USA > Minnesota > Nobles County > An illustrated history of Nobles County, Minnesota > Part 65
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HARRY RUPRECHT, breeder of Hereford cattle and an extensive grain and hay farm- er. has his farm home within the limits of the village of Bigelow. He was born in Galena, III., March 17, 1871.
Frank Ruprecht, the father of our sub-
jeet, was born in Prussia Do. 24, 1824, where he resided until 1859, securing an education and working as a clerk. Coming to the United States in 1859, he located in Galena, Ill., where for twelve years he engaged in mercantile pursuits. Removing to Missouri, he engaged in the mercantile business sev eral years, and then moved to Bigelow, where he has since resided. The mother of our subject is Mary (Welp) Ruprecht, who was born in Wisconsin in 1844. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ruprecht are the parents of six children: Lou, Harry, Emma, Pauline, Anna Belle and May.
Until he was fourteen years old Harry lived in Galena, attending school. He came to Nobles county in 1885 and located with his parents on the farm where be has since lived. Ile farms eleven acres in the village limits, upon which the house is located, the southeast quarter of section 31, Ransom, and the northwest quarter of section 27, Ran- som, land which came into the possession of his grandfather, Gerhard Welp, in 1884. Since the death of his grandfather in 1894 liarry has had the management of the farms. Mr. Ruprecht is a member of the Bige- low village council and has held several of- hces of trust within the gift of his neigh- bors.
JOHN P. PETERSON (1859-1904) one of the pioneer residents of Nobles county, and during a residence of many year- here played an important part in the affairs of the county in a business, social and political way.
Mr. Peterson was born near Lansing. Allamakee county, lowa, Aug. 25, 1859, next to the youngest of a family of seven child- ren. His parents were Jobn and Johanna Peter-on, who were born in Sweden, where they attained maturity and were married. They came to the United States in 1st0. resided a while in western Illinois, and then moved to Allamakee county, lowa. MIr. Peterson, Sr .. engaged in carpentering and farming and died on his old homestead Hear Lansing in 1864.
The gentleman whose name head- this sketch was reared on his father's farm and scoured a primary education in the district schools. lle came to Worthington ir 1972 and for two years attended the gra led
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schools of that only. At the end of His sthoot days he became a cierk in the gen- eral store of 1 .. L. Kimball, one of the pioneer business men of Wortumgton, and later was canloved as clerk in a Worthing- tum grocery store. He then taught a com us schout two terms, after which he went to Wisconsin and spen. a year in the log- ging district. Returning to Nobles county le farmed two years, and then spent two Jeals as an employe in the real estate office of ... Franklin & Co., Minneapolis.
Mr. Peterson returned to Nobles county in 1884 and became the manager of II. K. Torrance's general store in the town of Ellsworth, which had just been founded. lle was the manager of the store two years, and then we started in the grain business at Ellsworth on his own account, later engaging in the same business at Worthing- ton. He also embarked in the mercantile business at Worthington as a member of the firm known as the Swedish Mercantile Co., later reorganized as the hub Mercantile Co.
In 1899 Mr. Peterson was elected county treasurer on the republicin ticket and was reelected in 1596 and 1898. At the close of his last term, Jan. 1, 1901, he again entered the mercantile business, in which he was engaged at the time of his death. Ile died March 17, 1904, and was buried in the Worthington cemetery, the funeral being under the auspices of the Knights of Pythias lodge, of which organization he was deputy grand chancellor commander several terms. He also held a membership in the 31. W. A. and W. O. W. lodges.
Mr. Peterson was married in 1889 to Miss Alma Turner, of Rock Rapids, lowa, a daughter of Jesse K. and Elizabeth (Hnghe-) Turner. Mr -. Peterson was born in Marshall county. lowa, Feb. 11, 1870. Her mother died when she was four years of age. Her father, a native of Illinois, and for some years a resident of Worthington, now re-iles in Grangeville, Idaho. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson were the parents of three children, as follows: Rolland 1,, born in Worthington Dee. 29. 1894; a son who died in infancy : Helen M .. born in Worthington Feb. 2. 1897. Mrs. Peterson and her two charen now reside in Worthington.
J. W. ABBOTT is Nobles county's super- intendent of schools and resides at Worth- jugton. Ile has been a resident of Nobles county since Isss. His birthplace is Athens county, Ohio, where he first saw the light of day on April 8, INGS. Mr. Abbott de- scenes from colonial stock, the family having taken up its residence in America at a very early day. For several generations the fam- ily resided in Pennsylvania, but in later years removed to Ohio. John Abbott, the father of our subject, was a native of Mor- gin county, Ohio, where he was born in the year 1815, and where he died in 1889. Ma- hala (Brown) Abbott, his wife, was born in Athens county, Ohio, about 1828, and died in 1875.
