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 58

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 58
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 58

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).

He was born in Norway in 1843. His parents are Ole and Malinda (Chrestesen) Mosness, who were also natives of Norway. The father is a very extensive farmer in Norway. The mother died in 1881. They had a family of eleven children, five of whom came to America - Christen, Ole, Caroline, John and Olive. Those remain-

ing in Norway are -- Malinda, Martha and Peter.

Our subject spent his younger days in Norway on his father's farm, and then three years in mercantile business. When he attained the age of twenty-one years he sailed for America, settling at Leland, La Salle county, Illinois. When there came a call for one year's troops to aid in putting down the Rebellion our subject enlisted in the Sixth Illinois Light Artillery, or Han- shaw's Battery. He was in the service eleven months, till the end of the war, and was in the battle at Nashville, between Generals Hood and Thomas. In this engagement they were used as infantry. From there they went to London, Tennesee, where they guarded a fort. Our subject was promoted to the office of sergeant toward the close of his service. At the expiration of his army service he returned to Illinois, where he engaged at farming, continuing for four years. He then went to Calhoun county, Iowa, where he purchased a farm and remained for two years. After disposing of his farm at that point he moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa, and read law with W. H. John- ston, and afterward graduated from the Chicago Law School, in 1872, and was admitted to practice by the Supreme Court of Illinois in September of that year. He at once commenced practice in the city of Chicago, where he remained for some years. In all, he practiced his profession in Chicago seven years. From that city he went to Albert Lea, Minnesota, arriving there in 1878. There he practiced for three years, then had his office in Minneapolis for three months. In September, 1881, he came to Moorhead, where he has been since engaged at law practice, and where he has won the reputation of being one of the ablest crimi- nal lawyers in the State. He is also an extensive farmer, having a farm of 800 acres within thirteen miles of Moorhead devoted

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to stock-raising-principally Hereford cattle. The farm contains two large barns, resi- dence and numerous out-buildings. Our subject has expended several thousand dol- lars in buildings there. He erected a fine home residence in Moorhead, in 1882, at Woodland Park, which cost him $5,000. He was county attorney of Clay county in 1884.

Mr. Mosness formerly belonged to the republican party, but now gives his support to tariff reform ideas.

Mr. Mosness was married in 1881 to Miss Harriett J. Fralick, daughter of J. H. Fralick, of Lyons, Iowa. A

HARLES ELG is the proprietor of the machine and boiler works cstablisli- ment at Fergus Falls, Minnesota. In con- nection with his machine and boiler works he also does blacksmithing of all kinds.

Mr. Elg is a native of Sweden and was born February 8, 1859. His parents, Gustaf and Mary (Bork) Elg, were both natives of Sweden. The father is a machinist by trade, in which line he has been engaged ever since he was twelve years old. He is now fore- man in a rolling mill in Sweden. At twelve years of age he commenced work in this line and continued it throughout his life until the present time. The works in which he is now engaged as foreman employ between five and six hundred mnen. In the father's family there are twelve living children ; four sons are now in America-Charles, Aaron, John and Adolf.

The subject of our sketch received his education in his native land, and at. twelve years of age, when out of school would work at the blacksmithing business. He continued attending school and working at odd times, until he was fifteen years old, when he went into the iron works where he was employed

as an apprentice. At seventeen years of age he commenced work in an establishment where steam hammers were repaired, con- tinuing in that line of business for three years. He improved his time, and on leav- ing his native land had become a skilled mechanic. On coming to this country he stopped at Worcester, Massachusetts, where he worked in the machine shop owned by Washburn Moen, remaining in their employ for eight months. At the end of this time he went to Pennsylvania, engaged in a steel roller mill at Braddock's Field. At this time he went to Garrett, Indiana, and for six months worked in the B. & O. Railroad machine shops as machinist. He next went to Elkhart, Indiana, where he worked as a machinest in the L. S. & M. S. Railroad shops for three months, after which he went to Chicago where he remained but a short time. Next he went to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he engaged for a month at work in a foundry and machine shop. Thence he removed to Omaha, and after working in the Union Pacific Railroad shops for a short time returned to Elkhart, Indiana, where he found employment in the same establishment where he had worked before. His next move was to Fort Worth, Texas, where he remained a short time, and from there to the Southern part of Kansas, where for two months he was employed in the M. K. & T. Railway shops. He then went to Topeka, and worked as a machinest, in the Santa Fé shops. His next move was to Creston, Iowa, where he remained a year in the C. B. & Q. Railway shops. At the expiration of that time he went to Spring- field, Illinois, where for three months he worked in the W. St. L. & P. Railivay shops, and then he came North and found work in the Omaha Railway shops for two months. He then found employment in the Manitoba railroad shops at Fergus Falls, and later at Barnesville. His experience in working at

