USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > Past and present of Winneshiek county, Iowa; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 26
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Chris E. Johnson was educated in the district schools of Wisconsin and in Winneshiek county, whither he came when he was ten years of age. He remained with his mother until he had attained his majority and from childhood was thoroughly familiar with the details of farm operation, having learned them by practical experience upon the homestead. At the age of twenty-one he purchased one hundred acres from his mother and this he has developed and improved since that time, his farm being today one of the finest in his locality. Mr. Johnson has followed the most progressive and practical methods in its operation and his labors have been productive of excellent results, winning for him a place among the township's representative and substantial agriculturists.
On the 30th of October. 1888. Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Christe Vold, a daughter of Ole and Anne Vold. natives of Norway, who came to America in 1853 and located in Winneshiek county. Jowa, where the father
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engaged in farming during the remainder of his life, dying in 1878. His wife had passed away in 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson became the parents of six children: Edward, who died in 1890; Tilda, who passed away in 1896; Anton, whose death occurred in November, 1911 : Oscar, aged nineteen ; Clarence, aged sixteen ; and Ernest, aged twelve.
Mr. Johnson is a member of the Lutheran church and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is a stockholder in the Norwegian Mutual Insurance Company and the Farmers Ilog Buying Company of Decorah and in that city is recognized as a farsighted, able and discriminating business man as he is known throughout the township as an enterprising and progressive farmer.
FRANK SVESTKA.
Frank Svestka, well known throughout Jackson township as a progressive and prosperous farmer, and closely identified with mercantile interests of Jack- son Junction as the proprietor of a fine general store, is a native of Bohemia, born November 24, 1865. His parents, Jacob and Mary ( Kalishek ) Svestka were also born in that country and came to America in 1869, locating immediately in Win- neshiek county, lowa, where they resided for seven years. At the end of that time they removed into Howard county, lowa, where they now make their home, the father having retired from active life. To their union were born twelve children, two of whom have passed away. The others are: Frank, of this review ; Emma, who became the wife of Mr. Valvoda of Howard county ; Louis and Joseph, also of Howard county ; Annie, who married II. Lukes of Winneshiek county ; James, who makes his home in North Dakota ; Carrie, the wife of Joseph Maro- vetz of Howard county ; Louisa, who married Frank Pecinovsky, also of Howard county ; John, who is operating the family homestead in that county ; and Rosic, the wife of Joseph Andera of North Dakota.
Frank Svestka was only four years of age when he was brought to America by his parents and upon his father's farm in Winneshiek county he spent his early childhood, later moving with the family to Howard county. He acquired a district-school education and early became familiar with all the details of farm operation, gaining much practical experience along this line by assisting his father in the fields. When he began his independent career at the age of twenty- five he naturally turned his attention to the occupation in which he has been reared, buying land in Winneshiek county near Jackson Junction. To this he added from time to time, finally owning two hundred and forty acres on which he carried on general farming and stock-raising, success steadily attending his well directed industry. Of late years he has disposed of the great portion of this property, holding eighty acres which by able management and practical methods he has made one of the finest agricultural properties in the locality. Mr. Svestka does not live upon his farm, but has moved into the village of Jackson Junction where he is conducting an excellent general store. He has there built up an extensive and representative patronage and this is accorded him in recog- nition of his fine stock of goods, his upright and honorable business dealings and his earnest desire to please his patrons. In addition to this he was connected
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with the operation of a large lumber business there, an enterprise which he founded in 1892 and which has had a prosperous existence since that time.
Mr. Svestka married Miss Mary Lukes and to their union have been born five children: Emma, the wife of Charles Balik of Mason City. Iowa : William also of Mason City: Ida, the wife of Joseph Wandas of Fort Atkinson; and Annie and Mary, both of whom live at home. The family are devout members of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Svestka is connected fraternally with the Bohemian Workmen and the Order of Foresters and gives his political allegiance to the democratic party, taking an intelligent interest in community affairs. He is however, not active politically preferring to concentrate his attention upon his business interests, which, being capably conducted, are bringing him a gratifying measure of success.
