USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > Past and present of Winneshiek county, Iowa; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 45
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Alonzo Elroy Pierce, who is the sixth in order of birth in his father's family. was reared to farm life, being trained from an early age in the work of the fields and the care of the crops. He is now the owner of the home farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres, which has always been in possession of father or son, from the time it came from the hands of the government. He is devoting his entire time to his private business affairs and is meeting with the success which he so justly deserves.
Mr. Pierce has been twice married. He first wedded, December 28, 1881, Miss Annis Cook, who was born in Fillmore county, Minnesota. August 10, 1863,
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and who by her marriage became the mother of two daughters and two sons: Florence, now the wife of William Hayes, who resides in Fremont township, this county ; John H., who resides at Kendallville, in Fremont township; Frank A., at home ; and Mande, who makes her home with an aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Rice of this county. The wife and mother departed this life January 30, 1895, when but thirty-two years of age, and the father was again married, June 9. 1897, to Jannette M. Dybvik, who is a native of Winneshiek county, her natal day being February 25. 1872. There is one daughter of this union, Ethel May.
Mr. Pierce, who is quiet and unassuming in manner, leads the industrious life of the farmer, giving his entire time and attention to his private business affairs.
OLE O. LOMEN.
Ole O. Lomen. a prominent and prosperous agriculturist of Winneshiek county, is the proprietor of the Washington Prairie Poultry and Fruit Farm, comprising one hundred and sixty acres on sections 2 and 3. Springfield township, and including the largest orchard in the county. On this place he has resided continuously from his birth to the present time with the exception of a period of five years spent in the military service of his country. He was born on the 22d of November, 1861. a son of Ole A. and Mary K. ( Northorp) Lomen, both of whom were natives of Norway. The father emigrated to the United States in 1848 and located first in Wisconsin but two years later, in June, 1850, came to Winneshiek county, lowa, entering the farm of one hundred and sixty acres which is now in possession of our subject. Clearing and improving the property, he continued active in its cultivation until the time of his death, which occurred in 1868. The demise of his wife occurred in 1888.
Ole O. Lomen was reared and educated in this county, pursuing his studies in the district schools. He remained with his mother until seventeen years of age and then, in November. 1879, enlisted in the regular army, serving as a soldier in Montana for five years. On returning to this state, in 1884, he purchased and took charge of the home farm and has been successfully engaged in its operation to the present time, having placed many substantial improve- ments thereon, thus enhancing its value. His is the largest orchard in Winne- shiek county. Two years ago his apple crop amounted to four hundred barrels, besides fifty barrels that were not picked, while in the past year he shipped seventy-five bushels of plums to St. Paul. He also raises all kinds of berries and cherries and in 1912, though the crop was not nearly as good as usual, was awarded the second premium for the best collection of fruit at the Iowa State Fair. Mr. Lomen likewise breeds Holstein cattle, and his is probably the largest poultry establishment in the county, including fifteen different breeds. His farm is up-to-date in every respect and he is a modern agricul- turist whose labors are attended with the most gratifying results. Since 1905 he has held the position of secretary of the Winneshiek County Horticultural
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MR. AND MRS. OLE O. LOMEN
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Society, and he is also the president of the Nordness Telephone Company and a stockholder in the Farmers Hog Company of Decorah.
In June, 1889, Mr. Lomen was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Knutson, by whom he had two children, namely: Herbert, a young man of twenty-two years; and Grace, who is twenty years of age. Both are students in the high school at Decorah. The wife and mother passed away in September, 1892. after a short illness, and in December, 1894, Mr. Lomen was again married. his second union being with Miss Maria Ness, a daughter of S. M. Ness, of Springfield township. Unto them have been born five children, as follows: Ernest, whose demise occurred on the 3d of June, 1899: Ethel, who passed away on the 12th of January, 1901 ; Erline, who is eleven years old ; and Oscar and Elenore, who are nine and five years of age respectively.
