USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > Past and present of Winneshiek county, Iowa; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 52
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Henry Manuel was a little lad of ten years at the time of his father's death and was about thirteen years of age at the time he accompanied his mother to the new world. He remained in Fillmore county until 1893. when he came to Winneshiek county, renting a farm in Hesper township. He prospered in his work as the years passed by and in 1902 found himelf in possession of a sum sufficient to enable him to purchase his present farm in Burr Oak town- ship, comprising one hundred and sixty acres. His place is improved with sub- stantial buildings, while the soil is very fertile and annually yields good harvests.
It was on the 24th of January, 1893, that Mr. Manuel was united in marriage with Miss Alice Casterton, who was born in Fillmore county, Minnesota, in 1861, a daughter of Josiah and Jane Casterton. The mother is now deceased and the father resides in Canton, Minnesota. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Manuel are seven children, Charles Josiah, Elizabeth Jane, Hazel Genevieve, Charlotte Edna, Zora May, Muriel and Marian, the two last named being twins.
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MR. AND MRS. HENRY MANUEL
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Mr. Manuel has supported the candidates of the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist church. He is a man of worth in the com- munity in which he lives, fully meriting the esteem which is everywhere ac- corded him.
WILBER F. LAMBERT.
Farming and stock-raising interests of Bloomfield township find a progres- sive and able representative in Wilber F. Lambert, whose property of eighty acres on section 34 is one of the best managed and best improved farms in this vicinity. Mr. Lambert is one of the township's native sons, his birth having occurred on the 25th of December, 1859, his parents being Abram and Rhoda A. (Cook) Lambert, early settlers in Winneshiek county, of whom more extended mention is made elsewhere in this work.
Wilber F. Lambert acquired his early education in the district schools of Bloomfield township and afterward attended college at Western, Iowa, for two years, after which he returned home and rented his grandmother's farm of eighty acres, turning his attention to agricultural pursuits. At the end of ten years, during which his well directed efforts were crowned by a gratifying degree of suc- cess, he bought his present farm of eighty acres on section 34 and with char- acteristic energy he has since carried forward the work of its improvement and development, meeting with that success which follows earnest and persistent labor.
On the 22d of March, 1881, Mr. Lambert was united in marriage to Miss Jennie M. Potter, a daughter of Robert and Sarah (Martin) Potter, old set- tlers in Johnson county, Iowa. Mr. Lambert is a republican in his political beliefs and takes an intelligent interest in public affairs. He served for eight years as school treasurer and is now township trustee, discharging his duties in a far- sighted, capable and progressive way. His many sterling qualities of character have gained for him the warm regard and friendship of many in his native community and he commands and holds the respect and confidence of all who have business or social relations with him.
L. K. LOWER.
Among the residents of Decorah, Winneshiek county, Iowa, who are now liv- ing retired, their present comfortable financial position being the direct result of former activity and enterprise along agricultural lines, is numbered L. K. Lower. He was born in Wayne county. Indiana, January 26, 1852, a son of Christian and Barbara (Hoover) Lower, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania respectively. The parents were married in the Keystone state, after which they removed to Indiana and there resided on a farm for a few years. Malaria, however, was so bad in that district that they were compelled to leave and they drove across the country to Vol. II-26
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Winneshiek county with a team. Here their remaining days were spent, the father passing away in 1898 and the mother's death occurring January 26, 1901. In their family were five children but one daughter died in infancy. The sur- viving members are: John Wesley, of Osage, Iowa; James M., of Waukon; Joseph M., residing in Decorah ; and L. K., of this review.
L. K. Lower was a lad of four years when in 1856 his parents brought him to Winneshiek county, and during the fifty-seven years that have intervened he has made his home continuously in this district. During the years of his active life he devoted his entire attention to agricultural pursuits and no better proof can be given of his life of industry and activity than the fact that in 1905 he was able to retire from further labor and he now makes his home in Decorah, enjoy- ing a substantial competence which is the result of thrift, energy and careful management. He still owns the farm of one hundred and seventy-three acres located on section 10, Frankville township, upon which his parents located when they arrived in Winneshiek county, and he also is the owner of thirty-three and a third acres in Glenwood township, all of which constitutes a source of a sub- stantial annual income.
