USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > Past and present of Winneshiek county, Iowa; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 39
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Edward Scheidemantel was reared upon his father's farm and from his early childhood assisted with its operation, becoming in this way thoroughly familiar with the best agricultural methods. When he began his independent career lie formed a partnership with his brother and they established themselves in the creamery business on the home farm which they operated at the same time, making both branches of their occupation profitable and important. For about ten years they continued thus but at the end of that time they sold the creamery business and divided the farm, Mr. Scheidemantel of this review receiving as his portion the one hundred and eighty acres upon which he now resides. He engages in general farming but makes a specialty of stock-raising and. being at all times practical in his methods and straightforward in his business dealings, has met with gratifying and well deserved success. He has made substantial improvements upon the property, erecting at a cost of over seven thousand dollars a fine two-story, modern residence with nine rooms and a bath, and well furnished and convenient in every particular. In addition to this there are fine barns, outbuildings and modern machinery, and the farm is in all respects an excellent and well equipped property.
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Mr. Scheidemantel married Miss Antonia Mikesh and they have become the parents of seven children, Fred Philip, Alois Clemence, Leo, Ida, Adolph A .. Arthur A. and Marcella. The family are members of the Roman Catholic church and Mr. Scheidemantel is connected fraternally with the Knights of Columbus and the Order of Foresters. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and although he is not active as an office seeker he is at all times ready to cooperate in movements for the public good. Through his own labor, industry and good management he has become the owner of a valuable property and is widely and favorably known in his native county for his many sterling traits of character and his business ability.
H. T. SANDAGER.
Prominent as one of the foremost agriculturists of the Calmar district, owning a valuable farm of five hundred acres and engaged in the automobile business in that city. H. T. Sandager occupies a substantial position in his community. He is a native of Calmar township, Winneshiek county, Iowa, born January 21, 1876, and a son of E. P. and Ragnhild ( Honse ) Sandager. E. P. Sandager, the father, made his home near Conover postoffice, on a farm in Calmar town- ship, on the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 22. He was born in Sogndalen, Norway, on January 20. 1826. At the age of twenty- four, on May 13, 1850, he left his native land to seek the opportunities of the western hemisphere and, crossing the Atlantic and proceeding westward, came to Calmar township on the IIth of October, 1850. The voyage across the ocean was made in a sailing vessel, the trip to New York taking nine weeks and three days. From that city he proceeded to Buffalo and thence, via the Great Lakes. to Milwaukee, staying in Wisconsin three weeks. He came by private conveyance to Winneshiek county. being the second settler of Calmar township, his brother, the first man to make his home in these parts, coming three months previously. The father first purchased forty acres of land from the government, to which, by economy, industry and perseverance, he added until he owned nine hundred acres, comprising one of the best farms in the township. He was a prominent and influential man in Calmar township, widely known and highly respected. In 1855 he married Ragnhild Honse, born in Sogn, Norway, November 27, 1837, who sailed for America in April. 1853, the voyage consuming six weeks and three days. Landing in New York, she then proceeded to Illinois, which was her home for one year before coming to Calmar township. In their family were the following children: Peter, born June 5, 1856; Gilbert, born March 20, 1858, who died January 18, 1892; Gertrude, born May 4, 1860, who passed away March 24, 1886; Andrew, whose date of birth is August 31, 1862; Martha, born February 12, 1865; Elese, born December 16, 1867, who died August 26, 1869; Elese, the second of the name, born May 28, 1870; Emma R., whose birth occurred on January 5, 1873; and Hans T., of this review. The father passed away on August 27, 1882, but his widow and the two youngest of the children are still living on the home farm.
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Hans T. Sandagar was reared under the parental roof and educated in Calmar township, where he has always resided and is now operating the old home farm of five hundred acres in addition to conducting an automobile busi- ness in the town. In 1911 he and Theodore Skor, of whom more extended mention is made in another part of this work, engaged in the automobile business, erecting a modernly equipped garage in the main business section of Calmar. Their building is of brick, one story and forty by ninety feet. The firm is conducted under the name of Skor & Sandager and they handle exclusively Cadillac cars, also engaging in a general repair business. Mr. Sandager is also a stockholder of the Farmers Creamery Company of Calmar. A progressive man of the younger generation, he takes an active and helpful interest in all that affects the locality and is ever ready to promote worthy measures that will benefit the general public. A son of one of the pioneers of Calmar town- ship, he worthily carries forward the family traditions, adding luster to the family name.
CHRISTIAN KEYSER PREUS.
Among the foremost educational institutions of the state of lowa, perpetuating the clean spirit of the mighty and righteous man whose name it bears, is the Luther College of Decorah, and Christian Keyser Preus as its president has done much to uphold the wide reputation which the institution enjoys. Moreover. President Preus is the vice president of the synod of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church and as such is a power for good in preserving the sturdy faith in which the ancestors of his people found salvation. He follows the footsteps of his worthy father, who was one of the six founders of the synod and who for thirty-two years served as its president.
Christian Keyser Preus was born in the Spring Prairie parsonage, twenty miles north of Madison, Wisconsin, on October 13, 1852. His father, Herman Amberg Preus, in 1853, with five other ministers, took part in the founding of the synod of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church, and becoming its president in 1862, served in that important office until 1894 or the time of his death, consecrating his life to the extension of church affairs and being a power- ful factor for good among his countrymen. The father was born in Christian- sand, Norway, on June 16, 1825, and at the age of twenty-three was graduated from the theological department of the University of Christiania. For several years he held a position as teacher at the Nissen School. Christiania. Norway, and also at the military school. When twenty-six years of age, in 1851, he received and accepted a call from Spring Prairie, Wisconsin, and other congregations in that state. In the same year he was married to Miss Caroline Dorothea Mar- garethe Keyser. From 1861 to 1868 he did valuable work in extending the influ- ence of the synod by editing. in company with Rev. J. A. Ottesen, the official organ "Maanedstidende." In 1862 he was elected president ot the synod for the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church in America and as such served to his death, which occurred on July 2. 1894. He held, in addition to this, his first pas- torate at Spring Prairie until his death.
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Christian Keyser Preus was reared amid the influences of a cultured home in an environment conducive to the development of the highest qualities of man- hood. He received his early education in the public schools and by private instruc- tion and in 1865 came to Decorah and entered Luther College, but on account of illness had to discontinue his studies for about two and a half years. In 1866-67 he accompanied his father on a tour to Norway and in 1868 he was confirmed. In the fall of that year he again took up his studies at the Luther College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1873. The following three years he spent in the study of theology at Concordia Seminary at St. Louis, Missouri, from which he graduated in 1876 and was later in the same year ordained to the ministry. Thereupon he was called to be his father's assistant at the Spring Prairie charge. He was installed the eighth Sunday after Trinity, just twenty- five years after the installation of his father in the same charge. Before entering upon his duties at Spring Prairie, however, he had already served Our Savior's congregation in Chicago temporarily for two months, and after seventeen years he again served the same congregation, this time for about one and a half years.
President Preus has been a stanch friend and warm supporter of the synod and early was recognized as a man of ability and executive force. He has served on various standing committees and has three times been elected vice president namely in 1893, 1896 and 1911. On the two former occasions he declined the office, and had he accepted when first elected he would have become president, as his father, who was then president, died the following year.
Rev. Preus was married in 1877 to Miss Louise Augusta Hjort, a daughter of Rev. Ove Jacob Hjort, then minister at Paint Creek, Allamakee county, Iowa. Of this union eleven children were born, of whom two daughters and five sons are living. The daughters, Henrietta and Kathinka, are at home. Ove, the eldest son, is a minister in Los Angeles, California. Carl has charge of the Norwegian Lutheran church at Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Jacob is a commissioner of insurance of the state of Minnesota. Paul is employed as a bank clerk at Stanley, North Dakota. Ove, Carl, Jacob and Paul all are graduates of Luther College and Her- man, the youngest son of the family, is a student there.
In 1897 President Preus was compelled, on account of ill health, to retire from the active ministry, whereupon he removed to Decorah in order to afford his children the best educational advantages possible. He became, in 1898, an instruc- tor at Luther College and in 1902, upon the resignation of Dr. Laur Larsen, then president, was elected to that distinguished position. President Preus has spared no effort to promote the welfare of the institution. He has strengthened the faculty during his administration and it was principally due to him that the fine new dormitory, Laur Larsen Hall, was erected in 1906-07 at a cost of sixty-five thousand dollars. In accordance with a resolution passed by the synod President Preus was present as a representative of Luther College at the centennial anni- versary exercises held in Christiania, Norway, in September, 1911, to commem- orate the founding of the University of Norway. On this occasion a distinguished honor was conferred upon him by the sovereign, King Haakon VII, who made him a commander of the Royal Order of St. Olaf of the second class. That the work of Rev. Preus has been of inestimable value to Decorah and to the exten- sion of his church is apparent without further comment, and that he has con- tributed toward raising the standard of citizenship is evident in itself. Mr. Preus
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is not only beloved by his students and the faculty but is highly esteemed and respected by the general public, who esteem him as a man who through sincere efforts has accomplished a distinct advancement along intellectual and moral lines.
THOMAS HENRY BURNS.
Thomas Henry Burns, agent at Jackson Junction for the Milwaukee & St Paul Railroad and one of the progressive, alert and enterprising young men of the community, is a native of this part of Iowa, born in Jackson township, Winne- shiek county, June 28, 1880. Ile is a son of Thomas and Mary ( O'Brien ) Burns, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Illinois. The father came to Iowa as a boy about the year 1855 and locating on the south edge of Jackson township, bought land upon which he resided until his death, which occurred on the 12th of September, 1897. His wife survives him and makes her home in Jackson June- tion. To their union were born six children: Thomas Henry, of this review; Joseph Morgan, a railroad agent at White, South Dakota ; Clement F., at home ; Mary, who is Sister Elaine in the convent of St. Pius at Chicago, Illinois; Alice, of Mason City, lowa ; and Elizabeth, at home.
In the acquirement of an education Thomas H. Burns attended district school in his native township and afterward was a student in a college at Decorah. He turned his attention to teaching when he laid aside his books but after a short time took up the study of telegraphy, his first position being at Emmetsburg, Iowa. In 1906 he took charge of the office of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad at Jackson Junction and has since remained in this capacity, having gained great regard and esteem at headquarters by reason of his promptness, reliability and energy in the discharge of his duties.
Mr. Burns is member of the Roman Catholic church and is connected fratern- ally with the Knights of Columbus and the Order of Railroad Telegraphers. He gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and in matters of citizenship is helpful and progressive, cooperating heartily in movements for community advancement and growth. He is still a young man but already successful and in in his many sterling traits of character, his conscientiousness, energy and business ability possesses guarantees of continned progress and prosperity.
JOHN ELMER HOVE.
A native son of Sumner township, Winneshiek county, born on section 12, on the home farm which he now owns, John Elmer Ilove has taken his place among the younger agriculturists of his locality. He was born on the 20th of February, 1888, and is a son of John and Ella ( Fardahl ) Hove, the father a native of Win- neshiek county and the mother of Norway. The father died in 1897, but the mother still lives on the home place. To their union were born eight children : Oscar, of North Dakota; Henry, of Madison township, this county; George; Elmer, who died in infancy ; John Elmer, of this review ; Lawrence. of Madison
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township ; Ida, the wife of Herman Albertson, of Sumner township; and Amanda, at home.
John Elmer Hove was reared on the home farm, attending the schools of the neighborhood and carly acquiring a thorough knowledge of agricultural methods. When nineteen years of age he rented a tract of one hundred and twenty acres, which he cultivated for one year and then came back to the home place, compris- ing one hundred and three acres, to the operation of which he has since given his whole attention. His methods are thoroughly modern and up-to-date and the appearance of his fields bespeaks the prosperous condition of the farm.
On June 23, 1907, Mr. Hove married Miss Alma Rue and to them have been born two children : Amos Eugene, whose natal day was July 25, 1910: and Orin Jerome, born February 21, 1912.
