USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 8
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On December 12, 1883, David M. Brown was married to Henrietta Bisnett, a native of Fulton, New York. They have one son, David L., who is the assistant manager of the Fergus Casket Works.
Mr. Brown is a member of Corner Stone Lodge No. 99. Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Also he is the exalted ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America.
WALTER B. WINDSOR.
One of the largest industries in Otter Tail county is the manufacture of flour and one of the largest manufacturers of Otter Tail county is Wal- ter B. Windsor, the secretary of the Fergus Flour Mills Company, which makes a specialty of manufacturing flour from the celebrated "Park Region" wheat. The Fergus Flour Mills Company is a consolidation of the Otter Tail mill and the Fergus flour-mill.
Walter B. Windsor is a native of Wheatcheif, New Jersey, where he was born on November 21. 1859. He is the son of William H. and Sarah (Battin ) Windsor, the former of whom was a well-known business man, of New York city, having been engaged there for many years in the fire insur- ance business. During all of this time, William H. Windsor lived in Eliza- beth, New Jersey. In his later years, he moved to the western part of New York state, where he and his wife lived until their deaths.
Walter B. Windsor received his early education at Canaseraga. Alle- gany county, New York. Practically all of his education was received in private schools. After he had grown to manhood. he learned the drug- gist's trade in Hornellsville, New York, but in 1883 immigrated to the Dakotas and after taking up some land made his headquarters at Aberdeen.
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South Dakota, and engaged in the fire insurance business on an extensive scale.
In August, 1899, Mr. Windsor came to Fergus Falls and in partner- ship with David A. Tennant purchased the Otter Tail flour-mill, which was operated for one year. In 1900 he purchased the Fergus flour-mill and consolidated the two mills into the Fergus Flour Mills Company. In 1904 they purchased a mill in Fargo, North Dakota, and in 1912 they purchased the Globe flour-mill in Perham, Otter Tail county. In addition to their consolidated mill, they, therefore, own two additional mills. Compara- tively, these three mills have a large capacity and the firm enjoys a large local trade in Otter Tail county and does a large business in other parts of the country. From the very beginning, the business has been a prosperous one and its success has been due not only to the wide knowledge which Mr. Windsor has of the milling business, but to his relations with his patrons, which have always been of a most cordial character. Although a prom- inent citizen of Otter Tail county, Mr. Windsor is a man of most modest and unassuming parts.
In October, 1891, Walter B. Windsor was married, in Faribault, Min- nesota, to Sarah Tennant, a native of St. Lawrence county, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Windsor have two children, Robert and Harold, who live at home with their parents.
HORACE PICKIT.
The only merchant now living in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, who was in business in this city as long ago as 1873, is Horace Pickit, who was born in Edwards, St. Lawrence county, New York, in 1842, and who is the son of J. B. and Sarah (Woodcock ) Pickit.
The late J. B. Pickit operated a general store in Edwards for a number of years and was postmaster for thirty-five years. He was also interested in a large ax and wagon manufacturing company and held many local offices. In fact, he was the leading citizen of the town. In 1880 he and his wife came west to Fergus Falls and remained for a time, when they removed to Motley, Morrison county, where he and his wife lived until their deaths.
Horace Pickit received his early education in the district schools and at the academy at Gouverneur and Pottsdam, New York, after which he worked in his father's store. When he was twenty-one years old lie engaged in business for himself in Edwards until 1872, when he made a pleasure trip to California. On August 9, 1873, Mr. Pickit came to Fer- gus Falls. His brother was already here in business and they entered into
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partnership under the firm name of Pickit Brothers, which continued for five years, when they dissolved. Horace Pickit then operated the business alone.
.A few years later Horace Pickit built a large brick building on the southeast corner of Mill street and Lincoln avenue, and in this building operated a furnishing goods store on the Mill street side. A Mr. Moore operated a dry-goods store facing on Lincoln avenue.
In 1800 Mr. Pickit became the postmaster of Fergus Falls under the administration of President Cleveland and at the next door on Mill street. north, conducted a tailor ship and later a furnishing goods store. Subse- quently, however, he sold out and put in a line of cigars, taking at the same time the agency for the Northern Express Company, which agency Mr. Pickit still has.
