Illustrated album of biography of Southwestern Minnesota : containing biographical sketches of hundreds of prominent old settlers...:History of Minnesota, embracing an account of early exploration...and a concise history of the Indian outbreak of 1862, Part 23

Author:
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago : Occidental Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 814

USA > Minnesota > Illustrated album of biography of Southwestern Minnesota : containing biographical sketches of hundreds of prominent old settlers...:History of Minnesota, embracing an account of early exploration...and a concise history of the Indian outbreak of 1862 > Part 23

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

ATHIAS OLSON is a member of the firm of Bisbee & Olson, gen- eral merchants, of Madelia, Minnesota. This firm is one of the most reliable mer- cantile institutions in Southwestern Min- nesota, and is doing an extensive business. Since Mr. Olson came to the village he has taken an active part in the improvement of the city, and has done a great deal toward developing the financial interests.

Mr. Olson is a native of Norway, where he was born May 21, 1846. His parents were Ole and Annie (Olson) Torgerson, both of whom were natives of Norway. The father was a farmer by occupation, and reared a family of seven children-Torger, Jacob, Rannog, Ammond, Peter, Mathias and Mathia. The father is still living ; the mother died in her native country in 1880.

Attending school in his native land until he was fourteen years of age, our subject then engaged in clerking in a general store, in which line he continued for eight years. In 1868 he came in a sailing vessel to America, landing at Quebec, whence he . came to St. Peter, Minnesota. He en- gaged for a brief time at farming in Blue Earth county, and then worked as a common laborer on the Sioux City railroad. In 1870 he came to Madelia and clerked in the gen- eral store of Boynton & Cheeney for four years. Then, in company with Mr. Bisbee, he opened their mammoth store at Madelia. Their store building is 24x120 feet, and they keep twelve men constantly employed to facilitate the handling of their immense business. Mr. Olson has earnestly and inde- fatigably applied himself to the building up of his various financial interests, and the successful manner of their conduction is am- ply manifested in the rush of trade which this firm enjoys. Not too busy with his pri- vate interests, Mr. Olson takes an active part in public matters, and has been a member of the village council for some time. In politics he occupies an independent ground, sup- porting the men best fitted for the various positions. With his wife he belongs to the Lutheran church. He has a fine home in the village, and has his grounds beautifully or- namented with shade trees. He owns a fine farm of 320 acres in Riverdale township, provided with excellent buildings, and with stock of all kinds. Mr. Olson is one of the

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leading and most prosperous citizens of Madelia.

The subject of our sketch was married in the year 1874 to Miss Mary Olson, daughter of Ole Stenerson, formerly of Madelia. This union has been blessed with three living children-Alfred M., Stella O. and Minnie.

PROFESSOR WILLIAM McDONALD, county superintendent of schools of Martin county, Minnesota, resides in Fair- mont, the county seat. He is a native of Beetown, Grant county, Wisconsin, where he was born on the farm of his parents, Sep- tember 26, 1847. He was the son of Joseph and Rebecca (McDonald) McDonald, the former a native of Ireland and the latter born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania. His father died when our subject was seven years of age, and he continued to reside with his mother, assisting her on the farm and attend- ing school until about fifteen years of age.

Being possessed of a military spirit and endowed with loyal patriotism even at that early age, he enlisted in the service of the Union army. He joined the Forty-first Reg- iment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served for about two years, being discharged in the fall of 1865. The first battle in which he saw service was at-the raid on Memphis by General Forrest. Following this came the conflict at Tupelo, Germantown and Holly Springs. From thence the division to which our subject's regiment was attached marched to Nashville and encountered the enemy at Franklin and later at the siege of Nashville under General Schofield and A. J. Smith. After his discharge he returned home and engaged in teaching, finding a position in the school at High Ridge, Cass- ville township, Grant county, Wisconsin. At the close of his term Professor J. F. Thompson proffered him a position in charge of the primary department of the Cassville

