USA > Iowa > Allamakee County > Past and present of Allamakee county, Iowa. A record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 45
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On February 23. 1898, Mr. Harris married Miss Rachel Folsom, who was born just across the border in Winneshiek county, September 4, 1879, and is a daughter of Thomas and Eliza (Ewing) Folsom, both parents being natives of Indiana. The father during his active life followed farming and at an early date settled in Allamakee county, where he operated the Myren mill and also cultivated rented land for some time. Later he removed across the county line to Winneshiek county, but again returned to Allamakee county, acquiring title to a farm in Post township, where he still resides. This property is one mile southwest of the Harris farm and there he is still actively engaged in its opera- tion. The wife of our subject is the second in order of birth in a family of ten children. Mr. and Mrs. Harris are the parents of three children: Lloyd, born May 6, 1900; Robert Ray, born July 18, 1905 ; and Roger, born April 20, 1909.
Mr. Harris holds membership in the United Brethren church, and in his polit- ical views is independent, although he inclines toward the republican party.
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Fraternally he is a member of the Woodmien lodge of Postville. One of the younger generation of successful farmers, he has done much toward promoting the agricultural growth of Allamakee county and is considered a serviceable fac- tor in his locality, where he has gained many friends whose good-will and con- fidence he enjoys.
EDWARD TISDALE.
The pioneer history of Allamakee county contains the record of no more honorable, upright and capable man than Edward Tisdale, who died upon his farm in Lafayette township in 1906, after fifty-four years of continuous and active identification with agricultural interests of this locality. He was numbered among the real builders and promoters of the county, a man who faced the hard- ships and trials of pioneer existence and who developed out of a wild tract a productive and profitable farm. His death, therefore, deprived his township of one of its most valued and representative citizens.
Mr. Tisdale was born in Canada, October 8, 1826, and was a son of James and Sophronia (Brown) Tisdale, the former born in England March 8, 1795, and the latter in Seneca county, New York, January 10, 1797. They married on the 21st of April, 1824, and settled in Canada, where they resided for a number of years.
Edward Tisdale was reared at home and acquired his education in public schools in Canada. At the age of twenty-six he left the Dominion and came to the United States, settling in Allamakee county in 1852. At that time pioneer conditions prevailed everywhere, much of the land being still in possession of the government and almost all uncultivated and unimproved. Mr. Tisdale purchased two hundred and forty acres of wild land on section 31, Lafayette township, and he continued to reside upon this property for a number of years, becoming a prosperous and successful agriculturist. Later he disposed of forty acres of his homestead, retaining two hundred, upon which he carried on general farming and stock-raising until his death, which occurred February 24, 1906. The years brought him success, prominence and substantial fortune and his prosperity was well earned, coming as the result of far-sighted, able and well directed labor.
In Allamakee county, in 1857, Mr. Tisdale was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Ann Phipps, a native of Canada and a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Francis) Phipps, of whom more extended mention is made elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Tisdale became the parents of eleven children : Rhoda MI., the wife of Max Tiden, of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin; Warren I. and Ella Louisa, who have passed away ; Ida E., the wife of Ed Valentine, of Canada ; Louisa C., who married W. F. Barber, of Canada; John E., also a resident of the Dominion ; Nellie May, who has passed away ; William, who lives at home ; Alvah and Norman James, both deceased ; and Nellie, who lives at home.
Mr. Tisdale gave his political allegiance to the democratic party and was widely and prominently known in public affairs, giving his aid and active co- operation to anything which he deemed essential to the development and growth of the county. In matters of citizenship he was at all times progressive and public-
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spirited, and during the course of a residence in Lafayette township, covering over half a century, made many substantial and tangible contributions to its growth and advancement. His widow and two of his children, William and Nellie, occupy the old homestead and his son carries on the work of its development. They are well known and favorably regarded in Lafayette township, where their name has been known and honored since pioneer times.
WILHELM AUGUST GOTTFRIED HERTRAMPF.
