USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > Past and present of Winneshiek county, Iowa; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 17
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53
In 1892 Tonnes T. Bringsjord was united in marriage to Miss Bertha O. Ramsey and to them three children were born, Gesena. Amanda and Tilda. After a short illness Mrs. Bringsjord passed away in 1897, deeply mourned by her immediate family and a large circle of friends. In 1899 Mr. Bringsjord wedded Mary O. Haugen, a daughter of Ole and Mary Haugen, natives of Norway, where Mrs. Bringsjord also was born. She was six years old when she was brought by her parents to America. Of this union also three children
185
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
were born, namely: Melvine and Ole, twins, born September 18, 1900; and Helen, whose birth occurred August 14, 1905.
Mr. Bringsjord is a stockholder in the Ice Cave Creamery Company of Decorah, and also is interested in the Farmers Hog Company. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church and politically he is a republican. Enter- prising and progressive, he has become a valuable citizen of Decorah township and by his labors has promoted agricultural growth and development. He is interested in all public enterprises of permanent value and is ever ready to gladly bear his share of time and money in any worthy cause. He is highly respected and esteemed in his community and enjoys the confidence and good- will of a large circle of friends, who have learned to appreciate his worth and his high qualities of mind and character.
EDWARD LYNNE.
Although Edward Lynne has been engaged in business in Decorah only since 1908. he has already been recognized as an important factor in the commercial life of the city. There he conducts an establishment on Main street, where he handles flour, feed, hay and grain. A native of Winneshiek county, Iowa, he was born October 3, 1855, and is a son of John and Mary (Dammen) Lynne, natives of Norway. The father, who was a carpenter by trade, came to America in 1853 and settled in Glenwood township, Winneshiek county, buying one hundred and twenty acres of land in that locality upon which he lived until his death. His wife also passed away on that farm. He was among the early pioneers of this section and by strict attention to his property succeeded in transforming a wild tract of land into a valuable farm, enjoying in his later years a substantial competence as the result of his diligence and industry. He was highly respected and esteemed in the vicinity by all who knew him. He was a public-spirited man, interesting himself in public affairs, and successfully held various township offices. Both he and his wife made their homes with our subject after Edward Lynne had bought the farm from his father, the parents remaining with him until their death. They were among the ones that founded the congregation of Rev. Korns, a Norwegian pioneer minister, on Washington prairie. The latter was one of the very first circuit riders in northeastern lowa and the parents always gave their faithful allegiance to this church.
Edward Lynne attended the district schools in Glenwood township in the acquirement of his education and early began to assist his father in the work on the home place. He took charge of the management of the farm in 1883 and continued in its cultivation until 1908. He bought the home farm from his father before the latter died and subsequently added forty acres to it. Follow- ing modern and progressive methods of soil cultivation, he made a success of his enterprise, bringing his land to a high state of productivity. He placed upon the farm many valuable improvements and such equipment as is considered indis- pensable to attain the highest agricultural results. He gave also considerable attention to stock-raising, specializing in full-blooded Poland China hogs and a high grade of Guernsey cattle. In 1908 Mr. Lynne laid aside the active work
186
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
of the farm and rented his property in order to remove to Decorah. Four years later, in the fall of 1912, he disposed of his farm of one hundred and sixty acres, receiving an advantageous price. Upon his coming to Decorah Mr. Lynne engaged in the flour and feed business and has since built up an enter- prise of extensive and profitable connections, having a store on Main street where he handles his produce.
On May 6. 1879. Mr. Lynne was united in marriage to Miss Catharine Peterson, a daughter of Gustave Peterson, who for many years engaged in school teaching and farming in Glenwood township. Later Mr. and Mrs. Peterson sold their farm and moved to Wisconsin, where both passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Lynne became the parents of the following children: Clara, the wife of Adolph Running, an agriculturist residing in Detroit, Minnesota, by whom she has one child, Catharine; Milla, who is the wife of Peter Ramsey, a farmer of Frankville township, and by whom she has five children. Elling, Thelma, Oren, Marjorie and Peter ; Gustave, who is engaged as bookkeeper and stenographer at Detroit, Minnesota; and Arthur and Edna, at home.
