History of Freeborn County, Minnesota, Part 88

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

of the stock and the headquarters of the company were moved to Minneapolis. John E. Ransom remained in charge of the Consolidated local office and is engaged in a general insurance and real estate business with offices at 217 South Broadway. In 1908 he was married to Mary E. Richards, of Duluth. Mr. Ransom is an active factor in the social and political life of the city. He is deeply interested in economic and political subjects, and is an enthusiastic supporter of everything which he believes to be for the welfare of the community which has always been his home.

C. W. Ransom was a native of Wisconsin, coming to Freeborn county as a small boy with his parents, Here he was educated in the public schools and later married Mary L. Walsh, also of Wisconsin. After leaving school Mr. Ransom became the agent of the W. W. Cargill Grain & Fuel Company, in Austin, with whom he remained a few years. Returning to Albert Lea he entered the grocery business. Later a partnership was estab- lished with his brother, R. G. Ransom, known as Ransom Bros. Wholesale Grocery, which was later incorporated as "The Ran- som Bros. Company." In 1901 this corporation sold out to the Western Grocer Company. In 1897 C. W. Ransom established the Consolidated Fire & Marine Insurance Company, becoming president of the firm. After the sale of the grocery business he continued as president of the insurance company until Jan- uary, 1910, when Minneapolis men bought an extensive interest and the headquarters were transferred to that city, C. W. Ran- som remaining with the company as vice-president. During all these years he has been a potential factor in the business life of Albert Lea and an honored citizen. He is now in Texas.

George C. Schmidt is a native of Freeborn county and was born on the farm which he now owns, which was formerly the homestead taken by his grandfather when he came here from Illinois in 1856. The grandfather died in 1878. His son, Henry, father of the subject of this biography, was born in Illinois in 1853, on August 26. He came to Mansfield at an early age, in 1856, and grew to manhood here. He married Caroline Leon- hardi, who was also a native of Illinois. Henry Schmidt was a highly respected man in his community and acquired land, held many offices of trust and proved his affection for his parents and his old home by living there his whole life. He died March 4, 1897. The mother died February 7, 1911. George C. Schmidt is the oldest living child of Henry and Caroline (Leonhardi) Schmidt, being born March 13, 1883. After completing his school studies he worked out several years but when old enough to assume the responsibility he took charge of the home farm and has since conducted it successfully. He now owns 360 acres in sections

MR. AND MRS. CHRISTIAN LARSEN

MR. AND MRS. PETER PETERSON

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9, 10 and 13, in Mansfield. On September 20, 1906, he married Louise Stiehl, a daughter of Henry Stiehl, of Pickerel Lake. To them have been born two children, Ella and Melita. Mr. Schmidt, like his father before him, is a member of the Lutheran Church. He votes with the Republican party.

Mr. Schmidt is one of the young men who can look with pride upon the works and success of his fathers, and it is cer- tain that he today is following in the same way to up-build a country which his forebears had such an important part in starting. He is a director in school district No. 92, and holds stock in the Mansfield Creamery.

Peter Peterson, who was one of the progressive and well- known farmers in Bancroft, was born in Denmark March 22, 1839, and came to America with his parents, Peter and Mariah Peterson, in 1853. They made their first home in this country in Wisconsin where the father followed his trade as a weaver. After spending some years there they moved to this county, where they lived until summoned by the Grim Reaper. Peter, their son, and the subject of this biography, purchased the farm in Bancroft in 1863, and for some years lived in a rough log cabin. As time passed and opportunity afforded he made improvements on his property and had a fine home and well cultivated farm. He engaged in general and dairy farming and disposed of his dairy products to the local creamery. He married Mariah Olson October 9, 1888 and they were the parents of the following children: Emma, Agnes, Nellie, Cora, Alfred, Reuben and Nora. Mr. Peterson was a member of the Baptist Church and a Republican. He served his township in the capacity of supervisor and also as a member of the school board. He owned 245 acres of valuable land in Clarks Grove and sold many town lots to the residents of that village. He died February 10, 1911.

