USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > Past and present of Winneshiek county, Iowa; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 2
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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
HARRY J. GREEN.
Decorah is much indebted for its advancement and expansion, to the enter- prise and ability of Harry J. Green, for he is not only foremost as one of the progressive newspaper men of the city but has also been closely connected with its public life, having served in various important positions and occupying at present the executive chair, doing valuable work in promoting public interests. Not only has he been prominent in local politics but has actively participated in the affairs of the nation as a member of important republican committees and conventions. He was born in Wyoming county, Iowa, August 3, 1875. the third son of the Rev. and Mrs. H. H. Green, and in his boyhood days removed with his parents successively to Toledo, Nashua, Janesville, Plainfield and Epworth, Iowa, at the latter place attending Epworth Seminary. In 1800 he moved with the family to Decorah which has since been his home. After a year spent in the Decorah high school he entered the Upper Iowa University at Fayette, from which institution he received his diploma and the degree of B. A. upon his graduation from the classical course. Returning to Decorah he entered the employ of the Decorah Journal to learn the printer's trade and a few months later became connected with the Decorah Public Opinion, a new paper which was then established in this city. In May, 1896, Mr. Green pur- chased a half interest in the paper, F. L. Akers becoming his partner, and this relationship continued until April. 1900, when he bought out the interest of Mr. Akers. Since that time Mr. Green has conducted the paper alone as owner and editor, building it up in its various departments until it is now one of the most valuable weekly newspaper properties in lowa. His editorial style is clear and to the point and readily conveys to the reader the position the paper takes upon any public question. The news service is comprehensive, naturally giving to local affairs a wide berth. As the circulation has increased by leaps and bounds the advertising space has expanded and the Decorah Public Opinion is readily conceded to be one of the most valuable mediums for the merchant through which to reach the public.
HARRY J. GREEN
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
On August 3, 1898, Mr. Green was united in marriage to Miss Allie Tracy and unto them were born three children, Marian, Harold and Margery. Mrs. Green passed away on May 16, 1911.
A modern newspaper man and a man of ability, experience, clear percep- tion and progressive tendencies, Mr. Green has become well known in lines out- side of his profession. He is prominently identified with various fraternal organizations. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and was for five years master of Great Lights Lodge, No. 181, has served as high priest of King Solomon's Chapter, No. 35, R. A. M., and is now captain general of Beausant Com- mandery, No. 12, K. T. He is a charter member and was the first foreman of Oneota Homestead, Brotherhood of American Yeomen, and is now serving as sovereign commander of Decorah Lodge, W. O. W. He was last year Chancellor Commander of Decorah Lodge, No. 230, K. P., and at this writing fills for the third time the position of exalted ruler of Decorah Lodge, No. 443, B. P. O. E. He has held official positions in various other lodges both in local and national organizations. In 1901 he was elected commander of the division of Iowa, Sons of Veterans,, and in 1906 was one of the organizers of the Homesteaders, a fraternal insurance society, and has since that time served as a member of its board of directors.
A man of force and conviction, he has readily attained an important posi- tion in political life and served for several years as chairman of the republican county central committee, being in 1904 elected delegate from the fourth lowa district to the republican national convention in Chicago. With the interests of Decorah he has been closely connected, ever exerting unflagging energy in incorporating or promoting measures for the benefit of the city. When the park board was created he became one of the first three park commissioners, doing valuable work in this capacity towards beautifying the city, having at that time charge of the establishment of the present city park, which in its size and arrangement is worthy of a city of much larger size and stands as a monu- ment to the earnest efforts of the first board, to which Mr. Green belonged. As secretary of the Decorah Commercial Club he has done valuable work in promoting trade expansion by creating a spirit among its members of working together for the general benefit. Upon the death of Mayor F. W. Daubney in November, 1912, he was elected mayor of Decorah and is now bending his efforts to wise administration, giving the city the benefit of his long experience along public and semi-public lines. A great many measures are now under contemplation promoted by him and his term of office gives fair promise of being one of the most valuable in furthering the interests of the city along material, intellectual and moral lines.
