USA > Iowa > Buena Vista County > Past and present of Buena Vista County, Iowa > Part 52
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PAUL A. SOETIL.
Paul A. Soeth, who follows farming and stock-raising in Grant township. Buena Vista county, is a native son of the state, born in Dubuque county, Sep- tember 1, 1869, of the marriage of Marx and Anna C. (Shroder) Soeth, both of whom were natives of Germany. the former born January 3, 1832. When a young man of twenty years he emigrated to America and spent one year in Davenport, Iowa. From that city he went to Clayton county, Iowa, and operated rented land for two years, while the year 1856 witnessed his arrival in Dubuque, where he first engaged in logging, floating logs down the Turkey
river. Later he took a contract to furnish eordwood for fnel on the engines of what is now the Towa division of the Illinois Central Railroad. He was a witness to the bringing of the first locomotive across the Mississippi river on the ice at Dubuque, forty yoke of oxen being used to perform the task. For five years Mr. Soeth was employed as elerk in a grocery and then engaged in merchandising on his own account, carrying on the business for five years. Disposing of his store, he invested in four hundred acres of land near that city and lived thereon for twelve years, or until 1884, when he took up his abode in Buena Vista county, purchasing his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Grant township. Ile is numbered among the county's substantial agrienturists, a man deeply interested in the welfare and progress of the community in which he lives. His wife died December 26, 1900.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Marx Soeth numbered three sons and three daughters who are still living. and they also lost one child in infancy. The living members are: August W., who resides in Storm Lake; Martin h., a resident of Lincoln township, Buena Vista county; Anna C., the wife of Peter Larson; Christine, the wife of Everett Powell; and Emma, the wife of A. M. Bellows.
The other member of the family. Paul A. Sooth, whose name heads this sketch, accompanied his parents on their various removals and began his edu-
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eation in the schools of Delaware, Iowa, pursuing his studies there to the age of fifteen years. After the removal of the family to Grant township he com- pleted his education in the schools of this seetion, attending to the age of twenty years. Ile has made farming his life work and now operates two hundred acres of land in Grant township, his farm being known as Pleasant Home. Hle raises the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and each year harvests abundant erops as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields.
Mr. Soeth established a home of his own on March 6. 1895. by his marriage to Miss Lilly K. Cole, who was born in Will county, Illinois, but was married in Storm Lake, Iowa. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Soeth has been blessed with three children, Norah Myrle, Dorothy Priscilla and Thomas Ralph.
Mr. Soeth gives his political support to the republican party, while his fraternal relations are with the Modern Woodmen and the Odd Fellows. He is a citizen worthy the admiration and respect which is uniformly given him, for in all his business dealings he is straightforward and honorable.
JOHN F. LAWSON.
John F. Lawson. a prosperous and well known agriculturist residing on section 7, Poland township, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. October 3. 1833, his parents being Henry and Elizabeth (Miller) Lawson, who were also natives of the land of hills and heather. 6 The year 1834 witnessed their omigration to the new world and. landing in New York, they sojourned in Buffalo for a short time, thence made their way to Cleveland, Ohio, and sub- sequently took up their abode in Beverly, Ohio. The father, who was a stone-cutter by trade, followed that occupation in Beverly for about twenty years. In the spring of 1853 the family removed to Winnebago county, Illi- mois, where the parents resided until called to their final rest, the father passing away in New Milford in 1874 when seventy years of age. while the mother's demise occurred in 1900, when she had attained the advanced ago of eighty-four years.
Unto this worthy couple were born the following children: Agnes, the wife of D. C. Miller, a banker at Newell, who passed away on the 10th of October, 1908; John F .. of this review ; Eliza, the wife of M. R. Waterman, of Marathon, Iowa ; Isabelle, the deceased wife of Channecy Gunsaulus, a veteran of the Civil war, residing in New Milford; Thomas F., who wedded Miss Sarah Zeek and makes his home in New Milford, his wife having passed away in February, 1907; George II., who married Miss Lorena Wyrnick, and resides in New Milford; Agatha, who became the wife of George Litchfield, also a soldier, and lives in Kewanee, Illinois.
