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Emmet County, Iowa
Biographies
S, T, U, V
Unless otherwise noted, these biographies were taken from the History of Emmet County and Dickinson County Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, The Pioneer Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1917.
S, T, U, V
Salyers, Isaac N.
Schaefer, Edward D.
Seeliger, Charles H.
Shadle, George W.
Snyder, Alfred C.
Sorenson, Daniel
Sorum, Marie
Spaulding, Don H.
Spear, Horace
Sprague, Paul C.
Strandskov, Rev. N. C
Sternborg, Fred
Sunde, Thomas
Taylor, A. D.
Additional Emmet County Biographies: A-B, C-D,
E-F, G-H, I-J,
K-L, M-N, O-P,
Q-R,
W, X, Y, Z.
Return to Biography Index
Isaac N. Salyers, a prominent contractor of Estherville, has borne an important part in the upbuilding and development of Emmet county, where he has now made his home for a third of a century. He was born near Athens, Missouri, February 28, 1862, and is the fifth in order of birth in a family of ten children. He is of good old Irish and Yankee stock, though his parents, William and Elmira (Phillips) Salyers, were both natives of Ohio. At an early day they removed to Appanoose county, Iowa, where the father purchased land and engaged in farming for thirty-two years. He spent his last days at the home of a daughter living near Greenridge, Missouri, and died March 2, 1917, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. He had six great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. During the Galveston flood his wife was crippled and remained an invalid the rest of her life, finally passing away in 1906. Her remains were interred at Windsor, Missouri.
At the usual age Isaac N. Salyers began his education in the district schools near his childhood home and continued his studies until seventeen years of age. He remained under the parental roof until twenty and for two years worked at the carpenter's trade in Keokuk, Iowa. From that city he came to Estherville and has since done an extensive business as a building contractor. His first contract was the Smithberg residence on South Sixth street and he has since, erected most of the important buildings of the town, including the Coon block, the Armory, the Elks club house, the Methodist Episcopal church, the West Side school, the Oransky building, the postoffice and the residences of F. E. Allen and George Zeeman besides about two hundred and fifty others. Although he is still engaged in business as a contractor he now handles automobile supplies and repairs as a side issue.
In 1881 Mr. Salyers married Miss Laura A. Leek, a daughter of Charles and Cynthia (Hull) Leek, who made their home near Keokuk, Iowa, where both died and were buried. Mr. And Mrs. Saylers have lost two children and have five living, namely: Clyde, who is married and living in Estherville; Mabel, now Mrs. R.N. Perkins, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Louis, Paul and Maurice, all at home.
The republican party finds in Mr. Saylers a stanch supporter of its principles and he holds membership in the Mystic Toilers of Des Moines and the Christian church. In business circles he occupies an enviable position owing to the confidence and trust reposed in him and the success that has crowned his efforts is certainly well deserved for he started out in life for himself empty handed and has gradually worked his way upward wholly by his own efforts. He is a man of keen insight and sound judgment as well as of reliable business methods and he always faithfully fulfills his part of any contract.
Edward D. Schaefer, who owns a fine farm on section 3, Armstrong Grove Township, is making a specialty of raising high grade Chester White hogs and has been a leader in the development of the stock raising interests of the county. He is also financially interested in the Farmers Elevator Company and the Farmers Creamery Company, both of Armstrong. A native of Wisconsin, he was born in Dane County, December 29, 1859, a son of John and Marguerite Schaefer, both of whom were born in Germany. Upon crossing the Atlantic they located in Canada, but after a short time removed to Chicago, whence they went to Milwaukee. Subsequently they removed to Dane County and there the father purchased land which he farmed until his death in 1891. He had survived his wife by ten years.
Edward D. Shaefer grew to manhood in Dane County, Wisconsin, and after completing his education gave his entire time to assisting his father. When he came of age he was given charge of the home farm, and operated it for two years., but in 1882 he went to South Dakota and took up land under the Homestead Act, cultivating that tract for seven years. He then disposed of the property and went to Jackson County, Minnesota, whence three years later, he came to Emmet County, Iowa. For four years he rented land here and at the end of that time was able to buy eighty acres on section 3, Armstrong Grove Township, which he still owns. He has given particular attention to the breeding of Chester White hogs and has found that business highly profitable. He has investments other than his farm as he is financially interested in the Farmers Elevator Company, and the Farmers Creamery Company of Armstrong.
