USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice County, including explorers and pioneers of Minnesota and outline history of the state of Minnesota > Part 82
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 | Part 108
DISTRICT No. 43 .- In 1859, this district was
459
WHEELING TOWNSHIP.
organized, and the first schoolhouse built of logs on section eleven. This house was used until 1871, when the present house was built at a cost of $800. It is a nice frame house, located where the old one stood. Miss Fannie Thorpe and Halver Kvi were teachers at an early day.
DISTRICT No. 27 .- In 1857, this district came to existence, the first meeting being at the house of George Fisher. In the spring of that year a honse was built on section seventeen, and in the fall of 1867, a new house was built on the same spot; E. S. Semons was the first teacher in the new house.
DISTRICT No. 41. - At an early day this house was built in the newly organized district, and was placed on section four where it still stands but ere long must be replaced by a new one.
DISTRICT No. 5 .- In 1861, this was called into being as a separate district and the same year a tidy little frame building was constructed ou sec- tion twenty-six. The school here is usually in the winter, as the residents being Germans send their children for six months each year to a denomina- tional school.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
HENRY ACHTERKIRCH, a native of Germany, was born on the 19th of November, 1837, attended school in his native country until sixteen years of age, then emigrated to America, remained three months in New York and came to Cook county, Illinois, where he had an aunt. In 1857, after farming in the latter county, he went to the southern part of the State and on to Tennessee where he visited his uncle, then went to Missouri in search of land, but soon returned to Illinois. In 1860, he came to Minnesota and secured a farm in Wheeling township on section twenty-one, but engaged in farming for Henry Grote to obtain money to improve his own land. On the 16th of August, 1862, he enlisted in the Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company B .; was with Sul- ly's expedition up the Yellowstone, then ordered south in 1864, and participated in the battle of Murfreesborough; was ordered to Washington and thence to Goldsboro, where they met Sherman, going by way of Fort Fisher and Moorhead City. He was honorably discharged on the 11th of July, 1865, and returned to his farm. Ou the 6th of May, 1866, Miss Louise Lindermann became his wife. The union has been blessed with seven children; Charles W., Minnie, Emma, Eddie, who
died in 1876, three years of age; Benedict, who died in infancy; August, and Annie.
SYVER ASLAKSON, one of the pioneers of Min- nesota, was born in Norway in March, 1830, where he attended school and worked on a farm. In 1850, he married Miss Margaret Olson, and the same year emigrated to America, landed at New York, and went to Rock county, Wisconsin, by the way of Albany, Buffalo, and the great lakes. In 1853, he came to Minnesota, settled in Houston county and staked a claim, and three years later sold out and came to Rice county. taking a claim in Wheeling, section ten. He has a good house and numerous outbuildings. He is the father of seven children; Aslak, Ole, Kirstina, Lewis, Thomas, Sever, and John. Aslak was married to Miss Ingebor N. O. Stoandemo in 1877,and moved to Stearns county in the spring of the following year, engaged in farming. Kirstina was married to Mr. J. J. Johnson in the spring of 1880; they own a farm in this township in section four,
REV. JOHN D. BERGES was born in Prussia on the 28th of January, 1838, and reared on a farm. In 1854, he came to America, landed at New Orleans and went directly to Missouri, where he was engaged in farming two years, then came to Iowa and made his home in Burlington until 1860, He then returned to Missouri and entered the Theological Seminary, studied there six years, when he was ordained as a minsster at Evansville, Indiana. He was immediately sent to Ohio, where he had charge of two societies, one in Stark and one in Tuscarawas county. In two years he re- moved to Washington county, Wisconsin, and three years later to Primrose, Lee county, Iowa, where he remained four years, then came to Wheeling, where he now resides, having charge of the Ger- man United Evangelical church and the school connected with it. He married in 1867, Miss Elise Moery, who bore him one child, Lydia, and died in 1868. The next year Elizabeth Guth became his wife. She bore him one child, Herman Lorenzo, who died on the 14th of September, 1870. seven months old, and the mother died the same day, aged nineteen years. In 1871, he mar- ried Miss Wilhelmina Guth, who has borne him five children; Elizabeth, Lorenz, John, Edward, and Annie.
MARK BOSSHART, deceased, one of the pioneers of Rice county, was born in Switzerland in 1807. He was married in 1832, to Miss Regula Ludwig.
460
HISTORY OF RICE COUNTY.
He engaged in working in a machine shop until 1857, when he purchased a farm. He emigrated to America in 1856, landed at New York, came di- rectly to this county and took land in Wheeling on section twenty-two, and lived there until 1868, then resided with his son until his death. He was the father of two children; Elizabeth, born in 1833, who married Henry Lips and died in 1871; and Jacob. The father died in 1872, and the mother in 1875.
