USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > Past and present of Winneshiek county, Iowa; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 40
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Theodore Skor was reared under the parental roof and acquired his educa- tion in the schools of Calmar. Laying aside his text books, he learned the car- penter trade and followed that occupation until 1910, when in partnership with H. T. Sandager he erected a spacious and up-to-date garage and engaged in the automobile business. At present they are the only local firm handling Cadillac cars and do a large and satisfactory business along that line.
Mr. Skor gives his attention largely to his business, but still he has found time to make his public spirit effective as a member of the local town council. Politic- ally he is a republican, and his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. A young man with a future before him, Mr. Skor's success is a pleasant indication of his coming achievements, and shows that prosperity will be his. He has suc- cessfully embarked in a line which promises good results and today stands on the threshold of a career that will not only establish him in financial independence, but will prove an important factor in the further commercial expansion of Calmar and Winneshiek county.
HERMAN J. BUSCH.
Herman J. Busch is widely and favorably known in commercial circles of Calmar as partner in the grocery business conducted under the name of The H. j. Giesen Company, in which he has been a partner since 1912. He is a native of Calmar, Winneshiek county, being born in September, 1876, and a son of Herman and Agnes ( Holthaus) Busch, the father a native of Germany and the mother of Winneshiek county. The father came to America in 1869 and located in this county, purchasing a farm in Calmar township which he cleared and improved and has operated ever since with continuing success. He is
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highly esteemed in his neighborhood, where he now lives upon his property at the age of seventy-two years, the mother having passed away in 1879.
Herman J. Busch was reared under the parental roof and in the acquire- ment of his education attended the public schools of Calmar, remaining upon the father's farm until twenty-seven years of age, assisting in the operation and management of the property. At that time he engaged in the saloon business in Calmar, operating an establishment of that kind for seven years, at the end of which time he disposed of his interests and became a partner of H. J. Giesen in the grocery business in April, 1912. As Mr. Giesen now gives his attention largely to the real-estate business, Mr. Busch has taken charge of the manage- ment of the store and by close attention to business and his winning personality is continually drawing new trade to the establishment.
On June 22, 1905, Mr. Busch was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Nockels, a daughter of Frank and Caroline (Budke) Nockels, residents of Calmar. Mr. and Mrs. Busch have two children: Evelyn A., aged seven; and Cletus H., about three years of age.
Public-spirited and progressive, Mr. Busch takes an active interest in all movements undertaken to better local conditions, although he is not an office seeker. He gives his allegiance to the democratic party and his religious faith is that of the Catholic church. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Columbus, being affiliated with the lodge at Waukon, lowa. Mr. Busch owns a handsome residence in Calmar, where both he and his wife hospitably enter- tain their many friends. Both are prominent in the younger social set of the town, where they are well liked and highly esteemed for their many good qualities of mind and character.
LAURIZE KENT LARSON.
Laurize Kent Larson is carrying on general farming and stock-raising on a fine property of two hundred and forty acres in Military township, constituting the homestead upon which he was born and on which his entire life has been spent. He is numbered among the most progressive and able agriculturists of this part of Winneshiek county and. although still a young man, has gained a high place among the men of marked ability and substantial worth in the com- munity. He was born September 5, 1880, and is a son of Knut H. and Matilda Larson, the former born in Norway in January, 1822. He came to America in 1849 and after spending one year in Wisconsin came to Winneshiek county, where he engaged in farming until his death, which occurred September 17, 1888. He and his wife became the parents of seven children: Laura, who lives at home; John F., who is engaged in farming; Laurize Kent, of this review ; Anton L., who lives at home; Gustave, who is connected with the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad ; Martin, and Henry.
Laurize Kent Larson was reared at home and from his childhood assisted his father with the work of the farm. He has spent has entire life upon the homestead and in 1911 assumed control of the property, owning today two hundred and forty acres of well improved and valuable land. Upon this he
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engages in general farming and stock-raising and by his practical methods, his straightforward business dealings, his industry and well directed labor has made both branches important and profitable.
