History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 84

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

USA > Minnesota > Houston County > History of Houston County, Minnesota > Part 84

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Albert O. Engene, who has a good farm of 155 acres in section 35, Wil- mington township, the property having formerly belonged to his parents, Ole and Guri (Flaget) Engene, was born in this township, April 2, 1873. As a boy he attended school in his home district, was later a pupil at

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ALBERT O. ENGENE AND FAMILY

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Decorah Institute at Decorah, Iowa, and was subsequently graduated in the business course from the Concordia Lutheran College at Moorhead, Minn., the year of his graduation being 1894. Until 19 years of age he resided at home, then worked one year as a farm hand in the vicinity, and after- wards spent three years at Kindred, N. D., where he farmed during the summers and attended school one winter. On June 4, 1897, he was married to Sigrid, daughter of Ole O. and Margit (Engen) Myhre, of Wilmington township, and began housekeeping on his father's land in section 26. For five years after his marriage he hauled cream for the Honey Creamery at Bee. In 1900 he bought of his father the latter's farm of 120 acres in sec- tion 35, also 35 acres from his father's last farm, making a total area of 155 acres, and here he has since made his home. He has 100 acres of the land under the plow, the balance being in timber and pasture, and has great- ly improved the place by the erection of new buildings. These include : a frame barn, 30 by 52 by 16 feet, with a stone basement of 9 feet, cement floor, and modern equipment on the James system ; a granary 14 by 30, with a basement and lean-to; a machine shed, 14 by 30; garage, 13 by 16; hog house, 8 by 50; with a cement floor and cement feeding floor; a corn crib, 6 by 40; cattle shed, 16 by 46 by 8, and a tile-block silo 12 by 34. He has also remodeled the house, which is now a comfortable five-room dwelling. The land produces good crops, and Mr. Engene is also successfully rais- ing grade Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China swine, keeping full-blooded sires. His ample equipment includes a five-passenger Chevrolet car. In addition to these interests, Mr. Engene is a stockholder in the Honey Creamery Association, the Spring Grove Hospital and the Spring Grove Stock and Grain Co., and is one of the prosperous and influential citizens of his township. A Republican in politics, he has for a number of years performed useful service as a public official, having been supervisor two terms, treasurer three years, and is now serving in his second year as assessor. Of the Honey Creamery he has been a director for 14 years. He and his wife are the parents of six children: Gena Matilda, born Feb. 28, 1898, who after graduating from the eighth grade of the common school, was a pupil for one year in the Minnesota Agriculutral College, and is now living at home; Manda Selma, born Oct. 19, 1899, who enjoyed the same educational advantages as her elder sister; Oliver Melvin, born Oct. 18, 1901, and Ole Knute, born June 22, 1904, who are graduates of the common school; Selmer Amund, born Aug. 1, 1906, and Alma Emelia, born June 22, 1909, both of whom are attending school. Mr. Engene and his family are members of the Wilmington congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church in Wilmington township, Houston county.

Ole P. Wolden, one of the pioneers of Wilmington township, who died but a few years ago, was a native of Norway, where he grew to manhood and married Helene M. Lyshoung. In 1853 he came to America, locating first in Illinois, whence he came with his family to Houston county, Minne- sota, about two years later, in 1856, and in company with John Bondely, bought eight "forties" of wild land in Wilmington township, five miles south of Spring Grove village. Here, building a log house, he began to clear and improve his land, and in time developed a farm which is now one

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of the best in the township. Mr. Wolden died in 1915 at the home of his daughter, Mrs. E. G. Myhra, on the outskirts of Spring Grove village. He came of a long-lived family, his father having died at the age of 69 years in Allamakee county, Iowa, soon after arriving from Norway in 1854. Dur- ing most of his life he was an active and vigorous man. His wife died March 6, 1896, in Allamakee county at the age of 104 years. In addition to the daughter above mentioned, they were the parents of six sons: Osianus, who died soon after the close of the Civil War in 1865; Peter, who was a farmer in Walcott, N. D., where he died in 1888; Andrew, who also farmed in North Dakota, but who died on the home farm in 1880; Gulbrand, who died a number of years ago; Osianus (second), who died some years ago in Harvey, N. D .; and Lauretz O., now proprietor of the home farm.

