USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 62
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In 1880 John H. Krekelberg removed to Dora township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and secured one hundred and sixty acres of unimproved land under the homestead law, and soon erected a house and barn and made other necessary improvements. The following year, he purchased some land
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in Edna township where the town of Dent now stands. He added to the original property until he had two hundred and sixty-eight acres and this was cultivated under his direct management until the Soo Line railroad was built, in 1903. He then erected the Park hotel at Dent, and operated same until 1910, at which time he built his present home and retired. His first wife died in 1910 and on March 7. 1911, he married Anna Schwaebe who is a member of the Catholic church. For eleven years John H. Krekelberg served as township clerk of Edna. He is now serving his third year as mayor of Dent. From 1897 until 1903 he occupied the position of post- master of Dent, and is filling that position at this time.
CARL A. BERGQUIST.
Carl A. Bergquist is one of those who have aimed at perfection in their chosen line of endeavor and have fallen not far short of their stand- ard of efficiency. He is one of eleven children born to the union of J. P. Bergquist and Carlina C. (Johnson ) Bergquist, both natives of Sweden. J. P. Bergquist was a blacksmith and his birth occurred in 1829 and his death in August, 1910. His wife died in her fifty-eighth year. Seven of their children grew to maturity, three of whom immigrated to America. The names of the seven children follow: Charlotta, Carl A., Emma C., Victor. Hugo, Siegerd and John. Carl A., Emma C. and John came to the United States.
Carl A. Bergquist was born on October 6, 1860, in Sweden, and com- pleted his education in that country, following which he assisted his father with the work in his blacksmith shop until he reached the age of twenty- one years. He then opened a shop, which he operated independently, in Sea Harbor, Beig Gvera, Sweden. This shop was operated for three years and made a specialty of repairing vessels. The shop was sold and he immi- grated to America in 1884, locating in Alexandria, where he labored in the shops for three months. He then removed to the old village of Parkers Prairie, where he operated a blacksmith shop on an independent basis until 1892, at which time a partnership with his brother was formed and has continued to the present time. They were without funds and were poorly equipped with tools, at the beginning of their business venture, and the farmers paid their bills but once a year, making many difficulties to be overcome. In 1903 the old village was moved to its present site and the blacksmith shop was also moved.
On December 12, 1886, Carl A. Bergquist was married to Wilhelmina C. Nelson, daughter of A. P. Nelson, and they are the parents of these children : Elmer, Amba, Reno, Gertrude, Chester. Eba and Harlow. Carl A. Bergquist and his wife are members of the Swedish Lutheran church.
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In his political affiliations he is allied with the Republican party. He owns forty acres of land in Parkers Prairie township, which he rents.
John Bergquist was born on October 21, 1870, in Sweden, the son of J. P. and Carlina C. (Johnson ) Bergquist. He is a brother of Carl A. Bergquist. He was educated in the schools of his native land and learned the trade of blacksmith, under the tutelage of his father, which trade he followed until his emigration to America, in 1800. During the first two years of his residence in the United States he was employed by his brother, Carl A., in the summers and attended school in the winter months. In 1892 a partnership was formed between the two, which has continued until the present time. He has worked hard and owns sixty acres of land in Douglas county, Minnesota, which he rents.
On November 24, 1895 John Bergquist was married to Sara Peterson, daughter of Andrew Peterson, and they are the parents of these children : Phoebe, Ermagaurd, Ralph, Clef and Clair. The last named are twins. John Bergquist and his wife are active members of the Swedish Lutheran church.
WILLIAM WRIGHT.
