USA > Iowa > Buena Vista County > Past and present of Buena Vista County, Iowa > Part 29
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Edward Larsen was but a young lad when he accompanied his parents on their voyage across the Atlantic, and with them he came to lowa in 1874, since which time he has lived in Buena Vista county. He pursued his edneation in the Alta schools and before he had put aside his text-books he devoted a por- tion of his time to clerking. He afterward seenred a position as salesman in the store of S. L. Hall & Company, with whom he learned the drug business, making a profound study of pharmacy. He continued with that firm for nine years, on the expiration of which period he bought out the drug store and con- tinued the business alone. He carries a good line of drugs, medicines, paints, oils, tobaccos and cigars, has a soda fountain, and also serves ice cream. He has built up a good business and has one of the leading establishments of this kind in his seetion of the country. Possessing considerable mechanical skill and ingenuity he has wrought out a number of fine pieces of cabinet work for his store and home. In early life he learned architecture and phimbing, and followed those lines of business for a mimber of years. He possesses much
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musical talent and because of his love for the art organized a band, and is now the leader of the Alta orchestra. He has been connected with various busi- ness enterprises, which have proven elements in the substantial development of the town, and he erected here a good brick business block and also one of the most neat and attractive homes of the city.
On the 29th of June, 1894, Mr. Larsen was united in marriage to Miss Ina M. Conner, a sister of A. M. Conner, one of the prominent business men of Alta. Mr. and Mrs. Larsen have two children, Hubert C. and Guena M. Politically, Mr. Larsen is independent, voting for men and measures rather than party. IIe has been elected to several positions of honor and trust in which he has discharged his duties with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He and his wife attend and support the Alta Presbyterian church, and he is a Master Mason of Alta Lodge, A. F. & M., while both are connected with the Eastern Star. Mrs. Larsen has served through the various chairs of the order and is a past worthy matron. Her home is justly noted for its gracious and warm-hearted hospitality, and is the center of a cultured society circle.
FRITHIOF EKSTAM.
Frithiof Ekstam, who since 1884 has been successfully connected with the mereantile interests of Marathon as a dealer in boots and shoes, was born in Sweden on the 31st of December, 1849, his parents being John and Eliza (Cannon) Ekstam. The father's demise occurred when his son Frithiof was about nine years of age, and the mother also died in Sweden in June, 1874.
The year 1869 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Ekstam in the United States. He had gained a comprehensive knowledge of the boot and shoe business in his native land and on coming to this country sought employment in that line. He first located in Chicago, Illinois, and was there during the great fire of 1871, at which time the firm for which he worked had their building and its entire contents destroyed. All those in need from losses sustained in the fire were given free board for a short time. Leaving Chicago, Mr. Ekstam went to Rock Island, Illinois, but after a brief interval returned to the western metropolis and again secured employment in a retail shoe store. For several years he was connected with the boot and shoe trade in that city and at one time was general manager for a brother of the senior partner of the firm of Loeb, Koen & Company of New York city.
In the spring of 1884, Mr. Ekstam left Chicago and came to Marathon, Iowa, ereeting the seventh building in the place. At the fall election of that year there were only twenty-seven votes east in the township, so sparsely was the county settled at that time. Ilere he established business and pros- pered from the start. As a dealer in boots and shoes he has gained an exten- sive and profitable patronage and has, moreover, won recognition as a most prosperous and public-spirited citizen of the county. He is likewise the
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owner of one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land on seetions 22 and 32, Poland township.
In 1880 Mr. Ekstam was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Widen, a daughter of Gustavns Widen, a native of Sweden, who came to the United States in 1872, settling in St. Charles, Illinois, where he purchased some unimproved land at twelve dollars an aere. Mr. Widen passed away in 1885. having for a number of years survived his wife, who was ealled to her final rest in 1873. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ekstam have been born seven children. namely : Maude, at home; Vietoria Elizabeth, who passed away in 1885, when sixteen months old; Esther, who is attending school at Cedar Falls, lowa; Fred, a student in the Northwestern University at Chicago; Lydia, who is a school teacher; John Elmer, who is employed in a drug store; and Eva, who is also still under the parental roof.
