An illustrated history of the counties of Rock and Pipestone, Minnesota, Part 72

Author: Rose, Arthur P., 1875-1970
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Luverne, Minn. : Northern History Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 924

USA > Minnesota > Rock County > An illustrated history of the counties of Rock and Pipestone, Minnesota > Part 72
USA > Minnesota > Pipestone County > An illustrated history of the counties of Rock and Pipestone, Minnesota > Part 72

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Our subject was married in Ashcreek June 13. 1906, to Anna M. Schlueter, who was born in Omaha, Nebraska, and who is the daughter of Henry and Hannah (Law) Schlueter. Two children have been born to this union: Lawrence E., born March 8, 1908, and Clifford V., born Sep- tember 3, 1909. Mr. Ganfield is a member of the Methodist church and is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen and the Knights of Pythias lodges.

WILLIAM F. FINKE (1889) is president of the Farmers State Bank and a represen- tative citizen and a prominent business man of the village of Ilills. A native of Dane coun- ty, Wisconsin, he was born March 16, 1874. He was fourteen years of age when he accom- panied his parents to Rock county and lo- cated with them in Clinton township, where he resided until twenty-one years of age. He then bought a farm near Ashcreek and conducted that until moving to Hills in 1903. That village has since been his place of residence.

Mr. Finke bought out the implement business of Knutson & Helgerson, admitting his brother John to partnership the same year. This association existed for a period of four years, when William disposed of his interests to his brother and retired from the firm. lle managed the yard of the Loonan Lumber company for a year, and for the same period was in charge of the Benson Grain company's elevator. He still repre- sents that firm in Tills during the grain season. Mr. Finke was one of the organ- izers of the Farmers State Bank, estah- lished in July, 1909, and has been its only president. He is also interested in the well known Rock county real estate firm of A. C. Finke Land agency.

Our subject is the son of Christian and

Mary (Eikmeier) Finke, who came to Amer- ica from their native country of Germany in 1858. They first made settlement in Wis- consin, leaving there to come to Rock county in 1888. The father died on his farm in Clinton township in 1905. His wife is still living on the home farm.

William F. Finke was married at Steen on July 16, 1902, to Mary Paulsen, who was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1872. At an early age she removed with her parents to Rock county. Her father, John Paulsen, now resides in Colorado.

Mr. Finke is a public spirited man who has given much of his time and energy to the promotion of every worthy cause that has meant for the progress and material welfare of the flourishing little Rock county town which is his home. For three years, commencing in 1907, he was president of the village council and he is still a member of that body.

ANDREW L. SKRONDAHL (1884), of Springwater township, is a native Nor- wegian and was born in Oxendahl January 30, 1867, the son of Lars and Mildre (Selge- by) Skrondabl. 1le received a common school education and at the age of seven- teen journeyed alone to America, coming direct to Rock county. lle worked for dif- ferent Beaver Creek township farmers until 1891, since which time he has lived on and conducted his own farm, the north half of the northeast quarter of section 36, range 47, Springwater township. He has made all the improvements on the place and has achieved success as a tiller of the soil.

On the fourth of December, 1892, in Li- verne, Mr. Skrondahl married Denah Bjerk, whose birth occurred January 12, 1874. The following four children have been born to these parents : Louisa M., born January 13, 1894; Lue H., born September 14, 1901; Ole R., born December 7, 1904; and Alvin D., born June 18, 1906.

FRED KREPS (1882) is one of the suc- cessful landowners and farmers of Luverne township, his farm being described as the northwest quarter of section 33, five miles southwest of the city of Luverne. He came to Rock county twenty-nine years ago, a

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ROCK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES.

poor man, but by hard work and strict at- tention to business he has prospered and is today rated among the most prosperous farmers of his township.

Fred Kreps was born in Ohio December 19, 1855. He is of Swiss ancestry, his father, Chris Kreps, and his mother, Ann (Chapler) Kreps, both having been born in Switzer- land. The former died in 1874, the latter in 1884. When Fred was a baby the family moved from Ohio to Bureau county, Illinois, and that was the family home for the next ten or twelve years. Then the family lo- cated near Geneseo, Henry county, Illi- nois, and there Fred resided until coming to Rock county in 1882. He spent his hoyhood days working on the farm, part of the time for his father and part of the time for others, and in securing a common school education. He began farming for himself in 1880 and two years later came to Rock county.

