1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa
Page Index:
Rueschenberg |
ODay |
Miller |
McLaughlin |
Stewart
Thillen |
McDonald |
C. Larson |
M. Larson |
Lunn
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The life history of Joseph Rueschenberg is full of many interesting incidents. A
native of
Germany, a veteran of two of the greatest wars of modern Europe, a merchant and
farmer of Shelby
county, Iowa, for more than forty years, his life has been one of ceaseless
activity and he is now
justly entitled to a rest from the cares of worldly affairs. He is one of the
pioneer settlers of
this county and has borne no inconsiderable part in making this county what it
is today. He has carried forward to successful completion whatever he has undertaken, and his
business methods have
ever been in strict conformity with the standard ethics of commercial life. He
has taken an
intelligent interest in the civic life of his adopted country and has earned the
high esteem in
which he is held by all who know him.
Joseph Rueschenberg, the son of Frank and Theresa (Hense)Rueschenberg, was born
January 10, 1841,
in Westphalia, Germany. His father was a farmer in Germany and had a small farm
of thirty three
acres, on which he lived until his death in 1862, his widow passing away two
years later. Frank Rueschenberg and wife were the parents of five children: Peter, John, Joseph,
Frank and Lazetta.
All of the children are deceased now except Joseph and Peter, the latter living
on the old
homestead in Germany at the advanced age of ninety seven.
Joseph Rueschenberg was given a good common school education in the schools of
his native land
and after leaving school assisted his father on the farm for one year and then
took lip the shoemaking trade. He was apprenticed to a shoe maker for three years and then
worked at his trade for
three years in different cities in Germany. He had by this time reached the age
when he must serve
in the German army, and for the next three years he passed through the military
experience which
is common to every German youth even to this day. He completed his service,
returned home, but
within three months his country was engaged in war with Austria and he was again
mustered into the
army. It was this so called Seven Weeks War of i866 which gave Prussia her
independence, the
battle of Sadowa which terminated this war, being comparable to the battle of
Yorktown in this
country. Four years later the Franco Prussian War opened and Mr. Rueschenberg
served his country
gallantly and well. It was this war which resulted in the utter defeat of
France, the cession of
Alsace and Lorraine to Germany, together with the payment of 5,000,000,000
francs as additional
indemnity for the expense of the war. It must be a great satisfaction to Mr.
Rueschenberg to know
that he fought in the two wars which placed his native land where it is today.
After the close of this memorable conflict, Mr. Rueschenberg returned home and
resumed his trade
as a shoe maker, but wishing to give his children better opportunities than they
could get inn
their native land, he decided to come to America. He had married in 1867 and in
1874 he severed
all old ties, gathered together his belongings and came to this country with his
family. He came
direct to Shelby county, Iowa, and settled in Westphalia, his family being the.
first to locate in
the town. He opened a grocery store and at the same time followed his trade as a
shoe maker. He
continued this dual line of activity for three years and then traded his store
for a farm of one
hundred and twenty acres in the immediate vicinity of the town. He was a
successful farmer from
the beginning and in the course of time became the possessor of three hundred
and twenty acres in
this county and one hundred and sixty acres in South Dakota. He continued
farming for seventeen
years and then bought a general merchandise store at Westphalia, which he
managed for the next
thirteen years. He then traded the store for land and retired from active work,
although still
maintaining his home in Westphalia.
Mr. Rueschenberg was married October 17, 1867, to Josephine Sasse, the daughter
of Mr. and Mrs.
Joseph Sasse, of Germany. To this union there have been born eleven children:
Frank, who married
Mary Ruden;
Robert, who married Kate Mumchrad; Joseph, who married Edith Hinrichs; Ernest,
who married Nell
Corbett; Christenia, the wife of Albert Mages; Bertha, the wife of Frank Gross;
Annie, the wife of
Frank Mages; Elizabeth, the wife of John Bloom; Clara, single; and two who died
in infancy. The
mother of these children was horn December 26, 1844, and died March 10, 1914.
Mr. Rueschenberg has
been a Democrat since coming to this country and has always been interested in
local politics. He
served for four and a half years as postmaster of Westphalia and was for several
years a member of
the school board. He was the first secretary of the Westphalia Mutual Fire
Insurance Company and
was one of the main men to organize the company. He and all his family are loyal
members of the
Catholic church and contribute liberally of their time and substance to its
support.
