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 28

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 28
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 28

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Alexander Anderson, the subject of this article, spent his younger days in his native land and immigrated to the United States in 1867, with his parents. His education was obtained principally in Todd county, and at the age of fifteen years he left the school- room and engaged in farming. Until he was twenty-one he followed farming, and at that period in life he removed to Osakis, Douglas county, Minnesota, where he en-

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gaged in the mercantile business, in partner- ship with John Mahlen. After one year Mr. Anderson purchased the interest of Mr. Mahlen, and then entered into partnership with Lewis Johnson, with whom he remained two years. At the expiration of that time they dissolved partnership, and our subject entered into business with J. B. Johnson, and they have since continued in business together. They handle a full line of goods, and give the best of satisfaction in all their dealings. In addition to his business inter- ests Mr. Anderson owns a fine farm of 160 acres in Todd county, Minnesota, and is one of the most solid and substantial citizens of Osakis.

Mr. Anderson was united in marriage on the 17th of July, 1877, to Miss Olena Mahlen, a native of Norway, and the daughter of Martinus Mahlen. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have been blessed with the following named children - Elmer, Sophia, Mary, Alfred, Olliver, Carl and Minnie. Mr. Anderson, with his family, belongs to the Lutheran church, of which organization he is trustee. He is a republican in his political affiliations, and is an active participant in all movements of a local nature calculated to benefit either the village or the county. Mr. Anderson is one of the village councilmen, and is one of the representative citizens of the county.

ALNO U. WEBSTER, the efficient justice of the peace and town clerk of the village of Fisher, Polk county, Minne- sota, and also engaged in farming near the village, is a native of the State of Massachu- setts. He was born in Bernardston, on the 25th day of May, 1834, and is the son of Artemus and Lorana (Patterson) Webster, natives of the State of Massachusetts. In 1840 the parents of the present subject re-

moved to the State of Pennsylvania, where the father died in 1843. In 1843 the mother of Calno went to Rock Island county, Illi- nois, where she lived until 1856, when she removed to Wisconsin, where she lived until her death. The father and mother of our subject were the parents of the following named children - Sylvester, Monroe, Ezekel, Sylvia and Calno.

Calno Webster, the subject of this bio- graphical review, remained in his native State until he was six years old, when he re- moved with his parents to Pennsylvania. He lived in that State until he was nine years old, then, the father dying, the re- mainder of the family removed to Illinois. Mr. Webster here learned the carpenter's trade, and in 1858 removed to Buffalo county, Wisconsin, where he remained seven- teen years. He was among the earliest set- tlers in that region, and times were hard and money scarce. Their market was sixteen miles distant and there were but few white men. In 1878 he borrowed $50, and after paying the freight on the goods had but $1.50 left. With this and his family he started for Minnesota, and located in Polk county. In those early days he worked at his trade, and all the family were forced to go out and work for themselves. On locat- ing in Fisher, Mr. Webster took a homestead of eighty acres, and also a tract of railroad land. He now holds the offices of justice of the peace and town clerk, and he devotes the greater part of his time to his official duties.

Mr. Webster was married on the 4th day of June, 1859, to Miss Mary Carothers, and this union has been blessed with the follow- ing named children - Elmira, R. T., Elsie, Harvey, Elizebeth, Calno, Olive, Charles and Andrew. Charles is deceased. While in Wisconsin, Mr. Webster held the office of justice of the peace, town and village offices, etc. He is one of the prominent men of

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the village of Fisher, and is highly esteemed by all who know him. In political matters he affiliates with the republican party. He, with his family, belongs to the Methodist church.

EINERT AANENSON, a successful and enterprising farmer of the town of Evansville, Douglas county, Minnesota, is a resident of section 3. He is a native of Norway, born October 7, 1827, and is a son of Aanenson Jestsen, a native of that king- dom. The father and mother, who are still living, are the parents of twelve children.

