USA > Minnesota > Wright County > History of Wright County, Minnesota > Part 46
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John O. Turngren, now deceased, was probably one of the most ardent advocates of the farmers' co-operative movement that the county has known. He delighted in the thought that he had helped promote the movement, and considered his work in this line as his greatest achievement. He was born on Oland
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HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
Island, Sweden, October 8, 1853, son of Ole J. Johnson and Karin Johnson. There were two other children in the family, August and Ole. John O. was the first of this family to come to the United States. He had been reared to farm pursuits by his father and at the age of nineteen came alone to this country and joined his uncle who was located at Stillwater, in this state. After his arrival he spent several years in the lumber camps and with railroad construction crews. During this period he learned the language, and devoted himself to the serious task of master- ing the trend of modern thought, so that there were few men in his immediate neighborhood who were better informed than he on general questions of public interest. About 1879 he came to Wright county and seeured eighty aeres in section 30, Franklin township. Seven or eight acres had been cleared and a log cabin and barn had been erected. He finished clearing off the land, and to his original tract added another eighty acres and carried on scientific farming in a successful manner. Being a deep reader he adopted the plan of putting into effect the knowledge which he gleaned from books and papers, and the result was that his agricultural operations were conducted along the latest approved methods. John O. Turngren saw more or less of public life and did good service in every office to which he was elected. For many years he was chairman of the town board of Franklin town- ship, as well as justice of the peace. He helped to organize the Co-Operative Creamery of Montrose, and served as its first presi- dent. For eight years, until his death, January 1, 1914, he was its secretary and manager. He also helped to organize the Farmers' Mercantile Company and was its president until death. He was an Odd Fellow, member of the Rebekahs, and member of the Eneampment. Mr. Turngren was married December 17, 1882, to Sarah C. Norberg, born June 1, 1862, daughter of Andrew and Fredericka (Vickstrum) Norberg, who in 1881 came to this country bringing their four children, Andrew G., Sarah C., Charles E. and Anna Sophia, and settled in Marysville, Wright county. Mr. and Mrs. Turngren had nine children : Victoria, wife of Alex- ander Berthiamme, of Aiken county, this state; Ellen, a teacher; Louis, Oscar, Grant, Agnes, Clara, Nettie and Annie, who died when three years of age. The farm is now carried on by Mrs. Turngren and the family.
Clark Sturman, a well-known farmer of Franklin township, was born in a log house on section 23, in the township where he still resides, August 10, 1867, son of Riley Sturman, the pioneer, and grandson of Thomas Sturman, one of the founders of Ohio. Clark Sturman received such education as he could in attending the district schools in the winter. ITis agricultural training was received by working with his father on the farm. In faet, he helped to clear off several acres of the home place. At the age of
MR. AND MRS. RILEY STURMAN
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HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
eighteen, he left home. For the next few years he had many interesting adventures in North and South Dakota, Montana, Colorado, Texas and Oklahoma, part of the time as a well driller for the Great Northern. In 1898 he purchased a tract of 120 acres in section 25. This, even at that recent date, was all wild. He cleared the land, brought it under cultivation, built a house and barns, and developed a splendid farm. In 1903 he purchased 170 acres in sections 25 and 36. This place also he has developed in many ways. Mr. Sturman is a good farmer and has been very successful in his activities. He raises excellent stock and carries on general farming. For twelve years past he has been assessor of Franklin township, and has given general satisfaction. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Blue Lodge and the Chapter of the Masons, the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the United Workmen. Mr. Sturman was married January 22, 1899, to Malissa Eckelberry. They have six children: Alice F., born March 26, 1900; Dora, born February 23, 1902; Raymond Riley, August 5, 1903; Leola, March 5, 1905; Lester Lawton, August 2, 1907; Royal, February 5, 1908.
