USA > Iowa > Allamakee County > Past and present of Allamakee county, Iowa. A record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 61
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Mr. Anderson married Miss Martha E. Busness on the 8th of April, 1896, a native of Allamakee county and a daughter of Ole and Martha Busness, now deceased, who came as early settlers to Paint Creek township. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have six children, Leonard, Alfred, Edna, Eveline, Leonora and Rudolph.
Mr. Anderson is a member of the Lutheran church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party, serving at present as school director. His life has been such as to merit the respect of the people among whom it has been to a great extent passed, and by his honesty, uprightness and industry he has con- tributed much toward the upbuilding of the community of which he is a repre- sentative citizen.
ENGEBRET ASLESON.
Engebret Asleson, a successful farmer residing on two hundred and seventy acres of well improved land on section 26, Paint Creek township, is a native of Hallingdal, Norway, born in December, 1843. His boyhood days were spent in his native land and he there remained until 1869, when he emigrated to the United States, sailing from Christiania. Norway, and arriving in New York city after a voyage of ten days. Almost immediately afterward he came to Water- ville, Allamakee county, Iowa, being at that time a poor man and still in debt for his passage money to America. With characteristic energy he secured employment upon a farm and spent a number of years thereafter at the hard
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labor of grubbing up stumps, earning in this way an honorable living for him- self and family. In 1873, having accumulated a small sum of money, he pur- chased eighty acres of wild land in Paint Creek township and turned his atten- tion to its improvement and cultivation. Success has rewarded his untiring industry and his well directed efforts through the years and he today owns two hundred and seventy acres of valuable land on section 26. The farm is equipped with an excellent set of buildings and is neat and attractive in appearance, being a visible evidence of Mr. Asleson's life of industry and thrift. He engages in general farming and has also a profitable dairy and, his business interests being all carefully and capably managed, have become important and profitable.
Mr. Asleson was married in Norway, to Martha Knutson, and to him and his wife have been born four children, Julia, Albert, Knut and Gena. The family are devout members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Since taking out his naturalization papers Mr. Asleson has voted the straight republican ticket and has cooperated heartily in all movements for the progress and welfare of this section. His standing in business and agricultural circles is high and well mer- ited and he is, moreover, known as a progressive and public-spirited citizen.
C. T. CHRISTIANSON.
An entire lifetime, covering a period of six decades, passed upon the same farm has made C. T. Christianson widely known throughout Paint Creek town- ship, where he is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was born on his present home farm on the 20th of June, 1853, a son of Thyge Christian- son, who was born in Gol, Hallingdal, Norway, August 20, 1824. As a young man the father came to America in 1848 and located first in the Norwegian set- tlement in Rock county, Wisconsin, where he remained for two years. He worked as a farm laborer during that period and was able to save sufficient money with which to buy a yoke of oxen and a wagon. With this outfit he drove across the country to Allamakee county, Iowa, arriving in this state when it was still a frontier district. He purchased a wild tract of land, which is now the home of his son, and in those early days experienced all of the hardships and privations of pioneer life. His first investment made him owner of eighty acres of land in Paint Creek township, to the cultivation of which he at once directed his attention. His first home there was a log house which he erected and which subsequently was replaced by the frame structure now occupied by our subject. As time passed and he prospered, he added to his original purchase, at one time adding eighty acres and subsequently a tract of one hundred and twenty acres. Thus he became the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and eighty acres which was the visible evidence of a life of activity and enterprise. IIis was an excellent record for he started out in business life a poor man and worked his way upward until he ranked among the substantial and prosperous agriculturists of his section. He died on that farm on the 25th of August, 1909. He had married, in Allamakee county, Miss Ingeborg Larson Lien, who was born in Norway on the ist of April, 1826. and died July 14, 1912, at the home of our subject. They became the parents of seven children, as follows: C. T.,
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of this review ; Isabel, deceased; 1 .. T., a resident of Center township who is mentioned on another page of this work; Ole, who died at the age of twenty- five years ; Mary, who is also deceased; Albert, who passed away at the age of twenty years ; and one who died in infancy.