Mr. Larson married, on the 12th of September, 1911, Miss Levida Kiel, a daughter of Ole Kiel and one of a family of seven children, as follows: Herman, who resides in North Dakota ; Elbert, of Minnesota; Julius, who lives at home; Leonard, Agnes and Olga, also at home; and Levida, the wife of the subject of this review. Mr. and Mrs. Larson have one son, Laurize Arnold, born in 1912.
Mr. Larson is a member of the Lutheran church and politically gives his allegiance to the republican party. In the community where he was born and where his entire life has been spent he is widely and favorably known, having in the course of his upright and honorable career gained recognition as a sub- stantial and progressive farmer and a public-spirited and loyal citizen.
JOSEPH J. HEROLD.
Joseph J. Herold farms one hundred and sixty acres on section 10, Sumner township, where he makes his home in a commodious house which he has erected. As the years have passed he has come to be regarded as one of the substantial farmers of his neighborhood and his success is the more creditable as it has come to him through his own efforts. He was born in Sumner town- ship, Winneshiek county, June 28, 1857, and is a son of Bernard and Mary (Lubold ) Herold, natives of Germany, who came to America in 1846 in order to profit by the larger opportunities of this country. The parents located in New York, where they made their home for eight years. Imbued with the western spirit, they journeyed across the country, making for the middle west and finding a desirable location in Sumner township, this county. The father was a carpenter by trade but in Winneshiek county gave his entire time to farming. Hle has now passed away and the mother is also dead, her demise having occurred in 1891. To their union were born thirteen children: Regina and Henry, deceased; Elizabeth, the wife of Louis Peckle, of Austin, Minnesota ; Andrew, of Jackson township; John, of North Dakota; Katherina, who married J. Garsner, of Polk county, Minnesota; George, of. Cottonwood county, that state ; Joseph J., our subject ; Minnie, the wife of J. Miller, of Pocahontas county, lowa ; Clements, of Spillville, this state; Fred, of Hazleton; and two who died in infancy.
Joseph J. Herold was reared under the care of his parents and received his education in the country schools of Winneshiek county. The father early taught him thorough agricultural methods and after laying aside his text-books he remained at home and worked upon the home farm until he was twenty-six years of age, when he took a string of horses to North Dakota. Returning, he bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 10, in Sumner township, where he erected a fine home, substantial barns and sheds and also provided such other equipment as is considered indispensable to modern farming. He engages in general farming and stock-raising, giving careful attention to both lines of
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endeavor. As the years have passed he has attained success and is recognized as one of the substantial men of his township.
On September 21, 1887, Mr. Herold was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Baker and to this union have been born four children: Benjamin Bernard, born May 15, 1889; Mamie Agnes, whose birth occurred on the 15th of August, 1893; Emma Katherine, born March 27, 1895; and Gertrude Celia, born July 12, 1897.
In his political affiliations Mr. Herold is a democrat and now serves as township trustee and school director. He is a member of the Catholic church, in which faith his family has been reared. In promoting his own interests he has done much toward bettering agricultural standards and improving general conditions and his labors have been of importance in the development of his township and county.
GEORGE HAAS.
George Haas, who for the past twenty-seven years has owned and operated his present fine farm of one hundred and ninety-six acres on sections 21 and 22. Jackson township, has contributed during that period in substantial measure to the agricultural development of his native state of Iowa and has taken his place among the most substantial farmers and farsighted business men of Winneshiek county. He was born in Allamakee county, on the 17th of March, 1862, and is a son of Joseph and Julia ( Ramstein) Haas, natives of Germany, who came to America about the year 1852, locating in St. Louis, where they spent four years. At the end of that time they moved to Allamakee county, Iowa, and there from pioneer times until his death on August 30, 1900, the father engaged in farming. becoming well and favorably known throughout his locality. His wife survived him several years, dying in Mankato, Minnesota, April 25, 1913. To their union were born thirteen children, the three eldest of whom died in infancy. The others are as follows : Joseph, who died in early manhood; Lawrence, of Hamar, North Dakota; George, of this review: Ferdinand, who lives in Wilmont, Minnesota ; Mary, the wife of Henry Shulte, of Axtell, Kansas; Matilda, who makes her home in Williston, Montana; Julia, the wife of Mr. Bray, also of Williston; Henry, living in Waukon, Iowa ; Charles J., of French Creek township, Allamakee county ; and Catherine, who married Joseph Shultes, of Wilmont, Minnesota.
