Worth County >> 1918 Index

History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa
J. F. Clyde and H. A. Dwelle, Editors. Volume II. Chicago: S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1918.

Worth County
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Upon the old homestead farm in Fertile township Clifford L. McEnelly remained through the period of his boyhood and youth and early became familiar with all phases of farm life and work, but he did not desire to make agriculture his life occupation and on leaving home entered the employ of the Fertile Clay & Peat Company of Fertile, with which he remained for three years. He afterward again spent some time on the home farm and later became associated with the Hegney Cement & Tile Company. He has since remained with that firm and is now operator of the machine tile press, thus filling an important and responsible position.

In 1917 Mr. McEnelly was united in marriage to Miss Hazel Calhoun, a daughter of Oren and Celia (Halverson) Calhoun. Mrs. McEnelly was born in Miller, Iowa, where her parents had settled in pioneer times. Later they removed to Clear Lake, where Mr. Calhoun engaged in the implement business, and at a subsequent date he took up his abode in Fertile township, Worth county, where he is now cultivating a farm. Mr. and Mrs. McEnelly are well known young people of Fertile and enjoy the warm regard of those who know them, while the hospitality of the best homes of the community is freely accorded them. Mr. McEnelly votes with the Republican party but has never been an office seeker, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon other interests.

ANDREW H. MEHUS

A valuable farm property of two hundred acres pays tribute to the care and labor bestowed upon it by the owner, Andrew H. Mehus, who has always resided upon this place, which is situated on section 15, Hartland township, Worth county. He was born upon the farm March 13, 1865, his parents being Hans and Gunver (Tromo) Mehus, who were natives of Norway, both born in the year 1847. The father was brought to the United States by his parents on a sailing vessel in 1857, at which time the family home was established in Rock Prairie, Wisconsin, where they remained for two years. On the expiration of that period they came to Iowa, settling in Hartland township, Worth county, where they purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres situated on section 15, Hartland township. This is the property on which Andrew H. Mehus still resides. The family lived for a time in a log house which had been built ere the farm came into possession of the grandparents of the present owner. The grandmother died upon this place and the grandfather afterward became a resident of North Dakota, where he remained to the time of his demise. The old homestead was purchased by Hans Mehus, who thus came into possession of one hundred and sixty acres of land, to which he added from time to time as his financial resources increased until within the boundaries of his farm there was to be found four hundred and forty acres of rich and valuable land. He also further invested in farm property, owning an extensive tract in Bigstone county, Minnesota. He likewise became the owner of city property in Northwood and thus from his realty holdings derives a most gratifying annual income. He is now living retired, having put aside the active work of the fields to enjoy in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil. He makes his home with his daughter, Mrs. 0. H. Thompson, on a farm on section 25, Hartland township, and has reached the age of seventy years. His wife passed away in March, 1914.

Andrew H. Mehus spent his youthful days upon the home farm and acquired a district school education. When his textbooks were put aside he continued to aid in the work of the fields and thus was well qualified by practical training for the work which he has chosen as a life occupation. Eventually he began farming on his own account and now has two hundred acres of valuable and productive land, from which he annually gathers rich harvests. His farm is thoroughly modern in its equipment and there are fine frame buildings upon the place. In the rear of an attractive residence stand large barns, and outbuildings, furnishing adequate shelter for grain and stock, and the latest improved farm machinery facilitates the work of the fields.

On June 3, 1914, Mr. Mehus was united in marriage to Miss Helma Harmon, a daughter of Harry and Aase (Ellingson) Harmon, who are natives of Norway and came to the United States with their respective parents in childhood. Both the Harmon and Ellingson families were among the early settlers of this section of the state. The parents of Mrs. Mehus are now living in Northwood, Iowa, the father having retired from active business cares. Mrs. Mehus was born in Silver Lake township, Worth county, and by her marriage has become the mother of one child, Danine Geneva.

Politically Mr. Mehus is a republican and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but does not seek nor desire office. He belongs to the Norwegian Lutheran church, guiding his life according to its teachings, and his genuine worth is recognized by his fellow townsmen, who have had opportunity to witness his record from boyhood, to the present time. The traits of character which he has developed are commendable and have gained for him the respect and goodwill of those with whom he has been associated.

Charles G. Mellem is a representative agriculturist of Grove township, living on section 31, and belongs to the oldest pioneer family of Worth county. He was born December 23, 1868 on the farm which is still his home, his parents being Gulbrand O. and Carina E. (Swensrud) Mellem, of whom more extended mention is made in connection with the sketch of Ole Mellem on another page of this work. To them were born the following children: Hans, Ole, Elling, Caroline, Andrine, Jennie, Andrew, Lewis, Edwin, Charles, Minnie and Gustav.

