History of Freeborn County, Minnesota, Part 92

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

Fayette, Ia., where he completed the college course and received both bachelor's and master's degrees in literature. In 1900 he graduated from the regular three years' law course in the Uni- versity of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Mich. Aside from the educa- tion received in colleges, Mr. Meighen has had the advantages of extensive travel. His published letters regarding his trips to Ireland and Alaska, although written during the stress and dis- comforts of travel, display a keen observation of men and events and show his mastery of clean-cut and concise English prose. Soon after his graduation Mr. Meighen came to Albert Lea and has since practiced law continuously. He has done excellent work as a member of the board of trustees of Albert Lea College for Women, continuously since 1905. Among his fraternal associa- tions may be mentioned membership in the Western Star Lodge, No. 26, A. F. & A. M .; Albert Lea Chapter, No. 30, R. A. M .; Apollo Commandery, No. 12, Knights Templar; Zurah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. ; Halcyon Chapter, No. 21, O. E. S .; Albert Lea Lodge, No. 66, Knights of Pythias; Albert Lea Lodge, No. 813, B. P. O. E., and Albert Lea Council, No. 1406, Royal Arcanum. Mr. Meighen has represented clients in some of the most important Freeborn county cases, and his services in connection with the drainage ditch litigation and legislation has given him a state wide reputation.

Arch Gifford Morgan, the talented editor of the Glenville "Progress," was born October 18, 1860, in Bristol, Elkhart county, Indiana, third son of a large family, his parents being early pioneers of Winnebago county, Illinois, where they endured with fortitude all the trials and hardships incident to the build- ing up of a pioneer country. The subject of this sketch com- menced to earn his own living at the age of eleven years, worked on a farm a time, at sixteen years was employed a year as clerk in a store and at seventeen was clerk in a hotel for a year. He devoted the larger part of his life to farming until October, 1900, when he entered the ministry for five years. June 1, 1905, he took pos- session of the Glenville "Progress," where his uprightness and staunchness of principles have done much to promote the better interests of the community. Mr. Morgan is an ardent advocate of temperance, and has been prominently identified with the Pro- hibition party for over a quarter of a century. In 1908 he was delegate to the national Prohibition convention held in Columbus, Ohio. He has occupied a number of important positions, serving as village recorder, president of the fire company, member of the school board and trustee of the Free Methodist church. The sub- ject of this sketch was married October 18, 1883, to Caroline Jeni- son, and their children are Louise, Mildred, Fred and Ruth. Mil- dred teaches in Belgrade, Minn. Louise works in her father's

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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

printing office. Fred is working at the printing trade, and Ruth is in the grammar school.

J. P. Freeman, M. D., was born August 22, 1876, in the town- ship of Freeman, son of Robert and Eliza Freeman, the pioneers. He attended district school in the country and graduated from the high school at Northwood, Ia., in 1896. He then took up the study of medicine in the State University of Illinois, graduating in 1900. He then returned to Minnesota and established a prac- tice in Emmons, where he remained for the following six years, after which he went to Glenville, where he is still located, having also conducted a drug store for a while. He is a member of the National, State and County Medical Associations, and has served as an officer of the latter.

Jerome Bowen, a progressive farmer of Freeborn township, was born January 11, 1886, son of Truman J. and Lillie J. (Young) Bowen. Jerome spent the earlier years of his boyhood on the farm obtaining knowledge of the many tasks which are required of the successful farmer. He received his education in the school of district 63 and, having completed its course, began the occupation for which he had prepared himself. After his marriage he located in section 18, Freeborn township. His farm of eighty acres shows the improvement which his care and culti- vation have given and proves that he is destined to be one of the leading and substantial farmers in the community in which he resides. He married Edith Hoagland, a daughter of M. T. and Mary (Weed) Hoagland. In 1909 and 1910 Mrs. Bowen, then Miss Hoagland, was a teacher in district 63 joint. Mr. Bowen is a member of Star Camp, No. 8880, Modern Woodmen, at Freeborn village.

