USA > Iowa > Buena Vista County > Past and present of Buena Vista County, Iowa > Part 36
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the homestead and remained under the parental roof until he attained mature years. He and his father then entered into an agreement whereby they would share equally in the profits derived from their farming and stock-raising inter- ests and in this way the son made his start in the business world .. This not only brought to him a gratifying income, but also a wide experience that worked to his advantage when he began business alone. He eventually pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of land, to which he has added from time to time until his place now embraces four hundred aeres all in one body, and situated on section 19. Hayes township. TIe has fenced and tiled the land, which is now very productive, has planted an orchard, has erected a good resi- dence, supplied with all modern conveniences and accessories for the comfort of the inmates, has built a good barn and cribs, has a wind pump that forces water to various parts of the farm for watering the stock and there are also pipes running to the house, furnishing an ample supply of water for household purposes. Mr. Foell gives his time to general farming and stock-raising, mak- ing a specialty of red polled cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs, fattening from one to two carloads of each annually. Ile is also a stockholder in the eanning factory at Storm Lake.
Mr. Foell established a home of his own in November, 1892. by his mar- riage to Miss Clara Fultz, who was born in Allamakee county, this state, and there spent her early girlhood, but later removed to Buena Vista county. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Foell has been blessed with four children, but Guy died at the age of one year. The others are Karl L., Vernon L. and Caroline.
Politically Mr. Foell has been a life long republican but has never sought nor desired office, for he finds that his entire time and attention is needed in his private business affairs. lle is a member of the Storm Lake Methodist Episcopal church and his fraternal relations are with the Masons at Storm Lake. He is a public-spirited, progressive citizen, and although he has aecum- ulated a handsome competency he has never allowed this to in any way affect his demeanor toward those less fortunate. From early youth his duties have been performed with the greatest care and business interests have been so managed as to win the confidence of the public and the prosperity which should always attend honorable effort.
MRS. AUGUSTA CARPENTER.
Mrs. Augusta Carpenter is the owner of one of the beautiful farms of Providence township. It is situated on section 20. and contains two hundred acres of rich land well tilled. The buildings are all modern and of pleasing style of architecture and in the management of the property Mrs. Carpenter displays excellent business ability. A native of Lexington, Kentucky, she was a daughter of Benjamin Ludlow and Jane Morris Burnett. She is descended from English ancestry. Her great-grandfather was Daniel Burnett. Her grandfather, David Burnett, was a native of New Jersey and a farmer by occupation. Ile also served as justice of peace in his county and his decisions were strictly fair and impartial, while the many good qualities which he dis-
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played in the relations of life gained the high regard of those who knew him. His son. Benjamin Ludlow Burnett. was born in Madison, New Jersey. Sep- tember 27, 1822, and is still living at the advanced age of eighty-six years, now making his home with his daughter, Mrs. Carpenter. In early manhood he wedded Miss Jane Morris, who was born September 2, 1822, a daughter of Cyrenius Morris, a native of New Jersey and a farmer by occupation. ITis wife bore the maiden name of Hettie Evans and both lived to an advanced age. They reared a family of seven children. inehiding Mrs. Burnett, who died dur- ing the early girlhood of her daughter. Mrs. Carpenter. In the family were six children, who are all now deceased with the exception of Mrs. Carpenter. She was only two and a half years old when her mother died and she went to Illinois when three years of age to live with her aunts. Catharine E. Morris and Julia A. Bunn, of Warren, Illinois, who were her mother's sisters. She graduated at Trinity Hall. a young ladies' seminary at Beverly, New Jersey, and in 1886 was also graduated from Oberlin College, completing the classi- cal course. She afterward engaged in teaching. being connected for a time with the high school at Coon Rapids. lowa. while later she was a teacher in the public schools of Warren, Ilinois. She proved a capable educator, imparting clearly and readily the knowledge she had acquired, but she left the school- room to take charge of a home of her own.
