History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 62

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

USA > Minnesota > Houston County > History of Houston County, Minnesota > Part 62

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J. Selmer Stenehjem, who is operating the old Stenehjem farm in sec- tions 21, 28 and 29, Black Hammer township, being its present proprietor, was born on this farm, Nov. 26, 1891, son of Ole A. and Anne (Ellestad) Stenehjem. The parents were natives of Norway who were married in Houston county in 1869, residing on a farm in Wilmington township until 1872, when they removed to Black Hammer township and gradually built up the farm on which the subject of this sketch is now living. The latter was educated in the district school, which he attended up to the age of 15 years, and in the Southern Minnesota Normal School at Austin, Minn., where he was a student in 1910 and 1911. He has resided on the home farm except for one year, and gave material assistance to his father in its development. Since the father's death in 1903 he has been engaged in operating it, his mother residing with him. The estate now contains 212 acres, and has an excellent set of buildings, including a fine, two-story brick house and good frame barn. Mr. Stenehjem is a breeder of pure Red Poll cattle, and has also a fine herd of graded Shorthorns, and another of Poland-China hogs. His operating equipment is first-class and includes the most modern machinery. Progressive and enterprising, he has won a place for himself among the prosperous and well to do citizens of his township. In addition to his direct farming interests, he is a stockholder in the Spring Grove Creamery and the Equity Shipping Association of

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GEORGE WRIGHT AND FAMILY

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Spring Grove. On June 2, 1917, Mr. Stenehjem was married to Georgiana, daughter of Ole G. and Gubrid Nelson of Hatton, N. D. They have one child, Julian Sidney, who was born Feb. 17, 1918. The family are mem- bers of the Black Hammer congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church.

George Wright, who carries on extensive agricultural, threshing and portable sawmill operations in Houston and Fillmore county, is a fine example of the modern farmer and business man. One of the most active men in his community, he is respected and honored, his work has been suc- cessful, and he is doing his share toward the upbuilding of the community in every way. Living in a community almost entirely made up of people of another nationality, his character has won for him the recognition and position which he now enjoys. During the recent world war his work won for him an enviable reputation as being in the front ranks of American citizenship. George Wright was born in Black Hammer township, in which township he still resides, Feb. 18, 1863, son of Thomas T. and Elizabeth Wright, who were born in Ireland, came to America at an early age, were married in Pennsylvania and in 1858 came to Houston county, where the father died in the sixties and where the mother, at the good old age of 85, still lives with her bachelor son, William, on the Fillmore county line. Early left without a father, George Wright started to shift for himself at the age of 12 and has since devoted his life to hard work. After his mar- riage in 1888 he settled on the Bailey farm in Yucatan township. About two years later he moved to the Brill farm in the same township, where he lived six or seven years. It was in 1897 that he bought 120 acres of land in Black Hammer township, on which a few improvements had been made. On this farm he still lives. Eighty acres are under the plow. He later purchased another farm in the same township. Of this farm 30 acres are under the plow and the remainder in timber and pasture. The farm, which he and his mother jointly own and which he also operates, consists of 80 acres in Fillmore county and 80 acres in Black Hammer township, and of this 140 acres are under the plow. In addition to these three farms he also operates 200 acres adjoining his farm on the east. His operating equipment is all good. He raises the usual diversified crops, breeds large numbers of Poland-China swine, has a good herd of some 125 Poll-Angus cattle and owns about 25 horses. In addition to this he has two threshing outfits which he successfully conducts each fall, and he also has a portable sawmill outfit which he operates successfully in the two counties.

Mr. Wright was married in August, 1888, to Jane Lee, daughter of Knut Lee, of Black Hammer township. This union has been blessed with three children : Frances, Arthur R. and Henry. Frances was born May 10, 1889, and first married Charles Kallis, by whom she has two children who are now being reared in the Wright home. She is now Mrs. Andrew Johnson, of Riceford, Minn. Arthur R. was born Oct. 25, 1892, and assists his father in operating his farms. He married Ida Tellefson, daughter of Peter and Anna Tellefson, and has two children. Henry was born Oct. 27, 1897, and also assists the father. The family attends the Preble Catholic church in Fillmore county:

