USA > Minnesota > Watonwan County > History of Cottonwood and Watonwan counties, Minnesota : their people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 17
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Mr. Gustafson is an "independent" Democrat and has ever given close attention to local civic affairs. For the past fifteen years he has been a member of the board of township supervisors and is now chairman of the same, while for seven years or more he has been treasurer of school district No. II. He has been equally active in neighborhood business enterprises (12a)
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and is president of the Rural Telephone Company of Dale and a director from the time of its organization of the Farmers' Elevator Company at Windom, while he is serving as vice-president of the Three Lake Farm Club and a director of the Minnesota State Grain Dealers' Association, in the affairs of all of which organizations he takes a warm interest. Mr. Gus- tafson drives a fine automobile and he and his family are very pleasantly situated.
On November 16, 1899, John F. Gustafson was united in mar- riage to Jennie Elizabeth Seashore, who was born in Sweden, June 14, 1881, daughter of John August and Sophia Christina (Carlson) Seashore, farm- ing people, who came to the United States with their family in 1885 and settled at Gowrie, Iowa. After farming for seven years in that vicinity, John A. Seashore came to Minnesota with his family, arriving at Windom in the spring, 1892. He bought the east half of the southeast quarter of section 33 in Dale township and there established his home, later buying the west half of the same quarter, and there he lived for seventeen years, at the end of which time he moved to Buffalo, Wright county, Minnesota, in the vicinity of which place he bought an eighty-acre farm and he and his wife are now living there. To them nine children have been born, of whom Mrs. Gustafson is the eldest, the others being as follow: Axel William, a farmer at Buffalo, Minnesota; Charles Fred, a motorman in the employ of the Minneapolis Street Railway Company; Olive Amelia, wife of Theodore Wester, a carpenter at Windom; John Oscar, who is farming with his father in Minnesota; Harry, who is living at Minneapolis, in the employ of the Minneapolis Dairy Company; Albert Emanuel, who died at the age of six months; Paul Theodore, an assistant to his father on the home farm in Minnesota, and David, likewise engaged.
To John F. and Jennie Elizabeth (Seashore) Gustafson six children have been born, as follow: Grant Reuben, born on September 30, 1900; Olga Emma Sophia, July 30, 1902; Adelia Amelia Henrietta, April 7, 1904; Esther Cecelia Agnes, October 27, 1906; Victor Emanuel, August 3, 1908, and Florence Ida Wilhelmina, May 27, 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Gustafson also have an adopted son, Walter Allin, now twenty-five years old, serving in the United States navy, at present stationed on the battleship "Colorado," and has served four years now at home. The Gustafsons are members of the Free Mission church at Windom and take an earnest interest in the vari- ous beneficences of the same, as well as in all local good works, ever con- cerned in all movements having to do with the elevation of the standards of living hereabout. .
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ELMER E. KNUDSON.
Elmer E. Knudson, one of the best-known and most substantial young farmers of Westbrook township, Cottonwood county, proprietor of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in the vicinity of Westbrook and actively identified with the general activities of that community, is a native son of Cottonwood county and has lived there all his life. He was born on the old homestead farm where he now makes his home, August 14, 1879, son of Erick and Mary (Sampson) Knudson, natives of Norway and pio- neers of Minnesota, whose last days were spent in comfortable retirement at Westbrook.
Erick Knudson was the son of a saw-mill owner in Norway and was reared to an active, out-door life. He married in his native land and in 1870 he and his wife, accompanying the latter's parents, Samuel Samson and wife, who, with their other two children, John and Samuel, came to this country in that year, emigrated to the United States, proceeding directly to Minnesota and settling in Jackson county. A few years later they moved up into Cottonwood county and both the Knudsons and the Samsons estab- lished their permanent homes there. Samuel Samson settled on a home- stead farm in Westbrook township and there he and his wife spent the rest of their days, living not far from the home of their daughter, Mrs. Knud- son. Erick Knudson homesteaded a quarter of a section of land in West- brook township and there established his home. He and his wife were among the pioneers of that settlement and did much in the early days to help in the work of bringing about proper social and economic conditions thereabout. Erick Knudson was a good farmer and as he prospered in his affairs bought more land, until he became the owner of six hundred and forty acres of fine land, three hundred and twenty acres of which sur- rounded his home. In their old age he and his wife retired from the farm and moved to Westbrook, where their last days were spent. They were the parents of nine children, six sons and three daughters, of whom the subject of this sketch was the third in order of birth, the others being as follow : Hilda, who married Adolph Peterson; Carl S., a biographical sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume; Melvin, Selma, who married Bert Johnson; Emma, who married Albert Kleven, and Clarence, William and Arthur.
