USA > Minnesota > Goodhue County > History of Goodhue County, Minnesota > Part 95
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improvements on the house and buildings, and has erected a fine windmill. He makes a specialty of dairying and sells milk to the Cannon Falls cheese factory. Politically he is a Republican, and is now serving as treasurer of his school district. He was married in 1887 to Emma Denning, daughter of Sidney and Annie Denning, who came to this county before the war. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Feline are: Cora. Kattie, Arthur, Lulu, Florence, Clara, Lawrence and Clarence (twins), Edward and Ernest. All the children are at home, and those of suitable age attend school.
John H. Whitson, Stanton township, was born in Canada, January 15, 1862, son of Robert and Mary (Riddell) Whitson. The father was a native of Scotland, and the mother of Canada. They spent their early life in Canada, and came to Minnesota in 1863, settling in Seiota township, Dakota county, where they remained but a short time, after which they removed to Stanton. Goodhue county and engaged in farming up to the time of the father's death. They had a family of seven children, all of whom are living. JJohn received his education in the common schools in the county, and at Northfield, where he attended Carleton Col- lege two years. After leaving school he took up farming in the western part of the state for a while, after which he went west and located in Portland, Ore., where he remained seven years, managing a drug store for two years and working in a shingle mill for five years. He then returned to Minnesota and settled in Stanton township on a farm of 240 acres, which is the old Miller homestead, and engaged in general farming and dairying. In 1886 he was married to Cora Miller, daughter of II. D. Miller. They have three children: Helen and Harry, attending high school at Northfield, and Clande, at home. Mr. Whitson is a Republican in his political views, is a supervisor of the township, and a member of the school board. Mr. Whitson is a Mason, member of Lodge No. 34 of Cannon Falls, and of the M. W. A. camp 8466, of Stanton.
N. J. Miller, Stanton township, was born in Goodhue county, Minnesota, January 3, 1861, son of H. D. and Harriet (Ellis) Miller. The father is a native of Vermont and came to Stanton in the early days, being among the first settlers. After arriving here he purchased 220 acres of land, which he broke and im- proved, hauling his products, which consisted mostly of grain, to Hastings and St. Paul, bringing back lumber for his home and buildings, doing all himself. He also had large floeks and herds of stock, having brought sheep and cattle here with him. His wife died in 1907. N. J. was educated in the common schools, and worked with his father on the farm until his marriage. After marriage he carried on his father's farm eighteen years,
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subsequent to which he purchased eighty acres of land, across the road from his father's farth, and engaged in general farming and dairying, which he still continues. making a specialty of raising sheep of which he owns a flock of over 100. Mr. Miller was married in 1882 to Edith Vanguilder, daughter of Stephen and Caroline (Knowlton) Vanguilder, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Boston. They came to Cannon Falls in 1855, where the father engaged in his trade of carpenter. He died in 1897 and the mother in 1906. They had eight children : Ida, Ira. Edith. John. Cecil, Mabel. and Stephen. Two children died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have five children: Inez, married to William Moorehouse. of Stanton; Beatrix, Archie, Beryl, and Herschel, who are at home. Mr. Miller is a Republican, but has never sought or held publie office.