In his political views Mr. Ekstam is a stalwart republican, while his religions faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church. lle has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek his fortune in the new world, for here he found the opportunities he sought and in their utiliza- tion won the measure of success that now entitles him to representation among the prosperous and enterprising merchants of this county.
JOSEPH R. NOEL.
From pioneer times until 1905 Joseph R. Noel was actively identified with the agricultural life of Buena Vista county but he is now living retired in a comfortable home in Sionx Rapids, enjoying in well earned ease the fruits of a long active career. He was born in Putnam county, Indiana, March 15. 1845, a son of George W. and Duleena (Thornton) Noel, both of whom were natives of Kentucky, whence they removed to Indiana in early life and were there married. In 1850 they made their way to Dallas county, Iowa. when the country was still in a wild and unsettled condition, the nearest market being at Oskaloosa, eighty miles distant, while there were many other inconveniences and hardships to be met. The father was a lawyer and for several years was engaged in practice at Redfield, Dallas county, but when the Civil war broke out he felt that his first duty was to his country and accordingly in the fall of 1862 he enlisted as a member of Company II. Thirty-ninth Towa Regi- ment. llis first engagement was at Parker Cross Roads in Tennessee and he was subsequently in a mumber of minor engagements. He was captured at Corinth just prior to the battle at that place. On the night of the third day after the surrender of Vieksburg, anxious to convey the news of the surrender to his company, he and a comrade named Roop started on the perilons journey but on the way were captured by Quantelle's forces and as nothing was ever after heard of them it is supposed they were shot by the rebel commander.
In the family of Mr. and Mrs. George Noel were ten children, of whom but four survive, namely : Joseph R., of this review; F. W., who wedded a
J. R. NOEL
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Miss Fink and resides in Redfield, Iowa; V. N., who wedded a Miss Spillers and resides in Roekwell City ; and Martha A., the wife of Jonathan A. Bailey, a resident of Redfield. One son. William T. Noel, enlisted for service in the Civil war, enlisting as a member of the Seventeenth Regiment of lowa Volun- teer Infantry. Becoming ill. he was taken to a hospital in Keokuk, Iowa, and after several months of suffering passed away, being then a youth of eighteen years.
Joseph R. Noel of this review was a youth of seventeen years when the father was taken away, and upon himself and his sister Martha rested much responsibility and the support of the family. Ile was the second in order of birth in a family of ten children, so that it naturally followed there was much arduons labor to be performed in the support of the younger members. Provisions were very high, flour being eight dollars per hundred weight, and other commodities sold in proportion, while the prodnets which were for sale commanded very low prices. Mr. Noel raised sheep and traded the wool for flannel, from which to make clothing, and for a pair of boots he had to give from fourteen to sixteen pounds of wool. By hard work and careful manage- ment the younger children were kept in school until they were provided with such education as was to be had at that early period. Mr. Noel remained in charge of the home farm until he attained his majority and at that time some of his younger brothers were able to assume the management of the homestead.
Joseph R. Noel then felt justified in providing a home for himself and to this end he was married to Miss Rose Puffer, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Davis, but who was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. John Puffer, of Redfield, Iowa. Following their marriage the young couple took up their abode in a little town which is now a suburb of Redfield and Mr. Noel engaged in farm- ing on a small scale and also conducted a cabinet repair shop. In 1869, believing he might enjoy better advantages in a new but rapidly developing country, he located on seetion 34. Lee township. Buena Vista county. This was all wild and unimproved but he at once began to cultivate the soil and in due course of time the land was in a very productive state. He likewise improved the property with a house and substantial ontbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock, and as time passed and the sale of his erops added to his financial resources he invested in more land until his place embraced a half seetion in Lee township. He made his home thereon for thirty-five years, or until 1905. when he retired to private life, taking up his abode in Sionx Rapids, where he purchased a comfortable home.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Noel was blessed with the following named children : Archie E., who wedded Miss Jennie Freeman and resides on a farm in South Dakota ; Cora JJ .. the wife of Martin Van Buren Leeper, residing near Redfield, Towa ; George P., who resides in Oakland, California; Hattie E., the wife of C. T. Likins, a resident of Fort Dodge, lowa; William, who died when nine years of age; Mary B. S., the wife of Elmer Stewart, who lives at Vallejo, California ; Leota D., who makes her home in Monterey, California; and Frank D., of Oakland, that state. The mother who was born on February
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4th. 1845, departed this life April 18. 1887, at the comparatively early age of forty-three years.
