USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 68
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107
OLAF RONNINGEN.
Olaf Ronningen was born on January 29, 1873, in Michigan, and is the son of Ole S. and Margaret ( Andrew ) Ronningen, both natives of Norway. Ole S. Ronningen was a carpenter and mason by trade, and fol- lowed this vocation previous to his emigration to America. His marriage was soleninized while he was still a resident of Norway and he and his wife emigrated to the United States in 1875, making a temporary sojourn in Michigan, and thence removing to Eagle Lake township. Otter Tail county. Minnesota. Here they secured eighty acres of land. under the homestead law, on which they continued to reside for a period of twenty years. Disposing of this property, they purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in St. Olaf township. this county, where Ole S. Ronningen engaged in general farming and also followed his trade as carpenter and mason. Margaret ( Andrew ) Ronningen died in 1883, and. some time later. her husband married Saave Langlee. Eight chikIren were born to the first union of Ole S. Ronningen, and their names are: Olaf. Mary. Ole. Gustav ( deceased ). Andrew. Anna. Olaiv ( deceased ), and Gena ( deceased ). Ole
640
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
S. Ronningen was a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church, located at Ashby. His death occurred in the spring of 1897.
Olaf Ronningen received his education in the common schools of Olaf township, this county, and, as a young man, was employed as a farm hand near his home. For the past nine years he has cultivated the home place on an independent basis, and is engaged in general farming and stock rais- ing. He has made many improvements and is interested in developing the farm to the fullest extent. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church, and is an independent voter. He resides on the home place, which is shared by his stepmother, Saave ( Langlee ) Ronningen.
J. A. FREEBORN, PH. G., M. D.
Among the medical and surgical specialists of the state of Minnesota, who rank high with the public and especially in the medical profession, is Dr. J. A. Freeborn, of Fergus Falls, who is well and favorably known throughout the Northwest as an eye and ear specialist.
J. A. Freeborn was born in 1864 in Waterloo county, Canada. His father was of Scotch-Irish descent and the greater part of his life was devoted to farming. Doctor Freeborn's mother was also of Scotch descent, her name having been Mary Scott.
The fourth child of a large family, J. A. Freeborn was reared on the farm and educated in the country schools and at the Stratford high school, from which he was graduated in 1881. Afterwards he entered a drug store at Stratford as a clerk and later accepted a like position in London, Canada. In 1884 he removed to Big Stone City, South Dakota, where he opened a drug store on his own account and where he continued in business for two years.
In the fall of 1886 Doctor Freeborn entered the Rush Medical College. at Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1889. The same year he began the practice of medicine at Ortonville, Minnesota, where he practiced until the fall of 1891. He then entered Bellevue hospital and the Medical Col- lege of New York City and received his degree from that institution in 1802. Upon his return to Ortonville, he practiced medicine until 1896, when he came to Fergus Falls, where he has since practiced his profession with eminent success. While studying medicine in Chicago and New York, Doc- tor Freeborn specialized in diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, and further specialized along this line as well as in X-Ray work while in Europe, during the winter of 1911-12.
11 1891 Doctor Freeborn was married to Lillian Anderson, a native of Rochester. Minnesota, and the daughter of Dr. O. W. Anderson, of that city. Mrs. Freeborn was a graduate of the Rochester high school and of the
1 1
1
!
J. A. FREEBORN, PHI. G., M. D.
641
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Winona Normal School. She taught school in Ortonville before her mar- riage. Mrs. Freeborn died at her home in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, March 8, 1915, leaving three daughters, Gertrude L., Francis M. and Constance M., who are at home with their father.
It may be said of Doctor Freeborn that not only does he rank high as a physician and specialist and not only does he command the unbounded esteem of his fellow practitioners in Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, but he also stands high as a citizen and as a man of worth. He is interested in the progress and development of the city where he lives and with which he cast his lot many years ago. Doctor Freeborn's three daughters are popular in the social life of Fergus Falls.
NELS BENGTSON.
One of the prosperous farmers and successful business men of Clith- erall township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is Nels Bengtson, who deserves a high rank among the worthy citizen of his township and county.
