Asa W. Adams, oldest resident photographer in Winneshiek Co. The subject of this sketch was born in Ohio in 1843. He was left motherless when but a small boy, and in 1863 he came with his father to Io., and lived with him in Allamakkee Co., until he was SI years of age. He then learned the art of photography at Mc-Gregor, and in 1865 located at Decorah, and has since been the leading photographer. In 1866 he married Miss Emma J. Fuller; they have three children, Leila A., Jennie and Willie.
History of Winneshiek and Allamakee Counties, Iowa
W. E. Alexander, Western Publishing Company (Sioux City, Iowa), 1882
Submitted by Dawn Minard
Joseph A. Adams, farmer, was born in Iowa Co.* Wis., in 1854; came to this county with his parents in 1856. His father, Jos. Adams, first settled in the village of Frankville, was a Presbyterian preacher, and for several years preached there. He afterwards went into the mercantile business there, and in the spring of 1860 sold out the store and bought the farm, then only partly improved. It contains 280 acres in a solid body, except 40 acres of timber in Bloomfield tp. Joseph Adams, Sr., died March 6, 1871, since which time Joseph A., has controlled the farm and supported his widowed mother and sister. He has the farm well stocked and all improved, good residence and buildings; 12 head of horses on the farm, 5 head of cattle, and a large drove of hogs of good breeds.
History of Winneshiek and Allamakee Counties, Iowa
W. E. Alexander, Western Publishing Company (Sioux City, Iowa), 1882
Submitted by Dawn Minard
John G. Ackerson, farmer, and an old settler in Burr Oak tp., was born in Campton, Bergen tp., N. Y., in 1816; and in 1833 went to Steuben Co., N, Y., and in 1844 to Ogle Co.,Ill., and from there in 1853 to Io., locating this place. He bought 320 acres where he now resides at the government price, and has sold 80 acres, leaving him 240 acres, 200 acres being in Secs. 15 and 22, where he resides, being good farm land, well improved, and 40 acres of timber in Sec. 34. There were not over a dozen settlers in the tp. when he first located here. He has filled various offices in the tp., and was a member of the county board of supervisors one term, having been elected in 1860. He married in 1853, McHenry Co., Ill, Miss Ann Dickerson, and they have three children, John, Elizabeth and Maria.
History of Winneshiek and Allamakee Counties, Iowa
W. E. Alexander, Western Publishing Company (Sioux City, Iowa), 1882
Submitted by Dawn Minard
Deidrick Addicken (deceased) was born in the Grand Dukedom of Oldenburg Germany, November 5, 1824. He come to America in 1855, and made his first home in Clayton Co., Io., where for two years he was a farmer. In 1857, he came to Decorah and built what has since been known as the old brewery, near the stone mill. In this he laid the foundation for the competency he afterwards acquired. About ten years subsequently he purchased the property be owned and occupied at the time of his death. There he gradually surrounded himself with buildings, which in themselves form a small village, and here he spent his remaining years in the double capacity of brewer and miller. His death took place in July, 1875, being caused by injuries received by a fall while in the act of getting out of his buggy. He left on invalid wife, three daughters and one son.
History of Winneshiek and Allamakee Counties, Iowa
W. E. Alexander, Western Publishing Company (Sioux City, Iowa), 1882
Submitted by Dawn Minard
W. E. Akers, attorney. This promising young men is a son of J. M. and Harriet E. Akers, the former a native of Putnam Co., Ind.; and the latter of St. Lawrence Co., N. H. They were married at Woodstock, Ill., in 1853. ,J. M. Akers, is a blacksmith by trade, and located at Decorah in 1855. Here he followed his trade for several years; subsequently had the mail contract between Decorah and Austin, Minn. This was before the railroads were built, and the trip required four days. Mr. Akers afterwards purchased a farm near Plymouth Rock, Minn., and lived on the same about four years. He then resumed his trade, and followed the same at Bluffton until 1876, when he again returned to Decorah, since which time his business has been collecting and insuring W. K. Akers, the oldest of the three children, was born in Cook Co,, Ill., in 1855. He was educated in the public schools of Decorah, and at the age of 16 commenced teaching. At the age of 19 he commenced the study of law, with Judge E. E. Cooley as preceptor, and at the age of 21 was admitted to the bar, since which time he has been in constant practice, and is meeting with marked success. In 1876 Mr. Akers enlisted as a private in the Decorah Light Guards, now Co. G, 4th Iowa; March 5, 1879, he was elected 1st Lieut, and April 27, 1880, was promoted to the rank of Captain. W. E. Akers is honest, ambitious and industrious, and among the young men of Winneshiek none has brighter prospects than he. In March, 1879, W. E, Akers married Miss Emma Draper, and they now have two children, Charles W. and an infant.
History of Winneshiek and Allamakee Counties, Iowa
W. E. Alexander, Western Publishing Company (Sioux City, Iowa), 1882
Submitted by Dawn Minard
C. W. Amy, M. D., was born in Ohio in 1842. His parents were John Amy and Cyntha G. Smalley. He came with the family to Winneshiek county in 1837, but in 1860, although a mere boy, he concluded that he wanted to see some of the western plains and mountains. He therefore went to Colorado, and in Dec., 1861, enlisted in Co. B, 2d Col. Vol. Inf., and was afterwards transferred to the cavalry service. Dr. Amy served his country faithfully as a soldier, participating in eight battles, besides numerous skirmishes, until he was mustered out of service in December, 1864. He then returned to Winneshiek Co., and at different intervals taught school, and was also for several years traveling agent, at the same time gradually turning his attention to the study of medicine. In 1876 he canie to Decorah and devoted his entire attention to study, with Dr. J. W. Curtis as preceptor. In. 1877 he entered the Rush Medical College, where he took two regular and two adjunct courses, and graduated in February, 1879. He then located at Decorah as a practicing physician. In 1881 he took a practitioner's course at the above named college. March 28, 1881, Dr. Amy was united in marriage to Harriet A. Bottsford, M. D. She is a native of Vermont, born August 10, 1845, her parents being Martin and Charlotte Bottsford, both natives of the Green Mountain State, who settled in Canoe tp., Winneshiek Co., in 1855. Harriet A. Bottsford was an uncommonly bright child, and at fourteen we hind her in charge of a school as teacher. In 1864 she entered the normal department of the Iowa Stae University, from which she graduated in 1867. She then became a teacher in the highter department of the public schools of Decorah, and continued until 1873. While a teacher she also commence the study of medicine, with Dr. H. C. Bulis as preceptor. Soon after leaving the school-room as teacher, she entered the Woman's Medical College, of Pa. And graduated in the spring of 1875. She then spent one year at the Women's and Childrens Hospital at Philadelphia, after which she located at Chicago until 1879 and since then Decorah. During her stay in Chicago she occupied the chair of materia medica and therapentics in Women's Hospital Medical College, was visiting physician at two dispensaries, and assistant of Prof. T. Davis Fitch in his gynecolocial clinic in the above named college. She has one daughter.
