Emmet County, Iowa
Biographies
M - N
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.
M - N
Madsen, Herman R.
Maher, Thomas
Maniece, Edward J.
Mathews, Charles
McClune, W. H.
McDonald, John L.
Mitchell, Andrew
Mitchell, James
Moore, George E.
Morrice, John H.
Nelson, John A.
Nelson, Lewis B.
Nelson, Nels H.
Nielsen, Hans P.
Additional Emmet County Biographies: A-B, C-D,
E-F, G-H, I-J,
K-L, O-P, Q-R,
S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z.
Return to Biography Index
Herman R. Madsen, who is engaged in stock raising upon the family homestead on section 3, Denmark township, was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, August 14, 1889. His parents, Peter and Margaret (Madsen) Madsen, were born in Denmark, but were married in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The father engaged in railroad work there and in the '90s removed with his family to Denmark township, Emmet county, and bought the sought half of section 3, which was but little improved when it came into his possession. He succeeded in accumulating a competence and from time to time made improvements upon the place, which became at length one of the most highly developed farms of the locality. He was active in politics and filled practically all the township offices. He belonged to St. Paul's Danish Lutheran church and is interred in its cemetery. He passed away on 2d of May 1910, but was survived until April 1, 1915, by his wife, who is buried at his side. To them were born six children, namely: Herman R; John and Eleanor, both residing in Ringsted; Sophia; Agnes; and Clara, who died at the age of eleven and is buried in St. Paul's cemetery.
The education of Herman R. Madsen was acquired in the district schools, which he attended until he was twelve years of age, and through assisting his father he became thoroughly familiar with all phases of farm work. Following the latter's death Mr. Madsen of this review acquired title to the home farm, which he has since operated on his own account. He raises considerable stock as well as the usual grain and so manages his affairs as to secure a handsome profit from the sale of farm produce.
On the 3d of June, 1913, Mr. Madsen was married to Miss Ingeborg Thomsen, a daughter of Knud and Gina (Nielsen) Thomsen, who were born in Denmark but emigrated to America, locating first in Grundy county,, Iowa, and later removing to Denmark township, Emmet county, where the father is still engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Madsen are the parents of three children: Amelia, Clara and Gina.
Mr. Madsen is a republican but his activity in politics has never extended beyond the exercise of his right of franchise. In religious faith he is a Danish Lutheran and his church membership is held in St. Paul's. He possesses the same perseverance, good judgment and industry that enabled his father to acquire a competence by his own unaided efforts and he, too, ranks among the prosperous and substantial agriculturists of the county.
CC Note: Herman R. (died 1970) and Ingeborg Thomsen Madsen (died 1986) are buried in St. Paul's Lutheran cemetery. Peter (died 1910) and Margaretha Madsen (died 1915), parents of Herman R., are also buried in St. Paul's Lutheran cemetery.
For obituary of Herman, Ingebord, Peter and Margaretha please see Emmet county obituaries LMN.
Thomas Mahar Stands in Front of Cabin Located on West Side of
Mud Lake
Walked from Dubuque
Emmet's First White Man
One of the first known white men known to settle in Emmet County, Thomas Mahar, arrived in what is now High Lake Township in either late 1856 or early 1857.
Born May 21, 1821, in Ireland, Mahar came to America in 1846 and, for 11 years,
worked in the mills in the east. But in the spirit of adventure, Mahar started
westward, taking the railroad to the end of the line at Dubuque, then
shouldering his gun and ax and continuing by foot.
When arriving he staked out claims for himself, his brothers and his friends.
Although the exact date of his arrival has never been determined, Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Ridley met Mahar in the spring of 1858, when he came to Estherville to replenish his supply of tobacco, shortly after the arrival of the Ridleys.
According to early records, Thomas Mahar, John Rourke, Patrick and Edward Cohlan
took "preemptive claims" in Island Grove in 1855-56.
Mahar later sent to Ireland for his relatives, driving to Dubuque with an ox
team to meet them. They settled on claims near Mud (now Ingham) and Swan Lakes.
Mahar was a corporal in the Northern Border Brigade under Captain Harvey Ingham and during serious Indian troubles of the early days was stationed at New Ulm, Minn.
The cabin Mahar built was located on the west side of Mud Lake, which later was also the site of the Island Grove Post Office, which he served as postmaster. The postoffice closed Jan. 16, 1874. The cabin remained standing until 1945, when it was removed by Clarence Olson.
Mahar died in November, 1915, at the age of 94, and was buried in the Catholic cemetery in Estherville. His wife, mother and one child are buried on the island in Ingham Lake.
