USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > Past and present of Winneshiek county, Iowa; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 7
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Ole P. Ode attended the district schools near his father's farm and Brecken- ridge Institute at Decorah in pursuing his education. He made himself useful on the farm and assisted his father until he reached the age of twenty-five, when he went to Decorah in order to enter the employ of the Winneshiek County Bank as bookkeeper on October 1, 1892. He remained in that capacity for two years, at the end of which time he was appointed assistant cashier, holding this position for two and a half years, when on June 1, 1897, he came to Calmar as cashier and manager of the Winneshiek County Bank, a branch of the Decorah institution, and has held that position ever since, being also a director and stock- holder. The bank is capitalized for twenty-five thousand dollars and he was one of its organizers. The wonderful growth of this institution is largely due to the Vol. II- 4
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industry, ability and experience of Mr. Ode, who has become recognized as one of the most able and shrewd financiers of this part of the state. He gives his closest attention to even the smallest detail of the work and there occurs nothing that escapes his attention. The list of depositors has largely increased since Mr. Ode has taken charge and the investments of the bank are so carefully made that it is justly considered one of the most conservative and sound in the state. This conservatism, however, is happily combined with a progressive policy of expansion, and as the bank extends credit, when justified, to legitimate new enterprises it has become an important factor in the general advancement of the city.
On December 10, 1895, Mr. Ode married Miss Louise M. Davidson, a daughter of Gudmund and Liv ( Holverson) Davidson, natives of Norway. The father upon coming to this country located at an early day in Wisconsin, where for a good many years he operated a farm, which he sold in order to retire, moving to Decorah, this state, which city he made his home until his death, which occurred in October, 1910, at the age of eighty-nine years. The mother had preceded him in death, passing away on October 1, 1890, at the age of fifty-nine. Mr. and Mrs. Ode have two children : Olga J., aged sixteen ; and Paul G., aged thirteen.
As his means and reputation have increased Mr. Ode has become importantly connected with other financial institutions, and is now a stockholder and director in the Home Savings Bank at Fort Atkinson, Iowa ; The Citizens Savings Bank at Spillville, this county ; and the Winneshiek County Bank at Ridgeway. Always interested in the cause of education, he does efficient service as treasurer of the school board, and has served with success as a member of the town council. Formerly he was also treasurer of Calmar. He owns a handsome home in that city, where he and his wife extend warm hearted hospitality to their many friends. Politically he is a republican and his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. The Benevolent Protective Order of Elks carries his name on the roster of the Decorah lodge. As the chief officer of the Winneshiek County Bank, which owns the building it occupies, he holds one of the most influential positions in the commercial life of his community and is highly respected and esteemed for what he has accomplished and for the Qualities of character which have made possible his success.
P. A. KLINKENBERG.
Great credit must be given Norway for the large number of citizens which she has furnished to Winneshiek county, and today this district is largely peopled by representatives in the second generation of those who came from the land of the midnight sun and took active part in the agricultural development of this section of the state. Of this class P. A. Klinkenberg is a representative. He was born May 26, 1857, on the farm which is yet his home, his parents being Martin and Mary ( Iverson) Klinkenberg, both of whom were natives of Nor- way, the former born in the year 1823 and the latter in 1824. They crossed the Atlantic and came to Wisconsin in 1843, spent two years in that state, and in 1845 came to Iowa, settling upon the farm on section 9, Frankville township, which is now the home of their son P. A. Klinkenberg. With characteristic
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energy the father began the cultivation and development of the place, which be converted into rich and productive fields. He died April 26, 1872, and his wife passed away on the 26th of March, 1874. Both held membership in the Lutheran church and they were people of the highest respectability, whose genuine worth was recognized by all who knew them. They had a family of eight children : Mary, of Wisconsin ; James, who is living in the state of Washington ; John C., upon the old home place which he and his brother, P. A. Klinkenberg, the fourth in order of birth, own and operate together ; Maggie, of Independence; Helen, who died at the age of three years; Jane, a resident of Chicago; and Hattie, the wife of Joe Josephson, of Wisconsin.
