USA > Minnesota > Houston County > History of Houston County, Minnesota > Part 33
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church and school work. His widow now lives with her son on the old home farm in Sheldon township.
Arne Lybeck, who at an early date established the farm in section 28, Sheldon township, that is now operated by his son Andrew A., was born in Valdaras, Norway. He was eighteen years of age when he came to the United States, but it was not until a somewhat later period that he arrived in Houston county, Minn. Here he married Anna Shepar and they settled on the farm above referred to, which he continued to cultivate and improve for a number of years, or until it passed under the management of his son. He died here in June, 1908, his wife having passed away in the previous year. They had two children: Carrie and Andrew A.
Andrew A. Lybeck, proprietor of a farm and sawmill in Sheldon township, where he is conducting a prosperous business in both lines of activity, was born on the farm above mentioned on Nov. 7, 1876, son of Arne and Anna (Shepar) Lybeck. His education was acquired in district school No. 98, Sheldon township, and his agricultural training on the home farm, of which he became proprietor at the time of his marriage. In 1905 he started the sawmill which he is now operating, and which has a capacity of 2,000 feet per day of hardwood lumber. His farm, which has an area of 123 acres, is well improved, and he raises on it both stock and grain with profitable results. He is a member of the Houston Shipping Association and is one of the enterprising and substantial citizens of Sheldon township. In politics he is independent, and religiously he is a member of the Nor- wegian Lutheran hcurch. Mr. Lybeck was married Nov. 7, 1901, to Inga Johnson, who was born in Sheldon township, this county, daughter of Henry and Johanna Johnson. Her parents, natives of Norway, were early settlers in Houston county, Mr. Johnson being a farmer. He died in 1910 and his widow is now living in Houston. Mr. and Mrs. Lybeck are the parents of six children, all residing at home, namely: Amanda, Josephine, Anton, Helen, Evelyn and Addel.
Nels Christianson, an early settler in Sheldon township, long since deceased, was a native of Telemarken, Norway, and was there married to Ingeborg Johnson. Coming to the United States in 1861, they located on land in section 22, Sheldon township, which now constitutes the farm of their son, John Nelson. It was then all wild land, but Mr. Christianson made improvements on it, and also worked other lands for a few years. His life, however, was not sufficiently prolonged to enable him to develop a good farm, as in 1869 he died, his death being followed by that of his wife two years later. They had a family of six children.
John Nelson, proprietor of an excellent farm of 240 acres in section 22, Sheldon township, was born in Telemarken, Norway, Dec. 23, 1839, son of Nels Christianson and his wife, Ingeborg Johnson. He was his parents' second child, and was twenty-two years old when, in 1861, he accompanied them to Houston county, Minn., and took up his residence on the land which constitutes his present farm. Until his father's death in 1869 he was his assistant, and after that event the management of the homestead came into his hands. He has put on all the improvements, in- cluding the buildings and fences, and the place is thoroughly modern in
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every respect. He has for many years carried on general farming suc- cessfully, though is now practically retired. He is a member of the Houston Shipping Association. In politics a Republican, Mr. Nelson formerly rend- ered service on the school board. His religious affiliations are with the Norwegian Lutheran church. More than forty years ago Mr. Nelson as- sumed the responsibilities of domestic life when, on Oct. 1, 1877, he was united in marriage with Aase Stromme, who was born in Telemarken, Norway, one of the twelve children of Aanund Stromme and his wife, whose maiden name was Torgier Oldsatter. The Stromme family came to this country about 1869, locating in this county and vicinity. After retiring from agricultural work Mr. and Mrs. Stromme took up their residence with their son-in-law, John Nelson. He is now deceased but she is still residing there and has now attained the venerable age of ninety-six years. Only three of her twelve children are living. To Mr. and Mrs. John Nelson eleven children have been born: Nels, a farmer in this vicinity who married Emma Sanden; Andrew J., who married Josie Sanden and resides at Wild Rose, N. D .; Christian, a farmer at Daneville, Mont .; Oscar, a farmer of Ogilvie, Minn., who married Lizzie Skree; Emma, wife of George Foss, a farmer of Yucatan township, Houston county ; Louis, who lives on the home farm; John, who is now in the United States military service; Obert, who is also a soldier ; and Mentor, Thea and Katherine, who are residing at home.
