Emmet County, Iowa
Biographies
K - L

Unless otherwise noted, these biographies were taken from the History of Emmet County and Dickinson County Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, The Pioneer Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1917.  

K - L

Knudson, Silas B.
Kohl, M. F.
Ladd, William Alfred
Larsen, Lars Peter
Larson, Christopher
Lawrence, Hugh B.
Lee, S. H.
Lough, Lorenzo
Luikart, Agnes
Lynch, Wallace H.

Additional Emmet County Biographies: A-B, C-D, E-F, G-H,  I-J,  M-N, O-P, Q-R, 
S, T, U, V,  W, X, Y, Z.  Return to Biography Index

KNUDSON, Silas B.

Silas B. Knudson remained under the parental roof until he became of age and received his education in the schools of Illinois and Humboldt county, Iowa. After leaving home he rented land in Webster county, Iowa, for five years but in 1901 came to Emmet county and for ten years thereafter operated rented land here under lease. During this time he carefully saved his money and at length had accumulated sufficient capital to purchase the northwest quarter of section 10, Armstrong Grove township, which has since remained his home. The improvements upon the place compare favorably with those on other farms of the township and everything is kept in excellent condition, thus facilitating the farm work. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company of Armstrong, of which he was for a time trustee.

On the 27th of December, 1899, occurred the marriage of Mr. Knudson and Miss Bertha Braland and they had five children; Angeline, Maymie, Lloyd and Arnold, all of whom survive; and one who died in infancy. Mr. Knudson gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is now serving his second term as township trustee. In religious faith he is a Lutheran and his sterling qualities of character have won him the unqualified respect of all who have come in contact with him.

Contributed by: Mike5735@aol.com

KOHL, M. F.

Since 1904 M. F. Kohl has engaged in farming on section 8, Denmark township, and is recognized as one of the leading agriculturists of his locality. He was born in Linn county, Iowa, in the vicinity of Lisbon, on the 15th of January, 1863. His parents, Simon and Catharine (Blessing) Kohl, were born respectively in Berks and Dauphin counties, Pennsylvania, and their children were eight in number, M. F. Kohl being the sixth in order of birth. The mother's natal day was March 8, 1827, and in 1845 she married Joseph Keller, by whom she had two children, both of whom died in infancy. She and her husband joined a party of emigrants bound for Iowa and embarked on the ill-fated steamer Belle of the West. The vessel was burned near Warsaw, Kentucky, and Mr. Keller with fourteen others perished, but Mrs. Keller was rescued from the water. She lost all her effects but was cared for by the other survivors and at length reached Iowa, where the party founded the town of Lisbon. In 1851 she was married to Simon Kohl. She reached the age of seventy-one years, dying on the 30th of October, 1898. Mr. Kohl was born on the 3d of July, 1827, and lived to an advanced age as his death occurred on the 31st of December, 1912. He was an active member of the United Brethren church and in his daily life exemplified the teachings of Christianity. Five of his eight children survive: Mrs. Lavina Koch, of Hampton, Iowa; M. F.; Albert, a resident of Cedar Rapids; Mrs. Elizabeth Walmer, of Lisbon; and Mrs. Barbara Andre, of Mechanicsville.

M. F. Kohl received his education in the common schools and devoted his time and energy to farming rented land until he was twenty-eight years old, when he bought a farm in Cedar county. After operating that place for nine years he sold it and cultivated rented farms for three years, but in 1903 came to Denmark township and erected buildings upon the north half of the northwest quarter of section 8, which he had purchased, and in the spring of 1904 took up his residence upon the farm. He is there engaged in grain and stock raising and his familiarity with agricultural work and his enterprise are important factors in his success.

In 1892 occurred the marriage of Mr. Kohl and Miss Ida A. Yessler, a daughter of Henry and Mary Yessler, residents of Linn county. Two children have been born to this union, namely: Alma, who married Joseph Madden, of Swan Lake township; and Alta, the wife of George Madden, also of Swan Lake township.

