USA > Minnesota > Freeborn County > History of Freeborn County, Minnesota > Part 79
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M. L. Olson, grocer of Albert Lea, was born in Faribault county on March 1. 1869, the son of Lars and Susan (Lagred), natives of Norway. They came to America in 1856 and located in Wisconsin, where they farmed for three years, removing at the end of this time to Faribault county, Minnesota, where the father farmed until 1900. During this year he retired and moved to Wells, Minn., where he died in 1904. The mother still lives in Wells. The subject of this sketch gained his education in the district schools of Faribault county and in Wells, and upon leaving school worked in a grocery store for three and one-half
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years. He then came to Albert Lea, where he worked until 1890. At this time he went into the general store of Nelson Bros., where he stayed until 1900. Mr. Olson entered the grocery, bakery and crockery business with Emil Nelson during this year, where he continued for three years, at the end of which period of time he bought out Mr. Nelson and has continued this busi- ness up to the present time. He conducts a very up-to-date grocery at 324 South Broad street. He also conducts a restau- rant. Mr. Olson was married in 1895 to Eva Larson, daughter of John Larson, living south of Albert Lea. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Olson, Edlain and Marvel. The subject, in his political life, is a Republican, and in his church life attends the Swedish Baptist Church. He is a faithful member of the Maccabees Lodge. Mr. Olson never aspired to any public office. His pleasant home is situated at 509 Water street.
Gilbert Thompson was born in Norway November 18, 1844. He came to America with his parents in 1868 and located in New York, later moving to Chicago, where the subject of this biography was employed in a mill. From Chicago, Mr. Thompson went to Green Bay, Wis., and eventually came to Minnesota and settled in Grand Meadow. Here for several years he followed his trade as a shoemaker. Deciding to engage in farming, he moved to Newry township and rented a farm for one year, at the end of which time he purchased eighty acres in section 25. Gradually he has added to this farm until, at the present time, he owns 200 acres of well improved and fertile land. He has erected a large and comfortable house and follows general and dairy farming. He married Thora Lee on January 16, 1876, and they are the parents of six children : Sarah, the wife of A. Halgson; Thea, married William Cornelius; Andrew, Anna, Ephriam and George are at home. Mr. Thompson votes with the Republican party and attends the Lutheran Church and contributes to its support. He is an industrious and progressive man, respected by the residents of the community in which he has lived for so many years.
John L. Munson, city weighmaster for Albert Lea, was born in Sweden on December 20, 1856, the son of Lars and Engar. They were natives of Sweden, coming to America in 1876 and locating in Forest City, Iowa, where the father followed his trade as con- tractor until his death, in 1886. The mother died in 1885. The subject of this sketch attended the schools of Forest City for three months, and this period covered all the schooling he ever received. After leaving school, he followed railroading as section boss for a while, and for ten years was bridge constructor for the Milwaukee road. He came to Albert Lea in 1871, remaining for one year. At this time Mr. Munson went to Granite Fall for two years, and then went back to Forest City, where he remained
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until 1880. Coming back to Albert Lea, he followed carpentry until 1902, when he became city weighmaster, which position he has filled for the past eight years. He conducts a machine ship. in connection with his other work. Mr. Munson was married in 1882 to Emma Axen, a native of Sweden, and to them have been born four children: Axel, killed in Milwaukee yards in Albert Lea in 1902; Steve, a mail clerk on the Great Northern, living in Duluth; Edith and Edna, both at home. Mr. Munson is an independent voter, and attends the Swedish Baptist Church. He is a member of the Scandinavian Relief of Red Wing-Equit- able Fraternal Union of Neenah, Wis., and secretary of same- and also a member of the Woodmen of the World. Mr. Munson owns his splendid home at 514 Fourth street.
Sever L. Davidson, who is a native of Norway, was born Octo- ber 17, 1858, and is the son of Lars and Guri, who brought their son to the United States, settling in Iowa in 1864, where they homesteaded 160 acres, and where they lived many years. The father died in 1897 and the mother in 1898. The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools of Iowa and Min- nesota and grew to manhood, doing the work of the average farm boy of this locality in those years. As his parents grew older he took charge of the home place, and at last bought it of them. He now owns 160 acres in section 35, town of Mansfield, and also owns sixty acres in Nunda. He here does dairy and general farming and raises a number of horses. In 1889 he married Emma Thompson, who died in 1899, and to them were born five children, four of whom are living and are at home. Lars died in infancy ; Martha, Gertie, Andrew, and David. He married Mary, a sister of his first wife, and to them have been born four children : Emma, Bernard, Sarah and Lilian. Mr. Davidson is a Lutheran Church member. He votes with the Republican party, and has been school clerk in district 86 for eighteen years, assessor three years, supervisor three years, town treasurer three years and he is at present director in Emmons National Bank and also in the Farmers' Lumber Company of Emmons.