Many years ago Mr. Pickit was married to Celinda E. Peck, by whom two children have been born, both of whom died in infancy. Mr. Pickit is an affable gentleman and is highly respected by the citizens of this city.
JOHN W. PETERSON.
Among the many residents of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, who are natives of Sweden and who have been successful in their adopted country, is John W. Peterson, the present superintendent of the electric light plant at Fer- gus Falls.
John W. Peterson was born in the southern part of Sweden on July 31. 1858, and is the son of Peter and Hannah ( Nelson) Peterson. In 1875 the family came to America and, after moving to Chippewa county, Minne- sota, settled near what is now the village of Maynard. There the father homesteaded a tract of land which he operated and where he lived until his «leath.
John W. Peterson received his early schooling in his native land and in America. He attended the public schools of Granite Falls, Minnesota, and of Litchfieldl, in Meeker county. After finishing his education he was first employed in a store in Litchfield for one year and then went to Minne- apolis, where he was able to obtain a position with the Swan & Bush Elec- tric Company. In the meantime Mr. Peterson attended night school, where he studied electricity. in order to better equip himself for his business. After six months he was employed by the St. Paul, Minnesota, Gas Light Company, and was associated with that company for four years. Mr. Peter- son then operated the power house for eighteen months, which is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He then came to Little Falls, where he was employed by the Little Falls Power and Light Company for five years.
In 1895 Mr. Peterson came to Fergus Falls as superintendent of the
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electric light plant of this city, a position which he has creditably filled dur- ing a period of many years.
By Mr. Peterson's marriage to Ellen Benson there has been born one daughter, Florence E., who lives at home with her parents; a son, William Edwin, died at the age of sixteen months.
Mr. Peterson is a member of the Minnesota Electrical Association and is prominent in the civic life of his home town. He is well known in Fergus Falls and is highly respected by all of the people with whom he has come in contact.
WATSON T. BELL.
Among the active business men of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, who have been connected with the business life of the city for many years and who, as the proprietor of a popular grocery, enjoys a large and Incrative patronage. is Watson T. Bell. Mr. Bell deserves to be considered as one of the pioneers of Fergus Falls and Otter Tail county. He is prominent in the fraternal circles of the city and is otherwise well known in this section of the state.
Watson T. Bell was born on August 14, 1853. at Sugar Creek, in Walworth county, Wisconsin. He is the son of William and Adeline ( Fair- child ) Bell, the former of whom came to Wisconsin from Cattaraugus county, New York. William Bell was a carpenter by trade. He emigrated to Walworth county, Wisconsin, at an early date and there followed his trade, and it was there that Watson T. Bell grew to manhood.
Having learned the printer's trade, Mr. Bell finally moved to Milwau- kee, Wisconsin, where, for some time, he worked at his trade. Still later he moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he was employed as a type setter on the Chicago Tribune until 1882. At that time Mr. Bell moved to Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Realizing that there was an opportunity for a large grocery, he. in partnership with Oscar Brown, opened a retail grocery in the Wright block on Bismark avenue, east, and was in that location for eight or nine years, when they moved to Lincoln avenue, west, near the present site of the Golden Rule building, where, in addition to groceries, they car- ried a large line of glass and crockery.
In 1002 the partnership between Mr. Bell and Mr. Brown was dissolved. Mr. Bell moving at that time to his present location, 114 Lincoln avenue. west. He now deals exclusively in groceries and has a large trade, which has come to him not only because he fully understands the needs of his eus- tomers, but because of his honorable and upright dealings with them.
Mr. Bell's wife, before her marriage, was Margaret Gorman, who has borne him one son. Dr. George E ... now a well-known and successful dentist of Fergus Falls. Dr. George E. Bell married Edith Mortensen, the
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daughter of Nels J. Mortensen, a retired druggist of Fergus Falls. Dr. and Mrs. George E. Bell have one daughter, Catherine.
Watson T. Bell is a member of Corner Stone Lodge No. 99. Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Modern Woodmen of America.
HON. ELMER ELLSWORTH ADAMS.
As the editor of Otter Tail county's leading newspaper for many years. and as a banker and business man, Elmer Ellsworth Adams is one of the best-known citizens of Otter Tail county. His life and career are intimately identified with almost every phase of the development of this great county.
