USA > Iowa > O'Brien County > Past and present of O'Brien and Osceola counties, Iowa, Vol. II > Part 52
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Mr. Gilkinson was a Republican in politics and served in many official capacities during his busy career. He served as school director and school treasurer of Goewey township, as well as serving a term as trustee of the township. He was also a member of the county supervisory board for a number of years, being a member when the present handsome court house was erected. Religiously, Mr. Gilkinson was originally a Presbyterian, but while living in the country he and his family attended the Methodist church and after moving to Sibley they were attendants of the Congregational church. Mr. Gilkinson was one of the pioneers of this county and lived to see it emerge from a broad and barren prairie to its present prosperous condition. He has had his full share in the development of his local community and never shirked any burden which came his way. He lived a life which will remain as a credit to himself and an honor to his family and friends.
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HENRY L. BANGERT.
The word success is susceptible of several interpretations; it does not necessarily mean the mere accumulation of wealth, for if it did the man who gains his wealth dishonestly might be said to be a successful man. In the best sense of the term, the successful man is he who lives such a life that the community is the better for his having lived in it. He may never become wealthy; in fact, he may die poor, yet when the last judgment is rendered the honest man, though he be poor, will be accounted more successful than the dishonest man with his millions. He who carries his name unspotted before the world and at the same time performs his duty as a public-spirited citizen and takes his full share of the burdens of the community is a citizen who is the backbone of our nation. Such a man is Henry L. Bangert, mer- chant of Melvin, Iowa, and the present assessor of his township.
Henry L. Bangert, the son of Charles and Anna Bangert, was born in Jackson county, Iowa, în 1881. His father was a native of Germany, his birth having occurred in the latter country in 1846, while his mother was born in the same country ten years later. His parents coming to this coun- try, settled in Osceola county, lowa, in 1888, where his father engaged in farming until 1912, at which time he retired to Ashton. where he is now living.
Henry L. Bangert received a good common school education and, since he was one of twelve children, he early started to work for himself. He married at the age of twenty-four and immediately began farming on a rented farm. Three years later he came to Melvin and bought a half interest in a general mercantile establishment in that city. The firm of which he is a member has a large and lucrative business in the surrounding community. In addition to his interests in this store, Mr. Bangert has a share in the Farmers Elevator Company at Melvin.
Mr. Bangert was married in 1904 to Katherine Collins, who was born in New York city in 1884. He and his wife are affiliated with the Metho- dist Episcopal church and give to it their active support in various ways at all times. Politically, Mr. Bangert is now classed with that large and intelli- gent group of men who are known as independents. He is progressive in his inclinations and votes for those men at election who he feels are the best qualified for the respective offices for which they are aspiring. His example is worthy of emulation and if there were more independent voters many of the political evils of our country would soon be eliminated. The only office
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which Mr. Bangert has ever held is the one which he is now holding, that of town assessor. He is now discharging the duties of his second term and is giving universal satisfaction because of his kindness and courtesy in this important office. Mr. Bangert is a courteous and pleasant gentleman to know, obliging, generous, plain and unassuming, a man who has kept well abreast of the times, politically and materially, as well as in the world of science and invention. Such men are a help to the community in which they live, and for this reason he is eminently entitled to representation in this series of biographical memoirs.
MENNO S. GOLE.
One of the leading citizens and business men of Ocheyedan, Iowa, and a man of many personal traits is Menno S. Gole. He is a man who has be- lieved that, while advancing his own interests, it was his duty to be kind and considerate toward his neighbors and associates and to further any laudable enterprise which promised for the welfare of his community. For eighteen years he has been a resident of Ocheyedan and in that time his fellow citizens have had the opportunity to read his character and the fact that he is held in such high esteem by them proves that he has lived a clean and wholesome life.
Menno S. Gole, the son of Jacob and Katherine (Schoemaker) Gole, was born in Ontario, Canada .. in 1868. Jacob Gole was born in Berlin, Germany, in 1819 and left Germany with his parents when he was ten years old and settled in Canada. His wife was born in Pennsylvania in 1829 and died in 1912. Jacob Gole came to Ocheyedan, Iowa, in 1904 and is now the oldest living man in the county, having reached the advanced age of ninety- five. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, all of whom are still living but one.
Menno S. Gole was given a good common school education in the schools of Canada and at the age of seventeen began farming for himself. After spending eight years upon the farm, he decided that the mercantile profession offered better opportunities for his material advancement. Ac- cordingly, he came to Ocheyedan, Iowa, in 1896 and purchased a general merchandise store, which he has managed continuously since that time. He carries a large and varied assortment of goods and has built up a large and lucrative trade in Ocheyedan and the surrounding community. By his court-
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eous treatment of his customers and his strict honesty in all his dealings he has won the confidence of the people and thus has secured the success of his undertaking. In addition to his mercantile interests he owns four hundred and eighty acres of land in Canada, from which he receives a handsome income each year.
