USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 41
USA > Minnesota > Steele County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 41
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when he sold his interest and went to Owatonna and elerked in a clothing house for six months to better acquaint himself with this line, and in the spring of 1904 he purchased the harness and shoe business of Frank Keycek and later added a full and up-to- date line of clothing and gents' furnishing goods and is now conducting both stores in company with his brother, Erick, whom he took into the firm as a partner in 1905, the firm name being Ellingson Brothers. Mr. Ellingson was married on June 22, 1898, to Emma Newgaard, and three children have been born to them- Earl A., born April 19, 1900; Arthur M1., born November 15, 1901 : and Marie E., born Marchi 25, 1904. Mr. Ellingson is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, and his political affiliations are with the Republican party. He is now serving as mayor of Ellendale, having been elected in 1909. Prior to his election as mayor he had served as city treasurer for two years and as city recorder for three years. He is a stock holder in the Farmers' Elevator Company and is also a stockholder and vice president of the Ellendale Rural Telephone Company. He is a good citizen respected by all who know him.
H. A. Finch, a retired farmer of Ellendale village, was born in Lewis county, New York, December 17, 1842, son of Apollos H. and Isabel (Searles) Finch, natives of New York state. The father died in 1845, and the mother in 1848. Horace received his early education at Fond du Lac, Wis., where he came in 1849. After leaving school in the year 1861, he joined the Union Army, Company G, Sixteenth Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, as a private. In 1863 he was appointed sergeant, he served until August, 1865, having been engaged in the principal battles of the Civil War. He was discharged at Louisville, Ky., and mustered out at Madison. Wis. Returning to Fond du Lac he followed agricultural pursuits there until the fall of 1868, when he came to Steele county, locating in Berlin township on land he had purchased in 1865. This consisted of 160 acres of wild land in section 9. This land he broke and improved, erecting a home and a number of outbuildings thereon, changing the wilder- ness into a fertile farm. He carried on general and diversified farming successfully until 1910 when he rented the farm and moved to Ellendale where he now lives a retired life. Mr. Finch was married December 20, 1867, to Irene Hazen. The wife passed away in June, 1881, leaving six children, viz .: Herbert, Calvin, Minnie, who died with diphtheria in October, 1881; Fred, Myrtle, Caddie, who are all residing in the state of North Dakota. Mr. Finch married a second time May 23, 1883, to Miss Katie Davis. This union is blessed with four children, viz. : C. Ray, Hattie, Sedate and Horace, who are all residing at home. Mr. Finch is a Republican in political sentiment. The
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family belongs to the Baptist and the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has served the community in a number of local offices such as chairman of the town board, town clerk and also on the school board. He has made his way in the world by hard work and industry, is a highly respected citizen well liked by a large number of friends and acquaintances.
Carl R. Torgerson is a native of Berlin township. Here he was born January 2, 1878, and attended the public schools during his boyhood. Later he took a course of study at the Valder Business College, of Decorah, Iowa, after which he was employed in the Security State Bank, of Ellendale. After several months he took a position with the Farmers' Elevator Company, of Ellen- dale, in which he still remains. Carl R. Torgerson was married April 27, 1904, to Tillie Johnson. They have one child, Burnett L., born June 22, 1907. Mr. Torgerson is a Republican, a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church and for three years was city treasurer. He is now serving the second year as city recorder. In 1902 he took up a homestead of 160 acres in North Dakota which he still owns. He is an active, respected citizen, interested in all that improves his home town. James Torgerson and Anna, his wife, parents of the subject of this sketch, were natives of Norway. They came to America in 1867, locating in Berlin township on a farm where he spent the remainder of his life. Here Mr. and Mrs. Torgerson reared a family of fourteen chil- dren-Torger, born September 12, 1868, died February 13, 1869: Carrie. born March 27, 1870, lives at home : John, born Septem- ber 4, 1871, also lives at home ; Regina, born December 13, 1872, died in infancy ; Torger, born April 30, 1874, now at Albert Lea ; Lewis, born April 25, 1876, now in South Dakota; Carl, born January 2. 1878: Bella, born November 7. 1879, now at Ellen- dale; Martin, born October 19, 1881, now in Iowa; Tilda, born October 11, 1883, now in Ellendale ; Olei, born April 15, 1885, now in North Dakota : Agnes, born March 25, 1887, now in Ellendale : Josephine, born August 22, 1888, now in Blooming Prairie ; Andrew, born March 7, 1890, now in North Dakota. Mr. Torger- son died August 3, 1905, on the home farm in Berlin township where his wife still lives.