THEODORE A. SCHEIDEMANTEL.
Theodore A. Scheidemantel, who is one of the extensive landowners and prosperous farmers and stock-raisers of Wineshiek county and also controls important landed and financial interests in various parts of Oklahoma. was born on the old Scheidemantel homestead in Military township on the 20th of October, 1856. He is a representative of one of the oldest and most prominent pioneer families in this section of the state, being a son of Henry and Kunigunda Scheide- mantel, of whom extended mention is made on another page in this work. The parents were natives of Bavaria, Germany, the father born on the 20th of October, 1820, and the mother on the 16th of June, 1832. In their family were eleven children : Eva J., whose birth occurred on the 18th of June, 1853; William, born January 7, 1855: Theodore A., of this review ; Mary E., born October 9, 1858, Clemence, born on the 7th of December, 1860; Andrew H .. born October 29, 1862; Caroline C .. January 9, 1865 ; Henry J., January 25, 1867 ; Edward J., November 9, 1868; Joseph F .. May 1, 1871 ; and Emilie M., born July 19. 1873.
Theodore A. Scheidemantel was reared upon the family homestead and through- out the period of his boyhood and youth assisted with the work of its cultivation, gaining in this way knowledge and experience in the details of farm operation which has proven invaluable to him in after life. In 1880 he left home and went to St. Paul, Minnesota, and thence to Minneapolis, where he became connected with the mercantile business as clerk with Engram & Company, wholesale dealers in dry goods. After remaining in this connection for about a year he went to Grafton, North Dakota, and there for two years engaged in the butcher business, building up a large and profitable trade before he disposed of his enterprise. When he did so, he turned his attention to the development of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres which he had taken up in Pembina county, North Dakota. a property which he afterward sold. Upon the death of his father he returned to Winneshiek county and when the estate was divided inherited two hundred and forty acres, known as the old McKinzie Hall farm. To this he has since added forty acres, making this a property of two hundred and eighty acres, prac- tically all of which is under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Scheidemantel has also bought the old Carl Brouch place, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres on
ULF
THEODORE A. SCHEIDEMANTEL
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sections 13 and 14. Military township, and he gives a great deal of time and atten- tion to the further development and improvement of these two farms, which are among the finest agricultural properties in the state. He engages in general farm- ing and stock-raising and, being a reliable, farsighted and discriminating business man, has made both branches of his activities important and profitable. In addi- tion to his extensive holdings in this county. he also has important landed and business interests in Oklahoma, having become interested in the development of that state in 1900, when he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Washita county at the time when the Choctow, Oklahoma & Gulf Railroad was constructed through that part of the state. He has gradually extended the scope of his inter- ests, having been carried forward by his initiative spirit, his keen sense of business opportunity, his excellent administrative and organizing ability into important relations with financial affairs. In 1902 he organized in Canute, the Canute State Bank, of which he is now president and in which he owns a controlling interest, and he was also the leader in the founding of the German State Bank of Elk City. Oklahoma, an institution organized during the panic of 1907 with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars. Mr. Scheidemantel is not now connected with that enter- prise, having sold his stock in 1909. He assisted his brother Henry in organizing the Silver Springs Creamery Company and although they met with great opposi- tion at the time, it was carried to a successful issue and our subject remained as general manager until success was assured.
Mr. Scheidemantel is a member of the Roman Catholic church and fraternally is connected with the Knights of Columbus and other organizations affiliated with his church. He is a democrat in his political views and a stanch supporter of the party's principles, although he never seeks public office for himself. A man of broad views, modern ideas and progressive spirit, he has left and is still leaving the impress of his work and personality upon the agricultural development of Win- neshiek county and upon the financial history of that section of Oklahoma in which he is active, and he is in all respects a man of action and initiative-valuable as a factor in the promotion of the growth and advancement of the community in which he has spent his entire life.
CHRISTIAN RILLING.