Lauritz O. Wolden, who is engaged in operating the old Wolden farm in Wilmington township, residing in section 30, was born on this farm, Jan. 4, 1860, son of Ole P. and Helene M. (Lyshoung) Wolden. He acquired his education in the district school, which he attended up to the age of 17 years, and with the exception of a year and a half, which he spent in Spring Grove villege, he has always lived on the home farm, of which he is now the proprietor, his parents being deceased. Of its total area of 195 acres he has 100 under the plow, the balance being in timber and pasture. Mr. Wolden has a good set of modern buildings. His house is a two-story frame structure of eight rooms. In 1904 he built a horse barn, 30 by 32 by 22 feet in size, and in 1914 a stock and grain barn 30 by 56 by 16 feet, on a full stone basement of eight feet, with cement floors. The barns erected by Mr. Wolden's father were destroyed by fire in the spring of 1914. Mr. Wolden's farm equipment is all of the first class and the farm is well stocked with high grade cattle and hogs. Among his business interests aside from his farm are those of a stockholder in the Spring Grove Stock and Grain Co., the Spring Grove Hospital, the Bee Creamery Association, and the Busteed Land Company of Montana, owing a 4000-acre tract. In politics Mr. Wolden has always been a Republican. He served his township a num- ber of years as supervisor, being chairman of the board one term, and has held various offices in his school district, No. 70, rendering efficient service in all public positions. He is a member of the Spring Grove congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church, to which he gives liberal support, and of which he has been a trustee for a number of years. Mr. Wolden was married April 10, 1889, to Olene M. Grangaard, daughter of Michael T. and Carrie Grangaard. Of this union four children have been born : Hilda K., Jan. 13, 1890, who is the wife of Prof. William W. Miners, formerly of the Southern Minnesota Normal School, but now residing in St. Paul; Oscar M., born July 14, 1892, who enlisted in March, 1917, in the aviation service of the U. S. army and served 14 months, when he was honorably discharged; Leander O., born July 9, 1897, and Alma T., born July 4, 1903, both of whom are living on the home farm.

Jurgen Meyer, now residing on the farm in section 36, Wilmington township, which he established nearly 45 years ago, was born in Germany, where he grew to manhood. In the province of Hanover he was married to Katrina Mowhinkel, and in 1866, several years after their marriage, with

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their son George C. H., who was their only child, they emigrated to the United States. Landing at New York, they continued their journey west- ward to Houston county, Minnesota, where they arrived in debt to the ex- tent of $150 for their passage money. Locating first on Portland Prairie, Winnebago township, Mr. Meyer worked out as a farm hand by the day or month for some five years, during which time he did a large amount of grubbing. In 1871 he and his family removed to Wilmington township, for three years renting land in section 36 from Katrina Kessler. In 1874 Mr. Meyer bought 80 acres of partly improved land in the same section, the buildings consisting of a small log house and some straw sheds for cattle. This land, with the help of his wife and son, he grubbed and developed, and in course of time erected on it a six-room frame house and a log stable and sheds. It has remained the family homestead where he and his wife and son still reside. Though now advanced in years, Mr. Mayer being 85 and Mrs. Meyer 84, they are still enjoying reasonably good health, the result of plain and healthful living and a sound heredity on both sides.