Charles G. Mellem spent his youthful days upon the old homestead and early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He attended the district schools and afterward spent two winter seasons as a student in Valder College of Decorah, Iowa. In 1902 he was united in marriage to Miss Randine Myli, a daughter of Halgrim and Ingeborg (Teigen) Myli, who are natives of Norway and came to the United states in early life, settling first at Rock Prairie, Wisconsin, whence they later removed to Mitchell county Where their father cultivated a farm for a number of years, while subsequently he took up his abode in Danville township, Worth county. Later he removed to Hartland township in the same county and there he and his wife still reside. Their daughter, Mrs. Mellem, was born near St. Ansgar, in Mitchell county, and by her marriage has become the mother of four children: Hartwick, Carlin, Harold and Clarence.

In his political views Mr. Mellem is a republican, giving stalwart support to the party because of his belief in the efficacy of its principles as factors in good government. He an his wife are consistent members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and they are held in the highest esteem by all who know them because of their many excellent traits of character. Mr. Mellem has always devoted his life to general farming. After completing his education he returned to the old homestead, whereon he has since reside and his labors have brought the place under a high state of cultivation. He has added modern improvements and utilizes the latest improved farm machinery to facilitate the work of their fields, which annually rewarded his labors with good crops. The place presents a most neat and attractive appearance, indication his careful supervision and his progressive methods.

LEWIS G. MELLEM makes his home in Northwood, where he is surrounded by all of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. While now living retired, he was for many years actively identified with farming interests and his un­faltering labor, diligence and perseverance constituted the elements in the attain­ment of the prosperity which is now his. His life record illustrates what may be accomplished through individual effort. He was born in Grove township, Worth county, November 29, 1864 , and is a son of Gulbrand 0. Mellem, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. His youthful days were spent upon the home farm and he pursued a district school education, after which he continued' his studies in the Breckenridge Institute at Decorah , Iowa . When his school days were over he took up the active work of the farm and in 1888 began the operation of a tract of land which he had acquired from his father. But he was still single then and it was not pleasant to live alone, so he returned home and assisted in the operation of the old homestead with his parents until 1894. The following year he was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Butler, of Kensett township.

Soon afterward Mr. Mellem accepted a position as second hand with the Farmers Butter & Cheese Association of Northwood and not long afterward he was made secretary of the association in which position he served for two ears more. In 1899 he removed to Griggs county, North Dakota, where he entered into partnership with his brother, Elling G. Mellem, in the ownership and cultivation of eight hundred acres of land. He carried on farming there for two years and he still owns four hundred and eighty acres of valuable farming property in Griggs county. Early in 1901, however, he returned to Worth county and settled in Northwood, owning a city residence. With the exception of three years spent upon his farm in Lincoln township, near Manly, he has since made his home in Northwood and is one of the well known, highly respected and valued residents of the city.

In 1902 Mr. Mellem was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died in that year, leaving two children, Esther Viola and Inger Geneva. In 1905 ­Mr. Mellem was again married, his second union being with Miss Signe Rorvig, of Binford , North Dakota , and to them have been born a son and four daughters, but the son has passed away. The daughters are Agnes Catherine, Pearl Valborg, Virginia Lenore and Elvira Anne.

In his political views Mr. Mellem is a republican and has always given alle­giance to the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He and his wife are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church, to the support of which they make generous contributions, and they are interested in all those forces which make for the uplift of the individual and the betterment of the community at large. Mr. Mellem is now living retired, enjoying a well earned rest, his only activity being the supervision which he gives to his farming and invested interests. He owns a farm of two hundred and twenty-two acres near Manly, Worth county, and another valuable tract of land of one hundred and two acres two miles from Northwood and these properties, together with his land in North Dakota , con­stitute a most gratifying source of income. His investments have been most judiciously and wisely made. He has watched his chance for the purchase of property which he believed would increase in value and as the years have passed he has lived to see this belief substantiated. He is today one of the prosperous citizens of Northwood, with his money in the safest of all investments-real estate -and as a modern economist has expressed it, "there is no better investment in all the world than good productive farm land."