On the 22d of July. 1884. she gave her hand in marriage to Dr. William J. Carpenter, a practicing physician of Warren, Illinois, who died March 9, 1896, at the age of thirty-five years. He was of English descent, his parents being born in England, while for some time they made their home near Lena. Dr. Carpenter was their only child. He was a gentleman of culture and intelli- gence and his loss came as a deep blow not only to his wife but also to the com- munity in which he lived. There is one daughter of that union, Gertrude Agnes Carpenter, who is with her mother. In 1905 they came to lowa and Mrs. Carpenter came to her fine farm on section 20, Providence township. In its management she displays excellent business ability and discrimination and at the same time manifests those attractive social qualities and traits of char- acter which have won her many friends, and which render the hospitality of her home most pleasant to those to whom it is extended.
LUDWIG ANTHONY TORKELSON.
No history of Buena Vista county would be complete without mention of the Torkelson family, for the work of improvement had scarcely been begun in northwestern lowa when the family home was established here and since that time representatives of the name have taken a helpful part in bringing the county to its present condition of improvement and prosperity.
Ludwig Anthony Torkelson was born in southern Norway, November 14, 1856, and is a son of Torkel and Enger Elizabeth (Smith) Torkelson, both of whom were natives of Norway, although the Smiths were of Scotch descent. Torkel Torkelson came to America in 1857 to Jook over the country and first
MR. AND MRS. TORKEL TORKELSON AND FAMILY
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visited Chicago, then a small trading point, where he had a brother-in-law liv- ing. Thence he went to Winnebago county. Wisconsin, where he remained for about two years and on the expiration of that period sent for his family, who arrived in the new world in the spring of 1860 after a voyage of about seven weeks. They joined the husband and father in Winnebago county, where they remained through the succeeding two years, when, hearing of the opportunities of the northwest, Torkel Torkelson started on a prospecting trip to that distriet of the country.
After reaching Buena Vista county and looking carefully over the terri- tory, he deeided to locate in this part of the state. When with his family he started for his new home the Civil war was in progress and he had to obtain permission from the state authorities to go from one state to another. In November they arrived in Fort Dodge, where the family remained during the winter, and in the spring of 1863 they reached Sioux Rapids, where they took up their abode in a log cabin on the banks of the Little Sioux river. There they spent the summer and in the late autumn, hearing numerous rumors of Indian troubles and receiving warnings that it was dangerous to remain in that part of the county, they removed, with their families, into a building on section 8, the settlers there fortifying the place and preparing themselves as best they could against attack. In addition to the Torkelson family the house was occu- pied by the Johnson and Stennerson families. Mr. Torkelson lived on that place for about three years, after which he built a cabin on the tract of land he had entered as a homestead-the southwest quarter of seetion 9. This has since remained the old home property of the Torkelsons and has never passed out of the possession of the family. The records of the county also show that this land has never had a deed or mortgage recorded against it with the exception of the railroad deed for the right of way. Torkel Torkelson spent his remaining days on the old homestead and was a prosperous farmer, adding to his possessions until he became an extensive landowner. Ile was honored and esteemed throughout the community and by all who knew him in other parts of the county. He served for several years in an acceptable manner in the office of supervisor and in a private capacity aided in the work of general progress and improvement. Three times he returned to visit his native land and look again upon the scenes amid which his earlier days were passed.
His arrival in this county dates back to its pioneer development and his memory formed a connecting link between the past with its many evidences of frontier life and the present with its modern civilization. As the years came and went he bore his full share in the work of development and progress in the northwest. This brief story of his life will in time become a lasting monument to his memory, more enduring than that of marble or stone. It will in the course of years be a priceless possession to his children and his children's chil- dren who bear his name and have inherited the property which he gained through his intelligent labor and unfaltering perseverance. He was a man of courageous and determined spirit, who bravely faced the dangers and priva- tions of pioneer life in order to make for his children and his descendants a home upon the frontier. His work was of an important character as he aided in transforming the wild prairie land into a tract of rich fertility. The family
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lived in pioneer style in a little log cabin amid the environment of frontier life, for when they came to the county much of the land was still unelaimed, being yet in possession of the government. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made on thousands of aeres which today are comprised within richly cultivated fields. Wolves were frequently heard howling at night and it was no unusual thing to see deer and elk and occasionally buffalo, while wild turkeys and prairie chickens and other feathered game were to be had in abun- danee. One could ride for miles across the country without a sign of human habitation in sight. The nearest market was Fort Dodge, a distance of seventy- five miles, and the trails across this stretch of prairie were intercepted by sloughs that were almost impassable. Ox teams were used to a great extent as they were better adapted to cross the sloughs. the cattle being more quiet and would keep on wading when a team of horses would plunge and worry.
