USA > Minnesota > Grant County > History of Douglas and Grant counties, Minnesota : their people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 3
USA > Minnesota > Douglas County > History of Douglas and Grant counties, Minnesota : their people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 3
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294
Schmidt, William
678
Schmidt, William B.
245
Schoonover, Sylvan
102
Schulz, August
643
Selfseth. Ole
38
Setran. Hogan G. 282
Sheldon, W. W
134
Shervey, Sivert
542
Shogren, Carl .
209
Shogren, Herman
216
Simonson, Hans 568
Skinnemoen, John S. 124
Skinnemoen, Nils S.
1.33
Skinnemoen, Ole S.
173
Skinnemoen, Stiner S., Jr.
5.2
Skoglund, Magnus
681
Skramstad, Haaken 227
Skrove, Martin 463
Sletten, K. E. 607
Sletto. Ole E 415
Slotsve, Hans H.
557
Smith, John 402
Smith, Roy G. 269
Soberg, Halvor O
613
Staffanson, Erick G.
372
Stariha, Mathew
229
Stark, Gustav .1
162
Stedje, Clarence
692
Steidt, Nicholas 130
Steinach, Rev. Emil J 90
Steinhorst, Ed 690
Stene, C. J. 171
Stevens, George T 151
Strand, Jens O 530
Strandberg, John I 361
Strang, Cassius C., D. D. S. 64
Streed, l'eter 242
Strom, .Anton H 381
Stromlund, George 192
Suckow. Herman
392
Sund, Engebret E. 213
Swenson, Carl H. 679
Swenson, Ferdinand 121
Swenson, Sven N. 256
Swenson, Rev. Sven W 80
Swenson, Swen
467
Swenson, Theo E 256
Swore. Knute 165
Symonds, Fred H. 624
Syverson, Lauritz
450
Syvrud, Thomas A.
156
T
Teigen, Bottol T. 108
Thayer. Thomas M., M. D. 111
Thies. Nick
509
Thompson, .Alfred J.
468
Thompson, August 285
Thompson, Gilbert J 649
Thompson, John 638
Thompson, Ole A. 304
Thompson, Theo. 595
Thorson, Lars
441
Thorson, Thor J. 422
Thorstenson, Calmer E. 164
Thronson, Otto C. 201
Thronson, Thron C. 528
Titus, John F. 268
Tobiason, T. L. 222
Tollefson, Bernt
310
Tollefson, Jens 235
Torgerson. Mikkel 289
Torstenson, William 650
Treat, George L. 128
Triese, Jacob 513
Tripp. George
293
Trisko, Sylvester 264
U
Ulsager, Martin X 221
U'numb, Peter O.
112
Urness, John A.
582
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX.
V
Von Baumbach, Major Frederick 327
W
Wagenins, Samuel O. 329
Wagner, Herbert O. 54
Walstad. Andrew M. 320
Wallen, Osear J. 119
Wangsness, Syvert S.
258
Wangh, Knute 522
Weaver. Howard 299
Weigand, Fred
621
Wells. A. Waters 145
Wesen, Constant A. .396
Western, John O.
.172
Westlund. P. M. 622
Wettleson, Joseph H. 58
Wick. Martin L. 507
Winkjer, G. T. 379
Wold, Hon. Carl A. 608
Wolf, Oscar F. 418
Y
Yates, W. A.
181
Z
Zeller, Andrew 684
Ziebarth, W. T. 150
Ziemer. Fred 574
Zimmel. Andrew 416
BIOGRAPHICAL
HON. OLE A. PIKOP.
Hon. Ole A. Pikop, representative in the Minnesota state Legislature from the fifty-seventh district and one of Grant county's best-known and most progressive farmers, a director of the First National Bank at Elbow Lake, former chairman of the board of supervisors of Elbow Lake township and for years actively interested in the general civic and industrial affairs of this section of the state, is a native of the kingdom of Norway, but has been a resident of Minnesota since he was three years of age and of Grant county since the year 1872, having consequently been a witness to and a participant in the wonderful development of this region since pioneer days hereabout. He was born at Sigdal, in Norway, July 16, 1866, son of Anders O. and Gunhild (Ramstad) Pikop, natives of that same district, who came to Minnesota in 1869 and after a brief residence in Houston county came over to this part of the state, among the pioneers of Grant county, and settled on a homestead farm in Elbow Lake township, where Anders O. Pikop died in the summer of 1901 and where his widow is still living.
