History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 38

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

USA > Minnesota > Houston County > History of Houston County, Minnesota > Part 38

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Hans Hanson, for many years a substantial and respected farmer of this region, was born in Norway and was there reared and married. In 1861 he set out with his family for the New World, and after landing at New York, made his way to La Salle county, Ill., where he worked for a short time. From there he brought his family overland to Fillmore county, this State, where he labored as a farm hand. In 1863 he came to Houston county, and after being employed for a while by others, rented a farm in Mound Prairie township. He was thus successfully engaged for

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many years. Mr. Hanson died in 1891 and his wife in 1886, their latter years having been spent with their son, Henry, in Houston township. They were the parents of eight children, Ole, Hans, Anna, Helen, Julia, Henry, Halvor, and an unnamed child who died in infancy.

Henry Hanson is well known throughout the northern part of Houston county as a successful man of affairs. As a general farmer and stock- breeder he has won considerable success, as the owner of a flourishing mill he has contributed to the prosperity of his neighborhood, and as a promi- nent citizen he has done his share in town, school and church affairs, as well as in several farmers' organizations which have their center in Houston village. He was born in Tin, Norway, April 24, 1851, son of Hans and Margaret Hanson, who in 1861 brought him to La Salle county, Ill., then to Fillmore county, this State, and then in 1863 to Houston county. After arriving here as a youth of twelve years he attended school in Money Creek township for a while, but in his spare time worked hard at farm work both for his parents and for others, and before long was forced to give up his schooling entirely. While working as a farm hand he carefully saved his money, and in 1873 was enabled to start his career on his own responsibility by purchasing 260 acres in Houston township, a wild tract of land which now constitutes a part of his well tilled farm of 608 acres. To the development of this farm Mr. Hanson has since devoted his atten- tion. From time to time, as expediency has demanded and circumstances permitted, he has erected suitable farm buildings, the handsome residence which now adorns the place having been erected in 1913. The farm is valuable and is known as one of the best in the neighborhood. In addition to his other interests, Mr. Hanson owns a mill with a twenty-horsepower engine. The principal output of this mill is hardwood lumber for building purposes, though considerable grist is also ground as an accommodation to the people of the neighborhood in Houston and Winona counties. The Houston Creamery Co., the Home Telephone Co. and the Houston State Bank, all number him among their stockholders, and listen gladly to his advice. One of the school board, which he has faithfully served for four- teen years, his services have been of much value and have resulted in the district's making considerable progress along educational lines. All in all he is a useful citizen and is taking his part in every good move. Mr. Hanson married Gunda Olson, born in Wisconsin, Sept. 19, 1863, daughter of Peter and Johanna Olson, and this union has been blessed with ten children, all of whom are living: Hannah lives at home; Julia is the wife of Ludwig Sather of Winona county, Minn .; Emma is the wife of Arthur Anderson a farmer of Houston county ; Edward assists his father; Helen is the wife of Nels Johnson of Houston; Palma is the wife of James Hesselgrave of Dakota, Minn .; Alma is now Mrs. Andrew C. Johnson of Byron, Minn .; and Ella, Elvin and Arthur are at home. Peter Olson, a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Norway, married in Onalaska, La Crosse county, Wis. After coming to this country he lived for a while in Wisconsin and then settled on a farm near Hokah in this county. After his death, his widow came to live with Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hanson, where she still makes her home.

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Thor O. Runingen, one of the prosperous farmers of Houston town- ship, was born in Telemarken, Norway, the original home of many of the successful men of this region, on Jan. 20, 1860, son of Ole and Ingeborg Runingen. His parents were natives of the same district of Norway, the father born in 1830 and the mother in 1823. Coming to America with their family in 1865 they located in Crystal Valley, this county, but a year later homesteaded a farm in Houston township on which the father died in 1877 and the mother in 1899. Of their two children, Thor O. was the younger. In his boyhood he attended the school of his district and, after making himself useful on the home farm until the age of fifteen years, began working out, being thus occupied for seven or eight years. He then bought his present farm of eighty acres in section 1 south, Houston town- ship, which he is conducting on a profitable basis, carrying on general farming. His place is well improved and he also owns a half interest in

the old home farm. His nephew, Julius Runingen, resides with him and exercises supervision over the farm. Mr. Runingen is a member of the M. W. A. camp at Houston, also of the Lutheran church known locally as the "Stone church." In politics he is a Republican and for five years served efficiently on the board of education. He is a man who has earned the respect of his neighbors for his enterprising spirit and his good qualities as a citizen.