Mr. Noel has been a life-long republican, while his religions faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. In early life, deprived of many of the advantages and privileges which most youths enjoy. and with heavy responsibilities resting upon his young shoulders. Mr. Noel worked his way, and in later life. foreseeing the advantages to be enjoyed in the pioneer district of Buena Vista county, he journeyed thither and as the years passed by. through his careful management and close application he accumulated the competency that now enables him to spend the even- ing of his days in honorable retirement: His strongest characteristic has been his resolute, determined spirit, for many a youth would have grown discouraged at what seemed almost insurmountable difficulties but not so with Mr. Noel. He worked on ncomplainingly and he is now able to look back over a life well spent, feeling that he has done his full duty to his younger brothers and sisters and to the members of his own household and enjoy in comfort and ease his remaining years.
FRED SCHALLER.
Among the enterprising, foresighted and progressive business men of Storm Lake is Fred Schaller, senior partner of the firm of Schaller & Son. proprietors of the Citizens Bank. His business has been characterized by that steady progression which follows broad experience and energy intelli- gently applied. He was born in Woerth, Germany, in 1848, and attended the schools of his native town while spending his boyhood days in the home of his parents, Christian and Barbara Schaller. The father was a wagonmaker. under whose direction Fred Schaller learned the trade.
Our subject came to the United States in 1866 and for a brief period worked at wagonmaking in Buffalo, New York, after which he removed to the middle west in 1867, settling in Clayton county, lowa, where he worked at wagonmaking and carpentering. Five years were spent in that county, after which he removed to Sac county. where he had previously purchased a tract of land that was entirely uncultivated and unimproved. In the fall of 1869 he broke the sod with three yoke of oxen, after which he returned to Clayton county. There he was married in 1873, and with his bride returned to his claim in Sac county. His cash capital at that time comprised but one hun- dred dollars, but the young couple possessed resolute hearts and willing hands and courageously took up the task of improving the farm and making a home. Year after year Mr. Schaller cultivated the fields and as time passed won a goodly financial return for his labors. At length he put aside general agricultural pursuits and in 1881 removed to Storm Lake, but still owns the Sac county property, upon which he has never placed a mortgage.
For five years after his removal to the city Mr. Schaller engaged in clerk- ing in a general store and then, when he felt his experience and capital
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justified the course, he embarked in business on his own account with a small stock of general merchandise, conducting this enterprise until 1888. He then purchased the two-story brick building adjoining his present bank build- ing on the south and stocked it with a large line of goods. As the years passed he conducted an extensive, growing and profitable business until 1892, when he sold his stock and retired from commercial eireles, enjoying a well earned rest until 1896. Indolenee and idleness, however, are utterly foreign to his nature and with a desire to again become a factor in commercial life he once more entered his former store and eondueted the business there until 1901. In that year he and his son purchased the banking business of Thomas & Bradford and have sinee conducted the institution under the name of the Citizens Bank of Storm Lake. It is now the property of the firm of Schaller & Son and they condnet a general banking business along safe conservative lines, which has made theirs one of the leading financial institutions of the county. As the years have passed and Mr. Schaller has prospered in his undertakings he has made judicious investments in real estate from time to time, and is now the owner of about eight hundred and fifty-five acres of land lying in Sac and Buena Vista counties. Mneh of this is improved and consti- tutes a valuable property from which he annually derives a substantial income.