JACOB J. BOSSHART, son of Mark Bosshart, was also born in Switzerland in 1835, and reared on a farm. In 1853, he came to America, lauded at New York, then went to Philadelphia, remaining four weeks, then to Du Page county, Illinois, and two months and a half later to Galena, where he engaged as fireman of a steamer on the Missis- sippi River. In the fall of 1853, he went to work in the pineries in Wisconsin, and in the spring came to Burlington, Iowa, with a raft, and soon after removed to Highland, Madison county, Illi- nois, then to Cairo and thence to St. Louis, where he remained about eight weeks. He then went up the Missouri to St. Jo, Kansas City, and Fort Atkinson, Iowa. Early in the spring of 1855, he set out on foot and came to about eighty miles west of Mankato, then returned to Iowa, passing Rice county in June. In July of the same year he came again to this county and staked a claim in Wheeling on section twenty-seven, where he still resides. The next year he went to New York to meet his parents, who returned with him. In 1860, he married Miss Sophia Helberg, and they have eight children; Anna, Herman, Mary, Sophia, William, Henry, Frank, and John. He first built a log house, which was burned in 1857 by a prairie fire, then erected another log struc- ture, and in 1867 their present frame house. In 1875, he built a barn, 40x60 feet, with a stone basement.
EVER H. BONDE, deceased, was born in Nor- way, in December, 1800, and reared on a farmi. He was united in marriage in 1835, with Miss Berret Bonde. They were blessed with five chil- dren, two of whom are living; Tosten and Halver. In 1849, Mr. Bonde emigrated to America, landed at Quebec and came directly to Wisconsin, settling in Port Washington, where he remained until the spring of 1854, then to Winnesheik county, Iowa, and from there to Rice county, where he took land. He improved the land and built a log house in
which he lived until his death, which occurred in 1875. His wife died two years later, seventy- five years of age. Their oldest son, Tosten, was born in Norway, on the 12th of January, 1843, came to America with his parents and made his home with them. He was married in April, 1867, to Miss Ingebor Oleson. They have been blessed with seven children; Edward, who died the 5th of April, 1882, fourteen years and three months old; Thomas, who died in 1870, two years old; Thomas, Barnard, Oscar, who died on the 28th of March, 1882, five years of age; Annie, and Albert, who died on the 5th of April, 1882, one year old. Mr. Bonde now occupies the old homestead. In 1870, he built a barn 35x57 feet, and in 1875, he erected the stone house in which they now live. He has been elected to offices of trust in the town, and is Justice of the Peace at present. His brother, Halver, lives in Swift county.
CHRISTIAN DEIKE was born in Germany on the 13th of December, 1834. He attended school and worked on a farm and when twenty years old en- listed in the German army and served three years. In 1858, he emigrated to America, landed in New York on the 29th of May and came directly to Cook county, Illinois, where he engaged in farm- ing. In the fall of 1859, he came to Minnesota, bought land in Wheeling, section thirty-two, and has since improved it. He married in 1864, Miss Friederike Grote. In 1863, he built a frame house, and in 1876 built the brick residence in which he now lives. In 1875, he erected a barn 40x60 feet with a stone basement. Mr. Deike has been Town Treasurer, is Chairman of the board of Super- visors and is serving his second term as County Commissioner. He is Director and President of the Wheeling Mutual Fire Insurance Company and Treasurer and Secretary of the German church.
WILHELM FRIEDRICH was born in Germany on the 21st of June, 1821, and commenced to learn the carpenter trade when sixteen years old. On the 19th of January, 1849, he married Miss Augusta Grose. In 1854, they emigrated to America landed at Quebec, came directly to Chi- cago, and in four weeks went west thirty miles, where he engaged at his trade until 1856, then came to this county and took land in Wheeling, section twenty-eight, where they still reside. He first built a small frame house and in 1875 built their present larger one. Mr. and Mrs. Friedrich have had ten children; Pauline, Emil, Augusta,
461
WHEELING TOWNSHIP.
August, Minnie, Bertha, Louise, Emily, William, and Gustave.