Ole G. Mellem is a retired farmer living at Northwood. For many years he was actively, prominently and successfully identified with agricultural pursuits, but in 1916 put aside the work of the fields and is now enjoying a rest that he has truly earned and richly merits as the reward for his persistent labors of former years. His life record indicates the attractiveness of Worth county as a place of residence and the advantages here afforded, for he is not only a native son of the county, having been born in Northwood, November 23, 1853, but he has the distinction of having been the first white child born in Worth county. His parents were Gulbrand 0. and Carina E. Mellem, who were among the earliest of the pioneer settlers of this section of the state, establishing their home here when the work of progress and improvement seemed scarcely begun in northern Iowa.

Ole G. Mellem spent his youthful days on the old homestead farm, two miles west of Northwood, no event of special importance occurring to vary for him the routine of farm life with its work in the fields and the acquirement of a district school education. After his textbooks were put aside he turned his attention to commercial interests and for two years was employed in the general store of Peterson, Gulickson & Sime, of Northwood. At the end of that time, however, he became convinced that be preferred agriculture as a life work and located on a farm in Kensett township, purchasing two hundred and forty acres of land. With characteristic energy he began its further development and improvement and from time to time be extended the boundaries of his place until he was the owner of four hundred acres, which he continued to cultivate and improve until 1907, when he turned over the management of the property to his son, Gaylord, but continued to reside upon the farm for four years thereafter. He then removed to Northwood but continued to supervise the management of the farm until 1916. In September, 1917, he sold the property and is now enjoying a well earned rest. He is a stockholder in the Worth County State Bank and his other investments have been so judiciously placed that he derives therefrom a very substantial income, supplying him with all of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life.

On May 23, 1883, Mr. Mellem was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Wigen, a native of Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, and a daughter of Ole and Ragnild Wigen, who were natives of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Mellem have become parents of four children: Nettie, the wife of A. E. Hauge; and Gaylord, Ralph and Grace, at home.

Mr. and Mrs. Mellem hold membership in the Norwegian Lutheran church and they are hospitable people who extend good cheer and a cordial welcome to their many friends. In politics Mr. Mellem has always been a republican since attaining adult age, and although he has never sought nor desired public office, has ever been loyal in matters of citizenship and has cooperated heartily in well defined plans and measures for the upbuilding and progress of his city and community.

Erick H. Myli is the owner of an excellent farm property situated on section 7, Danville township, Worth county. He, moreover, is numbered among the native sons of Iowa, his birth having occurred near St. Ansgar, Mitchell county, on the 13th of March, I870, his parents being Halgrim H. and Ingeborg (Teigen) Myli. At the usual age he began his education in the public schools and mastered the branches of learning therein taught. His training in farm work was received under his father's direction and he early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He was ambitious to engage in business on his own account and in early manhood he purchased his present farm of his father, who removed to Hartland township and there bought another tract of land. Erick H. Myli has practically spent his entire life on the farm which is now his place of residence. He has an excellent tract of land, the soil being naturally rich and productive, so that his fields respond readily to the care and labor, which he bestows upon them. Everything about his place is indicative of his careful supervision and progressive methods. The farm is divided into fields of convenient size by well-kept fences and the latest improved machinery is used in promoting the cultivation and care of the crops. There are also good buildings upon the farm to provide ample shelter for grain and stock. In addition to producing the crops best adapted to soil and climatic conditions here, Mr. Myli has become a director of the Farmers' Savings Bank of Hanlontown.

In 1896 was celebrated the marriage of Erick H. Myli and Miss Clara Knutson, a daughter of Elling and Randi (Gilbertson) Knutson Mrs. Myli was born in Danville township, Worth county, while her parents were natives of Norway and came to the new world in one of the old-time sailing vessels, establishing their home near Spring Grove, Minnesota. In 1875 they crossed the border into Iowa and took up their abode in Danville township, Worth county, where Mr. Knutson purchased farm land north of the present home of Mr. Myli. He secured two hundred acres, which he developed and improved, becoming recognized as one of the most progressive agriculturists of the community. He is now living in Kensett, but his wife died a number of years ago. They were both consistent members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. To Mr. and Mrs. Myli have been born ten children: Ruth, Blanche, Hilma, Alva, Ida, Thelma, Edna, Nina, Ethel and Gail.

Mr. and Mrs. Myli adhere to the religious faith in which they were reared and are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and for twenty years he has filled the office of township clerk, making a most creditable record in that position, the duties of which he discharges with marked promptness and fidelity. He has also served as a school director and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. He is actuated by a progressive spirit in all that he undertakes and whatever he attempts he carries forward to successful completion. He is today a prosperous farmer and is highly esteemed by all who know him, having many admirable and sterling traits of character which have won him warm regard and friendship.