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his trade had by this time given him the proficiency necessary for him to proceed alone in this kind of work. So he hired his present place of business, which was in the year 1886, and put men to work therein, while he continued in the employ of the Manitoba shops until 1887. Since that time he has given his whole attention to his present business.

Mr. Elg was married in 1884 to Miss Jennie Johnson, of Fergus Falls, a native of Norway and daughter of John Johnson. Two children have blessed this union-Emma and Oscar.

Mr. Elg is a republican in politics, and is rapidly becoming one of the substantial and leading men of Fergus Falls. He with his wife and family, belong to the Lutheran church. He has a fine residence on Vernon avenue, No. 416.

F. FISK, of the firm of R. Smith & Co. general merchants in the village of Car- man, Minnesota, came to the Red River Val- ley in the fall of 1884, and located in that place, and is one of the most active and energetic citizens of that thriving little " burg:"

Mr. Fisk was born in Springfield, Hamp- den county, Massachusetts, December 17, 1856, and is the son of Howard and Emily (Upton) Fisk. At the age of fourteen he left the home of his father, and having, like so many of the boys of New England, a liking for the sea, he entered upon a seafaring life. From that time until the spring of 1877, a period covering some seven years, he followed the "raging main," and as boy, ordinary and able seaman, was ever found at his post. Growing weary at last of the " bounding billow and the springing deck," he bade adieu to that mode of life, and sought upon terra firma the means of exist-

ence. For the succeeding seven years, and until September, 1884, he was engaged in mining, chiefly in Northern New York and in Michigan, and while thus employed, by excellent business management and pru- dential economy, he laid the real foundation of his present fortune.

On his first appearance in the village of Carman, Mr. Fisk opened a hardware store and carried on that business alone, until the summer of 1885, when he added groceries to his stock in trade. In January, 1887, the present firm was formed, and now carry full and assorted lines of the various kinds of goods that go to make up what is called the stock of a general merchandise store. The business is managed and controlled entirely by Mr. Fisk, his partner being engaged in operating the elevator.

In July, 1888, Mr. Fisk received the ap- pointment of deputy or assistant postmaster of Carman, his partner, Mr. Smith having been chosen postmaster, and our subject car- ries on the business of the office. This, to- gether with his attention to the extensive trade enjoyed by this popular and esteemed firm, fills up all his time, he having but little leisure to devote to local politics. His ster- ling integrity and native nobility of character have already won him a high place in the minds of his fellow-citizens and those with whom he comes in contact in the affairs of life. A self-made man, in the truest sense of the word, Mr. Fisk has been the sole archi- tect of his own fortune. Dark have been some portions of it, with hard life and harder fare, but with the rugged daring, born of his New England parentage and training, he has never despaired, and can now look back from his present vantage ground with natural pride.

The subject of this memoir was united in marriage, May 8, 1885, with Miss Annie Cairns, a native of the Province of Quebec, Canada, daughter of James and Mary (Moore) Cairns, of Orinstown in that Dominion.

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HARLES P. MALLORY. Among the most highly esteemed and successful lumber merchants of the famous Red River and Park Regions of Minnesota is the gentle- man whose naine heads this article, a resi- dent of the village of Fisher, Polk county, Minnesota, where he is extensively engaged in the lumber business. He is a native of the province of Quebec, Canada, born March 7, 1844, and is the son of Caleb P. and Maria (Farwell) Mallory, also natives of the Prov- ince of Quebec. The father owned and operated a saw mill, grist mill and farm in his native land, and was one of the prominent citizens in the locality in which he lived. The father and mother of our subject were the parents of the following named children -- Charles P., Maria A., John C., William N., Albert E. and Edward O. Mallory.

