USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > Past and present of Winneshiek county, Iowa; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 33
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KNUT GRAVES.
Knut Graves resides upon a farm of two hundred acres on section 18, Glen- wood township, and has here made his home from the age of five years, or for more than half a century. He was born June 9, 1856, on the ship Hebe, a sailing vessel, while his parents were en route from Norway to America. He is the son of Ole and Barbara Graves, who spent the first summer after their arrival in the new world in Wisconsin and then came to Winneshiek county, Iowa. The father was in limited financial circumstances when he crossed the Atlantic. He worked as a farm hand for two or three years and by diligence and economy secured the money that enabled him to purchase the farm upon which his son Knut now resides. Taking possession of that place he at once began its development and improvement, living thereon to the time of his death, which occurred in 1881 when he was seventy years of age. The mother afterward went to South Dakota and spent the last seven years of her life in that state in the home of a daughter, closing her eyes in death in 1894, when she was seventy-five years of age. They were the parents of seven children : Lewis enlisted in 1862 as a member of Company K. Thirty-eight Iowa Volunteer Infantry, for service in the Civil war and died in a hospital at New Orleans in September, 1863, after defending the northern cause for about a year. Ole and Benny are residents of Minnehaha county, South Dakota, as is also Emma, the wife of I. E. Ellefson. Knut is next of the family. Martin is a resident of Minnehaha county, and John died in 1862 at the age of two years.
Knut Graves was but five years of age when his parents removed to the farm on section 18, Glenwood township, which has since been his place of residence. He today owns two hundred acres of good land, including the old homestead of one hundred and twenty acres, which was known as the Hoiland farm, thus named after his grandfather, Ole Hoiland. The place is today a well improved property, its attractive appearance being greatly enhanced by the efforts of our subject, who has worked diligently and persistently year by year and has wrought many pleasing changes in the farm. He tills the fields in the cultivation of cereals best adapted to soil and climate, and he also raises considerable stock. Diligence and determina-
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tion are among his strong characteristics and have been leading features in win- ning for him his success.
In 1884 Mr. Graves was united in marriage to Miss Jane Thune, who was born in Winneshiek county, January 9, 1860, and has always resided within its borders. Her parents, Thomas and Sarah (Garden) Thune, were natives of Norway, came to this county in 1852, were married here and remained residents of the county until called to their final rest, the father devoting his entire life to general agri- cultural pursuits. He died in 1874 at the age of forty-five years and for two decades was survived by his wife, who passed away in 1894 at the age of sixty- one years. In their family were eight children : Holver, now living in Ada, Minne- sota ; Mrs. Graves ; Edwin S., of Decorah ; George, a resident of Audubon, Minne- sota ; Mary, living in Glenwood township; Alfred, of Pleasant township; Oscar, on the old home farm in Glenwood township ; and Andrew, who died at the age of five years. Mr. and Mrs. Graves have become the parents of seven children : Lawrence, who owns and cultivates a claim in South Dakota ; Beulah, the wife of Lyman Netteberg, of Lockhart, Minnesota ; Oscar, who is on a claim in Hard- ing county, South Dakota; Sylvan, on a claim in Harding county, South Dakota ; Melvin and Kenniston, at home ; and Jesse, who died at the age of one year.
Iowa was in the front rank of the states which gave strong support to the progressive party, showing that it has a class of citizens who are thinking men and who will no longer be bound by party ties-men who feel that in political affairs as well as in business continuous advancement should be made. Among this class is Mr. Graves, who, formerly voting with the republican party, is now a progress- ive. He has filled several local offices in acceptable manner, serving as township trustee, justice of the peace and school director. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Decorah and his life has been in harmony with his pro- fession, showing him to be a man of sterling principles.
PERRY KENYON.
