USA > Iowa > Calhoun County > Past and present of Calhoun County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress, and achievement, Volume II > Part 18
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After his return from the front he worked as a farm hand in Warren and Pulaski counties until 1867, when he removed to Bureau county, Illinois, where he remained for three years. Later he went to Ford county, that state, where he purchased eighty acres of land, which he operated for thirteen years, but at the expiration of that period went to Iroquois county, where he owned one hundred and sixty acres, to the cultivation of which he devoted his time and atten- tion for seventeen years. In 1901 he eame to Calhoun county and purchased two hundred acres in Elm Grove township, which he still owns. He is now living retired in Lake City, where he owns a modern residence, but he still supervises the operation of his farm. The competence which he has gained is the direct result of his energy, progressiveness and continued industry and his leisure is well deserved.
On the 12th of December, 1877, occurred the marriage of Mr. Light and Miss Jane Ann Smith, of Ford county, Illinois, and their two daughters are: Nellie, the wife of II. F. Jorgenson, of Newell, South Dakota; and Mary Nettie, of Omaha, Nebraska.
Mr. Light is a republican and has served as road eommissioner and town clerk. While living in Iroquois county, Illinois, he served as a member of the school board for two deeades and for seven years has been a member of the city eouneil of Lake City. He is connected with the Grand Army of the Republie and for the past seven years has been adjutant of Lander Post, No. 156. He is an influential member of the local Presbyterian church and has served as elder during most of his connection with the church. During the fourteen years in which he has resided in Calhoun county he has gained a wide acquaintanceship and has made and retained many warm personal friends.
JOHN HARMS.
John Harms, who resides on seetion 26, Logan township, is num- bered among the substantial and enterprising farmers and stoekmen of Calhoun county, owning one hundred and sixty aeres of valuable land. His birth occurred in Oldenburg, Germany, on the 14th of
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December, 1872, his parents being Herman and Mary (Dehling) Harms, the former born in Germany in 1844 and the latter in Illi- nois in 1846. In 1882, when their son John was ten years of age, they crossed the Atlantic to the United States, taking up their abode on a farm near Benson, Illinois, where the father carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1902. In that year he purchased land in Calhoun county, Iowa, and was here successfully engaged in farming until 1912, since which time he has lived retired in Lavinia. He has now reached the ripe old age of seventy-one years, while his wife is sixty-nine.
John Harms, the second in order of birth in a family of ten chil- dren, acquired his early education in the schools of his native land and continued his studies in Illinois. On attaining his majority he started out as an agriculturist on his own account in Iroquois county, where he owned and operated an excellent farm of three hundred and twenty acres and became widely recognized as a prosperous and enterprising citizen. In 1910 he came to this county, taking up his abode on a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Logan town- ship which he has cultivated continuously to the present time. He carries on general farming and also devotes considerable attention to live-stock interests, raising Percheron horses and Holstein cattle. The Percheron Society of America numbers him among its members.
In 1896 Mr. Harms was united in marriage to Miss Nona Wilkin, a native of Illinois and a daughter of John and Tillie ( Flessner) Wilkin, the former born in Germany and the latter in Illinois. To our subject and his wife have been born six children, namely: Ida, Harry, Nettie, Florence, Raymond and Walter.
Mr. Harms gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has taken an active part in public affairs of his community, now serving as trustee of Logan township. His religions faith is that of the Lutheran church, and his sterling traits of character have gained for him the high regard of all with whom he has come in contact.
B. F. REYNOLDS.
B. F. Reynolds is successfully engaged in raising Belgian horses and Chester White hogs on seetion 16. Jackson township. He owns two hundred and ninety-two acres of excellent land and is one of the well-to-do citizens of his locality. His birth occurred in Cass connty, Michigan, on the 28th of March, 1847, and he is a son of
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Edward Miner and Sarah ( Beebe) Reynolds, natives of Ohio. They removed from Cuyahoga county, that state, to Michigan, where the father farmed for many years. In 1860 they came with their family to this county, making the journey by team. They traded their farm in Michigan for land on section 13, Jackson township, and became well known in this county. The father was quite active in politics and served for some time as justice of the peace. He died in 1895, having survived his wife for five years, her demise occurring in 1890 in. Kansas. To them were born eight children, namely: Edward M., who died aged one year; B. F .; Mrs. Amelia F. Hain, a resident of Oklahoma; James A., a resident of Auburn, Sac county, this state; Celestia A. Skinner, who died in 1915; Abel B., of Rockwell City; Ollie Evans, of Lytton, Iowa; and Levi J., of Cuba, Kansas.
