History of Freeborn County, Minnesota, Part 71

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

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Vegger Gulbrandson, banker and retired business man, is one of Albert Lea's most useful and active citizens, having taken a vital interest in the business, agricultural, financial and educa- tional development of the county since his arrival here with the earliest settlers in 1856. He was born in Aadalen, Norway, Nov. 4, 1846, son of Endre and Marit (Hanson) Gulbrandson, and with them came to the United States in 1852, locating in Iowa county, Wisconsin, and later in Grant county in the same state. In 1856 the family came to Freeborn county, and took up their residence in Hayward township. Vegger attended the common schools for a brief time, but the larger part of his education has been received from close observation and keen reasoning, as well as by deep reading. He worked out for a time, but spent most of his youth on the home farm in Hayward township. While on the farm he became interested in the sale of farm machinery, and after a time decided to devote his entire time to that business. Accord- ingly, in 1876, he came to Albert Lea, and engaged in that line in partnership with his brothers, Gilbert and Hans. Subsequently Gilbert sold his interest. In the course of time a hardware department was added, and Hans and Vegger conducted the business for nearly twenty-five years, erecting suitable buildings, maintaining a large volume of trade, and enjoying the confidence and trust of the entire community. A few years ago, Vegger retired to the extent of giving up his active interest in the busi- ness, but he is still busily engaged in looking after his various holdings. He is vice-president of the First National Bank, of Albert Lea, and the owner of 300 acres of fine land in Hayward township, the patent to 220 acres of which bears the signature of no less a personage than Abraham Lincoln. For many years, Mr. Gulbrandson labored for the upbuilding of Luther Academy, at

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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

Albert Lea, as one of its most active directors, and he is still one of the trustees of Luther College at Decorah, Iowa. A Republi- can in politics, he has done the city of Albert Lea excellent service as a member of the charter commission, and as an alder- man of the third ward. He has also been prominently mentioned in connection with several important state offices. As an his- torical investigator, Mr. Gulbrandson is painstaking and accurate, and his services have been invaluable in establishing beyond a doubt the story of the first permanent settlement of Freeborn county. He was also instrumental in having the first cabin built in Freeborn county moved to the fair grounds. On Aug. 26, 1880, Vegger Gulbrandson was united in marriage with Anna Marie Knutson, a most accomplished lady, daughter of Hans and Inge- borg Knutson, of Winnebago county, Iowa. This union has been blessed with seven children : Eskeld H. is a hardware merchant in Ellendale, Minn .; Ina lives at home; Victor M. is a traveling salesman for Deere, Webber & Co., of Minneapolis; Amos B. is a hardware merchant in Hayward, Minn .; Cleon D. is a student at Luther College, Decorah, Iowa; Fremont G. and Kathinka L. are at home and attend the public schools. The family residence is at 218 East William street.

Mrs. Vegger Gulbrandson is one of those faithful home-makers whose influence in the church and home has been an important factor in the life of the community. Anna Maria Knudson, as she was then called, was born in Winnebago county, Iowa, March 27, 1861, daughter of Hans and Ingeborg (Dahl) Knudson, natives of Norway, who came to America at an early day, lived in Janes- ville, Wis., for a while and then located in Winnebago county, Iowa, where they followed farming the remainder of their days, the father dying in March, 1887, and the mother in January, 1905. The daughter, before being married to Vegger Gulbrand- son, August 26, 1880, attended the common schools and remained at home with her parents. After her marriage she came directly to Albert Lea, where she has since made her home. She has been a good wife and loyal mother, and has raised a goodly family of children. Mrs. Gulbrandson is an active worker in the Synod Lutheran church, and a prominent member of the Ladies' Aid Society of that institution. She is also interested in a number of other goods works, and has taken an especial interest in the Old Settlers' Association, of which her husband is a leading member.

