USA > Minnesota > Redwood County > The History of Redwood County, Minnesota, Volume II > Part 14
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William H. Ball, cashier of the State Bank of Morgan, was born in Brown county, this state, January 17, 1877, son of Hal- bert M. and Augusta (Hartwick) Ball. He attended the schools of Brown and Redwood counties, studied in Hamline University two years, and in 1901 graduated from the dental department of the University of Minnesota. Thus prepared, he opened an office at Chatfield, in this state, where he successfully practiced for ten years. In 1911, however, he reluctantly abandoned his chosen profession to share with his father the increasing burdens of the growing State Bank of Morgan. While working as bookkeeper in the institution he acquired a thorough knowledge of the busi- ness, and in 1913 became assistant cashier. His ability in this work was at once apparent, and in 1914 he became cashier, a position he still holds. Mr. Ball is of a sociable, approachable disposition, and has passed through the chairs of the I. O. O. F. at Morgan and the A. F. & A. M. at Chatfield. In the latter order he has reached the Royal Arch Mason degree. He is also a popu- lar member of the B. P. O. E. Mr. Ball was married November 28, 1903, to Matilda McOuat, daughter of John and Lillian (Lallisen) McOuat, pioneer farmers living near St. Peter, in this state. Mr. and Mrs. Ball have three children, Virginia, Lois and Katherine.
Emil P. Grabow, an energetic young banker of Morgan, is doing most efficient work as cashier of the Farmers and Mer-
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chants State Bank in that place and his personality is proving one of the vital factors in the success of that institution. He was born in Home township, Brown county, this state, September 26, 1881, son of Fred and Atillie (Petrich) Grabow. His father, Fred Grabow, was born in Germany, came to America in 1868, located in Brown county with the early settlers, purchased 160 acres in Home township, gradually developed and improved it, and there still resides. On this farm Emil P. Grabow was reared. He attended the district schools, and with this preparation en- tered the St. Paul Park College, did excellent work in the aca- demic and commercial courses and was graduated in 1905. Then, after spending a short time with his parents, he entered the Farmers and Merchants State Bank at Morgan on July 25, 1906. From bookkeeper he was promoted in 1908 to assistant cashier, and in 1916 assumed the duties of his present position. In addi- tion to his duties in this financial institution, he has served as village treasurer since the spring of 1913. His fraternal affilia- tions are with the I. O. O. F., the M. W. A. and the E. F. U. In the first named of which he has occupied all the chairs. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Grabow was married September 23, 1915, to Alma Hecker of Mankato, born in New Ulm, a daughter of John B. and Julia (Kobler) Hecker, the former of whom is engaged in the exten- sive manufacture of cigars at Mankato.
John W. Carlile was born in Vermont, of sturdy New England ancestry in 1846, the son of James L. and Charlotte Carlile. At the age of twenty-five years he came to Farmington, this state, and there remained until 1872, when he moved to St. Paul and engaged in the meat business. In 1876 he came to Redwood county and started farming in Sherman township. He was one of the prominent men of this vicinity and served as county com- missioner for several years. January 1, 1870, he married Marian L. Hendryx, who came to Farmington, this state, from Ohio with her parents in 1861 at the age of eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Car- lile were blessed with four children, three sons and one daughter.
Walter W. Carlile, D. D. S., dental practitioner of Morgan, is one of the popular young men of that place and has taken an active interest in its public and fraternal affairs. He was born in Paxton township, this county, April 29, 1878, son of John W. and Marion L. (Hendryx) Carlile, early settlers of this county. Reared in the home of these good parents the subject of this sketch passed through the district schools of Sherman township, to which his parents moved in 1881, and completed the eighth grade studies at Morgan. Thus prepared, he entered Macalister College at St. Paul in 1897 and graduated from its academic de- partment in 1900. June 5, 1904, he completed his studies in the dental department of the Northwestern University at Chicago.
