Illustrated album of biography of the famous valley of the Red River of the North and the park regions of Minnesota and North Dakota : containing biographical sketches of settlers and representative citizens, Part 19

Author: Alden, Ogle & Company
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Alden, Ogle & Company
Number of Pages: 872

USA > Minnesota > Illustrated album of biography of the famous valley of the Red River of the North and the park regions of Minnesota and North Dakota : containing biographical sketches of settlers and representative citizens > Part 19
USA > North Dakota > Illustrated album of biography of the famous valley of the Red River of the North and the park regions of Minnesota and North Dakota : containing biographical sketches of settlers and representative citizens > Part 19

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marriage being two children, living-Martha E. and Edward S., the latter being now at the age of ten years.

Mr. Moles has always taken an active part and keen interest in the upbuilding of the town and county in which he lives, and to his untiring energy and well directed efforts, in connection with other intelligent men of the same class, Alexandria and Douglas county is taking the front rank as one of the most desirable and justly favored spots for residence in all Minnesota's Park Region. Mr. Moles controls a large amount of choice property in Alexandria and vicin- ity. He and Mrs. Hicks (widow of the late Hon. W. E. Hicks) are owners of a large amount of very choice timber farming lands, choice lakeside property and town lots in Alexandria and vicinity, which they offer at such prices and on such terms to purchasers and home seekers as can not fail to attract universal attention of all who desire to change their residence or make handsome returns on safe investments.

OHN S. KOTSCHEVAR, of the firm of M. Kotschevar & Son, general mer- chants in Brandon, is one of the leading busi- ness men of the place, being also engaged in the agricultural implement business and in buying wheat for O. N. Ostrom, of Min- neapolis. Mr. Kotschevar was born in Aus- tria, on the 10th of January, 1862, and is a son of Mathias Kotschevar. John S. came to the United States with his mother and one brother in 1869. After landing at Cas- tle Garden. New York, they came to Stearns county, Minnesota, and lived for one year at St. Martin. They then settled at Elizabeth- town, in Otter Tail county, where they re- · mained for two years. Millerville, in Doug- las county, was their next placc of residence. Jolın S. Kotschevar received his education

principally in Douglas county, but finished his schooling with a course at St. John's Col- lege, in Stearns county, leaving that institu- tion in 1886. On the 2d of November, 1887, he, with his father, established their general store at Brandon, and John S. has since made that place his home. M. Kotsch- evar also has a general store at Millerville, and also deals extensively in stock. The firm carries on a heavy business, and are rated among the most substantial business firms in Douglas county.

John S. Kotschevar was married on the 18th of October, 1887, to Miss Anna Movern. She was born at Cold Springs, Stearns county, Minnesota, but was reared and educated at Millerville, Douglas county.

Our subject is independent of party lines in his political action. He has always taken an active and prominent part in public and political affairs, and in 1886 was the candi- date for sheriff of Douglas county on the people's ticket, but was defeated by a small majority, as the county is overwhelmingly republican. He is the present village re- corder of Brandon, and is one of the leading citizens of the place. The family are exemn- plary members of the Catholic church.

HRISTIAN P. STAVE, a prominent and respected citizen of Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is engaged in the general mer- chandising business in the village of Aastad. He is a native of Norway, born on the 3rd day of March, 1848, and is the son of Paul and Gurena C. (Vigvskoen) Stave, natives also of the kingdom of Norway. The mother died when the subject of this sketch was three years of age, and the father passed away in 1883. He was a farmer through life, and died at his home in Norway. They are the parents of the following named children - Torkel, Andreas, Paulena, Serena,

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Christian and John. John, Paulena and our subject are the only children who are in America.

Christian P. Stave, of whom this article treats, received his earlier education in the land of his birth, but also attended school considerable after coming to the United States. At the age of fifteen years he left school and remained at home, helping on the home farm. At the age of twenty-two years he emigrated to the United States, and in the year 1870 landed at Quebec, Canada. From the port of landing he removed to within about twenty miles of LaCrosse, Wis- consin, where he remained for one month. At the expiration of that time he moved to Goodhue county, Minnesota, and after a six years' sojourn in that locality went to Ot- ter Tail county, Minnesota. While in Good- hue county he was engaged extensively in a general farming and stock business. After coming to Otter Tail county, he settled on section 12, Aastad township, where he fol- lowed agricultural pursuits until 1882. His beautiful farm comprised 120 acres of well improved land, and was one of the most de- sirable tracts in the township. In 1882 Mr. Stave opened a general store in Parkdale, Otter Tail county, and continued in the busi- ness for two years. In 1884 he removed from Parkdale and settled at Aastad, where he opened a general merchandise store, and has since been engaged in that business. He carries a full line of goods and is one of the most prominent and successful citizens in the county.