Farming, stock-raising and dairy interests of Linton township find a pro- gressive and worthy representative in Wilhelm August Gottfried Hertrampf, who owns and operates one hundred and sixty acres of fine land. He was born in the grand duchy of Oldenburg, Germany, September 16, 1865, and is a son of Gottfried and Margaret ( Koester) Hertrampf, both natives of the father- land, the former born in Silesia in 1825 and the latter in East Friesland, August 8, 1845. The father engaged in general contracting and built a great number of railroad canals in Germany, dying there in 1879. His widow afterward mar- ried again, her husband being Franz Hafke, with whom she came to America in 1888. They settled in Farmersburg, Clayton county, Iowa, where both passed away, Mr. Hafke dying in 1893 and his wife in 1903.
Wilhehn A. G. Hertrampf was reared in Germany and when still a child. at the age of thirteen, learned the trade of a woodturner and cabinet-maker, and after following these for some time learned the machinist's trade. He secured employment in a powder factory and there remained until 1888, when he crossed the Atlantic to America, settling with his mother and stepfather in Farmers- burg, Clayton county, Iowa. For one year thereafter he worked as a farm hand and then went to Boston, Massachusetts, where he secured a position with the Harvard Company, piano manufacturers. He remained with this concern for eighteen months and then returned to Farmersburg, where for one summer he worked at the carpenter's trade. He then learned the brick and stonemason's trade, following it for four years, after which he invented a grubbing machine, which, however, he did not have patented on account of the expense attached to this operation. For four years he went to various parts of this and neighboring counties, grubbing up stumps for his neighbors, and at the end of that time he bought a forty-acre farm in Monona township. Clayton county, which he im- proved and developed for eleven years, selling it in order to purchase his present property. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land and upon it carries on general farming and stock-raising and also operates a large modern dairy, selling its products to the Monona Creamery Company, in which he is a stockholder. His interests are all carefully and conservatively conducted and have been attended by a gratifying measure of success, Mr. Hertrampf standing today among the representative farmers and progressive business men of this locality.
On the 15th of October, 1889, Mr. Hertrampf was united in marriage to Miss Magdalena Bencke, who was born in Germany, April 7, 1867, a daughter of Hans H. and Sophia G. Bencke, also natives of that country, where both passed
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away. Mr. and Mrs. Hertrampf have become the parents of seven children. The eldest, Frank, was born September 6, 1890, and married Miss Anna Mielke, a daughter of Frank Mielke, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work. The other children in this family are as follows: Edward, who was born June 9, 1893; Anton, born October 5, 1896; William, born April 14, 1899; Freda, born October 11, 1901 ; Minnie, born December 12, 1903 ; and Georgia, who was born November 26, 1906.
Mr. Hertrampf gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and is a member of the Lutheran church. A man of exemplary character and unusual ability, he has become well known throughout this township, commanding and holding the respect and high regard of all who come in contact with him.
EDWARD JAMES NICHOLSON.
Edward James Nicholson is a worthy representative of one of the pioneer families of Allamakee county. He devotes his entire time and attention to the operation of a tract of one hundred and twenty acres, located in Fairview town- ship, and each year is adding to his financial resources. The farm on which he now resides was also the place of his birth, his natal day being June 13, 1879. His parents, William and Mary (Galagher) Nicholson, were both natives of the Emerald isle, the former born in County Galway and the latter in County West Meath. The father was a tanner, learning his trade in his native country. Following his emigration to the new world, he was employed in a tannery in Amsterdam, New York, for a time, and later in connection with his father-in- law, he owned and conducted a tannery near that city. The plant eventually was destroyed by fire and Mr. Nicholson subsequently removed to Allamakee county and engaged in farming, continuing in this occupation until the time of his demise, which occurred February 6, 1894, when he had reached the age of sixty-two years. The mother, who was born in 1835, departed this life on the 26th of September, 1909, having reached the advanced age of seventy-four years.
Edward James Nicholson was reared on the home farm and was trained to farm labor under his father's able direction. When not busy in this work he attended the district schools and therein fitted himself for a practical business life. At the age of eighteen years, his father having died in the meantime, he assumed the management of the homestead, remaining with his mother until her death. He is now the owner of the farm, comprising one hundred and twenty acres of well improved land, which annually yields good harvests in return for his labors. On the place are also found substantial farm buildings and a modern house. Mr. Nicholson is engaged in general farming and stock- raising and is meeting with success.