Riley Sturman, a worthy pioneer, and venerable veteran of the Civil war, now deceased, was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, May 16, 1830, son of Thomas Sturman, a native of Virginia. Riley Sturman received his education in the schools of his native state. At the age of seventeen he moved to Greenup, Cumber- land county, Illinois, where he farmed and did railroad work. In the spring of 1855 he started for Wright county, reaching here in the early part of July. On July 3, 1855, he and his unele, Samuel Sturman, cut the first road through what is now the vil- lage of Delano. It was a crude affair, but enabled their oxen to get through to section 23, Franklin township, where, on July 4, Riley Sturman took a claim of 160 acres and erected a pre-emption shanty. He broke the land and engaged in farming. In time he erected a log house. In 1863, just as he was getting well started in his farming operations, he enlisted in Co. D, Hatch's Battalion, Independent Cavalry, and served some two years in the North- west. He was honorably discharged at Ft. Snelling in 1865, and returned to his farm. Gradually he improved and developed the place, until it was a splendid estate in every particular. In 1869 he built a frame house, and other buildings were also constructed from time to time as the necessity presented itself. Mr. Sturman was a natural leader among his fellows. For twenty-five years he served continuously on the school board. In 1876 he was assessor. For three years he was chairman of the town board. In addition to this he served on many committees and delega- tions. He died, sincerely mourned and beloved, July 11, 1913, after an illness of several months. At that time it was written of him: "Mr. Sturman was numbered among the early, hardy
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pioneers, who braved the rigors of frontier life and made Min- nesota what it is. He was among the first to blaze the trails into the mighty forests, making a home for himself and family, and sharing with his neighbors the trials that mark the pioneer's life. In all, he was an obliging neighbor, ever ready to help the needy. He was a good husband and a kind father, and, being blessed with a strong constitution, he proved an able helpmate in supplying the needs of a large family." His widow, who worked shoulder to shoulder with him through all their married life, now lives in seetion 25, Franklin township. Riley Sturman was married Jan- uary 1, 1857, to Louisa Murphy. They were the first couple mar- ried in Watertown, Minn. Thirteen children were born: Mary Ann is the wife of Thomas Worthy, of Rogers, Benton county, Arkansas; Eleanor married Edward Burke, and died in 1887; Matilda married W. H. Moxon, and died in 1889 at Hot Sulphur Springs, Colo; Hannah died at the age of two years, two months and twenty-two days, in 1863; Ichabod died in Lisbon, N. D., December 2, 1889; Clark lives in Franklin township; James lives in Black Duck, Minn .; Samuel S. and John live in Deary, Idaho; Ahmeda is now Mrs. Harvey A. Leighton, of Wayzata, Minn .; Bertha is now Mrs. MeClellan Belt, of Delano; Lena is now Mrs. William R. Jabusch, of Minneapolis; and Mabel died in 1903. Lena Sturman was born in Delano, Minn., December 21, 1878, attended the public schools, and lived in Delano until her mar- riage, August 18, 1898, to William R. Jabuseh, a native of Min- neapolis, in which eity they now reside, at 3210 Fourth street, North. There are three children: Irene, born August 27, 1899; Lueile, born June 17, 1903, and Florence, born January 20, 1909. William Sturman, Sr., a worthy pioneer, was born in Coshoc- ton county, Ohio, January 1, 1822, and died in Franklin township, Wright county, Minnesota, February 20, 1898. His father was Thomas Sturman, one of the founders of Ohio. The children in the family were four, John, William (Sr.), Riley and Emily. Of these, William (Sr.) and Riley came to Wright county in 1855. William Sturman, Sr., was reared in his native state and as a young man went to Illinois, where he married Sarah Montgomery, a native of that state. In 1855, he started out with a team of horses for Minnesota, bringing with him his wife and his two children, John and Laura (now Mrs. A. L. Hasmer, of the state of Washington). After an overland trip of six weeks they reached Hennepin county, where they decided to locate. A more favorable location, however, presented itself in Wright county, and they accordingly settled on eighty aeres in section 25, Frank- lin township. This homestead is still in the possession of the family. The tract was then covered with heavy woods. No roads led to it, and no buildings stood on it. Mr. Sturman erected a log cabin and eleared the land. During the Indian campaign
CARL HAHNKE AND FAMILY
pro
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he served in Hateh's Battalion, and was injured by being thrown from a horse. After the war, he returned to his farm and re- suned his work. In addition to elearing his home place, he assisted in ehopping out the road between Minneapolis and Water- town. He was an early school teacher and helped to organize distriet 33, in Franklin township. He was an early school official, and an early assessor, and served on one of the first boards of supervisors. As the years passed, he became prominent in the affairs of the Democratic party, and was a delegate to numerous conventions. At one time he was a candidate for the office of county treasurer on that tieket, but though he ran ahead of his tieket, his party was then in a hopeless minority. Fraternally, he was a member of the I. O. O. F. The children in the family were : John, Laura, William, Viola, Clara, Mary, Rosetta, Rosella, Amanda and Robert. Rosetta and Rosella were twins. Rosetta died in infaney. Sarah Montgomery, the wife of William Stur- man, Sr., died in February, 1896, at the age of sixty-two. She was the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Montgomery, of Illi- nois. The children in the Montgomery family were: Sarah, Samuel, William, Joseph, John, Robert, Mary, Amanda and Ellen. The Sturman farm is now eondueted by William Sturman, Jr., and Robert Sturman. They carry on general farming and stoek- raising, and their farm is as good as is to be found in the eom- munity. Their acres are well tilled, they have all the latest im- proved devices and implements, and their grounds and fenees are well kept.
