USA > Minnesota > Freeborn County > History of Freeborn County, Minnesota > Part 80
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N. C. Siverling was born in Wisconsin December 28, 1872, son of Nick and Mary Siverling. His father was a native of Germany, who came to the United States with his parents in the early days, and the family settled in Wisconsin. Here he was married and
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made his home for several years, after which, in 1877, he went to Iowa, and in 1898 moved to North Dakota, and is living there at present. The subject of this sketch attended the public schools of Iowa and completed his education in the graded school at Northwood. After leaving school he decided to learn to be an expert butter maker, and accordingly prepared himself to fill this position. For the past six years he has been employed as the head butter maker in the Glenville Creamery. In 1894 he was married to Jennie Trow, and their home has been bright- ened by the arrival of two children, Milo T. and Lilla M. Mr. Siverling is a prominent man in the township and is at the present time chief of the fire department. He has served as presi- dent of the school board and also president of the city council. He is a member of the M. W. A. and votes the Republican ticket.
Oscar Asleson is a prosperous farmer residing in Freeman township. He was born in Manchester January 29, 1869, son of John and Ingerborg Asleson, natives of Norway, who came to this township in the early days and were industrious farmers. The father died in 1909. The subject of this sketch assisted his father with the farm work when a boy, and attended school near his home. When he was twenty-three years of age he purchased 160 acres in section 26, Freeman township. Here Mr. Asleson has a well-kept farm and he raises Poland-China hogs, owns a fine dairy herd of short horn cattle and keeps well-bred Per- cheron horses. About seventy acres of his land is cultivated and his farm is one of the best cared for farms in his community. He is affiliated with the Republican party, and he attends the Lutheran Church. Tilda Opdahl, daughter of Ole Ophahl, mar- ried Mr. Asleson in 1893, and six children have been born to them to brighten their home: Joseph, Olaf, Elmer, William, Rachel and Luella. These children are all at home and of great assist- ance to their parents.
Barney Cookpeter, who is of German ancestry, was born in Iowa February 20, 1856, son of Christian and Elizabeth Cook- peter. His parents immigrated to the United States in 1853, locating first at West Point, Iowa, where his father worked at his trade of carpentry one year. They later rented a farm until 1870, at which time they came to Winona county, Minnesota, where they farmed eight years, and later moved to Freeborn county. They bought 160 acres of land in Freeman township, and later added another quarter section to their farm, where they fol- lowed general farming until the death of the father, in 1884. After finishing school Barney worked with his father on the home farm, until the father's failing health made it necessary for him to assume full charge. Since the father's death the subject of this biography, together with his brothers, Henry and
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Christian, and sister, Margaret, have lived on the family farm and followed general farming. The Cookpeter brothers are inde- pendent voters. The subject of this sketch has been town super- visor five successive years. He is a member and active worker in the Catholic Church.
James S. Brewer was born in Buchanan county, Iowa, March 30, 1875, son of James S. and Eliza J. (Carpenter) Brewer. He passed the days of his youth working with his father on the old home farm, going to school in the district in which he lived. Reaching manhood, he left the old home and began farming for himself. This occupation he followed for several years, after which he secured a position on a railroad. Desiring a more lucrative position than the railroad offered, he resigned and pro- ceeded to fit himself for a first-class butter maker. He has since been employed in this capacity in the Twin Lakes, Clover and Walters creameries. He moved to Alden township in 1906 and has here been engaged in general farming, an occupation which he has found most profitable. His wife, Martha, is the daughter of August Wichman, one of the earliest settlers in this county, and to Mr. and Mrs. Brewer three children have been born: Ida, Marie and Theodore. Mr. Brewer is a hard working and pro- gressive man who has devoted more time to the betterment of his home and farm than to seeking public offices.
John C. Miller was born in Freeborn township January 30, 1881, son of G. M. and Abby (Scoville) Miller. He spent his boy- hood in Freeborn and was educated in the common schools of that township. After leaving school he started to earn his own living and for a time was employed in a creamery. He left the creamery and secured a position as clerk in a store. For several years he was engaged in various occupations, and in 1905 he came back to the old home farm, which he and his brother, Ralph, rented of their father, and he has since resided here. He carries on general and dairy farming and keeps the land under careful cultivation. His wife was Margaret Downs, a daughter of E. B. Downs, and they are the parents of one child, Clifford B.
