USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > Past and present of Winneshiek county, Iowa; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 25
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In November, 1894. Mr. Reinhart was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Kuntz and they became the parents of five children: Emma, Vernie, Myrtle and Gladys, at home: and a son who died in infancy. Mr. Reinhart is a member
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of the Methodist church and is a republican in his political beliefs, taking an in- telligent interest in public affairs without being active as an office secker. He is well known in Winneshiek county, where his personal worth and excellent quali- ties of mind and character have gained him many friends.
CHARLES J. KUNTZ.
Charles J. Kuntz, the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and forty acres on section 20, Lincoln township, devotes his attention to agricultural pursuits with most gratifying results. His birth occurred in Indiana on the 22d of February, 1872, his parents being Andrew and Barbara (Butz) Kuntz. more extended mention of whom is made on another page of this work in con- nection with the sketch of Samuel F. Kuntz, a brother of our subject.
Charles J. Kuntz spent the first eighteen years of his life in his native state and in 1890 came with his parents to this county. He has since remained on the old homestead in Lincoln township, purchasing the place in 1907. It com- prises one hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land and is well im- proved in every particular. Mr. Kuntz carries on both farming and stock-rais- ing and for about ten years has also been running a thresher. In his under- takings he has won a well merited measure of success, for he ever follows the most modern and up-to-date methods and is thoroughly conversant with agri- culture in all of its phases.
On the 2d of September, 1908, Mr. Kuntz was united in marriage to Miss Florence Hornberger, by whom he has two children, namely : Alice Eveline, who was born on the 31st of May, 1909; and Grace Laurine, whose natal day was September 23, 1911.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Kuntz has sup- ported the men and measures of the republican party. In religious faith he is a Methodist. He is well known and highly respected throughout the community and is numbered among its enterprising citizens. He is a man of unblemished character and always to be relied upon to give his influence to any cause seck- ing the advancement of the moral and educational interests of the people.
JOHN G. HANKEN.
Among the most progressive and successful farmers of Washington town- ship is numbered John G. Hanken, carrying on general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising upon one hundred and ninety-nine acres of choice land lying on sections 20, 21 and 15. He was born in Erie county, New York, on the 27th of April, 1851, and is a son of Bernard and Bernadina ( Lamers) Hanken, natives of Westphalia, Germany. They came to America in 1847, locating in New York, where they spent about twelve years before removing to Ohio, whence after four- teen years they came, in 1876, to Winneshiek county, Iowa. The father bought land on section 15, Washington township, and worked as a carpeter and builder
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for many years, finally retiring and moving to Festina, where he now resides at the age of ninety-one. He has long survived his wife, who passed away when the subject of this review was still a child. In their family were two children; John G .. of this review: and Henry, deceased. Bernard Hanken was twice married, his second wife being Miss Agnes Tettman, and to their union were born the fol- lowing children : Joseph, Bernard and Frank, deceased: Mary, the wife of John Rothmeyer, of Festina; Catherine, the widow of William Iless, of Festina; Agnes, who married Charles Kessler, of Wisconsin; William, who resides in Oelwein, Iowa; Frank, of Wisconsin; Theresa, the wife of Barney Kleve; and Annie, deceased. Mrs. Hanken passed away on the 14th of February, 1910.
John G. Hanken acquired his education in the public schools of New York and Ohio and came to Iowa at the same time as his father, being at that time twenty-five years of age. He afterward remained at home for ten years, farming in association with his father, and at the end of that time purchased ninety acres in Military township, upon which he resided for about eight years. Disposing of this property, he moved into Festina, where he followed the carpenter's trade for some time, but he eventually resumed his farming operations, buying one hundred and nine acres of land on sections 20 and 21, Washington township. to which he has since added ninety acres on section 15. Upon this fine property he carries on general farming and stock-raising and success has steadily attended his well directed labors, his farm reflecting everywhere the careful supervision of a practical and able agriculturist. In addition to this property he owns a fine home in Festina and is favorably regarded in that city.