On the 24th of August, 1880 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Schaefer and Miss Lizzy Urlich and they have three children: Barbara, the wife of George Paul of Armstrong; Clara, who married Fred Mussen, a merchant of Gruver, Emmet County, Iowa; and Elmer, who married Pearl Helgason and is farming the home place.
Mr. Schaefer is a stanch advocate of the principals of the democratic party and takes a commendable interest in public affairs, although never an office seeker. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, which indicates his interest in the moral welfare of his community, and his life is conformed so closely to high standards of ethics as to win him the sincere respect of his fellows.
The Charles H. Seeliger family moved from Union, Hardin County, Iowa on March 18, 1915, to a farm near Armstrong. Dr. H. H. Seeliger, his father, a retired doctor of medicine, came with the family. He had received his education in Breslau, Germany before his coming to America to make his home. He died on May 30, 1922.
The Seeligers lived in the Armstrong, Maple Hill, and Estherville areas with the exception of the years 1935 to 1941 when they farmed near Superior. They spent their entire lives farming.
They were the parents of three children, Ethel, Gladys and Cecil.
Ethel graduated from University of Northern Iowa, at Cedar Falls and taught school in Dolliver, Spirit Lake, Ottumwa and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She married Harold D. Case and they farmed near Superior. Harold died January 1975 and Ethel lives in Estherville, Iowa.
Gladys graduated from Maple Hill High School and attended Estherville Junior College and Marion Harland Beautician School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She has operated a beauty shop in Estherville since 1935. She was married to Joseph M. Erpelding in 1938. Joseph died in 1964. They were the parents of two daughters, Judy Marie and Nancy Jo. Judy Marie is married to Earl Bonser. They live in Aurora, Colorado and have four children, Susan Judy, Lori Ann, Douglas and Angie Marie. Nancy is married to Bert Farm and lives in Memphis, Tennessee. They are the parents of two boys, Gregg and Chris.
Cecil was married to Margaret Beaver in 1940. He farmed with his father until his father's death on May 5, 1954. They now live on a farm near Spirit Lake. They have one son, Charles H., who is married to Connie Walrod. He is employed at Berkeley's Inc. They live in Spirit Lake and are the parents of two daughters, Kelly Jo and Karla Kay.
Contributed by: Mary Lou (Ziemer) Grymyr. Source: "History of Emmet County, Iowa Vol. III" published in 1976.
Commercial activity in Estherville finds a substantial, well known and highly respected representative in George W. Shadle, who is number among the native sons of the state. He was born in Pleasantville, Iowa, in 1873, a son of F.M. and Ann (Pence) Shadle, who are natives of Pennsylvania, but removed westward to Iowa, where since 1879 the father has been identified with mercantile pursuits. To him and his wife have been born seven sons: Owen, who is residing at Pleasantville; George W., Christian, Merlin, who is a widower; Lee, Elton, and Willard, deceased.
George W. Shadle, spending his youthful days under the parental roof, mastered the branches of learning taught in the public schools of Pleasantville, continuing his studies through successive grades until he became a high school pupil. He afterward worked for his father until he reached the age of twenty-five years and later spent three years in the drug business at Pleasantville. In 1901 he came to Estherville and has since been identified with the commercial interests of this city. His stock of good was destroyed by fire in 1914, but with characteristic energy he resumed business operations and is today one of the progressive and reliable merchants of the city, dealing in dry goods of all descriptions and Stylecraft garments. His store displays the latest output of the manufactures of the country and the progressive methods of the proprietor insure to him continued and growing success.