Martin Sprenger, the well-known and popular merchant of Conger, was born in Pickerel Lake township November 28, 1881. His father, Frederick Sprenger, a native of Waldeck, Germany, was an early settler in this county and homesteaded the farm on which Martin, the subject of this sketch was born and reared. Martin began his early education in the district school near his father's farm and later attended the Lutheran Seminary in St. Paul. After completing his studies in the Seminary he returned to his home on the farm and worked for his father for a few months and then went to Mankato, where he took a six months' course in the commercial college of that city. His first position after completing his business education was with Skinner, Chamberlain & Company, of Albert Lea, and he remained in the employ of this firm for a period of eighteen

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months, after which he went into business with F. E. Yost in the village of Conger. Some time later his brother bought out Mr. Yost's interest in the firm and the concern became Sprenger Brothers. Two years after this his brother sold his share in the business to Christ Bangert, but eventually Mr. Sprenger bought the entire stock, and is now the sole owner and pro- prietor of the store. He carries a large assortment of dry goods and groceries and aims to give to all his customers satisfaction. That he is successful in his enterprise is evidenced by his increas- ing patronage and popularity. Ella Stiehl, a daughter of Henry and Caroline Stiehl, became his wife, and to them has been born one child, Lee.

- Levi Chandler Sweet, one of the highly respected farmers of Carlson township, was born in Alleghany county, New York, on May 17, 1851. He is the son of Charles and Harriet A. (Lamphere) Sweet. The father, Charles, came west to La Crosse county, Wisconsin, in 1856. Here he farmed until the spring of 1863, when he came to Carlston township and took up as a homestead the land in section 32, where he lived until his death, on September 11, 1880. In addition to farming he was engaged, with his son, Levi C., in the farm implement busi- ness at Alden for some years, until 1878. Mrs. Harriet Sweet died March 18, 1911. Levi C., in the fall of 1873, bought a farm home of seventy-six acres in section 29, Carlston township. Mr. Sweet is chairman of the board of supervisors, of which he has been a member for eight years. He has been a member of the school board for thirty years. He has also been justice of the peace. He owns stock in the creamery at Alden. The Seventh Day Advent Church of Dodge Center numbers him as a mem- ber. September 16, 1876 Mr. Sweet was married in Carlston township at the home of the bride to Nettie Curtis, who was born in Verona, Oneida county, New York, January 4, 1856, daughter of Rev. D. P. Curtis and Cordelia A. Clark Curtis, the former of whom died August 15, 1897, and the latter August 4. 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Sweet are the parents of two children. Lucius was born October 30. 1883. He is a popular young man, is a member of the Wells Lodge, A. F. & A. M. and is employed as a buttermaker in that city. Belva was born November 12, 1884, and married E. Stockman, a grain and coal dealer of Alden.

Gilbert Gulbrandson was for many years a prominent figure in Albert Lea and Freeborn county, where his intelligent interest in public affairs and his upright character exerted a whole- some influence. He was born at Naess Aadalen, Norway July 17, 1841. He came to America with his parents, Endre and Marit Gulbrandson, in 1852, settled in Wisconsin, and after four

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years moved to the portion of Minnesota territory which in time became the town of Hayward, and Freeborn county, where they settled. He enlisted in the Twenty-first Iowa Volunteer Infantry and served three years, then re-enlisted and served to the close of the war. He was wounded in the battle of Black River Bridge, being shot through both thighs. Gangrene resulted in one thigh, and Gilbert was pronounced by the head doctor of the hospital as dead and to be abandoned, but was saved by a young physician just out of school. He came home on a fur- lough lame and more dead than alive, but after two months returned to the South and, as stated before, was discharged with honor in 1865.

In 1869 he came to Albert Lea and engaged in the farm imple- ment business, but being of a studious mind began quite soon to study law with Judge John A. Lovely, and was elected to the office of judge of the probate in 1871 and re-elected twice. In 1878 he established the City Bank of Albert Lea, that was later changed into a $50,000 First National Bank, of which he became president. That institution is now a $100,000 bank. He was married to Christine Anderson in 1875. Eight children were born to them, of whom, besides the widow, five are now living: Mrs. Dr. Rodli, Leif E., Rolph M. and Thor L. Gul- brandson, of this city, and Emma L. Wald, of Philadelphia. Gilbert Gulbrandson died February 19, 1900, leaving a record of which anyone might be proud. As scholar, public servant and business man he was honest and honorable. His library was said to be the best selected and largest of any, with the excep- tion of professional men, in the city.

