History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 40

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

USA > Minnesota > Houston County > History of Houston County, Minnesota > Part 40

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Ole Kittelson, who was formerly for a number of years engaged in agriculture in Mound Prairie township, and later in Houston township, but is now deceased, was born in Norway, March 29, 1861, son of Kittel Ushard and his wife Jennie, whose family name was Boundl. The fourth born in a family of five children, in 1869 he accompanied his parents to Houston county, Minn., they settling' in Union Valley, near Caledonia, where they made their permanent home. Both father and mother are now deceased. Young Ole was educated in the district school and resided at home until about twenty-two years of age, when he went to Granville, N. D., where he worked for others. He also worked out for a while at Moorehead, Minn. During this period, which lasted for some years, or until his marriage, it was his custom to return home to spend the winters. After his marriage

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OLE KITTLESON AND FAMILY

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he bought land at Mound Prairie, where he engaged in farming on his own account, later removing from that location to a farm west of Houston. In 1911 he retired and took up his residence in Houston, being then in poor health. The change gave him rest, but there was no permanent re- covery, and he passed away Oct. 13, 1913. Previous to his death he had sold his farm lands, but left to his wife the comfortable residence in Houston which is her present home. Mr. Kittelson was a consistent member of the Lutheran church, and a man of sterling character. At various times he held town office and was independent in politics. On Dec. 23, 1890, Ole Kittelson was united in marriage with Olena Olson, who was born in Sheldon township, Houston county, Minn., daughter of Ole and Guneil (Olson) Olson. Of this union four children were born: Jeanette, who graduated from a business college in La Crosse, and is now a bookkeeper in Dayton, Minn .; Ida, who is a teacher at Brooten, Minn .; Clara, a graduate of the Winona Normal School, and now teaching at Lake Crystal; and Gladys, who is attending schol in Houston. Ole Olson and his wife Guneil were both natives of Telemarken, Norway, Mrs. Olson being born June 16, 1835. They were of nearly the same age and came to this country and county about the year 1860, a relation of theirs, Knud Olson, being one of the first settlers on Mound Prairie. Ole Olson engaged in farming there, but later moved to near Bode, in Humboldt county, Iowa, where he became an extensive land owner and where he died Oct. 14, 1905. His wife, now eighty-four years old, resides with her daughter, Mrs. Kittelson, who was her only child.

W. Roy Anderson, a prosperous general farmer operating 235 acres of valuable land in section 4 south, Houston township, was born in this town- ship, Dec. 23, 1890, son of John F. and Ellen (Benson) Anderson. John F. Anderson, also a native of Houston county, still owns a farm of 280 acres in Houston township, but he and his wife now life in Houston Village. W. Roy Anderson was educated in the schools of Sheldon township and resided on his parents' farm until a short time after his marriage. He then moved to his present farm, where he is doing a successful business raising both crops and stock, his chief specialty being the breeding of Duroc-Jersey swine. Active and enterprising, he gives his whole attention to the farm, which is well improved and provided with substantial buildings. In poli- tics he is a Prohibitionist. On Sept. 24, 1913, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage with Helen Abrahamson, who was born on this farm, the youngest of the five children of Aaron and Hilda (Johnson) Abrahamson, and who was educated in Houston. Her father died when she was a year old and her mother is now the wife of Lawrence Weom, a farmer of Sheldon town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have one child, Warren Ronald, born July 31, 1914.

Andrew Britson, one of the pioneer settlers in Looney Valley, Houston Township, was born in Ringsager, near Christiania, Norway. He was twenty-two years old when he came to America and located in La Crosse Valley, La Crosse county, Wis. After a residence there of a year or two he removed to Looney Valley, Houston township, this county, where he settled on a farm, and continued in agricultural pursuits until his death in

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1907. Mr. Britson married Bessie Johnson, a native of Telemarken, Nor- way, their marriage taking place in Houston county. She died some years before her husband. They were the parents of four children, Lena, Albert T, Gustaf and Carolina.

