History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 27

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Publication date: 1919
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1343

USA > Minnesota > Houston County > History of Houston County, Minnesota > Part 27

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Torgus Kettleson (Eiken), a pioneer of Black Hammer Township, was born in Norway, and came to Houston County, Minn., when there were but a few settlers here, entering land, Aug. 25, 1855, in Black Ham- mer Township. He was accompanied by his wife and several children, and, like nearly all the early immigrants, had crossed the ocean in a sailing vessel, landing after a long and tedious voyage. The first home of himself and family here was a dugout, which he soon converted into a cellar, erecting thereon a log house, which for some years proved a fairly com- fortable residence. He began his agricultural operations by clearing off a patch for corn, which, when ripened and gathered, was ground into meal in a coffee-mill-a common device with the pioneer settlers before a grist mill was established in the neighborhood. In time Mr. Kettleson devel- oped his farm and raised various crops, establishing for himself and family a comfortable home.

Tollef Eiken, a well known and respected resident of Black Hammer Township, was born in this township, son of Torgus Kettleson (Eiken), his parents being among the earliest settlers here. Tollef's early home was a log house which his father erected soon after his arrival in 1855. Like his father, he followed agriculture, the most certain way of getting a liv- ing in early days, and in time became a prosperous and esteemed citizen,

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serving as chairman of the township board and in other offices. He is still a resident here and is one of the prominent members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. He married Johanna Masvold, a native of Norway.

Martin Adolph Eiken, present assistant cashier of the Caledonia State Bank and for fourteen years register of deeds of Houston County, was born in Fillmore county, Minn., May 4, 1882, son of Tollef and Johanna (Masvold) Eiken. He acquired his education in the district school and in the Breckinridge Institute at Decorah, Iowa. Subsequently he spent sev- eral years as a school teacher in Fillmore and Houston Counties. Having developed considerable proficiency in baseball, he became a member of the Northern League and for a year and a half was a professional player. At the end of that time, though only 22 years old, he came before the people as a candidate on the Republican ticket for the office of register of deeds, and was elected, taking office Jan. 1, 1905. For fourteen years he served faithfully and efficiently, winning an excellent reputation for careful attention to the county's needs. Upon his retirement he assumed his present duties at the bank, of which he had for some years been a director. Mr. Eiken has been a leader in public and political affairs, has served on various committees and delegations, and has done good work as secretary of the Republican Central Committee. He has also labored in behalf of the cause of education as a member of the school board. For some years he has been a member of the Caledonia Fire Department. His fraternal society affiliations are with the Masonic order, in which he has advanced as far as the Chapter, and with the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Eiken married Ada Odelia Solberg, a native of Houston County, and he and his wife are the parents of two children, Muriel Evelyn and Malcolm Sol- berg.

Knud Anderson Dahle, one of the pioneer settlers of Wilmington Township, now deceased, was born in Valders, Norway, in the year 1829. Emigrating when a young man to the United States, he was married at Detroit, Mich., in 1852, to Margit Roble, also a native of Norway. For one year he worked in the Detroit docks as a boat builder, earning at first only 75 cents a day, though after his employer learned that he was married he added 25 cents a day to his wages. After remaining in Detroit for the time above mentioned, they moved to Chicago, where they remained six months, Mr. Dahle following the same occupation there. In July, 1854, he made a more important move, he and his family leaving Chicago for the northwest. After a short stay at Rock Prairie, Wis., they came on in a covered wagon drawn by oxen to Houston County, Minn., finally reaching Wilmington Township. Before they arrived here, however, Mr. and Mrs. Dahle suffered the loss of their infant son, Wilhelm, who died enroute near Spring Grove, this county. The land which Mr. Dahle secured was in section 14, and was all wild. It had one advantage, however, as through the place ran the territorial road from Lansing, Iowa, to Caledonia, which gave them access to markets. His career was similar to that of most of the enterprising pioneers. There was plenty of hard work to do, and some privations to be suffered, but Mr. and Mrs. Dahle were hardy folks, unac- customed to luxury, and both worked hard and made progress, in time

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becoming the proprietors of 360 acres of land, besides erecting substantial buildings. At last they found themselves in a position to retire and took up their residence at Spring Grove, where Mrs. Dahle died in the year 1897 at the age of 73 years. Her husband survived her three years, dying at the same age. They had eight children: Wilhelm, previously mentioned, who died in infancy; Mina, who died in the seventies; Andrew, now a farmer in this county ; Sophia, now Mrs. Andrew Myhre, occupying a part of the old homestead; Knut, who was engaged in business at Minot, N. D., but who died there several years ago; Olaus K., practicing law at Cale- donia, Minnesota; Maria, now Mrs. Fresly, of Elroy, Wis .; and Julia (Mrs. Dyer), who died in the spring of 1917.

