USA > Minnesota > Freeborn County > History of Freeborn County, Minnesota > Part 77
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94
E. C. Johnson, who is one of the prominent citizens of Free- born county, was born in Norway, January 18, 1844, son of Christopher and Christine Johnson. He was brought to America
MR. AND MRS. G. K. WINJUM
MR. AND MRS. E. C. JOHNSON
709
HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
by his parents in 1856, and they located first at Madison, Wis., where they resided for three years, after which they moved to Minnesota and settled in Bath township, engaging in general farming. On August 16, 1862, the subject of this sketch enlisted in Company E, Tenth Minn. Vol. Inf., in which he served through the entire struggle. He was honorably discharged at Fort Snell- ing on August 28, 1865, after which he returned to Bath town- ship and resumed his former occupation of farming. When twenty-two years of age, Mr. Johnson purchased 120 acres in section 27, in Bath, and here he established his home, erected a good house and outbuildings, tilled the soil and for many years carried on general diversified farming. At different intervals he added to his original possessions until he owned 245 acres, which were all in the township of Bath and in the one farm, and in 1897 he rented this property and moved into Albert Lea. Mr. Johnson bought a place in this city, tore down the house which stood on it, and erected a new home in which he now resides in retirement. He has an enviable record in the history of the county, having held many of the responsible public offices in the townships in which he has resided. He has been chairman of the town board for several years, also supervisor, town treasurer, school clerk and constable. He also held the office of town assessor for fourteen years and for seven years served as county commissioner. At two different times he took United States census reports. He has even been a staunch member of the Republican party. Mr. Johnson has been actively associated in many business enterprises in the county, being a stockholder in the Clarks Grove State Bank, in the Clarks Grove Lumber Com- pany, in the Clarks Grove Hardware & Implement Company and in the Clarks Grove Mercantile Company. He is also manager of the Farmers' Live Stock Union of Freeborn county, and has held this office for the past fourteen years. Mr. Johnson was one of the organizers of the Clarks Grove Creamery Association and served as treasurer of this organization until 1897, when he resigned. As a token of the esteem in which he was held by mem. bers of that association, Mr. Johnson was presented with a gold watch. Among other organizations with which he has been con- nected are the Manchester Farmer's Insurance Company, of which he was one of the first directors, and the Albert Lea Build- ing & Loan Association, of which he is a stockholder. On May 9, 1869, the subject of this biography was united to marriage with Mary Hanson, who was born in Norway, December 8, 1847, and came to America in 1857 with her parents, Stener Hanson and wife, who located in Bancroft township. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are the parents of five living children, of whom, Rebecca and Carl, now reside on the old home farm in Bath; Alfred is an
/10
HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
engineer ; Stella married Fred Burchard, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Arthur lives on the home farm. Alexander, who was a twin of Alfred, died in infancy. The family faith is that of the Lutheran church.
Thomas A. Vandegrift, veteran of the Civil War, and a lead- ing citizen of Manchester township, has traveled in various parts of the United States, and is a man of wide experience and broad information. He was chairman of school district 53 for a num- ber of years, and was the first president of the present Freeborn, County Agricultural Society, which, with Dr. A. C. Wedge and William Morin and others, he assisted in organizing. He also helped organize the Albert Lea Creamery Company and was the first president, filling that position for eight years. Fraternally, Mr. Vandegrift has allied himself with the Masonic order, belong- ing to the Bristol (Penn.) Lodge, No. 25, A. F. & A. M., and to the Chapter and Commandery at Albert Lea. Thomas A. Vandegrift was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, August 23, 1843, son of Garrett and Anna (Rue) Vandegrift. He received his education in the public schools of his native county, and at Andalusia Academy, Andalusia, Penn. When he was nineteen years of age he enlisted, June 20, 1863, in the Forty-third Penn. Vol. Inf. Soon after the regiment was mustered out. Mr. Vandegrift became associated with the Scribner-Armstrong Publishing Company, of New York, with whom he remained until 1884, when he came to Freeborn county and purchased his present farm in Manchester township. Some of this he broke, and all of it he developed, carrying on general farming to the present time. In 1900 he sold 140 of his 348 acres to his son, Harold L., who has built thereon a comfortable home. Both father and son make a specialty of Jersey cattle and Berkshire hogs. The subject of this sketch was married May 21, 1873, in New York City, to Elizabeth Mudge, born in Rome, N. Y., October 2, 1852, daughter of Samuel and Jane (Beatty) Mudge. This union has been blessed with five children : Thomas A., deceased; Jeanie B., music teacher ; Howard L., Allan R., of New Mexico, and Richard E., at home. Howard L., who is chairman of school district 53, lives in Man- chester; he married Alice Humphrey and they have two sons, Thomas A., 2nd, and James H. Garrett and Anna (Rue) Vande- grift, parents of Thomas A., were natives of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, where the former was a contractor and builder. Garrett died in 1882 and his wife in 1875. In their family were eleven children : William, deceased; Rachel, wife of Dr. Michael Lampen, of Philadelphia ; Louis R., deceased; Elizabeth, deceased, wife of Thomas Woolman, of Philadelphia ; Anna, wife of D. R. P. Hibbs, of Albert Lea; Sarah, of Bristol, Penn .; Thomas A., of Manchester, Minn .; Henry, of Albert Lea; Martha, wife of Lan-
711
HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
drum King, of Philadelphia ; Edwin, of Bristol, Penn., and Nellie, deceased. Samuel and Jane (Beatty) Mudge had four children : Erskine, Fanny and James, all deceased, and Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas A. Vandegrift.
