USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > Past and present of Winneshiek county, Iowa; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 51
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
Mr. Zweibalmer is a member of the Roman Catholic church and politically gives his allegiance to the democratic party, having been elected on that ticket to the position of school director. He devotes practically his entire time to his farm, his fine property today reflecting his many years of careful supervision, and he is numbered among the progressive, able and substantial agriculturists of his native township and county.
HON. NELS LARSON.
Of sterling Norwegian stock and himself a native of the Norseland king- dom, Hon. Nels Larson has ever since his childhood resided in Winneshiek county, having witnessed the changes that have here occurred as primitive conditions have given way to the onward march of civilization. Since 1855 he has been a resident of this county and since 1868 he has made his home upon a farm on section 16, Highland township, which under his able manage- ment has become one of the most profitable agricultural establishments in the section. It originally comprised two hundred and forty acres but several years ago Mr. Larson gave eighty acres to his son, retaining one hundred and sixty acres. Of late, however, he has rented this also to his son, who operates the homestead, and now he lives in well earned retirement, enjoying the fruits of his former labors. Not only has Mr. Larson become prominent along agricultural lines but he has ever been one of the leaders in republican politics in this section and has continually held important offices not only in connection with the township and county but also in the legislature, in which he sat for several terms, exerting his influence to the best of his ability in the interests of his district and promulgating the welfare of the state by doing effective work in committee rooms and sustaining valuable measures on the floor of the house. Ever since 1864, when he cast his first vote for Lincoln, he has remained true to the republican standard and he is today as stalwart as ever in his support of the political colors in the principles of which he believes. Aside from political work he has ever interested himself in educational matters and has done much toward promoting the educational system of the county, while he has always taken an active and helpful interest in the work of the Lutheran church.
Hon. Nels Larson was born in Sogne, Norway, on September 1, 1841, a son of Lars and Karel ( Bakke) Larson. Both resided on the Bakke farm in their native country and when Nels Larson, our subject, came here and found that the farm upon which he settled had no name he took the first one of his father for the family name and has since styled himself Nels Larson. The mother died on the home farm in Norway in 1852 and was buried there, our subject being her only child. He and his father came to America in 1854,
558
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
going to Minnesota in search of those opportunities of which they had heard so much in their native country. They spent the first winter there and in the spring of 1855 located in Winneshiek county, where Nels Larson has resided ever since. In 1874 the father moved to Ottertail county, Minnesota, and there he passed away in 1881. He married again while he made his home in Winneshiek county and of this union were born four children, of whom two have passed away. The father here bought eighty acres of land at one dollar and a half per acre from the government and later acquired by purchase more school land.
Nels Larson grew up under the care of his father and received such school- ing as was afforded under the primitive conditions prevailing during pioneer times. He made his home with his father and he was twenty-one years of age when the latter married again. The father then let our subject have eighty acres of land on condition that he pay for it what it had cost. Nels Larson resided on this farm in Highland township until 1868, devoting him- self to the cultivation of his acres and to improving the primitive state of the property. Upon selling it he purchased his present farm, upon which he has ever since resided. It comprised two hundred and forty acres but later Mr. Larson let his son have an eighty-acre tract, so that he now holds title to one hundred and sixty acres. A large house stood on the farm when Mr. Larson purchased it but he has since rebuilt, putting up a fine home, and has made many other improvements. He has set out a number of ornamental and fruit trees and as he has passed his years in arduous labor, has made his place one of the most valuable of the neighborhood. For many years his unflagging attention was given to general farming and stock-raising and that his well tried methods have proven of value, thereof his present prosperity stands as proof. Mr. Larson is now enabled to live in retirement from active labor, the home place being cultivated by a son who for a number of years has rented the same.
