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Emmet County, Iowa
Biographies
O - P
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.
O - P
Ogilvie, Charles
Olsen, Thorvald
Olson, Carl H.
Olson, O. C.
Oransky, Herman
Ortmeyer, William A.
Patterson, G. W.
Paulson, Mrs. Lewis
Paulson, Paul
Petersen, Martin H.
Petersen, Morton
Petersen, Peter C.
Petersen, Peter W.
Petersen, Robert Peter
Peterson, Nels
Peterson, Peter N.
Peton, Clifford Leon
Peton, Paul E.
Ports, George A.
Additional Emmet County Biographies: A-B, C-D,
E-F, G-H, I-J,
K-L, M-N, Q-R,
S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z.
Return to Biography Index
Charles Ogilvie conducted a grocery business in Armstrong until November, 1916, when he retired. He was born in Forfarshire, Scotland, November 2, 1832, a son of William and Susan (Gilbert) Ogilvie. The father was a laborer and neither he nor his wife ever came to the United States. They were the parents of two daughters and three sons, of whom Charles was the one to emigrate to America, coming here when sixteen years of age. He attended school in his native land until fourteen years old and during the intervening two years until his emigration to this county he was employed as a clerk in a dry goods store. After remaining for a year in New York City he went to the province of Ontario, Canada, where he worked on a farm for some time. At length he removed to Iowa and for a period engaged in teaching school south of Algona during the winter months and during the summer seasons worked on the farm of James Mitchell, with whom he made his home. At that time conditions in this state were largely those of the frontier and the schoolhouse in which he taught was made of sod. It was known as the Carroll school and was one of the first established in that section.
A year before Armstrong was platted Mr. Ogilvie removed to this locality and became one of the first merchants of the new town, carrying a well chosen general stock. He was thereafter continuously connected with the business interests of the town and conducted an up-to-date and well patronized grocery store until November, 1916. He is enjoying good health at the age of eighty-four years.
In 1899 Mr. Ogilvie was married to Mrs. Laura (Bunt) Dutton, a daughter of Reuben and Eunice (Springsteen) Bunt, natives of New York, who were among the first settlers of Estherville, Iowa. They drove from Winnishiek county with an ox team and knew by experience all the hardships of frontier life. Both are buried in Seneca, this state. Mrs. Ogilvie was first married to Ed Dutton, of Armstrong, and by that union had six children: Ella, who is the widow of E. P. Wood and with her five children is residing in Armstrong; Eunice, who married James Huff, of Armstrong; Lucinda, deceased; Edna, at home; Carrie, also deceased; and Alice, now Mrs. Harold Atwood, of Armstrong.
Mr. Ogilvie is a democrat in politics and although never an office seeker has always discharged to the fullest the duties of a good citizen. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Armstrong and is highly esteemed by all with whom he has come in contact as he has consistently ordered his life in accordance with high ethical standards.
Thorvald Olsen, actively identified with farming interests in Swan Lake township, his home being on section 35, was born in Norway on the 14th of May, 1856, a son of Ole and Gunhilda (Thronson) Olsen. The father died in Norway, after which the mother came to the United States with her son Thorvald and made her home with a son in Illinois. She passed away in 1879.
Through the period of his boyhood and youth Thorvald Olsen attended the common schools of his native country and when eighteen years of age crossed the Atlantic to the new world, making his way to Lee county, Illinois, where he resided for nine years, being employed as a farm hand in that district. His brother, who was at that time a resident of Lee county, sent him his ticket to come to the United States. In 1883 Thorvald Olsen removed to Iowa and for eight months resided in Hamilton county but in the spring of 1884 came to Emmet county, where two years before, or in 1882 he had purchased eighty acres of land in Armstrong Grove township. On his arrival in Emmet county he located upon that land and for five years occupied the farm. He then sold out and bought his present home place, comprising one hundred and sixty acres on section 35, Swan Lake township. This farm he has improved and it is now one of the valuable properties of the district. It is well equipped according to modern methods of agricultural development and his labors have brought to him substantial financial returns.
In 1884 Mr. Olsen was united in marriage to Miss Julia Berven, a native of Norway, who came to America about 1882. Five sons and a daughter have blessed this marriage: Ole, at home; Knute, who is a ranchman of Montana; Thomas, who is farming in Emmet county; Gustav, a twin brother of Thomas and a resident of South Dakota; Alfred, at home; and Lizzie, the wife of Herman Sorum, of Estherville.