Rev. James Doag Todd was born in Chautauqua county, New York, November 22, 1826, son of Silas and Betsy Filley Todd. In 1843 he moved to Apple River, Ill., where he farmed until entering Beloit College as one of its first students in prepara- tion for the ministry. On October 3, 1856, he married Susan S. Webster, of Apple River, Ill., from which union there were seven children, three girls and four boys: Cornelia E., James M., William E., David R., John R., Susan E. and Mary F. The two older boys became physicians, the two younger lawyers.

James D. Todd entered the Congregational ministry supply- ing churches at Plymouth, Richland Center and Johnstown, Wis., when he removed, in 1869, to Winnebago City, Minn., where he became pastor until 1871, when he organized and built the first Congregational Church at Granite Falls, Minn., taking a gov- ernment claim in Yellow Medicine county at the same time. In 1875 he accepted the pastorate of the Congregational Church at Wabasha, Minn., and in 1877 removed to Albert Lea, where, after service in the Congregational Church here he became

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affiliated with the Presbyterian denomination, in which he re- mained until his retirement in 1898, after which time he confined his labors to supplying churches temporarily, as his health per- mitted, and in travel. He moved to Paola, Kan., in 1911, to make a permanent home.

J. Q. Annis, a well known patriot and old resident of Albert Lea, was born in Carroll, Chautauqua county, New York, on July 24, 1837. He spent his youth until sixteen years of age on a farm, and at the age of 20 moved to Jamestown, N. Y., where he learned the painters' trade, which he followed until the four- teenth day of April, 1861, at which time he enlisted for service in the Civil War. In December, 1863, he was discharged from the army for disability. The following year he was united in marriage to Minerva H. Fenton, niece of Governor Fenton, of New York. For some time after his discharge from the army Mr. Annis' health was poor, owing to exposure and hardships of military service, and in May, 1864, he removed with his wife to Oil Creek, Pa., in the hope that the change would prove bene- ficial. Here he engaged in an extensive cooperage business until 1871, when he removed to Ironton, Ohio, where he did a large contracting business in painting, largely for the railroads traversing that section. Mr. Annis, with his wife and family of three daughters and one son, came to Albert Lea in 1876, and for many years thereafter he conducted a successful business contracting painting and interior decorating. During his resi- dence in Albert Lea he has been honored by being chosen to many offices of public trust. as well as having been selected to preside over all the fraternal orders of which he is a member. He was commander of Robson Post, G. A. R., three years and aid-de-camp of the department commander in 1894. He was city assessor three years and a member of the School Board two terms. The year following his arrival in Albert Lea he united with the Odd Fellow and Masonic orders by card, having become a member of both bodies before his departure from Ohio. In 1888 Mr. Annis was elected clerk of court for Free- born county, which office he held continuously for twelve years. Since concluding his services in the latter capacity Mr. Annis has spent some time in real estate transactions and fruit cultiva- tion in Arkansas, and latterly has served as city assessor for the past several terms. Mr. Annis enjoys the esteem and high regard of all the citizens of Freeborn county, and whether in his capac- ity as a publie officer, or as a private citizen, he has alike demon- strated the possession of these sterling qualities which win con- fidence and retain friends.

S. Otis Simonson, oldest son of Ole O. Simonson and Susan A. (Gjellum), was born on a farm in the township of Hartland

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about fourteen miles northwest of the city of Albert Lea, on June S, 1867. His father, who was a very conscientious, painstaking, accurate and reliable man, and who held the office of Register of Deeds of Freeborn county at the time of his death on the twenty-first day of February, 1881, died when Mr. Simonson was but 13 years of age. He received his boyhood education in the country school near the farm, but when the family moved to Albert Lea, the county seat, where his father assumed the duties of Register of Deeds, he received a common school educa- tion in the city public schools. In the year 1882 he had a desire to learn the printing business, so he decided to use his spare hours after school, Saturdays, and during school vacation, to begin acquiring some knowledge of that trade. For some time he devoted this spare time with the "North Star," a weekly newspaper published at that time, and whose editor was J. C. Allerton. After concluding his school duties he accepted a posi- tion with the Albert Lea "Enterprise," published by M. Hal- vorsen, where he was employed for a year or more as an appren- tice. He then accepted a position with the Freeborn County "Standard," published by H. G. Day, its present owner and proprietor, in whose employ he remained for over ten years, as an apprentice for some time and later as a newspaper and job printer. In 1901 he desired to go into business in a moderate way himself, so he purchased a half interest in the job printing business of McCulloch & Whitcomb (F. H. McCulloch and L. S. Whitcomb), buying the former's interest in that concern, and the firm name was then changed to Simonson & Whitcomb, who continued the job printing business exclusively until the year 1907, when they consolidated with the Evening "Tribune" and Semi-Weekly "Tribune," whose editor was J. P. Hurley, a daily and semi-weekly newspaper published in Albert Lea, thereby connecting their extensive job printing, bookbinding, and lino- type business, when there was an incorporation made with a capital stock of $30.000, under the incorporated name known as the Simonson, Whitcomb & Hurley Company, of which insti- tution he was elected secretary. In the fall of 1910 the Simon- son, Whitcomb & Hurley Co. purchased the "Times-Enterprise," a weekly newspaper published in Albert Lea, the latter being a consolidation of the Freeborn County "Times" and the Albert Lea "Enterprise," being two of the best, oldest and leading newspapers of the county. The corporate name was then changed to the Albert Lea Publishing Company, with a capital stock of $50,000, when he served as secretary of the company, until the election of officers on October 4, 1911, when he was elected as president of the company. In this concern there are thirty people employed. When the Spanish-American War

