USA > Iowa > Allamakee County > Past and present of Allamakee county, Iowa. A record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 57
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At the end of that time Mr. Roberts purchased his partner's interest and continued the business alone until the spring of 1866. He was known by the farmers as the boy grain buyer, being at that time about twenty years of age. The elevator, however, proved an unprofitable investment and 'was sold by its builders, Lawler & Reynolds, to the firm of Basset & Huntling, of McGregor, for whom Hall Roberts became manager of the business, conducted under the name of Hall Roberts & Company. In the meantime, or in 1866, his brother, W. S. Roberts, had become successor to Mr. Holton in the store, which was then con- ducted under the firm style of Roberts Brothers. They remained active in mer- cantile circles of the city until about 1878, when they sold out to a third brother, F. W. Roberts. They also became factors in financial circles of this part of the state, establishing a private bank, which formed the nucleus of the present Post- ville State Bank. The brothers continued in the banking business together until 1888, when the partnership was dissolved, W. S. Roberts taking over the banking business, while Hall Roberts continued in the grain elevator and stock business, with which he has been connected for half a century. In the early '70s he purchased the elevator from Basset & Huntling and since that time has been actively connected with the grain and live-stock interests of this part of the state, although in later years his son has relieved him to some extent of the active management and control of the business. Mr. Roberts is one of the directors of the Postville State Bank and is also a stockholder in the Postville Clay Products Company. About thirty years ago he purchased a farm a half mile south of the town and has developed it into a modern dairy farm. known as the Oak Ridge farm. Here he engages in the breeding of Guernsey cattle and now has a herd of high-grade Guernseys, part of which are full bloods. In 1894 he erected a silo and for the past ten years has been a successful grower of alfalfa. In the summer of 1912 he cut seventy-five loads from twelve acres and it is rich enough feed to be used as a substitute for grain and mill feed for the cattle and hogs upon his farm. In addition to his other interests Mr. Roberts owns considerable real estate in Postville, having from time to time made judicious investments in property. Whatever he has undertaken he has carried forward to success and his sound judgment and enterprise, combined with unfaltering industry, having constituted the foundation upon which he has built his prosperity.
On the 23d of April, 1866, Mr. Roberts was united in marriage to Miss Maria O. Easton, who was born in Martinsburg, New York, January 21, 1846, a daughter of Harvey and Maria ( Buck) Easton, who were natives of Massa- chusetts but removed westward to lowa, becoming residents of Winneshiek county in March, 1859. The father there engaged for some time in farming but afterward removed to Postville, where he lived retired for several years
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prior to his death, which occurred in 1878. For two decades he had survived his wife, who passed away in 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have become the parents of four children. Rollie died in infancy. Harvey E., born December 2, 1871, is associated with his father in business. Bessie Ella, born November 22, 1874, is the wife of Dr. O. J. Blessin, a practicing physician of Postville. Ruth, born October 30, 1882, is the wife of H. A. Templeton, manager for the Rogers. Templeton Lumber Company of Great Falls, Montana. The daughter Bessie has one child, Ruth Evelyn Blessin, and Mrs. Templeton has three chil- dren, Bessie Roberts, Robert Palmer and Hall Roberts.
During the many years of his residence in Postville Mr. Roberts has shown himself to be an enterprising business man, with a well merited reputation for square and honest dealing. He has always taken an active interest in move- ments for the uplift and benefit of the community. In politics he is a progres- sive republican and has served as mayor of Postville. He has always worked against the saloon element and seeks the benefit of the community along all lines of reform, improvement and progress. He took a most active and helpful part in driving the saloons out of Postville in the years 1911 and 1912 and making it a temperance town. In 1876 he united with the Congregational church, of which he has since been an active and helpful member, serving for thirty-four years as superintendent of its Sunday school. He belongs to Broth- erly Love Lodge, F. & A. M., of Postville, and also holds membership with the Modern Woodmen and the Legion of Honor. When Mr. Roberts arrived at Postville the railroad had been built only part of the way from the river and the elevator was in process of construction. He has lived to witness almost the entire growth and development of the town and has played a most important part in the promotion of its best interests along the lines of material, social, political, intellectual and moral progress.
