History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 80

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

USA > Minnesota > Houston County > History of Houston County, Minnesota > Part 80

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Hans G. Miner, proprietor of a picturesque and productive farm of 120 acres, lying chiefly in Wilmington, but partly in Spring Grove township, was born in Winneshiek county, Iowa, June 11, 1866, son of Daniel and Ellen (Hanson) Miner. The father was a native of Allegany county, New York, and the mother of Norway. They settled in Winneshiek county, Iowa, in 1855, and for many years were engaged there in agriculture. Both parents are now deceased, Daniel Miner having died in Spring Grove vil- lage, Houston county, in 1897, at the home of his son Eugene, and his wife on the old home farm in Winneshiek county, Iowa, of which her son Charles was then proprietor. Hans G. Miner, who acquired his education in the common schools, was brought up to agricultural pursuits and early became a practical farmer. His parents' farm not being far from the state line, he became acquainted with Christine Gronna, daughter of Jorgen and Guri (Peterson) Gronna, of Wilmington township, Houston county, and to her he was married Dec. 3, 1891. He then took up his residence on the Gronna farm in section 31, which subsequently became his property, and here he has since resided. During the first two years of their domestic life he and his wife resided in a log house, after which Mr. Miner built a frame house of six roms, which was the family dwelling until 1915. He then erected the modern two-story frame house in which he is now living. To the original area of 80 acres he has added 40 more adjoining it on the west, but which is in Spring Grove township. He has also built a frame barn, 32 by 50 by 16 feet, with a full stone basement of eight feet, machine sheds, corn sheds, garage and other necessary and useful structures. The house is surrounded by fine. evergreen trees, set out by himself and wife, and the appearance of the place is picturesque and homelike. A good spring which flows all the year round affords water to every part of the farm, which is well stocked with graded Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China swine, the herds having full-blooded sires. All the buildings are painted and the operating equipment is complete and of modern type. Mr. Miner is a member of the Equity Shipping Association of Spring Grove, and a

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stockholder in the Spring Grove Stock & Grain Company, the Honey Cream- ery at Bee and the Spring Grove Hospital. He and his family are members of the Spring Grove congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church. For a number of years he has served as treasurer and secretary of the school board of his district. Mr. and Mrs. Miner are the parents of seven children, born as follows: Della, Aug. 17, 1892; Grace, May 20, 1894; Eugene, March 17, 1896; Amy, Aug. 8, 1897; Clara, May 26, 1899; Viola, Oct. 28, 1901; and Myrtle, March 10, 1904. All the children are residing on the home farm except Eugene, who is a farmer in Wilmington township, and Amy, who lives in Spring Grove. Mr. Miner was one of a family of eight children : Marie, James, Absolom, Martin, Eugene, Hans G., Charles and Emelia. Marie and Absolom are now deceased. James is a farmer living near Toronto, S. D. Martin is a resident of Freeport, Iowa. Eugene is a resident of Spring Grove, Minn. Charles is residing on the old home- stead in Winneshiek county, Iowa. Emelia is proprietor of a millinery busi- ness in Spring Grove, Minn.

Jorgen Gronna, an early settler in Wilmington township, where he developed a farm and was known for a number of years as an industrious and worthy man, was born in Norway in 1820. He was married in his native land to Guri Peterson, who was born there in 1821. On emigrating to the United States they settled first at Pine Creek, Iowa, but after residing there a short time came to Wilmington township, Houston county, Min- nesota, and bought a tract of 40 acres of wild land in section 31, on which they built a two-room log house, afterward adding 40 more acres. With the aid of oxen they cleared this land and in time developed a farm. This work was not accomplished without difficulties, as they started very poor and for years Mr. Gronna was a cripple, but in spite of that he persevered, his wife working by his side in the field, and in due time their patient industry met with its reward. Each had an attractive personality, Mr. Gronna being a good husband and kind father, as well as an agreeable and helpful neighbor, while his wife was a model housekeeper, wife and mother. Reared in the faith of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church, they were active members of the Spring Grove congregation, contributing lib- erally to its support, and helping to build both the first and second church edifices. In time they ceased from their labors, Mr. Gronna passing away first, in 1892, and his wife in 1904. They had had a large family, four of their children being born in Norway, of whom two died in infancy, the other two being Ole and Knute. Those born in this country were: Asle J., now a senator from North Dakota, residing in Washington, D. C .; Gumberjor, wife of Frank Carlson, of Spokane, Wash .; Randi, now Mrs. Orfred Piprew, of North Dakota; Sigvart, residing in South Dakota; Christine, wife of Hans G. Miner, now occupying the old Gronna farm; and Magdeline, who is deceased.