J. E. Snyder, the genial traveling salesman for Farwell, Ozmun, Kirk & Co., hardware firm of St. Paul, was born at LaPort, Ind., March 10, 1865, the son of Michael Snyder. Michael Snyder was a native of New York state, and in young manhood, went to Indiana, and in 1873 came west to Worthington, Nobles county, Minnesota. John E., the subject of this sketch received his education in the Nobles county common schools, and later in the high school of Fulda. Having completed his school education he entered the insurance business. After some years he left the insurance business and was employed by the Peavey Grain Com- pany, at Avoca, in which line he continued for seven years. Since
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that time he has been with his present company in the hardware business, and with them, covers the territory of southern Minne- sota and northern Iowa. In January, 1906, he married Mabel Scott, of Madison, S. D. He is a member of the U. T. C., and being socially inclined, is a member of the K. of P. Lodge. Mr. Snyder is a progressive in politics, but has never taken an active part in political affairs.
Thomas B. English, a prosperous and highly respected farmer of Bancroft township, was born in Rock county, Wisconsin, March 23, 1856, son of William and Frances M. (Boulden) English. In 1858 he was brought to Minnesota by his parents, who settled in Bancroft township. Here the subject of this sketch grew to manhood and acquired his education and worked at farming with his father. Three years previous to the death of his father, Mr. English bought 160 acres of the home farm, and assumed the responsibility of its management. He cultivated the land and made many improvements on the place, erecting new and com- modious barns and outbuildings, and building a silo. Since pur- chasing this property he has also bought 1161/2 acre's located in sections 15 and 22. He farms all his land believing in modern methods, and he makes a specialty of raising pure bred Durham and Shorthorn cattle, Poland-China hogs, and good horses for both work and driving purposes. Mr. English has been elected to serve his town as supervisor of the town board, school director of district 23, and for twenty years he has been a member of the Bancroft Creamery board, and also a director in this organiza- tion. He is a stockholder in the Clarks Grove Hardware, Stove and Implement Company, and in every respect he is a self-made man who has the esteem of his fellow citizens. He married Lottie Ostrander, who was born in Nebraska,, their marriage being solemnized December 24, 1887. To them five children have been born : Ash B., Wallace L., Mabel R., Nora M., and an infant who died before being named. Mr. English belongs to the Republican party, whose principles he heartily endorses. The family attend the Presbyterian Church, of which they are members in good standing.
William English was born in England and he crossed the ocean and landed in Canada when but a small boy. There he grew to manhood and was educated, and later married Frances M. Boulden, who was also of English birth and parentage. They came to the States at an early day and settled in New York, where Mr. English worked in a rolling mill as an iron smelter for eight years, then followed his trade as stone mason until 1858, when he, with his wife and family, came west and located in Minnesota. They came to Freeborn county from Wisconsin by means of an ox team, and they settled on a claim of 160 acres in sections
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15 and 22, Bancroft township. Mr. English did not prove up on this land, but purchased 160 acres from William Clark in section 14. He broke this land and cultivated it and erected the neces- sary buildings, and for many years engaged in general farming. He passed away on May 28, 1896, and his widow still resides on the old homestead with her son, Thomas. To Mr. and Mrs. English seven children were born, of whom, William Henry, is deceased; Mary is the widow of Henry Thompson, of Albert Lea; Thomas B., is a prosperous farmer of Bancroft; Robert died when but thirteen months of age; Robert the second resides in Polk county, Minnesota; Leighty lives in Glenville, and Annie is the wife of J. E. Jenson, of Bancroft.
