USA > Minnesota > Wright County > History of Wright County, Minnesota > Part 44
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ANDREW NORBERG
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in Howard Lake in 1908. Mr. Armstrong died in 1913 and his wife in 1914.
August M. Swanberg, a prominent farmer of Cokato township, was born on the Swanberg homestead in Cokato township, July 4, 1879, son of Magnus and Bertha (Olson) Swanberg, the pio- neers. He was edueated in the distriet schools and remained at home until 1893, when he went to the northern part of the state. He seeured a elaim, and to this added by purchase until he now owns 320 aeres of good land on the Rainy river, twenty-five miles west of International Falls. After his father's death he returned home, and here he lias sinee condueted general farming on seventy aeres of the Swanberg farm. Mr. Swanberg was married Jan- uary 1, 1913, to Beatriee T. Larson, of Cokato township, born May 28, 1883, danghter of Eriek L. Larson. Mr. and Mrs. Swan- berg have one child, Evelyn Victoria, born November 2, 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Eriek L. Larson were natives of Sweden. They eame to America in 1880 and located on a farm in Cokato town- ship. In 1914 they retired, and now live in the village of Cokato. They were the parents of five children: Carl and Beatrice died on the ocean voyage coming over. Beatrice, Lydia and Signa were born in Ameriea.
Magnus Swanberg was born in Smaaland, Sweden, April 23, 1837, and eame to the United States in 1867. After staying a short period in St. Paul he came to Cokato township and took a homestead of eighty aeres of land. The traet was covered with woods. He ereeted a log eabin, and moved into it before he had the roof put on. With his ox team he began to elear the land. Later he was able to buy additional land until he owned 210 aeres. He worked early and late, and as the years passed developed a good farm. He died in 1907. He was a trustee of the Swedish Lutheran Church at Cokato, and a useful eitizen. For several years he was treasurer of Cokato township. Mr. Swanberg was married July 3, 1870, to Bertha Olson, born October 26, 1833, in Sweden. Mr. and Mrs. Swanberg have had four children: Fred, August, Anna, now Mrs. August Wadenstin, of Minneapolis ; and Emma, wife of August Salberg. She died at the age of twenty- five. Mrs. Bertha (Olson) Swanberg was the daughter of Eriek and Bertha Olson. The mother died in Sweden and the father eame to the United States and died here. In the Olson family there were six children: Ole, Andrew, Eriek (deceased), Bertha, Carrie and Betsy. Ole died in Sweden, and the rest eame to the United States.
Andrew Norberg, the popular and efficient buttermaker for the Knapp Creamery Association, on the line between Freneh Lake and Cokato townships, was born in seetion 32, Cokato town- ship, April 19, 1880, son of Peter Norberg, the pioneer, who located on a heavily wooded traet in French Lake township in
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the early days, ereeted a log cabin, experieneed the usual hard- ships of pioneer life, and developed a splendid farm. He died in 1902, and his wife still lives on section 32. He and his good wife were the parents of six children, four boys and two girls. Andrew Norberg was the third in the family. He was reared on the home farm, attended the district schools and early became interested in dairying. In 1904 he attended the Dairy School of the Uni- versity of Minnesota, after which he began work in the Knapp Creamery. In 1905 and 1911 he took postgraduate courses. Mr. Norberg is a thorough expert at his trade, he is of a pleasant temperament that makes friends easily, he is a good business man, and is greatly liked and esteemed both in his work and in his social relations.
