The pioneer history of Pocahontas County, Iowa, from the time of its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 81

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 81

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).

The original members were Lars and Mary Hanson, L. E. Hanson, E. P. and Clara Rude, Torkel and Helen Larson, A. N. and Julia Monkelien, Andrew and Karen Monkelien, E. M. and Sarah Tollefsrude, C. H. and Maria G. Tollefsrude, Nils C. Syn- stelien and A. H. Vestrum-17.

The moral and religious progress of the people has kept pace with their material prosperity. Rev. John A. Griffin, one of the early settlers, but now pastor of the Congregational church at Sherrard, Ill., held the first The first trustees were Lars Han- son, T. Larson and E. P. Rude. C. religious services soon after the first frame school house was built in 1871. H. Tollefsrude was elected secretary,

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GRANT TOWNSHIP

and E. P. Rude, treasurer. The under the management of Wm. A. trustees now are A. N. Monkelien, A. Elliott. During 1901 there were 22 Johnson and E. M. Tollefsrude. Sec- persons cared for at this farm, ofwhom retary, L. E. Hanson; treasurer, O. E. 12 were inmates of the asylum. This Christeson.

institution was visited by the State

On December 9, 1894, a church build- Board of Control in 1900 and its man- ing 40x28 feet, with vestibule 10x10 agement was heartily approved.

feet and costing $1200, was dedicated at Rusk. The adult membership now

WELLINGTON FARM.

The Wellington farm in this town- numbers 57, and public services are ship is one of the large stock farms in held once a month. A Sunday school this county. During the early 80's W. E. Wellington of Dubuque bought

has been organized and it meets every Sabbath. The society is free from all of sections 13 and 23, the St Sec. 14 debt and is making a substantial and steady growth.

UNIFORMLY REPUBLICAN.

Grant township has always cast a of three sections, was planted with majority for the republican party. At choice timber. It was then divided the first five general elections, 1870-74, into quarter section lots of 160 acres all the votes cast were republican. each, and two rows of trees were plant- Two democratic votes were cast the ed around all of them. In 1885 some next year. On local issues party ties good buildings were erected and 900 have not always been observed. Dur· acres were seeded to timothy and ing the 90s, the democrats and popu- bluegrass. Wellington gave his per- lists, increasing in numbers and influ- sonal attention to the improvement ence, joined forces and quite closely of this large farm and manifested contested the field. After the me- real pride in converting wild and morial free silver campaign of 1896, waste prairies into beautiful and fer- 173 votes were polled, more than in tile fields. At the home he occupied any other strictly rural township in that year, he raised a flock of forty the county, and the republicans had a wild geese that became sufficiently majority of 15. In 1901, when 134 tame to eat out of one's hand, and votes were polled, their majority was 32.

formed a beautiful sight. About 1895 this farm was bought by Moody & Davy of Pomeroy and it is now owned by the former.

COUNTY OFFICERS.

The following residents of Grant township have been elected to county offices:

ELK AND DEER.

In January 1870 I. E. Parrish shot SUPERVISOR-A. W. Rake, 1872-73. and wounded an elk in the large pond AUDITORS-C. H. Tollefsrude, 1882- on the NW} Sec. 35, that was pursued 85. F. G. Thornton when elected in and captured on the breaking of C. H. 1894; L. E. Hanson, 1899-1902.

Tollefsrude on 28. It added materi-

SHERIFF-John A. Crummer, 1890- ally to the supply of meat in the set- 97. tlement.

COUNTY FARM.

In 1890 the county house and other necessary out buildings were erected over Sec. 28.

In 1871 another large elk was seen passing in a southwesterly direction

In December 1874 C. H. Tollefsrude

on the NEĮ Sec. 4. In 1898 an asylum was built for the care of the insane of and his brother, E. M. Tollefsrude, this county. The farm (p. 315) was concealing themselves for a short time recently increased to 409 acres and is in an old well that had been partly

and N+ Sec. 24-1920 acres. In 1884 a strip 20 feet wide, that had been pre- viously broken around the entire farm

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PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

filled, secured a fine deer that came lien, Hans Johnson, Carl Peterson, within range of their guns. Soon Thomas Byrne, Charles Elg and An- afterward H. L. Norton and N. A. drew Olson.

