History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 29

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

USA > Minnesota > Houston County > History of Houston County, Minnesota > Part 29

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

church. Mr. Olson's death occurred when he was sixty-five years old, his

wife dying at sixty-eight. Their children were: Ole N., now known as Ole N. O. Hefte, and proprietor of the old homestead; Inger, wife of Nels Bye of Soulby, Minn .; Olaus, now living in Canada; Ingebord, who is married and lives in North Dakota; Nels, now of Tracy, Minn .; and Sarah, who died at the age of eighteen years. Mr. Olson's daughter Guri, the child of his first wife, grew up and married, but is now deceased.

Ole N. O. Hefte, proprietor of the old Ole Olson farm in Wilmington township, but now residing in the village of Caledonia, of which he is a prominent citizen, interested in several business enterprises, was born on the farm above mentioned, Feb. 19, 1861, the house in which he first saw the light being a pioneer log structure. His education was obtained in the little log schoolhouse of the district and in the parochial school attached to the Norwegian Lutheran church of Wilmington. His first industrial experience was on the home farm, on which he grew to manhood, and where he has spent the greater part of his life, except for a period of seven years in North Dakota and his residence in Caledonia village, to which place he came in 1910. Here he became buyer for the Caledonia elevator, of which he is now manager, being also a director in the company. He is also a share- holder in the Spring Grove elevator and the Caledonia creamery, as well as in a clothing store and a general store in Caledonia, and in the Caledonia State Bank, of which he is a director. For some years Mr. Hefte served as town chairman, and for ten years as assessor, and while residing in Wil- mington township he was a member of the school board. Mr. Hefte married Ingwald Doley, daughter of Ingwald Doley, a pioneer of Wilmington town- ship. This union has been blessed with six children: Setmine, wife of J. E. Stenehjem, Caledonia clothing merchant; Oliver, who for a time was in the mercantile trade in Caledonia, but who now owns and operated forty acres of the old homestead; Inoh P., who is in partnership with J. E. Stenehjem ; Hilda, wife of Odin Blexrud; Olga D., wife of Dr. J. B. Scott; and Stella, who resides at home.

Asborn Stenehjem, founder of the well known Stenehjem family in Houston county, and one of the pioneer settlers of this county, was born in Norway, where he grew to manhood and was married. With his wife, Kari, and one child, Ole, he came to the United States in 1850, landing at New York after a voyage of ten weeks in a sailing vessel. Proceeding west,

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he settled in Illinois, in which State he was engaged in farming until 1854. He then came to Houston county, Minn., driving with an ox team into Wilmington township. There he secured 160 acres of land and built a log house, which was the first dwelling of the family in the county. His first agricultural work was done with the aid of his oxen, which he used for a number of years. His first horse, then a young colt, was received as a present from A. Hanson of Waterloo Ridge, and he carried it home on his back, a distance of six miles. It became a family pet, and was known as "Wesle Fan," or "Little Fan," wesle in Norwegian meaning small. Mr. Stenehjem often walked to Brownsville and Lansing, carrying home gro- ceries on his back, which in pioneer days was often the only means of transportation; and to add to the difficulties the only road was a rude trail which often had to be cleared from brush. Indeed, Mr. Stenehjem had to cut a way into his land when he took possession of it. In time he increased the size of his farm to 220 acres and built a good house and barn, together with the necessary outbuildings, and cleared and broke a good portion of his land. A member of the Norwegian Lutheran church, he gave the site for the first church of that denomination in Wilmington township, and in many ways proved himself to be a useful and public spirited citizen. Both he and his wife are now deceased. They had seven children: Ole, already mentioned, who became a farmer in Black Hammer township and is now dead; Andrew A., who remained on the old home farm, where he died at the age of fifty-nine years; Martha, who married Hans Bjerke and went to North Dakota, where she is now living; Peter, who went west and finally settled in North Dakota; Johanna and Louritz, deceased; and Johann.

