USA > Iowa > Buena Vista County > Past and present of Buena Vista County, Iowa > Part 55
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66
EDWARD S. GULLING.
Edward S. Gulling is a successful farmer and stoek-raiser, operating four hundred acres of land in Grant township, Buena Vista county. He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, October 21, 1866. His father. Celestine Gulling, was a native of France, where he lived to the age of twenty years, at that time emigrating to America. He located first in Ohio and in that state enlisted as a member of the Union army for service in the Civil war. He was married in the Buekeye state, the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah Madrew.
538
HISTORY OF BUENA VISTA COUNTY
who was born in Ohio. Following his marriage Mr. Gulling removed with his family to Indiana but spent his last years in lowa, where he passed away. He was a republican in his political views and affiliations and was a man highly respected in the various communities in which he lived. The mother. who still survives, now makes her home in Jasper county, lowa. The children born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Celestine Gulling are as follows: Lonisa, the wife of George MeComb; Katy, the wife of James Ingle; Josephine, the wife of Sydney Rontson; Mary, the wife of John Holy; Sarah, who has de- parted this life; Lucy, who married George White; Charles, who resides in Jasper county, this state; Peter, also a resident of that county; Celestine and James, who also make their home there; and Jennie, the wife of Ora Conard.
The other member of the family. Edward S. Gulling, pursued his studies in the district schools and spent the period of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof, accompanying his parents on their various removals. At the age of twenty years, feeling that he had an education such as would enable him to meet the responsibilities of life, he put aside his text books and began his business career, choosing the occupation to which he had been reared- that of farming. In 1903 he came to Buena Vista county and has continued operations along this line to the present time. He makes his home on a farm of four hundred acres in Grant township and in addition to general farming and dairying raises shorthorn cattle, having a full blooded registered male at the head of his herd. His success is the merited reward of untirmg labor and tireless energy, and today he finds a place among the substantial citizens of this locality.
Mr. Gulling was married to Miss Emma J. Sutcliffe, a native of Jasper county, Iowa. By her marriage she has become the mother of four daughters and two sons, namely: Lettie May, the wife of R. A. Corbin; John, Bessie, Charlie, Sarah and Allie, all still under the parental roof.
Mr. Gulling gives his political support to the republican party and his fraternal relations are with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Neighbors. Although his residence in the county covers but a few years he has already gained a wide circle of friends. While he is deeply interested in all matters of general progress, his attention is chiefly confined to his business duties, which are capably conducted and are bringing to him a gratifying degree of prosperity.
CHARLES L. MeLAUGHLIN.
Charles L. MeLaughlin, who is recognized as one of the most thorough, painstaking and systematic farmers and stock-raisers of Poland township, Buena Vista county, lowa, was born in Mereer eonnty, Illinois, November 6, 1860, his parents being J. R. and Jane (Lossie) MeLaughlin, natives of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, and Trumbull county, Ohio, respectively. The year 1840 witnessed their removal to Illinois, where they spent the remainder of their lives, the mother passing away in 1862 when forty-six years of age.
-
C. L. MeLAUGHLIN AND FAMILY
541
HISTORY OF BUENA VISTA COUNTY
Charles L. MeLaughlin remained under the parental roof until twenty-six years of age, when he removed to Sae county, Iowa, and for seven years was successfully engaged in the cultivation of a farm near Schaller, this state. In 1893 he came to Buena Vista county, Iowa, and after a year's residence in Storm Lake took up his abode on his present farm, which is situated on seetion 20, within a mile and a half of Marathon. The place comprises two hundred aeres of rich and productive land and is equipped with many substantial improvements, including a commodious dwelling, good barns and all necessary outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. The farm is conceded to be one of the best in the county and its owner is well known and highly esteemed as a progressive and prosperous agriculturist. His landed holdings likewise inelude a traet of one hundred and sixty aeres in Missouri.
On the 25th of March, 1886, Mr. MeLaughlin was united in marriage to Miss Nancy S. Bristol, a daughter of J. S. and Juliet Bristol, natives of Mercer eounty, Illinois, who came to Iowa in 1885. Unto our subject and his wife have been born five children, namely: Lulu Jane, who is attending school at Cedar Falls, Iowa ; Clifford J .; Anna Jane; Mabel Inez; and James Frederick.