Mr.Rueschenberg has lived such a life since coming to this county as to win the
hearty commendation of every one with whom he has been in any way associated. He has a
very extensive
acquaintance throughout the county and no man has more loyal friends, a tribute
to his sterling
integrity and worth as a citizen. It is such men who have brought Shelby county
to the front and
no one is more justly entitled to be called a representative citizen of this
county.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 728 - 730. Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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One of the largest, if not the largest, farm in Shelby county owned by a farmer
of Irish
parentage, is the farm of six hundred and twenty acres owned by Michael O'Day.
Starting out as a
renter soon after reaching his majority, he has become one of the largest land
owners in the
county and has accumulated this large farm solely through his own individual
efforts. Year by year
has seen him more prosperous, yet he has not neglected to take the time as
opportunity presented
itself to assist in the material and civic development of his county. Too much
credit cannot he
given to a man who acquires such a farm through his own initiative, and the fact
that Mr. O'Day
retains the good will and respect of his fellow citizens, shows that his success has been well
earned.
Michael O'Day, the son of Thomas and _________ (O'Connor) O'Day, was born in
Washington county,
Pennsylvania, in 1867. His father was born in Ireland in 1834, and remained in
his native land
until he was twenty one years of age. In 1855 he crossed the broad Atlantic and
settled in
Pennsylvania, where. he farmed until the opening of the Civil War. He enlisted
at Pittsburg,
Pennsylvania, in 1862, in the cavalry service, and remained at the front until
the close of the
war. He made a gallant record as a soldier and with his regiment participated in
many of the
hardest fought battles of the Civil War. After the close of the war Thomas O'Day
returned to
Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he followed farming pursuits for about a
year. In 1866 he
came to Shelby county, Iowa, and purchased forty acres of land, part of which
was covered with a
good growth of timber. He cleared twenty acres of this tract and then returned
to Pennsylvania,
where he remained a year. He had married immediately after the close of the war
and upon returning
to Shelby county, in 1867, he brought his wife and family with him. He had built
a log cabin on
his forty acres and in this he lived for about fifteen years. As the times grew
better he added to
his farm and at the time of his death in 1894, was the owner of one hundred and
twenty acres of
good farming land in Grove township. His wife was born in Washington county,
Pennsylvania, in
1839, and died in Shelby county, Iowa, in 1911.
Michael O'Day is one of ten children born to his parents, six of whom are still
living. Michael received his education in the schools of Shelby county, and due to the fact that
the schools were hardly organized in his boy hood days, his education was necessarily limited.
However, he has been a reader all of his life and today is one of the best informed men of his
township, When he was twenty two years of age he started farming for himself by renting eighty acres
from his father.
Two years later he bought eighty acres in Grove township, and with this as a
nucleus, he has
accumulated an estate of six hundred and twenty acres, all of which is in one
tract. On this farm
he has placed buildings which alone cost him eight thousand dollars. In addition
to this he has
built several miles of fencing and put in a large amount of drainage. He is one
of the largest and
most extensive stock breeders of the county and several car loads of stock are
sold from his farm
each year. His success has been little short of . remarkable, considering the
opportunities he had
as a young man.
Mr. O'Day was married in 1902 to Jessie Jenkins, who was born in this township
in 1882, and to
this union six children have been born, Thomas, Leroy, Maurice, Lorenzo, Hubert
and Margrette. All
of these children are still living except Lorenzo.
Politically, Mr. O'Day has long been allied with the Republican party, but the
affairs of his
large farm have been sufficient to occupy all of his attention and he has never
felt inclined to
act as a candidate for any public office, although his advice on political
subjects is frequently
sought by the leaders of his party. He and his family are devout members of the
Catholic church to
whose support they are generous contributors.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 749 - 751. Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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The handling of the large grain crop of Shelby county has made it necessary to
establish grain
elevators in various parts of the county. Some of these elevators are in the
hands of companies
from outside counties, while others are independent concerns owned by citizens
living within the
county. Such a plant is established at Earling, Iowa, and is owned by Emil
Miller, one of the
keenest young business men of the county. He has been buying and selling grain
for~ the past six
years and in that time has learned the grain business thoroughly. Emil M.
