Akre, Martin J. 1867 - 1921
AKRE, SERVOLD, BIDNE, PETERSON, EIDE, HANSON
Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 4/14/2014 at 15:42:48
Martin J. Akre, a partner in the Highlandville Creamery, is leading a busy and useful life that brings to him a substantial measure of success as the years go on. Moreover, he is recognized as a citizen of genuine worth, interested in all that pertains to the substantial progress of the community. He was born in Pleasant Township, May 1, 1867, a son of John and Martha (Servold) Akre. There were nine children in the family, of whom he was the second in order of birth and the eldest son. His youthful days were spent with his parents and during that period he attended the public schools and worked in the fields, but when twenty years of age he left home and sought employment as a farm hand, spending two years at farm work by the month. For a year he was in North Dakota, working as a farm hand, but in December, 1891, returned to Winneshiek County and was here employed through a part of the succeeding summer.
Anxious, however, to engage in business on his own account, Mr. Akre bought a cream route and began collecting cream, at which he has since been engaged. After three years he purchased a third interest in the Highlandville Creamery and eight years later, through a change in the partnership, became half owner of the business his partner being his brother-in-law, P. J. Bidne. Since June, 1892, Mr. Akre has been engaged in collecting cream from the farmers, while his partner has charge of the inside work of the creamery. Success has attended the undertaking and the large annual output finds ready and profitable sale in Chicago. In addition to his creamery interests Mr. Akre was president of the Highlandville Telephone Company for two years.
Since engaging in his present business Mr. Akre has erected a nice home upon his place, giving him a fine view over the village of Highlandville. He was married on the 26th of June, 1895, to Miss Dena Peterson, who was born in Canoe Township, February 14, 1871, a daughter of Lars Peterson Eide and Carrie Christina Hanson. Her parents were natives of Norway and the mother died during the early girlhood of Mrs. Akre. Some years afterward the father retired to Decorah, where his death occurred. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Akre have been born five children: James Lawrence, who died at the age of three years; Leonard Melvin, born September 1, 1901; Perry, who died when but five weeks old; Walter Eugene, who was born August 30, 1905; and Norman Clifford born December 6, 1907.
In politics Mr. Akre is a republican and gives stalwart support to his party. The cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion and he has been secretary of the independent school district since its organization in May, 1904. He was also a director of the Norwegian school for three years. He belongs to the Big Canoe Lutheran church of Pleasant township and has been one of the revisers for the congregation for the past three years. He does everything in his power to promote the work of the church and extend its influence and is equally active in furthering the cause of education and in promoting the material progress and development of town and county.
Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark publishing Company 1913
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Winneshiek Biographies maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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