Mr. Stave was married in 1884 to Miss Carrie Knutson, a native of Norway, who emigrated to the United States in 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Stave are the parents of the following children - Gurena, Clara P., Ida C., Carete M., Ingebor, deceased, and Pasvig, who died at the age of four months. While our subject was in Parkdale he was post- master. He has always taken a prominent 1

part in public affairs and has held a great many local offices, such as justice of the peace, chairman of the board of supervisors, school clerk, etc. He is one of the repre- sentative men of histown and county, highly esteemed and respected by all. He is a man of the utmost honor and integrity, and his word is recognized as being as good as a bond.

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NDREW LUND, a prominent and suc- cessful merchant of the village of Norcross, Grant county, Minnesota, is a na- tive of Norway. He was born in Bergen Stift, on the 1st of January, 1854, and is the son of Andrew and Anna (Olson) Taralact, natives also of the kingdom of Norway. The father and mother of our subject are still residing in their native land, and are en- gaged in the vocation of farming. They are the parents of the following named chil- dren -Gunilda, Anna, Ole, Peter, Breta, Andrew, Martin, Lena and Ragnilde.

Andrew Lund attended the excellent com- mon schools of his native land from eight years of age until he was sixteen, at which period in life he began an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade. After learning his trade he followed the same in the Old World until 1874. In 1874 he emigrated to the United States, and, after landing, went to Minneapolis, Minnesota. He followed his trade in that city for seven years, and, at the expiration of that time, removed to Nor- cross, Grant county, Minnesota. In 1881 he opened up his present business of general merchandising, and has continued to operate the same with increasing success. In addi- tion to his store, lie holds a quarter interest in a general store in the village of Wheaton, Traverse county, Minnesota, and owns a fine farm in Logan township, Grant connty, Min- nesota. In 1884 Mr. Lund was elected to

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the office of postmaster. and he has since held the position with credit to himself and the parties who selected him.

Mr. Lund was united in marriage on the 16th day of April, 1882, to Miss Malena Everson, who was born in Norway on the 22d of February, 1860. Their marriage has been blessed with the following children- Anna, Alfred, Iver and Ellen. The family are exemplary members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Lund is a representa- tive man of his town and county, always taking an active interest in all public and educational matters. He has held the offices of school treasurer of district No. 31, town treasurer, etc. He is a republican in his political affiliations, and is a man of the best business qualifications. He is lrighly esteemed by all who know him as a man of the strictest honor and integrity, and his word is recognized as being as good as a bond.

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C. LIGHTBOURN, the editor and pro- prietor of the Norman County Index, the leading journal of the county, and an important factor in the growth and develop- ment of the village of Ada, Minnesota, was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, January 30, 1858, and is the son of Edward S. and Susan H. (Murray) Lightbourn. Ilis father is a native of the Bermuda Islands, and of English ancestry, while his mother is a descendant of the Norman family, who settled in Carolina at an carly day. The maternal grandfather of our subject, D. C. Murray, settled at St. Paul in its infancy, being one of its pioneer citizens.

The father and mother of the subject of this memoir were married in New Orleans, and settled in St. Paul in 1857, where he was born. Receiving his education in the schools of that city, Mr. Lightbourn, at the age of eleven years, having a natural bent toward

the newspaper business, commenced work in the office of the St. Paul Pioneer, working mornings and evenings, going to school in the interval. He was advanced from one post in the office to another, and at the age of seventeen began in earnest his apprentice ship to the "art preservative of all arts," and finished his trade in that office. Four suc- ceeding years he spent as journeyman printer in the employ of the daily papers of St. Paul, but in 1881 removed to Winnipeg, Manitoba, and there remained for about eighteen months, following his tradc. From there he went to Grand Forks, where he was the general manager of the daily Plain- dealer for about six months. Having a natural desire to have a paper of his own, he looked around for a suitable locality, and in the spring of 1883, in company with C. W. Foote, came to Ada and purchased the Alert, a paper established by Fred Puhler, in 1880, and changing its name to that of the Norman County Index, entered upon its management. Three years later, in 1886, Mr. Lightbourn purchased the interest of his co-partner, and since that time has had sole control of the business. He has made the journal over which he presides the most active and prominent supporter of repub- lican principles in this section of country, and is himself an energetic worker in the interests of that party, both with pen and tongnc. He wields a trenchant pen, whichi, while sharp and keen, is yet tempercd with a courtesy that never fails to win the admira- tion of even his opponents. Ilis writings are sharp and clear, and show him to be a man of keen conceptions, and a stanchi and strong friend or foe. The paper thus ably edited is highly popular and is the largest and best circulated in the northwestern part. of the State, and has a record of which Mr. Lightbourn can well feel proud.

