History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 55

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

USA > Minnesota > Houston County > History of Houston County, Minnesota > Part 55

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the co-operative creamery at the same place, from which his farm is about six miles distant. He has always been strong and rugged, and now, at the age of 70 years, could, if necessary, still do a fair day's work. In politics he has always been a Republican, and in former years served as a member of the township board and also of the school board of his district. He and his wife have been the parents of twelve children, as follows: Claus, who is a farmer in section 18, Jefferson township; Clara, deceased; Emily, wife of John Swenson, of Winnebago township, this county; Christian, who is a Pullman car conductor, residing in St. Paul; Julius, a produce dealer in Caledonia; Peter, Jr., a farmer in Winnebago township; Henry, a book- keeper in St. Paul, Minn .; Otto, who as above recorded, is operating the home farm under rental; Hannah, now Mrs. Peter Nelson of Wilmington township; Adolph, residing on the home farm; Julia, who is the wife of Oscar Moen of Spring Grove village; and Carl, who was in France in the United States service and is now at home. Mr. Gran and his family are members of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church and attend serv- ices conducted by the Caledonia pastor of that faith, there being no church organization of the denomination in this immediate vicinity.

Alfred Wilson, a practical and successful farmer, operating 139 acres of land in section 6, Mound Prairie township, was born on the old Wilson homestead in this township, May 30, 1875, son of Abraham and Guro (Kit- telson) Wilson. The father, a native of Sweden, settled in Houston county, Minn., when a young man and built up the Wilson farm in sections 31 and 6, Mound Prairie township, and section 1 south, Houston township, where he died Feb. 4, 1912. His wife, who was born in Norway, is now residing with her son Edward on the home farm. Alfred Wilson resided on the home farm until his marriage, in his boyhood attending school in District No. 24. Dec. 20, 1910, he assumed the responsibilities of domestic life, his bride being Lulu Schauble, who was born in Union township, this county, July 3, 1889, daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Snure) Schauble, who are still engaged in farming in that township. At the time of his marriage Mr. Wilson took up his residence on his present farm, which he is operating along general lines, raising both crops and stock, for which, in these times of unlimited demand, he finds a ready market and receives good prices. Thus he is enjoying a prosperous career. In politics he is a Republican and has served one term as clerk of the school board, and is now a member of the town board. Religiously he is affiliated with the Norwegian Lutheran church known as the "Stone Church." He and his wife have four children: Louise, born Oct. 22, 1910; Ansel James, born Nov. 20, 1912; Silas, born Sept. 30, 1914; and Melvin, born July 8, 1917.

Otto Gran, who is engaged in operating the old Gran farm of 280 acres in sections 8 and 17, Jefferson township, was born on this farm, in section 17, Oct. 19, 1883, son of Peter C. and Karine (Christiansen) Gran. He acquired a limited education in the district school, but early learned habits of industry, becoming in time a good practical farmer and has always been a hard and efficient worker. He has never left the parental homestead, which when his parents first took it, in 1873, consisted of 160 acres in section 17, but which was subsequently enlarged to its present size by the

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ALFRED WILSON AND FAMILY

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purchase of adjoining land in section 8. All this he helped his father and brothers to improve, and on the father's retirement in 1914, he rented the place and is now operating it on his own account, his parents and brother, Adolph, residing on the farm with him. He owns one-half of all the teams, stock and equipment, and is doing a successful business in general farm- ing and stock raising. He is also the owner of a good automobile, and in all respects is an enterprising, up to date and prosperous citizen, well known and popular in Jefferson township and the vicinity. He served as town clerk for a number of years and is now holding the office of town treasurer. In politics he is a Republican. Religiously he is of the Norwegian Evan- gelical Lutheran faith. Mr. Gran was married, March 6, 1912, to Julia, daughter of Iver O. and Caroline Hendrickson, of Spring Grove, this county. She was born in Tronjem, Norway, Dec. 21, 1893, and came to America with her parents in 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Gran have one child, Ervin Palmer, who was born Feb. 24, 1913.

