USA > Minnesota > Freeborn County > History of Freeborn County, including explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, and outline history of the state of Minnesota > Part 69
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M. M. DODGE, M. D. was born in New Lime, Ashtabula county, Ohio, on the 28th of October, 1842, and at the age of fifteen years commenced to teach school. In 1859 he studied medicine with Dr. Porter Key, in his native town, and two years later entered the Cincinnati Hospital, and in the winter of 1863 and '64, attended lectures at Ann Arbor, Michigan, The following spring he moved to Wisconsin, immediately enlisted in the
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Fortieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, Company D, and was detached as Assistant Surgeon in the Adams Hospital upon the regiment's arrival in Memphis. After the close of the war he located in Chicago, and after the fire, being burned out, he attended lectures in Hahnemann Medical Col- lege, from which institution he graduated on the 22d of February, 1872. On the 24th of the same month he was joined in wedlock with Miss Lucy H. Norton, and the same year they cane to Lone Rock, Wisconsin. In the spring of 1874 they came to Albert Lea, where Dr. Dodge has an ex- tensive practice. They have one child, Lonis, nine years old.
GEORGE DROMMERHAUSEN, one of the pioncer mechanics of the county and among the earliest settlers of Geneva, is a native of Prussia, born on the 22d day of June, 1832. When young he learned the trade of a wagon and carriage maker, and in 1854, came to America and worked at his trade in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He afterward worked in Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, and in Red Wing, coming to Geneva in 1857, and started the the first wagon shop in the place. He was mar- ried in the latter year to Miss Julia Persig, who has borne him four children, all boys. Mr. Drom- merhansen took a farm in Bancroft in 1859, which he still owns, but in 1866, came to this place. He owns one of the largest carriage and general re- pair shops in the city.
C. C. DWIGHT, a Vermonter, was born in Ver- shire, Orange county, and when about twelve years old removed with his parents to Cambridge, Massachusetts, in which State he received an aca- demical education. At the age of eighteen years he came west as traveling salesman for an eastern clothing honse, and in 1876 opened a clothing store in Winnebago City, in the southern part of this State. In March, 1880, he married Miss Emma L. Harvey, a native of Cambridge, Massa- cuhsetts. The same month they came to Albert Lea, an l Mr. Dwight opened a boot and shoe store in company with J. O. Conklin, but is now in the bu iness alone. He is the father of one child, Margaretta, born on the 8th of January, 1881.
S. S. EDWARDS, one of tha early settlers, and the oldest photographer in the city, was born in Watertown, Connecticut, on the 15th of July, 1843. He attended the common schools near his home, and afterward the high school of New Haven. In 1871, he married Miss B. M. Lunde, who is a Da-
tive of Christiania, Norway. They have two chil- dren, Mary E. and Charles G. Mr. Edwards came to Albert Lea in 1863, and immediately started in his present business, at which he has been unusually successful-
COL. SAMUEL EATON is a native of New York, born in Onondaga county in 1815. At the early age of seven years his lot was cast with strangers, his parents being unable to provide for and cdu- cate him. Having learned the trade, he com- menced the manufacture of leather and boots and shoes, at which he was engaged twenty years. Having a taste for military life, he filled all posi- tions from a private to the command of a regiment, holding the latter five years. In 1857 he came to Albert Lea, where he has since resided, and during this time he has been called upon to fill oflices of trust, such as Justice of the Peace, Assessor, Treasurer, Coroner, Judge of Probate, and since 1879 has been Postmaster, having retired from all other business. He was also Deputy Clerk of the Court four years and Deputy County Treasurer two years.
JOHN B. FOOTE is a native of New York, born in the town of Salisbury, Herkimer county, on the Ilth day of September, 1823. He completed his studies at the Fairfield Academy, receiving from the Superintendent a certificate to teach in any part of New York State, and for thirteen years availed himself of this privilege. On the Ist of November, 1848, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Eliza Sharp, a native of Fulton County, New York. She died on the 23d of February, 1867, and was buried in Yorkshire, Cattaraugus County. Mr. Foote was again married on the 25th of April, 1871, Ins bride being Mrs. Louisa Burnette. From 1860 to 1879 he was employed by publishing houses of New York and Philadel- phia, and in the latter year came to Albert Lea. He has since been proprietor of the Gilbert House, one of the principal hotels in the city. He had three children by his first marriage; Charles M., Francelia Ann, and Sherwood L., the two latter being dead; and one, Ernest B., by his second wife. The eldest son, Charles M., is of the firm of Warner and Foote, Minneapolis, one of the most extensive publishing houses in the State.