Mr. Bengtson was born at Skane, Sweden, September 3, 1865, and is a son of Bengt Nelson and Bengta Nelson. both of whom were natives of Sweden, where they grew up and were married. Mr. Bengtson's mother died at his birth, and his father later married Johanna Monsen, who, with one son, came to America in 1868. They settled in Sibley county, Minne- sota, where the father still resides, at the age of eighty-five years. His second wife is also still living. He is a prosperous farmer and landowner, and both he and his wife are earnest and devoted members of the Augus- tana Synod of the Lutheran church. Mr. Bengtson was the only child of his father's first marriage, but to his second marriage there were born seven children, as follow: John, who died at the age of eighteen; Matilda, unmarried, living at home with her parents; Emil, a farmer living in Sib- ley county. Minnesota : Martin, also a farmer in Sibley county; Annette, who died early in life: Esther and Mary, who live at home with their par- ents.
Nels Bengtson was reared by a relative in his native land, and educated in the public schools of Sweden. When he was old enough he engaged in farming, but in 1883. emigrated to America, and after landing in New York came to his father's home in Sibley county, Minnesota. He worked for a time in Nicollet county, this state, but in 1884, Mr. Bengtson moved to Otter Tail county, where, for a time. he worked on various farms. In 1803 he purchased one hundred and fifty acres of land in sections 32 and 33, ('litherall township, where he lived until 1904. when he purchased fifty acres of additional land on the north of the first farm. This farm had (41b)
642
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
good buildings on it, so that Mr. Bengtson immediately moved to the second farm, and here he has lived since. He raises a great deal of live stock, and is engaged in mixed farming. Shortly after purchasing this farm he set out a young orchard, and has improved the place in various ways. Formerly. Mr. Bengtson was a director in the Farmers Co-operative Elevator Com- pany, but is not now serving in this capacity.
In 1905 Nels Bengtson was married to Jennie Johnson, a native of Sweden, who is a daughter of Swen Johnson, who is still living in Sweden. Mr. and Mrs. Bengtson are the parents of seven children: One, who died in infancy, unnamed; Elmer, who died in infancy: Edith, also deceased ; Herbert, Willie, Edith and John Edward.
Mr. and Mrs. Bengtson are members of the Swedish Lutheran church. in which they are actively interested. Mr. Bengtson is independent in poli- tics. He served for ten years as assessor of his home township, and was road supervisor for two years, discharging the duties of both positions in a most capable manner.
KLEBER B. WILKINSON.
Kleber B. Wilkinson, a successful farmer of Leaf Lake township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is the son of Ralph and Elizabeth (Townsend ) Wilkinson, the former of whom was born at Valparaiso, Indiana, and died in Otter Tail county, August 2, 1900, and the latter born in Vermont and died here on June 30, 1897. The late Ralph Wilkinson was a farmer by occupation in Leaf Lake township, Otter Tail county, but, late in life, moved to Oregon, where his wife died. He then returned to Otter Tail county and died here about sixteen years ago.
To Ralph and Elizabeth ( Townsend ) Wilkinson were born eleven chil- dren, all of whom are living: Kleber, Volney, Electa, Jennie. Archie, Rob- ert, Jesse, Irvin, Anna. Harley and Mabel.
K. B. Wilkinson lived at home on his father's farm until November 16, 1892, when he was married to Mrs. P. F. Dibb, the widow of P. F. Dibb, of Leaf Lake township. Mrs. Wilkinson's maiden name was Mary Taylor. After her marriage to the late P. F. Dibb, she lived in Sibley county for six years, where they rented land. Later they homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres in section 26, Leaf Lake township. Otter Tail county, and it was here that Mr. Dibb died on September 29. 1888. By this marriage there was born one child. Lura J., who married Oscar Peter- son, of Hillsboro, North Dakota. Lura J. taught schol for seven years in Otter Tail county. The late P. F. Dibb was constable of Leaf Lake town- ship and was active in local affairs during his life.
Mr. and Mrs. K. B. Wilkinson have no children, but they have taken
643
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
three children to rear, Althena Hemby, Clarence Gribbon and Nordeen Nel- son. All of these children live with Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson at the present time.
Mrs. Wilkinson owns eighty acres of land and her daughter, Mrs. Oscar Peterson, also owns eighty acres in this township. Their home was built in 1897 and the barn at the same time.
Mr. Wilkinson is a farmer by occupation and a carpenter. For the past two years he has been foreman of the Monarch Elevator Company. He is a highly respected man and citizen and is popular in this community.