Palmatier shot three deer at Devil's

Of the young people born in the Island, on Sec. 5. During the early township, or residents of it in the days this was one of the best localities early days but now permanently re- in the county for game. During the moved, the following ones are recalled: winter of 1877-78 H. L. Norton and Julia (Fossum) Gulack, Ashley, N. D .; Geo. I. Hughes shot four deer in this Caroline (Rake) Allen, who died in vicinity and three more in January 1879.

EARLY SETTLERS.

Oregon in 1899; Sırah (Reamer) Ham- erson, Canton, S. D ; Andrew Hanson, Texas; Henry Hanson, South Dakota;

Many of the early settlers who mov- Elwin Reamer, physician, Minnesota; ed to other sections or have died are John Fossum, who died in Wisconsin still kindly remembered. Joseph in 1882; Walter J. Smith, Calhoun Co .; Brinker and Fred Steendorf, well Aaron and Edward Harris, Knox Co., known characters in the early days, Nebraska. These are still residents moved to South Dakota, where the of this county: Ida (Norton) Vaughn, former died Oct. 10, 1896, and the lat- Effie (Norton) Riley, Elmer Reamer, ter was accidentally killed. Asa W. Rose (Tollefsrude) Christeson, Lottie Harris died in Nebraska.

N. C. (Tollefsrude) Thornton, William and Fossum, in 1899, died at Beloit, Wis. Louis Rude, Horace and Ira Larson, Frank P. Anderson returned to Swed- Maria and Henry Monkelien, L. E. en and his wife lost her life in the and Eric Hanson, Emma and Cyrus terrible cyclone at Pomeroy in 1893. H. Tollefsrude.

Others that have died are Andrew PIONEER WOMEN. Monkelien, Wm. J. Curkeet, Mrs. It seems eminently appropriate to John A. Griffin, Mrs. Geo. W. Smith, make brief mention of a few of the N. N. Wallow, Mrs. Mary and Mrs. A. pioneer women who, by their perse- T. Omtvedt, Mrs. I. E. Parrish, Mrs. verance, economy and good judgment, Bertha Larson, S. W. Norton, Claus contributed so much toward securing Cedarstrom, Mrs. Anna (widow) An- the comfortable homes that are now derson, Asher W. Rake, John P. An- so numerous in Grant township. derson, John Anderson, Mrs. Joseph "Man cannot advance in the march

Brinker, Thor Mathieson, Rev. John of progress except by the side of Crummer, Lars Hanson and Eric P. woman." This saying is fully con- Rude.

firmed in the early history of our coun- try. Men are very ready to exclaim,

Henry Russell and Charles E. Brown are now living in Kansas, O. J. Syn- WE settled the country, WE struggled stelien in Minnesota, Felix W. Parrish and labored, WE did all this, etc., as in Sherman township, John F. Burg if they did everything.

in Bellville township and I. E. Parrish in California.

In the early settlement of Grant township not a single instance is re-

There remain, of those that were called where a bachelor achieved per- prominent in the early history of the manent success. The early settlers that succeeded best in acquiring a competency and in developing a fine community, were those who enjoyed the co-operation of the pioneer won - an. Those who endured the priva- tions and hardships of 1869 and now township, L. E. Hanson, T. Larson, N. P. Rude, David Terry, A. T. Omt- vedt, John A. Crummer, Wm. C. and L. J. Lieb, A. N. Monkelien, H. C. and E. M. Tollefsrude, James O'Con- nor, Martin Anderson, M. J. Synste- dwell in comfortable homes see in the

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GRANT TOWNSHIP.

