USA > Minnesota > Freeborn County > History of Freeborn County, Minnesota > Part 69
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E. E. Dunn, the genial cashier of the Myrtle Farmers' First State Bank, was born in Shell Rock township, April 29, 1882, son of Frank and Sarah (Eckert) Dunn. Frank Dunn is a native of Iowa and his wife a native of Minnesota. About 1873 they located on land which they bought in Shell Rock and there fol- lowed general farming. The mother died in 1897. The father continues with his farming, but has many other business interests. E. E. Dunn was educated in the country schools of Shell Rock and later attended the school at Nora Springs, Iowa. After com- pleting his studies he entered the employ of the First National Bank at Thompson, Iowa, as stenographer and bookkeeper. He remained there two years and then remained at home one year,
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after which he went to North Dakota, where he managed a lumber yard and subsequently became assistant cashier of the First State Bank of Eckman, in that state. He occupied this position one year and then went to Drake, N. D., as assistant cashier in the Farmers' & Merchants' State Bank, but wishing to have greater opportunities for his ability in banking he came to Myrtle and organized the bank of which he is now cashier. On December 2, 1908, he married Florence M. Lang, a stepdaughter of G. P. Meadowcroft, of London township. In politics he is a Republican and has had several offices of local importance, among which are treasurer of Myrtle Creamery and town treasurer, as well as minor offices. He is a member of the Masonic order and also of the I. O. O. F. Mr. Dunn is building up an excellent sentiment toward the institution which he is directing. The electric burglar alarm, which has lately been installed, is one evidence of the desire of those who manage the affairs of the bank to meet the needs of the people, and it appears that this method is appealing to the public and increasing the business of the local bank.
Franz L. Davis, one of the many prosperous farmers who reside in London township, has one of the finest and most pro- ductive farms of the county, on which he has erected a substantial and commodious dwelling house, good barns and outbuildings, which are supplied with all the equipment of a model and modern farm home. He was born in Ohio, September 28, 1861, the son of Emery and Mary Ann Davis, who went to Iowa in 1862, where they remained about six months, after which, in the spring of 1863, in the month of March, they homesteaded 160 acres of land in section 30, township of London, Minnesota. They purchased a house in Iowa, which they moved eight miles to their homestead by means of twenty-one yoke of oxen and a span of horses. Franz L., the son, lived in this house until four years ago, when he erected his present house from lumber sawed from trees which his father had planted when he first took the farm. Mr. Davis owns 560 acres of land and carries on general farming, together with stock raising, making a specialty of Red Poll cattle and pure-bred Percheron horses. He also has sixty Poland-China hogs. Mr. Davis was married, June 15, 1888, to Esther E. Shaw, who was born at Worth, Iowa, and their home has been gladdened by the following children : Clyde, Loren Lee, Jason, Roland, who died at fourteen years of age, Leroy, Mabel Ann, Alice and Berton Franz, the baby, all living at home. Mr. Davis is a man of sterling character, faithful in all that he undertakes and highly esteemed throughout the community. He is a member of the Republican party, has held the offices of school treasurer for many years, and served as town treasurer for about ten years. He is vice-presi-
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dent and stockholder in the Deer Creek Creamery, also a stock- holder in the Lyle Telephone Company.
Peter Clausen, successful florist of Albert Lea, has done much toward the beautification of this vicinity, and his plant occupies a conspicuous position on the beautiful shores of Fountain lake. He was born in Denmark, on the Island of Langeland, April 5, 1850, and was there reared, coming to America in 1869. After following farming a while in Rochester, this state, he went to Grand Meadow, and worked as a carpenter and cabinetmaker three years. In the winter of 1873 he followed a similar line of work in Austin, but in the following spring he returned to Grand Meadow and with a partner engaged in the furniture business a short time. Afterward he again took up his trade, but in the year 1876 started in the furniture business in Grand Meadow for himself. In the fall of 1878 he came to Albert Lea and embarked in the furniture business, following this in connection with the undertaking and funeral embalming profession until 1884. In that year he established his present business on a small scale. In 1897 his son, G. A. Clausen, was admitted as a partner. In addi- tion to conducting his extensive plant, Mr. Clausen has laid out Clausen's first and second additions to the city of Albert Lea, on the north shore of Fountain lake, both additions being excellent situations for residences, and already well built up. Mr. Clausen is a member of the Albert Lea Building & Loan Association. He is also a member of the city park board of Albert Lea. As a church worker he has attained considerable prominence. He has lectured, traveled and preached in the interests of the Danish Lutheran Church body, and has been a member of the board of trustees. He is also a deacon and president of the board of trustees of Trinity Danish Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. The subject of this sketch was married in April, 1873, at Grand Meadow, to Mary Christensen, who died in December, 1895, leav- ing three children. : G. A. is his father's partner, Emma is the wife of Walter Heegerd, of Albert Lea, and Clara is a public school teacher. In August, 1897, Mr. Clausen married Mary Jorgensen, and this union has resulted in seven children: Agnes, Gerhard, Arthur, Richard, Margaret, Harold and Esther.
