USA > Minnesota > Polk County > Compendium of history and biography of Polk County, Minnesota > Part 72
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KENN BROTHERS.
The firm of Kenn Bros., leading and extensive in its agricultural operations, and well and favorably known all over Polk county and those which adjoin Polk, is composed of Alexander, James Drummond, John Ram- sey and Edmund Kenn, sons of the late James and Christina (Barnett) Kenn, who have their headquar- ters on Section 23, Grand Forks township, on a farm on which their father located in 1878. The father was horn in Aberdeen, Scotland, and became a resident of this county in the spring of the year last named. He emigrated from his native land some years earlier
and was married in Canada, to Miss Christina Bar- nett, who was born in Scotland and brought aeross the Atlantie in her childhood.
At the time of their marriage the father was forty and the mother was twenty-eight. Robert Anderson, a friend of the family, was living in the Red River val- ley soon afterward, and he induced the Kenns, who were farming in Canada, to come to where he was and seek a better opportunity for advancement in a new region with all its possibilities still to be developed. Mr. Kenn traveled by rail to Fisher, the end of the
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line then, and by boat to Grand Forks. He bought his land of the railroad company at $7 an acre, with the usual rebate condition in the contraet, his first pur- chase comprising eighty aeres, to which he added 160 more soon afterward, the whole tract of 240 aeres be- ing in one body.
Mr. Kenn had very little money and was not able to own a horse for some months after his arrival. Dur- ing his first year in Polk county he worked for other farmers, breaking up what he could of his eighty aeres, and when the next spring came he found him- self the owner of an ox team and ground that was ready for seeding. His land lay next to the eighty acres owned by his friend Anderson, and with the help of that gentleman he built a log cabin sixteen feet square and began farming operations which in time grew to large proportions. He died June 9, 1891, at the age of seventy-one, but that same year he be- gan the erection of the house now on the farm and bought 160 aeres of additional land in Northland township, intending to continue and extend his farm- ing industry, being a grain grower and devoted to his work and special line of production.
Mr. Kenn was active in township affairs and for many years filled various township offices, among them those of member of the township board, township as-
sessor and school director. He was a member of the Presbyterian church in Grand Forks to his death, and his remains were buried in the cemetery connected with that chureb. The mother is still alive. They were the parents of six children, Alexander, James Drummond, Margaret, John Ramsey B., Agnes Jane and Edmund, all but one of whom are living in Polk county. Margaret is the wife of J. C. Dangerfield, of East Grand Forks, and Agnes Jane married J. C. Fegenshau and lives in Miles City, Montana.
John R. B. Kenn married Miss Margaret Fraser and lives in Esther township, three miles north of the home place. llis three brothers, who are with him in the firm of Kenn Bros., live on the home place and are unmarried. The firm owns the 220 acres on which J. R. B. lives and 160 more near that place. They carry on general farming, breed dairy and beef eat- tle and raise their own horses, using twelve in their farm work. They are deeply interested in the welfare and advancement of Polk county, especially the two townships in which their property lies, and have ren- dered valuable service in different public offices. But their attention has been given mainly to their farming interests, and these they have condueted with skill, good judgment and prudent management. They en- joy the esteem of all who know them.
JOHN CONNERAN.
This gentleman, who was for years one of the most extensive and enterprising farmers in this eounty, owning 920 acres of land in it, and cultivating nearly all of it, has had a very interesting and in some re- speets striking career. The land is still all in his family, some of it having been given by him to his sons, and his own home farm of 160 acres is in See- tion 6, Roome township, twelve miles southwest of Crookston. He was born in County Galway, Ireland, November 10, 1844, and came to the United States in 1862, landing at New York May 2, and at onee join- ing his brother Lawrenee in New Jersey.
Two years later Mr. Conneran's father came over
and they all moved up into New York state, where they lived for a number of years and then returned to New Jersey. John was a brakeman on a railroad for a time and afterward a conduetor until his marriage in New Jersey in 1872 to Miss Anna Logan, the sister of John and Thomas Logan. Ile then became a see- tion boss and held the job for seven years, and during his railroad service he saved $1,000 of his earnings as a stake for a contemplated venture in the distant West, as it was then, and late in 1887 he brought his family to Fisher, in this county, to be with his wife's people, the Logans and Mrs. Barney Heggarty.
