USA > Minnesota > Goodhue County > History of Goodhue County, Minnesota > Part 105
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115
Rollof O. Lund. a retired farmer of Minneola, was born in Norway. June 28. 1851. son of Ole and Jennette (Opem) Lund, who emigrated to America in 1857. After stopping at Red Wing one month. they came in March to Minneola, where they acquired 160 acres of land. which they broke and improved, following gen- eral farming until 1879. At the end of this time they lived a retired life until Mr. Lund's death, January 6, 1885. Mrs. Lund still lives with her son, being ninety-two years of age. Rollof came to America in 1857 with his parents, at the age of six. Receiving a common school education, he took up farming with his father. until 1879, when he purchased the old home farm. This, with an addition of 240 acres, he has continued to cultivate, erecting thereon a pleasant home and a 36x84 barn. In 1908 he
973
HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY
sold 115 acres of his farm, leaving 285, which he still owns. Besides this, he owns 320 acres of wild land in Edmunds county, South Dakota. In 1897, at the opening of the Security State Bank in Zumbrota. Mr. Lund was called as its assistant cashier, which position he faithfully filled for three years, after which he succeeded Mr. Noeseth as manager of the Farmers' Elevator of Zumbrota, a position which he held for three years. He then removed to Wanamingo village, at which place he conducted an elevator of his own for one year, after which he sold it to the Milwaukee Elevator Company. This company retained him as manager of the elevator for three years, and he then returned to his farm, which is now conducted by his sons. Mr. Lund was married May 8, 1879. to Johannah Hembre, danghter of Ole and Anna HIembre, natives of Norway, who located in Red Wing, where Mr. Hembre followed his trade as a carpenter until his death, in 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Lund are the parents of nine children : Ole, Nettie, Oaf, Inga. Einar, Oscar, Robert, William McKinley and Harold. Of these, Inga teaches school. In polities Mr. Lund is a stanch Republican and in religion a true Lutheran. He has served in many official capacities, having been supervisor of his village, a member of the village council and director of his school district, while for many years he was treasurer and one of the directors of Zumbrota Hospital. For sixteen years he held the office of treasurer of the Wanamingo, Cherry Grove and Minneola Fire Insurance Company, and for seven years he con- dueted a ereamery of his own at Zumbrota. Ile operated a threshing machine for twenty-five years. Mr. Lund's life has been a busy one and the success gained by him is due to his own work, honestly and faithfully performed. He is loved by his friends and esteemed by all.
Iver J. Lunde, of Roscoe township, was born in Norway April 11, 1843, son of Johannes and Karen (Joranlid) Lunde, natives of Norway, where the father was a farmer and owned 200 acres of land. He died in 1896, the mother having passed away in 1880. Iver J. received his education in the public schools of Norway, completing his studies with a course at a seminary. After leaving school he took up teaching for five years, after which he emigrated to America, in 1866, locating in Roscoe town- ship, remaining for one year, during which time he worked for farmers. In 1867 he bought 120 acres of land in the township, which he improved, erecting a home, barn and other buildings necessary. He also taught parochial school in Land's church for two years. In 1906 he purchased 120 acres more of improved land, also eleven acres of timber, and carried on general farming. Mr. Lunde was married October 24, 1869, to Nicoline Aasen, daughter of Hans and Marie (Roste) Aasen, natives of Norway.
干こい
HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY
Both parents are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Lunde have had eight children: Hilda, John, Mary, and Norman, of Roscoe township; Susie, married to Albert Peterson, of Red Wood county; Carl, Gunda, Josephine and Karen Martha, deceased. Mr. Lunde is a Republican, and he and his family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Synod church.
