History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 82

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

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Henry M. Scofield, of Zumbrota village, retired farmer and estimable citizen, was born in Saratoga county, New York, Jan- mary 12, 1831, and has therefore already passed the three score and ten mark which Solomon made proverbial. The father, Miner Seofield (April 19, 1796-December 2, 1850). and the mother. Lydia Sherman Scofield (June 6, 1801-October 8, 1854), migrated

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in 1848 from New York state to Fond du Lac county, Wis., and spent the remainder of their days on a farm. Henry M. attended the schools of his native county, and also received a part of his education in Wisconsin, to which state he removed with his parents at the age of seventeen years. After leaving school he remained at home, taking charge of his father's farm until 1857. From that date is reckoned his career in Goodhue county. He purchased 160 acres in Pine Island township, about one mile from Zumbrota village, and had subdued the wild acres to a profitable degree of cultivation when the Civil War broke out. Responding to the call of his country, he enlisted in 1862 in Company B, Thirty-second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. After being mustered out and honorably dis- charged he returned to his farm. there remaining until 1901, when he sold the place to his son and removed to Zumbrota village, where he has since lived a retired life. During his more active days he served as road overseer and school clerk of his district in Pine Island township: and in Scofield Post. No. 121. G. A. R., he has held all the offices, now serving his twelfth term as chap- lain. He was married January 30. 1853, to Mary A. Scofield, who died at the family residence in Pine Island, April 2, 1861. To this union three children were born. Ella M., born April S, 1855, is now Mrs. Ella M. Shedd, a widow living in California. George HI .. born May 5. 1857. died March 29. 1886. William F., born September 2, 1859, lives in South Dakota. On January 30, 1866, at Rosendale. Wis., Mr. Scofield married Jane C. Murray, daugh- ter of George and Margaret (Ramsey) Murray. Hler parents mi- grated from Prince Edward's Island. Canada. to Illinois, in 1844, and moved to Wisconsin in 1854. The father was born June 30, 1791, and died November 30. 1855. while the latter was born March 17, 1899. Mrs. Scofield was born at Prince Edward's Island, July 28, 1835. She has borne to Henry M. Scofield five children. Edward H., born April 12, 1867, is an electrical en- gineer in St. Paul. Margaret A., born June 17. 1870. is a dress- maker living at home. Lewis M., born November 2, 1873, farms on the old homestead. Carrie L .. born July 18, 1876. is now Mrs .- Skillman, a widow residing in Zumbrota. Frank M., born Jan- uary 18, 1878, died April 3, 1899. The Congregational faith is the religious belief of the family.

Andrew S. Lexvold, retired farmer of Zumbrota village, was born in Norway. November 9. 1829, received his education in the schools of his native place and engaged in farming there until coming to America in 1866. Upon his arrival here he located in Minneola township, where he purchased eighty acres of timber land. which he cleared, and upon which he made all the improve- ments, erecting a comfortable home and other necessary buildings,

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carrying on general farming. He added to his original purchase until he retired in 1897, being at that time the owner of one of the finest farms in the country, containing 520 acres of land, all under cultivation, and all in Minneola township. Mr. Lexvold has been a hard working man all his life and by his untiring energy become one of the prosperous farmers of Minneola town- ship. He is now residing in Zumbrota village, enjoying the fruits of his honest endeavors. He was married in November, 1868, to Gunel Thompson, who came to America in 1865. Mr. Lexvold has four sons, all engaged in farming. They are: Sever. Ole. Christ and Halbert. Five daughters, Martha, Anna. Sarah, Martina and Bertha, are all living. Mr. Lexvold is a Republican, has held the position of road overseer, and is a good citizen, taking an interest in the welfare of the county and village in which he lives. He is one of the members of Land's Lutheran Church.

