USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 32
USA > Minnesota > Steele County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 32
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faith he adheres to the Catholic Church. He is a stockholder in the Union Creamery. He makes a specialty of breeding Shorthorn and Durham cattle, and has met with a marked degree of success in the enterprise. He is a progressive farmer and a good citizen.
Peter Peterson was born in Denmark, May 11, 1844, son of Thomas and Walberg (Juul) Peterson (deceased). The parents spent all their lives in their native country. Peter received his education in Denmark. Then he took up agricultural pursuits, which he followed until he immigrated to America in 1872. After arriving here, he spent three years in Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. In 1875 he made a visit to his native land, Den- mark. Returning in 1876. he located in Blooming Prairie town- ship, where he bought 160 acres of land from William Rice, of Owatonna, in section 21. This being wild land, he had to clear, break, erect buildings, and make all necessary improvements. He developed the wilderness into a fertile farm, where he fol- lowed general and diversified farming until 1904. Since this time the farm has been conducted by his eldest son, Thomas. Mr. Peterson was married October 27, 1876, to Helene Marie Skov. The wife passed away April 16, 1907. leaving a family of six children to mourn her loss, viz .: Thomas, who resides on the old homestead ; Mary, now Mrs. Henry Jensen, of Blooming Prairie township; Anna, now Mrs. Alvin E. Ashley, of Mason City, Jowa; Hans, who lives in Canada ; Emma and Sena, both living at home. Mr. Peterson is a Republican. He belongs to the Lutheran Church. He was treasurer of the township for a good many years. He is also a stockholder in the Union Cream- ery, and the Farmers' Elevator of Blooming Prairie. Ile is a good citizen and highly respected by all.
Thomas Peterson, a native born son of Minnesota, was born on the farm where he is now located, northeast quarter of section 21. in the month of March, 1877, son of Peter Peterson. He received his early education in the district schools of Steele county, which was supplemented by a course at Eekhom Col- lege of Iowa. where he went to school two winters. He then learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for five years, two years in Canby. Yellow Medicine county, and three years in Blooming Prairie, Minn. In 1904 he returned to the old homestead, took charge, and has continued to improve it, and has looked after the farm since. Mr. Peterson is not married. He is a Republican in political sentiment, is a member of the Lutheran Church. Ife takes an active interest in public affairs. and although a young man, has served the township as assessor for two years. He is now serving the fourth year as secretary
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of the Union Creamery. He is a progressive, enterprising farmer, a good and highly respected citizen.
Soren Peterson, manager of the Oak Glen Creamery, of Bixby, was born in Steele county, Minnesota, November 6, 1876. Ile is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Nis. Peterson. Soren received his early education in the district schools of Steele county, which was supplemented with a course at the Elkhorn College, of Shelby county, Iowa. In 1899 he engaged in butter-making, first at the Union Creamery Association of Blooming Prairie township, where he remained for nearly three years; then he came to Bixby as assistant buttermaker for the Oak Glen Cream- ery. In 1906 he accepted a position as head buttermaker for the above named institution. He has filled that position with credit ever since, and has won a reputation for himself among the patrons of the creamery. Mr. Peterson was married October 15, 1908, to Martha, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nels Ray. Their union is blessed with one child. Mildred Anna, born August 13, 1909. Mr. Peterson believes in the principles of the Republican party. He is a member of the Danish Lutheran Church. He is recognized as a good citizen, a loving husband and father.
Sam Ray, an enterprising merchant of Bixby. first saw the light of day in Aurora township, Steele county, June 25, 1882. He is a son of Nels and Annie Ray, natives of Norway. The father immigrated to America in 1877, the mother in 1880. The father first located in Freeborn county, where he remained for years. In 1879 he came to Steele county, locating at Aurora township, where, in 1880, he purchased 160 acres of land, on which he has followed agricultural pursuits ever since. Sam received his early education in the district schools, which was supplemented by a course at the Canfield School of Business at Owatonna. After leaving school he went West, where he remained for a period of four years. During this time he was engaged in various occupations, such as lumbering, farming, and for some time hotel clerk at Fargo, N. D. June 25, 1909, he purchased the stock of L. W. Thompson's general store at Bixby, where he has since been engaged in the general mercantile business. He carries a full line and has built up a good busi- ness. Mr. Ray was married November 12, 1907, to Jennie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. Johnson, of Aurora township. Their union is blessed with one child, Arnold Ray. Mr. Ray affiliates with the Republican party. In religious faith he is a member of the Lutheran Church. He is a good citizen and enjoys the respect of the whole community.