Mr. Lomen gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has done valuable service in the cause of education as secretary of the school board of Decorah township since 1889 or for almost a quarter of a century. For a period of nine years he also served as trustee of Springfield township, ever discharging his official duties in a most commendable and creditable manner. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. Throughout his entire life he has quickly recognized and utilized opportunities which others have passed heedlessly by and in the improvement of the advantages which have come to him he has steadily progressed toward the goal of success and is now numbered among Winneshiek county's men of affluence.
HARRISON JACKSON GODDARD.
Following a period of active and honorable service in the Union army during the Civil war Harrison Jackson Goddard returned to Winneshiek county, where he had resided since childhood, and took up his residence upon a fine tract of land which he called the Maple Grove Seed Farm and upon which he has engaged in general farming since that time. He is largely familiar with the pioneer history of this section and the years have brought him steadily increasing prosperity so that he stands today among the worthy and substantial citizens of the locality where he makes his home.
He was born in Calhoun county, Michigan, April 25, 1840, and is a son of Josiah and Ilannah ( Harris) Goddard, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of Canada, but afterward a resident of Detroit, Michigan, where in her girlhood she worked for General Hull. She was living in Fort Dearborn at the time of the famous massacre and remembered the circumstances very well until the time of her death. The father of the subject of this review was a veteran of the War of 1812, having served five years in that conflict, and he came as a pioneer to Winneshiek county, locating in this part of Iowa in 1849 and buy- ing land at the old Indian trading post. He turned his attention to farming and in this occupation spent the remainder of his life, his death depriving the county of one of the earliest and greatest of her pioneer citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Goddard were the parents of twelve children: Henry, Melissa, Susan, Mary and Josiah, Jr., all of whom have passed away ; Samuel Calhoun, of Charles City, Iowa ;
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Ferdinand K., deceased: Amazo Lafayette, who served in the Civil war as a member of Company D. Thirty-eighth lowa Infantry ; Alonzo Washington, twin to Amazo, and a resident of Fort Dodge, Iowa : Harrison Jackson, of this review ; and William and Sophia, deceased.
Harrison J. Goddard was nine years of age when his parents moved to Win- neshiek county and he has since made his home in this part of Iowa. On the 20th of July, 1864. he enlisted in Company C. Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer Infan- try, and served with credit and ability until the close of hostilities, receiving his honorable discharge at Davenport in 1865. Returning home, he turned his atten- tion to farming and in this ocupation has since continued. His homestead con- tained originally one hundred and sixty acres but he has since given eighty acres to his son, retaining a tract similar in extent for himself. He makes a specialty of growing a high grade of seed corn called Silver King, and the Maple Seed Farm contains also a well cultivated ginseng garden. His business interests are always capably managed and systematically conducted and have brought him in the course of years a gratifying measure of success.
On the Ist of January. 1869, Mr. Goddard was united in marriage to Miss Rhoda Horton, who was born August 14, 1851, and who died February 3. 1912. To this union were born four children : Lola, who was born August 30, 1869, and who married Frederick Krumm. of Fort Atkinson; Nellie, who was born Octo- ber 2, 1870, and who died on October oth of the same year ; Edith, who was born September 9. 1871, and who died September 27, 1891 ; and Ernest, who was born October 26, 1874, and who is now residing in Fort Atkinson.
Mr. Goddard gives his political allegiance to the republican party and takes a commendable and intelligent interest in the affairs of the community where he has resided since pioneer times. He attends the Methodist church and belongs to the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic. A life of activity and use- fulness has been rewarded by prominence and prosperity and has won for him an enviable position in the regard of his fellowmen.
JOHN CUNNINGHAM.
One of the most extensive landowners in Winneshiek county and one of the most progressive and substantial agriculturists in this part of Iowa is John Cun- ningham. who since 1873 has lived in Orleans township, engaged in farming. The years have brought him well deserved and substantial success and he has accumulated large holdings, owning today seven hundred acres of fine land lying partly in Winneshiek and partly in Howard county. This is in addition to nine hundred and sixty acres to which he holds title in Manitoba.