G. Alfred Clausen, who is associated with his father, Peter Clausen, in the business of floriculture on the north shore of Fountain lake, is a typical son of Minnesota, possessing keen business judgment, combined with energy and industry. He was born in Grand Meadow, this state, February 22, 1874, son of Peter and Mary (Christiansen) Clausen, and with them came to Albert Lea in 1878. He has always been associated with his father and in 1897 was taken into the concern as a partner. Mr. Clausen has not cared to mingle in politics, but at the election
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of 1911 he consented to run for the office of alderman from the Third ward and was elected by a good majority. Being of a sociable nature he has allied himself with the Danish Brotherhood, the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the United Commercial Travelers. The subject of this sketch was married, August 12, 1896, to Minnie D. Olson, who was born August 24, 1874. To this union have been born six children : Alice, Walter, Verna, Clayton, Harriet and Helen. Mr. Clausen is a great believer in outdoor life for himself and family, and has become a popular member of the Albert Lea Automobile Club and the Albert Lea Gun Club.
George H. Emmons, postmaster, merchant and leading citizen of Emmons, is a native of Wisconsin, born March 28, 1855, son of Henry G. and Christina (Larson) Emmons, the pioneers. As a boy he attended the public schools, and later received a commer- cial education. At the age of twenty-five he and a brother em- barked in the mercantile business, opening a store on section 32, Nunda township, in September, 1880. At that time there was considerable doubt as to whether the trading center of that locality was to be at the present site of Emmons or at Norman, Iowa. For a time the circumstances seemed to favor Norman, the railroad having located the station at that point, and Decem- ber 6, 1881, the store in section 32 was discontinued, the Emmons brothers; George H. and Lewis H., opening a similar establish- ment at Norman, Iowa. Later it appeared that the principal village was to be at the present site of Emmons. and consequently the business was moved back to the present village site about 1886. Later the partnership was dissolved. In 1898 George H. Emmons erected the large building which houses the mercantile establishment, the postoffice being in a connecting building, which he purchased later. The store which is now owned by the Em- mons Mercantile Company, of which George H. is one of the prin- cipal officers, is a modern one in every way, carries a large stock of goods and does a constantly increasing business, its success being due to the shrewd buying and honest selling for which Mr. Emmons is noted. In 1890 Mr. Emmons succeeded in having a postoffice established, the old state line postoffice, which formerly served this part of the county, having been moved to Norman, Iowa, in November, 1879. Since 1890, with the exception of a very few years, Mr. Emmons has served as postmaster. A Re- publican in politics, he has been honored with many offices, in- cluding those of president of the village and member of the village council. He is also a popular member of the Sons of Norway. The subject of this sketch is one of the men who have made the village of Emmons possible, and his hard work, coupled with his loval support of home enterprises, has done much toward
. MR. AND MRS. DAVID COLVIN
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its growth. He has always encouraged the location of new busi- ness houses in Emmons, and is an earnest worker for the better- ment of the public schools, laboring in all ways to perfect the standing and advance the prosperity of the community. George H. Emmons was married in 1878 to Esther Robinson, and this union has been blessed with nine children: Henrietta, Evelena, Alma, Grace, Carl, Arthur, Victoria, Myrtle and Clara. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.