Truman J. Bowen, a successful and scientific farmer of Free- born township, came to Minnesota from Illinois in 1863. He was born December 6. 1855, son of Truman E. and Sarah (Waters) Bowen, who brought their family to section 5, Carlston township, when the subject of this biography was a boy only eight years old. For many years the father was engaged in farming in Carls- ton and later moved to Freeborn township, where he spent the remainder of his life, entering into rest in 1892. Truman J. at- tended the country school in Carlston and early in life worked to fit himself for the active and arduous labors which are required of the successful farmer. That he has succeeded is evident from his broad, well cultivated acres, his comfortable house and the good barns and necessary buildings which belong to his home and farm. He selected as his life's partner Lillie J. Young, daughter of Samuel and Susan Young. Following are their living children : Maggie, the wife of Herman Hunter; Susan, now Mrs. Charles Hoagland; William, Jerome, James, Morton A., Gertie,

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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

Esther, Harry, Elsie and Verle. One is dead. Mr. Bowen's many duties on the farm have prevented his actively engaging in po- litical affairs, and he is an independent voter.

Thomas H. Hjort, vice-president of the American Gas Machine Company, of Albert Lea, was born in Denmark on September 10, 1870, the son of Peter T. and Margaret Hanson, natives of Den- mark. the former of whom died in 1887 and the latter in 1910. The subject of this sketch attended school in Denmark and at the close of his schooling followed blacksmithing. In the year 1888 he came to America and located in Albert Lea, where he fol- lowed his trade and farmed some. He continued at his trade until going into partnership with Mr. Hanson. Mr. Hjort's connection with the American Gas Machine Company is told elsewhere. In 1905 Mr. Hjort was married to Hanna Nelson, daughter of Hans Nelson, a farmer in Albert Lea township. They have one child. In his political life Mr. Hjort is an independent voter, and attends the Baptist church. He is a faithful member of the U. C. T. and the Danish Brotherhood and I. C. M. A. of Chicago. Mr. Hjort makes his home at 214 South Pearl street.

C. T. Nelson was born in Hayward township August 8, 1875, son of H. C. Nelson. He received his early education in the dis- trict school near his home and later in life attended the Luther Academy. After completing his schooling he purchased 120 acres of land in section 27 and assumed entire charge of it, carrying on a general farming business. He later disposed of this property and bought eighty acres in section 22, and here has made his home since. He does general and dairy farming and raises many Poland China swine, being one of the successful farmers in the com- munity. He has made many improvements on his farm, includ- ing the building of a new barn. In 1904 he married Ingeborg Skaar, daughter of G. C. Skaar, of Hayward. He is a Democrat in political opinions and his religion is the teachings of the Lutheran church. He has held many of the responsible offices in the township, having been elected chairman of the town board in 1910, on which he had served the previous year as a member. He has been a member of the school board and served under Gov. John A. Johnson as state boiler inspector. He also is a director and stockholder in the Hayward Creamery. A man of good judg- ment and integrity, Mr. Nelson is held in high esteem by the resi- dents of the community in which he makes his home.

Hans Stensrud has for many years been a substantial figure in the village of. Freeborn. He is of Norwegian birth and parent- age, having first seen the light of day October 11, 1835. He came . to the United States in 1866 and brought with him his wife, father and mother and a brother. The family came west to Minnesota and located in Fillmore county, where Hans, the subject of this

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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

biography, worked out through that summer and fall. He then came to Freeborn township and purchased some land for his father in section 27, and here he worked until his father's death, which occurred in 1869. Assuming entire charge of the property at this time, he remained until 1904, and then disposed of the place and moved into Freeborn village, where he has erected a beautiful home and is living in retirement. His wife was Caro- line Hanson before her marriage to Mr. Stensrud and they are parents of Annie, wife of Senator B. N. Anderson; Hans Jr., of Hartland; Caroline, at home; Carl, a farmer; Inger, who is mar- ried and lives in Manchester, and Hartwick, who is a resident of Freeborn. Mr. Stensrud was in the Norwegian army previous to his coming to this country and bears an honorable record for his service there. He has served Freeborn town by acting as chairman of the board of supervisors for several years, and at present he is a director of the State Bank of Freeborn. In various offices of trust and responsibility to which he has been elected, he has ever given his best efforts and conscientious endeavors, and he is regarded as a leading and reliable citizen of the town and county.