changed conditions a very striking thick and fast. She and Mrs. T. Lar- contrast. The horrors of the sod son are now the only resident pioneer house, the dugout, the shanty and women of 1870-71. Instances are re- the empty larder, and the drudgery of called when, their husbands having twisting hay for fuel are no longer ex- gone to Pomeroy or Fort Dodge, and perienced. In many instances the the terrible prairie fire came sweeping sacrifices and exposures of those early down from the northwest, these wom- days meant future suffering and loss en single-handed and alone saved their of health, but in the midst of the little homes from the flame of the de- present improved conditions they are stroying element. Both of these seldom mentioned or even recalled. women have raised interesting fami-

Mrs. H. L. Norton was perhaps lies and though no longer enjoying the first woman to show her ability ruddy health they do enjoy comforta- to cope successfully with the hard- ble homes and are satisfied to forget ships of pioneer life in Grant. Dur- the past in the joyous present.

ing the month of December, 1869,

Mrs. Thomas Reamer was an- when Mr. Norton was trapping in the other woman who did well her part in sloughs on sections 20, 21 and 27 and the early days. By her sweetness of his family was stopping at the home temper, cheering words and helping of Henry Shields on Sec. 8, Lizard hand she did much to allay the home- township, she could occasionally be sick restlessness that often prevailed seen, mounted upon a load of wood among the lonely settlers on the prai- and provisions drawn by an ox team, rie. Sociable and interesting she is making a bee-line across the snow kindly remembered by all her former covered prairies to the camp of the neighbors and friends. She died at hardy trapper, twelve miles distant. Pomeroy in 1901.

Having completed her errand the re-

Mrs. Geo. Smith, who came in turn was made with the same uner- 1870 and died in 1881, is remembered ring directness. Such trips were ex- as a woman of great energy, though tremely hazardous and could be made small in stature and not possessing a only by the most courageous and en- very rugged constitution. She was during. The modern woman shrinks one of the best of women in minister- from the idea of taking such a trip.

ing to the needs of others. She was

Mrs. Norton was always ready to even known to watch her neighbor's nurse the sick, encourage the discon- cattle. Her death was lamented by a solate and extend friendly assistance large circle of friends,

to the new settler. She seemed to be

Mrs. A. T. Omtvedt who came called upon to do more than her share in the early 70's and died in 1901, mer- in ministering to the needs of others. ited more than ordinary credit for her She and her husband are now enjoy- part in securing a beautiful home, ing the fruits of a well earned compe- rearing a large and interesting family, tency and live at Fonda.

and acquiring a competency for them in future days. She faced all the

Mrs. N. P. Rude is another of the pioneers. She came with her hus- vicissitudes of frontier life with a band in the fall of 1870, and dur- spirit that was always radiant with ing all the years since has shown her- sunshine and hope. She had a rich self a woman of true merit. Courag- religious experience, the outgrowth eous and hopeful she loyally aided her of a faith that took God into all the husband in his early efforts to secure affairs of life. The result of her a home and cheered him when diffi- watchful care and ardous labors in be- culties and discouragements came half of her family must have been a

. 606

PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

source of great satisfaction to her, chafed by the cares of this life, but and now to them.

cheered by the christian's hope of

Mrs. Elisha M. Tollefsrude, who newness of life in the world to come. came as a bride in 1872 to assist in re- Clara Hanson, her daughter, ducing' the wilderness, entered into became the wife of E. P. Rude Aug. the new life with hearty cheer. She 23, 1873, the wedding taking place at met all her difficulties bravely, be- the home of her parents on Sec. 26. came the mother of a happy family This was the first marriage in Grant. and is now enjoying one of the most She became one of the best of wives inviting homes in the township. The and mothers and her relation to the Evergreen Lodge at Rusk looked for- home, church and society has always ward to a comfortable and easy future been that of the true woman, ready but disease, a few years ago, that to respond to the calls of duty. Her caused long and severe sufferings, fin- life has been crowded with work and ally reduced her to the condition of cares but the joy of a large and cher- an invalid.

