USA > Iowa > Woodbury County > Sioux City > Past and present of Sioux City and Woodbury County, Iowa > Part 36
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familiar to him as he assisted in the labors of field and meadow. He had fair common school advantages and through observation and ex- perience in later years has added largely to his knowledge. After his marriage he engaged in farming on his own account in Jones coun- ty for several years and in 1887 he came to Woodbury county and rented a tract of land for two years. With the capital he had saved from his own earnings he then bought a farm in Cherokee county, continuing its cultivation for four years, when he sold out and bought the old homestead farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which had previously belonged to his father. He has since carried on its further cultivation and improvement and has also ex- tended the boundaries of his place by the pur- chase of an additional tract of eighty acres. He has here built a large and substantial barn and in connection with the raising of grain best adapted to the soil and climate he is also engaged in the raising, buying and selling of stock. He is an excellent judge of horses and cattle and his purchases and sales have been judiciously made so that he has realized a good return from his investment. His farm is well feneed and there is a neat residence around which are found evergreen and ornamental trees. His grove is of his own planting and, in fact, many of the improvements upon the place are his work and indicate that his life has indeed been an active and useful one.
Mr. Bare was married in Cedar county, Iowa, January 14, 1877, to Miss Emma Mason, who was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, a daughter of Thomas and Jane (Hedges) Mason, both natives of that state. In 1866 they removed to Iowa, settling first in Lynn county and after- ward in Cedar county where Mr. Mason pur- chased land and engaged in farming. There his death occurred in 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Bare have five sons: Charles, who is now liv- ing in Idaho; Bert, at home; Arthur, a resident of Spokane, Washington; Willis and Eddie. The parents hold membership in the Evangeli-
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E. F. BARE AND FAMILY.
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cal church and Mr. Bare votes with the Re- Sergeant's Bluffs. Mr. Hutchins established publican party. He has a wide acquaintance in Sioux City and the northeastern part of Woodbury county and the many excellent traits of his character have gained for him the good will and respeet of his fellow men, so that he is well worthy of representation in this volume as one of the leading citizens and prominent farmers of Rutland township.
JAMES HUTCHINS.
James Hutchins, a retired merchant of Sioux City, was born in Bath, Somersetshire, En- gland, on the 19th of November, 1831. His father, James Hutchins, was a son of William and Edith Hutchins and was baptized March 2, 1788, in Wiltshire, in the diocese of Saram, England. He married Elizabeth Mann and through the greater part of his business career condueted a general store. His death occurred in England in 1839, when he was fifty years of age, and his wife also passed away in that country.
James Hutchins acquired his education in the common schools of his native city and when eleven years of age began learning the tailor's trade, which he followed in England until 1851. He then, at the age of nineteen years, erossed the Atlantic to New York city, where he se- enred a clerkship in a merchant-tailoring estab- lishment owned by his brother, William Hutch- ins. In 1836 he came to Iowa, settling first at Dubnque, and afterward he removed to Winona, Minnesota, where he was employed as a cutter in a tailor shop. In the spring of 1857 he returned to Dubuque, Iowa, where he made up a party to come west, heing associated in this enterprise with Amos Parker, A. Saun- ders and his brother. They had two yoke of cattle and were three weeks in making the trip across the state to Sioux City, arriving here in the early spring of 1857. They had to go through five miles of water on the bottoms near
a tailor shop and continued in that business until 1867, when he turned his attention to the hardware business, becoming a member of the firm of Collamer & Hutchins. Mr. Colla- mer died in 1902. In 1869 he retired from active business and has since largely enjoyed a well merited rest. He has, however, been ap- pointed by the court several times as assignee. Ile was assessor for one term and served for three years as a member of the city council. In all public affairs pertaining to the welfare and progress of his community he takes a deep and abiding interest and his labors have proved ef- feetive in promoting the general good.
