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 79

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 79
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 79

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).

613

PAKK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA.

HARLES LILYQUIST, of the firm of Aldrin & Lilyquist, general merchants of the village of Kensington, Douglas county, Minnesota, is a native of the State of Illinois. He was born in Knox county, Illinois, on the 5th of September, 1857, and is the son of Nils and Hannah Lilyquist, natives of Sweden. They emigrated to the United States and settled in Knox county, Illinois, in 1854. In 1858 they removed to Minnesota, settling in Nicollet county, where the father took a homestead and remained until 1868. He then sold out and removed to Osh- awa township, Nicollet county, Minnesota, where he followed farming until 1876, then settling in St. Peter, Minnesota, where he remained until 1885. He then went to Win- throp, Sibley county, Minnesota, where he remained until the time of his death on March 14, 1887.

Mr. Lilyquist, the subject of this sketch, received his education in Minnesota, where he had removed with his parents at the age of one year. He remained with his parents, assisting at home on the farm and attending school until 1880. He then removed to Evansville, Minnesota, where he secured a position as clerk for the firm of A. Lilyquist & Co. After three years and a half he went to Pelican Rapids, Minne- sota, and after working in a store for two years he returned to Evansville and went into business in partnership with his brother, under the firm name of Lilyquist Brothers. In the summer of 1887 they closed up the business, and our subject removed to the vil- lage of Kensington, Douglas county, Minne- sota, and opened the general merchandise store he now runs. He has since been engaged in a general and increasing business and is carrying a stock of about $2,500. He is one of the most successful and prominent merchants of the village, and has a liberal share of the general patronage of the town and vicinity.

Mr. Lilyquist was united in marriage on the 16th day of August, 1885, to Miss Emma Peterson, and this union has been blessed with one child-Luella.

In political matters Mr. Lilyquist is a stanch republican and is actively interested in the campaigns of that party. He is a capa- ble business man and an exemplary citizen, and is highly esteemed by all who know him.

LZEAR G. MERCHANT, the present efficient and popular manager of the Lake Park Hotel, in the village of Lake Park, Becker county, Minnesota, is a native of Minnesota. He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on the 31st day of December, 1858, and is the son of Samuel and Adel (Begin) Merchant, natives of Canada. In his younger days the father of our subject followed the life of an engineer on the St. Lawrence river, and in 1850 removed to Michigan, where he followed lumbering for four years. At the expiration of that time, in 1854, he removed to Stillwater, Minnesota, and from there to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he settled on a farm about nine miles from the city. He has since remained there, actively engaged in general farming opera- tions. He is a representative citizen of that locality and affiliates with the republican party. The father and mother of our sub- ject were the parents of the following-named children - Virginia, Elzear, Joseph, Edward, Leah, Eleanor, Lewis, Mitchel, Mary, Lillie and Laura.

Mr. Merchant, of whom this article treats, remained on the home farm, attending school, until he was twenty-one years old. Prior to this, however, he had spent two years in the pineries, and at the age of twenty-one he commenced in life for him- self, and for the first year was employed in the pineries as a wood sawyer. In 1881 he

614

RED RIVER VALLEY AND

removed to Becker county, Minnesota, where he secured work for Thomas H. Canfield. After working eight months at farm work for his employer, our subject hired out to his old employer for nineteen months more. In April, 1883, Mr. Merchant purchased a relinquish- ment of 114 acres, and made it a homestead. In November, 1883, our subject hired out to Henry Smith, the proprietor of the Lake Park Hotel. When Mr. Bunnell took charge of the hotel our subject was employed as clerk and held that position for eighteen months. Since the 16th of November, 1885, he has been employed by Mr. Canfield to operate the house. He is popular with the traveling public and bears the esteem of all who know him. The hotel is the only first- class house in the village, and its reputation is due to the untiring efforts of our subject to bring the hotel up the highest standard.

Mr. Merchant was married on the 19th day of June, 1887, to Miss Emma Anderson, the daughter of Gustaf and Johanna (Larson) Anderson, natives of Sweden. Our subject affiliates with the democratic party, and is actively interested in all public matters. He is a man of the strictest honor and integrity and bears the esteem of all who know him.

