USA > Minnesota > Redwood County > The History of Redwood County, Minnesota, Volume II > Part 10
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Andrew M. Monson, a representative farmer of Kintire town- ship, who has lived on his present place over a quarter of a cen- tury and in the county some thirty-seven years, has had his share in the life of the community, and is regarded as one of its leading citizens. He was born in Norway, March 11, 1864, son of Mons and Anna (Vasenden) Gimmestad, both of whom are now de- ceased. Andrew M. was but fifteen years of age when he set out for America and secured employment in Swedes Forest township, this county. After a long period of hard work and self denial as a farm hand he was enabled to purchase 160 acres in the south- west quarter of section 4, Kintire township, where he now resides. He began at once to improve and develop it, and now has as good a place as is to be found in the neighborhood. He has also done some good public service, having been assessor ten years and town clerk six years. Mr. Monson was married May 30, 1892, to Elena Rake, born December 26, 1870, daughter of Elling and Martha Rake, natives of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Monson have been blessed with nine children; Edwin, Martha, Anna, Emma, Ellen, Albert, Ida, Bertha and Evelyn.
Bertel Monson, successful farmer and merchant, now deceased, for many years a well-known factor in Redwood county life, was born in Norway in 1859, son of Mons and Anna (Vasenden) Gim- mestad, and was there reared and educated. He lost his father in 1878, and in 1880 came to America and located in Redwood county, where his brothers, Knute and Mathias, and his mother, had pre- ceeded him. For five years he worked as a farm hand in Kintire and Swedes Forest township. In 1885 he purchased 160 acres in section 4, Kintire township, and to this he later added 80 acres
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in the same section, and 8 acres in section 33, Swedes Forest township. On this place he successfully farmed for many years and became one of the leading citizens of his neighborhood. He was honored with several public positions, including that of su- pervisor of Kintire township for some eight years. In 1900 he retired from farm life and purchased an interest in a general store, which, in partnership with Bert Holvick, he operated under the firm name of Holvick & Monson. After a useful and busy career, he died April 19, 1908, and was sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends and associates. Mr. Monson was married in 1888 to Marie Eide, who was born in Norway in 1863, and came to America in 1880, being the daughter of William and Barbara Eide, natives of Norway, the former of whom was born in 1815; the latter, born in 1823, died in 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Monson had seven children: Minnie, born in 1889; William, born Nov. 9, 1890; Nettie, born Nov. 25, 1892; Tyler, born in 1895, who died in 1898; Zelma, born in 1896; Marvin, born in 1898; and Bertha, born in 1904.
William Monson, an energetic and enterprising young mer- chant of Belview, was born in Kintire township, this county, November 9, 1890, son of Bertel and Marie (Eide) Monson, promi- nent citizens. He was reared on the home farm and attended the district school until he was ten years old, at which time he was brought to Belview by his parents. Here he continued his school- ing. In 1908 he was graduated from Minneapolis Business Col- lege. As a boy and young man he worked in the store of Holvick & Monson, in which his father was one of the partners. In 1908 he inherited his father's interest in the firm and in 1912 bought the Holvick interests, since which time he has conducted it under the name of William Monson & Co. By shrewd management, fair dealing and a thorough understanding of his business, he has built up a large trade. He carried a large stock of general merchandise and enjoys an extensive patronage. As a public spirited citizen he has taken a prominent part in the affairs of the village. For sev- eral years past he has served in his present capacity as a member of the village council. He is a member of the Belview Automobile club and the Belview Commercial club, and is an enthusiastic "booster" in both. His religious faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran church.
