THE BEGINNING — FIRST THINGS — POSTOFFICE [sic] — BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT — OFFICIAL — BANKS — LIME VALLEY CREAMERY — ELEVATORS FOREST CITY SAW MILL — RELIGIOUS AND CIVIC SOCIETIES — NORWEGIAN M.E. CHURCH — MRS. BLENNERHASSETT'S SABBATH SCHOOL A.F. & A.M. —I.O.O.F.—G.A.R.—FOREST CITY SCHOOLS — BUSINESS DIRECTORY — FOREST TOWNSHIP — EARLY SETTLEMENT OFFICIAL RECORD — EDUCATIONAL — RELIGIOUS — LELANDSBURG
This beautiful and enterprising little city was laid out
in the spring of 1856, by Robert Clark, afterwards county
judge. While there may be nothing really remarkable in
the development of the past, or anything striking in the
present, still there is much that cannot fail to be of
interest to those who have been closely connected and
identified with the city in all the various changes which
have occurred from year to year. To those who have
watched the growth and progress from its earliest origin,
when Winnebago county was but a wild prairie country,
until the present time, the accomplishment of bygone days
would seem now like a great task, but it is in fact the
sure and legitimate results of an advanced state of
civilization.
Forest City is in Forest township, and is situated in the
south part of the county about one-half a mile from the
south line and nearly seven miles from the eastern
boundry. One railroad passes through Forest City - the
Minneapolis & St. Louis - connecting it with the
leading markets in the north and south. The city is
surrounded by some of the finest and most productive
agricultural and stock raising lands in the State, which
is a guarantee of a permanent and ever increasing trade.
Forest City is beautifully located on Lime creek, and
owing to the fact that it is situated on the highest
ground in this part of the State, it is often called the
"Hill City." The locality is exceedingly
healthy; the inhabitants are possessed of high
intelligence, and the society is of the most refined and
desirable character. the city is protected on the north
and east by heavy groves of timber, which come almost to
the city limits.
THE BEGINNING
The first to settle in the
present limits of Forest City was Robert Clark, who
located on the northeast quarter of section 35, township
98, range 24, in the spring of 1856. In March he laid out
the plat of Forest City, and in April built the first log
cabin, a little to the rear of where Blennerhassett's
drug store now stands. This log shanty stood until about
1870, when it was torn down.
The second log cabin was built by A.T. Cole, in June,
1856. Mr. Cole was the first to bring a family to Forest
City. He now resides in Newton township.
The next building was built of logs and was used as a
store. It was erected in the fall of 1856, by Alexander
Long, on the present site of the City Bank. Long &
Moreland kept store in this building for some months.
The fourth building was constructed for hotel purposes by
Samuel Akers, in the fall of the same year. The hotel
stood for a number of years on the corner opposite the
City Bank, and was finally torn down. The building stood
on two lots, for the right of which Mr. Akers gave A.T.
Cole $5.
The next building was erected in November, of the same
year, by Robert Clark. It was a frame building, 18X24
feet, quite a large house for those days, and stood about
there the Clark Hotel now stands. In 1861 Samuel Tennis
purchased the building, moved it to the lot where John
Plummer's residence now is, and commenced keeping hotel.
Mr. Tennis owned the building two or three years, then
sold it to DeWitt C. Hayes, who refitted it and made it
his home for several years. J.C. Harwood became the next
owner, and after a few years, he sold to John Plummer.
Mr. Plummer used the building until a few years ago, when
he erected his present residence, moving the old one out
of town. In 1857 quite a number of houses were built,
among which were the residences of Nathan Jefford's,
Thomas Bearse and A.P. Harper.
Nathan Jeffords put up a frame house back of where J.S.
Olson's store now is.
Thomas Bearse built near where the Congregatonal church
now stands. This house was a frame and was one of the
best in the city at the time.
A.B. Harper built a log cabin near where the city Bank
now is. This continued in use by different parties until
1862, when it was burned.
During this year and the one following, buildings went up
rapidly and the hamlet began assuming the proportions of
a small city. In October, 1858, Forest City made the
county seat of Winnebago county. The following is a list
of the names of the citizens at this time: Robert Clark,
Charles H. Day, B.F. Denslow, A.K. Curtis, N.G. Curtis,
William Gilbert, B.A. Hill, Cornelius Baker, Avery Baker,
John S. Blowers, A.T. Cole, James Church, Charles Church,
James Lackore, William Lackore, George Lackore, C.H.
Lackore, Harrison Beadle, George Beadle, John Maben,
Charles Lutz, David Lutz, David Stancliff, Nathan
Jeffords, John Jeffords, Charles Bice, Thomas Bearse,
A.P. Harper, Sylvester Baker, Sylvester Belcher, Martin
Bumgardner, H.S. Bottsford and George Strong.
Among those who came in 1859 are: David Secor, George
Butts, John H.T. Ambrose, Simon, Johnathan & Edwin
Trumbull and Ethan Ames. George Butts was married to
Sarah Beadle, and in 1861 removed to Des Moines, his
present place of residence. The others of those last
named are still residents of the county.
FIRST THINGS
The first child born in
Forest City was Brentner Clark, son of Robert and Rebecca
(Brentner) Clark. He was born in the summer of 1858.
Shortly after the organization of the county in October,
1857, Judge Clark officiated at the first marriage
ceremony ever performed in the county or in Forest City.
The contracting parties were Sylvester Belcher and Viola
Lackore.
The first to die in Forest City was Samuel Jeffords in
the fall of 1859. He died of lung disease.
The first house within the corporate limits of Forest
City was built in the spring of 1856, by Robert Clark, in
the Blennerhassett block.
The first store was built where the City Bank now stands
by Alexander Long, in the fall of 1856.
Long & Moreland opened the first store that same
fall.
The first hotel was built in the fall of 1856 by Samuel
Akers on the corner opposite the present site of the City
Bank.
The first school was taught in 1858, by Sarah Beadle. The
house in which the school was held was the one built by
Nathan Jeffords.
Rev. Hankins, a methodist minister, preached the first
sermon in a little building used by the county officers,
and called the "court house."
The first title to lots in the village, was acquired by
A.T. Cole. Robert Clark, owner of the town plat, offered
to give two lots to every person who would build thereon,
and Mr. Cole was the first to take the offer.
The first school house was built in 1857, near where the
Methodist church now stands. It was a frame building,
16X20 feet. It was sold at auction after the brick school
house was built, and became the property of B.F. Denslow.
Denslow sold the building to John Maben, who moved into
Hancock county.
The second school house was built in about 1859, of
brick. It was 20X25 feet, two stories high, and cost
about $4,000. It was destroyed by fire in 1873. this
school house was the first brick building in the county.
The first Congregationalist minister who preached in
Forest City was Rev. Mr. Littlefield, who visited the
place sometime in the summer of 1866.
POSTOFFICE [sic]
Forest City postoffice was
established in 1857, with Robert Clark as the first
postmaster. In 1860 Keeler Curtis was appointed, and was
succeeded in 1861 by Hon. David Secor. In 1872 Mr. Secor
resigned, recommending J.W. Mahoney, who was appointed
postmaster, and has held the position ever since. In 1874
the office was made a money-order office. The first
money-order was issued July 6, 1874 by Marcellus
Halvorsen to J.W. Phillips, of Clear Lake, the amount
being $6. Since that time there have been 6,110 orders
issued.
![](MahoneyJW.jpg)
J.W. Mahoney, one of the
enterprising business men of Forest City, was born in
LaPorte Co., Ind., April 24, 1841. His parents were
Daniel and Mary A. (Walton) Mahoney, and were the parents
of five children. Daniel mahoney in early life was a
whig, but at the time of the organization of the
republican party, joined and remained with it until the
time of his death, in 1864. Mrs. Mahoney is still living
in Floyd co., Iowa. The subject of this sketch enlisted
in 1861 in the 3d Iowa Battery, and participated in the
battles of Pea Ridge, Helena, Ark., Little Rock and the
yazoo expedition. At the close of the war he returned to
Floyd county, where he remained until 1869, when he
removed to Forest City and engaged in the mercantile
business. In 1870 he was appointed deputy postmaster, and
in 1873 was appointed tothat office, which he still
holds. In 1868 he was married to Mary E. Barmore, by whom
he has had three children - Irving W., Edna M. and Hugh
J. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and one of
the live business men of Forest City.
BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT
During the spring and
summer of 1856 Robert Clark kept a few goods on sale in
his shanty in what is now known as Blennerhassett's
block. His stock in trade consisted of a chest of tea,
probably a little sugar, some tobacco, etc.
Alexander Long and Joshua Moreland opened the first
regular store in November, 1856. They had a large stock
of goods for that early day, and their store was the
headquarters for all trading for some time. They occupied
the building built by Long, where the City Bank now
stands. in December, 1856, "Alex" Long was
frozen to death, and Moreland continued to run the store
till the following spring, when the stock passed into the
hands of Robert Clark. In the fall of 1857 Clark sold to
Blowers & Byford, who continued the business for
nearly a year. About this time Byford pocketed all the
money he could lay hands on, $2,000, or over, and left -
"sloped." Mr. Blowers continued a short time,
then sold back to Robert Clark, who moved the goods to
his own building. After six or eight months A.K. Curtis
became proprietor of the store, and moved the goods to a
frame building near where Jasper thompson's residence now
stands. He continued the business about one year, then
sold to C.H. Day.
In the spring of 1859 Martin Bumgardner opened a store in
the building now occupied by Abbie Secor's millinery. He
continued in business here for about two years, then sold
out to Charles H. Day, who merged the stock with that
which he had purchased of A.K. Curtis. the business was
continued by Mr. Day until in about 1863, when he sold to
a man by the name of Cummings. Cummings conducted the
business for nearly one year, when it passed by purchase
into the hands of A.L. Plummer. Shortly after, Mr.