The subject of this article received his education in his native land, and came to this country in 1855, landing in Quebec. Can- ada, after a voyage of seven weeks. From Quebec he went to Manitowoc, Wisconsin, remaining there on a farm for two years. He then sold the farm which he had pur- chased when he first settled there, and moved to Kansas. Mr. Aanenson was there en- gaged in the real estate business for two years. He then went to California, via Pike's Peak. For the next eight years he was engaged in mining in that State, and at the expiration of that time paid a visit to his native land, Norway, remaining there for five years. On his return to the United States he stayed in Chicago for one month, and, after traveling through Iowa and Min- nesota, settled in Douglas county, Minne- sota, on his present place of residence. At the time of his settlement, in 1869, he paid $1,200 for a homestead right, and has since improved and cultivated the place.

Mr. Aanenson was united in marriage in 1869, to Miss Amanda Tolexson, who died in 1869. Mr. Aanenson was married to his second wife, Miss Synneve, in 1871, and they have been blessed with four children- Amanda, Otto, Theodore and Fridthjuf.

Our subject and his family are members of the Lutheran church, of which organization he is a trustee. Mr. Aanenson has held the following offices in his town: Supervisor, three years; school director, three years ; roadmaster, etc. He is one of the solid and substantial farmers of Douglas county, a representative man of his township, and takes an active interest in all publicand edu- cational matters. He is an adherent to the principles of the democratic party.

OSEPH GUNN. Prominent among the editors and publishers in the famous Red River and Park Regions is the gentle- man whose name heads this article, the pro- prietor of the Wilkin County Gazette, pub- lished at Breckenridge, Wilkin county, Min- nesota. Mr. Gunn is also engaged in the drug business and farming, and has resided at that place since 1888. He is a native of Canada, born on the 14th day of August, 1857, at Ernestown, in the county of Len- nox and Addington, Province of Ontario, and is the son of Samuel E. and Lucinda (Rea) Gunn, natives, also, of Canada. The father of the present subject was engaged in agri- cultural pursuits in his native country, and passed away in 1881. The mother is now living in Chicago, Illinois, to where she re- moved in 1882. They were the parents of the following named children - Samuel A., Rhoda, now Mrs. Frank Fitch; Anna, the wife of W. H. Collins; Elizabeth, who is married to Mr. J. E. Donahue ; Joseph, and Emma, who was united in marriage to C. N. Smith. The parents were devoted meinbers of the Episcopal church, and highly esteemed in the locality in which they lived.

Joseph Gunn, of whom this article treats, spent his younger days in his native land, at- tending the common schools and assisting on the home farm during the summers. He re-

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ceived a practical high school education, and, at the age of sixteen years, left the school- room, and engaged in the telegraphy busi- ness, and continued in that vocation until 1884. During this time he was employed in the Dominion and in the States, and, at the time mentioned, opened up his present busi- ness, in partnership with George F. Cook, now connected with the Breckenridge Echo. They continued in business for two years, and, at the expiration of that time, our sub- ject purchased Mr. Cook's interest, and has since operated the paper. In 1887 he opened his drug store, with Dr. W. E. Truax, whose sketch will be found in another part of this ALBUM. On the 1st day of September, 1888, Mr. Gunn bought out the interest of Dr. Truax, and has since conducted the business alone. He carries a full line of goods, and is doing a successful business. He controls considerable real estate in the way of farm lands and town lots, is one of the most prom- inent business men in the place, and conducts one of the ablest and best edited papers in that section of the State.

Mr. Gunn was married on the 4th day of August, 1888, to Miss Mamie Auman, the daughter of W. H. Auman, of Reading, Pennsylvania. Mr. Gunn is one of the rep- resentative citizens of Wilkin county, and takes an active interest in all matters per- taining to the growth and advancement of the county or State. In political matters he is a stanch republican, and took an active part in the general election of 1888. The Red River Valley would be greatly benefited if it had a larger number of citizens like Mr. Gunn.

VEN JORGENSON. Among the prom- inent and influential members of the farming community of the Red River and Park Regions of Minnesota, is the gentleman whose name heads this article, a resident of section 6, Sanford township, Grant county.

He is a native of Norway and springs from a race proverbial for their industry, thrift, and frugality. He was born on the 17th of November, 1844, and is a son of Jorgen and Aaste (Jorgenson) Olson, natives of Norway. The parents spent their entire lives in the land of their birth and were en- gaged in agricultural pursuits. They were the parents of eight children, six boys and two girls, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood.