In 1906 Mr. Shadle was married to Miss Emma Thorson, a daughter of T.L. and Jennie Thorson, the former proprietor of the pioneer hardware store of Armstrong, Iowa. They have two children, Francis, born in 1907; and Virginia, in 1912. Theirs is an attractive home on Maple street and its hospitality is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. Fraternally Mr. Shadle is connected with the Elks and with the Knights of Pythias. His religious belief is that of the Presbyterian church, while his political support is given to the Republican party. He has never sought to figure prominently in any public light outside of business, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his commercial interests which, carefully, wisely, systematically and intelligently directed, have brought to him substantial success.
Alfred C. Snyder, actively engaged in general farming on section 35, Emmet township, is one of the honored veterans of the Civil war and since 1892 has made his home in Emmet county. He was born in Washington county, Maryland, on the 26th of March, 1843, and is a son of Christian and Jane (Wright) Snyder. In 1855 the family removed to Indiana and in 1862 became residents of Ford county, Illinois, where the parents spent their remaining days: They had ten children, of whom three are yet living.
Alfred C. Snyder was a little lad of twelve years at the time the family left his native state and went to Indiana, and he was a young man of nineteen at the time of the removal to Illinois. He there remained at home until he attained his majority, when he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting as a member of Company B. Eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in 1864. He served with that command for one year in defense of the Union and was mustered out at New Orleans with the close of the war. When the country no longer needed his military aid he returned to Illinois and was there engaged in farming for many years or until 1892, when he came to Iowa, establishing his home on section 35, Emmet township, in Emmet county. He first purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land and afterward extended his possessions by the purchase of a quarter section on section 16 of the same township. He now has valuable farming interests and from his fields annually gathers rich and substantial harvests which place him in comfortable financial circumstances.
Mr. Snyder was married about 1870 to Miss Vermelia Steinbaugh, a native of Indiana, by whom he had three children, namely: Efta J., who gave her hand in marriage to M. R. Weir and has six children; Henry N.; and Fletcher C. The wife and mother passed away October 12, 1905, and was laid to rest in Oak Hill cemetery.
Mr. Snyder is a republican in his political views, having supported the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has served as township assessor, as collector and for a number of years as school director and is ever deeply interested in the welfare and progress of the community in which he makes his home. He maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in Vandenberg Post, No. 365, G.A.R. He is a self-made man and owes his success entirely to his indefatigable effort, his persistency of purpose and his honorable business methods. During the years of his residence in Emmet county he has become widely known and enjoys the friendship of many with whom he has been brought in contact.
Source: History of Emmet County and Dickinson County Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, The Pioneer Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1917, page 236.
Daniel Sorenson, who is operating the family homestead in Denmark township, has chosen to devote his time and energy to dairying and has given careful study to the various phases of that business. He was born in Franklin County, Iowa, November 27, 1881, a son of John A. and Mary (Davidson) Sorenson, who are living retired in Ringsted and a sketch of them appears elsewhere in this work. He received his education in the district schools, and later attended Des Moines College, being a student there during the year 1902-3. After completing his education he worked as a carpenter for four years, or until he was twenty five years old, and during the succeeding years operated a farm belonging to his father in Kossuth County. In 1913, when his parents retired, he purchased the home place in Denmark Township, Emmet County, and has since resided there. His farm comprises the south half of the northwest quarter of section 13 and the north forty acres of the northwest quarter of section 24 and is as god land as can be found in the township. The improvements upon the place are modern and everything is kept in the best of repair. He is specializing in dairying, has a fine herd of cows and receives a gratifying annual income from the sale of his milk.
Mr. Sorenson was married in 1909 to Miss Ida Carrie Henricksen, a daughter of John and Hannah Henricksen, of Denmark Township. Two children have been born to this union, namely: Arnold whose birth occurred December 9, 1910; and Edna, born December 16, 1914.
The republican party has a staunch supporter in Mr. Sorensen but he has never had the time nor the inclination to take an active part in politics. Fraternally he is connected with the Yoemen at Ringsted and his church membership is with St. Paul's. The same qualities which have enabled him to win a place among the substantial men of his locality ensure his continued success.
