USA > Minnesota > Freeborn County > History of Freeborn County, Minnesota > Part 78
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ness in general merchandise under the firm name of G. Haakenson & Co., carrying a full line of the goods usually found in such an establishment. In 1887 G. Haakenson married Antonette Hartz, who is a native of Norway and a daughter of E. Hartz, of Man- chester. To this union have been born seven children: Cora Maria, married to Carl Aasen, of Manchester; Hilda Emelia, married to Oscar Hallum, of Hartland; Maren, George, Luella, Valborg and Lionel are all at home. Mr. Haakenson is a member and strong worker for the Lutheran church. In politics he is a Republican; but has never aspired to public office.
Erik Aasen, a venerable and well known resident of Man- chester township, was born in Norway, in December, 1829. He was educated in the schools of his native land, and engaged in farming there until reaching the age of twenty-nine years. In 1856 he came to America and located in Clinton county, Iowa, where he spent one year, after which he came to Manchester township and purchased a farm on which he has since engaged in a general farming business. Many were the hardships and privations endured by the early settlers in those days, but their struggles with adverse circumstances have long since been re- warded by prosperity and plenty. Mr. Aasen worked with un- tiring energy on his property and his efforts are responsible for the well-improved and comfortable home and farm which he now owns. Agatha Mork of Northwood, Ia., became his wife and to them have been born six children: Carl, a resident of Man- chester; John, who is married and now owns the home place; Helena, the wife of Theo. Opsahl, a clergyman; Severina and Ida, who are both married, and Olga. The Norwegian Lutheran church is attended by Mr. Aasen and he has long advocated the views of the Republican party.
Hans Christopherson is a native of Norway and it was there that he learned and later followed his trade of carpenter. . In 1850 he came to the United States together with a large party of his counrymen and first settled in Columbia county, Wisconsin. He made his home there for eight years, working his farm in the summer and each winter going to the lumber woods for winter work. In 1858 he came to this county and located in Manchester township, where he bought land. He has since resided on this land and from time to time has bought adjoining tracts until now he has 240 acres. His wife was formerly Mary Ammundson. To this union were born three children: Caroline, now deceased ; Netta, who married Peter Marstad, a clothier of Sioux Falls, and Christ. is on the home farm. Christ. married Thorena Mattson, in October, 1892, and to them one child, Agnes, was born. In 1897 Thorena (Mattson) Christopherson died. The subject of this biog- raphy is a member of the Lutheran church and is at present treas-
HANS CHRISTOPHERSON
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
urer of the local church. He is an independent or progressive Republican and has been clerk of the school board several terms.
K. H. Slette, a prosperous grain dealer in Manchester, is the son of Halvor and Boel Slette, who came to America in 1852 from Norway. They located in Wisconsin and carried on farming there for some time, after which they moved to Manchester township. It was here that their son was born, Nov. 7, 1862. They acquired some land and engaged in general farming, which industry was continued by the mother after the death of the father, which occurred in 1867. Later in life she became the wife of Sever Thor- son and still resides on the old home place at the age of seventy- four. Her son, K. H. Slette, followed farming the earlier part of his life, an occupation in which he is interested at the present time. He married Pernilla Sanderson, daughter of John Sander- son of Bancroft township, in 1884, and they are the parents of Mrs. Hartz of Manchester; Inga, stenographer at Albert Lea; Ester, a student at Luther Academy, and Agnes, at home. Mr. Slette has never aspired to the public offices in his community, as his many business interests occupy all his time. He is a stock- holder in the Manchester State Bank, also in the Citizens' Bank of Albert Lea, and in connection with the elevator business he buys and ships livestock. He affiliates with the Republican party, at- tends the Lutheran church and has the respect of his fellow-men.
