USA > Minnesota > Watonwan County > History of Cottonwood and Watonwan counties, Minnesota : their people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 6
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Mr. Mead was married, June 19, 1907, to Ricka Winkler. They have one child, Catherine M. Politically, Mr. Mead is a Republican. He is a Mason, and a member of the Woodmen. His church affiliation is with the Presbyterian church.
COL. JOHN JAMES THORNTON.
In presenting the biographical memoir of this well-remembered gentle- man, whose life was that of a high-grade man, of noble ideals and laudable ambitions, it is believed that the youthful reader, whose destinies are yet matters for future years to determine, will be much benefited and encouraged.
Col. John James Thornton, one of the leading lawyers and popular public officials of Watonwan county of the past generation, and a gallant officer in the Civil War, was born in Ohio in 1841, and he received an excellent education in the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He first prepared himself for a career as engineer, but later took up the study of law. He came to St. James, Minnesota, in 1871 and here he was admitted to the bar and was the first lawyer in Watonwan county. He was suc- cessful and built up a large clientage, continuing in practice at St. James until 1901, taking part in the important cases coming up in this locality for a period of thirty years and was a prominent and familiar figure in the local courts. He was postmaster under Cleveland's administration for four years, and he served as county attorney from 1874 to 1878. He was an ardent Democrat and a leader in his party in this section of the state. He was a charter member of Libanns Lodge No. 96, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and he was also a Knight Templar.
Colonel Thornton was married on November 6, 1867, to Harriet B. Brown of Springhill, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, where she was born on February 27, 1846. She is a daughter of Jonathan C. and Harriet Louisa (Hulburt) Brown. The father was born in New York, October 12,
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1815, and the mother was born in Hartford, Connecticut, November 14, 1815. After their marriage they resided at Springhill, Pennsylvania, the first sixteen years, then removed to Juneau, Wisconsin, in 1853, and there the death of the father occurred on January 22, 1882, the mother surviving until 1892. They were the parents of ten children, namely: Stanley, who was first lieutenant in the Third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War, and whose death occurred on May 13, 1868; Mrs. W. D. Warner lives in Juneau, Wisconsin; Earnest E. Brown lives in Oshkosh, Wisconsin; Mrs. Augusta C. Trawbridge lives in Madelia, Minnesota; Harriet, widow of the subject of this sketch; Mrs. T. M. Miller lives in Buffalo, New York; Ivan Brown lived in Juneau, Wisconsin, now deceased; Millie is unmarried; and Mrs. C. M. Petibole lives in Wapun, Wisconsin.
To Colonel Thornton and wife five children were born, four of whom died in infancy; John James, who survived, is now superintendent of the Bradstreet Company of Memphis, Tennessee. He married Emma Mishler.
Mrs. Thornton is a member of the Episcopal church, and the rest of the family attends this church. She has a pleasant home in St. James, where she has a host of warm friends.
SEVERT J. FERING.
The present efficient and popular register of deeds of Cottonwood county, Severt J. Fering, was born in Cottonwood county, Minnesota, December 2, 1869. He is a son of John and Ragna (Neshien) Fering, the father a native of Norway and the mother of Iowa. The father was brought by his parents to Wisconsin when six years old. John Fering's father, Lars Fering, later taking his family to Winnisheik county, Iowa, thence came to Cottonwood county, Minnesota, where he took up a home- stead, but went on west to Washington territory, but returned to Cotton- wood county, where his death occurred in Highwater township.
John Fering, mentioned above, was educated in the public schools of Iowa. He married in Decorah, that state, and came to Cottonwood county in 1869 and took up a homestead in Highwater township and here his death occurred in 1895. His wife preceded him to the grave in 1887. They spent their lives on a farm. He was a Republican. He enlisted for service in the Civil War, in 1861, and was in the Union army three years. He saw much hard service, being in many engagements, and was wounded at
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Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was a member of the Lutheran church. His family consisted of the following children: Lewis is the eldest; Severt J .; Caroline is deceased; Laura is deceased; Julia, Iver, Christ, Otto are all living; Caroline and Robert are deceased; Gertie E. is the youngest of the family.