In one of the most exacting of all callings, Miss Marie Sorum has attained distinction, being recognized as one of the ablest and most successful educators in northwestern Iowa. She is a well educated, symmetrically developed woman, her work as an educator having brought her prominently to the notice of the public. Of scholarly tastes and studious habits, she keeps abreast of the times in advanced educational methods and her achievements as superintendent of schools of Emmet county have given her an enviable reputation in educational circles. Miss Sorum was born on a farm about four miles from Albert Lea, Minnesota, and is a daughter of Hans M. and Ingred (Herem) Sorum. Both of her parents were natives of Norway, where they were reared and married, and then came to the United States on their honeymoon. They located on a farm in Freeborn county, Minnesota, buying the place from the original settler, and the farm is still in the possession of the family, though both parents are now deceased.
Marie Sorum received her elementary education in the public schools of Albert Lea, and then entered the University of Minnesota, at Minneapolis. She is now taking work from Chicago University toward her Master's degree. Her father died when she was thirteen years of age and when seventeen years old she began teaching school. Her first school was at Rake, Iowa, where she remained two years, followed by a year at Huntington, after which she taught in the public school of Estherville for seven years. In 1918 Miss Sorum was elected county superintendent of schools, and so efficient and satisfactory was her administration of the office that she has been twice reelected, being the present incumbent of the position. She has given able and intelligent direction to the educational affairs of the county, the standard of the schools of Emmet county now being second to nine in the state.
One of her outstanding achievements has been the establishment as a regular feature of the county educational system of the Boys and Girls Institute, which is the first organization of its kind in the United States and which has in every respect proven a distinctive success. The 1926 sessions of the institute were attended by from two thousand to three thousand people and is regarded as the most successful meeting yet held. The several distinctive features of the institute comprised addresses by noted educators, among whom was O. H. Benson, of Washington, D. C., the renowned Chautauqua lecturer and head of the Children's Foundation work in Washington. The exhibit of the best work done by the pupils of the various schools throughout the county was both interesting and of value as showing what is actually being accomplished in the schools. A music contest also proved a pleasing feature of the institute, as did the father and son and the mother and daughter meetings. Another interesting fact concerning the educational affairs of Emmet county is that this is the first county in the state of Iowa to include farm accounting in the regular course of study in the rural schools.
Miss Sorum has maintained an enthusiastic devotion to her work here and has not only gained the admiration and confidence of the people of this county but has also won an enviable reputation among the successful educators of the state. She has taken an active and effective interest in the general welfare of the county and is now council of the tenth district for the American Red Cross Society, to which she was elected at the state convention held in Des Moines, June 8, 1926. She is a member of the Women's Club of Estherville and is a popular member of the various circles in which she moves.
Contributed by:
Debbie Clough Gerischer.
Source: IOWA ITS HISTORY AND TRADITION,
VOLUME III. 1804-1926.
Don H. Spaulding, who is connected with farming interests in Emmet county as the owner of a good tract of land on section 26, Center township, was born on the 11th of February, 1875, in Carroll county, Illinois, of the marriage of Harris and Frances (Knox) Spaulding. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Wisconsin, and in early life they removed westward to Illinois, living for a time in Carroll county, while subsequently they became residents of Grundy county, Iowa, where they continued to make their home until called to their final rest. They had a family of two children, both of whom are yet living.
Don H. Spaulding was largely reared and educated in Grundy county and through the period of his minority he assisted in the work of the fields, thus becoming well qualified by practical experience to undertake work of that character on his own account after he had reached man's estate. He continued to engage in farming in Grundy county until 1909, when he came to Emmet county and subsequently he purchased the farm upon which he now resides on section 26, Center township. This is a tract of two hundred and forty acres, now well improved. He tills the soil according to most modern methods, practicing the rotation of crops and recognizing the need of the soil in every way. In addition to general farming he engages in stock raising and is meeting with success in that field.
