USA > Iowa > Allamakee County > Past and present of Allamakee county, Iowa. A record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 56
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"The remembrance of his life of usefulness and many good deeds while incarnate-his honest features were met by us all-will live longer in the hearts of the Paint Creek prairie's people than monuments of chiseled granite or molded bronze, for he was truly a good man and a good man is better and more desir- able than a great man-in this life as well as the next."
OLE O. STORLA.
Ole O. Storla is carrying on general farming upon two hundred and twenty- eight acres of land on section 11, Paint Creek township, constituting the farm upon which he was born on the 25th of September, 1866. He is a son of one of Allamakee county's most honored and successful pioneers, his father, Ole Storla, having come to America from Norway and settled in this part of Iowa in 1850. With practically his entire capital he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Paint Creek township, developing this from a raw tract into a modern and productive farm and making his home thereon until his death, the years bringing him substantial prosperity as a reward for his unremitting industry and practical labor. He was married in Wisconsin, to Miss Thora Lee, who was born in Norway and came to America when she was a young woman. Five children were born to them : Louis, who died at Moorhead, Minnesota, where he served as county auditor ; Severt, who passed away at Hot Springs, Arkansas ; Christe, the widow of Rev. Moses; Thore, who died in 1912 at Decorah; and Ole O., of this review.
The last named was reared under the parental roof and has never left the homestead. assisting with its cultivation in his childhood and thereafter assum- ing entire control. He owns two hundred and twenty-eight acres lying on section II, Paint Creek township, and upon it carries on general farming and stock- raising, being numbered today among the most successful and prominent agri- culturists of his locality.
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Mr. Storla married Miss Julia Paulson, a daughter of Peter Paulson, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work. To their union have been born seven children, Olvin, Sophia, Thora, Paulina, Olga, Helen and Clarence. Mr. Storla is a member of the Lutheran church and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. A man whose life has always been in keeping with high standards, he justly deserves the full measure of confidence and respect now entertained for him by all who know him.
BENJAMIN HARTLEY.
Benjamin Hartley, who since 1903 has owned and operated the Mount Hope farm, located eleven miles southwest of New Albin, is one of Allamakee county's native sons, his birth having occurred in Union City township in 1870. His father, John W. Hartley, was born in England, and when he was four years of age was brought to America by his parents, the family landing in New York in 1848, and after a short period moving to Wisconsin. They moved to Allamakee county, Iowa. in 1853, and here the father assisted with the work of the homestead until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted in the Union army, serving with credit and ability for one year, and at the end of that time receiving his honorable discharge. After he was mustered out he returned to Iowa and purchased land in Union City township, later selling his first tract and buying again in the same section. In 1868 he married Miss Sarah G. Ratcliffe, a native of Wheeling, West Virginia, and they began their wedded life on this farm, where they remained until 1881. In that year the father sold his holdings in Union City township and bought land in French Creek township, whereon he has resided since that time, gradually adding to his holdings until he now owns nearly one thousand acres of well improved and highly cultivated land. He has survived his wife for many years, her death having occurred in 1889. They became the parents of the following chil- dren: Joseph, of Union City township; Benjamin, of this review; Charlotte H., the wife of A. L. McClintock, of Rossville, Iowa ; Mary, who lives in Chicago, Illinois ; J. Leonard, who is engaged in lumbering in the state of Washington; Helen S., who is superintendent and head nurse in the Tuberculosis Tent Colony in Ottawa, Illinois ; Frank, who lives in Allamakee county ; Thomas, of Idaho; and Sarah, the wife of Charles Berkey, of California.
Benjamin Hartley acquired his education in the public schools of Allamakee county, and graduated in 1895 from the commercial department of the Nora Springs Seminary of Floyd county, Iowa. From his early childhood he assisted with the work of the homestead, thus becoming, before he reached manhood, a practical and able agriculturist. He remained at home until he was thirty years of age, and then rented land in Union City township, which he operated for three years. At the end of that time he bought the Mount Hope farm, located about eleven miles southwest of New Albin, and upon this he has since resided, being to- day considered one of the most progressive and substantial farmers of this vicinity. He owns three hundred and twenty acres of land and upon it carries on diversi-
BENJAMIN HARTLEY
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fied farming, raising grain and breeding and selling high-grade stock, both branches of his activities being well managed and profitable.