Frederich C. Stiehl, also known as Frederich C. Steele, an extensive landowner in Pickerel Lake township, was born in Ger- many May 13, 1858, son of Christ and Mary (Schaeffer) Stiehl. Fourteen years later he came to the United States with his father and mother and they proceeded west to the home of their son Henry, who resided in Alden township, on the "Morin Farm." Following his arrival here, Frederich, the subject of this sketch, was employed in various occupations until he had reached the age of twenty-eight years, at which time he purchased a farm in section 19 and here established his home. In 1886 he was united in marriage with Louisa Yost, a daughter of Barnhardt Yost, and to them have been born eleven children: Barnhardt, the eldest ; Mary, now wife of William Toenges; Nora, married to Christ Pestorious; Fred, Frank, Rosettie, Carl, Hattie, Lindie, William and Louisa. Mr. Steele owns 440 acres of land in sec- tions 18, 19, 13 and 24, and is one of the successful and prosperous farmers in the township. He has built a large and comfortable house, good barns and other necessary buildings. He has been supervisor of his township for a period of three years in the past, but does not seek public office, as the responsibility of caring for and managing his large farm occupies the greater portion of his time. He contributes to the support of the German Lutheran church of Pickerel Lake, of which he and his family are members.

Alfred J. Anderson, of the firm of Anderson Brothers, Albert Lea's progressive builders and contractors, is a native of Iowa, where he began life May 12, 1871. His parents, Jasper and Mary

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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

Anderson, were of Swedish birth and came to the United States in 1865, locating first in Indiana, where he followed his trade as stone mason and was also interested in farming. Later he moved to Iowa. The years from 1879 to 1883 were passed in business in Minneapolis and St. Paul, after which the family returned to Freeborn county, where the father died in 1901 and the mother survived him only five years. Their son Alfred, the subject of this sketch, attended the public schools of both Iowa and Minnesota and afterward became a carpenter and contractor. In 1883 he came to Albert Lea, where he continued along this line of work, and in 1905 started a general contracting and carpentering busi- ness. Mr. Anderson has never married. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen and also of the Knights of Pythias. His brother, Victor C., is in business with him.

O. A. Boe, a modern and progressive farmer, who owns 160 acres of good, fertile land in section 35, Riceland township, first saw the light of day January 25, 1873, in the township where he now resides. In 1871 his parents, Andrew I. and Anna Boe, set- tled in Riceland, having left their home in Norway and crossed the ocean to America. They bought eighty acres of land at first and, as prosperity crowned their honest toil, they purchased more land, eventually becoming the owners of 240 acres. Here for thirty-seven years they tilled the soil, sparing no effort toward improving their property. How well they succeeded in their life's work is demonstrated by the fact that in 1908 they retired from the arduous labor of the farm and moved into the city of Albert Lea, where they now reside. O. A., the subject of this biography, acquired a good education, beginning in the country schools and ending in the Luther Academy of Albert Lea. He then purchased 200 acres of his father, to which he devoted his time and attention for a period of four years, after which he dis- posed of it and bought the farm now occupied by himself and family. Three years after he moved to this farm he rented it and entered in partnership with Berkvam & Winjum in a grocery business, remaining in this work for three years. He then re- turned to his farm in 1910 and has since engaged in general farm- ing. He married Gertrude Bell in 1899 and to this union have been born five children : Audrey, Irwin, Theo, Oliver and Leonard. Mr. Boe has ever held the esteem and regard of those associated with him in the different offices which he has held in his com- munity. He has been a member of the school board, also of the town board, and is one of the stockholders in the Sumner Valley Creamery. Hle follows the teachings endorsed by the Lutheran church and his political views coincide with those of the Repub- lican party.

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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

Erick Berglund, a representative citizen of Albert Lea, was born in Sweden December 7, 1866, son of John Berglund. When but two years of age he was brought to America by his parents, who came to Minnesota and settled in Albert Lea township. The subject of this sketch was educated in the district schools in the locality of his father's farm and he spent the years of his boy- hood in study and working for his father. When he became twenty-two years old he purchased a farm of eighty acres, located in this same township, in section 29, which he disposed of two years later, and then purchased his present property, which com- prises 200 acres in section 28, Albert Lea township. In 1904 Mr. Berglund rented his farm and moved into the city of Albert Lea, where he remained three months, after which he bought forty acres south of the city, which he sold in 1908. He next bought his present home, which comprises fifteen acres in section 5, where he now resides. Here he remodeled the buildings and made many improvements. He now ocupies his time looking after his various business interests and carrying on general farming. He is a staunch member of the Prohibitionist party, to the principles of which he lends his loyal support. He has been elevated to serve in many of the public offices in the township, among which are school treasurer of district 110 for twelve years, member of the town board, supervisor, town treasurer, and he is one of the directors of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Bath. On June 24, 1890, Mr. Berglund married E. Engblom, daughter of J. M. Engblom, of Bancroft. To Mr. and Mrs. Berg- lund five children have been born : Ellen J., Ruth E., Paul M., Philip J. and Verna E., who are all at home. The family attend the Baptist church in Albert Lea and are respected members of that organization.