Miller, the son of John
P. and Lena (Berger) Miller, was born November 6, 1883, in Westphalia township,
Shelby county,
Iowa. His father was a native of Germany, educated in his native land and came
to America at the
age of twenty one. John P. Miller first located in Cascade county, Iowa, where
he rented a farm
for five years, after which he moved to Westphalia township, Shelby county, and
purchased a farm
of eighty acres. He was married in Cascade county, Iowa, to Lena Berger, who was
born in this
state: In 1911 John P. Miller and his wife moved to Earling, where they are now
living a retired
life. Six children were born to John P. Miller and wife: Matthew, who married
Gertrude Gross; Lena, deceased; Katherine, the wife of Ulrich Albers; Emil, the
subject of this review; Charles, who married Julia Dresen; and Nicholas, who married Agnes
Tuffelmeier. Emil M.
Miller was
educated in the Catholic school at Earling, and after leaving school he farmed
with his father
until 1908. In that year he entered the employ of the Wright & McWhinney
Company, grain dealers at Earling, and bought grain for them for five years. He had charge of the elevator
at Earling and
proved an efficient manager for his employers. However, Mr. Miller wished to
engage in business
for himself, and on July 27, 1914, he bought the grain elevator of the Loltz
brothers, and is now
in active charge of his own plant. He is one of the brightest and keenest young
business men of
the county and because he has always dealt honestly with his patrons, he has won
their confidence
and consequently their business.
Politically, Mr. Miller is a loyal Democrat, but the extent of his business
interests has so far
prevented him from taking an active part in political matters. He is a member of
the Catholic
church and a generous contributor to its support. Mr. Miller is a young man
right at the very
threshold of his career and his success so far indicates a prosperous future
for him.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 751 - 752. Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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Few farmers in Shelby county, Iowa, have attained greater success in the stock
raising business
than William H. McLaughlin, of Shelby township. Starting in as a renter in 1892,
he has become one
of the largest land owners in this township, owning more than five hundred acres
of land, and has
also become one of the largest cattle and hog raisers. His barn is one of the
largest and finest
in the state of Iowa and was built to accommodate his large herds of live stock.
He has not only
taken an active interest in the material prosperity of the county, but has also
served as township
trustee and given his hearty support to every worthy measure advanced for the
welfare of his
community.
William H. McLaughlin, the son of Charles James and Martha (Campbell)
McLaughlin, was born in
Bedford county, Pennsylvania, September 21, 1861. His father was born in the
same county in 1832,
while his mother was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1835. After his
marriage, Charles
James McLaughlin, with his brother, became interested in the tannery business
in Germantown,
Pennsylvania, and followed that until 1869. In that year he went west alone on a
prospecting trip,
intending to purchase a tract of land in some of the western states where good
land was to be
secured at a low price. He went directly from Germantown, Pennsylvania, to
Lanark, Illinois, and
from there to Davenport, Iowa, where he met a party of three men: D. B. Pierce
and his son Frank
and Nathaniel Lawson.
These four men traveled in a covered wagon and started to drive across the state
with a view of
securing land in a most favorable location. They traveled nearly across the
state and finally came
to Shelby county, and the sight which here met their eyes was such that they
determined to locate
in this county. Mr. McLaughlin at once bought three hundred and twenty acres of
unimproved land
and also forty acres additional a little later for which he paid eight dollars
an acre, and this
same land today is worth more than two hundred dollars an acre. He at once built
a house and this
same house is now occupied by his son, William H. Charles James McLaughlin now
returned to' his
home in Pennsylvania and moved his family to Shelby county, Iowa. He set out an
orchard of five
acres and was soon raising not only all the fruit he could use but was able to
sell a considerable
amount each year. As early as 1872 his trees were bearing and he made an
exhibition of his apples
at the Silver Creek Fair, winning prizes on several of his exhibits.
Charles James McLaughlin was one of the best known of the early pioneer farmers.
Not even the
grasshopper scourge could discourage him and, despite the fact that the
grasshoppers drove more
than half of the pioneers out of the county, he stayed and took advantage of the
cheap land which
was placed on the market at that time. When the grasshopper plague~ struck
Kansas he and one of
his sons drove to that state and bought one hundred and fifty head of cattle.
