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 24

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 24
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 24

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).

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and, although able to resume business on a small scale, brought on, together with con- tinued sickness in his family, financial em- barrassment two years later. His friends came to the rescue, however, and he has already in part, and will, undoubtedly, soon fully recover all his lost ground, as he is doing a good and paying business at present, carrying a stock of about $2,000.

Mr. Peterson has always taken an active and important part in political and local affairs, having been member of the repub- lican town committee, of which he is now chairman, all the time since moving to Barnesville; has held the office of justice of the peace almost continuously since he was old enough to vote, and has also been mem- ber of the village council of Barnesville and village recorder. He is correspondent for the St. Paul Pioneer Press and other papers, and is, all in all, an old timer, though yet young and full of further and more striking possibilities.

Mr. Peterson was married, in 1882, to Miss Bertha M. Ishong, who was born in Minnesota, her parents being of Norwegian nationality. Out of four children born to them-Johan Ferdinand, James Garnet, Miranda Emelia and Julian Maurice, one, their little girl, Emelia, died at the age of two years, which sad fact is the only thing to cloud the brightness of their otherwise happy home.

AGE JOHNSON, a prominent merchant and the efficient postmaster at Pomme de Terre village, Grant county, Minnesota, is a native of Norway, and springs from a race distinguished for their thrift, industry and integrity. He was born on the 1st day of January, 1831, and is the son of John P. Johnson, a native of the same kingdom. The father of our subject was a farmer in the

Old World, and is now deceased. The father and mother of our subject were the parents of the following named children-Erick, Peter, Andrew, Lage, John and Ole.

Lage Johnson, the subject of this bio- graphical review, passed the first twenty-one years of his life in the land of his birth, instilling into his mind the principles of right, honesty and economy. After he left the school-room he entered an apprenticeship to the shoemaker's trade, and he followed that occupation until 1852. In 1852 he emi- grated to the United States, and, after a voy- age of seven weeks, landed at Quebec, Can- ada. After landing, he went to Iowa coun- ty, Wisconsin, where he remained about four years, engaged in farming. At the expira- tion of that time he removed to Fillmore county, Minnesota, and pre-empted a tract of land on which he lived for nineteen years. In 1875 he moved to Grant county, Minne- sota, and located in Pomme de Terre town- ship on section 24. Soon after locating in Grant county, he built a store in Pomme de Terre village, and has since been engaged in the general merchandising business in con- nection with his farming interests. He car- ries a full line of goods, and is doing a large and increasing business. He owns a large, well cultivated tract of land, comprising 240 acres, and with neat and comfortable build- ing improvements. He was appointed post- master in 1877, and has held the same ever since with the exception of three years.

Mr. Johnson was married on the 16th day of August, 1854, to Miss Pettronele Estensen, a native of Norway, and now the mother of the following named children-Anna M., Gea, Emilia, Josepheni, Olena, Henry O., Peter L., Tilla O., William N., Julia D. and Evelena S. Mr. Johnson has held the offices of postmaster, school treasurer, etc. He, with his family, belongs to the Lutheran church. In political matters he affiliates with the re- publican party, and takes an active interest in

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all public and educational matters. He is a representative man of his township and resi- dence village. and is a citizen of the strictest honor and integrity, highly esteemed by all who know him.

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ARK D. JUDKINS. Of the many "brave boys in blue" who found homes in the famous Park Regions of Minne- sota, none better deserve mention than the gentleman whose name heads this article, who is engaged in the foundry and machine business in the village of Osakis. Douglas county, Minnesota. He is a native of Maine, born in Fayette, March 13, 1837, and is the son of David and Emeline (Swift) Judkins, also natives of Maine. The father of our subject passed away from the scenes of earth on the 24th of September, 1887, and the mother is still living at the advanced age of seventy-four years. They were the parents of six children, three boys and three girls, named as follows-Mark D., Mariah, Melisse, Baley D., Jessie and Polly.

