USA > Minnesota > Freeborn County > History of Freeborn County, Minnesota > Part 84
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Orville F, Peck, one of the esteemed residents of Alden town- ship, was born in Jefferson county, New York, January 10, 1834, son of Joseph and Sally (Francis) Peck. In 1855 he came to Win-
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nebago, Wis., where he remained for three years, after which he came to Minnesota and spent a few months in Berlin. He then returned to Winnebago and entered high school. When he had completed his education, Mr. Peck returned to Minnesota and located in Manchester township, where he engaged in farming until the call came for men to defend the Union. He then enlisted in Company F, 4th Regiment, Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. After serving his country for about a year and a half, he was discharged on account of illness and returned to his home in Man- chester. In 1866 he moved to Alden township, secured a farm, and for many years engaged in agricultural pursuits. He now owns a fine, well kept farm in section 9 and is one of the pro- gressive farmers in the township. Mr. Peck married Elizabeth F. Colby, a daughter of the famous pioneer family of that name. They have one child, Frances. Mr. Peck has served in various of- fices in this and Faribault county, having been town chairman, town treasurer and justice of the peace. He is a member of the G. A. R. and has been quartermaster in the Alden post for the past 25 years. Acting with good judgment and impartiality in all matters, it can be truly said that Mr. Peck is highly respected by his fellow men.
H. L. Schmidt, one of the leading citizens of Alden township, is now town chairman and has held this office for two successive terms. He has also served as justice of the peace for two years and has for a long time been an active member of the school board. As secretary of the Walters Creamery he has given gen- eral satisfaction and has been elected to this office for the past ten years. He was born in Germany September 22, 1854, son of Christian and Louisa (Stubble) Schmidt, and received his educa- tion in the schools of his native land. He left his old home and sailed for America in 1879, and landed in this country June 6. He then came directly west, first locating in Owatonna, where he remained for three months, after which he moved to Alden township and located on the Dodd farm. For three years he made his home on this farm and then moved to another farm in section 16. In 1885 he purchased the farm on which he resides at the present time. Mr. Schmidt was married to Maleda Math- wig in 1879, a native of Germany, and they are the parents of the following : Ida, the wife of Lars Olson; Emma Elfrida, now Mrs. Harold Dunbar; Herman, Laura and Melvin. The family faith is that of the Evangelical Lutheran church, and Mr. Schmidt has the honor of having been a trustee in this church for the past twenty-five years.
Heman Blackmer, for nearly twenty-four years judge of pro- hate for Freeborn county, was born in Amhurst, Loraine county, Ohio, January 3, 1850, son of Franklin and Minerva (Wilkins)
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Blackmer. He came to Minnesota with his parents in 1857, and with them located near what is still called Blackmer's Bridge, in Albert Lea. After attending the district schools, he went to Oberlin (Ohio) College, and stayed there six years as a student- teacher. Then he took a law course in Madison, Wis., which he completed in 1873. After a year spent in Osborne, Kan., he came to Albert Lea in 1874 and established a law practice in which he is still engaged. He is now a member of the city charter commission. Judge Blackmer is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and of the I. O. O. F. The subject of this sketch was married in 1873 to Ellen Webster, daughter of James and Mary Webster. To this union three daughters were born. Nevada is the wife of Austin Johnson, a draftsman for the United States Steel Com- pany, located at Two Harbors, Minn. Adelaide lives at home and assists her father in the office. Mae is the wife of Joseph O. Ostby, an electrician. Mrs. Ellen Webster Blackmer died in May, 1904. In 1905 Judge Blackmer married Ella Huyck, daughter of Anthony and Emily (Colby) Huyck, early settlers of Houston county, this state. The Blackmer residence is pleasantly located on the Lake Shore boulevard. At one time Mr. Blackmer was court commissioner, and he has also served as city justice.
