USA > Iowa > Allamakee County > Past and present of Allamakee county, Iowa. A record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 47
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John H. Hermanson began farming in Waterloo township at an early age, cultivating first an eighty acre tract of land which he purchased from his mother's homestead. He suspended his agricultural labors in 1861, when he enlisted in Company B, Twenty-seventh Iowa Volunteer Regiment, for service in the Civil war. He went to the front as private and served for three years, taking part in many of the important engagements of the war and also the battle with the Indians at Lake Mills, Minnesota. With a creditable military record he returned to lowa and resumed the operation of his farm, remaining active and prominent in this line of work for forty years thereafter. During this period he won success, prominence and substantial fortune and his landed holdings increased steadily until he owned a one hundred and eighty acre farm in Alla- makee county with one hundred and thirty acres in a high state of cultivation and an eighty acre tract in Wharton county, Texas. He gave practically all of his time to the cultivation of his lowa farm and upon it steadily carried forward the work of improvement and development, erecting upon it substantial build- ings and installing modern equipment. In the course of years it became a valuable and productive property and stands today as a worthy memorial to his life of industry and thrift.
Shortly after his discharge from service in the Civil war Mr. Hermanson married and to him and his wife were born eleven children: Albert, who is engaged in farming in Ross, North Dakota; Anna, who married Albert Langen of Allamakee county ; Mrs. Nettie Loe, of Pekin, North Dakota ; Iver, a farmer of Ross, North Dakota ; Henry, engaged in farming in the same locality ; Emil, a farmer of Elsworth, North Dakota; Mrs. Andrew Klefstad, of Pekin, in the same state; John, who is assisting his brother and mother in the operation of the homestead; Ida, who lives at home; Sanders, aiding in the conduct of the home farm; and Mayme, at home. All of these children received excellent educations in the public schools of Allamakee county and Mrs. Loe engaged in teaching previous to her marriage. The family are devout members of the Lutheran church.
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John H. Hermanson gave his political allegiance to the republican party and was eminently progressive and public-spirited in matters of citizenship, coope- rating heartily in all measures and projects to advance the general interests of the community. On several occasions he rendered the township excellent service as trustee and was found always prompt, capable and reliable in the discharge of his official duties. His death on the 6th of July, 1904, took from Allamakee county one whom she could ill afford to lose-a man of high principles, pro- gressive standards and upright life, who during almost a half century of earnest and capable work along agricultural lines made many substantial contributions to the upbuilding and development of the state.
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PETER I. PETERSON.
A well improved farm of one hundred and fifty-six acres in the Yellow river valley is the property of Peter I. Peterson, and in its neat and attractive appear- ance reflects everywhere the many years of careful supervision and practical managment which the owner has bestowed upon it. Mr. Peterson was born in Gol, Norway, May 5, 1854, and is a son of Iver and Olean ( Blockestad) Peterson, also natives of that locality. They crossed the Atlantic to America in 1870 and came directly to Allamakee county, locating in Paint Creek town- ship, where the father purchased a tract of practically unimproved land. He carried on the work of developing this property for seven years and then dis- posed of his farm, renting land in Fairview township, upon which he resided until his death, which occurred in July, 1886. His wife survived him some years, dying in September, 1909. They were the parents of four children: Peter I., of this review; Tolaf, who has passed away; Berige, the widow of Ole O. Halverson and a resident of Spring Grove, Minnesota; and Julia, the wife of Peter Anderson, of Tacoma, Washington.
Peter I. Peterson acquired his education in the public schools of Norway and Paint Creek township, Allamakee county, whither he came with his parents when he was sixteen years of age. One year later he obtained employment as a farm laborer and so continued until the age of twenty-seven, making his home with his parents during this time. He then rented land in Fairview township and after five years purchased from his father-in-law the farm upon which his wife was born. He now owns one hundred and fifty-six acres of valuable land and this is crossed by an old Indian trail from the south to the Winnebago mission, the road passing directly in front of Mr. Peterson's residence. The farm is well equipped with modern buildings all substantial and in good repair and labor-saving machinery has been installed to facilitate the work of operation. Nothing has been neglected which will add to the attractive appearance or value of the farm which is today a model place and worthy of comparison with the finest agricultural properties in this section of the state. Mr. Peterson engages in general farming and stock-raising and both branches of his activities have proven profitable under his able management.