Walter C. Jackman, who for several years has served the vil- lage of Freeborn as director of the school board, was born in the township of Carlston August 27, 1865, son of Nathan and Sarah W. (Bumpus) Jackman, natives of New Hampshire. His boyhood years were spent as are the early years of the average farm boy, by attending the district school near his home and working for his father on the farm. When he had reached man- hood he learned to drill wells, and for twenty years was engaged in this occupation. He then moved into the village of Freeborn and now conducts a farm implement business, in which he is making a success. He married Florence E. Ingalls, daughter of John and Sarah (Emerson) Ingalls, and one child, Beryl, has blessed their home. Mr. Jackman is a progressive and industrious man, who is well thought of in the community in which he makes him home.
Nathan Jackman, deceased, was among the pioneer residents of Carlston, coming to this township in 1859. He was born in New Hampshire in 1829, and when he was fifteen years of age he went out to work by the month. For ten years he was employed as a carpenter and also farmer. Later he left his native state and came west. He located first in Wisconsin remain- ing there a number of years, after which he came to Carlston, making the trip with a team of horses and bringing with him two yoke of oxen. He erected a plank shanty on the claim which he had preëmpted, and here, with his family, he lived for thir- teen years. As he toiled and prospered he was able to build a good comfortable house and barns, but these were destroyed by fire in 1874. Mr. Jackman married Sarah Bumpus in 1854, and to them were born four children: Roxanna, Josephine, Ella and Walter. In 1898 he retired from the arduous toil of the farm and moved into Freeborn village, and here he was summoned by the Grim Reaper January 16, 1910.
Hans C. Jacobsen, a respected farmer of Freeborn township, was born in Denmark, Isle of Moen, February 14, 1841, and came
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to America when he was twenty-four years old. He landed at Boston, and from there came west to Racine, Wis., and here secured employment for several years. He then went to Indiana, where he engaged in farming for about two years, after which he returned to the land of his birth, remained there several months and again sailed for America, bringing with him his mother. They settled in Carlston, where he rented a farm in section 13, on which they lived for five years. Mr. Jacobson then homesteaded the farm on which is his home at the present time, and has here resided for the past twenty years. His aged mother entered into rest in 1902, and is survived by Hans C., Hans G., living in Indianapolis, and Mrs. Lizzie Jacobsen, residing in Freeborn township.
George E. Jones, an estimable and well-known farmer of Free- born township, was born in Carlston, Minn., June 7, 1864, son of Josiah and Mary (Williams) Jones, early settlers in the county. They were natives of New York state, who came to Wisconsin in 1855 where they remained for one year, after which they moved to Carlston and engaged in general farming. In 1903 the father moved into Alden, where he makes his home at the present time, at the advanced age of 82 years. George E., the subject of this biography, spent his boyhood as the ordinary farmer boy spends his early years, in going to school and assisting his father with the farm work. After leaving school he began farming on his own responsibility and has been most successful in this undertaking, and now owns the farm on which he resides. He married May Banker, daughter of S. M. and Nettie Banker, and to this mar- riage have been born five children: George W., Burr M., Jennie M., Lloyd E., and Marion A. Mr. Jones's abilities have been recognized by his fellow citizens to the extent that he has been elected chairman of the board of supervisors of his town, an office which he held many years, and has been retained as a mem- ber of the school board for a period of time.
W. H. Hall, proprietor of the Ideal Restaurant in Albert Lea, was born at St. Clair, Minn., on January 31, 1880, the son of Thomas and May Hall, natives of Michigan and St. Clair respect- ively. The father was a dealer in real estate. He came to Minnesota in 1878 and located in St. Clair, where he resided for seventeen years. At the end of this period, he removed to Alexandria, Minn., remaining there several years. For four years following his residence in Alexandria, he lived in Salem, Ore., and in the fall of 1910, returned to Albert Lea, where he lives in retirement. The subject of this sketch attended the graded schools of St. Clair and High School of Mankato. When he left school he worked on the railroad until 1906, and then farmed for two years. The two following years Mr. Hall spent in Montana, Washington and
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Oregon. In January, 1910, he came to Albert Lea and established the Ideal Restaurant, located on West Main Street. Mr. Hall continued at this place until his business grew to such an extent that larger quarters were necessary. He then moved to 325 South Broadway, where he now conducts a first class short order res- taurant and lunch counter cafe. In 1908, Stella Rasdall, of St. Clair, became the wife of Mr. Hall. Their one child, Leah May, died. Mr. Hall is a Republican in politics and a member of the K. of P. and Owls.
