USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > Past and present of Winneshiek county, Iowa; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 18
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Born in Newark, New Jersey, on July 24. 1836, he is a son of Elias and Sarah ( Woodworth) Topliff, the father born near Coventry, Connecticut, of English stock. Elias Topliff studied medicine in order to practice as physician and surgeon and for a time was active in his profession. Subsequently, how- ever. he engaged in the jewelry business and upon coming to Ohio, where he located near Milford Center, there engaged for ten years at the shoemaker's trade. In 1847 he made removal to northeastern lowa and tried to find a suit- able location for settlement. The first spot which aroused his interest was two miles west of Postville, in Winneshiek county, and although it appealed to him as a likely location, he was not entirely satisfied and traveled on for some time, but finding nothing more suitable, subsequently returned to make his home there. He drove back to Ohio and bringing his family, settled on the property. His journeys were fraught with obstacles and hardships, as there were no roads at the time and he had to follow Indian trails. It was in 1848 that Mr. Topliff took up three hundred and twenty acres of land, partly in Allamakee county and partly in Winneshiek county. There he lived until the spring of 1852, when he was elected judge of Allamakee county and in order to enter upon his duties moved to Columbus, which was the county seat at the time. Public-spirited and progressive, he held public office from that time until his death. He was the first judge of Allamakee county and he died in Waukon, this state, in November, 1860, while serving in the important position of county treasurer.
MR. AND MRS. JOHN N. TOPLIFF, SR.
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For some time he also held the position of school commissioner. His wife was a native of Ohio and in that state their marriage took place. She died on May 4, 1854, on the farm which was located east of Waukon, Iowa.
John N. Topliff. Sr., enjoyed but meager educational advantages, attending school in Ohio until eleven years of age and working upon his father's farm after coming to Winneshiek county for two or three years. He improved his school advantages by attending the log schoolhouse erected on his father's farm near Postville, making use of the primitive opportunities thus offered. The father subsequently left the farm and our subject, when yet quite young, oper- ated the place for five years. In 1865 John N. Topliff, Sr., bought out his mother's share in the farm and made his home thereon until 1891, when he retired. Employing progressive and scientific methods, he brought his land to a high state of cultivation, placing suitable improvements thereon and installing such equipment as would increase the productivity of the soil and facilitate the labor. The years have brought him prosperity and in 1891 he was enabled to retire, selling his property and now residing in Decorah in the enjoyment of a comfortable competence. While living in the country Mr. Topliff served for some time as local school director, and while his father was living was also em- ployed for two years in the treasurer's office.
In 1860 Mr. Topliff was married to Miss Rachel Elizabeth Reed, a daughter of David and Mary (Allen) Reed, the father a native of Ross county, Ohio, where he was born on June 27, 1799. He was of Irish and Scotch descent and his occupation was that of a farmer. In 1848 he came to Winneshiek county, being one of the early pioneers of this part of the state, and located on land situated near the place upon which Elias Topliff had settled. He came to De- corah in 1852 and there died in March, 1880. He was closely identified with the public life of his locality and for eight years served with fairness and impar- tiality as county judge. His wife was born in Pennsylvania on May 9. 1814, and reared in Ohio, as was her husband, where they were married. She was of Yankee and Dutch extraction and passed away on February 4, 1866. Mr. and Mrs. John N. Topliff, Sr., became the parents of the following children : Charles L., born December 28, 1862, a well known dentist of Decorah, who married Ida Tillottson of that city, by whom he has three children-Myrtle, Alta Grace and Lyle Ray ; John N., Jr., born November 11. 1864, a farmer of Bruce, Wisconsin, who married Josie Kittenger, of Castalia, lowa, by whom he has one son, Rolly, a graduate of Highland Park College. now engaged in automobile manufacture in Des Moines : Ann Grace, born July 3, 1868, who died November 25, 1877; Frank Rolly, born February 6, 1875, who died October 25, 1877 ; and Frank Ray, born May 19, 1884, a dentist at Postville, who married Miss May Joe Lennon of Decorah.