Charles P. Mallory, of whom this memior treats, remained in his native land attending the common schools of that region until he was seventeen years of age. At that period in life he removed to Massachusetts, where he remained for about six months, but not find- ing work which suited him, returned to his father's farm. There he remained, assisting his father on the farm and in the mills for a number of years. In 1863 Mr. Mallory went to Bryan, Williams county, Ohio, and clerked in a dry goods store for one year. During that time he had slight attacks of the fever and ague and decided that a more healthy place would be more desirable to himself, so he moved to his old home and helped his father for one year. He then removed to Coaticook, Canada, where he opened a restaurant and operated it until the spring of 1871. He then went to Minneap- olis, Minnesota. He was in ill health when he went to Minneapolis, and for some time could secure no work. At last he secured work in a planing mill, but he found the work too hard for him, and was obliged to quit after the second day. He

had but very little money and was obliged to pawn his watch, and with the proceeds bought a few things and set up a stand at the first State fair held in Minneapolis. With the gains from this venture he redeemed his watch, and then remained there seeking for work. He had paid almost all of his money for board, and was one morning debating what he could do, when the night engineer of a mill told him that the foreman of the bag factory had just been discharged. Without stopping to eat his breakfast Mr. Mallory made an applica- tion for the position, and much to his sur- prise he got it. He knew nothing of the duties devolving upon the position, but he succeeded in filling the place with more than satisfaction to the employers. He was promoted from one position to another, and finally reached the highest position in the business. He remained with the firm as long as they were engaged in business in Minne- apolis, and when the firm moved he secured work as book-keeper for Witbeck, Potter & Co.'s sash and door factory. He received $40 per month and hired out for one year at that salary. After about two months' work the foreman was drawn for jury service, and did not know where to find a man com- petent to fill the position during his absence. Mr. Mallory volunteered his services, and after talking it over they told him to try it. When the workmen saw a foreman pro tem- pore they decided to have an easy day of it, and accordingly allowed several of the planes to clog and stop, or burn the cylinders out. Mr. Mallory at once stopped the machinery and discharged two of the men and went out on the street and hired others to fill their places. When the proprietors returned and heard of it from some of the men, they called Mr. Mallory into the office. He expected his discharge, but was surprised when they told him that they were pleased with one who would take such an interest in their work

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and business, and that they desired him to remain with them at a salary of $60 per month. And when his year was up they hired him for another year at $80 per month. The company then took a partner in the building business, and owing to the bad management they failed, and our subject was again out of work. About that time he received an offer to return to Canada and take charge of a store at a good salary. He decided to accept the position and moved his goods, but after arriving there decided not to take the place, and, after visiting old friends for some time, returned to Minne- apolis. Mr. Mallory then went to a sash and door factory and told them that he would work one month for nothing, and after working that time was hired for one year. At the expiration of that time he was given the position of traveling agent, and was on the road until the spring of 1878. He was then sent to Winnipeg, but not liking the idea of staging it from Fisher to Winni- peg, settled at Fisher, where he engaged in the lumber business, in which he has since been engaged. During his first settlement there they had a terrible time with the small-pox, it having been brought there by a lady from Winnipeg. A number of the rail- road men were taken with it, and Mr. and Mrs. Mallory were also afflicted, but by the best of medical aid from Minneapolis recov- ered. In those days Mr. Mallory ran a hotel, and being the only one there made money. He is one of the most popular men in the county, and carries on an extensive business. He has several yards in Dakota, and has a very large one in Fisher.

Mr. Mallory was married in April, 1867, to Miss Eva Aldrich, a native of Canada, and the daughter of Asael and. Eva (Libby) Aldrich. Mrs. Mallory passed away from the scenes of earth to her final reward in 1871. She was an excellent lady, and left a large circle of friends to mourn her loss. Mr.