Politically Mr. Lynne is a republican and has given evidence of his public spirit in various capacities, serving as township tax collector, assessor and trustee, as justice of the peace and president and secretary of the school board of Glenwood township, of which board he was also a director. He, moreover, was road supervisor for several years. His interest in commercial expansion is evident from his membership in the Commercial Club of Decorah, and his religious faith, and that of his wife and children, is indicated by their member- ship in the Lutheran Synod church. He is keeping alive the spirit of his ancestors by membership in the Norske Selskab society of Decorah. When living upon his farm he was one of those who were instrumental in organizing the first creamery in Glenwood township and subsequently organized two more enterprises of that kind, assisting in the management and operation of the three plants. In partnership with him in this company were Nels Ramsey, Ole Batke, Gustave Johnson and E. R. Miller. They operated their plants successfully for three years and then sold out at a profit to the Excelsior Creamery Company. That the activities of Edward Lynne have been of lasting and important benefit to his locality, there is no doubt, for he has not only raised agricultural stand- ards but was one of the promoters of the creamery industry and in later years has become a power for trade expansion in Decorah, making him a serviceable factor in the community life-a man who is as much interested in promoting general prosperity as his own success.
SAMUEL WISE.
Samuel Wise, who has resided upon his farm in Pleasant township since he was eleven years of age, is numbered among the most able, progressive and successful farmers in this vicinity, his fine property of two hundred and ninety- three acres on sections 16 and 17. evidencing in its neat and attractive appear- ance his careful supervision and practical labors. He was born in Pine Grove township, Venango county, Pennsylvania, on the 24th of December, 1845, and
SAMUEL WISE
MRS. SAMUEL WISE
191
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
is a son of Samuel and Phoebe (Merryman) Wise, natives of that state, the former of Dutch ancestry and the latter of German and English extraction. The parents came to Iowa in the spring of 1856, the father having purchased land from the government in the previous year, and they continued to make their home upon this farm for many years, Samuel Wise dying upon the prop- erty December 4, 1879, at the age of seventy-one. His wife, who was born in 1810, passed away March 21, 1886. They were the parents of eleven children : Keziah, who married Charles Reese, of Springport, Michigan; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Christian Kinch and who died in 1858; Wilson, of Artesian, South Dakota; Nancy, the widow of Daniel Price and a resident of Burr Oak, Iowa; Daniel, who makes his home in Carl Junction, Missouri; Elijah, of Pomona, California; Harrison, who passed away January 19, 1862; Phoebe, the widow of Nathan Drake, of Glenwood township, this county; Samuel, of this review : Allen, who was drowned in the Iowa river in 1867, when he was seventeen years of age; and Mary, the widow of Frank Stortz, of Norfolk, Nebraska. Of these children Daniel and Elijah are veterans of the Civil war, having enlisted from Decorah in Company D, Third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Willet, and having served until the close of hostilities.
When Samuel Wise was eleven years of age he accompanied his parents from Illinois to Iowa and took up his residence with them upon the Wise homestead in Winneshiek county, whereon he grew to manhood. He has made his home upon this property ever since and now owns two hundred and ninety- three acres lying on sections 16 and 17. Upon this he has made many sub- stantial improvements in buildings and equipment, his well directed efforts having been attended with a gratifying measure of success. In addition he is proprietor of one hundred and sixty acres in Dallas county, Texas, and this, together with his home property, brings him a substantial annual income.
On the 24th of December, 1868, Mr. Wise was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Barth, of Cincinnati, Ohio, born December 14, 1852. She came with her parents to lowa in the fall of 1855. To their union were born fifteen chil- dren : Rosamond, who married Albert Ellingson, of Pleasant township ; Phoebe, who became the wife of Charles Rima, of Decorah: Flora, who married B. E. Bucknell, of Decorah ; Isaiah, who lives at home; Julia, the wife of E. F. Gueff- roy, of Charles City, Iowa ; Elizabeth, at home ; Lucy, who married M. E. Ander- son, of Washington, D. C .: Daniel E., at home; Allen, county recorder of Win- neshiek county, with residence at Decorah; Mary, who is engaged in teaching ; Lily, who is employed in the National Bank at Decorah; Keziah and Meda, engaged in teaching ; Sylvester, who lives at home; and one child, who died in infancy. The mother died at the University Hospital, Iowa City, August 17, 1910.
