Grant Township Grant township was named in honor of General U S Grant when it was established on June 6, 1870. The first land entries made in the township were on August 6, 1858. Several persons purchased almost all of sections 14 and 20. Sections 12, 22, and 24 were purchased in their entirety. A few days later, the balance of section 14 was sold and all of section 18 was sold. Soon after that all the land north of the railway grant was purchased by speculators, leaving only about 3200 acres left for homesteaders. The township at the time was attached to Lizard and Clinton townships. It was severed from them on June 6th, 1870 and formed as Grant township. The first settlement occured in 1869. Brothers F W Parrish and I E Parrish, who were from Warren County, located in Grant township. F W Parrish located on the S 1/2 of the NE 1/4 of section 36. I E Parrish located on the E 1/2 of the SE 1/4 of section 26. 1868 land purchases - no one lived on their land during this year Moe, Ole - who was from Chicago, bought the W 1/2 of Section 30 the same day that Hans C Tollefsrude made his land purchase. Ole purchased his land in 1868 in Fort Dodge. He had resided in Chicago where he married Anna Omtvedt, who was a sister of Anders T Omtvedt(see his bio-further down). He visited Iowa in 1870 and mysteriously disappeared. He left his wife and one son, George Moe. George later became an auctioneer and removed to Idaho in 1899. In 1873 Mrs Anna (nee Omtvedt) Moe married Nels N Wallow. In 1880 they located in Grant township on the land purchased in 1868 by Ole. They had six children: (1)Elmer (2)Alfred (3)Aleeda-who married Arthur Nelson in 1900 and lived in Keokuk county (4)Amelia-who married Gust T Johnson (5)Elvin (6)Harry. Tollefsrude, Christian Hansen - made the first homestead entry in this township on September 19. He homesteaded the E 1/2 of the SW 1/4 of section 28. The 1880 US Census lists the household as follows: Chris H, age-35 born-Wisconsin occupation-Farmer parents born-Norway Maria G, age-37 born-Norway occupation-Keeping house parents born-Norway Charlotte I B-daughter age-9 born-Iowa Vestrem, Hans A-Other age-29 born-Norway occupation-Farm laborer parents born-Norway Schjorliet, R Maria-Other age-20 born-Norway occupation-Domestic servant parents born-Norway Tollefsrude, Elisha M- entered a homestead on the W 1/2 of the SW 1/4 of section 28 about November 1868. He was born in 1848 in Newark, Wisconsin. He enlisted in the civil war and was in Company D, 43rd Wisconsin Infantry and remained in the service until the end of the war. Although he bought his land in 1868 he did not move there until 1871. His farm was called Evergreen Lodge and he lived in Rusk. In 1872 he married Sarah C Rostad, who was from Rock County, Wisconsin. They had four children: (1) Rose M - who married Eric O Christeson in 1893 (2)Emma L (3) Cyrus H (4) Winifred B. The 1880 US Census lists the household as follows: Elisha M, age-32 born-Wisconsin occupation-Farmer parents born-Norway Sarah C, age-28 born-Illinois occupation-Keeping House parents born-Norway Rosie M-daughter born-Iowa age-7 Emma L-daughter born-Iowa age-5 Vestrem, John M - other age-20 born-Norway Occupation-Farm Laborer Parents born-Norway Tollefsrude, Hans C - father of C H, made the first cash entry of government lands on the same day his son entered his homestead claim. His purchase consisted of 400 acres in section 28. The daughter of Hans C, Julia A, married Anton N Monkelien (see bio, father down). Hans Christopher Tollesfrude was born January 1, 1822, in Torpen, Norder Land, Norway on the Tollefsrude farm which had existed for several hundred years. He is the son of Christoffer Hoovel (born October 14, 1781-d. 1869) and Marit (nee Kold) Tollefsrude. Hans married Bereth C Lunde in 1844. He purchased his land in 1868 but did not move onto it until 1878. After he retired he