1 .. W. Abbott spent the first twenty years of his life in Athens and Meigs counties, Ohio. llis first schooling was received in the village schools of Hemlock Grove. Meigs county. Later he attended Plains academy, at Tupper's Plains, Ohio, a preparatory school which corresponds to the high school of Min- nosota. lle was graduated from there when sixteen years of age, and immediately en- tered the Ohio state university at Athens, which he attended for two years.
In 1887 he began teaching school, which profession he has followed ever since. llis first school was at Atlanta, Ohio, where he taught one year. In March, 1888, he ar- rived at Ellsworth. Minnesota, and Nobles county has been his home ever since. For several years he conducted country schools it the vicinity of Ellsworth, and in 1892 and 1803 had charge of the Little Rock, Iowa, school. Thereafter he taught in several dif- forent schools in northern lowa until 1897, when he returned to Ellsworth, and until January 1, 1901, engaged in his chosen oe- enpation.
Mr. Abbott was elected county superin- tendent of schools of Nobles county on the republican ticket in November, 1900. was reelected in 1902, 1901 and 1906. In Feb- ruary, 1902, he changed his place of resi- dence from Ellsworth to Worthington, and has since made his home in the county seat town. Ile has made an enviable record as superintendent, and his popularity is at- tested by his numerous reelections. The only other public office ever held by Mr. Abbott was justice of the peace of Ellsworth vil- lage, which he held from 1898 to 1902.
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At Rock Rapids, Iowa, June 3. 1893. Mr. Abbott was married to Miss Nellie 1. Beede. daughter of John Beede, of Waukon, Iowa. To them have been born three children- Albert Sidney, born March 6, 1894: John Gordon, born January 15, 1899; Nellie Gar- net. born November 30, 1901.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Abbott are members of the Congregational church of Worthing- ton, having united in the summer of 1902. and take an active interest in church and Sunday school work. Mr. Abbott helped to organize, and was the first superintendent of. the first Sunday school conducted in Mid- land township, Lyon county, Iowa, the school having been started in the summer of 1888. He is a member of the United Workmen and " Yeoman lodges of Worthington.
AXEL E. LARSON, of Elk township. is a native of Nobles county, having been born in Hersey township Oct. 5, 1878. Ile is the son of Charles and Emily ( Elofson) Larson, of Hersey.
Not only was he born in the county, but his home has been here ever since. He was raised on his father's farm in llersey town- ship and was educated in the schools of dis- triet No. 53. In the spring of 1904 he left his father's place and began farming for himself on section 25, Elk, where he rents a half section.
Mr. Larson was married at Worthington March 22. 1904, to Hulda Jacobson, who is also a native of the county. having been born in Bigelow township. To them have been born the following children: Clifford, born Jan. 20, 1905; Raymond and Albert (twins), born April 19. 1907. Both Mr. and Mrs. Larson are members of the Swed- ish Lutheran church of Worthington.
AUGUST WASS. a Bigelow township farm- er. is the next to the youngest son of Al- fred and Christina Wass, who also reside in Bigelow township. Alfred Wass and wife were married in Sweden and came to the United States in 1882. For six years they resided in Emmet county. Iowa, then came to Nobles county in 1888 and since that. date have made their home in Bigelow fown- ship. To Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Wa-s were born the following children : Carleston, Mary,
Frank, Emma, Axel, Freda, August and Augusta.
August Wass, of this sketeh, was born in Sweden July 28, 1872, and came to the Unit- eil States with his parents when ten years of age. After six years spent in Emmet county, lowa, he came with his parents to Nobles county. Until 1902 he lived with his father on seetion 8, Bigelow township. Then he bought his prosent farm of 240 peres on section 7, since which time he has been engaged in farming for himself.
Mr. Wass was married at Cedar Rapids. lowa, March 14, 1900, to Miss Tillie John- son, who was born in Sweden and who came to the United States a few years before her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Wass have been born the following children: Mabel, born Nov. 7, 1901; Louis, horn March 14, 1903; Blenda, born July 20, 1907.
the WILLIAM CLARK. A veteran of Mexican war and a pioneer of Nobles conn- ty is William Clark, who resides at Worth- ington. Ile was born at Belfast. Ireland, February 12, 1820. Although Ireland is his native country, his parents were English and Scotch. His father was Joseph Clark. a na- tive of England, and his mother's maiden name was MeCashlin, a Scotch family.
