History of Freeborn County, Minnesota, Part 57

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn. 4n
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago : H. C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1220

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Anthony Huyck, now deceased, was one of the prominent men of the state. His size made him a conspicuous figure wherever he went, his genial good nature and sunny temperament made him a favorite with those he met, while his business ability, his force of character, and the logical powers of his mind made him respected throughout the Northwest. He weighed over 300 pounds, was six feet and six inches in height, and was as large in personality and mentality as he was in physique. Anthony Huyck was born in Albany county, New York, January 4, 1828,

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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

son of Walter and Margaret (Haines) Huyck, natives of that state. He resided with his parents until 1848, when he came to Kenosha county, Wisconsin, where he lived four years. Later he came to this state and lived a short time in Caledonia, Mayville and Crooked Creek until 1858, when he settled on a farm in Wil- mington township, Houston county, where he acquired vast pos- sessions and became a leading citizen. In 1877 he was sent to the lower house of the Minnesota legislature. In 1891 he came to Albert Lea to look after his holdings in this county, and here he lived until his lamented death, March 2, 1898. The subject of this sketch was married, June 5, 1859, at what was then Itasca, near Albert Lea, to Emily A. Colby, born February 7, 1835, at Orange county, Vermont, daughter of John and Hannah (Rowell) Colby, natives of Vermont. John Colby and his wife lived in Vermont a few years and then spent fifteen years in Pennsylvania. There- after they spent five years in Wisconsin and in 1855 came to Min- nesota and located in Houston county. A year later they came to Freeborn county and engaged in farming in Albert Lea township the remainder of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Huyck had four chil- dren. Cora, Grace and Emma died of scarlet fever in early life. Ella V. is the wife of Judge Heman Blackmer, of Albert Lea.

Captain Asa W. White, pioneer, veteran of the Civil War, up- right citizen and former county and city official, died January 13, 1907, after a useful and well-spent life. He was born in Chenango county, New York, December 20, 1827, and in 1848 settled on a farm in Green county, Wisconsin. In 1852 he became a merchant in Union, Rock county, Wisconsin, and in September of that year was married to Elizabeth A. Priest. In June, 1854, Captain White moved his family to Mitchell, Iowa, where he built the first log house in the vicinity. There he was register of deeds and after- ward county treasurer. Early in 1856 he resigned the latter office and came to Freeborn county, settling in Pickerel Lake township, where he lived until 1861, when he assisted in recruiting the heroic Company F, of the Fourth Minnesota volunteer infantry. Enlist- ing as a private October 11, 1861, he was, October 20, commis- sioned captain. He participated in the battles of Iuka, Corinth, the campaign against Vicksburg, the Yazoo Pass expedition and other notable engagements. June 19, 1863, by reason of ill health, he was compelled to resign and return home. He soon after, and until 1872, engaged in the mercantile business. In the latter year he became clerk of the district court and served two terms. He also served as justice of the peace, as city assessor and in other positions. He was a charter member of Western Star Lodge, No. 26. A. F. & A. M., and was its first master. From 1895 until his death Captain White lived on his fine farm on the west shore of Lake Albert Lea, spending many of his summers with his daughter

CHARLES SOTH

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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

at Lake Pulaski, at Buffalo, Minn. He left three children : Mrs. J. E. Stowell, C. D. White and Mrs. Ida A. Forrest. At the time of his death the newspapers said of Captain White: "Captain White has been identified for half a century with the history and affairs of this community, and as citizen, soldier and official, in all the walks of life, he bore an honorable part and possessed the uni- versal esteem of his fellowmen. He was a man of staunch con- victions and of integrity, and his life work and his record will ever be a cherished memory to his family and notable in the annals of Freeborn county."

