History of Freeborn County, Minnesota, Part 87

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn. 4n
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago : H. C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1220

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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

home place. Mr. Seath votes as he deems best, and has never sought political preferment. He married Lucy Challis, daughter of Seth Challis, a native of Vermont, and their union has been blessed with nine children: Bercy E., Lura E., Sidney . H., Ira C., Ada L., Clarence E., Manferd W., Dwight M. and Fern, the latter of whom is dead. The family are members of the Congre- gational Church at Freeborn village. Mr. Seath affiliates with the Modern Woodmen of America.

George A. Seath is a prosperous and substantial farmer in Freeborn township, where he has ever labored for the best inter- ests of the community. He is a believer in progress in agricul- tural endeavor, and pursues this vocation along the latest approved lines. George A. Seath is a native of Freeborn county, born in Freeborn township February 4, 1867, son of George and Phoebe (Larrabee) Seath. He attended the district schools and received a good education which he has supplemented with wide reading. He started farming as a boy and has since continued this occupation, having a fine tract of 240 acres in section 21, Freeborn township. He has a comfortable home, and his barns and outbuildings are models of comfort and convenience. The subject of this sketch was married November 28, 1895, to Reeca Peterson, who has proven a most able and intelligent helpmate in all his undertakings. Three children, Leslie A., Myron G. and Russell W. have blessed their home. Mr. Seath is greatly interested in education and is doing good service as treasurer of School District No. 101.

Rev. Paul G. Ostby, venerable pastor and teacher, is a native of Norway, born August 12, 1836, son of Gjermund and Inger (Johnson) Ostby. His father died while Paul G. was an infant and his mother died in 1893 at the advanced age of ninety-three years. Paul G. came to the United States in 1868, after receiv- ing an education equal to the full course of our normal schools of today. On arrival he at once entered the Theological Sem- inary at Paxton, Ill., which, during his time as a student there, was moved to Marshall, Wis., and it was there that he completed the course in that institution. On January 6, 1871, he was ordained, and for one year was assistant to Rev. C. L. Clausen, of St. Ansgar, Iowa, who had more than he could attend to in church work. Rev. Ostby took up the work of the then small `parishes of Austin, Red Oak Grove, Blooming Prairie and Little Cedar at Adams. This work he performed with such excellent results that he was given this district as his own work and had full charge till 1877, when he was called to the work of southern Freeborn county and northern Iowa, where he is still serving a very large and appreciative congregation. When he first took up this work he had congregations at Lake Mills and Lime

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Creek. Not satisfied with only continuing the work already begun he assembled and successfully ministered to congrega- tions at Emmons and Bethel, as well as other points, which have grown to substantial churches. He now conducts the congre- gations at Emmons, Bethel and his largest one at Lime Creek. He was for seventeen years "visatator" or presiding elder in the Northern Iowa district, visiting sixty congregations and twenty-four ministers in performing the duties of that posi- tion. Aside from his work as a minister he is a man of business and affairs. He has a farm of 160 acres in section 35, Mansfield, where he follows general and dairy farming. On December 1, 1871, he married Goro Thornby, who died January 10, 1908. To this union were born nine children. Six are living: George, of Forest City, Iowa; Bernhard, of Minneapolis; Paul, at home ; Selmer, of St. Paul; James, of Seattle; Otto, of Minneapolis. On July 14, 1909, the subject of this biography married Ranvei Morkve, of Mansfield. Rev. Ostby is held in the highest respect by his congregations and all others of his community, and is loved not more as a minister than as a friend and neighbor.

Ole I. Opdahl, the most extensive landowner in Freeborn county, was born in Norway on January 5, 1852, son of Iver and Ingeborg (Goden) Opdahl, who came to America in 1864, bring- ing with them their son, Ole. They located first in Wisconsin, where they remained for only six weeks, after which they came to Minnesota and settled in Nunda township, where they home- steaded land in sections 19 and 30 and engaged in agricultural pursuits for the remainder of their lives, the wife and mother passing away on October 10, 1890, and the father on June 15, 1897. Ole, the subject of this biography, was twelve years of age when he came to this country, and he remained at home with his father on the farm in Nunda until he became twenty- two years old, at which time he purchased 160 acres in section 11, Mansfield township. Here he made many improvements, erected good buildings, carefully cultivated the soil, planted crops and carried on general farming. As he grew more pros- perous, he bought more land and at the present time, he owns 1,540 acres in this county, all of which are in one farm, with the exception of 160 acres. Mr. Opdahl also owns 960 acres in Polk county, this state, which is well improved and which he rents. Mr. Opdahl has ever been a staunch Republican and he has been elected to serve in some of the responsible public offices in the county and state. From 1903 until 1905 he served in the lower house of the Minnesota legislature, and he has been elected from the Fifth district to serve as county commis- sioner for eight years. Among other public offices which he has held are supervisor, treasurer and chairman of the town,

MR. AND MRS. OLE I. OPDAHL

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IVER SORLIE AND FAMILY

Ké

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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

and for thirty-two years he has been school treasurer. He is a stockholder and director of Citizens National Bank of Albert Lea, and president of and owner of one-third interest in the Walker Milling and Electric Light Co. of Alden. On September 22, 1874 Mr. Opdahl married Betsy Davidson. She was born in Norway on February 14, 1853, daughter of Lars and Guri (Tveit) Davidson, who came to America in 1862 and were among the early settlers in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Opdahl became the parents of thirteen children: . Lewis O. resides in Mansfield township; Ingeborg is the wife of Albert Monson, a contractor of Chicago; Guri is the wife of Sever Bidne, of Mansfield; Iver and David are at home; Anna married Anstein Laugen, of Mans- field; Martha is at home; Nora married Selmar Bye, of Winne- bago county, Iowa; Olena is the wife of Gilbert Olson, of Polk county, Minn .; Oscar, Henry, Brita and Albert are at home. The wife and devoted mother died on April 13, 1900. The family faith is that of the Lutheran Church.

Louis O. Opdahl, native of Freeborn county, was born Sep- tember 21, 1874, the son of Ole I. Opdahl. Louis O. attended the country schools and later Luther Academy in Albert Lea. In 1899 he went to Polk county, where he rented land and farmed for four years. On returning from Polk county he began work- ing his 178-acre farm in section 14, where he still resides. He now rents 220 acres of land in addition to his own farm and carries on general farming and stock raising. On September 30, 1899, he married Mary Vinge, and to them have been born seven children, two of whom died in infancy. The living are Britha, Alvin, Walter, Henry and Harry. Britha and Alvin. attend school and are doing well with their studies. Mr. Opdahl is a member of the Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Republican.

Iver Sorlie, respected and substantial citizen of Hartland, and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Norway July 25, 1835, son of Jacob and Kari (Crippen) Sorlie. He received his educa- tion in Norway and came to America in 1853, locating in Wis- : consin for a short time. In 1859 he came to Minnesota and located in Hartland township, where he bought 160 acres in section 25. This land he broke and developed, building first a log house, and later replacing this with a comfortable frame house, and the necessary farm buildings. With the years he prospered and added 160 acres in section 18, Bath township, making in all a fine farm of 320 acres, on which he still con- ducts general farming and where he has raised his splendid family of children. Mr. Sorlie has spent his life on a farm with the exception of the years of the Civil War. January 1, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, Fifteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infan-

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try as a private. He was wounded in the left limb at the battle of Murfreesboro and was captured after lying three days on the battlefield, unable to move. He was first sent to the hos- pital at Nashville, and then transferred to the hospital at New Albany, Ind., being three months in each hospital. He was dis- charged for disability at Louisville, Ky., and then returned to Hartland, where he has since lived. Mr. Sorlie is a Republican in politics, and served as town supervisor several years, being also school director for a long term. He was married September 26, 1859, to Mary Olson, born in Norway February 4, 1841, daughter of Ole Christiansen and Gunhild Peterson. This union has been blessed with thirteen children. Each member of this family living is respected and honored, and many of the chil- dren have attained more than usual prominence in the com- munities where they have made their homes. Ingar lives in Churches Ferry, N. D .; Oscar lives in Buckston, N. D .; Volborg married Andrew Lergerg and lives at Ellendale, Minn .; Arthur lives in Grand Forks, N. D .; Victor resides in Hartland town- ship; Carl lives in Grand Forks, N. D .; Wilhelm is at home; Jacob is a merchant in Hartland village; Esther is the wife of Selmer Anderson, who is a merchant in Hartland village with Jacob Sorlie; Josephine, Oscar, Caroline and Louisa are dead. The parents of Iver Sorlie came to America from Norway in 1868 and spent the remainder of their lives farming in Iowa. The parents of Mrs. Sorlie came to America from Norway with their family in 1854 and lived a time at Decorah, Iowa. Two years later the mother died and the father went to Pike's Peak, Col., where he died.

