USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 98
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
Nels Christian, father of the subject of this sketch was born in Sweden. His wife Ellen ( Nelson) Christianson, was also a native of that country, where they both lived and died. Mr. Christianson followed the vocation of a miller all his life.
Nels Nelson was united in marriage, June 30, 1894, with Emma Swan- son, who was born on January 1, 1863, in Sweden. This union has been blest with seven children: Ellen, who died when two years of age; Hilma, Ellen, Algot, Hazel, Helmer, who died when three and one-half years old. and Gladys, all of whom became members of the Swedish Lutheran church.
WILSON E. NELSON.
Wilson E. Nelson, farmer and school teacher, Parkers Prairie, Minnes- ota, was born on June 10, 1875, in Parkers Prairie township, Otter Tail county, and is the son of John N. Nelson. His education was obtained in his native township, where he attended the public schools, after which he attended the Moorhead Normal School for one year, graduating at the Val- paraiso Normal College, in 1901. He then entered the Minnesota State University' for one year, and with the exception of three years he has been teaching in Otter Tail county. From 1905 to 1908 he was deputy clerk of
921
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
the court at Fergus Falls, and for the past two years has been teaching the district school near his home, and at the same time managing his farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Eastern township, where he does general farming. Politically, Mr. Nelson votes independently. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
John N. Nelson, father of the subject of this sketch was born on March 22, 1842, in Sweden. His wife was Emma ( Olson) Nelson. They came to America in 1868, stopping the first year in Wisconsin, and coming later, in 1869, to Otter Tail county, where he took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, to which he afterward added forty acres more. His life for many years was one long, hard struggle, success finally crowning his efforts, and became less strenuous for him. He put all the improvements on his place, including good buildings of every necessary description. John N., and Emma (Olson ) Nelson were married May 29, 1865. She was a daugh- ter of Oke and Elizabeth Olson. This union was blest with six children : Ida, Wilson E., Axel, Elsie, Wilhelmina and Julia. John N. Nelson died on July 22, 1905. He was a deacon in the Swedish Lutheran church.
Gustav Nelson, the paternal grandfather, was a native of Sweden, as was also his wife, Martha. He was a farmer, and spent his entire life in his native land.
Wilson E. Nelson was united in marriage, December 25, 1906, with Lillie E. Olson, daughter of A. W. Olson. This marriage has been blest with three children, Ione, Ariel and Eloise. Mr. Nelson has long enjoyed the respect and esteem of a wide range of friends and acquaintances, and is one of the best-known men in school work in Otter Tail county.
CHARLES CHRISTIANSON.
Charles Christianson, farmer, Pelican Rapids, Otter Tail county, was born on February 28, 1874, in the township where he still resides, and is a son of Ole Christianson and Betsey ( Haagenson ) Christianson. His education was obtained at the public schools of Pelican Rapids, remaining on the home place until 1901, when he began farming for himself, at which time he bought a farm of eighty acres in Pelican township, and now follows general farming, managing his father's farm in connection with his own.
Ole Christianson, father of the subject of this sketch was born on December 15, 1842, in Norway, and is a son of Christ Telarson and his wife, Alice ( Olson) Telarson. He was educated at the public schools of his native country, where he was married to Betsey Haagenson, also a native of Norway. He came to the United States in 1865, and located in Fillmore county, Minnesota. In 1870 he took up a homestead in Pelican township, Otter Tail county, where he still resides on his fine farm of one
922
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
hundred and sixty acres, giving his attention to stock raising and general farming. The children born to Ole and Betsey ( Haagenson ) Christianson are as follow: Molly, Charles, Levi, Theodore, Hilda (deceased ), Anton and Oscar. Mrs. Christianson died on January 18, 1913.
Charles Christianson was united in marriage, November 4, 1898, with Sophia Wolbeck, who was born on November 27, 1869. This union has been blest with two children, Oden, born on September 28, 1899, and Bir- della, born on March 30, 1901.
Mr. Christianson is an earnest and attentive member of the Norwegian Lutheran church, to the work of which he contributes liberally. He also gives his unrestricted support to all questions pertaining to the advancement of his township, where he has a large circle of sincere friends.
OLE CHRISTIANSON.
Remaining true to the farming instincts of his ancestors, Mr. Christian- son, whose abilities as an agriculturist have long been recognized in Pelican township, is the possessor of a fine, well-kept farm, and is one of the larg- est stock raisers in that locality.
