USA > Iowa > Buena Vista County > Past and present of Buena Vista County, Iowa > Part 44
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truth that industry and energy are valuable assets in every country and clime, and he resolved that he would build his fortune upon these qualities. He found work on a farm and after a short time spent in the fields secured em- ployment in a factory at Carpentersville, Illinois, where he was employed as machinist for three or four years. Ile had acquired a fair education in his own language and in Illinois also attended the common and higher schools, thus gaining a good knowledge of the English language, as well as the branches of learning in which he was instructed. After leaving the factory he secured a position on a farm near Dundee, in Kane county, and was thus engaged when, in 1865, he responded to the country's call for aid and joined the One Hundred and Fifty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He went south. joined the Army of the Cumberland and served until after the close of the war, doing guard, seonting and patrol duty most of the time . In the fall of 1865 he was honorably discharged at Springfield. He later returned to Dundee and for a short time was again employed at farm labor, while subse- quently he removed to MeHenry county, Illinois, where he engaged in general merchandising for two years. On the expiration of that period he sold out and learned the blacksmith's trade with his father-in-law. David Clarkson, and together they conducted a shop for a few years. Mr. Johnson then went to Chicago, where he was employed at driving a milk wagon for two years.
The year 1874 witnessed his arrival in Buena Vista county in company with David Clarkson, who had prevoinsly visited this locality, and had purchased six hundred and forty aeres of land-an entire seetion-in Maple Valley township. Upon this place Mr. Clarkson and Mr. Johnson located and bent their entire attention to developing and improving the farm. Their labors were soon manifest in the excellent results which attended their efforts, for the wild prairie was converted into rich fertile fields, from which they annually gathered abundant harvests.
In 1875 Mr. Johnson returned to Illinois and was there married on the 10th of March of that year to Miss JJanette Clarkson, a native of Scotland, who was brought to the new world when a little maiden of three years, by her father. David Clarkson, Senior. He was also born in the land of hills and heather and there married a Scotch lady. Miss Janette Crichton. Following his marriage, Mr. Johnson returned with his bride to lowa. settling upon the farm and devoting his attention to the raising of both grain and stock, resid- ing upon the farm for nine years. He then purchased a lot and erected a resi- dence in Alta, where he has since made his home. He has been identified with a number of business enterprises which have constituted features in the county's development and progress as well as a source of gratifying revenue to
himself. His wife is a member of the Alta Presbyterian church and he is a Master Mason, holding membership in the Alta lodge. As a public-spirited citizen he is influential, his opinions carrying weight with his fellow townsmen. while his efforts in behalf of general improvement have greatly benefited the community at large. Starting out for himself. at the age of fourteen years. entirely unknown and empty-handed, he has made a splendid record, achieving success that might well be envied by those who enter business life under much
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more fortunate circumstances, having the assistance of inheritance or influen- tial friends. He has depended entirely upon his own resources and as the architect of his fortune has builded wisely and well.
L. A. CLEMONS.
L. A. Clemons has resided in Buena Vista county sinee the time of its earliest settlement, being numbered among its worthy pioneers. He. owns and operates a farm of eighty-five acres, situated on section 6, Hayes township. and also has one hundred and fifteen aeres on section 5, which he rents. Mr. Clemons was born in Licking county, Ohio, January 6, 1839, a son of William R. Clemons, who was likewise a native of Lieking county, born in 1815, and was a son of William Clemons, whose birth occurred in Connecticut. The latter removed to Ohio in 1806 with a colony that went from Connectieut. William R. Clemons grew to manhood in Lieking county, Ohio, and was mar- ried to Miss Jane Alexander, who was reared in the same neighborhood and was educated in the same school. In 1859 they made their way to Mahaska county, Iowa, and, opening up a new farm, made their home there until 1880, when they removed to Alta, Buena Vista county, but after spending a brief period in that village took up their abode on a farm adjoining that of their son, L. A. The father died July 9, 1893, from injuries received in a eyelone which passed through this section of the state, and the mother passed away in 1906.