James Pollard, of Stanton township, was born in Manchester, England. January 22, 1828. son of Thomas and Ann (Cosgrove) Pollard, the former a native of England and the latter of Ire- land. They were married in England in 1827. one year later came to America, landing at New York, where they remained a short time. afterward living near Hudson. N. Y., and at North Adams, Mass .. the father being a calico manufacturer. In 1842 they located in . Watertown, Jefferson county, Wisconsin, and engaged in farming until the father's death in 1846. The mother died in Hastings, Minn. James Polland was an only child. In 1856 he came to Minnesota and located in Stanton township, and is consequently believed to be the oldest living resident of the township. Upon his arrival here he pre-empted 160 acres of land, which he broke and improved. using horses at first and later oxen. For two years he and his wife lived in a small board shanty, later adding a small room. In 1876 the present residence was built. In February, 1865, Mr. Pollard enlisted in Company I, First Minnesota Heavy Artillery. under Captain Thomas Carney. He served in the Army of Cumberland and Tennessee, and was discharged October 11. 1865. October 11. 1850, he was married to Margaret M. Gibson, born in Connty Clair. Ireland, July 4, 1832. daughter of Peter and Ellen Gibson, also natives of County Clair, Ireland, who came to America in 1847 and settled in Watertown. Jefferson county, Wisconsin, living on a farm in Milford township, in the same county. until 1859, when they came to Stanton. James and Margaret Pollard were the parents of twelve children: John. now of Dunbar. Ohio; James, of Minnesota : Ella E .. of Spearfish. S. D .; Henrietta. of South Da- kota; Adeline (deceased) : Benjamin, a railroad man of Min- neapolis; William II., of Idaho; George C., of Rochford. S. D .; Eugene (deceased) ; Thomas (deceased) ; Francelia, of Boise. Idaho : Margaret, of Spearfish. S. D. Mrs. Pollard died August
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3, 1885, and on December 5, 1891, Mr. Pollard was married to Ellen A. Carel, a native of Canada. There were no children by this marriage. Mr. Pollard has a fine farm and carries on gen- eral farming and dairying with much success. Ile is a Democrat in political views and is a strong advocate of free trade. He has been justice of the peace since 1867 and is notary public, road- master and member of the school board. He is a charter member of the G. A. R. of Cannon Falls; also a charter member of the Stanton Insurance Company and Farmers' Mutual Fire Insur- ance Company. Mr. Pollard is not a member of any church, but gives impartially to all.
John S. Lilleskov, Stanton township, son of Sjur Tokvam and Anna Lilleskov, was born in Norway. September 30, 1873. The father came to this country in 1874, and settled in Minnesota for a short time. then went to Pembina county, North Dakota. Later he moved to Grafton, N. D., and where he has since remained. The mother still lives in Norway. There were five children : Mike, Annie. Gertrude. Herman, and John, the subject of this sketch. John S. received his education in the public schools of Norway, and came to the United States in 1893. locating in Free- born county, Minnesota, where he worked on a farm for two years, after which he came to Goodhue county, where he was employed on a farm for three years. He then purchased 147 acres of land, of which 120 acres was improved, and engaged in farming for himself, having since carried on general farming and dairying. He also sells cream to the Stanton cheese factory. He has made many improvements on the place, has remodeled some buildings, and has a fine farm located six and a half miles from Cannon Falls. In 1898 he was married to Betsy Frettam. daughter of Ole and Soniva (Wangen) Frettam, who are old settlers of this county, and farmers of Warsaw township. Mr. and Mrs. Lilleskov have five children: Oscar J., Martin J .. Annie S., Theodore O., and Selmer C. Mr. Lilleskov is inde- pendent in his politics. He is a member of the Benevolent Society of Wangen Prairie, and he and his family attend the Norwegian Lutheran church of Wangen Prairie.
Robert Goudy, of Stanton township, was born in Ireland. March 1, 1832, son of William and Betty Ann (Reid) Goudy. Robert and his brother came to America in 1857. direct to Stanton township, where they bought and improved land, living with their sister and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. McCorkell, who had come six months previous, until they could put up a shanty of their own. By hauling their products to Hastings and Red Wing, and bringing back lumber, they were enabled in a short time to build a home. Since their first arrival they engaged in farming and continued to improve the place. In 1869 their brother, Nathaniel.
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and sister, Elizabeth Ann, came to this country and have sinee made their home with the brothers. Elizabeth has eighty acres of her own in Section 20. In 1879 Robert paid a visit to the old home in Ireland. He is a Republican and is a stockholder in the Stanton cheese factory. The brothers have some fine land which they have brought to a high state of cultivation. Through hard work and thrift they have become prosperous and are highly respected.
O. E. Emery, of Stanton township, was born in New York state, May 30, 1853, son of Jacob and Eliza (Portman) Emery, natives of Jamestown, N. Y .. who came to Rice county in 1855 and engaged in farming. O. E. Emery received his education in the early days. when a log cabin served for a school house and long planks for seats. After school days were over, he worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-seven years old, when he came to Stanton township and purchased land which he im- proved, starting general farming and stock raising. which he has carried on for twenty years. He was the first man in the town- ship to bring in a registered Holstein bull. He now does some dairying, and has twenty-six Holstein cows. His farm consists of 200 acres of land, of which all but twenty-five aeres is under cultivation. The honse and outbuildings are in excellent condi- tion, Mr. Emery having made all the improvements himself. He was married in 1879 to Isabelle Whitson. daughter of Andrew and Abigail (Dack) Whitson, who are old settlers, having lived in this county for over forty years. Four children have blessed the Emery home: Earl, Ethel. Orville, and Charles, all of whom are with their parents. Mr. Emery had three brothers who served in the Civil War, two, three and four years respec- tively. Mr. Emery is Republican in politics, and has served as supervisor, also on the school board. He was one of the organ- izers of the Stanton Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of which he is a director; also helped start the Farmers' Elevator at Stanton. He is a member of the M. W. A. Camp 1540, of Cannon Falls.
