USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > Past and present of Winneshiek county, Iowa; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 15
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CLARENCE CHRISTEN.
For ten years Clarence Christen has been engaged in the real-estate business in Decorah and along this line has not only attained individual prosperity but has become an important factor in the development of the city. Born in Madison, Wisconsin, January 19, 1855, he is a son of Swen and Signe Christen, natives of Norway, the mother being born on the 10th of June, 1823. In 1852 the father decided to exchange the meager existence his native country afforded for the opportunities of the new world and came to America, locating near Madison, Wisconsin. The mother left her native land about the same time and they were married in that city. In 1855 they came to Winneshiek county, Iowa, locating in Madison township, where Mr. Christen bought land, and as he prospered he increased his holdings until he held title to several hundred acres. He later removed to Bluffton township, this county, where he was en- gaged in farming until his death. Mrs. Christen survived him for several years, passing away in the same place. He was highly esteemed in his locality and for a number of terms served efficiently as county commissioner.
Clarence Christen was educated in the public schools of Decorah and made his home with his parents until he was married, when he removed to Mankato, Minnesota, where he found employment as an engineer for the Peavey Grain Company. He remained with that firm for two years and then returned to Winneshiek county, engaging in the cultivation of one hundred acres in Bluffton township. Later he purchased the old home place of one hundred and sixty - acres, remaining for about five years actively engaged in the cultivation of the farm, and then rented the place in order to remove to Decorah, where he engaged in the merchandise business. In 1889 he was appointed steward of the poor house and insane asylum, discharging his duties in such a manner as to receive general approbation. In 1893 he was elected sheriff of Winneshiek county and served in that important position for eight years, being reelected to the office. His record in that office was one of benefit to the county and of credit to him- self. In 1902 in partnership with his brother Albert he embarked in the real- estate business and is still thus engaged. His knowledge of land values is extensive and he is considered one of the best judges of real estate in the city and county, handling important transfers and receiving a gratifying income from his business.
In 1882 Mr. Christen was married to Miss Elizabeth Walton, a daughter of Joseph and Harriett Walton, natives of England. The father was born on January. 1, 1830, and died in 1913 on the anniversary of the day of his birth. He was married in the motherland and came to the United States in 1852,
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locating in Winneshick county, of which he became an early settler. Here he purchased land and successfully followed agricultural pursuits until about twenty years ago, when he retired from active work and removed to Cresco, which city he made his home until his demise. His wife is still living in Cresco, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Christen have the following children: Josie, a bookkeeper in the Winneshick County State Bank of Decorah; Lottie, a clerk in a dry-goods store of this city ; Myrtle, at home; and Lloyd, deputy county treasurer of Winneshiek county.
Mr. Christen gives his support to the republican party, the platform and principles of which appeal to him as conducive to the best form of government. He has held various township offices, having discharged his duties in an able and efficient manner, and at present is one of the inheritance tax appraisers. Mr. Christen is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church of Decorah while his wife and family are members of the Congregational church. His only fraternal connection is with Decorah Lodge, No. 443. B. P. O. E. Although there are no spectacular phases in his life record it stands as evidence of what can be accomplished when industry and energy lead the way. Beginning with no particular advantages, he has attained a substantial position in his city and is considered one of the moving forces in bringing Decorah to the front and promoting its importance as one of the thriving cities of the state.
C. L. TOPLIFF, D. D. S.
Dr. C. L. Topliff, who has been successfully engaged in the practice of den- tistry at Decorah for the past twenty-three years, has built up and enjoys an extensive and well deserved patronage in this connection. His birth occurred at Waukon, Allamakee county, Iowa, on the 28th of December, 1862, his parents being John and Rachel ( Reed) Topliff, who are natives of New Jersey and Ohio respectively. The father took up his abode in this part of the state when it was an Indian reservation, settling in Allamakee county in 1854. Eventually he purchased and improved a farm lying in Winneshiek and Allamakee counties and continued its operation successfully until 1891, when he disposed of the property and took up his abode in Decorah, where he is now living retired. His wife is also living and they make their home on Washington street, Decorah. John Topliff has been a resident of this part of the state for almost six decades and has witnessed the growth and development of the region from pioncer times down to the present.
