USA > Minnesota > Goodhue County > History of Goodhue County, Minnesota > Part 89
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George Elcock, of Kenyon township. was born in the township May 16. 1863. son of William and Anna (Carmichael) Elcock. both natives of Ireland. The father lived for several years in Canada, and in 1858 came to Kenyon township, buying a farm in sections 10 and 15. He was twice married. His first wife was Anna J. Fraser, by whom he had four children : John, Simon, William and Robert. His second wife was Anna Carmichael, and their children were George. Elizabeth, and Anna J. George El- cock was educated in the public school and has always lived on the farm where he was born. He now owns 160 acres, on which he conducts general farming, being interested mostly in dairying. for which purpose he keeps from 30 to 40 milch cows during the year. Sept. 12. 1894. he married Anna G. Wilson, born in Good-
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Ime county, June 20, 1866, daughter of Frank J. and Louisa Edsal) Wilson, who came to Goodhue county in 1866. The father was born in Canada of American parents and died Aug. 14, 1908. The mother was born in Auburn, New York, and died some four and one-half years before her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Eleoek have one son, William George Elcock, born Jan. 24, 1896. Mr. Elcock is a Democrat in polities but never sought or held public office. He is a member of Kenyon Lodge No. 201. A. F. and A. M., of Kenyon village. The family are members of the Episcopal church.
Andrew Finstuen, lawyer. and editor and proprietor of the Kenyon Leader, is a native of Roscoe township, this county, born June 27, 1875. llis parents. P. P. and Mathea (Coplen) Finstuen. came to this country in 1867 and purchased 160 acres of land. Both parents are still living, being well-to-do and prosperous res- idents of Roscoe township. Andrew was given the advantages of such schooling as his neighborhood afforded. and then attended the high school at Zumbrota. Subsequently entering the law department of the state university at Minneapolis, he graduated in 1902 and at once started the practice of his profession in Kenyon. He also purchased the Kenyon Leader, which he has since conducted. His law practice is large, and he enjoys the confidence of all those with whom he has legal dealings. His paper is bright and newsy. with able editorials, and is a welcome guest in some thousand homes in the southwest part of the county. A republican in politics. he has taken an active interest in the betterment of the village. His services as a member of the village council, president of that board, as member of the school board, and secretary of the Commercial Club have been highly esteemed. Ile is also an active member of the Modern Woodmen. Mr. Finstuen was married January 16. 1909 to Matilda Strandness, (laughter of Jacob Strandness, an old settler of this county, now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Finstuen make their home in a pleasant residence in Kenyon village, Mr. Finstuen being a property owner here. It is worthy of note that in the family of P. P. Finstuen are eight children, Andrew, the subject of this sketch, being the oldest.
Joseph A. Gates, M. D., of Kenyon Village. was born in Olm- stead County, Minnesota, September 11, 1870, a son of Elnathan J. and Jane (Waldron) Gates, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Pennsylvania. Elnathan J. Gates came to Minne- sota in 1856 and in 1860 to Olmstead County, where he died May 20, 1904. The mother is living in Rochester. Minn. Joseph A. received his education in Rochester, Minn., graduating from the high school. He then entered the University of Minnesota, where he graduated from the medical department in 1895. Im-
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mediately after his graduation he located in Kenyon village, and commenced the practice of his profession. Dr. Gates has always taken an active interest in politics. He has been for eleven years, a member of the village school board. He served as president of the city council in 1900 and was elected a member of the State Legislature for three terms, 1904, 1906 and 1908. He built the Kenyon telephone exchange in 1901 which covers all the territory to Kenyon. He also served as editor of the Kenyon Leader for several years, and is a director in the Citizens' State Bank of Kenyon. June 10. 1896, he married Jennie Clark, of Rochester, Minn. They have five children : Elnathan. Russell. Nellie, Joseph and Jennie. Fraternally Dr. Gates is a member of Kenyon Lodge No. 201 A. F. and A. M., Tyrian No. 6 R. A. M .. Faribault Com- mandery No. 8 K. T. and Osman Temple, St. Paul. He is a mem- ber of the A. O. U. W. and M. W. A. of Kenyon. the B. P. O. E. No. 1166 of Faribault. Dr. Gates is a Republican in politics and affiliates with the Methodist Episcopal church.