Contributed by: Ruth Hackett. Source: Estherville Daily News, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa, Monday, Sept. 29, 1975.
EDWARD J. MANIECE, Estherville. - Representative from from Emmet county, was born on a farm near Fennimore, Wisconsin, in 1890. Moved with parents to the vicinity of Estherville and has lived there since. Was educated in country schools and Estherville Business College. Married in 1917 to Anna C. Stammer and has two children, Ruth and Francis. Mr. Maniece is a farmer and raises purebred livestock and he is a charter member and has been township director and county president of the Emmett County Farm Bureau. Member of Presbyterian church, past chancellor of Knights of Pythias. Was township assessor for eleven years and secretary of the Emmet consolidated school the past ten years. Serving first term in the legislature. A democrat.
Contributed by: Debbie Clough Gerischer. Source: Iowa Official Register, 1933-1934, Biographies of State Representatives
For almost half a century Charles B. Mathews has been a resident of Emmet county, and he has taken a very active and prominent part in its development and improvement along agricultural lines. He was born in Erie county, Ohio, on the 12th of December, 1844, and is a son of John and Mary (Bowen) Mathews, both natives of England who came to America before their marriage and located in Ohio. There the father died in 1847 and subsequently the mother removed to Wisconsin where she lived for several years. Her last days, however, were spent in Nebraska. In the family were two children both of whom are still living.
Charles B. Mathews was quite small when he accompanied his mother on her removal to Wisconsin, and there he was educated, attending the common schools. When the country became involved in Civil war he offered his services to the government, enlisting in 1863 in Company H, Thirty-third Wisconsin Infantry as a private. He participated in several hard fought battles including the engagement at Nashville and the siege of Mobile but fortunately was never wounded, and at the close of the war was mustered out at Mobile in 1865. On leaving the service he returned to Wisconsin but remained there only a short time and then removed to Minnesota, where he took up a claim. In 1871, however, he came to Emmet county, Iowa, and located on a farm in Armstrong Grove township, where he has since made his home, his time and energies being devoted to agricultural pursuits.
In 1870 Mr. Mathews was married to Miss Laura Matteson, who was born near Freeport, Illinois, and is a daughter of Truman and Maria (Chapman) Matteson, natives of New York and Connecticut, respectively. Both of her parents are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Mathews have been born eight children, namely: Claude A.; Eva, the wife of Thomas Akre of Algona, Iowa; Mary, the wife of Frank Dundar; George W., a resident of Wisconsin; Daniel W., of South Dakota; Martha E., a nurse who is a graduate of the City Hospital at Minneapolis; Nellie, who is a graduate of the Cedar Falls Normal School and is now teaching at Ashland, Oregon; and Hattie K., who is pursuing a three years' course at the City Hospital in Minneapolis.
Mr. Mathews is a prominent Mason and has filled all the chairs in both the Blue Lodge and Eastern Star Chapter. For four years he held the position of county supervisor and for a long period of sixteen years was a member of the school board. He is a veteran of the Civil War and is a man highly respected by all who know him.
W. H. McClune, who is successfully engaged in farming on section township, Emmet county, is a native of Iowa, his birth having occurred in Keokuk county on September 23, 1883. His parents, R. and Elizabeth (Galbraith) McClune, were both born in Illinois, but during their childhood accompanied their respective parents to Iowa, one family settling on the county line in Keokuk county, and the other in Iowa county. After their marriage they located on a farm in the county, where Mr. McClune resided up to the time of his death which occurred in 1909. His wife passed, away in 1916.
In the common schools of this state, W. H. McClune acquired his education and in early life became familiar with agricultural pursuits. In 1906 he began farming on his own account, operating rented land in Poweshiek county for a time. The following year, however, he came to Emmet county and located upon his present home farm which had previously been purchased by his father. After the latter's death he acquired the property through inheritance and has since engaged in its operation. In connection with general farming he breeds thoroughbred Shire horses, and in his undertakings he is prospering, being regarded of the most successful farmers in Lincoln township.
On the 11th of March, 1913, Mr. McClune was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Adams of Decatur county, Iowa, and to them have been born two children, Harland A. and Melba E. In politics Mr. McClune is a republican and he takes a commendable interest in public affairs, giving his support to all worthy enterprises calculated to advance the public welfare.
