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 67

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 67
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 67

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JOHN O. SUNDET, one of the leading dealers in groceries and provisions, is a citizen of Hillsboro, North Dakota, going there at an early date. He is the son of Ole O. and Tilda (Johnson) Sundet, natives of Norway, and was born in Vroodol Overe Telleworken, Norway, November 28, 1845, where he lived on a farm and attended school until he was eleven years old, when he left home, working out until 1866, when he came to the United States and went to work in the lumber woods of Chippewa Falls and Menomonee, Wisconsin, and also in Michi- gan, which business he followed until the year 1868, when he went to Houston, Minnesota, where he had first located on arriving in America. There he went into the grocery business, taking as a partner H. Rasmusson, which business they continued until 1870, when they sold out and he went to the Red River Valley, locating at Sand Hill, Polk county, Minne- sota, where he took a squatter's claim, on which he lived until 1875, when he moved to Moorhead, but carried on business in Fargo, selling farm machinery there for two years. After that time he went to Caledo- nia, North Dakota, where he went into a hotel, which he followed until Hillsboro was started, to where he removed and opened one of the first grocery stores in that place, and where he has since been. He came to the United States to earn money to bring his parents to this country, which he was able to do after being here one year. After his parents arrived here they took land, and now have a farm of 700 acres in Polk county, Minnesota. The father is dead, but the mother still resides on the farm. There were nine in the family, besides the one whose name heads this sketch. Mr. Sundet was married in Moorhead Minnesota, July 28, 1875, to Miss Annie Anderson, a daughter of Andreas and Julia (Johnson) Anderson, natives of Norway.

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She was born in Whol, Rengerige, Norway, March 19, 1852. They are the parents of four children-Julis Obert, Adolph, Thomas and Jennie Matilda. Mr. and Mrs. Sundet are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Mr. Sundet has built up an extensive and lucrative business, by his honorable business methods, and is rated as one of the most reli- able and substantial business men of the county in which he lives.

UDGE ARBA K. MAYNARD, attorney at law and justice of the peace of Atwater, is one of the leading and representative men of Kandiyohi county, Minnesota. He is a native of New York State, born in Madison county, New York, on the 25th day of April, 1803, and is the son of Moses and Annie (Lincoln) Maynard. Our subject's parents were of English descent, and the following narrative will be interesting in the history of his ancestry. Macaulay, in his History of England, relates that when William III. invaded England and re-established the laws which James II. had subverted, he marched in triumph into London and was met by the different classes of citizens with addresses of welcome. The members of the legal fra- ternity of London marched in front to wel- come the king, Sergeant Maynard at their head, then ninety-three years old and the acknowledged leader of the London bar. After he had presented the address of wel- come, in the name of his brethren, King Will- iam said to him: " Sergeant, you must have outlived all the lawyers of your time." " Yes, sire," replied the sergeant, " and but for your majesty would have outlived the laws." A coat-of-arms is another thing upon which the ancestry of our subject base their claims to aristocracy : the device being a hand with three hearts in the palm. The parents of our subject both died in New York State.

They were the parents of four childen, named as follows-Dr. Edward, of Washington City, District of Columbia ; Butler, of New York City ; our subject, and one sister, who is now living with her grandchildren in Michigan.

Mr. Maynard, of whom this article treats, remained at home, working on the farm, also working in a hotel at night. He received a good education, attending the district schools and when sixteen years of age became a school teacher. When he was twenty-one he began the study of law and classics under Judge Rogers. In 1832 he was admitted to the bar as an attorney, in New York City, and during the following year was admitted as a solicitor in chancery at Albany, New York. In 1835 he was admitted as counsellor, and in 1837 was admitted to practice in the United States supreme court, at Washington, District of Columbia. Immediately after his first admis- sion to the bar he opened an office in Norwich, Chenango county, New York, where he took a high place at the bar and remained for a number of years. He next went to New York City, where he opened an office and remained there in active prac- tice many years. In 1855 or 1856 he was elected judge of the marine court, an exclu- sively civil court, and held this important . position for nearly ten years. In 1864, with the intention of making a farmer of his son, he came to Minnesota and settled in Le Sueur county. He became largely inter- ested in land and bought out a number of valuable claims, including prairie and timber lands, bordering upon the beautiful lakes of that vicinity. The son did not take to farm- ing, and soon opened a country store in Le Sueur county. Later his son came to Atwater and opened a store, while our subject sold his interests in Le Sueur county, and removed to St. Paul. In 1881 the Judge bought considerable tax title land in the vicinity of Atwater, and has since made this his home.

