History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 98

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

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Charles Danielson, a prosperous merchant, of Cannon Falls village, was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, January 1, 1867, and was brought to Cannon Falls as a small boy, receiving his edneation in the graded and high schools of the village. After leaving school he clerked with his father, becoming a partner in 1889. the firm name being changed to J. Danielson & Son. This general

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store was continued until 1906, when Mr. Danielson changed his line of business and became a furniture dealer. Aside from a full line of fine furniture, the store carries musical instruments. An undertaking establishment, which is one of the departments of the store, is conducted conscientiously, Mr. Danielson being a licensed embalmer. A branch store at Zumbrota, owned by Mr. Danielson, is managed by John A. Boraas. The subject of this sketch is a Democrat in politics, and belongs to the Modern Woodmen, the United Workmen, the Modern Samaritans. He is president of the Minnesota Retail Furniture Dealers' Associa- tion and chairman of the co-operative buying committee. He was married JJune 9, 1891, to Eva J. Westman, of Cannon Falls, by whom he has one child. Laverne N., born April 22, 1895. Mr. Danielson is a sagacious business man, thoroughly upright and honorable, having in his nature a vein of kindly considera- tion for others which makes him a great favorite in the village. John and Christine L. (Magnuson) Danielson, natives of Sweden. and parents of Charles Danielson, came to America in 1865, lived in Illinois one year and in Ottumwa, Iowa, five years. coming to Cannon Falls in 1871. Here the father entered into partnership with G. Westman in the general marcantile business. In 1889 the interest of Mr. Westman was sold to Charles Danielson, and the company became John Danielson & Son, until the father's death, April 8, 1903. The mother died April 16, 1907.

H. E. Conley, M. D., of Cannon Falls, is one of those men who fulfill the highest ideals of one of the highest of eallings. While choosing to attend quietly to his duties rather than to act in public office. the call to service has nevertheless reached him in so importune a manner as to make it almost impossible for him to decline the positions of trust and responsibility that have been thrust upon him. He is a trustee of the Cemetery Association, health officer of the village, and ex-president of the village coun- cil, having previously served four terms as an alderman and eleven years on the school board. He is president of the Good- hue County Medical Association and a member of both the state and national bodies also. Fraternally he associates with the Masons, in which he has taken a number of high degrees, the Modern Woodmen, the United Workmen, the Royal Neighbors. the Independent Foresters and the Modern Samaritans. Taking an interest in the industrial growth of the village he has become a trustee in the Cannon Falls Canning Company, and also has other financial holdings. Dr. Conley was born in Palo, Iowa, July 11, 1855, and received his education in the common schools, in the academy at Kossuth, Iowa, and in the Iowa State Uni- versity at Iowa City, Iowa, graduating in 1884. At once after leaving college he took up the practice of medicine in his native

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

M. D. Fox

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IIISTORY OF GOODIIUE COUNTY

town for a few months, and then practiced with Dr. E. C. Case in Waterville, Me., eight months. In November, 1885, he came to Cannon Falls and opened an office, at once becoming identified with the progress of village events. Ilis office is well equipped and his practice is large in both village and township. Dr. Conley was married August 28, 1884, at the beginning of his professional career. to Sarah L. Dibble, daughter of Alonzo and Louise (Ahlers) Dibble, early settlers and substantial. farmers of Cannon Falls, the father dying July 11, 1891, and the mother March 25, 1869. The Conley home has been blessed with the arrival of five children : Mira V., born September 16, 1885, died April 10, 1892; Emma L., born September 15, 1890, died April 8, 1892; Alonzo D., born May 24, 1892; Ora K., born February 19, 1894. and Lewis E., born February 16, 1900, all live at home. Lewis and Betsy (Hutchins) Conley. parents of H. E., were born in the northwestern part of New York state, and in the early fifties started west, living for a time in Sugar Grove, Cane county, Illinois, and then locating in Linn county, Iowa. From 1855 to 1871 they lived on a homestead in Mitchell county, Iowa, and then went to Kossuth, Iowa, where the father operated a saw mill, getting out lumber for the railroad. They came to Cannon Falls in -, and here ended their days. The father was born in Leroy, Jefferson county, New York. November 20, 1822, and died January 5, 1900. The mother was born in the same locality, June 3, 1827, and died August 23, 1900.