Spending his boyhood days amid pioneer environment, C. T. Christianson grew up with this district and during the period of more than sixty years in which he has been a resident of Allamakee county has witnessed many of the changes which have marked the general advancement and growth of the com- monwealth. He was reared to farm life and upon attaining his majority he wisely chose that occupation as his life work. On the death of his father he inherited one hundred and sixty acres of the home farm, and to the cultivation of this tract he is now giving his attention. It is well improved and thercon Mr. Christianson carries on general farming, his careful methods and well directed efforts meeting with gratifying success.
Mr. Christianson married Rica A. Peterson, the ceremony taking place in Allamakee, her native county. She is a daughter of Knut and Reddina Peterson and by her marriage has become the mother of four sons, Theo, Albert, Ingwald and Cornelius, all yet at home.
The parents are members of the Lutheran church, while Mr. Christianson gives his political support to the republican party. He is public-spirited in his citizenship but has never had desire for public office, preferring to concentrate his attention upon his agricultural pursuits. The long period of his residence in this district has given him a large acquaintance, and the fact that many of his best friends are those who have known him from childhood is an indication that he possesses those qualities which win and hold friendship and command respect and esteem.
OLE MOE.
Ole Moc, carrying on general farming and stock-raising upon a fine property of three hundred and five acres on section 12, Franklin township, is numbered among the able and progressive young agriculturists of this vicinity. He was born near Lardahl, Norway, on the Ist of April, 1881, and is a son of Jens and Anna (Harrum) Moe, also natives of that country, the former born June 9, 1850, and the latter October 17, 1847. In early life the father worked in the employ of others in Norway but after coming to America in the spring of 1882 he became a landowner, operating an excellent farm near Madison, Wisconsin, where he settled. In the spring of 1897 he went to Calmar, Iowa, and bought land in the vicinity of that city, removing from there in the spring of 1904, to Franklin township, this county, and locating on the farm where the subject of this review now resides. He died here, December 21, 1912, and his wife sur- vives him.
Ole Moe is the fifth in a family of nine children. He acquired his education in the public schools of Morrisonville, Wisconsin, and when he was eighteen years of age began his independent career, working at bridge construction for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. He was also for more than four
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years connected with the Great Northern system and after he severed his con- nection with that corporation turned his attention to carpentering, working at that trade in central Iowa and Dakota for about eighteen months. At the end of that time he made a permanent location in this state, settling in Allamakee county. Here he followed his trade for a short time, but afterward turned his attention to farming. He purchased three hundred and five acres of valuable land on section 12, Franklin township, and upon this property is carrying on general farming and stock-raising, specializing in the breeding of full blooded Poland China hogs, high-grade cattle and Shropshire sheep, his stock interests being important and continually growing. He is interested in the Monona Cream- ery Company and in the Shipping Association of that city and in business circles is recognized as a farsighted, able and progressive man.
On the 14th of August, 1911, Mr. Moe was united in marriage to Miss Clara Johnson, who was born in Lycurgus, this county, January 10, 1894. She is a daughter of Christ and Caroline (Klasted) Johnson, natives of Norway, who came to Allamakee county at an early day, the father purchasing land near Wattkon and becoming an extensive landowner and a progressive farmer. The mother passed away in the spring of 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Moe have one daugh- ter, Viola, who was born October 6, 1912.
Mr. Moe is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party, serving at present as school director. He is a member of the Baptist church. During the period of his residence in Allamakee county he has gained a place among the substantial farmers and valued citizens of his locality, commanding the respect and confidence of all who have private or business relations with him.
HANS TILLERAAS.
Hans Tilleraas, one of the progressive and successful agriculturists of Alla- makee county, owning one hundred and eighty acres of fine land in Waterloo township, is a native of Norway, born in 1860, and a son of Isaac and Olava Tilleraas, the former of whom passed away in 1875. His wife survives him and still resides in her native country. To them were born six children, three of whom are still living: Hans, of this review ; Ole, who resides in Hanover town- ship, Allamakee county ; and Isaac, a resident of Norway.