Frederick G. Harlos, proprietor of the old Harlos farm in section 17, Mound Prairie township, where he is successfully engaged in stock raising, was born in Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, Aug. 23, 1862, son of Daniel and Marcrada (Hinerick) Harlos. He was a boy of four or five years when his parents moved to Hounston county and settled in Mound Prairie township. Here he attended school for a limited period and was trained to industrious habits on the home farm, assisting his parents until 28 years old. He then purchased the homestead, which he has since operated as a general stock farm. It contains 260 acres of valuable land, with good buildings, and is fully equipped with modern appliances both for agricultural and stock raising. Mr. Harlos is doing a profitable business and is numbered among the enterprising and successful men of his township. Religiously he be- longs to the Evangelical Association, and in politics is an independent Republican.

Claus P. Gran, who is numbered among the enterprising and prosper- ous citizens of Jefferson township who are engaged in agriculture, was born in Wilmington township, Houston county, March 30, 1873, son of Peter C. and Karine Gran. From an early age until he was 15 he attended the district school, but out of school hours, after he was old enough to work, he was seldom idle, as there was always something to be done on the home farm in section 8, Jefferson township, which his parents had taken in the year of his birth. Thus his time was occupied until 1893, when he went to St. Paul and entered the employ of the Northern Pacific Railway Com- pany. On March 18, 1900, he was united in marriage with Christine, daughter of Andrew and Bertha Olson of Jefferson township, Houston county, and they began housekeeping in St. Paul. In the fall of 1906 Mr. Gran bought a farm of 120 acres in section 18, Jefferson township, known as the John Whelpers farm, of which 60 acres were broken, and he and his wife, with their two children, Clara B. and Arthur C .- their family at that time-took up their residence on it. It has since remained their home, and is now in good condition, Mr. Gran having made valuable im- provements, including the erection of a comfortable frame house, a large modern barn, and other buildings, besides installing a complete equipment

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of tools, stock and machinery. He is also a shareholder in the Co-Oper- ative Creamery and Farmers' Co-Operative Mercantile Company of New Albin, Iowa. Though Mr. Gran's farm is rough in surface, it is very pro- ductive, and he raises stock and grain to good advantage. New Albin, seven miles away, is a convenient market. In politics Mr. Gran is a Re- publican and has served officially as town clerk. He and his family are members of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church, but as this de- nomination has no organization in Jefferson township or the immediate vicinity, meetings are held in private houses and conducted by the pastor from Caledonia. Mr. and Mrs. Gran have four children, who were born as follows: Clara Bernice, Jan. 21, 1903; Arthur Clarence, June 5, 1905; Esther Pernella, Nov. 25, 1909; and Edna Ruth, Oct. 29, 1914.

Frederick Klonkowsky, the founder of a farm in Union township, was born in Pommern, Germany, where he grew to manhood and married Augusta Hoffman. In 1866, at the age of about 31, he emigrated with his family to America, landing at New York, where, being poor, he had to re- main until he had earned enough money to come west. When this had been accomplished he came on to Houston county, Minnesota. Here, unable at once to buy land, he worked out for three years, and then started farming for himself on rented land. Four years later he bought a tract from the state, of which six acres were cleared. This he in time developed into a good farm on which he lived until his death, May 13, 1918, his wife still continuing to live on the farm, being now 83 years old. They have had ten children, of whom two only are now living: Louisa, wife of John Betz; and Richard G., now a farmer in Union township.

