USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > Past and present of Winneshiek county, Iowa; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 46
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53
In September, 1872, the marriage of Prentice C. Bloomfield to Mary L. Self was celebrated. She is a daughter of Ozais and Emily (Hunt) Self, the father a native of Ohio and the mother of Massachusetts. Mrs. Bloomfield is a native of Illinois, in which state she was born in 1853. Her father was a farmer by occu- pation and followed his vocation in Illinois until 1854, when he removed to Win- neshiek county, there buying eighty acres of land in Burr Oak township, which he operated and improved until his death, passing away at an early age on October 24, 1867. The mother survived for over a third of a century, dying in August, 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Bloomfield are the parents of one son, Frank E., who is now in his thirty-ninth year and widely and favorably known in Decorah, where he holds a
Vol. II-23
506
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
position from the government as city mail carrier. Since 1893 or for two decades he has been in the service of the United States-an indication of the faithful per- formance of his duties. In the course of his work he has been brought into con- tact with numerous residents of the city and there is none who would not say a kindly word of Frank E. Bloomfield, who makes friends wherever he goes, his genial, open-hearted kindliness winning readily the hearts of all with whom he comes in contact. He is popular with the employes in the postoffice and valued by his superiors, who recognize his high qualities of mind and character, his faithfulness to his charge and his honorable manliness.
An interesting record as regards the early history of Winneshiek county and which is worth recording here was made by William Painter, an uncle of the wife of our subject, he being the first settler in Decorah, coming here in the fall of 1848. His second son, George Patton Painter, was the first white child born in Decorah. Upon William Painter's arrival here, there were no white men, only Indians. He was a millwright by trade and built the first mill in Decorah, part of which is still standing and in operation. Mrs. Bloomfield was only one year of age when her parents moved here and she has lived in Decorah ever since.
Mr. and Mrs. Bloomfield make their home in a house which the former built in 1875, the residence being located at No. 406 Decorah avenue. Fraternally Mr. Bloomfield is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, as is also his son Frank, and all three-father. mother and son-are members of the Rebekahs. Mr. Bloomfield served in the Decorah fire department for twenty- two years, giving thereby a tangible demonstration of his public spirit. Polit- ically he is a republican and in religious faith the family affiliate with the Con- gregational church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful interest.
PETER TIMP.
Peter Timp, successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising upon two hun- (red and seventy acres of land near Ossian, is a native of Winneshiek county, born November 11, 1861. He is a son of John Theodore and Mary Christina (Gesing ) Timp, natives of Germany, the former born on the 19th of January. 1831, and the latter on the toth of July, 1834. Their marriage occurred in Bur- lington, Racine county, Wisconsin, in 1852. The father came to America as a young man and settled in Festina, lowa, where he engaged in farming, an occu- pation which claimed his attention until his death which occurred April 13, 1900. He had long survived his wife, who died in 1885. To their union were born eleven children: Henry, who resides in Ossian; Bernard, deceased: Theodore Joseph of Calmar, Iowa : William of the same city ; l'eter, of this review ; Theo- dore ; Anna, who has passed away ; Caroline, the wife of William Hagerman of Marion, Kansas ; Adelgunda, the wife of Herman Geiling of Cairo, lowa ; Mary, who married Barney Geiling of Marion, Kansas ; and William B., who has passed away.
Peter Timp was reared on his father's homestead near Calmar and acquired his education in the district schools of that vicinity. From his childhood he as- sisted with the work of the farm and in this way gained by practical experience
507
ยท PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
a thorough knowledge of the best and most modern methods of farm operation. When he was twenty-eight years of age he purchased one hundred and seventeen acres of land near Ossian, whereon he remained for fifteen years, making it during that time a valuable and productive property. When he disposed of that farm he purchased two hundred and seventy acres upon which he still makes his home, and here he engages in general farming and stock-raising, his practical and progressive methods, his industry and able management bringing him a gratifying measure of success.