In 1874 Mr. Lower was united in marriage to Miss Elnora Peck, who was born in Oswego county, New York, on the 18th of April. 1859. She is a daughter of William and Julia Peck, by whom she was brought to this county when but one year old. Here her mother passed away on the 18th of February, 1913. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lower have been born three children: Emma, the wife of J. N. Waters, of Decorah township; Frank C., operating his father's farm in Frank- ville township ; and Mrs. Maude Luella Lowery, of New Richland, Minnesota.
Mr. Lower gives his political support to the democratic party and has ever taken a deep interest in party affairs although he has never found time nor inclina- tion to actively participate therein. The success which now makes it possible for him to live in retirement is well merited for it is the result of hard work com- bined with common sense. A residence of almost six decades in this county has made him a witness of much of the growth and development of this section and he has a wide acquaintance here, his friends holding him in high esteem.
STEEN HENDERSON.
Steen Henderson, a prosperous and progressive farmer of Orleans town- ship, was born in Norway, September 2, 1873, and is a son of Hans and Martha (Lonningdal) Henderson, also natives of that country. The parents came to America in 1886 and located in Orleans township, this county, where the father engaged in farming until his death. His wife survives him and resides upon the old homestead. To their union were born eleven children: Hattie, who married John Hattlestad, of Orleans township; Aggie and Anna, who live at home: Steen, of this review; Andrew, working in a bank in Stevens Point. Wisconsin; Nels, who is a teacher in a district school; Martha, the wife of A. O. Bjerke, a missionary in China: E. John, who is operating the old homestead; Susie, the wife of Rev. O. T. Boe, of Wausau, Wisconsin ; and Ida and Agnes, who live at home.
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Steen Henderson was thirteen years of age when he came with his parents to America and after his arrival in Winneshiek county began working as a monthly laborer. After a time he rented land, following farming in this way for eight years, or until he was twenty-four. He then went to Minnesota, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres, eventually selling his land and returning to Winneshiek county. Here he bought one hundred and four acres of the old homestead and a half interest with his brother in an additional eighty acres, and he carried on general farming and stock-raising upon this property until he purchased his present farm. He owns today three hundred and forty-four acres on section 17, Orleans township, besides ten acres of tim- ber land, and his labors have been rewarded by a substantial and gratifying suc- cess, so that he stands today in the front ranks of progressive and prosperous agriculturists of this vicinity.
On the 12th of January, 1909, Mr. Henderson was united in marriage to Miss Eva Lucretia Nelson, and they have become the parents of a son, Homer, who was born December 25, 1909. Mr. Henderson is a member of the Nor- wegian Lutheran church and is a republican in his political beliefs. He has rendered the township excellent service as trustee and has been a leader in the promotion of many projects for the general advancement, his cooperation being always willingly given to progressive public movements. He is well and favorably known in agricultural circles of his locality, where his success commands respect, and he holds the confidence and high regard of all who are in any way associated with him.
ALBERT FREY.
The Fairview Stock Farm, which comprises one hundred and eighty-five acres and is located on section 15, Sumner township, is one of the most pro- ductive agricultural properties of the section. Albert Frey, its owner and manager, has demonstrated his ability in directing its affairs and has laid the foundation of a success remarkable for the comparatively short time with which he has been identified with this enterprise. He is a native of this county, born in Sumner township on November 6, 1876, and is a son of Ora and Sophie ( Miller) Frey, the former deceased and the latter now the widow of Joseph Steinmetz. The father was a native of Switzerland, while the mother's place of birth was in Germany. The father came to America in the '50s and passed away in Winneshiek county after a long and successful career as an agriculturist. He and his wife had nine children, as follows: Albert, our subject ; Charles, of Sumner township; Louisa and Catherine, twins, the former the wife of Joseph Brockner, of Calmar, and the latter deceased; Anna, the wife of Robert Heiser, of Decorah; William, of Cresco; Katie, deceased ; and Phillip and Bertha, twins, the former a resident of Spillville and the latter deceased.
