USA > Minnesota > Jackson County > An illustrated history of Jackson County, Minnesota > Part 82
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LEONARD ACKERMAN (1903) is a Rost township farmer. He was born in Livingston county, Illinois, July 3, 1874, one of a family of seven children born to Hiram and Rempke (Leenderas) Ackerman. His parents were of German birth and came to America in 1854. They lived, respectively, near St. Louis, Mis- souri, in Adams county, Illinois, and in Liv- ingston county, of the same state. His father now resides in that county and is 87 years of age. His mother died in 1884.
Leonard spent nearly his entire life in Liv- ingston county, Illinois, receiving his education in the district schools and working for his father until nineteen years of age. At that age he took the management of bis father's farm and conducted it until the year 1903. That year he came to Jackson county and located upon his present farm in Rost town- ship- the southeast quarter of section 10.
Mr. Ackerman was married in Livingston county, Illinois, February 20, 1895, to Dorothea T: Post. She is the daughter of Albert J. Post and was born in the county in which she was married. Seven children bave been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ackerman, as follows: Harm, Albert, Reinhard, Theodor, Frances, Paulus and Annie. Mr. Ackerman served as justice of the peace of his precinct during 1906 and 1907.
F. E. MALCHOW (1877) is the manager of the implement business of Malchow Brothers of Wilder. He is the son of Charles and Chris- tine (Kilen) Malchow. During the hard times of the seventies Charles Malchow and family, who had setiled in Ileron Lake township in an early day, were obliged to temporarily
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abandon the farm and seek employment at Mankato. It was during a temporary resi- dence in that town, on the 16th day of Feb- ruary, 1877, that F. E. Malchow of this sketch was born. The family returned to the farm in Heron Lake township the year of his birth.
Our subject grew to manhood and was edu- rated in the county. After completing the course of study furnished in the country school he attended the Breck school at Wilder two years. He made his home on his father's farm until seventeen years of age. The next five years of his life were spent in Windom, in the employ of a Windom merchant. Returning to Wilder, he worked at the grain business sever- al years one and one-half years for C. W. Gillam, one year for the Citizens Elevator com- pany, and then for Thom & Christensen until Angust. 1907.
In 1907 Mr. Malchow went to Lincoln coun- ty, Colorado, where he took a homestead and re-ided one year. lle and his brother, J. C. Malchow, are now the owners of a stock and dairy farm in that county. Returning to Wilder in 1908, Mr. Malchow took the man- agement of the implement house of Malehow Brothers and has been engaged in that busi- ness since. The firm of which he is now the manager was organized May 1, 1905, his part- her being J. C. Malchow.
Mr. Malchow was married at Wahpeton, North Dakota, January 16, 1901, to Stella Wellington, a native of Wisconsin and a daughter of S. A. Wellington. The latter, who now lives in Windom, is a veteran of the civil war and an ex-prisoner of Andersonville and Libby prisons. To Mr. and Mrs. Malchow have been born two children: Althea W., born September 4, 1905, and Samuel Byron, born March 10, 1909. Mr. Malchow served as presi- dent of the Wilder village council several years and was a member of the board of education three years. He is a member of the M. W. A. lodge.
ROLLEN W. LIVENGOOD (1902), manager and owner of the Jackson Plan sifter fouring mill, has not been a resident of Jackson conn- ty a great many years, but he was born in the neighboring county of Martin. The date of his birth was April 30, 1873, and he is the son of R. F. and Ophelia (Fallett) Livengood, natives of Pennsylvania and New York state,
respectively. The father came to Fillinore county, Minnesota, when seven years of age. He is now living and i- 12 years old. The mother of our subject is living at the age of tt year -. Rollen is one of a family of four children, his brother and sister being Fred R. .1ohm S. and Nellie V.
Rollen grew to manhood in Martin county and was educated in the public schools of sherburn and Fairmont. Until he was six- teen years of age he lived at home and as- sisted with the work in his father's flouring mill at Fairmont. He then set out in life for himself, working from that time until 1902 in touring mills in different parts of this state and at Egan, South Dakota, where he was for one and one-half years. In 1902 he moved to Jackson and bought a half interest in the touring miil at that point, his father being the owner of the other half interest. In the summer of 1909 he purchased his father's in- terest and is now sole owner. The mill is one of the town's important industries. Mr. Liven- good manufactures flour and feed and deals in fuel. Ile is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge and holds the office of past grand in that in- stitution.
Mr. Livengood was married at Fairmont on Christmas day, 1891, to Mary Youmans, a na- tive of Martin county and a daughter of Levi and Samantha Yonmans, both deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Livengood has been born one child, R. Jay Livengood, born May 12, 1893.