On July 29, 1862, Mr. Larson was married to Miss Julia Kjornme, a native of Minnedahl, Norway, where she was born on February 22, 1845. She came with her parents to the United States in 1853, and has ever since resided in Highland township. She is a daughter of Nels and Margaret Kjornme, both of whom passed away in Highland township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Larson became the parents of a family of twelve children: Caroline, who passed away at the age of eight months; Caroline, second of the name, who married O. L. Wenner, of Highland township; Nels, deceased, who left a widow and three children; Louis, a resident of Highland township; Maria, the wife of Ole Peterson, of Hesper township; Henry C., who operates his father's farm; Albert, also a resident of this township; Johanna, who married P. M. Peterson, who operates a creamery in Highland township; Emma, who died at the age of eight ; and Julia, Gustav and Emma, at home.
Public-spirited and progressive, Mr. Larson has always taken an active part in the political life of the county. He is a lifelong republican, having voted for Lincoln in 1864 and for every republican presidential candidate since that time. Ever since 1867 Mr. Larson has held one or more offices. For eleven years he was township assessor and township clerk for about the same length of time, and for fourteen years he was township clerk under the old law. He was appointed and elected justice of the peace but did not qualify for the
559
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
office. In 1879 he was elected to the county board of supervisors and served for six years or two terms. In 1885 yet higher honors came to him in his election to the state legislature as representative from Winneshick county. He was reelected in 1887 and nominated for a third term but defeated in the election with the whole ticket as a democratic landslide overran the state in 1889 and Governor Boise was elected. Since that time Mr. Larson has held the office of township clerk off and on for about twelve years but declined reelection in 1912. He is a pillar of strength in the local councils of his party and has been a delegate to various state conventions and served many years as republican township committeeman. As he resides but one mile south of the Minnesota state line he was jocularly referred to in the legislature as "the member from Minnesota." Until sixteen years ago Mr. Larson was a member of the Big Canoe Lutheran church, at which time the Highland township church was built, of which he has since been a member. He gave evidence of his interest in the cause of education by serving as a member of the board of trustees of Luther College, Decorah, for fifteen consecutive years, declining reelection to the board at that time. He was treasurer of the township school district for twenty-two years. Five times he ably represented the Big Canoe and Highland churches in the annual meeting of the synod. He also served efficiently as treasurer of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of this county for four years, declining reelection at the end of that time. Viewed from every point the career of Mr. Larson has been a successful one. An able agriculturist, he has done much toward building up this section of the country and toward establishing efficient agricultural standards. A public leader, he has ever will- ingly served in many important positions to the benefit of all concerned. A man thoroughly imbued with the importance of educational facilities, he has done much for the schools of his county and, last but not least, has ever shown himself to be a true Christian and a faithful adherent of his church, whose principles have always guided all his actions. He is a credit to Winneshiek county and his fellowmen, who have honored him so often with public office, have honored themselves by selecting one who so worthily has performed his public tasks as to draw commendation and high praise from every side. A forceful man and a man of strong character, Mr. Larson is sympathetic and kind to the unfortunate ones and to those in need, and there is no man within the boundaries of Winneshiek county who more justly receives esteem and respect than the Hon. Nels Larson.
JOHN J. HUBER.
A native of Sumner township, Winneshiek county, Iowa, John J. Huber has attained to a substantial position among its agricultural fraternity, owning a . valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 11. He was born Novem- ber 13, 1879, and is a son of John and Lena ( Herzog ) Huber, natives of Indiana. The father came to lowa when he was about eighteen years of age, locating near Fort Atkinson and later moving to Sumner township, where he settled on section 22. There he still resides. He successfully followed agricultural pursuits all his
560
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
life and is still so engaged. Mr. and Mrs. John Huber became the parents of eleven children : Anton, of North Dakota : Joseph, of Sumner township ; William and Henry, deceased ; Rosie, the wife of William Huber, of Cresco. Iowa ; Julia, who married Joseph Skode, of Summer township; Frances, the wife of John Zoulek, of Sumner township; John J., our subject ; Tillie, who married John Zohasky, of Sumner township; George C., of Sumner township; and Frank C., also a resident of this township.
