his childhood and youth in helping in the work of clearing and improving the property. He later engaged in farming for himself in Lansing township but finally moved to Crawford county, Kansas, where he purchased land. Upon this he resided for seven years but at the end of that time moved back to Iowa and located in New Albin, where he now resides in retirement. He married in Allamakee county Miss Elizabeth Yeoman, a native of Illinois and also an early settler in Iowa, having come to this state in 1853.
Frank L. May was reared in his parents' home and acquired his primary edu- cation in the public schools. After completing it he became a teacher and engaged in that occupation for five years before going to Valparaiso, Indiana, where he took up the study of law. After receiving his degree he went to South Dakota, locating at Madison, where he opened an office and began the practice of his pro- fession, remaining there for one year. At the end of that time he returned to Iowa and made his home at Lansing, where he secured a large and representa- tive patronage and won recognition as a strong and able practitioner, whose ability in the handling of intricate legal problems justified his classification with the most successful lawyers in the state. Mr. May remained in Lansing until 1910, when he was nominated and elected county attorney of Allamakee county. After the expiration of his first term of office he was reelected to the position,' which he is now filling, discharging his duties in an energetic and able way. He is connected also with the general practice of law here, for in 1911 he formed a partnership with J. W. Dempsey, a young man of excellent education and unusual legal ability, under the firm name of May & Dempsey. The partners are con- nected with much important litigation and the firm is known as strong and reliable.
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Mr. May married, near Lansing, on the 2d of April, 1896, Miss Marie Goettle, who was born and reared in Allamakee county, a daughter of Carl Goettle, of this vicinity. Mr. and Mrs. May have one daughter, Marie H. E. Mr. May is a Master Mason, holding membership in Evergreen Lodge. No. 144, F. & A. M., at Lansing. He has proven himself in professional and official life an efficient and forceful worker, possessing a strength of perseverance which enables him to overcome difficulty and conquer obstacles. His analytical mind has proven valuable in his practice as well as in his public service and, whatever line claims his attention, his judgment is always sound and his methods practical.
DE VILLO A. HOLMES.
De Villo A. Holmes has been since 1896 prominently connected with business interests of Lansing as the proprietor of a harness manufacturing and selling establishment, his progressive methods, his industry, honesty and ability bring- ing him a substantial measure of success. He carries also a fine stock of gentle- men's furnishings and he has made both branches of his business important and profitable.
Mr. Holmes is numbered among Allamakee county's native sons, his birth having occurred in La Fayette township, June 9, 1869, and he is a son of Oliver Wendell Holmes, who was born in Oneida county, New York, May 5, 1835. The father was reared on a farm in his native community and after acquiring a fair education in the public schools came west to Iowa in 1853. settling in Dubuque where he engaged in teaming. He married in that city Miss Catherine Treanor, a native of Dubuque, born in 1845. They moved to Allamakee county in 1861 and in La Fayette township the father purchased a tract of raw land which he cleared, broke and fenced, opening up and developing a new farm. He was successful in his agricultural operations and from time to time bought more land owning finally a farm of two hundred and forty acres upon which was a fine residence and barn and all the necessary outbuildings. Failing health obliged him eventually to leave the farm and go west to Denver, Colorado, where he died February 6, 1891. He is buried in the Catholic cemetery at Lansing.
De Villo A. Holmes was reared on his father's farm and from his early child- hood aided in the operation of the homestead becoming thoroughly familiar with the best agricultural methods. After reaching maturity he took charge of the farm and continued to manage it even after he moved into Lansing where he learned the harness making trade. He abandoned farming, however, when he purchased an established harness business in the city, conducting it first upon a small scale and gradually expanding his enterprise to meet the demands of his growing trade. He now carries a complete stock of factory-made harness and he also makes fine goods to order. He sells also robes, horse blankets and all the other articles to be found in a first-class harness establishment. Since 1908 he has also dealt in gentlemen's furnishings and has secured a profitable trade in this line, his patronage coming to him in recognition of the excellent qualities of his goods, his reasonable prices and his progressive and honorable business standards. His entire stock is valued at five thousand dollars and his business
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house is one of the finest in the city, a substantial brick structure which he bought in 1897.
In Allamakee county on the 12th of November, 1895, Mr. Holmes was united in marriage to Miss Mary Regan who was born in Lycurgus, a daughter of Dan Regan, one of the well known pioneers of this part of Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Holmes have four children, Cornelius D., Daniel O., Mary K. and Joseph G. The family are members of the Lansing Catholic church.
Mr. Holmes gives his political allegiance to the democratic party but he is not active as an office-seeker although he takes a deep and intelligent interest in public affairs. He is one of the progressive and representative business men of the community, adhering always to high standards of commercial ethics and managing his interests in a careful and conservative manner, and his success rewards many years of honest, capable and well directed labor.