Christian Rilling is living retired on his farm near Fort Atkinson in Wash- ington township after many years devoted to the stone-mason's trade in Winne- shiek county and a long period of identification with agricultural interests in this section of the state. His residence here dates from 1868, but he was born in Germany, on the 27th of April, 1848, a son of Adam and Mary (Uhlmer ) Rilling, who lived and died in the fatherland. To their union were born four children : Barbara and Adam, who live in Germany; Lizzie, the widow of Henry Mohler, of Winneshiek county ; and Christian, of this review.
Christian Rilling acquired his education in the public schools of his native country and there remained until he was eighteen years of age. He then crossed the Atlantic to America, locating first in New York and then in Philadelphia, whence after three years he came to Winneshiek county in 1868. He bought one
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hundred and eighty acres near Festina and he resided upon this property for over twenty years, purchasing at the end of that time two hundred acres on sec- tions 4 and 9, Washington township, upon which he has ever since resided. During all of this time he followed the stone-mason's trade throughout the county, leaving the work of the farm to his assistants, and he became recognized as an expert in his special line of work, his labors being finally rewarded by a com- fortable competence.
Mr. Rilling was married in 1875 to Miss Mary Jones, a daughter of Fritz and Margaret ( Billen) Jones, natives of Germany, who came from that country to Wisconsin and after five years to lowa. Both have passed away. To their union were born four children : Peter and Nicholas, of Oklahoma ; Mary, the wife of the subject of this review : and Philip. The father had been previously married and by his first union had two children : Katie, the widow of Edward Galman, of Festina ; and a son who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Rilling became the parents of nine children : Sophia, the widow of John Zimmer, of Calmar ; Philip, who lives at home; John and Christ. also at home; Fred, who resides at Ok Mission, Iowa ; Alfred, of Fort Atkinson ; and Nick, Joseph and Annie, at home.
Mr. Rilling is a member of the Roman Catholic church and is a stanch sup- porter of the democratic party. The success which attended his labors during his active years has been well deserved and has gained him recognition among the prosperous, enterprising and representative citizens of the community where he is spending his retired life.
JOSEPH A. JUEN, M. D.
Dr. Joseph A. Juen, who since 1904 has been successfully engaged in the general practice of medicine and surgery in Ossian, is a native of Dubuque, Iowa, born June 30, 1875. llis parents. Raphael and Catherine ( Walter ) Juen, were born in Tyrol, Austria, and came to America about the year 1871, locating in Dubuque, Iowa. where the father followed his trade of cabinet-making until his death, which occurred about 1902. His wife survives him and makes her home in Dubuque. They were the parents of two children: Mary, who has passed away; and Joseph A., of this review.
The last named acquired his early education in the Dubuque public schools, later attending St. Joseph's College. Having determined to make the practice of medicine his life work, he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons in St. Louis and from this institution was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1904. Ile settled immediately in Ossian and he has since continued to practice there, having secured a large and representative clientage, which continually increases as his ability, knowledge and medical skill become more widely known.
Dr. Juen married Miss Lilla Isabel Flesch, a native of Wisconsin, and they have become the parents of three children: Ralph, who has passed away ; one son who died in infancy ; and Gladys, born April 11, 1910. Dr. Juen is a member of the Catholic church and politically is identified with the republican party. Along professional lines he belongs to the American Medical Association, the Iowa State and the Winneshiek County Medical Societies and through his mem-
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bership in these organizations keeps in touch with the most advanced medical thought. He has made an excellent professional record and the work he has accomplished has gained him the respect and regard of his brethren of the medical fraternity and the confidence and esteem of the local public.
GULBRAND H. NESS.