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That summer he perfected his training by practicing as a travel- ing dentist in Iowa and Kansas. Since June, 1905, he completed his studies in the dental department of the Northwestern Uni- versity at Chicago. That summer he perfected his training by practicing as a traveling dentist in Iowa and Kansas. Since June, 1905, he has been located in Morgan. His office is well equipped with all the latest appliances and he has demonstrated himself to be a splendid operator. He keeps well abreast of the latest discoveries in his profession and is thoroughly qualified in all its branches. His standing among his fellow doctors is shown by the fact that he has been made a member of the Na- tional, State and Southern Minnesota Dental associations. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masonic and Odd Fellow bodies. In the latter lodge at Morgan he has passed through all the chairs. His business holdings include stock in the State Bank of Morgan and the Redwood County Rural Telephone Company. His inter- est in his village is shown by the fact that he is an active worker in the Morgan Commercial club. Dr. Carlile was married August 22, 1905, to Gertrude Wederath, who was born October 12, 1884, daughter of George M. and Marian L. (Turban) Wederath, pioneers of Sherman township, this county. Dr. and Mrs. Carlile have one child, Marian L., born January 15, 1907.
A. W. Nelson, father of Mrs. Christian Sorenson, was born in Denmark, August 27, 1836. He married Meta Marie Larsen, also a native of Denmark, who died in 1864. In 1866 he married Marie Christensen and in 1870 he came to America, locating in Lake Crystal, Blue Earth county, Minnesota. Here he lived for five years, carrying on the blacksmithing and wagon business in a brick building he erected, since converted into a dwelling house which is still in use. He then removed to Lone Tree Lake, Eden township, Brown county, Minnesota, where he farmed success- fully for fifteen years. Then in search of health he went to Missouri, where he died in 1890. His widow resides in Seattle, Wash. The remaining living children are: Mrs. C. Sorenson, Morgan, Minn .; Frederick C. Nelson, St. Paul; Mrs. F. Giem, Mont., and Mrs. A. R. Caselton, Seattle. Mr. Nelson was edu- cated in both the Danish and German languages and quickly acquired the English language.
Christian Sorenson, a well-to-do farmer of Morgan township, was born in Denmark, February 28, 1858. His good parents, Soren and Meta Marie Olson, who spent the span of their years in Denmark, were the parents of seven children; Lars, Mary, Hans, Sophia, Christina, Trena and Christian. Of this family Lars was the first to make the venture to this new country. He located in Wisconsin and then found his way to Eden township, Brown county, this state, where he sent for his brother, Christian, the subject of this sketch, who was then a youth of seventeen
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years. Christian arrived with but thirty dollars in his pocket. This he increased by working as a farm hand, first for his brother and then for others in the neighborhood. In 1880 he purchased 80 acres of land in section 27, Morgan township, on which he started. When he acquired this tract, a few acres had been broken and the only improvements in the way of buildings were an old shack and a straw shed. For a time he rented a part of this land. The first year that he worked it himself he had no team and had to do his work with such horses as he could hire. He worked hard, however, saved his money and was soon enabled to erect a small house 14x14 feet. Mr. Sorenson's present pros- perity is in striking contrast to his circumstances in the early days. He has a splendid eight-room house, a commodious barn 70x32 feet and all the other buildings necessary to carry on modern farming. The original tract has been increased to 320 acres, well tilled, fenced and equipped, and enhanced in value by a large grove and plenty of fruit trees. On this place Mr. Sorenson carries on general farming and makes a specialty of short horn grade cattle and of the Norman strain of horses. Aside from his farm holdings, Mr. Sorenson is a stockholder in the elevator and creamery at Morgan and in the Farmers and Merchants State Bank also of that village. In public affairs he has been supervisor of his township and a member of his school board. Mr. Sorenson was married July 20, 1891, to Caroline Nelson, born in Denmark, December 9, 1862, daughter of A. W. and Meta Marie (Larson) Nelson. Mr. and Mrs. Sorenson have been blessed with four children : August W., Meta Marie, Alfred P. and Alice V. L. August W. was born December 17, 1893. Meta Marie was born June 14, 1897. Alfred P. was born January 21, 1902, and Alice V. L. was born May 28, 1906.
Sebastian Biebl, for many years a resident of West Newton township in Nicollet county was born in Germany and there married Mary A. Baar. In 1871 they came to the United States, located in West Newton township, Nicollet county, and there spent the remainder of their lives. He died in 1889 at the age of sixty- eight and she in 1905 at the age of eighty-four.