HENRY GROTE, Sr., was born in Germany on the 22d of June, 1812, attended school and worked on a farm. He was united in marriage on the 26th of September, 1847, with Miss Fredrica Abolman, and three years later they emigrated to America, landed at New York and came directly to Illinois where he had a brother. He made his home there nntil the fall of 1854, then came to Minnesota and located a claim in Wheeling, section seventeen. He spent the winter with Henry Bultman and in the spring built a log house in which they lived until 1870, when he erected his present brick house. His wife died on the 3d of June, 1880, leaving three children; Henry W., Mary, and Caroline. Their only son, Henry W., was born in Cook county, Illinois, on the 27th of January, 1851. He has attended both German and English schools and was confirmed on the 23d of April, 1865. On the 13th of April, 1874, Miss Augusta Budde be- came his wife. They had one child, T. C. H. Wil- liam. Mrs. Grote died on the 28th of February, 1875. In 1876, he married Miss Mary E. T. Rieman, and they have had five children four of whom are living; Minnie, Henry, Annie, aud Louise. He now owns his father's farm and the latter still lives with his son.
AUGUST HANSING, son of Ludwig Hansing, was born in Illinois, on the 8th of February, 1855. When three years of age he removed with his parents to Minnesota where he has been reared to agricultural pursuits, meanwhile attending both German and English schools. His father died in 1876, leaving August the farm. In 1879, he mar- ried Lizzie Barnstadt, and in 1880, built his preseut frame house.
HENRY N. HEGNES was born in Norway on the 4th of July, 1857, and when sixteen years of age commenced to learn the blacksmith trade, at which he worked two years, then came to America. He landed at Quebec, went to Goodhue county and engaged in blacksmithing three years, then clerked for a time and afterward purchased a half interest in a store with A. H. Brokke in Wheeling. The latter sold to Osmund Osmundson and they still continue in the business, carrying a large stock of general merchandise. Mr. Hegnes is Postmaster of Nerstand Post-office. He married in 1878, Miss Eliza Rothi, who has borne him three chil- dren; Nils, Helmar, and Oscar.
LEWIS HELBERG, deceased, one of the pioneers of Rice county, was born in Germany on the 11th of February, 1829, and reared on a farm. In 1847, he came with his parents to America, landed at Quebec and came directly to Chicago, working on a farm in that vicinity uniil 1852, when he en- gaged in draying two years, then came to Minne- sota. He went to Mankato and St. Peter, made a claim in that locality, and returned to Chicago for a team and two cows; then, in company with four others, came again to Minnesota. Ou reach- ing Wheeling, in this county, they were unable to drive further, the musquitoes were so numerous, and consequently settled here. Mr. Helberg was married in 1855, to Miss Wilhelmina Myer, the ceremony being the first performed in the town- ship. The union was blessed with eight children; Caroline, Sophia, Bertha, John, William, Emma, Anna,and Ernestine. He staked out a claim in sec- tion twenty-one and erected the first house in the place, and in 1863, built a frame residence in which he lived until his death in August, 1879. Mr. Helberg was an honest and upright citizen, and held a number of town offices, being the first tax collector.
FRIEDRICH HELBERG, a native of Germany, was born on the 5th of February, 1824, and in 1846, emigrated to America. He lauded in New York and went to Chicago, where he worked on a farm. In 1853, he married Miss Caroline Meese, . and two years later they came to Minnesota and settled in Wheeling, taking a claim in section nine, and then bought land in section twenty- eight, built a log house in which he lived five years, then built a frame house, and in 1877, erected their present brick dwelling. Mr. and Mrs. Helberg were blessed with eleven children, but three of whom are living; Herman, Sophia, and Mary. Louise died on the 5th of January, 1861, two years old; Franz F. on the 13th of August, 1862, two years old; Henry, on the 30th of No- vember, 1864, aged eight years; Frederick F., on the 14th of December, 1864, at the age of nine years and ten months; Charles, on the 24th of De- cember, 1864, four years old; Caroline, on the 7th of Jannary, 1865, when twelve years old; Ludwig,on the 21st of May, 1863, at the age of two years, and Wilhelmina, on the 19th of August, 1870, at the age of eleven months.
HENRY C. KOLLING, one of the pioneers of Rice county, was born in Germany on the 14th of
462
HISTORY OF RICE COUNTY.
April, 1821, and attended school in his native country. In 1845, he emigrated to America, came to Ilinois and made his home in Cook county until the fall of 1854, then came to this county and staked out a claim in section twenty- one, Wheeling township. In 1855,he put in his first crop, a few acres of oats and corn, and the next year put in ten acres of wheat. He threshed it by hand and carried it to market in Hastings, a distance of forty miles. In 1855, he built a log house 16x22, and ten years later built their pres- ent frame house. In 1869, he erected a barn 40x58, with an addition 30x30. Mr. Kolling has been repeatedly elected to local offices, and is the present Town Clerk.
