History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 91

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

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Albert Finstuen, of Roscoe township, son of Peter P. and

HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

Martha (Goplin) Finstuen, was born in Roscoe, October 30, 1882. Ílis parents, both natives of Norway, came to America in 1868, and located in Zumbrota, where he worked at various labor for five years. Then he came to Roscoe township, and bought 160 acres of land. This he improved, and built a home, barn and other out buildings, carrying on general farming and stock raising. They still reside on the farm. Albert received his edu- cation in the common schools of the township, and worked with his father on the farm. In 1907 he purchased 160 acres and has since carried on a general line of farming for himself. He was married January 9, 1907, to Clara Swenson, daughter of Peter and Mali (Okelberg) Swenson, natives of Norway, who came to this country in 1859, locating at Rockford, Ill., remain- ed a short time, then came to Minnesota, and bought land in Min- neola township, which they broke and improved, carrying on general farming, and adding more land gradually, until they had acquired over 700 acres in all. The father died September 21, 1891, and the mother June 6, 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Finstuen have one son, Curtiss, born July 5, 1905. Mr. Finstuen is a Republican in politics, but has never sought or held any publie office. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church.

Gunder S. Gresseth, of Roscoe township, was born in Norway, May 22. 1860, son of Sever Olstad, and Rebur Gresseth, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1865 and located in Roscoe township, where they bought 160 acres of land, which the father broke and improved, carrying on general farming until his death in 1896. The mother died in 1899. Gunder S. received his edu- cation in the common schools of Roscoe and later took a course at the Red Wing Seminary. This he completed in 1881, and re- turned to the farm, where he remained until 1886 when he purchased 80 acres of land in Roscoe township, which in 1893 he sold and returned home, remaining two years. Then he rented 80 acres in Roscoe township, where he farmed for twelve years. In the fall of 1907, he purchased 120 acres and has since carried on general farming and stock raising. He has also been in the real estate business for the past five years. February 27, 1885, Mr. Gresseth was married to Annie O. Tiller, of Hader, daughter of Ole and Annie E. (Storsve) Tiller, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1866 locating in Hader, on a farm carrying on general farming until the death of the father. The mother is still living on the homestead in Hader. Mr. and Mrs. Gresseth have eight children : Rosie H., Selma E., Gerd A., Melvin E., Emelus, Hilma S., Orlando, and Seref, all of whom are living at home. Mrs. Gresseth died December 24, 1907. Mr. Gresseth is a Prohibitionist in polities, has been chairman of the Prohibition political committee of Roscoe township, and was clerk of school

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HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

district 81, which office he held for three years. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church, of which Mr. Gres- seth has been trustee and deacon for the past twenty years.

Gunder H. Hoven, Roscoe township. was born in Norway, September 8, 1850, son of Halvor and Malina Hoven, natives of Norway who were farmers. which occupation the father followed until his death November 15, 1908. The mother died in 1903. Gunder received his education in the public schools of Norway and assisted his father on the farm. In 1870 he emigrated to America coming direct to Roscoe township, where he worked for three years. In 1873 he purchased 80 acres of land which he cleared and improved. built his home, barn and other out buildings, now carrying on a general line of farming, also rais- ing stock and horses of the Clyde grade. He now owns 347 acres of which nearly all is under cultivation. He was married on December 7. 1874 to Betsy Langness. daughter of Ole and Gert- rude Langness, natives of Norway, who came to this country in 1865. located in South Dakota. and engaged in general farming until the death of the father in 1896. The mother died in 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Hoven have had six children: Olaf, of Roscoe; Henry. of Roscoe ; Martin, of Roscoe; Edwin and Gitta. at home, and George (deceased). Mr. Hoven is a Republican and has served as town supervisor for six years. The family faith is that of the Lutheran church.