Carl Kruckow, who was engaged for a quarter of a century in improv- ing a farm in Mayville township, but who is now deceased, was born in Germany, where he grew to manhood and married Augusta Poehlen. In 1883 he came alone to Houston county, Minn., being joined by his wife and children in the following year. Settling on a farm in Mayville township, three miles east of Caledonia, he bought the property and was engaged in farming there until his death on Feb. 8, 1918. His wife, who survived him, is still residing on the homestead. They were the parents of seven children.
Carl A. Kruckow, a well to do farmer of Sheldon township residing on a farm of 120 acres in section 14, was born in Germany, Oct. 4, 1884, son of Carl and Augusta (Poehlen) Kruckow. One of a family of seven children, the fifth in order of birth, he was reared on the home farm in Mayville township, acquiring his education in the district school, and remained at home until his marriage in 1916. He then settled on his present farm of 120 acres, where he is successfully carrying on general farming, raising grain and stock for which in these days of increased demand he finds a ready market. He is a member of the Lutheran church and politically is an adherent of the Republican party. On April 26, 1916, Mr. Kruckow was united in marriage with Helena Runingen, daughter of Ole O. and Julia (Johnson) Runingen, her father being a well known farmer and extensive land owner in Houston township. Mr. and Mrs. Kruckow have one child, Laurine, who was born March 1, 1918.
Antone Olson, who for many years was a well known farmer of Jef- ferson township, was a native of Norway and first came to the United States in 1869. After a short residence here he returned to Norway for his family, bringing them over in 1873 and settling on a farm in Jefferson township, where he remained until 1908. He and his wife then removed to South
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CARL A. KRUKOW AND FAMILY
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Dakota, where he died. Mrs. Olson, whose maiden name was Regena Olson, now resides with her son, Christ A., in Sheldon township.
Christ A. Olson, a prosperous farmer of section 21, Sheldon township, was born in Norway, Nov. 7, 1859, son of Antone and Regina (Olson) Olson. Brought to this country by his parents in 1873, he attended school in Jefferson township, and as he grew up assisted his father to develop the home farm, being thus occupied until his marriage. He then rented the home farm for a few years, subsequently buying it and continuing to operate it for about ten years, when he removed to Looney Valley. There he re- mained eight years engaged in agriculture, after which he went to North Dakota for a season. Returning to Houston county he resided during the winter on a rented farm, and then bought his present farm of 160. acres in section 21. His land is valuable and well improved and he is doing a suc- cessful business as a general and stock farmer. In politics he is a Repub- lican, while his religious affiliations are with the Free Church in Houston. Mr. Olson was married March 21, 1896, to Carrie Louisa Libick, daughter of Audney and Anna Libick, who were natives of Telemarken, Norway. and early settlers in Sheldon township, this county. Both parents are now deceased. Their daughter, Carrie Louisa, was born in this township. Mr. and Mrs. Olson have nine children: Amanda, Elizabeth, Christina, Antone, Catherine, Adolph, Georgina, Louise and Andena, all residing at home. Mrs. Christ Olson died Nov. 24, 1915.
Louis Poppe, who is now living retired on a farm four miles south of Caledonia, after a number of years spent in agricultural activity, was born near the city of Hanover, Germany, where he married Lena Niemier, a native of the same locality. In 1884 they emigrated to the United States, locating first at Elmhurst, Ill., where Mr. Poppe worked at the carpenter's trade for about a year, after which he spent the same length of time in farming there. Then coming to Houston county, Minn., he settled on a farm in the southeastern part of the county, near New Albin, Iowa. In that location he remained for a year and then moved to another farm in this county, subsequently retiring to his present location, on a farm operated by his son, William. His wife is also residing there. They have been the parents of six children.
