USA > Minnesota > Freeborn County > History of Freeborn County, Minnesota > Part 66
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
Knute J. Solland was born in Wisconsin November 20, 1866, son of John and Ingabra Solland, both natives of Norway. Be- fore he was one year old the family came to Freeborn county . and to Nunda, where they homesteaded on section 27. The sub- ject of this sketch was educated in the country schools and worked on his father's farm. The school house where he attended was built of logs and the first dwelling erected for the family was of the same material. After the death of his parents he worked the home place and now has a well improved farm of 240 acres, where he follows dairy and general farming. He has about forty milch cows and assisted in the formation of the Emmons Creamery. Mr. Solland is a Republican and a member of the Lutheran Church. In 1893 he married Gurine Loken, of Nunda, and to them have been born nine children: John, Ida, Jens, Ole, Lewis, Clara and Gena (twins), Bent and Elmer.
Peter Peterson is the son of Peter and Randi Peterson, natives of Norway, who were born in 1808 and 1818 respectively, the subject of this sketch was born in Norway, July 2, 1852. In 1861 the family came to the United States and settled in Winne- shiek county, Iowa, where they lived nine years, and where the son Peter got most of his education. At the end of this time they moved to Freeborn county and settled on section 35, Nunda, where the father died in 1882, and the mother four years earlier. The subject of this biography worked the home farm till 1902, when he sold the land and now does not engage in active farm work. He lives at the home of Theodore Grefsheim. He is a member of the Lutheran Church and is a Republican in politics.
Theodore O. Grefsheim, a native of Norway, was born August 22, 1854, the son of Ole and Ellen Grefsheim. When 13 years of age he came to Freeborn county with his parents, who bought forty acres of land. When 15 he began working out and con- tinued to work for farmers of the locality in which he lived for more than ten years, at the end of this time he had saved enough money to enable him to buy 120 acres of land. This first pur- chase he sold in 1893 and bought 140 acres in section 36, Nunda, where he now resides. He has erected a comfortable dwelling and made many improvements on his farm. He now has an orchard of 100 trees, all in good bearing condition. He keeps a herd of milch cows and sells cream to the Emmons Creamery, which he assisted in organizing. In 1901 he married Barbro Olson and they have one son, Ole, 9 years old, who is in school in home district. The subject of this sketch is a member of the Lutheran Church. He votes the Republican ticket.
Henry Madson, a native of Norway, is the son of Mads and Stefene Madson, who came to the United States in 1878. The subject of this sketch was born May 7, 1858. On arriving in
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
Iowa when 20 years of age he at once went to work for farmers and he worked out in Iowa and Minnesota for seven years, and all this time was learning the best methods of carrying on a farm for himself. Having had sufficient experience in this line he bought grain two years. He then went into the stock business and bought cattle and hogs in the country for fifteen years ; during this time he became well acquainted in the locality and was ever known as being reliable in all his dealings. In October, 1889, he married Christina Ansen, of Winnebago county, Iowa, and to this union has been born three children : Martin, Selmer and Clarence; all at home. In 1895 he returned to Norway for a visit among his boyhood friends and remained there six months. On his return he bought 220 acres of land in sections 31 and 32, Nunda, where he still resides. His dwelling house and large barn are among the best farm buildings of the township and the con- stant care and hard work of the family have made this one of the excellent farms of this locality. Mr. Madson is a member of the Lime Creek Lutheran Church. Politically Mr. Madson is a Republican.
Lewis H. Larson now resides on the farm in section 36, town- ship of Nunda, where his parents, Helge and Barben Larson, settled when they came here from Norway in 1859, and where the subject of this biography was born on December 26, 1862. He here grew to manhood, attended the country school and did a boy's work on the home farm. When he grew to man's estate he purchased his father's farm and is still continuing improve- ment of it. He follows general dairy farming. He keeps ten well bred Percheron horses for farming and driving. Mr. Larson is a member of the Lutheran Church. He is a Republican and has been clerk of the school district in which he resides for many years; also a director for the the Union Creamery Company for many years. In 1895 he married Bertha Troe, who died in 1904, leaving four children: Harry, George, Luella and Elmer. Re- cently Mr. Larson married Lena Benson, of Worth county, Iowa.
