USA > Iowa > Buena Vista County > Past and present of Buena Vista County, Iowa > Part 54
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Mr. Hollingsworth gives his political support to the men whom he deems best qualified for office, regardless of party ties and affiliations. lle is a Mason, belonging to the blue lodge at Alta, the chapter at Storm Lake, the Cherokee commandery and to the Mystic Shrine of Des Moines. He has served through all the chairs of the lodge and is now a past master. He is an expert mechanic and holds to high ideals, both in the methods of his work and in matters of citizenship, and he is therefore regarded as a man of worth in his community.
H. A. HELBERG.
II. A. Helberg, who is one of the prosperous and progressive farmers and dairymen of Nokomis township, owns and operates a well improved and valua- ble farm of one hundred and twenty acres within four and a quarter miles of Alta. He was born in Sweden, October 10, 1852, his parents being Andres and Johanna IFelberg, also natives of that country. Their family numbered three children, namely : H. A., of this review; Nels, whose demise occurred in 1905; and Christina, a resident of Denver. The father, who followed the trade of cabinet making in Sweden, passed away in that country, and the mother, accompanied by her children, Nels and Christina, emigrated to the United States, joining her son. H. A., in Chicago. Later the little party removed to Denver, where Mrs. Helberg passed away in 1907. while her son Nels was called to his final rest in 1905.
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HI. A. Helberg was reared in Landskrona, Sweden, and acquired his educa- tion in the schools of that country, there also learning the painter's trade. In 1873 he erossed the Atlantic to the new world and took up his abode in Chi- cago, working at his trade in the western metropolis for several years. On the 16th of November. 1878, he was there married to Miss Selma Amelia Johnson, who was also born in Sweden, August 24, 1857. In the year 1883 the young couple located on a tract of eighty acres in Buena Vista county, Iowa, which Mr. Helberg had previously purchased. After opening up and improving the farm he sold it and bought eighty aeres where he now resides on section 31. Nokomis township. As the years passed by he brought the fields under a high state of cultivation and placed many substantial improvements thereon, including the erection of a good barn, hog house and all necessary outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. He likewise added to and remodeled the residence, and later extended the boundaries of his property by an additional purchase of forty acres. A well kept grove and orchard enhance the attractive appear- ance of the place, and Mr. Helberg is widely recognized as one of the successful and enterprising agriculturists of the community. In addition to the work of general farming he is also engaged in raising and feeding stock and likewise condnets a dairy business, meeting with a gratifying and well merited measure of prosperity in all his undertakings.
Mr. and Mrs. Helberg have two children, namely : Helmer, who assists his father in the work of the home farm; and Esther, the wife of Ed E. Jones, of Alta. In his political views Mr. Helberg is a staneh republican and has served as school director, the cause of education ever finding in him a stalwart champion. Coming to the new world in order that he might take advantage of the broader business opportunities here offered, he has worked diligently and persistently to achieve the success which he now enjoys and which entitles him to representation among the substantial citizens of his adopted county ..
II. V. GEISINGER.
II. V. Geisinger, who Follows farming and stock-raising on a farm of three hundred and twenty acres situated on seetion 34, Storm Lake township, is one of the progressive and prosperous citizens of this part of Buena Vista county. He was born near Mendota in Lee county, Illinois, July 31. 1861, a son of David and Sarah G. (Barrett) Geisinger, the former born in Pennsyl- vania in 1829. Mr. Geisinger went to Illinois as a young man and there worked at the carpenter's trade in early life, while later he engaged in farm- ing. In 1900 he removed to lowa and spent his last years in Storm Lake, passing away November 8, 1904. Ilis widow is still living and yet makes her home in Storm Lake, and four sons and two daughters of the family also survive.