Elmer Ellsworth Adams, journalist and business man, is a native of Waterbury, Vermont, where he was born on December 31, 1861, a son of Daniel K. and Ann ( Hale) Adams, both of whom also were natives of the state of Vermont. Daniel K. Adams, who originally was an iron manu- facturer, emigrated to Minneapolis in 1879, and engaged in contract build- ing. His death occurred in St. Paul in 1912, he and his wife having reared a family of four children, Dayton, Elmer E., Wilbur and Alice.
Elmer E. Adams was educated in the public schools of Morrisville. Vermont, and at the University of Minnesota, being graduated from the latter institution with the class of 1884. and on the 17th of February. 1884. arrived at Fergus Falls, this county, as the editor of the Fergus Falls Daily Telegram. In March, 1885. the Telegram was consolidated with the Fergus Falls Journal, and Mr. Adams became editor of the consolidated newspaper, continuing in that capacity until 1912, when he was succeeded by W. L. Robertson.
In addition to the presidency of the Fergus Falls Journal Company, a position which Mr. Adams now holds, he is also president of the First National Bank, president of the Northwestern Building Association, and of the Otter Tail Loan Association, and secretary of the Red River Milling Company.
In 1800 Elmer E. Adams was supervisor of the federal census for the fifth Minnesota district, and in tooo he was supervisor of the census for the seventh Minnesota district. For many years he was a member of the board of regents of the University of Minnesota. Ile also has served as a member of the state Legislature for four terms and is a member of the lower house of the Minnesota Legislature at the present time. While a student at the University of Minnesota he was a member of the Chi Psi fraternity.
In 1890, Elmer Ellsworth Adams was married to Fanny Cowles, at Rochester, Minnesota, and to this union have been born three children,
ELMER ELLSWORTH ADAMS.
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Marjorie, Dorothy Q. and Samuel P., all of whom are living at home with their parents.
Mr. Adams is prominent as a member of the Chippewa Club, of Fergus Falls. He is a gentleman of wide information as a banker and a forceful newspaper editor and writer, being widely recognized as one of the most forceful editorial writers in Minnesota. His large success in life has come as a natural consequence of his natural force of character and grace of per- sonality and he deserves to rank as one of the foremost citizens of Otter Tail county, it being reasonably ~~ "tain that history will accord to him a conspicuous place in the annals of this section of the state.
RICHARD J. ANGUS.
Richard J. Angus, a successful business man of Fergus Falls, Minne- sota, who has been engaged in the real-estate, loan and insurance business in this city since 1891, is a well-rounded man and citizen. He is popular among the people of Otter Tail county. Rarely does anything occur in Fergus Falls in which he does not take a leading part.
Richard J. Angus, who is a native of Scotland, was born at Bathgate on February 16, 1863. His father. the late Alexander Angus, was a mer- chant in the old country. The family came to America in 1880, and after settling in Minnesota engaged in farming.
Educated at the city of Bathgate, Mr. Angus later entered the Univer- sity of Edinburgh, where for some years he was a student. When Mr. Angus was nineteen years old, he engaged in the real estate business with Miller & McMasters, of Fergus Falls, and was employed by this firm for a period of six years. It was here that he laid the foundation of the success which was to crown the efforts of his later years. In 1888 Mr. Angus went to Neligh, Nebraska, where he became assistant manager of the Nebraska office of the Globe Investment Company, of Boston, Massachusetts. The next year, 1889. Mr. Angus was transferred to the Kansas City office as cashier of the combined Nebraska and Kansas offices. Two years later, in 1891, he returned to Fergus Falls and, having already obtained a good start in life, bought out the real-estate business of F. W. Burnham, who had succeeded to the business of Miller & McMasters. This business has been successfully carried on for a period of nearly a quarter of a century, and it has given Mr. Angus an opportunity to be of real service in the agricul- tural and commercial life of Otter Tail county. Among his various inter- ests he owns farms in this county and on the White Earth reservation, and city property, among which is a third interest in the Manhattan building. where his office is located.
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Mr. Angus has served several terms as alderman of the fourth ward on the city council in Fergus Falls. The good work of Richard J. Angus does not appear in a brief statement of facts concerning his life's career. His ways of doing good are so varied and extend to so many unexpected quarters that they cannot well be set forth in this place. He is, however. one of the "live wires" of Fergus Falls and prominent in many phases of its life. Mr. Angus is a member of several fraternal and secret orders. including, among others, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is also treasurer of the Federated church. No interest is beneath his notice and no interest exists in this thriving city either too large or too small to gain a part of his attention. He is fond of the people of Fergus Falls and the people are fond of him and cherish the work he has done and is doing.
