USA > Iowa > Allamakee County > Past and present of Allamakee county, Iowa. A record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 52
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JOSEPH HARTLEY.
Different occupations claim the attention of Joseph Hartley, one of Alla- makee county's most prominent and successful native sons, for he is not only one of the largest landowners, most prosperous farmers and extensive stock- raisers in this vicinity, but he is also a representative and able business man. For the past twelve years he has owned and operated a large, portable sawmill, doing general customs work, and he controls an important trade as a grade contractor, his interests being all of a constructive character, which makes them valuable as factors in general advancement and growth. He was born in Union City township in 1869 and is the eldest of the ten children born to Jolın W. and Sarah G. (Ratcliffe) Hartley, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work, in connection with the sketch of Benjamin Hartley.
Joseph Hartley acquired his education in the log schoolhouses in French Creek and Union City townships, and after he had laid aside his books con- tinued to assist with the work of the homestead, a thing he had been accus- tomed to do since his childhood. When he was twenty-seven years of age he began his independent career, buying three hundred and thirty-two acres in Union City township, and upon this property, which is known as the Gilchrist farm, he still resides, carrying forward its further cultivation and development
JOSEPH HARTLEY
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along progressive and modern lines and meeting with the success which is the natural result of his industry and practical labors. He is particularly inter- ested in stock-raising, being one of the most extensive breeders of his town- ship, and he has made this branch of his interests an important source of income to him. Mr. Hartley has invested extensively in Canada lands, realizing as a judicious and discriminating business man the value of this property, and he now owns twelve hundred and eighty acres in Manitoba, ninety miles west of Winnipeg, which for three seasons he has had farmed in small grain. He owns in addition to this valuable holding vacant city property in Winnipeg. His contracting business is an important and valuable one. He has recently completed a piece of road grading in Iowa township estimated at ten thousand dollars, and he put in the first artesian well on the Iowa river in Allamakee county, and has been connected with a great deal of other important work of this character. Being ambitious and energetic, he has been carried forward into important business relations and, continually enlarging the scope of his interests, stands today among the most successful and prominent of Allamakee county's native sons.
Mr. Hartley married. in 1896, Miss Carrie L. Howes, a native of French Creek township and a daughter of John Howes. She is one of a family of nine children, six of whom are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Hartley have five children: Ethel L., who was born in 1897, and who is attending high school at Waukon; John J., whose birth occurred in 1899; Belle S., born in 1901 ; Albert G., born in 1906; and Charles E., born in 1912. The parents are devout members of the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Hartley is connected fraternally with the Masonic order, holding mem- bership in the lodge at Waukon. He gives his political allegiance to the repub- lican party, of which he is an active member. Naturally, however, he gives most of his attention to his business affairs, which are bringing him richly merited success. His worth is widely acknowledged, his business enterprise having gained him distinction in commercial circles, and his business probity stands as an unquestioned fact in his career.
SOLVE K. KOLSRUD.
Solve K. Kolsrud, proprietor of a large and profitable general mercantile establishment in Waterville and one of the prominent, able and public-spirited residents of Waukon, has lived in Allamakee county since 1877. He was born in Norway in 1875 and two years afterward was brought to America by his parents, who came directly to Iowa, locating first in Paint Creek township. Alla- makee county, and later settling in Jefferson township on a farm. Their son grew to manhood there, acquiring his early education in the public schools and supple- menting this by a course at Decorah Institute and the Upper Iowa University and at Fayette, Iowa, where he took a commercial course. After completing his studies Mr. Kolsrud turned his attention to teaching, following that occupation for several winter terms in different counties of this state and spending his summers during this time in farming.