Frank W. Barlow, an influential citizen of Albert Lea, was born in Genesee county, New York, November 27, 1852, son of Andrew and Anastacia (Schmutz) Barlow. When he was but a small boy he was brought to Minnesota by his parents, and later acquired his education in the public schools of this county. After leaving school he was employed in the Wedge & Blackmer Drug Store as a clerk, and remained in this line of business for several years, until he was elected to the office of county treasurer, serv- ing for three terms. He later purchased an interest in the drug store where he had formerly been employed, which was then known as the Wedge, Jensen & Co. After Mr. Barlow became connected with the firm the name was changed to Wedge & Barlow, and when later M. M. Jones came into the firm the name was again changed to Wedge, Barlow & Co. Some time later Mr. Barlow bought the interests of the other two men and conducted the business for a time on his own responsibility. The firm is now known as Barlow & Spicer. Mr. Barlow is a director and stockholder in the First National Bank, in the Albert Lea State Bank and occupies similar positions in the Hamilton Bank at North Dakota. Mr. Barlow is a progressive Republican. He is associated with all the Masonic bodies of Albert Lea, being a member of the Albert Lea Chapter, No. 30, R. A. M .; Western Star Lodge, No. 26, A. F. & A. M .; the Apollo Commandery, No. 12, K. T., in which latter order he has served as commander for two terms. He also belongs to the Zurah Temple, Mystic Shriners, of Minneapolis. Mr. Barlow served for three years in the Minnesota National Guards. He married Emma F. Prescott, a daughter of Cyrus and Harriett Prescott, of this county, June 14, 1875. Mrs. Barlow was born November 24, 1854, in Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Barlow two daughters have been born, Ethelyn and Charlotte P. The former was born May 5, 1876, and died in January, 1879. Charlotte P. was born in the city of Albert Lea November 9, 1877.
Andrew Barlow, one of the early pioneers in this county, was born in Germany, and he came to this country in 1851, locating first in Genesee county, New York, where he remained for four years. In 1857 he came west to Minnesota and located in Free- born county, homesteading a farm of 160 acres in the township of Bancroft. He broke and developed the land and erected a log house in which he and his family lived for several years. The log house was eventually replaced by a frame building. Mr. Barlow carried on general farming for the remainder of his life
2
712
HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
and made many improvements on his property. He married Anastacia Schmutz, who was also a native of Germany, and they were the parents of seven children: Frank, the oldest, now a resident of Albert Lea; Emily, the wife of M. L. Whelan, of Albert Lea ; Flora, deceased; J. H., of Albert Lea; Andrew, who resides on the old home farm; Mary, who married John Thamert; Ellen, who resides on the home farm. Mr. Barlow passed away November 24, 1905, and his widow entered into rest six years later, October 3, 1910.