HI. V. Geisinger acquired his education in the schools of his native county and remained under the parental roof until he had reached the age of twenty years. At that time he became imbued with a desire to see something of the
H. V. GEISINGER
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MRS. H. V. GEISINGER
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newer west and to make a place in the world for himself. Accordingly he went to Clay county, Iowa, and sought and secured employment as a farm hand by the month. He carefully saved his earnings in the hope that he might eventually become a landholder and in a few years his anticipations were realized when he became the owner through purchase of two hundred and eighty aeres of land in Clay county. He enltivated this tract for a time but eventually disposed of it and purchased a second tract. He later invested in three hundred and twenty acres there, which he rented. He engaged in farming near Sioux Rapids for twenty-two years, when, in 1902, he purchased his present farm property of two hundred and forty acres, later adding eighty aeres on seetion 34, Storm Lake township, within a mile of the eity of Storm Lake. He still owns a half section of land near Sioux Rapids in Clay county. He is engaged in general farming, raises and feeds stock and also gives some time to the dairy business. He ships from two to three hundred head of cattle and from one hundred and fifty to three hundred head of hogs annually. Mr. Geisinger displays excellent business judgment in carrying on his affairs and his labors are resulting in a gratifying success.
Mr. Geisinger was married in Lee county, Illinois, on the 5th of February, 1885, to Miss Kate Pierce, a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Cole) Pieree. Her father was born, reared and married in Pennsylvania, and from that state removed to Illinois, where he engaged in farming for several years. About 1882 he became a resident of Bedford. Taylor county, Iowa, where he died seventeen years ago, but his wife is still living. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Geisinger were born seven children, of whom one, Carroll E., died in infancy, the sur- vivors being : Forest, who is now pursuing a musical course in Chicago; Glen H., at home; Crystal G .; Lawrence G .; Charlotte Irene ; and Arlo Wayne.
Politically Mr. Geisinger is a republican but has never sought nor desired publie office. Ile and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church at Storm Lake. He is well known both in Clay and Buena Vista counties as a progressive, publie-spirted man, and his cooperation can always be counted upon to further the best interests of his home locality. His success has come to him through hard work and through judieions investment and today he stands as one of the prosperous men of Buena Vista county.
ROY B. SMITH.
Roy B. Smith, a successful and well known druggist of Sioux Rapids, was born in Vinton, Iowa, November 7, 1874. his parents being Il. D. and Jennie (Barr) Smith, natives of Canada and Ohio respectively. The father, who, throughout the greater part of his business career, was connected with morean tile pursuits, is now living retired at Dakotah, Iowa. During the time of the Civil war he loyally fought for the Union cause as a member of Eleventh Illinois Cavalry, under Robert Ingersoll. The mother of our subject is deceased, having been called to her final rest in 1891.
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Roy B. Smith acquired his education in the public schools, and on start- ing out in business life became connected with the drug business at Bradgate. Iowa, where he remained for about seven years. Selling out on the expira- tion of that period. he was subsequently employed as' prescription druggist in several different places. The year 1902 witnessed his arrival in Sioux Rapids and he has since been identified with the drug trade here, being widely recognized as one of the substantial, progressive and enterprising merchants of the county.
In 1900 Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss May Hardy, by whom he has a son, Carvel Hardy. Hle is a member of the Commercial Club of Sioux Rapids and also takes an active interest in literary matters.
STEPHEN OLNEY, M. D.
No history of the growth and development of Buena Vista county would be complete without mention of Dr. Olney, who was the first regular praetieing physician within its borders. A physician's life, even in these days of modern convenienees, is more or less fraught with hardships and exposure, while long sleepless hours and constant contact with siekness and suffering render his work at times anything but pleasant. However, the conditions that the pioneer practitioner faced were much more arduous. His patients were widely seat- tered over a broad territory in a country where roads, if they existed at all. were very poor. while often only a trail led across the prairie. He must respond to the calls, even though they forced him to meet the blinding storms of winter. when the snow was driven before the wind over bleak and desolate prairies ; again he must take similar long rides through the summer's heat and must cross the sloughs, which rendered travel at all times difficult. The little cabins to which he was called had few conveniences or opportunities for a proper care of the sick and the physician was usually at his wits end to bring about conditions that would prove beneficial to his patient. There were no professional nurses and while loving hearts and willing hands offered every assistance possible, the people were usually unskilled in the best methods of caring for those who were ill. Amid such environment' Dr. Olney entered upon active practice in Buena Vista county, but while his work entailed much personal sacrifice and suffering, he did for his fellowmen a labor the value of which could not be over-estimated. He was the only physician for miles around and his coming was indeed a boon to the community.