They drove the
cattle from the northern boundary of Kansas to Shelby county, Iowa. When they
struck the Missouri
river at Omaha, they swam the entire herd of one hundred and fifty across the
river. It is
needless to say that a farmer who would have the courage to buy cattle at such a
time would
succeed, and when he died, in 1897, his extensive holdings of eighteen hundred
and forty acres
were sufficient proof that he had been successful. When William H. was a lad of
fourteen, he and
his brother, Ellsworth, aged eleven, herded a large drove of cattle in the
northern part of
Westphalia township. During the summers from 1875 to 1879 the two brothers
herded their father's
cattle there all during the summer, driving them home each fall for the winter
season. The wife of
Charles James McLaughlin was a worthy helpmate in the new prairie home and no
small share of the
success which attended her husband should be given to her. Nine children were
born to Charles
James McLaughlin and wife: John L., Robert, Mrs. Sarah J. Boget, Ephriam,
William H., Martha,
Ellsworth, Mrs. Laura Ennis, and one who died in infancy. Of these children,
John L., Robert,
Sarah and Martha are deceased. Robert attended school at Council Bluffs, Iowa,
and later at
Glenwood, Iowa. He started to teach school in Shelby township In 1870 and was
the first teacher in
the township. He taught school in his parent's home and used the front room for
the school room.
He later taught school at Shelby, Iowa. He died in Denver, Colorado, in 1911
Ephriam is a
prosperous grocery merchant of Boise, Idaho. Ellsworth is a substantial farmer
and real estate
agent now living in Canada. Mrs. Laura Ennis, the only one of the daughters
living, is now a
resident of Denver, Colorado. Charles James McLaughlin and his wife were loyal
members of the
Methodist Episcopal church and were two of the first six who organized the
Methodist church of
Shelby. Mrs. McLaughlin died in 1906.
William H. McLaughlin was nine years of age when his parents moved from
Pennsylvania to Shelby
county, Iowa, and here he has made his home for the past forty five years. He
received all of his
education in one term, and this was received in the front room of his father's
house. When he
reached his majority, he rented two hundred and forty acres of his father's farm
and farmed it for
three years, then took charge of the home place and, subsequently, bought a
portion of it. After his marriage, in 1898, he began to add to his land holdings
and now owns five hundred and thirty
two acres of well improved land in Shelby township. He has given particular
attention to the
raising of registered Shorthorn cattle, although he also handles Poland China
hogs and Percheron
horses. His barn, which cost him four thousand dollars, is ninety by thirty four
feet and has two
wings, thirty eight by fifty six feet This barn is one of the most complete
barns for live stock
purposes to be found in the state of Iowa. It is probable that there is not a
barn on any farm in
the state which can shelter as much live stock.
Mr. McLaughlin was married in 1898 to Myrtle Buckley, who was born in Shelby
county, Iowa, in
1874. She was a daughter of Harry H. and Maggie (Chestnut) Buckley, natives of
Pennsylvania, who
located in Lanark county, Illinois, and later settled in Iowa. To this union
five children have
been born, three of whom are living and two who died in infancy. Veta, Ralph and
Willard are
living with their parents, the latter two being twins.
Mr. McLaughlin has been a stanch member of the Republican party and served his
party as trustee
of Shelby township from 1910 to 1912. He and his family are enthusiastic members
of the Methodist
Episcopal church and give it their hearty support at all times. Mr. McLaughlin
is one of the most highly respected men of his township and a man who has always
held the interest of his community at heart.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 752 - 754. Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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Shelby county, Iowa, is proud of the few citizens of Irish ancestry who have
made this county
their permanent home. The worthy sons of the Emerald Isle have become useful and
prosperous
citizens because of their thrifty habits and their economical mode of life.
Among the citizens of
Irish birth who have honored this county with their residence there is no one
who is more
deserving of mention in this volume than Andrew Stewart, a prosperous farmer
and stockman of
Lincoln township. With clearly defined purpose and consecutive effort in the
affairs of life he
has attained a due measure of success and in so doing has not forgotten the
duties which he owes
to his fellow citizens in any way. He has borne his full share of the burdens of
the civic welfare
of his community and has always stood on the side of good government.