ished family, the possession of a com-

Mrs. @. H. Tollefsrude coming fortable home and the kindly greet- in 1870, gave her health and eleven of ings of hosts of friends are considera- her best years to life on the farm, tions that now bring comfort and then lived twelve years at Pocahon- consolation. She did as much as any tas, and since December, 1893, at woman in the township to transform Rolfe. The struggles of life in the the wilderness. Her husband died in 70's are now almost forgotten, while 1901. the delightful associations and valua-

Mrs. Hans @. Tollefsrude is one ble lessons of those early days cause whose early days of pioneer life did them to be remembered as the hap- not begin with her settlement in piest period in a life of unceasing toil Grant, but in 1844, when she came in and activity.

a sailing vessel from Norway to New

Mrs. A. N. Monkelien, who came York that required 102 days for the to the settlement with her husband trip. She passed thence through New in 1873, has performed her part well. York state in a canal boat, through the In one of the most interesting homes great lakes to Chicago in a sail boat in the county she holds an enviable and thence across northern Illinois position. Her words and deeds of love and southern Wisconsin afoot. Near- and affection have been showered up- ly six months were thus occupied in on the family and home, and her sun- making a journey that now requires ny disposition has led the home circle only 12 or 15 days. Her pioneer days along easy and pleasant paths. She in Wisconsin during the 40's formed a is the mother of twelve children, all period of constant struggles, hard- but one of whom are living, and ten ships and incessant toil. Courage of them are still under the parental and perseverance were essential to roof.

success under these circumstances and

Mrs. Lars Hanson, who lost her she possessed these requisites in a husband in 1889, was a worthy wife high degree. She now enjoys her and mother, and still resides with her well-earned temporal reward, and in sons on the old homestead. Her life the contentment that has followed she has been one of constant usefulness has forgotten many of the vicissitudes and she developed a character of great of a half century ago. She is now 85 worth. Dwelling in a comfortable years of age and realizes that the end home and surrounded by kind rela- of her earthly career is not very far tives, the period of her old age is not distant.

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GRANT TOWNSHIP.

LEADING CITIZENS.

Feb. 7th following. In 1893 he mar-

Byrne Thomas (b. 1843), owner and ried Rose, daughter of E. M. Tollefs- occupant of a farm of 400 acres on rude and has two children, Luverne Sec. 20, is a native of Ireland. In 1865 E. and Gladys M. he emigrated to New Jersey where

Andrew H. Christeson, his brother, two years later he married Ellen Kel- a clerk in the store, in 1900 married ley. In 1878 he located in Grant town- Augusta Lundgren and has one child, ship on a farm of 80 acres, which he Ethel A.

has since increased five fold and im- @rummer John A. (b. 1848), owner proved with good buildings and groves. and occupant of a farm of 285 acres on

His family consisted of four chil- Sec. 36, is a son of Rev. John and Mary dren, Mary, Thomas, John and Ellen. S. Crummer. He is a native of Illi- Mary in 1896 married Eugene Kirken- nois, where in 1869 he married Mary dall, a farmer, lives in Grant town- C. (b. Ohio 1849) daughter of William ship and has two children, Thomas E. Pulley. In 1871 he located in Floyd and John.

Co., Iowa, but two years later return-

Christeson Eric O. (b. 1862), post- ed to Illinois. Later he moved to master and merchant at Rusk, is a Kansas and in 1881 settled on his pres- native of Norway, the son of Christ ent farm which, under his develop- and Enger Christeson. In 1870 he ment, now ranks as one of the best came to this country with his parents improved farms in the county. His . and located in Webster Co., Iowa, dwelling house is 40x48 feet, two where his father died two years later, stories, and the barn and other out- leaving a wife and five children, of buildings are of ample size for the whom Ole E. and Eric O. were the protection of stock and the successful oldest. They supported their mother management of the farm. He keeps and the other children, first by herd- the farm well stocked with the best ing cattle and other available em- grades of cattle and hogs and usually ployments, and later by engaging in feeds more grain than he raises. He farming. They had very little time has found the pasturage of stock left to go to school.