On the 13th of December, 1886, Mr. Peterson was united in marriage to Miss Edna Hulse, who was born in the house where she now resides August 10,
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1864, a daughter of Gilbert and Mary (Gardner) Hulse, the former born in Pike county, Pennsylvania, October 27, 1835, and the latter in Davenport, Iowa, April 24. 1843. The father came to Iowa in 1851 and located in Fairview town- ship, making his home with his father, who held a squatter's claim on Yellow river. One year later Gilbert Hulse left this property and went to California, where he worked in the employ of others for three years. Returning to Iowa, he bought the farm whereon the subject of this review now resides, later dis- posing of this property and moving to the vicinity of Fort Dodge, where he spent four years engaged in farming. At the end of that time he returned to Fairview township and repurchased his farm, upon which he continued to reside for seventeen years thereafter, eventually selling it to his son-in-law. He then bought another farm in this vicinity and after four years sold this. Since that time Mrs. Hulse has made her home with her daughters, Mrs. Peterson and Mrs. Robert Aird, also of this township. She has lived here since very early pioneer times, having taken up her residence here when they were only seven or eight little log houses at the mission.
Mr. Peterson is a member of the Lutheran church and a republican in his political views. He served for two terms as trustee of Fairview township, dis- charging his duties capably and conscientiously, and his cooperation is always readily given to movements to promote the general good. A resident of Alla- makee county since his childhood, he has witnessed a great deal of the agricul- tural development of this region and has become widely and favorably known as a man whose business integrity is unquestioned and whose contributions to agricultural progress have been many and substantial.
JOHN SEGLAR.
One of the progressive and able young agriculturists of Allamakee county is John Seglar, whose attractive homestead of one hundred and fifty acres lies on section 28, Linton township. Upon this property he was born on the 19th of May, 1883, his parents being Michael and Mary ( Papack) Seglar, natives of Bohemia, the former born February 19, 1838, and the latter, February 2, 1837. The parents crossed the Atlantic to America in 1871 and went to Chicago, Illinois, where they spent a few months. Finally, however, they moved to Linton township, Allamakee county, and here the father purchased land upon which he is still residing. In Bohemia he served his required term in the regular army and since coming to the United States has been found progressive and loyal in all matters of citizenship. He and his wife became the parents of eleven children, of whom the subject of this review is the youngest.
John Seglar acquired his education in the district schools of Linton town- ship and in his childhood divided his time between his studies and assisting his father with the work of the homestead. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-four years of age and then purchased his father's property, upon which he has since carried on general farming. His holdings comprise one hun- dred and fifty acres of land, of which one hundred and thirty are tillable and one hundred in a high state of cultivation. Here in addition to general agricul-
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tural pursuits he engages also in stock-raising and under his able management both branches of his activities have proven profitable and important.
On the 9th of July, 1907, Mr. Seglar was united in marriage to Miss Frances Kocin, who was born in Bohemia, December 30, 1884, a daughter of Michael and Anna ( Frederick) Kocin, natives of that country, the former born in 1853 and the latter in 1861. The parents still reside in Bohemia, where the father is engaged in farming. Mrs. Seglar and her sister crossed the Atlantic in 1905 and settled in Chicago, whence Mrs. Seglar came to Iowa after her marriage. She and her husband are the parents of two children : Agnes Anna, who was born May 28, 1908; and William Joseph, born June 13, 1909.
Mr. Seglar is a devout member of the Roman Catholic church. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and although he has never sought public office he did capable work for one year as school director. He is a stock- holder in the Monona Creamery and the Farmers Shipping Association and is well known in business circles. Although still a young man he has attained a creditable measure of success and, being ambitious and energetic, will undoubt- edly make continued progress in his chosen field.
ALBERT A. SCHLITTER.
