USA > Minnesota > Watonwan County > History of Cottonwood and Watonwan counties, Minnesota : their people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 15
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cupied that position, except one year, during which time he has done much in the way of advancing the cause of highway betterment thereabout.
It was on January 23, 1893, that Oscar J. Thompson was united in marriage, in Ada county, Iowa, to Lena Bondhus, daughter of O. T. Bond- hus, now a well-known resident of Cottonwood county, a biographical sketch of whom is presented elsewhere in this volume, and to that union nine children have been born, Caroline, Ole, Hattie, Agnes, Theodore, Sat- tie, Esther, Johanna Marie (deceased), Harra Kristhene (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are members of the Lutheran church and take a gen- eral interest in the good works of their home community, ever willing to promote all measures designed to advance the cause of the public welfare thereabout.
JAMES T. DAVIES.
James T. Davies, a well-known and well-to-do farmer of Amo town- ship, Cottonwood county, proprietor of a fine farm of three hundred and fifteen acres south of Storden, chairman of the board of supervisors of Amo township and for years actively interested in the general affairs of that part of the county, is a native son of Minnesota, born on a pioneer farm in Antrim township, in the neighboring county of Watonwan, August 10, 1871, son of William and Gertrude (Thomas) Davies and grandson of William and Mary (Williams) Davies, who were the first settlers in Antrim township.
The elder William Davies and his wife, natives of Wales, came to the United States about the year 1850 and settled in Wisconsin, where they remained until they came to this state, about 1864, and settled in Antrim township, Watonwan county, being the earliest arrivals in that township and becoming useful and influential pioneer citizens. They homesteaded a tract of land there and on that homestead farm spent the remainder of their days. The younger William Davies was a well-grown lad when he came to the United States with his parents from his native Wales about 1850 and he grew to manhood on a pioneer farm in Wisconsin. There he married Gertrude Thomas, who was born in England, daughter of James and Sophia (Dibbs) Thomas, natives of England, who came to the United States with their family about 1850 and settled in Wisconsin, where Mrs. Thomas spent her last days. Later James Thomas joined his daughter, Mrs. Davies, in Watonwan county, and his last days were spent in her home.
It was about a year after his parents came to Minnesota that the younger
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William Davies and his wife came out here. They also settled in Antrim township, Watonwan county, arriving there in 1865, and were thus among the early pioneers of this part of the state. They spent the rest of their lives on their homestead farm there, useful and influential citizens, and left good memories behind them. William Davies was active and diligent in his own affairs and also took an active part in the public affairs of his home township in the early days, having served in several offices of trust and responsibility. He and his wife were the parents of seven children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the fourth in order of birth, the others being Joseph, Mary (deceased), Morgan (deceased), Fred, Bertha and Mark (deceased). William Davies and his wife were earnest members of the Christian church and their children were reared in that faith.
James T. Davies was reared on the homestead farm in Antrim town- ship, where he was born, and received his education in the schools in the neighborhood of his home. He grew up a farmer and has been actively engaged in that vocation all his life. He was married in the summer of 1901 and three or four years later, in the spring of 1905, moved to the farm on which he has since then made his home, in Amo township, Cotton- wood county. Mr. Davies has an excellent farm of three hundred and fifteen acres, well improved and highly cultivated and has done very well in his farming operations. He also has found time to give a good citizen's attention to the public service and is now chairman of the township board and treasurer of his local school district. He and his wife are members of the Christian church and take a proper part in the good works of their home community.
It was on June 5, 1901, that James T. Davies was united in marriage to Katie Radcliff, of Amo township, daughter of C. N. Radcliff, a former prominent farmer of that township, now living retired at Los Gatos, Cali- fornia, and to this union four children have been born, Ruth (deceased), Harry, Archie (deceased) and Catherine.
C. N. Radcliff is a native of Illinois. His wife was born in Wisconsin. Both came to Minnesota and were married here. He came to Minnesota in 1864, and settled in Blue Earth county ; later came to Cottonwood county in 1885; settled in Amo township, where he lived until 1912, when he moved to California, where he and his wife are still living. They were the par- ents of . ten children, namely: Katie, George, Myrtle, William, Lila, and five who are deceased. C. N. Radcliff served as a member of the board of supervisors of Amo township. He is a Republican.