Albert T. Britson, a well to do farmer, operating 200 acres of land in section 3, Houston township, was born in Houston county, Nov. 25, 1858, son of Andrew and Bessie (Johnson) Britson. He attended school in Houston township and until the age of 23 years resided on the parental homestead. He then engaged in farming on his own account, also operat- ing a threshing machine-a branch of farm industry in which he has now been engaged for forty years. On his marriage in 1886 he settled on his present farm of 200 acres, a well improved piece of property, on which he is raising both stock and grain with good financial results, and continues in the business of threshing at the appropriate season. He is a member of the Lutheran church and in politics is a Republican. Mr. Britson was married in May, 1886, to Christina Traff, daughter of John and Inga (Jacobson) Traff, who settled in Looney Valley, Houston township in the early seventies. Eleven children have been born to them, namely: Nettie, now deceased; Elmer, who is a contractor for concrete work, residing at Warwick, N. D .; Arthur and Ida, residing at home; Cora, wife of Jacob Palmer of Foreston, Minn .; Elvena, Emma, Delia, Melvin and Leonard, who are residing at home; and Nettie (second), the fourth born child, who died at the age of two and a half years.

Knute Onsgard, for many years a prominent farmer and highly es- teemed citizen of Spring Grove township, was born in Norway and came · to Minnesota in 1861, locating in Spring Grove, where for a number of years he led the life of a pioneer farmer, working hard and having few comforts. His condition bettered, however, with the development of his farm, and he finally became prosperous. He rendered useful service on the school board of his district and helped to build the Lutheran church in his vicinity, of which he and his family were members. He died in 1902 at the age of seventy-four years. His wife, whose maiden name was Birget Larson, survived him some eight years, passing away in 1916 at the age of eighty-seven.

Louis K. Onsgard, M.D., who for the last twenty-seven years has been successfully engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Houston, was born in Spring Grove, Houston county, Minn., Jan. 1, 1866, son of Knut and Birget (Larson) Onsgard. He was reared on his parents' farm and educated in the district school. Having made up his mind to enter the medical profession, he pursued his studies at the Eclectic Medical College, at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was graduated in 1887. Beginning practice at Harmony, Fillmore county, Minn., he remained there five years, coming to Houston in May, 1892. Here, being thoroughly qualified both as a physi- cian and surgeon, his practice has steadily increased and he has won an enviable reputation in his profession. In addition to his general practice, he is local physician for the C. M. & St. P. Railway. He is a member of the Houston-Fillmore Medical Society, which he has served as treasurer since its organization; also of the Minnesota State Medical Society, the

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DR. AND MRS, L. K. ONSGARD

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American Medical Association, and the American Association of Railway Surgeons. His fraternal society affiliations, aside from the above, are with the Beaver, United Workmen and Yeomen lodges at Houston, while re- ligiously he is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church of this city. Dr. Onsgard married Anna Langen, who was born at Rockford, Ill., daughter of Ole and Emily (Satrey) Langen, and who came to Houston county, Minn., when three years old with her parents, who were farmers. Dr. and Mrs. Onsgard are the parents of five children: Orrin, who married Wini- fred Chapel and is now operating a garage in Houston, handling the Ford automobiles ; Agnes, a music teacher in Houston; Laura, who was graduated from St. Olof College at Northfield, Minn., and is now a teacher in Wabasha ; Ruth, a student in the Winona State Normal School at Winona; and Ken- neth, a student in the Houston High School, who resides at home with his parents. Dr. Onsgard is a man who has identified himself closely with the best interests of the community in which he has made his home, being always ready to promote a worthy enterprise, and he and his family have a high social standing in this part of the county.

Knudt G. Knutson, owner of considerable landed property in Houston county, and for a number of years a resident of Yucatan township, was born in this county in 1865. He was brought up to farm work and made agriculture his chief occupation, from time to time making purchases of land much of which he has improved. He is now practically retired, hav- ing for some time past been in poor health, which has recently necessitated his removal to the hospital at La Crosse. He is a stockholder in the Yucatan Creamery, the Houston State Bank, and other important business enter- prises, and is a man of considerable means. Mr. Knutson married Emma Galena Foss, who was born in Yucatan township, Houston county, in 1865, and they have been the parents of a family of seven children.

