History of Freeborn County, Minnesota, Part 58

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

USA > Minnesota > Freeborn County > History of Freeborn County, Minnesota > Part 58

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

H. A. Spencer, clerk of the District Court of Freeborn County, was born on October 8, 1874, in Lancaster, Wis .. the son of A. B. and Nancy J. (Lewis) Spencer, both natives of Wisconsin. The father followed his trade of carpenter and contractor in Wis- consin until the year 1874, when, with his family, he moved to Freeborn county, where he worked at his trade until 1906. at which time he removed to Kansas, where he still lives. The mother died in Freeborn county in 1890. The subject of this sketch attended the district and graded schools of Freeborn county, after which he worked with his father until 1898; then he ran stationary engines until 1907, when he had the great mis- fortune to lose his right limb. Being unable to continue this line of work, he kept books in a plumbing establishment in Albert Lea for one year, and in 1908 was elected to the office of clerk of

539

HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

the District Court of Freeborn County, which position he still holds. Mr. Spencer was married in 1894 to Irene Sorenson, and their home has been made happy by four children-Bernice, born January 11, 1896 ; Mildred, born August 27, 1898; Raymond, born February 25, 1901, and Aline, born March 4 and died March 25, 1907. Mr. Spencer is a staunch Republican and a member of the Methodist Church. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, Maccabees, Equitable Fraternal Union, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias.

Robert G. Stevenson, M.D., a physician and surgeon of Albert Lea, was born on November 21, 1880, at St. Charles, Minn., the son of Robert L. and Lydia (Darling) Stevenson, natives of Scotland and Illinois, respectively. The father farmed near St. Charles until about 1898, when he retired from active life. With his wife he removed to St. Charles, where they are still living. The subject of this sketch gained his early education in the dis- trict schools of Olmstead county and in the high school of St. Charles. Later he attended the Northwestern University at Chi- cago, from which institution he graduated in 1906. At that time he took one year interneship at Mercy Hospital, Chicago. Then Dr. Stevenson took the civil service examination and spent one and one-half years in the Cook County Hospital, Chicago, Ill. In December, 1908, he established an office in Albert Lea, where he has since enjoyed a splendid practice. Dr. Stevenson is a Republican in political life and is a very progressive man in his profession. At the present time he is doing excellent service as secretary of the Freeborn County Medical Society.

A. C. Sorenson, the owner of a prosperous grain and fuel busi- ness in Albert Lea, is a native of Denmark, having been born in that country on April 4, 1850, the son of Soren and Annie Soren- son. The father died when the subject was but two years old and the mother lived until the year 1905. Mr. Sorenson attended the city schools of Copenhagen, and upon leaving the school worked on the home farm and in a linen factory. He came to America in 1873, locating at Faribault, Minn., later going to Owatonna, where he conducted a Scandinavian hotel for one year. At the end of this time he came to Freeborn county, buying a forty-acre farm, upon which he farmed for a short time. Sell- ing this farm, he moved to Martin county, where he farmed for three years, until 1880. Mr. Sorenson then became an employe of the W. W. Cagill Company, representing them in numerous Freeborn county towns. For the long period of twenty-three years he has managed the Albert Lea branch. In June, 1910, Mr. Sorenson bought the business of the W. W. Cagill estate, now being the sole owner of this substantial business. In the year 1875 the subject was married to Louisa C. Jensen, a native of

540

HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

Denmark. To Mr. and Mrs. Sorenson have been born fourteen children, of which number ten are now living. They are: Arthur A., who is with his father; James L., manager of the bank at Clark's Grove; Louis, who lives in Washington state; Annie, now Mrs. Hellie, living on a farm in Albert Lea township; Ida, now Mrs. Foster, of Crookston, Minn .; Nora, now Mrs. Riley, of Lincoln, Neb .; Mary, who lives in Albert Lea; Lulu, now Mrs. Mikelson, of Albert Lea; Martha and Albert, who live at home. Mr. Sorenson is a staunch Republican and attends the Baptist Church. He is a faithful member of the Danish Brotherhood, Masonic Lodge and Ancient Order of United Workmen. During his residence in Albert Lea he has served ten years in the city council and is at present a member of the Charter Commission. Mr. Sorenson is a successful business man, owning considerable real estate on Front street.

