USA > Iowa > Fayette County > Past and present of Fayette County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 65
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MR. AND MRS. HOLVER PAULSON BERKEY.
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tial and representative citizens, but the leading farmers and business men of today are also always on the alert for various opportunities in trading and investment. One of the modern mensof affairs in every respect who leaves no stone unturned whereby he may earn an honest dollar is the gentleman men- tioned above.
Mr. Paulson was born in Dover township, this county, December 31, 1866, on the farm he now owns, and he is the son of Holver Paulson Berkey and Bertha Berkey, both natives of Norway, where they grew to maturity. were educated and married, and from which country they came to America in 1848, locating in Wisconsin, where they remained two years. In 1850 they came to Fayette county, Iowa, locating on the farm where the subject now resides, part of this land having been obtained by them from the government, the place consisting of two hundred and seventy acres, including timber land. The father was a hard worker and he at once began clearing the place, living for some time in a "dug-out," in typical pioneer style; but in due course of time he had a comfortable home and an excellent farm. When Mr. Berkey landed in America with his wife and three children he had the sum of fifty cents, but he was one of those strong characters who never know the meaning of defeat and he finally succeeded in laying by quite a competency. While living in Wisconsin he worked for ten dollars per month until he could get a start. He later built a log house and lived in that until 1868 when he erected the substantial brick house where the subject now re- sides and here the father lived until his death. His family consisted of eleven children, five of whom died when young, the other six reaching maturity. The father was a member of the Hauges Senate church and in politics a Re- publican. He was one of the founders of the Hauges church in this country and was very active in its affairs. He served his township as trustee and was school director for a number of years. From 1875 to 1881 he engaged in the mercantile business at Ossian, Winneshiek county, except a short time on the farm. He was an honest, industrious man whom his neighbors highly respected.
H. H. Paulson (the difference in name of Mr. Paulson and that of his father is accounted for by the fact that often the Sandinavians change their name in this country) received a liberal education, having attended the common schools at Ossian when his father was in business there; he also went to the district schools near the home farm, and later took a course in Ainsworth Academy. He purchased the home place in 1887, buying the tim- ber land and all of his mother, and this has continued to be his home to the present time. He has added many valuable improvements to the place and
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placed it under a high state of cultivation. Stock raising has occupied his attention to a considerable extent for several years. He always keeps a good grade of various kinds of livestock, especially full-blooded Durham Short- horn cattle and Poland China hogs, also Norman and Clydesdale horses, and, as already indicated, his fine place is known as the "Spring Valley Stock Farm," there being no more attractive farm in this part of the county. He has also invested a thousand dollars in the Florida Timber Land Company, representing an interest in one thousand acres of land.
Mr. Paulson was married on September 14, 1898, to Agatha Tinder- holt, who was born in Dover township, the daughter of Sorn and Martha (Storghuge) Tinderholt, both born in Norway, the father having come to America when seven years of age with his father, who located in Wiscon- sin, later came to Winneshiek county, Iowa, where he bought land and there he still lives. The mother of Mrs. Paulson came to America with her par- ents, who settled in Winneshiek county, Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Paulson the following children have been born: Martha Henrietta, Harry Adrian and Elmer Barnard.
Mr. Paulson is a member of the Hauges church, while Mrs. Paulson and her people are members of the Norwegian Senate church. Mr. Paulson is a Republican in politics. He is now school treasurer and township trustee. He was formerly secretary of the local school board and he is now treasurer of the same. He is now serving his second term as trustee of this township. He takes much interest in the advancement of his community and county and he is well and favorably known in this part of the county.
CHARLES O. FOTHERGILL, M. D.
In analyzing the career of the successful practitioner of the healing art it will be invariably found to be true that a broad-minded sympathy with the sick and suffering and an honest, earnest desire to aid his afflicted fellow men have gone hand in hand with skill and able judgment. The gentleman to whom this brief tribute is given fortunately embodies these necessary quali- fications in a marked degree and by energy and application to his professional duties is building up an enviable reputation and drawing to himself a large and remunerative patronage.