Mr. Jorgenson, the subject of this bio- graphical sketch, spent his school-days in the land of his birth and attended the excellent common schools of his native land until he had reached the age of fifteen years. He then helped his father operate the home farm until he had reached the age of twenty- one years. In the month of May, 1865, he emigrated to the United States, and after a voyage of six weeks, landed at Quebee, Can- ada, and soon after landing went to Winona county, Minnesota. From there he went to Fillmore county, Minnesota, and after re- maining there one year, removed to Dunn county, Wisconsin. He remained in that locality for two years, engaged in the pin- eries and in a saw mill. Mr. Jorgenson then returned to Minnesota, remaining in Good- hue county for several years, engaged in farming. He then went to Grant county, Minnesota, and settled in Pomme de Terre township, homesteading 160 acres of land, and resided there three years, engaged in agricultural pursuits, also handling considera- ble stock. He then removed to Sanford town- ship, of the same county, and settled on sec- tion 6, where he bought 160 acres of land and there engaged extensively in general farm- ing and stock-raising operations. He was one of the first settlers in the county and is held in high esteem. In the fall of 1888 Mr. Jor- genson removed to the village of Elbow Lake, where he carries on a general livery business and is also village marshal.

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Mr. Jorgenson was married in June, 1870, to Miss Signe Jorgenson, a native of Nor- way. They are the parents of the following named children -Jorgen, Theodore, Martin, Edward, Samuel, Sigval, Jorgena and Lillie. Mr. Jorgenson with his family belongs to . the Lutheran church, of which he has held the office of trustee. He is one of the repre- sentative men of his township and has held the office of supervisor for six or eight years and various offices in school district No. 1. Mr. Jorgenson participated in the organ- ization of the county and the town of San- ford. He is a republican in his political affiliations and takes an active interest in all local affairs. He is a man of the strictest honor and integrity, highly respected by all who know him.

ENS P. STRATE, the present county treasurer of Clay county, Minnesota, and a well-known citizen of Moorhead, is a native of Norway, born August 4, 1850. His parents were Peter and Bertha (Jenson) Strate, also natives of Norway. The father is engaged in the lumbering business in his native country.

Mr. Strate is a strong advocate of prohibi- tion. He belongs to the Odd-Fellows order, and may truly be styled a leading and ex- emplary citizen.

ELS E. NELSON, is the register of deeds for the county of Douglas, Minnesota. He is the son of Elof and Carrie (Johnson) Nelson, who were both natives of Sweden. The father was one of the large farmers of his native country, but in the spring of 1870 he turned his attention west-

ward, came to the United States and settled in Clayton county, Iowa, where he remained one year. At the end of that time he came to Minnesota and settled in Douglas county, settling upon land in the town of Le Grand, where he took a homestead of seventy-eight acres. Here he built a log house twelve by fourteen feet, and settled down to the busi- ness of farming. He has since added 160 acres to his farm, improved it thoroughly, and has now good buildings upon the place. He has held the offices of supervisor of the township and school clerk. He has aided materially in public improvements in his township and has helped to build several churches and school-houses. He, with his family, belongs to the Lutheran church. In the father's family there are seven children living - Lars, Nels E., Emil, Peter J., John, William and Edward. The father is a re- publican in politics and is one of the leading men of his township.

Nels E. Nelson, of whom we write, re- ceived his early education in Douglas county, and remained beneath the parental roof until 1880. In this year he purchased a farm in Le Grand township of 160 acres, partly improved, where he engaged in farm- ing until 1886. In this year he was elected to his present office, that of register of deeds. While in Le Grand township he held the position of town clerk for five years ; was also secretary of the Farmer's Mutual Insur- ance Company for three years. He was married in 1880 to Miss Chrestina Johnson of the township of Ida, Douglas county, Minnesota. Mrs. Nelson is the daughter of Andrew Johnson of that township. Three children blessed this union - Amelia, Will- iam A., and John E. Mr. Nelson is a re- publican in politics. He and his wife and children are members of the Lutheran church. In 1888 he was re-elected to his present office. He is one of the leading men of his nationality in the county.

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ARTHUR C. BELYEA, the editor of the Grant County Herald, and a well known and prominent member of the news- paper fraternity of the famous Park Region, is a resident of Elbow Lake, the county seat of Grant county, Minnesota. He is a native of New Brunswick, Canada, born October 26, 1858, and is the son of Archelaus P. and Rebecca (Camp) Belyea, natives also of New Brunswick, Canada. The father was a farmer, and died in May, 1888. There were thirteen children in the family of the par- ents.

