USA > Iowa > Buena Vista County > Past and present of Buena Vista County, Iowa > Part 34
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Arthur M. Foster accompanied his parents on their removal to Water- bury. Vermont, where he pursued his education in the common schools and in the Green Mountain Seminary of that place, of which he is an alumnus. In 1881 he came to the west and settled at Lone Rock, Wisconsin, where he embarked in merchandising in connection with his brother L. W., and his father-in-law. He was thus identified with commercial interests at that place until 1895, when he removed to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he and his brother engaged in business until 1901. In that year Arthur M. Foster came to
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Storm Lake and established a department store in the new Odd Fellow's bloek. where he is now conducting a successful business. He has labored energetically to win the prosperity which he now enjoys. There is no seeret process by which he has gained his success, for along the legitimate lines of trade he has steadily advaneed, gaining the publie confidence and, therefore. the public patronage, by reason of his straightforward dealing and progressive business methods.
In April, 1883, Mr. Foster was married to Miss Ella M. Fuller, who was horn at Lone Roek, Wisconsin, in 1860. They have two sons: Harry C. and Lynn Emmerson, both of whom are members of the firm of A. M. Foster & Sons. They are young men of good business ability, and are materially assisting their father in the management and control of the store.
Mr. Foster is well known as one of the leading members of the Presbyter- ian church, in which he is serving as an elder. He is also superintendent of the Lake Side Presbyterian Sunday school, and is actively interested in all those projects which have for their object the moral development of the com- munity. His political endorsement is given the republican party and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, so that he is able to support his position by intelligent argument. He is one of the directors of the Storm Lake Chautauqua Association of Storm Lake, and a member of the school board. Business ability and genuine publie spirit are well balanced characteristics of his nature, and he looks at life from the rational standpoint that recognizes the need for physical, mental and moral progress and development.
MARIUS SORENSEN.
Marius Sorensen, who is engaged in general agricultural pursuits in sec- tion 1, Providenee township, and who is numbered among the wide-awake and progressive farmers of the community, was born in Denmark, near Wiler, August 11, 1850. He is a grandson of James and Mary Christensen, who died at the ages of eighty-six and eighty-seven years respectively. They had six or seven ehildren, including Soren Jensen, the father of our subject. He too was born in Denmark, devoted his entire life to farming and died in his native land in 1868, at the age of fifty-four years. His wife died in 1852. In early manhood he had married Maria Clausen and they became parents of six ehil- dren, of whom three are yet living: Jens Christian Sorensen, of Denmark ; Marius, of this review ; and Mary, the wife of Soren Winther, of Denmark. After losing his first wife the father married Anna Mary Christensen and they had four children, of whom three are yet living: Peter C., Anton C. and Margarita.
Marius Sorensen came to America in 1884. Ile had acquired his ednea- tion in the schools of his native country and had been reared to farm work. Ile served in the regular army at three different times, becoming a soldier in 1872, again in 1874 and 1876. Crossing the Atlantic to the new world in 1884
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he settled in Pomeroy, Iowa, where he worked on a seetion six months. £ afterward worked at the plastering trade for a year and then turned his atten- tion to the ocenpation to which he had been reared. renting a farm for one year. At the end of that time he went to Newell and rented a farm in Provi- denee township, where he lived for three years. He afterward cultivated a rented farm in Grant township for four years and for one year rented a farm in Providence township, where he now lives. At the end of that time he bought the property, comprising one hundred and sixty-seven aeres of rich and productive land, to the further development and improvement of which he has since given his attention. Ilis farm is well equipped with good build- ings and everything necessary to facilitate the work of the fields, including the latest improved machinery.
Pleasantly situated in his home life Mr. Sorensen was married August 2, 1885, to Miss Sorena Johansen, a daughter of Johannes and Anna Metta (Jensen) Knudsen, both of whom were natives of Denmark, where they spent their entire lives. They had four children: Jens Johansen, of Denmark ; Anna Merta Lena, the deceased wife of Hans Larsen ; Christiana, the wife of Jorgen Bonde, of Grant township; and Mrs. Sorensen, the wife of our sub- ject. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sorensen has been boru a daughter, Metta Christina, now the wife of Hans C. Bodholt and they have one child, Sena Bodholdt.