George M. Miller was a native of Wisconsin, who came to Minnesota in the pioneer days and settled in Steele county, near Beaver Lake, where he conducted a store, and later had charge of a cheese factory. Disposing of these interests, he came to Carlson township and rented a farm in section 5, and followed general farming. His hard work and frugality enabled him to purchase this farm in 1900, and he has since made many improve- ments on his property and erected a comfortable dwelling and substantial out buildings. For many years Mr. Miller was one of the prominent farmers in the township and his farm was one of the well cared for and productive pieces of property in the
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community. He married Abby (Scoville) Miller and their sons, John C. and Ralph, now have charge of the farm. Mr. Miller is at present residing in Fairmount.
Hans P. Birch, a progressive farmer, residing in the township of Carlston, was born in Denmark in September, 1852. He left his native land and crossed the ocean to America in 1880 and settled first in Wisconsin. Here he was employed in the pine woods, and also worked in a sawmill for four years, after which he came to Minnesota and located in Carlston township, bought a farm of eighty-five acres, which he now has under good culti- vation. He has erected a comfortable house, good barns, and other necessary buildings on his farm, and carries on diversified farming, together with stock raising and dairying. He is an industrious man who has given his time and energy to the better-' ment of his farm and home surroundings and he has never aspired to public office. His wife, Dorothea, has proven an es- timable helpmeet.
John W. McDonald is an extensive land owner in Geneva town- ship, where he was born March 6, 1869, His parents were Patrick and Bridget (Ryan) McDonald, early settlers in this country. John W. began his education in the common schools of that locality, and having completed their course of study, he attended the Pillsbury Academy in Owatonna, and later the Business Col- lege at Decorah, Iowa. After leaving school he secured a posi- tion as clerk in the Gage, Hayden & Company's store, where he was employed for a time, after which he worked for the Knatvold hardware firm in Albert Lea. Realizing that the life of a farmer appealed most strongly to him, he returned to his old home and purchased some land, and has since added to this until he has 480 acres in all, part of which he rents. Mr. McDonald does general farming and raises Shropshire sheep and Poland-China hogs. He also has a good dairy herd of shorthorn cows. He was married February 14, 1897, to Catherine Quinn, daughter of Michael and Margaret (Shay) Quinn, natives of Ireland and early settlers in this country, both of whom are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. McDonald five children have been born: Raymond, Leo, Paul, Mark and Harold. In politics he votes independently. He has served on the school board for many terms, in which capacity he has given general satisfaction. He is a member of the Catholic Church at Geneva and a member of the Hibernians and Catholic Order of Foresters, also a K. O. T. M. In every respect Mr. McDonald is a self-made man and he can relate many incidents of greatest interest of the early days in this locality when the prosperity which now abounds was then unknown. As a popular citizen, he has many friends, while integrity and com-
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mon sense have won the esteem of all who know him and his judgment and advice are often sought. .
Patrick McDonald and his worthy helpmate, Bridget (Ryan) McDonald, came to this country from Ireland in the pioneer days and first located in Minneapolis, where the husband was employed as a teamster for some time. He came to Geneva township in 1857, where he settled and acquired land in section 22, on which he followed farming until his death which occurred in 1901. To himself and wife were born two children, John W. and Mary Alice, now deceased. Mrs. McDonald passed away in 1897. The memory of these estimable people is revered by all who knew them. Having risen above obstacles and succeeded in establish- ing a home where they could give to their children advantages which were impossible in their younger days.
Nels Vollum, whose estimable parents were natives of Norway and came to this country about 1865, was born in Riceland town- ship April 20, 1882. His father and mother, after reaching this country, lived in several places, finally locating in Riceland town- ship, Freeborn county, where they bought land and founded their home. Until the time of his death, which occurred in March, 1910, the father did general farming. The wife and mother still lives on the old home farm, and with her are her aged father and mother. The subject of this sketch was educated in the district schools of Riceland and worked on the farm with his father. In 1900 he rented 160 acres of land in section 20, which he continued to rent and work until 1907, when he pur- chased it. He has since made many improvements on his prop- erty and built two barns. He does a general dairy farming. In 1903 he was married to Betina Prestegard, daughter of Ole J. Prestegard, of Hayward township; to this union have been born three children, Pearl, Telmer, and Norman. Mr. Vollum votes with the Republican party, but he does not give much time to politics, as he has many business interests, being manager of, as well as stockholder in, the Riceland Creamery. He is also a stockholder in the local telephone company. He is a staunch member of the Lutheran Church, and held in high esteem by those with whom he has business dealings.
