History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 96

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

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John M. Holtan was born April 1, 1882, on the farm in Wana- mingo where he is now located, his parents being the pioneers, Hans H. and Sophia (Mosleth) Holtan. . After completing the courses offered in the Wanamingo public schools, he attended a business college in Minneapolis, subsequently returning to the

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old homestead where he has since remained. He is the worthy son of a worthy father, and, like his noble sire before him, car- ries on farming on an extensive scale. He is unmarried, and looks after the comfort of his mother who is still sorrowing the loss of her distinguished and loving husband. Mr. Holtan is a staunch Republican and has served the town as road overseer. He holds stock in the Wanamingo Elevator Company, and frater- nally has associated himself with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Samaritans, in both of which he is a popular member. The family has for many years been prominent in the Norwegian Lutheran church, and to that faith Mr. Holtan gives his loyal support and sympathy.

Peter J. Blakstad, an esteemed farmer of Wanamingo town- ship, has reason to be proud of the record he has made as a pro- gressive citizen. Born in Norway, January 10, 1840, son of John Johnson and his good wife. Gertrude Peterson, he came to America in 1871, locating first in Roscoe township and then in Pine Island township. It was in 1892 that he came to Wana- mingo township and purchased 160 acres of improved land in Sections 2 and 11. This farm he has continued to cultivate. erecting a new dwelling house and several commodions farm buildings. his operations consisting of raising the usual crops and breeding live stock. Mr. Blakstad's seven years' service as supervisor has been cautions and economical, and his work as treasurer of school district 64 has shown his interest in the liberal education of the younger generation. Aside from his farm prop- erty he owns stock in several elevator and creamery enterprises. In September. 1872. shortly after coming to America, Mr. Blak- stad was married to Carrie Gundesdatter. Three children have blessed their home: Andrew. Joseph and Mattie, the latter of whom is married to Sivert Hagge, of South Dakota. The family worships at the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Ole Follingstad, president of the First State Bank of Wana- mingo. was born in Norway. August 15. 1834, son of Ole and Mary (Kolberg) Follingstad, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1861 and lived with their son. Martin Follingstad, until the time of their death, both passing away in 1882 or 1883. Ole O. Follingstad received his education in the public schools of Norway and came to this country in 1861. locating in Wana- mingo township. In 1868 he purchased eighty acres of land. which he has since increased until he now owns 380 acres of highly improved land. His home is a pleasant one and well furnished, the large amount of books in the house testifying to his literary tastes. He still carries on general farming. In politics an independent voter, he has been elected assessor of the township seven different years. and has served on the school

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board many terms. Aside from his farming interests he owns stock in the elevator and lumber companies as well as in the financial institution of which he is president. He was married October 30, 1868, to Emma Bakkertun, daughter of Sivert and Gure (Onstad) Bakkertun, natives of Norway, who settled in Rock county, Wisconsin, in 1858 and in Leon township, this county, in 1861, engaging in farming operations for the remainder of their days, the father dying in 1866 and the mother in 1894. To Mr. and Mrs. Follingstad have been born eight children: Olaf is dead, passing away in 1897 at the age of twenty-six years; Mary, born in 1872, is the wife of Deafin Goplin, of North Dakota ; Julia is the wife of the Rev. Thomas Hanson, of Franklin, Minn .; Osear, Ida, Matilda and Lewis are the next four children; Henry, the youngest, is a graduate of the agricultural department of the State University, and is now in North Dakota. The family faith of the Follingstad family is that of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Follingstad is one of the substantial men of the township and his influence is strongly felt in the village where he has contributed both his efforts and his money to assist in the upbuilding of the business interests.

Ole I. Haugen owns a well cultivated farm in Wanamingo township, known as Highland Brook Farm, and carries on agri- cultural operations along the latest approved lines. He is a native of this county, born in Holden township, September 28, 1862. After receiving his earlier education in the schools of his neighborhood, he attended the high schools of Faribault and Northfield. and subsequently clerked in a store for one year. In 1884 he went north to Polk county, this state, and purchased 160 acres which he farmed one year. The fall of that year saw him again on the old homestead in Holden township, and in the following spring he sold his Polk county farm and purchased eighty acres of the home place, remaining there until 1898. It was in that year that he came to Wanamingo township, pur- chased 175 acres, and started general farming, altering and im- proving the buildings and developing the farm, upon which he now raises the usual crops and makes a specialty of dairying. having a fine herd of Holstein cattle. To this farm he has recently added fifteen acres, and in addition owns the remaining eighty acres of the old homestead in Holden township. An inde- pendent voter in politics, Mr. Haugen has served as justice of the peace and is now clerk of school district 61. He was mar- ried, November 16, 1892, to Carrie Dalbotten, daughter of Iver and Anna (Trove) Dalbotten, natives of Norway, who came to this country in 1857 and settled in Holden township, where they both died. Before her marriage Mrs. Haugen was a teacher of instrumental music. She has borne to her husband seven chil-

