USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 60
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On June 6, 1800, Henry E. Siebels was united in marriage to Christine Bahner, who was born in Stevens county, this state, and to this union eleven children have been born; Angeline, Joseph, Adaline, Frances, Henry ( deceased), Rosie, Leona, Regina, Magdaline, Alord and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Siebels are earnest members of the Catholic church and are looked upon as among the most useful and influential members of the parish to which they are attached, they and their family being held in the highest esteem throughout that entire section of the county.
WILLIAM BECK.
William Beck, a well-to-do farmer of Oak Valley township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota. is a native of Bremer county, Iowa, where he was born on September 28, 1870.
Mr. Beck is the son of Peter and Emma ( Runyan) Beck, the former of whom was born in Alsace-Lorraine in 1833, and the latter born in Bremer county, lowa, in 1847. She was the daughter of John and Lavina (Thayer) Runyan, who immigrated from New York state to Michigan and later from Michigan to Bremer county, Iowa, with an ox team. John Runyan and wife died in Bremer county, Iowa. The parents of Peter Beck were natives of France, who settled in the state of Illinois as early as 1843 and both died in that state. Peter Beck was only eleven years old when he settled with his parents in the state of Illinois. He had come to America from France with his parents. He attended school at Evanston, Illinois, and. for a time, was a student at Northwestern University. Later he moved to Bremer county, Iowa, and in 1866 was married. Shortly after his marriage
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he immigrated to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, purchasing one hundred and twenty acres of land, which his son, William, now owns and which is located in section 14, of Oak Valley township. Here he died in 1894, but his widow is still living and resides at Verndale, Minnesota. Peter Beck was chairman of the township board and also served on the school board and as township treasurer at one time. There were three children in the family: Harry. deceased ; Grace and William, the subject of this sketch. Grace is the wife of H. J. Ormsby, of Black River Falls, Wisconsin.
William Beck was educated in Bremer county, Iowa, in the public schools, but came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, when eleven years old. He also attended the public schools of this county, and the Wadena high school. After finishing his education, Mr. Beck taught school for twenty- five years in Otter Tail county in connection with farming. He owns one hundred and twenty acres of land in sections 14 and 23, of Oak Valley town- ship, and is a general farmer and stockman.
On November 29, 1900, William Beck was married to Winona Rode. who was born on April 9, 1878, in the state of Illinois, and who is the daugh- ter of Christian Rode, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. William Beck have two children, Harry Lesley, born on October II, 1905, and Valora Eileen, born on October 27, 1909.
In political affairs, Mr. Beck is identified with the Republican party. Hle is now clerk of Oak Valley township and has served in other positions of trust and responsibility within the gift of his neighbors and friends, whose confidence he has enjoyed during his long residence in this locality.
JOHN E. MURRAY.
John E. Murray is one of the business men of Parkers Prairie, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, who are worthy of the respect accorded them by an admiring public. He is the son of John and Louise (Monson) Murray, natives of Scotland and Sweden, respectively. John Murray immigrated to America in 1869 and chose Elmo township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota. as his residence. He secured one hundred and sixty acres of land under the homestead law and continued to live there for a period of sixteen years. removing thence to the village of Parkers Prairie, where he remained until his death. He established a general merchandise store which he operated for nearly eight years, after which he engaged in farming for many years. In 1910 he retired to the town of Parkers Prairie.
John E. Murray was born on August 7, 1879. in Elmo township, Otter Tail county Minnesota, and received his education in the schools of Parkers Prairie township and in the Park Region College at Fergus Falls, Minne- sota. After completing his education he was employed as a clerk in the
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mercantile busmess which position he held for four years. He then engaged in the lumber business in 1903, being employed by the Dower Lumber Com- pany, of Parkers Prairie, and in 1913 he became the general manager of the Wilcox Lumber Company, also of Parkers Prairie, Minnesota. This company supplies all kinds of building material. Fraternally, John E. Mur- ray is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of the World and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
On September 2, 1907, John E. Murray was united in marriage to Millie Nelson and they are the parents of three children whose names fol- low: Harold, Mildred and Erenstine. Millie ( Nelson) Murray is a mem- ber of the Norwegian Lutheran church.
ANDREW LEVRING.