In 1900 Mr. Spaulding was married to Miss Marie Smith, a native of Grundy county, Iowa, and a daughter of Thomas and Eliza (Dubert) Smith. Her mother is now deceased, but the father yet survives. Mr. and Mrs. Spaulding have twins, Wayne and Wava, who were born June 26, 1910. Mr. Spaulding is a democrat in his political views but has no time nor inclination for office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his farming interests, which are of growing importance, making him one of the representative and successful agriculturists of the community.
Horace I. Spear, engaged in general farming in High Lake township, Emmet county, his place being situated on section 9, is numbered among the native sons of the state, his birth having occurred in Dallas county, Iowa, March 17, 1877. His parents, John and Mary M. (Blackman) Spear, were natives of Ohio and Indiana, respectively, and are well-known farming people of Dallas county, where they yet reside. In their family were seven children, Lillian May, Edward 0., Roscoe R., Horace I., Darius, Ethel and Floyd, four of whom are residents of Dallas county. Roscoe R. is living in Los Angeles, California, and Darius makes his home in Oregon.
The youthful experiences of Horace I. Spear were those of the farm-bred boy. He assisted in the work of the fields until he attained his majority and in the meantime had acquired a common school education. For a time he engaged in cultivating land which he rented from his father and others and in 1911 he removed from Dallas to Emmet county and made investment in one hundred and sixty acres of land, constituting the southeast quarter of section 9, High Lake township. Through the intervening period of six years he has continuously and successfully cultivated his fields, bringing the farm to a high state of development and adding to it various modern improvements which indicate his practical and progressive spirit.
On the 7th of November, 1906, Mr. Spear was married to Miss Katherine Wacht, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nick Wacht, natives, respectively, of Germany and of New York. The father is a prominent farmer residing in Dallas county but the mother died when her daughter Katherine was but five years of age and was laid to rest in Booneville cemetery. There were six children, all of whom are living in Dallas county, Frances, Nicholas, John, Henry, Mrs. Spear and Harmon. Mr. and Mrs. Spear have become the parents of six children, namely, Nicholas, Paul, Thelma Ruth, Katherine, Dorothy and William.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and they are communicants of the church at Graettinger. Mr. Spear votes with the republican party, which he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has never been an aspirant for office, preferring always to give his undivided attention to his agricultural pursuits, which are now bringing to him deserved success.
Source: History of Emmet County and Dickinson County Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, The Pioneer Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1917, page 162.
Paul C. Sprague, who is engaged in farming in Emmet County, was born in Clayton County, Iowa, on January 10, 1912, and is the son of Charles C. and Ama (Dresser) Sprague, both natives of Iowa. His parents were married in Postville and lived in Clayton County until they moved to Langdon, Iowa, in 1918. While living in Langdon his father operated the grocery and dry goods store. His mother passed away April 6, 1937, leaving two children, Paul, of this article, and Faye, wife of Mervin Miller, of Milford. Paul's father came to Estherville in 1941 and located on the farm known as the Ridley Dairy just in the north edge of the city limits, where he farmed until his retirement in 1957. Mr. Sprague passed away September 8, 1966, at the age of 89. Paul was just seven years old when the family moved to Clay county. He attended school in Langdon and graduated from the Spencer High School in 1930. In 1941 he went to California where he was employed in aircraft work. While in California he was married to Brenda Toy of Pasadena, California. They returned to Iowa in 1943 and made their home in Maple Hill. Brenda passed away in 1946. In 1951 in the Little Brown Church in the Vale at Nashua, Iowa, Paul married Muriel Lee Clark, a native of Emmet County and daughter of Bert L. and Blanche L. (Hoppus) Clark, both of whom were residents of Emmet County most of their lives. Muriel was born August 7, 1921 in Armstrong and attended school there through eleventh grade. She attended her last year and graduated from the Estherville High School in 1939. She has worked at various places, including being Emmet County Recorder for two terms.
Mr. and Mrs. Sprague are the parents of two children: Clark Coleman, and Sara Jean..
Mr. and Mrs. Sprague are members of First Presbyterian Church, Order of Eastern Star, and White Shrine. Mr. Sprague is a member of North Star Masonic Lodge and National Rifle Association. Mrs. Sprague is a member of the Emmet County Historical Society and Iowa Historical Society. The Spragues have lived on their farm in Estherville Township since their marriage.