Samuel Landis, deceased, was for many years one of the prom- inent citizens of Hayward township. He was born in Medina county, Ohio, on May 4, 1838, son of Jacob and Susan Landis, natives of Pennsylvania, with whom he went to Williams county, where he attended school and grew to manhood. In 1857, the subject of this biography came to Minnesota and settled in Fari- bault county, where he remained until the Indian outbreak in 1862, then returning to his old home in Ohio. He there enlisted in Company K, 109 Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry in which be fought in many battles and skirmishes, and served until the close of the Civil War, after which he was honorably discharged and returned to Ohio. In 1867, Mr. Landis came again to Minne- sota and this time he located in Freeborn county, purchased a farm of 160 acres in Hayward township and began farming. He made many improvements on his property, erected a comfortable house, good barns and outbuildings, and carried on general diver- sified farming until 1898. At this time, Mr. Landis sold his farm and moved to Albert Lea, where he purchased a home at 311 East Third Street, and lived in retirement for the remainder of his life, his death occurring May 15, 1906. Mr. Landis was a staunch Republican and held many public offices, among which were treasurer of the school board, also clerk and director of school in Hayward. He was a member of the G. A. R., Robson Post No. 5, of Albert Lea, and vitally interested in all movements toward the betterment of his town and county. On December 21, 1865, he was united in marriage with Eva Smith, who was a daughter of Valentine M. and Fannie (Phillips) Smith, natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Landis was born at New Philadelphia on November 19, 1842, where she was educated and made her home until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Landis were the parents of three children, of whom Nancy M. is the wife of Edwin Brown, of Montana, and they have four children, Hazel, Mary, Eva and Edwin; Eva married Eugene Noyes, of Michigan; to them have been born three children, Bernice, Grace and Gladys; Nettie married William McLellan and lives in Montana. The family were brought up as members of the United Brethren church, of which Mr. Landis was a liberal supporter.
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Peter Hansen, manager of the Coleman Lumber Co., of Albert Lea, was born in Denmark February 27, 1848, son of H. J. and Kristine (Jacobson) Johansen. He was educated in the schools of his native land and came to America in 1869, locating in this county. For several years after his arrival here Mr. Hansen worked at farming, after which he was employed by a railroad. In 1873 he went to Blue Earth county, where he worked in a sawmill for two years, after which he was employed by Hyde Cargill Co., in an elevator in Alden, where he remained for six years. In 1879, Mr. Hansen went to Carlston township, where he purchased a farm of eighty acres, which he has cultivated and made more valuable each year. He erected necessary buildings, developed his land and added to it from time to time until at present the farm comprises 200 acres. In 1885 he accepted a posi- tion with C. L. Coleman in the lumber business, and after the death of the latter, Mr. Hansen remained with the firm in Alden until 1909, when they moved him to Albert Lea to take charge of their business there, where he is still retained in the capacity of manager. Mr. Hansen votes with the Republican party, and he has held many responsible offices in the township where he has lived, serving in Alden as village recorder for thirteen years, and also as member of the school board for a period of six years. December 16, 1879, Mr. Hansen married Ida M. Nelson, and to them have been born six children, of whom, Alma teaches music in the Pacific Luther College at Parkland, Washington; Tillie is the wife of J. A. Jensen, of Minneapolis ; Mabel teaches school in Washington; Victor is cashier at Mankato, Minn., for the C., M. & St. P. R. R., and Edward is cashier for the C. M. & St. P. R. R. in Washington state; Theodore is a student at the University of Minnesota. The family is affiliated with the Lutheran church.
H. J. Johansen, deceased, was born in Denmark. In 1881 he came to America with his wife and family, and upon their arrival in this country they proceeded west to Carlston township, Minne- sota. Here, for many years, they made their home with their son, Peter. The mother, Kristine Jacobson Johansen, passed away in 1894, and in 1906 Mr. Johansen went to Chicago and resided with his daughter, Mrs. Peter Matsen, until the time of his death, which occurred in 1910.