Roy A. Peterson, M. D., Ph. G., physician, surgeon, of Vesta, in active practice, is one of the energetic citizens of his village and has taken a prominent part in a number of progressive movements in his vicinity. Thoroughly versed in his profession, he has made a hobby of the study of sanitation and his work as a member of the board of health of Vesta has marked a distinct epoch in the life of that village. His medical and surgical prac- tice extends far into the country and his sympathy and ability
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have made him widely beloved in the homes to which he has brought healing and comfort. Dr. Peterson was born in Roseville, Ill., July 27, 1879, son of Swan W. and Elizabeth (Pierson) Peter- son. Brought to this country in 1886, he attended the schools of his neighborhood and subsequently entered the Highland Park Normal school of Des Moines Iowa, where he was graduated in 1902 with the degree of Ph. G. Thus prepared, he entered the Keokuk Medical College at Keokuk, Iowa, and was there gradu- ated with the degree of M. D. in 1906. After suitable practice as a hospital interne, he opened an office at Swedesburg, Iowa, where he remained until 1910. In that year he came to Vesta and succeeded to the practice of Dr. F. D. Gray. Being thor- oughly ethical in his profession he has allied himself with the American and Minnesota State Medical associations and with the Camp Release Medical Society. In addition to his services as health officer, he has been a member of the village council of Vesta and also a member of the board of education. He is a director in the Vesta State Bank and a stockholder in the Luce Electric line and in the Adsit Lockout Telephone Company. He has made a hobby of farm life and his real estate holdings include 480 acres of farm land in Redwood county and 480 acres in Yellow Medicine county. Dr. Peterson was married September 3, 1907 to Evelyn Hoffstedt, who was born May 26, 1888, daughter of Adolph and Christine (Lille) Hoffstedt. Dr. and Mrs. Peterson have three children : Kenneth A., born November 15, 1912, and Doris and Dorothy (twins), born July 11, 1915. Adolph Hoffstedt was born in Sweden, came to America in 1869, and engaged in farming near Swedesburg, Iowa, where he died in 1898, at the age of sixty-three years. His wife Christine was born in Sweden, came to America in 1875, and still makes her home in Swedesburg, Iowa.
Ole O. Flom, a retired farmer living in the village of Belview, has been a resident of this county for some thirty-four years, and has had his part in the wonderful progress that has taken place in that time, having by his own efforts developed a tract of wild prairie land into one of the best farms in the county. He was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, Aug. 29, 1851, son of Ole and Martha (Gullickson) Gunderson, natives of Norway, the former of whom came to America in 1848 and located in Columbia county, Wisconsin, where he and his good wife both died in 1854. Left an orphan at the tender age of three years, Ole O. Flom was taken into the home of J. J. Lee, of Columbia county, Wisconsin, and there was reared, receiving a good common school education. At the age of seventeen he left his foster parents, and went to Rio, Wis. After three years spent in learning the blacksmith trade, he rented the shop in which he had served his apprentice- ship. A year later, however, he returned to the neighborhood in which he had been reared, and there erected a blacksmith shop
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which he successfully conducted until 1882. In that year he came to Swedes Forest, this county, and purchased 160 acres of wild land in sections 25 and 36. On this he erected a rude shack, 16 feet square, and started to break the land. Gradually he brought the farm to a high degree of cultivation, added 80 acres in the Delhi township bottoms, and developed as fine a place as could be found in the neighborhood. In time he erected a fine set of buildings well in keeping with the prosperity that he had attained. He planted trees, erected fences, purchased modern machinery and implements, and successfully carried on general farming until 1912. Then he erected a beautiful home in Belview village, where he is spending the afternoon of life, reaping the rewards of his many years of patient labor and devoted toil. A thorough believer in education, Mr. Flom served as treasurer of school district No. 55 for thirteen years. He was also treasurer of the township for a while. In the Rockdale Norwegian Evan- gelical Lutheran Church he took a particular interest, acting as one of its trustees for four years and doing efficient services on its building committee. He is an admirable citizen in every way, and is a splendid example of what an orphan youth with little encouragement may accomplish by hard work and native ability June 24, 1876, to Sarah Austin, who was born in Norway, Febru- in this land of boundless opportunity. Mr. Flom was married ary 14, 1851, daughter of Austin and Karie (Stene) Gulverson, natives of Norway, the former of whom was born in 1808, came to America in 1861, engaged in farming in Columbia county, Wiscon- sin, and died in 1888, and the latter of whom was born in 1829 and died in 1887. Mrs. Flom, after a useful life as a loyal wife and devoted mother, died January 23, 1911, leaving five children : Mina, Otto, Lina (deceased), Rosella and Emma. Mina is the wife of J. S. Gunnelson, of Belview, and their children are : Sarah L., Otto F., Adolph G., Walter O. and Margaret J. Otto operates the home farm in Swedes Forest township. He married Cora Knutson, and has two children, Kathlene and Otto S. Rosella is the wife of Andrew Davison, of New Prairie, Minn., and has one child, Ole. Emma lives at home and teaches in the Belview schools.