moved to Rusk. Hans went to visit him homeland in 1865-1866 and the ship he was on was shipwrecked off the coast of Scotland on December 31, 1865. The ships name was the Gay Mannering. He was one of the few passengers saved and endured much hardship and suffering until they reached the island of Iona. Hans was the head of the Tollefsrude family association, with nearly 300 members in the early 1900's. Many were from Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The second biennial Tollefsrude reunion was held at Rusk on October 14, 1901. Hans and Bereth had three children-Christian, Julia and Elisha. The 1880 US Census lists the household as follows: Hans C, age-58 born-Norway occupation-Farmer parents born-Norway Bereth C, age-60 born-Norway occupation-Keeping house parents born-Norway Skavlem, German-Other age-64 born-Norway occupation-retired farmer parents born-Norway Synstelin, Ole I-Nephew age-18 born-Norway occupation-farm laborer parents born-Norway Parthaugen, Andrew-Other age-24 born-Norway occupation-farm laborer parents born-Norway Haugner, Harald-Other age-28 born-Norway occupation-farm laborer parents born-Norway Bjertnes, Caroline-Other age-18 born-Norway occupation-Domestic Servant parents born-Norway The First Settlements in the township Settlers arriving 1869 Anderson, Anna - arrived in August of 1869 and homesteaded the 40 acres in section 36. She arrived with brothers (not hers) Claus and Rudolph Cedarstrom and friend Hans Hammer. She sold her farm in 1878 to Henry H Felch. Brinker, Joseph - from Columbia county, Wisconsin, homesteaded the NW 1/4 of section 26 with his friend Fred Steendorf in May of 1869. His daughter, Louise (Mrs Charles Bischoff of Colfax county) was the first death in the township. She died December 20, 1870 at her father's homestead. Joseph later moved to South Dakota where he died October 10, 1896. Cedarstrom, Claus A - located on the E 1/2 of section 36 in August 1869. He was from Sweden, and came with his brother Rudolph, their friend Hans Hammer and the widow Anna Anderson. They were all from Sweden. Claus and Hans purchased the land of Mr Comstock, the SE 1/4 of section 36. Claus was on the N 1/2 of the SE 1/4. Hans on the S 1/2 of the SE 1/4. Claus sold his farm in 1878 to J F Burg. He and his brother Rudolph located in Colfax. Cedarstrom, Rudolph F - arrived in August with his brother Claus A and their friends Hans Hammer and the widow Anna Anderson. Rudolf purchased the interest of F W Parrish, who had returned to Warren county. He sold his farm in 1878 to John Soder. Comstock, Mr (?) - in June of 1869 located on the SE 1/4 of section 36. He was from Illinois. He sold this land to Claus Cedarstrom and Hans Hammer in August. Griffin, Rev John A - in June of 1869 homesteaded the NW 1/4 of section 36. He was from Dallas county (Illinois?). He moved from the township in 1875. His wife died in the township. John was the eldest of 10 children. John's grandfather was in the war of 1812 and his father in the civil war. On April 19, 1861 John enlisted in the civil war. In 1864 John married Mary E Payne, the daughter of James M and Elizabeth Payne, who at one time resided in Adel, Iowa and then later in Pocahontas county. He assisted in the organization of the township schools and served as president on the first school board. Mary died at Danville in 1887 and left 4 children. (1)-Chester D (2)-Alice, who married Elmer T Reamer (3)-Grace G, who married Lou E Heinley of Litchfield, Illinois (4)-James H, who lived in Danville, Illinois. Rev John married again in 1888, this time to Margaret Haddick and they had three children, Robert, John and Lottie. Jeffrey, Samuel - arrived in September with his friend George W Smith from Cedar county. He located with George Smith on section 26. He later sold his land to Thomas Reamer (see bio). McGuffy, Alexander - in July of 1869 homesteaded on