William Wright, of Buse township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota. known as one of the most progressive farmers of that section and having more than a local reputation as a breeder of fine Holstein cattle, is a native of England and comes from a long line of sires of the same name, each one of whom in his day and for many generations back, was known as a maker of scythes, sickles, etc., of most excellent quality. William Wright was born at Ipswich, county of Suffolk, on March 4. 1850, a son of William and Harriet ( Pendell ) Wright, being the eldest of their family. Subject's father was the eldest son of William and Hannah ( Taylor ) Wright, of the same county, their entire lives being passed in the place of their births. The family had for generations lived in the same place, the original home of the William Wrights being Tudnim, in Suffolk. Subject's father was the youngest of a family of three children, the two elder being daughters. Of these, Rachel married William Wilding and emigrated to America, settling first in Canada and at a later date coming to Illinois, where both died. Hannah, the other sister, married Theodore Headcraft, and they too came to America, locating permanently at Dulusa, Canada. Mr. Wright's father. when a youth, followed the family line and turned to blacksmithing and kindred arts as his life work, to which he confined his efforts until about sixty years of age. His wife having died some years previous and various members of his family being in this country, he too came to America and located at Emington, Illinois, where the remainder of his life was spent
MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM WRIGHT.
للحد
RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM WRIGHT, BUSE TOWNSHIP.
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and where he lies buried. Mr. Wright had married a second time, his second wife being Cecelia Mee, who is still living, making her home in Canada.
Harriet Pendell was a daughter of William and Hephzibah ( Ettridge ) Pendell, also natives of Suffolk, in England, where they passed their entire lives, Harriet being born at Tannington. The Pendells were farmers and there were eight children in the family, of whom Charles, William and Edward died in England; John is still living in that country, a retired farmer. As before stated, Harriet died in her native land, while Hephzibah, her twin sister, came to the United States and died somewhere in the western portion of the country. Emma and Anna, two younger sisters, went to Australia. Mr. Wright's mother was a member of the Church of England and his father held fraternal affiliation with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also belonged to the blacksmiths' union. The elder Wright never took any special interest in politics after coming to this country, but in his native land he was quite active in local political matters, being known as a strong Con- servative.
William Wright is the eldest of a family of nine children. The others are Harriet, wife of Charles Potts, still living in her native land; Agnes and Elizabeth, both of whom died unmarried in England; Robert Edward died in childhood; Walter, who came to this country, finished his days at Des Moines, Iowa; Alfred is a farmer living near Williams, Hamilton county, lowa; Hannah is the wife of Charles Gillingham, living in Winnipeg, Can- ada; Robert, another son, died in early childhood.
William Wright received his education in the public schools of Eng- land, at Ipswich, his home and later was apprenticed to the machinist's trade. which he followed until 1873, when he came to America, and after a year, during which time he visited different points, he located in Michigan, where he found work at his trade and did well until the arrival of a panic, which threw him out of work. He then went to Dwight, Illinois, and near that city secured work on a farm, where he remained for two years. By that time he had decided that he would make agricultural work his life vocation and forsake the line his fathers had followed for so many years. He rented a farm in Livingston county, Illinois, and lived there until 1907 when he came to Otter Tail county, this state, and purchased a farm of three hun- dred and forty acres in Buse township, where he has since made his home. Mr. Wright has a fine home with all improvements and has recently added a good silo. His place is well kept and testifies to the ability of the owner. Mr. Wright has a herd of some thirty head of his favorite Holsteins, which he is keeping for breeding purposes. He also does a dairy business and was one of the first to advocate the local creamery. He was one of its organ-
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izers and was president for several years. Mr. Wright is now acting as president of the Farmers Co-operative Elevator Company of Fergus Falls, and has in various ways given evidence of his interest in all that makes for the progress of the commercial life of the community. A Republican in politics, Mr. Wright has served as township supervisor three times and has also taken an active interest in other ways. His fraternal affiliation is held with the Modern Woodmen of America and in the work of that order he takes considerable interest.
William Wright was married on December 23, 1875. to Betsey Collins, a native of Medborne, England, and a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth ( Searey) Collins. To this union were born five children. Harriet, the eldest, is the wife of Claud Vaughn and lives near Underwood, Minnesota. She is the mother of one child, William. Mary is the wife of Charles Pierce and makes her home with Mr. Wright. She has three children, Hattie, George and Helen. George, the third child of the Wright family, died at the age of sixteen years, while Frederick, the youngest, was killed at the same age. Mr. Wright has one unmarried child at home, this is his son, Searcy.
Mr. Wright is one of the representative men of his section and one of the most progressive citizens. Honorable and upright in all his dealings with his fellow men. he is eminently entitled to the esteem in which he is held.
THORSTEN S. MOKLEV.