Gilbert Knutson, a well known and respected citizen of Yucatan town- ship. where he is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits, was born in this township, April 4, 1895, son of Knudt G. and Emma Galena (Foss) Knutson. Of his parents' seven children he was the sixth in order of birth. His education was obtained in District School No. 21, this town- ship, and he resided at home until 1914. He then rented a part of his father's land, farming it until March 1, 1917, when he bought his present farm of 59 acres in section 14, which he is operating as a general stock farm. The land is valuable and is provided with good buildings. Mr. Knutson also operates 20 acres belonging to his father, and is a stockholder in the Yuca- tan Creamery. He is an active and enterprising man and has made material progress since starting in for himself. Politically he is a Republican, while his religious affiliations are with the Lutheran church at Houston.

Ole Omodt, one of the pioneers of Money Creek township, who passed away a quarter of a century ago, was born in Hetherland, Norway in 1808, and was a farmer by occupation. He married Martha Berkland, born in Berkram, Norway, in 1816, and in 1854 they set out for the United States, arriving in Chicago, July 3. There a friend of Mr. Omodt's informed him that an acquaintance of his was going to Minnesota on the following day, and advised him to go along in company. He and his wife decided to do

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so, and accordingly on July fourth they started. The Rock Island Railroad from Chicago to the Mississippi river had lately been constructed and was then in its first week of operation. The party took it to Rock Island, the passengers when they arrived at the end of the line, being unloaded on a sandbar. They found but one building there, which contained a hall up- stairs and a saloon below, and there they passed the night with poor accom- modations, having to wait until next day for the boat. On July 18 they disembarked from the steamer at La Crosse. There Mr. Omodt left his family and joined a party coming to Houston county to locate land and look over the ground. Satisfied with what he saw, Mr. Omodt and his family came on a flatboat owned by a man named Knutson, who had arrived in the previous year. His son Knud, the second born child, went to work for Mr. Knutson for four dollars a month and board, while Mr. Omodt himself, with the rest of the family went on to Money Creek township where he bought a land claim, there being a small log house on the tract. There the family made their home, Mr. Omodt being actively engaged in improving the property until the failure of his health obliged him to rest from his labors. After a residence on the farm of nearly 39 years he died May 21, 1893. His wife survived him, passing away in 1912, at the venerable age of 96 years. They were pioneers of the best type, law abiding and in- dustrious, and worthily did their part in the development of the county. Their family numbered ten children.

Knudt Omodt, who is now residing in the village of Houston after a successful career in agriculture, was born in Hetherland, Norway, March 15, 1839, son of Ole and Martha (Berkland) Omodt. He was a lad of 15 when he accompanied his parents to America and to this county, where they settled in the summer of 1854. While the parents located on a tract of land in Money Creek township, Knud, who was their second born child, went to work for a settler named Knutson who owned a flatboat, and made his home at Houston. He had attended school in Norway, but had to pick up a knowledge of the English tongue, which, as he mingled with English-speak- ing people, he acquired long before the other members of his family. From Mr. Knuton he received four dollars a month and his board, but four dollars in those days would buy three or four times as much as such a sum would now. Later he worked for others, and until he was 21 turned his earnings over to his father. After awhile he entered the employ of a Mr. Smith, for whom he cut logs, at $1.25 per thousand feet. He had, however, to take his pay in a pair of steer calves. These he exchanged in a trade for a pair of horses, trading the later for land in Money Creek township. Thus he got started as a land owner and farmer, residing at times, however, on the home farm, which for a couple of years he rented. He finally took up his residence on his own property in Money Creek township, and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1908, when he rented his farm and took up his residence in Houston village. He is now the owner of two farms, and is a stockholder in the Houston State Bank, and in other enter- prises. Formerly he served in various local offices, being for a number of years a member of the school board of his district. In politics he is inde- pendent and in religion a Lutheran. In June, 1874, Knud Omodt was united

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in marriage with Ingeborg Thorson, who was born in Norway in 1845, daughter of Peter Thorson, her father being an officer in the Norwegian army. Neither of her parents ever came to America, she, herself, about four years before her marriage, accompanying to this country an emigra- tion party from her home neighborhood. Mr. and Mrs. Omodt are the parents of three children : Ferdinand, who is engaged in the jewelry busi- ness at Caladonia; Amanda, wife of Ludwig H. Julsrud, a jeweler and merchant of Houston ; and Arnold P., who is in the Houston State Bank.