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dren : Irvin, Eva, Obert, Edward, Clifford, Anna and Rudolph, all of whom are at home. The family faith is that of the Lutheran church. Iver and Bretha (Earager) Haugen, parents of Ole I. Hangen, were born in Norway and came to America in 1857, locating in Holden township where they purchased 160 acres of wild land, which they broke and cleared, and built a comfortable home, following general farming until November 11, 1885, when the father died. The mother is still living on the old homestead.

Edward Oredalen, editor of the Wanamingo Progress, a newsy little paper which has for its purpose the relating of the news of the neighborhood and the booming of the village as a commercial center, is a native born son of the county, having first seen the light of day in Cherry Grove township, June 30, 1880, son of Mr. and Mrs. G. O. Oredalen, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1873 and located in Cherry Grove town- ship. To their first purchase of forty acres they soon added eighty more, and upon these 120 acres they have since continued to carry on general farming. They have raised a goodly family of children, being the parents of Emma, Ole, Guri. Turina, Mary, Edward, Nels, Olena and Julia, all of whom except Nels are living. Edward received his education in the schools of his native township, and took a course in the Red Wing Business College. He then studied two years in the Minnesota Normal School and Business College, in Minneapolis, and for several months after graduation was an instructor in the commercial department of that institution. He subsequently became book- keeper and stenographer for the Central Fuel and Transfer Com- pany of Minneapolis, afterward returning to Cherry Grove town- ship where, in company with his brother, he purchased 160 acres adjoining the old homestead. He still spends his spare time in assisting his brother on this farm. In April, 1909, yielding to the entreaties of his fellow citizens, who deemed him the man most suited to start the enterprise, he established the Wanamingo Progress, which he has since conducted with diseretion and abil- ity. Editor Oredalen is a fine example of a self-made young man. He worked his own way through college and acquired his educa- tion by dint of hard work. Being a deep thinker on all political questions, he has refused to follow the dictates of any party leader, and votes independently. In religion he is a believer in the faith of the Norwegian Lutheran church. He is still a young man, and his friends prediet for him and his paper a brilliant future.

Sam J. Swenson was born in Wanamingo township, where he still resides, November 15, 1864, son of John and Anna Swenson. He received his education in the school of Wanamingo, and in 1904 went to Yellow Medicine county, where in 1896 he pur-

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chased 640 acres of land, built a home and followed general farming until 1904, when he returned to Wanamingo township and engaged in farming in Section 20 on a farm of 160 acres. In 1905 he added forty acres, making in all a farm of 200 acres, all under cultivation. Since returning to Wanamingo he has sold his land in Yellow Medicine county and bought 160 acres in North Dakota. On his farm in Wanamingo he has erected a good home at a cost of $3,500; also a barn thirty by sixty feet. Mr. Swenson was married, October 1, 1893, to Laura Gulmon, daughter of Agil and Anna Gulmon, natives of Fillmore county. They later went to North Dakota, where the father died in 1904. The mother is still living in the old home in Sanborn, N. D. Mr. and Mrs. Swenson have four children : Florence, John, Alvira and Stella. Mr. Swenson is a Republican in his political views, and is a stockholder in the elevator at Bombay.