Mr. Timp married on the 17th of September, 1889, Miss Margaret Bonen- steiner, a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Geiling) Bonensteiner, natives of Ger- many. The father came to lowa as a young man and settled in Fayette county, engaging in farming during the remainder of his active life. He has now retired and makes his home in Festina, lowa. He and his wife became the parents of ten children : Margaret, the wife of the subject of this review ; Engle, who mar- ried Fritz Fulmbecker of Festina : Elizabeth, the wife of John Ileing ; Christina, who married B. H. Bushman of Ossian; Theresa, who married Matt Blong of St. Lucas, lowa; Joseph, who has passed away; Cecilia, who became the wife of Adam Meyer of Ossian; Joseph, who resides in St. Lucas; Henry, also of St. Lucas; and Mary, the wife of John Holder of Ossian. Mr. and Mrs. Timp be- came the parents of nine children: Theodore O., born June 30, 1890; Joseph, whose birth occurred on the 29th of March, 1892; Leo, born April 9, 1894: Christina R., who was born May 6, 1897: Philip, born on the 27th of October, 1900; Agnes, born December 22, 1902; Arnold, December 28, 1905 ; Celia, June 25, 1908; and Hildegard, January 22, 191I.
Mr. Timp is a member of the Roman Catholic church and politically gives his allegiance to the democratic party. He has always taken an intelligent interest in community affairs and is now serving as township trustee, discharging his duties in an able and conscientious manner. Whatever tends to promote advancement and progress along any line receives his endorsement and hearty support, his public spirit being at all times practical and effective. Ile is widely and favorably known in his native county, his life and character being such as to win for him the warm and lasting regard of all with whom he is brought in contact.
JOHN J. ZOULEK.
Jolin J. Zoulek owns a valuable farm of one hundred and ninety-five acres, partly in Calmar and partly in Sumner townships, which is devoted to diversified farming and stock-raising. He is one of the substantial men' of his locality and in promoting his private interests has done much toward raising agricultural standards in Winneshiek county. Born on section 13, Sumner township, Win- neshiek county, June 1, 1867. he is a son of John and Mary ( Kuntz) Zoulek, natives of Bohemia, who emigrated to America in 1863, locating in Winneshiek county shortly afterward. The father died in July, 1893, but the mother still lives on the old homestead. To their union were born ten children: Mary, the wife of Joseph Mikesh, of Spillville; Joseph, who died in childhood; Annie, who married John Fisher, of Spillville : Rosie, deceased : Kate, the wife of Frank
508
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY .
j. Soukup, of Calmar township; Josephine, who married John Soukup, of Sum- ner township: Tena, the wife of Clemence Herold, of Sumner township : Frances, the widow of Joseph Swehla, of Spillville; John J., of this review ; and Lena, the widow of James Shevik, of Spillville.
John J. Zoulek has always lived on the home place and at the death of his father came into possession of one hundred and ninety-five acres, part of which is located in Calmar township. He is an up-to-date and progressive farmer and has done much toward improving his property. His buildings are substantial and modern and his broad acres show careful attention. He engages in general farming and stock-raising, deriving a gratifying income from both lines of en- deavor.
On October 10, 1803, Mr. Zoulek was married to Miss Frances Huber and to this union were born four children : Frank, who has passed away ; Clara, born October 9, 1895: Emma, born April 9, 1807: and George J., born April 11, 1899.
Mr. Zoulek is a democrat in his political affiliations, giving his stanch sup- port to the candidates and measures of that organization. He is a devout adher- ent of the Catholic church and fraternally is a Woodman. He enjoys the esteem and respect of all who know him for what he has accomplished and also for those qualities of his character which have made possible these accomplishments.
BYRON A. CHANDLER.