section 36. He was from Wisconsin. Norton, Herkimer L - arrived in 1869 with his father, see bio below. His wife, it is noted, was first to sucessfully cope with the pioneer life. She was always ready to nurse the sick, encourage the disconsolate and be of assistance to the new settler. She seemed to be called upon to do more than her share in ministering to the needs of others. Herkimer was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1837. They later lived in Sauk county where he married Orilla Kingsley. They had two children, Elias and Ida. He built the first frame building in the township. Other homesteaders were still living in wagons. In 1871 he moved to the SE 1/4 of section 32. He was postmaster, and the Shirley post office was located in his home from 1881 to 1887. He lived here until he moved to Fonda in 1896. They eventually had five children: Ida F - who married Ira G Vaughn (see Lizard township for bio of Ira). Elias S - who owned a chop house at Laurens. He married Viola Eaton in 1890 and she died in 1897 leaving two children, Ray and Frances Viola. Elias then married Alice Reddington in 1900. Effie M - who married George Riley. He was a travelling salesman who lived in Fonda. They had three children-Hazel, Basil and Denzel. Nathan L - who was a druggist. In 1896 he married Sybil Farnsworth and resided in Fonda. Dottie - at home the time the bio was written. The Norton household from the 1880 US Census: Herkimer L, age-42 born-Wisconsin occupation-Farmer parents born-New York Orilla, age-37 born-New York occupation-Keeping house parents born-New York Ida F-daughter age-16 born-Wisconsin occupation-Teaching school Stephen E-son age-12 born-Wisconsin occupation-At home Effie-daughter age-9 born-Iowa Natie-son age-6 born-Iowa Hogman, Wilhelmina-other age-19 born-Sweden occupation-Domestic servant parents born-Sweden Norton, E Lester-Other age-40 born-Wisconsin occupation-Farmer parents born-New York Norton, Nellie-Other age-26 born-Missouri occupation-Keeping house parents born-not noted (she is the wife of E Lester) Hanson, Charles E-Other age-21 born-Iowa occupation-Livestock dealer parents born-not noted Norton, Steven W - from Sauk county, Wisconsin homesteaded on the SE 1/4 of section 20 with his son, Herkimer L Norton in May of 1869. They learned in the summer of 1871 that their homesteads were on land that was deeded to other parties, and in secured new locations in section 32. Steven was born in 1812 and died in 1890. He was a native of New York where he married Jane Paddock. They later removed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After moving to Lake county Illinois in 1837, his wife died there in 1840. She left five sons-Herkimer, Lester, William, Charles and George. Shortly after the death of Jane, Steven married Elizabeth Thatcher. They moved to Sauk county, Wisconsin and had two daughters while living there, and they were Fannie and Emma. In 1863 his second wife died. His four sons stayed in Wisconsin and his daughters removed to South Dakota. Noyes, N D - located on section 20 in July 1869. Parrish, Felix Worden - with his brother Isaac Eldridge Parrish, were the first to build permanent settlements on May 3, 1869. F W located on the S 1/2 of the NE 1/4 of Section 36. Felix married Matilda McConnell in 1867. Felix W Parrish was the father of the first child born in the township. Charles E Parrish was born July 9, 1869. In 1885 Felix moved to Polk county, then returned to Pocahontas county in 1899 and lived near Havelock in Sherman township. They had eleven children, although the biography lists twelve: (1)Mary Francis-who married Oscar Wilcox, who was a farmer near Moville. (2)Charles Edward (the first child born in the township) married Amanda Bleam and lived near Ware. (3)Martha, who married Frank Morse and removed to Arkansas. (4)Thomas J, who married Hattie Doty and removed