USA > Minnesota > Grant County > History of Douglas and Grant counties, Minnesota : their people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 10
USA > Minnesota > Douglas County > History of Douglas and Grant counties, Minnesota : their people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 10
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several years, her death occurring at the age of eighty-one. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and their children were reared in that faith. To the last marriage of George Rarer four children were born, of whom the subject of this sketch was the second in order of birth, the others being Betty, who married Charles Newberry and died in Okla- homa ; Jennie, who married Isa J. Moses and lives in the village of Herman, and Vance, who lives at Minneapolis.
Robert F. Rarer was not yet six years old when his parents moved from Ohio to Illinois and he grew up on the home farm in the vicinity of Tower Hill, receiving his schooling in the schools of that village. When seventeen years of age, in 1876, he came up into the Northwest and located at Minneapolis, where he became employed as the driver of Elias Moses's carriage team and also drove trotting horses for D. C. Nichols on the race track. During the visit of President Hayes to Minneapolis Mr. Rarer drove the six-horse team which drew the President's carriage through the streets of the city on the way to the state fair. Afterward Mr. Rarer found employ- ment in the lumber woods of Wisconsin and for seventeen years there- after spent his winters there. In the meantime, in 1880, he had come over to this part of the state and had bought a tree-claim to one hundred and forty-two acres of land in Delaware township, Grant county, on which he planted ten acres of trees and began to develop the farm, putting on the place the buildings that are there today. After his marriage in 1886 Mr. Rarer established his home on that place, in 1895, and lived there until the death of his wife in 1899, when he sold the place and moved to Herman, where for four or five years he was engaged in the restaurant and pool- room business. In the meantime, Mr. Rarer had bought a quarter of a section of land in Gorton township, the place on which he now lives, and ahout that same time went to California, where he took a stone and timber claim to a quarter of a section of land, which he proved up and which he still owns. In 1901 he returned to Grant county and married a second time, establishing his home on a rented farm in Delaware township, where he lived for about ten years, at the end of which time he erected a good set of buildings on his Gorton township quarter section and has ever since made his home there, moving into the new home in 1911. In addition to his general farming Mr. Rarer has given considerable attention to dairy- ing and has done very well. He is a member of the board of directors of the Herman Market Company and has for years taken an active interest in the general business affairs of the community in which he lives. In his political affiliations he is a Democrat and while living in Delaware town-
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ship served as chairman of the board of supervisors and in Gorton town- ship as director of his local school district. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and takes a warm interest in the affairs of that organization.
As noted above, Robert F. Rarer has been twice married. It was in 1886, at Tower Hill, Illinois, that he was united in marriage to Laura Middlesworth, who was born in that village, daughter of Ner Middles- worth and wife, old settlers there, and to this union was born one child, a daughter, Tarsa, who married Brinton Houston and now lives at Staples, this state. Mrs. Laura Rarer died in 1899 and in 1901 Mr. Rarer married Clara Rhode, who was born at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, daughter of John Rhode and wife, who later became residents of Stevens county, this state, and to this union eight children have been born, four of whom died in infancy, the survivors being Donald, Noma, George and May.
SYLVAN SCHOONOVER.
The late Sylvan Schoonover, who was a substantial farmer in Grant county, was born in Wisconsin on June .7, 1854, the son of Richard and Amelia Schoonover, who lived in that state for many years. It was there that the mother died in 1871, after which the father came to Minnesota and located in Byron, where he died in 1887.
Sylvan Schoonover received his education in the public schools of Wisconsin and there grew to manhood on the home farm. After his mar- riage he moved to South Dakota, where he engaged in farming for nine and one-half years, after which he came to Minnesota and located in Dodge county, where he remained until 1900, when he moved to Grant county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Gorton township, where he lived until his death the following year.
