USA > Minnesota > Freeborn County > History of Freeborn County, Minnesota > Part 61
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until August 6, 1888. Then he was appointed deputy county auditor and remained in this capacity until his election as county auditor, the duties of which office he fulfilled from January, 1899, to January, 1907, being successively reëlected. Upon his retire- ment from this office he secured the appointment as assistant secretary of the Minnesota senate during the session of 1907. In June of that year he came back to Albert Lea and opened an abstract office. In the session of 1909 he again served as assist- ant secretary of the Minnesota senate, and during that session received the appointment as superintendent of the folding room of the house of representatives in the Sixty-first Congress. Upon his return from Washington, April 14, 1911, he resumed his residence in Albert Lea, and on June 1 he again embarked in his present business. Mr. Ingbritsen served one year as secre- tary of the Freeborn County Fair, and he was also a member of the first charter commission of the city of Albert Lea. He has not been an extensive "joiner," but is a popular member of the M. W. A. at Albert Lea. The subject of this sketch was married April 7, 1890, in Bancroft township, to Caroline Bottolfsen, born in Bancroft township, February 27, 1867, daughter of Andrew and Irene (Berg) Bottolfsen, natives of Norway. This union has been blessed with three children: Evelyn Cornelia will graduate from the Mankato State Normal School in 1912. She was born December 25, 1890. Irving Stanley was born February 24, 1894, and is a pupil in the Albert Lea High School. Arnold Luther was born April 2, 1901, and is attending the public schools. The family resides at 929 Lake boulevard.
Knud Ingebrigtson was born in Norway and came to America in 1856 at the age of nineteen years. He located first in Rock county, Wisconsin, and was engaged several years in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin as a parochial school teacher. In Rock county he met and married Sarah Hopperstad, who came to America at the age of six years, in about 1846. For a short time after their marriage they remained in Rock county and then moved to Winneshiek county, Iowa, where Knut taught school some three years. In 1868 the family came to Freeborn county and located in section 17, Riceland township, where the parents spent the remainder of their days, Knut doing some teaching, but devoting most of his latter years to farming. The subject of this sketch died December 1, 1902, and his wife October 14, 1910. In the family were seven children. I. Luther lives in Albert Lea. The Rev. Johan Edward died March 28, 1909. Rev. Carl B. preaches in Billings county, North Dakota. Ellef G. is a mer- chant in Minneapolis. Anton C. is a farmer in Aitken county, Minnesota. Ida is the wife of Henry Vogelpohl, of St. Anthony
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
Park, Minn. Louisa is the wife of Charles G. Johnson, of Shelby, Minn.
Albert Engblom, who is of Swedish parentage, was born in Sweden September 11, 1875, son of J. M. and Bertha Engblom, who came to the United States in 1882 and settled in Albert Lea . township on a farm adjoining the one which is now their home. They later acquired the land where they at present reside. Albert Engblom attended the country schools, and having completed his school work, he began regular work with his father on the farm. He and his father now farm together, the father owning eighty acres and the subject of this sketch forty acres. About 100 of this 120-acre tract are in cultivation, the remainder being chiefly meadow and hay land. They keep Chester White hogs and a number of good Short Horn grade cattle. The subject of this sketch was married to Anna Johnson in December, 1901, and to them two children were born: Ruby and Ruben, died at two years and six months. Mr. Engblom is a member of the Swedish Baptist Church. He consistently votes with the Prohi- bition party, but is not particularly interested in politics. The farm has been improved and the increasing crops have been grown by the hard work of the owners and the subject of this biography is known as one of the most energetic workers in this locality.