Among the prominent business men of Decorah, lowa, is Byron AA. Chandler, who ably carries on a plumbing, heating and contracting establishment in that city, the outgrowth of a pioneer concern founded by his father. A native of Minnesota, he was born in Fillmore county on May 5. 1864, and is a son of A. A. and Mary ( Wheeler ) Chandler, the father a native of New York, being born near Jamestown on February 23. 1833. When he was yet a boy he moved with his parents to Michigan, where the family made their home for seven years before going to Wisconsin, where they lived until 1854. In that year they con- tinued their westward march to Fillmore county, Minnesota, passing through Decorah while en route. For seven years the father had charge of a sawmill located on the Canoe river and known as the Bartlett mill. It was built by a Mr. Belding and was one of the first mills in that part of the country. He was married on January 20, 1860, to Miss Mary M. Wheeler, who lived near Burr Oak, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Ephraim Adams of Decorah. They made their home on the farm in Fillmore county, Minnesota, until 1865. when removal was made to Frankville, Iowa, whence in 1866 they came to Decorah. There the father engaged in selling pumps and moving buildings. He would go to McGregor and buy a wagon load of wooden pumps, retailing them by traveling through the country. He subsequently formed a partnership with a Mr. MeMasters, opening a storeroom in Decorah in order to handle his business from there. This partnership continued until 1879, when the father bought out Mr. McMaster's interest, continuing to be connected with the business until his death. During his later years he also did an extensive trade in windmills. which line he added to the stock he carried. Hle met his death on July 23. 1910,
509
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIER COUNTY
by falling from a windmill in his own yard, injuring himself so severely that he passed away within an hour from the time of the accident. His wife had preceded him in death, her decease occurring January 18, 1907. He was of old American stock and his wife was a native of Canada, born near Lake Champlain, but she also was of Yankee extraction. To their union were born four children: Mrs. Alice G. Fisher and Mrs. Alta M. Boughton, both of Chicago; Byron A., of this review ; and a son who died in infancy.
Byron A. Chandler acquired his education in the Decorah schools and early in life began to assist his father with the work in the store. He subsequently became a partner in the business at the time when Mr. Chandler bought out Mr. McMasters and carried on the enterprise after his father's demise. Several years ago both he and his father began also to engage in the plumbing and heat- ing business and of late years Byron A. Chandler is devoting his entire time to that line. The business of which he is the owner is one of the foremost of its kind in the city and the large trade which he enjoys is but the result of his fair methods, his close attention to the task in hand and his industry and energy. He is one of the substantial men of Decorah to whom credit is due not only for the success which he has attained but for his public-spirited citizenship, which connects him with all measures and movements inaugurated to promote the city's advancement along material as well as intellectual lines.
In 1897 Mr. Chandler married Miss Hannah D. Gellerman, a daughter of William Gellerman, who is engaged in draying in Decorah. Mr. and Mrs. Chandler have two children: Fred, aged fourteen, who attends the Decorah high school ; and George, who is twelve years of age and attending public school.
Mr. Chandler gives his political adherence to the republican party, stanchly upholding its principles and candidates. Both he and his wife attend the Con- gregational church and fraternally he is a member of the blue lodge of the Masonic order and the Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to Decorah lodge. Mrs. Chandler is well known in the Order of the Eastern Star. A son of a pioneer, Mr. Chandler has worthily carried on the family name and has become a forceful element in his community, where he is widely and favorably known, enjoying the high regard and confidence of all who come in contact with him in a business or social way.
O. C. HILDAHL.
A native of Winneshiek county, O. C. Hildahl is to be numbered among its most successful agriculturists, owning a highly profitable farm of one hundred and fifteen acres on section 10. Springfield township. He was born November 10, 1872, and is a son of Armie and Christe Hildahl, both natives of Norway, the father coming to America and Winneshiek county during the pioneer days of this section. He began his career by working out by the month, and by thrift and energy acquired the means to purchase one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 10, part of which farm our subject now owns. He diligently set himself to the task of clearing and improving his property and operated the
510
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
farm for the remainder of his life with good success, passing away March 24, 1800. The mother long preceded him in death.
(). C. Hildahl was reared and educated in Winneshiek county, attending district school near the home farm and also the Breckenridge Institute at Decorah. He remained at home until the father's death, when he and his brother bought the farm. later adding to their holdings and dividing the property between them. O. C. Ilildahl now holds title to the home place of one hundred and fifteen acres and has improved his farm to a considerable extent, keeping his buildings in good repair and installing the latest labor-saving machinery. He follows farming according to the best improved ideas and methods and the suc- cess which has attended his labors is but the outcome of close application, energy and honesty.
