USA > Minnesota > Grant County > History of Douglas and Grant counties, Minnesota : their people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 50
USA > Minnesota > Douglas County > History of Douglas and Grant counties, Minnesota : their people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 50
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NICK THIES.
Nick Thies, one of the prominent and successful farmers of Elbow Lake township, Grant county, and chairman of the board of supervisors of that township, was born in Waukesha county, Wisconsin, about twelve miles from Milwaukee, on February 2, 1856, the son of Nick and Katherine Thies, who were born in France, where they continued to reside until they came to the United States and located in Waukesha county, Wisconsin, where Mr. Thies bought thirty acres of land and resided for some years. They
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later removed to Clark county, in that same state, and there purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, which they developed and improved and there spent the rest of their lives. The elder Thies was killed on the railroad in 1877, at the age of eighty-seven years, he having been born in 1791. His widow died in 1901, at the age of eighty-seven years. Nick Thies was a soldier at the battle of Waterloo and was there wounded. He remembered with pleasure that on several occasions he had seen Napoleon Bonaparte.
Nick Thies, Sr., was first married to Mary Thies and to that union two children were born, Mat and Mary. Mat Thies was a soldier in the Civil War and saw much active service in the Twenty-Second Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He died in 1912, being then nearly one hundred years old. To Nick Thies, Sr., and Katherine Thies the following children were born : John, Peter, Nick, Kate and Mat. Peter and Kate are now deceased.
Nick Thies, the subject of this sketch, received his education in the public schools of Wisconsin and there grew to manhood. In 1879 he came to Minnesota and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Elbow Lake township, Grant county, where he has since made his home. The place at that time was undeveloped and unimproved. He set out a large grove and has erected good and substantial buildings. His farm is in excellent condition and he has a barn thirty-six by fifty feet. He is engaged in gen- eral farming and stock raising, in which he has been quite successful, being a believer in intensive farming and in the keeping of the best of stock. Mr. Thies is a Republican and has always taken an active interest in local affairs. He assisted in the organization of North Ottawa township in 1882 and for two years served as justice of the peace, has been chairman of the board of supervisors for thirty years and is the present occupant of that office. He and his family are devout members of the Catholic church and have always been active in the social and the religious life of the community, where they are held in the highest esteem.
On February 22, 1879, in Wisconsin, Nick Thies was united in mar- riage to Katherine Schuster, a native of Germany and the daughter of Peter and Mary Schuster, who came to Wisconsin at an early day, the father dying in that state and the mother, in Grant county, in 1901, at the age of seventy- five years. To Nick and Katherine Thies the following children were born : Lizzie, John, Nick, Clara, Peter, Anna, Mary (deceased), Mary and Susan. Mrs. Katherine Thies was killed by lightning in 1898 and was mourned as an affectionate wife and mother and a kind neighbor. Mr. Thies succeeded in keeping his children all at home until they had reached manhood and woman- hood.
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CHRIS CHRISTIANSON.
Chris Christianson, a well-known and successful farmer of Delaware township, Grant county, was born in Norway on August 7, 1864, the son of Christ and Berit (Jacobsen) Halverson, both of whom were natives of Nor- way and there lived and died.
Chris Christianson received his education in the public schools of his native land, where he lived until 1887, when he decided to come to America. On his arrival in the United States he came direct to Minnesota, arriving at Starbuck, where he remained over night. The next day with his satchel, containing all his earthly possessions, he walked to Farwell and was so little pleased with the aspect of things that he would have gone back to the land of his birth if he had had money enough. As it was, he proceeded on over to Herman and there he worked on the railroad for three summers, later renting land and engaging in farming. In 1911 he purchased one hundred and thirty-three acres in Delaware township, which he has now increased to two hundred and twenty-eight acres. This farm he has developed and improved, has erected good and substantial buildings and in other ways has added valuable improvements. There he is engaged in general farming and stock raising, in which he has been quite successful. Mr. Christianson is progressive in his methods and believes in intensive farming and in the most thorough cultivation of the soil. By close application to business and hard work he is today one of the substantial farmers and stockmen of the town- ship and is recognized as one of the prominent men of the community.