David Colvin, a territorial pioneer, was born in Hamlin, Oswego county, New York, April 29, 1831. His parents were Heman and Mary (Tiff) Colvin, natives of Rutland, V.t., who had come to New York state in the early days and moved to Ohio in 1835. Here they made their home until 1847, when they de- cided to go to Chicago, where they later passed away, the wife and mother dying in 1854 and the father the following year. David, the subject of this biography, acquired his education in the public schools of Ohio and Illinois, and after leaving his studies his first position in the business world was with a cream- ery company, where he was employed for two years. He then worked as a jockey for a short time, after which he learned the meat cutters' trade, which he followed for some time. In 1858, in company with his wife, Mr. Colvin came to Minnesota and set- tled in Pickerel Lake township, where from the month of July until November he lived in the body of a wagon. He then pur- chased a corn crib, which he fitted up as well as he could to serve as a house, and in this he lived for nearly a year, after which he moved to Carlston, where he bought a farm, comprising 160 acres of land. On his farm Mr. Colvin erected a house of logs, in which he resided until the fall of 1862. When the call for men to fight for the preservation of the Union came Mr. Colvin responded and enlisted in December, 1862, in Company H, First Minnesota Mounted Rangers, and served until the following December, 1863. He was then discharged at Fort Snelling on account of an injury received from a horse, and was sent to St. Louis to act as shipping clerk for the Government. Here for fifteen months he was em- ployed, after which he returned to his home in Carlston township and again resumed his occupation of farming. He soon disposed of 160 acres of his land and purchased 120 acres of school land in the same township: This land he broke and cultivated and later added to it another 120 acres. He built a frame house and the necessary outbuildings and for many years carried on his general farming, aided by his estimable wife. In 1885 they sold the home farm and moved into the city of Albert Lea, where they purchased their present home, which is located at 340 West Williams street, and here they are enjoying a well-earned retired life amid many comforts which their years of toil and industry
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have made possible. For a period of time after coming to Albert Lea Mr. Colvin dealt in horses and kept a boarding and feed stable, which he eventually disposed of. He is a staunch súp- porter of the principles advanced by the Republican party and he attends divine worship at the Methodist church. He is a member of the Robson Post, No. 5, G. A. R., and charter member of the W. R. C., No. 93, in which organization his wife is color bearer. Mr. Colvin was married March 7, 1853, at Willow Springs, Ill., to Hulda S. Russell, who was born at Albany, N. H., August 16, 1835. Her parents were Ira and Betsy B. (Dearing) Russell, natives of New Hampshire, who moved to Chicago in 1852, where her mother passed away October 1 of that same year. Her father died at Walnut Hill, Minn., October 22, 1889. It is interesting to note among the many privations and hardships which this worthy couple endured in their pioneer days in this state that at one time they subsisted for three weeks and four days on coarse bran, which was prepared by Mrs. Colvin in as palatable a manner as possible, and which left a lifelong flavor with Mr. Colvin.
Elmore E. Eggleston, a respected citizen of Geneva township, was born in Ohio, May 2, 1835, son of Eliab and Esther (Chap- man) Eggleston. The subject of this sketch acquired his educa- tion in the public schools of Galena, Ill., and came to Minnesota with his parents in 1856. He located in the township where he resides at the present time and purchased Government land, which he broke, developed and made productive. For several years, with his father, he carried on general farming, and later he bought 160 acres in section 8. He has always followed general and diversified farming and his life has been one of industry and endurance. He affiliates with the Republican party and has held various offices in the township, having served as constable and in other offices. He is one of the stockholders in the Geneva Cream- ery. October 22, 1861, Mr. Eggelston married Catherine Gross, who was born in New York, February 20, 1839, and came to Minnesota in 1858. To them have been born two children: Bur- dette A., of Geneva, and Eliab J., of Elmhurst, Cal. The family attend the Methodist church, and contribute to its support.
Eliab Eggelston was one of the first settlers in this county, having come here in August, 1856, and locating in Geneva town- ship. He was born in Connecticut and married Esther Chapman, of New York. Some time later they moved to Ohio and from there to Evansville, Ind., where they remained for some time, after which they went to Galena, Ill., where Mr. Eggelston was employed for fourteen years in the lead mines. In 1856 Mr. Eggelston brought his family to Minnesota, where they endured all the privations incident to the life of the early settlers in this
ALFRED EMERY
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county. He died in Geneva township, where his wife also passed away.