WILLIAM H. BURTIS.
William H. Burtis, a prominent and leading citizen of Decorah, has served as president and manager of the Upper Iowa Power Company since its organiza- tion in 1906. His birth occurred in Saratoga county, New York, on the 4th of October, 1868, his parents being William H. and Mary G. (Loper) Burtis,
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who were likewise natives of the Empire state. The father was a farmer and nurseryman there for a number of years but at length his health failed and he left the east, taking up his abode in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where he resided until 1887. In that year the family removed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where the father passed away in 1890. The mother was called to her final rest in 1902.
William H. Burtis, who was three years of age when taken by his parents to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, there began his education and continued it until he had completed the high-school course in 1887. The following year he entered the University of Minnesota and was graduated from that institution as a member of the electrical engineering class of 1892. At that time he embarked in the electrical contracting business on his own account in Minneapolis, remaining there until 1896, when he removed to Waukon, Allamakee county, Iowa, and became associated with the Waukon Electric Light Company, assisting in the construction of its plant. In the fall of the same year, however, he came to Decorah, Iowa, and erected an electric light plant of which he became president and manager. In 1906 he was made president and manager of the newly organ- ized Upper Iowa Power Company, which obtained water-power rights upon the upper Iowa river. This corporation also took over the business of the Waukon Electric Light Company, both plants being now the property of the Upper Iowa Power Company, and Mr. Burtis still remains its chief executive officer. After its organization the Upper Iowa Power Company built a concrete dam seven miles east of Decorah, which proved ineffectual and entailed a loss of about fifty thousand dollars that had to be met by the stockholders. They had employed what were believed to be competent hydraulic engineers to design and superin- tend the construction of the dam but, like many others within the last decade, found their judgment erroneous and were obliged to face the consequences. In 1908 they constructed a larger dam four miles further down the river and this has proved to be a great success. The Upper Iowa Power Company has a hand- somely equipped office and also storeroom in the Citizens Bank building at Decorah. The company furnishes light for the towns of Decorah, Waukon, Post- ville, Cresco and Lansing. Mr. Burtis is also vice president and general manager of the Interstate Power Company, which owns and operates five light plants in South Dakota. In 1911 and 1912 the Interstate Power Company built another concrete and steel dam at the site of the wrecked dam, believed to be the first dam in the United States that has a steam thawing apparatus on the steel gates and is of the most modern construction throughout. Mr. Burtis is widely recog- nized as a man of excellent executive ability and keen discernment and his suc- cess in the conduct of power plants has proven the efficacy of his efforts.
On the Ioth of May, 1898, Mr. Burtis was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary L. Stewart, of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, her parents being Scott and Emma (Wilcox) Stewart, the mother a native of New York, and the father of Indiana. The latter removed to Fergus Falls, Minnesota, in an early day and was there engaged in the merchandise business. His demise occurred at Fergus Falls, in 1899, but his widow is yet living and resides in Bemidji, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Burtis have five children, as follows: Florence Elizabeth ; Lucille Gertrude, Helen Emma, Barbara Stewart and Mary Alice. The family residence is an attractive home at No. 600 Jefferson street, which Mr. Burtis practically rebuilt. He is a republican in politics and fraternally is identified with the Knights of
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Pythias and with his college society, the Chi Psi fraternity. He stands today as one of the alert, wide-awake business men of Winneshiek county, accomplishing what he undertakes by his determination, capable management and undaunted energy.
JOHN C. HEXOM.