B. J. Hermanson, chairman of the township of Bancroft, an office which he has held for the past several years, is one of the prominent men in the county. He was born March 12, 1857, and his parents, John and Martha Hermanson, were early settlers in Bancroft. He has held many other offices of responsibility, among

MR. AND MRS. J. J. HOVE

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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

which are member of the town board for seven years, clerk of the school board and treasurer, and in all offices to which he has been elected to serve, he has ever given his best efforts. His early education was acquired in the common schools of the town- ship and he has since followed farming. He owns 152 acres of land and a church and school house have been erected on his farm. He keeps a dairy herd of red poll cows and disposes of the cream to the Bancroft creamery, of which institution he has been secre- tary in the past and now is a stockholder. He married Matie Ackland, a daughter of Nels Ackland, an old settler of Manchester now deceased, and to this marriage one daughter, Beatrice, has been born. She is a pupil in Luther Academy at Albert Lea. Mrs. Hermanson died in 1894. Mr. Hermanson is a voter of the Republican ticket and a respected member of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

J. O. Hellie is one of the extensive land owners of Bancroft township. His parents, Ole J. and Mary (Haugen) Hellie came to America from Norway in 1850 and settled in Washington Prairie, Iowa, where the subject of this biography was born November 15, 1864. The following year the family came to Free- born county and located in Bancroft on the farm where their son, J. O., resides at the present time. Mr. Hellie owns 276 acres in Bancroft and 160 in the state of Oregon, making a total of 436 acres, and this valuable property has been acquired by years of hard work and self denial. Beginning early in life to make his way in the world he has accomplished his highest ambitions as his surroundings testify. The large brick house in which he lives was built by himself and father, also the commodious barns and other buildings and his productive farm yields him abundant crops each year. He keeps a fine dairy herd prefering the Short- horn breed, and together with his dairying interests, he engages in stock raising, general farming and raises many Poland-China hogs. He sells cream to the Riceland creamery, in which he is one of the stockholders. He believes in modern farming methods, and his interest in education has been shown by his service on the school board. He has also served his township in the capacity of chairman for several years and in every respect is one of the fore- most citizens in Bancroft. Anna Selstad became his wife in 1887, and ten children are the result of this marriage: Alfred, Julia, Evelyn, Vernon, Herbert, Theodore, Melvin, Joseph, Lloyd and Mable. The latter is dead. Mr. Hellie is not alone a public spirited man, but one whose good judgment and kindly manner have won him many loyal friends.

J. J. Hove, cashier of the Farmers' State Bank of Hayward, is a native of Norway, born February 10, 1860, son of Johanes and Bertha Hove. His father Johanes Hove came to America in

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1886 and located in Bancroft township, Freeborn county, where he lived till his death. The subject of this biography came to the United States in 1881, and having received a good education in Norway continued his studies here, at first in the common schools, where he became familiar with the English language and later at Luther Academy of Albert Lea. During these years he worked on farms during the school vacations and thus was able to pay his way without assistance. He later taught school two years, and then went into the mercantile business in Hayward, which he continued till 1904. He then sold out his business and organized the Farmers' State Bank, of Hayward, and was elected to the position of cashier, which he still occupies. In 1900 he married Magdalene Lunde, daughter of Lars Lunde, of Hayward. To this union have been born four children, James Norman, Pearl Lenora, Leland Horatio, Lars Erling. Mr. Hove is a member of the Luth- eran church. In politics he is a Republican and served as post- master at Hayward eight years, school clerk eight years, town clerk six years and was elected county commissioner in 1906 and re-elected to serve another term of four years in 1910. He owns a fine residence in Hayward and eighty acres of land adjoin- ing the village, as well as business buildings in the village. Mr. Hove, though more successful than the average, has made his success for himself, and thus gives evidence that the opportunity for those willing to work is still at hand and that success and rewards are commensurate to effort and ability. Mr. Hove is a stockholder and the president of the Farmers' elevator, of Hay- ward, and is a charter member of the Society of Sognolaget, of which he has been treasurer since its organization.

Halver K. Fodness, a native of Norway, was born August 20, 1847, son of Knut and Inger (Berg) Fodness. In 1855 they landed at Quebec and later went to Iowa county, Wisconsin, and purchased forty acres of land, where they lived till 1860. They then moved to Winneshiek county, Iowa. In 1865 they went to Faribault county, Minnesota, where they farmed a year. In 1866 they came to this county and settled in London township, where the mother died. The family then moved to Riceland township, this county, where the father died. The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools and early learned the lessons of thrift and industry which have served him well his whole life. After working out for several years he bought, in 1893, 160 acres in section 20, Moscow township, and has since erected a roomy and comfortable dwelling, barns, sheds and other buildings which are on his farm today. He broke a large part of the land, which he has since cultivated and in all ways made an excellent farm from the wild land he first purchased. He follows general farm- ing and gives special attention to dairying. He assisted in the

