USA > Minnesota > Watonwan County > History of Cottonwood and Watonwan counties, Minnesota : their people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 38
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Albert F. Biel has been twice married. It was in 1896, while living in Fillmore county, that he was united in marriage to Ida Erdman, of Wykoff, that county, and to that union two children were born, Clarence and Cora. The mother of these children died in 1900 and in 1901 Mr. Biel married Amanda Wendorf, also of Wykoff, daughter of Fred and Sophia Wendorf, natives of Germany, who came to the United States, settling in Wisconsin, whence they came to Minnesota and settled at Wykoff. Fred Wendorf, who is still living at Wykoff, in the seventy-sixth year of his age, one of the best-known and most influential bankers in that part of the state, was for twenty years postmaster of Wykoff. His wife died years ago. To
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Mr. Biel's second marriage five children have been born, Fred, Estella, Irwin, Elmer and Luella. Mr. and Mrs. Biel take a warm interest in the general social and cultural affairs of the community and are helpful in promoting all measures designed to advance the common welfare hereabout.
CARL S. KNUDSON.
One of the busy and widely known men of Cottonwood county is Carl S. Knudson of Westbrook. Unlike many of his contemporaries he has found opportunities right at home good enough and has not sought his for- tune in distant climes. He was born on the old homestead, one mile north of Westbrook, August 3, 1877. He is a son of Erick and Mary (Sampson) Knudson, both natives of Norway, from which county they came to America in about 1870, locating in Jackson county, Minnesota, where they spent a few years; then moved to Cottonwood county and took up a homestead near Westbrook, on which they located permanently. The father broke and improved this one-fourth section into a valuable farm, experiencing the usual hardships and privations of life on the frontier. Erick Knudson helped shovel snow many times from the front of stalled trains near Win- dom, in the early days. He finally retired from active life and located in Westbrook, where he and his wife both died about two years later.
At the time of his death Erick Knudson owned about three hundred and twenty acres in his home place and in all, six hundred and forty acres. His family consisted of nine children, six sons and three daughters, namely : Hilda, who married Adolph Peterson, Carl S., the subject of this sketch; Elmer E., Melvin, Selma, who married Bert Johnson; Emma, who married Albert Kleven; Clarence, William and Arthur, all of whom are living. The paternal grandparents lived and died in Norway, the grandfather owning a saw-mill, also probably engaged in farming. The maternal grandparents, Samuel Sampson and wife, also natives of Norway, came to America with the parents of the subject of this sketch, living in Jackson county, later moving to Westbrook township, Cottonwood county and made their home near Erick Knudson and wife, building a house on the farm there. Their children were named as follow : Mary, John and Samuel, all now deceased. Samuel Sampson is still living, but his wife is deceased.
Carl S. Knudson grew up on the home farm and attended the early- day district schools. About 1904 he took charge of the "Rose Hill" farm,
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CARL S. KNUDSON.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASFOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATION **
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which he operated until one year after his father's death. Upon the death of the father he bought out the other heirs, but sold the place one year later, in March, 1914, and located in the village of Westbrook, becoming manager of the Westbrook Shipping Association, which position he still holds. He has also been president of the Farmers' elevator and is now director of the same; also a director of the Farmers' Co-operative store, and the Citizens State Bank. He has been very successful in a business way and is one of the enterprising citizens of Westbrook. He is an active mem- ber of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Knudson was married in 1904, to Julia Hanson, a daughter of H. C. Hanson and wife, natives of Norway. This union resulted in the birth of one child, Irene Knudson, born on March 28, 1905. The wife and mother passed away on March 11, 1908. She was a faithful member of the Lutheran church, a devoted and loyal wife and a loving mother, and was mourned by her many friends and relatives.
Mr. Knudson was married for the second time on January 9, 1912, to Lena Rupp, daughter of Fred Rupp and wife, of Rose Hill township, and to this union have been born two girls and one boy, Lila, born on November 9, 1912; Frances, November 6, 1913, and Eric, June 4, 1915.
JOHN C. WEST.
John C. West, a prominent farmer of South Branch township and a native of Minnesota, was born on February 7, 1869, the son of Elijah Syl- vester and Elizabeth (Reynolds) West.