Mr. Topliff is a stanch republican, giving his support to the measures and can- didates of that party. Both he and his wife are members of the Unitarian church, in which they take an active and helpful interest. Fraternally he is a member of the blue lodge of Masons at Decorah and both he and his wife belong to the Order of the Eastern Star. Mrs. Topliff was one of the first ladies to be initiated into this lodge in this part of the country, her initiation taking place at Postville. This lodge was instituted by Robert Morris, who at that time had just returned from the Holy Land and, giving a lecture thereon, organized
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the lodge, Mr. and Mrs. Topliff becoming charter members. Mr. Topliff has also become closely connected with the business life of Decorah, owning a valuable business block in the down town district. Although seventy-seven years of age, he is still active and takes a deep interest in all matters that affect the com- munity life. Widely known, he is highly respected and esteemed by all for what he has accomplished and those qualities of mind and character which have made possible his success.
CHARLES SPALLA.
Among the prosperous agriculturists of Lincoln township is Charles Spalla, who owns a valuable farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 36. He was born in Conover, Winneshiek county. November 25. 1874, and is a son of John and Mary ( Halek ) Spalla, natives of Bohemia, who emigrated from that country directly to Conover at an early, date in the history of the settlement of this section. The father has been engaged in agricultural pursuits for many years and is now living in Madison township. Mr. and Mrs. John Spalla be- came the parents of eight children: John, of Hancock county, this state; two who died in infancy ; Mary, the wife of Wencel Kraser, of Festina; Frank and Joseph, both of whom reside in North Dakota; Charles, of this review; and Christina, the wife of Henry Roldmeyer.
Charles Spalla was reared at home and early directed by his parents in the qualities of thrift, energy and industry. He acquired his education in the local schools and soon began to assist his father with the work of the farm. He sub- sequently gave his entire time to the cultivation of the fields until he was twenty- six years of age, when he bought one hundred and twenty acres on section 36, in Lincoln township, where he has built a fine home two stories in height and erected modern barns, sheds and outbuildings, making his farm in every way one of the best improved and most valuable in the district. His fields are in a high state of cultivation and he engages in general farming and in stock-raising.
On January 17, 1905. Mr. Spalla married Miss Rosie Bender and to this union were born five children, Charles, Mary, Christine, Joseph and Helen, the last of whom has passed away. Mr. Spalla is a democrat and his religious faith is that of the Catholic church. He is interested and plays his part in the prog- ress of his section of Winneshiek county and has proven himself a valuable cit- izen and a helpful and kindly neighbor. He is esteemed by all who know him and enjoys the respect and confidence of his friends and the general public.
GERHARD JORGENSON.
Winneshiek county has been exceptionally fortunate in its public servants, having had men of ability and unswerving honesty, who have administered the offices of which they have had charge with circumspection and in the interests of the public. Such a man is Gerhard Jorgenson, who now serves in the second
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term as county treasurer, a native of Winneshiek county, where he was born October 1, 1878, a son of Hans and Sarah ( Lien) Jorgenson, the father a native of Norway and the mother of this county. Hans Jorgenson came to Winneshiek county in 1871, when twenty years of age, and buying land in Springfieldl town- ship engaged in agricultural pursuits. Ever since that time he has been success- ful in the operation of his land and now, at the age of sixty-two years, owns one of the finest farms in his neighborhood. The mother is also living at the age of sixty-three years.
Gerhard Jorgenson was reared under the parental roof and educated in the schools of the neighborhood and the Decorah Institute, from which he was graduated with the class of 1898. Before and after his graduation, however, he taught school for a period of about seven years. A man well fitted for the office, he was then appointed deputy county treasurer and served in that position for seven years, when in 1909 he was elected county treasurer, administering his office with such ability and giving such satisfaction that in March, 1912, he was reelected by the people.
