USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > Past and present of Winneshiek county, Iowa; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 32
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Neste have been born twelve children but four of the number died in infancy and Lewis died in 1910. Those who survive are : Knute, under the parental roof ; Theodore, who is a minister, now located at Astoria. Oregon; James, who makes his home in Minnesota; Lawrence, at home; Dina, the wife of Andrew Boe, of Winneshiek county ; Ida and Stena, also at home.
Mr. Neste holds stock in the Farmers Creamery Company of Decorah, and also in the Farmers Hog Buying Company of this place. He is a republican in his political belief, while in religious faith he is a Lutheran. He has never held public office except in connection with the school board, having served as trustee and director of Madison township. He possesses many sterling traits of character, is honest in all his business transactions, and is highly respected in the locality where he has spent practically his entire life.
ROBERT TOWNSEND.
Robert Townsend, for many years prominently connected with agricultural interests in Winneshiek county, came to Burr Oak township in 1855 and settled upon a tract of raw land. Afterward through hard work he transformed the property into rich and fertile fields from which he derived abundant harvests year by year, finally acquiring a comfortable fortune upon which to retire from active life in 1912.
He was born in Starkey, Yates county, New York, January 3, 1834, and is a son of Hiram H. and Freelove Archer (Weeks) Townsend. The paternal grand- father. Richard Townsend, was a native of New England. The father of the subject of this review was born in Connecticut or New York, and the mother was
352
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
a native of the latter state. In their family were the following children: Mrs. Zeruah Sillaman, who died in Missouri ; Emma Louisa, who passed away at the age of one year ; Mary Butters, a widow residing in Schuyler county, New York ; and Clark A., who died in that state.
Robert Townsend was reared at home and resided in his native county until April, 1855, when he came west, settling in Winneshiek county, Iowa. He pur- chased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 22, Burr Oak town- ship, taking up his residence upon it when pioneer conditions prevailed every- where and the work of development was scarcely begun. The passing years brought him success, prominence and a substantial fortune and his farm became one of the best in this section of the state for he was at all times practical in his methods and progressive in his ideas. He continued active in the development of his property until the fall of 1912, when he rented the farm, still continuing. however, to reside upon the homestead.
On the 9th of February, 1859, Mr. Townsend was united in marriage to Miss Jane Mclaughlin, who was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, November 23, 1837, and went to Illinois with her parents in 1855. In the following year the family removed to Winneshiek county and here Mrs. Townsend has since re- sided. She is a daughter of Joseph and Rachel (McGarey) Mclaughlin, both of whom passed away in Iowa. They became the parents of eleven children, three of whom died in infancy and five of whom are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Townsend have two daughters. The older, Dora E., is the widow of Sidney Boyd, of Canton. Minnesota, and has two children, Harry T. and Claudine Es- tella. The younger, Lottie B., is the wife of Marcus Stockman, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and they have two children, Fred Parker and Rollin Perry. Mr. and Mrs. Townsend lost one child, Jessie L. F., who died when she was one year old.
Mr. Townsend has voted the republican ticket since he cast his ballot for Fre- mont. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is interested in the work of that organization. His life has been such as to give him high stand- ing in the eyes of the community and he is generally recognized as a man whose long years of earnest labor have not only contributed to his own prosperity but have also been a boon to the community at large.
MARTIN A. MEYER.
Martin A. Meyer, a prosperous and successful stock buyer in Fort Atkinson, is a native son of Jowa, born in Fayette county, his parents being Henry and Mary (Smith) Meyer, natives of Germany. The father died when the sub- ject of this review was only one year and a half old, leaving two children: a daughter, Mary, who died in a convent at Racine, Wisconsin, on the 22d of May, 1906; and Martin A.