George Green, one of the pioneers of Nicollet county, this state, was born in Germany, came to America in 1846, lived in Philadelphia for a time, then moved to a farm in Illinois. Upon coming to Nicollet county he took up a homestead in West New- ton township. Here he and his good wife endured the hardships of pioneer life. In 1862 they fled before the wrath of the Sioux Indians, took refuge in New Ulm, went from there with the other refugees and finally after ten weeks absence returned to their farm to find that the Indians had burned all the buildings and destroyed all their property. Undaunted, however, they again started to establish a home. Prosperity came with the years and
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they successfully farmed on their original place until 1882 when they took up their home with their son, Casper. Mr. Green died in May, 1901, at the age of eighty-one years. His wife, Barbara Weiniger, died in April 1888, at the age of sixty-three.
Alfred Green, miller and electrician, was born in West New- ton township, Nicollet county, Minnesota, June 12, 1884, the son of Casper and Barbara (Biebl) Green. He was reared in his na- tive township, attended the public schools and thoroughly learned the milling industry from his father. In 1909 he secured an in- terest in the Morgan Roller Mills, previously owned by his father, and became the active manager. In 1911 he purchased the eleva- tor at Morgan of the Sleepy Eye Milling Company, which he now operates. Since 1915 he has been secretary, treasurer and man- ager of the Wherland Electric Company of Morgan, Minn. Mr. Green was married February 16, 1909, to Lucy Reding, who was born August 30, 1889, daughter of Henry N. and Katherine (Pet- singer) Reding, pioneers of Three Lakes township in Redwood county. Mr. and Mrs. Green have three children: Wilfred, born July 4, 1911; Leonard, born March 26, 1914, and Lucile, born December 22, 1915.
Casper Green, miller and extensive land owner, now living in Morgan, was born near Chicago, Ill., April 26, 1855, son of George and Barbara (Weiniger) Green, who brought him to West Newton township, Nicollet county, this state, in 1857. Al. though but a small boy at the time of the Sioux massacre, he has vivid recollections of the flight of the refugees. He was reared on the farm, secured such education as the neighborhood afforded and remained with his parents until after obtaining his majority, when he started out for himself as a farmer in the same county. As the years passed he became interested in the milling industry and in 1889 started his career in that line by purchasing a mill at Gibbon. Later he owned the mill at Biscay, which he moved to Buffalo Lake. It was in 1897 that he built the present mill at Morgan. After successfully operating this mill for some years, he took his son Alfred as a partner in 1909 and turned over to him the management of the establishment. Since that time he has devoted his time to his farm and his extensive real estate holdings. In all, he owns about 1,000 acres, 680 acres being in a farm near Murdock in this state, and 275 being in his farm near Morgan. The Green farm is one of the best in the neighborhood, the buildings being especially attractive. The home is a modern twelve-room house, equipped with hot and cold water forced through the house by a pressure tank on two large cisterns, a hot water heating system, electric lights and many other conveniences. It is interesting to note that Mr. Green completed a modern home, which on December 17, 1914, shortly after it was finished, caught fire from the hot air furnace
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pipes and was burned to the ground. The barn is well in keeping with the home. It is 140x28 feet, sanitary throughout and equipped with the latest modern machinery, making it one of the best barns in the county. The silo is 16x38 feet. On this splendid place Mr. Green carries on general farming. He makes a spe- cialty of Red Poll cattle. His full blooded herd is the best that money can buy and is widely known. An evidence of Mr. Green's progressive spirit is shown in the fact that he has recently in- stalled one of the latest improved milking machines. In addi- tion to his farm holdings, Mr. Green is a stockholder in the State Bank of Morgan. In that village he served on the village council for some four years. All in all, Mr. Green is a splendid type of the twentieth century farmer. A thorough business man and an expert agriculturist. He keeps well abreast of the times by reading farm bulletins and papers and by careful scientific ex- periments on his own place and the results have fully justified his efforts. His shrewdness, integrity and hard work have brought him more than man's usual measure of success and his worth as a man has won the confidence and respect of all with whom he has come in contact. Mr. Green was married June 1, 1885, to Barbara Biedl, born in Germany, November 30, 1859, daughter of Sebastian and Mary A. (Baar) Biebl. This union has been blessed with seven children: Alfred, miller and elec- trician of Morgan; George and William, farmers of Morgan township, and Edward, Harry, Mary and Frank, who are at home.