When a young man of twenty-one years John F. Lawson started out in business life on his own acconni. On the 7th of November, 1858. he was united in marriage to Miss Lavina Pease, a daughter of Charles and Elmira
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NAY 74 02 - 502 Anniversary
MR. AND MRS. J. F. LAWSON
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(Benson) Pease, natives of New Hampshire and Maine respectively. The parents were married in the latter state and in 1855 journeyed westward, taking up their abode near New Milford, Winnebago county, Illinois. Charles Pease, who was a wheelwright and farmer by occupation, passed away in 1856 when forty-two years of age, while his wife's demise occurred in 1888 when she was more than seventy years of age. Mrs. Lawson was the eldest in a family of seven children, of whom six still survive, namely : Lavina, the wife of our subjeet ; Eliza, the wife of William D. Kewish, of New Milford; Warren, who wedded Augusta Warner and also resides in New Milford: Orissa, the wife of D. J. Hawn, of Oregon, Illinois; Albert, who mar- ried Esther Hawkins, of Sheldon, lowa; and Hannah, the wife of William Dunning, of Rockford.
Mr. and Mrs. Lawson have become the parents of twelve children. The first born died in infancy. Agnes, whose birth occurred May 12, 1861, resides in Newell, Iowa, and is the wife of George Ellison, by whom she has three children, Walter, Homer and Glenn, all at home. Charles, born July 20, 1862, resides in Clay county. He married Jane Gilmore and has one ehild, Roy. Thomas, whose natal day was February 16, 1864, lives in Lee town- ship. He wedded Lula Gant and has seven children: Orville, Ceeil. Leslie, Maxie, Opal, Mary and Homer. William, who was born September 6, 1866. and is a resident of Clay county, married Carrie Grewell, by whom he has six children : Estella, Esther, Viola, Loren, Edna and Florence. Isabelle, born June 20, 1868, makes her home in Amiret, Minnesota. She is the wife of E. T. Fulford and has three children, Viva, Evelyn and Ivas. Bertha, who was born April 19, 1870, is now a resident of North Dakota and is the wife of Herbert Dingman, by whom she has three children : Glenn, Gwen and Roy. Alice, born April 3, 1873, became the wife of George Collins and lives in Clay county, Iowa. George, whose birth ocenrred November 25, 1875, is still at home. Cora, born in June, 1878, is the wife of Judd Collins, of Sioux Rapids. Harry, born June 20, 1880, is yet under the parental roof. Elmer, born April 26, 1884, is also at home.
Subsequent to their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Lawson made their home in Illinois until 1870 and in the fall of that year removed to Cherokee, Kansas, where they remained for six years. On the expiration of that period they returned to New Milford, Illinois, and during their three years' residence at that place Mr. Lawson was engaged in a mill. In the fall of 1879 he landed in Newell, Iowa, having driven eleven hundred and seventy-five head of sheep from Rockford, Illinois, and averaging some ten or twelve miles per day He encountered thieves on the road who endeavored to steal the sheep. Dur- ing the first winter he lived on a farm within a mile of Newell, and in the spring removed to Fairfield township, making his home on his brother-in- law's farm for six years. Subsequently he came to Poland township and located on his present farm of two hundred and forty aeres on seetions 7 and 8, where he has since successfully carried on agricultural pursuits. In addi- tion to the work of the fields he has also engaged in stock-raising. both branches of his business returning to him a gratifying anmal ineome. His name has ever stood as a synonym for honesty and integrity in all relations
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and he is widely recognized as a representative and prosperous citizen of his adopted county.
In the course of his life Mr. Lawson has had some interesting experiences. During his youth he worked on the Mississippi river for a time, and at the age of fourteen assisted in taking a flatboat loaded with flour from Beverly, Ohio, to New Orleans. At the age of eighteen he started down the Mississippi in charge of a cargo of flour, when the boat struck a snag and began to sink rapidly. The skiff had broken loose and as there were three men on board who could not swim, Mr. Lawson was forced to prepare a way for his eom- panions to reach shore. He seized a long plank. known as the "lazy board." and placing one man in the middle and the others at cach end, he started for the shore, guiding the plank with one hand while he swam with the other. After coming to Iowa his worst hardships were the severe winters. The winter of 1881 was particularly severe, the snow completely covering his hay stacks, so that it was very difficult to secure feed for his stock.
