History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II, Part 78

Author: Mason, John W. (John Wintermute), 1846- 4n
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1156

USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 78

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Martin Aalberg received his education in the schools of his native country, which schools compare with the present high schools of the United States. There he carefully prepared for his future life work, that of a civil engineer. His preparation was of the very best and he has been successful.

Mr. Aalberg came to the United States when twenty years of age, locating in Minneapolis, where he followed various occupations until he succeeded in obtaining a position as civil engineer. In 1887 he became deputy county surveyor of Hennepin county, Minnesota, which position he held for five years. He had worked in the surveyor's office for two years previous to the time he became deputy. In 1892 he came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, locating at Henning, where he has since resided. That same fall he was elected county surveyor, which position he held for twelve years, after which he was drainage engineer for the county. At this time

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he also did much drainage work for other counties of the state. In 19JI Mr. Aalberg was appointed district highway engineer, working under the state highway commission. This position he still holds, which is evidence that his work is most satisfactory.

Martin Aalberg was married on November 8, 1884, to Trine Quam, who has been a true helpmate to her husband in the home and in his public life. Mr. Aalberg and his family live on their one-hundred-acre farm near Henning. Mr. and Mrs. Aalberg are the parents of the following children : Lily, Arthur, Harry, Florence and Leonard. Lily is now Mrs. J. Cronk- hite, of Thief River Falls; Arthur is a civil engineer with the Burlington railroad, with headquarters at Denver, Colorado; Harry is the present county surveyor of the county; Florence is attending the Stout Institute at Meno- monie, Wisconsin ; Leonard is still at home with his parents.

Mr. Aalberg as an active member of the Knights of the Maccabees, a prominent and influential citizen and a man held in high esteem by all who know him.

CLINTON L. ERCKENBRACK.

Clinton L. Erckenbrack was born in Rock county, Wisconsin, on July 7. 1856, the son of James P. and Rachel Jane (Love) Erckenbrack, both of whom were natives of New York state.

James P. Erckenbrack was the son of Philip and Jane Erckenbrack, natives of New York state, who locating near Richmond, McHenry county, Illinois, lived and died there, the father being a prosperous farmer. Their son, James P., was educated in Illinois and learned from his father the occupation of farming. In 1870 he and his family were hauled by three yoke of oxen to Parkers Prairie, where they took a homestead claim just across the lake from Clinton L. Erckenbrack's present home. After farm- ing successfully on his tract of one hundred and sixty acres for some years. James P. Erckenbrack had accumulated enough to retire, and moving his family to the village remained there the rest of his days. His wife died on the farm in 1874.

Rachel Jane Love was the daughter of Clinton and Rachel Love. They were born in New York state and moved to Rock county, Wisconsin, where he purchased land from the government and was a farmer the rest of his days.

James P. and Rachel (Love) Erckenbrack were the parents of the fol- lowing children : Allen, Marjorie. John, Philip. Arthur. Orville, William and Mary. Clinton I .. was the third child born in the family. His father and mother were members of the Baptist church and the former was for many years justice of the peace.

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Clinton L. Erckenbrack was educated in the country schools of Minne- sota and Illinois. Like his father he pursued the vocation of farming, but later engaged in the transfer business for nine years at Parkers Prairie. In 1914 he began dealing in ice, the business in which he is engaged at the present time.

In 1878 Clinton L. Erckenbrack was married to Elizabeth Waldron, of New York Mills, Minnesota, and the union has been blessed by the birth of seven children, Mabel and William, both deceased; Harry, Elsworth, Theo- dore, deceased; Pearl and Clara.

Mr. and Mrs. Erckenbrack are members of the Baptist church. He is a member of the Independent Order of Modern Woodmen. For ten years Mr. Erckenbrack has been constable of Parkers Prairie, and has filled the place with satisfaction. Mr. Erckenbrack is not only a good farmer but he is a good business man as well. His life has been well lived. The demands of duty, whether personal or civic, have been cheerfully and courageously met, and by his progressive attitude he has been a source of help and strength to the community.

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JOHN ALGOT PETERSON.

John Algot Peterson is among the highly respected citizens and pro- gressive farmers of Parkers Prairie township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and his unusual ability in his chosen profession has led to a satisfactory issue of his agricultural interests. He was born on August II, 1855. in Sweden, the son of C. J. Peterson and his wife, Sophia, both natives of Sweden. C. J. Peterson followed the vocation of farmer for many years, while a resident of his native land, and emigrated to America in 1868. Immediately after his arrival in the United States he located in Washing- ton county. Minnesota, where he was employed as a farm hand until 1871. He then came to Otter Tail county. Minnesota, where he located on one hundred and sixty acres of homestead land and remained on this property until his death. To the union of C. J. and Sophia Peterson were born four children.