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ELWIN ZILLORA RASEY.
Among the enterprising citizens which the old Empire state sent out to assist in the upbuilding of the great West is Elwin Z. Rasey, now living in retirement in St. James, Watonwan county, where he has played well his role in the drama of civilization, benefiting alike himself and his fellow citizens here. He was born at Hartford, Washington county, New York, November 23, 1844, and is a son of William B. and Nancy H. (Hale) Rasey, both born in the state of New York, the mother being of English parentage, and the father of Hollandish blood. William B. Rasey and wife moved to LaMartine township, Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, in October, 1848, pre-empting eighty acres of land, and there he resided until he was about eighty years of age, when he moved to Rosendale, where both he and his wife died, he having reached the advanced age of eighty-seven years. He was very religious and was a strong Methodist in faith. His family consisted of seven children, namely: Samuel H., Sarah Jane, Mary Elsina, Armina, Olive H. Harland and Elwin Z., five of whom are now deceased; Olive H. lives in Washington, and Elwin Z. is the subject of this review.
Elwin Z. Rasey received his education in the common schools of Fon du Lac county, Wisconsin, and assisted his father with the work on the home farm until he was seventeen years of age. On August 21, 1862, he enlisted for service in the Union army in Company H, Thirty-second Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, in which he served gallantly and faithfully until the close of the war and was honorably discharged on June 12, 1865, being mustered out at Milwaukee. He participated in many severe engage- ments and bullets often cut holes in his clothes, but he was never wounded or taken prisoner. Of his three comrades who went to the front with him, all survived the war, but all died of its effects. He fought in fifteen battles and six skirmishes, according to government report. He was first under General Grant during the advance on Vicksburg, then was under General Sherman until the close of the war, and he marched to the sea from Atlanta to Savannah. He was in the Seventeenth Army Corps under Gen. Frank P. Blair, who landed his troops at Beaufort, and headed off Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, in a flank movement on the right of Sherman's army, thus keeping Johnston's army from uniting with another Confederate army at Charleston. Mr. Rasey was in the advance of Sherman's army when Johnston sur- rendered. He then went to Washington City, where he spent a few days and took part in the Grand Review. He reached home June 14, 1865.
THE NEW PUBLIC LIBE
R
ELWIN Z. RASEY.
MRS. HELEN RASEY.
THE NEW PUBLIC LIBRARY
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After working on his father's farm for six years, he came to Minnesota, locating in Odin township, Watonwan county, taking a soldier's homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, and engaged successfully in general farm- ing until his retirement from active life. He moved to St. James, in 1896, but continued to operate his farm just north of this city, also dealing in live stock. He was engaged in the dairy business about fifteen years. He lived on his wife's father's farm near St. James for a period of fourteen years, but has been retired from active farm life since 1912.
Mr. Rasey has been twice married, his first marriage occurring in Wis- consin on March 22, 1866, when he was united to Alice C. Gross, to which union four children were born, namely: Lillian N., Florence E., Myrtle J. and Lester E. The mother of these children died on May 16, 1877.