Stengrem Johnson Bergrud, an early settler in the southwestern part of Houston county and founder of a good farm, was born in Segedahoven, Nor- way, in 1830. He came to America in 1848, at the age of 18 years, and finally settling in Houston county, Minnesota, bought 160 acres of land in section 19, Wilmington township, and 40 acres in section 24, Spring Grove township,

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the two tracts adjoining each other, which gave him an undivided farm of 200 acres. The land was partly improved, some 20 or 30 acres being broken, and there was also a small frame house on it. In August, 1865, he married Margit Svartebraaten, who came from the same part of Norway as himself, and they worked together to develop the farm, clearing in time about 80 acres, erecting a new frame house of five rooms and adequate outbuildings. In this work they were assisted by their son, Willie S., who in 1900 purchased the property. Stengrem Johnson Bergrud died on his farm May 3, 1915, being survived by his wife, who is still living on the old homestead. He was a successful man and was prominent in the affairs of the community, being one of the organizers of the Spring Grove, Wilmington & Black Ham- mer Farmers' Insurance Company. Mrs. Bergrud was born April 18, 1843, and accompanied her parents to this country. They settled first in Musko- gee, Wis., thence removing to Skeepland, that state, and two years later to Winneshiek county, Iowa, whence they came to Spring Grove township, Houston county, Minnesota, locating on the Peter Bergrud farm. Mr. and Mrs. Stengram Johnson Bergrud reared a family of six children, namely : John, born Aug. 7, 1868, now a farmer in Hundah, N. D .; Theodore, born Dec. 24, 1870, who is a carpenter in Barrett, Minn .; Claus, born Nov. 12, 1872, now a farmer in Maddock, N. D .; Peter, born April 17, 1874, who is a farmer in Braman, N. D .; Willie S., born Aug. 18, 1876, proprietor of the old home farm; and Julius, born June 3, 1879, who is a carpenter at Anagard, N. D.

Willie S. Bergrud, a prosperous farmer and well known and respected citizen of Wilmington township, residing in section 18, on the farm estab- lished by his parents, was born on this farm Aug. 18, 1876, son of Stengrem Johnson and Margit (Svarlebraaten) Bergrud. His education was ac- quired in the district school, which he attended up to the age of 18 years, though during the summers from the age of 12 he had to work on the farm, which he continued to do steadily until he was 16. After that he occasion- ally worked out for others, continuing to do so at intervals for about six years. He then gave his unremitting attention to work on the old home- stead, assisting his father until 1900, in which year he purchased the prop- erty, and has since operated it on his own account, his mother residing with him. In 1912 he rebuilt the house, which is now a modern two-story resi- dence of eleven rooms, and a summer kitchen. Among the other buildings he has erected are a good barn, machine shed, hog shed, poultry house, double corn crib, sheep shed and garage for his five-passenger Dodge auto. The farm is well fenced, 80 acres being under cultivation, and the equip- ment being adequate and of modern type. Mr. Bergrud raises Hereford cattle, Poland-China hogs and Shropshire sheep, having full-blooded sires for each kind of stock. He is also a shareholder in the Honey Creamery Company, the Spring Grove Stock & Grain Company and the Spring Grove Hospital. In politics he is a Republican, and for the last ten years has served as school treasurer. His religious affiliations are with the Spring Grove congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church, of which he is a liberal supporter.

On June 6, 1903, Mr. Bergrud was united in marriage with Theoline

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Cecelia, daughter of Olaus O. and Margit Sanness, of Wilmington township. He and his wife have had seven children: Odin Centennial, born Jan. 3, 1904; Minerva Viola and Myrtle Sadella, twins, born May 19, 1906; Edwin Carlton, born Sept. 13, 1908; James Norton, born May 5, 1912, who died in infancy; and Ervin Palmer, born Aug. 13, 1914.