Elmer E. Knudson has lived all his life on the homestead farm on which he was born. He received his schooling in the district school in the neighborhood of his home and even in early boyhood took an active part
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in the labor of developing and improving the home farm and in the event- ual division of his father's considerable estate came into possession of the old original quarter-section homestead, where he now makes his home and which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. Mr. Knudson's farm is well improved and his farming operations are carried on in accord- ance with modern methods of agriculture. In addition to his general farm- ing, he has given considerable attention to stock raising and has done very well.
In 1909 Elmer E. Knudson was united in marriage to Cora Hanson, daughter of Hans Hanson, and to this union four children have been born, Arvid, Myron, Evelyn and Oren. Mr. and Mrs. Knudson are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and take an earnest interest in the various beneficences of the same. Mr. Knudson is a Republican and takes a proper interest in local political affairs, but is not included in the office-seeking class.
ALBERT ANDERSON.
Albert Anderson, a substantial farmer of Westbrook township, pro- prietor of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in the vicinity of Westbrook and a well-known surveyor and drainage contractor, is a native of Illinois, born on a farm in Kendall county, that state, January 5, 1871, son of J. A. and Sarah (Jacobson) Anderson, natives of the kingdom of Norway, who later moved to Kankakee county, Illinois, where they are now living. J. A. Anderson came to the United States in 1863 and became a substantial farmer in Illinois. He and his wife are members of the Nor- wegian Lutheran church and their children were reared in that faith. There are seven of these children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the first- born, the others being Nellie, Anna, Ida, Emma, Bertha and Jay.
Upon completing the course in the public schools of Kankakee county, Illinois, Albert Anderson entered the University of Illinois and spent two years there in the study of civil engineering, becoming a very competent surveyor. He then spent a year in a business college at Janesville, Wiscon- sin, and then for a year was engaged in the service of the Western Union Telegraph Company at Chicago. He then transferred his services to the Rock Island Railway Company and for a year was engaged as a station agent in Iowa, after which he became employed as a clothing salesman at Humboldt, Iowa, and was thus engaged for three years. He then returned
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to the old home in Kankakee county, Illinois, and after farming there for two years returned to Iowa, locating in Kossuth county, where for eight years he was engaged in farming. In 1910 Mr. Anderson came to Minne- sota and bought a quarter of a section of land in Westbrook township, Cottonwood county, where he has made his home ever since and where he and his family are very comfortably situated. Upon taking possession of that farm Mr. Anderson began a general course of improvement and prac- tically all the buildings on the same have been erected by him, while other improvements have been made in keeping with the same. Though Mr. Anderson gives close attention to the management of the general details of his farming he finds his time chiefly taken up with the extensive survey- ing and drainage contracts with which he almost constantly is engaged, he having for some years been actively engaged in the general surveying and engineering line, with particular reference to drainage work, handling both private and public contracts, and is one of the best-known contractors in that line in this part of the state, though his labors in that connection are chiefly confined to Cottonwood and Murray counties. Mr. Anderson is a Republican and gives a good citizen's attention to local political affairs, but has never been a seeker after public office.
On January 31, 1896, Albert Anderson was united in marriage to Lena Gunderson, daughter of Ole and Carrie (Rasmussen) Gunderson, and to this union four children have been born, Corriene, Ruth, Alberta and Sarah. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are members of the Lutheran church and give proper attention to the various beneficences of the same, as well as to all neighborhood good works and are earnestly interested in all measures having to do with the advancement of the best interests of the community at large. Mr. Anderson is a Mason and takes a warm interest in the affairs of that ancient order.
SOREN P. JENSEN.