Andrew Stewart, son of James and Anna (Gibson) Stewart, was born in Ireland,
July 11, 1871. His
father was born in 1811 and his mother in 1833, and lived in their native land
many years after
their marriage. It was not until the year 1878 that they decided to come to
America and when they
came here they settled at once in Jackson township in this county. Here James
Stewart purchased
land and became a prosperous farmer and at the time of his death in 1906 in
Harlan, he was one of
the substantial men of the county. Mrs. Stewart died in 1907. James Stewart and
wife were the
parents of thirteen children, nine of whom are living in America, Thomas, John
J., Joseph Henry,
Samuel R., Andrew, George E., Isaiah G., Richard and Sarah. Mrs. McElvain lives
in Ireland.
Andrew Stewart was seven years of age when his parents came to the United States
and consequently
most of his education was received in the schools of Shelby county. Mr. Stewart
worked on the home
farm until he was twenty-three years of age and then rented land and commenced
farming for
himself. At the death of his father in 1906 he received eighty acres of his
father's estate and a
year later purchased two hundred and thirty acres of excellent farming land in
Lincoln township.
Since acquiring this farm he has built a beautiful home at a cost of five
thousand dollars which
is one of the most modern in the county. It has every convenience, including
electric light and
is surrounded by a handsome yard, which adds not a little to the general
attractiveness of the
home. On his farm he has all of the latest improvements and the best of modern
machinery and
equipment so that he is enabled to get the maximum results from his soil. He
pays considerable
attention to the raising of live stock, handling Poland China hogs, Shorthorn
cattle and Coach and
Percheron horses. He has won many prizes at fairs with his Poland China hogs and
has shipped them
to different parts of the United States for breeding purposes. He is a member of
the Shelby
County Fine Live Stock Exchange.
Mr. Stewart was married February 28, 1906, to Hannah Belle Stewart, who was born
in Jackson
county, Iowa, in 1882. He and his wife are earnest members of the
Congregationalist church and
contribute generously of their means to its support at all times. The Democratic
party has claimed
the support of Mr. Stewart but his heavy agricultural interests have prevented
him from taking a
very active part in political affairs. He has acted well his part in life and
while primarily
interested in his own individual affairs, he has not been unmindful of the
interests of his fellow
citizens and has contributed to the full extent of his ability for their
advancement and that of
the public welfare. Personally, he is a man of pleasing address, sociably
inclined and enjoys a
wide acquaintance and a large circle of warm and loyal friends.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 778 - 779. Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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A successful farmer and stock raiser of Shelby county, Iowa, is Balthaser
Thillen, who is the
owner of a large tract of land in Washington and Westphalia townships. He is
descended from German
parentage, and has inherited those characteristics which have brought success to
every German
settler in this county. Mr. Thillen started in as a renter and by his own
industry and good
management has accumulated a farm of two hundred and sixty-four acres within a
period of sixteen
years, and has paid for it all from the earnings of his land. It will be
admitted that a man who
can accomplish this in such a short length of time is deserving of a great deal
of credit.
Balthaser Thillen, son of Nicholas and Barbara Thillen, was born May 9, 1874, in
Clayton county,
Iowa. His parents were both born in Germany. His father worked as a farm hand in
France for three
years, and in 1855 came to America and located in Dubuque county, Iowa, where he
worked for a
short time. He then moved to Elkader, in Clayton county, Iowa, where he.
purchased timber land,
cleared it and farmed the same until his death, August 27, 1892. Nicholas
Thillen was married in
Clayton county, Iowa, in 1869, and to this union were born three children,
Balthaser, John and
Elizabeth. John died when he was eleven years of age and Elizabeth married
Nicholas Miller, and
now lives in Clayton county.
Balthaser Thillen received all of his education in the district schools of
Clayton county, Iowa,
and after leaving school farmed with his father until he was eighteen years of
age. At this time
his father died and he rented the home farm for three years. In 1896 he went to
Shelby county and
located in Lincoln township. He rented land for the first two years after coming
to this county,
and in 1898 bought one hundred and twenty acres in Washington township, where
he lived until
1910. He then purchased one hundred and four acres adjoining Panama, in this
county, moved there
and is now living in the town of Panama. He devotes most of his attention to the
raising of
Chester White and Poland China hogs and has achieved pronounced success in the
handling of swine.
