USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 28
USA > Minnesota > Steele County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 28
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Harry W. Stout was born in Kasson, Minn., October 1, 1881, and received his early education in the neighborhood schools and in the Kasson high school. This he supplemented with a course in the Mankato Commercial College. In 1901 he came to Owatonna, and for two years worked for the Owatonna Hotel Company, winning many friends. In 1903, seeing a good busi- ness opening, he purchased the cigar stand and tobacco house of C. W. Zochrlout. In this business he has since continued, the place having increased rapidly in popularity and volume of trade. Mr. Stout keeps everything found in an up-to-date store of this kind, and caters to the most fastidious tastes. Aside from his
C. J. SERVATIUS
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case trade, he does a large wholesale, jobbing and manufacturing business. In the manufacturing line, he makes a specialty of La Pelata, a clear Havana, which has met with much favor from discriminating smokers. The Force, a popular five-cent cigar, has also met with wide sales. The output of the cigar-making department of the establishment is about 300,000 cigars annually. Mr. Stout is a self-made man, and has made all he possesses by his own effort. That he has succeeded in life is testified by his constantly filled tobacco house and his large amount of orders. Although not an active politician, he is a stanch Republican in politics. Being of a fraternal nature, he has affiliated himself with the Knights of Pythias and the Union Commercial Trav- elers. June 9, 1909, Mr. Stout allied himself with Louise C. Rasskopf, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. R. Rasskopf, of Owa- tonna. The family residence is at 362 East Main street. John L. and Jennie (Hemingway) Stout, parents of Harry W. Stout, came from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin, and in 1870 located in Dodge county, where the father engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in the village of Kasson. In 1903 they removed to Kentry, Kan. John L. Stout is now practically retired, but still looks after his extensive real-estate interests.
Charles J. Servatius was born in Faribault, Rice county. Minn., on Christmas day, 1868, a son of Henry and Margaret (Mayer) Servatius, natives of Austria, who came to America as children, the father locating first in McHenry county, Illinois, engaging in farming. In 1856 they came to Minnesota and a short time after reaching the state settled in Rice county, farming until 1878, when they moved to Owatonna and took up the busi- ness of market gardening, which vocation he followed until his death, on April 11, 1885. The mother is still living with her son. Charles received his education at the Sacred Heart Acad- emy of Owatonna. After leaving school, he commenced work for himself and filled various positions of trust until 1904, when he was elected city clerk of Owatonna. He has been elected every year since and still holds the office. His political affilia- tions are with the Democratic party, and in his religious belief he is a Catholic. Ile has been secretary of the Commercial Club for the past four years, has been a member of the Owatonna fire department for over nineteen years, and has served as secretary of the department for the past twelve years. Ile has been con- nected with the management of the Metropolitan Opera House for the past nine years, is now its active manager and has been for the past four years. Mr. Servatius is one of the enterprising young men of Owatonna, and is interested in all that pertains to the best interests of the city and county. He lives at his pleasant
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home on South Oak street, with his aged mother, and enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know him.
Herman Schmidt, a prosperous real-estate dealer of Owa- tonna, was born in Germany, July 27, 1838, son of August and Augusta (Frank) Schmidt, natives of Prussia. The father, who was a school teacher all his life, died September 17. 1862. The mother passed away December 23, 1880. Herman received his early education in the public schools of Prussia. Leaving school, he took up the mercantile business, which he followed until 1859. At this time he entered the military service, in which he remained two years and eleven months. He then clerked in a store for some time, and in 1864, when the war with Denmark broke out, he was again called to serve his country. He was discharged from service with honor the same year. At this time he obtained a pass from his government and emigrated to America, locating in New York City, where he remained for a short period. IIe entered the service of the United States during the time of the Civil War, being enlisted three years in the Army of the Poto- mac, Company C, Fourth Regiment New Jersey Volunteer In- fantry, of the Sixth Corps. He was discharged with honor July 16, 1865, at Hall's Hill, Va. After being discharged from the army, he went to Columbus, Wis., and engaged in the mercantile business, which he conducted until June, 1866. At this time he went to La Crosse, Wis., thence to St. Paul, thence to St. Cloud, and from there to Faribault. Leaving the latter place, he came to Owatonna, June 5, 1866, and engaged in the saloon and mer- cantile business, which he continued until 1878. At this time he sold out his mercantile establishment on account of ill health and engaged in conveyance, insurance and real estate, which business he has continued with success ever since. Mr. Schmidt was married September 5, 1872, at Owatonna, to Mrs. Margaret Ganser (nee Bauer). Six children were born to this union, viz. : Mary, wife of C. F. Albertns, cashier of the Security Bank; Carl A., who is engaged in the grocery business at Peever. S. D .; Alfred, a clerk in the Security Bank of Owatonna; Carl A .; Hugo; and Ella, deceased. Mr. Schmidt is an independent voter and a member of the A. O. U. W. He is a man who is held in high esteem, and has served the city and county in a number of local offices, being six years a member of the city council, five years on the school board, twelve years county commissioner, serving eight years out of the twelve as chairman; three years on the library board, serving part of this time as secretary of that board; and thirty years as trustee of Forest Hill Cemetery. In 1895 Mr. Schmidt built a beautiful modern residence at 805 South Cedar street. He also owns a block on North Cedar
J. H. VINER
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HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
street, and is the owner of 124 acres of land in Otter Tail county, Minnesota.