John Algot Peterson moved to Otter Tail county with his father and immediately purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, for which he paid cash. This property has been improved and increased until, at the present time, it is among the best in the locality. It now consists of one hundred and eighty-four and one-half acres of land, and is devoted to gen- eral farming and stock raising. In 1880 John .Algot Peterson was united in marriage to Mary Swanson, and to this union seven children have been born. Jennie, Alice, Elbeda, Edna, Emily, Harold and Ruth. Mary (Swan-

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son ) Peterson is the daughter of Carl Swanson. John Algot Peterson and his wife are members of the Swedish Lutheran church, in which he has served as deacon and trustee for more than twenty years. John Algot Pet- erson has been very active in educational circles and served for ten years as a member of the township board, also acting as chairman of the same. He has served as township assessor for fifteen years. He takes great pride in the cultivation of his farm and keeps everything connected therewith in the best of condition. Much credit is due him for his unselfish interest in all questions pertaining to the betterment of his community.

JOHN NICKAANOR JOHNSON.

A well-known and prominent farmer of Erhards Grove township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is John Nickanor Johnson, who was born in Pelican Rapids, September 9, 1882, the son of John and Anna Johnson, both of whom were natives of Sweden, the former born on December 29, 1842, the latter. August 16. 1855. In 1870. John Johnson came to America and located in Otter Tail county, Minnesota, three years later coming to Pelican Rapids, where he lived until 1891 and then moved to a small farm one mile east of the town of Pelican Rapids, where John Johnson lived for eight years. During the year 1890, the elder Johnson secured a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in section 2, Erhards Grove township, a place which is now owned by the only son of John and Anna Johnson, John Nickanor Johnson, the subject of this sketch.

John Nickanor Johnson was educated in the schools of Pelican Rapids, after which he became a salesman in the stores of the community for ten years and then he became a farmer, locating on the home farm of one hun- dred and twenty acres, in Erhards Grove township. John Nickanor John- son is now engaged in the duties of general farm life, as well as engaging in the breeding of Shorthorn cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs.

During the year 1912, John Nickanor Johnson was married to Alma Grahn, who was born in Sweden, January 1, 1885. Her father died in Sweden, after which the widow came to America, with her children, and located in Otter Tail county, where she spent her last days. To the mar- riage of John Nickanor and Alma Johnson have been born two children, Alice Violet and Albert Jewel.

John Nickanor Johnson has taken an active interest in the development of the community and its various interests and resources, being at the present time overseer of roads, an office which he is serving with honor to himself and with great benefit to the township and county.

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M. C. KRONEMANN.

In the honored field of agriculture in Otter Tail county, the acquire- mient of wealth has not been a matter of extended years in the experience of Mr. Kronemann, whose brief history is presented to the reader in the following sketch. His success in the agricultural direction has been one of phenomenal growth, having started out on his own responsibility fifteen years ago, and now controls three hundred and twenty acres of fine farm land in his own name-an achievement worthy of any man's pride.

M. C. Kronemann, farmer, Fergus Falls township, Minnesota, was born 011 December 5. 1874, in Germany, and is a son of William and Ernestine ( Beske ) Kronemann. His early education was obtained in Germany, and after arriving in America, he took a commercial course in 1900, after which he began farming for himself, on the place which he now owns, and on which he has put practically all the improvements. In his vocation as a farmer, Mr. Kronemann makes the dairy business one of his specialties, and is a breeder of fine Holstein Friesian cattle. He is considered a man of advanced ideas in his line, having made a special study of every detail in connection therewith. Politically, he is a Republican, but has never taken an active interest in local politics. He is president of the Live Stock Ship- ping Association, and vice-president of the Otter Tail County Co-operative Store, treasurer of the Farm Bureau, president of the Fergus Falls Tele- phone Company, and director of the Oscar Insurance Company.