John August Anderson, who was engaged for a number of years in developing a farm in section 21, Houston township, was born in Sweden in August, 1862. With his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Anderson, he came at an early date to Houston county, Minnesota, the family settling on the farm above mentioned. Here the parents died, the father in 1900 and the mother a number of years previously. John August, who as a young man had spent much of his time in working out for other farmers, subsequently became associated with his father in the management of the homestead, and was thus engaged until his death on March 19, 1899. He was a steady industrious man who gave close attention to his business and was respected by his neighbors for the worth of his character. He was identified politi- cally with the Republican party. Mr. Anderson was married, Feb. 22, 1888, to Julia Hanson Hove, who was born in Norway, daughter of Ole Hanson and Ingeborg (Hanson) Hove, who settled on a farm in Storer Valley, Mound Prairie township in 1875, where the father is now living at the age of 88 years, being still manager of the farm. Mrs. Anderson's mother died in 1887. Mrs. Anderson, who was the second born in a family of four children, was educated in the school of her district in Mound Prairie town- ship. Since her husband's death she has remained on the farm, which her son is assisting her to operate. She has two children. Ida is the wife of Carl J. Johnson and resides in Houston township where he owns a farm; Arthur J., resides on the home farm. He married Myrtle Olson.

Bernt Benson, who was formerly engaged in agricultural work in Houston township, was a native of Halden, Sweden, where he grew to . manhood and married Anna Breta Peterson. In 1870 they emigrated to the United States, locating first at Batavia, Ill., where they remained two years, Mr. Benson working for others at miscellaneous occupations. At the end of that time they came to Houston county, where for the rest of his life Mr. Benson was engaged in farm work, assisting his son, Bernt Peter Benson, who is now a farmer in this township. He died in 1881 and his wife in October, 1902. They had a family of eleven children of whom Bernt Peter is the oldest.

Bernt Peter Benson, president of the Houston Mercantile Company, who resides on a farm of 146 acres in section 34, Houston township, that is now being operated by his son, was born in Halden, Sweden, Feb. 1, 1845, son of Bernt and Anna Breta (Peterson) Benson. He began work in his native land at the age of 16 years, and continued until he was 22, being employed mostly at the carpenter's trade. He then came to the United States with his parents, who settled at Batavia, Ill., where he worked two years in a quarry. The family then moving to Houston county, Minn., he

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was engaged for three winters in cutting wood, and in farm work in the summers. At the end of that time he began operating a farm on shares and continued to be thus employed until 1874. He then bought land in Houston township, which he farmed for nine years. Subsequently selling that place, he moved to the farm on which he now lives, where, until 1913, when he turned its operation over to his son, he was engaged in general farming. He owns 240 acres of land in Yucatan township, and is a stock- holder in and president of the Houston Mercantile Company, a stockholder in the Telephone Company, and other business enterprises. In politics Mr. Benson is a Prohibitionist. He served as clerk and treasurer of school district No. 83, for a number of years. Mr. Benson was first married, June 24, 1870, to Anna Breta Anderson, who was born in Haland, Sweden, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andreas Bengson. She came to the United States with her parents about 1872, but soon after came to Houston township, Houston county, Minn. Later her parents moved to Swea, Iowa, where the father died, and the mother died subsequently in Sweden, to which country she returned. Mrs. Anna Breta Benson died in 1872, leaving one child now deceased. On Dec. 8, 1874, Mr. Benson married Johanna Katherina Ben- son, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Evenson, and a native, like the first Mrs. Benson, of Haland, Sweden. Her parents, who were farmers in Swede Bottom, Houston township, came to this country in different years, the mother in 1872 and the father in 1874. The latter died first, in 1883, his wife surviving him until 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Bernt P. Benson are the parents of eleven children, all living, as follows : Anna, wife of Alex Abra- hamson, for many years a farmer of Taylor, N. D., but now a farmer of Can- non Falls, Minn., Edward A., who married Ellen Abrahamson, and is now living retired in Houston; Alfred, a farmer at Chippewa Falls, Wis., a far- mer who married Amanda Anderson; Leve, wife of the Rev. Carl O. Dalhed, of Marinette, Wis .; John, who is a carpenter, and lives at home; Emma, wife of Fred Lind, a farmer in Swede Bottom, Houston county; Arthur, on the home farm; Cora, wife of Earl Harris, a barber of Holliday, N. D .; Clarence . on the home farm; Charles who has a record as a veteran of the Great War having been engaged for fourteen months in France hauling supplies to the front lines; and Ella, wife of Charles Benson, a farmer of Money Creek township.