William Clark's boyhood days were spent in England. When about fifteen years of age, in 1835, he started for Australia, got as far as the Cape of Good Hope, then changed his mind and came to America. He made his home in New York for many years, working at different occupations. In 1857 he joined a party of pioneers who were com- ing west. During the trip a short stop was made at Marengo. Ill., and there on March 20, 1857, he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Lane, another member of the party. a lady who has been his life's partner for over 50 years. Mr. and Mrs. Clark came to Lake City, Minn., and became pioneers of the state. as later they did of Nobles conn- ty. Near Lake City Mr. Clark purchased a farm, and there he and his wife made their home until 1873.
On the last named date they came to No bles county and purchased a farm in Ran- som township, where they made their home until 1882. Then they moved to Worthing ton. at which place they have lived ever since.
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Mr. Clark is one of the few surviving vet- erne of the Mexican war. During several of the campaigns of that war ho served as orderly to General Winfield Scott. He left the service shortly after the battle of Mexico.
EDWIN S. WEMPLE. proprietor of the Rushmore hotel and restaurant, is one of the early day settlers of that village. He is the son of the late E. L. and Elizabeth (Seeber) Wemple and was born in New York city Jan. 24, 1859. At the age of ten years he moved with the family to Elizabeth City. N. J., and there he lived eight years, secur- ing an education in Westminster academy, of that city.
In 1877. at the age of righteen years, Ed- "in went to Chicago and for six years was employed in a wholesale dry goods honse. Moving to Rushmore in 1883, when that town was a little hamlet. he engaged in farming hi father's property near town. at which he was engaged until 1887. The next three years of his life were spent as a grain Imyer for the Peavy Elevator company in Rushmore. He went to Sioux Falls. S. D .. in 1890, and for one year was clerk in the county auditor's office there. During the next five years he engaged in the real estate business in that South Dakota city. Re- turning to Nobles county in 1896. he farmed several years and then moved to town, en- gaging in the grocery and restaurant bnsi- 110.s. In 1903 he opened the hotel and has conducted the business ever since.
Mr. Wemple was married at Worthington May 24. 1890, to Sarah A. Cummings, a nativo of Preston, Minn., and a daughter of B. F. and Jenett (Boden) Cummings, who row reside at Presion. Mrs. Wemple moved to Worthington with her parents when a child and resided there until her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Wemple have been born two chiklren: Lillian 1. born in Rushmore May 28. 1891; Edwin L., born at Sionx Falls March 8, 1893.
Mr. Wemple has served as justice of the prace for the past ten years and was Dewald township clerk from 1985 to 1889. He is a member of the Yeomen lodge.
IOHIN A. SAXON, Indian Lake township farmer, is the eldest son of Charles Saxon
(deceased) and Augnsia (Anderson) Saxon. He was born in Allamakee county, Iowa. in 3863, and the first nine years of his life were spent on his father's farm there. The date of his arrival to Nobles county was June S. 1872, and ever since that date he has resided in this county, making a con- tinuous residence of thirty-six years.
While he was growing to man's estaie John A. made his home on his father's farm. More or less of the time he was engaged in different occupations at various places, but his home was always in Indian Lake town- ship.
ITe was married to Carrie Brennen Dee. 19, 189I. To them have been born four chil- dren-Mamie. Jennie, Edward and Olive- all of whom reside with their parents on the Indian Lake farm.
After his marriage Mr. Saxon rented the west half of the southeast quarter of sec- tion 20, Indian Lake, and engaged in farm- ing, which has been his occupation ever since. About 1895 he purchased the farm, and later he also purchased a quarter seetion in sce- tion 32, adjoining the home place.
Mr. Saxon has taken an active part in the affairs of his township and school dis- triet. He has been a member of the town- ship board of supervisors for the last live years. and has served three years as school director of his district. In a business way he is interested in the telephone line which serves that part of the county, holding an alice in the company which operates the line. Ile is a member of the Baptist church of Indian Lake.
FRED FREMMING, Ransom township fumer, is a Norwegian by birth, having been born near the city of Christiana Sept. 12. 1871. the son of Ben and Mary (Larson) Fremming, who reside with their son in Ransom. Until he was over twenty years of age he lived in his native country, and during the last three or four years there worked in a big depot at Aiswalt.
On April 6. 1892. Mr. Fremming landed it. America and came dircet to Nobles county For three or four months he worked on the section at Rushmore and then began to work at farm labor in that vicinity. For two years he worked for Lewis Larson and two years for Jens Johnson. Next he ren-
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ted a Ransom township farm and farmed it two years. He then moved to Wilmar. Minn., where he farmed two years. Returning to Nobles county he bought the southwest quarter of section 18. Ransom, and has since been engaged in farming it. In addition to his general farming Mr. Fremming makes a specialty of stock, and raises thoroughbred Holstein cattle.