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Judge Maynard is a democrat in political matters, and is one of the lead- ing members of that party in the central part of the State. He represented Le Sueur county in the Minnesota legislature during the sessions of 1866-67, and in the fall of 1867 was the nominee of his party for the office of lieutenant-governor, on the same ticket with Judge Flandreau, the latter being the nominee for governor. He has always taken a prominent part in public affairs and has held a great many local offices, having been justice of the peace nearly all the time since he came to Minnesota. A man of excellent legal and literary attainments, he is held in high esteem, both professionally and as an exemplary citizen. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd-Fellows fraternities, and is an active participant in all matters affect- ing the public welfare.

Judge Maynard was married in 1833 to Miss Minerva Gates, a sister-in-law of Judge Purdy. They became the parents of the fol- lowing children-Minerva and Graydon.

- ARTIN HALVORSON, of the firm of Halvorson & Roe, general mer- chants of Belgrade village, Stearns county Minnesota, is a native of Norway. He was born on the 18th of September, 1856, and is the son of Halvor and Rannie (Gunderson) Petterson, also natives of Norway.

Mr. Halvorson, of whom this article treats, remained at home in his native land, attend- ing school until he was eleven years old. In 1867 he emigrated to the United States, with his father and brother, Hans, and after landing in New York City came direct to Minnesota, and settled in Kandiyohi county. There the father took a quarter-section of land, and at once commenced farming opera- tions. Our subject remained with his father until he was nineteen years of age, when he

commenced in life for himself. For the first three years he engaged in farming on his own account, and at the expiration of that time sold out and removed up into the Red River Valley, where he remained three years engaged in various occupations. In 1886 he went to Belgrade village, Stearns county, Minnesota, and in partnership with Mr. Roe engaged in the general merchandising busi- ness. They are doing a first-class business and carry a stock of about $5,000. They are the leading merchants of the village and their trade is gradually increasing.

Mr. Halvorson was married on the 23d of September, 1884 to Miss Tina Peterson, and this union has been blessed with two chil- dren-Harmon and Peter. Our subject now holds the office of township and school treasurer. In political matters he is an adherent to the principles of the republican party. He is a citizen of zealous public spirit and any home enterpise receives his hearty support.

ARL G. THYSELL, a prominent hard- ware and furniture dealer of the vil- lage of Hawley, Clay county, Minnesota, settled there in 1873, on a farm three miles from the village, where he lived until 1887, when he removed into the village and estab- lished his present business. Previous to this, in 1882, he had opened his furniture shop, and, in 1884, took in as a partner H. A. Myron. They have since remained in busi- ness, and are now among the leading hard- ware nien in the village. They handle a full line of goods, including agricultural imple- ments, wagons, stoves, tinware, sleds, cutlery, harness, building paper, guns, etc., and are doing a large and increasing business. Our subject is a native of the kingdom of Sweden, born in 1849.

Mr. Thysell, of whom this article treats, remained in his native land and attended

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school until he was eighteen years of age, when he emigrated to the United States, and removed at once to Minnesota, locat- ing in Meeker county, where he remained two years, working in a furniturestore. For the first summer, however, he worked on a farm, and' thien entered the furniture busi- ness. He then removed to Clay county, Minnesota, and, as before stated, took a farm and engaged in farming. While residing there he took a trip to Fort Ripley, where he remained some time, and then returned to to his place, where he remained until remov- ing into the village. He still retains his farm, which he rents. It now comprises 560 acres, under good cultivation, and with excellent building improvements.

Mr. Thysell was united in marriage on the 25th day of December, 1878, to Miss An- geline Burges, and this union has been blessed with the following-named children- Herbert Bartlett, born June 27, 1880; Carl John, born June 26, 1884 ; and Albion K. P. born January 4, 1886. Our subject and his family belong to the Lutheran church. Mr. Thysell is an honored member of the Odd- Fellows fraternity and is a republican in politics. He is an active and capable busi- ness man and is loyal to all the best interests of village or county.