Wilson Bonnie Wardwell, a native of Owatonna, was born May 29. 1885. Here "Bonnie" received his early education in the public schools and graduated from the high school in 1903. Ile then entered the employment of Netz and Vinton, drug- gists of Owatonna, remaining four years. After taking a year's course in the Department of Pharmacy at the State University, Mr. Wardwell purchased the drug business of C. J. Swedenburg at Ellendale, Sept. 23, 1908. Since taking control of this busi- ness Mr. Wardwell has met with marked success, keeping a pro
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gressive, up-to-date store and is one of Ellendale's most popular and prosperous young business men. Politically, he is an active Republican, and a member of the Masonic lodge. For nearly three years he served as a private in Company I. Second Regular M. N. G. of Owatonna. Interested in everything that promotes the welfare of his community, Mr. Wardwell has the merited respect of his fellow citizens. Homer E. Wardwell and Eliza Wilson, his wife, parents of the subject of this sketch, were natives of Black Earth, Dane county, Wisconsin. In 1871 they came to Minnesota, spending one year at Faribault. Coming to Owatonna in 1872, Mr. Wardwell engaged in blacksmithing, which trade he followed until 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Wardwell still live in Owatonna.
Petter H. Hafdahl, the well known blacksmith and wagon- maker of Merton, Steele county, was born at Trondhjem, Nor- way, May 25, 1857. His education was received in the Father- land, acquiring a good knowledge of the blacksmith trade. At the age of nineteen, he emigrated to America, following his trade for a year in Lansing, Allamakee county, Fowa, and then in Good- hue county, remaining here two years, and then removing to Merton, where he still plies his trade as a blacksmith and wagon- maker, being known as a skillful workman. He is also the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres, nearly all under the plow, and makes a specialty of the breeding and rais- ing of high grade Durham cattle and Percheron horses. In politics, he is a staunch Republican. During 1881 he was united in marriage with Ingebor Julseth, daughter of Thorsten T. Julseth, a native of Norway. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hafdahl, six of whom are living: Halvor, conduct- ing the farm ; Thorsten, a buttermaker, married Dora Bruvsleten, and has one child, Frene ; and Ada, Peder, Ingval and Martin all live at home. Halvor H. and Ingebor Anna Geving Hafdahl, parents of our subject, were natives of Norway, where the father carried on farming till his death, which occurred in 1898. The mother deceased in 1866. Fifteen children were born to them, nine of whom are living: Halvor, a farmer of Iowa; John, en- gaged in farming in Norway, Annie, married to Nils T. Julseth, a farmer of Norway; Halvor, who operates a farm in Goodhue county ; Sivert, owner of a Dakota farm; Petter H., our sub- ject ; Dorthea, wife of John Sethnan, a Norwegian farmer ; Halvor III. carries on farming operations in Norway ; and Andrew con- duets a farm in Rice county. The family attend the Lutheran church.
Anton Kasper, a prosperous farmer of Steele county, was born in Bohemia, 1855. At the age of nine years he emigrated to this country with his parents, who at once came to Minne-
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sota and settled on a farm in Steele county. After receiving a somewhat meagre education in the neighboring district school, Anton engaged in farming, his practical knowledge of that line of work, acquired on his father's farm, standing him in good stead. His present farm in Somerset township of three hundred and thirty acres is ample evidence of his success. A hundred and eighty acres are under cultivation, the remainder yielding good returns as woodland and pastnrage, dairying and stock raising being extensively carried on. A well selected herd of about forty Durham cattle supplies milk of the best quality to a nearby creamery. All buildings and equipment on the place are thoroughly up-to-date and well adapted for modern and eco- nomical farming. The Modern Woodmen of America and a Bo- hemian lodge count him a valued member. In 1878 he was married to Frances Simon, by whom he has had seven children : Jay, engaged in farming in Medford township ; Lonis, a farmer of Summit township ; Otto, a bookkeeper of St. Paul ; and Georgia, Blanche, Sidney and Charles, living at home. Joseph and Dorthea Kasper, parents of Anton, left their native land, Bo- hemia, for the United States in 1864, immediately coming to Min- nesota and settling on a rented farm in Aurora township, Steele county. Two years later, they removed to Somerset township, where the father remained engaged in farming until his death.
