History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 43

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

USA > Minnesota > Houston County > History of Houston County, Minnesota > Part 43

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from there moving to the Layne farm, which he operated for eight years. From there he came to his present place which now contains 608 acres, which in part is the old homestead of his parents, and which he is operat- ing as a general farmer, though paying particular attention to the raising of Hereford cattle and Poland-China hogs. He has made good progress on the road to fortune, being a hard worker and a thoroughly practical man in his line of industry, and is a stockholder in the Rushford Creamery and Elevator. In politics a Democrat, he served a few years on the local school board. In religion he is a Catholic and attends the church at Rushford, which place is about four miles west of his farm. Fraternally he belongs to the order of Yeomen. Mr. O'Donnell was married April 21, 1888, to Susan Layne, daughter of John and Johanna (Shortall) Layne, her parents being early settlers in section 11, Money Creek township, and for a num- ber of years prominent farming people here. Both are now deceased, Mr. Layne dying about 1891 and his wife about eight years previously. Mr. and Mrs. O'Donnell are the parents of nine children: Hannah, wife of Delbert Ives of Money Creek township; John, residing at home; Edward, who is farming in Canada; and Mary, Joseph, Kathrine, Gertrude, George and Lawrence, who are residing at home with their parents.

Albert John Ronnenberg, now living practically retired in Rushford, but who for a number of years was extensively engaged in agriculture improvements on a large farm in Money Creek township, Houston county, was born in Hart township, Winona county, Minn., Dec. 6, 1860. He was brought up on his parents' farm, the management of which finally came into his hands, and he remained on it until his marriage at the age of 26 years. Then coming to Houston county, he took land in section 4, Money Creek township, and began the development of a farm, which in time at- tained the dimensions of 586 acres. On this large tract of land he made val- uable improvements, converting it into an excellent modern farm, now known as Sunny Slope Stock Farm. Here for a number of years he made a specialty of breeding Red Pole cattle and Poland-China hogs, also being one of the stockholders in the Rushford creamery. In March, 1914, he took up his residence in Rushford, though he still gives his attention to his estate, a part of which is now operated by his son Arthur W. One of the leading citizens of his township, he served for some 18 years as a town official, being also a member of the school board of his district. Until 1917 he also served on the creamery board, but resigned in that year. Mr. Ronnenberg married Minnie Gielow, who was born in Holstein, Germany, March 19, 1869. They have three children: Albert H., who is operating an adjoin- ing farm; Hubert F., who is now in the United States military service; and Arthur William, who is operating 260 acres of his father's farm.

Arthur William Ronnenberg, an enterprising young farmer of Money Creek township, who is engaged in operating 260 acres in section 4, was born in this township, Jan. 27, 1895, son of Albert John and Minnie (Gielow) Ronnenberg. He was a boy of eleven years when he accompanied his parents to Money Creek township, this county, and for awhile he attended school here, later being a pupil for two years in the Rushford high school. Up to the age of 21 years he was engaged in assisting his father, subse-

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quently farming a part of his father's land on his own account, during which time he kept bachelor's house for a year. On his marriage he moved to his present location on the parental homestead, where he is engaged largely in breeding Red Pole cattle and Poland-China swine, following the same gen- eral lines pursued by his father. He is meeting with good success and is already numbered among the prosperous citizens of the township. He is affiliated fraternally with the Masonic lodge at Money Creek. On Sept. 6, 1916, Mr. Ronnenberg was married to Genevieve Rank, daughter of Charles A. and Anna M. (Chapel) Rank, prominent farming people of Money. Creek township. He and his wife have one child, Caryl Arthur, who was born Sept. 26, 1917.

Joseph Addleman, an early settler in Looney Valley, Houston town- ship, where in his day he was a prominent citizen, was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1800. When young he accompanied his parents to Indiana, then almost a frontier state, they locating in Wayne county. There or in that vicinity he remained until 1860, when he resolved to seek his fortune in the Northwest and accordingly came to Houston county, Minnesota. He had married Harriet Clark, a native of North Carolina, who accompanied him, with their children, and they settled in Looney Valley, where he took land and engaged in farming. The country was then very wild and they had pioneer hardships to undergo, which bore the more heavily upon them as Mr. Addleman was then already advanced in years. In 1870 he died and his wife then moved to Houston village, where she resided for many years, passing away in 1896. They were the parents of nine children: Sarah, Rebecca, William H., Margaret, Mahala, Mary, Louisa, Josephine, who died in infancy, and Benjamin K. During his active career in the township Mr. Addleman served a number of times in local office.

