USA > Iowa > Buena Vista County > Past and present of Buena Vista County, Iowa > Part 28
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66
The parents are members of the German Methodist church, in the work of which they take a most active and helpful interest. As his financial resources have increased Mr. Witter has contributed more and more largely to its support and for the past thirty years he has been superintendent of the Sunday school. While he frequently gives his political support to the repub- lican party, he is a stanch advocate of temperance and casts an independent local ballot. He has served as member of the school board and no interest for the benefit of the community along material, intellectual, social or moral lines fails to receive his endorsement and hearty cooperation. In 1902 he
253
HISTORY OF BUENA VISTA COUNTY
erected one of the most handsome residences of Storm Lake and in this he and his family are now comfortably situated. He thoroughly enjoys home life and takes great pleasure in the society of his family and friends. He is always courteous, kindly and affable and those who know him personally have for him warm regard. A man of great natural ability, his success in business from the beginning of his residence i' Storm Lake has been uniform and rapid. As has been truly remarked, after all that may be done for a man in the way of giving him early opportunities for obtaining the requirements which are sought in the schools and in books, he must essentially formulate, determine and give shape to his own character. and this is what Mr. Witter has done. He has persevered in the pursuit of a persistent purpose and gained the most satisfactory reward. His life is exemplary in all respects and he has ever supported those interests which are calculated to uplift and benefit humanity, while his own high moral worth is deserving of highest commendation.
WILLIAM GUTEL.
Although William Gutel has resided in Buena Vista county only since 1895, no native born son is more loyal to its best interests or takes a more active and helpful part in promoting measures that have proven of direct benefit to its citizens. Mr. Gutel was born in Livingston county, Illinois. March 25, 1865, a son of Theodule and Catherine E. (Fevre) Gntel, both of whom were born in France. The father emigrated from his native land to the new world when a yomig man and first located in Ottawa. Illinois, and was there married. He later took up his abode in Livingston county, that state, and engaged in farming and there reared his family. He still survives and yet makes his home in Livingston county.
William Gutel was educated in the common schools of his native county and was reared to farm life. assisting his father in the operation of the home farm until the time of his marriage, which occurred February 22, 1893, when he led to the marriage altar Miss Margaret Laase, who was likewise a native of Livingston county. Following their marriage the young couple located on a farm, which Mr. Gutel operated for two years, or nntil 1895, when he came to Buena Vista county and invested in his present farm of two hundred aeres, situated on seetion 17. Washington township, convenient to the city of Storm Lake. This farm was fairly well improved when it came into his possession but he has sinee added many other improvements. He has laid twenty-five thousand tile, thus affording excellent drainage to the land, which has thereby been made very productive, and he has also erected some buildings on the place. He saw, too, where the entire land in Washington township could be made much more productive if properly drained and he was instrumental in having a big ditch dug to furnish an outlet for the water which lay in the low land and in this manner the various farms of this section have been made more valuable. Mr. Gutel is engaged in farming and stock-raising. making a sper-
254
HISTORY OF BUENA VISTA COUNTY
ialty of high grade Aberdeen Angus cattle. His labors are ever of a practical nature and have resulted in bringing him a gratifying success.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Gutel has been blessed with eight children, of whom three died in infancy. Those living are William, Harry, Roy, Ernest and Clara. Mr. Gutel formerly supported the republican platform but now votes independently. He served as road supervisor for three years, while for six or seven years he has been a school director. He has also been township clerk and has served as a delegate to county conventions and as a member of the petit jury. He and his wife attend and support the Methodist Episcopal church. He joined the Masonic order at Dwight, Illinois, some years ago and has transferred his membership to the lodge of Masons at Storm Lake. When he foresees the need of improvement or reform in any line in his community he is not slow to advocate the question and through his push and progress many publie measures have been carried forward to completion and the public at large has benefited thereby. He is, however, genial and affable, every ready to receive suggestions from others, according to all the rights and privileges that he exerts and he is well liked by all with whom business or social relations bring him into contact.
EDWARD NUTE.