Frank H. Bendix, of the firm Bendix and Dickson, was born in Columbus, Wis., January 10, 1874, son of John F. and Augusta (Hinzman) Bendix. He remained at home until 1891, when he began working out on the farms. In 1894 he was graduated from the St. Paul Park College of St. Paul Park, Minn., where he took up a commercial and normal course. After that he engaged in teaching in Yellow Medicine county, Minnesota, and spent two years in South Dakota. In 1897 he began work in a general store owned by Matz and Schroeder of Vesta. Two and a half years later he bought the general store of Nelson and Rawlings in Vesta and engaged in business with J. W. Dickson as partner. He is
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a director of Vesta State Bank and of the Farmers Elevator Com- pany. He has been village treasurer since 1904, served on the village council one year, being a member of the first council, and has been president of the school board since 1906. Fraternally he is affiliated with the M. W. A. Mr. Bendix was married June 6, 1901, to Emily Streech, who was born May 10, 1874, daughter of Fred and Minnie (Leudtke) Streech. Her father was a pioneer of Flora township, Renville county, who came from Germany in 1871 and is now a fruit farmer in Los Angeles, Cal. The chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Bendix are as follows: Lester, born Sep- tember 4, 1902; Ralph, born June 26, 1904; Delia, born June 6, 1908; Neva, born August 6, 1909; and Gordon, born December 17, 1912. The family are members of the Presbyterian church.
Salem F. Scott, financier and prominent citizen of Vesta, is eminently qualified for the position he holds as a village banker. His many years as a farmer have given him a keen sight into . agricultural conditions and he has kept in close touch with each stage of progress in rural development. He is a personal friend of every farmer for miles around and has shown his faith in the future of this neighborhood by acquiring a large farm of 400 acres in Vesta township, on which are conducted many experiments along the latest lines of agricultural science. Salem F. Scott was born in Paisley, Ontario, April 21, 1868, of devout and learned parents. His father, John W. Scott, a retired clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal church, who now lives in Ottawa, Canada, served a long and useful career as pastor of various churches in Minnesota, North Dakota, Missouri and Kansas. The mother, Mrs. Maria (McFadden) Scott, has been an able helpmeet of her husband in all his endeavors. Reared in the cultured home of these devout people the subject of this sketch attended school in the various villages to which his father was assigned and supple- mented this education with a two years' course in law in the University of Minnesota. His practical commercial experience was secured in the Minnesota School of Business at Minneapolis, from which he was graduated in 1898. In the meanwhile he had devoted many years to farming at Plainville, Kans .; Drayton, N. D .; St. Thomas, N. D., and Hallock, Minn. It was on Jan- uary 1, 1904, that he came to Vesta as cashier of the Vesta State Bank, a position he still holds. His personality and integrity have been vital factors in the success and growth of this institu- tion. In addition to his holdings in the Vesta Bank, Mr. Scott was one of the incorporators, and is still one of the stockholders, of the Peoples Bank of St. Paul. He is also a stock holder in the Twin City Fire Insurance Company of Minneapolis. A man of many interests, Mr. Scott has by no means confined his atten- tion to banking and agriculture. As a member of the village coun- cil of Vesta, he has done most efficient service and his work as a
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member of the school board has been highly prized. Mr. Scott was married in August, 1905, to Zula I. Way, who was born in Walnut Grove, January 22, 1880, daughter of Victor N. and Eliza- beth (Sime) Way, pioneers of that township. This union has been blessed with three children: Robert W., born December 4, 1908; Hazel E., born March 4, 1911, and Bertram A., born Febru- ary 26, 1913. The family faith is that of the Presbyterian church.
Haskell M. Reichert, manager of the electric plant of Vesta, was born in La Crosse, Wis., January 22, 1870, son of Jacob and Emma (Brown) Reichert. Jacob Reichert was born in Bingen on the Rhine and came to America in 1850 with his parents, locating in La Crosse county, where they engaged in farming. In 1881 they moved to Lyon, Minn., and in 1898 he moved to Virden, Manitoba, where he died in 1900. Haskell M. Reichert worked as a mechanic from 1891 to 1899 and then opened a machine and blacksmith shop in Vesta, Minn. After two years he engaged in the implement business, which he continued for three years. Then for the next three years he was engaged in the hardware and implement business for himself. Subsequently, he entered into partnership with George Bendix in the same business, which, three years later, was incorporated as the Vesta Hardware Com- pany with a capital of $25,000, the members of the company in addition to Mr. Reichert being George Bendix and James Mc- Gregor. July, 1914, Mr. Reichert sold his interest and took charge of the Vesta electric light and power company. The village erected a building and put in the waterworks, which Mr. Reichert operates, the electric light plant having been installed in the same building. The Vesta Electric Light and Power Company has two 25-kilowatt generators, two oil-burning engines of semi-Deissel type, a 20-horsepower Muncie and a 30-horsepower Anderson. It has a storage battery of 96 cells, Edison 150-ampere hour capacity. It gives 24-hour service, has 55 customers and costs $6,500. Mr. Reichert has served as school treasurer since 1900 and was a mem- ber of the city council for three years, and mayor for six months. He is a member of the M. W. A. Mr. Reichert was united in mar- riage May 31, 1899, to Nellie Sharratt, who was born October 14, 1876, daughter of Charles and Priscilla Sharratt. The father, a native of England, came to America in 1868, locating in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, and later-in September, 1887-in Lyon county, Minnesota, where he engaged in farming. He now has retired from active work and lives with the subject of this sketch. His wife died October 15, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Reichert have three children: Dean, born March 28, 1903; Harold, born March 19, 1906, and Dorothy, born May 11, 1908. The family are members of the Presbyterian church.