Benjamin K. Addleman, a general farmer operating 83 acres of land in section 12, Money Creek township, where he is doing a thriving business, was born in Wayne county, Indiana, Sept. 13, 1855, son of Joseph and Harriet (Clark) Addleman. He was one of the younger members of his parents' family and was about five years old when he came to Houston county. His education was acquired in the district school in Houston town- ship. He was about 16 years old when his father died and he then took the management of the home farm, assisting his mother for four years, at the end of which time his mother rented out the farm and he began work- ing for others. Later he learned the cooper's trade, and worked at it for the Houston flour mill. In 1879 he went to California, and while on the Pacific coast he made the trip overland to Walla Walla, Washington. In 1881 he returned home and worked out until 1908, when he bought his present farm, on which he is raising both grain and stock with profitable results. At the time of his marriage and for about two years he was deputy sheriff and turnkey at Caledonia. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Addleman assumed the responsibilities of domestic life Feb. 18, 1906, his bride being Cora Elfleda Wilsey, who was born in New York State Feb. 18, 1860, daughter of Charles and Harriet (Comstock) Wilsey. Her parents were both natives of New York State, the father born in 1825 and the mother in 1830. They came to Houston county, Minnesota, in 1861, locating

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MR. AND MRS. B. K. ADDLEMANN

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on a farm in Yucatan township, on which they passed the rest of their lives, Mr. Wilsey being postmaster at Yucatan for some 16 years.

Michael Ryan, who was for a number of years a highly esteemed citizen of Money Creek township, where he established a good farm, was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, Nov. 22, 1837, son of John and Katherine (Hen- nessy) Ryan. The parents were lifelong residents of their native land, but never lived to rear their son Michael, who was left an orphan at the age of 14 months. Brought up by others, who had less than a parent's interest in him, he obtained but little schooling, the lack of which, however, he later made up by a good natural intelligence and quickness of perception. As he grew older he began to have an ambition to succeed in life, and as a young man took the first step in that direction when he emigrated to the United States, locating on Staten Island, New York, where he found employment for a year. At the end of that time he came west to Winona, Minn., and for several years worked out in that vicinity. From there he came to Houston county, and began improving a farm in Money Creek township, continuing his improvements for two years, or until his marriage. He then took a wild tract in section 16, Money Creek township, and began the development of a farm here. Starting with 40 acres, and with his first dwelling a log house, he toiled steadily, making gradual progress until he owned 120 acres and was provided with a good set of buildings. On this estate he died, Feb. 10, 1903, his wife coming into possession of the property. Mr. Ryan was a man of domestic tastes, devoted to his family, and unambitious of public distinction. A Democrat in politics, he contented himself with cast- ing his vote, but all his life he was a faithful member of the Roman Cath- olic church. He was married Nov. 7, 1870, to Johanna Barlow, who was born in County Limerick, Ireland, the eldest of eleven children of Patrick and Johanna (Donahue) Barlow. To Mr. and Mrs. Ryan ten children were born: Kathrine, Johanna, John, Patrick, George, Mary, Michael, Clara, Anna Stacia, and Helen. Kathrine, now deceased, was the wife of Dennis Tracy. Johanna, who married John Tracy, is now a widow, and resides with her mother. She has three children, Gerald, Helen and Frances. John and Michael are also residing on the home farm with their mother. Patrick and George are farmers in Canada and are both married. Mary, now de- ceased, was the wife of John Maloney, who is a resident of Canada. Anna Stacia is the wife of John Burke, a farmer in Money Creek township. Helen married James McManimon and resides in Yucatan township. Clara died at the age of nine years. Since her husband's death Mrs. Ryan, with the aid of her sons, John and Michael, has continued to operate the farm, and has increased its area by the purchase of 80 additional acres of good land, thus possessing a farm of 200 acres. She has also erected a new resi- dence and made other improvements, evincing capable management and resourcefulness. Patrick Barlow, father of Mrs. Ryan, was a native of Ire- land, as was also his wife, Johanna Donahue. They came to the United States in 1853, settling first in New York State, where Mr. Barlow was engaged in railroad work. In 1864 he came west and, with his family, took up his residence in Winona, Minn., where until his death about 1888, he was employed in the shops of the Northwestern Railroad Company. His

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wife died in Winona in April, 1905. They were industrious and worthy people, an asset to the community in which they made their home.