Mark D. Judkins, the subject of this biographical sketch; received a practical business education in his native State, and when nineteen years old he left the school- room and removed to Pennsylvania, with his parents. Heremained in Pennsylvania from 1857 until 1861, during which time he was engaged in the lumbering business. On the 20th of October, 1861, he enlisted in Com- pany II, Fifty-Eighth Pennsylvania Infantry. and served thirteen months. He then re- enlisted in Battery D, Fourth United States Artillery, and served until February 18, 1864. Mr. Judkins again re-enlisted the 1Sth of February, 1864, for three years more in the same battery, and was discharged February 18, 1867, at Fort Washington, Maryland, and during the last three years was promoted to sergeant major. Mr. Jud-

kins was in a great many skirmishes and battles and was under fire for 690 days dur- ing the war. The following is a list of the engagements he participated in-Franklin, Virginia, Deserted House, January 30, 1863; siege of Suffolk, spring of 1863, lasting twenty-two days; with Butler in the Army of the James, during the spring of 1863; Walthall Junction, spring of 1864; Fort Darling, May 11, 1864; Druries Bluff. May 12, 1864; in the siege of Petersburg from June 16 to August 29, 1864; then made flank movement on Richmond, Virginia, on the 29th of August, 1864, and captured seven lines of breastworks: battle of Oak Hill, September 7, 1864, and siege of Richmond, from August 29, 1864, to April 3, 1865. Mr. Judkins then made a trip to Texas, and from there went to Washington, District of Columbia, where he remained during the spring of 1866, and received an honorable discharge February 18, 1867.

After he was mustered out, he returned to Pennsylvania, where he remained five or six months and then went to Adams county, Wisconsin. There he engaged in the hop business, and after some little time moved to Minnesota. He settled in Pope county, Minnesota, in December, 1869. and engaged in farming and remained until 1873. Mr. Judkins then went to Osakis and engaged in the patent right business, and has since devoted a great deal of his time to it. IIe is now engaged extensively in the foundry and machinery business, and is doing a heavy trade. Special mention should be made of Mr. Judkins' inventive powers, being a natural born mechanic. He was the first inventor of the three-wheeled riding plow, having patented the same in 1873. As this implement of husbandry is in general use, its merits and character need not be dis- cussed, it being sufficient to add that it is made by all the large manufactories in the United States. He is also the inventor of

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the self-sacking and grain separator, on which he made $8,000 in three months. He is also the patentee of several different riding ploivs, and it will be seen at a glance that he is a benefactor to the community at large.

Mr. Judkins was married on the 18th of October, 1870, to Miss Harriette McCollum and this union has been blessed with two children, U. S. Grant and Mary, both of whom are now at home. Mrs. Judkins is a native of Indiana and received her education in Minnesota. Mr. Judkins is a republican in politics and one of the active business men of the village. He is a member of the National Lodge, No. 12, Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, Washington, District of Columbia, and John Kennedy Post, No. 141, department of Minnesota, Grand Army of the Republic.

Mr. Judkins is also the patentee of the best double-acting force pump in the country, and patentee of the adjustable fireback for cook- ing stoves. He manufactures artesian well rigs and tools, well auger rigs and tools, sells all kinds of pumps, pipes and fittings, windmills, feed mills ; all kinds of castings and horse powers, heating stoves, etc., and, in fact, he can sell you almost anything you want.

UDGE ROBERT J. MONTAGUE, alead- ing attorney of Crookston, and one of its most popular and influential citizens, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, March 3, 1849, and is the son of Robert and Ellen Montague, who were natives of the Emerald Isle. In 1856 the family came to Minnesota and set- tled in Olmsted county, where the father took up a claim and founded a farm, where still live the parents, a sister and a brother of our subject. Their home is on the south- east quarter of section 2, in the town of Salem, Olmsted county.

In his early years, Judge Montague endured all the hardships and privations common to all of Minnesota's early settlers, and, there being a great lack of educational facilities in that locality at that date, and those that there were being of but inferior grade, under his mother's direction young Montague obtained the most of his primary education at home. He was reared upon the home- stead, and early inured to hard work. Years spent in the rough toil upon the farm has won for him the reputation in that almost native county as a hard-working farmer. He remained beneath the parental roof until 1875, teaching school during the winter months the last ten years, and helping carry on the farm in summers. After his marriage, in 1875, he, like so many other farmers' boys, had higher aims, and burned to take a more prominent part in the world than was com- patible with his agricultural labors, and he turned to the study of law. Having to depend upon his own exertions for the main- tenance of himself and wife, he had no time to enter the office of some legal luminary, but, still carrying on his hard and laborious work, found time, at odd moments, to master the principles and practice of the profession he had chosen. This earnest scholar, who thus toiled on unaided, with untiring effort, with unfaltering fidelity to his task, suc- ceeded at last in passing the ordeal of an examination most triumphantly, and was admitted to practice at the bar, at Rochester, Minnesota, December 11, 1880. The reward for his labors and self-denial was yet to come. In the newer settlements of the great West he felt there was a better field for his efforts, so in May, 1881, he came to the city of Crookston, and there opened his present office, and engaged in the practice of law. The people soon appreciated the merits of the new attorney, whose ability and success were of a high character, and he soon possessed a fair number of clients. In