John Elcock, Kenyon village, whose boyhood memories ex- tend back to the first decade of the settlement of this township and county, was born in Ontario, Canada, on New Year's day, 1845. son of William and Annie J. (Fraser) Elcock, the former a native of Ireland, and the latter a Canadian of staunch Scot- tish descent. The mother died in Canada. when John was very young, and the father brought his motherless family to the United States in 1858. coming first to Hastings, this state. Sub- sequently they spent a short time in Faribault. and then pur- chased 160 acres of land two miles south of Kenyon. On this farm. young John lived and grew to manhood. assisting his father in all the work about the place until 1889 when the father died. During the latter part of his father's life. John had practical charge of the home farm. In 1889 he moved to his own farm in Kenyon township, which he had previously purchased, and there he carried on farming operations until 1907. when he rented his farm and in company with his brother and sister, Robert and Annie purchased their present fine resi- dence on Main street in the village of Kenyon, where the three now reside. Aside from this home he owns over 200 acres of farm land, in this township. Mr. Elcoek is a public spirited gentleman and has served on the town board a number of terms. He votes the Democratic ticket. For many years he has be- longed to the Masonic order. Simon, a brother of John, lives in Oregon. George, another brother resides on the old homestead and Elizabeth. a sister. is Mrs. Shepard. of Kenyon, her hus- band being manager of the Farmers Elevator. The religious preference of the family is that of the Episcopal church. It is worthy of note that in the early days before the railroad eame
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through, the members of the Elcock family hauled their grain to Red Wing, the journey taking two or three days. The roads were poor and the loads heavy, and the subject of this sketch has many interesting stories to tell of some of these early trips.
Eugene L. Blaker, and his brother Frank J. Blaker are pro- prietors of "Brookside Farm" of Cherry Grove, in which town- ship both were born, the former Nov. 26, 1868 and the latter Dee. 20, 1870. The father. Jacob Blaker, a native of Pennsyl- vania, came to Minnesota and located in Pine Island, where he was married to Jane Root. a daughter of Byington and Maria Root, who came to Cherry Grove township in 1856 and pre- empted 160 aeres on which the father erected a house, barns and other necessary buildings, carried on general farming, and to his original purchase later added 80 acres more. Mr. Root died in November, 1881. Jacob Blaker died April 6. 1881, aged 53 years. His wife now lives with her sons. Engene was educated in the public schools of Cherry Grove, and the high school of Zumbrota and Kenyon after which he taught school in the county for three years. In 1889 he took up the management of the homestead, with his brother Frank, and they have since continued to carry on general farming and stock raising, owning a farm of 240 acres and renting 160 acres which they also cultivate. They have gradually made improve- ments on the house and buildings in general having a barn 40x88. a good granary, a hog house and machine sheds. March 1, 1889 Eugene was married to Elizabeth Frederick of Dodge county, daughter of Peter and Mary (Stewart), the former a native of New York and the latter of Wisconsin. They came to Minnesota and located in Dodge county, where they pur- chased a farm on which they still reside. Mr. and Mrs. Blaker have three children : Mabel D .. born June 6, 1900; Elmer F., born November 2. 1903; and Franeis E., born December 15, 1907. E. L. Blaker lost his right arm in the corn shredder November 5, 1904. He has an artificial arm, carries on all the farm and dairy work, the same as usual and has no difficulty in doing team work, or in driving and running all kinds of machinery about the farm. Frank Blaker was married June 1, 1904 to Hannah Arvidson, of Cannon Falls, by whom he has two daugh- ters ; Berniee E., born April 2, 1906, and Helen G., born Janu- ary 22, 1909. The Blakers have one sister Mary E. who married Clarenee E. Fitzgerald of Iowa, June 28, 1905, Mabel D. another sister died August 24, 1889, aged 17 years. E. L. Blaker is a Republican in politics, and has held several offices, having been supervisor, justice of the peace, director of school district 85, road overseer, and in 1900, eensus enumerator. He is also in-
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terested in the Farmer's Elevators of Kenyon and Bombay. 'The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church.
J. A. Barsness, was born on the farm in Cherry Grove town- ship where he now resides. September 6, 1863, son of A. J. and Gertrude Maria (Skaar) Barsness, natives of Norway. The father came to America in 1854 and located in Chicago, where he was employed in a shingle mill and in the pinery until 1858 when he came to Cherry Grove township and purchased 120 acres of land. Here he built a home and other buildings, and improved his land. carrying on general farming. extensive dairy- ing, and stock raising, now having 300 acres under cultivation. In November, 1862. he married Gertrude Maria Skaar, daughter of Johannes and Martha (Heltne) Skaar, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1856 and located in Wisconsin, remain- ing a year, after which they came to Wanamingo township, bought 160 acres of land and built a home. barn and other out- buildings. Later they bought 80 acres more in the same town- ship making a farm of 240 acres on which they carried on general farming until the death of the father in 1896, the mother having passed away in 1882. There were six children in the Barsness home: J. A., who manages the farm: Martha, married to Olaf Iloff, now of Spokane. Wash .; Maria, married to Ole P. Holman of Minneapolis: Johanna. married to Nels Severson. now of Spokane, Wash .; Lena, who lives at home; and Fred, of Wash- ington.