L. H. Rasmusson, who came to this country from Norway with his parents when but two years of age, was born August 21, 1867, son of Ellen and Henry Rasmusson, who settled in Winnebago county, Iowa, where they both passed away. Here their son, L. H., grew to manhood and received his education in the common schools. When sixteen year of age he began working out, and in 1893 he bought 280 acres of land in section 36, in Mansfield township. He has here followed general farm- ing and has a fine comfortable home. In May, 1893, he married Julia Kuntson, of Mansfield township, and to them have been born seven children: Helmer, Eddie, Carl, Theodore, Oscar, Antono and Louis. Mr. Rasmusson is a member of the Lime Creek Lutheran Church. He votes with the Republican party and has been a member of the school board in District 86 for thirteen years. Mr. Rasmusson has tiled and otherwise improved his land, bringing nearly, every fertile acre under cultivation, and now is enjoying the fruits of his labor and farsightedness. Ile is a stockholder in the Union Creamery of Emmons. Mr.

JORGEN P. SKOV AND FAMILY

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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

Rasmusson has five brothers and two sisters: Rasmus, of North Dakota ; Henry, of Lake Milis, Iowa; Nick, of Winnebago county, Iowa ; John, who lives with L. H. in Mansfield township ; Andrew, of Lake Mills, Iowa; Mary, wife of J. Thompson, of Searville, Iowa, and Anne, the wife of Axle Jenson, of La Sueur, Minn.

Hellick Knutson (Helle) and his wife, Christie, came to America from Norway in 1855, and in 1858 came to Freeborn county and settled in section 36, Mansfield, on the farm where their son-in-law, L. H. Rasmusson, now lives. They secured 240 acres of land which they broke and developed and brought to a good stage of cultivation. There he carried on general farm- ing until his death, Oct. 27, 1884. His wife is still living at the age of eighty-six years, making her home on the old place with L. H. Rasmusson. They had eight children. Three are living: Emma, wife of John Berg, of Winnebago county, Iowa; Julia, now Mrs. L. H. Rasmusson, of Mansfield township, and Rachael, now Mrs. N. Rasmusson, of Winnebago county, Iowa. The deceased are Knute, Thor, Ole, Anna and Maria.

J. P. Skov is one of the estimable citizens of Carlston town- ship, and has assisted in its growth and progress. He is an active church member, possessing intelligence and good sense to an unusual degree, thus making his opinions on all questions highly valued by those who seek his advice. He was born in Denmark July 22, 1855, and in 1882 he came to America with his parents, locating one summer at Alden. The next year he and his brother purchased a farm in section 17, Carlston town- ship, and lived on it about thirteen years. Then they disposed of it, and J. P. secured land in sections 23 and 24 in the same township. Mr. Skov has one of the finest farms in Freeborn county. Its 280 acres, of which 174 are under cultivation, with its comfortable and pleasant home and spacious barns and sheds for the cattle and grain are an index both of his prosperity and progress, and of his hard work and scientific methods. Mr. Skov has seen much public life. He has been supervisor of his town and is now clerk of the school board of his district. Hc has been president, secretary and clerk of the Carlston Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church, and has done much to promote the growth of that congregation. He is also a stockholder in the Alden Creamery. By his first wife, Margaret Olson, he has one son, Laurits Walter, who was born March 9, 1885, and lives in Chicago. After the death of his first wife he married Anna Barner, who was born in Denmark April 4, 1888. This union has been blessed with nine children: Axel T., born February 7, 1889; Clara, born September 5, 1890; Emma, born April 26, 1892; Jorgen P., born September 20, 1894; Anna, born April 19, 1896; Sophie, born May 17, 1898; Sigurd, born November

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14, 1900; Harold, born March 11, 1903, and Dagmar, born July 3, 1906.

A. T. Schoen, an extensive land owner and farmer in Free- born township, is a native of Prescott, Pierce county, Wiscon- sin, having been born there June 17, 1863, son of John and Caroline (Herald) Schoen, whose sketch appears elsewhere. A. T. Schoen was reared on his father's farm in this county and went to school in the district near his old home. He married Lynda Scott, a daughter of L. T. and Marion (Purdie) Scott, and their marriage was blessed with four children: Lawrence T., Royal L., Marian D., and Clare S. Mr. Schoen has lived on his present farm for the past seventeen years, and it is one of the landmarks in that locality. The farm comprises 320 acres in sections 33 and 34 and is well kept and yields great and valuable crops under the careful cultivation given it. Mr. Schoen is a member of the M. W. A., and also the R. N. A., and he is one of the prominent and foremost citizens in the town- ship. He has served as treasurer of his school district and is a stockholder in the Freeborn creamery and in the First State Bank of Freeborn. Within the past year Mr. Schoen has pur- chased a residence at Wells, in Faribault county, and moved his family there, to better educate his children. He still con- ducts his farm, going to and from Wells every week.