In December, 1895, Mr. Hildahl was united in marriage to Miss Juliana Brown, a daughter of John and Mary Brown, natives of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Hildahl have three children: Myrtle, aged nine; Ellen, five; and Agnes, two. Mr. Hildahl is a stockholder in the Nordness Creamery Company. Polit- ically he is a republican, ever upholding the standards of that party, and his religion is that of the Lutheran church. Ile is widely and favorably known as one of the younger successful agriculturists of Springfield township and in a large degree enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know him. Although he is not active politically, he is interested in all matters that affect the com- munity welfare and ever ready to bear his share of time and money in promot- ing worthy public enterprises that will prove of permanet value.
OLE O. RIVELAND.
Ole O. Riveland, who since 1877 has owned and operated three hundred and nineteen acres of land on sections 22 and 7. Military township, was born in Nor- way on the Sth of November. 1853, and is a son of Ole O. and Annie Riveland, also natives of that country. Both lived to an advanced age, the father dying when he was ninety-two years and ten months old and the mother at the age of ninety- four. To their union were born six children : Annie, deceased ; Martha, the wife of Edwin Swenson of Star City, lowa : Ole O., of Norway; Edwin, of Jewel Junction, lowa ; Ole O., of this review : and Annie, the wife of Erie Olson of Minnesota.
Ole O. Riveland spent his childhood and youth in his native country and when he was twenty-two years of age crossed the Atlantic to America, arriving in this county on the 4th of May, 1875 Two years later he purchased three hundred and nineteen acres of land on sections 22 and 7. Military township, and upon this he has since resided, steadily carrying forward the work of improvement and owning today one of the finest agricultural properties in this section of the state. Upon it he has built a fine, modern residence and the necessary barns and out- buildings and has installed labor-saving machinery, nothing being neglected which would add either to the attractive appearance or the value of the farm. Mr. Rive- land engages in general farming but makes a specialty of the breeding and raising of Poland China hogs and this branch of his activities has proven important and
513
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
profitable, his animals commanding a high price and a ready sale on the local markets.
On the 8th of February, 1877, Mr. Riveland was united in marriage to Miss Kjeste Johnson and to their union were born five children : Thone, the wife of the Rev. Ole Rolfsen of Presho, South Dakota; Olava, the wife of Herman Bloom of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the mother of two children, Audrey Marcella and Curtis Riveland; Josephine, who married Otto Lee, who is employed on the Rive- land homestead; Carnell, who is a resident of Ossian, and who is married, having one child, Adrian Carnell; and Alma, who lives at home.
Mr. Riveland is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and politically gives his allegiance to the republican party. He has served as township trustee but is not active as an office seeker, preferring to concentrate his attention upon his business affairs, which being capably and progressively conducted are bringing him gratifying and well deserved success.
ERICK O. SCHJELDAHL.
In the death of Erick O. Schjeldahl on the 13th of January, 1913, Highland- ville and Winneshiek county lost one of their representative and valued citizens. He had filled the office of postmaster for a longer period probably than any other postmaster of the state, and in mercantile circles he was well known, having conducted a store in addition to managing the postoffice. He was found enter- prising and thoroughly reliable in every connection and the record which he made was a most creditable one.
His birth occurred in Voss, Norway, on the 23d of June, 1848, his parents being Ole and Randvei Schjeldahl, who spent their entire lives as farming people in the land of the midnight sun. On crossing the Atlantic when a young man, Erick O. Schjeldahl made his way direct to Iowa, reaching Winneshiek county on the twentieth anniversary of his birth. During the winter seasons for a few years he resided with relatives in Pleasant township and attended school to acquaint himself with the English language, while during the summer months he was employed for a time as a farm hand. Desirous still of improving his education, he attended the Upper Iowa University at Fayette through two winters and secured a teacher's certificate in Winneshiek county but did not engage in teaching. Instead he turned to commercial pursuits, securing a posi- tion as clerk with S. W. Landers, proprietor of a general store at Decorah, with whom he remained for about three years. In 1875, in connection with Frank Landers, a son of S. W. Landers, he purchased a store at Highlandville, con- ducting it under the name of Schjeldahl & Landers until 1877, when the former purchased the interest of the latter. He was appointed postmaster of High- landville in 1876 and continued in that position until his death. At the same time he conducted his general mercantile establishment and in connection with his brother-in-law, H. O. Ford, built a store at Bryant, South Dakota, which was conducted by Mr. Ford. They had a large business there and Mr. Schjel- dahl also owned a half interest in a creamery at that place. His property hold- ings included a quarter section of land in that locality and at the time of his
514
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
death he was likewise the owner of a farm in Highland township, together with one hundred and sixty acres at Wild Rose, North Dakota. In all of his busi- ness affairs he profited, for his sound judgment and enterprise were manifest in all of his undertakings. He lived an industrious, useful life and left to his family the substantial reward of his labors. He was connected with several interests and activities of a public or semi-public character, including the stock company that built the physician's residence and hospital at Highlandville and secured a physician to take charge. Mr. Schjeldahl owned a third interest in that enterprise, the object of which was to secure a resident physician in this district.
