History of Fillmore County, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 66

Author: Edward D. Neill
Publication date: 1882
Publisher:
Number of Pages:

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deposited a bible, a Lutheran catechism, and a "Skandinaven," whatever that is. In the fall the house was ready for use, and the first service was the funeral of Haaken Arentsen, who had taken a leading part in its construction. The legal incor- poration was not effected until 1873. In 1878, the membership reached 150, but on account of the emigration it has decreased to about 120.

NORWEGIAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. .- This congregation was organized at the school- house on the 14th of October, 1861, and the fol- lowing trustees were appointed: Stark T. Gjer- nes, Ole Baardsen, and Henrik Henrikson. The first minister was N. E. Jensen, who has now gone to his reward. In 1866, a church was erected, 30x45 feet, which was used as a place of worship until 1881, when an addition, 18x28 feet, was made, with a basement the same size, to be used as a school to impart religious instruction. Rev. Kr. Magelssen succeeded Mr. Jensen, and remained from about 1869 to 1873. He is now pastor of the church in Norway township. After him came the present minister, Rev. E. Jaastad. Including the baptized children there are about four hundred members.

PRESBYTERIAN .-- In the spring of 1867, a society was organized by the Rev. R. H. Cunningham, ser- vices having been previously held, and an interest manifested sufficient to warrant this step. After Mr. Cunningham came Rev. S. D. Westfall, and regular service was kept up until about 1878, and since that time the Methodist and Congregational interests hold service in alternation. The society was called "the Schoolhouse Church."

CEMETERIES.

There are quite a number of burial places within the limits of the town.

THE RUSHFORD CEMETERY ASSOCIATION was or- ganized in 1865. The grounds are located on section fourteen, and has an enclosure of five acres. The number of interments here up to the 20th of April, 1882, is 124; of these there are eighty Americans, eighteen Scotch, ten Germans, nine Norwegians, four English, two Swedes, and one Canadian. The decided preponderance of Ameri- cans is due to the large number of children. Among the early comers whose remains repose here is Angus Chisholm; also Duncan Cameron, who pre-empted the land from the government, and George W. Valentine, the first Town Clerk.

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HISTORY OF FILLMORE COUNTY.

William Johnson's cemetery is located about 100 rods north of the northwest corner of section twenty-three, and comprises a quarter of an acre. It contains what is mortal of the Johnson family who have died, and quite a number of others, four- teen in all.

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CEMETERY. - This is located on section fifteen. Mr. S. T. Gjernes gave the land to the church early in the sixties, with the understanding that the remains at the other ceme- tery should be removed, but few were ever changed. There must have been upwards of two hundred burials here, among them Dr. P. E. Kirkland, a young man of great promise.

NORWEGIAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN .- One acre of land was given by Ed. Johnson to the church from his farm in section thirty-two in 1876. The first burial was the infant child of Mr. Olson of Peterson, in the spring of 1876. In a few weeks the wife and child of Tom Kleppe were also in- terred there, and it is understood that there has been but one since that time.

NORWEGIAN .- This is in section fifteen, and con- sists of two acres presented by S. T. Gjernes. The remains of Mrs. Swan Werlein were the first to be laid here, in 1860 or '61.

Another burial place adjoining the above was set apart on the land of Olson Berland a few years ago. The land was presented under the express stipulation that burials should not be limited to church members.

CATHOLIC CEMETERY .- This is in section two, on the farm of Martin Timberg. It has two acres of land. The remains of Mrs. Thomas Murphy, of Rushford, are supposed to be the first to find a final resting place here. It was started in 1878, and now has seventeen occupants.

SOUTH RUSHFORD CEMETERY .- This burial place was laid out by C. D. Sherwood, in the fall of 1871, on section twenty-three. There has been no regular organized company, but Mr. Sherwood managed the business, selling the lots at $5.00 each. The first interment was that of an infant child of Mr. George A. Hayse. This was several years before the cemetery was finally laid out. It contains the mortal remains of about twenty-five persons.

VILLAGE OF PETERSON.

Peterson-Haslerud gave the railroad company fifteen acres of land, and the other citizens sub- scribed to the extent of $800, to secure a station and warehouse, which were soon erected in a sin- gle building, a side track laid, and the station named Peterson was thus established. Mr. Peter- son at once began a good business buying wheat for eastern parties. A Post-office was established with Even A. Hjelle as Postmaster, in 1870.

In 1873, Lewis Olson erected a building, put in a stock of merchandise and kept a store for about two years. Neri Holgeson also put up a building 18x30 feet, and put in goods to the value of two or three thousand dollars.