History of Winneshiek and Allamakee Counties, Iowa
W. E. Alexander, Western Publishing Company (Sioux City, Iowa), 1882
Submitted by Dawn Minard
John Amy (deceased), was born in Bath, N, H, in 1788, but while yet a small child removed with his parents into Vermont. His father was a soldier in the, revolutionary war, John Amy was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his only son, Dr. 0. W. Amy, a soldier in the late rebellion, John Amy was married in 1828 to Cynthia Smalley, In 1838 he removed to Ohio, and in 1857 to Iowa and settled at Fort Atkinson. His death took place June 27th, 1864, leaving a wife and five children, all of whom are residents of Decorah. Ellen S, is the wife of J.M. Williams, cashier of the Winneshiek County Bank. Jane C. is the wife of J. P. McKinney. an employe in the U. S. railway postal service; Aba C. is the wife of J. 0. Strong, president of the above named bank, and Louise A. is the wife of the late H. S. Weiser, founder of said bank. The only son is Dr. C. W. Amy.
History of Winneshiek and Allamakee Counties, Iowa
W. E. Alexander, Western Publishing Company (Sioux City, Iowa), 1882
Submitted by Dawn Minard
Anon Anderson
Anon Anderson, farmer, Sec. 36, P. 0. Ridgeway; owns 1,080 acres of land valued at $25 per acre; was born in Norway in 1839; is the son of Ole and Carrie Anderson; emigrated from there to Boone Co.. Ill.; lived there until he was 18 years old when he settled in Winneshiek Co., Ia.; was married in 1861 to Carrie Ingebritson, a native of Norway, by whom he had six children, Ellen, John, Albert, Ole. Anna and Anon. He was married to his second wife in 1874, Miss Sarah Tuck, a native of Buffalo, N. Y., and they have had four children: Mabel, who died at the age of three; Ethel, Freeman and Ray.
[History of Winneshiek and Allamakee counties, Iowa 1882, By W. E. Alexander, Western Publishing Company (Sioux City, Iowa), Western publishing company, Sioux City, submitted by Dawn Minard]
George M. Anderson, farmer, owns 200 acres, 160 in Frankville tp. and 40 acres of timber in Glenwood tp. He was born in Drammen, Norway, in 1833, and came to this county with his parents in 1852. They settled in Frankville tp, hib father purchased the government claim that Geo. M. now owns. George M. enlisted in 1862 at Decorah, in Co. E, 38th la. Inf., and served 3 years during the rebellion. In the fall of 1865 the 38th was consolidated with the 84th. Previous to the consolidation be was promoted to corporal. He was in engagements at Vicksburg, Yazoo City, Fort Morgan and Mobile. At the termination of the war he returned to the farm, which he has owned and resided on ever since- It is fine prairie land, well improved and stocked, good residences and comfortable barns, elc. He was married in 1865 in Glenwood tp., to Miss Hanna Jacobsen, and they have six children. He has filled various offices of public trust in the tp., and is one of its leading citizens. His brother, Andrew M. Andersen, also enlisted during the war, in the 12th Io. Inf., Co. G; served a little over a year, and was killed by the explosion of a shell at the battle of Corinth, Miss., Oct. 1862.
History of Winneshiek and Allamakee Counties, Iowa
W. E. Alexander, Western Publishing Company (Sioux City, Iowa), 1882
Submitted by Dawn Minard
Erick Anderson
Erick Anderson, P. O. Decorah, farmer, Springfield tp., Sec. 1, was born in Norway Jan. 20, 1827, and emigrated to the U. S. in 1830. They first landed at Boston, Mass., and came via rail and water to N. Y.; thence up the Hudson river to Albany, and by the Erie canal to Buffalo, where they embarked on board a steamer and came to Chicago, Ill., which was then a small town. Here they located, remaining until 1845, when they moved to McHenry Co., Ill.
The subject of this sketch was engaged as errand boy for the first four years; also served as cabin boy one season on board a steamer plying between Chicago and St. Joseph, Mich., and afterwards engaged in a newspaper office for two years, the same being the office of an abolition paper. He also spent one year at a seminary in Beloit, Wis. In 1847 he went to Muskego, Wis., where was he engaged as compositor in the office of the Nordlyset (Northern Light), it being the first Norwegian paper published in the northwest, Mr, Anderson setting the type for the first number. In 1848 he went to Madison, Dane Co., and engaged at clerking in a general store. In 1860 he came to this county and entered some land in the south part of this tp., but engaged at clerking in a general store at Frankville, continuing two years, after which he moved to Ossian and engaged in general merchandise for about four years; then came on to his land remaining till in the winter of 1860, and in 1861 he moved to Decorah, having been elected sheriff of the county the fall before.
He was re-elected to the office in 1862, and at the expiration of this term he moved to his present farm, which now contains 265 acres, well improved and with good buildings. His farm is especially adapted to the raising of stock, with which he is well supplied. He is at present putting up a late improved mill for the manufacture of sorghum syrup; its capacity is 150 gallons per day.
Mr. Anderson was married to Miss Anna Halvorson, Nov. 6, 1851; she died April 15, 1852. He was again married to Miss Louisa Hanson, July 15, 1856. She died May 16, 1876, and he was again married Oct. 8, 1877, to Mrs. Mary Thompson, nee Opdahl. He had one daughter by the first marriage, Elizabeth A.; by the second marriage, Edgar, Albert, Henry, Lorenzo, William, Oscar and Louisa; and one son, Charles, by the last marriage. He is a member of the M. E. church.
[History of Winneshiek and Allamakee counties, Iowa 1882, By W. E. Alexander, Western Publishing Company (Sioux City, Iowa), Western publishing company, Sioux City, submitted by Dawn Minard]
B. Anundsen, proprietor and publisher of the Decorah Posten is a native of Norway, was born in 1844; he learned the printer's trade, and in 1861 emigrated to the United States, and soon settled in the city of LaCrosse, Wis. Here he continued his trade, and in the summer of 1867 established the Ved Arnen-- signifying, "By the Fireside"--a semi-monthly sheet, and the first literary Norwegian paper in America. In 1866 he removed to Decorah, continued the publication of said sheet, and in 1869 established the first book-bindery in Decorah. In 1870 he started the Fra Fjae-ent log Naer, a weekly newspaper. In 1871 he discontinued his two papers and book-bindery, reduced his force of employees from thirteen to two, and for three fears simply did the printing for the Norwegian College. In September, 1874, he started the Decorah Posten, of which an account is given within the pages of this book, and is now publishing the same. Mr. Anundsen is a conscientious, reliable man, who believes in free thought on all subjects. He was married in 1865 to Miss Matilda Hoffstrom They have had five children, two of whom are dow living, Arthur and Fredrick.
History of Winneshiek and Allamakee Counties, Iowa
W. E. Alexander, Western Publishing Company (Sioux City, Iowa), 1882
Submitted by Dawn Minard
Barney Broemmling
This capable and enterprising gentleman whose works in this county have demonstrated him to be one of the substantial and wise citizens and leading agriculturists, is eminently deserving a representation in this volume, and it is with pleasure that we accord such to him.
