History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 112

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

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Seber R. Greseth is a native born son of Roscoe, where he still resides, having first seen the light of day September 7, 1871. He received his education in the district schools and finished with a short course in the Red Wing Seminary. He also studied elec- tricity for several months. In 1897 he worked for a time as a miller in Wisconsin. The greater part of his life, however, has been spent on the home farm, and for twenty-one years he has operated a threshing machine. In 1901 he took charge of the homestead, which he still manages carrying on general farming

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and stock raising. The farm is well under cultivation, and the crops raised are of the best. Mr. Greseth is a Republican in poli- tics and has been assessor of the township for the past eight years. Ile was married, May 15, 1902, to Thonine Thompson, daughter of Thosten and Runda (Boraas) Thompson, who came from Norway and located in Wanamingo township, where the father is still living, the mother having died in February, 1907. To Mr. and Mrs. Greseth has been born one child, Regnar Theo- clore, December 20, 1903. The family faith is that of the Nor- wegian Lutheran church. Rollof F. and Margaret (Rolfseng) Greseth, parents of Seber R., were natives of Norway. The father, after coming to America. located in Roscoe township, and purchased eighty acres. This he afterward sold and purchased 280 acres in the same township. still later selling eighty acres, leaving a fine farm of 200 aeres, where the family still resides. He and his wife still live on the home farm. being highly re- spected by their neighbors and friends.

Otto W. Kolshorn, a former school teacher, now a progressive farmer of Hlay Creek township, was born in Featherstone, this county, December 6, 1872, and in this county has spent his life up to the present time. Ilis parents. Henry and Mary ( Teitge) Kolshorn, came from Germany to the United States in 1852 and to Minnesota in 1856, where they were married in 1869. For a time they farmed in Hay Creek township. after which they moved to Featherstone, wifere O. W. was born. Later they returned to Ilay Creek. where the father continued to carry on farming until his death in 1900. The mother now lives on Seventh street, in Red Wing. O. W. was early sent to the district and private schools of his neighborhood and proved an apt pupil. He was also an extensive reader, and a close observer, and started teach- ing school at the age of eighteen years. He continued to teach for twelve years in the schools of this county. assisting with the farm work in the summer time. For four years he was a lumber and implement salesman at Red Wing. Mr. Kolshorn now farms 320 acres of good land in sections 19 and 20, and carries on gen- eral farming and stock raising. He served in the state militia eight years, being artificer of Company G, First regiment, at Red Wing. In politics a Republican, he has served several terms as a school officer and nine years as justice of the peace. He is a director of the Hay Creek Mutual Fire Insurance Company. In 1904 Mr. Kolshorn was married to Marie Bang, also a well known teacher of this county for a considerable period. She was the daughter of Henry and Fredericka (Horstmeyer) Bang, early settlers of Featherstone township, both now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Kolshorn have been born two sons, Vernon Bang and

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Bernard H., who first saw the light of day in Hay Creek town- ship.

Edward M. Matchan, of Roscoe township, was born in Canada, June 27, 1862, son of George W. and Mary Ann (Shield) Matchan. Edward received his education in the public schools of Zumbrota and assisted his father with the farm duties until he was 20 years of age, when he assumed management in partnership with his father and has since conducted the home farm. He has 240 acres, and is very much interested in fruit growing, making a specialty of apples and grapes. He was married November 30, 1883, to Julia Boyd, of Zumbrota, by whom he has two children: George W., born December 24, 1889, a druggist in North Dakota, and Eva M., who lives at home, and attends school at Zumbrota. Mr. Matehan is a Republican. He has held the office of chairman of the town board for one and a half years, and has been elerk of the school board and chairman for the long period of twenty- five years. He has also been road master and overseer. Frater- nally, Mr. Matehan affiliates with the I. O. O. F. and of which order he is a past officer, the Modern Brotherhood of America, and Modern Samaritans. The family faith is that of the Metho- dist Episcopal church.

