USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 43
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The public schools of Norway furnished the elementary educational advantages for Jolin Nelson, who worked on a farm after completing the school course. The voyage to America, which was made in 1869, occupied one month on the ocean. For two years after his arrival in this country he resided in Vernon county, Wisconsin, the community to which he was first attracted. The trip to Otter Tail county was made in a covered wagon, drawn by a team of oxen, and the time required to traverse the distance, which seems short in this day of rapid travel, was five weeks. In Scambler township. Mr. Nelson took a homestead claim on one hundred and sixty acres of land. in section 4. His first years of labor in this community were eventful with all the incidents common in the life of a pioneer. He had to live through the disappointments of crop failures and the drawbacks of rough winter weather. Before retiring from active farm work, Mr. Nel- son added one hundred and sixty additional acres to his original homestead. He has since divided part of the land among his children and at the present
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time makes his home with his daughter, Mrs. Simon Olson, who lives on the home place. John and Johanna Sophia Nelson were the parents of the fol- lowing children : Nels, the subject of this review; Kari, who died at the age of twenty-three; Sarah, who died at the age of twenty, and Betsey (Mrs. Simon Olson), who, with her husband, lives in Scambler township, on the homestead belonging to her father.
The birthplace of Nels Nelson is in Vernon county, Wisconsin, where he was born on June 2, 1870. He was brought to Minnesota when only one year old, and after reaching the age of seven attended the public schools of Scambler township. He went to farming soon after he had finished school and in 1890 came into possession of eighty acres of land, to which tract he added eighty acres more. Upon this farm Mr. Nelson put many modern improvements and continues to live on the place at the present time. In 1900 he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 9, of Scamb- ler township, and still continues to manage the addition. Mr. Nelson has never allowed himself to be wholly occupied to the point of narrowness with the duties of farm life. He has taken an active part in the industrial affairs around him and has, as a consequence, been honored with school offices. He has served as treasurer of the school district and as supervisor of the township in which he lives. He and his wife are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church.
To the marriage of Nels Nelson and Bertina Carlson, a native of Cor- morant township, Becker county, the following children have been born: Selma Carlotte, Edwin, John, Neil, Tyler, Samuel, Julia, Walter and Birdie.
DICK BOLLAND.
Enterprise, sound business judgment and well-directed energy are some of the factors necessary to the making of a home in a new country and assisting in the development and the improvement of a community. It is to men of force and energy that the present generation owes much for the conditions to be found in many well-developed and improved communities. In numerous instances these improved conditions are traceable to the native- born German, who has come to this country and has made a pleasant home for himself and family.
Dick Bolland. a German by birth, was born in Hanover, Germany, on November 1, 1881. He was the son of J. D. Heinrich and Katherine (Clasen) Bolland, both of whom were natives of Hanover, Germany. John H. Bolland, grandfather of Dick, was a native of Hanover, Germany, where he followed farming. He never left his native Hanover, where he was an active member of the German Lutheran church.
J. D. H. Bolland was educated in Germany, where he grew to man-
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hood and married. In 1897 he, with his wife and family, left their native country to establish a new home in a new land. They landed in New York and at once came on to Leaf Lake township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he purchased four hundred acres of land, and some horses, stock and machinery for seven thousand six hundred and fifty dollars. He added to this farm until he had, before his retirement, some five hundred and ten acres, about half of which was tillable. The farm was greatly improved under his management. The house was built already when he purchased the farm, but the barn and other buildings were erected under his super- vision. Mr. Bolland was very active in politics in his native country. He was the father of the following children: Doris, Henry, Mary, Herman, Dick, Elsie, Katherine, Fritz and John, all of whom but the last two are married.
Dick Bolland was educated in Germany. in the common schools, and was but fifteen years of age when he arrived in America. Mr. Bolland was married on May 23, 1911, to Bettie Ohlrogge, who was also a native of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Bolland are the parents of two children, Walter and Herbert.
Mr. Bolland purchased from his father two hundred and twenty-five acres of land and, with the aid of his brother, Fritz, they are farming this tract, as well as the balance of his father's original farm.
Mr. Bolland and his family are members of the German Lutheran church, and Mr. Bolland has held the responsible position of school clerk, The family enjoy the advantages of the telephone and rural delivery of mails.