Severt J. Fering was reared on the home farm, where he worked when a boy and he received a public school education, later attended the Valley Business College at Decorah, Iowa. He began life for himself as a farmer. He came to Windom, Cottonwood county, in January, 1905, and later he was selected as deputy county register of deeds and later as register of deeds for two years. In 1907 he was elected to this office which he still holds, having been re-elected at the expiration of each term since. His term of office expires January I, 1919. He has discharged his duties as a public servant in an able, faithful and highly satisfactory manner. Politic- ally, he is a Republican. He also served as town clerk for about ten years in Highwater township. He belongs to the Lutheran church, and is a mem- ber of Windom Lodge No. 108, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Sons of Norway. Mr. Fering owns forty acres of the old homestead in Highwater township, which originally consisted of one hundred and sixty acres, eighty acres being sold eventually.
Two uncles, Andrew and Charley Fering, both came from Winne- sheik county, Iowa, to Cottonwood county in 1868, taking up homesteads in Highwater township, section 26. Later, Andrew moved to Redwood county, Minnesota, where he still lives, making his home in Lamberton. He was a successful farmer, but is now retired from active life. Charley Fering moved to the state of Washington, where he lived several years, but now lives on a farm at the edge of the town of Alvarado, Marshall county, Minnesota. The town was built on his land.
EMIL F. MINDER.
It seems that the Swiss have a natural bent for the jewelry business. Everybody knows that there are no better watches and clocks than those of Swiss manufacture, and never has been. A theory as to why this is true would be merely speculative, but the fact remains irrefutable. Emil F. Minder, a highly skilled workman and a widely known jeweler of St. James, Wantonwan county, is one of this number, he having been born in Switzer-
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land, February 16, 1861. He is a son of John Wilhelm and Elizabeth (Voegeli) Minder, both of whom spent their lives in Switzerland, both dying in middle life, the father in 1879 at the age of forty-six years, and the mother in 1877, when forty-eight years old. They were the parents of the following children: Emma is the wife of Nicholas Zoderelle of Toledo, Ohio; Emil F., the subject of this sketch; and Louise who married in Russia, Dr. Sokolouk, whose death occurred in that country, after which she came to Illinois, and later to St. James, Minnesota, where her death occurred in 1913, leaving one child, a daughter, Lola Sokolouk, who makes her home in St. Paul.
Emil F. Minder spent his boyhood in Switzerland, where he received his education. In 1886 he came to Rockford, Illinois, where he worked in a watch manufacturing establishment until 1894, when he came to St. James, Minnesota, where he has since been engaged in the jewelry business with pronounced success. For six months he was at the stand where the Boston store is now located, but he has since occupied convenient and neat quarters on Main street. He is a highly skilled workman, having learned his trade in Switzerland and his work has always given satisfaction in every respect.
Politically, Mr. Minder is a Republican. He is a member of Waton- wan Lodge, No. 207 Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Wood- men of America, Mutual Benefit Association and the Equitable Fraternal Union.
Mr. Minder was married in Switzerland in 1882 to Emma Sophia Hentzi, who was born in Switzerland, June 6, 1860. To this union four children have been born, namely: Emil George, born in Switzerland; Georgine Blanche, born in Switzerland; Helen Louise, born in Switzerland; and Paul Louis, born in Rockford, Illinois. They all survive at this writ- ing. Emil George Minder, who is located at Slayton, Minnesota, is chief engineer of the southern district of the state. Paul Louis, also of Slayton is now state's highway engineer.
Mrs. Mary Minder, Emil's grandmother, died in Switerland in 1912 at the advanced age of ninety-seven years. Arnold Minder, his uncle, who was an engineer in Switzerland, had charge of the railroads there for some time. He built the famous Rega railway, a feat that was formerly deemed impos- sible. The ancestors on both sides of the house have been educators, many of them. Mr. Minder is, himself, a man of much learning, being well versed in modern and ancient history. He has remained a student and is familiar with the world's best literature along many lines.
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WILLIS J. CLARK.
In a large measure the success of the present time in all branches of business is largely the result of the present banking methods. One of the flourishing and substantial banks of Cottonwood and adjoining counties is the First National Bank, of which Willis J. Clark is president.