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Olaus Harstad, whose fertile farm of 200 acres lies in Yucatan Valley, section 18, Black Hammer township, was born in Fillmore county, Min- nesota, July 21, 1871, son of Jonas and Brinil Harstad. His parents, com- ing from Norway in 1869, settled near Riceford, Houston county, and resided there many years, subsequently moving to Fillmore county and later to the farm in section 18, Black Hammer township, Houston county, on which the subject of this sketch now lives. The latter attended district school up to the age of 15 years and remained at home with his parents. He assisted his father to buy the farm, of which in 1916 he became sole pro- prietor. Of its total area of 200 acres 100 are now under cultivation, the balance being in pasture and timber. The house is a comfortable frame structure, while the barns are built of logs. One of the latter was erected in 1917. The situation is picturesque, the farm being surrounded by high bluffs. Mr. Harstad is doing a successful business, his stock consisting chiefly of Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China swine. He is also a stock- holder in the Yucatan Creamery Association. Among his buildings is a garage for the housing of his Ford auto. Mr. Harstad was married, May 31, 1900, to Olava B., daughter of Peter and Anne Tollefson, of Black Hammer township. He and his wife have three children: Benora, born Aug. 13, 1906; Pauline, born July 8, 1911, and Olga, born Sept. 3, 1915. The family are members of the Black Hammer congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church.

Ole C. G. Otterness, a thriving farmer residing on the old Otterness homestead in Black Hammer township, section 15, was born on his present farm, in June, 1862, son of Guttorm and Britha (Frandel) Otterness. The parents, natives of Norway, were among the early settlers in this town- ship, beginning as pioneer farmers when very poor, but finally building up a good farm. The father, who was born Feb. 3, 1823, died April 16, 1887; the mother, born June 9, 1829, died Aug. 21, 1897, surviving her husband a little over ten years. They were worthy and industrious people and much respected. Several of the original log buildings erected by Guttorm Otter- ness are still standing on the farm. Of the nine children in the family, five are now living, namely; Iver, residing on a neighboring farm in this town- ship; Martha, now Mrs. James Winjun; Jane, wife of Ole Lee; Ole C. G., and Carrie married to Ole J. Winjun, all being residents of Black Hammer township. Ole, who acquired his education in the district school, has always lived on the home farm, which contains 157 acres. Of this area he has 95 under cultivation, all the land being good and well fenced. The present farm residence is a substantial nine-room frame house, and among the other buildings are a frame barn, 26 by 60 by 18 feet, with a leanto for cattle, 12 by 60; a granary, machine shed, corn cribs and similar structures, all of which are in good condition. The farm is conducted on a profitable basis and Mr. Otterness is recognized as one of the successful and enter- prising men of his township. He has served several terms as a member of his district school board, in politics being a Republican. With his family he is a member of the Black Hammer congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church. Mr. Otterness was married in June, 1895, to Ingebor, daughter of Elling and Sigri Veum. She was born in Riceford.

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PETER ONSTAD AND FAMILY

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Spring Grove township, Nov. 16, 1866, but at the time of her marriage was residing with her parents in Black Hammer township. Mr. and Mrs. Otter- ness have four children: Guttorm, born May 22, 1896, who is operating the home farm for his father; Sarah, born Nov. 25, 1897, who graduated from the Houston Normal School and is now teaching in Houston county ; Benora, born Oct. 20, 1899, and Olga, born Sept. 3, 1901, who, as well as Sarah, are residing on the home farm.

Peter C. Onstad, residing in section 25, Black Hammer township, proprietor of one of the best farms in the southern part of Houston county, was born in section 23, this township, June 20, 1880, son of Christen P. and Oline (Solberg) Onstad. He was reared on his parents' farm, known as the Oak Grove Stock Farm, also a fine estate, on which he obtained a thorough knowledge of agriculture. Up to the age of 15 he attended dis- trict school, and resided at home until 1901, when, at the age of 21, he went to Pierce county, S. D., where he homesteaded 160 acres of land. In 1903 he returned home and rented the old Solberg farm in section 25, Black Hammer township, operating it under rental for five years. While living on that farm he was married, Nov. 22, 1905, to Jorgina, daughter of Ole and Nettie Suldahl, of Black Hammer township, her parents having come to this county about 1868 from Norway, settling on a farm in Black Ham- mer township where they lived until 1912, when they moved to Spring Grove village where the mother died in the fall of 1918, the father now making his home with his daughter, Mrs. Peter Onstad. In 1908 Mr. Onstad bought his present farm of 215 acres, of which he now has 140 acres under cultivation, and which lies three miles north Spring Grove vil- lage. It is a very productive farm, well fenced, and well watered, and with the buildings in excellent condition. The latter include a good eight-room frame house, with a separate summer kitchen; a frame barn, 40 by 60 by 16 feet in dimensions with full stone basement, and a complete James equipment; a stave silo, 14 by 32; machine shed, 30 by 30; hoghouse, 24 by 60; granary and buggy shed, 24 by 30, and poultry house 14 by 36 feet in size. The farm is well stocked with Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China hogs, besides other good stock, Mr. Onstad keeping pure-bred sires both in cattle and swine. He is doing a large and successful business and is also a stockholder in the Spring Grove Co-operative Creamery, of which he has been treasurer for the past six years; the Spring Grove Hospital and the Spring Grove Stock & Grain Co., being also a member of the Equity Ship- ping Association. His religious affiliations are with the Norwegian . Evangelical Lutheran church, he having been treasurer of the Black Ham- mer Congregation for some years. Mr. and Mrs. Onstad are the parents of seven children: Mildred, born Nov. 23, 1907; Christian Orlando, Oct. 8, 1908; Rosalie Constance, Oct. 27, 1911; Oswald Sylvester, Nov. 9, 1912; Paul Jerome, Oct. 25, 1914; Arnold Henry, Oct. 13, 1916; and Lyla Virginia, born April 22, 1919.