Knudt A. Overland, who has lived in Freeborn county since 1866, is a native of Norway, and was born September 29, 1865. His parents took a homestead in Albert Lea township, where their son Knudt grew up. He received his education in the country schools and later worked on his father's farm, remaining at home till 1890. He then took up the work of well digging and running threshing machines in the fall of the year. In 1900 he rented and later bought 145 acres in section 1, Nunda township, where he now resides. This he has recorded as "Overland Grain and Stock Farm." Aside from the regular work of his farm he rep- resents the Aeromotor Company and for them handles wind mills, as well as all kinds of gas engines. On July 2, 1890, he married
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
Gunheld Gunderson, of Freeman, and to them have been born ten children : Alvin, Joseph, Arthur, Selma, Alma, Gilbert, Law- rence, Elmer, Luman and Melfa. Mr. Overland is a member of the Lutheran Church. In politics he is independent. and has held many offices of trust. He was assessor for two years, jus- tice of peace four years, clerk of school district 76 fifteen years, treasurer of Twin Lakes Creamery twelve years, as well as having various smaller public and church offices.
Levi H. Petersen, a progressive farmer, who resides in Bath township, was born October 14, 1878. His parents were H. P. and Annie (Ravn) Petersen, natives of Denmark, and early set- tlers in Minesota. The father came to America and located first in Racine, Wis., where he was in business for a short time, after which he went to Cambridge, and from there made the trip to Minnesota in a prairie schooner. He bought a farm in Bath and here he and his wife reared their family of six children, enduring the privations which all the pioneers had to undergo. As the years passed they prospered and made many improvements on their property and provided comforts for their declining years. L. H., their son, spent his youth attending school and learning agricultural pursuits from his father and, when he had grown to manhood he began farming on his own responsibility, and now owns 120 acres of good land. He cultivates about one-half of this property and the remainder is in meadow and pasture land. He carries on general farming, together with stock raising and dairying, for which purpose he raises shorthorn cattle. He married Clara Petersen, daughter of J. W. and Stena (Jensen) Petersen, in 1906, and one child is the result of this marriage; Ruby. Politically, Mr. Petersen favors the Prohibition party. In June, 1908, he sustained a severe loss when his buildings, which had been put in good condition by him and were in fine repair, were blown down by a tornado which swept the county in various localities.
Paul Hanson, a prosperous farmer of Clarks Grove, was born in Denmark, February 17, 1852, son of Hans and Maren (Peter- son) Paulson. In 1873 he came to America with his parents and located in Bath township. Here they cleared the land and made many improvements, and it was here that the parents died. Paul, the son, was early in life trained for a farmer and he began farming for himself with forty acres of land. He has added to this until he now is the owner of 200 acres, which is kept in a fine state of cultivation. He plows about 160 acres and the remainder is used for pasture and meadow. He carries on gen- eral and dairy farming and raises many Poland China hogs. He prefers the shorthorn breed of cattle for general dairy purposes and ships his dairy products to the Clarks Grove Co-operative
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Creamery, of which he has been the treasurer for fifteen years. December 9, 1874, Hanna Hansen, daughter of Paul Hansen, a native of Denmark, who was one of the pioneer settlers in Bath, became the wife of Mr. Hanson, and this marriage has resulted in the following children : Andrew; Edward, at home; Mark, in Spokane, Wash .; Harry, working at home; Mary, the wife of Arthur Paulson. Mr. Hanson is regarded as one of the reliable citizens of the town and has for many years held various offices of trust and responsibility, among which are, director of the Co- operative Mercantile Company, director of the State Bank of Clarks Grove and director of the Clarks Grove Lumber and Fuel Company. He is a member of the Baptist Church and one of its substantial financial supporters. He owes his present prosperous condition to his own untiring efforts and hard work and he is a worthy example of a self-made man.