The subject of this biographical sketch spent his school-days in his native land, leav- ing the school-room when eighteen years of age, and engaged in the occupation of teach- ing for the next three years. He then at- tended the grammar school for about six months, and in April, 1880, emigrated to the United States. He selected Minnesota as his adopted home, and settled at Herman, Grant county, where he secured a clerkship in the law office of Joseph W. Reynolds, which place he held for the next two years. Previous to this, however, he taught school for one year. After leaving the law office of Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Belyea engaged in the newspaper business in the village of Herman, and has since devoted his entire time and attention to journalism. In the spring of 1887 he moved to Elbow Lake, Grant county, Minnesota, and in May of that year opened his present office, where he has since edited the Grant County Herald, one of the bright- est and most popular newspapers in the county.

Mr. Belyea was united in marriage March 15, 1885, to Miss Susie Brackin, a native of Pierce county, Wisconsin. Mr. Belyea ·is independent in his political views, reserving the right to vote for the most worthy candi- date, regardless of party. He is one of the most prominent and highly esteemed citizens of the locality in which he lives, and is a

man of the utmost integrity and honor. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is an active participant in all public enter- prises whereby the town or county may derive benefit.

EORGE L. MAYS, who has charge of the Lion Roller Mills at Brandon, is one of the most intelligent and capable busi- ness men, and also one of the most efficient millers in Douglas county, Minnesota. Mr. Mays was born at Lynchburg, Virginia, on the 12th of September, 1860, and is a son of D. T. and Mary (Hunter) Mays. His parents had a family of eight children, of whom the following is the record-Mary, George L., William, Anna, Belle, Samuel, Bertie and Maud, who died in childhood.

George L. Mays, whose name heads this article, in his youth received excellent schooling, attaining an academic education, and attending until he was twenty years of age. He was always persistent and ener- getic and never failed in any project he undertook. He adopted the milling business for his life's calling and began learning that

trade, following it for three years in Vir- ginia. He then came to Evansville, Douglas county, Minnesota, and there followed mill- ing for two years. At the expiration of that time he went to Alexandria, where he remained a year and then removed to Bran- don, where he has since lived. He took charge of the mill for the Farmers' Milling Association, and has built up an extensive business, as it draws trade from a wide scope of country. The mill is one of the best equipped in the county, and contains the latest and best improved machinery. It has six double sets of improved rollers, with all of the necessary purifiers, centrifugals, clean- ing machines, graders, etc.

Mr. Mays was married to Miss Ina Pike, a daughter of George Pike. She was born in

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Washington county, New York, but when only seven years of age she was brought by her parents to Farmington, Minnesota, where she was raised. She received an ex- cellent education, principally at Shakopee, and is a lady of much refinement.

In political matters Mr. Mays would be classed as an independent rather than a party man, and it may well be said that he is one of the representative citizens of the locality in which he lives.

ILLIAM H. MATHEWS, propri- etor of the Bank of Ada, Minne- sota, is one of the successful business mien of that village. He came to the place on the 19th of July, 1881, and putting up the building now occupied by him, commenced business under the firm name and style of Ware & Mathews, his partner being H. L. Ware, of Waverly, Iowa. Mr. Mathews, who was the managing partner, carried on the business successfully, increasing their capital materially, until April, 1884, when he purchased the interest of his associate, since which time he has managed for him- self. The bank now enjoys ample capital, and is doing a general banking business, in- cluding exchange, real estate transactions and insurance, and is ranked among the soundest monetary institutions of that sec- tion of the Red River Valley. An able business man in every respect, Mr. Mathews lias succeeded in his investments in this vicinity, and has built up for himself the nucleus of a handsome fortune. Besides his banking establishment he is largely inter- ested in agriculture, owning and operating a large farm of 800 acres of land, some 480 of which are under cultivation, and which yields a rich return.

Mr. Mathews is a native of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and was born May 9, 1853.

In the following year, his parents, John and Anna Mathews, came to the United States, and made their home at various places in the State of Iowa. The subject of this sketch received his primary education in the · public schools of that State, and in 1873 entered the school at Waverly, Iowa, and there remained for the best part of two years. At the end of that time he entered a banking establishment at Waverly, where he remained as clerk, etc., until coming to Ada.

