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 76

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 76
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 76

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).

OHN O. KOLSTAD is a prominent resident of Underwood, Otter Tail county, Minnesota. He has lived a life full of busi- ness activities and has now retired to enjoy the competency accumulated during his busi- ness life. He was born in Norway on the 6th day of August, 1824.

Mr. Kolstad was a son of Ole and Gun- hilde (Anderson) Erickson, both natives of Norway. They were farmers by occupa- tion, were well-to-do, and occupied prominent places in the social relations of their native land.

592

RED RIVER VALLEY AND

The subject of our sketch remained at home in his native country until well along in years. He received excellent intellectual advantages and was given a thorough clas- sical education. In 1869 he determined to visit America, and with that in viewtook pas- sage on an ocean steamer and started for the much-heard-of free country. Landing in New York he continued his journey to Wis- consin, stopping for two months in Mil-

waukee. Thence he went to Rushford, Fillmore county, Minnesota, where he taught a Norwegian school for one year. He then removed to the town of Sverdrup, Otter Tail county, same State, and settled on Govern- ment land. This was in 1870, and lie con- tinued to run his farm for some time. He then concluded to launch out into mercan- tile pursuits. So, removing to Underwood, same county, he formed a partnership with a Mr. Sether and built the store building now occupied by Bjorge and Sjordal, where they opened a general merchandise business. This business was steadily continued until 1886, when it was sold to A. H. Brockamp, and Mr. Kolstad returned to the farm. He continued on the farm until the fall of 1888, when he put it into the hands of a renter, and himself moved to Underwood. He has an excellent farmi of 160 acres all under a high state of cultivation.

Mr. Kolstad was married December 28, 1845, to Anna Johnson, a native of Norway. She was a daughter of John Olsen and was born in Norway on the 21st of June 1823.

Mr. Kolstad is a man of much influence in the affairs of his community, and is held in high esteem by all who know him. He has held the office of supervisor for two terms, and by virtue of his good business qualities and early and thorough education is well qualified to hold any position of trust within the gift of the republican party, of which he is a zealous supporter. Mr. Kolstad is a member of the Unitarian church.

B URRE E. BURKEE, the present post- master in the village of St. Hilaire, Polk county, Minnesota, and also engaged in the general merchandising business, is a native of the kingdom of Norway. He was born in Burkee, Norway, on the 21st day of No- vember, 1857, and is the son of Erick and Syverine (Bergoust) Burkee, natives also of that kingdom. The father died in 1869 and the mother in 1874.

Mr. Burkee, the subject of this article, remained at home until the death of his parents. During that time he attended the common schools of his native land, and, at the age of twenty, fell heir to the old home- stead. Upon the advice of a brother, who had returned on a visit from the United States, he sold the old homestead and emigrated to this country. In 1882 he located at Montevideo, Minnesota, where he attended school two winters, and in the summers engaged in the merchandising busi- ness in the village of St. Hilaire, Polk county, Minnesota, with his brother John. After attending school two winters, at his uncle's, he removed to St. Hilaire, where he has since remained. They have a fine stock of goods, and are doing a good business.

Mr. Burkee, the subject of this biography, was united in marriage on the 13th day of June, 1888, to Miss Caroline Larson, a native of Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, and the daughter of Ole and Maria (Kjara) Larson, who were natives of Norway. Our subject and his estimable wife belong to the Norwegian Lutheran church, and are exem- plary citizens. Our subject is village treas- urer, and is also the present efficient post- master. Mr. Burkee is a man of the strictest integrity and honor, and is highly esteemed by all who bear his acquaintance. He is one of the leading business men of that portion of the country, and takes an active interest in all matters affecting the welfare of his town.

593

PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA.