In his political views Mr. MeLaughlin is a stanch republican and frater- nally is connected with the Modern Brotherhood. A genial and kindly disposition has won him many friends and he has the regard and esteem of all with whom his business or social relations have brought him in contaet.
GEORGE W. SMITHI.
The correlation of the individual with the general or composite history is so intimate that a consistent treatise on the history of any community must have its basis in the traeing of the biography of those who have conferred dignity and honor through their personal character and personal accomplish- ment. Through all ages the lives of those who have accomplished a good work, have been held up as a source of inspiration, encouragement and example to others. Heroism in war, devotion to duty, steady application in business pursuits and the determined effort which overcomes difficulties and presses forward to the goal of success; these are the qualities which con- tinually exeite the admiration and respect of men and awaken a desire to emulate them. Among those who have been closely identified with the growth and progress of this part of the northwest and who have accomplished not only something for themselves but for others is recognized the subject of this
sketch, George W. Smith. As a dealer of real estate he has not only been instrumental in beautifying the city but has been the means of helping many to seeure homes and get a start in life, and thus his memory will be cherished long after he shall have passed from this life.
Mr. Smith was born in Barren county. Kentucky. JJanuary 15, 1854, a son of Finis and Fanny (Siddons) Smith. The great-grandfather on the paternal side was the founder of the family in the United States and two of his sons. John and Hugh Smith, served as captains in the Revolutionary war. The
542
HISTORY OF BUENA VISTA COUNTY
grandparents of our subject were Captain John and Isabella (Lattimore) Smith, both of whom were of Irish descent and were born in Rutherford county, Canada. There they celebrated their marriage and in 1798 emigrated to Barren county, Kentneky, taking up land near the head of Beaver creek. Captain John Smith, who was a fine Latin scholar, engaged in surveying and farming in Barren connty, Kentucky, and there made his home for about fifty years, rearing a family of twelve children. Both he and his wife lie buried in the old Lattimore graveyard. Francis Lattimore served with the rank of captain in the Revolutionary war, while William Lattimore was a soldier in the Confederate army under John H. Morgan. In the winter of 1863-4 the latter emigrated to Jefferson county, Iowa. The Smiths and Lattimores were all Protestants in religious faith.
Finis and Fanny (Siddons) Smith, the parents of George W. Smith, were both natives of the Blue Grass state. The father there successfully carried on farming and merchandising but at the time of the Civil war was obliged to leave the south because of his sympathy with the Union cause and in 1863 he took up his abode in Jefferson county, Iowa. He was married twiee, his first wife passing away in 1864, at the comparatively early age of forty-five years. By that union there were fourteen children, three of whom still survive, namely: George W., of this review; Lewis M., who is living in Gadsden, Alabama; and James Newton, who follows forming in Lee township, and who is mentioned on another page of this work. Unto Finis Smith and his second wife were born five children. His death occurred in Jacksonport. Arkansas, when he had reached the age of seventy-two years.
George W. Smith was but nine years of age when his mother died and the home was broken up. From that time until a young man he worked on farms in various localities. The time that was afforded him in the public schools was a very brief period, but education is not always limited to schools or colleges and results depend more largely upon the determination of the individual. So what Mr. Smith lacked in school advantages he more than made up in improving his time in study. 6 Ile was taken into the home of a local minister, who took a great interest in him and under whose Christian influence he was carefully reared. He remained in that home for five years and he realizes fully that his entire life has been benefited by that training and by the blessings and benedictions of a Christian home. It was on the 8th of Angust. 1872, when eighteen years of age, that Mr. Smith established a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Mary S. Lentz, a daughter of William II. and Palmah B. (York) Lentz, natives of Alabama and North Carolina respectively.