George C. H. Meyer, proprietor of a good farm of 250 acres, lying partly in section 36, Wilmington township, Houston county, and partly in Allama- kee county, Iowa, was born in Germany, April 24, 1864, son of Jurgen and Katrina (Mowhinkel) Meyer. In his boyhood he attended English school for 15 months, and a German school from the age of 14 to that of 19. As he was his parents' only child, he naturally became his father's assistant. He is now the owner of 250 acres of good land, 160 lying in Wilmington township, and 90 in Allamakee county, Iowa, the two tracts adjoining each other; and in addition he rents and works the old home farm. He also owns 150 acres in western Kansas, near Garden City, which tract he leases out. Mr. Meyer carries on general farming, and is a successful breeder of Shorthorn cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs, of the latter raising from 75 to 100 head annually. His buildings are all frame and include two barns, he having a good frame house and barn on the Iowa side of the line. Mr. Meyer is also a stockholder in the Eitzen Creamery, the Eitzen Mercantile Co.'s store, the Farmers' Elevator Co. of Caledonia, of which he has been president for the last 13 years ; in politics. he is a Republican. On Dec. 27, 1887, Mr. Meyer was married to Anna, daughter of Fred and Johanna (Smith) Meitrodt of Wilmington township, and who was born June 25, 1864. Eleven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Meyer : Julius, born Oct. 20, 1888, who died Aug. 4, 1899; Elsa, born Feb. 22, 1890, who died Sept. 25, 1891; Emma E., born July 24, 1891, now Mrs. Otto Deters of Wilmington township; Leo G., born May 2, 1893, who is living on the home farm; Huldah, born March 26, 1895, who died Oct. 15, 1896; Ella B., born June 23, 1896, now a clerk in the employ of the Eitzen Mercantile Co .; Anna A., born Oct. 30, 1898, now living at home; Lilly, born Aug. 11, 1900, now a talented music teacher; Lucy E., March 27, 1903; Herbert J., April 25, 1905; and Hannah Dorothy, April 3, 1907, all living on the home farm. Mr. Meyer and his family are members of the German Evangelical church at Eitzen.

Peder Anton Glasrud, who as a boy of six or seven years settled with his parents in Wilmington township, Houston county, was born in Thoten,

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Norway, Oct. 13, 1846, son of Christian J. and Bertha Maria Glasrud. Both parents were natives of Norway, the father born May 31, 1813, the mother Feb. 27, 1816. In 1853 they emigrated to the United States, accompanied by their children, then numbering five or six, and made a temporary settle- ment at Yorkville, Wisconsin. In the same spring they came on to Winne- shiek county, Iowa, where they remained until 1856. Then removing to Houston county, Minnesota, they settled on land in section 16, Wilmington township. A few years later the Civil War broke out, in which the father, Christian J. Glasrud, served during almost its entire period. While he was away his two eldest sons, Johanes and Peder Anton had charge of and operated the farm. There were seven children in the family, namely: Helena Maria, born March 5, 1837; Johana Karina, born Aug. 13, 1839; Johanes, born Aug. 18, 1843; Peder Anton, born Oct. 13, 1846; Joergina, born Aug. 13, 1849; Claus C., born May 5, 1853; and Gustav C., born May 5, 1857. After the father's return from the war matters resumed their normal course. Peder Anton worked on the home farm until his marriage on Nov. 7, 1872, to Sigrid Quale of Wilmington township. He then engaged in farming in Black Hammer township and was thus occupied until his death in 1892 at the age of about 46 years. He and his wife were the parents of ten children, namely: Christian Bernard, now a prominent business man of Spring Grove village; Julia, deceased; Thedore, residing in South Dakota; Peter, an implement dealer in North Dakota; Adolph, a traveling salesman, now living in Fargo, N. D .; Edwin, a resident of Spring Grove township; Arthur, also in Spring Grove township; William, who lives on the home farm in Black Hammer township; Matilda, now Mrs. Knute Lee of Spring Grove village; and Gertrude, who is deceased.

