USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 46
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Edward T. Barnard, who conducts the commodious furniture store on East Lincoln avenue, where he has a large and well-selected assortment of furniture and an admirably arranged stock, betrays, in every nook and cor- ner of his store, his exquisite taste and his expert knowledge of the business.
Mr. Barnard acquired his early education in Minneapolis and later engaged in the printing business. On April 21. 1880, he went to Fergus Falls and, after arriving in that city, was employed by the Journal, where he worked for twenty-one years. At the end of that period, he embarked in the furniture andindertaking business and in this business he is still engaged.
Mr. Barnard's wife before her marriage, was Lillian Nichols, the daughter of George 1 Vehols, who was the third postmaster of Fergus Falls Mr and Mrs Barnard have four children, Helen. Arthur. Veal and Lucille.
Lolward I Barnard is a muthher of Corner Stone Lodge No. 00. Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and also is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Wood-
EDWARD T. BARNARD.
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men of America. Few undertakers in the state are better known than he, a fact that was attested by his election in 191.4 to the important position of president of the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association.
HENRY H. BERGE.
Among the farmers and stock raisers of St. Olaf township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, as well as among the general population of the com- munity, Henry H. Berge is known as a man who has made a success of his life, not only in agricultural pursuits, but as a man, and as a forceful and useful citizen of the township. When a boy he was denied home influence and parental care, and was therefore dependent largely upon his own resources and yet regardless of this handicap, by rising to a position of note and prominence in the community, he has proved to all his quality and his ability to surmount difficulty and to be of use in whatever situation or cir- cumstance. It is these qualities in Henry H. Berge which have made him one of the men of leadership and influence in the township and county. .
Henry H. Berge was born in St. Olaf township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, on March 20, 1860, the son of Halvor Berge and Ragnel Hernes, both of whom were natives of Norway, in which country they lived, where Halvor Berge was a farmer until the year 1863, when they came to America and located in Dane county, Wisconsin, living there for two years, after which time they moved to Mower county, Minnesota, living there for about two years, and then came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where Halvor Berge homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in St. Olaf town- ship, a place where he, with his family, made his home and after some time having overcome many hardships and privations, due to the distance from the railway. he "proved up" his land and lived his last days in com- parative comfort. Halvor Berge. well-known pioneer citizen of Otter Tail county, Minnesota, dicd in the year 1877, his wife having died in the year 1873: on his death four young children, Ingeborg, Magne, Nellie and Henry, being left alone and in the care of an uncle, Ole Hernes.
Henry Il. Berge, while living with his uncle, was educated in the public schools of Otter Tail county, Minnesota, after which, having reached the age of sixteen years, he worked as a farm helper for some time. In the year 1896 he gained possession of the home farm, to which he added some land by purchase and has since engaged in general farming and stock raising.
During the year 1900 Henry H. Berge was married to Helga Knudson, who was born on December 30, 1878, in Norway, and to this marriage has been born two children. Harvey, who is fourteen years of age, and Roy. who
(28h)
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is eight years of age. Ilenry H. Berge and his family are loyal members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. In politics, Mr. Berge is an ardent Republican.
JOHN WILLIAM SWANSON.
John William Swanson, prominent farmer, of Star Lake township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Sweden, December 15, 1876, the son of Sven M. and Sophia Johanson, both of whom were natives of Sweden, where Sven M. is now living and where his wife. Sophia, died in 1800. Sven M. and Sophia Johanson were the parents of seven children. John William, Emma. Carl, Hulda, Gustav, Clara and Eldor.
John William Swanson received his education in the public schools of Sweden, after which he came, in 1808, to America and located in Clay county, Minnesota, where he lived with an uncle, John W. Nelson, for some time and then came to Star Lake township and bought, in partnership with an uncle, Frank Nelson, more than two hundred acres of land in section 13. Of this land Mr. Swanson now owns sixty-five acres. John William Swan- son has greatly improved his farm with substantial buildings and has brought his land to a high state of cultivation. He now engages successfully in gen- eral agricultural pursuits.