Mr. Thillen was married August 31, 1897, at Westphalia, Iowa, to Katherine
Stoll, the daughter of
Bartol and Crysanthia Stoll, and to this union one daughter, Marie, has been
born. Mrs. Thillen's
parents were both natives of Germany and came to this country before their
marriage, locating at
Peru, Illinois. They were subsequently married in that place, and immediately
came to Shelby
county, Iowa, and located in Lincoln township, where they rented a farm for a
few years. Mr. Stoll
then bought eighty acres of land and at the time of his death, in 1905, he was
the owner of a.
tract of seven hundred and eighty acres of fine farming land in this county.
Mrs. Stoll is still
living in Westphalia. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stoll:
Katherine, the wife of Mr.
Thillen; Mary, the wife of Peter Willmes; Caroline, the wife of Henry Schomers;
Joseph, who
married Margaret Coenen; Louis, who married Cecelia Betshie; Vitus, who is a
Catholic priest at
Rosemount, Iowa; Agnes and Clara, who are living with their mother, and three,
Martin, Cecelia
and Jacob, who are deceased.
Politically, Mr. Thillen is a Democrat, and has been active in political
affairs, having served
as township master eight years and on the council of Panama. He and his family
are members of the
Catholic church at Panama. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, belonging
to the Dunlap
Council at Dunlap, Iowa.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 755 - 756. Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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The subject of this review is a representative farmer and stock grower of
Lincoln township,
Shelby county, Iowa, and is known as one of the alert, progressive and
successful agriculturists
of this favored section of the Hawkeye state. In his labors he has not
permitted himself to
follow in the rut in a blind, apathetic way, but by study and experimentation
has secured the
maximum returns from his enterprising efforts in addition to which he also has
so ordered his
course at all times as to command the confidence and regard of the people of
the community in
which he lives, being a man of honorable business methods, advocating whatever
tends to promote
the public welfare in any way.
Hopkins K. McDonald, the son of John and Elizabeth (Leighty) McDonald, was born
January 27,
1860, in McDonough county, Illinois. His father was born in 1842 in
Pennsylvania, and his mother
in 1847 in Illinois. John McDonald came to Illinois when a young man and led the
life of a
prosperous farmer there, until his death in 1904, his wife passing away two
years later. To John
McDonald and wife were born seven children, four of whom are living: Hopkins, A.
W., Mrs. Belle
McFadden and Mrs. Ida Marshall.
Hopkins K. McDonald received a good, common school education in the schools of
his home county in
Illinois, and assisted his father on the home farm until he reached his
.majority. He then began
farming for himself in Illinois, and upon his marriage in 1885, came to Shelby
county, Iowa, where
he rented two hundred acres of land in Shelby township for two years. Then he
bought eighty acres
in Douglas township on which he lived three years; then lived two years on a
larger farm; then he
bought eighty acres two and one-half miles west of Harlan, where he lived a few
months, after
which he bought one hundred acres in Lincoln township and in 1894 bought his
present farm of one
hundred and twenty acres of land in Lincoln township, on which he has made
extensive improvements
in various ways. He grows all of the crops common to this section of the state
and pays due
attention to the raising of a high grade of live stock.
Mr. McDonald was married February 1, 1885, to Alice A. Robertson, who was born
November 18, 1866,
in McDonough county in the state of Illinois, daughter of Alexander and Parmelia
J. (Baughn)
Robertson, who lived and died in Illinois, and to this union have been born ten
children: One who
died in infancy; Mrs. Eva Chipman, whose husband is a farmer of this township;
Earl A.; Inez M.
Stewart; Myrtle, deceased; Russell; Dale, deceased; Lowell and Everett W.
In politics, Mr. McDonald always has adhered to the Republican party, but has
never been an
aspirant for any public office, preferring to devote all of his time and
energies to his
agricultural affairs. He and his family are members of the Presbyterian church
and contribute of
their means to its support. He is a man of sterling honesty and integrity of
character, and because of these characteristics and his genial and unassuming disposition he has
made friends
wherever he is known. He is regarded as a public spirited man and can always be
counted upon to
support the right side of any movement involving the moral, educational or
social welfare of his
fellow citizens.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1354 - 1355. Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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The attention of the reader is now called to a brief review of the career of
Crist P. Larson, a
sturdy son of the kingdom of Denmark, who alone and unaided has won for himself
an enviable
station in life, being considered one of the leading citizens of his community.