HENRY PLOWMAN.
Henry Plowman, farmer, stock raiser, war veteran-and prominent not only in local official life, but in the affairs of the state as one serving in the Minnesota Legislature, where he made an honored record-was born in Canada, about sixty miles east of the city of Quebec, on July 15, 1836, a son of William and Margaret ( Manley ) Plowman, natives of Ireland, the former born near Dublin, the latter in County Wexford. William Plow- man, about the year 1828, came to America and located in Canada, where he lived until 1857 and then moved to LeSueur county, Minnesota, where he lived for the remainder of his days. William and Margaret Plowman were the parents of eleven children, three sons and eight daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Plowman were active members of the Episcopal church, in which they were devont worshippers.
Henry Plowman received his education in the common schools of Canada, after which he worked as a farmer for some time and then, in 1856, when twenty-one years of age, one year before his parents came to the United States and located in LeSueur county, Minnesota. There Henry Plowman bought one hundred and sixty acres of government land, paying for it the sum of one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre, and became a farmer, in which line of activity he was engaged for more than ten years.
About 1878 Mr. Plowman disposed of his land in LeSueur county. Minnesota, and came to Otter Tail county. locating in Hobart township. where he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of unimproved land, and in order to reach the place he found it necessary to cut a road through the uncleared land. On his newly-acquired land Mr. Plowman built the necessary buildings, cleared the land by his own efforts and has since lived on this place as one of the community's most successful farmers and stock raisers, he now owning two hundred and eighty acres of land. all of which is in a high state of cultivation.
The activity of Henry Plowman has not been limited to agricultural pursuits, for in the autumn of the year 1862 he enlisted with the First
644
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Minnesota Cavalry, And for the following year was engaged in the Indian campaigns as a part of the command of General Sibley. After the first Indian campaigns IIenry Plowman re-enlisted with the Second Minnesota Cavalry, and with General Sulley was engaged in the battle of Big Hills, as well as having participated in various other engagements under the com- mand of that officer. Mr. Plowman served as a soldier until December, 1865, when he was honorably discharged, after which he returned to the more peaceful pursuits of agriculture.
Henry Plowman was married in 1866 to Frances Smedley, a native of Ohio, and to this marriage were born two children. Alice and Herbert Henry. Mr. Plowman was married, secondly, in 1877, to Etta Seal, who was born in LeSueur county, Minnesota, and to this marriage have been born five children : Grace, May, Frances, Margaret and John. Mr. Plow- man is a member of the Episcopal church, and Mrs. Plowman is affiliated with the Christian church.
As one taking a leading place in the public and official life of his town- ship, county and of the state of Minnesota, Mr. Plowman has a most hon- orable and able record for efficiency and for his unselfish devotion to the interests of his constituents. While a citizen of LeSueur county Mr. Plow- man served as county commissioner and was active in the official life of his township. The official career of Henry Plowman in LeSuenr and Otter Tail counties has included all of the township offices, all of which he has occupied with honor to himself and to his community. Mr. Plowman is probably best known for his record and his service as a member of the Minnesota state Legislature, in which this worthy citizen occupied a seat in the House of Representatives for six years, and served one year as ser- geant-at-arms. As a member of the state Legislature Henry Plowman was returned on two occasions, in all serving three terms as a member of the Populist party. Mr. Plowman is now independent of political party.
SHELDON M. RECTOR.
Of those citizens who have done, and are doing, great things in the interest of Otter Tail county, and more especially for the benefit of Deer Creek, Minnesota, few are doing more than Sheldon M. Rector, who as the editor and publisher of the Deer Creek Mirror. is not only influencing pub- lic opinion, as directed by the most approved and enlightened thought, but is engaged in the pursuit of business enterprise, in order that the town and community may be even more thriving and that the community may find a convenient and suitable market for its produce.