to North Dakota. (5)Louisa V-who married Philip D Wile and lived on a farm near Fonda. (6)William J (7)John M (8)Joseph E (9)Henry C (10)Kittie E (11)Bessie E (12) Bertha A Parrish, Isaac Eldridge - with his brother Felix Worden Parrish, were the first to build permanent settlements on May 3, 1869. I E located on the E 1/2 of the SE 1/4 of Section 26. He moved from the township in 1875. It is noted he later lived in California. Isaac was born in 1840. He and Felix were born near Louisville, Kentucky to Edward N and Frances Parrish. Isaac married Helen Miller, who died in California in 1900. Their children were Alice, Frank, Cordelia and Frederic. They all lived in California. Payne, Charles H W - homesteaded in June, 1869 on the SE 1/4 of section 36. He was from Dallas county. It is noted that in June of 1873 he returned to Dallas County. Smith, George W - arrived in September, 1869, and with Samuel Jeffrey (both from Cedar county), located on section 26. The 1880 US census lists the Smith household as follows: George W, age-41 born-New York occupation-Farmer parents born-New York Elmira C, age-39 born-Pennsylvania occupation-Keeping house Father born-Pennsylvania Mother born-New York Walter J-son age-16 born-New York occupation-farm laborer Steendorf, Fred - from Columbia county, Wisconsin, homesteaded the NW 1/4 of section 26 with his friend Joseph Brinker in May of 1869. He bought more land in 1878. He later moved to South Dakota and was accidentally killed. Thompson, M - along with H Thompson, located on the SW 1/4 of Section 34 in September. W ?, Felix - had a homestead in May, 1869 the same time as the Parrish brothers. Not much about this person. Settlers arriving in 1870 Brown, Henry - bought the homestead of N D Noyes in the fall of 1870 in section 20. Larson, Torkel - bought railroad land in section 27. He was from Rock county, Wisconsin. Monkelien, Andrew N (also Anton N)- bought railroad land in section 27, the NW 1/4. He had resided in Rock county, Wisconsin since 1866. He settled on his land in the spring of 1873. He died in the township. Anton (Andrew) was born to Nils and Mari Monkelien in the parish of Land, Norway. While in Rock County, he married Julia A Tollefsrude, the only daughter of Hans C Tollefsrude (see bio, above). Andrew and Julia had 11 children: Henry Ellen M-who married John Peterson in 1900 and has a child, Earle. Hannah A - who married Oscar Peterson in 1896 and has three children, Myrtle S, Herbert L and an unnamed baby. Sebert Albert Nellie Clarence Robert John Theodore Bertha Rake, Asher W - bought the farm of Alexander McGuffy in the spring of 1870. He was from Bureau county, Illinois. It is noted that Asher had developed a salve that he sold in Grant and other parts of Pocahontas county. This salve was for cuts, burns etc. It was called "Rake's Salve" and was of good quality, and sold for fifty cents a box. It was made of by taking 1 pound of rosin, mutton tallow, beeswax, sweet oil, and one half pound of camphor gum. You dissolved them separately and then boiled them together slightly. Reamer, Thomas - who arrived from Jones county bought the homestead of Samuel Jeffrey in section 26 in April, 1870. Thomas was born in 1839 in New York. He came to Iowa in 1859. In 1862 he married Margaretta Titus. He assisted with the organization of Grant township and was one of the first trustee. In 1892 he moved to Pomeroy with his wife and daughter Florence. They had 2 adopted daughters and 2 sons. Thomas also had a brother named John A, who lived in Colfax township. See Colfax township for his biography. Elmer T - married Lou Alice in 1888. She was the daughter of the Rev John A Griffin. They had four children-Elmer Claudius, Howard, Louis H and Byron Vaughn. Edwin F - Graduated from the medical department of Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois in 1894 and is a practicing MD