J. A. Barsness received his education in the public schools of Cherry Grove and Zumbrota and in the Red Wing Seminary. After leaving school he worked with his father on the farm and later became interested in the creamery and flour mill at Brand- on, Donglass county. In 1898 he returned home and took charge of the homestead. He has never married. Mr. Barsness is a Re- publican in his politics, but has never sought a public' office. He is a stock holder in the Farmer's Elevator at Kenyon, and attends the Norwegian Intheran church.
Ole T. Berg, of Cherry Grove township, was born in Norway, July 16, 1843, son of Thov and Lieve (Gjermundson) Berg, na- tives of Norway, who emigrated to America in 1853. The father and his son Ole arrived safely, while the mother and two sisters died on the ocean of a contagious disease. The father located in Rock county, Wisconsin, where he remained for eight years, then came to Minnesota in 1861 and settled in Pine Island town- ship, where he purchased 120 acres of land. This he broke and cleared, built a home and other outbuildings, and carried on general farming until his death in 1887. Ole received his edu- cation in the public schools of Rock county, Wisconsin, and worked with his father until August 15, 1862 when he enlisted in
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C'o. G, 7th Minn. Vol. Inf., as a private, being later promoted to. the rank of corporal. He remained in the north until in October 1863, fighting Indians; then with the Seventh Regiment was ordered south where he staid till the war closed being mustered out at the hospital in Baton Rogue, La .. June 7, 1865. After the war, he returned home, and in 1869 purchased 125 acres of farm land and ton acres of timber in Cherry Grove township where he built a home. barn, and other ontbuildings, carrying on general farming and raising horses and cattle. On June 20, 1872 he was married to Carrie S. Flatland, daughter of Andrew and Martha Flatland, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1844 and located in Dane county, Wisconsin. Here they remained ten years, after which they removed to Wanshara county, Wis- vonsin, remaining until 1865. Then they came to Pine Island township and purchased 160 acres, later adding 80 more. Here they lived until the death of the father in October 1894. The mother died in June 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Berg have been blessed with ten children, of whom seven are living: Andrew lives in Wanamingo; Tilda lives at home : Martha married Mel- vin Strom of Michigan City. Ind .; Lydia lives at home; Thomas lives in Michigan City, Ind .; Olga and Magnus live at home. Mr. Berg is an independent voter. He has served his township, as supervisor and assessor, and has been clerk of school district No. 84 for the long period of 34 years. Ile is director and treasurer of the Minneola' Creamery Co., at Wanamingo, and director of the Cherry Grove. Wanamingo and Minneola Fire Ins. Co. He is also a member of the G. A. R. Post 121 of Zum- hrota. The family faith is that of the Lutheran church.
Thomas Taft Comstock, of Cherry Grove was born in the township, August 19, 1862, son of E. G. and Catherine J. (Wins- ton) Comstock, natives of Massachusetts and New York states, who came west to Minnesota in 1856, and located in Cherry Grove township, where they pre-empted 240 acres of land which the father cleared and broke. built a home, barn and other ont- buildings, and carried on general farming, raising horses, cattle and sheep. The father died in 1891, but the mother is still living in Kenyon. Thomas Taft Comstock received his education at the public schools and at Carleton College. In 1892 he entered the employment of the Case Threshing Machine Co., as general agent, which position he held for thirteen years. In 1905 he interested himself in the Cannon Valley Power Co., and the Root River Water Power Co., with which he has since been con- nected. He is also interested in agriculture has 240 acres of land under cultivation and carries on general farming, dairying and stock raising. Mr. Comstock was married December 29, 1887. to Jessie M. Andrist of Roscoe, daughter of Jacob and Eliz-
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abeth (Spreiter) Andrist, natives of Switzerland, who came to America and located in Wisconsin, removing later to Minnesota where the father died. The mother is still living at West Con- cord, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Comstock had two children : Belle M., born January 9, 1889, and Walter J., born June 1, 1899. The mother of these children died June 1, 1899; and December 31, 1901, Mr. Comstock was married to Anna M. Rapp. daughter of Martin and Mary (Moser) Rapp, natives of New York and Wisconsin. Her father came to Wisconsin in 1862, purchased land, carried on general farming and was also a merchant for a number of years. He died in December 1904. The mother is still living. By this marriage, Mr. Comstock has one child, Lucille Agnes, born May 28, 1903. Mr. Comstock is an in- dependent voter, and has served as town clerk. Fraternally he affiliates with the Elks and the United Workmen. The family attend the Catholic and Methodist Episcopal churches.