Elijah West and wife after their marriage, settled on one hundred and sixty acres in section 12. This was what is known as a tree claim. After the death of the father, in the soldiers home hospital, in California, the mother added another one hundred and sixty acres to the farm. She now makes this her home. Until John C. was thirteen years of age the family lived in a sod house. To Elijah and Elizabeth West was born the following children: Frank, deceased; Milo of Edon, Montana; Helen Augusta, deceased; Warren, deceased ; Elta, of Portland, Oregon, and John C.
John C. West grew to manhood on the home farm and was educated in the district school. His educational advantages were limited, as he could attend school but three months in the year.
On September 30, 1891, John C. West was married to Jennie Shilleto,
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who was born in Minnesota on December 27, 1868. After the marriage, the young couple came to the farm, where they now reside, for their wedding supper. Mr. West had built the house before the marriage and had planted many trees on his farm of one hundred and twenty acres.
John C. West and wife are the parents of the following children : John, Jr., who married Iva Harlow and is an instructor in the University of Minne- sota ; Lila; Warren and David Benjamin; the latter is deceased.
John C. West is a progressive and successful farmer, and devotes much time to the raising of Holstein and Oxford cattle and Poland China hogs. His farm is in a high state of cultivation and his cattle and hogs are among the best. He knows what hard and thorough work means, having plowed when but nine years of age, ten acres on the homestead with an ox team.
Mr. West has served his township for five years as assessor. Fra- ternally, he is a member of the United Workmen. Mrs. West is an active member of the Christian church.
ANDREW C. HAMRE.
Andrew C. Hamre, a substantial farmer of Madelia township, Waton- wan county, proprietor of a well-kept farm of fifty-eight acres, situated three miles north and one mile east of the city of Madelia, is a native son of Minnesota, born on a pioneer farm in the near vicinity of Emerald town- ship, in Faribault county, this state, son of Christopher and Anna (Erick- son ) Hamre, natives of Norway, the latter of whom is now deceased.
Christopher Hamre came to the United States in his young manhood and settled on a farm near the city of Madison, in Wisconsin, later coming to Minnesota and settling on a farm in Faribault county, where he eventually became the owner of a farm of four hundred and eighty acres and was regarded as one of the most substantial farmers of that neighborhood. He is now living comfortably retired in the city of Blue Earth, in Faribault county. To him and his wife were born four children, of whom Andrew C. was the last-born, the others being Sylvia, Erick and Christopher.
Andrew C. Hamre was reared on the homestead farm of his parents in Faribault county and received his schooling in the district schools of that neighborhood. He grew up to the life of the farm and has ever been a farmer. In 1909 he located on the farm he now owns in Madelia township, Watonwan county, and where he ever since has lived and where he and his
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family are very pleasantly situated. The farm was partly improved when he bought it, the improvements including a substantial dwelling house. In 1910 Mr. Hamre added to the improvements by the erection of a modern barn and has otherwise improved the place and brought it to its present well-kept condition. He follows modern methods of farming and is looked upon as one of the substantial farmers of his neighborhood.
Mr. Hamre married April 30, 1900, Ingrie Fedje, to which union three children have been born, Christopher, Eunice and Sylvia. Mr. and Mrs. Hamre are members of the Lutheran church and take a proper part in the affairs of the same, as well as in the general good works of the community in which they live.
BEN HOVDEN.
Ben Hovden, a well-known and progressive farmer, stockman and dairyman, of Rosendale township, Watonwan county, proprietor of a fine farm of two hundred acres in the vicinity of St. James and for years actively identified with the rapidly developing interests of that community, is a native of Norway, born on January 26, 1871, but has been a resident of Minnesota ever since he was twenty-one years old. His parents died when he was quite young and since he was ten years old he practically has made his own way in the world. Industry, thrift and energy have secured their customary reward in his case and he has scored a substantial success, long having been looked upon as one of the leading farmers and stockmen in the part of the county in which he lives.