Mr. Kohl supports the republican party at the polls and is faithful in the discharge of all his duties as a citizen but has never been an office seeker. He has, however, served as school director and his interest in the forces that make for advancement is also manifest in the fact that he is a trustee of the Presbyterian church at Halfa. He is a self-made man and is entitled to all the credit which that term carries with it, implying as it does determination, sound judgment and industry.

LADD, William Alfred

William Alfred Ladd, attorney at law at Estherville, where he has practiced continuously for thirty-five years, was born November 10, 1856, on a farm near Damascus, Mahoning county, Ohio, a son of Joshua and Lydia C. Ladd, the former a native of Charles City county, Virginia, and the latter of Mahoning county, Ohio.

In the common schools of his native state William A. Ladd began his education and later attended Damascus Academy and Mount Union College of Mount Union, Ohio, completing the philosophical course in that latter institution in 1876. Determining upon the practice of law as a life work, he began studying in the office of an attorney and later matriculated in the State University of Iowa, graduating from the law department of that institution with the class of June, 1880. Before entering upon his law studies, however, he engaged in farming and stock raising in Ohio and during the winter and spring seasons taught in the common schools for a number of years. It was in 1879 that he came to this state and began his law reading, at the same time acting as law clerk in the office where he studied. In 1881 he entered into partnership with O. L. Binford, of Marshalltown, Iowa, and in August 1882, removed to Estherville, where he formed a partnership with J. B. Binford. That relationship was maintained until 1886, since which time Mr. Ladd has been in business alone.

On the 3d of October, 1883, in Marshalltown, Iowa, Mr. Ladd was married to Miss Eva M. Estabrook, a daughter of Royal and Augusta (Franklin) Estabrook. She was born in Vermont, of which state her father was also a native, but her mother was born in Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Ladd have a son, Clarence E., who is now living at Grand Forks, North Dakota. He married Alizanah Bachman on the 17th of June, 1908, and they have a daughter, Ruth Mary.

Mr. and Mrs. Ladd are members of Grace Episcopal church of Estherville and fraternally he is connected with the Brotherhood of American Yeomen and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In politics he has always been a republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and for four or more terms he served as city attorney of Estherville and was also county superintendent of schools for Emmet county from 1882 to 1892. He is recognized as a lawyer of pronounced ability, careful and painstaking in the preparation of his cases, direct and forceful in argument and logical in his conclusion.

LARSEN, Lars Peter

Lars Peter Larsen is devoting his time to farming and has never had occasion to regret his choice of an occupation, for he has won a gratifying measure of success. He was born in Denmark, June 5, 1872, a son of Nels and Maren Larsen, who are still living in that country, where the father is a small farmer. Of their six children, five daughters and one son, Lars Peter Larsen, was the only one to come to the United States. After completing the course offered in the district schools he attended what corresponds to the American high school from the age of sixteen to eighteen, and when nineteen years old came alone to America. For about a year he managed a creamery in Freeborn county, Minnesota, and then purchased eighty acres of land in Wharton county, Texas, where he remained for a year. He then rented his farm and removing to Ringsted, Iowa, was employed for seven years as a brick and stone mason. He next rented a farm just across the line in Kossuth county for three years, after which he bought the west half of the northeast quarter of section 15, Denmark township, which he has since cultivated. He raises both grain and stock and has been very successful in the management of his interests.

On the 28th of February, 1905, Mr. Larsen was married to Miss Anna Larson, a daughter of Andrew Larson, of Ringsted. To this union have been born six children, Nels, Signe, Thyra, Dagmar, Andrew and Erling.

Mr. Larsen votes for the man rather than the party and is an intelligent student of the issues of the day. He belongs to the Yeoman and the Danish Brotherhood of Ringsted and is a communicant of St. John's Danish Lutheran church. He has thoroughly identified himself with his adopted country and is American in spirit as well as in name.

Source: History of Emmet County and Dickinson County Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, The Pioneer Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1917k, page 160.  