AMES H. BOYLAN, the present post- master at Paynesville, a thrifty repre- sentative of the farming community of Stearns county, Minnesota, is a resident of section 14, town 122, range 32, where he is engaged in extensive and successful farming and stock-raising. He is a native of New York State, born on the 13th day of May,1834, and is the son of Fiman and Laura (Hulburt) Boylan, natives of New Jersey and Massa- chusetts, respectively. Mr. Boylan, of whom this biography treats, remained at home, attending school and assisting on the home farm until he was twenty-one years old. He then left home and, in November, 1855, re- moved to Illinois, settling at Morris, where he worked for two and a half years in a hardware store. At the expiration of that time he went to Anoka, Minnesota, and in the spring of 1858 engaged in teaming, which he followed until October, 1858, when he removed to Stearns county, Minnesota, and took a claim on section 16, Paynesville town- ship, where he engaged in logging for some time, then returned to Anoka, Minnesota, where he remained until 1859. In January, 1859, he returned to Paynesville, and the fol- lowing summer managed the farm of William Bennett. In 1861 he returned to Allegany county, New York, where he worked at agri- cultural pursuits for a year and a half. Then he, in partnership with his brother, bought out the general merchandise firm of Lemond Brothers, and until the spring of 1866 they followed that business. Our subject then sold out and engaged in the hardware business until the spring of 1869, when he sold out and returned to Paynesville and bought a farm on section 14, town 122, range 32, which he has since occupied. He now owns a fine, well-cultivated farm of 760 acres, and is engaged in an extensive farming and stock-raising business. He has held the offices of postmaster, chairman of the board of supervisors and assessor. He is one of the

prominent farmers of the county and is highly esteemed by all who know him.

Mr. Boylan was united in marriage on the 1st day of December, 1859, to Miss Canrissia A. Richardson, and this union has been blessed with eight children. In political mat- ters our subject is an adherent to the principles of the democratic party, and is actively interested in all local matters. He was appointed postmaster under Buchanan in the spring of 1859, also under Cleveland in February, 1888.

JAMES SCOTT is a resident of Argyle village, Marshall county, Minnesota, and is engaged in the wheat business, being agent for the Red River Valley Elevator Com- pany. He is a native of Scotland, born on the 13th of September, 1861, and is the son of Michael and Jane (Smith) Scott, natives of Scotland and England, respectively. The father, who was a farmer and miller, died in 1868, and the mother passed away in 1883.

Mr. Scott, of whom this article treats, remained at home operating the home farm and attending school until 1883. After the father's death in 1868 our subject, with his brother Andrew, carried on the business until about 1876, when they closed the mill and carried on farming until 1883. Our subject then went to England, where he joined his brother who had removed nine years pre- vious. Mr. Scott again returned to his native land and engaged in the wholesale potato business during the winter of 1883 and 1884. In June, 1884, he returned home and remained with his uncle in Cupar, Fife, Scotland, until the spring of 1885. On the 15th of April, 1885, he set sail for the United States, and after landing located in Euclid, Minnesota, where he remained one montli on the farm of a Mr. Fairweather. He then removed to Argyle village, Marshall county,

594

RED RIVER VALLEY AND

Minnesota, and engaged in buying wheat for Mr. Fairweather. During the next fall he removed to Warren, Minnesota, where he was the agent for the Red River Elevator Company, and again came to Argyle, where he has since remained employed by that company. He is well known throughout the county, and devotes his time exclusively to his business. He is popular and esteemed by all who know him, and is one of the active business citizens of the place.

In politics he is an adherent to the prin- ciples of the republican party, and is actively interested in all local movements. He has taken an active part in building up and maintaining the Presbyterian church, and is in every way a valued and exemplary citizen.

ROF. JAMES T. Mc CULLOCH, prin- cipal of the high school in the village of Perham, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is one of the prominent and representative cit- izens of the county in which he lives. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Westmore- land county, on the 28th day of December, 1858, and is the son of Joseph and Harriet (Hudson) McCulloch, natives, also, of Penn- sylvania. The parents were of Scotch and English descent. The father died in 1886. He had devoted his life to the pursuit of various callings-owning a farm, dealing in stock, and for a number of years ran a hotel and livery in Salem, Pennsylvania. They were blessed with a family of the following- named children-Porter H., Samual L., James T., Welty J., Etta S. and Charles B.

Professor McCulloch, the subject of this bio- graphical review, spent his school-days prin- cipally at Delmont Academy, Delmont, Penn- sylvania, and at Westminster College, New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, where he attend- ed school up to the age of twenty-one years. He then secured a position as teacher in the

Leechburg Academy, where he remained for one year. At the expiration of that time he entered the law office of Crosby & Crosby, Leechburg, Pennsylvania, where he remained one year. In 1884 he removed to Minnesota and took charge of the schools at New York Mills, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, remaining three years in that position. He then removed to Perham, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and accepted the principalship of the high school at that place. He has since filled the posi- tion with credit to himself and satisfaction to all. He is a man of versatile and excel- lent attainments, and bears the respect and esteem of all who know him. He was the democratic candidate for county superinten- dent of schools in Otter Tail county in 1888, but was defeated by a less majority than any other nominee on the ticket.

