USA > Iowa > Buena Vista County > Past and present of Buena Vista County, Iowa > Part 57
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Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Swope has given his political allegiance to the republican party. Ilis fraternal relations are
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with the Masons and the Woodmen. He has been watchful of his oppor- tunities, has improved them, and year after year has made consecutive advancement until he is now numbered among the leading and prosperous merchants and business men of his adopted county.
HANS E. WETIIAL.
The agricultural interests of Buena Vista county are well represented by Hans E. Wethal, who was born in Christiana, Norway, March 18, 1860, a son of Albert and Paulina Olson, who lived and died in Norway, both parents dying when the son was but a child. He was educated in the schools of his native country and was a youth of eighteen years when he emigrated to the new world. He located first in St. James, Minnesota, where lived a sister. He was there employed by the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company on the building of the new grade. After a year, however, he went to the Red River valley in Minnesota and there spent four years. In 1885 he returned to Towa and was married on the 3d of December. 1887. to Miss Stena Stennerson, a daughter of G. K. Stennerson, who is mentioned else-
where in this volume. Mrs. Wethal was born in Lee township, Buena Vista county, March 9, 1862, being the first while child born in that township. Mr. and Mrs. Wethal had one child, who died in infancy.
Following his marriage Mr. Wethal located on his present farm, consist- ing of one hundred and sixty aeres on section 16, Lee township, four miles from Sioux Rapids. Here he is engaged in general agricultural pursuits and in raising stock, both branches of his business proving a profitable source of revenue to him.
Mr. Wethal gives his political support to the men and measures of the republican party and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church. He is an industrions and energetic l'armer, keeping in touch with the most modern methods of agriculture, so that his labors are resulting in success. A man of straightforward and honorable business meth- ods, he is highly esteemed in the community where he makes his home.
EPHRAIM CARLSON.
One of the finest and most up-to-date mereantile enterprises of Albert City is that owned by Ephraim Carlson, who has been engaged in business here since 1902. He carries a full line of groceries, dry goods, boots, shoes and men's furnishing goods, the stock being valued at eleven thousand dollars, and he also owns the building. a fine modern structure, in which the business is conducted.
Ephraim Carlson was born in Sweden, February 20, 1857, and at the carly age of twelve years emigrated alone to the United States. For five
MR. AND MRS. HANS E. WETHAL
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years after his arrival in America he worked at farm labor in Paxton, Fordt county, Illinois. Becoming imbued with the spirit of progress and enter- prise that prevailed in the new world, at the early age of seventeen years Mr. Carlson engaged in general merchandising at Purdueville, Ford county, and was thus successfully engaged until 1902. when, seeking a broader field in which to give scope to his activity and energy, he came to Albert City and purchased a stock of general merchandise, including groceries, dry goods, boots, shoes and men's furnishings. He at onee won the confidence of the publie, who gave him their patronage, and through his honesty and integrity, which has proven his best advertisement. his trade has extended over a wide area and he now carries a stock valued at eleven thousand dollars. His aim is at all times to meet the demands of his trade and to charge reasonable prices for his goods. Ile has a kindly, genial nature and is very considerate in his intercourse with all people, being to all equally affable, whether they are poor or have wealth.
Mr. Carlson was married in Ford county, Illinois, to Miss Freda Skogg, and their union has been blessed with six children, all of whom, with the parents, hold membership in the Swedish Lutheran church, of which Mr. Carlson is serving as a deacon. He gives his political support to the repub. lican party and has served on the village council and as a member of the school board. He deserves particular mention for the success he has achieved in the business world. for he came to America a mere boy, ignorant of the manners and enstoms of the people, but, quickly adapting himself to the changed conditions which he was forced to meet, he availed himself of the opportunities as they were presented.
GEORGE W. CHANEY.
George W. Chaney, cashier of the Miller & Chaney Bank of Newell, is connected with all those interests which feature in the development of the city in its political, material, intellectual and moral progress, while his exten- sive business interests make him one of the foremost representatives of com- mercial life in this community.