Public-spirited and progressive. Mr. Jorgenson has always taken a deep interest in public and political matters and has given much of his time to projects undertaken for the betterment of public conditions. His political affiliation is with the republican party and ever since coming of age he has given his stanch support to that organization. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Owls, while for purely social reasons he holds membership in the Norske Selskab Club, where he meets men who, like him, have sprung from the Norseland. Yet a young man, the beginning of Mr. Jorgenson's career promises well and there are many more contests open to him equally honorable and worthy, which hold forth conspicuous rewards for one of his industry, common sense and intelligence.
JOHN O. DAHLE.
Among the progressive and practical farmers who have during the past quarter of a century made tangible and substantial contributions to the agri- cultural development of Winneshiek county is numbered John O. Dahle, who owns and operates one hundred and sixty-five acres on section 16, Madison township. This is a valuable and well improved property and constitutes the farm upon which he was born, February 7. 1863, his parents being Ole and Aase ( Hellen) Dahle, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work.
John O. Dahle was reared upon the homestead and in his youth divided his time between attendance at district school and work in the cultivation of the fields. He became thoroughly familiar with the details of farm operation and after his father's death conducted the property in the interests of his mother, who made her home thereon until she passed away in 1886. Mr. Dahle has never left the home farm which he now owns and which owes a great deal of its present attractive appearance and excellent condition to his well directed and practical efforts. It comprises two hundred acres, lying on section 16, Madison
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township, and is provided with excellent improvements, having a good residence and substantial barns and outbuildings.
On the 4th of November, 1896, Mr. Dahle was united in marriage to Miss Gertie Helgeson, a daughter of Helge and Clarissa Helgeson, natives of Norway, who came to America and at an early date settled in Winneshiek county, where the father engaged in farming until his death, which occurred July 2, 1902. He was survived by his wife until October, 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Dahle have six children: Cora, aged sixteen; Homer, fourteen; Joseph, twelve; Dora, nine; Edith, four; and Oscar, two. One other child born to their union died in infancy.
Mr. Dahle is a devout member of the Lutheran church and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party, taking an intelligent interest in public affairs without being active as an office seeker. He is a man of many sterling qualities of character and in the community where his entire life has been spent holds the respect of his associates and the regard and esteem of many friends.
HANS C. HJERLEID.
Various important corporate interests profit by the cooperation of Hans C. Iljerleid. He is recognized as a forceful business man who forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution. No obstacles are allowed to bar his path if they can be overcome by persistent and earnest effort and thus he has gradually worked his way upward until he now has important business con- nections in Decorah and this part of the state. He is the cashier of the National Bank of Decoralı and figures prominently in other connections. His birth occurred in Jackson county, Wisconsin, in 1863. his parents being Syver and Helene Hjerleid, natives of Norway. The father came to America in 1852 and in 1854 purchased a farm in Springfield township, Jackson county, Wiscon- sin, which property is now owned by the Hjerleid Homestead Company. He was married in Chicago in 1860.
In the country schools near his father's home Hans C. Hjerleid pursued his early education and afterward spent two years as a student in the high school at Black River Falls, Wisconsin. He was afterward graduated from the Gem City Business College at Quincy, Illinois, and thus qualified for life's practical and responsible business duties. In his youthful days he worked upon his father's farm, carly becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. After pursuing his commercial course he secured the position of bookkeeper in the general store of Thompson & Johnson Brothers at Cresco, Iowa, where he remained for four years. He afterward spent eight years in the Cresco Union Savings Bank and has since been continuously con- nected with financial interests. In 1807 he became one of the founders of the National Bank of Decorah, of which he has since been cashic . and thus has active voice in its management and shaping its policy. His name is indeed a prominent one in financial eireles in the northern part of the Mississippi valley, for he has extended his efforts into various fields and in all places his worth and business ability are recognized. He is the president of the Home Bank
HANS C. HJERLEID
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· of Blair at Blair, Wisconsin ; president of the Coon Valley State Bank at Coon Valley, Wisconsin ; a director of the Trempealeau Valley State Bank at Tay- lor, Wisconsin, the State Bank of Bowman at Bowman, North Dakota, the Bank of Scranton at Scranton, North Dakota, the First State Bank at Mineral Springs, North Dakota ; and president of the Hjerleid Homestead Company. He is thoroughly acquainted with all phases of the banking business and so directs his interests and activities that splendid results have accrued.