In the history of those men whose activity and diligence in former years constituted the basis of their present snecess, enabling them now to live retired, is numbered Edward Nute. a resident of Alta. There are many reasons why he should be mentioned in this volume: first, because he is an honored veteran of the Civil war; secondly, because he has been a progressive farmer and energetic business man of Maple Valley township; and thirdly, because his life in all of its varied phases has been in accord with the princi- ples which govern upright. honorable manhood. He has lived in Buena Vista county since 1875, and for twenty years was associated with the farming inter- ests of Maple Valley township. His birth occurred in Steuben county, New York, November 1, 1827. His father, Rensselaer Nute, was a native of Ver- mont, born in 1801. Ile married in Steuben county, New York. Miss Eve Bruner, a native of Herkimer county, that state. By trade the father was a carpenter and joiner and was connected with building operations in the Empire state until his removal to Illinois. He became one of the pioneers there, settling in Kane county in the fall of 1838. only six years after the Black Hawk war. Later he removed to Cook county, where he opened up a farm, living there at a time when Chicago was a little village of scarcely any industrial or commercial importance. He afterward returned to Kane county, settling at Dundee, where he died in 1876. at the age of seventy-five years. His wife survived him for some time and passed away in Dundee October 5, 1890.
Edward Nute and one daughter are the only survivors of a family of nine children. six sons and three daughters. le was only ten years of age at the
MR. AND MRS. EDWARD NUTE
257
HISTORY OF BUENA VISTA COUNTY
time of the removal of the family to Illinois, and was reared in Kane and Cook counties. He is largely a self-educated as well as a self-made man, and in the lessons of life he has gained mueh valuable knowledge and experience. At the time of the Civil war he put aside all business and personal considera- tions and joined the army, for he had watehed with interest the progress of events in the south and his patriotic spirit was . aroused by the continued attempt of the south to overthrow the Union. Therefore, in 1861 he offered his services to the government, and was mustered into the United States Army in September as a member of Company A, Thirty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He then went into Missouri and Arkansas, participating in the battle of Pea Ridge. He was later in the engagements of Perryville, Ken- tueky, Stone river, and Chickamanga. At the last named he was wounded by a gunshot, being struck in the body, and from September, 1863. until the following April he was in the field hospital. He veteranized on the 1st of January, 1864, and was then granted a thirty days' furlongh, which he spent at his father's home. On the expiration of that period he returned to his regiment at Cleveland, Tennessee, and later joined General Sherman in the Atlanta campaign, participating in the engagements up to and including that of Resaca, where he had a finger shot off, disabling him for a time. He had previously suffered with malarial fever at Cleveland, Tennessee, and was sent back to Jefferson barracks, near St. Louis, where he remained in the hospital until October when, having partially recovered. he left that place. Later, however, he became hospital steward, thus serving for over a year, or imtil the close of the war, when he was ordered to Springfield, Illinois, and was honorably discharged, arriving home in October, 1865. He made a creditable record, for he never faltered in the performance of any duty, whether sta- tioned on the pieket line, or in the midst of the firing line.
When the country no longer needed his aid Mr. Nute began farming on his father's land in Cook county, and there carried on general agricultural pursuits for ten years. He was married soon after his return from the war, the marriage being celebrated near Amboy, in Lee county, Illinois, on the 19th of November, 1865, Miss Kate Conderman becoming his wife. She was born in the town of Howard, Steuben county, New York, and she has two brothers living: S. S. Conderman, a resident of Idaho; and Daniel Conderman, living in Lee county, Illinois. There are also two surviving sisters, Mrs. Betsy Hinz, of Dixon, lowa; and Mrs. Lucy Pickle, of Steuben county, New York. The father was Solomon Conderman, who removed from New York when Mrs. Nute was but fifteen years of age and settled in Lee county, Illinois.
