Victor L. Bellman

BELLMAN, DONALDSON, SANDERS

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 1/19/2010 at 17:26:31

VICTOR L. BELLMAN

Victor L. Bellman, a well known general merchant of Thompson, Iowa, has spent his entire life in this state, his birth occurring in Dows, Wright county, on the llth of September, 1874. His parents, Sven and Sophia (Donaldson) Bellman, were natives of Sweden but in early life came to the United States and first located in Michigan, where they spent four years. At the end of that time they removed to Wright county, Iowa, where the father purchased land and engaged in farming for twelve years, and then turned his attention to mercantile pursuits, conducting a store at Dows for a number of years. Later he engaged in the real estate business at that place. After a useful and well spent life he passed away in May, 1913, having survived his wife only a few months, as she died in January of the same year. Both were earnest and consistent members of the Swedish Lutheran church.

Reared in his native county, Victor L. Bellman is indebted to the public schools of Dows for the early educational privileges he enjoyed, and he remained with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-seven years. He then went to Garner, Iowa, where he conducted a store for two months, and on leaving there engaged in general merchandising at Germania for three years. For about fifteen years, however, he has owned and operated a store in Thompson and has built up an excellent trade in the town and surrounding country. He carries a large and well selected stock of goods and his liberal prices and fair dealing have gained for him a good patronage. Mr. Bellman is also a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company and the Farmers Creamery Company of Thompson and has an interest in Wisconsin farm land.

On the 1st of January, 1901, Mr. Bellman was united in marriage to Miss Leona Sanders, and they have become the parents of two children, Opal, now fourteen years of age; and Merle, aged seven years. Mrs. Bellman holds membership in the Methodist church, and Mr. Bellman takes an active interest in the moral and material development of his community. Mr. Bellman is also affiliated •with the Masonic order and the Knights of Pythias and is a stanch supporter of the republican party. For three years he efficiently served as a member of the town council and is a stalwart champion of all measures for the public good.

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. 166-167.