L. A. Clemons was reared and edneated in the Buckeye state, his early education, acquired in the common schools, being supplemented by study in an academy. In 1859 he removed with his parents to Mahaska county, this state, and later spent a time in Marion county. In 1868 he came to Buena Vista county and purchased land, and in the following spring made a permanent location here. He broke the sod with ox-teams, divided the land into fields of convenient size by fences, and built a sod house in which the family made their home for a year, or until Mr. Clemons could give his time to the building of a better residence. He then replaced this pioneer home by a frame house, which was built in 1875. Mr. Clemons improved his place with good and substantial outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock, planted twenty aeres of land to fruit, putting out a large apple orchard and a variety of small fruit and made the place a model farm property. He has been for ten years engaged in raising and breeding Poland China hogs.
Mr. Clemons was married in Lieking county, Ohio, November 30. 1858, to Miss Chloe N. Graves, who was a native of that county. She engaged in teach- ing when fifteen years of age and taught for four terms prior to her marriage. Her father, Claudius L. Graves, was born in Massachusetts in 1790, and was a lad of fifteen years when he accompanied his parents to Ohio, a colony of peo- ple from the old Bay state making their way to the Buckeye state in 1805. Mr. Graves was married to Miss Eleeta Rose, who was likewise a member of that colony and was reared in Lieking county. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs.
L. A. CLEMONS
MRS. L. A CLEMONS
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Clemons has been blessed with four children : Lewis F., who follows farming near Rush City. Minnesota; Rose, the wife of Fred J. Taylor, of Storm Lake; H. K., who is a commercial traveler, making his headquarters at St. Paul. Min- nesota ; and Nora E., the wife of Charles Schlieff. who operates Mr. Clemons' farm. On the 30th of November, 1908, Mr. and Mrs. Clemons celebrated their golden wedding, and while now well advanced in years they still enjoy good health.
Mr. Clemons was formerly a supporter of the republican party, having east his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, but in later years he has supported the men and measures of democracy. In 1870 he was elected to fill an unexpired term in the office of county treasurer and through reelection served in this position for five years. While thus engaged he spent four years in Sioux Rapids but when his term of office had expired he returned to the Farm. Mrs. Clemons is a charter member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Storm Lake. Mr. Clemons has in his possession a gold-headed ebony cane, which was presented to his father on his fiftieth wedding anniversary and which the son prizes very highly. Coming to Buena Vista county during the history of its pioneer development. he has, through his patience, energy and wise foresight, made for himself a good home and has assisted in making this community one of general prosperity. and now in the evening of his days he can look back over a life well spent and enjoy the many advantages and con- veniences which are found in this locality and which have been made possible largely through the efforts of such men as Mr. Clemons.
LOYAL E. BALLOU.
The distinctive and specific office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments but rather to leave the perpetual record establishing his character by the consensus of the public opinion on the part of his fellowmen. Throughout Buena Vista county, Loyal E. Ballon is spoken of in terms of admiration and respect. While he has in no sense, been a man in public life, he has, nevertheless, exercised a beneficial influence on the city and county of his residence, being one of the men of large affairs in this locality. Ilis interests have been a factor in the county's devel- opment and in the control of his investments he has displayed marked business ability and energy.
Loyal E. Ballou was born in Essex county, New York, in 1839, and was the third in order of birth in a family of seven children. Ilis father. Collin Ballon, was born in Rhode Island, and came of English ancestry. ITe was a farmer by occupation and removed to łowa at an early period in the develop- ment of the west. Hle settled in Clayton conty and then went to Red Oak. where his remaining days were passed. In polities he was an old-line whig and when that party passed out of existence he joined the new republiean party. He married Miss Samson, who was born in New Hampshire, and died in 1857. £ She too was of English lineage.
