A. G. Olson, P.O. Lansing; farmer, sec. 21; son of Andrew and Bertha Olson; born December 19, 1830, in Sweden: emigrated to the United States in 1853, stopping in Rock Island county, Ill., till in 1854, when his parents also came from the old country, and they all came on to Allamakee County in a steamboat up the Mississippi River to Lansing. The cholera prevailed to a considerable extent on the vessel, from the effects of which his mother died soon after reaching here. Center Township, there then being few families in the township. He was married to Miss Anna C. Lindburg, January 6, 1855; their children are Mary A., Albert G. and Ada E. Mr. O. now owns nearly 200 acres of land, mostly on the Village Creek bottom, which is considered far superior to the high lands. He is one of the enterprising men of his township, having served his township in some official capacity, most of the time since living in it, and is at present one of the trustees. pg 519

L. Olson, farmer, was born in Norway in 1834. In 1854 he came to America and settled in Village Creek. He was engaged in the mercantile business in Lansing for a number of years, has also carried on the same business in Village Creek, and in 1882 settled on his present farm. He married Christina Carleson in 1856. Their children are Carl, Albert, Leonard S., Elizabeth and Caroline. pg 519-520

H. F. Opfer, dealer in hardware, farming implements and machinery. This enterprising young merchant is a son of Simon and Christena Opfer, and was born in Sheboygan County, Wis., in 1853. In 1865 he came with his parents to Iowa and settled in Allamakee County. Here he helped till the soil until 1870, at which time he entered the store of W. C. Earle, where he served as clerk for over six years. He now concluded to engage in business for himself, and in April, 1877, opened a hardware store. The year following he removed to his present location, and is meeting with marked success, carrying a stock of about $5,000. He also does an extensive business in farming implements and machinery. Mr. Opfer was married in 1879 to Miss Mary Hager, and now has two children, Elmer G. and Leonard J. pg 518

Simon Opfer, farmer, sec. 22, Ludlow Township; P.O. Waukon; a native of Germany, born in 1822. In the fall of 1849 he was married to Christina Stuckman, and in 1851 emigrated to the U.S., and first settled in Sheboygan County, Wis. In 1865 he removed to Iowa and located in Allamakee County. Mr. Opfer has been quite successful in the accumulation of this world's goods, as he now owns 532 acres of land, a house and lot in Waukon, and the store now occupied by his son. The children are Simon and Henry F. pg 519

James Orr, Postville, farmer; owns 280 acres of land valued at $50 per acre. He was born in Ireland in 1829, his parents immigrating to the United States in 1834, locating in Schuyler county, N.Y. He received his education in the common schools and at the Plattsburg and Starkey seminaries; followed teaching several winters in New York and six terms since coming to Iowa. In 1855 he came to Allamakee County, Iowa. He married Miss M. A. Ellison, January 1st, 1856. She is a native of New York; they have seven children, Ellison J., Darius S., Frank M., Mary E., Jennie B., Carrie and Ollie. Mr. O. has served in several important positions in his township, and is a prominent and influential citizen. pg 519

J. L. Orre, dealer in hardware; was born in Norway in 1852. In 1854 the family emigrated to the U.S. and settled in Allamakee County. Here J. L. received a common school education and helped till the soil until 1873, at which time he entered the store of L. Olson, Lansing, for whom he clerked one year, then dealt in agricultural implements and machinery until July, 1879, when he removed to Waukon and established his present business; carries a stock of from $4,000 to 5,000. He was married in 1876 to Mary Ann Hansen, and has two children, Herman and Tinka. pg 519