Henry G. Hoven, was born in Roscoe, in which township he still resides, April 19, 1875, son of Gunder HI. and Betsy Hoven, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1870, and located in Roscoe township, where the father worked for farmers for three years, after which he purchased 80 acres of land which he broke and cultivated. He built a home and other out build- ings. and gradually adding more land until he now owns 347 aeres, and carries on a general line of farming also raising Clyde horses. Shorthorn cattle and sheep. All of his land can be culti- vated. Henry received his education ju the public schools of Roscoe township. completing with a business course at a Red Wing business college. After leaving school he took up farming with his father. remaining with him until 1898. when he rented a farm of 160 acres in Roscoe township and began farming for himself. In 1905 he bought this farm and continued diversified farming and stock raising. making many improvements on the place, remodeled the out buildings, and built a large granary and a machine shed. Mr. Hoven was married May 19, 1898 to Jane Thoreson of Roscoe, daughter of Otto and Sigri (Everson Lund) Thoreson, natives of Norway, who came to this country and located in Wanamingo township. After two years, they pur- chased 120 acres of land which the father improved, and on

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HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

which he conducted general diversified farming until 1876 when he sold this farm, and bought 200 acres in Roscoe township, where they still reside, later adding 120 acres more. He also has 160 acres of improved land in North Dakota, with a house and buildings. Mr. and Mrs. Hoven have four children: Bertha S., born April 29, 1900: Otto G., born April 2, 1903; Georgia E., born February 12, 1905, and Gillner, born September 21, 1908. Mr. Hoven is a Republican and is a director of the school board of his distriet, which office he has held for the past your years. He is also town treasurer, and is serving his third term. He and his family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Bernt J. Lunde, of Rosco township, was born in Norway, June 1. 1847. son of Johannes and Caroline (Jerland) Lunde, natives of Norway. He received his edneation in the common schools of Norway and later attended the high school. After school days were over, he took up farming at home with his father and in 1866 he eame to this country, direct to Zumbrota, where he worked on the farms in' the summer, and in the pineries in the winter. In 1871 he purchased 40 acres of land in Roseoe town- ship, of which 17 acres was improved land. and the rest he cleared and improved. For four years he cultivated this land and then purchased 80 more, gradually adding more and more until he had 330 acres, all under cultivation. He now carries on general farming and stock raising. March 4, 1871, he was mar- ried to Inger Goplin of Roscoe, whose parents were natives of Norway. and came to America in 1869 locating in Roscoe town- ship, where the father died in 1888, the mother having passed away in 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Lunde had eight children : Marie married Erick A. Strand and lives at Roseoe; Carry married Albert Erstad of Roscoe; Julia A. married Knute O. Strand; Lena married Albert Swenson of Roseoe; Ada married Elling O. Bakke of Minneola; John, Alfred and Ellen live at home. Mr. Lunde is a Republican and has served as treasurer for school district No. 106 for the past six years, also as road overseer for a number of years. He and his family are members of the Nor- wegian Lutheran church of which Mr. Lunde is one of the trustees.

John Money, of Roseoe township, was born in Switzerland, October 20, 1851, oldest son of John and Elizabeth (Bringgold) Money, natives of Switzerland, where the father was a cooper and carpenter. They emigrated to America in 1854, settling in New York state, where they engaged in farming. In 1877 the mother died, and in 1882 the father came west to Minnesota and took up his residence with his son, where he died May 20, 1903. John received his education in the schools of the town of Lonise, Lewis county, New York, and after finishing his studies, worked

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HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

on the farm with his father, also at coopering, and in a saw mill. In 1878 he came west to Minnesota and landed at Red Wing March 13. He bought 40 acres of land in Roseoe township, which he cleared and improved, and built a home, barn and all out buildings, carrying on a general and diversified line of farming. In 1891 he added 50 acres, which he cleared, and improved. Later on he built a saw mill and general repair shop, a business which is now increasing rapidly. In 1875, March S, he was mar- ried to Elizabeth Meyers, of New York state, daughter of Ed- ward and Catherine Meyers, natives of Germany, who came to America in 1851 and located in New York state, where the father engaged in farming. They are both living. Mr. and Mrs. Money have one son, John Edward, born in New York state March 8, 1876, who is interested in business with his father. He is mar- ried, his wife being Mabel Josephine Belden. They have four children : Lillian, George, Bernice, Harley. Mr. Money is a democrat in his political views, and has been clerk of the school board for the past 24 years. Ile has also served as town super- visor for one year, and road master for a number of years. They are members of the Lutheran church.