Henry F. Hopfenspirger, postmaster and leading citizen of Morgan, was born in Racine, Wis., August 5, 1876, the son of Charles and Carrie (Falsbott) Hopfenspirger, now living in re- tirement at Sleepy Eye. He farmed with his parents as a youth, worked with threshing crews for some seasons and finally became interested in the implement business in the employ of his brother, Joseph W. Hopfenspirger. Later he became traveling salesman for the International Harvester Company and subsequently dealt in real estate for some years. March 13, 1915, he became post- master at Morgan. He is an efficient public servant and his ad- ministration of the duties of this important position have given general satisfaction. Mr. Hopfenspirger was married May 9, 1901, to Lena M. Fixsen, who was born in April 1879, daughter of Fred and Mathilda (Daube) Fixsen, farmers of Morgan. Mr. and Mrs. Hopfenspirger have three children: Lloyd, Hazen and Beatrice. The family faith is that of the Catholic church.
Nels Jensen is an excellent type of modern merchant. Thor- oughly loyal to his village and a sincere believer in its future, he has invested heavily in building up its business center and his vital personality has been an important factor in the position which Morgan now occupies among its sister municipalities of this
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region. Entirely a self-made man, he came to this country as a poor boy, had several years of vigorous farm work, and as a clerk had considerable experience in the general mercantile line before starting in the business for himself. Nels Jensen was born in Denmark, January 9, 1868, the son of Jeppe and Mary (Larsen) Jensen, the former of whom died in 1894 at the age of seventy and the latter in 1912 at the age of seventy-seven. Reared by these good parents, the subject of this sketch attended the neighborhood schools and grew to young manhood in the old country. He was ambitious, however, for a wider field of en- deavor and in 1886 he came to America and took up his home with his uncle Han Larson near Evan, Brown county, this state. Later he worked for other farmers. About 1890 he secured employment in the general store of A. Rinke at Sleepy Eye. With this ex- perience, in 1899 he came tò Morgan and with Philip Johannesen, under the firm name of Jensen and Johannesen, opened a general store. A year and a half later Henry Gerhke succeeded Mr. Johannesen. Two years later Mr. Jensen purchased the Gerhke interests and has since conducted the business alone. He is a man of much vitality and energy and a shrewd business man and upright citizen. His honest methods have won him a large trade, and so rapidly has the business grown that it is now some six times larger than it was when he started. His customers include the leading citizens of Morgan and the substantial farmers of wide country area. Mr. Jensen is just completing one of the finest store buildings in this part of the county. It is in the shape of an "L" fronting on Main and East streets. The State Bank of Morgan cuts out the corner. The building is of solid brick with a full basement, lighted with electricity and heated with a steam heating system. Everything is modern and up to date. There are rest rooms for the women and lavatories for both women and men. The cases and fixtures for the display of goods are of beautiful design and of the most convenient models. The store is a department store in the strictest sense, handling a general line of dry goods and men and women's ready-to-wear apparel and accessories. Though so busily engaged with his own business and occupied with building up a greater success than falls to the average man, Mr. Jensen has not neglected his public duties. He has served on the village council, has taken part in everything which had for its object the betterment of the com- munity. In the Morgan Improvement association he is an en- thusiastic worker. His business holdings include stock in the State Bank of Morgan. Mr. Jensen was married April 9, 1896, to Kate Johannsen, who was born October 20, 1869, the daughter of Hans and Sophia (Peterson) Johannsen, the former of whom died at Sleepy Eye in 1913 at the age of seventy-seven. Mr. and Mrs. Jensen have four children: Wilbert, born October 31, 1897;
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Oscar, born November 9, 1901; Rex, born July 27, 1903, and Viola, born December 11, 1898. The family faith is that of the Danish Lutheran church.
John Henry Weldon, a veteran of the Civil war, was born in New York state in 1823, and was there reared and educated. In the early part of the Civil war he enlisted in the 153rd Wis. Vol. Inf., and served under General Philip Henry Sheridan. Though slightly wounded in battle, he was never disabled, and followed the fortunes of his regiment to the end, participating in the battle of Appomattox Court House, and being present at the sur- render of General Robert E. Lee. Upon receiving his honorable discharge, Mr. Weldon returned to his native state. In 1872 he came to Minnesota, and took a soldiers' homestead of 160 acres in section 12, Highwater township, Cottonwood county. In 1876 he sold this farm and purchased 160 acres in Lamberton town- ship, this county, where he lived for several years. Then for a while he lived in Sauk Center, Minn., but later took up his home in Lamberton, this county, where he died in 1911. He married Jane E. Smith, who was born in 1827 at Fultonville, Tood county, New York, and now makes her home in Staples, Minn.