Anders Pedersen, an esteemed farmer residing in Carlson township, was born in Denmark October 27, 1839, son of Peder Andersen and Anna Bentsen, his wife, who passed their years in their native land. Anders, the subject of this sketch, acquired his education in the Denmark schools, and in that country he spent his boyhood. In 1869 he left his old home and came to America. Upon his arrival in the United States, he proceeded west to Minnesota, where he purchased 80 acres in section 1, Carlston township. Mr. Pedersen here erected a shanty twelve by sixteen feet, broke the land, planted crops and engaged in agricultural pursuits. As he toiled and grew more prosperous he added to his possessions until he became the owner of 210 acres, all in Carlston. Mr. Pedersen carried on general farm- ing for many years, and in 1896 gave his farm to his son, and now lives a retired life on the old home place. Politically he votes independently, and that he has the confidence of the residents of the community has been proven by the various responsible public offices which they have elected him to occupy, among which are assessor, member of the town board, also road overseer for many years. He is a stockholder in the Hartland State Bank. In 1869 Mr. Pedersen married Bodie K. Jensen, who was born in Denmark on May 22, 1841. To Mr. and Mrs. Pedersen two children were born: Jens now conducts the home

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farm; Harold married Louise Hunte and resides in Colorado, having two children, George and Helen A. Mrs. Pedersen, the estimable wife and devoted mother, entered into rest on Novem- ber 30, 1897. The family faith is that of the Danish Lutheran church, of which organization Mr. Pedersen has long been a respected member.

William Pilgrim, a retired farmer residing in the village of Oakland, was born in England May 9, 1833, and came to America with his parents in 1837, landing at Quebec. They located in Montreal, where the father for many years worked at his trade as a stone mason. When William was thirteen years old he was "bound out" for five years to learn the stone mason's trade. He completed his apprenticeship and secured some land and engaged in farming, together with his work as a mason. In 1863 he enlisted in Company H, Twenty-ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and went south to Louisiana, where he joined his regiment. June 20, 1865, he was transferred to Company C, Fourteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. For some time he was in the barracks in New Orleans, and later was in the following battles: Sabine Crossing, Pleasant Hill, Cane River, Yellow Bayou, Morganza Bend, and later at the fall of Mobile. He was honorably discharged at Madison, Wis., and mustered out of service October 2, 1865. Then he returned to Wisconsin, where he remained a short time, and. in 1865, came to Minne- sota and located in the township of Oakland. He purchased 160 acres of land in Oakland township, section 16, and for some time carried on agricultural pursuits. He some years later sold this property and purchased forty acres in Moscow township. Some years ago he sold this land and purchased his present home in Oakland village. On April 8, 1860, at Beaver Dam, Wis., he married Mary Jane Lightly and this marriage was blessed by the birth of six children : Mary E., Fred E., Louis N., Laura, Minnie, and an unnamed infant. Of the two living Laura mar- ried George Torrence, of Oakland, and Minnie married J. T. Bennett, of Moscow. Mr. Pilgrim is a Republican and is proud of the fact that he voted for John C. Fremont. He is a member of the G. A. R., and has been justice of the peace sixteen years and constable in Oakland township twenty years.

O. R. Petersen is one of the foremost residents of Carlston township. He was born in Denmark July 14, 1857, and came to America with his parents eleven years later. These worthy people located in Carlston, where the father bought a farm and established a home for himself and family. O. R., the son, grew to manhood here, received his schooling in district 15 and helped his father with the farm work. When he reached his majority he left the old home and went to South Dakota, where he secured

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employment and remained for nine years. He then returned to Carlston and bought a farm of eighty acres in section 4, built a comfortable home, planted trees and made many other improve- ments, and here he successfully engages in farming at the present. Mr. Petersen has held many of the prominent offices in the township, among which are supervisor of the township and member of the school board many years. He has also given excellent service in minor offices in the township. He married Mathea Gulbrandson, and this marriage has resulted in four children : Julia, Walter, Emma and Ida. Mr. Petersen is a Republican in politics, and worships at the Norwegian Lutheran Church. He belongs to the Danish Brotherhood at Alden and the M. W. A. at Freeborn and is a stockholder in the Freeborn creamery. Mrs. Petersen was born in Norway November 23, 1860, daughter of Gulbrand and Martha (Erickson) Gulbrand- son, early settlers of Carlston township, where the former still lives, the latter being dead.