Mr. Broemmling was born in Albany, New York, whither his parents came from Germany, their native country. The date of this birth was July 8, 1853, and the parents, Rodger and Katherine (Bruntz) Broemmling, soon removed from Albany to Kenosha, Wisconsin, where the father bought and sold wood and ties for five years, when they removed to Winneshiek county, Iowa. Thirty-one years were spent there in farming and raising stock, when another move was made, to Latah county, and here the father died in 1896, seven years after coming hither. His remains are interred in the Catholic cemetery in Genesee. The mother is still living in Genesee, with a daughter. 1853 was the date when the parents came to America, and 1889 the time of the removal to Latah county.
Our subject was educated in the village schools in Winneshiek county, Iowa, and there remained working with his father until he had attained the age of twenty-seven, when he determined to try the west, and accordingly went to California in 1882. He was busied with various avocations for a time, and then came north to Whitman county, Washington, taking a homestead and timber culture claims, which he soon sold, as the drought was too severe to permit of raising crops. He came thence to Latah county, rented land for a time, then bought eighty acres, after he was satisfied that the country was good. For four years he farmed this tract and then sold it to his brother and bought an adjoining quarter section, where he still lives, six miles northwest from Genesee. He has a good farm, well tilled and finely improved. Mr. Broemmling has demonstrated that he is a capable farmer, and he enjoys annually bounteous crops.
His brothers and sisters are named as follows: Herman, married and living in Genesee; John, married and living in Genesee; Gerhard, married and living adjoining the farm of our subject; Katie, married to John Johann and living in Genesee; Johanna, married to Pete Johnson, who is now deceased. Mr. Broemmling's brother, Gerhard, came west with his parents in 1889, bought the quarter section where he now lives, and where he has since operated a first class farm. He was married in 1894 to Mary Brachtendorf, a native of Germany, and four children have been born to them: Rodger, going to school: Lizzie, Regeana and Peter.
As is our subject, so this brother and his family are strict adherents of the faith and belong to the Roman Catholic church. Our subject and this brother are closely allied in their work and dealings and have wrought thus together for many years, and they are both capable and upright men and valuable additions to the society and citizenship of Latah county.
[An Illustrated History Of North Idaho Embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai, Shoshone Counties, State Of Idaho, Western Historical Publishing Company, 1903, submitted by Barb Z.]
Henry C. Bulis, M.D.
Henry C. Bulis, M. D., the oldest practicing physician of Decorah, was born at Chazy, Clinton County, N. Y., November 14, 1830. In Oct, 1854, Dr. Bulis immigrated to Decorah, and has practiced here since, except when discharging official duties outside of his profession. When the law creating the office of county superintendent of public schools went into force. Dr. Bulis was the first man to assume its duties, and served three years. He subsequently was a member of the county board of supervisors, serving as the first president of the board, under what was then termed the new system. In 1866 he was elected state senator, and by re-elections served six years, resigning in the middle of his second term to take the office of lieutenant-governor, to which the people had called him. While in the upper branch of the general assembly he was at one time chairman of the committee on claims, and at another, of the committee on State University. He did especially good work on the latter committee; a warm friend of education, and being generous and broad in his views on the subject, he earnestly advocated the appropriation bills, and every measure calculated to advance the interests of the university. Part of the time, while in the senate, he served as president pro tem, and was in that position when placed in the chair of lieutenant-governor. He has been a trustee and regent of the university; he was examining surgeon for pensions from 1865 to 1876, and subsequently president of the Iowa State Medical Society.
Dr. Bulis has always been a republican, and as can be seen by this sketch much of the time since he has been in Iowa, he has been a favorite of the party. He has been very serviceable, not to his party or State alone. On the 25th of August, 1876, he was appointed a member of the Sioux Indian Commission, and aided essentially in forming, a few weeks later, the treaty with them by which they ceded the Black Hills, and granted the right of way to the same of three different routes. The services which the doctor rendered in securing this treaty can hardly be over-estimated, and is regarded as the crowning act of his life.
On the 11th of September, 1854, he married Miss Laura A. Adams, of Champlain, New York. She died in 1861, leaving two children, Frank H. and Ada A. On the 17th of June, 1863 he married Miss Harriet S. Adams, a sister of his first wife. The services which Dr. Bulis has rendered to the county, the state and the country will long keep his name in remembrance. In July, 1878, he was appointed special United States Indian Agent, but resigned the same after nine months.
[History of Winneshiek and Allamakee counties, Iowa 1882, By W. E. Alexander, Western Publishing Company (Sioux City, Iowa), Western publishing company, Sioux City, submitted by Dawn Minard]
Hon. Theodore W. Burdick
Hon. Theodore W. Burdick, cashier First National bank, is a native of Penn., and was born at Evansburg, Crawford county, on the 7th day of Oct., 1836, his parents being Nelson and Almira Mason Burdick. His grandfather was Sheffield Burdick, of Wyoming Co., N. Y. and his great-grandfather was Adam Burdick, third son of Nathan Burdick, of Rhode Island, whose two sons bore a conspicuous part in the struggle for our national independence. Nelson Burdick was born in the State of New York; removed from his native State to Crawford Co., Penn., and in 1852 immigrated to Iowa, and located at Freeport, on the site now occupied by the paper mill, but did not bring his family west until 1853. At that time the journey was made by railroad to Rockford, Ill., thence by stage to Dubuque; thence by river to Lansing, and again by wagons to Freeport.
Burdick soon became a popular citizen, and in the spring of 1854 was appointed to fill a vacancy in the Treasurer's and Recorder's office, caused by the death of Thomas J. Hazlett, and was twice re-elected to the same. When the civil war broke out, he had five sons who were eligible to serve their country, all of whom enlisted, but only two returned from service, as three filled soldier's graves.
Theodore W. is the oldest of the three living children. He early applied himself to his studies, so that at the age of 17 he was prepared to enter Oberlin College, Ohio, but came with his parents to Freeport in the spring of 1853. During the summer of that year a school house was completed at Decorah, and the following winter the subject of this sketch became the first teacher. In the spring of 1854 he entered the Treasurer's and Recorder's office as deputy, under his father, having charge of the books as such until 1857, when he became of age, and as his fathers term of office expired, the son, in compliance with the votes of the people, succeeded him, holding it until he resigned to enter the military service.
In 1862 Mr. Burdick recruited Co. D, 6th Io. Cav., and in October was commissioned Captain of the same. Its field of operation was on the western frontier, and he participated in three battles with the Indians: White Stone Hills, Dakota, Tah-kah-o-kuta, near the line of Dakota and Montana; and Bad Lands, on the Little Missouri river. He served three years, when the regiment was mustered out. In the official reports Captain Burdick is honorably mentioned for gallant services on the field, and was recommended for promotion.
In February, 1865, Mr. Burdick purchased an interest in the First National Back of Decorah, and has since been its cashier. He is also an extensive dealer in real estate, in which business he has been quite successful. On the 6th of September, 1876, he received at the hands of the Republican party its unanimous and unsolicited nomination for Congress to represent the third district, and was elected by more than thirteen hundred majority in a district which two years before had elected the Democratic nominee, and in 1875 had given a larger majority for the Democratic candidate for Governor than the Democratic Congressman had received. His opponent was Hon. J. M. Griffith, of Dubuque. Mr. Burdick's services in Congress were entirely acceptable to the people who elected him, and he again received assurance of the nomination, which, however, he declined, as his private business required all his care and attention. Mr.Burdick was one of the incorporators of the Savings Bank of Decorah, and is now, and has been since its organization, its cashier and the custodian of its funds. He is a partner in the banking firm of Graves, Burdick & Co., of Estherville, Emmet Co., Io.