Josiah Lothrop, formerly of Roscoe township, now of Zum- brota, retired farmer and veteran of the Civil War. is of New England parentage, but a native of Canada, born in the province of Quebec October 15. 1839, son of Howard and Olive ( Leavitt) Lothrop, the former born in Massachusetts and the latter in New Hampshire. The parents went to Canada in 1817, and there the father engaged in farming until 1852, when they returned to Somerset county. Maine, and farmed until 1856. From that year until 1860 they lived on a farm near La Crosse, Wis. In Good- hue county, where they next located, they took up a quarter- section on section 10, Roscoe township. They soon had this wild land broken and cultivated and in fine shape for general farming, an ocenpation which they followed for the remainder of their lives. The father laid down the duties of life May 15, 1883. and the mother Angust 10. 1880. Josiah Lothrop received his education in Wisconsin and Minnesota, working as a farm hand with his father until 1865, when he took charge of the home place. He assisted his father with the developments, and after the latter's death built a new home and made other im- provements. While still working for his father he enlisted in the Union army, August 15, 1862. After signing his enlistment papers in St. Paul he was assigned to Company HI, 8th Minne- sota Volunteer Infantry, with which company he served until mustered out as corporal, July 25, 1865. He returned to St. Paul under arms, and was discharged July 25, 1865. Among the scenes of bloody carnage in which Mr. Lothrop participated were the battles of Kill Deer Mountain, August 28, 1864; Bad Lands (three days' engagement) ; Murfeesboro, December 5, 1864; Nolanville Pike, December 7, 1864; Kingston, N. C., March 8, 1865. Returning from the war, he again took up life on the farm. He retired in July, 1908, and purchased the pleasant home in Zumbrota village where he now resides. Mr. Lothrop was married December 29. 1867, to Sarah E. Libbey, daughter of Charles W. and Mary J. (Mayberry) Libby, early settlers of Roscoe township. They migrated from Maine, their native state, to Boone county, Illinois, in 1847, and engaged in farming there until 1856. when they came to Roscoe township and farmed until 1865, when they went to Wisconsin. After three years there they removed to Kansas in 1868, remaining until the end of their days, August 5, 1885, and February 7, 1900, respectively. To
915
HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY
Mr. and Mrs. Lothrop were born six children: Mary O., born October 31, 1868, is a school teacher, who has recently taken a post-graduate course in the University of Minnesota; Josiah HI. was born March 20, 1872, and lives on the old homestead ; Charles E., born September 7, 1874, died January 16, 1890; Seth W., born July 10, 1881, died January 9, 1883; Sarah E., born June 7, 1886, is a stenographer at the University of Minnesota, and Hugh L., born October 19, 1888, is a bookkeeper and lives at home. Mr. Lothrop has occupied public office since reaching the age of twenty-six years. He has occupied practically all the offices in Roscoe township, including chairman, and is commander of Scofield Post, No. 121. G. A. R. He is an independent voter. Mrs. Lothrop, who comes of an old family, is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, a charter member of the Woman's Relief Corps and a member of the Eastern Star. The Lothrops take an active interest in everything that is improving and ennobling.
Charles O. Roe, the efficient manager of the Farmers' Elevator Company, at Kenyon, is a native of this state, born in Lyon county, Minnesota, August 5, 1873. His parents, Ole and Dena (Loken) Roe, natives of Hedemarken, Norway, eame to America in the early sixties and located in Wanamingo township two years. They then went to Lyon county, homesteaded 160 acres of land,. and on this farm, which they broke and improved, car- ried on general farming for several years. Later they returned to Wanamingo township, where the father died in 1874. The mother now makes her home in Kenyon. Charles O. received a common school education and took up farming on a place which he rented in Holden township. His first experience in the grain business was in the employ of the Farmers' Elevator Company, of Kenyon, with whom he remained eight years. He then worked at the same business as manager of the Farmers' Ele- vator at Ellendale, Steele county, this state, and in the fall of 1905 located in Wanamingo, where he remained until August 1, 1909, when he took his present position. As an elevator manager he has given much satisfaction, and is highly regarded by all with whom he has business relations. In the past four years he has taken an interest in the business growth of the village of Wanamingo, and is a director of the Farmers' State Bank, sec- retary of the Farmers' Mutual Telephone Company, of Wana- mingo, and secretary of the Wanamingo Lumber Company. Mr. Roe was married in September, 1899, at Faribault, to Caroline Kleven, daughter of Thomas Kleven, of Kenyon. To this union have been born two daughters, Lillian Othelia and Dorothy Evelyn, the former born August 20, 1900, and the latter June
976
HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY
28, 1905. Mr. Roe is a Republican, and belongs to the I. O. O. F., at Kenyon. The family worships at the Lutheran church.