O. B. FOBES was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, on the 30th of July, 1832. He recciv- ed an academical, education, and in 1854, came to Ripon, Wisconsin. In 1861, he moved to Minne-
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CITY OF ALBERT LE.I.
sota, and was engaged in the mercantile business in Winnebago City until 1863, when he enlisted in Company M, of the Fourth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and remaining in service until the close of the war. After receiving his discharge he re- turned to Ripon, Wisconsin, and was Deputy Postmaster for about six years. He then came to Albert Lea, and in company with his brother open- ed a hardware store but has recently sold out and is now in the grocery business, the firm name be- ing Fobes & Owen. Mr. Fobes was married in 1876, to Miss Cassie McNeill, a native of Canada. The union has been blessed with one child, Lucile.
WILLIAM FENHOLT, one of the earlier settlers of Freeborn county, was born in Saxony, Germany, on the 12th of May, 1835. He came to America in 1854, first located in Wisconsin, and in 1858, moved to this county, near the head of Freeborn lake, in Carlston township. He was married in 1859 to Miss Emma Killmer, a native of Canada. Soon after the outbreak of the war he enlisted in Company F, of the Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry and participated in many hard fought battles; was hurt at the battle of Chattanooga and Atlanta, and now draws a pension, He came to Albert Lea after the war and opened the City Hotel which he still owns and conducts. Mr. and Mrs. Fenholt have a family of seven children.
REV. HENRY FRANK was born in Lafayette, In- diana, on the 21st of December, 1853. When a child his parents moved to Chicago where he at- tended the public schools, and after graduating entered the Philip Academy, at Andover, Massa-
chusetts, and later the Harvard University. In 1875, he obtained the position of professor of English Literature and Elocution in the Cornell University, at Mt. Vernon, Iowa. He was united in marriage with Miss Carrie L. Cleveland, daugh- ter of Dr. Cleveland of Chicago, in 1876. The following year he entered the ministry and for several years preached in Kansas, then, in 1880, on account of failing health came to Minnesota and has since had charge of a church in Albert Lea.
JOSEPH A. FULLER is a native of Walworth county, Wisconsin, born on the 17th of March, 1851, near the village of Geneva. When 21 years old he went to Decorah, Iowa, and learned photo- graphy, at which business he has since been en- gaged, coming to Albert Lea soon after finishing
the study of his profession. He was married in 1874, to Miss Luella A. Owen, who was born in Wisconsin. They have one child; Mert L., born on the 11th of January, 1875.
P. H. GREEN was born in Otsego county, New York, on the 5th of April, 1818. When he was young his parents moved to Erie county, where he grew to manhood and then farmed for himself. In 1861, he came west to Freeborn county and located in the town of Freeman, where he improv- ed a farm and remained unlil 1874, during which time he held several of the local offices. In the latter year he came to Albert Lea, which has since been his home, and resides with his sons who carry on the homestead. Mr. Green was married before leaving his native State to Miss Margaret R. Miner, the ceremony taking place on the 17th of August, 1843. Mrs Green died on the 24th of December, 1873, leaving a family of five children.
WALTER GILLETTE was born in the city of Amherst, New Hampshire, on the 22d of Febru- ary, 1848. In 1855, his parents moved to Mil- waukee where Walter received a good business education. His father was a leather dealer in the latter city, for a number of years; in 1872, he moved to Ripon, Wisconsin, in the same business, and remained until coming here in 1878. Walter is associated with him, and besides leather they deal in wool, hides, and furs, theirs being the only enterprise of the kind in the city.
REV. G. S. GOWDY, a native of New York, was born in Rome, Oneida county, on the 19th of May, 1810. When he was young his parents removed to Jefferson county, in the same State, and G. S. attended school and learned of his father the mil- ler's trade. He was married in 1830, to Miss Nancy Allen, who was born in Oswego county, on the 1st of February, 1812. Mr. Gowdy entered upon the ministry at the age of thirty years, and has since continued in that field of labor in the Universalist faith. He had charge of a parish in Yorkshire for a time, and after coming to Minne- sota was in Faribault until 1876, then came to Albert Lea as pastor of the church here, Mr. and Mrs. Gowdy have had three children, two of whom are living; Mary Ann, now Mrs. Sylvester Rice, and Nancy M., now Mrs. Franklin Gould.