Charles Soth, now deceased, was an earnest factor in the life of Albert Lea for many years, and in dying left a heritage of honor to his family, and a memory which will long be respected in the community wherein he labored. Whether as a harness maker on a small scale or as a successful man of affairs, he main- tained a staunch, substantial character, and his influence was ever in the line of sane, conservative action. Charles Soth was born in Mecklenberg, Germany, January 2, 1846, and was brought to America in 1849 by his parents. The family located in Water- town, Wis., and there Charles attended the public schools until seventeen years of age. Then he went to Milwaukee and learned the harness making and saddlery trade. Afterward he went to Waterloo, Iowa, and engaged in the harness and saddlery and grocery business, in company with his brother-in-law, Theodore Naeve. In 1872 they came to Albert Lea. and opened a similar establishment, conducting also a general store. In 1902 Mr. Soth retired from the mercantile department, but still continued in the harness line until 1907. He was also extensively interested in real estate. Seeing the need of another bank in Albert Lea, he organized the Freeborn County State Bank of Albert Lea- and became its first president. In 1908 he purchased a controlling interest in the Brundin Packing Company, which was later changed to the Albert Lea Packing Company, and of which he was vice-president. In addition to this he was a director in the Case Corset Company and in the State Bank of Manchester. Mr. Soth was an independent voter, and was one of the early members of the Albert Lea fire department. He was always a useful citizen and helped lay the foundation for the prosperity of a number of institutions which have contributed to the growth of the city. The subject of this sketch was married, April 22, 1881, at Watertown, Wis., to Augusta Krueger, a native of that place. This union has resulted in two children : Mrs. C. E. Paulson and Henry Soth, both of Albert Lea.

Henry Soth, president of the Albert Lea Packing Company, is one of the popular and successful young men of the city, and is taking an active and vital interest in its upbuilding. His voice,

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his influence and his time are freely given to every progressive movement, and although young in years he already has a public record of which any man might well be proud. He is a native son of Albert Lea, born March 6, 1885, his parents being Charles and Augusta (Krueger) Soth, natives respectively of Germany and Wisconsin. Henry attended the schools of Albert Lea and at an early age entered actively into business life, his efforts being largely directed in Albert Lea, though for some time he was a resi- dent of Manchester, in which place he still retains a number of interests. His pleasant home at 308 West College street, Albert Lea, is a model of comfort and convenience. The subject of this sketch was married September 14, 1910, to Anna Nelson, of Bloom- ing Prairie, Minn. Mrs. South is very popular among the young married people with whom she mingles socially. In municipal affairs Mr. Soth is alderman from the second ward, is chairman of the city street committee, assistant chief of the Albert Lea fire department and treasurer of the relief society of the Albert Lea fire department. He is also an honorary member of the Man- chester fire department. In a financial way he is vice-president of the Freeborn County State Bank of Albert Lea and cashier of the Manchester State Bank of Manchester. His business relations include the presidency of the Albert Lea Packing Company, as before mentioned, the vice-presidency of the Northwestern Elec- tric Company and a directorate in the Luce Corset Company, of Albert Lea, and the Albert Lea Motor Company. He is also vice- president of the Albert Lea Auto Club. With all these varied interests, Mr. Soth is genial and approachable, and the presenta- tion of every worthy cause finds in him an attentive auditor.

John Andrew Larson, an early settler on the banks of Freeborn lake, was born in Malmo, Sweden, March 12, 1836. He grew to manhood in his native country and came to the United States in 1858, locating first in Chicago, where he remained six months. From there he went to Calmar, Iowa, where he also remained a similar period. He then came to Minnesota, and after a short time spent at Faribault, came in 1859 to Freeborn county and settled in Carlston township and engaged in farming. In 1861 he was mar- ried to Margaret Horning, and this union was blessed with ten children. The family remained on the farm until 1898, when they moved to Albert Lea. Mr. Larson saw much of the hardship and many of the struggles of the early days. He was a friend of the Indians, and his house was often visited by the red men. During the Indian scare he took his horses and wagon and gathered his neighbors into his home, where he felt his friendship for the Indians would protect them. Mr. Larson in the early days was accustomed to hauling his wheat and other produce to Hastings, Minn., and McGregor, Iowa, returning with a load of groceries for

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ELLEND ERICKSON

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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

the store at Freeborn. These trips usually occupied two or three weeks. During his lifetime Mr. Larson made four trips to the old country and was planning a fifth at the time of his death. He was an active man, and insisted on doing the light work up to the * very last. His death, March 23, 1908, was the result of heart failure, induced by a runaway. He left, besides his widow, six children : A. E. Larson, Mrs. Edward Tellet, Mrs. Ralph Olson and Arthur Larson. At the time of his death a newspaper said of him : "While not active in public affairs, Mr. Larson exemplified the best type of foreign-born American citizenship. He was honorable and just in all his dealings with his friends and neighbors, and throughout his long and busy life his record for squareness and fair dealing was maintained without blur or blemish."' Another paper said : "He was a man who enjoyed a large circle of friends and was highly respected by them. He was an indulgent husband and father, and though devoted to his family was a man who greatly enjoyed his friends."