Mr. Wise gave his political allegiance to the republican party until the nomi- nation of Blaine for the presidency, when he affiliated with the democracy. He has held various public offices, serving as justice of the peace, constable, school director and road supervisor, and his public career has been useful and beneficial, reflecting credit upon his ability and public spirit. He is numbered among the early residents in Pleasant township and has witnessed practically the entire development of this part of the county, his work since reaching man- hood forming an important factor in its advancement. Throughout the years Vol. 11-9
192
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
of an honorable and upright life he has firmly entrenched himself in the regard and esteem of his fellow citizens and stands today in a high place among repre- sentative farmers and substantial business men.
In conclusion we present to our readers a story written by himself. entitled : "A Day in the Life of a Winneshiek County Boy."
"I went to work plowing in the morning about two miles from father's house, At about half past nine o'clock my brother-in-law, D. Price, came to us (my father and eldest brother, were working in the same field) to get a yoke of oxen to take his family to Decorah for safety. He told us that the Indians were coming and we had better clear out. He was very much excited.
"We held a council of war right there and decided to send word to the neighbors to meet at Locust Lane that evening to make arrangements to meet the enemy.
"The lock on father's rifle being broken, he went to Freeport to the gun- smith's to get it mended and at the same time bought all the gunpowder they had at the store in Freeport. From there he went to Decorah to buy lead and more powder. He couldn't get any powder there for they wanted all they had for the defense of Decorah.
"I went home and started making bullets. First I ran all the lead we had into bullets for father's T. Smith rifle. Then I ran all the pewter I could find about the place into bullets for the shot gun. When I was through, mother brought all her pewter spoons and I melted and made them into bullets. I also cleaned and oiled an old double-barrelled shot gun. ( This gun belonged to A. K. Drake, a resident of Decorah at the present time.)
"About four o'clock Jake Powers came to our place to tell my folks the Indians were coming. He wanted to know what I was going to do with the shot gun and i said that I was going to shoot Indians. He laughed at me and said I couldn't shoot bullets with a shot gun and that he could stand by a tree and let me shoot at him all day and I couldn't hit him. And if I did, the bullet would not go through his clothes. I told him I could kill him at that distance so he went and stood by the tree and dared me to shoot. I locked the gun and raised it to shoot when my mother stepped out the door and grabbed the gun and wanted to know what we were doing. I told her and she gave Mr. Powers a scolding because I was only a boy but he was old enough to know better. He was about twenty-five years old. Then Mr. Powers put a mark on the tree and I was to see if I could hit it. I shot and the bullet struck the tree about two inches above the mark. He took his knife to take the bullet out but had to use an ax and cut into the oak tree about two inches for it. He then went to mother and thanked her for saving his life.
"At sun down I did the chores and then started for Locust. three miles away. When I had gone half the distance I saw three men coming towards me, each carrying a gun. I took them to be Indians. I dropped behind a bunch of brush locked both barrels of my gun and waited for them to come close enough for a dead shot. I felt sure of the first Indian, a good chance of the second, and then dodge into the bush returning home, and be ready for them again. But before they got close enough for me to shoot, the imaginary Indians vanished and Henry Kniss, Mr. Bowns, and James Morehead took their places. They were old neighbors. out hunting Indians. When I stepped into the road
193
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
in front of them they were startled. When we were gathered at Locust we appointed a committee of five men to go north the next day to see if the enemy was coming."
Here Mr. Wise concludes his narrative of a day's experiences in a boy's life in the early days of the Red man's sway in Winneshiek county, giving an idea of conditions as they existed in his youth and presenting to our readers an interesting incident.
BORGER HANSON.
From carpenter to the position of one of the foremost contractors and builders of Decorah is a wide step to take, yet Borger Hanson has reached that position without outside help or special advantages, through his own efforts, and is considered today one of the foremost citizens of his community and one of its most substantial men, being also connected with other important enterprises in this locality. Born on March 10, 1856, in the kingdom of Norway, he is a son of Hans Peter and Bertha ( Schager ) Nygaard, natives of Norway. The father followed the occupation of farming in the old country, where he passed away on January 2, 1871, but his wife subsequently came to the United States and made her home with our subject from 1886 until her demise in 1892.