Gale C. Rank, proprietor of a general stock and dairy farm of 195 acres in section 5, Money Creek township, was born in Houston township, near the village of Houston, this county, July 28, 1893, son of Charles A. and Anna M. (Chapel) Rank. He acquired his elementary education in District School No. 6, Money Creek township, afterwards attended the Houston high school for three years, and then took a two years' course at a business college in La Crosse. Until the age of 21 years he resided with his parents on their farm in section 8, Money Creek township, and his time was chiefly devoted to agricultural work. Then in the fall of 1914 he opened a garage in Houston, which he operated for a year. Having then had enough of the garage business, he sold out and bought his present farm, which he is operating with good financial results. He is a member of the M. E. church and the Yeomen's lodge at Money Creek, and in politics is a Republican. On March 10, 1915, Mr. Rank was united in marriage with Marie Wells, who was born in Dodge Center, Minn., daughter of Floyd and Minnie (Bab- cock) Wells. Her parents, natives of New York State, were early settlers at Dodge Center. The father is now a traveling salesman with the Avery Tractor Company, of New York State. The mother died when her daughter Marie was a mere child. There were but two children in the family, and Marie was educated at Dodge Center, her native place. Mr. and Mrs. Rank are the parents of two children, Rolland Charles and Ruth Marie. The family is one of high social standing in this part of Houston county.

Herman Ferdinand Unmasch, who owns and operates a farm of 114 acres in section 8, Money Creek township, of which township he is one of the progressive and thriving citizens, was born at New Hartford, Winona county, Minn., April 23, 1882, son of Fred and Henrietta (Bargard) Un- masch. The parents were natives of Pommern, Germany, the father born in 1845 and the mother in 1849. Married in their native land, they emi- grated directly to Winona county, Minnesota, where they bought land and engaged in farming. There they are still residing, Fred Unmasch being one of the most prominent men of his locality and active in all matters per- taining to local government. Herman F. Unmasch, the direct subject of this sketch, was the seventh born in a family of eleven children. He at- tended school at New Hartford, and resided at home until arriving at the age of 18 years, after which he worked out until his marriage in 1908. For a year after that event he assisted his wife's father and then bought his present farm, which he is operating as a grain and stock farm to good ad- vantage. He is also a stockholder in the Money Creek Creamery. He at- tends the M. E. church at Money Creek and in politics is a Republican. Mr. Unmasch was married May 6, 1908, to Mae Orr, who was born in Mound Prairie township, daughter of David and Hattie (McGappy) Orr. Their family circle has been enlarged by the birth of four children, Myron David, Merton Lynn, Hattie Mae, and Donald Herman.

John Carlson, who is now residing on a small tract of five and a half acres of land adjoining the village of Money Creek, after some years of more extensive farm work in the township, was born in Sweden, Sept. 22, 1852,

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JOHN CARLSON AND FAMILY

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son of Carl and Anna Carlson. The parents passed their lives in Sweden, where both died, neither having visited this country. John Carlson, who was educated in his native land, resided there until nearly 36 years old, and was there married, on June 30, 1878, to Severina Christina Johnson, . daughter of John and Gustava Caroline (Johnson) Johnson. In July, 1888, he came directly to Houston County, Minnesota, locating in Money Creek township, where he secured employment as a farm hand. He had left his wife and family in Sweden, but was joined by them in September of the following year. Some years later he bought a farm two miles east of the village of Money Creek, which he cultivated for some six or seven years, at the end of which time he sold it and moved to his present farm, which he is operating as a means of passing the time and to avoid being idle. He is in prosperous circumstances and is a stockholder in the Money Creek Creamery. He is a member of St. Peter's Lutheran church, and in political matters is independent. He and his wife have had four children: Amanda, wife of Soren Sorenson, of Houston; John Algert (first), who died young; John Algert (second), who is residing on his parents' home farm ; and Eda Gustava, who lives with her parents.

Fletcher A. Bidwell, one of the pioneers of Houston county, whose life was spent for the most part in Yucatan township, was born in Wisconsin about the middle of the fifth decade of the last century. He was brought up to farming and came to Houston county at an early age, securing land in Yucatan township, where he developed a farm. His death occurred in 1910. He married Sarah Francis Farley, who was born in Massachusetts in 1859, and by whom he had two children: Elmer E., who is now a farmer in section 11, Money Creek township; and Francis Roy, who is farming in the state of Iowa.