M. D. Fox, of Cannon Falls village, is one of those thrifty Vermonters who have brought to this state the perseverance and ability of New England ancestry, combined with the progressive and expansive spirit of the West. He is a supervisor of the township of Stanton, in which he owns 640 aeres of fine land, president of the Stanton cheese factory, president of the Stanton Elevator Company, and president of the school board. He is not only one of the prominent men of the township, but also of the county, and his name is honored far and wide, standing as it does for honest dealing, integrity, ability and uprightness. M. D. Fox was born in Wilmington, Vt .. August 8, 1843. son of I. L. and Unus (Church) Fox, who, after spending their early days in Vermont, came to Goodhue county in 1866 and located in Warsaw township. remaining eight years. They then spent four years in Northfield, and subsequently eame to Stanton town- ship, where the father died in 1903. The mother lived to the good old age of eighty-seven, and died August 7, 1909. Of the family of seven children, but two are living, M. D. and E. K. The subject of this sketch received his early education in Ver- mont, and at the outbreak of the Civil War enlisted in Company E, 11th Vermont Volunteer Infantry, in August, 1862. He was

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with the Army of the Potomac during its entire campaign, with the exception of five weary months which he spent in Anderson- ville prison. He was discharged in July, 1865, and took part in the grand review in Washington. In 1866 he came west with his parents, and after spending a number of years in this county, went to Fergus Falls, -, where he spent three years. Since that time he has continued to reside in Stanton. He rents 220 acres of his land, but upon the remainder carries on general farming and dairying, selling milk to the cheese factory of which he is president. Mr. Fox was married in 1884 to Carrie Rydlund, daughter of John and Christine Rydlund, the latter of whom is spending her declining years at the Fox home. To Mr. and Mrs. Fox have been born nine children: Oscar L., Lillian R., Henry L., John W., Esther S., George E., Eva F., Moses D. and Arthur T.

Peter A. Peterson, the able and distinguished postmaster at Cannon Falls, was born in Sweden January 24, 1855, and came to America with his parents in 1869, completing his education in the schools of Cannon Falls. After school he clerked in a drug store until 1880, when he purchased the business of Sand- berg Brother's and became sole proprietor, the store being con- dueted on the corner of Main and Fourth streets. where the postoffice is now located. In 1889 he moved his business to a fine brick block on Fourth street, which he had just completed. In October, 1889, he received from President Harrison the ap- pointment of postmaster, in which position he has since continued, giving great satisfaction. During his long term of office the service has increased in efficiency and his efforts have met with much favor. The income of the office in 1889 was $1,500, and in the year 1908 had increased to over $5,500. In March, 1904, Mr. Peterson sold a half interest in his drug business to George V. Williams, and four years later disposed of the remaining half interest to the same gentleman, thus enabling him to give his entire time to his duties as postmaster. He still, however, owns the block. and also a fine residence. Mr. Peterson also owns 1,200 acres of wild land in northwestern Minnesota; owns a store and two residences in Two Harbors, Minn., and has stock in a packing plant at Fergus Falls, as well as in the Cannon Falls Canning Company and the Farmers' Elevator, of Cannon Falls. He has served on the village council and on the school board, las been treasurer of the Scandinavian Benevolent Society twenty years and secretary of the society for many years. His allegiance has always been with the Republican party. June 24. 1880, Mr. Peterson was married to Mary L. Swanson, who died in April, 1895, leaving one child, Edna, who lives at home. A son, Elric J., died in infancy. He was again married, October 4, 1900, to

PUBLIC LICEN

ACTOR. L. C"

F. B. SEAGER

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Hilma C. Holmer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Holmer, the latter of whom died in June, 1909, the father still making his home in Cannon Falls, now with Mr. Peterson. Two children, Holmer Loranzo and Helen Elaine, have blessed this happy union. The family faith is that of the Swedish Lutheran church, of which Mr. Peterson has served as secretary and treasurer for many terms.