Plummer took in as a partner a little Jew, who continued
in the firm for a few months, and was drafted into the
United States service. He did not like going to the war,
however, and, selling out to Mr. Plummer, left very
hastily for parts unknown. In the spring of 1866, Hiram
K. Landru became proprietor, and after running the
business about four months, took in "Sam"
Herrick as partner. This partnership did not last long,
however. Within a few months Herrick retired from the
business, and soon after, Landru sold the entire stock to
A.L. Plummer. Mr. Plummer added stock, and built what is
now Blennerhassett's drug store, into which he moved
shortly after. In 1868 B.A. Plummer purchased an interest
in the store, and the firm was Plummer Bros. until May 1,
1869, when J.W. Mahoney and B.A. Plummer became the
owners. Mahoney & Plummer continued in partnership
about one year and a half, when Mr. Mahoney became sole
proprietor. In 1872 Mr. Mahoney built the store building
adjoining the city Bank, and moved into it in the fall of
that year. He is still in business.
The third general store was opened in 1866 by David
Secor. He occupied one of the rooms in the court house
for about seven months, then moved his goods to the Abbie
Secor building, where he continued for about two and a
half years. Solmer & Morgan then purchased the stock,
added more goods, and had a man by the name of Brown in
charge for one year. the store then became the property
of E.D. Hinman, who intended moving the stock to Lake
Mills, but inside of two or three days he sold out to
George Lackore. The latter gentleman erected a new
building on the corner south of the Winnebago County
Bank, and after running the business there about six
months, took in J.W. Fisher as partner. This partnership
lasted about a year, when Mr. Lackore retired and J.W.
Fisher became sole proprietor. Jasper Thompson soon after
purchased a half interest. In six months Mr. Thompson
bought out his partner, J.W. Fisher, and continued the
business as sole owner until the summer of 1883, when he
sold to J.H. Lewis. Soon after the firm became Lewis
& Skarie. About Dec. 1, 1883, Jasper Thompson,
mortagee, took possession of the store, and closed out
the stock.
In 1870 B.A. Plummer built the brick store on the corner
opposite the city Bank and opened a general stock of
goods. A few months later J.C. Harwood became a partner,
and the firm of Plummer & Harwood ran the business
about eight months, when Harwood retired. At this time
John Plummer became a partner and so continued until in
1876, when he became sole proprietor, remaining as such
until 1879. In 1879 Myron Barton purchased a half
interest and about one year later bought the whole stock.
In 1871 W.O. Hanson and A.A. Aiken brought a stock of
goods from Decorah, this State, and opened a store in the
building now occupied by Nels George. Two years later Mr.
hanson purchased his partner's interest and built what is
now Koto's drug store. He kept a general store in this
building about a year, then closed out his dry goods, and
made a specialty of boots and shoes. One year later he
sold out to Jasper Thompson, who merged the goods with
his other stock.
Messrs. Saibert & Stife opened a general store in a
building where the Winnebago County Bank now stands. The
continued in partnership for about two years when Mr.
Saibert became sole proprietor. One year later Mr.
Saibert sold out to G.G. Onstadt. In 1880 Mr. Onstadt
built a new building just north of his old site, and took
in as partner John Isaacson. In the fall of 1882 Mr.
Isaacson became sole proprietor, and is still continuing
the business.
J.S. Olson and Nels George opened a general store in the
Nels George building in 1874. They continued their
partnership about two years, when they dissolved, Nels
George continuing the business, in which he is still
engaged.
In 1877 Thomas Jacobs, O.B. Knudson and J.S. Olson formed
a co-partnership and opened a general store. They brought
their goods from Chicago and opened up in Hanson's old
store. The firm continued as above for about six months,
when Mr. Jacobs retired. Three months later Knudson sold
to Mr. Olson, who continued the business. In 1882 Mr.
Olson built a store building on the corner directly east
of P.O. Koto's drug store, and has since continued the
business in his own building. The firm is now J.S. Olson
& Son.
The representatives of the general trade in 1883 were:
J.W. Mahoney, Myron Barton, Nels George, J.S. Olson &
Son and John Isaacson.
John S. Olson, one of the enterprising merchants of
Forest City, was born near Christiana, Norway, Jan 10,
1826. In the spring of 1849 he emigrated to American,
landing in New York after a voyage of eight weeks, and
from there went to Milwaukee and then to Racine county,
where he was employed on a farm, receiving from $10 to
$15 per month. The following fall her removed to
Michigan, and the next spring returned to Racine. In 1855
he was married to Anna Nelson, by whom he has had eight
children, four of whom are living - Albert, Amelia, Henry
and Willie. In 1860 he removed to Winneshiek Co., Iowa,
where he purchased a farm. In 1862 he enlisted in the
38th Iowa Infantry, and participated in the siege and
capture of Vicksburg, Black River expedition, thence to
Texas by way of New Orleans. In January, 1865, the
regiment was consolidated with the 34th and engaged in
the capture of Fort Morgan, charge on Fort Blakely and
Spanish Fort. He was discharged at Houston, Texas, at the
close of the war. In 1870 he removed to Winnebago county,
locating in Forest City. In 1875 he engaged in the
mercantile business, which he has since followed. He came
to this country in limited circumstances, but by close
attention to business has obtained a comfortabl
eproperty, and to-day is among the well-to-do business
men of the city. Mr. Olson is a member of the G.A.R.
post, and with his wife is a member of the Scandinavian
M.E. Church.
John Isaacson, one of the enterprising business men of
Forest City, was born in Norway, March 12, 1840. In 1855
his parents emigrated to America, landing in Quebec, and
from there went to Dane co., Wis., where he was reared as
a farm boy, receiving a limited education in the common
schools. In 1862 he enlisted in the 27th Wisconsin
Infantry Volunteers, company H. Entering the army as
fourth sergeant and afterwards promoted to orderly. He
participated in the capture of Vicksburg, Miss., Little
Rock, Ark., battles of Saline River, Prairie D'Ann and
Camden, Ark. In the siege of Spanish Fort and capture of
Fort Blakely and Mobile, Ala., from there to Brownsville,
Texas. He was then promoted to 2d lieutenant. Soon before
the war closed he was mustered out at Brownsville, Texas,
in September, 1865, and returned home, and again engaged
in the occupation of farming until 1874, when he removed
to madison, Wis., and clerked in the store of Dunning
& Sumner, where he learned the business. In 1880 he
removed to Forest City, Iowa, embarking in the mercantile
business, carrying a full line of dry goods and
groceries, boots, shoes and clothing, in fact everything
usually found in a first-class store. In 1865 he was
married to Carrie Olson, of Oconomowoc, Wis., by whom he
has had nine children - Clara, Delia, Charles, Elmore,
John, George, mable, Amanda and Sumner Elsworth. Mr. and
Mrs. Isaacson are members of the Lutheran Church. He is
also a member of the G.A.R. Mr. Isaacson came to this
country a poor boy, but by fair dealing has accumulated a
comfortable property.
In the fall of 1870, Dr. W.H. Jones opened the first drug
store in what is now the Pinckney Hotel. In 1872 the
stock was sold to James Pinckney, who combined it with
his grocery business. In 1872 Mr. Pinckney erected a
store building opposite the postoffice, and moved his
goods into it. He is still occupying the same building.
In 1883 the drug trade was represented by A.
Blennerhassett, P.O. Koto & Co., and James Pinckney.
James Pinckney, one of the early settlers of Winnebago
county, was born in Onondage Co., N.Y., Dec. 8, 1835. His
parents were Alpheus and Sally (Griffin) Pinckney. When
James was sixteen years old he went to Cattaraugus
county, where he learned the trade of a cooper, which he
followed for a number of years. Here he was married to
Martha Paisley, by whom he had four children - Mary,
Edson, Edwin and Ida. In the spring of 1862 he came to
Forest City, then a wild, unsettled country, their
nearest settlement on the west at Algona, Kossuth county;
on the north Mankato, Minn. In the spring of 1871 Mrs.
Pinckney died, and he gave up farming and engaged in the
drug business. He was again married to Martha Bolsted.
Five children have been born to them, two of whom are
living - Ray and Arthur. In 1881 he engaged in the hotel
business. Mr. Pinckney came to the county poor, but by
hard work and close attention to business, has
accumulated a comforable property. He has a farm of 180
acres, besides his drug and grocery business valued at
$3,000.
A Blennerhassett, one of the leading druggists in Forest
City, was born in county Kerry, Ireland. He is a son of
the late Henry Blennerhassett, Esq., M.D., of county
Kerry, and a grandson of the Hon. Richard and Elizabeth
Blennerhassett, of Ballymaeprior. When he was twenty-one
years of age he left Ireland for Australia, where he was
engaged in the gold fields and was for a time manager of
the Colonial Gold Companies works at Tambaroora and also
in the Wentworth Gold Fields, New South Wales. He was
instrumental in putting up one of the first forty power
engines on the gold fields for crushing quartz, and was
engaged in the several gold fields in Australia for ten
years. He then returned to his native country and was
married May 25, 1865, at Monkstown Church, Kingstown,
near Dublin, by the Rev. Henry Johnston, to Elizabeth
Haire, daughter of Hamilton Haire, Esq., of
Glassdrummond, county Fermanagh, Ireland, and shortly
after went to reside in London, England, where he
remained for two years. He again in May, 1868, with his
family left the old country for America, settling in
Black Hawk Co., Iowa, where he purchased a farm. Not
liking the farming business, he sold out soon after and
removed to Rudd, Floyd county. There he had a building
erected and commenced the drug business, but finding it
was not paying and no prospect of the town improving, he
had his building taken down and put up again in Rockford,
of the same county. He then in August, 1871, removed to
Forest City, where he has continued the drug business
since. Mr. and Mrs. Blennerhassett have three children -
Rowland Aremberg, Fredderick T. and Annie H. Mr.
