USA > Minnesota > Jackson County > An illustrated history of Jackson County, Minnesota > Part 62
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
English. He worked in Lakefield one year, for his father one year, on the farm of Hugh Paul four years, and then began farming for himself on the farm upon which he has ever since resided. The home place was originally bought by his father, but Carl later acquired the land and has since added his other hold- ings.
In Jackson county on May 21, 1891, Mr. Pohlman was married to Angusta Sturmer, daughter of the late Fred Sturmer. To Mr. and Mrs. Pohlman have been born four child- ren, as follows: Elsie, aged 15; Georgie, aged 13; Bennie, aged 9; Erwin, aged 8. The fam- ily are members of the German Lutheran church.
HARM POST (1892) owns and farms the south half of section 21, Rost township, and is one of the successful farmers of the precinct. He was born in Kreis Aurich, Ostfreesland, Germany, July 30, 1864, the son of Arend and Christina (Schmidt) Post. Both his parents died in Germany, his father in 1905 and his mother in 1908.
Our subject was raised ou a farm and after becoming of sufficient age worked out. In 1885, at the age of twenty-one years, he came to America and located in Champaign county, Illinois, where he resided seven years. The first six years of this time were spent as a laborer. the last year as a farmer on rented land. In 1892 he came to Jackson county and has ever since lived on his present farm in Rost township. His wife owned the southwest quarter of the seetion, and Mr. Post later bought the other quarter adjoining. The land was prairie, without improvements, when he first located on the farm, and all the build- ings and other improvements have been made ly Mr. Post.
Mr. Post raises considerable stock. He is interested in the Rost creamery, the farmers store and elevator at Lakefield and the First National Bank of the same village. Mr. Post and family are members of the German Lu- theran church and he is treasurer of school distriet No. 88.
Mr. Post's first marriage occurred in Cham- paign county, Illinois, on the last day of the year 1892, when he wedded Tutter Kuhlmann, a native of Germany. She died in 1900. To them were born two children: Albert, born September 28, 1893; John, born November 17,
1896. The second marriage of Mr. Post oc- curred in Rost township August 25, 1900, when he wedded Mary Lubben, who was also born in Germany and who came to America when a child. To this union have been born three children, as follows: Freda, born December 6, 1901; Eddie, born August 1, 1904; Louie, born December 22, 1907.
CAPTAIN DANIEL L. RILEY (1893), de- ceased. One whose life's bistory is entitled to a place in this history of Jackson county is the late Captain Daniel L. Riley, who for fifteen years resided at Lakefield, taking an active and prominent part in business, po- litical, social and religious matters.
Captain Riley was born at Brasher Falls, St. Lawrence county, New York, January 8, 1837. llis parents came from Ireland in childhood and located in New York state. Ilis mother died when our subject was eight years of age and from that date he battled with the world alone. He moved west in 1854 and located at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, where he worked at the carpenter trade until 1861.
On the 21st day of August, 1861, Daniel Ril- ey joined the army at Ripon, Wisconsin, be- coming an enlisted soldier in the First Wis- consin cavalry. For some time he was en- goged in the recruiting service near his old home and was later assigned to the Second Wisconsin cavalry, under the command of Col- onel C. C. Washburn. After serving in the rank» several months he was commissioned second lieutenant, was later made first lieu- tenant and was mustered out as a captain, in command of company C, after having seen three year's service. He saw service in the states of Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mis- sissippi, Louisiana and Texas and fought in the battles of Cascke, Oakland, Cold Water, Vicksburg, Clinton, Jackson, Woodstock and Yazoo City.
Captain Riley returned to Wisconsin after the war and located at Bloomington. In 1872 he went to the new town of Sibley, Iowa, where he engaged in the lumber business. He moved to Spirit Lake in 1882, engaged in the lumber business in that town until 1893, and then took up his residence in Lakefield. There lie also was in the lumber business and was actively engaged until two years before his death, which occurred December 14, 1908.
The life of Captain Riley was such as to
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
leave an unsullied record, both in official and private life. He was a republican of promi- nence and a speaker of ability and his ser- Vices a- n public official were frequently in de- mand. He served as mayor of Sibley and was chairman of the board of supervisors of Os- erola county. After moving to Lakefield he served two forms as a member of the Minne- wota legislature. representing Jackson county. He was a delegate to the republican national convention which nominated William H. Taft for the presidency in 1908 and was prominent in the councils of his party. Captain Riley served as president of the Lakefield village council and was a member of the board of edu- cation. le wa- a member of the Methodist church and was active in church work. having held several offices of trust in the church or- ganization.
