EARLY SETTLEMENT — HISTORIC ITEMS — ORGANIC — CENTER TOWNSHIP EDUCATIONAL — RELIGIOUS — LAKE MILLS — BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LAKE MILLS BANK — ROLLER MILL — CARDING MILL — LAKE MILLS ELEVATOR — POSTOFFICE [sic] — INCORPORATION LAKE MILLS EDUCATIONAL — RELIGIOUS AND CIVIC SOCIETIES — BUSINESS DIRECTORY
This township is bounded on the north by Norway
township, on the east by Worth county, on the south by
Mount Valley township, and on the west by Newton
township, and comprises all of congressional township 99,
of range 23. The soil is rich and very productive and in
this township are some of the best farms in the county.
The township is mostly prairie, although there are quite
a number of large groves of timber in the eastern and
northeastern part. Lime creek enters the township on
section 5, and leaves from section 19. Beaver creek rises
on section 35, and leaves the township from section 36.
Rice lake, quite a large body of water, lies about half
in this township, and half in Worth county.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The first settler in the territory now comprising
Center township was George Thomas, who located land about
one mile southeast of the present site of Lake Mills in
the spring of 1855. Mr. Thomas made that his home until
his death which occurred in 1858. George W., son of Mr.
Thomas, came to the county in 1855, with his father,
remaining about three years, when he went to Pike's Peak.
In 1860 he returned to Winnebago county, locating in
Center township, on what was known as the Taugue place.
About a year later he built where his present residence
now is and has made that his home ever since.
George W. Thomas was born in Canada, Aug. 5, 1838. He
emigrated with his parents, at the age of nine years, to
the States, locating in Dodge Co., Wis., where he
remained till 1855, then removing to Winnebago Co., Iowa,
settled on section 11, Center township, where he has
since resided, with the exception of one year, when he
was at Pike's Peak in search of gold. He has 560 acres of
good land well improved. He is a member of the Forest
City Masonic Lodge, No. 213. He was married March 14,
1866, to Hattie Gibbs, born in St. Lawrence Co., N.Y.,
March 14, 1849. This union has been blessed with four
living children - Charles D., Hattie May, Mand and
Myrtle, (twins). Barney Gibbs, the father of Mrs. thomas,
was born in New York in 1816, and died in Winnebago Co.,
Iowa, in 1879. Louisa, the mother, was born in New York
in April, 1826, and is still living. They were the
parents of two children - Mary, now the wife of Pulaska
Williams, of Todd co., Minn., and Hattie, now Mrs.
Thomas. Joshua Thomas, the father of G.W. Thomas, was
born in New York, in 1801; died in Winnebago Co., Iowa,
in 1858. Matilda Borden, the mother, was born in Canada,
in 1812; died in Wisconsin in 1855. They were the parents
of six children, George W. being the second child.
In the spring of 1856 a man by the name of Taugue came to
the county, locating in this township on section 1. He
lived there for about two years, then moved to section
12, and in the fall of 1858 went to Pike's Peak.
John Anderson also came in 1856, locating on section 2.
He remained two or three years and then went to Kansas.
In 1857, three brothers, John, C.L. and Fred M. Porter,
became residents of the territory now embraced by Center
township. They located on section 2, where C.L. still
lives. John is now in Kansas; F.M. died in about 1880,
near Wadena, Minn.
Joseph Burns came the same year and squatted on section
2, moving the following year to section 11. After a stay
of four or five years he went to Illinois.
In 1858 C.D. Smith settled on section 2, where he still
lives.
C.D. Smith was born in Vermont Nov. 26, 1833. He was
reared on a farm and there resided until twenty-two years
of age. He then went to Janesville, Wis., where he
remained one year, removing to Worth Co., Iowa, where he
resided two years, being engaged in farming. He then
removed to Winnebago county, and purchased a claim from
Joseph Burns, who had erected a log cabin on it about
1856. Mr. Smith built an additional room to this cabin in
1864, and has since made it his home. He has lately
completed a fine two-story frame dwelling near the site
of the old one, in which he is now residing. In 1866, he,
in company with S.D. Wadsworth, erected a steam flouring
and saw mill, to which they also added a shingle cutter
and carding machine. The mill was situated near the lake
from which the town afterward derived its name. This mill
burned down in the fall of 1871, but was re-built by the
same company, and was again in running order in January,
1872. In April, 1883, the mill was sold to H. Winslow,
now of the firm of Winslow & Conley, who have put in
a patent roller mill. Mr. Smith is now engaged in
farming. He has 480 acres of land on sections 2,3, and
11. He has been county supervisor eight years, township
trustee several terms, and is at present mayor of Lake
Mills, which position he has held ever since the city
received its charter, in 1881. About 1868, he bought
fifteen acres of land of E.D. Hinman, which he laid out
into town lots, and upon which the town of Lake Mills
began to build. In 1880 he laid out into lots fifty acres
of the Joseph Burns claim. Mr. Smith was married Feb. 26,
1863, to Janet Smith, who was born in Canada, April 26,
1835. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of five children
- Walter C., born Dec. 28, 1863; Annie J., born Jan. 18,
1869; Emeline A., born Dec. 15, 1873; Charles W., born
Oct. 26, 1875; and Bessie J., born June 15, 1881.
John B. Aulman also came in 1858, and entered 320 acres
of land on sections 8 and 9 of Center township. He
shortly after returned to his home in Philadelphia,
Penn., remaining until 1860, whe, with his family, he
settled on his land in Center township.