In 1882 Sylvan Schoonover was united in marriage to Gertie De Young, who was born in Illinois on November 30, 1860, daughter of Gilbert and Minnie De Young, natives of Holland, who were married in Illinois in 1854. They located on a farm in Cook county, that state, but later came to Minnesota and here they located on a farm in Dodge county, where the mother died on April 5, 1885, at the age of forty-eight years. The father also died in Dodge county on February 1, 1913, at the age of eighty years. To Mr. and Mrs. DeYoung were born twelve children, Clara, Henry,
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Gertie, Jennie, James, John, Ary, Nellie, Mary, Minnie, Gilbert and Jacob, of whom Henry, John, Gilbert and Jacob are now deceased.
To Sylvan and Gertie Schoonover were born ten children, Jessie, Min- nie, Ada, Eugene, Guy, Chester, Elsie, Blanche, John and Grace. Elsie died in 1915 at the age of twenty-four years. Since the death of Sylvan Schoonover, the widow and her sons have looked after the interests of the farm. Mrs. Schoonover has demonstrated her ability as a manager and has looked after the management of the farm with the same careful care and exact attention that her husband gave it. In all she has been quite success- ful, and has added much to the beauty as well as to the value of the place, having erected a fine new barn and made many other valuable improvements. To Mrs. Schoonover is due much praise for her good management and excellent success. At the time of the death of Mr. Schoonover the place was not paid for and they were in debt for some of the stock. Today she is recognized as one of the substantial property owners of the township. Her farm is one of the best in the township, her buildings are of the best and her home is well furnished. At the time of the death of her husband, her eldest son was but fourteen years of age and her youngest daughter but fourteen months. The family have been kept together and all are indus- trious and work to a common interest. The sons are now doing the work on the farm. The family is held in the highest regard and esteem by all who know them.
FRANK JULIUS EDWARD GOTTFRIED NEHLS.
Frank Julius Edward Gottfried Nehls, one of Grant county's best- known and most substantial farmers and the proprietor of a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Gorton township, did not settle down to the quiet and secure life of a farmer until he had spent many years in the adventurous calling of the seas and had traveled the wide world over. Dur- ing his years of seafaring he served for three years in the German navy and as a sailor saw pretty much every important port in the world, later becoming a fresh-water sailor and seeing extensive service on the Great Lakes of America, until an incident of travel led to his acquaintance with farming life in Iowa and caused him to cease his wanderings and "settle down." Mr. Nehls is a native of Germany, born in Brandenburg on Decem- ber 17, 1860, son of Gottfried and Wilhelmina Nehls, both natives of that same country, the former of whom was a stone mason. The mother died
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about 1867, leaving two sons, of whom the subject of this sketch was the younger, the other being Carl, who, at the age of fourteen, left home to go to sea and was last heard from in New York City in 1879. The father married again and to this second union two daughters were born, Amelia and Anna, both of whom remained in Germany. Gottfried Nehls, the father, spent all his life in his native land.
Following the example of his elder brother, Frank Nehls also began life of a seafarer at the age of fourteen years and he followed the sea until the age of twenty-nine, seeing service in all parts of the world, during three years of which time he served in the German navy, and sailed in both German and American vessels, seeing considerable service also as a sailor on the Great Lakes. While serving in the latter capacity, one day in 1885 he and John Wortman, another sailor, also a German, started out from Chicago with the ambitious design to walk around the world, but when they arrived at Denison, Iowa, they abandoned their trip. There they met some Germans who were acquainted with Mr. Nehl's father in the old country and they were persuaded to stop there, for some time making their home with these friends and working on farms in the vicinity of Denison. Wortman presently returned to Philadelphia and thence to the sea, but afterward gave up the life of a sailor and is now farming in South Dakota. Within the year Mr. Nehls also left Denison and returned to Chi- cago, later going East and taking service on a coast-wise vessel, but after awhile returned to Chicago and was there engaged for some time working on the docks, after which he again made his way out to Iowa, locating in Hardin county, where, in 1888, he married and settled down to the life of the farm, some years later moving to Winnebago county, where he bought a farm and there made his home until 1902, in which year he disposed of his interests there and came up into Minnesota, locating in Grant county, where he ever since has made his home and where he and his family are now very pleasantly and very comfortably situated. Previous to his definite location here, Mr. Nehls had bought a half section of land in section 26 of Gorton township and it was on that place that he established his home. Though the farm had been broken when he came into possession of it, no buildings had been erected and the improvements on the place, as well as the planting of a fine grove, are the works of the present owner, who, in addition to his general farming has engaged some- what extensively in stock raising and has done very well, long having been recognized as one of the most progressive farmers in that neighborhood.
