The pioneer history of Pocahontas County, Iowa, from the time of its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 73

Author: Flickinger, Robert Elliott, b. 1846
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: Fonda, Iowa, G. Sanborn
Number of Pages: 1058

USA > Iowa > Pocahontas County > The pioneer history of Pocahontas County, Iowa, from the time of its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 73

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).

544

PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

Sec. 10 and improved it in the same silent cemeteries. But if he were manner. In 1889 he exchanged 120 asked to name some of the largest acres of this farm for 80 acres on sec- and prettiest houses he would doubt- tion 15, adjoining. One of the improve- less begin by naming those of John A. ments made on this property that is Holmes and Alexander Peterson. greatly appreciated is a well drilled to These homes are situated near each the depth of 157 feet, that furnish- other, on opposite sides of the road es a never-failing supply of good water. running north between sections 15

As he has passed from one farm to and 16. All the buildings are among another he hasleft the marks of his the largest in the township, are com- presence and industry in the neat and paratively new and have an exception- handsome buildings erected. He has ally fine location on the brow of a been a member of the Colfax school broad declivity, gently sloping south- board many years, secretary of it ward. Their owners came from Swed- since 1896 and president of it in 1889. en about the same time and are He was assessor four years, 1885-88, brothers-in-law. They are fine repre- and is now one of the trustees.

sentatives of the sturdy yeomanry of

On January 6, 1879, he married their native land and they have made Eliza Jane Doyle, (b. March 1, 1856,) a splendid record in the land of their of Webster county, who died Dec. 29, adoption. Locating on the prairie a 1892, leaving a family of six children- few years ago, with capital sufficient Margaret W., William P., Mary J., to make only a small purchase of land, James A., Alice C. and Florence A., they have become owners of 600 acres three having died in childhood. On each, and their improvement, which August 6, 1895, he married Kate, is the embodiment of their own ideas, daughter of Thomas Byrne of Rolfe, discovers their skill, energy and good and their family consists of two chil- judgment. When one visits these premises and sees the ample buildings. dren-Grace E. and Rose Lillian.

Hogan Edward, (b. 1857) a younger cultivated fields and growing crops, or brother of James, in 1881 located in the herds of swine and droves of Pocahontas county and the next year cattle grazing contentedly on the lux- bought 80 acres on section 15, Colfax uriant pastures, the conviction that township. He now owns a fine farm is expressed is, "This is fine." 7 of 120 acres on section 10. In 1891 he Holmes John Alfred, (b. Oct. 1, married Jennie, only daughter of 1848,) one of the most prosperous farm- John Barrett, an early settler of the ers of Colfax township, is a native of township. At the time of this mar- Sweden, the son of Peter and Mary riage she was the widow of John L. (Burke) Holmes. At the age of 18 Sanquist, whose family consisted of in 1867, he came alone to America one son, Edward. Their family now having no capital except his health consists of two children-Mary Ellen and habits of industry. During the and Philip Emmet. first ten years he accepted employ- BEAUTIFUL HOMES. ment as a farm hand in Henry coun-

If one familiar with Colfax town- ty, Iowa. On January 11, 1876, he ship were asked to name the most in- married Matilda, (b. Oct. 22, 1853,) teresting place in it, he would most sister of Alexander Peterson, and lo- likely suggest the locality on section cated on the SW} Sec. 15, Colfax town- 13, where the two Swede churches are ship, which he had bought five years located near each other with their before. He was the first to occupy resident pastors, cozy parsonages, and improve this land and today the sheltering sheds, beautiful groves and improvements on it are among the

MR. AND MRS. ALEXANDER PETERSON (County Supervisor 1891-96.)

MR. AND MRS. JOHN A. HOLMES Colfax Township.

REV. CARL E. OLSON Swedish Mission.

REV. JOHN P. LINDELL Swedish Lutheran.

REV. AND MRS. CHARLES PERKINS Colfax Township.

