John J. Rusley

RUSLEY, JACOBSON, RAMSEY

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 7/8/2005 at 22:54:04

Business enterprise, sound judgment and unfaltering industry find expression in the life record of J. J. Rusley, now a valued and representative farmer of Mount Valley township, Winnebago county, living on section 11. He was born on the farm where he now makes his home and which he now owns, his natal day being February 12, 1873. His parents were John K. and Sarah (Jacobson) Rusley, both of whom were natives of Norway, where they were reared and married. In 1864 they came to the United States, settling in Dane county, Wisconsin, where they resided, however, for only two years. They then became residents of Freeborn county, Minnesota, establishing their home near Twin Lakes, where they lived for two years. In 1868 they arrived in Winnebago county, Iowa, and purchased the farm which now constitutes the home place of J. J. Rusley. There the father took up his abode and spent his remaining days, giving his time, thought and energies to the further development and improvement of the land until his life's labors were ended in death on the l5th of February, 1909. For three years he bad survived his wife, who passed away February 12, 1906.

J. J. Rusley obtained his education in the district schools, his time being divided between his textbooks and the work of the fields. In 1895, after reaching his twenty-second year, he took charge of the home farm and continued to operate the place until 1901, when he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 12, Mount Valley township. To this he removed and for eight years continued its cultivation. In 1909, after his father's death, he purchased the home farm and returned to the place of his birth. He has since lived thereon with the exception of two years spent in Joice, Worth county. However, he still retains the ownership of both farms and is regarded today as one of the substantial agriculturists and leading men of Mount Valley township. His property returns to him a gratifying annual income and in all business affairs he displays sound judgment and keen discrimination. In the spring of 1915 he removed to Joice and for two years he was there engaged in the buying and shipping of livestock but in the spring of 1917 returned to the home farm. He is now a stockholder in the Lake Mills Lumber Company and a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company of Joice.

In 1901 Mr. Rusley was united in marriage to Miss Tomine Ramsey, her father being T. T. Ramsey, a prominent agriculturist of Worth county, Iowa. They now have five children, namely: Truman, Selmer, Glenn, Irene and Ruth, the eldest being in his fifteenth year.

Mr. Rusley gives his political allegiance to the republican party and for four years he served as a member of the board of township trustees. He was also a member of the town council of Joice when residing there and he is a recognized leader in local party ranks. For two years he served as chairman of the republican central committee of Mount Valley township and he does all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of the party, believing that its platform contains the best elements of good government. He and his family are members of the United Lutheran church and are widely and favorably known in the community where they make their home. During an active business career Mr. Rusley has worked his way steadily upward and at all times and in every relation of life be has displayed those traits which make for honorable manhood and citizenship.

Source: History of Winnebago and Hancock Counties, Iowa, 1917, page 547.