Mr. Hanken married Miss Annie Kleve, a daughter of Antone and Margaret (Schrandt) Kleve, and they became the parents of nine children : Margaret M., the wife of F. H. Brockamp, of Washington township ; Antone B., who is attend- ing college ; William, who lives at home; Ida C., the wife of Harry Brockamp, of Military township; and Catherine H., John A., Annie B., Edward B. and Frank H., all of whom live at home.
Mr. Hanken is a member of the Roman Catholic church and he gives his political allegiance to the democratic party, serving at the present time as assessor of Washington township. Fraternally he is connected with the Roman Catholic Protective Association. His good qualities of heart and mind have gained for him the friendship of many and the high regard of all who know him, while his business record commends him to the confidence of his fellowmen, for at all times he is reliable and straightforward.
THOMAS TORKELSON.
Among the prosperous farmers of Lincoln township, Winneshiek county, is Thomas Torkelson, who was born on section 10, that township, October 23, 1871. He is a son of Iver and Gjer ( Hildahl ) Torkelson, both natives of Norway. The father came to America about 1861, locating in Dane county, Wisconsin, where he remained for three years before coming to this county. Settling in Lincoln township, he here followed agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred March 3, 1897. He was highly esteemed and respected by all who
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knew him. His wife survives and makes hier home with our subject. To them were born five children: Martha, at home; Ellen Maria, the wife of N. J. Ofstadalıl, of Cresco; Thomas, of this review ; Olena, who married A. K. Sandven, of Streeter, North Dakota; and John G., deceased.
Thomas Torkelson, in the acquirement of his education, attended the district schools near his father's farm and then took a course in Valder College for about two and a half years, graduating in 1897. He then returned to the old home and has ever since cultivated its one hundred and nine acres. The farm shows care and well expended labor and its fields annually bring rich harvests. Mr. Torkel- son engages in general farming and also gives considerable attention to stock- raising, deriving a substantial income from both lines of endeavor.
In his religious affiliation Mr. Torkelson is a member of the United Lutheran church and politically he is a republican. He has always taken a deep interest in the progress and welfare of the county, particularly his township, and he is serving now as assessor, having been elected for six terms to this office, his long record standing as evidence of his faithfulness and ability. For three years he was also township clerk and for two years school director of his district, giving thereby evidence of his laudable interest in the cause of education. One of the younger generation, he is progressive and up-to-date in his views and is on all sides accorded respect and esteen for what he has achieved and for those quali- ties of his character which have made possible his success.
ALBERT ELLINGSON.
Albert Ellingson, carrying on general farming and stock-raising upon a fine tract of one hundred and eight acres on section 20, Pleasant township, was born in the section where he now resides on the 10th of December, 1870. He is a son of O. W. and Rachel (Severson) Ellingson, natives of Norway, who crossed the Atlantic in early life and settled first in Madison, Wisconsin. From that city they came to Iowa and the father engaged in general farming in Pleasant township, Winneshiek county, for many years, finally retiring and taking up his residence in Decorah, where he passed away in 1905, when he was sixty-two years of age. He was well known in local public affairs, holding many important positions on the republican ticket, including that of county supervisor and township clerk and assessor. He was a devout member of the Lutheran church and guided his upright and honorable life by its principles. He and his wife became the parents of eleven children : Julia, who married Ole P. Lein, of Pleasant township ; Elling, of Canoe township; Sever: Henry, of Pleasant township; Ole, who resides in Decorah; Albert, of this review; Martin, a farmer in Canoe township; Julius, engaged in agricultural pursuits in Pleasant township; Helen, the wife of George Barth, of Pleasant township: Marvin; and Clarence Theodore.
Albert Ellingson was reared upon his father's farm in Pleasant township and from his childhood assisted with the work of its operation. becoming in this way thoroughly familiar with the best agricultural methods. After his marriage he began farming for himself, buying one hundred and eight acres on section 20, Pleasant township, and upon this property he has since continued to reside. He
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has made substantial improvements upon it, erecting the necessary buildings and installing modern, labor-saving machinery, and has given careful attention to every detail of farm operation, his excellent property being a striking evidence of his care and practical labors throughout the years.