Anders O. Pikop was born in Sigdal on July 1, 1835, son of Ole and Gunhild Pikop, the former a native of Numdal and the latter of Sigdal, who made their home in Sigdal, where Ole Pikop died, his widow later com- ing to Minnesota with her son, Anders, spending her last days in Houston county, where she is buried. Anders O. Pikop grew to manhood on a farm in Sigdal and there married Gunhild Ramstad, who was born on September 12, 1844, daughter of Haakon and Ingeborg Ramstad, natives of Sigdal, who moved to Numdal and there lived until 1873. in which year they came to America with their son. Helge, coming directly to Minnesota and settling in Grant county, making their home with their son, Helge, until the latter's death in 1886, after which they became members of the household of their daughter, Mrs. Pikop, where their last days were spent and both are buried in the cemetery in Sanford township. After their marriage Anders O.
(3a)
34
DOUGLAS AND GRANT COUNTIES, MINNESOTA.
Pikop and his wife continued to make their home on a farm in their native land until 1869, in which year they came to the United States, proceeding on out to Minnesota and settling on a farm in Houston county, where they remained until 1872, when they moved over into Grant county by ox-team and settled in Elbow Lake township, Mr. Pikop homesteading a quarter of a section in section 22 of that township, where they established their home. L'pon locating in Elbow Lake township, Mr. Pikop erected a log cabin on his homestead tract, the same occupying the site of the present comfortable Pikop home, and proceeded to break and develop his land. From the very beginning he was successful in his operations and presently became the owner of eighteen hundred acres of choice land, practically all of which was in one body, a good portion of which was fine pasture and hay land, on which he raised large herds of cattle. He made a specialty of small grain and often cultivated as much as one thousand acres of such crops, early becoming recognized as one of the most substantial farmers in this part of the state. Mr. Pikop was a Republican and gave his earnest attention to local civic affairs, but was not a seeker after public office. He was prom- inently identified with all movements having to do with the advancement of the material interests of his home community and was one of the leading stockholders in the Farmers Elevator Company at Elbow Lake. In the good works of the community he also took a warm interest and was one of the organizers of the United Lutheran church at Elbow Lake, of which he and his wife were active members, and in the affairs of which he took an active part until his death on June 4, 1901. His widow is still living, being now past seventy-two years of age. To them ten children were born, of whom the Hon. Ole A. Pikop is the eldest, the others being as follow: Ingeborg, who married P. T. Peterson and lives on a farm one-half mile north of the Pikop homestead; Haakon A., who lives about two miles southwest of the old home: Knute A., who lives two miles southwest; Gunhild, who died at the age of eighteen years; Andrew, who is still living on the old home place ; Olaus, who lives about one and one-half miles southeast; Gena, who died at the age of eighteen months; Gena, who married Arthur Berglund and lives at Fergus Falls, this state, and Hattie, who married Iver Olson and lives in Elbow Lake township.
Ole A. Pikop, as noted above, was only about six years old when his parents settled in Grant county and he grew to manhood on the homestead farm, receiving his schooling in the local schools. From the days of his youth he was a valued assistant in the work of developing the home place
35
DOUGLAS AND GRANT COUNTIES, MINNESOTA.
and has ever remained there, since their father's death he and his brother, Andrew, managing the place, operating now about six hundred acres, engag- ing quite profitably in general farming and stock raising. In addition to his activities as a farmer, Mr. Pikop has long given close attention to local business affairs and is a director of the First National Bank at Elbow Lake and of the Farmers Elevator Company at the same place. He is a meni- ber of the United Lutheran church and gives proper attention to the general good works of his home community.
Representative Pikop is a Republican and for years has taken an active interest in local civic affairs. For some time he served as chairman of the board of supervisors for Elbow Lake township and in 1914 was elected representative from the fifty-seventh legislative district to the Minnesota General Assembly and in the campaign of 1916 was the nominee of his party for re-election. During his service in the Legislature, Representative Pikop served on the following important committees : Public accounts and expend- itures, state hospitals, villages, agriculture and horticulture, public domain and the state school at Owatona, giving his most thoughtful and intelligent attention to the public service in that connection. He is recognized as one of the most forceful and influential factors in the common life of this sec- tion of the state and is held in high regard throughout the entire district.
WILLIAM THOMAS COWING.