W. S. Carey is of Irish parentage and was born in Watertown, Wis., December 3, 1850. His father and mother, Dennis and Mary (Swift) Carey, came to the United States in 1846 and located in Pennsylvania, where they remained a short time, after which they came to Wisconsin and here engaged in farming until 1871, at which time they moved to Iowa. In 1909 the father died. The widow still survives him at the age of eighty-seven years, at Chester, Iowa. Their son, W. S., subject of this sketch, was educated in the common schools of Wisconsin and later went to Iowa, where he remained but a short time and then came to Albert Lea. Here he settled in 1882 and for seven years was employed on the police force, after which he moved to his present home on the farm of 279 acres, which he owns. Thirty-nine acres of this farm are in Hayward township and the remaining 240 are in Albert Lea. Here Mr. Carey engages in general farming together with stock raising and dairying, preferring Short Horn cattle for this industry. He has raised many hogs to supply the markets and has been most successful with Chester White breed. As chairman of Albert Lea township for eight years and member of the town board Mr. Carey has shown his interest in the welfare of the community and his fourteen years of service as member of the school board proves him a man who has the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens. He married Mary E. Phelan,
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
daughter of John Phelan, of Iowa, on January 14, 1880, and this marriage has resulted in nine children: John F., employed in Albert Lea ; Gertrude, a teacher in the public school; William E., Terena, Sylvester, Genevieve, Bernard and Leonard at home; Dennis J., now deceased. Mr. Carey belongs to the Democratic party. He is a member of the Catholic Church, Catholic Order of Foresters and A. O. U. W. He was a stockholder in the Albert Lea Dairy Association, of which he was president for eight years.
Chris Frandsen, a progressive farmer and representative citi- zen of Albert Lea township, first saw the light of day in Den- mark November 28, 1847. Twenty-seven years later, in 1872, he emigrated from his native land with his parents, Frands and Mariah (Jensen) Frandsen, and came to the United States. After their arrival in this country they came to Minnesota and located near Albert Lea, where the father, who had followed his trade as a carpenter and contractor for many years in Denmark, now retired from an active life and spent the remainder of his days in peace and comfort. His wife died in 1901 and he survived her for eight years. Chris, the subject of this biography, began his schooling in Denmark and later attended at Geneva, this state, for a term of four months, but since that time he has been a careful reader of instructive literature and so has greatly increased his store of knowledge. He married Erika Anstrum, daughter of Lewis and Christina Anstrum, in June, 1875, and to this marriage eight children have been born: Mamie, at home; Sena, living at Waterloo, Iowa; William, Emma, Holger, Julius, Mathilda and Herman. On his farm of 137 acres Mr. Frandsen is interested in stock raising and dairying in connection with his agricultural pursuits and he is one of the patrons of the Albert Lea Cooperative Creamery as well as a stockholder. His inter- ests in the educational advancement of the township have been evidenced by his efficient service as member of the school board for a period of sixteen years. He is a Republican in political views and his religious faith is found in the teachings set forth by the Danish Lutheran Church of Albert Lea.
L. C. Goetzke is the son of August and Catherine (Toenges) Goetzke who came from Germany to the United States in the pioneer days and settled near what is now the great city of Chicago. The father followed general farming and spent his best years in this occupation both in the United States and in Canada. At the present time he makes his home with a daughter in Clover, Minn. L. C., the subject of this biography, was born in Cook county, Illinois, April 14, 1868, and at the age of two years he came to Minnesota, where he has since made his home. He began his early education in the public schools of Albert Lea and later attended college at St. Paul Park. He has since engaged
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
in successful farming and he also represented a publishing house for a short time. In 1893 Annie H. Klienke, daughter of Herman Klienke, now deceased, became his wife, and to them a son, Paul L., has been born. On his farm of 160 acres Mr. Goetzke keeps a good herd of dairy cows and disposes of their milk to the local creamery. He is one of the stockholders in the Albert Lea Creamery. He is affiliated with no lodge and is independent in his political views. Aside from serving on the school board at different periods he has given his best efforts to making his farm profitable and his home one of comfort.
William Goetzke was born in Chicago, Ill., October 8, 1869, son of August and Catherine (Tonges) Goetzke, who came to this country from Germany. They settled in Canada for a short time, after which they moved to Chicago, where the father secured employment in the lumber yards, and in 1870 they came to Minne- sota, where their son, William, received his education. Complet- ing his education, he began to work on the farm and has made this his chosen occupation since. He owns 227 acres of land and carries on a general farming and dairying business. He is one of the stockholders in the local creamery, where he disposes of his dairy product. Mary Flindt, daughter of Claus and Annie (Sipple) Flindt, became his wife on October 20, 1898. Mr. Goetzke has made many improvements on his farm and has a fine house and good barns which are a comfort to himself and family and a pleasing point of interest in the locality. Among the various offices which he has held in his township is that of road overseer, in which office he gave general satisfaction. In his political interests Mr. Goetzke has independent views, believing it more important that the proper man should be elected than that the party organization should be supported. He was director on the creamery board of the Albert Lea Creamery and has served as vice president and director in the Farmers' Shipping Associa- tion.
