USA > Minnesota > Watonwan County > History of Cottonwood and Watonwan counties, Minnesota : their people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 11
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John E. Nelson was educated in the public schools of Norway. While a young man he went to sea as a sailor and followed this occupation for six years. He made trips to England, South America, Mexico, Cuba and many other places, and experienced all the hardships and dangers of a sailor's life, while engaged in this business. In the spring of 1884, then not twenty-one years of age, he came with the rest of the family to America and located in Windom, Cottonwood county, Minnesota. Here he was em- ployed in farming for about three years, and then worked at the same busi- ness for about two years at Heron Lake, in Jackson county. In 1888 he went to Washington, then a territory, and was employed by the Puget Sound in scaling logs for about three years. In 1891 he returned to Win- dom and opened up a harness business, which he continued in that place until September, 1900, when he removed his shop to Westbrook. Here he has since continued the business, handling a complete stock of everything in the harness line.
Mr. Nelson was married to Nettie Tolefson in 1887, and to this union four children have been born: Maude L., Howard E., Phoebe and James, who died at Windom aged six years. They are members of the Baptist church; Mr. Nelson is one of the trustees at the present time. He has served ten years on the school board, and has been president of the board for nine years. He has also served as a member of the village council.
Mr. Nelson is also largely interested in the banking business. At the present time he is a stockholder and vice-president of the First National Bank of Westbrook; vice-president of the State Bank, at Dovray, Murray
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county, and a director of the Farmers State Bank, at Stroden, Cottonwood county. He has also had some dealings in real estate, and has some val- table real-estate holdings at the present time. In 1903 he built the splendid home in which he now lives. He is giving his children the opportunity of obtaining a good education, an opportunity which he, himself, did not have in his youthful years. He is deeply interested in the promotion of schools and educational advantages in the community, and as a. member of the school board, on which he has had so long service, he has been largely instru- mental in building up the schools and in bringing them to the high state of efficiency they now have.
SULLIVAN & GUSHMAN.
Edd T. Sullivan and Leo A. Gushman, publishers of the Journal- Gazette of St. James, are doing a most commendable work in the general upbuilding of Watonwan county, their popular newspaper being a genuine booster for this locality.
Mr. Sullivan was born in Mantorville, Minnesota, September 29, 1878, and received his education in the schools of that village, graduating from the high school there in 1896. He learned the printer's trade in the office of the Express and in 1901 went to North Dakota, where he worked at various places until January, 1907, when he returned to his home county and state and purchased a half interest in the Dodge County Record, at Dodge Center, where he remained for two years. He was thereafter connected with various papers in Minnesota, North Dakota and Montana, returning to Minnesota in June, 1914, and locating at Butterfield, Watonwan county, securing employment on the Advocate. In November of that year he came to St. James and began work on the Journal-Gasette, as foreman. On December 1, 1915, he and Leo A. Gushman leased this plant and have since been editors and publishers of this excellent newspaper, which is gain- ing rapidly in circulation, has been greatly improved from a mechanical standpoint and is recognized as a valuable advertising medium. They are both capable and well trained newspaper men and are giving eminent satis- faction to their patrons. Mr. Sullivan is a Republican. He is unmarried.
Leo A. Gushman was born in Stryker, Ohio, October 21, 1891. He came to St. James in 1914, and engaged in the advertising business, traveling throughout Minnesota and the Dakotas until he formed a partnership with
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Mr. Sullivan in December, 1915, and leased the Journal-Gasctte. He is unmarried, and is a Republican. He is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Monen) Gushman. The father was born in Ohio, his parents having immigrated to that state from Alsace-Lorraine, formerly a province of France. Joseph's parents were Alexis and Mary (Duprez) Gushman, and his grandfather fought under Napoleon. The paternal grandfather of Leo A. Gushman died at Wauseon, Ohio, about 1901 at the age of eighty-two years, his wife dying two years later in 1903, when about seventy-five years of age. The maternal grandparents, Patrick and Elizabeth (Gebbie) Monen, were natives of Ireland, from which country they came to Ohio in 1865, locating at Stryker, later moving to Defiance, that state. The grand- mother died in 1906 when about seventy-six years of age at Toledo. Grand- father's death occurred in December, 1915, at Toledo, at the unusual age of ninety-five years. He was born on March 17, 1821. The father of Leo A. Gushman is a master mechanic and is employed by S. M. Jones & Company of Toledo, Ohio. His family consists of two children, Jeanette, and Leo A. The latter received his education in the public schools of Toledo, Ohio, and was graduated from St. John's College (high school department), and attended the college one year, after which he was in the employ of the Woolson-Spice Company for four years. He was then in the advertising business two years before coming to St. James.