William C. Glasrud, who owns and operates a farm of 240 acres in Black Hammer township, residing in section 21, was born on this farm March 20, 1890, son of Peter and Sigri (Qually) Glasrud. His parents were among the pioneers of Houston county, the father coming to America in

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1853, and residing until 1856 in Yorkville, Wisconsin, when he came to Houston county, Minn. In 1872 Peter Glasrud bought the farm on which his son William C. now lives. He died in 1892, being survived by his wife, who is now living in Spring Grove village. William C. Glasrud acquired his education in the school of his district and in Spring Grove village, being a student in the village school for two years. He has always remained on the home farm, which he has operated on his own account since 1908. Be- sides being one of the oldest, it is also one of the best in the township, the land being rich and the buildings in good condition. The equipment is also adequate and of modern type. In his stock raising operations Mr. Glasrud gives the preference to Hereford cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs. In addition to this property, he owns another farm, one of 200 acres, a few miles north of his own location, 75 acres of it being under cultivation, which he is renting out to a tenant. He is also a stockholder in the Spring Grove Creamery and hospital. Industrious and progressive, he is respected for his abilities and is popular as a man and citizen. In politics he is a Republi- can. Mr. Glasrud was married Dec. 31, 1912, to Lillian Virginia, daughter of A. J. and Randi Johnson of Spring Grove township. He and his wife are members of the Black Hammer Congregation of the Norwegian Evan- gelical Lutheran church.

Fritz H. Engelhart, for many years a prominent resident of this county, first of Yucatan township, and then of Black Hammer township, was an honest hard-working man, had his part in the developing of the county, and left a heritage of honor to his large family of children. He was born Sept. 26, 1845, in Hasbergen, Amt-Haja, Hanover, Germany, and there received his schooling. As he approached the age of military induction, he left his native land, and for four years worked in a sugar house in Eng- land. Then he came to America and worked two or three years as a farm hand in New York State. It was in 1867 that he came to Houston county, where for a while he was employed as a farm hand in Yucatan township Here he met Adelia Cutting, a daughter of Enos and Adelia (Cutting) Adams, who had come from Erie county, New York, and located in Yucatan township with the earliest pioneers. After marrying this young lady, Mr. Engelhart bought a farm of 120 acres in the same township. But in 1885 he sold out, and purchased 120 acres of partly improved land in section 1, Black Hammer township. Beginning with nothing, the industry and frugality of this couple built up a good place. At first they lived in tem- porary buildings, but as time progressed they built a comfortable one and a half story frame dwelling, upright and wing. Here Mr. Englehart labored and wrought until his death on April 10, 1910. Thus left a widow with twelve children, Mrs. Englehart took up the burdens of operating the tarm and raising her family. With the aid of her children she operated the place successfully and continued the improvements started by her husband, still further developing the place by erecting a good frame barn, a granary, a machine shed and other necessary farm buildings. In 1913 she rented the farm to her son, Bay, who now occupies a part of the homestead. The Engelhart farm is located eight miles northwest of Caledonia and eight miles north of Spring Grove. It is well equipped and well stocked, and aside

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CHRISTEN P. ONSTAD AND FAMILY