In 1873 Mr. Schaller was married to Miss Katherine Miller, of Clayton county, Iowa, who was born in Germany in 1852, and was a daughter of Jacob Miller. They became the parents of two children, the elder, George J. Schaller, was born in Sae county, lowa, December 24, 1873, and attended the country schools and the city schools of Storm Lake. He worked in his fath- er's store for a number of years prior to 1892, when he became connected with the financial interests of the county as an employe in the Commercial State Bank. There he continued in 1896, after which he spent one year with the J. P. Dickey Company, dealers in lumber and machinery at Storm Lake. He was then called to public office, serving as deputy clerk of the courts from January 1, 1897, until January 1, 1899. On the expiration of that period he returned to his father's store and the association continued until they retired from mercantile life. Ile is now the junior partner of the banking firm of Schaller & Son, and is recognized as a young man of excellent business ability and undaunted enterprise. On the 5th of April. 1900, he was married to Miss Eloise Warren, who was born in Blackhawk county, Iowa. They are parents of three children : Katherine, born November 3, 1903; Harry W., born January 25, 1905; and Earl, January 12, 1908. Clara A. Schaller, the dangh- ter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Schaller, was born July 9, 1877, in Sac county, Iowa, became the wife of W. L. Sedgley, a merchant of Storm Lake, and died June 4, 1904, leaving one child, Clarence.
Mrs. Schaller is a devoted member of the Presbyterian church and a most estimable lady. Mr. Schaller gives his political allegiance to the republican party and his fellow citizens have called him to a number of local offices. His son is also an advocate of republiean principles and is a member of the Odd Fellows society. The family is one of prominence here and the name of Schaller has long stood as a synonym for integrity and enterprise in commer-
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eial and financial eireles. Coming to America as a young man of seventeen years Mr. Sehaller has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world, for here he found the opportunities he sought and in their utilization has long since passed from humble and unimportant environ- ment to a place of prominence and responsibility in the business world.
ARTHUR LEE WHITNEY.
Arthur Lee Whitney is one of the members of the Buena Vista county bar, having practiced at Storm Lake since October, 1905. He was born in Black HIawk. Iowa, September 21, 1874.
His father, Joseph L. Whitney, a native of Canada, is now living. at Sehaller, Iowa, at the age of sixty-three years. He came to the United States when seventeen years of age and settled in Blackhawk county, where he engaged in teaching school for several years. becoming thus early connected with the educational development of the country. Hle afterward went to Nebraska, where he took up a homestead claim, upon which he resided for five years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Towa and estab- lished his home in Pierson, where he was pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church for three years, also giving a portion of that time to pastoral work at Washta. He was ordained to the ministry in Sioux City and was then assigned to the Hubbard church, where he continued for five years, doing earnest and effective work in behalf of the religious development of the eom- munity. He also served as pastor of the Methodist church at Roekwell City for two years, spent five years at Alta, three years at Odebolt, three years at Early, and is now resident pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church at Schaller. Ile is a man of influence and his consecrated work and untiring zeal have made his labors a wonderful feature in the success of the Methodist ministry. In his fraternal relations he is connected with the Odd Fellows, while his politieal belief is indicated in the support which he gives the repub- liean party. Hle married Martha Walling Batchellor, who was born in Providence, Rhode Island. and is now living at the age of fifty-eight years. She, too, is a member of the Methodist church and is of much assistance to her husband in his work.
Arthur Lee Whitney is the second in order of birth in the family of six children. Owing to the itinerant customs of a Methodist minister his boy- hood and youth were passed in various towns, where he pursued his education as a public school student. He also attended Morningside College for three years and later took up the study of law, matriculating in the law department of Drake University in the fall of 1899. Following his graduation he was admitted to the Bar in May, 1901, and began practice at Alta in June of that year. In October, 1905, he sought a broader field of labor offered in the county seat and removed to Storm Lake, where he has seenred a good elien- tage that has connected him with much of the important litigation brought in the courts of this district. Ile formed a partnership with F. F. Faville
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under the firm style of Faville & Whitney. In November, 1904. he was elected county attorney, and the capability and impartiality with which he discharged the duties of the office were indicated in his reelection for a second term. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is in hearty sympathy with its polieies.