Rev. Gunder S. Froiland, pastor of Lands' and Minneola con- gregations of the United Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church, is an ideal village pastor in every particular, the father of his people, eloquent in the pulpit, comforting and encouraging in family life, and an insipration at all times toward those things for which the church stands. He was born in Stavanger, Norway, January 13, 1867, son of the pioneers, Sven and Rachel Froiland, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1869, and remained in Fillmore county, Minnesota, until 1873, when they went to Brookings county, in what was then Dakota territory, being among the first settlers there. With true pioneer vigor and energy they homesteaded 160 acres, which they at once brought under cultivation. The father remained on this homestead and farmed until his death, December 1. 1896. The mother is still living on the home farm. Gunder S. was brought to this country by his parents in 1869 and has consequently spent almost his entire life in this country. He received his preliminary train- ing in the schools of his native county and in 1883 entered the Augustana College, at Beloit, Iowa. He went with this college when it was removed to Canton. S. D., and graduated in 1891. Thus equipped with a thorough classical education, he took up his theological training at Minneapolis, studying two years in the Angsburg Seminary and one year in the United Church Sem- inary. He graduated in 1894, and was ordained June 17 of the same year. His first charges were in Chippewa county, Minne- sota, where he faithfully and satisfactorily served the Milan and Watson congregations until 1908, when he received a call to the pastorate of his present churches. These churches have a com- bined membership of about 1,450 souls, making a very busy life indeed for the pastor. In addition to his pastoral duties, Rev. Froiland served for several years as elder of the Montevidio cireuit. The Froiland home is filled with a goodly number of bright-faced children. Sven, born March 24. 1895, and Martinus, born April 11, 1897, are the children of Molla Teterud, whom Rev. Froiland married July 6, 1894. and who died April 19, 1897. He was married the second time May 3, 1899, at Milan, Minn., to Alma Gorder, by whom he has five children : Marius, born February 26, 1900; Gerhard, born January 9, 1902; Rudolph, born March 1, 1904; Margaret, born June 13, 1906, and Alfred, born August 14, 1908.
John Banks conducts the family homestead in Leon township, which has not changed hands since it was first pre-empted in 1858. He was born in Sweden May 3, 1843, son of Bengt Ander- son and Anna Anderson, who came to America in the early days
972
HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY
and lived for a time in Chicago and La Crosse. Then they came up the river to what was then the little village of Red Wing, and in 1858 came to Leon township and took up a elaim, where they erected a log cabin, and started breaking the tough prairie glebe. They were hard at work developing the place when came the outbreak of the Civil War. Filled with love for his adopted country, John Banks enlisted August 21, 1862, as a private, and later was promoted to corporal. Company D, 10th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, in which he served, was stationed at frontier posts until June, 1863, when ordered on the Indian expedition. It engaged with the Indians July 26 and 28, 1863, and was ordered to St. Louis, Mo., October, 1863, thence to Columbus, Ky., April, 1864; thence to Memphis, Tenn., June, 1864, and as- signed to the 16th Army Corps, in which it did valiant service until the close of the war, being discharged at Fort Snelling August 19, 1865. Mr. Banks then returned to the old homestead, and after a few years took entire charge of the place, making a home for his parents until the time of their death. On this place he has made many improvements, and a neat house and comfortable barns take the place of the original log cabin. Mr. Banks was married in 1867 to Anna Anderson, daughter of Andrew Anderson, a farmer of Cannon Falls, now deceased. This union was blessed with eleven children, of whom eight are alive, namely : Charles, Hannah, Thelda, Julius, Henry, James, George and Frank. The dead are: Jennie, Mary and Bernhardt. Al- though a consistent Republican, Mr. Banks has not cared to seek political preferment, but being the father of a large family and interested in education, he has served several terms as a member of the school board.
R. P. Brandvold, for the past twenty-one years secretary of the Leon Mutual Fire Insurance Company, was born in Norway June 24, 1859, and came to America with his parents, P. R. and Kirste A. Brandvold, in 1873, when but fourteen years of age. The family settled at once in Leon township, section 19, where they pur- chased sixty aeres of land, which later passed into the hands of the son, R. P., the subject of this sketch, who in their latter years cared for his father and mother until their deaths, in 1893 and 1894, respectively. In the family there were six children : Guri died in 1901; Annie lives in Polk county, near Crookston, Minn .; Petra married Iver Monson, a farmer in Wanamingo township; R. P. was the fourth child; Albert .is a merchat in Clay county, Minnesota, and Carrie died when young. R. P. Brandvold was brought up on the farm and lived on the home place until about ten years ago, when he sold the homestead and moved to a place about one mile away, where he has ten acres, upon which he does a little general farming, chicken raising and
978
HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY
dairying. He has been justice of the peace six years, supervisor of the township three years and treasurer of school district No. 52 for six years. In many other ways he has shown his deep interest in the public and political welfare of the township. Mr. Brandvold was married in 1887 to Lukris Wangen, daughter of Andrew and Annie Wangen, natives of Norway, who came to Leon township in 1869 and became well known citizens. The father died in 1893 and the mother is still living on the old home- stead in Leon township. Mr. and Mrs. Brandvold have no chil- dren. Mr. Brandvold has been trustee and treasurer of Urland Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church for the past six years. From 1894 to 1898 he was also engaged in the general merehan- dise business in company with his brother at Sogn. Minn.
