USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 40
USA > Minnesota > Steele County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 40
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a large business for this company and their fines now extend through Steele. Dodge, Freeborne and Moore counties. Mr. Peterson was married October 23, 1901, at St. Paul, to Miss Regna, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Peterson. Two chil- dren have been born to their union, viz .: Irene J., born Feb- ruary 22, 1905 ; Gladys S., born December 11, 1907. In political faith Mr. Peterson is a Republican. He is a member of the Lutheran Church. He is a High Degree Mason, being a member of the Shrine, was secretary of Prairie Lodge No. 123, of Bloom- ing Prairie, of which lodge he was secretary for three years, the Eastern Star, serving as secretary since it was organized, also member of the M. W. A. Mr. Peterson has taken an active interest in public affairs, serving four years as justice of the peace. He is now a city recorder and is also a member of the Commercial Club. On May 6, 1898, he became a member of Company G, Twelfth Regiment Minnesota National Guard. During the Spanish-American War he was stationed at Chicka- mauga, Ga., and Lexington, Ky. He was discharged with honor at New Ulm, Minn., November 6. 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson reside on Fifth street. Mr. Peterson was instrumental in getting a franchise for the building of the city sewerage. He owns seventy-five acres of land in Dodge county which is used for the outlet of the city sewerage. During the time of the Boer War Mr. Peterson was engaged by the English government to buy horses in Montana. During the last five years he has been engaged in the buying and shipping of live stock. He is an enter- prising business man and a good citizen, always interested in what may be for the upbuilding of his city and Steele county.
Alex H. Fjeldstad, a hustling and up-to-date business man of Blooming Prairie, Minn., is a native of Grand Meadow, Minn .. his date of birth being May 23, 1873. A few years later his parents removed to Blair, Wis., and here he received his early education, completing this with a course in the high school of Alma, Wis., from which he was graduated in 1893. He then entered the pharmacy department of the Minnesota State Uni- versity, receiving his diploma two years later, and immediately thereafter accepted employment in a drug store of Minneapolis in which he remained six years. Mr. Fjeldstad thence removed to Blooming Prairie, forming a co-partnership with A. Olson in his previous line of work. The firm has one of the best equipped and thoroughly modern drug stores in this section of the state. making a specialty of their prescription department, and also carrying a well selected line of paints, oils, wallpaper, china, silverware, stationery and the usual sundries. The Steele County Retail Druggists' Association, which he is serving as president, the Alumni Association of the Pharmacy Department of the
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State University, also member Minnesota State Pharmaceutical Association, and the N. L. Y. P. S., of which he is treasurer, all number him as a loyal member of their various organizations. He is a stockholder in the Minnesota Pharmaceutical Manufac- turing Company, of St. Paul, and in the American Druggists' Association, of Long Island City, N. Y. In politics he gives his allegiance to the Republican party, being a member of the Steele County Republican committee, and has served as village recorder four years, and clerk of the board of education three years, and was a delegate to the Minnesota Conservation and Agricultural Development Congress held March 16 to 19 of this year-1910. He is affiliated with the local Commercial Club as secretary, and with the Sons of Norway. Mr. Fjelstad is also a valued supporter of the Lutheran Church. May 21, 1902, at Minneapolis, he was married to Marie Olson, daughter of Mrs. Julia Olson. They have two children-Alvin A., born August 29, 1903, and Ralf A., born January 2, 1909. The family residence is on Hazel street. Andreas and Olive ( Lee) Fjelstad, parents of our subject, were natives of Norway. Emigrating to America in 1866 they located at Sparta, Wis., the father being engaged for a time in railroad work and logging, and later entered into the mercantile business, first at Grand Meadow one and one-half years, then at Sparta two years, then at Blair, Wis., until 1893, where he remained until his retirement in 1893. He then removed to Minneapolis and died January 12. 1908. The mother still resides in Minneapolis.