Mr. Olsen votes with the republican party ad is thoroughly conversant with the leading questions and issues of the day. He has served as township trustee and as school director for several years. He and his family are members of the Norwegian church and they are people of genuine worth, esteemed and respected by all with whom they have come in contact. Mr. Olsen deserves much credit for what he has accomplished. He arrived in America practically penniless and from that point has worked his way steadily upward, making good use of his time and opportunities. He has never been afraid of hard work and his diligence ad determination have been the basic elements of his growing success.
CC Note: Thorvald Olsen (died 1945) is buried in Swan Lake cemetery.
Prominent among the energetic, farsighted and successful business men of Estherville is numbered Carl H. Olson, who is the proprietor of a well equipped jewelry store, carrying a large and attractive line of goods. His progressive spirit has enabled him to work his way steadily upward in a business way and he has been dependent upon his own resources from the age of fifteen years. A native of Norway, he was born in Christiana, June 22, 1871, a son of Nels and Karn (Bolsoe) Olson, both of whom were natives of the land of the midnight sun, where they spent their entire lives, the father there engaging in business as a tailor.
Carl H. Olson was reared and educated in Norway and when a youth of fifteen years began learning the jeweler's trade, which he followed in his native country until he attained his majority. He then bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for America, hoping to benefit his financial condition by the opportunities offered in the new world. He located first at Moscow, Idaho, and there secured employment in a jewelry store, remaining in that city until 1896, when he removed to Milford, Iowa, where he was employed until 1898. He then came to Estherville, where he worked at the jewelry business for three years and then started a store on his own account. His first location was in the building now occupied by the drug store of Charles Kane and later he was where Strube Brothers' music store is now seen. In September, 1916, he removed to his new store and now has a thoroughly up-to-date jewelry establishment, carrying a large and attractive line. His reasonable prices, honorable dealing and earnest desire to please his patrons are the qualities which have secured to him a growing and representative trade, making him one of the prosperous merchants of his adopted city.
In October, 1907, Mr. Olson was married to Miss Anna Olson, a daughter of Halvor and Annette Olson, the latter now deceased. Her father is still living and is engaged in farming in Emmet county. Mr. and Mrs. Olson hold membership in the Lutheran church and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and is a loyal son of his adopted country, striving ever to further the interests and welfare of city and state. He has never regretted his determination to come to the new worldl for here he has found the opportunities which he sought and in their utilization has made steady advancement along business lines.
CC Note: Carl H.(1871 - 1948) and Anna Olson (1873 - 1967) are buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery. See Gravestone Photo for Carl and Anna Olson.
O. C. Olson, who is actively connected with farming interests in High Lake township, Emmet county, his home being on section 15, owns and cultivates two hundred and seventy-five acres of rich and valuable land. He was born in Norway, March 8, 1866, and is a son of Colman and Carrie Olson. The mother died in the land of the midnight sun and the father afterward came to the United States but has now passed away. In their family were eight children; seven of whom are yet living.
O. C. Olson was a lad of twelve years when he accompanied his father to the United States and through much of that time until he attained his majority he was employed at farm labor. After reaching man's estate he was married in 1892 to Miss Tena Peterson, a native of Emmet county and a daughter of William and Carrie Peterson, who were also natives of Norway, but became pioneer residents of Emmet county and homesteaded in High Lake township. They lived for a time in a log cabin and met the usual hardships and privations incident to settlement on the frontier. Both the father and mother are now de-ceased. Their family numbered eight children, of whom five are yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Olson became the parents of seven children, Clarence L., Blanche L., Lloyd P., Artie A., Myrtle A., Orlando I. and Nor-man R., but Artie A., the fourth in order of birth, is deceased.
Following his marriage Mr. Olson began farming on his own account on rented land, which he continued to lease for eight years, but during that period he carefully saved his earnings until his industry and economy had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase the farm where he now resides, situated on the south half of section 15, High Lake township. He owns altogether two hundred and seventy-five acres of rich and productive land, from which he annually gathers good crops. He is also a stockholder and one of the directors of the Farmers' elevator at Wallingford and his business interests have been so wisely and care-fully conducted that he is now numbered among the substantial citizens of his part of the state.