Foster B. Seager, the popular mayor of Cannon Falls village, was first elected in 1880 and has sinee that time served fourteen different terms. He was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, July 13, 1847, son of William N. and Sophia (Eldridge) Seager. After receiving his education in the common schools of his native county he lived temporarily in Illinois, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska, locating in Cannon Falls July 22, 1869. He then farmed six years, and subsequently for a similar period engaged in the meat business, after which he took up his present business of raising fruit and vegetables and conducting a nursery. This business has constantly grown, and his place is now one of the finest of its kind in the county, his goods having a fine reputation throughout the state. He has a partner, William Tanner, and in addition to their nursery interests, these gentlemen annually buy from 1,000 to 3,000 sheep, which they fatten on their farms for the spring trade. Mr. Seager is also interested in the Cannon River Electric Power Company. He is a Demoerat in politics, has served on the school board several .terms, belongs to the Masons and attends the Episcopal church. He was married Jan- uary 9, 1879, to Susie Cross, of Cannon Falls, daughter of George H. and Olive (Noble) Cross, the former of whom died in 1905 and the latter in 1906. To Mr. and Mrs. Seager have been born two children: Clarence in October, 1884, and Marion in April, 1893. Mr. Seager's service as mayor has been marked by prog- ress and integrity, and the people of Cannon Falls have regretted the fact that he has not consented to serve continuously since his first eleetion.

C. O. Bye, for over thirty years a well known business man of Cannon Falls, was born in Norway August 24, 1850, and there received his education, also attending the American sehools a few weeks after coming to this country, September 3, 1872. From late in that year until 1877 he engaged in the tannery business in Northfield, Minn., and then came to this village, where he opened the Cannon Falls Tannery, which he has sinee successfully con- ducted. In 1894 he combined the tannery with a fur, wool, tallow, hides and pelt department, and eommeneed the manufac- ture of fur coats and robes, also doing remodeling and repairing. He now continues all these lines, having a large business, both wholesale and retail. A Republican in polities, Mr. Bye has

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served on the board of health and has been interested in a number of public movements. Ile was married July 25, 1877, to Ellen Johnson, a native of Norway, who came to America in 1872. Mrs. Bye died in the Rochester Hospital. August 20, 1900, leaving five children, one being dead. The children are: Carl, acci- dentally killed in St. Paul in 1906; Oscar, now of North Dakota; Clara, who keeps house for her father; Arthur, who works in the tannery; Gurina, who died in 1885. and Lena, who assists in her father's office. The family worships at the Swedish Lu- theran church. Ole and Gunne Bye, parents of C. O. Bye, spent all their life in Norway. The father, who for thirty-one years was a sergeant in the Norwegian army, died in 1895, and the mother passed away in 1890.

Louis F. Blinco, superintendent and part owner of the elec- trie plant of the village of Cannon Falls, has shown his faith in the future growth of industrial activity here by investing his money in a plant which has a capacity far beyond the present demands, and his faith bids fair to be justified. Ile was born in Canada June 11. 1876, and as a small boy was taken to Nebraska, where he received his early education. After leav- ing school he took up the work of steel bridge construction in Sioux City, Iowa, with the Phoenix Bridge Company, being later promoted to engineer. From 1901 to 1906 he thoroughly mas- tered electrical and constructing engineering, and September 23 of the latter year located in Zumbrota and managed the city electric light plant there. In 1908 he came to C'annon Falls, in- stalled a new electric plant and fixtures and has since enjoyed a prosperous business, which in coming years will be still larger. Mr. Blinco is a genial companion and is well liked in the Masonic and Modern Woodmen orders, with which he has associated him- self. He was married December 16, 1902. to Hattie E. Twiss, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Twiss, prominent residents of Meadow Grove, Neh. Three children have blessed this union : Eva, born October 16, 1903; HIattie, born October 2, 1906, and Lois, born June 14, 1907. The family faith is that of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. The electric plant is owned by a com- pany officially known as the Cannon Falls Electric Service Com- pany, of which the proprietors are E. L. Twiss and V. E. Twiss, of Meadow Grove, Neb., and L. F. Blinco, of Cannon Falls, Minn. The officers are: President, E. L. Twiss; superintendent, L. F. Blinco; cashier, IIattie E. Blinco.

Martin Chellson, present supervisor of Cannon Falls township, was born in Sweden October 20, 1864, son of Nels and Anna Chell- son, who came to the United States June 29, 1865, stopping first in Red Wing and then coming to Cannon Falls, where they pur- chased land in section 14, and there spent the remainder of their

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days, the father dying in 1874 and the mother in 1893. Of the seven children in the family, five are still alive. Martin received his edneation in the common schools and has since carried on farming operations in this township. He owns 120 acres of land in section 15. 100 being plowed land and twenty woodland. Here he carries on mixed farming with much sueeess. He is a con- scientious, hard-working man, highly regarded for his good qual- ities. . Aside from his position on the town board, he has served nine years as a member of the school board. Mr. Chellson was married in 1888 to Christine Pearson, daughter of Peter Pearson, who settled in Vasa in 1869. The home of the Chellsons has been brightened by the presence of four children, Fred, Florence, Eva and Pearl, all of whom are still under the home roof.