In those days neighbors, though far apart. were well acquainted and hos- pitality reigned in almost every home. Many of the settlers started here empty-handed, possessing nothing save health and courage and willingness to work. It was not easy to aceumulate money and the "beautiful prairies," the "noble streams" and all the romance and poctie imagery did not permit the early settlers from becoming discouraged. As an offset to the many difficulties and hardships which they faced there was the free hospitality, the social equality and the kindly spirit which were found nowhere else. The traveler was almost always sure of a welcome in the early pioneer cabin. which was never full although there might be a guest for every puncheon. There was still "room for one more" and a wider circle would be made for the newcomer at the big fire. It was, however, a time for self-reliance and persevering toil. of privations cheerfully endured because of faith in the good times coming. The experience of one settler was just about the same as that of others; they were almost invariably poor, faced the same hardships and stood generally on the same footing.
During the first few years in which the Torkelson family lived in this com- munity there was an almost constant dread of Indian outbreak and when a stranger appeared in the neighborhood all listened anxiously to hear if he bore the report of "Indians coming." The years passed, however, and pioncer con- ditions gave way before the advancing civilization and the Torkelsons prospered.
The father, Torkel Torkelson, reached the ripe old age of seventy-eight years, and passed away February 6, 1908, but his name will ever be inseribed on the pages of Buena Vista's pioneer history. His family numbered five chil- dren, all yet living: Ludwig Anthony; Lena Marie, the wife of E. R. Stengland, who is living in Des Moines, lowa; Isabella, the wife of T. O. Anderson, of Sioux Rapids; Christina, the wife of Ambrose Stengland, of Cali- fornia ; and Julius, who married Martha Segurdson and resides on the old homestead.
L. A. Torkelson was reared on the old homestead and assisted in the work of the farm until twenty-six years of age, when he began farming on his own account on the place which he now ocenpies on section 9, Lee township. He is an energetic agrieulturist, who uses the latest improved machinery to carry on
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the work of the fields, while his energy and perseverance, guided by sound judgment, has brought the land under a high state of cultivation. He has today one of the extensive and prosperous farms of the county, owning four hundred aeres of land in one body, together with thirty acres of timber land and three hundred and twenty acres of unimproved land in Dakota. He also has equities in other lands.
On the 9th of May, 1889, Mr. Torkelson was married to Miss Stella Jacobson, a daughter of Henry and Martha (Hanson) Jacobson, both of whom were natives of Norway. This marriage has been blessed with seven children : Lawrence, Olive, Eilet, Howard, Joyce, Bendix and Silvia.
Mr. Torkelson has been prominent and active in community affairs and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have frequently called him to publie office. He has served as trustee of the township for about eight years, has been school director for about the same time and supervisor of the county for twelve years. He always votes the republican ticket and is a staneh advocate of the principles of the party. Ile and his wife are mem- bers of the Lutheran church and occupy an enviable position in the regard and esteem of their fellow citizens.
JULRIS TORKELSON.
Throughout his entire life JJulins Torkelson has been identified with farming interests in Buena Vista county. He was born in Lee township on the 17th of January, 1877, and is a son of Torkel and Enger I. (Smith) Torkelson, the former a farmer by occupation. Spending his boyhood days under the parental roof. he attended the schools of the county in the acquire- ment of an edneation and through the periods of vacation worked in the fields. As the years have gone by he has continued his labors on the home farm and eventually succeeded his father in the ownership of the place, which is now his property. Here he has a good tract of land. well improved and under a high state of cultivation. Everything about the farm indieates his careful supervision and progressive methods and he is well known as an energetic, progressive young man of good business ability in his chosen life work.