B. F. Reynolds attended the public schools in the acquirement of an education and remained under the parental roof during his boyhood and youth. On the 20th of February, 1864, when not quite seventeen years of age, he enlisted at Fort Dodge in Company E, Thirty-ninth Iowa Regiment, which was assigned to the Fourth Divi- sion of the Fifteenth Army Corps. He joined his regiment at Athens, Alabama, and first saw active service at Chattanooga, Ten- nessee. Subsequently he participated in the engagements at Smoke Creek Gap and Altoona Pass and accompanied Sherman on his cele- brated march from Atlanta to the sea. He participated in the grand review at Washington and was honorably discharged from the service at Louisville, Kentucky, on the 12th of July, 1865.
Mr. Reynolds decided to follow agricultural pursuits and pur- chased eighty acres of school land at auction for two dollars and a half per acre. He had been trained to the work of the farm and soon had his land under cultivation and as the years passed his resources increased. From time to time he purchased additional land and now holds title to two hundred and ninety-two acres in Jackson township. He raises grain, but expects to pay particular attention to breeding Belgian horses and Chester White hogs and is known as one of the best stoek-raisers in his township. The gratifying measure of sue- cess which is his today is fully deserved and is the direct result of his untiring energy and sound judgment.
On the 13th of October, 1867, Mr. Reynolds was married to Miss Rosannah Williams, a daughter of Larkin Williams, who removed to this county in 1867 from Cass county, Michigan. He was a farmer by occupation and was well spoken of by all who knew him. His demise occurred in 1909. To Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds have been born four children, two of whom died in 1876. Walter J., who was born Vol. II-12
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on the 28th of September, 1877, is now assisting with the operation of the home farm and resides with his parents. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and to the Sons of Veterans. He takes quite an active part in public affairs and is at present serving on the school board. He married Miss Nellie Miles, and they have a son, Elvin G. Clara B. is the wife of W. O. Miles and lives in Lake City.
Mr. Reynolds is a republican and has never faltered in his alle- giance to the party which stood stanehly by the Union in the time of its greatest peril. Through his membership in Lander Post, No. 156, G. A. R., he keeps in touch with his eomrades of fifty years ago, and he has at all times manifested a sineere desire for the publie good and the willingness to sacrifiee private interests to the general weal that is the essence of true patriotism.
CORNELIUS A. CHRISTOPHERSEN.
Cornelius A. Christophersen, cashier of the State Savings Bank at Knierim, was born at Onawa, Iowa, on the 1st of December, 1878, a son of Martin and Martha ( Baalsrud) Christophersen. the former a native of Hurdahl, and the latter of Feiring, Norway. On coming to the United States the father settled near Blencoe, Iowa, where he worked at farm labor. He afterward removed to Onawa, in Monona county, where he was employed at the tinner's trade, at paper hang- ing and painting, thus leading a busy, active life. In 1855 he left that place and removed to Thor, Humboldt county, Iowa, where he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, still making his home there at the age of sixty-six years. After he had spent four or five years in America he returned to Norway and brought his wife to the new world. She also survives, as do their two children, Cor- nelius A. and Olga E., the latter at home.
Cornelius A. Christophersen spent his youthful days under the parental roof and pursued his education in the publie schools, which he attended until 1895. He then accompanied his parents on their removal to Thor and secured employment in a store, where he re- mained to the age of twenty-four years. He next went to Fort Dodge, where he entered the Fort Dodge National Bank as errand boy and janitor. His faithfulness and capability there won him promotion and he was advaneed to the position of teller in the five years in which he remained in that institution. On the Ist of March,
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1907, he was appointed to the position of cashier of the State Savings Bank at Knierim, where he has since continued and now has entire management of the bank, which he is carefully. and successfully eon- ducting. He has made a close study of the various phases of the banking business and his labors have resulted in substantial success.
On the 29th of June, 1907. Mr. Christophersen was married to Miss Emma C. Lindquist, a native of Osco, Henry county, Illinois, where she was reared and edueated. They have one son, Rolf Cor- nelius, six years of age and attending school.