Politically, Chris Christianson is a Republican and has always taken an active interest in local affairs. He believes in substantial public improve- ments and favors all enterprises that tend to the growth and the develop- ment of the township and the county. Good roads and good schools are to him two of the important factors in the development and future stability of the district. He has for the past six years been a member of the school board and he has done much for the success of the excellent schools of the district.
In 1893 Chris Christianson was united in marriage to Agnes Johnson, who was born in Wisconsin in 1877, the daughter of L. E. and Anna ( John- son ) Johnson. of Stockholm. Wisconsin, and to this union nine children have been born, Charley, Alice, Clarence, Mabel, Lloyd, Florence, Ralph, Bert and Herbert, all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Christianson are active mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church and have always taken an active in-
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terest in church work. They are prominent in the social and religious life of the community in which they live and where they are held in the highest re- gard and esteem. Mr. Christianson is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and is active in the work of the order. Mrs. Christianson's parents, L. E. and Anna Johnson, are natives of Norway, who came to Wis- consin in 1867 and were married there. They have continued to reside in Wisconsin and are now retired.
NILS NILSON.
Nils Nilson, a well-known and well-to-do retired farmer, one of the real pioneers of this section of Minnesota, for fourteen years a resident of Kensington, where he and his wife are living in substantial comfort, and who has served that village as president of the village, as assessor and as overseer of streets, is a native of the kingdom of Sweden, but has been a resident of this country since 1873 and of Minnesota since 1877. He was born on November 1, 1845, son of Nils and Margaret (Olesdatter) Nilson, farm owners in Sweden, who spent all their lives there. They were the par- ents of ten children and their son, Nils, grew to manhood on the farm and became a farmer in his native land. He married there in 1869 and in 1873, with his wife and two children, came to the United States, proceeding to Michigan and locating in Marquette county, where he worked in the iron mines until 1877, when he and his family came to Minnesota and pushed right out into the outskirts of civilization on the western edge of the state. Proceeding by way of the Great Northern railway as far as Herman, Mr. Nilson and his family then equipped themselves for their further western journey and drove on into Traverse county, which at that time had but two houses in it and not a house on the stretch of thirty-nine miles between Her- man and Breckenridge. Mr. Nilson's objective was a quarter section of land which he had homesteaded in what later became Redpath township, Traverse county, in a section thirty-five miles from the nearest house, a log cabin in which the Indian trader, Brown, kept a frontier trading stand, the location of Brown's cabin later becoming known as Brown's Valley. When Mr. Nilson settled on his prairie homestead thirty-five miles from Brown's, there was but one other house within the whole extent of Traverse county and that was another log trading-post. Mr. Nilson presently erected a frame house on his place, the firm frame house erected in Traverse county,
NILS NILSON AND FAMILY.
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and lost little time in developing and improving his homestead, early becom- ing recognized as one of the most substantial and influential pioneers of that section. When Redpath township was organized he was one of the leaders in the work of organization and for more than twenty years was chairman of the board of supervisors. As he prospered in his farming operations he added to his holdings until he became the owner of a full section of land in one body, well improved and profitably cultivated. There he lived until 1902, when he and his wife retired from the active labors of the farm and moved to Kensington, where they ever since have made their home and where they are very pleasantly situated. Since locating at Kensington, Mr. Nilson has continued his active interest in civic affairs and has served as president of the village, as assessor and for ten years as overseer of streets, while in other ways he has done well his part in promoting the best interests of his home town, the energies of his pioneer days apparently being but little abated in his later years. He and his wife are members of the Swedish Lutheran church and for many years have taken an earnest interest in the affairs of that congregation, helpful in all good works.