P. A. Klinkenberg, like the other members of the family, was reared upon the old home farm, and he and his brother John have always resided here and since the father's death have carried on the work of the place. They now have two hundred and forty acres of rich prairie land, which includes the father's original farm of one hundred and twenty acres. Their place is situated on sections 9 and 10 and they carry on general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising, culti- vating their fields in the production of the crops best adapted to soil and climate. Their methods are practical and resultant and they are both recognized as men of energy, determination and strong purpose.
On the 16th of December. 1893, P. A. Klinkenberg was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Sandbank, of Union Prairie township, Allamakee county, Iowa, where she was born in October, 1865, her parents being Hans and Mary Sand- bank, natives of Norway, whence they came to the new world. Settling in Winne- shiek county, their remaining days were here passed. Mr. and Mrs. Klinken- berg have a family of three children, Mary Candace, William and Carlton.
The parents are members of the United Lutheran church, in which Mr. Klinkenberg is serving as one of the trustees. He is also president of the town- ship school board, and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend. The family home occupies an elevation commanding a fine view of the surrounding country and there Mr. and Mrs. Klinkenberg keep open house, their hospitality being unsurpassed. They are people of social disposition, always genial and courteous, and their many friends greatly enjoy the good cheer of the Klinken- berg home. Moreover, the brothers are recognized as most enterprising busi- ness men and valued citizens of the community.
FELIX A. HENNESSY, M. D.
The career of Dr. Felix A. Hennessy is another proof of a young man's success. Although he is barely thirty-one years of age, he has already made his name known in medical circles in Winneshiek county and has built up a practice in Calmar, where he has been located since June, 1908, which is of gratifying proportions, extending beyond the limits of the city far into the surrounding country districts. Born in Putnam township, Fayette county, this state, July 22, 1882, he is a son of John and Anna (Cullen) Hennessy, natives of the Emerald isle. Both were brought to this country when children by their respec- tive parents, locating in Connecticut. John Hennessy, the father, subsequently
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came to Delaware county, Iowa, in about 1865, purchasing an improved farm, which he operated for about five years, when he made removal to Fayette county, where he bought land which he cultivated for a like period, selling out in order to remove to Clayton county, where he again possessed himself of agricultural prop- erty, which he successfully cultivated until 1903, when he retired from the active work of the farm, although he is still making his home thereon. The place is located near Strawberry Point and comprises four hundred acres of the most valuable land in Fayette county. The father has attained the advanced age of eighty years and the mother is also living, both enjoying good health and being mentally active, still showing deep interest in the affairs of the world. Both are highly honored and respected in their district, where their high qualities of mind and character have won them many friends.
Felix A. Hennessy was reared under the parental roof and early grounded in the old-fashioned virtues of honesty and industry by his parents, receiving. his education in Clayton county, where he attended the district school, and grad- uating from the Strawberry Point high school with the class of 1900. He then imparted the knowledge which he had received to others by teaching in the local district schools for two years and for one year at Masonville, this state. Dr. Hennessy then entered the State University of Iowa City, taking up a course in medicine and graduating with the class of 1907, receiving the degree of MI. D. He then entered the service of Conn Brothers, who conducted a hospital at Ida Grove, Iowa, remaining until June, 1908, when he came to Calmar, establishing himself in the practice of medicine. Ever since he has made his home here he has built up a practice which assures him gratifying financial returns. Capable, energetic and conscientious, he is careful in diagnosis, but after having reached a decision quick to act upon his judgment, and there are many in his locality who are indebted to him for restoration to health and the alleviation of those human afflictions which can be relieved through medical skill. More than that, Dr. Hennessy is not only physician but friend of his patients, and it is the humane side in his character which has won him that confidence which is so necessary for a physician to have in order to successfully combat disease. He maintains modernly equipped offices in the Winneshiek County Bank building, which are well equipped to handle ordinary and emergency cases. The position of Dr. Hennessy is now quite assured and the beginning of his career so con- spicuously successful that the most prosperous future may be predicted for him.