John B. Aulman was born in France, Dec. 19, 1819. In 1843
he emigrated to America, landing at New Orleans, La.,
where he remained a short time, removing to Philadelphia,
Penn., where he resided for eighteen years. He then
removed to Iowa, settling in Winnebago county, section 7,
Center township, where he has since resided, with the
exception of one year, while making a tour through
Kansas. He has a ferm of 280 acres, of good land, well
improved. He was married in France, in 1848, to Mary
Frates. This union has been blessed with four living
children - Augustus, Joseph P., Eugene and Andrew. Mr.
Aulman is a republican, and is a member of the Catholic
Church.
John E. Anderson came from Lyons, this State, in 1860,
and located on section 2, of what is now Center township.
He built a small house and improved his land, remaining
there until his death, which occurred in 1866.
During the war, quite a number settled in the township.
Prominent among them were: Patrick Malone, Elef Elefson,
T.Thompson, John Johnson, J.J. Kleven, Charles Ruby and
E.D. Hinman. All of these persons, excepting J.J. Kleven
and Charles Ruby, are still residents of the township.
J.J. Kleven located on section 22. He died four or five
years later. His family still reside on the same place.
Charles Ruby came from Bristol, this State, locating on
section 4, where he lived until his death, which occurred
in 1868.
Thomas Thompson was born in Norway, in December, 1822. In
1852 he emigrated to America, landing at Quebec. He went
to Racine Co., Wis., remaining there one year, thence to
Dane county, where he resided until 1865, when he came to
this county. He settled on section 16, Center township,
where he has 320 acres of land. He has forty acres in
timber. In 1852 he was married to Harriet Johnson, born
in Norway, in 1822. They have six children - Mary, John,
Ole, Rockstead, Thomas and Gilbert. They are all members
of the Lutheran Church. He is a republican, politically.
HISTORIC ITEMS.
The first birth in the township was that of a daughter
of Rev. John B. Hill. She was born in the summer of 1859,
and died within the year.
The first death occurred in 1858, and carried away George
Thomas, the first settler in the township.
The first resident couple to get married was C.D. Smith
and Jeannette Smith, who are still living in the
township.
The first cabin was built in 1855 by George Thomas, who,
in the following year, broke the first piece of land, on
section 12.
The first school house was built in the winter of
1859-60, on section 2. The contract was let to C.H. Day,
who had the work done.
The first sermon was preached in 1862 by Rev. Saxby.
The first school was taught in 1860 by E.D. Hinman.
ORGANIC.
Center township was organized in 1858, and comprised
all of congressional township 98, of range 24, excepting
two tiers of sections on the south; the south half of
township 98, range 23; all of the south tier of sections
in township 99, ranges 24, 25 and 26; and two tiers of
sections in the extreme west of townships 99 and 100, of
range 26. In 1867 the county was re-divided, and Center
township was made to comprise all of congressional
township 98, range 23, and the east half of range 24,
except section 34 and the northwest three-fourths of
section 35; also the south half of township 99, ranges
23, 24 and 25. In 1875 Center township was again changed.
At this time its territory was made co-extensive with
township 99, of ranges 23, 24, 25 and 26; and in 1881 it
became all of congressional township 99, of range 23.
The early election records of this township were not
preserved, and hence the names of the first officers
cannot be ascertained.
In 1883 the officers were as follows: Trustees, Lars Tho,
T.H. Twito and Ole O. Tvetine; clerk, A.O. Tobiassen;
justices, A. Anderson and R.O. Haugland; constables, John
Bingaman and W.F. Brown; assessor, Andrew Thompson; road
supervisors, district No. 1, Charles Ruby; district No.
2, Ole Peterson; No. 3, T.A. Brekky; No. 4, John Eiel;
No. 5, Henry Thompson; No. 6, K.K. Killen; No. 7, Elling
Hermanson; No. 8, Ole H. Brekky.
EDUCATIONAL.
In 1883 Center township was divided into nine
sub-districts for school purposes. Number of school
houses, each, valued at $5,000; value of apparatus, $340.
the total number of persons between the ages of five and
twenty-one years was 458, of which were males, 258,
females, 200; total number enrolled in the schools of the
township, 321. Number of teachers employed in the
township, males six, females six; average monthy
compensation, males $28.88, females $25.83. Total number
of months of school during the year ending Sept. 17,
1883, fifty-eight; average cost of tuition per month for
each pupil, $1.13.
RELIGIOUS.
The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church of Center
township was organized on the 3d day of September, 1865,
by the Rev. T.A. Torgeson, with the following original
members: Hejus Ganzsied, Mary Tollaksen, Evind Jorgensen
Sunderland, Halvor J. Sunderland, Sigurd H. Sunderland
and Torjus Tollefson.
The first meetings were held in private residences and in
schoolhouses until 1876, when the society erected their
beautiful house of worship on section 34. The edifice
stands on a commanding eminence and may be seen from
miles away in every direction. It is 40 by 106 feet, and
cost about $6,000. Too much credit cannot be given to
Rev. I.M. Dahl for his persistent efforts in the erection
of this structure. Mr. Dahl became the pastor of the
church, Oct. 19, 1873, a little over one month after its
organization.