As a lodge man Captain Riley was also prominent. He was a member of the Lakefield lodge .A. F. & A. M .. of the chapter at Jack. son and of the commandry at Fairmont. He beeld his membership in the L. G. Ireland Post of the G. A. R. at Sibley.
On June 5, 1867, Captain Riley was united in marriage at Patch Grove, Wisconsin, to Emma Grant, who survives her husband and now resides at Laketield. She was born in Grant county, Wisconsin, the daughter of James M. Grant, who died in Grant county. Wisconsin, in 1875, aged 57 years, and Sarah M. (llickox) Grant, who was born in Ver- mont and who died in Grant county, Wiscon- sin, at the age of 82 years. To Captain and Mrs. Riley were born eight children, of whom the four named are living: Cora (Mrs. W. D. Cole), of Cincinnati, Ohio; William P., of Port Arthur, Canada; Mabel (Mrs. 11. P. Beck- with, of Fargo, North Dakota; Alice L. (Mrs. J. Levenick), of Lakefield. Of the four de- ceased children Charles and Catherine died in 'nfancy. Frank and Fred (twins) died in re- cont years, Frank on August 30, 1907, Fred June 21. 1000.
HENRY G. ANDERSON (1886). president of the Jackson National Bank and chairman of the board of county commissioners, has lived in the village of dickson twenty-three years and has taken a leading part in the affairs of hi- village and county. Mr. Anderson first saw the light of day in Lafayette county, Wiscon- sin, on November 17, 1857. His parents, Gilbert
and (lina (Olsen) Anderson, were born in Nor- way and came to the United States before their marriage. They are now residents of Dickinson county, lowa: the father is 74 years of age. the mother 70 years.
Henry lived on his father's farm in Lafay- ette county. Wisconsin, until he was fifteen years of age. in the district schools of his na - tive county he wa- educated, supplementing that schooling with a two years' course in Emmet county, Iowa. In 1872 he accompan- ied his parents to Dickinson county, and in that county lived on the farm until 1SSG. He then took up his residence in Jackson and en- gaged in business, having traded his Towa farm for a stock of hardware. After having con- ducted the hardware store eleven years he sold out and engaged in the implement, har- ness and live stock business five years, in part- nership with F. W. Lindsley. For several years thereafter he devoted his time and at- tention to the management of his farms, which now inelude 1.400 acres of improved Jackson conmty soil. In addition to this farming prop- erty Mr. Anderson owns considerable valu- able village property.
In company with eight others Mr. Anderson organized the Jackson National Bank on Jan- mary 1. 1904. and has since served as presi- dent of that financial institution. The bank in capitalized for $30,000 and the present offi- vers are: llenry G. Anderson. president ; Dr. W. C. Portmann, vice president ; W. D. Ilunter, cashier; Asher O. Nasby. assistant cashier.
In an official capacity Mr. Anderson has often been called upon to serve. He has been a member of the village council and was presi- dent of the council in 1894 and 1895, and is now a member of the board of education. lle was elected county commissioner from the Second district in 1906 and was made chair- man of the board at the first meeting after he qualified. Each year since that time he has been elected to preside over the county law makers. Fraternally he is associated with the Odd Fellows and Sons of Norway orders.
Mr. Anderson was married at Jackson March 10. 1886, to Julia Berge, daughter of H. H. Berge, one of the county's carly day settlers. To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have been born three children, as follows: Giles II., Anna and Lida.
CARL S. EASTWOOD (1883), postmaster of Heron Lake and editor and publisher of the
HENRY G. ANDERSON
President of the Jackson National Bank and Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TIDEN FOUNDA -NUL
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Heron Lake News, is a veteran newspaper man and an early day resident of Jackson county. He was born at Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, August 21, 1858, the son of Levi and Rachel (Smith) Eastwood, the former a native of New York and the latter of Penn- sylvania.
Carl accompanied his parents from Wiseon- sin to Shell Rock, lowa, in 1870, and in that town completed his education. At an early age he began learning the printer's trade in the office of the Shell Rock News, then owned by W. V. Lucas. He remained with that gen- tleman four years, the first two being passed at Shell Rock and the last two at Mason City, lowa. Returning to the former place, Carl purchased the paper on which he had learned his trade.