John J. Huber was reared under the parental roof and remained with his father until his marriage, early becoming acquainted with agricultural pursuits. For eight years after his marriage he engaged in farming but in 1910 bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 11, Suniner township. to which he has ever since given his whole attention. Ile follows diversified methods and to some extent engages in stock-raising. His fields show careful attention and his build- ings are kept in good repair.
Mr. Huber married Miss Caroline Zalisky, a daughter of Frank and Katherine (Fisher ) Zalisky. She passed away on March 12, 1912, leaving two children : Richard George, born August 30, 1902; and Viola Mary, born August 18, 1904. MIr. Huber is a democrat in his political affiliations and for six years efficiently served as township trustee. He now holds the position of elerk of Sumner town- ship. He is a devout member of the Catholic church and fraternally is connected with the Woodmen. He takes a deep interest in the welfare of his locality and in achieving success for himself sets agricultural standards and contributes to the general prosperity.
HERBERT G. WARD.
One of the most popular and able young men of Burr Oak is Herbert G. Ward, postmaster of the town and prominently connected with its business interests as a barber and a general merchant. He is also business manager of the Burr Oak Leaf. a monthly newspaper, and has other important business relations.
Herbert G. Ward is a native son of the town, born February 28, 1884. his parents being Benjamin and Lavina ( Briggs) Ward, natives of Ontario, Canada, the former born June 27, 1835, and the latter July 2, 1842. The father is numbered among the pioneers in this part of Iowa, having resided here since 1854. He is a son of Charles and Cynthia ( Craig) Ward both of whom were born in New York and who married in Canada. The former engaged in farm- ing all during his active life and moved to lowa at an early date, dying in this state. The mother passed away in Dubuque. They were the parents of nine children, of whom three are still living: Benjamin, father of the subject of this review ; Charles, who is practicing medicine in Kansas; and Mrs. Rachel Sage, of South Dakota. Benjamin Ward came to Winneshiek county with his parents in 1854 and has resided in Burr Oak and its vicinity since that time. He learned the carpenter's and joiner's trades and followed these in connection with building until 1893, when he entered the general merchandise business, conducting a large and profitable enterprise of this character for ten years. After
561
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
this he lived a retired life until 1910, when he was appointed assistant post -. master, serving under his son. He has at all times been interested in local politics and has voted the republican ticket since the first election of Abraham Lincoln. He served as township trustee in a capable and farsighted way and has done a great deal to promote general advancement and development in this section of the state. He is well known in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having been a member of that association for the past thirty years. He and his wife became the parents of nine children: William Henry, who died in California at the age of forty-eight, leaving a widow and two children; Mrs. Clara Graham, a widow residing in Sandpoint, Idaho; Alice, the wife of F. O. Potter, of Bairdstown, California ; Charles, deceased ; Nellie, who married C. V. Manning, of Burr Oak; Mrs. Edna Taylor, who passed away in California leaving three sons; Edith, the wife of E. O. Potter, of Arthur, Iowa; Ethel, who married S. E. Pierce, of Burr Oak; and Herbert G., of this review.
The last named was reared at home and acquired his education in the public schools of his locality. When he began his active career he became a clerk in a general store and after five years turned his attention to the barber business, in which he has since remained. He has a large and well appointed shop and in connection with it conducts also a general merchandise store, which under his able management has become important and profitable. In 1910 he was appointed postmaster of Burr Oak and has since discharged the duties of this important position in a capable and earnest way. In addition to these connections he is also business manager of the Burr Oak Leaf, a monthly paper, treasurer of the Burr Oak Cemetery Association and secre- tary of the Old Settlers Association of Burr Oak. He is a man of wide inter- ests, all of which he has made forces in the development and growth of his native community. In politics he is a stanch republican and he is connected fraternally with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Rebekahs and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a young man of unusual ability and promise, efficient in the promotion of his individual interests and active in all work of community welfare, and his future, judged by his past, will be marked by continuous progress and successful achievement.
