USA > Minnesota > Watonwan County > History of Cottonwood and Watonwan counties, Minnesota : their people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 9
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In 1889 John E. Villa was married to Inga Johnson, daughter of John Johnson. Two children have been born to this union, Jay C. and Glen R. Mr. and Mrs. Villa hold membership in the Norwegian church.
Politically, Mr. Villa affiliates with the Republican party. He has served as village recorder and as a member of the village council; has been mayor for three years and holds that position at the present time. His fraternal affiliations are the Masonic order, the Elks, the Royal Arcanum, the Woodmen and Royal Neighbors.
CHRIST PEDERSEN.
Christ Pedersen, a well-known and well-to-do retired farmer of Spring- field township, Cottonwood county, now living at Windom, is a native of the kingdom of Denmark, but has been a resident of the United States since 1878. He was born on January 21, 1846, son of Peter and Dorothy (Hen- sen) Pedersen, both natives of Denmark, who spent all their lives there, the former dying in 1874 and the latter in 1876. They were the parents of five children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the third in order of birth, the others being as follow: John, deceased; Peter, who died in South America; Jens, who died at the age of twelve years, and Mary, who is still living in her native land. Peter Pedersen was a well-to-do building con- tractor, and his son, Christ, was given excellent educational advantages. Upon completing his schooling he made a comprehensive tour of Europe, traveling extensively in Russia, England, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany, and afterward was helpful to his father in the management of the latter's affairs.
In 1878, two years after the death of his mother, Christ Pedersen came to the United States. His first summer in this country was spent in New York City, and then he went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he remained two years. In his native land he had learned grade surveying and presently
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he became a grade contractor on railway work in this country, working a force of seventy-five or one hundred men. While thus engaged in Illinois he married in 1885, and later moved to Iowa, where he bought an eighty- acre farm in Clay county and there he made his home until he sold out in 1900 and came to Minnesota, settling in Cottonwood county. He bought a quar- ter of a section of land in section 14, Springfield township, and there estab- lished his home. Presently he bought an eighty-acre tract in section II of the same township, and on these farms made considerable improvements, continuing to live there until 1911, in which year he retired from the active labors of the farm and moved to Windom, where he and his wife are now very pleasantly and comfortably situated. They are members of the Luth- eran church and their children were reared in that faith.
On June 26, 1885, at Freeport, Illinois, Christ Pedersen was united in marriage to Ann Nelsen, who was born in Denmark, November 28, 1857, and who had come to the United States when twenty-three years of age, after the death of her parents, and for a time had made her home in New Jersey, later going to Illinois, where she met Mr. Pedersen. To that union have been born six children, namely: Hedwig, who died in 1909, at the age of twenty-three years; Peter, unmarried, who owns a farm in Jackson town- ship; Dorothy, who married Edward Cox, of Lincoln, Nebraska, and has two sons, John and Charles; George William, unmarried, who now lives at Dixon, California; Emma, a student in the Mankato Business College, and Christina, who married B. F. Miller and now lives at Lincoln, Nebraska.
HANS P. SMESTAD.
Hans P. Smestad, well-known blacksmith at Windom, is a native of Norway, but has been a resident of Minnesota since 1881 and a resident of Windom since 1886, being now the oldest blacksmith in continuous service in that city. He was born in February, 1862, son of Evan and Helen Smestad, both natives of Norway, who spent all their lives in their native land, the latter dying in 1911, at the age of eighty-two years and the for- mer in 1915, at the age of eighty. Evan Smestad's parents, Hans and Johanna Smestad, came to America years ago, proceeding to Minnesota and settling at Lakefield, Jackson county, where they spent their last days, the latter dying in 1893, at the age of ninety-one years, and the former in 1898, at the age of ninety-three years.
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When he was nineteen years old, in 1881, Hans P. Smestad came to the United States and proceeded at once to this state. He spent a couple of weeks with his grandparents at Lakefield and the nlocated at Albert Lea, where he spent five years working at his trade as a blacksmith and where he married. In 1886, the year after his marriage, he moved to Windom, where he opened a blacksmith shop and where he has been engaged in that busi- ness ever since. Mr. Smestad has done very well at his trade and is the owner of his shop and a good residence in Windom. No other smith in town has been engaged in business there so long as he and he has long been regarded as one of the substantial residents of the town. Mr. Smestad is a Republican. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and in the affairs of all these organizations takes a warm interest.
