USA > Iowa > Calhoun County > Past and present of Calhoun County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress, and achievement, Volume II > Part 16
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On the 7th of September, 1898, Mr. Ulvestad was united in mar- riage, in Blue Earth, Minnesota, to Miss Josephine M. Legvold, a daughter of Hans E. and Emma Legvold. To this union two ehil- dren have been born, Earl Alton and Lyla Hazel. In his political belief Mr. Ulvestad is in accord with the principles of the republican party, which he supports at the polls. He was a Lutheran in religious belief and was confirmed in the Norwegian Lutheran church but now belongs to the Presbyterian church of Lake City. Fraternally he is a Mason, identified with the blue lodge, and is also a member of the subordinate lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he has served as recording secretary and as vice grand. Since coming to Lake City he has not only won a gratifying measure of financial success but has also gained a high place in the estimation of his fellow citizens.
CHARLES G. KASKEY.
Charles G. Kaskey is one of the leading merchants of Manson and his general store is well patronized. not only by the residents of that city but by people from the surrounding country as well. He was born in Prussia, Germany, on the 24th of January, 1862, a son of Angust and Louise (Schrader) Kaskey, who were likewise natives of Prussia. In 1870 they emigrated to the United States, landing in
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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The following year they removed to Michigan, where they continued to live for five years, after which they removed to Buena Vista county, Iowa, where the father purchased land. After operating his farm for a number of years he went to Storm Lake, where he lived retired until called by death.
Charles G. Kaskey attended the public schools during the winter months but during the remainder of the year it was necessary for him to assist with the work of the farm. Under his father's instruction he not only learned much coneerning the methods of agriculture but also learned the invaluable lessons of unremitting industry, thrift and integrity. On starting out for himself he worked as a farm hand for two years for twelve dollars and a half per month and then rented land. part of which he sowed to flax. Hle only raised a half bushel to the acre and, becoming diseouraged with the prospect, he sold his team the following winter for four hundred dollars and became a railroad fireman. He followed that occupation from 1882 to 1885, but in the latter year returned to the homestead, his father having in the mean- time sustained a stroke of paralysis. Later our subject accepted a position as elerk with Kendall & Cemans, merchants of Alta, with whom he remained for four years. He then established himself in the mercantile business in Alta, in which connection he met with gratify- ing snecess. In 1898 he located in Manson and opened a general store. In the intervening seventeen years he has built up a large business by plaeing his dependence on striet integrity and the poliey of giving full value for the money received. He studies earefully the needs of his customers and buys his stock with the demands of his patrons in mind.
In March, 1887, Mr. Kaskey married Miss Mande A. Burston, of Dyersville, Iowa, and they have five children: Harry, who is employed in his father's store; May, who married Chester E. Long, who con- ducts a furniture store in Oneida, Iowa; Irene, at home; and Carl and Albert, both in school.
Mr. Kaskey is a member of the German Lutheran church, but his wife and children belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Masonic order and has taken all of the degrees of the York Rite, being a member of the Knights Tem- plar Commandery. His politieal belief is that of the democratic party. and he is now serving acceptably on the city council. He has also been a member of the school board. For twelve years he has been seeretary of the County Fair Association and it is largely due to him that the county fairs have been sueeessfully conducted. Although the management of his store makes heavy demands upon
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his time and energy, he is never too busy or too tired to aid in any way possible movements seeking the expansion of Manson and Cal- houn county, whether along material, moral or intellectual lines. IIe is justly accounted one of the leaders in his community and is one of the most valued citizens of Manson.
GEORGE A. STEWART.
