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 88

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 88
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 88

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Mr. Larson, whose name heads this article, was born in Bollnas, Helsingland, Sweden, on the 24th of June, 1836, and is a son of Peter and Christine Larson, who were farmers in Sweden. In 1852 the family came to the United States and located in Waupaca, Wisconsin, where they engaged in farming. Louis Larson came to Minne- sota in 1857, and was followed by the family in 1858. They remained at St. Peter until the spring of 1859, when they came to Kandiyohi county and located at Nest Lake. The father is still living, a resident of New London; the mother died in April, 1876. The parents had a family which consisted of

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the following children-Louis, Peter, Erick, Oliver, Martha, Nels, Christine and Erick. The two Ericks are dead, and all the others are still living.

Louis Larson was married January 19, 1869, to Carrie Olson, and they are the parents of two daughters-Mary Christine and Carrie Elizabeth. Mrs. Larson is a native of Sweden, and the daughter of Peter and Martha Olson. Her parents came to the United States in the fall of 1853, and set- tled in Chicago, where her mother died dur- ing the following year. Her father died in February, 1875.

Mr. Larson, after, the Indian outbreak, aided in re-organizing Monongala county, it being the north half of what is now Kan- diyohi county. New London was the county seat. Our subject also took a prominent part in the organization of the township and village of New London. He has always taken an active interest in all public affairs and has held various official positions. He was chairman of the board of supervisors for many years and also town treasurer. For twelve years he held the position of postmaster, and every move affecting the welfare of his town or county receives his active support and encouragement. He is a stanch republican in political matters, and a member of the Lutheran church.

Mr. Larson has extensive property inter- ests-besides his mill and other property, he owns a farm of 300 acres under a high state of cultivation, which he rents.

HOMAS H. STOREY, the leading tax. idermist of the Northwest, and propri- etor of the museum at Fargo, North Dakota, well deserves extended mention in a volume devoted to prominent citizens of the Red River Valley. The museum, which he has

been the means of establishing at Fargo, is one in which any city may take a just pride, as it contains one of the finest collections of this line of specimens to be found anywhere in the North.

Thomas H. Storey was born at Peterboro, Ontario, Canada, August 14, 1843, and is a son of John and Margaret (Edmison) Storey. The mother was a native of Tweed, Scot- land, and the father of Cumberland, Eng- land. The grandfather of our subject was one of the celebrated weavers of fine fabrics of England, and all the Storeys in the United States are descended originally from the same family. One strange peculiarity noticed in some members of the family is the fact that occasionally one of them is found who has two thumbs on one hand, and this same strange feature is found to have cropped out every now and then in their ancestors. On his father's side our subject is a descendant of the Blacks. This family has been engaged in manufacturing spades, ditching tools, etc., for the past century, and the business is still carried on under the original name. Nearly all the spades and shovels found in the North- west on British soil come from the Black factory.

John Storey was engaged in manufactur- ing edged tools. Our subject, Thomas, remained at home attending school and assist- ing in the factory until he was sixteen years of age. He then learned the painter's trade, which he followed for about eight years. At the expiration of that time he removed to Lindsay, Canada, and there engaged in the floral business, which he followed success- fully for twelve years. In the spring of 1881 he removed to Pembina county, North Dakota, and settled on section 6 of Lincoln township, taking a homestead, tree claim and pre-emption all on the same section. His family still live on the farm, and he still owns the three claims. In April, 1888, he came to Fargo, and in company with

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W. H. Williams engaged in the business of taxidermy, to which business he has devoted more or less attention for the past twenty-seven years. They also opened the museum, which they still carry on. It contains many features which would merit extended mention, but our space limits us to a few of the most important. They have the largest moose and elk that have ever been placed on exhibition. The moose measures 6 feet 5 inches high at shoulders, and 8 feet 4 inchies to top of horns, and is 9 feet 6 inches from tail to nose, girting 7 feet and 2 inches. Its weight was 1,400 pounds, and it must have been at least sixteen years old. It was killed in Manitoba in December, 1887. The elk was killed at about the same time in the Turtle mountains, North Dakota. It is 10 feet high to top of horns, stands 5 feet 6 inches at shoulder, spread of horns 4 feet 10 inches, girts 6 feet 2 inches, measures 9 feet 6 inches from nose to tail, weight was 800 pounds. They have a fine specimen of the mountain lion, measuring 8 feet 4 inches from nose to tip of tail. They not only have a fine display of animals, but also a splendid collection of native birds of the Northwest, and also imported birds.

