Unless otherwise noted, these biographies were taken from A History of Clay County, by W. C. Gilbreath, 1889.
Contributions are welcome. If you have any biographies of your Clay county ancestors that you would like to contribute, whether from other sources or written by yourself, please contact me at: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator
A - B
Albee, Anson
Alexander, Joseph H.
Anderson, George W.
Anderson, J. V.
Andrew, John
Andrew, John A.
Ashburn, James
Avery, Amplias Hale
Backer, H. J.
Bailey, Charlton B.
Barnard, Francis M.
Bean, W. W.
Beebe, E. E.
Beeks, William J.
Benthall, Eugene
Bernhagen, Michael
Bjornstad, Otto Andreas
Boyer, Emanuel
Broadgate, Harry
Bruntlett, James
Clay county biographies: C-D, E-F-G, H-I,
J-K-L, M-N, O-P,
Q-R, S-T-U-V, W-X-Y-Z.
Return to Index.
Farmer, PO Peterson, is a native of New York, having been born in Erie county, April 15th, 1839. He served his country in the late war, and in 1869 became a resident of Clay county. He is one of the old settlers who have been prominently identified with the county's interests.
Source: A History of Clay County, Iowa, by W. C. Gilbreath, 1889, p. 263.
CC Note: See Clay county Gravestone Photo page for tombstone photo of Anson Albee.
Joseph H. Alexander, a veteran of the civil war, who is now living in retirement in the village of Royal, after having many years been prominently identified with the agricultural and stock-raising interests here, is a native of Warren county, Indiana. He was born December 16, 1843, a son of G. W. and Ruth (Little) Alexander. His father was a native of Springfield, Ohio, where he lived until he was twenty years of age, at which period of his life he went to Indiana with his mother, remaining there until 1847, during which year he located in Green county, Wisconsin. Twenty years were there passed and in 1867 he removed to Jasper county, Iowa. He afterward lived for one year in Cherokee county and thence went to O’Brien county, where he was well known as a general merchant and farmer and where he departed this life in June, 1894. In Indiana he was united in marriage to Ruth Little, who was also born in Ohio, and departed this life in Cherokee county, Iowa, in the year 1873. They were the parents of the following children: Rebecca, Fannie, Mattie, Marguerite A., Clara B., Ada R., Emma, Lincoln and Joseph H.
In the common schools of Green county, Wisconsin, Joseph H. Alexander acquired his preliminary education and subsequently pursued a course of study in the university at Evansville, that state, upon completing which he returned home and lived with his parents until August 11, 1862, when he enlisted in Company K, Twenty-second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, in which he served for three years and was honorably discharged on June 29, 1865. He witnessed much hard fighting and was with his regiment in the battles at Resaca, Georgia, Burnt Hickory, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek and the siege of Atlanta. During his military career Mr. Alexander was on the scouting force and served in the capacity of scout throughout the Georgia campaign and until the close of the war. His duty was often arduous and dangerous, but he never faltered when the interests of his country were at stake. After receiving his discharge he returned home and in 1867 removed to the southern part of this state, while subsequently he went to O’Brien county, where for a period he followed farming, and in 1898 came to this county, where he is now retired.
In 1866 Mr. Alexander wedded Miss Annie J. Dawson, and unto them have been born eight children, namely: J. S., and agriculturist of Sully county, South Dakota; Ada, deceased; George Jesse, who is in the real-estate business at Heron Lake, Minnesota; Wilfred G., who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Cherokee county, this state; Eve, wife of Solomon Beryl, who is connected with an elevator at OSG, this state; Nellie P., wife of Fred Treadle, who is in the restaurant business in Milldam, Minnesota; Frank C., a solicitor for a creamery in Cherokee county, this state; and Verne, of that county. Mr. Alexander has taken considerable interest in politics, his political faith being in accord with the principles of the democratic party. He served for three years as justice in Cherokee county, Iowa, for fifteen years in the same office in O’Brien county and in this county he has been justice of the peace for the past eight years. In the office he has gained considerable distinction for his fairness and administrative ability and at all times he is loyal in citizenship. He is a comrade of Spencer Post, G. A. R., and, being a man of sterling character, he has always merited and received
Contributed by: Susan Gregory. Source: History of Clay County Iowa – Steele – 1909, page 372.
