USA > Minnesota > Nobles County > An illustrated history of Nobles County, Minnesota > Part 81
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JOSEPH HELING, in partnership with his brother, Herman Heling, farms the east half of section 4, Larkin township. Ile was born in leiden. Germany, Oct. IS, 1879, the son of Barney and Lizzie (Kothu-) Heling. The father lives in Willmont township; the
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mother died in November, 1892, at the age of 45 years.
Joseph came to the United States with his parents in 1891 and direct to Adrian, where they arrived on the 24th day of August. The family at once moved onto a farm in Willmont township. For several years after his arrival in the county Joseph divided his time between working on his father's farm and those of neighbors. He went to McLean county, S. D., after becom- ing of age and took a homestead, where he spent nearly two years farming and work- ing in the coal mines. Returning to Nobles county, he and his brother, llerman, in the spring of 1005, rented a farm three-quarters of a mile west of Wilmont. The next year the brothers rented the present farm in Larkin, and have since farmed it together.
Mr. Heling is a member of the Catholic church of Wilmont and of the M. W. A. lodge.
GRANT MORRISON, of Worthington, agent for the Omaha railroad at that point, and having charge of all passenger, freight and express business, has held the position nineteen years. Ile was born at East Troy, Wis., March 10, 1863, the son of William and Malinda (l'ettit) Morrison. His father was a Scotch highlander, who came to the United States when nineteen years of age, spent the principal part of his life at East Troy, Wis., and died there in 1882, aged 63 years. Our subject's mother was also of Scotch birth. She died at East Troy in 1887, aged 67 years.
Mr. Morrison received a high school edu- cation in his native town, and in 1883 went to Appleton, Wis., where he took employ- ment in the freight department for the Northwestern railroad. In 1887 he moved to Mankato, linn., and for two years was in the employ of the Omaha railroad at that point. He went to Worthington Feb. 11, 1889, to accept the position of depot agent there, which position he has ever since held. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Odd Fellows lodges, and for a number of years has been a member of the Worthington school board.
Mr. Morrison was married at Mankato June 25, 1890, to Miss Grace Silver, a dangh- ter of J. E. Silver, now a resident of Albert
Lea. To Mr. and Mrs. Morrison has been born one child-Harold, born Nov. 15, 1901.
CHARLES WEST, son of the late Jacob West and Louisa (Ortle) West, is a Seward township farmer whose home is on the northwest quarter of section I, only a short distance south of Fulda. He is one of the first of the large number of Illinois farmers who have settled in Seward township. Le was born in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., Sept. 1, 1870.
In the spring of 1873 the West family moved to Dwight, Ill., and there Charles spent his boyhood days, securing an educa- tion in the district schools and helping with the farm work. For the first eleven years after his arrival to Nobles county, which was in 1886, he worked on his father's farm, just west of his present farm. After his father's death, in IS08, he purebased the northwest quarter of section } and the north half of the southwest quarter of the same section, which he still owns and farms. Mr. West makes a specialty of tull blooded stock and raises Percheron Norman horses and Duroc-Jersey hogs.
In Seward township Sept. 22, 1897, oc- curred the marriage of Mr. West to Lillie Schweigert, daughter of Louis Schweigert, of Seward. Mrs. West is a native of II- linois. Three children have blessed this un- ion. Mildred, Ruth and Lester.
For several years Mr. West served on the township board of Seward, and from 1897 to 1003 was clerk of the school district in which he lives. From that date to 1907 Mrs. West held the office.
IKE MEESTER farms the southwest quar- ter of section 31, Grand Prairie township, which is in the southwestern corner of the county. That has been his home for the last thirteen years.
Mr. Meester is a native of Grundy coun- ty, Iowa, where he was born Nov. 1, 1872, the son of Harm and Grace (Kruse) Meester. The father of our subject was born in Ger- many and eame to the United States when thirty-three years of age. Ile located first near Freeport, Ill., where he resided some time. later taking up his residence in Grundy county, Iowa. In 1896 he moved to Lyon
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county, lowa, where he now lives. 'T he mother of our subject died in Grundy coun- ty about 1891, aged 42 years.
In Grunasy county, lowa, Ike Meester liv- ed until he was 22 years of age. Ile che i came to Nelies county and began farming the place where he now lives, which was purchasel by his later.
Mr. Meester was married at Rock Rapids, Jowa, Feb. 17, 1895, to Miss Susan Meester, who was also a native of Grundy county, Icwa. lo them have been born the ful- Jowing children: Grace, Ella, Herman, Annie, Gape and John. Mr. Meester is a member of the Presbyterian church. He has served two years as road overseer.