Contributed by: James M. Richmond . Source: "History of Emmet County, Iowa, VoL. III", Compiled by the Emmet County Historical Society as a Bicentennial Projeact., Inter-Collegiate Press, Inc., Shawnee Mission, Kansas, 1976, page 402.
For more than seven years Rev. N. C. Strandskov has been pastor Danish Lutheran church in Denmark township, Emmet county and during that time has done much for the material and spiritual growth of the church. He was born on the island of Moen, off the coast of Denmark, March 31, 1863, a son of L. C. and Maria (Kasperdatter) Strandskov. In 1872 the family removed to the United States and the father purchased land in Freeborn county, Minnesota, where he followed agricultural pursuits until his demise, which occurred in 1890. The mother survives and resides with a daughter, Mrs. J. P. Jacobsen, at Dagmar, Montana. There were thirteen children in the family but only six are living, namely: H. C., pastor of the Danish Lutheran church near Brayton, Iowa; M. P. R., who is farming near Dagmar, Montana; N. C.; L. M., a farmer residing near Milltown, Wisconsin; Maren, now Mrs. J. P.Jacobsen, of Dagmar, Montana; and Line, who is the wife of N. C. Olsen and resides near Flaxton, North Dakota.
Rev. N. C. Strandskov obtained his education in the United States as he was but nine years of age when he was brought to this country. He attended the Danish Seminary in West Denmark, Wisconsin, and the high school in Shelby county, Iowa, and was graduated from a theological seminary at West Denmark, Wisconsin. In 1892 he was ordained to the ministry at Viborg, South Dakota, and his first pastoral assignment was to Diamond Lake, Minnesota. After remaining there for two years he was for seven years stationed at Lookingglass, Nebraska, was next for two years at Cordova, Nebraska, and was later at Denmark, South Dakota, and Latimer, Iowa. Since October 25, 1909, he has been the pastor of St. John's Danish Lutheran church in Denmark township, Emmet county. His sincerity and zeal for the cause to which he has devoted his life have gained him the high respect of all who have come in contact with him irrespective of their creed and he has a secure place in the affection of his parishioners.
Rev. Strandskov was married in 1892 to Miss Maria Sorensen, a daughter of Jens and Matte (Kirstine) Sorensen, natives of Denmark, who in 1881 emigrated to Viborg, South Dakota. However, they spent their last days in Tyler, Minnesota, and are buried in the Danish cemetery there. Eleven children have been born to Rev. and Mrs. Strandskov, namely, Holger, Ingeborg, Thyra, Heiluf, Marie, Astrid, Thorvald, Helva, Frede, Alma and Karl, all at home.
A representative of general farming interests in Ellsworth township, Emmet county, is Fred Sternborg, who is living on section 9, where he has an excellent tract of land of two hundred and thirty acres. A native of Germany, he was born November 19, 1863, of the marriage of Albert and Christina Sternborg, who were also natives of that country, where the father followed the occupation of farming in order to provide for his family, which numbered seven children. When the son Fred was seventeen years of age the family came to the United States, the father settling in Grundy county, Iowa, where for seven years he engaged in the cultivation of rented land. There he passed away and his remains were interred in the cemetery at Grundy Center. He had lost his wife before he brought his children to the new world.
Fred Sternborg pursued his education in the schools of Germany and, as previously stated, accompanied his father to the United States, after which he worked on the home farm until he had attained his majority. Anxious to engage in business for himself, he then rented land in Grundy county, where he continued to engage i farming for nine years. In 1901, he removed to Emmet county, settling upon the place where he now resides. The money which he had saved from his earnings was invested in his present farm, comprising a fraction more than two hundred and thirty acres of rich and productive land, situated on section 9, Ellsworth township. Hard work has been his rule of life and his unfaltering industry and perseverance have constituted the basis of his success, for he started out i the business world empty handed.