On October 22, 1860, Mr. Hutchins was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca H. Dennis, a daughter of Jeremiah Dennis, a native of New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Hutchins hold membership in the First Presbyterian church of Sioux City. They spent the winter of 1903-4 in California, greatly enjoying their stay in that balmy state. Mr. Hutchins is a Mason, having been made a member of the order on the 21st of June, 1854. He is, there- fore, one of the oldest Masons in this part of the state, only two others now living having been connected for so long with the organization, and throughout his entire life he has lived in harmony with the teachings of the eraft. His politieal allegiance is given to the Republican party, but he has held and sought few positions, preferring to do his duty to his eity, state and country as a private citizen. He has for many years resided here, watching with interest the progress and development of this eity and bear- ing an active and helpful part in many meas- ures for the general good.
JAMES E. MADGLIN.
James E. Madglin, a progressive and enter- prising eitizen of Smithland, is now condueting a barber shop and pool room at that place and
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also deals in cigars, tobacco, etc. He is a na- tive of southern Illinois, born in Anna, Union county, on the 22d of February, 1873, his parents being William H. and Nancy (Shirk) Madglin, who were of German descent. For some years the father was engaged in farming in Missouri, in which state he died in 1885, at the age of fifty-five years. His wife still sur- vives him and makes her home in Nevada, Mis- souri, at the age of sixty-one years.
Mr. Madglin of this review acquired his ed- ucation in the public schools and in early life learned the barber's trade in Missouri, whither the family removed in 1892. In 1897 he was united in marriage to Miss Alice Spendriff, who is of English descent, and they have be- come the parents of two children, namely : Ralph, who was born January 16, 1898; and Ward, born March 20, 1903.
Coming to Smithland on the 1st of March, 1903, Mr. Madglin opened a barber shop of his own, with two chairs, and has since followed his trade with good success. In his establish- ment he also has two pool tables and one bil- liard table and receives a liberal patronage along that line and as a dealer in cigars and tobacco. He is an enterprising, energetic busi- ness man and although his residence in Smith- land is of short duration he has already made many friends among those whom he meets either in a business or social way. By his bal- lot he supports the men and measures of the Republican party but takes no active part in politics aside from voting. He is of a genial, jovial disposition and therefore well liked by all who know him. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
MATT MARKUSEN.
In viewing the mass of mankind in the varied occupations of life the conclusion is forced upon the observer that in the vast ma- jority of cases men have sought employment
not in the line of their peculiar fitness hut in those places where caprice or circumstance have forced them, thus explaining the reason of the failure of ninety-five per cent of those who enter commercial and professional circles. Others, however, have directed their efforts into channels wherein their labors have been re- sultant factors in winning success and they have through honorable business methods and untiring activity advanced steadily from hum- ble surroundings to positions of affluence. Such has been the career of Mr. Markusen who is now living retired in Correctionville. He was in former years, however, a prosperous farm- er and afterward a leading business man of Correctionville. He is numbered among the early settlers of the state for he arrived in Iowa about 1869 and since 1880 he has lived in Woodbury county.
Mr. Markusen is a native of Denmark, born November 25, 1848. He was reared to man- hood there and was educated in both the Ger- man and Danish tongues. His knowledge of English, however, has been acquired since he came to the new world. In his native land, however, he learned of business conditions in America, of the opportunities bere afforded and of the privileges one might enjoy in the new world and accordingly became imbued with a desire to establish his home on this side of the Atlantic. Making preparations for such a course he took ship at Copenhagen for New York and thence made his way direct west- ward to Davenport, Iowa, where he joined friends in the year 1869. While residing in Scott county he worked as a farm hand and also engaged in farming to some extent on his own account and likewise did contract work in railroad construction. About 1880 he re- moved to Woodbury county where he invested his earnings in land and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He bought, improved and sold a number of farms and about 1900 he removed to Correctionville, where he built a good residence and has since made his home
MRS. MATT MARKUSEN.
MATT MARKUSEN.
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here. He was engaged in merchandising for two years in the town and was also in the butcher- ing business for one year. Ile also promoted and formed a company for the manufacture of dry pressed brick in 1902. This company is composed of practical business men who have already constructed two kilns and have every- thing in readiness for the active conduet of the business during the season of 1904. Mr. Mar- kusen has built and owns two houses in Corree- tionville and has aided materially in the im- provement and substantial progress of this place and of Woodbury county.