public schools. Our subject continued in that position for one year and then entered the normal school at Plattville, continuing therein some two years. After this period he returned to his native village, and spent six years in the profession of teaching. in the schools, where he had attended when a boy. Dur- ing this time he built up quite a reputation as an excellent teacher, and took an active interest in the welfare of his locality. He became identified with the Independent Or- der of Good Templars, of which he was elected chief several times, and also held the superintendency of the Sunday-school for some time. During the vacations he occu- pied his time in improving his farnı and haul- ing pig lead from the furnace to the Cassville market. He became financially interested in the mines of this region, but, finding that it was not a profitable investment, sold his stock and continued giving his attention more fully to the profession of teaching. In 1872 he was married, and then, after a summer spent on a farm, engaged as principal of the Potosi public schools, where he continued two years. He then spent one summer engaged in farm- ing on the McCardy farm, four miles north- east of Potosi. In the fall of 1876, he re- moved to Colesburgh, Iowa, and filled a three years' engagement as principal of the public schools of that place. In the year 1879 he removed to North McGregor, and was there principal of the schools for three years. He then entered the political field, becoming a candidate for county superintendent of schools against J. R. McClellan. Our sub- ject was defeated, and soon after resigned his position as teacher in the schools and returned to Colesburgh, where he entered his old position as principal, and held the same for two years. He then went to Muscolonge, Grant county, Wisconsin, and spent a year as principal of the public schools, and followed that with one year at farming and one at mining. In the winter he

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taught in the Lodge district, Beetown schools, and in the spring of 1883 came to Martin county, Minnesota, and engaged in agricultural pursuits in Cedarville township, on a place owned by E. F. Wade. In Sep- tember of that year he was engaged as prin- cipal of the Fairmont schools and held the position for a year, after which he returned to a farm, renting a place owned by Messrs. St. John and Clark in Rolling Green town- ship. He also taught a term of school in district No. 50, and boarded with Uncle John Schultz, whose family, as Mr. McDon- ald says, were of material aid to him in gain- ing a foothold in Martin county. He organ- ized and conducted several Sunday-schools, and taught one term of school in district No. 61.

In 1885 he built a residence in Fair- mont, and taught in district No. 51 during the winter of 1885-86. He was elected county superintendent of schools in Novem- ber, 1886, and re-elected in 1888, receiving a majority of nine hundred votes over the pro- hibition and independent candidates. As county superintendent he has given excel- lent satisfaction, and has proven himself a capable and efficient officer. He is a man of high religious character, and is a member of the First Congregational church of Fair- mont. He belongs to Post No. 18, Grand Army of the Republic, and is a member of the Fairmont Chapter, Royal Arch Ma- sons.

On the 25th day of December, 1872, Pro- fessor McDonald was married in Potosi, Grant county, Wisconsin, to Miss Mary Hall, daughter of Josiah and Fannie (Grose) Hall, both of whom were natives of England. Miss Mary was also a native of England, her birth taking place in Hastings, near London, November 22, 1849. This marriage has been blessed with the following-named children - William J., Fannie R., and Eugene, who died in infancy.

ANIEL E. WAY is a successful farmer and stock-raiser located on section 10 of Holly township, Murray county, Minne- sota, where he located in 1872. He home- steaded his land and has resided thereon ever since with the exception of one year, which was spent in Spring Valley, Fillmore county. Mr. Way was one of the very first settlers of the township, and has been identi- fied with its best interests ever since his first settlement. Among the other early settlers were James Barnes, Newton Byram, Silas Clark, Mr. Vanderworker and P. Rice. On coming to the township our subject at once identified himself with the local govern- mental affairs, and has held various official positions. He has been township supervisor, justice of the peace, also having held various school offices in district No. 15. He is at present treasurer of the school district, and has been treasurer of the township for the past seven years. In 1884 he was elected county commissioner and served efficiently in that position for two years. He has always taken an active interest in matters of this nature, and occupies a prominent place in his community. He has a fine farm of 320 acres, and is one of the most extensive farmers in the township.

Mr. Way was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, February 6, 1848. He resided there until he was eight years old, when, with his parents, he removed to Fill- more county, Minnesota. His father was a farmer in Canada, and is at present living in Walnut Grove, Redwood county, Minnesota, where he is postmaster and is engaged in the mercantile business.