LARSON, Christopher

Christopher Larson, engaged in general merchandising at Wallingford, has also been prominent in connection with the public life of the different communities in which he has lived and in a word is a enterprising and progressive citizen of Emmet county. He was born in High Lake township, August 23, 1870, and is a son of Peter and Anna (Aaby) Larson, who were natives of Norway. On coming to America they made their way westward to Iowa and cast in their lot with the pioneer settlers of Emmet county, taking an active and helpful part in promoting its progress and improvement. They had a family of eleven children: Halvor, who is now married and resides in Wallingford; Anna, who is the widow of I. B. Peterson, of Williams, Minnesota; Tom, a widower living at Whittemore, Iowa; Belle, the widow of A. B. Peterson and a resident of Lake Mills, Iowa; Christopher; Bertha, the wife of Ole Lee, a resident of Oakley, Minnesota; Oliver, who is engaged in farming in Twelve Mile Lake township; Andrew, who follows farming at Coteau, North Dakota; Thea, the wife of L. Nelson, of Coteau, North Dakota; Lena, the wife of L. Carter, a farmer of West Bend, Iowa; and Emma, the wife of O. T. Akre, of Mankato, Minnesota.

Christopher Larson attended the common schools and worked with his father upon the home farm until he reached the age of sixteen years. He was afterward variously employed for about six years and when a young man of twenty-two established the second store in Wallingford, securing a stock of general merchandise. He successfully conducted that business for fifteen years and then sold out, after which he removed to Turtle Lake, Wisconsin, where he owned a general store for four years. He next went to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he was connected with general merchandising for two years, and on the 1st of May, 1915, he returned to Wallingford, where he purchased the hotel building, the postoffice and three residences. In 1916 he erected a new general store building and now handles a complete line of groceries, shoes, dry goods and men's furnishings. He has won a liberal patronage and his success is the merited reward of earnest, persistent labor intelligently directed.

In community affairs Mr. Larson has also taken a deep and helpful interest and for five years he filled the office of postmaster under President Cleveland. He was justice of the peace for eight years, during which time his rulings were strictly fair and impartial. For seven years he served as president of the school board and while at Turtle Lake, Wisconsin, was police justice and justice of the peace and also a member of the town council and the board of health. He has never lightly regarded the obligations of citizenship but has faithfully performed every task devolving upon him in that connection. He became a member of Turtle Lodge, No. 328, I. O. O. F., assisted in organizing the Modern Woodmen camp at Wallingford, of which he served as clerk for eleven years, and also became connected with the Royal Neighbors. He holds membership with the Norwegian Lutheran church and he has always voted with the democratic party. It is well known that he is a man true to his honest convictions and nothing can swerve him from a course which he believes to be right.

CC Note:  See Emmet County Obituaries L-N for Christopher Larson's obituary.

LAWRENCE, Hugh B.

Hugh B. Lawrence is proprietor of the leading clothing store of Estherville--an establishment which would be a credit to a city of much larger size, for he carries a complete and well selected stock of clothing and his store is tastefully appointed, neatly arranged and systematically conducted. Mr. Lawrence has been proprietor of this establishment since 1907 and in the intervening years his business, as the result of his careful management and enterprise, has constantly expanded. Iowa numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred at Lawler in 1883, his parents being William and Pauline Lawrence, natives of Maryland and of Michigan respectfully. They became residents of Iowa in childhood days and after attaining his majority the father engaged in the harness and implement business at Lawler, where he became known as a representative citizen and business man. To him and his wife were born four children: Nellie, the wife of H. G. Graaf; Cora, the wife of L. S. Kucker; Mary, the wife of G. E. Ridley; and Hugh B., of this review.

In the attainment of his education Hugh B. Lawrence completed a course in the high school at Lawler and later attended the Nora Springs Seminary. He has been identified with commercial interests in Estherville since 1899, at which time he accepted a clerkship in the Graaf clothing store, where he remained for seven years, gaining comprehensive knowledge of the business and wide experience during that period. He afterward conducted business along the same line on his own account in Parker, South Dakota, for a year, but in 1907 returned to Estherville and purchased the store of Mr. Graaf. Since then he has successfully conducted and managed the business, handling a large and well selected stock, making a specialty of the Hart Schaffner & Maxx clothing, the Walkover shoes and the Stetson hats--all standard goods.