In 1900 Mr. Hartley married Miss Carrie F. Bulman, a native of Union City township, and a daughter of Thomas and Phoebe (Stocks) Bulman, who were born in England. Their marriage occurred in that country, and in 1848 they came to America, settling first in New Orleans, Louisiana, for one year. They removed to Evansville, Indiana, where they remained a number of years. but in 1854 they came to Iowa and, settling in Allamakee county, took up government land in Union City township, whereon they continued to reside until the father retired from active life in 1888. They then moved into Waukon, and there the mother died in 1892. Her husband survives her and is still living in Waukon, having reached the age of eighty-five. To their union were born twelve children, of whom Mary, John H., Samuel and Phoebe have passed away. The others are: Alice, the widow of Rev. L. M. Green of Idaho; James T., who is residing on the old homestead in Union City township: Emma J., the wife of Alfred Beardmore of Union City township; Thomas S., who resides in Pawnee, Oklahoma; Carrie F., wife of the subject of this review; Jason C., of Allamakee county ; Walter W., an attorney of Chariton, Iowa; and Anna P., the wife of William Rayburn of Portland, Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. Hartley became the parents of three children, the eldest of whom died in infancy. The others are: Allen B., born in 1902, and Cecil G., whose birth occurred in 1904. The family are members of the Presbyterian church, the church building and the school being both located on Mr. Hartley's farm.
Fraternally Mr. Hartley is identified with the Brotherhood of American Yeomen and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He takes an active and intelligent interest in community affairs and is always ready to do all in his power to promote the general advancement and development, but he is not in any sense an office seeker, although he is serving as justice of the peace at the present time. In his native community he is known and honored as a man of strict business and personal integrity, and by his upright, straight- forward and industrious life has added something to the respect and esteem in which the family name has long been held in this part of Iowa.
MARTIN T. JACOBSON.
Martin T. Jacobson, carrying on general farming and stock-raising upon the old Jacobson homestead, on section 13. Paint Creek township, was born upon that farm and in the house which he now occupies, on the 25th of February, 1864. He is a son of Tron Jacobson, of whom more extended mention is made elsewhere in this work. In the acquirement of an education he attended a dis- trict school in Paint Creek township and when not engaged with his books aided in the operation of the farm, becoming thus at an early age familiar with the best agricultural methods and mastering every department of farm operation. After the death of his father he inherited the old homestead of one hundred and seventy-three acres and has continued to develop and improve it ever since, adding to his holdings from time to time until he now owns a good farm of
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three hundred and seventy-six acres well improved and developed. He carries on general farming and success has steadily attended his well directed efforts, so that he stands today among the substantial and representative farmers of his native township.
Mr. Jacobson married Miss Emma Satring, a native of Paint Creek township and a daughter of Gilbert and Bertha Satring, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobson have become the parents of eight children, Albert, Luella, Bertha, Theodore, Oscar, Ruth, Edna and Carleton. Albert, the eldest child, is attending the State Agricultural College at Ames. The family are members of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Jacobson gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has never sought to evade the obligations of citizenship, serving his fellow citizens with credit and ability when called upon to do so. The cause of education has found in him a loyal supporter and he did much to elevate standards and improve educational methods in his twenty years' service as a member of the school board. He is now in his third term as township trustee and his influence, always on the side of right, reform and progress, has for a long time been an important factor in community affairs.
CHARLES FREDERICK KUESTER.