John L. McDonald, proprietor of Sunny Crest Farm in Estherville township, is one of the representative agriculturists of Emmet county. He was born in Elgin, Kane county, Illinois, on the 1st of October, 1865, his parents being John and Rebecca (Frost) McDonald, natives of Scotland and England respectively. By occupation the father was a farmer. In the family were ten children, of whom John L. is the youngest. The others still living are Mary, now the widow of Henry Allenson and a resident of Minneapolis; G. H., of Pasadena, California; and Nettie, the wife of Archer Johnson, of Palo Alto county, Iowa.
During his boyhood and youth John L. McDonald attended the schools and also an academy at Elgin, Illinois, and on laying aside textboods at the age of eighteen years began clerking in a dry goods store, where he was employed until 1899. In that year he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, purchasing a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Palo Alto county, lowa, which he operated for nine years. In 1909 he came to Emmet county and bought a tract of similar size in Center township, whereon he lived for two years. On selling that place he purchased the west half of the northwest quarter of section 13, Estherville township, and fifty-five acres in the northeast quarter of section 14, the same township. Here he is now successfully engaged in general farming and dairying and has a well improved place, as Sunny Crest Farm.
Mr. McDonald married Miss Kittie C. Briggs, a daughter of Henry and Sarah A. (Bartlett) Briggs. Her father was killed in the Civil war and her mother is also deceased. The father was buried at Springfield, Missouri, and the mother at Elgin, Illinois, where she made her home. Mr. and Mrs. McDonald have three children: Boyd J., at home; and Marine and Glenn B., now in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
While a resident of Palo Alto county, Mr. McDonald filled most of the township offices, but has never taken an active part in public affairs since coming to Emmet county. In politics he is a republican and in his religious connection is a member of the Presbyterian church. He is widely and favorably known and well merits the confidence reposed in him.
Many of the influential residents of Armstrong are retired farmers and among this number is Andrew Mitchell, whose birth occurred in Ontario, Canada, June 1, 1861. He is a son of James and Susan (McFarland) Mitchell, natives of Scotland, who settled in Canada in `1854. After farming there for sixteen years the father removed with his family to Emmet County, Iowa, and homesteaded land in Armstrong Grove township, one mile south of Armstrong. For many years he was identified with the agricultural development of that section but at length retired and removed to Armstrong, where he lived until his demise in February, 1901. The mother died in September, 1898.
Andrew Mitchell received his education in the schools of Canada and of Emmet county, Iowa, and remained at home until he was 28 years old. He then bought one hundred and sixty acres in Armstrong Grove township and concentrated his energies upon the operation of that farm for many years, or until March, 1916, when he sold the place and took up his residence in Armstrong. He is there enjoying all the comforts of life.
On the 12th of December, 1888, Mr. Mitchell was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Carroll, a daughter of John and Mary A. (Dundas)Carroll, natives respectively of Ireland and of Canada. They became pioneer settlers of Kossuth county, where the father died February 13, 1879.and the mother in March 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are the parents of two children: Lila V., who was born in September, 1889, and is now the wife of George Beck of Armstrong; and Nellie M., born June 17, 1902.
Mr. Mitchell is a staunch democrat and has held a number of local offices, having been trustee, constable, and road superintendent while living on the farm. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order, the Yeomen and the Modern Woodmen of America. The fact that he is enabled to live retired although still a comparatively young man is proof of the ability with which he managed his affairs while actively engaged in farming and with the high esteem in which he is held is evidence of the high moral standards which he has constantly followed in all relations of life.
Submitted by Ruth Hackett.
James John Mitchell was born in Scotland in 1822. He was raised in Chelsea, England.
Susan Olgivie McFarland was born in 1829 at Fern Forfarshire, Scotland. She was a member of the Olgivie Clan.
James and Susan were married in Scotland and moved to Canada in 1856. They were accompanied by Charles Olgivie, a cousin of Susan. Six of their seven children were born in Canada.
In 1875, they moved to a homestead on the east side of the Des Moines River, southeast of the present site of Armstrong. In later years they moved into Armstrong and helped found the Presbyterian Church. Charles Olgivie was an early day store keeper.
Susan died in 1897 and James in 1901.
Their first son David was born in 1857. He was a school teacher. He married Alice Gibbs. They had four children; Edith, Vernon, Flossie Pearl and Glen Raymond. He died in 1919.
Andrew was born in 1861 and died in 1938. He married Jennie Carroll. They had two daughters, Lila and Nellie June.
Robert was born in 1863 and died in 1933. He married Jennie Stanly who died in 1890. They had one daughter Pearl. His second wife was Mary Duffy.
