USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > Past and present of Winneshiek county, Iowa; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 48
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In politics Mr. Valder is a democrat but not active as a party worker or office seeker. although he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and is never neglectful of the duties of citizenship. He lives at the Win- neshiek Hotel in Decorah. He has won many friends in this county during the period of his residence here, which covers almost four decades.
ALBERT ROY CAMPBELL.
Among the progressive and enterprising young farmers of Bloomfield town- ship is numbered Albert Roy Campbell, who was born on the farm which he is now operating in Bloomfield township on the 16th of April. 1883, a son of Hamilton and Abbie Eliza (Angier) Campbell, of whom extended mention is made on another page in this work. He is one of a family of three children : the others being: John Walter, of Postville, Iowa; and Lula Jane, who lives at home.
Albert Roy Campbell was reared under the parental roof and in his child- hood aided his father with the work of the farm, becoming at an early age thoroughly familiar with the best agricultural methods and with all the details connected with farm operation. He has now assumed management of the homestead, which comprises one hundred and sixty acres, and upon it he carries Vol. II-24
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on general farming and stock-raising, meeting with that success which always follows earnest, well directed and persistent labor.
On the 12th of April, 1905, Mr. Campbell was united in marriage to Miss Janet Elizabeth Caldow, a daughter of Adam Caldow. Mr. Campbell is a republican in his political views and fraternally is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Ile is one of the progressive and enterprising farmers of his section of the county, and although he is still a young man, has already attained a gratifying degree of success, his record being a credit to a name that has long been an honored one in his community.
R. F. STEAD.
R. F. Stead, the second oldest native son of Winneshiek county, is num- bered today among the most extensive landowners and prosperous farmers of this locality, owning and operating besides the family homestead, upon which he was born, a half section of land adjoining. Ilis entire life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits and he has won that success which is the natural result of practical methods and earnest and well directed labor. He was born on the property he now owns, August 17, 1856, and is a son of John and Mary ( Russell) Stead. the former born near Montreal, Canada, and the latter in Ireland, March 16, 1823. Both have passed away, the father dying February 6, 1894, at the age of seventy, and the mother, July 10, 1910. The paternal grandfather, Francis Stead, was a native of England and went to Montreal, Canada, as a young man, marrying there and spending the remainder of his life engaged in farming and banking. His son, the father of the sub- ject of this review, was one of a family of nine children. He left Canada in the fall of 1853 and came as a pioneer to Winneshiek county, taking up a government claim in Burr Oak township which has been in possession of members of his family since that time. His wife crossed the Atlantic with her parents when she was yet a child and with them settled in Canada, her marriage occurring in the Dominion, May 1, 1850. Four years later she joined her husband, who had preceded her to Burr Oak township in order to make a home, and they continued to reside upon their farm in this locality until 1888, when the father retired from active life and moved into the village of Burr Oak. In their family were four children: Ilannah, the widow of Clayton Rollins, of La Crosse, Wisconsin; R. F., of this review: Elizabeth, the wife of Alvin Rollins, of Burr Oak township; and Edwin G., a merchant of Canton, Minnesota.
R. F. Stead has resided upon the family homestead all his life and so far as can be ascertained is the second oldest native son of Winneshiek county. He has devoted his entire active life to agricultural pursuits and now in addi- tion to the home farm owns and operates another half section of land adjoin- ing it. All of this property he has accumulated through his own efforts, for he started with an eighty-acre tract encumbered with a debt and is today one of the extensive landowners in this section of the state. In addition to the above mentioned property he owns a half section in North Dakota. He is a
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stockholder in the Burr Oak Creamery and his business interests are all care- fully managed and therefore profitable, his labors having brought him a grati- fying degree of success, placing him in the front ranks of progressive and representative agriculturists.
In 1881 Mr. Stead was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Odell, who was born in Fillmore county, Minnesota. May 2, 1863, a daughter of lliram and Eliza (Gates) Odell, the former a native of Quebec, Canada, and the latter of AAlbany, New York. In 1849 the father drove a herd of cattle from eastern ('anada to California and spent two or three years in the gold fields of that state. Some time after his return he settled in Fillmore county, Minnesota, making his home near Spring Valley, a locality to which he went in pioncer times. Mr. and Mrs. Stead are the parents of a son, John Hiram, who is now aiding in the operation of the home farm. He married Miss Beulah Ward and they have a son, Robert Claude.