Blennerhassett is a practical druggist and carries a
complete stock of drugs, paints, oils, wall paper,
notions, toys, etc. and in fact everything that can be
found in a first class drug store.
The first hardware store in Forest city was established
in 1870 by L. Stilson, in a little building next to the
Summit office. Some time after, Mr. Stilson's son, E.L.,
became a partner, and Stilson & Son remained as the
name of the firm until the death of the father, which
occurred in January, 1879. E.L. Stilson ran the business
alone until the fall of 1881, when H.C. Reed purchased an
interest, and the firm became Stilson & Reed.
The second hardware store was opened in 1876, by James
Widowis, who brought his stock from Rockford, this State.
He ran the business in what is now Clark Bros.' store,
for about one year, when William Larson, mortgagee, took
the stock and closed it out at sheriff's sale.
Dwight E. Johnson, of Rockford, Iowa, erected a building
on the corner north of Olson & Son's store, in 1879,
and established two of his sons in the hardware business.
They continued until 1882, when H. McCusker became
proprietor, and in August 1883, Wells & Co. purchased
the business. In 1883 the representatives of the hardware
business were Stilson & Reed and Wells & Co.
The first carriage and wagon shop was opened in 1860 by
J.J. Barker, in the north part of town. Mr. Barker was a
carriage maker by trade, but while here his business was
mostly repairing. He remained six or seven years then
went to Hancock county.
This branch of trade was represented in 1883 by Lunsett
& Jenson and Thompson & Anderson. The firm of
Lunsett & Jenson established their business in 1870,
and have been in trade ever since. Thompson &
Anderson opened their establishment in 1879.
The first blacksmith shop in Forest City was opened in
the spring of 1857, by A.T. Cole, in a little shanty a
few rods southwest of where Jasper Thompson's residence
now stands. Mr. Cole ran the shop about one year, then
sold to Lemuel Lackore. After a few months the shop
reverted to Mr. Cole, who sold shortly after to a man
from Elk Grove, Hancock county.
John Trumbull commenced blacksmithing inhis own shop some
time during the war. He sold to a man by the name of
Garrett, who, after running the business about six
months, sold to Henry Grates. Within a month A.T. Cole
bought of Grates and run the business for about three
years, selling at the end of that time to Robert Clark.
Clark sold to A.L. Plummer, who sold back to Cole. Mr.
Cole moved the shop one mile north of town, and seven
years later moved it to section 15, township 99, range
24, of Newton township.
Henry Grates opened a shop in about 1868, and after one
year's work at the forge sold to Matt. Faulkner. Mr.
Faulkner ran the business about three years then moved to
Garner, Hancock county, taking the shop with him.
In 1870 Lunsett & Jenson opened a blacksmith shop in
connection with their carriage works. They hired
different men to run the shop, and in 1883, Stowe &
Hanson were in charge.
Hans Lunsett, the first wagon maker in Forest City was
born in Trondhjem, Norway, June 24, 1831. There he grew
to manhood and learned the trade of a painter, which he
followed for a number of years. In 1860 he left his
native home, crossing the ocean to Quebec, then to La
Crosse, Wis., where he remained a short time, removing
then to Winona, Minn., where he was employed in a lumber
yard. Soon after he removed to Rushford, where he learned
the trade of a wagon maker. Here he remained two years,
then removing to Lansing, and then to Decorah, where he
was employed at his trade by Ammon Hunter & Co. In
1866 he was married at Decorah, to Anna Olson, a widow of
the late Knadt Olson, who died in the war. At the time of
his death, Mrs. Olson had three children - Adolph,
William and Charles. Mr. and Mrs. Lunsett are the parents
of two living children - Hakon Mechel and Emma. In 1870
Mr. Lunsett removed with his family to Winnebago county,
where he established a wagon shop in Forest City. He is a
member of the Free and Accepted Masons, of Truth Lodge,
No. 213. He came to this country a poor man, owing for
his passage money. To his strict integrity in all
business transactions the financial success of his life
may be justly attributed.
R.P. Jenson, wagon and carriage maker of Forest city, was
born in Denmark, June 20, 1838. He was apprenticed to the
trade for four years, and received nothing but board and
clothes for his services. In 1866 he emigrated to the
United States and settled n Decorah, Winneshiek county,
where he was employed at his trade. In 1871 he removed
to, and located in Forest City, at which place he formed
a partnership with H. Lunsett, as the firm of Lunsett
& Jenson. In 1875 he was married to Bertha Hanson, by
whom he has had three children - Ammon J., Theodore E.
and Anne Marie. Mr. Jenson is one of the most
enterprising business men of the county, and has worked
himself, by his industry, into a place he can well be
proud of.
The blacksmiths in Forest City in 1883 were Stowe &
Hanson, in charge of Lunsett & Jenson's shop; John
Harstead, who established his business in the fall of
1880; and Johnson & Anderson, who opened a blacksmith
shop in 1879, in connection with their carriage and wagon
shop.
The first tailor shop was opened in 1870 by P. Anderson.
Mr. Anderson is a native of Sweden, born in 1842. In 1869
he left his native country, came to American and settled
in Mitchell, Mitchell Co., Iowa. The following year he
came to Forest City, where he has since been located. He
has a good trade and his work gives entire satisfaction.
OC. Steen opened his tailor shop in 1881, and has since
been identified with the business interests of Forest
City.
The agricultural implement business of 1883 was
represented, in Forest city, by Elwood Alexander and
Twito & Tweed.
The business of E. Alexander wass established in 1879 by
L.S. Lewis and J.E. Howard. In 1882 Mr. Alexanader
purchased the interest of L.S. Lewis and the firm became
J.E. Howard & Co., remaining as such until in 1883,
when Mr. Alexander became sole proprietor.
O.H. Twito established the business of Twito & Tweed
in 1880. In the spring of 1881 L.H. Twito became a
partner, and the firm of Twito Bros. was established. In
the fall of that year the firm became Twito Bros. &
Tweed, and the business was continued under the
management of this firm until in 1882 when L.H. Twito
retired. The firm of Twito & Tweed have since
conducted the business. They carry a full line of wagons,
carriages, mowers, reapers and threshing machines, and
everything usually found in a well assorted business of
this kind.
The first lumber yard of any importance was established
in the summer of 1878 by C.H. Lackore & E.A. Ames,
who hauled their lumber all the way from Garner by teams,
there being no railroad at the time. They carry
everything in the lumber line, and have a first-class
yeard. They also handle coal in connection with their
lumber.
Jens Poulson engaged in the lumber business in 1879 and
has since been located at Forest City. He carries a stock
varying from $1,500 to $2,000.
Jens Poulson, an old substantial lumber dealer of Forest
City, was born in Leland, Denmark, Aug. 14, 1826. He was
raised on a farm and received a good common school
education. In December, 1871, he emigrated to America,
spending his first winter in Waterloo, Iowa. In the
spring of 1872 he removed to Winnebago county, and
purchased land in Forest township, where he followed
farming until 1874. He then built the first brewery ever
known in this county, which he conducted for five years.
Mr. Poulson then engaged in the lumber business, carrying
a stock of lumber and building material valued at form
$1,000 to $2,000. Mr. Poulson has been twice married. His
first marriage was in Denmark, in November, 1851, and
three children were sent to bless this union - Goul,
Caroline Henrietta and Anna Marthilda. His wife died in
Decmber, 1865, and he was again married in January, 1882,
to Emilie Antonie Bogh. In early life Mr. Poulson was a
member of the Lutheran church.
In December, 1879, E.J. Joice opened a lumber yard at
Forest City. Mr. Joice is one of the principal lumber
dealers in Forest City and carries as large and fine a
stock as there is in the county.
E.J. Joice, one of the enterprising business men of
Forest City, was born in Bergen, Norway, Dec. 1, 1827,
where he received a common school education, and when a
young man learned the trade of cooper. In April, 1849, he
was married to Henrietta Riisnes, and in June of the same
year emigrated to America in a sailing vessel to seek his
fortune in the western world. After a voyage of sixty-two
days they landed in New York, and there remained but a
short time, going to Chicago, where he remained over
winter. He then removed to the eastern part of Dane Co.,
Wis., where he engaged in farming and coopering. The
first summer was passed in working for others, at
twenty-five cents per day, and the following winter he
worked at his trade. Here he purchased eighty acres of
wild land, making a very small payment on same, and made
his first home in America. Remaining here for several
years, by hard work and good management he succeeded in
getting out of debt, and some to spare, sold the old
homestead and moved to Stoughton, Wis., in the spring of
1866, where he engaged in the coopering business. In 1871
he visited Winnebago conty and during his stay purchased
considerable land, and in the spring of 1879 removed his
family to Forest city, where he has since resided, being
engaged in the lumber business. Mr. and Mrs. Joice are
the parents of six children, four of whom are living -
Margaret, wife of Lewis Larsen, of Forest City; Petra,
who is teaching her fourth year of school in Forest city;
John H., book-keeper of the First National Bank at
Wausau, Wis.; and Peter M., cashier of Winnebago County
Bank. Mr. and Mrs. Joice are members of the M.E. church.
Mr. Joice is a deacon, being commissioned as an exhorter
in 1859. He came to this country with not one cent that
he could call his own, but by hard work and economy has
obtained considerable property and a good home, and
to-day is one of the most substantial business men of the
county.
The representatives of the lumber business in 1883 were
E.J. Joice, Jens Paulson and Lackore & Ames.
OFFICIAL
Forest City was
incorporated June 25, 1878. The first officers were as
follows: Mayor, Eugene Secor; recorder, A.H. Chase;
marshall, L.C. Green; councilmen, C.H. Lackore, T.C.
Ransom, B.A. Plummer, H. Lunsett, J.W. Mahoney and W.O.
Hanson.