Richard G. Klonkowsky, a prosperous farmer residing in section 31, Union township, was born in this township, April 3, 1869, son of Frederick and Augusta (Hoffman) Klonkowsky. He was reared on his parents' farm, assisting his father, and in his boyhood attending the district school. At the time of his marriage in 1896 he took over his father's farm of 120 acres, which he later sold to his brother-in-law. Ten years ago, or about 1908, he bought the farm on which he is now living, containing 150 acres, of which 95 acres are cleared, the rest being in timber. He has erected all the buildings except the house and a few small outbuildings, and is doing mixed farming, giving special attention to the raising of cattle and hogs, but not neglecting wheat and other grains. He is also a shareholder in the Caledonia Stock and Grain Co.'s elevator, and in the Farmers' Telephone Co. Mr. Klonkowsky was married in Houston county, May 13, 1896, to Theresa A. Kriese, who was born in West Prussia, Germany, Aug. 16, 1875, daugh- ter of Michael and Emelie (Schoet) Kriese. The parents were farmers, owning a farm of 120 acres. They never came to this country and are now deceased. They had six children: Hulda, Emil, Albert, Theresa A., Ida and Wilhelm. Albert is now living in Preston, Minn. The others, with the exception of Theresa, are still living in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Klon- kowsky have had nine children: Erna, born Jan. 4, 1898, who married Fred Baker; Albert, a twin brother of Erna, who died when four months old; Emil, born May 17, 1901; Herman, born June 26, 1903; Helen, born Dec. 31, 1905; Lily, born Nov. 13, 1907; Paul and Ernst, twins, born July 3,

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MR. AND MRS. RICHARD KLONKOWSKY

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JOHN PLITZUWEIT AND FAMILY

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1910; and Louis, born Dec. 18, 1914. The seven last mentioned are all residing at home, those of suitable age attending school. The family attend the Lutheran church.

Julius Ziemann, who is contributing to the agricultural development of Union township by the cultivation of a farm of 200 acres, residing in section 16, was born in Germany, Aug. 30, 1855, son of Stephen and Caro- line Ziemann. The family came to Houston county from Germany in 1874, the parents engaging in farming. Both father and mother are now de- ceased. Their children were August, Julius, Gusta, Antonia, Caroline, Stephen, and Theresa, of whom the present survivors are Julius, Gusta and Theresa. Julius, who was confirmed in the Lutheran church in Germany, was 15 years old when he came to the United States. For six years after arriving in Houston county he worked out on different farms. He then married and rented a farm which he operated for twelve years, at the end of which time he purchased the farm on which he now lives, or, rather, 120 acres of it, buying the additional 80 acres in 1917. He has about 100 acres cleared, the balance being in wood and pasture. He does mixed farm- ing, including stock raising and dairying, and has a well improved place, with fine buildings, all erected by himself. The clearing of the land was also his own work. Among his other business interests are those of a stock- holder in the co-operative elevator at Caledonia and in the local telephone company. Mr. Ziemann was married, July 29, 1877, in Houston county, to Katherine Hoffmann, who was born in Wisconsin, Nov. 5, 1857, daughter of George and Elizabeth Hoffmann. Her parents were born in Germany, but married in this country, settling in Houston county, Minn., where they spent the rest of their lives in agricultural pursuits. They had two chil- dren, Mary and Katherine. By a previous marriage the mother had four children, Lena, Elizabeth, Marie and Christ, of whom Lena and Christ are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Ziemann have had nine children: William, born May 6, 1878, who died at the age of 13 months; Louis, born Jan 29, 1880, and now living in Sheldon township, this county; Emma, born Nov. 15, who married Valentine Elsheimer; Otto, born Aug. 17, 1885, who re- sides in Preston; John, born Dec. 22, 1888, who died at the age of 14 months; Julius, born July 12, 1890, residing at home, who for the last five years has been engaged in grain buying in Iowa, and who intends entering into mercantile business; Elizabeth, born May 22, 1893, residing at home; Robert, born Nov. 20, 1895, and Cora, born March 22, 1900, both of whom are living on the home farm.

