USA > Minnesota > Houston County > History of Houston County, Minnesota > Part 75
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Fred Becker, who is now living retired on his farm of 160 acres in sections 35 and 36, Winnebago township, after a long career of successful industry along agricultural lines, was born in Essen, Germany, July 10, 1845, son of Christian and Sophia Becker. When nine years old he accom- panied his parents to America, they settling in Dupage county, Ill., where they spent the rest of their lives, and where Fred grew to manhood. As his parents were very poor, he had but slight opportunity for gaining an education, and had to be practically self-supporting from the age of 14 years. For his farm work he received only $4.50 a month. In his twenty- fifth year, May 25, 1870, he was married in Dupage county, Ill., to Mary Gartner, who was born in Germany March 13, 1851, daughter of Henry and Dora Gartner. For five years after his marriage he operated a rented farm in Dupage county, and at the end of that time found himself in pos- session of a team and $50 in cash. Not satisfied with this degree of prog- ress, he resolved to seek cheaper land and, if possible, obtain a farm of his own. He therefore gave up his Illinois farm, and in the spring of 1875 came with his family to Houston county, Minnesota, buying 80 acres of
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wild railroad land in section 35, Winnebago township, near the Iowa state line. On this he cleared a site and erected a small frame house, of which he and his wife, with their two children took possession. The material for this dwelling he hauled from New Albin, Iowa, and while engaged in haul- ing the second load, he got lost in the woods and for some time wandered around on foot until he located the place where he had deposited his first load. The country at that time was full of wolves and it was not safe to stray far from home after nightfall. In his first pioneer efforts Mr. Becker was ably assisted by his wife, who donned overalls and worked with him in building the new home and clearing the land. To his original 80 acres he subsequently added 80 more, this being in section 36, thus bringing his farm up to its present size of 160 acres, of which over 100 are under the plow, the land being well tilled and very productive. He and his family re- sided in their original dwelling until 1906, in which year he built a more commodious frame house. In 1903 he had built a frame barn, 30 by 50 by 18 feet, with a nine-foot basement, and he has lately erected a new granary, feed mill and workshop, and has a steel windmill. The entire equipment of the farm is of the most modern type. Mr. Becker personally operated the farm until 1914, in which year he rented it to his son Gustav, but still makes his residence on it. It is well stocked with Shorthorn cattle and Duroc swine. In addition to his interest in this property, Mr. Becker is a shareholder in the New Albin Stock and Grain Co., and the Farmers' Sav- ings Bank, both of New Albin, also of the Co-Operative Creamery at Eitzen. In his early days in the county he and his wife suffered many hardships, having to pay 12 per cent interest or more on loans, and sustaining severe losses from the chintz bugs, which ate up his crops, but they have both survived those experiences and are today prosperous and enjoying good health. They are members of St. John's German Evangelical church of Allamakee county, Iowa. In politics Mr. Becker is a Republican, and for thirty years served as school treasurer. To Mr. and Mrs. Becker five chil- dren have been born: Louis, Feb. 20, 1871, now residing in Eitzen village; Emma, Sept. 21, 1873, who is the wife of Herman Kruse of Eitzen; Lena, Sept. 14, 1878, now Mrs. August Wuennekee of Crooked Creek township; Matilda, Feb. 20, 1880, who is the wife of August Welsand of Faribault, Minn .; Freda, now Mrs. Ferdinand Pottratz of Eitzen village; and Gustav, who, as already mentioned, is operating the home farm under rental. Gus- tav married Eliza Pohlman, and has one child, Clarence, born March 22, 1918.