JOHN A. MATHER, deceased, was born in Frank- lin county, Massachusetts, in July, 1822, reared on a farm and learned the carpenter's trade. He was married in 1847, to Miss Mary E. Bedient, a native of New York. In 1848, he came to Wis- consin and took a timber claim in Waushara county ; soon sold that, however, and purchased on Burr Oak Prairie, where he lived until 1857, then removed to Minnesota and settled in Richland, Rice county, taking land on section twenty-six. He improved the land, built a log house and lived there until 1865, when he sold, and bought a farm on section twenty-seven, in this township. They lived in a log house till 1871, when Mr. Mather erected a frame house which sheltered bim until his death on the 7th of March, 1875. He had a . family of five children, three of whom are living. He was one of the first Board of Supervisors. His widow now resides with her son, John H. The eldest son, James S., was born in Wisconsin, on the 8th of January, 1852, and came to Minne- sota with his parents. In 1872, he bought a farm in section twenty-two. The following year, Miss Emma Fanning became his wife, and has borne him three children. In 1875, he lost his house by fire, and immediately built their pres- ent residence. He is engaged in stock raising and dairying. Mr. Mather has been elected to a number of local offices, and is the present town Treasurer.
ERNST MEESE, a native of Illinois, was born in Cook county, on the 4th of February, 1846, and received his education in the district school. In 1865, he came to Minnesota, lived two years on a farm of his brother's, then located on his present place. On the 17th of May, 1867, Miss Louise
Rodewall became his wife. Their children are; Mena, Sophia, Caroline, Ida, Lizzie. Margaret- George, Annie, and Birdie. In 1876, he built the house in which he now lives, and the next year built a barn.
PETER H. ODEGARD, generally known as Peter H. Halverson, was born in Norway ou the 7th of May, 1837, and when thirteen years old emigrated with his parents to America. They went to Green county, Wisconsin by way of Albany, Buffalo, and the great lakes. Peter remained there but a short time, going to Illinois, where he engaged in farming one year, then returned to Wisconsin. In 1854, he removed with his parents to Minne- sota, and four years later settled on school land in section thirty-six in Wheeling. On the 16th of July, 1867, he married Miss Guro Allen, who has borne him eight children, four of them now living. He first built a log house, and in 1876, built their present brick house. His farm is supplied with good out buildings.
HON. OSMUND OSMUNDSON was born in Norway, near the city of Stavanger, on the 7th of March, 1826. He attended school in his younger days, afterward engaged at the carpenter trade, then was on the sea five years. In 1850, he emigrated to America, landing in New York on the 29th of June, then went by steamer to Albany, from there on the Erie canal to Buffalo, and thence by steamer to Milwaukee. He was in Rock county one year, then went to Walworth county and from there, in 1853, to California where he engaged in mining in Nevada county three years then returned to Wis- consin and thence, in the fall of 1856, to Minne- sota. He was married in 1857, to Miss Ann Benson, the ceremony taking place in Houston county. Mr. Osmundson settled in Wheeling, taking land on section fourteen and has since bought two hundred and forty acres in section eleven. He lived in a log cabin until 1861, then built a frame house and in 1880, erected his present brick house. Mr. and Mrs. Osmundson have had eight children; Andrew Bernhart, Albert Oscar, Samuel Milton, John Gabriel, Russell Edward, Esther Hebine, Ambrosia Sophia, and Andrew Bernhart, who was born in May, 1858, and died on the 6th of December, 1874, while attending the Lutheran College at Decorah, Iowa. Mrs. Osmundson died on the 26tlı of April, 1882. Mr. Osmundson has filled a num- ber of local offices, has served as County Commis- sioner and two terms in the State Legislature.
463
WHEELING TOWNSHIP.
HANS H. RINDE, a native of Norway, was born on the 6th of April, 1829, and attended school until fifteen years old, then was employed on a farm. In 1853, he married Miss Rosa Nilson and the same year they came to America, landed at New York and came directly to Dane county, Wis- consin, where they remained until 1855, then, in company with four other families, came with an ox team to Minnesota. He settled in Wheeling, staked out a claim in section two, built a log house and in 1862, erected their present frame house. In 1864, he enlisted in the Fourth Minnesota Infantry, Company H, went south and joined Sherman at Atlanta and was with him in his famous march to the sea. He was discharged at Louisville, Ken- tucky, in July, 1865, and then returned to his farm. He has purchased more land and now has a fine farm of four hundred acres. Mr. and Mrs. Rinde have been blessed with ten children; Henry, Nils, Ole, Theodore, Anna, Ellie, Inger, Helena, Johanna, and Genie.