Aslak Olson, an early settler in Houston township who added to the agricultural wealth of the county by developing a good farm, was born in Telemarken, Norway, Sept. 7, 1840, son of Ole and Guro (Thorson) Olson, who were natives of the same district. When he was a year old his father died, and at the age of ten death deprived him of his mother, and he with the four other children in the family came under the care of relatives. As they were not wealthy, his schooling was somewhat limited and he began to contribute to his own support soon after his mother's death, working wherever he could find employment. He continued as a wage earner in his native land until 1869, when realizing that his chances for self- advancement in Norway were small, he followed the example of so many of his countrymen by seeking his fortune in the United States. Selecting Houston county, Minn., as the scene of his future exertions, he located in Crystal Valley, Houston township, but it was several years before he acquired land, and for about two years he was engaged in railroad work in the West. This enabled him to earn and lay by a little money, and in 1872 he bought land in section 36, Houston township, and began his career as an independent farmer. He cultivated 160 acres of land and was one of the first stockholders of the co-operative creamery company, becoming a prosperous and respected citizen of his township. In religion he was a Lutheran and took an active part in the work of his church. Politically he gave his allegiance to the Republican party. Mr. Olson was married July 14, 1872, to Anne Thorson, who was born on a farm on Koshkonong Prairie, Dane county, Wis., daughter of John Thorson Lee and his wife Gro, whose family name was Ononsdater. Of their marriage ten children were born, namely: Julia, wife of Edward Anderson of Houston; Gena, wife of William Peterson, a farmer residing in Looney Valley, and who has

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eight children; Theodore, a farmer in Union township, who married Gena Jorgenson and has seven children; John, who resides on the home farm with his mother; Marie, wife of Ole Peterson, a farmer at Bullock, S. D .; Amanda, who is a first grade teacher in Houston township, now in her sixteenth term; Emiel, a farmer of Mound Prairie township, who married Sophia Jorgenson and has one child; Leander, who died in 1915 at the age of twenty-four years; Nina and Clarence, who are residing at home. Mr. Olson died Aug. 27, 1915.

John Thorson Lee, one of the pioneer settlers in Crystal Valley, Hous- ton township, now deceased, was born in Norway, where he grew to manhood and married Gro Ononsdater. Emigrating to the United States in 1848, they settled first in Dane county, Wis., whence in 1851 they came to Houston county, locating on a tract of wild land in Crystal Valley. There they founded a homestead, their first shelter being a wagon box in which they took up their quarters until Mr. Lee had time to erect a log house. The first crop they raised consisted of flint corn and a few potatoes, and subsequently operations were conducted for a number of years with the aid of an ox team. Mr. Lee attained the great age of ninety-six years, dying in 1904. His wife passed away many years previously, in 1874. They were the parents of six children, of whom their daughter Anne, who married Aslak Olson, was the fifth in order of birth.

Knute O. Senness, a considerable land owner in Yucatan township, who is also connected with the Houston post office as rural route carrier on Route No. 3, was born in Telemarken, Norway, Nov. 12, 1856, son of Ole K. and Susie (Trontvet) Senness. The parents, also natives of Telemarken, emigrated to the United States with their family in 1860, and coming west to Houston county, Minn., located in Sheldon township. In 1862 they moved to Yucatan township, where they engaged in farming. The mother died a few years after arriving in this county, the father surviving her until 1894. Knute O. was the eldest in a family of seven children, of whom there is but one other now living. He attended school in Yucatan township and resided at home until attaining his majority. After that for three years he worked farms on shares. He then went to North Dakota, where he spent eighteen months, at the end of that time returning to Houston county and buying a farm in Yucatan township, which he operated until 1903. In that year he became rural mail carrier, which position he has since held, being now the oldest in point of service connected with the Houston office. In the same year that he began his postal service Mr. Senness rented land and began farming. Subsequently he made land purchases and now is the individual owner of 246 acres, besides being a partner with his son-in- law of 377 acres, all in Yucatan township. His son-in-law operates a part of the land, the balance being rented out. In addition to this property Mr. Senness owns his home and three lots in Houston village. In politics a Republican, he served as school treasurer in Yueatan township, also as supervisor and chairman of the town board. He is a member of the Luth- eran church. In December, 1878, Mr. Senness was united in marriage with Ragneheld Bugten, who was born in Telemarken, Norway, the second of the four children of Tarbean and Tarbjar (Midgard) Bugten, who were natives