Among the prosperous farmers and well-known popular citizens of Clitherall township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is Thorsten S. Moklev, who was born at Suledal, near Stavanger, Norway, August 29, 1868, and who is the son of Somjo Thorstenson Mokley and Kari Thorstensdatter Lali Helgenes.
Mr. Mokley's paternal grandparents were Thorsten Somjoson Mokles and Dorthea Levarsdatter Forland, who were born at Suledal, Stavanger. Norway, and who were married in Suledal. They spent their entire lives in their native land, being farmers by occupation. They had only two chil- dren. Somjo Thorstenson and Anna. The latter married Gabriel Falkelie, and died in Norway. They had one son, Olai G. Twedt, who lives in Dunn county. North Dakota, and another son, Jacob, who died in Norway.
Mr. Mokley's maternal grandparents were Thosten Thostenson Lali and Mallena Knutsdatter Helgenes, who came to America in 1867 and settled in the state of Illinois. After living there less than one year, with their sons, Thorsten and Knut. and their daughters, Martha and Malina. moved to Otter Tail county. Thosten Thostenson Lali settled on what is now the
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Hans Olson place in Tordenskjold township, where he lived for about three years. Subsequently, he homesteaded a farm which is now owned by Christian L. Moe, and there he lived for some years, or until 1881, when he moved to the place now occupied by his son, Tosten, which he purchased. There he died at an advanced age about 1886. They had six children, four daughters, Kari, Brita, Martha and Malina; and two sons, Tosten and Knut. Brita and Knut are deceased, the others are living in 1916.
Somjo Thorstenson Moklev was born on September 10, 1835, at Suledal, Stavanger, Norway, and Kari Thorstendatter Lali was born on August 4, 1843. They were married in the spring of 1867. and she remained in Nor- way with her husband, while her parents, brothers and sisters came to America. Somjo T. Mokley was at first connected with the fishing industry for twenty winters. In the summer time, for twelve of these years, he was employed in the woolen-mill operated by his father. For the next eight years he was engaged in farming. In 1880, with his wife and two children, he came to America, joining his wife's relatives in Tordenskjold township. In June. 1880, he homesteaded one hundred and twenty acres in Clitherall township and to this homestead he moved on July 2, 1880. It was timber land principally. He built a log cabin on the farm and used birch-bark and dirt for a roof. This farm is now occupied by his son, Martin, and is in a splendid state of cultivation. The sons, however, did most of the work on the farm. He died in July, 1910, at the age of seventy-five years. His wife is still living and resides with her son, Martin. She is seventy-two years old. Both of Thorsten S. Moklev's parents were members of the Free Lutheran church at Battle Lake. They were the par- ents of three children, of whom Thorsten S. was the eldest, Martin lives on the homestead farm in Clitherall township, and Dena Karina married John Nelson and lives in Tordenskjold township.
Thorsten S. Moklev attended school in his native land for eighteen weeks each winter for four winters and, in the meantime, learned to read and write the Scandinavian language. He also attended school for one month in the fall of 1880, one month in the fall of 1881 and one month in the fall of 1886, in the Battle Lake schools. Mr. Mokley was reared as a pioneer boy in ( litherall township and lived at home until his marriage at the age of thirty-two years.
After Mr. Mokley's marriage, in 1901, he moved to one hundred and sixty acres which he had previously purchased. He first bought eighty acres in the spring of 1806 and shortly afterward added another eighty acres. Upon moving to this farm, he built a house and barn and a granary and it is a splendid home today. He is engaged in general farming.
On March 18, 1901, Thorsten S. Mokley was married to Sigrid Thor-
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modsdatter Kittelstad, a native of Norway, the daughter of Thormod Kit- telstad, who died in Norway. 'Mrs. Moklev came to America in 1897. She died on May 26. 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Mokley were the parents of five children, one of whom, Sigurd Theodore, the youngest, died in infancy. The living children are: Carrie Mallena, Ida Patrina, Selwin Anton and Thea Mathilda.
