NORTHWESTERN
IOWA
ITS HISTORY AND TRADITIONS
1804-1926
A
G. L. AITCHISON
One of the successful business men and influential
citizens of Arnolds Park, Dickinson county, is George Lewis
Aitchison, president of the Aitchison Lumber Company and mayor of
the town. He is a man of great energy and progressive methods, has
been an earnest supporter of everything calculated to advance the
community, and is eminently deserving of the respect which is
accorded him throughout his locality. Mr. Aitchison was born in
Hancock county, Iowa, on the 2d of December, 1869, and is a son of
John and Sarah (Windell) Aitchison, the former a native of Scotland
and the latter of Indiana. The father came to the United States at
the age of eighteen years, stopping in Indiana, where he spent some
years. About 1860 he came to Iowa, settling in Winneshiek county,
where he bought a farm, devoting his time to its improvement and
cultivation. In 1861, at the outbreak of the Civil war, he enlisted
and served until disabled in 1863, when he was discharged and
returned home. In 1869 he moved to Hancock county, this state,
where he bought a quarter section of land, on which he established
his permanent home, living there until his death, in 1877. His
widow survived him thirty years, passing away in 1907.
George L. Aitchison attended the district schools
and the Forest City public schools, and then took a course of normal
training at Decorah Institute. He next engaged in teaching school
for five years, and during the last two years of that period and
three years following he was also engaged in farming. He then
located at Miller and for eight years was engaged in mercantile
pursuits. In 1905 he came to Arnolds Park and served three years as
manager of the W. W. Johnson Lumber Company, followed by twelve
years as manager of the Brandon Lumber Company. In the fall of 1919
he established and incorporated the Aitchison Lumber Company, of
which he became president, and during the subsequent years has
enjoyed a very satisfactory measure of prosperity.
In 1891 Mr. Aitchison was united in marriage to Miss
Rebecca Windell, of Winneshiek county, Iowa, and they became the
parents of six children, of whom three are living: Lisle F., who is
manager of the Aitchison Lumber Company, of Albert Lea, Minnesota, a
branch of the Arnolds Park Company; Mary Lucile, who is a bookkeeper
in the Security National Bank, of Milfords, Iowa; and Clifford
Lewis, who is a student in the Arnolds Park high school. Mr.
Aitchison is a member of Gloaming Lodge, No. 482, A. F. and A. M.,
of which he is a past master; Spirit Lake Chapter, No. 132, R. A.
M.; and he and his wife and daughter are members of Gloaming Chapter
No. 225, Order of the Eastern Star, and the daughter is a member of
Calvary Shrine, No. 18, Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem, at
Spirit Lake. Mr. Aitchison has taken an active part in local public
affairs, serving as mayor of Arnolds Park in 1914-15-16, and was
again elected to that office in 1924 and is still serving. He has
given an efficient and satisfactory administration and has gained
the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens, who appreciate his
services in behalf of the community welfare.
C. G. ANDERSON
Of sturdy Scandinavian stock, Carl G. Anderson has
inherited the substantial qualities of a long line of worthy
ancestors, and his ability is indicated by the fact that when but
twenty-four years of age he was chosen postmaster of Arthur, in
which capacity he has since served. He was born April 7, 1898, in
the city of Chicago, and is a son of A. G. and Sophia (Johnson)
Anderson, natives of Sweden. They made the voyage to the United
States in 1882 and lived for several years in Chicago. In 1910 they
came to Iowa and the father devoted his energies to the occupation
of farming, bringing his land to a high state of productivity.
Subsequently he opened a meat market in Arthur and has since made
his home in this locality, in which he has many loyal friends.
Carl G. Anderson is the youngest in a family of
three children. He attended the public schools of Chicago and
finished his education in Arthur. He obtained his start in life by
clerking in a hardware store and also acquired a practical knowledge
of the meat business. Through the exercise of the qualities of
industry, thrift and self-denial he accumulated sufficient capital
to enable him to embark in business on his own account and is now
the owner of his father's market. He carries only the best grades
of meat, and straightforward, honorable dealing has brought him a
large share of public patronage.
In 1921 Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss
Lurene Wagner, whose parents are living at Storm Lake, Iowa. Mr.
Anderson is a stanch supporter of the principles of the republican
party and in August, 1922, received from the late President Harding
the appointment of postmaster of Holstein. He has since been
retained in the office and his work is performed with speed,
accuracy and system. Along fraternal lines he is connected with the
Masonic order, belonging to Arthur Lodge, No. 611, F. and A. M., and
endeavors to fulfill in his life the beneficent teaching of the
craft. He has made his own way in the world and merits and receives
the respect of his fellowmen.