Politically Mr. Hove is independent, giving his support to such candidates as he considers best adapted for the office to which they aspire. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. He is popular with old and young in his neighborhood, commending himself to everybody's esteem by his upright char- acter and his pleasant, agreeable manner.
ANTON HAUBER.
Anton Hauber is cultivating a valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 1, Sumner township, this county, where he was born on July 1, 1870. He is a son of Joseph and Margaret ( Horn) Hauber, both natives of Germany, who in about 1860 came to America, settling shortly thereafter in Sumner town- ship, Winneshiek county, where the father engaged in agricultural pursuits, also following his trade, which was that of blacksmith. Both of the parents have passed away. To their union were born fourteen children: Mary, the wife of John Miller, residing in Oklahoma ; George, of Calmar, Jowa ; Joseph, of Lincoln township, this county; Charles, of Ossian, Iowa ; Catherine, deceased: Andrew, of Howard county, Iowa ; a daughter who died in infancy ; Anton, of this review : Annic, of Calmar, this state; Margaret, the wife of John Etteldorf, of Festina, Iowa ; Amelia, of Seattle, Washington ; Louisa, the wife of Frank Kock, of Cal- mar: Frances, who married Hugo Dessel, of Calmar; and Matilda, the wife of John Havis, of Seattle, Washington.
Anton Hauber was reared on the home place and has always remained thereon. In later years he bought the property, comprising two hundred and eighty acres, all located on section 1, Sumner township, but has since sold forty acres. He engages in general farming and stock-raising, his highly cultivated fields being evidence of his industry, energy and resultant success. He is at present building a fine two-story residence and his other buildings are all modernly appointed and substantially constructed.
On November 22, 1897, Mr. Hauber married Miss Mary Etteldorf, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Etteldorf. Mr. and Mrs. Hauber have four children : Alma M., born September 9, 1898; Marie R., born April 29, 1901 ; Leo H., born April 19. 1903; and Hugo C., born November 30, 1907.
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Mr. Hauber gives his allegiance to the democratic party, stanchly upholding its candidates at the polls. He is a member of the Catholic church. He has in a comparatively short time become one of the most substantial agriculturists of his district and such success as has come to him is well merited, as it is entirely due to his own efforts. He is highly esteemed and respected by all who know him and has many friends.
HENRY FUNKE.
Henry Funke is living practically retired upon a farm of forty acres in Military township, his period of leisure and rest following many years of prom- inent and active identification with agricultural interests of that part of Win- neshiek county. He was born in Germany on the 4th of April, 1853, and is a son of Clemence and Gertrude ( Feller ) Funke, also natives of that country. The father came to America in June, 1853, and settled first in St. Louis, Missouri, whence in 1854 he came to Iowa, locating in Washington township, Winneshiek county, where he engaged in farming for some time. In 1865 he removed to Military township and here made his home until his death on the 6th of June. 1884. His widow survives him and lives near Festina in Winneshiek county. To them were born ten children: Henry of this review : William, who is oper- ating the old homestead farm in Military township; Clemence, steward at the county poor house : Mary, the wife of Frank Dessel of California; Lizzie, who married Joseph Fox of Norfolk, Nebraska; Herman, of Cottonwood, Idaho : Annie, the widow of Louis Freirch of Ossian; John, also of Cottonwood, Idaho; Josephine, who married A. Holthaus of Washington township. Winneshiek county ; and Gertrude, who has passed away.
Henry Funke spent his childhood upon his father's farm and throughout the period of his boyhood and youth assisted with its operation, continuing to aid his father until he was twenty-five years of age. He became a practical and able agriculturist and in 1878 purchased land of his own, buying eighty acres in Springfield township and turning his attention to its cultivation. This work he steadily carried forward until 1887, when he purchased two hundred and ninety- five acres in Military township. Upon this he made substantial improvements, crecting barns and outbuildings and installing modern machinery and making it altogether one of the finest farms in the vicinity. His labors through the years were rewarded by a substantial measure of success and he accumulated a com- fortable competency, enabling him eventually to retire from active life. He still resides upon forty acres of his farm but the remainder has been divided among his sons, who are ably carrying forward the work of its cultivation. Mr. Funke is a director in the Silver Springs Creamery Company of Ossian and in that city is known as a resourceful and enterprising business man as well as a public- spirited and progressive citizen.
