USA > Iowa > Allamakee County > Past and present of Allamakee county, Iowa. A record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 31
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Mr. Denning gives his political allegiance to the republican party but has never sought nor desired public office, preferring to concentrate his attention upon his business affairs. He has been connected with farming interests of Jefferson township during practically all of his active life and has made substantial con- tributions to farming development, his individual prosperity forming an impor- tant factor in the general growth.
CHARLES H. BARTHELL.
Charles H. Barthell is known as one of the most extensive and successful breeders of pure-blooded Aberdeen Angus cattle in Allamakee county, where he is prominently connected with agricultural interests as the owner of a fine farm of two hundred acres and another tract of sixty acres on section 21, Union Prairie township. He is in addition a member of the firm of Barthell Brothers of Waukon, controlling an important real-estate business in that city and by his integrity, his upright and honorable methods and the standards by which he has directed his activities he has made his labors a source of prosperity to himself and of profit to the community at large.
Mr. Barthell was born in Winneshiek county, December 29, 1866, and as a child came to Allamakee county where he was reared, acquiring his education in
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CHARLES H. BARTHELL
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the public schools and at a select school in Waukon. When he was fifteen years of age he made his home with his brother Jonathan, with whom he remained until his marriage. Upon the death of his father he inherited two hundred acres of land upon which he now resides and after he was married he moved to this property, which he has made one of the finest farms in this section of the state. Upon it he made substantial improvements, erecting a commodious frame house, a basement barn and the necessary outbuildings and carrying on its operation along the most modern and practical lines. After eight years, however, he rented out the farm and moved into Waukon where he joined his brother in the conduct of a hardware business, later selling his interest in order to deal in farm implements, wagons, buggies and gasoline engines. He built up a large and profitable business along this line, managing it successfully for five years and purchasing in the meantime a fine residence and business house in Waukon. In 1907, however, he disposed of his interests in Waukon and moved back upon the farm whereon he has since made his home. He brought with him a few pure- blood Aberdeen Angus cattle and established himself as a breeder and shipper, giving the greater part of his attention to the development of his herd. This now numbers one hundred and five head, all pure-blooded or high-grade animals and they command a high price and a ready sale in the market. In addition to stock- raising Mr. Barthell carries on general farming and dairying and he has made all branches of his business important and profitable. He was one of the promo- ters of the Waukon Cooperative Creamery Association, of which he has served as director and of which he is now a large stockholder, and he is besides a part- ner with his brother M. J. Barthell, in the real-estate business. Under the firm name of Barthell Brothers they control extensive holdings in Winneshiek and Allamakee counties and valuable business and residence property in Waukon. Mr. Barthell's interests are always carefully and conservatively conducted and his success in the management of his enterprises proves him a resourceful, far- sighted and discriminating business man who thoroughly understands modern business condition and possesses the aggressiveness, the energy and the personal- ity necessary to cope with them.
In Union Prairie township on the 14th of April, 1891, Mr. Barthell married Miss Mary Engrav, a native of that section and a daughter of Haulver Engrav who was born and grew to mature years in Norway. He afterwards came to the United States, settling in Allamakee county where he is numbered among the earliest residents. Mr. and Mrs. Barthell have five children: Martha J., a graduate of Waukon high school and now engaged in teaching in Allamakee county ; Irene, also a graduate of the Waukon high school; Grant O .; Esther ; and Mary Charlotta. The family attend the Waukon Presbyterian church, of which the parents are members and liberal supporters.
Mr. Barthell does not adhere to any particular political party, preferring to vote according to his personal convictions without regard to party lines. Although not an office seeker he has at different times been honored by election to office having served seven consecutive terms as township assessor, and one term as a member of the school board. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Masonic order. holding membership in the lodge, chapter and commandery, while his wife and daughter, Martha, belong to the Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Barthell is essentially a man of affairs, his broad
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and varied interests touching many important phases of business and political progress and his individual prosperity forming an element in community growth and advancement.
HENRY A. KRUGER.