G. R. Scott, the president of the Albert Lea Hardware Com- pany, was born in Fond du Lac, Wis., on June 22, 1866, son of Moses and Margaret Scott, natives, respectively, of New York and Germany. In the early years the father moved from New York to Ohio and from there to Wisconsin, where he married, and farmed until the outbreak of the Civil War, when he joined Company D, Twelfth regiment, Wisconsin volunteers, giving three and one-half years of faithful service for his country. In 1875 they came to Pickerel Lake township, Freeborn county, where Moses Scott carried on a farming business up to the time of his death on December 21, 1906. His wife still lives on the home farm in Pickerel Lake township. The subject of this sketch gained his education in the district schools of Freeborn county and the Albert Lea High School. attending the latter for two years. Leaving school he helped his father on the farm for six years. At this time he came to Albert Lea, finding employment in a grocery store, where he worked for one and one-half years. Upon leaving the grocery store he went into the draying business under the firm name of Thompson & Scott, which business he carried on for five years. In 1903 Mr. Scott bought an interest in the Peterson Hardware Company, where he remained until 1908, when it was incorporated as the Albert Lea Hardware Company. He was made president of the company and still fills that position. In 1889 Mr. Scott was married to Emma E. Eber- bart, daughter of Henry and Barbara Eberhart of Pickerel Lake. They are the parents of three children-Clarence E., Leslie H. and Raymond G., all at home. Mr. Scott is a member of the German Methodist Church, the Modern Woodmen of America. and the Royal Arcanum. He owns his pleasant home at 122 St. Mary street.

P. F. PETERSEN

541

HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

P. F. Petersen, the well-known furniture dealer of Albert Lea, has been engaged in this business for twenty-seven years. He was born in Denmark, January 26, 1868, son of Hans and Catherine (Friis) Petersen, and came to the United States with his father in 1883, his mother having died previous to this time. For several years after coming to this country they made their home in North Dakota, where the father subsequently died. P. F., the subject of this biography, received his early education in Denmark, and later attended the public schools in Albert · Lea. After leaving school he secured employment in a furniture store and has since been carrying on this business, which he purchased and in which he has been most successful. He was married in 1889 to Agnes Petersen and their home has been brightened by the arrival of five children : Mabel E., Hazel M., Elwin C., Rus- sell and Raymond, all of whom are at home. Mr. Petersen is a member of the First Baptist Church of Albert Lea and a liberal contributor to its support. In politics he affiliates with the Re- publicans but has never sought public office. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge of Albert Lea and also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and D. B. S. "He is also a member of the Business Men's League of Albert Lea.

F. P. Mortenson, who, with his brother, M. P. Mortenson, owns the Albert Lea Milk Company, was born in Freeborn county on March 17, 1881, the son of Hans and Lena (Christopherson) Mor- tenson, both natives of Denmark. They came to the United States in 1876 and located in Freeborn county, where he farmed for sev- eral years, dying in 1892. His widow married S. J. Nelson and is living in Albert Lea township. The subject of this sketch was educated in the schools of Freeborn county and took one term in the Blair Business College, at Blair, Nebraska. At this time he clerked in a grocery store for four years and then started in the milk business in 1905, in which business he still continues. In 1905 Mr. Mortenson bought the Albert Lea Milk Company and put up a fine brick building, where he and his brother, M. P., conduct a splendid business. They make ice cream and sell it retail and wholesale. Their milk is bought directly from the farmers. Mr. Mortenson was married in 1909 to Olena, daughter of Soren and Stena Rasmussen, old settlers of Albert Lea town- ship. They have one child, Phalve Isabelle. The subject is a Republican in his political life and-a member of the Danish Luth- eran Church and the Royal Arcanum Lodge. He lives at 210 First street. Mr. Mortenson is a very substantial citizen, having made his success in business by the hardest work.

Charles Sorenson, a progressive jeweler of Albert Lea, was born in the southern portion of Riceland township, on September 22, 1873, son of Soren and Jane (Knutson) Sorenson. He at-

542

HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

tended the district schools of Hayward, and at the close of his school life worked on the home farm until 1894, at which time he went to Albert Lea, finding employment as a photographer with J. R. Halvorson. He also learned the watchmaking business and in 1905 established himself in the jewelry business in Albert Lea, which business he has followed up to the present time. In 1899 Mr. Sorenson was married to Gustine Styve, daughter of Andrew A. and Anna (Laite) Styve, the father a farmer of Bancroft town- ship. Their one son, Arnold Sigfried, lives with his parents. Mr. Sorenson affiliates with the Lutheran Church, and owns his pleas- ant home at 610 East Fourth street.

