USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > Past and present of Winneshiek county, Iowa; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 43
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the village and engaged in mercantile pursuits, building up a large and profitable patronage and becoming well known and prominent in business circles. Ile passed away in 1906 and is survived by his wife, who makes her home in Ossian. To their union were born the following children: Frank A., of Ossian; Fred J., of this review: Leo, who resides in Mason City, Iowa; Joseph, of Dubuque; Emma, who lives in Ossian ; Alphonse, of Chicago, Illinois ; Victoria, the wife of Joseph Meyer. of Ossian ; and Eulalia. a student in an academy at Prairie du Chien.
Fred J. Figge attended college in Prairie du Chien and after he had completed the prescribed course in 1888, came back to Ossian and entered the Ossian Bank as cashier, acting in that capacity until 1907 and proving able, conscientious and reliable in the discharge of his duties. When the bank became a State Bank in the latter year he was elected to the office of vice president, which he held until 1912, when he was made president. In this capacity his business and executive capacity have been called forth and the credit for the more recent expansion and growth of the institution is in a large measure due him. The deposits of the bank have increased from sixty thousand dollars in 1880 to a half million in 1913, this growth having taken place principally since the reorganization of the con- cern. Mr. Figge is interested also in several banking institutions in other points in Iowa.
Mr. Figge married Miss Marie Peyer in 1894. She was educated in an acad- emy at Prairie du Chien, completing a full classical course and graduating also in music. Mr. and Mrs. Figge are the parents of five children: Seraphia. who was born June 18, 1895, and who has been attending the school at Prairie du Chien where her mother was educated and is now attending an academy at Longwood, Illinois : Marcelitta, also attending the academy at Longwood : and Vivian, Reg- inald and Eugenia, who live at home.
The family are members of the Roman Catholic church and Mr. Figge holds membership in the Knights of Columbus. He is at all times interested in the growth and development of the city, of which he served as mayor for three terms. In politics and business alike his is an excellent record and one which is in every way a credit to the city where he was born and where he has spent his entire life.
THEODORE F. SCHMITZ.
Theodore F. Schmitz, mayor of Ossian, owner and publisher of the Ossian Bee and one of the most prominent figures in local journalistic circles, is a native of that place, born November 4, 1874. His parents, Joseph J. and Catherine (Wictor ) Schmitz, were born in Germany and after they came to America settled in Wisconsin, whence they removed to Chicago, Illinois, remaining in that city for a number of years. From Chicago they came to Ossian, Iowa, and here the father engaged in business as a carpenter and builder until his death, which occurred in 1909. He had long survived his wife, who passed away in 1879. To them were born seven children : Mary A., the wife of A. C. Heck, of Ossian ; Joseph L., who is living in Chicago, Illinois ; Matilda, who married F. A. Figge, of Ossian; Frank A. J., deceased: Theodore F., of this review: Margaret, the
THEODORE F. SCHMITZ
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wife of L. J. Kass, of Salem, South Dakota; and Adolph N., who resides in Chicago.
Theodore F. Schmitz remained in Ossian until he was eleven years of age and was then sent to Remsen, Iowa, where he attended a parochial school. During this time he also learned the tinsmith business and he remained in Remsen for eight years, after which he entered Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana, where he was a student for one year. Returning to his native city at the end of that time, he formed a partnership with A. C. Heck by purchasing a one-half interest in the Ossian Bee, which they conducted together for about five years. In 1910 Mr. Schmitz bought his partner's interest in the paper and since that time has been its editor and publisher, having made it one of the powerful democratic weekly organs in this part of the county. It has a circulation of about fifteen hundred and is in consequence an excellent advertising medium.
Mr. Schmitz was married on the 22d of August, 1905, to Miss Marie L. Broihier, a daughter of August and Anna ( Klein) Broihier, the former a native of France and the latter of Germany. In their family were seven children : Kate, the wife of R. B. Jones, of Ossian; Virginia, who married E. H. Waters, of Austin, Minnesota; Mrs. Julia Groff ; Marie L., the wife of the subject of this review; Frank, deceased; August, a resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Charlotte, who lives in Waterloo, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Schmitz have one son, Frank A.