It was in 1869, while still living in Sweden, that Nils Nelson was united in marriage to Helma C. Sherlanda, also a native of that country, daughter of Carl Gustav Sherlanda and wife, and to this union two sons were born, Martin Robert and Enoch Benedictus Nilson, both of whom are engaged in the grain business in North Dakota. Mrs. Nilson was bereft of her mother when she was fourteen years of age. Years later, about 1865, her father came to the United States and located at East Parma, Michigan, where he spent the remainder of his days.
JACOB TRIESE.
Jacob Triese, one of Grant county's best-known and most substantial retired farmers, a resident of Elbow Lake since 1898, is a native of Germany, but has been a resident of this country practically all the time since he was twenty-four years of age. He was born on November 14, 1838, son of Lucas and Rebecca (Marx) Triese, both of whom were natives of Germany, farming people, who spent all their lives in their native country. Lucas Triese served for some time as a soldier of his country. He and his wife were the parents of seven children, the first-born of whom died in infancy,
(33a)
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the others being as follow: Christopher, who came to the United States and became a soldier of the Union during the Civil War, serving as a men- ber of Company B in one of the Pennsylvania regiments until he met his death at the battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia; Jacob, the subject of this biographical sketch; Minnie, who is still living in Germany; Edward, who has for years been a resident of St. Paul, this state; William, who remained in Germany, and Paulina, who also is still living in her native land.
In his twenty-fourth year, in April, 1863, Jacob Triese came to the United States, landing at the port of Philadelphia and in that city he remained for three years, working at anything his hand could find to do, even to the selling of ice cream on the streets. He then returned to Germany, where he remained for four years, at the end of which time, in 1870, he married and with his bride returned to the United States, proceeding directly to Minne- sota, where he homesteaded a quarter of a section of land in Todd county, on which he made his home for six years, developing his homestead in fine shape. He then disposed of his holdings there to advantage and moved down into Stearns county, where he bought another quarter of a section, on which he made his home for eight years, developing a fine piece of property there, which, in 1884, he sold and then moved up into Grant county, settling in Pomme de Terre township on a tract of land which he proceeded to develop and as he prospered there added to his holdings until he became the owner of a fine farm of four hundred acres and there he lived until 1898, in which year he retired from the active labors of the farm and moved to Elbow Lake, where he and his wife have ever since made their home and where they are very pleasantly situated. In 1912 Mr. Triese sold the farm and has since been relieved of the cares of management. For some years during his resi- dence on the farm in Pomme de Terre township, Mr. Triese was overseer of highways in his district and did much for the advancement of the cause of good roads thereabout. In addition to his general farming he gave consider- able attention to the raising of live stock and did very well in his operations.
It was in 1870, during his visit back to his native land, that Jacob Triese was united in marriage to Mrs. Dorothy ( Marx) Hillman, widow of Edward Hillman, proprietor of a large hotel, and for five years a soldier, who had died some time before, and to this union two children have been born, Char- lotte, who married Jacob Vestner, and Alvina, who married Frank Shaffer. Mrs. Triese was born in Germany, daughter and only child of Jacob and Fredericka (Kinemont) Marx, the latter of whom died when her daughter was six years of age. In 1873 Jacob Marx came to the United States and
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rejoined his daughter in Grant county, where he spent his last days. By her first marriage Mrs. Triese was the mother of one child, a son, Herman Hillman, who accompanied his Grandfather Max to Minnesota in 1873 and thus rejoined his mother in Grant county. Mr. and Mrs. Triese are mem- bers of the Lutheran church and take a proper interest in the affairs of the same, as well as in all neighborhood good works.
SWEN MATTSON.
Swen Mattson, a well-known and progressive farmer of Grant county, member of the board of supervisors of Lien township and the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and eighty acres lying partly in that township and partly in Roseville township, is a native of the kingdom of Sweden, but has been a resident of the United States since 1873. He was born on a farm in Hallen, Sweden, March 6, 1852, son of Anton and Brita (Swanson) Matt- son, natives of that same district, well-to-do farming people, the former of whom died in May, 1855, and the latter in 1872, who were the parents of six children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the last-born, the otliers being as follows: Aaron, a grocer, who is still living in his native land; Andrew, a liveryman, who died in his native land; Sophia, who married Nils Nelson and lives in Sweden; John, who died in Sweden, and Anna, who died in her youth.