In 1887 Mr. Sternborg was united in marriage to Miss Elka Sternborg, who is his cousin. They have become the parents of seven children: Richard, who is married and resides upon his father's farm in Ellsworth township; and Albert, Fred, Katherine, Edna, Pearl and Ellen, all at home.
Mr. Sternborg belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp at Huntington and he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. For thirty-seven years he has been a resident of northwestern Iowa and for sixteen years has lived in Emmet county, were he has become known as a representative citizen and thoroughly reliable business man.
Among the successful and progressive farmers of Ellsworth township is Thomas Sunde, a native of Norway. His birth occurred on the 6th of December, 1859, and he is a son of Lars and Engeborg Sunde, who passed their entire lives in the land of the midnight sun. They had a family of eight children, but only two are now living.
Thomas Sunde obtained his education in the schools of Norway and remained in that country until 1884, when he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, having heard much concerning the opportunities here offered the young man of industry and enterprise. For some time he was employed as a farm hand in Grundy county, Illinois, but since 1887 has resided in Emmet county, Iowa. He owns three hundred and twenty acres of rich and well improved land on section 15, Ellsworth township, and his annual income is such as to insure him the comforts of life. He raises stock on an extensive scale and is thoroughly familiar with all phases of that business.
Mr. Sunde was married in 1906 to Mrs. Gertrude (Mathison) Olson, who as a
child accompanied her parents, Knut and Sarah Mathison, from Norway to America.
Both her father and mother are still living in Grundy county, Illinois. By her
first marriage Mrs. Sunde has three children: Torkel, residing in Ellsworth
township; Amos T., of Estherville; and Sadie C., at home. To Mr. and Mrs. Sunde
have been born two children, Elvin L. and
Hazel I.
Mr. Sunde is a republican and has served acceptably as trustee of his township. He is also a trustee of the Lutheran church, to which his wife likewise belongs, and all forces seeking the moral advancement of their community receive their hearty support. The determination, sound judgement and energy which have enabled him to win success have also gained him the respect of those who know him, and added to these admirable qualities are unswerving honesty and a scrupulous regard for the rights of others.
A. D. Taylor, engaged in general farming on section 28, Jack Creek township, Emmet county, was born near Columbus, Ohio, on the 26th of July, 1867, a son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Mitchell) Taylor, who were also natives of the Buckeye state, where they spent their entire lives, the father devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits.
A. D. Taylor is indebted to the common school system of Ohio for the educational privileges which he enjoyed and on putting aside his textbooks at the age of nineteen he started out to earn his own living and made his way to Iowa, settling first in Marshall county, where he was employed as a farm hand. He worked there for two years and in 1888 bought his first land, becoming the owner of eighty acres in Jasper county. Three years later he sold that property and invested in one hundred and sixty acres in Marshall county. In subsequent years he bought and sold various farms and he has probably made more money on his farm investments than he has in the tilling of the soil. He displays sound judgement concerning the value of property and his purchases are therefore judiciously made, while sales bring to him a substantial profit. In 1909 he removed from Tama county to Emmet county, where he has since lived, and here he acquired four hundred acres of valuable land but in 1916 sold eighty acres, making his present possessions three hundred and twenty acres in Emmet county, constituting one of its valuable and highly improved farms. He also owns four hundred and eight acres in Morton county, North Dakota. For several years he has been extensively engaged in feeding stock, especially sheep, but in 1916 concentrated his efforts more largely upon the feeding of cattle. His business affairs are most carefully and wisely managed and his success is the legitimate outcome of his persistent, earnest efforts.
In 1888 Mr. Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Leretta Jones, a daughter of Hugh Jones, one of the earliest pioneers of Marshall county, where he located in the ‘50s on coming to the new world from Wales. He is still residing there in his ninety-first year. To Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have been born six children, Hugh, Earl and Effie, twins Glenn, Nellie and Mae, all at home.
In his political views Mr. Taylor is a republican but while he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and is interested in all that pertains to public progress, he has never been an office seeker, preferring to concentrate his time and energies upon his business affairs and the result of his close application, indefatigable effort and keen insight is seen in the splendid success which today is his.
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