History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 101

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago, H.C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1264

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H. J. Kells, of Ilay Creek township, was born in Columbia county, New York, October 3, 1833, son of Henry H. and Caroline (Avery) Kells, natives of New York, who moved to Wisconsin late in life and spent the remainder of their days there. H. J.

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Kells was educated in the common schools of New York and later attended a commercial school in Wisconsin. He came to Minne- sota in 1857 and settled in Waconta township, where he worked at his trade of blacksmith for several years. Afterward he moved to Hay Creek township, where he has since resided, and carried on general farming and stock raising, also devoting a part of his time to blacksmithing, having a well equipped shop on the farm. He owns 200 acres of land, of which eighty-three are under culti- vation, the place being managed by his son. Mr. Kells was mar- ried in Wisconsin to Naomi Stewart, a native of Maine. The mother died when her daughter Naomi was small, and the father moved to Wisconsin, where he died. Mr. and Mrs. Kells have seven children : James, of Minneapolis, and Alice, Alfred, Henry, Sarah, William, and George, all of whom live at home. Mr. Kells is Republican in politics, and has served as town supervisor and justice of the peace for a number of years. He belongs to the Masonic Lodge of Red Wing.

Gust Ekblad has devoted his life to farming. He was born in Sweden in May, 1868, and was brought to this country by his parents while still an infant, spending his early boyhood in Vasa, where they settled. His father, Peter, who is still living, is men- tioned in the sketch of Albert Ekblad, found in this volume. Gust attended the common schools of Vasa, and went to Mower county with his parents in early young manhood. For many years he has been a farmer in Hay Creek township. Of his eighty- five and a half acres, forty-five are under the plow, and on this place he carries on general farming and stock raising. He sells butter and makes a specialty of raising Plymouth Rock fowls. Among other improvements he has sunk a good well, from which is obtained pure sparkling water for stock and household pur- poses. Mr. Ekblad is an independent voter and is now serving as road master of Hay Creek. He was married in 1896 to Jennie, the daughter of Thomas Perrott and Susan (Bryan) Perrott, and to this union have been born three children, Elizabeth An- netta, Ruby Jeanette and Violet Evelyn.

Albert Helmeke, an honest, law-abiding citizen of Hay Creek township, has spent his entire life in this county, and has wit- nessed its development into one of the most prosperous sections of the state. He was born October 2, 1862, his parents being Henry and Ricke (Lenke) Helmeke, natives of Germany. They came to America in 1857, and for a time lived in Indiana, until drawn to this part of the country by the reports that many of their fellow countrymen were attaining prosperity and success on the rich aeres of the then newly developed Goodhue county. They settled in Hay Creek township, and there remained many years. In his latter years the father sold out and moved to Red Wing.

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All his eight children are living. Albert obtained sueh edueation as the district schools offered, and from earliest boyhood took an interest in farming. He now owns the home place of 160 aeres, having ninety acres under the plow. His erops are of a general nature, and his stock of a high grade. His fellow citizens have accorded him their trust and esteem and for three years have called him to serve as their town clerk. He votes the Republican ticket. Mr. Helmeke was married in 1888 to Maggie Kruckenburg, daughter of Fred Kruekenburg, an old settler of Minneapolis, who, being a carpenter, erected many of the early buildings there. To Mr. and Mrs. Helmeke have been born four children, Lillie,, Fred, John and Anton. The Lutheran faith is the family religion.

John B. Zignego has a large farm on Seetion 5, Hay Creek township, just outside of the limits of the city of Red Wing, 200 of his 338 acres being under the plow and in a high stage of cultivation. On this farm he does general farming, together with stoek raising and dairying, making a specialty of hogs. He has made many improvements on his place and lives in a pleasant residence with his wife and six children. He was born in Italy, June 24, 1856, son of Andrew and Carrie Zignego, both of whom died in Italy. His unele brought him to this country when he was a youth of fourteen years, in 1869, and until twenty-five years of age he assisted this uncle with farm work, subsequently renting his uncle's farm three years. He then purchased eighty acres in Florence township, still later purchasing the farm where. he now resides. Mr. Zignego is an independent voter and has never sought publie office. He was married, in 1883, to Minnie Lubbe, daughter of Frederick and Dora (Warnbold) Lubbe, na- tives of Germany. The former is dead and the latter still lives in the old country. The six children born to this union are: Minnie, John C., Lavina, Marie, Joseph and Willis. The unele who brought John B. Zignego to this country is now living in Minneapolis, at the good old age of eighty-eight years.

