USA > Minnesota > Watonwan County > History of Cottonwood and Watonwan counties, Minnesota : their people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 7
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OTTO E. HOHENSTEM.
When a boy discovers that his true bent is along the line of mechanics he should make every effort to perfect himself in this useful vocation. This is what Otto E. Hohenstem, of Windom did, and he is now, while only a young man, successfully engaged in the plumbing and heating business.
He was born at Lakefield, Cottonwood county, February 25, 1883. He is a son of Albert and Otella (Pietz) Hohenstem, both natives of Germany, where they spent their earlier years. Immigrating to the United States they were among the early pioneers in Cottonwood county, Minnesota, locating on a farm. The father also engaged in merchandising at Lake- field for a number of years. He removed to Windom in 1910, where he is now living retired. He has laid by a competency for his old age through his industry and good management. He has five children living, namely : Alvina, Pauline, August, Otto E., and William. The father is a member of the German Lutheran church, in which he reared his family.
Otto E. Hohenstem received his education in the public schools at Lakefield, including the high school, and as a boy helped his father with the farm and the store. He very early evinced a liking for tools and machinery and eventually went to Minneapolis, where he attended a plumbing school, in which he made rapid progress and became highly skilled in this line of endeavor. In 1907 he went to Montana and worked at Belgrade for a
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period of three years, then began in business for himself at Three Forks, where he remained until November, 1914, enjoying a very satisfactory patronage, when he came to Windom and here he has since been engaged in the plumbing and heating business with his former success. He has a well equipped shop and is prepared to do all kinds of work in his line promptly and in an up-to-date manner.
Politically, he is a Democrat. He was married in 1908 to Emma Richie of Belgrade, Montana, which union has been without issue.
CHESTER R. PETERSON.
Such an enterprising man as Chester R. Peterson, merchant of Windom, Cottonwood county, is a credit to any city or community, and his life forcibly illustrates what energy and consecutive effort can accomplish when directed and controlled by correct principles and high moral resolves.
Mr. Peterson was born at Mankato, Minnesota, June 26, 1890, and he is a son of G. A. and Anna (Larson) Peterson. The father was born in Sweden in 1861, and the mother was born at Lyle, Minnesota, in 1864. The father came to St. Peter, Minnesota, in 1877, with his parents, and there the grandfather spent the rest of his life; the grandmother is still living, making her home at Mankato. G. A. Peterson spent his early boy- hood in Sweden where he attended school, finishing his education after coming to St. Peter, Minnesota. He became a stationary engineer. He came to Windom in 1892 and conducted a clothing and gents' furnishings business, which he continued until his death on January 8, 1913. Politic- ally, he was a Republican. He was a member of the city council of Windom for some time, and was one of the influential and highly respected citizens of this vicinity. He belonged to the Lutheran church. His family con- sisted of three children, namely: Melvin, deceased; Chester R., the subject of this sketch; and Percy T., the youngest.
Chester R. Peterson was two years old when his parents brought him to Windom and here he grew to manhood and received his education in the public and high schools, later attending a commercial college at Mankato. In 1907 he entered his father's store as a member of the firm of G. A. Peterson & Son, operating the Golden Rule Store, and he is still conducting the same, enjoying a large and growing business, and carrying a full line of carefully selected goods at all seasons, his store being one of the most
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popular in Cottonwood county, from all over which its many customers are drawn. It is one of the oldest mercantile establishments in Windom. The firm occupies a large room in the Masonic building. It has been well named, for the company conducts its business according to the Golden Rule and hence its customers are also friends of the management, many of them having been trading here since the store was first started. G. A. Peterson trained his sons very carefully in the mercantile business in which he was so successful and they are carrying forward the business along the lines which he inaugurated. The store has steadily grown in prestige and importance since it was first founded nearly a quarter of a century ago. The mother of the subject of this sketch is still living in Windom. Upon the death of the father, Percy T. Peterson became a member of the firm in which he still remains.
Politically, Chester R. Peterson is a Republican and is a member of the Lutheran church.
AMEL RUNNING.