The date of his arrival to this county was March 7, 1882. The first five years were spent farming south of Luverne, he having rented the J. J. Shuck farm. He then bought his present property, upon which he has ever since lived. At the time of purchase the land was raw prairie-containing not a stick or tree,-and he has made all the im- provements on the farm. He has a nice home and a well improved farm. Mr. Kreps is a stockholder in the National Bank of Lu- verne. He served three years as a super- visor of Luverne township, and for the last fifteen years has been treasurer of school district No. 13. For several years he was constable of his precinct and now holds the offices of road overseer, assessor and treas- urer. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. lodge.

At Geneseo, Illinois, on March 24, 1878, Mr. Kreps was united in marriage to Ida L. Thompson, who was born at Portland, Illi- nois, March 8, 1860. To these parents have been born the following named children: Guy F., born August 11, 1879; L. Luverne, born November 11, 1882; Elsie T. and Elzie T., twins, born June 14, 1885; Ines E., born June 7, 1894. L. Luverne is now the wife of Jesse Goembel; all the other children re- side at home.

GRANT A. KNOWLTON (1887) is the pro- gressive hardware and implement dealer in the town of Kenneth. He also carries a full line of harness, and in that connection con- ducts the only manufactory in the village. He has in his employ W. J. Smith, an ex- pert harness maker. Mr. Knowlton is the son of T. E. and Margery (Bethel) Knowl- ton and was born in Dane county, Wiscon- sin, January 29, 1877.

Until reaching his tenth year Grant be- longed to the Badger state, and then with his parents came to Rock county, the fam- ily locating in Magnolia township. After a year and a half the family moved to Lismore township, Nobles county, and on his father's farm in that precinct our subject lived until 1897, receiving an education at the nearby district school. At the age of twenty he married and for four years there- after was engaged in farming for himself on rented land in Lismore township. In 1902 his residence in Kenneth commenced. Mr. Knowlton set up in the farm implement business, three years later adding a com- plete line of hardware and admitting his father and brother James into partnership. The firm known as T. E. Knowlton & Sons continued two years, when Grant bought out the other interests and has since con- ducted the business in his own name, G. A. Knowlton. For the past seven years he has acceptably fulfilled the duties of constable.

Mr. Knowlton was married in Rock county on September 7, 1897, to Nellie Rolph, the daughter of Charles E. Rolph, now of Magnolia. Mrs. Knowlton was born on her grandfather's old homestead in Bat- tle Plain township September 3, 1880. Six children have been born to this union: Leora, born May 28, 1899; Ruth, born No- vember 6, 1901; Charles, born July 19, 1903; Cedric, born January 5, 1906; Kenneth, born March 7, 1908; Floyd, born November 15, 1910.

HENRY M. PAULSEN (1879), ex-county commissioner from the third district and a prominent Clinton township farmer and stock raiser, is a son of John and Matilda ( Neizkie) Paulsen, early day settlers of Clinton township and now residents of Flag- ler, Colorado. A review of the career of John Paulsen is given elsewhere in this

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HISTORY OF PIPESTONE COUNTY.

From the date of founding the pioneer journal has never missed an issue, but in the early days circumstances arose which sorely tried the publisher's wits to main- tain this record. As an instance: Dur- ing the snow blockade of 1880-81, when the ground was covered with four feet of the beautiful and the little village of Pipestone had been without mail, express or ficight matter for eighty days, the Star was printed on colored paper for two weeks, then for several weeks on brown wrapping paper, which was secured from the stores, and when the supply was exhausted the Star appeared one week in miniature form on pages out from a stock of serap books which were carried in the old Star book store.

From January 22, 1884, until Febru- ary 11. 1881. the Star was published as a semi-weekly. a seven column folio in size. On the last named date the weekly is- she was resumed and the paper was on- larged to a quarto. Gardner E. Hart. son of the founder, was at this time ad- mitted as a partner, and the publishing firm became I. L. Hart & Son. At the close of the year 1889 the founder of the paper withdrew temporarily from active management. although retaining his prop- erly interests in the paper. and Gardner E. Hart became sole manager. He pub- lished the paper as a six column quarto and in October, 1891, bought his father's interest and became the sole owner and publisher. T. L. Hart conducted the job department and assisted in the manage- ment of the paper to some extent.

The Pipestone Daily Star was founded April 4, 1892, and had an existence of nearly sixteen years, being discontinued on the last day of the year 1903. Il was an evening journal. was founded as a five column folio, but was soon enlarged to a six column paper. There is, perhaps, no town in the state of Minnesota of the

size of Pipestone which supported a daily paper for so long a time.