Halgrim H. Myli is the owner of a well-developed farm on 160 acres situated on section 15, Hartland township. Worth county is largely indebted to those of Norwegian birth and descent for her development. The unremitting industry which characterizes the sons of Norway has wrought for the continued improvement of the agricultural interests of this section of the state. Among those who have come from the land of the midnight sun and are now actively engaged in general farming in Worth county is Halgrim H. Myli, who was born in Hallingdal on the 16th of October, 1846, a son of Halgrim and Randi (Trulsdatter) Myli. The parents were also natives of Norway, where they were reared and educated. Following their marriage they began their domestic life in that country and continued residents of Norway until called the home beyond, never coming to the United States.

Halgrim H. Myli, whose name introduces this review, spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native country, remaining under his father's roof until 1867, when at the age of twenty-one years he bade adieu to friends and family and sailed for the United States, crossing the Atlantic on one of the old-time sailing ships that made Quebec its port of destination. He then proceeded westward to Rock Prairie, Wisconsin, where he was employed at farm work for a time, but eventually he came to Iowa, making his way first to St. Ansgar. For a year thereafter he was employed as a farm hand in Mitchell county, and on the expiration of that period began the cultivation of a tract of rented land, which he operated for three years. He then removed to Danville township, Worth county, where he invested in 80 acres of land, to which he added until he was the owner of a quarter section. He afterward sold that farm to his son, Erick H., and in 1891 purchased his present property, comprising 160 acres on section 15, Hartland township, on which he erected new buildings. Upon this place he has since made his home and has today one of the highly developed farm properties of the township, his fields having been brought under an advanced state of cultivation, while all of the accessories and conveniences of a model farm of the 20th century are to be found upon his land.

In April. 1967, in Norway, Mr. Myli was united in marriage to Miss Ingeborg Teigen, a native of that country and a daughter of Halvor and Ingeborg Teigen. Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Myli set sail for the United States. They have become parents of nine children, namely: Halgrim, Halvor, Erick H., Randena, Ingeborg, Anna, Carolina, Knute and Henry.

Mr. Myli has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he has found the opportunities which he sought, and in their utilization has made steady progress along the highroad to success. He is now most comfortably situated in life, deriving from his farm a gratifying annual income which supplies him with all the necessities and many of the luxuries of life.

Ole H. Myli, who follows farming in Danville township, his home being on section 7, is well know in Worth county as a progressive and representative agriculturist. He was born in Ness, Hallingdal, Norway, on the 31st of March, 1849, and is a son of Halgron and Randi (Trulsdater) Myli. The parents were also natives of Norway, were the father devoted his life to farming, and both passed away in that country..

Ole H. Myli spent his youthful days in Norway, where he remained to the age of eighteen years and then located south of St. Ansgar, in Mitchell county, Iowa, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land. This he developed and improved, continuing the cultivation of that farm for seven years, Previous to this time he had bought eighty acres east of Moriah, in Mitchell county and he also cultivated that farm for period of three years. At a later date he came to Worth county, establishing his home in Danville township. It was in 1880 that he became owner by purchase of his present farm, which comprises two hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land. The excellent improvements upon his farm are an indication of his progressive spirit. He started in life without means and is today the owner of an excellent property from which he derives a substantial annual income. He works diligently and there are few idle hours in his life. Moreover, he has studied the best methods of tilling the soil and he practices the rotation of crops, so that he keeps his fields in good condition.

In 1870 Mr. Myli was united in marriage to Miss Ingre Olson a daughter of Ole and Carrie Haugen, who were natives of Norway, Mrs. and Mrs. Myli have become parents of thirteen children: Randena, Helmer, Carolina, Betsy, Olaf, Tilda, Olaf, Teman, Carl, Alma, Eddie, Inga and Clara.

In political faith Mr. Myli is a republican, while his religious belief is that of the Norwegian Lutheran church of which his wife is also a member, Mr. Myli came to the new world a poor boy, He spent seven weeks on the ocean as passenger on a sailing vessel and when the long and tedious voyage was complete he disembarked from the ship Oscar and stared westward to find a home in the United States. Most of the intervening time has been passed in Iowa and for long period he has been a resident of Worth county. While he came to the new world with very little means, he has steadily advanced through his earnest efforts and is today the owner of one of the valuable and productive farms of Worth county. His life illustrates what can accomplished by individual effort, supplemented by integrity of purpose an honorable dealing.