|
Biographical Sketches |
Biographical Sketches
Last Name |
First Name |
Sketch |
|
|
|
BAGAASEN |
O. K. |
BOOK - HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY, MN. PUBLISHED IN 1911. O. K. Bagaasen, an industrious farmer who for many years
has resided in the township of Bancroft, is the son of K. 0. and
Elena (Larson) Bagaasen. The mother came to the United
States from Norway in 1850 with her parents and they located in
Wisconsin, and the father left the land of his birth and emigrated
to this country five years later. When the war between the North
and South began, the father enlisted and served his adopted
country until the end of the struggle; he was honorably discharged
and returned to his home and later was married. To.
this marriage four children were born; Martina, the wife of Ed
Blagen, of Roseau county; Bertha, now Mrs. Anton Ingbritsen;
Dora, the wife of Mr. Johnson, of the Albert Lea Creamery; O.
K., the eldest, who is the subject of this biography and was born
February 19, 1868. He owns 160 acres of land in Bancroft township
and carries on general farming, and he is also interested to
some extent in dairying; he keeps about twenty-five cows for
this purpose and disposes of their milk to the Albert Lea Creamery.
He lives in the comfortable house which his father erected,
but he has built new and commodious barns and a silo, and in
many respects made his farm one of the well improved and valuable
farms in the township. By his wife, Hanna, his home has
been blessed by two children, Obie and Grant, the latter of whom
is deceased. Mr. Bagaasen votes with the Republican party and
has been elected to serve in various offices in his township, among
which are his service as assessor for a term of four years, in
which capacity he gave general satisfaction to the residents of
the town. He is a member of the United Norwegian Lutheran
church of Albert Lea, and a contributor to its support. Source: HISTORY OF
FREEBORN COUNTY, MN. PUBLISHED IN 1911.
|
BERTILRUD |
SYVER G. |
THE
BOOK OF MINNESOTANS - 1907 - ALBERT NELSON MARQUIS:
BERTILRUD, Syver G., county auditor; born in Norway, Nov. 7, 1865; son
of Gulbrand Baardson and Kjersti I. (Sorlie) Bertilrud; educated in
common schools at Hedalen. Valders. Raised by poor parents on small
farm; assisted in support of family while growing up; came to America,
1885, and began as laborer at Portland, N. D., continuing until 1889;
settled on a homestead in Roseau Co., Minn., 1889, later Kittson Co.,
and engaged in farming; elected assessor for town of Dieter, 1892-93.
treasurer. 1894, and assessor, 1897; appointed by Gov. Nelson as a
member of the first county board of Roseau Co., 1895; elected judge of
probate. Roseau Co., Nov., 1897, and re-elected. 1900: deputy county
auditor, 1903-05; elected county auditor Nov., 1904, and re-elected
Nov., 1906. Republican (formerly Populist.) Member Modern Woodmen of
America. Unmarried. Address: Roseau, Minn.
|
CHRISTENSON |
ANDREW A. |
BOOK
- HISTORY OF LYON COUNTY, MINNESOTA. PUB. IN 1912.
ANDREW A. CHRISTENSON (1872) is a former sheriff of Lyon county and one
of its pioneer settlers. He served the county in the capacity of sheriff
twelve years and was on the police force at Tracy five years. He is
assistant sergeant at arms of the Minnesota State Senate, having
received the appointment in January, 1911. He is a native of Norway,
born October 19, 1863. and came to the United States when one and
one-half years of age. He located in Allamakee county, Iowa, where he
resided until 1872.
In the latter year our subject came to Lyon county and located in Monroe
township, where his father homesteaded the southwest quarter of section
28, and resided there several years. He then started the struggle of
life for himself, working at farm labor, on the section, and for two
years was a fireman on the Northwestern railroad. He later served five
years on the Tracy police force and was elected sheriff of Lyon in 1894
and served twelve years. He then spent four years on his farm in Monroe
township and in 1910 moved to Tracy, where he has since resided.
Our subject is a son of Andrew and Annie (Thorson) Christeuson, the
former of whom resides in Tracy at the age of eighty-two years, and the
latter is deceased. They were the parents of six children: C. A., of
Roseau county, Minnesota: Andrew of this sketch; Christina, of Omaha;
and Thomas, demand Martin, all deceased.
The subject of this review is a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter.
Comniandery. Shrine and Eastern Star of the Masonic
order. He also holds membership in the K. P. lodge of Tracy.
On December 23, 1890, occurred the marriage of Mr. Christenson to Mattie
Hanson, who was born in Fillmore county, Minnesota, May 22, 1863.
|
DAVIES |
FRANK P. |
BOOK
- HISTORY OF MORRISON & TODD COUNTIES , MN. PUB. 1915.
FRANK P. DAVIES.
Frank P. Davies, a prosperous farmer of Round Prairie township, Todd
county, Minnesota, is a native of Blue Earth county, Minnesota, where he
was born on August 16, 1858. Mr. Davies is a son of Alvin and Sarah M.
(Ives) Davies, the former of whom was a native of Oneida and the latter
of St. Lawrence counties, New York.
After the marriage of Alvin and Sarah M. (Ives) Davies in New York
state, they came west to the state of Wisconsin and for a time resided
in Fond du Lac. From Fond du Lac they moved to Belle Plaine, in Scott
county, Minnesota, in 1856, and after living there for a short time
moved to Blue Earth county, Minnesota, and pre-empted a tract of land
where they lived until 1884. In that year the parents moved to Todd
county and purchased a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, which
is now occupied by their son, Frank P. Mr. Davies' father died in June,
1897, and his mother in December, 1895. They were the parents of six
children, five of whom are living, Henry, who is a resident of Roseau
county, Minnesota; Frank P., the subject of this sketch; Minnie E., the
wife of Edwin E. Blake, of Orofino, Idaho; Charles J., who is a resident
of Kermit, North Dakota, and Carrie B., who is the wife of William
Scoles, of Idaho. Jerome, the second child in the family, was a resident
of Round Prairie township and died in 1912.