Martin A. Meyer was reared in Fayette county and acquired his educa- tion in the district schools. When he began his independent career he followed farming and merchandising for some years, conducting a profitable and well managed hardware store in Wesley, Iowa, for some time. He afterwards en- gaged in his present occupation as a cattle and horse buyer, feeder and shipper
353
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
on an extensive scale and success has steadily rewarded his well directed labors, his business being today of large proportions and the trade which he controls important. He resides upon a fine farm of fifty acres just adjoining the corpo- ration limits and this he has provided with substantial improvements, crect- ing upon it a fine modern brick house, fine barns and outbuildings and install- ing the necessary labor-saving machinery. He is well known throughout the township as a progressive and practical farmer as well as a reliable and far- sighted business man and he holds the confidence and esteem of all who are in any way associated with him.
Mr. Meyer was united in marriage to Miss Dora Meyer, a second cousin, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Leiman) Meyer, natives of Germany. The father has passed away but the mother survives, making her home in Des Moines, Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Martin A. Meyer have been born four chil- dren : Euphemia, whose birth occurred on the 9th of October, 1903; Legories, born November 6, 1905; Dennis, born July 26, 1908; and Margaret, born on the 14th of February, 1911. Mr. Meyer is a devout member of the Roman Catholic church and gives liis political allegiance to the democratic party. He is, however, not active as an office seeker, preferring to concentrate his atten- tion upon his business affairs in which he is meeting with a gratifying and well deserved measure of success.
JOHN C. KUBESH.
John C. Kubesh is a public-spirited man, whose service has frequently been solicited in the interests of the public and who is numbered among the sub- stantial citizens of Calmar township, where he owns and operates a tract of land comprising one hundred and twenty-five acres. He is a native of this township, his natal day being April 26, 1863. His parents, Andrew and Jennic (Valenta) Kubesh, were both natives of Bohemia, and are now deceased. The father sought his fortune in the new world, emigrating to America in 1854 and choosing Winneshiek county as his destination. He and his wife were among the first settlers of Calmar township, where the father purchased land. He followed farming throughout the remainder of his life, passing away in Calmar township on the 27th of January, 1890. The mother survived nearly thirteen years. departing this life in December, 1902.
John C. Kubesh was reared and educated in the community which has always been his place of abode and with the exception of three years spent in North Dakota in the threshing business, he has always made his home on the homestead farm. In 1884 he returned from the north and purchased the home farm of one hundred and twenty-five and a quarter acres, located on sections 27 and 28, Calmar township and his time has since been largely devoted to the cultivation of his fields. On the place are found good buildings which are care- fully kept in repair and altogether the place presents a neat appearance.
Mr. Kubesh chose as a companion and helpmate Miss Annie Vacha, whom he wedded June 9, 1885. Her parents, Albert and Magdelina Vacha, were like- wise natives of Bohemia. The father was a shoemaker by trade, being thus
35-
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
engaged in his native country as well as after coming to this country in 1870, when he made his home in Conover, Winneshiek county. He died there in 1888, and his wife, surviving but a few years, was called to the home beyond in 1893.
Mr. and Mrs. Kubesh have become the parents of five children: Louise ; Edward; George, who departed this life in 1807: Bessie and Bertha.
In politics Mr. Kubesh is a democrat and on that ticket has been elected to the office of township trustee, while he has also served as road supervisor and for many years has been a member of the school board. He is a communicant of the Catholic church and fraternally is connected with the Modern Wood- men of America. He has always been an industrious, hard-working man, and while busily engaged with his own private business affairs, safeguards each and every interest entrusted to him by the public.
GILBERT H. VICK.
When news of the death of Gilbert H. Vick was announced on the 20th of July, 1909, it caused deep regret among not only his relatives but his many friends, with whom he had lived and labored for more than four decades. He was a native of Norway, born August 14, 1851, a son of Haldor and Mary ( Folken) Vick, who were likewise natives of that country. The parents emi- grated with their family to the new world in 1866, establishing their home in Winneshiek county, having at that time reached an advanced age.
Gilbert H. Vick, whose name introduces this review, was a youth of fifteen years at the time of the emigration to Iowa, and owing to the advanced years of his parents, he and his brother began life independently. They engaged in farming and as time passed and they prospered in their undertakings, Gilbert Vick was enabled to purchase one hundred and sixty acres on section 33, Mad- ison township. He became very successful in his business affairs and was the owner of one of the most profitable farms of the county. He improved the place with substantial buildings and worked diligently from year to year in the cultivation of his fields, so that at his death he left to his family a splendid property. Ile passed away July 20, 1909, at a comparatively early age, being but fifty-eight years old at the time of his demise.
