USA > Iowa > Buena Vista County > Past and present of Buena Vista County, Iowa > Part 47
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The following tribute was paid to his memory by one who was closely associated with him: "In all our relations, extending over a period of nine years, we never heard him speak an indecent word or utter a profane oath. He never indulged in idle gossip. ITis mind was elear and free from the foul weeds that seem to fill the minds of many in our day. Ile was a total abstainer from strong drink. He had no bad habits. What an example his was to young men ! Such men in a new country like ours are so rare! Seldom do we see his like. He leaves behind him a good name for his wife and loving children. He was a good husband, a loving father, and honest citizen." Will some who read these words ask about his religions faith ? If they do
we can say that he always contributed largely and liberally to all the different church enterprises. He was no bigot. Towards all forms of man's beliefs
he had patience and charity. His frequent expression in regard to these things was "It's all right." no doubt being deeply impressed by that great idea so aptly expressed by Pope in the line: "Whatever is, is right." Ile believed in the good providence of a just God who would bring order ont of chaos. For his part, he was perfectly willing to leave the arguing out of the details of God's plan of government, to the priests and ministers. For him- self he was satisfied with the mild and benignant theories of the Universalist faith and was therefore a member in good standing of that church at the time of his death. Largely tolerant of the opinions of others he often said during his siekness "When I am dead invite all preachers to my funeral."
In 1859 Mr. Harker was married to Miss Mary Allison, who was born in England, a daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Thomas Allison, whom she accompanied to the United States as a child, the family home being established in Jo Daviess county, Illinois. IIer father was a well known Methodist minister and rode the circuit between the years 1844 and 1860. Mrs. Harker obtained her early education in one of the little log school houses so characteristic of pioneer times and subsequently attended St. Clair Seminary. Her first teacher was William R. Rowley of Galena. Illinois, who was a member of the staff of General U. S. Grant during the Civil war and later became prominently iden- tified with the Grand Army of the Republic, several posts having been named in his honor.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Harker were born nine children, namely: Anna A., Jane, James and Thomas, all died in childhood; Sibyl J. was educated in
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Storm Lake schools, later taking a special course in Wells College at Aurora, New York. She is the widow of George B. Kerlin. Nora Belle, educated in Storm Lake and later a graduate of Wells College. Aurora, New York, is the wife of Zeph Charles Felt, of Denver, Colorado. James J., educated in Storm Lake and at Faribault, Minnesota, is now a merchant at Nashna, Iowa. He married Ida MI. Petit of this county and they have one child, Mary E., educated at Storm Lake, Coe College, Cedar Rapids, lowa, and Ferry Hall Seminary, Lake Forest, Illinois, is with her mother in Storm Lake. Truman T., educated in Storm Lake and at the Military Academy at Orchad Lake, Michigan, is now deceased.
Mrs. Harker is well known and highly esteemed throughout Buena Vista county, where she has resided for more than a third of a century. Her aid and cooperation can be counted upon to further any movement instituted for the benefit of humanity at large, while her influence for good has been widely felt and has proved no unimportant element in shaping the lives of many with whom she has come in contact.
J. E. NEGUS.
At a time when a large portion of Iowa's rich land was being developed from a wild region into good farms, J. E. Negus came to Buena Vista county and undertook the task of transforming raw prairie into richly cultivated fields, owning here two hundred acres on section 12, Nokomis township. True, this seemed an arduous task but his attractive and well kept farm today shows that his efforts were not in vain. Mr. Negus is a native of the state of New York. born in Onondaga county, February 2, 1843, a son of Edwin and Hannah (Effingham) Negus, both of whom were natives of the Empire state, the former of Onondaga county. The father was a farmer by occupation and also operated a sawmill in the east until 1860, in which year he removed with his family to La Salle county, Illinois.
J. E. Negus was educated in the schools of his native county and was there reared to the age of seventeen years, when he accompanied the family on their removal to Illinois. Ile remained under the parental roof until the time of his marriage, which occurred on the 23d of January, 1867, when he led to the altar Miss Eliza S. Sherman, who was born near Sandwich, La Salle county, Illinois.