MICHAEL L. FISCH.
One of the enterprising and successful merchants of Cottonwood county, Minnesota, is Michael L. Fisch, of Windom. By his thrift and honest dealings he has built up a large trade with the town and surrounding country.
Mr. Fisch was born in Houston county, this state, July 19, 1866, and there he grew to manhood and received his education in the public schools. He followed civil engineering which line of work he followed three or four years in his earlier career, then engaged in mercantile pursuits in Faribault county, Minnesota, where he remained until 1899 when he came to Win- dom, where he has since been engaged in general mercantile pursuits, carry- ing a large and well-selected stock at all seasons. Five years ago his store was destroyed by fire, but with characteristic energy he soon rebuilt on a more substantial basis and has a large and well-arranged store. He has
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been very successful in a business way, and besides his store he is a stock- holder in the Windom National Bank, of which he is also a director.
Mr. Fisch is a public-spirited man and has done much for the general upbuilding of Windom, whose interests he has very much at heart. He has been mayor of the town two terms. Politically, he is a Republican. Fra- ternally, he is a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Mr. Fisch was married in 1891 to Mary Pietruss, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Pietruss, both natives of Germany. To Mr. and Mrs. Fisch three children have been born: Adrian, Mildred, and Marian.
HENRY E. HANSON.
A thriving banking business is being conducted at Windom by Henry E. Hanson, who understands thoroughly every phase of his chosen line of endeavor and tries in every way to please his many patrons. Mr. Hanson was born in Fillmore county, Minnesota, September 18, 1860. He is a son of Elling and Guro (Helgeson) Hanson, both natives of Norway, where they spent their earlier years, immigrating to America in 1848, locating on Rock Prairie, Rock county, Wisconsin, where they remained until about 1851, when they removed to Fillmore county, Minnesota, where the father died in 1860. The mother married again, and the family removed to La Crosse, Wisconsin, and in 1872 came to Ann township, Cottonwood county, Minnesota, where Henry E. Hanson's step-father, Ole Kleven, entered a homestead which he developed and on which he and his wife spent the rest of their lives. Three children were born to Elling and Guro Hanson, namely : Mary, deceased; Anna, who lives in Fillmore county, and Henry E., the subject of this sketch.
Henry E. Hanson received his early education in the public schools of La Crosse, Wisconsin, later attending school in Cottonwood county, Minne- sota. He started out in life as a laborer on farms and with threshing machines, then engaged in railroad construction work for two years, later engaged in farming for himself. In 1889 he was elected register of deeds, which office he held with satisfaction to all concerned for a period of eigh- teen years, or until January, 1906. The following autumn he was elected to the state Senate, in which body he made a splendid record. In 1907 he was appointed postmaster at Windom, which position he held until July, 1915. He was state Senator during the sessions of the Legislature from
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1907 to 1909. In 1907 he organized the Farmers State Bank at Windom, of which he became cashier, continuing as such until in January, 1915, then became president, which position he still occupies. His rare business acu- men, sound judgment, recognized industry and honesty have combined to make this one of the sound, safe and popular banks of this section of the state. He is also interested in general farming, owning a fine farm of eight hundred and eighty acres in Ann township, which he claims to be the second best farm in Cottonwood county. It is under a high state of culti- vation and improvement, including large, substantial buildings, with every modern convenience. He formerly bred Shorthorn cattle, also Berkshire hogs. He now rents his land.
