USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 13
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The father of Peter O. and Nicolai (). Field died in 1888, and Nicolai worked at anything he could turn his hand to until 1903, when he moved to Olympia, Washington, where he is now engaged as a clerk in the post- office. He began in the postal service in 1906.
By his marriage to Anna Holman, the daughter of Mrs. M. Benson, of Verndale, Minnesota, Nicolai O. Field has one daughter.
Mr. Field is a member of the Elks, the Foresters of America and Woodmen of the World. He is a member of the Lutheran church.
HENRY COLBJORNSEN.
Henry Colbjornsen, well-known farmer and stock raiser, of St. Olaf township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in the city of Chicago, on November 8. 1868, the son of Colbjorn and Jennie ( Holverson) Colbjorn- sen, who were natives of Norway, where they lived until the year 1864, they at that time emigrating to America and after landing at New York City they went immediately to the city of Chicago, where they lived for about five years and then moved to Otter Tail county, in the year 1870, locating on a farm which Colbjorn Colbjornsen secured in Clitherall township. Through pioneer days, with hardships and trials, this pioneer citizen and farmer succeeded in those things which he attempted. He sold his farm in 1913 and moved to North Dakota. In the family of Colbjorn and Jennie Colbjornsen were ten children.
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Henry Colbjornsen received his education in the common schools of Clitherall township, Otter Tail county, after which he worked on the farm of his father until the year 1891, when he purchased his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres of land in St. Olaf township, Otter Tail county, where he is successfully and extensively engaged in general agricultural pursuits. In addition to his farm duties, Henry Colbjornsen is engaged in the operation of a threshing machine throughout the township and vicinity.
In 1800 Henry Colbjornsen was married to Lena Harness, and to this marriage have been born two children, Louisa and Effie.
Politically, Mr. Colbjornsen is affiliated with the Republican party, and while he has not taken any especial part in the political or official life of the community, he is a citizen who is valued for his part and his efforts in the ranks of private citizenship and for his interest in the promotion of the general welfare of the community where he lives.
S. A. SWANSON.
One of the leading druggists of Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and one of its best-known citizens, is S. A. Swanson, a native of Fergus Falls, where he was born on July 19, 1873.
S. A. Swanson is the son of John and Selma (Jensen) Swanson, who were natives of the province of Swalland, Sweden, and who came to America in 1870. Subsequently, John Swanson arrived at Benson, Minne- sota, which was then the terminal of the Great Northern railway, and from there walked to Fergus Falls, which was at that time a straggling village. containing only a few people who lived in log shanties. Upon arriving in Fergus Falls, John Swanson homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Western township, which he cleared and upon which he erected buildings. Very soon after coming to the county Mr. Swanson was mar- ried and lived on the homestead farm for eight or nine years, after which he moved to Amor township and obtained possession of three hundred and twenty acres of land, which he proceeded to clear and improve. After living upon the farm until 1914 he moved to Fergus Falls and retired, but still owns the Amor township land. He was a general farmer and stockman during his active career and served in many township offices. He is a stanch Republican. John Swanson and wife are members of the Lutheran church and he was one of the founders of the Amor congregation.
Mr. and Mrs. John Swanson are the parents of six children. three sons and three daughters, of whom S. A. is the eldest ; Carl is a painter and paper-hanger of Fergus Falls: Oscar is station agent at Detroit, Minnesota : Lydia, who married Will Ekman, lives on the farm in Amor township;
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Huldah is a stenographer in the court house at Fergus Falls; and Olga is a stenographer in the county auditor's office at Fergus Falls.
Educated in the public schools of Amor township and in the academy at Minneapolis, S. A. Swanson came to Battle Lake, Minnesota, in 1891 and was employed by Dr. M. S. Jones in his drug store for four or five years. Afterward he attended the Minneopolis Institute of Pharmacy and was graduated with the class of 1900. Upon completing his pharmaceutical education, he worked for Doctor Jones until 1914, when he purchased the drug store, which is the only drug store in Battle Lake. Naturally, Mr. Swanson has a large and growing patronage and business. The stock would invoice at the present time at about forty-five hundred dollars.