Olaus K. Dahle, a member of the bar of Houston County, and a man of sterling reputation in public and private life, was born in Wilmington Township, this county, Jan. 9, 1865, son of Knud Anderson and Margit (Roble) Dahle. His early education was obtained in the district and Lutheran parochial schools, and was supplemented by school attendance in Caledonia and a course in the Winona Normal School. He resided on his parents' farm until he was 19 years old, and then became clerk in a store in Caledonia, being thus occupied for three years. In the year, 1888, though he had never attended a political caucus, and had voted but once, but was brought before the public as a candidate on the Republican ticket for the office of register of deeds, being nominated by acclamation, and he was also endorsed by the Democrats and his name printed on the Demo- cratic ticket. His election followed as a matter of course, and he served in that office for four years. Ambitious of further success in life, he decided to study law, and accordingly entered the State University, being graduated from the law department in 1894. On his admission to the bar he was taken into partnership by Judge James O'Brien, the firm having offices in Caledonia. A year later, however, Mr. Dahle moved to Spring Grove and engaged in the newspaper business, becoming editor and pro- prietor of the Spring Grove Herald, the destinies of which paper he guided for four years and a half. In the meanwhile his ability and party services were recognized by his appointment in 1897, as second assistant to the chief clerk of the House of Representatives, and in 1899 he was made first assistant. In the year 1900 he was nominated on the Republican ticket for the office of county attorney and was elected without soliciting a vote. He continued in the office through successive re-elections, for a period of sixteen years, retiring in January, 1919. His public career, beginning at the early age of 23 years, has been a highly creditable one. In addition to the various activities above mentioned, Mr. Dahle is president of the Onsgaard State Bank of Spring Grove, and has served as a member of the local school board and president of the Commercial Club. He is a Scottish Rite Mason, belonging also to the Woodmen and Workmen lodges, while his religious affiliations are with the Norwegian Lutheran Church. Mr. Dahle married Oline Onsgaard, daughter of N. O. Onsgaard, who was the founder of Onsgaard State Bank at Spring Grove. He and his wife are the parents of seven children, Kenneth, Norris, Mervin, Obert, Oscar, Margit and Norman, all living except Mervin, born March 25, 1902 and

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MR. AND MRS. WALTER GOERGEN

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died Jan. 21, 1919, while a student at the State Agricultural College. Mr. and Mrs. Dahle have purchased a beautiful homestead in Wilmington to which they retired in March, 1919.

Walter Goergen, a former well known public official of Houston County, who resided for a number of years in Caledonia, but is now deceased, was born in the Duchy of Luxemburg, and came to the United States in 1864 with his uncle Tisen, they settling in Caledonia township, this county. Here he worked for others for awhile to earn money with which to make a start. After that he rented farms and engaged in agri- culture, finally buying a farm of 260 acres in Wilmington Township, which he operated for a number of years, at the end of which time he sold it to his son-in-law. His public career had begun much before this however, as in 1878, before he had located on the last farm mentioned, he had been elected on the Democratic ticket to the office of sheriff, in which he served for three terms, or six years. He was then, in 1884, elected county auditor and held that office for two years, at the same time being a member of the village council and the board of education. Then returning to his farm, he remained there for eight years, after which he took up his residence on a farm of 65 acres in Caledonia, where his widow now resides. At the time of the organization of the Houston County State Bank he became its president and continued in that office after it became a national bank. After a long and useful career as farmer, banker and public official he passed from this life Feb. 2, 1906, his loss being deeply regretted by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, including his surviving relatives. Mr. Goergen was united in marriage May 25, 1873, to Isabella Hemri, who was born in Norway, July 10, 1850. Her father, Ole, had died in Norway, and at the age of nine years she had come to this country with her mother, and the latter's five other children, the family settling in Caledonia Town- ship, this county, where the mother spent the rest of her life, and before her death saw all her children well established in promising careers. Mr. and Mrs. Goergen had twelve children: Susan, now Mrs. Louis Enas, of Caledonia; Lizzie, now Mrs. Wilberdine and a resident of Montana; Martha, wife of Wilbur Nelson, of Lansing, Iowa; Phillip, who lives in Minneapolis ; Walter, Isabella and Lena, who are residing at home; and Anna, who is now Mrs. Lars Hanson, of Caledonia, and four who are dead. Mrs. Goergen, who survives her husband, has also six grandchildren, and the family is one well known and respected in this part of the county.