in Eveleth, Minnesota. Sarah (Young) - adopted daughter, married John Hamerson in 1897. He came to the township with the family of William Curkeet and was a minister in the M E Church. He served at Wall Lake, Fonda, Schaller, Duncombe, Hardarden and Whittmore. They later removed to Canton, South Dakota. Florence (Duer) - adopted daughter, noted as living at home in the early 1900's. The 1880 US census lists the Reamer household as follows: Thomas, age-40 born-New York occupation-Farmer parents born-New York Rhetta, age-37 born-Pennsylvania occupation-Keeping house parents born-New York Elmer T-son, age-15 born-Iowa occupation-Farm laborer Elwin F-son, age-15 born-Iowa occupation-Farm laborer Rude, Nils Peter - Brother of Eric and Anton, was born in Norway in 1841. He came to Wisconsin in 1868, and while there married Annetta Mallingen. She was born in Norway in 1838. In the spring of 1870 they homesteaded in Section 34. They had six children: (1)William (2) Anna, who married Sylvester Pierce in 1894. The removed to Pomeroy and also had two children. (3) Irene - who married Robert Pierce in 1896. They lived in Colfax and had a son, Lawrence. (4) Milford (5) Della (6) Alvin. Smith, George W - was born in 1836 to John and Olive (Pearsall) Smith in New York. While in New York he married Almira C Henry, in 1861. They moved to Grant township in 1870, and he was active in the organization of the township. His wife died there in 1881, leaving a son Walter. In 1882 George married Gertrude Whaley, who was born in Oswego, New York. They had a daughter, Effie. Walter married in 1891, to Cora G Holcomb and they had five children: (1) Edna (2) Iva (3) Margarite (4) Elwood and (5) Esther. Settlers arriving in 1871 Eckstrom, Charles - settled on the homestead of Hans Hammer. He sold this land in 1878 for Andrew Oleson. Hanson (Hansen), Lars - homesteaded 40 acres on section 26, the NE 1/4. He died on this land at the age of 72 in 1889. Lars was a native of Norway. While in Norway he married Mary Loken in 1847. By 1869 they had eight children and then came to America and resided in Wisconsin. Lars' original last name was Loken also, as it was the name of the area from which he came in Norway. Lars had a brother in America and they met in Manson, Calhoun county, and Lars joined his brother in dropping the name Loken and going only by Hanson. Lars was active in the Norwegian church in the town of Rusk. Lars and Mary had six children: Clara - who married Eric Rude (see bio). Mary (Martha) - who married Lewis Wold (who was from Denmark) and removed to Colorado where they had six children. Miranda - who married Martin Anderson in 1880. He came from Norway in 1879. Their children are Arthur and May. (ed note-see Eric Rude 1880 Census info-she was working for the family in 1880) Henry - who was born in 1855. He and his wife came to the township in 1871 and resided here until 1877. They then removed to Baltic, S D. Leonard E - who was born in 1859. He served as township clerk for two years, as a justice for six year, assessor for 8 years and secretary of the school board 10 years. Andrew - who married Rosa Johnson in 1880. They had two children and removed to Texas. Eric - noted in the bio, still at home. Lars - noted in the bio, still at home. The 1880 US Census lists the Hanson household as follows: Lars, age-62 born-Norway occupation-Farmer parents born-Norway Mary, age-57 born-Norway occupation-Keeping house parents born-Norway Leonard-son age-20 born-Norway occupation-Farm laborer Anders-son age-17 born-Norway occupation-Farm laborer Erick-son age-14 born-Norway occupation-Herding cattle Lars-son age-12 born-Norway occupation-At home Wold, Martha-daughter age-29 born-Norway occupation-Assistant housekeeper Wold, Caroline-grand daughter age-1 born-Colorado father born-Denmark mother born-Norway Harris, Asa W - came from Dubuque and purchased