In 1904 S. A. Swanson was married to Huldah Lindquist, a native of Vasa, which is situated near Red Wing, Minnesota. Mrs. Swanson is the daughter of N. P. Lindquist. To Mr. and Mrs. Swanson has been born one son, Robert, who was born on December 5, 1906.
S. A. Swanson has long been prominent in the fraternal circles of this county. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and the United Order of Workmen. Mr. Swanson votes the Republican ticket, but has never taken a special part in politics.
ALBERT G. WHITSON.
Numbered among those who have stood representative of marked pro- gressiveness and civic loyalty in Fergus Falls and who have contributed a large share to the industrial and civic advancement of the community is Albert Whitson, who is one of the prominent business men in that section of Minnesota in which he lives. In his chosen field of endeavor he has accomplished most valuable results through his earnest and well-directed business policies. A man of recognized ability and judgment, he is regarded as an authority on questions of civic importance, and as a consequence of his admirable traits of character has reached a position of distinction in his chosen field of industry.
Albert G. Whitson was born near Smith Falls, Canada, on April 18. 1867, and is a son of John and Jane (Lawson) Whitson, representatives of an honored family, known in Minnesota for almost fifty years. His father was a farmer and miller by vocation and the family were in modest financial circumstances during the early years of the subject of this sketch. The parents left Canada in 1868 and moved to Granville Mills, Minnesota, where the father engaged in the milling business for ten years. The family then moved to Owatonna, Minnesota, where Mr. Whitson returned to the occupation of farming. until the year 1884. In the spring of that year he
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came to Otter Tail county and settled in Aastad, six miles from Fergus Falls. Shortly after his arrival in that township John Whitson was made foreman of the waterworks, which was in the course of building at that time.
As a boy Albert Whitson received his educational advantages in the schools of Northfield and Owatonna. The career of the subject of this sketch has been one of various occupations, the first of which was railroad- ing. Later he engaged in farming in Orwdl and the wide experience gained in these two fields proved to be extremely valuable to him later in life. In 1004 he moved to Fergus Falls and engaged in the livery business. Later he was associated with a Mr. Elliot, and took over the control of the ice plant on Stanton avenue. They sold out to John W. Campbell in July. 1912.
The business of Elliott & Whitson was opened in the same year. when they bought out F. H. Gary, dealer in coal, lime and cement. Since that time the firm of Elliott & Whitson has been doing an unusually successful business. In his chosen field of work, Mr. Whitson has made a large circle of friends, his ability and thorough business methods have won for him a place of distinction.
The marriage of Albert Whitson to Mary Elliott, the daughter of John Elliott, was solemnized on January 9. 1890. They are the parents of the following children: Elsie and Emilie, who are teaching school at Western ; George and Sidney, who are at home with their parents. In fraternal affairs Mr. Whitson has always taken an active interest. He is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge and the Modern Woodmen of America. In his political relations he is affiliated with the Republican party.
PETER LEIN.
One who has made a record of large and numerous accomplishment in connection with the practical affairs of life is Peter Lein, who is recognized as one of the most enterprising, resourceful and influential business men of his community. His life has been such as to entitle him to a place of dis- tinction and unqualified public esteem. Through his own ability and efforts he has won success and has given his share to community development and prosperity.
Peter Lein was born in 1856, in Trondhjem, Norway, and is the son of Peter and Barret ( Peterson) Lein, both of whom are deceased. His father died in 1005 and her mother in 1862. When the subject of this sketch was just twenty-four years old he came to America, in March, 1880. Ile landed at Talifax and went by train to Montreal, where he remained a month. From there he went to Winnipeg, where he was employed for two
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years by a railroad company during its period of construction. His busi- ness career was initiated in 1882, when he came to Fergus Falls and, with his brother, operated a butcher shop for a year. His next field of business activity was in the grocery store owned by Nels Elden, where for five years he was employed as an assistant. During his engagement in business there he was married to Mary Ann Sten, a native of Norway, and a woman of much personal charm.
In the fall of 1888 Mr. Lein began an independent career as manager of the grocery which he now owns. A man of distinctive initiative and progressive ideas, he is a valued member of the community in which he lives. He is extremely popular with all of his customers, whom he endea- vors to please to the best of his ability. His diligence in business is equaled only by his devotion to his family, which includes his wife and four children. His eldest son, Bennie, is assistant cashier of the Scandia Bank. The other children are Emil, who is married and living in Minneapolis; Conrad, a graduate of the Naval Academy at Annapolis, and Laura.
Aside from his business interests, Mr. Lein has always been interested in societies that promote good fellowship. He is a member of the Sons of Norway and of the Odd Fellows.
FRANK H. STRAUB.
One of the substantial business men of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, the proprietor of a popular jewelry store of this city and a man who is inter- ested in everything which, in any way, might promote the best interests of his home city, is Frank H. Straub.
Frank H. Straub was born in 1857 at Lockport, Michigan, a town which is now called Three Rivers. His parents were William and Harriet ( Shomaker ) Straub, the former of whom was a carriage maker by trade, but who, during the greater part of his life, was engaged in the mercantile business. The family emigrated to Minnesota in 1863 and located at Win- nebago, an Indian agency near Waseca. In 1865, two years later, the family moved to Morristown, in Rice county, where the father engaged in carriage making. Three years later the family moved to Faribault, Minnesota, and there Mr. Straub embarked in the mercantile business, after which he moved to Fergus Falls and engaged in the real-estate business. He died in this city in 1886. His wife survived him many years, passing away in 1910.
Frank H. Straub obtained his early education at Faribault, Minnesota, and grew to manhood in this state. When he was old enough he clerked in a jewelry store and later operated a store in Northfield for Hunter & Son.
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In 1880 Mr. Straub moved to Groton, South Dakota, where he home- steaded a tract of land, which he commuted in 1882. In the fall of the same year he came to Fergus Falls and, in partnership with a Mr. Hunt, engaged in the jewelry business. Six years later Mr. Straub bought Mr. Hunt's interest and has since conducted the business alone.
By his marriage to Katie A. Jordan, a native of Maine and a descend- ant of the Jordans who came over to America from England, Frank H. Straub has six children, Katherine, who was born in Fergus Falls, Minne- sota, in 1892, and died at the age of five and one-half years; Francis, 1894. and died February 1, 1897; Winnifred, November, 1897: Lloyd J., 1899; Margaret L., July, 1901 : and William F., 1904.
Frank H. Straub was a prominent and useful member of the city council at the time when the last city charter was adopted. At the present time he is one of the water and light commissioners of Fergus Falls. Mr. Straub is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of Pythias.
REV. JAMES MOODY.
The Rev. James Moody, professor in charge of Northwestern College and pastor of the Swedish Lutheran church at Fergus Falls, this county, is a man who has attained notable distinction in educational and ministerial work. He is one of the most distinguished educators now residing in Otter Tail county and his character, one of signal exaltation and purity of pur- pose. is widely admired by the people of this county.
Born in Lekvatten. Vermland, Sweden, the Rev. Mr. Moody is the son of Peter and Ingeborg ( Anderson) Moody, who with their family emigrated to America in 1864, proceeding to Ft. Snelling, by the way of Quebec, Can- ada. From Ft. Snelling the family removed to Carver county, where they rented a farm and remained until after the close of the Civil War, after which they removed to Moores Prairie. now Cokato, and homesteaded land. There the father built a log house and was engaged in farming until his death in 1904.
James Moody received his early schooling in the district schools of this state and at the Swedish- American College at St. Peter. He was a student at the latter institution for three years and then spent six years at Augustana College and Theological Seminary, Rock Island, Illinois. After his ordination, the Rev. Mr. Moody received his first charge at Crookston and St. Hilaire, where he remained for eight years. From Crookston and St. Hilaire he was transferred to Battle Lake, in Otter Tail county, where he remained for ten years. In 1906 the Rev. James Moody was transferred
REV. JAMES MOODY.
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to Fergus Falls, as professor in charge of Northwestern College and as pastor of the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran church, over which he is still presiding pastor. Ilis influence in Fergus Falls and vicinity has been a large factor in the spiritual and moral awakening of the community, his personality and kindly Christian leadership proving a most wholesome fac- tor here among the people with whom he has labored.
The Reverend Mr. Moody married Augusta W. Johnson, who has borne him five children, James R., Huldah V., Ruth A., Edna A., and Mildred T. The Moody family are popular in the social life of Fergus Falls and are a credit to their worthy parents, who have reared them in the love of the Christian religion and in the principles of righteous and noble living.
C. MURRY HUNT.
One of the prosperous and long-standing industries of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, is the cigar manufacturing business operated under the name of Hunt Brothers, which is owned by C. Murry Hunt.
C. Murry Hunt was born on July 11, 1868, at Manchester, Iowa, and is the son of Walter G. and Susan E. (Blood) Hunt. The former was the son of David Hunt, who was born near Buffalo, New York. Walter G. Hunt was born on August 8. 1843. in Harmony, Chautauqua county, New York. When the Civil War began he was living in Delavan, Wisconsin. He enlisted on August 12, 1862, in Company D, Twenty-second Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and saw active service during the war. He was honorably discharged on June 28, 1865, at Milwaukee. In September, 1865, he removed to Manchester, Iowa, where he worked as a farmer and where he was married to Susan E. Blood. To this happy marriage there were born three children, Clarence M., Frank L. and Elizabeth.
The family removed to Nora Springs, Iowa, and in the spring of 1879 emigrated to Fergus Falls, Minnesota. In the spring of 1879 they took a homestead in Star Lake township, and lived there for three years, when they returned to Fergus Falls, where they still live.
When he was sixteen years old, C. Murry Hunt began life on his own responsibility. For a few years he was employed at various kinds of work, anything which he could find to do. Subsequently he learned the cigarmaker's trade from Alexander Van Praag, and was employed by Mr. Van Praag for a period of ten years. In December, 1892, Mr. Hunt engaged in the manufacture of cigars on his own account under the name of Hunt Brothers. The name is still in use, although C. M. Hunt owns the business.
Mr. Hunt manufactures several brands of cigars, among which are the' (gb)
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"Hunt Imperial," "Hunt Imperial, Jr.," "Hunt's Commander," "Hunt's Havana Special," "Ralph Emerson," "Fergus, Jr.," "Factory Smoker," and "662." The Hunt factory is an attractive building constructed of brick and situated on Lincoln avenue, west. Mr. Hunt employs thirty-five men. His trade is confined mostly to Minnesota, North and South Dakota.
Some years ago C. Murry Hunt was married to Etta M. Brown, a native of Illinois, by whom he has had one son, Clarence L., born on October 7, 1893. Clarence L. Hunt is employed in his father's office.
Mr. Hunt is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Knights of Maccabees, Knights of Pythias, the Modern Samaritans, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
J. V. MATTHEWS.
J. V. Matthews, a successful business man and a highly-respected citi- zen of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, who is engaged in the livery business and who operates a feed and sale stable in this city, is a native of the town of McHenry, in McHenry county, Illinois, where he was born in 1856.
Mr. Matthews is the son of John Warren and Mary ( Scanlan) Mat- thews, the former of whom was born in New York state and the latter was born in Canada. In 1857 the family emigrated to Lake City, Minnesota, making the latter part of the journey up the Mississippi river in the steamer "Milwaukee." J. V. Matthews remembers distinctly the boat as she plied up and down the river, it being identified at that time by two large gilt globes between her smokestacks. In Lake City, Minnesota, Mr. Matthews' father was engaged in the livery and sales business in the days before the railroads, and also operated a mail stage line between Winona and Red Wing.
Mr. Matthews, when a mere lad, attended the first school established in Lake City, Minnesota. The school eventually became a normal school. After growing to manhood, Mr. Matthews learned the barber's trade, which he followed for thirty years, working in Winnebago City, Blue Earth and Devil's Lake, North Dakota. In May, 1883. he came to Fergus Falls and engaged in the barber business, which he followed until 1905, when he purchased the livery business owned by George G. Matthews, his brother.
J. V. Matthews was married to Mary R. Smith, the daughter of John and Mary Smith. They have no children.
Mr. Matthews is a member of Corner Stone Lodge No. 99, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
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OLE M. HEXUM.
The subject of this biographical sketch is descended from a fine old family of Norway, and his parents came to America many years ago. Mr. Hexum stands out prominently as one of the rising farmers in his locality. where he has demonstrated strong individuality and ability in his chosen vocation.