WILLIAM II. SIEVERT, manager of the Celeman Lumber company at Wilmont, and mayor of the village, is a comparatively new arrival in Nobles county, having been lere only since 1902. lle was born in Chit- tenango, N. Y., Sept. 7, 1873, the son of Frederick C. Sievert and Frederica (Rossow) Sievert, whe now reside at Watertown, S. D. His parents are of German birth and came to the United States in 1866.
From Chittenango the family moved to Cassville, N. S,, when our sulgjeet was three years of age, and in the latter place he lived until his eleventh year. The family then came west and located at Lohrville, lowa. There William
completed hi, education, which had been begun in New York, and during his minority worked on his father's farm. When 19 years of age. he took a position in a general store, which he held three years. In the spring of 1893 he gave up the position and worked on the farm again one year. lle then took a position as second man in a lumber yard at Lohr- ville, but shortly after went to Gowrie, Iowa, where, for the next six years, he was the manager of the lumber yard of J. & W. C. Shaw. Moving to Boxholm, Boone county. lowa, he purchased a half interest in a lumber yard there and ran it a short time until the fall of 1901. The winter uf 1901 02 was spent in Dakota, assisting in constructing sheds for a lumber company. Mt. Sievert eime to Wilmont Feb. 19. 1902, and at once took charge of the yard of the St. Croix Lumber Co., which was purchased that fall by the Coleman Lumber Co. Mr.
Nevert has been the manager of the yard since his arrival in the village.
Mr. Sievert was manied April 20, 1896, att Lohivilic, lowa, to Maud Ellsworth, daughter of D. P. Ellsworth. They have thive children leo E., Quilo and William.
Disques his lamber interests Mi. Sievert has also been engaged in the newspaper business in Wilmont. From Jan. 1, 1903, to August, 1906, he was the owner of the Wilmont Initiator, and during part of that time he was the publisher. In the fall of 1902 he was appointed member of the vil- luge council to fill a vacancy, and he was elected to the same oflice the following spring. fle is now mayor of the village, having been elceted in the spring of 1908. In Gowrie he also served two terms as member of the council. Mr. Sievert is now secre- tary of the Wilmont fire department.
GEORGE INNES, of Manneapolis, was for a few years a resident of Rushmore and still has business interests in that village. Ile is a native of Tama county, lowa, where ne was born Feb. 8, 1873, the sou of James and Elizabeth (Monroe) Ines.
James Innes was a native of Banffshire, Scotland, and came to Oxford county, On- lirio, Canada, when a young man. There ne married our subject's mother and there he maur his home several years. He moved to Tama county, lowa, in November, 1872, and engaged in farming until his death, which occurred Dee. 30, 1902.
George remained on the farm in Grant township, Tama county, lowa, until eighteen years of age, working on the farm and re- voiving a district school education. He at- tended the Sabbath school of the "AAmity" United Presbyterian church, which was lo- rated on the same section of land as was his father's farm, and at twelve years of age united with that church.
In September, 1891, Mr. Innes entered Til- ford Collegiate academy, at Vinton, lowa, and was graduated from that institution in 1891. Immediately after his graduation he went to Eagle Grove, lowa, where, with his brother, James ,, he was interested in the owner- ship and operation of the electric lighting plant, incorporated as the Eagle Grove Elec- tric company. For several years he was en- gaged in this and kindred work. which in- «luded the installation of a lighting, venti-
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lating. pumping anu hoisting electrical equip- ment in the mountains. forty miles from Ilelena, Mont. He spent one year introducing electrical equipment for mining and railroad use in the large cities of Montana and Wash- ington. as well as in Minneapolis and St. Paul, and it was while thus engaged that Mr. Innes was impressed with the opportunities then beginning to be offered connected with the colonization of our norenwest states and Can- ada.
While a resident of Eagle Grove, Iowa, Mr. Innes met and on Ooctober 26, 1898, was married to Miss Edith E. Brainard, who was born at Mount Horeh, Dane county, Wis., and who removed with her parents when eleven years of age to Eagle Grove, Iowa. She graduated from the high school of Eagle Grove in 1893 and latter from the Armour institute of Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Innes have two sons-Brainard Monroe, born May 24. 1902, and John Sweet, horn June 17. 1907.
In January. 1902. Mr. Innes came to Rush- more and in July, of same year. established the husiness of the Innes Lumber company. He remained there only until September and then removed to Reinbeck, Towa. Following his father's death in December. 1902, Mr. Innes spent a year in settling the estate and in Canada, laving the foundation for the im- migration business, in which he has since heen engaged.
