1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa
Page Index:
Schimerowski |
McBride |
Langenfeld |
Hoffman |
Brodersen |
Jensen |
Ferguson |
Smith |
Hoogensen |
Hald
It is interesting to note the large number of the farmers of Shelby county who are residing on their own farms. Men who own their farms and cultivate them themselves are more likely to maintain them to a higher degree of efficiency. Year by year, the natural richness of soil in American states will grow less, and it is the duty of the farmer to replace the properties removed by long continued farming. In France and other continental countries, a man who leases a farm assumes the responsibility for its fertilization. Here, the concentration of small farms into great estates and the sub-leasing of parts of these estates necessarily increases the number of tenant-farmers. If concentration continues, we may soon feel the effects in diminished returns. Modern farming must be carried on extensively. Operations must be on
a large scale to make profitable the uses of steam plows and other expensive machinery. Proprietorship of farms and city homes by the individual should be promoted in this country, notwithstanding the general opinion of the economy of centralization. Man must have an incentive to acquire, else his productivity may diminish and his ambitions lag.
One of the substantial farmers of Union township, this county, who is farming his, own farm of two hundred and eighty acres, is John Schimerowski, who was born in Germany, February 2, 1855. His parents, Joseph and Augusta Schimerowski remained all their lives in Germany, the father being a life-long farmer. Joseph Schimerowski was twice married. By his first marriage to Augusta Grubb, he had three children, John, Matilda and Rosa. After the death of his first wife he married Mrs. Schultz, and to this second marriage two children were born, Rudolph and Amelia. The three children by the first marriage are living in this country, while the two younger children never left their native land.
John Schimerowski received a good education and when seventeen years of age, came to the United States. He came to Chicago, Illinois, in 1872, and worked there as a day laborer for three years. He desired the better opportunities of a day laborer in the country, so left the city and began work on the farms in Illinois. He continued work in that state until 1881, saving his money with the intention of buying a farm of his own. In the latter year he came to Shelby county, Iowa, and for the first two years, worked for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company, building the railroad through this county. After leaving the employ of the company, he worked as a farm hand, and within a short time was able to buy a farm of his own. He first bought one hundred and twenty acres in Union township, and by good management and careful economy he has added to this, until he is now the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of excellent farming land. He has improved his farm to give the best results, and now has one of the best equipped farms in the, county which he keeps in a high state of cultivation by a systematic course of crop rotation.
Mr. Schimerowski was married October 29, 1890; to Katherine Langenfeld, born November 1, 1860, the daughter of Christian and Joanna (Eckes) Langenfeld. To this union have been born four children: Joseph, Leo, Stanley and Arthur, all of whom are unmarried and living with their parents. The Democratic party has had the hearty support of Mr. Schimerowski, but he has preferred the life of a farmer to that of an official. He and his family are devout members of the Earling Catholic church, to whose support they contribute generously. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Mr. Schimerowski is one of the most highly respected farmers of his township, and a man who has won his success solely through his own efforts. He came to this country empty-handed, and by a life of hard work and close attention to business, has accumulated a comfortable fortune for himself and family. The man who does this and rears a family of children to lives of usefulness and honor, at the same time taking his full share in the burdens of the life of his community, is a citizen who justly deserves commendation.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1243 -1245.
Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
|
To Page Index ---
To Bio Index
The McBride family have been prominent factors in Shelby county since 1865, when Thomas McBride and his family settled on a farm in Union township. A man who rears a large family of children to lives of usefulness and honor performs his duty as well and faithfully as the man who garners in millions of dollars and endows libraries. Thomas McBride and his good wife have been married nearly sixty years and there has grown up around them a large family of children, nine of whom grew to maturity, married and are now rearing families of their own. Such a record is deserving of special mention. The historian is pleased to present to the readers of Shelby county the main features of the McBride family history.
James W. McBride, the eighth child of Thomas McBride, is now a prosperous farmer in Union township, this county. He was born July 25, 1871, in Union township, and has spent all of his life in the county of his birth.
Thomas McBride, a son of Thomas and Jane (Bird) McBride, was born in Delaware, December 21, 1831. His parents were both born in Newcastle county, Delaware, and lived there all their lives. Thomas McBride, Sr., was a teamster in early life, and later was a farmer until his death, which occurred when he was fifty-two years of age. Thomas McBride, Sr., and wife were the parents of ten children: William, Daniel, Rebecca, John, Miller, Rachel, Mary, Julia, Joseph and Thomas. All of these children are deceased except Julia, Joseph and Thomas.