W. F. Deline, of Stanton township, was born in Lenawee county, Michigan, July 1, 1845, son of Nelson and Debora (Lott) Deline, natives of New York state, where they spent their early life and were married; later removing to Michigan and remain- ing four years, after which they returned to their native state, where they spent the remainder of their days, the father dying in October, 1907, and the mother in 1859. W. F. received his education in the common schools, and later attended the academy at Medina. N. Y., until the war broke out, when he enlisted in Company L, Second New York Mounted Rifles, in 1863. IIe served in the Army of Potomac and, with the exception of when
W. F. DELINE
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he was disabled, took part in all the battles and conflicts of the campaign, from the wilderness to Appomattox. He was severely wounded at Petersburg and spent several months in the hospital, but returned to duty after his recovery, and remained till the close of the war. He was discharged at City Point, Va., and mustered out August, 1865. He then returned home and attended the Eastman Commercial Business College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and afterwards came to Minnesota, where he engaged in farming in Stanton township for one and a half years. He then went to Faribault county, Minnesota, and took up a homestead near Blue Earth City, remaining for five years, after which he returned to New York, where he was engaged in farming seven years. Later he removed to Stanton township, where he now owns ninety acres of land and is engaged in general farming in a small way, being secretary of the Stanton Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company ; that, with other outside duties, taking a good share of his time.
Mr. Deline was married in 1868 to Julany D., daughter of John and Eliza Deline. They were natives of eastern New York, and in 1855 came to Stanton township, where they pre-empted land and engaged in farming. Both parents are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Deline have had two children. Jennie, who lives at home, is a retired school teacher with years of experience in the schools of the county and in different towns of the state, being now a successful poultry raiser. Franklin Ward married Myrtle Scott, of Red Wing, and lives in Cass county, Minnesota, engaged in farming. Mr. Deline is a Republican in his polities, and has been chairman of the town board for several years. He is also justice of the peace. He has been a member of George Mckinley Post No. 92, G. A. R., since 1878 and, although living five miles from the post hall. has never missed a meeting in the past twenty- five years unless absent from home. He also belongs to the A. O. U. W. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
A. H. Van Voorhis, now deceased, was born in Dutchess county, New York, in 1830, son of Christian and Elizabeth (Hate) Voor- his, natives of New York, of Holland descent. A. H. eame west in 1856 and located in Minnesota, where he took up land in Section 34 of Stanton township, and remained several years, after which he removed to the present homestead of 160 acres, also in Stanton township, and engaged in general farming until his death in 1906. All the improvements on the place were made by himself. the first home of the family here being a log house, which was on the farm when he purchased it. He later erected a more comfortable home and other outbuildings, making gen- eral improvements. In 1857 he was married to Catherine Lipp.
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Her parents were natives of Ohio. where she was born, and where her father was engaged at his trade of tailor. Mr. and Mrs. Voorhis were blessed with seven children: Elizabeth. married to Manley Davis, of Stanton township; Eugene, now of Wiscon- sin ; Georgette, living at Cascade : Walter, who manages the farm ; Abbie (deceased) ; Oliver, now of Canada; and Lewis, a farmer of Warsaw township. Mr. Voorhis was a Republican in his poli- ties, and held several offices in the township. Ile was a veteran of the Civil War, enlisted in 1864. was assigned to the army of the Cumberland and Tennessee, and took part in all the battles of the campaign. He was a member of the G. A. R. and Masons of C'annon Falls. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Van Voorhis was a man of staunch character and kindly disposition. a worthy example of those pioneers whose belief in the right and abhorrence of the wrong served to make the county a place of peace and order since the earliest settlement. He was a faithful husband, solicitous of the welfare and pleasure of his family. never so happy as when doing something for the comfort of his wife and the prosperity of his children. ITis death was sincerely mourned by the community in which he lived, by the societies to which he belonged, by the church in which he was a worshiper and by the family in which he was loved the best.