Louis Schonlau, M. D., a prominent physician and surgeon, now de- ceased, had an interesting career of usefulness to his fellow men in the alleviation of illness, suffering and distress. He was born in the Kingdom of Westphalia, Germany, and after duly passing through the lower schools and the Gymnasium, entered the medical department of the famous Uni- versity of Bonn, where he received his degree. Thus equipped, he became a member of the Medical Corps of the German Army. His service there completed, he came to America in 1886, and opened an office at Freeport, Illinois. Four years later in 1870, he moved to West Point, Nebraska, where he practiced for some fifteen years. From there he went to Colum- bus, in that state, where he followed his profession until his lamented death, Aug. 13, 1900. Dr. Schonlau was married in Germany to Hermina Koech- ling. who died in 1865, leaving three children, Casper F., Clementine and

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HOUSTON SIONAL

CASPAR F. SCHONLAU-GERARD L. SCHONLAU OFFICE OF HOUSTON SIGNAL

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Catherine. In 1870, these children were brought to America by Lena Schmidt, whom Dr. Schonlau soon afterward married. By this union eight children were born of whom there are living seven, Carrie, Nellie, Freda, Louis, Winnie, Thea, and Leo. Alma, the twin sister of Freda, is dead. Mrs. Lena Schonlau is now living in Omaha, Nebraska.

Caspar F. Schonlau, head of the firm of Schonlau & Son, publishers of the Houston Signal, an up-to-date weekly journal, and who is also engaged in the insurance business at Houston, was born in Westphalia, Germany, Sept. 15, 1861, son of Dr. Louis and Hermina (Koechling) Schonlau, who were natives of the same province. Caspar F. Schonlau attended school in Germany until reaching the age of nine years, when he came to the United States. Without having attended an English school, he was bound out at the age of 12 to a German printer. At the age of 16 he left home and the next five years of his life were spent in traveling from place to place as a journeyman printer, during which time he worked in over 200 printing offices. Equipped with this experience he came to Houston- which place he had visited in August, 1882-and purchased a half interest in the Houston Signal. Six months later he bought out his partner's interest and subsequently conducted the paper alone until 1910, when he took his son, Gerard L., as a partner, since which time the Signal has been published by the firm of Schonlau & Son. Under President Mckinley's administration Mr. Schonlau was appointed postmaster of Houston, serv- ing during the two terms of that President, and continuing in the office until a year after the close of President Taft's administration-a period of 17 years in all, lacking one month. In addition to the publication of his newspaper, Mr. Schonlau conducts a well equipped job printing-office, and is also engaged in the fire insurance business. He is a stockholder in the Houston State Bank and has been a stockholder and director in the Security Bank of Houston since its organization. He is also secretary of the People's Telephone Exchange. A member of the Masonic order, he has served as secretary of the Blue lodge at Houston for the last 22 years; and is also clerk of the Modern Woodmen of America and recorder in the lodge of Ancient Order of United Workmen, besides being a member of the Yeo- men. On Nov. 25, 1884, Caspar F. Schonlau was united in marriage with Emma Gerard, who was born in Lewiston, Minn., daughter of John B. and Nancy (Todd) Gerard. Her father, who was born in New York in 1831, and who was a blacksmith by occupation, died in June, 1917, having been retired for 20 years previous to his death. Her mother, a native of Penn- sylvania, is now living in Houston. Mr. and Mrs. Schonlau have two chil- dren. Gerard L., previously mentioned, married Cora Anderson. Clement F'. graduated from the dental department of the University of Minnesota in the Class of 1913, and practiced his profession in Houston until Dec. 30, 1918, when he became a victim of the Spanish influenza. He married Mabel Hanson of La Cross, Wis., formerly a teacher, and left one child, Dorothy. The office of the Houston Signal is an interesting example of what may be done with a village newspaper office in the way of sightliness, comfort, convenience and adaptability to its purpose. The building was erected in 1918, by Schonlau & Son, under the personal supervision of

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History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 40

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

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