USA > Minnesota > Meeker County > Album of history and biography of Meeker County, Minnesota > Part 16
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Andrew Nelson
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with tallow and linen rags by that gentle- man, who loaned him a pair of Indian moc- assins to wear. Borrowing a horse of Swan Munson, Mr. Nelson determined to return and seek his brother-in-law's family, but on the way thither met Lieut. J. B. Atkinson, of the Meeker county militia, who was or- dered with his squad to take all the horses they could find to mount the command. Mr. Nelson was ordered to dismount, but he would not, and informed the officer that he could not have the horse as long as he (Mr. Nelson) was alive, whereupon the good-nat- ured officer told him to come along with him, and Mr. Nelson joined the troop, en- listing as a private therein. This was in Captain Whitcomb's company. From this time out Mr. Nelson participated in every movement of the troop, being with every detail. The first time he was out with them they got as far as Peter Lund's farm, and found the Indians preparing a meal in a big iron kettle, which they had strung gypsy- fashion over a fire, they having killed one of the settler's hogs. Quite a skirmish occurred, and the Indians retreated to the woods to draw the squad into an ambush, but, their design being penetrated, our forces fell back to Forest City. At another time, as is de- tailed elsewhere, they were driven back by some three or four hundred savages, re-in- forcements to their foes being perceived all around the horizon, and threatening the total annihilation of the little band if they were surrounded. The next day they built the stockade at Forest City, and Mr. Nelson helped defend that place during the attack made on it on the morning of the 3d of Sep- tember. A few days afterward the com- mand moved to Hutchinson to escort their wounded, and as their horses were stolen the men had to walk. Ole Ingeman loaned Mr. Nelson a horse to ride, but the officer would not allow that, and our subject was com- pelled to hobble along as he best could, for
his feet were still in a horrible condition. He also took part in the expedition to Dia- mond and Eagle Lakes, where he acted as guide, and helped bury the dead bodies they found.
After the company was disbanded, Mr. Nelson went to St. Paul, and worked for the Government at Fort Snelling, building stables, etc., after which he was employed at various labor in that city, sawing wood and other work, the winter of 1862 and 1863. In the spring of 1863 he leased forty acres of land in Washington county, of John Forber, and put in a crop, and the next year pur- chased eighty acres of land in the same county. To this he added, little by little, until he owned some 200 acres, all of which he had under cultivation. In 1867 he sold out his property and purchased between 300 and 400 acres of land in Darwin township, this county, on section 19, near Nelson Lake, and moved on it in 1868, commencing to open up a farm. There he made his home until about 1871, when he sold it to his father-in-law, Ole Johanson ; and purchasing a lot in Litchfield, put up a building, and in company with his brother, B. P. Nelson, opened a stock of general merchandise. Some years later he sold this business to Alexander Cairneross, since which time he has been variously employed, principally in looking after his large landed property, and farming a little.
Mr. Nelson was one of the original stock- holders of the Meeker County Bank, and was its first president, and has always taken an active interest in the business life of the village. He was elected to the Sixteenth Leg- islature of this State, and served in the lower house during the session of. 1874. In 1875 and 1876, he represented this district in the State senate. As chairman of the board of county commissioners of Meeker county, Mr. Nelson served this people during the years 1884, 1885 and 1886, with credit to himself
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and honor to the judgment of the constituency that sent him there. He was village trustee of Litchfield in 1873, and is now a member of the city council, having been elected to serve through 1888 and 1889.
Mr. Nelson and Miss Ellen Johanson were united in marriage March 23, 1868. She is a daughter of Ole and Hannah Johanson, nat- ives of Sweden, and was born in the latter country. She came to America with her parents in 1857, who, after a short stay in St. Paul, settled that year in what is now Litchfield township. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson were the parents of but one child, who died when but nine days okl.