Dr. Charles O. Fothergill is a native of the county in which he now lives, having been born at West Union, Iowa, on the 8th day of March, 1864.
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He is the son of Rev. Enoch and Lydia (Wade) Fothergill, the former of English and the latter of Welsh ancestry. Rev. Enoch Fothergill was born in Marion county, Ohio, October 13, 1823, and in his early days became a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, but a few years later he changed his membership to the United Brethren church, with which he afterwards remained affiliated. He moved from Ohio to Lagrange county, Indiana, where he married in 1843 and in 1847 he located in Dubuque county, Iowa. He remained there until about 1858, when he came to West Union, Fayette county. He was devoted to his church and gave to it all of his attention that could be spared from his daily labor, being one of the best known church men in the county. His death occurred November 14, 1894. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Lydia Wade, was born in Virginia, and by her union with Enoch Fothergill she became the mother of eight children, four of whom are living, Charles O., Samuel, Joseph and Mrs. Anna L. Hotchkiss, the others having died in infancy.
Charles O. Fothergill received his elementary education in the public schools at West Union, supplementing this by attendance at a school at Beat- rice, Nebraska. Having decided to make the practice of medicine his life work, the subject then matriculated in the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cin- cinnati, where he was graduated in 1890. He then entered upon the practice of his profession in Kansas, but a year and a half later he went to Culbertson, Nebraska, where he remained four years, and at each of these places he served in official capacity as coroner. In 1894 Doctor Fothergill came to Elgin, Iowa, and has since remained here in the active practice, in which he has met with splendid success. He keeps in close touch with the latest ad- vances made in the healing art, an evidence of this being that since entering upon the practice he returned to college for post-graduate work, from a desire to perfect himself in his profession. He enjoys a large and constantly in- creasing practice, being now numbered among the leading physicians of this part of the county.
On January 15, 1885, Doctor Fothergill was united in marriage with Elizabeth H. Chase, of Motor, Kansas, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Chase. She was born in Canada and her family are all Quakers in religious belief. To Doctor and Mrs. Fothergill have been born two children, namely: Claud E., born October 9, 1886, is employed in a bank at Monticello, Iowa, and Carl F., born February 26, 1893, died in August, 1898.
Doctor Fothergill has had but little to do with matters political since locating in Elgin, his practice demanding practically all his time, and also from the fact that he invariably considers the candidate's fitness for the office rather
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than his party affiliation. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to the former organization in Kansas and the latter at Elgin, this county. In his private life the Doctor is a man of strict integrity and true purpose, and, though he is not a member of any church, his moral ideals are high. He gives his support to every movement for the advancement of the community along all lines and is considered one of the leading citizens of Elgin.
JOHN BENSON.
It is doubtful if any people that go to make up our cosmopolitan civiliza- tion have better habits of life than those who came originally from the Scandi- navian peninsula, especially Sweden, which country has long been noted for citizens of thrift and honesty, and these two qualities in the inhabitants of any country will in the end alone make that country great. When with these two qualities is combined sound common sense, there are afforded such quali- ties as will enrich any land and place it in the forefront of the countries of the world in the scale of elevated humanity.
John Benson, of Pleasant Valley township, Fayette county, is one of that thrifty band who have come from the far northland referred to above and has bettered his condition by locating in America, and at the same time has lived a life that has benefited his neighbors and the community where his lot has been cast. His birth occurred in Sweden in 1840, and he is the son of Ben Swanson and wife. (The difference in name here is accounted for by the fact that many of the residents of that country modify the spelling of their names or change them entirely upon coming to the United States, the father's given name being made the basis for the son's surname.) Mr. Ben- son grew to maturity and was educated in his native land and there worked in a steam-boat shop for some time, becoming a skilled workman in this line. It was in 1869 that he crossed the Atlantic ocean for our shores, coming direct to Highland township, Clayton county, Iowa, where he worked about twelve years, then went to the Pacific coast and worked in the state of Washington and California, there working out at various things. When he returned to Iowa he worked at different occupations, then formed a partnership with Ben Schori in the stock and grain business, the partnership lasting for a period of eight years, during which time they did a very satisfactory and extensive business.