Elmer E. Bidwell, a prosperous farmer of Money Creek township, hav- ing a good farm of 180 acres in section 11, was born in Yucatan township, Houston county, March 9, 1877, son of Fletcher A. and Sarah Frances (Farley) Bidwell. He was educated in the district schools of his native township and on his parents' farm acquired a good practical knowledge of agriculture in its various branches. At the age of twelve years he began working out and supporting himself, and he continued to work for others until his marriage. For ten years after that event he operated rented farms in Houston county, and at the end of that time bought his present farm of 180 acres of valuable land, where he is engaged in breeding Hereford cattle and Duroc-Jersey swine, besides raising the usual crops. His operations have resulted successfully and he is now numbered among the well to do and progressive farmers of his township. He is a stockholder in the Money Creek Creamery, the Rushford Creamery and the Farmers' Telephone Com- pany. For the past nine years he has served as treasurer of school district No. 89, and in politics is an independent Republican. Religiously, he is a member of the Roman Catholic church. On Dec. 28, 1898, Mr. Bidwell was united in marriage with Johanna Martha Maloney, who was born in Yucatan township, daughter of Dennis and Kathrine (Nester) Maloney, she being the second born in a family of 13 children. She was educated in the public schools of Houston county and in a Sisters' school at Chippewa 21

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Falls, Wis. After a happy married life of over 17 years she passed to the other world on May 8, 1916. She was the mother of seven children; Everett Vincent, Sylvester Eugene, Stella Madonna, Rose Elmira, Arthur Joseph, . Elmer James and Robert Francis, all of whom are residing at home with their father. Dennis Maloney, father of Mrs. Elmer E. Bidwell, was born near Montreal, Canada, and his wife, Kathrine, in Detroit, Mich. They were early settlers in Yucatan township where they resided for over forty years, Mr. Maloney being one of the pioneer homesteaders of the township. Besides being an energetic farmer, he assisted in the construction of the railroad here. About 1910 he and his wife moved to Saskatchewan, Cana- da, where they took a farm, on which Mrs. Kathrine Maloney died in 1916. While living in Yucatan township, Houston county, Mr. Maloney served on the town board, as a member of the school board, and in other local offices.

Charles Chapel, one of the leading stock farmers of Money Creek township, where he is operating 265 acres of land, was born on the farm on which he is now living, Oct. 4, 1884, son of William H. and Mary C. (Layne) Chapel. He attended school in Money Creek township and resided at home until reaching the age of 20 years. He then entered a store in Houston as clerk and assistant, and in that and other occupations he was engaged for about two and a half years. He then began farming on his own account in Money Creek township, remaining two years on his first farm, and for the next five years operating the farm of his father-in-law, Kenneth McLeod. He then came to his parents' old homestead in Section 12, where he is now residing, having 185 acres in the homestead farm and 80 acres adjoining it, all of which he is operating as a general stock and dairy farm. The property is well improved, the buildings and equipment being thoroughly modern, and Mr. Chapel is conducting a profitable busi- ness, being also a stockholder in the Money Creek creamery. His political principles are those of the Democratic party.

Mr. Chapel was married, May 30, 1911, to Mabel McLeod, who was born in Money Creek township, near the Fillmore county line, daughter of Kenneth and Elizabeth (Brunner) McLeod. He and his wife have one child, Kenneth Allan. Kenneth McLeod, the father of Mrs. Chapel, was born in Nova Scotia, of Scotch ancestry and settled in Houston county, Minnesota, at an early date. He has devoted his active career to farming and owns and has developed 280 acres of land in this county, also being the owner of land in Canada. He and his wife are now living in Rushford, retired. He is a stockholder in the Rushford creamery and elevator, and in other local enterprises, being one of the leading citizens of the commun- ity. He and his wife have had eight children.

James Chapel, a well known representative of the agricultural interests of Money Creek township, proprietor of a farm of 120 acres in section 20, was born in the village of Money Creek, Jan. 1, 1878, son of Harvey and Julia (.Wydhoff) Chapel. Until his marriage he resided with his parents and then rented and operated the home farm for four years, making a specialty of full blooded shorthorn stock. After that he was engaged in farming in Harden county, South Dakota, for two years. Then, return-

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ing to Houston county, he resided for two years in the village of Money Creek, operating the old home farm for a while, and then, in the fall of 1917, purchased his present farm of 120 acres in section 20, where he is profitably raising grain and stock for the market and doing considerable dairying. He is a stockholder in the Money Creek creamery.