Edward Taylor, an honored and respected resident of Cokato, has had adventures in life such as fall to the lot of but few men, and the story of his war experienees fully told would make a volume in itself. He was born in London, England, June 8, 1843, son of John Edward and Dinah Sarah Dunn Greenwood Taylor. By her first marriage the mother had three children, Mary Ann, Dinah Sarah and William. By her marriage to Mr. Taylor there were three children, Henry G., Benjamin and Edward. The family left England October 9, 1849, and reached New York harbor January 1, 1850. They located in New York City, and there the father opened the first gold-beater's shop in that place. In the spring of 1858 Edward Taylor set out for himself. For a few years he farmed in Winehester, the county seat of Randolph county, Indiana. At the outbreak of the Civil war he went to Richmond, the county seat of Wayne county, Indiana, June 6, 1861, and enlisted in Company E, 36th Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was mustered in October 23 at Indian- apolis, under Captain S. R. Kerney. The regiment was assigned to the Second Brigade, First Division, Fourteenth Corps, Army of the Cumberland. This began Private Taylor's war reeord. He displayed his valor on many a bloody field of honor, and was a good soldier in every respect. Among the more important engage- ments in which he participated may be mentioned the battles of Shiloh, Pittsburgh Landing, Sparta, Perrysville, Nashville, Stony River, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Mission- ary Ridge and Atlanta. While on a foraging expedition he was captured. For fourteen weeks he was eonfined in the dismal Libby Prison. He was one of the first to eseape by digging out of the death cellar. He and a companion called "Shorty" erawled through the passageway they had made and found their way to the river bank, where they floated down the stream twelve miles hanging to a bale of eotton. They then took to the shore. Their trail was followed by a pack of bloodhounds, fifteen in number. Private Taylor and his friend aeeordingly separated. Mr. Taylor
MR. AND MRS. EDWARD TAYLOR MRS. C. M. REED MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM TAYLOR AND CHILDREN
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passed through a slough into the river, and then waded in the bed of the stream, thus throwing the dogs off his traek. The disap- pointed dogs captured his partner, and Mr. Taylor watched them tear him to pieces, expeeting that his turn was to come next. Neither Mr. Taylor nor his companion had any clothes, their only garment being a gunny saek, with holes eut for the arms and legs. While the dogs were killing his companion, Mr. Taylor lay covered in the mud, only his ears and his nose stieking out. Within ten feet of him were two big alligators. When he erawled out he had to tear the black leeches from dozens of places on his body where they had been sapping his feeble strength. One got into his left ear, and he broke the drum in getting it out. He finally made his way to a negro cabin, and after a long wateh spied the negro "mammy" going out to milk. She hid him while she milked, and then took him to the cabin, where her husband gave him food and clothes. The next morning the husband ear- ried him four miles on his baek through the swamp and then set him on his way to the North. Soon afterward he was captured as a spy by Union soldiers and taken into the Union ranks, where he was finally released and allowed to rejoin his eommand. He was wounded at the battles of Shiloh, Stony River, Roekface Ridge and Atlanta. The wound he received in the head at the Battle of Atlanta prevented his finishing the March to the Sea with his regiment, and he was sent to the hospital at Nashville. From there he was transferred to the Eleventh Regiment, Veteran Reserves. While he was recovering he carried mail for the bar- racks at Cincinnati and later guarded Confederate prisoners at Point Lookout. He was discharged at Washington, D. C., Sep- tember 21, 1864. He reenlisted March 14, 1865, in Company H, Fifth Ohio Cavalry, under Colonel Thomas Heath. October 30, 1865, at Charlotte, N. C., under General Orders No. 144, U. S. War Department, he received his final honorable discharge. Hav- ing thus fulfilled his duty to his eountry, he returned to Randolph county, Indiana, where he spent the winter. In the spring of 1866, Edward Taylor, Jesse Bales and William Adamson started out for Minnesota with sixteen horses. March 21, 1866, they landed at the shack of Joel Bales, on the shores of Lake Rebecca, in Roekford township, this eounty. Edward Taylor worked the first summer on the farm of Joel Bales. Then he went into the pine woods and worked as a chopper, a cook, a raftsman and a steamboat employe. In the summer of 1869, 1870 and 1871 he was on the government survey under T. B. Walker, of Minneapolis. In the fall of 1871 he married Mary C. Reed, who was born in Roekford, Ill., February 13, 1852, daughter of Stillman O. and Caroline M. (Koek) Reed, who located in Shanhassen township, Carver county, in 1856, and took a homestead in French Lake, Wright county, in 1868. After Edward Taylor was married he
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went to Morrison county in the fall of 1872 and picked out a homestead, onto which he and his bride moved in February, 1873. There they resided until 1880, when they moved to Cokato, where they have since lived. Mr. Taylor belongs to Willmar Post, No. 125, G. A. R., and Golden Rule Lodge, No. 82, I. O. O. F. Mrs. Taylor belongs to the Eastern Star and the Royal Neighbors. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have two children. Henry S. lives in Cokato. He married Maude A. Golladay, of Annandale, and they have two children, Harry J. E. and Mildred Jessie. Emma J. is the wife of Frank Friend, of Tonica, III.
