History of Olmsted County, Minnesota, Part 34

Author: Joseph A. Leonard
Publication date: 1910
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 736

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HENRY A. HOFFMAN, of Farmington township, who has an ex- tended acquaintance in this and Wabasha county by reason of his active efforts in the behalf of good roads, was born February 8, 1881, on the farm where he long resided. His father was Charles A. Hoffman. of German parentage, one of the well known early set- tlers of the county and County Commissioner. As a boy, Henry A. Hoffman attended the district schools and a private German school and helped in the work of the home farm; later, as a young man. he lived for a time in Rochester, North Dakota, and other places, but he has always considered Olmsted county his home. The greater part of his life has been passed on the old homestead, which consists of 311 acres on Sections 1 and 2 of Farmington township, all well improved and stocked. Mr. Hoffman is recognized as one of the progressive, up-to-date men of the county, his influence being always on the side of advancement, good government and all that tends to the betterment of the community. In politics he is a Republican, and at the solicitation of his many friends he per- mitted his name to be brought forward as a member of the State Legislature. In 1906 he was united in marriage with Miss Clara Prigge, who was born at Lewiston, Minnesota, August 23, 1884, a daughter of Henry J. and Anna (Stillwagen) Prigge, and to them has been born one son, Hilman Henry Carl, the date of his birth being March 2, 1907. Mr. Hoffman has served as school director, and for the past three years has been treasurer of the Lutheran Church, of which he is a member. Mr. Hoffman has sold his large farm and the personal property thereon and has (September, 1910) taken up his permanent residence in Rochester, where he will en- gage in the real estate and insurance business, being associated with his brother, A. C. Hoffman, who is widely known as an insurance man. Henry A. Hoffman was nominated as one of the Olmsted county's two representatives in the State Legislature at the Sep-

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tember 20, 1910, primaries by a handsome majority. This nomina- tion is equivalent to election.

REV. JORGEN A. THORSON, pastor of St. Olaf's Lutheran church at Rock Dell, and one of the highly respected citizens of that locality, is a native of Norway, his birth occurring September 12, 1838, at Telemarken. The father, Thor Ackre, followed farming all his life in the old country, and upon his death the widow, Mariken Ackre, left the old country and came to America, where she located in Rock Dell Township, and spent the remaining days of her life.

Rev. J. A. Thorson was educated and reared to early manhood in his native country. He was confirmed early in life and until 1867 taught school in Norway. He then came to America, went to St. Louis, and subsequently entered Concordia, a German theolog- ical seminary, and was ordained by H. A. Preus, September 2, 1869. at Koshkonong, Wisconsin. Reverend Thorson's first pastorate was at Rock Dell, and the growth of this church under his teach- ings and directions show how faithfully and well he has performed his duties. He and his work in the community are very highly spoken of throughout the county. After coming to America, Rev. Thorson was married at La Crosse, Wisconsin, to Miss Bernhardine Nicoline Haugan, and to this union the following chil- dren were born: Maria, of Los Angeles, California; Dr. Axel A., of Rochester, Minnesota ; two deceased; Anna (Little), of Kasson, Minnesota; August, of Minneapolis; Ella, of Seattle, Washington; Nels Jorgen, of Minot, North Dakota. In 1884, Mrs. Thorson was carried to her last resting place in St. Olaf's Cemetery. On December 25, 1885, Rev. Thorson remarried, his wife being Miss Agnes Borresen, and the following eight children blessed this union: Helga, a graduate trained nurse of St. Paul, now in Minot, North Dakota; Maltildia, a teacher, at home; Susanna, a teacher, at home; Adolph; Ragna; Olaf; Valborg and Agnes. In his political views Mr. Thorson is a Republican and he is identified with the Nor- wegian Synod of America. He is one of the public spirited men of Olmsted county and can point with pardonable pride to the im- mense amount of good derived from his teachings in the community.

JAMES I. VERMILYA was born November 30, 1849, at Owego, Tioga county, New York, which was also the birthplace of United States Senator Thomas C. Platt, whom Mr. Vermilya well recol- lects as Mr. Platt. His father, Avery Vermilya, was born at Rox- bury, Delaware county, New York, September 20, 1820; his mother. whose maiden name was Fannie Mead, was born March 20, 1821. The ancestors of the Vermilya family were French Huguenots who, by reason of persecution, fled to Holland, thence to Harlem, New York. The mother of Avery Vermilya was a greatniece of Gen.