Henry F. Poppe, who in company with his brother, Louis, is engaged in operating a farm of 200 acres in section 33, Sheldon township, was born near Hanover, Germany, Dec. 27, 1883, son of Louis and Lena (Niemier) Poppe. He was the eldest of his parents' six children and was a young babe when he came with the family to this country. As he grew older he attended district school in Houston county and resided with his parents for most of the time until his marriage, at intervals, however, working at the carpenter's trade, at which he continued also after his marriage until the spring of 1917, when he bought his present farm with his brother as a partner. Here he is carrying on general farming, for which his place is well equipped, the land being rich and fertile, the buildings good, and his machinery and implements up to date. He is doing a successful business and ranks among the substantial citizens of his township. He is a member of the Lutheran church at Caledonia, and in politics is independent. Mr.
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Poppe was married in December, 1912, to Lydia Wiebke, who was born in Houston county, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Wiebke, her mother's family name being Kruase. Her parents, natives of Germany, were early settlers in Houston county, but are both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Poppe have three children: Harold, Norma and Vincent.
Halvor Peterson, one of the pioneer settlers of Sheldon township, now deceased, was born in Telemarken, Norway, and came to the United States when a young man. For a few years he resided near Madison, Wis., and then removing to Houston county, Minn., located in Sheldon township, taking land in Badger Valley. From there he subsequently removed to a farm on Hauge Ridge, which was his final earthly home, as his death took place there in 1895. In his native land he had received military training, and after settling in Houston county, besides conducting agricultural opera- tions successfully, he was active in church and school work. His wife survived him but a short time, dying in 1896. They were the parents of ten children.
Theodore H. Peterson, who is operating the old homestead farm of his parents, containing 200 acres in section 33, Sheldon township, was born on this farm, Jan. 7, 1876, son of Halvor and Julia (Quolin) Peterson. His education was acquired in district school No. 8, this township, while he learned agriculture on the home farm, assisting his father until the latter's death. For one season after he worked out, continuing to reside at home. Then he rented out the farm and worked for others for some eight or nine years, during which time, however, he proved a claim in Ward county, N. D. After selling his interest there he returned to Houston county and for four years continued to rent out his land. At the end of that time he took up his residence on the old homestead, where, except for one year, he has since remained, engaged in general farming. His land is fertile and the farm is well improved as to buildings. Mr. Peterson is also a stockholder in the Hauge Ridge Telephone Company, and served for one year as its president. In politics he is a Prohibitionist, but though leading a Christian life is not a member of any church.
Theodore Anderson, who was for a number of years an industrious farmer and highly respected citizen of Sheldon township, but is now de- ceased, was born at Lime Grove, Neb., Aug. 11, 1873, son of Swan and Julia (Thompson) Anderson. His parents, natives of Norway, were early settlers in Sheldon township, Houston county, Minn., but after residing here a while moved to Nebraska. Later they changed their residence to Forestville, Wis., where the father died, the mother being still a resident there. Theodore Anderson, who was the third born in a family of eleven children, attended district school in Nebraska and resided with his parents until attaining his majority. At times he worked out for others, both in Houston county, Minn., and in Nebraska, but at last purchased land in the latter State, which he farmed for four years. Then coming to Sheldon township, Houston county, he operated a rented farm for four years, at the end of that time purchasing the farm of 160 acres in section 18, on which he spent the rest of his life, and where his family now reside. Here his death took place on Feb. 18, 1918, and was an event deeply regretted in
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the community, where he had made many friends. He had been a kind husband and father, a good neighbor, and a reliable citizen. In politics he was a Republican, while his religious affiliations were with the Lutheran church. Mr. Anderson was united in marriage in June, 1904, to Bessie Halverson, who was born in Sheldon township, daughter of Halvor Thorson and his wife, Tilda Olsdater, her parents, natives of Norway, being early settlers in this part of Houston county. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson became the parents of seven children: Herbert Samuel, who died when about four years old ; Tobert Gladwin, now on the home farm; Bernie Oliver, who died at the age of fourteen months; Ruby Belinda, Judith Alvena, Sherman Oliver and Theodore Walter, the last four mentioned of whom are residing at home.