DANIEL N. GATES, a native of New York, was born in Hopewell, Ontario county, on the 25th of July, 1832. He received an academical education in a Canada college, and in 1853 came west, first
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY.
to Dubuque, Iowa, and engaged in surveying on the St. Croix river, and a year later began mer- cantile pursuits in Brownsville, Houston county. On the 9th of October, 1856, he was joined in marriage with Miss Sarah A. Dunbar, and the union has been blessed with three children. In 1858 Mr. Gates moved to St. Paul, where he was Deputy State Anditor three years, and remained until 1869, when he came to Albert Lea and has since been freight and ticket agent for the Chica- go, St. Paul & Minneapolis railroad. He is Pres- ident of the Board of Education for this city and Chairman of the Board of Education for the county.
GEORGE T. GARDNER Was born in Albion, Or- leans county, New York, on the 18th of August, 1848. He removed with his parents to Buffalo, and in 1856 to Joliet, Illinois, thence to Milwau- kee and to Kilbourn City, Wisconsin. In 1861, he returned to Buffalo, New York, and entered a drug store, but in 1870 came to Lone Rock, Wis- consin, and opened a store of his own. On the 28th of November, 1872, he married Miss Hattie H. Hayes, and the next year they removed to this city, Mr. Gardner clerking in a drug store. Later he purchased the business of A. H. Street, and conducted it until 1880, when he was elected Clerk of the District Court, running on a Democratic ticket, and received a majority of 281 in a district which has heretofore given 2,500 Republican ma- jority. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner have had three children, two of whom are living.
M. HALVORSEN was born in Norway on the 24th of February, 1855. In 1863 he came with his father, Richard Halvorsen, who was a Methodist minister, to Chicago, Illinois, but for three years the family was not permanently located. They finally settled in Forest City, Iowa, and when our subject was fourteen years old he commenced to learn the printer's trade in the ofllec of the "Win- nebago Press," and in 1871, purchased the enter- prise in partnership with W. C. Hayward. In 1873 Mr. Halvorsen became sole proprietor, being the youngest editor in the State, but a few months later again took a partner. The paper proved a financial failure under the new management, and in 1874 he removed to Lake Mills, Iowa, purchas- ing there a full outfit, and started "The Independ- ent Herald," making it a grand success. In All- gust, 1875, lie purchased the "Albert Lea Enter- prise," and has succeeded here far beyond his ex-
pectations, having the largest office in the county, and a circulation of his paper of nearly 1,000. Mr. Halvorsen was married on the 15th of August, 1876, to Miss Mildred A. Salsich, and they have one child, Alexander Salsich.
OLE J. HAGEN is a native of Norway, born near Christiania, on the 31st of August, 1852. Ile came with his parents to America and settled on a farm in Winneshiek county, lowa, remaining until the age of fifteen years, during which time he attend- ed the public schools. In 1867 the family came to this eonnty and located on a farm near Free- man. On the 18th of May, 1872, the subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Miss Anna A. Stovern. The same year he came to Albert Lea, and for eighteen months was in the drug business in company with his brother. He was subsequently engaged in the sale of agricultural implements, and later entered a printing office, re- maining in the otlice in the winter and selling machinery in the summer. In 1880 he again worked in the printing oflice, and when the "Albert Lea Posten" was started he was appointed its cdi- tor, which position he still holds. He has a fam- ily of four children.
H. A. HANSON was born in Hurdalen, Norway, on the 26th of August, 1843. When about ten years old he became an apprentice to the tailor trade, and worked at the same six years, when he started in business for himself. On the 6th of November, 1868, he was united in marriage with Miss Bertha M. Nelson. They came to America the following year, directly to this county, and engaged in farming for one summer. In the fall, Mr. Hanson opened a tailor shop in this city, and in 1870 increased his business. thus obtaining the best class of trade in the place. In 1880, he sold out to fill the office of Postmaster, to which he had been appointed. He was the first City Treasurer, and has held other local otlices. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson have had cight children, five of whom are living.