Dr. W. A. Bessesen, a popular physician, was born on a farm in Freeborn county, five miles south of Albert Lea, son of John and Delia Bessesen. When W. A. was two years of age the family removed to Albert Lea, and that city has been the parental home ever since, John Bessesen being a leading jeweler. W. A. Bes- sesen received his early education in the Albert Lea graded schools, and graduated from the high school at an early age. En- tering the University of Minnesota directly upon the completion of the high school course, he finished a thorough educational course and graduated in 1902, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. After leaving the university he did postgraduate work at Northwestern University, and here received his Master's degree. With this foundation for his professional course, he entered the Northwestern University Medical College, of Chicago, from which he graduated in 1905. For special research work in connection with his medical studies, he received the degree of Master of Science. A series of studies in eastern colleges and hospitals was pursued as a finishing course. After graduation Dr. Bessesen was hospital physician at St. John's Hospital, at Fargo, N. D., for a period of eight months, after which he accepted the position of hospital surgeon with the Mayo Brothers, in St. Mary's Hos- pital, at Rochester, Minn. In November, 1906, he removed to Albert Lea and took up the general practice of medicine and surgery. Dr. Bessesen received his license to practice from the state board of Illinois in 1905, from North Dakota state board in
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January, 1906, and from the Minnesota state board in June of the same year. In July, 1905, he presented a valuable thesis on "The Development of the Chest," at the national convention of the American Medical Association, held at Portland, Ore. For the past two years Dr. Bessesen has faithfully served as chair- man of the city board of health. He is a member of the Free- born County Medical, the Minnesota State Medical, and the American Medical Associations. He holds the position of local surgeon for the M. & St. L. railroad. In politics he is a progres- sive Republican. He is a member of the Commercial Club of Albert Lea. and is affiliated with the Trinity Evangelical church, where he has been superintendent of the Sunday school for four years.
Howard H. Dunn, the distinguished speaker of the Minne- sota house of representatives, has taken his share in the history of the state as well as in the life of the county. He is a clear and forceful reasoner, a strong power at the bar, and a skilled parliamentarian, as well as a man of high character and just principles. Mr. Dunn was born in this state. October 29, 1867, being a native of Jackson county. In that county he received hiis common school education, and there he spent his early man- hood on a farm. Later he entered the law offices of T. J. Knox, in Jackson, Minn., in 1887, being admitted to practice before the bar in 1890. As a young lawyer he opened an office in Jackson, but two years later went to Fairmont, in this state, where he prac- ticed six years. Then he came to Albert Lea and established a law practice. In 1905 he formed a partnership with Judge John A. Lovely. After the death of Judge Lovely he formed a partnership with H. C. Carlson, and with him still continues in practice. Mr. Dunn has never sought political life, but his public career has been an active and successful one. He served as city attorney of Fairmont for two years and in 1896 was induced by his friends to become a candidate for the senate from the district including Martin and Watonwan counties. To this office he was elected and served with credit in the senate of 1897. After com- ing to Albert Lea he was made mayor, and his term gave such general satisfaction that he was re-elected at the following elec- tion witheut opposition. In 1910 he became a candidate for the position of representative from Freeborn county in the lower house of the Minnesota legislature, and being elected by a large majority, duly took his seat in the session of 1911, being at once chosen to the chair of that body. Mr. Dunn has taken an active interest in business life and is now vice-president of the Freeborn County State Bank, of Albert Lea. Fraternally he is both promi- ment and popular. being a member of Western Star Lodge, No. 26. A. F. & A. M .: Albert Lea Chapter, No. 30, R. A. M., and
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MR. AND MRS. S. L. DAVIDSON
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Apollo Commandery, No. 12, K. T .; Osman Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of St. Paul, and Albert Lea Lodge, No. 813, B. P. O. E. The portrait of Mr. Dunn which appears in this history was made by a photographer who took Speaker Dunn unawares while he was sitting in the speaker's room at the capitol at St. Paul, ex- amining a bill which had just been received for introduction from a member of the house. James W. Dunn and Elizabeth M. Dunn, his wife, parents of Howard H. Dunn, were born in Maine and Virginia, respectively. James W. Dunn went to Virginia in the early days and was there married. At the close of the Civil War they came to Minnesota and took up their residence in Jack- son county. There James W. farmed and taught school until his death in 1890. Elizabeth M. Dunn, nee Seeley, died four years later. They had five children: Helen A., Marshall B., Arthur W., Sherman J. and Howard H. It is worthy of note that though James W. Dunn lived in Virginia, he was a strong Abolitionist, and was one of the first members of the Republican party when that body was in its infancy.
