USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > Past and present of Winneshiek county, Iowa; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 20
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Mr. Helwig is a democrat in politics and ably served as a member of the city council for six years. He is a member of several well known fraternal organiza- tions. His wife and daughters are members of the Lutheran church. He is a man of social nature, of genial disposition and excellent business ability, and has won for himself a favorable place in the public regard, having many friends in the county of his nativity.
LUMAN L. CADWELL.
Luman L. Cadwell, a venerable and highly respected citizen of Decorah, has made his home here for about three decades and for some years was identified with financial interests as cashier of the Citizens Savings Bank. He is the proud possessor of a medal which was awarded him by congress for gallantry in action during the Civil war and for the past thirteen years has served as com- mander of Colonel Hughes Post, G. A. R. His birth occurred in Binghamton, Broome county, New York, on the 22d of May, 1836, his parents being Nathan and Eliza ( Richards) Cadwell, who were natives of Massachusetts and Con- necticut respectively. The father removed to New York in a very early day and engaged in the hotel business, while subsequently he followed railroading for a number of years. At the time of his demise he was living retired at Sparta, Wisconsin, his death occurring on the 12th of May. 1884. His wife passed away at Melrose. Wisconsin, on the Ist of December, 1862.
Luman L. Cadwell was reared and educated in New York and Wisconsin and afterward devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits for a short time. Subsequently he entered the service of the Mobile & Ohio Railroad in Tennessee as a conductor, acting as such until the beginning of the Civil war. Returning to his native state, he enlisted in 1862, at Schenectady, becoming a member of Company B. Second New York Cavalry, serving with that command until November, 1865, and being mustered out at Albany, New York. He was wounded several times and barely escaped with his life. He made a splendid record as a brave and valiant soldier and was awarded a medal by congress for gallantry in action-an honor of which he may well be proud, for there are only two other similar medals in the state. In 1912 he was brevetted major by Governor Dix of New York. For the past thirteen years he has served as commander of Colonel Hughes Post, G. A. R., and on the 19th of December, 1912, was appointed aide-de-camp to Alfred B. Beers, commander in chief of the Grand Army.
When the country no longer needed his military aid Mr. Cadwell made his way to Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and entered the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. Crossing the Mississippi river, he began running a train on the Iowa and Dakota division. Before and after the war he
LUMAN L. CADWELL
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was in the railroad service for twenty-six years, running a passenger train during twenty-one years of that time. In 1883 he abandoned railroad work and came to Decorah, Iowa, being here identified with the Citizens Savings Bank in the capacity of cashier for some years. He is now spending the evening of life in well earned ease, having accumulated a handsome competence by dint of good management and wisely directed effort.
On the 16th of September, 1860, Mr. Cadwell was united in marriage to Miss Anna Johnson, a daughter of Nelson and Sarah (Streeter) Johnson, natives of Massachusetts. The father was a machinist by trade and followed that occupation for a number of years. At the time of his retirement he came to Decorah and made his home with our subject until his demise, which occurred in 1880. His wife passed away two years later. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cadwell were born two children, namely : Herbert H., who passed away in 1904 at the age of thirty-four years; and Bessie, who died in infancy. They adopted a daughter, Grace, who is now the wife of George Shulze and resides in Decorah. Mr. and Mrs. Shulze have two children, Katherine and Nathan, who are thir- teen and eleven years of age respectively. In 1876 Mr. Cadwell erected a hand- some and modern two-story brick residence at No. 815 Maple avenue, which has since remained his home.
In politics Mr. Cadwell is a stanch republican, having ever supported the party which was the defense of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war. He served as a member of the school board for twenty-four years and during a part of that time acted as its president. He is now serving for the sixth year as a member of the city council, the value of his labors in this con- nection being widely acknowledged. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to the blue lodge, chapter, commandery and Eastern Star. His name is also on the membership rolls of the Knights of Pythias. In religious faith he is a Unitarian. He has now passed the seventy-seventh milestone of life's journey and enjoys the respect and veneration which should ever be accorded one who has traveled thus far on this earthly pilgrimage and whose career has been at all times upright and honorable.