Mr. Clark, who is one of the county's most substantial and public- spirited citizens, was born in Richland county, May 9, 1867. He is a son of Hugh M. and Lucinda (Duke) Clark, both natives of Ohio, where they grew up, were educated and married. They removed to Wisconsin in 1864, and about 1871 the father came to Windom, Minnesota, removing his family here in the spring of 1872. Here he conducted a meat market. He had learned the butcher business in Christian, Wisconsin, although he fol- lowed farming for the most part while living there. He continued in the meat business and dealing in live stock in Windom until about 1890, when he retired from active life. His death occurred November 9, 1915. His widow survives, being now advanced in years. He was a man of many sterling attributes and was influential in his community. He held a num- ber of minor public offices. His family consisted of three children, namely : Mrs. Ida C. Sherwood lives at Lake Crystal, Minnesota ; Willis J. and Harold M., who is engaged in the hardware business at Lakefield, this state.
Willis J. Clark grew to manhood in Windom and here he received his education, completing the course that the local schools offered at that time. When nineteen years of age he entered the employ of the Bank of Windom, a private institution, as bookkeeper, and he has been connected with the same continuously ever since. Being alert, industrious, trust- worthy and courteous his rise was rapid, passing through all the positions and offices of the bank, becoming president in 1913, which position he still holds, in fact, he has done more by his conservative and straightforward business methods, his able management and honorable methods to advance the institution and increase its prestige from year to year than any other man. It has passed through two reorganizations since he has been con- nected with it. As a private bank it was owned by Sevatson & Perkins, but was called the Bank of Windom, later it was made a state bank but retained its former name. In 1897 it became the First National Bank of Windom. In 1904 Mr. Clark organized the State Bank of Storten, at Storten, Minne- sota, and has since been its president. He is also president of the Farmers State Bank of Wilder, at Wilder, Minnesota. His rare business acumen and sound policies have made both these institutions pronounced successes.
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Mr. Clark was married in 1895 to Ada M. Ellis of Windom, and a daughter of H. S. Ellis, a pioneer homesteader of Cottonwood county.
Politically, Mr. Clark is a Republican. He has been mayor of Win- dom and held a number of other local offices. He has done much for the general welfare of his town and community. He is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Royal Arcanum and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
GUSTAV E. GILBERTSON.
As a contractor Gustav E. Gilbertson of St. James, Watonwan county, is making a pronounced success, partly because he is industrious and per- sistent and partly because he is honest and reliable. He was born in Nor- way, October 8, 1863, and is a son of Engebret and Gurina Gilbertson, . both natives of Norway, both born in the year 1830. There they grew to maturity, married and made their home until 1866 when they immigrated to the United States, locating at Red Wing, Goodhue county, Minnesota, where they spent one year, then moved to Pierce county, Wisconsin, bought a farm which he operated successfully until retiring from active life and locating again in Red Wing, where his death occurred in September, 1914, his wife having preceded him to the grave in 1908. They were the parents of the following children : Anna is the wife of W. D. Bishop, of Montrose, South Dakota; Gusta, who married Andrew Ulvin, is now deceased; Julius C., who was a practicing physician at Luvern, Minnesota, is now deceased; Gustav E., the subject of this sketch; Dina is the wife of Hans Norheim of Red Wing, Minnesota; Emma is the wife of Otto A. Ulvin, a banker, liv- ing in Red Wing; Christian lives in North Dakota.
Gustav E. Gilbertson was reared in Pierce county, Wisconsin, and was educated in the public schools. He remained on the home farm until 1886, when he came to Watonwan county, Minnesota; then he bought a farm of four hundred and forty acres in Brown county, where he engaged in general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale until 1908, when he moved to St. James and took up drainage contracting which he has since engaged in successfully. He has a large and pleasant home here. He has also been an auctioneer for twenty-five years and has cried scores of sales over this country with much success, his services having been in demand in a number of counties in this part of the state.
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Mr. Gilbertson was married, December 19, 1886, to Thora Sunde, who was born in Norway, October 16, 1865. When she was three years old her parents, Torkel and Ragnel Sunde, brought her to Brown county, Minne- sota, in 1868, taking up a homestead on which the parents spent the rest of their lives, both being now deceased. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gilbertson, namely: George R., Elmer B., Arthur T., Roy A., Edith G., Julius C., and Gerald T. They are all living.
