ROE, CARL O.

ROE, TRONSON, HALLAND, THOMPSON, ALBEE

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 9/1/2003 at 19:42:48

Biography reproduced from page 287 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Carl O. Roe, the only druggist of Wesley, was born at Allamakee county, Iowa, September 23, 1873, and is a son of Tollef and Anna (Tronson) Roe, both of whom were natives of Norway. The father was brought to the United States by his parents, the family settling in Allamakee county, Iowa, in 1847, when he was a child of four months. They were among the very first settlers in that county and Tollef Roe continued to live on the place where his father made his first settlement during all the years of his life. He was for many years assessor of Paine Creek township, Allamakee county. The mother of our subject was born in Norway and with her parents emigrated to America, at the age of sixteen, settling with her people in Allamakee county, where she still maintains her residence. To Mr. and Mrs. Tollef Roe eight children were born: Lena, who is married and lives in North Dakota; Carl O., the subject of this review; Ellen, the wife of Conrad Halland of St. Paul, Minnesota; Oscar, who makes his home near Waukon, Iowa; Ove, who also resides near Waukon; and Cornelia, Ruth and Albert, all living near Waukon.

Carl O. Roe was reared in his parents’ home and acquired his early education in the public schools. He later attended the business college at Waukon, Iowa, for one year and afterward pursued a complete course in pharmacy in the pharmaceutical department of the State Normal School at Ada, Ohio, being graduated from that institution with the class of 1895. On August 7 of that year he became a registered pharmacist and at once returned to Waukon, Iowa, where he remained for a short time. Later he settled at Nashua, where he was engaged in the drug business for two years and was identified with the same business in Britt for eight years. It was in 1908 that he purchased the entire drug business in Wesley, which was owned and operated by the Healey & Anderson Drug Company, consolidated. Since having acquired that property he has continued in business as the only druggist in his township, owning and conducting one of the most up-to-date establishments of its kind in this part of the state. In addition to the drug business he also deals in sewing machines and pianos. He is also the patentee of a very profitable peanut cooker, the receipts from which add materially to the right side of his ledger account.

Mr. Roe was united in marriage in 1897 to Miss Mabel Thompson, of Waukon, Iowa, who died in September, 1898, and in 1903 he married Miss Bessie Albee, of Humboldt, Iowa, and they have one child, Thelma, aged eight years.

Mr. Roe supported the republican party until the presidential election of 1912, when he affiliated with the democratic party. He is a member of the school board of Wesley and was a member of the town council for one term. He belongs to the Masonic lodge at Britt and he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Wesley, Iowa; is at present the noble grand of his lodge; and is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Roe is one of the enterprising citizens and leading business men of Wesley and is widely and favorably known.