Frank P. Davies received a good education in the common schools of Blue
Earth county, Minnesota, and later attended the state normal school at
Mankato. After completing his education, he was engaged in teaching
school for twelve years. For the first five years he devoted his
attention exclusively to teaching but during the next seven years taught
school in the winter and farmed in the summer. He now owns one hundred
and sixty acres of well-improved land in Round Prairie township, upon
which he has erected a splendid house which is modern in every respect.
He has made a specialty of stock raising and now has a fine herd of
Holstein and Jersey cattle. He is president of the Little Sauk Rural
Telephone Company and a member of the Live Stock Shipping Association of
Gray Eagle.
On March 22, 1882, Frank P. Davies was married to Olive A. Foster, who
is a daughter of Joseph F. and Susan A. (Williams) Foster. Mrs. Davies
was born in Dodge county, Wisconsin. Her father was a native of New York
state and her mother of Vermont. They came to Minnesota in pioneer
times and settled in Blue Earth county. Mrs. Davies' father died in that
county and her mother in Le Sueur county.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank P. Davies have been the parents of five children,
four of whom are living and one died in infancy. The living children
are, Ida B., the wife of Clarence E. Pearl, of Saskatchewan, Canada; Fay
O., who married Lawrence Claffy, of Two Harbors, Minnesota; Benjamin
H., and Ives W., both of whom are at home.
Mr. Davies' father served three years as a member of Company E, Ninth
Regiment, Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil War. His father
was an ardent Republican in politics and his son is also identified
with this party. Frank P. Davies has been clerk of Round Prairie
township since March, 1915, and was formerly supervisor of the township.
He has also served as a school director. Mr. Davies is a member of Sons
of Veterans and the Modern Woodmen of America. The Davies family all
belong to the Congregational church.
|
DETERS |
FRED |
BOOK - HISTORY OF HOUSTON COUNTY, MN., PUBLISHED IN 1919.
Fred Deters, one of the wealthiest citizens of Winnebago township, the
owner of valuable farm lands, both in this township and elsewhere, is a
man who has attained prosperity through his own enterprise and ability.
He was born in Westphalen, Germany, Sept. 7, 1855, son of John and
Bernadina (Meiners) Deters, and came to the United States with his
parents at the age of 9 years, arriving in Houston county, Minnesota,
July 8, 1864. The family setled immediately on Portland Prairie, the
parents
buying a farm near Eitzen, Winnebago township. It was but a small place
of 40 acres, but before his death, John Deters had acquired 280 acres of
land. His wife Bernadina died in 1874. Fred Deters attended common
school for a while in Eitzen village, and for seven years was associated
with his father in the development of the home farm. On March 17, 1879,
he
marrried Louisa, daughter of Barney and Maria (Stenkel) Brinker, of
Allamakee county, Iowa, and brought his bride to his parents' farm, on
which they spent their first year of domestic life. In the spring of
1880
Mr. Deters moved onto a farm of 120 acres, belonging to his father, in
sec- 36
tion 30. Winnebago township, and for four or five years operated it as
a renter, subsequently purchasing the place. Then in 1893 he bought an
improved 80-acre farm in the same section, the buildings on which,
however,
were only fair. These he has improved or replaced by new ones,
and his land being united has now a fine farm of 270 acres, of which 250
are under the plow and both well tilled and well fenced, the fencing
being
hogproof. The house, which he has enlarged and improved, is a two-story
upright with wing, and contains 13 rooms. It is well painted and stands
in a fine yard, there being an abundance of shrubbery. Mr. Deters also
built a frame barn, measuring 40 by 90 by 18 feet, with full 8-foot
stone
basement. He has also a hog house, 22 by 52, with cement floors; a
granary,
machine shed, poultry house, wagon shed and garage, all the buildings
being
in good condition. The farm is very productive and is near convenient
markets and shipping points, it being eleven miles south of Caledonia,
and
nine miles northwest of New Albin, Iowa. Mr. Deters also owns a well
improved
farm of 240 acres near Beltrami, in Polk county, Minn., and a 280-
acre farm in Alberta, Canada, besides having land interests in the state
of
Washington. Though still residing on his farm in Winnebago township, it
is now rented to one of his sons, Mr. Deters himself being practically
retired,
but makes annual visits to his property in the various localities,
exercising
a careful supervision over it. The winter of 1917-18 he and his
wife spent in California at the home of a son, being from home five
months.
In addition to the interests already mentioned, he is also a shareholder
in
the Eitzen Co-operative Creamery, the Caledonia Stock and Grain Company,
the Farmers' Co-operative Mercantile Company of Eitzen, the Mutual
Iron Mining Company of Duluth, and the Western Mortgage & Loan
Company
of Minneapolis. In politics he has always been a Republican, and for
a number of years was town supervisor, also serving as chairman of the
board. In church matters he has also been prominent and is still active,
he and his family belonging to the German Evangelical congregation at
Eitzen. Mr. and Mrs. Deters are the parents of eight children: Alfrida,
born Feb. 12, 1880, who is the wife of August Wiegrefe, of Wilmington
township; Rosina, born May 21, 1881, who is now Mrs. William Wiebke, of
Caledonia City; August, born Nov. 23, 1883, who is expert mechanic in an
auto garage at Ventura, Calif.; Malinda, born April 3, 1885, now Mrs.
Edward Freiberg, of Eitzen Village, her husband being a blacksmith and
dealer in agriculutral implements; Alfred, born April 21, 1887, a farmer
in
Winnebago township; Martha, born June 17, 1889, who is now Mrs. Roy
Smith of Roseau county, Minn.; Jennie, born Feb. 15, 1893, now Mrs.
Henry
Nolte, of Polk county, Minn.; and Elmer, who is now engaged in operating
the home farm. Mr. Deters has just erected on his old home farm, a
beautiful modern bungalow, comfortable and sightly, where he and his
good wife will spend the afternoon of life after a busy career filled
with
worthy effort.
|
DUNDAS |
JOHN |
BOOK - COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY & BIOGRAPHY OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA,
PUBLISHED 1902.