1192546
William Thomas Cowing, secretary and treasurer of the old established hardware firm of the Cowing-Hobards Company at Alexandria, former president of the Minnesota State Hardware Dealers Association and for years recognized as one of the leading merchants of his home town, is a native son of that city and has lived there all his life, having witnessed its growth and development from the days when it was but little more than a frontier stockade center. He was born in the old stockade at Alexandria, March 5, 1868, son of John B. and Mary Ann ( Beeston) Cowing, the former a native of England and the latter of the state of Illinois, pioneers of this section of Minnesota and for many years leaders in the community life of Alexandria and Douglas county, where their last days were spent.
John B. Cowing was born in 1842 and was but six years old when he came to this country from England in 1848 with his parents, Thomas and Jane (Heads) Cowing, and settled in Dane county, Wisconsin, where they
36
DOUGLAS AND GRANT COUNTIES, MINNESOTA.
remained until 1860, when they came over into Minnesota and came out to this part of the state, settling in Moe township, Douglas county, home- steading a place there, on which they remained until the Indian outbreak drove them to Sauk Center for safety. Upon their return to Douglas county they lived for a time in the stockade which the government meanwhile had erected at Alexandria and where Thomas Cowing presently started a tavern, later opening a general store which he conducted until his retirement from business; his store, the "Old Regulator," having been far-famed throughout this entire region in the early days. He continued making his home at Alexandria after his retirement and both he and his wife spent their last days there, honored and respected pioneer residents. They were the parents of nine children, namely : George F., who served as a soldier of the Union during the Civil War, a member of the Twenty-eighth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, later locating in Douglas county, this state, where he for years conducted a store at old Chippewa, and later went to Otter Tail county, where he served as county superintendent ; Thomas F., who also served as a soldier of the Union during the Civil War, a member of the Second Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry (the famous old "Iron Brigade"), and upon the completion of his military service also located in Douglas county, where he made his home until his removal to Portland, Oregon, where he died on August 3, 1916; John B., father of the subject of this sketch, further reference to whom will follow; William H., who came to this section with his parents in pioneer days, married Katie Platt, who taught school in the old stockade at Alexandria, the first school teacher in Douglas county, later became a merchant at St. Olaf, whence lie moved to Fergus Falls, where he engaged in business and where he spent the remainder of his life; Elizabeth, who married Wilbur D. Hurlburt and spent her last days in the West; A. A., who for some time was engaged in the implement business at Fergus Falls, later moving to Oregon, where he spent his last days; Joseph, who left his home at Alexandria in 1866, when sixteen years of age, and never was heard from by his family again; Mary, who married George H. Reynolds and later moved to St. Cloud, where her last days were spent, and A. C., who for some time was engaged in business at Alexandria, later moving to Crookston and thence West, where his last days were spent.
John B. Cowing was but a child when he came to America with his parents in 1848 and he grew to manhood on the homestead farm in Dane county, Wisconsin, receiving a limited education in the pioneer schools of that time and district. On September 15, 1861, he then being nineteen years
37
DOUGLAS AND GRANT COUNTIES, MINNESOTA.
of age, John B. Cowing enlisted for service during the Civil War as a member of Company H. Eleventh Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served with that command until he received his honorable discharge in November, 1864, shortly after which he joined his parents, who some years before had come out here and established themselves on the outpost of civilization hereabout at Alexandria. In 1867, in the neighboring county of Stearns, he married Mary Ann Beeston, who was born in Cook county, Illinois, in the near vicinity of the city of Chicago, daughter of William and Anna Beeston, natives of England, who had come to this country and settled near Chicago, where William Beeston died, after which his widow and her family came to Minnesota, her last days being spent at Alexandria. Not long after locating at Alexandria, John B. Cowing opened a meat market near the old stockade and was thus engaged in business for about two years, at the end of which time he formed a partnership, under the firm name of Cowing & Swenson, and opened a general store. He presently sold his interest in that store and on April 1, 1872, in partnership with O. J. Rob- ards, engaged in the hardware business, buying the stock of Jacob Holla- baugh established in 1867, and continuing the store at the old stand, the site of the present extensive establishment of the Cowing-Robards Company, where the business ever since has been conducted, one of the oldest mercan- tile establishments in continuons existence in this part of the state. The new firm started in business under the firm name of Cowing & Robards and in 1874 bought the building and lot and later, in 1880, erected the substantial business block in which the business is still carried on. Later the firm was incorporated as the Cowing-Robards Company, which firm name has ever since been maintained, and John B. Cowing continued actively connected with the business until his death in January, 1912. Not only was he active in the mercantile business, but he took a leading part in the general com- mercial and civic life of his community from the very beginning of his residence here. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Alexandria and was a director of that institution from the date of its organization to the time of his death. He had held practically all the civic offices in the town at one time and another and served for two terms as representative from this district in the lower House of the Minnesota General Assembly. He was an active member of the local Masonic lodge and he and his wife were among the leaders in the Episcopal church, in the faith of which their children were reared. There were five of these children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the first-born, the others being as follow : Charles F., a railway mail clerk, with headquarters at Minneapolis ;
38
DOUGLAS AND GRANT COUNTIES, MINNESOTA.