Thomas McBride, Jr., attended school in Newcastle county, Delaware, and after leaving the school room, worked as a laborer in his native state, never receiving more than sixty cents for a day's work. He remained in his native state until he was twenty-three years of age and then went to Indiana, and settled in Putnam county, that state, where he obtained employment as the manager of a farm. He retained this position for five years, and having married in the meantime, rented a farm and farmed in Indiana until 1865. The state of Iowa, having been opened to settlement, he came to Iowa and located in Union township, where he bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He contracted to pay eight dollars a month for the land, but it was ten years before he even started to pay anything at all on the principal. He
had ten children and since corn was practically the only crop that was raised at that time and corn brought only ten to eighteen cents a bushel, it was hard to get enough ahead to make a payment on the farm. Nevertheless, he weathered all storms and eventually paid for the land, and when he retired in 1899 he had one of the best improved farms in the county.
Thomas McBride was married in Putnam county, Indiana, in 1856, to Sarah Ann Eller, the daughter of David and Sarah Ann (Leonard) Eller, and to this union have been born ten children: William, Marion, Oliver, Eliza, John, Martha, Maggie, James, Charles and Alma. William married Ida Haines, and has six children, Stella, Josette, Leroy, Linas, Delia and Frank; Marion married Emma Wilkins, and has one son, Forrest; Oliver married Emma Cohagen and has four children, Ray, Eunice, Harold and Clarence; Eliza, who is the only child deceased, died in infancy; John married Josephine Wiley, and has five children, Wave, Maize, Alberta, Thomas
W., and Donald J.; Martha is the wife of James Reynolds, and has seven children, Floy, Ada, Clead, Fay, Zona, Dollie and Viona; Maggie is the wife of Frank Swartz, and has four children, Clifford, Harley, James and Fred; James W., the eighth child, married Grace Wiggins, and has two children, Helen and Everill; Charles married Blanche Wright, and has three children, Wright, Bernice and Barbara; Alma is the wife of Jesse Wilson, and has one daughter, Lucile.
Thomas McBride and wife celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary in 1906 and are still enjoying good health. Mrs. McBride's parents were both natives of North Carolina and early settlers in Putnam county, Indiana, where they both died. She was one of seven children: Nelson, Jackson, Susan, Catherine, Louisa, Irene and Sarah Ann, the wife of Mr. McBride. All of these children are now deceased, with the exception of Mrs. McBride. Thomas McBride and his wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal church for more than half a century, and for many years Mr. McBride was a trustee of the church and steward. He has been a Master Mason for more than a half century. He has been a life-long Republican, but has never held any position other than, that of road supervisor. Mr. McBride is a fine type of the sterling pioneers who made Iowa what it is today. He has never taken a drop of intoxicating liquors of any kind and attributes his longevity to excellent care of his health.
James W. McBride, the eighth child of Thomas and Sarah Ann (Bird) McBride, received his education in the schools of this county, and after leaving school assisted his father on the home farm until he was twenty-seven years of age. He then married Grace Wiggins, the daughter of Milton and Sarah (Hayes) Wiggins, and rented a farm from his father. In 1910, he purchased his present farm of one hundred, and twenty acres and has made extensive improvements upon it since acquiring it. The farm is now one of the best improved in the county, and he intends to make it a model farm in every particular.
James W. McBride and wife are the parents of two children, Helen and Everill Mrs. McBride's parents are natives of Iowa and Ohio, respectively, her father having come to Iowa when a young man. Mr. and Mrs. Hayes are the parents of seven children, Willis, Mildred, Emma, Winnie, Eugene, Flora and Grace, the wife of Mr. McBride. Willis married Kate Griffin and has two children, John and Martin; Emma married Leslie Poitevin, and has three children, Howard, Lois and Francis; Eugene married Nellie Madonzie, while Mildred and Flora are still unmarried and at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs: Hayes are now living in Dow City, Iowa,
where Mr. Hayes is following the blacksmith's trade. They are earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Hayes is a trustee in the church of Dow City.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1240 -1242.
Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
|
To Page Index ---
To Bio Index
The Langenfeld family has been prominently identified with Shelby county for many years, during which time they have been active in upbuilding the county in every way. As farmers, as business men and citizens they have assisted in many ways to place this county in a position where it commands the respect of neighboring counties. No citizens have been more instrumental in bringing this county out of its primitive wildness than the Germans and because, of their thrift they are among the most reliable men of their respective communities.
Jacob Langenfeld, the son of Christian and Joanna (Eckes) Langenfeld, was born in Germany, January 27, 1850. Christian Langenfeld lived in Germany until after the birth of several children, when he came to this country, desiring better opportunities for his children. He settled in Wisconsin in 1869, in Fond du Lac county, and purchased a farm of eighty acres, living there until 1885, when he moved to Shelby county, Iowa. Here he bought a farm of eighty acres and lived upon it until all of his children were married. He then retired from the active farming and moved to Earling, where he died in 1906, his widow passing away three years later. The reader
is referred to the history of Nicholas Langenfeld, a brother of Jacob, found elsewhere in this volume.
Jacob Langenfeld was nineteen years old when his parents moved to this country. He received all of his education in his native land, and after his father settled in Wisconsin, worked on the home farm for a short time. Later he worked out as a hired laborer until September, 1874, when he came to Shelby county, and purchased eighty acres of land in Westphalia township, where he now lives. To this he has added more land until he now has a farm of one hundred and sixty-seven acres, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation.
Mr. Langenfeld was married June 17, 1880, to Anna K. Leffleman, a daughter of John and Margaret (Dourman) Leffleman, and to this union have been born eleven children: Anna, George, John, Theodore, Rosa, Clara, Christian, Fred, Louisa and Johanna, and one who died in infancy. Anna is the wife of Matthew Grady, while all the rest of the children are living with their parents.
John Leffleman and wife were both natives of Germany, married in their native land and, coming to America in 1851, they settled in Pennsylvania, near York. There they bought land and farmed until 1861, when Mr. Leffleman died, and Anna, the wife of Mr. Langenfeld, with two of her brothers, came west and located in Illinois. The brothers settled on a farm and their sister kept house for them for three years. Mrs. Langenfeld then came to Shelby county, to make her home with her mother and brothers, who moved to Westphalia. Her mother died in 1887. John Leffleman and wife were the parents of twelve children: Anna, Mary, George, Frank, Dorothy, Michael, Frederick, Andrew, Mrs. Langenfeld, Jacob and two who died in infancy. All these children are deceased except Frank, Jacob, Dorothy and
Mrs. Langenfeld.
Mr. Langenfeld is a Democrat, and has served as township trustee and school director of his home township. He and his family are members of the Catholic church, and Mr. Langenfeld is a member of the Roman Catholic Mutual Protective Society. During his long life in the county he has so lived as to justly merit the high esteem in which he is held.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1245 - 1246.
Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
|
To Page Index ---
To Bio Index
This utilitarian age has been especially prolific in men of action, clear-brained men of high resolves and noble purposes, who give character and stability to the communities honored by their citizenship, and whose influence and leadership are easily discernible in the various enterprises that have added so greatly to the high reputation which Shelby county enjoys among her sister counties in this great commonwealth. Conspicuous among this class of men whose residence is in this county is Henry Hoffman.
Henry Hoffman, until lately one of the leading merchants, and always an enterprising citizen of Harlan, Iowa, was born in Manning, Iowa, in 1884, and is the son of John and Lena (Tank) Hoffman. His parents were born in 1849 and 1855, respectively, in Holstein, Germany, and were reared and married in their native land. After their marriage, in 1872, they came to America and first settled in Scott county, Iowa, but, later moved to Carroll county, where they lived until 1879. In that year Henry Hoffman moved to Manning, and engaged in the lumber business, and for the past thirty-five years he has been engaged in the same business at that place. He was married in 1872 to Lena Tank, and to this union six children were born.
Henry Hoffman received his education in the schools of Manning, and since his father had been engaged in the lumber business from the time he was a small lad, it was natural that he should follow in his father's footsteps. At the age of twenty-three, together with his cousin, J. Tank, he embarked in the lumber business at Sheffield, but thirteen months later he sold out and moved to Maxwell, Iowa, where he engaged in the lumber business with his brother-in-law, A. W. Wheeler. Two years later he sold out his interests in this business and moved to Harlan, where he purchased a hardware store of L. C. Wheeler & Company. He carried fifteen thousand dollars' worth of general hardware the year round, and had built up one of the most extensive retail businesses of this section of the state when the
store was sold recently. His efforts towards the acquisition of material things have not blinded him to the duty which he owes his fellow citizens, for he has due regard at all times for the general interests of his community. Every movement having for its object the advancement of the general welfare of the people receives his hearty endorsement and support.