John was born in 1865. He married Carrie Dundas in 1894 and died of Typhoid fever in 1895.
Susan was born in 1867 and died in 1937. She was married to Andrew Burt and farmed in Seneca Township. They were parents of Glen; Andrew; Helen, Mrs. Norman Wood; Susie, Mrs. Niel Helmers; Robert; Joseph, and George Alva.
Elizabeth was born in 1870. She married John Gibbs and they homesteaded near Lansford, North Dakota. Their children are Dick, Jennie, Susie, John, William, Muriel, Gladys and James.
Flora was born in 1876 and died in 1929. She married William Moore and farmed in Emmet County. They had seven children.
Contributed by: James Richmond. Source: History of Emmet County, Iowa, Vol. III, Inter-Collegiate Press, Inc., Shawnee Mission, Kansas, 1976, page 300.
George E. Moore, actively engaged in general farming and stock raising on
section 1, High Lake township, Emmet county, is a native of Schuyler county,
Illinois. He was born May 24, 1866, of the marriage of William and Frances (Bagby)
Moore, who were natives of Ohio and Kentucky respectively, the latter being a
descendant of Daniel Boone. William Moore became a resident of Illinois when a
lad of but twelve years and took up his abode upon a farm in Schuyler county,
where his remaining days were passed. There he was for many years actively
connected with agricultural pursuits. His widow survives and is now living in
Estherville at the age of seventy-six years.
In their family were three children: George E.; Homer O., now a resident of
Schuyler county, Illinois; and Maggie M., the wife of J. A. Dunham. The ancestry
of the family can be traced back to Ireland, for it was in that country that the
grandfather of George E. Moore was born in 1800. He came to America in 1819,
crossing the Atlantic in a sailing vessel which was six weeks in making the
trip. He afterward took up his abode upon a farm in Carroll county, Ohio, and
subsequently removed to Schuyler county, Illinois, where he built a log cabin
covered with a clapboard roof, while at one end of the building was a mud and
stick chimney, the floor being of earth. He lived in that primitive home for
about twenty ears, but as he prospered in his undertaking added modern
improvements to his farm, erecting good buildings and become one of the
substantial agriculturists of his district. He died in the year 1882 and his
wife also passed away in Schuyler county.
George E. Moore was reared and educated in Illinois, attending the common
schools. During the summer months he worked in the fields and remained upon his
father's farm until his marriage, which was celebrated in 1888, Miss Josephine
Lillard becoming his wife. She was born in Christina county, Illinois, a
daughter of Perry and Nancy J. (Finley) Lillard, who were also native of that
state. The father in now a resident of Kansas, but the mother passed away in
1896. In their family were five children of whom four are yet living. The
marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Moore has been blessed with two children: Raymond M.,
who is a graduate of Dubuque College at Dubuque, Iowa; and Ruby A., who is now
attending college in Aurora, Illinois.
It was in the spring of 1892 that Mr. Moore came with his family to Iowa,
settling in Emmet county. He took up his abode upon the farm on which he now
resides, in High Lake township. He is today one the extensive landowners of the
county, having seven hundred and seventy acres of highly improved and valuable
land, which he has converted into a very productive farm. He makes a specialty
of dairying, having a fine herd of Holstein cattle, and he is also extensively
engaged in the raising of Hampshire hogs, having over four hundred head upon his
place at the present time. He is an excellent judge of stock, seldom, if ever at
fault in estimating the value of an animal, and his livestock interests have
long constituted an important branch of his business, adding much to his
prosperity. He is a most progressive, energetic man, carrying forward to
successful completion whatever he undertakes. He is now president of the
Wallingford Creamery Company and also president of the Farmers Telephone
Company.
Mr. and Mrs. Moore hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and guide
their live according to its teachings. His political support is given to the
democratic party and he is a stalwart advocated of its principles but is not an
office seeker, preferring to concentrate his time and energies upon his business
affairs, which have been capably and wisely directed, making him one of the most
substantial and prosperous farmers of Emmet county.
Contributed by: Dan Dunham, great-nephew of George Moore. Source: History of Emmet County and Dickinson County Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, The Pioneer Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1917, V. 2, pages 443-444.
John H. Morrice, a stockholder and the manager of the Farmers' elevator at Wallingford, belongs to that class of men who have based their success upon industry and resolute purpose. He is a native of Scotland, his birth having occurred in Aberdeenshire on the 9th of August 1874, his parents being James and Elizabeth Morrice. The father was a sailor.