Mr. Nicholson established a home of his own on the 9th of October, 1911, by his marriage to Miss Catherine Finnegan, who is likewise a native of Fair- view township, born January 13, 1891. She is the third in order of birth in a family of four children, born unto Patrick and Anna (O'Brien) Finnegan, the former born in Canada, November 15, 1855, while the mother's birth occurred
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in Taylor township, Allamakee county, September 1, 1860. The father came to the states with his parents when a lad of six years. He is now the owner of a valuable farm in Fairview township and is actively engaged in its operation.
Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson have a son, Cleophus Anthony, who was born on the 2d of October, 1912. Mr. Nicholson gives his political support to the demo- cratic party but he has never aspired to public office. He is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church at Cherry Mound. He is a wide-awake, energetic young man, and while he has already met with success, the future no doubt holds in store for him still greater prosperity.
G. N. NORDGAARD.
G. N. Nordgaard, a well-to-do and prosperous agriculturist of Waterloo town- ship, was born in Norway in 1853, a son of Nels O. and Eline Nordgaard. The parents were married in Norway and in 1861 emigrated to America, settling in Winneshiek county, Iowa, where the father purchased land. He added to his holdings from time to time and finally accumulated two hundred and twenty acres of land, upon which he carried on general farming and stock-raising until his death. He passed away in 1912, at the advanced age of ninety-two, and is survived by his wife, who still resides upon the homestead. In their family were eleven children : Ole, of Decorah, Iowa ; G. N., the subject of this review ; Christian, deceased; Maria, at home; Olava, the wife of Andrew Peterson, of Canada ; Margaret, the widow of K. Brunsdale, of North Dakota; John, a resi- dent of South Dakota; Rev. Nels, of Minnesota; Lena and Martin, both at home ; and one, who died in infancy.
G. N. Nordgaard acquired his education in the public schools of Winneshiek county and graduated from a business college in Decorah, having been only eight years of age when his parents settled in Iowa. He was reared at home and from his childhood assisted with the work of the farm, becoming in this way familiar with the best agricultural methods and with everything connected with farm operation. At twenty-nine he purchased the property which he now owns and he has devoted practically all of his attention to its development and cultivation since that time. He has one hundred and twenty acres, which lie in Waterloo township with the exception of eighty acres in Winneshiek county. His land is highly improved, being provided not only with an excellent residence but barns, outbuildings and modern machinery, and the attention which he has given to it has made it one of the most desirable properties in this locality. Mr. Nordgaard is president of the Arctic Spring Creamery at Quandahl, Alla- makee county, and is a far-sighted and discriminating business man, his ability being widely recognized in commercial circles.
In 1879 Mr. Nordgaard was united in marriage to Miss Berit Haugen, a native of Norway, who came to America with her parents in 1855 and settled in Winneshiek county, where her father and mother passed away. She was one of five children born to their union, two of whom survive. Mrs. Nordgaard died in 1906, leaving ten children : Nels, who is married and is engaged in farm- ing in North Dakota; Germond, of North Dakota, who is married and is
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engaged in farming and carpentering; Martin, who follows agricultural pursuits in the same state; Albert, who is married and resides upon his farm in North Dakota; Maria, taking a course as trained nurse at Northwood, North Dakota; Katherine, at home ; John and Edwin, at home ; Emma, who is taking the teachers' course at Decorah ; and Nora, at home.
Mr. Nordgaard gives his political allegiance to the republican party, to which he has always been loyal, and he served his township efficiently as assessor for ten years. He is well known throughout Allamakee county and his progressive and enterprising spirit has gained him the respect and esteem of the entire community.
NICHOLAS KASCEL.
Nicholas Kascel, who owns a valuable farm of two hundred and eight acres in Franklin township, adjoining Linton township, in Allamakee county, is a native of this state, where he was born on the Iowa river, near Lansing, in this county, August 29, 1876. He is a son of Nicholas and Charity (Jenkins) Kascel, the former of whom was born in Germany in 1840 and the latter in Pennsylvania, near the Virginia line, on January 15, 1843. When a very young man the father crossed the ocean to America and upon reaching these shores made his way to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where for a time he engaged in the butcher business. Later he made his way over the river, locating on the Iowa side near Lansing, and there acquired title to land whereon he resided until his death, which occurred about 1893. His farm was situated about four miles southwest of Lansing. Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Kascel, Sr., were the parents of five children, of whom our subject is the youngest.