Carl and Edwin Burtness, who under the firm name of Burtness Bros., are engaged in scientific stock farming in section 14, Wilmington town- ship, are the sons of Elling and Kristi Burtness, and were born in this town- ship, Carl on April 30, 1882, and Edwin on Jan. 20, 1888. In early youth both brothers attended school in district 85, and Carl was subsequently a pupil at Brickenridge Academy at Decorah, Iowa, where he studied for two years, in 1903 and 1904 attending the Minnesota Agricultural School. Edwin, after graduating from the common school, attended Gale College at Galesville, Wis., and afterwards spent three years in the Minnesota Agri- cultural College, being graduated in 1911. The farm which they are now operating is the old home farm of their parents, on which both have resided since their birth, except that Carl spent one year on a wild homestead in Minnesota. The farm was rented by them in 1910. It contained 120 acres, lying in sections 14 and 15, Wilmington township. In 1917 they bought 120 acres adjoining, in Wilmington township, giving them a total area of 240 acres, of which 200 acres are now under the plow. Though they raise abundant crops, all their grain is turned back onto the farm in the shape of feed for the stock, the raising of which is their main line of business. They have between 90 and 100 head of cattle, about 25 of which are pure- blooded Guernseys, their specialty being the raising of pure-blooded cattle and hogs. Their only sales are of cattle, hogs and cream, and they buy feed rather than sell it. Among the buildings on the farm are a barn, 30 by 80 by 16 feet, with an eight-foot basement of stone; a feed room and dairy room, each 10 by 14, attached to the barn; a tile silo, 14 by 40, with a capacity of 125 tons; a corn crib, 14 by 30 by 11; a tile hog house, 20 by 40 by 8, with a cement floor, and also a cement feeding floor, 30 by 48; a machine shed, 20 by 40; feed room, 10 by 14; and a garage, 12 by 18. The house is a comfortable eight-room dwelling, with a separate summer kitchen. All the buildings are lighted by electricity, and the barn is fitted throughout with the most modern appliances, including a two-unit milking machine. The operating equipment, which is of the best, includes a fine auto, and the farm is well watered and beautifully situated. The brothers are unmarried, their two sisters keeping house for them. They are stock- holders in the Wilmington Creamery Association, the People's Co-operative Stock & Grain Company, of Caledonia, and the Spring Grove Stock & Grain Company, and are numbered among the most prosperous farmers of Wil- mington township, where they enjoy a wide popularity. Their religious affiliations are with the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church, of Wil- mington.

Elling H. Burtness, an early settler in Houston county, who carved from the wilderness a good farm in sections 10 and 11, Wilmington township, was born at Nes Hallingdal, Norway, Sept. 29, 1837, son of Helge.Pederson Burtness. His mother, whose maiden name was Live Magermoen, died in

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MR. AND MRS. ELLING H. BURTNESS

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Norway, and in 1859 the subject of this sketch, with his father, came to the United States, locating at Orfordville, Rock county, Wis. In 1860 they came to Black Hammer township, Houston county, Minn., walking from Decorah, Iowa. Elling had had but a limited school education but had improved his mind considerably through reading, always keeping well supplied with papers and books. After residing in Black Hammer township till 1865, engaged in agricultural pursuits, he came to Wilmington township, where he took a tract of land, only partly cleared, which he subsequently developed into the farm above referred to-one of the best and most productive in the county. In common with the other early settlers he made use of oxen until the advancing civilization of the county rendered horses more avail- able. For nearly half a century-lacking but two or three years-he was a resident of Wilmington township, his death taking place on his farm, Feb. 15, 1913. As a raiser of stock he had good success, keeping for the most part high grade Shorthorn cattle, with a few registered animals, while his hogs were of the Poland-China breed, of which he raised large numbers, generally marketing a carload or more both of cattle and hogs each year. Though he took no part in the affairs of local government, he was a man widely known and respected throughout the southern part of the county, and was a prominent member of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church of Wilmington, assisting in building both the original and the new edifices of that congregation. In politics he was a Republican. Aside from his direct farming interests he was a stockholder in the Spring Grove Stock and Grain Co., the Caledonia Stock and Grain Co., and the Wilmington Co-operative Creamery. Mr. Burtness was married, Dec. 29, 1866, to Kristi Myhre, born in 1844, daughter of Ole and Sigrid (Rudningen) Myhre, and who at the time of her marriage was residing on what is now the Knute Myhre farm in Wilmington township. Mrs. Burtness survived her husband barely more than six months, dying at the old home, Aug. 18, 1913. They were the parents of fourteen children: Live was born in 1867, and is now Mrs. J. P. Kopang, of Wilmington township. Sigrid, born in 1868, is keeping house for two of her brothers on the home farm. Helge, born in 1870, lives in Wilmington township. Olaus, born in 1872, was for many years treasurer of Houston county and is now assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Caledonia; Peter E., born in 1874, is a farmer and banker in St. Louis county, Minnesota. Theodore, born in 1877, is likewise a farmer in St. Louis county, Minn. Emma (first), born in 1879, died in 1888. Theoline and Elida (twins) were born in 1880, the former now living in Wilmington township, and the latter having died in 1907. Carl, born in 1882, and Edwin, born in 1888, are prominent farmers of Wilmington township. Emma Christine was born in 1891, graduated as a trained nurse from the La Crosse Lutheran Hospital in 1915, and enlisted in the United States Red Cross service, spending six months in the United States and six months in Base Hospital No. 62, in France. The others died in early childhood.