It was on the 21st of March, 1888, that Mr. Vick was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Granum, a daughter of Andrew and Mary ( Brager) Granum, both of whom were natives of Norway. The father was a farmer by occupation, spending his entire life in his native country, passing away in 1883. The mother still survives and is living there at the advanced age of eighty-five years.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Vick have been born nine children of whom eight survive, namely : Helen Marie, who is twenty-four years of age; Albert, the second of the name, who has just reached his majority ; Oscar, a youth of eighteen ; Ilel- mer, who has reached the age of sixteen; John Adolph, a lad of fourteen; and Gerhard M., Richard L. and Laurence M., aged respectively twelve, nine and five years. Albert. first of the name, passed away September 20, 1890. The widow
GILBERT H. VICK
357
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
makes her home on the farm, her sons assisting her in the' management of the place.
Mr. Vick gave his political support to the republican party and died in the faith of the Lutheran church. He was devoted to his family, counting no task too great if it added to the comfort and happiness of his wife and children. He possessed many sterling characteristics and was held in the highest esteem by all with whom he had business or social intercourse.
ALFRED M. THUNE. .
Alfred M. Thune is one of the most extensive landowners and prosperous farmers of Pleasant township, his fine homestead on section 2 evidencing his many years of practical supervision and careful methods in its cultivation. He is one of Winneshiek county's native sons, born in Glenwood township, February 4, 1872, his parents being Thomas and Sarah ( Garden) Thune. They were born and reared in Norway and, coming to America in 1852, settled in Iowa, where their marriage occurred. The father turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, becoming prosperous and successful in this line of work and dying upon his farm in Glenwood township in 1874, when he was forty-five years of age. His wife survived him some years, dying February 25, 1894, at the age of sixty-two. In their family were eight children : Holver W., who makes his home in Ada, Min- nesota ; Jane, the wife of Knut Graves, of Glenwood; Edwin, who resides in Decorah ; George, of Audubon, Minnesota ; Mary, who makes her home with her brother Oscar in Glenwood township; Alfred M., of this review; Oscar; and Andrew, who died at the age of four years.
Alfred M. Thune has passed his entire life in Winneshiek county. He grew to manhood on his father's farm, learning in his childhood the best agricultural methods, and when he began his independent career naturally turned his attention to the occupation to which he had been reared. He has been numbered since that time among the township's most progressive and successful farmers and his holdings are today extensive, embracing one hundred and twenty acres in the home farm on section 2, Pleasant township, with one thousand acres near Bismarck, North Dakota, and forty acres of timber land in Waterloo township, Allamakee county, Iowa. Upon his homestead he has made extensive improvements, erect- ing barns and outbuildings and installing the necessary machinery and equipment and neglecting nothing which will add to the attractiveness or value of the place. The success which has come to him in the course of years has been the reward of industry, well directed activity and firm determination and it places him in the front ranks of progressive agriculturists in his native county. In addition to general farming Mr. Thune has for the past fifteen years been electrician for the Glenwood and Pleasant Township Telephone Companies and his services in this capacity have been capable and efficient.
On the 23d of February, 1909, at St. Peter, Minnesota, Mr. Thune was united in marriage to Miss Mary Liquin, who was born in Pleasant township, February 26, 1867. She is a daughter of Christian and Anna (Hovey) Liquin, natives of Norway, the former born December 22, 1819, and the latter, August 24, 1831. The
358
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
father came to America in 1853, but the mother arrived in this country some years previous, and in 1860 they were married in Iowa, making their home upon a farm in Pleasant township, Winneshiek county, during the remainder of their lives. Christian Liquin died December 22, 1893, and was survived by his wife until February 4, 1903. The latter was very prominent in religious work and in com- pany with Mrs. Holver Garden and John W. Thune established the first Nor- wegian Methodist Episcopal church at St. Paul, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Liquin became the parents of two children: John O., who died at the age of four ; and Mary, the wife of the subject of this review.