the farm of M Thompson in section 34. He moved, in 1885, to Star, Knox county, Nebraska where he died in 1900. He lived in the township for 14 years, and while there was twice elected a justice, served as a trustee and was clerk from 1880-1884. He had nine children: Joseph, Henry, James, Aaron, Edwin, Mary (married Smith), Rhetta (married Rake, then Johnson), Emiline and Elizabeth. The 1880 US Census lists the Harris household as follows: Asa, age-63 born-New York occupation-Farmer father born-Rhode Island mother born-New York Sarah, age-57 born-New York occupation-Keeping house father born-Massachusetts mother born-New York Aaron-son age-21 born-New York occupation-Farmer Edwin-son age-16 born-New York occupation-Farm laborer Elizabeth-daughter age-15 born-New York Larson, Torkel - bought the homestead of Fred Steendorf in the summer of 1871. Torkel was born in 1845 in Norway to Lars and Maggie (nee Thompson) Larson. His parents and Lars moved from Norway to Rock County, Wisconsin, and it was there, in 1870, that he married Helen Shirley also from Rock county. They had five children: (1)-Horace M, born 1871 and lives on section 17. (2)-Ira L, born 1873 also lives on section 17 with Horace. (3)-Cora L - who married Ira Hunter and removed to South Dakota. (4)-Ella and (5)-Ivah Adelina. The 1880 US Census lists the Larson household as follows: Torklid, age-35 born-Norway occupation-Farmer parents born-Norway Helen, age-36 born-Norway occupation-Kepeing house parents born-Norway Horace O-son age-8 born-Wisconsin Iruh L-son age-5 born-Iowa Cora L T-daughter age-1 born-Iowa Rude, Erick P (also noted as Eric Peterson Rude) - from Clayton county in the summer and purchased the land from William Wharton in section 34. Eric had a brother, Nils P. His marriage was the first in the township. He married Clara Hanson on August 23, 1873. Eric was born in 1838 and died in 1901. He and his brother were very well known in Grant township since 1871. Nils and Eric were the sons of Peter Erickson. (There was also another son, Anton, who was born in 1858, in Norway, and married Lucy Anderson in 1896). They lived on a farm near Christiana, Norway which was called Ballingrude. Both of their parents died when they were young, and when Nils and Eric inherited their fathers land, they were then called Nils and Eric Ballingrude. The name Ballingrude was changed to Rude when they applied for their homesteads. Eric was the eldest. While in Norway he married, the name is not noted. They had a son, Peter Eric. The wife came with Peter in 1869 to America and died later that year. Peter later married Clara Hanson on August 23, 1873. Clara is the daughter of Lars Hanson (see his bio, year 1871). Peter and Clara had 11 children, 9 of which lived. They were Lewis, Ida, Emil, Roy, Calvin, Alfred, Bert, Mabel and Cornelia. Peter was a faithful worker in the Lutheran church at Rusk. He was known for his honor and was widely known throughout the county. Peter E, the first child of Eric was born in 1861. In 1887 he married Johanna Calbaken and removed to Clay county, Minnesota where they lived on a fine farm and had four children. The 1880 US Census lists the Rude household as follows: Erick P, age-40 born-Norway occupation-Farmer parents born-Norway Clara, age-32 born-Norway occupation-Keeping house parents born-Norway Peter-son age-18 born-Norway occupation-Farm laborer Louis M-son age-5 born-Iowa Ida A-daughter age-4 born-Iowa Emil A-son age-2 born-Iowa Royce G-son age-4 months born-Iowa Hanson, R Merinda-daughter in law age-28 born-Norway occupation-Domestic servant parents born-Norway (ed note-probably another daughter of Lars Hanson) Wharton, William - came from Illinois and purchased the homestead of H Thompson in section 34 in the early spring. Settlers arriving in 1872 Anderson, J P - from Boone county, Illinois homesteaded on section 36. The 1880 US Census