Andrew A. Stenehjem, for many years a well known farmer and stock dealer in Wilmington township, was born on his parents' farm in that town- ship, son of Asborn and Kari Stenehjem, who were pioneer farmers there. His education opportunities were confined to the usual course of study pursued in the little log schoolhouse of his district, while his industrial training was more thorough and was received under his father's direction on the home farm, where he always made his home, and to the ownership of which he succeeded. As a farmer he was successful, and in addition to cultivating the soil, he both raised and bought stock, which he shipped to market, following this latter occupation for some thirty years. He was also prominent as a citizen and served for a number of years as a member of . the town board, and of the school board of his district, in addition to being a consistent and useful member of the Norwegian Lutheran church. His death at the rate of fifty-nine years was deeply regretted throughout the township and vicinity. Mr. Stenehjem married Gunvor Trehus, who was born near Rockland, Ill., in 1853. She is still living and is now a resident of Spring Grove, this county. They were the parents of thirteen children: Ella M., Dora, Albert, Thomas, Peter, J. Edwin, Gerhard, Martin, Arthur, Odin, Styrk, Theodora and an unnamed infant. Ella M. is the wife of Christ Knottrud, of Lanesboro, Minn .; Dora is a teacher and has specialized in music in Minneapolis; J. Edwin and Styrk are business men of Caledonia; Theodora and the unnamed infant are dead. The rest of the sons are at Williston and Arnegard, N. D. The brothers are all expert baseball players

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MR. AND MRS. RICHARD KLUG

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and have organized a team of their own at Arnegard, N. D., which town has thus the unique distinction of possessing a ball team composed practically of the members of one family.

John Edwin Stenehjem, a prominent business man of Caledonia, a member of the Stenehjem-Hefte Co., dealers in clothing, was born in Wil- mington township, Houston county, Minn., Jan. 15, 1881, son of Andrew A. and Gunvor (Trehus) Stenehjem. He was reared on his parents' farm, ac- quiring his education in the district school, and later pursuing more advanced studies at the Luther College at Decorah, Iowa. Thus prepared, he entered the employ of P. M. Fuss, clothing dealer of Caledonia, for whom he worked for a year and a half, at the end of that time buying a half interest in the business. That arrangement was continued for eight years, when O. N. O. Hefte became Mr. Stenehjem's partner, Mr. Hefte's son, Inoh P., buying an interest in the business three years later, since which time no further changes have been made. The firm is doing a prosperous business and has an extensive patronage throughout this part of the county. Mr. Stenehjem is a thirty-second degree Mason, belonging also to the Mystic Shrine at St. Paul. He is personally popular and his energy and business ability have advanced him far on the road to prosperity. Mr. Stenehjem was married Jan. 17, 1901, to Setmine Hefte, daughter of O. N. O. Hefte, of Wilmington township. They have three children: Marie, Arnold and Genevieve.

Julius Gran, a prosperous merchant of Caledonia village, was born in Jefferson township, this county, son of Peter Gran, a farmer. He was edu- cated in the district school, which he left at the age of fourteen years to work on his father's farm, also at times working out for others. In that way he spent about four years, and then, going to St. Paul, entered the employ of the Pullman Car Company, for whom he worked in that city for two years, and was then sent by them to Butte, Mont., where he remained for a year. At the end of that time he came home, and his next two years were spent on the farm. Then returning to St. Paul, he entered the dining- car department of the Great Northern Railway as assistant store keeper, which position he held for six years, serving for four years subsequently as head store keeper. Then returning to Houston county, he entered into his present partnership with Helmer J. Solberg, in the commission business, in which he has now been engaged for about five years. The firm is doing a good business and is well known throughout this section as a reliable concern. Mr. Gran is a member of the Yeomen's Lodge at St. Paul. He married Josephine Stenens, daughter of Edward Stenens, a pioneer of Houston county, and he and his wife have one child, Achsa Mae.

