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 96
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105
726
SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.
blight destroyed the next two crops, but since that time our subject has been quite successful, and has reaped fair harvests. During the grasshopper raids Mr. Graling was compelled to leave home in order to obtain means on which to support his family. He received a little flour from the State, and went into the woods and engaged as a chop- per for several winters. These were hard times, and our subject's family have been driven almost to desperation, having come at one time to the point when every mouthful of flour and bread in the house had been nsed, and they had to obtain provisions from a neighbor on which to breakfast. This was on the return of our subject from one of his trips. The next morning, after breakfast, he went to the railroad station and got the pro- visions that he had sent home some time be- fore, but which had not been delivered to his family.
The subject of our sketch was married in Wyoming county, New York, July 29, 1858, to Miss Catharine Lesinger, daughter of Michael and Barbara (Engel) Lesinger, natives of Alsace, France. This lady was born in Alsace January 18, 1839, and in 1847 came with her parents to the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Graling have had the follow- ing-named children - Elizabeth (deceased), Emma, John, Henry (deceased), Lutcher (deceased), Martha, Catharine (deceased), George (deceased), and Laura (deceased). Emma married Lewis Roemer, and is now a resident of Highwater township, Cottonwood county, Minnesota. John is now living on the tree claim spoken of heretofore.
Mr. Graling is one of the leading citizens of the township, and is always actively in- terested in matters of a general nature. He is at present assessor and school clerk, and has been justice of the peace of his town- ship, clerk, and has held some town office nearly all the time since locating in the coun- ty. He is a man of good principles, and is a
consistent member of the Reformed Dutch church. When he commenced life for him- self he had but little means, and had nothing to depend upon but his own energies. He is now in good circumstances, has 160 acres of land, with 110 acres under cultivation, has good buildings, and has a goodly amount of stock.
R. MITCHELL MIKKELSEN is a physician and surgeon of Delavan, Faribault county, Minnesota. He is a native of Dane county, Wisconsin, where he was born in the year 1850.
The parents of Dr. Mikkelsen were both natives of Norway and were Knudt and Carrie Mikkelsen. The father was a farmer by occupation and came to America early in 1850, settling in Dane county, Wisconsin. After a short time spent in that county he removed to Juneau county, and engaged in farming until 1864, when, with his family, be came to Lowry township, Faribault county, Minnesota, and settled on 160 acres of government land. The father is still liv- ing and is residing on the farm on which he settled in 1864. In the family there were six children, five of whom are now living- Dr. Mitchell, Ole, Helen, Erick, Martha and Knudt A.
Coming from Wisconsin to Faribault county when fourteen years of age, our sub- ject received the principal part of his educa- tion in the schools of that county. He was reared on a farm and commenced the study of medicine in 1875 with Dr. Winch, of Blue Earth City. He studied medicine for two years and graduated at Keokuk, Iowa, in 1877. After practicing medicine for a num- ber of years he went to Chicago and gradu- ated from the College of Physicans and Sur- geons in 1884. He has been engaged in the practice of his profession in the village of Delavan ever since his first graduation. He
727
SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.
has built up a large and extensive practice in Delevan and the adjoining country, and is called one of the best physicians in the county. He is studious and enthusiastic in his pursuit of fresh truths in the line of his professional business and has performed many delicate and complicated surgical operations. He is a member of the State Medical Society and is president of the board · of pension examiners.
Dr. Mikkelsen was married to Miss Ella Heffron in 1879. This lady was a daughter of N. L. Heffron, of Blue Earth City. Two children have blessed this union, one now living-Willie B.
In politics Dr. Mikkelsen affiliates with the republican party and also belongs to the Masonic fraternity. His practice has been very lucrative during the last ten years and he is the owner of one of the finest resi- dences in the village, located on Second and Thompson streets. The doctor's practice is not confined to the village in which he lives, but he has calls from long distances to at- tend the sick in adjoining counties. Both as a professional man and citizen Dr. Mikkelsen is held in high esteem.