In Davenport in 1874 occurred the marriage of Mr. Markusen and Mrs. Helen Michelson, a native of Germany. They traveled life's journey happily together for about twenty-three years and then the wife was called to her final rest, passing away in 1897. There were three children by that marriage: Marie, now the wife of Henry Gulifort, a farmer of this county; Angusta, who is the wife of Areh Wil- liams, of Correctionville, by whom she has two children-Estella and Irene; and Martha, who is now a capable and well known teacher in the public schools of Denver, Colorado. Mr. Markusen was again married in Sioux City, Iowa, in April, 1902, his second union being with Mrs. Ella ( Brownell) Patterson, a native of New York, who was reared and educated there. Her children are Pearl, who is married and has four children ; Winnie, who is married and lives in Denver; and Charles, a resident of Lemars, Iowa.
In his political views Mr. Markusen is a Democrat, but has never sought or held office, preferring to give his attention to his extensive business interests. He was reared in the Lutheran faith, but he and his wife are now members of the Congregational church. He belongs to the Masonie fraternity, being a Master Mason of Correctionville lodge. He may well be termed one of the most prominent and progressive residents of Correctionville, for he has been the promoter of some of its leading
business enterprises. His connection with an undertaking insures a prosperous outcome of the same, for it is in his nature to carry for- ward to successful completion whatever he is associated with. He has earned for himself an excellent reputation as a careful man of business and in his work is known for his thoroughness, enterprise and honorable meth- ods which have gained for him the unbounded confidenee of his fellowmen.
JAY BRANAUM.
Jay Branaum, who is engaged in merchan- dising at Lucky Valley and is one of the enter- prising young business men of Woodbury county, was born in the town of Claremont, Ottawa county, Missouri, July 26, 1869. In 1877, when about eight years of age, he aecom- panied his parents to Brown county, Kansas, where they are still living. He was reared un- der the parental roof, acquired his preliminary education in the common school, and thus be- eame well equipped by advanced mental train- ing for the practical and responsible duties of a business career.
Mr. Branaum continued to make his home in Kansas until 1891, when he came to Woodbury county, Iowa, and rented a traet of land not far from Horniek. There he carried on general agricultural pursuits for three years. On the 4th of March, 1892, he was united in marriage to Miss Minnie E. Jennings, the second daugh- ter of Benjamin F. and Mary E. Jennings, the former now deceased. A sketch of her father's family is given on another page of this work. After his marriage Mr. Branaum removed to the Jennings farm, one mile west of Horniek and there he continued to engage in general agricultural pursuits until about 1897, when he left the farm and turned his attention to merchandising in Lucky Valley. He conducted his store for six years and then suffered its loss
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through fire on the 31st of August, 1903. He is now engaged in clerking.
Mr. Branaum is a Republican in his political views and keeps well informed concerning the questions and issues of the day, but has never been an office seeker, content to do his public duty as a private citizen. He has now lived in Iowa for thirteen years and during that period has made steady progress in the business world through his indefatigable energy and per- severance.
MR. AND MRS. JOHN J. LESSENICH.
Mr. and Mrs. John J. Lessenich, residents of Sioux City, have for many years resided in Woodbury county and northwestern Iowa. Mr. Lessenich was born in Cologne, Germany, No- vember 28, 1826, a son of Englebert and Mary (Olert) Lessenich, who spent their entire lives in that country. Their son John is the only one of their children now living. He came to America in 1854, arriving at New York on the 29th of September, and there he was employed for seven months, after which he made his way to Chicago, and later to Geneseo, Illinois. There he was married on the 17th of April, 1861, to Mary Kuhri.
Mrs. Lessenich, who has been a resident of the new world since 1855, was born in Alsace, Germany, May 31, 1840, a daughter of Michael and Magdalena Kuhri. Her father died in the year 1849, when she was but nine years of age, but the mother long survived and passed away in February, 1878. On coming to the United States Mrs. Lessenich located in Wheaton, Illi- nois, whence she afterward removed to Gen- eseo, that state. Five children were born of the marriage: Anna Josephine, who is now the wife of Charles Selzer, a resident of Sioux City; John F., who is manager of the Chicago Hotel; Mary L., who died at the age of four- teen years; Leonard, who conducts the Chicago
saloon of Sioux City; and Emma E., the wife of Russell Frisbie, of Sioux City.