When he was twenty-one years of age, early in 1892, Ben Hovden came to the United States and located at Minneapolis, where he remained for eight months, at the end of which time, in the fall of that same year, he came to this part of the state and located in Watonwan county, which has since been his place of residence. He married the year after coming here and in 1902 bought a forty-acre tract in section 9 of Rosendale township, where he established his home and where he ever since has lived. As he prospered in his farming operations, Mr. Hovden has added to his holdings until now he is the owner of a fine farm of two hundred acres in sections 9 and 10, all of which is well-improved and profitably cultivated. In addi- tion to his general farming, Mr. Hovden has given considerable attention to the raising of high-grade live stock, with particular attention to Holstein cattle and Poland China swine. His operations are carried on along mod-
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ern lines and his farm equipment is as good as any. His big, modern barn is lighted by electricity and the other outfittings are in keeping with the up-to-date spirit in which the place is conducted. Mr. Hovden's pure-bred dairy herd is his special pride and he does an extensive dairy business, the cream from the Hovden farm being in large demand by customers in the nearby city of St. James. Mr. Hovden is a Democrat and gives close atten- tion to local civic affairs. He is a member of the township board and for nine or ten years has been a member of the school board in his district.
On December 5, 1893, Ben Hovden was united in marriage to Amelia Olson, who was born in Rosendale township, Watonwan county, January 12, 1873, daughter of Lars and Elizabeth Olson, who came to Minnesota from Norway in 1869 and settled in Watonwan county, being among the early settlers in this part of the state. Lars Olson homesteaded a farm in section 10, Rosendale township, and there established his home, becoming one of the substantial and influential farmers of that part of the county. In his declining years he retired from the farm and moved to St. James, where he spent his last days, his death occurring on March 11, 1909, he then being eighty-four years of age. His widow, who was born on March 12, 1840, is still living at St. James. To Mr. and Mrs. Hovden six children have been born, Carl, Emma, George, Alfred, Arthur and Ervin, all of whom are living. The Hovlands are members of the Lutheran church, in the various beneficences of which they take a warm interest, Mr. Hovden being clerk of the church, and they likewise give proper attention to all other neighbor- hood good works.
ANDREW H. ANDERSON.
Among the Danes who have cast their lot with the people of Cotton- wood county is the Anderson family-Andrew H., who is engaged in mer- cantile pursuits in Storden and his father, the late Hans Anderson, who died about twenty-seven years ago, and who was a prosperous farmer.
Andrew H. Anderson was born in Denmark, April 27, 1864, and is a son of Hans and Mary ( Nelson) Anderson, both natives of Denmark where they grew up and were married. In 1865 the father came to America, and the mother followed with her son, Andrew H., in 1867. Hans Anderson located first at Muskingum, Michigan, where he worked as a laborer. The second year sickness overtook him, which incapacitated him for a long time. Upon his recovery he found he had spent all his earnings, but he went to
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work again and continued as a laborer until 1870. He was at that time at Rochester, Minnesota, and had a capital of about five hundred and fifty dollars, and he decided to go farther west. He bought a team of oxen and a new wagon. Leaving his wife and child at Byron, near Rochester, he made the overland trip to Cottonwood county, taking up a homestead two miles north of the present site of Storden, and he and his brother, Rasmus Anderson, constructed a dugout, eighteen by eighteen feet on the land of the latter, which joined that of Hans. The shack was covered with willows and clay. There was one small window, and in this small hut two families spent the following winter. The following spring Hans Anderson built a rude home on his own land. It was a sod house. He went to work with a will and prospered with advancing years, developed a good farm and finally built a large and comfortable home. He accumulated one hundred and sixty acres. his widow later acquiring eighty more acres. His estate sold in 1914 for the sum of about eighteen thousand dollars. This is an instance of what courage and industry can accomplish when put to the test. Mr. Anderson endured many hardships and privations, but did not permit them to overwhelm him. On the morning of the great storm which visited Cottonwood county, he and his brother Rasmus went to the timber to work. The storm started as they reached the edge of the timber after loading on their way back home, and made their way to the home of Joe Christianson, which was on the western edge of the timber. They had two yoke of oxen, only one of which could be accommodated in their neighbor's barn, so they took the other yoke to a barn across the timber. With difficulty the three men got the oxen through the tiniber. The snow storm was so intense they could not see each other, depending on their voices to keep together, Mr. Christianson going ahead and locating a way out by the trees which he had marked. The home of Rasmus Anderson was completely snowed under ; Mrs. Rasmus Anderson not being able to obtain wood, was compelled to saw up her chairs and table for fuel. It was three days before the Anderson brothers could return home. They had to search diligently for the Rasmus Anderson home, as it was entirely covered up in snow, only the stove-pipe showing.