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MR. AND MRS. KNUTE O. SENNESS

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of the same part of Norway. Her parents with their family emigrated to Fillmore county, Minn., in 1860, crossing the line into Houston county in the following year. The father was drafted for military service in the Civil War and died in a war hospital in 1863. The mother reared her family and continued on the farm until 1903, when she came to Houston and took up her residence with her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Senness, at whose home she died Jan. 18, 1917. The latter are the parents of one child, Sophia, who married Severin Erickson, a farmer in section 22, Yucatan township, and who has two children, Melvin K. and Reuben E.

Targe Targerson, who at an early day established a farm in section 10, Houston township, but is now retired and residing in the village of Houston, was born in Norway and came to this country with his parents when thirteen years old. He was reared to manhood in Houston township and county, and developed the farm above mentioned, on which he resided until his retirement in 1909. He married Carrie Thompson, also a native of Norway, and they have been the parents of a family of eleven children, of whom their son Andrew is now operating the old home farm.

Andrew Targerson, who is engaged in operating a good farm of 160 acres in sections 10 and 15, Houston township, was born in this township, Oct. 16, 1883, son of Targe and Carrie (Thompson) Targerson. He was the fourth born in a family of eleven children, and after learning general farm work on his parents' homestead,. he worked out at intervals until his marriage. He then settled on the home farm, on which he has since continued to reside, having equipped it with modern buildings and made other improvements. He is carrying on general farming successfully, and in these days of increased demand for all agricultural products, finds a ready market and good prices for all he can raise, whether of grain, hay or stock. He is also a shareholder in the Houston Creamery and Telephone Company. He is independent in politics and is a member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Targerson was married December 16, 1908, to Martine Nelson, who was born in Houston township June 24, 1888, daughter of Martin and Thea Nelson, and who was educated in this township. Her parents were both born in Norway, the father coming to Houston county, Minn., when a young man of twenty years, and locating on a farm west of Houston. Later he moved to Glenburn, N. D., where he is still leading an active life. He and his wife had a large family of children, of whom their daughter Martine was the third in order of birth.

Sven T. Halvorson, for many years one of the thriving farmers of Yucatan township, residing in section 12, 'was a man who has won success in spite of a severe physical handicap, and was an example of the value of self help and courageous determination. His memory will long be cher- ished by those who knew his sterling worth. Like many of the successful men throughout this region, he was born in Telemarken, Norway, the date of his birth being Feb. 29, 1854, and his parents Targe and Segrid Andreas Halvorson. It was with his parents that he came to the United States, a boy of seven years, in 1861, when this country was in all the turmoil and excitement of the Civil War, then recently begun. The Halvorson

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family, however, headed directly for Houston county, Minn., far away from the sound of the guns, and into what was then a wilderness, settling on a tract of wild land in Yucatan township. Here young Sven grew up, one of a family of five children, of whom he was the second in order of birth. The family homestead was in the southern part of the township and he attended school for a while in the adjacent township of Black Hammer. His indus- trial training was thorough, and until the age of twenty-one he was his father's assistant in the development of the home farm, the management of which subsequently came into his hands. When his father died he pur- chased the farm and has since remained on it, making improvements and carrying on general farming, in addition to which, during his last few years he engaged in the raising of tobacco. He had ninety-one acres of fertile land and his operations were conducted on a profitable basis. Mr. Halvorson made much progress in life in spite of a severe discouragement which came to him when he was about eighteen years of age. He was caught in a severe blizzard away from home, being out nearly all night, and had both hands so badly frozen that they had to be amputated above the knuckles. It is, therefore, the more to his credit that he achieved success and has held his own with men who suffered no such handicap. For a number of years he served as a member of the school board, in poli- tics being a Republican. He was a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church. He died Dec. 9, 1918, and his loss is sincerely mourned.