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1882 he was chosen judge of the probate court of Polk county, and filled that office successfully and satisfactorily for four years.

Since taking up his home in Crookston he has devoted a liberal share of his time and talent to the welfare of the place, which has borne recognition by his fellow-townsmen, they electing him to the mayoralty in April, 1SS5, which position he held for one year.

As a lawyer Mr. Montague ranks very high, while his unimpeachable integrity, kind and affable manners, and excellent com- mon sense, have rendered him both popular and respected. As an orator he is able and fervid, and is rapidly taking a prominent place among the popular leaders of the day in this section.

Mr. Montague was united in marriage in 1874, with Miss Elizabeth Finnigan, a native of New York. They have six children.

UFUS P. WELLS, one of the most prominent and best known citizens and business men of Grant county, Min- nesota, is engaged in a general banking business in the village of Herman. He is a native of Canada, born at L'Orignal on the 27th day of April, 1834, and is a son of Abel and Hannah (Cass) Wells, natives, also, of Canada,

Rufus, the subject of this biographical sketch, spent his younger days in attending school at L'Orignal, Canada. At the age of twenty-one years he left the school-room and engaged for some time in the lumbering busi- ness at that place. He, at the expiration of a few years, removed to Omro, Winnebago county, Wisconsin, where he remained two years, engaged in lumbering and farming. Ile then removed to Belle Plaine, Scott county, Minnesota, where he was engaged in milling and carpentering for a period of two years. On the 2nd day of October,

1861, he enlisted in the Fourth Minnesota Infantry, Company A. He was under Cap- tain Baxter until he was promoted to the rank of major, and then the company passed under the hands of Captain Young. During the service the captaincy changed twice more, first to Captain Russel and next to Captain Douglass. Our subject entered as a private and was discharged as captain. He was honorably discharged July 19, 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky. He participated in the battles of luka. Corinth, Raymond, Jack- son, Champion Hill, Vicksburg and many skirmishes. He was promoted to the ranks of corporal, first sergeant, first lieutenant and finally to the rank of a captain of Company C. After his discharge he returned to Jor- dan, where he remained until he removed to Grant county in 1883. In the fall of that year he settled at Herman and engaged in the banking business under the incorporated name of Grant County Bank, organized as a State bank. He has since engaged in this occupation, and is one of the most successful and prominent business men of Grant county.

Mr. Wells was united in marriage on the 4th of March, 1869, to Miss Mary Cass- well, and they are the parents of the follow- ing children-Marion, George W., A. Waters, Joseph R., Azelia E .. Betsie L., and James P., all of whom are single and at home, except the two oldest, who are attending the high school at Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mrs. Wells is a native of New York State, born January 15, 1847, and the daughter of G. W. Casswell, a farmer of the Empire State. She is one of two children-Charles M. and Mary E.

The subject of this article is one of the rep- resentative men of his residence village, and has held the offices of member of the village school board and president of the sanie for a number of years. He is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity and also of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a republican in

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his political affiliations, and takes a prominent part in all local affairs. Mr. Wells is a stockholder of the Stevens County Bank, located at Morris, and is also engaged in the merchandising business at that place. In addition to his banking interests in Herman, he carries on a general merchandising busi- ness and deals to some extent in real estate. He is one of the most enterprising and capable business men in the village. A man of the utmost honor and integrity, he is highly esteemed by all who know him.

ILLIAM WIDENHOEFER, the efficient and accommodating hotel proprietor of the Fisher Hotel, Polk county, Minnesota, is a native of Germany. He was born in Wurtemberg, on the 14th day of September, 1854, and is the son of Jacob and Katharine Widenhoefer, also natives of Germany. The father and mother of our subject were the parents of the following named children-Carl, Christian, Jacob, Bar- bara, Mary, Minnie and William.

William Widenhoefer, the subject of this bi- ographical memoir, remained at home attend- ing the common schools of his native land un- til he had reached the age of fourteen years. He then commenced in life for himself by entering an apprenticeship to the potter's trade. After learning his trade he followed the same for over five years for one firm. In November, 1873, he emigrated to the United States, and, after a voyage of seven- teen days, landed in New York. He at once went to Beaver Bay, Minnesota, where he secured employment in a saw mill and in a lumber camp. After working at this oc- cupation for about two years, he went to Michigan. There he secured employment in the copper mines of Superior, and, for about fourteen months, tended bar for his uncle.

He then worked for seven months in the Quincy copper mines, and tlien secured em- ployment of Adolph Rhul, in the saloon busi- ness, for whom he worked two years and nine months. On the 5th day of May, 1880, Mr. Widenhoefer removed to Minnesota, and located in Polk county. During that sum- mer he worked on a farm, and, in the fall, moved to the village of Fisher, Polk county, Minnesota, where he purchased the hotel he now operates. He has since been engaged in the hotel business, and is highly esteemed by the traveling public.

Mr. Widenhoefer was united in marriage, on September 3, 1883, to Miss Amelia Jantz, the daughter of John and Augusta Jantz. The subject of this sketch is a dem- ocrat in politics, and one of the prominent business men of the village. He is a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, Lodge No. 87, of Fisher.

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R. CHARLES F. FALLEY, physician, attorney and counselor at law, and also judge of probate of Wilkin county, Min- nesota, is a resident of Breckenridge, where he is extensively engaged at his profession. He is a native of Ohio, born at Granville, Licking county, on the 4th of April, 1815, and is the son of Samuel and Ruth (Root) Falley, natives of New Hampshire and Mas- sachusetts, respectively. The father was, in early life, engaged in the mercantile busi- ness, and in 1814 engaged in farming at Granville, Ohio, and previous to this was a- merchant in Franklin, Ohio, from 1802 to 1811. At that date he returned to New Hampshire, where he remained until 1814. When he returned to Ohio it was with the Granville colony, and he remained there the rest of his life. He held the position of cap- tain in the State militia, and in early days

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was a Jeffersonian. Later he became a whig, then an abolitionist, and at last a repub- lican. He died at the age of ninety-three years, and the mother died when she was seventy-two years old. They were the par- ents of the following named children-Ma- tilda, Clarissa, Richard, Dr. Charles F., Lewis A., Francis C., Edmund R., Ruth M., Eunice (now Mrs. Segar), Linus A. and Charlotte C. Richard lived to be about sixty eight years old, and his son is Charles F., the present proprietor and editor (with George Fritz) of the Dakota Globe, published at Wahpeton, Dakota Territory.

The subject of this biographical sketch was raised on the home farm, at Granville, Ohio, and attended the public schools in that locality. He attended the college at Gam- bier, Ohio, for two years, and then returned to Granville and studied medicine with Dr. William W. Bancroft for four years. Dur- ing this time he attended four courses of lectures, one at Worthington, Ohio, and the other three at Willoughby University, in Ohio, from which he graduated in 1838. While attending Kenyon College, at Gam- bier, he read law, and was admitted to the bar in 1836. The following spring, after his graduation from the medical college, lie engaged in the practice of medicine in York, Clark county, Illinois, where he remained three years. At the expiration of that time he removed to Ewington, Effingham county, Illinois, and practiced medicine until 1860. In 1860 he went to Olney, Richland county, Illinois, and for the next two years was engaged in clinical work at that place. He then entered the army as hospital steward, and served as assistant to the brigade sur- geon for two years, and after his discharge went to Bloomington, Grant county, Wis- consin. There he engaged in professional work for two years, and at the expiration of that time moved to Mt. Hope, in the same county, and remained there for two years,

occupied with clinical work. At the end of the two years Dr. Falley again moved, this time settling in Lancaster, the county seat of Grant county, Wisconsin. After twelve years devoted to the sick and suffering in that locality, the doctor removed to Minne- sota, and in 1879 located in Breckenridge, Wilkin county, where he has since been en- gaged in medical work. In 1884 he was elected to the office of judge of probate of Wilkin county, and has since creditably dis- charged the official duties devolving on that office.