Edward C. Wolff is one of the prosperous young farmers of Steele county. He is a native of Aurora township and conducts the farm in section 17 on which he was born March 22. 1885. Fe received his education at the district school and worked upon his father's farm until 1909. Since that time he has conducted the place himself. He is unmarried. His sister, Emma, keeps house for him. Politically Mr. Wolff is a Democrat and he is an adherent of the Lutheran Church. As a citizen, he is industrious and thrifty and well liked. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wolff, the parents of Edward C. Wolff, were natives of Germany. In 1876 the mother died. It was in 1879 that the father migrated to America. purchasing 203 acres in section 17, Aurora township, Steele county, Minnesota. Here he continued to farm until 1909 when he retired from active life and removed to Owatonna where he is now located. The care of the farm was given over to his son, Edward C., who with the aid of his sister, Emma, now manages it.
Phillip A. Reichstetter is one of the substantial Minnesota farmers whose thrift is an asset in the development of the state. His home is in Aurora township, Steele county. Bohemia is his native land and May 1. 1858. the date of his birth. There
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Phillip secured his education and continued to live with his parents until 1881, when he emigrated to America, settling in Steele county. It was not until 1886 that he made his first pur- chase of land in section 33 and then he bought only twenty acres. In the years since he has added to this by successive purchases in the same section of adjoining lands until today his farm comprises 140 acres. This tract is all under cultivation with a pleasant country home, barns and buildings. He was married March 2, 1885, to Theresia Ripka. They have six chil- dren-Mary, who is now Mrs. John Koasnicka, and Minnie, both living in Owatonna ; Edward, Anna, Helen and Emil, living at home. Politically Mr. Reichstetter affiliates with the Demo- cratic party and he is a member of the Catholic Church. He owns nine shares in the Oak Glen Creamery of Bixby. He is regarded as a good citizen in the community where he has lived for more than a quarter of a century. John Reichstetter and Theresia Fritscher, his wife, parents of Phillip Reichstetter, were natives of Bohemia, where their lives were spent. Both are deceased.
Perry J. Rockwood, a business man of Owatonna, was born February 22, 1877. at Owatonna. He received his early educa- tion in the public school and in the high school of that place. then after leaving school he took up and learned the meat market trade, which he has worked at and followed since sixteen years of age. December 23, 1902, he entered into the business, his first store being located on corner of Broadway and Cedar streets where he continued a flourishing business for a number of years. February 14, 1909, he formed a co-partnership with his brother. They handle all the produce that can be found in an up-to-date meat market. Their large and steadily increasing trade is due to their courteous manner and uncompromising honesty. They have enlarged their business and conduct two markets at this time, one at 119 North Cedar street and the other at 154 Bridge street. Mr. Rockwood was married June 24, 1903, at Owatonna, to Lillian Plummer. She was a school teacher, teaching four years in the district schools and three years in the public schools of Owatonna. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Rockwood is blessed with three children, viz. : Wayne P., born July 15, 1904 ; Dorothy, born February 28, 1907 ; Lorane A., born February 18, 1910. Mr. Rockwood is a Republican in politics. He worships at the Baptist Church. He is also prominent in fraternal circles, being a member of the K. of P., F. O. E., and the B. A. Y. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Rockwood is located at 239 Broadway.
Hubert G. Rockwood is a native born son of Minnesota, being born in Owatonna May 31, 1879, son of George W. and Emily (Gillitte) Rockwood, natives of New York state. The parents
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immigrated west. first locating in Wisconsin; from there they came to Owatonna where the father engaged in the grocery business. Ilubert G. received his early education in the public schools of Owatonna which was supplemented by a high school education. After leaving school he was engaged as a clerk in a general merchandise store for three years. In 1893 he went to Minneapolis, where he conducted a real estate business for two years. Leaving Minneapolis he came back to Owatonna and engaged in the hotel business. which he continued for two years. After this he was engaged in agricultural pursuits for two years. He later returned to Owatonna and bought an interest in the meat market business with his brother. The firm is now known as Rockwood Brothers. They have two markets and are doing a very extensive business. Mr. Rockwood is an independent voter and does not affiliate with any political party. He is a member of the F. O. E., and the K. of P. He served for some time as a member of the Company 1. Second Regiment Minnesota National Guards.