Elling K. Roverud, for the past 30 years editor and proprietor of the Caledonia Journal, and who has also at various times taken a prominent part in local and state politics, is a man who has achieved a high measure of success through innate force of character, and without any initial advan- tages other than good heredity, a sound constitution, and a high standard of personal morals. Like many of the successful men of the great north- west, Mr. Roverud is of Scandinavian origin, having been born in Norway, Nov. 2, 1852, son of Knute H. and Guri (Stromsod) Roverud. The father was born in 1821 and the mother in 1818. Married in Norway, they came to Minnesota in 1867, locating on a farm, and in the following year buying a homestead, where Knute H. Roverud died in 1892, after an energetic

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and industrious career which enabled him to gain a substantial degree of prosperity and to provide well for his family. Though a man of quiet disposition, he yielded influence in local affairs and was an active member of the Republican party in his county. Religiously he was a Lutheran. For some years before his death he had been a widower, his wife having passed away in 1885. They were the parents of ten children, of whom there are three now living: Martha Kinstad, of La Crosse, Wis .; Elling K .; and John K., the one last mentioned residing in Calmar, Iowa.

Elling K. Roverud as a boy attended the common schools, his further education being made dependent upon his own efforts. His ambition and industry solved the problem, and in 1876 he was graduated from the Winona Normal School. After that he taught school for several terms. In 1878 he finished the normal course in the Lutheran college at Decorah, Iowa, and when his diploma was given him he was entirely without money and had hardly clothes enough to present a respectable appearance. For three years he taught school, and by the end of that time his personality had made so favorable an impression upon the citizens of his county that in 1880 he was elected to his first important public office, as county auditor. His four years' service in this office led to his appointment as clerk of court, which position he held for over a year, and then for two years was again county auditor. From 1883 to 1890 Mr. Roverud was in the hardware business at Caledonia. In 1890 he bought the Caledonia Journal, of which he has since been editor and proprietor. One of the flourishing news- papers of Houston County, it has a large circulation throughout this por- tion of the state. The plant is well equipped, and besides the publication of the Journal does a large amount of job printing. In 1894, four years after entering into the newspaper field, Mr. Roverud was elected a member of the state senate, and gave eight years of active service as one of the law makers at St. Paul. He has taken an active part in two national con- ventions of the Republican party, having been elected by the republicans of the First Congressional District as a delegate to the national conven- tion in 1900 at Philadelphia, Penn., and by the republicans of the state of Minnesota as a delegate at large to the national convention in Chicago in 1912. On Nov. 12, 1879, Mr. Roverud was united in marriage with Martha K. Blexrud, a daughter of Knute Blexrud, who was one of the earliest settlers and farmers in Houston County. Of this marriage seven chil- dren have been born: Gena C., who for a number of years has been a teacher in the Stillwater public schools; Hannah, who is residing at home; Ella M., a teacher in the St. Paul schools; Nora, now Mrs. C. E. Daniels, a graduate of the University of Minnesota, and now living at Lehigh, Iowa; Katherine, a graduate of Stout Institute at Menominie, Wis .; Adelia, who is a stenographer for the firm of Duxbury & Duxbury at Caledonia; and Elmore K., who is a high school graduate. A member, with his family, of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mr. Roverud has served as its secretary for over 25 years.