Ole Christianson, farmer, Pelican township, Otter Tail county, was born on December 15, 1842, in Norway, and is a son of Christ Telarson and Alice ( Olson ) Telarson, his wife. His education was received at the pub- lic schools of Norway, and in 1865 he came to America, locating in Fillmore county, Minnesota, where he spent five years. In 1870, he came to Pelican township, where he took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres. dividing his time and attention between general farming and stock raising. Religiously, Mr. Christianson is an earnest member of the Norwegian Lutheran church.
Christ Telarson, father of the subject of this sketch was born in Nor- way, where he was united in marriage with Alice Olson, also a native of that country. They were farmers in their native land, and came to Amer- ica in 1860, locating in Fillmore county, Minnesota, where they later became the owners of a large farm. They were the parents of seven children, Evan, Ole, Tonetta, Christena, Bernt, Nettie and John.
Ole Christianson was united in marriage with Betsey Haagenson, also a native of Norway. This union has been blest with seven children, Molly, Charles, Levi, Theodore, Hilda ( deceased), Anton and Oscar. Mrs. Christianson died on January 18, 1913.
Mr. Christianson's life work has called for unceasing industry, and dur- ing his residence in Pelican township he has always been regarded as a man of upright principles, combined with broad views, few men in this locality being more favorably known.
923
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
EDWARD VAN ANTWERP.
Distinctly qualified as a man of action and leadership in public affairs, is Edward Van Antwerp, who has attained prestige as one of the repre- sentative members of the bar of his state, where he has been engaged in the practice of his profession for a number of years. The subject of this sketch was born in Cleveland, Minnesota, on the 20th of March, 1876, and is the son of William and Hattie ( Tooker) Van Antwerp. His father was born in Jefferson county, Indiana, and his mother claimed the state of New York as her birthplace. William Van Antwerp is the son of John Van Antwerp, a native of Jersey City, New York, and of Elizabeth (Nycoff) Van Ant- werp, who was born in Jefferson county, Indiana. The origin of the Van Antwerp family in America is traced back to John Van Antwerp, a native of Holland, who came to this country as early as 1754, where he established a shipping yard in Brooklyn, New York.
William Van Antwerp was educated in the public schools of Jefferson county, Indiana, and upon reaching the age of manhood learned the black- smith's trade. He followed this occupation for a short while, when he realized that the work was too confining, and decided to take up farming as a means of regaining his health. He came to Minnesota and finally located in Otter Tail county, Minnesota, in 1900, purchasing a farm in Dora town- ship, where he continues to live. In political affairs, Mr. Van Antwerp supports the principles of the Republican party, and his only son, Edward Van Antwerp, continues to follow the example set by his father, whom he joins in allegiance to the same political party.
Edward Van Antwerp has received the advantages of a liberal educa- tion. His early educational training was received in the public schools of Cleveland, Minnesota. After completing the normal course given in the Gustavus Adolphus College, at St. Peter, Minnesota, he entered the Drake University at Des Moines, Iowa, from which institution he was graduated in 1898. Following an ambition which was to become a student of the law, he entered the St. Paul College of Law at St. Paul, and completed the course there in 1905. Mr. Van Antwerp began the practice of his chosen profession in Dent, Minnesota, and after a short period of residence in that section of the county, left for Brownsville, Texas, where he practiced law for three years. In 1909 he left the South and returned to Dent, where he controls a large and representative law business. Edward Van Antwerp is a man possessing a strong personality, which has won friends in various circles of business life. Outside the compelling duties of the law practice, he has given attention to stock shipping and for a time was engaged in hand- ling merchandise. From 1903 until 1906 he served as postmaster at Dent, but resigned the appointment to go to Brownsville, Texas.
92.4
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
The marriage of Edward Van Antwerp to Jennie Gow was solemnized in 1900, and to this union two children, Gladys and Dorothy, have been born. Mr. and Mrs. Van Antwerp take an active part in the social life of the community in which they live, where Mr. Van Antwerp is affiliated fraternally with the Yeoman's lodge.
ALEXANDER KITTS.
Alexander Kitts, who is now engaged in the real-estate business in Fergus Falls, was born on May 13, 1866, in Davenport, Iowa, and is the son of Thomas Jefferson and Margaret ( Ross) Kitts.