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Then, in March, 1887, Mr. Benson married Mary Ruegg, who was born in Monroe county, Ohio, the daughter of Jacob and Mary (Guldinger ) Ruegg, both born in Switzerland, from which country they came to America when young, Mr. Ruegg spending his last days in Fayette county, Iowa. To this union were born two children, a daughter and a son, the latter dying in in- fancy.
After his marriage Mr. Benson farmed a two hundred and thirty-acre place in Fayette county, and later a farm in Clayton county, consisting of one hundred and forty-one acres, remaining there until 1903, when he moved to Elgin, Pleasant Valley township, Fayette county, where he had built an at- tractive and substantial residence. He still owns his farm in Clayton county ; while there he devoted much attention to stock-raising-in fact, ever since he began farming he has devoted much time to handling good stock. About 1906 he bought three hundred and three acres in Texas, selling the same two years later. He is a stockholder in the State Bank at Elgin.
Considering the fact that Mr. Benson started in life practically empty handed and by hard work and able management has become one of the sub- stantial men of his locality, having made a good living and laid by an ample competence, indicates that he is eminently deserving of the large success that has attended his efforts and the high esteem in which he is held by all who know him. When he came to North McGregor he had but seventy-five cents and this was the start he had in America. He spent twelve years in clearing land and he and his brother saved in twelve years three thousand dollars and had this money on interest. He is now exceedingly well to do and has made a big success of life. He is a man in whom the utmost confidence may be safely reposed, being scrupulously honest and business-like and straightfor- ward in all the relations of life. He is a member of the Lutheran church and a liberal supporter of the same.
ISAAC N. CONNER.
Among the citizens of Pleasant Valley township, Fayette county, Iowa, who have not only won by their personal efforts a fair share of this world's goods, but also, because of their upright and honorable lives, the respect and esteem of the entire community, the subject of this sketch stands pre-eminent. He has at all times stood for the highest and best interests of the community and is regarded as one of the representative citizens of the township.
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Isaac N. Conner was born February 1, 1853, at Elgin, Iowa, and is a son of Benjamin and Eliza (Cane) Conner. Benjamin Conner was born in Madison county, Indiana, in 1826, and is a son of John and Mahala (Chris) Conner. The latter was born in Tennessee and died after her removal to Iowa; her husband died in Illinois. In 1836, at the age of ten years, Benja- min Conner left Indiana with his parents, en route for the West, which held out glowing promises to the pioneer settlers, but the father died on the way, in Illinois. The trip was made by wagon and the journey was a long and tiresome one, made doubly so by the death of the husband and father. The family located in Green county, Wisconsin, where Benjamin Conner was reared to maturity. In 1847 he was married to Eliza Cane. Two years later he located in Pleasant Valley township, where he entered one hundred and sixty acres of government land, located south of Elgin. He entered at once on the task of clearing and developing this property, putting up a set of log buildings, in which the family lived about two and a half years, at the end of which time they moved to Turkey River where they bought land. Mr. Conner was prospered in his business affairs and added to his landed holdings from time to time, until at length he owned eight hundred acres of good and cultivable land. The improvements on the place comprised a comfortable residence, an "Iowa" barn and other necessary buildings. Eventually Mr. Conner rented this property and moved to a farm on the West Union-Elkader road, comprising one hundred and twenty acres, where he resided until the death of his wife. In 1895 he came to Elgin to live, and has since maintained his residence here, having been practically retired from active labor since 1905. To him and his wife were born the following children: Asbury, Eliza Jane, Isaac, Precilla, Abijah, Henry and Wakeman. In matters political Mr. Conner had been a stanch advocate of the principles embodied in the plat- forms of the Republican party, but later supported the Greenbacks, and eventually allied himself with the Democratic party, with which he is now affiliated. He has at all times taken an intelligent interest in local public affairs and has given good service to the community as road supervisor and school director.