Elling H. Burtness, a pioneer settler of Wilmington Township now passed away, was born at Ness Hollingdal, Norway, Sept. 29, 1837. In 1861, accompanied by his brother Swen, he came to the United States on

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a sailing vessel, landing in this country after a long voyage. Like most of his race, he sought the northwest, making his way to Wilmington Town- ship, Houston County, Minn., and having on his arrival no other property than what he could conveniently carry around with him. Here he went to work by the month as a farmer, an occupation that he had followed in his native land. In 1863, though without money with which to make a first payment, he bought 120 acres of land on which was a log house, about 50 acres of the land being broken. For a few years he led a bachelor life, his father, Helge, who came from Norway and joined him in 1865, living with him. His farming operations, like those of the other pioneers, were car- ried on with the aid of oxen, horses being scarce or little used at the time. His personal qualifications, however, were such as to command success, and in time he found himself the owner of 440 acres of land, having by 1874 erected a large house and barn. A member of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, he helped to start the congregation of that faith in his locality, and served as trustee of the church, being also one of the school officials of his district. After a long and useful career, he passed away on the home farm on February 15, 1913. Mr. Burtness was married in Houston County, about 1866, to Christie Myhre, who was born in the same locality in Norway as himself, Dec. 27, 1845, and who had accompanied her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ole Myhre to this county in 1849. She died Aug. 13, 1913, having survived her husband but a few months. They were the parents of 14 children: Live, now Mrs. J. P. Kopang, of Spring Grove; Sigri, who is living on the old homestead; Margaret, who died at the age of eighteen months; Henry, who occupies a part of the old homestead; Olaus E., county treasurer of Houston County; Peter, who is farming and is Presi- dent of the Farmers & Merchants State Bank of Cook, Minn .; Theodore, who died in infancy; Theodore (second), who is a farmer in St. Louis County, Minn .; Emma, who died at the age of ten years; Theoline and Elida, twins, the former of whom is living on the homestead, the latter having died in 1908, at the age of 28 years. Carl and Edwin, who now own the old homestead; and Emma, who is a professional nurse and has been in the United States service with the Red Cross.

Olaus E. Burtness, for eighteen years treasurer of Houston County, who has for a long period been one of the most promuinent citizens of Caledonia, was born in a log house on his parents' farm in Wilmington Township, this county, April 28, 1872, son of Elling H. and Christie (Myhre) Burtness. His early education was obtained in this district school, and was later supplemented by a three years' term in Decorah Breckinridge College. He then worked for two years in a store at Wil- mington, at the end of that time buying a half interest in the mercantile business conducted by J. E. Eide, the firm being known as Eide & Burt- ness. During this period he served four years as town clerk of Wilming- ton township. In 1900 Mr. Burtness was elected county treasurer on the Republican ticket and served in that office through successive re-elections until the fall of 1918, having a very creditable record as a competent and trustworthy official. He is now assistant cashier and a director in the First National Bank of Caledonia, of which he was formerly president for

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a number of years. A member of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, he has served for six or seven years as one of its trustees. Mr. Burtness was married Oct. 26, 1899, to Clara Kinstad, then a teacher in Houston County, whose home was at La Crosse. He and his wife are the parents of two children: Charlotte, born Aug. 3, 1903, and Martha, born March 24, 1907.

Joseph Vossen, one of the best known and most popular citizens of Houston County, died at his home in Caledonia, Wednesday evening, June 18, 1913. He was born in Cologne, Germany, June 23, 1840, and there attended school. In 1858 he came to America and at once to Houston County, locating in Caledonia Township. Two years later he moved to the village of Caledonia, where he ever afterwards lived, becoming a great factor in the building up of the village. At the time it was incorporated he was elected one of the village trustees and served either as president of the council or as a trustee almost continuously until a few years before his death, when he voluntarily retired. In 1865 he opened a grocery store which he conducted until 1873. He was town clerk in 1867 and 1868. In 1870 he was elected clerk of the district court, and being re-elected in 1874, served until 1878, and for many years after was deputy clerk of court. In 1880 he was elected village justice and in May the same year he took a trip to Europe to visit the scenes of his childhood, going by the way of Paris and other European cities. Being very familiar with probate law and practice, he had a great deal to do with the settlement of estates in court. He was a man among men, one who could be trusted. His kind and affable manners won for him the respect and esteem of the entire com- munity. In his later years he devoted most of his time to his abstract office and his own private affairs. He was a man of means whose wealth had been faithfully and honorably gathered, and his name will live long in the annals of Houston county as that of a man of solid worth. No tribute is too costly to perpetuate the memory of his splendid career as a business man and citizen. Mr. Vossen was twice married. His first wife passed away many years ago, and on June 15, 1910, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Anna Hoffman, who survives him.

