USA > Minnesota > Grant County > History of Douglas and Grant counties, Minnesota : their people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 18
USA > Minnesota > Douglas County > History of Douglas and Grant counties, Minnesota : their people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 18
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Albert L. Ritzschke is independent in politics, has always taken an active interest in the affairs of the community, is a firm believer in substantial public improvements, and an advocate of good roads and good schools. He is a member of the order of Knights of Pythias and of the Modern Woodmen of America, in the affairs of both of which organizations he is much interested.
WV. A. YATES.
WV. A. Yates was born in Juneau, Wisconsin, April 14. 1855, and is a son of William and Bettie (Taylor) Yates, of whom both were born in New York state. The father was a farmer in his native state and in early life he came to Wisconsin. For a few years he was employed as a farmer in Waukesha county, that state, but about 1849 he removed to Dodge county, Wisconsin, being one of the early settlers in that county. He made that county his home during the remainder of his life, which ended in 1865. The children in this family were, Mary, W. A., Albert, Ira T. and James B.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools of Juneau. Wisconsin, and found employment during his school years in working on the farm. In the meantime he studied telegraphy and became so familiar
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with the business that he was, in 1879, able to hold the position of tele- graph operator at Waupun, Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin. He held this position for about one year and in the spring of 1880 he came to Minnesota and for a few years was in the employ of the Great Northern Railway as station agent at various places on their line. In 1885 he was checked in as agent at Osakis and remained here for about twelve years. In 1897 he resigned his railroad position and, in association with F. B. Canada, bought the St. Cloud Lumber Company and engaged in that line of busi- ness. In 1906 Mr. Yates bought his partner's interest and has since con- ducted the business alone. The business of this establishment has doubled since Yates and Canada first took hold of it. Mr. Yates now handles wood and coal in addition to a general line of lumber and building material and building supplies. He also has a stock farm in Osakis township, consist- ing of one hundred and sixty acres, and is interested in the breeding of Holstein cattle. He also has another one-hundred-and-sixty-acre farm north of Osakis.
\V. A. Yates and Catherine Gallagher, daughter of Edward Gallagher, were united in marriage on February 24, 1884. They have two children : Eva May, who is the wife of Walter A. Flint, and Chester P., who is still at home. Mr. Yates is a Mason, holding membership with Lodge No. 30, at Osakis; the chapter of Royal Arch Masons at Sauk Center; the com- mandery of Knights Templar at Morris; the sovereign consistory of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite at Minneapolis, and is a noble of Zuhrah Temple, Mystic Shrine, at Minneapolis. He is also a member of the Wood- men and the Maccabees. Politically, he affiliates with the Republican party. He served as mayor of Osakis for fourteen years and as a member of the school board for twenty-five years continually.
GUSTAV A. JOHNSON.
Gustav A. Johnson, a well-known and substantial farmer of Grant county, proprietor of a fine farm of two hundred and eighty acres lying partly in North Ottawa township and partly in Elbow Lake township, on which he maintains an excellent herd of dairy cattle, is a native of the king- dom of Sweden, but has been a resident of Minnesota since he was sixteen years of age and of Grant county since the year 1892, when he settled in
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North Ottawa township, where he ever since has made his home. He was born in West Jutland. Sweden, April 7, 1850, a son of Johannes and Maiastina Swenson, natives of that same province. landowners there, who spent all their lives in their native land. They were the parents of seven children, of whom the subject of this biographical sketch was the last-born, the others being as follow: Inga Stina, who married Johannes Swanson and died at Minneapolis, this state; Anna Kaisa, who married Swante Brox and died in Sweden; Charlotte, who married and also died in her native land; Carl, who lives at Grasston, this state; Annie Maria, who married a Mr. Sorenson and died in Minnesota, and John, a farmer in his native land.
