NORTHWESTERN IOWA

ITS HISTORY AND TRADITIONS

VOLUME II

1804-1926

L

M. C. LANGE

Martin C. Lange enjoys distinct prestige in the business circles of Sioux City, where he is efficiently serving in the responsible position of treasurer of the Knapp & Spencer Company, to the success of which concern he is a contributing factor.  Born in North Freedom, Wisconsin, on the 4th day of November, 1894, he is a son of C. A. and Cora R. (Simons) Lange, the former a native of Wisconsin and the latter of Travis, Minnesota.  The father was a construction engineer in the employ of the state of Wisconsin giving his attention to the building of roads, and he and his wife are still living in that state.

Of the six children born to them, Martin,  C. Lange is the oldest.  He attended the public schools of North Freedom and then took a course in a business college in Baraboo, Wisconsin.  In April, 1918, he went to work for the Wisconsin Zinc Company, at Plattesville, Wisconsin, but soon afterwards resigned and enlisted for service in the World war, being assigned to the Forty-eighth Coast Artillery, with which he served until receiving an honorable discharge in 1919, Mr. Lange came to Sioux City as bookkeeper for the Knapp & Spencer Company, by whom his ability and faithfulness were quickly recognized, and he was successively promoted from time to time until, in 1922, he became treasurer of the company, which position he is now filling.

Mr. Lange is  vice president and a director of the Interstate Association of Credit Men, is a member of the Riverside Boat Club, the High Twelve Club and the Credo Club.  Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order, in which he belongs to lodge, chapter and commandery, and is also a member of the American Legion.  Politically Mr. Lange maintains an independent attitude but in all affairs affecting the well being of the community he takes an active interest.  He is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church and, because of his business success, his splendid character and his friendly manner, he is held in high esteem by all who know him.

W. D. LATHROP

Warren D. Lathrop, an honored veteran of the Civil war, has been a resident of Cherokee county for fifty-seven years and is rounding out a well spent life in the ease and comfort purchased by laborious effort directed into constructive channels.  He was born November 7, 1844, in Delaware county, Iowa, his parents were Ichabod D. and Catherine (Humphreys) Lathrop, the latter a native of Ohio.  The father was born in the state of New York and came to Iowa in pioneer times.  He settled on a farm in Hardin county and there spent the remainder of his life, transforming his land into a rich and productive tract on which he made many improvements.  He had a family of nine children, seven of whom are deceased.

Mr. Lathrop attended the rural schools near his father's farm and aided him in the cultivation of the soil until 1862, when he responded to the call to arms, becoming a member of the Company A, Thirty-second Regiment of Iowa Infantry.  He was with the Western Army and spent three years in the service of the Union.  He participated in many notable battles and was wounded in the left leg.  He was mustered out at Davenport, Iowa, and returned to Hardin county, where he engaged in farming for about three years.    In 1868 he came to Cherokee county and entered a homestead in Afton township.  He proved up on the land, which he brought to a high state of development, and in his work was guided by a progressive spirit, keeping in close touch with the latest developments along agricultural lines.  Eventually he sold the farm and since his retirement has lived in Cherokee with leisure to devote to those affairs in which he is most interested.

In 1868 Mr. Lathrop married Miss Rosa Armour, who passed away in 1912 and was laid to rest in the Oak Hill cemetery at Cherokee.  Four children were born to them but two are deceased.  Those who survive are Frank E.; and Erma D., the wife of Russell A. Jones.  Mr. Lathrop is a republican in his political views and has held several county and township offices, discharging every duty with fidelity and thoroughness.  He is a member of Custer Post, No. 25, of the Grand Army of the Republic and derives much pleasure from his association with the "Boys in Blue."  He is also connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.  His life has been long, upright and useful, crowned with successful achievement, and the years have brought him an ever widening circle of steadfast friends.