Mallory was united in marriage, the second time, to Miss Anna Whiteman on the 21st of September, 1874, and this union has been blessed with four children, three of whom are now dead. Charles is the only one liv- ing. Mrs. Anna (Whiteman) Mallory is a daughter of R. and Mary (Cheever) White- man, and was a resident of Anoka, Minne- sota. Mr. Mallory and his family belong to the Universalist church. He is a member of Ascott Lodge, No. 45, A. F. & A. M., and Knights of Pythias. In political matters he affiliates with the republican party.

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ALTER D. BAILEY, one of the most enterprising, thoroughgoing and energetic business men of Crookston, Minnesota, was one of the early settlers at that point, locating there in 1874, and enter- ing its mercantile circles, and has since been identified with its interests. He was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, December 1, 1835, and is the son of Roderick and Charlotte (Peabody) Bailey, who were of Puritan stock. He received his education in the "old Bay State," and in 1859 removed to Dunn county, Wisconsin, where he was engaged in lum- bering until 1863. During that year, in response to the call of the President for more men to fill up the depleted ranks of the regiments engaged in the suppression of the rebellion, he enlisted in Company H, of the Sixteenth Wisconsin Infantry, and, joining the command, participated in all the suffer- ings, hardships and sanguinary conflicts that marked the campaigns under Sherman. Chattanooga, Mission Ridge, Jackson, all the battles around Atlanta, the seige of that city, the grand march to the sea under that matchless leader-W. T. Sherman-all were a portion of his military career, of which he may well be proud. On the cessation of hostilities, in 1865, Mr. Bailey received his

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discharge from the service, and returned to Eau Galla, Wisconsin, and there entering into trade, began his successful career as a merchant.

The subject of our sketch remained in the last named village for two years, at the end of which time he closed out his stock, and purchasing a farm near Ellsworth, the county seat of Pierce county, Wisconsin, for two years he was employed in agriculture. Removing to Rush River, in the same sub- division of the State, he there bought a saw- mill and operated the same for some five years, but impaired health, caused by expos- ure and hardships during his army life, necessitated his relinquishment of the busi- ness. Selling out the plant, he engaged in traveling and buying furs and ginseng, pass- ing, in the course of his journeys throughout the entire Northwest, to Winnipeg, Rat Por- tage, etc. While on his way through the Red River Valley he came to Crookston, in the fall of 1874, and found but a small village, but which had bright prospects. There were but two stores there at the time, one of them kept by L. Larivere, and that was soon purchased by Mr. Bailey. Again entering into trade he carried it on, in con- nection with his fur business, until 1881. He had also established trading posts located at Thief River, Lake of the Woods, and at Turtle Mountain from 1874 until 1877, but these he gave up during the latter year, and in 1878 purchased the farm where. he now resides, adjoining the city limits. This place, which contains some 180 acres of excellent land, is under a high state of culture, and is carried on under his con- trol, in connection with his other business.

In the winter of 1881-82 Mr. Bailey again entered into lumbering operations, ten miles south of Northern Pacific Junction, on Black Hoof Creek, where he carried on business for two years. During the winter of 1884-85 he commenced contracting for lumber with

the Red River Lumber Company, and remained with that corporation for three sea- sons. In the fall of 1887 he entered into a contract with the Duluth & Iron Range Rail- road Company, to cut off the timber from their right of way and to get out and place on the ground the ties, telegraph poles, etc., on their road between Duluth and Vermilion Lake, and is at present engaged in that undertaking. He is also the owner of an inter- est in a promising iron mine at Tower, on the Duluth & Iron Range Railroad, and the owner of a second farm of 320 acres of land within three miles of the city of Crookston.

Since coming to to this section of country, Mr. Bailey has been one of the most prompt and ready citizens in all efforts of public spiritedness, and ever willing to enter into anything to enhance the interests of the town and county. He has served as one of the board of county commissioners, and filled that office for two years. He also served as justice of the peace for some time, and in both positions, as well as in several minor ones, reflected honor upon those who had placed him there, as well as gained credit for himself.

Mr. Bailey was married June 16, 1856, to Miss Lucy E. Elliott, of Bruce, McComb county, Michigan. They have been the par- ents of eight children-Delmore and Walter D., deceased ; and Charlotte A., Charles D., Benton R., Edwin R., Fay W., and R. D.

