USA > Minnesota > Watonwan County > History of Cottonwood and Watonwan counties, Minnesota : their people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 23
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It was on December 7, 1897, that Dietrich D. Peters was united in mar-
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riage to Elizabeth Klaassen, and to this union nine children have been born, namely: Sarah, born on February 1, 1899; Dietrich E., September 14, 1900; Maria, March 30, 1902; Elizabeth, December 9, 1903; Cornelius, March 25, 1905; Katherine, November 15, 1906; Lena, December 22, 1908; Anna, November 15, 1911; Susanna, April 24, 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Peters are members of the Bethel Mennonite church at Mountain Lake and take a proper interest in the general good works of the community, being earnest advocates of all movements designed to advance the common welfare here- about.
JOHN F. RADTKE.
John F. Radtke, one of the best-known and most progressive young farmers in Germantown township, Cottonwood county, proprietor of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in that township, besides being the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land in Norman county; presi- dent of the Farmers Elevator Company at Sanborn and a stockholder in the Farmers Bank and the farmers co-operative store at Sanborn, is a native son of Cottonwood county and has lived there all his life. He was born on a pioneer farm in Germantown township, April 30, 1883, son of Fred and Ellen Radtke, early settlers in that township, who are now living comfort- ably retired at Sanborn.
Fred Radtke was one of the pioneers of Germantown township, hav- ing settled there even before the town of Sanborn was laid out. He home- steaded a farm there and early became one of the substantial farmers of that section of the county, influential in early affairs thereabout. He helped build the road from New Ulm to Watertown, South Dakota, and in other ways did his part in the development of this section of the state. To Fred Radtke and wife four children were born, the subject of this sketch having one brother, Edward Radtke, of Bowden, North Dakota, and twin sisters, Grace, of Sanborn, and Gertrude, of Minneapolis.
John F. Radtke grew up on the old homestead farm in Germantown township, receiving his schooling in the district school in that neighborhood, and from boyhood was an able assistant in the labors of developing the home farm. He became an up-to-date, progressive farmer and is now the owner of the farm of one hundred and sixty acres on which he makes his home, besides being the owner of three hundred and twenty acres in Nor- man county. His home place is well improved and he and his family are
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very well situated. He has a complete set of concrete buildings on his place and the farm is beautified by more than one thousand evergreen trees. Mr. Radtke has brought his farm up to a high state of cultivation and it is looked upon as one of the best farms in Cottonwood county. Not only has Mr. Radtke been diligent about the affairs of his farm, but he has given considerable attention to outside business interests, is president of the Farm- ers Elevator Company at Sanborn and a stockholder in the Farmers Bank and the co-operative store at that place, in the affairs of all of which con- cerns he takes a warm interest. He also has given his thoughtful atten- tion to local political affairs and is helpful in all movements having to do with the advancement of the best interests of this section of the state.
In the fall of 1904 John F. Radtke was united in marriage to Amelia Gumto, of Charlestown township, in the neighboring county of Redwood, and to this union three children have been born, Wayne, Nioma and Lowell. Mr. and Mrs. Radtke take a proper part in the general social and cultural activities of the community in which they live and are accounted among tlie leaders in all progressive movements thereabout.
JOHN E. RUPP.
John E. Rupp, a well-known and well-to-do farmer and stock raiser of Rose Hill township, Cottonwood county, proprietor of a farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres in the Westbrook neighborhood, supervisor of Rose Hill township, school treasurer, president of the New Home Mennonite church and for years actively interested in the affairs of the western section of his home county, is a native of Austria, born on September 30, 1870, son of Jacob and Katie (Rupp) Rupp, both natives of that same country, who were the parents of ten children, six of whom died in their native land and the other four of whom came to this country, those beside the subject of this sketch being Amalia, now deceased, who was the wife of Rudolph Hubin ; Emilia, who married Jacob F. Rupp, and Jacob J. The father of these children died in Austria and the Widow Rupp presently married Henry P. Rupp, to which union were born three children, Henry H., Edward J. and Gustav A. In the year 1882 the Rupp family came to the United States, proceeding to Minnesota and locating in Des Moines township, Murray county, where Henry P. Rupp homesteaded a tract of forty acres and estab- (16a)
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lished his home. He prospered in his farming operations and eventually became the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land. He and his wife retired from the active labors of the farm some years ago and are now living at Westbrook, where they are pleasantly situated in their declining years.
