VINAAS, MARTIN L.

VINAAS, OLSON

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 7/10/2003 at 21:31:43

Biography reproduced from page 505 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Martin L. Vinaas, the popular landlord of the Peck Hotel at Burt, Iowa, has served the traveling public in this capacity for the past four years, and dates his residence in Iowa since 1887. He was born in Norway, February 18, 1872, and received an efficient education in the public schools of his native country. He came to America in 1887, settling immediately in Iowa, where he joined his uncle and brother in Humboldt county. He attended school for two years in order to learn the English language and later worked upon a farm for a short time. He abandoned agriculture in order to accept a position in a local creamery where he learned the business of butter making in all its details. He worked at this occupation for a number of years and was successful on account of his unremitting industry and knowledge of the details of his business. His identification with the conduct of a hotel dates from 1901, when he managed and operated a hotel in Ceylon, Minnesota, enjoying success with that enterprise for seven years. In 1908 he removed to Burt and leased the Peck Hotel which he has managed with efficiency and success ever since. He has enlarged the hotel, refurnished it throughout with the most modern and luxurious equipment, has installed a steam-heating apparatus and put hot and cold water in every room, and has made it one of the modern and progressive hostelries in Kossuth county. He owes much of his success to his genial and kindly individuality which makes him popular among his patrons. He has the peculiar gift of friendliness which has been a valuable asset to him in the conduct of his enterprise and has given him the reputation of being the best hotel keeper in his section. His house is well patronized not only by the traveling public but by the citizens of Burt.

On October 15, 1902, Mr. Vinaas was married to Miss Anna Olson, a native of DeWitt, Clinton county, Iowa. Her father, Stine Olson, was born in Norway and settled in Clinton county when he came to the United States, He later removed to Jackson county and became well known in that district. Mr. and Mrs. Vinaas have two sons, Leo and Lloyd, both of whom are at home.

In his political views Mr. Vinaas is a consistent republican but never seeks public office. He is prominent in fraternal circles and held membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Ceylon, Minnesota, where he served through all the chairs and is past grand. He has now transferred his membership to the Burt lodge. He is prominent in the Modern Woodmen of America and he and his wife are members of the Rebekah lodge of Burt. Mrs. Vinaas has served through the chairs of this organization and is now past grand. In a business which requires constant attention and a capacity for doing many things at one time and doing all well, Mr. Vinaas has gained a gratifying degree of success. He is aided in his work by his genial and friendly nature which endears him to all with whom he comes in contact and makes every acquaintance a firm friend.