Dr. Olney was born in Pennsylvania, March 2, 1846, and is a son of Stephen and Alice (Goodrich) Olney, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. He arrived in Buena Vista county in April. 1869, being at that time a young man of twenty-three years. He took up the first claim of government land in Poland township but about a year later he sold that property and entered upon the practice of medicine, locating in Sioux Rapids as the first physician in the county. This portion of the state was then so sparsely settled that for the first year or more there was not much for him to do and he occupied his time
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with executing a commission to foot up the accounts in the treasurer's office and also do the necessary elerical work in connection with the tax lists. IIe likewise busied himself at surveying to some extent but after a few years the growth in the county's population left him no time for outside interests, his entire attention being demanded by his inereasing practice. At times his duties were so onerous that he did not have the needed rest or sleep but never did he fail to respond to the eall of a patient if he could possibly get to the bedside of the sufferer.
Dr. Olney continued in practice at Sioux Rapids until the spring of 1875. when he removed to South Dakota and took up his abode at Swan Lake, where he remained for two years, after which he removed to Sioux Falls, Sonth Dakota, on the 1st of August, 1877. He has been in active practice there con- tinuously since but he still has property interests in Buena Vista county, and in company with Marshall Lee, who is represented on another page of this work, is the owner of a half seetion of land near Sioux Rapids. For the past three years he has been spending his summer vaeations on his farm in this county, where he is eagerly weleomed by many old-time friends.
In October, 1872. Dr. Olney was married to Miss Sarah M. Lee. a daughter of William S. Lee. He has always voted the republican ticket and is a stal- wart advocate of the principles of the party. In his fraternal relations he is a Mason. belonging to the lodge and chapter at Sioux Falls, and has also attained the Knight Templar degree. He has led a busy, useful and aetive life, and it is with pleasure that we present his record to our readers, knowing that it will be gladly received by his many friends, who entertain for him the warmest regard.
GEORGE R. ANDERSON.
George R. Anderson has figured prominently in the business circles of Albert City for almost a decade. being well known as a representative of commereial and financial interests. He has been engaged in the hardware trade sinee January 1, 1900, being a member of the Albert City Hardware Company, and he is also a stockholder in the Security Savings Bank and is now the president of that institution. In former years he was identified with farming interests in Buena Vista eounty and in all that he has undertaken he has displayed a spirit of marked enterprise, combined with determination. that has enabled him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. He was born March 22. 1855, in Sweden. His father. A. P. Swanson, was a farmer, and George R. Anderson was therefore reared to agricultural life. His education was acquired in the public and high schools of his native country, supplemented by a short course in an agricultural college. Emigrating to Ameriea in early manhood, he was employed in Chicago until 1881, and on the 1st of March of that year came to Buena Vista county, Iowa, with the intention of taking up agricultural life in this section of the state. He first located near his present home, and has since been
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interested in the agricultural development of the region, his labors being attended with substantial snecess. He brought his fields under a high state of enltivation and added to his farm the modern accessories for improvement and development. His untiring industry and unfaltering diligence have constituted the basis of his success, making him one of the well-to-do citizens of the community.
Mr. Anderson was married March 2, 1882, at Wankon, Allamakee county, Iowa, to Miss Albertine Anderson, also a native of Sweden. Their only child is Herman L. Anderson. The parents were born and reared in the Intheran faith. Mr. Anderson gives his political allegiance to the republican party and served as township trustee from 1890 until 1900, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity. On the 27th of February of that year he was appointed postmaster of Albert City, Iowa. As stated, since the 1st of January, 1900, Mr. Anderson has been a well known and valued representa- tive of commercial interests in Albert City. for on that day he became con- nected with the hardware business and is now one of the owners of an extensive enterprise of this character, which is continued under the name of Albert City Hardware Company. He does not confine his efforts along one line, however. for he is equally well known in financial circles, being a stock- holder in and the president of the Security Savings Bank. Honored and respected by all he occupies an enviable position in business circles, not alone by reason of the success he has achieved but also owing to the straightforward business poliey he has ever followed. His friends, and they are many, know him as a substantial citizen, who has proven himself a worthy addition to the ranks of business men in this county.