William Kronemann, father of the subject of this sketch, was born on June 26, 1834, in Germany, and died on August 7, 1910. His wife, Ernestine ( Beske ) Kronemann, was born on July 24. 1853. in Germany. William was a son of Jolin Kronemann, who was a native of Germany. His educa- tion was received in the public schools of Germany, where he learned the miller's trade, and operated a mill of his own until 1888, at which time lie came to America and located in Fergus Falls township, where he followed farming on the place now owned by M. C. Kronemann. He had one hun- dred and sixty acres at first, and two years later bought one hundred and sixty acres more, doing general farming. The children born to William and Ernestine ( Beske) Kronemann. were as follow: M. C .; Ida, deceased, who became the wife of Fred Hoffman, and Emma Kronemann, who was married to Fred Lother. They are all members of the German Lutheran church.

John Kronemann, the paternal grandfather, was a native of Germany, where he spent his entire life as a farmer. The maternal grandfather. August Beske, was also a farmer, and a native of Germany.

M. C. Kronemann was united in marriage, July 23, 1907 , with Minnie

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MR. AND MRS. M. C. KRONEMANN.

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Holthusen, daughter of John and Charlotte Holthusen. She was born on January 13, 1883. The children born to this union were: Ruth, Esther, Max, Herbert and Emma. Mr. and Mrs. Kronemann are members of the German Lutheran church.

Mr. Kronemann's well-kept farm of three hundred and twenty acres is one of the most attractive looking places in the county, and his reputation as a business man and a citizen is beyond question.

HARRY NILES BRUCE.

Harry Niles Bruce, a well-known attorney, village recorder and justice of the peace, has spent many years in the service of the community in which he lives. Fortunate in having the educational opportunities to prepare him for a life of more than ordinary usefulness, he early learned that "knowl- edge is power." and therefore set himself to work to acquire it. His later years have been full of conspicuous achievement, both in private legal prac- tice and in public life. Harry Niles Bruce was born in Vermont, Septem- ber 7, 1846, the son of David and Miranda ( Studevant ) Bruce.

David Bruce was born in Scotland but came to America when he was about eight years old, locating in Fairlee, Vermont, where in later years he married Miranda Studevant, a native of Pennsylvania. David Bruce was a farmer and stock buyer, and at one time captain of the Vermont militia. He was twice married and was the father of ten children, of whom six boys were born of the last marriage. He died in 1851.

The eldest brother of Harry Bruce, Charles S. Bruce, was in Company B, of the Tenth Regiment, Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, enlisting in 1862, and three years later he was honorably discharged and is now a resident of Rock county, Minnesota, where he was county auditor from the year 1891 until January, 1911. The next brothers, in order of their birth, are Simon R. and George H., who were Texas rangers during the Civil War, and after the war lived in Oglethorpe, Georgia.

Harry Niles Bruce went to school in Vermont until his fifteenth year. and in June, 1861, located in Dodge county, Minnesota, where he attended a select school for one year. In 1865 he joined his brothers, Simon and George, at Oglithorpe, Georgia, remaining there until 1866, when all together they made an overland trip to Texas, by team. In 1867, leaving his broth- ers, he traveled by a similar method from Texas to Kansas. In 1869 Mr. Bruce returned to Dodge county and settled down to the staid life of a har- ness-maker at Mantorville. A year later he began farming and continued this vocation until 1881. In June, of that year, he went to Pelican Rapids

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and for two years engaged in the harness business. Here also he studied law with H. R. Day, and was admitted to the county bar in 1886, since which time he has built up a good practice. In 1900 he ran for judge of the probate court on the Republican ticket, running a close race with Hon. E. Frankberg, who won at that time and has never since been defeated for that office. Besides being justice of the peace, Mr. Bruce has held many town offices and for a number of years has been village recorder.

The marriage of Harry Niles Bruce and Ella D. Dibble took place in November, 1870, she being the daughter of Daniel K. Dibble, a pioneer of Dodge county. Mr. Dibble was an early homesteader, moving to Dodge county in 1858. where he lived until 1900, when he moved to Owatonna. where he still lives, at the age of eighty-seven years. He followed the occu- pation of farmer and was for two terms county treasurer. Mr. Bruce and his wife were the parents of Daniel R., a barber at Hotel Dakotah, at Grand Forks, and Libbie Grace, who married L. A. Williams, of Pelican Rapids. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Williams are Howard B., Harry Niles and Nellie Grace. Daniel R. Bruce married Ella Robinson, and to them were born three children, Vera, Lee and Ruth. Vera married David Fair- weather, and they have one son, Lloyd. Mr. and Mrs. Bruce are active members of the local Congregational church.

SYVER OLSON RONNINGEN.

Syver Olson Ronningen is one of the pioneer agriculturists of Norweg- ian Grove township, this county, and passed through what was expected to be an Indian outbreak, although no one was injured but all were excited. The Indians made frequent hunting trips through the Otter Tail county region, and it was while they were on one of these expeditions that they surprised the Norwegian Grove community in the fall of 1871.

