John Langseth Biography >From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. Surnames: Langseth, Soleberg, Tarbet, Rothstein, Innes, Young. John Langseth, who is the president of the Dixon Savings Bank and for more than a quarter of a century has been connected with the stock business in Iowa, was born in Christiania, Norway, September 29, 1846, a son of Hans and Christina (Soleberg) Langseth, who were natives of the same place as their son. The father followed farming somewhat in the old country and accordingly in 1854 came to America. He settled first in Rock Island, Illinois, where he secured work as a laborer, a few years later he resumed farming, to which he devoted himself with good success. In 1864 he moved his family to Scott county, Iowa, and in Allens Grove township secured a tract of land, which remained his home throughout the remaining years of his life. Two children were born to him and his wife: John, the subject of this sketch; and Mrs. Mary Tarbet, of Calamus, Clinton county, Iowa. John Langseth accompanied his parents when they came to the Unites States and on their removal to Scott county, living with them in Allens Grove township, until 1871,w hen he married and set out to make his own way in the world. For five years he worked on a farm in this county and then engaged in mercantile business in Buena Vista, Clinton county, which he conducted for about twenty years. At the end of that period, in 1896, he sold his store and went to Wright county, spending five years there, although he did not relinquish his connection with business during that time but was actively engaged in buying and selling stock. He returned to Dixon in 1904. In September of the following year Mr. Langseth became instrumental in the organization of the Dixon Savings Bank, of which he was elected president, and in this capacity he has continued to guide the policy of the institution. It is a flourishing concern, supplying a long felt want in the community, but while it has given ! a field for the exercise of the pronounced business ability which is one of Mr. Langseth's predominant characteristics, it has not wholly absorbed his time, for he is still interested in the buying and selling of stock, in which he has engaged, in connection with his other enterprises, for more than twenty-five years. It has been one avenue through which success has come to him, although in this as in the other walks of life, his good fortune has been dependent upon those sterling qualities of manhood which came to him as a heritage from his father. The latter was one of the substantial citizens of his community, although he ad come to this country a poor man, and, profiting by his example, the son has risen to a position of honor, respect and prosperity among those with whom he has come in contact. It was in 1871 that Mr. Langseth was united in marriage to Miss Ellen E. Rothstein, who was born in Mexico, Pennsylvania, June 29, 1850. In her infancy she was adopted by F. E. Rothstein, and at the age of two years was taken by him to California, where she lived for about seven years. At the end of that time she came to Scott county and was living in Allens Grove at the time of her marriage. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Langseth, namely: Elizabeth, now the wife of James A. Innes, of Eagle Grove, Iowa; Mary Elizabeth, the wife of J. F. Young, of Oklahoma; Ruth Irene, a senior at the State College at Ames, Iowa; John F., who died in 1885 at the age of seven; and Ervin S., who also passed away in that year when he was three years old. Mr. Langseth is a member of Dixon Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and of the Masonic Lodge at Wheatland. In both of these societies he is very active and plays a prominent part in their work and social affairs. Indeed he is a man who makes his way to the fore in whatever he undertakes, and the community feels the effect of his energetic personality and his power to accomplish the things upon which he sets his determination. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann Assist. CC: Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm. for: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES