1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa
Page Index:
H Hansen |
N Hansen |
T Hansen |
Hanson |
Harness |
Henriksen
Smith |
Rold |
Lorenzen |
Hess |
Willadsen |
Olsen |
Higgins
One of the progressive farmers and stock raisers as well as highly respected citizens of Shelby county, Iowa, is Hans P. Hansen who belongs to
that interesting class of men who have begun their careers in life at an early
age and on the lowest rung of the ladder, and by unfailing and consistent
effort along right lines are forging their ways to the front and taking their
places among the most prosperous of their localities. He possesses energy
and determination in a most gratifying degree and his present status also
proves that he has business ability of high character in addition to his other
characteristics.
Mr. Hansen, who resides on his excellent farm of two hundred and
eighty acres in Center township, Shelby county, is a native of the kingdom
of Denmark, having been born in that country on December 24, 1865, the son
of Hans and Cecil Marie (Hansen) Hansen. The father was a farmer
on a small scale and in addition operated a brick kiln. When Hans P. Hansen was ten years old, the family emigrated to this country, locating directly
in this county and for about two years young Hans continued to live with
his parents. Then at the tender age of twelve years he began hiring out by
the month to the farmers of the neighborhood and was so employed until the
time he reached his majority. During these years he was acquiring much
valuable information and experience regarding agricultural work so that at
twenty-one years of age he was better equipped than the average young man
to begin farming on his own responsibility. For a while he farmed rented
land and then in 1890 he purchased eighty acres in Audubon township. He
later sold this and purchased a tract of one hundred and twenty acres. He
retained that for a few years and in the fall of 1913 disposed of it and purchased the land where he now makes his home and hopes to do so for the rest of his life. In his general farming, Mr. Hansen employs only such methods
as have been approved by long usage or by modern science and is, therefore,
uniformly successful with his crops. He devotes considerable attention to
the care of live stock, feeding for the market about twelve car loads each
year. He has at the present time about three hundred head of cattle on the
farm and in addition is caring for forty head of horses and mules. He is
known as one of the largest owners of horses in the county and has several
excellent animals.
On December 27, 1889, Mr. Hansen was united in marriage with Anna
K. Larson, also a native of Denmark, who was born in that country on May
2, 1872, a daughter of Jergen and Anna Marie Larson. When Mrs. Hansen
was nine years old, her parents emigrated to this country and settled in Jackson township in this county. Her mother died in July, 1911, and her father
now makes his home with his son-in-law, Mr. Hansen. Mr. Larson was in
the Danish War of 1864. To Mr. and Mrs. Hansen have been born five
children, Alma, the eldest, being born December 11, 1891. She is now Mrs.
Chris Jensen and resides in Polk township. Hans, the eldest son, was born
on February 18, 1893; George, born October 10, 1898; Mabel, born November 14, 1903; Levi, born December 1, 1908.
Mr. Hansen and family are members of the Lutheran church, actively
interested in the work of the local organization. Politically, he is an advocate of the principles of the Democrat party but has never felt justified in
taking more than a passive interest in its affairs. He is a man of marked
domestic traits, devoted to his family and farm, and while anxious to do all
in his power to raise higher the standard of community citizenship, has never
felt an aspiration to public office. His fraternal affiliation is with the Danish
Brotherhood lodge and he has with honor served that organization as president. Mr. Hansen is a man who by his life has proved himself true to every trust imposed in him. While primarily seeking to advance his own interests
and affairs, he has sought to do his full duty as a citizen and the father of a
growing family. His hearty endorsement is given every movement having as its ultimate aim the advancement of the moral, social, educational or material phase of community life. He is progressive and up-to-date not only in his business, but in all other matters as well, and while desiring to advance his material interests has never lost sight of the higher aim for the honor and respect of those with whom he might come in contact. Mr. Hansen in every way possible looks to the well being of his family, and with the thought of all possible contingencies that might arise, has provided himself with about seven thousand dollars' worth of life insurance.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 790 - 792. Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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The excellent farming land of Shelby county has attracted farmers from
all over the world and the success which has accompanied the farmers of this
county shows that its fame is well-founded. The little kingdom of Denmark
has sent hundreds of its best citizens here and they have been important factors in the development of the county. Among the younger farmers of the
county of Danish birth is Nels P. Hansen, one of the progressive farmers of
Clay township and a man who is doing his share toward making the county
one of the best in the state.
Nels P. Hansen, the son of Jurgen and Marie Hansen, was born in
Denmark in 1875. His father was a brick mason in his native land and followed his occupation until his retirement, a few years ago. His mother died
in Denmark in 1909, leaving two children, Nels and a daughter, who is still
living in Denmark.
Nels P. Hansen received most of his education in the schools of his
native land, although he attended the schools of Cass county, Iowa, for a
short time after coming to this country. Many of his friends and relatives
had come to America before he decided to leave his home and cast his lot in
this country. This fact, together with the desire to better his opportunities,
induced him to come to America in 1894. At that time he was nineteen
years of age and felt that he was amply able to care for himself in a new
country. On arriving in the United States he at once went to Cass county,
Iowa, where he had no difficulty in finding plenty of work. During the first
winter in Iowa he attended school and in this way got a much better grasp
of the English language. He continued to work on the farms in Cass county
until 1900, when he came to Shelby county and rented a farm. He is now
renting a farm of two hundred and forty acres of land in Clay township and
is meeting with marked success in his work. In 1914 he planted eighty acres
of corn and twenty-five acres of oats and other crops in proportion. He also
raises live stock and feeds most of his grain to his cattle and hogs.