Henry Drommerhausen, of Pickerel Lake township, has been prominent in the public affairs of his part of the county. He was town treasurer for some years, later became chairman of the town board, and was serving his second term in that capacity when elected to the state legislature of 1897-99. He has also been an official of school district 57 for a number of years. Henry Drommerhausen was born in Weismar, Germany, July 2, 1847, son of George and Margaret (Ludwig) Drommerhausen, also natives of that country, who brought him to Pickerel Lake town- ship in the late fifties. Here he received his early education, and remained on the home farm until twenty-seven years of age, at which time he purchased eighty acres in the south half of the southeast quarter of section 27, Pickerel Lake township. This land he broke and cleared, erected a good home and suitable barns, and prospered with the years until he now owns 418 acres in sections 27, 26, 35 and 34. In addition to his farm holdings, he is a stockholder in the Clover Valley Creamery. He was married February 23, 1871, to Carolina Weiser, a native of Germany. This union has been blessed with eight children, two of whom are living: Henry George, born March 26, 1872, now a farmer in section 34, Pickerel Lake township, and Albert, born February 23, 1890. The family religion is that of the Lutheran church.
D. R. Young was born in Connecticut, went to Ohio when six- teen years of age, and from there moved to Dodge county, Wis- consin. His wife, Elmira Marvin, was born in Vermont, and in early life moved to Wisconsin, where they were married. In 1856 they came to Freeborn county and settled in section 11, Shell Rock township, where they preempted 160 acres. The first sum- mer was spent in a hay shanty. In the fall they erected a log cabin covered with sod, and the following summer put on a shingle roof. Later a frame house was built, and this subse- quently was replaced with a modern dwelling erected in 1893. With the years they prospered, and acquired an extra 200 acres in addition to their original claim. In 1897 they moved to Northwood, Iowa, where Mrs. Young died in 1901 and Mr. Young in 1905.
713
HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
C. T. Young, chairman of Shell Rock township, was born in the town in which he still resides, January 27, 1858, son of D. R. and Elmira (Marvin) Young. He received his education in the public schools of Glenville, taught school winters and farmed summers until twenty-three years of age, at which time he went to North Dakota, where he prospected for a year. Then he returned to Shell Rock, purchased eighty acres of railroad land, and started general farming. He now owns 181 acres in sections 3 and 10, Shell Rock township, and also a farm in Douglass county Wisconsin. Mr. Young's home is a model farmhouse in every respect. It is surrounded with trees and shrubs which he has planted himself, and the walks are of cement, giving the place an excellent appearance. The subject of this sketch was married in 1893 to Minnie Wilcox, of New York parentage, who was edu- cated in the Normal school at Albany, N. Y., and before her marriage taught school in Albert Lea and Glenville. This union has been blessed with two children: Helen and Clifford. Mr. Young is a Republican in politics and has served in many offices of public and private trust and honor, having been a member of the town board for the past eighteen years, and chairman of the town for the past nine years, as well as a member of the Re- publican town central committee. Fraternally he affiliates with the B. A. Y. and the A. F. & A. M. at Albert Lea. Mr. Young is a man of integrity and is held in high regard by the people of his community.
C. J. Dudley, who for the past three years has served the city of Albert Lea in the capacity of city clerk, was born in Albert Lea township, January 19, 1863, son of Joseph D. and Mary (Eggelston) Dudley, who came to Minnesota and homesteaded a claim near Albert Lea in 1856, the former dying in 1883 and the latter in 1911. C. J., after completing his education, followed teaching for many years. He also farmed and engaged in the grocery business. In 1907 he was elected to serve as city clerk and this office he holds at the present time. He was united in the bonds of matrimony with Julia H. Waters, a daughter of Lafayette and Elizabeth (Hunter) Waters, and six children bless this marriage.
A. P. Hanson was born in Norway, May 6, 1849, and lived there until 1861, when he came to the United States with his parents and settled in Bancroft township, this county, in July, 1861. His father took up a claim in Hayward township. The subject of this sketch attended the country schools of the home district until twenty years of age. When he was twenty-one he bought forty acres of land in Hayward and worked this land seven years. He later, in company with his brother, bought a store in Hayward which they conducted seven years. In 1887 he
714
HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
sold his interest in the store and came to Albert Lea, where he has since resided. In 1894 he built a substantial building on Broad- way, which has since been known as The Hanson House. He now resides in his very attractive home on Lake Boulevard and has turned the management of the Hanson House, which now consists of rooming business only, over to his son, while he, since 1902, has lived a somewhat retired life. In May, 1870, Mr. Hanson married Oliane Hanson and to them have been born seven children.