Ludwig H. Ofstie, was born on the farm where he now resides in Roscoe township, June 9, 1871, son of Hans and Mary (David- son) Ofstie, natives of Norway who came to America in 1861, direct to Goodhue county. The father worked on a farm for a time, and in 1869 purchased 160 acres of land and engaged in farming. The land was wild and he broke a small part of it and built a house which was destroyed by fire in 1871. A log house was built just after the fire and this was used until 1902 when it was replaced by a fine modern house of brick. They have con- tinued to improve the land and buildings, erecting a barn and other buildings also a large silo in 1908. The father died October 22, 1893, and the son then assumed the management of the farm. Ludwig received his education in the common schools of the township, worked with his father on the farm, and has since con- tinued to carry on general farming and dairying extensively, keeping a large number of cows of the Holstine grade. Ilis land is all under cultivation. Mr. Ofstie is an only child and is single, his mother living on the homestead with him. He is Republic- an in his polities, has served as constable for eight years, and as road master for a number of terms. He is the president of the Wanamingo creamery, which office he has held since 1901. He is a member of Land's Norwegian Lutheran church.

Petter Oluff Petterson, of Roscoe township, was born in Rock Prairie, Wis., December 4, 1860, son of Frederick and Anna (Jen- son) Petterson, natives of Norway, who came to this country, in 1857, and located at Rock Prairie, Wis. The father followed

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HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

painting and carpentering for five years, after which they came to Roscoe township in 1862 and engaged in farming. In 1868 they purchased 160 acres of wild land, which they cleaned and improved, and followed general farming. The father died in 1908, September 4, and the mother June 2, 1908. In 1875 the father was elected to the legislature for one term. There were three children in the Petterson home: Christian of Clearwater county, Minnesota ; Christine (adopted), of Olmstead county, Minnesota, and Petter O., the subject of this sketch. Petter O. received his education in the common schools of the township and worked on the farm with his father until 1894, when he took entire charge of the farm. At his father's death he came into possession of the homestead. and has carried on general farming, also manufacturing "Gammal-ost" cheese. Being the only one in the county who produces the commodity he finds a ready mar- ket. Mr. Petterson is single. He is a Republican in politics and belongs to the Lutheran church.

Tollef O. Sundry, of Roscoe township, was born in Norway, March 4, 1864. son of Ole and Aagot (Newhouse) Sundry, natives of Norway. The father came to America in 1880, with his son, and located in Saint Ansgar, Iowa. The father died May 22, 1894, and the mother August, 1872. Tollef came to America in 1880, located in Iowa, attended the public schools and also the high school at Saint Ansgar. After school days were over he took up farming until 1886, when he went to North Dakota and was employed as car inspector for the Great Northern railroad at Minot, for five years. While in North Dakota he took up a homestead of 160 acres, and in 1892 he removed to Roscoe town- ship and purchased 160 acres in section 19, which he improved, erecting a new barn in 1897 and a new house in 1907. He now follows general farming and stock raising. January 26, 1890, Mr. Sundry was married at Zumbrota, to Emma Thoreson, daugh- ter of Otto and Sigrid Thoreson. They have six children : Orrin E., born February 12, 1891; Sigrid O., born June 15, 1892; Thur- low E., born February 21, 1894; Archie V., born May 7, 1896; Roy M., born July 7, 1901 ; and George J., born February 9, 1903, all living at home. Mr. Sundry is a Republican in political views, and fraternally affiliates with the Masons of Zumbrota and the Modern Samaritans. He has been assessor of the township for a good many years, is now clerk of school district 81 and has been employed in the House of Representatives as doorkeeper and telephone messenger. He is also a 'stockholder in the Farmers' Elevators of Zumbrota and Wanamingo, and in the Minneola Creamery. He and his family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Alfred Swan, of Roscoe township, was born in Sweden Novem-

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HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

ber 18, 1865, son of John P. and Mary Swan, natives of Sweden. The mother died on April 13, 1875, and the father, a shoemaker by trade, emigrated to this country in 1879, locating in Wiscon- sin, where he remained a short time, then came to Minnesota and settled in Roscoe township. where he rented land and engaged in farming nine years. He then went to Belvidere township, where he lived fifteen years, after which he returned to Roscoe, where he died January 26. 1908. Alfred received his education in the common schools of Sweden and later in America, where he attended for a short time. After leaving school he worked at farming and later as carpenter, and also engineered a thresh- ing machine. In 1898 he rented the farm where he now lives. Later he secured the farm. and now owns 200 acres, which he manages, carrying on general farming and stock raising. He was married August 1. 1894. to Mary Swenson. adopted daughter of Charles and Dorthia Swenson, natives of Sweden and Nor- way, who came to the United States in 1859, locating in Rock- ford. Ill., where they remained but a short time, subsequently coming to Minnesota. purchasing a farm of 160 acres in Roscoe township. This they cleared and improved, built a home, and carried on general farming until his death. November 8, 1891. The mother died January 16, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Swan have five children : Ella M .. born October 10, 1896: Alice, born Octo- ber 14, 1897 (deceased ) ; Clara A., born December 7, 1898; IIulda E .. born April 10. 1901 : and Esther V .. born November 15, 1906. Mr. Swan is a Republican in his political views, and has served his township as roadmaster and clerk of school district 80 for a number of years. lle and his family are members of the Moth- odist Episcopal church.