John E. Rupp was about twelve years of age when he came to this country and he grew to manhood on the homestead farm in Murray county, completing his schooling in the schools of his home neighborhood. Being the eldest son, he was a valuable aid to his stepfather in the labors of developing the homestead and grew up to be an excellent farmer. In 1894 he married and in that same year entered upon possession of the farm on which he now lives and which he has brought to a high state of develop- ment. His farm of one hundred and sixty acres is on the dividing line between Cottonwood and Murray counties, forty acres lying in the latter county, just across the road from his home in Cottonwood county. In addi- tion to his general farming, Mr. Rupp has given considerable attention to the raising of pure-bred cattle and his Shorthorns show evidences of his skill as a stockman. He has made all the improvements on his place and has a good residence and barn, with other farm buildings in keeping with the same, his place being regarded as one of the best-kept farms in that neighborhood. Mr. Rupp has found time to give a good citizen's atten- tion to local political affairs and is now serving the public in the capacity of township supervisor, an office he has held for some years. He also has been serving for some years as school treasurer and in other ways has con- tributed of his time and energies to the public service. In religious circles he also has been quite active and has ever been an influence for good there- about. He was one of the organizers of the New Home Mennonite church and for about twenty years has been president of that congregation.
In 1894 John E. Rupp was united in marriage to Matilda Hubin, who also was born in Austria, daughter of John Hubin, Sr., who came to America with his family in the latter eighties, proceeding to Minnesota and locating at Mountain Lake, Cottonwood county, whence, about 1891, he moved to a farm in Rose Hill township, where he lived until his retirement from the farm and removal to Westbrook, where he and his wife are now living, comfortably situated in their declining years. Mrs. Hubin before her marriage was Katie Muller. To Mr. and Mrs. Rupp five children have been born, Bertha M., Emma T., Albert R., John H. and Ella A., all of whom are living. Bertha. M. is married to Henry Rupp, a farmer of Mur- ray county.
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HALVOR T. SKRABECK.
Halvor T. Skrabeck, "Lone Tree Farm," one of the best-known and most progressive farmers in Nelson township, Watonwan county, proprietor of two hundred acres and for years actively identified with the work of developing that part of the county, is a native of Norway, but has lived in this country since he was four years old. He was born in Tellemarken, May 26, 1864, son of T. and Anna Skrabeck, the former of whom was a riverman, and who came with their family to the United States in 1868, settling in Columbia county, Wisconsin, on June 23 of that year. T. Skra- beck began working as a farm hand in that settlement and presently bought a yoke of oxen, rented a piece of land and began farming on his own account. In June, 1871, he joined the stream of emigration then setting in toward this section of Minnesota and homesteaded a tract of eighty acres in Nelson township, Watonwan county. There he established his home, planted a grove, brought his place under cultivation and became one of the sub- stantial farmers of that neighborhood. As he prospered he bought another "eighty" and on his quarter section did well, continuing his active farming until his retirement from the farm in 1893. His death occurred in 1897. His wife had preceded him to the grave more than twenty years, her death having occurred in 1875, about four years after the family settled in Minne- sota. They were the parents of five children, of whom Halvor T. was the last born, the others being Thorsten, who died in 1873; Mary Martha, who died in 1899, and Margaret.