Loren Blackmer was born in Lorain county, Ohio, March 15, 1839, son of Franklin and Minerva (Wilkins) Blackmer, with whom he came to Minnesota. He enlisted in Company F, Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and he saw active service. After the war Mr. Blackmer returned to Freeborn county and engaged in agricultural industries until 1904, when he moved into Albert Lea city. He has been prominently identified with the public offices of both town and township, having served as supervisor, town clerk and town treasurer. Mr. Blackmer married Sarah E. Hicks December 27, 1864. She was a native of New York, born June 10, 1840. To Mr. and Mrs. Blackmer four children have been born. Mrs. Blackmer died December 14, 1902.
Nels Ackland, an early settler of Manchester township, was born in Norway in 1829. In 1848 he came to America and secured employment as a sailor on Lake Erie. Three years later he came westward to Danville, where he worked as a painter for fifteen years. He came to Minnesota in 1862 and located in Manchester, where he engaged in farming until the time of his death, which occurred on November 1, 1903. His wife, Regina (Dayland) Nelson, who died June 10, 1902, was also a native of the same country and bore him seven children. Of these two, Mattie and Byron, are deceased. Addie married E. O. Fossum; Charles and Louis still carry on farming operations in Manchester ; Andrew is a carpenter and tinner, residing in Albert Lea, and Nettie lives in Albert Lea.
Charles Ackland, a prosperous farmer of Manchester town- ship, was born on the farm where he still resides, December 12, 1868, son of Nels and Regina (Dayland) Ackland. He attended school in the district near his home and grew to manhood on the farm. He has devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits. In the welfare of his community he has ever taken an active interest, is a stockholder in the local creamery and has served on the town board, also on the school board. The Lutheran Church counts him an active and valued member and he has served that body as trustee for many years. In politics he is a Republican. He was married to Augusta Thompson, of Hartland, March 4, 1899.
Louis Ackland, who farms in Manchester on the old Ackland homestead, was born April 5, 1866. He attended the school of
715
HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
his district and helped his father on the farm. He now owns and cultivates 120 acres and has a comfortable home and well cared for surroundings. January 1, 1901, Clara Nelson, daughter of Emil Nelson, became his wife and two children have been born to them, one of whom, Reuben, is living. Orlan is deceased. In political views Mr. Ackland votes the Republican ticket. He is stockholder in the Manchester Creamery and has served on its board of directors.
Andrew Anderson and Georgiana Olson, his wife, the pioneers, were natives of Norway. In 1853 they left the land of their birth and settled in Milwaukee, Wis., where the father was employed in a sawmill four years. Coming to this county in 1857 they bought land in section 33, Hartland, and in section 4, Man- chester, and here followed agriculture till 1862. The call for men to go to the aid of the Union became urgent and he responded by enlisting in Company K, Tenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. In this command he served through the war and was honorably discharged in 1865, at which time he returned home and once more took up farming. The severe life and many hardships endured while in the army had weakened him and on November 5, 1866, he died, leaving a family of four children, Ole, who died from injuries received in the war; Hans now deceased; Andrew, now deceased, and Bernhart N., present state senator. The wife and mother died January 24, 1905, at the age of eighty-six.
Bernhart N. Anderson, political leader, senator and agricul- turist, was born in Manchester township, this county, May 2, 1861, son of Andrew and Georgiana (Olson) Anderson. He received his education in the common schools and continued to work the home farm until 1898, when he was elected county treasurer and in which office he served eight years consecutively. In 1906 he returned to the farm and has since followed diversified farming. On June 28, 1885, he married Emma Stensrud, of Freeborn town- ship, and to them have been born twelve children, of whom eleven are living. Andreas died in infancy ; Julia Amanda, Olive Maria, Cora Cecelia, Alfred B., Isabel Henrietta, Georgina, Beatrice Inge- borg, Inga Caroline, Alpha Turena, Georgia Charlotte and Her- mena Andrea are all at home. Mr. Anderson is member and trustee of the Lutheran Church. In politics he is Republican and has been elected to many high offices in addition to that of county treasurer which has been mentioned, among which are school and town offices and state senator, in which latter office he has served since 1907. He was formerly secretary of the Manchester Insur- ance Company, and president of Farmers' Mutual Company, and has held many minor offices of trust and honor. Though the' owner of 240 acres of land and an active business man of diverse interests he has not neglected the social opportunities, being a
716
HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
member of M. W. A., A. O. U. W. and the Sons of Norway. Mr. Anderson's life, his responsible positions, repeated election, his fine home and the high esteem in which he is held by the best element of the community all speak for the success of a man who has taken advantage of the opportunities to make himself a power for good works both for himself and fr his state. He is a self-made man who has largely assisted in making a state.
