Jens M. Tapager

TAPAGER, DALGAARD, WILLADSEN

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 8/31/2007 at 20:47:05

Jens M. Tapager, who is a cashier of the First National Bank at Lake Mills, is a representative of the fine class of citizens which Denmark has given to the United States. His birth occurred on the 2d of August, 1871, and he is the son of Mikkel Kristensen and Maren (Dalgaard) Tapager. Mr. Tapager is the second child and was left motherless when a year and a half old. A number of years later his father remarried, and in 1889 emigrated to the United States, settling on a farm near Albert Lea, Minnesota, where he resided until his death in 1905 His widow is still living there.

Mr. Tapager attended the common schools until he was confirmed, and later took a liberal arts course in a private institution. He graduated in July, 1889, from the University of Copenhagen. For the next two years he taught in the government schools, and in 1891 emigrated to the United States, settling at Albert Lea, Minnesota. He entered the employ of the Albert Lea Creamery Company as engineer, holding that position at the time their plant was erected. After remaining with this company for two years, he came to Winnebago county and (became buttermaker for the Logan Butter Factory, which was being built at that time in Logan township. After six years spent with this concern he moved to Thompson, where in partnership with his brother, Morris Tapager, he purchased a hotel. He also managed the Thompson Creamery. He was in business at Thompson from 1899 to 1901. In the fall of 1901 Mr. Tapager with his family moved to Lake Mills, Iowa, he having accepted the position of assistant cashier of the Farmers State Bank of that city. In 1905 he accepted a similar position in the First National Bank, and two years later became cashier, in which capacity he has since served. That the direction of the affairs of this institution has been in able hands is shown by the steady growth of the business of this bank in the intervening years, and by the high place which Mr. Tapager holds in the confidence of the general public.

On the 25th of August, 1894, Mr. Tapager was married to Miss Mary Willadsen, a daughter of O. L. and Dorothy (Kristensen) Willadsen, of Herning, Denmark. Mrs. Tapager's mother died when she was fourteen years of age, but her father is still living in that country. To Mr. and Mrs. Tapager have been born six children: Ethel, deceased February 28, 1901; Cyril, who was a student at the University of Minnesota, but joined the United State Marine Corps and left Minneapolis May 3, 1917, for Mare Island, California; and Roy Willard, Merle Ethelyn, Vernon James, and Virginia Mary, all at home.

Mr. Tapager is a standpat republican and supports loyally the candidates and policies of his party. He has filled the office of city treasurer since 1905, and his long service in that connection indicates his popularity. Furthermore, he has been president of the Lake Mills Commercial Club for the past two years. Mr. Tapager holds membership in the Lutheran church, and in all relations of life conforms his conduct to high ethical standards. The success which he has gained reflects great credit upon his enterprise and business ability, as he began his independent career empty handed.

Source: History of Winnebago and Hancock Counties, Iowa, 1917, Vol. II, pages 27-28.