USA > Minnesota > Nobles County > An illustrated history of Nobles County, Minnesota > Part 79
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
kato, the Swedish Lutheran, the Norwegian Lutheran and the German Lutheran churches of Tracy and a church at Sherburn, Minn. He drew the plans for the new Baptist church in Indian Lake township.
Mr. Palm was born in Sweden Oet. 28. 1866. At an early age he began working at the carpenter's trade, which he followed several years in his native country. In 1887 he came to the United States and to Worth- ington. During the first year of his resi- dence here he worked at his trade for Sam- uel Allen, and thereafter began contracting, which he has followed ever since. He is a member of the Swedish Lutheran church of Worthington and of the Modern Woodmen of America lodge. lle owns the southwest quarter of section 34, Dewald township, and several residences in Worthington.
Mr. Palm was married at Worthington Dec. 16. 1893, to Annie Johnson. daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Johnson, of Sweden. Mr. and Mrs. Pah are the parents of five daughters, Edda Evelin. born Aug. 31. 1895; Mae Linnea, born June 12, 1898; Violette, born Ang. 17. 1900: ITelen Victoria, born July 1, 1903; Agnes Jo-ephine, born Jan. 10, 1906.
CARL I. JOHNSON, a Seward township farmer, is a new arrival to Nobles county, having lived here only about two years. Fle is of Swedish birth and of German and Swedish parentage. His father was An- drew Johnson. a Schleswig-Ilolstein German; his mother was Christina (Anderson) John- son, a native of Sweden. They met in Germany, where Miss Anderson was work- ing, and decided to marry. Because of pa- rental objection. they went to Sweden, where they were married and where they resided eight years.
It was during this residence in Sweden, in the town of Talmar. on July 3. 1860, that Carl J. Johnson was born. When he was eight years of age he went with his parents to Hadersleben, Schleswig-holstein, Germany, and there he lived until 1885. In 1871 his father was killed in battle during the French-Prussian war; his mother died four years later.
Coming to America in 1885, Mr. Johnson located in Ford county, Ill. Ile worked at farm work for a number of years, then bought land and engaged in farming until
1906. During the fall of 1905 he bought 240 acres of land on section Il, Seward town- ship, and the following spring came to No- bles county, and has since made his home here.
Mr. Johnson was married March 5. 1887, in Ford county, Ill., to Jensine Hanson. who was born on the island of Ongerland, Denmark, in 1860. To them have been boru the following children, all of whom are living at home: Ida, llenry, Agnes, Elna, Clara, Charles and Anna.
ED OLSON, a Worthington township farm- er, residing a short distance south of Worth- ington, has been a resident of Nobles county sixteen years. Ile was born at Hinsdale. III., April 7, 1878, the son of Nels Olson and Maria (Renaldo) Olson, of Worthington.
The subject of this sketch resided in Ilinsdale fourteen years. He attended the public schools there and worked on his father's farm. In 1892 he came to Nobles county with his parents, who located on section 34, Worthington township, and there Ed has lived ever since. He completed his schooling in the Worthington public schools, and for a number of years has been farming for himself.
He was married at Worthington Dec. 7, 1904, to Carrie Larson, daughter of Jens Larson. Mr. and Mrs. Olson are the parents of two sons, Edwin and Johnnie.
HENRY PETERBURS is a farmer and stockraiser of Willmont township and an carly setiler of that precinct. He owns the northeast quarter of seelion 30 and the southeast quarter of section 23.
Mr. Peterburs was born in Westphalia. Germany. Nov. 13, 1853. the son of Frank and Gertie (Langhorst) Peterburs. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, died in Germany when on subject was eleven years of age, at the age of 56 years. Mrs. Peterburs died one week later. at the age of 50 years. Until he was twenty-seven years old Henry resided in his native land. and was raised on a farm. During the last six years of his residence there he was em- ployed as a stage and mail driver.
On the 26th of Angust. ISSO. Mr. Peter- burs arrived in Adrian direct from Germany.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
his earthly possessions consisting of twenty dollars. Hle rented a farm on section 4, Westside township, and farmed there one year. He then worked out six months for a farmer by the name of Faulklander. Mr. Peterburs then moved to Seott county, Minn., where he worked on the railroad two years. Two years more were spent in the samo occupation in Minneapolis, and then, in April, 1886, he returned to Nobles county. He at once bought a relinquishment lo a free claim comprising the southwest quar- ter of section 20. Willmont township. chang- ed the filing to a homestead, moved onto the place and proved up on it. There he lived, engaging in farming, until the spring of 1904. He then sold out and moved onto his present farm, which he had purchased in 1896. He engages in general farming and stoekraising.
