USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 61
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Steve I .. Perkins received his education in the public schools of Parkers Prairie. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and also attended Sauk Center busi- ness college, where he graduated from the bookkeeping department, immedi- ately entering the general mercantile business with his brother-in-law, M. W. A. Murray, in Parkers Prairie. He was later engaged with the Plano Har- vester Company as salesman and collector for a period of three years, later engaging with the Hennepin Lumber Company, in Clarissa, Minnesota. In 1002 he connected with the Dower Lumber Company, of Parkers Prairie. Minnesota, as manager of the business.
On January 5. 1900. Steve L. Perkins was united in marriage to Jennie
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Murray and to this union have been born three children: Clarence, Louise and Russell.
In connection with his other interests, Steve L. Perkins is the owner of a two-hundred-acre farm adjoining Parkers Prairie, on which he specializes in the breeding of Holstein cattle and Poland China hogs. He has served, at various times, as a member of the village council and holds fraternal affiliations with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen of America, and Ancient Order of United Workmen. His religious affilia- tions are with the Baptist church, of which denomination he is a supporter. That he is progressive along business and civil lines, is plainly to be seen and the sincere regard in which he is held by his fellow citizens is but a fitting tribute to his unselfish interests in their behalf.
LEEMAN LOOP.
Leeman Loop, retired farmer and well-known man of Dent, Edna town- ship. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, September 22, 1840, the son of Van Rensler and Clarissa ( Callester ) Loop, both of whom were natives of St. Lawrence county. Van Rensler Loop, who was the son of David Loop and wife, natives of Germany, who came to America and settled in St Lawrence county, received his education in the schools of his native county, after which he learned the blacksmith's trade, following this work, together with that of a locksmith, for some years and then he became a farmer on three hundred acres of land in St. Lawrence county, where he and his wife spent the remainder of their days. V'an Rensler and Clarissa Loop were the parents of nine children : Spellman. Leeman, Stillman, Delilah, Sarah, Almond, Henry, Leighman and Isabel. Van Rensler Loop was a prominent man of his community, serving in vari- ous school offices and as justice of the peace.
Leeman Loop was educated in the schools of St. Lawrence county, after which he enlisted on August 11, 1862, for service in the Civil War with Company K. One Hundred and Sixth Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, a command with which he served until the end of the war. during that time having many narrow escapes from death. Mr. Loop was twice wounded while engaged in battle. He had a part in the siege of Peters- burg and was present at the surrender of General Lee. Following his dis- charge from military service, on July 14. 1865. at Ogdensburg, New York, Leeman Loop moved to the town of Le Roy, Mower county, Minnesota, near where he was employed as a farm helper for some years and then he learned the stone-mason's trade which he followed for a number of years.
On October 8. 1878, Leeman Loop went to Star Lake and homesteaded eighty acres of land, which he cleared and improved with a good house and
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where he lived until 1913, when he sold his place to his son, Lucian Loop. Since taking possession of his original land, he added seventy-seven acres. Mr. Loop now lives a retired life at Dent, Minnesota.
In the month of January, 1867, Leeman Loop was married to Lucinda S. Monson, a native of the state of Wisconsin, and to this marriage were born the following children: Miles A., who lives near Campbell, Minne- sota ; Clara, who is now Mrs. Pehl, of near Campbell; William, who met a tragic death in a railway accident : Duard, who was drowned in Dead Lake, and Lucian, who now cultivates the home farm.
Leeman Loop has filled an important place in the public and official life of Star Lake township, having served as a supervisor, as a member of the school board and as a constable. In politics, Mr. Loop is a Republican.
THORBJORN H. KVILEKVAL.
The late Thorbjorn H. Kvilekval, who was a prosperous farmer of Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was connected with a distinguished Nor- wegian family. His sister was the mother of the Hon. Knut Nelson, United States senator from Minnesota. The late Thorbjorn H. Kvilekval . died on April 20, 1900, after having lived a most active and interesting life in the country of his adoption.
Thorbjorn H. Kvilekval was born in Voss, Norway, December 6, 1825, and was the son of Haldor and Brita Kvilekval. The parents never came to America. Mr. Kvilekval's father was a farmer and, by his marriage to Brita Kvilekval, had two sons and three daughters.
