History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 107

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

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John Olson, of Waeouta township, was born in Norway, March 24, 1857, son of Hans and Helen (Johnson) Olson, natives of Norway, who came to Ameriea in 1878 and located in Hay

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Creek township and engaged in farming until the death of the father in 1904. The mother still lives on the farm. John received his education in Norway, and came to America with his parents, where he hired out to work on the Ames farm for five years, after which he rented the farm, remaining ten years. Then he purchased forty-eight acres in Section 36, which he improved in every way, both the land and buildings, and has carried on dairying principally. He also has 240 acres in Belvidere town- ship which he rents. He was married July 6, 1882, to Julia Johnson, daughter of Tollef and Karin (Amundson) Johnson. They have one child, Hiram, who is employed by the express company at Red Wing. Mr. Olson is a Republican in his political views, and was at one time chairman of Waconta township for three years. Ile is also director for school district No. 2. The family attend the St. Peter's Norwegian Lutheran church.

William F. Koester, farmer of Hay Creek township, is the son of Bernard and Annie (Becker) Koester, natives of Westphalia, where he was born in 1872. The family came to America in 1884, and while looking about for a suitable location lived for one year in Red Wing, where William F., then a boy of twelve, attended the public schools and began to learn the English lan- guage, he having previously attended school in Germany. In 1885 the father purchased a farm of 200 acres on Section 2, Hay Creek township, the place being the one now occupied by the subject of this sketch. Father and son at once set about improv- ing and developing the homestead, which is now well kept and about half under the plow. Upon the place general farming and stock raising is now carried on, and dairving is conducted on a somewhat extensive scale. In politics Mr. Koester is a Repub- lican, but he has never sought public office, although his interest in education has caused him to accept the position of clerk of his school district. He was married in 1892 to Annie Swency, daughter of Michael Sweney, of St. Johns, New Brunswick, Canada. Her father, an carly settler of Minnesota, went to Cali- fornia in the early days, and upon his return farmed in Goodhue and Wabasha counties, remaining until his death in Wabasha county in 1899. To Mr. and Mrs. Koester have been born three children, George, Angeline and Roland. Bernard Koester, father of William F., served several years in the German army before coming to this country.

Christian F. Kalass, of Minneola township, a native born son of this state, comes of sturdy old pioneer stock, his parents being Christian and Sophia (Grindwald) Kalass, who came to America from Germany in 1856. After a year in Illinois, they came to Scott county, Minnesota, farmed for nine years, and then moved to Minneola township in 1866. To a quarter section which he

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originally purchased he later added one and a half section. He developed and improved this land, and carried on general farm- ing until the time of his death, August 7, 1907. The mother is still living on the old homestead. The subject of this sketch attended the schools of Minneola township, and then took up farming with his father until twenty-five years of age, when his parents presented him with 160 acres in Section 2. This prop- erty he has greatly improved, erected a number of buildings and brought the place to a high degree of cultivation and produc- tiveness. Recently he has become interested in scientific for- estry, and has set out 1,080 Norway poplar trees, from which a heavy financial benefit will be received many years hence. In spite of his busy life, Mr. Kalass has found time to serve the town of Minneola as supervisor, a position he occupies at the present time as he has several times in the past. He has been clerk of his school district for the past fifteen years. Aside from his farm holdings. he owns stock in the Zumbrota Clay Manu- facturing Company, and is also interested in the Zumbrota Farmers' Elevator Company. Mr. Kalass was married November 21. 1894, to Lena Aldag, a native of Germany, by whom he has had issue as follows: Verona, Arnold, Hulda and Christian. The family worships at the Lutheran church.

A. Henry Kellett, painter and paper hanger, came to Zum- brota as a boy with the earliest settlers, having been born in Lowell, Mass .. March 4, 1854. His father. Thomas P. Kellett, was a member of the Stafford Western Emigration Company and of the Strafford Western Immigration Company. kept the first store in Zumbrota, was the first postmaster, one of the early chairmen of supervisors, and in many ways was prominently identified with the early growth and prosperity of the town and village. A. Henry Kellett attended the early schools of Zum- brota township and village, and clerked for several years in his father's store. Later he engaged in his present occupation. He has built up a profitable business and has a large list of cus- tomers, his work being of the kind that commends itself to all. He is a justice of the peace, and a number of important cases have been brought before him. Mr. Kellett was married at Zumbrota to Ida Leonard, daughter of Samuel Leonard, a native of Wisconsin, who settled in Zumbrota, where he took up farm- ing. Both Mr. Leonard and his wife are now deceased. One son, Everett A., born March 27, 1873. has blessed the Kellett home. He is married and lives in Minneapolis, where he con- ducts a real estate office. Mr. and Mrs. Kellett are well regarded in Zumbrota. and their home on Third street has been the seene of many a pleasant gathering of friends. The family faith is that of the Congregational church.