Soren P. Jensen, a well-known and substantial farmer of Storden township, Cottonwood county, proprietor of a fine farm in the vicinity of Storden, chairman of the board of supervisors of his home township, a director of the Farmers Elevator Company at Storden and for years looked upon as one of the leaders in that community, is a native of the kingdom of Denmark, but has been a resident of Minnesota since he was eighteen years old. He was born on September 8, 1868, son of Johann Peder and Marian
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(Sorenson) Jensen, natives of Denmark, farming people, who came to Minnesota about 1882 and settled in Cottonwood county. Upon his arrival here, Johann P. Jensen bought a farm in Storden township, established his home there and there spent the rest of his life, an industrious and thrifty farmer, who did much for the general upbuilding of that community. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran church and their children were reared in that faith. There were eight of these children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the second in order of birth, the others being Celia, who married Hans M. Hanson; Carolina, who married Carl Ruhl- berg, and Ingerjenis, Ole. Peter, Tillapater and Tora.
When his parents came to this country, Soren P. Jensen was about sixteen years old. He had received his schooling in his native land and came with the family to Cottonwood county. He became a farmer and not long after coming here began farming on his own account. After his mar- riage he established his home where he is now living and quickly came to be regarded as one of the most progressive farmers in that part of the county. Mr. Jensen is an excellent farmer and as he prospered in his operations enlarged his holdings until now he is the owner of one hun- dred and sixty acres in section 29, of Storden township, and eighty acres in section 27, of that same township. He has a comfortable home and he and his family are very pleasantly situated. The farm is well improved and the character of the buildings and general improvements bespeak the enter- prise and progressive methods of the owner. In addition to his general farming, Mr. Jensen has given considerable attention to stock raising and has done very well. He has given thoughtful attention to local political affairs and for above fifteen years has served as a member of the board of supervisors, now serving as chairman of the same. He also has served as a member of the local school board and in other ways has done his part in advancing the general interests of his community. He was one of the promoters in the organization of the Farmers Elevator Company at Storden and is a member of the board of directors of the same.
Mr. Jensen has been married twice. By his first wife, who was Inger Pederson, he has four children, Minnie, who married Walter Cowan; Myrtle, who married Clarence Miller, and Peter and Hans. Following the death of the mother of these children, Mr. Jensen married, secondly, Hannah Halverson and to this union two children have been born, Cleo and Bruce. Mr. and Mrs. Jensen are members of the Lutheran church and give proper attention to the various beneficences of the same, as well as to all local good works. Mr. Jensen is a member of the local lodge of the Modern
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Woodmen of America and in the affairs of that organization takes a warm interest. In his political views, he is inclined to be independent along local lines, preferring to reserve his vote for the best men on the several tickets under consideration rather than to commit himself unreservedly to the cause of one party, regardless of the possible unfitness of candidates thus indorsed.
FRED T. CHRISTENSEN.
Fred T. Christensen, a retired farmer, now living in Windom, is one of Cottonwood county's worthy citizens who has ever taken a delight in nature and existence, because he has been in touch with the springs of life, having spent most of his years on the farm. Mr. Christensen was born in Denmark, November 22, 1846. He is a son of Christopher and Dorothy Christensen, both natives of Denmark, where they grew up, were married and established their home on a farm, the father being a farm laborer, and they both spent their lives in their native land. Eight children were born to them, the subject of this sketch and his sister being the only ones to come to America.
Fred T. Christensen received his education in the common schools of Denmark, and he began life as a farmer there and when twenty-three years of age came to the United States, locating at Lake Superior, Michigan, where he worked in the iron mines for several years, then moved to Minnea- polis and worked at loading lumber for two years, then went back to Michigan, where he worked at loading iron ore on lake steamers for one year, then came to Minnesota and took up a claim in Wadena county, but on account of the many Indians in that locality, who were not by any means desirable neighbors, he returned to Minneapolis and worked there until 1876, then bought a homesteader's right on eighty acres, for fifty dollars, in Amo township, Cottonwood county. When leaving Minneapolis for Cottonwood county, subject and wife drove all the way in an open wagon with two horses and two cows tied behind. They arrived in Amo township, where he had bought eighty acres during the previous fall, before moving here. He worked hard and managed well, added many important improvements and succeeded as a general farmer and stock raiser, and increased his holdings to two hundred and forty acres of valuable and pro- ductive land in one section and eighty in another section. Having accumu- lated a comfortable competency he retired from active life in 1906, moved to
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Windom, where he purchased a commodious home and about three acres of ground, and is now enjoying his declining years in peace and plenty. He is deserving of a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished all unaided. When he arrived in America he was without funds and was compelled to work his way to Michigan.