In his political views, as has been said, Mr. Lightbourn affiliates with the republican

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party, and has heen an active and prominent member of many of the county and State con- ventions of that organization, and his voice and vote have always been in support of the purest measures and the best men. The interests of the principles crystallized in the platforms of his party are his creed, and of these he is a most ardent advocate, both from the editorial tripod and the rostrum. In his private life he is a most social and genial companion, and enjoys in the highest degree the esteem and regard of the whole community.

Mr. Lightbourn was united in marriage September 27, 1887, with Miss Emily Gins- berg, of Ada, but formerly of Mantorville, Dodge county, this State.

HARLES H. SHALER was born in Kalamazoo county, Michigan, Sep- tember 15, 1840, a son of Thomas and Adelia (Burdeck) Shaler, natives of Con- necticut and New York, respectively. The father was born Marclı 20, 1814, the mother March 20, 1822; went with their parents to Michigan, where they were married. The father engaged in farming until the spring of 1850, when he went overland to Cali- fornia, and engaged in farming just below Sacramento City, on the banks of the Sacramento. He sent for his family, whom he had left behind in Michigan in 1859. The mother died in Sacramento City, the father still lives there. Their children were Mary T., deceased, Almeda, and Charles H., sub- ject of this sketch. The father took an active interest in public affairs, was formerly a whig, and voted for William Henry Harrison in 1840; has been a stanch repub- lican since its organization, and voted for Benjamin Harrison in 1888. Our subject went with the family to California, besides helping on the farm; spent one summer, 1860,

in the mines of Nevada, then Utah Terri- tory. He enlisted in Company M, First California Cavalry, March 14, 1863, at Sacramento City; went with his company to Arizona Territory and New Mexico, where they were engaged in scouting duty; par- ticipated in an engagement against the Kiawas and Camoncha Indians on the Canadian river, Indian Territory, November 24, 1864, Kit Carson commanding. He received an honorable discharge March 15, 1866, at Fort Selden, New Mexico; went to Green Lake county, Wisconsin, and in the spring of 1868 settled in Blue Earthi county, Minnesota. He came to Todd county in the fall of 1888. His home is in section 24, Stone Prairie township. He is a republican in politics, a member of Mankato Lodge, No. 15, I. O. O. F., and of Alexander Wilken Post, G. A. R., at Mankato, Minnesota.

Our subject was married December 8, 1868, to Julia J. French, born in Columbia county, Wisconsin, July 30, 1848. Their children are Myrta F., born September 10, 1869; Bertha F., born August 2, 1871; Charles L., born August 12, 1874, died September 21, 1878; Roy H., born February 17, 1877; Willie H., born July 5, 1879, died March, 1880; Gaylord T., born June 23, 1885, and Bernice A., born June 3, 1888.

-- DETER E. THOMPSON. The subject of this biographical memoir is one of the prominent and esteemed members of the business fraternity of Clay county, Minne- sota, being engaged in carrying on a general merchandising business in the village of Barnesville. He is a native of Wisconsin, born in Dane county, on the 16th day of November, 1852, and is the son of Ingrebret and Mary (Haugen) Thompson, natives of Norway.

