USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 77
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Henry W. Jones was united in marriage with Della L. Barber, daugh- ter of A. H. Barber, of Otter Tail county. The children born to this union are as follow : Theron R., Cecil G .. Myles S .. Harley B., E. Helen and Corwin A.
In the essentials of good citizenship, Mr. Jones is a man deserving of special mention as representing sound business methods in all his business transactions, and by his sturdy integrity has retained the high regard of all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.
JOHN O. JOHNSON.
John O. Johnson, the well-known station agent at Henning, Minnesota, is a native of Norway, where he was born on October 7, 1877.
Mr. Johnson is the son of Ole and Mary (Nelsen) Johnson, who were also natives of Norway. Mr. Johnson's father was born in 1842 and his mother in 1846. After their marriage in Norway in 1871, they came to America ten years later, in 1881, and settled in Lyon county, Minnesota. Still later they moved to Pipestone county and in 1906 settled at Henning. Here Mr. Johnson's father died in 1912 and his mother in 1914. They were the parents of eight children, of whom two, John and Gertie, are deceased. The living children are Carrie, John O., Nels S., Lucile, Lena and Olaf.
John O. Johnson was educated in the public schools of Pipestone county. Minnesota, and in 1896, when he was nineteen years old, took up railroad- ing at Pipestone, in Pipestone county. After working as an operator at Pipestone for three months, he worked four months at Corson, in Minne- haha county, South Dakota. Later he worked at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he was night operator for one month and then at Marshall, Minne- sota, for one and one-half years. Still later he worked at Green Valley as
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agent for four months and then moved to Manley, Minnesota, where he was agent for nine months. All of these positions were given to Mr. Johnson by the Great Northern railroad. From Manley, Minnesota, Mr. Johnson moved to Armstrong Creek, on the Soo Line railroad, but was there only one month, when he went to North Escanaba, Michigan, and worked for 'six months as the agent. Later he worked at Cavour, Wisconsin, for one and one-half years and then at Dressler Junction, Wisconsin, for two months. After that he was the agent at Kilbernie, North Dakota, for two years and after that, at Kulm, North Dakota, for six months. He was operator at the front during the construction of the railroad from Ottertail, Minnesota, to the Canadian boundary and, on July 8, 1904, came to Henning, this county. With the exception of three months spent at Colorado Springs, he has been stationed at Henning continuously ever since. While at Colo- rado Springs he was both the operator and ticket agent.
On December 23, 1900, John O. Johnson was married at Cavour, Wis- consin, to Dora M. Johnson, who was born at Eldora, Iowa, December 29, 1878. Mrs. Johnson's parents were Peter and Martha Johnson, who were natives of Denmark and Germany, respectively. After coming to the United States they were married and lived in Iowa until 1892, when they moved to Pipestone county, Minnesota. It was in this county that Mrs. Johnson's father died in 1905. Iler mother is now living at Ruthton, in Pipestone county. Mr. and Mrs. John O. Johnson have five children: Oral, Myrtle, Pearl, Harold and Richard.
The Johnson family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Henning.
EDWARD THOMPSON.
Probably no man of the town of Erhard, in Otter Tail county, Minne- sota, has taken a more conspicuous or important part in the business life of Erhard and the vicinity than has Edward Thompson, who is cashier of the Erhard State Bank. A man of broad experience, one who has been a farmer, a merchant, a public officer, and now as a financier conducting the affairs of one of the most prosperous of the smaller banking institutions of the commonwealth, he has a record which is most enviable and one to which his friends and many admirers point with justifiable pleasure and pride.
Edward Thompson was born in Norwood, Carver county, Minnesota. November 13, 1877. the son of Knut D. and Mary (Gunderson) Thomp- son. the father a native of Norway, in which country he was born in 1847, and the mother a native of Carver county, Minnesota. Knut Thompson came to America in 1867 and settled in the state of Wisconsin, where he lived for some years and then went to the city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, accepting employment there for some time, after which he went to Carver
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county, Minnesota, there starting a blacksmith shop, which he operated for about five years and then came to Otter Tail county, locating in Maple- wood township for one year. Coming to the town of Erhard, Knut Thomp- son established the first blacksmith shop of the town, following his trade at this place until the year 1906, when he went to Stanley, North Dakota, there homesteading one hundred and sixty acres of land on which he lived for a short time and then went to Fergus Falls, Minnesota, where he has since lived a retired life.