Mr. Peterburs was married at Shakopee, Minn., May 8, 1883. to Mary Ghole, who was born in Hanover. Germany. July 18. 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Peterburs are the par- ents of five children: Lizzie (Mrs. Henry Stuntcheck), of Wilmont, born Oct. 26, 1884; Frank. born Ang. 18, 1891; Gertie, born Sept. 26. 1894: Henry, born Ang. 17. 1997; Mary. born Sept. 15, 1902.
The family are members of the Catholie church of St. Kilian. and Mr. Peterburs is one of the church trustees. He has held the office of school director of district No. 66 for three years. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers' Flevator company of Lis- more and is now a director of the company. Ile is treasurer of the Farmers' Store com- pany of St. Kilian.
WILLIAM R. FARAGHER. one of the large land owners of western Nobles county. come to the county with the colonists of 1872 and has ever since made his home here. He resides in Adrian, from which place he manages his numerous farms in different parts of the county.
Mr. Faragher was born in Jowa county. Wis., Ang. 18. 185], the son of William R. and Elizabeth (Kossick) Faragher. natives of the Isle of Man, in which country they were married. Mr. Faragher. Sr., was born in 1825 and died in Wisconsin in 18S7.
It was in the summer of 1872 that the subject of this biography came to Nobles
county. He took as a homestead the north half of the northwest quarter of section 20, Little Rock township, where he lived and engaged in farming until 1890. He then moved to Adrian, where he has since lived, devoting his time and energies to looking after his real estate interests. He and his brother. John E. Faragher. own 1.600 aeres of land in the townships of Little Rock. Grand Prairie, Olney, Westside and Larkin. Mr. Faragher served one term as county commissioner. having been elected in the fall of 1883. During the last six years he has been a member of the Adrian city council. Ile holds a membership in the Masonie lodge.
Mr. Faragher was married in Iowa county, Wis., March 19. 1873, to Sarah Hitchins, daughter of George Ilitchins, who located on a farm in Little Roek township in the spring of 1874.
ARTITUR B. WILLIAMS, M. D., coroner of Nobles county and proprietor of the Wilmont drug store, has resided in Nobles county since 1902. He is the son of W. O. Williams and Alfaretta (Bent) Williams. now residents of St. Paul.
Ile was born at Adams, N. Y., March 14. 1877. and that town was his home until his arrival in Nobles county in 1902. He at- tended the publie schools of Adams and later the Adams Collegiate Institute, a pro- paratory school. from which institution he was graduated in 1893. He then took a position as traveling salesman for a whole. sile drug house and followed that business three years. In 1898 he entered Hahnemann Medical college. of Philadelphia. took a four years' course, and was graduated in 1002.
Immediately after graduation he came to Wilmont. and within two weeks after re- ceiving his diploma was praetieing his pro- fession. In January. 1904. he purchased from R. F. Pepple the Wilmont drug store, and siner that date he has conducted the business in addition to his medical practice. Dr. Williams has been health officer of Wil- mont village ever since he has been a resi- dent of the town. He has served one term as village recorder-that for the year 1905. In the spring of 1907 he was elected to the village council, and is now serving. In the fall of 1906 he was elected county coro- ner on the republican ticket.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Dr. Williams was married at Rock Rap. ids, Iowa, Oct. 14, 1903, to Miss Florence Green, daughter of II. F. Green, of Rock Rapids, an early settler of that place, hav- ing located there before the railroad was built and when the nearest trading point was Luverne. Dr. and Mrs. Williams are the parents of two children-May and Ber- erly.
ADOLPH OBERMAN, liveryman and stock dealer of Worthington, was born in Des Moines county. Iowa, Oct. 17. 1865, the son of John and Eliza (Kaler) Oberman. Both parents were born in Germany, and were married there, coming to the United States in 1848 and locating at Pleasant Grove. Iowa. There the father died in 1895, and the mother the following year.
In his native county Mr. Oberman resided until his twenty-sixth vear, engaging in farming and the butcher business. In 1891 he came to Worthington. purchased 160 acres of land in Worthington township (the west half of the northeast quarter and the east half of the northwest quarter of sec- tion 32), and there for thirteen years made his home, farming and dealing in stock. He then moved to Worthington, and in part- nership with his son engaged in the livery business, which he has since followed. He also continues his stock business. bnying and shipping many head annually. During his residence in Worthington township Mr. Oberman served several terms-as school di- rector and justice of the peace. He is a inember of the A. O. U. W. lodge.
