History of Freeborn County, Minnesota, Part 60

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

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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

C. C. Hansen, one of Albert Lea's progressive grocers, is a native of Denmark, born on September 10, 1867, the son of H. P. and Marie Nelson, both natives of Denmark. They came to America in 1867 and located at Albert Lea. H. P. followed his trade as a blacksmith and farmed at Clark's Grove until 1880, when he removed to Martin county. In 1885 he returned to Albert Lea, and in 1900 retired from active work. He now lives with his son, his wife having died August 17, 1885. The subject of this sketch was educated in the district schools of Freeborn county. Leaving his studies, he worked on the farm with his father until 1885, when he was employed by a grocery firm in Albert Lea. In 1902 Mr. Hansen established a grocery business in partnership with J. C. Lampert. This partnership was dissolved in March, 1909, Mr. Hansen now being the sole owner of the business. In 1888 he was married to Mary Jensen, daughter of Soren and Anna Jensen, formerly of Clark's Grove, but now of Albert Lea. To their home have been born seven children-Edna, now Mrs. Thos. V. Shinofield; Melvin, with his father in business; Ruby, Ervin, Russell, Elva and Florence, all at home. Mr. Hansen is a Prohibi- tionist, and attends the Baptist Church. He is a loyal member of the M. W. A. Lodge, but never aspired to the holding of any public office. His home is situated at 105 First avenue.

Hans C. Hanson, president of the American Gas Machine Com- pany, is a native of Denmark, having been born in that country on September 5, 1870, the son of Rasmus and Margaret. The father was a blacksmith in Denmark and followed his trade up to the time of his death, in 1880. The subject of this sketch gained his education in his native land. In 1887 he and his mother came to America and located in Albert Lea, where he fol- lowed the blacksmith trade until 1897, when he entered partner- ship with C. D. Edwards and manufactured the American gas- light machine. Mr. Hanson manufactured them himself on a small scale, and three years later bought out Mr. Edwards and took Thomas H. Hjort in as a business partner. In 1903 they in- corporated, making Mr. Hanson president; Mr. Hjort, vice-presi- dent ; Fred Larson, secretary, and Edward Olson, treasurer. Since their incorporation the company has doubled its capacity every two years. They have just completed a new brick building with 75,000 feet of floor space, at a cost of $100,000, on East Clark street. On October 5, 1899, Mr. Hanson was married to Lena Nelson, daughter of C. Nelson, of Clark's Grove. They have one child-Russell. Mr. Hanson is a Prohibitionist, and attends the Baptist Church. His home is situated at 121 Lake street. He is one of Albert Lea's most progressive citizens and is highly es- teemed by all the community.

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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

W. L. Beedle, the superintendent of the water works system, is a native of Winterset county, Iowa, born March 25, 1874, the son of A. C. and Rachel Beedle. They are natives of Iowa and still farm at Madison county in that state. The subject of this sketch attended the graded schools of Iowa, and upon leaving his studies worked as a stationary engineer. He came to Minnesota in 1891 and located in Albert Lea, where he followed his trade until the outbreak of the Spanish-American War. He then joined the Thirteenth Minnesota, Company F. At the close of the war Mr. Beedle came back to Albert Lea and took charge of the engines at the pumping station. Later he was made assistant superintendent and is now superintendent of the system. In the year 1903 he was married to Mabel Lund, of St. Charles, Minn. They have one little girl, Helen. Mr. Beedle is a member of the Yeoman and the Spanish-American War Veterans. In Governor Johnson's first administration he was appointed state boiler in- spector of Freeborn county. Mr. Beedle is now city inspector of gas and electric meters. He makes his home at 835 Newton street.