Ira D. Warren, of Zumbrota village, hardware merchant and former miller, is a native New Yorker, born March 22, 1842, son of Sheldon H. and Sally (Calkins) Warren, also natives of New York state. The father, who was a shoemaker and farmer by trade, eame with his family to Goodhue county in 1867, and located in Roscoe township, where he followed farming until his retirement in 1893. Three years later he died. His widow sur- vived until 1903, when she, too, passed to her eternal reward. Ira D. had scarcely left school when the Civil War broke out. He consequently enlisted at Herkimer county. New York, in Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-first New York Volunteer Infantry, in the fall of 1862, and served until June, 1865, when he was dis- charged at Annapolis, Md. He participated in the bloody carnage at South Mountain, Antietam. First and Second Fredericksburg, Rappahannock, Battle of the Wilderness and Spottsville. In the latter battle he received an ankle wound and was captured. For ten months he was imprisoned at Andersonville, but was later ex- changed. Upon his return to New York state he farmed for a year and then came to Roscoe township with his parents and re- mained four years. Subsequently he spent eighteen years as a miller in Zumbrota. During that time he was a prominent and popular citizen, and when he became an aspirant for the position of postmaster, the people were almost unanimous in desiring his appointment. He served in this capacity over five years, and then conducted the Forest Mills elevator four years, after which he became manager of the Wabasha Riller Mills elevator at Zumbrota for three years. He then purchased a 175-aere farm two miles from the city, and managed this for three years. In 1908, in company with his son, he purchased the hardware busi- ness of W. F. Bevers & Son, which has since been conducted under the name of Ira D. Warren & Son. Mr. Warren stands high in

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Masonic circles, and has been a member of the Blue Lodge thirty- five years. Of this lodge he has served as master several terms. He also belongs to the Royal Arch chapter, of which he has served as high priest several terms, and to the lesser Masonic degrees. He has been commander several years of Scofield Post, No. 121, G. A. R. While he has never been an active politician, he is a Republican in politics, and has served on the village council and the school board. Mr. Warren was married September 19, 1866, to Cordelia A. Gaskell. of New York state, who died October 24, 1908. They have had the following children: Lelah M., born in November, 1867, married to Carl L. Strom, cashier of the Farm- ers' and Merchants' Bank at Minneapolis, and Sheldon Deforest, born in December. 1876, who is in partnership with his father; Herbert, who died at the age of three and a half years. The family worships at the Congregational Church.

Olaf O. Nordvold, of Zumbrota village, a retired farmer and former well-known school teacher. is a native of Norway (Lesje. Gudbrandsdalen), son of Ole and Marit Nordslette n. The parents spent their entire lives in Norway, with the exception of the years from 1878 to 1881, which they spent with their sons in America. They are now deceased. Olaf. as he was then called by his friends, attended a high school in Norway, and graduated from the Asker Seminary for Teachers in 1864. The high grade of scholarship which he maintained while at the seminary secured for him the position as teacher in his home district, a situation he held four years. His fifth year as a teacher was spent in the south part of Gudbrandsdalen, and in 1869 he migrated to Amer- ica, locating in Iowa. While perfecting himself in the English language he followed farming a short time and in the fall of that vear came to this county as parochial school teacher and choir leader of the Minneola congregation. He was beloved by the pupils and honored by the parents, but in 1876, desiring more out-of-door employment. he purchased 256 acres in Zumbrota township, grubbed and improved 80 acres of this, and erected a new building, carrying on general farming until 1906, when he sold his farm to his sons and moved to Zumbrota village, where he has since resided. ITis public office holding includes service in the legislature in 1887, as town treasurer of Zumbrota for eight years, supervisor three years and postmaster at White Willow eight years, his tenure of office in the latter position extending through the administration of Harrison and one term of Cleve- land. He is secretary of the Farmers' Elevator Company, of Zumbrota, and chairman of its finance committee. He is also a director in the Wanamingo, Minneola & Cherry Grove Mutual Farmers' Insurance Company. Throughout his life Mr. Nordvold has taken a deep interest in church matters, and is now serving as

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chairman of the board of trustees of Land's Church. Start- ing in life as a poor boy, he has acquired an education, position, and a comfortable income, all by his own efforts. Mr. Nordvold was married March 25, 1873, at the Church of the Minneola Con- gregation, to Esther C. Klevgaard, daughter of John Klevgaard, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1850, and located in Dane county, Wis., where their daughter Esther was born, October 18 of the same year. Later they located in Goodhue county, and still later in Jackson county, this state. The father died March 7, 1908, and the mother April 9. of the same year. The home of the Nordvolds has been blessed with eight children. Olaf M., born December 15, 1873, is a farmer in Zumbrota township. Maria J., born March 25, 1876, married Swen T. Swenson, also a farmer in Zumbrota township. Jesse C., born February 11, 1879, follows a similar occupation. Olga M., born June 8, 1880, is married to Peter T. Swenson, the Standard Oil agent at Zumbrota. Adolph E., born November 22. 1882, married Alice Langum, of Anoka, and is now in the furniture and undertaking business in Zum- brota. Agnes O., born May 16, 1885. lives at home. Sverre P., born December 30, 1887, is a graduate of the Northwestern Uni- versity, of Chicago, department of pharmacy class of 1909. Har- old O., born April 12, 1892, a student in the Zumbrota high school, is clerking in the post office and lives at home. The family faith is that of the Lutheran Church.