GILBERT A. ANDERSON.
Gilbert A. Anderson belongs to an old pioneer family of Winneshiek county, his parents coming here at an early date, and is now located on a valuable farm of one hundred and eighty acres on sections 15, 16 and 22, Highland township, near the Minnesota border. The property is known as the Bear Creek Farm and Mr. Anderson devotes his time to raising of live stock, making a specialty of horses, although he gives considerable attention to cattle and hogs. He was born in the house in which he now lives on July 10, 1867, and is a son of Thurston and Maria (Nelson) Anderson, natives of Norway. The father was born December 30, 1837, and the mother July 5, 1843. She went to Wisconsin with her parents in
562
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESIHEK COUNTY
1853, at the age of ten, and the father arrived in Illinois in the same year. In 1854 the mother came with her people to Winneshiek county, the father arriving here after having spent three years in Illinois. The parents were married in Winne- shiek county and settled on the farm which Gilbert A. Anderson now occupies, having bought part of it of a man who had previously preempted it. There the father engaged successfully in agricultural pursuits until his means permitted hin to retire, both he and his wife removing to Decorah. There the former died on April 14, 1913, while the latter still makes her home in that city. The father was a republican all his life and held various township offices, including that of trustee. Both parents were members of the Lutheran church. In their family were three children : Gilbert A., our subject ; Martha C., who married O. J. Ness and died in 1910; and Thea H., the wife of G. N. Kjome, of Decorah. The parents made their way to Winneshiek county in wagons at the time when the cholera was heavy upon the country and the paternal grandfather of our subject died of that sickness in Ohio. The mother's mother came to this section via the Great Lakes and died of the same terrible plague on Lake Michigan. In Chi- cago the cholera was so prevalent that people were carried off like animals after having succumbed to the disease. The father while in Illinois suffered with the ague and from that state went by boat to Lansing, lowa, and from that place in company with a freighter walked most of the way to Decorah. When he first located here he made his home in a log house. His land was entirely unim- proved then but he gradually put it all under cultivation and made it a valuable farm. How scarce money was in those pioneer times is evident from the fact that as high as forty per cent interest was paid as a bonus. In those early times the pioneers had to make all they needed in the line of clothing and they practically raised all of their provisions. When a neighbor could afford to buy a new wagon and harness it was considered in those days equivalent to a man buying an automobile nowadays. How different the present prosperous condition of the agriculturist, who has at his command all modern conveniences, including the telephone and regular mail delivery, when compared with the hardships and incon- veniences the first settlers of the section had to overcome.
Gilbert A. Anderson has made his home all his life upon the farm which he later bought from his father. He was reared under the parental roof and early became acquainted with agricultural pursuits, being assigned the minor duties on the home place. Since taking charge of the property he has greatly enhanced its value, instituting modern improvements and up-to-date equipment. The property, which is known as the Bear Creek Farm, comprises one hundred and eighty acres on sections 15, 16 and 22 in Highland township, and is largely devoted to stock- raising. Mr. Anderson makes a specialty of horses although he also raises cattle and hogs. He breeds shorthorn cattle and has done so for the last fifteen years. He was president of the Rock Spring Cooperative Creamery Company but at the annual meeting of 1913 declined reelection.
On February 15, 1893, Mr. Anderson married Miss Maria Wermager, who was born in Wilmington township, Houston county, Minnesota. June 9, 1874. She is a daughter of P. H. and Gunhild Wermager, the former a native of Nor- way and the latter of Minnesota. They now reside in Ambrose, North Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have six living children, Truman C., Genevieve C., Pierce W., Myron H., Marie I. and Gertrude M. C. George A., the sixth in order of birth, passed away at the age of thirteen months.