For about ten years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Nute remained in Illinois and in 1875 removed to lowa, where he purchased partially improved land. The tract comprised eighty aeres, of which seventy-five acres had been broken and a small house had been built thereon. With characteristic energy he began the further development and improvement of the place, building a good house and barn, a coal house, granary and corneribs. He also set out an orchard and made the place one of the valuable farm proper- ties of the locality. For twenty years he continued to successfully eultivate this farm in Maple Valley township, and the years brought him a gratifying
258
IHISTORY OF BUENA VISTA COUNTY
measure of prosperity as a reward for his earnest and discriminating labors. At length, when he had acquired a handsome competence, he rented the farm and removed to Alta, where he and his wife are now living. He has since enjoyed a well earned rest, deriving a good income from his property and other invested interests.
In his political views he has been a republican since the organization of the party and prior to that time was a whig, supporting General Taylor in 1848. General Scott in 1852, and then voting for John C. Fremont in 1856, sinee which time he has supported every nominee of the republican party. Ile has cast his ballot at sixteen different presidential elections, and on twelve occasions voted for the victorious candidates. While on the farm, he filled the office of town elerk and overseer of roads, and was also officially identified with the schools, serving on the school board for two years. Both he and his wife are earnest Christian people, holding membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is a prominent member of the S. A. Hurlbut Posi, No. 82, G. A. R., of which he has served as commander, while for nine years he has filled the office of chaplain. He is now over eighty-one years of age and is a well preserved man, very active for one of his years. Few of the old soldiers who saw duty for four years on the battle-fields of the south are so well preserved. He relates many interesting reminiscences of his army life and of the early days in Buena Vista county as well. In times of peace he has been as loyal to his country as when he followed the old flag on south- ern battle-fields. Never has he been remiss in his duties of citizenship nor negleetful of his obligations to his fellowmen, but he has been faithful to every trust reposed in him, guiding his life by honorable principles and the teach- ings of his church.
FRANK H. HELSELL.
It is a comparatively rare occurrence that a professional man proves equally competent in lines of commerce or finance. But such has been the history of Judge F. H. HTelsell, lawyer, jurist and banker, whose activities have gained him distinction at the bar, in political cireles and in those lines of business which touch the moneyed interests of northwestern Iowa. His life has been varied in its seope, honorable in its purpose, far-reaching and beneficial in its affairs. He has exerted a wide-felt influence in his seetion of the state by his business enterprise and activity and by reason of his politi- val prominence. for he is known as one of the foremost republicans of the state. having comprehensive understanding of the questions affeeting local and national welfare. He was born in Ohio in 1858, his parents being Jesse and Eliza A. (Smith) Helsell, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Massachu- setts, respectively. Coming to Jowa in 1863 they settled first in Cedar county and afterward removed to Sae county, where the father died October 10, 1892, at the very venerable age of eighty-seven years. He was a Lutheran minister, devoting many years to that holy calling and his influence was of no
259
HISTORY OF BUENA VISTA COUNTY
restricted order. One son of the family, W. A. Helsell, is an attorney at law at Odebolt, Iowa.
Supplementing his literary education by preparation for a professional career, Frank H. Helsell was a student in the Illinois College and for a long period was connected with active practice in Buena Vista county. In later years, however, other business affairs have largely claimed his time and atten- tion. He opened an office in Sioux Rapids in 1882 and in addition to a large private practice he became loeal attorney for five different railroads, inelnd- ing the Chicago & Northwestern : the Chicago, Rock Island & Pennsylvania ; the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul; the Missouri & St. Lonis; and the Illinois Central. In his work before the courts he displayed all of the elements of an able advocate and safe counselor. Preparing his cases with great thor- onghness and care he has ever presented his cause in clear, logical and force- ful manner, his snecess as a practitioner being due entirely to his own efforts and merits. He has argued many cases and lost but few. No one better knows the necessity for thorough preparation and no one more industriously prepares his cases than Judge Helsell. ITis course in the courtroom has always been characterized by a calmness and dignity that indicate reserve strength. His handling of a case has always been full, comprehensive and aceurate. Ilis analysis of the faets, clear and exhaustive. His ability as a lawyer led to his selection for judicial honors and in 1898 he was elected judge of the district court, serving on the bench for two and a half years. He then resigned in order to give his attention to private business interests which were constantly growing in volume and importanee. At the ensning election although there were six other candidates in the field and Judge Helsell had said that he would not accept the nomination, he was renominated by a unani- mous standing vote of the convention and declined. His opinions while on the beneh showed great research, industry and care and challenged the approval of and commended themselves to the beneh and bar.