BURTON H. MATHEWS.
Born in Blue Earth county, Minnesota, June 1, 1874, Burton H. Mathews, a prosperous farmer of Maine township, is the son of Washington and Ellen ( Drake) Mathews, who were natives of Ohio and Wisconsin, respectively. Mr. Mathews' father was born in Ohio, March 10, 1832. and his mother in Wisconsin, February 4. 1844. Washington Mathews was a farmer all of his life. IJe farmed in Ohio and in Blue Earth county, Minnesota. Late in life he sold his farm and, for a time, operated a supply store in a small town. Washington Mathews came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, in 1885, and purchased forty acres in Maine township, where he lived for ten years. This farm was located in section 33. the same sec- non in which his son's ( Burton) farm is now situated. While visiting in Canada with his daughter, Mrs. Bessie Bunse, Mr. Mathews died in Sep- Member. 1909. Ilis wife had died more than two years previously, June 17, 1007. They were the parents of four children, of whom one, Leroy, is
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deceased. The living children are: Burton H., the subject of this sketch; Blanche and Bessie.
Burton H. Mathews was educated in the graded schools of Maine township after coming to Otter Tail county. Eleven years ago he purchased a farm of eighty acres, where he now lives, but the place is rented to Charles Turman. Mr. Mathews purchased this farm for six dollars an acre and, at the time, it was all wild land. Forty acres of the farm, however, has been cleared. Shortly after purchasing the farm, Mr. Mathews built a new house. The buildings are all new and well painted and reveal the thrift of the owner. Mr. Mathews is unmarried. He is well known throughout this section of the county and is well liked by all who know him.
JOSEPH BOEHL.
It is always a pleasure to note the successful career of the man who has won a definite goal in life, and especially is this true of one who has left his native home in the Old World and cast his lot in a new country and under vastly different conditions. Such men, for the most part, are men of sterling worth, filled with the desire to accomplish something for them- selves and those dependent upon them. Such a man we find in the subject of this sketch.
Joseph Boehl, the son of Frederick and Charlotte (Zelle) Boehl. was born near Pealeberg, West Prignitz, Brandenburg, Germany, on September 25, 1841. His father. Frederick Boehl, was married to Charlotte Zelle, also a native of Germany. To this union were born two children, Frederick and Joseph, the subject of this sketch. Frederick Boehl was a farmer and a carpenter, which vocation he followed during his entire life. He never left his native country. After the death of Frederick Boehl, his widow married again.
Joseph Boehl was educated in Germany and grew to manhood there, being twenty-seven years of age when he landed in New York City. In early manhood he labored on the farm and assisted his father at carpenter's work. After reaching New York he proceeded to Danville, Illinois, where he remained for ten years farming and following the carpenter trade.
When Joseph Bochl came from Danville, Illinois, to Otter Tail county, about thirty-six years ago, he came in a covered wagon or prairie schooner. It took him forty days to go the distance. When Mr. Boehl came to Otter Tail county the country was but sparsely settled and there were two large Indian villages, one on the south side and one on the north side of the lake, occupied by Chippewa Indians.
Joseph Boehl was married on December 24, 1869. to Mary Shultz. a native of Germany, who died on October 15. 1906. at the age of sixty-nine
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years. Mr. and Mrs. Boehl had no children of their own, but they adopted as their own, Henry Schauberger, who now goes by the name of Henry Boehl. The parents of Henry ( Schauberger ) Boehl were born in Hessen. Germany, and lived in State Line, Indiana, after coming to this country. Mrs. Henry Boehl was born near Paynesville, Stearns county, Minnesota. Her parents also came from Germany.
Henry ( Schauberger ) Boehl was married on March 26, 1896, to Emma Roehr, who was born on March 13, 1860. To this union have been born two children, Ervin and Adella. Henry Boehl and wife live on the farm of Joseph Boehl and look after the cultivation of the farm as well as the care of the home. Mixed farming, as well as the raising of munich stock, is practiced here, and a success in both has resulted. The telephone and the rural delivery of mail are some of the conveniences these people enjoy. Henry Boehl has a Belle City threshing machine, operated by a gasoline engine, used principally for his own threshing. He is also the owner of a Regal automobile. The family are active members of the Evangelical church of Otter Tail.