George E. Callister, Cherry Grove township was born in the Isle of Mann. January 24. 1864, son of Thomas and Jane (Moore) Callister, natives of the Isle of Mann, who emigrated to America in 1869 locating at Northfield. Minn., where the father farmed for two years, after which they removed to Cherry Grove town- ship, where they purchased 160 acres of land which the father broke and improved, erecting a home, barn and other outbuild- ings necessary to carry on successful farming. remaining until his death in December 1895. The mother died in the fall of 1900. George received his education in the public schools of the town- ship. and worked on the farm until in 1895. He then pur- chased a farm of 80 acres. in 1909 added 80 more, and has since followed general farming and stock raising, making many improvements on his farm. April 4. 1900 Mr. Callister was mar- ried to Nona M. Conner, daughter of Frank T. and Caroline (Scott) Conner, the father a native of New Hampshire and the mother of Roscoe township, this county. The father eame west in 1863 and located at Roscoe, where he purchased 240 acres of land and carried on general farming. IIe died on February 29. 1908. the mother having passed away on July 11, 1893. The farm, at the death of the father came into pos- session of his son Benton and daughter Nona. Mr. and Mrs. Callister have no children. Mrs. Callister has one brother, Ben- ton D. Conner. now of Minneapolis, and Mr. Callister has two brothers. William R., and John J., both living at Kenyon, Minn. Mr. Callister is a Republican in his political views, and has held several public offices. He has been town supervisor for eight years, and has served the school board of District 120 for a similar period. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen, and is
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director of the creamery at Skyberg. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Erick C. Heltne, was born April 7, 1867, on the homestead where he is now located in Cherry Grove township. Ile was the son of Christ and Martha Erickson, natives of Norway. The father was a tailor and farmer, and came to America in 1857, set- tling in Wiseonsin. In 1859 they came to Minnesota, and located in Cherry Grove, where they purchased 80 acres of land where the father built a dugout, in which they lived for a time while preparing the farm for cultivation. Later, 40 acres more was added to the farm and the father built a home, barn and other out buildings, carrying on general farming, dairying and stock raising. The father died September 9, 1879 and the mother February 23, 1905. Eriek C. received his education in the publie schools of Cherry Grove, and worked on the farm with his father until the death of the latter, when he and his brother undertook the management of the farm. In 1896 he purchased the home- stead and has since continued general farming, dairying and stock raising. January 22, 1896 he was married to Inger Erager, daughter of Nels and Susie Erager, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1878 settling in Cherry Grove, where they are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Heltne, have seven children: Carl, born April 12. 1896; Selma, born May 3, 1898; Arthur, born Ferbuary 2, 1900; Mabel, born April 13, 1902; Joseph, born February 4, 1904, one child who died in infancy, and Emma, born February 25. 1908. Mr. Heltne is a Republican in his political views, and has held the office of treasurer of school district No. 85 for several years. He owns stock in the Farmer's Elevators of Ken- von and Bombay. Mr. Heltne has one brother and one sister. The brother Christ C. is living on the homestead and owns 20 acres of improved land in Cherry Grove township, also 40 acres in Wanamingo township. He was born in Wisconsin, June 5, 1859, and is unmarried. The sister Inger, married Knut Kolstad, and lives at Cherry Grove. All are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church.
N. B. Lunde, of Cherry Grove township, was born in Norway, June 2, 1837, son of Botlolf Lunde and Bertha Thurve, who were farmers. N. B. Lunde, received his education in Norway, also in America to which country he came in 1859, locating in Wisconsin, where he remained for two years. He then came to Minnesota in 1861 locating in Cherry Grove township, where he purchased 160 acres of land which he broke and improved, erect- ed home, barn and other outbuildings, and has since carried on a general line of farming, also raising horses and stock. He now owns 504 acres of land, all under cultivation. He was mar- ried in June 1874 at the age of 37 to Christine, at that time 19
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years old. daughter of George and Martha ( Mellaum ) Davidson, natives of Norway, who came to America and located at Cherry Grove where they purchased land and carried on general farm- ing. The father died in 1908 and the mother still lives on the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Lunde have nine children : Bertinius, who lives at home. David M., a farmer of Douglass county; Martha, married to Samuel Bugge, cashier in a bank at Bagley. Clear- water county; Bertha married to JJones Charleston, a merchant at Edmonds. North Dakota: Herman, who is in partnership with J. Charleston at Edmonds, N. D., Carrie, Lena, Annie and Marie, who live at home. Mr. Lunde is a Republican in his politics and has served as supervisor, of the school board and director of Distriet 85. Ile is also interested in the Farmer's Elevator at Kenyon and Bombay. The family worship at the Norwegian United church.