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Solve K. Kolsrud became connected with general merchandising, in which he has since attained prominence and prosperity, when he formed a partnership with Tollef Johnson and under the firm name of Johnson & Kolsrud opened a store in Waukon. After three years he sold his interest in this enterprise and accepted a position with the International Harvester Company, whom he repre- sented as a traveling salesman for six or seven years in northeastern Iowa. He left this position when he was appointed deputy auditor of Allamakee county and did such able and conscientious work in that capacity that after four years he was elected auditor, serving until January 1, 1913, and discharging his duties in a businesslike, able and progressive manner. In December, 1912, he purchased his brother's general store in Waterville and has since continued to conduct it, controlling today an important and growing trade. He keeps a large and well selected stock of goods and the business has steadily expanded since he assumed control, being now a large and profitable enterprise. Mr. Kolsrud makes his home in Waukon, where he owns a neat and attractive residence and where he intends to live for some time to come in order to give his children the benefit of the excellent schools in the city.
In Center township, Allamakee county, on the 14th of June, 1896, Mr. Kolsrud married Miss Gunda Marie Bakkum, who was born and reared in that com- munity. They became the parents of the following children, Agnes G., Katherine Alvira, Stella Grace, Harry Frederick and Lillian. The parents are members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Kolsrud is a member of the Knights of the Mac- cabees. Having lived practically all of his life in Allamakee county, he has become widely known here and the fact that many of his stanchest friends have known him since childhood is an indication that his career has been straight- forward, honorable and upright in all its relations.
ALBERT H. GAST.
A native of Linton township, Allamakee county, Albert H. Gast has become prominent in that locality as one of the substantial farmers, owning Sunnybrook Farm, a property largely devoted to stock-raising and comprising one hundred and seventy-five acres, of which eighty-six are in Linton township and the re- mainder in Paint Creek township. He was born May 15, 1863, and is a son of John and Catherine ( Heimbruch) Gast, both natives of Hesse, Germany. The father was born September 12, 1839, and now lives retired in this state, while the mother, who was born June 8, 1839, passed away June 6, 1911. The father always followed farming and was brought to this country by his fore- bears when but five years of age. The family first located in Canada. where he grew to manhood, remaining there until about twenty years of age. In 1861 he came to Iowa and bought eighty acres of land, which is part of the farm upon which our subject now resides. It was then nothing but a wilderness, abounding in game and not much else. He cleared and improved this tract and later added thereto until he owned more than two hundred acres, all of which he cut out of the timber, our subject ably assisting him in this deterring and slow labor. The father continued there until 1910, when on account of his wife's
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health he left the farm and went to McIntire, Mitchell county, this state, where she subsequently passed away. Mr. Gast has continued to reside there since his retirement. He has always participated in any movements undertaken in the public interest and for six years served as township trustee, also holding various other local offices. In his family were eleven children, of whom Albert H. Gast is the second in order of birth. He is one of twins, his brother having died in infancy.
Albert H. Gast, in the acquirement of his education, attended the school in Linton township now known as the Big Foot school. He worked at home with his father from the age of ten years, early becoming used to the hardships of agricultural life under pioneer conditions. He remained at home until twenty- six and then hired out as a farm hand, saving during that year one hundred dol- lars, which he put out on interest and which he has never touched since but is still drawing dividends. This is mentioned as an example of the determina- tion, thrift, industry and ambition of Mr. Gast, who by exercising these quali- ties has attained to the prominent position which he now occupies. After one year he engaged in threshing during the season, finding this a very profitable occupation, and in the rest of the time worked at the carpenters' trade, continu- ing along both lines until 1895, when he married and bought his present farm in March of that year. He has made many valuable improvements thereon, erected modern and substantial buildings and instituted the latest implements and machinery. Sunnybrook Farm comprises one hundred and seventy-five acres, of which eighty-six lie across the line in Linton township. It is mostly devoted to stock-raising and there Mr. Gast gives his close attention to these interests. Everything about the place is up-to-date and modern and the farm has a reputation of producing the largest yield and the best stock in the vicinity. Mr. Gast is also a stockholder in the Monona Creamery.
