USA > Iowa > Buena Vista County > Past and present of Buena Vista County, Iowa > Part 58
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
In 1894, at Havelock. lowa. was celebrated the marriage of C. E. Larson and Miss Katie R. Todd and to this union have been born two children, Clarence Clifford and Arwin Evans. In his political views Mr. Larson is a stalwart republican and has served as city treasurer and also as secretary of the village school board, discharging his publie duties in prompt and capable manner. Ile is a man of keen discrimination and sound judgment and the success of the financial institution with which he is connected is attributable in large measure to his unflagging energy and excellent business qualifications.
D. H. CARPENTER.
D. II. Carpenter owns and operates a well improved farm on section 15. Nokomis township. where he has made his home since 1883. He was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, July 10. 1851, one of a family of eight children, born of the marriage of JJames HI. and Anne (Seroggy) Carpenter. The father was likewise a native of the Keystone state but was reared in Salem, Ohio, where he was married, and later moved to Pittsburg. He was a wood turner and mechanic by trade but spent his last years on a farm in Black- hawk county, lowa, whence he removed in 1865 From Dubuque county, having removed to the latter place from Pittsburg in 1854. He died in Blackhawk county in 1895, at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. Mrs. Carpenter, who was born in New Jersey, was reared in the Buckeye state. She 100 passed away in Blackhawk county, this state, in 1907, having attained the extreme old age of ninety-one years.
D. Il. Carpenter was a little lad of three years when he was brought by his parents to Iowa, the family home being established first in Dubuque county, and was a youth of fourteen when the family took up their abode in Black- hawk county, this state. He acquired his early education in the common schools and later pursued a course in Cornell College at Mount Vernon, Iowa. Subsequently he taught school for two years and remained at home until the time of his marriage, which occurred October 23. 1872, the lady of his choice being Miss Anne Lee, a native of Cedar county, Iowa, and a daughter of William Lee.
Following his marriage Mr. Carpenter rented land in Blackhawk county, which he farmed for ten years. Hle then came to Buena Vista county and
D. H. CARPENTER
57
HISTORY OF BUENA VISTA COUNTY
purchased eighty acres of raw prairie, which he developed into a fine farm. He erected a house, which he has since remodeled, has built a large barn and other outbuildings, has set out fruit and shade trees and made many other improvements. As time passed and he prospered in his undertakings he added to his original purchase an additional eighty acres, so that his farm now embraces one hundred and sixty aeres. He is engaged in general farming and also keeps a number of eows for dairy purposes. IIe is a stockholder in the creamery and the Farmers Elevator at Alta.
Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter have become the parents of six children, two of whom died, one dying in infancy, while James died at the age of nineteen years. The living are: Louisa, the wife of A. P. Sprague, of Alta, by whom she has a son and daughter, David and Eugenia; David M .. who wedded Adena Swanson, of Chicago, by whom he has a daughter, Naomi, and who follows farming in Elk township; Frank I .. who assists in the operation of the home farm; and Mary Marguerite, who is in school.
Mr. Carpenter is an independent republican but while he is interested in political progress he has never been active as an office seeker. His relig- ious views are indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of Alta, of which he is an official and at various times he has served as superintendent of the Sunday school. ITis fraternal relations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Alta, and he has served through all the chairs in the lodge, has been distriet deputy. Both he and his wife are mem- bers of the Rebekah lodge, in which Mrs. Carpenter has filled all of the chairs and has been a delegate to the grand lodge. They are highly esteemed in both social and fraternal relations and are elassed with the worthy residents of Nokomis township, the hospitality of their pleasant home being freely accorded to their numerous friends and acquaintances.
HIERMAN SCHUMAN.