Hon. Ole K. Naeseth, of Wanamingo township. who repre- sents Goodhne county in the Minnesota senate. is a man of rugged character, unswerving principles and rigid adherence to duty, and his long years of public service have proven his ability. From early manhood he has been active in public life. His first office was that of clerk of school district number 60. From 1879 to '84 he was county commissioner, and from 1885 to '87 served in the state legislature. His occupancy of his present position dates from 1903. In him the interests of the county have an earnest advocate and supporter, and his work has more than justified the confidence that has been reposed in him. Mr. Naesseth was born in Walworth county, Wisconsin, November 30, 1844, and was brought to Wanamingo township by his parents at the age of twelve years, spending his boyhood here during the days of the early pioneers. Here he received such education as the schools of the neighborhood afforded, and looked after his father's business until 1885. when he came into possession of the old homestead, where he still carries on general farming. man- aging in addition to this a farm of 140 acres in Section 25, owned by his wife. Being willing to contribute of his money as well as of his influence to aid in the general progress of the county, he has taken stock in a number of farmers' elevators and in the First State Bank of Zumbrota. Senator Naeseth was married,
HON O. K. NAESETII
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June 12, 1874, at Wanamingo, to Mrs. Rachael Seium Olson, by whom he has had five children: Herman is manager of the elevator at Wanamingo and also manages a farm; Carl is a dray- man in Minneapolis; John is a student in the law department of the State University : Ida, who has graduated from the Luther- an Ladies' Seminary at Red Wing, is a school teacher; Adolf is a graduate of the Lutheran College, at Decorah, Iowa. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Kjostel and Maria II. (Faehn) Naeseth, parents of the subject of this sketch, were born in Norway and upon coming to America lived in Walworth and Dane counties, Wisconsin, until moving to Wanamingo township in 1856. Here they purchased 160 aeres of wild land, which they broke and improved, adding and dispos- ing of other tracts from time to time, but always retaining the original homestead in Section 10. The father died in July, 1897. and the mother in January, 1895.
Martin Halvorson, cashier of the Farmers' State Bank of Wanamingo. is a native product of the village, born May 24. 1881, son of Martin and Gretha (Fraas) Halvorson, both natives of Norway. After coming to this country the father clerked for a while in a store at Wanamingo, and then opened a general store of his own, which business he followed until his death in 1899. His widow is still living. Martin was brought up in this village, and aside from attending the publie schools here, also took courses in the Augsbury Seminary at Minneapolis and the Normal school at Mankato. After leaving school he worked for a time on his father's farm. and elerked in his father's store. A short period before the father's death, the two brothers, Martin and Henry, purchased the store and in December, 1904, they or- ganized the Farmers' State Bank of Wanamingo. Martin at first was assistant cashier, but in January, 1909, was promoted to his present position. He is a Prohibitionist in polities and is interested financially in the Wanamingo Lumber Company. In church circles he is well liked, being president of the Young People's Association of the Wanamingo church and superintend- ent of the Sunday school. He was married, December 19, 1906, at Mankato, Minn., to Anna Gunderson, daughter of Ole and Ingeborg (Kelly) Gunderson, natives of Norway. The father is a tailor in Mankato, where he conducts a successful business. To Mr. and Mrs. Halvorson, one son, George M., was born October 23, 1907.
Henry M. Halvorson, one of those hustling young men who have given the village of Wanamingo the reputation for pro- gressiveness which it so richly deserves. is a native product, born in this village June 3, 1875, son of Martin Halvorson. His edu- cation was received in the public schools of Wanamingo and
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Zumbrota, the Augsbury Seminary and Beeman's Business Col- lege. Thus equipped with a classical and business training, he took up the mercantile business in Wanamingo, following same for six years. In 1904, together with his brother Martin and others, he organized the Farmers' State Bank of Wanamingo. of which he is vice president and secretary. In addition to this he was postmaster of the village for eleven years until his resig- nation in February. 1909. He has been clerk of district No. 63 for many years and was for some time secretary of the Wana- mingo, Minneola and Cherry Grove Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany. He is interested in the Wanamingo Lumber Company. To his efforts as director. the Wanamingo choir, a musical organi- zation of young folks, owes much of its excellence and merit. Mr. Halvorson was married October 24, 1900. to Nettie Chris- lock. daughter of Rollef and Dordi (Lund) Chrislock, natives of Norway and well known farmers of Wanamingo. The Hal- vorson home has been brightened by the arrival of three children : Martha Louise, born July 16, 1902; Ralph Donald. born Septem- ber 4. 1904: and Helen Josephine, born December 1, 1907. Mr. Halvorson is an independent Republican and the family faith is that of the Evangelical Lutheran church.