Following his marriage Mr. Smith engaged in farming in the sonth, spending about ten years in the states of Alabama and Tennessee. He made cotton raising his chief occupation and had in his employ a number of colored people. In 1882 he made his way north to lowa. settling first in Newell, Buena Vista county. His first venture here was at teaching school, teaching for seven years during the winter months, while in the summer seasons he was employed in the creamery in Newell, his duties being to drive over the country and get milk, which he hauled to the creamery. In this way he became ac-
543
HISTORY OF BUENA VISTA COUNTY
quainted with the farmers and with the advantages to be enjoyed in agrienl- tural lines in this county. During this time he located a government claim of one hundred and sixty acres. For a time he was engaged in the insurance business and eventually became actively engaged in land and farm loans. IFis first purchase of land was made in 1885. when he bought forty acres at eight dollars per acre. This he improved and cultivated until 1891, when he sold it at a good profit. He then took up his abode in Marathon and soon purchased a seeond piece of land near that city, which he held for a few years and then sold at a good profit. In 1892 he once more located in Marathon and engaged in the real-estate business. Upon the completion of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad to Marathon Mr. Smith sold his real estate here to E. B. Wells and removed to Albert City, where he opened a bank. which he eondneted for a year. He then disposed of that enterprise to E. B. Wells and returned once more to Marathon, where he has since made his home. He now gives his entire attention to real estate, handling both northern and southern lands. He is meeting with gratifying success in his undertakings and this eity owes much to his efforts in beautifying and improving unsightly vacaneies until they are now fine residence districts, while he has also been instrumental in giving substantial aid to many desiring to become the owners of property and these eitizens have for Mr. Smith none but the very highest praise and commendation for what he has done in their behalf.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Smith has been blessed with thirteen children : Fanny D., the wife of Samuel Bass, a resident of Fairmont, Okla- homa ; Pearl Walton, the wife of Ira B. Atkinson, also of that city; Mabel, who spent one year in that city as assistant postmistress and who is now acting in a similar capacity in the postoffice at Marathon; Fred R., who is in the employ of the Exchange Bank at Exira, Iowa, as assistant eashier and was formerly assistant cashier of the First National Bank at Marathon; John N .. who holds a position of responsibility with the Bank of Enid. at Enid, Okla- homa ; C. W .. who is employed in Marathon by Mr. Bladine, as foreman of his printing department ; W. II., who is a clerk in the employ of HI. E. Swope; and Stella, Gladys, Finis and Bessie, all at home and attending school; and two who died in infancy.
Mr. Smith gives his political support to the republican party and is a Mason, belonging to Universal Lodge, No. 587, and to Enterprise Chapter, No. 332, at Sioux Rapids. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and his every day life is lived in harmony with the principles and doetrines of that denomination.
During his busy career Mr. Smith has lived close to high ideals and his citizenship is such that it has imparted strength and stability to every under- taking in which his worth and ability were enlisted. Companionable and well informed, observing the world from a wide range, with an absolute faith in the goodness of mankind and in the existence of an opportunity for all who seek it. A man of strong purpose, steady application and keen percep- tion, he has forged his way to the front by his own unaided efforts and has contributed much to the prosperity to the town and county which constitutes the theater of his activity. Especially has he been helpful to those who were
544
HISTORY OF BUENA VISTA COUNTY
struggling to secure homes and to get a start in the world, and many are the people in Buena Vista county that can testify to the substantial help afforded them in getting a start to the aid of George W. Smith. He was justice of the peace for nine years and mayor of Marathon one year but the latter office he had to resign when he embarked in business in Albert City.
JOHN F. MUDGE.
John F. Mudge is one of the wealthy landowners of Buena Vista county, and at the same time he is numbered among its most highly respected citizens. He owns four hundred and forty acres of land, situated on section 15, Hayes township, and gives his time to general agricultural pursuits and to stock- raising. Mr. Mudge was born in La Salle county, Illinois, April 15, 1856. a son of Charles and Eunice (Gunn) Mudge.