George A. Stewart, who is a prominent and well known eon- tractor and builder of Pomeroy, where he oceupies a niee home, was born in Pocahontas county, Iowa, Mareh 19, 1866, a son of Robert Charles and Lucy (Lander) Stewart. The former was born in Glasgow, Seotland, in 1826, and in 1834 accompanied his parents to Quebec, Canada, where the family resided for two years. In 1836 the father removed with his family to Norridgewoek, Maine. In the latter place he learned the shoemaker's trade and subsequently went to Fulton, Illinois, where he followed the same business for five years. He then went to Carroll county, Illinois, and eultivated rented land until 1870. Subsequently he drove from Carroll county to Pocahontas county, this state, where he entered a homestead elaim of eighty acres in Colfax township, his wife and family later joining him in the new home. The father at onee began to improve and eulti- vate his land and in addition to farming also dealt in furs. In 1883 he removed to Pomeroy, having in the meantime purchased a home, and there he worked at the shoemaker's trade and dealt in furs for a time but eventually he abandoned work at his trade and gave his entire attention to the latter business and also to loaning money. He beeame a very sueeessful man and was aetive in the life of Pomeroy until his demise, which oeeurred in 1899. He was a republican and held various offices while residing in Pocahontas county, serving as justice of the peaee, town elerk and as a member of the school board. In religious faith he was a Methodist. The wife and mother, who was born in New Portland, Maine, in 1836, passed away in the faith of the Methodist church on the 15th of March. 1915, having for a number of years survived her husband.
George A. Stewart spent the period of his boyhood and youth on the home farm and assisted in the work of the fields during the spring and summer months, while in the winter seasons he pursued his studies in the district schools. Ile wa's a youth of seventeen years when the family left the farm and took up their abode in Pomeroy and the son
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there learned the carpenter's trade, which he has sinee followed. Today many of the finest homes of Pomeroy and vicinity stand as monuments to his skill and ability.
On the 15th of April. 1888. Mr. Stewart was united in marriage to Miss Mary Frost, who was born in Toronto, Canada, in 1867 and was but two years of age when she was taken by her parents, Jennette and George P. Frost, to Janesville, Wiseonsin, where she was reared and educated. Subsequently she accompanied the family on their removal to Calhoun county, the father afterward engaging in farm- ing in Sherman township. To Mr. and Mrs. Stewart have been born two sons and one daughter: Irvin, associated with his father: Ray F., doing orchestra work; and Mildred Mary, at home.
Following in the political footsteps of his father, Mr. Stewart has always supported the principles of the republican party and he has filled the office of assessor. In religious faith he and his wife are Methodists. In business he is ever true to the terms of a contract and his strict conformity to a high standard of business principles has won him the unqualified regard of his fellow citizens, while the skill and ability which he displays has gained him a liberal patronage in building cireles.
HON. JOHN W. JACOBS.
John W. Jacobs, one of the leading attorneys of Lake City, is widely known beyond the limits of Calhoun county, having for three terins served in the lower house of the state legislature, proving a far-sighted and public-spirited member of that body. He is a native of Calhoun county, born in Jackson township, August 7, 1871, a son of Henry F. and Margaret H. Jacobs, who were among the early settlers of this county and were highly esteemed by all who knew them.
John W. Jacobs first attended the country school and was later a student in the schools of Lake City. Subsequently he entered Drake University, from which he was graduated in 1895 with the degree of Bachelor of Seience, and in preparation for his life work he took a special course at the College of Law of the State University. In 1896 he was admitted to the bar and in the nineteen years that have intervened since that time he has advanced steadily in his ehosen profession. gaining a high reputation for legal knowledge, ability and uprightness. In preparing his cases he keeps in mind every
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possible contingency and consults every authority bearing upon the particular phase of law which applies to the point in question and is thus able to present his cause in the courtroom with confidence. He is courteous to the opposing counsel and at all times respects the dig- nity of the court but is forceful and convineing in argument and has won many decisions favorable to his clients. His knowledge of the basic principles of law and his careful study of present-day events and conditions well fit him for service as a legislator and his fellow citizens, recognizing this fact, have three times chosen him as their representative in the lower house of the state assembly. During the thirty-third, thirty-fourth and thirty-fifth sessions of that body he represented his district therein and did mueh effective work both on the floor of the house and in committee rooms. When a candidate at the primaries for his third nomination as representative on the repub- lican ticket he received every republican vote east in Jaekson town- ship. He has also been mayor of Lake City and in that capacity made an exeellent record, giving the municipality a businesslike administration.
Mr. Jacobs was married November 18, 1898, to Miss Bertha E. Coe, a daughter of Josiah and Jessie ( Kinnis) Coe, and to this union has been born a daughter, Catherine Margaret. As has been indi- cated, Mr. Jacobs is a stalwart republican in his political belief and is one of the leaders of his party in this section of the state. Fra- ternally he is identified with the Masonie order, and its principles of kindness and justice are the guiding forees in his life. As a publie official he has promoted the general welfare and has discharged all of his duties with ability; as an attorney he has the respect of his col- leagues and the general publie: and as a man he has won the esteem of all who have come in contaet with him.
