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 89

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 89
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 89

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Mr. Scott, of whom this article treats, received his education in Indiana, attending the graded schools at Montpelier, where he afterward served as principal for some time. He attended the Eastern Indiana Normal School, from which he graduated with hon- ors in the spring of 1884. While in atten-

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dance there he taught the district school two terms, during vacation. After serving the principalship in Montpelier for two years he removed to Todd county, Minnesota, in Sep- tember, 1886. During that fall he worked at the painting trade, which he had acquired in his younger days in Indiana. Mr. Scott then engaged in the real estate, loan and insurance business. His business ex- tends over Todd and adjoining counties. He is one of the rising young business men of Long Prairie and Todd county, and is highly esteemed by all who know him. Mr. Scott is still a single man, and is identified with the Baptist church of Long Prairie village. The late Edwin M. Stanton, who was war secretary under President Lincoln, was a first cousin to our subject's father.

ETER BRATE, a prosperous and indus- trious member of the farming commu- nity of the famous Park Regions of Minne- sota, is a resident of Wadena county, where he is engaged in agricultural pursuits on section 5, township 134, range 35. He is a native of the State of New York, born in Albany county on the 14th of March, 1841, and is the son of Peter J. and Hannah, Brate, natives of New York State. The father and mother of our present subject were the parents of the following-named children -Catharina, Jacob, William, Maria, Harriet, Charles and Rachel.

Peter Brate, the subject of this article, remained in his native State until 1867. During that time he had attended the excel- lent common schools of Albany county, New York. In 1867 he removed from his native State to Iowa and settled in Hancock county where he purchased a farm and engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He was among the earliest settlers in that county, and he remained there until 1876, when he

decided to seek newer fields for his labors in the Northwest. Accordingly he started out with a covered wagon, his team and house- hold goods, for Wadena county, Minnesota. After a two weeks' journey he arrived at his destination, and on the 6th of June, 1876, secured his present farm, which was railroad land. The town of Wadena at that time con- sisted of only twelve houses, and the county possessed only sixteen voters. Since the growth of the village the farm of our subject is included within its limits, thus placing a greater value on his property. He now owns a fine, well-cultivated tract of land, comprising 170 acres, 130 acres being improved. He has the best of building im- provements, and withal has one of the most desirable farms in the county. He is exten- sively engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and is one of the successful farmers of this region.

Mr. Brate was united in marriage on the 20th of November, 1862, to Miss Margrette Keefer, and this union has been blessed with two children, named as follows - Hattie and Cora. Mr. Brate is one of the representa- tive men of the village, and has held the fol- lowing offices : Chairman of the board of supervisors, sheriff, member of the village council, etc. He belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, being a charter member of the Wadena Lodge. He is a democrat in his political affiliations and an active participant in all local inatters.

OHN DOWER, the present clerk of the district court of Wadena county, Min- nesota, is a resident of the village of Wadena, where he is engaged in his official duties. He is a native of Michigan, born in Ontona- gon county, on the 7th day of July, 1864, and is the son of Sampson and Mary Ann (Gilbert) Dower, natives of England. The

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father and mother of our subject were the parents of fourteen children. The father of our subject is now a prosperous farmer of the eastern part of Wadena county. Mr. Dower, the subject of this biographical article, remained with his parents until 1886. During that time and his minority his time had been taken up with schooling, and in va- cations and in odd hours he assisted his father on the home farm. His father was early in life engaged in mining, but has been an exten- sive farmer for the past fifteen years, and is still following that calling. In 1886 the subject of this memoir was elected to the responsible office of clerk of the district court, and he still holds the position, with credit to himself and satisfaction to all par- ties concerned. He was elected to hold the position for four years, and in the discharge of the duties devolving upon that office he fulfills the expectations of all. He is one of the most active men of the village, and any move of benefit to either town or county receives his hearty support. He is a stanch republican in his political affiliations, and is actively interested in that party's campaigns. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity of Wadena Lodge, No. 156. He is a man of the utmost honor and integrity, his word being as good as his bond.