Ole Ensberg started a blacksmith shop, and a wagon shop was opened by E. P. Quickstad.

In 1874, the whole of the quarter section was laid out in lots. During the centennial year fifteen acres were platted and recorded with Frospect, Park, and Mill Streets, east and West, and Cen- tennial, Fillmore, and Church, in the other direc- tion, with Myrtle and other avenues.

In 1875, the original fifteen acres were repur- chased from the railroad company, and it now be- longs to the P. Peterson Haslerud estate.

Thompson Brothers bought out the store in 1875, and increased the stock. It is now owned by S. C. Thompson.

Johnson, Hourn & Hostvet opened & hardware store, and E. Kierland a drug store, which was afterward secured by Hans Hourn.

Mr. K. Torvilson & Son opened a general mer- chandise store, which in 1878 became the firm of J. Jackson & K. Torvilson. The firm is now Jackson Brothers, and the business is in the old hardware store.

FLOURING MILL .- A dam was thrown across the river in 1871, and a mill completed the next year by John Sheldrop, William Franklin, and a Mr. Nelson. Its location was about 100 rods northeast of the station, and it was a three run mill with nine feet fall. With a limited capital the mill was run for two years when it fell into the hands of Easton & Barton, in charge of S. C. Barton, who made many changes, increasing its capacity to six run of stones, but on the 24th of January, 1877, it was burned. L. Olson put up a feed mill on the spot, which run for some time.

This is a railroad village located on the north- FEED MILL .-- A mill for grinding feed was started in 1881, with one set of stones, but has east quarter of section thirty. Soon after the completion of the railroad to this point, Mr. P. | been changed into an iron grinder or a diamond

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RUSH FORD TOWNSHIP.

feed mill. It is run by a portable engine, and can deliver 150 bushels a day. The building is 20x36 feet, and a single story.

RAILROAD BUSINESS. - There was no ticket agent here until 1874, when Neri Holgeson sold tickets in his store. In 1876, the telegraph was brought in, with G. Peterson Haslerud as agent. The present depot was put up in 1877.

NORWEGIAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. - This was started as a branch of the North Prairie church at Arendahl, Rev. A. E. Boyum being the first minister, who preached every third Sunday in private houses. In 1877, a neat frame house was built. Service is now held at regular intervals, with a good attendande.

PETERSON MILL COMPANY .-- A stock company was organized in 1876, by E. P. Quickstad, N. Holgeson, A. Christianson, P. Peterson Haselrud, Ole Quickstad, and others living in the vicinity. A mill was built, three and one-half stories with a basement, and furnished with steam power, eight run of stones and all first-class apparatus. When completed and stocked there was a debt of only $9,000. But for various reasons it did not pay, and in the spring of 1877, it was rented to S. C. Barton who run it for a year, and others also operated it until 1879, when the mortgage was foreclosed and it fell into the hands of the Cream City Iron Works. It has since remained idle.

POST OFFICE .-- Even Hjelle was the first Post- master; at the end of two years William Franklin kept it at his residence, then Lars Olson, and afterward N. Holgeson. In 1879, S. C. Thomp- son was appointed and he still holds the office at his store. The mail is sent twice a week from this office to Pilot Mound via Arendahl.

In addition to the other establishments named, there is a hotel, kept by C. C. Johnson; lumber is kept by S. C. Thompson, and there are several other shops necessary to such a village.

TROUT PONDS .- The object of greatest interest in Peterson is the Trout Hatchery belonging to the estate of the founder of the village. In 1874, this enterprising citizen, taking advantage of the remarkable spring on his place, proceeded to carry out a plan to raise and cultivate trout, and eight ponds were excavated and arranged for the busi- ness, with hatching apartments and spring houses. After the preparations were made, 100,000 trout spawn were procured, and the enterprise has proved a success, as the water and methods of treatment

seem to coincide with the habits of the fish. In 1881, 60,000 embryotic trout were sold to the State, be- sides other sales. There are now in these minia- ture lakes perhaps 150,000 trout more than a year old, in excellent condition. Those who have never seen the fish-breeding industry would be well re- paid by stopping over in Peterson and viewing the domestication of this species of the finuy tribe.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

JOHN ANDERSON is a native of Sweden, born on the 23d of April, 1837. He came to America in 1864, directly to Minnesota, and located in this township. In 1871, he purchased a farm and has since devoted his time to its cultivation. He has been twice married, first to Miss Bertha Samuelson, who died the following year, leaving one child. His present wife was Miss B. Hanson, whom he married in 1872. They have had six children, five of whom are living.