During the year 1906 John William Swanson was married to Esther Victoria Henstrand, who was born in the state of South Dakota, in 1885, the daughter of Sven Henstrand and wife, natives of Sweden, who came to America and settled in Minnesota and later went to North Dakota, where they spent the remainder of their days. To the marriage of John William and Esther Swanson have been born four children, Arvid, Edwin, Irving and Alice. Mr. Swanson and his family are members of the Swedish Luth- eran church.
JOHN W. NELSON.
Among the well-known and successful farmers of Star Lake township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is John W. Nelson, who was born in Sweden. December 14. 1800, the son of Israel and Christine Nelson, both of whom were natives of Sweden, in which country they lived their entire life. Israel and Christine Nelson were the parents of eight children : Peter, who culti- vates the home farm, in Sweden: Lena, who is deceased : Matilda, deceased : Frank, who lives in Star Lake township: Sophia, who is deceased: Emma. resident of Sweden: John W., the subject of this sketch, and Carl, who lives at Moorhead. Minnesota.
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John W. Nelson was educated in the public schools of Sweden. In June, 1880, he came to America and located in Polk county, Wisconsin, where he lived one year and then, after one summer at St. Paul, Minnesota, and one winter in the woods of Wisconsin, John W. Nelson came to Moor- head, ('lay county, where he homesteaded, in 1882, one hundred and sixty acres of land, a place which Mr. Nelson improved extensively and a farm which Mr. Nelson now leases out. In June, 1901, John W. Nelson came to Star Lake township and bought one hundred and forty-five acres of land in section 22, where he now lives and engages in general agricultural pursuits.
During the year 1883 John W. Nelson was married, at Moorhead, Minnesota, to Elvina Bjordahl, who was born in Norway on April 14, 1865, the daughter of Ole and Elsie Bjordahl, natives of Norway, who moved to Huston county, Minnesota, where they lived until 1904, and then came to Star Lake township, this county, where Ole Bjordahl died in 1906, and where his widow, Elsie, now lives, at the age of eighty-eight years. To the marriage of John W. and Elvina Nelson have been born four children, William Eldor, Clara, George Arthur and Alma.
BENJAMIN G. EMERY.
Benjamin G. Emery, well-known farmer and prominent citizen of Maple- wood township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Marion, Marion county, Ohio, on June 16, 1852, the son of Jonah C. and Lyda (Kelley) Emery, the former a native of Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1820, and the latter born in the same state. Jonah C. and Lyda Emery went to the state of Ohio in the early forties and located in Marion, where he fol- lowed his business as a contractor and builder, until his death in 1867. Jonah C. and Lyda Emery were the parents of five children, Ida, Benjamin G .. Jesse and Ella (deceased ), and Alice.
Benjamin G. Emery received his education in the public schools of Marion, Ohio, after which he went to Porter county, Indiana, where he married and then moved to Stevensville, Michigan, and later to Oshkosh. Wisconsin. and then he went to the city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, for four years' residence. In 1880 Benjamin G. Emery came to Otter Tail county and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Maplewood town- ship, a place which he has improved with good buildings and a farm on which he engages in general agricultural pursuits.
On April 23. 1871. Benjamin G. Emery was married, in Porter county, Indiana, to Harriet Mc Aninch, who was born in Indiana on November I. 1854. the daughter of John McAninch and wife, who moved to Porter
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county from Wyandot county, Ohio, during the time of the Civil War. To the marriage of Benjamin G. and Harriet Emery have been born the fol- lowing children: Hughie, Ella, Thomas, Archie A., Alfred P. and Mae. who are living; and Alice C., Frank E. and Edith M., who are deceased.
For twenty-two years Benjamin G. Emery has served his community as township clerk and for eighteen years he has filled the office as clerk of the school board. During a term of six years Mr. Emery occupied the office of justice of the peace and for practically all of his days in Maplewood town- ship, he has been active in some manner which has resulted to the profit and advancement of the community life.
WILLIAM O. WOLD.