Louis Kroessin, who conducts a harness business in Albert Lea, is a native of Germany, having been born there October 28, 1860. His father and mother, August and Hanna Kroessin, lived in Germany until they died. Louis attended school in his native land, and upon leaving his studies followed the saddlery business until he came to America, with the exception of three years when he was in the German army. Coming to America in 1882, he located in Winona, Minn., where he followed his trade for a short time. Mr. Kroessin then removed to St. Charles, Minn.,
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
staying there two years. At the end of this time he went to Sauk Center, establishing himself in the harness business, which he followed until 1905. During this year, he came to Albert Lea, again starting in the harness trade, and he has conducted the same business ever since. In the year 1885, Mr. Kroessin was united in marriage to Mary Wagman, of St. Charles. To them have been born three children, Louis, Jr., Walter, and Rose. In his political life he is a Republican. He attends the Presbyterian Church, and is a member of the M. W. A. Lodge. Mr. Kroessin has served faithfully on the city health board. He owns a most beautiful home at Edgewater, where he makes a specialty of raising fine poultry-the China Ring Neck Pheasants, and the Golden Pheasants, which are valued for their plumage. Mr. Kroessin ships them all over the country.
Ole J. Dammen was born in Norway February 27, 1857, son of John and Mary. When he was thirteen years old his parents decided to leave the land of their birth and seek their fortune in a new country, accordingly they embarked for America, and upon arriving in the United States, they proceeded west and made their first home in Minnesota, locating in Houston county. Three years later they moved to Hayward township, where they reside now at the advanced age of four score and eight years. Ole, their son, received his education partially in the schools of his father- land and later in the Minnesota schools. Josie Rood, a daughter of Oscar Rood, became Mrs. Dammen in 1879, and this union resulted in the following children: Julius, deceased, was in the army and went to the Philippines, where he contracted an illness which resulted in his death; Oscar makes his home in Albert Lea and is employed by the Rock Island railroad; Edgar is a success- ful druggist in Portland, Ore. ; Mabel G. married Martin Flaskerud and lives in Albert Lea township. In 1896 Mr. Dammen married Julia Vestland, and they are the parents of five children: Olaf, Mainard, Edna, Millie and Henry. Mr. Dammen owns 120 acres of land and successfully engages in diversified farming. He sells his dairy products to the Glenville Cooperative Creamery, of which he is a stockholder. He raises shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs and has about 100 acres of his farm under cultivation. He adheres to the tenets of the Republican party and attends divine worship at the Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. He has reached his present prosperity by years of hard work and frugality, rely- ing entirely on his own efforts to succeed, toiling and saving day by day. He now reaps the harvest of comfort and plenty.
James Olson, a progressive farmer residing in Albert Lea township, was born in Denmark, March 29, 1855, son of Ole and Anna (Nelson). He came to America with his parents and settled in La Crosse, Wis., where his parents remained until their
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
death. Having finished his schooling in his native country, he learned stonecutting in La Crosse and worked at this trade for fifteen years. He then went to Minneapolis, where he followed this same occupation for a period of years. In 1894, he left Minne- apolis and came to Albert Lea and rented some land, engaged in farming, and ten years later he purchased 120 acres two miles from Albert Lea, on which he now resides. This farm Mr. Olson has under careful cultivation, carrying on diversified farming. His good herd of dairy cattle yield him a steady income. Bertha Berglund became his wife in 1881, and they are the parents of eight children: John R., Elmore, Leonard, Adelia, Adabella, Eunice, Agnes and Raymond. In politics, Mr. Olson holds inde- pendent views. He is a member of M. W. A. Lodge, No. 835. His well improved farm today is the result of his own efforts, having devoted much attention toward making his home comfortable and attractive.
