History of Freeborn County, Minnesota, Part 93

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

USA > Minnesota > Freeborn County > History of Freeborn County, Minnesota > Part 93

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

853

HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

living at the present time in a fine home which they own and which years of toil and self denial have made possible.

S. Svendson, a well known merchant of Geneva, was born in Denmark April 11, 1866, and came to this country when he was sixteen years of age. His parents, Christ and Johanna (Matson) Svendson spent their whole lives in Denmark. S. Svendson lo- cated in Geneva when first coming to this country and has made it his home since that time. During the first few years that he was in this country he worked at farming, but in 1892 he accepted a position as clerk in Geneva. In 1894 he started work for F. M. Jones, and two years later, in partnership with John T. Robson, engaged in a general mercantile business, the firm being known as Robson & Svendson. Mr. Svendson has been of service to the village in which he has made his home, acting for many years as postmaster, to which position he was appointed in 1894, two years before he went into business. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party. He is a member of Western Star Lodge, No. 26, A. F. & A. M., at Albert Lea. The store with which Mr. Svend- son is connected carries a large stock, which is constantly en- larged to meet the demands of a growing business. The store has a reputation for good goods and honest and courteous deal- ing, and has been accorded a full measure of success and pros- perity.

M. H. Skophammer, street commissioner of Albert Lea, was born in Bancroft township on March 20, 1864, the son of Peter and Bertha Skophammer, natives of Norway, who came to Amer- iea in 1853 and located in Round Prairie, Wis. They remained there until 1860, when they removed to Bancroft township, where the father bought a farm and did general farming until his death in 1905. The mother lives in Albert Lea with her son, the sub- ject of this sketch. M. H. Skophammer attended the district schools of Bancroft township. Leaving school he worked with his father on the farm until 1888, when he came to Albert Lea and worked in the brickyard for two seasons. He then went to Butte, Mont., where he remained one and one-half years. Then he re- turned to Freeborn county and rented a farm in Bancroft town- ship. This he continued for seven years, after which he pur- chased eighty acres, which he worked three years. Mr. Skopham- iner then sold his farming property and bought a feed and livery barn in Albert Lea, which business he conducted for eight years. During the last five years of this period he was also in partner- ship with his brother, Jens. At the end of this time he traded his share in the livery business for a farm, which he later sold. In the year 1909 Mr. Skophammer was appointed street commis- sioner, which position he is occupying at the present time. In 1896 the subject of this sketch married Emma Hammer, of Ban-

854

HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

croft township. Their home was blessed with one child, Grant. Mrs. Skophammer died in 1899. Mr. Skophammer in politics is a Republican and a member of the Lutheran church and the I. O. O. F. lodge. He makes his home at 422 Euclid street.

N. P. Sorenson, a scientific farmer of Alden township, is one of the prominent men of that locality. He was born in Denmark April 13, 1860, and came to America when he was twenty-one years of age, landing; May 17, 1881. He spent some time in Chi- cago. and then came to Alden. For the first few years he was employed on various farms. As he learned the language and cus- toms of the residents here and saved his hard earned money, he was able in a few years to begin farming for himself, first rent- ing a few acres of land and later purchasing the valuable farm in section 10, where he now resides. He carries on general farm- ing, together with dairying and stock raising, and has erected a comfortable house and commodious barns on his broad acres. By his wife, Hannah, he has eight children, one of whom has married and borne him grandchildren. Mr. Sorenson has been honored by various public offices in the township, among which are town chairman and member of the town board, which latter office he occupies at the present time. He is also treasurer of the Danish Lutheran church and of the Danish Brotherhood.

John J. Vold, an extensive land owner and popular farmer of Bath township, was born August 31, 1876, son of John A. and Anna (Lea) Vold. John A. was born in Norway and came to America in 1861, making his home in Chicago, where he secured work in a lumber yard. Two years later he moved to Minnesota and settled in Bath township. After working out for a time he acquired a farm comprising 160 acres of school land and con- ducted general farming. He was married March 25, 1868, to Anna Lea, who was born in Norway November 7, 1839, came to this country .in 1867. and lived with relatives in Bancroft. To them were born five children : Anna, now Mrs. Hans Grunwold, of Ellendale : Andrew, an expert butter maker; Nettie, deceased ; Nellie, the wife of Nels Folie, and John J. The subject of this sketch owns a farm of 240 acres and is a believer in all modern inethods in farming, having his property will equipped with the latest and best machinery with which to carry on his work. He is able to keep his farming implements and gasoline engine in good repair, for together with his knowledge of general farm work he is also a blacksmith and carpenter. He keeps graded stock and raises many hogs, for which he receives the best market prices. He is a Democrat in political views, but has never sought public office. His valuable farm today was once a dense thicket, but years of hard work and self denial have made possible his present prosperous condition.