In August, 1904, Mr. Lawrence was united in marriage to Miss Marybelle Scoville, a daughter Of George and Bertha Scoville, of Grundy Center, Iowa. The mother passed away and was laid to rest in the cemetery at Vinton, Iowa, while the father is now a resident of Conrad, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence have one son, George, who was born in 1909.

Mr. Lawrence is identified with all the different Masonic bodies and with the Eastern Star and he likewise has membership with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In politics he is a republican with independent tendencies, for while he is a believer in the principles of the party, he does not consider himself bound by party ties and at local elections considers the capability of a candidate rather than his party affiliation. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church and they occupy a prominent social position in Estherville, where they have an extensive circle of warm friends.

LEE, S. H.

S. H. Lee, who owns and cultivates an excellent farm comprising the northeast quarter of section 35, Emmet township, in Emmet county, was born in Norway on the 16th of June, 1844, and is a son of Hans and Mary (Nelson) Lee, who were both of Norwegian birth and spent their entire lives in the land of the midnight sun. In their family were four children, three of whom are yet living.

S. H. Lee was reared and educated in Norway, enjoying the privileges afforded by the public schools. He had attained his majority when in 1865 he bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for the United States, hoping to find better business opportunities in the new world. He at once made his way to Iowa and was employed as a laborer until 1878, but during that period he carefully saved his earnings, for he was ambitious to engage in business on his own account and secure farm property. In 1878, therefore, he came to Emmet county and purchased the northeast quarter of section 35, Emmet township. He at once took up his abode upon that place, which he has now occupied for about thirty-nine years, and he has wrought a marked transformation in its appearance by the many improvements which he has added to his farm. It is now a valuable property, made so by the efforts and progressiveness of Mr. Lee, whose life has been one of untiring industry and perseverance.

In 1878 Mr. Lee was united in marriage to Miss Christina Nelson, a native of Norway and a daughter of Nels and Anna (Olson) Nelson. The year 1874 witnessed their arrival in Emmet county, Iowa, and the father here purchased a farm on which both he and his wife spent their remaining days. Mr. and Mrs. Lee have five children, as follows: Hans N., a railway engineer, and Anna M., Carl O., Arnt T. and Louisa, all at home.

The parents are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church, and Mr. Lee gives his political support to the Republican party, with which he has voted since becoming a naturalized American citizen. He is conversant with the leading questions and issues of the day and he has become thoroughly American in spirit and interests—one of the substantial adopted sons that Norway has furnished to the United States.

For over a quarter of a century Lorenzo Lough has been in the service of what is now the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company as one of its trusted employees. He was born in Scott county, Minnesota, on the 19th of April, 1870, and is the sixth in order of birth in a family of seven children, whose parents were James W. and Alcy Ann (Darland) Lough, natives of Indiana. In 1857 they became pioneers of Minnesota, where the father followed farming until 1877, when he decided to move to Missouri and started south, driving a large hear of cattle. Stopping at Estherville, Iowa, he was so well pleased with the place that he purchased a farm at the edge of town and took up his abode thereon. When the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad was built through Estherville in 1882 he laid out two additions to the town but continued to farm the remainder of his place. For two years prior to his death, however, he conducted a general store under the firm name of the Estherville Mercantile Company. He passed away in September, 1906, and was buried in the East Side cemetery. His widow now resides at 1009 East Robert street, Estherville.

Lorenzo Lough was only seven years of age when the family came to Iowa and here he grew to manhood, acquiring his education in the public schools of Estherville. Until he attained his majority he assisted his father in the operation of the home farm and then started as a fireman on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad, now a part of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. In 1901 he was promoted to engineer and has since served in that capacity.

Mr. Lough was married in 1893 to Miss Minnie B. Neville, a daughter of Oswald and Mary Neville, old settlers of Estherville who are still living. To this union have born three children: Harold, William Emerald and Frances Marian, all at home. The family occupy a fine residence on the west side and are held in the highest esteem by all who know them. Mr. Lough is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, of the Masonic blue lodge and Eastern Star chapter, and is also identified with the First Church of Christ, Scientist.