Sinee easting his first vote for John C. Fremont, Mr. Lawson has ever supported the candidates of the republican party, believing its principles most condueive to good government. Recognizing his worth and ability, his fellow townsmen have called him to various positions of trust and responsi- bility and he has served in the offices of school director, trustee and road supervisor. He joined the Masonic fraternity of Ogle county, Illinois, on the 6th of July, 1866, and is a charter member of the Masonic lodge, No. 244. In religious belief he is a Universalist and has the favorable regard and esteem of all with whom he is associated. He has now passed the seventy- fifth milestone on life's journey, and an honorable and upright career has won him the veneration and respect which are so uniformly accorded him.
LEWIS PUTNAM.
Lewis Putnam, who is engaged in farming and dairying on a well improved farm of one hundred and twenty acres, situated in Coon township, was born in Boone county. lowa, December 24, 1867, and is a descendant of Israel Putnam. a well known general of the American Revolution. The father, Benjamin Putnam. was born in New York and there engaged in farm- ing until about the close of the Civil war, when he came to lowa and made a permanent location in Boone county. He first purchased a farm of eighty acres and as time passed and his financial resources permitted he added to his original holdings until at one time he was the owner of three hundred and sixty acres. His wife bore the maiden name of Samantha Purinton. She was born in Vermont and by her marriage became the mother of twelve chil- dren and reared nine of them. the brothers and sisters of our subjeet being: Milton, who is a merchant in Woodward, lowa; Ernest, who follows farming; Mary, the wife of Samuel Harker; Ulysses, a merchant of Perry, Iowa ; Rena, the wife of Philip Miller: Carrie, the wife of Newton Bonten; Cora, the wife of Claud Kugler; and Frank, who carries on farming in Boone county. The
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mother is still living but the father was called to his final rest in 1901. was a republican in his political views and affiliations, and in religions faith was a Methodist. Mrs. Putnam also belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.
Lewis Putnam acquired his education in the distriet schools of Boone county, completing his education at the age of twenty-one years. During this time he had been trained to the duties of the home farm and after attain- ing his majority he worked for his father for one year. He then started out upon his own account by operating rented land in Boone county for one year. On the expiration of that period, feeling justified in investing in land of his own, he came to Buena Vista county and purchased one hundred and twenty acres in Coou township, and this has been his home to the present time. He has improved the place with good buildings, has set out a good orchard and much small fruit and the place is well supplied with water. h addition to general agricultural pursuits, Mr. Putnam also raises stock, mak- ing a specialty of registered Durham cattle. IIe is a man of good business ability and keen foresight and his labors are being attended with a gratifying measure of prosperity.
Mr. Putnam chose as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life Miss Martha Pray, who was born in Marion county, Iowa, and by her marriage she has become the mother of six children: Earl, Demia, Cora, Myrtle, Orville and Florence, all still under the parental roof.
Mr. Putnam gives stanch support to the republican party. He belongs to that class of representative young men who rapidly diseern opportunities of improvement and who are rapidly forging to the front. Brooking no obsta- eles that can be overcome by honorable and determined effort, he is working his way upward and is already favorably known in business circles because of his capability and laudable ambition.
OSCAR W. HELBERG.
Oscar W. Helberg, who is successfully engaged in general farming and stock-raising on two hundred aeres of land, situated on section 16, Nokomis township. has made his home in Buena Vista county since 1881, coming here from Chicago, Illinois, where he was born Angust 6, 1873, a son of N. P. and Christena (Helgerson) Helberg, both of whom were born in Sweden. The father came as a young man to the new world, and locating in Chicago, there worked at the carpenter's trade, which he had learned in his native country. He was married in that city and there made his home until 1881. in which year he removed to Buena Vista county, having in the meantime made a trip here and purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, paying for the same nineteen dollars and a half per acre. Upon taking up his abode thereon he at once began to develop and improve the land and when he found himself in possession of the necessary funds, invested in eighty acres adjoining his first purchase. He later built a good residence, two good barns and other substan-
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tial ontbuildings, and made his home thereon until 1901, when he purchased land in Chisago county, Minnesota, his farm comprising one hundred and sixty acres. Ile built a residence in the town of Lindstrom, and there makes his home, deriving his income from the rental of his farm.