John F. Mudge was reared on the home farm in La Salle county and was afforded good educational advantages. His common and high school course was supplemented by a year's study in Eureka College, in Woodford county, Illinois, after which he returned onee more to the homestead farm. He assisted his father in carrying on the work of the fields and also in the ereetion of a stone house. When he started out in life on his own account he chose the occupation to which he had been reared and rented the home place, which he cultivated for several years. He prospered in his undertakings and from the annual sale of his crops acquired a competenee that enabled him to eventually invest in land. For this purpose, in 1893, he came to Buena Vista county and purchased the south half of section 15, Hayes township. Loeating here he continued the work of improvement that had been begun. He built to and remodeled the house, put in a furnace, a system of waterworks, bath and other conveniences such as are found in the eity homes and made it a most up-to-date residence. He has also built two good barns, large eribs, has set out a grove and orchard and none of the conveniences and accessories of a model farm are found lacking. Mr. Mudge has since added to his original holdings a tract of one hundred and twelve acres on section 16, so that his farm now embraces four hundred and forty acres all in one body. Although he has prospered in his undertakings he is not unmindful of the duties of citizenship and gives his support to every movement which is calculated to benefit his home locality.
Mr. Mudge was married in La Salle county, Illinois, February 12, 1878, to Miss Hattie L. Snyder, who was born and reared there. She became the mother of six sons and three daughters: Arthur S., who follows farming at Tonica, Illinois; Ida. the wife of Fred Crowley, a farmer of Hayes township; George W., a young man at home; Beulah, who is acting as her father's housekeeper; and Earl. Guy, Ray and Harold, all under the parental roof. One daughter, Nellie, died at the age of sixteen years. The wife and mother departed this life January 31, 1906, and her remains were interred in the
545
IHISTORY OF BUENA VISTA COUNTY
Storm Lake cemetery. She was a lady highly esteemed by her neighbors and friends and was devoted to her family, so that her loss has been deeply felt.
Politically Mr. Mudge is a democrat where national issues are involved but at local elections he votes independently. He was first elected to fill a vacancy in the office of township trustee and through reelection capably and efficiently served for fourteen years. He has also been identified with the school board for a number of years. Although not a native of Buena Vista county, Mr. Mndge has thoroughly identified himself with its interests and takes a just pride in the progress that is here being made. Ile attributes his snecess not to any fortunate circumstances but to hard work. economy and persisteney of purpose, and his success should serve as a lesson to the young men of today who are compelled to start out in life dependent upon their own resonrees, for he has worked his way upward until now he is classed among the substantial citizens of Hayes township and Buena Vista county.
JOHN II. BARTELS.
John H. Bartels, a successful agriculturist of Coon township. where he owns and operates a well improved farm of one hundred and sixty aeres, was born in Germany, February 26. 1852. his parents being Henry and Maggie (Chipp) Bartels. also natives of the fatherland, where they spent their entire lives. Henry Bartels was a shepherd by occupation. His children were as follows: Angust, who makes his home in Germany; four who died in infancy : and John H., of this review.
The last named attended the schools of his native land until fourteen years of age and subsequently secured employment as a farm hand. The many favorable reports which he heard concerning the broader opportunities and advantages of the new world resulted in his emigration to the United States when a young man of twenty-one years. Locating in Illinois, he there worked as a farm hand for six years, on the expiration of which period, hav- ing earefully saved his earnings. he was enabled to purchase his present place of one hundred and sixty acres in Buena Vista county. Towa. As the years have gone by he has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation through progressive and modern methods of farming and has long been numbered among the substantial and enterprising citizens of the community.
Mr. Bartels was united in marriage to Miss Lonisa Stranss, whose birth occurred in Germany on the 2d of December. 1866, her parents being now deceased. Unto our subject and his wife have been born the following children : Ernest, whose natal day was January 28, 1891; Ahna: Edward : and Ella.
In his political views Mr. Bartels is a democrat and has served as school director for many years, the cause of education ever finding in him a stalwart champion. His religious belief is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church, in the work of which he is actively and helpfully interested. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to establish his home
546
HISTORY OF BUENA VISTA COUNTY
in the new world, for here he has found the opportunities he sought and in their utilization has gained that measure of success which must always erown persistent and well directed effort. Having resided in Buena Vista county for almost three decades. he is widely and favorably known here and has ever displayed those sterling traits of character which in every land and elime awaken admiration and regard.