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broke out he enlisted in Company I, 12th Regiment Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, which was an Albert Lea company, was mustered into service as a volunteer on May 5, 1898, at which time he was appointed second lieutenant of the company, and served as such during the hostilities, until the regiment was mustered out on November 5, 1898, receiving a certificate as to good ability, and service, health and physical condition at the time of being mustered out. In the year 1907 he bought a third interest in the Olson Manufacturing Company, in the manu- facture of various kinds of hay tools, such as the "Advance" hay carriers, "Common Sense" hay slings, the "Advance" Litter Carriers, rolier bearing pulleys, steel track, etc., and whose products are sought for on account of their simplicity, durability and satisfaction given to the farmers throughout the Northwest. He is a member of the Business Men's League and several other societies and organizations of the city of Albert Lea. On January 18, 1898, he was married to Anna Emelia Hanson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. P. Hanson, of Albert Lea. Four children were born to them, viz., Hazel Marion, Carmen Elizabeth, age 8; Ardus Marjory, age 6; Otis Alton, age 4; the first named dying in her infancy, and the others in good health, vim and vigor. His mother, Mrs. Susan A. Simonson, is com- fortably living in the city. She has five children still living, viz., S. Otis, Mrs. L. C. Lane, of Kensal, North Dakota; Carl M. and Ida A., of this city, and Joseph A., of Genoa, Colo., and many pleasant reunions are held at the mother's home.

Mrs. Susan A. Simonson (Susan .A. Gjellum) was born in Indre Sogn, Norway, June 5, 1843. When but six years of age she emigrated to this country with her parents, the voyage across the ocean, which was of thirteen weeks' duration, being made in a sailing vessel, steamers being unknown to ply the ocean at that early date. After reaching this country they located at Utica, Dane county, Wisconsin, which remained her home till she was twenty-one years of age, when she was married, August 3, 1864, to Ole O. Simonson. The young couple left the following month via ox team and covered wagon for Minnesota. Mr. Simonson obtained employment as clerk in the Frank Hall general store in Albert Lea but, being unable to obtain a house, Mrs. Simonson spent the winter with relatives in the country. The following spring they were able to rent a log house, which had served as the second postoffice in Albert Lea, and located about opposite where the Hotel Freeborn now stands. They resided here about two years, when they moved to their farm in Hartland township. In 1877 Mr. Simonson was elected register of deeds of Freeborn county, and the family again moved to the city. While serving his second term in that office he was suddenly stricken ill and,

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after a brief illness of three days, passed away February 21, 1881, leaving the widow with six children, the eldest being but fifteen years of age. Two children preceded their father in death when they were very young. Mrs. Simonson has continued to make her home in Albert Lea ever since, though still retaining an in- terest in the farm in Hartland township; and of the children, Mrs. E. S. Gjellum, of Fowler, Colo., died in December, 1909; S. Otis, Carl M. and Ida A. reside in this city, Mrs. L. C. Lane in Ken- sal, N. D., and Joseph A. in Genoa, Colo.