MR. AND MRS. H. K. FODNESS

WILLIAM J. HORNING

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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

organization of the Moscow creamery and for several years was president of it. On June 20, 1870, he married Carrie Hibbard, of Freeborn county, and to them have been born seven children: Ingre, who married Ben. Bridley, of Moscow; Tina, who married Geo. King, of Minneapolis; Sina married Joseph Baum, of Aitkin county ; Carl, who lives in Grand Forks, N. D., where he is mail clerk; Jacob, of Moscow township; Etta, who is at home and Mabel O. of Grand Forks. Mr. Fodness is a member of the Luth- eran church. In politics he is a progressive Republican and has been elected to many town and school offices. He served as super- visor in both Riceland and Moscow townships. Since the organ- ization of school district 127, he has been either clerk or treasurer until his election to his present office as director. He has been a director of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company, of Man- chester, for more than twenty years. He owes his present place of high esteem in his community to his own efforts, and his kindly spirit and exact business methods have won him a host of friends.

William J. Horning, retired farmer and veteran of the Civil War, now residing in Albert Lea, was born in Herkimer county, New York, February 23, 1830, son of Henry and Margaret (Countryman) Horning, who were natives of New York of Ger- man descent. In 1857, the father died and the mother in company with her two sons, David and William J. came west to Minnesota and settled in Albert Lea, where she spent the remainder of her life. William J., the subject of this sketch went to school in Jefferson county, New York, and there spent the days of his boy- hood and worked for his father on the farm. After coming to Minnesota with his mother and brother he located in Pickerel Lake township, where he bought a tract of land comprising 240 acres. This farm was situated in the northeast corner of section 21 and was broken and cultivated and made most productive by the hard work of Mr. Horning. In later years, he erected a fine and comfortable home and the good outbuildings necessary for the shelter of his farming machinery, stock and grains, and was recognized as one of the leading farmers in that community. He carried on general and diversified farming until 1901, when he rented his farm and moved into Albert Lea, where he now lives a retired life in his comfortable home at 724 Fountain street. In 1862 Mr. Horning enlisted in Co. C., 15th Minn. Vol. Inf. and he served through all the battles and skirmishes that the regiment was engaged in. During the battle of Nashville, on December 16, 1864, when the color bearer was shot and fell, Mr. Horning at once picked up the flag and carried it during the remainder of the battle, being slightly wounded. He as well as others was presented with a white silk badge by Col. Hubbard with the list of all the battles in which he served printed on one side and they

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are as follows: Farmington, Mississippi; Redwood, Minn .; Fort Ridgely, Minn .; Fort Abercrombie, Minn .; Iuka, Miss .; Corinth, Miss .; Mississippi Springs, Miss .; Jackson, Miss .; Assault on Vicksburg; Sartatia. Miss. ; Mechanicsburg, Miss. ; Richmond, La .; Canton, Miss .; Brownsville, Miss .; Barton Station, Miss .; Fort De Russy, La .; Henderson Hill, La .; Grand Ecore, La .; Compti, La .; Pleasant Hill, La .; Cloutiersville, La .; Cane River, La .; Moore's Plantation, La .; Bayou La Moure, La .; Bayou Roberts, La .; Mansura, La .; Bayou De Glaise, La .; Lake Chicot, Ark .; Tupelo, La .; Oxford, Miss .; Abbeyville, Miss .; Nashville, Tenn .; Fish River, Ala .; Spanish Fort, Ala .; Fort Blakely, Ala. Of this military record Mr. Horning is justly proud, proving as it does that he risked his life to save the flag and the Union. Mr. Horn- ing relates that on August 19, 1862, in company with Judge D. W. Stacy and John G. Godley, he shot and killed the Indian chief, Hole-in-the-Ground. Mr. Horning is a member of the Rob- son Post, No. 5, G. A. R., of Albert Lea, and he has been asso- ciated with the I. O. O. F. of this city for many years, being the present Senior Noble Grand and having passed through all the chairs in this order and being a charter member. He votes with the Democratic party, and though at the advanced age of eighty- one he is actively interested in all movements toward the better- ment of his city and county. He has in his possession a Bible dating 1534, which was published in Germany and brought to America by his grand parents. Mr. Horning believes that this Bible is one of the oldest in the United States. Mr. Horning married Esther Johnson in August, 1867, and to them have been born nine children, of whom Manville, resides in Alden; William lives at Carlston; Sylvester is a resident of Pickerel Lake, Els- worth lives in Lyons county ; Lester rents and works the old home farm ; John is a resident of Lyons county ; Victoria married Rufus Reese of Clear Lake; Mildred is Mrs. Harry Allen of Lamars, Towa, and Ada lives in Lyons county. Mrs. Horning passed away March 12, 1886, at the age of thirty-seven years. She was born July 7, 1849, in New York state.