That this is a land of opportunity is evidenced from the career of Henry A. Krüger, who came to this country in 1890 from Germany and in 1895 came to Iowa, where he has since prospered along agricultural lines. He now owns a valuable farm of one hundred and forty-three acres in Linton township which he has highly improved with modern buildings and from which he derives a grati- fying income. He was born in Pomerania, Germany, April 3. 1869, a son of William and Albertina ( Rosien) Krüger, both natives of that province. The father was born February 13, 1833, and the mother August 3, 1835. They crossed the Atlantic in 1890 leaving home and friends in order to profit by the advantages which are offered here to all who are willing to work. The father located in Chi- cago, where he and his wife resided until their deaths, his demise occurring on October 20, 1912, and that of his wife on February 18, 1911.
Henry A. Krüger attended school in Germany and after laying aside his text- books there engaged as a farm hand, remaining in that country until he came to America in the fall of 1890. He made his way to Chicago with his parents and there engaged in driving a team for a stone quarry and also worked in the stock yards for a time, later finding employment with a lumber company and a coal yard, in which latter position he remained for two years. At that time he was unable to speak English, a great handicap to his progress in life, but by self- study he soon overcame this difficulty. He came to Iowa on February 18, 1895. and bought a farm of sixty acres in Franklin township, having by thrift and industry accumulated the means to make possible the purchase. There he resided for one year and then sold his share in the property to his wife's father and for two years rented land in the same township. He then removed to a farm in Clay- ton county, near Luana, where he remained for four years, and then went to Melntire, Mitchell county, where for one year he rented land. From that place he removed to another farm in the same county farther west on the state line and remained there for six years, at the end of which time he bought his present place. It comprises one hundred and forty-three acres and he has since consider- ably added to its value by making improvements, putting up modern buildings and erecting a large and well appointed barn. In 1912 he also built a new machine house which furnishes added facilities for his undertakings. He oper- ates the farm along general lines, giving considerable attention to stock-raising, and is also a shareholder in the Farmers Cooperative Creamery Company at Monona and the Shipping Association of that place. Thrifty, energetic and indus- trious, Mr. Krüger has in a comparatively short time attained a high degree of success and his achievements are the more commendable for having been accom- plished entirely through his own efforts.
The marriage of Mr. Kruger to Miss Mary Heller occurred on July 30, 1892. She is also a native of Pomerania, her birth having occurred on July 2, 1871. She
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is a daughter of August and Wilhelmina ( Haas) Heller, both of that province, where the father was born July 2, 1835, and the mother December 13, 1837. They came to America in April, 1892, and located in Chicago, where the father worked for a time as a wagon maker, later coming to Allamakee county, where he settled in Franklin township. The death of the mother occurred here in June, 1897, and the father subsequently went to Kewanee, Illinois, where he resided with a son until his demise in October, 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Krüger have become the parents of ten children: Lizzie, born April 15, 1893: Anna, November 26, 1894: Minnie, August 26, 1896; Ida, March 3, 1898: Helene, December 1, 1899; Margarita, April 25, 1901 ; Ella, May 1, 1903; Willie, March 15, 1905 : Lorence, December 3, 1909 ; and Otto, February II, 1912.
Mr Krüger and his wife are members of the Lutheran church at Monona. He gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and although he has never aspired to public office he is interested in all worthy measures undertaken in the interests of the general welfare. Coming to this country a little over twenty years ago practically empty-handed, he has attained to an enviable degree of prosperity and his achievements are not only a source of satisfaction to him- self but have played a part in the growth and development that have occurred in this district along agricultural lines. Mr. Krüger has made many friends since locating here who appreciate him and esteem him for his high qualities of mind and character.
PETER P. HEFNER.
A valuable stock farm of two hundred and nineteen acres in Linton and Franklin townships, located in the Yellow river valley, stands as a monument to the labors of Peter P. Hefner, a native of Linton township, where he was born May 30, 1870. He is a son of Peter and Emilie (Soler) Hefner, both natives of Bavaria, Germany, where they were born. They crossed the ocean and came to the middle west about 1857, making their home near McGregor for one year. They then bought a farm in Linton township, where they resided for a number of years, subsequently removing to the farm upon which our subject now resides. Both parents there passed away. The father died on May 30, 1888, and the mother about fifteen years later, in October, 1903. While yet in Germany the father served in the regular army. wearing the two-colored cloth, as all Ger- man citizens are compelled to do. Although he was prominent in his community, he never aspired to public office, preferring to use his influence for good in a private way.