The Norwegians who have cast their lots with the people of Watonwan county have, for the most part, engaged in agricultural pursuits, but we find a number of them in various lines of business, others have entered pro- fessional life. Amel Running is conducting a grocery store in St. James. He was born in Norway, June 9, 1872. He was nine years old when his parents brought him to St. James, Minnesota, and here he received his education in the public schools. When fifteen years old he began clerking in a grocery store. He was ambitious, wide-awake and courteous and gave his employer entire satisfaction. Having saved his earnings and mastered the various ins and outs of the grocery business he opened a store of his own in 1903, and has successfully conducted the same to the present time, enjoying a large trade with the town and surrounding country. He carries a full stock of staple and fancy groceries.
Mr. Running is a son of Arne and Marit Running, both natives of Norway, where they grew up and were married. They came to St. James in 1880. The father has been hostler for the Omaha railroad at St. James ever since he came here, or for a period of thirty-five years continuously. He is a Republican, and he and his family belong to the Norwegian Luth- eran church. He has the following children: Amel, Jacob, Erland, Minnie (deceased) ; Albert is county attorney ; Minnie; Henry (deceased) ; Martin
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and Severn, twins; and Alma. Albert Running, mentioned above, was born February 20, 1883, was graduated from St. James high school in 1902, then attended the University of Minnesota, completing the law course, and in 1907 was admitted to the bar, and soon thereafter took up the practice of his profession in St. James and has built up a very satisfactory clientage. He has been active and influential in public affairs for many years. He served as register of deeds four years, and he assumed the duties of county attorney in 1913, the duties of which office he continued to discharge in a manner that reflects much credit upon his ability, fidelity and good judgment and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned. Politically, he is a Repub- lican, and belongs to the Lutheran church. He was married in 19II to Catherine Hage, a native of Goodhue county, Minnesota, and to this union two children have been born, Catherine and Elizabeth.
Amel Running was married on January 20, 1903, to Felecia Reich- linger of St. James, where she spent her girlhood and was educated. To this union three children have been born, namely: Virginia, Clifford and Germaine. Mr. Running belongs to the Norwegian Lutheran church and politically, he is a Republican.
AUGUST W. MERTENS.
August W. Mertens was born in Cook county, Illinois, August 31, 1846. He is a son of Christopher C. Mertens, a native of Germany, and Mary (Jaeger) Mertens, a native of Prussia.
The parents of the subject of this sketch came to America in 1845 and located in Cook county, Illinois, where they made their home until 1856, when they removed to Scott county, Minnesota, where they remained the rest of their lives. The father died in 1884; the mother in 1886. The children of this family were: Frederick G., August W., Randolph F., Minnie, Bertha, Ida, Louisa, Mary and Louis L.
August W. Mertens was educated in the public schools of Cook county, Illinois, and in Scott county, Minnesota. During his school years he worked on a farm, and at the age of nineteen he went to St. Paul, Minnesota. There he attended Curtis College at night for two years, and also learned the tinners' trade. He was afterward employed as a clerk for N. B. Har- wood, of St. Paul, for three years. In November, 1869, he started a gen- eral merchandise store at Jordan, Minnesota, which he continued until 1875.
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He then sold out and went to Granite Falls, Minnesota, where he engaged in the hardware and lumber business for one year; then removed to New Prague, Le Sueur county, and opened up a general store, dealing in hard- ware, implements and grain. In 1893 he sold out this store and removed to International Falls, Minnesota, where he resumed the hardware business. In a short time he again sold out and engaged in the real estate business, continuing in this business until 1908, when he left there and came to Jeffers, Cottonwood county, and started a general merchandise store. This is the business in which he is at present engaged.
Mr. Mertens is a stockholder and vice-president of the Farmers State Bank, of Jeffers; and is a stockholder and director of the American Loan Society, of Minneapolis. He is identified with the Republican party, and has served one term as mayor of the village, and also served as a member of the village council. His church relationship is with the German Lutheran church.
Mr. Mertens has been twice married. His first wife was Matilda J. Bonander, to whom he was married in 1876; she died in 1892. The children born to this union were: Mannie, Frederick L., Arthur L., and George T. His second wife was Ida Fort; no children by this marriage.