Judge Falley was united in marriage, in 1843, to Miss Annie C. Brackett, a native of Lancaster, New Hampshire, and now the -mother of the following named children Charles B., an attorney-at-law, who died in 1880; he was a graduate of the law department at Ann Arbor, Michigan ; he served in the Civil War, having enlisted when he was six- teen years old, and was in the service three years; he was hospital steward for two years, and was discharged. in 1865; he was county auditor of Wilkin county at the time of his death, and had held the office for six years. Lou A., now Mrs. F. J. Howard, her linsband being a member of the firm of Howard, Walters & Co., of Breckenridge ; she is a graduate of the normal school at Plattville, Wisconsin. Dr. Richard L. is a jun- ior of Beloit College, Wisconsin, a graduate of the St. Paul Medical College, and a success- ful practitioner of Twin Valley, Minnesota. The remaining children died in infancy. Dr. Falley, with his family, belongs to the Episcopal church. He is a republican in politics, and takes an active interest in all local matters. He belongs to the social organ- izations, Odd Fellows and Masonic frater- nities. He is also a member of Sumner Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Wahpeton, Dakota Territory. In addition to his medical practice the doctor deals extensively in real estate, furnishes abstracts,

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investigates titles, makes collections, pays taxes for non-resident parties, and devotes special attention to all matters connected with public lands. He is one of the repre- sentative business men of Wilkin county and vicinity, and commands a large and increasing practice, both in law and medi- cine, which extends throughout Western Minnesota and Eastern Dakota.

ELS H. HANSON, a member of the firm of Johnson & Hanson, dry goods merchants in Glyndon village, Clay county, Minnesota, is a native of Norway. He was born September 7, 1854, and is a son of Hans and Catharena (Johnson) Hanson, who were natives of that kingdom. The father, who was a tailor and farmer by trade, came to the United States in 1865, and settled in Allamakee county, Iowa. He remained therc engaged in tailoring and farming until 1879, when he came to Clay county, Minnesota, and settled in Glyndon, where he died in February, 1880. Mrs. Catharena Hanson, who is still living in Glyndon, is the mother of nine children, four of whom are living -- Mary (now Mrs. Johnson), Anna (the wife of E. A. Erick- son), Bertha (married to Joseph Hansman), and Nels H., the subject of this article. The parents were members of the Methodist church, and the father was one of the prom- inent business men in the locality in which he lived. Nels' early life was spent on the home farm, where he received a common- school education. At the age of twenty- one he left the old home, and started out m life for himself, by working for farmers. After working a year for a farmer in Iowa he went to Lansing, Iowa, where he learned the trade of a cooper. As soon as that was accomplished he moved to Red Wing, Min- nesota, where he followed his trade for some

eighteen months. Moving from Red Wing, he settled in Chippewa county, Minnesota, where he took a 160-acre homestead, and at once began to make improvements, building a substantial house and barn and cultivating over a hundred acres of land. Mr. Hanson remained on his farm for six years, at the expiration of which time he sold out and moved to Clay county, Minnesota, settling in Glyndon. April 4, 1885. He at once entered into partnership with Johnson & Erickson, and after continuing in business until January, 1887, the firm name was changed from Johnson, Erickson & Co. to Johnson & Hanson, by the purchase of Mr. Erickson's interest by Messrs. Johnson and Hanson. Mr. Hanson is one of the substan- tial and esteemed business men of Glyndon village. He is a member of the village board, and, while in Chippewa county, held the office of constable. In political matters he is a republican.

Mr. Hanson was married, in 1877, to Miss Mary Bertleson, the daughter of Bertle Anderson, a native of Norway. He came to the United States and settled in Lansing, Iowa, where he was engaged in the cooper's trade until the time of his death. Mrs. Hanson is one of a family of seven children.

Mr. and Mrs. Hanson are the parents of the following children - Louise, Amanda, Nellie (deceased), Minnie and Ada.

- ORACE DE CAMP, who held the office of register of deeds for Clay county, Minnesota, from 1876 to 1889, is a highly respected citizen of Moorhead, and justly merits a place in this connection.

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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 24

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