Anderson, Geo. W., farmer, Spencer, came to Clay county in 1881, and for a time was in the Clay County Bank, but the greater part of his time has been spent on the farm. He is one of Riverton's most progressive farmers and leading agriculturalists. He has a fine farm, which is under excellent cultivation, besides owning some very valuable stock.
Another of the sons of Sweden who have come to northwestern Iowa and, by persistent and indefatigable industry along well directed lines, as well as by careful management of their resources, have won prosperity, is J. V. Anderson, who is now retired from active business and is living in Spencer in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. Mr. Anderson was born in Sweden on the 12th of December, 1842, and is a son of Andrew and Christina Anderson. He was reared under the parental roof and secured his education in the public schools of his home neighborhood. In 1870 he came to the United States and located near Springfield, Iowa, where he was employed as a farm hand for three years. He then went to Illinois, where he rented a farm for ten years. In 1883 he came to Clay county, Iowa, and in the following year bought a farm, to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted his energies with such success that he was enabled to buy more land, until he is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of rich and well improved land. He remained on that place until 1911, when he retired from active farming and came to Spencer, where he has since lived and where he owns a fine home.
In 1865, in Sweden, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Carlson, whose parents spent their entire lives in Sweden, both being now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were born twelve children, four of whom are deceased, the survivors being: Carolina, the wife of Axel Johnson; Andrew J.; George W.; Frank A.; Effa M.; the wife of James A King; Ervin E.; Elsa, the wife of George Cross; and Arthur. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Anderson is in the truest sense a self-made man and because of his achievements in a material way and his true, consistent life he has long commanded the respect and good will of his fellow citizens throughout this community.
Contributed by: Debbie Clough Gerischer. Source: Northwestern Iowa, Its History and Tradition, Volume III, 1804-1926.
Andrew, John, was born in Yorkshire, England, August 14th, 1844. In 1849, with his parents, he came to the United States, and located in Chicago, where he lived until 1852, when the family came to Iowa and located in Center Grove, Dubuque county, where he remained until 1864, when he enlisted in Co. A, Forty-sixth regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Hon. D. B. Henderson, of Dubuque, being its colonel. He served with his regiment until the close of the war, and on receiving an honorable discharge he went to Montana, where he remained two years in the gold mines. He then returned to Dubuque county, and remained there until 1870, when he came to Clay county, and took up a homestead under the solder act, and pursued the occupation of a farmer until some years ago, when he removed to Spencer, and has since been engaged in the railway contracting business. Mr. Andrew was one of the charter members of Harmony Lodge, No. 188, Knights of Pythias, and has been an active and enthusiastic member, having been its first Chancellor Commander. He was married to Harriet Merritt, of Asbury, Dubuque county.
Source: A History of Clay County, Iowa, by W. C. Gilbreath, 1889, p. 81.
Andrew, John A., stationery and newsdealer, Main, res Second. Was born in Lafayette, Indiana July 16th, 1829 and lived there until 1854 when he learned the harness making trade. After leaving Lafayette he went to Oregon where he remained two years and then returned to Indiana and stayed a brief time and then moved to Iowa and located at Brighton and from the latter place, a year or so later, moved to Martinsburg. In 1861 he enlisted as a private in Co. K, Seventh Iowa Infantry. After serving about six months in the ranks he was appointed hospital steward, a position he held until mustered out of the service. Upon receiving his discharge he moved to Indianola, and opened a harness shop, which he conducted until appointed postmaster. He held the postofficeship for a number of years and was also agent for the United States Express Company. On retiring from the postmastership he began the business of dealer in books, stationery and other articles. In 1879 he closed out his business and came to Spencer and since that time has been engaged in the business of book, stationery and news dealer. Associated with him in business is his son-in-law, I. F. Constant. They carry a full and complete line of books of all descriptions, stationery of every kind, musical instruments, sewing machines, toys, fancy and toilet articles. Their stock is large and probably as extensive in the multitude of articles they carry as any store in the northwestern part of the State. They have a large and profitable trade, and are the recognized leaders in every branch of the book trade. Their holiday trade is immense and is yearly growing and keeping pace with the increase of population. Mr. Andrew was the agent for the United States Express Company for over ten years at this place and is now the agent for the Adams Express Company. He was married in 1856. They have two children, Fanny and Florence. The former is Mrs. Thos. D. Noble and the latter Mrs. I. F. Constant.