It was in 1885, at Albert Lea, that Hans P. Smestad was united in marriage to Johanna Arveson, who was born in Norway, daughter of John and Martha Arveson, who later located at Windom, where both died, and to this union four children have been born, Inger, Emor, Mattie and Palma, all of whom are living.
THEODORE J. ARNESON.
As a jeweler, Theodore J. Arneson, of Westbrook, Cottonwood county, has made a decided success while yet a young man, but he has been willing to apply himself closely to his chosen line of endeavor and deal honestly with his fellow men.
Mr. Arneson was born in Westbrook township, this county, September 22, 1883, and is a son of Edward J. and Olena (Pederson) Arneson, both natives of Norway. The father came to Wisconsin when a young man, where he worked for a short time. The mother came to Stearns county, Minnesota, when young. He came to Cottonwood county about 1875 and entered a homestead in Westbrook township, and there these parents were married and developed a good farm and a comfortable home by their indus- try, accumulating in all three eighties. They removed to South Dakota about 1905 and later to Texas, where he is still engaged in raising cotton. His wife died there in 1913. They became the parents of four children, all still living, namely: Alfred, Theodore, Hannah and Laura.
Theodore J. Arneson grew up on the home farm and he received a public school education, later attending the Southern Minnesota Normal
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School at Austin, then took a correspondence course with the Northern Illinois Optical College, receiving a state certificate in 1912. He learned the jeweler's and watchmaker's trade by home study from text-books. Since 1907 he has been engaged in the jewelry business, also as an optometrist, for which he is exceptionally well equipped and is doing some excellent work and he has built up a very successful and rapidly growing business. He owns eighty acres of the old homestead, also the building in which his busi- ness is located.
Mr. Arneson was married in 1909 to Tina B. Amundson, of Murray county, Minnesota, and to their union two children have been born, namely : Leslie Evert and Thelma Harriet.
Politically, he is a Republican. He has been justice of the peace in Westbrook township, filling the office very satisfactorily. He is a member of the Modern Brotherhood of America, and is secretary of the local lodge. He is a member of the Lutheran church.
WILLIAM A. POTTER.
The subject of this sketch was born in Onondaga county, New York, June 28, 1839. His parents were Josiah and Marian (Mills) Potter, both natives of New York.
Josiah Potter was a laboring man in New York, engaged in various lines of employment. In 1845 he moved with his family to Wyandot county, Ohio, where he was engaged in farming until 1850. In that year he removed to Hardin county, Oiho, where he continued farming until his death, which occurred in 1890. There were six children in this family : George, who died young; William A., Sophrona E., Mary J., Charles F. and Lucy F. Mr. Potter was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
William A. Potter was educated in the public schools of Ohio, and lived at home with his parents until the beginning of the Civil War. In that crisis of the country's history, Mr. Potter followed the example of thou- sands of other loyal men of Ohio, by enlisting as a soldier in defense of the flag. On October 12, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Eighty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served three years in that regiment, completing his term of service in October. 1864, having followed the fortunes of his regiment through all its campaigns, and participating in the several battles in which the regiment was engaged during three years of service. In the early part of the service the Eighty-second Ohio was in the Army of the
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Potomac, and participated in the battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and others in which that part of the army was engaged. In October, 1863, this regiment was transferred with General Hooker's command to the army operating around Chattanooga, then under the general command of Grant. Here, Mr. Potter, with his regiment, participated in the battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. Later, he was with the regiment in the Atlanta campaign, under command of General Sherman, and with Sherman in the several engagements in that campaign.
After the completion of his three years service in the Eighty-second Ohio, Mr. Potter was commissioned as first lieutenant in Company K, One Hundred and Eightieth Ohio Infantry, and served in this company and regi- ment until he was discharged, July 12, 1865, on account of the expiration of the war. He was discharged at Charlotte, North Carolina, his last service being with the army under General Sherman, in that part of the Southern Confederacy.