Mr. Hansen is not married. He is a loyal member of the Danish Lutheran church and is a contributor to its support. Politically, he is a Democrat
but has never been active in the work of his party. Fraternally, he is a
member of the Woodmen of the World and the Danish Brotherhood. Mr.
Hansen is a young man who is making his way slowly and surely to the
front, and it is safe to assume that he will one day be classed among the
substantial farmers of his township.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 759 - 760. Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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The youngest business man of Harlan, Iowa, is Theodore S. Hansen,
while at the same time he is one of the most enterprising and wide-awake
men of the county seat. Although he has barely passed his majority, yet he
has already qualified himself for business with such energy and application
that he has already demonstrated peculiar qualifications for his chosen life
work. In this day and age there is a demand for expert service and in no
line of business is there a demand for more expert work than in the abstracting business. Mr. Hansen took a business course in Highland Park College which gave him a thorough knowledge of abstracting. The company which he has recently organized is fully capable of doing the most intricate of abstract work.
Theodore S. Hansen, the son of Ebbe J. and Lena (Yngve) Hansen,
was born in Audubon county, Iowa, January 9, 1891. His parents were both
natives of Denmark, his father's birth having occurred on October 21, 1849,
and his mother's September 1, 1864. Ebbe J. Hansen came to America with
his parents when he was fourteen years of age, and settled near Atlantic,
Iowa, where he farmed with his father until he was twenty-four years of
age. He then began farming for himself, later engaging in the hardware
and implement business at Sumner, Nebraska, where he remained for two
years. From Sumner, Nebraska, he moved to Exira, in Audubon county,
Iowa, where he engaged in the lumber business for two years. He disposed
of his lumber business to engage in the hardware business in Exira. He
remained in the latter place until 1900, when he moved to Atlantic, Iowa, and
began the manufacture of lightning rods. In 1905 he disposed of his interests in the lightning rod business and moved to Exira, where he remained
until 1911, when he permanently located in Harlan. Three children have
been born to Ebbe J. Hansen and wife: Matilda, the wife of Fred Larsen;
Emma, the wife of Howard Kittell, and Theodore S.
The elementary education of Mr. Hansen was received in the schools
of Exira, Iowa, and after graduating from the high school in that place, he
entered Highland Park College, at Des Moines, Iowa, and received from that
excellent institution the degree of Bachelor of Accounts in 1910. Wishing
to specialize in accounting and business practice, as well as general abstract
work he remained another year in the same college, and in the spring of
1911, received the degree of Master of Accounts. He was now twenty years
of age and with nothing more than a theoretical knowledge of his particular
field. After graduating, he entered the employ of O. P. Wyland, at Harlan,
and worked with him for a year and a half, during which time he learned
the practical side of his business. He was then called to Springview,
Nebraska, where he compiled a set of abstract books for Keyapaha county, the
first and only set which the county has ever had. After living a year in
Springview, he returned to Harlan and opened an abstract office for himself. In May, 1914, he took his brother-in-law, Howard Kittell, as a partner,
and the firm is now known as the Guarantee Abstract Company. These two
young men are well qualified for the particular business to which they have
addressed themselves, and an abstract coming from their office is sure to be
as accurately drawn up as it is possible for anyone in this county to do it.
In addition to their abstracting business the company does a general loan and
insurance business.
Mr. Hansen was married February 11, 1914, to Laura M. Nelson, the
daughter of Lars and Anna (Larsen) Nelson, the former born in 1843 and
the latter in 1851. Mrs. Hansen's parents were both natives of Denmark,
although they were not married until after they came to this country. They
were married at Council Bluffs, Iowa, and then came to Cuppy's Grove, in
Shelby county, where they were engaged in farming for a number of years.
Mr. Nelson sold his farm a few years later and moved to another farm three
miles from Harlan, where he lived until his death, October 8, 1895. Mrs.
Nelson then moved to Harlan, where she resided until her death, December
23, 1913. Mr. Nelson and wife were the parents of nine children: Frank
D., John C., Lawrence A., Fred, Margaret, Arthur, Elmer, Laura and Emma,
all of whom are still living with the exception of Fred.
Mr. Hansen and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically, he is a Republican, but because of his many business interests, he has thus far made no attempt to enter the political field.
In 1914, he declined a nomination for clerk of the district court. He is a
young man of keen intellect and intensely devoted to his chosen life work.
He and his wife are popular members of the society of Harlan. They are
welcome in the best homes of the city.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1102 - 1103. Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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An enterprising and progressive young farmer of Jackson township,
Shelby county, Iowa, is Hans P. Hanson, who is now living on the farm
where he was born in 1878. His parents were both natives of Denmark and
he has inherited those characteristics which have made the Danish people
such successful farmers in this county. As a farmer he ranks among the
best in the county and by progressive methods and close application to his
business, he has one of the best improved as well as one of the most productive farms in this community. He takes an active interest in the civic
life of his community and while a member of the school board, took an interest in the educational advancement of his locality.
H. P. Hanson, the son of Hans J. and Mary (Erickson) Hanson, was
born in Jackson township, Shelby county, Iowa, February 26, 1878. His
parents were both born in Denmark, his father being born March 4, 1839, and
his mother May 8, 1835. His father was educated in his native land and
when twenty-three years of age enlisted in the Danish army and fought
through the German and Danish War of 1864. After the war, he returned
to his home and farmed until 1870 in the locality where he was born. In that
year he came to America alone and first located in Iowa but a short time
afterwards went to Michigan and worked in the lumber camps of that state.