Sever L. Davidson, a native of Norway, was born October 17, 1858, son of Lars and Guri Davidson, who brought their son to the United States, settling in Iowa. In 1866 they moved on their homestead of 160 acres in Mansfield township, this county, which they had taken in 1865. The father died in 1897 and the mother in 1898. The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools of Iowa and Minnesota 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 from them. He now owns 280 acres in section 35; town of Mansfield, and also 60 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. Lars died at eighteen years of age; Martha, Gertie, Andrew and David live at home. On April 17 Mr. Davidson 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 and supervisor three years. He owns stock in the Union Creamery at Emmons, and is a director in the First National Bank of Emmons, as well as in the Farmers' Lumber Company, of that village.
Gullick A. Hauge, a valiant soldier of the Civil War, and for some three decades a wagon-maker in the city of Albert Lea, was born in Norway, December 19, 1840, son of Andrew and Ingeborg (Quale) Hauge, who in 1850 brought their family to America and located in Wisconsin. There the father died, but the mother,
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with courage and fortitude, set about to make her way in the world for herself and her family. In 1851 she took her family to Winnishiek county, Iowa, and there Gullick, when grown to sufficient stature and years, learned the blacksmith trade, work- ing for John Emmons at Decorah, in that state and county. Octo- ber 16, 1861, he enlisted at Decorah in Company G, 12th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, being later promoted to corporal. At the expiration of his term of enlistment he re-enlisted as a veteran in the same company and regiment, subsequently serving until the close of the war and receiving his discharge at Memphis, Tenn., January 18, 1866. He served in many battles, skirmishes and campaigns, and at the battle of Pittsburg Landing was cap- tured by the Confederates, being held as a prisoner at Macon, Ga., for a period of two months. After his discharge and muster out he returned to Winnishiek county, and followed his trade there two years. Later he moved to Osage in the same state. In 1870 he came.to Freeborn county and located on a farm of 160 acres in Bancroft township, which he had purchased in 1866. This land he developed in many ways, and lived thereon until 1875, when he moved to Albert Lea and purchased a blacksmith business. This and the wagon-making business he conducted for thirty years, and then retired. In 1910 he went to Montana, purchased 280 acres of land, made the improvements, and then came back to Albert Lea, renting the Montana farm. He now lives in a pleasant home at 316 West College street, in the city of Albert Lea, and owns a quarter of a block of city property. He is a Republican in politics and belongs to the Norwegian Lutheran church. The subject of this sketch was married, December 30, 1868, to Nellie Langen, who was born in Norway, April 4, 1845, and died in Freeborn county in April, 1879, leaving two children, Ida and Trombert, both now residents of Glasgow, Mont., Ida being married to James Wedum and Trombert to Margaret Hughes. December 20, 1880, Mr. Hauge married Olena Rood, who was born in Lafayette county, Wisconsin, October 3, 1853. This union has been blessed with three children: Lillian, wife of Carl Ackerman ; John O. and Adolph G. Lillian and John O. live in Glasgow, Mont., the latter being married to Helen Adams.
H. G. Gay, the genial merchant at Geneva, is one of the popu- lar men in that village. He first saw the light of day in Chicago, Ill., April 25, 1874, and was brought to Geneva by his parents, George and Louise (Morgan) Gay, when he was four years old. He received his early education in the public school at Geneva and, after completing his schooling, was employed three years as an engineer. During these three years he spent his evenings and all spare time in studying, hoping to fit himself for the jewelry business. That his efforts were successful is shown by the fact
MR. AND MRS. GULLICK A. HAUGE
HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
that he eventually gave up his position as engineer and bought à store and established a general merchandise business, making a specialty of his jewelry department. He married Rachel Iwing, daughter of Philip and Mary Iwing, in 1901, and one child, Eva A., has been born to them. Mr. Gay has been treasurer of Geneva, at intervals, for six years, in which office he has given great satisfaction. He is a prominent member of the Methodist church and also a liberal contributor to its support.