On July 25, 1878, Mr. Rasey was married to Helen Adele Sargent, who was born in Wisconsin near where Mr. Rasey was reared, and to this union seven children have been born, namely: Roy S., Ruth A., Inez E., William H., Jessie A., Flora E. and Nina O» Mrs. Rasey is a daughter of Samuel W and Emmaline (Chamberlain) Sargent, the former of whom was born August 26, 1822, and died May 20, 1915, and the latter of whom was born June 7, 1823, and died September 6, 1913. Samuel W. Sargent was a native of New Hampshire while his wife was born in Vermont, their marriage taking place on March 31, 1848, at Sharon, Vermont, after which the young couple came west, locating in Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, in 1848, where they remained until 1869, when they came to Minnesota, settling in Watonwan county. He was a farmer all his life until his retire- ment from active life, and died at the home of his son, Henry C. Sargent, of Valdosta, Georgia. His wife died in Mayfield, Michigan, at the home of her eldest daughter. Samuel Sargent and wife were the parents of four children : Henry Curtis, born October 4, 1850, a railroad man living in the South ; Adelaide Amanda, born October 24, 1852; Helen Adele, the wife of Mr. Rasey, born March 19, 1855, and Emma Jeanette, born April 6, 1858. Mr. Sargent was very active in the religious life of his community, being a deacon in the Baptist church for many years. He was a Republican in politics. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sargent were prominent in the early life of Watonwan county, and Rosendale township was given its name by Mrs. Sargent in honor of her old Wisconsin home. Mrs. Helen Adele (Sargent) Rasey has always been deeply interested in educational work, and was the first lady superintendent of county schools in Minnesota, being appointed to that important position in 1874 and serving two years. She received her (IIa)
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education in the common schools of her home county in Wisconsin, com- pleting her educational training in the Mankato Normal School, after which she taught school at St. James for two years, then was appointed county superintendent. She began her teaching career at the early age of fourteen.
Mr. Rasey is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he and his family take an active and interested part. He has been a member of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic since it was first organized, having been a state officer in the same, and has served as local commander for the past twenty-three years. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Royal Arcanum. He is a Republican in politics.
GUSTAV T. RASCHE.
Gustav T. Rasche, one of the best-known and most progressive farmers of Cottonwood county, proprietor of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in the Westbrook neighborhood, one-half of which farm lies in West- brook township and the other half in Rose Hill township, his home being in the latter township, and who for years has been recognized by the agri- cultural department of the United States government as one of the leading alfalfa experts of the country, is a native son of Minnesota and has lived in this state all his life. He was born in the city of St. Peter, county seat of Nicollet county, April 9, 1878, son of Henry F. and Caroline (Campe) Rasche, both natives of Hanover, Germany, who became pioneers of Cotton- wood county, where their last days were spent.
It was in 1873 that Henry F. Rasche and wife and their young children came to this country from Germany. Upon landing at the port of New York they lost little time in proceeding to Minnesota, this state having been their destination when they started from their native land. They located at St. Peter, where Henry F. Rasche was engaged in the lumber business until 1878, when he came to this section of the state and located in Cottonwood county, where he homesteaded a tract of eighty acres in Rose Hill town- ship, on which he threw up a sod house and there established his home, that sod house serving as a home for the family for six years, or until sup- planted by the substantial house in which the subject of this sketch now lives. Henry Rasche and his wife were earnest and energetic pioneers and took an active part in the work of developing that part of the county. Mr. Rasche was an excellent farmer and as his farming operations prospered he
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added to his land holdings until he became a very well-to-do man. He first pre-empted a timber claim of a quarter of a section in Westbrook township, then bought eighty acres of railroad land in Westbrook township, just across the road from his homestead farm, and then bought another quarter section in Rose Hill township, becoming very well established. His wife died on the homestead farm in 1902 and he later retired to the village of Westbrook, where he died in 1910. They were earnest members of the Lutheran church and their children were reared in that faith. There were seven of these children, of whom the subject of this biographical sketch was the last-born, the others being as follow: Henry C., of Regan, North Dakota; Ernest A., of St. Peter, this state, head nurse in the men's department of the state hospital for the insane at that place, a work in which he has been engaged for twenty-five years; Caroline D., wife of E. A. Watschke, of Lake Wil- son, this state; Christine, now deceased, who was the wife of the Rev. H. Flathmann; Charles J., a farmer of Westbrook township, and Louis A., of Rose Hill township.