Dr. Hennessy has always kept in touch with the latest methods and dis- coveries in the world of medical science in this country and the old world, keep- ing well informed on all new processes of procedure brought out by the eminent savants of the profession, and on that account can be trusted to handle the most intricate and involved case according to the latest methods. He meets the men- bers of the profession through the mediums of the American Medical Association and the Northeastern Iowa, the Iowa State and the Winneshiek County Medical Societies, exchanging with his colleagues views and data in order to mutually improve themselves and gain a greater outlook and experience. A progressive young man of modern ideas, he has chosen that standard for his political faith, believing in the ideals embodied in the platform of the new party and that their realization will bring about generally improved conditions for the nation at
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large. As his fathers did before him, he gives his allegiance to the Catholic church. Anything that brings nearer to man the key of that complex mystery which we call life is interesting to him, and as his reading is broad and compre- hensive his knowledge and efficiency are continually advancing
FRANK JOSEPH SCHISSEL.
Frank Joseph Schissel, a native son of Winneshiek county, devotes his time and energies to .tilling the soil, to raising stock and to dairying. His life is a busy and useful one, his energies being well directed along carefully defined lines of labor and his work in the development of his fine farm of two hundred and forty-two acres on sections 9, 10 and 3, Washington township, has been important as a factor in community development. He was born on the 3d of February, 1868, in Washington township, and is a son of John and Philomena (Huber) Schissel, the former a native of Bavaria, Germany, and the latter of Indiana. The father was born in 1839 and in the year 1844 crossed the Atlantic to America, locating in Elk county, Pennsylvania, where he remained for about twelve years, coming at the end of that time to Winneshiek county and settling near Festina. He was a farmer by occupation during the later years of his life and followed this line of work until his death, which occurred on the 14th of March, 1901. The mother, who was born in October, 1844, still makes her home in Washington township. To their union were born seventeen children : Julia, deceased; Clara, who married George Broghammer, of Dell Rapids, South Dakota; Frank Joseph, of this review; Philip, who has passed away ; Jolin P., of Adams, Minnesota; Eugenia, the wife of John Lassance, of Dubuque, Iowa; Louisa, who married Charles Stortz, of Decorah, Iowa; Rosa, the wife of Fred Einwalter, of Fort Atkinson, Iowa; Wilhelmina, the wife of L. Meyer, of Fort Atkinson; William H., twin to Wilhelmina, who makes his home in the province of Alberta, Canada; Charles, of Gilmore City, Iowa; Matilda, at home; George L., of Vincent, Iowa; Felicita, the wife of William Donald, of Prosper, Minne- sota ; Alphonse A. and Raymond, both of whom reside in Fort Atkinson; and Bertram, who is operating the home farm in Washington township.
Frank J. Schissel was reared upon his father's farm and acquired his edu- cation in the district schools of Washington township, from his early childhood assisting with the work of the homestead. At twenty-one years of age he rented land in Winneshiek county and after one year went to Storm Lake, where he spent a year and a half in the lumber business. Eventually he returned to his native section and bought one hundred acres in Washington township, to which he later added fifty acres, developing and improving this farm from 1892 until, in 1907, he sold the property and bought two hundred and forty-two acres on sec- tions 9, 10 and 3, upon which he now lives. There is a neat and attractive residence upon the farm and the other buildings are all substantial and modern, the property being well equipped in every particular. Mr. Schissel engages in general farming and stock-raising and is particularly interested in the conduct of his dairy, its products commanding a ready sale and a high price upon the market.
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On the 13th of November, 1894, Mr. Schissel was united in marriage to Miss Mary Stepan and they have become the parents of six children : Leona P., born April 10, 1896; Gertrude, whose birth occurred on the 23d of August, 1898; Leonard G., born January 20, 1900; Alma F., born March 27, 1904; Paul A., whose natal day was November 12, 1905; and Beatrice W., born September 13, 1912.
Mr. Schissel is a member of the Roman Catholic church, and politically gives his allegiance to the democratic party, having served for one term as township assessor. He is well known in his native community as a man of tried integrity and worth, reliable in business and loyal in citizenship, and he and his family stand high in the estimation of the community.