T. A. Runge, a prosperous farmer of IIavana township, Steele county, is a native of that township, his date of birth being April 10, 1872. He received his education in the district
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schools, helping his father with the working of his large farm meanwhile, and later devoting all his attention to it until 1897, when he bought 160 acres in section 15, Havana township, where he has followed generad diversified farming ever since. He is now completing a commodious and up-to-date barn, thirty-two feet by seventy, and has added numerous other improvements from time to time. Mr. Runge is a believer in intelligent farm- ing and his quarter section is a fine example of the results of such a course. As to politics, he stands independent, believing that no party should dictate his vote, and always casting his ballot for the man lie considers the best qualified for the office. He is an adherent to the tenets of the Lutheran Church. In May, 1897, he was married to Mary Schroeder, by whom he has four children : Adeline, Elsie, Bertha and Mary. Fred and Fredricka (Hanebuth) Runge, parents of our subject, were born in Germany. where they resided till their emigration to Amer- ica. Immediately after their arrival in the land of promise, they located in Chicago, soon afterwards removing to Steele county, Minnesota, and buying 320 acres of land in Havana township, where they followed farming till the father's death. They were among the very earliest pioneers of this county, and had their full share of the usual harrowing experiences and hardships. The mother is still living.
Nels S. Ray was born in Norway, January 13, 1853, son of Samuel Olson and Ingeborg (Nelson) Ray. The parents were natives of Norway, and the father died there in 1860. The mother came to America in 1880 and died in 1996. Nels re- ceived his education in Norway, came to America in 1878, locat- ing at Albert Lea, Freeborn county, and remained there for two years. In 1870 he came to Steele county and rented farms for two years, and then bought his present farm of 156 acres, located in section 34, of Aurora township, and here he has built his home and has followed general farming ever since. He was married June 6, 1881, to Anna Boe and six children have been born to them: Samuel, a merchant at Bixby; Iver; Mar- tha, now Mrs. Swen Peterson; Sownwin, lives at home; Hogan, of Faribault ; and Ioa. In politics Mr. Ray is a Republican. He has been supervisor for two years, and treasurer of school dis- triet No. 63 for two years, and he is a stockholder in the Oak Glen Creamery of Bixby. He is a good citizen and has the con- fidence and respect of all.
Fred R. Rosskopf was born in Washington county, Wiscon- sin, April 3, 1853, son of F. and Thresa (Miller) Rosskopf, both natives of Germany, who came to America in 1840, and located in Washington county, Wisconsin, where they engaged in farm- ing. In 1867 they moved to Waupon, Wis., where they re-
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mained three years. In 1870 the father came to New Ulm, Minn., and lived there until his death, in 1891. The mother died in Wisconsin. Mr. Rosskopf received his education in the pub- lic schools of Wisconsin and Minnesota, and after leaving school he first engaged in the livery business at New Ulm, Minn., in company with his brother Charles, where they remained for four years. In 1875 he came to Owatonna and engaged in the cigar business for a while, and then tended bar for ten years, when he again entered into the livery and transfer business, which he followed for sixteen years, when he sold a one-half interest to Mr. Jefferson and later his remaining interest to Mr. Green, going to Spokane. Wash., in 1901, where he engaged in the furniture business for a year and one-half, when he sold out and returned to Owatonna, where he assumed the management of Owatonna City Brewery, where he has since remained. Mr. Rosskopf was married July 13, 1877. to Miss Matilde Knight, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Knight, of Owatonna. Five chil- dren have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Rosskopf: Lillian. Louise, now Mrs. II. F. Stout, of Owatonna; Harry, Magde- lene and John. Mr. Rosskopf's political affiliations are with the Democratic party, and in his religions faith he is a Congrega- tionalist. Ile is a member of the F. O. E. and the U. C. T. He lias won his success by his own efforts, and has the respect and confidence of all who know him.