In December, 1858, he married Miss Nancy Graves, youngest daughter of Hon. Gaylord Graves, of Whitewater, Wis. She has had six children, five of whom are now living, Mary A., Emma, Harriet, Nelson A., and Weld T.
Mr. Burdick is a conscientious, reliable man, agreeable in manner, and does everything well that he undertakes. He is a member of the Congregational church.
[History of Winneshiek and Allamakee counties, Iowa 1882, By W. E. Alexander, Western Publishing Company (Sioux City, Iowa), Western publishing company, Sioux City, submitted by Dawn Minard]
Ogden Casterton
Ogden Casterton, farmer, Sec. 80, Highland twp.; P. O. Locust Lane; owns 1,300 acres of land valued at$25 per acre; was born in England in 1830; is the oldest son of Zachariah and Jane Casterton; left England in 1852, came to America and located in Ill.; stayed there three years, then came to Winneshiek Co., and has resided here since. He was married in 1852 to Miss Mary Kew native of England, and has ten children, William O., Emma J., Ellen. Mary A., Carrie, Clara. Nettie, Bertha, Grace and Charles. Mr. C. has held the office of justice of the peace two years.
[History of Winneshiek & Allmakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, submitted by Dawn Minard]
William O. Casterton
William O. Casterton, farmer. Sec. 17, P. 0. Locust Lane; was born in Ill. in I854; is the oldest son of Ogden and Mary Casterton ; left Ill. with his parents in 1856, came to Winneshiek Co., and has resided here since. He was married in 1878 to Miss Elisabeth Halse, a native of Iowa and has one child, Hilda E.
[History of Winneshiek & Allmakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, submitted by Dawn Minard]
Hiram Lanpher Coffeen
Hiram Lanper Coffeen, principal of the Calmar public schools, and late School Superintendent of Winneshiek county, Iowa, was born in Jefferson county, New York, August 22, 1843, being a son of Henry and Nancy (Lanpher) Coffeen. The paternal great-grandfather of our subject is the founder of the American branch of the family. He left Ireland when a boy, and was "bound out" for the purpose of working out the passage money. He was to serve from his 14th year to his 19th to pay his passage, but in fact served only for a short time. He married an English lady. Henry Coffeen, grandfather of our subject, was a native of Virginia, and lived in that State from 1770 to 1790. He married Zelia Williams, and the offspring of this union were Moses, Henry, David and Nathan. When twenty years of age he located in Connecticut, where he married, and in 1799 he moved to Lewis county, New York, and was one of the pioneers of that region. He was a farmer by occupation.
Henry Coffeen, father of our subject, was the first white male child born in Lewis county, New York, his birth having occurred February 8, 1800. He began life for himself first as a farmer, and in 1830 became a woolen-goods manufacturer, and continued this till the panic of 1837 closed the business. He then farmed for a time, and later worked at the carpenter's trade. In October, 1851, he moved to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, where he followed farming until his death, which occurred in October, 1870. His first wife, a Miss Cole, bore him one child, Marcia, who married a Mr. Isaacs, and lived in New York until his death three years later. She had one son, Henry, and is now residing in the State of Oregon. For his second wife he married Nancy Lanpher, in 1825. She was a native of Lewis county, New York, born December 30, 1806; she died at the old farm in Wisconsin, December 3, 1894. Her parents, Paul and Polly Lanpher, were of English descent, and moved from Connecticut to New York. Their children were: Paul, born in 1796; Samuel, 1798; Richard, 1801; Nancy, 1806; and Hiram, 1811.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Coffeen were: Marshall, who received a gunshot wound at Shiloh, April 6, 1862, and died from the effects eight days later. Innocent, who married William Boyer (who enlisted and died in the service) and died in 1889; Charlotte, married Truman A. Root, and both are now deceased; Lucy, who married Patterson Giltner, who enlisted in the war of the Rebellion, a member of the Twelfth Minnesota Infantry, who died at Bowling Green, Kentucky; she died in 1884; Henry Hale, who was a member of Company A, Eighteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, was wounded at Shiloh by a portion of a shell, the force of which was nearly spent; was taken prisoner April 6, 1862, and confined in an old tobacco house at Mobile, Alabama; later he was paroled, and finally exchanged; he then rejoined his company and remained with it until after the surrender of Vicksburg; his lungs became diseased, presumably from the effects of the wound; he was discharged, came home, and died, in November, 1863, Hiram Lanpher, the subject of this sketch, the next in order of birth, and Francis
Marion, the youngest child, operates a cheese factory in Wisconsin.
Mr. Henry Coffeen was a member of the Friends' Society. He was originally a Democrat, but later voted for Fremont and remained in the Republican party. Our subject was educated in the public schools of Wisconsin, including the high school at Taycheedah. In 1863 he entered Ann Arbor and spent one year there in the scientific course. He received his instructions from a member of the senior class, doing, however, the regular college work. He lessened his expenses by looking after a number of students' rooms, and thus worked his way through the year. He began teaching at seventeen years of age, and taught, all told, in Wisconsin, about four years.
Mr. Coffeen enlisted in Company D, Forty-fifth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, in November, 1846, at Madison. He did recruiting service till March, 1865, and was then sent to Nashville, Tennessee, where he remained until his discharge, in July following. As will be seen in the above paragraphs, two brothers and two brothers-in-law of our subject, gave up their lives for the Union cause during the late Rebellion. Mr. Coffeen enlisted shortly after he reached his twenty-first year, as First Sergeant, and retained this rank throughout the service.
In 1866 Mr. Coffeen started a grocery business at Fond du Lac, being associated with J.C. Huber, under the firm name of Huber & Coffeen. They continued together but a short time, however, and then Mr. Coffeen conducted the business alone for about one year. In July, 1870, he removed to McLeod county, Minnesota, and engaged in contract work on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad.
In August, 1876, he removed to Allamakee county, Iowa, and two months later accepted the position of teacher in a Winneshiek county school, located in Pleasant township. Mr. Coffeen was an entire stranger to Iowans, and he took this school with the distinct understanding that should he fail to get a first-class certificate he should not receive the full amount of salary agreed upon. He succeeded, however, in taking a first-grade certificate from the examiners. The following spring he was called to the Decorah schools, where he taught for three months. In the fall of 1877 he was elected principal of the Decorah schools and continued in this position until his health failed him in 1885. He next took charge as manager, on salary, of the John Frank farm, which was located in Mower county, Minnesota, and comprised 1,500 acres. Mr. Coffeen returned to Winneshiek county at the end of the year, and for the next three years taught school at the towns of Freeport, Burr Oak and Hesper. In the fall of 1889 he was elected County Superintendent of Schools, and was twice re-elected, serving in all six years, from January, 1890, to January, 1896. In September, 1895, he took the principalship of the Calmar schools, which he still holds.