Syver Olson Ronningen is a native of Norway and was born on April 21, 1841. He is the son of Ole Hanson and Martha ( Hanson ) Ronningen, both natives of Norway, who lived and died in that country. They were the parents of ten children. Syver Olson Ronningen received his education in the common schools of his native land and, after completing same, entered the Norwegian army. He emigrated to America in 1867, locating for three years in Fillmore county, Minnesota, and thence on to his present location in 1870. Upon his arrival in this section he secured one hundred and sixty acres of land under the homestead law, later adding one hundred and ser- enty-eight acres more. This place has been improved and is devoted to general farming. In 1905 Syver Olson Ronningen retired from farming, but is still living on the farm with his daughter and her husband. His wife

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is Karn ( Paulson) Ronningen and they are the parents of three children, Ole, Hans and Emma. Syver Olson Ronningen and his wife are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church, in which church he has served in many offices.

ANTON KAUFMANN.

Anton Kaufmann was born at Rusdorf, Germany, on October 24, 1866, the son of Nicholas and Susanna ( Kolling) Kaufmann, the former born on July 17, 1840, in Vackschweiler, Rhine Province, Germany, the son of John and Mary Kaufmann, and the latter born at Rusdorf, Germany. Nicholas Kaufmann was reared to manhood on his father's farm and, upon reaching his majority became a farmer and landowner in the Fatherland. He was married, secondly, to Mary Kaufmann, March 1, 1878, and soon afterward emigrated to the United States and settled near Hastings, Dakota county, Minnesota, where he worked on various neighboring farms and rented land for a period of several years. In 1883 he removed to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land situated in section 7, of Bluffton township, all of which land was cov- ered with timber and brush. After erecting a log cabin on the present site of the farm house, Mr. Kaufmann began to clear and to improve and still later to add by purchase an additional forty acres located in section 5, of Bluffton township. He now lives retired on his home farm and, after spend- ing a great many years of hard work in the development of his land, enjoys the fruits of his labors. By his first marriage to Susanna Kolling, there were born five children, namely: Anton, the subject of this sketch; Katie, the widow of Joe Sadlier, who lives at Akeley, Minnesota; Susie, the wife of Martin Schmidt, who resides in section 7, of Bluffton township; Chris- tian, who is employed in a saw-mill at Akeley, Minnesota, and Annie, the widow of Jolin Goldie, who resides in Bluffton township.

After the death of his first wife, Nicholas Kaufmann was married to Mary Kaufmann, who was born on June 13, 1845, in Olmschad, Prim, Rhine Province, Germany, the daughter of Jolin and Theresa ( Rohman) Kaufmann. By this second marriage there were born four children, namely : John, a liveryman of Bluffton; Martin, a farmer of Bluffton township; Theodore, also a farmer of Bluffton township, and Katie, the wife of Ben Weohle, who lives in Bismarck, North Dakota. While still living in Ger- many, Nicholas Kaufmann took an active part in the Danish and Franco- Prussian Wars and was a participant in the siege of Paris, near the close of the latter war. He and his family are devoted members of the Catholic church.

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After being educated in the public schools of Germany and spending one year in school at Hastings, Minnesota, Anton Kaufmann began to work on neighboring farms for about fifteen dollars per month. Subsequently he came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, in 1883, with his parents, but removed during the same year to North Dakota, where he worked on various farms and ranches for a period of twenty-one years. Finally, in 1904, he returned to Otter Tail county, where, at the age of sixteen years, he had bought forty acres of land adjoining his father's farm on the south and to which tract he had been adding land until at the time of his return to this county he pos- sessed one hundred and sixty acres. Since living on his farm he has improved it both by the erection of a house and barn and by the develop- ment of its state of productivity. He makes a specialty of breeding a milk- ing strain of Durham cattle and raising Chester White hogs.

In 1891 Anton Kaufmann was united in marriage to Katrina Mirkes, a native of Rusdorf, and the daughter of William Mirkes, who spent his entire life in Germany. To this union there have been no children born, but an adopted daughter, Grace Roshier, has taken the name of Kaufmann as her own.

Anton Kaufmann is a Democrat and as a member of this party has served as chairman of the school board and as pathmaster. Aside from his agricultural interests, Mr. Kaufmann has dealt extensively in land in both Bluffton and Newton townships.

ANDREW HANSON.