In June, 1892, Mr. Ellingson was united in marriage to Miss Rosa Wise, who was born in Pleasant township, April 15, 1870, a daughter of Samuel Wise, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Ellingson have become the parents of four children, three of whom died in infancy, while Arthur, the only one living, assists his father in the work of the home farm.
Mr. Ellingson gives his political allegiance to the republican party and for the past three years has been serving in an able and creditable manner as township trustee. Most of his attention, however, is given to the conduct of his farm. which under his able management has become one of the finest agricultural properties in his native township.
FRANK GILBERT MALTBY.
Frank Gilbert Maltby is the owner of a valuable farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 17, Hesper township, and is numbered among the repre- sentative agriculturists and the prominent and progressive native sons of Win- nesliek county. He was born in Canoe township, February 16, 1870, and is a son of Corydon and Mary ( Gilbert ) Maltby, the former born in New York, May 15, 1838, and the latter in Pennsylvania in 1840. The father removed to Lake county, Illinois, with his parents and there grew to manhood, enlisting in 1862 in Company F. Twenty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for service in the Civil war. He participated in many of the important engagements of that conflict and was mustered out with honorable discharge at the close of hostilities. Before his enlistment he had married and after the war came with his young wife to Allamakee county, Towa, but later removed to Winneshiek county, where she passed away in August, 1907. The father became a large landowner, holding at one time three hundred and twenty acres, and was ranked among the sub- stantial and progressive agriculturists. He is now living retired and makes his home with his children. For many years he was prominent in local republican circles, holding various township offices and serving for two terms as a member of the board of supervisors. He belongs to the Grand Army post at Decorah and in this way keeps in touch with his comrades of fifty years ago. He and his wife had two children: Frank Gilbert, of this review; and Fannie Ruth, who married Milton D. Whitney, of Hesper township.
Frank Gilbert Maltby was reared at home and from an early age has been familiar with the details of farm operation, learning by practical experience upon his father's property. His entire active life has been given over to agricultural pursuits and he is now ranked among the representative farmers of Winneshick county, owning and operating one hundred and twenty acres of valuable land on. section 17, Hesper township. His methods being always practical have been productive of excellent results, and his property is today well managed and profitable, yielding increasingly abundant harvests every year.
A
CORYDON O. MALTBY
MR. AND MRS. FRANK G. MALTBY
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On the 4th of October, 1893, Mr. Maltby was united in marriage to Miss Adella Bennett, who was born in Wisconsin, March 12, 1872, and is a daughter of L. W. Bennett, of Canton, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Maltby are the parents of a daughter, Ruth Ella. Mr. Maltby's principal interests are centered in his family and upon his farm, and throughout Winneshiek county he is known and respected as a substantial agriculturist and a desirable and useful citizen.
W. A. VAN VLIET.
IV. A. Van Vliet, for the past twenty years a well known breeder of shorthorn cattle in Winneshiek county, is the owner of the Cedar Lawn Stock Farm, on section 32, Hesper township, and ranks with the progressive and substantial agriculturists of this vicinity. He was born in Quebec, Canada, July 12, 1870, and is a representative of a very old American family. He has in his possession a record of the Van Vliets in America, showing that representatives of the line came from Holland in 1635 and settled in Dutchess county, New York, whence they moved to the Canadian frontier in 1800. The great-grandfather of the subject of this review, Jan Van Vliet, settled in Quebec, near the New York state line, acquiring a farm which was occupied by members of the Van Vliet family from 1800 to 1911, when it was sold. The grandfather of the subject of this review, William Van Vliet, was born upon this property and his son, William R., was born in the locality. He was the father of the subject of this review and in 1876 came with his wife and family to Hesper township, Winne- shiek county, Iowa, where he became an extensive landowner, acquiring two hundred acres, one hundred and sixty in the home place on section 32, and forty on section 5. Canoe township. This property he continued to develop until 1902, when he moved to Montana, where his death occurred in June, 1911, at the advanced age of seventy-seven. His wife, who was in her maidenhood Miss Mary A. Scriver, was born in Odelltown, Quebec, October 20, 1839, and survives her husband, making her home in Stevensville, Montana. In this family were five children : E. H., of Stevensville, Montana ; Ida May, who resides with her mother and who has been blind since fourteen years of age; Alexander, who also resides in Stevensville, Montana; WV. A., of this review ; and Fred, of Spokane, Washington.