USTAVE DEMARS, M. D., is the lead- ing physician and surgeon of the town of Hallock, Kittson county, Minnesota. He was born in the Province of Namur, Belgium, December 2, 1835. His parents were J. B. and Victoria (Mathew) Demars, natives of Belgium.

The subject of our sketch lived with his parents until he attained his majority and was given the highest advantages for obtain- ing a thorough education. At the age of twenty-one years he turned his attention

to teaching school and one year was spent in this line in his native land. He then came to the United States, stopping first at Chicago, Illinois, where he studied medicine for some time with Dr. Brainard. From Chicago he removed to Kankakee, same State, where he practiced medicine until 1869, returning in that year to Chicago, where he engaged in the practice of his profession and taught in the high school for two years. He was also appointed justice of the peace in 1879, and attended to the legal requirements of that office, beside the duties of his other professional work. He made his home in Chicago until 1883, when he removed to Fargo, Dakota Terri- tory, and after a stay of two months went to Hallock, Kittson county, Minnesota. On going to Hallock he resumed the active practice of his profession, which he has con- tinued ever since. In politics he was always a republican, and was instrumental in organ- izing political clubs through Illinois and Wisconsin from 1864 to 1880.

The Doctor was married at Kankakee, Illinois, August 28, 1863, to Miss Eliza Reeves, daughter of Narcissus and Sophia (Brunell) Reeves, natives of Canada. This marriage has been blessed with eight chil- dren -Lizzie Hayes, Stella, Gustave and Ralph. Those deceased were named Arthur, Nellie, Leida and Edwin.

Dr. Demars has occupied a prominent position socially, and in a business sense ever since his coming to Hallock. He is a man of strong individuality, and exerts a strong influence among his fellows. He is thor- oughly educated, highly proficient in his profession, genial and sociable, and has built up a large practice, which covers a territory including Crookston on the south and Winni- peg on the extreme north. He makes a specialty of female diseases, and has per- formed many difficult operations, besides bringing about many remarkable cures.

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RED RIVER VALLEY AND

While in Kankakee, Illinois, he held the position of postmaster, and was one of the supervisors of the county in which he lived. In Chicago he was a justice of the peace, and, since coming to Hallock has been presi- dent of the village council, and also county coroner. He owns a fine residence in the village.

HARLES A. SMITH, a successful and prominent merchant of Todd county, Minnesota, is engaged in the general mer- chandise business in the village of Burham- ville. He is a native of Wisconsin, born in Winnebago county on the 22d day of Jan- uary, 1850, and is the son of Kingsley and Francis (Libby) Smith, natives of New York and Maine, respectively. The father of our subject died on the 5th of July, 1880, and the mother is still living in Todd county. After the marriage of the father and mother of our subject they settled in Sherburne county, Minnesota, where they remained a few years, engaged in farming, and then went to Mille Lacs county, Minnesota, where they farmed seven years. At the expiration of that time they went to Stearns county, Minnesota, and then to Anoka county, where they remained five years. They then moved to Todd county, in 1868, and settled in Burhamville township, where the widowed mother still resides.

Mr. Smith, the subject of this sketch, received his education principally in the Anoka high school, and at the age of eigh- teen years removed with his parents to Todd county, Minnesota. After settling in Todd county our subject remained on his father's farm assisting in the operation of the same, and in 1874 engaged in farming on his own account. After five years devoted to agri- cultural pursuits he opened his present store in the village of Burhamville, Todd county, Minnesota, where he has since remained carrying on the business. He carries a full

line of goods and is the leading merchant in the village. He does an extensive business among the farming community throughout the county, and has always given the best of satisfaction to all his customers.

Mr. Smith was married in December, 1874, to Miss Eliza Shannon, a native of Anoka county, Minnesota, and the daughter of Daniel Shannon, a prosperous farmer of Anoka county. Mrs. Smith passed away on the 14th of December, 1888, and was interred in the Long Prairie Catholic Cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were always devoted mem- bers of the Catholic church. Mr. Smith is one of the prominent and representative business men of the village of Burhamville, and has held the offices of postmaster for three years, and school director for five years. He is a stanch democrat in his political affiliations, and always! evinces a lively interest in all matters of a local nature.