lists the household as follows: John P, age-54 born-Sweden occupation-Farmer parents born-Sweden Maja, age-53 born-Sweden occupation-Keeping house parents born-Sweden John-son age-17 born-Sweden occupation-Farm Laborer Dahlholm, Elias-Other age-20 born-Sweden occupation-Day Laborer parents born-Sweden Jackson, Andrew - from Cedar county, bought the farm of Henry Brown in section 20. Moved from the township in 1875. In 1878 he sold his land to Robert Russell of Colfax. Johnson, Hans - homesteaded on section 36. The 1880 US Census lists the household as follows: Hans, age-32 born-Sweden occupation-Farmer parents born-Sweden Christine, age-26 born-Sweden occupation-Keeping house parents born-Sweden Sjogreen, Albert-Brother in Law age-24 born-Sweden occupation-Carpenter parents born-Sweden Synstelien, Matthew J - of Rock county, Wisconsin, homesteaded on the W 1/2 of the NE 1/4 of section 28. He later moved to Minnesota. Matthew had a brother, Nils C. Matthew was born in Norway in 1849 and came with his parents to Rock county Wisconsin in 1869. Matthew married Maria Hagan, in 1882. She was born in 1857. They had a son, Bernhard J. Synstelien, Nils C - was born in Norway in 1841. He arrived in Grant township in 1870 with his brother Matthew J. He later moved to Colfax township. In 1881 he married Kari Amundsend and they had a daughter, Julia M. Settlers arriving in 1873 Anderson, Frank Peter - In June, he settled the last vacant government lot in the township. It was the NE 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of section 36. His wife was killed in the great Pomeroy cyclone on 1893. Frank moved back to Sweden. The 1880 US Census lists the household as follows: F Peter, age-50 born-Sweden occupation-Farmer parents born-Sweden Christina, age-49 born-Sweden occupation-Keeing House parents born-Sweden Daniel-son age-12 born-Sweden occupation-At home Lena-daughter age-9 born-Iowa Fossum, N C - in June, settled on the NE 1/4 of section 33. He was from Rock county, Wisconsin, was born in 1837 and was from Ireland. While in Rock County, Wisconsin, he married Nelli Lunde in 1862. In 1878 he sold his farm to his uncle H C Tollefsrude and returned to Wisconsin. He died in Beloit, Wisconsin October 16, 1899. His daughter Julia (Mrs Gulack) removed to Ashley, N D. Omtvedt, Anders Thorgrimson - who came from Will County, Illinois, settled on the W 1/2 of section 30. He was born in Norway in 1835. He came to America in 1863 and settled in Chicago where he became a shoemaker. In 1867 he married Beata H Rude, who was born in Norway in 1842. Beata died in 1901 leaving five children at home who received good educations They had nine children in total. They were: (1) Matilda H-who married Mati Milligan and removed to Wisconsin. (2) Martinius T, who was still at home. (3) Alma E - who married Ernest J Chingren, a real estate agent and the resided in Fonda. (4) Magnus. (5) Olaf (6) Laura L (7) Arthur (8) Mamie (9) Abraham C. Note: The census lists his Mother as Bertha, and the biography lists his Mother as Mary A. It also indicates his Mother, (whoever she was), died at age 90 in 1893. The 1880 US Census lists the Omtvedt household as follows: Anders T, age-45 born-Norway occupation-Farmer parents born-Norway Beatha, age-36 born-Norway occupation-Keeping House parents born-Norway Mathilde H-daughter age-10 born-Illinois Martinius F-son age-8 born-Illinois Alma E-daughter age-6 born-Illinois Magnus E-son age-4 born-Iowa Olaf A-son age-2 born-Iowa BABY-daughter age-1 Month born-Iowa Omtvedt, Bertha-Mother age-76 born-Norway parents born-Norway Hanson, Peter-other age-23 born-Norway occupation-Farm Laborer Parents born-Norway Settlers arriving in 1874 Erne, Bonifacius - he contested the homestead of S W Norton on Section 22 and won. He was the only new settler in 1874. The 1880 US Census lists the Erne household as follows: Bonifacius, age-41 born-Baden occupation-Farmer parents born-Baden Fannie, age-31 born-Hanover occupation-Keeping House parents born-Hanover Anna M-daughter age-7 born-Illinois Mary-daughter age-2 born-Iowa Joseph-son age-2 Months born-Iowa Settlers arriving in 1875 Parrish, Felix W - returned from Warren county and purchased the farm of his brother, Isaac Parrish. He later moved to Sherman township. Settlers arriving in 1876 Gibson, Mr - purchased the farm of Andrew Jackson. Noble, Mr - settled on the SW 1/4 of section 24. 