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Ethan Allen, the Revolutionary war hero. Avery Vermilya and family came West to Olmsted county, Minnesota, in April, 1863, and made a home on Section 18, Quincy township. He and wife became the parents of eleven children: David M., born June 9, 1844, died in October, 1887; Abram, born December 2, 1846, resid- ing in Dexter county, Minnesota ; James I., subject of this sketch : John K., born September 12, 1851, residing in Kansas; Joseph and Josephine, twins, born November 29, 1853, the former residing in Oregon, and the latter, now Mrs. Putnam, at Granite Falls, Min- nesota; Samuel E., born May 28, 1858, whose home is at Los Angeles, California, one of the leading lawyers of the Pacific coast; Orville A., born April 14, 1861, residing at Verndale, Minne- sota; Jesse C., born June 26, 1863 : Eulila Frost, born November 17, 1866, living near Portland, Oregon; Reuben, born January 5, 1869, died April 14, 1904. James I. Vermilya was a lad thirteen years old when brought to Olmsted county by his parents, and since then has always resided within its borders. October 12, 1875, he married Mary A., the daughter of George and Sarah (George) Hinton, who were among the early pioneers of this county. Mrs. Vermilya, whose birth occurred January 4, 1857, was the fourth white child born in Quincy township. Her parents were born, reared and married in England, came to America in 1850, resided for a time in the State of New York, and came to Olmsted county, Minnesota, in 1856. Mrs. Vermilya had two brothers and one sister : James Hinton, born in England, October 19, 1849, died in this township December 12, 1876; Frank, born in Ohio, Feb- ruary 22, 1853; Elizabeth Odell, born October 9, 1860, died Octo- ber 2, 1883. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Vermilya four chil- dren have been born, as follows: Cora F. Stocker, Febrary 22, 1877; J. Meade, February 17, 1884; R. Ervin, August 9, 1890; and George H., December 5, 1893. The last two named reside under the parental roof ; the other two in the immediate neighbor- hood. In his political views Mr. Vermilya is independent. He was nominated and defeated for the State Legislature, but has lived to see many of the measures advocated by him enacted into laws. He was also nominated for Congress by the People's Party and made the canvass of the district by horse and cart ; his opponent, Hon. J. A. Tawney, traveled in a palace car. Mr. Vermilya is essentially a man of the people. He owns 325 acres in Sections 9, 17 and 18, and in addition to farming has auctioneered sales for the past thirty years.

REV. PEDER J. LUNDE is a native of Stavanger, Norway, where he was born July 30, 1873. His father, Jesper J. Lunde, was a successful farmer of that country and there passed his entire life. dying May 26, 1882. The mother was formerly Rakel Garpestad

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and also passed her life in Norway and died April 18, 1908. Their son Peder J., the subject of this sketch, was reared in that country and was educated in the local schools and spent his days of vacation in assisting his parents to make a living for the family. More than ordinary care was spent on his education and he was finally confirmed in his church. In 1890 he came to this country and settled in South Dakota, where he attended school for some time and engaged in farming for some eight or nine years. In the mean- time, having made up his mind to become a minister of his church, he attended Grand Forks College and later on for a number of terms Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota, in order to still further fit himself for his important calling. He took a general course and spent considerable time in perfecting himself in English. In the fall of 1903 he was admitted to the Theological Seminary of The United Norwegian Lutheran church of America, where he spent three years and received his diploma, June 1, 1906. He was duly ordained as minister June 17, 1906, and took charge of an appointment in Williams and Mckenzie counties, North Dakota, where he organized the congregation of West Prairie. In 1909 he was called to take charge of the United Lutheran church at Rock Dell, Olmsted county. Here he is laboring at present. He is a Republican in politics. On June 26, 1906, he was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Skree in Clay county, Minnesota. They have one child, Luther Jerome.