ADIN NELSON.
Adin Nelson, a well-known citizen of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and the principal butter-maker for the Fergus Co-operative Creamery Associa- tion, is a native of East Union, Carver county, Minnesota, where he was born on July 20, 1876. He is the son of Nels and Inga ( Anderson ) Nel- son, who had a family of nine children. The following children are stil! living: Jonah M., a resident of Minneapolis; Nels G., a resident of Carver village: Mrs. Christine Swanson, who lives in Carver; Mrs. Lena Scott, of Jordan, Scott county, Minnesota: Leonard, who lives at Bemidji; and Emma, who married Henry Botting, and lives at Bemidji.
Mr. Nelson's father came to America in 1869 and his mother three years later. They settled in East Union, Carver county, Minnesota, where Nels operated a flour-mill and where he was the head miller for five years. He then purchased a farm and was engaged in farming the remainder of his life.
Adin Nelson was reared on the farm and received his education in East Union, Carver county, Minnesota. After completing his education he managed his father's farm for three years after his father's death, and then found employment in the creamery for a couple of years. After he had obtained a general knowledge of making butter, he attended a dairy-farm school and, after completing his studies there, he returned to East Union and became butter-maker for the East Union creamery. Altogether, Mr. Nelson was employed by the East Union creamery for seven years.
In 1907 Adin Nelson came to Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and has since operated the Co-operative creamery at this place. He is a member of the Butter-Maker's Association, both state and national, and Vasa Orden of Fergus Falls.
By his marriage to Anna L. Arneson, a native of East Union, Carver
HERBERT E. WEBBER.
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county, Adin Nelson has four children, Margaret, Doris, Wilma and Herma. The Nelson family are all members of the Swedish Lutheran church. They are regular attendants at church services and contribute lib- erally to the support of the church in every way.
HERBERT E. WEBBER.
Herbert E. Webber, the well-known manager of the E. J. Webber Company, of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, whose family history is recounted in the sketch of his deceased father, was born on April 21, 1884. It may be said in this connection, however, that his father, who passed away in 1905, was one of the most progressive citizens in the history of Fergus Falls.
Herbert E. Webber obtained his elementary education in the public schools of Fergus Falls, and after finishing the high school course he attended Northwestern University, at Chicago, and was a student there in the law department. Mr. Webber expected to continue his course in law until graduation, but his father's untimely death, in 1905, changed his plans and he returned home to take up his father's work.
Mr. Webber has charge of all of his father's business and is capably and successfully installed as its manager. He is president of the Fergus Casket Works, a position which his father held at the time of his death, and has many other business responsibilities.
Herbert E. Webber was married on February 3, 1915, to Rose Frank- oviz, a native of Fergus Falls. Mr. and Mrs. Webber are popular in the social life of Fergus Falls and entertain frequently at their hospitable and comfortable home in this city. Mr. Webber is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
CHRISTIAN O. UTNE.
Among the residents of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, who have been suc- cessful in its business and commercial life, is Christian O. Utne, the present secretary of the Fergus Falls Woolen Mills Company, who is a native of Norway.
Christian O. Utne was born on March 23, 1882. and is the son of Oliver C. and Ellen Torine ( Ryan) Utne. The Utne family, consisting of the father and mother and five children, came to America in 1886. After arriving on the Atlantic seaboard, they came West to Dalton, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where the father purchased a farm and on which was , standing a small frame house. Later on he built a larger house. There were ten children in the Utne family: Mattie, Amanda, Emma, who is deceased: Christian, who married Edith Sunju, a native of Ashby and the
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daughter of Andrew and Mary Sunju, and has two children, Ellen Marie and Dorothy Isabel; Sarah; Andrew O. is a professor in the Park Region College: Theodore, who is principal of the high school at Norwood; John, who lives on the old farm: Emma, who is a teacher by profession; and Dora, who lives at home.
Christian O. Utne received his early education in Dane Prairie. Later he attended the Northwestern College at Fergus Falls and later Red Wing Seminary and Moorehead State Normal School. After completing his studies, he taught school in different places for seven years.