Near New London, lowa, on Ang. 25, 1888, Mr. Oberman was united in marriage to Miss Jestina Salladay, daughter of Isaac and Mary Ann Salladay. Mr. and Mrs. Oberman are the parents of one child, Rob- ert Orie Oberman, horn near New London, Iowa, Feb. 15, 1890.
WILLIAM A. WAHL is a Summit Lake township farmer who owns the northwest quarter of section 14. He was born in Wit- tenburg. Germany. June 21, 1854. His par- ents. Karl F. Wahl and Fredericka (Buirile) Wahl. died in Germany, aged 67 and 50 years, respectively.
Mr. Wahl came to the United States in 1881 and located in Washington county,
Iowa, where he lived two years. He then went to South Dakota, took a homestead, proved up on it and resided there six years. Removing from there to O'Brien county, Iowa, he engaged in farming until 1895. That year he became a resident of Nobles county, purchasing a farm in Little Rock township. After farming his place there six years he sold out and bought his present property in Summit Lake township, where he has since resided.
In Aurora county, South Dakota, on July 14. 1886, Mr. Wahl was married to Anna Beilke. To them have been born the fol- lowing children: Karl F., born in South Dakota; Clara F., born at Sheldon, Iowa; Reuben C., born in Little Rock township; William H., born in Summit Lake township. Mr. and Mrs. Wahl and family are members of the Presbyterian church of Reading. Mr. Wahl is a member of the M. W. A. and Odd Fellows lodges.
GEORGE GOODRICH, Worthington town- ship farmer and stockraiser who resides just north of the village of Worthington, was born in Chatsworth, Livingston county, III .. May 31, 1872, the son of Barton and Eliz- abeth L. (Armer) Goodrich.
Barton Goodrich was born in New Britain, Hartford county. Conn., April 5, 1836, of English descent. the American branch of the family having been founded in colonial days. Ile lived in his native town until reaching his majority. and then located in Gran- ville, Putnam county, Ill., later moving to Lasalle county. where he engaged in farm- ing many years. He enlisted at El Paso, Ill., Sept. 5. 1862, in company G, of the Fourth Illinois cavalry, and served three years and two months, taking part in a number of important engagements. After his discharge from the army Mr. Goodrich returned to Lasalle county and engaged in farming there until 1890. Then he moved to Nobles county and began farming in Worthington township. He retired from ac- tive pursuits in 1906, and makes his home with his son on the farm.
Barton Goodrich was married at Ottawa, Ill .. May 12. 1866. to Elizabeth L. Armer. She was born April 20. 1841, in Saratoga county. N. Y., and died at the family home in Worthington township in 190]. To
33
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
them were born the following named child. ren: Olive L., born March 5, 1869; George E .. horn May 31, 1872: Mary L., born July 16. 1874: Edna A., bom Oct. 16, 18S4.
I'm.il he was seventeen years of age George resided on the farm near Chatsworth. He came to Nobles county with his parents in 1880 and located on the farm just out of Worthington, where the son now resides. George worked for his father six years and then rented a farm in Lorain township, two miles cast of Worthington, which he farmed two years. The next two years were spent farming two miles southwest of Worthing- ton, and the next four on Peter Thompson's farm, four miles south of Worthington. The then located on the farm where he now lives, the one which his father had farmed so many years. He owns the southwest quar- ter of section 11, Worthington township, and rents 600 acres of land on sections 15 and 14. Mr. Goodrich is one of the big farmers of the township. Hle raises large numbers of horses for the market. feeds hogs extensively, and breed- thoroughbred Short- horn cattle and Shropshire sheep. Tle is one of the big hay dealers of the county. Mr. Goodrich was married at Rushmore
May 5. 1897, to Miss Gretta Sharp, who was born in Tama county. Towa. in 1869. Her parents were John B. and An Sharp. The former died in April, 1905: the latter in Tuly. 1908. To Mr. and Mrs. Goodrich have bren born three children: Iva, born in 1900; Vivian, born in 1901; Raymond, born in 1903.
WILSON AGER. Worthington, is one of the pioneer settlers of the county. having made his home here since 1873. He was born in Homer, Madina county. Ohio, in 1845. Ilis father. Thomas Ager, was a na- tive of Pennsylvania; he died Aug. 13, 1892. Tlis mother was Clarisa (Baker) AAger, a rative of Wayne county, Ohio. Both the Ager and Baker families have resided in the United States many generations.
The subject of this sketch resided in his rative town until eighteen years of age and then moved to Penfieldl, in the same state. There he started to learn the mil- ler's trade. but upon the breaking out of hostilities between the north and south he gave up his work and joined the northern
army. He enlisted in company F, of the 12th Ohio cavalry, October 8, 1863, and served until Nov. 1. 1865. Ile partici- pated in the battle of Mount Sterling at lexington, Ky., being orderly to General Burbridge during that battle. During the greater part of the time of his service his regiment was engaged in chasing the Mor- gan raiders, and the field of the operations was in Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee. During the greater part of his enlistment he served as first duty ser- geant of his troop.