He also worked for the railroad companies of that state for several years
before returning to Iowa. When he came to Iowa the second time, he located
in Cass county and worked for the Rock Island Railroad Company. Later
he located in Shelby county and purchased a farm, although he had previously
bought some land in this county. He was married in 1877 and at once permanently located in Shelby county, where he is still living. Only one son
was born to Mr. and Mrs. Hans J. Hanson, H. P., whose history is here presented.
The education of H. P. Hanson was received in Jackson township and
after leaving the school room, he farmed with his father until his marriage
in 1904. He now manages and operates his father's farm of one hundred
and forty-three acres and has placed about ten thousand dollars worth of improvements upon it since taking charge of it. He has a beautiful country
home which is strictly modern in every respect. The house is placed upon
elevation about twenty-five feet above the level of the road and has a beautiful lawn surrounding it. He has excellent barns and out-buildings and
everything about the place bespeaks the taste and thrift of the manager. He
is a large raiser of hogs and cattle and in 1914 had eighty head of hogs and
forty-two head of cattle upon his farm.
Mr. Hanson was married May 4, 1904, to Ella Peterson, the daughter
of George H. and Ella Peterson. To this union two children have been
born: Petrea, who is now nine years of age and Edward, who died in
infancy. Mrs. Hanson's parents were born in Denmark, and Mrs. Hanson
was born in this township. Her parents came to America before their marriage and were married in this county. They retired from the farm some
years ago and are now living at Elk Horn, Iowa. They reared a family of
eleven children, Harry, Alma, Olga, Jennie, Ella, Annie, Petrea, Peter,
Matthew, Arthur and Andrew. All of these children are still living with
the exception of Petrea.
Mr. Hanson is a Republican in politics with Progressive tendencies. The only official position which he has ever held is that of school director, a
position which he filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to his fellow citizens. Mr. Hanson is a man of high ideals and has so managed his affairs and conducted his daily life as to merit the high esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 742 - 743. Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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A residence of thirty-two years in Shelby county, Iowa, has given George W. Harness the opportunity to accumulate a fine farm of five hundred and twenty-three acres in Union township. His career has been wonderfully successful and has been marked throughout by careful and conscientious attention to his agricultural interests. He has found that the raising of stock is the best method by which the farmer in this county can secure the greatest returns from his land, and his record along this line has been as successful as that of any farmer in the county. However, he has not been negligent of his duties as a true American citizen and has filled various official positions with a degree of efficiency which stamps him as a man of exceptional executive and administrative ability. As township trustee, school director and assessor, he has given his fellow citizens faithful service, and no charge of maladministration has ever been brought against him. In view of the fact that he has played such an important part in the history of his township and county, it seems peculiarly fitting that his history he recorded in the annals of his county.
George W. Harness, the son of James A. and Mary (Bethurum) Harness, was born in Lincoln county, Kentucky, December 6, 1855. His parents were both born in Kentucky and his father was a distiller in his native state for several years. Subsequently James A. Harness disposed of his interests in the distillery and engaged in farming with his father, David Harness, in which he continued until the time of his marriage. He then bought a farm in Kentucky, which he operated for himself until 1863, when he moved to Mercer county, Illinois. Within a short time he removed from the farm to Reynolds, Illinois, and lived there until his death in August, 1908. His wife died in 1912. There were six children born to James A. Harness and wife: William, Elizabeth, David, James H., George W. and John. Three of these children are still living, James H., William and George W.
The education of George W. Harness was received in the schools of
Mercer county, Illinois, as he was but seven years of age when his parents
moved from Kentucky to that state. He grew to maturity and married in
Illinois, after which he purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty-three
acres in Mercer county and began farming for himself. In 1883 he removed with his family to Shelby county, Iowa, and bought one hundred and
sixty acres of land in Union township. He came to this county after the
grasshopper period had passed and at a time when conditions were such
that any man of energy and ability could get a good start. With the quarter
of a section which he first purchased he began a career of successful farming which has had few equals in the county. Year by year found him more
prosperous and with an increased acreage, until he owned five hundred and
twenty-three acres of excellent farming land at the time of his retirement
from the farm in 1912. As has been stated he has made his greatest success
in the raising of live stock, and in the management of his live stock he has
become an expert. His career strikingly exemplifies what the possibilities
of farming are in this county and shows what can be accomplished by a
farmer who devotes himself to his work with enthusiasm and energy.
Mr. Harness was married on January 22, 1876, to Nancy Boultinghouse, the daughter of John and Diana (Williams) Boultinghouse, and to
this union ten children have been born: Nancy, Mary C., Clara B., Martha
E., John S., Sarah A., George I., William H., Catherine D. and Elsie M.
All of these children, with the exception of George, William and Elsie M.,
are married. Nancy is the wife of Patrick McCord, and has three children.
Cleo, Verne and Ivan; one of Nancy's children, Cleo, is married, being the
wife of Luther Brasel, and has one son, Verne. Mary C. is the wife of
Joseph Ray, and has four children, Paul, Bella, Mildred, and Leo, deceased. Clara B. is the widow of H. J. McKnight, and has two children,
Howard and Harold. Martha is the wife of Edward Chris, and has six
children, Edna, George, Robert, Mae, Melvin and William. John S. married Martha Wickersham, and has three children, Bernice, Zella and William. Sarah is the wife of Alfred Hulsebus, and has one son, Leonard,
living, and one who died in infancy. Catherine is the wife of Arthur Berg.
The parents of Mrs. Harness were natives of Indiana and Kentucky,
respectively, the father following the occupation of a farmer all his life.
Mr. Boultinghouse moved from Indiana to Rock Island county, Illinois,
later in life, where he farmed for three or four years. Subsequently, the
Boultinghouse family removed to Mercer county, Illinois, where the parents
lived until their death. Seven children were born to John Boultinghouse
and wife: James, Isaac, Elizabeth, John, Mary, Nancy and Caroline. Mr.