A successful farmer and stock raiser and a man who is a good citizen, is the record of Andrew Levring, the subject of this sketch. Industrious, intelligently applying his thorough knowledge of agricultural pursuits, and one who in the conduct of life has shown himself to be tactful and resource- ful, he is a man with a host of friends and one whom the township and county value as a worthy citizen.
Andrew Levring was born in Vardalen Trondhjem, Amt, Norway, September 23, 1879, being the son of Peter Melby and Karene Levring, who were also born at that place. The mother of Andrew Levring lived in her native land until about the year 1893, when she died. The father, Peter Melby Levring, came to America and settled at Glenwood, Minnesota, where he is now engaged in the carpenter's trade. Peter Melby and Karene Levring were the parents of one son, Andrew, the subject of this sketch.
Andrew Levring received his education in the public schools of his native country, after finishing which, he came, during the year 1903, to America and following his landing at New York City he went to Ashby. Minnesota, and followed the carpenter's trade at that town and at the town of Wapeton, North Dakota, for about five years. During the year 1908 he came to Nidaros township, where he invested in eighty acres of land, in sec- tion 14, a place on which a house was built, but lacking other necessary buildings. Since taking possession of his farm Mr. Levring has greatly improved his place. building a good barn and a silo set on a six-foot con- crete foundation. Andrew Levring follows his vocation as a general farmer and also engages in the dairy business, he keeping on his farm ten first-class cows, together with other cattle, making a herd of seventeen head of cattle. Andrew Levring, in addition to his own holdings, rents adjoining land to the acreage of one hundred and sixty acres on which he engages extensively in the raising of corn, oats and wheat.
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On December 31, 1908, Andrew Levring and Anna Stene were married, she being a native of Nidaros township, and the daughter of Ole E. and Caroline Stene. Ole F. Stene was one of the pioneer settlers of the locality. having come from Vardalen, Norway, to Nidaros township, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, on which he lived until his death on October 28, 1908. Caroline, the wife of Ole Stene, survives her husband and is now a resident of the town of Vining. To the marriage of Andrew and Anna Stene were born two children, Mercedes, who was born on Decem- ber 5, 1911, and Orrin, who was born on February 20, 1914.
Andrew Levring and wife are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church at Vining, where they take an active part in the work and worship of that church. In politics, Mr. Levring is an ardent Republican.
Andrew Levring has not been an occupant of the local political offices, preferring rather to serve his place well and conscientiously, in the ranks of his party and as one of the true citizens in the country of his adoption. Mr. Levring has been active in all matters for community advancement and has given liberally of his time for the advance of those things having as an object the betterment of the county and the township.
ARTHUR W. NELSON.
The subject of the following sketch was born and has spent his entire life in Parkers Prairie township, where he has become a potent factor in the business progress, handling a full line of the most approved agricultural implements, and doing a prosperous business, all of which is the result of his upright dealings and affable manner in the treatment of his many cus- tomers.
Arthur W. Nelson, implement merchant, Parkers Prairie, Otter Tail county, was born on October 16, 1876, in Parkers Prairie township, and is a son of Carl G. and Christina Nelson. He was educated at the public schools of Parkers Prairie, and as a young man followed farming on the old homestead in partnership with his brother, Alec, for about ten years. In 1008, he went into the general farm implement business for himself. which he still follows, doing a remunerative business, in addition to which he owns a forty-acre farm on the outskirts of the village, where he now resides. Politically, Mr. Nelson is an independent voter, and in religion he is a member of the Swedish Lutheran church.
('arl G. and Christina Nelson were both born in Sweden, where they followed farming, coming to America about 1861, making their first resi- dence in Washington county, Minnesota, and locating later at Parker's Prairie, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, in 1870. Here they took up a home- stead of one hundred and sixty acres, where Mr. Nelson followed agriculture
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for the remainder of his active life. During the latter part of his life he spent three years in Florida and Kansas. He was one of the hard-struggling pioneers, and was always a public-spirited man. Carl G. and Christina Nel- son were the parents of seven children: Peter, John, Ida and Cronnett, all deceased; and Alexander, Edward and Arthur W. Mr. Nelson was a mem- ber of the Swedish Lutheran church at Parkers Prairie, of which he was one of the builders.