Mrs. Sorensen was born in Denmark, Angust 11, 1860. She is an esti- mable lady, who has proved of much assistance to her husband in his farm work. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sorensen are members of the Lutheran church and politically he is a republican, giving earnest support to the principles of the party, for he believes that it contains the best elements of good government. While he still maintains a feeling of deep interest in the land of his birth, his strongest attachment is for the land of his adoption, and Buena Vista county finds in him a worthy representative, active in its interests. As the years have passed he has gained a place among its substantial and prosperous citizens and his life record shows what may be accomplished through persevering and inde- Fatigable industry.
W. W. PARKER.
W. W. Parker, a well known representative of the farming interests of Buena Vista county, owns an excellent tract of land of three hundred and twenty aeres in Nokomis township, and three hundred and twenty aeres in Washington township. Ile has lived in this and Sae counties for thirty-six years, while his residence in the state dates from about 1854. He was a little lad of five years at the time of his arrival in Iowa, his birth having occurred in Canada, April 21, 1849. His father, Joseph Parker, was born and reared in England and was a son of William Parker. During his boyhood and youth Joseph Parker labored in the fields during the day and in the evening worked in a shop, showing the long hours one had to work at that time in England.
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When a young man he crossed the Atlantic to the new world, settling in Canada, where he married Miss Ann Radford, who was also a native of England and had spent her girlhood days in that country. For some years Mr. Parker followed farming in Canada, residing there until after the birth of three of his sons. He then came to Iowa, settling in Dubuque county, where he purchased a traet of raw prairie and opened up a farm, transform- ing the wild prairie into rich and productive fields, Upon that place he reared his family and later he sold the farm and removed to Alta, where his last years were passed. He died here in 1900, having long survived his wife, who died in Dubuque county in 1861. Ile was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church and his life was in consistent harmony with its principles. All who knew him respected him for his upright manhood and his devotion to the principles of justice and truth.
W. W. Parker is the eldest of a family of four sons and three daughters, six of whom are yet living. He was reared to manhood in Dubuque county, and is largely a self-educated man, becoming well informed through his exten- sive reading and observation since he attained his majority. His youth was largely occupied with work on the fields of the home farm, and he gained practical experience in the best methods of cultivating the crops.
While still living in Dubuque county he was married, February 22, 1870, to Miss Amelia J. Evans, who was born in Wisconsin, June 28, 1851, but spent her girlhood days in Iowa, coming to this state with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Evans, who were of English birth. They lived for some time in the Badger state and then came to lowa. After their marriage Mr. Parker followed farming for two years in Delaware county. Iowa, and then went to Sac county, where he purchased land and developed a new farm of three hun- dred and twenty acres, continuing its cultivation for eight years. He then sold that property and in the spring of 1880 located on a farm in Buena Vista county, purchasing three hundred and twenty aeres of land, known as the W. B. Farrar farm. He began the further development and improvement of this place, buikling thereon a comfortable residence and substantial barn, fenced the fields and remained upon the farm for six years. He then bought a residenee in Alta, where he now makes his home, but still gives his personal supervision to the farm. He has since purchased another tract of land of three hundred and twenty acres in Washington township. It was raw land when it came into his possession but he has transformed it into a valuable and profitable tract. He started out in life in limited financial circumstances, worked as a farm hand by the month and through his own industry has gained a place among the substantial agrieulturists of the community. Ile was eighteen years of age when he started out for himself. The father said to his son, "If you save your earnings, well and good; if you are disposed to squander, I will collect your earnings myself." The son, therefore, was care- ful to hold on to what he gained, saved the money which came to him in return for his labor and in the course of time was thus enabled to purchase property for himself.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Parker have been born two children: Lillian E., born in Sac county, July 20, 1872. is now the wife of A. M. Conner, one of the
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prominent residents of Alta, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Frank W., also born in Sac county. May 12. 1876, married Miss Herma Smith and follows farming in Buena Vista county. The mother of these children is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Alta, but Mr. Parker holds membership in the Pentecostal Nazarene church, and both take an active interest in religions work.