Dundas, John. The successful pursuit of farming requires a thorough
knowledge of a diversity of subjects and practical experience
contributes largely to this knowledge. The gentleman above named has
devoted his life to the calling of an agriculturist and his wide
knowledge of times and seasons and his close observation of nature and
results have served him well. He is a scientific and methodical farmer
and has a home of great comfort in section 15 of Bloomer township and is
one of the highly esteemed citizens of Marshall county. His farm
consists of one hundred and sixty acres and he crops annually about
three hundred acres. Mr. Dundas was born in Forfarshire, Scotland,
December 13, 1839. After attaining his majority he was engaged as
foreman for Mr. Faireweather in Scotland, and as land steward near
Montrose. He resided in his native land until 1882 and then decided to
try his fortunes in the new world. His sons had taken up their residence
in Marshall county, Minnesota, and the possibilities afforded in the
northwest were presented to the father and he accordingly crossed the
ocean and upon his arrival became satisfied of good results from careful
tillage of the soil and the improvement of the region by the pioneers
and accordingly settled there. He purchased the land in Bloomer township
on which he now makes his home and for four years worked Mr.
Winchester's farm in Polk county. In 1887 he took up his residence on
his own land and has since improved the same and developed a valuable
estate. Painstaking care is evidenced on the farm and the yield is
always good and the farm well managed in every detail. Mr. Dundas has
accumulated for himself and family a good home in Minnesota and is
thoroughly identified with the advancement and development of his
adopted state. Mr. Dundas was married in 1860 to Willimina Urquhart. The
forty years of their married life has been blessed by the birth of
eleven children, ten of whom are now living, namely: Mary Ann, now Mrs.
Carnegie; Thomas, engaged in farming in North Dakota; Christina, then
Mrs. Williams, who was killed by lightning in 1895; James O., a
prosperous farmer of Marshall county; John R., also farming in Marshall
county; Wilhelmina, now Mrs. Cargill; David, clerking in Argyle;
Katherine, now Mrs. Anderson, residing in Roseau county; Margaret, a
teacher attending the St. Cloud Normal; Susanna F., also a teacher by
profession; Charles, a teacher, residing at home. Al the children are
natives of Scotland. Mr. Dundas is a man of broad mind and active public
spirit but does not seek public preferment. He is non-partisan in
politics and lends his influence for good government, national and
local, and is deservedly one of the respected and esteemed citizens of
his township.
|
ECK |
AARON |
BOOK - COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY & BIOGRAPHY OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA,
PUBLISHED 1902.
Eck, Aaron. Aaron Eck, chief of police of Crookston, is a popular and
efficient city official. He is a gentleman of stability of character, is
energetic and intelligent, and has made his way in the world through
these characteristics and counts a host of friends in Polk county. Mr.
Eck was born on the farm Hvilstad, Hackvad, Orebro, Sweden, July 1,
1866, and was the youngest of a family of three children born to Olaf
and Caroline (Anderson) Eck. The father died when our subject was but
six months of age after a lingering illness which left the family in
destitute circumstances. The mother survives and makes her home in
Crookston. As a boy of tender years our subject began to make his own
living working on a farm. In 1883, when he was seventeen years of age,
he received a ticket from his brother who had been in America about ten
months, and he immediately embarked for the new world. He arrived at
Quebec October 28, 1883, and made his way to Ashland, Wisconsin, which
was then but a small village. He worked at odd jobs until winter and
then in December went to the Wisconsin woods as a lumber jack. He went
to Minneapolis in 1884 and in August went to the harvest fields of
Dakota, remaining near Fargo until the fall of 1885. He then went to
Roseau county in search of land and in the wilderness he and two
companions spent three months among the Indians. They paid their
expenses by hunting and trapping, but the land did not suit and in the
spring of 1886 Mr. Eck went to Crookston. He entered the employ of the
Red River Lumber Company and was in their employ nine years, and became
an expert lumber grader and served three years as shipping clerk. He
joined the police force of Crookston in 1895 and in January 1901 was
advanced to the office of chief of police of Crookston, a position
acquired through his efficient and faithful service. Mr. Eck was married
in 1893 to Miss Mary Nyquist. Five children have been born to Mr. and
Mrs. Eck, namely: Agnes, Algate, Lizzie, Ellen and Harry L. Mr. Eck is
nonpartisan in politics and lends hi influence for good government,
local and national. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United
Workmen.
|
ELLINGSON |
ERICK |
BOOK - HISTORY OF RICE & STEELE COUNTIES VOL I & II 1910.
Erick Ellingson was born in Berlin township, Steele
county,
Minnesota, on December 24, 1877, he is a son of Elling
and Anna
(Lee) Ellingson, and a brother of Elling E. Ellingson
with whom
he is conducting a general merchandise business at
Ellendale
under the firm name of Ellingson Brothers. Erick
received his
education at the public schools and attended the Grand
Forks
College at Grand Forks, N. D., and also attended
Concorda
College at Morehead, Minn. After leaving school he
entered
the store of his brother at Meckinock, N. D., for one
and onehalf
years and then went to Roseau county, Minnesota,
where,
in the year 1900, he homesteaded 160 acres which he
proved up
and on which he remained until 1905, when he entered
into copartnership
with his brother, Elling at Ellendale, Minn., and has
continued in the business since that time. He was
married
December 31, 1901, to Miss Catherine Thoreson and five
children
have been born to them-Alma E., Irene T., Ernest M.,
Mildred
L., and Carl J. Mr. Ellingson is a member of the
Norwegian
Lutheran Church, and in his political views he is a
Socialist.
He is a justice of the peace of Ellendale. He has
succeeded by
hard work and strict attention to business and is a
good citizen,
having won the confidence and respect of all who know
him.
|
FIFIELD |
GEORGE F. |
BOOK
- HISTORY OF LYON COUNTY, MINNESOTA. PUB. IN 1912.
GEORGE F. FIFIELD (1886) has lived in Lyon county since he was eleven
years of age and is a farmer and land owner of Rock Lake and Shelburne
townships. He engages quite extensively in stock raising, farms 380
acres in the two townships, and owns eighty acres in Shelburne township
and 160 acres in Roseau county, Minnesota.