A native of Ogle county, Illinois, he was born October 8, 1856. of the marriage of Osborn and Amanda (Rice) Chaney. The paternal grandfather was of French descent and a native of Virginia, in which state he spent his entire life. ITis children were: James. Phineas. Richard. Osborn. Ralph. William, Eli, Mrs. Sophia Garlow and Mrs. Betsey Shannon. The maternal grandfather of George W. Chaney was Amos Rice, who was also born in Massachusetts and there followed the occupation of farming as a life work. He married Anna Norton, of Connecticut, who lived to the advanced age of ninety-seven years. They had a large family. including the following named : Alanson, now deceased, who resided at Marion, Iowa, where his family still resides ; Erastus, William, Edwin and Emily, who have all departed this life : George, who died in Oklahoma; Amanda, who became the mother of our
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subject ; Marana, deceased; Esther, who is also deceased; and Mary Ann. the wife of David Hayes, of Ogle county, Illinois.
Mrs. Osborn Chaney was a native of New York, while Osborn Chaney was a native of Virginia and he followed the ocenpation of farming in support of his family. He became one of the pioneer settlers of Ogle county. Illinois, living in that locality at a time when Chicago was but a village. However, it was the grain market of the locality and to that point he hauled his produets by wagon. He lived to witness a remarkable development in the state, retaining his residence in Illinois until 1880. However, he left Ogle eounty in 1864 and removed to Rockford in order to educate his family. While in that city he engaged in the Inmber business and he also operated a large sawmill at Oshkosh. Wisconsin, cutting the trees in the forest and taking them direct to the mill. As stated, he continued his residence east of the Mississippi until 1880, when he came to Buena Vista county. Iowa. and purchased two hundred and forty acres of land in Newell township. The following year he brought his wife and children to the home which he had prepared but he was not long permitted to enjoy his new place of abode, for his death occurred on the farm in 1883, when he was sixty-five years of age. His wife died in Newell at the age of seventy-six years. They were Baptists in religious faith and were people of the highest respectability. enjoying in unqualified measure the confidence and friendship of those with whom they came in contact.
Their family numbered eight children, four sons and four daughters: Louise A .. who resides in Ottawa. Kansas: Edward O., a resident of Missoula, Montana : Alice C., the wife of Dr. E. K. Chandler, of Ottawa, Kansas: Mary E., the wife of Dr. J. D. S. Riggs, of Alton, Illinois; Harriet, who died at the age of eight years; George W., of this review; Morris J., a resident of Wauconda, South Dakota; and Harry E., a resident of Missoula, Montana.
When seven years of age George W. Chaney accompanied his parents on their removal from Ogle county, Ilinois, to Rockford, that state, where he was reared to manhood, pursning his education in the graded and high schools of that city. He afterward pursued a commercial course in the F. E. Arnold Commercial School in Los Angeles, California, and subsequently spent two years more in Rockford, while in 1880 he came to lowa with his father. Ile then farmed for nine years, after which he removed to Newell and entered into partnership with D. C. Miller, in the Miller & Chaney Bank, of which he has since been the cashier. This is one of the safe, substantial moneyed concerns of the county and its conservative yet progressive business policy commends it to the confidence of all. so that its patronage is now ex- tensive. In addition to his banking interests Mr. Chaney is secretary of the Newell Cement Tile Company and he also has extensive property holdings. owning one hundred and seventy-eight acres of land in Newell and Providence townships, while he is also partner in a company owning twelve thousand twelve hundred acres of timber land in Grant county, Colorado.
On the 28th of June. 1887, Mr. Chaney was married to Miss Nellie T. Miller, a daughter of De Witt C. and Agnes B. (Lawson ) Miller. There have been six children born of this union : Agnes A., Osborn M., Carlton h.,
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Gerald W .. Jessie M. and Carolyn L. The parents are members of the Congregational church, in which Mr. Chaney is serving as deacon. They are prominent socially and their own attractive home is justly celebrated for its cordial hospitality. In polities Mr. Chaney is an earnest republican and that he stands high in the confidence and good will of his fellow townsmen is indicated by the fact that for fifteen years they have elected him city treasurer, in which position he is now serving.
A. T. FARB.
A. T. Farb, a retired agriculturist residing in Albert City, Iowa, was born in Sweden on the 10th of September, 1844. When a young man of twenty- three years he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, wishing to take advantage of the broader business opportunities which he had heard the new world afforded. After arriving in this country he first assisted in making an excavation for the Swedish church at Rockford, and with the money thus earned he purchased a traet of eighty acres of unimproved land in Nokomis township, Buena Vista county, in 1876.
During the first year of his residence here, while preparing his property for the purposes of cultivation, Mr. Farb operated a rented farm of thirty aeres but lost the entire erop. Nothing daunted, however, he worked on perseveringly and untiringly and success eventually crowned his efforts. After residing on his farm for five years he sold the property and bought forty acres of land near Alta, where he resided for ten years. On the expira- tion of that period he purchased two hundred and fifty acres of well improved land four miles north of Albert City, which he still owns, while his hoklings also include forty acres near Albert City and one hundred and seventy-one acres in Clay county, Iowa. The competence that now enables him to live retired has been won entirely by his own labor, for he did not have a cent when he arrived in Rockford. HIe is well known and highly esteemed as one of the county's prosperous and public-spirited citizens and his record should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others who are com- pelled to begin the battle of life without pecuniary assistance.
In the year 1882, at Rockford, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Farb and Miss Angusta Anderson, whose birth occurred in Sweden, May 27, 1547. When twenty-five years of age she emigrated to the United States but her passage was not paid until after her marriage to our subject. Their family numbers seven children, namely: Selma, the wife of Emil Peterson, who is engaged in farming near Marathon, lowa; William, a resident of Spencer; Annie, the wife of Frank Youngquist, who follows agricultural pursuits near Marathon, lowa; Nellie, the wife of Carl Johnson, who follows farming near Albert City, lowa; Carl, a photographer: Oscar, who is assistant postmaster at Albert City; and Edwin, at home.
Mr. Farb is a stanch republican in his political views and for a number of years served as school director. He is a devoted and faithful member of
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the Swedish Lutheran church. the teachings of which he exemplifies in his daily life. For almost a third of a century he has now been a resident of this county and his upright and honorable manhood has won for him the warm regard of all with whom he has been associated.
JAMES E. CARTER.
As the years are added to the eyele of the centuries those who may be termed the "old guard" of Buena Vista county are passing away but their work will ever remain as the foundation upon which is bnilded the later prosperity and progress of this section of the state. They endured trials and hardships in the early days that in later years they might benefit by their labors, while those who come after them will also enjoy the fruits of their toil. The pioneers came here when this section of lowa was a broad, wind- swept prairie but they believed that it offered advantages and time proved the wisdom of their faith. Their work is of such value that their memory should be perpetuated for all time to come and if the story of their effort is adequately told it must be set down while those who were participants in the early progress of the county are still here to give the authentic narrative of the conditions which they faeed and the work which they accomplished.
It is therefore a matter of pleasure to the historian to record the lives of those who have been the real builders and promoters of northwestern Iowa and in this connection James E. Carter deserves mention. Born in Boone county, Illinois, November 17, 1844, he is a son of Lorenzo and Mary A. (Older) Carter, who were natives of Cattaraugus county, New York. £
Re- moving westward they settled in Walworth county, Wisconsin, in the early '40s and there remained for about ten years, after which they removed to Chickasaw county, lowa, where they resided for about eight years. On the expiration of that period they went to MeGregor. lowa, where the father conducted a hotel. A few years later he removed to Clermont. Fayette county, lowa, where he was engaged in the hotel business for many years but finally sold out and came to Buena Vista connty.
James E. Carter of this review, brought to lowa in his boyhood days, was reared in this state and attended the common schools to the age of seventeen years, when his patriotie spirit was aroused by the attempt of the south to overthrow the Union and in 1863 he joined Company E of the Ninth lowa Cavalry under Captain Dean and Colonel M. M. Trumbull. His service con- timed throughout the remaining days of the rebellion and for some months after the close of hostilities, he being mustered out at Little Rock, Arkansas, February 2. 1866. He had done valiant service for nearly three years, the regiment during much of this time operating in western and southern Arkansas. Texas and the Indian Territory. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant and was recommended for a commission. After his discharge from the government service he returned home with a creditable military record.