EDWARD THORSON.
On April 4, 1913, there departed this life one of the foremost agriculturists of Highland township, Winneshiek county, and one of its pioneers. A son of Norway, Edward Thorson had crossed the deep to the United States in 1861 and soon after his arrival enlisted with the colors of his newly adopted country, valiantly giving his services to the Union cause until the close of the war, when he came to Highland township, where success came to him in the form of a five hundred and sixty acre farm, to the cultivation of which he gave his sole atten- tion for nearly half a century. Mr. Thorson not only gained, however, material success but also succeeded in winning the confidence and esteem of his neighbors. and universal opinion conceded him a place as one of the foremost men of his neighborhood. His death was therefore the occasion of deep and sincere mourn-
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ing and brought grief not only to his family but to the many who called him friend.
Edward Thorson was born near Namsos, Norway, on October 10, 1835, a son of Thor and Karan Selness, who spent their entire lives in their native country on the family farm. They were the parents of five children: Nicolai, who resides in Hesper township; Johanna Flach, of Norway: Otto, of High- land township; Edward, of this review ; and John. Edward Thorson came to the United States in 1861. He had always used this name and as such enlisted from Wisconsin, where he had located, for service in the Civil war on November 10, 1861, taking the colors with Company I of the Fifteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. In later years the family adopted the name of Selness, which had been in use in Norway. Mr. Thorson valiantly fought for the Union cause until the close of the war, participating in all the engagements in which his reg- iment took part. He located in Highland township, Winneshiek county, in 1865, and here spent the remainder of his life on his farm. At the time of his death, which occurred on April 4, 1913, he owned one of the most valuable farm prop- erties in the county, comprising five hundred and sixty acres of land in one body and located on sections 9, 10 and 16, Highland township. His long years of labor, close attention to matters at hand and his systematic methods enabled him to make his farm one of the best cultivated and most profitable in the section. He built a substantial brick house in 1886 and made all the other improvements, including barns, sheds and outhouses, there being nothing on the land when he came in possession of it. He began his agricultural pursuits with a quarter section and subsequently increased his holdings as his resources per- mitted. On June 6, 1906, a cyclone devastated about ten thousand dollars worth of property on his place, including two barns and a part of the brick house, besides doing damage to other buildings and to his trees and stock. At the time there were three men in the house-Mr. Thorson, his son Albert and N. P. Thorson, all of whom were injured but none of them seriously. The son Albert was taken care of by neighbors and suffered for about two weeks before he recovered from his injuries. The rest of the family were fortunately away on that day. Hundreds of people for miles around came afterwards to view the destruction. A beautiful example of neighborly feeling was exhibited on that occasion, for over a hundred of the people living in the neighborhood came to his place and donated their labor in helping him to repair the damages. On one day there were as many as fifty who helped him to build up what was destroyed by the elements, and among them were many who themselves had suffered, even if not so severely as our subject, who was the heaviest loser in that castastrophe.
On July 25. 1872, Mr. Thorson was united in marriage to Miss Anna Thorson, who was born in Norway on July 14, 1849. She was brought to this county by her parents in 1853, at the age of four years, and has resided here ever since. She is a daughter of Paul and Thorber Thorson, both of whom passed away in Winneshiek county. . They were the parents of four sons and three daughters, of whom five children are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Thorson had seven children: Thomas, of Highland township; Petra, the wife of J. S. Quandahl, of Allamakee county ; Albert, who now owns and operates the home- stead; Julia, who married H. E. Burtness, of Houston county, Minnesota ;
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Clara, at home; Thea, the wife of J. P. Quandahl, of Allamakee county ; and Edgar, at home. Mrs. Thorson and all of her children enjoy the highest esteem and respect in this neighborhood, worthily carrying the name which has long stood for good qualities of mind and character in this section.