Hans Anderson was influential in the affairs of his community. He was a member of the township board, also of the school board and was a trustee of the Lutheran church. His death occurred in 1887. His widow remained on the place until 1903. Her death occurred in the state of Wash- ington in 1911 at an advanced age. To these parents seven children were born, namely: Andrew H., Christina, now deceased, was the wife of Ole
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Akerlund; Anna, who is the wife of William Bates and they live in Windom; Christian is deceased; Matilda is the wife of Peter J. Halverson, and they live in Wenachee, Washington; Petrena died when two years old; Henry A. is engaged in farming on land adjoining the old homestead, north of Storden.
Andrew H. Anderson grew up on the home farm and there he worked hard when a boy. He went to school only seven months in all. In the fall of 1887 he started a small grocery in Lamberton, Minnesota, remaining there until 1906, in which year he came to Storden, where he has since been engaged in general mercantile pursuits. He has built up a very satisfactory trade with the town and surrounding country. He assisted in organizing the Farmers State Bank of Storden in December, 1915, and since has been vice-president of the same.
Mr. Anderson was married in 1887, to Paulina Wagner of Sandburn, Redwood county, this state. She is a native of Pennsylvania and a daugh- ter of George L. Wagner and wife. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, of whom three are now living, namely: Wilhelmina, Harry E., Elaine Lucile.
Politically, he is a Republican. He has been a member of the local school board since coming to Storden, and has been treasurer of the same for two terms. While living at Lamberton he served as township clerk, also village clerk for many years. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Lutheran church.
AUGUST E. PETERSON.
It is a pleasure to be permitted to live on the old homestead, where cluster memories that are not to be found elsewhere. August E. Peterson has continued to reside on part of the old homestead in Long Lake town- ship, Watonwan county, which he has kept well cultivated and on which he has erected new buildings. He was born here on September 14, 1881. He is a son of John and Mary (Carlson) Peterson, both natives of Sweden, from which country they came to America in the early seventies. The father spent five years in St. James, Minnesota, working at various things. About 1878 he homesteaded eighty acres in Long Lake township, soon buy- ing eighty acres adjoining, He and his wife spent the rest of their lives on this farm. He was active in the Kansas Lake church and held offices
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in it. Their family consisted of the following children: Selma E., who is the wife of Ed Lindquist; August E., Julia, who lives in Watonwan county ; . Carl V., who is engaged in the lumber business at Finley, North Dakota; P. Edward and Victor C. are both seniors, members of the graduating class of 1916 at Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minnesota.
August E. Peterson grew up on the home farm and received his edu- cation in the common schools of his community later taking a commercial course at Gustavus Adolphus College. After finishing his education he returned home and has since farmed eighty acres of the homestead. He has erected new buildings, which are modern and substantial and make many other important improvements. He operates forty acres additional nearby, and is a successful general farmer and stock raiser.
Mr. Peterson was married in 1911, to Ida M. Swenson, who was reared and educated in Watonwan county and Gustavus Adolphus College for four years. She is a daughter of A. D. Swenson and wife. To this union two children have been born, namely: Evangeline M. and Wendell Isidore.
Mr. Peterson is president of the Long Lake Farmers Club. He is an active member of the Kansas Lake Swedish Lutheran church, of which he was formerly treasurer and trustee and is now a deacon. Politically, he is independent.
JOHN A. ANDERSON.
The late John A. Anderson was for many years one of the enterpris- ing farmers and highly esteemed citizens of Long Lake township, Waton- wan county. He was a man who tried to live up to the sublime precepts of the Golden Rule as he went through life.