George Haas spent his childhood upon his father's farm in Allamakec county. aiding in its operation and becoming thoroughly familiar with the best agricultural methods. He remained at home until he was twenty-four years of age and then. in the fall of 1886, came to Winneshiek county, locating on the farm whereon he has since resided. The property lies on sections 21 and 22. Jackson township, and comprises one hundred and ninety-six acres of well cultivated land, upon which Mr. Haas engages in general farming and stock-raising, substantial success reward- ing his well directed labors through the years. He makes a specialty of breeding Chester White hogs and shorthorn cattle and this branch of his business is impor- tant and profitable, his animals commanding a high price and a ready sale upon the market.
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On the FIth of May, 1886, Mr. Haas was united in marriage to Miss Julia A. Hoffman, and they have become the parents of four children : Loretta, the wife of C. D. Eastman, of Fargo, North Dakota; George, who is cashier in a bank at Detroit, Minnesota ; and Agnes and Joseph, both at home.
Mr. Ilaas is a devout member of the Roman Catholic church and he gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He has been honored by his fellow citizens by election to various official positions of trust and responsibility, dis- charging his duties as school director, township trustee and city assessor in a way which has reflected credit alike upon his ability and his public spirit. For more than a quarter of a century he has made his home within the borders of Winne- shiek county, during all of which time he has resided on the farm which he now occupies, and he has come to be known as a man of tried integrity and worth, commanding by reason of his upright and honorable life the respect, confidence and esteem of all who know him.
EMBRET E. CLEMENT.
One of the foremost agriculturists of Springfield township, Winneshick county, Embret E. Clement owns a valuable farm of one hundred and ninety-six acres on section i and has also distinguished himself in official township positions, rendering valuable services to his community. A native of Wisconsin, he was born August 22, 1845, and is a son of Eric and Gurie ( Engebretson ) Clementson, natives of Norway. The father upon coming to this country located in Wiscon- sin, where he bought eighty acres of land near Muskego lake and spent nine years in the operation of the same. He then sold out and removed to Winne- shiek county, Iowa, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Springfield township and devoted himself to the task of clearing and improving this property. He later acquired an additional forty acres adjoining and con- tinued in the operation of his farm for the remainder of his life. The year of his birth was 1801 and he passed away in 1898, being over ninety-six years of age at the time of his demise. The mother, who was born in 1802, died in 1870 at the age of sixty-eight.
Embret E. Clement was but five years of age when his parents removed to Winneshiek county and received his education in the district schools near his father's farm and Breckenridge Institute in Decorah. He always remained on the home farm and from his father learned thorough methods of agriculture, be- coming early acquainted with farm work. In 1892 he purchased the home place and has ever since operated the same, its area being one hundred and ninety- six acres and the exact location in the southwest quarter of section 1, Springfield township. Mr. Clement has made valuable improvements since taking charge, has erected substantial buildings and installed such machinery as is considered indispensable to intensive farming as it is understood today. Success has at- tended his labors and his farm now presents an aspect of prosperity.
In July. 1869, Mr. Clement was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Egge. a daughter of Anders and Helene Egge, natives of Norway, who left the land of their birth for America. the father successfully following agricultural pur-
MR. AND MRS. EMBERT E. CLEMENT
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suits in Frankville township. Mr. and Mrs. Clement became the parents of four children: Eric, an agriculturist of South Dakota; Lena, the wife of John Viste, who farms in Frankville township; Edgar, who operates his father's farm; and Elizabeth, who passed away in 1888.