ABRAHAM JACOBSON.
On the list of Winneshiek county's honored dead appears the name of Abraham Jacobson, who had passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten ere death called him. llis was a long and active life in which he did valuable service to his fellowmen, and his memory remains enshrined in the hearts of all who knew him as one whose ideals were lofty and whose purposes were high. He was one of Norway's contributions to the citizen- ship of Iowa, his birth occurring in Telemarken, January 3, 1836. He was a son of Jacob Abrahamson, who came to America in 1848, the family home being established near Muskego, in Racine county, Wisconsin. The parents later removed to Winneshiek county, Iowa, and here their remaining days were spent, the father passing away in 1879 and the mother in 1884.
Abraham Jacobson was a lad of twelve years when the family came to the new world, and at that early age he began working for the proprietor of a hotel, store and postoffice at Little Muskego Lake, Wisconsin, his wages being but twenty-five cents per week. He was thus engaged for two years, or until his parents removed to lowa in 1850, locating in Winneshiek county near Decorah. Here the lad worked for two years but, ambitious for an education and desiring to enter the ministry, he in 1852, entered what was then known as the University of Illinois, at Springfield, an institution built and supported by the Lutherans. In order to bear his own expenses and pay his way through school Mr. Jacobson accepted the position of janitor and later served as cus- todian in the courthouse, in which Abraham Lincoln delivered many addresses before meetings while Mr. Jacobson was engaged in the latter capacity. After completing his course at college he was appointed pastor of the First Lutheran church at Chicago, Illinois, where he remained for one year, when he returned to Iowa but was soon called to the newly organized territory of Dakota, making the trip overland by ox team. His mission fields were at Yankton, Elk Point and Vermilion, where many Norwegian emigrants had formed settlements, and after assisting his countrymen at those points for a time he went to the quarantine station at Quebec, Canada, to give his aid to the Norwegian emi- grants who were landing in that city in large numbers. In the fall of 1864 he went to St. Louis, Missouri, where, desirous of extending his knowledge, he
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MR. AND MRS. ABRAHAM JACOBSON
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took a post-graduate course at the German Lutheran Theological Seminary, completing his studies there in 1866. In the winter of 1868 he was again sent into the missionary field, his work taking him to Minnesota, where he was compelled to make many trips over the snow-covered, trackless prairies on a pair of skis or Norwegian .snow shoes. Later in that year he was called to Dane county, Wisconsin, as the permanent pastor of a church there, and he labored efficiently in that field until in 1878 he was forced to retire from the ministry, his previous strenuous and incessant work in behalf of his fellow- men causing the failure of his health. He returned to his parents' home in Winneshiek county, Iowa, where he bought the old homestead and cared for his father and mother until they departed this life. He at once began its further improvement and development, bringing it to a high state of cultiva- tion, and continued in its operation throughout his remaining days. He had other interests as well, and for more than fifteen years served as president of the Norwegian Mutual Life Insurance Company of Winneshiek county.
It was on the 3d of January, 1863, that Mr. Jacobson was united in marriage to Miss Nicoline Hegg, a daughter of Ole and Carrie Hegg, both natives of Norway, more extended mention of whom is made on another page of this volume under the caption of John Hegg. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jacobson were born eleven children, Clara, Mary, Jacob, Signe, Isaac, David, Helga, Otto, Carl, Christiane and Ragnvald. Mrs. Jacobson continues to make her home on the old farm of one hundred and seventy acres, located on section 2, Spring- field township, and with her reside her daughter Clara and her son Carl, the latter taking charge of the operation of the property, which is known as the Cloverdale Farm. Mr. Jacobson was stanch in his support of the republican party and ever took a deep interest in the material and political as well as the moral welfare of the community. His public-spirited citizenship was acknowl- edged by his fellowmen, who chose him to represent his district in the thirtieth and thirty-first general assemblies. Mr. Jacobson passed away on the 15th of May, 1910, and his death was a matter of deep regret to all who knew him. At all times actuated by honorable purpose, he followed the dictates of a high ideal and great was the service he rendered his fellow citizens and especially his countrymen. If it is true that "Not the good that comes to us but the good that comes to others through us is the measure of our success," then, indeed, was success his in large measure.