After his discharge from the army Mr. Ager went to Congress, Ohio, and for two years worked at the miller's trade. The then engaged in farming in the vicinity, and was thus employed until 1871. In the last named year he moved to Altamont, Ill., and farmed for two years. In the spring of 1873 he came to Nobles county, lived in Worthington a few months, and then took a claim in Worthington township, upon which he lived seven years. The next twelve years he engaged in farming in Dewald township, then lived three years on the Ludlow fruit farm on the south side of Okahena lake. In 1895 he moved to his present location within the limits of the village of Worthington, and that place has heen his home since. Hle now devotes his time almost exclusively to stock raising and he has one of the finest herds of O. I. (. hogs in the northwest.
Mr. Ager was married at Congress, Ohio. Nov. 15, 1866, to Eliza A. Weiler, who is a native of the town in which she was mar- ried. To Mr. and Mrs. Ager have been born eleven children. as follows: Gertrude (Mrs. Robert Daugherty), Rushmore; Adam (decca-ed) : Clyde. Worthington; Herbert. Hastings. Minn .: Mildred (Mrs. G. R. Rob- inson). Rosa, Minn .: Raymond, Wilmont ; Walter, Wilmont: Mand. Worthington; Jes- sie. Worthington: Glenn (died in infancy) ; Harold, Worthington.
LOUIS HAGBERG has retired from ac- tive work and resides on his Elk township farm. now managed by his son. Andy Hag- borg. Tle has been a resident of the county eleven years. He was born in Vormland. Sweden, June 30, 1812, the son of Lonis and Annie (Anderson) Tlagherg. Ilis parents are
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
both living at Clinton, Iowa, his father aged 90 years and his mother 89.
Mr. Hagberg lived in Sweden until 26 years of age. At the age of 15 he began working at the blacksmith's trade, which he followed during the remainder of his residence in the old country. In IS70 he came to America and located at Clinton, Iowa, a eity which was destined to be his home for twenty-seven years. The first year of his residence in the new world was spent working in a lumber yard. At the end of that time he became the foreman of the yard of W. Young, which position he held one year. He then accepted the position as foreman of one of the large saw mills of the lumber firm of C. Lamb & Co., and served in that capacity twenty-five years. Ile had 110 men under his control, and the faet that he was a competent foreman is shown by his long service.
He gave up his position in 1897 and eame to Nobles county. settling on his farm in Elk township, which he had owned sinee 1889. ITis farm consists of Torty acres in section 8 and the southwest quarter of seetion 9. For a few years ne farmed the land himself, and then turned the manage- ment of it over to his son, Charles Hagberg. During the past year another son. Andy Hagberg, has farmed the place.
Mr. Hagberg was married in Sweden to Annie Brask, Oct. 16. 1863, to whom have been born six children, as follows: Gust Albert. Dewall township: John Alexis. De- witt. Iowa: Louis, Elk township: Andy, Elk township; Charles (deceased), William. Worthington. Mr. Hagherg is a member of the Swedish Mission church of Worthington. Mrs. Hagberg died in the fall of 1908.
F. F. FORREST. Li-more township farm- er. was born near Springfield, Ohio. When a child he left there with his parents and located in MeLean county, Ill., where he lived until 1903. After reaching manhood he engaged in farming. an occupation he has followed all his life. He came to No- bles county in 1903 and bought his present farm on seetion 30. where he has since made his home.
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E. F. Forrest is the son of the late Han- son T. Forrest and Nancy M. (Snook) For- rest, natives of Maryland and Ohio, respee-
tively. When a young man Hanson For- rest moved to near Springfield, Ohio, where he engaged in farming until 34 years of age. Hle then moved to MeLean county, Ill .. where he resided until his death on Jan. 10, 1887, aged 62 years. Our subject's mother now lives in Illinois and is 64 years of age. She is the daughter of the late George Snook, who moved to Rock county, Minn., in the early days and became a large land owner in Rock and Nobles counties. Ile died in Luverne in 1898 at the age of 77 years.
Mr. Forrest was married at Bellflower, Ill., Feb. 6, 1895, to Miss Louisa Lawrence, native of Illinois and a daughter of a Charles and Sarah Lawrence. Mr. and Mrs. Forrest are the parents of three children- Mabel, Russel W. and Loren L. He is a member of the M. W. A. lodge of Magnolia.