John Cunningham was born in Scotland, March 4, 1848, and is a son of Adam and Sophia Cunningham, natives of that country. The parents came to America in 1854 and settled in Ogdensburg, New York, where the father followed the trades of stone mason and contractor until his death. The mother also passed away in Ogdensburg, dying June 4, 1861. In this family were seven children : Marian, deceased; John, of this review; Mary, who became the wife of John Fields, of Canton, New York; Carrie, who married Fred Merritt, of West Vir-
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ginia ; Peter, deceased ; Wilbur ; and Lillian, who married Fred Wilks, of Ogdens- burg.
John Cunningham came to America with his parents in 1854 and at the age of thirteen, after his mother's death, worked as a farm hand in New York, continu- ing thus for nine years. He then spent one year in Minnesota and in 1873 located in Winneshiek county. He bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 24, Orleans township, and in that locality he has since resided, adding to his holdings from time to time and becoming in the course of years one of the leading agri- culturists in this part of Iowa. He owns seven hundred acres lying in Win- neshiek and Howard counties and nine hundred and sixty acres of fine Manitoba land, and his business interests are always conducted in a capable and practical way. His Iowa farm is a well improved and productive property, thoroughly modern in equipment and supplied with everything necessary for carrying on agri- cultural pursuits according to the most scientific methods. Its buildings are sub- stantial and in good repair and include a silo, with a capacity of one hundred and fifty tons. Mr. Cunningham gives personal supervision to his property and the results of his constant and well directed efforts are seen in the excellent condi- tion and attractive appearance of the place.
On the 10th of June, 1875. Mr. Cunningham was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Emslie, and they have become the parents of two children: John L., who is associated with his father ; and Olive, who became the wife of Mahlon Cul- bert, of Howard county.
Mr. Cunningham is a member of the Methodist church and is a republican in his political beliefs. Although he has never sought nor desired public office, he served for a time on the school board, the cause of education finding in him a loyal and able supporter. No farmer in Winneshiek county has achieved greater success in agricultural pursuits than has Mr. Cunningham and his individual prosperity is regarded as one of the most important elements in the general devel- opment of this section.
OLE HENRY ANDERSON.
Ole Henry Anderson is the owner of a farm of two hundred and ten acres on sections 12 and 13, Orleans township, and since 1897 has operated this prop- erty, making many substantial contributions to the general agricultural develop- ment. He was born in Norway, December 9, 1879, and is a son of Henry and Randy (Olson) Anderson, natives of that country. The father was a sailor and lost his life at sea, after which the mother brought their only son, the subject of this review, to America, locating near Rochester, Minnesota. There she after- ward married Martin Isaacson and to this union was born a daughter, Mary, who resides in Lanesboro, Minnesota.
Ole H. Anderson is in all essential respects a self-made man for from an early age he has earned his own livelihood, attending district school during the winter months and spending his summers at farm labor. He came to Winneshiek county in 1892 and after renting land in Fremont township for five years came in 1897 to Orleans township, where he has since resided. He bought two hundred and ten
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acres of fine land on sections 12 and 13 and engages in general farming and stock-raising, his practical methods and untiring labor being attended by well deserved and substantial success.
On the 22d of November. 1904, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Anna MeCabe and they have become the parents of four children, Garnet. Clarence, Mary Lucile and Joseph Orville.
Mr. Anderson is a devout member of the Roman Catholic church, and he gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He is connected fraternally with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Yeomen. His life has been one of well directed activity and intelligent effort, resulting in the attainment of a good measure of success, and wherever he is known he is honored and respected by reason of his genuine worth and his many excellent qualities of mind and char- acter.
BARNEY J. KLEVE.
Among Winneshiek county's most able, progressive and successful native sons is numbered Barney J. Kleve, engaged in farming and stock-raising upon the old Kleve homestead on section 30. Military township, upon which his father settled during the Civil war. Upon that property he was born on the 17th of January, 1873, and there his entire life has been spent, his industry, honesty and ability having gained for him a high place in the respect and regard of his fellow citizens. His parents were Antone and Margaret ( Schrandt ) Kleve, natives of Germany. The father came to the United States in 1841 and located in Kentucky where he remained until about 1860. when he moved to Winneshiek county, Iowa, resuming the occupation of farming, to which he devoted his atten- tion all during his active life. During the Civil war he purchased the farm upon which his son now resides and upon this property he passed away on the 14th of February. 1890. He had become in the interval prominent in local public affairs and served with credit and distinction in various official positions including that of township trustee. His wife still survives him and makes her home with the subject of this review. In their family were eight children: Mary. the wife of Barney Muller of Ossian; Antone F .; Catherine, who married H. Massmann of Ossian ; Annie, the wife of John Hankens of Washington township; Elizabeth, who married John Bushman of Stearns county, Minnesota ; Henry J. of Nobles county in the same state; Barney J. of this review : and William J .. of Stearns county, Minnesota.