Mr. Gole was married in 1898 to Rosa Pank, who was born in Still- water, Minnesota, in 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Gole have two children, a son, Austin, who is still with his parents, and one daughter, Maxine. The Re- publican party has always claimed the support of Mr. Gole and, while never an active participant in political affairs, he has never shirked his duty as a public-spirited citizen. He has served on the council of his city and while in that capacity advocated every measure which he felt would benefit his city. He and his wife are loyal members of the Methodist Episcopal church, while, fraternally, he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a man of strong character, whose success indicates the possession of good business judgment. He is widely known throughout the community and wherever known is well liked and esteemed. His life history since coming to this county has been such as to win for him the hearty approval of his fellow citizens.
FRANCIS L. BIDWELL.
The family name which forms the caption of this article is one which is widely and favorably known and has for many years past been prominently identified with the growth and development of this section of the country. Many of the sturdy pioneers of the great Middle West, who placed the stamp of their own personalities upon the carly growth of this favored community, have lived to see their sons, and occasionally their sons' sons, following valiantly in their footsteps, each pressing onward to the goal of what is highest and best in community life in his particular day and age. One such excellent family is that to which the reader's attention is now directed.
Francis L. Bidwell, the immediate subject of this sketch, was born on April 27, 1843, in Chautauqua county. New York, the son of Daniel B. and Maria (Howland) Bidwell, both natives of the same county, the former born March 23, 1797, and the latter on September 20, 1804. Daniel Bid- well was a lumberman and a flour miller, vocations which he followed in his native state. Desiring to become identified with the pioneer life of what
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then seemed the far West, he, in 1854, came westward into Wisconsin and engaged in farming, there remaining until his death in 1861. He left a widow and children, only one of whom (the immediate subject of this sketch) is now living. The widow lived to a good old age, passing away in 1889. There had originally been seven children in the family.
Francis L. Bidwell worked on the homestead in Wisconsin when a boy and in 1862, early in the conflict between the North and South, he enlisted as a private in Company C, Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered out of service on June 7. 1865. He enlisted at Lancaster, Wisconsin, and was in Washington. D. C., at the time he was mustered out, and between these two points his company had marched over seven thousand miles, passing through fifteen states. Their first service was in suppressing the Indian uprisings in Minnesota and later they saw service in several skirmishes on the firing line in the South.
After the close of the war, Mr. Bidwell returned to his home in Wis- consin, where he engaged in farming, settling on a tract of three hundred and twenty acres which he owned. After several years' residence in that state and not being wholly satisfied with the conditions which he encoun- tered, he in 1880 disposed of his holdings there and came into O'Brien county, where he purchased three hundred and twenty acres in Liberty town- ship. Here he proceeded to make extensive improvements in various ways. In addition to the work done on buildings, he set out nine acres in grove and orchard and proceeded to get his affairs well under way for carrying on an extensive business. He built his residence during the winter, while there was two feet of snow on the ground. He is extensively connected with the raising, buying and shipping of live stock. He is known as an ex- tensive feeder and at one time was feeding one thousand head of cattle, six hundred head of sheep and three hundred hogs. Altogether, Mr. Bidwell owns six hundred and forty acres of land, located in O'Brien and Clay coun- ties, and in addition to the management of this land and the time devoted to the live stock business, he also finds time for other business connections. He is vice-president of the O'Brien County Fair Association, being one of the first and most enthusiastic promoters of same. He is also a shareholder in the Farmers Elevator Company of Sutherland and is also interested in the Co-operative store of the same place.
Mr. Bidwell has been twice married. first to Margaret Prichett, who was born January 24. 1844. and to whom he was united in 1867. She was a native of Grant county, Wisconsin, and died in 1901 at Sutherland. She
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was the mother of seven children, three of whom, Eli, Ora ( Mrs. C. Eaton) and Delbert, are deceased. Delbert met his death by drowning. Those liv- ing are Olive, wife of J. Hockert, of Sutherland: Oscar, who is engaged in farming in the state of Montana; Everett, also engaged in farming in the same state. He is a dentist by profession, being a graduate of the dental college located at Iowa City. The other son is Lester, of whom more will be stated later on in this article. After the death of the first Mrs. Bidwell, the subject was, in 1905, united in marriage with Mrs. Martha L. Banks, a widow, born in New York state in 1842. She passed from this life in 1912, no children having resulted from this union.