Halvor T. Skrabeck was but four years old when his parents came to this country and was about seven when the family came to Minnesota, con- sequently all the active years of his life have been spent in Watonwan county. The educational facilities in the days of his youth were exceedingly limited and he received very little schooling. He grew up on the home farm and being the only surviving son was a valuable assistant to his father in the work of developing the home place, even from the days of his boyhood. He continued working with his father- and when the latter retired, took over the old homestead and has since been operating the same, being now the owner of two hundred acres of fine land, forty acres of which lies over the line in Brown county. In addition to his own land holdings, Mr. Skrabeck rents another quarter of a section and is carrying on his farming operations on a somewhat extensive scale. He adopts modern methods of farming, most of his plowing being done with a tractor, and everything about his
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place is up-to-date. Mr. Skrabeck has spent about seventy-five hundred dol- lars improving the place since he came into possession and now has one of the best looking farms in that part of the county. His home occupies a fine, elevated position and commands a view of the country for miles around. In 1906 Mr. Skrabeck moved over to his well-improved farm of forty acres in Blue Earth county, but after living there four years moved back to the old homestead and has continued to make his home there since. He has given proper attention to local civic affairs and is now serving as overseer of roads in his district and as school director.
On May 18, 1893, Halvor T. Skrabeck was united in marriage to Anna Lee, who was born in Norway, December 4, 1870, daughter of Ole and Ingeborg Lee, and to that union four children were born, Theodore, Albert, Hilmer and Ida, all of whom are at home. Mrs. Skrabeck died on April 15, 1915. Mr. Skrabeck is a Republican and is looked upon as one of the leaders of his party in the part of the county in which he lives. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and for some time served as a member of the board of trustees of the same.
GEORGE PEDERSON.
George Pederson, a well-known and substantial farmer of Highwater township, Cottonwood county, proprietor of a well-improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres in that township and actively identified with the work of developing that part of the county, is a native son of Minnesota and has lived here all his life. He was born on a pioneer farm in the vicinity of Madelia, in the neighboring county of Watonwan, December 26, 1868, son of Hans and Martha ( Monson) Rognelson, natives of Norway, who became pioneers of the Madelia neighborhood.
Hans Rognelson came to the United States in the days of his young manhood and for awhile was located in Kansas. He then came to Minne- sota, took a homestead farm in the vicinity of Madelia and there spent the rest of his life, becoming a substantial and influential farmer and useful citizen. He and his wife were the parents of four children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the second in order of birth, the others being Rachel, Martin and Syver, the latter of whom died in youth.
George Pederson was reared on the paternal farm in Watonwan county, receiving his schooling in the schools in the neighborhood of his home, also
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attending school for a time in the school in the vicinity of his present home in Cottonwood county. As a young man he began farming on the place which he now owns, a well-kept farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and has long been the owner of the same. His place is well improved and profitably cultivated and he and his family are very pleasantly situated. In addition to his general farming, Mr. Pederson has given considerable atten- tion to stock raising and has done very well, making a specialty of Red- Polled cattle. He is a Republican and has given a good citizen's attention to local civic affairs.
In 1899 George Pederson was united in marriage to Gena Mosby and to this union six children have been born, Oscar H., Norman G., Harry M., Marian O., Ruth E., and one girl who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Pederson are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and take an active interest in local church work, Mr. Pederson having served for some time as a member of the board of trustees of the church. They also give proper attention to other local good works and are helpful in advancing the best interests of their home community in all proper ways.
MARTIN H. FLOGSTAD.
Martin H. Flogstad, one of the best-known and most substantial farm- ers in Nelson township, Watonwan county, proprietor of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on rural route No. 3, out of St. James, former chairman of the board of supervisors of his home township, former assessor of the same township and in other ways for many years actively identified with the best interests of that part of the county, is a native of Norway, but has lived in this country since he was fifteen years of age. He was born on a farm in Norway, November 22, 1852, son of Halvor and Martha (Olson) Nelson, both natives of that country, the former of whom died in 1863, leaving his widow with eight children. In 1866 the two elder sons, Carl and Ole, had come to the United States and had located in Wisconsin and after the death of the father, the Widow Nelson and her other children also came over here and located at Oconto, Wisconsin. In 1870, desiring to create a permanent home for her family, this courageous widow joined the tide of emigration to this part of Minnesota and located in Watonwan county. She homesteaded a tract of eighty acres in Nelson township and there estab- lished her home. All hands assisted in the work of developing that home-
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stead and there the widow Nelson made her home the rest of her life, her death occurring in 1890, twenty years after she had come here, a plucky pioneer. Of her eight children, five are still living and all are filling well their respective stations in life.