Our subject remained with his parents until twenty-one years of age, receiving a good common-school education. He en- listed as a private in the Fourth Regiment Minnesota Volunteer Infantry and joined the Fifteenth Army Corps. His was company D, Captain Murphy. He served through-

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out the war and was discharged May 16, 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky. He saw considerable service and was with General Sherman in his famous march to the sea. Among the battles in which he participated was that of Altona Pass, besides many other minor battles and skirmishes. After the war was over he returned to Fill- more county, Minnesota, and remained until his marriage, which occurred in 1869, when he moved to Mower county, Minnesota, and remained two years. He then came to his present location, where he has since resided. In politics Mr. Way affiliates with the re- publican party and is a leading member of the Grand Army of the Republic. In all county affairs he is recognized as being a representa- tive citizen. He is genial and warm- hearted, and is one of the most influential men in the township.

Mr. Way was married in April, 1869, to Miss Artemitia Root, a native of Ohio. In childhood this lady came with her parents to Wisconsin, where she received a good education and engaged in teaching school. Her father was W. S. Root, now a farmer of Holly township, Murray county. Mr. and Mrs. Way have three children-Victor, Will- iam and Berton.

AVID PRATT, a farmer of Amo township, Cottonwood county, Minne- sota, located on section 8 in 1873. He home- steaded his present place and has made it his home ever since. He was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, September 13, 1847.

The subject of our sketch remained in his native county but a brief time and then went with his parents to Grant county, Wiscon- sin, where he resided until eighteen years of age. In that county he received his early training and education and after reaching the age just mentioned commenced farming. His parents died about this time and he then

removed to Crawford county, same State, and, purchasing a farm in partnership with his brother, engaged in farming for some two years. He then sold his share in the farm to his brother and came to Cottonwood county, Minnesota. He was one of the first settlers of the township, which was then called Georgetown, but in 1872 the name was changed to that of Amo. The first year of our subject's location in the township he broke forty acres of land and put up several hay buildings. He passed through very trying circumstances and lost considerable money through the failure of crops and also by the devastating raids of the grasshoppers. He has always taken an active part in public matters and has especially interested him- self in the proper government of local affairs. He is a careful business man and by careful and direct attention to the details of his farming operations has accumulated consid- erable means. In politics he is a republican. He belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is one of the representative citizens of Cottonwood county.

Mr. Pratt was married February 15,1873, to Miss Angelina De Witt, a native of Indiana.

ANIEL THOMPSON, a leading farmer and stock raiser of Pipestone county, Minnesota, located on a fine farm on section 30, Altona township. He was born in Canada, October 5, 1851. His parents were Edward and Grace (Cook) Thompson, both of whom were natives of Argyleshire, Scotland, the father being born in the year 1810 and the mother in 1817. The father was a farmer by occupation and leaving his native country came to Canada in 1828, settling in Beauharnois county, from whence he moved to Chateauguay county. He died in the latter county in the year 1883, on the 8th day of April. The mother is still living in Chateauguay county.

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The subject of our sketch remained with his parents in his native country until March, 1871. Up to this time he had assisted in work on the home farm and had attended school at every opportunity. At the date just given he came to Minnesota, locating for six months in Otter Tail county, where he worked on a railroad. Removing thence he went to Stearns county and worked on a railroad for about ten months. Then he went to Dodge county, Minnesota, in 1872, and made that his home until 1879. During his residence in Dodge county he returned to Canada on a brief visit and for a few months remained there working at different kinds of employ- ment in various cities. In June, 1880, he came to his present location and purchased the right on his farm and commenced farm- ing operations. He did not make a per- manent location at that date, however, but for several seasons he occupied more or less of his time in work on railroads in the western part of Minnesota.

Mr. Thompson was married April 8, 1886, to Miss Ida Mckown. Mrs. Thompson died May 19, 1888. Two children were born to them, but they died shortly after their birth.

The subject of our sketch has taken a prominent position among the citizens of his township and has held various official posi- tions, serving in every instance with efficiency and to the satisfaction of his constituents. In politics he affiliates with the democratic party. Among the offices which he has held are those of assessor, to which he was ap- pointed in 1881 and elected in 1888 and 1889. He has also been a member of the board of supervisors and was appointed town clerk in 1886. He is a man of excellent character, thrifty and industrious, and has surrounded himself with the evidences of prosperity. He has a good farm, well pro- vided with buildings, and is successful in his farming operations. He is widely known and respected by all with whom he has to do.

OHN P. DETIENNE is the depot agent of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad at Sherburne, Martin county, Minnesota. He is the son of Etienne and Mary Theresa (Jissart) Detienne, natives of Belgium. Our subject was born in Bra- bant, Belgium, July 29, 1850, and when he was three years of age his parents emigrated to the United States, first locating in Brown county, Wisconsin.