545

COLFAX TOWNSHIP.

finest in the township. In 1897 the after the above was sent to the press. first dwelling house was replaced by a large one, 30x30 feet, 18 feet high with an addition 14x22 feet, 16 feet high,

manly man and has left the impress of his industrious hand and noble spirit in the home, on the farm, in the church and also in the commu-

Hoppy Christopher, who in 1872 se-

He keeps 20 to 25 cows and raises a cured a homestead on section 20, was great deal of stock He aims to keep a native of Germany. He improved a little more stock than his own land and continued to live upon his home- will support so he may feed on it all stead until the time of his death in .it produc s. By following this prin- 1881; Margaret, his wife, continned to ciple he has been very successful. He live upon it unti! 1895, when she moved is now the happy owner of 600 acres of to Fonda. At this date she had ac- highly improved land that is either quired the ownership of 240 acres in covered with flocks and herds or is Colfax and Cedar townships. Their growing a crop for the bin. He be- family consisted of three children. lieves the farmers of this section will Grace married Andrew Anderson, a make a great deal more money when ditcher, and lives at Fonda. Adelia they abandon the unprofitable prac- lives with her mother. Mary married tice of selling gram for the eastern Wni. Gezer and lives on section 4, market and learn how to condense it Colfax township. in the form of beef, butter, pork,

Johnson August, (b. 1840,) owner mutton, etc , thereby greatly increas- and occupant of a homestead on Sec- ing the profit on the raw material 12, 1873-99, was a native of Sweden, and reducing the freight on the prod- where he married Micheis Munson in ucts shipped. It isonly in this way 1864

In 1869 they came to America that the Iowa farmer can obtain the and, after a residence of three years highest compensation for his labor. in Fort Dodge, located on their farm Many having farms not half so large in the spring of 1873. The raw prai- have more acres than he under the rie on which they located was finely plow, but their efforts have not been improved with a good house, barn and so profitable.

He has a fruit-bearing orchard of arranged amid a pretty grove of trees nearly two acres that was planted planted with their own hands. Their in 1878, and ten acres of forest trees farm planted from 1875 to 1881.

He has been an official member of the Colfax Swedish Mission church ever since the time of its organization in 1881. He was clerk of Colfax town- ship four years, 1879, '84-86; and a trustee four years. '91-94.

His family consists of three chil- remainder of their lives in their na- dren: Mabel in 1899 married Peter tive land.

M. Morrison and hasone child, Juvey

Johnson John A., (b Aug. 25, 1884) Eldora; Juvey and Alexander are at owner and occupant of a homestead home.

on section 12, is a native of Sweden.

Mr. Holmes died August 9, 1901, In 1869 he came to America and filed

other outbuildings, all conveniently

was increased to 120 acres. They were members of the Swedish Lutheran church and had one son, Arthur. In 1899 they sold the home- stead and returned to Sweden, with $6,000 as the result of a few years' work on an Iowa farm, to spend the

He died at the home of his friends in Henry county, where he stopped for a few days on his return from Chicago, whither he had gone with two car- that is very handsome in its appear- loads of fat cattle. He was a modest, ance and is supplied with modern conveniences. In addition to a num- ber of large sheds and other outbuild- ings he has two large barns, one for nity. hay and the other for stock.

546

PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

a claim for this homestead. He be- church of Colfax township from Nov. gan the work of its improvement by 1, 1896, toNov. 15, 1899, is a native of the erection of a sod house in the Sweden, the son of Jonas Swanson spring of 1870, and there lived with aud Anna Breta Johanson. The chil- him in it that year Charles and John dren in Sweden are not named after Peterson and John Carlson. This was the last names of their parents as in the first sod house in that part of the this country, but after the first name township. On October 12, 1872, he of their father as in the Old and New married Christina Anderson, (b. Swed- Testaments, where Isaac is called en, Sept. 17, 1852,) who came to Amer- Abraham's son, or son of Abraham. ica in 1870. They began housekeeping The name of the subject of this in a frame building 12x12 feet, and sketch according to this rule was this is still in use as a part of their John P. Jonason.

present home which was built in 1881.