. Arthur W. Nelson was united in marriage on December 22, 1903, with Mabel Hawkinson, daughter of John Hawkinson, whose life history is pre- sented elsewhere in this volume. One child has been born to this marriage, Everett Nelson.
Mr. Nelson is one of the public-spirited young men of the community. and has earned the high regard in which he is held by all who know him.
CHARLES MANSKE.
. The biography of almost every person is interesting and instructive, but particularly interesting is that narration of a life which reveals a struggle for existence, the overcoming of the hardships incident to a pioneer home, the struggle from a mediocre position to one of prominence, or the adapting of one's self to conditions in a new country, where faces are strange, where customs are different and where language is unintelligible. The story of the life of Charles Manske, a farmer of Fergus Falls township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, falls in that class of biography which entertains as well as instructs, for its subject braved, with his parents, the long voyage across the Atlantic and adapted himself to the new conditions in a new land. Especially is the story of Charles Manske interesting, because, in spite of the hindrances and trials, he has commanded success and at the same time holds the respect and admiration of his many friends.
Charles Manske was born on April 20, 1869, in Germany, the son of Ludwig and Minnie ( Ladwig) Manske, both natives of Germany, the former born on November 4. 1838, and the latter on January 1, 1835. Ludwig Manske was educated in the common schools of his native land, and later learned the distiller's trade, at which trade he worked until he came to America, in the spring of 1882. Upon his arrival in America, he emigrated to Minnesota and located on the border line between Otter Tail and Wilkin counties, in the township of Andrea. He homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres in that township and lived upon his possessions until 1897, when he sold his farm to his son. Charles. After selling the land, he moved to Fergus Falls.
Ludwig Manske had about one thousand dollars when he landed in
MR. AND MRS. CHARLES MANSKE.
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America, but business conditions being in a depressed state and reacting unfavorably on the farmer, the one thousand dollars quickly was gone and the family found themselves in critical circumstances. Conditions became more and more depressed and, finally, Mr. Manske was forced to leave his wife and children and to seek employment wherever it could be found. He contracted as a teamster, but the contract was broken and Mr. Manske was unremunerated for his services. In the meantime his wife and children. whom he had been forced to leave in the wilderness, were penniless and struggling bravely and hard to get enough to eat. . At last, however, brighter times came and the silver lining of the darkened cloud displayed itself. Mr. and Mrs. Ludwig Manske lived to attain ripe old ages, the former passing away on August 12, 1912, and the latter still living at an advanced age.
To Ludwig and Minnie ( Ladwig) Manske were born three children, Paul H., Anna M. and Charles, the subject of this sketch. Paul H. was educated in Germany. Accompanying his parents to America, he learned several languages until he was able to speak seven different tongues. He was possessed of keen business ability and, pursuing his natural bent, emi- grated to Oregon and engaged in business with his father. He went to Oregon in March, 1888, but was taken sick with typhoid fever and suc- cumbed to the dreaded disease on August 3. 1888. His remains were buried at Portland, Oregon. Anna MI. married G. F. Bureau, and lives at Under- wood, and for a time, when a girl, she was employed in the home of Mr. Mason, the editor of this history.
Charles Manske was educated in the common schools of Germany and. upon arriving in America, pursued his schooling for six months longer in Wilkin county, Minnesota. He early assisted his father on the farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which had been homesteaded, and in 1897 bought the holding from his father. He farmed in Wilkin county until 1904, at which time he sold the land. He then bought a farm in Fergus Falls town- ship, Otter Tail county, comprising one hundred and sixty acres. After purchasing the farm in Fergus Falls township, he began to improve it and has continued the process of improvement until he now has a highly- improved farm. He has a substantial home, which he built in 1905, besides a commodious barn and silo, which he later erected. Mr. Manske engages in general farming and stock raising, keeping a high grade of stock. He specializes in Shorthorn cattle and maintains a dairy.