Mr. and Mrs. Lessenich began their domestic life in Illinois, but since 1867 they have been residents of Sioux City. They built the Chi- cago Hotel, which they are now conducting, al- though the years of their active connection therewith have not been continuous. After conducting the hotel for four years they re- moved to a farm in Plymouth county, Iowa, residing thereon for three and a half years. On the expiration of that period they sold their farm property and returned to the hotel, which they conducted for five years more. Then for three years they rested from the hotel business. In 1880, however, the hotel burned, and after rebuilding it they again entered business life as its proprietors. This was in November, 1881, and they continued its management for five years. Mrs. Lessenich then traveled for a year, visiting many points of interest in the west and south, and after her return they lived retired until 1900, when she again took charge of the Chicago Hotel, which she is now con- ducting with her son as manager. It is situ- ated at the corner of Jones and Fourth streets and she has during an active career demon- strated excellent business ability and her well directed efforts are now manifest in the ex- tensive property interests which are hers. As success has been won in the passing years she has made judicious investment in real estate and now owns a large amount of property in Sioux City and valuable farming lands in the west. Her possessions include four hundred and eighty acres in Hutchinson county, South Dakota; one hundred and sixty acres in Clark county, South Dakota; two hundred and sev- enty acres in Woodbury county, Iowa; and fifty-four acres in Dakota county, Nebraska. Her farms return to her a very desirable and gratifying income. Mrs. Lessenich attends the Catholic church of St. John the Baptist. Mr. Lessenich was made a Mason in Landmark
MR. AND MRS. J. J. LESSENICH.
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Lodge, No. 103, A. F. & A. M., of Sioux City, that city and has secured a patronage which has January 25, 1870, is also a member of Western made his business a profitable one. Star Lodge, No. 282, and belongs to all the German societies of Sioux City with the ex- ception of the Sons of Herman.
MELCHIOR WINTHER.
The rapid growth of Sioux City has fur- nished a profitable field of labor for contractors and builders. There has been no greater activ- ity along any business line than in this depart- ment of labor, of which Mr. Winther is a repre- sentative. Ile was born in Norway in 1866, a son of Hans and Annie Winther, both of whom were natives of "the land of the midnight sun." There the father carried on agricultural pur- suits until his death and the mother is now liv- ing there in the eightieth year of her age. They were the parents of five children, all of whom still remain in Norway with the exception of our subject. Both the father and mother held membership in the Lutheran church.
Melchior Winther is indebted to the publie- school system of his native country for the edu- eational privileges he enjoyed. When he put aside his text-books he learned the trade of a earpenter and joiner, serving a four years' ap- prenticeship, during which time he became an excellent workman through his study of the practical side of his chosen vocation as well as the theory thereof. Desiring that he might have better opportunities in the new world, however, he came to the United States in 1891, arriving on the 28th of May. He then located in Sioux City, where he has since remained, and in 1901 he formed a partnership with Chris Mae under the firm name of Mac & Winther, contractors and builders. In the sue- ceeding autumn, however, the firm dissolved partnership and Mr. Wimher has since been alone in business. He has recently removed to a new office building at No. 610 Pierce street. He has built a number of modern residences of
In 1895 occurred the marriage of Mr. Winther and Miss Theny Torgerson, a daugh- ter of Cante and Barbara Torgerson. Her father is a farmer of lowa and her mother is now deceased. Mrs. Winther was born in this state in 1871 and by her marriage has become the mother of four children: Fonda, Adel, Mildred and Henry. Both Mrs. and Mrs. Winther are identified with the Norwegian church, and he belongs to Viking lodge. His political endorsement is given the Republican party and in matters of citizenship he mani- fests a progressive and public-spirited interest.
NELS WAHLBERG.