Mr. Olson votes with the Republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He has served for the past eight years as township trustee and has also been township school director. Those who know him recognize him as a man of sterling worth, and in his business career he has so managed his interests and directed his efforts that he has won substantial success and his life history indicates what may be accomplished when there is the will to dare and to do.
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 149.
Herman Oransky, a dry good merchant of Estherville, belongs to that class of progressive, energetic and farsighted business men who in promoting individual success contribute also to the public welfare, for the advancement of a city or district does not depend so largely upon the machinery of government, or even upon the men who fill the public offices, as it does upon those who are active in controlling its trade relations. Mr. Oransky was born in Poland in 1876, a son of the Rev. J. H. and Charnow Oransky, who were natives of that country, the father being a minister of the Jewish faith. In their family were ten children all of whom were brought to America by the parents, the family home being established in Des Moines. All are yet living. One of the sons, Louis Oransky, came to Estherville in 1890 and established a drybgoods business in the corner room of the Masonic building. A few year later he removed to the Opera House block.
Herman Oransky received special training for a commercial career through a course of study in the Capital City Commercial College of Des Moines, of which he is a graduate. He also completed three years' study in the East high school of Des Moines and his initial practical experience along business lines was obtained in a clothing store of the capital city. Coming to Estherville, he entered the employ of his brother and in 1900 succeeded to the business, the store being then conducted in the Groves building which had been erected by his brother. He remained at that location for eight years and then sold out, building with his brother a modern business block, into which he removed his stock of dry goods, ladies' ready-to-wear and millinery. He occupies the entire building, which is situated on Sixth street, and he is today at the head of the oldest dry goods establishment of Estherville. He has always concentrated his efforts along this line and his progressiveness diligence and determination have constituted the salient features in his growing prosperity.
In 1906 Mr. Oransky was married to Miss Lillian May Freedman, a daughter of S. S. and Carrie (Frank) Freedman, of Corsicana, Texas. The father passed away and his remains were interred at Corsicana, where the mother still makes her home. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Oransky are two children: Merrill Bernard, born in 1907; and Cornelia, born in 1908.
Politically, Mr. Oransky is a republican and keeps well informed on the salient issues before the people. He is well known in fraternal circles, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in Masonry, while with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine he has crossed the sands of the desert. He also belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and and the Modern Woodmen of America. He became a charter member of the Commercial Club of Estherville, of which he has been one of the directors and the president, and in this connection he has put forth every possible effort to advance the interests of the city, extend its trade relations and uphold its civic standards. His has been a well-spent, active and useful life, fruitful of good results, and Estherville numbers him among its valued and representative citizens.
WILLIAM A. ORTMEYER in the community of Armstrong in Emmet County is spoken of as the most useful citizen because of the splendid work he has done as superintendent of schools there during the last ten years. Mr. Ortmeyer is a school man of wide and successful experience. He was born at Crown Point, Indiana, August 30, 1890, a son of Conrad and Charlotte (Frevert) Ortmeyer. His father was born in Germany and died in 1918 at Charles City, Iowa, and his mother was born in Indiana and died there in 1893. Mr. Ortmeyer was educated in rural schools, also attended a village school and in 1909 was graduated from the high school at Charles City. Following that came two years of study in the Charles City College and after one year at Cornell College, at Mount Vernon, Iowa, he was graduated with his Bachelor's degree in 1913. He has also taken four summer sessions of work in the University of Iowa.
Mr. Ortmeyer for one year was teacher of high school mathematics and athletic coach at Oskaloosa. He was one year superintendent as Parkersburg, and then gave up teaching to go to Montana, where he put in three years of business effort at Livingston, and later was for one year with the Hart-Parr Tractor Company at Charles City.
Mr. Ortmeyer in 1921 was made superintendent of schools at Armstrong, and the able work he has done has given him successive renewals of his contract from time to time. He is a member of the Iowa State Teachers Association, is a Royal Arch Mason, member of the Methodist Church, where he is on the official board, and a Republican in politics. Mr. Ortmeyer married, August 9, 1916, Miss Hazel Ege, who was born in Illinois. They have two children, Howard, born December 24, 1919, and Helen, born July 29, 1925.
Contributed by: Debbie Clough Gerischer, Iowa
History Project. Source:
Narrative History of The People of Iowa with SPECIAL TREATMENT OF THEIR CHIEF
ENTERPRISES IN EDUCATION, RELIGION, VALOR, INDUSTRY, BUSINESS, ETC. by EDGAR
RUBEY HARLAN, LL. B., A. M. Curator of the Historical, Memorial and Art
Department of Iowa Volume IV
THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Inc. Chicago and New York 1931.