In 1883 the officers were: Mayor, J.F. Thompson; clerk,
S.K. Gregg; treasurer, J.E. Howard; marshall, Elwood
Alexander; councilmen, Eugene Secor, B.A. Plummer, C.H.
Lackore, W.O. Hanson, H. Lunsett and J.W. Mahoney.
BANKS
The City Bank is located
on the corner of Clark and J streets, and fronts
twenty-two feet on the former, and sixty-six on the
latter street. It is a brick structure, substantially
constructed nad commodiously arranged, and is an ornament
to the town. It is two full stories, with a basement, the
latter having a nine foot ceiling. The basement is
conveniently divided into rooms suitable for business,
and is finished in good style.
The first story is fitted up for a bank and land office.
The bank occupies three rooms besides the vault. The east
room is the counting room, and is 22X24 feet, with a
twelve foot ceiling. Opening off the counting room is the
vault, 8X10 feet, with walls twenty inches thick, arched
ceiling and cement floor. It is furnished with massive
iron doors, and is both fire and burglar proof. A
handsome safe is located in the vault, which is provided
with an approved style of time lock. To the west of the
counting room is the private office, 12X18 feet, and
finished in nearly the same style as the counting room.
On the west side of the private office is a hall which
opens to the street, and also connects with the land
office, which is 20X20 feet, finished in the same tasty
manner as the rest of the building.
The second story is fitted for offices. The southeast
room is 13X24 feet, connected with a consultation room,
8X20 feet, with ten feet ceilings. The west room is 20X20
feet, and is connected with another 16X20 foot. The
building presents an attractive appearance from the
outside; the work is first-class and the structure is a
valuable addition to the improvement of the city.
The business history of the firm is traced as follows:
The firm of Secor Bros. & Law is an old as well as a
substantial one. The senior member of the firm, Hon.
David Secor, began the land business in Forest City in
1861, and can boast of an experience of twenty -two
years. He has filled the position of county treasurer and
recorder, member of the Legislature two terms, and
register of the State land office for four years.
Ex-Mayor Eugene Secor, the next oldest in the firm,
commenced business in 1865. He was clerk of the court for
six years, and county auditor for four years, and was
four times elected mayor, and is now a member of the
council and president of the school board. Ex-Mayor John
Law, the junior member of the firm of Secor Bros. &
Law, has been connected with the firm since 1875. He
served two terms as county recorder, and was mayor of
Forest City one term. From this it will be seen that the
firm of Secor Bros. & Law is composed of reliable and
popular business men, and in their long experience in
business they have preserved a reputation for promptness
and reliability second to none, and their business was
never so large as to-day.
The Forest City Bank was established in the spring of
1877, and in January, 1882, the firm of Secor Bros. &
Law acquired an interest in the business which was
removed to their building, and the name changed to The
City Bank. By this arrangement B.A. Plummer, a successful
banker, became associated with the firm in the banking
business, and the bank is carried on under the firm name
of Secors, Law & Plummer. Mr. Plummer has no interest
in the real estate business, and this branch is carried
on as before under the old firm name of Secor Bros. &
Law. Mr. Plummer is now county treasurer and is one of
the best business men of the northwest, and was a
valuable addition to the firm. Both the bank and the land
office business are in good hands, and are eminently
worthy of public confidence.
John Law, cashier of the City Bank, Forest City, Iowa,
was born in Glasgow, Scotland, April 14, 1840, where he
resided until ten years of age. In 1850 his parents,
Thomas and Mary Hamilton Law, with their family,
emigrated to America, settling in Oneida Co., N.Y. Six
years later they journeyed westward as far as Portage
City, Wis., in which vicinity he resided during the next
seven years. In 1863 he was married to Katherine E. Cook,
of Scott, Columbia co., Wis. This union has been blessed
with three children, two daughter and one son. During the
first year of his marriage he removed to Iowa, settling
in Lincoln township, Cerro Gordo county, where he
purchased a large tract of land, which, being settled by
different members of his family, is still known as the
Law settlement. In 1864 he enlisted in company D, 2d Iowa
Cavalry, serving till the close of the war. In 1866 he
purchased a fine tract of land containing 200 acres in
Worth county, where he opened a new farm, and to which he
removed his family November 11, of the same year. Selling
this farm in October, 1870, he became quite unsettled,
spending a portion of the time in Mason City, Dakota
Territory and Forest City, in which last named place, in
the early part of the year 1865, he bacame associated
with Hon. David Secor in the real estate business. In
1876 he was elected to the office of recorder of
Winnebago county, ans was re-elected in the fall of 1878.
In 1881 he was elected mayor of Forest City, and in
January, 1883, became a member of the banking firm of
Secors, Law & Plummer, who established the City Bank.
The Winnebago County Bank is located on Main street and
in the center of the business part of Forest City. It was
established in the spring of 1877 by J.F. Thompson, the
present cashier and managing partner, and has been
successfully operated by hiim from that time till now.
Jan. 1, 1880, J.H. Easton, president of the First
National Bank of Decorah, Iowa, and one of the best
financiers in the northwest, became an equal partner and
the bank then took the firm name of Easton &
Thompson, which it now bears. During the summer of 1880
the firm erected its present fine banking building, built
of Chaska white brick, and with its fine French plate
glass front is one of the neatest buildings in point of
architecture in the State. The interior is very neatly
finished with hard wood and their conter is the acme of
beauty and elegance, their fire proof vault and burglar
proof safe, protected with time lock, together with their
commodious banking and real estate rooms gives them first
class facilities for transacting their large business
with promptness and dispatch. The cashier, J.F. Thompson,
is an attorney at law, and has been actively engaged in
the practice of his profession and real estate business
in this county for several years. Having had two years
experience in the State land office at Des Moines he is
particularly familiar with all matters relating to lands
in Iowa. The firm represents a large number of
non-resident land owners, and the real estate list
embraces over 50,000 acres of the choicest land in this
(Winnebago) and Hancock counties. They have in addition
to what they represent as agents, over 3,000 acres of
lands belonging to themselves, all of which they offer on
the most reasonable terms and at low figures.
LIME VALLEY
CREAMERY
Among the business
enterprises of Forest City, the "Lime Valley
Creamery" takes a prominent place. In 1882 Eugene
Secor, J. Thompson, J.F. Thompson, Clark Brothers &
Co., erected the first creamery in the county. The
upright building is 25X50 feet, two stories high, the
basement being used for the creamery and the first floor
for grinding feed. The feed mill has a capacity of
twenty-five bushels per hour. The engine and wash-room is
16X35 feet; refrigerator room, 12X25 feet; and the ice
house, 20X20 feet. The total cost of the building and
fixtures was $4,000. The factory is supplied by the milk
of 1,200 cows, and in the best of the season turns out as
high as 900 pounds of choice butter per day. The
principal shipping point is New York city. The business
was operated by the company until the spring of 1883,
when the factory was rented to H.T. Tappen, a practical
butter maker from Delaware county, this State. In the
fall of 1883 Mr. Tappen sold 100 head of hogs, which were
fatted from the buttermilk of the factory.
ELEVATORS
The first elevator was
built in Forest City in 1879 by M.P. Hayes, of
Minneapolis, Minnesota, at a cost of $5,000. The elevator
has a capacity of about 25,000 bushels. The business was
prosecuted by men in the employ of M.P. Hayes until the
fall of 1883, when it was purchased by Gust Sunwall, of
Carver, Minn. Mr. Sunwall thoroughly understands the
grain business, having been engaged in the same for a
number of years.
FOREST CITY SAW MILL
The first saw mill in the
county was bought by "Alex" Long in September,
1856. It was first set up without any covering until
boards could be sawed to cover it. The mill was put up
where the Forest City grist mill now is, and was run by a
steam engine of about twenty horse power. The mill was
owned by J.B. Long, of Mason City, who sold to
"Alex" Long. In the spring of 1857 Mr. Long
sold out to Robert Clark, who sold a one-half interest to
J.J. Barker. Clark & Barker ran the business till
late in the summer, when Barker sold his interest to C.H.
Day. Clark & Day were the proprietors for about a
years, when Charles Lutz bought Day's interest, and after
running a short time sold back to Day. After this there
were numberous changes in the proprietorship of the mill.
Among those who have been interested in it financially
are: John Blowers, John Belt, John H.T. Ambrose, William
Lackore, Jarvis & Gobell, J.W. Mahoney and Hale &
Norton. This latter firm changed the mill to a grist
mill, and after running it about two or three years sold
to Ole Peters. In 1883 the millwas still owned by Ole
peters, who was doing a fair business. The grinding
capacity of the mill is about 100 bushels of wheat per
day. It contains two run of buhrs, and is run by steam of
about twenty-five horse power.
RELIGIOUS AND CIVIC SOCIETIES
In 1858 a number of
persons in Forest City organized an M.E. Church. The
first meeting was held in what was then known as the
Maben Hotel, situated on the east side of Clark street.
Afterwards meetings were frequently held in school
houses, and in private residences. Mr. Hankins was the
first minister that ever preached in the interest of the
M.E. Church in this city. Among early preachers were:
Revs. Mr. Hankins, Keeler Curtis, John Ball, Mr. Birge,
A.S.R. Groom and Mr. Hancocks. The order in which these
ministers came is somewhat uncertain, as the statements
of the oldest settlers are conflicting. Since that time
the following named have been the pastors: Revs. W.W.
Mallory, B.W. Coe, J.P. Cohenour, J.S. Zeigler, H.M.
Sexton, W.H. Drake and F.J. McCaffree, the present
pastor.
After the erection of the Norwegian M.E. church, the
society occupied that church until 1882, when they built
a church of their own. The new church is cruciform in
shape, having a frontage of seventy-eight feet on L
street and thirty-one feet on Clark street. The main
audience room is 44X58 feet at the widest pint, and
thirty feet wide at the narrowest part, with a ceiling
twenty-one feet high. The lecture room is 20X30 feet,
with a ten foot ceiling, and is connected with the main
audience room by means of dropping doors, which are hung
on weights, and by a slight touch will drop into the
basement, throwing the two rooms into one. The parlor is
over the lecture room, and is 20X30 feet in size, with a
ten foot ceiling. The church spire is 100 feet in height.