Otto Thoreson, of Roscoe township. was born in Norway, May 25. 1842, son of Thore Kleven and Engeborg (Skordahl) Kleven, natives of Norway, the former of whom died in Norway in 1878 and the mother in 1861. Otto received his education in the pub- lie schools of Norway and worked with his father on the farm. In 1861 he emigrated to America and located in Wanamingo township, where he worked for farmers for two years, after which he purchased 120 acres of land which he broke and improved. In 1876 he sold this farm and bought 160 acres in Roscoe town- ship. Later he purchased eighty more and again added forty. Here he carried on general farming and stock raising. All his land is under cultivation and he has 160 acres of improved land in North Dakota. He was married in July. 1863, to Sigrid Ever- son, daughter of Ole and Jonette (Opem) Lund, natives of Nor- way, who came to this country in 1857 and located in Wanamingo, where they bought a claim of 160 acres and carried on general farming until the death of the father in 1886. The mother is

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HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

still living in Wanamingo at the age of ninety-three. Mr. and Mrs. Thoreson have a family of seven children: Gurina, mar- ried to John A. Johnson, of Zumbrota; Engeborganna, married to T. O. Sundry, of Roscoe; Theodore. married to Emma Starz, living at Zumbrota; Jonette, married to Henry Hoven; Othelia, married to Charles Olson, of Roscoe; George and Leonard B .. living at home. Mr. Thoreson is a Republican, and has served on the town board and school board for a number of years. The family attend the Enthern church.

Axel Ahlgren, of Belvidere township, was born in Sweden. September 3, 1867, son of John and Annie Ahlgren, natives of Sweden, who came to America in 1869 and located in Red Wing, where the father worked in a Inmber yard for twelve years. after which he rented a farm in Featherstone township for about ten years, carrying on general farming. He then removed to Todd county, and later to Adams county. North Dakota, where he took a homestead of 160 acres, and where the mother died August 17. 1908. The father died July 1. 1909. Axel received his education in the public schools of Red Wing. after which he worked on a farm and clerked in a grocery store in Red Wing until 1897. when he entered into business with H. J. Bang. of Belvidere, the firm being known as H. J. Bang & Co. This firm has since continned successfully. enjoying a large trade. Mr. Ahlgren was married July 24, 1893. to Mary A. Nelson, daughter of Erick and Anna (Johnson) Nelson, natives of Sweden, who came to Amer- ica in 1869. settling in Red Wing, where he is employed in the Red Wing Furniture Factory. Mr. and Mrs. Ahlgren have three children: Hazel Marie. born July 15, 1894; Raymond A., born April 3, 1897 ; and Bernard H. E., born May 26, 1903. Mr. Ahl- gren served for two years in Company G. at Red Wing, as private. He is justice of the peace of Belvidere and a member of the Modern Woodmen. The family attends the English Intheran church.

Carl P. Benrud, of Belvidere township, was born in Norway. September 3, 1858. son of Peter and Sophia (Johnson) Benrud, natives of Norway, who came to America June 24, 1875. and located in Monroe county. Wisconsin. where they purchased ninety acres of land. remaining two years, after which they sold and purchased forty acres and farmed for five years. He then sold this land to his son, with whom the father now makes his home. The mother died in 1903, aged eighty-six years. Carl P. received his education in the public schools of Norway and came to Amer- iea with his parents. remaining with them until 1880, when he bought eighty acres in Monroe county, Wisconsin, of which he cleared sixty-five acres and built a house and other buildings. He remained until 1884, when he returned to Minnesota and pur-