G. Lemke is one of the progressive farmers of Albert Lea township. He was born November 1, 1862, in Cook county, Illi- nois, and came to Minnesota with his mother in 1870. He spent the earlier portion of his boyhood working on a farm and going to school. Reaching manhood, he purchased 153 acres of land and here has erected all the buildings which now stand on the place. He has also kept about ninety acres of his farm under cultivation and at the present time the prosperous condition of his place is due entirely to his own efforts. Katie Flindt, daughter of Claus and Anna Flindt, early settlers in the county, became the wife of Mr. Lemke on March 17, 1887, and seven children are the result of this union: Emma, William, Elsie, Mabel, Tillie, Edith and Claus. Mr. Lemke does general farming together with
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
stock raising and dairying. He worships at the Methodist Church and votes independently. His interest in educational matters is evidenced by his service on the school board of which he has been a prominent member. He was for some years a stockholder in the Albert Lea Creamery Association.
D. C. Armstrong, president of the Albert Lea State Bank, and one of the well-known citizens of Albert Lea, was born in Milan, Ohio, November 25, 1868. his father being DeWitt C. Armstrong. His mother was a sister of Thomas H. and Augustus Armstrong, both of whom had an important part in the upbuilding of Freeborn county. D. C. was reared in his native town, and in 1881 entered the employ of the First National Bank at Erie, Penn. In 1883 he came West at the invitation of his uncle, Thomas H. Armstrong, and located in Albert Lea, enter- ing the employ of the old Freeborn County Bank, which his uncle had established. In this employ the subject of this sketch acted as collector and had charge of the elevators which the bank operated. In 1894 he became secretary and treasurer of the Albert Lea Milling Co. and remained in this position until 1902. when he accepted the cashiership of the then newly organized Albert Lea State Bank. In 1909 he became its president. Mr. Armstrong is a Republican in politics, has served as a member of the city council from the First Ward, and has been assistant treasurer of the Minnesota State Fair as well as treasurer of the Freeborn County Fair. He is president of the Business Men's League, has held various offices in the Presbyterian Church and is treasurer and trustee of the Albert Lea College. Mr. Arn- strong was married in 1892 to Anna Hibbs. daughter of D. R. P. Hibbs, and to this union have been born two children, Clare H. and Dorothy.
Martin Blacklin, president and manager of the Albert Lea Corset Company. was born in Black Earth, Wis .. on April 4, 1870, the son of Austin and Julia Blacklin, natives of Norway. They came to America in the early days and located in Wisconsin, where they remained until 1884. The father bought land in Riceland township. Freeborn county, where he is still farming. The subject of this sketch came to Albert Lea when eight years of age and lived with an uncle. He was educated in the public schools and in the high school of Albert Lea. Upon leaving school he worked in the Case Corset Company for sixteen years. In 1902 he organized a stock company and established the Albert Lea Corset Company. Mr. Blacklin employs about seventy-five hands and runs from sixty-five dozen upwards per day. In the year 1901 the subject was united in marriage to Emily Benson. Mr. Blacklin is an independent voter, a member of the Masons, K. of P., in which lodge he has held office for seventeen years.
JOHN E. SKINNER
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
He is also a member of the Elks, U. C. T. and Royal Arcanum. Mr. Blacklin has served on the city school board for three years. He owns his pleasant home on Fountain street.
A. O. Bakken, one of the most prosperous and progressive farmers of Albert Lea township, was born in Norway October 17, 1853. His parents, Ole Bakken and Kari (Enstad) Bakken, came. to the United States in 1866 and located in Iowa, where. Mr .. Bakken worked as a carpenter and mason. In 1870 he removed to Freeborn county, where he purchased land and established a home and farm. Here he died in 1876. His wife survived him many years, until 1908. Of the ten children which were born to them six are still living: A. O. Bakken, Rachel, Alf, Methias, Ingri and Petra. A. O. Bakken, the subject of this sketch, has 440 acres of fine land, 350 of which are under the splendid culti- vation of its owner. In 1882 he married Olava Stovern, and. fifteen children have been born to them, eleven of whom are now living: . Oswald, Albert, Rudolph, Frithjof (deceased), George (deceased), Laura, Selmer (deceased), Florence, Alma, Olga, Gerhard (deceased), Dwight, Freida and Hjalmar. Mr. Bakken is a first-class, all-around farmer, keeps forty-one fine grade cattle and sells his cream to the cooperative creamery at Albert Lea, of which he is a stockholder. He knows the value of thoroughbred stock and raises some of the finest Poland China hogs in the township. The Bakken home is one of the finest in this section, having all the modern improvements. All of these evidences of prosperity Mr. Bakken attributes to hard work .. He is a Republican and a county optionist, and is interested in educational advancement, as is evidenced by his position on the board of St. Olaf College, at Northfield. Religiously Mr. Bakken is connected with the Norwegian Lutheran Church of Albert Lea. He served as clerk of the town of Albert Lea one year and is at. present vice-president of the Manchester Mutual Fire Insurance Company.