Gustav A. Johnson was reared on the home farm in West Jutland, receiving his schooling in the public schools and was confirmed there. At the age of sixteen, in company with his brother, Carl, he came to the United States and the next year, in 1867, located at Minneapolis, where he secured employment in the coal yards. Later he became a teamster and was thus engaged until 1892, when he decided to become a farmer and, in pursuit of this decision, moved to. Grant county and bought a quarter of a sec- tion of partly improved land in North Ottawa township and began to develop the same. When he took possession of the place it had a few poor buildings on it and he remodeled the house, built a new barn and other- wise brought the place up to proper standard. As he prospered in his farming operations, Mr. Johnson gradually added to his holdings until he now owns two hundred and eighty acres, a part of which lies in Elbow Lake township. In addition to his general farming, Mr. Johnson gives considerable attention to the raising of Shorthorn cattle for dairy pur- poses and now has a herd of forty-five or fifty head of fine cattle. In his political affiliations he is a Republican, but has not been a seeker after public office.
In 1877, at Minneapolis, Gustav A. Johnson was united in marriage to Annie Abrahamson, who also was born in Sweden, a daughter of Gustav and Katrina Abrahamson, and to this union five children have been born, namely : Anna Caroline, who married Charles Swenson and lives at Lind- strom, this state; Charles, unmarried, who is at home; Frank, who is engaged in a bank at Artesian, South Dakota; Alexis, who married Alfred Dahl and lives at Ashby, and Abbie Eleanora, who died at the age of eighteen years. The Johnsons have a pleasant home and take a proper part in all movements designed to advance the common welfare of the community in which they live.
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J. E. HALGRIMSON.
J. E. Halgrimson, a native of Goodhue county and one of the well- known and successful farmers of Brandon township, Douglas county, Minnesota, was born on November 30, 1865, being the son of Elling and Mallie (Solem) Halgrimson.
Elling Halgrimson was born in Norway, where he received his educa- tion in the public schools and grew to manhood. At the age of twenty years, he decided to come to America and after his arrival in this country and a short stay in Wisconsin he came direct to Minnesota. He located in Goodhue county, where he later purchased eighty acres of land and engaged in farming. Here he was married to Mallie Solem and to this union the following children were born: Henry, John E., Gurina, Ellen M. and Emily. Ellen M. is now deceased. After a residence of a few years in Goodhue county, the family came to Douglas county, where the father purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in sections 20 and 29, Brandon township. This land was developed and improved and here Elling Halgrimson engaged in general farming and stock raising and was successful. He and his wife made this farm their home until the time of their deaths, he dying in 1900 and she in 1904. The family were prominent in the social circles of the township and Mr. Halgrimson took much interest in local affairs, being one of the active and prominent men of the community. They were held in the highest regard by all who knew them.
J. E. Halgrimson received his education in the public schools of Brandon township and here grew to manhood. As a lad and young man, he assisted his father with the work on the farm and in early life decided that he would be a farmer. On July 9, 1904, he was united in marriage to Magdalena Olson, the daughter of J. A. Olson, a well-known farmer and early settler of the county. To this union one child, Josie Hellen, was born on May 30, 1912.
At the time he became of age, J. E. Halgrimson purchased the home farm of his father, where he has since lived and is engaged in general farming and stock raising. He is interested in the raising of Shorthorn cattle and a mixed grade of hogs. He believes in intensive farming and the keeping of good stock. He is now the owner of three hundred and ten acres of land in sections 20 and 29 and is regarded as one of the sub- stantial and successful farmers of the township. He has always taken much interest in local affairs and is ever ready to assist in any worthy cause
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that has a tendency to advance the social and financial condition of the county. He owns stock in the Brandon Creamery and has served on its board of directors. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Com- pany at Brandon. He has served on the school board of his district and has always been interested in the success of the schools. He and his family have long been identified with the social and religious life of the commun- ity, and are held in the highest. regard by all who know them. Politically, he is a Prohibitionist, while the Lutheran Free church claims his religious affiliation.
HERMAN GRONWOLD.
Herman Gronwold, a well-known and substantial farmer of Grant county, the proprietor of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in North Ottawa township, is a native of Germany, but has been a resident of the United States since 1890 and of Grant county since 1904. He was born on a farm in East Germany on August 14, 1868, son of Herman and Annie (Klausen ) Gronwold, natives of that same district, the former a well-to-do nurseryman, who spent all their lives in their native land, the father dying in 1876 and the mother in 1894. They were the parents of five children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the fourth in order of birth, the others being as follow: Ranski, who died in infancy; John, who came to the United States in 1889 and has been for years a well-known resident of Gorton township, Grant county; Dick, who died in infancy, and Joran, who also died in infancy.
Reared on the home farm in his native land, Herman Gronwold received his schooling in the schools of that neighborhood and remained at home, assisting in the work of the nursery, which was maintained for some time after his father's death, until he was twenty-two years of age. In 1890 he came to the United States, following his elder brother, John, who had come over the year before, and settled in Butler county, Iowa, where he began as a farm laborer. Later he rented farms and operated them on his own account until 1904, when he came to Minnesota and settled in Grant county, where he ever since has made his home. Upon coming out here Mr. Gronwold bought a quarter of a section of improved land in North Ottawa township and there established his home. When he took possession of the place the original homestead buildings were still standing on the farm. These he tore down and erected modern buildings in their place, planted a
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grove, now an attractive feature of the farm, and he and his family are very pleasantly and comfortably situated. In addition to his general farm- ing; Mr. Gronwold has ever given proper attention to the development of the general interests of the community in which he lives and is a stockholder in the elevator companies at Norcross and at Herman. He is a Republican and gives a good citizen's attention to local civic affairs, but has never been a seeker after office.
On October 4, 1895, while living in Iowa, Herman Gronwold was united in marriage to Elsie Sanders, who also was born in Germany and who came to this country with her parents, William Sanders and wife, the family settling in Butler county, Iowa, and to this union four children have been born, Herman, Sadie, William and Harm, all of whom are at home. Mr. and Mrs. Gronwold are members of the Evangelical church and take a warm interest in the general welfare of the community in which they live.
EVERT BRUSE.
One of the well-known and successful farmers and stock men of Gor- ton township, Grant county, Minnesota, is Evert Bruse, who was born in Germany on November 17, 1852, being the son of John and Lena Bruse. John and Lena Bruse were also natives of Germany and there received their education in the public schools, grew to manhood and womanhood and were married. There the father died and sometime afterward the widow left the home of her birth and young womanhood and came to the United States. She located in Butler county, Iowa, in 1883, where she remained many years, and died in North Dakota in 1912, at the age of ninety-three years. To John and Lena Bruse were born the following chil- dren: Adolph, Tina, Ferdinand, Evert, Ella and John. Adolph and Ella are now deceased.
Evert Bruse received his education in the public schools of Germany and there grew to manhood. He remained a resident of the land of his birth until he was twenty-five years of age, when, in 1877, he decided to come to America. On his arrival in the United States he came direct to Iowa and located in Butler county, where he engaged in farming. Later he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Kossuth county, Iowa, which he sold in 1903 and came to Minnesota. He purchased four hun- dred and eighty acres of land in North Ottawa township, Grant county,
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and is now the owner of six hundred and forty acres of land in North Ottawa and Gorton township, and one hundred and sixty acres in North Dakota. He has made many valuable improvements on his farm, which, for the most part are under a high state of cultivation. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising, in which he has been most successful. He is a firm believer in intensive farming and the most thorough cultiva- tion, keeps the best of stock and his farm and buildings are in a high state of repair.
Evert Bruse is identified with the Republican party and has always taken an active interest in local affairs, although he does not aspire to office. He believes in high-class public improvements and the maintenance of good roads and the best of schools. Having been educated in the German schools, he fully realizes their need and importance.
Evert Bruse was united in marriage, in 1874, to Flora Viland, who was born in Germany in 1859 and there became the wife of the subject. To Mr. and Mrs, Bruse have been born the following children: Ubbe B., John, Lena, Alice, Ferdinand, Ida, Henry, Evert, Adolph and Flora. Adolph is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Bruse are active members of the Reformed church and take much interest in all church work. They and their family have long been prominent in the social and religious life of the community, where they are held in the highest regard and esteem by all who know them. They devote much time to their home life, yet they have the time for their friends, whom they entertain in the most kindly way.
OLE J. PLETAN.
One of the young farmers of Stony Brook township who is con- tented with his native locality is Ole J. Pletan, who was born on the old homestead in this township, June 14, 1879. He is a son of Jens Pletan and wife, who are mentioned in a separate sketch in this volume.
Ole J. Pletan grew up on the home farm, where he worked during the crop season when he became of proper age, attending the local district schools in the winter time. After leaving his father's roof-tree, he started farming for himself and now owns a well-kept place of one hundred acres in section 28, Stony Brook township, on which he is making a good start as a general farmer.
Politically, he is a Republican and served his township as constable at
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one time, performing his duties faithfully. He belongs to the United Lutheran church.
Mr. Pletan was married, in 1907, to Sophia Asleson, who was born on the farm where she still lives, the place being now owned by her husband. Here she grew up and was educated in the local public schools. She is a daughter of Narve and Ambjor Asleson, both natives of Norway and early settlers of Stony Brook township, the father taking up a home- stead here of one hundred and sixty acres, to which he later added eighty acres. He improved a good farm and here spent the rest of his life, dying about 1899. His widow, who survived until 1902, was married a second time, her last husband being Knute K. Folken, of Stony Brook township. She was the mother of two children, Laura and Sophia, by her first mar- riage and one child, Alvin, by her second marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Pletan three children have been born, James Norlin, Hershel Antone (died when two years old), and Stanley Merton.
ERICK N. BERGAN.
Erick N. Bergan, a well-known and substantial farmer of Stony Brook township, Grant county, is a native of the kingdom of Norway, born on a farm near Newmadahl on August 20, 1868. He is a son of Nils O. and Leve Bergan, both natives of that same country, the former born in 1821 and the latter in 1823. Nils O. Bergan was a farmer and landowner, who died in his native land in November, 1899. His wife had preceded him to the grave about two years. They were the parents of seven children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the last born, the others being as fol- low: Sigrid, who married Ole Skoglund and lives in Roseau county, this state; Barbara, who married Hans Fagri and lives near Wadena, this state; Ole, a farmer of Grant county; Knute, a miller, living at Elbow Lake; Nels, who lives on the old home place in Norway, the only one of the chil- dren who did not come to America, and Ambear, who married Narve Asleson and lives in Stony Brook township.
E. N. Bergan was reared on the home farm in Norway and received his schooling in the neighborhood schools, continuing to live at home, assist- ing in the labors of the farm and working at the carpenter's trade until he was twenty-two years of age. In 1891, he came to the United States, pro- ceeding to Wisconsin, where, in Rock county, he remained about four
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months, in the fall of that same year coming to Minnesota and locating in Grant county. For eight years after coming here Mr. Bergan found employ- ment on the Soo railroad and then spent a year in a flour-mill in Clay county. He then returned to his native land and there married Kari Brevig, daugh- ter of Ole Brevig, who died there a few years ago. While working on the railroad in Grant county Mr. Bergan had bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in section 21 of Stony Brook township and, upon return- ing to this country with his wife, established his home on the same. The place was partly improved, but since he entered upon possession he has added largely to the improvement and now has a very well-equipped farm plant and is recognized as one of the progressive farmers of the neigh- borhood. He gives considerable attention to the general business affairs of the community and is a member of the board of directors of the Stony Brook Telephone Company. In his political affiliation Mr. Bergan is a Republican, but has never been a seeker after public office. He and his wife are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and take a proper interest in the general good works of the community. They have four chil- dren, Leonard, Paulina, Orville and Arnold.
PETER ERICKSON.
Peter Erickson, a well known and prosperous citizen of Stony Brook township, Grant county, Minnesota, was born in Dahlany, Sweden, on Janu- ary 1, 1843, being the son of Lars and Annie Christine ( Olson) Erickson. Lars and Annie Christine Erickson were born in Sweden and there received their education in the public schools, grew to manhood and woman- hood and were married. They lived their lives in the native country and there died some years ago. The father was a tailor by trade, at which he worked, in connection with the management of the farm that he owned. He was considered a successful tiller of the soil as well as a prosperous tailor. He and his wife were the parents of the following children: Erick, Annie, Peter, Brita and one that died in infancy. Erick and Annie remained resi- dents of Sweden and Brita died when but a small girl. The family were prominent in their native land and took much interest in the social and religious life of the community in which they lived. They were highly respected by all and honored for their many good deeds of kindness and charity.
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Peter Erickson received his education in the schools of his native country and there grew to manhood, being reared on the home farm. As a lad he assisted his father with the work on the home place and early in life decided that he would some time come to America, where he could obtain a home for himself. Much he had heard of the new land and the opportunities that awaited the ambitious and worthy young man. In 1865, at the age of twenty-two years, he left the home of his birth and the scenes of his child- hood and came to America. On arriving in the United States he located at Lockport, near Chicago, where he worked in a stone quarry for three months. He then went to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he engaged with a railroad and worked for some months near Duluth, Superior and Fond du Lac. He later engaged as a farm hand, near Shakopee, Minnesota, where he remained until the winter, when he went into the pineries. In the spring he located in Minneapolis, where he worked in a saw-mill for a time and then removed to Spring Grove, Minnesota, where he worked at grubbing and clearing land for the pioneers of that section. It was while a resident of this section that he was married. In 1879 he came to Grant county, Minnesota, and here homesteaded eighty acres in section 30, Stony Brook township. The tract at that time was a wild prairie, without improvements of any kind. There was no town of Wendell and the neighbors were far apart. After locating on the land, Mr. Erickson constructed a cellar, on top of which he built a low log hut, with sod roof. It was in this that he and his family lived for some time. He at once began the task of breaking and improving the land. He later purchased forty acres more land, which he developed and improved, and here he has engaged in general farming and stock raising and has become one of the successful farmers of the com- munity.
As a young man Peter Erickson was united in marriage to Annie Elling- son, a native of Norway and the daughter of Erick Ellingson, a well-known pioneer of the ounty. To this union the following children were born: Ed, Annie, Alice, Peter and Albert. Ed is the manager of the elevator at Berit, Minnesota; Annie is the wife of Ole Lilleby and resides in Red Lake, Minne- sota : Alice, became the wife of Ole Hagen and lives near Bismark, North Dakota; Peter is a wheat buyer at Wild Rose, South Dakota, and Albert is on the home farm.
Peter Erickson and wife are active members of the Lutheran church and take much interest in all social and religious work of the community. They are prominent in all local affairs and are held in the highest regard
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by all who know them. Politically, Mr. Erickson is a Republican and has always taken much interest in the civic life of the township, casting influence in the township and the county for all things that were for the best interests of the people. Being a man of broad experiences and most excellent judg- ment, his advice has often been sought in matters of public moment.
OLE C. RUSTAND.
One would be compelled to search a good while to find a more pains- taking general farmer than Ole C. Rustand, of Stony Brook township, Grant county. He was born in Norway, August 3, 1868, and is a son of Chris- tian O. and Annie Rustand, both natives of Norway, from which country they came to America in 1879, locating at Herman, Grant county, taking up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres in North Ottawa township. Christian O. Rustand was a man of energy and good judgment and he prospered, adding to his original homestead until he owned six hundred and forty acres of valuable land, on which he spent the rest of his life, engaged in general farming on an extensive scale. He died on the homestead here in 1909 at the age of sixty-nine years; his widow survives at the age of seventy-three years. To these parents the following children were born : Bertha is the wife of I. A. Haugen, a farmer of Elbow Lake townhsip; Ole C., of this sketch; Ole K. was next in order of birth; Julia is the wife of Charley Larson, a farmer of North Ottawa township; Martha is the widow of Charles Torgeson and lives in North Dakota; Andrew and Mads live at home.
Ole C. Rustand was reared on the home farm in Grant county, being but eleven years old when his parents brought him to Minnesota. He received a common school education and also attended Oxberg Seminary at Minneapolis. He has devoted his life to farming and in 1889, purchased the homestead, which he later sold and bought two hundred and forty acres, and now owns more than four hundred acres of excellent farming land, on which he has put all the improvements, including an excellent group of buildings. He carries on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale and is one of the leading farmers of his township.
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