Returning to his home after his army service, Mr. Potter turned his attention to civil pursuits. In 1867 he went to Dodge county, Minnesota, and settled on a farm near Mantorville. He continued to live here for about seven years. In the fall of 1874, he removed to New Ulm, Minne- sota, and remained there for about three years. In the spring of 1878 he moved to Amboy township, Cottonwood county, and located a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres of government land, which he improved and on which he established his home. Here he continued to live until 1910, when he retired from active work and moved to Jeffers, where he has since lived.
Mr. Potter was married on December 20, 1866, to Belle Baker, born on April 22, 1845, daughter of Joseph and Matilda (Carmack) Baker, natives of Pennsylvania, who later moved to Ohio, where they remained all their lives. To this union seven children were born: Minnie, Effie S., Charles J., George W., Claud B., Edward C. and Cora B.
Politically, Mr. Potter is a Republican. While living in Amboy town- ship he served almost continuously, either as a member of township board or as township clerk. In the session of the Minnesota Legislature of 1901 and 1902, he represented his county in that body.
Personally, Mr. Potter is a gentleman of pleasing manner and with a character above reproach. He has an enviable record as a soldier and as a citizen, and is held in the highest esteem by the people of Cottonwood county, whom he has officially served and by whom he is well known. He is now serving as mayor of Jeffers.
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FELIX FREDERICK UHLHORN.
Comparatively few of the men of Watonwan county who are today active in business, agricultural or professional life here, are natives of this locality. One of the native-born sons who has been prudent in remaining in his native county is Felix Frederick Uhlhorn, merchant of St. James. He was born in Adrian township, Watonwan county, May 28, 1872, and is a son of Frederick William and Caroline (Brunder) Uhlhorn, both natives of Alsace-Lorraine, formrely a province of France, and there they spent their earlier years, emigrating to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1868, then moved to Beaver Dam, that state, where they spent one year, then came to Adrian township, Watonwan county, Minnesota, May 5, 1872, and bought a soldier's claim of one hundred and sixty acres. Mr. Uhlhorn prospered and added to his holdings until he owned eight hundred acres of valuable land in Watonwan and Brown counties, and he carried on general farming and stock raising on an enormous scale. Politically, he was a Republican, and he belonged to the German Lutheran church, of which he was one of the founders. He was a local preacher and often filled the pulpit of his church, also conducted many funerals. He was also interested in school work. He was clerk of Adrian township for about eighteen years and was a mem- ber of the school board for a number of years, also filled the office of county commissioner for several years, and for eight years was judge of the probate court of Watonwan county, finally resigning the office. As a public servant he discharged his duties most ably and faithfully and was one of the most influential and popular men in the county during his day. He spent the last years of his life in retirement, dying on September 21, 1900, at the age of sixty-five years. His widow is still living, at the age of seventy-nine years. She was born on September 30, 1837. The father of the subject of this sketch was born on March 24, 1835. To these parents the following chil- dren were born: Herman Henry, August Albert, Fannie, Emil Ernest, Felix Frederick, Oscar Otto, Bertha Mary. They are all living at this writing.
Felix F. Uhlhorn grew to manhood on the old homestead, where he worked when a boy, and he received his education in the local public schools. He remained on the farm until he was twenty-six years old, when he came into possession of two hundred and eighty acres of the homestead, which he conducted about six years.` In 1904 he came to St. James, where he held various positions until 1913, when he engaged in the hardware business
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under the firm name of Meyer & Uhlhorn, building up a large business. On March 4, 1916, the firm was incorporated under the name of The City Mer- cantile Company, with Mr. Uhlhorn as secretary and vice-president. A large stock of general hardware and implements is carried and the business is rapidly growing. Mr. Uhlhorn still owns his valuable and well-improved farm of two hundred and eighty acres, also valuable property in St. James.
Mr. Uhlhorn was married on June 22, 1898, to Emma Henrietta Kru- ger, of Brown county, Minnesota, and to their union four children have been born, namely: Anna Clara Bertha, Hertha Anna Minnie, Arthur Frederick is deceased, and Gertrude Christine.