VEN S. EVENSON is a member of the firm of Sivertson & Evenson, dealers in general merchandise, located in the town of Underwood, Otter Tail county, Minnesota. This firm has a large trade, and is constantly adding to their business. Mr. Evenson was born in Norway, September 25, 1861, and was the son of Sivert and Kjirsti (Lodinson) Evenson.

The parents were both natives of Norway, where they engaged principally in farming. The family came to America in 1867, landing at Quebec, whence they came to Wisconsin, settling in Menomonie City, 1

where they remained one year. They then removed to St. Croix county, Wisconsin, where the father and mother still live.

Mr. Evenson spent his younger days beneath the parental roof. He helped his father on the farm, and attended the district school at times when farm work was not pressing. In 1885 he left his home and removed to Underwood, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he took charge of the store while his partner returned to Norway. This store was started by Messrs. Sivertson and Evenson in 1882, and up to 1885 was conducted mainly by the senior partner.

December 8, 1888, Mr. Evenson was united in the holy bonds of [matrimony to Miss Anna Gunderson.

In politics Mr. Evenson is an independent and supports no particular party, believing that, the duty of the voter is to vote for the man best fitted for the office in dispute. In business Mr. Evenson has been eminently successful, and has built up a large trade by strict attention to business. By strict integ- rity and uprightness he has drawn to him a large circle of friends. The partnership carries about $3,000 worth of stock and do a very extensive business.

ACOB MARTIN HANSON. One of the most capable business men, as well as prominent citizens of St. Hilaire, Minnesota, is the subject of our present sketch, a justice of the peace, and merchant.

Mr. Hanson was born in Milwaukee, Wis- consin, May 27, 1858, and is a son of Martin and Caroline (Christianson) Jacobson, who were natives of Norway. When our subject was a small child his parents removed to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and took Government land. . Our subject remained at home until he was ten or twelve years old, when he began work- ing for farmers. When he was fourteen his

615

PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA.

father died, and he had to go home and work the farm, aided by his younger brother, Christian. Two years later his mother mar- ried again. Jacob then went to Eau Claire and began working in a lumber mill. When he was between twenty-one and twenty-two years of age he met with a sad misfortune in the death of a friend, and he then began traveling throughout the Northwest. For some time he roamed about from place to place in Dakota, and finally went Lac-qui- parle county, Minnesota, and there picked out a claim. He at once wrote his stepfather to come, and on his arrival J. M. Hanson gave him the claim. We will here make a brief explanation of Mr. Hanson's family matters. His father, Martin Jacobson, was very industrious and soon had developed a com- fortable place, through his energy, frugality and labor. He did all his own work by hand ; cutting all his grain and hay by hand, and had good buildings put up. On his death he left his family in very comfortable circumstances. When the mother married again, her second husband, the stepfather of our subject, did not succeed very well, nor did he like to work so hard as the father had done. He invested in horses and machinery and soon spent all the money and property his predecessor had saved. He got in debt, the place ran down, and eighty acres were too small to support expenses of that sort. Our subject, J. M. Hanson, had to help him with money and help him get started again. This was the cause of their removal to Lac-qui-parle county. Our subject aided him on account of his love for his mother, brother and sisters. After getting them started again in Lac-qui-parle county they got along very well, and are now inde- pendent. After seeing them comfortably settled our subject went to work for farmers. Shortly afterward C. V. Lang (Mr. McKins- try being the agent) wanted a man to run a lumber yard in Watson, Chippewa county,

Minnesota, and as a friend highly recom- mended our subject, he secured the place and took charge of the lumber yard and grain elevator. He remained with that firin for four years, then came to St. Hilaire. He purchased property and opened a millinery store. He purchased goods in Chicago and was doing well, having accumulated several hundred dollars' worth of goods, and his lia- bilities only amounted to about $150. About this time a lawyer tried to beat his stock through this indebtedness. Our subject stood suit, however, and came out victorious. Mr. Hanson now carries on a restaurant, and a confectionery and notion store, and is doing well.

Our subject has always taken an active interest in public matters, and has held a number of the local offices. He was the second marshal of the village, the first only serving about one month. He has been street commissioner for some time, and it was through his management that the crossings were put in, bridges built and sidewalks laid in St. Hilaire. He also served for several years as village recorder, and is now filling the office of justice of the peace. A capable, accommodating and painstaking official, he has always given excellent satis- faction in every position in which he has been placed.