C. N. SONNESYN.
The chief characteristics of C. N. Sonnesyn, well-known citizen of St. James, Watonwan county, are keenness of perception, an unflagging energy, honesty of purpose and motive and every-day common sense, which have enabled him not only to advance his own interests in a most gratifying manner, but also to contribute largely to the civic and material interests of the community.
C. N. Sonnesyn was born in Norway, May 22, 1866. His parents spent their lives in that country, and there the subject of this sketch grew up and was educated, and in the spring of 1885 immigrated to Minnesota, locating in the town of Madelia where he worked a year in a hardware store in the summer and attended school in the winter. The next year he went with his brother, J. K. Sonnesyn and Charles Johnson to St. James and engaged in the general merchandising business, and was thus associated for about four and one-half years. . In 1890 he moved to Butterfield and there built a new store building and put in a stock of general merchandise. He became
C. N. SONNESYN.
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associated with the Butterfield Creamery and was also a member of the firm then known as the Butterfield Hardware Company, and later he opened a general store at Darfur. In 1902 he disposed of his general store at Butterfield and engaged in the real-estate business, and since that time he has been one of the leading and most active land men in southern Minne- sota. His dealings have included many trades for merchandise stocks and he has operated as many as eight stores at one time in this and neighboring states. For a number of years he has made his home in St. James where he carried on extensive operations, buying and selling lands. Pehaps more people have been brought to Watonwan county through his dealings than through any other individual agency. His advertising matter, setting forth the advantages of this section of the state, has been sent into thousands upon thousands of homes, and his printing bills for this class of work has run into hundreds of dollars in a single month. His plan has always been to buy and sell farms. Whenever he finds a farm that appears to him to be a bargain, he buys it, improves it and sells it again, whenever he can get a fair profit. In the year 1913, he sold $1,250,000 worth of land. Although his main office has been at St. James for a number of years, he has main- tained an office at Butterfield. His principal land business has been in sell- ing Watonwan county land to buyers from Iowa and Illinois. He has located many of the best farmers who have come to this locality in recent years.
In addition to being a good land man, Mr. Sonnesyn is developing into somewhat of a scientific farmer. He owns about two thousand acres in this county which he works or rents. He has done much to improve the live stock of the county by importing registered breeders. He has shipped many carloads of registered stock into the county. Shorthorns, Herefords and Aberdeen Angus are the breeds favored. He is at present giving a great deal of time and attention to one of his farms which lies near the village of Grogan and upon which he has a large herd of Aberdeen Angus cattle in which he takes special pride. These cattle have captured many prizes at the local county fairs. He is an advertising booster for Watonwan county and Minnesota. His years of residence and his continued activities which have contributed so much to the welfare of the city of St. James, justly entitle him to the high esteem in which he is held.
C. N. Sonnesyn was married in 1895 to Anna Mellun, of Stoughton, Wisconsin, to which union two children were born, namely: Earl, who is living, and Ingred Alida, who died in infancy. The wife and mother
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passed away in 1901. In 1903, Mr. Sonnesyn married Elizabeth Lunde, of Minneapolis. To this second union two sons have been born, namely : Nels and Clifford, both at home.
Politically, Mr. Sonnesyn is a Republican. While living in Butterfield he was a member of the city council. Fraternally, he is an Elk, a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Mutual Benefit Association. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church.
ANDREW A. QUEVLI.
Perhaps no pharmacist in Cottonwood county is better equipped for his chosen calling than Andrew A. Quevli, a well-known druggist of Win- dom, who has kept well abreast of the times in his profession. He was born in Jackson county, Minnesota, in September, 1872, and is a son of Andrew C. Quevli and wife, both natives of Norway, where they spent their earlier years, coming to Red Wing, Minnesota, in 1870. They had lived on a farm in the old country. In 1877 the father established the gen- eral mercantile firm of A. Quevli, in Windom, which he conducted until his death, and which store still stands. In 1900 he incorporated the business and was president of the company until his death. He was a man of excellent business ability and by his thrift and good management built up a large trade, and developed one of the leading department stores in the county. It had a large drug department. He erected the store build- ing, a substantial structure, with fifty-foot front. His death occurred in 1910. He was one of the leading citizens of Windom. His family con- sisted of seven children, namely: Christ is a practicing physician at Tacoma; Nels is engaged in farming and the real-estate business at Lake- field; Mary lives at Windom; Andrew A., the subject of this sketch; Anna is the wife of Joseph Jargens and they live in Minneapolis; Martha is the wife of J. E. Brady, of Lakefield; Lily is at home. The death of the mother of these children occured in 1885. Politically, the father was a Republican. He was a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church, and were also his wife and family.