At the age of 18 in 1851, he entered In 1888 the farm was enlarged to 250 the army of Sweden and remained in acres by the purchase of 170 acres ad- it during the next twenty years, serv- joining it in Bellville township. Mr. ing as a corporal at. the time of his and Mrs. Johnson are highly esteemed discharge in 1871. It is of interest to members of the Swedish Lutheran note that service in the Swedish ar- church. They have experienced the my then was very different from what trials and hardships of pioncer life, it is in this country where the gov- but are now surrounded with all the ernment employs the soldier and sup- comforts that a good home on the ports him. There each farmer was farm can supply. Their family con- expected to support a soldier or a sists of seven children-Jennie, Oscar, soldier and his horse. Edward, Minnie, Alfred, Victor and by assigning the soldier a piece of Ida.

This was done land on which he was expected to

Johnson Gust F., owner of a farm live and support himself and family. of 160 acres on section 18, is a native Only about twenty days each year of Sweden, came to America in 1886 (now increased to sixty) were occu- and located near Rockford, Ill. In pied in the performance of strictly 1872 he married Helen Sophia Gusta- military duty and the remain- son and located on his present farm der of the year could be spent in then occupied by Andrew and Chris- looking after his own interests. Ev- ery one, however, that went into the

tina Gustason, his wife's parents. His family consists of six children- army received a, new and a short Ida, Alma, Ernest, Amanda, Joseph and Hannah.

name, one unlike that of any other member of the same company. When

Johnson John E., (b. 1820,) owner he was enrolled as a soldier his name and occupant of a homestead on sec- was changed from Jonason, which has tion 10, is a native of Sweden. In 1873 three syllables, to Lindell, which has he and wife Christiana, came to this only two. The children of soldiers country and located in Colfax town- bear the last name of their father. ship The homestead was improved

In 1859 he married Johanna Solo- and increased to 120 acres. In 1895 mon, whodied in 1868, leaving three bis wife died at the age of 72 years. children-John E., August and Anna Since that date h's nephew, John Christine. In April, 1871, he came B'umber and family have occupied the with these three children to this homestead and he has lived with them. country and located in Illinois. In Lindell John P. Rev., (b. Dec. 1, June, 1876, he was ordained to the 1832,) pastor of the Swedish Mission gospel ministry by the Swedish Mis-

547

COLFAX TOWNSHIP.

sion Synod at Princeton, Ill. His section 26 and for several years was pastorates have been at Rockford, the largest one in the township. Joliet and Lockport, Ill .; White Hall, Whilst several young men had preced- Mich .; Chicago, Betesta, Neb., '89-96, ed him, his was the first family to and Colfax township, '96-99.

locate in the township and Jason, his

In 1882 he married Mary Mouson son, who preceded him a short time, and their family consists of two chil- was one of the first to do breaking in dren, Frank W. and George Terah. it. He planted a large grove and or- During the three years of his ministry chard, and added 80 acres to the farm; in Colfax township he rendered a but in March, 1878 moved to Pomeroy faithful service and made many where he still resides. The house on friends.

the farm was blown away by the

Lowrey Gad C. (b. May 6, 1827), cyclone of April 21, 1878, and his home Pomeroy, one of the pioneers of Col- in Pomeroy experienced the same fate fax township, is a native of Connecti- in 1893.

cut, the son of Ira F. and Jane (Ja- He has proven himself a good citi- cobs) Lowrey. At eight years of age zen and noble minded man. When lie moved with his parents to Lacon, Colfax belonged to Cedar township he 111., where he grew to manhood. On was chosen a member of the school Aug. 30, 1849 he married Emeline F. board as the first representative from Snell (b.Ind. Dec. 28, 1830) and 4 years that district, and the first school in it later moved to LaFayette where he was taught in his home in 1871 by his engaged in the manufacture of wagons daughter, Ida. He has been a highly and carriages as a member of the firm respected elder of the Presbyterian of Smith & Lowrey, Abraham Smith, church of Pomeroy since 1883. His his partner being his brother-in-law, wife, a lady of unusually fine conver- Four years later he moved to Mineral, sational powers, has shared with him Bureau Co., Ill., where he remained cheerfully the hardships of pioneer eleven years.