MR. AND MRS. JOHN RASMUSSEN

855

HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

John Rasmussen, one of the prosperous and substantial farm- ers of Carlston township, now living in Alden village, has for a number of years taken an active part in agricultural, creamery, church, business and town affairs, and is a man much honored and respected by his neighbors and friends. He was born in Denmark February 11, 1846, son of Rasmus Nelson and Anna Rasmussen, natives of Denmark, who came to America with their children and spent the balance of their lives here. He received his education in the schools of his native land, and there grew to manhood. In 1868 he crossed the briny deep and came to Amer- ica. After a few months in Wisconsin he came to Freeborn county the same year, and engaged in railroad work for a time. Two years after coming to the county he located in Carlston township and engaged in farming. For eight years he rented farms, and then purchased eighty acres in section 35, which he broke and developed, building thereon a frame house and a fine set of out- buildings. To this original tract he added from time to time until he owned 220 acres, bordering on what is now the village line of Alden. Here he followed general farming until 1907, when he rented the place to his son, Walter E., and purchased land within the corporation limits of Alden village, adjoining his farm. Here he built a comfortable modern home, where he and his wife are pleasantly spending the retiring years of their lives, enjoying the well-earned reward of their hard labor, economy and sacrifice. Mr. Rasmussen is a Republican in politics and was supervisor of Carlston township for four years. He is a stockholder in the Security State Bank and First National Bank of Alden, and was one of those most instrumental in the building of the Alden Creamery, serving as one of the trustees of that institution for several years. He is a prominent member of the Danish Lutheran church, of which he is a strong supporter, having served as trus- tee of the church for many years. The subject of this sketch was married June 11, 1871, to Mary Steele, who has proven a most devoted and capable helpmeet. She was born in Germany Sep- tember 16, 1847, daughter of Christ and Mary (Schaeffer) Steele, who came from Germany to Freeborn county in 1872. A sketch of these worthy people is found in connection with that of Mrs. Rasmussen's brother, Henry Steele (Stiehl), which appears in this volume. Mrs. Rasmussen came to this country with her brother in 1867, and here met the young man who afterward be- came her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Rasmussen are the parents of six children : Emma is now Mrs. Frank Rafoth, of Carlston town- ship ; Anna is now Mrs. C. A. Barner, of Alden ; Ada is now Mrs. Peter Raun, of Alden; Walter E. conducts the old home farm; Mary is the wife of Carl W. Nelsen, of Alden; Louise R. is at home with her parents.

856

HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

Swan Peterson, who is a native of Sweden, was born October 28, 1848, and is the son of Peter and Hannah Peterson. He was married February 26, 1872 to Caroline Suberg and to them have been born six children: Henry, Nels, Hannah, Swan, and Ellen. In 1878 he came with his family to America and settled in Mans- field Township, and bought land in section 19. At the present time he has a farm of 280 acres of land, the most of which is under cultivation. He follows general and dairy farming and sells his dairy product to the Mansfield Creamery, in which he is a stockholder. Mr. Peterson is a deacon of the Swedish Lutheran Church of Mansfield. He votes with the Republican party and has been director in school district 121 for nineteen years.

John Monsen, who is at present living a retired life at 215 South Pearl street, Albert Lea, was born in Norway on December 6, 1847. His parents, Mons and Karn (Kjolstad) Monsen, came to America in 1871 and settled first in Freeman township, Min- nesota, later removing to Polk county, where the father died February 28, 1910, the mother having pased away several years prior to that time. John, the subject of this sketch was educated in the schools of his native land, and crossed the ocean to America in 1869. Upon his arrival in this country he proceeded west, stopping for a short time at LaCrosse, Wis., after which he came to Minnesota and settled in Freeman township. During the winter of 1870, Mr. Monsen attended school in Freeman town- ship, that he might master the English language more readily. The following two years, he spent in the pine woods in northern Minnesota, and then he returned to Freeborn township and was employed for several months as a farmer, after which he came to Albert Lea and secured work on the railroad for a few weeks. Soon after this, Mr. Monsen began to buy grain, and continued in this occupation for a year. Then he accepted a position with the W. P. Sargent Lumber Co., and from 1877 until 1883 worked in the yards of this company, at Glenville, then being transferred to the Albert Lea yards. Some time later, Mr. Monsen became manager for the John Paul Lumber yards in Albert Lea, and when the business changed owners, several times, Mr. Monsen was retained by each new firm in the capacity of manager. In the spring of 1910, he resigned his position and retired from active life, and now devotes his time to attending to the various business interests, of the family who own 360 acres in Freeman township, also land in Polk county. Mr. Monsen adheres to the tenets of the Republican party, but he has never sought public office. He is a member of the English Lutheran church and he also belongs to the · A. O. U. W. He has ever taken an active interest in all move- ments which have tended toward the development and improve- ment of his town and county, and he is recognized as a public