On May 6, 1889, Henry E. Hanson was married to Gina Peterson, of Westbrook township, Cottonwood county, daughter of Paul Peterson, a part of whose farm is now within the limits of the town of Westbrook. To this union the following children have been born: Emma Pauline is the wife of Frank Strehlow; Clarence M., Hazel, Irene is the wife of Frank Barr, and Grace.
Politically, Mr. Hanson is a Republican. He has long been active and influential in public affairs, and is the recognized leader of his party in this section of Minnesota. He has done much for the general development of his town and community and is one of the most substantial and best-known citizens of Cottonwood county. He is a member of the Norwegian Luth- eran church. Fraternally, he belongs to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Royal Arcanum and the Sons of Norway.
WILLIAM HENRY DUMMETT.
William Henry Dummett, a well-known and well-to-do farmer of Lake- side township, Cottonwood county, chairman of the board of supervisors of that township and proprietor of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in the vicinity of Bingham Lake, is a native of Iowa, born on a pioneer farm in Franklin township, O'Brien county, that state, February 26, 1878, son of William Henry and Mary E. (Daily) Dummett, the former a native of the state of New Jersey and the latter of Ireland, she having come to this country with her parents when a child.
The senior William H. Dummett was born in 1841, son of Henry J.
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and Christina (Westkett) Dummett, the former a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1809, who was a glass-blower by trade. Later he moved to Ohio and still later, in 1856, moved with his family to Iowa, which then was being rapidly opened to settlement, and settled on a farm in Benton county, where he spent the rest of his life. He and his wife were the parents of eleven children, of whom but two are now living. William H. Dummett, father of the subject of this sketch, was about fifteen years old when his parents settled in Iowa and there he grew to manhood. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted in Company H, Sixth Iowa Cavalry, and served until that command was mustered out at Sioux City, Iowa, October 17, 1865. Although Mr. Dummett participated in many hard-fought battles and underwent many trying experiences, he came through the war unwounded and with health unimpaired. At the close of the war he returned to his home in Benton county, Iowa, and there, in 1869, was mar- ried. In 1871 he and his wife moved up into the northwestern part of Iowa and settled in O'Brien county. There, in Franklin township, he homesteaded a quarter of a section of land and established his home, later increasing his farm to two hundred and eighty acres and spending the rest of his life there, his death occurring in 1915. He was a Republican, an enthusiastic member of the Grand Army of the Republic and he and his family were supporters of the Methodist Episcopal church. He and his wife were the parents of ten children, of whom five still survive, namely : Mary E., who married Frank Merrill and lives in Iowa; Sarah, who mar- ried William Brahan and also lives in Iowa; Elmer B., who lives in Iowa; William H., the subject of this sketch, and George, who is also a resident of Minnesota.
The junior William H. Dummett was reared on the pioneer farm in O'Brien county, Iowa, receiving his schooling in the district schools in the neighborhood of his home and as a young man started farming there on his own account. In 1902 he married and and established his home in his native county, where he continued to live until 1909, in which year he dis- posed of his interests there and came to Minnesota, settling in Cottonwood county. He bought a quarter of a section of land in Lakeside township and there has made his home ever since. The place was but partially improved when Mr. Dummett took possession and he has erected new buildings and otherwise improved the farm, bringing it up to a high standard of cultivation. In addition to his general farming he has given considerable attention to the raising of high-grade live stock and has done well with his Shorthorn cattle and Chester White hogs. Mr. Dummett is a Republican and since
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coming to this state has given his thoughtful attention to political affairs. He served as a member of the school board for three years and is now serv- ing as chairman of the board of supervisors in Lakeside township.
In 1902, in O'Brien county, Iowa, William H. Dummett was united in marriage to Bertha May DuBois and to this union four children have been born, Forrest Wayne, Averil, Doris and Berdine. Mr. and Mrs. Dummett take a proper part in the general good works of their community and are ever ready to promote such movements as are designed to advance the com- mon weal hereabout. Mr. Dummett holds membership in the Modern Woodmen of America, the Yeomen and the Modern Brotherhood of America, in the affairs of all of which organizations he takes a warm interest.
CHARLEY T. CROWLEY.