Richard Klug, an early settler in Caledonia township, was born in Bavaria, Germany, and there grew to manhood. After coming to the United States in early manhood, he was married in Wisconsin to Mary Klos, a native of Belgium, and they settled in Houston county, Minn., driv- ing with an ox team to a point five miles west of Caledonia, where he rented a farm. Subsequently he and his family moved to a farm three and a half miles west of Caledonia, which he bought. It contained eighty acres and was provided with a log house 14 by 16 feet in size, in which the family took

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up their residence. Making use of his oxen, he broke the land, and in time erected good buildings and increased the size of his farm. His wife also raised some apple trees from seed, some of which are now standing on the place and are as sturdy as oak trees. In early days she used to walk to Cale- donia village, carrying butter and eggs to dispose of. She is still living and now resides with her son Nicholas R. on his farm in this township. A Catho- lic in religion, as were all his family, Richard Klug helped to support St. Peter's church in Caledonia, and also served for some time as a member of the school board of his district. He was a worthy citizen who did his part in helping to advance the interests of the community in which he had made his home. There were eight children in the family, five of whom are now living.

Nicholas R. Klug, who is prosperously engaged in farming and stock raising in Caledonia township, was born in Houston county, on a farm five miles west of Caledonia village, Jan. 24, 1877, son of Richard and Mary (Klos) Klug. His parents later moved to a farm three and a half miles west of the village, and on these two farms he was reared to man- hood, being occupied with agricultural work until reaching the age of sixteen or seventeen. He then worked for two years at the carpenter's trade. Since then he has been engaged chiefly in agriculture in its various branches of crop raising, dairying and stock raising. In 1904 he came to his present farm, which then contained forty acres, but which he has increased to an area of 120 acres. Here he is raising graded and registered Holstein cattle and other good stock. He has built a new barn and outbuildings, using for a residence the house which stood on the place when he took possession of it. He was one of the founders of the local creamery, serving on the building committee, and has since been a shareholder in it. He also holds shares in the stock and grain company. A member of the Catholic church, he served on the building committee of the school.

Theodore Schmitt, for many years an enterprising and successful farmer of Caledonia township, now living in Caledonia village, was born in Dubuque, Iowa. April 10, 1852. He was only an infant when his parents came with their family to Houston county. Those were pioneer days and they had privations to endure, but game was plentiful, and it was but a short time after their arrival here when the father, in going after the cows on Badger Creek, found a deer which had fallen into a hole and was unable to get out. The next day he yoked up his cattle and, taking his rifle and a stout rope, went to the spot. There he shot the deer, hauled it out of the hole, which was twenty-five feet deep, with the rope and carried it home. Young Theodore, who now remembers but few of those early events, as he grew up attended school in Badger Valley and assisted his parents, upon him, as he was the eldest child, falling the larger share of responsibility. At the age of thirty years he started in for himself, locating on a farm of 120 acres, forty acres of which were then mostly wild land, and there were neither buildings, fences nor shade trees. His early operations were con- ducted in a primitive manner but were none the less effective. He grubbed the land and cultivated it with the aid of oxen, built the frame house which is still standing, and planted Norway spruce and other trees in his yard as

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a wind shield and for shade purposes. He also erected good barns and other outbuildings, until he had a well developed farm with modern equip- ment. He kept a good grade of stock, and became a shareholder in the creamery and the Farmers' elevator. As one of the substantial citizens of his township, Mr. Schmitt was called upon to take part in the affairs of local government and has held office as town treasurer and assessor, also as a member of the school board. He and his family are members of St. Peter's Catholic church. Mr. Schmitt married Louisa Wagner, who was born near New Hampton, in Chickasaw county, Iowa, daughter of Nicholas Wagner, now deceased, whose last days were spent at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Schmitt. The latter have had nine children, one of whom, Eliza- beth, is now deceased. Those living are: Mary and Louisa, teachers in the parochial school; Barbara, wife of John King, of Caledonia; Anna, wife of Frank Clark of Galesburg, Ill .; Adela, Bernice, Edward and Paul. In the spring of 1919 Mr. Schmitt sold his farm which he had built up by so many years of hard work, and this fall has moved to the village of Caledonia, where he will make his future home.

John P. Ellenz, a prosperous farmer and stock raiser of Caledonia township, was born April 19, 1888, in this township, on the farm of his father, Phillip Ellenz. On account of poor health when a boy, he attended school only six months, but later, through his own exertions, picked up an average amount of knowledge. Residing with his parents and accompanying them when they moved to Caledonia some twelve or thirteen years ago. After that he worked out on farms for seven years, at the end of which time he bought the home farm which he has since operated. He has built a basement barn, 32 by 68 feet, and also a machine shed, and is successfully raising Hereford cattle, Black Poland China hogs of the large breed, a good grade of horses, and Buff Orpington poultry. He served as president of the telephone company, and is a man who takes an interest in enterprises having for their object the benefit of the community in which he lives. Mr. Ellenz married Catherine Davy, who was born in Houston, a daughter of John Davy. He and his wife are members of St. John's Catholic church.