WILLIAM LA PLANT, of Rochester, is a son of Luther and Anna La Plant, and grandson of Charles and Mary La Plant. Charles La Plant was a native of France, but immigrated to Canada in 1795, and settled at Three Rivers, in the Province of Quebec, where he married. He served Great Britian during the war of 1812, and participated in some of the notable battles of that conflict. In the year 1830, he moved with his family to Plattsburg, New York, and became a naturalized citizen of this country. Also his children all are citizens. Two of his children became residents of Olmsted county, Minnesota, and in many respects were remarkable people. Luther La Plant was a farmer by occupation. In 1856, when all the Northwest was new and much of it unbroken, he came to Olm- sted county and preempted a quarter section of land in Section 3, Orion township, his sister, Harriet La Plant, preempting 160 acres on Section 4 adjoining at the same time. Harriet La Plant re- mained here but a short time after the preemption of her property but returned to New York City. She was born in Canada, and moved to Plattsburg. New York with her parents. As a girl and woman she was of a strong and independent character, self-reliant and resourceful, and for many years made her own way in the world working for others. She saved enough money to buy a hotel at

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29 Centre Street, New York City, at the same time managing a farm in New Jersey. She accumulated considerable property in the East, but sold out in 1863, for what was then a large amount of money, and moved permanently to Olmsted county. She married William C. Shelton and died in 1882. Luther La Plant was one of the foremost and progressive men of his time in Olmsted county and accumulated large holdings in real estate and personal property. In 1864, he volunteered his services to the Federal Government and loyally served his country during that trying period. Previous to his enlistment he had moved to Sauk Center, living there ten years and dying in 1874 from an accident. William La Plant, the immediate subject of this sketch, was born in New Jersey, Sep- tember 15, 1856, and became the adopted son of his Aunt Harriet, to whose loving care and kind ministrations he attributes much of the success that has come to him. His education was acquired in his native state, New York City and Olmsted county. He remained with his aunt on the farm until her death, then as her heir, he conducted the farm until 1895, since when he has made his home in Rochester. He is the owner of valuable real estate, is independent in his political views, voting for the man rather than the party, is a member of the Roman Catholic Church, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Com- mercial Club of Rochester. January 24, 1886 he married Miss Margaret A. Campion, who was born in Eyota township, Olmsted county, July 14, 1863, daughter of John Campion, one of the most prominent of the early pioneers of Olmsted county, who settled in Eyota township in 1854. She died July 22, 1909, leaving four children: Stella Mary, a graduate of the State Normal School at Winona, and at present a teacher in the Rochester public schools; Ralph Ignatius, head book-keeper in the First State Bank of Roches- ter; Elizabeth Luella, a graduate of the Rochester High School, and William Spencer.

THOR. O. THORSON is a native of the State of Iowa, where he was born in November, 1862. His father was Ole Thorson who was born in Norway in November, 1828, but came to the United States in an early day and there passed the remainder of his life, dying in Iowa in 1880. He was a farmer by occupation and passed a life of worth and respectability. His wife was formerly Miss Annie E. Foss who is still living. Thor. O. spent his early life on his father's farm attending school and assisting at the farm work. His education was meager, but he made the best use of such edu- cation as he received. He remained with his mother on the farm until he was 23 years old, at which time he rented the place of his mother one year, but finally came to Olmsted county in 1888 and bought 120 acres in Section 8, Rock Dell township, where he now

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resides. He is up-to-date, progressive, public-spirited and doing well. He is a Republican but is not an aspirant for office, though able to hold any in the gift of the township. He is a member of the United Lutheran church, is president of the Farmers' Telephone Company, and a stockholder and director of the Jumbro Creamery. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. On May 28, 1886, he married Miss Anna Severson, the ceremony taking place in Iowa. She is of Norwegian ancestry, her parents being Knute and Martha Severson who came from the old country at an early day and located in Iowa. Her brother enlisted in the Union Army in 1862 and served until honorably discharged in 1865 at the conclusion of the war. His war record is excellent. He participated in a number of hard campaigns and several pitched battles. To Thor. O. and wife the following children were born: Alletta born in 1887 and now clerk- ing at Stewartville; Minnie, born in 1889, a teacher in the public schools and accomplished in music: Lenora born in 1891; Ellen born in 1893 and clerking at Rock Dell; Olga born in 1896 is at home with her parents. The other children are deceased. Mr. Thorson is now in very comfortable circumstances. He stands high in the community and has the respect of all who know him. He is one of the most substantial citizens in the western part of the county.