As the years have passed, however, the private business interests of Judge HIelsell have been continually growing and he is now interested in seven dif- ferent banks. He stands today as one of the most prominent representatives of banking interests in northwestern Iowa and has been the organizer of five different national banks, including the First National Bank of Marathon, the First National Bank of Lanreus, the First National Bank of Peterson, and the First National Bank of Havelock, Iowa, together with the First National Savings Bank of Spencer, Iowa, of which he is a director. He is also inter- ested in the Greenville Bank and the Peterson Bank and has been general attorney for all of these corporations. He is a man of well balanced capaci- ties and powers, possessing in large measure that quality which, for want of a better term, has been called commercial sense. He easily avoids the mistakes and disasters that come to those who, though possessing remarkable faculties in some respects, are liable to erratic movements that result in unwarranted risks and failure. He recognizes possiblities that others pass by heedlessly, possesses sufficient courage to venture where favoring opportunity is pre- sented and his judgment and even pared energy generally carry him forward to the goal of success.
260
HISTORY OF BUENA VISTA COUNTY
On the 12th of August, 1880, Mr. Helsell was married to Miss Nora Love Glenn, a daughter of James R. and Sarah (Love) Glenn, who were natives of Virginia and became residents of Illinois during the pioneer epoch in its his- tory. The father died in 1905 but the mother is still living in Omaha. Nebraska. Five children were born unto Judge and Mrs. Helsell: Glenora, who resides at home; Charles A .. an attorney of Oklahoma; Corrinne, who is in the bank; Virginia, a student in college; and Laura, at home.
Judge Helsell is identified with the Masonic lodge at Sioux Rapids, the Knights of Pythias and the Elks. A stalwart republican, he was a delegate to the national conventions of 1888 and 1896. Ile has exereised a wide influence in publie affairs and few men are more prominent or more widely known in northwestern Iowa. His prosperity is well deserved for in him are embraced the characteristics of an unbending integrity, unabating energy and industry that never flags. Public-spirited and progressive, his eooperation is given to every movement tending to promote the intellectual. political and material welfare of the community.
J. W. ALPERS.
J. W. Alpers, who is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Coon township, was born in St. Louis, Missouri, September 8. 1859. His father, Jacob Alpers, whose birth oceurred in Germany, January 24. 1820, emigrated to the Uinted States when twenty-five years of age and took up his ahode in New York. There he was first employed as clerk in a store and later enlisted in the United States army, being engaged in fighting the Indians dur- ing his six years' term of service. Subsequently he was employed in a sugar factory for eighteen years and on the expiration of that period purchased a farm in Missouri. on which he made his home for twenty-three years. His wife bore the maiden name of Hannah Cralaman and the record of their chil- dren is as follows: Mary, who is the wife of Henry Hoemann; Minnie and Lizzie, both of whom are deceased; J. W., of this review; August, a resident of Missouri; Annie, the wife of Fred Brandt ; and Henry, who lives on the old homestead.
.J. W. Alpers attended the schools of St. Louis until seventeen years of age and then turned his attention io general agricultural pursuits. Removing to Towa, he purchased his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Coon township, Buena Vista county. The property is lacking in none of the mprovements and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century and in its neat and thrifty appearance indicates the supervision of a practical and progressive owner. Mr. Alpers has planted a number of fruit trees and in his farming operations is meeting with the success which is ever the reward of earnest and unremitting energy when guided by sound judgment.
The lady who now bears the name of Mrs. Alpers was in her maidenhood Miss Augustine Ehlers and by her marriage has beeome the mother of the fol- lowing children : Willie; Ernest; George: Mary: Freda and Fred, twins;
261
HISTORY OF BUENA VISTA COUNTY
Minnie ; Anna; and Walter, and all are at home excepting George, who is now attending college at Seward, Nebraska.