Mrs. Thune was reared on her father's farm in Pleasant township and attended the public schools there and also the Decorah Institute, after which she taught school for a few terms. She then decided to secure a business education and for this purpose went to Burlington. lowa, where she completed a business course. After the death of her parents she attended the Chicago Training School for Nurses for one year and then entered the Methodist Episcopal Hospital at Omaha, Nebraska, but was taken ill and was unable to complete the course there. Sub- sequently she made her home with an aunt in St. Peter. Minnesota, until her mar- riage and then returned to the old homestead in Pleasant township.
Mr. Thune is a devout adherent of the Methodist Episcopal church and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He has become well and favorably known, commanding and holding the esteem and confidence of all who are associated with him.
WILLIAM FUNKE.
Among Winneshiek county's most progressive. able and successful native sons is numbered William Funke, who since 1871 has been engaged in farming in this part of lowa, his activities in the development of two farmis forming im- portant elements in the general agricultural development. Hle now owns two hundred and eighty acres of land lying partly in Military township and partly in Springfield and his well directed and practical labors have made it one of the finest properties in that locality.
He was born in Winneshiek county, Washington township, on the 15th of August, 1855, and is a son of Clemence and Gertrude ( Feller ) Funke, natives of Germany. The father came to America in June. 1853, and after spending one year in St. Louis came to Winneshiek county, locating in Washington town- ship. He there remained until 1865 and then moved to Military township, where he engaged in farming until his death, which occurred on the 6th of June, 1884. His wife survives him and makes her home in Winneshiek county. To their union were born ten children: Henry, a farmer in the vicinity of Calmar ; William, of this review: Clemence .A., who is connected with the Winneshiek county poor house; Mary. the wife of Frank Dessel, of California; Lizzie, who married Joseph Fox, of Norfolk, Nebraska; Herman, a resident of Cot- tonwood, Idaho; Annie, the wife of Louis Freich, of Ossian, lowa; John, who makes his home in Cottonwood, Idaho; Josephine. who married A. Holthouse, a farmer in Washington township; and Gertrude, who has passed away.
359
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
William Funke acquired his education in the public schools of Washington and Military townships and in his childhood assisted with the operation of the homestead. At the age of twenty-one he purchased one hundred and fifty-two acres in Springfield township and for thirteen years thereafter developed and improved this property. When he sold it he bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 5. Military township, and to this has added from time to time until he now owns two hundred and eighty acres, one hundred and twenty of which are located in Springfield township and the remainder in Military town- ship. Upon this fine property Mr. Funke engages in general farming and stock- raising and success has steadily attended his well directed labors through the years, his interests being today profitable and important. In addition to his farming operations he is also a director of the Farmers Produce Company of Ossian and his ability is widely recognized in business circles.
On the 4th of November. 1876, Mr. Funke married Miss Louise Bock, who died May 13, 1910. They became the parents of eleven children : Clemence J., of Dubuque, Iowa; Stephanie, the wife of Joseph J. Schissel, of Military town- ship; George and Joseph, both of whom reside in Hutchinson county, South Dakota ; and Tillie, Annie, William H., Mary, Leo, Adolph and Angeline, all at home.
Mr. Funke is a stanch supporter of the democratic party and has held re- sponsible public positions, serving for twelve years as township trustee and for four years as a member of the school board. He is a member of the Catholic church, is affiliated with the Catholic Order of Foresters and is a man of ex- emplary moral character, respected in business circles and honored and esteemed wherever he is known.
JESSE D. WEILER.
Jesse D. Weiler, operating a fine farm of two hundred and thirty-three acres on section 18, Washington township, and numbered among the most progres- sive and practical agriculturists of his locality, was born at Fort Atkinson, April 7, 1874. He is a son of Jacob and Nannie ( Krumm) Weiler, natives of Germany, the father coming to America when he was a young man. He served in the Union army as a member of Company C. Thirty-eighth lowa Volun- teer Infantry, remaining with his command during the entire period of the Civil war. He afterward engaged in farming in Winneshiek county and be- came well known in public affairs, holding various township offices. He is now living retired in Charles City and still owns the farm which his son operates. He and his wife became the parents of six children: Jerome, of Vermilion, Iowa : Tillie, the wife of J. Dunlap, of Charles City ; Emma, who married E. B. Alcott, also of Charles City; Lloyd, who lives on the home farm; Jesse D., of this review; and Lorina, who married Charles Smith, of Humboldt.