JOHN BUNTROCK.
A native of Germany, John Buntrock has again demonstrated through his success that this country offers opportunities to all who are able to grasp them. Having come to Allamakee county in 1870, he purchased, with money that he saved, an eighth section of land and has since increased the boundaries of his farm until it comprises one hundred and fifty-seven and a half acres, all under high cultivation and improved with substantial buildings. Born on September 26, 1843, John Buntrock is a son of Martin and Engel ( Storm) Buntrock, whe came to the United States in 1866 and established their home in Milwaukee. Wisconsin, where the father engaged in various tasks. They came to Allamakee county in company with their son John and made their home with him until the death of the mother, when the father again married, later passing away in this county. John Buntrock was the oldest of four children, the others being : August, deceased, who followed merchandising in Waukon, Iowa; Mary, the wife of Henry Fettkater, of French Creek township; and Bertha, who married F. Laabs, of Lansing, Iowa.
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JOHN BUNTROCK AND FAMILY
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PAST AND PRESENT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
John Buntrock, in the acquirement of his education, attended the excellent schools of the fatherland and at the age of twenty-three came with his parents to the United States. For four years he engaged in various occupations in Milwaukee but in 1870 came to Allamakce county and, having carefully husbanded his resources, bought with his savings eighty acres of land, which is part of the farm he now owns. On the land he found a one-room log shanty which served as his first home, but he subsequently built a comfortable dwelling which he has made his home since. As the years have passed he has put his acres under cultivation, has erected substantial barns and outbuildings and as his means have increased has extended the boundaries of his farm. which now includes one hundred and fifty-seven and a half acres. His success is largely due to his enterprising spirit and his incessant labors. which have found a just reward in his present prosperity.
Mr. Buntrock was united in marriage to Miss Fredericka Deters, now deceased, a native of Germany, by whom he had four children: William, who makes his home in Canada : Ida, the wife of Rev. August Klieber, of Birmingham, Ohio : Emma, who married W. T. Goffe, of Rockefeller, Illinois; and Louis, farming in French Creek township. Mr. Buntrock was again married, his second union being with Matilda Hausmann, also a native of Germany and a daughter of Fred and Minnie (Oloff) Hausmann, early settlers of Allamakee county and both now deceased. Of this union seven sons have been born: Fred, Martin, Herbert, Oscar, Arthur, Melvin and Allen. Mr. and Mrs. Buntrock are members of the German Methodist church, in the work of which they take an active interest. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and served his township at one time as a school director. Although nearly seventy years of age, Mr. Buntrock is still active in the operation of his farm and enjoys the best of health. He is highly respected and esteemed in his community for what he has achieved through his own labors and those qualities of his mind and character which have made possible his success.
NICHOLAS BRAZELL.
No farmer in Allamakee county has attained greater success in agricultural pursuits than Nicholas Brazell, whose holdings aggregate five hundred and three acres and comprises one of the valuable and productive farms of Taylor township. He was born in Canada, May 7, 1853, and is a son of John and Ellen ( McManus) Brazell, natives of Ireland. The father was brought to Canada by his parents when he was still a child and was reared in the Dominion, coming to the United States in 1854. After spending one winter in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he came to Allamakee county and was one of the pioneers in this part of Iowa and for some time thereafter a force in agricultural development. In the spring of 1855 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of partly improved land and upon this carried forward the work of cultivation for ten years, erecting substantial outbuildings and beginning the construction of a modern home. This, however, was not yet completed when in 1865 he passed away at the age of sixty-one years. He had survived his wife some time, her Vol. II-28
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death having occurred when she was forty-two years of age. They were devout members of the Roman Catholic church and well known in Taylor township, where they had resided since pioneer times. In their family were eight children, one of whom died in infancy ; Anne, also deceased ; Honora, the wife of William Fulcakdy, of Waukon; Bridget, who married J. M. Collins, of the same city; Nicholas, of this review ; Mary, who married James Brophy, of Duluth, Minne- sota ; Helen, who died in childhood ; and Lizzie, also deceased.