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Henry Edwin Larson, of Belle Creek township, was born April 29, 1872, in Belle Creek township, son of John and Hannah Eleffson, natives of Sweden. They came to America and took a homestead of eighty acres of land in Meeker county, Minne- sota, where they remained for two years, when they were forced to leave on account of the Indians. They came to Red Wing for a short time and later removed to Belle Creek township, where he purchased eighty acres, which the father broke, cleared and improved, carrying on general farming until his death in 1882. The mother is still living and resides with her sons on the farm. Henry received his education in the public schools of Belle Creek and worked on the farm with his father, and in 1894 taking charge of the farm, he carries on a general line of farming, dairying and stock raising. He and his brother. O. W .. own 320 acres of land in Montana. which they are improving. Henry Edwin had three sisters: Anna, married Gustaf Warn, of Feath- erstone ; Johanna, married Nels Munson (deceased) : and Hattie, married Swan Warn, died February 1, 1909. Four brothers : John M. (deceased) ; Andrew, now of White Rock; Albert, now of Montana, and O. W., living at home. Mr. Larson is an inde- pendent voter, and is a member of the Swedish Lutheran church.

Ernst Lueck was born in Pine Island township, January 20, 1880, son of August and Augusta (Zimmerman) Lueck, natives of Germany. They emigrated to this country in 1874, settling in Pine Island township, where they engaged in farming. In 1904 they retired and moved to Pine Island village, where they still reside. They had a family of four children: Louisa, Carl, Ernst and Mary. Ernst received his education in the common schools, and when his school days were over he worked on the farm with his father. He has now 185 acres of land, where he carries on a general line of farming and dairying. He has im- proved the place in many ways, and remodeled the buildings. In 1905 he was married to Elnora Glamm. They were farmers and lived in Pine Island, where they both died. Mr. and Mrs. Lueck have two children: Elmer and Leonard. Mr. Lueek is a Republican in his polities.

John Luchan was born in Belvidere township, February 26. 1866, son of Mathias and Ellen (Riggies) Luchan, natives of Germany, who came to America in 1863 and located in Belvidere township, Goodhue county, Minnesota, where they purchased eighty acres of wild land which the father cleared and improved. remaining here a few years, after which he sold, and bought eighty acres in Section 10, same township, where he now resides. Here he built a home, barn for his stock and other buildings necessary. In 1900 he purchased 160 acres of improved land, making 240 aeres in all. He has retired and lives with their sons.

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Mr. and Mrs. Luchan have been blessed with four children : John, manages the farm with his brother, Henry W .; Margaret, married John Miller, a farmer of Hay Creek; and Annie, married John Isendorf, a farmer of Belvidere. John and Henry received their education in the common schools of Belvidere, working on the farm with their father and later assuming the management. They carry on general farming and stock raising. They are Republican in their politics, and John has been clerk of school district No. 30 for the past fifteen years. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church.

R. W. Irish, Pine Island village, was born in Dodge county, Minnesota, April 12, 1872, son of Joseph and Evelyn Irish. He received his education in the public schools, after which he went west to the Dakotas, where he was employed as a cattle herder for a few years. Hle returned to Pine Island and engaged in the barber business for five years. He then purchased the Pine Island Record, which he conducted for five years, after which he sold out and moved to Minneapolis, remaining one year. Returning the second time to Pine Island, he engaged in the general mer- cantile business. but sold out in 1908, and now has several pat- ents for the handling of laces, to which he devotes his entire time. He was married December 1. 1895, to Georgana MeCarty, daughter of J. B. and IIelen (Wyman) McCarty, who were old settlers. They have one son, Wynot, who attends school. Mr. Irish is Republican in his politics. and has been deputy oil in- spector of Goodhue county for a number of years. He is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. and M. W. A.