Source: A History of Clay County, Iowa, by W. C. Gilbreath, 1889, p. 80.
CC Note: Correct name of John is John Nichol Andrew. Information provided by Katrina B. Weed, 2nd great-granddaughter of John.
James Ashburn has led a life of earnest and well-directed labor, crowned with a degree of success that enables him to lay aside the burden of business affairs and spend the evening of his days in leisure and contentment, in a fine home in Spencer, Iowa. He was born in LcLean county, Illinois, on the 26th of August, 1845, and is a son of George W. and Artemesia (Brown) Ashburn, who were born and reared in West Virginia, whence, after their marriage, they came to Illinois. They located at Bloomington, where Mr. Ashburn established the first store in town, in a small log cabin. After living there six or seven years, they came to Delaware county, Iowa, where they settled on a farm, on which they remained about seven years. At the end of that time Mr. Ashburn engaged in the hotel business at Rockville, Illinois. Later he moved to Leavenworth, Kansas, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1863, when he returned to Iowa, where he and his wife died.
Of the eleven children born to them, James Ashburn of this sketch is the only survivor. He was reared and educated mainly in Iowa. In October, 1862, he enlisted in Company G. Sixth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, with which he served until the close of the Civil war, when he was sent to the west and engaged in fighting Indians until October, 1865, when he was honorably discharged from the service. He then returned to Delaware county, Iowa, where he was employed as a farm hand until after his marriage, when, in 1871 he came to Clay county and took up a homestead. His first home here was a sod house, with a board door and string latch, but in the course of time he prospered and better living quarters were provided. He also had a sod barn. Later he bought one hundred and sixty acres additional, thus owning two hundred and forty acres, but eventually he sold that and bought eight acres of land at the city limits of Spencer, where he erected a beautiful, modern home, which he now occupies.
On February 17, 1869, Mr. Ashburn was united in marriage to Miss Jennie McCardle, who was born in Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of James and Mary Ann McCardle. Her parents were both natives of England, whence they came to the United States in an early day, locating first in Pennsylvania, where they lived until 1870, when they came to Clay county, Iowa, where they passed away. They were the parents of six children, all of whom are living. To Mr. and Mrs. Ashburn have been born nine children, namely: Frank; Cora M., wife of George Lackner; Charles A; Fred; Edith, the wife of Joseph Lackner; Ella, the wife of A. Darkam; Jennie, deceased; William; and Laura, the wife of Paul Goyette. Mr. Ashburn is a member of the Annett Post, No. 124, Grand Army of the Republic, at Spencer, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They are genial and hospitable in their social relations, enjoy a wide acquaintance and are extremely well liked throughout the community.
Contributed by: Debbie Clough Gerischer. Source: Northwestern Iowa, Its History and Tradition, Volume III, 1804-1926.
AMPLIAS HALE AVERY, Spencer. - Representative from Clay county, was born in a one-room log house on a farm near Excelsior, Richland county, Wisconsin, May 20th, 1870. After completing the work in the rural schools of his home county, he moved to Osage, Iowa, where he attended Cedar Valley seminary for several years. In 1889, he moved to South Dakota, where he taught in the rural schools, and in the town schools of Ashton and Woonsocket. He moved to Spencer, Iowa, in 1901, being superintendent of city schools there until 1915, when he resigned to go into the life insurance business which he has since followed. He married first Grace Cornwall (deceased). To this union was born one child, Theta Avery Tucker, of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He married again to Grace Dunham, and to this union three children were born. Margaret Avery Dunning, who died February 8, 1921, Alden D., and Barbara. He was a member of the 44th General Assembly and was elected September 26th, 1933, to fill a vacancy in the 45th General Assembly caused by the appointment of Frank E. Wenig as labor commissioner. A republican.
Contributed by: Debbie Clough Gerischer. Source: Iowa Official Register 1933-1934, Biographies of State Representatives.
Was born in Peoria, Ill., where he lived for eleven years, and then he came to Iowa and located in Benton county, where he lived on a farm until 1885, when he came to Clay county and farmed for two years, and then moved to Everly and engaged in his present business. He owns the north one-half of the southeast quarter and the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter or sec 34, Waterford township.