Frederick McCall, who has served the government as post- master at Twin Lakes since that office was established, is said to be the oldest postmaster of continuous service in Minnesota. He was appoined to this position June 15, 1865, the office then being known as Nunda, and though now at the advanced age of eighty- five, Mr. McCall still efficiently attends to the duties in this of- fice. He was born in Belfast, Ireland, Nov. 24, 1826, son of David and Sophia McCall, who were of Scotch Covenanter and English. Puritan ancestry. When the subject of this sketch was five years of age, he with his parents embarked in the sailing vessel "Mar- garet Jane" for America. The voyage, which consumed eighteen weeks, was a most perilous one, there being mutiny on board, and the passengers were rescued by a British ship and eventually reached their destination, landing at Quebec, Canada. Mr. Mc. Call and his parents located in Montreal, and from there they went to Kingston and later to Moore, where they were engaged in general farming. Frederick made friends with the Indians, hunted with them and learned their language and they in return for his kindness made a grant to his father of Stag Island, in the St. Clair river, where the family then made their home for two years, after which they moved to Port Sarnia. The father there opened a general store and tin shop and he later became justice of the peace, queen's commissioner and postmaster. Frederick,
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the subject of this biography, attended the common school and also took up the study of Latin, learned the tinner and coppersmith trade and later learned general surveying. He worked in the employ of a party of surveyors and assisted to make the first survey of St. Marie channel and also of the northeast shores of Lake Huron. In 1849 he engaged with a partner in the manufac- ture of gloves and whips in Port Sarnia, but on account of ill health he later disposed of his interests and started for Minnesota. He arrived at St. Ansgar, Ia., Sept. 10, 1856, and from there went to Shell Rock, where he stopped with George Gardner. He soon went to inspect the country near Twin Lakes, where he finally lo- cated and erected a log cabin. Some time later Mr. McCall went to Canada and brought his family to Twin Lakes, arriving at this place June 11, 1857. For different periods of time he was em- ployed at various occupations, making axe helds, ox bows, work- ing in tin shops at Albert Lea, Austin and Preston. On Dec. 4, 1857, he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, which he has served for a greater part of the time since. He has also been town clerk, chairman of the town board, first secretary of the county agricultural society, delegate for many successive years to the Republican county conventions, a successful opponent against Nunda voting railroad bonds, and against the drainage of Bear Lake. In 1880 he wrote and published a pamphlet entitled "Thoughts on Theological and Scientific Theories," and he has written many poems, which have been read at different public gatherings throughout the county. He was one of the organizers of the first Sunday school in Nunda, and has ever been an active member of the Methodist church. Mr. McCall married Ann Wallis, May 6, 1849, and of the children who have been born to them the following are now living: Frederick A., a farmer of Spring Island; Margaret Ann, a merchant, of Twin Lakes; John David and Christopher Stuart, farmers of Twin Lakes, and George Ar- thur, engineer, of Albert Lea. Mr. McCall has an enviable record for being a public spirited, useful and model citizen, and he has ever had the respect and affection of those with whom he has been associated.
Ole Peterson (Slette) and Ingeborg Rugland, his wife, were born in Norway. They were married in Rock County, Wisconsin, the former coming to America in 1850, while the latter preceded him by a year. They came to Manchester township, Freeborn county, Minnesota, by ox team in 1856 and were one of the first six families who located there. They settled on the unbroken but fertile prairies and pursued farming as a life vocation. Ole Peterson (Slette), when the flames of Civil War broke out and threatened the life of the nation, enlisted in Company K, Fif- teenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry as first lieutenant, and
OLE PETERSON (SLETTE)
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
served one year, after which he was taken sick and received his honorable discharge from military duty. He died at his farm home in Manchester township in June, 1891. His wife had died the preceding November. In 1883 he served in the lower house of the Minnesota legislature. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ole Peterson (Slette). They were: Mary (deceased), mar- ried to Isaac Hendrickson, of Bisbe, N. D .; Peter O., Gilbert, now a farmer at Park River, N. D .; Helga (deceased), married to Adolph Mikkelson; Knut O., banker at Culbertson, Mont., and Anna, married to Frank Sanborn, of Northfield. Ole Peterson (Slette) was, during his lifetime, a member of the Lutheran Church, a Republican politically, and the first president of the Manchester Insurance Company.
P. O. Slette, one of the substantial farmers of Manchester township, Freeborn county, was born in Rock county, Wisconsin, November 4, 1855, son of Ole Peterson (Slette) and Ingeborg (Rugland) Slette, his wife, natives of Norway, who, in 1856, brought him to Freeborn county, where he received a district school education. Since his boyhood days he has followed farm- ing as a pursuit. He was married to Mariet Bakke and their union has been blessed with three children. They are Ingeborg Othelia, who is now engaged in teaching; Oscar and Henry, at home. Mr. Slette is a Lutheran in his religious affiliations, and in politics he is a Republican. He lives on the farm which his father preëmpted from the United States government in 1856. The 285 broad and beautiful acres are all under cultivation or in pasturage and a fine farm residence and spacious barns make it one of the attractive and valuable country homes in Freeborn county.