Patrick Dunn, who was for a number of years proprietor of a farm of 160 acres in Caledonia township, was born in Kentucky about 1860, son of Michael and Mary (Ryan) Dunn. He accompanied his parents to Browns- ville, Houston county, Minn., and later to their farm in Caledonia township, which he helped his father to develop, and of which he finally became the proprietor. It contains 160 acres, which he farmed successfully until his death in 1905, at the age of about forty-five years. Identified with the county from his early years, having been educated in its district schools, he always took a warm interest in its progress and development, being ever ready to perform the duties of a good citizen. He was a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator, and provided well for his family. Like his father, he was a member of the Catholic church. Mr. Dunn was married March 1, 1880, to Margaret McKenna, who was born in Union township, Houston county. daughter of Timothy and Mary (Murphy) Dunn. Of this union seven children were born: Mary, wife of James Driscoll; Michael and Frank, residing on the home farm; Anna, who is a nurse; Patrick, who is

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a dentist now in the United States service, with the rank of first lieutenant ; Stella, who is a normal school student; and Paul, who is attending parochial school.

Michael Dunn, a former resident of Caledonia township, was born in Tipperary county, Ireland, and married Mary Ryan, a native of the same county. Emigrating to the United States, they settled first in Kentucky, whence at an early date they removed to Houston county, Minn., locating near Brownsville. Subsequently they took a tract of prairie land in Cale- donia township, where they engaged in farming, Mr. Dunn, with the help of his son Patrick, erecting a house and barns. There he and his wife sub- sequently died. They were members of the Catholic church, and for some time he served as an officer on the school board of his district.

Timothy McKenna, a pioneer of Union township, resided in that town- ship for a number of years, developing a farm from wild land with the help of his oxen. He later moved to Caledonia township, where he spent the rest of his life, and was a well known and respected citizen. He was a member of the Catholic church, and served on the school board of his district. He married Mary Murphy, a native of the same county in Ireland as himself.

Patrick Driscoll, who was for many years a well known farmer and esteemed citizen of Caledonia township, was born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1848, son of Patrick Driscoll. Coming to America when young, he grew to manhood in Houston county, and was married in Caledonia, Oct. 10, 1882, to Catherine O'Leary, who was born in this township, Dec. 15, 1859, daughter of Michael and Margaret (Murry) O'Leary. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Driscoll located on a rented farm two miles east of the present homestead, and on the township line. From there they moved to a farm of eighty acres, which they purchased in section 1, on which they erected buildings. In 1916 they moved to the present homestead in section 1, but had been here only a few days when Mr. Driscoll died, on Oct. 21, 1916. He had been an active, industrious man, and had attained a fair measure of success, being a shareholder in the creamery and in the Caledonia Grain & Stock Company. He and his wife were the parents of nine children. Michael, now a resident of Gt. Falls, Mont .; William, on the home place; Edward, who served in the United States army in France; John, residing in Montana; Annabel, who is at home; Catherine, a nurse; Robert, whu attended school at La Crosse is now a telegraph operator at Fargo, N. D .; and Archer, of Caledonia. The family are members of St. John's Catholic: church.

Patrick Driscoll, an early settler of Caledonia township, now deceased was a native of Ireland, and in early manhood was a sailor in the coastwise trade. He was married in his native land to Anastasia Collins and con. tinued to reside there for some years after his marriage. In 1847 he came to the United States alone, leaving behind his wife and five children. It was on August 15 that he took passage and it was not until Christmas that he arrived at New Orleans, to which place the vessel was bound. In the spring of 1848 he went to Louisville, Ky., where he worked at whatever he! could find to do, chiefly at railroad and public construction work. Still seeking to better his condition, he edged farther north, reaching Cincinnati.