Following his marriage Mr. Negus made his way to Kankakee county, Illinois, and purchased one hundred and twenty acres of wild land, which he improved and on which he made his home during the succeeding ten years. On the expiration of that period he continued his journey into Iowa and purchased his present farm of two hundred aeres situated on section 12, Nokomis town- ship. He at once began to clear the land and prepare it for the plow and also erected a good country residence, barn and other outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock and in due time had made it a valuable property. Each year he gathers good crops as a result of the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields and he also gives much of his time to raising good grades of stock.
J. E. NEGUS AND FAMILY
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He feeds from one to two earloads of Duroe Jersey hogs each year and also a similar amount of Polled Angus cattle. Ile also raises Percheron horses and finds this branch of his business not only congenial, but profitable as well. Mr. Negus owns property in Alta and is also a stockholder in the creamery at this place.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Negus has been blessed with, four sons and two daughters, but they lost one son at the age of two years. Those living are: William, who married a Miss Broadstreet, and is engaged in farming in O'Brien county, Iowa; Scott. who wedded Miss Lulu Bruner, and also follows farming in Cherokee county, Iowa; Walden. who is engaged in farming in South Dakota; Hattie, the wife of Charles Warren, a farmer of Cherokee county, Iowa ; and Ruth L., the wife of George Lockwood, of Larrabee, Iowa.
Sinee age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Negus has sup- ported the candidates of the republican party, casting his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln. Ile has never sought public office, preferring to devote his time to his private affairs. He was interested in the early develop- ment and progress of Buena Vista county, reclaiming it for the uses of civilization, and this interest has never waned. A residence of twenty-six years in the county has gained him a very wide acquaintance and no man of this section of the state is held in higher regard than is Mr. Negus.
ERICK P. KRUSE.
Erick P. Kruse owns and cultivates an exeellent farm of one hundred and fifty-seven aeres on seetion 6. Newell township, and is also the seeretary of the Coon River Creamery. He was born near Rawberg, Denmark, July 10, 1862, and is one of a family of eleven ehildren, whose parents were Edward and Anna (Davidson) Kruse. The father is a laboring man and still lives in Denmark, but the mother died in 1888, at the age of forty-nine years. Both were Luth- erans in religions faith and Edward Kruse served his eountry as a soldier in the war of 1848. Their children were: Hans C .: Catherine, the wife of N. J. Kinnrup, of Newell; Erick P .; Helen, the wife of Peter Thorpe, of Denmark ; Edward; Maria, the wife of Julius Petersen; Grato, the wife of Matt Hansen ; and four who died in childhood.
Erick P. Kruse lived in Denmark to the age of nineteen years and acquired his edneation in the public schools. Ile early learned the vahie of industry and perseverance as factors inthe business world and throughout his entire life, his indefatigable energy and diligence have constituted salient features in his success. In 1881 he came to America and for a year or more resided in Detroit, Michigan. He then removed to Cedar Falls, Iowa, whener he after- ward came to Buena Vista county, where he resided for a year. On the expira- tion of that period he removed to Utah, settling near Frisco, where he followed silver and lead mining for about fifteen months. He afterward spent one year at Fremont, Nebraska, and then returned to Buena Vista county, where he was employed as a farm hand for about two years. His careful expenditure and
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untiring industry brought him the eapital that enabled him to purchase one hundred and fifty-seven acres on section 6, NNewell township, but has since sold twenty acres. This property he still owns and it is well cultivated and improved, lacking in none of the accessories and conveniences of a model farm. Ile follows farming along most scientifie methods, practices the rotation of erops, studies the soil and knows exactly what grains are best to be produced on certain traets of land. His work is bringing him well merited sueeess and he derives a good income from his farm, and also adds thereto through the profits of the Coon River Creamery, of which he is secretary.