Andrew H. Tongen, one of the substantial and well-to-do farmers of Wanamingo township, is a native of Wisconsin, born in Columbia county, October 20, 1862. At the age of nine years he came to Wanamingo township with his parents, attended the schools of his neighborhood and took up farming with his father until 1882, when he assumed charge of the home farm. Being a hard worker and taking a thorough interest in his under- takings. he soon had one of the finest farms in the township, adding to its well kept appearance in 1905 by erecting a fine residence. The original homestead has been increased by the purchase of sixty aeres adjoining, and in 1908 Mr. Tongen bought another farm of 138 acres in Minneola township, which he also manages. His farming operations consist in raising general crops and breeding live stock. As an encouragement to public enterprise Mr. Tongen has taken stock in the elevators at Wana- mingo and Zumbrota, and since January 1, 1906. he has been secretary of the Wanamingo, Cherry Grove and Minneola Mutual Fire Insurance Company. By Anna M. Thompson, whom he married. November 27, 1882, the subject of this sketch has had nine children : Ole II. and Eddie are in Minneola township, and Oscar. Chester. Henry, Peter. Alfred. Luella and Clara are at home. Chester being a student in St. Olaf's College at Northfield. Mrs. Tongen's parents were Peter O. and Bretha Thompson, natives of Norway, who came to America and settled in Min- neola township, where the mother still lives, the father being
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dead. Ole H. Tongen and his wife, Karen Andrea Ruglad, par- ents of Andrew II. Tongen, came to America in 1845, and after living three years in Chicago, farmed in Columbia, Wis., until 1871, and then came to Wanamingo township, purchasing 160 acres on which they carried on general farming until the death of the father, May 17, 1882. The mother died in November, 1905. at the home of her daughter, Mrs. O. H. Houkos, having been blessed in her declining years with the loving care of her children.
Hans H. Holtan, of Wanamingo, now deceased, was born in Norway, December 14, 1820, and came to America in 1845, set- tling in Chicago. In 1849 he moved to Belvidere, III., and in the spring of 1850 located in Portage City, Wis., where he remained one year, after which he purchased a farm on what was known as "Indian land," about six miles from Portage City. Here he tilled the soil until 1856, when he came to Wanamingo and pur- chased 160 acres on Section 17, which, on account of sickness, he afterward sold. Later he made another purchase, to which he added from time to time until he owned 400 acres, 160 being in Section 13 and 240 in Section 24. Upon this farm he erected a home which at that time was considered the finest country residence in the county, and which is still a beautiful country place. Mr. Iloltan had the distinguished honor of sitting in the first general assembly of the state of Minnesota, and in addition to this he was chairman of the township several terms and also served in other public positions of trust and honor. He was a liberal public-spirited man, greatly liked in the community wherein he resided. By his first wife, Aline Svenungsdatter, whom he married July 4, 1848, and who died August 12, 1855, he had two children. Of these, Hans is dead and Samuel lives in Dawson, Minn. He was married again in Faribault, October 31, 1857, to Anna Maria Pedersdatter Nostebiae, who died Janu- ary 13, 1876. By this union there were six children. Charles lives in Madison, Peter lives in Kenyon; Gunhild lives in Madi- son, Wis. ; Andrew lives in Zumbrota and Henry lives in Madison, Wis .; as does also Christine. July 11, 1877, he was married again to Sophia Mosleth, by whom he had six children. Marie is the wife of T. T. Rygh; Joseph lives in Park City, Mont .; John lives in Wanamingo township: Louise also lives in Wanamingo township; Hulda and Selma are both deceased. Hans H. Holtan died September 4, 1904, and his death caused genuine sorrow throughout the county.
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