LON. ANDREW RAILSON, the sub- ject of our present article, is one of the most prominent citizens in the central portion of Minnesota, being a resident of section 9, Lake Andrew township, Kandi- yohi county. His name is indissolubly asso- ciated with the history of the county in which he lives, as he was one of its early settlers and has filled many important public offices. He took a prominent part here during the Indian outbreak of 1862, and is one of the survivors of that memorable time.

Mr. Railson was born in Sigdal, in the central part of Norway, August 16, 1833, and is a son of Reinef and Christie Railson. The mother died during the same year in which our subject was born. Later the father was again married, and in 1849 came to the United States.

Andrew Railson, whose name heads this sketch, spent his boyhood days and was edu- cated in the land of his birth, receiving the same training as to industry and integrity which is so characteristic of the race from which he springs. At the age of seventeen, in 1850, Andrew came to the United States, and went at once to Green county, Wiscon- sin. He remained about five years, working in the pineries and at various other occupa- tions, and at the expiration of that time, returned to his native land, remaining there nine months. In 1856 he again came to the United States and settled at Stillwater, Minnesota, where he remained for two years at work in the saw mills. At the expiration of that time, in 1858, he went to Monongala county, Minnesota, now the north half of Kandiyohi county, in com- pany with his brother, Even. They each pre-empted 160 acres of land, on which they still live, and named the lake near by Norway Lake, which name it still bears. They were among the earliest settlers in that region, and during pioneer days they underwent many hardships and disad- vantages. In 1862 the terrible Sioux Indian outbreak occurred, and this region was in the heart of the hostile Indian country. A great many were killed through here, and the pioneers lost a great deal through the Indians burning buildings, running off stock, etc. Andrew Railson, together with his brother Even and others, buried the Broberg and Lundberg families, the victims of the New Sweden massacre. Upon the beginning of the outbreak all the settlers went to Paynesville, and our subject and his brother

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joined the volunteers, and participated in the movements against the Indians from St. Cloud, under Captain Freeman, who was afterward killed by the redskins.

In 1865 our subject returned to his land, and after living alone through the winter was then joined by his family. This has since been their home.

Mr. Railson was married in 1860 to Bertha Johnson, a native of Norway, and they now have five children - Robert, Maria, Edwin, Anna and Ida.

Mr. Railson has always taken a very active and prominent part in all matters of a public nature. He represented his district in the lower house of the Minnesota Legis- lature during the session of 1871, and was State senator during 1872 and 1873. He was one of the most influential members of that body, and was prominently identified with some of the most important legislation in the history of the State. He then served for five years as county treasurer of Kandi- yohi county, and was mail agent on the Manitoba Railway, between St. Paul and Breckenridge, for about five years. In 1884 he was appointed receiver of the United States land office at Redwood Falls, and served until January, 1887. He served in every position with ability, and his official career as well as his private life has been unsullied. He is a man of the strictest integrity, and stands high both as a man and as an exemplary citizen.

In political matters our subject is a stanch republican, and in religious views a Lutheran.

OUIS ERICKSEN, a prominent citizen of Wadena county, Minnesota, is a resi- dent of the village of Wadena, where he is engaged in the retail boot and shoe business. He is a native of Norway, born in Birid on the 28th of September, 1843, and is the son

of Lars and Ingeberg Ericksen, also natives of the kingdom of Norway. The father was engaged in farming in his native land. The father and mother of our subject were the parents of the following-named chil- dren-Louis, Ellen, Gilbert, Marten, Bernt, Otto, Ingvald and Anton.

Mr. Ericksen, the subject of the present biographical sketch, remained in his native country until he was twenty-three years of age. During his boyhood he attended the excellent common schools of the locality in which he lived and completed his educa- tion. In 1866 he emigrated to America, and after a voyage of five weeks landed in Quebec. He at once removed to Wisconsin, and settled in La Crosse, where he remained for four years. In about 1870 he started for northwestern Minnesota, and journeyed by railroad to St. Cloud, Minnesota, the termni- nus of the line at that time. He then hired a team and went to Alexandria, Minnesota, and then on to Parker's Prairie. He there staked out a claim and engaged in farming. Soon he returned to Alexandria, where he worked at his trade during the winter of 1870-71. In March, 1871, he went back to his claim, where he remained engaged in farming for six years. In 1877 he removed to Wadena, Wadena county, Minnesota, and in August opened his present business. Since that time he has been identified with the business interests of the village, and is the owner of the only estab- lishment of the kind in the place. He carries a heavy stock, and is prepared to do all kinds of repairing, etc. He is doing a lucrative business, and is one of the prominent iner- chants of the county. He still owns his farm, which he rents.