PATRICK MOORE.
The late Patrick Moore, who was one of the most successful farmers and one of the best and most favorably known men of Maine township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Ireland on March 17, 1820, the son of Daniel and Hannah Moore, natives of Ireland. After some years as a farmer in his native country, Daniel Moore came to America about 1849, and located in the state of California, where he became a gold-miner. an occupation which he followed in that region for the remainder of his clays.
Following his arrival in America, Patrick Moore went to California and worked in the gold-mines for many years. While engaged in this work he lost one of his eyes, as the result of a premature explosion. After some years, Mr. Moore retired from his activity as a gold-miner, and moved to the state of Wisconsin, where he engaged in general farming on one hun- dred acres of land which he purchased in that state. He made his home there for twenty-one years, and then, in 1876, he came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Maine town- ship, and where he made his home until his death, on May 7, 1901.
While a resident of California, Patrick Moore was married to Nora Twohig, a native of Ireland, the daughter of Bartholomew Twohig and wife, who were born in Ireland and who came to America and became farmers in the state of Massachusetts, later moving to California. To the marriage of Patrick and Nora (Twohig) Moore were born the following
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children : Bartholomew, Hannah, Nora, John, Mary, Catherine, James and Patrick, all of whom are living. Of the children of Patrick and Nora Moore two are married: Bartholomew, who married Mary Sullivan, and Hannah, who is the wife of Anton Britenbanch. Patrick Moore was a devout member of the Catholic church, both in his native country and while a citizen of America.
James Moore, who is a son of the late Patrick Moore, was born in 1873, and after his school days he became a farmer, an occupation in which he has since been successfully engaged. James Moore, with his brother. John, is now the owner of four hundred and forty acres of valuable land in Maine township, a place which the Moore brothers have well improved, and where they engage in general farming and in stock raising, making a spec- ialty of Jersey Shorthorn cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs. In addition to their general farming pursuits, the Moore brothers are operators of a dairy busi- ness. They have one of the best farms of the community, their farm adjoining the home place, which is now the property of their. sister, Nora. The Moore brothers are unmarried, their sister being the housekeeper.
The memory of the late Patrick Moore is among the most honored of the entire community, he having been a man and citizen who was of con- siderable value to the township and county, in the many ways which he chose to be of service and of benefit. The children of the late Patrick Moore are among the highly respected and esteemed residents of the town- ship and vicinity.
ANDREW N. ARVIDSON.
Andrew N. Arvidson, for twenty-eight years a resident of this town- ship, during which time he has lived an industrious, honest life, has sought always to exemplify the qualities of mind and heart which go to make up the all-round man and American citizen. Early privations taught him many valuable lessons, for he was one of thirteen children. The self-reliance and industry learned in his childhood home became, however, the corner-stone of his character. The son of Nils Olson and Margaret ( Jenson ) Olson, of Sweden, he was born on May 21. 1870. His parents, who are mentioned in another sketch of this publication, are both dead.
Mr. Arvidson is practically a self-made man, for he was still a young man when he came to America and began working on. a farm. This was in the year 1887. In 1896 he had accumulated enough means to purchase one hundred and sixty acres, which constitute the farm where he now lives. He set to work to cultivate the land, and to erect thereon the buildings nec- essary for farm work. He has since added forty acres.
On June 3. 1900, Andrew N. Arvidson was married to Anna Pehrson,
BETRA TAI COUNTY, MINNESOT.A.
of this township. Mrs. Arvidson had come with her parents from Sweden when a child eight years of age. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Arvid- son are seven in number, namely: Alton, Simon. Mabel, Agda, Esther, Walfred and Luella.
Mr. Arvidson has served as road overseer. He and his wife are actively interested in the work of the Swedish Lutheran church, of which Mr. Arvidson has been trustee for the past three years. He was one of the organizers of the Rose Creamery Company, and is now one of its stock- holders. At the time of its organization he was one of the men who care- fully canvassed the entire county to obtain the names of men who desired to purchase stock. Mr. Arvidson is a man of sterling qualities and his insist- once upon honesty in business matters and consideration for others in all human relationships has won for him many stanch friends and admirers.
THEODORE WALSTEAD.
Theodore Walstead is a well-known farmer in Otter Tail county. His farm is on the line of the two counties, Douglas and Otter Tail, Minnesota. the buildings being located in Douglas county. Theodore Walstead is one of four children born to the first union of Nels Walstead, being the second horn of Nels and Julia ( Tollefson ) Walstead, both natives of Norway. The birth of Theodore Walstead occurred on May 21. 1876, in Douglas county, Minnesota, on the home place, which he now owns. Nels Wal- stead emigrated to America in 1869, choosing Douglas county as the place best suited to his future plans, and two years after his arrival purchased one hundred and sixty acres of homestead land, which he cultivated until his death. Julia Tollef-on emigrated to America in 1870. also locating in Douglas county, where her marriage was solemnized and where her death becurred. The names of the children born to this union are: John, Theo- More, Matilda, whendied in infancy, and .Alfred. John is a pastor of Hangus church. Morrisonville, Wisconsin: Alfred is a druggist in Larson. North Dakota After the death of Julia ( Tollefson ) Walstead, Nels Wal- Good married Inger Lokken, and to them was born one child, who died in Wiev. namely. Emna.
The material grandparents cf Theodore Walstead emigrated from their dive land to the United States and located near the town of Fvans- ville Vinnes de, where they entered an homestead of eighty acres, which they operated for 0000 efr , dying at an advanced age. They spent the at war of their lives with a daughter who lived in the vicinity of the ingu place. The gaffermal op salparents of Theodore Walstead were Jens Wastead and his wife. who ren dined in Norway all of their lives. Jens Wal tead was a farmer .nul f Mowed that vocation until his death.
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOT.A.
Theodore Walstead is indebted to the schools of his immediate viemity for the education he received. He was reared on the home farm and has remained there during the forty years of his life. He has added to the original farm until he now owns three hundred and forty acres, all adjoin- ing. He has improved the place by adding a new barn and making the old house nearly new. In 1903 Theodore Walstead was united in marriage to Matilda Erickson, daughter of Martin Erickson. Theodore Walstead has served as township assessor for two years, was town clerk for seven years, and was elected county commissioner of the first district in Douglas county in 1912. In all of these offices Mr. Walstead has given satisfaction and is worthy of the high esteem in which he is held.
AMASA J. PIERCE.
Amasa J. Pierce was born near Wolcottville, Indiana, July 3, 1848, son of Stephen K. and Pamelia Burr ( Oldo) Pierce, who were natives of New York state. In 1837 they moved to a farm near Wolcottville, Indiana, where they lived until the father's death, on April 2, 1880. The mother later died in Kansas, where her eldest son was living. Sanford and Mary (King) Pierce, ancestors in line, were Yankees, and were descendants of John Pierce, who owned the "Mayflower." Stephen, father of Amasa J., was a first ensign in the militia of New York, when a young man. His sword is now in the possession of Amasa J. Pierce. Sanford Pierce was a farmer, and died in Noble county, Indiana, and both he and wife were buried in the Pierce family graveyard on the farm of Stephen K. Pierce. who bought the farm of two hundred acres from the government, and still owned one hundred and twenty acres of it at the time of his death.
Stephen K. Pierce was twice married, and by his first wife, Betsie Bellows, had one child, Ferndo C'ortez; and by his second marriage the chil- dren were: Dewitt M., who enlisted in Company A, Twenty-first Regi- ment, Indiana Volimteer Infantry, at Lagrange, Indiana ; Orrel M .: Amos J. and Amasa J., who were twins. Amos also was a soldier in the One Hundred and Thirty-second Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry.
Amasa J. Pierce attended the common school and spent one winter at the seminary at Woicottville. Indiana, and then went to Missouri, where he stayed for three years, working as a farm hand. He then came back to the home farm and worked three years. In 1876 he went to Chippewa township. Douglas county. Minnesota, and was there married in the following year, July 3. 1877. to Martha Mckibben. She was born in Illinois, daugh- ter of Henry J. Mckibben, first cousin of William Jennings Bryan. Mr. Mckibben was an early homesteader in Minnesota.