Osmund J. Wing was born in Norway November 15, 1842, and upon coming to America located in Illinois. In 1856 he moved to Wanamingo township and settled on a piece of land which now consists of 320 acres. He was town supervisor for a number of years, and in 1875 was appointed postmaster and served for some time. Ile was president of the Aspelund Society and one of the organizers of the First State Bank of Zumbrota, of which he was first president. and held that office at the time of its consolidation with the Security State Bank. in 1909. He is now president of the Wanamingo. Cherry Grove and Minneola Mutual Fire Insurance Company, as he has been for many years past. He also served in the state senate in 1895 and 1897, and was a member of the state board of equalization for many years. He was married to Susan Nelson June 11, 1869, and to this union were born five children. Sarah J., Henry, Martha M., John G. and Emma. J. Mrs. Wing is dead. Mr. Wing, retired from active work several years ago, and has continued to live on the old homestead, which is now conducted by his son.
John G. Wing, son of Osmund Wing, was born July 21, 1876, on the farm which he now conducts, and here he has spent prac- tically his entire life. In an educational way he had the advan- tages of training in the common schools of Wanamingo and in an academy at Minneapolis, and in 1896 he took a trip to Europe, adding materially to the fund of information which he received in school. Since 1902 he has conducted the home farm, making a specialty of horses, particularly those of the Percheron breed. By Edna A. Fuller, daughter of A. H. Fuller, of Ottawa, Ill., whom he married.May 10, 1905, he has had two children : Susan, who died in infancy, and Aurette J., born August 1, 1907. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran church.
C. A. Sargent, a dairy farmer living about a mile out of Red Wing, in Burnside township, where he has a pleasant home and an excellent grazing farm, is the son of one of the earliest set-
979
HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY
tlers of the county. His father, E. A. Sargent (married to Abbie Currier) was a shoemaker in Massachusetts, and came to Good- hue county in 1856, locating in Leon township. His name is still prominent in the early annals of that section of the county. In 1857 he built a store and stocked it with merchandise, and on July 5, 1858, the first town meeting of Leon was held in his store, he being the clerk of election. He also served several terms as town clerk. He was also county commissioner at one time. After farming many years he moved to St. Paul and took np the real estate business, ending his days in that city, in 1900. His wife died in 1877. C. A. was born January 17, 1850, in the historie town of Haverhill, Mass., and there spent his early childhood, being brought to this county by his parents in early boyhood. his father having preceded the rest of the family by a few months. His education was obtained in the common schools of his neighborhood and in the schools of Red Wing. For one year he was a grocer, but aside from that, has spent his life as a farmer. IIe does some general farming. but makes a specialty of dairying, keeping some forty-five cows and retailing milk in the city of Red Wing. In addition to other improvements, Mr. Sargent has sunk a 440-foot artesian well, which supplies his household and stock with pure, fresh water. A Prohibitionist in politics, he has been town chairman two years and clerk of his school district, which latter position he still occupies. He is a member of the Presbyterian church. He is also a member of the Foresters at Red Wing. On October 7, 1874, C. A. Sargent was married to Rose C. Hart, daughter of W. B. and Clarissa (Stone) Hart, who came from New York in 1870. Her father was a farmer and jeweler, and died in 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Sar- gent have been blessed with ten children, Waverly B., Edwin W., Fred W., Luverne M., Forrest H., Ray L., Clara A., Plato E., Lee W. and Cecil C.
S. H. Purdy, who carries on general farming on a place of 170 acres in Burnside township, traces his ancestry back to the founder of the Purdy family, who settled in New York state in 1771. He was born in Goodhue township, this county, January 5, 1873, son of David and Mary F. (Rolfe) Purdy. The father was born in New York state January 16, 1840, and the mother in the same state January 7, 1841. They came west in 1859 and settled first in Goodhue township, where they lived until 1875, when they moved to Burnside township, on a farm now oecu- pied by the subject of this sketeh. Mr. and Mrs. David Purdy had four children, Anna (deceased), Jennie S. II. and W. H. S. H. Purdy attended the common schools and the high school at Red Wing, afterward teaching school two terms. Of this he made a suceess, but decided that he preferred to make farming
980
HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY
his life work. In 1897 he also tried the livery business in Red Wing for a time, but again returned to the farm. where he has since remained. He belongs to the United Workmen and the Foresters and votes the Democratie ticket. Mr. Purdy was mar- ried in 1894 to Anna M. Ceder, daughter of Charles and Hannah (Ferrig) Ceder, who settled in this county in 1873, the father being now a retired shoemaker. To Mr. and Mrs. Purdy have been born five children. in the order named: Howard H., David W., Myron C., Dorothy M. and Evelyn A.