Mr. Bidwell's political affiliation is with the Republican party and he has evinced more than a passing interest in the affairs of his party in local matters. He has served Liberty township both as clerk and assessor, town- ship trustee, road superintendent and school director, and for six years was a member of the town board of Sutherland. He has, with a spirit of cheer- fulness, assumed these various duties, bringing his native sagacity and judg- inent to bear upon the discharge of same and ever keeping in mind the best interests of the commonwealth. His fraternal affiliations are with the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows and the time-honored body of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Mr. Bidwell is a man of marked traits of char- acter and great native ability and his influence on the various phases of com- munity life have been far-reaching and of the best. While primarily seek- ing to advance his own financial interests. he has done much to improve the general tone of business in his locality, being of valuable assistance to those of lesser means and ability than himself. In striving for success in his various enterprises he has so ordered his business principles and manner of life as to also win for himself the confidence and respect of those with whom he came into contact through business connections as well as those with whom he has met only in a social way. He is one of those stalwart charac- ters so essential to the best growth and development of a community, and in his son Lester, whose interests are prominently identified with this same locality, the community points to a worthy son of an excellent father.
Lester Bidwell was born in 1886, being a native of O'Brien county, in the district schools of which his education was received. He remained under the parental roof until coming of age, when he engaged in the restaurant business in Sutherland. This enterprise claimed his time and attention for two years, when he disposed of it and purchased a livery business, with which he has since been identified. He keeps twelve to fifteen rigs for the accommodation of his patrons and in addition to this he buys and sells a
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great number of horses and mules. He also owns three excellent business lots in the town of Sutherland. In 1909 he was united in marriage with Dora Johannsen, who was born in 1886, and to their union have been born two children, one of whom died in early infancy. The other, a son, Bernard, is a fine promising child.
Lester's fraternal affiliation is held with the Knights of Pythias, through their local society at Sutherland and in the workings of this order he takes a commendable interest. While still a young man, he gives promise of becoming a man of broad influence in the community as the years pass by, already evincing an interest in all that pertains to the best good of the community.
HUMPHREY HENDERSON.
The people of Irish descent who have made Osceola county their per- manent residence are found among the most highly honored and respected citizens of their respective communities. Without exception, they are men of industry, integrity and genuine worth. Among the sons of Irish descent who are now prosperous citizens of this county there is no one who is more worthy of mention than Humphrey Henderson, the manager of the elevator company at Ocheyedan. By his earnest and persistent life since coming to this county he has earned the warm regard of all who have been associated with him. Efficient in the business which he is managing and honest in his dealings with the many patrons of the company, he has earned the high standing which he enjoys in Ocheyedan and the surrounding territory.
Humphrey Henderson, the son of Thomas and Anna ( Smith) Hender- son, was born in Canada in 1861. His parents were both born in Ireland, the father being born in 1834 and the mother in 1838. They were born. reared and married in the land of their birth, and came to the New World and settled in Canada, where they live until 1864. They then moved to Wisconsin, where they resided until their death, both passing away in the same year, 1904. They were the parents of five children, four of whom are still living.
Humphrey Henderson was three of age when his parents left Canada and settled in Wisconsin. He received a very meager education and when only nine years of age started out to work by day's labor. For several years he worked on the farm and then clerked in a general merchandise store for a time. For a number of years he worked at different occupations, but
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finally came to Osceola county, Iowa, and began to work for the elevator company of Ocheyedan. He has worked for this company for the past thirteen years and is now manager of the elevator, a position which carries with it no small responsibility. Since coming to this city he has taken a part in the civic affairs of the community and has given his support to all meas- ures which were for the advancement of the welfare of the community.
Mr. Henderson was married in 1897 to Anna Stouts, who was born in Dewitt county, Illinois, in 1865. To this union have been born three children : Mrs. Nina Woodroth, of Ocheyedan; Mrs. Edna Kervy, of Ocheyedan, and Marshall, of South Dakota. Politically, Mr. Henderson has always been identified with the Republican party and takes an active in- terest in political affairs. He has served on the council of the city of Ocheye- dan, and while in that office he advocated every measure which would assist the city in any way. He and his family are loyal members of the Methodist Episcopal church and give it their hearty support at all times. Fraternally, Mr. Henderson is a member of the Knights of Pythias. Mr. and Mrs. Hen- derson have their own home in Ocheyedan, where they dispense genuine hospitality to their many friends and acquaintances. Mr. Henderson is a man of genial personality and is well and favorably known throughout this section of the county.
BERTH SCHNURR.
The many German settlers of O'Brien county, Iowa, have been im- portant factors in the material, moral and intellectual advancement of the county. The townships which have been honored by their citizenship have found them among the most enterprising and successful of their citizens. Nearly all of them came to this country with no asset except a willingness to work, combined with those strong characteristics of thrift and honesty. Berth Schnurr is a typical example of the self-made German farmer who has made himself a prosperous citizen by the application of these same prin- ciples.