1877 - no new settlers Settlers arriving in 1878 Burg, John F - bought the farm of Claus Cedarstrom. He later removed to Bellville township. According to the 1880 US Census, he was 35 years old, was born in Sweden, his occupation is listed as a Farmer, and his parents were born in Sweden. There was no one else in his household at that time, 1880. Byrne, Thomas - was born in Ireland in 1843. He moved to Grant township in 1878 consisting of 80 acres. About 1867, while living in New Jersey, he married Ellen Kelley. They had four children: Mary - who married Eugene Kirkendall in 1896. Their children were Thomas and John. Thomas John Ellen Curkeet, William J - from Darlington, Wisconsin, settled on the SE 1/4 of section 27. He died in the township. Felch, Henry H - was from Colorado and purchased the farm of Anna Anderson in section 36. The 1880 US Census lists the household as follows: Henry H, age-35 born-New Hampshire occupation-Farmer parents born-New Hampshire Sarah F, age-38 born-New Hampshire occupation-Keeping house parents born-New Hampshire Clara B-daughter age-8 born-Colorado Rake, Elmer-other age-19 born-Illinois occupation-Farm Laborer father born-New Jersey mother born-Pennsylvania Hull, Rufus F - bought the farm of Asher W Rake who had moved to Creighton, Nebraska. The 1880 US Census lists the household as follows: Rufus F, age-42 born-Massachusetts occupation-Farmer father born-New Hampshire mother born-Massachusetts Ellen M, age-41 born-Vermont occupation-Keeping House father born-New Hampshire mother born-Vermont William R-son age-19 born-Massachusetts occuaption-Farm Laborer Lillie G-daughter age-15 born-New Hampshire occupation-At School Emma E-daughter age-13 born-New Hampshire occupation-At School Hull, Nellie S-other age-9 born Iowa father born-Massachusetts mother born-Vermont Oleson, Andrew - bought the farm of Charles Eckstrom. Andrew was from Fort Dodge. The 1880 US Census lists the Oleson household as follows: Andrew, age-33 born-Sweden occupation-Farmer parents born-Sweden Rachel, age-19 born-Sweden occupation-Keeping House parents born-Sweden Albin O-son age-1 born-Iowa Oleson, John-brother age-31 born-Sweden occupation-Farm Laborer parents born-Sweden Russell, Robert - from Colfax, bought the farm of Andrew Jackson in section 20. He later removed to Kansas. Soder, John - who was from Colfax bought the land of Rudolph Cedarstrom. He then sold it later that year to Fred Steendorf. Settlers arriving in 1879 Terry, David - from from Dover to the W 1/2 of the NW 1/4 of sction 31. The 1880 US Census lists the Terry household as follows: David, age-45 born-Vermont occupation-Farmer father born-New York mother born-Connecticut Sarah A, age-34 born-Ohio occupation-Keeping House father born-Pennsylvania mother born-Virginia William A-son age-14 born-Illinois occupation-Farm laborer J Arthur-son age-12 born-Illinois occupation-Herding cattle Nellie-daughter age-5 born-Iowa Warren, A W (also noted as A F) - purchased section 17 and built there in the fall. The 1880 US Census lists the Warren household as follows: Albert, age-23 born-Illinois occupation-Farmer father born-Vermont mother born-Illinois Mary J, age-23 born-Canada occupation-Keeping House parents born-Canada Hattie G-daughter age-10 Months born-Illinois Home Information transcribed, compiled and arranged by Tim Meyer, copyright 2003 - 2004