Mr. Thompson, the subject of this article,

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spent his early childhood in his native State. Ilis father died in Dane county, Wisconsin. In 1864 he removed with the family to Good- hue county, Minnesota, and remained there five years, attending school. At the expira- tion of that time he commenced in life for himself and removed to Northfield, Minne- sota, where he secured a clerkship in a store. He remained in that place engaged in clerk- ing for two years and a half. He then moved, with his mother and brothers, to Otter Tail county, Minnesota. They made the journey overland, and after a long, tedious trip, they 'arrived at their destina- tion - Pelican Rapids. They were among the very first who settled in that locality, and they took a tract of land about two miles from the village. Times were hard and circumstances seemed coupled together to oppress them. Their nearest market was at Alexandria, seventy-five miles distant, and the trip had to be made overland. The sub- ject of this sketch remained there two years, and then removed into the village of Pelican Rapids, where he secured a clerkship in the store of Mr. Blyberg, and remained with him about two years. He rented the farm and in 1875 went into the employ of G. S. Barnes (after whom Barnesville is named), and remained with him until the fall of 1880, at Barnesville, Clay county, Minnesota. In the fall of 1877, when the branch known as the " cut-off" was built between Barnesville and Moorhead, Mr. Thompson located at Barnesville, as manager for G. S. Barnes, and later built a store and engaged in the general merchandising business for himself, which he has since followed. At the time Mr. Thompson purchased the stock of goods from Mr. Keene, the new town was organized and Mr. Thompson removed his store building and stock to the latter place. In 1884, he again removed to the last incorporated Barnesville, where he has since resided. In 1878 he filed on two Government lots, com-

prising seventy-two acres, and the new town site includes his land, which is now platted into city lots.

Mr. Thompson was married in 1879 to Miss H. C. Olson, of Evansville, Grant county, and they are the parents of three children -- George E., Alma M. and Julian S. Mr. Thompson is an active and prominent busi- ness man of his county, and one who bears the respect of all. He has held the office of justice of the peace and postmaster for eight years, and is a representative man of the Red River Valley. He was elected county commissioner in 1886, and re-elected in 18SS He is a prominent member of the I. O. O. F., and an adherent to the principles of the republican party.

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HRISTIAN MADSON. The subject of this biographical memoir is a residentof East Grand Forks, Polk county, Minnesota, where he is engaged in the general merchan- dising business. He is a native of Denmark, born in Orenholt on the 11th day of October, 1849, and is the son of Mads and Anna Elsie Maria Jenson, also natives of Denmark.

Mr. Madson, of whom this sketch treats, remained in the excellent common schools of his native land until he was fifteen years of age. He then engaged in the weaver's trade, and followed that industry in Denmark un- til he was fifteen years old. He then operated a store on his own account and continued in the merchant's business for three or four years. At the age of twenty, in 1870, he emigrated to the United States and at once went to, and settled at St. Paul, Minnesota. He secured work with a gardener who lived near St. Paul, and remained with him until the following July. He then secured work in the harvest field, and worked that season at harvesting and stacking, and in the fall found work on a gravel train and continued

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in that work until the following spring. He then went to Iowa, where he worked at rail- roading until harvest. Again he went into the field and worked for various farmers un- til winter set in. During that winter he drove a carriage for Judge Underwood, of St. Paul, Minnesota. In the spring he re- turned to railroading and in the fall worked in the harvest field and the next winter re- sumed his place with the judge. In the spring of 1874 he went to Minneapolis, Min- nesota, and worked in the woolen mills for one year. At the expiration of that time, he secured a position with Tom King similar to the one he held with the judge. In Sep- tember, 1876, he went into the grocery busi- ness, in partnership with P. H. Johnson. The firm name stood Madson & Johnson, and for the first year they rented rooms, but in 1877 erected a substantial building. They also erected another building, now used as a drug store. In August, 1881, Mr. Madson sold his stock of groceries to Mr. Hink and until the following spring led a retired life. In the spring of 1882 he settled at East Grand Forks, Minnesota, where he built the firstbusi- ness building in the city, and engaged in the grocery trade. He has since remained there, engaged in the same business. He carries a complete and first-class line of goods and is doing a successful business. On the 1st day of May, 1888, Mr. Madson took as a partner in the business, P. A. Hotvedt, and they have since continued the business in partnership.

Mr. Madson was married April 17, 1878, to Miss Lottie Johnson, daughter of Swan Johnson. a resident of Minneapolis. Mr. and Mrs. Madson are the parents of the following named children - Albert C., Mads E., Henry C., Anna E. and Lotta M. Mr Madson is one of the prominent citizens of East Grand Forks and has held the offices of township treasurer for four years, and city treasurer ever since its organization. While in Minneapolis he was one of the organizers

of the Danie Society, a Danish benefit organ- ization. They have one of the finest halls in the city of Minneapolis and the order is very popular among the Danish people.