Oscar W. Helberg was a little lad of eight years when the family removed from Chicago to Buena Vista county, so that he was practically reared in this state. He was educated in the common schools and also enjoyed a year's study in Highland Park College. at Des Moines, where he took a course in electrical engineering. After completing his studies he spent six years in Chicago, three years of which he was in the employ of a wholesale house and three years worked at railroading. It was while making his home in that city that he was united in marriage on the 24th of May. 1899, to Miss Kate C. Mahn, who was born and reared in Buena Vista county.
Following their marriage the young couple located in Chicago. where they lived for two years, subsequent to which period be brought his young wife to Buena Vista county and located on his present farm, comprising two hundred acres, located on section 16. Nokomis township. Ile is engaged in general farming but makes a specialty of raising and feeding cattle for the market and this branch of his business is proving successful. Ile is also a stockholder in the Alta creamery.
Politically Mr. Helberg is a republican but has never been an aspirant to publie office. His fraternal relations are with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Hle is wide-awake and alert, utilizing the opportunities as they vome to him, and today he finds proper place with the county's substantial and progressive citizens.
JOHN N. REDING.
John N. Reding is a retired farmer living in Newell. He was born in Luxemberg. Germany. November 15, 1832, his parents being Anton and Mary (Hemmer) Reding, who were also natives of the fatherland. Little is known concerning the ancestral history of the family in the paternal line. The maternal grandfather was Nicholas Hemmer. a native of Germany. who mar- ried Margaret Schmidt and followed the occupation of farming as a life work. He died at the age of eighty-nine years, while his wife passed away when seventy-six years of age. They were the parents of six children : Jacob. Mary. John. JJohn Peter. Nicholas and Margaret.
Anton Reding followed agricultural pursuits in Germany and died there abont 1812 when a comparatively young man. His wife survived him to the advanced age of eighty-nine years. Both were Catholics in religions faith. Their family numbered three sons and three daughters : Margaret and Nieholas, both deceased : John N .; John Peter, who has passed away; Margaret. the see- ond of the name ; and Susan. the wife of Prosper Roll.
John N. Reding was reared on the home farm in Germany and pursued his education in the public schools of that country. Ile was a young man of
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twenty-five years when he crossed the Atlantic. He had heard reports con- cerning business opportunities and advantages that led him to seek a home in the new world and for three years he continued as a resident here. He then returned to Germany, but his love of the United States had taken strong hold upon him and in 1863 he once more came to American shores. Making his way into the interior of the country, he settled at Worthington, Dubuque county, Iowa, where he lived for two years, and then removed to Delaware county. In 1871 he cast in his lot with the early settlers of Sac county, at which time Indians still lived within its borders, remaining there for three or four years before they left for reservations farther west. It was indeed a frontier district, having few modern improvements or evidences of a pro- gressive civilization. Mr. Reding, therefore, became one of the founders and upbuilders of the county. He purchased one-half section of land in Delaware township and with characteristic energy began the arduous task of developing a new farm, on which he lived for thirteen years. He then removed to Newell township, Buena Vista county, and bought seventy-one acres. IFe later added thirty-one acres to that tract. HIe afterward invested in eighty acres in Providence township but has since sold a portion of his land, his holdings embracing one hundred and eighty-two acres. In 1893 he removed to Newell, where he has since lived retired, owning and occupying an attractive home in the village. Ile was always an energetic farmer and his never faltering industry constituted the secret of his success.