Ellend Erickson, veteran of the Civil War and for many years a prominent citizen of Freeborn county, was born in Sogn, Nor- way, October 7, 1835, son of Erick Ellendson and Anna Olson, his wife, also natives of that place. The father died in his native land and the mother came to America in 1865, dying in Norman, Iowa, in 1902. Ellend attended the schools of Sogn, and in July, 1854, came to America, working as a lumberman in Chicago for six years. In 1860 he came to Freeborn county and located on a quarter section in Bath township, his land title bearing the signa- ture of Abraham Lincoln. In 1861 he went back to Wisconsin and enlisted in Company K, Fifteenth Wisconsin volunteer infantry, as a private. He was promoted to sergeant, was commissioned second lieutenant in 1863, and first lieutenant in 1864, hold- ing that office at the time he was mustered out of service in March, 1865, at Chattanooga, Tenn. He did valiant . serv- ice throughout the war and took part in all the battles, marches, skirmishes and sieges in which his regiment par- ticipated, having twenty-three battles to his credit. At the battle of New Hope. Church, Georgia, he was captured and spent four months as a prisoner at Macon and Savannah, Ga., and Charleston, S. C. Upon his return from the war, Lieutenant Erickson re- sumed his farming operations in Bath township. With the years he prospered, erected buildings, developed his land and added to his possessions until he owned 360 acres of well-tilled and fertile lands. In 1902 he purchased a lot in Albert Lea and erected the comfortable home in which he and his good wife now reside, enjoying the well-earned fruits of a long and well-spent life. In 1878 Mr. Erickson served in the first city council of Albert Lea as alderman from the second ward. While in Bath township he

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was on the school board many terms, and on the town board twenty years, nine of which he was chairman. In 1889-91 he sat in the lower house of the Minnesota legislature. The subject of this sketch was married March 27, 1860, to Betsey Jacobson, born in Sogn, Norway, October 7, 1841. She came to America in 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Erickson were the parents of ten children. Of these eight are living. Anna is now Mrs. John G. Jacobson, of Church's Ferry, N. D. Lena is now Mrs. Samuel S. Moen, of Cul- bertson, Mont. Caroline is Mrs. Inger Sorlie, of Church's Ferry, N. D. Jacob lives in Minot, N. D., and Oscar H. lives in Reeder, in the same state. Ella lives in Canada, Nora at home and Laura in Mason City, Iowa. Emery and Edward are dead. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. Mr. Erickson helped to organize and build the Poplar Grove Creamery in the northern part of Bath township, was its president until he resigned at the time he moved to Albert Lea, and is still a stock- holder. In 1900 he was instrumental in circulating the petition which resulted in Rural Route No. 1, from Albert Lea to Bath and Bancroft, this being operated two years before any others were established in the county.

Charles E. Paulson, president of the Freeborn County State Bank, was born in Wells, Minn., on the fifth day of September, 1881. He is the son of Edward and Sophia (Johnson) Paulson. His parents were natives of Sweden. They came to America in 1865, first locating in Wisconsin. After a few years spent in the Badger state they removed to Minnesota, first locating at Albert Lea and shortly after moving to Wells. In a number of years afterwards they again took up their residence in Albert Lea, where, in 1906, the father died. Mr. Paulson was a mechanic. The mother still lives in Albert Lea. Charles E. Paulson, the subject of this sketch, attended the graded and high schools of Albert Lea during his boyhood. Upon leaving school he was first employed by the First National Bank of Albert Lea. In 1902 he removed to Lamberton, Minn., where he was employed in the Citizens' State Bank. In 1903 he returned to Freeborn county and organized the State Bank of Clarks Grove. He was elected cashier of that insti- tution. In 1907 the Freeborn County State Bank of Albert Lea was organized and Mr. Paulson became cashier. In 1909 Charles Soth, who was then president, died. Mr. Paulson was elected to take his place as president and is now at the head of this flourish- ing financial institution. In 1905 Charles E. Paulson was united in marriage to Theodora Soth, daughter of Charles and Au- gusta Soth, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Two children have blessed this union. They are Helen E. and Augusta Soth Paulson. Mr. Paulson is a Republican in politics and a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias. He has never aspired to hold any

MR. AND MRS. VALENTINE KATZUNG

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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

public office. His time has been thoroughly devoted to the very successful banking business which he has built up. He has the confidence and good will of the entire community and in his beau- tiful home, surrounded by his friends and neighbors, enjoys the fruits of a financial success resulting from high personal integrity and sagacious investments.