F. H. Pierce was born in Floyd county, Iowa, on November 1, 1869, son of C. W. and Susan Jane (Gordon) Pierce. His father was a native of New York state and his mother of Pennsylvania. C. W. Pierce was a blacksmith by trade and left New York to go to Indiana, where he followed his trade, later going to Illinois, and finally to Iowa, where he worked at his trade till the time of his death, in 1907. The mother died when the subject of this biography was but two years of age, and he was taken by W. H. H. Gordon, in whose home he grew up. After completing his school work he took up the trade of carpenter and wagonmaker, and some years later he learned the blacksmith trade. In 1890 he established a blacksmith and wagon shop at Gordonsville, and also about this time he established the general store of F. H. Pierce, which he conducted ten years in Gordonsville. He sold out his general store and has since given his attention to the manufacture of wagons, sleighs, and harrows, for which there has been a steady market. In 1893 he was married to Mary L.
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
Flatt, a daughter of J. R. Flatt, who is a native of England, but who came to Madison, Wis., and later to Shellrock township, this county, where he lived until his death. To Mr. and Mrs. Pierce two children have been born, Pearl Alice, who is fourteen years of age, and Charles H., aged ten. Mr: Pierce is a member of the M. E. Church. He is a Republican and has been a member of the school board for twelve years ; he is now treasurer, and has served on the town board also. In 1908 he built a fine residence just outside the village limits of Gordonsville. Given plenty of room on his fifty-acre plot of land this home, which is modern in every respect, becomes one of the pleasing landmarks of the locality. He is a stockholder and director in the Farmers' State Bank of Gordonsville, and stockholder in the Gordonsville Cream- ery, and secretary of the Gordonsville Building Association.
Andrew O. Korstad, deceased, was born in Norway on March 20, 1832, where he grew to manhood, attended school and was married. In 1862, the subject of this sketch left the land of his birth and crossed the ocean to America. After his arrival in this country, he proceeded west to Minnesota, where he acquired land in Spring Grove, Houston county, where he resided and carried on farming for three years, after which he came to this county and settled in Freeman township, in section 8. Here he took a claim of 200 acres, which he developed by cultivation, and he erected a house and all the necessary buildings, and for the remainder of his life carried on general diversified farming. He won the respect of the residents of the township by his indus- trious habits and his common sense, and he served as a member of the school board for many years. He was a loyal supporter of the principles endorsed by the Democratic party, but was not a seeker of public office. Mr. Korstad was a stockholder in the Twin Lakes and Knatvold Creameries, and he owed his pros- perity to his own efforts. In 1861, Inger Ristey became his wife ; she was also a native of Norway, having been born there on August 16, 1839. To Mr. and Mrs. Korstad a family of ten chil- dren were born, of whom six grew to man and womanhood : Ole, of Freeman township; Caroline, who resides on the old home farm; Sina, who married Nicholas P. Nelson, of Albert Lea; Julia, who died in 1902, the wife of. Thomas Hoveson; Marie and Ida, who are dressmakers and live at home. The wife and mother passed away on February 10, 1890, and Mr. Korstad's death occurred May 24, 1907. The family attend the Lutheran Church, having long been associated with this organization.
Louis Fogel, one of the prosperous farmers of Pickerel Lake township, is a native of Germany and was born in Waldeck, August 19, 1862. After getting his education and working a few years, he came to the United States when twenty years of age.
MR. AND MRS. ANDREW O. KORSTAD
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
He arrived in Freeborn county in March, 1882, and here worked out several years. During this time he, with native frugality, managed to keep most of the money he earned, and with this, in 1888, he purchased the land where he has since made his home. He here has erected a fine roomy and comfortable resi- dence which is well shaded by the trees planted by the owner. The many barns, sheds and out buildings give ample space for housing the crops and equipment of the farm. His 160-acre farm is one of the best cultivated farms in the locality. On April 8, 1888, he married Fredericka Wittmer, also a native of Waldeck, Germany. Mr. Fogel is a member of the Lutheran Church. He votes with the Republican party, and is at present chairman of the board of supervisors, which position he has held eight consecu- tive years. He was assessor four years, town treasurer five years. For eighteen years he was secretary of the Armstrong creamery. He is director of the State Bank in Albert Lea.