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Loyal E. Ballon was reared on the home farm and mastered the common branches of learning in the distriet schools, while later he attended a private school. He followed the occupation of farming in his youth and was early trained to the work of the fields. He afterward engaged in the tilling of the soil until the outbreak of the Civil war, when his patriotic spirit was aroused . by the attempt of the south to overthrow the Union and in May, 1861, he offered his serviees to the government and enlisted in Clayton county. lowa, as a member of Company K. First lowa Cavalry. He thus served until Septem- ber, 1864, and was mustered out at Davenport. At Prairie Grove, Arkansas, he was taken prisoner and was confined at Fort Smith, Arkansas, for two weeks, after which he was exchanged. He then returned to his regiment and was in a number of skirmishes. He faithfully performed every duty that devolved upon him, whether it called him to the firing line or stationed him on the lonely picket line.
When Mr. Ballou was mustered ont he returned to Clayton county with ereditable military record and there remained for a year. He afterward went to Madison county, this state, where he resided until 1886. when he came to Storm Lake, where he made a permanent location, and has since been one of the men of large affairs in this city. On the 18th of February, 1908. he and W. A. Jones organized the Security Bank, with a capital of fifty thousand dollars, and they are now doing a general banking business, Mr. Ballon being president and W. A. Jones. cashier.
Mr. Ballon married Miss Ellen M. Taylor. a native of Massachusetts, and they have two sons: Loyal E., Jr., who is now assistant cashier of the Security Bank ; and Ernest S. Both are graduates of the Storm Lake high school and of the commercial department of Buena Vista College. They are still at home with their parents.
Mrs. Ballon is a member of the Presbyterian church, and the family are prominent socially. In his political views Mr. Ballon is a republican but with- ont desire for office. his business interests making full claim upon his time and attention.
CHARLES PORATH.
Charles Porath, residing on section 2, Newell township, is the owner of nearly six hundred acres of valuable farm land. which he has accumulated as the result of his well directed thrift and enterprise. Ile started out in the business world empty-handed but he realized the fact that success can always be gained by industry and perseverance, and he determined that some day it should be his. His record may well serve to encourage and inspire others, showing what can be accomplished if one but sets himself seriously to the tasks of life.
Mr. Porath was born in Hermeldorf, province of Pommern, in the kingdom of Prussia. Germany, August 21. 1845. His parents were Michael and Charlotte (Kelle) Porath, both of whom were natives of Germany. The
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father was reared to the occupation of farming and worked at that pursuit nearly all his life. He served for three years in the regular army and was one of the king's guard. He died when about fifty-seven years of age and his wife, surviving him for a few years, passed away at the age of sixty-three. Both were members of the Lutheran church. Mrs. Porath was a daughter of Fritz Kelle, who died in Germany at an advanced age. His wife in her maidenhood was a Miss Born and she lived to an advanced age. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Porath were nine children, four sons and five daugh- ters, of whom six are yet living: William, of Newell township; Wilhelmina, the widow of Carl Schumann and a resident of Quincy, Illinois; August, a resident of Varina, lowa; Charles, who makes his home in Newell township; Frederika, the wife of Christopher Nitzke, of Storm Lake; and Johanna, the wife of William Degner, of Coon township.
Charles Porath spent the first twenty-three years of his life in the land of his nativity and then, thinking to find better business opportunities in the new world, he sailed for the United States and made his way at once to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was employed in and near that city for several months but in the fall of that year came to Iowa and worked on the construction of the Illinois Central Railroad. For twelve years he devoted his time and energies to railroading, after which he was married and settled in Newell township, Buena Vista county, where he purchased a farm of seventy-two acres, for which he paid fifteen dollars per acre. To that place he added from time to time until he now owns nearly six hundred acres of well improved land, together with some town property in Varina. He has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and the land is rich and productive. He is justly accounted one of the leading agriculturists of Newell township, having a val- nable property which he developed from the raw prairie. He has done as much perhaps as any other one man toward improving Newell township. He and his brother dug the large drainage ditch at their own expense and made tillable an extensive tract of land. They worked for five years on this ditch. Having no modern machinery with which to dig it, they resorted to the pick and shovel and hauled all of the dirt some distance to fill up a slough. Mr. Porath has always kept in touch with the most progressive methods of farming and his labors have been attended with a measure of success that is the merited reward of his earnest labor.