It is a well
authenticated fact that success comes as the result of legitimate and well
applied energy, unflagging determination and perseverance in any course of
action once definitely decided upon.
She is never known to smile upon the idler or dreamer and she never courts the
loafer. Only the
men who have diligently sought her favor are crowned with her blessings. In
tracing the history of
the subject of this sketch it is plainly seen that the prosperity which he
enjoys has been won by
commendable qualities and that his personal worth has gained for him the high
esteem in which he
is held by all who know him.
Crist P. Larson was born in Denmark in 1878, his father being of the same name,
born in 1843.
Throughout his life the latter followed the vocation of farming, his death
occurring in 1908, as
did also that of the mother of the subject, who before her marriage was Stena
Christinson. She was
born in 1845 and was the mother of five children. Subject is the only one of the
family who has
left the native home, the parents being buried there and brothers and sisters
still residing in
the land of their birth. Crist P. Larson left Denmark when but seventeen years
of age and upon his
arrival in America came almost directly to this state, settling in Cass county.
Upon reaching here
he had but fifty cents in his pocket, a seemingly small sum to form the
foundation for future
prosperity, but far more valuable than any monetary asset was his correct view
of life and his
quiet though sturdy determination to win for himself in the new world not only a
competency but
also the trust and confidence of those among whom the lines of his life should
be laid. In all of
this he has succeeded admirably. He began his career by hiring out as a farm
laborer at fifteen
dollars the month, eight years of his life being given to this occupation. At
the end of that time
he felt in position to begin farming on his own account and rented a tract of
land in Shelby
county, which he farmed for another eight years. He then purchased his first
farm, containing one
hundred and sixty acres which, however, he soon disposed of and purchased four
hundred and eighty
acres in Lincoln township, where he has since made his home. On this farm he has
made extensive
and varied improvements, meeting with success from the very first of his
venture. He is quite an
extensive breeder of thoroughbred Hereford, Black Poll and Shorthorn cattle,
annually feeding on
an average of two hundred head. He has an excellent strain and often has
received prizes for his exhibit at the Harlan fairs. He also raises for the
market about three hundred head of hogs annually, having a good graded strain.
In 1893 Mr. Larson was united in marriage with Miss Mate Meves, born in
Davenport, Iowa, in 1874.
To this union were born five children, the eldest of whom, Frank, was killed by
lightning in the
summer of 1913 while working in the field during a storm. Arthur is assisting
his father in the
work and management of the home place and the other children, Sadie, John and
Elmer, are also at
home. Mr. Larson early identified himself with the Republican party, and has for
years been one of
its stalwart supporters. His religious affiliation is with the Danish Lutheran
church and to the
local society he gives generously of both time and means. His fraternal
affiliation he holds with
the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Larson readily assumes his duties as one of
the leading
citizens of his community and is ever ready and anxious to give his assistance
to any cause having
as its ultimate object the betterment of community life. He is particularly
interested in the
education of the youth of the locality and has served as school director for his
district. In all
the walks of life, he has shown himself true to every trust and is in every
sense of the word
fully worthy of the high regard in which he is held by all who know him, and
especially by the
friends and neighbors who have known him longest and best.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1355 - 1357. Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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The soil is the basis of all life both animal and vegetable, and the greatest
civilizations have
arisen from that soil which is the best adapted for human existence. The
greatest nations are not
found in the Arctic regions, neither do they flourish in the tropics, but the
greatest men of the
world live along a narrow belt of latitude in the temperate zone, where there
are neither extremes
of heat nor cold. The United States is embraced within this favored region and
here are found the
finest fiber of brain and nerve. A man is more or less a creature of his
environment and a man who
is placed in the tropic zone where he needs no shelter, little clothing and no
labor in order to
provide himself with plenty to eat, never becomes great. Such conditions hold in
the Arctic
regions, where the extremes of low temperature are such as to inhibit all
advance in civilization.