When John P. was ten years of age his parents sent him to school at Green Bay, where he continued his studies for two years. He then returned to the farm on which he had been reared, and remained there until he was about fourteen years old, then re- turned to school until the age of sixteen. Then for two years he engaged in operating a meat market in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and at the end of that time became a clerk in the postoffice of that village. He contin- ued his employment in the postoffice for six and a half years, beginning as general deliv- ery clerk and finally working up to the po- sition of clerk of the money order depart- ment. After leaving this business he came West. After remaining a short time he re- ceived word from his former employer that if he would return he could have the posi- tion of assistant postmaster. He did not accept this position, but continued in the employment of the railroad company. He came to Sherburne, Martin county, Minne- sota, in March, 1879, and was given charge of the depot on the Southern Minnesota Rail- road, this being now a branch of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul system. Through- out his connection with this company he has run a successful business, and has made him- self popular with both his employers and patrons. He has been under four different division superintendents and two different general superintendents and from each of them has won strong words of approval and commendation.

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Mr. Detienne is a man of strong temper- ance principles, and affiliates with the pro- hibition party. He is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and Inde- pendent Order of Good Templars.

August 8, 1876, at Green Bay, Winconsin, our subject was married to Miss Elizabeth De Godt, daughter of Ambrose and Louise (De Chaine) De Godt, natives of Belgium. She was born in Delaware, Pennsylvania, May 10, 1853. Mr. and Mrs. Detienne have had the following-named children-Norbert, John, Albert, Harry and Hazel Lieta.

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EWARD J. MOE is the efficient and popular postmaster of Lakefield, Jack- son county, Minnesota. He is a son of Jens and Selma (Bronken) Moe, natives of Nor- way. Our subject was born in Elverum, in the kingdom of Norway, April 1, 1850. The parents came to the United States in 1852, settling at Kettle Creek, Potter county, Pennsylvania, where the mother died in about 1853. The father married again four- teen years afterward, taking to wife Martha Olson.

After the death of his inother the subject of this sketch was adopted by a man named O. Solberg, with whom he continued to live at various places, Decorah, Iowa, Freeborn, Mankato and Watonwan, Minne- sota, until he was seventeen years of age. At this age he went to his father's place in Butler county, Iowa, and made that his home for about a year. He then concluded to find a location, and went to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and commenced working as brake- man on a railroad, following that line for a year. He then became foreman of a force of men laying track, and made this his busi- ness until 1872. He then turned his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits, came to Minne- sota, rented a farm in Brown county, and resided thereon four years, the grasshoppers

taking every crop. He then took a contract on the railroad between Jordan and Albert Lea, and in the fall of the same year con- tracted to build a division of the Fort Dodge & St. James Railroad. This work was partly completed when the company failed, and our subject lost about seven hundred dollars. He remained in Blue Earth City during the winter and in the spring of 1878 engaged on the railroad between Jackson and Winnebago City. Continuing in this employment until January 1, 1881, in the spring of that year he went to Dakota, and became foreman on a construction force for the Dakota Central Railroad Company, returning to Jackson in the fall of that year. January 1, 1882, he took up his residence in Lakefield, and was section boss for three years, after which he removed to Lamberton, and kept a hotel and also run a meat-market until the fall of 1885. He then returned to Lakefield, and engaged in the retail liquor business, continuing there- at for eighteen months. He then sold out, and about four months later was appointed postmaster of the village. His experience in the western county has been a varied one, and he has met with many hardships. In 1862, with his adopted parents, he intended to make a settlement in Watonwan county, but was driven therefrom by the Indians.

In all matters pertaining to the public wel- fare of the villages in which he has lived he has always taken an active part, and has held the office of justice of the peace, constable, marshal, school clerk, etc. In all these posi- tions he has served his constituents faithfully and to their entire satisfaction. He is an influential member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Mr. Moe was married at Waterloo, Iowa, May 6, 1871, to Miss Isabel Gilbertson, daugh- ter of Gulbrand and Carrie (Paulson) Gilbert- son, natives of Norway. Mrs. Moe was born in Halland, Norway, December 24, 1849. This marriage has been blessed with the fol-

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lowing-named children-Clarence, Howard, Albert, Minnie, Earnest, William Edward, Ida Jennie and Mabel.