FRED C. BusHI, residing in Dover, is one of the largest farmers and stock-raisers of Olmsted county, having charge of the home- stead farm and the two farms of his brother, Hon. Avery K. Bush, who served as State Representative and County Commissioner, amounting to over 1,000 acres in all. Harvey F. Bush, the father of Fred C., was a native of Massachusetts, born in Spencer, Wor- cester county, January 29, 1826, and was of Scotch ancestry. In 1850, he married Ellen A. Elsey who was born June 10, 1836, in Norwich, England, and the winter of 1855, moved with his family to Olmsted county, Minnesota. locating on a farm he had preempted on Section 32, in Quincy township. At that time there were very few families living in this locality and the surrounding country was largely in its primitive condition. Here the Bush family ex- perienced all the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bush, named, Avery K., John G., Mary G., Fred C., Frank H., Abbie, Charles H., Rosa B., Nellie A. and DeEtta, but four brothers are living. Fred C. Bush was born January 10, 1857, and in youth attended the district schools and assisted his father on the home farm. In 1878, he bought 240 acres of land in Eyota township on which he resided five years, then sold out and returned to the old homestead in 1883, purchasing 160 acres of the same. This he yet owns, to- gether with 40 acres additional and other valuable real estate hold-

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ings. Mr. Bush is a Republican in politics and while in no sense a politician or office-seeker, he has served as supervisor in both Eyota and Quincy townships, and as a member of the Board of Education in the latter for six years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of Dover, of which he is steward. October 2, 1878, he married Miss Ida M. Betry, daughter of Gil- bert and Rebecca Betry, and to them have been born three daugh- ters, as follows : Ella, born November 18, 1880, died July 24, 1900; Ruby Ann, a graduate of the St. Charles high school, now Mrs. G. L. Bussian, of Algona, Iowa, and Lelia Marie, who graduated from the Marshall, Minnesota, high school and is now attending her third term in the State University at Minneapolis. The Bush family is one of the best known and generally respected in the county. Members of the family have been honored by public posi- tions of honor and trust, and all have filled their respective stations in life in a clean, capable, conscientious manner that brought credit to the family name.

CARL O. SYVERSON, one of the well known farmers of Rock Dell township, was born in Christiania, Norway, on April 22, 1832, and is the only surviving child born to the union of Olaf and Carren Syverson. The father was a potter by trade, and died in Norway in 1834, the mother surviving him until 1850. Carl O. was educated and reared to early manhood in his native country and followed the potter's trade in Christiania, until April, 1853. He then decided that he would have a greater chance to succeed in life in America, and accordingly came to this country and lo- cated at Janesville, Wisconsin, where for one year he secured en- ployment in a shoe factory. In 1854, he removed to St. Paul, which at that time had no building of over two stories in height, but after spending a month there, went to Menomonie, Wiscnsin, and worked for one year in a saw mill there. He then returned to Janesville, Wisconsin, and until 1857 worked in a furniture store, but then came to Olmsted county, securing 160 acres of land from the Govern- ment, and has since resided thereon. In May, 1857, Mr. Syverson was united in marriage with Miss G. Nelson, of Janesville, Wis- consin, and three children have been born to them as follows: Carline, Martin and Natin. On May 21, 1907, Mr. and Mrs. Syverson celebrated their golden wedding, one hundred friends and relatives being present to wish them long and useful lives. At the age of seventy-seven years, Mrs. Syverson was still steady enough of hand and quick of eye, to make by hand, bed-quilts for her children. In his political views, Mr. Syverson is a Republican, and he cast his first vote in favor of that party when John C. Fremont was the candidate for the presidency. Although not an office seeker in any sense of the word, Mr. Syverson has served his

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community in minor capacities, such as supervisor and town clerk for twenty years and for sixteen years was assistant pastor of United churches. He has always been remarkably active in any- thing that tended toward the betterment of the county. The family has always been prominent in church work and is among the oldest and most highly respected ones of the county. In 1889, he helped organize the new church congregation, known as United Lutheran church, as the progressive members of East St. Olaf's church did not believe in pre-ordination and pre-destination.