Charles Anderson, who is now living retired in Houston, was an early settler in Houston township, and was for a number of years actively en- gaged in the work of agricultural improvement as a general farmer. He was born in Sweden in 1844 and was a young and single man when he came from his native land to Houston county, Minn., taking up his residence with a brother who lived on Swede Bottom in Houston township. After residing with that brother for a number of years, during which time he was engaged in agricultural work, he became employed in the elevator at Houston, but spent only a short time in that occupation, soon taking a farm-that where W. R. Anderson now lives-which he operated for a few years. Then on account of an accident, he sold the place and bought the farm in section 8, where his son Amil C. now resides, and which he operated until the fall of 1914, when he retired. Mr. Anderson was married in Houston county to Anna Johnson, who, like himself, was born in Sweden, the date of her birth being Jan. 19, 1844. They have reared a family of six children.
Amil C. Anderson, a prominent representative of the agricultural and stock raising interests of Sheldon township, residing in section 8, was born on the farm where he now lives, March 5, 1888, son of Charles and Anna (Johnson) Anderson. He was the youngest of his parents' six children, and his education was both literary and technical, as, after graduating from the district school he attended the agricultural college at St. Paul for a half term. At the age of eighteen years he took over the management of the home farm, and except for one year, has resided on it ever since, the exceptional period covering a residence in Houston. The farm has an area of 260 acres and is provided with adequate buildings and good equip- ment. Mr. Anderson carries on general farming, giving special attention to breeding Duroc-Jersey swine and other good stock, which he has found a profitable branch of his business. He owes no political allegiance to either of the two great parties, casting his vote according to his judgment for the fittest candidate.
Mr. Anderson was married Jan. 1, 1916, to Frances Abrahamson, daughter of Frank O. and Sarah F. (Johnson) Abrahamson, well known and respected farming people of Houston township, residing in section 4 south. Mrs. Anderson is an active factor in church and charitable work, being a member of the Swedish Baptist Ladies' Aid Society.
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Anton William Krage, well known as an enterprising farmer and stock raiser in Sheldon township, was born in Wiscoy township, Winona county, son of William C. and Wilhelmina (Marquardt) Krage. The father, born in Mecklenburg-Schwerein, Germany, May 11, 1848, died in 1901. The mother, who was two years younger than her husband, died Nov. 10, 1912. Anton W., who was the sixth born of their seven children, in his boyhood attended district school in Winona county. He resided at home until eighteen years of age and then worked out for six or seven years. At the end of that time he married and for the next three years rented his father- in-law's farm. He then purchased his present farm of 160 acres in Sheldon township, where he is breeding Shorthorn cattle, Poland-China swine, Shropshire sheep, and White Leghorn chickens, with profitable results, besides raising the usual crop. Mr. Krage has for many years been an earnest advocate of the breeding of fine animals. He is particularly fitted by nature for the care and attention of animals, and is a thorough student of his chosen line of work, as well as a thorough believer in its constantly increasing possibilities. His Shorthorn cattle are all of high grade regis- tered stock bred from a pure blooded sire. His Poland-China swine are all pure bred from registered sires and dams. It is in sheep, however, that Mr. Krage takes his deepest interest, and to this branch of the farming industry he plans to devote more and more of his attention, believing that sheep are one of the most profitable branches of the stock-raising business for this region. His sires and dams are all pure bred registered stock, and his excellent flock justifies the faith that he has placed in it. Outside of his farm interests, Mr. Krage is a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator at Houston. In politics he is independent voting for the man and the issue rather than for the party. His religious affiliations are with the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Krage was married March 31, 1910, to Pearl E. Todd, who was born in Winona county, Minn., daughter of Philip C. and Ellen (Robinson) Todd. Her father was born in New York State and her mother in Maine. They were early settlers in Wiscoy township, Winona county, Minn., where they farmed for many years, but are now living retired in Money Creek Village, Houston county.
Thor Amundson, in former days a well known farmer in Sheldon town- ship, was born in Telemarken, Norway, where he married Carrie Anderson, also a native of that part of Norway. In 1861 they left their native land for America, and settled on a tract of land in Sheldon township, this county, where he and his wife spent the rest of their days, Mr. Amundson dying in 1896 and his wife in 1892. They were the parents of six children: Bertha, Osmond, Helen, Andrew, Ole and Gertie. Osmond and Bertha are now residing on the homestead; Helen is the wife of Emil Johnson and resides in North Dakota; Andrew lives near Duluth; Ole in Luna Valley, this county; Gertie is the wife of Adolph Alexon, a merchant of Spokane, Wash.