Rev. I.M. Dahl was born in Norway on the 14th of
December, 1836. In 1860 he went to Germany and studied
theology in a mission college, located at Hanover, being
ordained in 1866, by the Rev. Dr. Niemann, the counsellor
of the consistory. The same year, Mr. Dahl was sent on a
mission to the East Indies, where he worked faithfully
for seven years in the Madras Presidency. Here he was
married, Dec. 18, 1870, to Catharina Moursund. In the
spring of 1873, Mr. Dahl left the Indies for Europe,
where he tarried but a short time, then came to the
United States and coming directly to Iowa took charge of
his present field of labor. Mr. and Mrs. Dahl have been
blessed with two children - Hans Flaminius Moursund, born
Dc. 6, 1871; and Mary Olivia, born Dec. 22, 1872. Mr.
Dahl stands some five feet, ten and a half inches high,
weighs 235 pounds, and with his magnificent physical
proportions unites a purely Greek profile. A more
classical, intellectual looking man, it is hard to find,
and when he enters the pulpit to thunder forth the tenets
of his faith, it seems that the great reformer of the
fifteenth century, Martin Luther, stood before us. His
extensive travels and acquaintances with numerous tongues
and dialects are betrayed in his every conversation, and
the consideration in which he is held by his numerous
congregations, denotes that the man is almost perfect in
all the walks of life. No clergyman in all northern Iowa
wields the influence or accomplishes the good that this
gentleman does. At the time of his coming here the
society numbered 595. In 1880 the chuch was divided, and
Rev. H. Strand was called to the supervision of one part
while Mr. Dahl was retained for the other. At this time
the church records showed a total membership of 1,976, an
increase of 1,881. In 1882 the membership of both
divisions was 2,397. The officers of the Church consist
of seven trustees: Aslak Olson, Nils Egge, Andrew
Neresen, Torris Hermandsen, Gulbrand Belsheim, Andrew
Peterson and Knudt J. Fei.
The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Winnebago
county is one of the most prominent organizations of
northwestern Iowa. The society is in a healthy,
prosperous condition. The Winnebago Norwegian Evangelical
Lutheran congregations are divided into three religious
school districts, with a teacher for each district,
teaching religion, song and the Norwegian language. Each
district is again divided into three sub-districts and
the whole is arranged so that the children may use both
the English common, and the Norwegian religious day
schools.
LAKE MILLS
The village of Lake Mills is beautifully situated in
the edge of the timber on section 2, of Center township.
The Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad passes through
the village, connecting it with all leading markets, both
north and south. The outlook for this busy little village
is indeed flattering, and the energy and enterprise of
its citizens, combined with the great scope of country
which feeds it, will before many years make Lake Mills
one of the leading towns in this part of Iowa. Lake Mills
was laid out in 1868, although for a number of years
prior to that time the village was in existence. C.D.
Smith was the proprietor of the town site. The first
store building on the present site of Lake Mills was
built by E.D. Hinman, in 1864, and that gentleman was the
first to sell goods.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.
n 1866 S.D. Wadsworth opened a general
store in an old log school house which had been built
several years before. He continued the business in the
old school house until 1867, then removed to his dwelling
house, where he now resides, and after four years sold
his stock of goods to W.B. Todd. Mr. Todd removed the
stock into what is known as the old Barnett House, and
continued in business about three years. At the end of
that time he closed his stock out and retired from
business.
The next general store was opened in 1868, by Lewis
Crowell, in the bulding where Southwick's store now is.
Mr. Crowell continued the business about one year, then
sold to Lemuel Stilson, who sold in about a year to Abel
Porter. One year later, Mr. Porter sold out his goods and
quit the business.
In 1869 Larson & Co., from Osage, Iowa, opened a
general store in what is now known as the old Smith
building. They continued there for two years, then
erected the building they now occupy.
William Larson, a native of Norway, was born April 30,
1831. He emigrated to America in 1854 and located in New
England, where he remained eighteen months, then removing
to Dane Co., Wis., at which place he resided until 1861,
then removing to Iowa Co., Wis., where he remained until
1864. He enlisted in company H, 1st Minnesota Heavy
Artillery, was stationed at Chattanooga, Tenn., until he
was discharged at the close of the war. He then returned
to Wisconsin where he remained until 1868, and then
removed to Osage, Mitchell Co., Iowa, where he remained
till 1870. He then came to Lake Mills, Winnebago Co.,
Iowa, where he has since resided and been engaged in the
mercantile business. He was married in Norway, in 1854,
to Catharina Dalum, born in Norway, about 1810, and died
April 15, 1883, at Lake Mills, Iowa. He was again
married, to Hannah Dalum, Sept. 10, 1883, who was born in
Norway, March 20, 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Larson are members
of the Norway Lutheran Church. Mr. Larson has been
treasurer of the county, and at present is chairman of
the board of supervisors. In 1875 he returned to Norway,
where he remained three months. In 1880 he again visited
Norway, and returned in 1881.
The next general stock was opened in 1873 by E.L.
Johnson, in the building vacated by Larson & Co. Mr.
Johnson continued in business, about one year and sold
out to K.H. Knudson, who closed out the stock six months
later.
In 1879, Wadsworth & Knudson opened a general
business. Two years and a half later, Mr. Wadsworth
became sole proprietor, and in the fall of 1883 Ole Scar
bought out Mr. Wadsworth and is still in business.
In 1883 the reprentatives of the general trade in Lake
Mills were: Ole Scar; William Larson, Oliver Nelson and
Southwick & Olson.