Norway has furnished a considerable proportion of citizens to Winneshiek county and the diligence and energy characteristic of the people of that land have become important factors in the development and improvement of this section of the state. A representative of this class is Gulbrand H. Ness, now a well known and worthy farmer of Glenwood township, living on section 23. He is also numbered among the veterans of the Civil war. His birth occurred in Nor- way, October 25, 1840, his parents being Hans Johanas and Anna Gilbranson, who spent their entire lives in Norway where the father followed farming. Their family numbered four children: Johan, who was born October 1, 1838, was for thirty years in the employ of the Ekebergh firm, the wealthiest people of Norway, well known all over Europe. He has been retired by them on a pension and makes his home in Christiania, Norway. He is a well educated man, Gul- brand H. Ness having given him part of the money necessary to secure his educa- tion. The subject of this review is the second member of the family. The daughter Carrie became the wife of E. Kelson and she died in this county while her husband passed away in Norman county Minnesota. She was brought to America by her brother Gulbrand, as was the youngest of the family. Hanson Ness, who came to the United States in 1868 and died in 1870.
Gulbrand H. Ness was reared upon the home farm in Norway and in 1861 crossed the Atlantic to the United States, arriving in Winneshiek county on the 17th of May. Here he was employed as a farm hand by the month at a salary of eleven dollars per month, and on leaving his first employer he entered the service of another farmer with whom he continued for five months. On the 15th of October, of the same year, he went to Decorah to purchase clothes. He did not carry out his intention, however, but instead enlisted in the Union army, offering his services through an interpreter. This was on the 15th of October, 1861, and he joined Company G, of the Twelfth Iowa Infantry, under Captain C. C. Tupper. He served for the full term of three years and then enlisted in 1864 in the same company and regiment, with which he remained until February 17, 1866, when he was honorably discharged at Memphis, Ten- nessee. The entire company was captured at Shiloh save Mr. Ness, who at that time was in the hospital with typhoid fever, which incapacitated him for duty for three months. His command was imprisoned for six months, during which time five regiments of those who had been released from the hospital were consolidated into the Union Brigade which name they bore until the others of the original command were released from prison. Mr. Ness participated in many hotly contested battles and made a splendid record as a brave and loyal soldier.
With the close of the war he returned home and began farming in Frankville township where he remained until 1900, in which year he removed to his present
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farm on section 23, Glenwood township. He owns ninety-nine acres of rich and valuable land to which he has added many substantial improvements, supply- ing the place with all of the equipment and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century.
Mr. Ness has been twice married. In 1869 he wedded Annie E. Bakke, a native of Norway, who died in this county. She had eight children: Mina, the wife of John Moe, of Ossian, Towa ; Erik, living in Frankville township; Henry, of Decorah ; Gustave, who died at the age of thirty-seven years; John, who died when twenty-four years of age ; Melvin, living in Mason City ; and two who died in infancy. In 1900 Mr. Ness married Mrs. Martha Lavstrien, who was born in Norway in 1858 and came to the United States with her first husband. She was a widow and had four children when she became the wife of Mr. Ness. The children are: Helena Marie Anderson, of Canada; Anna Anderson, deceased; and Helga and Agnes, at home.
Mr. Ness is a member of the First Lutheran church and honorable principles guide him in all the relations of life. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he has held some township offices, the duties of which he promptly and faithfully discharged. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and thus maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades. He has ever been as true and loyal in matters of citizenship through days of peace as he was in times of war when he defended the old flag upon the battlefields of the south.
EVEN TIENDERHOLDT LARSON.
For over fifty years Even Tienderholdt Larson has carried on general farming and stock-raising upon his fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres near Ossian and each year has witnessed an increase in the success which has rewarded his industry, perseverance and well directed labors. He is now in control of an excellent property and is one of the best known and most popular farmers of Military township, his half century of upright living and fair dealing having gained for him the confidence and respect of all who are in any way associated with him.
He was born in Norway on the 17th of January, 1833, and is a son of Lars and Christine Maria (Bamble) Nelson, also natives of that country. The parents came to America in 1844 and located first in Wisconsin, where they remained for several years, finally removing from that state to Winneshiek county, Iowa. The father was a farmer by occupation and engaged in agricul- tural pursuits and stock-raising in this locality until his death, becoming one of the prosperous farmers and representative citizens. He died in 1893 and his wife passed away in 1885. To them were born seven children : Nels, deceased ; Hans, who has also passed away; Peter, who resides in Winneshiek county ; Rosina, deceased; Even T., of this review; Sören, also of Winneshiek county ; and Maria, the widow of Martin Myhre.