No more favored spot in the United States for agricultural purposes is to be
found than within the
limits of Shelby county, Iowa, and here men and women from every corner of the
globe have
gathered. Denmark has contributed its quota, and among these worthy men, Martin
J. Larson, of
Fairview township, holds an honorable place.
Martin J. Larson was born December 24, 1851, in the little kingdom of Denmark.
He was given a
good education in the schools of his native land and early in life decided to
come to America,
where better opportunities awaited the young man. In 1872 he left his home for
America and on
reaching this country immediately went to Shelby county, Iowa. For the first two
years he worked
on a farm and then bought a team and broke prairie land for farmers in the
county for the next two
years. With the money which he saved he bought forty acres in Fairview township,
and has since
added to it until he is now the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of
excellent farming land.
There being running water upon his farm, it is well adapted to stock raising and
he realizes the
major portion of his profits from the sale of his stock each year. He has a good
residence,
commodious barns and out buildings which he has built, and has always been
particular in keeping
his place in good repair. He has out a large orchard with an abundance of
different kinds of fruit
trees and takes excellent care of his orchard.
Mr. Larson was married in 1875 to Laura Nelson, who was born in Denmark, and to
this union have
been born twelve children, Louise, Minnie, Nels, Ida, Lena, Lawrence, Marie,
Edna, Olga, Clarence,
Lillian and Harry. All of these children are still living except Nels, who died
at the age of
eighteen, and Harry, who died at the age of nine. Mrs. Larson was the widow of
Nels Jesperson, and
was the mother of three children by her first marriage, Emma, Carrie and Louise,
who died in
infancy.
Mr. Larson is a Democrat but has not taken an active part in politics. He and
his family are
members of the Lutheran church.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 747 - 748. Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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It is no small honor to be the editor and publisher of the leading Danish
newspaper of the United
States, and yet this honor belongs to one of the citizens of Harlan, Iowa. Jens
C. Lunn is not
only a newspaper man of wide and varied experience but he is also a minister of
the Danish Baptist
denomination and still carries on his ministerial duties occasionally in
addition to handling the
newspaper. The paper, The Yaegteren, is the official organ of the Danish Baptist
Conference of
America and has a subscription list which extends throughout the world.
Jens Christiansen Lunn, the son of Christian and Maren Dorothy (Larsen) Hausen,
was born in 1861
in Denmark. His parents were born in 1826 and 1828, respectively, and lived in
their native land
until 1884, when they came to America and settled in Shelby county, Iowa.
Christian Hausen bought
a farm of eighty acres near Harlan and leased it out until his death, in 1894.
His wife passed
away in 1905. Christian Hausen and wife were the parents of a large family of
children, Hans C.,
Michael C., Charles C., Vibecca F., Carrie, Jens and two who died in infancy.
Jens C. Lunn was nineteen years of age when he came to this country, and
consequently received
the most of his education in his native land. However, he wished to follow the
ministry and after
coming to this country entered the Danish Theological Seminary at Chicago. He
graduated from that
institution in the spring of 1891 and at once entered the ministry and has been
preaching ever
since, although he gives the larger part of his time to his newspaper duties.
He became connected with The Yaegteren, as associate editor, in 1897 and became
publisher as well
as editor on January 1, 1911. This paper is the leading Danish paper of the
United States and is
controlled by the Danish Baptist churches of America. It was established at
Chicago in 1876 and
removed to Harlan in 1897 and it was at that time that Mr. Lunn became connected
with it in an
editorial capacity. The printing plant has been improved from time to time and
is now one of the best equipped printing offices in the state. In 1914 an
international typesetting machine was installed and other equipment added, which put the plant in a position to do all
kinds of printing.
It is one of the important points of interest in Harlan and the people are
justly proud of the
enterprise.
Mr. Lunn is an able and convincing writer and is well equipped for the manifold
duties of his
position. Possessing a ready flow of language and an easy and fluent means of
expression, he gives
a certain literary distinction to everything which passes through his hands.
His paper, catering
to the Danish people throughout the country, carries the name of Harlan from
coast to coast as
well as into foreign lands, and thus is the means of making the name and fame of
the city
extensively known to the Danish people of this country.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 694 - 695. Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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