George Gay, retired farmer of Geneva village, was born in Bristol, England, December 5, 1848, son of Henry and Mary Ann (Tucker) Gay, who spent the span of their years in the old country. George received his education in his native city and then worked seven years at the building trades. In 1869 he came to the United States, and after living a year in Rochester, N. Y., came to Milwaukee. Later he returned to his native city and in 1872 married Louise Morgan. With her he returned to the United States and located in Chicago, being employed in that city three years, and in the meantime purchasing a lot and erecting a house on LaSalle street. Later he came to Geneva township and ac- quired land which he later traded for another tract, where he erected a home and other buildings and followed farming until about 1900, when he retired, purchased two lots in the village of Geneva, erected a house, and there makes his home. He is a Republican and has served in numerous offices. In his family are three children : Henry G. lives in Geneva village, Emily L. mar- ried Charles Farr, of Geneva township, and Ada L. lives at home.
J. P. Hoidal, a representative farmer of Bancroft township, was born in Norway, December 29, 1845. He received his educa- tion in the schools of his native country and came to America with his parents, P. J. and Carrie L. (Quam) Hoidal in 1867. After their arrival in this country the family came directly to Freeborn county and settled in Riceland township. Here the father acquired some land and carried on farming interests. They made their home in a dugout and underwent many priva- tions incident to pioneer life. The father passed away in 1900 and the mother some years prior to this time. They were the parents of nine children : J. P., Thomas, Carrie and Martha are living and John, Raagnald, Gertrude, Annie and Rogine are dead. J. P., the subject of this sketch, owns a fine farm of 160 acres, of which about 100 acres are under cultivation, the re- mainder is in pasture, meadow and timber. He is engaged in gen- eral and dairy farming and is an industrious and law abiding citizen. He and Emma D. Mikkelson were united in wedlock May 30, 1871, and to this marriage three children were born: Bennett is in Albert Lea, engaged in the farm implement busi- ness, Joseph C. is a real estate man in Minneapolis, Theodore,
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now deceased, was a manufacturer in Minneapolis, whose death occurred June 21, 1910. Mr. Hoidal is a stockholder in the Ban- croft Creamery and has been a director, manager and president. Hle attends divine worship at the church of the Central Freeborn Congregation, and his political views are those advanced by the Republican party. His numerous duties on the farm have left no time for him to seek public office, and he owes to years of honest endeavor and tireless labor his present comfortable home and surroundings. He is a self-made man, who often relates the story of his early struggles, saying that at one time he drove an ox team breaking land, for which work he received five or six dollars per acre. Mrs. Hoidal, whose maiden name was Emma Mikkelson, was born September 19, 1854, daughter of Christopher and Johannah (Sandsness) Mikkelson, the pioneers. They came to America in 1852, located in Dubuque, Iowa, and in October, 1855, came to Freeborn county and located on the land now owned by Mr. Hoidal. They cleared the land and continued to carry on general farming, the father dying December 6, 1885, and the mother February 16, 1892. This union was blessed with four children : Emma D., now Mrs. J. P. Hoidal; Clara H., de- ceased ; Millie L., deceased, and Carl B., who died at eight months.
A. G. Hall, who is a native of the Empire state, was born August 16, 1824, son of Benjamin and Dollie (Currier) Hall, also natives of Clinton county, New York, where they ended their days. The family has always been in the front rank of progress and ready to give military service for what they believed to be right. The grandfather of A. G. was a member of the Continental army in the Revolutionary war, and his father assisted in making good the victory which the colonies gained when opportunity offered in the war of 1812. He took part in the battle of Platts- burg. The subject of this biography received his education in New York state, and after leaving school worked on the farm and also learned the millwright and carpenter trades. These trades he followed until he came to Freeborn county in May, 1865. He here bought land in Alden township, in section 1, and engaged in farming. He was one of the first home builders in the township, and in this as well as in assisting his neighbors, his trades learned and followed in the East served to give the pio- neers better houses than would otherwise have been possible. In 1870 he established the first general store in the village of Alden, and this business has been successful since, even to the present time. While in New York state and at the age of 24 years he married Abigal Goodsell, who died February 27, 1900, two years after their golden wedding anniversary. To them were born seven children. Carrie E., Franklin, Monroe, William W. and an infant are dead. Mahala married William Welch, of Stewart-
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ville, Minn. Benjamin F. married Minnie Emerson, and conducts the store started by his father. Since fifteen years of age Mr. Hall has been a consistent and faithful worker in the Free Baptist church, a member of the Winnebago congregation. He has been trustee in the Parker College of Winnebago over 25 years, and has missed but one meeting, that absence being caused by severe illness. He was a delegate at the Free Baptist con- vention at Harper's Ferry in 1901. In the days before the or- ganization of the Republican party the subject of this biography voted the Abolitionist ticket, but from the formation of the Re- publican party he has staunchly stood for its principles. By his party, with the help of personal admirers, he has been elected to every town office at least once, and to the school board and vil- lage council. He drew the petition which made possible the or- ganization of Alden township. He is a strong worker for the public schools and the present enviable place which the Alden schools occupy in the county and state was gained largely through the wise guidance and constant support which Mr. Hall has given them. With his many religious, civic, political and business interests he has not allowed the social side of his charac- ter to be neglected but has demonstrated his belief in "Friend- ship, Love and Truth," by being an active member of the I. O. O. F. In a work of this character it is impossible to adequately tell of the long life of activity and good works which such a man as the subject of this sketch truly deserves. But suffice it to say that his many kind deeds are so written on the hearts of his friends that any attempt to put their thoughts in written lan- guage will appear poor and weak.