G. W. PATTERSON, BURT. - Senator from the forty-seventh district, including Emmet, Palo Alto, Clay, Dickinson and Kossuth counties, was born at Burt, Iowa, September 4, 1887, of Scotch parentage. Graduate of Burt high school. Graduated from Iowa State College, animal husbandry department, 1909. Married December 28, 1913, to Miss Eva M. Stensrud, Lake Mills, Iowa. Has three children, Donald W., Virginia Mae, and Kenneth Howard. Business, farming and stock feeding. Elected to house of representatives, 1922; re-elected in 1924 and 1926. Elected senator in 1928; re-elected 1932. A republican.
Source: Iowa Official Register 1933-1934, Biographies State Senators.
MRS. LEWIS PAULSON
Early Emmet County Settler
Estherville Enterprise, 31 Aug 1911
Mrs. Lewis Paulson is one of the oldest pioneer settlers of Emmet County. She has been a resident since June 20, 1860. Mrs. Paulson came here from Wisconsin with her husband and four children, Paul, Severt, Julia and Thora [Thuri], of which only the last two are still living. They made the journey with a yoke of oxen and a home made wagon, the wheels of which were made by cutting narrow pieces off the ends of large logs. On the 16th day of May, they left their home in Wisconsin, and arrived on the present site of Estherville on June 20th. At that time there was only one home on the village site. The hard times and hardships borne by the early settlers were by no means trivial in their nature, and Mrs. Paulson being one of the earliest pioneers met with her share of privations. During the first winter they subsisted on potatoes, butter, and milk for about a month, during which time the snow was so deep that they were prevented from going to market, which was in Blue Earth, fifty miles distant. But this was not all, the next summer she witnessed more privations and hardships. At that time the Indians came to Jackson, Minnesota, on a raid, and the settlers all gathered at Estherville, where they remained for a week, neglecting their farms and leaving them at the mercy of any ill disposed person who might come that way. From this time on for several years prosperous times visited the country until grasshopper raids, and then for several years crops were all destroyed and harvests amounted to nothing. Mrs. Paulson, who has been a widow since in 1893, lives with her daughters, Mrs. T. O. Berg and Mrs. H. K. Groth, and although being 95 years old at the present time she is active, and enjoys good health.
Contributed by: Ruth Hackett.
Paul Paulson, who is now successfully engaged in farming on section 36, Estherville township, has spent his entire life in Emmet county, his birth occurring in High Lake township on the 14th of December, 1871. His parents, Paul and Carrie (Ellingson) Paulson, were natives of Norway and were among the first settlers of High Lake township, where the father secured a homestead and engaged in farming for many years. He died in March, 1882, and the mother passed away in the following July. Paul is the youngest child and only son in their family of four children, his sisters being Sarah, deceased; Julia, now Mrs. A. J. Anderson, of High Lake; and Carrie, now Mrs. Ole Newgard, of Pierce county, North Dakota.
Mr. Paulson of this review began his studies in the district schools of Emmet county, which he attended until sixteen years of age, and in the meantime acquired an excellent knowledge of farm work while assisting his father in the labors of the home place. On starting out in life for himself he was employed on neighboring farms until he attained his majority and later operated the home place for a time and also engage in farming on rented land in High Lake township. In 1911 he purchased fifty acres on the southeast corner of section 36, Estherville township, and has since devoted his time and energy to its improvement and cultivation with good results.
In 1900 Mr. Paulson was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Peterson, a daughter of William and Carrie Peterson, of High Lake township. Her parents are both deceased and lie buried in High Lake cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Paulson have three children, Myra, Chester and Francis. They are earnest and consistent members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and are most estimable people. By his ballot Mr. Paulson supports the men and measures of the republican party.
Martin H. Petersen has passed his entire life in Denmark township and has continued the work of his father in the improvement and cultivation of the homestead on section 12. His birth occurred May 11, 1894, and his parents were Robert P. and Kirsten (Jensen) Petersen, natives of Denmark, the former of whom was taken to Michigan when he was but six years old. The paternal grandfather, Morton Petersen, was one of the earliest of the Danish settlers in Denmark township, Emmet county, and took up land under the homestead act. Robert P. Peterson subsequently joined his father in this county and worked in his employ until 1890, when he bought the farm now owned by Martin H. Petersen. There were eight children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Petersen, as follows: Anna, the wife of J. E. Hansen, a banker of Crystal Lake, Hancock county, Iowa; Marie, who married O .E. Olsen, of Comfrey, Minnesota; Martin H.; W. E., of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Ella, Dora, Eugene and Edna, all at home.