In 1878 Mr. Funke married Miss Maggie Eggstuler, who passed away in 1894, leaving nine children: Maggie, the wife of Castro Buchied, of Washington township; Annie, who is in a convent at La Crosse, Wisconsin; Barbara, also a nun in the convent at La Crosse; Mary, who lives at home: Henry W., who is
HENRY FUNKE
GERTRUDE FUNKE
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engaged in farming; Albert H., at home; Herman C. and Otilda, also at home ; and Agnes, a nun in the convent at La Crosse.
Mr. Funke is a member of the Roman Catholic church and fraternally is con- nected with the Catholic Order of Foresters. Politically he gives his allegiance to the democratic party and is interested and active in public affairs, especially those relating to public education. Along this line he has done a great deal of constructive and beneficial work as treasurer of school district No. 3, a position which he now holds and which he is filling with signal ability. In Military township his name is known as a synonym for business and personal. integrity, for industry, honesty and straightforward dealing, and he commands and holds the confidence and regard of all who are in any way associated with him.
PETER L. ANDERSON.
Among the younger agricultural fraternity of Winneshiek county is Peter L. Anderson, a native of South Dakota, who owns a valuable farm property on sections 2 and 11, Sumner township. His birth occurred on October 25, 1882, and he is a son of Louis P. and Ellen Albertson, both natives of Norway, who upon coming to America located in Winneshiek county on sections 2 and 11, Sumner township. Later the father was for two years in South Dakota in order to test out its agricultural possibilities but subsequently returned to this county. He died in January, 1908, being survived by his wife, who now makes her home in Ridgeway. He followed agricultural pursuits during all his life and was in a large measure successful. In their family were nine children : Ida, the wife of Henry L. Ellingson, of South Dakota; Peter, our subject ; Henry, of Madison township, this county; Sievert, Edwin and Alfred, all of whom reside in South Dakota ; Emma, of Ridgeway, Iowa ; and Elsie and Anton, at home.
Peter L. Anderson was reared under the parental roof and early grounded in the old-fashioned virtues of honesty and industry by his worthy parents. He spent his early years upon his father's farm, becoming acquainted with the minor duties upon the home place under the latter's guidance. Upon leaving the farm he engaged in the restaurant business in Ridgeway, and continued in it for about a year, at the end of which time he rented land. After renting for about three years he bought one hundred and twenty acres in Lincoln township, where he farmed for four years and then sold the property, subsequently acquiring title to the one hundred and forty-six acres on sections 2 and 11, Sumner township, which he now farms. He is progressive in his methods and brings to his work a ready understanding of the principles involved in modern agriculture. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and obtains gratifying results along both lines. His fields are highly cultivated and his buildings kept well in repair, giving evidence of the practical spirit of the owner.
On September 1, 1906, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Fjulstul and to this union have been born three children: Edric, whose birth occurred in January, 1908; a daughter who died in infancy; and Eldis, born April 29, 1913.
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In his political affiliations Mr. Anderson is a republican and is ever deeply interested in the general welfare although he has never aspired to public office. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church and he is otherwise interested in all matters which make for the moral and intellectual betterment of the people. He is a young man of agreeable manner, frank and open, and has therefore made many friends who esteem him highly.
THEODORE SKOR.
One of the younger business men of Calmar, Theodore Skor conducts a highly successful automobile business and garage in that city, deriving gratifying financial returns from his enterprise. His birth occurred at Calmar on April 3. 1880, his parents being Andrew and Sarah Skor, natives of Norway. The father, upon coming to America, located at an early date near Algona, Iowa, later coming to Calmar and engaging in railroading, following that occupation during most of his life, passing away in 1895. The mother is still living and makes her home with the subject of this sketch.
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