Perry Kenyon, a progressive and practical farmer of Hesper township, own- ing one hundred acres of the family homestead on section 27, was born upon this farm March 8, 1864. He is a son of Oliver and Levina ( Hazel) Kenyon, the former a native of New York state, born February 10, 1822. He there re- sided with his grandfather until he was ten years of age and then removed to Ohio, where his marriage occurred in 1845. His wife was born in Pennsyl- vania, August II. 1824, and removed to Ohio with her parents. She came with her husband to Iowa in July, 1855. and they spent the remainder of their lives upon their farm in Winneshiek county, the father dying in October, 1898, and the mother August 29. 1908. They became the parents of eight children: Ann, the widow of Ira Reed, of Hesper township; Newton, also a resident of Hes- per township: Henry, of the same locality; Emma, who married Clark Freden- burg of Canoe township: Sarah, who married James Smalley, of Hesper town- ship; Amanda, who became the wife of Ed Watts; Perry, of this review ; and Rosa, who married Nick Richert, of Hesper township.
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Perry Kenyon was reared at home and by practical experience upon his father's farm learned the best methods of cultivating the fields and caring for the grain and stock, becoming before he was of age a practical and able agri- culturist. He has never left the homestead, of which he now owns one hun- dred acres lying on section 27, Hesper township. Throughout the years he has steadily carried forward the work of improving and developing this prop- erty and is today the owner of a valuable, productive and well managed farm which everywhere reflects his careful supervision and untiring labor.
On the 28th of June, 1897, Mr. Kenyon was united in marriage to Miss Christina Eggen, who was born in Canoe township, this county, July 29, 1877, a daughter of Ole and Margaret (Reitan) Eggen, natives of Norway. The father passed away in Canoe township August 8, 1905, at the age of sixty- nine and his widow still resides in that locality. Mr. and Mrs. Kenyon have one son, Oscar Perry. Mr. Kenyon is a man of good business ability, which has won for him substantial success. Moreover, he is actuated in all that he does by a most honorable and upright purpose, and possesses those characteristics which command confidence and the good-will of his fellow men, and which place him among the highly respected and valued native sons of Hesper township.
JACOB E. GOSSMAN.
Jacob E. Gossman, who since 1889 has owned and operated the Pine Tree Stock Farm on section 16, Burr Oak township, is a native son of that part of Winneshiek county, born October 7, 1860. His parents, Anthony and Eliza- beth (Snyder) Gossman, were born in Ohio, the former in Zanesville and the latter in Buckeye. The maternal great-grandfather of the subject of this re- view, Nicholas Snyder, was born in Germany and after coming to America served in the Revolutionary war, enlisting at the age of fourteen as a drummer boy and remaining in the army for seven years. On the paternal side also Mr. Gossman is a descendant of Revolutionary stock, his grandfather, Andrew Goss- man, having come from his native Germany to America in colonial times. He served in the Continental army, having previously received an excellent military training in the fatherland, and he afterward followed the profession of an architect in Muskingum county, Ohio, to which he went as a pioneer. He had nine children, six sons and three daughters, of whom the father of the sub- ject of this review and his brother Joseph are the only ones surviving. Anthony Gossman was born in Zanesville, Ohio, February 17, 1829, and his marriage occurred in that state about 1856. He and his wife resided in Burr Oak town- ship, this county, until he retired from active life in 1895, when they removed to Canton, Minnesota They are still residents of that state, making their home at New Richland. He is well known in Winneshiek county and throughout this section of lowa, as he was one of the first men to secure land from the gov- ernment in pioneer times. He and his wife became the parents of eight chil- dren : Jacob E., of this review ; Mary E., who married John Ryan, of Canton, Minnesota ; Louis E., a graduate of the law department of the Michigan State University and now municipal judge at Crookston, Minnesota; Leo A., who is
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a graduate of St. Joseph's College of Dubuque and who spent six years in Rome, Italy, being now a priest in New Richland, Minnesota ; Annie, the wife of Frank MeKabe, of this township; Amy, who married William McKabe, of Prosper, Minnesota; John A., a resident of Burr Oak township; and William IV., who is residing on the home farm.