Martin H. Petersen entered the high school at Ringsted after completing the course offered in the district schools and still later was a student in the Iowa State Teachers' College at Cedar Falls, Dana College at Blair, Nebraska, and the Waterloo (Iowa) Business College, from the last of which he was graduated in 1913. His father died September 11, 1910, and after leaving business college Mr. Petersen of this review, began cultivating the place for his mother and since 1915 has owned the farm. He gives a great deal of careful thought to the management of his work, keeps in touch with the most advanced methods of agriculture and is meeting with highly gratifying and well-deserved success.
Mr. Petersen was married on the 22d of December, 1914, to Georgina Henricksen, a daughter of John and Hannah (Madsen) Henricksen, early settlers of Denmark township, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
Mr. Petersen is an adherent of the republican party but has never sought office. He holds membership in the Danish Lutheran church, which indicates the standards which have determined his life, and is one of the most highly esteemed residents of his township.
CC Note: Martin H. Petersen (died 1980) and wife Georgina are buried in St. Paul's Lutheran cemetery.
Morton Petersen was born in Gosmer Parrish, Jutland , Denmark, July 18, 1841. He was married to Karen Marie (Rasmussen) in Denmark. Three children were born to this union. Christina, Robert Peter and Chris M. He came with his family to America in 1870 and located in Manistee, Michigan where the home was maintained for three years. It was here the wife and mother died in 1873. Subsequently the father and children lived in Chicago for two years where he was engaged in the furniture business. He had been similarly employed at Manistee. He moved to Clinton, Iowa where he resided for eight years and was employed in a sawmill. In 1878 In Clinton he married a second time, choosing as his wife, Anna Petersen, also a native of Denmark where her parents passed their entire lives. Three children were born to this union, Peter Wilhelm, Thorvald B. and Marie (Mrs. Sirl Nelsen). The mother also had a daughter by a former marriage Augusta, the widow of Laua Juhl.
In 1883 the Petersen family came to Emmet county becoming one of the first of the Danish settlers in the county. He bought land in section 1 in Denmark township known as the Marius Henriksen farm. Many Danes came from Chicago, Cedar Falls, Council Bluffs and many families came from Clinton. Most of them had bought land from the Chicago and Milwaukee railroad before they came here. After the Danes began to settle they made an effort to organize the township into an independent township. Before this Armstrong Grove and Denmark township were united. Morton Petersen circulated a petition for this cause. 15 signatures were needed and were secured by January 1884 when Denmark township became an independent township.
Morton Petersen was also instrumental in getting schools started. The first school election was held in March 1884. He was elected one of three Directors. In the summer of 1884 a small school was built on the corner just west of the Petersen farm on section 2 known as district one. Another one was built a couple of miles further south.
The first Ringsted postoffice was in the home of John Larsen. The name he selected for the postoffice was Ringsted. Mr. Larsen's wife lived in Ringsted, Denmark before coming to America. Morton Petersen carried mail from Seneca to the Ringsted postoffice from the year 1886 to 1890, a distance of five or six miles.
We have some information from an early church book which tells that church services were held in the Morton Petersen school house, but as the settlers had come from Denmark and were accustomed to worshipping in a church, many never felt entirely at home in a school house. A Sunday school was started by Morton Petersen, l. P. Flint and Mrs. Christen Pedersen. A church was built near the Black Cat creek known as St. Ansgars church. It was dedicated in September 1881. Everything appeared to be well until 1897 when members could not agree to which synod the church should belong to. It was evident that this was the parting of the ways. Morton Petersen was chosen as a member of the committee to represent, St. Paul's church. He was also a member of the first church council of St. Paul's, he served as treasurer, they together with the pastor drew up a new Constitution. He served as Sunday school teacher for many years.
Morton Petersen farmed until 1902 when he retired To Ringsted. He and his wife lived in the house now occupied by Julius Hansen, about half a block west of St. Paul's. He died in 1912 and his wife died In 1914. They are both buried in St. Paul's Cemetery.