C. J. Swenson, who is engaged in the mercantile business in the village of Houston, was born in the province of Halland, Sweden, Nov. 12, 1869, son of S. A. and Olena (Larson) Swenson, and emigrated to America with his parents at the age of twelve. He acquired his preliminary education in the Houston school, after which he took a business course at Red Wing, Minn., later attending the Normal school at Winona. For a while he taught school in Houston county, beginning when eighteen years old and continuing in that occupation until he was twenty-two. He then entered the employ of Cass Gilbert, architect of the new State Capitol, and subsequently that of Griggs, Cooper & Co., wholesale grocers of St. Paul, Minn., as a stenog- rapher. In 1897 he started in the mercantile business in Houston, which by honesty and square dealing he has built up from a small beginning to one of the leading mercantile establishments in the village. Three years ago he admitted two of his clerks into partnership with him, the style of the new firm being the C. J. Swenson Co. They carry a complete stock of goods, suitable to the requirements of their customers, and are doing a thriving business. Mr. Swenson has for many years been a member of the Board of Education of the Houston High School, is a director of the Houston County Agricultural Society, and vice president and a director in the Houston State Bank. During the late war he served the government as secretary of the local war finance committee, had charge of the Liberty Loan drives in his village, and was a member of the County Legal Advisory Board. Mr. Swenson married Minnie Anderson, who was born in this county and educated in the local schools. Her parents, Andrew and Louisa Ander- son, were farmers and among the first settlers of this section of the county experiencing all the hardships and inconveniences of pioneer life. The

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MR. AND MRS. C. J. SWENSON AND DAUGHTER

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father was a soldier in the Civil War. He died in the year 1881, aged forty-five years. The mother lived until the year 1918, attaining to the age of nearly eighty-two. Mr. and Mrs. Swenson have one child, Edla, who was graduated from the Houston High School, and the Northwestern Bible and Missionary Training School at Minneapolis.

S. A. Swenson, who is now living retired in the village of Houston, was born in Halland, Sweden, May 19, 1841. There he grew up and was married to Olena Carlson, a native of the same place and born June 25th the same year. In 1881 they came to the United States, settling in Houston, this county, Mr. Swenson finding work on the railroad. Later he engaged in farming, in which occupation he continued until his retirement. On October 27, 1917, he and his wife celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. In spite of their advanced years both are in the enjoyment of good health. They were parents of six children, Charles J., Carrie, Effie, Ellen, Hannah and Alfred.

John Traff, who is residing on a farm in Houston township, after a long career of agricultural activity, was born in Sweden, May 5, 1837. He grew up in his native land and was there married to Inga Jacobson. In 1871 he came to Houston county, Minn., his wife and family joining him in the following year. After working out for a year or two he settled on a farm in Looney Valley, where he engaged in agriculture on his own ac- count. Subsequently he removed to another farm, and later made another removal, to the farm on which he is now living, and which is now the property of his son, Oscar L. His wife, who was born in Sweden, Feb. 14, 1828, died in February, 1913. They were the parents of a family of five children: Alfred, Charles, Christine, Gideon and Oscar L.