George Peterson, an enterprising farmer of Clarks Grove, was born November 15, 1860, in Raymond, Wis., son of Peter and Mary Peterson. He was brought to Bancroft township by his parents in 1862, and the following year the father homesteaded a portion of the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch. Mr. Peterson grew to manhood on his father's farm and spent his boyhood days attending the district school in the locality and assisting his father on the farm; he also learned carpenter work. For some years after leaving school he was employed as a car- penter throughout the township, but decided to devote his ener- gies to farming, in which occupation he has since engaged. He owns a farm of 105 acres and rents 160 acres more and here carries on general and dairy farming. He prefers Holstein cattle for dairying purposes and disposes of his dairy products to the local creamery ; and he raises a good grade of hogs for which he finds ready market. Mr. Peterson has made many improvements on his farm and its prosperous condition is the result of his hard work and good management. He married Martha S. Lunn, of Danish parentage, and their home has been blessed by the birth of seven children: Ralph, Roy, Lula, Carey, Lovine, Floyd and Glenn, who are all at home. Mr. Peterson has never aspired to public office, but his interest in educational facilities was proven by his circulating the petition among the residents of Clarks Grove for the establishment of a public school in the town. Politically, he is an independent voter, and, financially, one of the substantial residents of the township.
Peter and Mary Peterson were early settlers in Ravmond, Racine county, Wisconsin, who moved from there to Bancroft township in 1862, where they remained for a year on rented property. Mr. Peterson then homesteaded a farm in Bath town- ship and made his home here with his wife and family. for the
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
remainder of his days. He was a farmer and many were the hardships which were endured by himself and family during the early portion of their life on their claim, but Mr. Peterson was well fitted to master the privations of those days, having been brought up in a humble log cabin, whose sod roof proved an ineffectual shelter from the rains. To Mr. and Mrs. Peterson were born ten children, of whom four are living. Christiana, Lena, J. W. and George. Peter and Stena died recently.
Andrew Hansen, a genial merchant in the village of Clarks Grove, was born in Bath township August 2, 1877. His parents, Paul and Hanna Hansen, were natives of Denmark who emigrated from the land of their birth and came to America to seek their fortune in 1872. They settled first in Bath township and here acquired some land and began farming. They were frugal and industrious people, who made improvements on their property as rapidly as circumstances enabled them and they now are the owners of a valuable, well tilled farm which comprises 200 acres. Andrew, the son, grew up on his father's farm and like most boys who are sons of farmers, he attended the district school near his home and was kept busy during vacation periods, assisting his father. He later attended the Pillsbury Academy and in 1902 he secured a position as clerk in the Clarks Grove Co-opera- tive Mercantile Company's store. He has served in this institu- tion as secretary for several years and is also one of the stock- holders. He votes with the Prohibition party and is a public spirited citizen. He has been elected to serve as justice of the peace in Clarks Grove and has represented the wishes of the people in this capacity.
Iver Bottolsen, son of Andrew and Irene (Everson) Bottolsen, is a native of Bancroft township and was born August 27, 1862. His parents are natives of Norway and came to the United States in 1853, locating in Bancroft, where they purchased land at $1.25 per acre. They here lived in a cellar or dug-out for three years. In 1858 they built a large log house. Here Andrew Bottolsen carried on general farming for the remainder of his life, improved his land and held many public offices for the town. He died June 12, 1884. Iver Bottolsen was educated in the common schools and worked on the home place, which his whole life has been his home. He now follows general farming and is also interested in the dairy business. He keeps a fine herd of Holstein cattle. He has for many falls operated a threshing machine. The subject of this sketch was married to Caroline Bagaasen and to them was born one child, Cora. Several years after the death of his first wife he married Constance Olson, a native of Norway. In politics he is a Republican and has served on the town board of supervisors and has been clerk of school
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
district 58 for several years. He is a member of the Lutheran Church and is a liberal supporter of the church.
H. P. Hanson ismane of theavell known and prosperous farmers who reside in the township of Bancroft. Born in Denmark, August 12, 1868, he was brought to the United States by his parents, Hans and Stena (Abrahamsen), when he was only 1 year old. His father and mother came to Minnesota and bought land in Riceland, where they were engaged in agricultural pur- suits and established their home. They are the parents of five children : Mary, Sophia, H. P., Andrew and Anna, of whom Sophia is now the wife of G. M. Jensen, and resides on the old home farm with her parents. H. P., the subject of this biography, was employed when a boy helping his father with the farm work and going to school. He has spent his entire life up to the pres- ent time in this county, with the exception of a year, and has carried on diversified farming. He married Hannah Hanson, whose parents, Christian and Mary Hanson, were pioneer resi- dents of Riceland, and to their marriage nine children have been born : Edwin, Hilda, Alma, Andrew, Arthur, Alton, Helen, Ethel and Lucile, who are all at home. Mr. Hanson owns 120 acres of land which borders on Albert Lea township, and he has about sixty acres plowed. He has made many improvements on his farm and has remodeled the buildings, making them both com- fortable and commodious. He carries on general farming and dairying and makes a specialty of raising seed corn and seed grains. He keeps a good herd of Guernsey cows and sells cream to the Albert Lea Creamery, of which he is a stockholder and director. Mr. Hanson has been supervisor. in Riceland for three years and he has the honor of being vice-president of the Minne- sota Field and Crop Association and treasurer of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association. He attends the Danish Lutheran Church and politically is an independent voter.
O. E. Stadheim was born in Worth county, Iowa, April 17. 1884, son of E. J. and Carrie (Folie) Stadheim. The father was a native of Norway who came to America in the pioneer days and settled in Iowa. After spending some time there he moved to Bath township where he was married and later he returned to southern Iowa and made his home there until 1893, when he again came to Minnesota settling this time in Bancroft on the farm now owned by Mrs. E. J. Stadheim. He died in 1905, and his widow still resides on the old home farm cared for by her devoted sons. They were the parents of ten children: John, a farmer in Bancroft; Lewis, in the Model Clothing Store at Albert Lea: Bert, Ole, Clara, Hanna and Edwin at home; Lewis, Ole and Lizzie deceased. The family farm comprises 220 acres of land situated in Bancroft township, of which about 100
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acres are constantly under cultivation. Mr. Stadheim is occupied in general farming together with dairying, and prefers the Shorthorn cattle for dairy purpo es. He ises. Poland China and Chester White hogs, which " eld him the best market prices. He disposes of his dairy products to the Bancroft Co-Operative Creamery of which he is a stockholder. He votes with the Repub- lican party, and attends the Lutheran Church at Bancroft. The home farm on which Mr. Stadheim now resides was formerly the County Poor Farm, and since it has been owned by the Stadheim family it has been made modern and well improved and one of the most productive farms in the community. Mr. Stadheim's father was a public spirited man who made all he possessed by hard work and ceaseless toil, and when he arrived in America, he was in debt for the suit of clothes which he wore. His life was an example of what may be accomplished by industry com- bined with frugality.
O. E. Jensen was born in Denmark, December 4, 1858, son of H. P. and Dorthea Jensen. He came to America with his parents in 1864, and later in the year they settled in Bancroft on what is known as the old Dunbar farm. The mother died in August, 1909, and the father still resides on the home place at the age of eighty-four years. They were the parents of five children : N. P., living in Bancroft; C. P., residing in the city of Albert Lea, and engaged in the milk business ; O. E., prosperous farmer ; Christena, now Mrs. Jensen, of Albert Lea; James, a farmer of Bancroft. O. E., the subject of the biography, acquired a com- mon school education and has followed general farming since. He owns eighty acres of land and raises Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs. He is a member of the Prohibitionist party, and he also belongs to the Yeomen Lodge at Ellendale. He was united in marriage with Adaline Peterson, a daughter of P. H. and Anna (Rown) Peterson, in 1887, and they are the parents of seven children : Arthur, Adella, Sadie, Clarence, Elmer, Ernest and Adaline, all of whom are at home. He is a stockholder in the Clarks Grove Co-Operative Creamery, of which his father was one of the originators, having made a trip to Denmark to learn conditions necessary for the establishment of this institution.
Christ Andersen was born in Denmark, May 2, 1863, son of Andrew and Margaret (Nelson) Andersen. He grew to man- hood in his native land and received his education there, and came to the United States with his parents when he was twenty- four years of age. They settled in Minnesota, purchased some land in the township of Bancroft, and there at the present time Christ, the subject of this sketch, is carrying on general farnı- ing. He is one of a family of twelve children, three of whom are
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
now deceased. He married Mary Beck, who is of Danish parent- age, in 1893, and this marriage has resulted in the birth of ten children : Holger, Ella, Norwald, Myrtle, Harry, Lillian, Edna, Earl, Nina and Pearl. Mr. Andersen owns a well kept and productive farm, which comprises 160 acres, and he has about 100 acres under the plow, while the remainder is used for stock raising and dairy purposes. He prefers the Holstein cattle for general dairying, and sells their milk to the Bancroft Co-opera- tive Creamery. Together with his general farming and dairying interests he raises many Poland China hogs for which he re- ceives the best market prices. He has a comfortable house on his farm and has erected a fine substantial barn, well protected by lightning rods and in every manner suited to the needs of the farm stock and produce. He votes the Republican ticket, but has never sought public office. His years of patient industry have made him the prosperous farmer which he is today, and his endeavors to succeed have been amply rewarded.