Theodore J. Burton has for many years been a resident of the village of Alden. He was born in Vermont, in the city of St. Albans, July 16, 1855, son of Carlas C. and Lemira S. (Blinn) Burton. He acquired his education in the schools of Vermont, and when he was twenty-one years of age, came west in 1876, with his father and located in Alden. Some time later he went to Wells, Faribault county, where he engaged in the grocery busi- ness for three years, after which he directed his time and atten- tention to farming. A few years later he returned to the old home in Vermont and followed agricultural pursuits, but at the end of - three years he decided that there were greater opportunities for a young man in the west than were offered in the east. He then went to California and was employed as foreman on a sheep ranch for a year, after which he again came to Alden and has resided here since. For many years he conducted a mercantile business. In 1906 he sold out his interest in the business and now is temporarily employed in a grocery store. To Mr. Burton and his wife, Susie (Babcock) Burton, have been born four chil- dren : Harriet, wife of Ed Ashley, of Thief River Falls; Lois, a teacher in that city ; Sidney and Cedric, who make their home in Alden. Mr. Burton has held the office of town assessor for many years and has also been appointed as census enumerator. He is a member of the M. W. A. and a man respected by his fellow citizens.
Arthur E. Rodsater, a well known farmer residing in Man- chester township, 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 foun-
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dation 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 prop- erty for five years he bought it and has followed diversified farm- ing here most successfully. May 2, 1900, he married Inga Stens- rud, a daughter of Hans Stensrud, a farmer of Freeborn town- ship, and three children brightened their home: Ivan, Ingeborg and Constance. Mr. Rodsater is one of the organizers of the local telephone company and held the position as its secretary for a period of five years. He has 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 church.
Carlton Babbitt, an extensive land owner of Freeborn county, was born in Columbia county, Wisconsin, March 17, 1860, son of Harvey and Maria (Griswold) Babbitt, who brought him to Free- born county in 1865. He received his early education in a-little sod schoolhouse in Alden township, and later attended other. rural schools of Freeborn county, remaining on the home farm with his father until 1885, when he moved to the city of Albert Lea, and for tliirteen years conducted a wood, coal and ice busi- ness. The following years he spent in various activities in the county, and in 1904 located on a farm of 160 acres, in section 26, Alden township, where he still resides. He has erected a fine - modern home, and some excellent barns and outbuildings. Mr. Babbitt owns more than a thousand acres of good land in Free- born county, and at this writing is working 740 acres himself, thus establishing a record hard to beat in Southern Minnesota: He is interested in every enterprise that tends toward the develop- ment of the community, and has served several years as a school board member. In addition to his land interests, Mr. Babbitt holds stock in the Creamery at Conger. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America at Albert Lea. The subject of this sketch was married November 8, 1883, to Lydia Gustaveson, who was born in Sweden, March 29, 1864, and came to America with her brother, Samuel S., in 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Babbitt are the par- ents of four children: Harry LeRoy, of Judas Basin, Montana ; Lee, Orie and Russell are at home. The family faith is that of the Baptist church. Mr. Babbitt tells an interesting story of the bliz- zard of 1873. On January 3, 1873, just as school closed, the storm started, and in less time than it takes to tell it the scholars could not sec across the road. The storm raged so fiercely that of the scholars the subject of this sketch, then thirteen years old, was the only one to get home. The rest of the scholars and the teacher were obliged to stay for three days. They had no food nor fuel,
MR. AND MRS. CARLTON BABBITT
6
MR. AND MRS. N. T. SANDBURG
.
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
and were obliged to cut the rafters from the inside of the roof to furnish fire to keep themselves warm. The schoolhouse was of sod, and the rafters had been put in to support the sod roof.
Harvey Babbitt, who was born in Jersey City, N. J., and Maria Griswold, his wife, who was born in New York state, parents of Carlton Babbit, after spending some years in Indiana, Ohio and Michigan, settled in Columbia county, Wisconsin, and lived there until 1865, when they came by team to Freeborn county, and located in Mansfield township. The following year they took a claim in section 25, Alden township, where they erected a log cabin, broke and developed the land, and prospered with the years, building in time a frame house, and there spending the remainder of their days, devoting their life to general farming. Harvey Babbitt died February 19, 1896, and his wife followed him to the grave April 6, 1909. They were the parents of nine chil- dren : Mary is the widow of William Squier, of Montgomery, Minn., Frances is now Mrs. Edward Ells, of Goodhue county, Minnesota ; George lives in Forest City, Iowa; Emma, deceased, was the wife of S. Nichols. Fred lives in Minneapolis. Albert lives in Skyburg, Goodhue county, this state. Helen and Eva are deceased. Carlton lives in Alden township.