FRANK J. SPINNER.
Frank J. Spinner, senior member of the firm of Spinner Brothers, dealers in farm implements, gasoline engines, automobiles, wagons, buggies, etc., is one of the progressive, straightforward and enterprising business men of Lansing, his own initiative, determination and dominating ability having brought him a suc- cess which places him in a position of influence in commercial circles. He is a native of Allamakee county, born in Village Creek, July 17, 1861, a son of Peter Spinner, a native of Germany. The father left that country when he was fifteen years of age and came to America, settling first in Davenport, Iowa, where he worked at the blacksmith's trade which he had learned in Germany. After a few years he moved to Allamakee county and located at Village Creek in 1855. He there built a shop and did general blacksmithing and repairing for several years, building up a large and profitable business. Eventually, however, he turned his attention to farming, purchasing raw land which he cleared, fenced and improved, his sons assisting him upon the homestead and also with the work of the shop during the busy seasons. Peter Spinner married in Ohio, Miss Katherine Markt, a native of Germany, and they became the parents of a number of children. The family was reared in Village Creek and the father spent the last years of his life on the farm there, dying in 1890. His wife survives him and makes her home in Lansing with one of her daughters.
Frank J. Spinner was reared in Village Creek and learned the blacksmith's trade from his father. He moved with the family to the farm and assisted with its operation until he was twenty-four years of age when he formed a partnership with his brother and they opened a shop in Waterville where for four years they carried on a blacksmith, wagon and repair business. At the end of that time Mr. Spinner of this review sold out his interests to his brother and went to Helena, Montana, where for a year and a half he worked at his trade, finding business conditions much better there and wages higher. Upon his return to lowa he took charge of his father's shop at Village Creek and there carried on a profitable business until 1895, when he came to Lansing and formed a partner- ship with his brother Fred-an association which has continued to the present
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time. At first their enterprise was a blacksmith, wagon and repair shop but they soon added a full line of farm implements and they now carry a complete and well selected stock of these articles, such as gasoline engines, cream separators, automobiles, wagons and buggies. The brothers own their own shop and con- trol a large and representative trade for their goods are the best that can be found on the market, their business standards are progressive and honest and their methods practical and modern. Their large and well managed enterprise is the more creditable to them in that they began on a small scale and by industry, frugality and good business judgment have become successful, being now ranked among the city's able and substantial business factors. Frank J. Spinner was one of the organizers of the Peoples State Bank of Lansing and is now one of the large stockholders in the institution. He was formerly for many years iden- tified with mercantile interests of Waterville as a partner with his brother C. A. Spinner in the conduct of a general store. The association was formed about 1894 and Mr. Spinner of this review continued as a silent partner until February, 1913, when he sold his interests.
In Waukon, on the 27th of March, 1894, Mr. Spinner married Miss Kate McGeough, a daughter of E. McGeough, one of the early settlers in Allamakee county. Mr. and Mrs. Spinner became the parents of nine children, Francis Earl, Raymond J., Katherine Leonette, William D., Marie J., Edward P., Frank, Kenneth and James. The family are members of the Catholic church of Lan- sing. Mr. Spinner gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and he served eight years as a member of the city council, discharging his duties in an earnest, straightforward and capable manner. An able and discriminating busi- ness man he carries forward to completion whatever he undertakes and his name on the list of promoters of any enterprise is a guaranty of its weight and impor- tance as well as of its ultimate success.
H. R. BAKKUM.
H. R. Bakkum, a well known agriculturist of Center township, Allamakee county, who was born upon the farm which he now owns, is of Norwegian stock, his father, Andrew A. Bakkum, being a native of Nordre Land, Norway, whence he came to America when a young man, locating in Allamakee county in 1852 or 1853. Here he bought one hundred and twenty acres of wild land, upon which he first erected a log house, which he later supplanted with a brick residence which still stands. All his active life he spent in agricultural pursuits and died here, highly respected and esteemed, at the age of seventy-eight years. He mar- ried, in Allamakee county, Miss Bertha Reiarson, a native of Norway, who is also deceased. In their family were six children : Mrs. Olans Peterson, of Swift county, Minnesota ; H. R., of this review ; C. M., of Ulen, Minnesota ; Albert, of Kerkhoven, that state; G. A., of Fosston, Minnesota ; and Hannah Gilbertson, of Makee township, this county.
H. R. Bakkum was reared under the parental roof and in the acquirement of his education attended the schools in the neighborhood of the homestead. He early assisted his father with the farm work, acquiring thorough methods of
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agriculture. Subsequently he came in possession of the home farm and now owns and cultivates one hundred and sixty-two acres located on section 30, where he engages in general farming. His property by its appearance bespeaks the pros- perity of its owner and Mr. Bakkum has made some extensive improvements since his father's death. His land brings him annual returns of gratifying pro- portions and he has come to be considered one of the foremost agriculturists of his locality.
In Allamakee county, Mr. Bakkum was united in marriage to Miss Carrie M. Larson, a daughter of Ammund Larson, of Makee township. Mr. and Mrs. Bak- kum have three children, Arnold, Roy and William. In his political views Mr. Bakkum inclines toward the republican party, whose measures and candi- dates he upholds at the polls. His religious faith and that of his family is of the Lutheran denomination, of which church he and his family are mem- bers. Of township offices he has served in the capacity of school director, giving every evidence of his interest in the cause of education. He is public- spirited and progressive in his tendencies and the success which has come to him is but the natural outcome of incessant energy and industry, and is highly merited.
EDWARD L. KRUEGER.
Edward L. Krueger, the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres on section 14, Franklin township, is widely recognized as an enterprising and progressive agriculturist. His birth occurred near Viroqua, Vernon county, Wisconsin, on the 29th of July, 1882, his parents being Charles and Carolina ( Lefler ) Krueger, natives of Germany. The father did the required service as a soldier of the German army and during his active career followed general agricultural pursuits. In 1873 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, locating in Dayton, Ohio, where he secured employment in the paper mills and resided for ten years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Vernon county, Wisconsin, purchased land and there followed farming during the remain- der of his life, his demise occurring in 1897. His widow remained on the farm until 1912, when she disposed of the property and took up her abode in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where she has since resided. They were the parents of ten chil- dren, seven of whom survive.
Edward L. Krueger, who was the fourth in order of birth in his father's fam- ily, obtained his education in the schools of his native county. He remained at home until twenty-five years of age and then spent a year in La Crosse, Wis- consin, working for Mitchell Brewer as coachman and in other capacities. Sub- sequently he came to Iowa and here worked for his brother Charles for one year, while later he spent a similar period in hauling cream. He next rented the farm of Henry Ilahman for one year and then purchased a tract of one hundred and seventy-five acres on section 14. Franklin township, where he has since car- ried on general agricultural pursuits with gratifying success. The property is well improved in every particular and in its neat and thrifty appearance gives evidence of the care and progressive spirit of its 'owner.
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On the 27th of October, 1910, Mr. Krueger was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Hahman, who was born in Clayton county, Iowa, on the 16th of August, 1881, her parents being Henry and Augusta (Wittenburg) Hahman, more extended mention of whom is made on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of Amos W. Nagel, a brother-in-law of Mrs. Krueger. Our subject and his wife have one son, Henry, whose natal day was January 16, 1912. Mr. Krueger gives his political allegiance to the republican party, while his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. He is well known through- out the community and his many friends esteem him highly for his personal worth.
OLE L. REMA.
Ole L. Rema owns and operates a highly improved farm of one hundred and ninety-five acres on section 34, Center township, which is the old family homestead. He has remained within the borders of Allamakee county from his birth to the present time, having been born in Paint Creek township on the 3d of October, 1851. His parents, L. O. and Guri (Opheim) Rema, were natives of Aal, Praestehjeld, Hallingdal, Norway, and were married in that country in 1836. The father's birth occurred on the 15th of September, 1805, while the mother's natal day was February 12, 1811. Four daughters were born to them in Norway. In 1849 they crossed the Atlantic to the United States, spending two years in Rock county, Wisconsin. In 1851 they came to Allamakee county, Iowa, and during the first summer lived on what is now the Swenson farm in Paint Creek township. L. O. Rema then homesteaded a tract of eighty acres in Center township, which is now included within the boundaries of his son's farm. That place remained his home during the remainder of his life and in its operation he won a gratifying and well merited measure of success. His son-in-law, John S. Bryson, in compiling a genealogical record of the Bryson and Rema families, wrote of the latter: "They saw hard times of pioneer life, but by hard work and economy made a good home and succeeded in raising and edu- cating a family of four girls and a boy." Mr. Rema gave his political allegiance to the republican party, while his religious faith was indicated by his member- ship in the Lutheran church, to which his wife also belonged. His demise occurred at Village Creek on the 18th of March, 1885, while his wife passed away on the old home farm on the 2d of February, 1892, the community thus losing two of its respected pioneer settlers and representative residents. Their children were as follows: Julia L., born in Norway on the 13th of December, 1837, who wedded Paul Halverson on the 26th of April, 1857, and is now a widow residing in Baudette, Minnesota ; Margaret L., born in Norway on the 13th of July, 1840, who is the widow of Andrew Strand; Tilda L., whose birth occurred in Norway on the 7th of April, 1844, and who is the widow of John S. Bryson ; Cecile L., born in Norway on the 5th of August, 1846, who wedded Stengrim Hesla and after his demise gave her hand in marriage to David Skinner, of Sioux Rapids, Iowa : Ole L., of this review ; and Tolef B., who was born in Center township on the Ist of May, 1854, and died there on the 9th of November, 1858.
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Ole L. Rema attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education and after attaining his majority came into possession of the old family home- stead. Ilis holdings now embrace one hundred and ninety-five acres of rich and productive land on section 34, Center township. General agricultural pursuits have claimed his attention throughout his entire business career and his efforts in this direction have been attended with excellent results. His land is well im- proved in every particular and annually yields good crops which find a ready sale on the market.
In Allamakee county, on the 13th of June, 1871, Mr. Rema was united in marriage to Miss Bertha J. Swain, a native of Norway, by whom he has five children, namely: Julia, the wife of Gilbert Jeglum, of Paint Creek township ; John T. and Henrietta, both at home: Emeline, the wife of Gilbert Leikvold, of Taylor township; and Leonard S., who is still under the parental roof. The last named and his brother John T. now own a valuable tract of one hundred and sixty acres of land in North Dakota.
Mr. Rema is a democrat in politics and during the years 1907, 1908 and 1909 did able service as a member of the county board of supervisors, making a creditable and enviable record in that connection. In 1913 he was once more elected to the office and will again assume its duties on the Ist of January, 1914. He and his family are devoted members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Rema is widely known in the county where his entire life has been spent and the ster- ling qualities which he has displayed in his social and business relations have gained him a high place in the regard and good-will of his fellow townsmen.
HON. OTTO A. HELMING.
Hon. Otto A. Helming is the present representative of his district in the state legislature and is accounted one of the most able, far-sighted and dis- criminating men in public life in Iowa. In Allamakee county he is known also as a progressive and successful agriculturist and a stock breeder and dealer on an extensive scale, his activities having done much to promote the develop- ment of the farming industry along modern and scientific lines .. He was born upon the farm where he now lives March 9, 1868. and is a son of Frederick W. Ifelming, a native of Germany, who grew to manhood in that country and settled in pioneer times in Allamakee county, Iowa. He purchased land in Ludlow township and developed there a valuable and productive farm upon which he spent the last years of his life, dying in 1875.
Otto A. Helming is one of a family of five children. He was reared upon the home farm and acquired his primary education in the district schools of Ludlow township, supplementing this by two winter terms at the Waukon Seminary. After his father's death he and his brother, Charles G., took charge of the home place and operated it together for some years, becoming well known as stock breeders and dealers. Eventually, however, Mr. Helming of this review purchased the interests of the other heirs and retained the homestead, whereon he has since resided. He gives a great deal of his attention to stock- raising and has a fine herd of pure-blooded Aberdeen Angus cattle and a number of fine Percheron horses and Chester White hogs. He is also active in the
OTTO A. HELMING
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dairy business and was one of the principal promoters of the Ludlow Coopera- tive Creamery Association, of which he served as vice president and later as president for a number of years. He is very much interested in the modern and scientific aspects of farming and has been for many years identified with the Agricultural Short Course at Waukon, serving as director of that body. His own farm exemplifies the scientific principles of which he has made a close study, for it is one of the most productive and highly improved in this town- ship and reflects everywhere his competent supervision and careful management. He has added to and remodeled the house, built a new barn and several out- buildings and steadily carried forward the work of development in an able and practical way.
It is not alone along agricultural lines, however, that Mr. Helming is widely and favorably known, for he is one of the leaders in republican politics in this state and has had a varied and important public career. Upon the republican ticket he was elected for six consecutive years assessor of Ludlow township and in 1912 was elected by a large majority to the state house of representatives. He has served with ability and distinction since that time and has left the impress of his work and personality upon a great deal of important legislation. He has served on numerous important committees, including those of school and textbooks, the Soldiers & Orphans' Home, public charities, agriculture, the School for the Deaf and the committee on federal relations, these connec- tions indicating something of the scope of his interests and the weight of his political influence.
In Richfield, Wisconsin, on the 12th of November, 1902, Mr. Helming was united in marriage to Miss Lena Whittenberger, who was born, reared and educated in that state. Mr. and Mrs. Helming have two children, Clara and Florence. The parents are members of the Ludlow Presbyterian church.
Mr. Helming is a man of varied interests but these all lie along lines of progress and improvement. He is a broad-minded man who places a correct valuation upon life and while in business affairs he has achieved a gratifying measure of prosperity, he has also been a force in the political development of the state, his activities in various fields proving of benefit to the community at large. He stands today among the men of marked ability and substantial worth in Allamakee county.
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