Mr. Ericksen was married on the 20th of July, 1868, to Miss Maggie Knutson, and this union has been blessed with four chil- dren, named as follows-Charles, Ida, Willes and Emma. Our subject and his family

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belong to the Lutheran church. He has held the offices of assessor, school director, etc., and is one of the active men of that region, taking a prominent part in all local move- ments in which the town or county may derive benefit. In political matters he affil- iates with the republican party.

ARS J. OLSON, a prominent and suc- cessful merchant of Todd county, Minnesota, is a resident of the village of Clarissa, where he is engaged in a general hardware business, in partnership with his brother, Nels, whose biography will be found in another department of this work. He is a native of Sweden, born on the 19th day of February, 1848, and is the son of Jeppa and Carrie Olson, natives also of Sweden. The father is an extensive farmer in the Old World. The father and mother of our sub- ject were the parents of the following named children - Ole, Boel, Peter, Lars, Celia, Christena, Nels, John and Carrie.

Mr. Olson, of whom this article treats, spent his boyhood days in attending school in his native land. During odd hours he assisted on the home farm, and after leaving school entered an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade. After learning his trade he worked at it until he was thirty years old. In 1880 he emigrated to the United States. After a fourteen-days' voyage he landed at Castle Garden, New York, where he remained a short time and then started westward. He located at Grove City, Meeker county, Min- nesota, where he clerked three months in a store. He then moved to Dakota, and from there to Sauk Centre, Minnesota, where he remained eight years. During this time he was engaged in the carpenter's trade, and in 1888 settled in Todd county, Minnesota. In partnership with his brother, Nels, he opened a hardware store. They have since been

engaged in this line, and are one of the heaviest firms in the county. They carry a heavy and complete stock of goods, and are prepared to do the best of work in the tin- ner's line.

Mr. Olson, the subject of this article, was married March 22, 1878, to Miss Tilda Mar- tinson, and this union has been blessed with four children, named as follows - Carri Tofu, Gerda Augusta, Minnie Amalia and Jennie Amanda. Mrs. Olson is a native of Sweden, and the daughter of Peter and Gertrud Martinson, also natives of Sweden. Mr. Olson and his family belong to the Lutheran church, of which organization he is secretary. In political matters he is a republican, and any låudable home enter- prise receives his hearty support.

RANK B. NUTTING, who is a promi- nent and esteemed business man of Todd county, Minnesota, is a resident of the village of Clarissa, where he is engaged in the general merchandising business, and also discharges the duties of postmaster. He is a native of Minnesota, born in the city of Fari- bault, Rice county, on the 19th of Decem- ber, 1858, and is the son of Frank and Sarah (Brown) Nutting, natives of Massachusetts. The parents were married in Minnesota, where they had removed in 1854. The father is now engaged in the milling busi- ness in Todd county, and is doing an exten- sive business. The father and mother of our subject are the parents of the following- named children-Frank B., Arthur L., Maude L., Harry A., John T., Laurance A. and Ethel.

Mr. Nutting, the subject of this biograph- ical sketch, received his education in Fari- bault, Rice county, where he attended the high school until he was eighteen years of age. After graduating, with high honors,

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he secured a clerkship in a clothing store, at which he worked five years. At the expiration of that time he removed to Todd county, Minnesota, and engaged in the mill- ing business with his father. Soon after- ward they started a general store and oper- ated the store and mill in partnership, until 1888, when they dissolved, our subject tak- ing the store and his father taking charge of the mill. Our subject is still operating the store and is having an extensive trade. He carries a full line of general goods, and is doing an increasing business.