Mr. Coffeen was first married December 7, 1865, to Miss Rosina Arvilla Whitford, at Taycheedah, Wisconsin. She died February 18, 1886. There was but one child, Elmer Lanpher, born February 1, 1869, at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. He is now principal of the Waukon public schools. January 2, 1889, Mr. Coffeen was married to Miss Nora Jewell, daughter of James and Olive (Wilbur) Jewell, of Burr Oak, Iowa. She was born in Iowa, April 4, 1867. Their children are: Alvara Roy, born November 22, 1889, at Hesper, Iowa; and Atta Ruth, born March 27, 1892, at Decorah, Iowa.
Mr. Coffeen is a Republican in politics, and served for two years as chairman of the county central committee. He is a member of the Decorah Post, G. A. R. For eight years he has been a member of the Congregational Church. In his present position as principal of the Calmar schools, Mr. Coffeen has under his care over 260 pupils, who are instructed by five teachers, including the principal. During the time he served as principal of the Decorah schools he controlled from eleven to fourteen teachers. It was during his term that the public schools of Decorah were graded, and the present fine system now used therein established.
A Memorial & Biographical Record of Iowa, 1896, pages 764 - 765
Transcribed by Lisa Smalley -2008
Fanny Darrington
Fanny Darrington, sec 19. P. O. Hesper; owns 525 acres of land valued at $30 per acre; was born in England in 1831; is the second daughter of William and Jane Kew; left England in 1855; came to America and located in ILL.; stayed there three years, then came to Winneshiek Co., and has resided here since. She was married in 1856 to Mr. Joseph Darrington. a native of England, and has ten children, Eliza J., Joseph, John, Anna, Frank, Eddie W., Flora E., Arthur L, Mary A. and Walter J. Mr. Darrington died Mar 13th, 1882.
[History of Winneshiek & Allmakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, submitted by Dawn Minard]
Jacob Faulk
Jacob Faulk, fanner, owns 160 acres in Sec. 4, and 40 acres in Sec. 9, in Washington twp. He was born in Strasbourg, Germany, in 1824, and was employed at farm work with his father and neighbors until 1851. He then came to America, and settled near Pittsburg, Pa., where he resided six years in the employ of the government, teaming for the penitentiary. In the spring of 1857 he came to this state and settled, having been here two years previous, selected a location and taken a claim. He has thoroughly improved the land, has now one of the best improved farms in the community, and his buildings are superior to anything in the neighborhood, having a magnificent residences fitted with every comfort and convenience. His large and convenient barns are also fitted in a thorough manner for the comfort of stock and convenience of storage. The 160 acres which constitutes the home farm is all under the plow with the exception of lots necessary for buildings, hog pastures, etc, and is well stocked with a good herd of fine grade cattle, flock of sheep, and a fine drove of hogs. He has six head of horses and uses two teams on the farm. He has filled various offices in the township. He was married in Pa. in 1855 to Miss Mary Glass, and their children are, Eliza, Anna, Marv, Caroline and Sallie.
[History of Winneshiek & Allmakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, submitted by Dawn Minard]
A. F. Gaertner
A.F. Gaertner, proprietor of Twin Springs Brewery, was born in Lorain, France, in l834; came with his parents to America in 1848, and settled in New Orleans. His father was a gardener and florist by trade. They resided in New Orleans eight years, during which time he learned the trade of cooper and brewer. In May, 1856, he came to Iowa, and located at the Old Mission Indian Agency reserve, in what is now this twp., and took a claim on. Sec. 84, being 160 acres, at the government price. He farmed and followed the trade of cooper there until 1864. He bought the brewery that had been established in 1859 by C. S. Centlivre, moved there, extended it and made many great improvements, and in 1866 he sold his farm, Nov, 12th, 1879, the brewery was burned down, and he at once rebuilt sufficient to carry on his business, with a capacity of 5,000 barrels a year. Mr. Gaertner was one of the first actual settlers, He served as constable in 1857 and was also clerk of this twp. for seven years before it was divided. He resided in Ossian from 1869 to 1875; was in the saloon business, and was also justice of the peace. He has also officiated for several years as justice of the peace in this twp.; and is a notary public, commissioned in 1877, and in this capacity does a good business, the population surrounding being entirely German, and a large majority unacquainted with any language but their own. He is able to converse in as well as write, French, German, Spanish, English and Latin. He was married in New Orleans, to Mrs. Mary Handz.
[History of Winneshiek & Allmakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, submitted by Dawn Minard]
Knud L. Gindeland
Knud L. Grindeland, farmer, Sec 17., P. 0. Highlandville, owns 167 acres of land valued at $25 per acre; was born in Norway in 1846; ia the oldest ton of Louis and Cecilia Grindeland; left Norway with his mother in 1851, came to America and settled in Ill.; stayed there two years, and then came to Winneshiek Co. He was married in 1867 to Miss Isabella Olson, a native of Iowa, and has five children, Julia, Louis, Emma, Ollaf and Albert. He enlisted in 1862 in Co. F. 9th Iowa Cav., and served three years.
[History of Winneshiek & Allmakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, submitted by Dawn Minard]
A. L. Goddard
A. L. Goddard, Seedsman, and proprietor of the Pride of the North seed farm, 80 acres, in Sec. 18, Washington twp. He was born in Battle Creek, Mich., in 1838. In 1847 his parents moved to Greene Co., Ill., and in the following year to Wis., and two years later they came to Iowa and settled at the old Fort, which was then just evacuated. The county was not organized at that time, and there was no settlement between here and McGregor, except at Monona. On the land he now resides was located the Winnebago trading post. The land was transferred to the school fund, and his father bought it at $1.825 per acre; in all, 320 acres; which he broke up and improved. In Aug., 1862, the subject of his sketch, enlisted in the 38th Iowa Inf., Co. D., under Capt. Kirkuf, served 2 1/2 years, and was discharged on account of disability. He returned home and resumed farming with his father. He established the Seed farm in 1879; was formerly in connection with Hiram Sibley & Co., and still supplies them with seed corn, etc, and has established the reputation of being the best expert in seed corn in the United States. His father, Josiah Goddard, Sr., was a pensioner of 1812, and is now 92 years old. He was, in the early days, school fund commissioner, and had charge of the mission and Fort for some time. His wife, Mrs. Hannah Goddard is still living, and is 86 years old. They are the oldest couple in the twp., and reside with their son, who is the subject of this sketch. He was married in McGregor in 1867 to Minnie Schanck, and their children are Henry, Kittie, Horace and Lucretia.
[History of Winneshiek & Allmakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, submitted by Dawn Minard]
F. K. Goddard
F. K. Goddard, farmer, Sec 19, P. O. New Albia; owns 389 acres of land rained at $20 per acre; was born in 1833 in Mich.; is the fourth son of Josiah and Hannah Goddard; settled in Winbago Co., Ill., in 1847, but in 1848 went to Greene Co., Wis., and in 1849 finally settled in Winneshiek Co., Iowa, where be has lived since. He was married in 1856 to Miss Mandy Perry, a native of N. Y., and has six children, Georgeanna, May D., Lida B., Bernice B., Gertrude and John L. He has been collector and twp. trustee.
[History of Winneshiek & Allmakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, submitted by Dawn Minard]
Josiah Goddard, Jr.