Nicholas Kascel attended the country schools near Lansing and continued his education for a time in the schools of that city. He remained with his mother until his marriage, when he bought the home farm which previously he had cultivated for a number of years as a renter. His mother then moved to Monona, where she was married to Frank Smith, of Lansing. They now make Monona their home. Mr. Kascel remained on the homestead, which originally comprised eighty acres, and has since added thereto from time to time, his present holdings amounting to two hundred and eight acres of fertile land, all of which is located in Franklin township, adjoining Linton. He engages in general farming, giving close attention to stock-raising, and by incessant labor and modern methods succeeds in obtaining a gratifying income from his enter- prise. The farm is modernly equipped in every respect and his residence and buildings are up-to-date and substantial. Such success as has come to him is largely the result of his indefatigable energy and industry and highly merited. Mr. Kascel is also a stockholder in the Monona Creamery Company and the Farmers Shipping Association.
On the 6th of February, 1902, Mr. Kascel married Miss Augusta Butler, a native of Linton township, Allamakee county, where she was born September 18, 1880, a daughter of William and Minnie (Myers) Butler, both natives of Germany. The father always followed agricultural pursuits and was an early
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settler in Linton township, where he resided until about 1885, when he removed to McGregor. There he met death by drowning, his boat being upset in passing a pontoon bridge. The mother subsequently married Jacob Sherbonda and they now reside in Linton township. Mrs. Kascel is the second in a family of six children. She and her husband have three children: Lizette Marie, born Octo- ber 26, 1902; Glenn Lee, whose birth occurred on the 14th of January, 1904; and Lawrence William, born April 21, 1909. Mr. Kascel gives a general alle- giance to the republican party but in local issues votes independently as his- judgment dictates. Mrs. Kascel was reared in the Lutheran faith but neither she nor her husband belong to any particular church. Both are widely and favor- ably known in the district and enjoy in a large degree the esteem and confidence of the general public.
HARVEY CLARK.
A native of Allamakee county, Harvey Clark devotes his attention to the cultivation of a valuable farm of one hundred and twenty-seven acres located near Postville. He has been successful in his pursuits, as he has always employed thorough and up-to-date methods and has industriously and energetically worked on the improvement of his property. He was born in Franklin township, October 30, 1861, and is a son of Belfield Carter and Mary (Powell) Clark, the father being generally known as Carter Clark. He was born in Nashville, Tennessee, June 11, 1832, and in the fall of 1849 became one of the pioneers of Iowa, first locating in Franklin township, this county. He was married in Allamakee county to Miss Mary Powell, who was born in Elkhart county, Indiana, Novem- ber 28, 1832. Upon coming to Franklin township the father entered government land and began clearing and cultivating his property amidst the wilderness, the Indians only having been removed from here the year previously. He resided upon his first farm until 1887 and then sold out and removed to Adams county, Wisconsin, where he bought a large tract of land, to the development of which he gave his time and attention until his death in January, 1888. The mother resided upon that property until the Ist of May of the same year and then returned to Allamakee county, taking up her residence at Hardin in Franklin township. There she lived until 1905, when she removed to Waukon, where she now makes her home with her daughter Mrs. C. H. Stillwell. The father was not only recognized as one of the foremost agriculturists of Franklin town- ship but also held various township offices, ever discharging his duties with faithfulness and greatly to the satisfaction of his constituents. The mother and her daughter Mrs. Stillwell were among the first teachers in this section, holding the first classes in Hardin. Mrs. Clark also taught one of the first schools in Post township, at which time she made her home with Judge Topliff, the first judge of Allamakee county. Mr. and Mrs. Clark became the parents of six children. Cordelia resides at Waukon. William makes his home at Marion, North Caro- lina, and is successful as a fruit grower, specializing in peaches, with which he supplies the wholesale markets. George, resident of Forest Mills, this county, is a contractor and builder, making a specialty of bridges and road work, but is
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HARVEY CLARK AND FAMILY
.