NELSON PALMETIER.
Nelson Palmetier, of Pomeroy, is one of the few remaining pio- neers of Calhoun county and is justly held in high honor by all who know him. His birth oeeurred near Poughkeepsie, New York, on Friday, April 13, 1837, and he is a son of Peter I. and Susan ( Kipp) Palmetier. The father was born near Hyde Park. New York, but his father. Isaac Palmetier, was a native of France, where he was reared and where his marriage oeeurred. He emigrated to the United States prior to the Revolutionary war and settled in the state of New
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York, where both he and his wife passed away, both dying at an advanced age. Peter I. Palmetier was reared in the Empire state and during the War of 1812 served in the American army. He fol- lowed agricultural pursuits in his native state and passed away there when about eighty-one years of age. His wife, who was also born in New York, was a daughter of Benona Kipp, a native of Holland, who settled in the United States previous to the war for independ- enee and participated in that struggle. Two of his brothers were killed while at the front. His wife was also a native of Holland. Mrs. Susan ( Kipp) Palmetier passed away in New York when about eighty years of age. She was the mother of twelve children, ten sons and two daughters, all of whom grew to maturity and of whom our subject is the youngest.
Nelson Palmetier was reared under the parental roof and when about seven years of age accompanied the family to Greene county, where he was educated in the publie schools. Following his marriage, which occurred when he was twenty-five years of age, he devoted his time to farming and to work at the earpenter's trade until 1868. In that year he emigrated westward to Wiseonsin and in the summer of the following year he came to Calhoun county, Iowa, and home- steaded land in Butler township. In the spring of 1870 he took up his residenee on his farm, having ereeted a substantial frame house. He devoted much of his time to the development and improvement of his farm and also worked at his trade to some extent. Two years after removing to his homestead he built a house for Charles Perkins and in payment for his work took a colt, as at that time there was searcely any money in circulation in this eounty. He erected a num- ber of sehoolhouses in the county and also buildings of various kinds in the town of Pomeroy. In 1889 or 1890 he rented his farm and purchased his present residenee in Pomeroy, where he has since resided. He has ereeted many houses in his part of the county and also built many of the bridges on the drainage ditches. All of his work was well done and he gained an enviable reputation in his line. During the last few years he has lived largely retired, although he continues to work in his garden and also takes care of a few hives of bees. He was in Pomeroy at the time of the terrible cyelone on the 6th of July, 1893, when forty-nine people were killed, but as he sought refuge in a cave he escaped injury.
In 1862 Mr. Palmetier was united in marriage to Miss Esther J. Barker. a native of Greene county, New York, who passed away on the 20th of January, 1907. She was a true helpmate and a fine type of a brave and resolute pioncer woman. Many times she had
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remained alone upon the homestead while her husband was away on business, but her courage never wavered and she at all times faith- fully performed the duties falling to the lot of the pioneer wife.
Mr. Palmetier was a Union democrat at the time of the Civil war, but when Horace Greeley beeame the democratic candidate for the presidency, he refused to support Mr. Greeley. Since that elec- tion, however, he has continued to cast his ballot for a democratic candidate. For two years he was justice of the peace in Pomeroy, for a similar period served as assessor, and has also been a member of the city council. In all of those capacities he proved capable and conscientious, performing his duties with an eye single to the public good. Although he has reached the advanced age of seventy-eight years he is still quite active and his mental faculties are unimpaired. For the last eight years he has had his second sight and can read without glasses. In the early days he often played the violin for dances and still plays that instrument for his own amusement. He has an excellent memory and his accounts of happenings in the county when it was still a pioneer district are of interest and value and serve to connect the present with the past. He has not only witnessed the marvelous development of the county in the last fifty years, but has also done his part in bringing it about and at all times his life has measured up to high standards.