Reared on the home farm, Swen Mattson received his schooling in the schools in the neighborhood of his home and remained there, working on the farm, until he was twenty-one years of age, when, in 1873, he came to the United States and for about a year was engaged working in the coal mines around Morris Run, Tioga county, Pennsylvania. He then returned to his home across the water, but a year later returned to Pennsylvania and was for a few months again engaged working in the Morris Run mines, after which, in September, 1875, he went to Illinois, locating in Ford county, where for two years he was engaged working on the big Sullivan estate. He then, in 1877, rented a part of that estate and there remained, farming on his own account, until 1903, in which year he came to Minnesota and took up his residence in Grant county, where he ever since has made his home. In 1902, the year previous to his settlement in Grant county, he had bought a farm of two hundred and eighty acres in section 35 of Lien town- ship and in section 3 of Roseville township and upon moving his family out
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established his home there. Though the farm had been improved and all had been brought under cultivation, the buildings were old and Mr. Mattson tore down the latter and replaced them with modern buildings and other- wise improved the place, bringing it up to a high standard. In addition to his general farming he gives some attention to local business affairs and is a member of the board of directors of the Barrett Grain Company. In his political affiliations Mr. Mattson is a Republican and is a member of the present board of township supervisors.
In 1880, while living in Ford county, Illinois, Swen Mattson was united in marriage to Louisa Anderson, who also was born in Sweden, daughter of Gustav Anderson and wife, who came to this country and set- tled in Ford county, and to this union six children have been born, namely : John, a concrete contractor, who lives at Marshalltown, Iowa; Elizabeth, who married Alfred Jenson and lives in Erdahl township; Gertrude, who married Martin Peterson and lives in Ford county, Illinois, and Albert, Arthur and Huldah, who are at home with their parents. The Mattsons are members of the Swedish Lutheran church and take a warm interest in the general beneficences of the same, as well as in all neighborhood good works, helpful factors in the promotion of all movements having to do with the advancement of the common welfare thereabout.
HENRY HESSEL.
Henry Hessel, local manager of the office of the Globe Land and Loan Company of Minnesota at Elbow Lake and of the best-known and most energetic young real-estate men in this part of the state, is a native of Wis- consin, born at Bloomer, in Chippewa county, that state, February 19, 1888, one of the eight children born to Henry and Justina (Link) Hessel, both of whom were born in Waukesha county, Wisconsin, and now reside at Rice Lake, in that same state. The senior Henry Hessel, a well-to-do retired farmer and soda-water manufacturer, was formerly a member of the board of supervisors of Barron county, Wisconsin.
The junior Henry Hessel was reared in Wisconsin, receiving his ele- mentary education in the public schools, and after a couple of years in the high school at Cameron entered the Curtis Business College at Minneapolis, from which he was graduated in 1906. He then was engaged by the Globe Land and Loan Company of Minnesota, this state, and was located in the
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main office of that company at Minnesota until the first of the year 1911, when he transferred his services to the Bank of Canby at Canby, this state, where he remained but a short time, however, his services presently being secured by the Globe Land and Loan Company, which put him in charge of the branch office of that concern at Elbow Lake, where he has ever since been located and where he has come to be recognized as one of the most enterprising young real-estate men in this part of the state.
HANS BARDAHL.
Hans Bardahl, one of the well-known and prominent retired farmers of Barrett, Grant county, was born on April 30, 1841, in Norway, the son of John and Olena (Olson) Larson, also natives of Norway, where they were married and where they spent all their lives. John Larson was a well- known farmer of his community and he and his wife were the parents of two children, Annie and Hans Bardahl.