Edward Behrens, of Hay Creek township, was born in Boone- ville, Ind., December 14, 1849, son of Conrad and Caroline Behrens, natives of Germany, who came to America and located in Warrick county, Indiana, where the father died of cholera soon after. The mother died in 1904. Edward received his edu- cation in the common schools of Warrick county, and later learned the shoe trade, which he followed until 1893. In 1871 he came west and settled in Red Wing, where he worked at his trade for two years, after which he started a shoe shop at Hay Creek, also managing a small farm until 1894, when he rented a farm of 244 aeres, of which 100 was under cultivation, the rest being good timber. This he managed for eleven years, carrying on general farming and dairying. In 1905 he purchased the farm

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and made many improvements, both on the land and buildings. In June, 1882. he was married to Ida Saupe, daughter of Fred and Emilia Schubert Sanpe, natives of Germany, where the father was a sexton. They came to America in 1855 and located in Milwaukee, remaining one year, after which they came to Min- nesota and located in Hay Creek township, where they pre- empted 160 acres of land and engaged in general farming. There were nine children, all of whom are living. Mr. Beherns is a Republican in politics and has been treasurer and director of school district No. 161 for the past nine years. Fraternally he affiliates with the Sons of Herman and the Red Men of Red Wing.

A. A. Burkard, the genial store keeper at Hay ('reek village, popularly known to the publie in general as "Burkard's," is a lifelong resident of this county, having been born in Red Wing March 24, 1867. His parents were A. A., Sr., and Odella (Holst- man) Burkard. The father came from Baaden, Germany, when a young man and took up a homestead in Hay Creek. He then engaged in the hotel business in Red Wing and in 1867 moved to Featherstone township, where he conducted a general store and hotel. Twenty years later, in 1887, he came to Hay Creek village and started a store and hotel, erecting the substantial brick build- ing now occupied by his son. He occupied a number of public offices and was postmaster in Featherstone and Hay Creek for a period of nearly thirty-five years. He died August 1, 1903. The subject of this sketch received his education in the public schools, and worked with his father, managing the farm in Featherstone twelve years. Upon his father's death he took charge of the hotel and store at Hay Creek village, which he now conducts. He is well known throughout the county and state and is prominent in fraternal circles, being a member of the Red Men at Red Wing and the Eagles at St. Paul. In September, 1898, he was married to Helena Schaffer, by whom he has three bright boys, Harold, Karl and Tilden, all of whom are at school.

Carl Veek, a prosperous farmer of Warsaw township, was born in Rock county, Wisconsin, January 15, 1871. His parents were Halgren and Julia (Mikkelson) Veek, natives of Norway. The father came to America with the grandparents in 1852, and located in Rock county, Wisconsin, where they engaged in farm- ing. Later he purchased the homestead of 280 acres and farmed until 1898. The mother died in 1898, and the son Carl now man- ages the farm and makes a home for his father. Carl received his education at Decorah, Towa, entering Luther College at the age of fourteen years, and spending four years there. Then he went to Northfield, and attended St. Olaf's College one year. In 1889 he came into possession of 250 acres of land in Warsaw township, of which nearly all was under cultivation : and engaged

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in general farming, dairying and stock raising, continuing to improve his farm in many ways. October 7, 1889, he was mar- ried to Petrine Brekken, daughter of Even and Bertha (Oldre) Brekken, natives of Norway, who immigrated in 1856 to Stough- ton, Dane county, Wisconsin. In 1860 they removed to Minne- sota and purchased 160 acres of land, gradually increasing this to 385 acres. They carried on farming until 1888, when they retired from active life, but remaining on the homestead, where the father died in 1894. The mother is still living at Warsaw. Mr. and Mrs. Veek have had nine children: Even (deceased) ; Herman Julius, Byron, Josephine, Clara, and Minnie, who are at home, and Evangeline, Clara P., and Ole, deceased. Mr. Veek is a Republican in politics and has served as chairman of War- saw township for the past four years, clerk of school district 53 for the past twelve years, and president of the Goodhue County Good Roads Association for two years. The family faith is that of the Lutheran church.