Mr. Eastwood became a resident of Jackson county on September 1, 1883, when he located at Lakefield and founded the Minnesota Citi- zen, which was later renamed the Lakefield Standard. He conducted the paper three years and from June, 1884, until he left the village he served as postmaster of Lakefield. Selling out his Jackson county publication, Mr. East- wood went to Mankato and started the Man- kato Register. le disposed of that property a little later, and in 1886 bought the lleron Lake News, which he conducted until 1893. Five years of the time of his residence in Heron Lake he served as postmaster and for seven years was a member of the village council.
In the fall of 1893 Mr. Lastwood sold out at Heron Lake and bought the Worthington Advance, which he published three years. He then bought the Mankato Morning News, sold out within a year and moved to the northern part of Minnesota. From that time until December, 1902, Mr. Eastwood was engaged in the newspaper business in Menahga, Minne- sola, where he was postmaster, and Ifomer, Michigan, and on the date last mentioned he returned to Heron Lake, bought back the News, and has since been its publisher. He was appointed postmaster in 1907. Mr. East- wood is a member of the Masonic and Work- men orders.
At Wilder, Minnesota, on September 12, 1886, Mr. Eastwood was united in marriage to Miss Edith Church. To them bave been born the following named children: Hazel, born August 1, 1887; Paul, born May 1. 1892; Frederiek, born May 15, 1907.
FRANK FIALA (1889) owns a 240 acre farm on section 3, Belmont township, where be has lived for the last twenty years. He was born in the city of Chicago May 26, 1864, the oldest of a family of five children born to Jobn and Annie (Shimiek) Fiala. These par- ents were born in Bohemia and came to Amer- iva in 1858. They lived in Chicago until 1869, in Jones county, Iowa, until 1889, and in Jackson county until 1891. They then located in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma, where both died. Frank's brother and sisters are Mary, Annie and Joseph. Lena, another sister, is dead.
Frank accompanied his parents to Jones county, Iowa, in 1869, and there grew to man- hood. In 1889 he came with his parents to Jackson county and located upon the farm upon which he now lives. He worked for his father for a few years and then bought the farm, and he has made all the improvements on the place.
Mr. Fiala was married in Belmont township August 3, 1889, to Tony Hurt, who was born in Bohemia and who came to Chieago when a young woman. Seven children have been born to this union. as follows: Edward, born July 15, 1890; Bohous, born January 3. 1892; Frank, born November 30, 1993: Joseph, born March 20, 1896; Henry born, January 24, 1898: Em- ma, born March 29, 1900; Bessie. born Jan- uary 10, 1903. Mr Fiala's family are members of the Catholic church and he is a member of the M. W. A. lodge. He now holds the office of director of school district No. 89.
ELIAS T. BJORNSTAD (1880) is a Des Moines township farmer and well driller. He resides on section 15 on the west side of the river, where he owns seventeen aeres of land. Mr. Bjornstad is perhaps better known lo- cally as E. Thoreson, Thoreson being his fa- ther's second .name and the name by which he is generally known. Ile is a Norwegian by birth, born September 28. 1855. the son of Peter T. and Bertha (Bureson) Bjornstad.
Elias Bjornstad was educated in his native land, and during the last six years of his resi- dence there was employed as a clerk. He came to America in 1880 and direet to Jackson county. For a year and a half be lived in Belmont township and worked on the railroad. Then he moved to Des Moines township, and for the next ten years engaged in farming on rented land. Then he bought a small traet
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
on section 1, and has since added to it until he now owns seventeen acres, During the last twenty years, in addition to his farm- ing operations, Mr. Bjornstad has been en- gaged in the well digging business. He has held several offices in his township, having ser- ved three years as a member of the township board in the early nineties. lle was elec- ted chairman of the board for a three-year term in the spring of 1909 and is now serving. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and of the Sons of Norway lodge.
Mr. Bjornstad was married at Finmarken, Norway. August 28, 1878, to Hannah Johnson. To them have been born cleven children, as follows: Bertha, born October 9, 1878, died June 17, 1879; Tory, born March 20, 1880; Peter, born March 20, ISSO, died October 6, 1881; Peter, born September 19, 1882; Rob- ert, born Angust 29, 1884; Emmett, born No. vember 23, 1886, died December 22, 1907; John, born January 23, 1889: Oscar, born July 22, 1907: Carl, born October 4, 1893; Wallie, born August 25, 1896; Amanda, born December 22, 1898.