about as profitable as raising grain,

In 1883 Ole E. married Nettie Flug- and aims to keep a fair proportion of stad and in 1887 he and Eric located all kinds. His annual herd of pure in Grant township. In 1900 he bought bred and high grade calves is a beau- the SE} Sec. 16, on which he now tiful sight, and many of them are sold lives and has erected good improve- each year to his neighbors at fine ments. He has been a trustee of the prices. He has filled the offices of township since 1897. township clerk, justice and secretary

Eric O., in the fall of 1888, forming of the school board. He was sheriff a partnership with Fred Dilmuth, of Pocahontas county eight years, built the creamery at Rusk and they 1890-97, during which period he attend- operated it until January, 1890, when ed 33 full terms of court and proved the partnership was dissolved, and the himself a faithful and efficient public former, retaining the building, effect- officer.

ed the organization of the Grant Creamery Association, of which he is dren.

His family consisted of seven chil-

still a member and one of the trus-

1. Wellington F. (b. 1870), in 1891 tees. On Feb. 22, 1892, he established married Ida P. Trenary, lives on his a general store at the creamery and own farm of 80 acres in Lincoln town- on Jan. 5, 1894, being appointed post- ship and has two children, Ellsworth master, opened the Rusk postoffice and Loren.

608

PIONEER HISTORY OF POCAHONTAS COUNTY, IOWA.

2. Lem Ora (b. 1874), on Jan. 1,1900, 1812, and his father was Ist Lieuten- married Mary, daughter of Jason N. ant Co. D., 112th Ill. Inf. in the civil Russell, has one daughter, Leona war. John remained with his par- May, and occupies a farm of 85 acres ents until April 19, 1861, when he en- in Lincoln township on which he has listed in Co. D., 17th Ill. Inf. He was erected good buildings.

seriously wounded in the battle of 3. Ada B. in 1897 married Wm. J. Shiloh or Pittsburg Landing. He re- Saylor and lives in Lincoln township. ceived later from President Lincoln Charles C., Clara E., Raymond A. an appointment as 2d Lieut. 53d Reg. and Lorenzo are at home.

U. S. colored troops, and when mus-

William Pulley, his father-in-law, tered out in March, 1866, had spent lives with him. He is the owner of a nearly five years in the army.

farm of 160 acres on Sec. 17, Lincoln In 1864 he married Mary E., daugh- township, on which he located in 1892. ter of James M. and Elizabeth Payne, His wife, Mary Kuhn, died there in late of Adel, Iowa, and soon after- 1893. His family consisted of three ward located in this county. He as- sons and five daughters. sisted in organizing Grant township

Joseph S. Pulley, his son, in 1886 be- for school purposes, served as presi- gan to occupy and improve his present dent of the first school board and held farm of 160 acres on Sec. 36, Lincoln the first public services in that town- township. He is a native of Ohioand ship. He had previously received moved with his parents to Illinois, only a good common school education where he married Mary Laughlin and but had an intelligent desire to be located first in Grundy Co., then in useful in promoting the interests of Pocahontas Co., Iowa. He has been a Christ's kingdom. During his resi- trustee of Lincoln township since 1895. dence in this county he accepted an His family consists of three children, appointment from the Rev. Dr. Guern- Roy, Tama and Jay. sey, of Dubuque, to establish preach-

Fossum N. C. (b. 1837), owner of ing appointments in this section. Un- the NE} Sec. 33 from 1870 to 1878, der this appointment he organized was a native of Norway. In 1848 he Congregational churches at Newell came with his parents to Rock Co., and Fonda, and held services also at Wis., where in 1862 he married Nellie Pomeroy and as far east as Jackson Lunde. In 1873 he located on his Center, Webster county. Afterward farm in Grant township which he im- he entered the Union Park Theologi- proved and increased to 240 acres. In cal Seminary and successively served 1878 he sold it to his uncle, Hans C. the churches at Atkinson, Danville, Tollefsrude, and returned to his old Spring valley, Cable, Quincy, Dan- farm near Beloit, Wis., where he died ville again 1890-96, in Illinois; Coal Oct. 16, 1899. Mine Mission, Ind., and Sherrard and

Griffin John A. Rev., resident of Cable, Ill., living at the former, since Grant township from 1869 to 1875, is December, 1897.