On June 20, 1895, Charles Manske was married to Lena Trenne, a daughter of Fritz and Charlotte ( Graeschke ) Trenne, both of whom are natives of Germany, the former born on June 27, 1841, and the latter on November 6, 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Trenne were married in Germany on April 11. 1872. and. immediately after their marriage, emigrated to America,
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locating in Oscar township, Otter Tail county. Fritz Trenne bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and added to this one hundred and sixty acres, until he owned an entire section. Like other emigrants to a new country, Mr. and Mrs. Trenne endured many hardships, but were liberally repaid by their subsequent success. In 1908 Mr. and Mrs. Fritz Trenne retired from active farming and moved to Fergus Falls. Mrs. Manske's father spent the last few years of his life as an invalid, having been afflicted with rheumatism. He passed away on October 22, 1913. Mrs. Fritz Trenne survives her husband, and at the present time is living with her two daugh- ters in a pleasant little home in Fergus Falls. She bore her husband the following children : Paul. Lena. William, Eliza, August, Otelia, who died at the age of twenty-six. leaving two children ; Emily. Martin, who died at the age of nineteen : Frances, Minnie, and Malvina.
To Mr. and Mrs. Charles Manske have been born four children: Paul H., born on April 30. 1806: Frederick William, who died in infancy ; Elsie E., born on December 15. 1800. and Wilma R., born on August 12, 191I.
Mr. and Mrs. Manske are members of the German Lutheran church and take a lively interest in the affairs of the church. Mr. Manske is a Democrat. Those who come into contact with Mr. Manske know him as an honorable, progressive and intelligent farmer, a man interested in the affairs of his community and a man who commands the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens.
HERMAN A. PROEHL, D. D. S.
Dr. Herman .A. Proehl is one of the enterprising young professional men of Parkers Prairie, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, who have been inter- ested in the progress of their community. He was born in Effington town- ship, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, on August 29. 1884. He is one of ten children born to Caston and Wilhelmina ( Grosnick ) Proehl, natives of Han- over, Germany, and Pommern. Germany, respectively. Caston Proehl was born on December 3. 1840, and is the son of Johan Henry and Elizabeth ( Kosten ) Prochl, both natives of Hanover. Elizabeth ( Kosten ) Proehl died in her native land, and soon afterward her husband immigrated to America and joined his only surviving child, Caston, who had preceded him. He arrived in this country in 1868 and immediately settled on one hundred and sixty acres of government land that had not yet been surveyed. and both son and father were residents of their land for three years before they received a clear title to the same. Their farms adjoined on the south and the father died before his deed to the property was received and Caston Henry Proehl had to prove np "as heir."
Caston Henry Proehl immigrated to America in 1867. locating in St.
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Paul for two years and then removing to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where his land was purchased and where he has since remained. He owns two hundred acres of land, but has been retired from active operations for some years. He was married to Wilhelmina Grosnick in 1859. She is the daughter of Johan Grosnick, who immigrated to America in 1864, and is one of six children born to his union : Mary, Fritz, Carl, Augusta, Wil- helmina and Hannah. To the union of Caston Henry Proehl and his wife were born these children : Carl, Ida, Henry, Bertha, Frederick, Mary, Min- nie, William, Ella and Herman A. Caston Henry Proehl has served in the capacity of township supervisor for fifteen years, having been appointed to that office during the first year of the organization of Effington township.
Herman A. Proehl received his preliminary education in the common schools of Effington township and later became a student in the Southern Minnesota Normal School, located at Austin, Minnesota. He also attended St. Paul's College, in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in 1907 entered the Chicago College of Dental Surgery, from which he was graduated in 1910. The first year of his practice was spent in Bucharest, Roumania, but he returned to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1912, and remained there for one year. In 1913 he removed to Parkers Prairie, where he has established a permanent business.
On April 20, 1913, Dr. Herman A. Proehl was united in marriage to Catherine Hazen and they are the parents of one child, Carman S. Fra- ternally. Herman A. Proehl is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is also a member of the Minnesota State Dental Society and of the National Dental Society.
JOHN A. HAWKINSON.
John A. Hawkinson was born on May IT. 1853. in Sweden, the son of Gustav and Johanna ( Jonason) Hawkinson, both natives of Sweden. The paternal grandfather of John A. Hawkinson, was Hokan Larson, who lived all his life in Sweden and died in that country. He engaged in tailor- ing during the early part of his life, but in the later part followed farming. The maternal grandfather of John A. Hawkinson was also a native of Sweden and remained in that country all his life. He was engaged in farm- ing until his death.