One of the enterprising and progressive merchants of Dickens, Clay county, is Charlton B. Bailey, who has for many years been operating a lumber yard at that place and in an active way has had a part in the upbuilding of the community. Mr. Bailey was born at Burlington, Vermont, on the 20th of August, 1869, and is a son of William and Alma (Wells) Bailey, both of whom were natives of that state. In 1870 they came to Iowa, locating in Clay county, where the father engaged in farming for many years. He and his wife are now deceased. To them were born five children, as follows: William and Gertrude, deceased; Charlton B.; Edward H., of Cairo, Illinois; and Thomas W., who occupies and operates the old home farm in this county.
Charlton B. Bailey was reared to the life of a farmer and secured his education in the public schools. When twenty-eight years old he engaged in farming on rented land but later went to Royal, Iowa, where he was employed in lumber yards for eight years. In 1908 he bought a lumber yard at Dickens, which he has conducted to the present time and in which he has met with pronounced success. He carries a large and complete line of all grades of lumber such as is demanded by the local trade, and his prompt and accommodating service has gained for him a large business.
On March 16, 1908, Mr. Bailey was united in marriage to Miss Dora Dumkrie, who is a native of Iowa. Mr. Bailey supports the republican party in politics and has been active in local public affairs, having served as a member of the school board. Fraternally he is a Mason and an Odd Fellow, while his religious membership is with the Congregational church. His integrity and fidelity have been manifested in every relation of life and none more than he deserves the respect which is accorded him by his fellowmen throughout this locality.
Contributed by: Debbie Clough Gerischer. Source: Northwestern Iowa, Its History and Tradition, Volume III, 1804-1926.
The death of a man of enterprise, ability and public spirit is always a loss to his community, and of this type was Francis M. Barnard, for many years a leader in business circles of Spencer. He was born October 1, 1852, in Lyons, New York, and his parents, George W. and Harriet (Gilkey) Barnard, were also natives of the Empire state. To their union were born three children, all of whom are deceased.
Mr. Barnard was educated in the east and in 1869, when a youth of seventeen, responded to the call of the west, coming to Iowa. For about eight years he was identified with the newspaper business at Ackley and in 1881 purchased the Spencer Reporter, which he conducted for eighteen years. He made the paper a valuable news medium, devoted to the best interests of the locality, and as the years passed the Reporter grew steadily in popular favor as a result of his personal influence. On retiring from the field of journalism Mr. Barnard turned his attention to the real estate business, with which he was connected until his death in September, 1891. He was a sagacious, farsighted business man whose word was always to be relied upon, and many important property transfers were effected through his agency.
On March 1, 1880, Mr. Barnard married Miss Grace A. Phelps, a native of Wisconsin, and a daughter of Dwight and Addie A. (Wheeler) Phelps, both of whom were born in Syracuse, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Phelps were the parents of four children: Isa L., the wife of Thomas Hill, of Spring Green, Wisconsin; Jennie M., who married C. A./ Daley and is living in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Grace A.; and Edward D., deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Barnard were born five children: George W. and Charles D., who make their home in Clay county; Jennie L. and Addie W., who died in fancy; and Francis M., also a resident of Clay county.
Mr. Barnard cast his ballot for the candidates of the republican party and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Along fraternal lines he was identified with the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He always supported moral interests, fair dealing and constructive measures, and was a force for good in the community, enjoying to the full the respect and confidence of his fellowmen.
Contributed by: Debbie Clough Gerischer. Source: Northwestern Iowa, Its History and Tradition, Volume III, 1804-1926.
Farmer and railroad contractor, P. O. Spencer, is one of the older settlers and successful farmers. Of late years he has given up farming and devoted his entire attention to rail road contracting.
Beebe, E. E., of Beebe & Debenham, hardware merchants. Was born in Ogle county, Ill., March 21st, 1861, and lived there until he was eighteen years of age, when he moved to Franklin county, Iowa, and worked in a hardware store, and in addition learned the tinner's trade. He then went to Hampton, where he remained for about three years and removed, this time to Grundy county, where he engaged in farming for two years and then went to Grundy Centre and remained in that place until 1868, when with Mr. Debenham, his partner, he came to Everly and began the business of hardware and furniture dealer. He is an excellent business man, possessing the necessary elements that constitute a successful merchant. In company with his partner, he has, by close application to his trade, succeeded in building up a very profitable business. He was married in June, 1883, to Miss Frances J. Bardole. They have one child, Emerold. He is the owner of 320 acres of most excellent land in Grundy county, the greater part of which is under cultivation.