On the 25th of January, 1892, Mr. Kruse was married to Miss Mary Work, a daughter of Christian Work. Mr. and Mrs. Kruse became parents of a son, Edward P. The wife and mother died in 1893, and on the 8th of January, 1894, Mr. Kruse was married to Miss Angusta Thompson, by whom he has four children : Emil H., George F., Anna and Greta. The parents are both members of the Lutheran church and are people of genuine worth, enjoying in large measure the confidence and good will of all who know them. £ Mr. Kruse belongs to Newell Lodge, No. 232. I. O. O. F., while his political faith is that of the republican party. He has served as school direetor, but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, preferring to give his time and ener- gies to his business affairs, which, capably condneted, are bringing him well merited suecess. Ile has never had oceasion to regret his determination to seek a home on this side of the Atlantic, and in a land unhampered by caste or elass he has made steady progress toward the goal of prosperity, which is the ambition of all worthy and enterprising business men.
NILS ANDERSON.
The Swedish element constitutes a large portion of the citizenship of Buena Vista county, and as a class none are more. enterprising and industrions or have more highly improved farms than do these citizens. To this class belongs Nils Anderson, who owns and operates a well kept farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres situated on section 9. Nokomis township. He was born in Helsingborg, Sweden, April 29. 1845, and was there reared and educated. At the age of twenty-one years he bade adien to friends and native land and emigrated to America, the year of his arrival to this country being 1866. From New York he made his way to Chicago and from there continued his journey to St. Charles, Illinois. He there learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed in that city and in Chicago for a mumber of years. It was during his residence in Cook county that he was married, February 21, 1873, the lady of his choice being Miss Annette Fossberg, who was also born in Sweden, March 17, 1847.
A year after his marriage, in 1874, Mr. Anderson made his way to Buena Vista county and purchased eighty acres of land, although he did not loeate thereon until three years later, but during those years followed the carpenter's trade in Alta. lle built the schoolhouse in Alta and also erected many resi-
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dences and other buildings in this section of the county. Ho eventually took up the work of improving his land, built a good country home, a barn and other outbuildings, set out fruit and shade trees, tiled and fenced the land and in due conre of time had added many improvements. He then located on his traet and has been engaged in cultivating the soil to the present time, although, until 1893, in addition to farming, he also followed his trade of car- pentering to some extent. As time passed and he prospered in his undertakings he added forty acres to his original purchase and later forty more aeres, so that his home place now embraces one hundred and sixty acres. He also owns eighty acres in Brooke township and one hundred and sixty acres in Murray county, Minnesota. In addition to general farming he also raises stock, feeding from one to two carloads of shorthorn cattle each year, and he also raises Poland China hogs, this branch of his business proving very profitable.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Anderson has been blessed with five chil- dren, two sons and three daughters, as follows: Alfred, who operates his father's farm in Minnesota; Amanda, the wife of M. C. Vold, a merchant of Jeffers, Minnesota; Oscar, who is on the home farm; and Helen and Amelia, who are with their parents.
Mr. Anderson cast his first presidential vote for General Grant and since that time has supported every republican candidate. From 1877 until 1885 he served as township trustee and from the latter year until 1906 was elerk of the township. At the present time he is treasurer of the school board and has been for seventeen years. He has also served as a delegate to county con- ventions. Aside from his private and publie interests he has also found time for the promotion of industrial interests and is a stockholder 'in the First National Bank, the Farmers Elevator and in the creamery at Alta, and he is also a stockholder in the Fair Association. lle is a charter member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Alta, having joined the order in 1872 and he has also filled a number of its chairs. He is likewise identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His record in public service is one of nnremitting and tireless toil, performed in the interest of the people. He is a self-made man, starting out in life a poor boy and working his way up to his present high standing in the business world and in the hearts of his neighbors by adhering strictly to honest and honorable methods.
VELORUS A. BRYANT.