MARTIN STALL (1877). Des Moines town- ship farmer, was born on the farm he now manages July 13, 1877. He is the son of Hans and Julia (Holsten) Stall. The former is a native of Norway and came to the United States when a boy. Ile lived in Illinois eight years and then enlisted in the union army in an Illinois regiment and saw three years' service. After the war he came to Jackson county and homesteaded the southeast quar- ter of section 2, Des Moines township. He resided on the farm until seven years ago, when he moved to Jackson, where he now lives. The mother of our subject died No- vember 17, 1896.
Martin Stall was educated in the district school and grew to minhood on his father's farm. At the age of twenty two, in 1899. he married and engaged in farming for himself. He rented a farm in Des Moines township, farmed it one season, and then rented his father's place, where he has since lived. He own- an eighty arre tract of land on seetion 35. Belmont township, which he bought in 15gg He has served two terms as road super- intendent and now holds the office of treasurer of hi- school district. He is also one of five
dire ctors of a large cooperative store in Jack- SOI.
Mr. Stall was married in Jackson December 2, 1s09, to Lanra Rade, who was born in Nor- way July 12, 1877, and came to the United States when four years of age. She is the daughter of Jens Rade, deceased. The fam- ily are members of the Evangelical Lutheran church of Americ.i.
GEORGE B. YARNS (1874) is an early day settler of Middletown township, having come to the county when ten years of age and having spent nearly all of the rest of his life here. He owns a quarter section farm on section 3.
Mr. Yarn- is a native Minnesotan. having been born in Fillmore county July 12. 1864, the son of Henry B. and Lonisa (Green) Yarns, who were born and married in Broome county, New York. When George was nine years of age the family moved from Fill- more county to Dickinson county, lowa, and the next year, IST1, eame to Jackson county. The head of the family filed a homestead claim to the land now owned by our subject, but on account of the grasshopper scourge the family were obliged to move away for a per- iod of three years and they were unable to prove up on the claim. Returning to the county the land was reentered as a tree claim, but before the time came for proving up Henry 1. Yarns died, and the son made a homestead filing to the land and finally se- cured title.
George Worked for his father on the farm until he was twenty-one years of age, and then, because of the feebleness of his father's health, he took the active management of the farm. His father died in 1888 and his mother in 1899. Mr. Yarns has conducted the farm ever since becoming of age. Our subjeet has held a number of local offices in his township. He was elected road overseer when twenty- one years of age, has held the office of su- pervisor and town clerk and is now township assessor. He is a member of the Ycomen lodge.
Mr. Yarns was married in Jackson county February 19, 1890, to Alice Danhy, a native of Rock Island county, Illinois. The following named five children have been born to this union: Maurice D., born November 26, 1890; Harry A., born April 22, 1893; Ethel M1., born
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
April 30, 1893; Brian L., born November 14, 1897; Percy A., born March 14, 1903.
JOHN F. RAASCII (1887), in partnership with his brother, Louis Raasch, farms the east half of section 12, Des Moines township. He is the son of the late Carl Raasch and Al- bertina (Wilke) Raasch.
Carl Raasch was born in Germany in the year 1855, came to the United States when sixteen years of age, and first located at Toles- ton, Indiana. where he resided until 1885. Al- bertina Wilke was also born in Germany in 1857, came to the new world when nine years old and was married to Mr. Raasch at Toles- ton, Indiana. Mr. Raasch died at his home in Des Moines township March 3, 1907; Mrs. Raasch still lives on the home farm. Nine children were born to this union, namely: Amanda, born January 8, 1882; Lydia, born June 23, 1883; Alice, barn August 11, 1885; John F .. born April 11. 1887; Louis, born No- vember 11, 1888; Carl, born October 8, 1890; Emma, born September 1, 1892; Ililda, born June 3, 1896; Alma, born October 23, 1899.
Our subjeet was born on the Des Moines township faim April 11, 1887, and has spent his entire life on that farm. lle attended the district school and during his father's life- time assisted with the farm work. After the death of his father he assumed the manage- ment of the place and has been very sur- cessful. In November, 1909, Louis added the northeast quarter of section 12 to the home farm, and he and his brother farm the whole half section. He makes a specialty of raising thoroughbred O. T. C. swine. Mr. Raasch is a director of school district No. 13, having been elected in July, 1909. He has stock in the Farmers elevator of Jackson.
TIERMAN N. TANK (1887) is a Hunter township farmer who has spent the greater part of his life in Jackson county. He was born in Carroll county, Iowa, February 28, 1877, and is the son of Ilerman and Anna (Hagge) Tank, now residents of Iowa. His parents came from Holstein, Germany, in their youth and were married in Clinton county, Iowa. Two years after their marriage they located in Carroll county and lived there un- til they came to Jackson county in 1887. They resided on the farm in Hunter township un-
til November, 1908, and then returned to their old home. Their children are as fol- lows: Herman, Bertha ( Mrs. Tleme Rouse), George, Otto and William.