Jacob E. Gossman was reared at home amid the almost primitive condi- tions which existed in Burr Oak township during his childhood. He attended district school and was later a student in the Breckenridge Institute at Decorah, after which he attended St. Joseph's College in Dubuque. After laying aside his books he turned his attention to teaching, spending eight years at this occu- pation in Winneshiek county and in Fillmore county, Minnesota. He married in 1889 and in that year engaged in farming, buying the property in Burr Oak township upon which he has since resided. The tract comprises two hundred and eighty acres of valuable land lying on sections 16 and 17 and is known as the Pine Tree Stock Farm. Mr. Gossman concentrates his attention largely upon his stock-raising interests. breeding and raising high-grade stock of all kinds. In the course of years he has made substantial improvements upon his property which is now a completely equipped and valuable farm, evidencing in its excellent condition his practical methods and constant labor.
In 1880 Mr. Gossman was united in marriage to Miss Mary Sutton, who was born in Zanesville, Ohio, in March 1864, and who resided there until her marriage. She is a daughter of Joseph and Anastasia ( Matingly) Sutton, both of whom passed away in Ohio. Mrs. Gossman died February 4, 1912, leaving four children : Anastasia and Elizabeth, graduates of Winona Seminary ; Coletta, who is attending the same institution; and Leo, a graduate of St. Mary's College, at St. Mary's, Kansas. Mrs. Gossman was of English ancestry, all of the members of her family having come to America with Lord Baltimore. Her brother, Dr. H. G. Sutton, is now state health officer of Ohio and has also charge of a large hospital.
Mr. Gossman is a member of the Roman Catholic church and fraternally is connected with the Yeomen. A resident of Winneshiek county since his birth, he is well known here, and he and his family stand high in the esteem of the entire community.
FRANK H. BROCKAMP.
Frank H. Brockamp is carrying on general farming and stock-raising upon an excellent property lying on sections 20 and 21, Washington township. He was born in that township on the 26th of February, 1880. He is a son of George and Mary ( Bachel) Brockamp, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Winneshiek county. The father spent his active life engaged in farming in Washington township and is now retired, making his home in Os- sian. He took a prominent part in public affairs for a number of years and was honored by his fellow citizens by election to various local offices, including that of trustee of Washington township. He and his wife became the parents of eight children : Frank H., of this review ; Harry, who resides in Ossian ; Joseph,
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a resident of Ossian; Louisa, who married J. B. Wagner, of Ossian; William, Matilda, George N. and Emma, all of Ossian.
Frank H. Brockamp was reared upon his father's farm and in his child- hood assisted with the work of its operation, becoming before he was of age an able and practical farmer. When he was twenty-six he rented from his father one hundred and sixty acres of land and after three or four years purchased the homestead, which he has since operated. He has made substantial improve- ments upon the property and in its development has met with that success which always rewards earnest and persistent effort when guided by sound judgment and keen discrimination. Although still a young man he has worked diligently and earnestly to achieve success and is today numbered among the progres- sive and prosperous agriculturists of his native township.
Mr. Brockamp married, on the 23d of October, 1906, Miss Margaret Han- ken, a daughter of John Hanken, of whom more extended mention is made else- where in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Brockamp became the parents of four chil- dren : Mary Ann and Herbert, deceased; Julius and Ida. Mr. Brockamp is a member of the Roman Catholic church. He is a stanch democrat in his poli- tical belief. and while not an office-seeker is interested in the cause of educa- tion and is doing able work in its promotion as president of the school board. The success which has attended his labors well entitles him to recognition among the progressive, enterprising and representative citizens of the community, and his many sterling traits of character have won him the warm friendship and kindly regard of those with whom he has come in contact.
CHARLES J. ODDEN.
The old Odden homestead of one hundred and eighty acres is included within the farm of two hundred and twenty-five acres which is now owned and operated by Charles J. Odden, presenting a neat and attractive appearance which indicates his careful supervision and progressive methods. The farm is situated on section 19. Glenwood township, and it was upon this place that he was born August 27, 1856, his parents being John and Torgun Odden, who were natives of Norway. The year 1853 witnessed their arrival in the United States and after residing for a short time in Illinois they continued their west- ward journey to Winneshiek county, spending their remaining days from 1855 upon the farm now occupied by their son Charles. The father, however, passed away at a comparatively early age -- thirty-two-his death occurring in 1862. The mother long survived and died in 1906 at the age of seventy-eight years. He was a lifelong farmer and was an industrious, energetic man. His political support was given the republican party and both he and his wife were members of the Lutheran church. They had a family of four children: Anna, who is living with her brother Charles, the second in order of birth; Julia, the de- ceased wife of Ole Flatland; and John, whose home is in Madison township.