Robert Sturman was born on the home farm, Angust 4, 1878. He attended the district schools, and as a young man learned the plumbers' trade. He now works at that trade at Delano, but still makes his home on the farm. He was married Thanks- giving Day, 1902, to Lucinda Eekelberry, and they have three children : Alton and Alta (twins), and Vernon L.
William Sturman, Jr., was born on the old homestead where he still lives, February 1, 1865. He studied in the distriet schools, and sinee boyhood days has maintained a high standing in the community. He has been a member of the township board for the past six years and is now its president. For twenty years he has been on the school board. Fraternally he is a member of the I. O. O. F. at Delano.
Carl J. Hahnke, living in seetion 30, Franklin township, was born in Pomerania, Germany, January 2, 1852, a son of Lewis and Albertine (Wandke) Hahnke, who spent the span of their years in Germany. The five children in the family, Carl J., Amelia, Herman, Johanna and Lewis, all eame to the United States. Carl J. was the first to come. He arrived in 1882 and located in Delano, in this county, bringing his wife and four children. For two years he worked on the railroad. Then for
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ten years he operated rented farm land. At the end of this period he bought 180 aeres in seetion 18, Roekford township, and there lived for seventeen years. He made many improvements and was very sueeessful in his farming operations. This farm he presented to his son, Henry, and bought 115 aeres in seetion 3, in the same township. This farm, in turn, he presented to his son, William. Then he bought a home and one aere of land in seetion 30, Franklin township, where he now resides. For six years he was a member of the Rockford town board, and for the past three years he has been treasurer of his school district. For thirteen years he has been local agent for the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company. He and his family are devout members of the Trinity Lutheran church and he has been treasurer of that institution for the past twenty-eight years. The present edifiee was ereeted in Roekford township in 1881, and has been a power- ful influenee for good in the community. Mr. Hahnke is a good example of the manner in which a man may forge ahead. He borrowed money to come to this country and when he landed had but six dollars in his pocket. Now he has given away two fertile farms, and still has a sightly home and a neat piece of land. Mr. Hahnke was married in Germany to Johanna Wandersee, and they have had five children : William, Henry, Minnie and Amelia, born in Germany, and Carl, born in Wright county. Carl died at the age of ten years.
Charles Fred Schultz, one of the leading farmers of Franklin township, was born on the place in seetion 30, where he still resides, October 14, 1869, son of Henry Schultz, the pioneer. Henry Schultz was born in Germany, eame to the United States, and settled in Wright county. Times were hard and provisions were searce. Farm implements were to be obtained only with the greatest difficulty. The first plow that Henry Schultz used was brought by him on his back from Minneapolis. But as the years passed, times beeame better, and the family prospered. Henry Schultz died August 5, 1912, at the age of eighty-three. His good wife, whose maiden name was Lena Baling, died at the age of seventy-one, October 5, 1908. Charles Fred Schultz was reared on the home place where he has always resided. He attended the distriet schools and thoroughly learned agricultural pursuits from his father. For a time after he reached adult years, he rented the home plaee. In 1908 the old homestead of eighty aeres was given to him. Another ninety-two aeres he bought from his father for $2,000. The next year he bought an- other eighty aeres from his brother Fred for $1,500. On the farm thus aequired he has successfully engaged in general farm- ing and the raising of good stoek. The home which he oeeupies was ereeted by his father, but.the barn, 28 by 80 feet, was built by himself in 1911. He has also made other important improve.
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ments about the place. He has taken an aetive interest in all things that have pertained to the growth and development of the town. At one time he was a stoekholder in the Farmers' Co-Operative Store at Montrose, but has now sold out. He is a stockholder, one of the original members, and former director of the Montrose Farmers Co-Operative Creamery. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. Mr. Schultz married Clara Langner, who was born in Berlin, Germany, March 30, 1878, and they have four children : Osear, born November 12, 1902; Clar- ence, born August 30, 1904; Esther, born June 9, 1906; and Gertrude, born January 7, 1909. The parents of Mrs. Clara (Langner) Schultz were Henry and Hannah (Kretehmer) Lang- ner, natives of Germany, who in 1884 came to the United States and settled near Montrose village in this county, where they earried on farming. They brought with them three children, Clara, Oscar and Selma ; and one ehild, Emma, was born in this county.