Mr. Stead is connected fraternally with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Rebekahs and the Modern Woodmen of America. Of late years he and his wife have traveled extensively in the United States and they have spent the last three winters in California. In Winneshiek county, where his entire life has been spent, Mr. Stead commands and holds the confidence and high regard of his neighbors and friends and is known as a business man of unquestioned integrity as well as a public-spirited, loyal and progressive citizen.
J. D. HEXOM, M. D.
Dr. J. D. Hexom, who since 1905, following his graduation from the State University of Iowa, has been actively engaged in the practice of his pro- fession at Highlandville, was born near Waukon, Allamakee county, lowa, January 17, 1879, a son of David and Augusta ( Sivesend ) Hexom, the former a native of Norway, while the mother was born either in Winneshiek or Allamakee county, Iowa. They now reside in Decorah, the father having retired from business life after long and active connection with farming inter- ests. The family numbered ten children, all of whom are living, and the sons have all become farmers save Dr. Hexom and a brother who is engaged in merchandising.
Dr. Hexom is the third in order of birth, and upon the old homestead in Allamakee county he was reared until he left to pursue his education outside the district schools. Entering Luther College at Decorah, he there pursued his classical course until graduated in 1901. He prepared for his professional career as a student in the medical department of the State University of Iowa and won his MI. D. degree in 1905. He at once located for practice in High- landville, where he has since remained and as the years have passed his success has grown. His ability has enabled him to successfully cope with many complex and intricate professional problems. Dr. Hexom is also con- nected with agricultural interests, owning the farm upon which he was born, comprising three hundred acres six miles west of Waukon. The farm is situated on the county line, part being in Winneshiek and the remainder in
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Allamakee county. The practical experience which he had in youth enables Dr. Hexom to carefully direct the cultivation and further development of this place, from which he derives a gratifying annual income.
In 1903 occurred the marriage of Dr. Hexom and Miss Emma Dahlen, a native of Winneshiek county and a daughter of Ole and Ingri Dahlen, of Glenwood township. They have three children: Lester, Floyd and Dagna. In politics Dr. Hexom is a republican, active and interested in the success of the party. He is now chairman of the republican precinct committee and a member of the county central committee. The cause of education finds in him a friend and he is now serving effectively as president of the independent school district. He belongs to the Big Canoe Lutheran church of Highlandville and he has been leader of the Highlandville Cornet Band during the past four years or since its organization. He played the cornet in the college orchestra and has always possessed great love for and interest in music. He regards his pro- fession, however, as his chief life work and holds membership in the North- eastern lowa and the American Medical Associations. thus keeping in touch with the advanced thought of the profession.
HERMAN TWEET.
Farming interests of Pleasant township find a progressive and worthy rep- resentative in Herman Tweet, who owns and operates two hundred and eighty acres of fine land on section 12, constituting the property upon which he was born on the 17th of March, 1860. He is a son of Ole and Kjersta Tweet, natives of Norway, the former born December 3, 1822, and the latter March 7. 1827. The parents came to America in 1853 and settled first in Wisconsin, whence they came to Pleasant township, Winneshick county, Iowa, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The father became an extensive land- owner, accumulating two hundred and eighty acres on section 12, and upon this property his death occurred on May 3. 1902. He was a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and a republican in his political beliefs. His wife survived him some time, dying August 3. 1910. In their family were cleven children, nine of whom grew to maturity: Mrs. Julia Osmundson, who passed away leaving nine children; Betsy, who died at the age of twenty; Anfin, of Montraille county, North Dakota; Turie, the wife of Nels C. Grinde- land, of this township: Ole, who passed away in 1910, leaving a widow and four children: llerman, the subject of this review; Christina, the wife of I. Weir, of Florida; Emma, who married Nels Aschem, of Decorah ; and Theo- clore, living in Montraille county, North Dakota.