During Mr. Hanson's service with C. V. Lang, he became acquainted with Christine M. Waldum, an estimable young lady, and daughter of Ole E. Waldum, a farmer liv- ing near Watson. After two years of sin- cere courtship they were married on the 28th day of March, 1882, that day being the eighteenth birthday of the bride. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson are the parents of two children - Minnie Caroline and Anton Oscar.

The family are exemplary members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Hanson is a member of the Knights of Honor fra- ternity.

616

RED RIVER VALLEY AND

T ARON H. CARLISLE, the popular and well-known manager of the old Man- sard House, now known as the Carlisle House, is a resident of the village of Paynes- ville, Minnesota, where he has charge of the hotel which bears his name. He is a native of the State of Illinois, born in Plymouth, Hancock county, Illinois, on the 25th day of December, 1861, and is the son of James and Mary (Thoxel) Carlisle, natives of Kentucky and Pennsylvania, respectively. The father died on the 4th day of January, 1871, and the mother is still living. They were the parents of the following-named children- Hattie, Belle, Edward, William, Aaron, George, Clara, Debbie and Lettie.

Mr. Carlisle, of whom this sketch treats, remained at home until he was eleven years old, when he went to Alma City, Waseca county, Minnesota, where he attended school for one year and then returned to his home in McLeod county, Minnesota, where he remained, assisting his father on the home farm and attending school, until he was six- teen years old. He then secured a position in the shoe shop of J. N. Albright, and he remained in that position until his employer went out of business. Our subject then secured a position as clerk in the Merchant's Hotel at Glencoe, and, after working about one year, went back to school for two terms, After leaving school he clerked in the Wind- sor House at Howard City for two years, and then went to Graceville and took charge of the Emerson House for Al. Stewart. He remained with Mr. Stewart for ten months, and then removed to Litchfield, Minnesota, and clerked in the Howard House for Frank Minton for about three years. At the expiration of that time he removed to Paynes- ville, Minnesota, and took charge of what was the old Mansard House, and which has been remodeled and is now known as the Carlisle House. It is a first-class house and has one of the most popular and most highly

esteemed landlords on this line of road. In political matters our subject affiliates with the republican party and is actively interested in all local matters. A genial and affable gentleman, he is meeting with well-deserved success.

EDMOND BELCOURT, M. D., of Argyle, Marshall county, Minnesota, is one of the most prominent members of the medical fraternity in the Red River Valley. No member of the profession deserves better mention in a work of this character, and none stands higher in the com- munity where he lives than does he. A thorough scholar and an experienced prac- titioner, he has met with merited success and has attained a prominent position in the respected profession of which he is a member.

Dr. Belcourt was born in La Baie du Febvre, district of Trois Rivières, Canada, December 15, 1852. His parents were Esdras and Josephte (Precourt) Belcourt, who were also natives of Canada. Our subject remained at home and attended school until he was twelve years old, when he entered the famous Nicolet College. After a thorough course, iasting eight years, he was graduated with high honors. He then, from 1871 to 1876, clerked in a general store for M. Beaupre, in St. Michel d'Yamaska. At the termination of that engagement he began the study of medicine and entered Victoria University, Montreal, from which he was graduated and received the degree of M. D. in 1880. He opened an office at Holyoke, Massa- chusetts, and six months later removed to Three Rivers, Massachusetts, where he remained for two years. At the expiration of that time he came to Argyle, Minnesota, where he has since remained, engaged in a lucrative practice. He is an affable, pleasant gentleman, and is

617

PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA.

thoroughly posted in all that pertains to his profession. He has always taken an active interest in public matters, and has served in various official positions. Has been county physician for five years, county coroner for a like period, and president of the board of health for the past four years, and still holds these positions.

Wecan not close the article on Dr.Belcourt without making a brief mention of one of his relatives that has played an important part in the history of the Northwest-his uncle, Rev. G. A. Belcourt, who was a missionary among the Manitoba Indians for about thirty-five years. He was a talented and educated man, and a scholar in the Indian language. He wrote a grammar and dictionary of the Indian tongue, the latter of which contained some 30,720 pages in hand- writing on foolscap paper. He was a mis- sionary apostholig and vicar-general of Bishop Cretin, of St. Paul, in 1853. He was well and favorably known all through the Northwest, and was beloved by both the Indians and whites; and many Indians to this day almost worship his memory, as his name is still a familiar one among them. This great and good man went to Manitoba in 1831, and died in Memramcook, Iles de la Medelaine, Canada, in 1874.

