HISTORY OF MITCHELL AND WORTH COUNTIES, IOWA, VOL. II, 1918, page 485

One of the valuable farms of Worth county, thoroughly modern in its equipments and in the methods of work there carried on, is the property of John A. Tenold, a representative and progressive agriculturist whose place is situated on section 26, Hartland township. Mr. Tenold is a native of the neighboring state of Illinois. He was born in Boone county, November 4, 1861, a son of Andrew and Emily (Lee) Tenold. He spent his boyhood days in his native countv and in Worth county, Iowa, his parents having removed from Illinois to this state in 1866, at which time they took up their abode in Hartland township.

At the usual age he entered the public schools and therein pursued his studies, mastering all of the ordinary branches of learning- and thus becoming qualified for life's practical and responsible duties. After putting aside his textbooks be went to Kensett, where he was employed in the lumberyard of Charles Lock for three years. On the expiration of that period he returned to the home farm and in company with his brothers, Ole, Elling and Gilbert, cultivated the old homestead in Hartland township and also a farm of two hundred acres in Brookfield township. Some time afterward Ole Tenold sold his share in these properties, which were then further developed and improved by John A. Elling and Gilbert Tenold, who were associated in their undertakings until 1902, when John A. and Ole Tenold purchased a hardware business in Northwood, Iowa. The partnership between them was maintained until January, 1917, and the business was carefully, intelligently and successfully managed. Throughout the intervening period, however, John A. Tenold has been more or less closely associated with agricultural interests, for in 1884 he purchased his present farm of two hundred acres situated on section 26, Hartland township. He at once began its development and improvement, has erected new buildings thereon from time to time and now has a thoroughly modern farm, model in every respect. He resides upon this place and gives his personal attention to its cultivation and further development with the result that he annually gathers good crops as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields.

Mr. Tenold is a member of the Lutheran church and is loyal to its teachings. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and at the present time he is serving as township assessor. He has also been township clerk for a number of years and is one of the school directors of his district. He stands for progress and improvement in all things and his influence and aid are always on the side of advancement and of those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and of civic pride.

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Transcribed by Gordon Felland - July 16, 2005