John C. Watson, a prosperous citizen of Cokato, was born in Wetzel county, in what is now West Virginia, December 5, 1857, son of John C. Watson, Sr., and Tena (Cambridge) Watson. As a young man he traveled extensively, being for a while freight agent for the B. B. & B. C. R. R. in the state of Washington. It was in 1865 that he came to Montrose, in this eounty, with his parents, and in 1867 he came with them to Cokato township. He moved to Jowa in 1881, but after a year he returned to the farm in Cokato. In 1887 he went to the state of Washington, but after two years there, again returned to the farm in Cokato. He has lived continuously on his present farm since 1889. From 1880 to 1886 he had charge of the Cargill Elevator at Smith Lake. There he did most excellent work and made many friends, giving satisfaction to his employers and winning the confidence of the farmers with whom he dealt: He has been very successful in his general farming operations, and makes a specialty of raising a good grade of stock. For fifteen years he has been elerk of his school district and for three years director. Under his care the place, which consists of eighty acres in section 26, has greatly improved, and he is regarded as one of the leading men of the community. He belongs to Cokato Lodge, No. 134, A. F. & A. M., and his wife is a member of the Eastern Star. Mr. Watson was married in 1881 to Euniee La Salle, born in New York state, daughter of Marens and Mary (Wilber) La Salle, who were also born in New York, but who spent the greater part of their lives as farmers in Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Watson have four children : Zoa, John Charles, Herbert Clinton and Maude, all living at home.
John C. Watson, Sr., was born in Marion county, Virginia, son of William Watson and nephew of David Watson, a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He was reared and educated in his native county, and married Orilla Mason. As a youth he learned two trades, those of stonemason and shoemaker, and in these oeenpa- tions he earned his livelihood. He moved to what is now Wetzel county in West Virginia, and there three of the children, Eliz- abeth, Lucinda and Malissa, died. Several of the children were born there. In 1865 he started for the Northwest with his family,
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consisting of his wife and his children, Augustus, Leander, James, Susannah, John C., William, Alexander, Thornton and Rhoda. They came by boat down the Ohio and up the Mississippi to St. Paul. From there they came to Minneapolis, and then by horse team they came on to Montrose, in Wright eounty, where they remained for some two years. In 1866 he secured a tract of eighty aeres in seetion 26, Cokato township. A trail led past the elaim. He erected a small cabin of logs and began to clear the place. lle fortunately had a pair of oxen and three cows. In April, 1867, he moved his family into the cabin. St. Anthony was then the trading point, and members of the family sometimes walked there after supplies. John C. Watson, Sr., died in 1869, in the faith of the Baptist church. His wife died in August, 1866. From the old home the family has scattered far and wide, and the only one that remains there is John C., Jr., who successfully earries on general farming.
George J. Cramer, a prosperous farmer of Delano, where he owns 121 acres of good land in the outskirts, and carried on general farming, together with high-class stock raising, was born March 25, 1870, in Carver county, son of Joseph and Augusta (Blatz) Cramer, who came to Wright county when he was one year of age and located in sections 2 and 11 on the farm now occupied by the son. Mr. Cramer was reared on this place, passed through the Delano schools, and learned farming from his father. George J. Cramer was married May 30, 1899, to Antoinette Zachman, the daughter of Thomas Zachman, and they have seven children, Wendelin, Leander, Varina, Anthony, Armella, Irene and Walter, all of whom live at home. The family faith is that of St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, of Delano, and Mr. Cramer is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters.
Joseph Cramer was born in Washington county, Ohio, March 24, 1834, son of Joseph Cramer, Sr. In 1852 he came to Carver county and took a claim of 160 aeres. Here he underwent the typical experiences of pioneer life. He cut and hauled the logs for a small cabin, broke and cleared the land, later erected a larger log cabin, and in time was enabled to build a frame house. In 1870 he came to Wright county, and for some thirty-eight years engaged in the meat business in Delano. Mr. Cramer was married, May 12, 1862, at St. Bonifacius, to Augusta Blatz, who was born in Baden, Germany, August 27, 1843, daughter of Bernard Blatz, came to America with her parents in 1861, and located at St. Bonifacius. Mr. and Mrs. Cramer were the parents of ten children: Frank was born March 27, 1863, and lives in Minneapolis. Joseph was born October 16, 1864, and also lives in Minneapolis. Rosa was born April 4, 1866, and married Frank Swadner, of Franklin township. Anna Louise was born October 17, 1867, and is now Mrs. Smith, of Minneapolis. George was
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born March 27, 1870, and lives in Delano. William was born December 3, 1871, and died July 24, 1876. Marie was born Angust 8, 1874, and lives in Minneapolis. John A. was born November 13, 1877, and also lives in Minneapolis. Mary was born March 16, 1881, and died the same day. Lonis F. was born Jannary 25, 1885, and died March 24, 1885. Joseph Cramer died March 24, 1896. His wife still resides in Buffalo.