Alfred Emery was born in Vermont, May 11, 1849 the son of Daniel and Susan Emery, both now deceased. When a very young boy he came to Minnesota with his widowed mother and settled in section 21, town of Nunda. Here the family lived five years, until the Indian outrages in the North and West, when they returned to Wisconsin in company with many of their Minnesota neighbors. For four years they lived in Waukesha and Dane counties, Wisconsin, but in 1866 they once more came to their old home in Nunda township. Here the subject of this sketch grew to manhood, attending the schools of the locality and living the life of the pioneer boy. He later took care of his grandmother and farmed the eighty-acre homestead. He here made many improvements, cleared land, built dwellings, barns, sheds and began what is now one of the excellent farms of the locality. On December 31, 1878, he married Edith Wilcox, and to them were born six children, four of whom are now deceased, as follows : Susan Hattie, born October 1, 1879 ; Bertha, January 14, 1882; Edrick A., February 17, 1885; Alfred Leroy, July 7, 1886. Daniel Oliver and Henry Alfred are still living in Nunda. Mrs. Emery died December 16, 1895. In the early part of 1911 Mr. Emery gave up active work on his farm and has now taken up his residence in Emmons, where he owns property. Mr. Emery is a Republican in politics and has been town chairman eight years, clerk of school district 43 over thirty years and assessor many years. He was president of the Union creamery several years, and is now one of the directors of the Emmons lumber yards and vice-president of the Emmons National Bank. The subject of this sketch is highly respected in his community as a man who, in spite of innumerable difficulties, has made him- self felt as a friend and neighbor as well as a conservative official in political and business circles.
Henry Eberhardt, a preacher of the German Methodist Epis- copal faith, was born in Germany and came to America with his parents at the age of ten years. At the age of nineteen he entered the ministry and preached three years in a German Methodist church in Wisconsin. He then married Barbara Kopp, who, like her husband, was brought to Washington county, Wisconsin, as a child. The young couple moved to Des Moines county, Iowa, where Rev. Eberhardt preached for five years. In 1865 he re- turned to Wisconsin, but in 1867, his health having failed him, he came to Minnesota and settled in section 23, Pickerel Lake township. After a time his health improved, and he was called to the pastorate at Hokah, Minn., where he ministered to the German Methodists three years. His health again failing, he returned
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to Freeborn county, and died August 27, 1875, at the age of thirty- seven, leaving five children : Katie is the wife of John W. Kaem- mer, of Todd county, Minnesota ; Edward H. lives in Pickerel Lake township; Elizabeth married George Scott, of Albert Lea; Amelia S. is the wife of Henry J. Hoffert, of St: Paul Park, presi- dent of the St. Paul Park College; and Alfred V., who died at eleven years.
William Siebel was a native of Germany and there married Julia Meyer. They came to America and lived six years, then went back to the old country. In 1874 they again came to America and engaged in farming in Faribault county. William Siebel now lives in Wells, this state, and his wife died September 30, 1901. In their family were nine children: Henry, deceased ; Mary, wife of Fred Miller, of Wells; Martha, wife of Henry Peters, of Mansfield; Augusta, wife of Charles Lischefski, of Fari- bault county ; Selma, wife of Charles Schneider; Lydia, wife of Edward H. Eberhardt; William, deceased ; Ellen and Albert.
Edward H. Eberhardt, a successful farmer of Pickerel Lake township, was born in Alamakee county, Iowa, July 7, 1864, son of Rev. Henry and Barbara (Kopp) Eberhardt. He received his education in the public schools and engaged in farming with his mother. In 1887 he purchased 120 acres of the home farm and engaged in farming for himself. He now owns 240 acres of good land, which he has improved and developed. One of the marks of progress on the place is the fine modern home erected in 1907. Mr. Eberhardt is an independent voter and has served for some time as clerk of school district No. 102. He is an active worker in the German Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Eberhardt was married November 27, 1888, to Lydia Siebel, born in Germany, October 17, 1865, daughter of William and Julia (Meyer) Siebel. Five children have blessed this union, the three living being: Alfred, William and Mildred.