The parents of our subject were Ira A. and Emily E. (Rueber) Fifield,
natives, respectively, of New Hampshire and New York. They came to Lyon
county In 1886, bought land in Lyons township, and resided on the farm
there until their deaths. The father died in 1903, the mother in 1909.
They were the parents of nine children, as
follows: Nellie (Mrs. William Buell), of Roseau county, Minnesota; May
(Mrs. S. Goodmund), of Lyons township; Ella (Mrs. J. W. Andrews),
deceased; Ann (Mrs. W. E. Magandy), of Tyler; George F., of this review;
James, deceased; Charles, of Minneapolis; Walter and Elmer, of Lyons
township.
The gentleman whose history we are chronicling was born in Wabasha
county. Minnesota, October 10, 1875. He came to Lyon county with the
family in 1886, attended district school until nineteen years of age,
and worked for his father on the Lyons township farm until after
reaching his majority. Then he was married and engaged in farming in
Lyons township three years. He conducted a meat market in Balaton six
months and then went North, to Roseau county. Minnesota. There he
secured a homestead and resided two years. Upon his return to Lyon
county he engaged in farming in Shelburne and Rock Lake townships and
has since been so engaged. He raises Durham cattle and Poland China
hogs.
Mr. Fifield has stock in the Lyon County Co-operative Company of Balaton
and he has been treasurer of school district No. 60 for the past six
years. He is a member and one of the trustees of the Presbyterian church
of Russell and holds membership in the Workmen and Woodmen lodges of
the same village.
The marriage of Mr. Fifleld to Mary L. Persons was solemnized in Rock
Lake township June 28, 1899. She was born in the township in which she
was married August 19, 1879. Her parents, Orville E. and Ella (Weeks)
Persons, were among the first settlers of Rock Lake township and resided
on their homestead until 190£. Then they moved to Clarkston,
Washington, where they now live.
Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fifleld, of whom four are
living. Their names and dates of births are as follows: Arthur R., born
November 24, 1901; Elsie, deceased, born November 6, 1902; Harold G.,
born April 12, 1906; Addle, deceased, born April 11, 1908; Beatrice,
born January 23, 1910; Ethel, born June 13, 1912.
|
FLINT |
ALBERT |
BOOK - COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY & BIOGRAPHY OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA,
PUBLISHED 1902.
Flint, Albert. Albert Flint, a well known and successful farmer of
section 20 in Leaf Valley township, is one of the worthy citizens of
Douglas county. Mr. Flint was born in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, June
7, 1852, and was a son of Major and Eliza (Sartwell) Flint, the former a
native of Canada and the latter of New Hampshire. The father, now
deceased, was born February 11, 1815, near Montreal, Canada, and removed
with his parents to Vermont when he was a child. He was reared and
educated in the Green Mountain state and as his father was a farmer he
assisted when a boy and youth in the farm work, and thus received
practical instruction and knowledge of this business and chose
agriculture as his future occupation. When a young man he left his home
in Vermont and traveled to Illinois, and for a time resided near
Rockford, and later removed to Galena. In 1858 he went to Minnesota and
pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres of land in Fillmore county, which
he farmed successfully for nine years. He sold his farm in 1867 and
removed to Douglas county in which year he bought a homestead claim of
one hundred and sixty acres in sections 21 and 22 in Leaf Valley
township and became one of the early settlers of that locality. During
the same year he built a good log house upon the place which
subsequently formed part of a modern and substantial residence which was
erected in 1887. He followed diversified farming and erected good barns
and other buildings for the protection of his grain and stock. At one
time he was engaged extensively in sheep culture, and was considered one
of the most successful and progressive agriculturists of his township.
He was married at Galena, Illinois, December 30, 1848, to Eliza
Sartwell, daughter of Royal and Elvira (Evans) Sartwell, both of whom
were natives of New Hampshire, and were of English-Irish descent. Major
Flint and wife became the parents of seven children, five of whom are
now living, and are as follows: Jane, now Mrs. Lorenzo Peck, residing on
the home farm and managing the same for the mother; Albert, our
subject; Ellen, wife of E. L. Thompson, a farmer of Roseau county,
Minnesota; Elvira, engaged in teaching and resides with her mother in
Alexandria; Frank E., a merchant at Garfield, Douglas county. Major
Flint died June 6, 1896, and his death was deeply mourned by his
relatives and many friends. The widow now makes her home in Alexandria.
Albert Flint received his education in the public schools of Fillmore
counth, Minnesota, and as soon as he was able to work assisted on his
father�s farm. He followed farming with his father and resided at home
until he was thirty-three years of age, and in 1885 bought an improved
farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 20 and section 29 in Leaf
Valley township. It had upon it a small dwelling house which he
supplanted with a much better building in 1897. He had previously
erected a barn, granary and other buildings necessary for conducting a
farm and he has met with success in diversified farming. He has some
stock and a good drove of hogs and keeps sufficient number of horses for
farm use. He has about ninety-five acres under cultivation and raises a
good crop of wheat, oats, corn, etc., annually. The farm is situated
about two miles west of Spring lake on the prairie, and the residence
and other buildings are surrounded by groves of shade trees. When he was
a boy Mr. Flint wintnessed the planting of these trees by the original
owner of the place. Mr. Flint is an independent voter and lends his
influence for good government, local and national.
|
JOHNSON |
OLE |
BOOK - HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY, MN. PUBLISHED IN 1911.
Ole Johnson, who is a veteran of the Civil War, is a native
of Norway, and was born October 28, 1842, son of John and
Anna Johnson, who came to America with son Ole in 1861, and
located in Iowa. From here they moved to Freeman township,
this county, in 1871, and here they lived with subject of this
sketch until their death, the father dying in 1886 and the mother
several years before. Ole Johnson received his education in Norway.