Christian Bernard Glasrud, one of the leading business men of Spring Grove village, dealing in agricultural implements and handling fire and tornado insurance, was born in Black Hammer township, Houston county, March 29, 1873, son of Peder Anton and Sigrid (Quale) Glasrud. After beginning his education he attended the common school in Black Hammer township until 13 years old, and during the winter of 1886-87 was-a pupil in the Caledonia village school. During the following summer he worked on the home farm, and in the fall of the same year entered Luther College at Decorah, Iowa, where he remained for a college year. In the summer of 1888 he was again on the farm, and there he remained until 1896. During that time, in 1892, his father died and for the four following years Christian, with his mother's assistance, managed the farm. In the fall of 1896 he rented what is now the Helmer Itle farm in Black Hammer township, which he operated for four years, or until the fall of 1900, when he rented and moved to the P. A. Lommen farm, two and a half miles northwest of Spring Grove village. While living on that farm, on April 7, 1901, he was married to Malinda Samueline, daughter of Peder and Carrie Seglem, of Choice, Fillmore county, Minn. In the latter part of April, 1902, Mr. Glasrud bought the Valten Valtensen farm in section 34, Black Hammer township, and on the second of May the same year moved onto it. This was an im- proved farm with 115 acres under the plow, and with a fairly good frame house. To improve the place still further, Mr. Glasrud proceeded to erect

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some needed buildings, putting up a frame barn, 24 by 60 by 18 feet in size, with a leanto on each side of 14 by 60 feet; a double corn crib, workshop and woodshed. There he remained until 1911, in which year he rented the place to a tenant, and removing, in February, to Spring Grove village, here engaged in the harness business, in which he continued for four years. In 1915 Mr. Glasrud traded his harness business for an 80-acre farm near Newhouse, Spring Grove township, but sold this farm within 30 days. Early in 1916, in company with a Mr. Vaaler, he engaged in the meat busi- ness in Spring Grove, under the firm name of Glasrud & Vaaler. At the end of the first year he sold his interest, and in January, 1917, bought the agriculutral implement business of G. C. Glasrud, which he is still con- ducting. He also handles automobiles, which he began to do as early as 1914, and sells fire and tornado insurance, in all of which lines he is build- ing up a good business. As a dealer in agricultural implements he is the leading merchant in the community. In addition to this he is conduct- ing an implement business in Lanesboro, Fillmore county, managing it from his home office. He owns and occupies a large, two-story house in the village of Spring Grove conveniently situated near the place of business, which is on Wilmington avenue. One of the potent factors in the business life of the community, Mr. Glasrud has taken an active part in advancing local in- terests, and in 1915 and 1916 was president of the Spring Grove Com- mercial Club. He is a stockholder in the Spring Grove Stock & Grain Com- pany, the Spring Grove Co-operative Creamery, the Root River Electric Company, and the Spring Grove Hospital. Politically he has always been a Republican, and while living in Black Hammer township, was chairman of the town board for several years, and also served some years as school treasurer. His religious affiliations and those of his family are with the Spring Grove congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church. For six or seven years formerly he served as trustee of the Black Hammer congregation. To Mr. and Mrs. Christian B. Glasrud eight children have been born, as follows. Sigrid Carlina, Nov. 12, 1901; Julia Odella, Nov. 1, 1903; Gina Maria, Jan. 5, 1905; Peter Anton, Dec. 14, 1907; Borghild Miranda, March 20, 1911; Olga Joergina, March 5, 1913; Helen Corine, Nov. 9, 1915; and George Raymond, born Oct. 22, 1917.

The Haugen Brothers, Christopher, Carl, Edwin and Ole, who are asso- ciated together in the operation of a farm of 178 acres in section 5, Wil- mington township, are sons of Torger Haugen, one of the pioneer settlers of Houston county. Torger Haugen was born in Norway, Feb. 10, 1831, and came to America at the age of 20 years, joining the Norwegian settlement at Rock Prairie, near Beloit, Wis. In 1853 he came from there to Spring Grove, Houston county, Minn., and for some years worked as a farm hand, earning very small wages. In 1862 he was married to Kjersti Helgeson Ellingsbraten, who was born in Norway, Feb. 20, 1838, and who had emigrated with her parents to Spring Grove, Houston county, Minn., in 1859.' Having purchased a farm in Spring Grove township, he erected a log house, in which he and his wife took up their residence, and began mak- ing improvements. He had hardly made a fair start, however, when the Indian insurrection broke out, and the news of the attack on New Ulm, 40