Mr. Christensen was married in 1875 in Michigan to Mary Jensen, a daughter of Jens and Christena Hansen, and not having any children they adopted a son, John, who married Esther Nelson, is now farming in West- brook township, Cottonwood county, and they have two children, Delbert and Evelyn.
Politically, Mr. Christensen is a Republican of the old school. He is a member of the Lutheran church.
SOLOMON D. WHITING.
Solomon D. Whiting, a well-known and well-to-do farmer and stock raiser, of Rosendale township. Watonwan county, and proprietor of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in the vicinity of St. James, is a native of Vermont, born at Johnson, in Lamoille county, that state, May 31, 1864, son of Zachariah and Lydia M. (Spaulding) Whiting, both natives of Ver- mont, the former of whom also was born at Johnson, December 25, 1826, and the latter in 1836. Zachariah Whiting was a farmer and a man of considerable substance. He was a Republican in his political views and a Baptist by religious persuasion. He died at his home in Vermont in Octo- ber, 1897. His wife had long preceded him to the grave, her death having occurred in October, 1873. They were the parents of three children, of whom the subject of this biographical sketch was the second in order of birth, the others being Alfred E., who lives in La Feria, Texas, and Sarah L., who lives in California.
Solomon D. Whiting was graduated from the Vermont State Normal, at Johnson, on January 20, 1882, and for ten years thereafter served as a teacher in the public schools of his home county, at the same time being engaged in farming. He married in 1892 and continued his farming opera- tions in Vermont until 1902, in which year he came to Minnesota and located at Madelia, where he lived for somewhat more than two years, at the end of which time, in 1904, he bought the quarter of a section of land in Rosendale township, where he ever since has made his home and where
MR. AND MRS. SOLOMON D. WHITING AND RESIDENCE.
The NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
-TOP, LENOX L.OUNDATIONY
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he has been quite successfully engaged in general farming and stock rais- ing. His specialty in the latter line is Holstein cattle and Poland China swine and he has done very well. Mr. Whiting's farm is well improved and well kept, and he and his family are very pleasantly and comfortably situated.
It was on February 10, 1892, back in his native state of Vermont, that Solomon D. Whiting was united in marriage to Abigail A. Stebbins, who was born at Enosburg Falls, in Franklin county, that state, March 7, 1869, daughter of Salmon and Cornelia (Eldred) Stebbins, both natives of that same state, the former born on May 4, 1840, and the latter, February 25, 1842, who were the parents of ten children, of whom Mrs. Whiting was the third in order of birth, the others being Charles M., Ralph Ernest (deceased), Everett, Gertrude and Grace (twins, both deceased), Henry C., Rollin H., Lois C. and Carrie M. (deceased). Salmon Stebbins, who was a well-to-do farmer, died on June 22, 1903, and his widow is now living at Waterville, Vermont.
To Solomon D. and Abigail A. (Stebbins) Whiting seven children have been born, Lydia C., Zach, Robert A., Mildred S., Roland W., Lois A. (deceased) and Alice Mae. , Mr. and Mrs. Whiting are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and take a warm interest in church work. Mr. Whiting is a Republican and gives his thoughtful attention to political af- fairs, but has never been a seeker after public office.
WALTER A. FULLER.
Walter A. Fuller, a well-known, well-to-do and progressive farmer of Lakeside township, Cottonwood county, owner of a fine farm of six hun- dred and forty acres in the vicinity of Bingham Lake, is a native of Iowa, born on a farm in College township, Linn county, that state, August 31, 1862, son of Ambrose and Alice J. (Woodward) Fuller, both of whom were born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, members of old families in that community.