Mr. Hoffman was married in 1908 to Lena Jones, who was born in 1885 at Westside, Iowa. Her father, Matthew Jones, is now living in Manning, Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman have been born two sons, John and Waldo, both of whom are still living with their parents.
The Democratic party has claimed the support of Mr. Hoffman, although the pressure of business affairs has prevented him from taking an active part in political matters. Nevertheless, he is interested in all measures which make for good government. Fraternally, he is member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Loyal Order of Moose, and is interested in the welfare of these fraternal organizations. He is also intimately identified with the musical interests of his city, and at the present time is secretary and treasurer of the Harlan City Bank. Mr. Hoffman's life has been one of unceasing industry and perseverance and the systematic and
honorable methods which he has ever followed have resulted not only in gaining the confidence of those with whom he has had financial dealings, but also in the building up of a good business. In every avenue of life's activities he has been faithful to his duties and because of his good character and splendid success, he has merited the respect and good will of all who know him.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1246 -1247.
Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
|
To Page Index ---
To Bio Index
Click photo to enlarge
One of the most genial and enterprising farmers of Jackson township is Chris Brodersen, one of the hustling, native-born residents of Shelby county, whose rise has kept pace with the growth and progress of Shelby county. He is the son of Danish immigrants who were among the earliest settlers of Shelby county. His course and individual success bears out the statement that no non-English speaking nationality has furnished better American citizens for the purpose of developing this broad land of the free than the little country of Denmark.
Mr. Brodersen is one of the well and favorably known stockmen of Shelby county and has a fine stock farm of one hundred and ninety-four acres of land in Jackson township, located in sections five and six. He has resided on his farm since 1899 and conducts it on general agricultural lines, with diversified methods of farming and produces a considerable amount of live stock each year. His farm produces about one hundred to one hundred and fifty hogs annually according to the season. He favors the Chester White variety of hogs, and raises the Aberdeen Angus breed of cattle of which he has usually from twenty-five to thirty-five head. In 1914 he planted sixty-five acres to corn which yielded sixty-five bushels of grain to the acre, forty acres to oats, fifteen acres to hay and forage and twenty acres of
alfalfa. Mr. Brodersen has a modern farm residence of eight rooms which he erected in 1907. The farm has a small fruit orchard and a fine grove of maples and evergreen trees near and surrounding the residence, which is situated on a hill and is reached by a private driveway leading from the high road. This fine farm is appropriately named "Jackson Park Farm."
Chris Brodersen was born February 10, 1874, in a log cabin on a pioneer farm in Jackson township. This cabin was located in Bowman's Grove and was then the home of his parents, Jacob and Gena Brodersen, natives of Denmark. (See biography of Hans Brodersen for further details regarding the lives of Jacob and Gena Brodersen). Chris attended school in district number two and remained on the home farm until twenty-one years of age. He then began farming on his own account in Audubon county and rented land for two years. For a period of three years following he clerked in a general merchandise store in Kimballton, Audubon county. In 1899 he invested his savings in one hundred and sixty acres of land in sections five and six of Jackson township, paying thirty-six dollars an acre. He greatly
improved this tract and in 1903 he purchased an additional thirty-four acres, adjoining, at sixty-seven dollars an acre.
Mr. Brodersen was married May 6, 1898, to Lena Jorgenson, a daughter of Hans J. Jorgenson, a native of Denmark and an early settler in Audubon county. Mr. Jorgensen died in the spring of 1914 after a long and honorable career as an agriculturist. To Mr. and Mrs. Chris Brodersen has been born one child, Agnes, aged thirteen years.
Hans J. Jorgenson, the brother of Mrs. Brodersen, was born November 8, 1844, in Denmark and died March 20, 1914. He emigrated to America in 1884 and settled on a farm in Audubon county on which the town of Kimballton is now located. He prospered and owned a farm of two hundred acres, sixty acres of which was platted into the town of Kimballton. He was the "father" of Kimballton. He was connected with many interests in Kimballton and was its leading citizen. He was married a few years after his arrival to Agnes Petersen, a native of Denmark. To this union nine children were born, seven of whom are living: James, Peter, Annie (Larsen). Celia (James), Nettie (Thompson), Alfred and Mrs. Lena Brodersen, the eldest living child. The mother of these children died in 1894, at the age of thirty-seven. Mr. Jorgenson married a second time to Catharine Anderson who survives him with three children, two of whom are living, Agnes and William.