Martin H. Flogstad was fifteen years old when he came to the United States with his mother and after the family had located at Oconto, Wis- consin, he worked there in a saw-mill for more than two years, or until the family came out here to develop a homestead farm in Watonwan county. He remained with his mother through the trying days of "proving up" the homestead claim. Upon coming here, the family funds were very low and he trapped muskrats during the first season in order to secure the money with which to pay for the homestead papers; that first season selling seven hundred pelts at fifteen cents the pelt. He was too young to homestead a place for himself and continued with his mother, remaining on the home place and developing the same until after his marriage in 1881, when he bought eighty acres in Nelson township, where he ever since has made his home. From the first he prospered in his farming operations, and as he prospered added an adjoining "eighty" and has long had his fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in a high state of cultivation. Upon taking posses- sion of his farm he planted a fine grove, which adds greatly to the present attractiveness of the place. He has put about four thousand dollars worth of improvements on the place and has long been regarded as one of the sub- stantial and progressive farmers of that neighborhood. Mr. Flogstad has ever taken an active interest in local civic affairs and has served the public in his home township in the several capacities of road overseer, assessor and chairman of the board of supervisors, in all of his public service performing his duties with an eye single to the public good.
In July, 1881, Martin H. Flogstad was united in marriage to Mary Hanson, daughter of Sigurd Hanson and wife, and to this union eight chil- dren have been born, Hilda and Hulda, twins, died when eight months old; Stella, Hilmer, Millie, Oscar, Agnes and Philip. Stella Flogstad married Thomas Berge and the other children are still at home with their parents. The Flogstads are earnest members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and take an active interest in the various beneficences of the same, Mr. Flogstad having, at one time and another, filled all the several offices in the local congregation.
Mr. Flogstad attributes his success largely to his wife's ability in man- aging her home and to his children's interest in their parents' affairs.
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OLUF T. OLSON.
Oluf T. Olson, a well-known and substantial farmer of Madelia town- ship, Watonwan county, owner of a fine farm of two hundred and eighty acres, is a native of Watonwan county and was born on the farm in section 6, Madelia township, where he lives. He was born March 31, 1873, son of Torger Olson and Brit (Burley) Voge, natives of Norway, the former of whom came to this country in the days of his early manhood and the latter of whom was but a girl when she came here with her parents from the old . country.
Torger Olson Voge left his native land when he was well grown and came alone to Minnesota, where he met and married Brit Burley and later homesteaded eighty acres in section 6, Madelia township, Watonwan county, where he established his home and where he and his wife spent the rest of their lives, Mrs. Voge dying in 1896, at the age of fifty-five years, and Mr. Voge dying on September 1, 1911, at the age of fifty-eight. Torger Olson Voge was an excellent farmer and not long after locating in Madelia town- ship bought an additional eighty acres in section 7, forty acres in section 8 and eighty acres in section 5, thus becoming the owner of two hundred and eighty acres and was recognized as one of the substantial and progressive farmers of that neighborhood. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran church and their children were reared in that faith. There were five of these children, Turine, Oluf T., John, Louise and Lena, all of whom are living save John, who died in 1910.
Oluf T. Olson was reared on the homestead farm of his parents and received his education in the district school in the neighborhood of his home. He remained on the home farm, a valuable assistant to his father in the development and improvement of the same, and became a very successful farmer, later coming into possession of the old home place, buying the interests of the other children after the death of their father. In 1913 he built the present substantial farm house on the place and he and his family were very comfortably situated there. Mr. Olson, in addition to his general farming, gave considerable attention to the raising of live stock and did well, raising Durham cattle and Chester White and Duroc-Jersey hogs. He has. ever given close attention to local civic affairs and for some time has been a member of the board of supervisors of his home township. They are still living on the farm.