Burt May was born October 14, 1878, at Forest City, Iowa. He received his grammar education at Forest City. After coming to Albert Lea he took a course in the public high school. In 1895 he went to Moline, Ill., and worked as apprentice with the Moline Evening "Mail." When the Albert Lea "Tribune" started, August 8, 1897, under R. N. Joselyn, he began as compositor and was foreman of the "Evening Tribune" and "Twice-a-Week Tribune" for nine years. He then accepted a like position with the Albert Lea "Enterprise," which was consolidated with the "Freeborn County Times" in 1905, of which he became assistant. manager. In 1910 the "Times-Enterprise" company consolidated with the "Evening Tribune," and he became assistant manager of the mechanical department of the Albert Lea Publishing Com- pany. In 1910 he was endorsed by the temperance element and ran for alderman of the third ward, being defeated by ten votes. He is an active member of the Masonic Western Star Lodge, No. 26. He was married November 17, 1909, to Adelaide Nesbett. Mrs. W. H. May, his mother, came to Forest City in her girlhood days. She, with her parents, walked from Chicago, carrying their household goods with an ox team, ferrying at Dubuque, Iowa. They arrived on the bank of Lime creek, where they erected a log house, being pioneers of Forest City several years before the city of Albert Lea was founded.

Lesley Sherman Whitcomb, journalist and business man, was born March 20, 1866, at Westfield, Vt., and removed with his parents to Edgerton, Wis., when a child. After a year they re- moved to Worth county, Iowa, where L. S. grew to manhood. He attended the rural schools of his neighborhood, the North- wood, Ia., schools, the Cedar Valley Seminary, at Osage, Ia., and Cornell College, at Mt. Vernon, Ia. Thus equipped, he taught school five terms in the rural schools of Worth county, Ia., and then took up printing, a profession in which, in one capacity or another, he has continued to engage. After working a short ap- prenticeship at the "Index" office in Northwood, Ia., he came to Albert Lea to engage in an exclusive job printing business in partnership with F. H. McCulloch, in August, 1890. One year later S. Otis Simonson, formerly of the "Freeborn County Stan-

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dard" force, succeeded Mr. McCulloch and the name of the firm was changed from McCulloch & Whitcomb to Simonson & Whit- comb. This partnership was continued successfully until July 1, 1907, when the Simonson & Whitcomb office and business was consolidated with that of Hurley & Co., publishers of the daily and semi-weekly "Tribune," and a corporation was formed of which Mr. Whitcomb was chosen treasurer and business manager. During August, 1910, this company and its plant and business was merged with the Times-Enterprise Publishing Company, pub- lishers of the "Times-Enterprise, "' a weekly newspaper resulting from the merger of two Republican newspapers, the Albert Lea "Enterprise" and the "Freeborn County Times," and the new organization was chartered as the Albert Lea Publishing Com- pany. Of this company Mr. Whitcomb became secretary and treasurer as well as business manager. The company does a gen- eral printing, publishing and blankbook business, as well as pub- lishing the evening "Tribune" and the "Times-Enterprise." Mr. Whitcomb is a great believer in Albert Lea and is an enthusiastic booster of its business interests. He belongs to the Business Men's League, as well as to all the local Masonic bodies, the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. The subject of this sketch was married June 20, 1894, to Marie Elvira Edwards, who died February 24, 1901, leaving two daughters, Marie L. and Ruth Elizabeth. Mr. Whitcomb was married July 24, 1902, to Maude Fenton Annis, a daughter of J. Q. Annis, of this city.

Joseph P. Hurley, journalist and man of affairs, was born in Syracuse, N. Y., January 10, 1874. He passed through the grade schools and graduated from the high school at Syracuse, after- ward taking special studies for two years at the University of Syracuse. For two years he did reportorial and other work on newspapers at Syracuse. In 1895 he went to Chicago and entered the employ of the Unitype Company as traveling sales- man. He remained in that employ until early in 1904, when he came to Albert Lea and purchased a half interest in the "En- terprise." Nine months later he sold this and purchased the daily "Tribune." He was editor and manager of the "Tribune" for two years and then it consolidated with Simonson & Whit- comb's job printery, the Simonson, Whitcomb & Hurley Com- pany being organized. Mr. Hurley became president of that com- pany and editor of the "Tribune." Three years later this com- pany purchased the "Times-Enterprise," and the Albert Lea Publishing Company was organized with a capital of $50,000. Of this Mr. Hurley became president as well as editor of the com- bined papers, retaining these positions until he sold his interest in the company October 1, 1911. Mr. Hurley has never sought

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History of Freeborn County, Minnesota, Part 88

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