Henry J. Weiss, retired farmer of Zumbrota township, is a worthy example of those men of a sturdy race who left the shores of Europe for the new world, where by dint of frugal habits and hard labor they achieved for themselves a name and a fortune which is an honor to themselves, and a noble heritage to posterity. He has been a county commissioner and has served as chairman of Minneola township and school clerk for several terms. He has also been clerk of the German Lutheran Church at Zumbrota many years. Mr. Weiss was born in Germany, August 8, 1849, and there received an excellent education. In 1862 he came to America with his mother and brother, and worked on a farm in Minneola township with them until 1870, when he assumed charge of the old homestead. From that date until 1902 he carried on general farming on 400 acres of good land, and then retired, renting his farm and moving to a pleasant home which he erected in the village of Zumbrota. In this residence he has since lived. Mr. Weiss was married October 30, 1873, to Mary Starz, daughter of Jacob and Rosina Starz, natives of Germany, who upon coming to this country located in Zumbrota. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Weiss has been blessed by three children. Anna L., born October 11, 1875, is now Mrs. Charles Grover, of Zumbrota. Henry E .. born November 19, 1878, is cashier of the Security State Bank,

HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

of Zumbrota. Ida J., born February 24, 1881, is now Mrs. Anton Johnson, of Zumbrota. Mr. Weiss, together with R. O. Lund, were the prime movers in founding the State Bank, and Mr. Weiss has been a director ever since. He is also a director in the Security State Bank.

Henry E. Weiss, treasurer of the Zumbrota village school board and cashier of the Security State Bank, of Zumbrota, is a native of this county, born in Minneola township, November 19, 1878, son of Henry J. and Mary (Starz) Weiss, well known farmers of that township. He received his education in the dis- triet schools of Minneola, the public schools of Zumbrota. and the Red Wing Business College. At once after completing a course in the latter institution he entered the Security State Bank. in 1897, as bookkeeper. In 1899 he was made assistant cashier and in 1902 was promoted to his present position. He is an ardent supporter of the Republican party and has served the village three years as recorder and three years as treasurer. He belongs to the English Intheran Church and affiliates with the Masons, the Odd Fellows. the Knights of Pythias and the Elks. Mr. Weiss was married November 5. 1902. to Winifred Tueker, daughter of Richmond and Cornella Tucker, farmers and fruit raisers of Kasson. Minn. This union has been blessed with one child, Marion, born May 29, 1904, who is the idol of the household.

Anton J. Rockne, of Zumbrota village, the distinguished speaker of the Minnesota house of representatives. is of Minne- sota birth, his natal place being in Harmony township, Fillmore county. and the date of his birth December 19, 1868. His parents were Michael and Anna (Amundson) Rockne. The father left Norway in 1849, and located in Illinois, where he farmed two years. In Wisconsin and South Dakota he also lived for a time, and was married in 1865. After coming to Minnesota he pur- chased 160 acres in the town where young Anton was born, and continned general farming. The home place is now managed by Michael Rockne and his brother. Anton's carly youth was spent on the home farm. and his primary education received in the schools of the neighborhood. His classical and academie training was obtained at the Decorah Institute. Decorah, Ia. He then spent an interim in teaching school, subsequent to which he en- tered the law department of the Minnesota State University, from which he graduated in 1894, being admitted to the bar Jume 7 of the same year. A few months later he came to Zumbrota and opened up an office. His success was instantaneous and in this profession he has since continued. He at once took an active interest in polities. and in 1902 was elected to the legislature, being re-elected successively in 1904. 1906 and 1908. Ilis elo-

HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

quence on the floor and his good sense in caucus and committee deliberation won the confidence of his fellow members, and in 1909 he was elected to his present position as speaker. Not alone, however, at the state capital, is his influence felt, for at home his merits are no less realized. Ile has served as president of the village council one year and has been a member of the council two years. He has also done considerable campaigning for the Republican party. Mr. Rockne was married December 10. 1899, at Zumibrota, to Susie Albertson, daughter of Elling Al- bertson, a prominent farmer of Wanamingo. The fruits of this union are three children-Melroy. born September 11. 1900; Elnor, born February 26, 1902, and Ariel, born June 26, 1904. The family worships at the Lutheran Church.