Hans M. Hjermstad, of Wanamingo township, was born in Norway, December 28, 1854, son of Martin and Martha (Erick- son) Hjermstad, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1866 and located in Belle Creek township, where they bought 160 acres of land which the father broke and improved, erecting a home and following general farming until 1906, when they retired and purchased a home in Kenyon village. The mother died December 12, 1894, in Belle Creek, and the father is still living. Hans M. received his education in the schools of Belle Creek and worked on the farm with his father until 1882, when he went to Wanamingo township and engaged in farming four years, after which he removed to Red Wing and took up the trade of electrical engineer at the electric plant, remaining six years. He then entered the employ of Boxrud Bros., worked for them six years and in 1898 returned to the farm, since which he has followed general farming. Mr. Hjermstad was married June 16, 1882, to Anna Quaal, daughter of John and Rosa (Bjorngaard) Quaal, natives of Norway. They came to America in 1866, locating in Wanamingo township, where they remained two years, after which they went to Minneola township, remain- ing five years. In 1872 they removed to Wanamingo township, where they purchased a farm and engaged in general farming, the father also working at his trade as blacksmith at Hader. Mr. and Mrs. Hjermstad have had six children: Matilda, mar- ried to George M. Draper, of Mankato; Julius, of Kenyon; Agnes, who is a stenographer at Zumbrota; Minda, Ruth, and Norma. The last three named live at home. Mr. Hjermstad is an inde- pendent voter and has held the office of supervisor, and has been clerk of the school board in district 64 for nine years. He is also road overseer. The family attend the Lutheran church.

Haagen Thoreson was born on the farm in Wanamingo town-

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ship, where he now resides, September 6, 1879, son of Thorsten and Sigrid (Satren) Thoreson, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1858 and located in Wanamingo township, where they purchased eighty acres of land, adding more from time to time, until they owned in all 400 acres, the home being located in Section 13. The father broke and improved most of this land, built a fine brick house and other outbuildings, and followed general farming until in 1901, when he retired from active life, enjoying the result of his diligent labors. until he was borne to his last resting place July 18, 1908. His wife is still living on the old homestead. Haagen received his education in the common schools of Wanamingo, and worked with his father on the farm until in 1902. when he rented the farm which he has since con- ducted. He also owns and works 120 acres of land in Minneola township. Mr. Thoreson was married November 29, 1906, to Gurena Johnson, daughter of Burtenus and Randy (Satren) Johnson, natives of Norway, who came to America and located in Goodhue county, later removing to Lae qui Parle county, where they engaged in farming. The mother died in October, 1877, and the father, October 11. 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Thoreson have one child, Thorney. born August 11, 1908. Mr. Thoreson is an independent Republican in politics, and is a treasurer of school district No. 99. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers' Ele- vator of Wanamingo. The family are communicants of the Lutheran Free church.

John J. Tiller, of Wanamingo township, was born in Chicago, Ill .. June 19. 1865. son of John and Marith (Skjervold) Tiller, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1864, settling in Chicago, where they remained for two years. In 1866 they came to Red Wing, where the father secured employment in Dens- more Bros'. foundry, where he worked nine years, after which they removed to Wanamingo township and engaged in farming and blacksmithing, purchasing 150 acres of land in Section 26, where he remained until his death, January 28, 1908. The mother still lives on the old homestead. John received his education in the common schools of Wanamingo, and, after leaving school. entered business with his father and learned the blacksmith and woodworking trade, which he has since followed. Mr. Tiller has never married. In politics he is a Prohibitionist and belongs to the United Lutheran church. He is a stockholder in the Farmers' State Bank of Wanamingo, the Farmers' Mutual Telephone Com- pany of Wanamingo, and in the Farmers' Elevator of Wana- mingo.

Lauritz Z. Johnson, of Wanamingo township, was born in Fillmore county. Minnesota. August 18. 1872, son of Edward and Guri (Tew) Johnson. natives of Norway, who came to America

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in 1849, locating in Fillmore county, and engaged in farming until the death of the father, August 17, 1891. The mother is still living at Peterson, Fillmore county. Lauritz received his education in the schools at Fillmore and later attended business college at Ottawa, Ill. After leaving school he was employed in the grocery store for three years at Ottawa, Ill. Then he took up pharmacy for a couple of years, after which he went to Jewel, lowa, and took a business course. When he had completed this course, he returned to the drug store, and remained until 1889, when he came to Wanamingo township and purchased the old William Williams farm of 240 acres. Here he made a great many improvements. and built a new house, with all modern conven- iences, including an electric light plant, with air pressure water system, and hot water heat. This house is valued at $6,000. He now carries on general farming and stock raising, and has been very successful. Mr. Johnson was married November 16, 1899, to Angeline Wing, daughter of Charles and Lilly (Hill) Wing, natives of Illinois, now residents of Leon township. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have two children: Charles, born October 2, 1906, and Geneva. born June 15, 1908. Mr. JJohnson is a Repub- lican in politics and has served as town clerk of Wanamingo and as clerk of the school board of Distriet 61. He owns stock in the farmers' elevators, creameries at different places, and is also interested in the Farmers' Telephone Company.