Botolf Bridly, who was born October 13, 1869, is a native of Norway, son of Ole B. and Bertha Bridly, who brought him to America in 1882. Landing in Quebec they came west and finally settled in Riceland township, this county, where they lived eight years. Then the subject of this sketch and his father bought 120 acres in section 31, Moscow, which they have since worked and brought to a high state of cultivation. They keep twenty-four head of dairy cattle of the Shorthorn breed, also a good number of Poland-China hogs. On February 6, 1896, Mr. Bridly married Minnie Rienlso, of Riceland, and to them have been born ten children : Olaf, Clara, Robert, Martin, Norman, Dagmar, Palma, Clarence and the twins Beatrice and Blanche. The subject of this biography is a member of the Lutheran church. In politics he is a Republican of the progressive type and has held many offices of public trust, among which are supervisor of town two years, treasurer of Four Corners Telephone Company two years,

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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

manager of Farmers' Creamery, treasurer of school district No. 28 and secretary of the Lutheran church, of which he is a member. Hard work and conscientious endeavor in many lines have given him his present high place in his community, where he has the respect and esteem of his acquaintances.

Even J. Hallum, a well known land owner of Manchester township, was born near Christiana, Norway, April 2, 1859, son of Johannes and Christina Hallum. His father worked at his trade as a carpenter and also farmed. In 1861 the family came to the United States and located in Fayette county, Iowa, where they remained two years. In 1863 they came to this county and in Hartland township took a homestead of eighty acres, where the father cultivated the land until 1875, in which year they moved to Manchester. It was here that the father tilled the soil and followed general farming till 1901. In November of that year he died. The mother died in 1902. This sturdy old couple had reared a family of eight children: Martha, Nicolina, Louis, Carl, Even J., the subject of this sketch, Ingar, Caroline and Clara. Even J. was educated in the common schools of Hartland township and, after completing his studies, he took up regular work on the home farm, where he worked till twenty-one years of age. He then bought the land where he now lives, owning 440 acres, with over 300 acres under cultivation. On June 24, 1880, he married Mary Severson, daughter of Andrew Severson, of Manchester. To this union has been born seven children: Al- fred, Carl, Josephine, who is a teacher, Inga, Oscar, who married Hilda Haakenson, George and Theodore. Mr. Hallum is a mem- ber of the Lutheran church, as was his father before him. In politics he is a Republican but does not seek public office.

Anton Hansen, of Hansen & Doerr, painters, was born in Ger- many February 6, 1850, the son of Christ Hansen, a German blacksmith. The subject of this sketch attended the schools of Germany and, upon leaving school, was a sailor until 1870. Then he learned the painting and wallpaper business, and came to this country in 1871, locating in Chicago. He followed his trade there until 1881, when he came to Albert Lea. In 1900 Mr. Hansen went into partnership with John Doerr and they established a splendid business, which has flourished ever since that time. In 1874 he was married to Eliza Finck, a native of Germany. She died in 1891. Mr. Hansen makes his home over his paint shop at 206 West Clark street.

Aslak Haraldson was born July 28, 1845, a native of Norway and son of Harold Torgeson and Aase Lea, his wife, who came to America in 1861 and located in Freeman township, in Freeborn county, where they took a homestead and farmed. They remained here until death ; the father died in 1882 and the mother in 1884.