- ILBERT H. HENTON, a thrifty and respected citizen of Luverne, Minne- sota, is engaged in blacksmithing and is also a carriage-maker. Mr. Henton is a native of Erie county, Pennsylvania, where he was born March 13, 1843. He is the son of Thomas and Maria (Cohoon) Henton, the father a native of Wales and the mother born in New York. The father came to America when he was seventeen years old and settled in Erie county, Pennsylvania, and for the first few years engaged in work- ing out on farms. Later he purchased a farm and commenced work for himself, en- gaging in that occupation some seventeen
years. He then sold out his interests in that State, and in 1852 came to Wisconsin, settling in Columbia county, in the town of Otsego, where he engaged in farming until his death in 1883. The mother still resides in that place. In the father's family there were eleven children who grew to man and womanhood-William, now a resident of Sioux Falls, Dakota ; Mary, now Mrs. Good- win, of Harper Creek, Pennsylvania ; Lucin- da, who died in Wisconsin ; Theodore, now a resident of that State; Gillson, a resident of Luverne; Wallace, who was shot and killed at the battle of Bull Run; Cyrus, now a resident of Beaver Creek, Rock county, and who also served in the Union army, being shot in the breast in the second battle of Bull Run; Gilbert H .; Emily, now Mrs. James, of Otsego, Wisconsin, and Henry, who died in the same State.
The boyhood of the subject of our sketch was spent on the home farm. He was given the privilege of attending the district schools and acquired a good common-school education. At seventeen years of age he enlisted in the Thirteenth Regiment Wiscon- sin Light Artillery, and continued as a pri- vate in that regiment for sixteen months. He was then promoted to the rank of lieu- tenant, and for seventeen months, or until the close of the war, he continued in that rank. He was engaged in many light skir- mishes and some quite severe battles. On the close of the war he returned home, and from thence went to Tama county, Iowa, locating in the city of Toledo. In that place he learned the trade of blacksmithing and carriage making with his brother Will- iam, with whom he served three and a half years. He then returned to Wisconsin and opened a shop for himself at Fall River, Columbia county, where he remained three years. At the end of that time he removed to Beaver Creek, Rock county, Minnesota, this being in 1872. He at once settled on a
728
SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.
homestead of 160 acres and engaged in agri- cultural pursuits for some eight years. He first built a sod house, and experienced other difficulties and hardships usually met with by the pioneer settlers. In later years he built a nice dwelling-house, set out a fine grove of trees and otherwise improved his farm. In 1880 he removed to the village of Luverne and purchased six lots and built a good dwelling-house and barn and black- smith shop. He also made other improve- ments and prepared himself for doing a large business. At present he employs two men besides himself and is doing a large and profitable trade.
Mr. Henton was married in 1866 to Miss Helen M. Randall, of Fall River, Wisconsin. This lady was a daughter of Israel and Celia (Watson) Randall. Mr. and Mrs. Henton have had five children, four of whom are now living-Fred E., Eva M., Bertie D. and Hat- tie L. Marion is the name of the one de- ceased. Mr. Henton is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which organization he became a member at Fall River, Wisconsin, in 1870. His wife joined the same church in 1871, and since that time has been a leading church worker. The children are all members of the same church.
The subject of our sketch, since his con- version, has taken an active interest in all matters of a religious nature. He helped to organize and establish the Methodist Epis- copal church at Beaver Creek, and was a member of that society for eight years, dur- ing which time he held the offices of district steward and recording secretary, and was al- ways secretary of the quarterly conference. While at Beaver Creek, in company with the brethren and minister, he came to Luverne, and assisted in the establishment of the Methodist Episcopal church in this city, and since taking up his residence in Luverne he has always been a prominent worker in the denomination. He has held the office of
Sunday-school superintendent and district steward for a number of years, and has also been one of the members of the official board, holding the relation of trustee and steward therewith. He has assisted liberally in the support of financial enterprises of the church society and was largely instrumental in the building of the present elegant church edi- fice. He has a pleasant home and a hospit- able family and is highly esteemed by all who know him. In politics he affiliates with the republican party and has held several positions of trust and responsiblity, having been a member of the city council for some two years. He is also an influential member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
- HARLES E. OLIVER, a representa- tive citizen of Faribault county, is engaged in agricultural pursuits on section 16 of Verona township. He was born in Waukesha county, Wisconsin, October 23, 1850. His father was James Oliver, a native of the State of New York, where he was born in the year 1811. In about 1848 the father emigrated to Wisconsin and made that his home until his death, which occurred in 1888, at the age of seventy-seven years. He was an exemplary Christian and was a member of the Wesleyan Methodist church. Our subject's mother's name was Maria Cain, a native of the Empire State, and who is now residing in Columbia county, Wis- consin. The subject of our sketch was one of six children-Edwin, John, Francis, Charles E., James and Elizabeth.