JACOB WALTER KOONS.
Jacob Walter Koons, an enterprising and progressive farmer and stock- raiser residing in Lincoln township, was born in Henry county, Indiana, on the 18th of November. 1878. The father, Edward Koons, a native of Pennsylvania, was seventeen years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Indiana and there engaged in agricultural pursuits. Ile married Sarah Koons, also a native of the Keystone state, who, when twenty years of age, made the journey to Indiana alone. Subsequent to their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Koons took up their abode near Flora, Illinois, where the father purchased one hundred and twenty aeres of land, residing thereon for a period of twenty years. At the end of that time he came to Buena Vista county, lowa. and here rented land, though he did not sell his Illinois farm until 1908. Ile now makes his home in Jackson county, Minnesota, and is a substantial and publie-spirited citizen, giving his political allegiance to the republican party. Ilis children were as follows: Jacob Walter, of this review; Harry, who is connected with our subject in the operation of a farm of three hundred and twenty aeres : and Ida, deceased.
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Jacob Walter Koons attended the distriet schools of Illinois until eighteen years of age and then returned to the home farm. Subsequently he came to Buena Vista county, Iowa, and, in partnership with his brother Harry, has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits in Lincoln township. In addi- tion to the work of the fields he raises about a earload of Poland China hogs annually and has met with a well deserved measure of prosperity in his undertakings.
As a companion and helpmate on life's journey Mr. Koons chose Miss Katie Sangle, whose birth occurred in Jackson county, Minnesota. Her mother still survives and makes her home with her son in Washington. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Koons was born a son, Carl, who died in infancy.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Koons has given his political allegiance to the republican party, believing its principles most conducive to good government. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and of the Mutual Protective Lodge. His good qualities, and they are many, have strongly endeared him to those with whom he has been associated and wherever he is known he is popular with a large cirele of friends.
WALLACE M. STRUBLE.
Buena Vista county numbers Wallace M. Struble among her native sons, his birth having occurred November 2, 1871, in a log house just east of Sioux Rapids. The same building was at one time used as the county court- house, where the first term of court in this county was held, and figured prominently in the pioneer development of the district. The father, George W. Struble, was for many years a prominent and influential citizen who, coming to the west in the fall of 1863, settled in Buena Vista county when it was still the haunt of many wild animals and much wild game. The Indians had vacated the neighborhood and nothing had been done to convert the country into productive fields. The first land which he owned in the county was a homestead claim, to which he secured the deed from a well known Indian called "Feather in the Lake." This tract of one hundred and sixty aeres was situated just outside the present corporation limits of Sioux Rapids and remained in the possession of Mr. Struble during his life time. About 1872 he built a hotel in Sioux Rapids, being the second to engage in the busi- ness in the town, his predecessor being William Swiford, who some time before had opened a pioneer hotel. Mr. Struble successfully conducted his hostelry until 1882, when the Northwestern Railroad was built through the town, and he sold out to a Mr. Rhodes. He then erected a fine residence near Sioux Rapids and spent the remainder of his days in honorable and well earned retirement, his death occurring in 1900 when he was sixty-three years of age. He had always taken a great interest in politics and in matters relating to the public welfare. He gave influential support to the principles of the republican party and stood at all times for that which is progressive in the life of the community. He aided in laying broad and deep the founda-
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tion for the present development and progress of the county and will long be remembered and honored as one of the old pioneers here.
George W. Struble married Miss Mary Moore and both were natives of Steuben county, New York. The children of that marriage were Flora, deceased ; M. C., who wedded Lena Weeks and had one child, George, and who, after the death of his first wife was married in 1900 to Mrs. Shaffer, their home being now in Wellman, Iowa, where he is engaged in banking; and Wallace R., the youngest of the family.