Hans Bardahl received his education in the public schools of his native land, where he lived until he was twenty-five years of age, when he decided to come to America. On his arrival in the United States he came directly to Minnesota and located in Goodhue county in 1866. He remained in that county but one year, at the end of which time he removed to Renville county, where he engaged in general farming until 1890, when he came to Grant county and located in Sanford township for five years, and then in 1895 came to his present farm of two hundred and eighty acres in section 30 of Elk Lake township. He has placed practically all the present modern and substantial buildings on the place and has developed the farm into one of the best in the township. It was there that he engaged in general farming and stock raising until 1913, when he retired from the activities of farm life and is now enjoying some of the results of his long years of hard and systematic work. Mr. Bardahl has always taken an active interest in the social and civic life of the community and has had much to do with the growth and the development of the township and the county.
In 1873 Hans Bardahl was united in marriage to Annie Ellent, a native of Norway and the daughter of Erick and Sarah Ellent, both of whom were natives of that country. It was there that the parents of Mrs. Bardahl received their education in the public schools, grew to manhood and woman- hood until 1855, when they decided to come to America. They located and
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resided in Iowa for two years, at the end of which time they moved to Good- hue county, Minnesota, where the father met his death by being crushed under a falling tree. Mr. and Mrs. Ellent were the parents of three children, Henry, Susie and Annie. They were prominent in their community and were held in the highest regard by all who knew them.
To Hans and Annie Bardahl have been born seven children, Steve, Sarah, John, Ole, Susie, Hannah and Ella. The family are active members of the Synod Lutheran church and have long been prominent in the social and religious life of the community. Mr. Bardahl is identified with the Republican party and has always taken much interest in the civic life of the township, as well as of the county at large.
HENRY HENDRICKSON.
Henry Hendrickson, postmaster at Hoffman, former township clerk, former justice of the peace, village recorder and member of the board of county commissioners of Grant county and for years active and influential in the civic life of that county, is a native son of Minnesota and has lived here all his life. He was born on a pioneer farm in the near vicinity of Albert Lea on June 17, 1863. son of Henry and Anna ( Andresdatter) Hen- drickson, natives of the kingdom of Sweden, who came to the United States in 1861 and proceeded on out to Minnesota, settling near Albert Lea, where they lived until about 1868, when they moved with their family to Doug- las county, homesteading a quarter section in Moe township, where they lived until 1874, when they moved over into Grant county, settling on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Lien township. There the elder Henry Hendrickson established his home, proceeding to develop his farm and became one of the most substantial farmers in that neighborhood. Upon retiring from the active labors of the farm he made his home with his son, Nels Hendrickson, on a farm about four miles south of his home farm and there he died in 1886. His widow survived until 1907, her death occur- ring at the home of her son, John Hendrickson, on the old home farm. They were members of the Swedish Lutheran church and took an active part in the affairs of that congregation in the pioneer days in their neigh- borhood. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom five grew to maturity, John, Anna, Nels, Henry and August.
Henry Hendrickson received his schooling in the early schools in the
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neighborhood of his old home in Lien township and when well grown became employed with a hardware and implement firm at Hoffman, being thus engaged for about five years, at the end of which time he took employment with an agricultural-implement company and was thus engaged for four or five years. He then took up construction work and for a year was engaged on work in connection with the construction of the railroad between Hoffman and Kensington, after which he became connected with the flour-mill at Kensington and for eight years worked in that mill. Mean- while he had been actively identified with the public service in and about Hoffman and in 1909 was appointed postmaster of that village, a position which he ever since has held. For years Mr. Hendrickson had been giving his close attention to local civic affairs and had served his community as township clerk, as justice of the peace, both in Lien township and in Hoff- man; had served as village recorder and had also served for a term as a member of the board of county commissioners.
In 1891 Henry Hendrickson was united in marriage to Hannah Knud- son, who was born in Solem township, Douglas county, this state, daughter of Peter Knudson, and to this union five children have been born, three of whom, Claire V., Ruth V. and Walter, are living and Walter and Henry are dead. Mr. and Mrs. Hendrickson are members of the Swedish Lutheran church and take an earnest interest in the various beneficences of the same, as well as in all good works in and about their home towns, ever helpful in the work of promoting all causes designed to advance the best interests of the community in which they live.
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