When he came to Iowa with his parents in 1861 the recruits
were being sent to the south for the defense of the Union. He enlisted
in Company A, Eighteenth Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry,
and for the whole of the war he suffered the privations and
hardships incident to the life of those who saw the heat of the conflict
and took a part in the strife. Mr. Johnson is very modest
in regard to his experiences in the war, but it is certain that he
performed his duties honorably, as he was held in high regard by
his comrades. On returning from the war he at once took up
the pursuits of peace, in the form of agriculture on his farm in
Iowa, and later in Freeman township, where he settled in 1871.
To his original 160 acres he added, and now has over 400 acres.
He has engaged in diversified farming, and has made a special
effort to raise a good grade of Shorthorn stock and keep an
up-to-date dairy farm. On his well equipped farm he has made
all the improvements. In 1866 Mr. Johnson married Bertha
Erickson, who died in 1873. To this union was born one child,
Carl, of St. Louis county, Minnesota. In 1875 Mrs. Anna Groven
(she had one daughter by her first marriage-Avena, now Mrs.
T. Lundwal, of Roseau county) became his second wife, and to
them were born six children: Reinert, at home; Hanna, now of
Albert Lea; Andrew, of Washington, and Alexander, Harold and
Agnes are at home. The subject of this biography is a member
of the Lutheran Church. He is a Republican and has held
offices of trust at various times, among which were several terms
as member of the school board.
|
KEEFE |
ALBERT |
BOOK - HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY, MN. PUBLISHED IN 1911.
Albert Keefe, an industrious farmer of Waltham township,
was born in Bombay, N. Y., May 20, 1871, son of John T. and
Maryann (Kerby) Keefe. He came to Minnesota with his parents,
attended school in district 50, Udolpho, and assisted his father
on the farm. When twenty-seven years of age he married Mary
Driscoll, daughter of Michael and Catherine (Pendergast) Driscoll,
the former of whom was born in Ireland, came to America,
located in Chicago, came to Udolpho, lived eighteen years on the
George B. Hayes farm, and afterward lived twenty years in Red
Rock township, subsequently going to Virginia, in this state,
where he now lives. Albert Keefe and wife lived five years in
Newry, Freeborn county, and then came to Udolpho and located
on the Stimson place. They are now on the Budahn farm in
Waltham township. They are the parents of three bright children:
William H., aged ten; Irene S., aged nine, and Margaret,
aged one. Mr.Keefe owns 160 acres in the township of Badger,
Roseau county, Minn. le is a modern farmer and his wife has
proven an intelligent and sympathetic helpmeet.
|
LOFGREN |
PETER |
THE
BOOK OF MINNESOTANS - 1907 - ALBERT NELSON MARQUIS:
LOFGREN, Peter, general merchandise; born at Grangarde, Sweden, Aug. 23,
1858; son of Lof J. Janson and Kristina (Ersson) Lofgren; attended
public schools of Sweden; came to America, May, 1880; took course in
commercial law and business in Bryant & Stratton's Business College,
Chicago. Ill. Engaged in mining at Norway, Mich., 1880, to April, 1883;
removed to Stephen, Minn., and worked at carpenter's trade until Oct.,
1883; engaged in mercantile business as head clerk for Julin &
Larson of Chicago, until spring of 1887; associated with William Merdink
and bought the stock, engaging in business as Lofgren & Merdink;
built store at Pelan, Minn., and moved there, taking charge, 1889;
dissolved partnership, 1901, retaining store at Pelan; also operating
store at Karlstad,Minn., built, Sept., 1904. Half owner Karlstad Roller
Mills and Elevator Co. Vice president and director State Bank of Pelan,
State Bank of Karlstad. Roosevelt Republican. Justice of the peace, 18
years; president of village council 6 years at Stephen, 2 years at
Pelan; member school boards for 16 years. Also a farmer and owner of
over 3,000 acres of land in Kittson and Roseau counties. Member M. W. A.
Married at Norway. Mich., May 28, 1882, to Miss Krlstina L. Spjut; five
sons and one daughter living;—Arthur, William, David. Gust, Axel and
Cecilia; ono son, Peter, died. 1898, at age of 11. Address: Pelan, Minn. |
MEYER |
RUDOLPH A. T. |
BOOK
- HISTORY OF LYON COUNTY, MINNESOTA. PUB. IN 1912.
RUDOLPH A. T. MEYER (1901) is the owner of one of the best farms in
Vallers township. It is improved with a good set of buildings and is
tiled and fenced. The farm consists of 240 acres and is described as the
southeast quarter of section 20 and the north half of the southwest
quarter of section 21. Mr. Meyer engages in general farming and raises
Durham cattle and Chester White hogs.
Mr. Meyer's early life was spent in other occupations than farming, many
years having been devoted to a mercantile career. He is a German by
birth, having been born in the province of Mecklenburg June 2, 1852.
When he was one year old he was brought by his parents, Ludvlg F. and
Caroline (Groth) Meyer, to America. The family home was made in Clayton
county, Iowa, and there our subject grew to manhood. He received a good
education, completing it with a course in a commercial college at
Dubuque.
At the age of nineteen young Meyer started out in life for himself. He
taught school in Clayton county four years and in 1875 he and J. W. Ward
opened a general store at Postville, Iowa. For the next eleven years
they carried on the business under the firm name of Ward & Meyer. At
the end of that time the stock was divided and Mr. Meyer, who had
erected a store building, engaged In business alone. Two years later a
fire destroyed his buildIng and all except a small part of his stock. He
closed out the business and turned farmer. After renting land for
several years in Iowa, he came to Lyon county In 1901, bought his
Vallers farm, and has since been engaged in its management.
Mr. Meyer served on the township board five years, was justice of the
peace eight years, and has been treasurer of school district No. 48. He
is a German Lutheran.