Ole Bygd was born in Wanamingo township, where he still resides, March 12, 1857, son of Hans and Catherine (Bolstad) Bygd, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1853, settling in Illinois, where they remained until 1856, when they came to Wanamingo township. where they took up a government claim of 160 acres which the father cleared, built a home and other out- buildings and followed general farming until 1882, when they retired. The mother died in March, 1898, but the father is still living. Ole received his education in the common schools of Wanamingo and worked with his father on the farm until 1882, when he bought the old homestead and has followed a general line of farming. Mr. Bygd was married July 14, 1900. to Sophie Island, daughter of Martin and Gertrude Island, natives of Nor- way, who came to America and settled in Cherry Grove town- ship. The father died in 1899, but the mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Bygd have three children: Lillian, born October 24. 1901; Mary, born February 20, 1903; Helen, born August 2, 1904. Mr. Bygd is a Republican in his politics and is a stock- holder in the farmers' elevators at Wanamingo and Kenyon. The family attend the Lutheran church.

John A. Bonhus was born in Wanamingo township, where he still resides, February 7, 1856, son of Andrew K. and Anna

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Olsbrygge, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1846, locating in Dane county, Wisconsin, remaining until 1854, when they removed to Wanamingo township where they pre-empted 240 acres of wild land which the father broke and improved. He erected a home and other outbuildings and followed general farming until his death on June 11. 1866. The mother died on June 17, 1897. John A. received his education in Wanamingo township. After leaving school he took up farming and now owns 115 acres in Section 7 where he resides, and where he has followed general farming. When he was twenty-one years of age he went to Brookings county, South Dakota, took up a home- stead of 160 acres and a tree claim of 160 acres, which he proved up in three years and then sold the land. He now has 160 acres in North Dakota under cultivation. Mr. Bonhus has never mar- ried. Hle has seven brothers and sisters: Gunder and Anna, who died in infancy : Gunder, who owned the old homestead and died May, 1905; Knute, who died at the age of sixteen; Anna, who died in 1880: Kjostolf. of Valley City, N. D .; Jorgen, who died June 1, 1903. Mr. Bonhus is an independent voter and has never sought public office. He is a member of the Lutheran church.

Arnt J. Fordahl, of Wanamingo village, a native of Norway, was born June 16, 1868, son of John and Randi (Hegge) Fordahl, who came to America in 1869 and located on Section 1, Cherry Grove, in the spring of 1870. Here they first bought 120 acres and later forty acres more, upon which the father built a large home and roomy barns, improving it until it was under a high state of cultivation. He died November 9, 1879, but the mother still lives on the old homestead. Arnt J. acquired his education in the common school at Cherry Grove. Completing this, he worked on the farm and threshed for a number of years. In 1890 he purchased a half interest in the Wanamingo mill, and in 1891 his brother purchased the other half. In the fall of 1891 the brothers built a mill which burned down January 18, 1892. They erected a new mill in the spring and installed ma- chinery for grinding feed and making flour. The mill was then conducted under the name of A. J. Fordahl & Co., until 1900, when the brother sold his interest to Arnt J., who now conducts it under the name of the Wanamingo Flour Mills. They make a specialty of "Nonpareil" and "Staff of Life" flours. This mill was first built by a Mr. Clark, and in 1861 he sold it to Nels Norby, who later sold a half interest to Henry Nelson. Norby and Nelson were in partnership for some time, after which Norby bought Nelson out. The old mill was originally half a mile further west, but in 1868 was moved to the present site. Mr. Fordahl put steam power into the mill, so it is now operated by both steam and water. He was united in marriage July 1, 1890,