Thorbjorn H. Kvilekval was educated in the public schools of Nor- way and reared on a farm. In 1870 he was married and, two years later, came to America by steamship. He first settled in Chicago, where he lived for two years, until 1874, when he came to Otter Tail county, purchasing a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Clitherall township. Although there was a log house standing on the farm and in use at the time, the soil had never been cultivated and was principally made up of wild land. About twenty acres of the land. however, had been cleared. Mr. Kvilekval began immediately to clear the land and to this end used a yoke of oxen. About 1000 he built his present home, which is a commodions and comfortable farm residence.
On June 26, 1870, two years before coming to America, the late Thorbjorn H. Kvilekval was married to Brita Nilson Stene, a native of Norway and the daughter of Nils Herlangson. Mrs. Kvilekval's parents spent their entire lives in Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Kvilekval had no chil- dren. She is still living on the old home farm and is a most interesting, cultured and refined lady. She is a member of the (litherall village Luth-
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eran church, as was also her husband. Mr. Kvilekval was an ardent Repub- lican, but was never an aspirant for office and was never particularly active in political affairs.
WILLIAM A. WOODHALL.
William A. Woodhall, farmer and horseman, of Buse township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is a native of Canada, born at Ailsa Craig. province of Ontario, on December 14. 1864, eldlest son of John and Jane ( Johnson ) Woodhall, the former born in England and the latter in Canada.
John Woodhall was born on March 4, 1838, son of Ambrose and Eliza- beth ( Sewell ) Woodhall, natives of Cornwall. England, and as a boy was brought to Canada by his parents some time early in the forties. They lived for a time near Ottawa and later moved to Ailsa Craig, in Middlesex county. Ambrose Woodhall was a stone and brick mason by trade and so thorough and painstaking was his work that there are still standing in that part of Ontario in which he lived many houses erected by his hand. He turned to farming in later life, but continued to work more or less at his trade. Both he and his wife died and are buried at Ailsa Craig. They were the parents of ten children, of whom the first five or six were born in England and the others in America, but most of the members of that family are now dead. Both Ambrose Woodhall and his wife were devout members of the Church of England.
Jane ( Johnson ) Woodhall, mother of the subject of this sketch, was a daughter of John D. and Jane ( Dunn) Johnson and was born at Ailsa Craig, province of Ontario, Canada, on April 1, 1843. Her parents were born in Glasgow, Scotland, and upon coming to America, settled in Canada at the point above mentioned. Her parents were strict Scotch Presbyterians and the father was a weaver by trade, although after locating in Canada he gave his entire time to farming. Both passed their closing days at Vilsa Craig, and lie buried there. There were eight children in their family, six of whom are still living.
Mr. Woodhall's parents grew up at Ailso Craig and were married, living there for one year thereafter, engaged in farming. In 1865 they came to the states and located in Wisconsin, where they remained but a year, and in 1866 homesteaded a claim of one hundred and sixty acres in Watonwan county, Minnesota. They returned to friends in Wisconsin for the winter. and in the spring of 1867 came and took possession of their land. This was mostly prairie land, and John Woodhall set about breaking it for cultivation and making other improvements. He was progressing nicely with his under- taking when the pest of grasshoppers of 1872 arrived and completely destroyed every growing thing on his farm. Disheartened. he returned to
WILLIAM A. WOODHALL.
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Canada, where he remained for a year and a half, having disposed of his land. However, he returned to Watonwan county and purchased another farm, where he lived for three or four years. That farm he also sold and bought a place in Blue Earth county, this state, where he lived from 1881 to 1910, when he sold his farm interests and took up his residence in Madelia, this state, where he and his wife are still living in quiet retirement after the strennous years spent in acquiring a competency. John Woodhall, for many years, took an active interest in local politics. His sympathies were with the Democratic party and at his home in Blue Earth county he at different times filled the various township offices and was also county commissioner. Mrs. Woodhall has for many years been a devout member of the Presbyterian church and a most exemplary woman in every respect.