Herman Wolff is a farmer living in Aurora township, Steele county. He owns 160 well cultivated and fertile acres in sections 7 and 18 of that township, on which he has built a new and modern dwelling with substantial barns and outbuildings. Stock raising and dairying largely engage his attention and he takes much pride in his Durham cattle and Percheron horses. Mr. Wolff is a native of Germany, where he was born April 6, 1872. He came to America with his father when he was seven years of age, locating in Steele county. Herman received his education at the district school and worked on his father's farm until 1896, then purchased the land on which he has since lived. He
attends the Lutheran Church and politically is an independent voter. Our subject is much interested in good roads and has served as road overseer. Mr. Wolff owns stock in the Pratt Creamery. He is unmarried. Edward Wolff and his wife, the parents of Ilerman Wolff, were natives of Germany, where Mrs. Wolff died in 1876. In 1879, with his three children, the father emigrated to America and located in Steele county where he engaged in farming. In 1909 he retired from active life and now lives in Owatonna.
Edwin Morton, a prosperous citizen of Blooming Prairie, was born in Liverpool, England. July 1. 1849. He received his early education at St. Charles and later in a private school at Rochester, Minn. He received a business training of three years at St. Charles and in 1873 came to Blooming Prairie where he engaged in a hardware and implement business. Mr. Morton also owns a farm of 330 aeres in Newray township, Freeborn county, where he makes a specialty of thoroughbred shorthorn cattle. Angust
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20, 1873, Edwin Morton was united in marriage at St. Charles, to Mabel Johnson. They have three children-Mabel W., now Mrs. George Taylor, of Manterville, Dodge county ; Grace E., now Mrs. Warren Carmen, of Blooming Prairie ; George E., who works for his father at home. Mr. Morton is an active Repub- lican, a member of the Presbyterian Church, served as mayor of Blooming Prairie for seven years, and again for four years, and is a Mason and a Shriner. He is a progressive and respected citizen, working to upbuild home industries. He has stock in the Blooming Prairie Creamery Company. George Morton and Elizabeth Sharpless, his wife, were natives of England. In 1849 they came to America, living for seven years in New York City. In 1856 they came to St. Charles, Minn., and engaged in farming. Mrs. Morton died in New Jersey in 1858, Mr. Morton surviving her until 1864.
Dr. E. W. Cooley, the well known physician and business man of Blooming Prairie, Minn., was born in Easton, N. H., March 17, 1860. He received his education in the public schools and in the New Hampton high school from which he was graduated in 1885. A complete course in the Burnett Medical College of Chicago completed his education, receiving his degree as a Doctor of Medicine and Surgery in 1887. In June of the same year he came to Blooming Prairie where he has ever since been engaged in the practice of his profession, enjoying a large clientage. Dr. Cooley is also a partner in a harness business, and also conducts a drug store, and is sole owner and manager of the Cooley opera house, a commodious and up-to-date two story brick structure which he erected in 1896. It is well located on Fourth street, having a large store on the ground floor, the theater and the doctor's office and residence taking up the second story. He is a stockholder in the Farmers' and Merchants' State Bank. In politics, the Democratic party has in him a stanch supporter. He has twice been a candidate for the state legislature, and has served his village twelve years as a councilman. Any enterprise that has for its object the good of the town or county is sure of his active sympathy. The Modern Woodmen of America and the Brotherhood of Yeomen claim him as a member. Alonzo and Emmeline (Wallace) Cooley, parents of our subject, were natives of New Hampshire where the father followed farming with much success till his decease in July, 1907. The mother died in December, 1908.
Henry Lips, one of the progressive farmers of Wheeling town- ship, was born in Switzerland, March 23, 1855. He came to America with his parents in 1856 and attended the district schools of Wheeling during his boyhood. Leaving school he worked on his father's farm until 1876, when he purchased the place
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where he continued to conduct a general farming business. In 1883 he married Amelia C. Schroeder. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lips-Wesley is married and lives in South Dakota where he is engaged in the livery business; Lydia, now Mrs. Eugene Bailey, of South Dakota; Edward rents his father's farm : Benjamin works out ; Ella died in infancy ; Herbert, Arthur, Minnie, Esther and Emily remain at home, the three younger girls attending school. Mr. Lips is a Republican and a Methodist, a stockholder in the Farmers' State Bank and in the Farmers' Co-operative Creamery. He is one of the substantial citizens who have helped to make the Gopher state one of the greatest in the Union. Henry Lips and Elizabeth Bosshardt, his wife, parents of the subject of this sketch, were natives of Switzerland where they were farmers. Coming to America in 1856 they located in Wheeling township. Rice county, where Mr. Lips took a homestead of 160 acres in section 15 which he lived on and improved up to the time of his death in 1875. Mrs. Lips died in 1870. Charles and Rosa Schroeder, parents of Mrs. Lips, were natives of Germany, who came to America in the early sixties and located in Indiana, where Mr. Schroeder followed his blacksmithing trade up to the time of his death in 1901. Mrs. Schroeder still lives in Indiana.