W. Scott Van de Bogart is a new comer in Zumbrota town- ship compared with those who settled here in the fifties and sixties, but in the dozen or so years that he has lived here he has already established himself in the confidence and regard of the community. He was born in Appleton, Wis., February 15, 1862, son of Henry and Emeline (Hubbard) Van de Bogart, natives of New York state. They came west to Wisconsin in the early days and engaged in farming until 1862, when the father joined the union army and served in Company D. Twenty-first Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. . until his death at Murfreesboro as the result of a fever contracted during the campaign. After this sad bereavement, the mother lived at Appleton until 1878. She then lived two years in Kansas and in -1880 moved to North Dakota and still later to Nebraska. In 1899 she came to live with her son, then returned again to Nebraska, and subsequently in 1907 again took up her home with her son, and ended her days, November 26, 1908. W. Scott received his education in Wisconsin, there spent his young manhood and in 1880 took up a homestead of 160 acres in North Dakota and also a tree claim in the same state. In 1897 he came to Zumbrota township, purchased 150 acres of land in section 29, and continued to carry on general farming. Mr. Van de Bogart was married April 2, 1884, to Anmie Barteau, daughter of David and Joana (Willet) Bartean, natives of New York state, who came to Zumbrota in 1873 and engaged in the hardware business. The father died in August. 1908, and the mother makes her home in Zumbrota village. To W. Scott and Annie (Barteau) Van de Bogart were born five children-Jay II., born April 28, 1885, is employed by the Tri-State Telephone Company at Minneapolis; Byron B., born July 12, 1888, died in March 6, 1908 ; Hazel L., born Febru- ary 19, 1891, lives at home; Sadie J., born May 9. 1894, died September 23, 1903; Ruth A., born March 8, 1898, lives at home. The mother of these children died March 17. 1898. and the

HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

father again married. March 2, 1902, the present Mrs. Van de Bogart having been Minnie L. Drew, daughter of Samuel and Martha Morris Drew, natives of England, who in 1848 located in Canada and after living there several years. moved to Red Wing in 1864, where they engaged in general farming. Mr. Drew died May 6, 1907, and his wife September 23, 1907. The family worships at the Methodist Church.

Martin O. Tonseth is a prominent figure in Lands Congrega- tion. being teacher of the parochial school of that church in Zumbrota and having charge of the schools at seven other points. For the duties of this office he is well fitted, standing high in the esteem of parents and pupils. Mr. Tonseth was born in Norway. February 28, 1845. and received his education in his native land, after which he worked on the government telegraph lines for four years. In the spring of 1872 he decided to seek his fortunes in this land of wider opportunity. Arriving in Zumbrota in the spring of 1872 he erected a home, and worked first as a farmer and then as a stone mason. He taught in the Sunday school of his congregation for several years and then in 1893 took charge of the parochial schools. He is a good citizen in every respect. one of those men who uplift the moral tone of any community. Mr. Tonseth was married September 28. 1873, at Zumbrota to Oline Strom, who came to America in 1873 and died March 6, 1903. IIer father died in the old country, and her mother came to America in 1877, remaining until her death in 1892. Ole Hansen and Sigre (Martinsdatter) Tonseth, parents of Martin O. Tonseth, were natives of Norway, where the father was a shoemaker. He died in April. 1878, and the mother in February, 1876 . They had five children-Hans, Kari, Martin (deceased). Ole (deceased).