William A. Woodhall is one of a family of eight children, the others being John, a stationary engineer for a mining company in California; Isa- belle, single and with the parents; Mary, wife of Thomas Thompson, of Mankato, this state: Elizabeth, wife of Oliver Ashley, and residing at Madelia, this state: Ambrose, a carpenter, living at Grand Forks, this state, whose wife was Clara Nobles: Charles, dealer in hardware and automobiles at Waldorf, this state, and Myron E., a graduate of Valparaiso law school, and residing on a farm near Mankato.
William A. Woodhall received his education in the common schools near his home. later attending the Mapleton high school and early in life chose farming as his vocation. For ten years he operated his father-in- law's farm in Blue Earth county, this farm containing six hundred and forty acres of excellent land. Then for a time he lived near Madelia, this state, where he engaged in farming and stock feeding. On April 16, 1913, Mr. Woodhall came to Otter Tail county and purchased two hundred and eighty acres in Fergus Falls township, adjoining the grounds of the state insane hospital. On that farm Mr. Woodhall lived until December, 1913, when he came to Buse township and purchased his present farm of three hundred and twenty acres.
Mr. Woodhall has for many years been interested in fine horses and for several years has been breeding standard-bred American trotting horses. He has nine head in his stables, of which eight are mares. In 1912 Mr. Wood- hall made a circuit of the state fairs of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois, as well as at Milwaukee and at the latter point he made a record with "Zantee McGregor" of 2.121/4, winning first money. That year he won six races. losing only one heat. In early life Mr. Woodhall endorsed the principles of the Democratic party and took an active part in various debating societies. Ile finally became a Populist and is today an independent voter. While ( 37b )
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always interested in political matters, Mr. Woodhall has never aspired to public office. His fraternal affiliation is with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, being one of the prominent members of both orders.
William A. Woodhall was married on November 14. 1892. to Hettie Ashley, born in Beaver Dam county, Wisconsin, and a daughter of Oliver and Mary ( Harris) Ashley. Oliver Ashley was a prominent politician and for several terms was a member of the Wisconsin state Legislature. He also conducted extensive nurseries and at one time was prominently engaged in the mercantile business at Beaver Dam. His beautiful country home was located just on the edge of Beaver Dam and there the family lived for many years. Mr. Ashley was a native of the state of New York, born of English parentage and came from old fighting stock. His ancestors in this country were veterans of the Revolutionary war and at the original home in Eng- land, various forbears had won renown on the battlefield. Mr. Ashley was in his day prominent in military circles and was an enrolling officer in Wis- consin during the Civil War. He was held in high esteem by both constitu- ents and personal friends and was eminently worthy of such regard. His death occurred at Madelia, this state, where his widow still resides.
Mr. and Mrs. Woodhall have a family of four children, as follow : Kenneth. James and Katherine Isabelle. all at home, while Fordyce, the youngest of the family, died at the age of two and one-half years. As one of the leading citizens of Otter Tail county, Mr. Woodhall is eminently entitled to special mention in a volume of the character of the one in hand. Mrs. Woodhall is eligible to membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution from both sides.
BERNHARD STANGENES.
Bernhard Stangenes has been a dominant factor in the progress of Candor township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and has earnestly worked for the advancement of his community. He is the son of Peter and Caroline ( Korsand) Stangenes and his birth occurred on February 17. 1874. in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His paternal grandfather was Botolf Stangenes. who lived near Molda, Norway, and died in that place.
Peter Stangenes was a native of Norway and his birth occurred on January 1, 1847. He grew to maturity and was married in that country. His wife. Caroline ( Korsand) Stangenes, was a native of Norway and was born in 1848. After their marriage they immigrated to America, arriving in 1872. and they almost immediately located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1 where Mr. Stangenes worked in the pine woods of that section. For two years he was a member of the North Star Cooperage Company, of Minne-
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apolis, but in 1878 he removed to Lac qui Parle county, Minnesota, and pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of land, in Arena township, on which he remained until 1903. He and his wife were members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and were the parents of three children: Bernhard, Elise, who is the wife of S. A. Stromme, of Lanesboro, Minnesota, and Alfred. who is engaged in the grocery business in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Caro- line ( Korsand ) Stangenes died in 1882, and her husband then married Anna Buck, and to this union two children were born: Beate, who married Henry Skalrud and is living at Minneapolis, and Paul, who is engaged in the grocery business in Minneapolis. The father of these children is a Repub- lican in politics.