Osmund Amundson, who is engaged in farming on the old Amundson homestead in section 9, Sheldon township, was born in this township, Aug. 17, 1864, son of Thor and Carrie (Anderson) Amundson. He was brought up on the home farm and assisted his father until arriving at the age of
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MR. AND MRS. ANTON W. KRAGE
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fifteen years, when he began working out for others. This he continued to do for some years, working on the home farm at intervals. In 1896 he took it over and has since operated it. He has forty acres in one piece, with twenty acres farther south, ten acres adjoining on the north and twenty acres joining on the west, the last three tracts having been added to the original farm. He is carrying on general farming successfully, and is a stockholder in the creamery and telephone companies, and a member of the shipping association. His sister Bertha, who works in La Crosse, resides with him. Mr. Amundson is a Republican in politics and a member of the Lutheran church.
Whatley Burfield, a former resident of Sheldon township, where for a long series of years until his death he was a well known and respected citizen, was a native of Pennsylvania. When a young man he learned the carpenter's trade, but, coming at an early date to Houston county, Minn., he soon found it more profitable to engage in farming, and accordingly took land in Sheldon township, which he improved and cultivated for many years. During the Civil War he served in a Minnesota regiment. His death occurred in May, 1907. Mr. Burfield married Isabelle Lee, a native of Norway, and they had a family of nine children. Mrs. Burfield, now seventy-nine years old, has until recently continued to reside on the old homestead, but is now making her home with her daughter in North Dakota.
Frank Edward Burfield, who for a number of years until his death on March 3, 1915, was proprietor of a farm of 120 acres in section 12, Sheldon township, was born on his parents' farm in this township, July 24, 1867, son of Whatley and Isabelle (Lee) Burfield. He was the fourth born in a family of nine children and was educated in the district school in Crystal Valley, this township. Until the age of twenty-three he resided at home, assisting his father. He then bought a farm in Union township, and for two years was engaged in operating it. On his marriage in 1894 he removed to a farm on South Ridge, La Crescent township, where he followed agri- culture for a while, subsequently spending a year in La Crosse. He then took the farm in section 12, Sheldon township, on which he resided until his death, engaged in its improvement and cultivation. It is a farm of 120 acres, well provided with good buildings, and is now being operated by his widow with the aid of her son, Whatley W. Mr. Burfield was a man of sterling qualities, industrious, devoted to his home and family, and an agreeable and accommodating neighbor, and his death was felt as a distinct loss to the community. In politics he was a Republican.
Mr. Burfield was married, Nov. 19, 1894, to Selma Miller, who was born in Sheldon township, Houston county, daughter of John and Minnie (Simke) Miller. Three children were born of this union: Whatley Wash- ington, Feb. 22, 1898; Sidney Sylvester, June 27, 1903; and Paris French, Feb. 2, 1908.
John Miller, father of Mrs. Burfield, was a native of Germany, where he grew to manhood and was married to Minnie Simke. They came to Houston county, Minn., in 1865, locating on a farm on Union Ridge, Cale- donia township, where Mrs. Miller died in 1891. Mr. Miller later retired and
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moved to La Crosse, where his death occurred in 1910. They had eight children, their daughter Selma being one of the younger members of the family. She was educated in Union township, attending district school.
Aaron Benson, who is engaged in operating a good farm of eighty acres in section 28, Houston township, was born in Sheldon township, this county, May 8, 1874, son of C. A. and Anna B. (Benson) Benson. The parents, who were born and married in Sweden, came direct to Sheldon township in 1860, the father being first employed in railroad work, but later settling on land in Sheldon township, where he died in December, 1880. His wife now resides in Houston village. Aaron, who was the fourth born of their seven children, in his boyhood attended district school in Sheidon and Houston townships. When only eight years old he began working out as a herd boy, and later was employed for seven years in the Houston mill. He then took charge of his mother's farm, which he operated until his marriage. After that he farmed for three years on Caledonia Ridge, and then bought his present farm, consisting of eighty acres of good land, with adequate buildings. As a general farmer he has made good progress and each year finds him in a more prosperous condition. In politics he is inde- pendent. Mr. Benson was married March 5, 1914, to Oleva Benson, who was born in Houston township, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John B. Benson.
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