Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 731
EDWARD F. OGEN

An enterprising merchant of Orson, Harrison county, Iowa, is Edward F. OGDEN, who has been a resident of this county since 1871. He worked on a farm until he was grown and then located in Mondamin in a general store. Since that time he has been engaged in the mercantile business in this county continuously with the exception of seven years, which he spent in the office of county treasurer. He now has the largest store in Orson and one of the best general stores in the county.

Edward F. OGDEN, the son of Z. S. and Helen (KEMP) OGDEN, was born in Glens Falls, New York, December 29, 1858. His parents were natives of New York and England, respectively, his mother coming to the United States with her parents when a small girl. His father was a carriage maker in New York and followed that occupation until his death.

Edward F. OGDEN received his common-school education in Glens Falls, New York, and when he was thirteen years of age left home and came to Harrison county, Iowa, locating in Mondamin. He worked on farms in the vicinity of that village until he was twenty years of age and then went to work in a general store in Mondamin for Z. T. NOYES, remaining with him for eight years, and then engaged in business with David GAMET in a general store, the firm being known as GAMET & OGDEN. This partnership continued for ten years, at which time the firm disposed of the store and Mr. OGDEN spent the next few months as manager of the grain elevator belonging to J. H. HAMILTON in Mondamin.

In 1901 Mr. OGDEN was elected treasurer of Harrison county on the Republican ticket, and was re-elected twice to this office, serving altogether seven years. After leaving the treasurer's office he bought an interest in the general store of W. A. SMITH, at Modale, in this county, the firm being known as E. F. OGDEN & Company. He remained in Modale for two years, and in 1911 bought out the general store of A. F. FITTSIMONS, at Orson, and has since been in business in that place. The store building was originally a church, and he has remodeled it and made it a very convenient building for his business. He has installed a large refrigerating plant and made other improvements in order to care for his constantly increasing trade.

Mr. OGDEN was married March 1, 1885, to Kate RUFFCORN, who is a native of Harrison county, a daughter of Clark and Jane (NOYES) RUFFCORN. Her parents were born in Ohio and located in Harrison county in 1856, being among the very first settlers in the county. Mr. Ogden and his wife have two children, Rex and Helen J. Rex was born March 1, 1886, and now lives in Orson. He married Josie RHODFER, and owns a one-third interest in his father's store. Helen J. was born August 7, 1895, and after she was graduated from the Logan high school became a student at Ames College, where she is now taking a course in domestic science.

Mr. OGDEN is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons at Logan, and he and his wife are members of the Order of Eastern Star. He also is a member of the Woodmen of the World. Mrs. OGDEN and her daughter are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

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