In his political views Mr. Christophersen is independent, voting according to the dietates of his judgment and not according to the demands of party leaders. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church and endeavor to shape their lives according to its teachings. In his business affairs he has placed his confidence in the substantial qualities of elose application and a careful study of every situation and upon that foundation he has builded his success.
GEORGE G. HOLM.
For many years George G. Holm was a worthy and respected eitizen of Calhoun county, living in Elm Grove township until death ealled him to the land beyond. He was born in Sweden on the 12th of December. 1857, and the days of his boyhood and youth were there passed. He served in the standing army of Sweden in 1879 and 1880 and then, attraeted by the opportunities which he heard were to be secured in the new world, he crossed the Atlantie to America in 1881 and, making his way into the interior of the country, settled in Elm Grove township, Calhoun county, Iowa, on a traet of land of one hundred and sixty aeres which he afterward farmed until his death. He possessed the industry and determination characteristic of people of his nationality and his success was due to the fact that he worked untiringly, striving to make his farm produetive, his labors resulting in the raising of good erops.
On the Ist of October, 1883, Mr. Holm was united in marriage to Miss Louise Nelson, by whom he had four sons and six daughters, namely: Anna, the wife of Frank Smith, residing at Brewster, Min- nesota: Edward, at home; Ida, the wife of Edward Blair, of Yetter, Iowa: Bertha and Helen, twins, the former now Mrs. Harry Mar- latt. of Elm Grove township, and the latter now Mrs. Glenn Swenk, of Williams township; Gus, a farmer living near Worthington, Min-
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nesota: Nora, the wife of Walter Spurgeon, of Elm Grove township; Otto and Olive, both at home: and Oscar, who died in childhood.
Fraternally Mr. Holm was connected with the Knights of the Maccabees, while his religious belief was that of the Lutheran church, to which he always strictly and faithfully adhered, guiding his life by its teachings. The family circle was broken by the hand of death when on the 4th of March, 1904, Mr. Holm passed away. For twenty-three years he had remained in America and he had never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he found the opportunities which he sought and in their improvement gained a gratifying measure of success. He possessed, too, social qualities which won for him warm friendship, so that his loss was deeply deplored when he passed away.
JOHN WILLIAM BLANCHFIELD.
John William Blanchfield is a well known farmer and stock- raiser, residing in Jackson township, where he owns two hundred and seventy-four acres of excellent land. He also owns two hundred and forty aeres in Elm Grove township and sixty-four aeres in Cal- houn township and is recognized as one of the well-to-do citizens of this county. Besides the property just mentioned he has a tract of timber near Lake City and a half interest in one hundred and sixty acres of land in Hyde county, South Dakota.
Mr. Blanchfield was born on the family homestead on section 2, Jackson township, Calhoun county, on the 13th of November, 1871, a son of James and Mary ( Kilgore) Blanchfield. The father was born in the north of Ireland about 1838, a son of John and Ellen Blanchfield, and in 1858 accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world. They located in Canada but two years later removed to Sycamore, Illinois, where Joh Blanchfield passed away. James Blanchfield received but a limited edueation but possessed a keen and vigorous mind and proved very successful as a farmer. Following his marriage, on the 16th of June, 1870, to Miss Mary E. Kilgore, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Jackson township. Calhoun county, lowa, and took up his residence thercon. Eventually he became the owner of six hundred and forty acres in this county and one hundred and sixty acres in South Dakota, and he also held title to a good residence in Lake City, where he removed in 1905. Ile passed away in 1909. His political allegianee was given
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to the democratie party in his early life, but during his later years he was an adherent of the republican party. His wife, who was born near Londonderry, Ireland, is still living at Lake City at the advanced age of about eighty years. Two of the children born to them sur- vive. namely: John W., of this review; and Joseph K., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
John William Blanehfield was early trained in the work of the farm and in 1896, on starting out on his independent business eareer, began the operation of the farm on which he still resides. He owns land on both sections 1 and 2, Jaekson township, but his residence is situated on section 2. Ile likewise holds title to two hundred and forty aeres of excellent land in Elm Grove township and is very suc- cessful both as a general farmer and as a stock-raiser. He pays par- ticular attention to breeding Poland China and Chester White hogs and Polled Angus cattle. His farm is well equipped and he has rec- ognized the advantages of modern convenienees in the home, for his residenee is supplied with electrie lights and other up-to-date improve- ments. He is identified with local commercial interests as a stock- holder in the Farmers Elevator Company at Lake City.