Edward Walter was born in Pine Island township, May 10, 1866, son of Christian and Susan (Bringgold) natives of New York. and came to Pine Island township in 1866 and bought forty acres of land which is inside of the corporation. They are still living in Pine Island. Edward received his education in the common schools of the township, and later engaged in farming. He now has 160 acres of land under cultivation in Pine Island township, and carries on general farming and stockraising. He has a fine farm, which is well cared for and improved, with good buildings, has a new barn, forty by seventy, and a good house. He was married in 1899 to Minnie Manthei, and two children have blessed this union. Elmer H. and Viola, both of whom are at home. Mr. Walter is an independent voter and a successful farmer. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. No. 84 and he and his family attend the German Lutheran church.

V. E. Parker, of Pine Island village, was born in Pine Island township, March 2, 1874. son of Elton C. and Mary C. (Diekey) Parker. His grandfather, James Parker, a farmer of Zumbrota, was one of the early settlers of this county. His father served

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in the Civil War, and enlisted in Company H, Minnesota Volun- teer Infantry, in 1862, remaining until the close of the war, and took part in all the battles of that campaign. He died when V. E. was only five months old. V. E. Parker received his edu- cation in the common schools of the township, and after leaving school he worked for the Crescent Cream and Cheese Company, remaining with them for ten years. In 1903 he engaged in the general mercantile business in Pine Island, which he has sinee conducted very successfully, and is a highly respected and promi- nent citizen of Pine Island. He was married in 1900 to Blanche N. Irish, daughter of Loomis F. Irish, president of the State Bank of Pine Island. In polities Mr. Parker is independent.

Edwin O. Johnson, of Red Wing, seventh child of Carl G. and Sophia (Samuelson) Johnson, natives of Jonkopingslan, Swe- den, was born in Red Wing, November 3, 1869. His father, who was a carpenter, came to America in 1866 and for two years farmed at Burnside township. In 1868 he took up his residence at Red Wing and until 1880 continued to follow his trade. Dur- ing the latter year he entered the employ of the Red Wing Fur- niture Company, as cabinet maker, continuing at this work until 1905, when he retired. He died in this city in September, 1908. His wife is still living. at the age of seventy-seven years. The schools of Red Wing afforded Edwin O. his early educational training, and in 1884 he entered the employ of the Red Wing Furniture Company as band sawyer. For over a quarter of a century he has continued at practically the same occupation, making a record of industry and faithfulness of which any man might well be proud. Mr. Johnson votes the Republican ticket, but has never interested himself in public office. He affiliates with the Scandinavian Benefit Association and belongs to the Swedish Lutheran church. He is still single. Of the eight others in Mr. Johnson's family, Charlotte, the oldest, married Charles Heglund, of Red Wing; Augusta is deceased; Charles E. lives in this city, as do Gustav A. and Oscar F .; Nellie J. married Charles McKenna, deceased, and lives in Chicago; Fred E. is employed in a laundry at Spokane, Wash. The family residence is at 111 East Eighth street, Red Wing.

Peter O. Holman, of Wanamingo township, was born in Nor- way April 1, 1831, son of Ole and Sonneva, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1865, living with their son until their death. Peter received his education in Norway and eame to America in 1852, loeating in Dane county, Wisconsin, where he remained until 1862, when he came to Wanamingo township and bought 160 acres of land which he improved, and erected a house and barn, and has carried on a general line of farming. Mr. Holman was married in 1862 to Karin Everson, whose parents

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were natives of Norway. Both are dead. Mr. and Mrs. Holman are the parents of nine children: Lorana, married to Thomas Kennedy, of California; Ole A., of Minneapolis, engaged in the grocery business ; Nels and John. also merchants at Minneapolis ; Susanna, of California; Lena, who is a dressmaker in Illinois; Julius and Christina, living at home; and Andrew, of Minne- apolis. Mr. Holman has been successful, having through his own untiring effort and hard work risen to the prosperity he now enjoys. He is a stockholder in the Bombay cheese factory, and is a Republican in his politics. The family faith is that of the Lutheran church.

Axel H. Dahl, foreman of the finishing department at the Red Wing Furniture Company, was born in Red Wing, Decem- ber 15, 1877, son of Andrew M. and Elizabeth Dahl, of whom a sketch is found in this history. After attending the public schools, Axel in 1891 entered the employ of the finishing depart- ment of the Red Wing Furniture Company and has since con- tinued in the employ of the same concern, being now the fore- man. He is a faithful workman, and highly regarded by his associates. Ile is also a popular member of the United Work- men, and votes the Republican ticket. Mr. Dahl was married April 24. 1907, to Elsie Eaton. of Frontenac, daughter of Andrew and Ellen (Johnson) Eaton, natives of Norway. The father after locating at Frontenac followed his trade as stone entter. He died at Red Wing, in December, 1898. his wife having passed away at Frontenac in 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Eaton have one daugh- ter and four sons besides Mrs. Dahl. Edith Margaret lives in St. Paul, Fred M. lives in Minneapolis, and George W. and Henry A. both live in New Mexico. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Dahl has been blessed with three children. The oldest is Roy Andrew. Marion Ruth and Margaret Rachael were twins, the latter dying February 15, 1907. The family worships at the Swedish Lutheran church.