The parents passed away when most of these children were still very young and when the subject of this review was a small child. The family remained upon the homestead for a number of years, all of the sons assisting in the work of its cultivation. Eventually the land came into possession of Nicholas Brazell, and he has from time to time added to it until he owns today five hundred and three acres on section 8, Taylor township. In the course of years he has made substantial improvements upon this property, erecting a modern barn and the necessary outbuildings, and success has steadily rewarded his practical, progres- sive methods. He is president of the Farmers Cooperative Creamery at Har- per's Ferry and is recognized in business circles as a man of force, sagacity and energy.
In Allamakee county Mr. Brazell was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Hennessey, a daughter of John and Mary (O'Hara) Hennessey, natives of Ire- land and early settlers in Taylor township. Mr. and Mrs. Brazell became the parents of seven children: John, who has passed away; William J., who is connected with the Bell Telephone Company of Minneapolis; Dominic, who lives at home; Leo C., and Clement P., also with their parents; Mary R., who is attending St. Mary's School at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin ; and Nicholas Ray- mond, who lives at home. The family are devout members of the Roman Cath- olic church.
Mr. Brazell gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and has been honored by his fellow citizens by election to various positions of public trust and responsibility, serving for six years as township clerk, for eight years as trustee, and for a long period as a member of the school board. He is inter- ested in anything that pertains to the welfare and development of the section in which he has so long resided, and along business and political lines has been a force in progress, being recognized today as a substantial farmer and a public- spirited, useful citizen.
JACOB DAHL.
In the death of Jacob Dahl, which occurred on his farm in Paint Creek town- ship in 1902, Allamakee county lost not only one of her most highly respected pioneer settlers but also a representative and successful citizen who for almost half a century contributed in substantial measure to the general agricultural development of this part of Iowa. He was born in Stavanger, Norway, in 1824, and spent his childhood and youth in his native country. As a young man he became a sailor and followed the sea for several years, eventually abandoning this and joining his brother and a friend who lived in Orleans county, New
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York. In 1854 he came to Allamakee county, Iowa, purchasing the last eighty acres of government land in this locality, and he here developed an excellent farm, success steadily attending his well directed labors. In 1866 he removed to the property upon which his sons now reside, having purchased a fifty-acre tract on section 13, Paint Creek township. Some years later he purchased an- other fifty acres, making the farm in all one hundred and eighty acres. This was slightly improved, containing a log house and a straw-thatched stable, and Mr. Dahl set himself with characteristic energy to the work of its further de- velopment, making it in time one of the finest and most productive properties in his vicinity. He replaced the log cabin by a modern frame dwelling, built a substantial barn and made many other improvements, his practical and well directed efforts through the years being rewarded by a gratifying measure of success.
In Orleans county, New York, Mr. Dahl was united in marriage to Miss Elsie Olson, a native of Skjold, near Stavanger, Norway, who was brought to America by her mother and a grown brother when she was twelve years of age and who passed away in 1887. Nine children were born to their union : Halver, who died in childhood; E. C. Dahl, a carpenter and contractor, who when not engaged at his trade in other sections, makes his home with his brothers; Melvin, who grew to maturity and went to Norway, where he died; Oliver and Charles, who are operating the old homestead; Albert, who is married and lives in Ne- braska; Ricka, the wife of Albert Vorseth, of Rosewood, Minnesota; John C., who died in childhood; and one daughter who died at birth. Oliver and Charles Dahl make their home upon their father's farm and are developing and improving it along practical and modern lines, ably carrying forward the work which Jacob Dahl began in pioneer times.
Jacob Dahl died upon his farm in Paint Creek township in 1902 and a life of genuine and ynostentatious usefulness was thus brought to a close. His name and memory are yet cherished throughout the community where the best and most forceful years of his life were passed and where his death was mourned as a distinct loss to the county in the ranks of her honored pioneers.
THEODORE C. SCHWARZHOFF.