FRANK ANDERSON
The life of Frank Anderson has been an eventful one,
replete with many interesting experiences, and he is now living
retired in Aurelia, having reached the venerable age of eighty-one
years. A native of Sweden, he was born March 26, 1846, and was a
child of six when his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Anderson, came
with their family to the United States. He received a public school
education and in 1864 his patriotic spirit prompted him to offer his
aid to the Union. He was accepted for military duty and served for
one and a half years as a member of Company F, One Hundred and
Thirty-second Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was
mustered out at Springfield, Illinois, and worked as a farm hand in
that state until 1871, when he came to Iowa. He purchased a tract
of land in Wright county, where he engaged in farming for three
years, and then transferred his activities to Colorado, in which he
spent ten years. He next engaged in teaching in Illinois and at the
end of a year went to South Dakota, living for twelve months in that
state. He taught school in Minnesota for two years and then became
a traveling salesman, filling that position for ten years. On the
expiration of that period he returned to Illinois and resumed his
educational work. He came to Cherokee county, Iowa, in 1910 and has
since resided in this section of the state, in which he has many
sincere friends.
In 1910 Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Mrs.
Dell Blackman, who passed away in 1917, and her remains were
interred in a cemetery at Cherokee. Mr. Anderson is a republican in
his political views but has never sought office as a reward for
party allegiance. He belongs to Custer Post, No. 25, G. A. R., and
deserves the respect and honor which should ever be accorded an old
soldier.
J. H. ANDERSON
Among the men who have contributed in a large way to
the general prosperity and upbuilding of the town of Ruthven,
mention should be made of John H. Anderson, who for twenty-nine
years has owned and operated the leading drug store here, while
during the same period he has cooperated in all local movements for
the advancement of the community. He is a native of Sweden, where
his birth occurred on the 23d of May, 1866, and is a son of Andrew
and Mathilda (Johnson) Anderson. The father came to the United
States immediately after the close of the Civil war, locating in
Fort Dodge, Iowa, and about three years later sent for his family,
who had remained in Sweden until such a time as he should have a
home prepared for them. He engaged in the grain business at Fort
Dodge, in which he met with success, becoming one of the most
prominent men in that business there. The last six or seven years
of his life were spent with John H. and his brother Edwin in
Ruthven.
John H. Anderson received his educational training
in the public schools of Fort Dodge and then came to Ruthven, where
his brother Edwin had established himself in the drug business
several years previously. He remained in his brother's store until
1897, when he bought the business, which he has conducted
continuously to the present time. He has always maintained an
up-to-date store, carrying a full line of drugs, as well as the
standard proprietary remedies, and also carries a large and
well-selected stock of such auxiliary lines as are usually found in
a modern drug store. He has devoted himself closely to his business
and has always enjoyed his full share of the public patronage in his
line.
On October 31, 1900, Mr. Anderson was united in
marriage to Miss Jane Baxter, of Ruthven, and they are the parents
of a daughter, Ruth, who attended St. Catherine's school at
Davenport, Iowa, where she completed her four year course, in 1924,
and is now a student in Iowa State University. Mr. Anderson is a
member of Highland Lodge, No. 387, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons,
of which he is a past master; Earnest Chapter No. 152, Royal Arch
Masons; Spencer Commandery, Knights Templar; Sioux City Consistory,
No. 5, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and Za-Ga-Ziz Temple, Ancient
Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Though unassuming in
manner, Mr. Anderson is a man of strong personality, has long held a
prominent and influential place in local affairs, and has served a
number of years as a member of the school board. His record here
has been a most commendable one and has gained for him the high
esteem of his fellow citizens.
J. V. ANDERSON
Another of the sons of Sweden who have come to
northwestern Iowa and, by persistent and indefatigable industry
along well directed lines, as well as by careful management of their
resources, have won prosperity, is J. V. Anderson, who is now
retired from active business and is living in Spencer in the
enjoyment of a well earned rest. Mr. Anderson was born in Sweden on
the 12th of December, 1842, and is a son of Andrew and Christina
Anderson. He was reared under the parental roof and secured his
education in the public schools of his home neighborhood. In 1870
he came to the United States and located near Springfield, Iowa,
where he was employed as a farm hand for three years. He then went
to Illinois, where he rented a farm for ten years. In 1883 he came
to Clay county, Iowa, and in the following year bought a farm, to
the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted his energies
with such success that he was enabled to buy more land, until he is
now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of rich and well
improved land. He remained on that place until 1911, when he
retired from active farming and came to Spencer, where he has since
lived and where he owns a fine home.