C. L. Topliff obtained his early education in the district schools of Win- neshiek county and subsequently attended the high school at Postville, Allamakee county. After putting aside his text-books he assisted his father in the work of the home farm until he had attained his majority and then came to Decoralı, here beginning the study of dentistry in the office of Dr. Kellogg. At the end of a year he entered the Philadelphia Dental College, being graduated from that institution in the spring of 1888. Returning to his native state, he began the practice of dentistry at Postville but after two years came back to Decorah, which rity has since remained the scene of his professional labors. During the entire
DR. C. L. TOPLIFF
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period, covering twenty-three years, he has maintained a handsomely equipped office in the Ben Bear building. The extensive practice accorded him is the best evidence of his skill and ability in the line of his chosen profession.
In June, 1886, Dr Topliff was united in marriage to Miss Ida M. Tillotson, a daughter of Charles and Carrie (Beers) Tillotson. The father, who came to Winneshiek county in an early day, here followed farming for a number of years but was living retired at the time of his demise, which occurred in Decorah. The mother is likewise deceased. Dr. and Mrs. Topliff have three children, namely: Myrtle E., who is twenty-four years of age and the wife of John B. Gardner ; Alta G., twenty-one years old, who resides at home; and Lyle R., who is nine years of age. The family reside in a handsome home at No. 601 Center avenue.
In politics Dr. Topliff is a republican, exercising his right of franchise in sup- port of the men and measures of that party. On August 1, 1913, he was appointed by Governor Clark as one of five members of the state board of dental examiners, who examine all dentists who wish to practice in the state of Iowa, this appoint- ment emphasizing his standing in the profession. Both he and his wife were affiliated with the Unity church until the organization disbanded. He is a prom- inent member of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has served as deputy district grand master of this district, while in the present year he acts as district deputy grand patriarch. He is likewise chairman of the mileage and per diem committee of the grand lodge of Iowa and a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Modern Woodmen of America. A man of genial, cordial nature, he has gained the good-will and friendship of all with whom he has been associated in professional, fraternal and social relations.
ANDREW T. BOE.
Andrew T. Boe, an active and progressive young farmer of Madison town- ship, owning and operating one hundred acres of land on section 32, is a native son of Winneshiek county, born in Military township, July 3, 1883. He is a son of Thore and Mary (Loken) Boe, natives of Norway, the former of whom came to America and located in Rock Island, Illinois, where he remained for two years. At the end of that time he removed to Winneshiek county, and a short time afterward purchased a farm in Military township, which he cleared, improved and operated until 1901, when he retired from active life and removed to Decorah, where he remained for two years. He then returned to the farm and died upon his holdings, September 17, 1911. His wife survives him and resides upon the homestead.
Andrew T. Boe was reared and educated in Military township, acquiring his early education in the district schools and later attended Breckenridge Insti- tute in Decorah. While still a student in the latter institution he worked for B. Anundsen in the plant of the Decorah Posten, where he remained for five summers, attending school during the winter months. After completing his education he worked as a farm hand for two years and then rented his father's
Vol II -- 8
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farm, remaining upon it for a similar period of time. Upon its expiration he bought one hundred acres on section 32, Madison township, and upon this he has since resided. He has cleared twenty acres of this place and has made some substantial improvements, the farm reflecting everywhere his careful super- vision and practical methods in its cultivation.
In June, 1906, Mr. Boe was united in marriage to Miss Randina Neste, a daughter of Peter K. and Sarah (Thorgeson) Neste, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Boe have two children: Palmer T., aged five, and Myrtle S. R., aged four. Mr. Boe is a member of the Lutheran church and is a republican in his political views, cooperating heartily in measures and projects to promote the permanent interests of the community. His entire life has been spent in this township and he has an extensive acquaintance within its borders, being recognized as a young man of energy and ability whose con- tinued advancement is assured.