REV. NORMAN F. HOYT was born in Saratoga county, New York, in the village of Waterford, near Troy, on the 23rd of May, 1840. At the age of ten years he moved with his parents to Almira, where he received his early education and remained until the breaking out of the war, wlien he enlisted in Company F, of the 23rd New York Volunteer Infantry. He went South with his regiment, and was in the battles of Bull Run, Fredericksburg, and others. At the expiration of
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his term of service, (two years,) he returned home, having been promoted to the rank of Sergeant, and in December re-enlisted as a veteran in the the One Hundred and Forty-Eightlı Regiment, Company B; was promoted to Brigade Adjutant, and participated in the first and second battles of Petersburg, Cold Harbor, Fort Harrison, and Richmond. After the close of the war he was sent to Texas, and remained in service two years longer, receiving an honorable discharge in Feb- rnary, 1867. He returned to his native State, and the following August came west to Chicago, where for five years he attended the Baptist Theolog- ical Seminary, In 1872, he was joined in matrimony with Miss Emma J. Slayson, a native · of New York. The following year he took charge of a church at Maquoketa, Iowa, and presided over it three years. Mrs. Hoyt died in October, 1874, leaving a young child, and in January, 1875, he married his present wife, Miss Mary E. Baldwin, who has borne him two children, Mary A. and Mable F. His eldest child is Emma. Mr. Mr. Hoyt came to Albert Lea in 1875, and until the present year conducted services at Northwood and in the Baptist Church here, but now confines his labor to his congregation in this city.
G. A. HAUGE was born in Christiania, Norway, on the 19th of December, 1840. When he was ten years old his parents came to America, and located on a farm in Winneshiek county, Iowa. Since the age of sixteen years he has maintained himself, and on the 16th of October, 1861, enlisted in Company G, of the Twelfth Iowa Volunteer Infantry ; was in several heavy engagements, the battles of Shiloh, Nashville, etc., and remained in service until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. He returned to his home in Iowa, and in 1869, married Miss Nellie Lagon, a native of Norway. In 1870, they came to this county, first settling in Bancroft, but since 1875, have been residents of this city. Mr. Hauge, with Mr. Christopherson as partner, conducts the larg- est blacksmith shop in Albert Lea. Mr. and Mrs Hauge have two children.
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MAJOR FRANK HALL, one of the carly settlers, and the first Mayor of Albert Lea, was born in Lewis county, New York, on the 28th of July, 1834. In 1854, his parents moved to a farm near Beaver Dam, in Dodge county, Wisconsin, and a few years later to Ripon. There Frank attended college for a few years. In 1858, he married i the subject of our sketch, also owns a fine resi-
Miss Maggie Foster, and the same year came to Albert Lea, and opened one of the first stores in the place. In the spring of 1862, he raised a company in the Fifth Minnesota Volunteer In- fantry, of which he was Captain. He remained in service until the spring of 1863. when he received an honorable discharge and returned home. He is landlord of the Hall House, the leading hotel in the city. He is the father of two children, Ida and Joseph W.
C. P. HEDENSTAD is a native of Norway, born in Kongsberg, on the 3d of March, 1853. In 1864, he came with his parents to America, and located in Waseca county, Minnesota, where his mother still lives, his father having died there in 1872. C. P. learned the jeweler's trade when quite young, and in 1875, came to Albert Lea and opened a store in which he keeps jewelry, musical instruments, and sewing machines. In 1880, he was married to Miss Sina Wangsnes, who was born in Bergen, Norway. They have one child, a girl.
C. M. HEWITT, one of the early settlers and en- terprising merchants of this place, is a native of of New York, born in Oneida county on the 27th of December, 1837. When young his parents moved to Columbus, Warren county, Peunylvania, where he grew to manhood. In 1859 he came to Minnesota, and located a farm in Bancroft, where he remained eighteen months and, then came to Albert Lea. He was married in 1867, to Miss Lura E. Ash, and they have one daughter, May A. For ten years after coming here Mr. Hewitt clerked for Frank Hall; and in June, 1869, en- gaged in business for himself on Broadway, at present having a $12,000 stock.
HANS E. KNATVOLD was born in Drammen. Nor- way, on the 3d of September, 1848. When he was about fourteen years old his parents came to America and directly to this county, locating in Oakland. In 1862, his father enlisted in Com- pany-M, of the First Minnesota Mounted Rangers, and after receiving his discharge moved his family to the town of Hayward, where they still reside. In 1867, Hans came to Albert Lea and clerked in a general mercantile store until 1877, when he, in company with his brother, T. V. Knatvold, started in the hardware business, and they carry the largest stock in the city, their store being located on the west side of Broadway, Mr. Knatvold,
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dence. He was married in 1879, to Miss Clara McArthur. a native of Port Huron, Michigan. They have one child, Bertha May, born in Angust, 1880.