John E. Skinner, for several years connected with the pros- perous firm of Skinner, Chamberlain & Co. as department man- ager, is one of the substantial business men of Albert Lea, and an honored veteran of the Civil War. Mr. Skinner is a native of the Empire state, born in Ticonderoga, Essex Co., New York, September 6, 1837. He received such education as the primitive schools of his time and neighborhood afforded, and spent his youth and early manhood on a York state farm. In the early sixties he watched with interest the discussions which led to the Civil War, and resolved that in case of an open rupture between the North and South he would take up arms in defense of the Union. The outbreak of hostilities found him at Sun Prairie, Wis., and after setting his affairs to rights there and
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IHISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
bidding farewell to his parents, he enlisted in 1862 in the 29th Wis. Vol. Inf., serving subsequently with that regiment in the Army of the West. He saw much active service, was in many marches, skirmishes and campaigns, and demonstrated his cour- age at the important battles of Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Black River, Vicksburg and Sabins Crossroads. In 1865, at the close of the war he was discharged at Shrevesport, Tex., and mustered out at Madison, Wis., after which he returned to Sun Prairie in the latter state. Later, in July, 1865, he came to Freeborn county, to which place his parents, John P. and Polly (Bisby) Skinner, both now deceased, had immigrated during the first year of the Civil War. Upon his arrival here, the subject of this sketch clerked for a while, and later engaged in carpenter work and farming. At one time he engaged in the milling busi- ness in Albert Lea, buying and selling grain in considerable quantities. He assumed his position with the Skinner, Chamber- lain & Co., at their organization. Of late years, Mr. Skinner has practically retired from active business, although he is still often at the store, and his advice and assistance are greatly appreciated there. He was town clerk for seven years, member of school board several years and member of the town board of supervisors a number of years. For many years Mr. Skinner has been actively identified with Robson Post, No. 5, G. A. R. He was married in 1866 to Jane Gardner, and this union has been blessed with four children : Frank, Fargo, N. D .; Bert, manager of the Skinner, Chamberlain & Co., of Albert Lea; Lottie, wife of William Chamberlain, vice president Skinner, Chamberlain & Co., John G., of Red Lodge, Mont. The family residence is at 604 Clark street.
Samuel Sherman Edwards, one of Albert Lea's oldest citizens, is a native of Watertown, Conn., where his parents, Charles Good- win Edwards and Sarah Maria (Foot) Edwards resided. They were descendants of English families the genealogical record dating back to 1635, the ancestors coming to this country and settling in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Samuel Sherman Edwards, the subject of this sketch, came to Albert Lea July 3, 1865 and soon after established a photograph business, build- ing on Lot 11, Block 22, Broadway, and successfully conducted this business over thirty years. At this time he became interested in the organization, as a stockholder and director, in what is now the Albert Lea Light & Power Co .; first with his brother, C. G., and afterward with his brother, G. C., of Bridgeport, Conn. In 1871 Mr. Edwards was united in marriage to Bertha Maria Lunde, a native of Norway. who came to this country and to Freeborn county in 1869. Their children are Marie Elvira, Charles Goodwin and Russell Sherman. Charles is an electrician
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
and commercial man, Russell is a solicitor and bookkeeper, both for the Albert Lea Light & Power Co. Marie, wife of Lesley S. Whitcomb, is deceased. At the present time Mr. Edwards is , engaged in the real estate business and is interested in all that makes for the advancement of Albert Lea, which has for so many years been his home. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow lodges and has served both orders in official capacities. He was a member of the first organization of singers in the city and has continued to assist in the musical advancement of the city. The children of the family are all musicians. Mr. Edwards has three grandchildren, Marie and Beth Whitcomb, and Cath- erine, daughter of his son Charles, who married Alta Hess. Catherine died June 27, 1911, aged two years and eleven months.