Andrew Pogreba, mayor of Delano, was born in Germany, November 30, 1855, son of Urban and Agnes (Hallek) Pogreba. The parents were most substantial people, and the father was a veteran of the War of 1848. In the family there were eight sturdy sons, John, Thomas, Jacob, Andrew, Albert, Peter, Robert and William. Andrew Pogreba was reared in Germany, attended the publie schools, and as a youth learned the trade of baker. In 1873 he came to America, and after working a month in Chicago, arrived in Delano. Here he began work along the right of way of the Great Northern. His ability and intelligence attracted attention, and he soon became seetion foreman. Still later he was made roadmaster. By frugal savings he was enabled to purchase a store in Everest Village, Cass county, North Dakota, in the year 1890, but the store was burned five years later, and he returned to Delano. In 1910 he purchased his present farm, where he raises good erops and good live stock, and has been most successful in his undertakings. In the spring of 1914 he was elected mayor of Delano by a substantial majority. Mayor Pogreba was married, September 6, 1879, to Emma Torgerson, a native of Norway, daughter of Absolom Torgerson and Rachel (Christopher) Torgerson, early settlers of Swift county, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Pogreba have eight children: Anna, Leo, John, Peter, Nora, Minnie, Elizabeth and Agnes. Anna married S. R. Berg, of Minneapolis. Peter married Julia Jacobson. They live in Minneapolis. Leo married Frances Pogreba. They live in Montrose. John lives in South Dakota. The family attend the Catholic church.
Adam Horsch, man of affairs, living in Delano, was born in Franklin township, this county, May 9, 1860, son of Jacob and Elizabeth Ilorseh, the pioneers. He attended the district schools and was reared to farm pursuits and is now the owner of the old homestead. In 1892 he came to Delano, erected lumber yards and sheds and engaged in the luimber business. Beginning on a small seale, his industry, honest dealing and genial temperament caused the business to increase rapidly. Soon he was dealing on a large scale in all kinds of building supplies and fuel. In 1909 he sold out to the Midland Lumber & Coal Company. Then he engaged for two years in the automobile business. Since he sold out in 1912 he has devoted his time to looking after his extensive interests and holdings. He resides in one of the finest residences
ANDREW POGREBA AND FAMILY
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in the village of Delano. It was erected in 1901, and is a model village home in every partieular. Mr. Horseh has intimately identified himself with the life of Delano. He has been a member of the village conneil twelve years, and president four different terms. He has also served thirteen years on the school board, ten years of which he has been president. The M. W. A. lodge finds him a valuable member. Among his other business interests may be mentioned the fact that he is a stockholder and director in the State Bank of Delano. The family faith is that of the Lutheran church. Mr. Horsch was married March 2, 1897, to Mary Wildele, and they have seven children : Caroline, Margaret, Edmund, George, Veronica, Isabelle and Carl.
Jacob Horsch, one of those early settlers whose courage, indus- try and faith had so important a part in the developing of Wright county, was born in Baden, Germany, November 11, 1825, and there received his early education. It was in 1853 that he eame to America and located in Bordentown, N. J. In that town he was married, Angust 21, 1853, to Elizabeth Ehrmann, who was born in Baden, Germany, September 3, 1831, and came to America the same year that he did. In 1854 they removed to Chicago, and there lived four years. From October, 1858, dates their resi- dence in this county. In that month they came to Franklin town- ship and took a homestead of eighty aeres in section 4, Franklin township. This traet was covered with brush and trees and untonehed by the hand of man. They built a log house and a log barn, broke and "grubbed" the land, and underwent all the hardships incident to pioneer life. As time passed, their hard work received its reward, and they became prosperous and influ- ential members of the community. A good frame house and roomy outbuildings took the place of the original log structures, and the farm became one of the best in the neighborhood. Jacob Horseh served in Company E, Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war. He and his wife both died on the home farm, he March 22, 1899, and she May 7, 1903. Mr. Horsch was a sincere friend of education. Ile helped to build the first schoolhouse in his district, and served on the school board for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Horsch were the parents of ten children : Caroline (deceased), Rosa, of Delano; Jacob, Jr., of Franklin township; Adam, of Delano; Elizabeth, wife of Will- iam Pagenkopf, of Maple Plain, Hennepin county; Amelia, wife of Henry Schwerin, of Eeho, Minn .; Andrew, of Franklin town- ship, and George, of Delano. Two others are deceased.