Professor McCulloch was united in marriage, on the 28th day of August, 1887, to Miss Hattie Carnahan, the daughter of Adam and Ester (Long) Carnahan, natives of Pennsyl- vania. Our subject and his estimable wife sympathize with the Presbyterian church. In political matters he affiliates with the democratic party, and is actively interested in all local matters. He has always taken a lively interest in politics, and made forty- three speeches in the Garfield-Hancock cam- paign of 1880, speaking from the same plat- form with such men as S. M. Clark, Jacob Zeigler, Hon. James Mosgrove and Senator Laird.

NDREW OPHEIM, who is engaged in the drug business in the village of Fertile, Polk county, Minnesota, is a native of the kingdom of Norway. He was born in Vass, Norway, on the 14th day of Novem- ber, 1844, and is the son of Stark K. and Anna G. Opheim, also natives of that king- dom. The father was a farmer and black-

595

PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA.

smith by occupation, and died in 1846. The father and mother of our subject are the parents of the following-named children - Anna, Carrie, Godskalk, Knut, Anna, Jr., and Andrew, the subject of this sketch.

· Mr. Opheim, the subject of this biograph- ical sketch, remained at home and attended common school, and afterward entered å high school in Vossevangen, and graduated from there after a two years' course of study, when eighteen years of age. He then com- menced in life for himself by securing a position as school-teacher, which profession he followed for eight years. In May, 1871, he decided to seek a livelihood in the New World, and accordingly emigrated to America. After a voyage of about fourteen days he landed in Quebec, and at once removed to Wisconsin, where he settled in Spring Prai- rie, Columnbia (or Walworth) county. Until the fall of 1872 he secured work among different farmers, and in the month of October, of that year, he went to Chicago, Illinois. There he secured work on the Pan Handle Railroad, transferring cars, at which he worked for nine months. He then went to Dodge county, Minnesota, where he worked for farmers for two years, and then removed to Freeborn county, Minnesota. He remained there until 1880, during which time he taught school in the winters and worked out in the harvest field in the sum- mers. In 1880 he paid a visit to the Old World and remained eleven months, review- ing the scenes of his boyhood-days. In 1881 he returned to the United States and to Min- nesota, again locating in Dodge county. During that summer he worked on a farm, and in February, 1882, he moved to Aldal, Polk county, Minnesota, where he entered the drug business in partnership with Dr. A. Nelson. They remained in business in that place until 1887, when they moved their goods and building to the village of Fertile, where they have since remained. In 1885,

however, they put in a general stock of mer- chandise and also a dry-goods store. They are now running the two stores and are doing a heavy business. Our subject is a member of the village council and has held the office of constable. In 1884 he pre-empted a claim on section 28, town 147, range 39, Columbia township, Polk county, Minnesota, on which he lived seven months. He has since proved up on the land and has a fine farm. He is a member of the Lutheran church. In political matters he affiliates with the republican party.

LI WOODMAN, a prosperous farmer of Todd county, Minnesota, is exten- sively engaged in general farming and stock- raising on his fine farm home on section 7, Grey Eagle township. He is a native of the Dominion of Canada, born in Canada West on the 10th day of December, 1845, and is the son of Lorenza and Charlotte (Barry) Woodman, natives of New York State. They were married September 1, 1843, in New York. In 1855 they settled in Wis- consin, where the father died in 1858. The mother passed away in 1886. They were devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church, the father being a class-leader for many years. He was a farmer by occupa- tion. They were the parents of the follow- ing-named children-Abagail, Eli, Jeremiah, Esther, Jane, Harriet E., George and Lor- enzo. George and William are deceased.