In the early days nearly all of the stores carried
limited stocks of hardware, and it was not until 1872
that a store soley devoted to that business was
established. In 1872 Lemuel Stilson engaged in the
hardware trade at Lake Mills. he continued in business
for six or eight months, then removed to Forest city.
The representatives of the hardware trade in 1883 were:
E.L. Henderson, F.C. Hall and Frank Lepper.
Frank Lepper was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, March 18,
1850, where he remained until twelve years of age,
removing to Michigan where he resided three years, then
locating in Lake Mills, where he has resided since, being
employed for eight years in a tin shop, but now running a
shop in connection with a hardware store for Frank Hall
of Northwood. He has been connected with Mr. Hall for
five years. He was married May 22, 1872, to Ellen Todd,
who was born at Buffalo N.Y. April 11, 1855. They are the
parents of two children - Burdette, born Nov. 27, 1876,
and Blanch, born Sept. 1, 1881. Mr. Lepper is a member of
the I.O.O.F., of Aurora Lodge, and also a member of the
city council.
The first grocery store was opened in 1875 by K.H.
Knudson. He occupied a building which stood where
Henderson's hardware store now is. Mr. Knudson cintinued
in the grocery trade for several years, then merged his
stock with the general line under the firm name of
Wadsworth & Knudson.
The grocery trade was represented in 1883 by Perry Brown.
The first furniture store was established in 1878 by Abel
Porter. In 1879 William Wilson became proprietor of the
business, and in 1881 sold out to J.B. Wilson, who was
the sole representative of that branch of trade in Lake
Mills in 1883.
J.B. Wilson is a native of Canada, born Jan. 22, 1827.
His father, Hugh Wilson, was born in Cherry Valley, N.Y.
Feb. 11, 1801. He removed to Canada when quite young,
residing there until 1845, when he removed to Kane Co.,
Ill. In the latter place he followed farming until 1881,
when he removed to this county. Anna M. (Munson) Wilson,
mother of the subject of this sketch, was a native of
Vermont, born Feb. 9, 1801. She died march 9, 1840. She
was the mother of seven children, J.B. being the fourth
child. He removed to Illiniois with his parents, in 1845,
residing there until 1881, when he came to this county,
locating in Lake Mills, where he engaged in business. He
was married Oct. 30, 1847, to Mary C. Peck, born in
Otsego Co., N.Y., Dec. 6, 1829. They have two children
living - Ida F., born May 27, 1854, and Frank B., born
Aug. 6, 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are members of the M.E.
Church.
LAKE MILLS BANK
The Lake Mills Bank was established April 1, 1883, by
Messrs. W.C. Pickering, W.T. Hartley and W.H. Harwood.
This is one of the prominent institutions of Lake Mills,
and is a feature of the business interests of the village
which has long been needed. The firm was previously
engaged in land speculations and loaning money, which
business they still continue in connection with their
banking operations. The firm first located at Lake Mills
in 1882.
ROLLER MILL.
This mill was established in 1871 by S.D. Wadsworth
and C.D. Smith, and flour was made by the old process.
The above firm run the mill until in 1881, when Mr.
Wadsworth sold his share of the property to J.B. conley,
and the firm became Conley, Smith & Co. this firm
continued the business until May 1, 1883, when another
change was made, the mill becoming the property of H.W.
Winslow and J. Conley. This firm remodelled the mill,
fitting it with the latest improved roller process. The
mill is 24X36 feet, three stories high, and is valued at
$10,000. It is run by a steam engine of forty horse
power. The flour turned out by this mill is of superior
quality, and is conceded to be the best manufactured in
Winnebago county.
J.B. Conley, a native of Rock Co., Wis., was born July 1,
1852, where he received his education, and remained until
twenty-five years of age. In 1877 he removed to Iowa, and
was engaged in drilling wells in Bremer and Howard
counties. In 1880 he removed to Lake Mills, and with S.D.
Wadsworth was engaged in operating a flouring mill, for
one year, at which time he purchased the interest of Mr.
Wadsworth and continued in the mill business under the
firm name of Conley, Smith & Co., the mill being
under that name until May 1, 1883, when H.W. Winslow
purchased the interest of Smith & Co., then forming
the firm of Winslow & Co. Mr. Conley was married in
December, 1881, to S.B. Kenny, who was born Dec. 18,
1852. Mr. Conley is a republican, and with his wife is a
member of the Roman Catholic church.
Henry W. Winslow, a native of Kane Co., Ill., was born
May 14, 1847, where he lived until two years of age, and
with his parents removed to Ashtabula county, where they
remained four years, removing to Lake Co., Ind.,
remaining there eight years, then to Toledo, Ohio, where
he resided two years. He then located at Lake Co., Ind.,
where he resided until twenty-one years of age. Mr.
Winslow then removed to Chicago, Ill., where for three
years he was engaged in the draying business. He then
removed to Minnesota, and for three years was engaged
building bridges on the N.P.R.R. He removed to
Minneapolis and for nine years engaged in the millright
business. Then to Waseca, Minn., where he remained four
months, removing to Watertown, where he resided six
months, and in May, 1883, removed to Lake Mills, and
engaged in the mill business under the firm name of
Winslow & Conley, running a No. 1 patent process
flouring mill. He was married Dec. 26, 1873, to Frances
McKay, who was born in Canada, Feb. 14, 1854. This union
has been blessed with one child - Betric, born Oct. 1,
1875. Mr. Winslow is a member of Emma Lodge, K. of P. No.
18.
CARDING MILL.