Mr. Alpers gives his political allegiance to the men and measures of the democracy, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church. He is widely known as a man of unfaltering integrity and worth and well deserves representation among the progressive and public- spirited citizens of the county.
C. J. JIMMERSON.
C. J. Jimmerson is one of the active and prosperous farmers and stockmen of Elk township, where he operates a farm of three hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land. He was born in Red Wing, Minnesota, on the 15th of August. 1854. His father, J. E. Jimmerson, whose birth occurred in New York in 1826, was there reared and in early manhood took up his abode near Peoria, Illinois, where he wedded Miss Margaret Doty, a native of the Prairie state. After carrying on farming there for some years Mr. Jimmerson removed to Red Wing, Minnesota, and in 1856 located in Benton county, Iowa, where he opened up a new farm. Subsequently he went to New Hartford, Butler county, where he spent his remaining days, passing away in 1902. His wife, however, still survives him and makes her home in New Hartford.
C. J. Jimmerson accompanied his parents on their removal to New Hart- ford and was there reared and educated. In 1872 he came to Storm Lake and was employed as a farm hand for two or three years, on the expiration of which period he entered upon a clerkship at Storm Lake, working for the Russell brothers for about four years. On the 12th of February. 1879, he was united in marriage to Miss Iney J. Angier, who was born in Garnavillo, Clayton county, Iowa, but was largely reared in Storm Lake, where she taught school for several years prior to her marriage.
Subsequent to that important event in their lives the young couple took up their abode in Alta, where Mr. Jimmerson was connected with the elevator business for seven years, being employed by E. W. Benson. A. Leander and J. W. Slutz successively, and acting as grain buyer during a part of the time. In 1892 he located on a farm and has since been connected with agricultural pur- suits, having lived on his present property since 1899. During the first five years he carried on farming for a friend, C. W. Garberson, but has since been engaged in agricultural interests on his own account, meeting with a gratify- ing and well merited measure of prosperity in his undertakings. He is likewise engaged in raising and feeding stock and fattens about two earloads of cattle and three carloads of hogs annually. He resides on section 33. Elk township, and is well known and highly esteemed throughout the community as a man of excellent business ability and unfaltering integrity.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jimmerson have been born fourteen children, of whom the following are living : James B., Roland J., Ned D., George C., Eugene M., Calvin D., Murray A., Lillian E., Grace V., Maggie L., Ollie M. and Hazel E.
262
HISTORY OF BUENA VISTA COUNTY
They lost a son. Charley, who died at the age of eleven years, and an infant girl.
In his political views Mr. Jinnnerson is a stalwart republiean and takes an active and helpful interest in the local work of the party. He has served as road supervisor for two years and for six years has capably filled the office of assessor, being still the incumbent in the latter position. For several years he did effective and beneficial service for the cause of public instruction as a member of the school board, and has likewise been a delegate to numerous eon- ventions. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen, while his religious faith is indieated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of Elk township. Mr. and Mrs. Jimmerson are people of genuine per- sonal worth and many excellent traits of character and are widely and favorably known throughout Buena Vista county, where they have long resided.
EDWARD LARSEN.
Edward Larsen is one of the substantial residents of Buena Vista county, who for a number of years has been actively engaged in business in Alta. He is numbered among the early settlers of the county, having resided within its borders since 1874, and within this period he has labored as effectively and earnestly for the public welfare as he has for his individual sneeess.
A native of Norway, he was born near Christiania. May 5, 1865. ITis father, G. Larsen, was also a native of the land of the midnight sun and after attaining his majority. was there married to Guena Gunmanson. They emi- grated to the new world in 1870 and were residents of Chicago for about four years, after which they came to lowa and took up their abode on a farm. The father spent his last days in Alta. however, passing away here in 1894, but the mother still survives. Their family numbered ten in all, of whom four sous and two daughters are yet living.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.