The building is of wood, veneered with brick, is
substantially built and is heated by means of a furnace.
The building was designed by Rev. W.H. Drake, late
pastor, who also superintended its erection. The total
cost of the building, including the ground upon which it
was built, was between $5,000 and $6,000. Dedication
services took place on Sunday, Jan. 6, 1883, under charge
of Bishop Bowman, of St. Louis. Mr. Bowman preached in
the morning, and Rev. M. McK. Garrett in the evening;
after which the formal dedication took place, Bishop
Bowman officiating.
The first few meetings of the Congregational Church ever
held in Forest City were presided over by Rev. A.S.
Allen. After preaching a few times at different houses,
Mr. Allen called a meeting, to be held in Forest City,
April 30, 1871, to take steps towards the organization of
a Church in said city. A committee was appointed at this
meeting to prepare a confession of faith and covenant for
the Church; the committee to report at a future meeting.
This committee consisted of Rev. A.S. Allen and William
Taylor. The following persons gave in their names as
members of the Church: William Taylor, Harriet Taylor,
Leora Taylor, John Millington, Mrs. E.G. Millington and
Fannie Millington. At a susequent meeting of the society,
the committee appointed to prepare articles of faith and
covenant, reported that for the present the Church would
use the articles of faith and covenant that were used by
the Congregational Church of Clear Lake.
Meetings were held from time to time in the school house
hall. Rev. Allen continued as pastor of the Church until
Jan. 1, 1876, when he was succeeded by Rev. J.D. Mason,
who has held the place of pastor ever since. Shortly
after Mr. Mason took charge of the Church, a society was
organized called the Congregational Church society; also
a Ladies' Aid Society, about the same time. In the year
1877, the society built a church edifice. The church is a
wooden structure, 30X50 feet, and cost, including two
lots, the sum of $3,700. The church was dedicated on Jan.
20, 1878, the dedicatory sermon being preached by Rev. E.
Adams, missionary for northern Iowa. A great revival was
held in this church in December, 1882, by Rev. Mr.
Morton, an Evangelist from Rochester, N.Y., and which was
attended with excellent success. The membership of the
Church in 1883 was forty-five, the society numbering
sixty. During the building of the church, Mrs. Burnap,
then of this city, visited her friends in the eastern
States, and while there raised $1,100 for the Church. the
officers of the Church at present are as follows: Rev.
J.D. Mason, pastor; Mrs. P.T. Mason, clerk; W.O. Hanson,
M.C. Halvorsen and B.A. Plummer, trustees; William
Westbury, deacon. A large and growing Sunday school is
connected with the Church, having an average attendance
of sixty-five members.
NORWEGIAN M.E.
CHURCH.
The Norwegian Methodist
Episcopal Church of Forest City was organized Oct. 22,
1866, by Rev. A. Johnson. The following named became
members of the society at its organization: N.O. Brones,
H. Paulson, Knud Einarson, Ole S. Torgerson, Daniel H.
Pederson, Nils Pederson, peder Sunne, Cerine Einarson,
Svend Larson, Guri Larson, Ellen Sunne, G. Erickson and
Sivert Pederson. In 1874 the society built a fine church
edifice, 32X54 feet, at a cost of about $3,000. The
following named pastors have served the Church since its
organization: Revs. A. Olson, T. Pederson, A. Johnson,
O.L. Hanson, A. Olson, R. Olson, A. Peterson and J.
Jacobson, the present pastor. The present membership of
the Church is 115; its officers are as follows: Stewards,
N. George, K. Knudson, C.T. Hanson, l.N. Thoe, Paul G.
Anderson, John Olund and J.M. Johnson; trustees, John S.
Olson, T. Peterson, A. Charleson, E.J. Joice and H.H.
Rygmyr.
MRS.
BLENNERHASSETT'S SABBATH SCHOOL.
This school was organized
in July, 1878, by Mrs. A. Blennerhassett. At first and
for a long time there were but a few in attendance; but
the interest has grown and now there are thirty pupils in
regular attendance. In 1879, Mrs. Blennerhassett fitted
up a room for the school, spending her own money freely
and sparing no time or attention to satisfy the children.
Mrs. Blennerhassett deserves great credit for her labors
in behalf of the youth. She has accomplished more for
their improvement than many of more pretensions. The Bibles,
Testaments and papers used by the school are furnished by
herself.
A.F. & A.M.
Truth Lodge, No. 213, A.F.
& A.M., was established on the 9th of January, 1867.
The members present were: Robert Clark, J.R. Burge, J.J.
Otis, Austin Orvis, J.P. Gardner, S.W. Herrick and John
S. Blowers. The first officers elected Robert Clark,
W.M.; J.R. Burge, S.W.; J.J. Otis, J.W.; J.R. Burge,
treas.; J.P. Gardner, sec.; J.S. Blowers, S.D.; S.W.
Herrick, J.D. Robert Clark retained the position of W.M.
from 1867 till 1873, when Martin Cooper was elected.
April 8, 1874, David Secor became W.M., and held the
position until April, 1875, when Robert Clark was again
elected. At the death of Mr. Clark, in August, 1876, C.H.
Lackore became acting W.M., holding until in April, 1877,
when he was elected to the office. W.H. Jones was elected
W.M. in April, 1878, and held one year, being succeeded
by c.H. Lackore in April, 1879. J.S. Blowers was elected
W.M. in 1880, and was succeeded the following year by
C.H. Lackore, who is the present incumbent.
The order owns its own hall, 24X60 feet, and is in good
standing both financially and otherwise, its property
being valued at $2,000. Since the organization of the
lodge there have been 101 members enrolled. In 1883 there
were forty-seven members in good standing. The officers
in 1883 were: C.H. Lackore, W.M.; C.M. Webster, S.W.; S.
Simmons, J.W.; William Higinbotham, treasurer; W.H. May,
secretary; T.C. Ransom, S.D.; H.W. Stowe, J.D; W.R.
Mattocks, S.S.; W.H. Fisher, J.S.; V.A. Jones, tyler.
I.O.O.F.
Forest City Lodge No. 440,
was organized under a dispensaton Dec. 27, 1881; charter
granted Oct. 19, 1882. The charter members were: J.D.
Leland, Nels Thorson, M.C. Wheeler, J.E. Howard, Peter
Metz, John J. Sharp, W.H. Fisher and W.H. Jones. The
first officers were: J.D. Leland, N.G.; J.E. Howard,
V.G.; Nels Thorson, P.S.; W.H. Fisher, R.S.; Peter Metz,
treas.; Jasper Thompson, conductor; J.J. Sharp, W.; M.C.
Wheeler, I.S.G.; W.H. Jones, R.S.N.G.
The officers in 1883 were: W.H. Fisher, N.G.; E.
Alexander, V.G.; D.H. Wickwire, S.; E. Alexander, P.S.;
F.W. Babbitt, treas.; C.O. Olson, R.S. to W.G.; L.S.
Lewis, L.S. to N.G.; J.J. Sharp, W.; J.E. Howard,
conductor; F.N. Reed, R.S.S.; George H. Macomber, L.S.S.;
E.W. Crawford, O.G.; L.S. Merrick, I.G.; J.T. Lattimore,
R.S. to V.G.; J.S. Jacobson, L.S. to V.G. Total
membership, thirty; meetings every Wednesday in Masonic
Hall.
G.A.R.
Hayden Post No. 151,
department of Iowa, was organized March 8, 1883. The
first officers elected were: Martin Cooper, post
commander; J.W. Mahoney, senior vice-commander; John
Isaacson, junior vice-commander; T.J. Butcher, adjutant;
W.W. Olmstead, officer of the day; W.R. Mattocks, officer
of the guard; J.F. Thompson, quartermaster; Charles A.
Clark, chaplain. In the fall of 1883, J.F. Thompson
resigned, and C.H. Lackore was elected quartermaster to
fill the vacancy. The total membership at present is
forty.
FOREST CITY SCHOOLS
The large and substantial
brick building in which are taught the five departments
of the Forest City graded school, was completed in 1870.
It affords ample accommodations for an average attendance
of about 205 pupils. The school is an important factor in
the welfare of the town and bespeaks the intellectuality
and refinement of the citizens. There are five
departments: High school, grammer department, 1st and 2d
intermediate, and primary; under the management,
respectively, of Prof. Walter Irvin, principal; Addie
hawkes, Kittie Gardner, John Sogard and Petra Joice.
Forest City independent district, in which the above
mentioned school is embraced, also contains three other
schools, valued at about $1,300. Number of pupils
enrolled in these schools, 130; number of teachers
employed, one male and two females. In 1883 the officers
of Forest City independent district were as follows:
President, Eugene Secor; directors, B.A. Plummer, K.
Knudson, E.J. Joice, D.H. Wickwire and J.F. Thompson;
secretary, E. Alexander; treasurer, Albert Olson.
BUSINESS
DIRECTORY
General merchants - Myron
Barton, Nels George, J.S. Olson & Son, John Isaacson
and J.W. Mahoney.
Drug stores - A. Blennerhassett, P.O. Koto & Co. and
James Pinckney.
Hardware - Stilson & Reed and Wells & Co.
Grocery stores - T. Jacobs and James Pinckney
Banks - Winnebago County Ban and City Bank
Book store - M.H. & S.F. Johnson
Clothing - Clark Bros. & Co.