OHN BASSETT, a retired farmer and stock-raiser of section 9, Hartford town- ship, Todd county, Minnesota, is a native of New Hampshire. He was born in the town of Wolfbury on the 3d of January, 1812, and is the son of Daniel and Abagail (Bean) Bassett, natives of Massachusetts.

John Bassett, the subject of this memoir, received his education in New Hampshire, where he attended school at Wolfbury until he was twenty years old. He then worked on the home farm for two years, and in 1834

removed to Illinois, settling in Peoria coun- ty, where he remained eighteen months. He then went to the Red Mines, Galena, Illinois, where he remained until 1837. In 1837 he moved to Wisconsin, remaining there for three years. In 1840 he went to St. Louis, Missouri, and later went to Indiana. He there secured a position as stage driver, and in 1842 returned to Galena, where he remained six years, employed as stage driver. In 1848 he went to Minnesota, being one of the earliest settlers in the State.

In 1865 he moved to Todd county, Minne- sota, and took a tract of land on section 9, Hartford township, where he engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He is an old and respected citizen of the county, and bears the respect of all who know him.

Mr. Bassett was married in January, 1845, to Miss Amelia McCornice, and this union has been blessed with ten children-only five of whom are now living-John, Mary, Thomas, Herford, Abbie and Lora, twins, Mrs. Bassett is a native of Canada.

OHN S. LA DUE, a prominent and suc- cessful merchant of Polk county, Min- nesota, is a resident of the village of Fertile, where he is engaged in the general merchan- dising business. He is a native of Wiscon- sin, born at Wilmot, in Kenosha county on the 24th day of February, 1854, and is the son of Rev. S. P. and Sarah M. (Wright) La Due. natives of New York State. The father was a Congregational minister, and in 1855 removed to Iowa, in which State he has been engaged in clerical work ever since.

Mr. La Due, the subject of this biograph- ical article, removed, when about one year old, with his parents to Anamosa, Iowa, where he remained two years. At the expir- ation of that time they went to Mitchell, Iowa, and, after remaining there one year,

618

RED RIVER VALLEY AND

moved to Rockford, Iowa, where he remained seven years. It was at that place he first attended school, and in 1866 he went to Irving, Tama county, where he entered the Baptist Academy. After remain- ing there two years he went to Plymouth, Iowa, and commenced school teaching. He was only fifteen years of age, but met with the best of success in the profession. After teaching seven years he engaged in agricult- ural pursuits, which he followed for five years. In 1880 he went to Polk county, Minnesota, and located in the village of Fertile. In the fall of 1881 he engaged in general merchandising, and has since been employed in that line. He organized the postoffice, and was postmaster until Cleveland's administration, during which he was removed from office on party princi- ples. He carries a full line of goods, and a greater variety than will be found in most of the places of that size.

Mr. La Due was married in Plymouth, Iowa, to Miss Sarah A. Kinney, on the 23d day of September, 1874. Mrs. La Due is a native of New Jersey, and the daughter of Reuben and Judith (Spangenberg) Kin- ney, natives of New Jersey. Mr. La Due is a republican in politics and is a zealous party worker. He is a good citizen, a man of strict business integrity, and is recognized as one of the most capable business men in the county in which he lives.

LBERT H. SPERRY, the subject of this article, is a resident of the city of Willmar, Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, where he is engaged in the machinery busi- ness, also dealing in live stock, in partner- ship with his brother Berton W., whose biographical memoir will be found in another department of this ALBUM. Mr. Sperry is one of the pioneers of the county, having