In January. 1004, Mr. Innes and his family again took up their residence in Rushmore, where he devoted his time to looking after the lumber and hardware business he had established two years before, as well as carry- ing on immigration and colonization work in Canada. In January, 1905, he became con- siderably interested in the First National Bank of Rushmore and was chosen its cash- ier.
On account of the increase of the Canadian immigration enterprise, which was started in 1903, Mr. Innes and his family removed to Minneapolis in February, 1907, where he has since spent most of his time in the colonization work, with an office in the Se- curity Bank building. His residence address in 2520, Pillsbury avenue. He is now presi- dent of the First National Bank of Rush- more. His lumber. hardware and other husi- ness interests in Nobles county are in the hands of a well trained manager.
JOHN RAMERTHI is a Graham Lakes township farmer and stock raiser, residing on the northeast quarter of section 18. He was born in Mahren. Austria, May 9. 1869. the youngest of a family of six children of Venanz and Anna (Zelner) Ramerth. The family came to the United States in 1878 and located at Mankato, where they remained about six months. In the spring of 1979 they moved onto a farm in Murray county, which was the family home until 1882. Then a residence was established in Seward town- ship. Nobles county, and there the subject of this sketch resided until 1890. The father died April 1. 1897. at the age of 70 years and ten months. The mother died July 22, 1907. at the age of 79 years.
In 1889 John Ramerth purchased his pres- ent farm of 160 acres in Graham Lakes township. and in June of the following vear he took up his residence there and that has heen his home ever since. He was married at Fulda Oct. 7. 1890. to Miss Adeith Nimer- froh, who is also a native of Austria. To them have been born seven children, as follows: John. Minnie, Margaret, Elizabeth, Frederick, Alexander and James. Mr. Ra- merth is a member of the Catholic church of Fulda and of the Catholic Order of Fores- ters.
HENRY SCHNIEDER, farmer of Lismore township, was born in Oldenberg, Germany, Dec. 23, 1863, the son of Joseph and Mary Angel (Bittner) Schnieder. The former was a farmer and died in Germany in October. 1000. The latter died in Germany March 1, IS94.
Our subject resided in Germany until the spring of 1888, making his home on his father's farm. He served in the German army from 1884 to 1887. Landing in Bal- timore in March, 1888, to seek a home in the new world, Mr. Schnieder went at once to Dyersville, Dubuque county, Iowa. For several years after his arrival in the coun- try he worked out at farm work by the month in the following places and for the following lengths of time: Dubuque county, three years; Marshall county, one and one- half years; Archer county, Texas. five months: Haverhill, Marshall county, Iowa, one year; Dubuque county, one year. IIe then moved to the vicinity of State Center,
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Marshall county, where for six years he engaged in farming on an eighty aere tract which he purchased. Selling out there, he bought a quarter section at West Bend, in Palo Alto county, and farmed it two years. Ile came to Nobles county on March 1, 1903, und bought the southeast quarter of section 23, Lismore township. upon which he has since resided. Three years later he bought the northeast quarter of section 26, ad- joining.
Mr. Schnieder was married at State Con- ter, Iowa, July 2. 1895. to Elizabeth Rocker, who was born in New Vienna, Dubuque county, Iowa, March 18, 1873. To Mr. and Mrs. Schnieder have been born the follow- ing chikiren: Rhenold, born June S, 1896; Theodore. born Jan. 29, 1899; Franeis, born Jan. 1, 1901; Ludwig, born July 2, 1903; Regina, born Ang. 31, 1905; Monien, born May 4. 1907. The family are members of the Catholic church of Lismore.
D. K. BEHRENS, proprietor of a 240 acre farm in Olney township. was born near the city of Anricht, Osterfriesland, Germany, Ang. 5. 1854. the son of E. G. and Annie (Fecht) Behrens. The father died in Adams county. Il .. June 12, 1569, aged 51 years. The mother died in the same county in September. 1878, at the age of 63 years.
When the subject of this biography was one and a half years of age the family emigrated to America and located in Adams county, III .. near the city of Quincy. There our subject grew to manhood and resided many years, securing an education and working on his father's farm and for other farmers.
Mr. Behrens was married at Carthage, Hancock county. Ill., March 2. 1879, 10 Nanke Bruns, who was born in Germany Ort. 18, 1858, and who came to the United States with her parents in 1869. She is the daughter of l'bbe and Trintje (IInl-) Bruns. The father lives near Carthage. lil .; the mother died June 19. 1592. To Mr. and Mrs. Behrens have been born the fol- lowing children : Annie (Mrs. F. Harms). of Harri-, lowa: Trintje (Mrs. P. Timmer- mann), of Sibley, Iowa; Anke (Mrs. B. Uleidebrink), of Dewall township: Ekke. Mattie, George, Albert and Mienert, who re- side at home.