Elling M. Erickson, of Roscoe township, was born in Houston county. Minnesota, December S. 1861. son of Michael and Carrie (Flatland) Erickson, natives of Norway, who came to America and located in Houston county, where they took up a homestead of 240 acres of wild land, which the father broke and improved, built a home, and carried on general farming until his death in 1885. The mother married Torbjorn Kittleson. Elling M. re- ceived his education in the public schools of his county, and at the age of fourteen worked out for farmers until in 1883, when he engaged in farming for himself. He purchased 120 aeres of land in Roscoe township, and carried om general and diversified farming and stock raising. In 1893 he added eighty aeres to his farm, and later forty, and has all his land under cultivation.

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Mr. Erickson was married in March, 1893, to Mary Tostenson, daughter of Thomas and Mary Tostenson, natives of Norway, who came to America and settled in Roscoe township where they engaged in farming, purchasing forty acres of land. Here they remained until their death. The father and mother are both dead. Mr. and Mrs. Erickson have five children: Ella M., Mabel. Arthur, Lillian and Julia. Mr. Eriekson is a Republican. He has served as supervisor and road master for a number of years. The family are communicants of the Lutheran church.

David Davidson, of Roscoe township, was born in Norway, April 24. 1831. son of David and Sarah (IIanner) Davidson, natives of Norway. The father was a farmer. He died in 1881. the mother having passed away in 1858. David was educated in the schools of Norway and assisted his father on the farm. In 1865 he emigrated to America and located in Minnesota, where he worked on farms in Holden township, for three years. In 1868 he bought eighty acres in Roscoe township, which he broke and improved. Later he bought 160 acres, and again 140 acres. and carried on general farming and stock raising. In 1905 he retired from active life and lives on the homestead with his wife, leaving the management of his farm to his son. Mr. Davidson was married in November, 1854, in Norway, to Johanna Hastad, daughter of Lars and Ingerborg Hastad, natives of Norway. They came to America and located in Holden township, where they engaged in farming. The father and the mother are de- eeased. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson had six children: Sarah, mar- ried A. Goplin; Dena. married Swan Myren, and she died in March. 1904; Louis and Iver (deceased) ; C. J., living at Roscoe, and Elizabeth (deceased). Mr. Davidson is a Republican. IIe has served as roadmaster, and he and his family attend the Lutheran church. Mr. Davidson is a good citizen, and has al- ways been a hard worker. having acquired his prosperity which he now enjoys through his own untiring efforts and thrift. He is highly respected by all.

William R. Callister, of Kenyon township, was born in the Isle of Mann. March 28, 1857. son of Thomas and Jane (Moore) Callister. In 1869, on the 9th of September, Thomas Callister landed with his family at Castle Rock. Dakota county, Minne- sota. where he remained two years. In 1871 he came to Goodhue . county and purchased a quarter section of land in Cherry Grove township, where he spent the remainder of his life. There were eight children in Thomas Callister's family, all of whom are living: Catherine. who married William Kinoig; Jane, married William Lace; Annie, married John Golden; William R., the subject of this sketch : John of Kenyon village; George, of Cherry Grove; Ella, widow of Arthur Norton: Emily, married Arthur

