Kossuth County >> 1913 Index

History of Kossuth County Iowa
by Benjamin F Reed. Vol. II Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1913. 

V

Unless noted, biographies submitted by Jean Kramer.

ELI N. VALENTINE is one of the active and progressive farmers who, in their successful cultivation of the soil by modern methods, are doing much to make Kossuth county, Iowa, one of the richest and most productive sections in the middle west. He is operating two hundred and forty acres of land on section 10, Burt township, and is doing efficient work in agricultural development. Mr. Valentine is a native of West Virginia and was born in Marion county, that state, February 26. 1853. His father, Henry Valentine, was reared, educated and married in the state in which his son was born.

Eli N. Valentine was educated in the public schools of West Virginia and remained at home until he had attained his majority. He then came west, locating first in Dakota and later in Nebraska where he worked in a brickyard at Lincoln for a number of years. Eventually he came to Iowa, settling first in Floyd county and later in Kossuth county. He engaged immediately in agriculture, renting a farm near Burt, which he brought to a high state of development in the ten years of his occupancy. He saved his money and was able to buy one hundred and sixty acres slightly improved, upon which he now resides. He has built a good residence upon his holdings equipped with all the comforts and luxuries of a modern home. He has planted extensive timber groves and orchards, and from time to time has added to his land. He now owns two hundred and forty acres, well tiled and highly developed. In conjunction with general farming he has operated a dairy for twenty years, keeping a number of cows for this purpose. He sells his milk to the Burt Creamery Association, in which he is a stockholder and director. He is also stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company, and has been at all times a progressive and public-spirited citizen.

Mr. Valentine married in Nebraska, October 22, 1876, to Miss Lillian McDaniel, a native of South Dakota, where she was reared and educated. Their family include: Albert G., who is married and follows farming in Burt township; Clarence W.; Roy N., who is aiding his father in the operation of the home farm; Herbert; J. S.; Carrie, the wife of Charles Stewart, a farmer of Seneca township; Daisy, who married Alden H. Winter, of South Dakota; Bessie, now Mrs. William Krueger, of Kossuth county; and Anna.

Politically Mr. Valentine gives his allegiance to the republican party and is intelligently interested in local affairs although he has never sought office. He is interested in education and has served as a director of the school board with ability and efficiency. He is a member of the Yeomen, but beyond this has no fraternal connections.

He has carved out his own career, beginning in a small and modest way, and achieving success through constant industry and intelligent activity. In his struggle he has been aided materially by his wife who united her efforts with his. Their harmonious relations have resulted in the accumulation of a comfortable fortune, and they own one of the most valuable farms in Kossuth county.

E. J. VAN NESS, who has been a member of the Kossuth County bar since 1903 and is at present county attorney, was born in Cedar county, Iowa, December 25, 1878, his parents being William H. and Ellen A. (Jones) Van Ness. He acquired his education in the country schools and subsequently in the town of Williams, where he was a student for two years. Later he was admitted to Ellsworth College at Iowa Falls and studied there for one year before entering the State Normal School at Cedar Falls, Iowa. After pursuing the course of study offered by that institution he matriculated in the State University of Iowa at Iowa City and was graduated from that institution in 1903. While there he had taken up the study of law and immediately after graduation was admitted to practice at the bar of this state. He started in the active practice of his chosen profession at Whittemore, Iowa, where he continued until 1911. In 1910, however, he had been elected county attorney and on entering upon his duties took up his residence in Algona, the county seat. He has handled a number of cases of considerable importance and has won a high place in the profession. An excellent present and earnest manner, marked strength of character, a thorough grasp of the law and the ability to accurately apply its principles make him an effective and successful advocate. He enlisted for service in the Spanish-American war in the Fifty-second Iowa Volunteer Infantry and served with that regiment.

In 1904 Mr. Van Ness was married to Miss Anna Yaw, a native of Franklin county, Iowa. To their union three children have been born, all of whom are living: Robert G., Katherine and John G. Mr. Van Ness gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is a member of the Masonic lodge of West Bend and the chapter of Algona. He also holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and both he and his wife are attendants at the Congregational church. As his entire life has been spent in this section of Iowa, he has a wide acquaintance here and is winning recognition in legal, fraternal and social circles.

MARTIN L. VINAAS, the popular landlord of the Peck Hotel at Burt, Iowa, has served the traveling public in this capacity for the past four years, and dates his residence in Iowa since 1887. He was born in Norway, February 18, 1872, and received an efficient education in the public schools of his native country. He came to America in 1887, settling immediately in Iowa, where he joined his uncle and brother in Humboldt county. He attended school for two years in order to learn the English language and later worked upon a farm for a short time. He abandoned agriculture in order to accept a position in a local creamery where he learned the business of butter making in all its details. He worked at this occupation for a number of years and was successful on account of his unremitting industry and knowledge of the details of his business. His identification with the conduct of a hotel dates from 1901, when he managed and operated a hotel in Ceylon, Minnesota, enjoying success with that enterprise for seven years. In 1908 he removed to Burt and leased the Peck Hotel which he has managed with efficiency and success ever since. He has enlarged the hotel, refurnished it throughout with the most modern and luxurious equipment, has installed a steam-heating apparatus and put hot and cold water in every room, and has made it one of the modern and progressive hostelries in Kossuth county. He owes much of his success to his genial and kindly individuality which makes him popular among his patrons. He has the peculiar gift of friendliness which has been a valuable asset to him in the conduct of his enterprise and has given him the reputation of being the best hotel keeper in his section. His house is well patronized not only by the traveling public but by the citizens of Burt.

On October 15, 1902, Mr. Vinaas was married to Miss Anna Olson, a native of DeWitt, Clinton county, Iowa. Her father, Stine Olson, was born in Norway and settled in Clinton county when he came to the United States, He later removed to Jackson county and became well known in that district. Mr. and Mrs. Vinaas have two sons, Leo and Lloyd, both of whom are at home.

In his political views Mr. Vinaas is a consistent republican but never seeks public office. He is prominent in fraternal circles and held membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Ceylon, Minnesota, where he served through all the chairs and is past grand. He has now transferred his membership to the Burt lodge. He is prominent in the Modern Woodmen of America and he and his wife are members of the Rebekah lodge of Burt. Mrs. Vinaas has served through the chairs of this organization and is now past grand. In a business which requires constant attention and a capacity for doing many things at one time and doing all well, Mr. Vinaas has gained a gratifying degree of success. He is aided in his work by his genial and friendly nature which endears him to all with whom he comes in contact and makes every acquaintance a firm friend.