settled there in 1858, coming from Le Sueur to Harrison township, Kandiyohi county, where he took 160 acres of land and engaged in farming. . He has been a resident of Will- mar since 1880, when he removed from his farm into the city, where he has since remained, engaged in business in partner- ship with his brother. He is a native of New York State, born in Livingston county, New York, on the 14th day of December, 1840, and is the son of Jeremiah and Jerushia (Osborn) Sperry, natives of New Haven and Hartford, Connecticut, respectively. The father removed to Michigan in 1840 and to Minnesota in 1857, locating in Kandiyohi county. He remained there until the Indian outbreak in 1862, when he, with other set- tlers, had to flee for their lives. The father was in two engagements, in Meeker county, with the Indians, and very nearly lost his life by being cut off from the wagon train. The mother was so frightened, and also on account of exposure, she died the year fol- lowing in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After the second day's fight at Forest City the father left to meet his family that had gone on aliead, with the exception of our subject and his brother, who enlisted in the State militia, and were in active service for about one hundred days. Our subject was in a four-days' running conflict in Meeker and McLeod counties, and after the trouble had been quelled, he joined his parents and family in Minneapolis, where he engaged in the carpenter's trade, helping to construct the saw-mills at St. Anthony Falls. He remained there until 1863, when he enlisted in the First Battalion, Minne- sota Cavalry, better known as Hatch's Bat- talion. He was in the service three years, in Dakota, and was first stationed at Pembina, where they built the fort. At the close of the service he returned to the old homestead in Kandiyohi county, and engaged in farming, buying the home-

619

PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA.

stead from his father, and also adjoining lands. He owned a fine farm of 400 acres, and in 1876 established a store in the village which he ran for four years. In 1880 he removed into Willmar, and engaged in the stock and meat business, doing a heavy ship- ping business. He is also engaged in the machinery business, handling all kinds of agricultural implements, etc. He has been president of the county agricultural society since 1886.

Mr. Sperry was united in marriage in 1867 to Miss Ellen Tracy, the daughter of John and Catharine Tracy, natives of Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Sperry have been blessed with six children, three of whom are now living, named as follows-Roy, Charles and Jennie. Mrs. Sperry passed away in the spring of 1883. She was a devoted member of the Baptist church, and was esteemed and beloved by all who knew her. Our subject was mar- ried, a second time, to Miss Jennie Willson, and they have been blessed with two chil- dren-Walter, and Bernice, who died a year ago. Mr. Sperry is independent in his polit- ical ideas, and is actively interested in all local matters. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and also belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a citi- zen of the strictest honor and integrity and is highly esteemed by all who know him. He is a public spirited citizen and one of the representative business men of the city.

AMES W. HASSEN, furniture dealer in the village of Wadena, is a native of Canada. He was born in Lower Canada on the 8th of November, 1843, and is the son of James and Amy Hassen. The father was an extensive farmer through life, and in 1855 removed to the States and settled in Dakota county, Minnesota, where he engaged in farming. He was one of the first set-

tlers in that county, was an esteemed and industrious citizen, and died in 1885 at the age of seventy-six years. The father and mother of our subject were the parents of the following-named children - Willard, Elijah, Charles, and Ashley (deceased in 1882 at ten years). .

Mr. Hassen, the subject of this biograph- ical memoir, remained in his native country until he had attained the age of thirteen years. During his stay in Canada he attended the common schools, and in 1855 emigrated to the United States with his parents. He settled with them in Dakota county, Minnesota, where he remained until the year 1862. In the spring of that year he enlisted in Company F, Eighth Minnesota Infantry. He was mustered into the service in August, 1862, at Fort Snelling, Minne- sota. At the outbreak of the Indian mas- sacre his company was ordered to New Ulm, Minnesota, where they remained as guards for several months. They spent the winter of 1862-63 in Little Falls and Fort Rip- ley. During the summer of 1863 our subject was detailed as guard, and spent the summer at Princeton, Sunrise and Fort Snelling, Min- nesota. In the spring of 1864 he joined Sully's expedition in the Northwest, and was in that until the following fall, when he returned to Fort Snelling, Minnesota. He was then sent to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and was in the Twenty-fifth Army Corps, under General Ruger. They followed the Confederates as far as the Tennessee river, and then went into camp at Stoneman. From there they met Sherman's army at Goldsboro, North Carolina, and participated in the battle at that place. Our subject was pres- ent at Lee's surrender and the close of the war. After the cessation of hostilities the subject of this article returned to Fort Snelling, Minnesota, where he received his honorable discharge. From that time until 1870 Mr. Hassen made his home in the

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 79

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