John Plitzuweit, proprietor of a farm of 101 acres in section 20, Union township, was born in Russian Poland, Jan. 6, 1873, son of John Plitzuweit, Sr., and wife. His parents, who were farmers, are now deceased. Their children were George, Mary, John, August, Samuel, Anna and Peter. John, the subject of this sketch, was 25 years old when he came to the United States. He had attended school in his native land and had worked at farming. On arriving in this country, having a brother in St. Louis, Mo., he went there and found work in a brewery. A year later he removed to Philadelphia, where he lived three years. Then coming to Houston county, Minn., he located at Eitzen, and for three years worked out on farms in

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the vicinity. At the time of his marriage, in 1904, he took the farm on which he now resides, and of which about 80 acres are cleared. He has made some notable improvements on it, having built a new barn and house, besides several outbuildings. The barn is a modern structure, 32 by 60 feet, with stone basement, while the house is a good eight-room frame. All the buildings are provided with the Carbide lighting system. Mr. Plitzuweit is making a specialty of stock raising, giving his chief attention to cattle and hogs. He has made good progress and is now numbered among the prosperous citizens of Union township. He is a shareholder in the co-operative elevator at Caledonia and in the local telephone company. Mr. Plitzuweit was married, Feb. 19, 1904, to Louisa Burmeister, daughter of George and Mary (Bauer) Burmeister, of Eizen. Her father, a native of Germany, has for many years been engaged in farming. His children by his wife Mary were Louisa, Clara and George, of whom the last men- tioned is now deceased. After his wife's death he contracted a second marriage, with Elizabeth Tessmer, by whom he has had twelve children: Emma, Lydia, Matilda, Beata, Elizabeth, Edwin, Martin, Arthur, George, Freda, Irene and Hulda. Mr. and Mrs. Plitzuweit are the parents of three children: Paul, born July 28, 1905; Arthur, born July 9, 1907, and Norman, born May 11, 1917. The two elder sons are attending school. The family are members of the Lutheran church.

John N. Schmitz, who is successfully engaged in agriculture and stock raising on a farm of 250 acres in section 32, Caledonia township, was born in Houston county, Minn., Jan. 31, 1868, son of Nichlaus and Anna (Thill) Schmitz. He was educated in the district school and until 27 years of age was engaged in assisting his father in the latter's farming operations. He then married and rented the home farm, which he operated for nine years, at the end of that time purchasing 80 acres in section 32, Caledonia town- ship, to which in 1917 he added 170 acres adjoining. About 170 acres of his land are clear, the rest being in woods and waste land. Here Mr. Schmitz is engaged in general farming, keeping a good herd of Shorthorn cattle, and raising cattle and hogs for the market. He has erected all the buildings on the place, including a fine eight-room house, built in 1908, a barn 34 by 80 feet, with stone basement, in 1910, and a silo in 1914. The barn is cemented and equipped with James litter carriers, and all the build- ings are substantial and well adapted to the purposes for which they were designed. Mr. Schmitz is also a shareholder in the Caledonia and Spring Grove creameries, and has served as a director in the latter for six years. He also owns shares in the Caledonia elevator and the Farmers' Telephone Company. He is a one-fifth owner in a complete threshing outfit, which not only does all the threshing for the owners, but also earns them money by doing that of a few of the neighbors. Mr. Schmitz was married Feb. 11, 1896, to Anna Katherine Zenner, who was born in Caledonia, this county, Oct. 11, 1872, daughter of Nick and Mary Ann (Bouquet) Zenner. He and his wife have four children : Nichlaus, born Jan. 25, 1898, who is assisting his father on the farm; enlisted April 25, 1917, and served in the Medical Corps, in a Camp hospital at Columbus, N. M., from June, 1917, to February, 1919; Lawrence, born May 25, 1901, who is also helping on the

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farm; Leo John, born Oct. 13, 1905; and Joseph M., born March 10, 1908, who are attending school. The family are members of the Catholic church, attending St. Peter's German Catholic church at Caledonia. Nichlaus Schmitz, father of John N. Schmitz, was born in the Duchy of Luxemburg, and, coming to America alone, was married in East Dubuque, Ill., to Anna Thill, a native of the same Duchy. They were the parents of six children : Anna, who married Nick Wagner; Baltes, who married Lizzie Esch; Nick, who died in infancy; John N., subject of this sketch; Mary, who is the wife of Matt Konzem; and Maggie, who is the wife of Nick Schmitt. The father, who was a farmer all his life, died sixteen years ago, and was survived by his wife, who is still living.