The smokers of Watonwan county and vicinity who enjoy a good cigar are not compelled to use a brand made in Cuba or some other distant country, for they may procure excellent cigars manufactured by Charley T. Crowley at St. James.
Mr. Crowley was born near Westside, Iowa, December 6, 1872. He is a son of Winfield Scott and Alice (Grimley) Crowley. The father was born in Illinois in 1847; the mother was born at Huntley, that state, in 1857. They grew up, attended school and were married in their native state. After spending a short time in Iowa they removed to Chicago, where the father engaged in the milk business until 1890. He also engaged in the real estate business for a number of years, but is now living retired. His wife died in 1896. He came to Watonwan county in the year 1889 and has since made his home in St. James. He was a member of the city council for some time, and also chairman of the county commissioners for sixteen years. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and attends the Presbyterian church. His family consists of two children, namely: Charley T., subject of this sketch; and Florence, who became the wife of Floyd Hall, is deceased. One child, a daughter, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Hall. After the death of his first wife, Winfield S. Crowley mar- ried Rose Morris, by which union one son, Winfield Scott, Jr., was born in 1904.
Charley T. Crowley was educated in the Skinner public schools of Chicago and a business college in that city, later studied at Ames Agricul-
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tural College in Iowa. He came to St. James in 1890, where he obtained work in the hotel conducted by W. W. and E. A. Gibbs, with whom he remained five years, then worked two years in a drug store and two years in railroad service. In 1890 he began manufacturing cigars in St. James which he has continued with pronounced success to the present time, having built up an extensive trade. His factory is well equipped and an average of seven highly skilled workmen is employed by him. He made his first batch of cigars for Winfield Scott Hammond. He makes the popular brand known as "Our Governor," a ten-cent cigar; also the "Governor," a five- cent cigar of excellent quality.
Mr. Crowley was married in April, 1897, to Ada Forsyth, of St. James, and to this union two children have been born, namely: Winfield George, born in 1901; and Alice May, born in 1904. He and his family attend the Episcopal church. Politically, he is a Republican. He is a member of the city council at this writing, which position he has held for ten years. He has been a member of the local fire department for twenty-one years. He was captain in the same for some time and is now chief. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Royal Arcanum, Modern Woodmen of America and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Mr. Crowley is also engaged in the sale of automobiles, handling the Ford in this county. He is in partnership with Schoffman, Crowley & Veltun.
WILLIAM SARTORIUS.
One of the farmers of Great Bend township, Cottonwood county, who has been a close observer of modern methods of tilling the soil and is a student of whatever pertains to his chosen life work, is William Sartorius, and he has therefore met with encouraging success all along the line. He was born in Germany, March II, 1850, and is a son of John and Kate (Sueshen) Sartorius, both natives of Germany, where they grew up, were married, spent their active lives on a farm and died there. They were the parents of seven children, namely: Amel, Katherina, Jennie, John are all deceased; Fannie is living; William, the subject of this sketch; Margaret is deceased.
William Sartorius grew to manhood in his native land and there attended the public schools, working on his father's farm during crop sea-
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sons. He served over three years in the German army, and was with his regiment in France in 1871 during the Franco-German War, but saw no active service. He came to America in 1882 and located near Freeport, Illinois, where he remained twenty years, working out for wages eleven years and engaged in farming for himself nine years on rented land. He then removed to O'Brien county, Iowa, and rented a farm for five years, buying one hundred and fifty-nine acres in the fall of 1906, in Great Bend township, Cottonwood county, Minnesota, the place on which he now lives, moving here on January 10, 1907. He has added many important improve- ments, especially to the buildings and has a good farm. In connection with general farming he raises various kinds of live stock, making a specialty of Chester White hogs and mixed Shorthorn cattle.
Mr. Sartorius was married in 1876, to Johanna Gertges, a native of Germany and a daughter of Frederick and Gertie (Meyer) Gertges, both natives of Germany where they spent their lives on a farm. To these par- ents seven children were born, namely: A son, who died in infancy; Helna, Anna, Gertie, Katherina, Gertrude, and Johanna, who married the subject of this sketch.