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also a prominent agriculturist, being an extensive landowner and breeder of Holstein cattle. He also operates grist and saw mills and is one of the most substantial citizens of his locality. The fourth in order of birth is Harvey, our subject. Linda is the wife of A. D. Farnham and they make their home near Milwaukee, Mr. Farnham being a creamery expert and butter maker. Mary, the youngest of the family, married C. H. Stillwell and they reside at Waukon. Mr. Stillwell is engaged in general contracting, house wrecking and similar pursuits.
Harvey Clark was reared under the parental roof and early grounded in the old fashioned virtues of industry and honesty. Naturally his educational opportunities were limited in that primitive period of pioneer life and what education he received was obtained at the little red schoolhouse in Franklin township. He remained at home until about twenty years of age, when he began his independent career by renting a farm in Franklin township, which he culti- vated for seven years with such good success that at the end of that period he was enabled to acquire by purchase forty-seven acres, which he still owns. As his means increased he subsequently added to his holdings another eighty acres and now operates one hundred and twenty-seven acres devoted to general farm- ing. His land is highly improved, and modern, well equipped buildings testify to the thorough methods which he employs and the prosperity which attends his labors as their result. He is considered one of the most up-to-date farmers in his vicinity and, while he has attained personal prosperity, has also been a factor in promoting the agricultural interests of the county. Mr. Clark is also a stock- holder in the Farmers Cooperative Store at Postville.
On May 31, 1881, Harvey Clark was united in marriage to Miss Martha A. Jones, who was born near Waukon, this county, January 25, 1859, and is a dangh- ter of Charles and Marinda (Lane) Jones, the father a native of England. The mother's native state was New York, being born in Poughkeepsie, on the Hudson river. During all his active life Mr. Jones was a farmer. Having crossed the ocean early in life, he made his first residence in New York, where he remained for about two years and in 1851 came to Iowa, locating near Round Prairie in Makee township, this county. There he entered government land and continued in its cultivation until about 1871, when he rented out the homestead and bought another farm near Forest Mills, upon which he remained until his death, which occurred about 1898. The mother of Mrs. Clark survives him and now makes her home with her sons upon a farm northeast of Forest Mills, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Jones were the parents of ten children, of whom Mrs. Clark is the third in order of birth.
To Mr. and Mrs. Clark two children have been born. Virgil LaValle, whose birth occurred January 1, 1885, married Helen Sharp, who at the time of her marriage resided in Portland, Oregon. She had, however, previously been a resident of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Virgil L. Clark now make their home in Portland, where he is prominent as one of the younger and successful members of the legal fraternity. They have one child, George H., born October 26, 1911. Mr. Clark gained a high reputation in Portland by securing the first verdict against the Portland Electric Power & Railroad Company ever rendered against that corporation since its organization. The suit was for personal injuries and he secured judgment against the company for the sum of five thousand dollars for
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his client, the case being that of a young boy whose father had been killed by the road, the guardian bringing suit against the company. Virgil Clark is also prominent in Masonic circles and very enthusiastic in the work of the order, being a thirty-second degree Mason. The other child born to Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Clark is Libbie MI., whose natal day was September 25, 1890. She is the wife of Don E. Lamborn, a prosperous farmer of Franklin township.
Mr. Clark has ever taken a laudable interest in matters of political importance and for several terms served as township trustee, only discontinuing his services at his own initiative, refusing on account of other pressing duties to continue in the office. He is deeply interested in the cause of education and for over twenty years has efficiently served as secretary of the school board. His political ad- herence is given to the republican party, the principles of which he considers best adapted to good government and of greatest benefit to the majority. For some years Mr. Clark was a member of the Mutual Brotherhood of America but recently withdrew from that organization. He is highly respected and esteemed in his neighborhood for what he has accomplished, his success being especially creditable as it has come to him through his own efforts. While careful of liis own interests, he is ever considerate of those of others and always weighs his actions in regard to what influence they will have upon the general welfare. He has therefore become a valuable factor in progress and advancement and his life work has not only been of benefit to him but of value to his state and county.
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