WILLIAM G. KELLAR is a native of Grant county, Wisconsin, born on the 17th of Angust. 1849. His parents are pioneers of this township, coming in 1856, and locating on a farm near the city. William attended the common schools. and in 1865 entered the Oberlin College in Ohio, and sinec his return has been engaged in surveying for several years, in the employ of the Southern Minnesota railroad. He has been County Sur- veyor since 1870. In 1874, he was joined in mar- riage with Miss Ada Green, who was born in Zanesville, Ohio. They have one child, Ira A., born on the 22nd of March, 1878. C. B. Kellar, a brother of the above, was also born in Grant county, Wisconsin, on the 19th of May, 1845. He came with his parents to this place and in 1862, enlisted in Company C, of the Fifth Minne- sota Volunteer Infantry, under Major Hall, and after his discharge attended Oberlin College a few years. He has a wife and two children. He is at present in the employ of H. D. Brown as cashier.
PROF. CHARLES W. LEVENS was born in Wind- sor, Windsor county, Vermont, on the 7th of February, 1840. When he was three years old his parents moved to Racine county, Wisconsin. Charles attended the State University, teaching during the vacations, until 1860. In the latter year he married Miss Rebecca B. Teachout, a native of Lorain county, Ohio, and the same year moved to California, remaining one year engaged in school teaching. He returned to Wisconsin, and for two years was County Superintendent of the schools of Racine county; then for four years was Superintendant of the public schools of the city of Racine. In 1876, he moved to Minnesota, and after a residence of two years in Olmsted county, came to Albert Lea, and was employed as Principal of the public schools here, afterwards was elected Superintendent of the same and held both positions until resigning to fill the otlice of County Superintendant, to which he was elected in 1882. Mr. Levens has been instrumental in building up and giving to the public schools of this city their high reputation for solid worth. He has a family of six children, four daughters and two sons.
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WILLIAM CLIFFORD MCADAM, a native of New
York, was born near Utica, in Oneida county. Ile grew to manhood in his native State, prepar- ing for college in the Utica Free Academy, and in 1873. entered the Hamilton College, graduating in the classical course in 1877, and from the law department one year later. He then came to Chicago and continued his legal studies in the otlice of Higgins and Swett. In 1880, he moved to Albert Lea; was with Judge Whytock for a time, and is now of the firm of Palmer and Me- Adam.
M. T. MAGELSSEN, A. M., M. D., one of the more recent settlers of Albert Lea, is a native of Norway, born in Christiania on the 5th of April, 1852. His father was Chief of Police of that city until 1859, when the family moved to Bergen, where the latter was made Magistrate, and still holds the position. The subject of this sketch spent his early days at school. attending the Learned Latin College in Bergen, and in 1869 en- tered the Royal University of Norway, from which he received a diploma as physician and surgeon in 1876. He continued his medical studies in the Royal University at Vienna, Austria, graduating in 1879, and completed his education in France. He then located in London, England, where he had a good practice, still continuing to study. In the fall of 1881, he came to America, to Min- nesota, and in January, 1882, located in this city, where he has established a good practice.
E. W. MURPHY was born in county Armagh, Ireland, near the seaport village of Dundalk, on the 1st of May, 1832. At an early age he began life for himself, coming to America, and at the age of sixteen years located in Illinois. He came to Albert Lea in November, 1855, but did not re- main more than three years: going south he spent three years traveling. In 1861 he returned to this city. and engaged in the milling business, but in 1878 opened a general mercantile store, to which he has since devoted his time. He was joined in marriage on the 20th of November, 1870, to Miss Ann Iloffman, a native of Vermont. They have been blessed with one son, William Henry, born on the 18th of July, 1875.
C. D. MARLETT is a native of Cass county, Michigan, where he was born on the 19th of May, 1845. He came with his parents to Albert Lea in I857; attended school, and in 1863 enlisted in Company H, of the First Minnesota Cavalry, serving two years. After returning from the army
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he learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner, and is now engaged in building and repairing boats. He was married on the 22d of February, 1864, to Miss Alice Killiner, and the union has been blessed with three children, two of whom are living.
SAMUEL MARSH, a native of England, was born in Northampton on the 16th of October, 1836. After reaching maturity he was employed as a book-keeper in his native town, and in 1855 came to America. He first located in Iowa, and engaged in buying and selling grain. While there he mar- ried, in 1864, Miss Michal Bradfield, who was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin. They moved to Albert Lea in 1870, and for about seven years Mr. Marsh continued the business of buying and selling grain, since which time he has been employed as car accountant at the depot. He has four chil- dren; William N., Robert S., John B., and Ida M.
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