Alois L. Srsen, a prominent and respected business man of Blooming Prairie, Minn., was born in Somerset township, Steele county, December 20, 1877. He received his education in the district schools, afterwards taking up tinsmithing at Owatonna for three years. He then learned the machinist's trade, follow- ing this line of work all the while in Owatonna, till 1898, when he came to Blooming Prairie and opened a machine shop, which he conducted with much success until April 14, 1909. Mr. Srsen then sold out, and started a plant for the manufacture of automobiles and gasoline engines, in which he is still engaged. having a growing and thriving business. The Blooming Prairie Iron Works numbers him among its stockholders. In politics he follows the guidance of the Republican party, and is inter- ested in all that stands for the good of his town and county. Numerous fraternal organizations claim him as a member-the Modern Woodmen of America, E. F. C., Z. C. B. J., and the Western Bohemian Brotherhood. He attends the Catholic Church. September 21, 1899, in Somerset township, he was united in marriage with Anna Kapplan, by whom he has two children: Alfred, born December 29. 1900, and Hubert, born August 17, 1902. Charles and Catherine (Mach), parents of Alois L., were born and raised in Bohemia, leaving the Father-
HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES 1107
land for America in 1865, and locating in Somerset township, Steele county, where the father followed general farming till 1895, when he removed to Owatonna with his wife and family. He died in December 1900, and the mother in February, 1908.
Emil Stangler, one of Steele county's leading farmers, was born in Le Sueur county, Minnesota, July 25, 1869. He re- ceived his education in the district schools, afterwards engag- ing in farming with his father until 1892, when he removed to Dakota, returning the following year to Le Sueur county. Three years later he purchased 200 acres of improved land in sections 30 and 31, Havana township, Steele county, where he has been engaged in general diversified farming ever since. Mr. Stangler is a stanch believer in scientific, progressive agricul- ture, and his farm is a splendid example of what an up-to-date farmer can accomplish. He has a full line of modern machinery and his farm buildings are the best of their kind. Dairying has always claimed much of his time, and he is an active supporter of the Pratt creamery, having served as its president two years, and is still a stockholder. In politics he follows the guidance of the Democratic party. He has served his township as road superintendent. The Owatonna Catholic Order of Foresters, No. 678, counts him a loyal member. January 7, 1896, he was united in marriage to Ernstina Springer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Springer. They have two children: Leonard and Margaret. Joseph and Barbara (Spindler) Stangler, parents of our subject, were natives of Europe. They emigrated to this country in 1864, settling in Le Sueur county, where the father followed farming till his retirement in 1893. The mother died June 4, 1906. Her husband is still living.
Joseph Skalicky, a thrifty farmer of Blooming Prairie town- ship, was born in Bohemia, May 5, 1855, son of Jolin and Emelia Skalicky, natives of Bohemia. The parents both died in their native country. Joseph acquired his education in Bohemia. He emigrated from his native country in 1874 to seek the opportuni- ties of the new world. Arriving in America, he located in Blooming Prairie township, where he engaged in farm work. Two years later he purchased forty acres of land and in 1878 he purchased 120 acres additional, adjoining the first forty acres. This was wild, unimproved land, which he has developed into a fertile farm, and on the place he has erected fine farm buildings. Mr. Skalicky was married January 21, 1876, to Matilda Pirkl. Thirteen children have been born to their union : Matilda, deceased; Mary, now Mrs. B. Ilurska, of Summit township; two Annies, deceased; Annie, now Mrs. Vinc. Mikyska, of Wisconsin; Helena, married Frank Skalicky, of North Dakota; Frank, Ludmila, Frances, all deceased; Ma-
1108 HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
tilda. now Mrs. Frank Vasesicek, of North Dakota; Josephiena. Joseph, Bessie. all residing at home. Mrs. Skalicky was born October 1, 1859, daughter of Bernard and Josephiena Pirkl. The parents immigrated to America in 1851. They are both deceased. Mr. Skalicky is a Democrat in political sentiment. He with his family are members of the Catholic Church. He is interested in several commercial enterprises, being stock- holder in the Farmers' Elevator in Blooming Prairie, and a member of the Union Creamery Association. He is a good citi- zen, highly respected by the community.