EORGE W. DIBBLE, who is now a leading farmer, located on section 19, Verona township, Faribault county, Minne- sota, was one of the early settlers of Minne- sota. He came to the State in October, 1855, and pre-empted government land in Newburg township, Fillmore county. He was there engaged in farming until the win- ter of 1866, when he sold his farm and engaged in running a hotel at Brownsville, Houston county. In the spring of 1870 he removed to Martin county, Minnesota, and settled in what is now Jay township, which township he gave its name. The first school meeting in the town was held at his house, he being elected school director, and his eldest daughter, Ella M., taught the first school in the township. He served as assessor of the township, and otherwise took an active part in public affairs. He remained in that county until, like hundreds of others, he was forced to leave on account of the raids of the grasshoppers. He then, in the fall of 1875, came to Verona township, Faribault county, and rented a farm on section 13, which he cultivated for six-years. At the expiration of that time he purchased his present farm of 163 acres, on section 19, and has brought it to a high state of cultiva- tion. He is rated as one of the most substan- tial farmers in the county, and makes a specialty of raising fine horses.

Mr. Dibble was born in Essex county, New York, May 7, 1825. His parents were Orrin and Louise (Holt) Dibble, both of whom were natives of New Hampshire. The father was an iron and coal worker, and died in the State of New York at the age of seventy-five years. Our subject con- tinued his residence with his parents in his

native county until he was twenty-nine years of age, up to which time he had been given a good practical education. He had also spent a number of years in work in the coal and iron mines in the region in which he lived. He was then married, and later came to Minnesota, as was stated in the opening lines of this sketch.

December 2, 1852, Mr. Dibble was married to Miss Maria A. Welch, a native of Frank- lin county, New York, and reared and edu- cated in Essex county. She was the daugh- ter of Reuben C. and Sallie (Brown) Welch. Her father was a farmer and bridge-builder in Keene, New York. The mother died when our subject's wife was about thirteen years of age. After this she kept house for her father until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Dibble have four living children-Augustia, Eulia, Josephine and Wilber I., all married but the last named. Ella M., the eldest, died at thirty-three years of age, in Mabel, Fillmore county, in January, 1887. She was the wife of Silas C. Brace, a lumber- man and also engaged in the mercantile and hardware business. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and an esti- mable Christian lady. She died leaving three children-William G., Clayton Eugene and a babe nine days old. It was her request that her mother should havethe babe, which she had so lovingly named Silas, after its papa, and the request was granted. Thus, it was loved and cared for with a zeal that no one else could give until the 4th of March, 1889, when it died of diphtheria, being then two years and two months old.

A man of good, practical education, pos- sessed of practical ideas, energetic and as well of public spirit, our subject has always proven a valuable assistant in the manage- ment of the general affairs of the township. He is a republican in politics and wields a strong influence in that organization. He is a man of high character. He was a member

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of the Methodist Episcopal church for twen- ty-eight years. He united with the Free-Will Baptist church, of Huntley, in March, 1889.

YATT H. BENBOW is the present efficient clerk of the district court of Cottonwood county, Minnesota. He located in the county in February, 1871. Mr. Benbow is a native of Hendricks county, Indiana, where he was born on the 2d of July, 1848.

The subject of our sketch is the son of William S. and Jemima (Beeson) Benbow, native's of North Carolina. The grandfather of our subject was William Benbow, a native of North Carolina, and a tanner by trade. He came to Indiana in an early day and engaged in farming. In 1852 he removed to Iowa, where he remained until his death. He was of English descent. Jemima Beeson was the daughter of William and Hannah (Cosner) Beeson, of German descent. Her father was a blacksmith by trade, and in con- nection therewith operated a farm. He was an early settler of Indiana. William S. Benbow, the father of the subject of our sketch, on coming to Indiana, engaged in farming, and died in that State in 1866. He had a family of seven children, three of whom are now living - Wyatt H., William C. and Launa J., now Mrs. John Seeley.

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Illustrated album of biography of Southwestern Minnesota : containing biographical sketches of hundreds of prominent old settlers...:History of Minnesota, embracing an account of early exploration...and a concise history of the Indian outbreak of 1862, Part 23

Author: Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Chicago : Occidental Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 814

Author:
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago : Occidental Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 814