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On the 5th of September, 1866. Mr. Carter was married to Miss Mary J. Brainard, a daughter of O. G. and Harriett (Diekinson) Brainard, both of whom were natives of Massachusetts, whence they came to lowa at an early period in the development of this state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Carter were born six children. Hattie died at the age of sixteen years. Mordeen E .. a resi- dent of Colorado Springs, Colorado, married Miss Lena Lodge, by whom he has a son. Lodge. Wallace E .. living at Windom, Minnesota, married Miss Alice Skinner, by whom he has two children. Don and Ruth. Donna. the fourth child of Mr. and Mrs. James E. Carter, who makes her home at Linn Grove, wedded A. L. Ebersole, by whom she has four children : Lloyd. Mary. Diek and Robert. Lorenzo, a resident of Fort Dodge, Iowa, married Miss Dot Hutchinson and has one son. Jennings Eugene. Frank B., of Kennener. South Dakota, is cashier of the State Security Bank and president of the Freelove. Carter Land Company.
It was in the year 1869 that James E. Carter first arrived in Buena Vista county, accompanied by O. G. Brainard and John R. Howe. They left Fayette county. Iowa, with an ox-team and started for Cherokee. this state, but on arriving at Sae City they decided to change their course and go farther north. Leaving their team at Twin Lakes, they started out on foot and walked the entire distance from there to Sioux Rapids. Seven miles north of Sae City they passed the last house which they saw until reaching Struble's place at Sioux Rapids. Here they met James M. Hoskins and in company with him they took up a government claim. each securing a quarter section of section 2, Poland township. Many of the dwellings in the new county at that time were sod houses and few of the advantages or comforts of the older east could be secured. Their nearest market was at Fort Dodge and because of the lack of transportation facilities all commodities were very high. Lumber sold at forty dollars per thousand and had to be hauled sixty-five miles over the prairie country across sloughs which were almost impassable at times. In 1870 the first railway train that pulled into Fort Dodge brought Mr. Carter's wife. He met her there and together they journeyed across the prairie to
their new home in the northwest. Mr. Carter, Mr. Brainard, Mr. Howe and Mr. Hoskins remained on their claims on section 2 for some years, experience- ing all the trials and hardships incident to pioneer life. Finally Mr. Hoskins removed to Sioux Rapids to engage in business and sometime later Mr. Carter sold his claim to T. M. Watts and also removed to the city. Here he began railroad contracting, which he followed for about twenty years, executing many large and important contracts on the Illinois Central and Northwestern Railroad lines. He is now engaged in closing out an implement business in Sioux Rapids and is also engaging in the real-estate business. making a specialty of Texas lands.
Mr. Carter constructed the first telephone in Buena Vista county, running between Sioux Rapids and Storm Lake and owned by Hoskins & Toys. During its construction he had some novel experiences as many of the farmers looked upon the poles with wires strung on them as dangerous to life of men and stock and they would pile stones in the holes dug for the poles and other- wise hindered the work. Mr. Carter graded nearly all the streets of Sioux
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Rapids and in many ways assisted in beautifying the town. He has done considerable surveying and aided R. Il. Ashton, of Chicago, in surveying. grading and leveling for the Northwestern Railroad, that gentleman being general manager.
During all the years of his residence in Buena Vista county Mr. Carter has held some town offices. to which he has been called by the support of his fellow townsmen who recognize his worth, ability and fidelity in citizenship. Ile has always been active in publie matters and his labors have been attended with good results for the county at large. He has always given his politieal allegiance to the republican party, believing that its principles have promoted the most substantial reform and progress of the country. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Grand Army of the Republic. Ile has been too generous and free hearted to amass any large fortune, regarding other things more important than the attainment of wealth, especially if it must be secured at a sacrifice of the interests of others. IJe has, however, borne his share in the world's work and has the good will and friendship of all who know him. He is comfortably situated in life and feels that his lines have fallen in pleasant places, for while he has not gained millions he has enjoyed what is better yet-the confidence and good will of his fellow citizens.
JOHN PARK YOUNG.