E. M. Twiford, who has contributed much to the welfare and safety of Owatonna during his many years of service as chief of the fire department, was born in Pleasant Valley, Ohio, August 30. 1852, a son of Dr. Willis Twiford, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. At an early age he came to Somerset township, Steele county, with his parents, receiving his education in the district schools, and subsequently working on a farm until twenty-five years of age. He then came to Owatonna, acting as engineer for the Diamond Milling Company for a year and a half, after which he entered the hardware busi- ness with W. A. Dynes under the firm name of W. A. Dynes & Co., in which he remained until he opened the Fountain meat market a few years later which he conducted for two and a half years. Disposing of his interests here he embarked in the grocery business with D. W. Sperry, the firm being known as Twiford and Sperry, for eight years, when J. N. Niles purchased Mr. Sperry's interest. lle remained in partnership with Mr. Twiford in the general mercantile line under the name of Twiford and Niles, five years. Mr. Twiford then entered the livery business in which he lias ever since been engaged, operating alone as the Park livery for a time, and then formed his present partnership with N. P. Jefferson and Charles Green, the firm being known as Jefferson. Green and Twiford. They are doing a thriving general livery and transfer business. In politics he loyally adheres
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to the Democratic party, and served as mayor two terms during 1893 and 1894. He has also ably filled the office of chief of the fire department many years. ITis fraternal affiliations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Modern Woodmen of America. HIc was married February 16, 1882. to Anna Howard, daughter of David Howard, of Geneva, Freeborn county, Minnesota. Three children have been born to them-Edna, a stenographer for the Great Northern Railroad at St. Paul; Guy, an attorney at Minot, N. D .; and Nettie, attending Carleton College of Northfield, Minn. The family are loyal attendants of the Universalist Church.
James B. Gallea, a prosperous farmer of Medford township, first saw the light of day in New York state, where he was born on September 28, 1854. James received his early education in the district schools of Clinton Falls township, and upon leaving school worked on his father's farm. In 1896 he bought 120 acres in Medford and later purchased forty more acres, upon which he has done a general farming business up to the present time. He was married in 1887 to Stella Tuttle, and four children have been given them-Evart, Ernest, Mae and Philo. Mr. Gallea is a Republican in politics and the family attends the Congrega- tional Church. He has served and is still serving on the school board. William Gallea and Polly Gilbert, his wife, parents of James B. Gallea, were natives of New York state where Mr. Gallca was engaged in farming. They came to Wisconsin in 1859, where a general farming business was carried on for four years, after which they removed to Minnesota. Mr. Gallca took part in the Indian outbreak, after which he returned to his farm and lived there up to the time of his death on March 18, 1903. Mrs. Gallca still lives in Medford.
George B. Gallea, an up-to-date and progressive farmer of Clinton Falls township. Steele county, was born in that county November 23. 1872. After receiving his education in the district schools he engaged in farming with his father and now owns the old homestead, consisting of 250 acres of productive land, 200 of which is under cultivation. Much attention is devoted to dairying and stock raising, a large and well selected herd of Holstein cows supplying milk of the best quality to a near by creamery. Poland-China hogs are also a profitable factor. Modern machinery and buildings assist in the economical working of the farm, and at present the old barn, 40 x 50 feet, is being remodeled and a new barn of the latest type, 40 x 80 feet in dimensions. with concrete foundation and floor is being constructed. A fine brick house, built by the father. William Gallea, adds to the comfort of the family. In politics, our subject inclines toward
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the tenets of the Republican party, but has never been an office- seeker. He was married in 1899 to Martha Rabey, daughter of Robert and Maria (Warren) Rabey, the father now engaged in farming in this state, formerly of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Gallea have two children-Robert Burton, born September 24, 1900; and William Donovan, born December 10, 1909. William and Polley (Gilbert ) Gallea, parents of our subject, were born and raised in New York state, the father being a sailor in his younger days and a captain of a vessel on the Great Lakes. In 1863 he came to Steele county with his wife and family. settling on the farm now owned by his son. George. In the spring of 1864 he enlisted in the second Minnesota cavalry and remained in service until the close of the war. He then returned to his farm and conducted it until his death in 1899. The mother is still living with her children, enjoying a ripe old age. Ten children were born to them, eight of whom are still living.