Contributed by: Merriam White.
CC Note: Morton Petersen (died 1912) and wife Anna (died 1914) are buried in St. Paul's Lutheran cemetery.
PETER C. PETERSON was born in 1858 in Denmark. He came with his parents to America at a young age. Karen Kjerstine Petersen was born Aug. 23, 1864 in Marsholdt, Denmark to Morton and Karen Petersen. She came to America with her family in 1879 and located in Manistee, Michigan. On Jan. 25 1883 Peter and Karen were united in marriage in Clinton, IA .
In 1891, Karen and Peter made their home at Ringsted where Karen's family was living. To this union 10 children were born, two of them dying in infancy. The children were: Chris Petersen, Mary Conlon, Earl Petersen, Dorothy Jensen, Nels Petersen, Martha (Mrs. Nels) Flint, Frances (Mrs. Henry) Lowenberg and Robert Petersen.
Peter and Karen farmed east of Ringsted until 1931 when they moved into Ringsted. Peter died in 1936. Karen died Nov. 15, 1948. Both are buried at St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery in Ringsted.
Contributed by: Ruth Hackett. Source: Ringsted's First Hundred Years, 1899-1999, page 327.
CC Note: Peter C. Petersen (died 1936) and wife Karen "Kristine" (died 1948) are buried in St. Paul's Lutheran cemetery.
For several years Peter W. Petersen has been prominently identified with the business interests of Ringsted where he is now conducting one of the best garages in the state. He handles the Oakland, Studebaker and Maxwell cars and also deals in farm implements. A native of Iowa he was born in Clinton, December 11, 1878, and is a son of Martin and Anna (Petersen) Petersen, who were born in Denmark but came to America in early life and located in Manistee, Michigan. There the father engaged in the furniture business for a short time and later was similarly employed in Chicago, Illinois. From the latter place he removed to Clinton, Iowa, where he worked in a saw mill for eight years and then came to Emmet county, buying land on section 1, Denmark township, to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted his energies for many years. He then retired from active labor and removed to Ringsted, where he passed away in September, 1911. His wife survived him about two years, dying in August, 1913.
Reared upon his father's farm in Emmet county, Peter W. Petersen acquired his early education in the country schools but later attended college at Elkhorn, Iowa. He remained with his parents until twenty-one years of age and gave his father the benefit of his services in the operation of the home farm. In 1900 he embarked in the hardware and implement business in Ringsted, and continued along that line until November, 1916, when he sold out and purchased a well equipped garage. As previously stated he now handles the Oakland, Studebaker and Maxwell cars and is doing an excellent business as a dealer in automobiles. He also handles all kinds of farm implements and has built up a trade of extensive proportions.
On the 19th of October, 1905, Mr. Petersen married Miss Mary C. Linnett, by whom he has two children, Stella, born October 3, 1906, and Alice, born January 11, 1908. Mr. Petersen affiliates with the republican party and has been called upon to serve on the town council for nine years, while at the present time he is a school director. He belongs to the Lutheran church and is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Danish Brotherhood. He is one of the representative business men of Emmet county, is wide-awake, energetic and progressive, and usually carries forward to successful conclusion whatever he undertakes.
Robert P. Petersen was born in Marsholdt, Denmark on May 8, 1867. He was the son of Morton Petersen. Robert moved with his parents to the United States in 1870 and located at Manistee, Michigan. The family lived here three years. It was here that his mother died. The father and his children moved to Chicago, Illinois for two years. Then they moved to Clinton, Iowa. At Clinton in 1878, his father married Ana Petersen, a native of Denmark. In 1883 they moved to Denmark township, Emmet county, Iowa, becoming the first of the Danish settlers of the township. Morton Petersen purchased the southwest quarter of section 1, which he farmed until 1902. The Morton Petersens then moved to Ringsted. He passed away in 1912.
Robert had one sister and one brother. Christina who married P. C. Petersen and Chris M. who married Isabelle Felky.
He had one half sister and two half brothers. Thorvald B. who married Anna Sorensen, Peter W. who married Marie Lennet and Marie who married Sirl Nelson. Robert Peter Petersen received his education in the public schools of the country. He worked on his fathers farm until he was 24 years of age. At that time Robert purchased the northeast quarter of section 12, Denmark Township of Emmet county, Iowa. He cultivated and improved this farm until the time of his death in 1910. Robert Petersen was for many years Identified with the development of Denmark township. Robert Petersen supported the candidates and measure of the republican party at the polls but never had time to be an active participant in political affairs. He held membership in St. Paul's Danish Lutheran church and supported its work. He married Kirsten Jensen, daughter of Peter and Marie (Andersen) Jensen, native of Denmark.