Politically, Mr. Uhlhorn is a Republican. He has been a member of the school board of the German school for six years. He belongs to the German Lutheran church.
CHARLES A. LIEN.
The ancestry of Charles A. Lien, the subject of this sketch, is of the sturdy German stock. His father, Valentine Lien, and his mother, Elisi (Muller) Lien, were natives of Germany and spent their entire life in their native country. The elder Lien was a contractor by occupation. They were both members of the Lutheran church. The children of the family were: Charles A., Anna, Emma and Hugo.
Charles A. Lien was born in Germany, October 18, 1862. He received his education in the public schools of his native country, supplementing this by a four years course in Gotha college, which he attended after his ele- mentary education. During his youthful years, when not attending school, he worked in the contracting business with his father. In 1883, at the age of twenty-one, he came to America with a view of seeking a greater oppor- tunity for the application of his mental and industrial energy. He was the only one of the family that came to this country. After landing in New York, and making some observations and inquiries as to the opportunities afforded there, he decided to proceed further west. Following his inclina- tion he found his way to Chicago, where he first secured employment. He worked for the first few years in Chicago, Milwaukee and in other parts of Wisconsin, at whatever he could find to do, and with his native-born energy and industry, it was no trouble for him to secure employment where energy and industry were essential qualifications. In 1885 he went to South Dakota and worked on a farm for about three years. In the fall of 1899
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he came to Bingham Lake, Cottonwood county, Minnesota, and engaged in buying grain for the Anchor Grain Company, of Minneapolis. In 1905 he bought the Hubbard & Palmer elevator and has since continued to oper- ate the same, handling grain, feed, flour, coal and farm machinery.
Mr. Lien was married, in 1886, to Laura Lowins, of Dodge county, Wisconsin. The children born to this union are: Carl, born on July 4, 1900; Myrtle, Holden, Harry, Earl. Henry, Mae and Mildred.
Mr. Lien is a member of the Baptist church. His political affiliation is with the Republican party. He is a member of the Masonic order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Woodmen.
PETER G. NEUFELD.
Peter G. Neufeld was born in Tuerstenan, South Russia, April 23, 1860, a son of Gerhard Neufeld, who was born in the same place, Novem- ber 4, 1827. The mother of the subject of this sketch, whose maiden name was Anna Toechrew, was also born in Russia, where she died.
Gerhard Neufeld was a minister in Russia, and also engaged in farm- ing. He came to America in 1878 and located in Cottonwood county, near Mountain Lake, Minnesota. He settled on a farm of six hundred and forty acres, and continued to live there until about 1895, when he retired from active work. He now lives in Mountain Lake. He was the father of six children, all of whom are living: Catherine, Anna, Maria, Gerhard, Peter G. and Henry G.
Peter G. Neufeld was educated in the schools of Russia. He came to America with his father, arriving in New York, July 2, 1878. He came with his parents to Cottonwood county, Minnesota, and after coming here he attended school at Mountain Lake, in order to acquire some knowledge of education adapted to this country. During his minority he worked on his father's farm. In 1894 he engaged in the business of buying grain at Mountain Lake and continued in this business for a few years. In 1899 he was appointed to the office of clerk of the court, in Cottonwood county, and on June I, of that year, he came to Windom to assume the duties of his office. He has continued to hold this office ever since, having been elected as his own successor at each election since 1899.
Peter G. Neufeld was married on April 28, 1889, to Anna Penner, and to this union five children have been born: Margaretha, Anna, Justina,
MR. AND MRS. PETER NEUFELD.
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Mathilda M. and Elizabeth R. Mr. Neufeld has always taken an active part in politics. He is one of the leading Republicans of the county and is deeply interested in the promotion of the principles of that party.
FRANK T. ANTON.
The late Frank T. Anton was a man who believed in making the most of life's little span and in assisting, whenever practicable, those whom he came in contact with along the journey, consequently he was admired and esteemed by all who knew him and was rated a good citizen in every respect. He was a leading merchant at Windom.