The family are members of the Roman Catholic church and fraternally Mr. Schmitz is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Iowa Legion of Honor and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and, being progressive and public-spirited, has held various im- portant local offices, serving for two terms as town assessor and being at the present time mayor of Ossian, in which capacity he is giving to the city a straight- forward, constructive and efficient administration. He is interested in all that per- tains to general progress and cooperates in many movements for the promotion of the community interests, being at all times a public-spirited and loyal citizen as well as a successful business man.
CARL REUBEN CHRISTOFFERSON.
Prominent among the energetic, successful and progressive farmers of Win- neshiek county is numbered Carl Reuben Christofferson, managing two hundred acres of land on section 25. Bloomfield township. He is a native of Iowa, born in Allamakee county, November 22, 1879, a son of Hans and Caroline (Holter) Christofferson, natives of Norway, who came from that country to America, locating in Allamakee county. There they remained for some years, but in the spring of 1900 moved to Winneshiek county, where the father pur- chased two hundred acres of fine land on section 25, Bloomfield township. Upon this property he resided for some time, carrying on the work of its improvement and development, but he is now living retired, making his home in Postville. His wife has passed away. To their union were born four children : Carl Reuben,
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of this review ; Albert, who lives in Castalia : Anna, the wife of Blake Rathburn ; and Herman, who resides in Postville.
Carl R. Christofferson grew up on his father's farm in Allamakee county and acquired his education in the district schools. He came to Winneshiek county with his parents and when he was twenty-one years of age turned his attention to the carpenter's trade, which he followed thereafter for about six years. At the end of that time he returned to the homestead and assumed charge of its operation in 1907. He has two hundred acres of fertile land, upon which he has steadily carried forward the work of improvement and development, his pro- gressive and practical methods resulting in a gratifying measure of success. Aside from general farming he is also extensively interested in stock-raising and keeps on hand a number of fine cattle and hogs. His interests are all well man- aged and profitable and he is regarded as one of the most prosperous agricul- turists in the county.
On the 26th of February, 1904, Mr. Christofferson was united in marriage to Miss Lena Koenig, a daughter of William F. and Charlotte ( Meyer) Koenig, na- tives of Germany, who came to America about the year 1868, locating first in Clay- ton county, lowa. After residing there for about four years they moved to Win- neshiek county, upon a farm on section 23, Bloomfield township, where they make their home at the present time, the father living retired. To their union have been born nine children: Louise, the wife of Charles Kaiser, of Monona, lowa ; Louis, who resides in Postville; Minnie, who married Herman Rose, also of Postville ; Mary, the wife of George Schroeder, of the same city ; Rosina, who married Fred Ruckdaschel, also of Postville; William, who lives at home; Lena, the wife of the subject of this review ; Fred, at home ; and Emma, twin to Fred, who has passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Christofferson have two children: Otis Dean, who was born on the Ist of May, 1907; and Harold Carl Lewis, born March 19, 1910.
Fraternally Mr. Christofferson is affiliated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and with the Northwestern and Milwaukee Life Insurance Associa- tions. He gives his politieal allegiance to the republican party and has rendered his township capable service as school director. He is one of the most substantial farmers of his locality, well known throughout Bloomfield township for his dil- igence and enterprise, and he deserves great credit for his present prosperity, which is due entirely to his own exertions.
EBER DE COU.
Eber De Cou is the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Springfield township. A fine home and substantial buildings for the shelter of grain and stock stand in the midst of well tilled fields and the farm presents a most attractive appearance. Mr. De Cou was born in 1853 and is a son of Judge John De Cou, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume.
Reared upon the old homestead, Eber De Cou attended the district schools and during the periods of vacation worked upon the farm, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. In early man-
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hood he engaged in teaching school for four terms and in 1879 began farming on his own account, being now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land in Springfield township, a part of which he inherited, pur- chasing the remainder. He has made excellent improvements upon his place, erecting a commodious and substantial residence, built in modern style of archi- tecture. He has all the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and none of the equipments of a model farm of the twentieth century are lacking.