JOSEPH MAYOSTEK (1897). Hunter town- ship farmer, was born in Hungary in March. 1sol, the son of Matt and Mary layostek, both of whom died in their native land.
.Joseph was brought up on a farm and lived in Hungary until Isso. That year he emi- grated to America and for the next eleven years was employed at railroad work and in factories in Elk and other countries of Penn- sylvania and in Ohio. He came to Jackson county in 1597, bought a farm on section 33, Hunter town-hip. lived there four years, and then bought his present farm, the southeast quarter of section 32, where it has ever since resided. He is a member of the Catholie church and is a director of school district No. 113.
Mr. llayo-tek was married in Youngstown, Ohio, in Is8G. to Mary Buday, who died in March, 1892. As a result of this union three
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children were born, named as follows: Steve, Mary, Annie. The second marriage of Mr. Hayostek occurred in Elk county, Pennsyl- vania, in November, 1892, when he wedded An- nic Kubis. Three sons have been born to this marriage, as follows: Frank, Mike and Jo- seph.
WILLIAM A. McQUILLIN (1872), of Middle- town township, has been a resident of the county since he was three years of age. He owns the west half of the southwest quarter of section 30, Middletown, and farms a rented marter section in addition.
Mr. McQuillin is a native of Hamilton, Fill- more county, Minnesota, and was born August 15, 1869, the son of Ezra L. and Annie (Waite) McQuillin. When he was three years of age he moved with the family to Jackson county. His mother died when he was four years of age, and thereafter he made his home with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac C. Waite. Ile was educated in the country schools of Minneota township and took a two years' course in Pillsbury academy. Until eleven years ago William made his home with his grandparents on section 36, Minneota. Then . his grandfather sold the Minneota property and bought the farm which our subject now owns. After reaching his majority, Mr. Mc- Quillin worked for his grandfather on the farm for wages, and after the latter's death, three years ago, he inherited the property and has since made his home there.
Mr. McQuillin was married at Spirit Lake, Iowa, April 2, 1902, to Miss May Farmer, a native of Dickinson county. To them have been born three children, as follows: Vera, Geraldine and a baby girl.
Our subject holds the office of elerk of school district No. 12 and has served as con- stable and school treasurer. He is a member of the Baptist church of Loon Lake.
JOIIN QUALEY (IS88), wagon maker of Jackson, was born in Norway May 31. 1866, one of a family of four children born to Svend and Martha (Larson) Qualey, who still make their home in their native land.
John Qualey was brought up in the home of his grandparents, was educated in the schools of Norway and emigrated to the United States in 1888, coming direct to Jackson. For
three years he worked at odd jobs. He took a position in O. A. Sathe's wagon shop in 1891 and continued in that gentleman's employ, with the exception of one year, until October, 1907. Then he purchased the shop and has since conducted it. In addition to this busi- ness he is secretary of the Jackson Building and Loan association. Ile is a member of the Lutheran church and of the A. O. U. W. and Sons of Norway lodges.
Mr. Qualey was married in Jackson Jannary 17, 1897, to Anna Lee, who was born in Nor- way and who came to the United States in 1888. To Mr. and Mrs. Qualey have been born three children : Martha J., Albert C. and Thorina B. .
SIEBEND H. SAATHOFF (1890) owns and farms 120 acres on section 28, Wisconsin town- ship. Ile is a native German and was born September 19, 1870. His father, Heie Saathoff, came to America in 1882 and settled in Iroquois county, Illinois, where he died the following year. The mother of our subject, Annie (Wioltzen) Saathoff, resided in Illinois until 1890, when she and her sons moved to Jackson county.
Siebend came to America with his parents in 1882 and to Jackson county with his moth- er in 1890. He rented the farm upon which he now lives, farmed it twelve years, and then bought it. Upon his arrival he had bought an eighty acre tract on section 27, which he rent- ed, and sold that three years ago, and bought the forty aere tract on the southwest quarter of section 28. He has made all the improve- ments now on his farm, including the grove. Siebend is the youngest of three brothers, the other two of whom, Henry and Heie, own land and reside in the same precinct. Mr. Saathoff is treasurer of the Des Moines Ger- man Mutual Fire and Lightning Insurance company of Jackson and Martin counties, an office he has held for the last seven years. Ile and his family are members of the German Lutheran church.
Mr. Saathoff was married in Jackson county February 27, 1897, to Augusta Werner, a na- tive of Chicago, Illinois, and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. August Werner, of Petersburg town- ship. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Saathoff, namely, Henry, born November 28, 1898; Emma, born March 15, 1900; Albert,
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born January 24, 1903; Eddie, born December 7. 1905; Clara, born November 27, 190S.