Olaus Wiggen, manager and part owner of the Red Wing Iee Company, is one of the twin sons of Christopher and Ollava (Jonas) Wiggen, born in Norway, January 6, 1844. The father was a farmer by occupation at Foster Parish, Norway, until his death. Ilis wife is also now deceased. The twin brother of Olaus died in infancy. Another brother died at the age of six years and two sisters are also deceased. One sister still lives in Norway. Olaus received excellent educational advantages. He attended publie school and the Farmers' Institute of his native town, and later, after an interim of working on his father's farm, he took a course in the Landbrook school at Werdahlen, Norway. His residence in America dates from 1866, when he lo- eated in Vasa township, where, like so many other young men just starting in life, he worked on a farm. After nine years of this work, he came to Red Wing in the fall of 1875 and entered the employ of W. R. Cross, the iee dealer, with whom he remained fifteen years. In the fall of 1891 he formed the Red Wing Iee Company, of which he has since been general manager. The company does a large business. Mr. Wiggen votes the Republican tieket and belongs to the Odd Fellows and the Elks. He was married at Red Wing, in the fall of 1885, to Annie Anderson. of this city, daughter of Andrew Anderson, a native of Sweden. Both parents are deceased, having never come to this country. To Mr. and Mrs. Wiggen have been born three children. Char- lotta A. graduated from the state university and now teaches

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school at Herman, Minn. Christopher is employed in Red Wing by the Wells Fargo Company. Henry is a clerk in the store of Sylvander Bros., Red Wing.

Orrin I. Hall, M. D., was for a period of thirty-four years one of the leading physicians of the southern part of Goodhue county. Few men who have come to the county to make their homes here have been better beloved than he, and his death was mourned alike by old and young, high and low, rich and poor, so univer- sally felt was the respect and esteem in which he had been held. Orrin I. Ilall was born in Wales, New York, September 11, 1843, and received his carlier education in the schools of his neighbor- hood. Later he entered the Buffalo Medical College, which is now a part of the University of Buffalo. He graduated from that institution in February of 1873, and was married shortly afterward. April 13 of the same year, at Buffalo, to Anna J. Holden. who still survives, having been a most able and sympa- thetie helpmeet of her husband in all his varied undertakings. Later in the same month they left Buffalo and came to Goodhue county, he taking up the practice of medicine in Pine Island. In July, 1874. they moved to Zumbrota, which has since been the family home. Dr. Hall died June 25, 1908. At the time of his death it was written : "Dr. Hall has always been an energetic and active man, both mentally and physically, giving liberally of his time, labor and sympathy in the homes of illness and distress. He was an enterprising man, interested in the upbuilding and advancement of the community and the betterment of humanity. He never craved for public office, but nevertheless was several times elected a member of the local school board and was presi- dent of that body at the time of his death." Dr. Ilall had three children : Sarah P., born July 7, 1877, is now principal of the high school at Hutchinson, Minn. Alice D., born March 11, 1883, was married August 11, 1909. to J. W. Spencer, and they now make their home in Chicago. Orrin I., Jr., was born May 11, 1885, was graduated from Minnesota State University in 1906, and is now employed in St. Paul. Ira and Phoebe (Taber) Hall, parents of Dr. Hall, were natives of New York state, where they spent their lives in farming, the father passing away in 1885 and the mother in 1889. James and Christina (Brew) Holden, par- ents of Mrs. Hall, were natives of England. where their daughter was born February 5. 1846. There the father died in 1847. Mother and daughter eame to America together and located in Buffalo, N. Y., the mother dying in 1883.

Ulysses Tanner, early pioneer and respected citizen of Can- non Falls township, is a native of the Empire state, born at Madi- son, Madison county, New York, December 28, 1832. son of Ralph and Laura A. (Pierson) Tanner, substantial residents of that

O. I. HALL

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTER, LENCI AND TILDEN FUINUATIES .

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HISTORY OF GOODIIUE COUNTY

state. Ilis parents were believers in education, and while design- ing Ulysses for agricultural pursuits, gave him the best oppor- tunities that the schools of the county afforded and then sent him to the academies at Hamilton and Randolph, where he had several classmates who have since become prominent in New York affairs. Ile came west in 1855 and on October 20 of that year. landed in Cannon Falls. Soon afterward he pre-empted land in Stanton township, but did not settle on it. Subsequently he located on the land he now occupies and where he carries on gen- eral farming and stockraising, using advanced methods in all his agricultural pursuits. In the early days he purchased land in Dakota county, but afterward disposed of this to his brother, who in return relinquished his interest in the home farm. For fourteen years, Mr. Tanner was town elerk of Cannon Falls town- ship, and has also occupied school office. He was married, July 14, 1871, to Anna Louisa Johnson, born in Sweden, June 10, 1836, who has proven an able helpmate in all his undertakings.