Politieally Mr. Parker is a prohibitionist and a stalwart advocate of the temperance canse. Ile has twice served as mayor of Alta, but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, but holding office at the solicitation of his friends, who recognized in him a progressive and loyal citizen and knew he would be faithful to the duties of the office. He and his wife have made three trips to California, spending two winters there and other points on the Pacific coast. At the present writing. in 1908, they are preparing to move to the Golden state and may make their future home there if they are pleased with it.
Mr. Parker well deserves the success that has come to him for his life has been one of untiring industry and honest toil. In all his dealings he has been straightforward and all who know him recognize in him a trustworthy man and one who well merits the confidence and respect which are uniformly accorded him. He has lived to see the county develop from a wild and unbroken prairie into a tract of rich and fertile land, divided into thousands of fine farms which are well kept and well improved. Towns and villages have also sprung up and developed along modern lines and the county has kept pace with the other counties of this great commonwealth in its intellec- tual, social and moral progress, as well as its material growth.
JOHN OLIN CONNELL.
John Olin Connell. carrying on general farming on section 8. Providence township, is one of the enterprising agriculturists of the community. His place comprises three hundred and sixty-five aeres, which he has converted from raw prairie into rich and fertile fields, constituting one of the fine farms in the neighborhood. A native of Ilinois. he was born in Will county. November 26, 1858, and is a son of James and Sarah (Hayes) Connell, both of whom were natives of County Cork, Ireland. The father came from the Emerald isle to the new world when a young man, and settled in JJoliet, Illinois. lle secured employment on the Illinois and Michigan canal, and after a few years, when his industry and economy had brought him sufficient capital, he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty aeres, in Troy township, Will county, Illinois, whereon he reared his family. As the years passed he pros- pered and added to his original holdings until he was the owner of four hundred acres of land. About three years prior to his demise he retired from active business life and removed to Minooka, Illinois, where he died, in 1905, at the age of seventy-one years. His wife passed away in 1883. Both were members of the Catholic church. Mrs. Connell was a daughter of Patrick
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Hayes, who died in Ireland, as did his wife. They were parents of five chil- dren, three of whom came to the United States: Sarah, the mother of our subject ; Mary, the deceased wife of John McFadden; and Ellen, the wife of Patrick Tonhey, of Joliet, Illinois. The paternal grandfather of Mr. Connell was Charles Connell, who came from Ireland with his family as passengers on a sailing vessel which was several months in making the trip across the Atlantie. Ile, too, settled in Will county; Illinois, where he died at the very venerable age of ninety-seven years, while his wife. Mrs. Mary (Mahan) Connell, passed away at the age of eighty-five years. They were the parents of two sons and two danghters: John, a resident of Odell, Illinois; Elizabeth, the wife of William Maloy, of Fort Dodge, lowa; James, father of our subject ; Maria, now deceased, whose husband, a Mr. Riley, went to the Civil war bnt never returned.
The family of James and Sarah (Hayes) Connell numbered two sons and four danghters, namely: Ellen, who is residing in Minooka, Illinois; Elizabeth, the wife of M. J. Pickett, of Dauphin Park. Chicago; John O .; Charles, whose home is in Channahon, Will county, Illinois; Delia, who has entered a convent and is known as Sister Mary Clarence, in the Holy Cross Convent of Notre Dame, at South Bend. Indiana ; and Minnie, the wife of M. F. Riley, of Wilmington, Illinois.
John O. Connell was reared in his native county upon the home farm and supplemented his district school education by a high school course. He lived at home until he came to Iowa. and worked with his father. When twenty- one years of age he came to Iowa, and his uncle, William Maloy, assisted him to select the farm, which he now owns and which comprises three hundred and sixty-five acres. It was a traet of raw prairie when it came into his pos- session, but with characteristic energy he transformed it into prodnetive fields. The land is naturally rich and arable and responds readily to the care and labor which he bestows upon it. The place has been divided into fields of convenient size by well kept fences and the latest improved machinery is used to facilitate the work of the fields. The farm is supplied with good buildings and everything about the place indicates the careful supervision, practical management and progressive ideas of the owner.