Velorus A. Bryant is now living retired in Storm Lake. Various business interests have claimed his attention at different times and just prior to his putting aside all business cares he was for more than a quarter of a century connected with farming interests in Buena Vista county. Since 1895 he has lived retired, enjoying the comforts of life furnished by an ample competence, which he acquired in his previous industry and well directed labor. Ile was born in Ellicottville, Cattaraugus county. New York, September 12, 1835,
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and in the paternal line came of English ancestry. Ilis father. Ansel D. Bryant, was born in 1812. in Cattaraugus county, the family being founded in America while this country was still numbered among the colonial posses- sions of Great Britain. From the same ancestry William Cullen Bryant, the well-known New England poet, was descended. Ansel D. Bryant devoted his life to the occupation of farming. On leaving the cast he removed to Huron county, Ohio, about 1837, and there resided until 1862. In that year he took up his abode near Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he lived until 1867, when he came to lowa. From that time until his death he was a resident of Bremer county. Always a citizen opposed to slavery he was connected with the Abolition party at an early date, and was one of the workers on the under- ground railway prior to the war. His religions faith was that of the Meth- odist Episcopal church and his life was in consistent harmony with his pro- fession. He died in the year 1892. His wife bore the maiden name of Lydia Vining and was born in the state of New York and came of Scotch-Irish ances- try, although the first representatives of the name in America settled here at an early period in the colonization of the new world, and when the yoke of British oppression became intolerable there was those among the Vinings who bore arms in behalf of the cause of liberty.
Mrs. Bryant, like her husband, was a consistent Christian and held mem- bership in the Methodist Episcopal church.
Velorus A. Bryant was the oldest of a family of six children and the home farm was his training ground for life's practical duties. He worked in the fields during the summer months and in the winter seasons attended the dis- triet schools, later becoming a high-school student. He continued to work on the farm until August, 1862, when he put aside all business and personal considerations in order to aid his country then engaged in eivil war. He enlisted with the Twenty-fifth Michigan Infantry, as a member of Company HI. and served until the close of hostilities, during which time he was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant. He engaged in the battles of Knoxville, Atlanta, Nashville, and others of minor importance and took part in the grand review at Washington.
When the war was over and the country no longer needed his aid Mr. Bryant left the army and entered the service of the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad Company as agent. He opened the station at lowa Falls in 1867 and remained there as long as the station was the terminus of the road. He then opened the station at Fort Dodge, the road becoming the Illinois Central, and at that point continned for a year and a half. Later he accepted the superin- tendency of the Holiday Creek Railroad & Coal Company, with headquarters at Fort Dodge, and acceptably filled that position for three years, but desiring to engage in business on his own account he established a general store at Coalville, Webster county, continuing the business for three years. On his removal to Buena Vista county. in March, 1878. he settled on a farm in Hayes township and continued its cultivation until 1855. He made the fields a rich and arable traet of land, added many modern improvements to the farm and equipped it with all of the conveniences and accessories which are found upon
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the model farm of the twentieth century. He was quite successful in his under- takings and as the years passed he gained a measure of prosperity that enabled him to put aside further business cares so that he is now enjoying well- earned rest.
On the 26th of February, 1862, just prior to his enlistment as soldier of the civil war, Mr. Bryant was married to Miss Jennie N. Waldron. of Iluron county, Ohio, who died April 17. 1892, at the age of fifty-two years. On the 23d of December. 1894, he wedded Mrs. Ida Olive Rockfeller. a native of Bur- lington, Vermont.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Bryant is a Mason and he also belongs to Baker Post, G. A. R., of Storm Lake. He thus maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades and enjoys recalling the scenes and events which occurred upon the battle-fields of the south, when he followed the stars and stripes in the civil war. He is a stalwart republican, having always supported the party which stood as the defense of the union during the darkest hours in our country's history, and which has always been the party of reform and progress.
JOSEPHT H. ALLEN.
Joseph II. Allen owns and operates a well improved farm of two hundred and twenty-four aeres located on section 5. Maple Valley township, and is one of the successful agriculturists of this part of Buena Vista county. Mr. Allen is a native of the state, born in Dubuque county, March 4. 1859, a son of Joseph Allen, who was of English birth. He was reared and married in that country to Miss Maria Bagg. likewise a native of England. Emigrating to the new world, Mr. Allen became one of the pioneer settlers of Iowa and spent his last years in Dubuque county.