Berth Schnurr was born in Germany in 1859 and is the son of Andrew and Katherine Schnurr. His mother died in Germany and his father later came to this country and settled in Illinois. Berth Schnurr was one of three children born to his parents and left his native land when he was twenty- two years of age. He first settled in Freeport, Illinois, and worked by the month on a farm for seven years in that state and then came to O'Brien
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county, Iowa, having been married in Illinois, and rented land in Liberty township. In 1889 he purchased eighty acres of land in Caledonia town- ship and three years later sold it at a good profit. He then purchased two hundred and forty acres of land in Baker township, where he is now living. He has improved the farm in such a way as to increase its value and at the same time it yields a large return in crops. He has had many discourage- ments in his farming experience, but by energetic work and economy he has weathered these various obstacles and has gotten ahead in his financial affairs. His success shows that he was wise in deciding to make agriculture his life industry after coming to this country, for in this line of endeavor he has achieved a pronounced success and is today numbered among the repre- sentative agriculturists of O'Brien county. He carries on a general line of farming, raises all of the crops common to this locality and also gives con- siderable attention to the breeding and raising of live stock for the market.
Mr. Schnurr was married at Freeport, Illinois, in 1886, to Louise Fisher, who was born in Germany in 1866. To this union have been born the following children: Joseph, Herman, Berth, Henry and Anna; two other children are deceased. Politically, Mr. Schnurr is affiliated with the Democratic party, but has never been an aspirant for any public office. He and his family are loyal members of the Catholic church and render it such assistance as is within their power. In all of his affairs in this county Mr. Schnurr has succeeded, because his career has been characterized by sound judgment and untiring energy. He has given his personal attention to every detail in his farm work and therefore has been regarded as a man of high agricultural intellect. He has labored to keep abreast of the times in every respect, and as a result every mile post through the years he has passed has found him further advanced, more prosperous and with an increased number of friends.
GEORGE A. ROMEY.
The gentleman whose history is here briefly presented needs no intro- duction to the people of Osceola county, since all of the forty years of his career have been spent within its limits. He has devoted his career not only to the prospering of his own interests but also to the welfare of the community at large. As an honorable representative of one of the esteemed families of this county, and as a gentleman of high character and worthy ambitions, he has filled no small place in the history of his county. As
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cashier of the First National Bank of Melvin, he has made his impress upon the business life of his community and is rightly regarded as one of the representative men of his county. He is a splendid type of the intelligent. up-to-date, self-made American in the full sense of the term, a man of the people and with their interests at heart. As a citizen he is progressive and abreast of the times in all that concerns the common weal.
George A. Romey, the son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Romey, was born Octo- ber 6, 1874, in Osceola county, Iowa, on a farm in Goewey township. His father was one of the pioneers of this county, and homesteaded his farm in Goewey township. Later he was engaged in the mercantile business in Sibley. George A. Romey graduated from the Sibley high school and later from Morningside College at Sioux City, Iowa. After graduating from college he was engaged in the mercantile business with his father at Sibley. for a time, and then became assistant cashier of the bank at Ashton, this county. In 1900 he located in Melvin as cashier of the bank in that place.
The first bank organized in Melvin, Iowa, was known as the Bank of Melvin and was organized by H. L. Emmet and George A. Romey in 1900. The following year Townsend and Locke organized the First National Bank of Melvin and in 1906 it was purchased by Emmet and Romey. The present officers of the bank are as follows: President, J. Fred Mattert ; vice-president. W. F. Steiner; cashier, George A. Romey : assistant cashier. Arthur M. Evans, and W. F. Steiner, H. L. Emmert. George A. Romey. J. Fred Mattert and Arthur M. Evans, directors. At the present time the bank has a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars, with a surplus of five thousand dollars, and undivided profits of three thousand five hundred dollars and deposits of one hundred and seventy thousand dollars. It is gradually growing in strength and importance in the community, due to the confidence the people have in its board of directors and officers. It is in the midst of a rich farming district, from which it draws its patronage.
Mr. Romey was married in 1897 to Nelle Hickok, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Hickok. Her father is proprietor of the Osceola House at Sibley. To this union there have been born three children, Harold, Alice and Richard.
Politically, Mr. Romey is a Republican, but owing to the heavy demands which his business makes upon his time he has never felt that he had the time to indulge in politics to any great extent. He and the members of his family are adherents of the Methodist Episcopal church, while, frater- nally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Romey is a man of keen business ability and, in addition to his banking interests,
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has invested largely in Osceola county land. At the present time he is the owner of sixteen hundred acres of good farming land in the county, which he rents to responsible tenants. He and his wife have a fine modern home in Melvin, where they dispense hospitality with a generous hand. The success which has attended the efforts of Mr. Romey have been due to his keen intelligence and his persistent energy and these excellent qualities. to- gether with his genial manner, have won for him the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens.
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