In 1865, in Sweden, Mr. Anderson was united in
marriage to Miss Matilda Carlson, whose parents spent their entire
lives in Sweden, both being now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson
were born twelve children, four of whom are deceased, the survivors
being: Carolina, the wife of Axel Johnson; Andrew J.; George W.;
Frank A.; Effa M.; the wife of James A King; Ervin E.; Elsa, the
wife of George Cross; and Arthur. mr. and Mrs. Anderson are members
of the Lutheran church. Mr. Anderson is in the truest sense a
self-made man and because of his achievements in a material way and
his true, consistent life he has long commanded the respect and good
will of his fellow citizens throughout this community.
T. A. ANDERSON
The life history of Thomas A. Anderson was closely
identified with the history of Ida county, Iowa, which was long his
home. He began his career here in the pioneer epoch and through the
years which followed was closely allied with its interests and
upbuilding. He was of the finest type of progressive citizen and
was held in the highest measure of appreciation by his fellowmen.
Mr. Anderson was born in Belfast, Ireland, on the
4th of January, 1873, and was a son of James and Mary (Fair)
Anderson, both of whom were natives of the north of Ireland. The
family came to the United States in 1873, locating first in Delaware
county, Iowa, where they remained about five years, and then came to
Ida county, where the father engaged in farming. To him and his
wife were born the following children: Margaret Jane, who is the
widow of the late Robert Hall, of this county; Mary Eliza, who is
the wife of Robert Lipton, of Ida Grove; William J., of Ida Grove,
and Thomas A., the immediate subject of this memoir.
Thomas A. Anderson was reared to the life of a
farmer and secured his education in the public schools of his home
neighborhood. He followed farming throughout his active life, being
enterprising and progressive in his methods, and achieved notable
success, being numbered among the wide-a-wake and up-to-date
agriculturists of his locality. He made many good improvements on
his farm and developed it into a valuable and productive property.
His death occurred May 26, 1911.
On March 4, 1896, Mr. Anderson was united in
marriage to Miss Gertrude Anspach, daughter of Milton and Ella
(Dickson) Anspach, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania
and the latter of Illinois. They came to Ida county in 1874 and the
father here engaged in farming for many years. During the period of
his residence in this locality he passed through varied experiences,
one of which was the terrible scourge of grasshoppers which in early
days completely devastated the crops. Mr. and Mrs. Anspach are now
retired and live at Long Beach, California. To them were born seven
children, namely: Gertrude, Mrs. Anderson; Royal Glenwood, of
Colfax, Iowa; Edith, the wife of Albert Kuhlman, of Lake Benton,
Minnesota; William E., of Colfax, Iowa; Raymond, of Long Beach,
California; Cuma, the wife of Ross Heck, of Brookings, South Dakota;
and Vivian, of Long Beach, California. To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson
were born five children, as follows: Burdette, of Sioux City, Iowa,
Vera, the wife of Veirl McClow, of Ida Grove; and Hobert G., Theda
and James, who are at home with their mother.
Politically Mr. Anderson was a lifelong supporter of
the republican party and took an active interest in local public
affairs, having served as a member of the city council. He belonged
to the Knights of Pythias. He was eminently public-spirited,
contributing of his efforts to the prosperity and upbuilding of the
community and held an enviable place in public confidence and
esteem.
B. F. ARP
Among those who have achieved success in their
respective lines of business and have also contributed in a very
definite measure to the general prosperity and development of the
community in which they live, Ben Franklin Arp, member of the
grocery firm of Arp Brothers, at Spirit Lake, is entitled to
specific mention, for he has shown an enterprising and progressive
spirit that has gained for him a high reputation in the business
circles here. Mr. Arp was born in Spirit Laek on the 1st of June,
1884, and is a son of Peter and Mary Dorothea (Bluedorn) Arp, who
were natives of Germany. They came to the United States with their
respective parents, the voyage of six weeks being made in a sailing
vessel. Both families settled in Scott County, Iowa, among the
early pioneers. The father was a ship carpenter by trade and bought
a boat house and built boats for the trade. In 1882 he came to
Spirit Lake, bought a house on East Okoboji lake and built and
operated pleasure boats. He died in 1891, or the following year,
and was survived many years by his widow, whose death occurred in
1918.