M. J. Hermanson was born in Freeborn county January 7, 1866, son of John and Martha (Tisdel) Hermanson, early pioneers, who came from Norway to Freeborn county, and for several years lived in a dugout. As they cleared their land and grew more prosperous, they built a log cabin, where they lived until able to erect a comfortable house. The father was a farmer until the time of his death, which occurred in February, 1908, at the age of. 84 years, the mother having passed away a year previous to this time. They were the parents of nine children, one of whom is now deceased. M. J., their son was ever a studious boy, spending all his spare moments studying, hoping in time to fit himself for a

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teacher ; after leaving the district school he entered high school and later attended the Lutheran Academy in Albert Lea. That he accomplished his ambition is shown by his service as a teacher for ten years, and as such, he gave universal satisfaction. He was obliged to give up teaching and assume charge of the old home farm, and here until recently carried on general farming. This farm is well kept, and for many years he was interested in stock raising and dairying. He now rents the land and has re- tired irom farming caring for the home but unable to engage in the strenuous work required to keep the farm under cultivation. He was, for several years treasurer of the town and also secretary of the Bancroft Creamery Association, and at present he is one of the stockholders in the creamery. He votes with the Republi- can party and in the community in which he has made his home he is well liked and respected. He is a member of the Lutheran church.

Fred Holway, the successful lumber dealer of Alden, residing in that village, was born in LaCrosse county, Wisconsin, May 19, 1865, son of N. B. and Sarah J. (Blackwell) Holway. His early boyhood was spent in that county, and he acquired his education in the common schools near his home. He came to Alden in the spring of 1886, and engaged in the lumber business, which he - has successfully conducted since that time. Matilda Emerson, a daughter of J. M. Emerson, became the wife of Mr. Holway, and this marriage has been blessed by the birth of four children: Cleon, Argile, Bernardine and Marjorie. Mr. Holway is recog- nized as one of the leading and public-spirited men in Alden and he is actively interested in all movements toward the progress and betterment of the village, of which he is a resident. He has served as president of the village council in which office his good sense and superior judgment have won for him the good will and esteem of his fellow citizens. He is a member of Alden Lodge, No. 1927, I. O. O. F., of the A. F. & A. M., and Western Star Lodge, No. 26, O. E. S. He is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Alden.

Ole C. Johnson, who for many years has occupied various offices of responsibility and esteem in Clarks Grove, was born in Norway, April 13, 1852, son of Christ Johnson and Christa (Erickson) Johnson. He came to the United States in 1856 with his parents, who first settled in Dane county, Wisconsin, and remained there four years, after which they moved to Minnesota and established their home in Bath township. When the war between the North and South broke out, the father enlisted in Co. K, 15th Wisconsin Vol. Inf., and one son, E. C., enlisted in the 10th Minnesota Vol. Inf. Both father and son served their adopted country for three years, and were honorably discharged

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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

at the close of the war, and returned to their home in this state. The mother died during the war and the father several years after its close. They were the parents of five children: Mary, Erick, John, Christ and O. C., the subject of this biography. Mr. Johnson has always followed farming since completing his educa- tion in the common schools, and has a fine well kept farm of 80 acres, on which he conducts general and dairy farming. He keeps graded stock for dairy purposes and has, by dint of hard work and untiring energy made his farm one of the well improved and productive farms in the community. He and Josephine Sorlie, a daughter of Iver and Mary Sorlie, of Iowa, were united in wedlock and they are the parents of three living children: Oscar, who is farming; Mabel, the wife of Scott Brown, an engi- neer on the Rock Island railroad; and Victor, at home. Clement died at twenty-two years of age. Mr. Johnson is a stockholder in the Clarks Grove Co-Operative Creamery, and has been town con- · stable for many years. In politics he adheres to the principles endorsed by- the Republican party and for twenty-two years he had been clerk of the school board of his districts. He attends divine worship at the Norwegian Lutheran church, and is one of the highly respected members of this organization.