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In his political affiliations Mr. Nehls is a Republican, but has not been a seeker after public office.
It was in 1888 that Frank Nehls was united in marriage, in Hardin county, Iowa, to Doretta Smith, who was born in that county, daughter of Henry and Meta (Glade) Smith, early settlers there, and to this union three children have been born, Minnie, who married John Gebhardt and - lives in North Dakota; Emma, who married John Harder and lives in that same state, and Harry, who is at home.
PETER G. PETERSON.
Peter G. Peterson, manager of the elevator of the Atlantic Elevator Company at Kensington, dealer in wood, oils and machinery at that place, secretary and treasurer of the Kensington Telephone Company, former recorder of the village and in other ways active in the civic and business life of his home town, is a native of the kingdom of Sweden, but has been a resident of Minnesota since he was three years old. He was born on April 28, 1867, son of Gustav and Gunillia (Anderson) Peterson, both natives of Sweden, who came to the United States in 1870 and proceeded to Minnesota, settling in Todd county. There Gustav Peterson homesteaded a quarter of a section of land about eight miles north of Sauk Center, on which he established his home and where he lived seven years, at the end of which time he disposed of his homestead and moved to Pope county, where he bought two hundred acres of railroad land about two miles south of Kensington, which he proceeded to improve and develop and where he still lives, long having been regarded as one of the most substantial resi- dents of that community. His wife died in 1892. They were the parents of four children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the second in order of birth, the others being Marie, Lena and John.
Peter G. Peterson was but a child when he came to this country with his parents in 1870 and he received his schooling in the district schools of Todd and Pope counties, growing to manhood on the home farm in the lat- ter county, remaining there until the fall of 1893, when he was made man- ager of the farmers'- elevator at . Kensington, a position he held for six years, at the end of which time he rented the elevator and for a year conducted the same on his own account. His services then were secured by the Kensington Milling Company and for two years he acted as manager
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of that company's mill at Kensington, after which he transferred his services to the Atlantic Elevator Company and has since been in active charge of that concern's elevator at Kensington, long having been recognized as one of the most competent grain men in that section. On his own account, in addition to his service in behalf of the elevator company, Mr. Peterson does quite a business in the way of selling wood, oil and farm machinery and has done very well. For three years or more he has been secretary and treasurer of the Kensington Telephone Company and as such the practical manager of that concern's interests. He also has for years given his thought- ful attention to local civic affairs and for two years served as village recorder and has also served on the village council, his efforts ever having been directed toward the betterment of conditions in his home town.
In 1904 Peter G. Peterson was united in marriage to Emma Ander- son, who was born in Pope county, this state, daughter of Swen R. Ander- son and wife, natives of Sweden and early settlers in Pope county. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson are members of the Mission Lutheran church and take a warm interest in the affairs of the congregation, as well as in all neigh- borhood good works, helpful factors in the promotion of all proper causes thereabout.
CHRISTEN A. CHRISTENSON.