J. MILTON DRURY.
J. Milton Drury, who is a merchant of Lake City, was born January 13, 1883, in Hardin county, Iowa, a son of Judson N. and Phiana A. (Hills) Drury. At the usual age he entered the public schools and completed the high school course in Rockwell City. He then began clerking in a dry goods and clothing establishment in that city, being thus engaged for a few years, after which he became floor manager for the Simon Clothing Company, at Des Moines, remaining in that capacity for two and a half years, when he went to Minneapolis, where for one year he worked in a similar capacity for the Palace Clothing Company. Subsequently he went to Boone, Iowa, and worked on the construction of the sub-station of the inter- urban railway. He remained in that city two years and in the mean- time learned candy making. Ile then located in Rockwell City and for fifteen months was employed in a garage, while in 1913 he came to Lake City and opened Drury Lane, of which he has since been
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proprietor. He is a young man of enterprise and as a merchant is meeting with well deserved suecess.
Mr. Drury was married September 25, 1904, the lady of his choice being Miss Bessie R. Leonard, and by this union there are two daughters: Inez Ray, who was born April 28, 1905; and Irene Faye, whose birth oeeurred April 3, 1910. Mr. Drury's study of the polit- ical questions and issues of the day has led him to give stalwart support to the republican party. Although he has lived in Lake City for only a brief period he has already made many friends and Drury Lane is one of the well condueted business enterprises of the city.
MORRIS W. FITZ.
Morris W. Fitz is president of the Farmers Savings Bank of Manson; of the Griswold Land & Credit Company, also of Manson; of the Iowa Banking Company of Palmer, Iowa, and of the Farmers Lumber Company of Fort Dodge, a line corporation, and also is a successful farmer and stoek raiser, with other business interests as well. He gives the elosest attention to the management of the affairs of the above named enterprises and it is well known that they are condueted along safe and conservative lines.
Mr. Fitz is a native of Zanesville, Ohio, his birth occurring on the 29th of December, 1837. His parents, James and Elizabeth (Evans) Fitz, were also born in that eity and their natal years were respectively 1824 and 1834. They were married in 1856 and nine years later came to Iowa, settling at Newton. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, purchased land in that loeality, but in 1878 removed with his family to Greene county, where he bought land. At the time of his death he was living in Churdan. He passed away in 1905 and was survived by his wife for two years. He was a repub- liean and held a number of local offices. His wife was a eonsistent member of the Baptist church. His father, John Fitz, was born in Pennsylvania but became a resident of Ohio, where he devoted his time to agricultural pursuits and where he was living at the time of his death. The Fitz family is of Duteh deseent. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Caleb Evans, was born in Pennsylvania of Welsh ancestry but emigrated to Ohio, where he resided until his demise. He devoted his life to farming.
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Morris W. Fitz, the eldest in a family of eleven children, all of whom survive, attended the publie and high schools of Newton, Iowa, and after completing the high-school course in 1877 became a student in the Hazel Dell Academy. For two years after leaving school he engaged in teaching but in 1880 entered the employ of H. J. Gris- wold, who had established a real-estate business in Manson in 1872. In time Mr. Fitz became a partner in the business and following the demise of Mr. Griswold the latter's widow and son continued to conduet the business in partnership with Mr. Fitz. J. Emerson Greenfield also owned an interest in the company but in 1901 sold out to Mr. Fitz and Mrs. Griswold. Two years later Mr. Griswold, Jr., passed away and since that time Mrs. Griswold and Mr. Fitz have been sole owners of the original business. In 1885 they organ- ized a private bank known as the Bank of Manson, which in 1910 was reorganized as the Farmers Savings Bank. This institution now has a larger total of deposits than any other bank in the county, which fact indicates the confidence in which it is held by the people of the community. It is capitalized for fifty thousand dollars, has a surplus of eleven thousand dollars and accrued profits of seven thousand dollars. Mr. Fitz and Mrs. Griswold also deal extensively in farm lands and farm loans under the name of the Griswold Land & Credit Company, which has a capital and surplus of seventy-five thousand dollars. Mr. Fitz is president of the company: Mrs. Gris- wold, vice president: F. B. Davis, secretary; Isa B. Fitz, assistant secretary; and Roger F. Fitz, notary public. The co-partnership is rated at six hundred thousand dollars and since the demise of Mr. Griswold in 1899 Mr. Fitz has had full charge of the business, so that the splendid condition of its affairs is dne to his foresight, aeumen and sound judgment. The company holds title to a large amount of farm land and has placed many farm loans over northwest Iowa.