Even Tienderholdt Larson was eleven years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to America and a great deal of his childhood was spent
EVEN T. LARSON AND FAMILY
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upon his father's farm, where he assisted with the work of cultivation, becoming a practical and able agriculturist. In 1855 he purchased one hundred and twenty acres in Military township, Winneshiek county, and to this he has since added forty acres, being today in possession of a fine property of one hundred and sixty acres. Upon this he has resided since 1862 and has engaged continuously in general farming and stock-raising, success steadily attending his well directed efforts. He has made substantial improvements upon his farm in the course of years and it is now splendidly equipped with buildings and machinery, noth- ing being neglected which will add to its attractive appearance or its value. Its excellent condition at the present time is a striking evidence of the many years of care and labor which have been bestowed upon it by the owner, who is not only a progressive and practical farmer but a resourceful, farsighted and dis- criminating business man as well.
Mr. Larson married Miss Barbaru Nordhous, a daughter of Andrew and Anna (Anderson) Nordhous, natives of Norway, who came to America about the year 1875 and located in Fayette county, Iowa. To them were born nine children : Ole and Carrie, deceased; Ellen, who has also passed away ; Barbaru, twin to Ellen, and wife of the subject of this review; Andrew, who resides in Claremont, Iowa; Anna, the wife of H. Gottleman of North Dakota : Gundwar, who married Harry Lee of Denver, Colorado; Ivan of Steele, North Dakota ; and Halvarina, the wife of Lars Polsen of Claremont, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Larson have become the parents of three children ; Anna Louisa, the wife of Hans Teigen of Lake Mills, Iowa; Fridtjof Cornelius, who lives at home: and Cora Agnetta, who died November 29, 1910.
Mr. Larson is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church, and politically gives his allegiance to the republican party. Although he neither seeks nor desires public office he is interested in the cause of education and has done much constructive and beneficial work in promoting it during his term of service on the school board. He is a progressive, able and upright citizen, and the highi place which he now holds in the respect and esteem of his neighbors has been worthily won by many years of honorable and straightforward dealing.
CALVIN D. HORTON, M. D.
Dr. Calvin D. Horton, who since 1893 has been successfully engaged in the general practice of medicine and surgery in Fort Atkinson, was born in Fillmore county, Minnesota, on the 5th of May, 1865. He is a son of Joshua and Laura (Platt ) Horton, natives of New York, both of whom have passed away, the father dying at the advanced age of ninety-three, after having spent his entire active life engaged in farming. To their union were born nine children : George, Samuel and Houston, who have passed away ; Olivette, of North Dakota ; Thomas, also of North Dakota; Hattie, the widow of Dr. Walter Murphy, of Quebec, Canada ; Delmer, who resides in Lime Spring, Iowa; Elizabeth, who married Dr. J. H. Dasey, of Sioux City ; and Calvin D., of this review.
The last named was reared in Fillmore county and there acquired his prelimin- ary education. At the age of seventeen he left home and acquired his high-school
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course at La Crosse, Wisconsin, later teaching in the public schools of Minnesota for five years, after which he entered the medical department of the State Uni- versity, beginning the practice of his profession one year before receiving his diploma in order to earn the money necessary to carry on his studies. He received his degree of M. D. in 1894 and since 1893 has been in active practice in Fort Atkinson, each year of the intervening twenty bringing him increased success in his chosen calling. Always a close and indefatigable student of his profession, he has kept in touch with its most advanced thought through read- ing and research and in 1907 took a post-graduate course in diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat under Dr. Brown of Chicago, having since done a great deal of successful work along this line. His patronage has increased rapidly as his ability and skill have become more widely known and it has reached extensive proportions at the present time. Dr. Horton being numbered today among the most able and successful physicians in the county where he makes his home.
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