John Smith, of the firm of Parrott & Smith, hardware mer- chants, was born at Dittersbach, Austria, April 30, 1860. He was the son of Frank and Mary ( Marek) Smith, natives of Aus- tria, where they were engaged in farming. The father died in 1885 and the mother in 1888. John was educated in the public schools of Austria, and emigrating to America in 1875, located in Owatonna township, where he went to work on a farm. He attended school in this country two winters and by persevering effort acquired a good knowledge of the English language. He followed farming until 1881, then came to Owatonna, where he clerked in the hardware store of D. O. Searle. He remained in the employ of Mr. Searle for three years, during the last part of which period he acted as manager. In 1885 he formed a co-part- nership with Mr. George Parrott. This partnership purchased the store from the D. O. Searle estate, and they have since con- tinued to do a flourishing business, enjoying a wide patronage and universal confidence. Mr. Smith was married January 1, 1883, at Owatonna, to Eva Morrison, daughter of Isaac N. and Mrs. Morrison, of Clinton Falls township. The father died March 20, 1906. The mother is still living at Clinton Falls. In politics Mr. Smith is affiliated with the Republican party. In religious faith he, with his family, belongs to the Congregational Church. Mr. Smith is also prominent in fraternal circles, belong- ing to the Modern Woodmen of America, the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the A. O. A. Mr. Smith is a good citizen, and takes an active interest in the public affairs of his community. He served as alderman of the First ward two years-1900-1901. He was elected county commis- sioner and served four years-1903-1907. The family is domi- ciled in a beautiful residence at 222 South Grove street. Novem- ber 19, 1906, the store of Parrott & Smith was completely de- stroyed by fire, entailing a loss of $15,000 above insurance. Not daunted by this loss, they immediately commenced to rebuild, erecting a beautiful three-story fireproof brick block, where they are now located.
John H. Viner, the well-known proprietor of the Ideal Cement Tile Company, at Owatonna, is a native of Skåne, Sweden, and was born May 25, 1868, a son of Hans and Annic (Person) Viner, both natives of that country. The father, a farmer by occupation, was active in political affairs, and represented his district in the Riksdagsman, or Swedish Congress, eleven years. He died March 28, 1883. The mother passed away in November, 1898. John H. spent his boyhood on his father's farm, attended the public schools, and after leaving school worked as a farmer
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in Sweden till he was thirty-one years old. In 1899 he came to this country, landed at New York, November 11, and went thence to Chicago, where he was variously employed till the spring of 1900, when he came to Minnesota and for two years was employed at cement work. Settling at Owatonna, May 28, 1902, he there followed the same occupation one year, and in February, 1903, purchased the business owned by Mr. Nels Nel- son, taking contracts for building sidewalks. He continued that line of work alone some six years. In the spring of 1909 Mr. E. L. Haines came into the business, and the present company was formed and the scope of the work enlarged to include all kinds of cement tile blocks, building material and every descrip- tion of cement work. Mr. Viner has made a careful study of his line of work and is known as a thoroughly informed expert in everything pertaining to it. He has devoted himself closely to his business and has had little time for outside affairs. He is a Democrat in his political principles, but has never sought or held any office. He is interested in fraternal fellowship, being identi- fied with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Royal Arcanum, and in his religious faith holds to the tenets of the Presbyterian Church. On October 5, 1900, Mr. Viner married Annie Nelson, who came from Sweden, where her father now lives, and where her mothed died in 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Viner have one child, Aneta Viola by name.