A native of the province of Pomerania, Germany, Charles Frederick Kuester came to America when twenty-one years of age and without assistance, without even knowing the language of the country, set himself to the task of founding a home and has succeeded to a remarkable degree, now owning a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres with all modern improvements, located in Linton township, Allamakee county. He was born December 16, 1861, and is a son of Ferdinand and Albertina ( Kuester) Kuester, both of whom were born in the province of Pomerania. In 1882 they crossed the Atlantic to this country and shortly afterward located in Linton township, this county, where the father bought a farm of eighty acres. Here the parents resided until both passed away, the father dying in 1906, and the mother having preceded him in 1893.
Charles F. Kuester is the sixth in a family of eight children, of whom five are now living. He attended school in Germany and when seventeen years of age enlisted in the regular army, in which he served for four years or until he came to America, making his way directly to Iowa with his parents. Here he worked for a time for others and then removed to Missouri, where he was simi- larly employed for a period of four years. He then returned to this state and bought his present farm in Linton township, renting it, however, to a tenant and moving to Minnesota, where he worked for others until his return, when he married and settled on his land. He went to Minnesota largely for the purpose of acquiring the necessary means toward the successful operation of his farm. He now has one hundred and sixty acres of fertile land upon which he has made all of the improvements and on which he carries on general farming, keeping a considerable amount of livestock. As the years have passed he has attained prosperity and now annually harvests rich crops which bring him a substantial
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income. Mr. Kuester is a stockholder in the Monona Creamery Company and also in the Commission Association of that place.
On October 10, 1895, Mr. Kuester married Miss Anna Levenhagen, who was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, March 27, 1878. She is a daughter of John and Albertina (Gibbs) Levenhagen, both of Mecklenburg. They came to America in 1890 and after residing in Cleveland, Ohio, for one year, removed to Frank- lin township, this county, where the father acquired title to a farm on which the parents still reside. While in Germany, John Levenhagen served in the regular army. In his family were eleven children, of whom Mrs. Kuester is the third in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Kuester became the parents of seven children, of whom two died in infancy. The others are: Elsie Katherina, born November 21, 1896; Adolph Herman, July 29, 1900; Hugo Carl, August 20, 1903 : Alma Laura, December 11, 1905; and Melinda Josephine, September 23, 1908.
Mr. Kuester is so entirely engaged in promoting his interests and in looking after his property that he has never found time to associate himself with any organizations either of a social or fraternal nature. He gives all of his time to his farming, which he pursues with incessant energy and industry. An example of his perseverance is given in the fact that he quickly overcame the difficulty of learning a new language. He is entirely a self-made man who without assistance from any source and without friends has made his own labor the basis of his success. Mr. Kuester gives his political adherence to the republican party and served as township trustee and also as school director, discharging his duties in both connections with distinct credit to himself. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church at Watson. He has made many friends in this district who esteem him for his pluck and his kindness of heart and such suc- cess as has come to him is well merited for Mr. Kuester is one of those sons of Germany who have become a thoroughly patriotic and valuable American citizen.
HENRY A. HENDRICKSON.
The name of Hendrickson is well known and highly honored in Allamakee county, for it has been borne by men active in the agricultural development of this section of lowa since pioneer times. Its present representative, Henry A. Hendrickson, is one of the most successful and prosperous farmers of Paint Creek township, where he owns and operates the farm of one hundred and sev- enty-six acres upon which he was born September 8, 1867. He is a son of Aslag Hendrickson, who was born in Ness Hallingdal, Norway, and who, when he was four years of age was brought to America by his parents. The family located first in Rock county, Wisconsin, and in 1850 removed to Allamakee county, lowa, settling upon the farm where the subject of this review now resides. The grandfather, Hendrick Solverson, built a log house upon the farm and con- tinued to develop and improve the property until 1869, when he moved to Estherville, Iowa, where his death occurred. His wife, who was in her maiden- hood Miss Carrie Opheim, returned to the old homestead and there passed away.