Otto H. Freuchte, who is engaged in the work of agricultural develop- ment in Winnebago township, as proprietor of a farm in section 31, was born in section 33, this township, May 24, 1868, son of Henry and Sophia Fruechte. Reared on his parents' farm, he acquired an average education in the common school of Eitzen, later taking a short course in the Bryant & Stratton Business College of Chicago, Ill. Marrying, on Feb. 18, 1892, Emily, daughter of Frederick and Christine Thies of Wilmington township, this county, he rented his father's farm, which he worked to the close of 1895. In the following spring he bought 120 acres in section 31, Winne- bago township, which was an improved farm two miles northwest of Eitzen
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village, having a frame barn 40 by 60 feet, with half basement, a granary and corn cribs, besides other buildings. Mr. Fruechte has himself made more extensive improvements, having built a two story, nine-room frame house, consisting of an upright and wing; a machine shed, 24 by 40 feet, with a hog house in the basement; a wood house 12 by 20; poultry house 12 by 26; a garage 12 by 18, and a stave silo, 12 by 36. His teams, tools and operating equipment are all of the best, and the entire farm is in a good state of cultivation, the land being very productive. The farm is also well stocked with high grade Shorthorn cattle and Holsteins, and Duroc- Jersey hogs. Through his enterprise and industry Mr. Fruechte has made good progress on the road to fortune and is numbered among the prosper- ous citizens of his township. He owns a large Overland automobile, and is a shareholder in various local enterprises, including the Farmers' Co-Oper- ative Co. of Eitzen, the Eitzen Co-Operative Creamery, the Caledonia Stock and Grain Co. and the Eitzen State Bank. He and his wife are the parents of five children: Frances, born Dec. 13, 1892; Herbert, June 22, 1897; Edwin, Nov. 5, 1900; Lulu, July 20, 1902, and Raymond, Jan. 3, 1911. Mr. Fruechte is a prominent member of the German Evangelical Congregation at Eitzen, to which his family also belong.
Victor Johnson, proprietor of a large farm and other valuable prop- erty in Winnebago township, and who also owns and conducts a store in Winnebago village, is one of the enterprising and well to do citizens of the township who has worked his way up from a condition of comparative pov- erty by industry and close attention to business. He was born in Alla- makee county, Iowa, March 2, 1871, son of Isaac and Helen (Olander) Johnson. The parents were natives of Sweden who came to the United States at an early day, accompanied by their eldest child, Erick. Two other sons and three daughters were subsequently born to them in this country: Victor, subject of this sketch; Mary, who is now living in La Crosse; Florence, residing in Minneapolis; and Martha, who is now deceased. Vic- tor Johnson attended the common schools up to the age of 15 years, but his parents being poor, he had to help support himself at an early age. For many years he worked out for others, his highest wages being $18.00 a month. At last he began farming for himself on rented land, his sister Martha keeping house for him. On Jan. 26, 1910, he married Mary Sophia, daughter of Frank and Katherine Sophia of La Crosse, and he then rented what was known as the Tim McCarthy farm in Winnebago township. In the spring of 1912 he bought 680 acres in sections 23, 24, 26 and 14, Winne- bago township, of which land he now has 300 acres under the plow, the rest being in timber and pasture. He has reconstructed the building on his place and in 1916 built a circular barn. He also owns three dwelling houses and a store building, which stand on his estate, and conducts the store in addi- tion to his agricultural work. His farm is especially well adapted to stock raising, to which he is devoting a considerable part of his attention, breed- ing pure blooded Black Poll and Shorthorn cattle, to the extent of 175 to 200 head annually ; also 75 to 100 Duroc-Jersey hogs, besides having a fine flock of Shropshire sheep. Of his cattle he ships two or three carloads yearly to St. Paul or Chicago. His farm is well fenced and his tillable land
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very productive. Among his buildings is a panel silo 16 by 36 feet. In addition to his interests already mentioned, he is a stockholder in the Farmers' Co-Operative store at New Albin. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson five children have been born: Walter, Oct. 26, 1911; Mabel, May 20, 1913; Chester, June 26, 1915; Catherine, May 20, 1916, and Laura, May 20, 1917. The family are members of the Swedish Baptist church, and are people of high social standing in the southern part of Houston county.