In 1910 Mr. Utne became associated with the management of the Fer- gus Falls Woolen Mill Company, which position he now holds. He is a successful business man and a valuable citizen, one who takes a commendable interest in public enterprises and worthy public movements.
MARTIN T. NELSON.
Of the well-known business firms in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, there may be mentioned the firm of Nelson & Thoreson, who operate two distinct lines of business, the Fergus Fuel Company, which deals in coal, lime, plaster and cement. and the Marble and Granite Works.
Martin T. Nelson, the senior member of the firm of Nelson & Thore- son, was born on November 15, 1873, and is the son of Tollef and Marit (Larson) Nelson, the former of whom was born in 1837 and who, in 1856, with his brother, sailed for America. Tollef was then but nineteen years old. With his brother. he landed at Quebec, Canada, and not having enough money to reach their destination they borrowed some and by hoat finally reached the state of Michigan, after which they worked their way several hundred miles, finally reaching Big Canoe, Iowa, where their uncle lived. They remained with him for a time and then moved to Waseca county, Minnesota, where they worked a farm on the shares for a time. Afterward they came to Freeborn county and also worked at farming on the shares. Finally, they purchased a yoke of oxen and drove to Tumuli township, in Otter Tail county, taking up a homestead near the village of Dalton. There Tollef Nelson farmed until his death.
Tollef and Marit (Larson) Nelson were the parents of twelve chil- dren, four of whom died in infancy: Carrie, who is now Mrs. T. O. Udbye, of Fergus Falls: Nels T., who is a lawyer and editor: Inger, who married P. C. Svensrnd, and lives on a part of the old homestead: Lars. who lives on the homestead in Tumuli township: Martin T., who is the sub- ject of this sketch: Anton, who is a resident of Canada: Thore T., who is a barber in Fergus Falls; and Eline, who married Emil Brusyen.
Martin T. Nelson was reared on the home farm, and after completing
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his education taught school for two years in Norman county and two years in Otter Tail county. Afterward hc engaged in the coal, lime, plaster and cement business and, in 1908, went into the marble and granite business. The title of the firm was originally Partridge & Nelson. This partnership arrangement continued for one year, and afterward Mr. Nelson was alone until 1912, when he took his present partner into the business.
By his marriage to Gena Molden, the daughter of Olie Molden, Martin T. Nelson has one son, Thomas O., who was born on September 27, 1907.
The firm of Nelson & Thoreson has been unusually successful in busi- ness and has succeeded in building up a large trade and a valuable patronage in this community. Much of this success is due to the splendid ability and genial personality of the senior member of the firm, Martin T. Nelson.
LOWELL I. LANGNESS.
Lowell I. Langness, a well-known merchant of Otter Tail county, Min- nesota, who has been engaged in business at Clitherall longer than any other man in the history of the town, was born at Rodness, Smaalennes, Amt, Norway, August 7, 186.1, and is the son of Iver A. and Amelia ( Anderson) Langness. Mr. Langness' father was born in 1829 and his mother in 1826. They were married in Norway, and after their marriage Iver A. Langness came to America and located in Goodhue county, Minnesota, in 1868. Two years later the family came to America, and in 18744 they settled in. Leaf Mountain township, Otter Tail county. Here the father took a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres. He cleared the land and improved it in many ways and lived on this farm until his death. in 1901. His wife died in 1905. They were members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and were among the organizers of the Zoar congregation. They were active in religious work until the time of their deaths. They were the parents of six children, of whom August and Carl are deceased. The living children are : Julius, Lowell I., Alava and Anna.
Lowell I. Langness was educated in Leaf Mountain township and in Nidaros township. He was reared on a farm and lived on the farm until he was twenty-two years old, when he engaged in threshing in this county. After having been engaged in the threshing business for three years Mr. Langness attended the St. Cloud Normal School and the Curtis Business College at Minneapolis. He came to Clitherall in the fall of 1891 and engaged in the grain business as a buyer for the Farmers Elevator Com- pany. Later he built an elevator, but sold out about 1901 and moved to North Dakota, where he took a claim of one hundred and sixty acres. After proving up on the claim he returned to Clitherall, and in the fall of 1905 engaged in the general mercantile business. Mr. Langness owns his own
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