Joseph II. Allen, whose name introduces this review, was reared by an unele from the age of ten years. He remained in his native state until he had attained years of maturity, when he went to Nebraska. spending two years in the west. Returning to lowa, he was then employed at farm labor for a few years. during which time he carefully saved his earnings in the hope that he might some day become the owner of a farm. When such conditions were brought about, he invested in eighty acres of partially improved land, to which he added more improvements and began carrying on farming on his
own aeeount. As he prospered in his undertakings and acquired the neees- sary funds, he added to his original landed possessions from time to time until his farm now embraces two hundred and twenty-four aeres situated on see- tion 5, Maple Valley township. He has set out an orchard. built a nice country residence. a good barn. sheds, granaries and cribs, and now has one of the best improved farms of Maple Valley township. He raises the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and also raises stock on quite an extensive scale, annually shipping several carloads of fat stock to the market, where he commands excellent prices. He is also one of the organizers and one of the heaviest stockholders in the creamery and the Farmers Elevator at Alta,
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and is one of the public-spirited citizens of this community. interested in any- *thing that tends toward the betterment of the locality in which he lives.
Mr. Allen was married in Maple Valley township, on the 17th of October, 1888, to Miss Effie Wagstaff, a native of St. Lawrence county, New York. She was reared and educated there and engaged in teaching in the east and also for one year after removing to Buena Vista county. Following their mar- riage the young couple began their domestic life upon the farm on which they now make their home. Their union was blessed with three children but all are now deceased : Gladys Gale died in February, 1908, when sixteen years of age. Cland Kingston died in March. 1904, at the age of nine years; and Leland L., lived to the age of three, when he departed this life in 1904. Edna James became a member of their household when a little maiden of five years and she is now a student in the Alta schools.
Politically Mr. Allen is a republican but has never sought nor desired office. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is an official and an active worker, while Mrs. Allen also gives liber- ally of her time in all church relations. Mr. Allen is a man of good business capacity, of strict .integrity and moral worth and he and his estimable wife are highly esteemed by all with whom they come in contact.
M. T. FLETCHER.
M. T. Fletcher, who is one of the active and successful business men of Buena Vista county, being engaged in buying and shipping stock and also in the elevator and grain business, was born in Wysox township. Carroll county. Illinois. April 28. 1862. His parents were Burton and Aurelia (Humphrey) Fletcher, natives of Pennsylvania and Connecticut, respectively. Both are now deceased. When a young man the father removed to Carroll county, Illinois, where for a time he engaged in teaching school during the winter and in farming during the summer months, but later devoted his entire time and attention to agricultural pursuits. For thirty-five years prior to his death he was totally blind.
M. T. Fletcher was reared on the home farm and was accorded good edu- rational advantages. In early manhood he engaged in merchandising at Milledgeville and was thus successfully connected with the business interests of the town for thirteen years. In the fall of 1882. in Carroll county, Illi- nois, he wedded Miss Estella Ransom, who was also a native of Illinois and was a well educated young lady, having been a teacher prior to her marriage. Mr. Fletcher subsequently traded his store for a farm of two hundred aeres in Washington township. Buena Vista county, lowa. on which he located and resided for two years. He erected thereon a good dwelling, one of the best barns in the entire county and all necessary outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. In addition to the work of general farming he also bought and fed stock, meeting with gratifying and well merited success in both under- takings. At the end of two years, however, he returned to Illinois with his
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wife, who was an invalid and who was called to her final rest in Carroll county in March, 1899. Subsequently he returned to Buena Vista county. leased his farm and was employed by the Bradford Real Estate Company for two years. Later he returned to his farm, and was married in Storm Lake, on the 14th of February, 1901, to Miss Eva Myer, a native of Macon county, Illinois. Ile afterward settled in Truesdale, where he has since resided and where he is engaged in the buying and shipping of stock on an extensive and profitable seale. He likewise sells more than one hundred cars of tile annually, and recently took charge of the elevator and grain business, so that his interests are of a varied and important character. His connection with any undertaking insures a prosperous outcome of the same, for it is in his nature to carry forward to successful completion whatever he is associated with. He has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a careful man of business, and in his dealings is known for his prompt and honorable methods, which have won him the deserved and unbounded confidence of his fellow- men. He still owns the farm in Washington township but has leased the same.
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