USA > Minnesota > Houston County > History of Houston County, Minnesota > Part 39
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Edward G. Campbell, an esteemed resident of Houston Village, to which place he came in June, 1909, after retiring from agricultural pursuits, was born near Portage, Wis., Aug. 22, 1850, son of John and Elizabeth (Hemstock) Campbell. He was but two years old when his parents settled in Houston county, Minn., the father engaging in the milling business in Money Creek township. There he was reared to manhood and attended school. At the age of ten years he began working on his parents' farm, his father having given up the mill, and he subsequently continued on the home farm engaged in agriculture until his retirement in 1909. He is now enjoying the fruits of his former industry, his sister, Lucy, residing with him. In 1908 he sold his real estate holdings. He has been a stock- holder in the Security State Bank since its organization, and is a charter member of the Masonic lodge at Money Creek. In politics he is an inde- pendent Democrat.
Even Halvorson, who for some thirty-eight years was engaged in agricultural improvements in Houston township, was born in Telemarken, Norway, where he grew to manhood and was married. In 1877, with his wife Anna and several children, he emigrated to Houston county, Minn., and securing land in Houston township, began his career as an independent farmer. His early operations were conducted under the difficulties inci- dental to almost pioneer conditions of life, but he persevered and made progress until he finally succeeded in developing a good farm, on which he died Nov. 11, 1915. His wife is still residing on the homestead. Be- sides the children who accompanied them from Norway, others were born to them until they had in all a family of seven.
Halvor H. Egland, a respected citizen of Houston township, operating as a general farmer 180 acres of land in section 2, was born in Telemarken, Norway, April 15, 1876, son of Even and Anna Halvorson. He was the third born of his parents' seven children and was but an infant of about one year when he arrived with the family in Houston county. As he grew older he attended district school in Houston township and gained his first industrial experience on the home farm. Later he learned the stone mason's trade, which, with other occupations, he followed until his mar- riage. He then took a small farm in Money Creek township which he oper- ated for a while, subsequently residing for two years in Houston Village, where he was engaged in mason work. At the end of that period he es-
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tablished himself on his present farm of 180 acres in section 2, Houston township, where he is successfully carrying on general farming. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church, and in politics is a Repub- lican. Mr. Egland was married May 23, 1906, to Inga Hegge, who was born in Storer Valley, Mound Prairie township, daughter of Henry and Marie (Hanson) Hegge, both natives of Norway, who were married in Houston county, Minn. They resided in Houston township west of Mr. Egland's farm for some years, but later settled in Storer Valley, where they are still living. Their daughter Inga (Mrs. Egland) was the third born of their four children. Mr. and Mrs. Egland have five children: Renelia M., Avis F., Melda H., Hollis I., Lyle K.
Abraham Anderson, one of the pioneer settlers in Swede Bottom, Houston township, was born in Sweden, Jan. 5, 1820. In the fall of 1853 he came to Houston county, Minn., settling on a farm in the above mentioned location, and spending his first winter in a tent. Two years later he bought the land which he afterwards developed into a farm, residing on it until his death on Dec. 10, 1893. He was twice married, having three children by his first wife. In Houston county he married his second wife, Catherine Anderson, who was born in Sweden, May 21, 1821. By her he had four children. After his death she went to Iowa to make her home with a daughter, dying there in March, 1901. Her remains were brought back to Houston and buried beside those of her husband.