Boots and shoes - John J. Anderson
Jewelry stores - James S. Jacobson and John P. Haadeland
Harness - F.S. Spofford and R.H. Bahner
Furniture - D.W. Adron
Restaurants and bakery - William Spicer and Paul Anderson
Millinery - Abbie J. Secor and L.E. Ames
Shoe shops - John J. Anderson and K. Knudson
Tailor shops - O.C. Steen and P. Anderson
Meat markets - Frank Farlow, L. Larson and John Clemenson
Flour and feed stores - Paul Anderson and Wickwire &
Reed
Newspapers - Winnebago Summit, A.H. Chase; Winnebago
Review, H.M. Halvorsen
Attorneys - Martin Cooper, Ransom & Olmstead, J.E.
Anderson, David Secor, W.H. Fisher, C.L. Nelson, J.F.
Thompson and J.T. Lattimore
Physicians - Jones & Irish, J.A. Hewett, J.W. David
and W.R. Franklin
Land, loan and real estate firms - Secor Bros. & Law,
Thompson Bros and J.E. Anderson & Co.
Hotels - Clark House and Pinckney House
Saloons - J.M. Quam, Miller & West and H.C. Holland
Livery - H. Seeley and James Pinckney
Draymen - Babbitt Bros. and G.G. Macomber
Painters - J.J. Dale and W.A. Phelps
Building contractors - Lackore & Ames, Benjamin
Johnson and Leander Farlow
Cattle buyer and shipper - John A. Plummer
Lumber yards - C.H. Lackore, E.J. Joice and J. Poulson
Coal and wood - Babbitt Bros.
Agricultural implements - Twito & Tweed and E.
Alexander
Wagon and carriage factories - Lunsett & Jenson and
Thompson & Anderson
Manufacturer of Universal washingmachine - T.J. Butcher
Thomas J. Butcher was born in Ross Co., Ohio, March 17,
1831. He is a son of Jesse and Sarah (Moss) Butcher,
natives of Virginia. In 1823 they emigrated to ohio and
located near Chillicothe, Ross county, and afterwards
removed to union county, where they took a large tract of
land. In 1840 he again removed to Kosciusko Co., Ind. In
1844 he removed to Winnebago Co., Ill., where he soon
after died. Mrs. Butcher was agan married to David
Vanderbilt, who settled at Brodhead, Wis., where she died
in 1880. Thomas J. removed to Illinois when his parents.
When fourteen years old he learned the trade of carpenter
and joiner. His father died when he was seventeen, and he
being the eldest son, it bacame necessary for him to
return home and take charge of the property or farm. In
1853 he was married to Nancy Connor, by whom he had seven
children, three of whom are living - William E., Thomas
J. and Annie E. The same year he moved to Fayette Co.,
Iowa, where he engaged in farming for a few years, when
he engaged in the mercantile business. In 1862 he
enlisted as a private in the 38th regiment, Iowa
Volunteer Infantry, company H, and through meritorius
service was promoted to 1st lieutenant. In January, 1865,
the regiment was consolidated with the 34th, causing the
disbanding of the 38th. After leaving the army he
returned to Fayette county, where he was honored with
several local offices - county supervisor, justice of the
peace, etc. In 1877 he moved to Winnebago Co., Iowa,
where he has since resided. He is a member of the G.A.R.,
and is at present adjutant of the organization.
J.A. Plummer, one of the most enterprising business men
of Forest city, was born in Penobscot co., Maine, June
24, 1840, where he grew to manhood, receiving a liberal
educaton. In 1847 he removed to McHenry Co., Ill., where
he engaged in farming, and afterward in the mercantile
business. In 1862 he was married to Elizabeth Hoag, by
whom he has three living children - Cora B., Bernice G.
and Earl L. In 1867 he removed to Rockford, Floyd Co.,
Iowa, and in 1871 removed to Winnebago county, where he
engaged in the mercantile business, and is at present
largely engaged in stock business. He has 720 acres of
rich land, 400 acres of which are under cultivation. In
1882 and 1883 he built a fine residence in Forest City,
at a cost of $5,500. Mr Plummer came west with nothing
but a stong constitution, and to his strict integrity in
all business transactions the financial success of his
life may be justly attributed.
R.H. Bahner, harness maker, and one of the oldest and
most respected citizens of the ocunty, was born in
Saxony, Germany, July 19, 1846. when seven years of age,
he emigrated with his parents to America, his mother
dying sooon after coming to this country. When eleven
years of age, his father removed to Steven's Point, Wis.
When Mr. Bahner was fourteen years of age, his father
died at that place an dhe was trown upon his own
resources, and commenced to learn the harness trade, but
had to stop on account of his youth. At the age of
seventeen he resumed and finished his trade at Waupaca,
Wis., and June 11, 1868, went to Mason City, Cerro Gordo
Co., Iowa, where he started in business for himself Nov.
5, 1869. On April 26, 1870, he came to Forest City, being
the first harness maker in that village. On May 1, 1871,
he was married to Adelia V. Ackerman, a native of Scott
Co. Iowa. By this marriage there are three living
children - Ida, Freddie and Pearl. Mr. and Mrs. Bahner
are members of the Congregational Church, and are very
highly respected by their many friends and acquaintances.
James W. Fisher, one of the early settlers in Forest
township, was born in Augusta Co., W. Va., May 22, 1824.
He is a son of John and Elizabeth (McLaughlin) Fisher,
who were the parents of four children. At the breaking
out of the war the family became separated and Mr. Fisher
has heard nothing from them since. When fourteen years of
age he learned the trade of a blacksmith, which he has
followed since. On June 22, 1848, he was married to Mary
L. Peters, of Virginia. By this union there has been
twelve children, eight of whom are living - Abraham S.,
William H., John V., George W., Allen C., Catharine B.,
wife of John Suipp; R. Annie, wife of Jesse Arbuckle, and
James M. In 1849 he removed to St. Charles, Kane county,
Illinois, where he remained one year working at his
trade. In 1850 he removed to Brainard, what is generally
known at "Tinker Town," Fayette county, where
he engaged in farming and working at his trade. In the
fall of 1869 he removed to Winnebago county, where he
purchased land on section 9, and opened up a farm. When
he built his cabin, there was not a thing on the place,
where he now lives, but now can be seen trees fifty feet
in height that he planted iwth his own hands. At this
time Clear Lake and Mason City were the nearest markets.
Mr. Fisher is a Master Mason, and is th eoldest member of
Lodge 213. In early life he was a whig, but at the
organization of the republican party, he becme one of its
members and has remained with it to this time. In 1875 he
was elected county supervisor, which he held for six
years, and for four years was chairman of the board. He
has held the office of justice of the peace and other
local offices of trust. mr. Fisher came to Iowa in
limited circumstances, but by hard work and economy has
secured for himself and family a comfortable home. He has
160 acres of land, all under cultivation, valued at $30
per acre.
J.A. Phelps was born in Upper Canada, April 16, 1804. He
was a son of the Rev. Davenport and Catharine (Tiffany)
Phelps, natives of Connecticut. Rev. Phelps was a
graduate at Dartmouth College, and supplied the pulpit of
the Episcopal Church for many years in western New York.
In 1794 he removed to Upper Canada, returning to the
States in 1804, and located in western New York, where he
established many of the Episcopal churches in that
section. After leaving Canada, his whole time and
energies were spent in building up his Church, until the
time of his death, which occurred in 1813. J.A. Phelps,
at the age of thirteen, was placed in a store at Sodus
Bay, N.Y., where he remained sometime. In the fall of
1822 he, in company with Walter R. Phelps, started on
foot for Michigan, several hundred miles away, being
about four weeks on the road. There he was employed by a
surveyor to carry chains. The following spring he
returned to New York, and then to Canada, where he
settled up a land estate, which had fallen to him by the
death of his father. Soon after he engaged on the lakes,
which he followed for eleven yeras. In 1829 he was
married to Ruth A. Howard, who died within one year. He
was again married Dec. 29, 1833, to Sarah A. Shelby, by
whom he had eight children, four of whom are living -
Edward D., William A., Katie and Lucy. Mrs. Phelps died
in 1854, a sincere Christian and respected by all who
knew her. In May, 1856, he married Sarah E. Allcott. In
1842 he located in Milwaukee, where he held several
offices of trust, and being president of the board of
coucil of the city. In 1852 he was elected to the
Legislature. In 1861 he removed to Minnesota, returning
in 1869 to Wisconsin, and located at La Crosse, where he
engaged in the mercantile business. In 1876 he again
returned to Milwaukee, removing in 1880 to Winnebago
county, where he has since resided.
C. Eugene Merrick, Deputy United States Marshal, was born
in Kendall Co., Ill., March 4, 1850. His parents were
Charles and Lorenda O. (Helmer) Merick, natives of New
York, and who emigrated to Kendall county in 1845. Mr.
Merrick was bound out until he became twenty-one years of
age, his father having died when a mere child, and at the
expiration of that time received $100 and a suit of
clothes. When he came to Illinois, he had but $70 in
ready money, with which he purchased forty acres of land.
He wa a hard and energetic worker and at his death, which
occurred when thirty-two years of age, had accumulated a
comfortable property. Mrs. Merrick is now married to
George W. Needham, and is living in Hancock Co., Iowa.
Eugene, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm,
and at the age of thirteen enlisted in company C, 147th
regiment, Volunteer Infantry, but being too small an
dyoung, was soon appointed as drummer boy. He was at the
engagements of Resaca and Spring Place, Ga., and in
several skirmishes, and after being discharged returned
to Illinois. He was married Dec. 25, 1868, to May Church.
He engaged in farming, and meeting with good success, has
accumulated considerable property. In 1879 he removed to
Winnebago Co., Iowa, and in the fall of 1880 was elected
to the office of constable.
~*~*~
FOREST TOWNSHIP
Forest township was
constituted at the organization of the county in 1857,
and for a number of years embraced all of the south half
of the county. It passed through several changes in
boundaries, and in 1880 its present extent was defined by
the board of county supervisors. it now embraces all of
congressional township 98, of range 24. The surface is
quite rolling, and about one-third of its superficial
area is covered with a light growth of timber. The soil
is rich and produces all kinds of grain in great
abundance.