On the 8th of May, 1881, Mr. Porath was married to Miss Ulrika Degner, who was born in Schoen Valley, Pommern, Prussia, a daughter of Peter F. and Wilhelmina (Sell) Degner. She came to America when twenty-one years of age, settled in Newell township. this county, and was married in Coon town- ship. Her father died in Prussia but her mother afterward came to America and made her home with Mr. and Mrs. Porath until her demise, at the age of sixty-three years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Porath have been born nine children : Martha, the wife of Reinhold Hanke, by whom she has one daughter, Bernice ; Elizabeth, the wife of Otto Haag. of Newell township, by whom she has one daughter, Leola ; Augusta, the wife of Louis Nitzke and the mother of one son. Victor; and Herman, Charlotte, Minnie, August, Elsbert and Agnes, all of whom are under the parental roof.
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Both Mr. and Mrs. Porath were reared in the faith of the Lutheran church but are now identified with the German Methodist church. In polities he is a republican and has served as school director for several terms but other- wise has never sought nor desired office, preferring to concentrate his time and energies upon his business affairs, in which he has met with signal success. Ile is one of the old settlers of the county and has lived to witness a remark- able transformation here as the wild prairie has been converted into rich and productive fields, while hamlets have grown into villages and cities. He has the high regard of his neighbors and acquaintances, his friends being many in the county. while all who know him entertain for him respect and admiration for what he has accomplished. His life has indeed been well spent and his record is a most creditable one.
JOHN M. HEYWOOD.
John M. Heywood, in connection with his sister, owns two hundred and forty acres of land. situated on section 35, Nokomis township, known as the old Heywood homestead. Mr. Heywood was born in La Salle county, Illinois, July 7, 1860, a son of John and Sarah (Folsom) Heywood. the former a native of Massachusetts, born in 1824. He was reared in that state and in New Hamp- shire and later removed to Maine, where he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Folsom. a native of Portsmouth. New Hampshire. For a time the father worked in a factory in the east. but believing that the west offered greater opportunities to the ambitions man. he made his way to La Salle county. Illi- nois, and located on a farm. he and a brother-in-law each purchasing eighty acres of raw and undeveloped land. After improving and cultivating his tract for some years he purchased a farm near Toniea. La Salle county, where he made his home until 1884, when he removed to Buena Vista county and purchased a farm of two hundred and forty acres, situated on section 35. Nokomis township. This was an improved traet when it came into his pos- session and in due course of time he made it a valuable property. He spent his remaining years on this farm, passing away in December, 1896, while his wife departed this life in October, 1892. Their family numbered three chil- dren, of whom our subject is the only son. his sisters being: Elizabeth, who was married and reared a family of nine children. her death occurring in 1898; and Lucy, who is with her brother.
John M. Heywood was reared in Illinois and there received a good educa- tion, completing the high-school course. He was a young man of twenty-four years when he accompanied his parents on their removal from the Prairie state to Buena Vista county. He helped his father and assisted in the operation of the farm until the latter's death, when he and his sister Lucy purchased the interest of the other sister in the farm, which is still their home. The land is divided into fields of convenient size by well kept fences, while the soil has been made rich and arable through the rotation of crops and the practical methods of farming which Mr. Heywood employs in carrying on his work. In
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connection with general farming he also raises and feeds cattle and hogs, hav- ing some pure-blooded, registered shorthorns. He is also a stockholder in the elevator and the creamery at Alta.
Politically Mr. Heywood is a prohibitionist, adhering to strict principles of temperance. He and his sister are members of the Alta Presbyterian church, in which Mr. Heywood is serving as an elder and both are teachers in the Sunday school. They are well known in both Alta and Storm Lake, where they are highly esteemed, while by those with whom Mr. Heywood has business dealings he is known for his strict integrity and honesty in every transaction and is now numbered among the honorable and substantial agri- enlturists of his home locality.
NILS AUGUST LUNDVALL.
Nils August Lundvall, who devotes his time and energies to the conduct of a drug store at Sionx Rapids and displays keen discrimination in the man- agement of his business affairs, was born June 20, 1864, at Oscarshamn. Sweden, his parents being J. P. and Christina Caroline Lundvall. The father was a dyer by trade and is still living in Sweden at the advanced age of eighty- six years. The mother died in that country in 1902 when sixty-seven years of age.