John R., who is connected with the Cowing-Robards Company at Alexan- dria ; Kate C., wife of Dr. J. F. Beck, of Minneapolis, and Joseph B., who is with the Williams Hardware Company at Minneapolis.
William T. Cowing was reared at Alexandria, the city of his birth, receiving his schooling in the schools of that city, and early took his place in the hardware store of his father and has ever since been connected with that establishment, having risen from the position of a clerk to his present position as secretary-treasurer of the Cowing-Robards Company, long hav- ing been recognized as one of the leading merchants of this part of the state. Mr. Cowing has a fine reputation in the hardware trade throughout the state and has served as president of the Minnesota State Retail Hard- ware Merchants Association, of which organization he is now a member of the executive board, for years having taken an active interest in the affairs of that organization.
In 1898 William T. Cowing was united in marriage to Charlotte M. Campbell, of Alexandria, and to this union has been born one child, a son, William G. Cowing, who is at home. The Cowings are members of the Congregational church, in the various beneficences of which they take a proper interest, as well as in all local good works, being helpful factors in the work of promoting all measures designed to advance the general wel- fare hereabout. Mr. Cowing is a Knight Templar Mason and a member of the Knights of Pythias and takes a warm interest in the affairs of these organizations.
OLE SELLSETH.
Ole Sellseth, one of Grant county's best-known and most substantial business men, member of the firm of Lund & Sellseth, general merchants at Norcross, vice-president of the State Bank of Norcross, one of the organ- izers of the mercantile firm of Sellseth & Company at Glenwood, former president of the village of Norcross and for years actively and prominently identified with the general business and civic affairs of that part of the county, is a native of the kingdom of Norway, but has been a resident of this section of Minnesota since he was twenty years of age. He was born on a farm in Horningdal, Norfjord, October 23, 1865, son of Iver and Elizabeth ( Larson) Sellseth, both natives of that same district in Norway, the former a farmer and landowner, both of whom spent all their lives in their native land, Iver Sellseth dying in 1867 and his widow surviving
39
DOUGLAS AND GRANT COUNTIES, MINNESOTA.
until 1911. They were members of the Lutheran church and their chil- dren were reared in that faith. There were eight of these children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the seventh in order of birth, the others being as follow : Lars, who continues to reside at the old home in Norway; Annie, who married Rasmus Kirkon and died at Rutland, North Dakota; Lena, unmarried, who lives at Glenwood, this state; Bertha, who married Ole Iverson and remains in her native land; Maline, who married Andrew Lund and lives at Glenwood; I. S., who is manager and stockholder in a store at Glenwood, and Iver, who also came to this country and is a homesteader in northern Minnesota, where he also is clerking in a store.
Ole Sellseth was but two years of age when his father died. His mother and his eldest brother continued to maintain the old home farm and there he grew to manhood, receiving his schooling in the neighborhood schools. and remained at home until he was twenty years of age, when, in 1885. he came to the United States and proceeded directly out to this part of Minnesota, locating at Norcross. For the first year after his arrival in Grant county Mr. Sellseth worked on the railroad at Wendell and the next year was engaged working on a farm in that vicinity. He then was given employment as a clerk in the store of Andrew Lund at Norcross and remained thus engaged until 1891. the year of his marriage, when he was admitted by Mr. Lund into partnership in the business, which ever since has been conducted under the firm name of Lund & Sellseth, one of the best-established business firms in the village. When Mr. Sellseth became connected with the firm it was carrying a general stock of the value of about two thousand dollars. This has been gradually increased, with the passing years, until now the firm carries a stock of the value of ten thousand or twelve thousand dollars and is doing an excellent business. The firm also has made some investments in farm lands and owns a tract of two hundred and forty acres in Gorton township and another piece of eighty acres. Mr. Sellseth, in addition to his general mercantile interests, also has given con- siderable attention to the general business affairs of the community in which lie lives and since 1910 has been vice-president of the State Bank of Nor- cross. He also was one of the organizers of the mercantile firm of Sellseth & Company at Glenwood, a partnership concern. In his political affiliations Mr. Sellseth is a Republican and for more than ten years served as treasurer of the school district and for two years served as president of the village of Norcross.