O. E. Williamson, alderman of the Second ward in the city of Owatonna, and a prosperous business man, was born in Nor- way, February 20, 1875, son of Erick and Martha (Ristie) Will- iamson, who in 1879 came to America and engaged in farming in Kenyon, Goodhue county, Minn., where they still remain, being honored and esteemed citizens, now living retired from active work in Kenyon.
Our subject came to America with his parents when but four years of age. He received his early education in the country schools. He then engaged in the meat cutting trade with D. Gochnauer & Son, of Kenyon, in whose employ he remained for nine years and three months, learning the trade from A to Z, from the slaughter-house to the block. In 1902 he came to the city of Owatonna and entered the employ of J. M. Schaffer, where he remained for two years. Then he entered the copart- nership with P. J. Rockwood, conducting a market until 1909. at which time he sold his interest to Mr. Rockwood and pur- chased the meat business of D. H. Denison, which is the old Schaffer place, where he first started in Owatonna. Mr. William- son is now the sole owner and proprietor, and carries on a very successful business. He buys and slaughters all his beef and manufactures all his lard, sausages, ham and bacon, etc. He
O. E. WILLIAMSON
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keeps an up-to-date market, sanitary in every respect. His hon- est dealings and integrity answer for his large and flourishing trade. Mr. Williamson was married February 4, 1903, at Austin, Minn., to Miss Charlotte E. Furtney. a faithful, loving and de- voted wife. Mr. Williamson is a Republican in political senti- ment. He is prominent in fraternal circles, belonging to the A. O. U. W., I. O. O. F., F. O. E., K. O. P., and the Owatonna Commercial Club, which he aided in organizing. In January, 1910, he was elected chancellor commander of the Knights of Pythias. In 1906 he was elected alderman of the Second ward and re-elected in 1908 and 1910 without opposition. Ilis home is beautifully located at 222 East Main street.
William Wavrin, proprietor of the Owatonna Dye Works, was born in Steele county. December 4, 1879, son of Joseph and Paulina (Belina) Wavrin, natives of Bohemia. The parents emi- grated from their native land in the fifties, locating in Steele county, where the father engaged in farming. William received his carly education in the district schools of Merton township, which was supplemented with a high-school education. He later took a business course at Canfield Business College of Owatonna. Leaving the latter institution, he started life on his father's farm, where he remained until 1903. At this time he went to Owa- tonna and bought the dye works from his brothers, who had previously conducted that business. Mr. Wavrin is doing a flour- ishing business, his ability and business integrity being recog- nized by the public. Besides our subject there are four brothers and one sister in this family, viz .: John. Frank and Joe, who are all farmers in Steele county; A. M. works with William in the dyc business : Anna, later Mrs. Jos. Martinek, died in the year 1904.
Mr. Wavrin is a Democrat in political faith. He is prominent in fraternal circles, being a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the C. S. P. S., the A. O. A., and the Z. C. B. J. and C. A. O. S.
Rufus T. Woodard, who has the distinction of having been one of the famous Roosevelt Rough Riders. has seen life in various parts of the globe, and has had a wider experience than usually falls to the lot of a native-born Minnesotan. He first saw the light of day in Berlin township, Steele county, Angiist 12. 1872. a son of R. L. and Julia (Barrett) Woodard, natives of Pennsylvania. He received his education in the schools of Fari- batılt, and from several correspondence schools, and first started out for himself as an acrobat, traveling with a circus for two and one-half years, and visiting every state in the Union. He then traveled all over Europe with Colonel Cody's Wild West Show. He was there for a year and one-half. and visited every
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country in Europe. After his return to America he located in Chicago, Ill., and worked at the trade of bricklayer, going from there to Kansas City. Mo., and thence to Galveston, Texas, where he worked at the concrete business for a while, and then moved to St. Paul, where he learned the sculptor and carver's trade. In the spring of 1898 he went to San Antonio, Texas, and at the outbreak of the Spanish-American War he enlisted in Troop H of the United States Volunteer Cavalry, "Roose- velt's Rough Riders." They were first ordered to Tampa, Fla., and thence to Cuba. He participated in all the battles of his regiment. and was mustered out September 4, 1898, at Montauk Point, Long Island. He then returned to San Antonio, where lie put together a moving picture and vaudeville show, which was known as "Woodard's Congress of Rough Riders," and which he conducted for six months. In the spring of 1899 he went to St. Paul and engaged in the concrete business until August, when he returned to his old home in Faribault. During the year 1901 he went to California and worked in all the princi- pal cities to better acquaint himself with his line of business. In 1902 he returned to Faribault and in the spring of 1903 came to Owatonna and formed a copartnership with Mr. C. K. Ander- son by purchasing the Hammel interests in the contracting, con- crete and cement company of Hammel Brothers & Anderson, the business now being carried on under the name of "Guar- antec Concrete and Construction Company." Mr. Woodard was married September 9, 1892, at St. Paul, Minn., to Marie Dahl, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Dahl, of Walcott township. Three daughters have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wood- ard: Alivetta LaFlossetta, Virginia Lorina and Bluedella Corine. Mr. Woodard's political affiliations are with the Republican party, and in his religious belief he is a Congregationalist. He is a member of the U. C. T. and the F. O. E. and of the Owa- tonna Gun Club. He is also a member of the Armory Athletic Association, of which he has served as instructor for several years. He is a member of Company I, Second Regiment of the Minnesota National Guard, and also belongs to the North Star Poultry Association. Mr. Woodard is a self-made man, and lives at his pleasant home, No. 416 Glendale avenue. He is inter- ested in all that pertains to the best interests of his adopted city and enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know him. R. L. Woodard and Julia Barrett, his wife, were natives of Pennsyl- vania. They came to Steele county at an early day and located in Berlin township, engaging in farming until 1880, when they removed to Faribault, where R. L. is still living, his wife having died March 25, 1909.
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Hans Peter Anderson was born in Denmark, April 3, 1859, son of Andrew and Stina Jacobson. The father was a car- penter and builder in Denmark, and lived there until his death in 1878. The mother died in 1860. Hans Peter received his edu- cation in Denmark: coming to America in 1882, he attended the American schools for one year, and then located in Steele county and engaged in farming. In 1890 he purchased a farm of seventy- five acres in section 20, Blooming Prairie township, and here he has followed general farming ever since, dairying being his chief industry. Hans Anderson was married March 9, 1883, to Stina Jensen, of Denmark, and three daughters have blessed their union : Mary, born November 22, 1884, now Mrs. Amond Ander- son of Blooming Prairie township; Emma, born March 2, 1886; and Agnes, born July 3. 1890. In politics Mr. Anderson is a Republican, and a member of the Free Christian Church. He has twice served his township as supervisor, the first time for a period of three years, and was again elected in 1909, and still holds the office. He has served as a member of the school board of district No. 84, and is also the manager of the Union Creamery Association of Blooming Prairie township. He has a fine farm which is well improved. He is a self-made man and is highly respected by all who know him.
John Antel, a well-known farmer of Havana township, Steele county, Minn., was born in Bohemia, June 27, 1850, where he passed his boyhood and received his education. He left the Fatherland in 1876, locating in Steele county, engaging in farm- ing. Ten years after his arrival in this country he purchased a quarter section of land, where he continued general diversified farming for some time. Later he sold eighty acres of this tract and, in 1899, bought what was known as the Hewett farm, con- sisting of 120 acres of good land, located in section 5, Havana township, Stcele county. This, with his other eighty, now con- stitute his farm, on which he is still actively engaged in its culti- vation and improvement, having built up one of the most up-to- date and well cared for farms in the county. Mr. Antel has always given much of his time to dairying and is one of the stockholders in the Havana Creamery. In politics he is inde- pendent, believing in the best man for the office, regardless of his party affiliations. Community affairs have always claimed much of his attention, however, and he is at present serving his school district as a member of the school board. As to religious belief, he is a follower of the tenets of the Presbyterian Church. He is also identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and the C. S. P. S. June, 1887, he married Anna Belina, by whom he has four children, who, named respectively in the order of their ages, arc: Wencl, Fredrick, Venc and Anna.