Previous to his coming to Fergus Falls, in 1902, he had been engaged in the lumber business for sixteen years. After coming to Fergus Falls he gradually drifted into the real-estate business, and has been a close student of real-estate systems and methods. The real-estate business he has built up covers a large field and the interests of the enterprise carry him over a large territory, where he has gained the good will of all with whom he has come in contact.
Alexander Kitts married Rowena Hezzelwood, who was born in Ontario, Canada, the daughter of William and Elmina (Foster) Hezzel- wood, members of one of the oldest and most highly respected families of Ontario. To Mr. and Mrs. Kitts have been born four children, Rex H., Ronald, Margaret R. and Mary R.
M. T. McMAHON.
Among the very oldest business men in Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is M. T. McMahon, who has been continuously engaged in the lumber business and in the retail sale of building materials for the past thirty-three years. He is a man who has taken a prominent part in the political life of Fergus Falls and community and has served as mayor, alder- man and as member of the school board. He is also prominent in Masonic circles in this part of the state.
Mr. McMahon is a native of Rutland, Vermont, and is the son of Thomas and Margaret (Caffrey) McMahon, who were natives of Ireland. Thomas McMahon came alone to America when sixteen years old. Having begun when a young man to fortify himself for the battles of life, he devel- oped and cultivated habits of industry and economy which crystalized into a very large measure of success. In his early life he was a well-to-do far- mer, but after his marriage removed to Castleton, Vermont. Subsequently. he removed to Rutland, where he continued as a farmer.
M. T. McMahon was born and reared on the farm and grew to man-
925
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
hood in the wholesome, inspiring freedom of the farm. After he had reached maturity, he took up railroading and finally became a locomotive engineer. In 1882 Mr. McMahon came to Fergus Falls and in partnership with John S. Billings engaged in the retail lumber business. Mr. McMahon continued in partnership with Mr. Billings until the latter was elected sher- iff of Otter Tail county in 1891. Since 1891 Mr. McMahon has had sole charge of the business and is the sole owner. He has always taken an active interest in the welfare of his adopted home, and has served it as mayor, alderman and as member of the school board, the latter position for a period of twenty-one years. He is prominent in the financial circles of Fergus Falls and vicinity, being a director of the Fergus Falls National Bank and vice-president of the Fergus Falls Casket Works.
By his marriage to Ann Mars there were born two children, namely : Royal, deceased, and Lynnford, who married Charles Kiplinger, of Free- port, Illinois. Mrs. McMahon died on July 16, 1900, and some years after her death Mr. McMahon was married to Minnie Ramsey, a native of the state of Pennsylvania.
Having joined the Masonic fraternity at Rutland, Vermont, Mr. Mc- Mahon later demitted to Corner Stone Lodge of Fergus Falls. He is a member of the York Rite Masons and also of the Ancient Accepted Scot- tish Rite Masons.
HERMAN KRUEGER.
The story of an obscure beginning to a triumphant end is that of the life of Herman Krueger, now the mayor of Perham, who at the age of fourteen years landed in America, alone and practically without prospects of finding business employment. The subject of this biographical sketch was born on the 4th of February. 1877, in Germany, and is the son of Carl and Amelia (Scholtz) Krueger, both of whom were born in Germany, where the father followed the occupation of a farmer during his life.
The early education of Herman Krueger was obtained in the schools of his native land, where he attended from the age of six to fourteen years. At the age of fourteen he crossed the Atlantic, and upon landing in this country came directly to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he found employment in Hobart township. He worked in this community from 1891 to 1898, when he came to Perham and purchased the dray business con- trolled by A. T. Newmann. Since that time he has found this line of work especially profitable. The subject of this sketch has been agent for the Standard Oil Company since 1898.
Aside from the immediate affairs of business, Mr. Krueger has always taken part in local politics, where he is a prominent figure in Republican
926
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
circles. His ability has been recognized and as a consequence he has served in many offices of public trust. He was a member of the city council for three years and has served as mayor of Perham since the election in 1913.
The marriage of Herman Krueger to Louisa Kiverbs, the daughter of Earnest Kiverbs, was solemnized in 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Krueger have become the parents of the following children: Minnie, who is deceased; George, Louisa, Otto, Henry and Edna. Mr. Krueger occupies a prominent place in the fraternal affairs of the community in which he lives and holds membership in the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, the Modern Woodmen and the Workman's lodge.