Gustaf Gustaveson and Banta, his wife, parents of Mrs. Carl- ton Babbitt, natives of Sweden, came to America in 1880, and located in Freeborn county, where they engaged in farming in Alden township for a number of years, after which they retired and moved to the city of Albert Lea, where Gustaf died in May, 1907, his widow still surviving, and making her home in that city.
Nicholas Theodore Sandburg, now deceased, for many years an honored resident of Freeborn county, was born in Norway (Trondhjem), October 31, 1831, son of Nicholas and Trina Sand- burg, the former of whom was a merchant. Nicholas received his education in his native land, and fitted himself for a clerical position. He and his brother came to America in 1849, and after a short stay in New York located in Milwaukee, where Nicholas learned engineering and worked in the sawmills and on the lakes about two years. In 1851 he went to Illinois, where he engaged in railroad building for three years, subcontracting grading work from different companies, working on the roadbed between var- ious points in Illinois. In 1854 he moved to Decorah, Iowa, and worked at teaming and boating. In the spring of 1858, he came to Minnesota, and for a few months was employed as a miller at the old village of Fairfield, on Rice lake, near where Lerdal is now located. For a number of years he was the only engineer in Freeborn county. A few months after coming to this county he located on section 36, Bancroft township, where he lived for a year. Then he moved to Shell Rock, and engaged in the milling
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
business there for a year and a half. Subsequently he moved back to Bancroft, and located on section 22, where he lived until 1899, when he sold his farm of 320 acres, and moved to Albert Lea, poor health being the cause of his leaving the farm. In October, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Fourth Minnesota Vol- unteer Infantry, and was soon promoted to corporal. He was discharged in 1865 at Savannah, Georgia, and mustered out at Ft. Snelling. Mr. Sandburg never missed a battle or skirmish in which his company participated while he was under arms. He escaped without a wound, but attributed his subsequent poor health to the hardships he endured in the army. He was taken with brain fever at Vicksburg, and came home on a two months' furlough, the only time he was absent from his regiment. After being mustered out he accepted a clerkship in the Frank B. Fobes hardware store in Albert Lea, which position he held for nine years, after which he purchased an interest in the business, the firm name being Fobes Bros. & Co. He was interested in this concern two years. While he worked in Albert Lea, he made his home on his farm, spending his Sundays there. While living on the farm he was a member of the county board, being chairman of that body most of the time. He also served in various town and school offices, and was secretary of the Bancroft Creamery for many years, being one of the organizers of this association. He was a member of Robson Post, No. 5, G. A. R., and was recog- nized as one of Albert Lea's leading citizens. Mr. Sandburg was a staunch Republican, and always voted the straight ticket of that party from the time he was twenty-one until his death. The subject of this sketch was married at Decorah, Iowa, April 27, 1856, to Eliza Larson, daughter of Torger and Anna Larson, who came from Norway to America in 1850, and settled in Winnishiek county, Iowa. Mrs. Sandburg was born in Norway, December 8, 1836. To Mr. and Mrs. Sandburg nine children were born, five of whom are now living. William T. lives in Pine county, Minne- sota. Henrietta is now Mrs. C. F. Budtz, of Minneapolis. Joseph lives in Aberdeen, S. D., and is a traveling salesman. Amelia is an accomplished teacher who has done excellent work in the public schools of Albert Lea for several years, and who, after January 1, 1912, is to be assistant superintendent of Freeborn county schools. Victor lives in Austin, Minn., and is a traveling salesman. The four deceased are: Henry 1st, Mary, Henry 2d, and Norman L. Norman was Freeborn county's only sacrifice to the Spanish-American war. He went south with the Albert Lea company, was brought to St. Paul ill with the typhoid, and died in a hospital in that city. Nicholas T. Sandburg died February 23, 1907.
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