Peter P. Hefner, of this review, is the seventh in a family of eight children. He attended district school in Linton township and since seventeen years of age has been independent. At first he rented part of the homestead and looked after the estate for his mother until twenty-one years of age, when he bought the prop- erty. Here he has continued ever since with increasing success and now has two hundred and nineteen acres in the Yellow river valley, part of his land running into Franklin township. His farm is mostly devoted to stock-raising and he gives particular attention to high-grade Durham cattle, although he also raises
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hogs and horses. As the result of his ability and his determined efforts he has become one of the substantial men of his neighborhood. He is a stockholder in the Monona Creamery Company and also profits by his membership in the Farmers Shipping Association of that place.
On March 29, 1893, Mr. Hefner married Miss Edna Stafford, oldest child of Seth N. Stafford, a prominent farmer of Franklin township, by his first wife, who before her marriage was Miss Mary White, the ceremony taking place on February 25, 1873. Her mother passed away in 1876, and the father, subse- quently married Miss Betty C. Entwisle, by whom he had seven children. Mrs. Hefner also has one brother, David E., who resides on the Stafford home farm, making his home with his father. Mr. and Mrs. Hefner have five children : Ezra Muriel and Hazel Pearl, twins, born March 21, 1894; Elmer Gerald, born Octo- ber 24, 1897; Leo Wayne, whose birth occurred August 21, 1899; and Clara Elfrieda, born August 24, 1902. All of the children are yet at home. Mr. and Mrs. Hefner are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful interest.
Politically Mr. Hefner is a democrat but has never aspired to office. He is, however, intensely interested in all that affects his locality and is ever ready to place his influence and means at the disposal of the public when worthy objects are to be obtained. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Rossville Lodge, No. 172, and also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America at Rossville. He is popular in these organiza- tions, in which he has many friends. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hefner are widely and favorably known in Allamakee county and particularly in their neighborhood and are most highly esteemed by those who know them best and are most appreciative of their high qualities of mind and character.
L. T. CHRISTIANSEN.
L. T. Christiansen, one of Center township's energetic and progressive farm- ers, is one of Allamakee county's native sons, his birth occurring on the old fam- ily homestead in Paint Creek township on the 11th of May, 1857. He was the third in order of birth in a family of seven children born to Thyge and Inge- borg Larson (Lien) Christiansen, natives of Norway, both of whom are now deceased. More extended mention is made of the parents in another part of this volume in connection with the sketch of C. T. Christianson.
L. T. Christiansen received a good education in the district schools while his father's farm was the training ground where he received practical experience in agricultural pursuits. He has always engaged in general farming and now owns one hundred and twenty acres located on section 34, Center township, which he inherited from his father. He has greatly improved the place since it came into his possession and erected all of the buildings which now stand upon the property. They are neat and substantial and the general appearance of the farm bespeaks a life of industry, energy and thrift upon the part of the owner.
Mr. Christiansen was married, in Allamakee county, to Miss Mary Ann Thompson, a native of Norway and a daughter of Torsten and Annie Guneld-
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son. Mr. and Mrs. Christiansen are the parents of five children now living, namely: Amanda Idelia; T. T .; Luella M .; Inger M .; and Annie G. One daughter, Ruth, died in infancy. Had Mr. Christiansen followed the custom of his native land his sirname would have been Thygeson, but he followed the American custom and has borne his father's sirname. Wishing, however, to honor his father, he has made arrangements whereby his children shall bear the name of Thygeson. The family hold membership in the Lutheran church. Mr. Christiansen gives stalwart support to the republican party. He has resided in Allamakee county from his birth to the present time and has ever enjoyed in the fullest degree the respect and confidence of his fellowmen, his worth as a man and citizen being widely acknowledged.
ALBERT G. MOSIER.