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Hutchinson, and other places caused the greatest excitement and apprehen- sion throughout this and adjoining states, the more so as the Civil War was then in progress and many of the younger and more able-bodied men had enlisted or been called upon to serve against the Confederates and were already fighting on distant battlefields. Volunteers were called for to serve against the Sioux, and for the sake of the pay offered, for he was poor, and also perhaps from a sense of duty, Mr. Haugen enlisted and set out for the scene of conflict, leaving his wife on the farm. He remained a soldier until the close of the Civil War in 1865, and on his return home first made the acquaintance of his son Christopher, then about two years old, who had been born April 26, 1863. Instead of resuming work on his original place, Mr. Haugen bought a new farm in sections 5 and 8, Wilmington township, about two and a half miles east of what is now Spring Grove village, and to this place he moved with his wife and son. It was a wild tract of 160 acres, and before him lay many years of hard work necessary to develop it into a good farm, but he at once settled down to the task and kept up his work until it was accomplished, and so thoroughly that it was recognized as one of the best farms in the township, the land being highly productive and the buildings adequate and substantial. Naturally Mr. and Mrs. Haugen endured many privations in early days, having begun with practically noth- ing but their hands and an ox team. There were times when provisions were scarce, or hard to procure, and sometimes there was a crop failure, or their crops were ravaged by insect pests; but in spite of these handicaps and misfortunes they persevered, and their patience and industry in time brought their due reward. In 1895 Christopher, the eldest son took over the operation of the farm and was its manager until 1905, in which year, on March 15 the father, Torger Haugen, passed away. The farm at that time had an area of 138 acres, and was provided with a good set of buildings. Around the parents had grown up a family of six children, five sons and one daughter, not counting two other children who had died in infancy. The birth of Christopher has been already mentioned. The other surviving children were: Carl, born Oct. 15, 1873; Edwin, born Sept. 5, 1875; Ole, born Aug. 18, 1877; Clara, who married Andrew Ness but is now deceased; and Helge, now a prosperous farmer in Spring Grove Township. After the father's death the three brothers,-Carl, Edwin and Ole, became associated with Christopher in the operation of the farm, and have since conducted it under the business name of Haugen Brothers, their mother having charge of the household until her death June 13, 1919. Today the farm contains 178 acres, 150 being under the plow. The fences and buildings are in good condition, the latter including a one and a half story frame house; a frame barn, 34 by 70 by 18 feet in dimensions, on a full stone basement of nine feet; a granary, 20 by 28 by 14; machine shed, 20 by 32, with corn cribs and other necessary structures. The brothers are profitably engaged in general farming and stockraising, having a fine herd of grade Hereford cattle, numbering some 40 to 50, a herd of 60 or 75 Poland-China hogs, and about 15 grade Belgian horses. They own two automobiles and have an excellent general equipment and, in addition to their direct farming in- terests, are stockholders in the Spring Grove Stock and Grain Co., the

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MR. AND MRS. HENRY NEEB-MR. AND MRS. HENRY SEEKAMP HERMAN SERRAMD

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Spring Grove Creamery and the Spring Grove Hospital. Trained in the faith of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church, they are influential members of the Spring Grove congregation.