Rollin H. Crawford, a representative farmer of Franklin town- ship, was born on the homestead of his father, Rollin O. Crawford, in Roekford township, May 27, 1873, and was there reared. He received a good education in the distriet schools, and farmed at home until twenty-five years of age. Then he lived on rented property for a while. In 1904 he purchased 120 aeres in Franklin township, where he now resides. Forty acres of the place have been sold and he still retains eighty aeres, on which he eonducts general farming and raises good stock. He is well known throughout the county, having gone about threshing for many seasons. He has served on the school board nine years. His fraternal affiliation is with the Modern Brotherhood of America. Mr. Crawford was married March 17, 1897, to Albertina Sehir, a native of Germany, whose parents settled in Wright county. In the Crawford home there are seven children : Rheuben, Ethel, Lydia, Gladys, Marna, Enniee and Viola.
Edmund W. Hayes, a pioneer, was born in what is now West Virginia. James Ilayes, his father, was a farmer and also operated sawmills and flour mills in the old days when the only motive power in each mill was a great waterwheel. Edmund W. Hayes grew to manhood in his native state and there married Susanna Lantz. In 1869 they brought their family to Wright county, and secured 240 aeres on the shores of Fountain lake, in section 6, Franklin township. A little less than four aeres had been eleared, and in this clearing stood an old frame build- ing, sided up with rough boards. But though the place was crude and in the wilderness, the members of the family were glad to be onee more permanently located after their long trip down the Ohio river, up the Mississippi river, and thenee over- land to Franklin township. They had brought a pair of horses
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with them. Soon they purchased a yoke of oxen and started clearing the land. They put up a log house and a log barn and prepared as well as possible to begin farming operations. The first year they sowed about an aere and a quarter of wheat, planted two or three aeres of corn, and in between the stumps put in as many potatoes and rutabagas as possible. With this beginning the Hayes family beeame one of the most substantial and prosperous in the community. Edmund W. Hayes died on the homestead March 13, 1870, at the age of fifty-four years, five months and five days. His wife died September 28, 1889. The children in the family were: Samantha, who married Silas Snodgrass; Ezra, of Wetzel eounty, West Virginia; Sarah, who married James H. Ferrell; Alexander, who married Mary Willey ; James, who married Jane Iostitle; Andrew J., Alice, Malissa, Nicholas and Simon.
Andrew Jackson Hayes, an influential farmer of Franklin township, was born in Grand township, Wetzel county, West Virginia, January 12, 1847, son of Edmund W. and Susanna Lantz. He came to Wright county with the family in 1869, and assisted in elearing the home plaee. While a young man he took 56 acres of the farm and started agricultural operations on his own account. Gradually he added to this tract until he now owns 270 aeres of good land in section 6, Franklin, where he successfully carries on general farming. He has taken a special interest in farm development and is a director of the Farmers' Co-Operative Store at Montrose. As a hobby Mr. Hayes has become interested in bees, and he now has over 200 good colonies. His place is unusually well improved, and his lawn is one of the beauty-spots of the neighborhood. Ilis fraternal affiliation is with Montrose lodge, No. 185, I. O. O. F. Mr. Hayes was mar- ried March 9, 1882, to Stella Streeter, born in Woodland town- ship, Wright county, January 5, 1862, daughter of Levi W. and Margaret (Griffin) Streeter. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hayes are as follows: Clara Bell, born April 5, 1877; Viola, born January 14, 1883; Theresa Myrtle, June 19, 1884; Albert Lea, August 11, 1885; John Henry, February 21, 1887; Cassie, February 21, 1888; Margaret, September 27, 1889; Levi W., December 7, 1890; William L., February 3, 1892; Bessie M., April 26, 1893; Josephi, October 27, 1894; Ethel, March 13, 1896; Andrew Hobson, February 22, 1898; Edmund B., December 27, 1899; Alva Forest, December 13, 1901; Lila Irene, September 1, 1904; Myron Harvey, May 15, 1907. Margaret died September 12, 1890. Viola, wife of Wells Pettis, died Jume 29, 1906, and left three children, Edna, Esther and Marjorie. Theresa mar- ried Charles Steinborn and lives in Minneapolis. Albert Lea married Emma Langer, and they live in 'Franklin township. Levi W. married Rose Otto. They live in ITastings, Minn.