Hans Tilleraas was reared in his native country and acquired his education there. In 1883 he crossed the Atlantic to America and in the same year settled in Waterloo township, Allamakee county, where he has since resided. In 1894 he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, constituting a portion of his present farm. To this he has since added, increasing the dimensions of his farm to one hundred and eighty acres, one hundred of which are under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Tilleraas follows the most practical and progressive methods in the development of his property and it is today valuable and product- ive, reflecting everywhere his years of careful supervision. He owns in addition one hundred and sixty acres of land in the Panhandle of Texas and this property is bringing him a gratifying annual income.
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Mr. Tilleraas was married in 1885 to Miss Caroline Juleson, a native of Norway, who when she was a child of six was brought to America by her parents. The mother died in 1882 and is survived by her husband, who makes his home in Waterloo township. Mr. and Mrs. Tilleraas became the parents of five chil- dren : Julius, who has passed away; Olaf, who was born in 1890; John, whose birth occurred in 1893; Julia, born in 1895; and Carl, born in 1897. Mrs. Til- leraas died in 1900.
Mr. Tilleraas is a member of the Lutheran church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He has always been active and progressive in matters of citizenship and has been honored by his fellow citizens by election to various important local offices, now serving his third term as township trustee. Since starting out in life for himself he has given evidence of possess- ing the perseverance and foresight as well as the executive ability essential to success in any occupation and he has today reached a position of prominence among the representative and substantial agriculturists of his township.
H. J. BUSNESS.
H. J. Busness is a prosperous farmer of Paint Creek township whose suc- cessful life merits exceptional praise owing to the fact that when he was still a child he was obliged to earn his own livelihood. He possesses the elements of success and by industry, thrift and economy worked his way upward to pros- perity until he is today one of the successful and enterprising farmers of Alla- makee county.
He was born in Paint Creek township, March 25, 1863, and is a son of Ole Olson, a native of the province of Hardanger, Norway, born in 1828. Upon coming to America the father found so many by the name of Olson that he adopted the name of Ole O. Busness, that being the title of the farm on which the family had lived in the old country. The father married Martha Djonne a native also of Hardanger, Norway, and they came to Allamakee county in 1859. The father purchased forty acres of wild land on section 13, Paint Creek township, and upon it built a log house in which he resided until 1864, when he removed to the farm where the subject of this review now resides. This also was entirely unimproved and covered with a dense growth of brush and heavy timber. The father cleared his one hundred and sixty acres and from the timber cut down built another log house, a portion of which still stands, although it has been moved from its original location, weather-boarded and plastered. Substantial additions have also been made to the original dwelling. Upon this property Ole Busness continued to reside for many years, dying in 1908, when he was within a week of his eightieth birthday. His wife passed away in the same year. To them were born seven children : Olena, a native of Norway and now the wife of Harold Hanson, of Paint Creek township; Julia, who was also born in Norway and who married O. N. Hegg, of Lansing; Caro- line, who was born in Allamakee county and who married Bernt Michelson, of Clear Lake, South Dakota; H. J., of this review; Nels, whose home is in Fort
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Dodge, Iowa; and Mrs. J. M. Anderson and Edward, both of whom reside in Paint Creek township.
As the oldest son H. J. Busness was obliged to lay aside his books at a very early age and to assume the entire control of the homestead in Paint Creek town- ship, his father having become crippled with rheumatism. With the energy, self-reliance and independence which are still prominent qualities in his char- acter he set himself to his task and throughout the period of his boyhood and early youth was practically the entire support of the family. Eventually he pur- chased the homestead, which he now operates and which he has made one of the finest agricultural properties in this vicinity. It comprises one hundred and eighty-eight acres and is well improved with barns and outbuildings and reflects everywhere the owner's many years of careful supervision and practical labor.