On the 5th of January, 1886, Mr. Connell was married to Miss Mary . Kinsella, who was born in Grundy county, Ilinois. about three miles from Minooka. Her parents. Andrew and Elizabeth (Smith) Kinsella, were natives of County Wexford. Ireland, and came to America in early life and after their marriage settled in Grundy county .. The former was a son of Andrew Kinsella and the latter was a daughter of Thomas Smith, who came to America and settled at hoekport. New York, where he spent his remaining days. Throughout his manhood. Andrew Kinsella followed the occupation of farming to provide for his family, but died at the comparatively early age of thirty-five years, passing away on the home farm in 1871. His widow still survives him and makes her home in Minooka, Illinois. They were parents of three children : Jane, the wife of James Patrick Clennan, of Grundy county. Illinois ; Mary, now Mrs. Connell; and one who died in infancy.
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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Connell were born eleven children: Sarah, Andrew. James, Clarence and Clara (twins). George, Franeis, John, Charles, Mary IIelen and Evalena Marguerite. The parents were members of the Catholic church, and Mr. Connell belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. ITis political support is given the democratic party and he has been township trus- tee for several years. He was also township collector and township clerk while in Illinois. In community affairs he is deeply and helpfully interested, and has given support to many measures of the publie good. He has made a most creditable record in the business world and his success is the visible evi- dence of his industry and thrift. and indicates his capable management and keen business judgment.
E. J. EDWARDS.
Examination into the life record of E. J. Edwards brings to light the fact that there has been no esoteric phase in his career, but that his methods have always been such as will hear the closest investigation and scrutiny. He has wronght along modern business lines. his work characterized by unflagging industry and perseverance. Ile has been a factor in mercantile life in Alta for fifteen years, and he dates his residence in this county from 1882. A native of Livingston county. Ilinois, he was born August 13, 1871. and is a son of Charles HI. and Helen (Colver) Edwards, who were married in Bureau county, Illinois. The father was born in Ohio in 1844, but in early boyhood went to Bureau county, where he was reared. His wife was a native of Princeton and a danghter of one of the first settlers of the county, who seenred an old homestead claim at Arlington following his marriage.
Charles H. Edwards carried on farming in Livingston and Burean coun- ties, Illinois, for a number of years, and two children were born prior to the removal of the family from that state to lowa in 1882. Here Mr. Edwards purchased a farm in Nokomis township. Buena Vista county, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits and reared his family. Ile was for many - years numbered among the substantial and valued citizens of this community but since 1903 has made his home in Los Angeles, California. As the years went by he purchased more land from time to time until he became the owner of a half section. constituting a well improved farm. This ho cultivated until 1891, when he put aside the work of the fields and removed to Alta, where he built a residence property, which he occupied until his removal to ('alifornia. He was of a mechanical turn of mind and invented a self-feeder for a threshing-machine, but later sold his patent. He now owns property in Los Angeles, where he and his wife are comfortably situated. They were active and prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Alta, and they left behind them many warm friends in this community when they removed to the sunny south.
E. J. Edwards was reared in Buena Vista county and was educated in the public schools, being graduated from the high school of Alta, and later from
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the State Normal. He was a teacher here for one winter. after which he purchased an interest in the implement and machinery business, while subse- quently he extended the scope of his undertakings by adding a line of hard- ware. Ile now carries both shelf and heavy hardware, and he was also at one time engaged in the coal business. He likewise conducted a dry-goods and grocery store, but although he has sold his interests in those lines, he still retains his hardware and machinery business. What he undertakes he car- ries forward to successful completion and his energy enables him to overcome all the obstacles and diffientties in his path.