In Ransom township on Nov. 12. 1895, Mr. Fremming was united in marriage to Miss Clara Larson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Larson. of the same township. They are the parents of the following children : Lester Mabel. Evelyn. Violet. Helen and Pearl. Both parents are members of the Ransom Lutheran church.
JOSEPH P. HANSEN, Grand Prairie town- ship farmer, has been engaged in farming on his present place during the last twenty-two years. He was born in Bedburg. in the province of Cologne. Germany. Oct. 19. 1857, son of Carl Joseph and Mateline (Schnell) Hansen. The father was a tailor by trade. He was born Nov. 16. 1816, and died in Fulda. Nohle county. Ohio. April 22. 1802. The mother was born in 1821 and died in Pomeroy, Ohio, Jime .17, 1898.
Germany was the home of Mr. Hansen un- til 1881. At the age of thirteen years, in 1870. he began learning the baker's trade in the city of Cologne and served an appren- ticeship of three years. During the next four years he worked af his trade for several different firms in the same city. and then opened a shop of his own in BedInrg. which he conducted two years. He then entered the German army and served two years (1878-1880). his place of service being in the city of Cologne.
On May 16, 1881. Mr. Hansen landed in New York city, determined to make his future home in the new world. Ilis intentions were to go direet to Cleveland, Ohio. but while in the metropolis of the country he was rob- hed of his money and other valuables. This necessitated a change of program. To se- enred work on a farm in Connecticut. and after one month's labor had enough money to take him to his destination. Arriving in Cleveland, he worked nine months in a fon dry. and then went to Pomeroy. Ohio, where he tended bar in a saloon until 1985.
On March 19, 1885, Mr. Hansen first set foot on Nobles county soil, but after re- maining a few days departed, and during the summer worked in St. Paul. lle came back in the fall and worked with a thresh ing crew. lle then went to Scott county. Minn., where he was married and spent the winter of 1885-SG.
The date of his marriage was Jan. 26. 1886, at which time he led to the altar Katie Bonselet, a native of Kenosha county. Wis. To them have been born these child- ren : Therese, born Feb. 22. 1880; Elenora. born March 3. 1891: Carl. born Feb. 4. 1893: Emil, born Feb. 28. 1895; Beda, born Jan. 1. 1897; Walter, born Jan. 15, 1899; Rich- ard, born April 9. 1901: Joseph, born Nov. 11. 1903; John, horn Jan. 12. 1906.
In the spring of 1886 Mr. Hansen and his bride came to Nobles county to make their permanent home and located on their pres- ent farm, which had been bought in the summer of 1885. and where they have since resided. Besides managing his farm. Mr. Hansen has other business interests. He owns stock in the Farmers Elevator company of Adrian and in the Westside Telephone com- pany. He is a member of the Catholic church of Adrian and of the D. R. K. T. G. V. M. lodge of St. Paul. For six years he served as treasurer of school district No. 40.
HENRY STUNTEBECK. carpenter and thresher of Wilmont, was born in Oldenberg. Germany. Nov. 21, 1973. the son of Ber- nard and Catherine (Eilers) Stuntebeck. both of whom are living in their native land. the father at the age of 71 years and the mother aged 64 years.
In Oldenberg Henry lived until he was past sixteen years of age, getting an edn- cation and working at the carpenter trade Ile landed in Baltimore April 14. 1890. and went immediately to Alton, in Siony county. Inwa. where he remained until February. 1891. working on the farm and at his trade. Hle then moved to Elwood, Lyon county. Iowa, where he was until 1891. working at his trade and running a threshing machine engine during the falls. Ile went back to Alton in 1804 and spent two years there working at carpenter work.
Mr. Stuntebeek spent the summer of
1896 in Lemars, and that
to
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Nobles county, where he bought and opera ted a threshing machine. He spent the win ter in Lemars, but in the spring of 1897 went to Edgerton and worked at his trade. lle threshed during the fall of 1897 in Will mont and Larkin townships, and then moved to Ashton. lowa. where he remained until August 1. 1898. He then came back to Nobles county, and has ever since resided here, work- ing at the carpenter frade and operating his threshing machine. Prior to his marriage. which occurred in 1905. he resided in the country: since then he has made his home in Wilmont, where he owns a fine home and three lots. lle owns a half section of land on sections 7 and S. Dewald township. When the village of Wilmont was founded in 1900 Mr. Stuntebeck put up the town's tir-t building the postoffice and Iumber office of C. W. Becker and has erected many of the town's principal business and residence build- ings. Tle also built many of the fine farm homes in Willmont township.