Mr. Nutting was united in marriage on the 12th of October, 1887, to Miss Orpha Coen, a native of Wisconsin. This union has been blessed with two children-Oliva · and Archibald.

Mr. Nutting is a democrat in his political affiliations and a member of the Masonic fraternity. He is one of the representative men of the village and was appointed post- master in 1886, which position he still holds, giving satisfaction to all parties concerned.

OHN JUNG, the leading druggist in the village of Perham, settled in Otter Tail county on the seventeenth day of April, 1875, and located on a farm in Rush Lake township, where he engaged in farming for some eight years, then removed to the village of Perham, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he engaged in the drug business, and now commands the greater part of the general patronage. He is a native of Wisconsin, born in Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, on the 10th day of May, 1851, and is the son of John and Catharine (Silbernagel) Jung, natives of Germany. The father, who was a carpenter and builder in his native land, emigrated to the United States, and settled in Wisconsin in about 1846. He lived there, engaged in agri-

cultural pursuits, for thirty-four years, and then removed to the State of Minnesota, where he is now living . a retired life. The father and mother of our subject were the parents of the following-named children - Jacob, John, Peter, Christopher, Richard, Blandina and Anna, all of whom are still living.

Mr. Jung, the subject of this biographical sketch, received his education in Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, where he attended school until he had attained the age of fourteen years. He remained at home until he was twenty-two, assisting his father operate the home farm, and in 1873 he started out in life for himself. For the three succeeding years he worked out, and then moved to Minnesota and settled in Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he has since remained. As before stated, he took a tract of land and remained there engaged in general farming and stock-raising for eight years. He then went into the village and established his present drug store, and has been engaged in the business ever since. He is one of the leading and prominent druggists in the Northwest, and is doing a good business.

Mr. Jung was united in marriage on the 13th day of November, 1878, to Miss Caro- line Hassler, a native of Germany, who came to the United States in 1869. This union has been blessed with two children - Frankie and Adeline. Mr. Jung and his family belong to the Catholic church, and are one of the leading families in Perham.

ENNIS O'BRIEN, vice-president of the Kandiyohi County Bank and the pres- ent efficient postmaster of Willmar, Kandi- yohi county, Minnesota, has been a resident of the county since 1870. He is a native of Ireland, born on the 7th of July, 1839, and is the son of Martin and Mary O'Brien, also

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natives of that land. In 1841 the parents of our subject emigrated to America and located in the Dominion of Canada, where they engaged in farming.

Mr. O'Brien, of whom this sketch treats, emigrated to Canada with his parents when he was two years old. He received a fair education in the common schools of Canada, and after leaving the school-room com- menced in life for himself by clerking in a store. In 1862 he came to the States, and for the succeeding eight years was engaged in mining operations in California, Nevada. Idaho and Montana. He was successful in this venture, and after the expiration of eight years returned eastward and located in Minnesota, where he purchased 640 acres of land in Kandiyohi county, where he remained engaged in general farming and stock oper- ations for sixteen years. In 1880 he partici- pated in the organization of the Kandiyohi County Bank, with which he has since been identified. He is also actively interested in real estate and loan brokerage, and was formerly connected with a syndicate which owned thirteen elevators in different sections of the country. He, with Mr. Peterson, owns the elevator at Kandiyohi station. He is a member of a syndicate at Willmar interested in St. Paul and Minneapolis real estate. On the 4th of March he was appointed postmaster by President Cleve- land, which position he has since filled with satisfaction io all parties concerned. He owns one of the finest brick residences in the city, which he purchased at an expense of $6,000. In 1886 he removed into the city, where he had for many years been identified with its business interests.

Mr. O'Brien was married in 1869 to Miss Kate Findlan, and this union has been blessed with the four following-named children - Mary, who is attending and will graduate in June, 1889, at the St. Cloud Normal School ; Martin, who assists his father in the post-

office ; Andrew and Julia. Mr. O'Brien is one of the prominent and solid business men of Willmar, and is an adherent to the prin- ciples of the democratic party. In 1888 he was chairman of the county democratic cen- tral committee, and for the last twelve years has regularly been a delegate to the State democratic convention.