Mr. Busness married Miss Caroline Anderson, a daughter of Martin Ander- son, of whom more extended mention is made elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Busness have seven children, Otinus, Martha, Mabel, Emma, Nora, Holger and Carl.
Mr. Busness is a member of the Lutheran church and politically gives his allegiance to the republican party, serving in a creditable and able way as school director. His career offers many excellent examples of the value of industry, self-reliance and perseverance in achieving success, for his prosperity is entirely the result of his own labor, enterprise and good management. He is an upright man, interested in everything that pertains to the development and welfare of his native county, and he has gained the confidence and respect of his neighbors both as a prosperous farmer and as a public-spirited citizen.
L. B. SWENSON.
L. B. Swenson is cultivating and developing a part of the farm upon which he was born on section II, Paint Creek township, Allamakee county, and is ranked among the progressive, substantial and representative agriculturists of his district. He was born August 14. 1859, and, as the name indicates, comes of Norwegian parentage. He is the son of Bennett Swenson, who was born in Hemsendal, Norway, on the 25th of December, 1824, and in 1845 emigrated to the United States, settling on Rock Prairie, Rock county, Wisconsin. Several years later, in 1850, he went to California by way of the New York and Cape Horn route, going from San Francisco up the river to Sacramento, where he engaged in mining for a time. In 1853 he returned to Wisconsin by way of the isthmus of Panama and by rail from New York. In the following year he came to Allamakee county, Iowa, settling on one hundred and sixty acres on sections 10 and 11, Paint Creek township. When it came into his possession the land was but slightly improved, he having been the third owner since it had been taken up from the government. In October, 1854, he was married to Miss Augusta Thorsen, who was born in Norway and passed away on the homestead farm on the 29th of September, 1875. There Mr. Swenson also spent his remain- ing days. They were faithful members of the Lutheran church and were the parents of six children, as follows: Swen Bennettson, deceased; Thorsten Swen-
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son, a resident of Polk county, Minnesota ; L. B., of this review; Julia, the wife of Eric Hemrie, of Crookston, Minnesota; Andrew, of Paint Creek township; and Isabel, who married William Ralsdon, of Waterville, Iowa.
Amid the wholesome environment of farm life L. B. Swenson was reared to manhood and in early life attended the district school in the acquirement of an education. His practical training, too, was broad and thorough, received under the direction of his father, after whose death he and his brother Andrew operated the old homestead in partnership for several years. Subsequently, however, they divided the farm, L. B. Swenson now being the owner of one hundred and thirty-five acres on section 11, Paint Creek township, equipped with substantial buildings erected by his father. He carries on general farming, in which he has been most successful, and everything about his place is indicative of the supervision of a practical and progressive owner. To his place he has given the name of the Maple Spring Trout Farm.
Mr. Swenson married Bertha Seando, who was born in Allamakee county. a daughter of Forkel Seando, and unto them have been born six children, Irene, Bernice, Stella, Myrtle, Isabelle and Bernard, but the last named died at the age of two years.
Agricultural pursuits have fully occupied the time and attention of Mr. Swenson, who has never sought nor desired to enter public life in any way, although he is deeply interested in the welfare of the section in which he resides and supports all those projects which affect the general growth and development of the county. A residence on the same farm of more than half a century has gained him a wide acquaintance throughout the township, and he is held in high esteem by all with whom he has been brought in contact.
FRED HERMAN FETT.
Fred Herman Fett, engaged in general farming and stock-raising upon one hundred and fifteen acres of fine land on sections 14 and 15, Linton township, is one of the many sturdy, industrious and energetic citizens whom Germany has given to America. His birth occurred in the province of Hinter Pommern, September 14, 1863, his parents being Frederick and Henrietta (Schroeder) Fett, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work.