AURICE GREEN, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser residing on section 4, Graceville township, Big Stone county, Minnesota, is the oldest settler in that vicinity. The village of Graceville was founded under the auspices of the Catholic Colonization Society in the spring of 1877. Our subject, Maurice Green, arrived here in March, 1878, three days in advance of any of the other settlers. Colonel King (the agent), D. Fahey and William Nash came in rapid succession and were the second, third and fourth settlers, respectively. After this the settlement was very rapid and the settlers crowded in and took claims and began improvements.

Mr. Green was born between Clonmell and Cashell, near Clerihan, in county Tip- perary, Ireland, in 1842, and is a son of Thomas and Margaret Green, who were also natives of Ireland. He was reared and edu-

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cated in the land of his birth, and in January, 1862, he crossed the Atlantic and settled in Newfoundland. After five years' residence there he went to Marlboro, Massachu- setts, where he secured an important and responsible position, having charge of the principal department of a large shoe factory. He remained there until 1878, when he came west and located within half a mile of tlie present site of Graceville, as has already been stated. He homesteaded 160 acres of land where he has since lived. About 120 acres are under a high state of cultivation, and he has convenient and comfortable building improvements. He devotes his attention to general farming and stock-raising, and has about forty head of cattle, together with some good specimens of graded stock.

Mr. Green was married in 1864 to Miss Margaret Flynn, and they have five children -Thomas, Mary, Edward, John and William. Thomas is running two elevators in Mur- dock, Minnesota. Mary is a sister of the Order of St. Joseph, and is in a convent at St. Paul.

Mr. Green has taken an active interest in all matters of a public nature, and has been prominent in all moves affecting the welfare of this locality. He has held various local offices, and is at present a member of the board of supervisors. In political matters he is a democrat, and is a member of the Catholic church.

LOF S. ERICKSON, senior partner of the firm of Erickson & Larson, gen- eral merchants of the village of Warren, Marshall county, Minnesota, is a native of the kingdom of Sweden. He was born in Sunne on the 23d day of June, 1863, and is the son of Erick and Kajsa Sjoquist, natives of the kingdom of Sweden.

Mr. Erickson, the subject of this article, remained in his native land attending school until he was fifteen years old. He then secured work with a lumber company in his native land, with whom he worked eight years. In 1882 he emigrated to the United States, and after a voyage of fourteen days landed in New York. He stopped in Pepin county, Wisconsin, for three months, working on a farm, and then went to Marshall county, Minnesota, settling in the village of Warren. He worked for farmers for eighteen months, and then gained a position as clerk in the store of R. H. Folwell, and after working for him fifteen months clerked in the general store of K. J. Taralseth for five months. He then attended the G. W. College, at St. Peter, Minnesota, for four months, and after returning and working in the store of his last employer, Mr. Taralseth, for eight months, entered a course of study in Min- neapolis Northwestern College of Com- merce. After attending two months he returned to Warren, and was employed as assistant postmaster for seven months. He then entered into partnership with Mr. Larson in general merchandising.

They have since carried on the business under the firm name of Erickson & Larson. They carry a heavy and complete stock of goods and are having a good trade. They are well known throughout the county and com- mand the patronage of the general public.

Mr. Erickson was married on the 20th day of November, 1887, to Miss Mary J. Halvor- son, the daughter of Jorgen and Ingaborg Halvorson, natives of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Erickson have been blessed with one child - Arthur William. Our subject and family belong to the Lutheran church. He, Mr. Erickson, has been notary public for two years, and in political matters affiliates with the republican party. He is a man of the strictest honor and integrity, highly esteemed by all who know him.

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HOMAS J. BENNETT. Prominent among the popular landlords in the Red River Valley and Park Regions of Minnesota, is the subject of this article, the proprietor of the Grand Hotel, at Pelican Rapids, Otter Tail county, Minnesota. He is a native of Wisconsin, born on the 30th of May, 1848, and is the son of Charles and Mary (Cox) Bennett, natives of England.