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to Hannah Akre, daughter of Hans C. and Anna Akre. natives of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Akre came to America and located at Madison, Wis., where Mr. Akre worked at cabinet making until 1866. They then came to HIolden township and followed farming until 1895, when they removed to Kenyon to live a retired life. Mrs. Akre died in 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Fordahl have ten chil- dren : Joseph H .. Rosa A., Anna J., Kenneth E., Ellen V., Albert H., Clarence R., Elmira M .. Joel B. and Nora M. Politically Mr. Fordahl affiliates with the Prohibitionists and fraternally with the Modern Samaritans. He is a man of recognized ability, as is shown by the fact that he was state boiler inspector for two years under Governor Van Sant. For six years Mr. Fordahl was school director in District 63, and for three years township supervisor. For a similar period he was president of the Farmers Telephone Company. He is a stockholder in the Telephone Com- pany and the Farmers' Elevator Company. By his fair business dealings and genial temperament. Mr. Fordahl has won for him- self a large circle of friends and acquaintances who respect and admire him.

Nels Gunderson, of Wanamingo township, was born in Nor- way in 1844. and there received his education, after which he learned the blacksmith's trade. He then came to America and located in Wanamingo township, where he worked at his trade until 1879, when he purchased 120 acres of land in Section 9, which he improved, building a fine house and outbuildings, and where he has since followed general and diversified farming. Mr. Gunderson is married, his wife also being of Norwegian birth, and they have four children: Dina. now at Beltrami county; Tilda, now at Los Angeles, Cal .; Andrew, now at Lawson, Canada, and Joseph, who lives at home, looking after the farm and ear- ing for his parents. Mr. Gunderson is a Republican in his polities, but has never sought public office, being too busy with his own duties. He is a hard worker, and has through his own efforts acquired the prosperity which he now enjoys. The family attend the Lutheran church.

Halvor P. Groven was born in Wanamingo township, where he still resides, September 2. 1856. son of Saave and Anna Groven. natives of Norway, who came to America in 1852, settling in Dane county, Wisconsin, where they remained four years. In 1856 they came to Wanamingo township, where they pre-empted several acres of wild land, which the father broke and improved, built a home and carried on general farming until August 13, 1862, when he was killed by lightning. The mother died in June. 1895. Halvor P. received his education in the publie schools of Wanamingo. In 1884 he purchased 130 aeres of the homestead, making a great many improvements. In 1890 he built a new

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home, and in 1908 he erected a barn fifty-four by fifty feet. He now follows general farming and dairying with considerable suc- cess. Mr. Groven was married July 1, 1885, at Holden church, to Sophia Jargo, daughter of Knute and Asborg (Aker) Jargo, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1845, locating at Dane county, Wisconsin, where they engaged in farming, and where the father still lives. The mother died in February. 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Groven have been blessed with nine children : Selma A .. who is a trained deaconness; Clara C., who is attend- ing St. Olof's College; Laura C., a high school student ; Andreas F .. Helga S., Gerhard M., Christine C., Harold P., and Kenneth M. The last named died when one year old. Mr. Grover is an independent voter, is now serving as supervisor, and is also director of the school board in District 18. The family attend the Lutheran church of Holden, of which Mr. Groven is treasurer.

Lars J. Gjemse, farmer and business man, was born December 8. 1866, on his grandfather's farm in Wanamingo township, re- ceived his early education in the schools of the neighborhood. afterwards took a course of three months at St. Olof's College at Northfield, and later four months at Carleton College. Leav- ing college, he secured a position as teacher in Goodhue county. teaching subsequently in seven different districts, being well liked and much respected. In 1897 he engaged in farming on forty acres of land. which he inherited from his grandparents. Ile purchased twenty acres more in 1908 and rented 200 acres, all of which he has under cultivation. In 1906. he built a house. A year later his barn was destroyed by lightning. He then rebuilt a new barn fifty by thirty-two. He now follows general and mixed farming on a large scale. Mr. Gjemse was married April 18. 1899. to Anna Hilan a Norwegian. born in Norway. October 17. 1869. and this union has been blessed with five children : Harald, Clara, Minda. Joseph and Louis. Mr. Gjemse is a Repub- lican in politics, and has served as assessor for five years. He belongs to the United Brotherhood of America, also to the Mod- ern Samaritans. He has served as president of the Goodhue County Farmers' Telephone Company of Wanamingo for two years. and one year as secretary. He helped to organize the Farmers' Elevator Company, holding the position of president since its organization. He is a good citizen and highly respected in the community in which he lives. He and his family attend the Lutheran church.

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History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 96

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