Gustav Hawkinson, father of John \. Hawkinson, was married twice and his first wife, mother of John A., lived and died in her native land. Following her death. Gustav Hawkinson married Carolina Jonason, her sister, and immigrated to America in 1860. To his first union were born three sons and to his second union seven sons. there being no daughters born
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of either marriage. His first wife died in April, 1864. After his arrival in America he located in Franconia township, Chisago county, Minnesota, where he purchased one hundred and ten acres of land, later increasing his holdings to two hundred and thirty acres. He was born in September. 1826. and his death occurred in February, 1902. The names of his children fol- low : John A., Charles, Alfred, David, Frank. Joseph, Samuel, Israel, Jacob and Theodore. Both Gustav and Johanna Hawkinson were members of the Swedish Lutheran church.
John A. Hawkinson was educated in the common schools of his native land and he attended, for a short time, the district schools of Franconia township. Chisago county, Minnesota, where his father had made a perman- ent home. In 1874, at the age of twenty-one years, he began independent operations in the agricultural line by investing in a homestead located in sec- tion 8, just two and one-half miles northwest of the village of Parkers Prairie, and this land was cultivated until 1913. The homestead was pur- chased of Jason Newel. As soon as he was established in Minnesota he became a dominant factor in the affairs of the township in which he resided and the first office bestowed upon him was so efficiently filled that he was elected to other offices of trust and he has held every office in the township. Besides his other duties, he was appointed postmaster and served in this capacity until 1895, having been appointed to the office in December. 1889). He continued to reside on the farm until 1896 but finding that he could render better service to his fellow citizens by a residence in town, he removed to Parkers Prairie, where he was again appointed to serve as postmaster, in 1903.
In 1876 John A. Hawkinson was united in marriage to Judith Nelson, daughter of Andrew P. Nelson. a native of Sweden, whose wife, Johannah (. Nelson, was also a native of Sweden. Judith Nelson was born in 1860. in Chisago county, Minnesota. To the union of John A. and Judith Hawk- inson have been born nine children : Mabel, Mary, Winfred, Adela, Alvina, Elred, Constance, Ruth and Rudolph. While engaged in agricultural pur- suits John A. Hawkinson was the owner of two hundred and forty acres of land, two hundred acres of this being under cultivation. The products of the farm consisted in grain and the raising and breeding of purebred Short- horn cattle, Poland China hogs and Norman horses. The building which was used for the former store was razed after his business increased beyond the capacity of the structure, and in 1904 the present store of brick was erected. John A. Hawkinson occupies a place of high regard in the hearts of his many friends and acquaintances, and that he is worthy of this respect is evidenced by the many positions of confidence, which have been tokens of honor and love.
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STEVE L. PERKINS.
The name of Steve L. Perkins is mentioned with respect and admira- tion as one who has worked for the furtherance of all matters pertaining to the betterment of community life, and his active service in this respect has been of great benefit to his fellow citizens. He was born on February 25. 1875. in Parkers Prairie, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and is the son of George W. and Mary E. (Hower) Perkins. George W. Perkins was the son of Christopher Perkins, both natives of Maine.
The maternal grandparents of Steve L. Perkins were Levi and Margaret ( Wool) Hower, both natives of Indiana, from which state they removed in 1871 and located in St. Cloud, Minnesota, removing thence to Parkers Prairie, where his death occurred. Margaret (Wool) Hower, widow of Levi Hower, is still living and resides with her daughter, Mary E. ( Hower ) Perkins, in Alexandria, Minnesota. Her husband was a veteran of the Civil War, as was also George W. Perkins, who enlisted in the Fifteenth Regi- ment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry. George W. Perkins was promoted from private to corporal and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. Seek- ing broader fields for his energy and ambition, he became the arbiter of his destiny at the age of fifteen years, removing to St. Cloud, Minnesota, where he worked and attended school for some time. He resided with an aunt at Kimball Prairie until coming to Otter Tail county, Minnesota. They had no conveyance and he was compelled to transport their provisions of flour, etc., upon his back, from Melrose. In 1871 he purchased a home- stead of one hundred and sixty acres, in Parkers Prairie township, which he cultivated until three years before his death. He removed to the town of Parkers Prairie where he retired and where his death occurred. He served as county supervisor and school clerk for a number of years. His religious affiliations were with the Baptist church, which. denomination received his earnest and active support. He was also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He was the father of two children, namely, Will- iam R. and Steve I ..
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