Gardner E. Hait withdrew from the business March 31, 1900, and the publish- ers became Star Printing company. Ralph G. Hart. a younger son of the founder, becoming a member of the firm and tak- ing editorial charge. Another change in management was made in May, 1904. when the Star Printing company was or- ganized with the following officers: I. L. Hart. manager : K. G. Hart. secretary and treasurer ; Ralph G. Hart, editor. At the present time Ralph G. Hait has editorial charge.

During the time the Daily Star was published the weekly edition was also maintained. Since The suspension of the daily a semi-weekly Star has taken the place of the weekly. The Star is repub- lican politically. It has always been a factor in the advancement of the city of Pipestone and of Pipestone county and is rated as one of the leading papers of southwestern Minnesota. The plant is equipped with modern machinery and is a model in every way.

Pipestone county's second newspaper was not destined to live long. In the summer of 1880 Gardner E. Hart, of the Pipestone County Star, put a plant in the little village of Edgerton, then just found- edl. and on July 24, 1880, issued the first number of the Edgerton News. a six col- umn folio. In September of the same voar Jerome Davidson was installed as manager, but the venture not being a suc- cessful one, on"October ? publication was suspended and in November the plant was purchased by Morse & Chapman, of Lake Benton, and moved away.

Edgerton was a progressive little city in the early eighties, the spirit of its citi- zens demanded the publication of a pa- per there and it was not long before of- fers of support were given for the estab-

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HISTORY OF PIPESTONE COUNTY.

lishment of another journal. The Edger- ton Enterprise was founded as a seven column folio by A. R. Burkdoll on April 28, 1883, and that gentleman was con- nected with the paper for over three years. From October 11, 1884, to May 30, 1885. R. H. Lueneburg, now of Lakefield, was associated with Mr. Burkdoll in the man- agement of the paper. and for two months during the closing days of 1885 .A. B. Bar- ney was the publisher. he having bought the plant. but after a short reign having turned it back to Mr. Burkdoll. During its carly history the Enterprise was a ro- publican paper.

To prevent the suspension of the pa- per. in the fall of 1887. William Lock- wood. J. C. Fay and C. S. Howard, local business men. bought the plant in com- pany with J. C. Marshall, the latter as- suming editorial control October 1. and a little later becoming sole proprietor of the Enterprise. Mr. Marshall conducted the paper as a democratic organ for a nuni- ber of years and the paper and its editor were prominent factors in the political life of Pipestone county. He was in charge of the plant until the last of De- cember, 1893, with the exception of a few months during the panic year. O. E. Houge conducted the paper from Decem- ber, 1892, to May. 1893. and then turned the office back to Mr. Marshall. J. Bax- fer Brennan leased the office in July of the same year but gave up the management after three weeks' trial.

A sale of the Enterprise was effected at the beginning of the year 1894, when E (. Brake became the owner. Ile conduct- ed the paper only until September of the same year and then sold to William Lock- wood, who installed A. P. McDowell as editor and made the journal a republican organ. Mr. McDowell published his vale- distory on Christmas day, 1896, and dur- ing the next year William Mcd'une mar-

aged the paper for Mr. Lockwood. At the beginning of the year 1898 the latter sold the paper to Prof. L. W. Ham, for- merly principal of the Edgerton schools, and W. C. Akers, who conducted the pub- lication under the firm name of Ham & AAkers, changing the form to a five column quarto soon after assuming control and continuing it as a republican paper. Mr. Akers was in editorial charge until June 1. 1898. when he enlisted in the army and the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Ham becoming sole publisher. That gentle- man published a creditable journal until the disposal of the plant in August. 1900.

The new proprietors were Oscar A. Green, who became editor and manager, and Lee W. Lockwood, who assumed the duties of local editor. They began print- ing the paper all at home in December. 1900, and one year later enlarged it to a six column quarto, which has ever since remained the form. Ed. Yocom bought Lee Lockwood's interest on January 1. 1902. and te publishing firm became Green & Yocom, Mr. Green continuing as manager and editor. On October 29, 1903, W. V. Olin became a member of the publishing firin, being associated with Messrs. Green and Yocom until June 9, 1904.

The last change in The affairs of the Edgerton Enterprise occurred December 1. 1905, when William Lockwood and Lee W. Lockwood purchased the plant. It. was then leased for a form of years by Oscar .A. Green and L. L. Green and its management is now vested in Oscar 1. Green, who publishes an excellent journal. The Enterprise, during its long life, has had a varied career, but it has always been an important factor in the affairs of the little village in which it is published and in the history of Pipestone county jour- nalism.