Andrew O. Myhre, an enterprising and successful farmer of Wilmington township, residing in section 14, was born in this township, May 29, 1859, son of Ole K. and Sigri Myhre. His parents, natives of Norway, were

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among the pioneer settlers in this locality, and in early days were very poor. Andrew was sent to the district school, where he acquired the ele- ments of knowledge. At the age of thirteen he began to work out, his first employer being Swen Aslesen, a neighbor, and he continued as a farm hand until reaching the age of twenty-two. In April, 1881, he married Sophia Dahle, who was born in Wilmington township, March 26, 1860, daughter of Knute and Marie Dahle. In the same year he bought 140 acres of partly improved land in section 14, Wilmington, where he now lives, having 110 acres under cultivation, all being good land. When he took this place there were no buildings on it, but he has since erected a complete set. including a comfortable frame house of eight rooms, surrounded by evergreens and shrubbery ; a frame barn 30 by 54 feet; another barn, 20 by 40, for calves and young cattle; a machine shed, 18 by 40; mill house, 12 by 32; hog house, 12 by 32, with cement feeding floor, 16 by 32 outside; double corn crib, 22 by 32, with a 10-foot driveway ; and a poultry house, 16 by 16 feet. He also has a good windmill. The farm is well stocked with high grade Short- horn cattle and Poland-China hogs, and the operating equipment is of the best. As a general farmer Mr. Myhre is doing a profitable business, and he is also a stockholder in the Wilmington Co-operative Creamery, the Caledonia Co-operative Stock & Grain Co., the First National Bank of Caledonia, and the Caledonia State Bank. For some years he served as clerk of the school board, in politics being a Republican. He and his family are members of the Wilmington congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church, of which he is a liberal supporter. To Mr. and Mrs. Myhre twelve children have been born, whose record in brief is as follows: Ole, born Jan. 14, 1882, who died in infancy; Ole Wilhelm, born Feb. 18, 1883, now a farmer in Wilmington township; Carl Alfred, born Feb. 8, 1885, also a farmer in this township; Martin Julius, born March 18, 1887, who is a bank cashier at Polson, Mont .; Celia Louisa, born Jan. 29, 1889, now Mrs. Peter Engen, her husband being a farmer in Wilmington township; Albert Stephen, born Feb. 27, 1891, also farming in this township; Manda Chris- tine, born Feb. 5, 1893, who is the wife of Clarence Fossum of Pequot, Minn .; Ella Cecelia, born Feb. 8, 1895, wife of Oscar Roble, a farmer of Wilmington township; William Gerhard, born May 29, 1897, who died in infancy; William Gerhard (second), born June 15, 1898, who is farming part of his father's place; Styrk Edwin, born May 27, 1901, who is living on the home farm; and Neuman Theodore, born May 23, 1904, who is also at home.

Henry E. Burtness, proprietor of Pleasant Hill Farm in section 10, Wilmington township, was born on his parents' farm in section 15, this township, Dec. 3, 1870, son of Elling H. and Kristi (Myhre) Burtness. He completed his district school studies at the age of seventeen and at the age of nineteen attended Breckenridge Academy in Decorah, Iowa. Then returning to his parents' farm, he worked on it as his father's assistant until 1900, when he bought from his father 120 acres of the farm. There was a house and barn on the place and the land was under cultivation, so that he was able to begin independent farming immediately. By the subsequent purchase of forty more acres of land he has increased the area of his farm to 160 acres, of which he has 115 acres under the plow. He has also made

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HENRY E. BURTNESS AND FAMILY