EARLY SETTLEMENT
The early settlement as
traced in the general chapters is almost identical with
the settlement of this township. However, a few of those
whose names have been omitted from the general chapters
are here given.
A man by the name of Gray came in 1855 and built a house
on section 26, of Forest township. He left in the fall of
1855, and returned to hardin county, from whence he came.
He sold his land to John Gilchrist and Jesse Bonar.
James Wreston came to the township late in the fall of
1855, and located on section 25. He came from the eastern
part of the State, and remained until July, 1856, when he
went to Chickasaw county.
A Mr. Decker came to the township in the spring of 1856,
and settled on section 1, about five miles north of
Forest City. He had four sons-in-law, who settled near
him. Their names and the lands on which they located are
as follows: Stockton, on section 1; William Clark, same
section; Evans, same; and William Sutton, in the timber
about one mile north of Forest City.
Charles Strong came from New York city in 1856, and
settled northeast of Forest City about two miles. The
next spring he went to Owen's Grove, Cerro Gordo county,
and 1862 enlisted in the 32d Iowa Infantry. After the war
he returned to Owen's Grove, and in 1878 went to Dakota.
About the same time Seneca Carrington located on section
24. He was a native of Ohio, and came to this township
from Mason City. In 1857 he went to Missouri, from there
went to Indiana, enlisted into the service on the
breaking out of the war, and was killed at Vicksburg.
Abraham and William Foster came in June of this year, and
located land on section 33, of this township. After a
stay of six months they moved to what is now Center
township, locating on section 19, and after remaining
about six months went to Clayton, Minn.
William Lamm was also one of the settlers of this year.
He located land on section 14, and lived with his son,
John, on section 23, for about one year, when he went to
Ohio. He died in about 1865.
Up to the breaking out of the war, there were no new
settlers in the township. Most of those who did own farms
lived in Forest City.
Immediately after the war Nelson Landru settled on
section 22, and John S. Blowers on section 16. Landru
went to Cambia, Minn., in 1877. John blowers remained on
section 16, till the spring of 1866, and then purchased
an interest in the Forest City saw mill, removing shortly
after to Forest City.
After this settlement began steadily increasing, and in
1870, the population of the township had grown to 179.
OFFICIAL RECORD
Previous to the organization of the
county, the only officers of justice or law in the county
were: C.W. Scott, justice of the peace, and A.T. Cole,
constable. In the spring of 1857 these gentlemen went to
the county seat of Webster county, to which Winnebago was
then attached, and were appointed to the offices named.
They served as county and township officers until the
county was organized.
The first officers elected for Forest township were: C.W.
Scott, justice; James J. Barker, clerk; and C.W. Scott,
road supervisor.
At the second election, in 1859, the following were
officers elected: A.T. Cole and James Collier, trustees;
James Barker and B.F. Denslow, clerks; C.W. Scott and
A.K. Curtis, justices; John Lamm, assessor; William
Lackore, road supervisor.
In 1883 the officers were: Jeff Otis, E.L. Stilson and
Andrew Charlson, trustees; W.H. Fisher, clerk; L.S.
Lewis, Martin Cooper and T.C. Ransom, justices; Albert
Field, assessor; J.E. Howard, constable.
EDUCATIONAL
In 1883 Forest township was divided into
seven sub-districts for school purposes, besides the
Forest City independent district, which is spoken of in
connection with Forest City. Each of the sub-districts,
but one, contained a school house, the aggregate value of
which was $2,500; value of apparatus $300. The number of
teachers employed in the township was eight, three of
whom were males and five females; average monthly
compensation, males $32.66; females $29.63; number of
persons between the ages of five and twenty-one years,
172, of which, 99 were males and 73 females; total number
of different scholars enrolled in the schools of the
township, 172. Number of months of school taught in the
township for the year ending Sept. 17, 1883, forty.
RELIGIOUS
The first Swedish Baptist Church of
Winnebago county was organized in about 1872 by Rev. C.
Caulson, of Albert Lea, Minn. The first meeting was held
at the house of Peter Olson, and the following named were
the original members: Peter Olson and wife, Lars Olson
and wife, and Bert Johnson and wife. Peter Olson was the
first deacon and treasurer. In 1879, the society built a
church about one mile northeast of Forest City in Forest
township. The building is 24X32 feet, and cost about
$800. The following are the ministers who have served the
Church: Revs. M. Hanson, S. Olson and A. Person, the
present pastor. The officers of the Church in 1883 were
as follows: Deacons, Peter Olson and Martin Tornson;
treasurer, P. Anderson; secretary, Nelse Martinson. The
present membership of the Church is about fifty.
LELANDSBURG
This village is situated in the northeast
part of Forest township and was formerly known as Benson
Grove Station. The first postoffice was established in
January, 1882, with J.D. Leland as postmaster. The
village was platted in 1883 by Mr. Leland, in honor of
whom it was named.
The business interest of the village, in 1883, were
represented by J.D. Leland and Edward Paulson, general
merchants; J.D. Leland, attorney; Parker & Jenks,
grain merchants.
Charles F. Jenks, telegraph operator and station agent on
the M. & St. L. Railroad, at Benson Grove, was born
March 13, 1858, in Warren Co., N.Y. His father dying when
he was but five years of age, he went to Brattleboro,
Vt., to live with an uncle, with whom he remained until
fifteen years of age. He then returned to his former home
in New York, where he lived until nineteen years of age.
In January, 1877, he went to Chicago, Ill., where he
secured employment in the Western Union Telegraph
Company's office as messenger, at $10 per month. He
remained there only a few weeks, and then he went to
Delano, Minn., where he obtained a position in the depot
on the St. P.M. & M. Railway, where he remained until
1879, in the meantime learning telegraphy. Since then he
has been located at various points in both Iowa and
Minnesota. in 1880, Mr. Jenks removed to Benson Grove
Station, at which place he has been agent and operator.
On July 12, 1882, he was married to Mary Strike, of
Forest township. Mr. Jenks also has a hay press and bales
and ships a large quantity of hay and straw during the
season; also deals in wood and coal.
Charles E. Welsh, one of the well-to-do farmers of Forest
township, was born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, July 27, 1843.
When twelve years of age, he emigrated with his parents
to Fayette Co., Iowa. His parents, William and Susan
Welsh, are now living in Kansas. On Nov. 24, 1864, he was
married to mary E. Howard, of Fayette county. This union
has been blessed with four children - Minnie E., William
Ernest, Samuel Edward and James J. Minnie taught a four
months term of school in the summer of 1883 in the Dawson
district. Mr. Welsh has eighty acres of land on section
21, all of which is under cultivation, and valued at $15
per acre. Mr. Welsh is an extensive stock raiser, and is
considered one of the most prominent men in the county.
He is a democrat and has held the office of road
commissioner, in district No. 4, for the past three
years.
George R. Blowers, the first white person born in the
county, was born May 7, 1857. His parents, John S. and
Catharine Blowers, emigrated to the county in April,
1856, and were among the first actual settlers here. At
this place Mr. Blowers has grown to manhood and has lived
to see the vast changes which have been wrought in a
quarter of a century. He can remember when there was not
a white person living in the county, west of Forest City.
Mr. Blowers is a democrat. He was married in July, 1881,
to Eliza O'Connor, by whom there has been one child -
Eliza Ilona.
F.P. Blowers was born in Winnebago Co., Iowa, Oct 15,
1859. He is a son of John S. and Sarah (Belt) Blowers,
one of the early settlers of this county, coming in
April, 1856 from Ohio. the subject of this sketch was
reared on a farm, his early playmates being the young
Indians which were still inhabiting this part of the
State. In January, 1880, he was married to Ann Castle, of
Virginia, by whom there is one child - John. Mr. Blowers
has been identified with the county for nearly a quarter
of a century, and has seen the county transformed from
its wild State to good cultivated farms.
Solomon Simmons, one of the early settlers and
enterprising farmers of Winnebago county, was born in
Sagamon Co., Ill., Feb. 16, 1835. he is a son of charles
and Janett (Winton) Simmons. His parents were married in
New York, and removed to Illinois in 1829 and located at
Beardstown, Cass Co., Ill. In 1831 they removed to Kane
county, which at that period was quite new. There was an
abundance of wild game, and Mr. Simmons being quite a
hunter, it was easy for him to supply his small family
with plenty of fresh meat at any time - for other
provision he carted with oxen from Chicago. the subject
of this sketch was raised and educated in Kane Co., Ill.
In May, 1854, he was married to Delia M. Nichols, whose
parents were pioneers of Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Simmons
have been blessed with four children - Luke N., Elizabeth
J., Frank L. and William H. In 1864 he removed to Iowa
and located on the land where he now resides. He has
eighty acres of land, valued at $30 per acre, and also
160 acres in Hancock county, valued at $10 per acre. When
Mr. Simmons located in Winnebago county it was quite new.
He built the first house west of Forest city, and it was
forty miles to the nearest neighbor on the west. Mr.
Simmons supplied his table with the choicest of wild game
as long as deer were to be found in the timber near
Forest City, and he subsequently made four trips in the
"big timber" of Minnesota in search of deer, of
which he has captured a great many - sometimes as many as
three in a single day. Mr. Simmons is a Master Mason, a
member of the Zenith Lodge, No. 213 of Forest City. He
has eighty acres of as good land as there is to be found
in the county. He has on the farm a grove of soft maple,
willow and cottonwood, which makes as good a protection
for his family and stock from the Iowa
"blizzards" as one could wish.