The fourth paper to bid for the patron-

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ROCK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES.

farm a short distance from town and there resided six years, attending school and working on the farm and at the threshing business. He completed his education with a course in the Davenport Business college.

Mr. Biemkamp located in Luverne in 1903 and that city has since been his home. For several years he engaged in the threshing business and as an employe of the Luverne Automobile company, working in the re- pair department. On May 1, 1909, Mr. Bier- kamp and his father organized the Home Automobile company, which handles the Regal, Buick and Ford cars. The Bier- kamps also conduct a repair shop and an au- to livery and handle automobile supplies. Our subject is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge.

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Bierkamp were born in Germany, coming to America when chil- dren. They settled in Muscatine county, lowa, where they resided many years. Henry Bierkamp was one of the principal business men of Stockton, owning an im- plement house, two grain elevators, saloon, hotel and dance hall, and engaging in the stock and grain and threshing business. He sold out in Stockton, lived on the farm near there five years, and located in Lu- verne in 1903.

Otto Bierkamp was married in Luverne April 14, 1909, to Bertha Bergfreth, who was born in Walcott, Scott county, Jowa, December 9, 1886, and who is the daughter of Henry Bergfreth, of Springwater town- ship.

HENRY BIERKAMP (1903) is the pro- prietor of Luverne's up-to-date automobile livery and garage known as the Home Au- tomobile company and a dealer in several of the leading makes of machines and gaso- line engines. He is a native of llanover, Germany, and was born January 4, 1853, coming to this country fourteen years later.

He first located with his parents in Scott county, lowa, where. he was educated and assisted with the work on his father's farm until after his twenty-third birthday. He then married and for three years farmed on his own account. lle then established himself in the implement, grain and stock business in Stockton, łowa, which proved to be a successful venture, as has every-

thing else that Mr. Bierkamp has attempted. He still owns the business at Stockton, which is managed by a son. For seven years, commencing in 1896, our subject farmed in Muscatine county, Jowa, after which he disposed of the farm, for which he had paid $50 an acre, at a clear profit of 100 per cent. Nineteen hundred three is the date of his advent to Rock county. He bought a farm in Springwater township, on section 27, for which be paid $50 an acre. Since moving to Luverne in April, 1909, and engaging in his present line of business with his son Otto, his farm has been managed by a ten- ant. H. Bierkamp & Son have done a pros- perous automobile business, selling during the first season a total of thirty-five new and five old machines and during the second year sixty cars. They handle the Buick, Ford and Regal cars. In 1910 they erected a handsome two-story pressed brick build- ing to accommodate their growing business.

While a resident of Scott county, lowa, on February 11, 1875, Sophia Claus, a na- tive of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, be- came the wife of llenry Bierkamp. To these parents have been born three sons and six daughters, all but three of whom are married. The names of the children are as follows: Henry F., Otto, John, Ida, Sophia, Laura, Matilda, Malinda and Louise.

Mr. Bierkamp is a member of the city council. While a resident of Stockton, lowa, he held many offices of trust and was the leading merchant of the place and a leader in the civic and social affairs of the town. lle is a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge and cf the German Lutheran church. Mr. Bier- kamp is a large property holder. He is the owner of 740 acres of fine land, divided as follows: a half section in Springwater township, a quarter section in Beaver Creek township and 260 acres in Nobles county. In Luverne he owns the substantial build- ing which houses his business, the adjoin- ing livery stable property and three resi- dences besides his own handsome dwelling.

GEORGE B. WHITNEY (1878), manager of the llubbard & Palmer Grain company's interests at Beaver Creek, is an early set- tler of Rock county. He is a native of New York state and was born in Allegany county May 3, 1856. At the age of nine he

BUILDING OF THE HOME AUTOMOBILE COMPANY OF LUVERNE

HENRY BIERKAMP

OTTO BIERKAMP

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ROCK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES.

moved with his parents to Attica, Wyoming county, and a year and a half later to Cattaraugus county, in the same state. He attended the village school at Sandusky and until he was twenty-two resided on the farm of an uncle, J. R. Wilder.

Coming to Rock county in 1878, he was employed for several years on farms near Beaver Creek. He then homesteaded land in Turner county, South Dakota and re- mained there nearly two years. Returning to Beaver Creek, he was employed until 1890 by Colonel White, the founder of the town, in his stores and elevator. The year mentioned Mr. Whitney went to Avoca, Minnescta, to assume the management of the Hubbard & Palmer company's elevator. Three years later he was transferred by the company to Beaver Creek, which has continued to be his home. For a period of seven or eight years he served as con- stable. He is a charter member of Beaver Creek Lodge No. 121, A. O. U. W.

George B. is one in a family of nine chil- dren, six of whom are living, whose parents were John O. and Mary (Russell) Whitney, natives of New York, born at Springwater and Rochester, respectively. The father died at Whitney's Crossing and the mother at Attica in New York state. The living members of this family, besides the sub- ject of this sketch, are William G., Theron R., Charles R., Mrs. L. Bradley and Mrs. E. Hawley, all residents of New York state.

The geneology of the Whitney family can be traced in an unbroken record as far back as the ninth century-to King Petn of Wales. During the early settlement of Amer- ica three brothers of the family came to this country and from them the American branch of the family originated. One of the brothers settled in New York, another in New llampshire, but the third one was lost track of and it is thought that he met with fout play. The names of John and George have been favorite ones with the family from the earliest times.

At Beaver Creek, on November 16, 1881, Mr. Whitney was married to Vernie E. Wil- liams, born October 15, 1862. They are the parents of the following four living children: Ray O., Mary, Grace and Charles. Two children are dead. One passed away in in- fancy; the other, Marshall, died March 25, 1906, at the age of twelve years.

Mrs. Whitney's father, Charles Williams, in 1872 homesteaded the land on which the village of Beaver Creek is now located, do- nating the land for the purpose of a town- site to the railroad company when it passed through in 1877. Mr. Williams died the year following. By his first wife, Mr. Williams had two sons, Orlando and John, who played an important part in the founding of the new town and in the events of its early his- tory. Orlando Williams is now a resident of Lake Wilson, Minnesota, while his broth- er John is located at Pipestone. Mrs. Whitney and Charles O. Williams are chil- dren of Mr. Williams by his second mar- riage, to Elizabeth Barber, who died in 1873. Mr. Williams was married a third time in . 1874 to Ilarriet Nash Barber, who was well known in the early days of the county's history. She passed away December 2, 1897, at the age of eighty-one years.

TOBIAS GUNDERSON (1884) is a Lu- verne township farmer and breeder of Dur- ham and Shorthorn cattle whose fifty-four years of life have been evenly divided as a resident of Norway and of Rock county.

He was born April 25, 1857, at Berkland, Norway, the son of Gunder and Olena Olson. Tobias' parents were farmers and with them he lived and attended school until arriving at the age of fourteen. Leaving home, he went to Grimstad and engaged himself to the master of a merchant sailing vessel. For eight years, up to 1879, he led a sea- faring life, then returned to the vicinity of his early home, where he bought a twen- ty acre farm and lived five years.

In 1884 Mr. Gunderson disposed of his holdings and crossed the great Atlantic, this time as a passenger. Arriving in America, he came direct to Luverne. For a number of years he worked out on different farms, finally, in 1896, buying the southwest quarter of section 26, Luverne township, and be- ginning farming for himself. In 1898 he sold his place and journeyed back to his native land, but stayed only a year, return- ing again to Luverne in 1899. A second time he invested in Rock county soil, the east half of the southwest quarter of section 36, in Luverne township, and there it is he makes his home today. He has added to his real estate during the years which have

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ROCK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES.

followed by the purchase of 280 acres more of Luverne township land.

While a resident of Norway, Mr. Gunder- son was married to Maria Andrewson, the ceremony being performed at Berkland on April 25, 1879. To them two children have been born, Olena S., on January 2, 1883, and Gerty A., on May 10, 1891. Mr. Gunder- son is a member of the United Norwegian Lutheran church of Luverne and is one of the church directors.

JAMES A. HARROUN (1876), proprietor of a book, stationery and music store in Luverne, is one of the oldest business men in that city, having been engaged in his present business thirty-five years. He was born in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, October 4, 1850, but spent only the first few years of his life in his native county. Until he reached his majority he resided with his parents, the family home during these years being, respectively, in Fond du Lac county, Adams county and Sparta, in Wisconsin; in Kansas: in Olmsted county, Minnesota; Cass county, Michigan; and in Mercer coun- ty, Illinois. During these years he re- ceived a common school education, princi- pally in Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota, and for a time before reaching his majority taught school in Mercer county, Illinois.

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An illustrated history of the counties of Rock and Pipestone, Minnesota, Part 72

Author: Rose, Arthur P., 1875-1970 Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Luverne, Minn. : Northern History Publishing Company Number of Pages: 924

Author: Rose, Arthur P., 1875-1970
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Luverne, Minn. : Northern History Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 924