Gustavus W. Barck, M. D., was born in Sweden May 10, 1832, the son of Gustavus O. and Frederika (Lindquist) Barck. The father was a Swedish Lutheran clergyman and never left his native land. The subject of this sketch received a general and medical education in Sweden, graduating from the medical col- lege in 1853, when he came to Boston and practiced his profession for three years. He served in the army one year as a physician. In 1864 he came to Winona, where he followed his profession three years, after which he removed to Albert Lea, Freeborn county, where he has since practiced medicine, having spent a portion of the time in Freeborn village. In 1867 he was united in marriage to Amelia A. Dunn, daughter of Squire Dunn, of Freeborn village. Seven children have blessed their home. of which only three are now living: Gustavus U., a resident of Glendo, S. D., where he owns a claim, is postmaster and county superintendent of schools. Horace is in Albert Lea, where he acts as manager for the Skinner. Chamberlain & Co., Florence A. married Fred Brown, a Minneapolis broker. Dr. Barck is a con- sistent Democrat, but has paid more attention to his profession than to politics. He has been president of the Medical Society of the county for two years and has also served as health commis- sioner for fourteen years and member of the examining board of the pension office. He has been a member of the Masonic Lodge, Blue Lodge Chapter Commandery of Albert Lea since 1873. Dr. Barck owns property in Freeborn village and calls that his home, but has now retired from active practice, only calling occasion- ally on an old friend in a professional way. His good wife died May 6th, 1894, at Freeborn village.

W. L. BEEDLE

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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

C. E. Brainerd, the popular auditor of Freeborn county, is a native of Broome county, New York, where he began life March 23, 1854. His father, James C. Brainerd, was a minister of the. gospel ; his mother, Elmira Farrington, a native of Pennsylvania. The family came west to Wisconsin in 1854, where they remained until 1874, when they removed to Illinois. Here they stayed about five years and again drifted West to Kansas, where the mother died in 1889 and the father in 1905. C. E. Brainerd was educated at Spring Green Wisconsin High School. After leaving school he followed railroading from 1871 to 1877. Being dissatisfied with this kind of work, he went to Iowa and learned the milling trade, which he followed for ten years in that state. In 1883 he came to Minnesota, where he continued in the milling business for four years. At this time the mill in which Mr. Brainerd worked in Albert Lea was destroyed by fire. Deciding to try a change of employment, he formed a partnership with O. S. Stieler and estab- lished a meat market, which the firm conducted for four years, when Mr. Brainerd sold his interest to his partner and clerked in a general merchandise store for a year, after which he returned to meat cutting. In the fall of 1900 he was elected city clerk of Albert Lea, in which office he was continued for the next six years, until 1906, when he was elected county auditor, which office he still holds. In 1883 C. E. Brainerd was married to Elizabeth Brown. They have no children. Mr. Brainerd is a genial, public- spirited man and an enthusiastic lodge man, being a member of Masonic Blue Lodge Chapter, Knights of Pythias, Modern Wood- men and Elks, and was assistant chief of the Albert Lea Fire Department for twenty years. He has always been an ardent Republican and in 1892 served as treasurer of the city.

Theodore Bell was born in Bancroft township, June 14, 1876. His parents, John and Ingor Bell, were natives of Norway but came to America with their respective parents at an early date, John Bell, having arrived in Wisconsin in 1856, where his family remained two years before coming to Freeborn county, where they located in Riceland township, and his father did a general farming business until his death in 1888. The mother died in Norway before the removal of the family to America. In the summer of 1867 John Bell started in business for himself by pur- chasing a small tract of land which he sold shortly after and bought 160 acres in Bancroft township, having 100 acres under cultivation. He lived on this farm for several years before trading it for city property in Albert Lea, where he made his residence for two years, after which he removed to Marion county and carried on a farming business for ten years. Returning to Pick- erel Lake township, Mr. Bell bought 200 acres of land, on which he lived and cultivated until 1903, when he again exchanged the

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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

farm for a residence in Albert Lea, where he still resides with his wife. Mr. Bell served his adopted country loyally during the last year of the Civil War in the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery. He has always remained in sympathy with the Republican party and is a faithful member of the Lutheran church. While he has always been interested in public affairs he never aspired to hold public office. Theodore Bell, the subject of this sketch, received his education in the schools of Bancroft township and Martin county and later worked on his father's farm till 1903, when he began work for himself. In 1904 he purchased the grocery, con- fectionery and notion business of John Rusfeldt, located at the corner of East Clark and Newton streets, and in 1910 sold a half interest in his business to Emil Johnson, the firm name becoming Bell & Johnson. In June, 1906. Theodore Bell and Lena Wangen were united in marriage. Mrs. Bell is a native of Norway, having come to America in 1902. Their home is glad- dened by four children : Joseph, Gladys, Clifford and Thelma. Mr. Bell is an active Republican and a consistent Lutheran, also a member of the Sons of Norway.