On the Ist of January. 1889, Mr. Hjerleid was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Hamre, a daughter of R. K. Hamre. Their children are Helene, Ray- mond and Gavin. The family attend the Lutheran church. Fraternally Mr. Hjerleid is connected with the Masons and the Elks. He has always lived in the upper Mississippi valley and possesses the spirit of enterprise and progress which has been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of this section of the country. He possesses strong, sturdy qualities and admirable characteristics and his well spent life, in which his labors have been intelligently directed, has brought to him gratifying and commendable success. In his vocabulary there is no such word as fail and the methods that he has pursued have never been such as seek or require disguise.
WILLIAM F. PILGRIM.
William F. Pilgrim is one of the younger men who is finding his fortune in the soil of Winneshiek county, owning a fine property of one hundred and sixty acres on section 14, Madison township. He was born in Clay county. this state, in February, 1875, and is a son of Charles W. and Nancy E. (Boyer) Pilgrim, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work. He was reared and educated in Winneshiek county, having come to this part of Iowa as a child, and after completing the course in the public schools of Ridgeway, supplemented this by a course of Valder's Business College in Decorah. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-five years of age and his father then gave him one hundred acres of land on section 14, Madison township. To this he afterward added a tract of fifty acres which he purchased from his brother and another ten-acre tract, owning today one hundred and sixty acres of well improved land. He has operated it since that time and upon it has made substantial im- provements, erecting all of the buildings with the exception of the house. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Hog Buyers Company of Decorah and is well known and favorably regarded in business circles.
In January, 1900, Mr. Pilgrim was united in marriage to Miss Anna A. Elwick, a daughter of John and Mary (Johns) Elwick, natives of England. The father came to this country about the year 1863 and turned his attention to farm- ing in Decorah township, operating an excellent property near Decorah for the remainder of his life. He passed away in 1907, having survived his wife one year. Mr. and Mrs. Pilgrim have adopted two children, Harold, aged twelve, and Mildred, aged nine.
Mr. Pilgrim is a devout member of the Methodist church and is a republican in his political beliefs. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masons and the
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Modern Woodmen of America, and is well known in the local lodges of both organizations. A resident of Winneshiek county since his childhood, he is widely known within its borders, and the substantial qualities which he has displayed in his business and social relations have gained him a high place in the regard and good-will of his fellow citizens.
KNUDT L. GRINDELAND.
Knudt L. Grindeland is entitled to a place of distinction not only as one of the most substantial farmers of Highland township, Winneshiek county, but deserves especial mention for the services which he rendered his adopted country during the Civil war. Highland township has been his home ever since his child- hood days and for thirty-five years he has been making his home on his two hundred acre farm, which he still cultivates. He was born May 3. 1846, in Norway. The father died in that country when his son, Knudt, was only four years of age and the mother subsequently came with her children to the United States, accompanied by her father, Halstine, and her brother Albert. Coura- geously she cast behind her associations and friendships to seek in a new land of greater opportunities a home for her family in which her children might more easily gain financial independence. However, it was not given her to witness even the beginning of the progress made by her family, for she died in Illinois only eight days after arriving in that state, the cause of her demise being cholera. Knudt L. Grindeland has therefore no recollection of either one of his parents. To them were born two children: Knudt L., of this review; and Caroline, the wife of Christian Leen, who resides in Canada.