William Freeman, a highly esteemed resident of Glenville, was born in Sutton, Northamptonshire, England, August 1, 1832, son of John Freeman, the pioneer. In 1853 the subject of this sketch came to America and settled in Rutland county, Vermont, where he remained until March, 1856, at which time he went to Illinois. For one month he worked at farming in Illinois, after which he drove an ox team to Iowa and from there he came to Minnesota. He arrived in this county May 15, 1856, and two days later located in Freeman township, where he pre-empted 160 acres in section 15. He broke the land and prepared it for crops, but that same summer returned to Illinois, where he remained until the following year, and in September, 1857, again returned to Freeborn county and settled on his farm. He added 160 acres to his possessions, making 320 acres, all in the township of Free-
WILLIAM FREEMAN
JENS ERICKSON
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man. He erected a log house, in which for many years he resided, and in this house Freeman township was organized and Mr. Free- man elected as the first town clerk. The house is yet standing. . In 1908 Mr. Freeman moved into the village of Glenville, where he lives a retired life. He was one of the first settlers in Free- man township and for his family it was named. When a boy but thirteen years of age he was cast on his own resources, and for some time was employed by Henry Follett, a brother of Sir John Follett. Mr. Freeman belongs to all the Masonic bodies repre- sented in Albert Lea, and also to the Osman Temple, Mystic Shriners, at St. Paul. Being seventy-eight years old at the time of taking the thirty-second degree, he is the oldest man in the Northwest to be thus distinguished. In June, 1910, he received the thirty-third degree.
Henry G. Emmons, now deceased, was one of the earliest pio- neers, and his name will ever be held in honored remembrance. He was born in Norway, October 16, 1828, and came to America in 1850, locating in Rock county, Wisconsin. There he engaged in farming and railroading. In 1854 he married Christina Larson and two years later they came to Minnesota, driving the distance with a yoke of oxen. Arriving in Nunda township they took up a claim in section 32, afterward proving up and acquiring the homestead at the government price of $1.25 an acre. For the first two months they lived in their wagon. Then a cabin was completed, which did service until 1861, when a better structure was built. On this original homestead the village of Emmons was platted, that hamlet being started and fostered largely through the efforts of the Emmons family. Mr. Emmons prospered with the years and acquired vast land holdings. He held various school and township offices, was justice of peace for fourteen years, post- master of the old State Line postoffice for fifteen years, member of the board of county commissioners for six years, chairman of that body four years and an influential member of the lower house of the Minnesota legislature in 1877-1878. In the Emmons family were eight children. Henry G. Emmons passed away October 2, 1909, and his wife in February, 1910.
Jens Erickson, a successful farmer of Riceland township, owns 360 acres in sections 5, 6, 7, and 8 and here conducts diversified farming on a portion of his property, leasing the greater part of it. He is the son of Eric and Ingerborg (Jenson) Anderson, who were born and reared in Norway, where the subject of this sketch was born, January 10, 1839. As a boy he attended the schools of his native land and later in life learned the moulder's trade, at which he worked until 1862. He then came to America, first locating in Dane county, where he lived for seventeen years, and was married to Carrie Sallasan in 1882. To them one child has
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been born, Emma Elsena. Mr. Erickson has the confidence and respect of his townspeople and has served on the town board for some time, also held the offices of president and vice-president of the Riceland creamery, of which he is a stockholder and one of the organizers. He worships at the Lutheran church, favors the views of the Democratic party, and is a fine example of a self- made man and substantial citizen.
John Frydenlund, a successful and well liked farmer residing in Hayward township, was born in Norway March 20, 1860. When he was eighteen years old he came to America with his mother, who was then a widow, and they settled in Hayward where John, the son, worked out on a farm for sixteen years. In 1900 he moved to the farm which he now owns and was married to Nora Alm, daughter of Mat and Julia Alm, natives of Norway. To Mr. and Mrs. Frydenlund have been born seven children: Marion, Alice, Frank, Vernon, May, Clara and Bertha, who are all at home. Mr. Frydenlund has 160 acres of land in his farm and engages in general and dairy farming. He keeps a dairy herd of good graded stock and disposes of the milk and cream to the Hayward creamery of which he is a stockholder. He raises hogs for market and realizes a good profit from this occupation. All the improvements on his farm were made by him and he has ever been a hard working and energetic man, who has made his success by constant application to his work. When he landed in America he was in debt for his passage to the amount of $60.00, and now he is one of the prosperous farmers in the township. He has been supervisor of the town in the past and is an independent voter.
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