At St. Kilian on Nov. 21, 1905. Mr. Stunte- heck was marrled to Elizabeth Peterhirs. daughter of Henry and Mary (Thole) Peter- hors. of Willmont township. She was born in Shakopee, Minn., Oct. 26. 1894. To them has been born one child, Bernard, born July 21. 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Stuntcheck are members of the Catholic church.
CHARLES H. DENTON. of Graham Lakes township, has been a resident of Nobles coun- ty ever since he was an infant in arms. Ho was born in St. Paul, Minn., Nov. 4. 1879. the son of the late .I. H. Denton, one of the most prominent men of Graham Takes township. . I. H. Denton was born in Es- sex county. N. Y .. in 1834, and died in Nobles county. March 4. 1902.
Charles TI. Denlon came to the county from St. Paul as an infant, and grow to manhood here. TTe received an education in the school of district 31. and since growing to manhood has been engaged in farming. He now owns 320 acres of land in section 33. Graham Takes. He is a member of the Presbyterian church. During four and one-half years he served as treasurer of the school district in which he lives.
Mr. Denton was married at Dundee April 22. 1903. to Miss May Kochly, who was born in Kankakee county. Ill. To them has been one child -- John Raymond.
ISAAC ISAACSON. After devoting his life to the milling business, Mr. Isaaeson, in 1901, moved to Nobles county and has since been engaged in farming. He owns the southeast quarter of section 32, Leota town- ship, which he bought at the time of his arrival.
Mr. Isaacson was born in Norway March 10, 1845, the son of Isaae and Ada Ingebor (Nel-on) Isaacson. The father was an early day settler of Leota township, having come there direct from Norway in ISSO. He bought the southwest quarter of section 34. the farm now owned by the family of the late Chris llaibek. his son. and on that place he resided until his death, which occurred in 1886, at the age of 65 years. Our sub- jeet's mother died at the home of her son, Chri- Haibek, in November, 1900. at the age of 79 years.
In his native country Mr. Isaacson worked at the cabinet maker's trade and followed the sea for a few years. le came to the I'nited States in 1871 and Joeated at Whalan, in Fillmore county, Minn. He took up the work of a millwright and for sixteen years was an employe of W. W. Corgill & Fall in mills at Whalan and Ilouston. He then honght a custom mill at Whalan and went into business for himself. conducting the mill for sixteen years. Selling ont in 1901. he moved to Nobles county, bought his present farm (then without improvements). and on- gaged in farming. Ile now has one of the fine farms of Lrota township.
Mr. Isaacson has been married twice. His first marriage occurred in Norway, in 1868. when he wedded Bertha Beanrn. She died in Houston, Minn., in June, IS83, at the age of 36 years. As a result of this union eight children were born, of whom the following five are living: Hannah (Mrs. Peter Elling- son), wife of a Sioux Falls automobile dealer: John B .. proprietor of a department store at Allison. Jowa: Mary (Mrs. John Jacobson). of Sioux Falls: Ingebor. a school teacher of MeLean county. N. D .; Eda Berthena, who resides at home.
The second marriage of Mr. Isaacson oc. curred at Honsinn, Minn .. Dec. 26. 1SS3. when le wedded Carrie Ingerbritson, who was born in Norway in 1855, and who came to the I'mited States with her parents when a child five years old. She is the daughter of Austin and Gunnel (Swenson) Ingerbrit-
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son. Her father came to the United States at the time of the civil war and located in Fillmore county, Minn., where he now lives on a farm. Iler mother died in Fillmore county in 1904, at the age of 67 years. Mr. and Mrs. Isaacson are the parents of five children, as follows: Oscar. Ruben, Gina. Charlotte, a school teacher of district 59; Isaae Herman, Esther Lillian, Lida Theolena. Both parents are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Synod church, of Kenneth. He has held the office of director of school district No. 59 for the last three years. .
EDWIN C. PANNELL, auditor of Nobles county, is one of the very early residents of Worthington. He was born in Caryville. N. Y., but before the outbreak of the civil war moved to Rockford. Ill. Later he be- came a resident of Faribault county, Minn .. and in the fall of 1871, when the village of Worthington was just beginning, he came to that place, and has resided there ever since. He entered into the draying business at an early day and was proprietor of the Worthington dray line until 1903.
Mr. Pannell has held several offices of trust within the gift of the people of his eity and county. He served as a member of the council in 1893, 1894 and 1896; was treasurer in 1898; and was president of the council in 1899 and 1900. Ile was elected county auditor on the republican ticket in 1902, was reelected in 1904 and again in 1900, and is now serving his third term.
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