OLE SHERVEN was born in Norway on the 26th of July, 1831. He went to school and worked on a farm in his native country. In 1850, he emi- grated to America, landed at New York, then went to Albany, thence to Buffalo, and thence to Milwaukee by way of the great lakes. He remained three weeks in Dane county, Wis- consin, then with oxen drove to Winneshiek county, Iowa, took land, built a log house and remained there five years. He was married in 1853, to Miss Inger Thoeson. He came to Rice county, Minnesota, and settled in Wheeling, sec- tion eighteen, where he still resides. He built a log house in which he lived seven years then erected their present frame house and in 1878, he built a barn 40x64 feet with a stone basement, and in 1881, a granary 20x30 with an addition 12x20. Mr. and Mrs. Sherven were blessed with eight children, five of whom are living; Oliver, Theo- dore, Andrew, John, and Edward. Mrs. Sherven died in 1870, thirty-eight years of age. In 1876, he married Miss Maria Erickson and they have one child, Julius. Mr. Sherven has held a number of local offices and was the first Assessor of the town.
HANS O. STENBAKKEN, one of the pioneers of Rice county, was born in Norway, in June, 1825, attended school for a time and subsequently eu- gaged in herding cattle. In 1846, he married Miss Carrie Erickson, who bore him six children, five of them now living; Ragnil, Ole, Erick, Thor, and
Gunnild. In 1854, they came to America, lauded in Quebec and came directly to Rock county, Wis- consin, where he engaged in farming. In the spring of 1856, he came to Wheeling and staked out a claim in section twelve, built a small log house which was plastered with clay, then built a larger one, and in 1871, erected a frame house. His wife died on the 28th of May, 1862, and two years later Miss Mary Olson became his wife. His son Erick occupies one farm, and his youngest son an- other on section four, while Hans expects to spend the remainder of his life with his son, Ole, on the old homestead.
OLE H. STENBAKKEN was born in Norway on the 17th of December, 1848. When six years old he came with his parents to America, landed at Que- bec and came directly to Rock county, Wisconsin, where he remeined two years, and came to Rice county, Minnesota, settling in Wheeling. His father pre-empted land in section twelve at the same time. Ole was united in marriage on the 13th of December, 1875, with Miss Berget H. Rank. They have been blessed with three chil- dren; Kari Maria, Hannah Sophia, and Gena Karina. He bought his father's farm upon which he now resides. He is serving his third term as a member of the board of Supervisors.
ERICK H. STENBAKKEN was born in Norway on " the 16th of October, 1851, and three years later came with his parents to America. They settled in Rock county, Wisconsin, and in 1856, came to Minnesota and located in Wheeling. Erick at- tended the district school and went one term to St. Olaf's College in Northfield and has since de- voted his hime to farming. In 1880, he married Miss Randi Halverson, who has borne him one child, Hans Christian. He has a farm in sections twelve aud thirteen. On the twenty-fourth annivers- ary of his birth he met with a sad accident, having his right hand ernshed in a threshing machine so badly as to necessitate amputation.
JOHN THOMPSON was born in Norway in 1821, and reared on a farm. He was married in 1846, 1:is bride being Miss Julia Benson. In 1848, they came to America, landed at New York and went to Milwaukee by the way of Albany, Buffalo, and the great lakes, from thence to Rock county, Wis- consin, and in 1856, removed to Rice county, Minnesota, and located in Wheeling, section two. He first built a log house and in 1863, erected his present frame house. They were blessed with ten
464
HISTORY OF RICE COUNTY.
children, only one of whom is living, Julia. Eight of the children died in infancy, and Theodore when about seven years of age.
T. A. VEBLEN, a native of Norway, was born on the 2d of October, 1818. He attended school, worked on a farm, and was employed at the car- penter trade in his native place. In 1846, he was united in marriage with Miss Kari Bundy. In 1847, they emigrated to America, landed at Que- bec, came directly to Port Washington, Wisconsin, and remained there one year, then removed to Sheboygan, and six years later to Mount Vernon. In 1866, he came to Minnesota, located in this county and bought land in Wheeling, section
twelve, erecting the frame house in which they now live, the second year. In 1872, he built a barn 48x62. Mr. and Mrs. Veblen have been blessed with twelve children, nine of whom are living; Andrew, Betsey E., Austin A., Tosten, Inger, Mary, Thomas, Edward, and Hannah. Mr. Veblen has always taken a great interest in education. Andrew, Tosten, and Inger are graduates of Carle- ton College at Northfield. Andrew is now attend- ing the University at Baltimore, and Tosten is at Yale College in New Haven; Thomas and Austin have both attended Carleton College, the former being obliged to leave on account of poor health, while Austin is engaged in mercantile pursuits at Blooming Prairie, Steele county.
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.