D.N. Hill, proprietor of the Lake Mills carding mill,
established his business in 1878. The business is growing
and is an important factor in the business development of
Lake Mills. Mr. Hill finds customers from all parts of
Winnebago and adjoining counties within a radius of 100
miles. On an average he turns out over 7,000 pounds of
carded wool yearly.
LAKE MILLS ELEVATOR.
The Lake Mills elevator was erected in 1878 by M.P.
Hayes & Co., who at once commenced buying and
shipping grain. The capacity of the elevator is about
25,000 bushels, and cost, complete, over $5,000. In 1883
the building and business became the property of Gust
Sunwald, of Carver, Minn. H. Rowell is managing the
business at present.
POSTOFFICE. [sic]
Lake Mills postoffice was established in 1864 with
S.D. Wadsworth as postmaster. He held the office for
three years and was succeeded by W.B. Todd, who also held
for three years. Todd's successor was William Larson. Mr.
Larson remained postmaster until 1878, when J.M. Hull
received the appointment, holding the office until 1882,
when C.E. Keeler, the present incumbent, became
postmaster.
INCORPORATION.
Lake Mills was incorporated June 7, 1880, with 408
inhabitants. The first officers elected were as follows:
Mayor, C.D. Smith; recorder, A.N. Hill; councilmen,
William Larson, S.A. Smith, L.S. Anderson, T.H. Twito and
K.H. Knudson.
The city officers in 1883 were as follows: Mayor, C.D.
Smith; recorder, W.A. Chapman; councilmen, Ole Scar, N.O.
Styve, T.H. Twito, H.J. Rowland, N.A. Smith and F.D.
Lepper.
N.O. Styve, lumber merchant, was born in Norway, Aug. 5,
1844. He emigrated to America in 1850, landing at New
York, and locating in Dane Co., Wis., where he resided
three years, removing to Winneshiek Co., Iowa, remaining
on a farm for four years. He then removed to Freeborn
Co., Minn., where he engaged in farming until 1872,
removing to Albert Lea, where he resided seven years,
engaged in the lumber business. In 1879 he removed to
Lake Mills, where he has since resided, and engaged in
the same business. He was married June 2, 1867, to Ellen
Bottleson, born in Norway, Nov. 6, 1839. This union has
been blessed with three children -- Ole, born Dec. 7,
1869; Battol Laurits, born April 9, 1880, and died July
27, 1880; and Gustaf Battol Laurits, born Feb. 20, 1882.
Mr. Styve is a republican, and the family are members of
the Lutheran Church.
Horace J. Rowland, proprietor of city livery, omnibus and
dray line of Lake Mills, was born in Connecticut, March
25, 1834, where he resided until twenty-two years of age.
In 1856 he removed to Wisconsin, where he remained until
1862, removing to Olmsted Co., Minn., where he resided
three years. He then removed to St. Ansgar, Mitchell Co.,
Iowa, where he remained until 1868, being engaged in
dealing in horses, then removing to Lake Mills, where he
has since resided. He has been for fifteen years a star
route mail contractor on various routes. He was at one
time railway mail agent on the M. & St. L. Railroad.
He also run several stage lines, and carried on the
livery business, in which he is still engaged. He has 120
acres of good land, and a comfortable residence in Lake
Mills. He was married Jan. 1, 1860, to Rebecca J. Farmer,
born in Ohio, July 16, 1842. They are the parents of five
children -- George E., born in Wisconsin, July 8, 1861;
Willie E., born in Minnesota, April 11, 1863; Walter A.,
born in Minnesota, oct. 28, 1864; Emma, born in Iowa,
April 16, 1868; and Josephine, born in Iowa, in 1872.
George runs a barber shop in Lake Mills, and resides with
his parents; Walter is operator on the M. & St. L.
Railroad; Emma is now the wife of S.B. Toye, principal of
the Lake Mills school. Mrs. Rowland is a member of the
M.E. Church, and Mr. Rowland a Free Mason.
N.A. Smith was born in Vermont, Nov. 1, 1844, where he
remained until seventeen years of age. He then removed to
Ashland, Mass., to learn the trade of a tinner. He worked
at this trade until July 21, 1864. He then enlisted in
company G, 5th regiment, Massachusetts Militia
Volunteers, to serve 100 days. He was discharged from the
service the 16th of November, 1864, at Readville, Mass.
He again engaged in the tinner's trade, at which he
worked until March 15, 1868. He was then married to
Isadora Richardson, by Rev. H.L. Hastings, of Lawrence,
Mass., and removed to Winnebago county and located at
Lake Mills, where he has since remained, engaged in the
jewelry business, this being his favorite pursuit from
boyhood. He has a farm of sixty-three acres joining the
town, which he also farms. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the
parents of two children - Pearl, born Oct. 3, 1874, and
Carrie E., born March 12, 1876.
EDUCATIONAL.
The Lake Mills graded schools form a part of
sub-district No 1 of Center township. The first school
house in the township was built in the winter of 1859-60
in the northeast part of Lake Mills and the first school
was taught in 1860 by E.D. Hinman.
A fine large two story school house was erected in Lake
Mills in about 1869, at a cost of about $1,000. This
building was burned in 1873. In 1874 a new school house
was erected at a cost of about $2,000. It is a neat, two
story frame structure, and is furnished with the latest
improved school furniture. Among the teachers who have
taught in the Lake Mills schools are: Mrs. Fannie Hinman,
Emily Skinner, Mrs. Crapper, W.A. Chapman, E.F. Thompson,
Mrs. E.F. Thompson and Scott Toye. E.F. Thompson was
principal of the schools in 1883.