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Ormie 8. Wyman was born in Underwood township, Redwood county, October 15, 1882, son of Frederick A. and Janet (Barber)
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Wyman. Frederick A. Wyman was born in Onandago county, New York, and came to Wisconsin at the age of five years. In 1877 he homesteaded in the northeast half of the northeast quarter of section 14, Underwood township, where he resided, subse- quently, until his death, February 27, 1898, at the age of forty- seven. He was married in 1878, and he and his wife had two children : Ormie S., the subject of this sketch, and Alva D., who is in the rural mail service. Ormie S. Wyman remained at home and helped to operate the farm until 1904, after which he rented it until 1915. At the time of his father's death it contained 240 acres, to which 80 acres were added later. In 1915 Mr. Wyman moved to Vesta, where he is agent for the Oakland automobile. He was married October 19, 1904, to Sadie Hunt, who was born June 6, 1883, daughter of James Hunt (a farmer of Anoka county, Minn., who died in 1885 at the age of forty-seven), and his wife, Mary (Keillor) Hunt. There were three children in the Hunt family : Rozel, a farmer of Anoka; Gertrude, wife of Ross Bar- ber, a farmer of Underwood township, and Sadie. Mr. and Mrs. Wyman also have three children: Laura, born July 6, 1909; Fred, born Nov. 22, 1910, and Ralph, born May 20, 1915.
Julius J. Smith, a well known citizen of Vesta, was born in St. Clair county, Illinois, June 17, 1865, son of August J. and Margaret (Richard) Smith. August J. Smith, who was a mason by trade, was born in Germany, and came to America with his parents in 1843. They located first in Illinois, but in 1881 moved to Brownton, McLeod county, where he resided until his death in 1910, when aged 72 years. His wife is now living at Hutchin- son, Minn. Julius J. Smith remained at home until 1895, when he engaged in the mason's trade in Hutchinson and was thus employed until 1900. He then moved to Vesta, Minn., where he is now located. Here he does concrete work, laying sidewalks, building foundations, plastering, etc. He has been a member of the village council for four years. Fraternally associated with the I. O. O. F. he has held the chairs in his lodge and is now serv- ing as noble grand. He is also connected with the M. W. A., in which he is venerable council. Mr. Smith was married June 29, 1905, to Lydia Bipes, who was born Nov. 4, 1879, daughter of Charles J. Bipes, a farmer of McLeod county, Minn., who died March 14, 1913, and Elizabeth (Sauter) Bipes, who died April 15, 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have two children: Myrtle and Goldie. The members of the family on both sides belong to the German Methodist church.
John W. Dickson, formerly of the firm of Bendix & Dickson, was born in Ontario, Canada, August 18, 1873, and died Sept. 7, 1908. His father, Samuel Dickson, was a farmer of Canada, who died in 1909, at the age of seventy-three; the mother died in 1900, at the age of fifty-eight. There were eight children in
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the family: Belle, who married James McGregor, of Vesta; James, a farmer of Saskatchewan, Canada; Jane, wife of Alec McGregor, of Saskatchewan, Canada; Agnes, wife of Robert Bar- ber, a merchant of Saskatchewan, Canada; Elizabeth, wife of Rob- ert Goode, a merchant at Ontario, Canada ; John W., subject of the sketch; Samuel, a farmer at Saskatchewan; and Mary, living in Saskatchewan, Canada. John W. Dickson came to the United States in 1895 and secured employment as a miller at Echo, Minn., being thus occupied four yers. He then worked on a farm in Vesta township. Next he engaged in the hardware business in Vesta, but after a year and a half sold out and opened a general store in Vesta, with F. H. Bendix, under the name of Bendix & Dickson. Mr. Dickson was married Sept. 5, 1900, to Belle Bar- ber, who was born June 3, 1875, daughter of Thomas C. and Sarah (McLeod) Barber. Mr. Barber was born Feb. 11, 1841, in Canada and came to the United States in 1870, homesteading in Yellow Medicine county, Minn., where he died Nov. 30, 1911. His wife, to whom he was married December 31, 1863, was born August 16, 1839, in Glasgow, Scotland, and died June 20, 1908. There were the following children in the Barber family: Rob- ert, merchant of Tregarva, Saskatchewan, Canada; Maria, wife of James R. Dickson, a farmer of Yellow Medicine county, who died Nov. 16, 1910, at the age of forty-two; George, a farmer of Vesta township; Will, a farmer in Saskatchewan; Alexander D., a farmer on the old home place; Belle, who married Mr. Dickson ; Mary, wife of Elmer McElrath, a merchant at Vesta; Laura, wife of Oliver T. Sunde, sheriff of Renville county, and Sadie, wife of Willison Lambert, a real estate dealer of Victoria, B. C. Mr. and Mrs. Dickson were blessed with two children, Alice, born April 7, 1904, and Wilbur, born September 6, 1905.