Albert Frey was reared under the parental roof and acquired his educa- tion in the schools of the neighborhood. Under the guidance of his father
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he early became acquainted with agricultural methods and remained upon the home place until he was twenty-eight years of age, when he was married. He then took charge of the home farm for four years, at the end of which time he was enabled to buy one hundred and eighty-five acres on section 15, Sumner township, the farm being now known as the Fairview Stock Farm. He has thereon a fine house, modern and comfortably appointed, and all the barns and outbuildings are in the best of condition. He makes a specialty of stock-raising, giving particular attention to black polled cattle and also deriving a substantial income from the raising of hogs. He is up-to-date in his methods and has provided the latest appliances in machinery to facilitate his labors and increase the productiveness of the place.
On October 9, 1895, Mr. Frey was united in marriage to Miss Anna Frey, who although of the same name is not a relative. She is a daughter of Henry and Louisa Frey, both natives of Switzerland. The mother is deceased but the father survives and makes his home in Howard county. Mr. and Mrs. Frey have one son, David Samuel, born May 12, 1898.
In his political views Mr. Frey inclines toward the democratic party, whose candidiates and measures he upholds at the polls. He is a member of the Congregational church. In a few years he has succeeded in founding and putting upon a profitable basis a valuable property and such success as has come to him is highly merited for it is but the outcome of continued and well applied labor.
HENRY BREITSPRECHER.
Henry Breitsprecher, carrying on general farming upon a fine property of two hundred and nine and three-quarter acres near Ossian, was born in Germany, August 19, 1878, and is a son of Henry and Mary ( Berndt) Breitsprecher, also natives of that country. The parents came to America in 1882 and located in the same year in Monona, Clayton county, Iowa, where they resided about eight years, moving to Winneshiek county in 1880. They made their home in Military township, where the father purchased land and there he engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred on the 24th of July, 1892. His wife survives him and makes her home at Muscatine, Iowa. To their union were born three children : Bertha, the wife of Louis Eckhardt, of Sheffield, lowa: Charles, who has passed away ; and Henry, of this review.
llenry Breitsprecher came to America with his parents when he was yet a child and in the public schools of Clayton and Winneshiek counties acquired his education, spending a great deal of his time in his youth aiding with the opera- tion of the homestead. He assumed the entire management of this property after his father's death and for a year and a half carried on the work of its improvement and development. Ile then entered the employ of his brother Charles, for whom he worked on section 7. Bloomfield township, for five years. At the end of that time he purchased a farm of two hundred and nine and three-quarter acres near Ossian and upon this he has since resided. By fol- lowing the most progressive and practical methods in its cultivation and by
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giving almost all of his time and attention to its development he has made it a valuable and productive property, reflecting everywhere his careful super- vision and intelligently directed labor. He has made extensive improvements upon the place and he here carries on general farming, intending, however, to specialize in the dairy business in the near future.
On the 24th of February, 1901, Mr. Breitsprecher was united in marriage to the widow of his brother Charles. His wife was in her maidenhood Miss Emma Meyer, a daughter of William and Charlotte (Onefeldt) Meyer, natives of Germany, who now reside in Castalia. Mr. and Mrs. Breitsprecher have five children, William, Raymond, Lyle, Marie and Evelyn. Mrs. Breitsprecher has also three children by her former marriage, Rena, Edwin and Charles.
Mr. Breitsprecher is a devout member of the German Lutheran church and he guides his honorable and upright life by its principles. His political alle- giance is given to the democratic party and he has rendered the township excel- lent service in various capacities, acting as township trustee for two years and as a member of the school board. which latter position he still holds. He is a man of alert and enterprising spirit, possessing the resolute will that enables him to carry forward to completion whatever he undertakes, and at all times his methods are practical and progressive.
E. W. GREEN.
E. W. Green, one of Winneshiek county's most progressive and successful native sons and one of the most substantial and prosperous farmers of Bloom- field township, was born upon the farm a portion of which he now operates October 24, 1872. He is a son of Melvin and Ann Eliza (Allen) Green, who came to Winneshiek county in 1851, taking up as a government claim three quarter sections of land, the deeds of which are still in the possession of the subject of this review. He turned his attention to general farming and was very successful in his chosen line of work, adding to his holdings from time to time and becoming one of the most substantial farmers in this vicinity. He owned at the time of his death three hundred and fifty acres of land, all highly improved and well cultivated, and upon this property his widow now resides. He was a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted in Company M, First Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, and having served three years. In his family were four children: Carrie, who died in childhood; E. W., of this review; Allen, who lives at home ; and a son who died in infancy.