OLE H. BAKER is a native of Norway, born the 20th of August, 1830. He came to America in 1854, resided in Wisconsin a few months, and after- ward in Illinois. He purchased a farm in this place in 1866, and has since made it his home. In 1869, Mr. Baker was joined in marriage with Miss Isabel Charleson. They have had seven children, five of whom are living.

H. H. BAKER was also born in Norway, his birth dating the 26th of February, 1840. He came with his parents to America, first settling in Racine county, Wisconsin, but soon after moved to Illi- nois In 1860, he came to Minnesota and located a farm, part of which is in Money Creek, Houston county, and part in this township. He was mar- ried to Mrs. Augusta Olson on the 14th of April, 1862.

STARK T. GJERNES one of the early settlers of this place, is a native of the province of Bergen, Norway, born on the 16th of December, 1818. He came to America in 1848, located in Dane county, Wisconsin, and was engaged in the pineries for several years. In February, 1852, he was joined in marriage with Mrs. Anna Knudson. They moved to this township in 1854, settling in section fifteen, where Mr. Gjernes has a large stone residence and a fine farm. Mr. and Mrs. Gjernes have had four children, two of whom are living.

CHARLES W. GORE, one of the first settlers in this place, is a native of Ohio, born in Le Roy, Lake county, on the 20th of March, 1838. When young he learned the trade of a millwright and attended

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the district schools, after which he completed his studies at the Academy of Kingsville. In 1857, on account of ill health, he came west, located in Rushford and immediately erected a mill in which he put machinery for making laths. The follow- ing year he sold the latter and purchased a farm upon which, in company with his father, be built a saw-mill, and has since operated the same. Be- sides the latter he owns an interest in the Rush Creek flour-mill, and is also engaged in the manu- facture of pumps and sorghum. Mr. Gore has always taken an interest in politics; has filled many local offices, and is at present Justice of the Peace. On the 14th of March, 1860, he was joined in marriage with Miss Martha E. Bartley. Iu 1864, he enlisted in the Seventh Minnesota Volun- teer Infantry, Company K; was wounded at the battle of Nashville on the 16th of December in the same year, and confined in the hospital until the following April, when he received his discharge. He then returned to his home here and has since been engaged as above stated.

HENRY W. HOLMES is a native of Lake county, Ohio, born on the 25th of November, 1828. In 1851, he moved to Delton, Wisconsin, where he was engaged in the manufacture of wagons and carriages. He came to Rushford in 1870, con- tinuing in the business, and the following year took as partner A. J. Stevens. In 1874, the "Rush- ford Wagon and Carriage Company" was formed, Mr. Holmes being a member of the firm a year and a half. He then sold his interest and confined his business to the manufacture of light carriages until the afore-named company removed to Winona, since which time he has been engaged in order work, furnishing employment for about ten men.

PETER PETERSON HASLERUD, deceased, who platted and owned the village site of Peterson, was one of the first settlers in this township. His birth occurred in Norway on the 21st of July, 1828, and he came to America in 1843, locating in Illinois, where he was engaged in farming, and later, in the pineries of Wisconsin. He arrived here in July, 1853, he being among the first party of emigrants to locate in this township. In the lat- ter year he was married to Miss Corneli Anderson. Mr. Haslerud settled in section thirty where he lived until his death, and where his widow now lives. He devoted his time to farming, but was always identified with the local interests and held a num- ber of responsible town offices; was also a member

of the State Legislature one year. Mr. and Mrs. Haslerud had a family of five children, four of whom are living. Two of the sons own farms in Arendahl township where one of them resides. The remainder of the family live on the old home- stead. Mr. Haslerud died on the 23d of Septem- ber, 1880.

GEORGE PETERSON HASLERUD, the oldest native born citizen of this town, dates his birth the 10th of November, 1853. He is a son of the subject of our last sketch, who was the founder of Peterson village. George lived with his parents, attending school, until 1871; then entered the State University at Minneapolis. In 1872, he returned to Peterson and worked on the farm one year, after which he spent three years as clerk in the store of Mr. Holgerson. He was married on the 3d of May, 1876, to Miss Julia M. Wethe. In the latter year he received the appointment of station agent at Peterson, having been telegraph operator at this point for some time before, and held the position until the fall of 1881. He has been Town Clerk during the past year. Mr. and Mrs. Haslerud have been blessed with two chil- dren.