On the Ist of October, 1878, Mr. De Cou was married to Miss Anna Weit- genant, a daughter of George V. Weitgenant, of Castalia, Iowa. The children of this marriage are three in number : John Vincent, who was born August 1, 1879, and who married Miss Tilla Peck in 1907, and is now engaged in farming in Bloom- field township : Ethel, the wife of August Peck, a farmer, by whom she has three children, Walter, Eldo Marion and Ruby Viola ; and Edith, at home. The family are well known and their friends throughout the county are many.
Mr. De Cou is a democrat in his political views, but has never sought or held political office. He has served, however, as school director and is much inter- ested in the cause of public education, believing it to be one of the bulwarks of the nation. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church. His has been a well spent life, gaining for him the confidence and good-will of those with whom he has been associated and he is a worthy representative of one of the old pioneer families of the county.
FRANK W. DESSEL.
Frank W. Dessel is one of the prominent business men and extensive land- owners of Winneshiek county, controlling an important trade in agricultural im- plements in Ossian and owning one hundred and forty-six acres of land, mostly within the corporation limits. Throughout his business career he has manifested sterling qualities of industry, perseverance and integrity and thus he has gained for himself the substantial prosperity which he now enjoys.
He dates his residence in Iowa from 1868, but was born in Germany on the 23d of April, 1846, a son of Henry and Mary Annette ( Fegge) Dessel, also natives of that country. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, never came to America, dying in Germany. After his death the mother crossed the Atlantic, settling in lowa in 1869 and passing away in this state June 26, 1909. In their family were ten children: Frank W., of this review; Ann Mary, the wife of Joseph Becker of Ossian ; Thrasia, the wife of Peter Chuswell, of Ossian ; Elizabeth, who married Joseph Becker of Ossian, a cousin to the husband of her sister, Ann Mary; Aldine, who became the wife of William Seipman, of Mil- waukee, Wisconsin ; Henry, who resides in Holstein, Iowa; Annie, the wife of Charles Meyer of Sioux City, Iowa ; Pauline and Marie, who have passed away ; and one son who died in infancy.
Frank W. Dessel was reared in Germany and at the early age of fifteen, fol- lowing the death of his father, was called upon to assume the entire management of the homestead. He operated it successfully until he was twenty-two and then,
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in 1868, crossed the Atlantic to America, pushing immediately westward to Iowa. where he obtained work on a farm. As soon as he could sell his property in Germany he purchased one hundred and twenty acres one mile from Ossian and developed this along modern and practical lines for eight years, finally disposing of it and moving into the town where he turned his attention to business pursuits. He purchased a lot and upon it erected a fine brick store with a frontage of sixty- five feet and in this installed a complete line of agricultural implements. In the control of this enterprise he displays keen discernment and excellent manage- ment and his business has steadily grown, a large and representative patronage being now accorded him. He has recently purchased one hundred and forty-six acres of land, lying almost entirely within the corporation limits of Ossian, and this property he has developed and improved until it is today productive and valuable.
Mr. Dessel was married to Miss Caroline Meyer and they became the parents of ten children: Andrew, who resides in Ossian; Joseph, also of Ossian ; Leo, who makes his home in Portland, Oregon; Lonis, of Chicago; Mary, who mar- ried Fred Miller, cashier in a bank in Flaxton, North Dakota; Lillie, who lives at home: Henry, who resides in Ossian ; Edith, at home; Regina, a resident of Florida ; and Frank, who lives at home.
The family are members of the Catholic church, and politically Mr. Dessel gives his allegiance to the democratic party. He has been township trustee and a member of the town council and in both positions proved loyal and faithful to the duties which devolved upon him. Wherever he is known he is respected for his unfaltering allegiance to principles of honorable manhood as manifested in business relations, in matters of citizenship, and in all phases of life.
HAMILTON CAMPBELL.
Hamilton Campbell, who has resided longer in Winneshiek county than any one else, has made his farm in Bloomfield township his home for sixty-five years. This has covered the period of the greatest growth and development in this section of the state and in the work of progress Mr. Campbell has borne an active and honorable part, his well directed labors proving forces in the promotion of general agricultural advancement as well as of his individual prosperity.
He was born in Galena, Illinois, December 9, 1847, and is a son of Hamilton and Sarah (Campbell) Campbell, who, although they bore the same name, were not related to each other. Both were natives of Ireland and came to America in early times, settling in Illinois, where the father turned his attention to farming. During the Black Hawk war he served in the same regiment with Abraham Lincoln and became a personal friend of the great emancipator. He removed from Illinois to Jowa in 1848, locating on a farm on section 26, Bloomfield town- ship, Winneshiek county, on June 7. of that year. He accumulated five hundred acres of land and became one of the prosperons and highly respected citizens of this locality, his death being widely and deeply regretted by the many friends who had been drawn to him by reason of his honorable and upright life. He and his wife became the parents of seven children: Robert, who resides in Pas-
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adena, California ; Mary, deceased ; Hamilton, of this review ; Sarah, who lives at home; John, of Denver, Colorado: Matilda, the wife of Robert Clark, of Portland, Oregon; and Thomas, who died in infancy.
Hamilton Campbell was only six months old when he was brought to Win- neshiek county and to his present farm. He has never left the homestead and has now been sixty-five years upon it, having the distinction of being the oldest continuous resident of Winneshiek county. The years have brought him suc- cess. prominence and substantial fortune, for his labors have been well directed and his methods progressive and practical, and he is today numbered among the most prosperous agriculturists of Bloomfield township. He owns one hun- dred and sixty acres of fine land and upon this carried on farming and stock- raising for a number of years, both branches of his business proving profitable and important under his able management. In 1909 his son assumed the man- agement of this property. Hamilton Campbell will soon move to Decorah and retire from active work.
Mr. Campbell married Miss Abbie Angier, and they became the parents of three children : John Walter, who resides in Postville, Iowa: Albert Roy, who is operating the old homestead : and Lulu May, who lives at home. Fraternally Mr. Campbell is a member of the Modern Brotherhood of America and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He attends the Methodist church and is a man of exemplary character, guiding his honorable and upright life by the principles in which he believes. For sixty-five years he has lived in Win- neshiek county and has witnessed during that time practically its entire growth and development. Throughout this period he has made his home on the farm which is yet his place of residence and his labors through the years have made it a valuable property. From time to time he has given hearty cooperation to move- ments for the public good and he has become widely and favorably known, his many sterling qualities of mind and character having gained for him the esteem and respect of all with whom he has come in contact.
ANON ANDERSON.
Anon Anderson, residing upon a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 32, Orleans township, and giving his entire attention to its improve- met and development, was born in this township April 2, 1873. He is a son of Anon and Carrie Anderson, both of whom have passed away. To their union were born six children: Ellen, who married K. L. Gruna, of Allamakee county ; John and Albert, both of whom reside in Alberta, Canada; Ole, who makes his home in Saskatchewan, Canada: Hannah, deceased; and Anon, of this review. After the death of his first wife Mr. Anderson, Sr., married Sarah Tuck and to this union were born four children : Freeman, of Alberta; Roy, who resides in Saskatchewan ; and Mabel and Ethel, who have passed away. The mother of these children having died. the father of the subject of this review took for his third wife Miss Emma Johnson, who survives him and lives in Ellensburg, Wash- ington. To this union were born four children, Bernard, Ethel, Lawrence and Clarence. all of whom reside in Washington.
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Anon Anderson remained at home until he was twenty-five years of age and then his father gave him one hundred and sixty acres of fine land on section 32, Orleans township. In 1909 he rented out this property and moved to Alberta, Canada, where he purchased a section of land upon which he remained for three years, selling his property at the end of that time and returning to Winneshiek county to take up the development of his farm here. He has since added to it eighty acres and the land under his able management has become a productive and valuable property, reflecting everywhere the intelligent care and labor he has bestowed upon it. He has made substantial improvements in buildings and equip- ment and his farming and stock-raising interests are important, classing him with the most successful farmers of his locality.