Ulrick C. Jansen was born in Denmark January 2, 1849, he is a son of Ulrick Christianson and Anna Jansen, both natives of Denmark where they lived and died. Ulrick received his education in Denmark and came to America in the spring of 1871, locating in Freeborn county, Minnesota. and engaging in farming, in 1876 he purchased a 160 acre farm on section 19, in Summit township, Steele county, where he farmed for three years and then sold and went to Bath, Freeborn county, where he purchased 120 acres, and later he added to this 240 acres, making in all a farm of 360 acres where he followed general farming, dairying and stock raising until 1905, when he rented his farm and moved to Ellendale where he now lives retired from active work. He was married May 20, 1876, to Hannah Jensen, and nine children have blessed their home-Christ, of Bath, Freeborn county, Minnesota; Mary, now Mrs. Christ Thompson, of Geneva, Minn .: Emma, now Mrs. Gilbert Thorson, of Bath, Minn .: Arthur, of Nebraska: Carl, of Albert Lea; Helen. now Mrs. Walter Peterson, of Bath, Minn .; Annie, Nickoli and Hannah, all living at home. Mr. Jansen is a member of the Danish Lutheran Church, and in politics he is a Republican. He has served on the school boards for thirty-five years and is now clerk of the Ellendale village school board. He was very instrumental in the organization of the Ellendale Creamery and has been its president since its organization in 1893. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers' Elevator Company, of Ellendale, and has been the treasurer of the company since 1905, he is a stockholder and one of the directors of the Security State Bank of Ellendale. He served for one year as alderman of the village and is now the assessor, a position which he has held for the past three years. He lives at his pleasant home in Ellen-
MR. AND MRS. U. C. JANSEN
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dale village where he enjoys the respect and confidence of all who know him. It was due to Mr. Jansen's efforts that the beat- tiful new brick school building was erected in Ellendale this year-1910.
Erick Ellingson was born in Berlin township, Steele county, Minnesota, on December 24, 1877, he is a son of Elling and Anna (Lec) Ellingson, and a brother of Elling E. Ellingson with whom he is conducting a general merchandise business at Ellendale under the firm name of Ellingson Brothers. Erick received his education at the public schools and attended the Grand Forks College at Grand Forks, N. D., and also attended Concorda College at Morehead, Minn. After leaving school he entered the store of his brother at Meckinock, N. D., for one and one- half years and then went to Roseau county, Minnesota, where, in the year 1900, he homesteaded 160 acres which he proved up and on which he remained until 1905, when he entered into co- partnership with his brother, Elling at Ellendale, Minn., and has continued in the business since that time. He was married December 31, 1901, to Miss Catherine Thoreson and five children have been born to them-Alma E., Irene T., Ernest M., Mildred L., and Carl J. Mr. Ellingson is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, and in his political views he is a Socialist. He is a justice of the pcace of Ellendale. He has succeeded by hard work and strict attention to business and is a good citizen, having won the confidence and respect of all who know him.
Elling E. Ellingson is a native of Minnesota, having been born in Fillmore county on September 15, 1868, he is a son of Elling and Anna (Lee) Ellingson, both natives of Norway, who came to America in 1868 and located in Fillmore county where they remained for one year and then came to Steele county and settled in Berlin township, and purchased 160 acres of land on which the village of Ellendale is now located. This was at the time wild land and Mr. Ellingson broke and subdued it, and followed general farming up to the time of his death which occurred May 3, 1896. The mother is still living. In 1899 the farm was sold for the townsite of Ellendale. Elling E. received his education in the district schools, and after leaving school followed farming until he was twenty-one years of age, and then went to Geneva and clerked for one year in a general store, and then to New Richland for six months, when he bought in with H. A. Midje in a general store at Cooleysville where he remained for six years and then sold his interest and in 1898 went to North Dakota where he conducted a general store at Meckinock for nearly three years, when, in 1900, he returned to Ellendale and entered into business with the Ellendale Mercantile Company and was connected with this company for a period of two years
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