After his marriage Mr. Behrens took up hi- residence in llaneock county, il., where he engaged in farming until September, ISS7. Hle then moved to Cheyenne county, Veb., took a homestead of 160 aeres, proved up on it and farmed the place until 189.1. lle then moved to Osceola county, Iowa, and farmed there until 1902. In 1901 Mr. Behrens had bought the north half of the northeast quarter of section 26 and the southeast quarter of seetion 23, Olney town- ship. and in 1902 he moved onto the farm, and has resided there sinee.
Mr. Behrens is treasurer of school dis- triet No. 11, which office he has held for two years. Ile and his wife are members of the Lutheran church of Rushmore.
REV. ROBERT C. TEN BROECK, pastor of St. John's Episcopal church of Worth- ington, is a native of Indianapolis, Indiana, where he was born April 21, 1881. Ile is the son of William P. and Mary E. (Yundt) Ten Broeek, of Faribault, Minn.
William P. Ten Broeck has been a minis- ter of the Episcopal church for forty-six Years. Tle was born in New York city .June 13, 1841, and was educated in Wash- ington city. He entered the ministry in 1862 and since that daie has had charge of churches in the following named places in the order given: Sewickley, Pa .; Pitts- burg. Pa .; Green Bay,
Wis .: La Crosse, Wis .: St. Paul, Minn .; Indianapolis, Ind .; LaCrosse. Wi -.; and Faribank, Minn. He is now professor of church history in Seabury divinity school at Faribault. Mary E. Ten Broeck was born in Lafayette. Indiana.
When Mr. Ten Broeck was four months of age the family moved from Indianapoli- to LaCrosse. Wis,, and in January. 1893, to Faribaul, where our subject grew to man- hoed. He received his primary education in the public schools of LaCrosse and Faribault, and was graduated from the high school of the latter town in 1899. He then matric- ulated in Carleton college, at Northfieldl, where he was a student one year. The following school year he entered the Min- nesota state university, took a classical course in the academie department, and was graduated in 1903. The next three years were spent as a student in Seabury divinity school, of Faribault, from which he was
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graduated in 1906, being ordained a deacon at the time of graduation.
On August 1. 1906, Rev. Ten Broeek came to Worthington and has since been pastor of the Episcopal church. lle also has pas- toral charges in Windom, Slayton and Ful- da. He was advaneed to the priesthood in 1907. In addition to his ministerial du- ties he holds the position of instructor in seienee, language and military tactics in the Breck school at Wilder, Minn .. with which institution he has been connected one year. Rev. Ten Brocek is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Windom.
ALLEN H. LAWRENCE, Summit Lake township farmer, has lived in Nobles county ever since he was five years of age. He farms the southwest quarter of seetion 20, the west half, of which is owned by his mother.
Allen was born in the town af Lawrenee- ville (named in honor of the family). prov- ince of Quebee, Canada, on March 23, 1878, the son of Azariah and Emma (Randall) Lawrence, both of whom are living. The American branch of the Lawrence family was founded by one of two brothers, mem- hers of the English nobility, who came to Quebec in colonial days. Our subject's mother was born in the city of London and was left an orphan. She became a trained mirse and for four years served under the famous Florence Nightengale in St. Thomas hospital. She came to Montreal, Canada, ia 1873 and for two and one-half years was in a hospital there. She married MIr. Lawrence in 1876.
When Allen was five years old the fam- ily came to Nobles county, arriving in Worthington, Ang. 30, 1883. The father purchased a homestead relinquishment from Mr. Chas. Dana to the farm on which the son now lives, and some years later se- eured title to it. Our subject secured his education in the country schools and the publie school of Worthington, and spent his boyhood days on the farm. For ser- eral years he managed the farm for his mother and during the last six years has farmed the place for himself.
Mr. Lawrence was married in Elk town- ship April 16, 1902. to Miss Matilda Mohr. To them have been born four children: Wal-
ter ITenry, born Feb. 9, 1903; Arthur Wil- fred, born Feb. 27, 1904; Emma Caroline, born Oet. 17, 1905; Frederick William, born May 24, 1907. Mr. Lawrence is a member of the Methodist church of Rushmore. He las served as a director the school board and has been road overseer.