Josiah Goddard, Jr., owns 820 acres in Sec. 24, in Jackson twp; where he resides, and 80 acres in Washington twp., Sec. 18. He was born in Detroit; Mich., in 1829, and went with his parents in 1847 to Rockford, Ill. In 1849 he went to California, and remained until 1858, and in the spring of that year came to Iowa and located here. The following year he bought about 4,000 acres of land at the government price, and sold all but what he now owns. The 320 in this twp, is all improved, and a fine rolling prairie, except for 50 acres of timber, and is well stocked. His improvements are all of the first class, handsome residence, comfortable and large barns , and all necessary farm buildings. Mr. Goddard was married in 1866, in Wis., to Martha A. Tubbs, and their children are Martha A., Granger and Charles.
[History of Winneshiek & Allmakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, submitted by Dawn Minard]
John Heley
John Heley, farmer. Sec. 89, P. 0-Spillville; owns 120 acres of land valued at $30 per acre; was born in Bohemia in 1819; is the oldest son of Peter and Anna Heley. When he was five years old his parents left Norway, came to America and lived in Hamilton, Canada West, two years; then came to Iowa, and settled in Winneshiek Co. He was married in 1875 to Miss Anna Komas, a native of Bohemia, and has three children, Peter, Albert and Mary.
[History of Winneshiek & Allmakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, submitted by Dawn Minard]
E. Hove, clergyman - Decorah (he moved to Mankato, Minn., in 1893) - born 25 March 1863, in Northwood, Iowa. His parents came from Norway and located in Northwood in 1855. He received a common school education, graduated from Luther College in 1884, and completed his theological studies at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo., three years later. The next four years he had charge of Norwegian Synod congregations in Portland and Astoria, Or.; then was located in Decorah, Iowa, where he also was assistant instructor of religion in Luther College. Hove was married in 1893 to Didrikke Wulfsberg, a daughter of Rev. E. Wulfsberg, the manager of Luther Publishing House.
[History Of The Scandinavians And Successful Scandinavians In The United States;
By O. N. Nelson; Volume II, 1897]
Submitted by K. Torp
J. W. Holmes
J. W. Holmes, farmer, Sec. 20, P. 0. New Albia; owns 352 acres of land valued at $25 per acre; was born in N. Y. in 1830; is the second son of Elias and Susan Holmes; lived in N. Y. till he was thirty years old, then came west and settled in Wis., where he remained eight years. He then moved to Winneshiek Co., where he has since resided. He was married in 1866 to Mrs. Harriet L. Blair, a native of N. Y., and has an adopted daughter, Hattie E.
[History of Winneshiek & Allmakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, submitted by Dawn Minard]
Peter Jacobs
Peter Jacobs, farmer Sec. 23, P. O. Fort Atkinson; owns 80 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre; was born in Penn, in 1846; is the fourth son of Paul and Clara Jacobs. When he was twenty-six years old he left Penn and settled in Winneshiek Co., Iowa, in 1872, and has lived there since, He was married in 1872 to Miss Hattie Slater, a native of Wis., and has four children, Wilson P., Alice E., Curtis E., and Paul H. Mr. Jacobs has held the office of assessor and is at present justice of the peace.
[History of Winneshiek & Allmakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, submitted by Dawn Minard]
Lewis Johnson
Lewis Johnson, farmer, Sec. S, P. O. Ridgeway; owns 80 acres of land valued at $20 per acre; was born in Norway in 1833; is the second son of John Johnson. When he was 22 years of age he came to America and settled in Winnesheik Co. He was married in 1857 to Miss Jennie Oleson a native of Norway, and has five children, John, Giles, Berthana L. Janie and Julia.
[History of Winneshiek & Allmakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, submitted by Dawn Minard]
Gunlek Kittelson
Gunlek Kittelson, farmer, Sec. 29, P.O. Locust Lane; owns 165 acres of land valued at $20 per acre; was born in Norway in 1845; is the fourth son of Kittle and Guneld Olson; left Norwav in 1862, came to America, and settled in Wis.; stayed there tnree years, then came to Minn,, where he lived one year, and then came to Winneshiek Co. He was married in 1879 to Miss Isabella Gunlickson, a native of Norway, and has two children, Guneld J. and Charley.
[History of Winneshiek & Allmakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, submitted by Dawn Minard]
James Kodelka
James Kodelka, farmer, Sec 20, P. 0. Spillville; owns 80 acres of land valued at $20 per acre; was born in Bohemia in 1849; is the oldest son of John and Anna Kodelka. When he was seventeen years of age he came to America, and settled in Winneshiek Co., Ia., where still resides. He was married in 1873 to Miss Mary Voika, a native of Bohemia and has three children, Mary, Albert and Frank. He enlisted in 1868 in the 1st regt. U. S. Inft., at Detroit, served three years, and was honorably discharged in 1871.
[History of Winneshiek & Allmakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, submitted by Dawn Minard]
Joseph Krischke
Joseph Krischke, architect, carpenter, cabinetmaker, and contractor, Fort Atkinson; was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1838. learned his trade and profession there, and in 1865 went to Mexico, and lived in Yucatan two years. He then went to Cuba, and worked two years in Havana, and then he went to New York and worked two months, coming thence to Iowa, locating in this place, and establishing business. Mr. K. is the only contractor here, and furnishes plans and specifications for all kinds of buildings, churches, schools, farm and town residences, barns, etc. He is a first class mechanic. Mr. K. resides in town, and owns good property, residence and lots. He was married in the old country to is first wife, now deceased, by whom he has two children, Joseph, and Mary Ellen, and was married in the spring of 1871, to Miss Mary Ann Hoefeld. Their children are Katie, Frank, Matilda and Amelia.
[History of Winneshiek & Allmakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, submitted by Dawn Minard]
Mathia Leach
Mathia Leach, farmer, Sec. 28, P. 0, Spillville; owns 160 acres of land valued at $20 per acre; was born in Germany in 1830; is the oldest son of John and Theresa Lesch. When he was 20 years old he came with his parents to America and settled in Winnesheik Co., and has lived there since. He was married in 1854 to Miss Eva Coon a native of Germany, by which marriage he had three children, Theresa, John and Caroline. His wife died in 1872, and he was married in 1875 to Miss Anna Bonnova, a native of Germany, by whom he had four children, Joseph, Fred, Lany and Philip.
[History of Winneshiek & Allmakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, submitted by Dawn Minard]
Martin Lukesh
Martin Lukesh, farmer, Sec. 39, owes 160 acres of land valued at $25 per acre; was born in Bohemia in 1813; is the oldest son of Frank and Rosalia Lukesh. In 1851 Mr. Lukesh left Bohemia and came to America, settled in Winnesheik Co., Iowa, and has been a resident of that Co. since. He was married in 1841 to Hue Anna Kodelka, a native of Bohemia, and has seven children, Frank, Wenzel, Joseph, Ferdinand, Ignatious, Rosie and Mary. He has been a member of the Board of Supervisors for some years.