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where he was joined in 1851 by his wife and three children, a daughter. Julia, having died in Ireland, and one of the sons, John, coming with his uncle, Florence Driscoll. Those who came with Mrs. Driscoll were Florence (a son), Patrick and Mary. The sailing vessel in which they took passage had made a quick voyage of little over three weeks. After being joined by his family Patrick Driscoll removed with them to Kentucky, where a son, Michael, was born. Thence they removed to Missouri, and later to Dubuque, Iowa, where they lived for six years, or until 1860. In June of that year he set out with his family in a covered wagon, drawn by oxen, for Houston county, Minn., arriving in Sheldon township after a five days' trip. Here he bought 120 acres of land in section 14, and forty acres in section 22, and built a log house 18 by 24 feet in size, also a log stable, the family making their own furniture. There they resided for six years, grubbing the land and carrying eggs to market. At the end of that time Mr. Driscoll sold a part of the land and bought half a section in sections 1 and 2, and the family made another removal, their new house, a frame building, being located on the town line. This proved to be the last earthly home of Patrick Driscoll, as, after building up the place, he died there in July, 1879, at the age of sixty-five years. He was followed by his wife, who passed away in 1890. They were worthy industrious people, and faithful members of the Catholic church.

John Driscoll, now deceased for many years, a prosperous farmer and stock raiser, residing in section 1, Caledonia township, was born in County Cork, Ireland, Jan. 10, 1839, son of Patrick and Anastasia (Collins) Dris- coll. He came to America in 1851, with his uncle, Florence Driscoll, his mother, with several other children, coming in the same year and joining the father, who had preceded them in 1847, at Cincinnati. After their reunion they moved to Kentucky, where they spent a year, and then went to Missouri, where the uncle, Florence, died. After that the subject of this sketch accompanied his parents and the other members of the family to Dubuque, Iowa, where they resided for six years, moving at the end of that time in a covered wagon drawn by oxen, to Sheldon township, Houston county, Minn., and taking land in sections 14 and 22. From there they re- moved six years later to section 1, where they built up a farm on which the parents subsequently died, as elsewhere narrated. During there several removals John proved of active assistance to his father and helped to im- prove both homesteads. He resided at home until 1872, when, on October 29, he was united in marriage, at St. John's church in Caledonia, to Bridget Cahill, who was born in Cork, Ireland, Feb. 1, 1844, daughter of James and Margaret (Borry) Cahill. He and his wife then located on their present farm in section 1, Caledonia township, taking up their residence in a frame house which stood on the place. There was also a log barn and straw shed. By hard work they much improved the place, erected a fine farm house, with other good buildings, acquired in all 320 acres of land and did a profitable business, keeping a good grade of Durham cattle, and Mr. Driscoll being a stockholder in the local creamery and co-operative elevator. Mr. Driscoll died June 26, 1918, and his death was sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends. He and his wife were the parents of

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five children : Florence, Anastasia, Michael J,. James C. and Margaret. The parents of. Mrs. Driscoll, James and Margaret Cahill, never came to this country, dying in Ireland, their native land. They had seven children, however, all of whom came here, namely: Anna, Bridget, Honora, Ellen, May, John and Michael. Bridget, who came with relatives by steamer in May, 1861, resided for ten years in Hartford, Conn., and then came to Houston county, Minn., with a sister.

Guttorm Guttormson, one of the earliest settlers in Sheldon township, now deceased, was born in Hollingdahl, Norway, and came to the United States in 1849, first settling on a farm in Wisconsin. Three years later, in 1852, he arrived in Houston county, Minn., and took land in section 7, Sheldon township. His tract, of course, was wild, and there was a band of 300 Indians camped on it or in the immediate vicinity. Under such condi- tions he began the life of a pioneer farmer and in course of time improved his land and made of it a cultivated farm. With the advent of white settlers the community grew and Mr. Guttormson, as one of the first settlers, became a man of some importance, taking an active part in church and school work. He attained an advanced age, dying April 9, 1904. He was married in Houston county to Belle A. Lee, who died in 1913. They were the parents of six children, of whom their son Ole is now proprietor of the homestead. Mr. Guttormson had been twice married previous to his union with Miss Lee and by his second marriage had other children.

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History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 29

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

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