TOLLEF THRONDSON.
In the sudden death of Tollef Throndson, which occurred June 3, 1898, Madison township lost one of its most honored and respected citizens, a man who had ever been deeply interested in the welfare of the community in which he had so long lived and labored. Mr. Throndson was born in Norway, October 24. 1835. a son of Thrond and Engri ( Peterson ) Throndson, who were likewise natives of that country. The father followed farming throughout his entire life and lived and died in the land of his nativity.
Tollef Thirondson was reared and educated in his native land and remained there until he attained his majority, when, believing that opportunities awaited him in America, which he could not enjoy in Norway, he came to the new world. His destination was Wisconsin but he remained there for only a short time and subsequently came to Winneshiek county. He began life in the new world in a humble manner, working out for several years at farm labor. He lived economically in the hope of saving sufficient money to permit him some day to become the owner of land, and his hopes were realized, when, in 1880, he became the possessor of one hundred and sixty acres. He later added to this a tract of forty acres, making two hundred acres, located on section 36, Madi- son township. He improved the place with substantial buildings, made a close study of the soil, planting crops best adapted to it, and each year he gathered rich harvests as a reward for the labor he bestowed upon the fields. He died very suddenly of heart failure, June 3, 1898, having led an active life up to that time.
It was in August, 1880, that Mr. Throndson was married to Mrs. Ragnild ( Week) Olson, a daughter of Toster and Segriel (Guttonuson) Week. Mrs. Throndson was born in Norway, in January, 1848, and accompanied her parents on their emigration to America in 1866, the family home being established in Winneshiek county. The father was well advanced in years at the time of his emigration to this country, so that he practically lived retired in Iowa. His death occurred in 1894, but the mother lived only a few years after coming to
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this country, her death occurring in 1874. Mrs. Throndson was first married to Even Olson, in 1874, and became the mother of two sons: Otto, who died in infancy ; and Even, who makes his home in Decorah. Mr. Olson died De- cember 21, 1875. By her second marriage Mrs. Throndson became the mother of six children, namely: Engrie, the wife of Matt Dotseth, a farmer of Minne- sota ; Sena, who died in infancy; Theodore, at home; Alex, who died in infancy ; Alex, the second of the name, who is still with his mother; and Stella, who is engaged in teaching school. Mrs. Throndson is a capable business woman, and with the assistance of her two sons has managed the farm since her husband's death. She has made many improvements and among other things has erected a substantial and modern home.
In politics Mr. Throndson was a republican, and his religious faith was that of the Lutheran church. He was devoted to his home and his family and was ever deeply interested in their comfort and welfare. He was likewise deeply interested in the best interests of his community, so that at his death he was not only mourned by those nearest to him but by many friends and acquaintances, who had come to respect him for his sterling traits of character.
OLE J. LINDE.
For about twenty years Ole J. Linde has made his home on a valuable farm of one hundred and ten acres in Lincoln township, to the cultivation of which he has ever since given his sole attention. His labors have been productive and today his place is considered one of the best improved and most valuable of the district. He was born in Boone county, Illinois, on the 9th of February, 1863, and is a son of John O. and Martha ( Brenno) Linde, natives of Norway, who came to America about 1860, locating in Illinois. The father farmed in that state for about three years and then removed to Winneshiek county, settling in Sumner township. After a successful agricultural career the parents live now retired at Ridgeway. To them were born seven children : Hattie, deceased; Ole J., of this review ; Iver, of Sumner township; John, who makes his home in North Dakota; Edward, deceased; Edward, of North Dakota; and Henry, of the same state.
Ole J. Linde removed with his parents from Illinois to this county, where he attended school and subsequently assisted his father with the work on the home farm, early becoming acquainted with thorough methods of agriculture. He remained so occupied until twenty-seven years of age, when he was enabled to buy sixty acres in Sumner township, which he cultivated for two years and then sold. He then came to Lincoln township and in March, 1892, bought one hundred and ten acres, to the cultivation of which he has ever since given his whole time. His place gives evidence of the years of his labor and is today one of the finest in the district. He engages in general farming and stock-raising and also makes a specialty of threshing, having an outfit for which he finds employment on the neighboring farms. His farm buildings are kept well in repair and he has installed modern equipment in order to facilitate the labor and increase the yield of his fields.