Josiah Jones was born September 7, 1828, at Rensen, Oneida county, New York, son of Moses and Dina (Davis) Jones, both of whom died in New York state. He received his education in his native county and in 1856 came west to Wisconsin, where he lived three years. In 1859 he came to Minnesota and here took a pre- emption of 160 acres and later homesteaded 80 acres more and finally bought 80 acres making him a total of one-half section. This land all lay in Carlston township, where he lived on section 23. Here for many years he followed general farming most suc- cessfully. After his most active years he sold 80 acres to his son J. E., and in 1903 sold the remainder of his farm and removed to Alden village. The subject of this sketch has always been very active in church work. He served as deacon of his home church, the First Baptist, of Rensen, N. Y., and when he lived in Wisconsin meetings were held for some time in his house. For many years he has been deacon of the church in Freeborn. On Sept. 2, 1851, he married Mary Williams in Rensen, Oneida county, New York. She was born August 18, 1831, daughter of Herbert and Jane (Hughes) Williams, both of whom were natives of New York. To this union have been born seven children : J. E. is on the home place; C. V. is at home; Jennie married David Garlock, now deceased ; Herbert W. lives in Carlston town- ship; George E. lives in Freeborn township; B. D. lives in Free- born township; and Simeon died at six weeks of age.

JOSIAH JONES AND FAMILY

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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

J. E. Jones, son of Josiah and Mary (Williams) Jones, was born in Oneida county, N. Y., October 20, 1853. He received his early education in the common schools of Carlston township and studied one year at Mankato. He later went to Minneapolis, where he was employed as a carpenter for one year, after which he clerked in a hotel. He has traveled considerable and has proven himself versatile in the various lines of work which he has carried on in different parts of the country and under very difficult circumstances.

Frank H. Fisk has been county surveyor for a number of terms. In addition to his work as county surveyor, he is an expert on ditching, tiling and dredging, as well as other forms of drainage and sewerage systems, being county drainage engineer (in which capacity he has to furnish a $10,000 bond) and also assistant engineer of the State Highway Commission, one of his most notable engineering feats being the draining of Rice lake and marsh into Turtle creek, the drainage system being officially known as Judicial Ditch, No. 1. Socially, Mr. Fisk is a promi- nent member of the local lodge of Elks, and is serving that body at the present time as esteemed lecturing knight. Frank H. Fisk was born in Dublin, New Hampshire, March 28, 1857, son of Asa and Priscilla (Ramstad) Fisk, natives, respectively, of Ver- mont and New Hampshire, in which latter state the father farmed until his death in 1870, the mother passing away in 1895. Frank H. attended the public schools of his neighborhood, and then entered historic old Dartmouth College, Hanover, N. H. After completing his general education, and his courses in civil and constructing engineering he came westward to Elgin, Ill., and became city engineer. While there he studied law, and was admitted to the bar. Later, wider opportunities presented them- selves, and in 1876, Centennial year, Mr. Fisk entered the employ of the government, mapping out lands in the Powder river valley in Montana and Dakota. A year later he entered the employ of the Minneapolis & St. Louis railroad with headquarters at Minneapolis. But the financial depression caused that company to retrench on improvements and extensions, and accordingly Mr. Fisk became a school teacher, pursuing this profession in Freeborn, Mower and Waseca counties. His success was immediate, and he soon became principal of the schools at Forest City, Winne- bago county, Iowa, retaining that position five years. During this period he received an appointment as state institute instructor and director, having charge of summer work for teachers in Winnebago and surrounding counties. Subsequently he came to Albert Lea, and in 1896 was elected to the county position which he has since held continuously. The subject of this sketch was married in 1880 to Mary E. Thurston, oldest daughter of Henry

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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

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History of Freeborn County, Minnesota, Part 71

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