Henry H. Svein was born on the farm where he now resides, in Warsaw township, December 25, 1873, son of John and Mary Turtness, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1856, locat- ing in Wisconsin, where the father worked on a farm for three years, after which they went to Iowa, remaining three years ; then came to Warsaw township, Minnesota, in 1862, and pur- chased eighty acres of land which the father cleared and broke, and built a home. Here they remained for two years, when they bought a farm, consisting of 195 aeres, in the same township, where the father made extensive improvements, building a home, barn and other outbuildings, and followed general farming until in 1905 when he retired from active life. In 1907 he moved to Dennison, where he died in 1908, and the mother in 1882. Henry received his education in the public schools of Warsaw and St. Olaf's College. Northfield, which he attended two years, after which he took up farming at home until 1905. He then bought 155 acres of the old homestead, and later forty acres, of which about 175 acres are under cultivation, and on which he has car -. ried on general farming and dairying, raising of fine horses and stock. Mr. Svein has one sister and two brothers: Annie, the sister, married C. Strand, who died, and later she married Thomas Bakken, of Warsaw. The brothers are: Sever, who lives. at home, and Olaus, who is living at Dennison, Minn. Mr. Svein is a Republican in polities, but has never sought or held public office. He belongs to the Norwegian Lutheran church.

John Edward Norsving, president of the village council of Dennison, was born in Holden township, January 24, 1873, and received his education in the Holden common schools, St. Olaf College at Northfield, and the Lutheran Academy at Albert Lea,

IHISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

subsequently remaining on the home farm until 1904, with the exception of two years, 1900-02, which he spent on the Pacific coast. In 1904 he entered into partnership with the Messrs. El- lingboe and Austinson, in a general store at Dennison, where he now remains, he and Mr. Austinson having purchased the interest of Mr. Ellingboe. The firm has a large trade from the neighbor- ing country districts in both Rice and Goodhne counties, and, in addition to a general line of provisions and household necessities, carries a full stock of hardware and farm machinery. In addi- tion to this property Mr. Norsving has 160 acres of the old home- stead which he rents. He is a Republican in politics, and before being elected president of the council had served three terms as village assessor. June 4, 1903, he was married to Sadie Austin- son, daughter of Throud and Mary (Stiele) Austinson, who, after coming to America in 1851, lived in Wisconsin and Iowa, and in 1859 took up their residence on 240 acres in Warsaw, where they lived until 1907, when they retired and moved to Dennison village. In 1868 they took a long vacation and visited their old home in Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Norsving have been blessed with two children: Gudmund T. W., born September 28, 1905, and Bernice M., born September 29, 1907. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran church. G. K. and Bertha (Holien) Norsving, parents of John Edward, were born in Norway and in 1850 migrated to the United States. After living in Wisconsin and Iowa several years they came to Holden township, this county, and purchased 160 acres which they broke and improved, later adding eighty acres more, which was, however, subsequently disposed of. They retired in 1904 and now make their home in a pleasant residence in Kenyon. During his active life G. K. Norsving was at one time interested in a store in Tennessee, but this interest he later sold. The entire family is well esteemed throughout this section of the country. G. K. Norsving served in the legislature in 1872-3. He has also served as county com- missioner, township supervisor, clerk, treasurer, justice and assessor.

T. O. Bonde, of Warsaw township, was born in Black Hammer township, Houston county, Minnesota, September 5, 1855, son of Ole T. and Mary G. (Riste) Bonde, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1848 and located in Wisconsin, where the father purchased forty acres of land, which he cleared and improved, remaining until 1855, when they removed to Houston county, Minnesota, residing there eight years. Then they went to Riee county, purchased eighty aeres of land, built a home and other buildings necessary, and carried on general farming for twelve years, after which they sold and came to Warsaw township and bought 170 acres of land which the father improved, and carried

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on general farming until in 1892, when he retired from active life. He died in 1903 and the mother passed away in 1904. T. O. Bonde received his education in the public schools at Northfield, Minn., and took a business course at a La Crosse business college. After leaving school he took up farming, and in 1900 purchased 160 acres in Dakota, remaining three years, after which he sold and returned to the old home, where he has since managed the farm with his brother. Mr. Bonde has three sisters and three brothers. The sisters are: Bertha E., married to Charles Asper, of Portland, Ore .; Emma, married to John Beauline; and Belle, married to Oliver Tucker, of Hibbing, Minn. The brothers are: G. O., living in North Dakota; Austin, now of North Dakota; Albert. living at home. Mr. Bonde is a Republican in politics, has served as chairman of the town board four years, and was justice of the peace two years. He is interested in the Farmers' Elevator at Dennison.