life and given him hearty encourage-

At the outbreak of the Civil War ment in all matters relating to the his interest was manifested by mak- promotion of morality and piety. In ing a number of stump speeches to en- 1899 they celebrated the 50th aniver- courage enlistments. Later he him- sary of their marriage and received self enlisted in a regiment of mechan- the congratulations of many friends ics. After a short time this regiment who expressed the hope they might be

was disbanded and he then be- spared to enjoy many more years of came a member of the 93d Ill. He happy wedded life.

served until the close of the war under Gen. Logan and participated in the children. engagements at Vicksburg, Champion

Their family consisted of seven

1. Jason H. Lowrey (b. Ill. June 29, Hills, Black River and others of less 1850), president of the State Bank of importance. At the time of his dis- Pomeroy, came to Iowa with his pa- charge he was 2d Lieut. of Co. H. rents in 1868. Locating. in Pomeroy In the fall of 1868 he moved to Des in 1878 be found employment in the Moines, Iowa, and a few months later post office and insurance business un- to Fort Dodge. In June 1869 he loca- til July 1, 1886, when he became cash- ted on a homestead of 80 acres on Sec. ier of the Farmers Loan & Trust Co. 26, Colfax township erecting a good bank. In July, 1892, when it was re- one and one-half story house for organized as the State Bank through which he prepared the frame at Fort his instrumentality, he became its Dodge. This was the first house on cashier and is now president of it.

548

PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

The large and well appointed dwelling

7-Smith G., (b. Jan. 13, 1865) a car- house he now occupies was built in penter, on Oct. 23, 1888, married Mary 1900. He has made the public school Miller, lives at Pomeroy and has two of Pomeroy a generous gift of a library children, Clyde and Bernice.

of 300 carefully chosen volumes. By

Maxwell Alexander G., (b. Jan this manifestation of public spirit lie 11, 1852), owner and occupant of the laid the foundation of a worthy object NEI sec. 25 from 1878 to 1890, was a that will perpetuate his name among native of Albany, N. Y., and lived in his people as one that has wisely en- that state until 1875, when he moved deavored to promote the public wel- to Summit county, Ohio, and during fare.

the next three years had charge of a On Feb. 27, 1878, he came to

On Nov. 6, 1876, he married Eliza. farm. beth Garlock of Cedar township who Pocahontas county, Iowa, and the died July 21, 1892, leaving one child same day married Martha Elizabeth, that died soon afterward. July 16, daughter of Matthew and Margaret 1893, he married Hattie, daughter of (Darling) Wallace, who three years be- Thomas and Sarah Wells, of Calhoun fore, had located in Colfax township county, and they have two children, with her step father, Daniel N. Boyd. Genevieve and Vivian.

They planted around their new home

He was a trustee of Colfax township on the prairie one of the largest groves in 1874, and secretary of the school board 1874-75. He was recorder of Po cahontas county in 1878 and postmast- greatly enlarged and improved the er at Pomeroy five years, Jan 1, 1379 to Jan. 1, 1884.

buildings and occupied this farm twelve years. In 1890 they moved to Pomeroy and later to Storm Lake, in the county, consisting of walnut, catalpı, oak and maple trees. They

2-Ida D. (b. Ill. March 11, 1854) a teacher, on Feb. 21, 1872, became the where for several years he was custo- wife of Samuel H. Gill (see Gill) and dian of the buildings and grounds of died April 25, 1878, from injuries re- Buena Vista College. Lu 1899 they ceived during the tornado that de- returned to Canastota, Madison coun- stroyed their home in Colfax township ty, N. Y.

four days previous.