Among the commercial houses of Decorah there is none that enjoys a higher reputation than the firm of J. C. Hexom & Son, general merchants. The senior partner and principal owner, John C. Hexom, to whose enterprise the flourish- ing condition of the business is largely due, is a native son of this county, being born in Glenwood township on December 9, 1858, his parents being Christian and Pernille (Gamme) Hexom, natives of Norway. After the father came to America he located in Wisconsin in 1853, remaining in that state for a short time. In 1854 he came to Winneshiek county and at the end of a year made his way to Houston county, Minnesota, but in 1856 returned to this county. Here he en- tered one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he cleared, improved and oper- ated until 1887, selling out to good advantage and then removing to Lake county, South Dakota, where he purchased land near Madison. He has sold this property and is now living retired. He was drawn upon for service in the Civil war but, as he had a large family, considered it his higher duty to remain with and care for them and provided, at the expense of eight hundred dollars, another man to take his place. He has now attained the remarkable age of eighty-five years, being born in August, 1828, but the mother passed away in February, 1899, in Lake county, South Dakota.
John C. Hexom was reared at home and educated in the district schools near the father's farm in Winneshiek county, working on the home place until he was of age. In 1881 he entered the employ of C. M. Goddard as clerk, remaining in this capacity until 1887, when he, in company with a brother, established a store, carrying men's furnishings, groceries and shoes, but since the fire which occurred in 1893 the stock has been confined to shoes and groceries. The partnership continued until 1896, when John C. Hexom bought out his brother's interest, conducting the store alone until 1910, when his son, Charles Philip, became a member of the firm, which is now conducted under the name of J. C. Hexom & Son. It is one of the largest establishments of its kind in Decorah, a first-class, complete line of stock being carried in both branches and the store enjoying an extensive patronage which assures the firm of gratifying annual returns. It is largely due to the ability, industry and circumspection of Mr. Hexom that this establishment has attained its present proportions and, while it is a gratifying individual source of income to its owners, it is also largely a contributing factor to the prosperous commercial conditions of Decorah. The firm holds member- ship in the Decorah Commercial Club.
In February, 1884, Mr. Hexom was married to Miss Julia Swenson, whose parents were natives of Norway. The father was a pioneer here, where he began farming operations at an early day and remained until his death, the mother also having passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Hexom had five children: Charles
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Philip, who is a partner in his father's business and of whom more extended mention is made in a separate article of this work; Stella and Edith, at home ; Gerhard, who passed away at the age of seven months; and one who died in infancy.
The family are faithful adherents of the Lutheran religion, to the local organ- ization of which they give their material and moral support. In his political affiliations Mr. Hexom is a republican, taking a citizen's interest in public mat- ters and being well informed upon all questions that affect the people and their government. The handsome family residence is located at No. 606 East Main street and there Mr. and Mrs. Hexom entertain their many friends, who highly esteem and honor them for their many good qualities of mind and character.
HON. LAURITZ M. ENGER.
Among the men of Decorah who have by their own efforts risen from a comparatively humble position to a place among men of marked ability and sub- stantial worth in Winneshiek county is numbered Hon. Lauritz M. Enger, repre- sentative of his district in the state legislature. He is, moreover, elassed among the prominent business men of his city, where he is in control of an important and growing insurance concern. He was born in Norway, November 3. 1856, and is a son of Magnus and Anna P. (Overby ) Enger, also natives of that country, the former of whom engaged in farming there during his entire active life and never came to America. He died in 1877 and was survived by his wife until 1903.
Lauritz M. Enger attended public school in his native country until he was fifteen years of age, but during the last two years of this period was obliged to gain his own livelihood. At the age of fifteen he borrowed enough money to pay his passage to the United States and afterward worked at farm labor in order to pay his debt. When this was discharged he continued at his former occupation, working as a farm hand during the summer months and attending district school in the winters. He later became a student at Breckenridge Insti- tute in Decorah and upon leaving that institution secured a position as a clerk in a general store in this city, retaining it for six years thereafter. At the end of that time he rented a farm but after operating it for two years returned to Decorah, where he purchased a shoe store, turning his attention to mercantile pursuits. For nine years he continued to conduct this enterprise and during a portion of this time was employed also in the Decorah postoffice as mailing clerk. He then accepted a position in the office of the Decoral Posten, beginning in the mailing department and rising until he had full charge of same and later assisted in the editorial and business departments. He also did a great deal of illustrating and he remained connected with the paper for sixteen years, during which time he also established himself in the insurance business. In this line of work he has since been active and is now in control of a large and repre- sentative patronage and is numbered among the substantial business men of the city.