Herman Seekamp, who is pursuing a prosperous career as a general stock farmer in section 1, Money Creek township, was born in Money Creek township, Houston county, Jan. 20, 1868, son of Henry and Matilda (Ellers) Seekamp. The father was a native of Germany who settled in New York City, but who at an early day came to Houston county, Minn., and located in the northwest part of Money Creek township, where he engaged in farm- ing, and where he and his wife are now living retired. In former years he frequently held local office. He and his wife have been the parents of ten children, of whom Herman was the second in order of birth. The latter learned his letters and acquired the basis of a common school education in the McCloud school in Money Creek township. He resided on the home farm until his marriage, at which time he began farming for himself at the present location, having 343 acres of valuable land well provided with four sets of buildings and all necessary equipment. He has made a grati- fying success as a stock raiser, and is also a shareholder in the Money Creek Creamery, the Houston Elevator, and the Independent Harvester Co. In politics he is a Republican, while his religious creed is that of the Lutheran church, of which he is a member. Mr. Seekamp was married Feb. 17, 1898,

to Emma Neeb, who was born in Richfield, Wis., Oct. 21, 1875, daughter of Henry and Charlotta (Alenbacher) Neeb. Her parents were natives of Germany, who on coming to this country located near Rushford, Wisconsin, where their first home was a log house and their chairs blocks of wood. From those primitive conditions they afterwards made progress until they were in the enjoyment of comfortable circumstances. Mr. Nebb died about 1912, and his wife is now living in Winona county. The family circle of Mr. and Mrs. Seekamp has been enlarged by the birth of seven children, all of whom are residing at home, namely : Cora, Bertha, Frederick, Anna, George, Edward and Dorothy. Cora was born, Aug. 3, 1898; Bertha was born Oct. 14, 1899; Frederick was born March 2, 1901; Anna was born Aug. 5, 1902; George was born Feb. 9, 1905; Edward was born July 1, 1907; and Dorothy was born July 9, 1911.

Rev. Paul Lorenz, pastor of Zion Lutheran church in the village of Eitzen, was born in Milton township, Buffalo county, Wis., April 4, 1880. Up to the age of 14 years he attended district school, and at that of 17 be- came a student in the Northwestern University at Watertown, Wis., where he remained six years. In the fall of 1903 he entered the Lutheran Seminary at Wauwatosa, Wis., where he completed his theological studies in 1906, in the latter year becoming pastor of St. Peter's Lutheran church at Prairie du Chien, Wis. From there in the fall of 1908 he came to Eit- zen, Minn., to assume the duties of his present charge, which covers a wide field. Mr. Lorenz was married, July 2, 1907, to Ida L., daugh- ter of Carl and Caroline (Gnerlich) Schuenke, of Juneau, Dodge county, Wis. Of this union four children have been born: Paul, August 1, 1909; Theopholis, March 4, 1911; Martin, July 19, 1915; and Malita, April 16, 1916.

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William J. Pohlman, one of the leading citizens of Crooked Creek town- ship, proprietor of a good farm of 232 acres, his residence being in section 26, was born in Jefferson township, Houston county, Minn., Jan 15, 1883, son of William and Elizabeth Pohlman. He was reared in his native town- ship, in his boyhood attending district school No. 78, and remained at home until 22 years old. From 1905 to 1911 he worked out as a farm hand, saving a considerable part of his earnings, so that in the spring of the year last mentioned he was able to purchase his present farm, an improved prop- erty with a frame house, two barns and granary, all in good condition. He has still further improved the buildings and has erected others, including an ice and well house, a hog house and machine shed, and his operating equipment is also up to date, his tools and machinery being fully adequate and of modern type. Though his land is somewhat rough as to surface, it is productive, and Mr. Pohlman has 100 acres of it under the plow. He has increasing herds of cattle and hogs, with sufficient horses for draught purposes. The farm gives ample evidence of Mr. Pohlman's practical ability, and he takes high rank among the enterprising and successful men of his township. In politics a Republican, he has served as a member of the town board and is now holding the offices of assessor. He has for years taken an active interest in everything that concerns the welfare of the community in which he lives and has been liberal in the support of local enterprises. Mr. Pohlman was married April 26, 1911, to Dorothy, daugh- ter of Henry and Elizabeth Beneke, of Jefferson township, this county, and has one child, Sarah, who was born April 10, 1915. He and his family are affiliated religiously with the Eitzen congregation of the German Evangeli- cal church, and attend the meetings of that denomination at Caledonia.

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History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 84

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

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