The ranks of Civil war veterans are fast being decimated. Year by year many respond to the last roll call, and it is fitting that while some of the boys in blue survive they should be honored by their fellow townsmen for the service which they rendered to the country during the darkest hour in all its history. Mr. Beeks is among those who for three years or more did active duty on southern battlefields, and in days of peace be has been equally loyal to his country and is now numbered among the public-spirited citizens of Everly. At the present time he is living retired, but for many years was a progressive farmer of Dickinson county and is numbered among the oldest settlers of the state, dating his residence here from 1840. Iowa had not yet been admitted to the Union when he took up his abode within its borders. He had been born on the frontier, in Dearborn county, Ohio, on the Indiana line, June 28, 1824. His father, Samuel Beeks, was a native of Virginia and, following his removal to the Buckeye state, was there married to Elizabeth Lambden, who was likewise born in the Old Dominion. Mr. Beeks was a miller and millwright by trade. He became a factor in the pioneer development and progress of western Ohio and eastern Indiana and in 1840 again took up his abode on the frontier by becoming a resident of Linn county, Iowa. He worked at his trade in Cedar Rapids and other towns and continued his residence in this state until he passed away in Dubuque county.
W. J. Beeks was reared in Linn county and in his youthful days learned the carpenter's and millwright's trades. He also engaged in farming for four or five years in Jones county, and it was in that county, in October, 1847, that he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Jane Robinson, a native of Virginia. About 1840 he had gone to Dickinson county, where he had secured a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres. Following his marriage he gave considerable attention to the development of his farm.
At the time of the Civil war Mr. Beeks put aside all business and personal considerations and offered his aid to the government, enlisting at Anamosa in June, 1862, as a member of Company K, Sixth Iowa Cavalry. The regiment was assigned to duty in the west among the Indians, and out on the plains he participated in many skirmishes, continuing in the service for three years and eight months. He had a horse killed from under him and at that time sustained injuries from which he never recovered. At the close of the war he was mustered out and was honorably discharged at Davenport late in the year 1865.
Following his military experience Mr. Beeks was connected with various industrial pursuits. He followed carpentry and other business interests in different places, and in Dickinson county he homesteaded and opened up a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. Upon the place he built a good house, barn and sheds and also divided his farm into fields of convenient size by well kept fences. He likewise planted a grove and cultivated an orchard, and altogether made a nice place of his property. Year after year he capably and successfully tilled the soil, until 1906, when he rented his farm and removed to Everly, where he purchased a home and has since lived retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.
In 1908 Mr. Beeks was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away in Everly in December of that year. They had traveled life's journey together for more than sixty years, their mutual love and confidence increasing as time passed on. They were the parents of the following three sons and three daughters: Christopher, who is a stone mason and lives in North Dakota; John T., a farmer of Dickinson county; Charles R., a carpenter and farmer, who is connected with building interests in Everly and who was married here in August, 1890, to Miss Ida Schulz, a native of Germany, who came to the new world when a maiden of nine summers and by her marriage has one son, George H. Beeks, who is now a young man; Elizabeth, the wife of J. B. Grapes, of Delaware county, Iowa; Nancy J., the wife of Nelson Frederickson, of North Dakota; and Levina, wife of James Gilmore, of Killum, Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Beeks were also called upon to mourn the loss of three of their children. Their first-born, a daughter, Mary Jane, died at the age of seven years, while William J. passed away at the age of six months. Katie died in Jones county, Iowa, at the age of nineteen years.
Mr. Beeks gives his political fealty to the democracy and two of his sons are supporters of the same party, while his son Charles is a republican. There are few residents of Iowa who have so long resided within the state; for throughout sixty-nine years Mr. Beeks has made his home within its borders and has been an active and helpful factor in improving and developing a number of counties. His life has been at all times honorable and well spent and he now receives the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded to one of his years, whose leading characteristics have been the sterling qualities of upright manhood. His memory goes back to the time when in certain sections of the state there were many log cabins, while in other regions sod houses were to be seen. The most far-sighted could not have dreamed of the changes which were to occur and were to make this one of the leading states of the Union, with advantages in some directions superior to those of any other district. In his youthful days the homes were lighted by candles and heated by fireplaces and the winds swept over the prairies unbroken by forest or buildings. Rich in its natural resources, the state has responded readily to the labors of its people, especially in agricultural lines and Mr. Leeks has lived to see every section of the state settled by a contented and prosperous people.