A. Solberg, for many years a prosperous and respected busi- ness man of Blooming Prairie, Minn., was born in Norway, November 24, 1848. He received his education in the Father- land, coming to America at the age of nineteen with his parents and locating at Durand, Ill., where he worked at the carpenter's trade with his father. Removing to Chicago, Ill., in 1871, he pursued the same line until his arrival in Blooming Prairie, in 1889, continuing in the same line for two years. He then started the retail lumber business, in which he has been engaged ever since with marked success. In May, 1903, the company was incorporated as the A. Solberg Lumber Company. with T. A. Halvig, president ; Soren Peterson, secretary and treasurer, and with Mr. Solberg as manager. under whose direction the affairs of the firm have grown and prospered to large propor- tions. Besides a well selected stock of all varieties of lumber, they carry a first-class line of windmills and pumps, with all accessories. In political matters the Republican party has his allegiance. He has ably served his village as president of the school board, and one year as assessor. The Modern Woodmen of America, Sons of Norway, and the local Commercial Club count him among their loyal members. He is also affiliated with the Lutheran Church. April, 1875, at Oxfordville, Wis., he was married to Carrie Brunvald. They have four children : Laura, wife of Anton Thorson, of Mackwell, N. D .; Alfred, de- ceased; Ina, now Mrs. T. N. Osmun. of Maekwell, N. D., and Melvin, of Wabasha, Minn. Johannas and Olava Solberg, par- ents of our subject, were natives of Norway. Coming to this country, in 1867, they settled in Durand, Ill., still in its pioneer days, where the father followed his trade as a carpenter until his removal to Chicago, in 1872, continuing in the same line till 1877. He then moved to La Crosse, Wis., where he resided up to the time of his death, in 1891. The mother died in 1896.
Frank Skerik, a native of Havana township, Steele county. was born November 10, 1874. He received his education in the district schools, later assisting in the management of the home farm, and after the death of his father, May 13, 1906,
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HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
assuming complete charge. Here he has followed general farm- ing ever since, having built up one of the best equipped and most productive farms in the county. Mr. Skerik is a valued stockholder of the Havana Creamery, and also of the Farmers' Elevator Company of Owatonna. In politics he is a supporter of the Republican party, and has served his school district, No. 24, as treasurer. The Presbyterian Church counts him a loyal member. Joseph and Katherine (Janousek) Skerik, par- ents of Frank, are natives of Bohemia, emigrating to America October 28, 1873, and settling on an eighty-acre farm in section 30. Havana township, Steele county, where they engaged in farming. In 1895 they bought an adjoining tract of sixty acres, erecting a new home and adding modern outbuildings to their then 140-acre farm, which their son Frank now manages. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Skerik had five children: Joseph, now of Silver Lake, McLeod county, Minn .; Anna, wife of Joseph Wavrin; John, a minister, located at Moravia, Austria; Frank, our sub- ject ; and Mary, who is the wife of Carl Jirousek, of Owatonna.
Erick E. Simes, a native of Norway, was born September 13, 1871. He received his education largely in the Fatherland, supplementing this with a two-year course in the Valder Sem- inary of Decorah, lowa, shortly after his arrival in this country in 1894, first locating at Leroy, Minn. After school he spent one year in a lumber yard at Blanchard, N. D., returning to Leroy and engaging in milling for the next six years, after which he traveled a season for the International Ilarvester Company. Mr. Simes then, in 1905, removed to Blooming Prairie, Steele county, and entered the employ of the L. G. Campbell Milling Company, as foreman of the loading department, soon afterwards being promoted to buyer and foreman of the feed department, and in September, 1909, was appointed local manager of the company, in which capacity he has been very successful. In politics the Republican party numbers him among its supporters, though he has never aspired to political office, his other interests demand- ing all his time and attention. The Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica and the Sons of Norway count him a loyal member, as does the Lutheran Church. December 2. 1901. he was united in mar- riage with Josephine May Herman, at Osage, Iowa. They have one child, Kenneth Eugene, born August 11, 1908. The family residence is located on First street. Erick E. and Elizabeth (Hammer), parents, of our subject, are natives of Norway, where they still reside, the father being a captain in the royal army.
