Gilbert N. Haugen
HAUGEN
Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 11/8/2018 at 15:54:12
GILBERT N. HAUGEN
Gilbert N. Haugen was born in Rock county, Wisconsin, on the 21st day of April. 1851. He attended the public schools until 14 years of age when he began an active business career, studying winters and working during the summer time. When but eighteen years of age he purchased a Worth county farm. He continued his studies at Decorah completing his education with a business course at Janesville. Wis.
Soon after graduation he engaged in the implement business at Kensett. Iowa, adding hardware, grain, live stock and real estate as his business expanded and his capital grew. His official career began by holding various township offices, and in 1887 was elected county treasurer of Worth county. While serving his sixth year as treasurer he was nominated and elected to represent Worth and Winnebago counties in the Iowa legislature, serving in the 25th and 26th general assemblies and in the special session which revised the code of Iowa. During his service in the legislature he was a recognized leader, being instrumental in shaping some of our most important laws, and in defeating much undesirable legislation.
In the summer of 1898. Mr. Haugen became a candidate for the republican nomination as representative in congress from the Fourth Iowa district. He was opposed by Congressman Thomas Updegraff of McGregor, and Hon. James E. Blythe of Mason City. After a spirited campaign the convention found itself in a dead-lock, no candidate having a majority on formal ballot. Mr. Haugen was finally chosen, and he has fully justified the confidence placed in him by the delegates. He has served in the 56th, 57th, 58th and 59th congresses and was re-elected to the 60th congress.
So well has Congressman Haugen cared for the interests of his constituents and so scrupulously has he done his duty to the whole nation that he is today firmly entrenched in the hearts of the people. During the eight years already served he has exercised rare judgment in recording his vote and he has had little opposition. On one or two occasions political rivalries have appeared to exist and somewhat formidable opponents have been announced within the party. But whenever the caucuses were held the expression of confidence in their representative registered by uncommon people has been so overwhelming that all opponents have retired in dismay. At the polls the primary results have been confirmed as Mr. Haugen has always polled a vote largely in excess of the normal party vote
Providing an official keeps in touch with the interests of his constituents his efficiency increases with the passing of years. This is especially true of congressmen, where the acquaintance and confidence of their colleagues add tremendously to the power and influence of members of long standing. Gilbert N. Haugen rose from the ranks of the people and though he has been exalted to one of the highest offices which the people have to bestow, he still retains that commonness of demeanor and that ease of approach which so distinguishes W. J Bryan and which made our martyred Lincoln beloved of all. It is not in the least visionary to say that Congressman Haugen's best service to his district and his nation is yet to come.
Besides his political interests Mr. Haugen has large land holdings and is connected with many leading commercial enterprises. In 1890 he was one of the organizers of the Northwood Banking Company, which was. in l906 changed iulo the First National Bank of Northwood. He has been president of both institutions since their organisation. He is also president of the Kensett bank. He has large farming interests in Iowa, Minnesota and the Dakotas. In every enterprise looking to the building up of his home community he is always a liberal helper. Few men have started poorer and climbed higher and did it all less ostentatiously than has Gilbert N. Haugen. Northwood is proud of the distinction of being his dwelling place.
On the 29th day of October, 1885, he was joined in marriage to Miss Elsie Evenson. who shared his joys and sorrows for less than seven years. On May 10th. 1892, he was called upon to say good by to that fond wife and devoted mother, since which time he has devoted himself to the rearing of his two children, Norma and Lauritz, who dwell with him in his beautiful home in the north part of this city. Source: The Semi-Centennial Souvenir of Northwood, Iowa, 1907, page 47.Gilbert N. Haugen
Of Northwood, Worth county, representative from the Fourth district, composed of the counties of Allamakee, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Floyd, Howard, Mitchell, Winneshiek and Worth; was born April 21, 1859, in Rock county, Wisconsin; since the age of fourteen, and prior to his election to congress, he was actively engaged in various enterprises, principally real estate and banking; was treasurer of Worth county, Iowa, for six years; was elected to the Iowa legislature, serving in the twenty-fifth and twenty-sixth general assemblies; was elected to the fifty-sixeth, fifty-seventh, fifty-eighth, fifty-ninth, sixtieth, sixty-first, sixty-second, sixty-third, sixty-fourth, sixty-fifth, sixty-sixth and sixty-seventh congresses. Republican in politics. source: Official Register, State of Iowa 1921-1922, Twenty-Ninth Number, Biographies of Representatives in Congress, pg. 318-319
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