Borger Hanson in the acquirement of his education attended the excellent common schools of his native country and subsequently went to Christiania, where he learned the cabinet-maker's trade. The opportunities and advantages of the new world appealing to him, he came in 1876, when twenty years of age, to the United States and located in Decorah, Iowa, where he engaged in build- ing and contracting. There he remained for two years but in 1878 made removal to Fargo, North Dakota, where he was one of the first settlers to take up a homestead in the Red River valley, in Traill county. He became the owner of two hundred and forty acres and subsequently added to his ranch by acquiring another one hundred and sixty acres of school land. For seventeen years he gave his sole attention to the improvement and cultivation of his farm, remaining in that northern state until the fall of 1895, when he returned to Decorah to engage again in the contracting and building business. In 1910 he disposed of his North Dakota interests and now gives all of his time to contracting and subletting. He has built the gymnasium at the Luther College and superintended the carpenter work on the dormitory and built the hospital on the college grounds. Moreover, he has erected many residences in Decorah and country homes in Winneshiek county, his extensive business connections speaking well for his ability and integrity. As his means have increased he has become con- nected with other important institutions and is now serving in the third year as a director of the Decorah State Bank, while he is also a stockholder in the Winneshiek Hotel Company and the Farmers Creameries. He owns, moreover, five hundred and sixty acres of well improved land in northern Minnesota, which he rents and from which he receives a gratifying income.
In 1880 Mr. Hanson was united in marriage to Miss Nicoline Myrann, a daughter of Asle and Astrid (Nelson) Myrann, natives of Norway. The
194
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
father followed agricultural pursuits throughout his life and upon coming to the United States became one of the pioneer settlers of Winneshiek county, where he located in Madison township, buying land, to the cultivation of which he devoted the remainder of his life. Both the father and mother passed away there. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson were the parents of ten children : Borghild Hansine died at the age of thirty-two years. Alma Amanda passed away when but seven months old. Alma Alvilde, the wife of Rev. P. C. Danielson, who is pastor of the Norwegian Lutheran church of Fort Dodge, Iowa, is the mother of three children, Agnes Caroline, Evelyn Caroline and Baby Danielson. Cora Elizabeth died when seventeen years of age. Hans Peter, the eldest son in the family, is at present attending the Agricultural College at Ames, this state. Asle Norvin is pursuing a course in civil engineering at the State University at Iowa City. Sigurd Olaf takes an agricultural course at Ames, Iowa. Dagmar Victoria will graduate from the Decorah high school in 1916. Gisley Waldemar and Philip Verner both died in 1002, the former at the age of two years and the latter in infancy.
Mr. Hanson gives his allegiance to the republican party, and the family are members of the United Lutheran church. Setting out upon his career without particular advantages or influence, he has attained to a prominent and sub- stantial position in the community life of Decorah-a position which he has attained by his own efforts. He has well earned the proud title of self-made man and enjoys the confidence and good-will of all who come in contact with him in a business or social way.
OLE P. HOVE.
Ole P. Hove, who owns a fine farm of ninety acres on section 27, Madison township, and is one of the most active and progressive agriculturists of this locality, was born in Norway on the 24th of June, 1862. He is a son of Ole and Barbara ( Hedalen ) .Hove, also natives of that county, who came to America in June, 1866, locating in Winneshiek county, Iowa. The father purchased a farm in Madison township and improved it for a short time, but, owing to the failure of the wheat crop throughout this locality, was forced to give up his land. He afterward made his home with his children during the remainder of his life, passing away in the fall of 1802. He had survived his wife for some time, her death having occurred in 1860.