Politically, Mr. Gilbertson is a Republican. While living in Brown county he was a member of the school board for a number of years. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Gilbertson's contracting business takes him all over this state.
REV. LARS P. THORKVEEN.
The Rev. Lars P. Thorkveen, of St. James, one of the best-known min- isters of the United Lutheran communion in Minnesota, for years visitator for the Windom district of that church and present secretary-treasurer of the beneficent "Skolekasse," is a native of the kingdom of Norway, born in the parish of Lom, February 20, 1857. He received an excellent education in the government schools of his native land and when twenty-three years of age, in 1880, came to the United States. Shortly after arriving in this country, Mr. Thorkveen entered the Lutheran College at Decorah, Iowa, where he further fitted himself for his theological studies and then came to Minnesota and completed his theological course in the German Lutheran Seminary at Afton. On January 19, 1888, he was ordained to the ministry of his church at St. James and has ever since made his home in that city, though his various pastoral and missionary labors as superintendent of religious schools, secretary of the board of regents of the United Norwegian Lutheran Church of America, etc., have taken him to widely separated points in Minnesota and other states during that period.
During his long ministerial service the Rev. Lars P. Thorkveen has served as pastor at Albion, Long Lake, Olaf, Rosendale and Butterfield congregations. The church at the latter place he organized in 1896 and the twentieth anniversary of the founding of that church was made much of by the congregation of the same in 1916. As a missionary Mr. Thorkveen is known widely throughout the state, an acquaintance greatly enlarged during his long service as "visitator" for the Windom district of his church.
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Among the various congregations of the churches thus under his visitational care he is exceedingly popular and his services in the performance of the marriage ceremony and in the preaching of funeral sermons are in wide demand, making him one of the very busy men of St. James. For years Mr. Thorkveen has taken an active interest in the affairs of that beneficent organization for the care of neglected children in the mission field of his church throughout the United States and Canada, the "Skolekasse," and for some time has been performing admirable service in that behalf as the secre- tary-treasurer of the organization.
Mr. Thorkveen is a student deeply versed not only in theology, but in the daily affairs of men, and his counsel and admonition in the long years of his service hereabout have been of inestimable value in this community. Spiritual ministry cannot be paid for at its true value. Fitted in many respects to occupy more conspicuous positions, he has been willing to minister to the spiritual wants of his fellow-men in the humble walks and has been content to spend his life in what might be called the humbler places-his missionary work ever having been to him a labor of love; contented to speak the gospel to the few, even though to be prepared for this he had spent long years of careful preparation. Public spirited and enterprising, energetic and progressive, his voice ever has been heard in behalf of all proper measures designed to advance the common interest in this section of the state and it is not too much to say that he is accounted one of the real factors in the wonderful progress and development of this region within the past quarter of a century and more.
OLE HAMMERSTAD.
The qualities which have caused Ole Hammerstad, a merchant of Win- dom, Cottonwood county, to win in life's battle have no doubt been inherited from his worthy Norwegian ancestors, although he himself was born under the "star spangled banner," his birth having occurred in Jackson county, Minnesota, August 29, 1872. He is a son of Ole and Marie (Quevli) Hammerstad, both born in Norway, where they grew up, attending school and were married. In 1871 they set their faces toward the New World and took up residence in Jackson county, Minnesota, homesteading one hundred and sixty acres, where they developed a good farm on which they spent the rest of their lives, the father dying in 1877 and the mother about
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1895. They were members of the Lutheran church, in which they reared their four children, namely: Tilda, Julia, Minnie and Ole.
Ole Hammerstad grew to manhood on the home farm in Jackson county, and was educated in the public schools. However, his education was limited, for he was compelled to begin life for himself when only twelve years of age, when he took a position as clerk in a store in the town of Jackson. He came to Windom in 1894, where he clerked in the store of his uncle, A. Quevli. Being alert, trustworthy and courteous, his rise was rapid and in 1900 he was admitted as a member of the firm of A. Quevli & Company, and has remained with the firm ever since, doing much toward the general success of this thriving general mercantile establishment.