Daniel Whelen, who served his town for six years in the office of constable, is one of the prominent men in that locality. He was born in Fond du Lac, Wis., in 1874, son of Daniel and Mary (Ryan) Whelen, natives of Ireland, who came to America in the pioneer days and settled in Wisconsin, later moving to Ban- croft, Minn., where they made their home until death summoned them. Daniel, their son, early began the work which he has followed until the present time. Having completed his educa- tion, he at once set to work assisting his father with the farm duties, and in 1886 purchased 100 acres of land, where he carries on general farming at the present time. He. devotes a great deal of his time to dairying, and keeps a good herd of cows for this purpose, disposing of the cream to the local creamery, of which he has been a stockholder since its organization. Mr. Whelen has made many improvements on his property, among which are a new barn and a comfortable house, remodeled by him, thus making it one of the good and substantial homes in that vicinity. He was married to Anna Campion in 1887, daughter of the late Cornelius Campion; and this marriage has resulted in five children : Mabel, a Catholic sister ; Mary, Cornelius, Leonard and Joseph. Mr. Whelen is an independent voter, whose numerous interests occupy more of his time than he cares to devote to politics. He attends the Catholic Church at Albert Lea, and is a member of its order of Foresters. He has held various school offices at intervals during his life and given his best efforts to the advancement of educational ideas. The daughter Mabel is known in the Church as Sister Mary Edith.
Maurice J. Harty is a prosperous farmer residing in Geneva township. His parents, Dennis and Ann (Cus-Kelly) Harty, were
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
of Irish extraction, and came to this county many years ago, settling in Bath, where Maurice J. was born November 28, 1874. He is one of a family of ten children, of whom two are now deceased. As a boy he attended the district schools in Bath, and later in life spent two years in the High School in Albert Lea. For a time after finishing his education he remained at home and helped his father with the farm work, after which he went to North Dakota and for two years was employed as a cow boy. He returned to the old home in 1898, and two years later purchased the farm on which he now makes his abode. Here, he and his brother, Timothy are engaged in general farm- ing together with stock raising and dairying, being patrons of the Geneva Creamery. He has held many offices of trust in the township, among which are, the director of creamery board, an office which he has held for one year ; as assessor of Geneva, he has served four years to the entire satisfaction of its property hold- ers; and that he has been retained as the treasurer of school in district 97, is convincing proof of his ability as such. Catherine Cashman, daughter of John and Catherine (O'Hern) Cashman, married Mr. Harty in 1904, and their home has been gladdened by three children : Patrica, Clayton M., and Vernon J. In poli- tics, Mr. Harty votes independently and belongs to no orders. His fine farm home is one of the best equipped in that com- munity, having an acetylene gas plant which furnishes light and fuel for cooking purposes. His broad acres are under careful supervision which has resulted in a well improved and modern farm.
Alva Henion, a prominent citizen of Geneva township was born January 13, 1863, son of Charles and Clarissa Henion. He grew to manhood on his father's farm, and attended the district school near home. For several years after completing his studies, Mr. Henion worked with his father on the farm, and later pur .. chased the property which he owns at the present time. This farm comprises 120 acres, located in sections 8 and 9, and it has been greatly improved and highly developed by its present owner. Mr. Henion has erected good buildings and devoted much time and attention to his farming interests. He raises Durham and Shorthorn cattle and also Norman horses and carries on general diversified farming. His present prosperous condi- tion is due to his own industry and energy. He is a member of the Republican party, and was elected to the state legislature in 1910. He has served in many of the responsible public offices of the township, having been supervisor and chairman for several years. Harriet Hynds, of Geneva, became his wife, October 19, 1884, and this marriage has been blessed with two children, Ray, who assists his father, and Adelie, who also is at home.
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