RELIGIOUS AND CIVIC SOCIETIES.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Lake Mills was
organized in 1868 by Rev. A.S.R. Groom. The names of the
original members cannot be ascertained. Meetings were
held for a long number of years in private houses and in
the school house. finally, in 1878, a church edifice was
erected at a cost of about $1,500. The building is 28X48
feet and presents a neat appearance. The pastor in 1883
was Rev. Mr. Jeffreys, and the membership in that year
numbered fifteen.
The Christian Church was organized in 1871 by Rev. C.C.
Ramsey, of Floyd county, this State. The following named
persons joined the society on its organization: Frank
Southwick, William Smith, Mrs. Isadora R. Smith, Charles
Smith and wife. A neat church building, 30X40 feet, was
erected in 1881 at a cost of $1,000. No services have as
yet been held in the new building. In 1883 there were
twenty members.
Aurora Lodge, No. 412, I.O.O.F., was organized June 21,
1880, with the following charter members: Dr. C. Hirsch,
J.T. Kean, L.L. Oleson, William Tennis, Joseph Tennis,
Dr. J.M. Hull and A. Anderson. The first officers elected
were: Dr. Hirsch, N.G.; A. Anderson, V.G.; J.T. Kean,
secretary; Dr. J.M. Hull, treasurer. The officers in 1883
were as follows: Joseph Tennis, N.G.; W.F. Brown, V.G.;
W.S. Wadsworth, secretary; and S.A. Smith, treasurer. The
membership numbered twenty-four in 1883.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
General merchants - Ole Scar, Southwick & Olson,
William Larson and Oliver Nelson
Drug stores - Levi B. Nerby and Keeler & Parker
Grocery store - Perry Brown
Hardware - Henderson Bros. and F.C. Hall
Bank - Pickering, Hartley & Harwood
Newspaper - Independent Herald, W.K. Gregg
Attorneys - W.A. Chapman, and E.F. Thompson
Physicians - J.M. Hull, C.E. Keeler and W.H. Gundlach.
Jewelry stores - N.A. Smith and Ole Bergland
Furniture - J.B. Wilson
Photographer - T.J. Helgeson
Millinery - Mrs. Emma Wescott
Hotels - Barnett House, J.O. Barnett; Scandanavian Hotel,
Mrs. L. Myhre
Restaurant - Andrew Simmons
Saloons - E. & O. Olson, H.T. Johnson, P.H. Garvey
and Ole Osmundson
Livery stable - H.J. Rowland
Wagon shop - D.W. Cook
Butcher shop - John Burgeson
Barber shop - George Rowland
Blacksmith shops - D.W. Cook, S.L. Tone, Allen Smart and
E. Christianson
Agricultural implements - Eckert & Williams and Twito
& Tweed
Grain merchants - Eckert & Williams, E.D. Hinman and
H. Rowell
Building contractors - David Adams, F. Stull and B.
Johnson
Painter - W.F. Brown
Mills - Lake Mills flouring mill, Winslow & Conley;
carding mill, D.N. Hill
Churches - Methodist Episcopal and Christian.
S.D. Wadsworth, farmer and merchant, was born in Portage
Co., Ohio, Oct. 27, 1823, where he remained until
eighteen years of age, engaged in farming. He then
removed to the town of Kirtland, Lake Co., Ohio, where he
remained five years, then removing to Trumbull county,
where he resided until 1858. He then removed to Osage,
Mitchell Co., Iowa, where he remained two years, removing
to Bristol, Worth Co., Iowa, where he resided until 1865,
removing to Lake Mills, where he has since resided. Mr.
Wadsworth erected a saw and grist mill, which burned in
1868, but he rebuilt and in the fall of 1882, sold it to
J.B. Conley. He is now engaged in farming, buying and
selling stock, and has a store that is run by his son
Benjamin. He was married in June, 1843, to Rachel Odell,
born in Winton, Ohio, in 1820; died in 1847. They were
the parents of two children - Dwight and Benjamin. He was
again married to Harriet Smith, born in Pennsylvania,
July 4, 1826. This union is blessed with two children -
Elizabeth, the wife of Horace P. Kirk, Mason City, and
W.F. Mr. Wadsworth has 8-- acres of good land in Forest
township.
L.B. Nerby, general merchant and druggist at Lake Mills,
is a native of Norway, born in August, 1852. He left his
native country in 1868 and came to America, landing at
Boston, Mass. He then went to Black Earth, Dane Co.,
Wis., where he resided six months. Thence to Freeborn
Co., Minn. He resided in the latter place three years,
then removed to Northwood, Worth county, this State, and
remained there three years, clerking in a drug store. In
1875 he removed to Lake Mills and engaged in the drug
business. On the 21st of February, 1881, he was united in
marriage with Lena Larson, born in Winnebago Co., Iowa,
Sept. 25, 1859. Mr. Nerby and wife are members of the
Lutheran Church. Politically he is a republican. He was
elected city treasurer of Lake Mills in 1880. He is a
live, wide awake business man, and highly respected by
all who know him.