Charles E. Oliver received his early train- ing and education in the county of his na- tivity. He made that his home until he was fourteen years of age and then removed to Columbia county, where he completed his education, and from whence he removed at eighteen years of age. He attended the high school at Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, and
729
SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.
became thus amply equipped for the practical duties of life. After completing his educa- tion he commenced working by the month, and followed that line for four or five years, and then took a farm and worked it on shares for several years. He then came to Fari- bault county, Minnesota, where he has re- sided ever since. He has labored hard and faithfully on his farm and now has one of the most valuable and productive places in the township.
On the 25th day of December, 1879, Miss Lizzie Sherman was united in marriage with Mr. Oliver. This lady was a native of Columbia county, Wisconsin, and was a daughter of Heman Sherman, a farmer and a prominent citizen of Wisconsin. He settled in Columbia county in about 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Oliver have been blessed with two children-Laura and Millie.
The subject of our sketch being a man of strong religious principles, has for years been a member of the Free-Will Baptist church, of which he is a trustee. His polit- ical faith is in the principles promulgated by the republican party, and as a member of that organization he has exerted a strong influence in the official affairs of the town- ship. He has been treasurer of school district No. 5 since 1881, and has also served three years as clerk of the township; for one year was chairman of the board of super- visors and has been assessor of the township since the spring of 1889.
--
RANCIS SELLECK is a thrifty far- mer who resides on section 32, Hend- ricks township, Lincoln county, Minnesota. This gentleman was born in Canada, April 7, 1845, and was the son of Joseph and Jane (Tarrett) Selleck. Joseph Selleck, the fa- ther, was a native of Vermont, and through- out the most of his life engaged in the occu- pation of farming. He removed to Canada
in early life and there met and married Jane Tarrett. The father was drowned on the field of the famous "old wind-mill " battle. He was an officer in the army and was a man who was in high repute among all who knew him. The mother was a native of Ire- land and came to Canada with her parents when she was fifteen years of age. She is still living.
The early life of the subject of this sketch was spent with his parents. He assisted in work on the home farm and was given the advantages of the district school. Being of a studious disposition, and having good ad- vantages, he therefore obtained a good com- mon-school education. On reaching twenty years of age he left home and came west, lo- cating about twelve miles from La Crosse, where he remained some eight months. Re- turning at the end of this time to his native place in Canada he remained some five years. Then again severing his friendships and family ties, he returned to La Crosse and engaged in farming some six years. Then in the spring of 1878 he came to Lin- coln county, and located the place where he now lives. He built a small cabin and then returned to Wisconsin and remained about a year in Trempealeau county. Then in the spring of 1879 he removed his family to his farm in Lincoln county, of which he was one of the early pioneers.
The marriage of the subject of our sketch occurred November 18, 1870. On that date he was wedded to Miss L. Perry, by whom he has had three children-John F., Charles H. and Albert E.
The subject of our sketch, being one of the early pioneers, was intimately associated with all movements toward the organization of the township government. Being a stanch republican in politics, he was called upon to serve his constituents in several offi- cial relations. He has been a member of the board of supervisors and his influence
730
SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.
has been felt for good in all local political affairs. He is a thrifty and energetic farmer and has accumulated considerable means. He owns a fine farm of 320 acres of land, under good cultivation, and provided with comfortable buildings. He is a man of good character, is a loyal citizen and has a pleas- ant and agreeable family. - TIS T. RICHMOND, a well-to-do farmer and stock-raiser of Lakeside township, Cottonwood county, Minnesota, resides on section 34, where he located in 1871. He was one of the first settlers of the township and throughout his history here has been one of its most public-spirited citi- zens.