Soren Sorenson, father of Charles Sorenson, and his wife, Jane Knutson, are both natives of Norway. They came to America in 1855 and located in Stoughton, Wis., where they remained about six months. At this time they removed to Werth county, Iowa, where Mr. Sorenson farmed with his father until the outbreak of the Civil War. He served throughout the war in Company K, Twenty-seventh Regiment, Iowa Infantry. At the close of the rebellion he moved to Austin, where he established a hotel busi- ness, which he carried on for three years. Mr. Sorenson then removed his family to Freeborn county, buying a farm in Rice- land township, where he farmed until about 1903, at which time he retired from active life and with his wife came to Albert Lea, where they still reside.

C. L. Swenson, a successful banker of Albert Lea, was born in St. Peter on December 14, 1869, son of Swen and Kristi (Knut- son) Swenson. They came to this country in the year 1857, set- tling in St. Peter among the Indians, where they remained up to the time of his death. The mother is still living with her sons. C. L. Swenson was educated in the schools of St. Peter and at the Lutheran Academy in Albert Lea. He taught in Freeborn county schools for two years, and also engaged as bookkeeper in St. Peter. Upon locating permanently in Albert Lca he secured employ- ment in a general store for some time, after which he entered the Citizens' National Bank of Albert Lea, where he worked as book- keeper for a while. After one year's service in the bank he was made cashier, in which capacity he has served ever since. Mr. Swenson was married in 1895 to Annie Christine Weberg, daughter of Andrew and Aase Weberg, of St. Peter, Minn. Mr. Weberg is a furniture dealer and undertaker and was formerly a painter. The subject's family consists of three children-Altine C., Letitia M. and Wilton G .- all at home. Mr. Swenson is a member of the K. of P., No. 66; Elks, No. 813; M. W. A., Royal Neighbors and Sons of Norway. He has always taken an active part in the city's welfare, being alderman for seven years, presi- dent of the council for five years and mayor of the city from

543

HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

1907 to 1909, elected again in 1911 and is now serving. Mr. Swenson is a man who has taken advantage of every opportunity for success and has made himself a prominent factor in the busi- ness life of Albert Lea. He is a Republican in politics, in which he always takes an active part.

G. T. Wasrud, a jeweler and optician of Albert Lea, living at 210 North Washington street, was born in Wisconsin on Novem- ber 21, 1866, son of T. G. and Mary, both natives of Norway. T. G. Wasrud came to America in early manhood, locating in Waupaka county, Wisconsin, where he farmed until his death in 1900. His wife still lives in Wisconsin. The subject of this sketch attended the district schools of Wisconsin. Leaving school he found employment in a shoe store in Albert Lea, where he worked for three years. He then served as an apprentice for a watch- maker in Albert Lea. His apprenticeship completed, he estah- lished a jewelry business of his own at Elmore, Minn., remaining there four years. At the end of this time he located in Albert Lea, where he established himself in the jewelry business at 218 South Broadway. In 1907 he moved his stock to 224 South Broad- way, where he now carries a full and complete line. Mr. Wasrud's wife was Louisa Anderson, of Illinois. The subject is a staunch Republican and a member of the Lutheran Church. H is a loyal member of the Masons, Royal Arcanum, Maccabees,, Brotherhood of American Yeomen and Equitable Fraternal Union. He has never aspired to the holding of any public office, but is interested in the best welfare of the city.

Richard E. Mills, a retired harnessmaker of Albert Lea, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, on March 16, 1834, the son of Richard and Phoebe Mills, natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a soldier in the War of 1812 and a contractor by profession. He did the contracting work for the Wellan canal in Canada. In about 1840 he came to Wisconsin and conducted a fur trading post through northern Wisconsin, where he remained about fifteen or twenty years. He then took a railroad contract on the Northern Pacific at Bismarck, North Dakota, after which he came to Albert Lea, and died there in 1884 at the age of eighty-nine years. His wife died a number of years before. The subject of this sketch had a very limited edu- cation, attending school only a short time in Pennsylvania. Leav- ing school, he learned the saddlery business. In 1855 he went to Wisconsin to visit his father and remained with him one year. He then returned to his home state and established a harness business at West Greenville, Pa. Mr. Mills carried on that busi- ness until the opening of the Civil War, when he joined the 100th Pennsylvania Round Head as musician. He was with them one year. The bands then were mustered out and so he entered