Bernhard Stangenes was reared on his father's farm and received his education in the public schools of Lac qui Parle county, Minnesota. He remained at home until nearly thirty years of age, assisting with the work on the farm. In 1901 he removed to Vergas, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and opened the first hardware store in the town. The original building was very small, but the present store is twenty-four by eighty feet in dimensions. In 1911 a partnership was formed with Peter Meyer and the firm is known as Stangenes & Meyer. In 1904 Bernhard Stangenes was appointed as post- master of Vergas and has continued in that capacity until the present time. For eight years he represented the Wilcox Lumber Company, of Vergas. and has served as a member of the school board, for the last eight years. He acted as village treasurer for several years.
On April 16, 1904. Bernhard Stangenes was united in marriage to Ida Herting and they are the parents of six children, whose names follow : Alfred, Wilhelmina. Edna, Dorothy, Eleanor and Harold. Both husband and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Ida ( Herting) Stangenes is a native of Carver county and a daughter of Henry Herting, an old settler of Dunn township.
LOUIS DEPOCHEE.
A farmer who has made a thorough success of his agricultural life, one who not only has had an important part in the development of the resources of Otter Tail county, Minnesota, but a citizen who in the public life of the community has taken a conspicuous part as an office holder and director of public movement, as well as being a man who because of the nature of his life has won a host of friends, Louis DePochee, the subject of this sketch, is a man a review of whose life is worthy of record in this volume.
Louis DePochee was born near Montreal, Canada. on October 12. 1841. the son of Louis DePochee and wife, both of whom were born in Canada,
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where they spent their entire lives, Louis DePochee, Sr., being a farmer in his native country.
Louis DePochec, who was one of five children, received his education in the common schools of Canada, after which he went. in the year 1861, to the state of Ohio, where about one year later he enlisted for service in the Fed- eral army, with the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Regiment, Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, serving in Company C of this regiment for two years, his duty during this time being as a member of the guard force used at the army prison on Johnson's Island, across the bay from Sandusky, Ohio. During the year 1865, following the Civil War, he went to the state of Wisconsin, there being employed as a lumberman for about five years, after which he came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he homesteaded one hundred and thirty-six acres of land located in Lida township, a farm which he improved with the first house built in Lida township, one made of sod and logs, this primitive house serving as a home for this pioneer farmer until, at a later time, he erected a modern home, in which he now lives, as a gen- eral farmer and stock raiser.
During the year 1877, Louis DePochee was married to Mary Cole, who was born at Troy, New York, the daughter of Levi Cole and wife, people who moved from their New York state home and settled in Pelican township. of Otter Tail county, Minnesota, in the year 1871. To the marriage of Louis and Mary DePochee was born one son, Ross, who lives on the home place with his father, this son having been born on August 2, 1878, and fol- lowing his education in the country schools of Lida township, Otter Tail county, he became a farmer working in connection with his father. In the year 1908 Ross DePochee was married to Fern Browning, who was born at Union City, Pennsylvania, and to this marriage have been born three daughters, Blanche, Mary Lois and Donecta. During the year 1906 he homesteaded eighty acres of land near Roosevelt, Minnesota, being the first man to locate across the divide in that region. This enterprising farmer has now "proved" on this claim, which he cares for in addition to the farm on which he makes his home in Lida township, of Otter Tail county.
In fraternal circles Louis DePochee is well known, being a member of the Modern Woodmen of America lodge at Pelican Rapids, as well as being a man who is interested and willing to aid in the work of all organizations where he can serve to the advantage of the community. Lonis DePochee, his son, Ross, and the families of these men are among the most highly respected and esteemed people of the neighborhood and community, they being known as people whose part in the development of the activities and life of the township has been notable and of great good in the efforts for the advancement of Lida township among the other townships of the county.
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ISAAC K. MAKI.