Ambrose Fuller, who is now living at Elmira, Illinois, is a son of Ambrose and Hannah (Munson) Fuller, both natives of Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, the former of whom was seventh in descent from the Fuller who came to this country in the good ship "Mayflower" in 1620. Grand- father Fuller and his family left their home in Pennsylvania in the early
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days of the settlement of the country southwest of Chicago and home- steaded a tract of land in Stark county, Illinois, where he established his home and where he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. Their son, Ambrose, grew up on that homestead farm and as a young man moved over into the neighboring state of Iowa and settled in Linn county, where, in 1853, he homesteaded a tract of land and began farming. In 1885 he sold his farm there and moved to Marshall county, same state, where his wife died the next year, 1886. Four years later, in 1890, he returned to his old home in Stark county. Illinois, and is now conducting a general store in the village of Elmira, that county. He is a Republican and a member of the Presbyterian church. He and his wife were the parents of seven chil- dren, of whom the subject of this sketch was the third in order of birth, the others being James M., Ambrose C., George A., Harriet J., Myrtle O. and Ralph W.
Walter A. Fuller received his schooling in the schools of College town- ship, Linn county, Iowa, not far from Cedar Rapids, and grew to manhood a valuable assistant to his father in the work on the farm. He was about twenty-three years of age when the family moved to Marshall county and there he began farming on his own account. In 1890, when his father moved back to Illinois, Walter A. Fuller moved up into O'Brien county, Iowa, where he was engaged in farming until he came to Minnesota in 1913. He had done well in his farming operations in Iowa and upon locating in Cottonwood county bought the whole of section 15, in Lake- side township, and there established his home. Though the place was par- tially improved when Mr. Fuller took possession, he has made material improvements to the same, particularly in the way of tiling and otherwise draining, and now has one of the best-kept and most profitably cultivated farms in that neighborhood. In addition to his extensive general farming he has given considerable attention to the raising of high-grade cattle and has a fine herd of Shorthorns. Mr. Fuller is a Republican and gives a good citizen's attention to local political affairs.
Mr. Fuller has been married twice. By his first wife, who was Lillian R. Macy, he has five children, Mary L., Joseph A., Ambrose, Rachel and Orlando. Upon the death of the mother of these children he married, sec- ondly, in 1903, Catherine A. Davis, daughter of L. L. Davis, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and to this union two sons have been born, Theodore and Walter A. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller are members of the Methodist church and take a proper part in all local good works.
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HERMAN J. FAST.
Herman J. Fast was born in Russia, June 5, 1860. He is a son of John and Sarah (Peters) Fast, both natives of Germany, from which country they removed to Russia, he with his parents when only nine years old, she with her parents when sixteen years of age. They were married in Russia and lived there until 1875, when they came to America and located in what is now Midway township, Cottonwood county, Minnesota, purchasing a farm of a homesteader four miles north of the village of Mountain Lake, in section 18, the place consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, also bought one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land some months later. John Fast worked hard and improved his land and became very comfortably situated and there his death occurred, after which his widow re-married, her last husband being Henrick Regier. They moved to a place near the village of Mountain Lake, where she died. Mr. Fast lived only a few months after coming to America, arriving here in June and dying the following December. He was twice married, the following chil- dren having been born by his first wife: Anna and Lena both remained in Russia, John, Katherine and David all came to America. By his second wife, mother of the subject of this sketch, the following children were born : Henry, Sarah, Gerhardt, Herman and Elizabeth, all came to America; Agatha died in Russia.
Herman J. Fast spent his boyhood in Russia, where he attended school, and after coming to America went to school two years to the Mankato Nor- mal, and one year at the Rochester Seminary, Rochester, New York, after which he took up farming, remaining on the homestead until his marriage, in 1886, when he removed to the farm on which he now lives and has since resided here, owning one of the best farms of Mountain Lake town- ship, Cottonwood county, which place consists of four hundred acres, well improved and under a high state of cultivation. Part of the land lies in Odin township, Watonwan county. This land was taken in its wild prairie state. He has put on all the improvements, including the present attractive and substantial buildings. He carries on general farming and stock raising successfully, also takes some interest in the breeding of fullblood Percheron horses. He is president of the Farmers Elevator at Mountain Lake, and is director and treasurer of the Mountain Lake Creamery Association. He is a man of sound judgment and excellent business ability and is one of the well-to-do men of his locality.
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