STOCKMAN, RALPH R.

STOCKMAN, DAVID, MATTESON, WILSON, STREATER, EASTON

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 7/20/2003 at 18:00:24

Biography reproduced from page 107 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

The rapid and substantial development of the state of Iowa must be largely attributed to the intelligence and efficiency of its business men, whose energies have been expended in advancing its progress along lines that would redound to the general welfare. Among the well known citizens of Swea City who are successfully identified with business activities must be numbered Ralph R. Stockman, who owns and conducts a thriving hardware store. He was born in Winnebago county, Wisconsin, on August 15, 1855, and is a son of Charles and Clarissa (David) Stockman. Both were natives of the state of New York, but the father was of Irish extraction, while the mother, who was born near the city of Syracuse, was of Yankee stock. When Charles Stockman was a child of two years his parents removed to Ohio. After about twelve months’ sojourn there, however, they went to Wisconsin, and there he was reared to manhood and educated. Winnebago county was very sparsely settled at that period and the family endured all of the hardships and discomforts incident to life on the frontier. In 1852, at the age of eighteen years, Charles Stockman and his father jointed a party of gold seekers and crossed the plains to the mining regions of California. They made the journey from Milwaukee to San Francisco on foot, but after spending two years searching for the precious metal without any particularly gratifying results they returned to Wisconsin. Upon their return they resumed their agricultural pursuits, the son engaging in farming in Wisconsin until 1865, when together with his wife and family he went to Blue Earth, Minnesota, where he acquired some land that he cultivated until 1874. In 1900, he withdrew from active life and settled in Lake Mills, Iowa, where he lived retired until his death in 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Stockman were married in Wisconsin and there passed the early years of their domestic life. The mother only lived about seven years after they removed to Minnesota, her death occurring on the farm near Blue Earth in 1872.

The education of Ralph R. Stockman was begun in the public schools of his native state, whence he removed with his parents to Minnesota at the age of ten years. There he continued his schooling and assisted his father with the cultivation of the farm. In 1874, he accompanied his family on their removal to Elmore, that state, remaining a resident of that vicinity until 1892. Here he built and conducted for a time the first hotel in town. Having been trained to agricultural pursuits from his earliest boyhood, he, however, chose farming for his later occupation. In 1892, Mr. Stockman came to Kossuth county, locating in Grant township, where he purchased a farm of two hundred forty acres, located on section 7. He energetically applied himself to the further cultivation and improvement of this place until 1905, when he decided to withdraw from the work of the fields and return his attention to commercial pursuits. Therefore, in April of that year, he sold his farm and coming to Swea City, established a hardware store in the building where he is now located. As he possesses unusual powers of perception, an unlimited capacity for work and is thoroughly practical in whatever he does, his efforts have been well rewarded and he has built up a good trade. Although he was fifty years of age when he identified himself with commercial activities he has manifested a spirit of enterprise and progress in the development of his business that could well be emulated by many men years his junior.

On the 1st day of January, 1880, Mr. Stockman was united in marriage to Miss Laura B. Matteson, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tompkins Matteson, who were at that time residents of Walworth county, Wisconsin. The father, who was a farmer and was descended from an old New England family, was born and reared in the state of New York, but in his early manhood went to Michigan, remaining there until 1840. In the latter year he went to Walworth county, Wisconsin, and homesteaded land which he cultivated until 1884. Having accumulated sufficient means to warrant his retirement, he then left his farm and went to Morris, Illinois, where he died in 1885. The mother, who was a Miss Wilson before her marriage, survived him for about four years, her latter days also being passed in Morris. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stockman, as follows: Clarissa, the wife of Guy Streater, assistant manager of the Laird & Norton Lumber Company of Winona, Minnesota, and the mother of three children; Mamie, the wife of H. F. Easton, a druggist of Tioga, North Dakota, by whom she has had one child; Earl, who is living at home and assists his father in the store; and Alma, who is also at home.

Mr. Stockman is a member of the Imperial Lodge, No. 600, A. F. & A. M., Swea City; and the Chapter, at Algona, while both he and Mrs. Stockman are members of the Order of the Eastern Star. He is a progressive republican in politics, and was town clerk the first year he lived in Grant township, being the incumbent of this office when the township was organized. At the present time he is serving on the local council and is also secretary of the school board. Mr. Stockman is a man who would have met with success in practically any vocation, as he possesses an abundance of common sense, and whatever he undertakes is executed with the diligence and determination that invariably bring results and prosperity.