MARTIN B. HOFSTAD (Iss1) is a Delafield township farmer residing only a short distance from Windom. He was born in Norway Jan- mary 3, 1st2, the son of Benjamin and Ingar illoughdals Hofstad and one of a family of live boys and two girls. The father of our subject died in Norway December 17, 1892, aged 82 years; his mother lives in the old coun- try and is 80 years of age.
Martin came to America and to Jackson county in Issl when nineteen years of age. l'or several years he worked for farmers in the vicinity of lis present home and then he spent several years in Minneapolis and in the northern pinerics. Ile spent one year in Ala-ka, and returning to the states, again came to Jackson county. He conducted a re -- taurant in Lakefield four years and then lo- cated on his present place and has since been engaged in farming. Ilis farm consists of 160 acres on section 2.
Mr. Hofstad was married in Delafield town- ship December -1, 1898, to Albertina Olson Sax- haug. daughter of Claus Olson Saxhaug, who homesteaded the farm upon which Mr. Hofstad now resides in 1-70 and resided there until his death December 25, 1855. Mrs. Hofstad was horn in Norway June 23. 1864, and came to the United States when two years of age. MIr. and Mrs. lloistad have no children of their own, but they have an adopted daughter, Mariah, born October 16, 1896.
Mr. Hofstad is a member of the A. F. & A. M .. the 1. O. O. F. and the Maccabee lodges and the Norwegian Lutheran church.
MARTIN ARNDT (1596) is a farmer and landowner of Des Moines township, having a fine home on section 31. Ile owns the southeast quarter of that seetion and the west half of the southwest quarter of section 29. He is a rative of Germany and was born October Is, Isel. the eldest of a family of five children born to Anton and Rosa (Kanthack) Arndt. both desea-cd.
The first twenty-three years of the life of our subject were -pent in his native land. He attended school and worked for his parents and served two years in the German army. In Issi he came to America, worked on a farm
near Milbank, South Dakota, until the next sping, and then located at Fairmont, Minne- sota. He re-ided there two years, working as a farm hand one year and on the railroad one year. He worked on the railroad at Huntley, Minnesota, four years and then rented a farm in Faribault county, which he conducted until 1896. That year he came to Jackson county and located upon his farin in Des Moines township, which he had bought before coming to reside permanently. Later he bought his other farm land on section 29.
Mr. Arndt was married at Fairmont, Min- nesota, February 14, Jest, to Susana Wiacor- ack, who was born in Germany and who died October 6, 1901. at the age of thirty-eight Years. Six children were born to this union, named as follows: Anna, Martha, Paul, Jo- seph. John and Bruno. The family are mem- bers of the Catholic church at Jackson. He was a township supervisor two years and is at present a member of the school board of dis- trict No. 11.
FERDINAND PLAGMAN (1893), farmer and stock raiser of Sioux Valley township, was born in Propststei, Holstein, Germany, November 6, IS45, the son of Ilans and Cath- erine Plagman.
Ferdinand's parents died before he was six months old and he was taken into the family of an unele and aunt, with whom he lived until he was ten years of age. Then he went lo live with a family in the country and made his home there until a man grown. In 1874 he came to America and located in Seott coun- ty. Iowa, where he was employed as a farm hand until ISS1. He spent the next year work- ing on a farm in Crawford county, Iowa, and in 1542 moved to the vicinity of llolstein, Ida county. where he leased an eighty aere tract of land and engaged in farming one season. We next find Mr. Plagman in Lyon county, lowa. where he bought a 120 acre farm and farmed until 1893.
In the fall of 1893 Mr. Plagman came to Jackson county and bought his farm, the southwest quarter of section 1, Sioux Valley township. then only slightly improved. He did not at once begin farming the place, but rent- ed it to llerman Frodermann for a number of years. In 1895 Mr. Plagman returned to his old home in Germany, where he spent four- teen months visiting. Returning, he bought
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forty acres of land in the southern part of Sioux Valley township and farmed it ten years. A few years ago Mr. Plagman took possession of his farm on section 1, where he has since resided. Ile is quite an extensive stock raiser and is a successful farmer, Mr. Plagman serv- ed as treasurer of school district No. 72 for six years. He belongs to the Sons of Her- mann lodge.
In Dennison, Crawford county, Iowa, on Aug- ust 20, 1896, Mr. Plagman was married to Mary Fenern, who was born in Holstein, Ger- many, January 21, 1860. To them has been born one child, Harry, born November 3, 1897. By a former marriage Mrs. Plagman is the mother of one child, Otto Fenern.