Isaac K. Maki was born in Finland, May 26, 1876, the son of John and Lydia ( Ruhomaki) Maki, who were also born in Finland, both in the year 1846. John Maki was a farmer and landowner in his native land, where he grew to maturity and was married. In the year 1882, with his family pro- vided for, he came to America alone, where he lived for five years and then sent for his family, who joined him in Otter Tail county. On reaching America John Maki went to the state of Wyoming where he worked for some years as a coal miner and then, in the year 1887, he came to Otter Tail county, where he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land, and where he bought forty acres of land in Newton township, a place where he has since lived, he now being sixty-nine years of age. Lydia Maki died about the year 1910. John Maki has taken a prominent place in the life of Newton township. serving as supervisor for about nine years. John Maki was married, secondly, to Mrs. Susie Hemminki, who is now living. To the marriage of John and Lydia Maki were born the following children : Mary, who died in Finland at the age of fourteen years; John, who con- ducts a merchant's warehouse at Hibbing, Minnesota; Sophia, who married Oscar Bay, a groceryman of Hibbing. Minnesota ; Isaac, the subject of this sketch; Susie, who married Mike Salmien, a partner in business with John Maki, Jr., of Hibbing, Minnesota: Lizzie, who married Ole Norman and lives at Superior, Wisconsin ; Nicolai and Gustav, twins, who died in infancy; Gustav, a groceryman of Hill City, Minnesota: Matthew, who lives on the home farm, and Mary, who lives at Hibbing, Minnesota.
Isaac Maki was denied the privilege of attending school except for a short time in the schools of Finland, and for three weeks study in the schools of Otter Tail county. When about nineteen years of age, having helped his father on the farm, Isaac Maki worked in Wisconsin on a railroad. He worked at odd jobs for some time. After his marriage he followed the carpenter's trade for about five years and then took up a position in the Bay & Maki store, a firm of which he was a partner, portion of the time serving as manager. During his business days Mr. Maki lived on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres which he owned near the town of New York Mills, a place where he now lives and a place where, in connection with his mercantile business, he pursues general farming. In addition to his regular business Isaac Maki has for the past several months served in his usna. efficient manner, as manager of the New York Mills Co-operative Company. a concern dealing in general merchandise and employing about five people.
Following nine months service with the Fifteenth Regiment, Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, in the Spanish-American War. Isaac Maki was married, during the year 1899. to Mary Sophia Maki, who was born in Finland, the
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daughter of Matthew Maki and wife, who were born in Finland and at an early date came to America and settled in Newton township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota. To the marriage of Isaac and Mary Maki were born seven children, Ida. Wilfred, Sylvia, Lily, Aili, and Viola and Linda, who died in infancy.
Isaac K. Maki has served the public of Newton township as treasurer of the school board for three years, and in the Finnish Lutheran church, of which he is a member, he has been secretary and treasurer for some years. In politics Isaac Maki is of the Prohibition party.
Isaac K. Maki is well known in Newton township and in Otter Tail county for his public-spirited nature and for his willingness to give of his tinie and efforts for the good of the community. He and his wife are among those people who are highly respected and who have a host of friends in the locality.
JOHN H. KREKELBERG.
John H. Krekelberg, postmaster of Dent, is among the prominent citizens of Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and is of German parentage, his parents having lived and died in that country. He was born on August 21. 1854, in Germany, and is the son of Jacob Krekelberg. Upon the completion of his education, which was received in the schools of his native land, he served in the German army for six months and also learned the trade of beer-brewing. He immigrated to America in 1874, arrived in New York on December 6, and immediately removed to Carver county, Minnesota, where he rented a farm of his uncle and began to cultivate the soil.
In 1875 John H. Krekelberg was united in marriage to Anna Wellens, a native of Germany, and to them were born these children: Lissie, who is the wite of George Alstadt, of Perham township: Henry, a farmer, who manages his father's farm in Eden township: Mary, the wife of Charles Lovedahl, lives near the town of Dent: Frank lives in Dent and operates the Park hotel, which is owned by his father: Balz died when a child of seven years, in 1807: Anna died in 1900: Katherine is the wife of Fred Robinson and their home is in Bojou, Minnesota: John is located in Brainerd where he has a realty business: Othel, who is a graduate nurse and follows her profession in Brainerd, was graduated from a hospital in St. Paul. Minne- sota, in the spring of 1915: Joseph is a telegraph operator in Bobelles, North Dakota.
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