857

HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

spirited citizen. On March 17, 1875, Mr. Monsen married Anna Larsen, who was born in Lafayette county, Wisconsin, in January, 1853, a daughter of Nels and Antonette Larsen. Mr. and Mrs. Larsen came to America from Norway in the early forties, and settled in Wisconsin until 1860, when they came to Minnesota and located in Freeborn township, where the father engaged in farming for many years, later moving to Albert Lea, where both he and his good wife passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Monsen two children have been born. Adelia graduated from the Albert Lea high school and later from the Mankato state normal, and is now a teacher in the Albert Lea schools, where she gives excellent satisfaction. Norma is now a student in the Albert Lea schools.

Christian Amundson, one of the successful farmers of Free- born township, was born in Columbia county, Wisconsin, October 17, 1856. His father was a native of Norway, and came to America in 1850, locating first in Wisconsin, where Christian was born. Later he removed to Hartland township, in Freeborn county, Min- nesota, where he spent the remainder of his days. The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm and attended the district school. When he reached manhood's estate he was section fore- man on the railroad for two years. He then rented land in Free- born township and went to farming. In 1891 he bought 160 acres in section 1, in that township, on which he has since lived. He married Mary Christianson, a native of Norway. They have four children: Tena, Jennie, Nettie and Clara. Jennie is the wife of Louis Holverson, of Hartland township, and they have two children, Clara and Tena. Mr. Amundson has one of the pleasant farm homes of Freeborn county and his prosperity is the result of hard work and indefatigable industry. He has been a member of the school board in district No. 98.

Iver A. Rodsater, one of the pioneers of this county, was born near Bergen, Norway, September 18, 1845. When he had reached his majority, he came to the United States and located in Dane county, Wisconsin, where he stayed but a short time and then came to Manchaster township, arriving in 1867, and locating with Thor Anderson. He was well equipped for life's struggles, having acquired an excellent education by attending school and seminary of his native land. His wife, Ingeborg (Anderson) Rodsater, was a daughter of Thor and Cary (Evenson) Anderson, who were one of the first six families to locate in Manchester township. To this worthy couple were born ten children : Theodore, a clergy- man of Brant, S. Dak., married to Anna Nelson, and they have two children; Ingeborg and Thora. Bertha is wife of Rev. John Ostrop. Clara is wife of Frederick Knudson, of Albert Lea. Alexander J. is a farmer. George is a lawyer of Mohall, N. Dak.

858

HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

Laura is wife of Ed. Rosheim, D. D. S., of Roland, Iowa, and they have one son, Irvin E. Stella is a teacher. Arthur E. is a farmer. Alexander and Jacob now deceased. That Mr. Rodsater was a man of unusual ability is clearly shown by the prominent office's to which he was elected. He was the leader of the choir in the Norwegian Lutheran church to which he was a liberal con- tributor, and he taught in the parochial school.

He was an active member of the Republican party and for many years held the office of town clerk. He was also elected county commissioner for a period of years, in which capacity he proved his ability. From the date of its organization until the time of his death, which occurred in 1894, Mr. Rodsater acted as secretary of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Faithful to all responsibilities, conscientious to a marked degree, he had the regard of all who were associated with him, either in business or social interests.

Alexander J. Rodsater, who has assisted in the progress of Manchester township, is an industrious farmer who owns 170 acres of land of which one half is under cultivation. He was born in Manchester on the farm where he now resides, January 27, 1877, son of Iver and Ingeborg (Anderson) Rodsater. He attended the district school when a boy and was busy during the vacation months assisting his father with the numerous tasks which constitute the daily routine of a farmer's life. Reach- ing manhood he purchased a part of the old homestead, and here has a well cared for farm on which are a comfortable house, com- modious barns and a fine orchard. Thorella Gunderson, daughter of John Gunderson, of Chicago, married Mr. Rodsater October 1, 1902, and two children bless this union; Viola and Irwin. Following the teachings of the faith to which his father adhered he has the esteem of his brother members of the Lutheran church, and, like his father, he holds to the political views endorsed by the Republican party.