A. Anderson was born in Kragero, Norway, oct. 21, 1856.
He there attended the higher graded school until he was
about thirteen years old, when he emigrated to America,
landing at Quebec, and locating in Chicago, Ill. While
making Chicago his home, he sailed on the lakes in the
summer and attended the commercial school in the winter,
until 1873, when he removed to the vicinity of Green Bay,
Wis., where he resided most of the time until 1877. He
then removed to Worth Co., Iowa, locating in Northwood,
and went to work for Eckert & Williams, selling farm
machinery and attending to their collections, and in the
spring of 1878 removed to Lake Mills taking charge of the
agricultural implement establishment of the same firm,
and is still in that position. He is also engaged in
buying grain and live stock. He was married in December,
1879, to Sarah O. Bronsvold, born in Wisconsin in 1857.
This union is blessed with three children - Addie, Alfred
and Asher. Mr. Anderson is a member of the Lake Mills
I.O.O.F., Lodge 412, and at present is holding his second
term of justice of the peace.
John Burgeson was born in Dane Co., Wis., June 6, 1849,
where he lived until six yearsof age, and with his
parents removed to Green county, where he remained until
he reached the age of thirty-two. He then returned to
Dane Co., Wis., remaining one year, and removed to Worth
Co., Iowa, settling in Bristol, where he resided until
1882. He removed thence to Lake Mills, where he has been
engaged in the butchering business. He was engaged in
teaching while in Wisconsin, for six years. He was
married in 1875 to Susannah Hadley, who was born in Dane
co., Wis., in November, 1857. This union has been blessed
with four children - Edwin B., Anna M., Henry B. and Ruth
H. Mr. Burgeson is a republican, and with his wife is a
member of the Lutheran Church.
John Thompson is a native of Dane Co., Wis., born in
August, 1855. In 1865, he, with his parents, removed to
this county. He resides on section 10, and raises stock
and grain of all kinds. In 1881 he was united in marriage
with Sarah Thorvalson. This union has been blessed with
one child - Hilda T., born may 30, 1882. Mr. Thompson is
a republican politically.
John A. Anderson was born in Wisconsin, April 13, 1854.
At the age of twelve years he removed to Winnebago Co.,
Iowa, locating in Center township, where he resided until
1873, removing to Mount Valley township, where he
remained until 1881. He then returned to Center township,
settling on section 20, where he now resides. Mr.
Anderson is a republican. He has eighty acres of rich
land, well improved, and is engaged in raising stock and
grain. He was married in 1873 to Hattie E. Olson, born in
Norway, March 28, 1855. This union is blessed with three
children - Betsie, Edwert and Joseph. Mr. Anderson, in
1880, was clerk of Mount Valley township.
Ole O. Brackey is a native of Norway, born Feb. 10, 1851.
He emigrated to America in 1861, landing at Quebec. He at
once removed to Dane Co., Wis., where he resided three
years; thence to Minnesota, where he resided two years.
he then came to Winnebago county, and located on section
26, Center township, where he has 120 acres of land. In
1875 he was married to Margaret Johnson, a native of
Norway. They have three children living - Charles, Anna
and John. The family all belong to the Lutheran church.
He is a republican, and has held the office of constable
one term.
T.A. Brackey was born in Norway, Sept. 29, 1859. He
emigrated to America in 1861, landing at Quebec, and
locating in Winneshiek Co., Iowa., and subsequently
removed to Winnebago Co., Iowa, where he has since
resided with his parents. He has 200 acres of good land
on section 16, Center township. He is the third of eight
children - Jane, Tilda, T.A., Nels, Henry, Anna, Caroline
and Albert. Mr. Brackey is a republican, and a member of
the Lutheran Church.
Mrs. T. Brackey was born in Norway in April, 1838. She
came to America in 1861, landing at Quebec. Thence to
Madison, Wis., where she resided two years; thence to
Fillmore Co., Minn, where she resided one summer, thence
to Dodge Co., Minn., and from there to this county, where
she now lives, on section 22, Center township. She has
200 acres of good land, well improved. She was married in
1860 to Thomas Brackey. He died in this county, May 28,
1878. This union was blessed with nine children - Jacob
O., Matilda C., Istra, Julia, Tilda A., Rosa, Thom N.,
John O., and Tomena. The family are all members of the
Norwegian Lutheran Church.
R.O. Haugland, one of the enterprising farmers of this
county, was born in the precinct of Mo, Thellemarken,
Norway, Oct. 18, 1835. In 1846 he emigrated to America,
locating in Dane Co., Wis., where he resided until 1867.
He then removed to Winnebago county. He has 180 acres of
rich land on section 29, Center township. Mr. Haugland is
a republican, and has held the offices of secretary of
the board of school directors, county supersivor,
township trustee, and at present is justice of the peace.
He was married in 1867 to Sarah Sunderland, born in
Norway, in 1848. this union has been blessed with eight
children, four now living - Emma O., Anna S., Oscar O.
and Gustave E. The family are all members of the Lutheran
Church.
Alf Nilson was born in Norway, Feb. 2, 1825. In 1850 he
emigrated to the United States, landing at New York city.
He went from there to Wisconsin. He resided in that State
three years, then removed to Decorah, Winneshiek Co.,
Iowa, where he lived fifteen years. Thence to this county
and located on section 21, Center township. He has 160
acres of land. He was united in marriage with Susan
Christianson. They have six children - Tilda, Jennie,
Helen, Nels, Christian and Mattie. The family all belong
to the Lutheran Church. Mr. Nilson is a republican,
politically.
Ole Sornsen, farmer, a native of Norway, was born on the
26th of April, 1829. He emigrated to American in 18861,
locating in Dane Co., Wis., where he resided five years.
he then removed to Minnesota where he remained two years;
thence to this county, locating on section 22, Center
township, where he has 120 acres of well-improved land.