Archibald Colquhoun, retired farmer of Blooming Prairie vil- lage, was born at Toney River, Picton county, Nova Scotia, Sept. 2, 1835. In 1856 Mr. Colquhoun decided to start agricultural operations, and accordingly came to Stecle county and took up a quarter section in Summit township. In the meantime, how- ever, he followed lumbering on the Chippewa river in Wisconsin, off and on, until 1862, when he again went back to Nova Scotia and spent one winter. He then came again to Steele county, and for many years carried on general farming. Mr. Colquhoun enlisted in the Union Army, Ang. 20, 1864, at Geneva, Minn., serving in Company D, Eleventh Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. He served in the legislature in 1873-74 and 1881-82. While in the legislature he favored having the cities of St. Paul, Minne- apolis and Stillwater united in one Congressional district, an act which became a law in 1881. He has been a member of the board of his school district thirty-eight years, serving at various times as clerk and treasurer. He has been chairman of Blooming Prairie three years, assessor two years, town clerk one year, and road overseer several terms. He votes the Republican ticket. belongs to the James A. Goodwin Post, No. 81, G. A. R., and is a high degree Mason.
Philip J. Kuntz, M. A. The subject of this sketch was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, March 17, 1857, and has spent his
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life so far in Indiana, Illinois and Minnesota. Ilis early life was given to farm work, his father being a farmer, but since his maturity he has been engaged in educational work. He is a graduate of Hedding College, Abingdon, Ill., where the degree of Ph. B. was conferred upon him. His first years of teaching were in Indiana. the principal place being at Centerville, where his first wife rests in their beautiful cemetery. For seven years he was superintendent of the city schools at Aledo. Ill., from which place he came, in 1899, to Owatonna, Minn., where he has filled the position of superintendent since that date. Usually during the summer vacation Mr. Kuntz is called upon to conduct a summer training school for teachers, having been called or sent to several different parts of the state for that purpose. His suc- cessful experience as an educator, and his long service at Owa- tonna give him an enviable standing in the state. Mr. Kuntz has four daughters, one of whom graduated from Hamline Uni- versity, St. Paul, in 1908, at which time he also completed his post-graduate course in absentia from the same institution, and when Miss Ada received hier degree of B. A., the degree of M. A. was conferred upon him. Mr. Kuntz's special line has been in history and civics, in which he is at present doing special work. His success in his work must be in a great measure credited to Mrs. Kuntz, who is a lady of special ability along musical lines, and who was, before her marriage, a successful teacher. They have built themselves a comfortable little home in Owa- tonna, and have identified themselves with the various interests of the city, in which both take an active part. Prof. Kuntz was married in 1880 to Effie V. Smith, who died in January, 1890, leaving three daughters-Maggie, Ada and Irene. Later he mar- ried Amanda M. Wright, of Cambridge City, Ind., by whom he has one daughter, Lucile, at present a student in the high school. Miss Maggie works in her father's office : Miss Ada is a teacher, and a graduate of Hamline University, class of 1908, and Miss Irene is a trained nurse, at present night nurse in the City hospital, Owatonna. The parents of Prof. Kuntz came from Ger- many. The father, Milton Kuntz, came from Alsace-Lorraine to America in 1837. The mother came to America when twelve years of age. in 1840, and is still living in Dearborn county, Indiana.
George R. Kinyon, president of the First National Bank, of Owatonna, was born in Owatonna, May 31, 1861, son of the Hon. WV. R. and Mettie G. Kinyon. His earlier education was obtained in the public schools of the city. When the Minnesota Academy (now Pillsbury Academy) was opened he entered that institu- tion, being a member of the first class, graduating in June. 1880. The same spring he was appointed teller of the First National
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Bank and in 1881 became assistant cashier. In 1882 he became cashier, and in 1903 was elected president, a position which he still holds with conservative progressiveness and much ability. Mr. Kinyon was married April 24, 1883, to Alice Louise Holt, daughter of Wilson and Abigail (Richmond) Holt, both natives of New York, the father being a prominent dry goods merchant, who, after living in Wisconsin for a time, came to Owatonna in 1877, and engaged in business. Mr. and Mrs. Holt are both de- ceased. The home of Mr. and Mrs. George R. Kinyon has been blessed with two sons. George R., Jr., died in infancy. Sidney W. attended the Owatonna public schools, graduated from Pills- bury Academy in 1905 and received his degree from Harvard University in 1909. He is now a vice-president of the First Na- tional Bank of Owatonna.