Edward Olson, a well-known banker of Albert Lea, was born April 16, 1863, in Iowa county, Wisconsin, son of Knudt and Christina (Hellekson) Olson. He received his early education in the common schools and attended a business college when he was but sixteen years of age. Until twenty years of age he assisted on the home farm and mastered the farming occupation. In 1883, determining to start out for himself, he came to Minnesota and was employed as a clerk in a store at Granite Falls for one year. In 1885 he established a general store at Hanley Falls, Yellow Medicine county, which he conducted until 1894. He then moved to Iowa and remained there three years, after which he came to Albert Lea and operated a bottling establishment until 1904. At this time the opportunity to realize his great ambition was pre- sented, and he was elected president of the Citizens' National Bank of Albert Lea. In this capacity he serves at the present time. Mr. Olson is courteous and affable, and his banking policy has won him the confidence and respect of the community, his per- sonality being an important factor in the success of the institution of which he is the head. Mr. Olson was united in matrimony, January 21, 1886, to Mary Hanson, daughter of Ole and Jane Hanson, of Blue Mounds, Wis. Three children have been born to them : Jennie, wife of Burt Knatvold, of Albert Lea, and Oscar and Irene, who are at home. Mr. Olson is deeply interested in modern education and is treasurer of the school board of Albert Lea. His success in life is an example of what can be accomplished by high ambitions and conscientious endeavors. Beginning as a poor boy he has steadily climbed toward success and at the present time occupies the enviable position of a highly respected and influ- ential citizen.

Knudt Olson, a substantial pioneer of Norwegian birth, came to America in the early days and went to Texas, where he re- mained for seven years, after which he located in Iowa county, Wisconsin, and was married to Christina Hellekson, a native of that state. To them were born six children : Edward, Thea, Otto, Sarah, Oscar and Josephine. This hard-working father and mother reared their children in Wisconsin, sending them to school and daily instilling into their young minds the necessity for con- stant and persevering endeavor, that they might be fitted to assume the responsibilities of life. Mr. and Mrs. Olson died on the

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home farm, the latter passing away six months later than her husband.

H. E. Nelson, deceased, was born in Denmark on May 19, 1837. He came to America at the age of twenty-one and located near Racine, Wis., where he worked out until 1869, at this time coming to Freeborn county, where he bought land in Bancroft and Bath townships. He followed general farming until 1895, when he rented his farm and moved to Albert Lea, living there until his death on July 13, 1897. In the year 1870 he married Annie K. Engen, a native of Denmark, the daughter of C. and Annie M. En- gen. Her father was a farmer, having located in Bancroft town- ship in the year 1869. He farmed there until 1893, moving at this time to Albert Lea, where he lived until his death in 1907. Her mother still lives in Albert Lea. Their home was blessed with six children : Hilda; Arthur, a farmer in Bancroft township; Alma, now Mrs. Ball, of California; Nora, now Mrs. Lein, of Wiscon- sin; Walter, of Sioux Falls; Emma, who lives in Sioux Falls, S. D. Mr. Nelson was a Republican in politics and attended the Danish Lutheran Church. He held various town offices in Ban- croft-chairman of the town board and a member of the school board. Mrs. Nelson has spent one year in Sioux Falls and one-half year in Wisconsin. Mr. Nelson was one of the organizers of Clark's Grove Creamery. He was always vitally interested in the welfare of his town and township.

J. M. Nelson, who owns several splendid farms in Hayward township and runs a rural mail route, was born in Albert Lea in 1864, the son of Mathias and Agnes, natives of Norway. They came to America in 1853 and located in Wisconsin, remaining there until 1858. Then they came to Albert Lea township, Free- born county, and bought land .. Mathias was born April 8, 1835, and died in 1902. His wife was born in April 29, 1836, and died August 25, 1905. She came to this country before her husband did and they were married in Wisconsin in 1856. The subject of this sketch attended the district schools of Glenville, and upon leaving school he farmed with his father until 1886, when he bought 240 acres in Hayward and Shell Rock townships and did general farming until 1903. He then retired from farm life and moved into Albert Lea, where he has lived up to the present time. Upon coming to Albert Lea Mr. Nelson entered the rural mail service and has continued as a carrier ever since. He rents his farms, of which he has three, representing 640 acres in all. All Mr. Nelson's farms are improved and carried on in a most progressive way. The subject was married on May 26, 1886, to Olive Rosenberg, daughter of Mathias and Agnes Rosenberg, natives of Norway. She was born in Norway in 1865 and came to America in 1882, locating in Hayward township, where her father

J. M. NELSON AND FAMILY

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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

did a general farming business until his death in August, 1903. Her mother still lives on the old home farm in Hayward. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson's home has been made happy by six children, of whom two have died-Ada, deceased; Ovidia; Amy and Effie, twins ; Odean, deceased, and Morrill. Mr. Nelson is a prohibitionist and belongs to the Lutheran Church. He has served on the school board in Hayward township and is a stockholder in the Glenville Creamery, but never aspired to public office. Mr. Nelson is a very highly respected citizen. He owns a fine home at 412 Grove street. It is worthy of note that Christ Nelson, of Shell Rock, brother of J. M. Nelson, is one of the first children born in this county, who is still living.