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HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

chased 160 acres in Belvidere township, improving the land and erecting buildings and carrying on a general line of farming, add- ing eighty acres in 1908, so that he now cultivates 240 acres, mak- ing a specialty of raising fine stock and horses. November 11. 1882, he was married to Gunnel Knutson, daughter of Ole and Gunnel (Nelson) Knutson, natives of Norway, who came to Amer- ica in 1856. locating in Staton, Wis., coming later to Minnesota. in 1858, and settling in Goodhue county. where they conducted farming operations on 160 acres of land until the death of the father in 1867. Later the mother married Oliver Knutson, a brother of her first husband, and they purchased another 160 acres and carried on general farming. The mother died Septem- ber 21. 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Benrud have six children : Gust A., born September 7. 1886; living at Goodhue: Hannah P., born July 16. 1888: Ole Christian, born January 2. 1890; George Ken- neth, born July 27, 1892; Paul Albert, born September 3, 1894; and Minnie Sophia. born February 21. 1899. Mr. Benrud is a Republican in his political views and the family attend the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Henry E. Bollum, one of the substantial residents of Belvidere. is a native born son. having first seen the light of day in the township. July 21, 1865. son of Ole J. and Helena (Oppergaard) Bollum, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1862 and located in Belvidere. where they purchased a farm of 120 acres, which they increased until the homestead consisted of 680 acres of good land. Here the father died in October, 1890. and the mother still lives on the home place. with her son. Henry E. attended the schools of his neighborhood and took a course at St. Olaf's College at Northfield. Since leaving he has engaged in farming, owning 200 acres, and renting eighty more, raising the usual crops and breeding live stock. Mr. Bollum is a Republican in politics and is now serving as town clerk of Belvidere and as clerk of school district 117. He is vice president of the Farmers' Mercantile Association of Goodhue, and, being an active church worker, has served several years as secretary and treasurer of the Norwegian Lutheran church at Belvidere. By Minnie C. Johnson, whom he married February 24. 1890, Mr. Bollum has six children : Ordner, Lillian, Edna. Elmer, Florence and Walter.

. Tollef Johnson, father of Mrs. Bollum. was born in Norway, December 28, 1841. and came to America in 1861. One year later he enlisted in Company G. Seventh Minnesota Volunteer Infan- try, and served in the Indian campaign. afterward participating in a number of Southern campaigns. Upon his return he pur- chased a farm of 160 acres in May Creek township, where he remained seven years. afterward selling out. He then purchased eighty acres in Belvidere, increased this to 200 and carried on

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HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

general farming until 1907, when he retired and moved to Red Wing. . He was married in December, 1861, to Caroline Christson, by whom he had eight children: Julia, Clara E., Minnie C., Charles O., Christian J., Carl J., Caroline M. and May O.

Henry Fitschen, a scientific farmer of Belvidere, was born in Germany, June 22, 1852, son of Jurgen and Kate (Hoeft) Fitschen, both natives of that country. He received his educa- tion in Germany. and later attended school in America for three months. He came to America in 1869, took up farming and in 1869 came to Minnesota and located in Hay Creek, where he worked for his brother Cord for seven years. In 1876 he pur- chased eighty acres in Belvidere township, where he has since made his home. improving his land, adding more gradually, until he owns over 400 acres, of which 300 are under cultivation. IIe carries on general farming and makes a specialty of raising fine stock and horses. He was married March 22. 1876, to Margaret Ohlhaber, daughter of Claus and Christina (Gerken) Ohlhaber, natives of Germany, who came to America. where the mother died in 1884. The father is still living with a daughter in Feather- stone township. Mr. and Mrs. Fitschen have had seven children, of whom six are living: Annie W., married to Cord Kohrs, living on a farm in Belvidere: Claus, now of Belvidere; Eliza C., mar- ried to William Betcher, a farmer of Hay Creek; John C .. Louis J., and Albert W., living at home. Mary died in infancy. Mr. Fitschen is a Republican and has been treasurer of school dis- trict 34. which office he held for five years. He has been path- master for four years. The family faith is that of the German Lutheran church. Mr. Fitschen is a fine example of a farmer whose heart is in his work and who performs his duties intelli- gently and with a knowledge of agricultural conditions. He has fed stock since early boyhood and carries on farming not only for the purpose of making a living, but for the pleasure he derives from watching the sprouting and maturing of the harvests and the development of the animals. His stock receives the best of care and each animal on the place realizes that it has a friend and thoughtful caretaker in its owner. Since Mr. Fitschen com- menced farming all the straw raised on his place has been returned to the land for fertilizer; thus the land grows richer year by year, instead of becoming worn out. It is such farmers as he who add to the dignity of what is one of the noblest callings in which man can engage.

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History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 91

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