E. W. Green acquired his education in the district schools of Bloomfield township and in his childhood assisted with the work of cultivating the home- stead, becoming in this way thoroughly familiar with agricultural methods and details. When the estate was divided after the death of his father he received as his share one hundred and sixty-seven acres of land and this constitutes his present farm. The land lies on section 12, Bloomfield township, and upon it he has made extensive improvements, erecting from the timber grown on his farm a fine two-story, hardwood-finished dwelling, thoroughly complete in equipment and detail. The buildings upon the property are all substantial and
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in good repair and the entire place reflects the constant supervision of the owner, who is a progressive and able agriculturist.
On the 15th of November, 1803, Mr. Green was united in marriage to Miss Maggie E. Bollman, a daughter of Moses A. and Nancy ( Harris) Bolhan, carly settlers in Winneshiek county. Mr. and Mrs. Green have five children, Ralph E., Irene, Bernice, Chester and Kenneth. Mr. Green is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and he gives his political allegiance to the repub- lican party, serving at the present time as township trustee and member of the school board. His success in life is due to his own well directed labors and it places him in the front ranks of the township's representative men. Mr. Green is widely and favorably known throughout the county and commands the good- will, trust and esteem of all who are in any way associated with him.
NELS C. GRINDELAND.
Nels C. Grindeland, carrying on general farming and stock-raising upon one hundred and sixty-five acres of excellent land on section 14, Pleasant town- ship, is a native of Norway, born October 28, 1852. He is a son of Colben and Hansina ( Tufte) Grindeland, also natives of that country, who in the spring of 1854 crossed the Atlantic to America, settling in Northern Illinois, where they resided for eight years on a rented farm. With two teams of oxen they afterward drove overland to Allamakee county, Iowa, carrying all their belongings in a covered wagon, and in Waterloo township, that county, the father purchased land, buying one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he re- sided until his death, which occurred December 3, 1881. He was a devout member of the Lutheran church and guided his honorable and upright life by the principles in which he believed, his death depriving this part of Iowa of a representative citizen and one of the earliest and greatest of its pioneers. His wife, who was born December 18, 1823, survives him and makes her home with the subject of this review, being still active and hearty at the age of ninety.
Mr. and Mrs. Grindeland became the parents of eight children: Ingre, who passed away at the age of twenty-one years; Nels C., our subject ; Colben, of Hatton, North Dakota; Turine, the wife of A. Tweet, of Ross, North Dakota; William, of Pleasant township, this county; Martin, of Hatton, North Dakota ; Annie, the wife of Andrew Stone, of Bowman, North Dakota; and Albert, of Highland township.
Nels C. Grindeland was about ten years of age when his parents came to Iowa and upon the home farm he grew to manhood, assisting with its operation when not engaged with his books. After his marriage he rented a farm in Pleasant township, Winneshiek county, and for twelve years thereafter con- tinued to develop and improve it, finally purchasing one hundred and sixty-five acres on section 15, upon which he has resided since 1891. He built upon it a residence, which thirteen years ago was entirely destroyed by fire, but this has been replaced by a modern dwelling. The other improvements upon the farm include fine barns and outbuildings, all in good repair, and Mr. Grindeland has installed labor-saving machinery to facilitate the work of the fields. He
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carries on general farming and stock-raising and under his able management both branches of his activities have proved important sources of income to him.