Boultinghouse died in 1906 and his wife in 1889.
Mr. Harness has not spent all of his career on the farm, having lived in
Defiance from 1887 until 1892. During the time he was living in that city
he managed a general mercantile establishment, but the call of the farm induced him to dispose of his store and return to agricultural life. In 1909
Mr. Harness and his wife went to California and lived in San Diego for
four years, having gone there on account of ill health, and in the salubrious
climate of the Pacific coast he recovered his usual health and is now enjoying life on his farm in this county to its fullest extent. He has no desire to
move to the city, preferring to spend his declining years on the farm where
he and his wife have made such a successful record.
Mr. Harness and his family are consistent members of the Methodist
Episcopal church. Politically, he has always been identified with the Democratic party, and has been one of his party's leaders for many years. At
different times his party has nominated and elected him to the office of
township trustee, school director and assessor, and in each of these official
positions he showed himself a faithful servant of his fellow citizens. The
career of Mr. Harness shows him to be a true American citizen of the highest type. In his personal affairs he has been successful, while in the administration of the civic duties which he has performed, he has been no less successful than in the administration of his private interests. He and
his wife have reared a large family of children to lives of usefulness and honor, and in turn have seen their children building homes of their own.
Thus, in every capacity where he has been found, Mr. Harness has lived up to the highest ideal of American citizenship.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 684 - 686. Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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A prominent citizen of Danish ancestry now making his home in Center township, Shelby county, Iowa, is Anders Henriksen. Coming to this
country when he was twenty years old and to Shelby county, Iowa, soon after, he has worked faithfully on his farm His farm of two hundred acres in
Center township proves his ability as a farmer, and the high esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens, shows that he has been a good citizen in his community.
Anders Henriksen, the son of Henrick and Carrie (Henrick) Nelson, was born July 2, 1868, in Denmark. His father was a laborer in Denmark, and served his country in the war between Denmark and Germany in the early sixties, when Schleswig and Holstein were taken by Germany from
Denmark. His father continued to reside in his native land until his death in 1899. The father of Anders died when he was but eight years of age.
Four children were born to Henrick Nelson and wife: Anton, who lives in Denmark; Nels and Dorothy, who live in South America, and Andrew.
Anders Henriksen was educated in the schools of Denmark, and remained in his native land until he reached the age of twenty. In 1888, he came to America and to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he worked a short time on a farm near that city. He then went west and located in Shelby county, Iowa, where he farmed for seven years. He then married, bought eighty acres of land in Center-township and began farming for himself. To this eighty acres he has added one hundred and twenty acres, now possessing two hundred acres of well improved land in the township. He devotes most of
his attention to stock raising and feeds about one hundred and twenty-five head of hogs and over a car load of cattle each year. He raises about eighty-five acres of corn, annually, for stock feed.
Mr. Henriksen was married October 18, 1896, to Stena Hansen, the daughter of Kil Hansen, and to this union ten children have been born:
Elvina, Harry, Leroy, Elmer, Gilbert, Stella, Lester, Cecil, Gilbert and one who died in infancy. The first son, Gilbert, is deceased.
Mrs. Henriksen and her parents were born in Denmark. Shortly after they came to America, the mother died, and her father returned to Denmark after one year and soon died in his native land. There were four children born to Kil Hansen and wife: John, who is single; Johannah, who is living in Idaho; Mary, the wife of Robert Christiansen, and Stena, the wife of Mr. Henriksen.
Mr. Henriksen and his children are loyal members of the Danish Lutheran church, and give it their hearty support. He is a Republican but has
always preferred to give his time and attention to agricultural interests rather than enter politics. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
Mr. Henriksen is a man of fine character, and has always taken a deep interest in his community. He has a strong personality and a host of friends
throughout the community where he has lived for the past quarter of a century.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1178 - 1179. Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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A retired farmer and stock raiser of Shelby county, Iowa, is Soren M.
Smith, who after many years of toil in the fields, is now living a retired life
of ease and comfort in the county seat. He comes from the large class of
excellent citizens who were born in Schleswig, Germany, and without exception, the citizens who have come from that country to Shelby county have
been substantial men and worthy citizens of their adopted country.
Soren M. Smith, the son of Andrew Matson and Carrie Smith, was born
July 9, 1860, in Schleswig, Germany. As a matter of fact, Schleswig at
the time of Mr. Smith's birth, was a part of Denmark, but in 1864, the
provinces of Schleswig and Holstein were added to the German empire as a
result of a war between Germany and Denmark. The father of Mr. Smith
was also a native of Schleswig, his birth occurring in 1823, and his death
occurred in his native land in 1896. His mother was born in 1822, and died
in 1897. Andrew M. Smith and wife reared a family of five children: Carrie,
Mary, Stena, Chris and Soren. Stena died at the age of two years, and the
rest of the children with the exception of Soren, are still living in the native
land.
Soren M. Smith received an excellent common school education in the
schools of his native land and worked with his father on the home farm
until he was twenty-one years of age. The reports which he received from
this country regarding the success of his countrymen in Shelby county, Iowa,
led Mr. Smith to come to this country when he reached his twenty-first birthday. Upon coming to America in 1881, he came direct to Shelby county,
Iowa, and located in Elk Horn. He found work upon the farms in the immediate vicinity of Elk Horn until 1885, when he went to Hot Springs,
Arkansas, where he married in 1886. In 1888 he rented a farm of one hundred and nine acres and began farming for himself. He rented for about six
years, and in the meantime saved his money with the intention of securing a
farm of his own. In 1894 he bought a farm of one hundred and sixteen acres
west of Harlan and operated this tract for about eight years, after which he
sold out and moved to the county seat, where he has since resided. He now
owns eighty acres of well improved and highly productive land near Corley,
Iowa, and gives this farm his personal supervision.