CARL A. LINDSTROM, Bigelow township farmer, has lived in Nobles county ever since he was a child. He was born in To- peka, Kansas, Jan. 10, 1874, the son of August and Sophia (Anderson) Lindstrom. The father was born in Sweden, came to the United States in 1870 and located at Sioux City, later taking up his residence at Topeka, where he died in December, 1875. By trade he was a shoemaker. Our sub- jeet's mother lives in Bigelow township.
The first two years of Carl Lindstrom's life were passed in Topeka and the next seven in Minnehaha county, S. D., near Sioux Falls. In 1883 he and his mother and sister came to Nobles county and settled in Bigelow township. In the distriet schools of that township he was edueated and during boyhood days worked on his mother's farm. Later he managed the farm for his mother. In 1904 he rented the property and has since been engaged in farming for himself. He farms 350 acres.
Mr. Lindstrom is a member of the Swed- ish Lutheran church of Worthington. Ile has held the office of school director of dis- triet No. 56 for the last nine years.
THOMAS A. PALMER, proprietor of the Worthington musie store, was born in Black- hawk county. Iowa, Aug. 3. 1871. Ilis fath- er. John Palmer, was born in Devonshire, England, June 14, 1831, and died May 10. 1901. His mother, Louisa Palmer. was also a native of England, and now resides in Worthington.
Blackhawk county Mr. Palmer lived nineteen years, securing a common school education there. He moved to Osage, Iowa, where for three years he worked in a groeery store. The next three years were passed at Hudson, S. D., where he was in the livery and dray business. Ho eame to Worth- ington in 1896, and that has been his home ever since. For several years he was in the
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Western hotel. On Jan. 13, 1002, he bought the music store of Miss Cheney and has conducted it since. He carries a complete line of musical instruments of all kinds, making a specialty of pianos, and deals in periodicals. stationery, etc.
Mr. Palmer was married at Worthington on May 23, 1900. to Mi -- Eva Oakes. They are the parents of four children, as follows: Thomas Oakes, born Sept. 23, 190]; Helen, born Sept. 1, 1903; Harriet, born April 13, 1905: Gertrude. born April 27, 1907.
Mr. Palmer has taken an active part in local affairs. In 1905 he was elected village treasurer and served one term. He was sec- rotary of the Worthington District Fair association during 1905, 1906 and 1907. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge and represented the local lodge in the Grand Lodge in 1007. He has been assistant chief of the Worthington fire department two years, and represented the department at the state convention at Litchfield in 1906.
CHARLES A. ERICKSON owns the south- east quarter of section IS, Bigelow township, and has lived in Nobles county for the last four years. Mr. Erickson was born in Prophetstown, Whiteside county, Ill., March 19. 1877. Hfo is the son of Nels Erickson and Anna (Munson) Erickson, of Sterling, Ill. His parents are natives of Sweden, having come to the United States in 1871.
Charles lived on the farm near Prophets- town until 1898. Ile secured his education in the country schools and the Sterling Business college, of Sterling, III., which school he attended in 1897. From his na- tive town he moved with his parents to near Sterling, and in 1900 began farming for himself. Four years later he moved to Nobles county, in 1908 bought the quarter section where he now lives, and intends to make his future home here. fle raises con- siderable stock and makes a specialty of Shorthorn cattle.
Mr. Erickson was married at Sterling, III .. Nov. 19. 1902. to Catherine Haines, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Haines, who now reside in Nobles county. Mrs. Erickson born Ontario, Can., Nov. 1. 1881. To this marriage have been born two children. Alice and Ruth. Both Mr. and Mrs. Erickson are members of the Methodist church of Worthington.
ANDY HAGBERG, son of Louis Ilagberg of Elk township, was born in Clinton, łowa. April 11, 1872. the city which was his home until 1900. In the public schools of Clinton he received his education. When twelve years of age be began work- ing in a sash and door factory, and with the exception of one year spent in farming in the vicinity of Clinton, that was his occupation during all the time he resided in Clinton.
In 1900 he came to Nobles county, since which time he has been engaged in farming, the last year having charge of his father's place in Elk township. He was married at Clinton, Iowa, July 4, 1895, to Nina Brodine.
HANS H. FINSTUEN owns and farms the south half of section 10, Graham Lakes township. his home being only a short dis- tance from the village of Kinbrae. He has resided on his place twenty-one years.
Mr. Finstuen was born in Norway Nov. 30, 1843, and was the son of Hans Nelson Finstuen, who died in his native land about 1878. The subject of this sketch came to America in 1867 and settled in Dane county, Wis., which was his home about twenty years. He worked for wages during part of this time, and during the last ten years engaged in farming. He came to Nobles county in 1887 and bought 160 acres of his present farm, later buying the other quarter section.
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