John Engersetter, of Warsaw township, was born in North- field, Rice county, Minnesota, November 28, 1869, son of Erick and Julia Ilaland Engersetter, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1852. locating in Wisconsin, where the father worked on a farm, remaining two years. In 1854 they moved to Rice county. Minnesota, where the father homesteaded eighty acres of timber land, which he broke and cleared. He also built a house of logs. Later he purchased 160 acres of land in Northfield town- ship, where he moved the log house and improved the land, carry- ing on general farming, and adding more land, at one time 160 acres and another time eighty acres, until he owned in all 480 acres, which he managed until his death. January 28, 1904. The mother is still living on the old homestead with her son, Edward. John was one of six children : Albert, now of Canada; Carrie, married Albert Mohn, now of Rice county ; Julia, married George Rauk, now of Rice county; Edward. lives on the homestead; Bertha, married Carl Knutson, now of Rice county; and John is the subject of this sketch. John received his education at the public schools of Rice county and worked on the farm at home . until 1893, when he bought 200 acres of land. of which 180 acres was in Goodhue county, where he built a home, barn and other outbuildings. and now carries on general farming and dairying, also raising fine horses and stock. The other twenty acres are in Rice county. Mr. Engersetter was married March 8. 1898, to Julia Lein, daughter of Gunder and Annie (Estrem) Lein, natives of Norway, who came to this county and settled in Holden town- ship, where they purchased land and carried on general farming until the father died in 1906. The mother is still living on the homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Engersetter have four children: Gil- man A., Eddie G., Annie J., and Gunda Lenora. Mr. Engersetter

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is a Republican in politics and the family are members of Vang's Norwegian Lutheran church.

Ingwel Enderson, of Warsaw township, was born in Norway, February 24, 1839, son of Andrew Amunson and Bertha Ing- welson, natives of Norway, the father being a tailor by trade, in . which he engaged until his death in 1846. The mother came to America in 1864 and located in Blooming Prairie, where she re- married and lived until her death in 1899. Ingwel received his education in the public schools of Norway, and after leaving school took up farming until in 1861, when he came to Goodhue county and located in Warsaw township, where he worked for five years. In 1866 he purchased eighty acres of improved land, built a home of logs, and carried on general farming. In 1882 he bought eighty acres adjoining and built a new home, barn and other buildings and now continues to carry on general farming and dairying, having all but fifteen acres under cultivation. July, 1867, he was married to Carrie Olson, daughter of Ole and Ing- borg Aastad, natives of Norway, where both parents died. Mr. and Mrs. Enderson have been blessed with two children : Bertha, born September 19, 1868, and died September 30, 1893, and An- drew, born October 7, 1870, who lives at home. Mr. Enderson is a Republican in his political views, and the family attend the Lutheran church.

Elija L. Clark, now deceased, was the pioneer school teacher of Cannon Falls. He taught this school in 1856-57, in a building which he erected for the purpose, principally of basswood, giving it the name of Basswood College. In this building the early church services were also held. Mr. Clark was born in Franklin county, Maine, February 28, 1830, received an academy educa- tion, worked in a cutlery factory in Lowell, Mass., four years, and engaged in surveying in Ohio five years, coming to Cannon Falls in 1855. From then until 1862 he did carpenter work, leav- ing this occupation to respond to Lincoln's call for volunteers, serving in Company F, Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry · until promoted to first lieutenant in the 123d U. S. C. Infantry. He was mustered out at Camp Nelson, Kentucky, in October, 1865. After being in business for many years in Cannon Falls, he went to South Dakota, homesteaded a claim, and remained until 1902, when he retired and returned to Cannon Falls. His interests have always been toward the encouragement of patriot- ism, and to him is due in some measure the agitation which re- sulted in locating the Colonel William Colvill monument in this place. Mr. Clark died Feb. 17, 1909, while visiting his daughter, Mrs. W. P. Hitchings, in California. He was married October 30, 1858, to Mary E. Wright, daughter of James H. and Rebecca (Evans) Wright, natives of Indiana, who came to Cannon Falls

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HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

in the early days and engaged in farming until the end of their life, the father dying November 25, 1876, and the mother Septem- ber 16, 1887. To Mr. and Mrs. Clark were born three children : E. W. is a coal dealer in Minneapolis; Nellie C. is the wife of W. P. Hitchings, of California ; Frank W. is a sheriff in Arizona. Mr. Clark was a fine old gentleman in every respect, a figure much honored in the village. Kindly, ever considerate, willing at personal cost to assist in every good movement, he was a distinct addition to pioneer life, and his training of the boys and girls of the early days had much to do with the success which many of them achieved in after life.