Mr. Brodersen is allied with the Democratic party and is a prominent and active factor in Democratic politics in his township and county. He has served Jackson township as justice of the peace and as township clerk and is one of the leaders in civic and political affairs in his community. He and the members of his family attend the Danish Lutheran church. Mr. Brodersen is one of these genial, whole souled individuals whom it is a pleasure to meet and know.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1248 - 1249.
Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
|
To Page Index ---
To Bio Index
Jens C. Jensen is one of the highly respected farmers of Polk township, Shelby county, Iowa. Mr. Jensen has been a citizen of this county since 1879 and therefore knows from actual experience something of the pioneer days of the Middle West. He has seen the gradual passing of the conditions which existed then into those which prevail today, when the vocation of farming has come to be one of the most independent and lucrative of vocations.
Mr. Jensen, who owns thee hundred and fifty-nine acres of excellent land in the township, was born in Denmark May 19, 1859, a son of Soren and Mariane Jensen. He was one of a family of three children, the others being Peter and Anna, and is the only one out of the family who ever left the native soil. He remained in his father's home until twenty years of age, and, in 1879, emigrated to this country and joined the vast army of foreign-born ambitious young men who saw in this land the possibilities for their best efforts. He came direct to friends in this state, locating in this county, where he has ever since made his home. He secured his first employment on a farm near Cuppy's Grove, where he worked out by the month for a time. His next employment was with Chris Michelson and altogether he
spent about seven years in this manner. The first year he was here he purchased a tract of eighty acres and later, in 1886, moved to his home place, on section 33 in Polk township. He has turned the active management of his farm over to his children and is now living in comfortable retirement after years of strenuous labor. The farm is devoted to general farming and stock raising and every portion of it shows the thorough care and attention which has made it one of the most productive farms of this section.
Mr. Jensen's marriage took place February 5, 1886, when he joined in wedlock with Marie Katerina Smidth, who was horn in Denmark in 1855, the daughter of George and Marie Katerina Smidth. She is one of three living children, the others being her brothers, Chris C. and Clement, both of whom reside in Davenport, Iowa. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Jensen has been blessed with three children, George, Chris and Mary. The two sons live together and farm the home place, only Chris being married. He chose as his bride Alma Hansen, the daughter of Hans P. Hansen. Mary, the daughter, married Letimer Donan and they live on a farm about two miles south-west of where the subject lives.
Mr. Jensen and his entire family are members of the Danish Lutheran church and are active in the circles of that society. They are accounted among the leading families of the community and have a large circle of friends and acquaintances. His political affiliation is with the Democratic party and he takes a keen interest in the affairs of that party. For two years he served as school director and is ever ready to show his appreciation of the citizen's duty by giving his support to every movement which makes for the betterment of community life. Mr. Jensen has never returned for a visit to his native land, having become completely weaned away during the earlier years of his residence here. When he first located here, the nearest post-office was at Harlan, some distance away, and the service was so irregular
that at times fully two weeks would elapse between mails. Their only market was at that same place and all produce had to be hauled to that point. In the matter of prices, they were at the mercy of the buyers, often receiving a ridiculously small sum for what they had to market. This condition has changed and now it is the farmer himself who very largely controls the market. The farmer has come to be regarded as the man who feeds the nation. Throughout the years of his residence here, Mr. Jensen has come to be re- garded as one of the stanch men of the community, true to every trust imposed in him.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1249 - 1251.
Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
|
To Page Index ---
To Bio Index
It is a pleasure to investigate the career of a successful, self-made man. Peculiar honor attaches to that individual who, beginning the great struggle of life alone and unaided, gradually overcomes unfavorable environment, removes one by one the obstacles from the pathway of success and by the master strokes of his own force and vitality succeeds in forging his way to the front and winning for himself a competency and a position of esteem and influence among his fellow men. Such is the record of the well known citizen of Greeley township, Shelby county, to a brief synopsis of whose life and character the reader's attention is herewith respectfully invited.