LAURITZ M. ENGER
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
Mr. Enger was elected to the state legislature in 1910, was reelected in 1912 and is now serving, his record as a member of that body being most creditable and honorable. In the thirty-fifth general assembly he was chairman of the committee on public health and was a member of the committees on appropria- tions, on elections, on printing and constitutional amendments. He belonged also to the committees on federal relations, on the conservation of resources and on state educational institutions and he left the impress of his political ability, his energy and high standards upon the legislative history of the state. He still continues active in the conduct of his business interests in Decorah and these are proving exceedingly profitable, a fact which indicates his sound judgment and clear business discernment.
On the roth of February, 1880, Mr. Enger was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Myran, a daughter of Ashley and Astri (Nelson) Myran, natives of Norway. The father came to America in 1849 and located in Muskego, Wis- consin, where he worked in the lead mines until 1853. He then came as a pioneer to Winneshiek county, Iowa, and took up government land. He remained, however, only a short time and then returned to Norway, where his marriage occurred. In 1855 he returned to Winneshiek county and, having shot enough deer to pay for forty acres of land, purchased a tract of this size in Madison township and set about the work of its improvement and development. He remained active in agricultural pursuits upon this property during the remainder of his life, dying in 1894. His wife survived him some years, passing away in 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Enger have become the parents of three children : Melvin, aged thirty-two, who is a professor in the University of Illinois; Norval, aged thirty, county engineer of Grant county, Washington; and Arthur. assistant engineer at the experiment station of the State University at Tucson, Arizona. He is an expert on road construction and travels all over the state in this capacity.
Mr. Enger is a devout member of the Lutheran church and gives his politi- cal allegiance to the republican party. He is a member of the Norske Selskab Club and the Symra Club and is well known in social circles at Decorah. He is a man of varied interests but all are along lines of progress and improvement. While in business affairs he has achieved a gratifying measure of prosperity, he has at the same time wrought along lines of the greatest good to the greatest number, his activities in political and business fields proving of benefit to the community at large.
CHARLES PHILIP HEXOM.
The name of Hexom has long been prominently connected with commercial interests of Decorah, and Charles Philip Hexom, partner in the firm of J. C. Hexom & Son, worthily carries onward the family tradition. Born in Decorah, Iowa, in December, 1884, he is a son of John C. and Julia (Swenson) Hexom, of whom more extended mention is made in another part of this work. Charles P. Hexom was reared amid the surroundings of a well-to-do home and received the advantages of a thorough education. He graduated in 1904, from the
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Decorah high school, and prior to this attended Luther College for three years. After his graduation he went to Chicago and attended the Chicago Art Institute for one year and also spent one term in the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts. After this he returned to Decorah for a short time but then removed to Spokane, Washington, where for one year he was engaged in commercial art work. Re- turning home, he became a partner in his father's business, the firm name becom- ing J. C. Hexom & Son. He furnishes the youngest element in the firm. A young man of decided ability and pleasing address, he is popular with his patrons and the later success of the firm must to a large extent be ascribed to the able assistance he gives his father. Prior to going to Spokane Mr. Hexom also taught drawing for one year in the preparatory classes of his old school, the Luther College. He is now interested in commercial art in addition to his regular business.
On September 28, 1910, Mr. Hexom was united in marriage to Miss Clarissa D. Holm, a daughter of O. W. and Julia (Hoffos) Holm, natives of Norway, who came to Decorah at an early day in the history of this city. Mr. Holm is now in the employ of the Lutheran Publishing Company.