Mr. Smith was married May 6, 1886, to Senia Standerup, the daughter
of Peter Standerup. His first wife died in 1896, and on September 15, 1898,
Mr. Smith was married to Hannah Lartson, the daughter of Claus Lartson
and Anna Mortesen. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have one daughter, May, born
June 29, 1904. Mrs. Smith's parents were natives of Denmark, and came to
this country in 1881, locating in Shelby county. Her father was a farmer
and followed that occupation until his death in August, 1904. Six children
were born to Claus Lartson and wife: Ness, Peter, Mary, Senia, Claudia
and Hannah.
Mr. Smith is a Republican in politics, but has never been active in
political matters. His wife is a member of the Danish Lutheran church,
while fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1117 - 1118. Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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A descendant of one of the first Danish families to settle in Shelby
county, Iowa, John Rold, has been a resident of the county since 1872. These
forty-two years which he has spent within the confines of this county have
covered practically all its history, and therefore he is well known to all of the
citizens of his community. He is essentially a self-made man, and has
achieved his success by his own unaided efforts. The farm which he bought
many years ago for forty dollars an acre is now worth over two hundred
dollars an acre, the increase being due largely to the extensive improvements
which he has placed upon the farm. Mr. Rold is a man who has so con-
ducted his life and so managed his affairs as to merit the high esteem in
which he is held by those who know him.
John Rold, the son of Jens and Charlotte (Jensen) Rold, was born in
Pottawattamie county, Iowa, December 7, 1871. His parents were both
natives of Denmark, his father's birth occurring in 1838, and his mother's
in 1842. They came to America shortly after their marriage and located
in Pottawattamie county, Iowa, settling there in 1863. They purchased a
farm of forty acres, and after farming it for a few years, sold it and purchased a farm in Jackson township, Shelby county, Iowa. They lived upon
this farm until 1895, when at the marriage of the son, John, they moved to
Harlan, where he is now living. He had a farm of two hundred and forty
acres well improved and capable of bearing excellent crops, which he sold.
Jens Rold and wife are the parents of seventeen children, eight of whom are
still living: Chris, who lives in Monroe township, this county; Christian, a
resident of Idaho; Anna, the wife of Charles Christiansen; John, the immediate subject of this review; Samuel; Rebecca, the wife of Nicholas Sorensen; Martha, the wife of William Smith, and Charles. The mother of these
children died in October, 1900.
John Rold was four years of age when his parents moved from Pottawattamie county to Shelby county, Iowa, and he has spent his whole life in
this county since that time. He received such education as was given in the
schools of Jackson township during his boyhood days, and after leaving
school, worked out by the month for a year. He and his brother, Samuel,
then rented the home farm of two hundred and forty acres, and farmed it
together for a year, after which he rented the whole farm himself for two
years. After his marriage, he bought his present farm of eighty acres, for
which he paid forty dollars an acre. He has built a strictly modern home
and has placed at least five thousand dollars' worth of improvements upon
the place since he acquired it in 1899. He feeds all of his grain to his cattle
and hogs, raising about two thousand bushels of corn a year, and selling sixty
head of hogs and a car load of cattle annually.
Mr. Rold was married December 4, 1895, to Mary Petersen, the daughter of Jens and Mary (Madsen) Petersen, and to this union five children have
been born: Wesley, Irving, Vernie, Pearl and Gladys. Irving died at the
age of ten months, and the other four children are still living with their
parents.
The parents of Mrs. Rold were both natives of Denmark, and never left
the land of their birth. They had a family of five children: Eliza, Hannah,
Martin, Julia and Mary, the wife of Mr. Rold. Two of the daughters, Eliza
and Hannah, are married, and the others are single. Martin is deceased.
Eliza is the wife of Chris Larson. Hannah is the wife of Thomas Jorgensen
and Julia is the wife of Chris Christiansen.
The Republican party claims the loyal support of Mr. Rold, but he has
never been very active in political matters. He is now serving as school
director of his township, and adding his influence to the support of all worthy
educational interests of his township. He and his family are devoted members of the Danish Baptist church, of Harlan, and contribute to its support.
He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1118 - 1119. Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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To have been born in Germany seems to be a guarantee of success if the career of the German citizens of Shelby county, Iowa, is taken as the
criterion. Without exception they have been as potent or more potent in the advancement of the various interests of this county than the citizens of
native birth. One of the men of German extraction who has played an important part in the life is Lorenz Lorenzen, a prosperous farmer of Jefferson township.
Lorenz Lorenzen, the son of Thomas and Christina (Martinsen) Lorenzen, was born April 3, 1857, in Schleswig, Germany, and is the only
one of his family to come to this country. Thomas Lorenzen was a laborer in his native land and the father of four children, Catherine, Frederica,
Christina and Lorenz.
All of the education of Lorenz Lorenzen was received in Schleswig and when only seventeen he left his home and native land for the United States.
It must have taken a great deal of courage for this boy to make the long trip across the broad Atlantic and yet it is this very quality which has made
him such a successful man since coming to this country. On arriving in this country he at once went to Clinton county, Iowa, but shortly afterward
located in Crawford county in this state. In 1886 he moved into Shelby county and bought eighty-two acres in section 7, Jefferson township, on
which he has since resided. Before buying he worked for farmers in the state and in that way learned American methods of agriculture. He has
always carried on general farming and in 1914 had eight head of horses, thirty-eight head of cattle and seventy-five head of hogs upon his farm.