Mary ( Gunderson ) Thompson, mother of the subject of this sketch, is the daughter of John Gunderson and wife, who shortly before the Civil War left his native land of Norway and came to America, settling in Carver county, Minnesota, where he engaged in general farming until the year 1883, when with his family, he moved to Erhard, Minnesota, and lived in retirement for the next twenty years, and then, his wife having died, he moved to Audubon and there spent the remainder of his days with a son. To the marriage of Knut and Mary (Gunderson) Thompson were born the following children: Edward, the subject of this sketch; Emma, a school principal at Jamestown, North Dakota; Juanita, who married George H. Newbert, president of the First National Bank, at Mora, Minnesota, and Anton, who died in 1903.
Edward Thompson was educated in the public schools of Erhard and in the schools of Fergus Falls, after which, with his father, he conducted a hardware store at Erhard for seven years and then accepted a position as grain buyer for the Minneapolis and Northern Grain Company, a business in which he continued for five years. In the year 1907 he went to Moun- trail county, North Dakota, there taking a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres of land, on which he lived for one year, afterward returning to his former position as a grain buyer, a work which he followed for ahout four years, then became a grain buyer for the Farmers Elevator Company, of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
In the year 1913 Edward Thompson, with other progressive citizens of Erhard and vicinity, organized the Erhard State Bank, of Erhard, Minne- sota, he at the time being elected as cashier of the institution, an office which he has since held to the satisfaction of all, managing this flourishing bank- ing house with its capital of ten thousand dollars and its surplus of two thousand dollars, without criticism or complaint from its one hundred and fifty depositors, with their fifty thousand dollars of deposits. Associated with Mr. Thompson in the conduct of this financial institution are the fol- lowing directors, all well-known men of Otter Tail county, Minnesota : E. A. Jewett, president : Knut Stenerson, vice-president; H. H. Knobel, Axel Knutson, P. M. Knoff and I. O. Grina.
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On June 29, 1904, Edward Thompson was married to Julia Anderson, a native of the state of Minnesota, and to this marriage have been born six children, Janice, Marion, Ruby, Laila, Palma and George Edward.
Edward Thompson has found time to serve his township in public office, for more than twelve years having served in his usual efficient man- ner as township clerk. In politics, Mr. Thompson is independent of party. In fraternal circles, Edward Thompson is a leading member of the lodge of Ancient Order of United Workmen, an organization in which he takes a prominent part.
PETER LOKEN.
Peter Loken, farmer, stock raiser, and man of affairs in Oscar town- ship, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born at Hedemarken, Norway, April 6, 1866, the son of Michael and Annie (Stetvold) Loken, natives of Nor- way. Michael Loken, after his school days in his native country and fol- lowing a term in the Norwegian army, came to America, in 1866, and located in Fillmore county, Minnesota, where he lived for three years and worked as a farm helper. In 1869 Michael Loken came to Otter Tail county, making the journey from Fillmore county, a distance of four hun- dred miles, by ox-team, and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 35, Oscar township, which place he has greatly improved and to which farm Mr. Loken added land, until at one time he was the owner of two hundred and forty acres of land in the community. Michael and Annie Loken were the parents of seven children, Oline, Christie, Peter, John, Marie, Edward and Severine. Michael Loken was active in the vari- ous interests of his community, being a leading church worker and a man who was especially prominent in the ranks of the Republican party in Oscar township.
Peter Loken received his education in the public schools of Oscar town- ship, Otter Tail county, after which he became a farmer, working on the home farm for some time, and then later taking charge of the place, where he now engages in general farming and in the raising of Poland China hogs and purebred Shorthorn cattle.
On June 20, 1900, Peter Loken was married to Christine Jacobson, and to this marriage have been born the following children: Alfred (deceased), Marie, Charles, Clara, Olga. Anna, Alfred and Helen. Peter Loken and his family are active members of the Norwegian Lutheran church of Oscar township.
Peter Loken takes an important place in the business life of Oscar township and the vicinity, being president of the Elizabeth Creamery Com- pany, an office which he has occupied for four years. Mr. Loken is a stock-
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holder in the Carlisle Bank, and a director of the Carlisle Farmers Elevator Company, having been officially connected with this company for ten years.