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Cook. Thomas Callister died December 29, 1895, the mother having passed away September 10, 1899. William Callister re- ceived his education in the district schools and remained on the farm with his father until he was twenty-one years of age, when · he rented a farm in Cherry Grove known as the old Churchill farm, where he remained six years, when he bought 360 acres in Kenyon township. He remained here two years, then sold this farm, and purchased 280 acres in Sections 24 and 25, Kenyon township, where he now lives. December 27, 1881, he was mar- ried to Lizzie Owen, who was born in Green Lake county, Wis- consin, July 13, 1861. a daughter of Robert and Celestia (Beers) Owen, who came to Cherry Grove township in 1871, where they still live. Mr. and Mrs. Callister are the parents of fourteen children : Bert R., born November 27. 1882; George O., born December 31, 1884; Ella C .. born April 1, 1887 ; Merle K., August 13. 1888; Gladys V., October 10. 1890; Warren S., born September 1. 1892 : Hazel L., born April 21, 1893; Mona R., born November 25, 1895 ; Harold G., born January 6, 1897 ; Vernon K., born Feb- ruary 13, 1898; Bernice M .. July 15, 1900; Stanley D., born July 5, 1902; Carol F., born January 20. 1905; and Dorcas L., born October 13, 1907. Mr. Callister was fourteen years assessor of Kenyon township and on the school board nine years. He also served on the Farmers' Elevator board at Kenyon for eight years, and on the board of the Farmers' Co-operative Creamery at Skyberg, since its organization twelve years ago. He was elected county commissioner of Goodhue county, third district, in the fall of 1904, and re-elected in 1908. He was for many years land agent for the Aetna Life Insurance Company in this section. He is a Republican in politics. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. and the Modern Woodmen. In religious matters Mr. Callister is liberal and supports each denomination as their needs may require.

Carl Grendahl, of Wanamingo township, son of Ole and Ger- trude (Kyllo) Grendahl, was born in Norway, May 24, 1872. Ilis parents were natives of Norway and came to America in 1879, locating in Roscoe township. Here they purchased 120 acres of land. At the end of six years the farm was sold and the family moved to Canada. where the mother died in 1897. Carl received his education in the public schools of Roscoe, and when his school days were over he engaged in farming in Roscoe until the year 1901. when he removed to Wanamingo township, becom- ing one of the prominent farmers of that township. Mr. Gren- dahl was married June 15. 1903, to Dena Stai. daughter of Ole and Rarn Stai, natives of Norway, who came to this country in the year of 1866. settling in Spring Creek, and eight years after- wards. in 1874, he moved to Wanamingo township and bought

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140 acres of farmland in Section 36. Mr. and Mrs. Grendahl have two children, one son and one daughter: Clara, born June 11. 1905, and Melvin, born September 27, 1906. Mr. Grendahl is a Republican, stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator Company of Wanamingo. He and his family attend the Lutheran church.

Peter J. Mogaard, of Belle Creek township, was born in Nor- way, April 18, 1842, son of John and Mollie (Mulnuse) Mogaard, natives of Norway. The mother died in 1859 and the father in 1897. Peter received his education in Norway and worked with his father until he came to America, in 1866. He located in Olmstead county, Minnesota, where he remained for three years, when he went to the Pineries at Eau Claire, Wis., where he worked one year; then he spent one year in Menominee, Wis., and in 1871 came to Goodhue county and purchased eighty acres of land in Wanamingo township, where he engaged in farming for six years. He then sold and came to Belle Creek township and purchased 160 acres in Section 21, and later added eighty acres adjoining. This he broke and cleared and built a home and a large barn, and continued to improve and cultivate his land until now he has one of the finest farms in the county. He has carried on general and diversified farming and dairying, also making a specialty of raising Shorthorn cattle. On April 7, 1866, he was married to Bertha Moslet, in Norway. She was a daughter of John O. and Mollie (Lean) Moslet, natives of Nor- way, who came to America in 1867 and located in Wanamingo · township and engaged in farming. The father died in 1879 and the mother in 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Mogaard have had six chil- dren : Michael, of North Dakota ; Cornelius, Henry and Paulena, who live at home; John, who is a physician at Chicago; and Simon, now of South Dakota. Mr. Mogaard is a Republican in his politics, but has never sought publie office. He is a stoek- holder in the Farmers' Elevator at Wanamingo. He and his family are communicants of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Robert E. Mathews, a retired farmer living at Zumbrota, was born in Ohio, April 15, 1859. His parents, Thomas and Mary (Halfyard) Mathews, came to America in 1853, locating in Ohio, where the father engaged in farming until the breaking out of the Civil War in 1861, when he enlisted in the Eighth Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry as a private and was killed in the battle of the Wilderness. The mother died in Ohio in 1895. Robert E. spent his early days in Ohio, receiving his education in the publie schools of that state. In December, 1874, he came to Red Wing and took up farming, remaining there until 1879, when he re- moved to Zumbrota, still engaged in farming. In 1883 he became the owner of a fine farm of 160 acres, on which he carried on a general and diversified farming for ten years, after which, in

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History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 107

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