On the Ioth of June, 1881, Mr. Schjeldahl was united in marriage to Miss Belinda Arneson, who was born in Rock county, Wisconsin, September 20, 1849, of Norwegian parentage. Six children blessed this marriage: Oscar C., who has a homestead at Haynes, North Dakota; Theodore, a graduate of Luther College of Decorah, of the class of 1905, and of the civil engineering course at Ames with the class of 1909 and now acting as administrator of his father's estate and manager of the store; R. Edgar, who has a homestead in South Dakota but is now residing in Winneshiek county; Margaret A., at home; Randvei H., who is now postmistress at Highlandville; and Arthur O., who is a graduate of the Albert Lee Academy, in which he completed both the normal and business courses. The three eldest sons are married, Oscar C. having wedded Hannah Thorson, while Theodore married Nettie Opheim and R. Edgar married Louise Langaland. The children at home expect to continue the conduct of the store which was established by their father, and which has made the name of Schjeldahl an honored one in business circles in their part of the county.
In politics Erick O. Schjeldahl was a republican until the last election, when he favored the progressive movement. He was a supporter of and attended the Big Canoe Lutheran church of Pleasant township and was acting as its treasurer when the new twelve thousand dollar house of worship was erected. He was active in all affairs pertaining to civic betterment and improvement and that he was a man of recognized honesty and worth is indicated in the fact that he was consulted many times by Norwegians who did not understand the English lan- guage. He came to the United States empty handed but gradually worked his way upward and at his death left a fine estate and an untarnished name. More- over, he had a family who are a credit and honor to him and who revere his memory.
HENRY LEIBOLD.
llenry Leibold is numbered among the prosperous and enterprising farmers of Winneshiek county, where he is known as the proprietor of two hundred and sixty acres of land on section 20, Washington township. He has resided in this part of Iowa since 1868, but was born in Fillmore county, Minnesota, on the 10th of December, 1865. He is a son of Peter and Mary Catherine ( Gold- bach ) Leibold, natives of Germany, who came to America about 1855 and located in Minnesota, where they remained for some time, coming to Winneshiek
515
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIER COUNTY
county, Iowa, in 1868. They located on a farm on section 21, Washington town- ship, and there the father engaged in agricultural pursuits until he retired from active life in 1902, removing to Fort Atkinson in the same year, where he lived until his death July 5, 1913. He and his wife became the parents of eight chil- dren : Agatha, the wife of John Schreffer, of Ida Grove, lowa; Pauline and Mary, both deceased : Henry, the subject of this review ; Fred, of Ossian ; Frank, living on the old homestead; Albert, who resides in Fort Atkinson ; and Josephine, the wife of George Roach, of Dubuque, Iowa.
Henry Leibold was only three years of age when he came to Winneshiek county and he here acquired his education, dividing his time in his childhood between the books and work upon his father's farm. By the time he attained his majority he had become a practical and able agriculturist and at twenty- seven purchased land, buying one hundred and sixty acres on section 20, Wash- ington township, to which he has added from time to time until he now owns two hundred and sixty acres. In addition to his general farming he is also exten- sively interested in the breeding and raising of stock and this branch of his activities is an important source of income.
Mr. Leibold was married May 30. 1893, to Miss Annie Sudtelgte, and they became the parents of eight children: Olevia and Eleanora, twins, the former of whom is at home and the latter deceased: Hugo, Bertha, George, Arthur and Emma, all of whom are still at home ; and a daughter who died in infancy
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.