Herman Tweet was reared under the parental roof and from his early childhood assisted with the operation of the farm, becoming before he was of age an able agriculturist. He has never left the homestead and now owns the property, his land comprising two hundred and eighty acres, upon which he has made substantial improvements from time to time. Under his care and direction the land has come to be one of the finest farms in this locality and
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it reflects everywhere in its neat and attractive appearance the owner's many years of practical labor and careful supervision.
Mr. Tweet gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served in a creditable and able way as township trustee. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church, guiding his honorable and upright life by the principles in which he believes. He is numbered among Pleasant town- ship's most able and successful native sons and during the years of his resi- dence in this locality has made many substantial contributions to its agricul- tural upbuilding, his record being a credit to a name that has long been an honored one in this community.
JOSEPH F. KLIMESH.
A native of Sumner township, Winneshiek county, where he was born on section 16, Joseph F. Klimesh today operates the home farm of one hundred and sixty acres, to which he has since added forty acres, making his holdings two hundred acres in all. His farm is highly improved and his house, barns and other buildings substantially constructed. He is progressive in all that he undertakes and the most modern and up-to-date machinery can be found upon his place. He was born on May 5, 1868, and is a son of John and Annie ( Macrora ) Klimesh, natives of Bohemia, who came to America in 1862, locating in Winneshick county on two hundred and eighty acres of land, part of which is now operated by our subject. The father successfully followed agricultural pursuits but both he and his wife have now passed away. In their family were twelve children: John, of Alberta, Canada; Frank, of Howard county, this state; Annie, who married Anton Schweller, of Spillville, Iowa; Joseph F., our subject : Victoria, the wife of John Vanguya, of South Omaha, Nebraska ; Mary, who married Albert Thorlash, of St. Paul, Minnesota; Robert and Lena, who reside in Spillville, lowa; Josie, who is married and also lives at Spillville; Joseph and Mary, who died in infancy; and a son who also died when young.
Joseph F. Klimesh was reared under the parental roof and received his education in the schools of the neighborhood. He early became acquainted with agricultural pursuits under the guidance of his father and remained upon the home place until he was twenty-two years of age, when one hundred and sixty acres of the home farm was deeded to him. He has since added thereto forty acres, making his farm two hundred acres. The land is all in a high state of cultivation, his house is commodious and well appointed and his barns, sheds and outbuildings substantially constructed. He has erected two silos of seventy-five tons capacity each and also owns a threshing engine which he rents to neighboring farmers. He engages in general farming and stock- raising and his annual income is gratifying.
On June 3, 1801, Mr. Klimesh married Miss Barbara Koston and to them were born nine children: Joseph and Frank, at home; Celia, deceased; and Agnes, Celia, George, Hedwig, Barbara and Viola, all of whom reside at home. Mr. Klimesh is a democrat and stanchly upholds the candidates of that party
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at the polls. He is a devout member of the Catholic church, as is his family, and he belongs to the Catholic Association. He has long made his home in Winneshiek county and Sumner township and has not only witnessed the changes that have here occurred but has been a helpful and cooperant factor in bringing about advancement and development. Ile is progressive in all that he under- takes and by his labors has done much toward promoting the agricultural prosperity which prevails in this section.
MILTON D. WHITNEY.
Milton D. Whitney is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 18, Hesper township, and is numbered among the progressive agriculturists and prominent business men of his locality. The place is a portion of the homestead upon which he was born May 28, 1868, his parents being Brayton and Martha ( Rockwood ) Whitney, natives of Jefferson county, New York, who married there and came west about 1857. They located in the vicinity of Watertown, Wisconsin, and from that section the father enlisted in 1861 in Company B, Twenty-ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, being later transferred to the Sixteenth Ohio Light Artillery. He served for three years in the Union army and after his discharge returned to Watertown, where he remained until 1867. lle then removed to lowa, buying a farm on section 18, Hesper township, this county, whereon he resided until his death. He and his wife became the parents of seven children: L. B., a banker in Decorah : Perry H., a merchant in Burr Oak: Clara S., the wife of Sherwood Benedict, of Newcastle, Nebraska; Milton D., of this review; Claude, who died at the age of twenty-five, leaving a widow and two children : Cora, the wife of William Darling, of llesper township; and Alice, who died at the age of four years.