At the usual age Charles J. Odden entered the public schools and when not busy with his text-books his attention was largely given to the work of the fields, so that he had broad, practical experience when he began farming on his
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own account. His place is appropriately named Evergreen Farm and is pleas- antly situated on sections 17, 19 and 20. Glenwood township, not far from Decorah. To the original homestead of one hundred and eighty acres he has added by purchase until now two hundred and twenty-five acres are included within the boundaries of the farm which is one of the well improved prop- erties of the district, the careful management bestowed upon it being indicated by its well tilled fields and the good grade of stock raised. In addition to his agricultural interests Mr. Odden is connected with the Decorah Ice Cave Cream- ery Company and is a director of the Decorah Farmers Cooperative Company.
On the 25th of May. 1898. Mr. Odden was united in marriage to Miss Elise lotvet, who was born in Glenwood township. January 12, 1877, a daugh- ter of Charles and Emma Hotvet, the former still a resident of Glenwood town- ship but the latter now deceased. Mr. and Mr. Odden have five children, John Cornelius, Albert Theodore. Elmer Charles Ingeman, Arthur Gerhard Benjamin and Harold Melvin.
Mr. Odden voted with the republican party until the new progressive move- ment was instituted, since which time he has been allied therewith. He and his family belong to the Lutheran church and stand for progress and improve- ment along all the lines which affect the general interests of society. Steadily he has worked his way upward, improving the opportunities which have come to him, and his energy and persistency of purpose have made him not only a suc- cessful business man but also a valued citizen of the community.
HARTVIG ENGBRETSON.
A force in commercial progress in Decorah, Hartvig Engbretson, the fore- most farm implement dealer in this city and connected with many other impor- tant enterprises, is one of the most public-spirited men of his locality. Not only. however, is he entitled to credit for what he has done in promoting commercial expansion, but the nation's thanks are due him for the valuable service he has rendered in the Civil war, participating in many sanguine conflicts during that period. A native of Christiania, Norway, he was born May 4, 1845, a son of Ole and Bertha ( Fredrickson ) Engbretson. Both were natives of Norway and the former a tailor by trade. They came to the United States in the spring of 1864, locating in Decorah, of which they became pioneers. The father worked at his trade in this city until his death, the mother also having passed away in Decorah on February 1. 1894.
Hartvig Engbretson attended the excellent schools of Christiania in the acquirement of his education and when eighteen years old came with his parents to the United States, making directly for Decorah, where they located. For seven weeks he worked there for a stone mason contractor and then enlisted in Company G, Ninth Jowa Volunteer Infantry, serving one year or until the close of the war. He saw much of active service, participating in the battles of Nashville, Kingston, North Carolina, and a number of sharp skirmishes during the campaign in Alabama. He was mustered out at Lonisville, Kentucky, and received his honorable discharge from the service at Clinton, Iowa, whence he
HARTVIG ENGBERTSON
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returned to Decorah. Mr. Engbretson then took up blacksmithing, which occu- pation he followed until 1870, when he engaged in the farm machinery business. He opened a store in 1871 and is still actively engaged in the farm implement business, having the largest establishment of that kind in Decorah. In 1895 Mr. Engbretson suffered an attack of paralysis but has completely overcome his incapacity, although he had to retire for a time. He has, however, long since become again actively connected with business affairs, giving close attention to his important and fast growing interests. As his means have increased he has become identified with other important institutions, being a stockholder and one of the organizers of the Decorah Opera House Company, and a shareholder in the Decorah Valve Company, the Winneshiek Hotel Company and also the Decorah Gas Company. Moreover, Mr. Engbretson owns very valuable realty, having built the Engbretson block on West Water street and in 1910 one of the finest residences in the city, for which he himself drew the plans. This latter place is so attractive and the plans MIr. Engbretson made worked out so well that they have been copied by others many times and to great advantage, giving high satisfaction. The result speaks well for Mr. Engbretson's ability along architectural lines and also the practicability of his ideas and the independence of his thought.