Rasmus R. Sigmond, a well-known merchant of Zumbrota, first saw the light of day in La Salle county. Illinois, September 26, 1856, his parents being Rasmus R. and Mary (Wix) Sigmond, the former a native of Stavangen and the latter of Bergen, both in Norway. After arriving in this country they took up their residence in La Salle county, where the father expired March 1, 1884. The mother still makes her home on the old place. The subject, of this sketch received his education in the public schools, the Rock River Seminary at Mt. Morris. III .; the East High School, Aurora, Ill., and Fowler Institute at Newark, Ill .. graduating from the latter in 1876. Previous to his graduation, however he had known something of business life, having entered the employ of a mercantile company at the early age of fifteen years. After leaving school as a student, he taught two years in his native county. and then started in the mercantile business at Danway, Ill. Here he remained a little over a year and then

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HERMAN H. PALMER

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went to Sheridan, Ill., where he engaged in the same business four years. It was in August of 1880 that he decided to try his fortunes as a merchant in Zumbrota. His efforts met with success, and not only has his business prospered, but he himself has attained a position of honor and trust in the community. His home on Fifth street is the center of many social gatherings, and his voice on the school board and village council, of which he has been a member, was always listened to with respect and consideration. He has been a member of the state militia twenty- two years, and is now the commissary of the Third regiment. Fraternally, he is known throughout the state, being a member in high standing in the Masons, the Modern Woodmen, the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Samaritans. A Republican in politics, he nevertheless exercises his own judgment in voting, and does not always follow the party leaders when his own conscience dictates otherwise. Mr. Sig- mond was married January 8, 1879, to Sarah Nelson, of Sheridan, Ill., daughter of Peter C. and Signa (Danielson) Nelson, both natives of the United States and both now deceased. The fruits of this union are-Roy E., born October 14, 1879, is in partnership with his father; Lloyd E., born December 9, 1884, is an attorney-at-law in American Falls, Idaho, while Luverne N., born October 31, 1886, is a vocal and band instructor at Shoshone, Idaho. The family stands high in the work of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and generously assist in many pub- lie movements.

Herman H. Palmer, deceased, was for many years prominently identified with the industrial and business life of Zumbrota. A native of New Hampshire, he early engaged in the manufactur- ing business in Worcester, Mass., and came to Zumbrota in 1860. He was one of the three men who built the Forest mills, but later he opened a general store and conducted it along progressive lines until failing health necessitated his retirement in 1898. He served as president of the city council and of the school board, and as a member of the library committee. In fraternal and re- ligious circles he was no less prominent, having gone through thirty-two degrees of Masonry and served many years as truster of the Congregational church. Mr. Palmer was married in No- vember, 1862, to Adelaide Halbert. daughter of John and Mary A. (Turner) Halbert, natives of New York state and early set- tlers of Zumbrota. The father died in Memphis, Tenn., and the mother in Zumbrota. Mr. Palmer died in June, 1904, and his widow still lives in the old homestead erected in 1868. The sub- jeet of this sketch was a man of kindly nature, one who had a faculty of bringing out the best in the characters of those with whom he was associated, and his death was a distinct loss to the

HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

community which he had so ably served. Mrs. Palmer's brother, E. T. Halbert, was also a prominent figure in Zumbrota for many vears. He was owner of the Zumbrota mill and had other busi- ness holdings. He died in 1906.

John J. Starz, retired farmer, of Zumbrota village, is of German birth, his natal day being November 24, 1829. His youth and early manhood were spent in his native land, and the latter part of 1854 saw him located in Sandusky, Ohio. A year later he went to Milwaukee, Wis., and soon afterward came to Goodhue county, settling in Minneola township. On section 8, township 110. range 16, west, he purchased 160 acres. After breaking this land and bringing it under cultivation, he purchased two more quarter sections. and upon the 480 acres successfully carried on general farming until 1899. when he retired from active life. and purchased a pleasant home in Zum- brota village, where he has since resided, enjoying the fruits of a life of labor well spent. While in Minneola township. he served as town supervisor and as road overseer. He was also member of the school board and clerk of his school district for a long term of years. lle is a good man, known for his probity and honesty, loved by his family and respected by his friends. Mr. Starz was married September 28. 1854. at Sandusky, Ohio, to Rosena Bidlingmaier. a native of Germany. who located in San- dusky a short time before her marriage. Seven children have crowned this union with happiness. Mary. born March 5. 1856. is married to Henry Weiss: Lonisa, born July 24, 1858, was mar- ried to Henry Bennervitz. now deceased; Louis, borit August 20. 1861. is a farmer in Pine Island township: John, born August 22. 1863. is a farmer of Minneola township: Edward H., born September 28. 1868. lives on the old homestead: Edith (., born February 20. 1872. is the wife of Herman Kalass: Emma R .. born March 24. 1874, is married to Theodore Thoreson. The family is connected with the German Lutheran Church. and are actively interested in its progress.

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History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 82

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