George B. Stearns, manager of the Farmers' Elevator at Ellendale, is a comparatively new comer in Steele county, but during his residence he has been closely identified with its
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business interests. Mr. Stearns was born in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, December 26, 1854. and was taken by his parents to Waseca county, Minnesota, in 1856. He there grew to young manhood. receiving his education in the district schools and farming with his father. In 1877 he purchased a farm of eighty acres in New Richland township, Waseca county, which hie operated until 1884, when he became foreman for the famous Carsondale Stock Farm, in the same county. In this position he remained three years. Ile then engaged in the general hard- ware business for himself in New Richland village. successfully continuing this business until 1894. In that year he disposed of his business and became a co-partner with Frank Blakeslee in circus life, their show being known as the "World's Fair and Wild West Hippodrome." After a short period he withdrew from this concern and became wheat buyer for the New Rich- land Milling Company, continuing for five and a half years. He then again entered the hardware business. this time conducting a store at Worthington, Minn., for one year. After a short period on his father's farm in Otisco, he came to Ellendale, Steele county, and accepted his present position as manager of the Farmers' Elevator and Milling Company, which position he now holds. He is also interested in the hardware business in Ellendale. A Republican in politics, Mr. Stearns was treasurer of New Richland village for two years.
Gust Thiele, postmaster and general merchant at Pratt, is one of the highly respected and prosperous men of Steele county. who has risen to his present position by dint of his own energy and persistent industry. He was born in Wisconsin. February 8, 1866, his parents migrating thither from Germany. His schooling was received at North Bend. Wis. Mr. Thiele was a farmer in Somerset township from 1894 until 1902. In the lat- ter year he purchased a general mercantile business at Pratt village, Aurora township. He is also postmaster, having been appointed to that position in 1907. As a merchant. Mr. Thiele has met with marked success, and enjoys a very Hourishing business. lle was married October 2, 1894, to Libbie Sholes. Four children have blessed this union: Ethel. born April 19. 1896; Harvey, born August 14, 1900, died March, 1901; Hazel. born June 6. 1902: Archie, born November 14. 1906. Mr. Thiele is a Republican in politics and a member of the Presbyterian Church. He is clerk of school district No. 59 and a stockholder in the Pratt Creamery. Gust Thiele and his wife. Mary Ahl- born, the parents of Gust Thiele, of Pratt, are natives of Ger- many. They came to America as small children, and after their marriage they located in Wisconsin, and engaged in farm-
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ing until 1907, when they sold their farm and retired to a village home at Iron River, where they now live.
J. A. Volker has served his community for nine years as chairman of the supervisors of Havana, and is a fine example of a prosperous and self-made farmer. He was born in Eleysing, Minn., August 24, 1866, where he received his education in the public schools, afterwards taking up general farming with his father. In 1884 he came to Stecle county, being located in Aurora township for nine years, then coming to Havana town- ship, where he purchased 120 acres in section 31, later adding eighty acres in section 32. He has erected commodious and modern buildings on his premises and through intelligent and progressive farming methods has achieved much success. Mr. Volker is a Democrat in political faith, and has always taken a lively interest in the affairs of the community. He is now serv- ing as secretary of the Pratt Creamery Association and is a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator Company of Owatonna. The German Lutheran Church claims him as a member. Our subject is a self-made man in every sense of the word, having but $200 to his credit when he left the parental roof and started in life for himself. May 2, 1893, he married Lena Zimmerman, by whom he has three children, named, respectively, Fred, Carl and Harry. Mr. and Mrs. August Volker, parents of our sub- ject, were natives of Germany, where they passed the most of their lives.
Harry G. Wood, a physician located at Blooming Prairie, was born in Faribault, September 6, 1882. Ilis parents, Fannie S. and William C. Wood, came West in the sixties and reside in Faribault. Dr. Wood graduated from Shattuck School, at Fari- bault, in 1899, and received his medical degree from MeGill University, Montreal, in 1904. He spent one year following graduation as interne at the Montreal General Hospital, and since 1905 has practiced medicine in Blooming Prairie. He is a member of the county and state medical associations, also of the B. P. O. E., the Masonic Order and the Ancient Order of the Mystic Shrine.
John C. Wilker, a substantial farmer of Meriden township, was born in that township, June 19. 1876. Hle received his edu- cation in the schools of district No. 39, and after leaving school he worked on a farm until he attained his majority. In 1910 he settled on his present farm of 160 acres of well improved land and is at present following diversified farming with much suc- cess, his fine herd of Durham cattle being equaled by few in the county. In politics he gives his allegiance to the Republican party, and has served the community as a school officer for six years, now being both a member of the school board and of the
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