Mr. Anton was born near Staughton, Wisconsin, September 17, 1866, and was a son of Ola and Maritl Anton, both natives of Norway, from which country they came to Wisconsin when young and were married in that state, removing to Iowa about 1868, where they remained a short time, then moved to Jackson county, Minnesota, locating three miles southeast of Windom, where they engaged in farming until they retired and moved to Windom. Their family consisted of ten children, seven of whom are liv- ing at this writing, namely: Anthony, Albert, Martin, Godfrey, Caroline, Anna and Ida.
Frank T. Anton grew up on the home farm where he worked hard when a boy, and he received his education in the public schools of Jackson county. After leaving school he came to Windom and clerked in a store for Robison & Freeman, and during this period he attended night school, being ambitious to obtain a higher education to fit him properly for his life work. Later, he worked for Thurston Brothers for a number of years, during which time he learned the various phases of the mercantile business, and in 1893 he entered partnership with J. E. Johnson in the general merchandise business, in which he remained for some time, when he and his partner sold out, Mr. Anton and his family removing to Minneapolis, where he engaged in the laundry business for two years and then returned to Win- dom. In partnership with O. E. Selnes he bought the Hutton general store, which they operated several years, then sold out, Mr. Anton forming a part- nership with Gustav Muller, they buying out the clothing stock of J. E. Jennis. The partnership with Muller continued until Mr. Anton's death. He was very successful as a merchant, always living up to the precepts of the Golden Rule, and his customers were always sure to receive honest
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and courteous consideration at his hands. He was a man of sound business judgment and foresight.
Mr. Anton was married on August 28, 1893, to Anna Erickson, a daughter of Carl G. and Charlotte (Olson) Erickson, and to this union three children were born, namely: Arthur, Clinton and Delbert. Mrs. Anton, who was born in Jackson county, Minnesota, where she grew to woman- hood and was educated in the public schools, was the daughter of Swedish parents, both born, reared and educated in Sweden, in which country they were married. They finally came to Minnesota and homesteaded land in Jackson county, where they farmed until 1893, when they retired and moved to Windom where they spent the rest of their lives, the father dying in 1912 and the mother in 1915. They were the parents of ten children, eight of whom are still living, namely: Emma, Anna, Ida, Marie, Julia, Helda and William.
Frank T. Anton was a Republican. He took an active interest in the welfare of his town and county, and served as alderman for a number of years, also on the local school board. Fraternally, he belonged to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He was a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church. The death of Mr. Anton occurred on December 2, 1913, at the early age of forty-seven years, when in the prime of life and usefulness.
FRANK SCHROEDER.
The grain business has been one of the principal industries of Cotton- wood and adjoining counties for a number of decades, and a number of elevators have been erected to care properly for the great harvests of wheat. The one located at Mountain Lake is operated with success by Frank Schroeder, an enterprising gentleman who came to us from far across the sea.
Mr. Schroeder was born in the southern part of Russia, February 5, 1862. He is a son of David and Katherine (Neufeld) Schroeder, both natives of the southern part of Russia, where they grew up, were married and established their home, but in 1873 removed with their family to the United States, locating at .Mountain Lake, Minnesota, two miles south of which village the father purchased a section of land. He was among the first colony of Russians to settle in Cottonwood county. He devoted his
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earlier life principally to the ministry, but followed farming after coming here, although he preached occasionally. He and his wife died on the home place in this county. He assisted in organizing the first church in his vicinity. His family consisted of thirteen children, eleven sons and two daughters.
Frank Schroeder spent his boyhood in Russia and there attended school for four years, finishing his education after coming to Mountain Lake. He assisted his father to develop the home place here, on which he remained until his marriage, after which he operated the farm of his mother-in-law for two years. He then worked for twelve years for B. Rempel at Butter- field, Minnesota, in the lumber and elevator business. Upon leaving the employ of Mr. Rempel, he launched out for himself in the lumber, elevator . and farm implement business, but two years later sold out and removed to Mountain Lake and for a period of eight years worked for Schaffer Brothers, who owned an elevator here, which he purchased of them on July 1, 1914, and has continued to operate the elevator with pronounced success. Some years ago he also dealt in real estate.
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