William O. Wold is a native of Clitherall township, Otter Tail county. Minnesota, and is the son of Christian O. Wold and Johanna ( Paulson) Wold, both natives of Norway, who emigrated to America in the early days. Johanna ( Paulson) Wold was born on August 6. 1842, and Christian (). Wold was born on January 29, 1836. He was a blacksmith while a resident of Norway, and followed that vocation for many years. After his arrival in the United States, in 1866, he located in Chicago for a few years and then removed to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he secured a home- stead in Clitherall township in 1870, and remained there for the rest of his life. The farm consisted of one hundred and sixty acres of unimproved land and, as markets were a great distance from the source of production and the necessities of life were costly. the struggle for an honorable com- petency was hard and long but gradually the place was improved and put under cultivation and became a comfortable home. To the union of Chris- tian (). Wold and his wife were born the children whose names follow : Ole Marius, Kaja S., Charles V., Soren, Joseph. Axel. Minnie (deceased). William H. and Elvira. The father and mother of these children were both devout members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Christian O. Wold was a Republican in his political faith. He died on September 12, 1911.
William (). Wold was born on February 9. 1885. in Clitherall town- ship, Otter Tail county. Minnesota, on his father's farm. His education was received in the schools of Clitherall township. following which he assisted his father with the work on the home place for several years, but after his marriage to Gina Foss, daughter of Tarkel and Kari (Tveton ) Foss, on June 9, 1909, he removed to Timber Lake. South Dakota, and pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of land, under the homestead law, and remained there until 1912. He then returned to Otter Tail county. Minne- Sota, and purchased the place on which they now reside. This farm con-
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sists of one hundred and sixty acres, in St. Olaf township, on which he does general farming and stock raising.
To William O. Wold and his wife have been born the children whose names follow: Curtis T., born on May 19, 1910; Kenneth J., born on August 25, 1912, and Ethel I., who was born on July 21, 1914. William O. Wold and his wife are active members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Politically, William O. Wold is allied with the independent voters of the country. Christian O. Wold, father of William O. Wold, died in Septem- ber, 191I.
Gina Foss was born on December 23, 1886, on the farm which is now owned by her and her husband, and which her father, Tarkel Foss, home- steaded in 1868. Tarkel Foss and his wife were both natives of Norway. He came to the United States when a young man, in 1867, and selected this farm as a permanent home and it was here that his death occurred. To Mr. and Mrs. Tarkel Foss were born three children, whose names follow : Andrina, Ole and Gina. Tarkel Foss and his wife were members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Kari (Tveton) Foss was married, secondly. to Michael Holoien, and her death occurred on October 26, 1914. Tarkel Foss made a trip to Norway in 1879 and returned in 1880. He died on December 18, 1887.
CHRISTIAN EGGUM.
A citizen and farmer who is known throughout St. Olaf township and the vicinity, as a man who has been peculiarly successful in agricultural pur- suits, as well as a man who in the public life and affairs of the community is prepared, as a result of broad training and natural ability, for the larger matters in connection with communal welfare, is Christian Eggum. Born of one of Otter Tail county's best families, a man who has had the advantage of special culture and instruction, and a citizen who in the conduct of his personal affairs, as in his efforts to aid his locality, has proved his value and worth, he is a man without a review of whose life this work would be incomplete.
Christian Eggum was born on the Eggum homestead in St. Olaf town- ship, Otter Tail county. Minnesota, May 12, 1882, the son of Knudt O. Eggum and Anne Ramsey, both of whom were natives of Norway, in which country Knudt O. Eggum was a laborer, a line of endeavor which he fol- lowed until the year 1863, when he came to America and located in the state of Iowa, where he worked as a farm helper for two years, then for two years rented a farm which he cultivated, afterwards moving to the state of Minnesota, there homesteading a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in
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St. Olaf powiship. Knudt O. Eggum being one of the first men to settle in that township. After many hardships and privations, due to his lack of means as well as his great distance from a railroad, this pioneer farmer was able to gain a clear title to his land, and later he was able to improve his farm extensively and to have a comfortable home and ample land for gen- eral farming and stock raising, which he followed until his death. in the year 1898. Knult O. Eggum and Anne Ramsey were the parents of seven chil- dren. Martha. Hans, Carrie, Ludia, Christina, Anna and Christian. In church affiliation. Knult O. Eggum was of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Politically. the elder Egguin was an ardent Republican.