CC Note: William J. Beeks &
wife are buried in the Riverside Cemetery.
Autobiography
The enterprising little town of Royal finds in the representative business interests Eugene Benthall, proprietor of the West End drug store. Strong purpose and indefatigable energy, by the help of good lawyers in dodging the grand jury, have constituted the basis upon which he has builded his success, and though he is yet a young man he occupies a creditable place in commercial circles.
My parents were John M. and Elizabeth D. (Wilson) Benthall, whom I first met when quite small, on December 7th, 1871, at Quasqueton, Buchanan county, Iowa.
My father did not think I would pay to raise, but by feeding me elephant’s milk through a goose quill I managed to pull through and thrive.
My father was born at Princeton, Massachusetts, and mother in Genesee county, New York, and is still living, keeping house for her son over the store. Benthall’s have always made it a rule to marry late in life and pan out small potatoes and few in a hill.
I was the elder of two children: My sister, Mary E., born February 3, 1877, died on the 10th day of June, 1900.
I began my education in the Quasqueton school, but quituated before half through to save the teacher from nervous procrastination. The rest of my education I obtained in the school of experience, which is absolutely compulsory education, and have learned enough to know I know but little yet.
I date my residence in Clay county from August 15, 1892, and entered the employ of George B. Bender, a druggist of Spencer. That I was capable, faithful and energetic is indicated by my five years’ service at Spencer, when I was promoted to run his branch store at Dickens on the 1st day of December, 1897, to August, 1900. During the winter of 1900-01 the West End Drug store building at Royal was constructed; on April (fool) 1st, I opened for business with a well selected line of goods which I have kept up.
In politics I am a socialist. If I should change to republican I should expect an office the same as other office seekers have done. I belong to the I. O. O. F. and Rebekah Degree. Those who don’t know me say, "I may not be crazy, but I don’t talk just right." I have always tried to be reliable in business, hoping it will carry me forward on the high road to success. If any friends don’t find me to their liking I didn’t find them to my liking and I probably found them first.
I have always tried to be a booster and public-spirited, and have taken an interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community, especially the baseball association.
After you read the above and it produces the colliwobbles or palpitation of the imagination you can get a cure at the West End drug store.
Contributed by: Susan Gregory. Source: History of Clay County Iowa – Steele – 1909, page 435.
Bernhagen, Michael, farmer, was born near Berlin, Germany, in 1835, where he lived until 1866, when he came to America and located in Wisconsin. He lived there until 1871 when he came to Clay county and took up a homestead in Lake township. He owns 440 acres of land, 60 of which is well improved. He was married in 1857 to Miss Amelia Hartwig. They have six children, Bertha, Paulina, Mary, Willie and Sophia. Mr. Bernhage is an excellent and successful farmer of Lake township.
**CC Note: Biography states that Michael and Amelia Bernhagen have six children but only five are listed. The youngest child was named Reinholdt, born in 1875. Information contributed by Jacqueline Sabharwal.
An enumeration of the progressive and successful business men of northwestern Iowa, who have won recognition for themselves and at the same time have conferred honor on their respective localities, would be incomplete were there failure to make specific mention of Otto Andreas Bjornstad, of Spencer, Clay county, president of the Otto A. Bjornstad Company, druggists, and vice-president of the First National Bank of that city. He enjoys prestige in commercial circles, being distinctively a man of affairs, and has wielded a potent influence for the upbuilding and prosperity of his county for many years.
Mr. Bjornstad was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, September 4, 1878, and is a son of Bjorn and Anna C. Bjornstad. His parents were natives of Trondhjem, Norway, where the father was born July 21, 1851, and the mother July 2, 1854. The paternal grandfather was the owner of two estates in his native land and had served as sheriff, while the maternal grandfather, who was a pharmacist in Norway, came to the United States and settled in Clay county, Iowa, in 1871.