Mr. Conneran took his place in Roome township as
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a homestead. Ilis mother-in-law, Mrs. Kate Logan, had a claim on it for a time, but she allowed him to file on it, which he did in the spring of 1888, and he has since lived on it. By May 15, 1888, he had his house built and was occupying it. The farm is on the prairie three miles out from the Red river. Mr. Con- neran has since bought 160 aeres more in Section 6, and 160 in Section 32, eighty in Seetion 8 and forty in Section 7, Fisher township, and he also owns 320 acres in Woodside township. The last is only a quar- ter of a mile south of Maple lake and a few miles sonth of the village of Mentor, in which he also owns some property which is rapidly growing in value.
At one time Mr. Conneran spent four or five years on his Woodside farm getting out eordwood, which he shipped in carload lots to Crookston and Grand Forks, employing ten to twelve choppers and sending off 1,000 to 3,000 cords a year, his shipment being a earload every day one winter. His farming opera- tions were also carried on on a large seale. His ens- tomary output at the height of his business was 400 to 500 acres in wheat, and he also kept 50 to 75 head of cattle when he had range for them, but he now keeps about 25 head, and in addition milks ten to twelve cows for butter, and has milked 18 to 20 some years. The butter is made at his home and taken to
Crookston, where it is sold mostly to private customers.
Mr. and Mrs. Conneran are the parents of nine children, all of whom are living. John is living on a farm of 160 acres in Fisher township given to him by his father. Mary is the wife of James Powers of Bygland township. Katie is the wife of Owen La Velle of Grand Forks county, N. D. Anna is the wife of Albany Capistran of Lowell township. Ella is the wife of A. P. Roberts of Crookston. James lives on a farm cornering with his father's and given to him by his father. Delia has a dressmaking establishment in Grand Forks. William, the youngest of the boys, is to get the home farm in time. Jennie, the youngest of the family, also lives at home. All the members of the family belong to the Catholic church at Fisher, Minn.
Mr. Conneran has served in several township offiees, especially those having to do with road work. Ilis railroad seetion supervision has been of great service in this connection, and as a result the town- ship has very good roads. He has had a great deal of draining done and has labored hard to obtain the establishment of a general system of county ditches, all the best ones in and near his loeality being pro- vided for largely through his streunous efforts in this behalf.
MRS. CHESTINA A. MESSETT.
Having been successfully engaged in merehandis- ing at Mentor throughout the last twenty years, and having won a competenee for life by her industry, thrift and good management, Mrs. Chestina A. Mes- sett has justly earned the high regard in which she is held by the residents of Grove Park township as a business woman, as she has also the universal esteem she enjoys because of her usefulness in other lines of activity and service to the publie. No woman in Polk county is more highly or more generally respected, and there is none who deserves to be.
Mrs. Messett was born near Zumbrota, in Goodhne county, Minnesota, and grew to womanhood there,
obtaining a fairly good education for her time and surroundings and opportunities. In her young wom- anhood she eame to Polk county for about seven years and was employed as a teacher in the public schools, winning high favor for her suecess in the work. She was married in this county to I. K. Messett, a native of Norway, who was one of the early settlers in the county. He was a progressive and enterprising eiti- zen and took an aetive part in the public affairs of his township and those of the Synod Lutheran church during his life.
Mrs. Messett and her husband became the parents of one ehild, their daughter Belinda G., who is now a
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school teacher also, following the excellent example of her mother. The latter was appointed postmistress of Mentor and held the office seventeen years. In addition to her other property she owns 240 acres of
land in Grove Park township and personally super- vises the cultivation of the farm, and in this work, as in her store, her excellent business qualifications are well displayed.
OSCAR WICK.
For more than a quarter of a century Oscar Wiek has conducted the East Grand Forks nursery to the great benefit of his own township and those that ad- join it in this state and North Dakota. He started the business in 1890, and he now has about one-half of the seventy aeres of land in his nursery traet devoted to propagating hardy and flowering shrubs, ornamental and fruit trees, especially crab and other apple, plum and cherry trees, and such small fruits as strawberries and other berries. He also makes a specialty of pro- dueing fine asparagus plants in great numbers, and he gives particular attention to his ornamental tree and shrub department.
Mr. Wick was born in Sweden June 30, 1857, and became a resident of Minnesota in 1879. He was specially prepared for his business by thorough train- ing at good horticultural schools and by practical work, and he is, therefore, a complete master of it, but he is also still a diligent student and close observer of its development in every line of progress. He was married in 1881, at Blanchard, North Dakota, to Miss Carrie Eriekson, who died in 1890, leaving three chil- dren. Of these Ella, the first born, died at the age of nine years. Roy is a conductor on the Great North- ern railroad and lives in Grand Forks, and Conrad is a gardener on land near his father's.
In 1893 Mr. Wiek contracted a second marriage, which united him with Miss Augusta Jernberg, who is also a native of Sweden. They have three children : Ella, who is a stenographer in the Northern State Bank of Grand Forks, and Lillie and Rudolph, who are living at home with their parents. The father was one of the founders of the Swedish Lutheran church in Grand Forks and served as its organist for seven years. The first money he made he sent back to his
old music teacher in Sweden. His children inherit his musieal talent and are themselves all accomplished musicians.
Mr. Wiek located at Blanchard, North Dakota, in 1880, and there he built a hotel and became a grain mereliant. When he decided to change his occupation he was unable to sell his property at Blanchard, and so he came to Grand Forks without capital and started in selling nursery stoek for the Grand Forks Nursery. He soon discovered that the profits in the business were large and decided to engage in it himself. He bought part of the land he now devotes to it, paying $60 an acre for it, although it was then full of stumps and brush, going in debt for the purchase money and bor- rowing $200 in addition. The land is on the east side of Red River, one mile south of East Grand Forks, and well located for his purpose.
For a time he condueted a restaurant in which he made money, but opposition developed when it was learned that he was going to start a new nursery. One Grand Forks and one Hillsboro, North Dakota, news- paper worked against him and were accused of being paid for doing this. But the Northwest News and the Normander gave his undertaking encouragement which proved to be of great advantage to him.
In a little while he bought more land, paying $150 an aere for some of it, and he now owns seventy aeres. His rule of action has been to deal fairly with every- body, correct all mistakes of his own, replace poor stock and make every effort to produce stock suitable for the climate and local conditions. His business ex- panded steadily and brought him increasing pros- perity. He now has a very desirable home with an avenue bordered by stately trees of his own planting leading to the dwelling and artistically arranged
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grounds decorated with ornamental trees and shrub- bery surrounding it.
Mr. Wick has contributed a great deal to improving the conditions of life in his home locality, much of the beautiful landscape gardening about the homes in East Grand Forks and its parks being the result of his efforts. . He has spared no labor or expense in testing shrubbery and fruit culture, acclimating many varieties of such products that had long been consid- ered too tender to grow in this latitude. Thirty years ago it was believed that the only kind of apples that would live and flourish in this section of the country were crabapples. But in consequence of his enter- prise and ability many varieties of apples are now produced here in fine qualities and of great commer- cial value in all the markets.
From the beginning of his residence in what is now
Rhinchart township Mr. Wick has taken an earnest interest and an active part in its public affairs. The four sections bordering on and near to the Red river were paying their taxes but getting no road improve- ment or other benefits. He started a movement to ob- tain their right to manage their own affairs by separa- tion from Grand Forks township and the formation of a new township by themselves. The movement suc- ceeded in time and after considerable effort. Rhine- hart township was organized, Mr. Wick was elected township clerk and later a justice of the peace, and it was only a short time until the new township found itself in a desirable condition, with good roads in every direction and a surplus of funds in its treasury. Mr. Wiek is a Democrat in his political faitlı and alle- giance, and he is a "live one " in political contests, as he is in everything else in which he takes an interest.
OLE IIANSON.
"Tried by both extremes of fortune and not seri- ously disturbed by either" is a motto that might be appropriately applied to the enterprising farmer, courteous gentleman and public-spirited citizen who is the subject of this brief review. He has suffered hardship, privation and adversity in some of their most cruel forms, and he has triumphed over every difficulty and won a substantial competence for life by his own industry, thrift and good management, yet through all conditions and changes of fortune he has been the same firm, intrepid, hopeful and enterprising man, undaunted by Fate's greatest exhibitions of un- kindness and not unduly elated over Fortune's most generous benefactions and sunniest smiles.
Ole Hanson was born at Lurvig, Norway, March 16, 1855, and when he was about eleven years of age came with his parents, Hans and Cheston Oleson, to the United States, arriving in 1866. In October, 1877, the family settled in Polk county, Minnesota, on Sec- tion 31, in Nesbit township, where the father died one year later and the mother three years after his death. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom their son Ole was the fourth in the order of birth.
Mr. Hanson was abont twenty-two years old when he arrived in this county, and he at once bought one- half of Section 31, Nesbit township, and on this tract he has ever since had his home, but he has added to his original holding by subsequent purchases, and he now owns and cultivates 360 acres, which, by his in- telligent and skillful methods of farming he has made very productive. Ile had a hard struggle at first, however, and it required nerve and determined per- sisteney to get through it. Ilis first habitation on the land was a mud or sod shack, which was very inade- quate for comfort or even shelter, and the other home appliances were in keeping with this. But the sod shack long since gave way to a good modern dwelling, and the other buildings that Mr. Oleson has erected are also modern and complete in every particular. His principal industry on this farm is general farm- ing, but he also raises and handles live stock to a con- siderable extent, having on hand about twenty head of horses and forty of cattle, on an average.
While Mr. Hanson has paid strict and constant at- tention to his own affairs he has also given heed in an interested and helpful way to those of the town-
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ship and county of his home. Their welfare and progress have been objects of strong and continual desire with him, and he has been an influential factor in promoting their advancement. He has long been one of the school trustees of District No. 117, and in many other ways has been of great service to the pub- lic in his locality, and every public interest has always had his earnest, intelligent and most active support.
On July 23, 1893, he was married to Miss Bertha Ark- haus, who is, like himself, a native of Norway. They have no children of their own but are rearing and educating a son named Willard and a daughter named Graec, whom they have adopted. Mr. and Mrs. Han- son are zealous and active members of the United Lutheran church.
ELIAS G. GUSTAFSON.
Elias G. Gustafson, one of the enterprising, pro- gressive and successful farmers of this county, is a veritable pioneer of Woodside township in the true sense of the term. He broke the first land and raised, reaped and threshed the first grain produced in that township and helped to plant the seeds of its present civilization and development. He was born in Sweden May 22, 1857, and when he was ten years old came to this country with his parents, Gustaf and Mary Elia- son. The family located in Douglas county, Minne- sota, where the mother died October 12, 1879. Two years later the father and the rest of the family moved to this county and took up their residence in Woodside township, where the father died in the fall of 1909.
When the son came to Polk county late in the fall of 1881 he at onee took up a tract of wild land in Woodside township, which was all wild then, and began improving it. He has lived in Woodside town- ship ever since except for six years, during which he
was engaged in farming in Godfrey township. Farm- ing has been his principal oeenpation from his youth and he has made it a successful and profitable one for him. He now owns 340 acres of good land improved with buildings well suited to his needs and nearly all under cultivation. He has held the office of super- visor of Woodside township for a number of years and is also a member of the school board.
On November 15, 1884, Mr. Gustafson was married in Woodside township to Julia M. Johnson, a native of Norway. They have had thirteen children, two of whom, a son and a daughter, died in infancy. The eleven who are living are John R. G., Caroline, Wil- liam W., Antone N., Edward E., Guste, George N., Otto, Conrad, Walter and Theo. Caroline is the wife of Ole R. Luckan. Mr. and Mrs. Gustafson arc zeal- ous and serviceable members of the Norwegian Luth- eran church and take a helpful interest in all its work for the good of the community.
OLE HELMER ESTENSON.
Known far and wide as one of the best and most capable business men in this county, and esteemed wherever he is known as a man of sterling worth and progressive and serviceable citizenship, Ole Helmer Estenson, manager of one of the leading mercantile enterprises of Climax, has earned his rank and repu- tation by his genuine merit and fine business capacity, and also by his intelligent, helpful and stimulating 30
interest in every undertaking which makes for the advancement and enduring welfare of his home com- munity.
Mr. Estenson is a native of Vineland township, this county, having been born on his father's farm in that township January 22, 1878. He is a son of Ole and Paulina Estenson, who were pioncers of Vineland township, loeating on a homestead there early in the
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seventies. They became the parents of five children, all of whom are living. Emma is now the wife of Mertin Strommen, and a resident of Vineland town- ship. Ole II. is the immediate subject of this review. Peter is still living at home with his parents. Ida is the wife of Sever Rostvedt and has her home in North Dakota, and John is also still a member of the parental family cirele.
Ole H. Estenson, the second born of the five chil- dren, was reared to manhood on his father's farm and obtained only a common school education. In 1900 lie began his mercantile career in the Estenson company of Climax. The partnership continued until 1911, when the business was sold to the Climax Co-operative Mercantile company, Mr. Estenson remained as a elerk in the store under its new owners for a year, then
moved to Canada and took up a homestead, on which he lived two years and a half. At the end of that period he returned to Climax and was appointed man- ager of the store which he formerly owned, and in that capacity he has been connected with it ever since.
In the government and social life of Climax Mr. Estenson has always taken a cordial interest and been a forceful factor. Hle proved his devotion to the wel- fare of the community by serving as a member of the village couneil with energy and public spirit for some years. He is also a devout and serviceable member of the Norwegian Lutheran church. On August 10, 1906, he was united in marriage with Miss Clara Ban- gen, a daughter of Hans H. Bangen, of Vineland township. Two daughters have been born of the union, Frene and Romona.
WILLIAM JAMES PORTER.
While he is not now and never has been regularly a resident of Polk county, William James Porter is entitled to recognition in this compendium of Polk county history beeanse of his having married into one of the prominent families of the county and his inti- mate connection with certain features of the indus- trial and commercial life of the Polk county people.
Mr. Porter was for a few years a grain buyer at Davidson station, near the old Nesbit farm, and he married Miss Margaret Evelyn Nesbit, the daughter
of James Nesbit, the owner of that farm and a mem- ber of the family in whose honor Nesbit township was given the name it bears, and he and Mrs. Porter own a part of the old family homestead, which is being farmed by a tenant. Mr. Porter has, during the last four or five years, been a grain buyer for the Diamond Mill in Grand Forks.
Mr. and Mrs. Porter were married October 24, 1906. They have four children, Myrtle Evelyn, Frances Marion, Lois Christina and Willard James.
EDMUND M. WALSIL.
Edmund M. Walsh, who is the author of the valu- able article in this work giving an interesting account of the early days in the history of Polk county, has been a resident of Crookston continuously since 1872, and during the whole period of his residence in the city has been prominent in its various lines of life, particularly in connection with its public affairs and those of Polk county, and the fraternal activities in both.
Mr. Walsh was born in Essex county, New York,
March 2, 1851, and in 1857 he was brought by his parents, Thomas and Eleanor Walsh, to Henderson, Sibley county, Minnesota, where he grew to manhood and obtained his education. In 1870 he assumed charge of a store belonging to his father at Hender- son, but a short time afterward he sold this business and started a mercantile enterprise of his own. He disposed of this also in a short time, and then went to Garry, now Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he did not tarry long, returning to this country in a few weeks
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and locating at Grand Forks, North Dakota, and mov- ing from there to Crookston in 1872,
Soon after his arrival in Crookston Mr. Walsh was elceted auditor of Polk county, being the first incum- bent of the office. In 1878 he organized the old Crookston Telephone company, and throughout his connection with it he served as its manager. Ile was a member of the first city council of Crookston, and for fifteen years he rendered valuable service as a
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