Ole P. Hove was only four years of age when his parents came to America. He was reared and educated in Winneshiek county, completing the preseribed course in the district schools and afterward turning his attention to work as a farm hand. He spent eight or nine years in this oceupation and by the exercise of thrift and economy contrived to save during that period a considerable sum of money. With this he purchased eighty acres of land on section 27, Madison township, and upon this he has since resided, having, however, afterward added to his holdings ten acres of timber land. Mr. Hove engages in general farming and stock-raising and has made many substantial improvements upon his prop- erty, which is today well improved and well cultivated, reflecting everywhere the
195
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
owner's many years of care and labor. Mr. Hove is a stockholder in the Farmers Creamery Company of Decorah and in the Farmers Cooperative Hog Buying Company, and is recognized in business circles as a man of keen insight and sound judgment.
In December, 1892, Mr. Hove was united in marriage to Miss Clara Hanson, a daughter of Charles and Jane ( Sander) Hanson, natives of Norway, who came to America in early times, the mother in 1853 and the father about the year 1864. The latter was a harness maker by trade and worked at this occupation for some time after his arrival, later turning his attention to farming in Lincoln township, a line of work which has engaged his attention since that time. Mr. and Mrs. Hove have become the parents of six children: Stella, born November 7, 1893; Clarence, September 1, 1895 ; Florence, March 23, 1898; Esther, August 3, 1900; Lloyd, June 30, 1904; and Beatrice, February 26, 1907.
Mr. Hove is a member of the Lutheran church and gives his political allegi- ance to the republican party. He was for thirteen years trustee of the town- ship and is now in the fourth year of his able service as assessor, discharging his duties in a capable, farsighted and progressive way. Along agricultural and political lines he has left the impress of his work and personality upon the history of this section of the state and commands and holds the high regard and confi- dence of all who have been associated with him.
CHARLES CLEMENT PILGRIM.
Charles Clement Pilgrim is engaged in general farming and stock-raising in Madison township, owning one hundred and fifty acres of land on section 14. Hle has brought his fields to a high state of cultivation and his place presents an attractive appearance, constituting one of the pleasant features of the land- scape. He was born in Clay county, this state, on December 25, 1871, and is a son of Charles W. and Nancy E. ( Boyer ) Pilgrim, a record of whom appears on another page of this work.
Charles Clement Pilgrim was six years of age when his parents located in Winneshiek county, and here he was reared and educated, attending public schools at Ridgeway and later in the vicinity of Frankville. After laying aside his books he taught for one term in district schools, and at the end of that time joined his father in the operation of the homestead. Eventually Charles W. Pilgrim gave his son one hundred acres of land on section 14, Madison township, and to this Charles Clement Pilgrim has since added fifty acres which he purchased from his brother. He has steadily carried forward the work of improvement and development, clearing a portion of his holdings and erecting the necessary barns and outbuildings. He spent four years in Burley county, North Dakota, where he engaged in farming, but his mother being taken ill he returned to Winneshiek county, where he has since made his home upon his farm. He makes a specialty of raising thoroughbred shorthorn cattle and Chester White hogs, and his stock-raising interests are extensive and form a lucrative branch of his enterprise.
196
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
In November, 1899, Mr. Pilgrim was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Hill, a daughter of George and Catherine ( Reiter ) Hill, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania. The parents came to Jefferson county, lowa, at an early date and until 1895 the father operated a farm in that locality. He then removed to Decorah, where he has since engaged in landscape gar- dening. Mr. and Mrs. Pilgrim have two children: Dora Vesper, aged eleven ; and Ellis Clement, aged seven.
Mr. Pilgrim is a devout member of the Methodist church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party, serving as secretary of the school board. His life has been a busy, useful and active one, and his success is indi- cated in his ownership of one of the valuable farming properties of Winneshiek county.
JOHN NELSON TOPLIFF, SR.
After a long and active career devoted to agricultural pursuits John Nelson Topliff, Sr., lives retired in Decorah in the enjoyment of a competence which provides him with all the conveniences and many of the luxuries of life. For many years he was a prominent farmer in Winneshiek county and has not only attained his own success along that line but has been instrumental in promoting general agricultural conditions and advancement. He has lived retired in De- coral since 1891, having become connected with the business life of the city as the owner of valuable property here. Although seventy-seven years of age, he is still active and enjoys the best of health, taking interest in all matters that affect the community and giving his support to all worthy causes.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.