John H. Otterress, of Cherry Grove township, was born in Warsaw township November 20. 1868, son of Hans and Bertha Otterness. natives of Norway, who came to America in 1857 and settled in Wisconsin where they remained for seven years, after which they came to Minnesota locating in Warsaw town- ship where they purchased 95 acres of improved land and en- gaged in general farming. The mother died April 20, 1907 and the father still lives on the homestead. John H. received his education in the common school working with his father on the farm until the spring of 1903 when he went to Lake Benton, Minn .. and engaged in the mercantile business with Jonas Charl- son for one year. On May 15. 1904 he started in business at Bom- bay where he has since continued. Mr. Otterness was married September 24, 1908 to Turi Homme, daughter of T. G. and Inger Homme. both natives of Norway. who came to America and pur- chased a farm of 160 acres in Wanamingo township where they still live. He has served as constable and school clerk and is in- terested in the Farmer's Elevator. Mr. Otterness has one broth- er. lens L. living on a farm at Warsaw.
John J. Quam, of Cherry Grove township, was born in Nor- way. January 14, 1855. son of John and Christina (Olness) Quam, natives of Norway where they owned land and lived up to the time of their death. The father died in 1882 and the mother in 1888. John J. received his education in the common schools of Norway and in America, attending high school one winter in Zumbrota. He came to America in June 1873. locating at Stoughton, Wis., where he worked on a farm for one year, then went to Iowa, where he worked on a farm for thirteen months. after which he came to Minnesota and worked on a farm until married. He was married April 1878 to Cecelia Fardahl, daugh- ter of Jens A. and Christina (Vikum) Fardahl, both natives of
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Norway, who came to America in 1854 locating in Wisconsin, where they lived for three years after which they came to Minnesota and located in Cherry Grove township where they gradually acquired extensive tracts of farming lands. On their first purchase of 120 acres they erected a home, barn and other out buildings, and carried on general farming. They retired in 1896. purchasing a home in Kenyon, where the father died in 1897 and the mother in 1906. At the time of his marriage (John J. Quam to Cecelia Fardahl) as before mentioned, they received from the latter's father, Jens A. Fardahl a 160 acre farm where they carried on general farming and extensive dairying also raising horses and cattle. They now own 610 acres, which is al- most all under cultivation, and most of which was formerly of the Jens A. Fardahl estate. Mr. and Mrs. Quam have thirteen children : Christina. (deceased ). Christina. married to Charles Steberg of Wanamingo: Jens living at home: Annie married to Peter Langeness living in Cherry Grove: John E .. living in Cherry Grove, Henry Selina. Clarence, Gena. Arthur, Gerhard. Jeanette and Alfred all living at home. Mr. Quam is a Republic- an in his politics and the family attends the Norwegian Lutheran church.
Osten E. Skaar, pioneer farmer of Cherry Grove township, was born in Lyster. Norway, Nov. 11. 1823. and after spending his boyhood and young manhood in that country came to America in 1854. After living in Wisconsin a short time he came to Good- hne with the early settlers and took up a homestead in Cherry Grove township, where he at once built a home. In 1859 he was married to Mari Barsness, born in Sogndal, Norway, August 10. 1840. She came to Chicago in 1855 and remained a short time with her unele. Ole Anfinson. with whom she removed to Wana- mingo township. this county, one year later. The unele took up a homestead, upon which he and his niece resided until her mar- riage. In 1859. at the beginning of their long and happy life together. Mr. and Mrs. Skaar took up their residence in a sod roof shanty. Soon however. Mr. Skaar erected a good sized, two story log house. but misfortune overtook them and the house was burned to the ground, entailing a total loss. It was 1866. before he was able to rebuild, but in that year he erected a comfortable 20x28 two story house which has since been the home of the family. Besides carrying on general farming, he was a blacksmith and did repairing for himself and for his neighbors. For several years he conducted a horse-power thresher in part- nership with neighbors. Some of the finest horses in the county at that time. were raised on his farm. Osten E. Skaar died October 8. 1898. He had nine children: Martha lives at home: Gertrude M. married IIans E. Isaacson and lives in Minneapolis :
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