Fred H. Fett acquired his education in the public schools of his native prov- ince and in Germany worked at farm labor in the employ of others until 1884. when he came to America. Upon his arrival in this country he could not speak a word of English, but this difficulty as well as many others he soon overcame, becoming a prosperous and successful man. He settled immediately in Linton township, Allamakee county, Iowa, and for six years thereafter worked for Charles Rengenhausen as a farm laborer. He was afterward in the employ of other farmers in this county, but after his marriage he purchased land, buying from his brother Charles one hundred and fifteen acres on sections 14 and 15, Linton township. Upon this he has since resided and here he carries on general farming and stock-raising, meeting with that success which always rewards earnest, well directed and persistent labor.
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On the 18th of February, 1892, Mr. Fett was united in marriage to Miss Emma Schlitter, who was born in Linton township, December 16, 1869, a daugh- ter of Adolph Schlitter, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Fett have become the parents of four children: Alfred Walter, who was born September 14, 1892; Clara Henrietta, born August II, 1895; Lily Emma, June 2, 1897; and Adeline Esther Elizabeth, March 27, 1901. Mrs. Fett has proved a worthy helpmate to her husband, assisting him through the hardships and discouragements of his early career and aiding him in the accomplishment of his present success.
Mr. Fett is a stockholder in the Monona Creamery and the Farmers Tele- phone Company of Luana and Monona. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served as constable and as a member of the school board, a position which he now occupies. His religious views are in accord with the doctrines of the Evangelical Lutheran church. He is known as a public-spirited and progressive citizen, in business affairs is found always capable, , energetic and farsighted, and he commands and holds the respect and warm regard of all who are associated with him.
ABSALOM CALVIN AMES.
Well directed ambition and a spirit of enterprise and progress dominating all the activities of his career have brought Absalom Calvin Ames prominence and success and a place among the substantial and representative farmers of Allamakee county. He owns three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land on section 22, Franklin township, and he gives practically all of his attention to the development and improvement of this property, reaping the reward of his labors in its increasing productiveness and added value.
He was born in Morgan county, Ohio, August II, 1857, and is a son of Erastus Haskins and Plesy Jane (Davis) Ames, also natives of Ohio, the former born January 26, 1834, and the latter January 25, 1839. The father went to Wisconsin in 1859 and located in Crawford county, two miles south of Retreat, where he made his home for a number of years, later removing to Delavan, where he now lives retired. He is a veteran of the Civil war, having served for one year as a private in a Wisconsin regiment. He saw a great deal of active service and became familiar with life in the army hospitals, having been con- fined in one of them by a serious illness.
Absalom Calvin Ames is the oldest in a family of ten children. He acquired his education in a district school at Rush Creek, Crawford county, Wisconsin, and remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age. At that time he rented land in Crawford county and after two years purchased the property, whereon he resided for nineteen years thereafter. At the end of that time he sold his farm, purchasing another, upon which he made his home for two years. In October, 1903, he came to Iowa and bought the farm on section 22, Franklin township, where he has since resided. His holdings comprise three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land and the farm is highly developed and well improved in every particular, Mr. Ames' practical and progressive methods having been
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attended with excellent results. He conducts the property as a general stock and dairy farm and keeps large herds of high-grade cattle and good grades of hogs and horses. He is a stockholder in the Luana Creamery Company and the Luana Shipping Association and in business circles is known as a farsighted and discriminating business man, whose sagacity is far-reaching and whose integrity is beyond reproach.
On the 31st of August, 1879, Mr. Ames was united in marriage to Miss May S. Scheid, a native of Crawford county, Wisconsin, born March 13, 1863. She is a daughter of Charles and Louisa (Sallander) Scheid, natives of Germany, born on the banks of the River Rhine, the former October 23, 1834, and the lat- ter in March, 1839. In early life they crossed the Atlantic to America, the father going directly to Wisconsin, where he first rented land in Vernon county and later purchased property in Sterling township, that county, continuing upon this property until his death, which occurred January 25. 1899. His wife sur- vives him and still resides upon the homestead. The father was a veteran of the Civil war, having served in that conflict as a member of the same regiment with which Erastus H. Ames was connected.
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