Milton D. Whitney was reared at home and acquired his early education in the district schools of Hesper township, supplementing this by a course at the State Normal School in Winona, Minnesota. Upon laying aside his books he turned his attention to teaching and for nine years thereafter engaged in that occupation, spending three years in Minnesota, one in North Dakota and the remainder of the time in Winneshiek county. He afterward spent one summer in Wyoming as a member of a surveying party and upon resigning that position turned his attention to farming, an occupation in which he has since engaged, being ranked today among the prosperous and progressive agriculturists of his township. He owns one hundred and six acres of the home place and its neat and attractive appearance is entirely due to him, for it had no improvements when he took up his residence upon it. He has erected the buildings and installed the machinery and has made the farm a valuable and productive prop- erty, reflecting everywhere his careful supervision and practical labors. He engages in general farming and stock-raising and is an extensive breeder of shorthorn cattle.
On the 8th of April. 1804, Mr. Whitney was united in marriage to Miss Fannie Ruth Maltby, who was born in Canoe township, December 7, 1873, a daughter of Corydon O. and Mary ( Gilbert ) Maltby, the former of whom
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resides in Winneshiek county and of whose life more extended mention is made elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Whitney have three chiklren, Iloward R., Madge E. and Luella.
Mr. Whitney is a director of the State Line Bank at Prosper, Minnesota, and is connected fraternally with Clement Lodge, No. 567, A. F. & A. M., at Burr Oak. He also belongs to the Yeomen and the Modern Woodmen of America. Ile is a progressive in his political beliefs and has held various minor offices. His religious views are in accord with the doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is interested in the new and scientific aspects of farming and did worthy work along this line as instructor for the Iowa State Agricultural College. He spent one winter at that occupation, during which time he traveled through all parts of the state, remaining one week in each locality, doing much during this time to promote the spread of a more general knowledge of modern agricultural methods. In the township where he resides and where almost his entire life has been spent he has become widely and favorably known. his many sterling qualities of character having gained for him an extensive circle of friends.
JOHN HUBER.
For over fifty-five years John Huber has made his home in Winneshiek county and is therefore entitled to be numbered among its pioneers. Not only has he attained prosperity for himself but has ever shown a progressive public spirit and gives evidence thereof by serving at present as president of the township school board. Ile is one of the most substantial men of Sumner township, owning over four hundred acres of valuable land on sections 22 and 27. Mr. Huber was born in Franklin county, Indiana, October 22, 1837, and is now nearing his seventy-sixth birthday. Although ripe in years he is still hale and hearty, deeply interested in all that occurs around him and active in looking after his important property interests. He is a son of Michael and Ursula (Schreiber ) Iluber, natives of Switzerland, who in 1836 came to America and located in Indiana. The father followed agricultural pursuits and came to Winneshiek county in 1855, locating near Old Mission, whence he removed to Sumner township, making his home on section 22, where he died on December 2, 1872. The mother had preceded him in death, passing away on August 3, 1860. To their union were born six children : John, our subject : Theresa, deceased; George, of Fort Atkinson; Carolina, the wife of Peter Ludwig, of Scott county, Iowa; Jacob, of Montana ; and Barbara, of Oregon.
John Huber attended school in Indiana and in 1855, when eighteen years of age, came with his parents to Winneshiek county. He remained at home all his life and after his mother's death the home farm fell to his share. There were at that time three hundred and sixty acres, to which he has since added, owning now over four hundred acres on sections 22 and 27. For many years he has given his labors to the improvement of his property and today it is considered one of the most valuable in the section, his buildings being substantially constructed and his fields in a high state of cultivation.