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Aslak attended the American country schools, although he had received a good education in Norway before coming here at the age of fifteen. After leaving school he worked on the home farm until 1875. He then bought 160 acres in Freeman township and has added to this until he now has 240 acres, which is nearly all under cultivation. He here follows general farming with much attention to stock raising. In 1876 he married Mary Stov- ern, a native of Norway, and to them have been born nine chil- dren, eight of whom are living: Harold Oscar and Adolph C. are in Montana, Henrietta and Clara are school teachers, Peter W. is in North Dakota, Alexandria lives in Freeman, Ruth and Walter are at home. Mr. Haraldson is a member of the Lutheran church. He is independent in politics and has been a member of town board and school board, as well as serving in the lower house of the Minnesota legislature in 1885. He is a stockholder of the Freeman Dairy Association, and president of the local telephone company. Mr. Haraldson is a man highly respected in his com- munity and his advice is sought and heeded on many public issues.

Henry W. Johnson was born October 26, 1873, in Austin, Minn., son of Carl Johnson. When he was two weeks old his mother died, and his uncle, Nels Johnson, of the town of Mans- field, Freeborn county, took him into his home. There he grew io manhood and attended the country schools. As he grew up he worked hard for his uncle, and later for eight years rented land from him. The subject of this sketch now owns 160 acres in sec- tion 20, in Mansfield, where he has recently erected a comfortable and roomy dwelling as well as barns and sheds to shelter the full equipment of the farm. Mr. Johnson is a member of the Swedish Lutheran, church of Mansfield. In politics he is a Republican. On September 12, 1901, he married Lena Trondson, who formerly lived in Iowa. To this union have been born five children : Hel- mer, Edna, Hanna, Walter and Sanford.

Severt P. Nelson is one of the prominent farmers in the town- ship of Albert Lea and the owner of 280 acres of land near Glen- ville. He has about 130 acres of this farm under the plow and the remainder is in meadow and pasture land. In connection with his general farming interests Mr. Nelson makes a specialty of raising hogs and sheep. He also raises good horses for general purposes and keeps a dairy herd of cattle. His well improved farm adjoins the old homestead occupied for many years by his parents and the place where his boyhood days were spent. His marriage to Jennie Rood, daughter of John C. Rood, occurred in 1891, and three children have been born to them : Jesse P., Everett S. and Leonard R. Mr. Nelson has held many offices in his town- ship, among which are: Clerk of school board in district 54, an

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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

office which he has held for four years ; member of the town board, to which he has been elected four years, and many minor offices, which proves the respect in which he is held by the residents of the community. He attends the Norwegian Lutheran church and contributes to its support. He is independent in political views, but has been a member of the Republican party in the past.

Peter Nelson and Bertha Rustad, his wife, were born in Nor- way and emigrated from that country to this in 1860. They first located in Wisconsin, where they remained but a short time, after which they moved to this county and settled in Freeman town- ship. Later they acquired land in Albert Lea township, which they broke and cleared and made ready for cultivation, and these 160 acres provided the means for their support as the years passed. Four children were born to them: N. P., living at the old homestead; Rosalia, the wife of Ole Westrum, of Hayward; Edwin P., also a resident of Hayward, and Severt P. Peter Nel- son has long since entered into rest and his widow makes her home with her son, N. P.

Alfred S. Peterson, who conducts a hardware store in Clarks Grove in partnership with his brother, P. A. Peterson, is one of the leading business men in the township. He was born April 3, 1883, in this county, son of C. F. and Mary Peterson, natives of Denmark. His early education was acquired in the common schools in the county and later he attended the high school of Albert Lea for two years. For two years after he completed his education he worked on a farm, after which he secured a position as clerk in a grocery store. One year later he decided to go to the Pacific coast, where he clerked in stores about a year. In 1904 he returned and, with his brother, P. A., organized the firm of Peterson Brothers. They carry a large stock of hardware, which includes harnesses and farm implements. In 1904 Alfred S. married Alvina E. Peterson, daughter of Hans C. Peterson, a pioneer resident of the county, now deceased. In politics Mr. Peterson endorses the sentiments of the Prohibition party, but has never aspired to any public office.

C. F. Peterson and Mary, his wife, came to this country from Denmark in 1870 and settled in Bancroft township, where for several years they remained and carried on general farming. Later they moved to Albert Lea, and here Mr. Peterson estab- lished a coal, fuel and dray business and also kept a feed stable. This business he successfully conducted for many years but, pre- ferring the quiet and free life of a farmer, he eventually sold his interests in the fuel business and returned to his old occupation. He continued his agricultural pursuits until he retired from farm- ing and came to Albert Lea, where he and his estimable wife are

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History of Freeborn County, Minnesota, Part 92

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