Andrew A. Quevli was educated at Windom, and learned the druggist business under his father, and has been engaged in this business all his life. He became president of the A. Quevli Mercantile Cmpany upon the death of his father, which position he still holds. He also owns the Win-
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dom Produce Company. Under his able management both concerns are prospering.
Mr. Quevli was married in 1897 to Julia Larson of Lyle, Minnesota, and to this union two children have been born, namely: Valdemar, who is looking after his father's produce business, and Trueman. Mr. Quevli was again married in 1910, his second wife being Julia Erickson, and she was reared at Windom. Two children have also graced this union, namely : Clarice, deceased, and Andres C.
Mr. Quevli is a Republican in politics. He is a member of the Sons of Norway, and the Norwegian Lutheran church. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Royal Arcanum.
O. E. SELNES.
Life has been worth the living to O. E. Selnes, now living in honorable retirement in Windom, Cottonwood county, for he has had the wisdom to make the most of it in all its relations. He was born in Racine county, Wisconsin, August 15, 1860, and is a son of Ole and Sophia (Lerbeck) Selnes, both natives of Norway, where they grew to maturity and were married. In the spring of 1860 they crossed the Atlantic to America, locating in Racine county, Wisconsin, where they spent one year, then moved to Allamakee county, Iowa, where the father bought a farm 'of forty acres, to which he added forty acres, and later another eighty, all of which he sold in 1871, and moved to Jackson county, Minnesota, and purchased a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres and homesteaded eighty acres, and there he lived many years, adding to his farm until he owned four hundred acres. He finally returned to Norway, where his death occurred on October 16, 191I, at the age of eighty-one years. His wife died in Jackson county, Minnesota, in 1902 at the age of seventy-eight. Their family consisted of six children, namely: Lena, deceased; O. E., the subject of this sketch; Lena, the second, died in 1896; Mary died in 1914 at the age of forty-eight years; John died in infancy; Minnie, was born in 1870 and is living.
O. E. Selnes grew up on the farm, and was educated in the public schools in Iowa and Minnesota. He remained at home until he was nearly twenty-one years old, coming to Windom in 1881 and secured a position
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as clerk with Paul Seger, remaining with him for three years, then clerked for John Hutton many years. In 1903 he bought out Mr. Hutton and engaged in general merchandising, where the Foss Mercantile Company is now located, selling out to this concern in 1911, after a very successful career as merchant, and since then he has lived retired from active life. He made a trip to Germany, Sweden, Holland, Norway and England in 19II. He has been very successful in a business way and is one of the substantial men of Windom. He owns valuable farming lands in Cotton- wood county, also in Jackson county, and has a fine modern residence in Windom.
Politically, he is a Republican. He has been a member of the city council of Windom. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He belongs to the Lutheran church.