Public-spirited and progressive, Mr. Hexom has become an adherent of the progressive party, in the realization of the ideals of which he sees the fulfillment of a government for, by, and of the people. Religiously he is a Lutheran, being connected with the First Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church, in the work of which and its allied societies he takes a warm interest. An indication of his recreation is given in the fact that he is a member of the Decorah Rod & Gun Club and the Decorah Gymnasium Club, believing in physical exercise in order to keep body and mind in condition for strenuous business duties. The family residence is at No. 606 East Main street, Decorah, and there Mr. and Mrs. Hexom are often the center of the younger social set of the city, in which they are popular.
LEWIS B. WHITNEY.
A foremost representative of commercial and financial interests of Decorah and Winneshiek county is Lewis B. Whitney, who in 1897 helped to establish the National Bank of Decatur, of which institution he has served as president ever since. Born in Jefferson county, New York, on March 29, 1855, he is a son of Brayton and Martha M. (Rockwood) Whitney, natives of New York. The father was for many years a sailor on the Great Lakes, his run being from Oswego to Chicago, at a time when that city was yet Fort Dearborn. He sub- sequently moved to Wisconsin and there successfully operated a farm until 1861, when he enlisted for service in the Civil war with Company B, Twenty- ninth Wisconsin Volunteers, being afterward transferred to the Sixteenth Ohio Battery, with which he served until the close of the war. At the cessation of hostilities he returned to Wisconsin and there again followed agricultural pur- suits until 1867, when he removed to Winneshiek county, Iowa, where he farmed until his death, which occurred in August, 1892. His wife survived him until December, 1896.
MRS. LEWIS B. WHITNEY
LEWIS B. WHITNEY
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
Lewis B. Whitney was twelve years of age when his parents removed to Winneshiek county and received his education in the public schools of the neigh- borhood and in the Owatonna ( Minnesota) high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1874. Reared amid agricultural environments he decided to take up farming and engaged in that occupation here and in North Dakota until 1883, in which year he became a partner of A. J. Cratsenberg in the mercantile business at Burr Oak, this county, being thus engaged until 1893, when he was elected to the important position of county treasurer and served as such with great credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents for four years. In 1897 Mr. Whitney and several other gentlemen organized the National Bank of Decorah with a capital of fifty thousand dollars, Mr. Whit- ney becoming president, O. C. Johnson, vice president, and H. C. Hjerleid, cashier. Mr. Whitney has served as executive officer of the organization ever since and its prosperous condition is largely due to his efforts.
On December 17, 1882, Mr. Whitney was united in marriage to Miss Ella L. Cratsenberg, a daughter of A. J. and Julia M. (Phelps) Cratsenberg, natives of New York. The father upon coming to Winneshiek county located in Burr Oak where he successfully engaged in the mercantile business until his retire- ment in 1904. The mother died in 1900. The father upon giving up active business moved to Decorah and made his home with our subject until his demise in 1909. He was a veteran of the Civil war and served with distinction with a New York company. A man of keen foresight and ability, Mr. Whitney has become one of the substantial men of the community and besides his important banking interests is a stockholder, director and the treasurer of the Decorah Gas Company and a director of the Winneshiek Hotel Company. Taking a deep interest in political matters, he has served on the republican state central committee and for the past four years has been secretary of that organization. He owns a beautiful home at No. 300 Grove street where he and his wife extend warm-hearted hospitality to their many friends. Fraternally he is con- nected with a number of orders, being a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias. It is to such enterprising and aggressive men as Mr. Whitney that the rapid development of Winneshiek county and Decorah is due, and while his individual success is important, his real value in the upbuild- ing of this section is of more paramount interest and worthy of greater com- mendation.
FRANK M. HUGHES.
Frank M. Hughes has made an enviable record as city clerk of Decorah, in which position he has served with ability and efficiency since 1901. A native son of the city, he was born August 30, 1859, his parents being David Henry and Ada ( Mattison) Hughes, natives of New York, the former having come to Decorah, Iowa, in 1857. He was a distinguished man in his days and before the Civil war served as judge, but upon the outbreak of the conflict enlisted and became colonel of the Thirty-eighth Iowa Infantry, serving as such for about
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