Sheldon M. Rector was born in Pierce county, Wisconsin, on March
645
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
22, 1870, the son of William B. Rector, who was born in New York state, on October 2, 1844, and of Mary ( Miles) Rector, who was born on March 5. 1845, in New York state. William B. Rector was the son of Charles Rector, who was directly descended from the original Mohawk Valley Dutch, and who was a grandson of a soldier of the American Revolutionary WVar. Charles Rector was a farmer in New York state, where he lived until the year 1850, and then went to the state of Wisconsin, where he bought a farm in Dodge county. Here he spent the remainder of his days, and here William Rector, father of the subject of this sketch, lived until the outbreak of the Civil War, when he enlisted in the Twenty-ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, serving with that regiment for about eight months, and then was discharged as a result of inability, caused by sickness acquired while on duty. Following his service in the Civil War, William Rector returned to the state of Wisconsin, where he lived until the year 1876, at that time coming to the state of Minnesota, locating about six miles west of LeSeuer. In 1881 he moved to Leaf Lake township, where he bought eighty acres of land from C. J. Wright. On this place William Rector and his wife lived, until retired from the farm, when they moved to the town of Henning, Minnesota, where they now live. William and Mary Rector are the parents of seven children, Sheldon M., Maud, Minnie, who died at the age of eighteen years; Victor C., Fred C., Mattie and Marie. In politics, Mr. Rector is a Democrat.
Sheldon M. Rector, the subject of this sketch, received his education in the common schools of Otter Tail county, after which he taught school for ten years. During two years of his time as a school teacher, he was principal of the school at Deer Creek; one year a teacher in the schools of Parkers Prairie, and the remainder of his teaching period was spent in the country schools of the county. In 1908 Mr. Rector came to Deer Creek, after some years as a grain buyer at Bluffton, Minnesota, for the Andrews Grain Company, and on August 14, of that year, he purchased the Deer Creek Mirror, a local paper which at the time that he took possession, he found to be in a poor condition. With some effort, Mr. Rector was able to revive the paper, until he now has one of the best edited and best managed of the smaller papers in the state. In addition to his duties as a publisher. Mr. Rector engages in the buying of grain for his brother. F. C. Rector, who is the proprietor of an elevator located at Deer Creek.
On November 20. 1800, Sheldon M. Rector was married to Mary Kruger, who was born in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, and to this marriage have been born the following children: Morna, who was born on Septem- ber 16, 1903: Marsden, July 4. 1905: and Una, February 15, 1910. Mr.
646
OTTER TML COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Rector and his family are members of the Methodist church, a congrega- tion in which they are active workers.
In public and political circles, S. M. Rector has taken a prominent place, both as an occupant of public office and as a citizen, supporting all movements for general welfare and public good. Mr. Rector is now presi- dent of the school board, an office which he has occupied for two years. and in the past he served his community as president of the village council and also as justice of the peace. The efforts and achievements of Mr. Rector are important factors in the life of Deer Creek and the community, and, with his family, Mr. Rector will long be recognized as among those people without whom the county and township would be less advanced and less progressive.
JOHN B. HOMPE.
Few men of Otter Tail county, Minnesota, have reached such heights in various lines of endeavor and in public life as has John B. Hompe, who is an extensive landowner, enterprising merchant, honored representative of the people in high office, and a veteran of the Civil War.
John B. Hompe was born in Amsterdam, Holland, on February 4, 1846, the son of Anthony P. and Alida (Wyman) Hompe. His father was born on March 11, 1823, and his mother on August 29, 1822, both being natives of Holland, in which country Anthony Hompe followed his trade as a cabinet-maker until the year 1849, when, with his family, he came to America and after landing at New York City, he went to the town of Auburn, New York, where he followed his trade for seven years and then moved to Oswego county, New York, where he bought a farm, on which place he lived until the year 1911, when he died. Anthony and Alida Hompe were the parents of five children, John B., Alida, Mary, Anna and William; the latter died when he was twenty-two years of age.
John B. Hompe received his education in the common schools of New York state and in the Falley Seminary. New York, after which he enlisted as a volunteer for service with the One Hundred and Forty-seventh New York Infantry, with which he served for three years and during which time he was slightly wounded a number of times. Following his discharge from service in the Civil War, John B. Hompe returned to New York state, where he lived for some time. In 1875 he went to Ionia, Michigan, teach- ing in the schools of that town for one year. after which he came. in the spring of 1876, to the state of Minnesota, and homesteaded a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of land in Newton township. Otter Tail county, living on this place for some time. He then sold out and came to Deer
647
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Creek township, Minnesota, purchased a farm and followed general agricul- tural pursuits for the next sixteen years. After this time Mr. Hompe moved to the town of Deer Creek and established a general mercantile busi ness, in which he has been successfully engaged for more than twenty-three years. In addition to this business, Mr. Hompe also is the owner of a farm of one hundred and twenty acres of land in Deer Creek township, Minne- sota, together with a fine brick building in which he conducts his business, and a number of lots in the town of Deer Creek.