Lucius Gibbs, a respected resident of Geneva township, was born in Pennsylvania February 17, 1831, son of Eli and Caroline (Atwood) Gibbs. His parents were native of New England. The father conducted a store at Bradford, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, and later engaged in the lumber business. Lucius, the subject of this biography, attended the public schools in that state and later finished his education in an academy in New York state. He then engaged in farming in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, until 1862, when he went to Chicago where he remained but a short time and then decided to come farther west. He went to Nebraska, where he met his brother and together they went to the Dakotas, returning shortly to Albert Lea, the former home of this brother. Here he purchased a farm, but owing to the hard times prevalent through the country he went back to Illinois and was in charge of a large herd of cattle. From Illinois he went to Montana and for about three years worked in the mines, after which he returned to his old home in Pennsylvania. Here he was married to Mary Maynard,
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January 15. 1865, and with his bride came to Minnesota, and settled on 160 acres of land which he had purchased in Geneva. Here he made many improvements, erected buildings and carries on general farming. To Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs have been born five children: Lester, living in Austin; Carrie, now Mrs. Allis, of Geneva : William, residing on the old homestead; Stephen and John H .. deceased. Mr. Gibbs cleared and broke the land on liis farm and has made all improvements on his place and keeps about 100 acres under cultivation. Forty acres of his farm are in the village limits of Geneva, and the remainder borders on that village. For several years, Mr. Gibbs was assessor of the township and also supervisor and in both offices won the esteem of his townsmen. He is a member of the Republican party, and a man loyal to his convictions, in whose veins flows the blood of the defenders of our country. That his grandfather fought in the Revolutionary War is a fact of which Mr. Gibbs is justly proud. Mrs. Gibbs, whose maiden name was Mary Maynard. was born April 25. 1837, daughter of William E. and Nancy May- nard. natives respectively of Vermont and Pennsylvania. She received an academy education and taught school fifteen terms before her marriage.
Amander H. Bartlett, pioneer of Shell Rock. now deceased. was born in New York. September 28, 1829. He attended school in New York. and when but sixteen years of age began teaching. Later he entered the Arcade Academy, where he remained for two years. In 1852. he made an overland trip to California. which consumed a period of 117 days. He spent two years there. after which he returned to New York, but soon left his home state and came west to Iowa. In 1856, Mr. Bartlett came to Minnesota and located at Glenville and purchased land of J. W. Smith. Some time later in company with Messrs. Elsworth and Phillips. he laid out and platted Shell Rock city, now Glenville. Having previously taken up the study of law. Mr. Bartlett fol- lowed this profession for a short time in this county, after which he engaged in other occupations. He erected the first steam saw mill in the township, and operated it for two years, and he also dealt in real estate. During the Civil War, he was provost marshal. and after the close of the struggle, he went to Albert Lea and engaged in the farm implement business. In 1857, Mr. Bartlett was delegate to the last Territorial Legislature, and also the first State Legislature, and he held the office of probate judge for several terms. He married Ann D. Peet, of New York, and to them were born four children of whom Samuel C. is at home with the mother; Ida married Moses Lemons. of North Dakota; Jay is a prosperous hardware merchant of Glenville. Eva is the wife of Charles R. Beattie. of Glenville. Mr. Bart-
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