Knudt L. Grindeland and his sister were reared by the grandather and an uncle. They remained in Illinois for about a year and then came to Winneshiek county, where they located in Highland township. Mr. Grindeland has ever since made his residence here. In 1863, on July 9, he enlisted with Company F of the Ninth Iowa Cavalry and served until the close of the war, being mustered out at Little Rock, Arkansas, with his company on February 3, 1866. He was with his regiment all the time and participated in all its engagements except during the time when they were stationed in Benton Barracks at St. Louis, at which time Mr. Grindeland was in the hospital. He enlisted under the name of Knudt L. Knudtson, but after he returned from the war he found so many Norwegians of that name in the neighborhood that he adopted as his family name that by which the home farm in Norway was known. Mr. Grindeland has followed agricultural pursuits during all his life and has resided on his present farm for about thirty-five years. The farm now comprises two hundred acres. He had another farm of sixty-five acres, of which he has disposed. His lands are under high cultivation and all modern improvements can be found thereon. He en- gages in general farming, giving part of his attention to stock-raising. His son, Albert K., acquired by purchase eighty acres of land from our subject and he now also operates the home farm, relieving his father from the more arduous duties of active labor.
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On June 22, 1870, Mr. Grindeland was united in marriage to Miss Isabelle Staen, who was born in Highland township, this county, June 21, 1853, and is a daughter of Ole and Julia Staen, natives of Norway, the parents being among the first settlers of Highland township, securing their lands from the government. The father has passed away but the mother still makes her home on the same farm on which they first settled. Mr. and Mrs. Grindeland became the parents of ten children: Julia, who was the wife of Theodore Sanders and has passed away, leaving three children-two daughters, Idella and Mildred, who make their home with our subject, and a son, Carl, who resides with his uncle Louis; Louis, a resident of Highland township; Emma, the wife of Clifford Rozelle, of Chicago; Olof, at home, who served for three years in the regular United States army during the pacification of Cuba with the Twenty-eighth United States Infantry, being two years and three months in Cuba and nine months in the United States ; Albert, who takes care of the home farm; Bennie, who died at the age of four years ; Clara, who passed away when sixteen years of age; and Cora, Bennie (second of the name) and Jeanette, at home.
Mr. Grindeland has exhibited the same patriotic spirit which led him to defend the Union cause during all his life and ever gives his support to worthy public enterprises. He is considered one of the most substantial men in his neighborhood and enjoys the high respect and esteem of all who know him. He is a self-made man in the most noble sense of the word and is admired as much for the qualities which have made his success possible as for the substantial position which he has made for himself in life.
ANDREW T. ISTAD.
No farmer in Winneshiek county has met with greater or more deserved success in agricultural pursuits than Andrew T. Istad, whose fine property com- prises one hundred and sixty acres and lies on section 27, Madison township. Since he was seven years of age Mr. Istad has lived in Iowa and since 1890 has owned and operated the farm upon which he now resides. He was born in Norway, on the 13th of May, 1862, and is a son of Tollef and Engrid ( Vik) Istad, also natives of that country, who came to Winneshiek county in 1869. The father rented land in Madison township and operated his original farm until 1876, when he purchased another in Madison township. His crops failing the first year, he sold the property and afterward rented land for six years. At the end of that time he purchased one hundred and sixty acres on sections 22, 23, 26 and 27, Madison township, and this he operated for seven years, selling it in order to go into partnership with his two sons. Together they bought two hundred and forty acres on sections 22, 23, 26 and 27, but the father was never active in the conduct of this place, although he still makes his home upon it, being now seventy-seven years of age. His wife has passed away, her death having occurred in 1902.
Andrew T. Istad was seven years of age when he came with his parents to America. He was reared and educated in Winneshiek county, attending district school and Breckenridge Institute at Decorah. Immediately after laying aside
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his books he turned his attention to farming, with which he had become familiar in his childhood through practical experience upon his father's property. He entered into the above mentioned partnership with his father and brother and has never since left the homestead, which since 18go he has owned and operated. Upon it he has made substantial improvements in buildings and equipment and in its cultivation has followed the most practical methods, the property reflecting in its neat and attractive appearance his many years of care and labor. Mr. Istad owns in addition to it a fine farm in Montana. He is a stockholder in the Farm- crs Creamery Company and a stockholder and director in the Farmers Cooper- ative Hog Buying Company of Decorah, and his ability is widely recognized in business circles.
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