Ben F. Arp secured his education in the public
schools of Spirit Lake and, his father being in moderate
circumstances, was compelled at an early age to earn money. When a
lad of thirteen, he went to work in a clothing store, where he
remained eight years, when, concluding it was time for him to begin
working for himself, on November 1, 1905, in partnership with his
twin brother, Walter Leonard Arp, he established the present grocery
firm of Arp Brothers. During the twenty-two years that they have
been in business they have not only enjoyed a gratifying measure of
prosperity but have at the same time commanded the confidence and
respect of all who have dealt with them, for they have conducted
their business according to the highest standards of ethics, square
dealing, prompt service and uniform courtesy marking their relations
with their patrons.
In 1907 Mr. Arp was united in marriage to Miss Pearl
C. Swailes, of Spirit Lake, daughter of James A. Swailes, one of the
well known farmers, cattle buyers and business men of Dickinson
county. Mr. Arp is a member of Twilight Lodge, No. 329, A. F. & A.
M.; Spirit Lake Chapter, No. 132, R. A. M.; Sioux City Consistory,
No. 5, A. A. S. R.' Abu-Bekr Temple of the Mystic Shrine; Twilight
Chapter, No. 59, Order of the Eastern Star, of which he is worthy
patron and Mrs. Arp worthy matron; and Calvary Shrine, No. 18, Order
of the White Shrine of Jerusalem, of which Mrs. Arp is a past high
priestess. Mr. Arp has taken deep interest in everything pertaining
to the progress and prosperity of his city, being president of the
Spirit Lake Commercial Club and active in educational and civic
work. His business activity and helpful interest in civic affairs
has made him a valuable asset in community progress.
JAMES ASHBURN
James Ashburn has led a life of earnest and
well-directed labor, crowned with a degree of success that enables
him to lay aside the burden of business affairs and spend the
evening of his days in leisure and contentment, in a fine home in
Spencer, Iowa. He was born in McLean county, Illinois, on the 26th
of August, 1845, and is a son of George W. and Artemesia (Brown)
Ashburn, who were born and reared in West Virginia, whence, after
their marriage, they came to Illinois. They located at Bloomington,
where Mr. Ashburn established the first store in town, in a small
log cabin. After living there six or seven years, they came to
Delaware county, Iowa, where they settled on a farm, on which they
remained about seven years. At the end of that time Mr. Ashburn
engaged in the hotel business at Rockville, Illinois. Later he
moved to Leavenworth, Kansas, where he engaged in mercantile
pursuits until 1863, when he returned to Iowa, where he and his wife
died.
Of the eleven children born to them, James Ashburn
of this sketch is the only survivor. He was reared and educated
mainly in Iowa. In October, 1862, he enlisted in Company G. Sixth
Regiment Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, with which he served until the
close of the Civil war, when he was sent to the west and engaged in
fighting Indians until October, 1865, when he was honorably
discharged from the service. He then returned to Delaware county,
Iowa, where he was employed as a farm hand until after his marriage,
when, in 1871 he came to Clay county and took up a homestead. His
first home here was a sod house, with a board door and string latch,
but in the course of time he prospered and better living quarters
were provided. He also had a sod barn. Later he bought one hundred
and sixty acres additional, thus owning two hundred and forty acres,
but eventually he sold that and bought eight acres of land at the
city limits of Spencer, where he erected a beautiful, modern home,
which he now occupies.
On February 17, 1869, Mr. Ashburn was united in
marriage to Miss Jennie McCardle, who was born in Pennsylvania, and
is a daughter of James and Mary Ann McCardle. Her parents were both
natives of England, whence they came to the United States in an
early day, locating first in Pennsylvania, where they lived until
1870, when they came to Clay county, Iowa, where they passed away.
They were the parents of six children, all of whom are living. To
Mr. and Mrs. Ashburn have been born nine children, namely: Frank;
Cora M., wife of George Lackner; Charles A; Fred; Edith, the wife of
Joseph Lackner; Ella, the wife of A. Darkam; Jennie, deceased;
William; and Laura, the wife of Paul Goyette. Mr. Ashburn is a
member of the Annett Post, No. 124, Grand Army of the Republic, at
Spencer, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal
church. They are genial and hospitable in their social relations,
enjoy a wide acquaintance and are extremely well liked throughout
the community.