In February, 1863, Mr. Reding was married to Anna Etien, a daughter of Nicholas and Anna (Busch) Etien. She was born in Luxemberg, Germany. Her parents were also natives of that country. They had five children, of whom two are now living : Mary, the wife of John Hamen, of Luxemberg; and Theressa, who is also living there. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Reding have been born ten children. Katie, the eldest, is the wife of Matt Steger and they have seven children living; Theressa, the wife of Fred Wheeler; Theodore, John, Maggie, Gertrude, Verona and Esteline. Mr. and Mrs. Steger occupy the old home farm of Mr. Reding in Newell township. Mary, the second daughter, is the wife of John Benn, of South Shore, South Dakota, and they have ten children : Annie, Nicholas, Joseph, Celia, Hubert, Kate, William, Walter, Henry and Leroy. Frank, the eldest son of the family, follows farming in Providence township and married Mamie Kair, by whom he has four children : Leroy, Archibald, Harvey and Ernest. Josephine is the wife of John Sauter, engineer of the tile factory in Newell, and they have one living child, Archibald. Wilhelmina is the wife of Chauncey Warren and has three chil- dren : Irene Edna, Edison Lincoln and Gladdys. Adolph, employed in the car shops at Devils Lake, North Dakota, married Lena Penner and has two chil- dren, John and Eva. The other four children died in early childhood. The mother passed away in 1883, at the age of forty-five years. She was a mem- ber of the Catholic church, to which Mr. Reding also belongs. He has now passed the seventy-fifth milestone on life's journey and is one of the respected and honored residents of the county. lle can relate many interesting inei- dents of the early days when northwestern lowa was a wild and undeveloped region inhabited by Indians, while over the prairies roamed various kinds of
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wild animals. Feathered game could be had in abundance and only here and there had a little home been built to show that the work of civilization had been begun in this district. Mr. Reding bore his full share in the work of promoting the agricultural development and to his labors may be attributed the snecess which now enables him to live retired and enjoy the comforts and many luxuries of life.
MARTEN ANKERSEN.
Marten Ankersen, who follows farming and stock-raising on two hundred and sixty acres situated on section 20, Nokomis township, is one of the worthy citizens of foreign birth that have come to Buena Vista county empty-handed and in this rich agricultural district have accumulated good farms. Mr. Ankerson was born in Denmark, March 21, 1841, a son of Louis Hansen and Anna (Thompson) Ankerson. The father was a cooper by trade and fol- lowed that ealling throughout his entire life. Ilis family numbered two sons and one daughter, the other members of the family being: Hans L., who spent his entire life in Denmark; and Mary, the wife of Nels Christensen, a resi- (lent of Denmark.
Marten Ankerson was reared on a farm in his native country and there remained until he had reached the age of twenty-seven years when, in 1868, believing that the new world offered better business advantages to the ambi- tious young man, he emigrated to the new world. Seventeen days were spent on the ocean, during five or six days of which they encountered very rough weather. He landed in New York in June of the above year and from that city went direct to Moweaqua, Shelby county, Illinois, and from that place he continued his journey to Christian county, that state, where he was employed at farm labor for six or seven years, receiving for the first year's work the meager sum of nine dollars per month. Hle soon demonstrated his ability and willingness to work, however, so that his salary was increased from year to year until he received a wage of thirty-two dollars per month. On the expiration of that period he felt justified in establishing a home of his own and in Chris- tian county invested in eighty acres of land, which he cultivated for five years. when he disposed of it and removed to Buena Vista county, purchasing his present farm of one hundred and sixty aeres, for which he paid nineteen dol- lars and sixty cents per acre. The land had been broken and a little shanty stood on the place. lle lived in that pioneer home for some ten or twelve years, when this shanty was replaced by a nice residence. He also built a good barn, fenced his land with barbed and woven wire fencing, set out a grove and made the place attractive as well as valuable. Ile later added an additional one hundred aeres, paying for this sixty dollars per aere. Hle
raises and feeds cattle and hogs, shipping to the city markets each year. He is also a stockholder in the elevator and creamery at Alta and has become a very successful man.
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It was during his residence in Christian county, Illinois, that Mr. Ankerson was first married, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Byer, whom he wedded in November. 1869. This union was blessed with two children but they were called upon to mourn the loss of their first-born; and Anna, the see- ond, also died at the age of eight years. After the death of the wife and mother, Mr. Ankerson was again married in 1885 to Anna Marie Johnson, who was born in Sweden. This union has been blessed with eight children: Albert, Kaiser, Elmer, Clara, Segard, Ross, Anna and Lillie.
Politically Mr. Ankerson is a republican but has never sought nor desired publie office, although for the past two years he has served as road supervisor and he is also a school director. His religious faith is indicated by his mem- bership in the Danish Lutheran church at Alta. Few American-born men fully realize the opportunities and advantages that are to be enjoyed in this country, but the foreign-born citizens upon coming here appreciate this fact and utilizing the opportunities that come to them, gradually work their way upward to a place among the substantial residents of their adopted country and this is what Mr. Ankerson has done.
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