In taking up the personal history of Wallace R. Struble we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known. He attended the public schools and was graduated from the Sioux Rapids school. Later he became a student in the business college at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and when twenty-four years of age he started out in life on his own account. For two years he farmed the old homestead and then disposed of his agricul- tural interests and removed to town. Ile has been connected with the milling business and electric light plant for two years and is a man of business enterprise, who accomplishes what he undertakes by reason of his determined purpose and unfailing energy.
On the 16th of October, 1895, Mr. Struble was married to Miss Fannie Cuthbert, a daughter of Charles and May ( Woods) Cuthbert, who were natives of Wisconsin and came to Buena Vista county at an early date. Mr. and Mrs. Struble now have one son, Delbert C. The parents are well known and the hospitality of many of the best homes of this section of the country is cordially extended them.
Mr. Struble votes with the republican party but has no desire for the honors of public office. He belongs to Enterprise Lodge, No. 132, A. F. & A. M., and is in hearty sympathy with the beneficent spirit of the craft. Always a resident of Buena Vista county, he has witnessed its development Trom pioneer times and has seen many remarkable changes as the county has been transformed from a wild prairie district into a region of fine farms and beautiful homes.
NATHANIEL C. WHEAT.
After a long, busy and active life, Nathaniel C. Wheat is living in honorable retirement in a pleasant home in Storm Lake. He was born in New York city, August 4, 1830, a son of Charles Wheat, a farmer of the Empire state, where he lived and died. His family numbered three sons and three daughters, the brothers of our subject being William and George, both now deceased, while the sisters are: Helen, the wife of W. C. Close; and Elizabeth and Julia, both of whom have departed this life.
Nathaniel C. Wheat, the only surviving son of the family, was reared and educated in the Empire state. For four years he operated a sawmill in the east and about the time of the close of the Civil war he left his native state and made his way to Freeport, Illinois. Purchasing a farm near that city
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he continued to engage in general agricultural pursuits for about ten years, or until 1878, when he continued his journey to Buena Vista county. He first made purchase of eighty acres of land, situated within a mile and a quarter of Storm Lake. To this traet he eventually added an additional eighty acres, so that the place now embraces one hundred and sixty aeres of valuable land, owing partly to its produetive state and partly from the faet that it is so near the eity. 3 Mr. Wheat made many improvements on his farm in the way of good buildings and was actively engaged in the cultivation of the soil throughout a long period. He met with gratifying success in his undertakings but the establishment of a home here and the development of his land required much hard and arduous toil, for he located here during the pioneer history of the county and with other settlers endured many hardships incident to life in an unsettled district. Although he still retains possession of his farm, Mr. Wheat is now living retired in a pleasant home in Storm Lake, enjoying in eomfort the fruits of his former labor.
Mr. Wheat was married December 27, 1856, to Miss Amond Brown, who was born in Canada, and who with her parents came to the United States at an early day, the family home being first established in Illinois, while in 1891 they located in Buena Vista county. The father departed this life in 1896, having reached the extreme old age of ninety-three years. The mother still survives at the age of eighty-eight and makes her home in Storm Lake with her daughter, Mrs. Wheat. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Wheat are as follows: Richard and Charlotte, twins, the former a eivil engineer and the latter now deceased; John, James and Jacob, all of whom have passed away; Elizabeth, the wife of Charles Brown; Mary, the wife of Charles Anderson; Harriet, the wife of Aliza Brown; and James, who is a civil engineer.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wheat have been born four children but two of the number died in infancy. Those living are: William, who follows farming; and Libbie, the wife of Marion Harding. Mr. Wheat gives stalwart support to the republican party and has filled the office of township clerk and he has also served in other official capacities. Mr. Wheat is a regular attendant on church services and his life is lived in harmony with his profession. He is a force in the moral development of the community and in those depart- ments of activity which uplift humanity and work for the betterment of various elasses and wherever he is known he is most highly esteemed.
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