HORACE S. SMITH.
Horace S. Smith is numbered among the native sons of Winneshiek county, for his birth occurred in Bluffton township on the 4th of January, 1865. His parents were George and Harriet M. (Shear) Smith. The father, who was born in England, August 11, 1823, was the first of his family to come to the United States, but later sent for his widowed mother, his five sisters and his one brother, who is William H. Smith, now a resident of Decorah. It was in 1855 that George Smith crossed the Atlantic to the United States, and making his way into the interior of the country became a pioneer settler of Winneshiek county. He was
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a mason by trade and followed that pursuit before coming to the middle west and to some extent after his arrival here. However, in this county he became the owner of a good tract of land, which he converted into a valuable and pro- ductive farm. It was in this county that he met and married Harriet M. Shear, a native of New York, who in early girllood came with her parents to Iowa. They began their domestic life on a farm in Bluffton township, which continued to be their home until they were called to their final rest. In their family were five children: Alva, living in Washington; Josephine, who died in childhood; Horace S .; Elmer A., living in Canoe township; and Eugene L., who occupies the old home place in Bluffton township.
Horace S. Smith was reared on the old homestead in Bluffton township and there resided until he purchased his present place in 1896. The public schools afforded him his educational privileges and he received thorough training in farm work under the direction of his father. He is now the owner of one hundred and twenty-one acres of good land on sections 32 and 33, Canoe town- ship. and he has made some improvements here. His farm presents a neat and attractive appearance and the fields annually respond with golden harvests to his care and labor.
In 1890 Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Hattie M. Brickner, who was born on what is now her husband's farm, February 1, 1868, a daughter of Henry and Julia (Shank) Brickner. Her father is deceased and her mother resides in Canoe township. Mr. Smith was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife on the 20th of May, 1910. He has an adopted son, Louie B. Smith. Always a farmer, his life has been quietly passed, yet his record is one of activity and usefulness, and he is numbered among the leading agriculturists of his part of the county. His place is known as the Wayside Stock Farm, which name in- dicates one of the features of his business. for he is extensively and successfully engaged in stock-raising and is an excellent judge of stock.
JAMES F. CONOVER, D. D. S.
James F. Conover, who since 1903 has been located in Calmar, follows the dental profession and has built up a profitable practice along this line, becoming known as one of the substantial citizens of his city.
Born in New York in August, 1869, Dr. Conover is a son of Firman and Mary (Bigelow) Conover, the father a native of New York and the mother of Connecticut. Firman Conover was a pioneer of Allamakee county, Iowa, com- ing here in 1856, renting a farm and teaching school. He finally gave up school teaching and purchased land in Winneshiek county, Iowa, which he transformed into a valuable farm, operating the same for a few years, when he sold out in order to remove to New York, engaging there in the butcher business at Daynes- ville, Lewis county. After remaining there for some time he returned to Win- neshiek county, where he farmed for some years and then again returned to New York, remaining there until 1871, when he again made Winneshiiek county his home, operating a farm until 1906, in which year he removed to Decorah, where
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he resided until his death, being laid to rest on his eighty-third birthday. The mother, who is living, has attained an age of seventy-two years.
James F. Conover was but a year and a half old when his parents brought him to Winneshiek county, where he received his early schooling. When he was ten years of age the parents removed to Frankville, where he continued his at- tendance in the public schools until the age of sixteen. He then engaged for six years in school teaching, being connected with the country schools and those of Decorah at intervals. During that time he also conducted a general store in Frankville for two years, at the end of which period he entered the dental college of Northwestern University at Chicago, attending from 1897 to 1899, and then went to Elburn, Illinois, where he commenced to practice dentistry. He re- mained in that town for six years. He returned to Northwestern in 1903, how- ever, finishing his course and graduating with that class. In 1905 he came to Calmar and opened an office, having since been engaged in practice there. He enjoys a gratifying patronage which extends beyond the city into the country and which has brought him gratifying financial results.
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