On February 26, 1895, Mr. Gast was united in marriage to Miss Martha M. Kelly, a native of Mason City, Iowa, born November 29, 1871. She is a daughter of William and Sarah ( Lewis) Kelly, both natives of Harrison county, Ohio. Her father in early life was a farmer and became a pioneer in this section of lowa in the '50s. Later he went to Mason City, where he engaged in the mer- cantile business and then came to Rossville, this county, where he opened and conducted a general store. However, later he returned to his farm in Paint Creek township and continued thereon with gratifying success until his death, which occurred January 18, 1907. He was nearly seventy-four years of age, the date of his birth being April 7, 1833. His wife survives and still resides on the old homestead, making her home with a son. Mr. Kelly was prominent in official circles, having served as county supervisor for one term and also as township assessor and in other local offices. He was public-spirited, exemplifying in his life true American citizenship, and was ever ready to give of his time and money in the furtherance of the public welfare. Mrs. Gast is the seventh in order of birth in a family of eight children and she became the mother of two, the first of whom died in infancy, while the other is Esther Pearl, born July 6, 1898.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Gast are members of the Presbyterian church at Ross- ville. In his political views he is a republican, although he often votes inde- pendently, following his own judgment especially in supporting local candidates.
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He is a trustee of Paint Creek township. Such success as has come to him is highly merited, for it is the outcome of strenuous and well directed labor. Mr. Gast, however, has not only brought about his own prosperity but has been a valuable factor in raising agricultural standards in Allamakee county and pro- moting agricultural development here. He is conceded to be one of the influ- ential men in his section and enjoys in full measure the high regard of all who know him. He is also very progressive and up-to-date, being the first man to install a telephone in his neighborhood and he purchased the first automobile taken south of Waukon, it being a Ford which he still runs.
ARTHUR W. SWENSON.
Arthur W. Swenson, well known as a representative of farming and stock- raising interests in the vicinity of Postville, was born in Post township, a mile and a half north of the city of Postville, November 24, 1875, his father being Evan Swenson, of whom mention is made on another page of this volume. At the usual age he began his education as a pupil in the public school at West Grove, in Post township, and when not busy with his text-books he worked in the fields, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He continued to work upon the home farm until after he had attained his majority, spending a year in his father's employ after he reached the age of twenty-one. When twenty-two years of age he rented a tract of land in Post township near the old home, living thereon for a year. He afterward rented and cultivated a farm of two hundred acres in Ludlow township, residing there for a year and a half. He prospered during that period and with the money which he had earned purchased the farm upon which he now resides, becoming the owner at first of one hundred and sixty acres, to which he has since added by further purchase from time to time until he now has a valuable tract of three hundred and fifty-nine acres, pleasantly and conveniently located within six miles of Postville. The tract is practically all tillable land. He operates the farm in a general way, raising considerable stock. He handles horses, cattle and hogs, keeping a high grade of shorthorn cattle, and his stock-raising interests consti- tute a profitable source of income. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers Cooperative Store in Postville, in the Farmers Mutual Telephone Company at Postville, and in the Luana Creamery Company and the Farmers Cooperative Ship- ping Association at Postville. He is recognized as a man of excellent business ability, accomplishing what he undertakes by reason of his unfaltering persever- ance, his keen discrimination and his undaunted energy.
On the 24th of November, 1898, Mr. Swenson was united in marriage to Miss Nina E. Harris, who was born in Post township and is a daughter of George W. and Ellen ( Laughlin ) Harris. Her birth occurred July 3, 1878, and by her mar- riage she has become the mother of five children: Hall LeRoy, born September 27. 1899: Doris Ellen, born December 14, 1901 ; Roland Evan, November 17, 1903 ; Florence Katharine, July 23, 1907 ; and George Wesley, October 24, 1911. The parents are members of the United Brethren church and Mr. Swenson belongs to the Modern Woodmen Camp of Postville. In politics he is a repub-
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lican and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, but has never sought or desired office. He is now serving as school director and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend. He is interested in all that pertains to public progress and gives active and hearty support to many measures for the general good. His life has been well spent and those who have known him from his boyhood are numbered among his stanchest friends. He has always resided in the county which is now his home and here he has carefully directed his business affairs until he has become one of the substantial citizens of the community.
REV. R. L. VAN NICE.