John Park Young, who follows general farming on section 26. Nowell township, was born in Saunemin township. Livingston county, Illinois, on the 18th of November, 1860, and is a son of William and Nancy (Scott) Young, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Indiana. The father al- ways followed the occupation of farming and at an early day he removed westward to Ilinois, settling in Livingston county, where he owns and cultivates one hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land. Unto him and his wife were born five children, two sons and three daughters: John P .; Mary S., who is the widow of Edward Beleher, of Saunemin, Illinois; Joseph Grant, who is living in Winterset, lowa; Lottie Isabel, the wife of Joseph M. Gray, of Mount Pulaski, Ilinois; and Nannie A., the wife of John Madison Young, of Saunemin, Ilinois. The death of the husband and father oreurred October 25, 1869, when he was forty-one years of age. He was a devoted member of the Methodist church, to which his wife also belongs. Since the death of her first husband she has married John Calvin Mariner, who is also now deceased. By that marriage there were five children, of whom four are vet living: NNellie Irene, Joseph Scott, Silvia and Clara O. All reside in Saunemin and the last named is the wife of Charles C. Ridinger. The mother was a daughter of Samuel Scott, a native of Indiana and a farmer by occupation. Ile removed to Livingston county, Illinois, where his death occurred when he was about sixty years of age. Ilis wife bore the maiden name of Mary Ann Reeder and was eighty-one years of age at the time of her
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death, which occurred in October, 1906. Their family numbered three sons and two daughters: Nancy, Joseph, Milford, John and Abbie, the last named being the wife of Thomas Norman.
John P. Young was reared on his father's farm in Livingston county, Illinois, and attended the distriet schools. He lived at home to the time of his marriage. On the 11th of February, 1893. he went to Sae county. Iowa, where he followed farming for a year, after which he came to Buena Vista county and purchased a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 26. Newell township. He has made farming his life work and now has a well improved place, which he has brought under a high state of cultivation. He uses the best machinery to carry on the work of the fields and everything about his farm indicates his careful supervision and progressive methods.
On the 3d of March, 1887, Mr. Young was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Smith, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Ann (Fearn) Smith. Her parents were natives of England and came to the United States in 1881, settling in Livingston county, Illinois, where they remained until 1892, when they became residents of Osceola county, Iowa. There they resided until 1897, in which year they took up their abode in Sac county and purchased a farm, Mr. Smith owning at the time of his death one hundred and seventy- two acres of good land. He died in 1903 at the age of sixty-six years and is still survived by his wife. They were the parents of four children: Ellen ; Edward; Agnes, deceased ; and Herbert. Of this family Mrs. Young was born in Nottingham, England, Angust 6. 1867, and by her marriage has become the mother of two daughters and a son: Agnes L., Charles E., and Florence I. The elder daughter is now a school teacher in Newell township.
Mr. and Mrs. Young are Methodists in their religious faith and in his political belief Mr. Young is a republican. His life has been quietly passed in the work of the home farm and as the years have gone by he has gained that success which should ever crown persistent, earnest effort, being now recognized as one of the substantial agriculturists of this community.
C. E. LARSON.
C. E. Larson, cashier of the Security Savings Bank of Albert City, was born in Sweden on the 5th of October, 1867. a son of Nels Larson, who is also a native of Sweden. The latter is now a well-to-do agriculturist residing a half mile west of Albert City. C. E. Larson acquired his education in the country schools and subsequently took a business course at Rock Island. Illinois. In 1890 he was employed as clerk by the firm of Wells & Wells at Marathon, Iowa, and in August. 1892, became assistant cashier of the First National Bank at that place. In December, 1905. he became cashier of the Security Savings Bank of Albert City, in which capacity he has since remained. being a wide-awake and enterprising representative of the financial interests of Buena Vista county. The institution was organized as a savings bank in May, 1900, with a capital of fifteen thousand dollars, which was increased in
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May, 1903, to thirty thousand dollars. In November. 1905, the bank was purchased by its present owners and the officers of the institution are as follows: George R. Anderson. president ; E. E. Hughes, vice president; C. E. Larson. cashier; and C. E. Gulbranson, assistant cashier. The board of directors are: G. R. Anderson, a merchant and postmaster; E. E. Hughes, who is also president of the Boone National Bank at Boone, Iowa; Charles A. Blossom, president of the bank at Belle Plaine, lowa; C. A. Ponser, a retired agriculturist of Albert City; T. L. Ashford. cashier of the Boone National Bank; E. B. Wells. president of the Marathon Savings Bank at Marathon, lowa; and C. E. Larson.
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