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Their son Aslag Hendrickson grew to manhood upon his father's farm. inheriting the homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, and upon it he spent the best and most forceful years of his life, building upon it the second log house, which still stands as a part of the present home. He married Elizabeth Seim, a native of Norway, who came to the United States with her parents, Lars and Bertha (Dahle) Seim, both of whom have passed away. Aslag Hen- drickson died upon his farm on the 16th of August, 1912, and his wife survives him, making her home with the subject of this review. In their family were nine children: Henry A .; Caroline, who died at the age of eighteen years; Ludvig, a resident of Britt, Iowa; Albert, who makes his home in Waterville; Bertha, a resident of Roundup, Montana; Victoria, deceased; Anton, who makes his home in Canton, South Dakota; Elmer, a resident of the same city ; and Mrs. S. V. Glenn, of Lansing, Iowa.
In the acquirement of an education Henry A. Hendrickson attended district school and afterivard studied for two years in Augustana College, Canton, South Dakota, supplementing this by a one year's course in Breckenridge College at Decorah, Iowa. Upon the death of his father he came into possession of the old homestead, owning today one hundred and seventy-six acres on section 14, Paint Creek township. This is an excellent and well improved property, reflect- ing everywhere the owner's careful supervision and practical methods, and upon it Mr. Hendrickson engages in general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of breeding and raising Poland China hogs, his animals commanding a high price and a ready sale on the local market.
Mr. Hendrickson was married in Allamakee county to Miss Caroline Tys- land, a daughter of Andrew and Karen (Frok) Tysland, natives of Norway, who came to the United States in 1865. The father is now a well known black- smith at Waterville, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Hendrickson became the parents of four children: Esther Claudia, deceased; and Esther Claudia, Abner Alexander and Adeline Victoria, all at home.
Mr. Hendrickson is widely and favorably known in this section of Iowa, where his entire life has been passed, for he is reliable in business and progres- sive in citizenship and his record is a credit to a name that has been a synonym for integrity and industry since pioneer times.
O. S. HESLA.
Among Allamakee county's most progressive and successful native sons is numbered O. S. Hesla, who on January 24, 1865, was born on the farm which he now operates in Paint Creek township. His father, S. E. Hesla, was born in Gol. Hallingdal, Norway, on the 10th of July, 1825, and as a young man crossed the Atlantic to America, settling in Rock Prairie, Wisconsin, in 1845. Five years later he came to Allamakee county, Iowa, being one of the pioneers in this section of the state, and in Paint Creek township he took up a tract of wild timber land upon which he built a crude log house, which is still standing upon the property, although it has been removed from its original location and replaced by a fine modern frame dwelling. S. E. Hesla also built a substantial
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barn upon this property and continued to develop and improve the place until his death, which occurred August 31. 1900, and which deprived Allamakee county of one of its earliest settlers and most representative citizens. He was married on the 10th of May, 1859, in Rock county, Wisconsin, to Miss Ingeborg Gaarder, a native of Norway, who came to America with her parents when she was eleven years of age. She has also passed away. They became the parents of the following children: E. S., who resides in Clay county, South Dakota ; Rosina, who lives at home with her brother ; Bertha, also at home ; Peter, of Clay county, South Dakota ; O. S., of this review; Albert, who resides in Maddock, North Dakota; one child who died in infancy; and Mrs. S. O. Liekvold, deceased.
O. S. Hesla acquired his education in the district schools of Paint Creek township and in his childhood aided his father with the work of the homestead, early becoming familiar with the best methods of elearing, improving and developing the farm. When he grew to manhood he naturally turned his atten- tion to the occupation to which he had been reared and after the death of his father came into possession of the family homestead, which he has since operated along modern and practical lines. It comprises one hundred and sixty acres, located on section 10, Paint Creek township, and is a well improved and highly developed property, reflecting everywhere the careful supervision and well directed labors of its owner.
In 1898 Mr. Hesla was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Paulson, a daughter of Peter Paulson, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Hesla passed away on the 16th of May, 1909, leaving one son, Swen.
Mr. Hesla is a member of the Lutheran church and is a man of exemplary moral character. His life has been such as to merit the respect of his fellowmen and by his honesty, upright dealings and unremitting industry he has con- tributed much toward the agricultural development of a community of which he is a representative citizen and a most worthy native son.