Mr. Storey was married in Canada, Sep- tember 5, 1860, to Miss Sarah Williams, a daughter of Thomas and Rachel (Trimblet) Williams, who were natives of England. They are the parents of the following- named children-Emma, Ida, Charles, Lillian, Nellie, Thomas, Mabel, Frank, Lulu and Girtie. Emma married Dr. McFadden, and resides in Emerson, Manitoba. All of the children were born in Canada except Lulu and Girtie.

Mr. Storey is a man of the strictest integ- rity, and is highly esteemed by all who know him. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, holding membership with the Shiloh Lodge of Fargo.

ONALD ROBERTSON, a thorough and successful business citizen of Mar- shall county, Minnesota, is engaged in the drug business in the village of Argyle. He is a native of the Dominion of Canada, born in Hillsburg, Ontario, July 4, 1859, and is the son of C. Robertson and Anna (Ramsey) Robertson, natives of Scotland.

Mr. Robertson, remained at home until he was nine years of age, attending school in the district schools in his native land. He was then forced to begin life for himself, and until he was sixteen he was engaged in almost everything he could find to do, and attending school in the spare hours. In 1875 he engaged work on a farm, and worked at that industry until he was twenty-one. During that time he had the opportunity to go to Winnipeg and engage in farming on a farm, which his uncle would have given him. His uncle sent him $500, which his mother purchased property with. At the age of twenty-one he removed to New York State, but after working for a short time was taken sick and returned home. Upon his recovery he engaged in the meat market business with his father. As this mode of life was not suited to the inclination of our subject, he decided to follow another business. He bought out a small shoe store, paying one-half down and the other $80 in a short time. Although he had never had any experience in the business, he established the store, and for eighteen months carried on a successful boot and shoe busi- ness. At the expiration of that time he sold out, realizing a profit of about $125. In a short time he started for the new Western States, and spent considerable time in look- ing over the country in the Red River Val- ley. While in Fargo, Dakota Territory, he met a brother Odd-Fellow, who gave him a position at mason work in Stephen, Marshall county, Minnesota. After working for about one year he secured a position in the hotel

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at Warren, Minnesota, where he remained three months, then going into the mason work and contracting business, removing to the village of Argyle, where he has since remained. The winter before settling in Argyle he taught school in Polk county, with such success that he was tendered the principalship of the public schools in Euclid, Minnesota. Until 1881 he followed his trade, doing an extensive contracting business. In December, 1888, he purchased his present store, where the postoffice is located. He is doing an excellent business and carries a good stock. In addition to the store he owns 160 acres of fine farming land near the village. He is now a member of the board of health, and has been village mar_ shal and justice of the peace. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and joined the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows in Ontario, Canada, in 1881. He is one of the popular and prosperous business men in the village, and affiliates with the republican party in his politics.

J. BROKER, one of the leading attor- neys in Wadena county, Minnesota, is a resident of the village of Wadena, where he is extensively engaged in professional work. He is a native of Prussia, born in that kingdom in August, 1854. His parents emigrated to the United States in 1857, and settled in Wisconsin, where they have since remained.

Mr. Broker, the subject of this memoir, remained in his native land until he had attained the age of three years, when he emi- grated to the United States with his parents, and they settled in Walworth county, Wis- consin, where our subject remained until six- teen years of age. During that time he had attended the common schools .of Wal- worth county, and at that age he entered

the normal school at Whitewater, Wiscon- sin, where he remained one year. At the expiration of that time he taught school for one term, and then entered Milton College, where he remained for one year. He then entered the State University of Wisconsin, located at Madison, which he attended for three years, taking a modern classical course. After leaving the university he taught school for several terms, and in the spring of 1879 entered a law office at Janesville, Wisconsin, where he remained until the spring of 1882. On the 6th of May he was admitted to the circuit court, and on the 10th of the same month was admitted to the supreme court of Wisconsin. In 1882 he removed to the vil lage of Wadena, Wadena county, Minnesota, where he was in the law office of E. E. Luce as clerk for three months, and then engaged in the law business for himself. In 1883 he was elected as village recorder, and in the fall of 1883 was elected as county attorney, which office he has since filled with satisfac- tion to all parties concerned. He is doing a straight law business, and is one of the lead- ing and prominent attorneys of the village and county. He is a pleasant and genial gentleman, and is highly esteemed by all who know him. He is a stanch democrat in his political affiliations, and is a member of the State central democratic committee, and an active worker in the same. He is an hon- ored member of the Masonic fraternity.