Bertha Bander and Rudolph Meyer became man and wife at Lansing, Iowa, on
October 16, 1876. She is also a native of Germany and was born November
12, 1853. To them have been born seven children, named as foUows:
Amanda, the wife of H. P. Maroude; Rudolph, of Vallers township; Albert,
deceased; Elsa, the wife of J. H. Johnson; Paul, of Roseau county, '
Minnesota; Malinda, the wife of Peter Paradis; and Ulrich, who lives
with his parents.
|
MUIR |
JAMES B. |
THE
BOOK OF MINNESOTANS - 1907 - ALBERT NELSON MARQUIS:
MUIR, James B., physician; born In Canada, May 10, 1860; educated in
common schools; Clinton Collegiate Institute, Can.; Bennett Medical
College, Chicago, M.D., C.M., 1885. Began practice at Hamilton, N. D.,
1885; has been located In Roseau, Minn., since 1906. Member Minnesota
State Medical Association, Red River Valley Medical Society. Democrat.
Baptist. Member Masonic order. Address: Roseau, Minn. |
MURNAN |
JAMES L. |
BOOK
- HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY, MN. PUB. 1916
James L. Murnan, a prominent farmer of Bandon township, was born on
section 36, Bandon township, August 7, 1881, son of John and Jane
(Blake) Murnan. The father, when a child, was at Ft. Ridgely during the
Indian outbreak. He homesteaded the southeast quarter of the eastern
half in section 36, Bandon township, where he lived until his death, at
the age of twenty- eight, September 15, 1882, being killed in a
threshing machine. The mother died February 2, 1898, at the age of
forty-two. Besides the subject of this sketch, there was one child, Mary
Jane, born August 21, 1879, now the wife of Thomas J. Maxwell, a farmer
in Eugene, Ore. They have five children: Leonard, James, Mary, William
and an infant. After his mother's death James L. Murnau made his home
with James Maxwell, in Camp township, and attended school until 1900.
Then he worked for his uncle Patrick Murnan, at Kingston, Meeker county,
Minn., and attended school there for two years. Next he homesteaded in
Roseau county, Minn., where he remained for six years. A year was then
spent in Memphis, Tenn., and five years as a carpenter at Fairfax, Minn.
He is now farming on the old home place. He is a member of the Catholic
church and of the K. C. and C. 0. F.
|
NEWHOUSE |
TILFORD N. |
BOOK - HISTORY OF HOUSTON COUNTY, MN., PUBLISHED IN 1919.
Tilford N. Newhouse, now deceased, former superintendent and manager
of the Newhouse Lumber Company of Spring Grove, was born at Newhouse,
Fillmore county, Minn., May 29, 1888, son of Peter and Carrie (Onsgard)
Newhouse. He acquired his primary education in the schools of
Mabel and Spring Grove, and in 1904 entered college at Valparaiso, Ind.,
where he pursued his studies for a year. In 1906 he was graduated from
the Wisconsin Business College of La Crosse. In the meanwhile, when not
actually engaged in study, he had become associated with his father in the
lumber industry at Spring Grove and Lanesboro, Minn., thus acquiring his
first knowledge of the business. In 1906, after graduating from the business
college, he became bookkeeper in the Onsgard State Bank at Spring
Grove, and in 1908 took a bank position at Roseau, Minn. In the following
year he went to Sultan, Wash., where he worked in a lumber mill, but in
the winter of 1909-10 he returned to Spring Grove, retaining, however, his
connection with the same line of business, traveling as a salesman and working
for a while in the lumber yard of Knute Olsen of Mabel. In the spring
of 1916, on the formation of the Newhouse Lumber Company, he became
its superintendent and manager, his father being president. As a capable
business man he made his mark, and was also popular in the social circles
of the village. On June 9, 1912, Mr. Newhouse was united in marriage with
Leona, daughter of Harvey and Minnie Franklin, of Kalispell, Mont., and
they began domestic life at Mabel, Minn. Their only child is Peter, who
was born in Camas, Mont., Jan. 15, 1914. Mr. Newhouse died March 30,
1919, and his death was sincerely mourned.
|
OLSON |
HANS T. |
BOOK - COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY & BIOGRAPHY OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA,
PUBLISHED 1902.
Olson, Hans T. Hans T. Olson, one of the leading business men of Pelan
and the efficient postmaster of that thriving town, is a pioneer of
Kitson county, Minnesota, and has aided materially in its development.
He is well known and universally respected as a citizen and business
man. Mr. Olson was born in Norway June 20, 1850. He was apprenticed to
the blacksmith's trade when fifteen years of age and worked at his trade
until 1882 when he came to America. He here continued at blacksmithing
in various parts of the country and in the spring of 1884 went to Kitson
county and took land in section 26, township 160, range 45. He invested
his scant savings in cattle and also opened a blacksmith shop on his
place. He was on the outskirts of the settlement at that time and he had
but a half dozen neighbors and no white people had as yet settled in
Roseau county. Amid these lonely surroundings, and with the trials and
hardships of frontier life to bear, he went at his task of developing a
farm and building up a trade in his line of business. This he finally
succeeded in doing and he has become one of the well known characters of
that region. Stores were established at the present site of Pelan in
1895 and Mr. Olson purchased forty acres adjoining the townsite and,
onto this property, he removed the postoffice. He began dealing in
farming implements in 1898 and he has built up a good trade in this line
and met with success in Kittson county. Mr. Oldon was married in 1887
to Miss Sophia Christianson. Three children have been born to this
marriage, namely: Henry, Annie and Charles. Mr. Olson is an ardent
Republican and has done much to promote the interests of that party. He
is a member of the I.O.G.T.
|
PEIRCE |
DAVID A. |
BOOK - HISTORY OF FILLMORE COUNTY, MN., VOLS. 1 & 2, PUBLISHED IN 1912.
David A. Peirce was born in Hudson, Maine, October 2, 1830,
one of the ten children of David and Sarah (Plummer) Peirce.
He married Amanda M. Brailey on March 29, 1856, and came to
Le Roy, Minn., on June 10, the following year, where he preempted
land in section one. In 1862 he moved his family to the
village of Spring Valley and enlisted in Company E, Seventh
Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, serving two years and ten months.
After he was mustered out, he and his family continued to live
in Spring Valley and vicinity until the spring of 1869 when they
moved to Bath township, Freeborn county, Minnesota, where they
resided until fall of 1885 or 1886, when, owing to Mrs. Peirce's
ill health they returned to Spring Valley village. There Mrs.