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A. J. HAYES AND FAMILY
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WILLIAM A. CRONK
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Levi W. Streeter was born in England, and was brought to this country by his parents at the age of nine years. He was reared in New York state and there married Margaret Griffin, a native of that state. The young couple then started westward, and just before the Civil War located on section 11, in Woodland township, where they secured forty aeres. They erected a house of unhewn logs, started to clear the land and started an agricul- tural career in the wilderness. In their latter life they moved to Montrose, where they died. The children in the family were Stella, Nellie, Margaret, John and William.
Sampson T. Bland, who was cut down by death in the prime of his young manhood, is still held in loving remembrance. Ile was born in Virginia and was reared as a farmer. While still a youth he came west to Wright county, and after working in Rockford township for a while was married in June, 1881, to Mary M. Cronk, born on the homestead in Rockford township, March 27, 1861, daughter of William A. and Caroline (Samsel) Cronk. After their marriage he rented the Cronk homestead and was just starting in life, when he died in November, 1881. Their son, Sampson Frederic Bland, was born July 19, 1882, and now makes his home with his mother in Hennepin county.
William A. Cronk, a pioneer, was born in Pennsylvania, January 25, 1836. In the fifties he came to Rockford township, where he married Caroline Samsel, daughter of Jacob Samsel, an earlier pioneer. After their marriage they located on a pre- emption claim. Later they took a homestead of eighty acres in Rockford township. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted in the Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry and served until the elose of the confliet. His wife and children in the mean- time were left at home. During his absence his wife dug gin- seng, cultivated the garden, and thus helped support her two children. During the Indian uprising Mrs. Cronk took her two children and went to the home of her father, Jacob Samsel, in the same township. After the war Mr. Cronk returned and they located on their homestead. The vicinity was all wild woods. He erected a log cabin and set at work with a will to clear the land. Wild animals ran in the garden and often peered in at the windows. Fortunately he owned a yoke of oxen and these were of much help. The daughter, Mary M., now Mrs. Samuel Copeland, of Hennepin county, remembers leading the oxen as they worked. After the land was cleared Mr. Cronk from time to time purchased other tracts, until he owned in all 240 acres of excellent land. The log house gave way to a large frame dwelling, and suitable barns and sheds were from time to time erected. In polities Mr. Cronk was a Republican. In religious faith he was a Methodist. He gave the land on
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which the German Methodist Episcopal church in West Rock- ford township was erected and also land for the cemetery sur- rounding it. Here he and his good wife are buried. He died March 15, 1881. His wife, who was born March 31, 1838, died June 18, 1875.
Samuel Copeland, a respected farmer of Hennepin county, has been closely connected with the pioneers of Wright county, his farm being but a short distance from the line between the two counties. He was born in Indiana, July 9, 1837, and came to Minnesota in the carly days. Ile is now a successful farmer, highly regarded and esteemed in every way. In 1884 Mr. Cope- land married Mary M. Cronk, daughter of William A. and Caro- line (Samsel) Cronk, and widow of Sampson T. Bland. They have three children : Guy, John and Hazel. Guy lives in Frank- lin township. He married Mary Gonsier and they have five chil- dren : Clemens, Marie, Dorethea, Joseph and Florentine George. John lives at home. Hazel is now the wife of Oscar G. Lobitz and they reside on a farm in Carver county.
Fred W. Wandersee, an industrious and influential citizen of Franklin township, proprietor of the West Franklin Farm and general agriculturist, was born in Germany, August 22, 1836, son of Michael and Catherine Wandersee. In the family there were five children: Ferdinand, Fred W., Anna, Charles and Caroline. Fred W. was the first of this family to come to America. IIe was reared on the home farm in Germany, and in the spring of 1866 married Wilhelmina Jacob. Shortly after- ward they set out for America, and after a long voyage of nine weeks landed in New York. From there they went to Water- town, Jefferson county, Wisconsin, where they remained three years. In 1869 they came to Delano, in Wright eounty, and bought eighty acres of wild land in seetion 32, Franklin town- ship, covered with woods and considerably remote from any set- tlement of importance. Here he built a log cabin, and with an ox team eleared about twenty acres of land. Then he sold out and secured his present place of 160 acres. A log cabin had been erected and about twelve acres had been eleared. Mr. Wandersce eleared up the rest of the farm, constructed good fences and as time passed erected commodious barns and sheds. In 1896 he erected a brick vencer house. He has given his place the name of the West Franklin Farm. His success has been caused by ability and hard work. He had to borrow money to come from Germany to America, but he soon earned enough to pay it back. When he reached Wright county he had $900, which he had made chopping wood, working on the railroad, clearing land, selling fuel and the like. He has ever been a good eitizen and fully deserves the success with which he has met. Wilhelmina Jacob, wife of Fred W. Wandersee, was born
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