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other important improvements which have made his place one of the model farms of Houston county, a condition enhanced by the fertility and product- iveness of the soil. His fences are hog-tight, and he has replaced the original dwelling by a fine two-story frame house of twelve rooms, built in modern style and electrically lighted and hot water heated, the house and grounds being surrounded by Norway fir trees as a wind-break, all the trees having been set out by himself. Among his other buildings-all, like the house, electrically lighted-are a granary, garage, machine shed, hog house, poultry house and tile silo, each in excellent condition. He has also good wells and a steel windmill, while his general equipment, which includes a traction engine, is of the best modern type. The farm is well stocked with grade Shorthorn cattle, of which he has from forty to fifty head, together with a herd of seventy to eighty Duroc-Jersey hogs. With each herd is a pure-bred sire. Aside from his direct farming interests, as above described, Mr. Burtness is a stockholder in the Wilmington Creamery Co., of which he has been secretary since 1903, and a part of the time treasurer; the Peoples Co-operative Stock & Grain Co., of Caledonia; the Spring Grove Stock & Grain Co., and the First National Bank of Caledonia. A Repub- lican in politics, he served his township several years as supervisor and chairman of the board, and for the last fifteen years has been treasurer of his school district. Mr. Burtness was married Oct. 16, 1912, to Julia, daughter of Edward and Anna (Thorson) Selness, of Allamakee county, Iowa. He and his wife are the parents of three children: Elling Hjalmar, born Dec. 31, 1913; Inar Rolfe, born June 26, 1915, and Arthur, born Oct. 4, 1917. The family are members of the Wilmington congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church, of which Mr. Burtness is a liberal supporter.

Ole A. Myhre, who owns and operates a farm of 103 acres in section 15, Wilmington township, was born Feb. 18, 1883, in this township, son of Andrew and Sophia (Dahle) Myhre, the parents being of Norwegian descent. He was educated in the district school, which he attended up to the age of seventeen years, during the winters, and was afterwards a pupil at Breckenridge Academy at Decorah, Iowa, for two winters. Until the age of twenty-one he remained on the home farm, after which he worked out for a year. He then rented his present farm of 103 acres from his father, working it from 1905 to 1912. In the meanwhile, on June 2, 1905, he was married to Johanna, daughter of Andrew and Caroline Fossom, of Wilming- ton township. She died Aug. 20, 1911, leaving two children: Arnold, born Jan. 8, 1907, and Stella, born June 15, 1909, both now living. In 1913 Mr. Myhre with his two children lived on his father's farm. On March 25, 1914, he married Louise, daughter of Embrick and Gertrude Morken, of Wil- mington township, of which union also two children have been born : Gilma, Jan. 20, 1915; and Gertrude, Sept. 17, 1916. In 1917 Mr. Myhre bought the 103-acre farm in section 15 from his father, and has since been engaged in operating it. It is well improved, having an adequate set of buildings, good fences and equipment, and the land is well tilled and productive. Mr. Myhre also owns a good auto car. Industrious and enterprising, he has made good progress and is numbered among the substantial farmers of his

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township, which he has served two terms as treasurer. In politics he is a Republican, and in addition to his service on the town board, he has been treasurer of his school district for the last five years. As a stock raiser he gives his attention to the breeding of Guernsey cattle, graded, and Poland-China swine. He and his family are members of the Wilmington congregation of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Tob Olson Tweten, an early settler in Wilmington township, was born in Norway, and came to the United States with a party in 1844, landing in New York, after a voyage of seventeen weeks. In the party was his future wife, Ingeborg, and her parents, with two small children. Both her parents dying at sea, the children-one two years and the other seven weeks old-were left to the care of this young woman, then twenty-one or twenty-two years of age. She and Mr. Tweten proceeded to Muskego, Waukasha county, Wisconsin, where they were married. After a time they moved to Pine Creek, near Lansing, Iowa, where they bought a farm, but owing to the difficulty of procuring water, they subsequently sold it and came to Houston county, Minnesota, buying land in Wilmington town- ship. It was but slightly improved, but there was a small log house, in which they took up their residence. They now had two children of their own, Betsy and Ole, who had been born in Iowa, of whom Betsy is now deceased, Ole being a resident of Spring Grove village. Subsequently five others were born to them, namely: Hans T., now a prominent farmer of this town- ship; Sarah, deceased; Anna, widow of Arne Moen, of Seattle, Wash .; Jacob, living in Roleth, N. D .; and Mary, deceased. Mr. Tweten died on his farm May 20, 1867, being survived by his wife, who finally passed away in the fall of 1888 at the home of a daughter in North Dakota. They were worthy people who suffered many hardships, but did their part in helping to develop the resources of the township in which they made their home.

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History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 80

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

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