Jesse D. Weiler was reared upon his father's farm, dividing his time in his childhood between assisting in its operation and attending the district school. He has never left the homestead and now makes his home thereon, carrying on general farming and stock-raising upon its two hundred and thirty-three acres.
360
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
Everything about the place is in excellent condition, substantial improvements have been made and the entire property reflects in its neat and attractive ap- pearance the careful supervision and practical methods of its manager, who is a progressive and able agriculturist.
On the 6th of August, 1892, Mr. Weiler married Miss Jessie Thompson and to their union has been born a daughter, Geraldine, whose birth occurred on the 18th of May, 1910. Mr. Weiler is a republican in his political views. He is an energetic man and, having always been inspired by a spirit of progress, his success and prosperity are due entirely to his own efforts.
JOHN A. OLSON.
No farmer in Winneshiek county has achieved greater success in agricul- tural pursuits and stock-raising than John A. Olson, who has lived in this part of Iowa during practically all his life and is now cultivating a portion of the homestead upon which he was born on the 20th of February, 1858. He is a son of Asbjorn Olson and Guro ( Nelson) Holkesvig, natives of Hardanger, Norway, where their marriage occurred. With their eldest child they came to America, settling first in Wisconsin, whence they moved to Winneshiek county, Iowa, and the father purchased land in Pleasant township. From time to time he added to his holdings, which finally aggregated two hundred and forty acres, and upon this farm the remainder of his life was passed, his death occurring when he was over eighty years of age. He and his wife became the parents of ten children: Rachel, the widow of H. P. Johnson and a resident of Decorah ; Nelson Holkesvig, a farmer in Canoe township; Ole Olson, engaged in mer- chandising in Fargo, North Dakota; Henry Holkesvig, who is employed by his twin brother Ole: John A. Olson, of this review; Aaron, of Groton, South Dakota; Nellie, the wife of Frank Sampson, of Decorah ; Albert, of Crookston, Minnesota ; Anton, who resides at Devils Lake, North Dakota : and Edward, who passed away at the age of nineteen years. As will be seen, some of these children use the name of Olson and the others that of Holkesvig.
John A. Olson was reared at home and from his early childhood assisted with the work of the farm, becoming thoroughly familiar with the best agri- cultural methods and all the details connected with farm operation. He spent three years in Fargo, North Dakota, working in a general store, but with this exception has resided continuously in Pleasant township, where he is now numbered among the progressive and able agriculturists. He purchased from his father one hundred acres of the old homestead on section 21 and he has developed this along modern and progressive lines, making substantial improve- ments in the buildings and installing the necessary farm implements. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and both branches of his business have proven profitable and important under his able management. He is a stockholder in the Ice Cave Creamery Company of Decorah and in the Farmers Coopera- tive Company, and his ability is widely recognized in business circles.
On the 8th of September, 1897. Mr. Olson was united in marriage to Miss Anna Serdahl, of Halland, Norway, who was born December 26, 1875. When
MR. AND MRS. JOHN A. OLSON
363
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
she was nine months of age she was brought by her parents to America, settling immediately in Iowa, where she has since resided. She is the second in a family of fourteen children, all of whom are still living and all residents of Dakota with the exception of three of the daughters. Her parents are Nels and Anna Martha ( Hulvarson) Serdahl, now residents of North Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Olson have four children, Genevieve, Noretta, Idella and Olga.
The parents are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Olson gives his political allegiance to the republican party and, although he is not active as an office seeker, he takes an intelligent interest in community develop- ment. His upright and honorable life has commanded the esteem and regard of all who come in contact with him and he has made many substantial contribu- tions to the agricultural development of the township where he was born.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.