Christian Eggum, the subject of this sketch, received his education in the common schools of St. Olaf township, this county, and following the death of his father Christian Eggum became a farmer, cultivating the home farm, a place on which he is now engaged in general agricultural pursuits and in the raising of good grade live stock.
On July 20, 1904, Christian Eggum was married to Lena Thorgerson, and to this marriage has been born two children, Milo Lyle and Beatrice Eveline. Christian Eggum and his family are faithful and devout members of the Norwegian Lutheran church at St. Olaf, Minnesota, a congregation in which Mr. Eggum and his wife are actively engaged in the support of the works, efforts and worship.
Politically, Christian Eggum has taken no especial part, but it is only fair to this capable citizen to say that his efforts and works in general and public matters have done no little in making the locality known for its prog- ress and advanced methods in the various lines of work.
FRED L. WEBFR.
Endowed with strong faculties and possessed of business sagacity in the truest sense of the word is Fred L. Weber, who has reached a prominent place in the financial world of Otter Tail county, Minnesota. Success has come to him through individual effort and public recognition of his powers as a man of understanding and sympathy and as a citizen with the welfare of the community at heart. Fred I. Weber was born in Burlington, lowa, on the 20th of September. 1859. He is the son of Charles S. and Margaret ( Shimmer ) Weber, both of whom were born in Germany. Charles Weber left his native land for America in 1846, and upon arriving in this country took up his residence in the state of Towa, where he became a druggist and a physician. Mr. and Mrs. Weber reared a family of four children.
The common schools of St. Cloud. Minnesota, furnished the elementary education received by the subject of this sketch. He also completed the high
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school course at St. Cloud. Wishing to develop his powers as a student he entered St. John's College and finally completed his educational training in the normal school at St. Cloud. Mr. Weber began his professional career in 1879 as a teacher in the schools of Otter Tail county, where he had charge of the Perham school. Later he became interested in the general store owned by MI. Walz and served as a clerk in the establishment until 1887. In the year just mentioned, the subject of this sketch bought a half interest in the store, and the partnership thus contracted lasted for five years. At the end of that time, after selling the store, the men who had been partners in the business established the Perham Bank. This was in 1891. Mr. Weber assumed the position as cashier of the bank and remained in that capacity until 1900, when he became the sole owner of the bank. In 1908 the Per- ham Bank was organized into a state bank, and at that time the subject of this sketch took J. H. Shea as a partner, who now serves as cashier.
In 1887 the marriage of Fred L. Weber to Mary A. Walz, the daughter of Michael Walz, and a native of Illinois, took place. To this union one child has been born, Norbert O., who died at the age of twelve years. Mr. and Mrs. Weber attend St. Henry's Catholic church.
Mr. Weber has served the community in a number of offices, among which have been secretary of the school board, an office he has held for twenty-three years, and village treasurer, in which capacity he has served for twenty years. As a man possessing high attributes of character he is looked upon as a force for good in the business world, which has been the field of his endeavors.
HARRY S. PRICHETT. D. D. S.
Dr. Harry S. Prichett, who is one of the leading professional men engaged in the practice of dental surgery, and a citizen who is honored for his public-spirited interest in the various affairs of Perham, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 18, 1869, a son of John and Mary ( Pancoast) Prichett, natives of Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania.
John Prichett, who was a member of the firm known as Prichett, Baugh & Company, hide and leather dealers of Philadelphia, moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1880, where he established himself in business and where he lived for the remainder of his days, as a hide and leather dealer. John and Mary Prichett were the parents of three children : F. K., John and Harry S.
Harry S. Prichett received his early education in a private school of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and after moving to Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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completed his preparatory education in the public schools of that city. In 1893 Harry S. Prichett became a student in the college of dentistry at the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, three years later graduating with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. Following the completion of his professional education, Dr. H. S. Prichett began the practice of his profession at Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, remaining there for about one and one-half years, after which he went to Alexandria, Minnesota, where he was engaged in his professional duties for a short time. During the year 1899, Doctor Prichett moved to Perham, Minnesota, where he has since lived, not only as one successfully engaged in the practice of his profession, but as a citizen who, though not aspiring to public office, has none the less been one of the most influential and beneficial elements in local citizenship. Politi- cally, Doctor Prichett is a Republican.