The Mokley family are all members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Mokley has been a trustee in the church since he was twenty-eight years old. When he was twenty-two years old, he was made road overseer and served for four years. Upon the organization of school district No. 257. of which he was one of the organizers, he was made school treasurer, serv- ing five years and then resigned. He also resigned as trustee of the Battle Lake church, and also resigned as township supervisor of Clitherall, which office he held for three years. In 1906 Mr. Moklev moved to Battle Lake and, from January i to August 15. carried the mail on rural route No. I from Battle Lake. He then returned to the farm and has lived there ever since. On his return to the farm he was appointed clerk of school district No. 257, and was re-elected and has been filling this office continually ever since. In 1915 he was again elected supervisor of Clitherall township, which position he now fills. In a political way. Mr. Moklev is identified with the Republican party and supports the Republican platform and Repub- lican candidates. No man in Clitherall township is more highly respected and more thoroughly entitled to the generous esteem of his neighbors and fellow citizens than Thorsten S. Moklev.
EDMUND McFARLANE.
Edmund McFarlane is one of the pioneer business men of Parkers Prairie, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and still conducts the business which he originally established. He is one of ten children born to the union of his parents, Robert and Margaret ( Anderson) McFarlane, both natives of Scotland. Robert McFarlane was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and emi- grated to Canada, where he was employed making potash. When he reached maturity he became a farmer in the Dominion, remaining there until his death. To Robert McFarlane and his wife were born ten chiklren. Edmund having been born on August 6, 1862, in Lanark county, Ontario, C'anada.
Edmund McFarlane received his education in the schools of the Domin- ion and emigrated to the United States in 1881, joining his three brothers who had preceded him to Douglas county, Minnesota. In 1882 he removed to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, locating in Parkers Prairie, where he at once engaged in the business of harness making, which business he still
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continues. The business was at first operated in partnership with his brother, WV. K., and their place was opened to the public on January 6, 1882. The partnership continued for one year, at which time Edmund McFarlane purchased the brother's interest and has since operated the store on an independent basis. He carries a complete line of goods.
In 1886 Edmund McFarlane was united in marriage to Mary E. Taylor and they are the parents of six children: Nettie ( deceased ). Elsie Pearl. Myrtle Joy, Loyd Edinund, Etta Val and. Lyle K. Mary E. (Taylor ) McFarlane was born in Lime Spring, Jowa, and her death occurred in 1903. Mr. McFarlane is affiliated with the Republican party, and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of the Maccabees.
NELS HUSTAD.
Nels Hustad, a prosperous farmer of Clitherall township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Mitchell county, Iowa, November 15, 1865, and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. L. J. Kjernes.
Mr. Hustad's parents were born in Norway and immigrated to Amer- ica in 1864. His father, who was a laborer, died in Iowa, in 1865, prior to the birth of his son, Nels. Nels was the only son. After his father's death, his mother was married to Ole J. Hustad, who was also a native of Norway, and after that Mr. Hustad adopted his stepfather's name. In June, 1868, the family moved to Otter Tail county, Minnesota.
After living one summer in Otter Tail county, the family homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres in section 20. of Clitherall township. At that time the nearest neighbors were four miles south and six miles northeast at the old village of Clitherall. The Hustad family had come here with two other families, those of Albert Knutson and Jens Larson Forlov. The Knutson family settled two miles north and the Forlov family one and one- fourth miles northwest of the Hustads. During the summer they had lived in a covered wagon and had laid up a supply of hay for the winter. As fall came the Hustad family built a dugout with a sod roof and lived in it for three years. In the meantime, various parts of the farm were cleared and put under cultivation. During the second year the family cleared about an acre and one-half, but the crop was destroyed by birds and gophers. About 1871 a log house was built near the dugout and there the family lived for five years. Afterward a house was built over the excavation of the dugout. This was a larger log house, which was used until 1808, when Nels Hustad built the present home, which is a comfort- able frame dwelling.
Mr. Hustad's stepfather died in 1878 and his mother never remarried.
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She lived with her son until her death on August 5. 1914. The Hustads are all members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. There were no chil- dren born to the marriage of Ole J. Hustad and Mrs. Kjernes.