Charles H. Ferguson who resides on his excellent farm of two hundred and forty acres in the township above mentioned, was born on December 12, 1851, in Adams county, Illinois, near the city of Quincy. He is the son of Joseph and Sophronia (Thayer) Ferguson, natives of Ohio and New York respectively. In 1855 Joseph Ferguson, father of the immediate subject of this sketch, came to the state of Iowa and located in Jasper county. He was the father of nine children, those other than the subject being Emory, Julia (Mrs. Hedrick), George, Jasper, Jane (Newhouse), Edward, Joseph and Sophronia (deceased). Charles H. remained with his father until he was twenty years of age and then being desirous of returning to his uncle's home in Illinois, his father assisted him in purchasing a suitable horse and thus equipped he started back to Henry county. There he remained for two years, and again longing for home, returned to his people in Jasper county, this state, and for the next seven or eight years worked out among the neighboring farmers part of the time and the balance tilled land which he rented.
In 1880 he moved to this county, having come here first with the intention of merely visiting friends, but while here he became interested in conditions as then existing in this locality and made a purchase of eighty acres of land located in section 29 of Greeley township, for which he paid the very small sum of eight dollars per acre. That location has since been his home for a number of years and to give some idea of the manner in which the value of land has advanced in this township, in 1907, Mr. Ferguson had one hundred and sixty acres of land located just across the public highway from his original possessions and for that tract he paid sixty-six dollars per acre and felt he was getting a pretty good figure at that. Since first taking up his residence here, he has made many and vast improvements in his holdings, his
large and commodious home being erected in 1900. Three years later he built a large barn, size forty by forty-six feet, and in addition to these two main buildings, has added many smaller ones, all well arranged to meet his particular needs. In addition to his farming, he raises considerable live stock. He has at the present time about fifty-five head of cattle, and feeds about a car-load per year. To assist in the work of the farm he keeps seventeen head of horses and also raises on an average about eighty hogs annually. He is an energetic worker, to which fact his well kept land abundantly testifies.
On March 9, 1884, Mr. Ferguson was married to Anna A. Tyler, who was born on September 26, 1859, the daughter of Silas and Adeline (Crissey) Tyler, natives of New Hampshire and New York, respectively. She was one of a family of six children, which comprised Georgia (Mrs. Rooker), Kate (Mrs. Elledge), Sarah (Mrs. Ray), Nellie (Mrs. Woodworth), Frank and herself. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson have been blessed with eight children, as follows: Ray T., was born on January 2, 1885. He married Ethel Van Arsdol and they live in Minnesota. They have an interesting family of four children, Ruby, Gerald, Lenore and Russel. Roy, the second son, was born on April 11, 1886, and married Pearl Custer. They live south of Harlan and have a family of three children, Clara, Gladys and Ralph. Edith, the eldest
daughter, was born on May 28, 1888. She is a graduate nurse and makes her home in Sioux City. Ethel, who first saw the light of day January 12, 1890, is the wife of James Carlson. Harriet was born on January 3, 1893, and is a seamstress. Merle, born on July 5, 1895, remains at home. She is a graduate of the Harlan high school. Ruth, born on October 31, 1897, also attends this same institution of learning while the youngest daughter, Anna, born on July 27, 1901, is still in the grade schools. This family is considered among the leading ones of the community, and the home, which savors of old time hospitality, is a pleasant place to enter. The entire family are members of the Christian church and each is interested in some part of the work of that organization, to which all contribute liberally of their means.
Mr. Ferguson's political affiliation is with the Republican party, and for that party he served as township assessor for four years, discharging the duties of that office in a way satisfactory to all. He has also been township trustee for two terms, which office he most efficiently filled.
Mr. Ferguson is a man who is greatly devoted to his family and who highly appreciates the friendship of those with whom his life is cast. It has always been his earnest desire to "live peaceably with all men" in accordance with Scriptural injunction and he takes just pride in the reflection that he has never permitted himself to become involved in any sort of litigation. For three years Mr. Ferguson was a coal miner employed in the mines near Colfax and in this manner obtained some views of life which would not perhaps come to the man wholly devoted to agricultural pursuits. Mrs. Ferguson is justly proud of some of her family connections among whom
she numbers Daniel Webster, President Tyler and Colonel Lawton. The exact relationship existing between her family and the first two mentioned cannot easily be determined, owing to the lapse of years, but Colonel Lawton, who so bravely met his death in the Philippine Islands but a few short years ago, was a full cousin to her, and naturally she is quite proud of the honor accorded this distinguished relative. Mr. Ferguson is a man who, to the best of his ability, aims to measure up to the full standard of manhood in every relation of life and this sincere desire has so ruled his life as to win for him the sincere confidence and high regard of his wide and ever-growing circle of friends.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1251 - 1253.
Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
|
To Page Index ---
To Bio Index
One of the progressive young farmers of Shelby county is Hans H.Smith, who, starting out in life with nothing but a willingness to work, has acquired a fine farm of eighty acres in Jackson township. He is descended from German and Danish parents and has inherited the sterling characteristics of those estimable nationalities. It is no small task to buy and pay for a farm in these days. It requires more effort to pay for a farm of eighty acres in 1914 than it did for a farm of eight hundred in 1874. Practically all the land of this county was originally bought for less than ten dollars an acre and at the present time no good farming land can be bought for less
than ten times that amount.
Hans H. Smith, the son of Frederick and Mary (Hoogensen) Smith. was born in 1884 in the township where he has spent all his life. His father died when he was eight years old and for this reason he knows very little of his father, other than that he was a native of Germany. His mother later married Chris Poldberg, whose history appears elsewhere in this volume.
Mr. Smith received a good common school education in the schools of Jackson township and at the age of twenty began to work out as a farm hand. In 1906 he rented a farm and started to work for himself. Upon his marriage, two years later, he bought his present farm of eighty acres in Jackson township. He has made many improvements on the farm since acquiring it and now has it under a high state of cultivation. While raising all the crops of this section of the state he has paid particular attention to raising of Poland China hogs, a venture in which he has been very successful. Mr. Smith was married in 1908 to Elsie Behrens. She is the daughter
of John Behrens and was born in 1885 in Monroe township, this county. To this union there have been born two children, Raymond and Sylvia.
The Democratic party has claimed the support of Mr. Smith since he attained his majority and he has been taking an active part in the local affairs of his party. For the past four years he has been clerk of Jackson township and has performed the duties of that office in a highly satisfactory manner. He and his wife are earnest members of the Danish Lutheran church and contribute liberally of their means to its support.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1253 - 1254.
Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
|
To Page Index ---
To Bio Index
Among the families of Shelby county, Iowa, whose members have worthily discharged their duties to their fellow citizens and their communities, no family takes higher rank than the Hoogensen family, several representatives of whom are today prominently identified with the business and agricultural life of this county. For nearly forty years members of this family have stood for all that is best in business, educational, moral or social life and have wielded an influence that has been potential in the development and welfare of their community. They are numbered among the enterprising and progressive citizens of the county and because of the prominence which the family has enjoyed and the close relation they have sustained to the prosperity of the locality honored by their citizenship, they are eminently
entitled to representation in the history of Shelby county.
Nels H. Hoogensen, the son of Henry and Marie (Hansen) Hoogensen, was born February 14, 1884, in Jackson township. His father was born in Denmark in 1848, and is a son of Nels Hansen Hoogensen, who was also a native of Denmark, his birth having occurred in 1821. Nels Hansen Hoogensen was married in 1845 to Catherine Mickelson, who was born in Denmark in 1821, and who came to this country in 1874, and first settled in Scott county, Iowa, where he engaged in truck farming until 1876, when he moved to Shelby county. He died the following year. His widow, the grandmother of Nels H. Hoogensen, died in 1902, and she and her husband are both buried at Bowman's Grove, this county. Eight children were born to Nels Hansen Hoogensen, five of whom are still living.
Henry Hoogensen, the father of the immediate subject of this sketch, was married in 1875 to Marie Hansen, who was born in Denmark in 1859. Her father was Hans Hansen, who came to Shelby county, Iowa, in 1876, and died in this county in 1909. Henry' Hoogensen came to this country when he was seventeen years of age, and. settled in Scott county, Iowa, where he worked as a farm hand. Four years later he moved to Davenport, Iowa, and teamed there until 1872, after which he went to Colorado, and worked in the silver mines in that state. In 1875 he returned to Iowa, his father having come from Denmark, and settled in Shelby county, where he purchased eighty acres of land in Jackson township. He prospered exceedingly and now is the owner of four hundred and eight acres of fine farming land
in the county, on which he has made very extensive improvements. He has always kept high grade live stock and formerly exhibited his Clydesdale horses at the county fairs. He retired in 1912 to Harlan, where he and his wife are now living. Henry Hoogensen and wife are the parents of ten children: Mrs. Katherine Brodersen, of this county; Mrs. Marie Rasmussen, also of this county; Mrs. Anna Hoigh, who lives in Audubon county, this state; Nels H., with whom this narrative deals; Mrs. Martha Lund, of Jackson township: Hans, Henry and Grover, who are farming the home place; George, who is working as a farm hand, and Viola, who is now living with her parents in Harlan.