Mr. Thorson was a lifelong republican and although he never became actively interested in politics to the extent of accepting public office, always took a laud- able interest in matters affecting the public welfare. He was a member of the Lutheran church and active in its work. He met his comrades from the battle- fields of yore through the medium of the Grand Army of the Republic, being a member of the post at Decorah. A thoroughly reliable man, a kind and con- siderate neighbor, a good husband and a loving father, his memory is perpetuated in what he achieved along agricultural lines through long years of wearisome toil. As the years passed he became one of the substantial men of the county and became one of those who stood highest in the affection of all who knew him. His tenacity in pursuing a goal should be an inspiration to the younger generation and his memory is a heritage to his widow and children which is to be higher prized than the worldly possessions he left them. His name deserves a high place on the roll of honor of those who did much in building up the agricultural interests of Winneshiek county and his name will therefore ever be connected with its history.
NELS O. HAUGEN.
Since 1884 Nels O. Haugen has lived upon the farm which he now occupies, on section 35, Madison township, and his practical and progressive methods have brought it to a high state of cultivation, making it one of the finest agri- cultural properties in this vicinity. He was born in Norway on the 20th of May, 1855, and is a son of Ole and Mary ( Peterson ) Haugen, also natives of that country. The father came to America, settling in Winneshiek county, Iowa, in 1865, and three years later he purchased forty acres of land in Madi- son township, improving this for a number of years. Eventually he added to it a quarter section of land adjoining and later an additional eighty acres, all lying in Madison township. They are now owned by a brother of the subject of this review. The father operated his extensive holdings during the remain- der of his life, becoming known as a prosperous, progressive and substantial agriculturist. He died in 1899 and is survived by his wife, who makes her home with her daughter, who resides near Freeport, Iowa.
Nels O. Haugen was ten years of age when he came with his parents to America and the greater part of his education was acquired in the district schools of Winneshiek county. In 1884 he married and bought eighty acres of land on section 35, Madison township, to which he later added thirty-six acres adjoining, this constituting his present farm. The years have brought him pros- perity and success, for his methods have always been practical and his energy untiring, and the farm today reflects his careful supervision in its neat and attractive appearance.
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On November 6, 1884. Mr. Haugen was united in marriage to Miss Mary Tollefson, a daughter of Ole and Berit Tollefson, natives of Norway, who came to America at an early date, the father engaging in farming in Springfield town- ship, Winneshiek county, for a number of years and meeting death through asphyxiation in a cistern in 1883. His wife survives him. Mr. and Mrs. Haugen are the parents of six children: Ole, aged twenty-seven; Bertha, who is twenty-five years of age and who married Julius Clauson, a farmer in this county ; Lottie, aged twenty-three; Inga, twenty-two; Theodore, nineteen ; and Peter, aged sixteen.
Mr. Haugen is a member of the Lutheran church and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He is a stockholder in the . Farmers Creamery Company and the Farmers Cooperative Hog Buying Company of Decorah and his ability is widely recognized in business circles. He is a man of many sterling traits of character, industrious, progressive and enterprising, and is well entitled to classification with the township's most substantial and able farmers.
JOHN HEGG.
John Hegg, a prosperous agriculturist and prominent citizen of Winneshiek county, owns and operates a farm of one hundred and sixty-four acres on section 1, Springfield township. His birth occurred near Drammen, Norway, on the 28th of April. 1848, his parents being Ole and Carrie ( Arneson ) Hegg, who were likewise natives of that country. In 1853 the family emigrated to America, coming direct to Springfield township, Winneshiek county, Iowa, where the father purchased one hundred and twenty acres of government land. He fol- lowed the trade of blacksmithing in Norway but in this country turned his at- tention to general agricultural pursuits, clearing and improving his land and cultivating the same during the remainder of his life. He passed away in 1861, at the age of sixty years, being long survived by his widow, whose demise occurred in 1890, at the ripe old age of eighty-five years.
John Hegg, who was a lad of five years when brought by his parents to the new world, attended the district schools of this county in the acquirement of his education and spent the period of his minority with his mother on the home farm. When twenty-one years of age he bought the property and subsequently extended its boundaries by purchasing an adjoining tract of forty-four acres. He has made many substantial and modern improvements on the place and has been continuously engaged in its cultivation to the present time, annually gathering rich harvests which find a ready sale on the market. In addition to his farming in- terests he acts as president of the Norwegian Mutual Insurance Company of Winneshiek county and is a stockholder in the Nordness Creamery Company, the Nordness Telephone Company and the Decorah Farmers Cooperative Society.