Mary E., his wife, died at Danville,

the son of Henry G. and Isabella (Mc- Gaughey) Griffin. His father was a in 1887, leaving four children. Ches- native of Stockbridge, Mass., and at ter D. is located at Grinnell, Iowa; eighteen came to Illinois, where he Alice became the wife of Elmer T. married and located on a farm near Reamer (see Reamer); Grace G. mar- Cambridge. His family consisted of ried Lou E. Heinley, Litchfield, Ill .; ten children of whom John A. was the and James H. lives at Danville, Ill. oldest. John's grandfather was a sol- In 1888 he married Margaret Had- dier from New York in the war of dick and their family consists of three

609

GRANT TOWNSHIP.

children, Robert T., John H. and Lot- farmer, lives in Colorado and has a tie L. He still preaches three times family of six children. on Sabbath, looks after the Sunday 3. Miranda in 1880 married Martin schools and is kindly remembered by Anderson, who the year previous came the pioneers of Grant township. from Norway and now owns a farm of

Hanson Lars H. (b. 1817, d. 1889), 172 acres on sections 31 and 32, that who located on a homestead of 40 acres he has finely improved. They have on the NE+ Sec. 26 in 1871, and died two children, Arthur and May.

there in 1889, in his 72d year, was a 4. Henry W. (b. 1855), in 1871 came native of Norway where, in 1847, he with his wife to Grant township and married Mary Loken. In 1869, with a remained until 1877, when he learned family of eight children, he came to telegraphy. He is now located at America and lived two years in Wis- Baltic, S. D.

consin.

5. Leonard Edward (b. 1859) occu-

Previous to his settlement in pies the old home farm with his moth- this county he was called Lars Hanson er, and is now the owner of 240 acres Loken, the last name having been besides. He received a good educa- given him in Norway because he lived tion and is an excellent penman, In on one of the three farms that were the township he has served as clerk called upper, middle and lower Loken. two years, as a justice six years, as as- his wife was called by the same name, sessor eight years and as secretary of because she lived on the upper Loken the school board ten years. He is now farm. On meeting at Manson a broth- serving his second term as recorder of er, who had lived on another farm Pocahontas county. He recently in- and dropped its name, on coming to froduced for use on the records in his this section, he decided to do the office a book typewriter, an instru- same and was afterwards called Lars ment that is operated like the ordi- H. Hanson. nary one, but moves across the page instead of moving the paper.

He served several years in the army of Norway and was an officer at the 6. Andrew L., in 1890 married Rosa time of his discharge. He was a man Johnson and has a family of two chil- of considerable intelligence and, as a dren. He resides on his own farm in citizen, exerted an influence that was Texas.

not limited to the people of his own nationality. In matters relating to

Eric and Lars are at home.

Harris Asa W., who in 1871 came morals and religion, he had very posi- from Dubuque county and located on Sec. 34, took an active part in the management of the affairs in the township during his residence of four-

tive convictions, and took a leading part in the establishment and main- tenance of the Norwegian Lutheran church at Rusk. His faithful wife teen years in it. He was twice elect- still lives on the old homestead. Up- ed a justice, served as a trustee, and rightness of character and sturdy as clerk five years, 1880-84. He was a morality have been characteristics of man who commanded the respect and their large family, and during the confidence of all who knew him. In thirty years that have passed they 1885 he moved to Star, Knox Co., Neb., have left the indellible impression of where he died in 1900. His family their influence and work in the his- consisted of nine children, Joseph,

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The pioneer history of Pocahontas County, Iowa, from the time of its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 81

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