Mr. Fitz was married in 1884 to Isa B. Funk, a daughter of Peter Funk. of Maryland, and to this union have been born two children: Irene, now the wife of Frank B. Davis, cashier of the Farmers Savings Bank and secretary of the Griswold Land & Credit Company; and Roger F., assistant cashier of the bank and notary publie for the land and eredit company.
Mr. Fitz is a republican and consistently supports the candidates of that party at the polls. He is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church, of which he is a trustee, and takes an active interest in the work of that organization. When he came to Manson he was a poor young man and throughout the years has been compelled to rely upon his own resources, and the unusual success which he has gained
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in business is proof of his ability and energy. One important factor in gaining the respect and confidence of those with whom he has had dealings is his fairness and honesty and it is generally recognized that his integrity is unswerving.
DAVID L. ORWIG.
David L. Orwig is engaged in farming, owning one hundred and sixty aeres of valiable land on seetion 9, Garfield township. He is a native of Illinois, born on a farm in West Jersey township, Stark county. July 21. 1869, a son of Sylvester and Rebeeea Ann (Ger- man) Orwig. The father was born in Ohio and when a small boy eame to the middle west with his parents, the journey being made with ox team and wagon. The family located in Stark county, Ili- nois. and there Sylvester Orwig spent the remainder of his life. IIe became a prominent and successful farmer of that locality and there passed away at the age of seventy years. A democrat in polities. he ever took an active interest in publie affairs and was frequently ealled upon to hold office. In religious faith he was a Methodist. His wife, who was born in Illinois, is still living there at the advanced age of seventy-eight years, and she likewise holds membership with the Methodist church.
David L. Orwig was reared on the home farm in Stark county. Illinois, and it was there that he received the practical training which fitted him to carry on farming for himself in later life. He was educated in the public schools and remained with his parents until he was twenty-four years of age, when he was married and subsequently loeated upon a farm in his home locality. Ile cultivated that place one year but in 1895 came to Calhoun county, Iowa, where he eon- tinued to cultivate rented land two years, or until 1897, when he bought his present place of one hundred and sixty aeres on section 9, Garfield township, paying for the same thirty dollars per acre. Hc has sinee tiled the land and improved the place, ereeting thereon a modern country home and substantial outbuildings, all of which are kept in good condition, and the land today is worth two hundred and fifty dollars per acre. He is meeting with success in his work, for he closely adheres to a systematie rule of crop rotation and makes a elose study of the adaptability of certain crops to certain soils, so that he annually garners good harvests.
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Mr. Orwig chose as a companion for the journey of life, Miss Della C. Patterson, who was born in Bureau county, Illinois, and this union has been blessed with eight children: Lillie M., Charlotte R., Leslie E., Chester L., Mabel V .. Letta M., Edna L. and David Franklin, all at home.
In politics Mr. Orwig is a republican but has never been active in public affairs. He has, however, for several years been a member of the school board. Ile stands as a high type of American manhood, who has won success in a useful field of labor and gained the respect and honor of his fellowmen.
GEORGE GUY HUTCHISON.
Since January, 1907. George Guy Hutchison has held the posi- tion of cashier of the First National Bank of Lake City. His birth occurred in Lake City on the 28th of May, 1881, and he is a son of the Hon. Samuel T. and Elizabeth S. (Hold) Hutchison, an account of whose lives occurs elsewhere in this work.
WALTER A. NOEL.
Walter A. Noel is well known in newspaper circles of Calhoun county as the owner and editor of the Advocate of Rockwell City, and he has made that paper a power in the formation of public opinion. He was born in Adel, Iowa, on the 4th of May, 1856. of the marriage of Cole and Catherine ( Shuey) Noel. The father was born in Sullivan county, Indiana, in 1818. a son of Matthew Noel, and the mother was a native of Virginia. Cole Noel followed farming while living in Indiana and also engaged in merchandising there. In 1851 he removed to Iowa and first located in Des Moines, but three years later went to Adel, where he engaged in the land business. For eleven years he was clerk of the district court and under Presidents Lincoln and Johnson he served as revenue assessor of the southern district of Iowa. He was well known throughout the state and was one of the leaders of the republican party. In 1869-70 he served in the state legislature and did much to secure the appropriation for the building of the state capitol. He was a member of the Christian church and fraternally was identified with the Masonie blue lodge, of which he
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