Isaac N. Conner was reared under the parental roof and received his early education in the district schools. He was early inured to the work of the farm and until he attained his majority he proved an able assistant to his father. Starting out in life then on his own account, he went to Dakota and acquired one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he devoted with much success to the raising of grain until 1898, when he returned to Iowa and bought two hundred and twenty acres of land comprising the splendid farm
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in Pleasant Valley township, Fayette county, which he now occupies. Here he carries on general farming, raising all the crops common to this section of the country, and he also gives considerable attention to the breeding and rais- ing of thoroughbred Shorthorn cattle. He is practical and progressive in his operations and is accounted one of the enterprising and successful farmers of the township.
In 1877 Mr. Conner was united in marriage to Alice Elizabeth Kreps, a native of Switzerland, and they have become the parents of the following . children : Rebecca May, Edith Lavica, Benjamin Walter, Mahala Maude, Milo Dwight, Weaver Dow, Elizabeth Matilda, Clara Leila, Winifred Sophronia and Isaac James. Mrs. Conner was reared and educated in her native state and in 1857 came to the United States to make her future home.
Mr. Conner was formerly affiliated with the Greenback party, but of recent years he has given a stanch support to the Democratic tickets. He has taken an active interest in local public affairs and has rendered efficient service in a number of township offices, including those of pathmaster, member of the township board, constable, school director and assessor. In every official position to which called, Mr. Conner has proved faithful to his trust and he enjoys marked prestige among the citizens of this township with whom he has lived so long. He possesses personal qualities of a high order and enjoys a wide acquaintance throughout the county, among which are a large number of warm and loyal friends.
JOHN LEHMANN.
With the rapid destruction of our forests the lumber business, once one of the largest and most flourishing of American industries, is now declining in importance and will continue to do so. Somehow there is a fascination about a saw-mill or a lumber yard. The bark-covered logs, bearing the marks of their handling, their speedy conversion into lumber by those power- fil engines, the saws, the great piles of lumber, the odor of the freshly sawed wood, and, perhaps more than all, the sense that all this means construction, building, progress-these give to a lumber yard an attractiveness. And a moment's thought will convince any one of the great share which the lumber dealer has had in the building of shops and factories, in the construction and furnishing of homes.
John Lehmann was born in Switzerland in 1833, and at the age of eigh- teen came to America, leaving Bern February 8th, crossing the ocean on a
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sailing vessel, and arrived at Turkey River, Iowa, on June 29th. He was the son of John and Mary (Miller) Lehmann, who came to America in 1854 with a family of nine boys and three girls, seven of whom are now living, and settled about one mile from Elgin. John Lehmann, Sr., and his brother entered land in Clayton and Fayette counties. He farmed all his life and died highly respected at the age of eighty-seven years.
John Lehman, Jr., was educated in Switzerland, and there assisted his father on his farm. In America he worked on his father's farm and later hired out. In 1858 he married Elizabeth Kohler, who was born in Switzer- . land in 1839. and who came to this country with her father in 1854. He now bought one hundred and forty acres of wild land, put up a house and broke the land. He lived there until 1872, when he established a lumber business in Elgin, and later took his youngest son into the business. In 1901 he sold out and retired. John and Elizabeth Lehmann are the parents of nine children : John W., now a hardware merchant at La Porte City, Iowa ; Louise; Lena; Albert, who died September 10, 1868; George; Frederick; Cecelia ; Julia ; Amelia.
Mr. Lehman is a member of the Iowa Legion of Honor. He was bap- tized into the church in Switzerland. He is a Democrat, and was supervisor several terms, township collector one year, clerk of the township ten years, school treasurer at Elgin ten years, township trustee, and was elected assessor, but resigned. His choice by the people to fill these offices shows the con- ficence which his neighbors always have had in him.
In early days Mr. Lehman was much in demand to help survey land for the settlers as he could control the length of his steps so well that he could measure land almost as accurately by stepping as by the use of a chain. His character and worth have attracted many friends who are the solace of his declining years. Would that all our citizens could look back over a life as well spent as his.