ELS J. OLSON, of the firm of Olson Brothers, hardware dealers in the vil- lage of Clarissa, Todd county, Minnesota, is a native of Sweden. He was born on the 18th day of June, 1858, and is the son of Jeppa and Carrie Olson, also natives of that kingdom. The father and mother of our subject were the parents of the following- named children-Ole, Isabelle, Peter, Lars, Celia, Christena, Nels, John and Carrie.

Nels Olson, the subject of this sketch, received his education in his native land, where he attended school until he attained the age of twenty-one years. Then he emi- grated to the United States, and after a voy- age of twenty days landed at Quebec, Can- ada, and at once removed to the States, set- tling in Stearns county, Minnesota. He remained there for a number of years. He engaged in the carpenter's trade, which he followed for five years. He also clerked in a store for six months in Sauk Centre. In 1888 he removed to Todd county, Minnesota, and, in partnership with his brother, Lars, engaged in the mercantile business in the village of Clarissa. They have since been engaged in the same business and are having a good trade. They carry a full line of heavy and shelf hardware, besides doing a general repairing and tinning business. They are representative and prominent business citi- zens of the village, and command the general patronage.

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Mr. Olson is a republican in politics, and takes an active interest in that party's cam- paigns. He is highly esteemed by all who know him, and is a man of the strictest honor and integrity.

JOHN M. RYAN, the subject of this bio- graphical memoir, is a resident of the village of Argyle, Marshall county, Minne- sota, where he is engaged in the retail liquor business, and is proprietor of the well-known "Pioneer" billiard parlors in the village. He is a native of Massachusetts, born in Boston on the 25th day of December, 1854, and is the son of Mathew and Mary Ryan, natives of the kingdom of Ireland. The father died when our subject was a small child. The parents had emigrated to the United States and located in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1850. The mother died in Minnesota, December 29, 1872.

Mr. Ryan, the subject of this article, lived with his relatives until he was about fourteen years of age, during which time he attended school. He then commenced in life for himself by securing work with farmers. He removed to Galena, Illinois, and after remaining there a short time went to Du- buque, Iowa, but only remained there a few weeks. From there he went to Wabasha, Minnesota, and for a number of years worked at various occupations in that locality. On the 26th of May, 1880, he removed to Argyle, Marshall county, Minnesota, where he secured the position of foreman of some large farms in the county. He held that position satis- factorily for three years, and at the expira- tion of that time removed into the village, and on the 16th day of February, 1885, opened the large saloon and "Pioneer bil- liard hall" which he now operates. It is one of the finest institutions of the kind in the county, and he handles all grades and

brands of the finest whiskies, brandies, wines, cigars, etc. He pays a village license of $500 and a Government license of $27.40. His affable disposition and straightforward business methods have given him a large trade and he is doing well.

Mr. Ryan was united in marriage in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, on the 4th day of August, 1885, to Miss Carrie Brustle. Our subject and estimable wife belong to the Catholic church. He is one of the prominent men of the village, and has held the office of presi- dent of the village council for three years. In political matters he affiliates with the democratic party. In addition to his busi- ness and saloon building he owns several village lots and two well-improved farms, two and five miles, respectively, from the village. He is actively interested in all local movements and is highly esteemed by all who know him.

ENRY B. HAMLIN, one of the pros- perous and influential business men of the village of Wadena, Wadena county, Minnesota, is engaged in the lumber, livery and brokerage business in that place. He is a native of Ohio, born in Huron county, on the 5th of October, 1850, and is the son of Alamanza and Mary R. Hamlin, natives of Massachusetts. The father and mother of the subject of this sketch were the parents of the following-named children - David, Henry and William.

Mr. Hamlin, the subject of this biographical memoir, remained in his native State during his younger days and attended the excellent common schools of that State. He also took a course in the Commercial Institute of Oberlin, Ohio, and Berea College, Kentucky, where he attended two or three terms. He then started in life for himself by engaging in the grain and lumber business, which

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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 89

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