Herman O. Naeseth, manager of the Farmers' Elevator Com- pany, of Wanamingo, was born in the township of Wanamingo, March 9, 1879, son of Ole K. and Rachel Overby Naeseth. He received his education in the public schools of the township and completed his studies at the Lutheran College at Decoral, Iowa, graduating in 1902. He returned home and remained on the farm for one year, after which he taught school for a time. He then rented 137 acres of land and engaged in farming for him- self, and also raises stock. He was married on August 31, 1904, to Maria Sevareid, daughter of Erick and Caroline Sevareid, na- tives of Norway and Sweden, respectively, who came to America and engaged in farming in Wanamingo township. where the father died. The mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Naeseth have one son, Olaf Eriek, born August 31, 1905. In February, 1909. Mr. Naeseth was appointed postmaster of Wanamingo. He has been treasurer of the township for three terms and is now serving. He was appointed manager of the Farmers' Ele- vator Company in July, 1909. In politics he is Republican and attends the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Thomas Robinson, one of the pioneers.of Roscoe township, was born in Yorkshire, England, August 5, 1830. He received his education in England and worked in the weaving factories in the winter and at stone masonry in the summer. Later in life he was married to Martha Jackson and emigrated to the United States in 1860, arriving at Red Wing in May. Hearing there was government land in Roseoe township he went there, and found a man by the name of Doyle (settled on forty acres of govern- ment land) who had just lost his wife and wished to sell. There was a frame house and a good spring of water on the place, which

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Mr. Robinson bought and later pre-empted. They raised a family of six children : Thomas F., now of West Concord, Minn .; Sarah A., died in 1882. Reuben J. lives in Pine Island. Caroline J., of Fairfield, Wash .; Wendell P., of West Concord, and Wilber F., who lives at home. Mr. Robinson's health failed soon after coming to this country and he became a great reader. Among his favorite works were Shakespeare and Robert Burns, from which he often quoted. He was a man of whom it could be truly said, "His word was as good as his bond." Mr. and Mrs. Robin- son both died in Roscoe in 1896, the former March 30 and the latter August 4.

Peter A. H. Kempe is another one of Red Wing's progressive business men. Well educated, far-seeing and genial, he has kept his hand upon the pulse of the city's commercial activities for many years. Born April 3, 1856, in Westergotland, Sweden, he had excellent home advantages, being the son of Aaron and Hed- wig (Lunden) Kempe, the former of whom was a Swedish Lu- theran clergyman of devout character and great learning. The father died in 1885. the mother having preceded him to his grave in July, 1866. Peter received some of his tuition at home, at- tended the public schools and graduated from the college of Skara in 1874, after which he was engaged for one year as a tutor. Desiring to see something of the world, he went to Ham- burg, Germany, where he acted as clerk in a ship-broker's office. In 1878 he came to America, landing at Red Wing in September of that year. His career in this country began with a clerkship in the grocery store of John Kempe & Co., where he was em- ployed until 1883, when he embarked in a grocery business of his own. Prosperity crowned his efforts in this establishment, and in 1894. he became vice president of the wholesale grocery firm of Friedrich & Kempe Company, Inc .. a position which he still occupies. Mr. Kempe votes independently, and being a great reader, thoughtfully considers the issues of each campaign before casting his ballot. Mr. Kempe was married in Belvidere township, this county, June 22, 1882, to Mary H. C. Dablow. daughter of George and Augusta (Grosse) Dablow, natives of Germany, who settled. in Goodhue county in the early days. The father is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Kempe has been born one son. Walter, born June 13, 1892, now a pupil in the Red Wing high school. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Peter O. Finstuen, of Roscoe township, was born in Minneola township, August 14, 1868, son of Ole P. and Annie (Joranlid) Finstnen, natives of Norway, who came to this country in 1868 and located at Red Wing, where the father worked at his trade of tailor, remaining until 1874, when he purchased 80 acres of

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land in Roscoe township. This land he broke and improved, later adding forty acres more. Hle carried on a general line of farming and stoek raising until his death, October 27, 1905. The mother is still living in Roscoe township. Peter O. received his education in the common school of the district and completed his studies with a course at a business college at Decorah, Iowa. After finishing his studies he returned home and took up farm- ing. In 1898 he went to North Dakota, where he only remained six months, after which he came back to the home farm, where he has since remained and carries on general farming, and rents eighty acres together with his own 120. He was married June 1, 1889, to Ida Goplin. of Roscoe, daughter of Henry and Ella (Hastad) Goplin, natives of Norway, who came to America and located in Roscoe township, where they were farmers and where they both still live. Mr. and Mrs. Finstuen have had five chil- dren : Carl F. W., born June 24, 1900; Mabel, born November, 1901; James W., born April 30, 1903; Ole H., born January 9, 1908; Oscar A., born August 10, 1899, and died in infancy. Mr. Finstuen is a Republican in his politics, and has held several offices in the township. He has been treasurer of the school board of nine years, and in 1903 was elected clerk of the town- ship, which office he still holds. He has held the office of man- ager and secretary of the Wanamingo and Farmer's Mutual Telephone Company for two years, and is agent for the Wana- mingo Farmers' Fire Insurance Company. The family attend the Lutheran church.