54.4

HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

the navy and continued there throughout the war. He has two honorable discharges and very fine recommendations from the Navy Department. At the close of the war he joined a minstrel company and traveled with them one season until reaching Peoria, Ill. There he engaged at his trade and remained for about five years. During his residence in Peoria he met Ellen Smith, who became his wife in 1867. She was born in 1842, the daughter of Wilson Smith, a native of Pennsylvania. He was a carriage and wagon manufacturer of Peoria. He died on July 10, 1876, and the mother died in December, 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Mills' home was blessed with four children, one of whom is dead-Mabel Helen, now Mrs. Rhorbach, of Gary, Okla .; Kate B., now Mrs. Hand, of Watertown, S. D .; Lou, now Mrs. Judd, of River Falls, Wis .; Dick, who died in infancy. Politically Mr. Mills is a Repub- lican. He is a member of Robinson Post, G. A. R., of Albert Lea. He came to Albert Lea on December 25, 1870, and established him- self in the harness business. He continued at this work until 1907, when he tore down his shop, which was located on the cor- ner of Williams and Newton streets. He has always been a sub- stantial citizen of Albert Lea, looking out for its best welfare.

Daniel W. Horning, retired farmer and estimable citizen of Albert Lea, was born in Jefferson county, New York, December 25, 1835, son of Henry and Margaret (Countryman) Horning, in whose home he was reared to manhood, attending the schools of his neighborhood. In 1857, with his mother and brother, William J., he came to Freeborn county, acquired 160 acres of land from the government in Albert Lea township, erected a log cabin, broke some of the land and remained two years. In 1859 he set out for Oregon, but after a year's experience in Idaho City, Ida., as a miner he located in Montana, where he engaged in a similar occupation for four years. During this time he experienced many of the thrilling adventures incident to frontier mining, and had many interesting brushes with the Indians. Subsequently he returned to his Albert Lea farm and for many years engaged in agricultural operations. He broke the ground, erected a frame house and the necessary outbuildings, and as time passed added eighty acres more to the place. He became a prominent man in the community and served his district for many years as a mem- ber of the school board. In 1907 he retired from general farming, rented his place and moved to 529 Water street, Albert Lea, where he and his wife are now enjoying a well-earned rest after their many years of toil and labor. Mrs. Horning has allied herself with the Daughters of Rebekah and is chaplain and past noble grand of the local lodge. Mr. Horning was married on his birth- day, December 25, 1870, to Caroline A. Powers, born in Oneida county, New York, March 15, 1852, daughter of Augustus W. and

545

HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

Harriet E. (Brown) Powers, natives of New York state, who set- tled in Illinois at an early day. Mrs. Powers died at Wilmington, Ill., in 1856, and Mr. Powers came to Freeborn county, where after a long life of usefulness he died at Alden in 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Horning have been blessed with eight children-Laura, Clauda, Ethel and Katherine are dead; Webster is on the home farm ; Elmer lives in Mason City, Iowa; Queen is now Mrs. Els- worth Horning, of Melroy, Minn; Harriet lives in Algona, Iowa. The family faith is that of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Horn- ing's Western experiences would form a most interesting volume. Most of the time west he spent prospecting, but one summer it fell to his lot to haul provisions for his camp from Fort Benton to Idaho City, a distance of over 100 miles. During this time the Indians were unfriendly and Mr. Horning had some narrow escapes from falling a victim to their ferocity. On one of these trips he was attacked by four Indians, but he bravely fought them away, single-handed, and finished the trip in safety.

William Wohlhuter, the successful manager of the Albert Lea branch of the Tri-State Telephone Company, was born in Nunda township, this county, December 29, 1861, son of J. V. and Verona (Fortman) Wohlhuter, natives of Alsace-Loraine, who came to this county in 1856 with the earliest pioneers, the former dying in 1875 and the latter in 1899. William attended the district schools of his neighborhood and continued on the home farm until 1884, when he married Emma V. Geissler and purchased a farm in his native township, where he conducted agricultural operations until 1905. During this period Mr. Wohlhuter attained considera- ble prominence in public life. He served on the school board and was assessor sixteen years. In 1902 he was elected to the state legislature and served with credit in the sessions of 1903, 1905 and 1909. He also took an interest in the subject of cooperation as a solution of many of the difficulties of farm life, serving the Clover Valley Creamery, of Pickerel Lake township, two years as president, six years as treasurer and six years as secretary. In 1905 Mr. Wohlhuter moved to Albert Lea and took up the duties of his present position. At one time he was vice-president of the Albert Lea Packing Company. Fraternally he has allied himself with the B. P. O. E. and the Business Men's League, and his public service in the city has included membership in the Albert Lea Charter Commission. The Wohlhuter home is brightened by the presence of two daughters and a son-Rose, Leone and Robert.