On the 28th of May, 1901, in the Little Sioux Lutheran church of Buena Vista county, Mr. Torkelson was united in marriage to Miss Martha Sigurdson and unto them have been born five children: Effie Irene, born April 8, 1902; Aledia Beatrice, who was born March 13, 1903, and died on the 31st of October of the same year; Christopher Theodore, born April 21. 1904: Omer Julius, June 29, 1905; and June Thor, born on the Sth of June, 1906. Mrs. Torkelson was born in Leland. Illinois. January 4, 1876, and was only a year old when brought to Buena Vista county by her parents, Thore and Ingrid Resvold (Olson) Sigurdson, with whom she remained until her mar- riage. Her father also followed the occupation of farming.
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Mr. and Mrs. Torkelson are members of the Lutheran Evangelical church and are widely and favorably known in the community. Mr. Torkelson has here spent his entire life and the many good traits of character which he has displayed have won him friendly regard.
MORDECAI ADAMS.
The enterprising little city of Alta numbers among its worthy and repre- sentative citizens the gentleman whose name introduces this review, who for seventeen years made his home here, while his residence in the county dates from 1878.
Mr. Adams. now eighty-three years of age, one of the most respected as well as venerable citizens of this county, was born in Ontaria county, New York. November 18, 1825. Ilis parents were John and Eliza L. (Davis) Adams, both of whom were natives of Chester county. Pennsylvania, the moth- er's birth there occurring in 1771. The father was reared upon what was the old homestead farm and there his marriage was celebrated. He and his brother eventually came into possession of that place and together continned its cultivation for a number of years. John Adams, however, afterward removed to the state of New York. settling on a farm in Ontaria county, where he reared his family and spent his last years, his death occurring in 1840. His wife survived him for a number of years.
Mordecai Adams is one of a family of six sons who reached adult age, but is the only one now living. One daughter of the family also survives. He spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Ontario county, New York, and to a limited extent attended the common schools, but is largely self-educated, and in the school of experience has learned many valuable lessons. In con- nection with a younger brother he bought out the other heirs in the old homestead in the Empire state, and owned and operated that property for a number of years. He was married in the town of Bristol, Ontario county, New York, October 18, 1849, to Miss Ovanda J. Gooding, who was born January 14, 1831. and was reared in the Empire state. Removing to Livingston county. New York. Mr. Adams there purchased a farm upon which he made his home for twelve years, when he soll that property and went to Ilinois, taking up his abode in Will county, where he enttivated a rented farm for six years. In 1878 he came to lowa and purchased land which had been entered by his brother, James D. Adams, who was one of the first settlers in this part of the state. Ile had been a prominent and influential resident of the county, was closely associated with its pioneer development and continued to reside upon his old homestead until his death. The first election in the county was held on this farm and Thomas Walpole still has the old ballot box, only abont nine votes being cast in that election. The farm comprises two hundred acres and, as stated, Mordecai Adams purchased this property, which he further developed and improved, making it a fine, modern farm. He erected a dwell- ing, also a barn and corneribs, and added all of the improvements and
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accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century. For thirteen years he continued to till the fields and then sold the property to his son. He still owns a place of forty acres adjoining Alta. and three hundred and twenty aeres of land in South Dakota. On retiring from the farm he bought a residence in the town and has since made his home in Alta, being numbered among its valued and honored citizens. He has done much for its improvement and progress and his name is inseparably associated with its history.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Adams were born four children: John G .. who died in Livingston county, New York, when but thirteen years of age; Effie B., who died in Buena Vista county when seventeen years of age; Albert A., who fol- lows farming in Nokomis township: and lda G .. the wife of Charles P. Holmes, of Alta.