J OHN SAMPSON, a respected farmer and pioneer of Meeker county, whose home is on section 4, Greenleaf township, is a native of Sweden, born on the 28th of March, 1815, and a son of Peter and Cather- ine Samuelson. His early life was spent on the farm of his parents, employed at farm- ing and carpenter work. In 1858 he came to the United States, having previous to this been married, and after living for one year in Jamestown, N. Y., he, with the oldest daughter, took up their westward march in April, 1859, and came to Meeker county, Minn. The trip from the Eastern States was made by way of railroad and steamboat as far as Carver, Minn., the rest of the fam- ily remaining in Jamestown until in the fall. Ile, together with Charles Allen and Swan Palm, made the journey from Carver on foot. The trip was one of severe hard- ship, as they found it almost impossible to get provisions. Mr. Sampson returned to Carver with an ox team for his baggage, and the roads were so bad that many times he was obliged to unload the wagon and carry its contents through the mire in his arms. Shortly after arriving in Meeker county he selected land in section 4, in Greenleaf, and
the following year (1860) erected a house, and has since continued to reside there, although extensive building and other improvements have been made, so that the farm of to-day makes a wonderful contrast with the rude cabin home of twenty-eight years ago.
Mr. Sampson's marriage took place on the 20th of June, 1842, when Anna Hellena, a daughter of Jonas Jonson, became his wife. She was born in Sweden November 18, 1822. Their marriage was blessed with three chil- dren, as follows-Christina, born October 20, 1845, died October 25, 1875; John Augustus, who is mentioned at length else- where in this volume, and Johanna Louisa, born January 19, 1852, died April 4, 1886.
At the time of the Indian outbreak the family were living on the farm and the father was doing carpenter work for the neighbor- hood. The news of the massacre at Acton, only a few miles distant, reached the family on the 17th of August, 1862, and after stopping a short time at the houses of neighbors they went to Forest City. After remaining there and at Kingston a short time, they spent several weeks at Clearwater and St. Paul and then went to Cottage Grove, Washington county, Minn., where they rented a farm and remained until the fall of 1864. They then returned to the homestead.
Mr. Sampson is now spending the even- ing of his life, partially retired from the cares of active business, and holds the respect and esteem of all who know him. Both he and his wife are members of the Beckville Swedish Lutheran church, and are exem- plary Christian people.
ANIEL DANIELSON, a successful farmer and stock raiser, residing on section 6, Danielson township, and one of the most prominent citizens in that portion of the county, is a native of Norway, and
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was born on December 14, 1840, his parents being Daniel and Ingber Aslagson. His early life was one of industry and economy, and he was thrown on his own resources when still a mere lad, having earned his own living ever since he was twelve years of age. When he was twenty years of age he left his native land, booking as a sailor on a native vessel for about nine months, then left it in England, and made one trip to the West Indies. In 1862 he left London on a vessel bound for China, and wasshipwrecked about sixty miles off the coast of China. After this he remained in China about six months, acting as quartermaster on a steamer. He then went to Australia, where he re- mained for about five years, part of the time in New Zealand, digging gold ; also working in Sidney, New South Wales, and a part of the time he sailed among the Friendly Isles. Ile left there in 1868, and after spending about three months at his native home in Norway, he sailed for the United States. Upon his arrival in this country, about July 1, he came direct to Meeker county, Minn., and bought eighty aeres of railroad land, on section 5, in Danielson township. About nine months later he took a home- stead on section 30, where he lived for seven years, when he sold that and purchased his present place on section 6. He has also sold his railroad land, so that he now owns 160 aeres, a good deal of which is under a high state of cultivation. He has suffered some reverses through the loss of erops, par- ticularly in 1876 and 1877 from grasshoppers, and in 1885 from hail.
In political matters, Mr. Danielson is a prohibitionist, and he has taken an active interest in public matters, having held var- ious offices, including those of township clerk one year and assessor five years.
Mr. Danielson was married, April 20, 1868, in Norway, to Inger Peterson, who was born August 7, 1849. Their marriage has been
blessed with the following named children : Peter Chri, born April 23, 1869; Ine Dor- thy, born April 16, 1871 ; Daniel Edward, born July 26, 1873; Hannah Julia, born Angust 12, 1875; Victor Emanuel, born De- eember 9, 1877 ; Martin Julius, born Decem- ber 16, 1878 ; and Inger Malinda, born March 27,1885.
EONARD ROMAN. The subject of this biographical notice, a resident of section 17, is one of the most prominent and successful farmers and stock raisers in Green- leaf township. Ile was born in Varmland, Sweden, on the 22d of April, 1845. His parents were born, and lived in the land of his birth until the time of their deaths. Leonard was reared on a farm and remained in his fatherland until 1869, when he sailed for the United States, and came direct to Meeker county, Minn., settling in Greenleaf township, where he has since lived. He now has 270 acres of land, a good share of which is under a high state of cultivation. He has been very successful in his farming opera- tions, although he has met with the partial loss of several crops ; but by careful manage- ment and hard labor he has accumulated a comfortable property. He has taken an act- ive interest in public matters, and has held various offices of a local nature, including that of township assessor. In political affairs he affiliates with the prohibition party.