I. I. SATRANG.
I. I. Satrang, engaged in general farming and stock-raising on a fine property of two hundred acres on section II, Paint Creek township, was born upon this farm on the 15th of December, 1877. He is a son of Gulbrand Satrang, a native of Norway, who came to the United States when he was still a young man and worked at various places, including Milwaukee, Chicago and Beloit, Wiseon- sin, and spending most of his time in the last named city. He there married, in 1855, Miss Birgit Grimsgaard, a native of Norway, and four years afterward they came to Allamakee county, the father buying two hundred acres of land in Paint Creek township. This was very slightly improved, having upon it a small log house, but with characteristic energy Mr. Satrang turned his attention to its further development, making it finally a productive and valuable property. Upon it he lived for many years and there died in 1907 at the age of seventy-six. His wife, who was also seventy-six years of age at the time of her death, passed away in 1912. The father had been for a number of years prominent in local
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public affairs, serving in various positions of trust and responsibility, including that of township supervisor and tax collector. In his family were seven children : Thorine, the deceased wife of John Falde; C. O., of Milwaukee; Mrs. M. T. Jacobson, of Paint Creek township; I. I., of this review ; Carl, who passed away when he was three years of age; Albert, who died at the age of nine ; and C. A., who passed away in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1908.
I. I. Satrang acquired his education in the district schools of Paint Creek township and in Luther College at Decorah. He spent one year in a military academy in Georgia at about the time of the outbreak of the Spanish-American war and was very desirous of enlisting for service in that conflict but was urged by his friends to return home. He did so and here purchased the family home- stead, whereon he has since carried on general farming, his property reflecting in its neat and attractive appearance his careful supervision and practical methods. Mr. Satrang is one of Allamakee county's most enterprising and progressive native sons and his record reflects credit upon his ability and public spirit. His worth is widely acknowledged, his enterprising spirit having gained distinction in business and agricultural circles, and his probity is an unquestioned fact in his career.
HALL ROBERTS.
Hall Roberts came to Postville in 1864 and has here made his home continu- ously since. Forty-nine years of residence make him a pioneer citizen of the town, while intense and intelligently directed activity has made him one of the foremost business men of this section of the state. His efforts have contributed in large measure to the substantial improvement and upbuilding of this section of the country and at the same time have brought him success-success so honorably won and so worthily used that the most envious cannot grudge him his prosperity.
Mr. Roberts came from New England parentage, of the Puritan strain. He was born at Rollinsford, New Hampshire, March 7, 1844, and was the fifth child of Judge Iliram R. and Ruth (Hanson) Roberts, the former born in 1806 and the latter in 1809. The father was a successful New England farmer, who later in life became prominent in business and political affairs, serving for some time as judge of the probate court. He was recognized as one of the leaders of the democratic party in his state and was a candidate for governor on its ticket. He received a majority but not a plurality and the election was decided by the house of representatives, which elected a republican. Of the Baptist church he was a lifelong member and his record as an honorable Christian gentleman, a progressive and public-spirited citizen and a substantial business man gained for him the honor and respect of all who knew him. He passed away in 1876 in the home in which he was born, and was long survived by his wife, who died in 1901, at the remarkable old age of ninety-one years. She was of Quaker parentage.
Hall Roberts spent the days of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof and acquired his education in the common schools. At the age of eighteen
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years, however, he left home and, making his way to the middle west, settled first at Hanover, Wisconsin, where he had various experiences as an assistant in a blacksmith shop, as a live-stock buyer and as a general merchant and grain dealer. He carried on general merchandising at Hanover in 1863 and 1864, and in the latter year removed to Postville, Iowa, where he also opened a gen- eral store. He was a partner of a Mr. Holton, with whom he had carried on business in Wisconsin. Together they removed their stock to Iowa and for a year and a half the partnership was continued, not only in general merchandising but also in grain buying.
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