Spending his youthful days in his native country, John H. Morrice pursued his education in the common schools and in a business college of Scotland and when twenty-two years of age determined to seek his fortune in the new world, at which time he crossed the Atlantic to the United States. He did not tarry on the eastern coast but at once made his way to Emmet county, Iowa, and for three years was employed as a farm hand near Estherville. He then returned to Scotland, where he remained for six months, and then again came to the new world, accepting a position at an elevator at Wallingford in the employ of Joseph Hardy, there remaining for ten years. He afterwards spent two years as manager of an elevator at Graettinger, Iowa, and in 1907 he returned to Wallingford, where he has since had the management of the Farmers' elevator, of which he is one of the stockholders. He has carried on this business continuously now for the past ten years, carefully and wisely directing the interests of the elevator, in which connection he has built up a big grain trade, furnishing a market to a large percentage of the producers in this section. He is thoroughly familiar with every phase of the grain business and long experience and sound judgment have contributed to his success. He is also secretary and manager of the Wallingford Telephone Company.
In 1902 Mr. Morrice was united in marriage to Miss Laura Everson. Her parents were residents of High Lake township, but are now deceased, their remains having been interred in Riverside cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Morrice have two children, Leroy and Victor. Mr. Morrice belongs to the Modern Woodmen Camp, No. 4740, at Wallingford, also to the Loyal Order of Moose and to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks at Estherville. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and at the present time he is serving as justice of the peace in Wallingford. He also belongs to the Presbyterian church and his has been an honorable, upright life characterized by many admirable qualities Which have won for him the friendship and kindly regard for those with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.
CC Note: John Morrice and wife Laura are buried in the Wallingford Lutheran cemetery.
John A. Nelson, assistant cashier of the Farmers Savings Bank at Wallingford, is a native son of Emmet county and is regarded as one of the progressive young business men of his city. He was born March 3, 1887, a son of Nels L. and Olina (Bendixson) Nelson, both of whom were natives of Norway. In early life they came to America and Nels L. Nelson took up his abode upon a farm in Emmet county, devoting many years to the further development and improvement of his land, which he converted into rich and productive fields. He passed away in 1911 and is still survived by his widow. In their family were eleven children, ten of whom are yet living.
John A. Nelson was educated in the common schools and in a college at Forest City, Iowa, from which he was graduated with the class of 1909. He made his initial step in the business world as a stenographer in the Iowa Savings Bank at Estherville, where he remained for a year, on the expiration of which period he removed to Mohall, North Dakota, where he remained in a bank for a year. He then came to Emmet county and through the intervening period has occupied the position of assistant cashier in the Farmers Savings Bank at Wallingford. He is making an excellent record in this connection, a record characterized by thorough reliability, faithfulness and efficiency in the tasks assigned him. He is also the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 14, Twelve Mile Lake township, which is well improved and returns to him a gratifying annual income.
In 1915 Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to Miss Emma Egertson, a native of Emmet county and a daughter of Halvor and Christina Egertson, who were natives of Norway and in early life came to the new world. Both are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have become the parents of a son, Norton Harold, who was born August 20, 1916.
They are members of the Lutheran church and Mr. Nelson gives his political allegiance to the republican party, in the Work of which he takes an active and helpful interest. He has served as commissioner, as one of the members of the city council of Wallingford and is now town clerk. In the discharge of his public duties he has ever been prompt and faithful, fully recognizing the obligations that devolve upon him, and at all times he is actuated by a public-spirited devotion to the general good that is above question. In a word he is an alert, enterprising young business man and citizen whose, course commands the respect and high regard of those with whom he is brought in contact.
Source: History of Emmet County and Dickinson County Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, The Pioneer Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1917, page 239.
Lewis B. Nelson, eldest of eleven children, was born May 27, 1881 at Lake
Mills, Iowa, in Winnebago County and moved with his parents Olena Bendickson and
Nels L. Nelson to Jack Creek Township in the fall of 1882 where he lived with
his parents on a farm.
He was married on February 23, 1903 to Petra Wolden in High Lake Township at the
Wolden home. They lived on several farms before moving to Wallingford where he
operated a Livery, Dray and Feed Stable for a number of years. He then became
involved in road construction using horses to pull dirt scrapers and graders. He
put the first grade across Jack Creek slough.
During this time a large house and hatchery along with a dairy barn was built on
the east edge of Wallingford which he operated for a number of years. Some
eighty acres of land was acquired for the dairy herd to graze. They milked a
large herd of Guernsey, supplying milk to people in town as well as local
groceries and cream to the creamery. After retiring from the hatchery and dairy
herd, they continued to live in their home, while renting out their farm land.