He was married to Anna Peterson in 1866. They have six
children - Betsy, Peter, Saver, Thomas, Tilda and
Peterena. Mr. Sornsen and family belong to the M.E.
Church. He is a republican, politically.
Mikkel Nelson is a native of Norway, born June 10, 1852.
He emigrated to America in 1856, landing at Quebec. From
there he went to Minnesota where he remained only about
five months, thence to Green Co., Wis., where he resided
four and a half years. In 1861, when the Indian out-break
occurred, he removed to Austin, Minn., where he resided
seven years. He then came to htis county, locating on
section 20, Center township. He is a carpenter by trade.
In March, 1873, he was married to Martha Nelson, a native
of Norway, born Sept. 8, 1847. They have four children -
Nels, Rachel C., Emma M. and Amelia. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson
belong to the Lutheran church. He is a republican,
politically.
Eli N. Mikkelson, a native of Wisconsin, was born Oct.
14, 1859. At an early age his parents removed to
Minnesota, thence to this county. His name was Nelson,
but he had it changed to Mikkelson. He is a borther of
Mikkel Nelson. He lives with his faather on section 20,
Center township. Mr. Mikkelson is a carpenter, and works
at his trade when not at work with his father on the
farm. Politically he is a republican.
S.T. Nelson, is a native of Norway, born may 28, 1844. In
1864 he emigrated to America, landing at Quebec. He
immediately went to Madison, Wis., where he resided six
years, then came to Winnebago county, locating on the
northeast quarter of section 19, Center township, where
he now owns 160 acres of well improved land, and is
engaged in raising stock and grain. On the 24th of May,
1869, he was united in marriage with Rachel Olson, who
died June 22, 1874, leaving three children - Albert L.,
Nettie M. and Rosa G. On the 7th of December, 1878, he
was married to Anna Johnson, a native of Wisconsin, born
in 1853. They have two children - Richard G. and Eddie G.
Mr. and Mrs. Nelson are members of the Lutheran church.
He is a republican, and has held the offices of township
clerk, assessor and trustee. He is an enterprising farmer
and a good citizen, and commands the respect of all who
know him.
Erel Halvorson is a native of Norway, born Aug. 12, 1851.
He came to America in 1871, landing in Quebec. He
immediately started west, stopping at McGregor, Iowa. He
remained there two months, and removed to this county,
locating in Lake Mills, where he lived eight years. He
then took a trip to Dakota, remaining there three years,
then returned to this county, locating on section 10,
Center township, where he has eighty acres of good land.
He was married in January, 1873, to Anna Gurenson, born
in Norway in 1857. They have three children - Halver,
John, and an infant. Mr. Halvorson is a member of the
Lutheran Church. He is a republican.
Aaron O. Harang was born in Norway in 1845. He emigrated
to America in 1871, landing in New York, and locating in
Dane Co., Wis., where he resided three years. He then
moved to Winnebago Co., Iowa, and settled on a farm of
eighty acres on section 22. He was married in 1876 to
Anna Johnson, born in Norway in 1846. This union has been
blessed with four children - Helen, John, Nellie and
Annie. Mr. Harang is a republican, and with his family
belongs to the Norwegian Lutheran Church.
Andrew J. Odden was born July 27, 1850. He is a native of
Norway, and emigrated to America in 1860, landing at
Quebec. From there he went to Dane Co., Wis., where he
resided fourteen years. He then came to this county,
locating on section 29, Center township. He has 120 acres
of well improved land. In 1878 he was united in marriage
with Carrie Thompson, born in April, 1861, in Fillmore
Co., Minn. they have three children - John, Tobias and
Gilbert. Mr. Odden and family are members of the
Norwegian Lutheran Church. He is a republican,
politically.
H.T. Johnson was born in Norway, Sept. 14, 1848. In 1869
he emigrated to America, landing in New York, and
locating in Dane Co. Wis., where he resided six months,
removing to Northwood, Worth Co., Iowa, where he resided
until the spring of 1879. In the meantime he was occupied
one year as hotel clerk, four years at farming,
railroading, etc.; two years at coopering, three years at
bartending and one year at painting. From Northwood he
removed to Lake Mills, and engaged in the saloon
business. He was married Sept. 20, 1880, to Christina
Stromsten, who was born in Norway, Aug. 5, 1855. She was
twelve years of age when she emigrated to America. By
this union there has been one child - Clarence O., born
March 9, 1883. Mr. Johnson was formerly a republican, but
in 1882 he joined the democratic ranks. He and his wife
are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Johnson lately
visited buffalo Co., Dakota, where he entered a
pre-emption and tree claim.
K.K. Kiland was born in Norway, Aug. 10, 1847. At the age
of twenty-two years he emigrated to America, landing at
Quebec. He at once went to Dane Co., Wis., living there
four years; thence to this county and located on section
19, Center township, where he has a nice little farm of
forty acres. in 1870 he was united in marriage with Anna
Hanson, born in Dane Co., Wis., Oct. 2, 1854. This union
was blessed with three children, one of whom is living -
Anvena C., born March 3, 1875. Mr. Kiland and wife are
members of the Norwegian Church. Politically, he is a
republican.
1History of Kossuth, Hancock and Winnebago Counties, Iowa. Springfield, Illinois: Union Publishing Company, 1884. 854-71. |