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On December 7, 1880. Mr. Linde was united in marriage to Miss Emily Hopperstad and to them were born five children: Julius E., of Calmar, who is cashier of the savings bank there; Aletta, who married Lawrence Hove, of Madison township; Hattie M., at home ; Orin E. ; and Andy Oliver.
Mr. Linde is a republican in his political affiliations and for some time did service as township clerk, filling that office with circumspection and ability. His religious affiliation is with the Lutheran church. He is public-spirited and progressive and much interested in the welfare of his locality, having con- tributed to the general growth in developing an excellent farm property.
NELS N. BERGAN.
One of the model and well improved farms in Madison township, Winneshiek county, is owned and operated by Nels N. Bergan, his place comprising two hun- dred and seventy acres, located on section 32. He is a native of Wisconsin, born July 5. 1853, a son of Ole and Isabelle Bergan, both of whom were natives of Norway, and upon emigrating to the new world in 1842, located in Wisconsin. The father soon afterward went to Chicago, where he spent a brief period, and then located in Racine county, twenty miles south of Milwaukee, purchasing a farm in Muskego township. For nine years he gave his time and attention to the clearing and improvement of that farm, and on disposing of the place he came to Winneshiek county, the date of his arrival here being June 8, 1855. He pur- chased a farm in Madison township and was engaged in farming here until the time of his death, which occurred in May, 1892, when he had reached the age of seventy-two years. The mother survived for a few years, passing away in January, 1900, when she had reached the advanced age of eighty-nine years.
Nels N. Bergan was reared on the home farm and was educated in the district schools near his home. In 1883 the father divided his land among his children and Nels N. Bergan came into possession of his present farm, comprising two hundred and seventy acres, situated on section 32, Madison township. To the cultivation and improvement of this place he has since given his time and atten- tion. He has made his fields very fertile through the cultivation of crops best adapted to the soil, while he has erected good and substantial buildings, which he always keeps in the best of repair. In addition to this land Mr. Bergan likewise owns land in South Dakota. He makes a specialty of Scotch short- horn cattle and Poland China hogs and this branch of his business adds not a little to his annual income.
Mr. Bergan established a home of his own in November, 1889, by his mar- riage to Miss Louisa Crawford, a daughter of Henry and Marjorie (McIntosh) Crawford, the former of Irish descent, while the latter comes of Scotch ancestry. The father was engaged in farming in Madison township throughout his entire business career and became one of the county's substantial citizens. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bergan were born two children but both are now deceased, one having died in infancy, while Emma departed this life April 15, 1908. The wife and mother passed away in May, 1892, and Mr. Bergan was married a second time, this union being with Lena Larson, whom he wedded in November, 1893. Her
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parents, Lars and Carrie Larson, both natives of Norway, emigrated to America in an early day, locating in Winneshiek county, where the father engaged in farming throughout his entire business career.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Bergan has been blessed with seven children : Ole, now nineteen years of age; Lillian, who passed away March 2, 1908; Carl, who is a youth of fourteen ; Ina, who has departed this life; Ina, the second of the name, who is ten years old; and Francis and Lloyd, aged respectively seven and five years.
Mr. Bergan gives his political support to the republican party and for seven years has filled the office of township trustee. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Creamery Company of Ridgeway and takes a deep interest in this branch of farm work. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. He is an honest and industrious man, who has spent his entire life on a farm, the greater part of which has been passed in Winneshiek county, so that he is not only familiar with its history but is interested in its welfare and development, and has himself done not a little to further the agricultural interests of this section of Iowa.
CHARLES HAAS.