Mr. Bennett, the subject of this biograph- ical memoir, remained at home and attended school until he had attained the age of eight- een years. In 1866 he went to Atchison, Kansas, where he worked for the Government at freighting and in 1866 went to Leaven- worth, Kansas, where he hauled lumber for Fort Ellsworth. He then returned to Atchi- son, and from there went to Central City, Colorado, where he remained during the winter, and in the spring went to Cheyenne Pass, where he worked one spring for the Union Pacific Railroad Company, getting out ties. In the summer of 1867 he was engaged in the freight business from Denver to Sante Fé, and back to Julesburg, Wyoming, and on all that line of railroad. Until the spring of 1869 he was engaged in freighting in various points in the country, and then returned to Wisconsin, and after remaining about eight- een months on a farm, went to Fort Union, Iowa, looking for land. He then went to Faribault, Minnesota, where he worked at the cooper's trade, and ran a saw for the Milwaukee Railroad Company, for about one year and a half. At the expiration of that time our subject went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and engaged at his trade, and at the end of four years again returned to Wisconsin, where he purchased a farm and for two years was actively en- gaged in general farming operations. Hethen sold his farm and returned to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and after working one year at his trade went to the northern part of the State, In March, 1881, he located in Pelican Rapids.

Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and took a homestead, and until 1888 was engaged in general farming and stock-raising. In Sep- tember, 1888, he rented the Grand Hotel, which he has operated ever since. It is a first-class house and has a liberal share of the patronage of the traveling public. He still owns his farm of 200 acres, which he rents.

Mr. Bennett was married April 7, 1872, to Miss Nancy King, and this union has been blessed with the following-named children -Pierce, Charles and Roy. In political matters our subject affiliates with the repub- lican party and is actively interested in all local matters. He is a man of the strictest integrity and honor, and is highly esteemed by all who know him.

ISAAC HAZLETT. Prominent among the enterprising and representative business men of Wadena county, Minnesota, is the subject of this article, a resident of the vil- lage of Verndale, where he is engaged in a general banking business. He is a native of the State of Ohio, born in Zanesville, on the 18th day of September, 1852, and is the son of John C. and Margaret Hazlett, natives of Ohio. The father and mother, with their family, removed to Iowa, in 1853, where they have since remained. They were the parents of four children, named as follows-Matilda E., Harry, Isaac and Ralph C.

Mr. Hazlett, of whom this biographical . memoir treats, remained in his native State until he was twelve months old, when his parents removed to the State of Iowa, settling in Waverly, where our subject remained during his boyhood, attending the public schools of that locality. At the age of thirteen years he secured a posi- tion as clerk in his father's store. At the age of twenty-one he entered into business

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with his father, under the firm name of Hazlett & Son, and remained in business with him until 1882. He then removed to the northwestern part of Minnesota, and located in the village of Verndale, Wadena county, where he opened a private bank, in partner- ship with E. S. Case. The bank stood on the opposite corner from the present building, and at that time had a capital of $10,000. During the summer of 1882 they erected their present building, with all the modern improvements, fire-proof vault, burglar-proof safe with

the Sargent & Greenleaf time lock, etc. When the bank opened its doors for business on the 1st day- of May, 1882, its officers were Isaac Hazlett, president ; E. S. Case, vice-president, and I. H. Bradford, cashier. In the following January Mr. Bradford resigned and was suc- ceeded by S. L. Frazier, who had previously acted as book-keeper. In May, 1883, our subject purchased his partner's interest and has been sole proprietor since that date. The business of the bank has steadily increased in volume and to-day is such as any man might well feel proud of. The suc- cess of the Wadena County Bank may be attributed largely to the untiring energy and uniform courtesy of the management. The individual responsibility of the bank is now $75,000. They make hard · collections a specialty and devote particular attention to fire and live stock insurance, every loss at that agency being satisfactorily adjusted. Their correspondents are Chase National Bank, New York City ; First National Bank, St. Paul, and National Bank of Commerce, Minneapolis. In addition to his banking interests here Mr. Hazlett is actively inter- ested in real estate matters and also has a bank at Motley, Minnesota, managed by E. K. Nichols, cashier. He is one of the suc- cessful business men, and is highly esteemed and respected by all who know him. In political matters he affiliates with the demo-

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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 67

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