Fred L. Brandes. Probably few people in the county enjoy a more general popularity than Fred Brandes, the genial and capable city recorder of Delano. His sterling worth, his undoubted ability and his accommodating spirit have won for him a place in the esteem and affection of his fellows that few
ANGUS MeEACHERN
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Angus McEachern, Sr., veteran of the Civil war and retired farmer, now living in Delano village, was born in Nova Scotia, Canada, December 25, 1829, son of John and Sarah (Smith) MeEachern, who spent the span of their years in Nova Scotia, where the family earned a livelihood by farming and fishing. In the home of these worthy people there were three sons, Alexander, Renald and Angus. Renald was one of the beroes of the Civil war, serving throughout the entire period of that confliet. Alex- ander was drowned in the St. Johns river, in his native province. Angus started out in 1852, and came to the United States, taking up his headquarters at Bolton, Me., and working for several years in the lumber camps. In 1856 he came to Minnesota and engaged in the lumber business in partnership with Isaae Staples. It was in the spring of 1858 that he came to Wright county, and took eighty acres of railroad land in the west half of the north- west quarter of section 5, Buffalo township. This traet was cov- ered with heavy timber, there were no roads leading to it, and only narrow trails connected it with Buffalo and Monticello. It was two years before he obtained an ox team. He built a log eabin, and got in his first erops with the aid of an axe and a "grub" hoe. During the spring and winter seasons he still worked at lumbering in the woods and on the river "drives." At the height of the Indian fright he took his family and fled to Montieello, where for sixty days, while his family were safe in the stoekade, he served on guard duty with the State Scouts. Later he enlisted in Company B, Eleventh Minnesota Volunteer Infantry and served a year with the Army of the Tennessee. At the elose of the war he returned to the farm and continued its development. About 1904 he retired and moved to Delano, where he now lives. Mr. MeEachern was married in 1858 to Eliza Hop- kins, who died in 1910, at the age of seventy-eight. In the family there were eight children : Mary, Renald, Angus, John, Hugh, Alexander, George and Archie. The family faith is that of the Catholic church.
Philip Martin, of Delano, whose fame as a raiser of ginseng has been widespread, was born in Athens county, Ohio, January 17, 1837, son of James and Hannah (Coon) Martin, the former of English and the latter of German descent. The parents were married in Ohio, and reared a family of twelve children. From Ohio they moved to Illinois, and from there in 1857 they came to Minnesota, arriving in Minneapolis July 4, and then taking a homestead in Franklin township. Philip Martin located on 160 aeres in seetion 22, Franklin township. The land was covered with woods; no roads had been built to the place. Mr. Martin erected a log cabin and sowed wheat around the stumps of the trees that he eut down. When he needed supplies he drove with an ox team to Minneapolis, fording streams and pieking his way
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through the swamps and along the trails. July 26, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, the famous "Bloody Second," went south with that regiment, and took part in all its heroic marches, battles, skirmishes and engage- ments. At the close of the war he returned to his claim. In the years that have passed since then he has continued farming on the old homestead, a part of which he still occupies. For some time past he has made a specialty of raising ginseng, a venture at which he has been very successful. His neat and orderly beds receive the best of care, and the enterprise has attracted much favorable attention. Mr. Martin has never sought public office, but has done good service as justice of the peace. His fraternal affiliations are with the Watertown Lodge, A. F. & A. M., which he joined in 1865. Mr. Martin was married in 1867 to Caroline Osmer, of Indiana. She lived only a few years after their mar- riage, and upon her death left two children, Charles and Josie (deceased). Later he married Minnie Lisle, who has proved a capable and sympathetic companion. They have three children, James, Anna and Adelle.
Jacob Rader, a pioneer, was born in Pennsylvania, son of George and Mary Rader, both natives of that state and descended from German ancestry. The children in the family were George, John, Jacob, Henry and Mary. When the War of 1812 broke out Jacob was too young to serve as a soldier, but was finally accepted as a drummer boy. In this capacity his courage was highly com- mended. When he was older he joined the militia. He came westward to Ohio, married, and then moved to Rush county, Indiana. From there he went to Knox county, in the same state, and thence to Illinois. In 1856 he came up the river to St. Paul, arriving at that city April 18. He took up his residence at Shako- pee, and from there went into the rural districts of Hennepin county. In his latter years he retired. Jacob Rader married Eve Treese, and they had eight children, Lewis, William, John, George, Adam, Washington, Jane and Naney. Jacob Rader and his wife both died in Hennepin county.
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