Peirce died January 23, 1887. Since then Mr. Peirce has made his
home with his oldest daughter, Mrs. M. N. Johnson or with his
youngest son Varney J., who has the old homestead in Bath township,
excepting nine years when he and his son lived in Roseau
county, where he filed his soldier claim on a quarter section in
Cedar Bend township, which he still owns, as well as a quarter
section in Wadena county, two miles from Aldridge. Mr. and
Mrs. Peirce came of the good old Puritan stock and have stood
for all that made for good citizenship in progress and education.
To them were born five children: Sarah A., wife of M. N. Johnson,
of York, Fillmore county; Frank D., editor, at St. Paul;
Clara C., who died December 6, 1890; Eleanor P., married to
Chas. C. Marquis, of Waukegan, Ill.; and Varney J., on the old
homestead, Bath, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Peirce sacrificed themselves
much to give their children the advantages of a good practical
education and instilled in their heart what is far better,
the elements of useful citizenship.
|
SJOBERG |
ISRAEL |
THE
BOOK OF MINNESOTANS - 1907 - ALBERT NELSON MARQUIS:
SJOBERG, Israel, merchant and banker; born in Sweden, Feb. l6 1866 son
of Jonas and Catharina (Bloom) Sjoberg; educated in common and high
schools in Sweden. Came to America in 1888 and engaged in general store
business in Roseau. 1889; established a branch store at Badger in
company with a brother, 1894; added flour mill to the business, 1898;
has accumulated 5000 acres of farm land since 1900. Vice president First
National Bank, Roseau, since 1904; director First State Bank, Badger,
since 1905. Republican. Married, June 18, 1897, to .Miss Laura Miller.
Address: Roseau, or Badger, Minn. |
SJOBERG |
PETER |
THE
BOOK OF MINNESOTANS - 1907 - ALBERT NELSON MARQUIS:
SJOBERG. Peter, merchant, banker, miller; born in Sweden, Jan. 29, 1868:
educated in common and private schools. Came to America, 1893; began in
business for self under title of Sjoberg Brothers, establishing general
store at Roseau. April 1, 1893. and second store at Badger, Oct. 1,
1896; also Badger Roller Mills, Oct. 1, 1898, for the manufacture of
(lour and feed. President First State Bank, Badger, since Oct. 1, 1904;
director First National Bank, Roseau, since Jan. 1, 1905; president and
manager Badger Milling Co.; manager firm Sjoberg Brothers. Village
treasurer of Badger, 1899; president common council, 1900-01 and
1904-06. Republican (chairman Republican County Committee since 1905).
Lutheran. Member Modern Woodmen of America. Married nt Roseau, 1903, to
Miss Christina Lindstrom, Club: Commercial (vice president). Address:
Badger, Minn.
|
STEBBINS |
GEORGE M. |
THE
BOOK OF MINNESOTANS - 1907 - ALBERT NELSON MARQUIS:
STEBBINS, George M.. lawyer; born In Rochester, Minn., July 25. 1875;
son of A. T. and Adelaide Stebhlns; graduated from Rochester High
School, June, 1895, and from Collcse of Law. University of Minnesota,
degree of B.L., June. 1898; unmarried. Practiced l900 with firm of Brown
& Abbott, Winona, Minn., 1898-1900; has practiced in Roseau since
1900. U. S. commissioner for the district of Minnesota, since Jan.,
1903, and county attorney of Roseau Co.. since Jan. 3. 1905. Director
Farmers and Merchants State Bank of Roseau, Farmers & Merchants
State Bank of Greenbush; secretary and manager of Roseau County Abstract
Co. Republican. Mason. Recreation: Hunting. Address: Roseau, Minn. |
SWANSON |
FREDERICK WILLIAM |
THE
BOOK OF MINNESOTANS - 1907 - ALBERT NELSON MARQUIS:
SWANSON, Frederick William, banking; born in Todd Co., Minn., Aug. 14.
1874; son of Nelson and Sophia (Deering) Swanson; educated In common
schools; Long Prairie High School; Beeman's Business College, Red Wing;
University of Minnesota. Was salesman and buyer dry goods, A. S. Strauss
& Co., Long Prairie, 1890; C. A. Johnsson & Co., Sauk Centre,
1896; Sullivan & Harrison, Barnesville, 1897; Sjoberc Brothers,
Roseau, 1899-1901. Entered banking, April 8, 1901, and has been cashier
Farmers and Merchants Bank. Badger, since Dec. 13, 1901. Republican.
Member Modern Woodmen of America. Married at Roseau, Minn., Oct. 23,
1901. to Miss Rachel R. Budd. Club: Commercial (secretary). Recreation:
HuntIng. Address: Badger, Minn. |
TAWNEY |
DANIEL E. |
THE
BOOK OF MINNESOTANS - 1907 - ALBERT NELSON MARQUIS;
TAWNEY, Daniel E., lawyer; born at Gettysburg, Pa., July 17, 1860; son
of John E. and Sarah (Boblitz) Tawney; educated In public schools of
Pennsylvania; graduate of Law Department, University of Wisconsin,
degree of LL. B., 1890. Married at Geneva. Wis., 1896, to Miss Jeannette
Jones. Came West, 1878, with his parents, to Fremont, Neb., where he
entered farming and live stock raising; removed to Winona, 1888, and has
been engaged in practice of law since 1890; member of the law firm of
Tawney, Smith & Tawney since Jan., 1891. City attorney Winona, term
beginning May 1. 1905; judge of municipal court of Winona, 1897-1901.
Member Winona County Bar Association. President and director Farmers
& Merchants State Bank, Greenbush, Minn., Farmers & Merchants
State Bank, Roseau, Minn., First National Bank, Halleck, Minn.
Republican. Congregatlonallst. Member Knights of Pythias, M. W. A., A.
O. U. W.. Modern Samaritans. Clubs: Arlington (one of the
ineorporators), Minne-O-Wah (one of the organizersj. Recreations:
Driving, fishing, horticulture. Address: Winona. Minn. |
VON ROHR |
JOHN |
BOOK - HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY, MN., VOL 1 & 2, PUBLISHED IN 1913.