During the year 1897 Dr. Harry S. Prichett was married to Bernice Merwin, and to this marriage has been born one child. Mary Josephine.
Fraternally. Dr. H. S. Prichett is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and also of the Woodmen of the World.
CASPER W. LOTTERER.
A man of exceptional business acumen and broad understanding of civic affairs is Casper Lotterer, whose success in life has been won through individual effort and constant application to duty. The Lotterer name has been a familiar one in Otter Tail county for almost thirty years and has stood for achievement. Casper Lotterer was born in the city of New York on the Ist of October. 1880, and is the son of Casper Lotterer, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and of Elizabeth ( Froelich ) Lotterer, who was born in New Haven, Connecticut. The father of the subject of this sketch, who was a barber in New Haven, Connecticut, came to Perham, Otter Tail county, in the year 1887. In this locality he opened a barber shop and remained in business until 1903. when his death occurred. He was survived by the following sons: Casper W. and Charles. His son, William, met death by accident in 1901.
Since early childhood Casper W. Lotterer has been a resident of Minne- sota. He was educated in the public schools of Perham, and upon finishing the course prescribed. learned the barber's trade. In 1894 he was proficient in this line of work and after practicing it for some time was able to buy out his father's shop. He started to manage the business formerly held by his father, in 1901, and has continued to retain his interest in the shop until the present time. Mr. Lotterer has extended his business activities to many
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fields, and at the present time is occupied chiefly as deputy oil inspector in Otter Tail and Becker counties. Since 1911 he has served as justice of the peace at Perham.
In the practical affairs of business life, Mr. Lotterer has exemplified the highest attributes of character, and thus has won friends among all classes of people. As a citizen he is public spirited and takes an affirmative stand for every movement for the betterment of the industrial life in the commun- ity in which he lives.
On the End of August, 1904, the marriage of Casper W. Lotterer and Della F. Rasmusson, the daughter of S. Rasmusson, was solemnized. To this union the following children have been born: Vinette, whose birth occurred on the 17th of June, 1905, and Arthur, who was born on the 23rd of September, 1907.
In his political relations, Mr. Lotterer is a member of the Democratic party, and he and his wife are both members of the German Lutheran church. He is active in fraternal organizations, being affiliated with the Masons and also with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. As president of the Advancement Club of Perham he has shown executive ability of marked character.
MATHIAS MONSON.
In dedicating the following sketch to the gentleman whose name is seen above, only a generalization is made of the principal events of his life, including his agricultural and financial accomplishments, and his public- spirited interest in Pelican township, Otter Tail county, where he has resided since 1894.
Mathias Monson, farmer, Pelican Rapids. Pelican township, was born on February 13, 1852, in Dane county, Wisconsin, and is a son of Ole and Rondena (Svenson ) Monson. He attended the public schools of Fillmore county, remaining on the home place until 1875, when he bought eighty acres of land in his native county, which he farmed for six years. In 1882 Mr. Monson went to South Dakota, where he took up a homestead of four hun- dred and sixty acres, living there until 1894. when he rented out his land and moved to Pelican township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he rented land for one year, and in 1895 he bought one hundred and sixty acres and now has two hundred and four acres. He has put all the improvements on the place, and follows general farming, combined with stock raising. making a specialty of purebred Durham cattle. Politically, he is an inde- pendent voter. Religiously, he belongs to the Norwegian Lutheran church, in the work of which he has officiated as trustee.
Ole Monsou was born in Norway, where he was united in marriage with Kondena Svenson, also a native of that country. Mr. Monson was a man of limited means in hus home country, earning his living as a day laborer. lle came to America in 1850, settling for a few years in Dane county, Wis- consin, after which he moved to Fillmore county, Minnesota, where he took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, where he spent the remain- der of his life. Mr. and Mrs. Monson reared a family of eight children, all of whom are living in 1915.
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