WILLIAM DIERKS has been engaged in farming in Graham Lakes township for the last twenty years. He was born in the province of Ilanover, Germany. July 16, 1848, the son of Conrad and Safe (Lazaman) Dierks. Both his parents died in their na- tive country, the father about 27 years ago; the mother about 40 years ago.
William Dierks lived in his native land until he reached his majority, and then in 1869 eame to the United States. Loeating tirst in Lake couny, Ill., 30 miles north- west of Chicago, he farmed there two years and then moved to Grundy county, Ill. In Grundy county Mr. Dierks engaged in farm- ing until 1888, when he came to Graham Lakes township, in Nobles county. He pur- chased the southeast quarter of seetion 6, and that has been his home ever since. Since his arrival he has added to his hold- ings by the purchase of the south half of the southwest quarter of section 5, the northeast quarter of 9 and 54 aeres in the southeast quarter of 9.
Mr. Dierks is a member of the German Lutheran church of Fulda. During his long residence in Graham Lakes township he has served the township and school district in an official capacity many years. He was member of the township board twelve years. going ont of office in 1908. He was chosen treasurer of school district No. 4 the second year after his arrival in the county, and has held the office ever since.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
In Grundy county, Ill., on Feb. 2, 1877, occurred the marriage of Mr. Dierks to Miss Rosa Conrad, who was born in Ger- many and who came to the United States with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Conrad, when one year of age. To Mr and Mrs. Dierks have been born the fol- lowing children: Herman, Lena (Mrs. Leon- ard llorn). of Graham Lakes; Tilda (Mrs. Ironard Busch). of Seward township: Freda (dereased), Julia, Lillie, Hannah. Rosana. The first five named were born in Grundy county. Ill., the others in Graham Lakes township.
J. H. ROGERS is the manager of the Wil- mont station for the Fairmont Creamery company and deals in flour and feed. Ile was born in England March 6. 1856, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Lane) Rogers. The family came to the United States when our subject was one year old and set- tled in Towa county, Wis., being early set- tlers of that part of the state.
In Iowa county, Wis., J. HI. Rogers grew to manhood and resided thirty-six years. During the last twenty years of his resi- dence there he engaged in farming. He came to Nobles county in 1893 and for a few months lived in Adrian. He then mov- ed to Jackson county, where he engaged in farming four years. Returning to Nobles county he located in Willmont township and farmed five years. In 1903 he moved to Wilmont. where he purchased seven aeres of land. built a residence, and where he has since resided. Ile became manager of the creamery station in 1906.
Mr. Rogers was married in lowa county. Wis., Ang. 18. 1878, to Margaret Geer, daughter of Edwin and Alzina Geer and a native of Illinois, where she was born July 1. 1842. They are the parents of one child, Alzina E., born Dec. 2, 1880. Mr. Rogers is a member of the Modern Wood- men lodge.
W. J. RECKERS, a Westside township farmer, is a native of Nobles county, having been born in Olney township April 11. 1879. the son of William and Christina (Buening) Rockers, who still reside in Olney township. The parents were born in Germany and
came to America in 1872. After living six years in Buffalo, N. Y., the family came to Nobles county and have since made their lome here.
The subject of this biography received his education in the district schools of Olney and was raised on his father's farm, which remained his home until 1904. That year he moved onto the farm where he now re- sides the northwest quarter of section 35- which is owned by his father.
Mr. Reckers was married in Westside township June 1, 1904, to Miss Annie M. Boecker, who was born in Germany Dee. 8, 1878. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Boecker, of Westside. To Mr. and Mrs. Rockers have been born the following children : Wilhemina, born April 16, 1903; Marie and Ida (twins), born Feb. 11, 1908. Both parents are members of the Catholic church of Adrian, and Mr. Reekers is serv- ing as elerk of school district No. 62, to which he was appointed Jan. 2, 1908, and elected for the second term July 18, 1908.
JOHN WAGNER (1841-1906) was for eleven years prior to his death engaged in farming on his place within the limits of the village of Ellsworth, where his family still reside.
Mr. Wagner was born in Germany in 1841. came to the United States at the age of fifteen years and located in Wis- consin. In that state he made his home until 1895, when he came to Nobles county and purchased the farm in Ellsworth. ITe served a two years' enlistment in the union army. He died at his home in Ellsworth on May 4, 1906.
At Springfield. Wis., Mr. Wagner was married to Mary Fischenich, who was born in Germany, but who came to America when a child. To them were born the fol- lowing children: Barnard. Mary (deceased). Lizzie, Margaret, John and Joseph.
The home farm is now being managed by John Wagner, who was born in Dane county, Wis., Feb. 1. 1881.
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