Henry A. Van Campen, of Cannon Falls, was born at Ran- dolph, N. Y., July 24. 1849. Ilis parents were Benjamin and Adelia Z. Van Campen. The father was born in New York state December 31. 1820, and the mother was born March 20, 1824. In 1857 they moved to Minnesota, locating at Cannon Falls on May 7 of that year. Here they lived until their death. The father died February 23, 1888, and the mother October 7, 1902. The subject of this sketch received his education in the Cannon Falls schools and the Shattuck School, of Faribault. Minn. His first business engagement was «lerking in a general store at Cannon Falls. He later became the owner of the store and engaged in that business until the spring of 1887, when he moved on his farm. The fall of the following year, 1888, he removed to Cannon Falls and engaged in the boot and shoe business, which he con- tinued about four years, then he engaged in his present business. dealer in agricultural implements, buggies, harness, etc. Mr. Van Campen was married at Milton, Wis., October 4, 1877, to Anna S. Greenman, and they have five children, Benjamin H., Harry A., George B., Merl M. and Viola G.

John H. Carlson, the well known hardware merchant, of Can- non Falls, was born in Sweden August 22, 1866, and came to America as a baby with his mother in 1869. From 1869 to 1872 they lived in Chicago, and then located in Cannon Falls, where John H. received his common school education. His first situa- tion was with the Cannon Falls branch of the Charles Betcher Lumber Company, and after twenty years in that employ he did similar work two years for the Ballord-Trimble Lumber Company, purchasers and sueeessors of the Betcher retail interests. In 1907 he engaged in the hardware business. The store is well equipped and appointed and aims to earry in stoek everything in the hardware line that is needed in the households and on the farms of the people of this vicinity. Mr. Carlson is a staneh Republican and has served the village as recorder. November

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29, 1893, he was married to Delia M. Peterson, of Vasa, daughter of Johannes Peterson, a prominent farmer, who, with his wife, is now deceased. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Carlson is bright- ened by two children, Gladys E. and Irena A. Mildred, the youngest, is dead. The family is connected with the Swedish Lutheran church.

Peter Chelgren was born in Sweden January 7, 1846. After spending his boyhood in the old country he came to America in 1868 and took up his residence in Featherstone township, this county, where he worked a short time, and then went to Hastings, this state, where he resided five years. Here, in 1871, he was married to Christine F. Ericson. It was in 1874 that he moved to his farm, previously purchased by him at Cannon Falls, and where he still lives. On this farm of 120 acres he conducts general farming along the latest approved lines. He has made many improvements, including setting out an orchard, which has proved a profitable venture. Pasture and timber land take up about twenty acres, and the remainder is in a high state of eulti- vation. Mr. Chelgren has not been unmindful of the advantages of intelligent co-operation, for he is one of the farmers who have been interested in the creamery, which has for its object the handling of milk with greater economy of time and effort than the farmers could accomplish my making butter themselves. Of this creamery Mr. Chelgren is secretary. He is also a member and stockholder of the Cannon Falls Farmers' Elevator Com- pany. and a member and director of the Spring Garden-Leon Insurance Company, which works in the interest of the farmers. Mr. Chelgren has also served with credit as clerk in school dis- triet No. 14 for over twenty-five years. surely a record of which any man might well be proud. In addition to this, he has served as supervisor of Cannon Falls township. Mr. Chelgren has three children : Mary, living at home: Emma, a teacher in the Red- wood Falls city schools, and Victor, a druggist in Dickinson, N. D.

Dr. Owen E. Doely, dentist. of Cannon Falls, has been here but a short time, but has already demonstrated his ability and worth, both in his profession and as a citizen. He has a well appointed office, is thoroughly versed in the latest developments in the line of dental surgery. and enjoys a large patronage, being a favorite both in the city and in the surrounding country. Born in Canton, Minn., he received his education in the graded schools of Spring Grove and in the Spring Grove high school, later attending the University of Iowa, at Iowa City, and the University of Minnesota, at Minneapolis, graduating from the dental department of the latter in 1907 with honors. At once upon graduation he came to Cannon Falls, where he has since successfully practiced his profession. He belongs to the Masons, .