ENS P. JENSEN, one of Moorhead's most prominent and "busy business" men, forms the subject of our sketch. He is a general dealer in ground feed, cord-wood at wholesale and retail, and is agent for several excellent lines of farm implements, including the celebrated Mandt wagons and bob-sleds. His place of business is on James street.

Mr. Jensen is a native of Denmark, born

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February 11, 1852. His parents are Anton and Annie M. Jensen, also natives of Den- mark. They were united in marriage in 1849. The father was a soldier in 1848, under the Danish Government, holding the office of corporal. He remained in the service for five years, coming to America in 1853, mak- ing the voyage on a sailing vessel, being nine weeks en route. He landed at New York harbor and traveled extensively through different States, for the purpose of finding a good and suitable location. After seven years he returned to Denmark and there remained until 1870, when he went to Quebec, Canada, and from there he went to St. Paul, Minnesota. Here he purchased an ox team and wagon, provided a good emi- grant outfit and started for the Red River Valley country, finally settling in Clay county, Minnesota, at Buffalo River in the town of Moland. He there took advan- tage of the liberality of the homestead and tree claim acts, securing himself 240 acres of land, on which he settled, building and improving the same. He now has come to be one of Clay county's best farmers and stands high in the estimation of his people, who have elected him as one of the supervisors. Politically he is a republican, and, with his wife, belongs to the Lutheran church.

The father of our subject's mother was Jorgen and her mother Marie Catharine Christenson, natives of Denmark. They were the parents of a large family of children. The mother still lives, aged eighty-nine years. The father died in 1853. Their remaining children are Jens P. and Jorgen.

Our subject, Jens P. Jensen, was reared to farm life until ten years old, when he attended high school until sixteen years of age. He then left the school-room and learned the trade of blacksmithing. After two years or so at this, he came, in company with his parents; to America, assisting on the farm, in Clay county, Minnesota, for ten years ; he

then procured 400 acres of land, including tree claim and homestead, and set about making improvements-built a good house, barn and granary-carrying on a general farming and stock-raising business until 1887. He was one of the very best farmers in that county.

In politics our subject is independent in thought and vote. He held the office of justice of the peace four years ; assessor four years, and school treasurer six years.

He was married to Miss Alvina G. Stener, a native of Norway and the daughter of P. J. Stener, who is now the mother of five children-Anton M. H., Maria M., Henry L., Rodolph and Mabel E. In their religious belief, both Mr. and Mrs. Jensen subscribe to the faith held by the Lutheran church, to which they belong.

AM OLSON is prominently connected with the growth and progress of the farming community of Grant county, Minne- sota. He is one of the thrifty and frugal farmers in Elk Lake township, and resides on section 26. He is a native of Wisconsin, born in Dane county, on the 14th of January, 1847, and is the son of Ole and Ragnes (Sampson) Olson, natives of Norway. The father and mother of our subject emigrated to the United States in 1845, and settled in Wisconsin, where they lived for six or seven years. They then removed to Winneshiek county, Iowa, and remained there about one year, when they removed to Houston county, Minnesota. In 1869, they came to Grant county, Minnesota, where they have resided ever since. The father was a farmer through active life, but is retired now. The parents had a family consisting of the following named children - Ole, Sam, Hans, James, Mary, Herman, William, Olena and Johanna.

Sam Olson, the subject of this article,

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spent his younger days in Houston county, Minnesota, and attended the excellent com- mon schools of that State until he had reached the age of twenty-one years. He then removed to Grant county, Minnesota, and in 1868 settled on a homestead of 160 acres, in Elk Lake township, on section 26. Since that time he has, from time to time, added to his property, until now he is the owner of 320 acres of well-tilled land, and is engaged extensively in general farming and stock-raising.

Mr. Olson was united in marriage on the 7th day of December, 1873, to Miss Eliza Thompson, and this union has been blessed with the following named children - Olaus, Ida, Emil, Amanda, Helmer and Freeman. The subject of this sketch is one of the promi- nent men of his township, and he is always an active worker for the welfare of his town, county or State. He is a zealous partisan, and is an adherent to the principles of the republican party. He has held numerous offices in his township, among which are the following - town clerk, school director, etc. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church, and he is a trustee in that organization.

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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 58

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