In public circles and official life Peter Loken has served his township as supervisor, as chairman of the township board for fifteen years, and as school treasurer, an office in which he has served for seven years.
CHARLIE KUPFER.
Charlie Kupfer was born in Baden, Germany, near Strasburg, on Janu ary 25, 1854, the son of Casper and Magdalene ( (Gegg) Kupfer, both of whom were natives of Baden, the former born in 1805 and the latter in 1811. Married in Baden, Mr. and Mrs. Casper Kupfer engaged in farming in their native province until the former's death in 1859, after which Magda- lena (Gegg) Kupfer was married to Erhard Ehret. She died at the age of sixty-three years, after giving birth to eight children, four of whom died in Germany quite early in life. The four living children are: Paulina, who remained in Germany: Katie, who married John Strawbinger and who lives in Mauck Chunk, Pennsylvania; John, who also lives in Mauck Chunk, where he is engaged in blacksmithing; and Charlie. the subject of this sketch.
Charlie Kupfer was raised on his father's farm and educated in the public schools of Baden until eighteen years old, when he emigrated to the United States in 1872 and settled in Mauck Chunk, Pennsylvania. There he worked as a car repairer on the Lehigh Valley railroad for a period of six years, until 1878, when he came to Minnesota and settled in Carver county. He began work as a section hand with a gang employed on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, and two years later was elevated to the position of section foreman, a position he held for nine years. He then removed to Sims, Morton county, North Dakota, and was employed as section foreman on the Northern Pacific railroad for six years, or until removing to Watkins, Minnesota, where he was employed as section fore- man on the Soo Line railroad for nine years. Finally, Charlie Kupfer gave up railroading and, in 1903, after removing to Richdale, Otter Tail county, engaged in the hotel business for one and one-half years. Selling out his hotel interests in Richdale, however, he removed to Bluffton, where, after erecting a store building and a hotel, he has since been successfully engaged in business. Aside from his hotel and store in Bluffton, Mr. Kupfer owns a farm of sixty acres situated near the village and takes a great interest in the operation of this farm.
In 1880 Charlie Kupfer was married to Annie Mohrbacher, a native of Cologne, Minnesota, and the daughter of Adam Mohrbacher. Mrs. Kup- fer died in 1903, after having borne her husband twelve children, eight of whom are living, as follow: Mary, the wife of Gottlieb Backenstos, lives
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in Lansford, North Dakota; Annie, who married Anton Racosky, and who lives in Bluffton; Clara, who married Christ Snyder, and who lives in Mor- rillton, Arkansas; Charlie, who lives at home; Emma, who married Ben Beachley, and who lives at Blackduck, Minnesota; Robert, who assists his father in the operation of the store; Joseph, who also lives at home and who is engaged as a section hand, and Katie, who married William Geiser, and who lives in Bluffton.
Although for many years an ardent Democrat, Mr. Kupfer has recently cast his influence with the Republican party. He has always taken an active interest in politics and has held various political offices of trust and respon- sibility. While residing at Watkins, Minnesota, Mr. Kupfer served as mayor for six years and as school director for nine years. During the past two years Mr. Kupfer has been serving as mayor of Bluffton and was for- merly a member of the council. The success which has accompanied his public service is evidence of his ability and the number of important posi- tions held by Mr. Kupfer is evidence of the esteem and trust in which he is held by the residents of Bluffton. Mr. Kupfer is a member of St. John's Society and is also a devoted member of the Catholic church.
FRANK J. VOGEL.
Frank J. Vogel, farmer and representative citizen of Star Lake town- ship. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is justly one of the respected men of his community and progressively alert to the needs of his fellowmen. He is a native of Blair county, Pennsylvania, and his birth occurred on July 19. 1870. He is one of ten children born to the union of Frederick and Mary (Smith) Vogel, who were residents of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. The maternal grandparents of Frank J. Vogel were Martin Smith and his wife, who were natives of Germany and emigrated to America in 1840. They located in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, where Mr. Smith followed the voca- tion of mason until his death. They were both members of the Catholic church. Their daughter, Mary Smith, was born in Germany and was brought to America when two years of age and was reared and married in Pennsyl- vania.