Alfred Berglund was born December 17, 1871, on the old homestead where he resides at the present time, son of John Berglund. When a boy, the subject of this biography attended the country school near his home and after completing his studies he took up farming with his father. In 1899, he purchased the old homestead, which comprised 160 acres, located in section 27, and to this he later added thirty-five acres, in section 21 and also eighty acres, in section 28, thus making a total of 275 acres. He
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carries on general diversified farming and dairying, and makes a specialty of raising pure bred Holstein cattle. He is one of the scientific and successful farmers in the township of Albert Lea. Politically, Mr. Berglund affiliates with those who advance inde- pendent views, and he has never sought public office. On June 14, 1898, Sadie C. Olund became his wife. She is a daughter of John and Gertie E. (Nelson) Olund, who reside at Cambridge, Isanti county, Minnesota, and she was born in Sweden on July 6, 1873. and came to America in 1880. To Mr. and Mrs. Berglund five children have been born, John R., who died in infancy ; Olive E., born March 4, 1902; Pearl M., born November 9, 1904; Mary D., born January 1, 1907, and Mildred S., who was born March 25, 1911. The family attend the Baptist church and are liberal con- tributors to its support.
Ralph O. Olson, the popular banker of Alden, is a son of M. and Anna Olson, early settlers of Faribault county. His father is still engaged in a stock and grain business at Wells, Minn., and having lived here forty-five years, he has many interesting stories which he relates of the early days when he came to Minne- sota, and white settlers were so few. Ralph, his son, was born in 1873, and early showed his preference for the banking business, and while attending school he worked at intervals in the bank of his home town. He graduated from high school in 1892 and then gave his entire attention to banking, working hard to perfect, himself in its numerous duties. Two years later he came to Alden where he bought out the interest in a private bank and organized a State Bank in its place. This continued as a State Bank until 1903, when it was reorganized as the First National Bank of Alden, which has a capital of $30,000 and a surplus of $15,000. Genevieve Larson became his wife in 1895, and two children bless their home; Ralph, Jr., and Barbara. Aside from the posi- tion of cashier, which he occupies in the Alden bank, he has inter- ests in the following banks: State Bank of Kiester, State Bank of Walters, also State Bank of Conger.
Mr. Olson is a conscientious and hardworking man, who makes every moment count in advancing, not alone his own interests, but the interests of those with whom he has business dealings and the many who come to him for advice and counsel. He is a member of the M. W. A. and M. B. A.
F. W. Rafoth is one of the few people who were born on Feb- ruary 29, 1880. His parents, Herman and Frederika, came from Germany to America in 1870, and settled in Dubuque, Iowa, where they lived three or four years, then came to Freeborn township, this county. The elder Rafoth here rented and later bought land and followed farming the remainder of his life. After his death in 1899, the mother continued to live on the
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home place. Fred W. was born on the home farm in 1880, and here grew to manhood, attending the local school and assisting his father on the farm. After his father's death he took charge of the farm and has since conducted it successfully. He married Matie Hansen, and to them has been born one son, Dewzel G., who attends school. Mr. Rafoth has a well kept farm of 160 acres and a comfortable dwelling as well as barns, sheds, and other out- buildings, which are necessary to the best methods of handling stock and farm products. He has given much attention to breed- ing Shorthorn cattle, but of late has given attention to the Hol- stein breed, which he at present favors.
M. T. Russ, who cultivates fertile acres in Freeborn township, was born in Franklin county, New York, August 8, 1861. He is the son of Thomas and Melissa (Miller) Russ. His father was born in Vermont. The subject of this sketch came west and first located in Faribault county, Minnesota, in 1878. He worked there a year, then went to Alden township, Freeborn county, where he was in the employ of M. J. Howe for over ten years. In July, 1895, Mr. Russ located on 160 acres of land in Freeborn township, which he had previously purchased, and this has ever since been his home. He married Bertha Rucker, a native of Ger- many. They have three children, Belva M., Mary J., and Sid- ney T.
Thomas Severson, who lives on section 31, Nunda township, was born there February 13, 1866, the son of Sever and Martha Anderson. His parents were among the early settlers of Freeborn county and were natives of Norway, and by hard work, made themselves and their son a good home, which he today is proud to remember was the homestead originally acquired. The sub- ject of this biography received his education in the common schools of the locality, and when sixteen years of age he left school and worked on the home place with his father. When twenty-one years of age he bought 180 acres of land in northern Iowa which adjoins the old homestead, and on these two farms he has fol- lowed general farming, together with dairy farming. H built a comfortable dwelling, and in 1911 built a large barn to meet the need of his herd of dairy cows, as well as giving him room for properly housing his other stock and his increasing products of the farm. On February 14, 1910 he married Annie Tisdel, of Brookings, S. D. Mr. Severson is a Lutheran Church member and attends at Lime Creek. He votes the Republican ticket.
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