Charles T. Helgeson, register of deeds of Freeborn county, was born of Norwegian parents on a farm near Waupun, Wis., Dec. 10, 1869. His boyhood was spent on the farm and he received the usual common school training at the district school. At the age of seventeen young Helgeson entered college with the inten- tion of pursuing the regular classical course. He continued his studies for some time, but for lack of funds was obliged to leave before completing his course and return to the farm. Here his life, like that of many other farmers' boys in needy circumstances, was one of hard and unremitting toil. But nothing daunted by the obstacles that lay in his pathway, he finally reentered col- lege. Here he worked with diligence and determination born of that quality of courage that has for life's goal a large degree of success and usefulness. But his intense application to his studies and undue exposure brought about a serious illness, and as a result of his sickness and because of scanty means at his com- mand, he was obliged to discontinue his work as a student during the next two years. Realizing that his meager resources would not enable him to complete the regular college course within a reasonable time, he finally decided to devote his time and atten- tion to commercial studies with a view to fitting himself for an instructor of business methods. Before he gave up the quest for knowledge along this line Mr. Helgerson had received a wide and unusually comprehensive training as will be seen from the list of different educational institutions at which he studied. These included Luther College, Decorah, Iowa ; Normal University, Val-

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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

paraiso, Ind .; State Normal, Madison, S. D .; Archibald Business College, Minneapolis.

In 1897 Mr. Helgeson located in Albert Lea, which city he has ever since resided in. He first entered into the employ of the Western Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Later the Consolidated Fire and Marine. Subsequently he acted as the stenographer and confidential secretary of the late Hon. John A. Lovely. It was during his employment by Mr. Lovely that hostilities broke out between the United States and Spain. Mr. Helgeson responded to the call for volunteers and enlisted as a private in Company I, Twelfth Regiment, Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. He served in the army until the close of the active campaign in Cuba. During a portion of the time of his service in the conflict in which the United States freed from the domination of Spanish tyranny the oppressed Cubans he was detailed as stenographer and special clerk at brigade headquarters. In this work he had personal charge of the morning reports for the several regiments consti- tuting the brigade to which he belonged.

At the close of the Spanish War, Mr. Helgeson returned to his home in Albert Lea. He soon accepted a position as principal of the commercial department of Luther Academy and continued in this work for three years. But he was not content to remain in a subordinate position, however worthy it might be, and with characteristic energy he set about to carry out his long cherished plans to found an institution which should be peculiarly his own. In the summer of 1901 he established the Albert Lea Business Col- lege. This school has, ever since its inception, been conducted solely upon its merits and has met with merited success and appre- ciation.

In 1910 Mr. Helgeson was elected register of deeds of Freeborn county. He continues to fill that position with the same fidelity and success that has marked every endeavor of his life.

Warren Buel, one of Albert Lea's substantial retired citi- zens, has a long and varied career, which began at Bergen, Genesee county, New York, December 4, 1825. His parents, Warren and Harriet Buel, were New England bred, the father from Massachusetts, the mother from Connecticut. Warren Buel, Sr., followed farming in New York until 1837, when he removed to Ohio, where he remained on a farm until his death. Mrs. Buel also died in Ohio. The subject of this sketch received his early educa- tion in New York and Ohio, completing with a course in the Nor- walk Seminary. After leaving college he taught for several years in the city and district schools in different parts of the state. In 1852 he married Mary Deming, a native of Genesee county, New York. The young people decided to try country life and moved to a farm in Ohio, where they lived about six years.

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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

In 1859 they drifted farther west and spent one year on a farm near Ann Arbor, Mich. Selling this farm property, they moved to Jackson, in the same state, where Mr. Buel engaged in the grocery business during the war period. At the close of the war he decided to go still farther west, and sold his grocery business to invest in a drove of sheep which he brought to Steele county, Minnesota, twelve miles from Owatonna, where he remained only one year, when he exchanged his sheep for a farm in Pickerel Lake township, Freeborn county. Here Mr. Buel carried on a general and dairy farming business for twelve years and then exchanged his farm for the city residence which he now occupies and a store building on South Broadway, where he established a grocery business, in which he continued for two years. The