Thomas W. Lally, who, with John MeNamara, is owner, pro- prietor and manager of the Lally & MeNamara hardware store, in the village of Goodhue. was born in Red Wing October 9, 1859, and spent his boyhood in Belle Creek township, where he received his early education and remained until 1890, when he entered the employ of N. K. Simmons, of Red Wing. as a grain buyer, being located in Clay Bank and Goodhue. In 1901 he en- gaged in the hardware business with Charles E. Perkins and Andrew Chalmers, continuing this partnership until February, 1905, when the Perkins and Chalmers interests were purchased by John MeNamara, since which time the present partnership has continued. The firm carries a full line of hardware, build- ing material, farming implements and wagons and carriages. The partners also conduct a tinning and plumbing department in connection with their business. Mr. Lally. who is an independent voter, served as assessor of Belle Creek seven years and has been assessor of Goodhne ten years. Being a man of sociable instincts. he belongs both to the United Workmen and the Com- mercial Club. On February 3, 1890. he was married to Agnes M. Doyle, daughter of John and Mary (Lyons) Doyle, who located in Belle Creek among the first settlers. Her father was killed by lightning in 1872, and her mother died in September, 1897. Eight children have blessed the Lally home. John Will- iam, born February 22, 1891, is in the store with his father. Thomas Walter, Jr., born January 16, 1893, is taking a course in the college at Prairie du Chien. The others. all of whom are at home, are: Mabel Ann, born January 13, 1895; Marie Agnes, born December 5, 1897 ; Gertrude Lonise. born February 11, 1900; Florence Madeline, born January 6, 1902; Dorris Genevieve, born May 30, 1904, and Helen Luceil, born September 3, 1906. The family faith is that of the Catholic church. The parents of Thomas W. Lally were John and Anna (Maloy) Lally, the former of whom. after coming to America from Ireland in 1846, lived in New York and Ohio for a time, and then located in Red Wing in 1856, working on a lime kiln until 1860, when he pur- chased eighty acres of land in Belle Creek and carried on general farming operations very successfully until his death, December
981
HISTORY OF GOODIIUE COUNTY
23, 1868. Ilis wife died November 16, 1879. In the family were six children : John H., born May 31, 1853, died at the age of five years; Frank, born February 22, 1857, died at the age of ten years; Thomas is the subject of this sketch; Daniel, born February 14, 1861, lives at Belle Creek; Mary, born February 16, 1863. died April 17, 1898; Susan, born October 3, 1867, mar- ried John McNamara, who is Mr. Lally's partner in the hardware business.
Carl Albert Swenson was born in Roscoe township December 30, 1875, son of Peter J. and Mollie (Okelberg) Swenson, natives of Norway and Sweden. Carl received his education in the schools of the township and the high school of Zumbrota, com- pleting his studies with a course in a business college at Red Wing. After leaving school he took up farming. To his original farm of 120 acres he has added eighty acres, and now carries on general farming and stock raising with considerable success. IIe was married June 27, 1899, to Lena Lunde, daughter of Bernt and Inger (Goplin) Lunde, natives of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Swenson have had two children: John R., born May 11, 1900, and Sigvald Victor, born March 30, 1905 (deceased). Mr. Swen- son is one of the rising young men of Roscoe township, and takes an active interest in the affairs of his community. He is an inde- pendent voter, and has served as clerk of the school board for the past twelve years. The family are members of the Lutheran church.
Martin Swee was born in Pine Island township. February 9, 1881, son of Arnt and Relia Swee, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1874, located in Pine Island township and engaged in farming. Later they purchased 160 acres of improved land in Cherry Grove township, where they still reside. Martin received his education in the Pine Island high school, then took a two years' course in the Austin business college, after which he at- tended the Minnesota State Agricultural college at Minneapolis. He then came to Wanamingo, and for two years worked at dray- ing. In 1904 he entered the employ of the creamery, where he is now engaged as assistant manager and chief butter maker. Mr. Swee was married November 14, 1908, to Cora H. Haller, daughter of Ole and Mary (Thompson) Haller, the former a native of Sweden and the latter of Norwegian descent. They live in Wana- migo township, doing general farming. The subject of this sketch is a Republican in polities and is a member of the Intheran church. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Samaritans of his village. He is a good citizen and has made all by his own efforts.
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.