Rev. R. L. Van Nice, since 1889 pastor of the Presbyterian church at Waukon, was born at Crawfordsville, Indiana, October 15, 1850, a son of Isaac and Eliza- beth Van Nice and the youngest of a family of twelve children. When two years of age the parents moved to Henry county, Illinois, and settled on a farm one- half mile west of Cambridge, the county seat. Mr. Van Nice received his high- school training there and later took private instruction under Rev. Mr. Thompson, of Kewanee. He afterward taught a country school and in 1870 moved with his parents to Missouri, settling in Barton county. After a year there Mr. Van Nice entered college at Fulton and also received instruction in theology under Rev. N. L. Rice. His health failed at this time and he was a semi-invalid for some years thereafter. Returning to Illinois, he taught school at Morristown and afterward pursued his studies in private, preparing for his life work. In the fall of 1875 he was licensed to preach and in the spring of 1876 was sent to take charge of a church at Nevada, Vernon county, Missouri. Finding a large field in the vicinity of that city without a preacher, Mr. Van Nice preached at various places and organized four congregations before he left the locality. In the summer of 1881 he was called to the presidency of Ozark College, Green- field, Missouri, and in the fall of that year became pastor of the Greenfield church. Mr. Van Nice's health becoming impaired, he resigned from the college, continuing his work as pastor of the church until 1888. In that year he became pastor evangelist of the Ozark presbytery, retaining this office for fourteen months and then resigning to accept a call from the board of missions to be pastor evangelist of the work in the Iowa synod. Soon after taking charge of the state work Mr. Van Nice moved to Chariton and in October, 1889, came to Waukon, with the intention at that time of remaining only four weeks, in order to assist the Waukon congregation in securing a pastor. Failing to secure a man whom the church approved, he was presented with a call and in Novem- ber, 1889, accepted this and was made pastor of the church. He has since remained in charge of this congregation and has done excellent work among its people, his religious zeal combining with executive ability as factors in his success.
Mr. Van Nice has been twice married. He wedded first on the 16th of January, 1879, Miss Dora L. Fain, who died in 1883, leaving one son, Charles E., who is manager of a lumberyard at Roberts, Illinois. On the 10th of Febru- ary, 1885, Mr. Van Nice was again married, his second wife being Miss Ida
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Turrentine, a daughter of John Turrentine, president of Marionville College. They have two sons: Roy B., an artist on the Chicago Tribune; and J. Horace. Mr. Van Nice is well known in Waukon, where he has been connected with religious interests for almost a quarter of a century. He holds the love of his people in large measure, as he does the esteem and confidence of the people of all denominations.
AMOS W. NAGEL.
Amos W. Nagel devotes his attention to the operation of his farm of two hundred and eighteen acres on section 16, Franklin township, and has met with a gratifying measure of success in his undertakings as an agriculturist. His birth occurred in Clermont, Fayette county, Iowa, on the 3d of December, 1862, his parents being Frederick P. and Mary (Meyer) Nagel, both natives of Germany. The father was born in Frankfort in 1822, while the mother's birth occurred in Mecklenburg in the same year. In early life Frederick P. Nagel worked as a journeyman shoemaker in his native country. Crossing the Atlantic to the United States at an early day, he made his way first to Chicago and at that place conducted a shoe store at the corner of State and Randolph streets. Subsequently he embarked in the same business at Clermont, Iowa, remaining there until 1874 or 1875, when ill health necessitated his removal to a farm in Clayton county, four miles south of Postville. After seven years' residence there he took up his abode in Franklin township, Allamakee county, and here made his home until the farm was taken over by his son Amos in 1900. In that year he went to Waukon, there spending the remainder of his life in the home of his daughter. His demise occurred in February, 1911, while his wife was called to her final rest in 1891.