Kirsten was born in Aarhus, Denmark. Had sister Kristine. She came to Ringsted when she was 19 years old and kept house for her uncle Soren Jensen who was homesteading. She married Robert P. Petersen July 26, 1891 at St. Paul's Lutheran church in Ringsted, Iowa. They had eight children. Three boys and five girls. Mrs. Petersen remained on the farm after her husband's death, until 1912. Then she moved to Ringsted and built a new house. She was active in church and Sunday school work. In 1927 she moved to Des Moines, Iowa until the time of her death. She was buried beside her husband in St. Paul's cemetery, at Ringsted, Iowa.
Contributed by: Merriam White.
Nels Peterson, who is concentrating his energies upon the operation of an excellent farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Denmark township, is a Dane by birth. His natal day was May 7, 1877, and his parents, Jens and Karen Peterson, never became residents of the United States, although the mother visited her son here for a year. The father had charge of one section of a government road and was conscientious and efficient in the discharge of his duties.
Nels Peterson, the fourth in order of birth of a family of seven children, attended the public schools until confirmed and later was employed and later was employed at farm work until seventeen years old, when he came with his sister to Emmet county, Iowa. From 1894 until 1904 he worked as a hired hand in this county but at the end of that time purchased the south half of the southeast quarter of section 4, Denmark township, to which he subsequently added the northwest quarter of that quarter, his present holdings comprising one hundred and twenty acres. The land is in a high state of cultivation, the buildings are substantial and of practical design and the appearance of the place bespeaks an energetic owner.
On the 28th of December, 1903, Mr. Peterson was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Rasmussen, whose parents, Lars and Kate Rasmussen, were born in Denmark but emigrated to the United States. The mother died in New York when her daughter Bertha was very small and is interred there, but the father is still living and resides in Ringsted, Iowa. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Peterson, namely, Artina, Carl, Viola, Berthina and Christina.
Mr. Peterson is an advocate of republican principles and supports candidates of that party when national issues are at stake but otherwise votes independently. He held the office of school director for four and his support can be relied upon in the furtherance of any cause calculated to benefit the community: He belongs to St. Paul's Danish Lutheran church and his dominant qualities are such as invariably command respect and esteem.
An eighty-acre farm on section 13, High Lake township, pays tribute to the care and labor bestowed upon it by Peter N. Peterson, who has long been one of the active and progressive agriculturists of that section of the county. He was born in Norway, March 20, 1848, a son of Peter and Gertrude (Olson) Peterson, who were also natives of the same country. They brought their family to America in 1848, during the infancy of their son Peter, and first established their home in Wisconsin upon a farm. In the '60s they came to Emmet county, Iowa, which was then a frontier district, and the father took up a homestead claim which he converted from a tract of wild and unimproved land into a productive and valuable farm, giving his undivided attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his remaining days, To him and his wife were born six children, of whom three are now living.
Peter N. Peterson was largely reared and educated in Iowa, being indebted to the public schools of Emmet county for the educational privileges which he received. He continued upon the old homestead to the time of his marriage and afterward purchased the property upon which he now resides, constituting a valuable tract of land of eighty acres on section 14, High Lake township. He has worked persistently and earnestly in the development of the place, to which he has added many modern improvements, and his practical methods of tilling the fields resulted in bringing forth good harvests.
In 1871 Mr. Peterson was united in marriage to Miss Martha L. Johnson, who was born in Wisconsin, a daughter of Lewis and Martha (Mohn) Johnson, who were natives of Norway and came to the United States in the '50s. They settled in Wisconsin and the family arrived in Emmet county, Iowa, in 1866. The mother had previously passed away in Wisconsin, but the father died in this state. In their family were twelve children but only two are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have become the parents of five children, namely: Peter P.; Mary J.; Lewis P.; Nels P.; and John P., now a resident of South Dakota.
Mr. and Mrs. Peterson hold membership in the Lutheran church and guide their lives according to its teachings. His political faith is that of republican party and he served as road supervisor and also as a member of the school board. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, as he started out in the business world empty handed and since that time has gradually worked his way upward through energy and unfaltering effort.