Mr. Lorenzen was married in 1883 to Cathrina Clausen, a native of Germany. Her parents died when she was small and she was reared by an uncle. To this union there have been born ten children: Anna, who married Henry Ehricks of Crawford county, and has two children, Edward and Raymond; Carolina, who married Bernard Thompson, of Minnesota, and has one living child, Arnold; Hannah, who married Fred Boyens of Crawford county, and has one child, Alvin; Christina, the wife of Louis Reininger of Crawford county; Thomas, who married Mary Kroger, and four who are single and still living at home, Emma, William, John and Edward. The mother of these children died October 17, 1906.
Politically, Mr. Lorenzen is affiliated with the Democratic party but has never been an aspirant for political office. He has preferred to devote all
of his time to his duties on the farm and in the home circle. He was formerly a member of the Modern Woodmen of America hut is now a demitted member. He and his family are members of the German Lutheran church and have been interested in its various activities. Mr. Lorenz is highly respected by every one with whom he has come in contact and well merits the expression which his neighbors use in speaking of him, "He is as honest as the day is long." He came to the United States with nothing and by a life of honest toil and well-directed effort has attained a position of pecuniary independence.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 766 - 767. Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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One of the wealthiest and most substantial German citizens of Shelby
county, Iowa, is Nicholas H. Hess, who is now living a retired life in the
county seat of the county. Coming to this county with no visible asset other
than a strong constitution he started in at the foot of the ladder and by hard
work and good management he has accumulated an estate of eight hundred
acres, all of which is well improved and in a high state of cultivation. He
and his good wife and children have worked together with the result that they
have made their farm second to none in the county. The children are all
married and have families of their own and are now taking their part in all
movements looking to the advancement of the county's welfare. The best
citizens are those who rear children to lives of usefulness and honor and with
this as a criterion, it is safe to say that Shelby county has no more representative citizen than Nicholas H. Hess, whose history is here briefly set
forth for the consideration of future generations.
Nicholas H. Hess, the son of Chris. H. and Helena Marie (Claussen)
Hess, was born February 13, 1853, in Schleswig, Germany. His parents
lived all of their lives in the land of their birth and were loyal and consistent
members of the German Lutheran church. They reared a family of five
children: Maria; who is still living in Germany; Hans, who came to America, in 1863, enlisted in Company I, Eighth Regiment of Iowa Volunteers
at Davenport, Iowa, and served with bravery until the close of the war, dying
a year later from sickness incurred while in the service; Anna, the third child
of the family married Henry Hansen of Atlantic, Iowa Christ, a retired
farmer, now living in Harlan; the fifth child is Nicholas H. with whom this
narrative deals.
Nicholas H. Hess attended school in Germany until he was fourteen
years of age and. when he was eighteen years of age he came to America
alone to seek his fortune. One of his brothers, Hans, had preceded, him to
this country and had served in the war, later settling in Davenport, Iowa.
Nicholas Hess located in Davenport and remained there for a year and a
half, working at anything which he could find to do. He then went to California and worked at the butcher trade and farming in various parts of that
state for the next. five years. He then came to Shelby county, Iowa, and
bought a small tract of land in Jackson and Center townships, put up a
small house and lived there alone until his marriage in 1880.
It can be said that a new chapter in his life begins with his marriage, for
from that time he has prospered exceedingly. He and his excellent helpmate together worked hard and year by year they saw their possessions increase until at the time they retired from the farm in 1909 they owned four
hundred and ninety acres in Jackson township, one hundred and fifty acres
in Center township and one hundred and sixty acres in Fairview township,
all of which was well improved. It is needless to say that Mr. Hess has been
remarkably successful, for one needs but to glance over his broad estate to
see that he has made use of his opportunities to a marked degree. He has
been one of the most extensive stock raisers of the county, giving particular
attention to the breeding of Polled Angus cattle and Berkshire hogs. However, he has not confined his energies to cattle and hogs, but has been an extensive breeder of draft and general-purpose horses as well, and has always
found a ready sale for his surplus horses at a good price. Too much credit
can not be given to a man who starts without a dollar in the world and accumulates an estate such as has Mr. Hess. Such success does not come by
chance but is the result of well directed and effective efforts. The history of
the county would not be complete without a review of the lives of such men
as Mr. Hess.
Mr. Hess was married May 14, 1880, to Mary Hansen, a native of
Schleswig, Germany, and the daughter of John and Louisa (Christensen)
Hansen. Mrs. Hess's parents came to America in the spring of 1872 and
located on a farm near Atlantic, Iowa. In 1881 they removed to Shelby
county where they bought a fine farm, improved it, and lived there until their
death. Mr. Hansen and wife were prominent members of the Lutheran
church and the parents of three children: Mary, Andrew and Hans. Andrew died some years ago and Hans is a prominent farmer of Jackson
township.
Mr. and Mrs. Hess have reared a family of four children, who are a
credit to their parents: Helena is the wife of John H. White, a prominent
farmer of Jackson township, to whom three children have been born, Evelyn,
Mabel and Marguerita. Christ, the second child of Mr. Hess and wife, is a
farmer in Center township; he married Caroline Denguard and has one child,
Gladys; George, the third. child, is a farmer in Fairview township; he married Dora Christensen and has one daughter, Velma; Andrew, the fourth
child of Mr. and Mrs. Hess, is now managing the old place of his father in
Jackson township. He married Hannah Christensen and has three children,
Winifred, Marguerita and Everett.