JOSEPH BAUER.
Among the prominent industries of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, is the heating, ventilating, plumbing and sheet metal industry of which Joseph Bauer, a well-known resident of this city, is the proprietor. Mr. Bauer was born on February 9, 1869, in Lower Austria, eight miles from Vienna, and is the son of Carl and Anne ( Dorn) Bauer. Mr. Bauer's father was a farmer while he lived in his native land, but, after emigrating with his fam- ily to America in 1879, he worked for the Great Northern Railway Com- pany, in Fergus Falls, Barnesville and at Devils Lake. He lived at Devils Lake until his death in 1910. His wife died three years later, in 1913.
To Mr. and Mrs. Carl Bauer were born ten sons and three daughters, all of whom are living. Joseph Bauer, the subject of this sketch, received his early education in the public schools of Austria and, after coming to Fergus Falls, Minnesota, attended the night school in order to become con- versant with the language and trade customs. He then worked for four years in the hardware store owned by M. Frankoviz, when he moved to Barnesville, Minnesota, and there learned the copper-smith's trade, working at the trade for two years. Subsequently, Mr. Bauer moved to Duluth, where he entered the employ of the Marshall-Well Hardware Company, working in the tin and sheet iron department. In Duluth, Mr. Bauer joined the Duluth band, well known for their splendid music and played the cornet and solo alto. He traveled with the band on their tour of the United States, and visited all of the large cities. After a period of three and one-half years in Duluth, Mr. Bauer returned to Fergus Falls and was employed by Howe brothers until they sold out.
Mr. Bauer then purchased the Lepper and Spikerman business, at which time Mr. Lepper and Mr. Bauer engaged in the hardware business, which they have conducted successfully for the past seven years. Finally, how- ever, Doctor Metcalf became Mr. Bauer's partner in the hardware business under the firm name of Joseph Bauer & Company. At the end of eight
927
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
months they sold out to A. E. Luedke. Mr. Bauer then engaged in business on his own account, beginning in cornice and metal work, to which he has since added heating and ventilating, plumbing, etc., and in which he has been most successful.
Joseph Bauer was married to Berth Babst, a native of Wisconsin, who was born in November. 1877, and they are the parents of eleven children, as follow : Adelia L., Edwin C., Madeline, Alden J., Marie, Florian, Laur- ence, Helen, Rose, Loraine F. and Retta.
Mr. Bauer is a man of great musical talent and has sung in the choirs of various churches since he was sixteen years old. Fraternally, he is chief ranger of the Catholic Order of Foresters. The Bauer family are prom- inent members of the Catholic church of Fergus Falls.
JOHN SABBIN.
One of the citizens of Dora township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, known not only for his success as a farmer, but for his activity as a citizen serving in public office, is John Sabbin, who was born in Erie county, New York, on September 15. 1856, a son of John and Martha Sabbin, the former a native of Germany.
John Sabbin, Sr., came to America when a young man and located in Erie county, New York, where he lived until 1872 and then moved to Car- ver county, Minnesota. There he lived as a farmer for three years and then came to Otter Tail county in 1875, locating in Effington township, where he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land which he cultivated as a general farmer for the remainder of his days. John and Martha Sabbin were the parents of six children: Fred, John, Mary, Frank, Caroline and Katherine. The elder Sabbin and his wife were active members and work- ers of the German Lutheran church.
John Sabbin was educated in the public schools of Erie county, New York, after which he became a farmer engaging in this work near the home place. In 1872, with his father, Mr. Sabbin moved to Carver county, Min- nesota, where he remained until 1878 and then came to Dora township, Otter Tail county, and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 22. On this land John Sabbin placed the necessary improvements, thoroughly equipped his farm and his since been successfully engaged in general farming and the raising of good grade live stock.
During the year 1881 John Sabbin was married to Hulda Iloffman, who was born in Germany on January 22, 1862, and to this marriage have been born eight children: Minnie, Emma, Gottlieb, Elma, Katheryn, John, Ella and Fred. Mr. and Mrs. Sabbin are active members of the German Lutheran church in this community and are highly respected people of this
928
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
influential congregation, Mr. Sabbin now occupying the office as one of the trustees of this church.