Herman Schuman, who gives his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits in Coon township, where he owns an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty aeres, was born in Newell township, Buena Vista county, Iowa, February 11, 1886. His father. William Sehuman, who was a native of Germany, served in the army of that country before his emigration to the new world. He arrived in the United States at the time of the close of the Civil war and took up his abode near Newell, Iowa, first becoming connected
with farming interests as a renter. Subsequently he removed to Minnesota but after carrying on agricultural pursuits there for some time, he returned to Buena Vista county and here continued to reside until called to his final rest on the 8th of February, 1904, his demise being deeply regretted by many friends as well as his immediate family. His widow, who still survives him. has attained the age of sixty-five years and is a devoted member of the German Methodist Episcopal church. She makes her home with her son Ilerman, and the record of her other children is as follows: William, who is
572
HISTORY OF BUENA VISTA COUNTY
engaged in farming in Coon township; Amelia, the wife of James Day : Amos. a dairyman residing in North Dakota; Lena, the wife of William Norm; John. who is also an agriculturist of Coon township; Annie, who is the wife of Fred Homnor; Carrie, the wife of John Kemp: and Emma. the wife of Arthur Blank, who is engaged in the butchering business.
Herman Sehuman attended the district schools until fourteen years of age and, having early become familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, he then devoted his entire attention to the work of assisting his father in the operation of the home farm until the latter's death. As before stated, he now owns and operates one hundred and sixty acres of well improved and valuable land. which he has brought under a high state of cultivation through the utilization of modern and progressive methods of farming. In addition to raising the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate he also grows fruit to some extent and, though still a young man, has already gained an enviable reputation as a prosperous agriculturist and publie-spirited citizen of his native county.
FRANK M. CARROLL.
Frank M. Carroll, who operates the old home farm of eighty aeres. situated in Coon township, was born in Lafayette county. Wisconsin, February 25. 1881. and, as the name indicates, comes of Irish aneestry, his father, Andrew Carroll, having been born in Ireland. October 15, 1834. Ile was married to Miss Mary Cunningham and about the time of the Civil war cmi- grated to America. For a time he followed farming in New York but later continued his journey into the interior of the country and located in Lafayette county. Wisconsin where he purchased a small tract of land and engaged in farming until 1882, when he made his way to Buena Vista county and, having disposed of his land in the north, invested his money in eighty aeres, located in Coon township, where he has made his home to the present time, being classed among the substantial men of this section of the state. He is a demo- erat in his political views and is a communicant of the Catholic church. His wife, who as above stated, bore the maiden name of Mary Cunningham. was likewise a native of the Emerald isle, born August 15, 1844. 3 By her marriage she has become the mother of two sons and two daughters: Maggie, at home; Sarah. the wife of Thomas Thompson; and John, who is a contractor and builder of windmills.
The other member of the family, Frank M. Carroll, was but one year old when brought by his parents to Buena Vista county. He attended district school No. 7 of Coon township. to the age of twenty years and in the meantime assisted his father in the operation of the home place during the periods of vacation. The son now has full charge of the farm, for his father is now well advanced in years and practically living retired. Mr. Carroll is an enterpris- ing young farmer, possessing that laudable ambition that ultimately leads to success in the business world. Ile is popular among his associates and greatly
573
HISTORY OF BUENA VISTA COUNTY
admired for his many social qualities. Following in the political footsteps of his father, he supports the men and measures of democracy, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Catholic church.
WILLIAM ELLRICH.
William Ellrich, following the occupation of farming on section 22, Newell township. has also been identified with community interests and in the various publie offices to which he has been called he has proved a most competent and trustworthy official. ITe was born in Beardstown, Cass county. Illinois, July 8, 1853, and is a son of Adam and Margaretta Ellrich. both of whom were natives of Germany. The father, born October 18. 1826. came from Hessen-Darmstadt, and died August 27, 1897. He was a farmer by ocenpation and remained a resident of Germany until 1850, when he crossed the Atlantic to New York city, where he resided for two years. He then removed westward to Beardstown, Illinois, and in the vicinity of that place purchased a farm of fifty acres, which he continued to cultivate for a number of years. In 1865 he sold that property and removed to Maeon county, Illinois, where he purchased eighty acres. to which he afterward added forty acres. Ile was an energetic, industrious farmer, and his sterling worth was recognized by all who knew him. He lost his first wife in 1865 when she was but thirty-six years of age. Both were consistent members of the Lutheran church. For his second wife he chose Miss Barbara Ellrich. By his first marriage the following children were born: Theressa, wife of Fred Selle, of Champaign county, Illinois; William; Mary, the wife of Christopher Furstenburg, of Christian county, Illinois; Adam, who is living in Moweaqua, Illinois; Elizabeth. the widow of John S. Ritter and a resident of Blue Mound. Illinois; Caroline, the deceased wife of Christian Hempstead; Henry, of Blue Mound, Illinois; and Wilhelmina, who died in infancy. There were also two daughters by his second marriage: Minnie, now the wife of Milton Robbins, of babette county, Kansas; and Annie, the wife of John Miller, of Shelbyville, Illinois.