Mr. Anderson married Miss Marie Melaas and they have become the par- ents of four children : Amos Herbert, who was born August 13, 1898; Spencer Clement, born on the 25th of May, 1901; Hannah Marie, born July 26. 1908; and Agnes M., whose birth occurred July 4, 1913. Mr. Anderson is a member of the Lutheran church and is a republican in his political views. He is a man of exemplary character, reliable in business, progressive in citizenship and faitlı- ful to all ties and obligations, and he commands and holds the confidence and regard of all who are associated with him.
K. P. KNUTSON.
K. P. Knutson is the owner of two hundred acres of some of the best farming land to be found in Winneshiek county, his possessions lying on sections 20 and 17, Madison township. He is a native son of this township, his birth having occurred July 4, 1870. His parents, Peter and Engre Knutson, were both natives of Norway. Upon their emigration to the new world they located for a time in Wisconsin but finally made their way to Winneshiek county, where the father purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, located on sections 20 and 17, Madison township. He at once undertook the arduous task of clearing and im- proving a new farm, enduring all the hardships and privations incident to the establishment of a home in a new country. As time passed he prospered in his work and became one of the influential and substantial residents of Madison township and Winneshiek county. He died here April 19. 1906, and the mother, surviving for a few years, passed away March 19, 1910.
K. P. Knutson was reared on the home farm and when not engaged in the work of the fields he pursued his studies in the district schools of Madison town- ship. He always remained with his parents and in 1898 the father deeded to him the home farm and he has since given his attention to its further development and improvement. In the fall of 1912 he added an eighty acre tract to his original holdings, the boundaries of his place now embracing two hundred acres. This latter tract is also located on section 20. He has improved his place with good and substantial buildings, has followed the most modern and progressive methods in his work and has met with splendid success.
Mr. Knutson was married on November 1, 1894, to Miss Josie Blekeberg, a daughter of John and Aagot ( Helgeson) Blekeberg, who came from their native
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country, Norway, at an early day and engaged in agricultural pursuits in Win- neshiek county. The father is now deceased but the mother still survives. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Knutson has been blessed with five children; Bertha, born May 26, 1895; Phillip, born June 9, 1897; Alida, born April 28, 1899; Orvild, born September 26, 1904; and Kia, born July 13, 1908.
Mr. Knutson's study of the political questions and issues of the day has led him to give stalwart support to the republican party, while in religious faith he is a Lutheran. He is a wide-awake, energetic young farmer who through his well directed labors and sound business judgment has met with substantial suc- cess. -
KITLE SEVERSON.
Kitle Severson is well entitled to be numbered among the pioneers of Win- neshiek county, for he has resided on the farm which he now owns for forty years, having during that time not only witnessed the onward march of civili- zation but having done much toward bringing about the prevailing prosperous conditions. He owns two hundred and five acres principally located on section 36. Hesper township, sixty-five, however, lying on section 30, Highland township. There he has resided for about four decades, ever improving his farm and bring- ing his land to a higher stage of productivity. He was born in Norway, Decem- ber 23. 1842, a son of Sever and Esther Orckaase, both of whom died in their native land, the father at the early age of thirty-five and the mother when seventy- five years of age. They were farming people of Norway.
Kitle Severson was the oldest of six children, and he and a sister, who sub- sequently died, were the only ones to come to the United States. He arrived in this country in 1869, locating in Wisconsin, where he made his home for about five years. He then came to Winneshiek county, where he has ever since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He built two substantial barns upon his land, one of which was destroyed by the cyclone of 1906. He has installed the latest machinery and equipment and in every way has made his farm highly productive. The sturdy qualities of his ancestors have helped him to win a substantial place among new surroundings in a foreign land, and if his road has been harder than that of the average man, he enjoys the esteem and regard of his neighbors in a correspondingly higher measure.
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