GEORGE A. HAYSE, one of the early settlers of the county, is a native of Barrington, New Hamp- shire, born on the 19th of October, 1832. When young he was employed in a door, sash and blind factory near his home, in the city of Dover, and afterward in Massachusetts. In 1854, he came to Fillmore county and located a farm in Sumner township, where he filled the office of Town Clerk a number of years and was County Commissioner five years. Miss Maria R. Lamb became the wife of Mr. Hayse on the 25th of March, 1858. The fruits of the union were 'eight children, six of whom are living. In 1865, Mr. Hayse was appointed land appraiser for the Southern Minne- sota Railroad Company, with headquarters at Hokah, Houston county. The following year he purchased a farm adjoining the village of Rush- ford, and a few years later opened a general mer- cantile store in the city, having since continued in the business. Since coming liere he has held the office of Town Clerk about ten years, and in 1881, was a member of the State Legislature.

HENDRICK HENDRICKSON, who is one of the old settlers and an extensive farmer of this place, was born in Norway, on the 7th of May, 1832. When young he was employed in grist and saw-mills,

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remaining in that occupation until coming to America in 1852. He resided in Chicago one year; then came to Houston county and engaged in farming. In 1855, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Martha Edmonds, who has borne him seven children, four of whom are living. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Hendrickson located a farm in section twenty-three, Rushford township, but in 1866, moved to bis present land in section sixteen, upon which are good buildings and other sub- stantial improvements.

SAMUEL G. IVERSON, present Postmaster of Rushford, is a son of John and C. Iverson, who came from Norway to America and were among the first to locate in Fillmore county. Samuel was born on the 21st of April, 1859, and is the oldest resident of Rushford born in the city. He attended the schools of the town, completing his education in the Shattuck School, at Faribault. On his return home he was employed as Clerk in the Post-office, and in January, 1881, appointed Postmaster,

EDMOND JOHNSON, & native of Norway, was born on the 10th of February, 1841. When eleven years old he engaged as a sailor, and con- tinued in that capacity (with the exception of one year) until 1861, when he landed in America. He came directly to Rushford township, but soon found employment in Winona county, where he remained a number of years and finally purchased a farm. On the 10th of February, 1866, he was joined in marriage with Miss Julia Olson, daugh- ter of O. C. Tuff, the oldest settler in the town- ship. Of eight children born to this union, seven are living. In 1869, Mr. Johnson purchased a farm in section thirty-two, and moved his family there, having since made it his home. He has been one of the Supervisors for the past two years, and at the last election was chosen Chairman of the board.

C. C. JOHNSON was born in Norway on the 24th of November, 1841. He learned the blacksmith and also wagon-maker's trade, after which he opened a shop and continued in the business until coming to America in 1869. He came to Wis- consin and worked at his trade in La Crosse, also worked in saw-mills for a few years. Miss Lena Johnson became his wife on the 31st of October, 1872. They have two children. In 1874, Mr. Johnson located in this place and opened his pres- ent blacksmith and wagon shop. Since 1881, his

residence has been open to travelers and boarders, it being the only hotel in the village of Peterson. Mr. Johnson is agent for the Moline Plow Com- pany.

T. A. JACKSON is a native of Norway and dates his birth the 11th of October, 1844. When an infant he came with his parents to America, locating in Dane county, Wisconsin, and after- ward near Madison. In 1853, they came to Aren- dahl township, where they were among the first settlers. The subject of this sketch was married in April, 1868, to Miss Augusta Amundson. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson moved to Watonwan county in 1870, but returned to this county three years later, and in company with his brother Mr. Jackson opened a store in Pekin, Pilot Mound township. On the 15th of April, 1878, Mrs. Jackson died, leaving four children. In 1881, the Jackson brothers opened a general mercantile store in Peterson, and have since established a good trade.

GEORGE E. KIRKPATRICK was born at Fort How- ard, Wisconsin, in 1856. When he was eleven months old his parents moved to Carimona town- ship, Fillmore county, settling on a farm. George attended school there until moving to Yucatan, Houston county, in 1869. In 1874, he came to Rushford and completed his education; then en- tered the office of the "Star," since which time, with the exception of about three years engaged at his trade in other localities, he has remained in the latter office. During the absence of the pro- prietor, Mr. Kirkpatrick has had the general man- agement of the business. On the 27th of Septem- ber, 1881, he was married, in Winona, to Miss Frances Rivers, daughter of P. B. Rivers, of the latter city.