Albert G. Mosier, a well known farmer of Jefferson township and a success- ful stock breeder and dealer, owns and operates on his home place one hun- dred and sixty acres of land on section 22, and by following practical and pro- gressive methods has surrounded himself with a gratifying measure of success. He was born in Franklin township, this county, May 16, 1852, and is a son of Jacob Mosier, a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, born in 1821. The latter was reared in that locality and there married Miss Malinda Phillips, also a native of Pennsylvania. The parents came west to Iowa in 1852 and the father bought one hundred and twenty acres of raw land in Franklin township, turn- ing his attention with characteristic energy to breaking the soil, clearing it of timber and improving the property. He made it in the course of years very valu- able and productve, and when he sold it purchased a farm in Jefferson township, becoming one of the well known and prosperous agriculturists of this locality. His death occurred in Jefferson township in 1908, he having survived his wife for ten years. They were the parents of two children: Albert G., of this review ; and Jennie, the deceased wife of William Clark.
Albert G. Mosier grew to manhood on his father's farm and in his child- hood learned the best agricultural methods. He later assumed entire charge of the homestead, caring for his father in his declining years, and he remained upon this property until after his marriage. He then located on a farm, which he operated for three years thereafter, moving at the end of that time to the vicinity of Postville, where he remained for one year. He next purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land near Rossville and there resided five years, selling his property at the end of that time in order to purchase the one hun- dred and twenty acre tract on section 22, Jefferson township, upon which he now resides. To this he has since added, and his farm is today one of the neatest and best improved in this locality. Upon it Mr. Mosier has made extensive improvements, erecting an attractive two-story residence and substan- tial and modern barns and outbuildings, which he keeps always in good repair. Realizing the advantages of a grove, he has set out a number of evergreen trees and these with his well kept and level lawn add greatly to the beauty and pleas- ant appearance of his homestead. In addition to general farming, Mr. Mosier
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engages extensively in stock-raising and is a well known dealer in pure-blood cattle, high-grade shire horses and Poland China hogs.
On the 13th of November, 1877, Mr. Mosier was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Beall, who was born in Pennsylvania but reared and educated in Allamakee county, a daughter of Conrad Beall, a pioneer in this part of Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Mosier are the parents of two children: Alden R., who is married and engages in farming : and Earl, who is assisting in the operation of his father's homestead.
Mr. Mosier is a republican in his political beliefs and is active in politics, hav- ing been honored by his fellow citizens by election to various positions of trust and responsibility. He has served as a delegate to numerous county and con- gressional conventions and has been on the petit jury a number of times, while for fifteen years he did conscientious and capable work as township trustee. In the county where his entire life has been passed he is widely esteemed and respected, being recognized as an able farmer, a careful, conscientious business man, and a public-spirited and useful citizen.
FRANK C. MIELKE.
Crossing the Atlantic from Germany in 1885, Frank C. Mielke came directly to Iowa and here has attained to a prosperity which entitles him to be numbered with the well-to-do agriculturists of Allamakee county. He owns a stock farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Linton township and for nearly two decades has given his time and attention to the improvement of this property. He was born in Pomerania, Germany, on December 19, 1853. and is a son of August and Caroline ( Christopher ) Mielke, both natives of the same province. The parents never came to America, the father passing away in 1870, in Germany, where the mother still makes her home.
Frank C. Mielke attended school in his native country and when twenty years of age entered the army and served for three years as a bugler. Laying aside his uniform, he then worked for two years for his mother and also for others until he came to America in 1885 in order to profit by the opportunities which he had heard were waiting for all who came here ready to work deter- minedly and persistently. He came directly to lowa and to this county, where for a few years he made his living in the employment of others and then rented a farm in Clayton county, which he operated for three years. His dreams came nearer to realization when he was enabled at the end of that time to buy his present farm, which comprises one hundred and sixty acres of fertile land. It is largely devoted to stock-raising and as the years have passed Mr. Mielke has made it a valuable property. He is a stockholder in the Monona Cooperative Creamery and also belongs to the Shipping Association.