WV. A. Van Vliet was reared upon his father's farm and by assisting in the work of its operation early became familiar with the best and most practical agricultural methods. He is now the owner of the homestead which is known as the Cedar Lawn Stock Farm and for the past twenty years has specialized in the breeding and raising of high-grade shorthorn cattle. He has been very successful and his animals have taken many prizes at the different fairs where they have been exhibited. Mr. Van Vliet's business interests are all carefully and conservatively conducted and have brought him a gratifying measure of success, placing him today among the progressive agriculturists and prosperous stockmen of this vicinity.
In 1902 Mr. Van Vliet was united in marriage to Miss Minnie E. Wohlford, who was born in Winneshiek county, December 28, 1876, a daughter of Cyrus Vol. II-13
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and Ellen ( Headington ) Wohlford, the former of whom went from Illinois to Ohio and later to Jowa. He died in Decorah, this state, at the age of forty-five, and his wife now makes her home in that city. Mr. and Mrs. Van Vliet have become the parents of a son, Harry Maxwell. Mr. Van Vliet is a member of the Yeomen and acts as secretary of the Farmers Institute. He is a republican in his political beliefs and is serving at the present time as justice of the peace, discharging his duties in a capable and conscientious way. During the many years of his residence in Winneshiek county he has proven himself a capable business man and a progressive agriculturist and he has gained widespread respect and esteeni as a desirable and useful citizen.
CARL J. POSHUSTA.
Among the very youngest members of commercial life in Calmar is Carl J. Poshusta, who although but twenty years of age successfully holds the important position of bookkeeper in the Calmar Savings Bank, having already made a decided step in the right direction towards the goal of success. A member of a pioneer family, he was born in Spillville, this county, July 18, 1893, a son of Leo C. and Matilda ( Mockels ) Poshusta, natives of Winneshiek county. The father was also born at Spillville, May 16, 1868, and is a son of Charles and Barbara (Cekl) Poshusta, natives of Bohemia. The grandfather came to America and in an early day in the history of Winneshiek county located near Spillville, where he purchased land which he cleared and improved, gradually transforming his holdings into a valuable farm. He devoted his life's labors to its cultivation and there passed away on January 1, 1881, his wife surviving until March. 1884. The father was reared and educated in this county, attending the district schools near the home farm and there remaining until his father's death in 1881. He was then but thirteen years of age, but at once started out to make his own living. He learned the cabinet-maker's and carpenter's trades in Spillville and subse- quently followed these occupations for about two decades. In 1899 he came to Calmar and, erecting a store building, engaged in the furniture business, with which he is still connected. In 1910 he added a new department by opening a stock of small goods and notions in an adjoining building. He is the owner of the only furniture and notion stores in Calmar and carries large and complete lines in both establishments. As the years have passed he has built up a gratify- ing patronage, resulting in a substantial income to him. Mr. and Mrs. Leo C. Poshusta were married October 6, 1892, and to them were born six children : Carl J., of this review ; George, who died in 1890 at the age of four years ; Martha, aged fifteen ; Clara, aged thirteen ; DeSales, aged eight ; and Joseph, aged four. The father is a democrat in politics and fraternally a Knight of Columbus.
Carl J. Poshusta was reared and educated in Calmar, attending the public and parochial schools in the acquirement of his education. He rounded out his learning by a course in St. Joseph's College at Dubuque and then, laying aside his text-books, accepted employment in a grocery store in Calmar, becoming a short time later connected with the Calmar Savings Bank in the capacity of bookkeeper. Giving diligent and faithful service to his employers, he has readily
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gained their confidence and is generally considered a coming young man, standing upon the threshold of a successful career. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church and he is in that connection fraternally associated with the Knights of Columbus, of which lodge he is a member. He makes his home with his parents. Mr. Poshusta is popular with the young men of Calmar, in which city he has many friends who all esteem him highly for his open-heartedness, his frankness and his genial pleasant manner. If present indications do not deceive, a successful career may be prophiesied for him-a career which will carry his name to prominence in Winneshiek county.
