USA > Minnesota > Redwood County > The History of Redwood County, Minnesota, Volume II > Part 26
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46
Ole C. Olson of Sundown township was born in Denmark, Dec. 13, 1849, son of Ole and Christina Marie Jensen. Ole Jensen was a farmer of Denmark and died at the age of sixty-three, when Ole C. was eleven years old. He left ten children: five by the first wife, Andre, and five by the second wife, Christina. The
Digitized by Google
--
-----..
M. F. CHRISTIANSEN AND FAMILY
Digitized by Google
1
-
--
-
Digitized by Google
-- - - - -
833
HISTORY OF REDWOOD COUNTY
oldest half brother, James S. Johnson, came to Minnesota, soon followed by Ole C. The rest of the family came in 1870, first com- ing to Lanesboro, Minn., then living at Mankato one year and then moving to New Ulm, where they remained for three years. In 1871 Ole C. homesteaded a tract of eighty acres in section 28, Sundown township, but did not move to the place until three years later. He built a mud house, 12x16, made of clay brick, dried in the sun, and a sod barn. The first year he hired his breaking done, but the second year he used a pair of three-year-old steers. He managed to get one crop from his land before the grasshoppers came, raising about 160 bushels of wheat the first year, of which he saved 110 for flour and seed. He then went to Mankato to earn some money and paid his brother $50 to put in a crop for him, but the grasshoppers destroyed most of it, the yield being only fifty-seven bushels, of which the brother received half. How- ever, more attempts were made and after a time he was success- ful. He set out a grove and in time added 240 acres and erected good farm buildings. The nearest milling places were at Redwood Falls and New Ulm, the trip to New Ulm taking a week by ox team. He carried on general farming and raised good stock. He held township office and also served on the school board. Mr. Olson was married in Denmark in 1870 to Elsie Peterson. They have had the following children: Mary, Ole, James R., Emma, Laura, Andrew, Matilda and George. The family worship at the Lutheran church. Mrs. Olson died in 1896. The son, Ole, now conducts the home farm.
M. F. Hammett was born in New York State in 1865. son of M. L. and Janet Hammett. His mother died when he was three years old. His father was born in New York in 1825 and en- gaged in farming, moving to Rice county, Minnesota, in 1873, where he bought 160 acres of land. Then he moved to northern Minnesota and bought 120 acres and lived there till his death in 1908. There were eight children in the family: John, Guy, Sam, Milton, Jennie, Jessie, Nellie, Hannah and M. F. M. F. Hammett remained at home until twenty-one years old, when he came to Redwood county and bought 80 acres in section 12, Sundown township. Here he began farming. His first crop was very small. He built a house in 1887, 12x14 and a straw shed for a barn. He has prospered and from time to time has made additions to his farm, until now he has a 400 acre farm in Sundown and 360 acres in northern Minnesota and Dakota. In 1900 he built a seven- room house. In 1902 he built a barn 44x60 and other farm build- ings, such as granaries, machine shop and the like. He carries on general farming and raises good stock. Mr. Hammett was married June 13, 1888, to Myrtle Martter. Two children have been born to these parents: Clarence and Maud. The family worship at the Methodist church.
Digitized by Google
.
834
HISTORY OF REDWOOD COUNTY
Henry Kagel, a prominent pioneer of Sundow township, was born in Prussia, Germany, Nov. 7, 1847, son of Carl and Anna (Blech) Kagel, natives of Germany, who lived and died there. There were seven children in the family : Carl, William, Henry G., Henrietta, Amelia, Rosa and Caroline. Henry came to the United States in 1869 with his sister Henrietta and her husband, John Lipelsky, who later settled in section 20, Sundown township, Redwood county, Minnesota. Henry and his brother-in-law spent a summer and two winters in Fond du Lac, Wis., and then came to Redwood county and located in section 20, Sundown township. He built a sod shanty and a rude dugout for a cellar. He also built a straw barn. The first year he worked out at $20 per month to earn money to buy a team of oxen and cow. He set out a grove and began breaking the ground. The nearest milling place was at New Ulm. Later it was at Redwood Falls. He suffered all the hardships of the early settler. Once he was lost in a snow storm when after wood and had to stay for three days at Mr. Radock's shanty. He tells of getting his first large iron kettle and crossing the country on foot with it. When he came to the North branch of the river he started to swim across pushing the kettle with one hand in a small boat which capsized and the kettle went to the bottom. He returned a couple of weeks later and fished up the kettle. As time passed he prospered and made improvments on his farm as needed. He added 240 acres of land in section 19, farmed until 1913. In March, 1916, he moved to Springfield, Minn. Mr. Kagel was married July 9, 1877, to Louisa Gouye, born May 18, 1857, in Jackson county Indiana, daughter of Phillip and Dora Gouye, of French and German descent re- spectively. Her father died when Louisa was nine years old. There were five children in the family: George, Louisa, Lottie, Katie and Maggie. Mr. and Mrs. Kagel have had twelve children: Gustave, Anna, Louisa, Paul, Carl, John, Rosella, Wilhelmina, Charlotta, Ida, Henry and Dorethea, the last two named being dead.