grocery business not agreeing with Mr. Buel's health, he sold out to Raymond Bros. & Prentice and turned his attention to real estate, loans, bonds, insurance, etc., and continued along this line till 1907, when he retired, although his reputation for square dealing still forces considerable real estate business upon him. Mr. Buel has always been active and interested in public affairs, was a member of the legislature in 1872, and for many years was vice president of the Albert Lea Building and Loan Association. He was interested in locating a colony on the James river, naming his new town Ashton. but the railroad company refused to cooperate with the town site proprietor and established the town of Redfield on the prairie some distance from Mr. Buel's town of Ashton. He assisted in the organization of the Presbyterian college at Albert Lea and has served the public as a member of the town board and other positions of trust. Mr. Buel is a thorough business man and has always been active in buying and selling real estate. Being obliged to spend some months in Cali- fornia on account of ill health, he engaged in the real estate busi- ness in Los Angeles. Although now an elderly man he finds it hard to give up his life-long business habits.

C. R. Fellows, who is employed by the Swan Elevator Com- pany, was born in Cooperstown. N. Y., on February 6, 1856, the son of R. R. and Celia Fellows, natives of New York and England respectively. The father was a veterinary surgeon and came to Walworth county, Wisconsin, in an early day. He followed his profession up to the time of his death. The mother lives in Council Bluffs, Iowa. at the age of eighty-five years. The sub- ject of this sketch gained his education in the common schools of Wisconsin. When he left school he worked out and came to Minnesota in 1878, locating in Albert Lea. For several years following he worked out on farms and then bought 160 acres in Alden township, where he farmed until 1896. At this time he rented his farm and moved to Albert Lea. Mr. Fellows bought

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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

a tract of twelve acres on the north side of Fountain Lake and there has raised fruit and poultry. In 1908 he entered the employment of the Swan Elevator Company and still remains . at this work. In 1881 Mr. Fellows was united in marriage to Ella Chamberlain and their home has been blessed with one child, Lottie B., who is bookkeeper for Skinner, Chamberlain Co. Mr. Fellows is a Republican and his family attends the Methodist church. He is a loyal member of the I. O. O. F., and has served as town treasurer of Alden township and also -been a member of the town school board. His home is situated at 627 Water street.

J. E. Murtaugh, a postoffice clerk in Albert Lea and the owner of the Casino, was born in Albert Lea township on October 16, 1873, the son of J. W. and Chloe (Knapp) Murtaugh, natives of New York and Ohio respectively, fourth child of a family of thirteen children. J. E. Murtaugh gained his education in the district schools of Albert Lea township and three months in the graded schools of Glenville. At the age of seventeen he came to Albert Lea and entered the employ of Halvorson & Luce on "The Enterprise," at which work he remained for over eight years. He spent several months in Austin on "The Register," then returned to Albert Lea and worked on "The Times." He remained there until 1901, when he took the civil service exam- ination and was appointed clerk at the postoffice under V. Gillrup, which position he still occupies. Mr. Murtaugh is the night clerk just now. On April 1, 1910, he went into partnership with Louis Larson and established the Casino, a dancing pavilion, owning eighteen row boats, one large passenger launch and one small launch. In July Mr. Murtaugh bought out Mr. Larson's interest and is now sole owner of the Casino. He gives public dances twice every week in the summer season. On July 3, 1894, he was married to Mathilda Larson, a native of Denmark. She came, with her parents, to this country, locating in Bancroft town- ship, where her father still carries on a general farm- ing business. Mr. and Mrs. Murtaugh's home has been blessed with two children: Pearl and Olive. Politically Mr. Murtaugh has affiliated himself with the Republican party. He attends the Presbyterian Church and is an enthusiastic member of the Macca- bee Lodge, having been commander for three years and recorder for seven years. Mr. Murtaugh is a substantial citizen of Albert Lea.

Iver Clausen, a retired farmer now residing in the city of Albert Lea, was born in Denmark July 15, 1839. He grew to manhood in his native land and there was educated for a musi- cian, becoming a violin player of considerable talent. In May, 1887, Mr. Clansen came to America. He landed in New York and

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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

later came to Minnesota, where he settled on a farm in Albert Lea. For several years he was engaged in general farming and also gave music lessons. In 1907 the subject of this sketch sold his farm and since that time he has lived in retirement. He was married in Denmark January, 1861, and to himself and wife six children were born. The wife and mother passed away in 1903. Mr. Clausen belongs to the Lutheran Church.