Charles B. Fraser, a popular dentist of Vesta, was born in Woodstock, Ontario, January 23, 1870, son of Angus and Annie (Dunn) Fraser. Angus Fraser was born at Inverness, Scotland, and came to America in 1851, locating in Ontario, where he has lived ever since. He is now a retired farmer and lives at Wood- stock. Charles B. Fraser was graduated from the Woodstock Baptist College in 1900, from the Toronto Dental College in 1902, and from the Chicago Dental College in 1903. Thus prepared, he began his career by locating for some ten years at Cottonwood Minn., moving to Vesta, Minn., in 1912. He is a member of the Dental Society of Minnesota, of the Masonic order, and of the Xi Psi Phi College fraternity. He has been deputy state oil in- spector for Redwood county since April, 1905. Dr. Fraser was united in marriage in St. Louis, Mo., June 28, 1904, to Camille Brownelle, who was born March 11, 1882, daughter of William and Nannie (Dunkin) Brownelle, her father being a cotton planter, who has lived at West Plains, Mo., for twelve years. Mrs.
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Fraser is a graduate of the West Plains high school and attended college in Memphis. She and her husband have five children, who were born as follows: Donald, May 29, 1905; Edward, Au- gust 17, 1907; Scott, December 6, 1909; Frank, July 4, 1911, and Jack, July 19, 1913.
Carl Gladitsch was born in Germany, November 19, 1852, son of Carl and Sophia (Fultz) Gladitsch. Carl Gladitsch, the elder, came to America in 1872, locating in Sibley county, where he died in 1909, at the age of 80 years. His first wife died in Ger- many, in 1868, at the age of 42, leaving three children : Carl, sub- ject of this memoir; William, a mason at Gaylord, Minn .; and Ernstina, now wife of Emil Mutwig, a retired farmer of Gay- lord. Mr. Gladitsch, Sr., was married a second time in 1870, to Mrs. Dorothy Konnecke, who died in 1911, at the age of 80 years .. Carl Gladitsch, Jr., remained at home until his marriage, when he engaged in farming for himself in Sibley county. In 1894 he sold his property there and bought 440 acres in section 29, Vesta township, where he is now located. He owns at present 640 acres, carries on diversified farming, and is a stockholder in the Farm- ers' elevator at Vesta. He has been township treasurer for four years, and treasurer of school district No. 82 for ten years. Mr. Gladitsch was one of the organizers of the Vesta German Luth- eran church, being instrumental in getting it built and helping raise the money for it. He has been a trustee of the church for five years. Mr. Gladitsch was married November 19, 1879, to Bertha Blankenhagen, who was born June 10, 1855, in Germany, daughter of Fritz Blankenhagen. Her father came to America in 1882, locating in Gaylord, Minn., where he died in 1885. His wife, Augusta (Thure) Blankenhagen, mother of Mr. Gladitsch, died in 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Gladitsch are the parents of ten chil- dren; Minnie, wife of E. Redmann, a farmer of Granite Rock township, this county; William, Emil, Herman, and Charles, all of whom are farmers in Vesta township; Louis, a farmer of Gran- ite Rock township; Albert, Sophia, Paul, and Martin. Mrs. E. Redmann has had eight children: Elsie (deceased), Martin, Fred- erick, Annie, Esther, Emma, Cora (deceased), and Violet. Emil who married Annie Dainlouski, has three children : Freda, Lester and Edna. Mr. Gladitsch has purchased a lot in the village of Vesta and has erected thereon a modern home to which he will retire this fall (1916). The home farm will be conducted by his youngest son, Martin.
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