Mr. Anderson was born in Sweden about 1859. He came to America with his parents when a young man, his father entered a homestead, which he developed by hard work into a good farm, and on this place the widow of the subject of this sketch is now residing. About 1870 the family located here. John A. Anderson received a limited education in the common schools, and he assisted his father to reclaim the home farm from the raw prairie, and he remained on the place after his father's death. He managed well and worked hard, and became the owner of one of the choice and well- improved farms of the township, consisting of two hundred and forty acres. He was known as one of the best general farmers and stock rais- ers in his community.
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Mr. Anderson was married in 1884, to Caroline Swanson, who was born in Sweden, and is a daughter of John and Johanna (Anderson) Swan- son, both natives of Sweden, from which country they came to America in 1870, first locating in Illinois, but a few months later moved to Mankato, Minnesota, where they spent one winter. In 1871 they came to Odin town- ship, Watonwan county, where Mr. Swanson took up a homestead of eighty acres, which he improved and on which he spent the rest of his life. His widow is now living in the town of Butterfield. He had one hundred and twenty acres at the time of his death. To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson nine children were born, namely: Lydia, Arthur, Theodore, Ernest, Alice, Elsie, Maynard, William, and Carl. They are all living.
Mr. Anderson was an active member of Kansas Lake Swedish Lutheran church. His death occurred in January, 1901. Since then his sons have operated the home farm and they and their mother have improved the place generally, including the erection of a fine residence, which is neatly fur- nished.
JOHN BISBEE.
From the rugged Pine Tree state has come John Bisbee, one of the leading citizens and successful agriculturists of Madelia, Watonwan county. He was born in Oxford county, Maine, April 16, 1839, and is a son of Jones and Rebecca (Robinson) Bisbee, both natives of Oxford county, Maine. John and Sarah ( Pilbrook) Bisbee, the paternal grandparents, were also natives of that state, where they spent their lives on a farm. Charles Bis- bee, the great-grandfather, was a native of Massachusetts and a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He devoted his life to farming. The founder of the American branch of the family was Thomas Bisbee, who came from England about 1635 and established his home in Massachusetts. He was a large landowner in England and he bequeathed his property to his grand- children. He became a member of the Massachusetts Assembly. The maternal grandparents, Increase and Abbie (Parlin) Robinson, were both natives of Maine. He was a farmer and mill-owner. He purchased large tracts of land in Maine. He was of Scotch-Irish descent. The parents of the subject of this sketch grew to maturity in their native locality, there attended school and were married. The father devoted his active life to general farming, becoming one of the wealthiest men of his community.
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MR. AND MRS. JOHN BISBEE AND RESIDENCE.
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He was a man of influence and was highly respected. He was a Demo- crat all his life. His death occurred in 1875.
John Bisbee was reared on the home farm and educated in the com- mon schools. He began teaching when eighteen years of age, continuing several terms. He went to Massachusetts, where he clerked in a store about one year, after which he spent the summer on a fishing expedition down the Gulf of St. Lawrence; then attended Auburn Academy, where he finished his education. He then accepted a position in a wholesale boot and shoe store in New York City, in which establishment he remained two and one- half years. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War he returned to his home in Maine, taught school and engaged in farming until 1865, when he came west and located at Garden City, Blue Earth county, Minnesota, where he bought land, also taught school for some time. He clerked in a general store four years, after which he came to Madelia, where he secured employ- ment in the store of Boynton & Cheeney, for four and one-half years. He then associated himself with Mathias Olson and opened a large general store, which they continued for twenty-five years, Mr. Bisbee finally selling out to his partner in 1891.
The work that Mr. Bisbee considers the most important in his career is what he has done the past fifteen years, during which he has put forth his efforts to produce an apple especially adapted to Minnesota and the North- west, and he has become a noted horticulturist. He has developed a valu- able orchard of two thousand apple trees, well suited to this climate. Since leaving the store he has devoted his attention to horticulture and agricul- ture and has met with pronounced success all along the line. He has a commodious and modernly appointed home in the edge of the village of Madelia, where he owns a well-improved and valuable farm of two hundred acres. He also owns five hundred acres of valuable land about five miles from Madelia, all under excellent improvements. He has erected all the buildings on his home place, the land being entirely unimproved when he located on it about forty-two years ago.
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