The father of Frank J. Vogel, Frederick Vogel, was probably born in France but was reared in Germany, and it was there that his education was received. He traveled in both countries and taught school for several years while a resident of Germany, and though he had been reared in Germany he could speak both the French and German languages fluently. At the age of twenty-one years he emigrated to the United States and located at Hol- lidaysburg, Pennsylvania, where his marriage was solemnized. They con-
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tinned to live in Hollidaysburg for some years, and in 1879 they removed to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where they secured one hundred and sixty acres of land under the homestead law, on which they remained until his death, on June 22, 1898, the wife then residing with her children. This farm was located in section 26. in Star Lake township and was wild, unimproved land. A log house was built and it is still in use.
The first union of Frederick Vogel was with Susan Smith, a sister of the second wife, and to them were born two children, Phillip and Martin, who were twins. Phillip is a salesman for a monument concern and lives in Perham. Martin died while a resident of Puyallup, Washington. The names of the children born to the second union are: George, a realty dealer living in Rainier, Oregon; Fred is a machinist and lives in Brainerd, Minne- sota ; Kate became the wife of James Aldrich and their home is in Nashua, Wilkin county, Minnesota; Joseph died in Fergus Falls, Minnesota; Annie married Wilbur Brown and they live in Dent, Minnesota; Frank J. is the subject of this sketch; John is a farmer living in Tacoma, Washington; Adam is a merchant in Star Lake, Minnesota; William is a bank cashier and lives in Watkins, Minnesota, and Susan is a teacher living in Dent, Minne- sota. The parents of these children were both members of the Catholic church, Frederick Vogel having been one of the organizing members of St. James's church and also a member of the choir while a resident of Hollidays- burg, Pennsylvania.
Frank J. Vogel was educated in the public schools of Perham, having been a graduate of the high school of that town at the age of twenty-three years. After completing his education he engaged in the vocation of school teacher and was occupied in that capacity for nearly eleven years in the schools of Otter Tail county, Minnesota. He also was interested in agricul- tural pursuits and in 1900 purchased one hundred and eight acres of land, in section 34. in Star Lake township, this county, where he resided until 1014. He then sold the place and purchased seventy acres one-fourth of a mile north of the former farm but located in the same township. This place was not improved and he erected new buildings, making it a' very comfortable home.
On January 20, 1901, Frank J. Vogel was united in marriage to Maud Emma Dalle, a native of Arcadia, Wisconsin, and to them have been born four children, whose names follow: Clifford. Vincent, Clare and Catherine. The last two are twins. Maud Emma ( Dalle) Vogel is a daughter of Charles and Emma ( Davis) Dalle, natives of Germany and New York state, respectively. They were married in Wisconsin and in 1885 removed to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, locating in Maine township. His death occurred in 1912. His wife lives in Idaho. Frank J. Vogel has served his
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community as town assessor for nearly twelve years and has also been a justice of the peace for four years. In his political affiliations he is allied with the Republican party.
OLE HANSON.
Ole Hanson was born in Elmo township, this county, May 1, 1884, the son of Ole and Ronog ( Bradley ) Hanson, both of whom were born in Northfron, Norway, where they grew up and were married.
Ole Hanson, Sr., was the son of Hans P. and Marit ( Olson) Ronning, natives of Norway. Hans P. Ronning was a farmer and lived all his life in Norway, where he died at the age of eighty-one years. His wife came to America and spent her last days with Ole Hanson, Sr. She died in 1908, at the age of eighty-four.
Ronog Bradley is the daughter of Nicholas and Martha Bradley, who were also natives of Norway. Mr. Bradley died in Norway, and Mrs. Bradley came to America and made her home with her daughter in Elmo township, until her death.
Two years after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Ole Hanson emigrated to the United States, leaving their home in Norway on May 31, 1874. They came west to Menomonie, Wisconsin, where they arrived on June 30, the same year. There Mr. Hanson worked on a farm for three months, after which he secured employment in a lumber camp, at which work he remained that following winter. In the fall of 1874 Mrs. Ronog Hanson, with her children, traveled by rail to Wadena and from there to Otter Tail county on a freight wagon arriving in Elmo township on October 15, 1874, where she stayed with her brother during the winter. The following spring Ole Hanson came to this county, traveling on foot from Wadena to Elma town- ship, where he took up a homestead claim of eighty acres in section 32. They began to acquire what in later years became a well-equipped farm, although it was raw prairie at the time of purchase. Their first home was a crude log cabin built within two rods of their present modern residence. There they lived until 1882, when ground was broken for a more commod- ious dwelling, this also being constructed of logs, which was later remod- eled and became the present family home which stands today. About 1892 Mr. Hanson added eighty acres to his land, this being across the road in Parkers Prairie township. This land was unimproved. Later he purchased forty acres of timber in section 26, Elmo township. He is considered an expert farmer and dairyman, having equipped his farm with modern improve- ments, including a silo. He keeps about sixteen cows.