Two hundred acres of farm land in Waterloo township in a highly improved and flourishing condition give evidence of the successful agricultural ability of Theodore C. Schwarzhoff, one of the representative and enterprising young farmers of Allamakee county. He was born on the farm which is yet his home in 1884, a son of Christian and Helen Schwarzhoff, both natives of Germany. The parents came to the United States in early life, locating in Iowa in the early '50s. The father purchased land in Waterloo township, Allamakee county, upon which he continued to reside and which he operated until his death on the 6th of September, 1898. His widow survived until May 20, 1913. Of their family of eight children seven are yet living, namely : Mary, the wife of Fred Weber, of Allamakee county ; Agnes, who married William Duffy, of this county ; Anna, the wife of Henry Toft, of this county ; Christian J. and Herman, both residing
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in Allamakee county; Margaret, who married Clem Schulte, of this county; now deceased, married William Scanlan, a resident of Peoria, Illinois.
Theodore C. Schwarzhoff received his education in the common schools of and Theodore C., of this review. Elizabeth, the fourth in order of birth and his native county and when not thus employed assisted his father in the work of the home farm. He early took up the tasks which usually fall to the lot of the country lad and as the years passed he became thoroughly acquainted with the various details of modern and progressive agriculture. After the death of his father he operated the home farm tor his mother until her demise, since which time he has had full charge of the homestead. He carries on general farming and stock-raising, both branches being conducted in a practical way which is proving productive of good results.
Mr. Schwarzhoff was married in 1909 to Miss Mary Schulte, who was born in Allamakee county in 1890, a daughter of John and Hannah Schulte, the former a native of Iowa and the latter of Germany. Her parents were among the early settlers of Allamakee county and were widely known throughout the district in which they made their home. The mother died on the 11th of May, 1901, but the father still survives and lives on a fine farm in Waterloo township. In their family were six children, as follows: John, of Dorchester, Iowa; Mrs. Schwarz- hoff : Henry, of Allamakee county; Joseph and Andrew, both at home; and Louis, deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Schwarzhoff have been born two chil- dren, Mary H. and Raymond C., the former born in January, 1911, and the latter in February, 1913. Mrs. Schwarzhoff was educated in the schools of Allamakee county, and, like her husband, holds membership in the Catholic church.
Mr. Schwarzhoff is a democrat in politics, giving his stanch support to that party but neither seeking nor caring for public office as the reward for party fealty. Although numbered among the younger generation of agriculturists in Waterloo township, he has already won a substantial degree of prosperity and he is a native son whose record is a credit to Allamakee county.
LARS IVERSON.
Deeply engraven on the pages of the history of Allamakee county is the name of Lars Iverson, who came to this part of Iowa in 1854 and who in the course of a long, honorable and worthy life firmly intrenched himself in the re- gard, esteem and confidence of the entire community. He was born in the province of Hardanger, Norway, June 16, 1821, and spent his youth and early manhood in his native country. He there married Miss Guro Christoferson, also a native of Norway, born in April, 1819, and with his wife he came to America in 1851. For three years thereafter they made their home in Orleans county, New York, and in 1854 came west to Iowa, locating in Allamakee county in pioneer times. Their first home in this state was in a dugout opposite that occupied by Jacob Dahl and his family, near the present site of the Dahl home- stead, and they continued to reside in this crude dwelling for one year, after which they purchased a farm whereon the remainder of their lives was spent.
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This land lies on section 13, Paint Creek township, and when it came into Mr. Iverson's possession was entirely unimproved. With characteristic energy he set himself to develop the place, clearing the timber and erecting a log house which has been incorporated into the fine modern dwelling now standing upon the homestead. This little log cabin still remains a happy memory to Mr. Iverson's children and his daughter, Mrs. Espeland, says that although she has now at- tained the ambition of her earlier years and has a modern and well furnished home, yet she has never seen any house which looked quite so neat as her mother's log cabin after a fresh coat of whitewash. Upon this property in Paint Creek township Mr. Iverson continued to reside for many years, steadily carrying forward the work of improvement and cultivation, success rapidly rewarding his well directed and practical labors. The farm became a valuable and pro- ductive property, reflecting everywhere its owner's careful management and constant supervision, and it constitutes today a notable contribution to the agricultural resources of this section of Allamakee county.