On the 19th of November, 1897, Mr. Edwards was married to Miss Lizzie B. Parker, a daughter of Samuel Parker, a prominent business man and farmer of Alta. Mrs. Edwards was born and reared in this county and by her marriage has become the mother of two children, Fay Marguerite and Mildred Parker.
In his political views Mr. Edwards is a stalwart republican. He has always been a temperance man and his influence is given in behalf of that canse. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as a trustee, and his wife is fully in sympathy with him in this work. for she, too, is enrolled among the members of that church. High and honorable principles have aetnated his life and shaped his conduet in all his relations to his fellowmen. During the quarter of a century in which he has lived in Buena Vista county he has enjoyed the esteem and friendship of the majority of those with whom he has been associated.
GEORGE E. HOBBS.
George E. Hobbs is classed among the old and highly respected citizens of Buena Vista county and is also one of the wealthiest landowners of this see- tion of the state, his possessions comprising four hundred and eighty aeres on section 29, Nokomis township. He was born September 27. 1847, in New Hampshire, not far from Lowell, and is a son of Francis Hobbs and a brother of Samuel L. Hobbs, of Storm Lake, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume.
George E. Hobbs was reared on a farm within twenty miles of Boston, Massachusetts, and acquired a common-school education. Believing that the new and rapidly developing west offered good opportunities, in 1871, he made his way to Towa and purchased two hundred and forty acres of land. which comprises a part of his present home farm. He broke a portion of the lan. and erected a house preparatory to moving his family, and made a permanent location here in 1875. As time passed and he prospered in his undertakings he added to his landed possessions and now has four hundred and eighty acres on section 29, Nokomis township. He also at one time owned farm property in Woodworth and Plymouth counties but has disposed of that. Ilis home farm is a well improved place, supplied with barns and outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. In 1906, however, he had the misfortune to lose
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his house and all its contents by fire, but he has replaced it by a nice residence. In addition to carrying on general farming, he is also engaged in raising and feeding stock, shipping from three to five carloads of cattle and hogs each year.
In August, 1870, Mr. Hobbs was married in Massachusetts to Miss Joanna Hennesy, who was born in the old Bay state. They have become the parents of seven children, of whom three died in early childhood, while Frank passed away when nine months old. Those living are: George E., Jr., who is mar- ried and is now engaged in business: Frank, who is married and assists in the operation of the home farm; and Mary, the wife of Al Larson, who is a nisi- cian of note and a member of the Larson Orchestra, while Mrs. Larson is also a talented musician and is a teacher of music.
Politically Mr. Hobbs is a democrat and in 1885 was elected county treas- urer on the democratic ticket, carrying the vote of twelve townships, although the county had formerly been a republican stronghold. Ile has also served as township treasurer and has been a member of the school board for several years. He was reared in the Unitarian faith, while Mrs. Hobbs is a common- icant of the Catholic church. During a residence covering more than three decades Mr. Hobbs has seen Buena Vista county develop from a prac- tically unimproved distriet into one of the fine farming sections of the state and has seen Storm Lake and Alta grow from mere hamlets into thriving towns. Ile has worked his way steadily upward and through judicious investments has accumulated a valuable property, which now supplies him with all of the comforts of life and today he is given prominent place among the substantial citizens of the county.
PATRICK CLANCY.
Patrick Clancy, a retired agriculinrist residing at Storm Lake, was born in Ireland in March, 1833. The father. Timothy Clancy, who was a farmer by ocenpation, spent his entire life in the Emerald isle. He wedded Miss Catherine Connelly, by whom he had the following children : Bridget, Mary, Maggie, Peter and Patrick, all of whom are living in the United States, with the exception of Mary, who is a resident of Ireland.
When a youth of sixteen years Patrick Claney crossed the briny deep to the United States, wishing to take advantage of the broader business oppor- tunities which he had heard the new world afforded. He first took up his abode in New Jersey, subsequently removed to Connectient and abont 1852 journeyed to Ilinois, securing employment on the Rock Island Railroad. He afterward worked on the Illinois Central and then turned his attention to l'arming.
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