WILLIAM F. DREWS (1903). cashier and manager of the Farmers State Bank of Herou Lake, is a native of Carver county, Minnesota, and was born November 20, 1883. Ile is the fifth child of a family of nine children born to G. Drews and Augusta Drews. These parents now reside at Seaforth. Minnesota.
When William was six months old the family moved to Gibbon, Sibley county, Minnesota, and that was the family home fifteen years, William securing his education in the public schools of Gibbon. He located in Seaforth, Redwood county, and engaged in the hotel business with his father until 1903. That year he moved to Heron Lake and took a position as bookkeeper in the Farmers State Bank. Ile was made assistant cashier in 1905 and cash- ier in 190S and has had charge of the bank for the past three years. Mr. Drews is a member of the Heron Lake village couneil. Fraternally he is associated with the Masonic, Eastern Star and Woodmen lodges.
The marriage of our subject occurred in Heron Lake June 20, 1907, when he wedded Jennie Smith, a native of Heron Lake and a daughter of John T. Smith.
JOHN C. WENDELSDORF (1882). Peters. burg township farmer, was born in Greengar- den, Illinois, March 25, 1879, and is the son of John and Mary (Week) Wendelsdorf, of the same township.
John Wendelsdorf, the father of our subject, was born in Germany October 13, 1845, came to the United States when twenty-one years of age, and located in Greengarden, Illinois,
where he lived fifteen years. He then came to Jackson county and located on section 17, Pet- ersburg township, where he has since lived. He was married to Mary Week June 29. 1868. He owns 360 acres of land in Petersburg.
John C. Wendelsdorf of this sketch accom- panied his parents to Jackson county in the spring of 1882. He received a common school education and until he was twenty-five years of age lived on the home farm. Since that time he has been engaged in business for him- self, farming the southeast quarter of section 19.
Mr. Wendelsdorf was married October 25, 1905, to Miss Mary Heser. To them have been born two children: Mabel, born October 11, 1906; Trene, born August 5, 190S.
TILBERT THORESON (1886). Christiania township farmer, was born in Cottonwood county, Minnesota, June 22, 1881, the oldest child born to Anton and Carrie (Larson) Thore- son. When he was five years of age he aceom- panied his parents to Jackson county, where he has ever since lived. After growing to manhood he engaged in farming, and he now farms the northeast quarter of section 31. He is a member of the Lutheran church.
The parents of our subject were natives of Norway. The father was a well digger and farmer. He died in 1895. Ilis widow makes her home with the subject of this biography. There are six children in the family, namely : Tilbert, born June 22. 1881; Olof, born Jan- uary 24, 1885; Lizzie, born November 28, 1888; Igman, born September 16, 1890; Emil, born October 12, IS93; Clara, born December 19, 1894.
JOHN A. NAVARA (1887), rural mail ear- rier from the Lakefield office. was born in Chicago May IS, 1878, the son of Vit and Mary (Kosticka) Navara. His parents were born in Bohemia, came to America after their marriage, and settled in Chicago. They came to Jackson county in 1887 and lived on the farm in Hun- ter township until 1907, when they moved to Lakefield, and now make their home with their son.
John came to Jackson county with his par- ents in 1887 and until he was a young man made his home on his father's farm, the east half of the southeast quarter of section 16,
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Hunter township. He attended the district schools of flunter township and the high schools of Jackson and Lakefield, and when nineteen years of age took a course in the Metropolitan Business college of Chicago. For a time after his school days he worked in Lakefield at various occupations, and in 1901 took the position of mail carrier, which has since been his occupation.
Mr. Navara was married at Chicago August 16, 1904, to Tesse Felix, who was born in Chi- cago October 13, 1881. She is the daughter of John and Tesse Felix. Her father died nine years ago; her mother lives in Chicago. To Mr. and Mrs. Navara have been born three children, as follows: Elsie, born June 3, 1905; Theodore J., born May 9, 1906, died January 1, 1909: Lawrence, born September 9, 1908. The family are members of the Lakefield Catholic church. He is a member of the West- ern Catholic Union of Jackson and of the Mod- ern Woodmen lodge. He holds membership in the Rural Letter Carriers association and is treasurer of the Jackson county branch.
JOHN L. HOFLAND owns a 120 acre farm on sections HA and 13, Delafield township, where he has lived his entire life, having been born on that farm. His parents were Andrew and Carrie (Thompson) Hofland, natives of Norway and Wisconsin, respectively.