On April 1, 1879. John B. Hompe was married to Ella E. Notting- ham, and to this marriage have been born five children, Howard, Bernard, Byron, Herrold and Edward.
Mr. Hompe is a member of the Masonic blue lodge, the Modern Wood- men of America, and the Knights of the Maccabees. He is probably best known in Otter Tail county for his service and record as a representative of the people in the state Legislature, he having served his county as a representative in the sessions of the year 1889 and of the year 1914. He was also elected to a seat in the state Senate for the session of the years 1891-3, and in these offices made a good and honorable record. During his legislative career, Mr. Hompe was probably best known for his activity in connection with the Stillwater prison twine plant bill.
The life of John B. Hompe has been of much value to his county and to his community, being a citizen who at all times has served unselfishly and with a view to promoting the welfare of the great majority, as well as seek- ing the advancement of the general interests of the locality.
FERDINAND PETERS.
Ferdinand Peters, prosperous farmer. extensive landowner, and prom- inent citizen of Friberg township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Waren, Mecklenburg, Schwerin, Germany, on February 17, 1851. the son of Christian and Sophia ( Lauw ) Peters, natives of Germany. Christ- ian Peters was a farmer in his native country, an occupation which he fol- lowed during his entire life. Christian and Sophia Peters were the parents of the following children: Charles, Mary and Ferdinand. Sophia, the wife of Christian Peters. died in the year 1887: Christian Peters died in 1868.
Ferdinand Peters, with his mother and sister. Mary, came to America in May, 1868, and located in Goodyear county, Minnesota, where they lived for two years and then, in April, 1870, Ferdinand Peters, with his household. moved to Fergus Falls township, where he joined his brother, Charles, with whom he lived for a time. In 1872 Mr. Peters pre-empted
648
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 32, Friberg township, he being the first settler to receive land after this plan, in Friberg township. Otter Tail county. As a farmer, Ferdinand Peters prospered and added modern improvements to his place. He also added land, in Friberg town- ship and elsewhere, until Mr. Peters is now the owner of three hundred acres of land in Friberg township, Otter Tail county, as well as three hun- dred and twenty acres of land in Canada. He now engages in general agricultural pursuits on his farm in Friberg township.
In 1875 Ferdinand Peters was married to Mary Vollmers, a native of Stode, Germany, and to this marriage have been born the following chil- dren : William, August, Henry and Wilhelm, who are deceased; Bertha, who married Theodore Westerhang, and to whom have been born three children, Mable, Elsie and Lillie; and Minnie, who married Henry Bene- man, and to whom has been born one child, Arthur. Mr. Peters and family are members of the German Lutheran church, an organization which Mr. Peters was instrumental in establishing in Friberg township in 1873. Ferdinand Peters has taken an important part in the history and public life of Friberg township, Otter Tail county. He aided in the organization of the township and gave much of his time and ability as the occupant of various local offices. Mr. Peters helped to establish rural route No. 5. free mail road delivery, in 1903. He also assisted in the organization of the Friberg Telephone Company, in which he is a stockholder.
ARTHUR D. BAKER.
Having been dependent upon his own resource and compelled to accept the more humble lines of work, then rising to the position of cashier of a prosperous bank and becoming a leading business man, prominent in the public affairs of the community, is a record which gives to Arthur D. Baker, the subject of this sketch, a place among the most appreciated and honored citizens of Otter Tail county, Minnesota.
Arthur D. Baker was born in South Orington, Maine, on February 4. 1858, the son of Joseph D. and Belinda Baker, the father being a native of the state of Maine, where, after his education in the common schools of that state, he engaged in general farming. He later established a grocery and provision store, which he conducted for fifteen years and then, shortly after disposing of his stock in order to retire, he died. survived by his second wife, Panlena ( Billington) Baker, his first wife. Belinda, having died many years previous. Joseph and Belinda Baker were the parents of five children, Lonzo, Edward, Charles D., Jefferson S. and Arthur David. Lonzo and Edward served in the Civil War, the latter being killed in action.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.