It was in 1891 that Ole Sellseth was united in marriage to Thea Larson, who also was born in Norway, a native of the Sigdal district, daughter of
40
DOUGLAS AND GRANT COUNTIES, MINNESOTA.
Lars Knutson and wife, early settlers of Grant county, the former of whom died at his home in Gorton township in 1914, and to this union nine chil- dren have been born, Iner, who died at the age of three years; Ida, Inga, Elvina, Stella, Albin, Theodore, Olga and Nina. Mr. and Mrs. Sellseth are members of the Lutheran church, Mr. Sellseth being a member of the board of trustees of the same, and both take a warm interest in the general good works of the community in which they live, helpful factors in the promo- tion of all movements having to do with the advancement of the common welfare thereabout.
COLBJORN W. COLBJORNSEN.
Colbjorn W. Colbjornsen. head of the firm of Colbjornsen & Wegener, clothiers and merchant tailors at Alexandria, and for years recognized as one of the leading merchants of Douglas county, is a native of the kingdom of Norway, but has been a resident of Minnesota since he was seventeen years of age. He was born on October 3, 1863, son of Wilhelm and Johannae ( Jacobsen ) Colbjornsen, both natives of Norway, who are still liv- ing there, where the former for many years has been engaged in the hard- ware business.
Colbjorn W. Colbjornsen was one of eight children born to his parents and when he was seventeen years old, in 1885, he came to the United States, proceeding directly to Minnesota and locating at Battle Lake, where he remained about a year. He then went to Henning and there was employed in the general store of A. S. Paulsen for three years and six months, at the end of which time he went to Parkers Prairie, where he was employed in the general store of John Murray for a year, at the end of which time he went to .Alexandria, where he ever since has made his home. Upon going to Alexandria, Mr. Colbjornsen became employed in the general store of Kortsch, Hardy & Hoeble, where he remained eighteen months, going thence into the clothing store of (. F. Canfield & Son, where he remained for more than seven years, at the end of which time he engaged in business for himself, at Alexandria, opening a merchant-tailoring establishment, which he con- ducted for a time alone, later forming a partnership with Jacobsen, Follet & Andrew, clothiers, which arrangement continued for three years, at the end of which time Mr. Colbjornsen resumed his former business as a merchant tailor and after two years of that form of business formed his present part- nership with J. E. Wegener, under the firm name of Colbjornsen & Wegener,
41
DOUGLAS AND GRANT COUNTIES, MINNESOTA.
clothiers and merchant tailors, and has been doing very well, devoting his whole time to the business.
On July 15, 1899, Colbjorn W. Colbjornsen was united in marriage to Etta L. Thompson, of Alexandria, and to this union three children have been born, Harold, Helen and Carl. Mr. and Mrs. Colbjornsen are mem- bers of the Norwegian Lutheran church and take a proper interest in the various beneficences of the same, as well as in all neighborhood good works. being helpful factors in the promotion of all agencies designed to advance the general welfare hereabout.
REV. OLAUS NORMAN.
Rev. Olaus Norman, -one of the well-known and successful ministers of Grant county, was born near Jefferson Prairie, Wisconsin, on January 25. 1845, the son of Alexander and Anna ( Olson ) Norman, the latter of whom was a daughter of Ole Olson, a native of Norway, who came to the United States in 1848. Upon his arrival in this country, Ole Olson pro- cecded at once to Wisconsin, and there located on a farm in Dane county. where he engaged in general farming and in the carpenter trade. During the war in 1814, between Sweden and Norway, Ole Olson was a soldier in the army of his county, and performed good service. His father, Ole Berk- hus, lived his life in Norway, where he was a farmer.
Alexander Norman was born in Norway on September 5. 1819. He received his education in the public schools of his native country and at the normal school. After completing his schooling he engaged in the teaching profession. He was engaged to be married while living in Norway, but the wedding took place in Jefferson Prairie, Wisconsin. He and his bride-to-be both came to America in 1843 and both located near Jefferson Prairie, where. after a year, they were married by the first Norwegian minister in America. the Reverend Diethrickson. After their marriage they located on a rented farm and for some years Alexander Norman worked for others as a farm hand. They then moved to Dane county, Wisconsin, where they purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres and there Mr. Norman engaged in farming for himself for twenty-three years, at the end of which time he went to Otter Tail county, and located in St. Olaf township, where he bought a homestead right, and there lived, engaged in general farming, until his retirement from the activities of life on the farm, and removed to Elbow
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