ASHINGTON McNEICE, one of the popular business men of Todd county, Minnesota, is engaged in the milling business in the village of Little Sauk. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Hunting- ton county, on the 10th day of September, 1841, and is the son of William and Elizabeth (Stauffer) McNeice, also natives of Pennsyl- vania. The father was a carder and cloth-

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dresser. He died in 1864. The mother is still living in Indiana, and is seventy years of age. They are members of the Christian church. The father and mother of our sub- ject are the parents of the following-named children-Mary, John, Nancy, Milah A., Nicholas R., Emma and Washington.

Mr. McNeice, the subject of this biograph- ical article, received his education in Indiana, where he removed at an early day. He attended the excellent common schools until he was nineteen years old, and then engaged in carding and cloth-dressing until 1866. He then moved to Minnesota and located in Douglas county, remaining there one year. He then went to Stearns county, Minnesota, and engaged in the milling business. He remained there for sixteen or seventeen years, and in May, 1883, moved to Todd county, Minnesota, where he has since remained. He has an extensive trade and is doing an increasing business. The mill has a capacity of 100 barrels per day and turns out an excellent brand of flour.

Mr. McNeice was married on the 25th day of March, 1872, to a Miss C. E. Dolson, a native of Indiana, and the daughter of Jesse and Easter Dolson, farmers of Canada.

Mr. McNeice, the subject of this article, is a member of the Masonic fraternity and for- merly of the Odd-Fellows. He is one of the representative men of the village, and is an active participant in all local enterprises. In political matters he affiliates with the demo- cratic party. He is highly esteemed by all who know him, and is a man of sterling busi- ness qualifications.

ENRY KEMPER, the popular and effi- cient postmaster of the village of Perham, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is the oldest settler in that village. He is a native of Ohio, born in Cincinnati, on the 11th day of November, 1845, and is the son of Henry

and Clora. (Spenthoff) Kemper, natives of Hanover, Germany. The parents emigrated to the United States in 1835, and settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, where the father was man- ager of a saw-mill for eighteen years. In 1850 they removed to Mercer county, Ohio, where the father remained until his death in 1868. They were members of the Catholic church, and were the parents of the following- named children - Mary, Dianah, Henry, Philemena and Bernard.

Mr. Kemper, the subject of this biograph- ical article, remained in the city of his birth until he was five years old, when he removed with his parents to Mercer county, Ohio, where he received his education. He at- tended school in that county until he had attained the age of fifteen years, when he entered an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade. He remained there, working at his trade, until he was twenty-four years of age, when he removed to Rush Lake, Minnesota, and opened a general store, remaining there about two years. At the expiration of that time he removed into the village of Perham, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he was the first person to locate. He built a frame house on the north side of the Northern Pacific Railroad track, and in July, 1872, opened a general store and was appointed postmaster. In 1874 our subject, brother and Mr. Drah- mann established the first newspaper in the village, which they afterward sold to S. Burke for forty acres of land. In January, 1878, Mr. Kemper, together with his brother and H. Drahmann, erected the first mill in the county, also built a second mill at Toad river, and they were the principal factors in the erection of the Prairie Mills. They then erected a building-a fine business structure-into which our subject moved the postoffice, lock boxes, etc. He has since been engaged in the general merchandising business, and is also employed in postoffice duties. He owns a fine dwelling house in

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the village, and is one of the oldest settlers in the county.

Mr. Kemper was united in marriage to Miss Regina Steinbach, a native of Ger- many, and this union has been blessed with five children - Clara, Cecelia, Antonette, Rosa and Mary. Our subject is a democrat in his political affiliations. He and his family belong to the Catholic church. He has held the office of postmaster for twenty years. He is actively interested in all local matters, and is highly esteemed by all who know him.

