Peter O. Storby

STORBY, ASKALSON, PETERSON, THOMPSON

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 1/17/2010 at 07:31:23

PETER O. STORBY

For over twenty years Peter O. Storby has operated his present farm on section 8, Center township, Winnebago county, and he has also, for a long period, owned a threshing outfit. He was born near Ridgeway, Winneshiek county, Iowa, on the 2d of March, 1871, a son of Ole and Sigrie (Askalson) Storby, who were born in Norway but came to America prior to the Civil war. For two years the father worked as a farm hand in Winneshiek county, Iowa, and was similarly employed in Minnesota for two years. In 1877 the family removed to Winnebago county, Iowa, and the father bought land in Norway township, which he farmed for six years. He then removed to Center township and acquired title to one hundred and forty acres on sections 5 and 7. This place remained his home until his death in October, 1902. The mother was killed in a train accident on the 22d of September, 1904.

Peter O. Storby was but six years old when the removal was made to Winnebago county and he received his education in the local schools. He remained at home until he was twenty-one years old, when he rented a farm, which he operated for three years. He then purchased three hundred and twenty acres on section 8, Center township, in partnership with his brother, and they farmed that place together for five years. At the end of that time they divided the property and have since cultivated their land independently. Mr. Storby of this review makes a specialty of raising high grade Poland China hogs and also grows some grain for the market. He owns stock in the Farmers State Bank of Lake Mills, in the Farmers Elevator Company, the Lake Mills Lumber Company, the Lake Mills Creamery Company and the Lake Mills Telephone Company. He owns a threshing machine and has found its operation very profitable. His land is in a high state of cultivation, the buildings and other improvements upon the place are excellent, and although he paid but thirty dollars an acre for the farm it is now worth two hundred and thirty-five dollars per acre, the increase in value being due in part to the general development of the county and in part to the improvements which he has made.

On the 5th of September, 1899, Mr. Storby was married to Miss Ida Peterson, a daughter of Anton and Annie (Thompson) Peterson, natives of Norway. On emigrating to this country the father first located in Wisconsin but a short time afterward came to Winnebago county, Iowa, where he worked out by the month until his marriage. He then rented a farm for some time, but at length purchased land in Newton township, which he operated for about thirty-five years. He then sold out and removed: to a small place in Norway township, a mile and a half north of Lake Mills. Mrs. Peterson also survives. To Mr. and Mrs. Storby have been born six children, as follows: Otis S., at home; Alma A., who is attending the high school at Lake Mills; Clifford E. G., and Bernard M., both of whom are in school; Alice and Irving.

The republican party has a stalwart adherent in Mr. Storby, and he has filled a number of offices. For some time he was road superintendent, is now serving his third year as township trustee and for sixteen years has been a member of the school board, while for fourteen years he has served as president of that body. He holds membership in the United Lutheran church and can always be depended upon to support movements seeking the moral welfare of his community.

Source: History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II. Pioneer Publishing Company (Chicago), 1917. pp. 447-448.