Dr. Charles. H. Libbey, a rising young professional man of Red Wing, has, during the short period of his practice. attained a full measure of success which may well be envied by many older men in the profession. His clientele includes not only a large list of prominent people in Red Wing, but also in the coun- try, and even in the neighboring Wisconsin towns and villages across the river. His office in the Goodhue County National Bank building is the scene of busy activity, and is equipped with the latest appliances for the practice of dental surgery. Dr. Libbey was born in Featherstone, this county, June 5, 1881, son of Howard and Fanelia B. (Whitnack) Libbey, natives of Illi- nois. Howard Libbey, the father, came to Red Wing with his parents in the early days, and attended both the public schools and Hamline University, afterward taking a course in the Ab- bington College, of Illinois. After marrying, he went to Coffey- ville, Kan., and farmed for a short period, after which he took up agricultural pursuits in Featherstone township, this county. On this farm of 312 acres he cultivated the usual erops, and raised stock on an extensive seale. He died August 14, 1908, and his widow still resides on the old homestead. Charles H.

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attended the schools of his neighborhood, the public school of Red Wing and from 1899 to 1901 studied at Hamline University. Later he took a complete course of three years at the Chicago College of Dental Surgery, graduating in 1904. Since that date he has practiced his profession in Red Wing. He is an independ- ent voter and an active worker in the Methodist church, also affiliating with the Knights of Pythias, the Yeomen. the Modern Woodmen, the Red Wing Commercial Club and the State Dental Association. Dr. Libbey owns a pleasant new home on Third street, this city. Ile was married June 14. 1906. at Winona. Minn., to Lulu Belle Rule, of that place, daughter of Dr. Frank- lin M. and Mary (Smith) Rule, the former of whom is district superintendent of the Winona district of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Libbey graduated from Hamline University in the class of 1904 and during the following two years was engaged as a high school principal.

Ole A. Strand, a sturdy old Norse pioneer. was born in Nor- way and came to the United States as a young man, locating on section 34. Minneola township, where he pre-empted eighty acres. which he broke and improved, carrying on general farming and stock raising the remainder of his life. In August, 1862, he en- listed in Company G. Seventh Volunteer Infantry, and served with that regiment until the close of the war, displaying courage and valor in a number of important engagements. He met an untimely death in Zumbrota. September 28, 1906, as the result of bursting a blood vessel during a runaway. Mr. Strand was married to Brethea Lysne, daughter of Ole T. Lysne, a native of Norway. Mrs. Strand was born in Norway and came to this country with her parents in 1855, being one of thirteen children. Mr. and Mrs. Strand had eleven children, five of whom are dead. The living are: Matilda O .: Alfred; Annie, wife of P. A. IIen- ning, to whom she has borne one child, Orrin ; Selma, now Mrs. Woodbury : Oscar B., a graduate of the law department of the Minnesota State University; Carl I .. a graduate of the Zumbrota high school. Mrs. Strand is still living on the home place, which is managed by the son Alfred. During his life Ole A. Strand served many years on the school board of district 138 and was a thorough believer in education. Ile served some time as super- visor and was chairman of his township at the time of his death. He was a hard working man. thoroughly respected and well liked throughout the county and township.

A. E. Steberg was born in Norway. January 30, 1837, son of John and Mary Steberg, both natives of that country. The father owned a large farm and carried on general farming until his death, which took place in 1880. The mother died when A. E. was quite a small boy. The subject of this sketch received his

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HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

education in the public schools of Norway, and then took up farming on the old homestead with his father until leaving for this country in 1866. He located in Minneola township and pur- chased eighty acres of improved land, to which he has since added different pieces of property until he now owns 446 acres. He is still engaged in active work and manages his farm, raising general crops and breeding horses, cattle and sheep. Mr. Ste- berg was married in December, 1870, to Charlotte Olson. daugh- ter of Ole and Inger Thorson, who were married in Norway. be- ing natives of that country. They came to America in 1866 and located at Minneola, where they ended their days. A. E. Ste- berg has five children: Oscar, living at Minneola, engaged in farming; Minnie, married to S. O. Swenson; Alfred, farmer and stock buyer, living in Minneola, and Charles, living at home. Mr. Steberg is a Democrat in politics, has been a member of the school board for two years, and has filled the positions of road- master and road overseer. While in the old country, he served two years in the militia. The family worships at the Norwegian Lutheran church.