As prosperity has come to him Mr. Clement has made judicious investments and is a stockholder today in the Nordness Creamery Company, the Nordness Telephone Company and the Farmers Hog Company of Decorah. He gives his political adherence to the republican party, ever upholding the candidates and measures of that organization, and has efficiently served as township clerk, town- ship assessor and also as road supervisor. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church and the Christian principles to which he gives his adherence permeate his everyday actions. He is public-spirited and progressive, combining the sturdy qualities of a sturdy race with American enterprise and aggressive- ness, and the success that has come to him is highly merited. Not only has he brought about his individual prosperity but has been a serviceable factor in the agricultural growth of his locality, in the upbuilding of which he has partici- pated to a laudable extent. He is therefore highly respected and esteemed and receives in full measure the confidence and good-will of all who know him.
GEORGE W. KUHN.
George W. Kuhn successfully carries on general agricultural pursuits on one hundred and forty-five acres located on section 34, Sumner township, Winne- shiek county, where he follows general farming and stock-raising. He was born on this place on May 12. 1880. a son of George and Josephine ( Novotny ) Kuhn, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Bohemia. The father upon coming to America located upon the home farm, where he is still living. He gave all his active life's labors to agricultural pursuits and obtained a gratifying measure of success along that line. To him and his wife were born five children: Joseph P., at home ; Mary, deceased; Anton, of Jackson Junction; Josephine, the wife of Math Ludwig, of Elma ; and George W., of this review.
George W. Kuhn was reared under the parental roof and in the acquirement of an education attended school near the farm. After laying aside his schoolbooks he remained at home, giving his attention to farming and becoming thoroughly acquainted with the methods of tilling the soil. At the age of twenty-four his father deeded him the home place, comprising one hundred and forty-five acres, and he has since operated the same independently, dividing his attention between general farming and stock-raising. His buildings are kept well in repair and his land presents a good appearance, giving evidence of the industry of the owner and the good judgment which he uses.
On November 22, 1904, Mr. Kuhn was united in marriage to Miss Mary Kopet and they have become the parents of four children: Mary, who was born January 2, 1906; Hugo, born November 19, 1908: Celia, born June 16, 1910; and Vera, born February 6, 1912.
Mr. Kuhn is a democrat in his political affiliations and upholds the principles of his party in county, state and national elections, although in local matters he
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casts his vote for the man whom he considers best adapted for the office. Although he is public-spirited he has never cared to accept official honors. He and his family are members of the Catholic church and he also belongs to the Catholic Association. The son of a pioneer, he worthily carries on the tradition of an hon- ored name in this section and has earned for himself a reputation which is a high credit to him.
HERMANN J. MASSMANN.
Hermann J. Massmann, engaged in general farming upon one hundred and eighty-five acres of land in Winneshiek county, near Ossian, was born in Ger- many, on the 3d of March, 1866, and is a son of Gerard and Christina (Relt) Massmann, also natives of that country, both of whom have passed away. To their union were born eight children: Gerard, who makes his home in Germany ; Barney, also a resident of the fatherland: Lizzie, who married Gerard Stein- bach, of Alberta, Canada; Annie, who lives in Germany: Hermann J., of this review ; and Mary, Katie and Antone, who have passed away.
Hermann J. Massmann acquired his education in the public schools of his native country and there remained until he was twenty-one years of age. At that time he crossed the Atlantic to America, making his way immediately to lowa and settling in Winneshiek county, where he turned his attention to farming. About 1892 he purchased eighty-five acres of land and has since added one hundred acres to his holdings, his land lying on sections 20 and 32, Military township. Upon this he has made substantial improvements, erecting a fine two story residence, good barns and outbuildings and installing the necessary machinery. He engages in general farming and stock-raising and, being an able and practical agriculturist, has made both branches of his business profitable.
Mr. Massmann married Miss Katie Kleve, and they have become the parents of six children, Henry, Antone, Felix. William, Frank and Mary, all of whom live at home. Mr. Massmann is a member of the Roman Catholic church and politi- cally gives his allegiance to the democratic party. He is interested in the growth and development of the section where he resides, but his attention has largely been given to his business affairs and in their capable management he has met with gratifying success.