H. C. Carlson, an able attorney of Albert Lea, was born in Freeborn county February 22, 1872, son of Adolph and Dora- thea Carlson, natives of Denmark. He received his boyhood education in the district schools of Riceland township and spent the larger part of his youth with his uncle, Christian Larson, in that township. He graduated from the Albert Lea High School in 1892, and then took a special course of two years in the Uni- versity of Minnesota. Subsequently he studied law two years in the office of W. E. Todd, and then took a one-year course at the Columbia School, Washington, D. C. Upon his return he took up the practice of law with his preceptor and this partner- ship continued until Mr. Todd's death, November 11, 1899. After this Mr. Carlson practiced alone until 1907, when he entered into partnership with H. H. Dunn, the present speaker of the lower house of the Minnesota legislature. Mr. Carlson is president of the Albert Lee school board and votes the Republican ticket. Being of a sociable nature he has allied himself with Albert Lea Lodge, No. 66, K. of P., and Albert Lea Lodge, No. 813, B. P. O. E. He attends the Episcopal Church, of which his wife is a member. The subject of this sketch was married January 16, 1901, to Mabel Du Toit, of Schaska, Minn., and this union has been blessed with three bright children: Margaret Mabel, Ruth Elenore and Henry Clay. The family residence is pleasantly located on Park avenue.

Adolph Carlson, now deceased, was prominently identified with the Danish Baptist movement in this county in the earlier days. He was born in Denmark, came to America in the sixties and located in La Crosse. Later he came to this state, located in Bath township, this county, and farmed for many years. He was an active religious worker and remained prominent in church work until his death. in 1902. His wife. whose maiden name was Dorathea Carlson, died in 1887.

A. C. Bremer, one of the prosperous farmers of Albert Lea township, was born in Louisiana July 7, 1843. He is the son of Charles and Henrietta (Hunke) Bremer. His parents came to the United States in 1835 and settled in Louisiana. His father was a shoemaker by trade and later conducted a shoe store. Still later he became a minister and preached to the negroes. He died of consumption in 1848. His wife died in 1906. The subject of

AUGUST BREMER AND FAMILY

1543

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this sketch was educated in the public schools of Iowa, where his mother settled in 1850. He was the only boy, having one sister, Julia, now living in Passadena, Cal. In 1863 he removed to Minnesota and took up a homestead in Pickeral Lake township, Freeborn county, where the Clover Creamery now stands. He remained there for twelve years. In 1887 he sold the farm and bought his present 200 acres of land in Albert Lea township, where he has since lived. He carried on very successfully general farming for many years. He has now retired and the conduct and management of the farm has been turned over to his boys. Mr. Bremer was always especially attracted by live stock and dairying and Short Horn cattle, Chester White and Poland China hogs are still the pride of the farm. The farm has a fine house and splendid barns and its improvements and cultivation are a tribute to the years of patient industry bestowed upon its acres by Mr. Bremer.

In 1873 Anna Kluckow, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kluckow, of Pickeral Lake township, became Mrs. A. C. Bremer. Her parents came to Minnesota from Germany in 1872. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bremer, all of whom are living. They are: Clara, Otto, Emil, August, William, Edward, Henry and Emma. In politics Mr. Bremer is a Republican. He has never held public office. He is a member of the G. A. R. and had quite a strenuous war record. In 1861 he enlisted in Company B, Third Jowa Cavalry, and served in the South. In 1863 he again enlisted in Company C, Second Minnesota Cavalry and saw service in the Yellowstone against the Indians. At one time he was one of forty soldiers who were sent to guard and protect 400 emigrant wagons. They were surrounded for nineteen days by the Indians, but reinforcements came and relieved them just as they had given up all hope of being saved from general massacre. He was honorably discharged in 1865 at Fort Snelling and returned home to take up the work on the farm again.

I. Luther Ingbritsen, now engaged in the abstract business in Albert Lea, has taken an active part in the official life of St. Paul and Washington and is one of the leading citizens of this city. He was born in Rock county, Wisconsin, December 3, 1864, son of Knud and Sarah (Hopperstad) Ingebrigtson, who brought him to Riceland township, this county, in 1868. There he was reared to manhood, attending the public schools of his neighbor- hood, and the high school at Albert Lea. Later he took a course in the Curtiss Business College at Minneapolis. At the age of seventeen he started teaching school and followed this vocation four years in this county. In 1887 he came to Albert Lea, and on June 1, became assistant postmaster under D. K. Stacy, serving

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History of Freeborn County, Minnesota, Part 60

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