CHARLES R. MOKENNEY was born in Franklin, Grant county, Wisconsin, in 1846. He received his education in his native State, and at the age of seventeen years commenced to learn the print- ing trade, at which business he has since contin- ned. He was connected with the LaCrosse, Wis- consin, papers in various capacities, and in 1870, entered the office of the "New York Daily Demo- crat," latterly was editor and business manager of the "St. Cloud Press," Minnesota, and afterward purchased the "Rashford Star," which paper he still owns, having published it for six years. He was elected Enrolling Clerk of the State Senate in 1876, and re-elected by acclamation in 1878; was a delegate to the State convention in 1881,

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and in December, the same year, was appointed Enrolling Clerk of the House of Representatives.

OWEN MOHAN, Jr., is a native of Ireland, born in 1847, and came to America with his parents when but a year old. They resided in Jersey, Steuben county, New York, for about five years; then moved to Illinois. In 1858, Owen's brother came to Rushford and took land which his father bought the same year, and to which he brought his fam- ily in 1862. On the 31st of March, 1873, Mr. Mohan married Miss Emily Footman, the cere- mony taking place in Mankato. His father died on the 1st of December, 1875, since which time our subject has carried on the farm. He has a family of four children.

GEORGE MARTIN, one of the early settlers of this place, was born in Austria on the 23d of April, 1825. When he was young he learned the stone- mason trade, at which he was engaged in his native country until 1850, when he came to Amer- ica, locating in Belleville, Illinois. He was united in marriage with Miss Magdalene Hrdlicku, on the 13th of July, 1853. In 1856, they came to this place and bought a farm, to which they have since added, and now own four hundred and eighty acres, upon which is a fine brick house, Mr. Mar- tin manufacturing the brick on his own land. Mr. and Mrs. Martin have had twelve children, ten of whom are living.

GEORGE J. ONSTINE, Mayor of Rushford, is a native of Ohio, born in Seneca county in June, 1834. At the age of thirteen years he moved with his parents to Green county, Wisconsin, and in 1853, to this county, settling in Amherst. A few later the family removed to Holt, where his father died the 27th of January, 1859. George settled in the latter place the following summer, and in July, 1860, married Miss Christiana Adams, a native of Erie County, New York. Mr. Onstine came to Rushford in 1868, and immediately com- menced the erection of the Northwestern Hotel, which he has since carried on. For a number of years he was Chairman of the board of Supervi- sors, and has also been Justice of the Peace. Mr. and Mrs. Onstine have had three children, two of whom are living; George H. and Emma F.

TORJUS S. REISHUS is a son of S. O. and Inge- borg T. Reishus. They are natives of Norway, and came to America in 1843, locating in Wiscon- sin. Of ten children born to them, eight are living. Torjus was born in the latter State the 1st of

December, 1847. In 1854, the family came to this place, where our subject grew to manhood. The maiden name of his wife was Ellen P. Brown. She has borne him two children, Lysander T. and Ingeborg E. Mr. Reishus has had entire charge of the lumber business of O. L. Coleman since 1876. His parents now reside in Yellow Medicine county, where they moved in 1876. His brothers and sis- ters have also moved from here, he being the only one of the family now living in this county.

HENRY STAGE, an early settler in this section, is a native of Germany, born in Hanover on the 29th of August, 1830. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and in 1851, came to America. Arriv- ing in New York, he remained a few years; then moved to Illinois, and in May, 1856, came to this township, locating a farm in section three. On the 15th of November, 1857, Miss Martha Emery became his wife. She died after six years of wed- ded life. The maiden name of his present wife was Sarah Coolidge, whom he married on the 16th of July, 1866. Mr. Stage commenced here with limited means, but by industry and economy has accumulated quite a fortune. He is engaged in stock raising, and besides his farm owns an inter- est in the Rush Creek flour-mill, and is also en. gaged in the manufacture of sorghum in company with C. W. Gore.

REV. WILLIAM W. SNELL .- His birth was on the 3d of April, 1821, in North Brookfield, Mass. He commenced the preparation for a collegiate course by attending the Academy at Munson and also at Worcester, but having a dislike for the study of Greek his father wisely allowed him to follow his own inclinations, and being of a mechanical turn he went to work in a machine shop and learned the trade. At the age of twenty-two, the daguerreo- type process of making pictures having been in- troduced into America, he mastered the intricacies of that art, and made a tour of the western and southern States, engaged in the business. After an absence of several years he returned to New England and again applied himself to the machinist trade, following that occupation in Bos- ton and Lawrence for a number of years. His health beginning to fail, his physician advised him to go West, and he accordingly started for Minnesota, arriving at Rushford on the 4th of May, 1855. Of course such a man was welcomed by those already here, and since that time he has been closely identified with the development and

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History of Fillmore County, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 66

Author: Edward D. Neill Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author: Edward D. Neill
Publication date: 1882
Publisher:
Number of Pages: