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 73

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 73
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 73

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was twenty-two years of age, when he com- menced in life for himself. He took a con- tract on the railroad, at which he worked for two or three years, when the company failed and he lost about all he had. In 1853 he went to Tiffin, Ohio, and after remaining there a short time, removed to Goshen, Elk- hart county, Indiana, where he was engaged in the drug business and various things for some time. He then removed to Wabasha, Minnesota, where he pre-empted a claim and engaged in farming for some little time. He then secured a position in a drug store in which he worked from 1857 until 1866. In 1864 he enlisted in Battery G, Minnesota Heavy Artillery, and went South. He was detailed as hospital steward and soon after- ward commissioned as assistant surgeon. He received his honorable discharge in No- vember, 1865, at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. He then returned to Wabasha, purchased a drug store and, in partnership with Mr. Whitmore, continued in business one year. He then bought Whitmore's interest, and until 1880 continued alone in the business. He was then burned out and lost $20,000. Mr. Stone then entered the medical profes- sion with Dr. Milligan, with whom he remained until 1882. In 1882 he removed to Marshall county, Minnesota, and settled in Argyle, where he built a store and engaged in the drug business. His equal partner was Mr. Whitlock, who died in 1882, and his interest was purchased by Louis Troutman. In 1882 our subject purchased his partner's interest, and in 1884 sold the stock to Hazel and Gilbertson. Our subject owns over 1,500 acres of land in the county and a claim of 280 acres in Oregon. He also owned one and one-half sections in Nebraska, which he has recently sold, and owns two in Iowa and one and one-half sections in Kansas, also several lots in Grant's Pass, Oregon. He is extensively engaged in farming and is one of the leading physicians in the county. He

owns a drug store in Grant's Pass, Oregon, where his wife is managing the business.

Dr. Stone was married in Troy, New York, October 18, 1852, to Miss Catharine M. Squier. He has held the office of county physician and is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Chapter and Commandry, A. F. and A. M. In political matters the Doctor affiliates with the republican party. He is well known throughout this region, and com- mands a large and increasing practice.

The Doctor has also practiced medicine in California. He went in 1872 to San Diego, California, but was obliged to return on account of the dishonesty of the party to whom the drug store in Wabasha was sold. He sold his property in San Diego in 1879, and returned to Minnesota.

ED. DAVISON, proprietor and editor of the Bulletin, a democratic period- ical published in the village of Perham, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is one of the well-known and successful men in the north- ern part of the State. He is a native of the State of New York, born in Buffalo, Erie county, New York, on the 21st day of August, 1851, and is the son of George and Hannah (Fisher) Davison, natives of Penn- sylvania.

Mr. Davison, of whom this biographical sketch treats, went to Hamilton, Ontario, after his mother's death in 1853, and as his father had removed to East Saginaw, Mich- igan, our subject remained with his uncle, until he had attained the age of nine years. He then commenced his career as a printer and entered an office in East Saginaw, Mich- igan, on the 12th day of July, 1860, where he remained nine years, working first as an apprentice and then as a journeyman. In 1869 he went to Detroit, Michigan, where he took charge of the press-room on the

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Detroit Daily Free Press. In 1870 he removed to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and established a job office in connection with the Grand Rapids Times. After remaining there about two years, in May, 1872, he sold out, and until the following October took a trip in search of a good location. He finally reached Minneapolis, where he secured the position as foreman of the Tribune job department. He was then placed on the road, and until 1875 was thus employed. In 1875 he went to Detroit, Becker county, Minnesota, and purchased the Detroit Record, which he operated for one year. He then returned to Minneapolis and established a job office, and in November, 1880, sold out, and in 1882 went to Valley City, Dakota, where he, in connection with Mr. Baxter, established the Barnes County Record, but he purchased Mr. Baxter's interest the same year. He remained in that place until April, 1887, when he sold out and removed to Perham, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, purchasing the Perham Bulletin of E. H. Love, and has since carried on the business. The paper is one of the best local papers in the county, and its circulation extends through that and surrounding counties.

Mr. Davison was married in December, 1875, to Miss Caroline Morse, and this union has been blessed with one child - Edna, born May 2, 1877. Our subject is a democrat in his political affiliations, and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows. He is the present justice of the peace of Perham, and is one of the prominent citizens of this portion of the State.

JOHN RANNIE LOGAN, M. D., C. M., M. R. C. S. ENG., is one of the leading and most successful medical practitioners in the northern part of the Red River Valley. He is a resident of the city of Grand Forks,

North Dakota, where he is engaged in his profession. He is a native of the Dominion of Canada, born in Cartwright, county Dur- ham, Dominion of Canada, on the 3d day of June, 1865, and is the son of the Rev. Will- iam and Margaret (Rannie) Logan, natives of Aberdeen, Scotland.

At the age of three years Mr. Logan removed, with his parents, to Fenelon Falls, Canada, where he received private tutorship until he had attained the age of twelve years. He then entered Trinity College, in Port Hope, Ontario, where he remained three years, and then entered the medical depart- ment of that college, from which he gradu- ated with the highest honor-the University gold medal-in 1885. He treated a small-pox epidemic, for the Canadian Government, in Hungerford, county Hastings, Canada, in 1884. There were about 250 cases, and as they were mostly composed of the French or Irish classes, he had hard work to vaccinate them all, as they were ignorant and super- stitious to an unusual degree. After his graduation he went to London, England, and for eighteen months attended the London · Hospital, graduating before the Royal Col- lege of Surgeons. He remained in the hos- pital until the following spring, when he made a trip through Scotland and Ireland, and then went to New York City, where he spent a couple of months in visiting the dif- ferent hospitals, and studying the different stages of diseases. In 1886 he went to Seattle, Washington Territory, and after vis- iting various towns and lumber camps in Washington Territory and California, re- turned to Dakota, settling in Ardock in August, 1886, where he remained, in part- nership with Dr. Montgomery, engaged in medical work, until October, 1887, when he removed to Grand Forks, North Dakota, where he resumed his profession, in partner- ship with H. M. Wheeler, M. D., with whom he has since remained. They are among the

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leading and prominent practitioners in the county, and are widely known throughout that part of the State.

The Doctor was married in Ardock, on the 2d day of May, 1888, to Miss Lillian Jacobi, daughter of E. R. and Ellen (Stevenson) Jacobi, natives of Germany and Ireland, respectively. In January, 1889, Dr. Logan was appointed county physician, in the duties of which he is actively engaged in connection with his other practice. Ile is a man of the strictest integrity and honor, and is highly esteemed by all who know him, both profes- sionally and as an exemplary citizen.

LIVER PETTIER, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Round Prairie township, Todd county, Minnesota, is a resi- dent of section 20. He is a native of Canada, born in Montreal, on the 8th day of Septem- ber, 1827, and is the son of Peter and Ange- line (Manger) Pettier, also natives of the Dominion of Canada. The father and mother of our subject, who were farmers in Canada, are now dead. They were the parents of the following-named children- Peter, Sarah, Robert, Oliver, Euphena, Micheal, Moses, Mary, Phileman, Alice, Margret and Alice.

Mr. Pettier, the subject of this biographical sketch, is what may be termed a self-made man. There being no educational facilities in his native neighborhood, his education was drawn from practical life. When young he entered an apprenticeship to the stone- mason's trade, and continued at this until 1849. In that year he came to the United States, and located in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he worked at his trade for two or three years and then removed to Scott county, Minnesota. He remained there seven years, working on his farm. At the expiration of that time he removed to Sibley

county, where he was engaged in farming. In 1878 he came to Todd county, and settled in Round Prairie township, on section 20, where he has since remained. He is one of the most extensive farmers in the county and devotes a large share of his time to stock- raising. He has a fine well-cultivated farm of one hundred and sixty acres, with good building improvements.

Mr. Pettier was united in marriage on the 16th day of July, 1862, to Miss Herriette Henriomnet, and this union has been blessed with two children, named as follows-Walter and Oliver. Mrs. Pettier passed away from the scenes of earth to her final reward in 1867. She was an estimable lady and her loss was deeply regretted by all who knew her. Walter is teaching school in Todd county, and is having the best of success with his school. Oliver is attending the normal school at Lebanon, Ohio. Mr. Pettier is an independent in politics, reserving the right to vote for the best man regardless of party lines. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Long Prairie Lodge, No. 159. He is an esteemed citizen and a man of in- tegrity and honor, his word being as good as his bond.

OHN I. PLACE, attorney and counselor- at-law, in the village of Wheaton, is one of the prominent lawyers of Traverse county, Minnesota. He is a native of Illinois, born in Lena, Stevenson county, Illinois, on the 10th day of February, 1851, and is the son of Joseph and Harriett (Colyer) Place, natives of Vermont and New York, respect- ively. The father died in 1860, and the mother is living with our subject, at the age of seventy-six years. They were the parents of the following-named children-Mary S., Wm. H., John I., Christina and Sarah C.

Mr. Place, the subject of this biographical review, received his education in Broadhead,

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Wisconsin, and in 1875 removed to Minne- sota, and in 1876 settled in Red Wing, where he remained until 1880, teaching school in the rural districts. He then went to Big Stone City, Dakota Territory, and took a pre-emption near Big Stone Lake, and, after proving up on the same, sold it, and in 1881 went to Brown's Valley, where he engaged in the insurance, loan and collection business. Then Mr. Place began reading law with his brother, and in the fall of 1886 was admitted to the bar. In the spring of 1885 he had removed to the village of Wheaton, Traverse county, Minnesota, and opened a loan, insur- ance and collection office. In that year he took land in the county, and in connection with his professional work, is engaged in farming. After being admitted to the bar in 1886 he began the practice of law in Wheaton, where he has since remained. He is actively engaged in the profession, and devotes special attention to loans, insurance and collections. In the fall of 1888 he was elected to the office of county attorney on the republican ticket, and was also endorsed by the democratic county convention. He is one of the leading attorneys of the place, and is highly esteemed by all who know him.

Mr. Place was united in marriage in July, 1882, to Miss Kate Sensorbox, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, the daughter of Capt. C. E. Sensorbox, an old Mississippi steamboat captain. Mr. and Mrs. Place in this union have been blessed with four chil- dren, named as follows-Minnie A., John I., Jr., Mable Viola (deceased), and Ruby May. Our subject is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Brown's Valley Lodge, No. 153. He is actively interested in local matters, and is an adherent to the principles of the republican party. A thorough lawyer and an able speaker, he has built up an extensive practice. A man of the strictest integrity, he stands high both in a profes- sional sense and as an exemplary citizen.

RANK D. HARTSON, a leading attor- ney and real estate dealer of Pembina, Dakota, was born in Mexico, Oswego county, New York, May 10, 1859. His parents were John D. and Harriet R. (Downing) Hartson, natives of New York. His mother was the daughter of Jude Levi and Rosina (Gage) Downing.

The subject of our sketch remained at home with his parents until he was sixteen years of age. Prior to this age he had been attending school and preparing himself for college in the Mexico Academy. On reaclı- ing the above-mentioned age he entered Hamilton College, at Clinton, New York, which institution he attended until his graduation therefrom in the spring of 1880. His educational training was thorough and effective, and he graduated with the highest honors, receiving the degree of A. B. He then attended the law department of the same institution, from which he graduated one year later. He then entered the law office of Judge M. L. Wright, of the town of Mexico, New York, and continued his studies, being admitted to the bar at a session of the supreme court in October, 1882. In January, 1883, he turned his steps westward, coming to Grand Forks, North Dakota, where he was admitted to the Territorial bar. The same month he came to Pembina, opened a law and real estate office, and engaged in the law and real estate business, at which he has continued more or less ever since, with the exception of one year, when he acted as clerk of the district court. Mr. Hartson has built up quite a large and profitable law and real estate business and has business come to him in the real estate line from all parts of the county. He has not confined himself exclusively to the prac- tice of law, but has lately given more of his attention to real estate and loans. His edu- cational advantages were such as to prepare him thoroughly for the duties of his profes-

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sion, and he is known by all his friends as a well-posted lawyer and a responsible and ready dealer in real estate. His legal and real estate business is performed with pre- cision and dispatch, and his deepest energy and strongest thought are enlisted in close application to all the business which comes to his hands. Mr. Hartson is also identified quite largely with farming interests, and the success of the farming community of Pem- bina county will be of great and substantial benefit to the subject of this sketch.

RANK W. PETERSON is one of the enterprising citizens of the village of Stephen, Marshall county, Minnesota. He has for some time been dealing extensively in cattle, besides running his saloon in the village. Mr. Peterson is a native of Sweden, and was born September 21, 1850, in Smo- land, near Wexio. His parents were Peter Svenson and Eva (Abramson) Svenson, natives of Sweden.

Mr. Peterson remained at home on the farm until he was about sixteen years of age, when he removed to Germany, where he followed farming during most of the time until 1871, working during one summer for the Government. In the fall of 1871 he returned to his home in Sweden, and remained with his parents until the follow- ing spring. He then went to work on the railroad cutting stone for bridge work in Stockholm and other cities, and continued at that occupation until 1875. Six months thereafter were spent in the mountains at work in the copper and silver mines. From thence he went to Sosburg, where he was fore- man of a gang of bridge builders. Three years were spent in work at that place, and, some time later, in putting up three large bridges near Frederickshald. He then concluded to try his fortune in America, so he took ship and came to the United States, finding work

at Richville, Pennsylvania, cutting stone for a court house. He remained three months at Richville and then went to Chicago, Illi- nois, and worked at his trade until a short time before Christmas, 1879. Removing to Northern Michigan he went to work in the Republic Mines. He worked in the mines until spring and then went to Minneapolis, where he helped lay the first stone for the large Pillsbury Mill. Three months were spent at work in Minneapolis; thence remov- ing to St. Paul, he worked at stone-cutting until fall. Next he went West into the Ter- ritory of Montana with a railroad exploring party. His experience on this trip was very bitter and will never be forgotten by Mr. Peterson. He was caught in a Northwest blizzard and had his hands and one foot so badly frozen that he was unable to do any- thing for six months. After this time he went out prospecting and remained in Mon- tana until 1880, going, in that year, to Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, where he found work at his trade. He cut part of the stone for the Bis- marck bridge over the Missouri river, and also worked on the Mississippi river bridge at St. Cloud, Minnesota. He continued working for the same company until in 1881, when he went to Hallock, in Northern Minnesota, on a hunting expedition of three months' duration. He had excellent sport and won the laurels by killing the first elk ever brought into Hallock. He had three companions with him on this trip. Next he returned to St. Cloud, where he worked at his trade for his former employers during the year following. Then in the summer of 1882 he went to Minneapolis and worked at bridge work until in the fall, when he went to Hallock to engage in the saloon business. In January, 1883, he removed to the town of Stephen, Marshall county, Minnesota, and opened a saloon, which business he has conducted ever since. He built and owns the West Hotel, a valu- able piece of property.

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Mr. Peterson was married at Crookston, January 21, 1883, to Miss Jennie Ingalls, daughter of Thomas and Anna Ingalls. This union has been blessed with three chil- dren, one of whom is living-Frank. Mabel and William are dead.

Mr. Peterson has been very successful in his business ventures, and has accumulated considerable property. He is a man of wide experience and an attentive reader of human nature. When in Hallock he was village constable, and has been a village trustee in Stephen for two years. He was a charter member of the Independent Order of Odd- Fellows Lodge at Stephen, and is a leading member of the Swedish Lutheran church. Mr. Peterson has been prominent in all means advanced for the improvement of his adopted town. He was the first man to lay out the streets in the village.

G. ROBERTSON, a prosperous and influential member of the farming community of the Park Regions of Minne- sota, is a resident of section 21, Wadena township, Wadena county, Minnesota. He is a native of Tennessee, born in Fentress county, on the 31st day of March 1828, and is the son of Isaac R. and Sarah (Helni) Robertson, natives of Tennessee. The father and mother of our subject were the parents of the following-named children-John H., Lewis C., Stokely G., Solomon, Moses, Julia, Adam, Jonathan and Sarah.

Mr. Robertson, the subject of this memoir, remained in his native State but a few years, and at an early age removed with his parents to Lafayette county, Wisconsin, where our subject remained thirteen or fourteen years, attending the common schools of that State. During his odd hours he worked at the mechanic's trade, and after completing his apprenticeship he worked at his trade for a

number of years in the State of Wisconsin. In 1862 he removed to Minnesota, and settled in Blue Earth county, where he worked at his trade until the spring of 1871. He then decided to seek new fields for his efforts, and accordingly started overland for the North- west. He drove through to Douglas county, Minnesota, where he took a claim and erected a log shanty, with sod roof, living there and enduring the hardships and privations of pioneer life for about six years. In 1877 he sold his farm and moved to Wisconsin, and settled in Hursey, where he engaged in the lumber business for a number of years. In the month of July, 1880, he returned to Minnesota and located in Wadena county, where he took his present farm. He has since resided upon his place, engaged in gen- eral farming and stock-raising operations. He is one of the most successful farmers in the county, and bears the respect of all who know him. His youngest son, Stephen A., has become a partner in the business.

Mr. Robertson was married on the 11th day of April, 1850, to Miss Lavina Rima, a native of Ohio. This union has been blessed with the following-named children-Euphe- mia, wife of J. H. Brady ; Spencer, Sarah, wife of G. Fires ; Stokely G., Jr., and Stephen A. All are living near by, except Spencer, who is in Montana. Mr. Robertson is an adherent to the principles of the " best men party." He has a fine farm of 160 acres under good cultivation and with good build- ing improvements. He is a hard worker, and has been and is closely identified with all local improvements.

R EV. LOUIS G. ALMEN, of New Lon- don, Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, is pastor of the Swedish Lutheran Nest Lake church. He came here in 1879, and has since remained, accomplishing much good in

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the cause. During the first eight years here he also served the Mamre-lunds Swedish Lutheran church. His present congregation consists of 230 communicants and about 450 members in all. The society owns a church edifice and ten acres platted into town lots. This congregation was organized in 1858 under the name of the Swedish Lutheran Nest Lake Congregation. It was dissolved at the time of the Indian outbreak, but was soon reorganized, and has been maintained ever since. Reverend Almen has been closely identified with the growth and development of this organization ; and its present pros- perous and excellent condition is due in no small measure to his zeal, energy and man- agement.

Rev. Louis G. Almen was born on the 30th of March, 1846, in Tosso Parish, Province of Dahlsland, in the central part of Sweden, and is a son of Peter and Mary Peterson. His parents had a family of twelve children, ten boys and two girls, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, although four of the family are now deceased. Five of them -Johannes P., Isaac, Peter, Charles and John M .- are farmers in Walsh county, Dakota. The surviving sister, Annie, lives in Phelps county, Nebraska, while one brother is still in Sweden.

Louis G. Almen, whose name heads this article, grew to manhood in the land of his birth. In 1870 he came to the United States, and found employment at Red Wing, Minne- sota, where he worked by the month and also attended the public schools during the winter of 1870-71. The following spring he engaged in working on the railroad, and soon after- ward took a contract in the Wisconsin pineries for Staples, Beans & Co., of Stillwater. Dur- ing the following summer he worked in the Red River Valley, taking several sub-con- tracts under DeGraff, Wallace & Co., the railroad contractors. Early in January, 1873, he entered the Augustana College and

Theological Seminary, of Rock Island, Illi- nois, from which he was graduated with hon- ors in 1876. He was ordained to the ministry in Jamestown, New York, at the annual con- vention of the Scandinavian Lutheran Au- gustana Synod. His first charge was at Beaver, Iroquois county, Illinois, where he remained about three years. At the expira- tion of that time he accepted a call from the Minnesota conference and became a travel- ing missionary in Renville, Chippewa, Yel- low Medicine, and Lac-qui-parle counties, Minnesota. This he continued for one year and he then accepted a call to his present charge.

Mr. Almer is a thorough scholar, a close student, an able writer and an eloquent pulpit orator. During the past five years he has been editor of the church and tem- perance departments of the Skaffaren, a Swedish newspaper of wide reputation, pub- lished at St. Paul. He is a strong advocate of temperance on the non-partisan plan. He was one of the principal originators of the Swedish National Temperance Society, and was president the first two years of its existence, or as long as it remained a non- partisan organization.

Our subject was married December 1, 1876, to Alice C. Johnson, a native of Sweden, and they have been the parents of six chil- dren, two boys and four girls,-Gustaf Theodore, Ansgarius Laurentius, Hannah Theodora, Louisa Victoria, Bertha Alethea, and Christina Constantia. The youngest, Christina C., died February 4, 1889.

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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 73

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