LEV O. OTTERNESS, formerly a prosperous and prominent member of the farming community of Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, is a resident of Willmar, Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, where he is living a retired life. Heis a native of the kingdom of Norway, born on the 2d of Feb- ruary, 1821, and is the son of Ole and Anna (Oleson) Elifson, natives of Norway. The parents emigrated to the United States in 1850, and remained with our subject for fifteen years. Then, until their death, they remained with their other children. They were the parents of five children, four of whom are still living-Ole, of Wisconsin; Elev, our subject ; Peter, now deceased ; Marthe, now Mrs. A. Oleson, of Wisconsin ; and Bertha, the wife of O. Gunderson, also of Wisconsin.

Mr. Otterness, the subject of this biog- raphy, remained at home in his native land until he had attained the age of eighteen years, during which time he attended school, early instituting into his mind those princi- ples of industry, integrity and economy which so distinguish the nationality he rep- resents. He then entered an apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade, at which he worked for four years. In 1845 he emigrated

to the United States and settled in Dane county, Wisconsin, where he worked out among the farmers for one year, in order to repay the money he had used in his passage to this country. The second year he worked among the farming community, during which time he received from 50 to 75 cents a day for his work. At the expiration of that time he removed to Columbia county, Wisconsin, where he settled on a farm, and for eighteen years devoted his attention to general farming and stock-raising operations. In 1865 Mr. Otter- ness removed to Goodhue county, Minne- sota, and purchased a farm of 160 acres in Wanomego township, and after living there for nine years went to Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, where he had purchased a farm of 400 acres previously. He remained there three years, and at the expiration of that time went to Dover township, Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, where he bought a farm of 400 acres, where he lived, engaged in a successful farming and stock-raising business, for a period of seven years. In 1884 he removed into Willmar, Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, where he has since remained, leading a retired life. He has a fine resi- dence, surrounded by a beautiful grove of trees, and has two city lots, located in the best portion of the city. He has held many offices in the different localities in which he has lived, including supervisor and school trustee while in Wisconsin, and since in Minnesota has been supervisor, county com- missioner, member of the school board, city councilman and supervisor.

Mr. Otterness was married in 1847 to Miss Johannah Bottelson, the daughter of Chris- tenson and Randa (Johnson) . Bottelson, natives of Norway. This union has been blessed with the following children-Baut- well, who married Miss Oleson and now has three living children-Elif, Alma and Olena; Annie, now Mrs. Larson, of Otter Tail county,

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Minnesota, and the mother of seven children- Ellen, Rosa, Josephina, Charles, Leonard, Arthur and William; Petrina, now the wife of L. A. Vik, the assistant cashier of Willmar Bank ; Christian, who married Miss Helmer, and has been blessed with three children- Elanor, Alphia and Eliza; John; Martin ; George and Robert.

Our subject is a republican in his political affiliations, and is actively interested in all local matters. He and his family belong to the Lutheran church, and he is trustee of the Lutheran Seminary. He is actively inter- ested in all church and educational matters, and has subscribed liberally to all such enter- prises. He is a strong temperance advocate, although he does not accept the principles which govern the third party. He is a citi- zen highly esteemed by all, and is a man of the strictest integrity and honor, his word being considered as good as a bond.

LIVER LETOURNEAU, the subject of this sketch, is a resident of the village of Argyle, Minnesota, and the pres- ent incumbent of the office of deputy sheriff of Marshall county. He is a native of the Dominion of Canada, born in Montreal on the 9th day of June, 1858, and is the son of Peter and Matilda (Beaudin) Letourneau, also natives of the Dominion.

Mr. Letourneau, of whom this sketch treats, lived on the home farm and attended school until he was sixteen years old. He then taught school for two years, and worked for farmers in Canada and Minnesota for a number of years. In 1878 he removed to Crookston, and for two years clerked in Mary Kerchmar's store. In 1880 he en- gaged on the railroad as bridge carpenter, which vocation he followed for two years. At the expiration of that time he went to Wisconsin, and for about two years was in

the lumber woods of that State, running a camp as foreman, then returning to Crook- ston, where he remained during one summer. He then went to Brainerd, Minnesota, and after working in the woods in the winter returned in the following spring to Crook- ston. In 1878 he worked on the river as foreman in driving logs, and then went to Argyle, Minnesota, where he put up a build- ing in the fall of 1882, and engaged in the retail liquor business. After following the business for three years he sold out and opened a general farm machinery shop. In 1882 he was appointed deputy sheriff, which position lie has since held, still follow- ing the machine business. He also owns 320 acres of land on sections 3 and 5, and has a village lot. He holds the offices of village constable and notary public.

Mr. Letourneau was united in marriage on the 21st day of December, 1887, to Miss Mary Verbunceur the daughter of Adolphus and Julia (Labisoniere) Verbunceur, natives of Canada and Minnesota, respectively. This union has been blessed with one child -Adolphus Oliver. Our subject and his wife belong to the Catholic church. In political matters he affiliates with the repub- lican party, and is a public-spirited citizen, taking an active interest in all local matters.

EWIS F. YEATON, one of the earliest settlers in Wadena county, Minnesota, is a resident of section 18, Wadena township, where he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He is a native of Maine, born in Washington county, on the 2d day of September, 1840, and is the son of Ethil and Rosanah (Pineo) Yeaton, natives of the State of Maine.

Mr. Yeaton, the subject of this biograph- ical sketch, remained in his native State until 1872. In his younger days he attended the

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excellent common schools in his native county, and after completing his education he engaged in the lumber business. He followed that industry for a number of years, and on the 28th day of September, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Ninth Maine Infan- try. He was mustered into the service in Augusta, Maine, and from that place went to Washington, District of Columbia. Late that fall the regiment joined the Port Royal expedition, and they remained in the Depart- ment of the South for two years. In the summer of 1862 they went to Florida and participated in the following battles and engagements : Fernandina, Jacksonville and St. Augustine. The division, after the cap- ture of the above-named places, was sta- tioned at Fort Clinch, Florida, where it remained from April until November, 1862. From Fort Clinch they were ordered to Port Royal, where they remained during the winter of 1862-63. In the spring of 1863 the company to which our subject belonged moved to Morris Island, Chelsea Harbor, where they participated in that siege and remained until the spring of 1864. They then joined the Army of the Potomac, and were under General Butler during that sum- mer. They were in the battle of Drury's Bluff, Cole Harbor, and before Petersburg until the fall of 1864. As the time of enlist- ment had expired, Mr. Yeaton returned to his native State. During his entire three years' service he did not receive a wound, and was off duty only a very short time. In 1872 he removed to Minnesota and settled in Wadena county, Minnesota, where he has since remained. He took a tract of land, which now joins the city limits, and on which he has since lived. He has a fine farm of 350 acres, 150 acres of which are under cultivation. He is extensively engaged in the dairy business and supplies the village with milk. For a number of years the sub- ject of this article had charge of the mercan-

tile establishment belonging to Dan Pineo, but since 1878 Mr. Yeaton has devoted his whole time and energy to his agricultural interests.

Mr. Yeaton was united in marriage on the 14th day of June, 1865, to Mrs. Martha J. Lindsay, a native of the State of Maine. Mr. Yeaton has held many offices in the village, including those of postmaster, member of the board of county commissioners and sheriff. He is one of the representative farmers of Wadena county. He is a stanch republican, and highly esteemed by all who know him.

ARTHUR SCOTT, a resident of the village of Long Prairie, Todd county, Minnesota, is a leading real estate, loan, insurance and investment broker. He is a native of Indiana, born in Wells county on the 23d day of August, 1864, and is the son of Thomas and Amanda (Chandler) Scott, natives of Indiana. The father and mother of the present subject were married in Olm- sted county, Minnesota, on the 25th day of November, 1863, and settled in Wells county, Indiana, where they still remain. The father is retired from business, being formerly engaged in farming, stock-raising and deal- ing in agricultural machinery, and is an esteemed and prominent citizen of Wells county, Indiana. The father and mother of Arthur are the parents of three children, named in the following order-S. Arthur, Geneva May and Clarence O. The only daughter, Geneva, died on the 8th day of August, 1884, being seventeen years of age.

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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 88

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