Ole M. Hexum, farmer, of Carlisle, Otter Tail county, was born on September 18, 1876, on the old homestead in Carlisle township, and is a son of Martin H. Hexum and his wife, Marit (Gratts) Hexum. His education was obtained at the public schools of Otter Tail county, after which he was trained along agricultural lines under his father's instruction. He has farmed on the home place since 1901, doing general farming.
A biographical sketch of Martin. H. Hexum is presented elsewhere in this volume.
Ole M. Hexum was united in marriage, first, with Clara Fjestad, who was born on December 16. 1877, and died on July 28, 1904, and by whom he had two children, Morris F. and Thoralf M. Mr. Hexum was married, secondly, to Matilda Linner, who was born on January 25, 1886, which union has been blest with the following children: Myrtle. Olga and Martin.
Mr. Hexum has won an enviable popularity as one of the younger agriculturists of Carlisle township, where he takes an active part in the affairs of the community, doing his part in advancing the interests of the public. He is a man of sterling qualities, practicing the principles of scrupulous honesty in all his business dealings.
GEORGE CAMPBELL.
The people of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, consume annually a great deal of ice cream, most of which is made by the Campbell firm, who not only manufacture ice cream, but also soft drinks, under the firm name of the Fergus Ice Cream Company.
George Campbell, who, with his father, Alexander Campbell, is engaged in the manufacture of ice cream and soft drinks at Fergus Falls, was born in Saratoga township. Winona county, Minnesota, in 1872. He is the son of Alexander and Mary (Coulter) Campbell, the former of whom was a farmer for many years, but is now in partnership with his son in Fergus Falls.
After having remained on the home farm until he was twenty-seven years old. George Campbell moved to Menahga, about six miles from Wadena, and was engaged there in farming for about six years. Subse- quently, however. he moved to Wadena and remained for eighteen months.
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coming finally to Fergus Falls in 1909. Immediately thereafter Mr. Camp- bell engaged in the manufacture of ice cream, to which he has added milk, cream and butter, and supplies most of the grocers of Fergus Falls daily. He also has a large trade outside of Fergus Falls. Mr. Campbell has a model plant and has built up a nice business for the short time during which he has been located in this county. On account of his personality and the superiority of his products, his business is growing day by day and month by month.
Mr. Campbell's wife, before her marriage, was Gertrude I. Bradt, who was born in Fremont township, Winona county, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have one son, Lawrence, who was born on May 1, 1901.
George Campbell is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is highly respected by the people of Fergus Falls and vicinity.
JUSTUS PICKIT.
Among the well-known merchants of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and among the pioneer citizens who belong to a past generation, was the late Justus Pickit, a prominent citizen of Otter Tail county for forty years, who died on June 7, 1913.
The late Justus Pickit was born in Edwards, New York, on July 2, 1837, and spent his boyhood and early manhood in the Empire state. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted in the Ninety-second Regiment. New York Volunteer Infantry. After the war, in 1869, he came west to St. Cloud, Minnesota, where he engaged in the mercantile business in partner- ship with J. B. Abbott.
In 1871 Mr. Pickit came to Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and erected a frame building on the present site of the Scandia Land Company, at the corner of Lincoln and Mill streets, where he had a general mercantile store.
Mr. Pickit served as postmaster of Fergus Falls for four years under the administration of the late President Harrison, and during his advancing years was retired from business. He lived quietly in the later years of his life. He took a prominent part in the progress and development of Fergus Falls and was very successful as a business man, especially as a merchant.
By his marriage, in Herman, New York, to Anna M. Peck, a native of Fowler, New York, the daughter of Daniel and Martha ( Fuller) Peck, there were born four sons: Horace E., who lives in Fergus Falls: Leslie J., who lives in Los Angeles, California, who married Effie Straub: Robert C., who is employed in the auditor's office at St. Paul, and Ralph E., of I os Angeles, California. Mr. and Mrs. Leslie J. Pickit have four children. Robert C. married Mamie Snyder, and they have an adopted daughter,
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Gertrude. Ralph E. married Carrie Cotterell, and they have no children. Mrs. Justus Pickit's father was for many years connected with the Fuller- ville Iron Works, at Fullerville, New York.
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