It was on September 24, 1892, that Oluf T. Olson was united in mar-
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riage to Anna Nelson, who was born in Norway and who was but one year old when she came to this country with her parents. To this union five chil- dren have been born, Stella, Bernice. Edwin, Loyd and Ruth. The family are members of the Lutheran church and have ever given their warm sup- port to all local measures designed to advance the common welfare here- about.
GEORGE SCHWANDT.
George Schwandt, member of the board of supervisors of Germantown township, Cottonwood county, one of the best-known and most progressive young farmers of that township, owner of a fine farm of two hundred and eighty acres, secretary of the Sanborn Co-operative Company, vice-presi- dent of the Sanborn Co-operative Elevator Company and otherwise actively identified with the rapidly developing interests of the northern part of the county, is a native son of Minnesota and has lived in this state all his life. He was born on a farm in Nicollet township, Nicollet county, May 3, 1881, son of Julius and Albertina (Otto) Schwandt, natives of Germany, who later became residents of Cottonwood county and the former of whom is still living on his farm in Germantown township.
It was in 1860 that Julius Schwandt came to the United States. He proceeded immediately to Minnesota and settled in Nicollet county. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted in behalf of the Union cause in the Fourteenth Minnesota Artillery. He was one of the defenders of New Ulm during the Indian uprising in 1862 and took part in the pursuit of the Indians after the massacre. Upon the conclusion of his military service he resumed his farming operations in Nicollet county, where he continued to live until 1891, in which year he disposed of his interests there and moved over into Cottonwood county, settling on a farm in Germantown township, where he has ever since made his home. His wife died in August, 1912. She was a member of the German Lutheran church, as is her husband, and their children were reared in that faith. There were eight of these children. who grew to maturity, of whom the subject of this sketch was the fourth in order of birth, the others being Otto, Julius, Henry, William, Albertina, Martha and Marie, and three who died, Frank, Albert and Bertha.
George Schwandt was seven years old when his parents moved to Cot- tonwood county and he grew to manhood on the paternal farm in German-
GEORGE SCHWANDT.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOP 5PT
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town township, an able assistant in the labors of developing the same. He completed his schooling in the schools at Springfield and early began farm- ing on his own account, in 1908, taking charge of the place on which he now lives. In 1910 he bought that place and since then has greatly improved the same, at the same time bringing it up to a high state of cultivation. Mr. Schwandt has two hundred and eighty acres and in addition to his general farming has given considerable attention to the raising of live stock. He but recently has gone into the dairy business on a somewhat extensive scale and for the past ten years has operated a threshing-rig during the seasons. Not only has he been diligent in his own business, but he has found time to devote considerable attention to other interests and is vice- president of the Co-operative Elevator Company at Sanborn and secretary of the company controlling the co-operative store at that place. Mr. Schwandt is a Republican and for years has given thoughtful attention to local governmental affairs, at present being a member of the board of super- visors of his home township.
On June 20, 1904, George Schwandt was united in marriage to Lydia Mattke and to this union four children have been born, Herbert and Mar- garet and one that died when eight months old named Eleanor and another named Ruth, died when three weeks old. Mr. and Mrs. Schwandt are members of the German Lutheran church and take an active interest in the affairs of the same, as well as in all local good works, ever being willing promoters of such movements as are designed to advance the common wel- fare in their home community.
GOTTLIEB COMNICK.
Gottlieb Comnick, one of the best-known citizens of the western part of Cottonwood county, proprietor of a fine farm of two hundred and seven acres in Rose Hill township, for years a member of the official board of that township, former township assessor and in other ways actively inter- ested in the civic affairs of his community, is a native of Russia, but has been a resident of Cottonwood county since 1876 and has therefore been a witness to and a participant in the development of this region since pioneer days. He was born on a farm in southern Russia on November 19, 1859, son of Michael and Anna (Zeller) Comnick, the former also a native of Russia and the latter of Germany, who were the parents of four children,
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