Mrs. Nelson died October 8, 1961 at the age of 83 years, 10 months and 24 days,
and he continued to live there for several years until he entered Rosewood Manor
in Estherville where he passed away May 5, 1971 at the age of 89 years, 1l
months and 8 days.
Six daughters were born to this family: Mrs. Jeffrey (Bertha) Olson of
Wallingford, Iowa; Mrs. O J. (Nora) Martyr, Yelm, Washington; Mrs. Palma Pool,
Minneapolis, Minn.; Mrs. Gilford (Myrtle) Osher of Wallingford, Iowa; Mrs. Ralph
(Gladyce) Robinson, Spearfish, South Dakota; Mrs. Wayne (Lila) Bryan,
Estherville, and one son Laverne Nelson of Minneapolis, Minn.
He was a longtime member of Wallingford Lutheran Church and did much work to get
Ingham Bible Camp organized. He was also mayor of Wallingford for a number of
years and very active in church and civic affairs.
Source: History of Emmet County,
Iowa, Vol.!!!, page 307
CC Note: Internment in Wallingford Lutheran cemetery. Gravestone photo available.
On coming to the new world Nels H. Nelson was in limited circumstances but as a result of his own untiring efforts and sound judgment is today the owner of a valuable farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Emmet County, his home being on section 27, Denmark Township. He was born in Sweden on the 19th of June, 1849, and is the son of Nels P. and Christina Catherine (Larson) Nelson, who continued to make their home in that country throughout life, the father following the occupation of farming to support himself and family. There were eight children, of whom Nels H. is the second in order of birth. At the usual age he entered the common schools, where he continued his studies until con firmed and for two years he trained for the army as is the custom in Sweden. Leaving home he worked on neighboring farms until twenty-two years of age and then engaged in cutting and hauling lumber until coming to the United States at the age of thirty one years.
Before leaving Sweden Mr. Nelson married Miss Mary F. Johnson, whose parents were lifelong residents of that country, and are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have four children: Henry, born in Sweden; Herman born in Fulton County, Illinois; Charles, who was born in Clinton, Iowa; and Esther, who was born in Emmet County, Iowa, and is connected to a bank at Tyler, Minnesota. Charles is married and has one child, Richard Charles.
It was in 1880 that Mr. Nelson, accompanied by his family, sailed for the United States and on reaching this country proceeded to Fulton, Illinois, where he worked in a lumber yard for a time. Subsequently he moved across the Mississippi River to Clinton, Iowa, where seven years were spent, and in the spring of 1888 came to Emmet County and took up his abode in Denmark Township, purchasing eighty acres of land comprising the north half of the southwest quarter of section 27. Later he bought the west half of the Northwest quarter of the same section, and the southeast quarter of Section 28, so that he now has a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres which he has placed under excellent cultivation. He has been the director of the Forsyth Creamery Company and has served as its president and treasurer. In politics he is a republican and in religious faith is a Lutheran, belonging to St. Paul's Church. He is a progressive, up-to-date farmer who has met with success in his undertakings.
Hans P. Nielsen, who has resided in Denmark township, Emmet county, continuously since 1892, has been a factor in the agricultural development of his locality. A native of Denmark, he was born January 16, 1859, the only child of Rasmus and Martha (Hansen) Nielsen, who passed their entire lives in that country, where the father engaged in farming.
Hans P. Nielsen was educated in the public schools of Denmark, which he attended until he was confirmed, and subsequently he worked on farms there until he attained his majority. He then came to the United States and for the first, three years was employed as a farm hand in Champaign county, Illinois, and for eight years worked in a similar capacity in Humboldt county, Iowa. In 1892 he bought the east half of the southeast quarter of section 9, Denmark township, Emmet county, and there he has since made his home. The high state of development to which he has brought the place is evidence of his knowledge of farming and his energy, and the sale of his crops and live stock annually nets him a substantial profit.
In 1897 occurred the marriage of Mr. Nielsen and Miss Catherine Petersen, whose parents, Rasmus and Marie (Stephensen) Petersen, were lifelong residents of Denmark. To Mr. and Mrs. Nielsen have been born three children, Marie Fredericka, Meta Otilia and Lydia Hansina, all at home.
Mr. Nielsen is a stanch supporter of the republican party and is recognized as one of the public-spirited citizens of his community, being always willing to aid worthy public projects. He belongs to St. Paul's Danish Lutheran church and has conformed his life to high ethical standards.
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