On the 10th of October, 1906. Mr. Whitney was married to Miss Bertha Rathbun, who was born in Kingsley. Iowa, in February. 1884. They occupy an enviable position in the social circles of the city, and Mr. Whitney is numbered among the valued members of the Masonic fraternity, while both he and his wife are connected with the Eastern Star. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge, the Elks lodge at Le Mars, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He possesses laudable ambition for advancement in his profession and knowing that it can be done only by individual merit he prepares his eases with great thoroughness and care, and his devotion to his elients' interests is proverbial.
PETER C. BODHOLDT.
Peter C. Bodholdt, whose residence in Buena Vista eounty dates from 1879, owns and cultivates a tract of land on section 12. Providenee township. llis original hoklings in this county were one hundred and sixty aeres and that he has prospered as the years have gone by is indicated in the fact that he today owns about seven hundred and twenty acres. His fields are care- fully tilled and in addition to raising the erops best adapted to the soil and climate he is also quite extensively engaged in raising cattle.
Mr. Bodholdt was born in the province of North Schleswig, Germany, January 3, 1853. That district, however, was formerly a part of Demark. and his grandfather. Knud Bodholdt, spent his entire life in Denmark. Between the ages of eighteen and thirty-six years he served in the Danish army and both he and his wife died in middle life. They had three sons : Nels C., Claus and Christen. Claus Bodholdt. father of our subject, was born in North Denmark, and having arrived at years of maturity he married Karen Johansen, who was also born in North Schleswig. She was a daughter of Peter Johansen, who died in Denmark when about eighty-five years of age, while his wife passed away in middle life. Their family included Johan, Maren, Karen, Elizabeth and Bodelstine.
In early manhood Claus Bodholdt learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for many years. He was an energetic man who made good use of his opportunities and enjoyed the respect of those with whom he was asso- eiated in his native country. He died in Schleswig in April. 1903. at the age of seventy-nine years, having for several years survived his wife. Their family numbered three sons and three daughters: Metta Maria, the wife of Hans Hansen, of Schleswig; Peter C .; Maria Christine, the wife of Martin Holtz. of Cedar Falls, lowa; Knud C., who is mentioned elsewhere in this review; Hans
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C,, who was a twin brother of Knud, and is now deceased; and Anna C., the wife of Hans Grau.
Peter C. Bodholdt spent the first eighteen years of his life in the land of his nativity and there learned and followed the blacksmith's trade. He deter- mined to come to America for he realized that the advantages of the new world were superior to those furnished in his native country and, ambitions to sne- ceed, he crossed the Atlantic to America in 1871, settling in Jackson county, Iowa. A few weeks later he removed to Clinton county, where he followed his trade and then went to Black Hawk county, where he resided for five years. In 1879 he arrived in Buena Vista county, which was then comparatively new and unimproved. In the thirty years of his residence here he has lived to see many changes and his labors have been an element in the development which this part of the state has enjoyed. He at first purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Providence township, which he improved and as he has prospered in his undertakings he has extended the boundaries of his farm until he now owns seven hundred and twenty acres. He is therefore one of the extensive farmers of the county and his property is valuable owing to the many modern accessories and equipments he has placed thereon. He pays consid- erable attention to fattening stock. feeding all of his corn and also purchasing a considerable amount for that purpose. Hle is one of the largest stock ship- pers of this locality and the extent of his business makes him one of the most prosperous residents here.
In 1879 Mr. Bodholdt was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Naeve, who was born near Davenport in Scott county, Iowa, where her parents, Nicholas and Louisa (Honike) Naeve, located on their emigration from Germany in 18-18, being natives of South Schleswig. Her father was a cooper by trade and followed that pursuit in early life but later purchased a farm and devoted his attention to its cultivation. His wife died in 1901, at the age of fifty-six years, but he is still living. His parents. Henry and Louisa Naeve, also came to America and died near Muscatine, lowa. Mrs. Bodholdt's maternal grand- parents were Henry and Lizzie Honike, who came to the new world about 1848 and died at an old age. Mrs. Bodholdt is one of a family of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters, one of whom, William, is now deceased. Those living are : Henry ; Mary E .; Lonisa : Fred ; Christ ; Nicholas; John; Annie, the wife of Peter Ehlers; Lena, the wife of Peter Schroeder; and Albert.
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