WILLIAM HENRY EMMONS, M. D.
The name of Dr. William Henry Emmons has come to be regarded as synonymous with business development and progress in Winneshiek county, for he is not only a successful and able physician but he is also president of the Burr Oak Savings Bank, president of the Burr Oak Mercantile Company and manager of the Silver Creek Creamery Company of Burr Oak. He thus figures prominently in business circles and throughout his entire life has directed his efforts where mature judgment and sound discrimination have led the way.
Dr. Emmons was born in Oneonta, New York, December 26, 1868, and is a son of Theodore P. and Mary ( Martin ) Emmons, the former a native of New York, the latter of Bangor, Maine. Their marriage, however, occurred in Waverly. Iowa, and from there they removed to New York, where they resided for a num- ber of years. Later they returned to Waverly and from there went to Sumner, Iowa, where the father's death occurred in July, 1909, when he was sixty-nine years of age. He and his wife became the parents of two children : Lillian, the wife of L. S. Cast, of Waterloo, Iowa; and Dr. William Henry, of this review.
Dr. William Henry Emmons was five years of age when his parents removed to Iowa, and he acquired his early education in the public schools of Waverly and Sumner. He afterward attended the Upper Iowa University at Fayette for three years and then studied medicine for one year at Waverly. Having determined upon the practice of this profession, he went to Chicago and entered Rush Medical College, spending his winters in that institution and his summers in the Northwestern freiglit depot, where he had obtained employment. He was graduated with the degree of M. D. March 29, 1892. In the same year he settled at Westgate, Iowa, and after eight months .removed to Elma, where he took charge of the practice of another physician. He came to Burr Oak September 20, 1893, and here he has since remained in active practice. He did not regard his professional education completed when he finished his course in medical college, but has always remained a student of the principles of medical science and has kept in close touch with the most advanced professional thought. He is very careful in the diagnosis of cases and his ability is demonstrated in a large and representative practice.
Aside from his professional interests Dr. Emmons has figured prominently in business circles of this vicinity and has now important connections along this fine. Since 1911 he has been president of the Burr Oak Savings Bank, and in
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October of that year formed a partnership with P. 11. Whitney in the organiza- tion of the Burr Oak Mercantile Company, in which he is still heavily interested. He is also manager of the Silver Creek Creamery Company of Burr Oak and has many other business identifications. To the conduct of his interests he brings keen insight and sound judgment and discrimination. He has therefore gained a success which places him among the men of marked ability and substantial worth in this community.
In 1894 Dr. Emmons was united in marriage to Miss Donna Sayles, a native of Fayette county, Iowa, and they have become the parents of three children : Lucile : Paul Starr, who passed away at the age of nine months; and Theodore Hartwell.
Dr. Emmons was for twelve years president of the board of pension examiners at Decorah, and after a period of earnest and conscientious work in that capacity resigned in 1913. He is a republican in his political beliefs and connected fra- ternally with the Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Yeomen and the Rebekahs. Along professional lines he belongs to the Winneshiek County and the lowa State Medical Societies and the American Medical Association, thus keeping in touch with the trend of modern medical thought. Ilis unbending integrity of character, his fearlessness in the discharge of duty in every relation in which he has been found, and his appreciation of the responsibilities which rest upon him make him a citizen whose worth is widely acknowledged.
CHRIS E. JOHNSON.
Chris E. Johnson, who owns and operates one hundred acres of fine land on section 15. Madison township, was born in Wisconsin, October 16, 1858, and is a son of Eric and Isabelle Johnson, natives of Norway. The parents came to America and located in Wisconsin in 1840 and there the father bought land which he operated until 1868, when he came to Winneshick county, lowa. He here bought two hundred acres on section 15. Madison township, and improved and developed this fine property until his death, which occurred, however, in 1870, two years after his arrival.
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