Frank O. Abrahamson, who is now living practically retired on a farm of sixty acres in section 4 south, Houston township, was born in this town- ship Oct. 17, 1860, son of Abraham Anderson and his wife Catherine Ander- son, who were among the early Swedish settlers in the township. Here he attended district school and was brought up to farm occupations in which he gradually became expert. Until the age of twenty-five he resided at home and then bought land and engaged in farming on his own account, first locating in Sheldon township, just south of the "Stone Church," where he resided for five years. At the end of that time he bought the farm on which he now lives, and which originally contained 197 acres. It lies adjacent to the village limits of Houston and is well provided with modern buildings. Owing to his practical retirement from active work, Mr. Abrahamson has disposed of all but sixty acres of the land. He has had a successful career as an agriculturist, and for many years has been one of the leading citizens of Houston township, which he served formerly as supervisor, and also as assessor for six or seven terms, as well as being a member of the school board of his district. In politics he is a Prohibitionist. Mr. Abrahamson was married in October, 1885, to Sarah F. Johnson, who was born in the village of Houston, this county, daughter of Christian and Louise (Redding) Johnson. She was the fifth born in a family of seven children, and was educated and taught school for a number of years in Houston county. Mr. and Mrs. Abrahamson have had four children: Renald Kenneth, who died at the age of seven years; Frances, wife of Emil Anderson, a farmer of Sheldon township; Louise Catherine, a graduate of the University of Minnesota in the class of 1913, who is now a teacher in the high school at Kenyon, Minn .; and Paul Kenneth,
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who is now in his fourth year as a law student in the University of Minnesota. Mrs. Abrahamson passed away Jan. 2, 1918, at a hospital in Rochester. Christian Johnson, father of Mrs. Abrahamson, and his wife, Louise (Redding) Johnson, were both born in Sweden and came to the United States in 1853 or 1854, residing for one year at La Crosse, Wis. They then came to Houston, Mr. Johnson becoming a land owner and farmer in this vicinity. He and his wife both died in the year 1911; Mr. Johnson in February, and his wife on Christmas Day. They were among the worthy pioneer settlers of this county, most of whom have now passed away.
Obert A. Johnson, who for a number of years up to the time of his death on Jan. 12, 1913, was a prominent and well to do citizen of the village of Houston, was born in Houston, Sept. 29, 1876, son of Andrew P. and Olena Johnson, the father being a native of Sweden and the mother of Norway. Andrew P. Johnson and wife were among the earliest settlers of this county, Mr. Johnson at one time owning a large amount of prop- erty in Houston where he engaged in mercantile business. Both he and his wife are now deceased. Obert A., who was the third born of their ten children, acquired his elementary education in Houston, and afterwards attended St. Olaf at Northfield, Minn. When sixteen years old he re- linquished his studies to take charge of his father's store in Houston, and was thus engaged until his marriage at the age of twenty-one, when because of poor health he sold out the store and bought a farm in Sheldon township. He retained his residence in Houston, however, renting his land and en- gaging in stock buying and other light occupations. Later he purchased more land and at the time of his death owned two farms, one in Sheldon and one in Houston township. He was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran church, and of the Modern Woodmen of America, and in politics was a Republican. As a citizen he was prompt to fulfill his duties, and was a man of progressive spirit interested in the development of the community in which his lot was cast, and of which he was a worthy and respected member. Mr. Johnson was married Feb. 16, 1900, to Nellie Benson, who was born in Sweden, daughter of John and Johanna (Samuelson) Benson. Of this union five children were born: Henry Andrews, Georgia Alvena, Allie Percival, John Arnold, and one other who died in infancy. Since her husband's death Mrs. Johnson has sold the farm in Houston township, but retains the one in Sheldon township. She also owns three residence properties in Houston, which she rents to others, a part of her time being devoted to caring for her real estate interests. She is a member of St. Peter's Ladies' Aid Society and is an active worker in every good cause.
John Benson, who is engaged in farming on Union Ridge, near Cale- donia, was born in Sweden, where he married Johanna Samuelson. They came to America in the month of June, in or about the year 1871 and settled on a farm in Swede Bottom, near Houston, this county, where they re- mained until 1901. They then moved to their present location on Union Ridge, where Mr. Benson has since continued in agricultural work. In the family are six children: Effie, who is keeping house for her father and brother on the farm; Anna, wife of Hans Anderson, residing at Whalen, 19
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Minn .; Nellie, the widow of Obert A. Johnson of Houston; Charles, who is residing at home and assisting his father; William, who is married and farming on his own account on Caledonia Ridge; and Allie, who died at the age of seventeen. Mrs. Benson died Feb. 26, 1918.
Julius N. Anderson, a prominent and well to do farmer of Houston township, residing in section 35, was born on the farm on which he now lives, March 7, 1875, son of Nels and Hannah (Anderson) Anderson. He was reared on his parents' farm, and acquired his education in the district school and the Houston high school, attending the latter for two terms. At the age of twenty-one years he took over the management of the home farm and has since operated it. He has made important improvements which have much increased the value of the property, which is now one of the best farms in the locality, having an area of 276 acres where he is extensively engaged in stock raising, making a specialty of cattle and swine for the market. He is a director and president of the local creamery company, holding stock both in that and in the elevator company. An independent Republican in politics, he served for a number of years as a member of the town board.