CHAPTER XLII.

APPENDIX.

Famous Law Cases-The Kreigler, Carbury and Wing Homicides -Ruble's Alleged Claim to the "Court Square"-Some Addi- tional Churches-Trondhjem, Moscow, Oakland and Hayward Congregations.

As an appendix to his able article on the Bench and Bar of Freeborn county, Hon. Henry A. Morgan, has prepared a state- ment of some of the famous court cases in Freeborn county as follows :

Kreigler Trial and Execution. On May 6, 1859, occurred the first deliberate murder in the county, when Henry Kreigler, a half-demented German, deliberately and "with malice afore- thought" took the life of his highly respected and kind-hearted neighbor, Nelson Boughton, in the presence of his family at the latter's home two and one-half miles east of the present village of Emmons. Kreigler has married a German widow who had a son about ten years of age whom he so shamefully abused that they left him, and Boughton's only offense was that he kindly let them stay at his home. On this fateful day Boughton had just arrived at his gate with a load of hay when Kreigler came along. Boughton called his attention to threats he had heard Kreigler had made that he would kill Boughton, and asked if then was not a good time. Kreigler at once drew a large dirk knife and proceeded to unwrap a string from around its blade. Bough- ton doubtless thought it a bluff and began lightly rapping his murderer over the hands with his pitchfork handle. As soon as the knife was ready Boughton was instantly stabbed three times and died in a few moments. Kreigler was at once arrested, brought to Albert Lea and indicted at the September term for murder in the first degree. A change of venue was taken to Steele county, where he was tried before Judge N. M. Donaldson, found guilty and sentenced to be hung March 1, 1861, and was executed accordingly.

The day of the execution was a lovely one. The deep snows of the previous winter were nearly gone, although a sleigh was used to convey the condemned man to the scaffold and to convey the remains to their final resting place a mile east of the Mil- waukee depot. It was many years before Albert Lea again saw

859

860

HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

so large a crowd. People flocked to the scene of execution from Mankato, Faribault, Winona, and nearly all the Minnesota towns to the east, and it was conservatively estimated that over four thousand people witnessed the event. It was a sober, quiet throng, as the two soloons had closed their doors the night before and liquor could not be obtained until after the close of this sad drama.

The gibbet was erected in Broadway on a low knoll at the foot of court house hill, nature forming a perfect amphitheater around which nearly every family in the county had gathered. When Sheriff James Robson and assistants entered his cell Kreig- ler showed no fear, and assisted in donning his white shroud and combed his hair in perfect composure. Though he had repeatedly been told that he must die, he did not seem to realize it until he reached the brow of the hill west of the court house, where he came in sight of the scaffold and assembled people, when his pale face, covered with great beads of perspiration, silently told his mental anguish. The exercises at the gibbet were very brief, not lasting more than fifteen minutes. Rev. A. Matson, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church, offered a most fervent prayer and talked to the condemned man in the most kindly spirit, com- mending him to a merciful Saviour; but his remarks fell on deaf ears, the only response being "Me a poor man, me got no money."' His crying could have been heard a half mile away, but was quickly silenced by the fateful rope.

The first trial occurred in Albert Lea, and the district attorney, O. F. Perkins, of Faribault, and J. U. Perry, of Albert Lea, prosecuted ; while Charles McClure, of Red Wing, and Augustus Armstrong, of Albert Lea, were appointed to defend him. The jury was illegally drawn and a new trial was ordered. In March, 1860, a change of venue was taken to Steele county, where the accused was first tried as to his sanity, Attorney General Gordon E. Cole and J. U. Perry appearing for the state and O. F. Perkins and Augustus Armstrong for the defense. A jury pronounced him sane, and in May, 1860, he was again tried and the jury this time failing to agree, another trial was necessary, in December of the same year. This time, D. G. Parker appeared in place of J. U. Perry. Kreigler was again tried for his sanity and being again proven sane, was tried, found guilty and sentenced to be hanged.

Carbury Case. About six o'clock in the evening of August 17, 1895, at a time when Clark street was thronged with citizens, a man rushed into the street from the rear of Staunch's saloon pur- sued by another who overtook him in the middle of the street where the fatal assault was witnessed by a large number of passersby. Thomas Carbury was the assailant and John Gillen the victim.