William Ellrich, whose name introduces this record, was reared in Macon county, Illinois, and is indebted to its public-school system for the edneational privileges he enjoyed. Ile was reared upon the home farm, where he re- mained until he attained his majority. He then began working as a farm hand by the month and was thus employed for five years, during which time he saved his money until he felt he was justified in beginning farming on his own aceord. He occupied one place as a renter for sixteen years, and in 1895 he removed to łowa. where he purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Newell township, Buena Vista county. To this he has since added eighty aeres, so that he now owns two hundred acres, constituting a valuable and well improved farm which is neat and thrifty in appearance and indieates his careful supervision. He uses the latest improved machinery in carrying
574
IHISTORY OF BUENA VISTA COUNTY
on the work of the fields, rotates his crops and does everything possible to keep his farm in a condition of improvement that will make it profitable.
On the 6th of November, 1879. Mr. Ellrich was married to Miss Etta Goldenstein, who was born in Oestfriesland. Germany, July 24, 1855. HIer parents, who were also natives of that country. died during her early girlhood. Mr. and Mrs. Elfrieh have become parents of nine children: Ora, the wife of Frank Barker, of Clarion, Iowa. by whom she has two children, Glenn and Guy; Raymond, at home; Fara, the wife of Peter Larson, of Newell, by whom she has one son, Harold; Elmer, Fama, Homer, Eva, Willis and Andrew, all yet under the parental roof. During his marriage of twenty-nine years Mr. Ellrich has never had a doctor in his house, excepting once for surgical work. nor a light burning through the night nor lost an hour's sleep from any illness of the children.
The parents are members of the Methodist church and are interested in its work. Mr. Ellrich belongs to Royal lodge, No. 428, A. F. & A. M., and gives his political support to the republican party. He was school director in Illinois for nine years and for three terms in Iowa, and the canse of educa- tion has always found in him a warm champion. He has also been trustee in Newell township for six years. has been most faithful in the discharge of his duties and was reelected November. 1908. Ile has made a creditable record in the business world by his honorable labor and well directed efforts and is today one of the prosperous farmers of the county, which shows what may be accomplished by perseverance and untiring industry.
GEORGE SUNDHOLM.
George Sundhohn, who is proprietor of the only hotel in Albert City, is a native of Sweden, born in the city of Ehsjo, April 25, 1863. a son of Olaf and Christine (Ohlstrand) Sundholm. The former was a dyer by trade but is now deceased. The mother still survives and is living at the old home. The son spent his boyhood and early youth in his native country but at the age of sixteen years, foreseeing that there was no future there for him and having heard much of the new country. he resolved to try his fortune in America and accordingly set sail at Goteborg. Sweden, for Bremen, Germany, making his way thenee to Baltimore, Maryland, the trip between the two latter places requiring one month. Ile at once made his way to Monmouth. Illinois, where lived relatives. He spent seven years in that city, being employed by the Wier Plow Company. His first duties were to run the machinery but he was later promoted until he became assistant shipping elerk.
Believing that farming might prove more congenial, however, Mr. Sundhohn in 1885 made the overland journey. a distance of four hundred and fifty miles, from Monmouth to Pocahontas county, Towa, and located on one hundred and twenty acres of prairie land, which he had previously purchased. He built a home and improved the place, making his home thereon for one year. Hle then removed to a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Fairfield
575
HISTORY OF BUENA VISTA COUNTY
township, Buena Vista county, which had been broken, but there were no buildings on the place. Mr. Sundholm then built fences and erected a house and substantial ontbuildings and in due course of time added an additional one hundred and sixty acre tract, all of which is located on section 28, Fair- field township. He continued to follow agricultural pursuits until the 1st of October, 1908, when he removed to Albert City and opened up a hotel, which he is now conducting with good success, having the only enterprise of the kind here. He has sold his farm here but still owns a half section of land in St. James. Minnesota. While on the farm he was for ten years a salesman for the International Ilarvester Company and left their employ only a few months ago.