Mr. Pierce was the first to take a homestead in Butler township, Otter
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Tail county, Minnesota, where he located on April 26, 1879. Others pre- empted before him, but only for speculative purposes. His homestead was one hundred and twenty acres in section 14, where he lived seven years. Then, for the ten years following, he was in North Dakota and western Minnesota, farming. He returned in June, 1896, to Butler township, bought forty acres, and lived on it a few years; and then homesteaded forty acres more, where he now lives, in Butler township, and which he has improved. Hle raises purebred Jersey cattle, Shropshire sheep, and is also a beekeeper. He was the first postmaster of Butler, and kept the office in his house in section 15; was also justice of the peace for many years; chairman of the township board, etc.
Mr. and Mrs. Amasa J. Pierce are the parents of the following chil- dren: Evangeline J., Leona May, deceased; Parmelia L., Etna M., Archi- bald J., Elsie May, Minnie V., Stella L. and Frank S. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Pierce was formerly a Republican in politics, but is now a Prohibitionist. His first presidential vote was for Horace Greeley, and he made a trip from Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Lagrange, Indiana, to cast his vote.
It was in the spring of 1879 that Mr. Pierce came to Butler township. Otter Tail county, and he made the trip from Brandon, Minnesota, on foot. by way of Parkers Prairie and Bluffton, built a shack on his homestead. and in the autumn of the same year brought his family, they reaching the homestead on October 20, 1870. The place was near the corners called Butler.
JOHN SCHROEDER.
Practical industry is one of the most substantial foundations on which to achieve success. It is generally agreed that there is nothing to equal continued industry and applied energy, and it is to these elements that John Schroeder, farmer, owes his financial prosperity.
John Schroeder, Elizabeth, Otter Tail county, was born on September 30. 1877. in Elizabeth township, in the county where he now resides, and is a son of Bernhard and Katherine ( Diedrich ) Schroeder, his wife. His education was obtained at the public schools of Elizabeth, and after his mar- riage he located on the farm which he now owns, and which at that time was the property of his father. He rebuilt the house and put other valuable improvements on the place. His special attention has been given to stock raising, to which he feeds all the grain planted on the place. Mr. Schroe- ler's religious belief is with the Catholic church of Elizabeth, Minnesota.
Bernhard Schroeder, father of the subject of this sketch, was born on April 2, 1838, in Germany. Mr. Schroeder attended the public schools of
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his native country, and came to America in 1868, landing in New York, and going direct to Chicago, where he was employed in a lumber yard for one year, coming to Elizabeth in 1869 and acquired one hundred and sixty aeres in section 21, Otter Tail county, which he sold in 1889, buying another farm in Elizabeth township, section 33, and consisting of one hundred and sixty acres. At the expiration of six years he again sold out and bought two hundred acres in sections 32 and 33. which he still owns, and rents to his sons, since he has retired from an active agricultural life, and resides in the town of Elizabeth, having moved there in 1912. He owns two pieces of property at Elizabeth, on one of which he built a house, and on the other he follows gardening. Mr. Schroeder was united in marriage, October 30. 1876, with Katherine Diedrich, daughter of John and Eva Diedrich. She was born in Germany, and came with her parents to America. This union was blest with seven children, John, Joseph, George, Katherine, Anna, Matilda and Lizzie, all of whom are married and living in Otter Tail county and all members of the Catholic church. Mr. Schroeder is a member of St. Joseph's Society.
Anton Schroeder. the paternal grandfather, was a native of Germany, as was also his wife. Eva Renter. They lived and died in their native country, where Mr. Schroeder was a day laborer. In religion, they were members of the Catholic church. By his first wife, he had but one child, Bernhard, father of John. and by his second wife, Mary, he had four chil- dren, Christopher, Mariana. Katherine and John.
John and Eva Diedrich, the maternal grandparents, were natives of Germany, and emigrated to America, locating first at Cold Springs, Minne- sota, and a few years later moved to Otter Tail county and bought the farm now owned by our subject, consisting of one hundred and sixty aeres. Mr. and Mrs. Diedrich were members of the Catholic church.
John Schroeder was united in marriage. June 27. 1906, with Mary Wedell, daughter of George and Theresa ( Lill) Wedell. She was born, July 1, 1877, in Fergus Falls township. This union has been blest with three children: Theresa, born on October 27. 1907; Bernhard, September 26, 1900, and Lawrence, Angust 10, 1912. Like her husband, Mrs. Schroe- der is also a member of the Catholic church. Their children all attend the public school at Elizabeth, Minnesota.
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