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the Modern Samaritans and the Scandinavian Benevolent Asso- ciation, and also associates with the Minnesota State Dental Asso- ciation. Dr. Doely is a stanch Republican, and attends the Nor- wegian Lutheran church. T. I. and Gertin (Foss) Doely, parents of the subject of this sketch, became prominent residents of Spring Grove, Houston county, Minnesota, where the father was store keeper and postmaster. He died July 1, 1907, leaving a widow and four children, Ina, Owen E., Carlton and Genevieve.

Dan Danielson, of Cannon Falls, is said by his friends to be the champion cheese maker of the state, and this claim is sub- stantiated by the fact that in the Jime contest of 1908, conducted under the auspices of the state dairy and food department, the cheese made by him won first prize, being awarded a percentage of 98 on a scale of a possible 100. The winning of this prize was a greater honor in that the other contestants submitted a much better grade of cheese than in previous years, thus neces- sitating a high degree of excellence on the part of whoever should carry off first honors. His diploma is beautifully engraved and bears the signature of no less a personage than the gov- ernor of Minnesota himself. Mr. Danielson was born in Leon township January 19, 1867, was raised on a farm and attended the public schools. In carly manhood, having a natural aptitude for mechanics, he became a stationary engineer, an occupation he followed twenty-four years, later learning the cheese making business. Since 1907 he has filled his present position with the Cannon Falls Co-operative Creamery Company. The officers of this company are: President, George T. Valentine; vice-presi- dent, O. L. Benson; secretary, Peter Chelgren; treasurer, Clif W. Gress ; manager, O. L. Benbenson; cheese maker, Dan Daniel- son. Mr. Danielson votes the Democratic ticket, belongs to the Odd Fellows, the Masons, the Star of Bethlehem and the Re- bekahs, and is an excellent citizen in every respect. Ile was married March 20, 1892, to Agnes E. Gustafson, a native of Leon township. The Danielson home is brightened by the presence of one son, Harold, born February 17, 1904. The family faith is that of the English Lutheran church. Carl and Karie (John- son ) Danielson, parents of Dan Danielson, were early pioneers, settling in Nicolet county in 1857 and in Leon township in 1859. They suffered greatly during the Indian outbreak and lost $800 by being compelled to leave their residence at Swan Lake, which was in the heart of the danger district. The father is still living and the mother died November 12, 1885.

Peter S. Aslakson, a prominent member of the Bar Association of Goodhue county, is a man who has taken a deep interest in the affairs of Cannon Falls since he first came here to live, in 1886. Ile has been city attorney and city recorder and is now

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serving as secretary of the board of education, a position he has occupied with credit since 1891. As captain of the hook and ladder company of the Cannon Falls fire department he has clone much toward improving and maintaining the facilities for fire protection in this village. Born in Norway June 3, 1852, Attorney Aslakson received his education in the district schools of Minneola, to which town he was brought at the age of six years. Hle studied in Carlton College, at Northfield; in Miller's Normal School. Keokuk, Iowa, and took a full course in Prof. C. H. Pierce's Penmanship Institute; also Baylie's Business Col- lege, at Keokuk. Iowa. and finally in the Iowa State University, Iowa City, Iowa, graduating from the law department of the latter institution in 1878. Like many other young lawyers, he secured his start in life by teaching school, and for one year was professor of penmanship. Then, desiring to obtain a practical business training, he kept books for Fred George, of Zumbrota, one year. Since June 1. 1886, he has practiced law in Cannon Falls with marked success, being an able consulting attorney as well as a convincing pleader. In addition to the Bar Associa- tion, he has joined both the Modern Woodmen and the United Workmen. Since casting his first vote he has remained a con- sistent and loyal Republican and served as chairman of the Re- publican committee of the third congressional district from 1896 to 1902. Attorney Aslakson was married May 7, 1879, to Mary Christina Ullevig, of Hader, Minn., by whom he has seven chil- dren : Laura M., wife of E. II. Lidstrand. a printer at Faribault ; Selma A., who married E. S. Olson and died July 29, 1905; Anna M., who lives at home: John S., a graduate of St. Olaf's College and now located in Duluth; Pearl M., Mabel H. and Cora A., the latter three of whom are at home and in school. Sven Aslakson and his wife, Lizzie Peterson, parents of Peter S. Aslakson, were land owners in Vinje, Thelemarken, Norway, their place being known as the Odegaard Farm. They came to America in 1858, purchased 160 acres from an Indian squaw in Minneola township and here ended their days, the father November 11, 1894, and the mother February 1, 1908, both being fine old people in every respeet.

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History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 98

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