563
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
Mr. Anderson is a republican and takes a laudable interest in the public life of the township. In the primaries of 1910 he was a candidate for county recorder and he has also held several school and road offices. His religion is that of the Lutheran church, his membership being in the Highland township organization. He has done much for Winneshiek county toward promoting the progress of agriculture and while he has won individual success has been a force for good in his locality. He enjoys the high respect and esteem of all who know him, the sterling traits of his character having won for him many friends Not only has he been an interested witness of the changes that have occurred in the onward march of civilization but he has been a helpful and cooperant factor in bringing about the general advancement.
ABRAM LAMBERT.
Among the most respected and valued residents of Winneshiek county is numbered Abram Lambert, who for more than fifty-seven years has resided on the farm he now occupies on section 34. Bloomfield township. This has covered the period of the state's greatest growth and progress and in the work of general improvement he has borne his full share as the years have gone by. He came to Winneshiek county in 1856 and his life since that time has been busy, active and useful, his farm being today visible evidence of his thrift and economy. He was born in Madison county, Indiana, on the 21st of March, 1833, and is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Smith) Lambert, natives of Pennsylvania and of old Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry. The father died when the subject of this review was only a year and a half old and his wife survived him for many years, passing away at the age of eighty-four. To their union were born four children : Polly, the widow of Abram Riggs, of Castalia ; Henry, deceased ; Abram, of this review ; and Samuel, who has passed away.
Abram Lambert spent his childhood in Indiana, acquiring his education in the district schools, and he there remained until he was twenty-three years of age, at which time he came to Winneshiek county, settling on a farm in Bloomfield township, on section 34. This was in 1856 and since that time he has made his home upon this property, watching the section develop from a frontier region into an important and populous farming country. The years have brought him success, prominence and a substantial fortune, for he has directed his energies along useful and practical lines and guided them always by sound business judgment. He today owns two hundred and forty acres, well improved and developed, and upon this he has carried on general farming and stock-raising for fifty-seven years, enjoying the distinction of being the only man in the county to reside upon one property for so long a period. His business interests are carefully and capably conducted and his present success rewards his own well directed and persistent industry.
On the 21st of October, 1858, Mr. Lambert was united in marriage to Miss Rhoda A. Cook, a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Surran) Cook, natives of Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Lambert became the parents of the following children : Wilber F., a resident of Bloomfield township; Oren, of Oregon; Savina and
564
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
May, at home: Alton E., farming on the home place ; Elizabeth E., the wife of E. J. Perry, of Bloomfield township; and Abram Ray and Rhoda May, twins, the former of whom is deceased.
Since the organization of the republican party Mr. Lambert has been a stanch supporter of its principles and has voted the republican ticket from the time of Fremont. Ile is an admirer of Theodore Roosevelt and a believer in his policies which he does all in his power to uphold. For over half a century he has lived in Winneshiek county and he is one of the few who have so long witnessed its growth and development. In its progress he takes an active inter- est, giving his hearty support from time to time to movements for the general welfare, and personally he has always commanded and held the confidence and high regard of all who are associated with him.
HENRY MANUEL.
llenry Manuel is one of the substantial farmers of Burr Oak township, where he owns a well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres located on section 13. He was born in Cornwall, England, June 21, 1864, a son of Charles and Elizabeth ( Miners) Manuel, who were likewise natives of that country. In their family were six sons and three daughters : James, now living in Owatonna, Minnesota ; Charles, who resides in New Zealand; Mrs. Charlotte Thomas, who lived in England but is now deceased; Mrs. Mary Collett, deceased; Mrs. Elizabeth Burrows, also deceased; John, who makes his home in New York : William, who passed away in Fillmore county, Minnesota, when twenty-two years of age; Henry, of this review ; and Samuel, a resident of Fayette county, lowa. The father passed away in his native land and subsequently, in 1877, the mother and younger children came to America to join the son James, who had come here when a lad of eighteen years. The year following the mother's arrival the two daughters, Mary and Elizabeth, with their husbands, joined the family in the new world. The mother located in Fillmore county, Minnesota, there establishing a home for herself and family. She is now deceased, having passed away some eighteen years ago.
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.