J. H. Herman Meyer, proprietor of the old Meyer farm in section 34, Winnebago township, lying in the rich agricultural district known as Port- land Prairie, was born in Hanover, Germany, March 22, 1853, son of Chris- topher and Katrine Meyer. After attending school in his native land, at the age of 13 years he came with his parents to Houston county, Minne- sota, reaching Portland Prairie May 2, 1866. The family numbered seven, there being in addition to himself, four younger children, namely: George, now living at Iowa River, Iowa; Charles, who is deceased; Fred, a resident of New Albin, Iowa, and Emma, now Mrs. August Kruse of Winnebago township. Subsequently another daughter was born, Martha, who is now the wife of Henry Schroeder of Wilmington township. After residing at their first location on Portland Prairie for about four years, the father bought 80 acres of land, nearly all wild, in section 34, Winnebago township, on which was a log house, and here they remained, Mr. Meyer finally accumulating 680 acres of land. J. H. Herman Meyer attended school during the winters up to the age of 23 years, and except for two summers during which he worked out as a farm hand, he continued to reside on the home farm, which has ever since been his home. He now has 150 acres under the plow, the rest of the land being in timber and pasture. The soil is productive, and the farm is well fenced and provided with good buildings and equipment. The live stock raised are chiefly Black Poll cattle and Duroc and Poland-China hogs. In 1908 Mr. Meyer retired from active work, rent- ing the farm to his son George, but at present it is operated on shares by his son Otto. The house is a two-story building, consisting of upright and wing. Mr. Meyer is a stockholder in the New Albin Stock and Grain Co. and the Eitzen Creamery. He has served his township in various official capacities, and, with his family, is a member of the German Evangelical Congregation at Eitzen. Mr. Meyer was married Feb. 21, 1870, to Dora Meyer, who resided in the vicinity of Eitzen village. He and his wife have had nine children: Bertha, born Nov. 27, 1879; Anna, Feb. 23, 1881; George, Aug. 2, 1883; Emma, March 21, 1885; Matilda, Nov. 22, 1887; Otto, March 28, 1888; Walter, Oct. 18, 1891; Elsie, March 29, 1893, and Louis, March 31, 1899. Bertha is now the wife of Fred Schroeder of Eitzen. Anna is the wife of August Busitzky of Fillmore county, Minn. George is a prosperous farmer of Winnebago township. Emma is the wife of Martin Dierson of Jefferson township. Matilda is the wife of Louis Ransenberger of Allamakee county, Iowa. Otto, who spent four years in the Northwest- ern university at Watertown, Wis., who was working on the home farm, died Dec. 16, 1918. Walter is in the United States service in France. Elsie is now Mrs. Henry Ransenberger, a resident of Iowa. Louis, whose edu- cation was begun in the common school, at the age of 13 years entered the
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Lutheran college at New Ulm, Minn., and was a student there for four years or until 1916. Then until 1917 he studied at Concordia College, St. Paul, after which he spent three years in theological study at St. Louis to fit him- self for the vocation of a Lutheran pastor.
William Gallagher, one of the pioneer improvers of land in Winnebago township, of which he was for many years a well known and respected citizen, was born in Ireland, where he grew to manhood. In 1855 he came to America and in New York State was married to Mary Hughs. Coming west to Illinois, they lived there for seven years, and then, in 1862, came to Houston county, Minnesota, buying a tract of 160 acres of wild land in section 11, Winnebago township. On this tract Mr. Gallagher built a two- room log house and with the aid of horses began the work of development. Houston county was then almost a wilderness, as the first white settlers had come in but a few years previously, and there were as yet few or no well developed farms. Mr. Gallagher was energetic and industrious and made the best of his opportunities, proving himself a good pioneer farmer. With the assistance of his wife he made progress, cleared and cultivated his land, and in time was able to erect a comfortable frame house. He also by additional purchases increased the size of his farm to 264 acres. After an active and in the main a successful career, he died in 1912, his wife hav- ing previously passed away in 1903. They were the parents of eight chil- dren: Anna, now Mrs. James Carl of Winnebago township; Margaret, wife of Richard Dunn of the same township; Mary, wife of Thomas Burns of Fosston, Minn .; Katherine, wife of John Kemp of Clarissa, Minn .; Eliza- beth, now deceased, who was the wife of George Johnson of Clarissa, Minn .; John, now proprietor of the old home farm in Winnebago town- ship; Ellen, wife of Thomas Doolen of Winnebago township; and Bridget.
John Gallagher, an extensive farmer residing in section 11, Winnebago township, and operating the old pioneer farm established by his parents 58 years ago, of which he is now the owner, was born in this township, May 27, 1868, son of William and Mary (Hughs) Gallagher. He has always resided on his present farm, which in his younger days was but partially improved, and to the improvements of which he has himself largely contributed. In his boyhood days educational advantages were limited, but he attended the district school and acquired a knowldege of the common branches of study. His father having died in 1912, and his mother being previously de- ceased, in 1913 he purchased the interests of the other heirs to the farm and has since been the sole owner. The farm contains 524 acres. He has now 250 acres under the plow and has made some valuable improvements, including the erection of a modern frame barn, 36 by 100 by 20 feet in size; a machine shed 30 by 42; two granaries, one 16 by 24 and the other 18 by 36, with other necessary buildings. Mr. Gallagher has a good operating equipment, including grade Percheron horses. His farm, which is eight miles from Caledonia, and 11 miles from New Albin, is well stocked with high grade Shorthorn cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs, and for all his produce he finds a ready and profitable market. Mr. Gallagher is a Roman Catholic in religion and a member of Freeburg parish. In politics he is a Repub- lican, but his political activities have been hitherto confined to casting his
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JOHN GALLAGHER AND FAMILY
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vote, except that he has served as treasurer of his school district. He is a stockholder in the Caledonia Stock and Grain Company. An industrious worker and good farm manager, he has met with success and is numbered among the substantial citizens of his township. Mr. Gallagher was mar- ried, Jan. 22, 1895, to Alice Burns, who was born Aug. 31, 1866, daughter of John and Catherine Burns of Caledonia township, this county, and who has been a faithful helpmate and equally hard worker with her husband. They have two children, William and John, both of whom are residing on the home farm.