George W. and Ardon V. Wheaton, proprietors of Cloverdale Dairy Farm in Caledonia township, are both natives of Houston county, George W. born Feb. 3, 1889, and Ardon V., Aug. 11, 1893. They are sons of Charles W. and Emma (Kellogg) Wheaton, the former of whom was born in New York State, probably at Carroll, Chautauqua county, Jan. 17, 1843, and the latter in Muscatine, Iowa, Oct. 10, 1854. Charles W. Wheaton came west when 16 years old, and became a farmer, which he remained all his life. He was first married in New York State to Celia Dickenson, by whom he had two children : Nettie, born July 18, 1870, who is now living in Owatonna, Minn., and Lynn, who died in infancy. His second marriage took place in La Crosse, Wis., Jan. 21, 1875, and he and his wife settled on a farm in section 36, Caledonia township, this county, where Mr. Wheaton died March 4, 1900, after a long and industrious career as an agriculturist, during which he gained the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens. His wife, who survived him, is still living on the old homestead. They had six children : Florence, born May 8, 1876, who resides with her brothers; Earl Walter, born Nov. 21, 1877, who is an engineer living in La Crosse; Mark Eugene, born June 1, 1881, who is an engineer on the Canadian Pacific Railroad and resides in North Battleford, Canada; Grace Harriet, born March 27, 1887, who is living with her brothers in Houston county; and George W. and Ardon V., the brothers just referred to, the dates of whose respective nativities have been already given. Both brothers were young when their father died, George being eleven, and Ardon in his seventh year. On that event the family rented the farm to a tenant and moved to Caledonia village, where they resided for eight years, and where the children attended school, George in time graduating from the high school. At the end of the period mentioned the family returned to the home farm, where George and Ardon remained for five years. They then purchased the farm of 100 acres in section 24 on which they now live, where they are successfully engaged in general agriculture, including dairying and the raising of stock and grain. Their cattle are of the Holstein breed, and they sell all their milk and cream in Caledonia, being shareholders in the creamery there and also in the elevator. They raise all their own grain and feed and do their own feed grinding. In 1914 they built a new modern barn, 34 by 98 feet in size, with a first class equipment, and in connection therewith have good silo facilities. In addition to their own farm they also operate their mother's, which also contains 80 acres. So far the two brothers have re-

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mained unmarried, their sisters Florence and Grace H. keeping house for them.

Martin Diersen, a well known and prosperous farmer of Jefferson town- ship, residing in section 18, was born in Winnebago township, this county, Sept. 30, 1882, son of Henry and Magdalene (Burmester) Diersen. The parents were natives of Germany who came to the United States many years ago, settling first in Illinois, whence they removed to Eitzen, Houston county, Minn. Henry Diersen, the father, worked first as a farm hand, but subsequently engaged in farming for himself in Winnebago township, this county, where he is still living, being now one of the well to do citizens of that township. Martin Diersen was brought up on his parents' farm and attended district school up to the age of about 17 years. In the following year he began working out, though residing for the most part at home. On Feb. 7, 1907, he married Emma Meyer, daughter of J. H. Herman and Dorothy Meyer of Winnebago township, and for two years after his mar- riage worked his father's farm. In 1910 he bought the Pat Mangner farm of 160 acres in Jefferson township, which had 105 acres broken, there being also an old house and barn on the place, and at the same time, to give him a good start, his father presented him with all the money he had earned and turned in from the time he was 18 years old. Thus provided with funds, he began to improve his place and has since greatly increased its value. He has erected a good two-story frame house, a modern barn with hip roof, 32 by 72 by 18 feet in size, a granary 16 by 30, poultry house 14 by 20, and a garage 12 by 16 for his Oakland auto. His operating equipment is also fully complete, and he is successfully engaged in general farming, breeding high-grade Black Aberdeen cattle and Duroc hogs, in addition to raising hay and grain. His farm lies eight miles northwest of New Albin, and ten miles northeast of Eitzen. Mr. Diersen, in addition to his direct farm in- terests, is a shareholder in the Co-operative Stock and Grain Co. and the Farmers' Co-operative Mercantile Co. of New Albin, Ia. A hard and steady worker, he has already achieved a good measure of success and is numbered among the enterprising and prosperous young farmers of Jeffer- son township. A Republican in politics, he has taken part in the affairs of local government, having served as town supervisor, and also as treasurer of his school district. He and his wife are the parents of six children : Ada, born April 20, 1908; Erwin, Oct. 25, 1909; Elmer, March 28, 1912; Harry, Feb. 11, 1914; Arthur, Feb. 27, 1916; and Leslie born Sept. 22, 1918. Mr. Diersen and his family are members of the German Lutheran Evangelical church.