861

HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

They were both comparative strangers in the city, although Car- bury had a family and had lived here a short time, while Gillen had never made his home here and was a mere transient visitor. Carbury and Gillen in company with two or three others had been drinking beer under the Staunch shed during the afternoon and a quarrel ensued in which it is believed that others took a hand and that Carbury was not the only assailant of Gillen. But, in spite of the most rigid investigation, and owing either to the reluctance or intoxication of those who might have cleared up the mystery and revealed the whole tragedy, the state was never able to secure any satisfactory history or explanation of just what did occur in the hidden interior of the saloon shed. It appeared conclusively that but one blow was struck in the street, and that with the naked fist, and that no weapon of any kind was used by Carbury in this assault; but, in spite of the absence of a weapon, eye-witnesses testified that Gillen, when struck, involuntarily doubled up like a jack knife and was unconscious when picked up and lived but a short time. The autopsy showed that the skull was fractured so that the whole top of the cranium was displaced, which could not have been the result of a single blow of a clenched fist by such a man as Car- bury who was small and physically weak from army service and dissipation. The theory of the writer always has been that Gillen was struck with a weapon and his skull fractured before he left the shed, and that the blow administered in the street caused the displacement and consequent paralysis, and that had not a previous fracture been made the street blow could not have resulted so disastrously.

Carbury was indicted at the December term 1895, and tried in January, 1896, the trial lasting three days and resulting in a verdict of guilty of manslaughter in the second degree, for which he received a sentence of five years in the penitentiary. The case was tried before Judge John Whytock. Hon. H. W. Childs, attorney general; Henry A. Morgan, county attorney, and R. S. Clements, assistant county attorney, conducted the prosecution ; while the defense was ably handled by W. E. Todd. This tragedy had much to do with Albert Lea voting "dry" at the following election.

Wing Case. In the fall of 1899, Albert Lea suffered from an epidemic of smallpox, and naturally many were opposed to going to the pest-house even when afflicted. The statute then gave the board of health authority by proper proceedings to remove any afflicted one to the pest-house if such person was with- out proper food or accommodations, or housed in a room occupied by more than one family, or in hotel, inn or boarding house, etc. Fred Wing was isolated in his own bed room upstairs in his own

862

HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

home, which was duly quarantined, and where he was being cared for by his parents and was in no sense "without proper food or accommodation, " nor did he come within any of the provisions of the statute authorizing his removal against his will or against the wishes and without the consent of his parents. His father, Charles B. Wing, and the whole family strictly observed the quarantine regulations, and Wing Sr. notified the board of health and public authorities that his son should not be removed to the pest-house, and forbid the officers to enter his house for that purpose. In face of this warning a number of police and health officers with an exaggerated idea of their authority, and in defiance of the rights of the members of the Wing household. forcibly entered the house for the purpose of forcibly removing the young man to the pest-house, which attempt was forcibly opposed by Charles B. Wing, the father. Among the officers engaged was Judson H. Randall, a special quarantine policeman, and in the struggle that ensued Mr. Wing used a small stove lifter and also a small section of a broom handle, the latter being broken and the former being the weapon with which the fatal blow was evidently struck. The officers finally abandoned the attempt and Mr. Randall returned with the other officers up town and on the way stated that Wing gave him an awful blow, but further than this seemed to suffer no more than would naturally result from a stinging blow of the kind with a light weapon. This was in the forenoon of November 4, and about noon Mr. Randall took to his bed where he soon lapsed into unconsciousness and died November 6. without regaining consciousness. The autopsy revealed the fact that the blow. evidently from the stove lifter. had caused a fracture of the thin temple bone and a fragment so pressed against the brain as to cause the paralysis that resulted in death as stated. although a very simple operation would have relieved the pressure and insured a complete recovery. Such an operation was timely and urgently advised by physicians, but the family would not permit it and the unfortunate man's life was thus sacrificed. Mr. Wing was indicted February 8. 1900, charged with murder in the second degree. and tried at the same term. On the seventeenth of February, after a trial that lasted several days. he was acquitted. Judge Nathan Kingsley presided at the trial, and the prosecution was conducted by Hon. Wallace B. Douglas, attorney general. and R. S. Clements, county attor- ney, while the defense was handled by Lafayette French and Henry A. Morgan.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Freeborn County, Minnesota, Part 93

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