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from general farming a specialty is made of Shorthorn cattle and Poland- China swine. The twelve children of Mr. and Mrs. Engelhart are: Bay, John, Alice, Jane, Adelia, Mary, Fritz, Florence, Enos, Wanda, Claus and Esther. Bay, as noted, operates the home farm. John is a carpenter and lives at home. Alice, who is a graduate of the advanced courses of the Winona Normal School, is the wife of Bern Clemmenson, of Black Hammer township. Jane is the wife of Emil Heidtke, of Wykoff, Minn. Adelia is the wife of Robert Rowe, an evangelist with headquarters at Spokane, Wash. Mary is the wife of Tollif Brevig, a farmer of Black Hammer township, whose place is a mile north of the Engelhart homestead. Fritz is a thrifty farmer of the same township. Florence is the wife of William Brossard, a farmer of Pleasant Lake, N. D. Enos is with the colors and has seen service in France. Wanda is the wife of Edward Brandt, of Wykoff, Minn. Claus and Esther are at home. Mrs. Engelhart is one of the most energetic women of the community, a hard worker as she always has been, and she is highly honored for her accomplishment in raising so splendid a family, a real asset to the county. Mr. Engelhart was originally a member of the Lutheran church, but after his marriage became a Presbyterian, which church has since been the family faith.

Christen P. Onstad, who spent his life in Black Hammer township, succeeding to the farm of his parents in section 23, was born on the above mentioned farm, May 19, 1856, son of Per and Randi Onstad. The parents, who came from Norway in 1850, homesteaded 160 acres, the land being then wild, and built a log house, which was their home for a number of years. Later the father, who had been a carpenter in Norway, built a substantial house, for which he hewed the timber himself and which, with some addi- tions, is the family dwelling-place today. He died on March 27, 1876, his son, Christen P., then becoming owner of the farm. The latter, who was educated in the district school, took an active part in the development of the farm and made many improvements on it. By an additional land purchase he increased its area to 320 acres and put all in a state of cultivation except twelve acres. It is now one of the model stock farms of the county, the equipment being of the best and the buildings substantial and well lighted. Mr. Onstad served his township as supervisor, assessor and in other capaci- ties, in politics being a Republican. His death, which occurred March 6, 1900, removed from life's activities one of the most useful and respected citizens of Black Hammer township. He was a prominent and consistent member of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church.

Mr. Onstad was married, June 27, 1879, to Oline Solberg, daughter of Helge E. and Kari Solberg, of Black Hammer township, this county. Eleven children were the fruit of this union, namely: Peter Cornelius, born June 21, 1880, now a prosperous farmer in this township; Henry Orlando, born Sept. 15, 1881, who died April 2, 1883; Rhoda Alete, born May 3, 1883, now Mrs. Haakon Stenehjem, of Plentywood, Mont .; Henry Orlando (second), born Sept. 22, 1884, now living on a part of the home farm; Carl Johann, born Jan. 27, 1886, a prosperous farmer in Black Hammer township; Arthur Julius, born July 31, 1887, who is now operating the home farm on rental from his mother, with whom he shares the profits; Edwin Gerhard, born

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Dec. 17, 1888, a farmer in Aznoe, Mont .; Ida Otine, born Sept. 8, 1890, who is a teacher residing at home; Nina Christina, born Jan. 8, 1892, who died in infancy ; Timan Melvin, born April 2, 1893, now living in Montana ; and Nora Alvina, born Feb. 6, 1895, is residing at home, the latter being a school teacher. After her husband's death Mrs. Onstad, with the aid of her children, operated the farm, which is known as Oak Grove Stock Farm, until 1912, making many improvements on it. The buildings she erected include a modern frame barn, 32 by 70 by 14, on a full nine-foot stone base- ment with cement floor, James stalls and mangers and other up-to-date equipment, together with a cream room, a hog house, 18 by 40 by 8 feet, with cement floor; a granary, 18 by 24 by 10; machine shed, 18 by 36 by 10; double corn crib, 18 by 24, with an eight-foot drive; a stave silo, a garage and a steel windmill. The buildings are all in excellent condition, and the farm is a model estate of its kind with beautiful surroundings.

Arthur Julius Onstad, a prominent farmer of Black Hammer town- ship, was born in section 23, this township, July 31, 1887, son of Christen P. and Oline (Solberg) Onstad. He was reared on his parents' farm and up to the age of 17 attended district school. Then going to Houston village, he entered the store of his uncle, J. P. Onstad, who was engaged in a general mercantile business and worked for him one year as a clerk. At the end of that time he returned to the home farm and resumed agricultural work. In 1912 he rented the farm from his mother and is now operating it on shares, owning one-half the stock, tools, teams and other equipment. Industrious and enterprising and a thorough master of agriculture in all its branches, he is showing good ability as a manager, making the farm yield a satisfactory profit. He is also a shareholder in the Spring Grove Stock & Grain Com- pany and the Spring Grove Hospital, and takes an active interest in all movements for the benefit of the community in which he lives. Religiously he is a member of the Black Hammer congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical church, and in politics is a Republican.