Charles Kubitz, who occupies a prominent place among the successful farmers of Jefferson township, residing in section 21, was born in Ger- many, Oct. 22, 1860, son of Ernest and Louisa Kubitz. He was but nine years when in 1869 he came with his parents to the United States, and the next four years of his life were spent with them in Dubuque, Iowa. In 1873 the family came to Houston county, Minnesota, and bought a farm in Jeffer- son township. Most of the farms in those days, however, were but little improved, if improved at all, and could be bought cheaply-a necessary condition in the case of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Kubitz, whose pecuniary re-

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MR. AND MRS. MARTIN DIERSEN

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CHARLES KUBITZ AND FAMILY

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sources were very limited. On that farm the son Charles grew to manhood and became inured to agricultural labor, having little opportunity for at- tending school, and there he remained until 1879. Then, a young man in his nineteenth year, he went to Clay county, Minnesota, where he resided for about four years, doing farm work to some extent, and also working in a brickyard and for awhile being employed on the railroad. After various wanderings, Mr. Kubitz returned to Jefferson township, Houston county, in 1890, and bought 240 acres of land situated four miles north- west of New Albin, Iowa, on which tract were some improvements, includ- ing a small house and barn. In the same year he established a home of his own, being united in marriage, Dec. 30, to Mary, daughter of Peter and Catherine Dehning, of Dorchester, Allamakee county, Iowa. He has since more than doubled the size of his farm, having bought an adjoining tract of 245 acres, so that he is now the owner of 485 acres, of which land 160 acres are under cultivation, the rest being pasture and timber. In 1903, he erected a comfortable frame house, and has a good set of barns and out- buildings, which, together with the house, are lighted by electricity. His farm is well equipped with all necessary machinery of modern type, and is well watered with flowing wells. In 1917 Mr. Kubitz rented it to his son Edward, and is now practically retired from active work, and resides at New Albin, Iowa. Always a hard and persevering worker, Mr. Kubitz has reaped the reward of his industry, having amassed a fair competence and can now take his ease and watch the younger generation carry on the work which he and others like him initiated in the county under more difficult conditions. During his active career he carried on stock operations some- what extensively, and with good success, breeding high grade Black Aber- deen cattle to the extent of 70 to 75 head annually and about 75 to 100 Po- land-China hogs per year. He is a stockholder in the Co-operative Mer- cantile Company and the Co-operative Stock and Grain Company of New Albin. Mr. and Mrs. Kubitz are the parents of six children, as follows : Pearl, born Oct. 13, 1891, who is the wife of John Krock, of New Albin, Iowa; George, born Feb. 16, 1894, who was in the United States service, is now in the vulcanizing business at New Albin, Iowa; Edward, born May 11, 1895, now operating the home farm; Otto, born July 9, 1900; Florence, born Dec. 6, 1903; and Arlie, born Sept. 6, 1905, who are residing at home. Mr. Kubitz and his family are members of the German Evangelical Lutheran church at New Albin, Iowa. Mr. Kubitz has always been a Republican in politics. As one of the influential and public spirited citizens of his town- ship he takes a warm interest in whatever makes for its advancement along moral or material lines, and served for three years as a member of the town board. He and his family stand high in social regard.

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History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 55

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

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