[History of Winneshiek & Allmakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, submitted by Dawn Minard]
J. E. McCarthey
J. E. McCarthey, farmer, Sec 21, P. 0. New Albia; owns 300 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre; was born in 1839 in Otsego Co., N. Y.; is the sixth son of Patrick and Catharan McCarthey. Whan he was fifteen years of age he moved with his father to Winneshiek Co., and has been a resident here since. He was married in 1866 to Miss Elizabeth Smith, a native of N. Y., and has two children, Hattie O. and Grant E. He has been township trustee several terms. Mr. McCarthey enlisted in 1864, and served in Co. C, 13th Iowa. Inft.; participated in the battle of Kingston, N.C., in the spring of 1865, and was discharged in June, 1865, at Washington, D. C..
[History of Winneshiek & Allmakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, submitted by Dawn Minard]
J. B. Munro
J. B. Munro, wool manufacturer and proprietor of Bear Creek woolen mills, Highland twp., Winneshiek Co.; P. O. Highlandville; was born in Canada in 1850; is the oldest son of John and Anna Munro; left Canada in 1863, went to N. Y., remained there one year and then went to Penn., where he lived one and one-half years; then went to Mich, and stayed two and one-half years, when he came to Iowa. He lived in different parts of the state until 1879, when he came to Winneshiek Co., and has resided there since.
[History of Winneshiek & Allmakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, submitted by Dawn Minard]
Nels Nelson
Nels Nelson, farmer, Sec. 16, P. 0. Highlandville; owns 200 acres of land valued at $25 per acre: was born in Norway in 1836; is the oldest son of Nels and Margaret Nelson; left Norway in 1853, came to America and settled in Winneshiek Co.; was married in 1859 to Miss Johanna Nelson, a native of Norway, by whom he had one child, Andrew. His wife died in 1868, and he was married in 1869 to Mary Johnson, a native of Norway; they have two children, Gustave and Johanna. Mr. N. has held the office of Co. supervisor two terms, and twp. clerk ten years.
[History of Winneshiek & Allmakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, submitted by Dawn Minard]
Moses Oren
Moses Oren, farmer, Sec. 17, P. O. Hesper; owns 213 acres of land valued at $25 per acre; was born in Ohio in 1840; is the fifth son of Alexander and Lydia Oren; left Ohio in 1854, and came to Minn.; stayed there ten years, then came to Winneshiek Co., where he has resided since. He was married in 1867 to Miss Emily J. Wilson, a native of N, Y., and has two children, Clarence H. and Glen W. He has held the office of twp. trustee five years.
[History of Winneshiek & Allmakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, submitted by Dawn Minard]
Ole Olson
Ole Olson, farmer, Sec. 13. Pleasant twp, P. 0. Highlandville; owns 305 acres of land valued at $25 per acre; was born in Norway in 1820; is the second son of Ole and Torber Semonsen; left Norway in 1849, came to America and located in Wis; stayed there ten years, then came to Winnesheik Co. and has resided here since. He was married in 1860 to Miss Jane Munson, a native of Norway.
[History of Winneshiek & Allmakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, submitted by Dawn Minard]
Peter Olson
Peter Olson, miller and proprietor of Highlandville Mills, was born in Norway in 1825; is the oldest son of Ole and Anna Semmonson; left Norway in 1854, came to America and located in Winnesheik Co., where he has resided ever since. He was married in 1852 to Miss Anna Anderson, a native of Norway, and had two children, Lydia and Laura. His wife died in 1854, and he married again in 1857, to Miss Jane Gjermundson, a native of Norway; they have five children, Henry, Sarah, Simon, Charley and Julia.
[History of Winneshiek & Allmakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, submitted by Dawn Minard]
George P. Painter
George P. Painter, farmer, Sec. 26, Pleasant twp.; P. 0. Decorah; was born in Winneshiek Co. in 1850; is the second son of William and Elizabeth Painter; was married in 1871 to Miss Annie Russell, a native of Iowa., and has one child, Herbert.
[History of Winneshiek & Allmakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, submitted by Dawn Minard]
Philip Pfister
Philip Pfister, Jr., farmer, Sec. 4, P. O. Locust Lane; owns 280 acres of land valued at $25 per acre; was born in Germany in 1846; is the second son of Philip and Margaret Pfister; left Germany with his parents in 1854, came to America and settled in Winneshiek Co., where he has resided ever since. He was married in 1874 to Miss Eliza Falk, a native of Penn; and has four children, Lena, Charley, Margaret and Eliza.
[History of Winneshiek & Allmakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, submitted by Dawn Minard]
Amund A. Rosvold
Amund A. Rosvold, farmer, Sec 10, P. 0. Thoten; Glenwood twp.; owns 140 acres of land valued at $20 per acre; was born in Norway in 1839; is the oldest son of Amund and Ingebor Rosvold; left Norway in 1860, came to America and settled in Winneshiek Co.; was married in 1860 to Miss Anna Anderson, a native of Norway, and has two children, Isabella M. and Betsey A. Mr. Rosvold served one year in Co. I, 13th Iowa Inft., and was discharged at Louisville, Ky., in 1865.
[History of Winneshiek & Allmakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, submitted by Dawn Minard]
John J. Teiska
John J. Teiska, farmer, Sec. 35, P. 0. Spillville; owns 120 acres of land valued at $25 per acre; was born in Ohio in 1854; is the oldest son of Joseph and Mary Teiska. When he was two years old his parents moved to Winneshiek Co., Iowa, and he has been a resident of that Co. since. He was married in 1876 to Miss Mary Suchana, a native of Bohemia, and has three children, Mary, Victoria and James.
[History of Winneshiek & Allmakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, submitted by Dawn Minard]
Benjamin Vaughn
Benjamin Vaughn, farmer, Jackson tp; owns 680 acres in Secs. 11 and 14, and 80 acres near Fort Atkinson. He was born in Lower Canada, near Montreal, in 1801, and was engaged in farming and the real estate and loan business there until 1858, when he sold out and came to Iowa, settled here, bought 1,200 acres, and commenced improving the land, assisted by his sons. He has disposed of all except the above mentioned land, which, save the 80 acres of timber, is fine farming land, rolling enough for drainage, and without any waste land, it being all under plow or in pasture. The family resides on Sec. 11, have a fine residence, extensive barns and a large amount of stock. Mr. Vaughn served in the British ranks during the Canadian rebellion, and took an active part. His father held a commission in the British ranks daring the revolution. He had come to the colonies in an early day, and at the outbreak of the revolution, entered the British ranks, and afterwards went to Canada where Benj. Vaughn, the subject of this sketch, was born.
[History of Winneshiek & Allmakee Counties, Iowa, 1882, submitted by Dawn Minard]
Horace Spangler Weiser
Horace Spangler Weiser, deceased, the pioneer banker of Winneshiek county, was born in York, Pennsylvania, October 22, 1827, his parents being Charles and Anna (Spangler) Weiser, the Indian interpreter of Colonial fame. The descent is through Philip, son of Conrad Weiser, to Jabeth, and to Samuel Weiser, Sr., the grandfather of our subject. Charles Weiser, father of Horace S. was a prominent merchant and banker of York, Pennsylvania. His maternal grandfather, General Spangler, was a prominent citizen of Pennsylvania for more than fifty years.