Oscar L. Traff, an enterprising farmer who now owns and operates the old Traff homestead in section 15, Houston township, was born in Sweden, April 20, 1870, son of John and Inga (Jacobson) Traff. He was the youngest of their five children, and was but two years old when he came with his mother to Houston county, Minn., the father having arrived here the year before. He was educated in district schools in this township, and as a boy began to assist his father on the home farm, also occasionally working for other farmers. After reaching the age of nineteen years he worked out for others continuously for a while, then returned home and worked with his father again until he was twenty-two, and afterwards again for others for about two years. He then gave up agriculture for the time and for the next nine years was employed as a stone mason. On his marriage in 1903 he settled on the parental homestead, which he had purchased in the previous year and which he has since operated as a general farmer. It contains 120 acres and he has made extensive improvements which have converted the place into a fine modern farm. He is a member of the Shipping Association. His religious affiliations are with the Nor- wegian Lutheran church, of which he is a member and trustee, and in politics he is a Republican. Mr. Traff was married May 6, 1903, to Elizabeth Germanson, who was born in Money Creek township, daughter of Ole and Anna (Benson) Germanson. The parents, natives of Norway, were mar- ried in Houston county, and began farming at an early date in Money Creek

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township. They are now living retired in Houston. Mr. and Mrs. Traff have three children, Orvin Joseph, Lester Arvid and Agnes Alvera.

Thomas Rowland, who was for a number of years one of the leading business men of Houston, the founder of a successful hardware, furniture and undertaking establishment, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, in March, 1849. In 1872, at the age of twenty-three years, he came to the United States, locating immediately in Houston county, Minn. For a while he was engaged in railroad work, but later, about 1888, entered into the hardware and furniture business, to which he added undertaking, and was proprietor of the establishment above mentioned until his retirement in 1915. He was also at times interested in other enterprises, being always ready to lend a hand in any project for the benefit of the community in which he lived. Among his various activities he assisted in organizing the Houston State Bank, of which he was one of the first directors and later vice-president, and he is still a director in the bank, though at present residing at Long Beach, California. While living in Houston he served for much of the time as a member of the village board. Mr. Rowland married Jennie McConville, who was born at Cedarburg, Wis., Aug. 10, 1852. He and his wife had four children, Emmett, Arthur T., Sylvester and Rose May. Emmett is now deceased. Arthur A. and Sylvester are partners in carrying on the business established by their father. Rose May is the wife of Dr. J. A. Bergan, a practicing physician and surgeon of Long Beach, Calif., and has one child, Rachel May.

Arthur T. Rowland, who in partnership with his brother Sylvester is proprietor of an up-to-date hardware, furniture and undertaking estab- lishment in Houston, was born in this village, March 4, 1880, son of Thomas and Jennie (McGonville) Rowland. After graduating from the Houston schools he attended business college for one year at La Crosse, and then going to Chicago, spent one winter at an embalming school, where he learned the scientific part of the undertaking business. Even when a young lad he had begun to make himself useful in his father's store, and finally, in April, 1915, when his father was ready to retire, he and his brother Sylves- ter took over the business, which they have since conducted along the same general lines, keeping a large and up-to-date stock in each department, and rendering a high grade of personal service. Arthur T. Rowland is also a director in the Security State Bank of Houston. He was married Nov. 25, 1915, to Sarah Blekum, who was born in Sheldon township, this county, daughter of Knudt and Tone Blekum. Her parents were natives of Norway, the father, a farmer by occupation, being an early settler in Houston county. Both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. T. Rowland have two children, Ruth and Robert, who are twins.

John Campbell, the first settler in Money Creek Valley, an early miller and farmer, was born in Scotland, Jan. 1, 1827, and settled in Houston county, Minn., in the fall of 1852, after a previous residence in West Salem, Wis. In the following year he built a feed and flouring mill, which he operated for nine years, or until 1862, when he sold the mill and business and engaged in farming. In the latter occupation he continued on the same farm for over forty-five years, in 1908 retiring from active work and

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taking up his residence in the village of Houston. He was formerly active in church and school work and at various times served in local office. Mr. Campbell married Elizabeth Hemstock, who was born in England, Aug. 12, 1829. They have been the parents of nine children, seven of whom were born in Money Creek township, this county. The record in brief is as follows: One who died in infancy; Edward G., now living retired in Houston; Hattie, deceased; James, who is engaged in the machinery busi- ness in La Crosse; Belle, who is the widow of H. B. Keeler and resides in Montana ; William, engaged in the newspaper business in Milwaukee; Benja- min, proprietor of a business college in Jackson, Mich .; and Lucy, who resides in Houston with her brother. All attended school in Houston county and Lucy was formerly a teacher.

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History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 38

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

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