C. Andersen, one of Albert Lea's up-to-date merchant tailors, was born in Denmark, March 26, 1869. He is the son of Andrew Larsen and Elsie Hansen who lived and died in their native land. Mr. Andersen received his education at Denmark, there grew to manhood, after which he learned the tailoring trade. The subject of this sketch came to the United States in 1889, locating in Albert Lea, where he continued to work at his trade of tailoring until 1905, when he established his present thriving business. 1893 Mr. Andersen was united in marriage to Rikke Clausen, daughter of Iver Clausen. They have five children : Arnold, Esther, Raymond, Helen and Albert. The Andersen residence is 407 East 3rd street. Mr. Andersen is a life-long Republican but very independent in his voting. He is a public spirited man and has been a member of the city council, and is a member of English Lutheran church.
Andrew Boyum, an Albert Lea tailor, was born in Norway on May 9, 1877, the son of Ingebrit and Syneva Boyum. The father was a farmer in Norway until his death. The mother now lives in Adams, Minn. The subject of this sketch attended school in his native land, and when fifteen years old, set sail for America with his mother. They located in Black Earth, Wis., where Andrew went to school and worked out on a farm, after which he went to Mt. Horeb, Wis., there learned the tailor trade. In 1896, they came to Minnesota, locating in Adams, Minn., where he worked in a general store for about two years, after which he came to Albert Lea (1898) and went to work in a tailor shop. In 1903, Mr. Boyum entered partnership with H. A. Hanson and established a tailoring business. This partnership was dissolved at the end of one year and a half. Mr. Boyum bought out Mr. Hanson's interests and now carries on an up-to- date tailor shop on West Clark street. He was formerly located at 109 East Clark street. In 1905, Mr. Boyum married Ause Bagley of Riceland township, they have one son, Ivan G., born
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
Feburary 28, 1911. Mr. Boyum is a Republican and attends the Trinity Lutheran church. He belongs to the Sons of Norway and is a Mason. His residence is located over his tailoring estab- lishment. He is a member of the Business Men's League of Albert Lea.
Claus H. Flindt is one of the substantial citizens of Albert Lea. With earnest perseverance he worked for the good of the county, developing his farm and serving in township office. His good wife has been an able helpmeet in all his undertakings, and they have reared a family which is much respected in the com- munity. Together Mr. and Mrs. Flindt are spending their de- clining years in Albert Lea, reaping the fruits of a well deserved rest after so many years of patient toil and industrious endeavor. Claus H. Flindt was born in Germany, January 9, 1829, and in that country received his education. In May, 1855 he came to America and after spending a summer in New York, he located in Davenport, Iowa, for the winter. In the spring of 1856 he moved to Winona, then a small town, and there remained ten years. His residence in Freeborn county dates from 1866, in which year he came to Manchester township and acquired 160 acres. This land he improved, and on it sucessfully conducted general farming, gradually increasing his holdings until he was the owner of 490 acres of good land. Mr. Flindt's ability was recognized at once, and during practically his entire stay in the township he served on the board of supervisors, being chair- man of that body for several years. While living in Manchester township Mr. Flindt helped to organize the Manchester Co-opera- tive Creamery. and upon its organization was chosen manager, which position he held for five years. He also served for many terms as treasurer of his school district. In 1891 Mr. and Mrs. Flindt retired, and since then they have made their home in a pleasant residence which they purchased at 410 Court street. Mr. Flindt is a Republican in politics and cast his first vote for John (. Fremont. He has been a stockholder in the First National Bank of Albert Lea since its organization, and has also served as one of the directors. The subject of this sketch was married at Winona. July 24, 1860. to Anna Walburga, who was born in Germany. November 16. 1840, and came to America in 1855. This union has been blessed with eleven children, of whom ten are living. Clara is the wife of Abraham Young. of Buffalo Lake, Minn. William lives in Spencer, Iowa. Katherine is the wife of Gus. Lemke. of Pickerel Lake. this county. John married Lillian Dills and is now dead. Frank lives in Colorado. Emma is the wife of John Lampert, of Washington. Josephine married Her- man Schuknecht, of LaGrange. Ill. Edward lives in Manchester township, this county. Mary is the wife of William Goetzke, of
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