T. K. Langrud, a hardworking farmer of Manchester, is a na- tive of Norway, where he was born in Sigdahl, March 8, 1877, son of Knut and Goro (Thronson) Langrud. His father being a farmer and blacksmith, T. K. early in life secured a working knowledge of both these lines of work. He received his education in Norway, where he lived till nineteen years of age, came to the United States in 1896 and located in Manchester, this county, where he worked out four years. He was later employed as a store clerk for one year. Since that time he has followed farm- ing, on his well improved 100 acres, where he has a fine residence. In December, 1899, he married Albertina Nelson, of Manchester, and to them have been born two children, Stella Gustina and Carl Johan. Mr. Langrud is a member of the Lutheran church. He votes with the Republican party, but has never sought office in this or any other party organization.
Arthur E. Rodsater, a well known farmer residing in Man- chester, was born February 20, 1879, son of Iver and Ingeborg (Anderson) Rodsater. His boyhood days were spent in attending school and in doing the work which the average farm boy is required by his father to do, preparing him for the multitudinous duties of a farmer's life and thus laying the foundation for his future success. When he reached his majority he rented a farm and there put into practice the knowledge acquired in the years spent assisting his father. After living on this property for five years he bought it and has followed diversified farming here most . successfully. May 2, 1900, he married Inga Stensrud. Four chil- dren brightened their home: Ivan, Ingeborg, Constance and Artice. Mr. Rodsater is one of the organizers of the local tele- phone company and held the position as its secretary for a period of five years. He also acted as township assessor for five years, an office which he most ably filled, and while his numerous interests prevent his taking an active part in politics, he votes with the Republican party and is a respected member of the Lutheran Synod church.
Rollof Thykeson, a well known resident of Manchester town- ship and a substantial representative of the financial integrity of that town, was born in Norway, February 27, 1837. He received his education in the schools of his native land and came to America . with his two brothers in 1852. For a year and a half they were
ROLLOF THYKESON AND FAMILY
717
HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
employed by farmers in Dane county, Wisconsin, after which they went to Winneshiek county, Iowa. Later they returned to Wis- consin and were employed in the woods near Menomonee. In 1856 Mr. Thykeson came to Manchester township and is the oldest living settler residing here. When the war between the North and South broke out, he enlisted in Company K, Fifteenth Wis. Vol. Inf., and was mustered in at Madison, Wis., February 11, 1862. He was in the battle of Island Number 10, Union City, Perryville, Lancaster and Murfreesboro, was taken sick in the fall of 1863 and was transfered to the Veteran's reserve. He received his honorable discharge in 1865, and then followed general and dairy forming on his farm of 300 acres until 1907, when he retired and now makes his home in the village of Manchester. Ina Elling- son became his wife in 1866 and this marriage has been blessed by the birth of fourteen children, of whom eleven are living: Jose- phine, the wife of Carl Gunderson, of Bancroft township; William, engaged in the grocery business in Albert Lea ; John, a merchant in Manchester; Sophia, now Mrs. Julius Mattson, of Freeborn township; Clara, married to Ole Johnson, of Windom; Edwin, hardware merchant in Hartland; Manda, wife of Peter Jordahl, a buttermaker in Hartland; Oscar, a farmer in Manchester; Ruth and Lulu, at home. Mr. Thykeson is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and a man to whom increasing years have brought increasing honors, as has been proven by his being elected to the office of supervisor of the town for many years and his services as president of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company. He affiliates with the Republican party and is in every respect one of the leading citizens of Manchester.
G. Haakenson, a popular merchant of Manchester, is a native of Norway, born December 15, 1859, son of Haaken and Mary Torgerson. Haaken Torgerson was a farmer and came to America in 1884, located in Manchester, where he lived a retired life until his death in 1899, the mother having died in 1896. The subject of this biography attended school in Norway and after leaving school was employed in a nickel factory. In 1881 he came to America and located in this county in Manchester township, where he worked on a farm three years. He then. entered a partnership with K. H. Slette in a grain and stock business, which they con- ducted for five years. This business he then sold and established a general store, under the firm name of Haakenson Brothers, in Manchester. This business he conducted five years, after which time the brother sold an interest in the business to L. O. Hartz. The firm of Haakenson & Hartz continued in business five years. The Thykeson Brothers general store was then purchased. Later John A. Thykeson entered the firm, and these three, L. O. Hartz, G. Haakenson and John A. Thykeson, now conduct a large busi-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.