William E. Williams, a self-made and up-to-date farmer of Havana township, Steele county, is a native of this county, being born in Merton township. September 13, 1859. He re- ceived his education in the district schools near his home, sup- plementing this with a course in the Pillsbury Academy. After this he taught school until 1891, when he was elected to the office of county superintendent of schools, which he held for four years. In 1895 he purchased two hundred acres in Merton township, later adding a hundred and sixty acre tract to it. making three hundred and sixty acres, located in sections five and six. Here he followed general farming with success till 1909, when he purchased the George Chambers farm of two hundred acres in section twenty, Havana township. He has recently erected a new modern house on this property, which, with the well-kept farm buildings and fields, makes Mr. William's place one of the most attractive in the county. He is a believer in modern and progressive methods of agriculture and has always adhered to them. He is a stockholder of the Farmers' Elevator Company, of Owatonna. As to his political faith, he is a sup- porter of the Democratic party, and has served as chairman of supervisors of Merton township. He is a member of the Presby- terian Church. November 21, 1894, he was united in marriage with Margaret Chambers, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Chambers. They have four children : Paul, born November 13. 1895; George L., born June 5, 1899; William, whose date of birth is August 13, 1902; and Emma, who was born Novem- ber 29. 1907. Paul Williams, father of our subject, was a native of Wales, while the mother, Ellen (Johnson) Williams, was born in Norway. They emigrated to America in 1855, locating on a claim of one hundred and sixty acres in Merton township, Steele county, Minnesota, being among the oldest pioneer set- tlers of this county and contributing much to its upbuilding.
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They followed farming all their lives, the mother's death occur- ring January 3, 1890, and the father's. June 14, 1909.
John Wavrin, a well-known farmer of Steele county, his birthplace, was born July 9. 1865. After receiving an edu- cation in the district schools he at once engaged in farming, now owning a hundred and sixty acres of highly productive land, ninety acres of which is under cultivation. All modern improve- ments have been added by him, making the farm one of the most up-to-date in the county. Dairying is given much attention here, a fine herd of Holstein cows supplying milk of the best quality, which finds a ready market at the Pratt creamery, of which Mr. Wavrin is a stockholder. A large apple orchard. containing two hundred and forty-eight trees, contributes much to the income of the farm. The family lived in the old log cabin erected by Mr. Wavrin's father in the early days, until 1896. when a first-class modern dwelling was erected. In politics he is a staunch adherent of the Democratic party, and has served fourteen years on the town board of supervisors, the last twelve years in succession. The D. S. P. S. Lodge of Bohemian work- men counts him among its loyal members. He was married in 1890 to Josephine Belina, daughter of Anton and Frances Belina, by whom he has three children, William, John and Alice, all residing at home. Joseph and Pauline Wavrin, parents of John, were natives of Bohemia, coming to this country in 1863 and locating in Steele county. Minnesota, where the father followed farming till his death in 1890. The mother is still living in Merton township with her son Frank.
Frank C. Webb, one of Medford township's reliable citizens, was born in Wisconsin, November 23, 1850. He attended school in his native state until about fifteen years of age, when his parents came to Minnesota. Here Frank continued his educa- tion in the public schools of Medford township, and later took a business course in St. Paul. After leaving school he was employed by the firm of Lord Brothers, dealers in merchandise in Owatonna, for eight years. Ile then entered the same line of business for himself and continued in it about five years. Selling his mercantile interests, he took the agency of the Ameri- can Express Company at Owatonna, which he held for three years. Mr. Webb then bought his father's farm in Medford, where he has since done a general farming and dairy business. His butter is disposed of to special customers in Owatonna. May 25, 1875, Frank C. Webb was united in marriage to Ella J. Sanborn, daughter of David and Frances Sanborn-an old Eng- lish family who were among the first settlers of this county. Three children enriched the home of Mr. and Mrs. Webb- Mark D., Merritt and Charles P. Mrs. Webb died June 15, 1890. One year later, June 25, 1891, Mr. Webb was married to Myra F.