On April 3, 1917, Mr. Onstad was married to Agnes Susanna, daughter of Anton and Randi Johnson, of Spring Grove township. He and his wife have one child, Randi Oline, who was born March 22, 1918.

Adolph Boardman, an early settler in Houston county, who estab- lished a farm in section 8, Black Hammer township, was a native of Quebec, Canada, and came to Houston county, Minnesota, in 1867, locating in Hous- ton village, where he followed his trade, which was that of a blacksmith. He was accompanied by his wife Mary, who was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, and whom he had married in Boston, Mass. In 1875 Mr. Boardman gave up his shop and moved to Black Hammer township, buying 80 acres of partly improved land in section 8. His career as a farmer was but short, for he died in 1878, leaving his wife with six children : Edward, now living in Minot, N. D .; Adelia, deceased ; Louis, a resident of Canton, Minn .; Peter, residing at Overly, N. D .; Louisa, now Mrs. Henry Simpson, of Black Ham- mer township; and George A., who is now proprietor of the old homestead. After Mr. Boardman's death his widow became the wife of Terence Munyon, whom also she has survived. She is residing with her son, George A., on the home farm.

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George A. Boardman, an enterprising representative of the farming industry in Black Hammer township, residing in section 8, was born on his present farm, Nov. 1, 1875, son of Adolph and Mary Boardman. When he was 3 years old his father died, but his mother and the children continued on the farm, and until the age of 16 he attended the district school. From that time on he was self-supporting, but attended school for two years more in Tyler, Minn. On Nov. 28, 1899, he married Ellen, daughter of Patrick and Ellen Callahan, of Tyler, her parents having removed to that place from Albany, N. Y. In 1903 Mr. Boardman returned to Houston county and bought the old home farm in section 8, Black Hammer township, where he has since remained. He also rents an adjoining tract of 60 acres belonging to his mother, who lives on the farm with him. About 90 acres of his land are under the plow, and he is raising graded Holstein cattle and Poland- China swine with profitable results. He has made some important improve- ments on the place, having erected a frame barn, 24 by 82 by 16 feet, with an eight-foot full basement; a tile silo, 12 by 40; a modern corn crib and hog house, 12 by 54, with the crib above and hog house below, and with cement feeding floor 24 by 52; also a machine shed and poultry house combined, 18 by 50; and a stone cream house, 12 by 12 by 8 feet in size. His teams, tools and other equipment are also of good quality. In addition to his interest in the farm Mr. Boardman owns stock in the Yucatan Creamery. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religion a Catholic, worshiping with his family with the Prebble congregation in Fillmore county. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Boardman : Leo, Jan. 23, 1901; Florence, July 6, 1904; Celia, Nov. 10, 1906; and Rose, May 27, 1910.

Oscar K. Bagley, who for the last fifteen years has been engaged in the mercantile business at Black Hammer, in Black Hammer township, and is also the owner of a good farm property, was born near Mabel, Fillmore county, Minn., Sept. 23, 1873, son of Ole O. and Ingeborg (Texley) Bagley. His parents were born in Norway. The father, Ole O. Bagley, came to America in 1843, locating first at Koshkonong, Rock county, Wis., whence in 1857 he removed to Fillmore county, Minnesota, where he bought a tract of government land, paying $1.25 an acre, and began the work of improving it. In 1862 he enlisted in the army and served against the Indians at New Ulm and elsewhere during the great outbreak of the savages that year, and afterward against the Confederates, his service lasting three years. After his return home he resumed work on his farm, which he developed into a good piece of agricultural property, finally retiring from active industry. He is still living, being now a resident of Mabel. His wife died Nov. 17, 1915. Oscar K. Bagley, after acquiring the elements of knowledge in the district school, attended for two winters the Valder Business College at Decorah, Iowa, completing the business course. With that exception he remained at home, working on the farm. On Jan. 22, 1896, he was married to Martha, daughter of Iver and Kari (Lunde) Berquam, of Caledonia town- ship, Houston county, and he and his wife began domestic life on a farm at Springwater, Winneshiek county, Iowa. In 1899 he removed to Newberg, Fillmore county, Minn., where for three years he was engaged in the grocery business until April 1, 1903, when he came to Black Hammer, buying out the 30

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History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 62

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

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