In 1875 Mr. Grindeland was united in marriage to Turie Tweet, born in Winneshiek county, June 22, 1856, a daughter of Ole A. and Kjersta Tweet, natives of Norway, who came to the United States about the year 1853 and set- tled in Wisconsin, whence in the following year they came to Winneshiek county, where the remainder of their lives were spent. Mr. and Mrs. Grindeland be- came the parents of twelve children: Helen, the widow of Bert Foldet, by whom she has three children; Tina, the wife of Thomas Otteson, of this town- ship; Oscar, who resides in Stanley, North Dakota; Nettie, the wife of Matt Robertson, of Seattle, Washington ; Tilda, who passed away when she was three years of age; Tilla, the wife of Ed Emley, of Decorah; Sander Oliver, who lives at home; Nora; Harry; Charles, who died when he was four years of age; Esther Henrietta ; and Charley O. The family are members of the Nor- wegian Lutheran church.
Mr. Grindeland gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is cminently public-spirited and progressive in matters of citizenship, taking an active interest in the welfare of this section. He has held various important offices, serving as township trustee and director of school district No. 8 for a number of years. The school building is situated on his farm and a number of the teachers have made their homes with his family. During his many years of residence in Pleasant township Mr. Grindeland has gained the un- qualified respect and esteem of his friends and neighbors, who know him as an honorable and upright gentleman and as a true and loyal citizen.
D. W. BALDWIN.
Not only is D. W. Baldwin well known in agricultural and business circles of Frankville township, Winneshiek county, but the deep interest which he has always taken in community affairs, both in a private and public capacity, has given him rank among the prominent and influential citizens of the district in which almost his entire life has been passed. He was born on the farm which is yet his home, on the 28th of October, 1855, a son of George and Eleanor (Wagner) Baldwin. The parents were natives of Vermont and Ontario, Canada, respectively, and were married in the latter place. They came to Iowa in 1852, locating upon the farm on which their son now resides, and here their remaining days were passed. The father's first purchase of land consisted of one hun- dred and sixty acres to which he later added a tract of similar size, and he retained the ownership of this three hundred and twenty acres to the time of his death. He died in 18So at the age of sixty-four years, while his widow survived for ten years, passing away in 1891 in her sixty-ninth year. Their family consisted of ten children, as follows: Silas J., who enlisted for service in the Civil war as a member of the Thirty-eighth lowa Volunteer Infantry, his death occurring during his service, on August, 1863; William H., who served throughout the period of hostilities as a member of the Sixteenth Iowa and now makes his home near Beaumont, Texas; Sarah, a school teacher in early life,
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who in her later years kept house for her brother D. W., until her death on the 6th of January, 1912, when she was sixty-six years of age; George N., of Marble Rock, Iowa; Mary, the wife of J. W. Whitson, of St. Thomas, North Dakota; D. W., of this review : T. J., of Beaumont, Texas; Bethsheba, a school teacher, deceased ; and Edith and Nellie, both of whom passed away.
Spending his boyhood and youth on the old homestead D. W. Baldwin acquired a good common-school education which was later supplemented by a course of study in Upper Iowa University, which well prepared him for the practical and responsible duties of life. He was reared to farm work and his life has prac- tically been devoted to agriculture although for several years he gave his atten- tion to other interests. He was employed in a bank at Clark, Nebraska, for a year and a half, and was also engaged in buying and shipping horses in Post- ville for a time. He now resides on the old farm upon which he was born and which he has always considered his home, although it was operated by a renter during the eight years of his absence from the place. He owns two hundred and fifteen acres of the homestead, located on section 27 and the north- east quarter of section 34. He carries on general farming to some extent but the greater part of his attention is given to his stock-raising interests which have grown extensive and of an important character. He possesses much busi- ness ability, keen discernment and an abundance of energy, and, following pro- gressive and np-to-date methods, has been highly successful in his business enterprises.
Mr. Baldwin supports the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his parents were members, and his political allegiance was always given to the republican party until 1912, when he took up the cause of the progressives, to which he has since been loyal. At an early day he was tax collector and is now serving his fifth term as township trustee of Frankville township. He has served as treasurer of the school district for twelve years, and the cause of education finds in him a strong advocate. Indeed he is deeply interested in all phases of public life and does all in his power to further the material, political, intellectual and moral growth of the community. His general knowledge has been greatly broadened by much travel, principally through the western and southwestern states, and he has a wide acquaintance and a large circle of friends who find in him a congenial companion and a gentleman worthy of their respect, confidence and good-will.
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