Mr. Roman was married on the 6th of July, 1876, to Emma E. Ilagerstrom, and their marriage has been blessed with the following children -Axel L., born "June 5, 1877; Benhart E., born March 9, 1879 ; Vietor R., born June 19, 1880; Emma E., born June 4, 1883; and Arnold A .. born January 18, 1885-all of whom are still liv- ing except Benhart E., who died August 28, 1879, and whose remains are interred in the Beekville cemetery. The family attend the
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Mission church. Mrs. Roman's parents were also natives of Sweden. They came to Meeker county, Minn., in August, 1871, and are now living in Greenleaf township.
HARLES A. LAUGHTON, one of the prominent business men of Litchfield, was born in Platteville, Grant county, Wis., March 20, 1851, and is the son of George R. and Mildred (Durley) Laughton. His father was born in Soho Square, London, Eng., June 27, 1820, and came to the United States in 1835, arriving in New York Octo- ber 25. He came to Sonthiport, now Keno- sha, Wis., with L. G. Merrill and John Nichols, who brought some $56,000 worth of goods to that place October 30, 1842. In December following, these parties sent him to Platteville, with a large stock of goods. He became a large land owner in that county and lived on a farm in the environs of Platteville until 1870, when he removed to that village, where he lives retired from business. He was married, May 1, 1844, to Miss Mildred Durley, who was born August 9, 1828, at Greenville, Bond county, Ill., who died January 8, 1864.
The elder Mr. Langhton owned and oper- ated a splendidly equipped woolen factory upon his farm, and Charles A., who attended school in the summer months, during the winters worked in the mill, and there showed his mechanical ingenuity. In 1870 when the place was sold, Charles entered the Young Men's Academy, at Lake Forest, Ill., where he spent two years. Ile then entered into the mercantile trade at Platteville, with his brother, but finding the work too confining for his health, entered the employ of J. I. Case & Co., of Raeine. The following spring of 1874, he commenced traveling in their inter- ests, as an expert, over the United States and Canada, and has seen much of the world while doing so. He followed that line of work, in the
service of the same company, until Septem- ber, 1881, when he came to Litchfield, as the resident agent for Case & Co.'s threshing machinery. In the spring of 1887, he built the machine shop where he does all kinds of repairing of machinery, especially engine work, which he carries on in connection with his other business.
November 10, 1887, C. A. Laughton was united in marriage with Miss Julia Gratiot, a native of Platteville, Wis., daughter of the late Lieut. Col. E. H. and Ellen (Hager) Gra- tiot, natives of St. Louis, Mo., and Baltimore, Md., and niece of the late Hon. E. B. Wash- burn. While Mr. and Mrs. Laughton are not. among the older residents of the village, their genial dispositions and happy manners. have won them a high place in social circles. Mr. Laughton is ranked among the leading business men of the place, and a bright future is evidently before him.
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ACOB LENHARD, of Darwin town- ship, is a native of the German Empire, born July 1, 1827. He was reared in that classic land and remained there until 1852, when bidding adieu to the beloved fatherland he crossed the ocean to the shores of free America, in search of the liberty of action and the chance of competency not afforded to him in the land of his birth. 1Ie settled near Buffalo, N. Y., where he remained some three months, after which he went to Canada, and worked on the construction of the railroad suspension bridge over the Niagara river. From there he proceeded west to Chicago, Ill., but less than a year later removed to Polk county, Wis., and there purchased a farm and settled down to the life of a Western farmer. He made that part of the "Badger State" his home for thirteen years and at the ex- piration of that time, in 1868, came to Meeker county, and settled in Darwin town- ship. Ile was united in marriage, Septem-
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ber 4, 1854, with Miss Dora Yerkes, who is the mother of seven children-Henry P., born June 22, 1855 ; John P., born January 9, 1857 ; William F., born December 9, 1858 ; Jacob A., born January 21, 1860; Mary M., born December 25, 1862; Conrad E., born March 24, 1865; and Anna D., born January 18, 1869. The sons are all well-to-do farmers of the township.
Mr. Lenhard and his family are members of the Lutheran church and respected and honored citizens.
ELS F. JOHNSON, is one of the well- to-do farmers of Swede Grove town- ship. He is a son of John and Anna Chris- tianson, and was born in Sweden, on the 28th of June, 1862. He came to the United States with his parents in 1868, and they came direct to Meeker county, Minn., settling in Swede Grove township, where Nels F. re. ceived a common-school education. Ile lived with his parents, working on the farm until 1887, when he purchased 160 acres of land on section 6, where he now lives, keeping "bachelor's hall" and tilling his farm. A sketeh of his parents will be found elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Johnson takes active interest in township matters. He was ap- pointed school elerk to fill the unexpired term when that office became vacant through the removal of his father to another town- ship. He is a member of the Swedish Luth- eran church. In political matters he is a republican.
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HE legal profession has a number of able and prominent representatives at Litehfield, among them being J. M. RUSSELL, county attorney of Meeker county. Ile is a native of Clay county, Ind., born on the 13th of February, 1852. His early life was spent upon a farm attending district school in the
winter, and thus continuing until he was six- teen years old, when he began teaching school in the winter, working on the farm during the summer. Two years later he purchased his brother's interest in the old homestead, his father having died when he was less than three years of age. After this he worked the farm during the summer, teaching during the winter months, until he was twenty-three years old, when he sold the stoek and farm implements and for two years attended college at Westfield, Ill. From there, in the spring of 1877, he came to Meeker county, remaining here one year and teaching two terms of school. In the spring of 1878, returning to the old home in Indiana, he worked on the farm with his brother that season and taught school during the following winter.
On the 8th of April, 1879, Mr. Russell was married to Miss Julia E. Hlays, of Clay county Ind., and the following day they started for Meeker county, Minn. For a year he taught sehool at Cedar Mills, and, on the 14th of September, 1880, he settled at Litchfield and entered the law office of N. C. Martin for the purpose of fitting himself for that profession, and was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1882. He spent the summer of 1881 upon a claim in Dakota. He sold this in 1883, and having taken a home- stead in the same Territory, that spring, he spent the summer on that, and still owns the farm. After being admitted to the bar in the fall of 1882 he formed a law partnership with N. C. Martin under the firm name of Martin & Russell. This partnership was maintained until the 1st of January, 1887, when it was dissolved, and since that time Mr. Russell has devoted his attention exclu- sively to his profession, as before, but alone in business, and has built up a lucrative practice. In 1884 he was elected city attorney and held the office for three sue- cessive terms. In the fall of 1887 he
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was elected county attorney on the repub- liean and alliance tickets and assumed the duties of the office on the 1st of Jan- nary, 1887. Mr. Russell is an active mem- of the Christian Church.
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NDREW DAVIDSON, is one of the pio- neers of Dassel township, where he lives on section 14, and one of its leading and representative citizens. He is a native of Scotland, born in Wigtown Shair, March 28, 1833. Among the heaths and glens of his native land he was reared, and there made his home until his twenty-first year, and then determined to seek a new home in the wilds of America. Crossing the tempestuous At- lantie, he landed in New York, and for a short time made his home in Orleans county, N. Y., but then moved to Morristown, N. J., where he went into a hardware store, where he was employed for some time, and later commenced market gardening or "truck farming.“ In 1856 our subject eame west, and for ten years followed farming in Col- umbia county, Wis., from whence he eame to Meeker county in 1866. He drove the AVID B. HOAR. The subject of this. biography, a prominent and successful farmer and stock raiser, residing on section 34, Union Grove township. justly bears the- reputation of being one of the most solid and substantial citizens in the northern part of the county, and his many years of residence- there have caused him to be well known to. all the old settlers of that region. entire distance with an ox team, bringing his family with him, and on his arrival here took up as a homestead eighty acres of land on section 14. First setting foot in the county July 4, 1866, he has been for nearly twenty years a constant citizen, except the first winter, when he spent that season in McLeod county after partially building the house upon his place, where he worked to Mr. Hoar was born in New Brunswick, Albert county. Canada. on May S, 1822. His father was originally a tanner, but he lost his feet from the effects of a cold, morti- fieation setting in, and amputation was necessary, and he then learned and worked at the tailor's trade for some time, after which he was engaged in the mercantile keep his family in the necessaries of life. During the first few years he did consider- able hunting, getting at one time eighty-six deer in six weeks, and in taking the venison and furs to Minneapolis to market he add- ed considerably to his revenue. As game became scarce. he took up teaming with a yoke of oxen, and transacted considerable | business. A few years later he built a vessel,
business at remunerative figures. Soon his farm demanded his sole attention, and by the exercise of labor and perseverance, together with the thrift and frugality with which his race are proverbially endowed, has succeeded in placing himself in comfortable circum- stances, and lives surrounded by most of the comforts of life.
Mr. Davidson was married before he left " the land of heather," December 1, 1849, to. Miss Grace McAllister, but left her in Scot- land when he came to America in search of a home. Two years afterward she emigrated to the "land of the free," joining her hus- band, in Morristown, in 1856. They are the- happy parents of four children-Janet, Peter, Margaret and Alexander. Janet is the wife of Barney Cox, a resident of Dassel ; Peter, who is also married, lives in the town of Dassel ; the other two still reside at home.
On the organization of the town in 1867. Mr. D. was elected one of the first justices of the peace, and for the past thirteen years has been chairman of the town board of supervisors.
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which he sailed for three years, and then sold out and engaged in farming. IIe died in 1878, and his wife in 1883.
David B. Hoar, our subject, spent his early days in aiding to care for his parents. In May, 1857, he came to Minnesota, and worked in a steam saw mill in Wright county until the spring of 1858, when he came to Meeker county, and rented a farm in what is now Union Grove township, which he worked and raised three crops on. The last year he bought the right and improvements on 160 acres of land on section 34, where he win- tered. The next summer he worked for farmers in Wright county, and the same fall, on October 23, 1861, he was married to Miss Melissa Bryant, daughter of Ambrose and Narcissa Bryant. She was born in Ken- nebec county, Me., July 24, 1842, and came to Minnesota with her parents in the fall of 1855. At the age of nineteen she commenced teaching school, and taught one term before and one after marriage. She was teaching when the outbreak of the In- dians occurred. As a full history of this matter is given in another department of this work, it is unnecessary in this connec- tion to repeat it. On the Wednesday fol- lowing the massacre at Acton, Mrs. Iloar was teaching, when a man came and notified her that the Indians were coming. She at once sent the children to their homes, and she rode home with the mail carrier. Mr. Hoar at once started to notify the Good- speeds, Mrs. Goodspeed being a sister of Mrs. Hoar. They hitched up a yoke of oxen and a horse, and expected to take din- ner at Mr. Hoar's, but they did not stop to eat it, as the Indians had got sight of him and were in hot pursuit. Mr. Hoar cocked his gun and backed up to the wagon, wait- ing till all were in, and they started, and before they were out of sight the Indians were plundering the house. The party drove to Manannah, where they were joined by
quite a crowd, and then proceeded to Forest City. Mrs. Hloar, Mrs. Leaming and two children, Mrs. Helen Goodspeed and three children, and Miss Florinda J. Bryant, the four sisters, went to Monticello. Mr. Hoar remained during the summer and was on some of the most perilous expeditions, and had many narrow escapes. lle spent the ensuing winter at his father-in-law's, after which he spent about three years in his na- tive province. In 1866 he returned to Union Grove, and this has since been his home. Ile has one of the most desirable farms in the township, owning 320 acres, and has substantial improvements. All that he pos- sesses is the result of his own management and industry, and he has accumulated a fine property, notwithstanding the fact that he has passed through enough hardships and dangers in early days, and loss of crops in later years, to have discouraged and dis- heartened the generality of mankind.
Mr. and Mrs. Hoar are the parents of the following children-Adelbert, born Decem- ber 12, 1862 ; David Alonzo, born September 1, 1864; Elisabeth S., born August 11, 1866; Wesley J., born September 5, 1868 ; Wino- gene, born July 11, 1870 ; Irvine, born Jan- uary 15, 1872; Forest, born April 26, 1873; A. Chesley, born March 23, 1875 ; Phebe A., born January 13, 1877; Narcissa, born De- cember 30, 187 ; and Ambrose, born Octo- ber 24, 1880. Adelbert is mentioned else- where in this work. David Alonzo runs a stationary engine at Buffalo, Minn. The rest are at home.
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