Mr. H.S. Weiser, subject of this mention, had exceptional educational advantages when a youth, the schools of York, Pennsylvania, being among the oldest and best in the country. He entered Yale College in 1845, but owing to failing health did not finish the course was the original intention. In 1850 he began a course of law under York (Pennsylvania) preceptors, and was admitted to practice in 1852. The glowing accounts of the West which reached the old Atlantic States at this time filled Mr. Weiser with a desire to try his fortunes in the new country. He accordingly came to Decorah, Iowa, in 1855, and with a borrowed capital of $5,000 at once started the Winneshiek County Bank, a venerable private institution with which his name will always be associated. This is not only the oldest banking establishment in the county but also one of the first in northeastern Iowa, and the oldest in the State continuing under the same name. It is run to-day on practically the same rules laid down by our subject at its foundation, and during the past forty years of its existence it has been controlled by Mr. Weiser's family, his widow being the president at this writing and since his death.
He was married at Fort Atkinson, Iowa, July 14, 1859, to Miss Louise M. Amy, a daughter of John and Cynthia (Smalley) Amy. Their children are: Anna Spangler, now Mrs. E.G. Carlisle, of Chicago. Charles John, the only son, is one of the solid business men of the community. He is assistant cashier of the Winneshiek County Bank, Decorah, Iowa, is president of the First National Bank, Lake Benton, Minnesota, and is a director of the First National Bank, of Tracy, Minnesota, and also of the First State Bank, of Elkton, South Dakota. He was married to Miss Abbie Bullis, November 30, 1893, and resides in Decorah, Iowa. Anna Louise, the youngest child, married Robert Jones, Esq., of Chicago.
Prior to the war, Mr. Weiser affiliated with the Democratic party, and after that he voted the Republican ticket. Although constantly urged to take office, he would never do so, but preferred to give his entire time to his business. His religious association was with the Protestant Episcopal Church, and he was zealous in his attendance, and for much of the time a church official. He was a Freemason, but never active in the order. Physically he was never a robust man; as stated above, his college career was cut short by his failing health; but he had almost wholly recovered when he came to Iowa, and retained good health until about three years before his death when it began to decline again. The end came suddenly, July 19, 1875. He had retired in his usual health and was found dead shortly afterward, an apoplectic stroke being the immediate cause.
In speaking of Mr. Weiser, the United States Biographical Dictionary says: "in his business, to which he gave his undivided attention, Mr. Weiser was very accommodating. He would often, long before regular hours open his bank, and reopen after hours, if by so doing he could oblige any person. Few people were more attentive to their calling, or more punctual and prompt in the discharge of obligations. So wedded was he to business that he paid little attention to politics except to vote, and more than once refused to accept office. He early identified himself with the interests of his beautiful Iowa home, took pride in the growth and material progress of the place, now a city of nearly 5,000 inhabitants, and lent his aid to every enterprise tending to develop the wealth of the country. Few men more public-spirited ever accumulated such a fortune. He was thoughtful and considerate, lenient toward his debtors, never taking advantage of their necessities; heedful of the wants of the poor and destitute; kindly in his feeling toward all; social and cheerful in his disposition."
Source: "A Memorial & Biographical Record of Iowa", 1896, pages 755 - 756
Transcribed by Lisa Smalley
Hon. Hervey H. Willsie
The citizens of Atchison county, Missouri, have in the Hon. Hervey H. Willsie, familiarly known as '"Hub" Willsie, a representative in the state legislature to whom they may safely entrust their best interests, for Mr.Willsie, who is a prominent citizen of Tarkio, is not only a plain, common citizen, as all his ancestors have been before him, but has in every relation of life demonstrated that confidence may be reposed in him to the fullest extent.
Mr. Willsie's great-grandfathers were among the Knickerbockers in New York and he possesses the same sturdy, upright character that distinguished them. He was born at Burr Oak, Winneshiek county, Iowa, June 24, 1856, a son of William H. and Cynthia (Harden) Willsie. His father was born and reared near Lake Champlain, and his mother, who was born in Canada, came from an English family.
They located early in Iowa, where Mr. Willsie was in business as a hardware merchant, at Oskaloosa, for a number of years.
From Iowa the family removed to Missouri, in 1867, since which time Mr. Willsie has been a resident of the state. William H. and Cynthia (Harden) Willsie, who lived out their days in Missouri, had seven daughters and three sons, of whom nine are living. One of these, Mathilda Sage, lives in Davis, South Dakota. Mrs. Lou Beatty lives at Mishawaka, St. Joseph county, Indiana. Mrs. Helen Leggett lives at Rogers, Arkansas. McClelland Willsie is a well-known lawyer at Des Moines, Iowa. Lucinda Willsie lives at Evanston, Illinois. I. G. Willsie lives at Parker, South Dakota; and Mary is the wife of Ed F. Rankin, of Atchison county, Missouri. The father of these children, who died at the age of sixty-five years, became prominent as a farmer and stockman in Missouri and was known as a man of enterprise and integrity and was highly respected by all who knew him. During the latter part of his life he was a member of the Greenback party.
Hervey H. Willsie was brought up on the farm and taught that all good and necessary things may be won by hard work. His educational advantages were not great, but by reading and observation he became a well informed man. Political questions have commanded his attention since he was a mere youth. He came to Atchison county thirty-three years ago and has since that time been actively engaged in the pursuit of farming. He owns a line farm of four hundred acres, with ample buildings and plenty of good stock, and is one of the most progressive and successful farmers in the county and is associated in business enterprises with Ed F. Rankin.
Politically he is a member of the Populist party, for the success of which he is a zealous and active worker and in the councils of which he is very influential. He was the judge of the north district in 1896-98, and no man ever occupied that position with more fairness or more ability. In 1900 he was elected, by a fusion of the Democrats and Populists, to represent Atchison county in the state legislature and those who know him best say that he will be a representative of the whole people and that every vote cast for him was cast in the interest of the common people of Atchison county. He is a splendid type of the stalwart farmer and a safe leader in all public affairs, with a happy faculty of making and retaining friends, and is abundantly able to discharge the important duties devolving upon him.
In October, 1884, Mr. Willsie married Miss Jennie Wishard, of Atchison county, a woman of much intelligence and education, who was born at Canton, Illinois, a daughter of Edward and Amanda (Smith) Wishard, now of Stanton, Stanton county, Nebraska, who was reared and educated at Bushnell, Illinois.
He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Since he grew to manhood he has had the welfare of Atchison county near his heart and has most devotedly done everything in his power to advance its most important interests. He regards the people of the county as his people and has never lost an opportunity to aid their progress and prosperity. He is a genial, whole-souled man who invites the approach of every one whom he can serve arid his integrity has been so many times tried and proven good that the trite saying ''his word is as good as his bond" applies to him as fully and as exactly as to any man in the world. His ability is such that he has been found adequate to all demands upon him, and should his fellow citizens call him to places of still higher responsibility those who know him best believe that he will fill them manfully and patriotically and with an eye single to the public weal.
[A History of the Pioneer Families of Missouri: with numerous sketches ... By William Smith Bryan
Published 1876, Transcribed by Andrea Stawski Pack, submitted by Linda Rodriguez]
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