Mr. Hess is a fine type of the representative American citizen. Although
he claims this country as his home, he has never forgotten the land which
gave him his birth and ever takes a warm interest in the affairs of the Fatherland. He is a self-made man and as he now sits in his beautiful home
in Harlan he can look back with complacency over the long period of years
when things often looked gloomy and discouraging. He and his wife now
are living in abundance and luxury, and are enjoying their days in peace
and quiet. They are well informed on the current issues of the day and are
such people as give stability and honor to any community. Mrs. Hess has
been a competent helpmate to her husband, a wise mother to her children and
one of those fine pioneer women whom Shelby county delights to honor.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1391 - 1393. Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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In the old countries of the world, particularly those governed by kings
or emperors, there is a sharp contrast drawn between persons of title and the
laboring classes. The aristocratic members of those countries have, from
time immemorial, tried to make it appear that the kings or emperors ruled
by divine authority, and the families of the nobility attempted to establish
their superiority over the working classes by claiming the same authority.
As a consequence, labor was looked upon in those countries as in a manner
degrading, instead of being the noblest calling to which man can turn his
hand. The reverse of conditions exist in our country where it has been the
aim of all thoughtful persons to ennoble labor and the result has been to make
the farmer and the artisan the peer of the wisest and best in our land. That
this view is the sane and correct one is borne out by a review of the lives of
such men as the, subject of this interesting biographical. sketch.
Although born on a foreign soil, Mr. Willadsen has been a citizen of
this country for many years, having been brought here by his parents when
but seven years of age. He is the son of Lars and Marie (Thompsen)
Willadsen. who at an advanced age are passing the declining years of their
lives in comfortable retirement at their home in Polk township. Mr. Willadsen first saw the light of day on April 27, 1874, in Denmark, and inasmuch
as the family was of the agricultural class, he received early and careful
training from his father in that particular vocation. In addition to attending to the duties of his farm, the elder Willadsen also did considerable business as a cobbler, having his shop on the home farm. Upon landing in this
country, the family came directly to this state, where they secured a location
in section 35 of Jefferson township, Shelby county. Here the parents remained. for about twenty years, when their holdings there were disposed of
and they took up their residence in Harlan, remaining there for ten years.
At that time they removed to Jacksonville and for seven years remained in
that locality and then built a small but comfortable home near their daughter
Stena (Mrs. Olsen) in Polk township, where they are passing their latter days
in peace and contentment. They are the parents of eight children and derive
much pleasure from the kind thoughtfulness of their descendants.
Thomas Willadsen remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-one years of age, at which time he bought from his father an eighty-acre
farm in Jefferson township. For about one year more he remained at home,
operating this farm and then purchased an additional eighty acres just north
of his father's place. This was about the time of his marriage, and it was
on this latter eighty that he established his home, remaining thereon for five
years. However, being not quite satisfied with his location, he disposed of
his holdings and purchased one hundred and sixty acres in section 30 of
Jefferson township, which, however, he retained but three months. On the
sale of this land he bought the property in sections 1 and 2 of Polk township, which has since been his home. He has in all two hundred and eighty
acres of good land and is considered one of the progressive farmers of the
community. He also raises considerable stock and has at the present time
twenty-five head of cattle, thirteen horses and about one hundred and twenty-five hogs, all his stock being of good grade.
Mr. Willadsen chose as his bride Miss Laura Nelson, with whom he
united in marriage on February 19, 1902. Mrs. Willadsen also is a native of
Denmark, born in that country on September 25, 1881, the daughter of Jim
and Minnie Nelsen and one of a family of five children. The parents came
to this country when Mrs. Willadsen was a little girl of nine years, and
located in Shelby county, this state.
Mr. and Mrs. Willadsen have a family of four children, namely: Violet,
born on March 13, 1903; Alvin, born April 26, 1905; Hazel, born November
22, 1907 and Iliff, who first saw the light of day on April 11, 1914. Both
Mr. and Mrs. Willadsen are members of the Danish Baptist church and are
among the faithful and active workers of that society. They have a wide
circle of friends and acquaintances and are held in high esteem by all. Mr.
Willadsen's political affiliation is with the Republican party and he has taken
an active interest in politics ever since attaining his majority. He has served
efficiently both as a member of the school board and as road supervisor and
is ever willing to discharge his duty as a citizen in whatever service may be
demanded of him. Mr. Willadsen is a simple sincere man, always striving
by word and deed to make the world better, and by his wholesome moral
influence exerts a silent but potent power in the community.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1393 - 1395. Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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Practical industry, wisely and vigorously applied, never fails of success.
It carries a man onward and upward, broadens and deepens his individual
character and acts as a strong stimulus and example to the efforts of others.
The greatest results in life often are attained by simple means and the exercise of the ordinary qualities of common sense and perseverance. It is the
every-day life with its cares, duties and necessities that affords ample opportunity for acquiring experience of the best kind and its most beaten paths
provide a sincere worker with abundant scope for effort and improvement.
This fact apparently was recognized early in life by the subject of this sketch
for he has seized opportunities as they came his way and is attaining a degree
of success such as never is reached by the weak and unambitious. Mr. Olsen
is carrying on the various departments of his farm work with that discretion
and energy which are sure to find their natural sequence in definite success and
there is particular satisfaction in offering in the life histories of such men
justification for the compilation of works of this character, not necessarily
that the careers of men of Mr. Olsen's type have been such as to gain them
wide reputation' or the admiring plaudits of men, hut because they have been
true to the trusts reposed in them and have shown such sincere traits of character in their respective spheres of action as to have won the esteem of all with whom they come in contact.