When Otto A. Bjornstad was about three years of age the family came to Spencer, Iowa, and in the public schools of this city he secured his education, graduating from high school. When fifteen years of age he went to work in the drug store of George D. Cottrell, with whom he remained six years, and at the age of eighteen was a registered pharmacist. On February 11, 1900, when twenty-one years of age, he engaged in the drug business under the name of the Otto A. Bjornstad Company, which is still in operation, and during the years he has enjoyed a large and steadily growing business. He carries a full line of drugs and standard proprietary remedies, and a well-selected stock of such sundries and auxiliary lines as are usually found in an up-to-date drug store. Courtesy, efficiency and promptness have been business principles on which he has built up his business and he has long been regarded as one of Spencer's leading merchants. He is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Spencer and became vice-president of that institution on June 1, 1923, being also a member of the board of directors.
On June 10, 1903, at Spencer, Mr. Bjornstad was united in marriage to Miss Elia Janet Tindall, who was born December, 10, 1879, at Homer, Illinois. She is descended on the paternal side from old Eastern Yankee stock, while on the maternal side she is English. Her father, J. Tindall, was born at Jacksonville, Illinois, April 10, 1840, and died August 30, 1925, while her mother, who was born at Lynnville, Illinois, November 10, 1843, is still living, at the age of eighty-three years, and makes her home with her daughter, Mr.s Bjornstad. Mr. and Mrs. Bjornstad have two children, Janet Marie, who is a student in Minnesota State University, and Otto A., Jr., who is attending the public schools in Spencer.
Politically Mr. Bjornstad has always given his support to the republican party and has been active in local public affairs, having served four years as chairman of the republican county central committee, of which he is still a member. He served two terms as a member of the Spencer city council and has been park commissioner of this city since the inception of the commission. He is a director and ex-president of the Spencer Commercial Club and the Iowa director of the Atlantic, Yellowstone and Pacific National Highway Association, belonging also to the West Okoboji Golf and Country Club and the Spencer Golf and Country Club. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, in which he had taken all the degrees of the York Rite, and also belongs to the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the First Congregational church of Spencer, of which he is a trustee. Mr. Bjornstad has been loyal and true in every relation of life, has been an earnest supporter of every movement for the betterment of his community along either material, civic or moral lines, and is eminently deserving of the high place which he holds among his fellowmen.
Contributed by:
Debbie Clough Gerischer.
Source: NORTHWESTERN IOWA ITS HISTORY AND
TRADITION, VOLUME III, 1804-1926.
Boyer, Emanuel was born in York county, Pennsylvania, May 27, 1844, and remained in that county until thirteen years of age, when with his parents he moved to Lima, Indiana. Here he made his home until 1881. The greater part of the time that he resided in Indiana he was engaged in farming. In 1864 he enlisted in Co. E, Fifty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served one year. In 1881 he came to Spencer and located. He is a Democrat in politics, and has held the position of chairman of the Democratic County Central Committee, is a member of the City Council, and a member of the township board of trustees. He was married in 1865 to Miss Margaret Shanks. They have two children, Edward and Charles.
Broadgate, Harry, agent C., M. & St. P. Railroad Company. For eight years he has held the position of agent, and has proven himself to be a competent and satisfactory official to the company, and pleasant and accommodating to the traveling public. Few agents enjoy the respect and esteem of the public in a greater degree than does Mr. Broadgate. In connection with his duties as agent he does quite an extensive business in the hard coal line. For a number of years he has been a member of the City Council, and has proven to be the right man in the right place.
Bruntlett, James of Tryon & Bruntlett, millers, was born in England in 1835 and was a citizen of the British Government for thirty-two years. His father was a sea captain and with him he made a number of voyages to different parts of the world. Previous to his coming to America, in 1867, he learned the milling trade thoroughly and completely, and when he went to New Jersey he followed this branch of business. He subsequently moved to Chicago and from there to Savanna. At both of these places he pursued his trade. In England it requires a greater length of time to learn a trade than in this country because the learner or apprentice is compelled to master it in all its various details before he is permitted to assume the charge of business. Mr. Bruntlett received a thorough and rigid course of instruction and was pronounced adept as a miller before he took charge of a grist mill. He was married in 1867 to Miss Fannie Walton, of Scott county, Iowa. They have two children.
Source: A History of Clay County, Iowa, by W. C. Gilbreath, 1889, p. 144.