Gustav T. Rasche was but an infant in arms when his parents moved from St. Peter to Cottonwood county and he therefore has spent practically his whole life on the old homestead farm on which he still resides. He sup- plemented the schooling received in the local school in the neighborhood of his home by close home reading and early was attracted to the possibilities of scientific farming. In 1893 a peck of Grimm alfalfa seed was obtained from Henry Peterman, of Waconia, in Carver county, and he started in on a series of experiments with that variety, the result of which experiments has caused his name to be konwn among thoughtful agriculturists from ocean to ocean. So satisfactory were the results of his original experiments that Mr. Rasche pursued his labors in that direction with even greater care and for twenty-two years or more has kept that particular strain of seed isolated from the rest of the stock and has produced a distinctive variety of . alfalfa, which government bulletins declare to be one of the hardiest strains grown in the Northwest. It would appear that when the agricultural depart- ment is asked for information regarding this seed inquirers are directed to Mr. Rasche for the desired information, for he has received letters bearing on the subject from all parts of the country, from the state of Washington to the state of Maine, and one inquirer even wrote from Madison Square Garden, all stating that they had been referred to him by the department at Washington.
In 1913 Mr. Rasche took the short course in agriculture at the Uni- versity of Minnesota farm and in 1914 was appointed a delegate from Minne-
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sota to the sixth national corn exposition, held at Dallas, Texas, February 10-24, his appointment coming from Hon. Adolph O. Eberhart, then gov- ernor of Minnesota. Mr. Rasche is one of the most active members of the Minnesota Crop Improvement Association and for several years past has given most of his attention to the breeding of seeds, especially of that par- ticular strain of alfalfa seed which he has produced, all the seed he raises being eagerly bought by the government for distribution. Among the prizes he has taken on the Rasche strain of Grimm alfalfa may be mentioned the following: First premium, Minnesota state fair; first premium, Minnesota seed fair; first premium, Northwestern corn and grain show, and fourth premium, world's class, national corn exposition. Mr. Rasche has also been successful in breeding what is now known as the Rasche "sixty-day" oats, a variety that has attracted widespread attention, and he is widely recognized, not only in Minnesota, but throughout the Northwest generally, as one of the most advanced farmers and seed experts in the country.
ARTHUR L. SWARTZ.
Arthur L. Swartz, a well-known and well-to-do farmer of Amo town- ship, Cottonwood county, is a native of Iowa, born in Clinton county, that state, October 25, 1863, son of Henry and Eliza (Koch) Swartz, natives of the state of Pennsylvania, who came West about 1852 and settled in Clinton county, Iowa. Henry Swartz was a carpenter by trade, but the most of his life he spent farming. During the Civil War he served as a private in Company F, Tenth Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry, attached to the Fifteenth Army Corps, and during all the period of his service was neither wounded nor taken prisoner. In 1868 he and his family moved from Clinton county to Cedar county, Iowa, and established their home there. In that latter county Mrs. Swartz died in 1883. Henry Swartz spent his last days in Ida county, same state, where his death occurred in 1906. He and his wife were members of the German Reform church and their children were reared in that faith. There were seven of these children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the sixth in order of birth and the first two of whom died in infancy, the others being Ella F., who died in 1915, George Peter, William J. and Burdette.
Reared on the paternal farm, Arthur L. Swartz early began farming for himself and after awhile located on a farm in Cherokee county. He
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married in 1890 and in 1895 disposed of his farming interests in Iowa and came to Minnesota, locating in Cottonwood county. He bought the farm of one hundred and fifty acres on which he now resides, in Amo township, and there he and his family have made their home ever since, being very pleasantly and comfortably situated. Mr. Schwartz is an excellent farmer and his place is well improved and profitably cultivated, he long having been recognized as one of the substantial farmers in that section of the county.
It was in 1890 that Arthur L. Swartz was united in marriage to Lizzie Springer, who was born in Pennsylvania, daughter of Harry Springer and wife, natives of that same state, who came West and settled in Ida county, Iowa, where they spent the rest of their lives. Harry Springer was a vet- eran of the Civil War and a substantial farmer in the community in which he lived in Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Swartz eight children have been born, Earl H., Mabel A., Ethel M., Bessie A., Lewis M., Willis C., Coral and Angie Iris Zaida.
ANTON ROSSING.