Nels Anderson, one of the pioneer settlers on Swede Bottom, Houston township, was born in Halland, Sweden, where he grew to manhood and was married to Hannah Anderson. About 1856, or possibly a year earlier, he emigrated to the United States, and on arriving in this country, settled first at Batavia, Ill. There, however, he remained for but one year, at the end of that time coming to Houston county, Minn., and becoming one of the original settlers on Swede Bottom, where he secured land and in time developed a farm of 276 acres. He attained an advanced age, dying here on May 17, 1917. His wife is still living and resides on the old homestead with her son Julius N., who was the youngest of their three children, and the only son, the other two children being Anna and Hulda. Anna, who is. unmarried, was formerly foreign buyer for Carson, Pirie, Scott & Co., one of the largest business houses in Chicago, and is now proprietress of a Ladies' tailoring establishment on Wabash avenue in that city doing a large business and giving employment to sixty people. Hulda is the wife of Eli Core, holding an excellent position as bookkeeper with one of the large firms at the Union Stock Yards, Chicago.
Patrick Burke, who half a century ago settled in section 18, Yucatan township, his land lying on the line between Houston and Fillmore counties, was born in Ireland March 16, 1841. When a boy his parents, with their family, emigrated to Canada, where he was reared and resided until he was a young man. Then coming to the States, he worked as a lumberman in the woods of Michigan and Wisconsin, finally coming to Houston county, Minn., and settling on the farm above mentioned, which in course of time he developed and improved, residing on it until 1908, when he retired and took up his residence in Rushford, Fillmore county. Mr. Burke married Margaret Maloney, who was born in Peterboro, Ontario, Feb. 20, 1851, and by whom he has had eight children. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church.
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William Burke, who is operating a good farm of 220 acres lying partly in section 18, Yucatan township, and partly in Fillmore county, was born on this farm, Feb. 28, 1882, son of Patrick and Margaret (Maloney) Burke. He was the fourth born of his parents' eight children and in his boyhood attended school in district 18, Yucatan township. Brought up on the home farm, he acquired a practical knowledge of agriculture in its different branches, and on arriving at the age of eighteen years began working out on farms, being also occasionally employed in other occupations. After his marriage he worked four months in Iowa, and at the end of that time took up his present work on the old Burke homestead, where, besides raising the usual crops of this region, he is breeding up in Durham cattle and Duroc- Jersey hogs. His operations are being conducted on a profitable basis, and each year finds him in a more prosperous condition. He belongs to Camp No. 232, M. W. A., at Rushford, and is a member of the Catholic church at that place. In politics he is independent. On Jan. 15, 1915, Mr. Burke was united in marriage with Matilda Lee, who was born in Norway, daughter of John and Carrie (Hermanson) Lee. Her parents, natives of Christiania, Norway, never came to this country and are both now deceased. She, herself, came to the United States in 1911 and at the time could speak no English, though now she has a fluent command of the language. Mr. and Mrs. Burke are the parents of two children, Vincent Joseph and Lucile Margaret.
James Kelly, one of the pioneer settlers of Yucatan township, now deceased, was a native of Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, and came to the United States in 1849, first settling in Boston, Mass., where he followed the carpenter's trade. There in 1852 he married Charlotte Carson, who was born in the same Scotch county as himself, and two years after their marriage, in 1854, they came west to Houston county, Minn., taking 240 acres of land in Yucatan township, on which Mr. Kelly started improve- ments. It was, of course, at that date, in a wild condition, and after a short residence on it, Mr. Kelly, perhaps owing to lack of sufficient means, left it for a while, and going to Chatfield followed his trade there for about three years. At the end of that time he returned to the farm and resumed work on it, making steady improvements for a number of years until he had converted it into a good piece of agricultural property, with adequate buildings, fences and farm equipment, a considerable portion of the land being under cultivation. There he continued to reside until his death on March 28, 1890. He was for a number of years one of the leading citizens of the township, at various times holding town office, and for a while serving as county commissioner. His wife died but six days before him, on March 22nd the same year. They had one child, James C.