Giles A. Ransom, D. D. S., who is engaged in the successful practice of his profession in the village of Caledonia, was born at New Albion, Allamakee County, Iowa, Aug. 6, 1885, son of Giles N. H. and Estella (Avery) Ransom, his father being a Methodist minister. Dr. Ransom acquired his elementary education in the schools of New Albion, but is to a large extent self educated. Ambitious to succeed in life, he selected the profession of dentistry, for which he qualified himself by taking the regu- lar course in dental surgery at the Northwestern University, Chicago. Establishing an office at Eitzen, on the southern border of Houston County, in Winnebago Township, he began the practice of his profession there, driving to business each day from New Albion where for the time being he retained his residence, on account of social ties. Among the latter may be mentioned his connection with the choir of the Methodist church. In 1917 Dr. Ransom opened his office in Caledonia, where he has since prac- ticed, having established a good clientele. He is a member of the Methodist church here and also of the Commercial Club. In 1910 he was

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JOSEPH VOSSEN

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united in marriage with Loraine Bird, and he and his wife are the parents of three children, Ronald, Norma and Glenn.

John B. Schiltz, founder of the Schiltz family in Caledonia township, was a native of Prussia, Germany, where he grew up and was married to Anna Marie Tillen. His occupation was that of a farmer. In time his family increased until he found himself the father of eight sons and two daughters. In 1865 one of the elder sons, Matt, came to the United States, locating in Dubuque, Iowa. In the same year the rest of the family set out to join him, taking passage in a sailing vessel which landed them on the shores of the New World 56 days later. They immediately came west and joined Matt, and in the following year, 1866, all came to Houston County, Minn., renting a farm a mile and a half east of Caledonia village, in Cale- donia township. Thus the family became established here, but Mr. Schiltz was not destined to long share its fortunes. He had walked all the way from Dubuque and exposure to inclement weather had brought on a cold which led to a more serious affection and resulted in his death June 22, 1866, about three months after their arrival, which was in April. He had reached the age of 56 years. His wife, thus bereaved, made the best of circumstances. She kept the family together, and with the help of a yoke of oxen was able to work and develop her farm. She survived her husband many years, dying on the old homestead about 1901 at the age of 85.

Peter Schiltz, head of the firm of Schiltz & Son, proprietors of a grain elevator at Caledonia, and one of the leading citizens of Caledonia Town- ship, was born near Trear, in Prussia, Germany, May 7, 1857, son of John B. and Anna Marie (Tillen) Schiltz. He was nine years old when he arrived with his parents and the other members of the family in Cale- donia Township, this county. He had but little chance to obtain an educa- tion, being obliged to help his mother as soon as he was old enough to be of any use. As, however, there were eight sons in the family, the work, as they grew up was divided among them, and when Peter was a young man he found himself able to start in on his own account and for four years he rented a farm. At the end of that time he bought 140 acres of land in section 20, Caledonia Township, which was a neglected farm. This he improved into good condition and later bought 140 acres more, thus doubl- ing the size of his place. Among his most important improvements was a good set of buildings. On this farm he made a specialty of raising good stock, keeping a large herd of cattle, and finding this a profitable part of his business. When the first elevator was started Mr. Schittz was placed in charge for one year. He then bought out Sprague Bros., the proprietors and for four years conducted the elevator alone, afterwards taking into partnership his son, Theodore J. It is now about ten years ago since he left his farm in charge of his son, John P., Jr., who has since conducted it, and took up his residence in the village. His business affairs have pros- pered and he has become a man of substance. For many years he served in public, not only on the school board of his district, but also as a member of the town board, of which he was chairman for some years, and as assessor, which office he held for four or five years. Mr. Schiltz was

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History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 27

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge Publication date: 1919 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1343

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Publication date: 1919
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1343