The children of their family were as follows: Alida, the wife of Oscar Lundvall, a resident of Boone, Iowa; A. P., who married Emily Erickson and is a resident of Boxholm, near Boone, Iowa; Marie, the wife of G. E. Olsen, living at Rockford, Illinois ; and JJ. H., who married Sophia Swanson and made his home in Sweden. Ile was a sea captain who had followed that life for thirty-six years and died at sea in 1898. Three other children of the family died in infancy.
Reared in the land of his nativity N. A. Lundvall entered upon a three years' apprenticeship when sixteen years of age. He was in his nineteenth year when in 1882 he songht a home in the new world attracted by the land of promise of which he had heard such favorable reports. The vessel in which he sailed dropped anchor in New York harbor and he soon after made his way to New Britain, Connecticut, where he remained for two years when he decided to go to the middle west and made his way to Dayton, Webster eounty, Iowa. After a short period there passed he removed to St. Peters, Minnesota. He was well educated in his own language but found it was like commencing his education all over again to master the English tongue with all of its intricacies of grammar and pronounciation. At St. Peters, however, he entered upon a course of study in English. About a year later he returned to Dayton, Towa, where he engaged as a clerk in a drug store, filling the posi- tion for about a year and a half after which he occupied similar positions at Carroll, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska.
In 1890 Mr. Lundvall arrived in Sioux Rapids, where he engaged in clerk- ing for about six months in the drug store of Nordstrom & Company. He then bought an interest in the business and the firm name was changed to
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Lundvall & Company, under which style the store was conducted until 1899 when Mr. Nordstrom sold his interest to Mr. Ebersole. The firm then became Lundvall & Ebersole and continued in business until 1902, when the junior partner sold his interest to Mr. Steen, who some time later disposed of his interest to William Leighton, the firm name of William Leighton & Company being then adopted. Mr. Lundvall, however, continued as manager for that firm.
On the 7th of April, 1896, occurred the marriage of Mr. Lundvall and Miss Agnes E. Leighton, a daughter of Charles and Isabelle Leighton, both natives of Scotland, whenee they came to America at an early day. Three children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Lundvall: Charles JJohn. Marjory Adah and Isabel Caroline.
Mr. and Mrs. Lundvall are prominent in the community, having an exten- sive circle of warm friends. Ile is a member of Enterprise Lodge, No. 332, A. F. & A. M., and has also taken the Royal Arch and Knight Templar degrees, Hle likewise belongs to Sioux Rapids Camp, No. 288, M. W. A. He came to America empty-handed but determination stood him instead of capital and upon the foundation of his own industry and perseverance he has built his success. Ile is now well known in Sioux Rapids and a genial manner, cour- teous disposition and deference for the opinions of others have made him popular with his fellow townsmen.
J. LOUIS NITZKE.
J. Louis Nitzke, who is engaged in general agricultural pursuits and in building operations in Buena Vista county, is a worthy representative of one of the old and prominent families of this section of the state. He is a native son of the county, born December 8, 1878, of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. C. HI. Nitzke, mentioned elsewhere in this volume, while two of his brothers, Edward J. and Samuel L .. are also represented in this work.
Mr. Nitzke acquired his education in district school No.7 near his father's home, pursuing his studies during the winter months, while in the spring and summer seasons he assisted his father in the operation of the home farm. He completed his education when a youth of seventeen years, and then gave his entire time to farming interests, remaining under the parental roof until he had reached the age of twenty-six years. At that age he began business on his own account on a farm of one hundred and sixty aeres, which he had pur- chased in Coon township, and on this property he has sinee made his home This place is improved with excellent buildings, which are kept in a good state of repair and there is also a good orchard on the place and this is now in bear- ing. In addition to doing general Farming Mr. Nitzke also gives mich of his time to carpentering and in this connection is widely known throughout the county. He is an expert in handling tools and all who employ his services know that his obligations will be discharged with strict adherence to the terms of a contract.
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