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On June 15. 1863, Mr. Huber married Miss Magdalena Herzog and to this union were born eleven children : Antony, of North Dakota: Joseph M., at home ; William J. and Henry, deceased ; Rosie, the wife of William Huber, of Cresco, Iowa; Juliana, who married Joseph Skoda, of Sumner township; Frances, the wife of John Zoulek, of Sumner township ; John J., also of this township ; Matilda, who married John Cahayska, of Sumner township; and George and Frank, at home. All of the children have grown to be useful and valued members of society, enjoying the same respect and esteem as their parents.
Mr. Huber votes the democratic ticket and has always interested himself in affairs of public importance. He has served as township trustee, is tax collector and township clerk and at present holds the position of president of the school board. He is a devout adherent of the Catholic church, in the faith of which his family has been reared. He has witnessed the changes that have occurred here from primitive conditions to present-day prosperity and has himself been a helpful and cooperant factor in bringing about this beneficial change. He enjoys the highest esteem and admiration not only on account of his years but because they have been spent in such a manner as to reflect great credit upon him.
HENRY PAINE.
Ilenry Paine, who has been a resident of Decorah for the past forty-six years, has since 1885 been prominently identified with insurance interests as state agent and adjuster for the Continental Insurance Company of New York. His birth occurred in Stark county, Ohio, on the 24th of December, 1841, his parents being Rufus and Narcissa ( Aldrich ) Paine, who were natives of Rhode Island and Massachusetts respectively. The father, a farmer by occupation, removed to Ohio in 1836 and in that state carried on agricultural and financial pursuits throughout the remainder of his life. His demise occurred in 1864 while his wife was called to her final rest in 1887.
Henry Paine was reared and educated in the state of his nativity and after putting aside his text-books became identified with mercantile interests, also engaging in the buying of grain. He also accepted a position with the Cleveland & Pittsburg Railroad as agent at Limaville, serving in that capacity for two years. In 1867 he came to Winneshiek county, Iowa, locating at Decorah, where he has remained continuously since and where he was actively engaged in the implement and insurance business until 1885. In that year he was appointed state agent and adjuster for the Continental Insurance Com- pany of New York and has held that responsible position to the present time. discharging the important duties devolving upon him in a highly commendable and satisfactory manner.
On the 2d of March, 1865, Mr. Paine was united in marriage to Miss Frank 1. Day, her parents being J. H. and Susan L. (Clark) Day, natives of New York. The father, a physician by profession, went to Limaville, Ohio, in an early day and there practiced medicine throughout the remainder of his life. Mr. and Mrs. Paine have two children, namely: Herbert D., who is
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married and resides in Decorah and who acts as special agent for Iowa in the service of the Continental Insurance Company; and Stella Louise, at home. In 1870 Mr. Paine built a handsome residence at the west end of Broadway, which has since remained the family home. In politics he is a republican, while his religious faith is that of the Congregational church. He is well known and highly esteemed in the city which has been his home for many years, and in the evening of a well spent life is surrounded by material com- fort and a host of friends.
JOHN SCHISSEL.
The pioneer history of Winneshiek county contains the record of no more useful, honorable and worthy life than that of John Schissel, who during his forty- five years of residence here made many tangible and substantial contributions to its agricultural development and whose death deprived this section of one of her earliest settlers and most valued and representative citizens. Mr. Schissel was born in Bavaria, Germany, August 2, 1839, and is a son of Peter and Mary Schissel, who crossed the Atlantic to America in 1844 and settled in Pennsylvania, where they continued to reside for thirteen years. They came to Winneshiek county in 1856, settling near Festina, where the father engaged in farming until his death. His wife passed away in 1863. To their union were born five children : Barbara, George and Peter, who have passed away: John of this review; and Joseph, a farmer near Ossian.
John Schissel accompanied his parents to America in 1844 and came with them to Winneshiek county in 1856, remaining with his parents for some time there- after and assisting his father with the work of the homestead At the age of twenty-five he began his independent career. turning his attention naturally to farming. which he understood thoroughly, having learned the details of that occu- pation through early and long continued experience. From that time until his death he engaged in agricultural pursuits in Washington township, operating also a threshing machine, and his well directed labors through the years were rewarded by a success which placed him in high position among progressive farmers in this locality.
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