In October. 1880, when still in the fatherland. Mr. Mielke married Miss Matilda Czech, also a native of Pomerania, born March 10, 1854, whose parents spent their entire lives in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Mielke became the parents of nine children: Charles, who resides near Sixteen, Linton township, and engages in agricultural pursuits : Otto, born July 2, 1882, who farms near Vol-
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ney, this state; Paul, born March 1, 1884, at home: Fred, the first to be born in this country, his date of birth being March 22, 1886, at home; Emma, born March 5, 1888, who married Paul Levenhagen, a farmer of Fairview township; Leo, born September 20, 1889, at home; Frank, whose birth occurred February 6, 1892, also at home; Anna, who was born May 9, 1895, and married Frank Hertramps, who follows agricultural pursuits in Linton township; and Lena, born October 9. 1898, at home. Mrs. Mielke, the wife and mother, passed away on May 16, 1905, deeply mourned by her family and a large circle of devoted friends.
Mr. Mielke is a member of the Lutheran church and reared his family in that faith. Politically he is not a party man, preferring to vote independently, following his own judgment in supporting candidates. Although Mr. Mielke had to begin under disadvantages, including his inability to understand English, he has become a prominent and substantial citizen of this section of Allamakee county and today stands high in the regard and esteem of all who know him.
WILLIAM H. SELBERG.
Allamakee county numbers among her progressive and substantial farmers and her successful native sons William H. Selberg, who owns and operates a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 18, Jefferson township. He was born in Ludlow township, March 20, 1868, and is a son of Henry Selberg, a native of Germany, who remained in that country until he was fifteen years of age. He then crossed the Atlantic with his parents and after his arrival settled in Wisconsin, where he grew to maturity. His marriage occurred in that state and he later moved to Iowa, buying one hundred and sixty acres of land in Ludlow township, this county. Upon this he continued to reside for a number of years, carrying forward the work of improvement and development until his death.
William H. Selberg, is one of a family of seven children. He was reared upon his father's farm and educated in the Ludlow township district schools. From his childhood he assisted in the operation of the homestead and for a time man- aged it in partnership with his brother. However, in February. 1901, he pur- chased the farm upon which he now resides, this property comprising one hun- dred and sixty acres of valuable land on section 18. He has repaired the build- ings and remodeled the house, has fenced the entire place with woven wire, and has made many other substantial improvements, adding materially to the value and attractiveness of this property. In addition to general farming he engages also in stock-raising, keeping fine herds of shorthorn and polled cattle and raising also Chester White hogs and high-grade horses and sheep. For the past fifteen years he has operated a model sanitary dairy and milks at the present time from fifteen to twenty cows. The dairy products are sold to the Farmers Cooperative Creamery Company of Waukon, in which he is a stockholder.
Mr. Selberg married Miss Lisette Straate, who was born and reared in Jeffer- son township, and they have become the parents of two sons, Elmer C. and Leo H. Mr. and Mrs. Selberg are members of the German Reformed church of
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Waukon and are people of exemplary character, holding the respect and high esteem of all who know them. Mr. Selberg is independent in his political views, supporting always men and measures which he deems most worthy without regard to party lines. He has remained a resident of this community from his birth to the present time and enjoys an enviable reputation as an enterprising agriculturist and a representative citizen.
JACOB MARTI.
The list of Allamakee county's pioneers contains the names of many upright, enterprising and courageous men whose labors have been potent forces in upbuild- ing and development. None, however, has displayed more energy in business relations, more integrity and honor in personal life, than Jacob Marti, who has resided here since 1855. He was born in Canton Glarus, Switzerland, June 12. 1842, and is a son of Henry and Catherine ( Blumer) Marti, the former born in 1800 and the latter in 1803. They emigrated to America with their five children in 1855 and established a home in Allamakee county on a farm belonging to a cousin. Henry Marti suffered a stroke of paralysis and was an invalid for seven- teen years prior to his death, which occurred at the home of his son Jacob when he was seventy years of age. His wife survived him some years, dying at the age of eighty-three. They became the parents of five children: Henry, who died upon the ocean : Jacob, of this review; Mrs. Fred Riser, deceased ; Mrs. Peter Riser, who resides in Lansing township; and Mrs. Blumer, who has passed away.
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