Andrew Hanson, farmer, Parkers Prairie township. Otter Tail county. was born on September 12, 1844. in Sweden, and is a son of Hans and Sisi ( Johnson ) Anderson. He attended the public schools of Sweden, and as a young man worked for his father on the farm. In 1868 he came to America and located in Parkers Prairie township, where he took up a homestead. His passage to this country was paid by Carl Swanson. for whom he worked the first few years after landing. He had no money when he came, and was obliged to work in the timber. His homestead consisted of one hundred and sixty acres, on which he put all the improvements. He afterward added eighty acres more to his farm, and about 1878 he gave seventeen acres to his church. His special attention is now directed to general farming and stock raising. in which lines he has become financially successful. Politi- cally, Mr. Hanson is a stanch Republican. He is a member of the Swedish Lutheran church.

Hans and Sisi ( Johnson ) Anderson were both born in Sweden, where they followed farming, coming to America about 1870, when they located

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at Parkers Prairie, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They reared a family of eight children, all of whom came to America.

Andrew Hanson was united in marriage in 1875 with Christine Swan- son, daughter of Carl Swanson, by whom he has had five children, Frank O., Henry, August, Edmund and Julia.

Mr. Hanson is a fine old gentleman, well known and well liked by the entire community in which he resides, and where his success has been achieved.

ALPHUS STILLMAN.

Alphus Stillman was born in Indian Creek township. Mills county, Iowa, May 15, 1852, the son of Clark Stillman, who was born in Avon, New York, August 17, 1827, and of Amelia Ann ( Sperry ) Stillman, who was born in Monroe county. New York, February 7, 1831. Clark Stillman was the son of Dexter Stillman, who was born in Colebrook, Connecticut, March 23, 1804, and of Barbara ( Redfield ) Stillman, who was born in Lexington, Vermont, February 5. 1808, Dexter and Barbara Stillman being the parents of four children, Clark, father of the subject of this sketch, Franklin, Elizabeth and Mary. Dexter Stillman was a carpenter and farmer of Mills county, Iowa, a trade which he followed until his death, during the year 1852. Amelia Ann Sperry was the daughter of Charles Sperry and wife, Charles Sperry being a school teacher and later the first probate judge of Otter Tail county, Minnesota, dying in this county during the year 1870. Charles Sperry and his family were members of the Latter- Day Saints church, a congregation in which they were actively engaged in the work.

Clark Stillman, father of the subject of this sketch, following his edu- cation in the common schools of New York state, went to the state of Iowa with his parents, there becoming a farmer in Mills county, where he lived for some tinie and then moved to Fremont county, Iowa, later coming to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, in the year 1865, soon after which time he died as the result of disease contracted while serving as a soklier in the various campaigns of the Mexican War in the years 1846-47. Clark and Amelia Ann Stillman were the parents of the following children : Alphus. the subject of this sketch: Harriett L ... who was born in Mills county, Iowa. February 1, 1854: Bainbridge, who was born in Fremont county, Iowa, February 20. 1856: Barbara, who was born in Fremont county, lowa. July 26, 1857: Ann, who was born on May 16. 1859, in Fremont county, Iowa : Charles H., who was born on June 11. 1861, in Fremont county, Iowa;

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Cynthia, who was born in Fremont county, lowa, November 23. 1863, and Albert, who was born in Otter Tail county, Minnesota, September 30, 1865. Mrs. Amelia Stillman died on September 16, 1890, in Deer Creek, Otter Tail county, being fifty-nine years of age.

Alphus Stillman was educated in the public schools of Fremont county, Iowa, after which he came with his parents to Otter Tail county, during the year 1865, and homesteaded a farm in Deer Creek township, where he lived for some years. He then acquired eighty acres in section 14, same town- ship, which he later sold and moved, in 1871, to his present farm of eighty acres, in section 26, adjoining his homestead in Deer Creek township. The present well improved and highly cultivated state of the farm of Alphus Stillman is due to the determination and perseverance of this hardy farmer, who on taking possession of his land found it to be uncleared of timber and of heavy brush, and who proceeded to care for his place in such a manner that it is now one of the desirable farms in the township. In addition to the raising of large quantities of potatoes, barley and corn, Mr. Stillman gives of his time to the dairy business, keeping for this purpose five cows.

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History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II, Part 78

Author: Mason, John W. (John Wintermute), 1846- 4n Publication date: 1916 Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen Number of Pages: 1156

Author: Mason, John W. (John Wintermute), 1846- 4n
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1156