Biographical Sketch of Henry Hanson

Henry Hanson, grain, seed and stock dealer, was born in Sweden; came to America in 1868 and landed in N.Y.; remained in that state unti11874, when he came to Sac County, Ia. He purchased land and farmed until 1877, then moved to Odebolt and engaged present business. He owns a steam elevator fitted with all of the latest improved machinery, employs nine men in elevators and warehouses; two bookkeepers and C.B. Hatfield, grain and stock buyer.

Biographical Sketch of John N. Zane

John M. Zane, of the firm of Zane & Helsell, attorneys at law, was born in Cumberland County, N.J., Oct. 16th, 1845. He received his education at Bridgeton. At an early age he moved to Philadelphia, Pa.; during the rebellion he was for two years a member of the U.S. quartermaster’s department. In Sept., 1866, he went to Springfield, Ill., there read law in the office of Herndon & Zane. He taught school at intervals while reading law; in Feb., 1872, he moved to Jasper county, la., and in Dec., 1873, was admitted to the bar at Newton, under Judge … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Wright

John Wright, banker, came from Cedar County, Ia., to Sac county in 1872. He purchased 1,000 acres of land in partnership with his brother, N. Wright, and engaged in fanning until Nov., 1878, at which time he opened the bank, having previously erected the bank block, the front room of which is occupied by the bank and contains a fire-proof vault and a Marvin safe, with an electric time-lock. The rear room is occupied by George & Coy, attorneys. Mr. Wright does an extensive loan business in partnership with C.E. George. He has recently erected, on the comer of Second … Read more

Biographical Sketch of H. C. Wheeler

H.C. Wheeler, farmer and stock raiser, was born May, 10th, 1835, at Hopkinton, N.H.; the following year moved with parents to Chicago, Ill. He there received his education and finished at the Academy of Warrensville. In 1854 he went to San Francisco, Cal.; there engaged in the real estate business, and after two years returned to Chicago. He remained two years land again went to San Francisco. He became one of the first members of the San Francisco Stock Exchange and remained there until 1864. After spending one and one-half years traveling in Europe, he came to Sac County, Ia., … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. H. Kitterer

J.H. Kitterer & Co., proprietors of the Pioneer hardware store, which was established in 1878 by W. Van Dusen, purchased the business in Aug., 1879. The firm is composed of J.H. Kitterer and Joseph Mattes; they are men of long experience in the hardware business, having previous to coming to this city been engaged in the same. They employ one clerk and three tinners. Make specialties of Glidden barbed wire, “Splended” heating stoves, “Diamond” and “Acorn” cook stoves.

Biographical Sketch of J. C. Bodine

J.C. Bodine, farmer and stock raiser, was born in N.Y. in 1835; in 1865 moved to Aurora, Ill., where he engaged in the stock business. He moved to Grinnell, Ia., in 1868; thence to Sac county, in 1874. He purchased in Cook township, where he now resides, a farm of 320 acres, which is well improved. He also owns another farm containing 160 acres, which he rents. Mr. B. is one of the representative farmers of this county; has filled many offices of trust; in politics is a democrat.

Biographical Sketch of C. E. George

C.E. George, of the firm of George & Coy, attorneys at law, was born at Alexandria, Grafton County, N.H., Dec. 20th, 1857. He received his education at the high school of Bristol, N.H., and the New London, N.H., and Newbury, Vt., Academies. He read law for two years with Hon. S.B. Page, at Woodville, Vt., and in 1879 graduated from the Vermont University, obtaining the degree of A.B. He also graduated from the law department of the Ann Arbor, Mich., University. He came to Odebolt, Ia., in March, 1880, and engaged in the practice of his profession. During the summer … Read more

Biographical Sketch of E. A. Moody

E.A. Moody, painter and grainer, was born in Milwaukee, Wis. in 1848; was educated at Notre Dame College, of South Bend, Ind. In 1861 he enlisted in the regular army, and served during the war of the rebellion. Was discharged in 1865; returned to Milwaukee and learned his trade. In 1868 he moved to Cincinnati, O., where he remained one year, then went west, and after a time located at Yankton, S. Dak. He returned to Milwaukee and soon after moved to Cherokee, Ia.; was there engaged in business three years. In Dec., 1878, he came to Odebolt and engaged … Read more

Biographical Sketch of S. H. Bowman

S.H. Bowman, of the firm of S. H. Bowman & Co., dealers in lumber, coal, lime and mixed paints, was born in Baltimore, Md., in March, 1854. In 1873 he entered the Business College of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., from which he graduated in May, 1874. He went to Neb. in 1878, and was engaged in the lumber business at various towns. In March, 1880, he came to Odebolt, Ia., and established the above business; he is the senior member and business manager of the firm, which has branch yards at Ida Grove, Battle Creek and Danbury.

Biographical Sketch of Dr. A. Gorman

A. Groman, M.D., was born in Lake county, Ind., in 1856. He received his preparatory education at Crown Point Seminary and studied medicine with his father, Dr. C. Groman. In the autumn of 1876 he entered the Homeopathic College, of Chicago, from which he graduated in March, 1878. He opened an office at Odebolt, Ia., in June of the same year. Office on second floor of Wright’s Opera block; consultation room adjoining.