Amos W. Nagel, the fifth in order of birth in a family of eight children, obtained his early education in the district schools of Franklin township and later spent one winter in a select school at Waukon. He spent the first twenty- three years of his life under the parental roof and at different times was employed as a farm hand by others. In 1886 he made his way to Omaha, Nebraska, and for eighteen months was there employed in the Omaha & Grant Smelting Works. Returning to this state, he became identified with the photograph business in association with A. C. Norton at Monona and was thus engaged for eighteen months. On the expiration of that period he went to Chicago and worked at that art in the employ of others until he was obliged to abandon it because the close confinement was impairing his health. He was subsequently in the service of Siegel, Cooper & Company for nine months and was afterward employed for one year as a coachman by H. H. Gross, superintendent of the Panoramic. In the fall of 1893 he returned to Franklin township, this county, and has here devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits to the present time, owning two hundred and eighteen acres of rich and productive land on section 16. He has instituted many improvements upon the place, and the farm with its well tilled fields and well kept appearance is the visible evidence of the progress- ive methods and unfaltering industry of its owner.
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On the IIth of October, 1897, Mr. Nagel was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Hammon, who was born at Elkader, Clayton county, on the 19th of August, 1878, her parents being Henry and Augusta ( Wittenburg) Hammon, natives of Mecklenburg, Germany. The father's birth occurred on the 26th of November, 1845, while the mother's natal day was September 11, 1848. Henry Hammon followed general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career. In 1865 he emigrated with his wife to the United States, arriving in Castle Garden, New York, on the day of Lincoln's assassination. Making his way to Clayton county, Iowa, he was there actively engaged in farming until his removal to Franklin township, Allamakee county, where he has since resided. Both he and his wife survive and make their home with their sons. Mrs. Nagel was the fourth in order of birth in a family of ten children. By her marriage she has become the mother of nine children, as follows: Lois Winifred, who was born on the 31st of July, 1899, and died on the 5th of May, 1902; Louis Frederick, whose natal day was August 19, 1900 ; Celia Beatrice, whose birth occurred on the 24th of January, 1902; John Albert, born October 31, 1903; Ralph Donald, who was born April 24, 1905 ; Sybil Irene, born May 16, 1907 ; Mildred Augusta, whose birth occurred on the 24th of May, 1909; Walter Neal, born January 2, 19II ; and Vera Ruth Idelia, who was born on the 9th of December, 1912.
Mr. Nagel gives his political allegiance to the democracy, while his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Lodge No. 70 at Monona. His life, in all of its various rela- tions, has been of such character as to command the respect and esteem of those with whom he has been associated.
JOHN BRENNAN.
John Brennan, now retired, though for many years a representative and prosperous farmer of Paint Creek township, owns eighty acres of valuable land on section 34. He was born in County Carlow, Ireland, in December, 1841, and is a son of Thomas and Mary ( McDonald) Brennan, also natives of the Emerald isle. John Brennan spent his early life in his native country and as a young man emigrated to the United States with his parents. He settled first in Wisconsin, where he engaged in various occupations, spending a great deal of time in rail- roading, and in 1861 he enlisted from that state for service in the Civil war. He spent four years as a member of Company D, Sixth Wisconsin Volunteer In- fantry, reenlisting at the expiration of his first term as a member of the same company and regiment. He was with the Army of the Potomac and took part in all the engagements in which his regiment participated, these including some of the most important and hotly contested battles of the Civil war. He was on the field at Gettysburg and attended the fiftieth anniversary of that engagement.
After the close of hostilities Mr. Brennan returned to Wisconsin and there remained until 1873, when he came to Allamakec county, Iowa, purchasing his present farm. This was at that time slightly improved, the buildings being all of logs, and through the passing years he steadily carried forward the work of development, erecting a modern residence and excellent barns and outbuildings.
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Of late years he has rented his land and lives in retirement, his leisure rewarding an active, honorable and useful life.
At Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, July 12, 1867, Mr. Brennan was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Johnson, a native of Ireland and a daughter of Robert and Catherine (Chogren) Johnson. Mr. and Mrs. Brennan have one daughter. Mary, who is now the wife of M. J. Hart, of Waterville. They are devout mem- bers of the Roman Catholic church and Mr. Brennan is a democrat in his political beliefs, taking an active and intelligent interest in community affairs without being an office seeker. He is widely known in Paint Creek township, where he has resided for forty years, and his substantial characteristics have gained for him the warm regard and unqualified trust of his fellow citizens.
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