Albert A. Schlitter, a representative of a well known pioneer family of Linton township and one of the most progressive and able agriculturists of this locality, owning and operating one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 21, was born July 25, 1874, and is a son of Adolph and Caroline (Ziesow) Schlitter, natives of Germany, the former born in 1840 and the latter, August 6, 1842. They crossed the Atlantic to America about the year 1868 and went to McGregor, Iowa, whence they traveled with ox teams to Linton township. This journey was filled with hardships, as was also their trip across the ocean, during which they were seized with smallpox and detained at quarantine station in New York. After their arrival in Linton township they lived for a time in a rude dugout, but soon afterward the father purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 21 and he has never been across the county line since that time. He resided upon his farm, carrying on its improvement and cultivation until about 1887, when he disposed of his holdings and bought another tract, upon which he still resides, living now in retirement and making his home with his son John. He and his wife were the parents of twelve children, of whom the sub- ject of this review is the ninth in order of birth.
Albert A. Schlitter attended district school No. 3 in Linton township and spent two months at business college in Nora Springs. After laying aside his text-books he remained at home for a number of years, after which he began clerking in a store at Watson. About one year later he became a partner in this business and continued connected with it for a similar period of time, after which he disposed of his interests and turned his attention to operating a threshing machine. After his marriage, which occurred in 1902, he purchased the farm which he now owns, and on the 5th of December of that year moved onto the property. He has cleared and broken ten acres and has added substantial improve-
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ments to the place, erecting the necessary barns and outbuildings and installing modern equipment. He engages in general farming and is also an extensive stock breeder, both branches of his interests proving important and profitable under his able management.
On the 8th of October, 1902, Mr. Schlitter was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Schmidt, who was born in Clayton county, May 25, 1879. She is a daughter of William and Henrietta (Hoch) Schmidt, the former a native of France and the latter of Germany. The parents crossed the Atlantic at a very early date and settled in lowa, where the father became a landowner. Upon the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in the Thirty-eighth Iowa Volunteer Regiment and served for three years in the Union army, receiving at the end of that time his honorable discharge. After his return from the service he settled on his farm in Clayton county and still makes his home upon this prop- erty, whereon he has recently erected a modern residence in which he is spending his retired life. Mr. and Mrs. Schlitter have become the parents of five children : Hazel Henrietta Caroline, who was born July 29, 1903; Milton Albert Adolph, born July 30, 1905; Leslie Frederick, born April 24, 1907; Mabel, whose birth occurred September 7, 1909; and Carlton George, born May 26, 1912.
Mr. Schlitter is a member of the Evangelical church at Watson and is con- nected fraternally with the Modern Woodmen of America. His political allegi- ance is given to the republican party and he served for several years as con- stable and is at the present time school director. He is a stockholder in the Monona Creamery, the Monona Shipping Association and the Luana & Monona Farmers Telephone Company, and he is recognized in business circles as a man of sound judgment and ability. He has won by his own efforts a gratifying measure of success and his record is a credit to a name that has been known and honored in Allamakee county since pioneer times.
GEORGE E. DECKER.
George E. Decker, the owner of a productive and valuable farm of ninety acres in Franklin township, has always lived within the borders of Allamakee county, his birth occurring in Jefferson township on the 27th of August, 1872. His parents were Edward and Mary Ann ( McShane) Decker, the former born in Erie county, New York, on the 26th of October, 1843, and the latter in Vir- ginia on the 19th of October, 1850. Edward Decker has followed general agri- cultural pursuits throughout his entire career. When only about one year old he was taken by his parents to Green county, Wisconsin, the family home being established near Monroe, where he remained until twenty-four years of age. At that time he came to Iowa, locating first in Jefferson township, where he purchased a partially improved farm and made his home until about 1876. In that year he took up his abode on a farm of forty acres, which he still owns. The period of his residence in this county covers forty-six years and he enjoys an enviable reputation as one of its substantial and esteemed citizens. His wife was called to her final rest on the ist of April, 1908. Unto them were born three children, as follows: George E., of this review ; Lottie, born December 16,
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1874, who is the wife of John Campbell, a farmer of Linton township; and Ernest C., who wedded Miss Clara Bender and resides on the old homestead.