His parents homestraded the farm in 1870 and spent the rest of their years on the place. There John grew to manhood and in the dis- trict school he was educated. His father died when John was nine years of age, and soon thereafter he took the active management of the place. continuing to make his home with his mother until her death July 13, 1907. Ile now has charge of the estate. John is the old. est of five children, the other children being Sophia Dalid, of Canada; Lena Matson, of Jack- son county ; Augusta Hanson, of Edgerton, Minnesota: Emma, who resides with her brother.
Mr. Jotland is unmarried. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church of Windom and of the M. W. A. lodge. He served one Vvar as road overseer.
AUGUST KIELBLOCK (892) is a Wiseon- sin township farmer and land owner, residing on the southwest quarter of section 35. Ile is
a native of Brandenberg. Germany, and was born August 9, 1859, the son of Carl and Charlot e (Fogel) Kielblock, both deceased.
August received a common school education in his native land and resided there until twenty three years of age, engaging in farm- ing after growing up. He came to the United States in 1882 and located at Minonk, Illinois. He moved to Kewanee, Henry county, in 1884 and resided there until 1892. During part of the time of his residence in Illinois he was engaged in farming, the rest of the time he was employed by a steam healing company. Mr. Kielblock came to Jackson county in March, 1892, and has since been engaged in farming in Wisconsin township. He owns 160 acres of land and has stock in several local enterprises, including a creamery, elevator and horse company. He has served as school freas- mier nine years and has held other official positions.
Mr. Kielblock was married May 30, 1884, to Miss Caroline Zobal, who was born April 4. 1865. To them have been born the following named right children: Winnie L. M., horn No- vember 21, 1887; Caroline M. A .. horn Deceni- ber 13, 1889; Anna D., born September 7, 1891 ; Edwin A. H., born November 28, 1893; August George O., born October 6, IS96: William II. A., horn March 22. 1899: Frederick C., born July 12. 1901: Theodore II. E., born November 2, 1905. The family are members of the Ger- man Lutheran church.
JJOHN M. SAWYER (885). Hunter township farmer, was born in Whiteside county. Ili- nois. August 12, 1860, the son of Robert and Louisa (MeUmber) Sawyer, nalives of Scot- land and New York state. respectively. John's father died when the subject of this biography was five years old, and soon afterward he and his mother located in Tama county, Jowa. His mother bought a farm there, and there young Sawyer was educated and grew to manhood.
John worked on his mother's farm in Tama county until 1985: then they came to Jackson county and located on section 15. Hunter township, where our subject still managed his mother's farm until 1890. That year he was married, bought his present farm on section 12, and has ever since been engaged in farm- ing for himself. His mother died in Grundy county. Jowa. in 1905.
Mr. Sawyer was married at Eureka Springs,
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Arkansas, January 5, 1890, to Ella Puckett, a native of Illinois. To them have been born the following named nine children: James, Sarah. Mary, Jessie. Charles, deceased; Rosa, Aggie. Thomas and Allen. For a number of years Mr. Sawyer was clerk of school district No. 15. Ile is a member of the Modern Wood- men lodge.
('LAUS KNUTH (189]), farmer of Ewington township, was born in Germany August 11, 1864. the second of a family of eight children living. His father is Ilenry Knuth, who in the old country was a rope maker and who now makes his home with his son. Our subject's mother, who is now dead, was Wiebke (Clod- ins) Knuth.
Claus made his home with his parents and attended school until he was sixteen years of age. Then he worked one year in his father's rope and harness shop. Ile came to the United States in 1881 and located in Woodford eoun- ty, Illinois, where he worked out as a farm laborer until 1890. That year he came to Jackson county and bought his present farm, the southwest quarter of section 25, Ewington township. He did not locate on his farm at once, but for several years lived on an uncle's farm on section 16. Later he improved his own place and has since made his home there. Mr. Knuth has been a member of the township board for the past six or seven years and he has served as school director of district No. 54 for the last two years. He is a member of the German Lutheran church.
Mr. Knuth was married in Jackson county May 8, 1898, to Flora Janssen, a native of Il- linois. They have six children. as follows: Margaret, John, Henry, Hannah. Willie and Mary.
JOSEPH H. GRAVES (1899) owns and farms the northeast quarter of section 31, Des Moines township. He is a native of Stark county. Illinois, and was born March 22, 1875. His parents, James and Caroline (Fling) Graves, were born in Ohio, came to Illinois in the early days, and now reside in Iroquois county of that state, aged 68 and 64 years, respectively. They are the parents of six children, as fol- lows: Ida, Isaac, Laura. Anna. Joseph and Leroy.
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