James C. Kelly, farmer and banker, and one of the leading citizens of Houston, is a man well known throughout the county for his large agri- cultural and financial interests, and also for his former services as rep- resentative from his district in both branches of the State Legislature. He was born at Chatfield, Minn., Oct. 28, 1857, son of James and Charlotte (Carson) Kelly, who, not long after his birth, returned to a farm on which they had previously settled in Yucatan township, and on which the
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greater part of his own life has been spent. After attending the district school he became a pupil at St. John's College, Stearns county, thus receiving a better education than fell to the lot of the average farmer's boy in early days. His industrial education was equally well taken care of, as, being his parents' only son and child, he naturally became his father's most de- pendable assistant on the home farm, the management of which was turned over to him when he had reached the age of eighteen years. In time he became the owner of the property and developed it into a fine modern farm of 720 acres, operating it personally until 1915. In 1902 he entered a new field of business activity, becoming connected as a director with the insti- tution then known as the Citizens' State Bank of Houston. This later became merged with the Farmer's & Merchant's Bank, and in 1909 the name was changed to the Houston State Bank, since which time Mr. Kelly has served in the office of president. In 1915 he took up his residence in the village of Houston, but still devotes much of his time to the super- intendence of his farm and his landed interests. He is also secretary of the Mound Prairie Farmer's Mutual Insurance Company. In politics a Demo- crat, Mr. Kelly has on several occasions taken an active and prominent part in public affairs, being a member of the State Legislature in 1889, and of the Senate in 1891 and 1893. In religion he is a Catholic, his fraternal society affiliations being with the Knights of Columbus. On Jan. 12, 1886, James C. Kelly was united in marriage with Ellen J. Kelly, who was born in Boston, Mass., daughter of John and Mary (Conley) Kelly. Her parents were natives of Ireland, the father being a farmer by occupation. They came to Minnesota in 1855, settling in Black Hammer township, this county, where they spent the rest of their lives. Their daughter, Ellen J., who was the eldest of their eight children, was educated in the district schools of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly are the parents of five children: Francis M. Kelly, D.D., a priest now stationed in Winona, Minn .; Arthur J., a dentist of Buffalo, Minn., who married Dianah M. Hill of Minneapolis; and Charlotte I., Joseph J. and Mary V., who are residing at home.
Theodore Thorson, who owns and operates the old Thorson farm of 196 acres in section 12, Yucatan township, was born on this farm, May 17, 1887, son of Ole and Bertha (Hermanson) Thorson. He was the sixth member of a family of seven children, and his education was acquired partly in district school No. 103, on Oak Ridge, this township, and partly in a district school in Allamakee county, Iowa. He was nineteen years old when the management of the home farm came into his hands and he operated it under rental until 1916, when it became his through purchase. The 196 acres of good land which it contains are supplemented by adequate build- ings, fences, and other equipment, making it a desirable piece of property. He is engaged largely in breeding Hereford cattle, Poland-China hogs, and a good grade of horses, and is meeting with much success in his operations, being one of the most energetic and prosperous young farmers in the township. He is a member of the Lutheran church and in politics is a Republican. Mr. Thorson was married Oct. 27, 1909, to Bertha Karlsbatten, who was born in Black Hammer township, Houston county, daughter of Throls and Gunild Karlsbatten. Her parents, natives of Hollingdahl,
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Norway, were early settlers in Houston county, and are still residing in Black Hammer township actively engaged in farm work. Their daughter Bertha was the fourth born of their seven children. Mr. and Mrs. Thorson have four children, Tenart Odine, Berdine Gerhardt, Ole Arnold and Gladys Benora.
Ole Thorson, the founder of a good farm in section 12, Yucatan town- ship, which is now operated by his son Theodore, was born in Telemarken, Norway, and was a young man when he emigrated to Houston county and settled on the land which now constitutes the farm above mentioned, but which was then wild. His subsequent career for a number of years, there- fore, was that of a pioneer, and was marked by unremitting industry and hard labor until he had succeeded in bringing his place into a civilized condition. For many years he continued his improvements, increasing gradually in prosperity until he found himself in comfortable circum- stances. His death occurred in 1901. His wife, whose maiden name was Bertha Hermanson, and who was a native of Veck, Norway, is now residing with her children in Yucatan township, Houston county.