Throughout the period of his boyhood and youth Barney J. Kleve assisted with the operation of his father's farm, spending his summers at this work. and in winter attending district school. At the age of twenty-one, a practical and able agriculturist, he bought a half interest in the property and two years later purchased the entire farm which he has since owned and operated, his careful supervision, practical methods and unremitting industry having resulted in making it a model agricultural enterprise. He owns two hundred and forty acres on section 30. Military township and this he has improved substantially. erecting a fine silo and barn and the other necessary ontbuildings and installing
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labor-saving machinery. In addition to his general farming, he makes a specialty of breeding and raising thoroughbred Brown Swiss cattle and is now an exten- sive breeder and dealer, his animals commanding a high price on the local market. He is a very reliable, farsighted and discriminating business man, capable of carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes, and upon his determination, comprehensive farming experience and business acumen he has founded a success which places him today in the front ranks of progressive agriculturists in this section of the state.
Mr. Kleve married Miss Theresa Hankin and to this union were born seven children, Maggie, Arnold, Hugo, Edward, Raymond, Julita and Felicitas. The family are devout members of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Kleve is pres- ident of the Festina Creamery Company and fraternally is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Mutual Protective Society and the Zentral Verein. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and while he never seeks nor desires public office he takes an intelligent interest in movements to promote community advancement. All who know him hold him in high esteem and honor and most of his friends are numbered among those who have known him since childhood -a sure indication that his life has at all times been upright and honorable.
N. H. ADAMS.
N. H. Adams, well known in business circles as a wholesale seed merchant of Decorah, has conducted this enterprise successfully for the past thirty-eight years. His birth occurred in Ohio on the Sth of October, 1844, his parents being Cyrus and Mary A. (Weaver) Adams, who were natives of Ohio and Pennsyl- vania, respectively. The father, an agriculturist by occupation, came to Decorah in 1865 and here embarked in the shoe business in association with our sub- ject under the firm style of C. Adams & Son. He sold out at the time of his wife's death in 1881 and two years later removed to Michigan, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 1903.
N. H. Adams was reared and educated in his native state, attending the public schools and afterward a military school at Cleveland. After putting aside his text-books he worked in a wholesale boot and shoe concern of Cleveland and in 1865, when a young man of twenty-one years, came to Decorah. Here, as above stated. he embarked in the shoe business in partnership with his father. In 1875 he established a wholesale seed house and has since conducted the same continuously with gratifying success. On October 23, 1906, Mr. Adams' two sons, Burton H. and Walter E., with the assistance of their father, started in business independent of him, naming their concern "The Adams Seed Company," and have since carried on business under that name successfully, and while closely associated, N. H. Adams' and his sons' businesses are kept separate. He has acquired extensive property interests and is widely recognized as one of the prosperous and enterprising business men of Decorah.
On the Sth of October, 1869, Mr. Adams was united in marriage to Miss Carrie E. Adams, her parents being Henry and Deborah Adams, natives of New Hampshire. The father followed farming in that state for a number of years
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but eventually put aside the active work of the fields and came to Decorah, living retired at the home of N. H. Adams until called to his final rest on the 21st of October, 1892. The mother passed away on the 18th of June, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have three children, namely: Burton H., who is associated with his brother, Walter C., in the conduct of the Adams Seed Company; and Grace D., who is the wife of S. R. Ringeon and resides at Ridgeway, Iowa. The family residence is at No. 400 Broadway.