Mr. Richmond was born in Utica, Winne- bago county, Wisconsin, June 21, 1857. He was the son of Gilbert R. and Sarah (Imus) Richmond, natives of New York State, and at present residing in Bingham Lake. In the father's family there were four children- Tabor C., Byron J., Charles and Otis T. Byron J. and Charles are both deceased.
When eight years of age the subject of our sketch moved with his parents from Winne- bago county to Delhi, where they resided three years. It was there that he received the principal part of his education. He resided in Wisconsin until coming to Minnesota, and since 1871 has been a resident of Lakeside township. He is successfully engaged in farming and in the raising of a good grade of stock. He has worked hard to make his farm one of the best in the township, and has it now provided with excellent improve- ments. He has to-day 240 acres of land, and is looked upon as one of the leading and most prosperous farmers in this region. In politics Mr. Richmond affiliates with the re- publican party and has always taken an active interest in matters pertaining to the general welfare. He has held various official
positions, among them being that of super- visor four years and treasurer of school dis- trict No. 23 for six or seven years. He has always taken a deep interest in township af- fairs and exerts a wide influence for the benefit of public institutions.
September 19, 1884, Mr. Richmond was married to Luella Young, a native of Jeffer- son county, New York. This lady came to Cottonwood county with her parents when she was but eleven years of age. They were early settlers of the county. Her father was Richard Young, a farmer who died in 1872. In her father's family, there were five chil- dren. Mr. and Mrs. Richmond have one child, Byron.
PETER N. OSTROM, a thrifty and reliable farmer of Scandia township, Murray county, Minnesota, is the son of Nels and Bengta (Johnson) Peterson, natives of Sweden. He was born about one mile from Christianstad, Sweden, August 7, 1844.
At the early age of eight years our subject began to earn his own living, first by herd- ing, receiving as compensation a very few clothes, and all the wooden shoes he needed. No money was received until he was fifteen years of age, and was able to do a man's work. For the first year's work for wages he received nine dollars, but after that got better pay. He worked out in Sweden until coming to America, on the 2d day of May, 1866. Leaving his native land, after three or four days, he reached Liverpool. After spending a week in that city he sailed for New York. During his passage there was cholera on board, there being about 130 deaths in less than a week. As a conse- quence the ship was quarantined at New York for forty-two days. July 27, 1866, our subject landed in St. Paul, Minnesota, and went on immediately to Afton, where his brother Nels was living, and for whom
·
731
SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.
he worked for one year. This brother had sent him money with which to pay his passage to the United States. After the close of this year's work he worked around in different places until 1868, when he pur- chased land in Nicollet county, and lived with his brother Nels, who purchased a half- section near his farm. He improved this farnı and other land near by, which he rented, and made it his home until 1872, when he removed to his present place on the northeast quarter of section 10, Scandia township. He had filed on this land the fall before. When our subject came to. the township he found three other families who had settled here when he filed on his land. In the spring he came to his place, built a sod house, and broke seven acres of land, which he put into wheat, and from which he harvested twenty-one bushels. He suc- ceeded in raising a little wheat during each year of the grasshopper raids. Since those early times he has been prosperous in his farming operations, and now owns 302 acres of excellent land, on which he has a very nice frame house one and a half stories high and 18x26 feet, with an addition, 16x16 feet. He also owns six horses, one colt and twenty- eight cattle ; also. a one-half interest in an imported French draft-horse, which cost $1,600. Our subject is a man of influence in the political affairs of his locality, and has been township clerk, county commis- sioner for six years, town treasurer, and has also been school treasurer and school clerk.
Mr. Ostrom was married in Nicollet county, Minnesota, February 9, 1870, to Ellen Pearson, daughter of Pear and Ingar (Isaacson) Pearson, natives of Sweden. She was born in Sweden, February 9, 1853 Mr. and Mrs. Ostrom have no children of their own, but have adopted two children-Ellen and Gusta, children of Mrs. Ostron's brother, Peter W. Peterson, who died February 2, 1885. March, 27, 1887, Mrs. Peterson died,
and they took another child, Amelia. March 10, 1881, Mrs. Ingri Swenson was frozen to death, leaving a child two and a half years old, which our subject took to bring up. This child was called Sigfrid M. Swenson.