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L. J. Brynstad, a native of Norway, was born September 17, 1862. He passed his boyhood in his native country and there received his education, coming to this land of opportunity at the age of twenty years, and locating in Steele county, Minnesota, where he was engaged in carpentering for five years. He then purchased ninety acres of land in section 14, the cultivation of this taking his time and attention for the next five years, after which he bought 160 acres in section 26. Numerous buildings were erected by him and other improvements added from time to time, in keeping with progressive agriculture, thus making his farm one of the most modern and up-to-date in the county. Mr. Brynstad is a follower of the principles of the Republican party, and is always interested in enterprises for the upbuilding of the county. lle is at present serving his school district as clerk. this being his fifth year of office. He has invested his savings in bank, creamery and elevator stock. The Lutheran Church claims him as a member. January 23, 1886, he was married to Elsie Quit- ber, only child of Mr. and Mrs. Axel Quitber. Seven children have blessed this marriage : Clara, who is a student at the State Normal School at Winona : Jennie, a teacher, and Alina, Robert, Laurence, Alice and Lydia, who live at home with their parents. Jens and Engel (Joakim) Brynstad. parents of L. J .. were natives of Norway, residing in the fatherland all their lives. The father was a sergeant in the Norwegian army. His decease occurred in 1908, the mother having died eighteen years earlier.
Mrs. L. J. Brynstad's father. Axel Quitber, was a native of Sweden, born January 31, 1827, in St. Olaf, in Skone. At the age of sixteen he learned the carpenter's trade and worked at this until thirty years of age, at which time he emigrated to America and located in Louisiana and Florida, where he kept up the same trade for three or four years. Ile came to the state in Minnesota in 1861 and located in Geneva. At that time the country was wild and part of it was surrounded with water so that people could paddle a canoe from Geneva to Owatonna. The same year he purchased 160 acres in section 26, which was covered with timber and shrubs. He was prominent in all doings which be- longed to a newly settled life. He was among the first ones that organized a congregation here. This congregation belonged to the Lutheran Church. It was called the Beaver Lake Congre- gation. Ile improved his farm from time to time until his death, which occurred October 23, 1889, when he left his property to his wife and daughter. Mrs. Carrie Quitber, mother of Mrs. L. J. Brynstad, was born in Aurland Sogn in Norway. where she spent her childhood, until the age of thirty years, when she emi- grated to this state. She died in 1898 and is now resting by her husband's side in the Geneva cemetery.
HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES 1075
George S. Brainerd, a prominent business man of Blooming Prairie, Minn .. is a native of that town, being born August 7, 1871. He received his education in the public schools, afterwards going into the lumber business with J. C. Brainerd and Company, his father being the principal stockholder. The company had a very extensive patronage, having yards located in Blooming Prairie, Bixby, Watham, Elkton and Albert Lea, all of Minne- sota, George S. being the manager of the Blooming Prairie branch and a stockholder. In 1904, they reorganized, incor- porating as the Northwest Lumber Company, Mr. Brainerd, becoming a director and retaining the management of the Bloom- ing Prairie yards until 1905, when he disposed of his lumber interests to Laird Norton and Company. The clothing business engaged his attention for the following three years, after which he purchased the stock of the Veblin Mercantile Company, which he incorporated as the Blooming Prairie Mercantile Company. Ile is still proprietor of this establishment and has met with marked success. Mr. Brainerd is a staunch adherent of the Republican party and has served in numerous offices, being a member of the State Board of Equalization in 1904, a delegate to the National Farm Land Congress at Chicago, in 1909, and was a delegate to the celebrated Conservation Congress. He was also town treasurer for two terms. He is affiliated with num- crous benevolent and patriotic organizations, being a Mason, a member of the Blue Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Modern Woodmen of America and the Order of Iloo Iloo and is also a leading spirit in the local Commercial club. The Universalist church claims his attention in religious matters. August 9, 1893, he united in marriage with Mary A. Toher, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Toher, of Owatonna. They have six children. Marie, born August 21, 1894; John C., born April, 1896; Richard K., David L .. Thomas E., and William G. The family residence is on Second street. Mr. Brainerd is the son of John C. and Melissa ( Burnham) Brainerd, whose sketch appears elsewhere.
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