Henry Stiehl, one of the prosperous farmers of Pickerel Lake township, was born in Germany October 29, 1850. When he was seventeen years of age he came to the United States with his sister, now Mrs. Mary Rasmussen. They proceeded west to Minnesota and were for a short time located in Albert Lea, after which they went to Pickerel Lake and secured employ- ment with different residents of that township. Three years after his arrival in this country Mr. Stiehl sent back to Ger- many for his brothers, Louis and Christ. In 1872 his parents, Christ and Mary (Scheaffer) Stiehl, born January 18, 1823, and February, 1826, respectively, came to America with the rest of the family and rented the Morin farm for two years. Here they engaged in general farming. Later they moved to the Anthony Huyck farm and subsequently the family moved to the farm which the son, Henry, purchased, and on which is his home at the present time. The father entered into rest April 28, 1901, and the mother eight years later, May 7, 1909. Mr. Stiehl owns 200 acres of land and engages in diversified farming. He has made many improvements on his land and erected the . substantial buildings which are not only commodious but pleas- ing in appearance. He married Caroline Schneider and they are the parents of the following: Edward is a farmer of Pick- erel Lake township; Louisa is the wife of George Schmidt, of Mansfield; Ella married Martin Springer, a merchant of Con- ger ; Carrie married Fred Pestorious, a blacksmith ; Anna, Henry F. and Esther are living at home. Mr. Stiehl has been elected to serve in various offices of trust in his township and his actions as treasurer of the school district and as member of the board of supervisors of the town have shown him to be the possessor

MR. AND MRS. HENRY STIEHL

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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

of sound sense and keen judgment. He is a member of the Ger- man Lutheran Church of Pickerel Lake, to the support of which he has ever contributed generously.

Mr. Stiehl is a staunch Republican in politics. He is a stock- holder and director in the First National Bank of Alden and in the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company of Manchester. He is also a stockholder in the Conger Creamery and has been a director for several years. The Conger Creamery building at present is the third one erected, and Mr. Stiehl has been instrumental in building all three. Mrs. Stiehl, whose maiden name was Caro- line Schneider, was born November 21, 1857, in Wyoming county, New York, daughter of Charles and Jennie (Koesting) Schneider, natives of Germany. Her parents came to America in 1854 and located in Wyoming county, New York. In 1863 they came to Freeborn county and lived on Bear Lake in Nunda township one year. Then they purchased land in Pickerel Lake township and engaged in farming the remainder of their days. The father was born November 23, 1823, and died February 17, 1899. The mother was born March 3, 1821, and died May 8, 1886.

R. C. Paulson is the well-known banker of Manchester. His father and mother, Martin and Dora (Green) Paulson, were merchants in Sweden, and learning of the great opportunities offered in America to all who were ambitious, they came to this · country in 1880. They located first at Wells, Minn., and later moved to Albert Lea, where Martin Paulson is engaged in a mer- cantile business at the present time. It was here that their son, R. C., was born November 9, 1886. This son, the eldest of three children, paved the way for his future success in life by acquir- ing a good education. He attended the graded and high schools of Albert Lea, and after completing their courses, secured employment in the Citizens National Bank of Albert Lea. After three years' experience in this bank he left Albert Lea and accepted a position as manager and assistant cashier of the Manchester State Bank, in which capacity he has the esteem and confidence of its depositors. He served as justice of the peace of Manchester for some time, and is in every way a sub- stantial, estimable and useful citizen. .

John E. Ransom was born in Albert Lea June 3, 1883. His parents were C. W. Ransom and Mary L. Walsh, natives of Wisconsin. His early education was obtained in Albert Lea, where he graduated in 1901. Following this he spent six years in the University of Minnesota, three years in the academic course and three in the law school, being admitted to the bar in 1907. He then returned to Albert Lea and entered the employ of the Consolidated Fire & Marine Insurance Company, estab- lished by his father. Later C. W. Ransom sold a large portion

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History of Freeborn County, Minnesota, Part 87

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn. 4n Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Chicago : H. C. Cooper Number of Pages: 1220

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn. 4n
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago : H. C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1220