Christen A. Christenson, a well-known and progressive farmer and stockman of Stony Brook township, Grant county, is a native son of Minne- sota and has lived in this state nearly all his life. He was born on a farm in Freeborn county on December 9. 1874. son of Andrew and Gun- hild (Kaasa) Christenson, both natives of the kingdom of Norway, the former born in Egdahl and the latter in Telemarken. Both Andrew Chris- tenson and Gunhild Kaasa came to America in the days of their youth and settled with their respective parents in Freeborn county, Minnesota, where they were married and where they began to make a home for them- selves on a rented farm. There they resided until the year 1876, in which year Mr. Christenson homesteaded a quarter of a section of land in Elbow Lake township, Grant county, on which he and his wife established their home and where they are still living, for many years having been regarded as among the most substantial residents of that community. Upon taking his homestead Andrew Christenson erected a small log house and bravely set about the task of breaking the virgin prairie soil, which presently began
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to bring him a proper reward for his labors and it was not long until he had a well-improved and profitably cultivated farm, on which he later erected comfortable farm house and put up a substantial set of farm buildings. As he prospered in his farming operations he added to his holdings until now he is the possessor of a fine farm of four hundred acres, on which he and his wife and those of their children who still remain on the old homestead are very pleasantly and comfortably situated. Andrew Chris- tenson and wife are members of the United Lutheran church at Elbow Lake and their children were reared in the faith of that communion. There are eleven of the children, all of whom are still living and of whom the sub- ject of this biographical sketch was the first born, the others being as fol- low: Ole, a farmer, living at Wendell; Betsy, who married Carl Helgeson and lives in Walsh county, North Dakota; Lars, a farmer of Berthold, North Dakota; Caroline, who married H. Bergan and lives at Wendell; Knute, a farmer, of Benedict, North Dakota; Sela, who married Ben Elling- son and lives at Wendell; Henry, who lives at Hereford; Annie, who mar- ried Ole Anderson, a farmer of the Wendell neighborhood; Alma, who is at home with her parents, and Theodore, who also is at home.
Christen A. Christenson was not two years old when his parents moved to Grant county from Freeborn county and he grew to manhood on the homestead farm in Elbow Lake township, receiving his schooling in the local schools of that neighborhood. Upon attaining his majority he went to Walsh county, North Dakota, where he homesteaded a quarter of a section of land and there remained for two years, at the end of which time he sold his claims to advantage and returned to Grant county, almost immediately thereafter starting a hotel at Wendell, which he conducted for a year. He then traded the hotel for a tract of eighty acres of land in Stony Brook township and began active farm operations on the same. There Mr. Christenson has made his home ever since, with the exception of two years, 1907-09, during which period he was engaged in conducting a butcher shop at Elbow Lake. Upon taking over his farm in Stony Brook, Mr. Christenson rented an adjoining quarter section and began to operate the same in conjunction with his own farm. In 1913 he bought the quarter section and is now the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres, on which he has erected excellent buildings and has one of the best farm plants in that part of the county. In addition to his old land, Mr. Christenson rents an adjoining quarter section, and is thus profitably culti- vating in all four hundred acres. Besides his general farming he has engaged somewhat extensively in the raising of live stock and has done very
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well. In his political affiliations, Mr. Christenson is a Democrat and takes a good citizen's interest in the general civic life of the community, though not an office-seeker.
On January 28, 1903, Christen A. Christenson was united in marriage to Emma Oson, who was born in Wisconsin, daughter of Hans Oson and wife, substantial residents of that state, and to this union three children have been born, Gladys, Evelyn and Arthur. Mr. and Mrs. Christenson are members of the United Lutheran church and take a proper part in all community good work.
BOTTOL T. TEIGEN.
Bottol T. Teigen, a well-known and progressive merchant of Brandon, dealer in general merchandise, director in the Farmers State Bank of that village and head of the real-estate firm known as the Teigen, Berg Land Company of Brandon, dealers in farm lands throughout the famous park region of Minnesota, is a native son of Minnesota and has lived in this state all his life. He was born on a farm in Goodhue county, June 12, 1866, son of Thomas and Johanna Teigen, natives of the kingdom of Norway, who came to the United States in 1850, settling at Madison, Wisconsin, whence, in 1855, they came to Minnesota and settled in Goodhue county, where Mrs. Teigen died many years ago and where Thomas Teigen, a well-to-do retired farmer and the owner of two hundred and eight acres of land, died recently. His youngest son now operates the home place. Thomas Teigen and wife were the parents of six children, all of whom are still living and of whom the subject of this sketch was the third in order of birth, the others being as follow: Mary, wife of T. Hummedal, a farmer of Good- hue county; Martha, wife of Albert Anderson, manager of a lumber yard at Mayville, North Dakota; Nels, a real-estate dealer and farmer at Minne- waka, North Dakota; Ole, who is operating the old home farm in Goodhue county, and Lena, wife of the Reverend Adesvick, of Bryant, South Dakota.