Deters & Paus, proprietors of the Eitzen Auto and Implement Com- pany, of Eitzen, Minn., are men of enterprise and ability, natives of the same neighborhood, born in the same year, and whose lives have run largely upon similar lines. Alfred H. Deters was born in Allamakee county, Iowa, April 21, 1885. He received a common school education, and remained at home until 1910, after which he followed garage and factory work and farming until 1917, when he formed his present partnership with Mr. Paus. He was married in July, 1918, to Clara Kruse of Eitzen. Mr. Paus was born in Allamakee county, Iowa, Sept. 13, 1885, and, like Mr. Deters, was educated in the common schools. After beginning industrial life he was engaged in farming until 1912, when he opened a blacksmith shop in Eitzen, later, as above mentioned, becoming Mr. Deters' partner. He was married, Oct. 14, 1916, to Emma, daughter of Barney and Mary Deters, of Eitzen, and they have one child, Milton, born Oct. 10, 1917. The firm of Deters & Paus have built a fine garage, constructed of cement blocks, and measuring 50 by 70 feet. They sell Ford autos, keep a general line of farm machinery, and also do general blacksmithing. Beginning June 1, 1917, they have since made satisfactory progress, both being energetic and capable men, and of wide acquaintance. They are Republicans politically, and having been reared in the faith of the German Evangelical church, are members of that congregation at Eitzen.
Henry Diersen, one of the leading farmers and stock raisers of Winne- bago township, residing in section 12, is also prominent as a citizen, hav- ing served repeatedly in public office. He was born in Hanover, Germany, Oct. 9, 1853, son of Peter and Katrina (Stein) Diersen. When he was four years old his mother died, and the father, though poor, subsequently mar- ried again. Of the first marriage, besides Henry, there was another son, Peter, and of the second marriage a daughter, Doris, was born. Owing to his father's slender means, Henry had to contribute to his own support at the early age of nine years, earning a little money by doing odd jobs as he could find opportunity. Still he managed to keep up school attendance with more or less regularity up to the age of 15. Until he was 20 he re- mained in his native land, working hard and steadily, but making little progress on the road to fortune, and realizing that he must have better opportunities to make anything worth while of his life, he resolved to cut loose from home ties and start a new career in the United States. Un- accompanied, for his brother and stepsister remained in Germany, where the father died, he set out, landed in this country, and made his way to Peru, Ill., in the vicinity of which place he worked for five years as a farm
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hand. There also for one winter he attended English school. In 1878 he came to Houston county, Minn., locating at Eitzen, where he resided for two years, continuing to work as a farm hand. During the seven years that he had now been in this country, he had been saving his money, spending little or nothing except for necessities. This prudential economy had brought its due reward and enabled him to assume the responsibilities and enjoy the comforts of domestic life. Accordingly, on Dec. 18, 1879, he was united in marriage with Magdalene Burmeister, daughter of John and Louisa Burmeister, of Cabbage Ridge, Winnebago township. That winter he and his wife resided at the Burmeister home, and in the meanwhile Mr. Diersen looked around for a suitable farm on which to begin independent operations in the spring. In section 12, Winnebago township, he found a small farm of 80 acres, with 24 acres of the land broken, and with a small frame house and granary. As the land was good and the place suited to his means, he bought it early in 1880 and in the same spring began operations, he and his wife establishing their home in the little house. Mrs. Diersen not only proved a good housekeeper, but also demonstrated her ability as a farm hand, working in the fields with her husband, and together they im- proved and developed the place, until the demands of an increasing family obliged her to devote all her attention to her household duties. Mr. Diersen now has 437 acres, of which 160 are under cultivation, the rest being in timber and pasture. Though rough, the land is fertile and produces good crops. Mr. Diersen, however, derives the greater part of his income from stock raising, his son Louis being now the active manager of the place. The present buildings include a good two-story frame house, two large barns, a granary, corn cribs, hog house, machine-sheds, cream house, mill house and garage, all being substantial, of modern type, and electrically lighted. The yard surrounding the house has also been beautified, the fences kept in good condition, and the entire farm presents visible