Marten C. Westermo, of Wanamingo township, has attained honor and distinction during his lifelong residence in this county. He was born in Holden township, March 13, 1856, and received such school training as his district afforded. As a boy he helped about the farm, and after leaving school he remained on the old homestead until 1882, when his father presented him with 160 aeres on which he farmed until coming to Wanamingo in 1889. At the present time he carries on general farming, owning 110 acres upon which he has erected a pleasant home and some fine barns. In the midst of a busy life, he has found time to attend to higher things and has taken a prominent part in the United Lutheran church, being especially interested in the parochial schools connected with that body. He was married May 22, 1877, to Anna M. Huseth. by whom he has eight children: Rev. Chris- tian, born March 24, 1879, now of New York city; Halvor, born October 23, 1881, and Isaac, born Angust 14, 1883, both of North Dakota; Ingeborg, born December 9, 1886; Alfred, born March 27, 1889; Aslang, born May 4, 1891, Laura, born September 17, 1893, and IIerman, born July 13, 1897, all at home.

The parents of Mrs. Marten C. Westermo were Halvor Olsen and Aslang Huseth, both born in Norway, the former in 1824 and the latter in 1828. Upon coming to America in 1844 he en- gaged in farming at Stoughton, Wis., for twelve years. In 1856 they came to Wanamingo township, this county, with the early pioneers and bought a farm, making the usual developments and improvements. The mother died January 18 and the father August 23, 1901. Christian and Ingeborg (Hansdatter) Wes- termo, parents of Marten C. Westermo, were born in Norway, the former in 1812 and the latter in 1815. In his early manhood the father was manager of a lumber estate, but upon coming to Ameriea in 1846 he engaged in farming at Sugar Creek, Wis., for two years. In 1856 they came to Holden township, this county, with the early pioneers and homesteaded 160 acres, making the usual developments and improvements. The mother died March 20, 1885, and the father spent his declining years with his son.

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George V. Williams is one of the leading druggists of Good- hue county, and has taken an active part in those activities which have made Cannon Falls equal in importance, in a commercial and political way, to cities of much larger growth. During the last campaign he was secretary of the Taft-Jacobson Republican Club ; he is secretary of the Cannon Falls Business Men's Asso- ciation, member of the Commercial Club, member of the Minne- sota State Pharmacy Association, president of the Goodhue County Retail Druggists' Association, member of the city council, and a popular brother in the Masons, the Modern Samaritans and the Maccabees. Born in Evansville, Minn., July 19, 1880, he received his education in the public schools and later entered the School of Pharmacy at Minneapolis. From 1898 to 1901 he worked at the drug business in Evansville, Minneapolis, Madison, Fergus Falls and Forest River. In 1901 he became druggist for the state hospital in Fergus Falls, Minn., and then, after three years, took up his residence in Cannon Falls, and on May 17, 1904, entered into partnership with P. A. Peterson in the drug business. Since March 17, 1908, Mr. Williams has been sole owner, carry- ing a full line of drugs, sundries, paints, silverware, hand-deco- rated china, wall paper, jewelry, sewing machines, etc. Mr. Will- iams was married November 24, 1903, to Minnie Strehlow, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Otto Strehlow, of St. Peter, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are both members of the Congregational church. John O. and Sophia J. (Johnson) Williams, parents of George V. Williams, came to America from Sweden in 1866 and lived in Vasa, until 1870, when they went to St. Paul. In 1878 they moved to Evansville, Minn., and conducted a hotel until 1881, when the father engaged in the furniture business. In 1905 lie resumed his trade of carpenter and contractor which he is now following.

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History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 101

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Chicago, H.C. Cooper Number of Pages: 1264

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago, H.C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1264