Anton Rossing, one of the big and progressive farmers of Cottonwood county and one of the best-known citizens of that county, owner of a fine farm of eight hundred acres in the Walnut Grove neighborhood in West- brook and Ann townships, with his home situated on the edge of the latter township, is a native of Wisconsin, born on a farm in Lafayette county, that state, June 6, 1866, son of Andrew and Inger (Lund) Rossing, natives of the kingdom of Norway, who came to this country in 1850 and located in Wisconsin, settling on a farm in Lafayette county, that state, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were members of the Nor- wegian Lutheran church and their children were reared in that faith. There were four of these children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the second in order of birth, the others being W. L., Catherine and Emilia.
Anton Rossing was reared on the paternal farm in Wisconsin and received his schooling in the district school in the neighborhood of his home. As a young man he started farming on his own account in his native county and lived there until 1890, when he moved to Humboldt county, that same state, locating at Bode, where he was engaged in the hay, grain and elevator business until he came to Minnesota in 1900. Upon coming to this state, Mr. Rossing bought a tract of eight hundred acres of land on the
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line between Westbrook and Ann townships, in Cottonwood county, and proceeded to improve the same and bring it under cultivation. He adopted modern methods of farming and has prospered from the very beginning of his operations, long having been recognized as one of the leading farm- ers of Cottonwood county. Mr. Rossing's farm is one of the extensive farms hereabout and the new county ditch traverses the entire tract of land. Following his marriage, in 1908, Mr. Rossing established his home on his farm and he and his family are very pleasantly situated there. Mr. Rossing is a Republican and gives a good citizen's attention to the political affairs of the county, but has not been included in the office-seeking class.
It was in 1908, about eight years after coming to Minnesota, that ' Anton Rossing was united in marriage to Amelia Olson, and to this union three children have been born, Alton H., Sherman E. and Daphne. Mr. and Mrs. Rossing are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and take a proper interest in the various good works of their community, ever being interested in such measures as are designed to advance the common welfare hereabout.
E. E. HEGGERSTON.
E. E. Heggerston, a well-known and substantial farmer of Ann town- ship, Cottonwood county, proprietor of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in the vicinity of Walnut Grove, treasurer of that township, former assessor of the same and former member of the board of county commissioners from that district, is a native of the kingdom of Norway, born on August 18, 1852, son of Erick and Marit (Clostad) Heggerston, both natives of that same country, the former of whom was born on Sep- tember 8, 1818. Erick Heggerston was a farmer in comfortable circum- stances and spent all his life in his native land. He and his wife were the parents of three children, Kari, E. E., and Ole, who were reared in the faith of the Lutheran church.
Reared on the paternal farm, E. E. Heggerston received his education in the government schools of his native land and assisted his father in the work of the farm until he was nineteen years of age, when, in 1871, he came to the United States and proceeded directly to Minnesota, to which state large numbers of his fellow-countrymen had preceded him. He stopped in Fillmore county for a year and then, in 1872, became attracted to the possibilities that awaited the settlers who were then beginning to open up
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this part of the state and moved over into Cottonwood county. The next year, in 1873, he homesteaded a quarter of a section in Ann township, the place on which he is still making his home, and proceeded to bring the same under cultivation, soon having a productive and well-improved farm. One of his first movements was the planting of a fine orchard on his home- stead and he ever has been known as one of the leading fruit growers in that section. He has always taken much interest in his orchard and now has more than four hundred and fifty apple trees on his place. In 1887, about ten years after beginning the development of his homestead, Mr. Heggerston married and established a comfortable home on his place, where he and his family are living in substantial comfort. Mr. Heggerston is a Republican and has ever given a good citizen's attention to local political affairs. For fifteen years he served the public as assessor of Ann town- ship; for six years rendered admirable service to the county as a member of the board of county commissioners from his district and is now serving as treasurer of Ann township. He has otherwise been active in civic affairs and has long been recognized as one of the public-spirited and influential men of the county.
It was in 1887 that E. E. Heggerston was united in marriage to Mary Ellefson and to this union six children have been born, Ida Mabel, Edwin Conrad, Elmer Morris, Adner Irvin, Olive Inge Anthony and Harry Clifford. Mr. and Mrs. Heggerston are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and for many years have been regarded as among the leaders in the local congregation of that church. Mr. Heggerston was one of the most active promoters of the organization of his home church and has served as clerk of the same since its organization.
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