Mr. Hanson. Sr., is independent in politics and has served as super- visor in Elmo township as well as a member of the school board. Both he
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and his wife belong to the Lutheran church. To them six children have been born: Hans O. lives in Dakota, where he is a prosperous farmer ; Martha is the wife of Peter Severson, of Elmo township; Mary is the widow of Henry Peterson and lives in Montana, where she owns a claim, and also has a claim at Medora, North Dakota: Nels is a farmer of Elmo township; Osear lives in Montana, where he has taken up a elaim; the youngest son is Ole, the subject of this review.
With only a meager education, Ole Hanson has been able to acquire the means to own his splendid farm and to become prominent in local busi- ness and agricultural circles. He was educated in the local schools and spent all of his spare time in his boyhood working on the farm and learning from his father the principles of successful agriculture. Since his purchase of part of the home place in 1900, he has operated it on the same lines as those followed by his father, adding perhaps more extensive dairying meth- ods.
In 1909 Ole Hanson was married to Rosa Simonson, a native of Elmo township, and a daughter of Simon Simonson, a pioneer settler whose bio- graphy is presented elsewhere in this publication. To Mr. and Mrs. Han- son have been born three children, Gladys, Orvey and Maynard.
Mr. Hanson has served as president and clerk of school district No. 99, and takes a good eitizen's interest in politics. He is an independent voter.
ANDRIAS MESNA
Andrias Mesna was born in Norway, January 14, 1845, the son of Gulbrand and Runo Mesna, who were born in Norway, spending their entire lives in that country, where Gulbrand Mesna was a farmer. Following his education in the common schools of his native land, Andrias Mesna, the subject of this sketch, in the year 1872, came to America and went to Fill- more county. Minnesota, where he lived for three years. In 1875 he came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Pelican township. a place which is now the home of his widow and family. On taking possession of his homestead in the early days, Andrias Mesna found it to be uneleared and without improvement, he therefore proceeded to clear his land, to build necessary buildings and to cultivate his land as conditions would permit ; his determination and per- severance in time resulting in his seeing his land become among the most desirable farms of the community, growing not only in produetiveness but in aereage, as Mr. Mesna was able at a later tinie to add twenty-five acres to his already large and well-tilled farm.
During the year 1874 Andrias Mesna was married in Fillmore county, Minnesota, to Marie Christianson, who was born in Norway. the daughter
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of Christian Anderson and Gonor Svenson, who were natives of Norway. where they spent their entire lives, the daughter, Marie, coming to America in the year 1874, and locating in Fillmore county, Minnesota. To the mar- riage of Andrias and Marie Mesna were born twelve children: Gilbert, Christian, Martin, Rudolph, Gustav, Regina, Melvin, Anna, Laura, Clara (deceased ), Clara and Alph. Andrias Mesna was an active and devout member of the Norwegian Lutheran church, as are his widow and family at the present time.
In the various walks of life represented in Pelican township, Andrias Mesna was well known and highly respected as a man of strong personality and force of character. His many good and charitable acts as a citizen in the community are broadly known and he is a man whose record in Pelican township and in Otter Tail county will be of a most lasting nature.
Andrias Mesna died in 1913, having lived an honorable life, and on his demise leaving a host of admiring friends who mourned his death.
MARTIN AALBERG.
Martin Aalberg, a native of Norway, was born in 1859, being the son of Andrew and Hannah ( Hanson ) Aalberg, both of whom were born and died in Norway. . Andrew Aalberg was a carpenter and cabinet-maker, at which occupation he worked during most of his active life. He was a master workman, his work commanding much attention in the community in which he lived and labored. Mr. and Mrs. Aalberg were the parents of the fol- lowing children : Peter, Paul, Martin, Helmer and Hans. Peter is a pat- tern-maker in Madison, Wisconsin; Paul is a farmer in Richland county, North Dakota; Helmer is still at the old home in Norway; Hans is engaged in the newspaper work in Madison, Wisconsin.
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