John Von Rohr, druggist of Winona, was born near Niagara
Falls, in New York state, April 1, 1850, and spent his first twelve
years at the place of his birth. At the age of twelve years he
was sent to Buffalo, where he attended a German seminary three
years. At the age of fifteen years he started work for a large
drug establishment in Buffalo. In 1868 he came to Winona,
where his brother, Rev. Philip Von Rohr had already located.
Mr. Von Rohr secured work with Benson & Kendell, then the
leading pharmacists here, with a store on Second street, near
Center. He remained with that concern until the winter of 1881.
Then he purchased the drug store of H. R. Wedell, located where
the Burlington freight and passenger stations now stand, at the
corner of Second and La Fayette streets. In 1884, after the
business of the city had moved to the southward, Mr. Von Rohr
moved to his present location at the corner of Third and La
Fayette streets. He has remained in that location ever since,
and has built up a large business. Mr. Von Rohr is president
of the Winona Pharmaceutical Association, and has been prominent
in medical circles here for many years. He served here for
twelve years and was a member of that board when the present
High School building was erected. His name is included on a
tablet now attached to the building. The drug store of Mr. Von
Rohr was established in Winona in 1881, and from that date it
has been one of the foremost in this city. Every provision has
been made to create a pleasing effect in its arrangement and to
provide for the display of goods to the best advantage. The
stock carried affords the best that is to be found in the leading
drug stores of the country; and including everything prescribed
by the physicians of this locality. All ingredients used are of the
purest and best quality and every prescription is compounded
exactly according to the physician's directions, every caution possible
being taken.
John Von Rohr was married in the fall of 1871 to Lucy
Schall, a native of Buffalo. Eight children have been born
to this union, four sons and four daughters. Arthur is president
of the Minnesota State Pharmacy Board, resides in Winona,
and is associated with his father in business. Carl is the cashier
of the Farmers & Merchants' State Bank, of Roseau, Minn.
John is the assistant cashier of a bank at Greenbush, Minn. Herbert
is a student in the Winona high school. Ella is the wife
of C. A. Ernst, of Philadelphia. Lucy is instructor in domestic
science at the South high school, Minneapolis. Olga J. is assistant
librarian at the Winona Public Library. Ida is with the Government
Forestry Service at Custer, So. Dak.
|
WAAG |
AASOLD |
THE
BOOK OF MINNESOTANS - 1907 - ALBERT NELSON MARQUIS;
WAAG, Aasold, abstracter of titles; born in Norway, June 17, 1869;
educated in common schools and at Military Academy of Chrlstiansand,
Norway, graduating, May, 1882; married at Roseau, Minn., Oct. 13, 1897.
Came to America, June 26, 1886, and to Minnesota 4 days later; was
county auditor Roseau Co., 1897-98; deputy State weighmaster, State
grain department of Minnesota, 1899-1900; has been engaged In abstract
of title business since May 20, 1901, as official abstracter of titles.
Also manager Roseau County Land Co. (co-partnership) ; member of firm of
K. Ferguson & Co. Democrat. Member Modern Woodmen of America and A.
F. & A. M. Address: Roseau, Minn. |
WIEHR |
AUGUST |
BOOK
- HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY, MN. PUB. 1916
August Wiehr, a successful business man, was born February 13, 1866, in
Posen, Germany, son of "William and Caroline (Nehring) Wiehr. His mother
died in Germany in 1881 at the age of forty-two years and the father
came to America to Blue Earth City, Faribault county, in 1882. There
were five children in the family: Augusta, August, Ernestine, Julius and
Rudolph. They came to Wells, Minnesota, May 2, 1882, where they joined
an uncle, Ludwig Nehring. All began working except the very youngest
children. The father married again, to Mrs. Emelia Henke, a widow, and
took up farming near Blue Earth City. He lived in a sod hut on a
homestead of eighty acres, which the filed for. August began to work for
himself and that summer went to Spring Valley, Fillmore county, where
he remained from 1882 till 1888, when he went to Buffalo Lake and
located a tract of 160 acres of state land, which he secured from P. W.
Olson. It was all wild land. He built a house 14 by 18 feet and a barn
14 by 20 feet in 1889, and began farming with three horses and three
cows. He now has a fine farm of 520 acres. He erected a silo in 1904 for
corn and feed for the cattle. His stock is of good grade and he has
specialized in Poland-China and Duroc- Jersey hogs. In 1906 he started
out on a small scale in the ditching business, at first doing work in
his own township and county. His contracts have taken him in McLeod,
Yellow Medicine, Sib- ley and Kandiyohi counties. Two years were spent
in Roseau and Kittson counties building a state highway. He employs from
eight to ten men and has a complete outfit. By strict application to
his business he has become very successful. He still conducts his farm
together with his contract business. Mr. Wiehr is a stockholder in the
Farmers' Elevator at Buffalo Lake. For a time he was the president of
the creamery which D. S. Hall helped to organize, Mr. Wiehr succeeding
Mr. Hall as president. He is a member of the Evangelical church at
Buffalo Lake and was one of the first trustees. He helped organize the
Sunday school, and was its first superintendent. Mr. Wiehr was married
March 13, 1889, to Anna Krause at Racine, Minnesota. She was born in
Racine township, Mower county, Minnesota, daughter of Benjamin and
Henrietta (Schnieder) Krause, both natives of Germany. They were married
there and left with two children, Ernestina and Augusta, for the United
States in 1860, coming by sailing vessel, being about twelve weeks on
the water. They went to Wisconsin and settled near Green Lake, near
Ripon. After three years they drove to Racine, Minnesota, by ox team.
The father died in 1891 at the age of sixty-nine and the mother died in
1904 at the age of seventy-five years. Pour children were born in
Minnesota: Emma, Ella, Anna and Minnie. Mr. and Mrs. Wiehr have had six
children: "William, Henrietta, Fred, Alfred, Minnie, and one who died in
infancy.
|
|
|
|