C. G. Lembke, president and manager of the Lembke Dry Goods Company, was born in Naperville, Ill., on June 11, 1877, the son of Charles and Sophia (Ode) Lembke, natives of Ham- burg, Germany. They sailed for America in 1865 and located in Naperville, Ill., where the father farmed for thirteen years, and

546

HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

then moved to Minnesota, settling in Mansfield township, Freeborn county. He farmed here until 1900 and then retired, and is now living at 223 Williams street, Albert Lea. The subject of this sketch was educated in the district schools of Freeborn county and took a business course at Waverly. Iowa, and in Minneapolis. Upon leaving school he clerked in the dry goods store at Albert Lea, of Gage-Hayden Company for four years and one-half. then became stockholder in the firm of Chamberlain, Skinner & Co., with whom he stayed for three and one-half years. At the end of this time Mr. Lembke organized the Lembke Dry Goods Company and on February 15, 1906, became its president and has served in this capacity up to the present time. They carry an exclusive line of dry goods, and it is considered one of the best equipped stores of its kind in this section. In the year 1901 Mr. Lembke married Gertrude Styve, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ole Styve, of Albert Lea township. They are the parents of two children- Russell and Irene, both at home. Politically Mr. Lembke is a Re- publican, and he affiliates with the English Lutheran Church. He is secretary of the Freeborn County Game and Protective As- sociation, being the originator of this association. He makes his home at 1009 James street. Mr. Lembke is one of Albert Lea's prominent business men and is vitally interested in its best de- velopment. He is a member of the Business Men's League and one of its executive committee.

Herman Hirsch, one of the substantial business men of Albert Lea, was born in Lutwigshoee, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, son of Adam and Johanna (Hirsch) Hirsch, also natives of that place, who came to America in 1863 and spent the remainder of their days in Quincy, Ill. Herman Hirsch received his education in Germany, and at fourteen years of age started work in a banking and brokerage office. In 1857, however, he came to America, and had eight days' experience as clerk in a store. During this short time he determined that there was a wide field for the peddling business. Accordingly he purchased the necessary goods and started out to make his fortune-a stranger in a strange land, whose language even was unknown to him. This effort was crowned with success, and during the ten months he engaged in this business he made $800. Subsequently he started for the gold fields of Colorado, but never reached there, for upon reaching Quincy, Ill., he found so many business openings that he engaged in the fuel business and located there. After a year in this busi- ness he started dealing in hides and furs, following this line at Quincy until 1898. At one time during this period he did the largest fur and hide business in the United States, controlling the output of five states. In 1898 he disposed of this business and went to Cuba, looking for a favorable location. Finding that the

547

HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

conditions were not favorable, however, he returned to America and located at Albert Lea, starting with his son, Abe Hirsch, the large concern now known as the Albert Lea Hide & Fur Company. Mr. Hirsch is a Mason and belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is also a prominent member of the Boray- Brith, an institution which cares for Hebrew orphans at Cleve- land, Ohio. The subject of this sketch was married, October 6, 1862, at Quincy, Ill., to Rosalie Jonas, a native of Blaschen, Ger- many. They are the parents of eight children. Leo lives in Mason City, Iowa. Ade lives in Albert Lea. Thressa is now Mrs. Leo Plum, of Mankato, Minn. Arthur is located in Watertown, S. D. Minnie is now Mrs. Alfred Joseph, of Mason City, Iowa. Hattie is the wife of Herman Szamet, of Mankato, Minn. Herbert lives in Mason City.

Abraham Hirsch, manager of the Albert Lea Hide & Fur Com- pany, was born at Quincy, Ill., September 27, 1868, son of Her- man and Rosalie (Jonas) Hirsch. He received his education in the Quincy public schools, and had the additional advantage of a course in the Gem City Business College in the same city. He then traveled some eighteen years in the hide, fur and wool line for his father, covering most of the western states .. Subsequently he engaged in the general mercantile business at Boone, Iowa, for a short period. His career in Albert Lea dates from 1903, when he came here and formed a co-partnership with his father in the company of which he is still the manager. Mr. Hirsch was mar- ried January 4, 1893, to Rose Weinberg, a native of New York state. Their home has been made happy with three children: Arnold, Gladys and Jerome. The subject of this sketch is known as the father of the Albert Lea Lodge of Elks and is also a promi- nent member of the Masonic order. In addition to managing the . Albert Lea plant for his concern he also looks after the branch houses at Mason City, Iowa, and Watertown, S. D.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Freeborn County, Minnesota, Part 58

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