Ilerman Tank of this sketch came to Jack- son county with his parents when ten years of age and located on the farm where he now lives. He attended the district school and worked on the farm during his younger years, engaging in farming for himself after reach- ing manhood. In 1904 he bought eighty acres of land on section 15, the home farm-the southwest quarter of section 14 -being still owned by llerman Tank, senior. Mr. Tank was clerk of school district No. 112 one term, serving by appointment.
VIRGIL W. AVERY (1872), undertaker and furniture dealer of Jackson, is one of the early day residents of that village, having come to Jackson county when a loy of fourteen years. He was born in Walworth county. Wisconsin, May 7. 1858, the son of Simeon and Martha (Chamberlin) Avery.
From his Wisconsin home Virgil came to Jackson county with his parents, arriving March 20, 1872. From that time until 1884 he lived in the county with his parents, and then went to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. After a short residence there he moved to Pipestone, but one year later returned to Sioux Falls and engaged in the grocery business, which he followed several years. One year was spent in Sioux City, and then in 1892 he returned to Jackson. For the next thirteen years he was engaged in the fuel business. He sold out in 1905 and opened a furniture store, which he has since condueted. He holds membership in the Masonie, Odd Fellows and Workmen lodges.
Mr. Avery was married in Jackson in March, 1883, to Marie Davies, who died August 14, 1884. Mr. Avery's second marriage occurred et Sioux Falls in September, 1889, when he wedded Grace Sharp. To this union has been born one child, Eloise, born in 1890.
HENRY JARMUTH (1886) is one of the big farmers of Enterprise township. His farm, which includes 400 aeres on sections 19 and 20, is tiled and well improved and is rated as one of the best farms of the township. Hte
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has owned the farm for more than a quarter of a century.
Mr. Jarmuth is a German by birth. His father, John Jarmuth, who was a coachinan in the old country for a good many years, came to America in 1851 and engaged in farm- ing. He died in Cook county, Illinois, Febru- ary 10, 1904, at the age of 73 years. His mother, Christina Jarmuth, is now 76 years of age and lives in Illinois.
To these parents Henry Jarmuth was born November 8, 1853. When one year of age he accompanied his parents to America and until his marriage in 1880 lived on a farm in Cook county, Illinois. After his marriage Mr. Jar- muth engaged in farming on his own ac- count in Cook county, and in March, 1886, came to Jackson county. Upon his arrival he located upon his Enterprise township farm, which he had bought in 1983. Besides his Jackson county farm, Mr. Jarmuth owns thir- teen acres of land close to the city of Chicago. He served five years as chairman of the board of supervisors of Enterprise township and was a member of the board fifteen years. Ile is now clerk of his school district.
Mr. Jarmuth was married November 28, 1880, to Lena Ruesch, of Illinois. Five children have been born to these parents, namely : Wil- liam 11., Louis T .. John W., Freda A. and Albert J. The family are members of the German Lutheran church.
F. G. HOKANSON (1882) owns and farms the northeast quarter of section 28. Delafield township. upon which farm he has lived over twenty-seven years. He was born in Lutarp. Jonkoping lar. Smoland, Sweden. February 28, 1848, the son of H. Monson and Lena (John- son) Monson, both of whom died in Sweden.
Our subject was brought up on a farm and worked for his father until he was twenty-one years of age. He then came to the United States, landing in the new world May 2, 1869. He spent the following summer in Chicago, worked on the railroad at Effingham, Ilinois. six months, and then located at Lafayette, In- chana, where be resi led three years, working AS a wachman and at other occupations. In 1573 Mr. Hokanson returned to his old home in Sweden auf for the rest seven and one-half vers was engaged in farming. Returning to America in 1542, he came to Jackson county with his family, consisting of a wife and two
chil 'n, bought eighty acres of his present fare. and his since made his home on the place. Three years after his arrival he bought the other eighty here- of his present farm.
Mr. Hokanson's first wife died in 1893. Eight children were born to them, of whom three lave died. Mr. Hokanson was married the second time in Delafielt township in the spring of 1902 to Lovisa AAnderson, who was born in Sweden and who came to the United States in 18$3. They have no children. Mr. Ilokan- son is a member of the Free Mission church of Windom. He served as treasurer of his township tince years and was clerk of school district No. 29 for the same length of time.
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