On the 13th of November, 1895, Mr. Blanchfield was married to Miss Flossie Siffert, a daughter of George Siffert, deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Blanchfield were born eight children, one of whom died in infancy ; the others being: Marion, Amber, Earl, Virgil, Ber- nard, Daisy and Phenias.
Mr. Blanchfield is independent in politics, voting for the man rather than the party. Although he has not been an office sceker in the usually accepted sense of the term, he served for several years as a member of the school board. He formerly belonged to the Knights of Pythias at Lake City, but that lodge has now gone out of existenee. He holds membership in the Presbyterian church at Lake City and can be counted upon to further movements seeking the moral advancement of his community.
JOHN MASON STEWART.
The demise of John Mason Stewart of Lake City was the occasion of much sincere grief in this county, where he was widely known. He was engaged in the lumber business in Lake City in the early '80s and was subsequently for six years sheriff of Calhoun county. making an excellent record in that connection. He was a man of
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genuine worth of character and enjoyed the respect of all with whom he was brought in contact. He was born in Canton, Ohio, on the 8th of February, 1845, and when he was eight years of age he was taken by his parents to Vinton, Iowa, and two years later the family removed to Linn county. There he continued his education, but in August, 1862, when seventeen years of age, he enlisted for service in the Civil war in Company H, Twenty-second Iowa Infantry, At the expiration of his first term he reenlisted, becoming a member of Company D, Forty-fourth lowa Infantry, with which he served until honorably discharged in November, 1864. He returned home and continued to reside in Vinton until 1871, when he removed to Carroll county, Iowa, settling on a farm north of the present site of Lanes- boro. He gave his attention to agricultural pursuits for eleven years, but in 1882 came to Lake City. Here he opened a lumber yard. which he conducted for some time, and he was one of the leading pioneer merchants of the eity, which was just beginning its growth in the early '80s. In 1887 he was elected sheriff of Calhoun county and made such an excellent officer that he was twice reelected, serving until 1893. He was both energetic and fearless and also manifested good judgment, and his record was one of which he had every reason to be proud. Following his marriage, in 1897, he removed to Osmond, Nebraska, where he engaged in the real-estate business for five years. In 1902, however, he returned to Lake City. where he continued to live until his demise.
On the 20th of April, 1897, at Le Mars, Iowa, occurred the mar- riage of Mr. Stewart and Mrs. Elizabeth Cohoon. He was a repub- lican in politics and was a loyal worker for the success of his party at the polls. He was prominent in the Grand Army of the Republic and the Sons of Veterans camp at Lake City bears his name. For twenty-one years he led the Decoration Day parade and was always greatly interested in everything that tended to promote a love of country. He became a member of Zerubbabel Lodge, No. 240, A. F. & A. M., of Lake City, in October, 1876. Together with L. F. Danforth and J. M. Tolliver he took his chapter degrees in Glidden in 1879, and the same three took their commandery degrees in Sae City in 1880. Ile was an active worker in the lodge and passed through all of the chairs. He died on the 12th of November. 1914. when almost seventy years of age, leaving to mourn his demise his wife: three brothers, James Hudson, of Seattle, Washington, Samuel A. and W. Q., both of Rockwell City: and two sisters, Mrs. Emma M. Chaffin and Mrs. James Cook, both of Santa Maria, California. All who knew him spoke well of him and the esteem in which he was
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held is indicated by the resolutions which were passed at the time of his death. Zerubbabel Lodge, A. F. & A. M., in their resolutions, spoke of him as "one of our oldest, most efficient and devoted men- bers. one who has always served with freedom, ferveney and zeal, and discharged every important duty intrusted to him with great eredit to himself and honor to the fraternity."
Lander Post, No. 156, G. A. R., resolved, "That in the death of Comrade John M. Stewart, Lander Post, No. 156, G. A. R., has lost one of its honored and loyal members, a brave and loyal defender of the flag. To his family he was a true and loving husband. By the Post he was respected and loved as a true comrade and friend, by the community as a loyal and good eitizen."
DAVID LEONARD.