Mr. and Mrs. Iverson became the parents of three children: Julia, deceased; Mrs. Dale, of Union county, South Dakota; and Mrs. Espeland, who with her husband resides upon the Iverson homestead. Mr. Iverson was a devout mem- ber of the Lutheran church and he gave his political allegiance to the democratic party, serving as school director and as township trustee and on numerous occa- sions going to Waukon for jury duty. He was never so busy that his township could not call upon him for cooperation in public affairs and any project which he believed beneficial to the community received his earnest endorsement and hearty support. His long residence in this part of the state made him very widely known and his sterling qualities gained him the good-will and confidence of all with whom he was associated in business or social relations. He left to his family the priceless heritage of untarnished name and an example that is well worthy of emulation when, on the 28th of February, 1901, he passed away.
PHILEMON B. LUCE.
Philemon B. Luce owns and cultivates a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Fairview township, known as the old Luce homestead. He is a native of that township and was born on the farm which is now his home, December 28. 1855, a son of Harvey and Mary Ann (Stone) Luce, both of whom were natives of Lamoille county, Vermont. In early life the father worked in the cotton mills of Lowell, Massachusetts, but eventually returned to the state of his na- tivity and engaged in farming. Deciding to try his fortune in the middle west, in 1853 he came to Allamakee county and made his first purchase of land near Johnsport, in Fairview township. He made his home thereon until 1872, when he purchased the farm which is now owned by the son. This tract, comprising one hundred and sixty acres, was wholly unimproved when it came into his pos- session. He courageously undertook the task of clearing the land and preparing the soil for cultivation, also fenced his fields, erected buildings, and in due time had a well improved place, which ranked among the better farms of the county. He was truly a "home" man, devoted to his family and his business affairs, and
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although urged to accept public office he always refused to do so. He died on the home place in May, 1886, having for a number of years survived his wife, who departed this life in 1873.
Philemon B. Luce acquired his education in the district schools of Fairview township and during the periods of vacation he assisted in the work of the fields, thereby gaining the knowledge that has enabled him to carry on his work in later years. He remained with his father until the latter's death, after which the homestead was sold, but three years thereafter Mr. Luce purchased the farm and has continued to make his home thereon to the present time. The farm of one hundred and sixty acres is located in Fairview township, on the Yellow river, four and a half miles from North McGregor. He here carries on farming and stock-raising and the success that has crowned his efforts is very gratifying.
Mr. Luce was married on the 25th of November, 1884, to Miss Mary Gala- gher, who was born in Kentucky, June 24, 1863, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Galagher, who on coming to Iowa in 1867, located in Paint Creek town- ship. The mother passed away in 1872 and the father afterward lived with his children, dying at the home of a son in Nebraska in 1911. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Luce have been born a daughter and two sons: Martha L., who is with her parents ; Walter Gordon, who is now employed in a grocery store in North McGregor ; and Floyd Hobart, whose birth occurred September 2, 1897.
In politics Mr. Luce is a republican. He is now serving as trustee of Fair- view township, having been elected in the fall of 1912. Having spent his entire life in Allamakee county, he is thoroughly familiar with its history and his home has been made dear to him through the association of his youth and early manhood. He is everywhere known as an honest and upright citizen, fully meriting the esteem and respect which is accorded him by all with whom he is brought in contact.
ANDREW SWENSON.
The term progress has ever been the keynote in the life of Andrew Swenson, a farmer of Paint Creek township, whose valuable farm, one of the most at- tractive in the district, indicates the up-to-date and modern methods of its owner. He is one of Allamakee county's native sons, his birth having occurred in Paint Creek township on the old family homestead of which his present farm is a part, June 29, 1866. His parents, Bennett and Augusta (Thorsen) Swenson, natives of Norway, are mentioned at lengthi on another page of this volume in connection with the sketch of L. B. Swenson.
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