HARLES S. SPENDLEY, city justice of Crookston, and a leading citizen of that place, is one of the pioneers of Minnesota, having come to the North Star State in 1856. He is a native of Binghamton, Broome county, New York, and the son of William and Susan (Anderson) Spendley. While still a small boy he was bereft by death of his father, and his widowed mother gave him the advantages of an excellent edu- cation at what was then known as John J. Millan's academy, a private educational in- stitution of that part of the Empire State. After attending at that establishment some three years, the subject of this sketch, at the age of sixteen years, engaged in the hotel business with two elder brothers, and remained with them some nine years. This was followed by a few years of farming in that locality, but in 1856, having about made up his mind to seek a new home in the West, one day came across a paper published at St. Paul, Minnesota, wherein were set forth in glowing colors all the advantages accruing to settlers in the neighborhood of that incip- ient city, and determined to proceed thither. On the 4th of September he left his home and started on his long journey. On arriv- ing at Buffalo, New York, he found a captain of one of the lake craft, who agreed to land him and several others in Chicago, Illinois, in four days, for eight dollars each. Board- ing the vessel, after a rough and stormy pas- sage, in nine days' time he was enabled to step. ashore at his point of destination. From that city he proceeded by rail to Dunlieth, now East Dubuque, which was as far as the iron horse then went, and crossing the mighty

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Mississippi to Dubuque, there took passage on the old steamer, "Galena," afterward burned at Red Wing. While on the voyage up the picturesque river he became acquainted with a gentleman from Red Wing, who spoke to him about the superior advantages that the country back of that village offered to new- comers. Deciding to see for himself, he left the boat at Red Wing and went to the north branch of the Zumbro river and took up a claim about a mile from the present site of the village of Zumbrota. Engaging in agri- cultural pursuits, he made his home there until 1864. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Mr. Spendley offered his services in the defense of his native land, but was rejected at the time. In 1864, he, however, enlisted in Company E, First Minnesota Heavy Ar- tillery, in which regiment he served until October, 1865, when he received his dis- charge and returned to his home. The fol- lowing year he went back to the Empire State, where he remained some four years, at the end of which he returned to this State.

May 1, 1872, the subject of this memoir started by train for Moorhead, from St. Paul. At that time the road was new and in but indifferent condition, so much so that trains could not be run at night. The first day's journey ended at Minnesota Junction, it snowing almost all day. The next day they found much snow on the track between that place and Brainerd, which they reached at nightfall. On the morning of the 3rd the train left the latter place, and on the way passengers often were compelled to get out of the coaches and hold them up, so that they might not tip over. Arriving within six miles of Moorhead, while waiting until the track was made ready for the train, Mr. Spendley observed that there was no snow, and that the prairies were clothed in emerald green and dotted over with early flowers. Being informed by a brother-in-law of

Governor Austin that the Manitoba railroad would be built that year, and that a town would be laid out at the crossing of the river, he started the next day by way of Grand Forks, to find where the survey struck Red Lake river, and on reaching that point found several settlers who had staked out claims-an example which he fol- lowed. The country had been surveyed into towns, but the section lines had not been run, so that he soon found that his claim was one of the odd numbered sections belonging to the railroad company, and two years later removed to within two and a half miles of the present site of Crookston, where he took another claim and owns the farm which he made out of it.

On the organization of the county, which then embraced, besides its present territory, all of Norman and the south tier of town- ships of Marshall county, Mr. Spendley was chosen judge of the probate court and one of the judges of the first election. Only 117 votes were cast at that time in the county, and every one was for our subject for the office mentioned. This office he. retained some two years. During the hard times of 1874 he went to Becker county, and was employed on the large farm of the Minnesota Land Company for two months, and went from there to Grand Forks. In the latter place and on the river he was employed until fall. While there he was induced by his friends to run as an independent candidate for register of deeds, and, although absent from the county dur- ing the entire canvass, was elected with a large majority. January 1, 1875, he took charge of the office and filled it most satis- factorily for ten consecutive years. During the same time he was deputy clerk of court one year, and town clerk the same length of time. His health being somewhat impaired by close application to business, from Janu- ary, 1885, to the spring of 1887, he was not

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Illustrated album of biography of the famous valley of the Red River of the North and the park regions of Minnesota and North Dakota : containing biographical sketches of settlers and representative citizens, Part 19

Author: Alden, Ogle & Company Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Alden, Ogle & Company Number of Pages: 872

Author: Alden, Ogle & Company
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Alden, Ogle & Company
Number of Pages: 872