On the 28th of October, 1871, Mr. Hegg was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Viste, her parents being Ole and Sigrid Viste, of whom more extended mention is made on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of Olaus Viste, a brother of Mrs. Hegg. Unto our subject and his wife have been
MR. AND MRS. JOHN HIEGG
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born thirteen children, as follows: Olaf, who passed away on the Ist of Janu- ary. 1873; Sophia, whose demise occurred on the 15th of February, 1910; Olaf, the second of the name, who follows farming in South Dakota; John and Gustav, twins, who are thirty-three years of age, the former living at home and the latter a minister of the gospel in Williams county, North Dakota ; Elizabeth, who is under the parental roof ; Marie, who passed away on the 12th of August, 1887; Henrietta, at home ; William M., whose demise occurred on the 15th of January, 1893; Ferdinand, who follows the profession of teaching in South Dakota; Joseph G., a young man of twenty-one years, who is a student in Luther College: Marie, who is pursuing her studies at Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Ruth, a maiden of sixteen years.
In politics Mr. Hegg is a republican and an active worker in the local ranks of the party. He has served as assessor of Springfield township for a period of eighteen years altogether, has also acted in the capacity of township clerk and is now serving as justice of the peace, having ever discharged his official duties in a most efficient and commendable manner. In 1891 he was the candidate of his party for state representative. His religious faith is indicated by his mem- bership in the Lutheran church. The period of his residence in Winneshiek county covers six decades and he enjoys an extensive acquaintance within its borders. Industry and progress seem to be the salient features in his career and have been potent elements in the acquirement of a success which, however, speaks not only in terms of material gain but in the regard and high esteem of his fellowmen.
RICHARD SCHRUBBE.
Richard Schrubbe is successfully engaged in business as the proprietor of the only store of its kind in Decorah, handling books, fancy goods, stationery and wall paper, and enjoying an extensive patronage. He was born at Water- town, Wisconsin, on the 12th of December. 1863, being the eldest of the eight children of Charles and Ernestina ( Kroening) Schrubbe, who were natives of Germany. The father emigrated to the United States in an early day, locating in Wisconsin, where he followed farming for some time. In 1865 he came to Iowa and embarked in the flour and feed business at Lansing, while subse- quently he removed to Decorah and was here engaged in the same business for a number of years. He was afterward interested in a soap factory here for a number of years but during the last seventeen years of his life was in the employ of N. H. Adams. The period of his residence in this part of the state covered a third of a century and he was widely and favorably known. He passed away in the year 1898. His widow is living and makes her home in Decorah.
Richard Schrubbe, who was brought to Iowa when but one year old, received his education in the public schools of Decorah and also spent a year in study at the German school of Watertown, Wisconsin. In 1880 he entered the book store which he is now conducting but which was then owned by James A. Leonard, whom he served as clerk for seven years. On the expiration of that
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period he opened a similar establishment on Water street, conducting the same until 1890, when he bought the store of Mr. Leonard and has remained its proprietor throughout the intervening twenty-three years. He carries a com- prehensive stock of books, fancy goods, stationery and wall paper and enjoys a large and well merited patronage, his store being the only one of its kind in Decorah. He owns the building in which the business is conducted and also purchased the adjoining brick structure in 1900.
On the 5th of October. 1802, Mr. Schrubbe was united in marriage to Miss Bertina C. Rustad, a daughter of G. O. and Kristina ( Sondrol) Rustad, who were natives of Norway. They emigrated to the United States in the '50s, locating first in Beloit, Wisconsin, but a short time later coming to Decorah, Iowa. Mr. Rustad here secured a position as clerk in the grocery store and subsequently became treasurer of the Lutheran synod, holding that office until his death on the 23d of December, 1903. His widow survives him. Mr. and Mrs. Schrubbe have one son, Leslie Herbert, whose natal day was April 15, 1807. It was in that year that our subject erected a handsome modern resi- dence at No. 303 East Water street.