Mr. Hammerstad was married in December, 1899, to Melissa Larson, of Lyle, Minnesota, and to this union three children have been born, namely : Owen, Mark is deceased, and Lynn.
Politically, Mr. Hammerstad is a Democrat. He has been a member of the council of Windom and has always been alert to the best interests of the town since taking up his residence here. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Methodist Episcopal church.
SEVERT HANSEN.
Another of the Norwegians who have come to Watonwan county and proved that he could succeed at some useful occupation other than farming is Severt Hansen, who is engaged in the jewelry business in St. James. He was born in Norway, February 27, 1879, and is a son of Hans and Betsey Olson, both natives of Norway, where they grew up and were mar- ried. They came to America in 1892, locating in Mankato, Minnesota, where the father lived retired until his death in 1899. The mother died in 1900. They were members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. They were the parents of the following children : Ole is the eldest; Marie is the wife of Ole Bykhus, of Mankato; Thomas is a merchant in Minneapolis; Bertha is the wife of H. H. Myhrum, a tailor of Worthington, Minnesota; Carrie is the wife of Carl Hendrick, of Teddington, Canada; Tillie died in Fargo, North Dakota; Severt, of this sketch; Mary is head bookkeeper for the Benson Drug Company of Fargo, North Dakota.
Severt Hansen spent his early boyhood in Norway and attended the public schools. When thirteen years old he accompanied his parents to
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America, and continued his education in the public schools of Mankato, Minnesota. He began learning the jeweler's trade when fourteen years of age and in due course of time became highly skilled. He came to St. James in 1899 and worked nine years for C. A. Westerbaum, giving entire satisfaction. In 1908 he formed a partnership with A. A. Westberg in the jewelry business under the firm name of Hansen & Westberg. This part- nership continued successfully until July 1, 1915, when Mr. Hansen bought out his partner and has since conducted the business alone. He enjoys a liberal patronage and carries a large and well-selected stock of everything commonly found in a modern jewelry store. He maintains a well-equipped repair department and his work is very satisfactory in every respect.
Mr. Hansen was married in 1911, to Anna Matilda Westberg, of Nel- son township, Watonwan county, and a daughter of A. P. Westberg, a pioneer of this county. To this union one child has been born, Mildred Synneva, whose birth occurred on June 3, 1915.
Politically, Mr. Hansen is a Republican. He is a member of the Mod- ern Woodmen of America. He belongs to the Norwegian Lutheran church and is a member of the choir. He is a lieutenant in Fire Company No. I.
PETER N. STERRIE.
The Norwegians that have come to Watonwan county have made good not only as farmers but in various vocations and have built up a thriving community. Among the enterprising merchants at the present time is Peter N. Sterrie of St. James. He was born in Norway, December 15, 1864, and is a son of Nels Hess and Johanne Sterrie, both of whom lived and died in Norway, the death of the father occurring in May, 1913, and that of the mother in 1908.
Peter N. Sterrie was reared in his native land and was educated in the public schools. When nineteen years old he came to St. Peter's, Minnesota, in 1884, and on March 7, 1887, arrived in St. James. Here he was employed for twelve years in the store of J. K. Sonnesyn. Having saved his earnings and learned the various details of the business, he started a general store of his own in 1912. He took in his brother, Ole Hess Sterrie, as a partner, and the firm name is now P. N. Sterrie & Company. They have built up a large and growing business and carry an extensive and care- fully-selected stock of goods at all seasons.
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Mr. Sterrie was married in 1895, to Marie Sonnesyn, who was born in Norway in 1862, and is a daughter of Christopher Sonnesyn, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Sterrie has been without issue.
Politically, the subject of this sketch is a Republican, and he has long been active in local public affairs. He was mayor of St. James for two years, and he has been a member of the city council for a number of years. He has done much for the general welfare of the town and community. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church.
Ole Hess Sterrie, mentioned above, was born in Norway, December 3, 1877. He grew up in his native land and received a common school edu- cation. In 1895 he came to St. James, Minnesota, and was employed by his brother in the store until 1913, when he was admitted as a partner in the business. Politically, he is a Republican and he belongs to the Norwegian Lutheran church.
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