Clifford Leon Peton is engaged in farming northwest of Estherville. He was born October 1, 1925, in Emmet County, the son of Paul E. and Sophia [Bondhus] Peton, both long-time residents of Emmet County. The parents were married on December 10, 1919, and lived on their farm in Twelve Mile Lake Township where his mother still resides. The father passed away February 1, 1965, at home.
Beverly Jean Clark, was born February 25, 1929, the daughter of Bert L. and Blanche [Hoppus] Clark, both residents of Emmet County before their passing. She was married to Clifford L. Peton June 12, 1951. They have one son, James Clark Peton, of Brookings, South Dakota.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Peton attended schools in Emmet County. Mr. Peton entered the army on December 12, 1950. After discharge, December 12, 1952, he returned to farm. Mrs. Peton is an employee of Holy Family Hospital in Estherville. They are members of the Estherville Lutheran Church.
Contributed by: James M. Richmond . Source: "History of Emmet County, Iowa, Vol. III", Compiled by the Emmet County Historical Society as a Bicentennial Project., Inter-Collegiate Press, Inc., Shawnee Mission, Kansas, 1976, pages 340.
Paul E. Peton was born December 17, 1895, in Palo Alto County to Ernest and Bertha [Dahlke] Peton. Sophia Bondhus was born February 22, 1899, in Palo Alto County to John and Martha [Tolbertson] Bondhus. December 10, 1919, Paul E. Peton and Sophia Bondhus were married at the First Lutheran Church in Graettinger, Iowa.
To this union were born: Euclaire Fergus; Elaine Genevieve [now Mrs. Leslie Dalen]; Donald Francis; Clifford Leon; Paul Ernest, Jr.; Richard Dean; Miriam Janice and Marilyn Jean.
Mr. and Mrs. Peton owned and operated a farm in Twelve Mile Lake Township, Emmet County, Iowa, for many years. After retiring, Mr. Peton was engaged in carpentry for several years until his death on February 1, 1965, at his home. He is buried at Valley View Cemetery, Graettinger, Iowa. Mrs.. Peton is still residing on the farm. She is a member of the Bethel Lutheran Church at Graettinger, Iowa.
Contributed by: James M. Richmond . Source: "History of Emmet County, Iowa, Vol. III", Compiled by the Emmet County Historical Society as a Bicentennial Project., Inter-Collegiate Press, Inc., Shawnee Mission, Kansas, 1976, pages 340.
George A. Ports, cashier of the Huntington Bank, has been continuously identified with banking since making his initial step in the business world in 1900. He has chosen to apply himself to his work and is now thoroughly conversant with all of the main points in banking and many of the details. He was born in Carroll County, Illinois, April 18, 1880, a son of J. J. and Lottie (Walters) Ports, who were natives of Maryland and of Illinois respectively. In 1892 they removed to Iowa, settling first at Iowa Falls, where they resided for five years. On the expiration of that period of time they established their home upon a farm in Emmet County, whereon they resided until 1912, the father becoming one of the leading agriculturists of the district. They then removed to Estherville, where they now reside, and they are among the highly respected residents of that place.
George A. Ports is one of a family of four children, of whom three are yet living. He perused his education in the schools of Iowa Falls, becoming a high school pupil there, and eventually he entered a business college at Minneapolis, Minnesota, from which he graduated in July 1900, thus qualifying for life's practical and responsible duties. He afterward turned his attention to the banking business in Dolliver, where he remained for a year and a half, and in 1902 he removed to Huntington, accepting the position of cashier in the bank of that place He has since served in that capacity, taking an active part in directing the policy and shaping the business interests of the bank.
In August, 1903, Mr. Ports was married to Miss Louise Rackliff, who was born in Humbolt, Iowa, and is a daughter of Eli and Addie (Neal) Rackliff, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Ports have become the parents of three sons: Eugene H., born May 26, 1904; Jay N., born September 22, 1906; and Paul F., January 2, 1909.
The family occupy a fine new home in Huntington which is the property of Mr. Ports. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church and he also belongs to the Masonic Lodge at Estherville, and to the Modern Woodmen Camp at Huntington, of which he has been the clerk for ten years. In politics he is a republican and is now filling the office of township school treasurer. He is actuated in all that he does by a public-spirited devotion to the general good and his energy and industry have made him a representative business man of the town in which he resides.
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