Abram J. Weldon, a well known resident of Wabasso, was born in Gloversville, Fulton county, New York, April 5, 1858, son of John Henry and Jane E. (Smith) Weldon. He spent his boyhood in his native state, and in 1872 came to Minnesota with his parents. For a time he was employed as a farm helper and later with a railroad construction crew. Subsequently, he pur- chased 160 acres in section 8, where he successfully farmed until 1900, when he retired and moved to Wabasso. For a time he sold farm machinery, later he was a land agent. Still later he took up his present work as a stock dealer. Mr. Weldon has been one of the most active of Wabasso citizens, and has acceptably filled the position of president of the council for several years. He has been especially prominent in the Wabasso Building and Loan association, and he has also been vitally identified with the Citizens State Bank, the Farmers Creamery, the Fire Department and other organizations. He was one of the organizers and first masters of the A. O. U. W. and is also a member of the A. F. & A. M. Mr. Weldon was married October 15, 1877, to Alvina Jacobs, born March 29, 1859, at Sharpsburg, Penn., daughter of Gotlieb and Barbara (Neilenger) Jacobs. Mr. and Mrs. Weldon have had four children: Emma, wife of L. Berg, a farmer of Vail township; William G., clerk of the district court of Redwood county ; Hattie (deceased) ; and Edward G., a newspaperman in Wabasso. Gotlieb Jacobs, father of Mrs. Weldon, was born in . 1819 in Germany, came to Minnesota in 1869, homesteaded 80 acres in Charlestown township, this county, and died in 1889, his wife, who was born in 1820, dying in 1890.
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Edward G. Weldon, editor of the Wabasso Standard, was born August 20, 1889, in Charlestown township, Redwood county, Minnesota. Son of Abram J. and Alvina (Jacobs) Weldon. He received his aducation at the district school and attended the Mankato Commercial College seven months. In 1908 he entered the printing office of W. C. Starr at Lamberton, Minn., where he remained seven months. In 1909 he bought the Wabasso Stan- dard, a weekly Republican paper, which he still edits. He is one of the influential men of the community and is highly regarded throughout the county. Mr. Weldon was married May 9, 1914, to Kathryn Zeren, born July 10, 1888, at Chaska, Carver county, Minnesota, daughter of Peter Zeren, a native of Brighton town- ship, Kenosha, Wis., born July 24, 1850.
William G. Weldon, clerk of the district court, was born in Charlestown township, this county, March 11, 1882, son of Abra- ham J. and Alvina (Jacobs) Weldon. He lived at home and as a boy assisted in operating the home farm. His business educa- tion was acquired in the New Ulm Business College and in the Marshall Commercial College, graduating from the latter institu- tion in 1902. Thus prepared, he became assistant cashier of the Citizens State Bank of Wabasso one year and was late cashier of the State Bank of Revere six months. One year he was partner in the Marshall Bottling Works at Marshall, Minn., and for a time he was in the collection and insurance business at Wabasso. He was elected to his present position as clerk of the district court of Redwood county in the fall of 1908, taking office January 1, 1909. He was re-elected in the fall of 1912 and is doing most efficient service. Fraternally he is affiliated with the K. of P. and the I. O. O. F. On May 25, 1904, Mr. Weldon was married to Maud A. Maxon, born April 11, 1885, daughter of William T., who died in Marshall, Minn., at the age of sixty-five years in 1903, and his wife, Adelia S. (Woodruff) Maxson. Mr. and Mrs. Weldon have one child, Gertrude May, born August 10, 1905.
Fred Sasse, a pioneer of Home township, Brown county and veteran of the Civil. war, was born in Germany, came to America in 1844 and spent several years in Tennessee, Texas and other southern states. In spite of his residence in that region he es- poused the union cause at the outbreak of the Civil war and did good service as a soldier for four years. After that conflict, in 1865, he came to Brown county, this state, and took a claim in Home township. Beginning on a small scale, he achieved pros- perity by hard work and business shrewdness. In 1906 he re- tired and moved to Sleepy Eye, where he died December 31, 1909, at the age of eighty-four years. His good wife, Hannah (Schlei- sen) Sasse, still makes her home in that village. The children in the family were: August, a farmer of Home township, Brown
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