August Lindeman, who has passed his three score years and ten, was born in Germany, March 1, 1838, and in 1872 he came to the United States and settled in Illinois where he remained four years. He then came to Freeborn county and bought land in Pickerel Lake township where he lived twenty-five years. He is now living on a ninety-acre tract in section 18, Nunda, where he has lived for ten years, having started his children with a sub- stantial inheritance of land. On April 1, 1861, he married Tillia Schwemly and to them have been born seven children, Ernest, Frank, Minnie, Willie, Eric, Bert and Mary. Mr. Lindeman is a Lutheran church member. In politics he is a Republican.
O. K. Bagaasen, an industrious farmer who for many years has resided in the township of Bancroft, is the son of K. O. and Elena (Larson) Bagaasen. The mother came to the United States from Norway in 1850 with her parents and they located in Wisconsin, and the father left the land of his birth and emigrated to this country five years later. When the war between the North and South began, the father enlisted and served his adopted country until the end of the struggle; he was honorably dis- charged and returned to his home and later was married. To. this marriage four children were born; Martina, the wife of Ed Blagen, of Roseau county ; Bertha, now Mrs. Anton Ingbritsen ; Dora, the wife of Mr. Johnson, of the Albert Lea Creamery; O. K., the eldest, who is the subject of this biography and was born February 19, 1868. He owns 160 acres of land in Bancroft town- ship and carries on general farming, and he is also interested to some extent in dairying; he keeps about twenty-five cows for this purpose and disposes of their milk to the Albert Lea Cream- ery. He lives in the comfortable house which his father erected, but he has built new and commodious barns and a silo, and in
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
many respects made his farm one of the well improved and val- uable farms in the township. By his wife, Hanna, his home has been blessed by two children, Obie and Grant, the latter of whom is deceased. Mr. Bagaasen votes with the Republican party and has been elected to serve in various offices in his township, among which are his service as assessor for a term of four years, in which capacity he gave general satisfaction to the residents of the town. He is a member of the United Norwegian Lutheran church of Albert Lea, and a contributor to its support.
F. L. Reynolds, a progressive liveryman of Albert Lea, was born in Freeborn county in 1870 on the 25th of April, the son of Rastus and Adelia (Button) Reynolds, natives of New York state. Upon coming to Freeborn county, they followed farming for a number of years and spent the balance of their lives in Alden, Freeborn county, living retired since 1898. They had a family of nine children, seven of whom are still living. The subject of this sketch spent his early life on the farm and was educated in the schools of the county. He came to Albert Lea in 1889 and found work running a dray for one year and then went to work for Hayden & Co., where he remained for eight years as clerk. For the next two years he conducted a grocery business of his own. At this time Mr. Reynolds went into the livery business on Wash- ington Street, where he stayed for five years, and in 1905 removed to his present quarters. The firm is known as Reynolds & Luce and it carries on a general livery, hack and baggage line. In 1892, Mr. Reynolds was married to Florence Gripman, daughter of Christ Gripman, an old settler of the county, who is still living on Newton Street, Albert Lea, and is interested in the wood, fuel and ice business. Mr. Reynolds is a member of the Maccabee. and the I. O. O. F. lodges. He lives at 406 College Street. Mr. Reynolds is a very substantial and public spirited citizen of Albert Lea.
Joseph H. Barlow was born in Bancroft township June 14, 1859, son of Andrew and Annie Barlow, who came to this country from Germany. He grew to manhood on his father's farm and went to the district school near his home. He followed agricul- tural pursuits until 1900, at which time he went to Albert Lea and was employed by the J. I. Case Thresher Machine Company. For two years he traveled for this concern, after which he was assistant superintendent of the Albert Lea waterworks. He later resigned from this position and served on the police force in that city for more than two years. He returned to his old home on the farm after his resignation as a police officer and is now carry- ing on diversified farming. He owns eighty acres of land, having disposed of forty some time ago, and keeps his land under careful cultivation, and is interested in stock raising and dairying.