JOHN G. BUSH, a resident of the village of Dover since 1880, is a member of one of the best known families in Olmsted county. He is a son of the old pioneer, Harvey F. Bush, extended notice of whom appears elsewhere in this work. John G. Bush is no excep- tion to the rule that the children of Harvey F. Bush have been more than usually successful in their various walks of life. He was born December 14, 1852, and lived with his parents, assisting in the farm work and attending the district schools, until he had attained manhood. He taught school for one term, but has devoted prac- tically all his life to agricultural pursuits. He started out with little capital, but the original tract of land purchased by him was grad- ually improved and increased until it became 480 acres of highly improved property. Avery K. Bush, a brother who became promi- nent in the public affairs of Olmsted county, who is living in Minneapolis, was interested with him in this farm, and together they made other investments, a drug store purchased of Dyer & Ingham being one of their acquirements. At the present time, Mr. Bush is the owner of a finely improved farm, of 280 acres, in Dover township which he rents. In politics he is a Republican, but while an earnest believer in the principles of his party, is in no sense a politician, as he prefers to devote his energy and attention to business pursuits. Socially he is interested in the great truths and teachings of the brotherhood of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, in which he has attained the Order of the Temple, being a member of Home Commandery, No. 5, Knights Templar, at Rochester. On June 28, 1877, he married Miss Luella, daughter of Mason and Caroline Hatfield, who came to Olmsted county at the early date of 1854, and to them has been born one son, Harry A., now engaged in the general merchandise business.

NELS MAGNESON was born in Rock Dell township, October 8, 1856, his father being M. Bottelson who was a native of Norway, and came to this country and located in Illinois in 1839. He later moved to Dane county, Wisconsin, but finally came to Olmsted county in 1855 and took up a tract of government land on Section II, Rock Dell township. Here he resided until 1861, when he died

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and was buried in Fast St. Olaf's Cemetery. He was an upright, hard working and God-fearing man. His wife was formerly Mary Giere who was born in Norway, but was married in Dane county Wisconsin. She finally died in this township and lies buried in the same cemetery as her husband. The boyhood of Nels Magneson was spent at hard work on the farm and in attendance at the district schools. He finished by attending the Lutheran College at Decorah, Iowa, where he prepared himself for the ministry. Later feeling that he had no call to that exalted station in life, he returned to Rock Dell township and bought 80 acres which he farmed for three years. He then engaged in the general merchandise business at Rock Dell and was thus occupied for twenty years, holding the position of postmaster for many years. He finally rented his store and bought 228 acres in Section 8, Rock Dell township, where he has ever since resided and labored. He is one of the most prominent, industrious, public spirited and useful citizens in the whole county. In politics he is a Republican, and served ably as county commissioner for five years. He also served as town- ship treasurer twenty-five years, and has served for many years as treasurer of the creamery and cheese factory. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. and the M. W. of A., holding in the latter the office of clerk. Several times he has served his party in county and State conventions. His record is clean and high character unques- tioned. On July 8, 1877, he married Mary Giere, a native of Dane county, Wisconsin, born in 1857, of Norwegian parents. Mr. and Mrs. Magneson have had the following children: Albert, Otto, Joseph and Marcus.

BURT WINSLOW EATON, for many years one of the ablest mem- bers of the Rochester bar, was born September 29, 1854, in Chau- tauqua county, New York. Lyman L. Eaton, his father, was a native of Vermont, and was born August 19, 1809, a son of Syl- vanus Eaton, with whom he removed to New York state in 1817. Lyman L. Eaton was a farmer by occupation as was his father be- fore him. He married Corana Martin, who was born in Vermont, October 17, IS11, and with the tide of immigration flowing west- ward, came to Rochester, Minnesota, in July, 1855, being one of Olmsted county's earliest pioneers. He was engaged in farming and also lumbering quite extensively, and for many years, by reason of his long service as a justice of the peace, was familiarly known as "Judge" Eaton. To him and wife were born four children, named : William, Harriet E., Warren L. and Burt W. Mr. Eaton died February 11, 1887, and Mrs. Eaton on March 15, 1890.

Burt W. Eaton has made his home in Rochester practically his entire life. After graduating from the Rochester High School he read law under the direction of Charles C. Willson, was admitted

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History of Olmsted County, Minnesota, Part 34

Author: Joseph A. Leonard Publication date: 1910 Publisher: Number of Pages: 736

Author: Joseph A. Leonard
Publication date: 1910
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 736