G. A. Olson, a prosperous manufacturer of Albert Lea, was born in Riceland township, Freeborn county, in 1861, the son of Ole. C. and Karen (Johnson) Olson, natives of Norway. The father was a shoemaker and came to this country in 1852, locating in Wisconsin, where he followed his trade and took up a claim. In 1856 he removed with his family to Riceland township, being the first settler in this township. He lived on his homestead up to the time of his death in 1895. His wife died in 1904. The subject of this sketch gained his education in the schools of Riceland township. Upon leaving school he worked on his father's farm, conducting it himself for five years after his father's death. Some time before leaving the farm Mr. Olson invented a hay sling. It proved such a success that he established a factory in Albert Lea in 1901. A history of this business appears elsewhere. In time the company bought a fine brick building, three stories and base- ment, 40x80, on South Broadway, where they now manufacture a full line of hay tools, litter carriers, etc. Mr. Olson has one brother and two sisters. He is a member of the Socialist local and makes his home at the City Hotel.

N. S. Nelson, who is the president and owner of the Albert Lea Ice & Fuel Company, first saw the light of day on November 4, 1859, in the country of Denmark, the son of L. N. and Lena (Christianson) Nelson. They came to America in the year 1868 and located in Shelby county, Iowa, where he farmed until his death in 1904. The mother died when the subject was still an infant. The subject of the sketch gained his education in the common schools of Iowa. Leaving school he worked on the home farm a few years and then went to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he worked in a flour mill a short time. In 1883 he removed to Dell Rapids, S. D., where he went into the fuel business, continu- ing there until 1895. At this time he took up farming in South Dakota and in the fall of 1901 came to Albert Lea, going into · partnership with A. C. Anderson and Peter Larson, who con- ducted the firm called the Albert Lea Ice Company. When Mr.

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Nelson joined the firm they added fuel to their line of goods, the firm name being changed to the Albert Lea Ice & Fuel Com- pany. The following year A. C. Anderson and Mr. Nelson pur- chased Mr. Larson's share in the firm and two years later (1904) Mr. Nelson bought out Mr. Anderson's share, leaving him sole owner of the business. He conducts a very flourishing and up-to- date business. In 1884 Mr. Nelson married Mary Hanson, a native of Denmark. Their home has been blessed with six chil- dren-Lydia, at home; Martha, now Mrs. J. V. Olson, of South Dakota; Nellie, now Mrs. Oscar Olson, of Albert Lea; Pearl, at home; Ralph, at home, and Oliver, who died when seven years of age. Mr. Nelson is a Prohibitionist and is a member of the Danish Baptist Church. He is a loyal member of the Fraternal Union of Neenah, Wis., and the Yeomen. His residence is situ- ated at 415 Fast Third street. Mr. Nelson is one of Albert Lea's substantial citizens, always interested in its welfare.

Albert Lea Ice & Fuel Company. In the year 1901 N. S. Nel- son came from South Dakota to Albert Lea and entered into partnership with Peter Larsen and .A. C. Anderson (who were then in the ice business) under the firm name of the Albert Lea Ice & Fuel Company, for the purpose of selling ice and fuel of all kinds; locating on the corner of Pearl and Washington streets, with Mr. Nelson as manager. October 1, 1901, one year later, Mr. Larsen sold his interest to his partners, they continuing at the same stand. In 1904 Mr. Anderson retired, selling his interest to Mr. Nelson, who then became sole owner, continuing to do business under the same name. In 1907 he leased the old Mallery property from N. P. Sorenson on South Broadway on the C., R. I. & P. R. R. tracks, and moved there July 1, 1907. since which time the volume of the business has doubled and the concern is doing a flourishing business, pleasing its many cus- tomers, both old and new.

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History of Freeborn County, Minnesota, Part 57

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn. 4n Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Chicago : H. C. Cooper Number of Pages: 1220

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn. 4n
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago : H. C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1220