To Mr. and Mrs. Sartorius the following children were born: John and Fred both were born in Germany and died in Illinois; Kate is living; Dina died in Illinois, as did also Katherine; John is living; Fred is at home; William and Edward are the two youngest.
Mr. Sartorius and family belong to the Lutheran church.
HERMAN W. HAISLET.
The name of Herman W. Haislet, successful publisher, of St. James and the present representative of Watonwan county to the Legislature, needs no introduction to the readers of this work.
Mr. Haislet was born in Decorah, Iowa, September 17, 1875, and is a son of George W. and Emma Caroline (Wood) Haislet, who came from the East and settled in Howard county, Iowa, the father establishing the first newspaper at Howard Center (now Cresco). Himself and his brothers, Samuel and Frank were the promoters of the newspapers in north- eastern Iowa. George W. Haislet remained at Decorah for a number of years, his death occurring there in 1880, his widow surviving until 1883.
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He was a Republican. His wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church. Their family consisted of eleven children, only three of whom are living at this writing, namely: Fred W., of Rice Lake, Wisconsin; Katie Irene is the wife of Robert Mapson, of El Modena, California; Herman W., the subject of this sketch.
After the death of his mother Herman W. Haislet went to live with an uncle, Edward W. Wood, publisher of the Democrat at Lyons, Rice county, Kansas. There he attended school and worked in his uncle's print- ing office until he was fourteen years old, when he went to Frederick, Kan- sas, where he was employed four years on the News, then became a cow- boy for two summers, and worked on newspapers during the winter months. He came to Decorah, Iowa. in the winter of 1897, arriving on January Ist, and worked on the Decorah Public Opinion for some time. While there he married, in 1898, Bessie D. Houck, and to their union one son was born, Donovan Herman Haislet, whose birth occurred in October, 1899, and is now a student in second year high school.
After his marriage, Mr. Haislet moved to Ridgeway, Iowa, and estab- lished the Record, which he conducted for about eighteen months, and in November, 1901, he came to St. James and secured employment in the office of the Plaindealer where he worked until December, 1901, when he took charge of the Butterfield Advocate, and with the exception of the years 1905 to 1907 he has been a residence of Watonwan county ever since com- ing here. In November, 1914, he was elected to the Legislature on the non- partisan ticket and has made a commendable record in this office. He was chairman of the legislative expense committee and had charge of all expend- itures made for supplies of Legislature. He made a record of economy not surpassed in twenty years. He is a man of force and character, and in the face of considerable opposition has won out, when he knew he was right, on many occasions. He is outspoken and not afraid to let everybody know just where he stands on all important questions affecting the people. He has made his paper a strong factor in the general welfare of his com- munity, and it has been a success from a business standpoint under his able management. He was justice of the peace at Butterfield for a period of nine years, and gave eminent satisfaction in the same, his decisions being noted for their fairness and clear interpretation of the law. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, in which he took an active interest in the rate fight in 1912 and 1913.
In December, 1913, he established the St. James Independent in part-
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nership with Fred W. Haislet, buying his partner's interest in June, 1915, and has since been sole editor and publisher. The paper is gaining rapidly in circulation and is being recognized as a valuable advertising medium.
GEORGE P. SIVERTSON.
Among the Norwegians who have come to Minnesota, and there have been many thousands, and have, through their industry and good manage- ment acquired a comfortable competency so that they are enabled to spend their old age in peace and plenty is George P. Sivertson, now living in . honorable retirement in Westbrook, Cottonwood county.
Mr. Sivertson was born in Norway, April 3, 1849, and is a son of Sivert and Ellen (Pederson) Sivertson, both natives of Norway, where they grew up, were married and established their home. TThe paternal grandparents, Sigval and Elizabeth (Total) Sivertson lived and died in Norway on a farm, as did also the maternal grandparents, Benjamin Peder- son and wife, and also the parents of G. P. Sivertson lived in the same community as the grandparents, spending their lives on a farm. They had three sons and two daughters, namely: George P., Conrad, Simon, Abel are all three living in Norway; Sarah died in that country. Simon is an officer in the Norwegian army.
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