Mr. Selnes was married May 17, 1884, to Mary Blixseth, who was born in Norway, April 15, 1863. She is a daughter of Martin and Berte Karine ( Aandcrud) Blixseth, both natives of Norway, the father's birth occuring on March 29, 1837, and the mother's in 1841. They grew up in their native land and were married there, coming to Huston county, Min- nesota, in 1868 and to Jackson county in 1870, where Mr. Blixseth took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, and there he bought and sold land. He spent his last days in the home of the subject of this sketch, dying on April 7, 1908. His wife died on the farm in Jackson county, April 24, 1890. He was a Republican, and belonged to the Lutheran church. His family consisted of the following children: Mary M., wife of Mr. Selnes; Anna Margrete, an infant, deceased; Anna, who married Frank Anton, is deceased; Oscar A. lives in Windom. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Selnes has been without issue. Mrs. Selnes owns her father's old homestead, and Mr. Selnes has one hundred and sixty acres adjoining, and other lands, all amounting to nearly a section, besides other property. Oscar A. Blixseth, a brother of Mrs. Selnes, is manager of the Tuthill Lumber Company of Windom. He was born in Jackson county, Minnesota, January 8, 1881. He received his education in the public and high schools of Windom, later attending a business college in Mankato. He began life as a delivery boy in a store in Windom, but was promoted to clerk and finally to bookkeeper. In December, 1902, he was employed by the Tuthill Lumber Company, and became manager of the same in 1905, which position he has still held to the eminent satisfaction of the firm and its patrons. He is a Republican, and belongs to the Independent Order of
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Odd Fellows. In 1904 he married Ida M. Miller of Windom, and to their union three children have been born, namely: Myrtle Helen, is the eldest ; Blanche Lurene is deceased; and Lorene Mildred is the youngest. Mr. Blixseth owns a farm in Jackson county, Minnesota, and a good home in Windom.
ALFRED J. WICKLUND.
The subject of this sketch was born in Sweden, September 6, 1859, a son of Johannes Larson and Anna Cajsa, both natives of Sweden and both spent their entire lives in their native land. The father died in 1906 and followed the occupation of a farmer all his life. They were members of the Swedish Lutheran church, and were the parents of eight children : Swanta, August, John, Henry, Alfred, Ida, Augusta and Hilma.
Alfred J. Wicklund was educated in the public schools of Sweden. When not in school he found abundant opportunity in the training of industrial habits by working on his father's farm in Sweden. In 1881, soon after attaining his majority, he followed the example of many others of the hardy Swedish youth by coming to America, where there was a prospect of better opportunities for applied industry and energy to be rewarded with due compensation. After landing in New York he followed the footsteps of others of his countrymen and found his way to Carver county, Minnesota, and soon found employment working on a farm near East Union, of that county. He spent about one year in this employment and then got a position in a mill, at East Union, and applied himself to learning the trade of a miller. He soon became proficient in this trade and held the position as an expert miller in that mill for fourteen years. In 1896 he left that mill and went to Jordan, Minnesota, where he took a position as night miller in a mill at that place, continuing in this occupa- tion for five years. In 1900 he came to Bingham Lake, Cottonwood county, and, in association with A. L. Holt, opened up a general merchan- dise store, and has continued in this business ever since. In this, as in all other business ventures in which Mr. Wicklund has been engaged since coming to this country, he has been quite successful. The store is enjoying a good trade, with a substantial patronage of the people of the town and surrounding country.
Mr. Wicklund was married, in 1889, to Emma Holt, daughter of John Holt. To this union four children have been born: Edward P.,
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Effie M., Harry E., Lillian C. Their church affiliation is with the Swedish Lutheran church. Mr. Wicklund's political affiliation is with the Repub- lican party. Mr. Wicklund's name when he came to America was Alfred Johnson, but on account of mail being mixed up so much, he took the name of Wicklund.
JACOB G. HIEBERT.
Russia has sent to the locality of which this history treats many good citizens. They have had opportunities given them to advance in the world, to obtain good homes and make a comfortable livelihood. Among the number is Jacob G. Hiebert, merchant of Mountain Lake, Cottonwood county.
Mr. Hiebert was born in southern Russia, May 15, 1863. He is a son of Gerhard and Susanna (Enns) Hiebert, both natives of southern Russia, where they grew up, married and resided until 1876, when they came to the United States, direct to Mountain Lake, Minnesota. The father bought a farm in this vicinity on which he worked until about two years prior to his death when he retired, moving to Mountain Lake village, where he spent the rest of his days. His wife died while the family lived on the farm. Before he came to America he was a miller and spent many years in the flouring-mills in Russia. His family consisted of seven child- ren, all still living, namely: Jacob, Elizabeth, Gerhard, Jr., David, Susanna, John and Peter. The father of the above-named children married, after the death of his first wife, Gertrude Nickle, also a native of southern Russia, and to this second union six children were born, namely : Helen, Gertrude, Anna, Marie, Abraham, and Bernhard. The above named children are all living.
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