Bottol T. Teigen was reared on the paternal farm in Goodhue county, receiving his schooling in the schools of that county, and remained at home until he was past twenty years of age, when he came over to this part of the state, about 1889. and located at Brandon, where, in partnership with John Barsness, he built a creamery at Brandon, the first creamery established in Douglas county, and for seven years was engaged as man- ager of the same. He then moved to Audubon, this state, where he was
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engaged as buttermaker in the creamery of the Audubon Creamery Com- pany for five years, at the end of which time he returned to Brandon, about 1898, and there engaged in the general merchandise business, which ever since has occupied the chief part of his time. Mr. Teigen started in business in a small way, but has gradually enlarged his stock as the demands of the trade warranted, until now he has a large and complete stock of merchan- dise. He owns the building in which his store is situated and his business is conducted along strictly up-to-date lines. In addition to his mercantile interests, Mr. Teigen is vice-president and one of the directors of the Farmers State Bank at Brandon, owns two hundred acres of land in North Dakota; one hundred and sixty acres, in partnership with Peter Hoplin, in Montana and is head of the Teigen, Berg Land Company of Brandon, doing a large business in farm lands throughout the Minnesota park region, justly known as the corn and clover belt.
On June 4, 1896, Bottol T. Teigen was united in marriage to Bertina Holing, daughter of Haakon Holing, an early settler in Douglas county, and to this union two children have been born, Agnes, who is now a student in the high school at Alexandria, and Hazel. Mr. and Mrs. Teigen have a very pleasant home at Brandon and take a proper interest in the general social activities of their home town. Mr. Brandon is a Republican. Fra- ternally, he is affiliated with the local lodge.of the Woodmen and takes a warm interest in the affairs of the same.
OLE K. RUSTAND.
Ole K. Rustand, one of Grant county's best-known and most sub- stantial farmers, clerk of North Ottawa township and the proprietor of a fine farm of four hundred and eighty acres in that township, is a native of the kingdom of Norway, but has been a resident of Grant county since he was nine years of age. He was born in Sigdal on August 17, 1871, son of Christian O. and Anna O. (Tofsrud) Rustand, both natives of that same district in Norway, the former born on February 22, 1839, and the latter, March 5, 1844, who later came to Minnesota and became pioneers in Grant county, where Christian O. Rustand died in the summer of 1908 and where his widow is still living.
Christian O. Rustand was a farmer and small landowner in his native land and in 1880, attracted by the stories of the fine success which had
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attended the efforts of some of his old neighbors who had come to Minne- sota and had located in Grant county, emigrated to this country with his family and settled in North Ottawa township, Grant county, homesteading a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in section 14, where he established his home and where he spent the rest of his life. Upon taking possession of his homestead Mr. Kustand put up a small frame house, on the site where the present comfortable farm house now stands, and began to break and improve his land. He prospered in his operations and gradually added to his land holdings until, with the aid of his sons, he became the owner of eight hundred acres, all in one piece with the exception of one quarter section. Christian O. Rustand was a Republican and gave his earnest attention to local civic affairs, serving his community in several public capacities, hav- ing been a member of the board of township supervisors, township assessor and a member of the local school board. He and his wife were earnest members of the Lutheran church and were among the organizers of the local church of that communion in the neighborhood in which they lived. Christian O. Rustand died on July 1, 1908, and his widow is still living on the old homestead place. To them nine children were born, of whom the subject of this sketch was the third in order of birth, the others being as follow : Ole C., a farmer, living near Wendell; Bertha, who married H. H. Ramstad and upon his death married, secondly, A. I. Haugen and is now living on a farm in Elbow Lake township; Gunhild, who married Charles Larson and lives in North Ottawa township; Martha, who mar- ried Carl Torgerson and lives in North Dakota; Andrew, who lives in North Ottawa township; Mads, who lives in the same township; Christian, who died in infancy, and Albert, who also died in infancy.
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