evidence of careful and industrious management and resultant prosperity. Mr. Diersen's stock consists chiefly of Black Aberdeen cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs, all graded animals, though he also has some excellent horses. His operating equipment is complete and of modern type, as he is not the man to be satisfied with anything short of the best. His farm is 11 miles from Caledonia, and equally distant from New Albin, either place being a con- venient market. In the latter he has financial interests, being a stock- holder in the New Albin Co-operative Creamery and in the Farmers' Mer- cantile Company. He and his wife are the parents of five sons, all grown to manhood, energetic and prosperous, and to each of whom Mr. Diersen has given a good start in life. They are as follows: John, born Jan. 13, 1881, is a farmer in Caledonia township; Martin, born Sept. 30, 1882, has a good farm in section 18, Jefferson township; Herman, born Oct. 2, 1886, is farming in Winnebago township; Arthur, born Aug. 26, 1888, is a farmer and thresher, his place being just north of the home farm ; Louis, born Sept. . 2, 1893, and lives on the home farm, which, as already mentioned, he is now engaged in operating. John married Lisette Kruse, and has four children, Paul, Carl, Albert and Esther. Martin married Emma Meyer, and has six children, Ada, Ervin, Elmer, Harry, Arthur and Leslie. Her-
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man married Alwina Burmeister, and has two children, Ferdinand and Mar- vin. Arthur married Martha Stegen and has one daughter, Selma. Louis married Victoria Pieper. Mr. Diersen, his wife and family are members of the Eitzen congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran church, in the support of which they are liberal, and which he has represented as synodical delegate. Politically a Republican, he has served his township several terms as supervisor and assessor, and as a public spirited citizen has always been ready to promote any practical enterprise for the welfare and ad- vancement of the community in which he lives, as well as for the county generally.
George F. Munkel, proprietor of the old Munkel homestead in section 7, Winnebago township, was born in this township, April 11, 1891, son of Adolph and Anna Munkel. His parents, natives of Germany, are still liv- ing. They had eight children : Adolph, Dena, Barney, Ulrich, Alvin, Ida, Emma and George F., all of whom are living. George F. was educated in the district schools and assisted his father on the farm until he had reached the age of 21. He then married and rented a farm in Wilmington township, which he operated for one year. Then, in 1914, he bought the home farm and has since resided here. He has 101 acres, of which 50 acres are cleared, the rest being timbered. It is Mr. Munkel's intention to clear the entire farm, and he is proceeding steadily with the work. He has rebuilt all the buildings, moving the house, and has erected several outbuildings. His farming operations are largely devoted to stock raising, including Black- polled cattle, swine and horses; and he is also a shareholder in the Strom- berg No. 2 Telephone Co. Mr. Munkel was married, April 9, 1913, in Free- burg, Houston county, to Grace Cavin, who was born in Winnebago town- ship, July 4, 1896, daughter of Patrick Cavin and wife. The father, a native of Kentucky and a blacksmith by trade, was engaged in farming in this county, but is now deceased. His wife, who was born in Houston county, is still living. They had ten children : Julia, Nellie, John, Mary, Agnes, Leo, Leona, Roy, Grace, and Floyd. To Mr. and Mrs. Munkel two children have been born : Earl Milton, Jan. 24, 1914; and Gladys May, Aug. 23, 1915.
Fred Deters, one of the wealthiest citizens of Winnebago township, the owner of valuable farm lands, both in this township and elsewhere, is a man who has attained prosperity through his own enterprise and ability. He was born in Westphalen, Germany, Sept. 7, 1855, son of John and Bernadina (Meiners) Deters, and came to the United States with his parents at the age of 9 years, arriving in Houston county, Minnesota, July 8, 1864. The family setled immediately on Portland Prairie, the parents buying a farm near Eitzen, Winnebago township. It was but a small place of 40 acres, but before his death, John Deters had acquired 280 acres of land. His wife Bernadina died in 1874. Fred Deters attended common school for a while in Eitzen village, and for seven years was associated with his father in the development of the home farm. On March 17, 1879, he married Louisa, daughter of Barney and Maria (Stenkel) Brinker, of Allamakee county, Iowa, and brought his bride to his parents' farm, on which they spent their first year of domestic life. In the spring of 1880 Mr. Deters moved onto a farm of 120 acres, belonging to his father, in sec- 36
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