For twenty-two years David Leonard has resided upon his excel- lent farm of five hundred and twenty aeres, on section 13, Jackson township, and he has made that place one of the well improved prop- erties of his loeality. He is progressive in all that he does and his life has been characterized by determination and energy. He was born in Lieking county, Ohio, on the 6th of December, 1836. a son of Noah and Anna ( Floyd) Leonard, both natives of the Shenan- doah valley of Virginia and both born in 1802. Their marriage occurred in their native state and subsequently they removed to Ohio, whence they migrated to La Salle county, Illinois, in 1844 and to Benton county, Iowa, in October, 1864. There they passed the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of nine children, but our subject is the only one residing in this eounty. A sister lives in Iowa county, this state.
David Leonard received a good common-school education and in his boyhood and youth also learned many lessons of thrift, persever- anee and integrity that have had much to do with his sueeess. He engaged in farming in Iowa county for many years but in 1893 removed to this county and located on his present farm of five hun- dred and twenty acres on section 13, Jackson township. The land is in a high state of cultivation, the fields are well fenced, the build- ings are well designed and adequate, and the latest machinery is used in the work of the farm. Everything about the place is kept in splendid condition and Mr. Leonard has always been willing to adopt new methods if they promised to give better results than the old.
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IIis home is provided with modern conveniences and is a center of genuine hospitality. He has given the greater part of his time and attention to the work of the farm throughout his active life and the financial independence which is now his is the result of his wisely directed labor. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Com- pany of Lake City.
On the 17th of April, 1865, occurred the marriage of Mr. Leon- ard and Miss Martha L. Dutton, a danghter of O. B. Dutton. She was born in Will county, Illinois, but when eleven years of age was taken by her parents to Delaware county, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Leonard have eight living children, namely: O. A., a farmer of South Dakota, who married Miss Mae Willie; Floyd, a resident of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, who married Miss Lena Conrad; Lydia, who married C. W. Riley, a farmer of Lenox township, Iowa county: Vivian, at home; David, Jr., who is also on the home farm and who married Miss Lissie Wood; Bessie, the wife of Milton Drury, of Lake City; C. G., a resident of Zimmerman, Minnesota, who mar- ried Miss Mae Titus; and Ruth, a teacher, who is residing at home.
Mr. Leonard is a democrat and has always done his share in bringing about the triumph of his party at the polls, but he has never desired to hold publie office. As a man and as a citizen his life has measured up to the highest standards, and he is honored and respected by all who know him. Although he is in his seventy-ninth year he is still active and takes the keenest interest in the happenings of the present day.
JOHN PARSONS.
John Parsons is the efficient mayor of Rinard and in the discharge of his duties is actuated by a public-spirited devotion to the general good. There are in his life record many things worthy of commen- (ation and of emulation. He was born May 11, 1859, in Surrey, Eng- land. near Rigate, a son of Henry and Hannah (New) Parsons. the former a native of London and the latter of Hampton, England. In his boyhood days the father learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed in his native country until 1868, when he came to the United States, establishing his home at Harmon, Illinois, where he lived for about a quarter of a century. He became the owner of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres which was operated by his sons.
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while he devoted his attention to his trade. He was a resident of Wheaton at the time of his death.
In the family were ten children, of whom John Parsons is the fourth in order of birth. He attended school in England and also continued his education in Illinois following the arrival of the family in the new world. He was a lad of nine years at the time of the emi- gration to America. When about twenty years of age he began farming and in 1884 came to Calhoun county, where he had pur- chased land at six dollars per acre. He has since lived in this county and has therefore been a witness of the greater part of its growth and development. When he took up his abode in Cedar township there were only two or three schoolhouses within its borders, one bridge and no churches. When religious services were held the sehool- houses were used for the purpose. Securing a tract of land, Mr. Parsons began the development of a farm. He set out trees and improved the place, carrying on farm work according to modern methods. When invention brought forth new machinery he seeured it in order to facilitate the work of the fields. He most energetically pursued the task to which he set himself with the result that he became the owner of a valuable farm, the productiveness of which he enhanced by drainage, instituting a system of tiling his fields. From time to time he added to his holdings until he became the owner of six hun- dred and fifteen acres of good farm property, on which he not only produced the cereals best adapted to soil and climate but also engaged in raising stock, feeding eattle quite extensively. Year after year his business affairs were thus carefully managed and at length he acquired a handsome competence that now enables him to live retired. In 1910 he put aside the active work of the fields and took up his abode in Rinard, where he has since made his home. He is now a stockholder and director in the Rinard Savings Bank and is also interested in the telephone company and the Farmers Elevator Com- pany. From these and his other business interests he derives a sub- stantial income and is now most comfortably situated in life.
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