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Hunkins, daughter of David C. and Wealthy A. Hunkins, for- merly residents of New England and later of this county. Five children have been born to them-Mary B., Albert I., Mildred M., Frances W., Stanley H. Mr. Webb affiliates politically with the Republican party, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is also identified with the I. O. O. F. and the K. of P. He has served as chairman of the town board for ten years and is clerk of the school board. Merritt Webb and Mary C. Put- nam, his wife, parents of the subjects of this sketch, were natives of New York. In 1849 they came to Wisconsin, where they lived on a farm until 1864, when they came to the eastern part of the state, and in 1868 moved to Meriden township, where they farmed until 1869; then they moved to Medford township, and here they carried on a farm until 1887, when they retired from farm work and lived in Owatonna the remainder of their lives. Mr. Webb died in 1891 ; his wife survived him three years.
H. G. Wilson is a native of Merton township, where he was born November 1, 1867. He attended the public schools of Merton and later spent two years in the Owatonna high school. Leaving school, he followed farming until 1892, when he tried ranching in Montana for two years. Returning to Merton town- ship, Mr. Wilson bought one hundred and sixty acres in section seven. He has since added to the original farm, having now two hundred and eighty acres, upon which he conducts a pro- gressive farming business, paying special attention to raising Durham cattle. October 27, 1903, Mr. Wilson was married to Abbie Davis, daughter of Edward and Cynthia Davis, natives, the mother of New York and the father of Ireland. Mr. Davis came to America when fourteen years of age and lived in Wis- consin until 1856, when he came to Minnesota and settled in Meriden township, where he did general farming up to the time of his death in July, 1903. His wife died in 1886. Two sons have been born to Mr. and Mr. Wilson-Glenn and Archic. Mr. Wilson is an active Republican, has served on the school board, and is a stockholder in the Merton creamery. W. H. Wilson and Mary Partridge, his wife, parents of H. G. Wilson, were natives, the mother of Nova Scotia and the father of New York. Mr. Wilson came to Wisconsin with his parents when two years old. In 1862 he came to Minnesota, located in Merton township, and bought eighty acres of land. About six months later he returned to Wisconsin and enlisted for the Civil War, remaining in the service one year. He then returned to his farm in Merton township, added more land to his original purchase, until he had in all four hundred acres under cultivation. In 1892 Mr. Wilson sold his farm and moved to Owatonna. where he and his wife have since lived a quiet, retired life.
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F. C. Wilson conducts a general farm in Merton township. Here he was born June 21, 1876, and it has always been his home. He attended the district school and enjoyed a year at the Owatonna high school. Leaving school. he worked on his father's farm until 1903, when he received his share-one hun- dred and twenty acres-of the paternal estate. He soon added forty more acres to this by purchase. On this one hundred and sixty acres he has ever since carried on his agricultural pursuits. Holstein cattle are his particular pride. Mr. Wilson has recently built a new house and barn. He was married October 27, 1903, to Elsa Cabot, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Cabot, of Medford. In his political affiliations Mr. Wilson has always been a Republican, while in his religious ideas he is in sympathy with the Universalists. He has served on the town board three years and on the school board four years. Charles Wilson and his wife, Agnes Gibson, parents of F. C. Wilson, were natives, the father of England and the mother of Canada. Charles Wilson came to America with his parents when he was two years old. The family located in New York, staying there until he was nine years of age, when they removed to Wisconsin. In 1856, when he was twenty-one years old, Charles came to Minnesota and located on a homestead in Mer- ton township. Ile sold this after a short time and bought one hundred and twenty acres in section eighteen. Later he added eighty more acres in section eight. Here he pursued farming until his death in 1901. Ile was a soldier in the Civil War, enlisting in Company C. Second Minnesota Cavalry, at the time of the Sioux Indian outbreak. He remained in service about nine months. Mrs. Wilson still lives on the old homestead.
Henry N. Winship was born in Owatonna on June 15, 1857. He is a son of Nathaniel and Emily P. (Moulton) Winship. Henry received his education in the public schools of Owatonna, and after leaving school worked for two years as clerk in a hotel for his father. He then worked as a clerk in the clothing store of John Shea, of Owatonna, until 1889, when he accepted a position with Hanauer. Kohn & Co., of Philadelphia, as a traveling salesman of clothing. Ile continued with them until 1896, when he accepted a similar position with Hart, Schaffner & Marx, clothing house, of New York, and has continued with them ever since. His territory includes Wisconsin, Minnesota. the two Dakotas and a part of Montana. Mr. Winship was mar- ried on October 5. 1886, at Medo, in Blue Earth county, to Cornelia Severson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Severson, the father of a prosperous farmer of Blue Earth county. Both parents are now deceased. Two children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Winship-F. Lewis, born December 24, 1888,
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