Nels H. Hoogensen has spent the thirty years of his life in the township where he was born. He received a good, common school education and remained on the home farm until he was twenty-three years of age. He then married and bought eighty acres of land in Jackson township, where he has made extensive improvements. He has a beautiful country home and has put out two acres of fruit trees, and while raising all of the crops peculiar to this section of the state, he is making a specialty of breeding of Shorthorn cattle. Mr. Hoogensen is still a young man and is making a pronounced success of agriculture.
Mr. Hoogensen was married May 8, 1907, to Lena Hansen, who is a daughter of Nels A. Hansen, and was born in this township October 27, 1887. To this union two sons have been born, Earl and Dale, both of whom are at home with their parents. He and his family are loyal and earnest members of the Danish Lutheran church, to whose support they contribute liberally of their means. Mr. Hoogensen is a member of the Danish Brother-hood.
Mr. Hoogensen is allied with the Democratic party, but has never yet been active in political matters. He takes an intelligent interest in the great political questions of the day and is a firm believer in good government. He is a wide reader of all literature upon agricultural methods and keeps fully abreast with latest advances in farming. As a youth, Mr. Hoogensen attended school with Edward White, the historian of this volume, and recalls many interesting incidents which befell them in their boyhood days. He is a man of genial personality and is well liked by every one with whom he comes in contact.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1254 - 1256.
Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
|
To Page Index ---
To Bio Index
The Danish contingent in Shelby county includes a large number of prosperous farmers and business men, and among these may be mentioned Carl Hald, a substantial farmer of Jackson township. He combines all of those sterling characteristics which are. inherent with his countrymen. Since coming to this, county he has not only accumulated a very comfortable competence for himself, but has also taken an active part in the community life around him. The Danish citizens of the county have been loyal to their adopted country and have given it an unswerving devotion. They have entered various lines of activity and in each have achieved a success which is noteworthy in view of the fact that they were without knowledge of the English language when they arrived in the county. For the past twenty-seven years, Carl Hald has been identified with the various interests of this county and in that time has built up a reputation for honesty and uprightness.
Carl Hald, the son of Anders and Kirsten (Nelson) Hald, was born September 12, 1861, in Denmark. His father was a native of that country, his birth having occurred in 1817. He lived the life of a farmer until his death, in 1893. His wife was born in 1818, and also spent all of her days in the land of her birth, dying there in 1895.
Carl Hald is one of six children born to his parents, all of whom are living but one. He received such education as was provided in the country schools of his home neighborhood, and then worked on his father's farm until coming to this country, at the age of twenty-six. Many of his countrymen had already settled in Shelby county, Iowa, and he came here about 1887, and began work as a farm hand. Six months later he married and immediately rented a farm of forty acres in Douglas township, where he began farming for himself. A year later he rented one hundred and twenty acres in Center township, and lived on this farm for one year. He then
rented a farm in Jackson township for six years, saving his money with a view of purchasing a farm of his own. In 1897 he bought eighty acres of land in Jackson township, to which he has since added forty acres, and now has an up-to-date farm on which he has placed extensive improvements. In addition to his farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Jackson township, he has ten acres of lots in the town of Jacksonville. He keeps a high grade of live stock and handles as much each year as he can feed from the products
of his own farm.
Mr. Hald was married September 11, 1888, to Margaret Jacobsen, who was born in Denmark September 7, 1862, and to this union one son, Anker, was born June 6, 1889. He is now assisting his father on the home farm. Mr. Hald, with his wife and son, are loyal members of the Danish Lutheran church. Politically, he is a Democrat, and takes an active interest in local politics. He has served as trustee of Jackson township and performed the duties of that office in a way that has brought the commendation of his fellow citizens. Mr. Hald is essentially a self-made man, having come to this country with no resources and by dint of hard work and good management has acquired a good farm and at the same time established a high reputation for honesty and uprightness.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1257 - 1258.
Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
|
To Page Index ---
To Bio Index
|