ILLIAM HARRISON came to Pipestone county in the fall of 1879, since which time he has been a resident of section 19, Gray township, where he lo- cated on railroad land. During his entire residence here he has proven himself a man of high character, thrifty and industrious, and has surrounded himself with the signs of prosperity and success. In all public matters he has taken an active interest, and has held numerous positions of trust, having been one of the directors of school district No. 25 for two terms and also a member of the board of supervisors for two years. He was one among the pioneer settlers of the township, and assisted in its organization.
The subject of our sketch was born in the town of Phillipsburgh, Warren county, New Jersey, August 29, 1849. His parents were John J. and Catharine (Hauk) Har- rison. The father was a farmer by occu- pation, which line of business he followed throughout the most of his life. In the spring of 1867 the family removed to Wisconsin, where the father died in Aug- ust, 1872. He was a respected citizen and a representative man of the locality in which he lived. The mother was a native of the State of New Jersey, where she was reared and educated. She passed from this life when the subject of our sketch was four- teen years of age. William Harrison was one of a large family of children, ten of whom are now living-David, Thomas, Eliza- beth, John, William, Catharine, Higgins, Williamson, Marshall and Sarah Jane. The names of the deceased children are-Jerry, Henry and Effie Allie.
4
732
SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.
The subject of our sketch received his early education in the State of New Jersey, being given good educational facilities in the county of his nativity. He remained with his father, assisting in work on the farm, until he was about eighteen years of age, when he re- moved with his family to Wisconsin, remain- ing in that State one and a half years. At the end of this period he returned to the East and continued his residence in New Jersey, engaged in the hotel business for two and a half years. Then he returned to Wisconsin, settling in Sauk county, where he remained for some time, and then came to Fillmore county, Minnesota. After making the last named county his residence for one and a half years, he then removed to Pipestone county in 1879, where he has been a perma- nent resident ever since.
Mr. Harrison was married in 1871, on Christmas day, in Baraboo, Sauk county, Wisconsin, to Miss Elizabeth Palmer. This lady was born near Williamsport, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, in July, 1847. When she was eight years old her parents removed to Sank county, Wisconsin, where she lived until her marriage. In that county she re- ceived an excellent education. Her parents were John K. and Jane (Wilson) Palmer, the father a farmer by occupation, and at present living near Augusta, Wisconsin. The mother was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. She is also living, and is an exemplary member of the Methodist Episco- pal church. In her father's family there were the following-named children - Mary Jane, Elizabeth, William Henry, Emily Delpha, Rose Ella, Peter and Hannah, six of whom are still living. Hannah died when she was eighteen months old. Mr. and Mrs. Harrison have been blessed with three chil- dren-Mabel, Lelea and Mack. Mabel, who was born October 29, 1872, is attending the high school at Pipestone.
The subject of our sketch has risen to an
influential position among the citizens of Gray township, and is one of its most repre- sentative men. He is a man of excellent judgment, of high character, and is esteemed by all his fellow-townsmen. In politics he affiliates with the democratic party, and has become quite prominent in the local affairs of that organization.
- ILLIAM P. REMPEL is the senior member of the firm of W. L. Rem- pel & Brother, dealers in grain, flax seed and farming implements, in St. James, Watonwan county, Minnesota. This firm has also large farming interests throughout the county, and the gentlemen composing it are considered among the most substantial and influential men in the locality.
The subject of our sketch is a native of Russia, where he was born August 25, 1856. He is the son of Peter W. and Annie (Pen- ner) Rempel, natives of Russia. The father was a merchant in his native land and fol- lowed the mercantile trade throughout his life, dying in 1869. His father was William Rempel, a native of Germany, who was en- gaged in the ship business, moving to Russia in early life and there engaged in farming, residing in that country until his death. Our subject's mother's father was Peter Penner, a native of Russia and a farmer by occupa- tion. The grandparents on both sides of the house reared large families. The mother of our subject came to America with her family in 1876. She had nine living children- Mary, now Mrs. Folk; Peter, who married Minnie Hann; Jacob, wedded to Mary Loeven; Annie, now Mrs. John Wawatysky; William P., Bernard, John, who married Mary P. Epp; Katie, now Mrs. Frank Schroe- der, and David. The parents and family were members of the Mennonite church.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.