Carl Olson, who is now living retired in the village of Sheldon, after a life of agricultural activity, was born in Christiana, Norway, and came to the United States when a young man, locating in Minnesota. After the breaking out of the Civil War he enlisted in a Minnesota regiment and served one year and nine months without suffering any casualties, though he returned in ill health. Settling in Fillmore county, he was there mar- ried to Gertrude Stegensjord, a native of Telemarken, Norway, and they took a farm in Yucatan township, Houston county, where they resided for a number of years. Then moving to North Dakota, they were engaged in farming there for three years, at the end of which time they returned to Houston county. Here Mrs. Olson died in August, 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Olson were the parents of seven children.
Olaus C. Olson, a prosperous farmer residing in section 9, Yucatan township, was born in this township, March 18, 1870, son of Carl and Gert- rude (Stegensjord) Olson. He worked on his parents' farm until arriving at the age of twenty-four years, when he was united in marriage, on Dec. 13, 1893, with Julia Evenson, a daughter of Christof and Birget (Anderson) Evenson pioneers of Sheldon township, this county. At the time of his marriage his cash capital consisted of fifty cents, but his father gave him a cow, and he found work on a farm in Yucatan township, where he remained for a year. He then started in for himself, renting a farm in Black Hammer township, which he operated for a number of years. After that he farmed for five years in Sheldon township. Then removing to Fillmore county he operated a farm there for four years. During all this period he worked hard and made a steady advance in prosperity. From Fillmore county he returned to Yucatan township, Houston county, and purchased his present farm of 120 acres in section 9, where he is carrying on general farming with profitable results. He has made practically all the improvements on the farm, one of the most recent being his neat and comfortable residence, erected in 1916. Thus, through industry and per- severence he has risen in the last twenty-five years from the condition of
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an almost penniless youth to that of a man of substance and influence in his community-an example well worth emulating by the younger gen- eration. He and his wife have a family of eleven children: Belle, wife of Andrew Rasmussen, a farmer of Fillmore county; Georgia, wife of Helmer Ekern, a farmer in Yucatan township; Clarence, Clarice, Bernice, Orvin, Minor, Gladys, Raymond, Norman and Ronald.
Aslak A. Myran, who is prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Yucatan township, as proprietor of a farm of 438 acres in section 34 north, was born in Telemarken, Norway, Sept. 11, 1864, son of Aslak and Gunhild (Haarsom) Myran (Loudahl). The parents, who were natives of the same part of Norway, the father being a farmer, are both now deceased. Aslak A., who was the youngest of their seven children, attended school in his native land, and at the age of sixteen years began working out. He was twenty years old when he emigrated and settled in Houston county, Minn. For three years he lived in Badger Valley, Sheldon township, and worked for others. After that he spent a year at Moorhead, Minn. He then returned home and married and began farming on his own account in Badger Valley, Sheldon township, remaining there nine years. The next nine years of his life were spent in Crystal Valley, Houston township, after which he came to his present farm. Here he has made all the improvements, which are modern and substantial, and, the land being rich and fertile, his estate is one of the most valuable for agricultural purposes in the town- ship. He raises both crops and stock, giving particular attention to the breeding of Hereford cattle, and is also a shareholder in the telephone and creamery companies and other local enterprises. From the condition of a green Norwegian boy unable to speak English, he has risen in the last thirty-four years, through industry and ability, to that of a well to do and respected citizen, with a fluent command of the language of his adopted country, and permeated with modern ideas of advancement. He is a mem- ber of the Norwegian Lutheran church known as the "Stone Church," and in politics is a Republican. Mr. Myran was married in June, 1890, to Hattie Nearsen, who was born near Madison, Wis., daughter of Ole and Anna Nearsen, who were early settlers in Badger Valley, Sheldon town- ship. Of this union three children have been born: Anna, wife of John Johnson, a farmer of Adams county, Minn., and Alfred and Gena, who are both residing on the home farm.
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