Mr. Adams has joined the progressive wing of the republican party and is an enthusiastic "bull mooser." He served as a member of the city council for eleven years and was also elected county treasurer but resigned the latter position on account of the heavy demands of his business. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Masons, while his religious faith is that of the Congregational church. The period of his residence in Decorah covers almost a half century and he has won and maintained an enviable reputation in both business and social circles.
JOSEPH WEITGENANT.
One of the most prosperous and progressive farmers of Winneshiek county is Joseph Weitgenant. who owns and operates one hundred and eighty acres near Ossian. He was born in Benton, Elkhart county, Indiana, January 29, 1845. and is a son of George V. and Christiana Barbara (Gossel) Weitgenant. the former a native of Baden and the latter of Wurtemberg, Germany. The parents came to America in 1835 and after a short period spent in Columbus, Ohio, went to Indiana and from that state came to Winneshiek county in June, 1856. The father engaged in general farming and followed that occupation in this locality until his death, which occurred in August, 1862. His wife survived him many years, passing away on the 20th of September, 1892. To them were born nine children, the eldest of whom, a daughter. died in infancy. The second in the order of birth is the subject of this review. George has passed away. David makes his home in Ossian. Anna became the wife of Eber De Cow, of Ossian. The sixth was a daughter, who has passed away. Ellen became the wife of F. E. Briggs, of Rockford, Iowa. John died on the 2d of June. 1884. Melvina mar- ried Berkley Doan, of Ossian.
Joseph Weitgenant was eleven years of age when his parents came to Win- neshiek county and he has made his home in this part of Iowa since that time. Being the eldest son, he was obliged after his father's death to take charge of the homestead at the age of seventeen years and he remained upon it until he was twenty-two years of age, after which he operated a threshing machine for twenty- five years. At twenty-three he turned his attention to farming on rented land and on the 24th of May, 1872, purchased sixty acres, which he improved and developed until 1902. He still gives his entire attention to agricultural pursuits and owns today one hundred and eighty acres near Ossian, which he has developed along practical and modern lines, making it one of the finest farming properties in this part of the county. He owns in addition valuable town property in Ossian, in-
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cluding a beautiful home, and his business interests are all carefully and capably managed.
Mr. Weitgenant has been twice married. On Christmas day, 1867, he wedded Miss Elizabeth Banning, who died in 1871, leaving two sons: Joseph Oscar, of Centerville, Iowa ; and Charles Edgar, of Wilmont, Minnesota. Mr. Weitgen- ant's second wife was in her maidenhood Miss Luella Allen, whom he married September 25, 1877, and they became the parents of a daughter, Rena Elizabeth, who married Elmer Rosa, of Winneshiek county.
Mr. Weitgenant gives his political allegiance to the democratic party but is not active politically, preferring to concentrate all of his attention upon his private affairs. He is, however, interested in the betterment of the community and is a man of many sterling traits of character, able in business, progressive in citizenship and at all times trustworthy and reliable.
PRENTICE C. BLOOMFIELD.
One of the substantial citizens of Decorah, highly respected and esteemed by all who know him, is Prentice C. Bloomfield. He was born in New York, June 22, 1843, a son of Alvin and Phila (Cumms) Bloomfield, the father a na- tive of New Jersey and the mother of Vermont. The father was a shoemaker by trade. which occupation he followed all his life in New York and there died in 1862. The mother survived him for nine years, passing away in 1871.
Prentice C. Bloomfield was reared and educated in New York state, which he made his home until twenty years of age, when he proceeded westward to Wis- consin, remaining there one year. Having heard of the favorable conditions pre- vailing in Winneshiek county, he then came to this section. He was a tanner by trade and worked at that occupation in New York but upon coming to Iowa en- gaged in farming as farm hand and subsequently as renter. As such he engaged in agricultural pursuits for about four years, at the end of which period he came to Decorah, where he became connected with the lumber business, working for the same firm continuously for thirteen years. He then joined another lumber con- cern, with which he remained for seven years, and having learned the carpenter's trade in the meantime, has followed that occupation ever since. Thrift and in- dustry have brought substantial results to Mr. Bloomfield, his success having been attained by creditable means and as the result of qualities of character worthy of the highest commendation.
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