CHARLES W. NICKLAUS.
All deaths are mournful, but at times circumstances seem to conspire to make it seem an especial hardship. . When a man is taken in the very prime of life and success, prospering in every material way, possessing a loving wife and happy family, with everything progressing as he could wish-then the ways of providence seem inscrutible. But we have no reason to believe any- thing else but that all things work for the best in the end, even in the case of this widow and children whose bereavement was more than ordinary. One
CHARLES W. NICKLAUS.
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thing above price the husband and father left them and that was the memory of his excellent life and strong character.
John Peter Nicklaus was born near Bern, Switzerland, April 26, 1831, the son of Frank Henrick Nicklaus. He learned the cabinetmaker's trade in Switzerland and came to America in 1852, and located at Pittsburg, working at his trade, and here married, on November 2, 1854, Elizabeth Schnider, also a native of Switzerland, who had come over with her parents at the age of eighteen. Her father, who was a farmer, located near Pittsburg, and died there. In 1856 Peter Nicklaus and his wife came to Elkader, Iowa, where he followed his trade for two years, then went to Clermont, ran a cabinet shop until 1861, then bought a saw-mill, and later added a stove factory. In 1872 he moved the mill to Elgin. A few years later he started a canning factory, which his son Charles later took over, the father retiring in 1903, and dying September 19, 1907. He also owned a large amount of land and carried on an extensive farming business. To him and his wife eleven chil- dren were born, four of whom survive. They were Presbyterians. He was a Mason, an Odd Fellow and a member of the Legion of Honor. For many years he was trustee of Pleasant Valley township. His success was remark- able, but was due to his excellent business ability.
Charles W. Nicklaus was educated in the Elgin public schools and the Cedar Rapids Business College. After graduating from the latter, he ac- cepted a position as bookkeeper for George Weeks at the creamery, which he occupied for five years. He was married on November 27, 1889, to Agatha Keenen, who bore him four children, Ruth, Helen, Harry and Theodore. He gave up his position at the creamery to organize the present Elgin Can- ning Company, succeeding his father in the management of the same. At the outset he was made secretary and manager and filled the office fifteen years until his death. His success and good management is shown by the develop- ment of this industry. He was born July 31, 1865, and was taken away be- fore his time, on the 27th of February, 1905. By his death Elgin lost one of the most active and the most promising of her younger business men, a loss by no means easy to fill, for he was a man of rare ability.
WILLIAM LINDSAY.
The gentleman whose name appears above, and who was late a resident of Eden township, Fayette county, was a son of Alexander and Jane (Burns) Lindsay and a younger brother of John B. Lindsay, who is noticed
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elsewhere in these pages. Born September 19, 1836, in Lancashire, Scot- land, he spent his childhood and early youth in his native land and in 1851, when a lad of fifteen, accompanied his parents to the United States, spending the following three years in the state of Illinois. Later in 1854 he moved with the family to Fayette county, Iowa, and immediately after arriving at his destination assisted his father in erecting a log house on the latter's farm in Eden township, following which he addressed himself to the task of clearing and cultivating the land. Like a dutiful son, he remained with his parents and looked after their interests and comfort as long as they lived, his mother departing this life in 1862, the father five years later, both being sixty-five years old when called to the other world. Meantime, February 20, 1867, three weeks previous to the death of his father, William Lindsay was united in marriage with Mary Clyde, of Ayreshire, Scotland, who came to America with her father, Alexander Clyde, when twenty-one years of age, the two making their way direct to Winneshiek county, Iowa, where they located on a farm, which Mr. Clyde purchased, he being a widower at the time and his daughter his housekeeper. She continued in that capacity until her marriage nine years later, after which her father sold his place and bought a farm two miles east of Waucoma in Eden township, where he lived until old age com- pelled him to forego further active work, when he rented his land, and spent the remainder of his life with his daughter, dying in 1884, at the age of eighty-four years.
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