Biographical Sketch of F. R. Bennett

F.R. Bennett is editor and proprietor of the Odebolt Observer, which was established in July, 1880, and is a six-column quarto paper. In 1847 he edited and published the Advertiser, at Rock Island, Ill., afterwards was connected with various papers in Clinton county, la. He came to Odebolt in 1880. This is the only democratic paper published in the county and it has a subscription list of about 500. Office on second floor of Schmitz block and is thoroughly fitted up as a job office. He employs three compositors.

Biographical Sketch of Frank L. Dennis

Frank L. Dennis, editor and proprietor of the Odebolt Observer, was born in Clinton County, Ia. in 1852. He learned his trade in the De Witt Observer office; remained there until 1878, then moved to Wall Lake, Sac County, and established the Wall Lake Journal, which he sold in April, 1881. He came to Odebolt and purchased the Odebolt Reporter, which was first established at Sac City by W.W. Yarham, who moved it to this city in November, 1877. The office is in the basement of Wright’s Opera Block and is fitted for a first-class news and job office. The … Read more

Biographical Sketch of C. D. Boardman

C.D. Boardman, physician and druggist, was born at Potsdam, St. Lawrence County, N.Y., in 1854; moved with parents to Lyons, Clinton county, Ia.; there attended school, and in 1871 entered the Agricultural College, of Ames. He graduated in 1874 and in the winter of same year entered the Chicago Medical College, from which he graduated in the spring of 1877. The same year he opened an office at Monticello, Ia., also engaged in the drug business, in partnership with Dr. Mellett; at the end of one year Dr. Boardman became sole proprietor. In May, 1880, he moved the stock to … Read more

Biographical Sketch of W. A. Helsell

W.A. Helsell, of the firm of Zane & Helsell, attorneys at law, was born in Millersburg, O., in 1855; moved with parents to Iowa in 1861. He graduated in the scientific course at the Ames Agricultural College in 1877 and in 1879 graduated from the law department of Simpson’s Centenary College. He was admitted to the bar before the Supreme Court at Des Moines, June 9th, 1879, and in the July following formed a partnership as above. He attends to the law and trial business and Mr. Zane to the loan, insurance and abstract business of the firm. They have … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Alfred G. Erlenborn

Alfred G. Erlenborn, dealer in general merchandise, was born at Mendota, Ill., in 1860. He received his education at the Jesuit College, of Chicago, Ill., from which he graduated in 1875. He entered the banking house of Ereleborn Bros., at Mendota, of which bank his father was the senior partner. In 1879 he went to Denver, Col., was there employed as bookkeeper in a wholesale grocery house. He returned to Iowa in 1881 and located at Odebolt. He engaged in the loan business and also as bookkeeper for Warneke. Afterwards engaged in business as above; also does a loan and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of H. F. Warneke

H.F. Warneke, dealer in grain and stock, came to Odebolt, Ia., from Plattville, Wis., in 1879. He established a saloon, which he continued until Aug., 1881, and in the Sept. following he established his present business. He has shipped since establishing business to Jan. 1, 1882, two hundred car loads. His warehouse has a capacity of ten thousand bushels; employs five men.

Biographical Sketch of Bros. Bownam & Kranz

The firm of Bowman & Kranz Bros., lumber and coal dealers of Holstein, Iowa, was organized July 1, 1886, purchasing the business of S. H. Bowman Lumber Co., the pioneer lumber dealers of Holstein. Their large building, 80 x 100 feet, with all the smaller buildings, were located near the railroad depot. H. G. Kranz was born in Altenberg, near Cassel, Germany, February 7, 1865, a son of Adam and Elizabeth Kranz. He received a good education in his native language, attending school until 15 years of age. When eighteen, he came to Odebolt, Iowa, Sac. Co., and found employment … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Henry Dockstader

Henry Dockstader, proprietor of the Revere House, was born in Jefferson County, N.Y., in 1836; moved in 1842 to Tioga County, Pa.; thence to Jones County, Ia., in 1857. He there engaged in farming until 1872, then moved to Panora, Guthrie County, where he farmed until the autumn of 1881. He came to Odebolt and took charge of the Odebolt House, which he thoroughly renovated and refitted, changing the name to Revere. It is now a first-class hotel.

Biographical Sketch of Martin Keck

Martin Keck, proprietor of restaurant, ice cream and oyster parlors, also dealer in fancy groceries, confectionery, cigars, tobacco, etc., came to Sac County, Ia., in 1878; engaged in farming, then came to Odebolt and established business as above.

Biographical Sketch of J. W. Burnside

J.W. Burnside, dealer in dry goods, boots, shoes, notions, carpets, etc., was born in Steuben County, N.Y. in 1833; moved with parents to Crawford county, Ia., when quite young. He received his education at the Methodist University of Delaware, O., afterwards attended Bryant & Stratton’s Commercial College, of Chicago, from which he graduated in 1854. He then engaged in the mercantile business at Garden Prairie, Ill. In the spring of 1862 he enlisted in the 95th, Ill. Inft.; remained in the service until 1866. During that time he was transferred from the volunteer service to the regular army. He was … Read more