Nels Wahlberg, a contractor and builder who has been active in building operations in Sioux City for twenty-two years, was born in Sweden in 1838. He acquired his education in the pub- lie schools of that country and afterward learned the earpenter's trade there in connec- tion with his father, with whom he worked for twelve years. He has since continuously fol- lowed that pursuit and on crossing the Atlantic in 1882 he made his way westward to Sionx City and here became identified with building operations. Among the more prominent strne- trues which are monuments to his skill and handiwork are the Methodist Episcopal church, the Swedish Angustana elinreh and the English Lutheran church. He also erected a Catholic church in Hubbard, Nebraska, and has built many other structures in Sioux City outside those mentioned. He does reliable work, is trustworthy in all business transactions, is fair and just to his employes and ever strictly hon- orable in carrying out the terms of a contraet.
In 1863 Mr. Wahlberg was united in mar- riage in Sweden to Miss Christina Anderson, and unto them have been born three children: Anna, who is now at home; Olaf, a resident of
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Chicago; and Gorg, who is a machinist of Chi- cago.
Mr. Wahlberg gives his support to the Re- publican party, for his study of the political questions and issues of the day has led him to believe that its platform contains the best ele- ments of good government. During twenty-two years' residence in Sioux City he has become widely known and has won the respect and con- fidence of his fellow men by his straightforward business dealings and through the possession of many sterling traits of character, such as often find exemplification in the Swedish race.
EMORY D. SHERMAN.
Emory D. Sherman, becoming a resident of Sioux City in 1878, was for many years con- nected with its mercantile interests and his business career was such as any man might be proud to possess, because it was characterized both by enterprise and honesty. He was born in Cayuga county, New York, in 1857. His parents, who were farming people, spent their entire lives there. The son was educated in the common schools of his native county and assisted his father in the work of the farm in early boyhood days. In 1878 he came to the west, being then a young man of twenty one years, and at that time he established his home in Sioux City, where he entered upon his busi- ness life as a clerk in the employ of J. D. Spalding. He afterward began business on his. own account as proprietor of a grocery store on lower Fourth street, where he continued for a few years. He then removed to West Seventh street and at a later day established his store at the corner of Fifth and Pierce streets, where he continued in the retail grocery business up to the time of his death, having a large trade. The neat and thrifty appearance of the store and the attention given to arrangements, as well as the honorable methods of the proprietor, won him a constantly growing patronage that re-
sulted in bringing to him a very desirable com- petence. He thus became a successful business man of Sioux City and was well known in com- mercial circles, enjoying the confidence and good will of all.
On the 5th day of April, 1881, Mr. Sherman was united in marriage to Miss Lulu O. Rine- hart, a native of Sullivan county, New York, and a daughter of Abraham and Annie Rinc- hart, both of whom are natives of the Empire state. Her father was a painter by trade and removed from New York to Jersey City, New Jersey, where he resided up to the time of his death. Mrs. Rinehart afterward came to Sioux City in 1884 and has since made her home with Mrs. Sherman. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sherman were born three children: Harry C., who is an engineer in the Davidson department store and resides with his mother; Cora E., at home ; and Jessie E., the wife of Fred Wonder, of Onawa, Iowa.
Mr. Sherman departed this life July 23, 1899, and after his death his widow conducted the business for a year and then sold ont. In his political views he was a Republican and socially was connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He also belonged to the Methodist church, with which his family are connected. There were many elements in his eareer worthy of emulation, including his laudable ambition, his strong purpose and his straightforward dealing. He left an honorable name as well as a comfortable competence and is held in loving remembranee by many friends as well as his own family. Mrs. Sherman and her children occupy a nice residence at No. 519 Nebraska street.
LORING B. CRAFTS.
Loring B. Crafts, deceased, who was in the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad Com- pany at Sioux City for several years, was born in Marshall county, Iowa, November 27, 1860,
E. D. SHERMAN.
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his parents being John Bolton and Aun Eliza (Ingham) Crafts, the latter a native of Hardin county, Ohio, and the former of Canada. The father eame to Iowa in 1854, settling in Mar- shall county, where he was engaged in farming for many years. Ile then removed to Council Bluffs, where he secured employment in the baggage room of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company, occupying that position for seventeen years. Ile then removed to Des Moines, Iowa, where both he and his wife still reside. He became well to do, through the care- ful husbanding of his resources and his judi- cious investment, and is now living retired in the enjoyment of a well earned competence. There were two children in the family, the elder being George L., a traveling salesman, who resides in Des Moines.
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