Mrs. Maxwell was the first teacher 3-Charles F. Lowrey, (b. Ill. Jan. in the Colfax Center school house and 11, 1856) on May 2, 1881, married Laura taught that school for several succes- J., daughter of Alexander and Ella sive years. She took an active part Lockey. They live in Fort Dodge and in effecting the organization of the have a family of seven children, Clara, Presbyterian church in Pomeroy. Mr. Jay, Frances, Lyle, Wayne, Ava and Maxwell was for several yearsa justice Ross.

in Colfax township and an elder in the

4-Emma (b. July 19, 1858) a teacher, Presbyterian church of Pomeroy. In on June 16, 1878, married R. M. Wil- 1892, as a commissioner from the Pres- bur, a traveling salesman They re- bytery of Fort Dodge, he attended the sided first .at Pomeroy where she meeting of the general assembly of taught school several years, then at the Presbyterian church at Portland, Fort Dodge, Council Bluffs and St. Oregon. Their family consists of Paul, where she died March 15, 1836. three children. Genevieve E., Wallace Glenn and Margaret Augusta.

5-Mary E., died in childhood.

Meyer Christian (b. 1837), owner

6-Judd (b. Jan. 24,1862) in 1890 mar- ried Emily Wego of Minn. Ile is a of a farm of 480 acres on section 29. train dispatcher at Escanaba, Mich., was the first to occupy and improve and has one child, Ma lge. this land. Two sets of buildings have

549

COLFAX TOWNSHIP.

been erected and they are kept in fine to America with a family of three looking condition. He is a native of children and lived the next eighteen Germany and in 1886 married there months in Illinois and Indiana. In Dora Hesterman. In 1869 he came to September, 1870, they located on a America and located in Page county, homestead of forty acres on section 18, Ill. He has been a resident of Colfax Colfax township. The first improve- township since 1880, Henry G., his ment on it was a sod house, 16x18 feet, oldest son, in 1893 married Matilda and it was the home of the family un- Voss and lives on the NW} of section til 1873, when it was replaced by the 29. During his spare moments he has purchase of the second building erect- made a couple of clocks that are quite ed in Fonda and used there for school ingenious in their construction and purposes. The latter now forms the novel in their performances. August, William and Emma, the other chil- dren, are at home.

Mckinney Samuel W. (b. Oct. 10, 1859), owner and occupant of a farm of 179 acres on section 7, is a native of ful farmer, and has increased his farm Illinois, the son of James and Eliza- to its present size by the purchase of beth Mckinney. On March 30, 1884, only forty acres at a time, except in while residing in Story county, Iowa, one instance.

dining room of the large two story building occupied by the family. In 1883 he built a large barn for horses and in 1888 another one for cows. He has become a prominent and success-

he married Ida V. White. In 1888 he He is a well built man and has en- became a resident of Pocahontas joyed the reputation of being the county, and two years later bought

strongest man in the township. Dur- his present farm, four miles northeast ing the seventies he worked eight of Fonda. His skill and good judg- years on the track of the I. C. R. R. ment as a farmer have been very man- uuder Wm. Bott, and it was not an ifest in the improved appearance and uncommon occurrence for him to lift greatly increased productiveness of a a steel rail 32 feet long and weighing neglected and previously unprofitable 500 pounds. He never attended school a day in his life, but learned to read his native language in the home of his parents. The only office he has been willing to hold has been that of

farm. The old dilapidated buildings, one after the other soon disappeared, and in their places new and larger ones have been erected that are kept nicely painted. The places once oc- road supervisor. He is a highly es- cupied by rank and unsightly weeds teemed member of the Swedish Luth- have been invaded with the plow that eran church, having been chosen a leaves a neatly turned furrow and deacon in the church organized at Ft. prepares the way for a sure and profit- Dodge in 1871, where he continued to able crop. He is an intelligent and attend until the organization was ef- progressive farmer, a staunch repub- fected in Colfax township, when he lican and was elected a member of the was again chosen one of the first dea- board of County Supervisors in the cons. His family consisted of five fall of 1900. His family consists of children. three children Marion G , Alice H. and Ida.