It was in Monmouth, Illinois, that Mr. Sundholm was married on the 27th of July, 1886, the lady of his choice being Miss Lena Carlson, likewise a native of Sweden. She came to America when a young lady. By her marriage she has become the mother of four children: Edith, the wife of Ed Swanson, by whom she has one child; Emy, now a resident of Des Moines, Jowa ; Johan Elmer, who is on the father's farm ; and Edwin, at home.
Mr. Sundholm gives his political support to the republican party and for the past eight years has served as a member of the school board. He and his family are members of the Swedish Lutheran church. His hostelry ranks favorably with those of many a larger place and its genial proprietor negleets nothing that can add to the comfort of the guests, while as a citizen he is highly esteemed.
AXEL BENNA.
Axel Benna, who is successfully engaged in farming on section 11. Fairfield township, was born in Sweden on the 11th of February. 1871. His father, August Anderson, also a native of Sweden, followed the miller's trade in that country and after his emigration to the United States was employed on the railroad. His demise ocenrred at Calmar, Iowa, in 1871, soon after his arrival in the new world. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Matilda Johnson, was also born in Sweden and accompanied him on his emigration to America. Unto August and Matilda (Johnson) Anderson were born two children : Carl J., an agriculturist of Fairfield township, who is mentioned on another page of this volume; and Axel, of this review. These children took the name of their mother's second husband. Following the demise of August Anderson, his widow became the wife of Nels Benna, whose birth ocenrred in Sweden, May 20, 1839. In the year 1869 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, locating in Illinois, where he worked on a farm for two years on the expiration of which period he came to Buena Vista county, Iowa, and entered a claim of one hundred and sixty acres. This property he brought under a high state of cultivation and it has since been the home of the family. his widow still residing thereon. As his financial resources increased he added to his original purchase until he owned more than five hundred acres at
576
HISTORY OF BUENA VISTA COUNTY
the time of his death, which occurred in Fairfield township in 1895. The estate is still undivided. It was in 1873 that Nels Benna wedded Mrs. Matilda Anderson, by whom he had the following children : Allen and Selma, both at home; Hilman, deceased; Sigird. the wife of Olaf Nelson, of Albert City; Gust, who is operating the home farm; Berthold, who has also passed away ; and George, at home.
Brought to this county by his parents in early childhood, Axel Benna has since made his home here, and attended the country schools until nineteen years of age. while subsequently he spent a year in the high school at Marathon and for one term was a student in Storm Lake College. He then began farming on the home place and has since been thus engaged, operating two hundred aeres of the estate. He owns a farm of one hundred and fifty acres two miles west of Albert City, and is widely recognized as a prosperous and enterprising agriculturist of the community.
On the 6th of October. 1897, Mr. Benna was united in marriage to Miss Esther Benzon, a daughter of Rev. Benzon and Dora Benzon. They now have four children: Constance. Bertel. Dorothea, and Sylvia, aged respectively nine, six, four and one years.
In his political views Mr. Benna is a stalwart republican and has served as township trustee. He and his family are devoted members of the Swedish Lutheran church, and are well known and highly esteemed throughout the community in which they reside.
DAVID CHARLES PEWSEY.