Nels Hustad was educated in the pioneer schools of this county. In the beginning he attended school only one month out of each year, but later he was able to attend four months in the year. In the meantime he assisted his stepfather in clearing and cultivating the farm, and soon after attain- ing manhood took over the management of the farm. About 1900 he pur- chased sixty acres of land near the homestead which he owns and manages. He is doing diversified farming in small grains and live stock. Mr. Hustad is a director in the Farmers Co-operative Elevator Company and president of the Battle Lake Co-operative Creamery Company. He is also vice- president of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company.
In 1884 Nels Hustad was married to Anna Paulson, a native of Nor- way, the daughter of Paul and Martha Paulson, who came to America about 1874 and settled in Clitherall township, this county. Both of Mrs. Hustad's parents are deceased.
To Mr. and Mrs. Nels Hustad have been born nine children: Olai. who is engaged in railroad work and lives in Duluth, Minnesota; Agnar. who is a farmer in Clitherall township: Mabel, who is a stenographer at Grand Forks: Nellie, who stays at home: Gertrude. who is a teacher in the home district : Gerhard, Marvin. Nordahl and Johnnie. all of whom stay at home.
Mr. Hustad has served as a member of the board of supervisors for the past fifteen years and is independent in politics. Mr. Hustad and family are all members of the Lutheran church.
WILLIAM R. PERKINS.
Prominent among the men of Parkers Prairie township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, who have achieved success in their chosen vocation is William R. Perkins, farmer and merchant. He is a native of St. Cloud. Minnesota, and his birth occurred on December 16, 1860. His parents located in Parkers Prairie township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, in 1860. and it was in the schools of this place that William R. Perkins received his education. Ile was reared on his father's farm and assisted with the work on the home place until twenty years of age, at which time he began active operations for himself in the agricultural line. He continued to cultivate the soil in Parkers Prairie township until 1903. He owns the old home place, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, part of which is rented, but he has retained two hundred and forty acres of the three hundred and forty-seven acres which constitute his holdings, and this is devoted to the
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breeding and raising of cattle. In 1907 he began the buying of stock and continued in this business until 1915. during which time he purchased stock throughout the country.
In January, 1915. William R. Perkins invested in the "City" meat market and has since conducted this business in a very thorough manner. making many friends who speak highly of him. For the past six years he has also been identified with the real-estate operations of the commun- ity and shows much ability in this line.
In February. 1806, William R. Perkins was united in marriage to Millie Parks, now deceased, and to them were born two children : Ruth, born on October 6, 1897. and Dortha G., born on December 24, 1901. Millie Parks was born in 1876, the daughter of George Parks. William R. Perkins is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
AUGUST F. REVERING.
One who has achieved success through constant application to business affairs and who has lived up to the highest ideals of citizenship is August F. Revering, who is known throughout the state in which he lives as an anthority on questions pertaining to the lumber interests. August F. Rev- ering was born on the 24th of October, 1886, in Parkers Prairie, Minnesota, and is the son of Clemens and Anna ( Barnack ) Revering, both of whom were born in Germany. The parents of the subject of this sketch came to America in 1851 and located in Effington township, this county, where Clemens Revering bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. Since that time he has added more territory until now the farm extends over three hundred and twenty acres of land. It still remains the residence of Mr. Revering and his wife. August Revering is a son in a family of eleven children, eight of whom are living.
The early educational advantages received by the subject of this sketch were obtained in the common schools of Parkers Prairie. He later attended the St Thomas College at St. Paul. Upon completing the course prescribed in college, August Revering entered the lumber field and started in business in Parkers Prairie, where he remained only a few months before going to New York Mills, this county. Since 1900 he has resided at Dent, where he is general manager of the Wilcox Lumber Company. In all his business activities Mr. Revering has plunged into ventures with the same courage and enthusiasm which prompted his father to take up his residence among pioneer conditions and built up a home amid an unsettled region of prairie land.
In 1912 August F. Revering married Kattie Heembrock, a native of Edna township, and the daughter of Ferdinand and Anna Heembrock. To
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Mr. and Mrs. Revering the following children have been born : Arthur, who was born in 1913, and Irene, who was born in 1915. Mr. and Mrs. Revering are members of St. Joseph's Catholic church. In his political relations, Mr. Revering is a member of the Democratic party, and enters heartily into every political movement. He is affiliated fraternally with the Knights of Columbus.
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