George E. Decker obtained his early education in Jefferson township and later attended a select school at Rossville. He began working for others when a youth of sixteen and also assisted his father in the operation of the home farm. He remained in the employ of others until the time of his marriage and then located on the farm of sixty acres which he had purchased prior to that event. For two years he was busily engaged in its operation and then sold the prop- erty, cultivating a rented farm in Jefferson township for a similar period. Sub- sequently he took up his abode on the farm of ninety acres on section 3, Franklin township, which has since remained in his possession. He has made all of the improvements on the property and has erected modern buildings for the shelter of grain and stock, his place now lacking none of the equipments and accessories of a model and up-to-date farm. Nearly all of his land is tillable and he devotes his attention to the pursuits of farming and stock-raising, keeping a number of horses, forty hogs and twenty head of cattle. He is a stockholder in the Luana Cooperative Creamery Company and has won and maintained a position among the prosperous and representative citizens of his native county.
On the 18th of January, 1899, Mr. Decker was united in marriage to Miss Anna Bell, who was born in Franklin township on the 28th of June. 1878, her parents being James W. and Ella M. ( Johnson) Bell. A sketch of the father appears on another page of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Decker have become the parents of six children, namely : Elmer, whose birth occurred on the 3Ist of March, 1900; Belle, who was born February 20, 1902, and passed away No- vember 19, 1906; Thelma, whose natal day was April 30, 1904: Ernest, born May 26, 1906; Bernice, whose birth occurred on the IIth of October, 1908; and Harold, who was born on the 2d of October, 1910.
Mr. Decker is a stanch republican in politics and is now serving for the sec- ond term as township trustee, making an enviable record in this connection. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Baptist church at Ross- ville, while fraternally he is identified with the Woodmen at that place. Both he and his wife have spent their entire lives in this county and have a circle of friends which is almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintances.
EDWARD C. WASKOW.
Edward C. Waskow, who devotes his attention to the pursuits of farming and stock-raising, is the owner of a valuable tract of land comprising one hun- dred and twenty-eight acres on section II. Franklin township. His birth oc- curred at North McGregor, Clayton county, Iowa, on the 5th of August, 1881, his parents being Herman and Caroline (Gautke) Waskow, who were born in the years 1847 and 1857, respectively. The father, a native of Germany, fol- lowed the sea for a period of thirteen years, becoming a sailor when a youth of but thirteen. While still a young man he took up his abode in the United States and was married at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. At an early day he established his home in North McGregor and was there employed as foreman
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in a sawmill for a number of years. Subsequently he took up his abode on the farm in Franklin township which is now in possession of his son Edward, maintaining his residence thereon until March, 1908. Since that time he has lived retired at Monona, spending the evening of life in well earned ease. Unto him and his wife were born four children, as follows: Anna, the wife of Julius Collignon, an agriculturist of Clayton county ; Elvena, the wife of Henry Take, who is living practically retired at Monona, Iowa; Edward C., of this review; and Robert, who follows farming in Clayton county and resides south of Monona.
Edward C. Waskow acquired his education in the district schools of Franklin township and when a young man of twenty-two years started out as an agricul- turist on his own account, being at that time married and establishing his home at Luana. There he cultivated rented land for a period of four years and then returned to the old homestead on section II, where he has remained continuously since. He owns one hundred and twenty-eight acres of valuable land and is bus- ily engaged as a grain grower and stock-raiser, both branches of his business returning to him a gratifying annual income. He is likewise a stockholder in the Monona Creamery Company and deserves representation among the sub- stantial and enterprising citizens of the community.