B. Paulson, Zumbrota township, was born in Norway. April 14. 1851. received his education in that country and came to America at the age of twenty-one years, locating in Minneola township, where he resided for three years. He then went to Wanamingo township and purchased 120 acres. which he farmed and improved. Later he sold this farm and moved to Zumbrota township, purchasing 168 acres in section 19, where he made many improvements, building a farm house and a large barn 40 by 70 feet. He now follows general farming. Mr. Paulson was married November 4, 1875, to Julia L. Foss, daughter of Lars and Mary Hendricks, by whom he has eleven children : Matilda, born July 23, 1876, married to John Liebracht, Morris, Minn .; Paul, born November 1, 1878, living in Zumbrota ; Martin, horn August 6, 1880, living at Park City, Mont .; Joseph, born January 23, 1882, living at St. Paul; IIerman, born March 20, 1884. living at Park City, Mont .; Louis, born February 28, 1886, living in Montana; Gustave, born November 22. 1888: Melvin, born November 1, 1890; Minnie, born February 2. 1891; Thina, born October 2, 1892, and Stella, born May 5. 1894. The five youngest live at home. Mr. Paulson is Republiean in his political views, but he has never sought public office. IIe is a hard work- ing, industrious man, having acquired all his property by his own efforts.

Philip Storkel, a well-to-do farmer of Featherstone township. owns 230 acres in sections 20 and 29, and has a model farm in every. partieular, with a comfortable home, commodious build- ings, modern machinery and other applianees for carrying on

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up-to-date agricultural operations. He was born in Germany, November 7, 1823, and was brought to America by his parents at the tender age of ten years. After living in Cincinnati a few years they went to Fulton county, Illinois, where the parents became prominent farmers. In 1854, they came to Red Wing, and later Philip took a claim which is embraced within the limits of his present farm, being one of the early settlers in that town- ship. IIe broke the land which for ages had been an untrodden wilderness, erected buildings, and began the cultivation of the soil. Since that time he has continued to carry on general farm- ing and stock raising with much success. While in Illinois, Mr. Storkel was married to Matilda Freeborn, born in Richland county, Ohio, in 1825. She shared with her husband the joys and sorrows of pioneer farm life and passed to her eternal reward, January 28, 1900, leaving a sorrowing husband and a bereaved family. To Mr. and Mrs. Storkel were born eight children: John, William. Freeborn, Richard. Hannah and Charles are liv- ing. Joshua and Carrie are dead.

John McNamara, with his partner, T. W. Lally, conduets a large hardware store in Goodhue village, owning an establish- ment which many merchants in much larger places would be proud to possess. Ile has the distinction of being a native born son of this county, having first seen the light of day in Belle Creek township, August 4, 1862. In that township he received his education, and after leaving school took charge of the home farm until the fall of 1906, when he entered his present business, buying out the interest of Parkins and Chalmers. Mr. MeNa- mara is a Democrat in politics and has served on the village council three years. He is a member of the Woodmen, the Catho- lic Foresters and the Red Men, in which latter lodge he is an officer. June 27. 1882, he was married to Susan Lally, by whom he has seven children; John Joseph, who is in the store with his father; Daniel Francis, who works in a clothing store in Good- hue village; Mary Rowena. Thomas Sylvester and James Fran- cis, who are twins; Leo and Francis. John and Ann (Malloy) Lally, parents of Mrs. McNamara, lived on a farm in Belle Creek, the former dying December 23, 1868, and the latter November 16, 1879. John and Mary (Kane) MeNamara, parents of the subject of this sketch, came to America from Ireland in 1849 and after remaining in New York state for a while went to LaSalle, Ill., where they lived four years. In the middle fifties they came to Belle Creek township and there the father purchased 160 acres, to which he added from time to time until he owned 480 acres, upon which he carried on general farming until within a short time of his death, when he retired and enjoyed a period of pleasant rest until May 26, 1906, when he died. His wife is

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History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 112

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