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Mary A. Campin became his wife August 14, 1892, and to them four children have been born: Annie, Frank, Ethel and Mar- garet. Mr. Barlow's energy and marked ability have been recog- nized by his townsmen to the extent that they have elected him to serve as chairman of the town board of Bancroft for the past four years, also as town assessor, constable and road overseer. He has been clerk of school district 20 for nine years and also school treasurer. He is president of the Manchester Telephone Company and a director of the Farmers' Mutual Shipping Union. For twenty-two seasons, Mr. Barlow operated a threshing machine and he has ever been an energetic and hardworking man. He is a member of the Foresters lodge in Albert Lea, and he is the master of several languages, among which are Swedish, Nor- wegian, German and English. Mr. Barlow lost his devoted and estimable wife January 10, 1909, and his home is cared for by his daughters.
M. F. Horning was born in Pickerel Lake township June 21, 1868, and is one of the substantial and respected residents of Alden township. His parents were William J. and Esther (John- ston) Horning, the former of whom was a native of Herkimer county, New York, and came west with his people when he was twenty years old. The family located in Wisconsin, but later moved to Albert Lea, where the father is living now at four score and two years of age. M. F., the subject of this sketch, was educated in the common schools of Pickerel Lake and Albert Lea, and having acquired a good education, he taught school in the county for five years. He then decided to become a farmer and, securing some land in section 17, he engaged in this occupa- tion, of which he has made a success. Mary Belle Hall, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Stockwell) Hall, married Mr. Horning, and this union has been blessed by the birth of three children: Leah, who is now teaching school in district 40; Esther P. and Lyle M. Mr. Horning is the present clerk of Alden township, and has held this office for the past six years; he has also been clerk of the school board for seven years and town assessor for years, thus proving the confidence and regard in which he is held by the residents of Alden.
Lenny Peterson, a successful farmer of Albert Lea township, was born August 20, 1875, son of Hans C. and Martha (Anstrum), who emigrated from Norway to America in the pioneer days and settled on a farm which adjoins the one now occupied by their son, the subject of this sketch, and here they spent the remainder of their lives; the husband died in 1894 and his widow four years later. In early boyhood, Mr. Peterson attended the district school and was busy during his vacation days helping his father with the farm work, which prepared him for the
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
responsibilities of a farmer's life. He now has 175 acres of land, of which 125 are kept under cultivation, and he carries on a general and dairy farming business. In addition to his dairy herd of graded cattle, he raises many Poland-China hogs, for which he finds ready market. Gunda Moen, daughter of Gilbert . Moen, an old settler of Freeman township, became the wife of Mr. Peterson in 1896. He has held various public offices in his township and served on the school board. In politics he is a Republican of the progressive type. His fine house and com- modious barns, also his well kept farm, are the reward of years of diligence and honest effort.
· N. C. Nelson, who conducts a good painting business, was born in Albert Lea on May 9, 1875, son of S. J. and Mary, both natives of Denmark. They came to America in the year 1874, locating in Albert Lea, where he worked for three years, then bought a farm in Albert Lea township and did general farming until about 1906. At this time he sold his farm to his son and bought twenty acres one mile from Albert Lea, where he now makes his home. The mother died in 1889. The subject of this sketch attended the common schools of Albert Lea township and took one term at the Luther Academy of Albert Lea. Leaving school, he worked at the painter's trade in Albert Lea which work he followed for a number of years. In 1907, he entered partnership with J. J. Sullivan, where he continued one year. After selling out his interest he established a paint and wall paper business. He makes a specialty of automobile and carriage paint- ing, having bought out the two concerns who did this class of work. He also does sign painting. Mr. Nelson was married to Emma Peterson in 1897. She was the daughter of C. P. Peterson, formerly of Omaha, and now of Albert Lea. Mr. and Mrs. Nel- son's home has been blessed with three children, who are all at home-Lucille, Thelma and Hester. Mr. Nelson makes a specialty of raising fancy chickens-Partridge Wyandottes and Silver Lace Wyandottes. Mr. Nelson, in politics, is a Democrat. He attends the Christian Science church and is a member of the Danish Brotherhood of Owls. He is a progressive citizen.
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