Mr. Chapel was married in 1905 to Lylia Jergenson, who was born in Winona county, Minnesota, daughter of John and Emma (Heghlen) Jer- genson, the former a native of Denmark and a pioneer of Wiscoy town- ship, Winona county, and the latter a native of Norway. After long and useful effort they are now retired and reside in Money Creek, Houston county. Their daughter Lylia was the elder of their two children. Mr. and Mrs. Chapel have two children, Lula and Maurice. In politics Mr. Chapel is a Democrat with independent proclivities. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mrs. Chapel is a communicant.

John Fitting, one of the leading farmers and stock raisers of Money Creek township, residing in section 18, was born in Mound Prairie town- ship. this county, March 3, 1866, son of Peter and Margaret (Frey) Fit- ting. Of his parents' nine children he was the second in order of birth. His education was acquired in District No. 94, Mound Prairie township, and until the age of 24 years he was engaged in assisting his father on the home farm. He then bought land and farmed for himself in Mound Prairie township until 1902, at which time he sold out there and bought his present farm, having an area of 300 acres. The land is highly valuable and Mr. Fitting's improvements have made of it a model farm, with fine buildings and complete equipment. He is giving particular attention to the breed- ing of Shorthorn cattle, Poland-China hogs and Plymouth Rock chickens, and has been highly successful in his operations. His other business inter- ests include those of a stockholder in the Money Creek creamery, the Hous- ton Farmers' Exchange and the Houston State Bank. A Republican politically, he served in Mound Prairie township as supervisor and clerk of School District 94, and has been chairman one year of District 7, Money Creek township. He attends the M. E. church at Money Creek and belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Fitting was married, December 10, 1890, to Laura Emmons, who was born at Pleasant Hill, Winona county, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Sandress) Emmons. He and his wife have six children, Nina Elizabeth, George B., John P., Jr., Floyd William, Otto Theodore and Lillian Augusta. Mrs. Fitting's parents were born in Cambridgeshire, England, where they were married. Emigrating to this country on a sailing vessel, they landed after a voyage of nearly three months, and making their way westward settled in Houston county, Minne- sota, subsequently removing to Winona county, where the father died on a farm, Dec. 25, 1890. The mother died in 1915 when 93 years of age. They were prominent people in their locality, Mr. Emmons serving at times in school and other local offices. They had a family of 13 children, of whom six are now living, Neonia, Alice, David, George, Laura and Mary A.

Charles E. Benson, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Money Creek township, having a farm of 140 acres in section 5, which he devotes largely to stock raising, was born in this county, three miles south of

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Houston, Sept. 2, 1885, son of Benjamin and Christine (Nelson) Bensor. His parents were both born in Halland, Sweden, the father coming to Houston county when a lad of eight years, the family settling in Swede Bottom, Houston township. There Benjamin Benson grew to manhood. He enlisted in the army in 1862, when a youth of 17, served against the Indians and later against the Confederates, and after the war settled on land in Sheldon township, where he is now living on a farm in section 10. Charles E. Benson, who was one of a family of nine children, all of whom are now living. in his boyhood attended District School No. 100 in Sheldon township, and later for one year the school at Houston. He resided on his parents' farm until about 17 years of age, and then went to Canada, homesteading land 80 miles north of Regina, where he resided for five years. From there he went to the state of Washington, spending one season in the mountains as horse breaker, and also working in the woods, for some three years. At last, owing to an injury received in the woods, he returned home and was laid up during the winter. After that, until his marriage, he worked on the home farm, buying his present farm when he began domestic life for himself. The property is well improved and he is doing a good business in breeding Durham cattle and Duroc-Jersey swine. He is a shareholder in the Money Creek creamery, the Farmers' Telephone Company and other local enterprises, and is now a man of means and a respected citizen of his township. In politics he is independent, while his religious affiliations are with the Swedish Baptist church. He belongs to the Sons of Veterans at Money Creek. Mr. Benson was married Aug. 22, 1916, to Ella V. Benson, who was born in Houston, April 6, 1897, daughter of Bernt and Johanna Katherina (Benson) Benson. Her parents were natives of Halland, Sweden, and for a number of years were actively en- gaged in farming in Houston township, where they now live, the father being president of the Houston Mercantile Co. Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Benson are the parents of two children, Goldie Isabelle and Lila Irene.

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History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 43

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

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