As evidence of the life work of Charles Haas stands one of the largest, best appointed, best equipped meat markets of Winneshiek county, located on East Water street, Decorah. By attending strictly to business Mr. Haas has built up an enterprise which ranks second to none in the county and which brings him a gratifying annual income. Cleanliness and fair dealing are the watchwords of his establishment and are never lost sight of. He was born in Dubuque, this state, on December 5, 1857, a son of Jacob and Margaret (Rice) Haas, the former a native of Baden, Germany, and a blacksmith by trade and the latter born in Prussia. The parents were married in Maryland, where the father had located upon coming to the United States, in the city of Baltimore, when he was nine- teen years of age. They subsequently moved westward to Iowa and in 1859 came to Decorah, where he followed the blacksmith's trade on a farm near the town. Upon the outbreak of the Civil war he answered his country's call for men and served in the Sixth Iowa Cavalry, being detailed on the western cam- paigns against the Indians. He had learned his trade in Maryland and before coming to Decorah in 1859 had spent a short time in Dubuque. On his farm near Decorah Mr. Haas lived until his death, respected and esteemed by all who knew him. He died in 1901, his wife passing to her reward eight years later. in 1909.
Charles Haas, in the acquirement of his education, attended district school, making the best opportunity of such advantages as were offered in those prim- itive times. He remained on the farm until nineteen years of age and then came to Decorah, where he engaged in the butcher business, from that time having so continued to the present day and having been located in the same store on East Water street ever since. He is associated in the business with his brother H. W. Haas. Mr. Haas has built up an extensive and profitable business by giving his sole attention to its affairs, a business which is up-to-date
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in every respect and would be a credit to a metropolitan city. It is one of the largest and best equipped markets in Winneshiek county and he does largely his own killing. Success has been his in rich measure and justly so, for it is but the outcome of continuous labor, incessant energy, vigilance and fair and honest methods.
On July 22, 1880, Mr. Hlaas was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Manning. a daughter of Malike and Sarah ( Golden) Manning, both natives of Ireland. The parents came to the United States and subsequently located in Winneshiek county in an early day of its history. They were married in Boston, Massachu- setts. but Mrs. Haas was born and reared in Watertown, Wisconsin, where the parents resided before coming to Iowa. She was the mother of the following children: Lizzie, the wife of Herman Tavener, of Decorah ; Hattie, who married Arthur Tavener. also of Decorah: Nellie, who married Vern Kennard, of North Dakota; Grace, at home: Arthur J., of Decorah; and Violet, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Haas and their children are devout members of the Roman Catholic church of Decorah, in the work of which they take an active and helpful interest. Fraternally he is a member of Decorah Lodge, No. 443, B. P. O. E., and Decorah Nest. No. 1045, Order of Owls. He gave evidence of his public- spirit by serving four years as councilman from the second ward, doing valuable work in promoting measures for the benefit of the city and ably representing his ward. He is a stockholder in the Winneshiek Hotel Company and the Grand Opera House Company of Decorah. He has always led a busy, useful life in which indolence and idleness have had no part and whereby he is not only contributing to his own success but has become an important factor in the development of Decorah and Winneshiek county, always glad to bear his share in the work of making this what he believes it will one day become-one of the most prosperous localities in the world. In all that he undertakes he is actuated by a spirit of contagious enthusiasm that is an inspiration to others. and acting according to the dictates of his faith and judgment, time has proven the wisdom of his opinion. His life work has been a serviceable factor in the growth and upbuilding of Decorah, which has no more loyal advocate than Charles Haas.
GEORGE M. ANDERSON.
George M. Anderson is a prominent and representative farmer of Frank- ville township, living on section 7, his time and energies being devoted to the further development and cultivation of a farm of two hundred acres. He has resided thereon continuously for sixty years save for a period spent as a soldier of the Civil war. He was born in Drammen, Norway, on the 5th of January, 1836, a son of Magnus and Inger ( Sheggered) Linnevold. It was in the year 1853 that the parents started for America with their seven children. The father did not believe that the English speaking people could manage his sur- name and therefore changed it to Anderson, which is the English of Linnevold. This name was accordingly used by the subject of this review, but the latter's children have reverted to the old Norwegian name. After reaching the United
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