Mr. Mathews has been identified to a con- siderable extent with the organization of the county, having been the first court commis- sioner. In the spring of 1882 he was elected to the office of treasurer of the village of Ada, and in the spring of 1888 was chosen president of the village council, a position that he is filling at the present time.

MOHN S. DWYER, who is engaged in the livery business in East Grand Forks, Polk county, Minnesota, is a native of Ohio. He was born in Green county, Ohio, on the 10th day of October, 1853, and is the son of Timothy and Bridget (Kavanaugh) Dwyer, natives of Ireland.

Mr. Dwyer, the subject of this article, spent his early life on his father's farm and attended the public schools. At the age of twenty-one years, his father died, and he was appointed executor of the estate and was en- gaged four years in clearing up the accounts. At the expiration of the four years, Mr. Dwyer engaged in farming and trading until 1881. On the 2d of September, 1881, he removed to Minnesota and settled in Moorhead, Clay county, where he remained four months, engaged in various occupations. He then returned to Ohio, and in 1882 again returned to Minnesota, accompanied by his brother Dennis, of whom a sketchi appears in

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PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA.

another department of this ALBUM. They both settled in Grand Forks, Dakota Terri- tory, and remained for a few weeks, and then took government land in Walsh county, Da- kota Territory. They remained on their farms until December, 1882, and then settled in East Grand Forks, Polk county, Minne- sota, where they found employment in a livery stable, remaining at such work for a year or two. During that time they also engaged to some extent in farming, and then went into the livery business. In addition to their livery interests, they are now hand- ling all kinds of farming implements and heavy machinery and are doing an extensive and successful business.

Jolın S. Dwyer, of whom this article treats, was married in Grand Forks, Dakota Territory, on the 1st day of July, 1885, to Miss Mary Hogan, and this union has been blessed with the following children - Tim- othy Joseph, born August 18, 1886, and Mary Villa, born on the 26th day of Septem- ber, 1887. Mr. Dwyer is one of the success- ful business men of East Grand Forks, and is highly esteemed by all who know him. In political matters he affiliates with the demo- cratic party.

East Grand Forks was incorporated as a city in February, 1887. On the 1st of April following, the first municipal election was held and the subject of this sketch was elected mayor after a hot contest. Declining to run for office the following spring, left him at liberty to accept the office of city justice, to which he was appointed in June, 1888. Mr. Dwyer is a strict teniperance man and a capable business man.

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NTON HUBERT. In examining the biographies of the prominent mem- bers of the farming community of the Park Regions of Minnesota, it will be noticed that the Norwegian race furnishes some of the

best, most thrifty, frugal and enterprising citizens. The subject of this sketch is a native of Norway, born near the city of Christiania on the 21st day of November, 1842, and is a son of Ole and Mary (Hanson) Hubert, natives of the kingdom of Nor- way.

Anton Hubert spent his younger days in the land of his birth, attending the excel- lent common schools of that country. He left the school-room at the age of fourteen years, and from that period until he had reached the age of twenty-one years, helped his father on the home farm. At the age of twenty-two lie emigrated to the United States, and after a voyage of fourteen days, landed at Quebec, Canada. From the place of landing he went to Chicago, Illinois, where he remained for eighteen months, engaged in the lumber business during the summer and in a factory in the winter. He then went to Houston county, Minnesota, where he remained about six months. In 1866 Mr. Hubert moved to Grant county, Minnesota, and settled in Elk Lake town- ship, where he took a homestead on section 22. He remained on that place for a good many years, and then removed to section 28 in the same township, where he has since lived, engaged in general farming and stock- raising. He has a beautiful farm, compris- ing 350 acres, all well improved and under a high state of cultivation.

Mr. Hubert was united in marriage on the 16th day of July, 1872, to Miss Barbra Mary Olson, and they have been blessed with the following named children - Olaf, Richard and Carl W. They are all members of the Lutheran church, of which organization Mr. Hubert has been trustee for a number of years. He is one of the prominent and respected citizens of Grant county. He has always taken an active interest in official matters, and has held various local positions, such as supervisor, school clerk, etc.

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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 28

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