LUIKART, Agnes

Feb. 14, 1912 Vernon Steele married Agnes Luikart, an Emmet County school teacher, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Luikart of Estherville, Iowa. The first of March Mr. and Mrs. Steele came to Jud (North Dakota) to make their home in the residence purchased from Mr. Rector. Their son Ralph Vernon was born Nov. 30, 1914.

Vernon and Fred continued in the elevator business until the summer of 1915 when Fred sold his share to Andrew Lundgren, who then managed the elevator for a few years, later moving his family to Minnesota.

In October Vernon moved his family to a new home in Nortonville, N. Dak. Where he, Fred and Ernest Steele had purchased the Nortonville elevator, with Vernon as manager. Another son was born, Rolland Lionel, to the Vernon Steeles on Oct. 17, 1916. In Aug. 1920 Vernon moved his family back to Jud where he again managed the Jud elevator and feed mill.

The summer of 1927 Vernon sold all his business and the residence to a man from Minnesota and the Steeles moved into the John Pfaff house.

Aug. 11, 1928 Vernon and family moved to Lake Norden, S. Dak., where he had purchased the Lake Nordon Oil Co. form Albert Berg.

Not only with business were Mr. and Mrs. Steele closely occupied but they were also interested in church and civic affairs.

"Our son, Ralph, was in the military service for 9 years. He was in the Battle of the Bulge in Europe. He was a Lieutenant Colonel when he was discharged from the army.

He married Mayrell Scanlan of LaCrosse, Wis.

Our son, Rolland was also in military service. He was in the Aleutian Islands and Hawaiian Island. Rolland was killed by a Japanese machine gun on the Island of Leyte in Oct. 1944. His body was returned to the U. S. and burried at Ft. Snelling Minn."

In June 1946 Mr. and Mrs. Steele sold their business in Lake Nordon and in August moved to Estherville, Iowa, where Mrs. Steele's mother lived.

The last three winters Mr. and Mrs. Steel have lived in Calif., but always go back to Estherville, in the spring.

Contributed by: Darcy Ehmann. The above biography was extracted from the Jud Jubilee, Jud, North Dakota, Darcy's hometown. He has offered to make copies of the article if anyone is interested. The original article has a picture of Agnes and Vernon.

CC Note: For additional information on the wedding of Agnes and Vernon please see the marriage page.  Vernon (died 1966) and Agnes Luikart Steele (died 1975) are buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa.

LYNCH, Wallace H.

Wallace Henry Lynch (June 27, 1892 - January 4, 1957) was born in Estherville, Iowa to Ruben Lynch from Missouri and Sarah Olson Lynch, born in Norway. Mary Ellen (Evans) Lynch born in Estherville, Iowa on August 9, 1888 to Thomas Archy Evans (1866-1938) and Margaret Ann Foley Evans (1866-1941). Wallace and Mary were married by Father J.H. Murtagh at the catholic Church in Estherville on May 23, 1917. Wallace spent his early life engaged in farming but moved to Estherville in 1921, after which he worked for the Rock Island Railroad and Northern Lumber company and as a painter. Mary had a more colorful childhood, as her family moved to Ada, Minnesota when she was eleven years old. She remembers being chased by an Indian squaw with a papoose, as Mary had on a red cap and red mittens. A neighbor lady satisfied the Indian woman by tying a red handkerchief on the head of the Indian child. After a couple years in Minnesota the family moved back to the Estherville area. Two daughters were born to this couple, Laurette Magdalen, born April 29, 1919, was married to Clarence Francis Welp, Aug 18, 1937. A son Larry and a daughter Janyce were born to this couple. Mary Margaret, born November 2, 1924 was married to William Snyder June 25, 1947. They have a daughter Debra and three sons, David, Richard and Dale.

Portrait photo with biography shows Mary Ellen and Wallace Lynch.

Contributed by: Cyndi Hailey. Source: History of Emmet County, Iowa Vol. III published 1976, page 273-274.

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