At the polls Mr. Schrubbe casts his ballot in support of prohibition candi- dates and measures, believing that the liquor traffic is one of the worst evils with which this country has to contend. His religious faith is that of the German Methodist church, while his wife belongs to the First Norwegian Lutheran church and his son is a member of the Congregational church. He has spent almost his entire life in Decorah and has many friends and acquaintances here. llis record is that of a self-made man whose history may well serve to encour- age and inspire others for he started out in the business world empty-handed and has since worked his way steadily upward to a position among the sub- stantial and representative merchants of the county.
ENOCH MAGNUS.
Among the active and progressive farmers of Winneshiek county is numbered Enoch Magnus, who owns and operates a fine property of one hundred and sixty acres on section 12. Lincoln township. He was born in this township, May 12, 1878, and is a son of Samuel and Anna ( Kettleson ) Magnus, natives of Norway, who came to America when their son was thirteen years of age, locating in Lincoln township, where the father passed away. The mother survives him and makes her home with the subject of this review. To Samuel and Anna Magnus were born eleven children: Martin S., who lives with his mother and brother : Ole, who resides in Lincoln township; Sarah, the wife of O. Ringon, of Ridgeway: Emma, who married E. A. Bach, also of Ridgeway: Morris, Alfred and Samuel. all of whom have passed away: Enoch, of this review ; Joseph and Morris, second of the name, who reside in Montana ; and Alfred, who is cultivating the family homestead in Lincoln township.
Enoch Magnus acquired bis education in the public schools of Lincoln town- ship and in his youth assisted his father with the work of the homestead, becom- ing thus before he was of age a practical and progressive agriculturist. Ile
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remained at home until he was twenty-four years of age and then turned his attention to farming independently, renting one hundred and sixty acres of fine land on section 12, Lincoln township. In 1904 he purchased this property and he here carries on general farming and stock-raising, both branches of his business proving important and profitable, owing to his practical methods and able management.
On the 26th of January, 1902, Mr. Magnus was united in marriage to Miss Hilda Gustena Bakken and they became the parents of five children: Mabel Blanche ; Samuel Andrew ; Marguerite; Elmer Clifford, who has passed away; and Helen, who was born May 4, 1913.
Mr. Magnus is a member of the Lutheran church and is a republican in his political beliefs, serving at present as school director. His business success is well merited, for he is capable in management and displays untiring energy in carrying forward his interests.
MICHAEL E. MIKKELSON.
Since 1901 Michael E. Mikkelson has owned and operated an eighty acre farm on section 24, Madison township, developing it from an unimproved tract into a model and profitable agricultural enterprise. He is a native of Iowa, born in Decorah township, July 26, 1869, a son of Engel and Sarah (Dahle) Mikkelson, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work in con- nection with the sketch of Engel Mikkelson.
Michael E. Mikkelson was reared and educated in Decorah, attending the public schools, and he remained at home until 1900, when he moved on to eighty acres of land in Madison township, section 24, a property which his father had given to him. He found this entirely unimproved and was obliged to clear a portion of it before beginning the work of cultivation. He erected the necessary buildings, installed modern machinery and with characteristic determination and energy carried forward the work of development, the results of his labors being evident today in its well improved and productive condition. Mr. Mikkelson is a stockholder in the Farmers Creamery Company of Decorah and was one of the organizers of that concern. He is also interested in the Farmers Hog Buying Company of that city and his ability is widely recognized in business circles.
In May, 1900, Mr. Mikkelson was united in marriage to Miss Louise Gil- bertson, a daughter of Nels and Rachael ( Kittelson) Gilbertson, natives of Norway, who came to America with their parents at an early date. They located in Wisconsin and when Nels Gilbertson was eighteen years of age he came to Winneshiek county, Iowa, buying land in Madison township, which he operated for the remainder of his life. He passed away in 1904 and his wife survived him until May 10, 1911, dying at the home of the subject of this review. Mr. and Mrs. Mikkelson have become the parents of five children: Selma; Lottie ; Esther, who died in 1903; Arthur ; and Ernest.
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