Munson Swan Peter (b. Aug. 27,

Ililda, who in 1880, married August Samuelson (see Samuelson.)

Charles August (b. Sweden 1863) 1831), owner of a farm of 360 acres in came with his parents to America at Colfax township, is a native of Swed- the age of five years, and in 1870 locat- en, where in 1858 he married Lena ed with them in Colfax township. In Johnson. Ten years later they came 1894 he married Selma Johason (b ..

550

PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

1875) and occupies a farm of 160 acres trees, of which four acres are black on section 19. He has two daughters, walnuts. Peace and good will have Esther and Ellen. been his watch words and he has He Christina (b. 1866) in 1889 married never been a party to a lawsuit, Andrew Gilbert, from whom, after the has served many years as a school di- birth of two children, Ada and Arthur, rector and has endeavored to give to she was divorced. In 1892 she mar- all the members of his large family ried Peter Palmer. They now live on the heritage of a good education.

her father's farm and have a family His family consists of nine children. of three children, Elizabeth, Rosa and John (b. Ill. 1864), in 1894 married

August Walter.

Elizabeth Taylor and occupies the

Anna (b. 1871) in 1888 married Gus- NW} Sec. 15, Grant township. Pat- tave Palmer, who died in 1890, leaving rick (b. 111. 1866), in 1890 married Mary one child, Frederick. In 1901 she Kennedy of Calhoun county, occupies married Albert Johnson, a farmer, and the SW} Sec. 3, Grant township and lives in Colfax township.

has two children, Mary Agnes and Emily in 1898 married Peter E. Maude. Michael (b. 1873), Mary, Backstrom, lives on the farm and has Ambrose, Elizabeth, Philip, Agnes two children, Alfild and Helen.

and James are pursuing their educa-

Murphy Patrick (b. 1836), owner tion or are at work on the farm.

of a farm of 600 acres having the home

Olsson Rev.C. E. (b. Apr. 17, 1866), buildings on the SE} Sec. 11, is a na- pastor of the Colfax Swedish Lutheran tive of Ireland and in 1851 came with church, is a native of Sweden, the son his parents to LaSalle county, Ill. In of Peter and Anna Olsson, with whom 1861 he married Ellen Cunnon, a na- he came to America in 1869 and locat- tive of Pennsylvania, and locating on ed at Moline, Ill. His mother died a a farm in Bureau county, Ill., remain- few months after their arrival and ed there until the spring of 1873 when his father the following spring, at he located on 200 acres of raw prairie which time he was only four years of in Colfax township that he had visit- age. He was taken to the orphan ed and purchased in September 1869. home of the Swedish Lutheran church He came to the frontier with an out- at Andover, Ill. He received his ed- fit that filled two cars and proved of ucation at Rock Island, graduating great advantage to him. He had from Augustina College in 1890, and previously been engaged in raising from the Theological Seminary in Durham cattle and brought with him 1894. Two months later he became some thoroughbreds of this strain. pastor of the Swedish Lutheran By making frequent purchases as the churches in Colfax township and Man- years have passed he has maintained son, living in the parsonage at the a prominent position as one of the former. During his pastorate of seven leading fine stock raisers of Colfax years these churches have made a township. He has become the owner gratifying growth, both in numbers of 600 acres of land and the fine per- and resources. On Jan. 29, 1896, he manent improvements erected there- married Hannah E. Fair, of Andover, on discover both his thrift and excel- Illinois.

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.

The pioneer history of Pocahontas County, Iowa, from the time of its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 73

Author: Flickinger, Robert Elliott, b. 1846 Publication date: 1904 Publisher: Fonda, Iowa, G. Sanborn Number of Pages: 1058

Author: Flickinger, Robert Elliott, b. 1846
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: Fonda, Iowa, G. Sanborn
Number of Pages: 1058