JOHN M. HEROLD.
John M. Herold was born in Sumner township, Winneshiek county. April 21, 1857. He has always followed agricultural pursuits and now owns a farm of two hundred and thirty-five acres on sections 22 and 23, Sumner township, which is one of the most valuable properties in this district, highly improved and well under cultivation. He is a son of Michael and Margaret (Calener) Herold, both natives of Germany. They came to America about 1848, locating in New York, where they remained for eight years before coming to Winneshiek county. The
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father passed away in 1887 and the mother in 1892. To them were born eight children : Andrew, deceased ; Henry, who makes his home in Oklahoma ; a daugh- ter who died in infancy; Barney, of Nebraska; George, deceased; Phillip, of Howard county, this state; Michael, of Minnesota ; and John M., of this review.
The last named was reared and grew to manhood upon the home farm, acquir- ing his education in the country schools and early learning thorough agricultural methods. At the age of twenty-five he took charge of the home place of two hundred and twenty acres and for about ten years operated this farm. He then sold out and acquired title to his present farm, comprising two hundred and thirty- five acres on sections 22 and 23, Sumner township. He engages in general farm- ing and stock-raising, making a specialty of black polled cattle. Mr. Herold is one of the most progressive agriculturists of his district and such success as has come to him is entirely due to his persistent labors, his good judgment and his thorough understanding of agricultural matters.
Mr. Herold was twice married, his first wife being Rosie Pater, who has passed away. Of this union were born four children: Wilhelmina, the wife of A. A. Mikish, of Calmar township; Charles, of North Dakota; John, a farmer of Sun- ner township; and Michael, at home. After the death of his first wife Mr. Herold married Miss Katherina Kuhn and to them have been born eight children : Theodore, Louis, Rosie and Hubert, at home ; Paulina, deceased ; and Frank, Mary and Amelia, at home.
Mr. Herold is a democrat and has served for a number of years as township trustee. He also was a school director, doing all in his power during his term to improve the educational facilities of his district and elevate the school system. He is a member of the Catholic church, in which faith his family has also been reared. Mr. Herold is a public-spirited citizen, thoroughly imbued with American ideals and ever ready to give his support to worthy public enterprises. He enjoys the confidence and respect of his friends and neighbors and is a forceful factor in his locality in the promotion of progress and advancement.
MICHAEL F. TUPY.
Michael F. Tupy owns one hundred and fifteen acres on sections 25 and 26 in Sumner township, to the cultivation of which he has given his whole attention for a number of years. That success has come to him is evident from the pros- perous appearance of his farm. He was born in Sumner township, Winneshiek county, on May 21, 1872, and is a son of Michael A. and Lena ( Adam) Tupy, na- tives of Bohemia. The father came to America when he was about fifteen years of age and two years later removed to Winneshiek county, engaging in agricultural pursuits. His years of labor have brought him a substantial competence, and he and his wife are now living in Spillville. In their family are two children : Anton, of Sumner township; and Michael F., of this review.
The latter remained with his parents until his marriage, when he bought the old home farm of one hundred and fifteen acres, located on sections 25 and 26, Sumner township. There he engages in general farming and stock-raising, deriving a gratifying income from his labors. His fields are in a high state of cul-
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tivation and his buildings kept in good repair. He has installed the latest machinery and implements and does everything to promote and increase the value of his property. His stock is of a high grade and he derives profitable returns from this source.
On September 5. 1892, Mr. Tupy married Miss Victoria Taylor and to them have been born seven children : a daughter who died in infancy, Emma and Louis, at home ; a son who also died in infancy ; and Celia, Joseph and Matthew, at home.
In his political affiliations Mr. Tupy is a democrat, keeping intelligently informed on all issues that affect the party. Although he has never aspired to official honors, he is public-spirited and ever interested in all matters that affect the general wel- fare of the people. He and his family are devout members of the Catholic church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful interest. Mr. Tupy is popu- lar in his neighborhood, having made many friends who esteem him for his high qualities of mind and character.
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