S. G. NORDSTROM, M. D.
Dr. S. G. Nordstrom, who for more than a quarter of a century has sue- cessfully engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery, being now located at Sioux Rapids, was born in Henry county, Illinois, November 8, 1869. His parents, Samuel and Magdalena Nordstrom, were both natives of Sweden, coming to America in 1840. in which year they settled in Galesburg, Illinois. There they resided until 1866, when they removed to Andover. Henry county, and later to Webster county, Iowa, the father purchasing government land near Dayton, for which he paid a dollar and a quarter per acre. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made upon the place, but with characteristic energy he began breaking the sod and tilling the soil. He was a blacksmith by trade and while developing his farm he also carried on the smithy at Dayton. There he spent his remaining days, reaching the advanced age of ninety-one years. his death occurring in 1906. The mother died in 1897 when seventy-seven years of age. her death resulting from an accident. The Nordstroms come from a long lived race, an aunt of our subjeet now liv- ing in Jasper county, Iowa, at more than one hundred years of age. The brothers and sisters of F. G. Nordstrom are: Nels Peter, now deceased ; John, a druggist at Dayton, lowa; Frank, who is a train conductor in New Mexico; Helen, deceased ; Anna Matilda, who resides in California ; and Clara, who has also passed away.
After mastering the early branches of learning in the public schools Dr. Nordstrom became a student in Drake University at Des Moines, lowa. and having thus acquired a good literary education to serve as a foundation for professional knowledge he became a student in Rush Medical College in Chicago, in 1881 and took a course in an Ohio College. the Electie Medical Institute from which he graduated in 1888. Tle then opened an office in Dayton, Iowa, where he remained until 1889 when he went to Omaha, Nebraska, practicing in that city for one year. In 1890 he arrived in Sioux Rapids, where he established a lucrative practice and became known as one of the most skillful and successful physicians of the northwest. In order to still further perfect himself in his chosen calling he pursued a post-graduate course of study in New York city in 1895. Reading has also kept him in touch with the trend of modern methods in medical and surgical practice and his labors have been attended with gratifying success.
On the Ist of June, 1898, Dr. Nordstrom was married to Miss Nellie E. Burnham, a daughter of Rollin and Laura (Judson) Burnham, the former a
547
HISTORY OF BUENA VISTA COUNTY
native of New York and the latter of Connecticut. They arrived in Iowa in 1870, settling in Hardin county and in 1872 removed to Storm Lake. Dr. and Mrs. Nordstrom have an infant child but lost their daughter Harriet. their first born, at the age of seven years.
The Doctor belongs to Ashland Lodge, No. 111, A. F. & A. M., of Fort Dodge, and also the Elks of that place. He attends the Congregational church and gives his political support to the republican party. Ilis life has been well spent in the faithful performance of the duties which each day brings and in his professional career he manifests not only a laudable ambition to obtain success coupled with an interest in scientific investigation but also that broad humanitarian spirit without which the medical practitioner never gains highest rank.
J. P. ECKMAN.
A well improved and highly cultivated farm of eighty acres, situated in Fairfield township, is the home of J. P. Eekman, who is a native son of the township, born on a farm, July 5. 1884, a son of Carl A. and Charlotte (Israel) Eckman, who were both natives of Sweden but were married in this country. The father was born August 26, 1846, and eame as a young man of twenty-two years to the United States, the year 1868 witnessing his arrival here. He first located at Rockford, Illinois, and was there employed in various lines for a few months. In 1869 he came to Iowa and the following year purchased a wild tract of land comprising one hundred and sixty aeres situated in Fair- field township. He was one of the first settlers of this locality and with characteristie energy he undertook the task of developing a new farm. He added to his landed holdings from time to time until his posessions at one time embraced six hundred and forty acres but he has given to each of his children an eighty acre farm. IIe is still engaged in farming on the home place and is one of the most highly respected citizens of this part of Buena Vista county. The mother, who was born in Sweden, February 19, 1841, was married in Fort Dodge in 1871. She has become the mother of the fol- lowing children: Hulda, the wife of Louis E. Larson, whose sketch appears in this work; Emily, the wife of Gust Holmen. who is also mentioned on another page of this work ; Olivia, who died at the age of six months; August. at home; Sophia, wife of J. P. Dolbeck ; J. P., of this review; and Emma, who is still under the parental roof.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.