In polities Mr. Adams was originally an old line whig but joined the republican party upon its organization, and has since been one of its stanch and stalwart advocates. Ile served as mayor of Alta for two terms. and gave to the city a businesslike and progressive administration. While acting as chief executive, and after that time, he gave supervision to the cemetery, keep- ing it up for ten years. In 1886 he was associated with thirteen others in organizing the fair association, was elected its first president and has served continuously since, maintaining one of the best county fairs in the state. He also set out the trees in the Alta Park, was appointed one of the first park com- missioners and has since acted in that capacity, giving much time to is super- vision. Although Mr. Adams has reached the eighty-third milestone on life's journey he is still a hale and hearty man, active and energetic, and while he has retired from business cares he is yet doing excellent work for the county in many ways, partienlarly in the upbuilding and improvement of Alta. His worth as a citizen has long been widely acknowledged, and his enterprise con- stitutes a factor in the county's substantial development. Ilis life has been an honorable and upright one, and his example of progressive citizenship is one which might well be followed by others.
ERNEST R. CONE.
Ernest R. Cone, one of the leading business men of Sionx Rapids, was born near Brooklyn, Iowa. December 27, 1875. his parents being W. M. and Eliza (Wooley) Cone. both natives of Vermont. They made their way to Brooklyn, Iowa, in an early day and thence went to Laurens, Iowa. where they still reside. The father followed general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career. but for some years has now lived retired, enjoying in well earned case the fruits of his former toil. Mr. and Mrs. Cone had a family of six children, namely: Edward; Alfred; Grace, deceased : May: Ernest R., of this review ; and Arthur.
Ernest R. Cone enjoyed liberal educational advantages in his youth. attending the common and high schools and obtaining his professional knowl- edge in a school of pharmacy. After having worked for some time as clerk
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in a drug store he bought out the drug business of II. A. Johnson in 1901, and has since conducted the establishment under the firm name of E. R. Cone & Company. He carries a well selected and extensive stock of drugs, wall paper, paints, oils, etc .. and is widely recognized as one of the successful and enterprising business men of the county. Straightforward and reliable in all transactions, he has gained the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens and well merits the extensive patronage which is accorded him.
On the 10th of January, 1906, Mr. Cone was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Cuthbert, a daughter of Charles and Mary ( Woods) Cuthbert, who are of Seoteh and English descent.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Cone has sup- ported the republican party, believing its principles most conducive to good government. Fraternally he is connected with Enterprise Lodge. No. 332. A. F. & A. M .. at Sioux Rapids. A young man. he possesses the enterprising spirit of the west, which has been the dominant factor in producing the won- derful development of this section of the country. Brooking no obstacles that honest effort can overcome, he has steadily worked his way upward until he now occupies an enviable position in the business cireles of Buena Vista county.
HORACE S. HUNTER.
Horace S. Hunter, who at various times has been connected with farming and building operations but is now living retired, deriving a substantial annual income from his landed possessions, makes his home in Newell. He was born in Franklin county, Vermont, July 28, 1834. a son of Alanson and Sarah ( Mallory) Hunter, both of whom were natives of the Green Mountain state. The paternal grandfather, however, was born at Ticonderoga. New York. He conducted a saw-mill and also engaged in general farming. His last days were passed in Franklin county, Vermont, where he died at a very advanced age. His wife was Eunice (Allen) Hunter, a relative of Ethan Allen, the distinguished leader of the Green Mountain boys in the battle of Bennington. They had four sons and four daughters: Ira. Levi, Lloyd. Noah, Lydia, Eunice, Betsey and Harriet. The maternal grandfather of Horace S. Hunter lived in Franklin county. Vermont, throughout his entire life and his family numbered one son and two daughters: Gilbert. JJulia and Sarah.
Alanson Hunter, following the occupation of farming as a life work, removed from Franklin county. Vermont. to Ohio in 1846 and settled near East Norwalk in Huron county, where he died in 1849 at the age of forty years. llis wife passed away in Indland, Michigan. in 1883. when seventy- seven years of age. She was a most estimable lady and held membership in the Methodist church. By her marriage she became the mother of seven ehil- dren of whom four are now living: Ilorace S .: Thalia Elizabeth, the wife of William Wilkes, of Grand Rapids, Michigan ; Stephen W., a resident of Cus- ter, Ohio; and Milo C., located in Louisville, Arkansas.
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