Here Lawrence Olsen first saw the light of day under the flag of. Denmark, being born in that land on July 7, 1877, the son of Johannes and Marie
(Jensen) Olsen, and was one of a family of nine children, of whom but four
at present survive. These are the immediate subject of this sketch, his
brothers Lars and James and his sister Mary, Mrs. Jensen. The parents
never came to this country and the father died previous to the time Lawrence
emigrated to America, which was in his fifteenth year. He came directly
to the home of friends in this county and for about ten years worked out by
the month on various farms. In this connection he continued until the time
of his marriage on February 27, 1901, when he was united in holy wedlock
with Christena Willadsen, who also is a native of Denmark and who was
born on September 15, 1881, a daughter of Lars and Marie (Thompsen)
Willadsen. Her parents emigrated to America in 1882 when Mrs. Olsen
was but a few months old, bringing their entire family with them, of which
there are but four surviving members. These other than Mrs. Olsen, are her
brother Thomas and two sisters, Myrtie (Mrs. Carison) and Edna, Mrs.
Nelson.
At the time of his marriage, Mr. Olsen secured a tract of land which he
rented for three or four years and on which he made his home prior to purchasing one hundred and twenty acres in section II of Polk township, where
he has since resided. Mr. Olsen puts the best of his efforts into general
farming and finds the raising of live stock a lucrative side issue. His stock
is all of good grade, as he is of the opinion that no breed is too good for
general purposes. Mr. Olsen is a man of marked domestic traits who finds
his deepest enjoyment in his family and home interests. Consequently.
while a staunch Republican politically, he has never felt justified in giving
any large portion of his time to furthering the interests of the party.
Mr. and Mrs. Olsen have a family of four children, namely: Ruby,
born on March 11, 1904.; Gladys, born on November 6, 1907; Goldie, who
first saw the light of day on July 7, 1911, and Pearl, born on March 9, 1913.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Olsen are members of the Danish Baptist church, living
lives in strict accord with the tenets of that faith, and desiring that their little
daughters shall be so trained as to grow into noble womanhood and fill useful
places in the world. They are held in high esteem by a large circle of friends,
than which no truer tribute can be paid to their genuine worth.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1395 - 1396. Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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The fertility of the soil of Shelby county has been an inducement to
farmers from all over the United States and the most of them, who have
settled here, have met with a marked degree of success. George J. Higgins
is one of the few farmers, who came from Pennsylvania to this county more
than forty years ago. He first went to Minnesota with his parents and later
came to Shelby county. He began farming as a renter in this county and
by good management and constant effort, has acquired a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Shelby township.
George J. Higgins, the son of John and Louisa (Reynolds) Higgins,
was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, October 13, 1858. His parents
were both born in Pennsylvania, his father in 1835, and his mother in 1834.
John Higgins farmed in Pennsylvania until 1867, when he moved to Houston
county, Minnesota, and farmed for six years. In 1873 he came to Shelby
county, Iowa, rented land in Shelby township for a short time; later he bought
two hundred and ninety acres in Cass township. He farmed in Cass town ship until he retired in 1908 to Shelby, Iowa, where he died in 1910. His
wife died in 1898. Five children were born to John Higgins and wife: William A., deceased; Charles F., who is living with his brother, George J.;
Ephraim E., of Idaho Falls, Idaho; and Eliza J., of Shelby, Iowa.
George J. Higgins was educated in Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Shelby
county, Iowa. He remained on the farm in Cass township with his parents
until he was twenty-one years old, when he and his brother, Charles F. started
farming together. They bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Washington township and farmed it for about seven years. Then George sold his share to his brother, came to Shelby township, and bought one hundred and
sixty acres from William Bomberger. On this farm he has placed seven
thousand dollars in improvements and has received the best results from his
efforts. He has a grove and orchard of about six acres, from which he gets
not only a plentiful supply of. fruit, but also all the wood necessary for fuel.
His apples have won numerous prizes at district fairs. He is a large stock
raiser and keeps only the best of cattle and hogs. He is now vice-president
of the Tennant Savings Bank and has an interest in the Farmers Savings
B.ank at Shelby. Several years ago he bought Idaho land and now owns
forty-eight lots in Idaho Falls, a flourishing city in that state.
Mr. Higgins was married in 1888 to Malissa Kimbrough, who was born
in Upshire county, West Virginia, in 1868. She is the daughter of Thomas
and Paulina (Haney) Kimbrough. Her father was born in Richmond,
Virginia, November 18, 1824, and died in 1877. Her mother was born in
Marion county, Virginia, in 1838 and is still living. Mrs. Kimbrough married Mathias Quick, after the death of her first husband, and is now living
in Shelby, Iowa. Five children were born to Thomas Kimbrough and wife:
Lorenzo. deceased; Malissa, the wife of Mr. Higgins; Mrs. Mary Roundy,
deceased; Mrs. Emily Higgins, the wife of Ephrim E. Higgins, and George
W., now living in Idaho.
Mr. Higgins and his wife have one daughter, Rosetta Ruth, who was
born at Portsmouth, Iowa, April 16, 1890. She graduated from the Shelby
high school and then attended the Iowa State teachers college at Cedar Falls,
Iowa, where she received the degree of M. D. I. She taught school at
Jewell Junction, Iowa, for one year and was assistant principal one year
at Manilla, Iowa. She taught two years at the Western Iowa Vocational
College at Harlan and in 1913 was principal of the high school at Persia,
Iowa. She is now attending the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.
Mr. Higgins is a stanch Republican and has been one of the leaders of
his party for many years. He was township trustee from, 1897 to 1901 and
justice of the peace from 1902 to 1904. In both capacities he was most
efficient. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and
give generously to its interests. He is a member of the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows and is very active in the work of that fraternal organization.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1171 - 1172. Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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