David Charles Pewsey, who for thirty years has now been successfully engaged in the practice of veterinary surgery in Buena Vista county, was born in Canada on the 10th of September. 1845. His parents, David and Alfreda (Homer) Pewsey, were both natives of England and were married in that country. The year 1844 witnessed their emigration to Canada and in 1869 they brought their family to the United States, locating in Clinton county, Towa. There they resided on a homestead elaim for three years, on the expiration of which period they came to Buena Vista county, where the father homesteaded another claim. He had learned the trades of carpenter- ing and cabinet making and was a much respected and valuable eitizen in the pioneer community. He gave his political allegiance to the republican party, while his religions faith was indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, with which his wife was also identified. Unto this worthy couple were born the following children: Harriet, the wife of William Marshall; Elizabeth, who became the wife of William Cole; Mary Ann, who is the wife of Sylvester Cole; Sophia, the wife of Peter Donaldson ; Hannah. twin sister of Sophia, who is the wife of Thomas A. Jones; Alta, a carpenter by trade ; David Charles, of this review ; Emily, the wife of George (. Sweet; William A., an agriculturist of Lineoln township; Rozina, who became the wife of James Hollingsworth; and two who died in infancy.
577
HISTORY OF BUENA VISTA COUNTY
David Charles Pewsey homesteaded eighty acres of land in Lincoln town- ship, on which he has resided continuously to the present time, with the exception of one summer during which the grasshoppers destroyed his crops. For the past thirty years he has practiced veterinary surgery here and has won a well merited measure of success in his profession, while the kindly esteem in which he is uniformly held is indicated somewhat by the fact that he is familiarly known as "Doc" Pewsey.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Dr. Pewsey chose Miss Josephine Gordon, a native of Clinton county. lowa, who, however, passed away in 1870. A stalwart republican in his political views, he takes an active interest in the local work of the party and has capably served as township clerk and road supervisor. He also served on the jury during the May term of court. In 1903 he visited Canada and the eastern states, finding the trip a source of much pleasure and recreation. Ilis interests are thor- oughly identified with those of Buena Vista county and at all times he is ready to lend his aid and cooperation to any movement calculated to benefit this section of the country or advance its wonderful development.
FRED H. HIGGINS.
Character and ability will undoubtedly lead a man to the front in any walk of life, and in no instance is this fact more strongly manifest than in the life record of Fred H. Higgins, who was thrown upon his own resources at the early age of thirteen years. Ile has worked hard in the years that have come and gone and today finds him in the possession of one of the valuable farm properties of Grant township, his place comprising one hundred and twenty acres. He was born in Des Moines, Iowa, December 15, 1871, the only child of Albert and Carrie (McFadden) Higgins, both of whom were natives of the Buckeye state. The father removed with his wife from his native state to Iowa and engaged in merchandising near Des Moines.
Fred H. Higgins lost his mother when but two years of age and through the death of his father was left an orphan when but four years old. He was then taken into the home of an annt, Mrs. Myra Russel, by whom he was reared to the age of thirteen, when she, too, was called to her final rest. During this time, however, he had been sent to school and he completed the high-school course when a youth of fifteen years. He then seenred employ- ment at farm labor, being thus engaged for three years, during which time he saved twenty-five dollars, which he appropriated to the acquirement of a better education. Left without parental care, he feels that he owes much to John Chaney for his fatherly advice and counsel at a time when he needed the guardianship of an older friend. Upon finally putting aside his text-books Mr. Higgins was employed in operating a threshing machine until he reached the age of twenty-six years.
Mr. Higgins established a home of his own by his marriage. September 15, 1897, the lady of his choice being Miss Millie Lancaster, whose parents
578
IHISTORY OF BUENA VISTA COUNTY
were farming people. Following his marriage Mr. Higgins removed with his bride to Illinois and there remained for some time, when he returned to his native state, this time locating in Buena Vista county, where he owns one hundred and twenty acres of land in Grant township. He has made all of the improvements on his farm and has a model country home, supplied with all modern conveniences and accessories. while substantial barns and out- buildings furnish ample shelter for grain and stock. His land. too, has been placed under a high state of cultivation and is one of the valuable farm properties of Grant township. He is engaged in general farming and also operates a threshing machine during the harvesting season. He raises shorthorn cattle. having a full blooded male at the head of his herd, and he also raises Poland China and Duroc JJersey hogs. Every dollar that he today possesses has been acquired through his own industry and the assistance of his estimable wife, who has proved to him a most faithful companion.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Higgins has been blessed with a son and three daughters, Allen, Hallie, Zelma and Evelyn. Mr. Higgins is a republi- can in his political views and affiliations and has served as collector of his township. His fraternal relations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
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.