John Sabbin has taken his place in the official life of Dora township, by serving with his usual ableness as a township supervisor for three years, and is a man who is known to be willing to give of his time and effort for the promotion of community affairs at all times.
EDWARD S. LAMSON.
The president of the Lamson-Gray Company, a well-known firm of general contractors of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, is Edward S. Lamson, who came with his parents to Carlisle, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, in 1881, and who has spent most of his life in this great county. Mr. Lamson was formerly a teacher in the public schools of Otter Tail county.
Edward S. Lamson was born on October 27, 1868, near Chatham, Columbia county, New York, a son of Marcus I. and Mary E. (Spencer ) Lamson, the former of whom was born at Mt. Washington, Massachusetts, and was reared in the Bay state. After reaching manhood, Marcus I. Lam- son moved about from place to place, living for a time in Columbia county, New York, and then in Sheffield, Connecticut. He also lived for a time in Barkhamstead, Connecticut. In 1881 the family moved to Carlisle, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and it was in this county that Edward S. Lamson attended school, and there the family lived for seven years, or until 1888, when they returned to New York state and located at Spencertown. While living in the latter place Edward S. attended the State Normal School at Albany, New York. His father remained in New York state about a year and one-half, but on March 24, 1889, removed to Great Falls, Montana, where his death occurred the following September. His remains were bur- ied in the cemetery at Great Falls.
In 1890 Edward S. Lamson and his mother came to Fergus Falls, where Mr. Lamson taught school for five years. Mr. Lamson's ambition was to attend the University of Minnesota, but while a student in the high school he saw an opportunity to engage in business. He purchased a store, and after converting it into a grocery, operated it for seven years, when he disposed of it. The store was located where the Manhattan building now stands in Fergus Falls. Mr. Lamson then engaged in the carpenter's trade and contracting work, having previously learned the trade while living in Great Falls, Montana.
On January 10, 1913, the Lamson-Gray concern was incorporated with Mr. Lamson as president and Frank H. Gray as secretary.
On the 15th of August, 1900, Edward S. Lamson was married to Maud D. Libby, the daughter of Charles H. Libby and Mary J. ( McKen-
929
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
ney ) Libby. In 1912 Edward S. Lamson was elected a member of the Fergus Falls city council. He is a man of wide intelligence, naturally shrewd, energetic and far-sighted in business matters. A profound thinker and a wide reader, he keeps abreast of the times and is a student of every- thing to which he turns his attention.
CHARLES HANSON.
For more than seventeen years the street commissioner of Fergus Falls, Charles Hanson, a well-known resident of Otter Tail county, is respected by the people of this enterprising seat of county government for his long and efficient service.
Mr. Hanson was born on January 31, 1854, and is the son of Berger and Martha (Saunderson ) Hanson. Mr. Hanson came to America by way of Quebec, Canada, when he was still a young man. After landing at Windom, Cottonwood county, Minnesota. he worked on the construction of the railroad through that place for a few months and then came to Carlisle, Otter Tail county, where he was engaged in the same work for a period of eighteen months.
In 1883 Mr. Hanson removed to Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and assisted in laying pipes for the waterworks during the next three or four years. For two years he served in the capacity of steam-fitter, and shortly after- ward worked for the city as street commissioner, an office which he is still holding and which he has held now for a period of nearly eighteen years.
By Charles Hanson's marriage to Mathea Storffh, a native of Norway, four children have been born, namely: Martin B., who was born in 1885, married Marion Baglo and they have one daughter, Margaret; Edwin, who married Ann Longfeld, is the father of one child, Ardia E .; Henry is the agent for a railroad in North Dakota, and Mabel lives at home with her parents. Fraternally, Mr. Hanson is a member of the Modern Samaritans and the Sons of Norway.
HOMER CASSIUS COOK.
Homer Cassius Cook, one of the prominent residents of Otter Tail county, was a native of Ohio, having been born near Columbus; December 27, 1839, the son of Ambrose and Eliza ( Hesser ) Cook, the former of whom was born in Vermont in. 1809 and the latter in Pennsylvania in 1812. They settled near Columbus, and later, in 1855 moved to Iowa, where Ambrose Cook died, at Elkader, Iowa, in 1884. Mrs. Cook survived her husband some years, having died in Huron, South Dakota, April 19, 1903.
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.