James J. Otis, one of the best and most enterprising
farmers of Forest township, was born in Jefferson Co.,
N.Y., Oct. 17, 1834. When Mr. Otis was three years of age
his parents, William H. and Loma Otis, removed to
Illinois, locating at Chicago. After remaining in that
city one year, he purchased land in the same county and
embarked in farming, remaining there until his death,
which occurred in 1879. James J., the subject of this
sketch, grew to manhood in Cook county, receiving his
education in the old log school house. He was united in
marriage to Calista Van Order, in 1855, and by whom he
had four children, none of which are living. In 1855, he
removed to Michigan, where he engaged in the lumber
business, and remained there until the spring of 1865,
when he removed to Floyd Co., Iowa, where he engaged in
farming. In the spring of 1868 he purchased his farm in
Winnebago Co., Iowa, and the same fall removed his family
to Forest city, and in the spring of 1869 settled on his
present home. His wife died in February, 1861, and he
again married Emeline Van Order, a sister of his former
wife. By this union ten children were born - Laura A.,
who died at the age of seventeen years; George A., Anna,
Ella, William, Maggie, who died at the age of four
months; Frank, Lydia, Jessie R. and Fred. Mr. Otis came
to iowa a poor man, having had much sickness in his
family while in Michigan, but by keeping his hand to the
plow and working with a will he has to-day one of the
nicest and best farms in Winnebago county. His farm
consists of 160 acres of rich land under a high state of
cultivation, valued at $25 per acre. He has a very
comfortable house, surrounded with a large and beautiful
grove. Mr. Otis has one of the finest barns in the
county, built at a cost of $1,500. Mr. Otis is without
doubt one of the best practical famers in the county, and
is a credit to the community.
Thomas B. Strike, one of the early settlers in the
northern part of Forest township, was born in Devonshire,
England, Nov. 2, 1822, where he grew to manhood. In 1849
he left Devonshire an dcame to Quebec. He remained one
year in London, Upper Canada, and removed to jefferson
Co., Wis. The following winter he spent in Upper Canada
and again returned to Wisconsin. In the spring of 1852,
he, with other company, crossed the plains to California,
being over three months on the way. After reaching
California, he was employed in the mines; also at
threshing at $8 per day. Here he roughed it for two and
one-half years. In the fall of 1854 he emigrated to
Australia, where he was again employed in the mines. In
1859 he returned to England. he was married March 24,
1861, to Elizabeth Hicks, a daughter of John Hicks, who
died in England. Her mother is living in this county at
the advanced age of seventy-six years. The following May
they emigrated to America, settling in Jefferson Co.,
Wis., where he rented land. While here two children were
born - Mary J. and Oscar. In 1866 he removed to Monona,
Clayton Co., Iowa, where one child was born - Thomas
Elsworth. In 1868 he purchased land, and in 1869 removed
his family to this county, where he has since resided.
they were the first actual settlers in the northern part
of the township. Mr. Strike is the owner of 240 acres of
land valued at $20 per acre. He is a republican, and with
his wife, is a member of the M.E. Church.
William Taylor, one of the pioneers of Winnebago Co.,
Iowa, was born in Oswego Co., N.Y., Oct 3, 1816. In 1843
he was married to Harriet Jewett of Oneida Co., N.Y. By
this union there were five children - Mary, wife of
Thomas Hunt, of Wisconsin; Jewett, who married Sarah
Jewett of Oneida Co., N.Y.; Leora, Hyman and Harry. In
1869, he removed to Winnebago county, and purchased the
land where he now resides. The country was very unsettled
and he received his mail at Clear Lake. Mr. Taylor is a
republican. When he removed to the county he was in very
limited circumstances, but by hard work has succeeded in
obtaining a comfortable property.
Christian Rasmuson, an enterprising farmer of this
county, was born in Stavand, Norway, in 1831. In 1867 he
left his native home and emigrated to the States, first
settling in Crawford Co., Wis. and the following year
removed to Winneshiek Co., Iowa. In 1870 he removed to
Winnebago county, settled on section 3, where he has been
farming and now resides. Mr. Rasmuson came to this county
in limited circumstances, but has by hard work
accumulated a fine property. He has 160 acres of land
valued at $20 per acre. He was married in 1856 to Julia
Torgrimsen. They are the parents of five children -
Christian, Anna, Julia, and Erasmus Thomas, a young man
of great inventive abilities, who in 1883 patented the
first three-wheel corn planter. This planter is a
self-dropper and marker, and too much credit cannot be
given to him.
Eli Mattocks, one of the enterprising farmers of Forest
township, was born in Mercer Co., Penn., Sept 19, 1844.
He is a son of Jacob C. and Jane (Arbuckle) Mattocks.
They were the parents of six children, four sons and two
daughters. Mr. Mattocks died in March, 1864. In 1852 his
parents emigrated to Fayette Co., Iowa, where they took
up land and made a home. Here the subject of this sketch
was reared and educated. On Aug 4, 1862, he entered the
serice, enlisting in the 38th Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He
participated in a number of hard fought battles, among
which were the siege of Vicksburg, Yazoo City, Black
River, etc., thence to New Orleans and Texas. In January,
1865, his regiment was consolidated with the 34th Iowa,
and took part in the capture of Fort Morgan and the
charge of Fort Blakely. The regiment went up the Alabama
river and from thence to Houston, Texas, where they were
discharged. Mr. Mattocks returned to Fayette county. On
Feb. 19, 1866, he was married to Sarah A. Fox, daughter
of W.C. Fox, of Virginia. By this union there are six
children, four sons and two daughters - Mary J., Mattie
E., William H., Franklin E. and Sherman J. In 1870 he
came to Winnebago county, where he purchased land on
section 15, Forest township, and where he has since
resided. He owns 240 acres of land, all of which is under
cultivation. His land is valued at $25 per acre. Mr.
Mattocks is a member of the Masonic lodge, I.O.O.F. and
G.A.R. He has been identified with the county for a
number of years, and when he came here was in only
moderate circumstances, but by economy and careful
management, is to-day one of the most prosperous farmers
in Winnebago county.
Harold Peterson, one of the well-to-do farmers of Forest
township, was born in Hatfjelddal, Norway, in 1831. He
was married in 1858 to a Miss Engerber, by whom he had
four children - Peter, Ole, Julia and Christian. In 1867
he left his native country and came to America, and
settled in Winneshiek Co., Iowa, where he worked by the
month. In 1870 he came to Winnebago county, where he
purchased land on section 2. Mr. Peterson came to this
county a poor man, but by hard work has accumulated
considerable property. He has eighty acres of land,
valued at $25 per acre. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson are members
of the Lutheran Church.
Peter Olson was born in the south of Sweden, Sept 29,
1833. In 1855 he was married to Ingar Nelson, by whom
there were three children - Ellen, Carrie and Ole. In
1862 Mrs. Olson died. She was a sincere Christian and
highly respected by all who knew her. In 1863 he was
again married, to Tilda Monson, by whom there were six
children - Mary, John, Louis, Charles, Oscar and Jennie.
In 1869 he came to America, first settling in Mitchell
Co., Iowa. In 1870 he came to Winnebago county, where he
has since resided. He has 113 acres of land in Forest
township, valued at $25 per acre. Mr. Olson is a member
of the Swedish Baptist Church, of which he is one of the
deacons.
Martin Turveson was born in Sweden, Dec. 21, 1816. He was
married in 1844 to Dorothy Nelson, by whom there were
three children - Tenor, Nels and Johanna. In 1871 he came
to America nad purchased the land where he now lives,
consisting of 160 acres, which was at that time covered
with timber, but by hard toil he has cleared up about
sixty acres. Mr. and Mrs. Turveson are members of the
Swedish Baptist Church. In politics he is a republican.
Ole Ambroson, one of the prominent farmers of Forest
township, was born in Hatfjelddal, Norway, onthe 26th day
of May, 1828. He was married April 23, 1856, to Julia
Gentwet, and soon after left for America, landing in
Quebec. Thence to Palmyra, Wis., where he remained for
four years. In 1860 he removed to Winneshiek Co., Iowa,
where he purchased a farm. in 1871 he came to Winnebago
county, where he purchased land on section 2, and opened
up a farm, being among the early settlers in the north
part of the township, on the east side of Lime creek. Mr.
and Mrs. Ambroson are the parents of seven children -
Ambrose, Julia, George, Ellen, Ole, Cornelia and Oliver.
Mr. Ambroson came to the county in limited circumstances,
having only about $100 of ready money in his pocket, but
by hard work and good management has accumulated a
comfortable property and home, and to-day is among the
well-to-do farmers of the county. He has 160 acres of
land, valued at $25 per acre. They are members of the
Lutheran Church. In politics he is a republican, under
which administration he has held several offices, such as
school director, road supervisor, etc.
Andru E. Brandstad was born in Norway in 1826. In 1858 he
was married to Dorbe P. Greytnes. By this union there
were eight children - Andru, Peter, Betsy, Angie, Mary,
Edward, helena and Amelia. In 1873 he emigrated to
America and settled in Winneshiek Co., Iowa. In 1875 he
came to Winnebago county, where he purchased a farm and
engaged in farming. He has at present 160 acres of land,
valued at $20 per acre. Mr. and Mrs. Brandstad are
members of the Lutheran Church. They came to this county
in limited circumstances, but by hard work and ecomomy
have accumulated a comfortable property. He is a
republican.
Elwood Alexander was born in Grant Co., Wis., July 13,
1859. His parents were R.V. and M.A. (Price) Alexander,
who settled in Wisconsin in an early day. They were the
parents of four children, three sons and a daughter.
Their father died in Mason City in 1870. Elwood, the
subject of this sketch, removed with his parents to Mason
City in 1867. Here he grew to manhood, receiving a good
liberal education. In 1879 he came to Forest City. In
1882 he was married to Katie A. Price. Mr. Alexander is a
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which
he is permanent secretary.
1History of Kossuth, Hancock and Winnebago Counties, Iowa. Springfield, Illinois: Union Publishing Company, 1884. 871-02. |