In 1887 Mr. Engbretson was united in marriage to Miss Thea Peterson, a native of Norway, who for some years has been engaged in the millinery busi- ness in Decorah, having one of the finest stores in the city on West Water street. A woman of rare ability, she has made a commercial success well worthy of notice. Of this union were born three children : Ruby, at home, who is employed as bookkeeper in the Decorah State Bank and is a graduate of Valder College; Myrtle. a graduate of the same college and a stenographer and bookkeeper at Freeport, Illinois ; and Hartvig, a student in the Decorah high school who will graduate with the class of 1914.
The interests of Decorah are always nearest to the heart of Mr. Engbretson, who in many ways has given evidence of his public-spiritedness, which has in- duced him to serve for three terms as councilman from the first ward in this city, doing valuable service in that connection. He is now serving from the fourth ward in his fourth term, continuing to uphold measures of progress and fathering bills that will prove of lasting benefit. Both he and his wife as well as the children are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church, in the work of which they take an active interest. A man of progressive policies in all other walks of life, he has also joined the political denomination which styles itself by that name, believing in its platform and expecting from the realization of its ideals better living conditions for all alike. As a member of the Grand Army of the Republic Mr. Engbretson keeps in touch with the boys in blue who in the days of '61 carried to victory the flag of the Union. He is a member of Colonel Hughes Post, No. 138, of Decorah, and has served as vice commander of the post. Fraternally he is a member of Decorah Lodge, No. 443, B. P. O. E. Referring back to his political life, it may be stated that he served for one term as chairman of the county republican central committee when he was still in the ranks of that party, this fact giving an indication of the influence which he held in the local ranks of the organization. Mr. Engbretson has attained a success which none can begrudge him, for it has been entirely self-won, without favoring
Vol. II-17
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conditions, without outside help, without being helped by foreign means. A man born in a foreign country, he came here when eighteen years of age, retaining the sturdy characteristics of his Norseland race but quickly acquiring the splen- did qualities of American citizenship and accommodating himself to the ideals of American manhood. His career is a worthy example of what can be achieved when industry and energy lead the way and is proof of the fact that prosperity is attainable for all and success but ambition's. answer.
ERNEST A. GODDARD.
Ernest A. Goddard. one of the most active and progressive farmers of Washington township, was born on the farm he now operates October 26, 1874, a son of Harrison J. and Rhoda (Horton) Goddard, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work. He acquired his education in the district schools of his native community and from his childhood assisted with the work of the homestead. becoming in this way thoroughly familiar with the best agri- cultural methods and proving himself before he was of age a progressive and able farmer. At the age of twenty-two he rented the homestead from his father and has since carried forward the work of its improvement and development. success steadily attending his well directed labors. In 1910 he purchased eighty- five acres of the farm and upon this has erected a fine two-story modern home. The entire property is well improved with barns and outbuildings and equipped with the necessary machinery, and upon it Mr. Goddard carries on general farming and stock-raising, both branches of his activities proving important and profitable under his able management. He makes a specialty of breeding and raising high-grade hogs and his animals command a ready sale and a high price upon the market.
On the 4th of March, 1896, Mr. Goddard was united in marriage to Miss Zelma Jones, and to their union have been born three children, Hazel, Guy and Esther. Mr. Goddard gives his political allegiance to the republican party, taking an active interest in everything relating to the growth, development and progress of his township. A resident of this part of Iowa from his birth to the present time, he has become widely and favorably known and his many excel- lent qualities of mind and character have commanded for him the esteem, con- fidence and respect of all who come in contact with him.
GEORGE TODD.
The pioneer history of Winneshiek county contains the record of no more worthy and honored citizen than George Todd, who settled upon a farm in Fremont township in 1857 and for forty-four years thereafter gave his undi- vided attention to agricultural pursuits, making substantial contributions to gen- eral growth and development. His death occurred upon his farm in January,
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