On the 25th of December, 1903, Mr. Waskow was united in marriage to Miss Edith Ellsworth, who was born near Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on the 27th of March, 1887, her parents being Whitney and Mary Christina (Fish) Ellsworth. The father, an agriculturist by occupation, passed away near Cedar Rapids. The mother subsequently married George Meskimen with whom she resides on a farm near that of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Waskow have four children, namely : Cecil, who was born on the 16th of October, 1904; Goldie, whose birth occurred in September, 1907; Lawrence, born November 17, 1908; and Marie, who was born November 27, 1911. In politics Mr. Waskow is a republican, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the German Evangeli- cal Lutheran church at Monona. His entire life has been spent in this part of the state and he is well known here as a successful young agriculturist and representative and esteemed citizen.
JAMES H. SCANNELL.
Among those who gained prosperity along agricultural lines in Allamakee county and who won the esteem of their fellowmen in an unusual degree was James H. Scannell, for many years engaged in agriculture in Linton township, who passed away on March 2, 1910, deeply mourned by his immediate family and a large circle of devoted friends who esteemed him for his high qualities of heart and mind. James H. Scannell was a native of Iowa, his birth taking place near Elkader, in Clayton county, on November 2, 1865. He was a son of Michael and Anna (McMorrow) Scannell, the father a native of Ireland, who became an early settler in Clayton county, this state, and the mother presumably a native of Clayton county. The father later moved to Missouri, where he made his home until his death, which occurred in 1897. The mother now resides in St. Louis.
MR. AND MRS. JAMES SCANNELL AND FAMILY
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James H. Seannell received his education in Fairview township, at the Cherry Mound school, and also in Linton township. He passed his childhood and early youth with the Hines family, in which he had been adopted when but eleven months old. Patrick Hines then resided at McGregor but later he and his family came to Linton township, where they made their home on a farm until Mrs. Hines passed away, her death occurring about 1890. One year later James Seannell went to Missouri and there made his home with his father for four years, at the end of which period he came back to Allamakee county and en- gaged in farming, becoming the owner of the Hines homestead about that time. Two years later he married and settled on this farm, which then comprised one hundred and sixty acres of land on Suttle creek. He gave to the development of his land his entire attention, keeping his buildings in good repair and increasing the yield of his acres. Following up-to-date and modern methods, he succeeded in wresting a gratifying income from his farm and was successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits until his demise, which occurred on March 2, 1910.
On February 21, 1898, Mr. Seannell was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Leicht, who was born on the same farm and in the same house in which she still makes her home. Mrs. Scannell was born May 11, 1880, being third in a family of seven children, and is a daughter of Henry and Sophia Leicht, both natives of Baden, Germany. There the father was born August 31, 1846, and the mother, September 7, 1848. They were married in Allamakee county. The father emi- grated to America in the early '7os, working for a time for others, but later rented land which he cultivated with such good success that he has been able to buy a farm of his own in Clayton county, just across the line from Allamakee county, in Giard township, where they still reside, the father still actively fol- lowing agriculture. There Mrs. Seannell attended school and grew to woman- hood. To Mr. and Mrs. Seannell were born seven children : Mary Theresa, May 24, 1899; Emmett Michael, January 15, 1901; Julius George, March 21, 1902; Anna Henrietta, July 24, 1904; Julia Margaret, November 4, 1905 ; John James, July 8, 1907; and Agnes Sophia, June 4, 1909.
Mr. Seannell was a devout member of the Roman Catholic church, in which faith he died and to which his widow also belongs. Politically he was an inde- pendent republican, voting the party ticket in national and state questions but preferring to follow his own judgment in local political issues, considering the qualifications of a man in preferenee to party lines. Although Mr. Seannell was yet a young man when he passed away, he had already achieved a distinet success which is the more remarkable as his start in life was made under heavy handicaps. Several years have passed since his death, yet he is well remembered by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance as a man of sterling traits of character. Since his death Mrs. Scannell has continued in the operation of the farm, looking after all the details and conducting the same with decided ability and remarkable success. She gives considerable attention to stoek-raising, her herds being as good as any which can be found in the distriet. She is thoroughly modern in all her ideas as regards the cultivation of the fields, and a significant side light is thrown upon her enterprise by the fact that she has increased her property by an additional eighty acres, the homestead now comprising two hundred and forty aeres of the most fertile land. As she was born in the same house which she now occupies, all her memories center upon this place and here she expects to con-
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