Eli Woodman received his education in New York State, where he remained until nine years of age, when he removed with his parents to Wisconsin. He attended school there until he had attained the age of eighteen years, at which period in life he enlisted in the Eleventh Wisconsin Infantry, Company D. This was in February, 1864, and he served until September 29, 1865, when he received an honorable discharge at

596

RED RIVER VALLEY AND

Madison, Wisconsin. He was in the siege of Mobile from March 20th to April 9, 1865, besides many skirmishes. After his discharge he settled in Richland county, Wisconsin, where he remained fourteen years. In 1879 he removed to Minnesota and settled in Todd county, Minnesota, where lie has since lived. He bought land on section 7, Grey Eagle township, which has since been his home. He erected the first house in the village of Grey Eagle and has donated several town lots for church and other public buildings. He is one of the leading business men in the township and one of the prominent and suc- cessful farmers of the county.

Mr. Woodman was married in December, 1867, to Miss Emily Gravatte, who died in 1877. On January 11, 1880, Mr. Woodman was married to Miss Ella Amerg. Mr. and Mrs. Woodman have been blessed with two children- Gertrude and Roscoe. Mr. Wood- man is a republican in politics. He and his family belong to the United Brethren church. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and is prominently identified in all movements of a local nature.

- uncle

HARLES H. COLYER, who is engaged in the law, loan, insurance and col- lection business in the village of Wheaton, Traverse county, Minnesota, is a native of the State of Wisconsin. He was born in Waukesha county, Wisconsin, on the 3d of November, 1849, and is the son of Lambert and Martha Colyer, natives of New York State. They removed to Wisconsin in about 1840, where the father is still living. The mother died in 1879. They were the parents of the following-named children - Francis (deceased), William, Mary, Charles, Christa (now dead), Algetha, Martha and Delia.

Mr. Colyer, the subject of this biograph- ical memoir, received his education in the

district schools of his native county, and attended one term at the Carroll College, in Waukesha. He then returned home, and until he had attained the age of twenty-one years assisted his father operate the home farm. At the age of majority he commenced in life for himself, and for the following seven years was engaged in general farming and stock-raising operations, in Pierce county, Wisconsin. In 1880 he removed to Minne- sota and located in Traverse county, where he took a homestead of 160 acres, and also a tree claim of like size. He removed into the village of Wheaton in 1887, and engaged in the law, loan, insurance and collection business. He has since resided there and is now doing a first-class business. He still owns his farm, which he has gradually enlarged until now he has one of the best cul- tivated and most desirable 800-acre farms in that section of the State. He was the first president of the village council, serving one year. In 1873 he was elected to the office of county sheriff, which position he held for three years.

Mr. Colyer was united in marriage in Wau- kesha, Wisconsin, in 1871, to Miss Elyda C. Reynolds. Our subject is actively and prominently identified with all local matters, and is an adherent to the principles of the republican party. He is a man of the strict- est honor and integrity, and is highly esteemed by all who know himn.

JOHN M. SPICER. The subject of the pres- ent article, president of the Willmar & Sioux Falls Railway, is one of the most prom- inent men in Central Minnesota. No man has done more than has he to aid in the growth and development of the State, and none have been more prominently identified with the history of its progress. A man of large ideas, intelligent, enterprising and lib-

597

PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA.

eral, he has been foremost in every project to advance the interests of the State and county of his home.

Mr. Spicer was born in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, December 9, 1841, and is a son of John and Mary (Maguire) Spicer, who were natives of Switzerland and Washington, District of Columbia, respectively. The father was brought to America by his par- ents when he was an infant, and they settled at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood, and subsequently en- gaged in the mercantile business. In 1852 he came West with his family and located at Polo, Illinois, where he lived a practically retired life until his death, which occurred in 1867. The mother died in 1886. The parents had a family of nine children, eiglit of whom are still living.

John M. Spicer, whose name heads our present article, grew to manhood and received his education in Illinois. In 1860 lie went to St. Paul, Minnesota, where for ten years he was employed at clerking. At the expiration of that time he went to Belle Plaine, Scott county, Minnesota, where he engaged in the mercantile busi-

ness and remained two years. In 1871 he removed to Willmar, Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, which place has since been his home. He has been engaged in the mercantile and banking business, and in fact nearly all important lines of mercantile busi- ness, as well as every important project, have felt the influence of his energy, perseverance and enterprise. He has prominently identi- fied himself with county and State matters, purchasing a vast amount of property, including interests in St. Paul, Minneapolis, Sioux Falls and other cities and towns. He erected the bank building on the corner of Fifth street and Pacific avenue; a brick store building on Sixth and Pacific avenue, as well as the brick block where he has his office in Willmar. His residence on Nelson

avenue is one of the finest in the city, and the grounds, which include some six acres, are beautified by shade and ornamental trees. He has at all times been closely identified with real estate matters, and has probably done more to aid in the settlement and development of Kandiyohi county than any other man.

Mr. Spicer was the originator of the St. Cloud & Willmar Railroad, and the pre- liminary work as to its organization and con- struction fell 'upon him. He served as its president for some time. He was also the founder of the Willmar and Sioux Falls Railway, and has been president of that corporation ever since its organiza- tion. He was also the founder and is the president of the Willmar & Sioux Falls Townsite Company. The capital stock of this corporation is $150,000, all of which is paid in. They own town sites all the way from Willmar to Sioux Falls, including val- uable quarries and other important plants. It may be of interest to state that one of these towns was named after Mr. Spicer. It is located on the banks of Green lake, on the line of the St. Cloud & Willmar Railway.

In political matters Mr. Spicer is a demo- crat and one of the most prominent mem- bers of that party in the State. He was a delegate from Minnesota to the National Convention at Chicago in 1884, and also to the St. Louis Convention in 1888. He has always taken an active interest in local and educational affairs, and has served as presi- dent of the city council, president of the board of education, etc. He is an honored member of the Masonic fraternity.

Mr. Spicer is a self-made man in every sense of the word. His possessions, which are estimated at from $300,000 to $400,000, are all the results of his own efforts, as he began life a poor boy. He is a man of iron determination and he recognizes no such

598

RED RIVER VALLEY AND

thing as defeat when once he undertakes an enterprise. The successful consummation of the gigantic projects which he has inaugu- rated demonstrate the characteristics of the man. We would have been pleased to have given a detailed account of the building and organization of the railroads with which he has been so intimately associated, but as he is a man who is loth to talk of his own undertakings, the writer has been confined almost wholly to those facts which are pub- lic knowledge.

Mr. Spicer was married in 1869 to Miss Francis Deming, and they are the parents of seven children-Agnes, Amy M., Mason W., Russell P., Jessie I., Ruth and Raymond. The three oldest have been attending St. Mary's Hall and Shattuck School, Episcopal institutions at Faribault, for the past three years.

RANCIS A. HART, the efficient deputy sheriff of Pembina county, North Dakota, and jailer Pembina, is one of the best known officers in that locality. He is a native of the Dominion of Canada, born in Williamstown on the 12th day of May, 1854, and is the son of Andrew and Amelia (Obi- champ) Hart, natives of Ireland and Canada, respectively. The father died when our subject was a small child, leaving him to look for his living as best he could. He remained at home until he was twelve years old, when he engaged at work out among the farmers, working in the summers and attending school in the winters. When he was abont seventeen, he learned the steam engineering trade, and for a number of years followed that vocation on the St. John's river. In 1866 his father tried to have him learn the blacksmith's trade, but the coal gas was too severe on the lungs and he was compelled to abandon it. In 1874 he went

to North Lake Superior, and worked around in the woods on a surveying party, for the Canadian Government, and in the following spring went to Winnipeg, but only remained a short time, then removing to Whiteside county, Illinois, where he herded stock for some time and then paid a visit to his native land. After remaining all winter he engaged in engineering again, and in the following winters worked in a saw-mill. In the spring of 1876 Mr. Hart went to Port Arthur and ran a locomotive for the Canadian Pacific Railroad Company, until fall. He then returned to Illinois and secured work on a farm, and in 1877 went to St. Paul, Minne- sota, and secured work on a railroad from · Breckenridge to Glyndon, until October. He then built nine flat boats, loaded them with merchandise, and started down the Red river for Winnipeg. When they got below Grand Forks they would load their freight on four boats, and on the others place lumber. In this manner they got the lumber, of which the boats were built, free of duty to Win- nipeg. They made several such trips, and in 1878 he secured a position in a hardware store in Winnipeg, with J. H. Ashdown & Co., with whom he remained until 1882. He then moved onto his farm, nine miles southwest of Pembina, North Dakota, where he remained, engaged in an extensive farming and stock-raising business, until January, 1887. He then moved into the village of Pembina, having been appointed deputy sheriff and jailor, and has since remained there, actively engaged in his official duties. He has been assessor for two years, and when on the other side of the boundary line was constable.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 76

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