Peter Thorsten, one of the leading farmers and stock raisers of Sundown township, was born January 25, 1875, in Norway, son of Elling Skjordal who received his surname from the old home place in Norway where he was born in 1850. Elling Skjor- dal was a farmer and a stone mason. He and his wife emigrated from Norway in 1881 with their family of seven children: Theo- dore; Paulina; Tillie G .; Anna; Peter; Martin; and Sophia. They went to Sundown township, Redwood county, Minnesota, where Mr. Skjordal had a brother, Lars Thorsten. The children all took the surname of Thorsten. Mr. Skjordal bought 80 acres of land in section 30, where he began farming with a team of oxen. There was an old house and a straw barn on the place. He set out groves, built good buildings and added a quarter sec-
Digitized by Google
-
-
MR. AND MRS. HENRY KAGEL
Digitized by Google
Digitized by
- - - - -
--
Digitized by Google
ALFRED P. ORTH AND FAMILY
Digitized by
835
HISTORY OF REDWOOD COUNTY
tion of land. He was a shareholder in the old Sundown Cream- ery. The children born in Minnesota were Laura and John. Peter Thorsten remained at home until 1903, he began farming for himself in 1897 on the home place. Later he purchased 240 acres of land in section 4, Waterbury township, from the Winona and St. Peter Land Company, and about 1894 he traded it for 160 acres of the old John Lipetsky place in section 20, Sundown township. There were old buildings on the place. He built a modern house and barn and also a 120-ton silo. He raises Short- horn cattle, Chester White hogs, Percheron and Belgian horses. He is a member of the school board. Mr. Thorsten was married to Elizza Petersen, daughter of Chris Petersen of Sundown. Mr. and Mrs. Thorsten have five children: Mable, Serene A, Ches- ter E, Alta E, deceased, and Sylvia E.
John Edmondson, a well known farmer of Sundown township, was born in Lancashire, England, March 1, 1865 son of Thomas and Sarah (McClannan) Edmonson, natives of England and farm- ers there. There were ten children in the family, John being fourth oldest. One of his brothers, Thomas, came to America and en- gaged in mining in the Pennsylvania coal mines. Here John joined him in 1890. His brother was killed in an accident in the mine and John, after a year's work there, went westward, first locating in South Dakota and later came to Brown county, Minne- sota, settling near Springfield, where he worked for three and a half years for George Potter on his farm. Then he rented land from him for eight years and in 1900 bought his present place in Sundown township, Redwood county. He secured 160 acres of improved land and has since made many improvements. He raises Shorthorn cattle, Poland China swine and a good grade of Percheron horses. He has been president of the Sundown Cream- ery and has been supervisor of the township for twelve years. He served as school clerk for twelve years. Mr. Edmondson was united in marriage to Elizabeth Marie Enghusen, a native of Denmark, and they have the following children: Sarah, Marion, Esther Elizabeth and Wilfred. Thomas William, and Herbert Edward are dead. The family faith is that of the Methodist church.
Alfred P. Orth, now deceased, was born January 24, 1863, in Stephenson county, Illinois, son of Phillip and Anna Orth. He spent the greater part of his life in Illinois, residing in that state until October, 1902, when he bought 393 acres of land in section 6, New Avon township, Redwood county, Minnesota. In 1910 he bought 320 acres in section 34, Sheridan township and moved to the latter place in 1912. At the time of his death, September 21, 1913, he owned both these farms. In 1912 Mr. Orth built a fine substantial barn, 36x60 feet, and in 1914, a modern twelve-room house, equipped with furnace heat and electric lights, the storage
Digitized by Google
836
HISTORY OF REDWOOD COUNTY
batteries being in the basement of the house. The farm is well improved and up-to-date in every way, electric lights being used in all the farm buildings. Four acres are planted in fruit and 100 acres in clover and timothy. A specialty is made of feeding and shipping cattle and swine for the market, one carload of each being shipped each year. Shorthorn cattle and Duroc swine are raised. While in Winnebago county, Illinois, Mr. Orth held sev- eral offices, including those of school district and road com- missioners. Mr. Orth was married December 8, 1892, to Jennie E. Brinker, who was born August 27, 1871. She is a daughter of Joseph Brinker, a retired farmer of Stephenson county, Illinois, and his wife, Mathilda (Kern) Brinker, who died in 1889 at the age of forty-five years. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Orth are: Leon, born August 16, 1893; Myron, October 5, 1896, and Leda, February 8, 1901. Mrs. Orth and her children live on the home place in section 34 and manage both farms.
Paul A. Callaghan, banker, business man and educator, cashier of the Citizens State Bank of Wabasso and secretary of the Wa- basso Building and Loan Association, was born in Sundown town- ship, this county, November 16, 1875, son of Patrick O. and Mary (Wandrey) Callaghan, the pioneers. He was reared on the home farm, passed through the schools of his neighborhood and the Springfield (Minnesota) high school and in 1900 was graduated from the advanced course of the Mankato (Minnesota) State Normal school. With this preparation he served for two years as principal of the graded school at Avoca, this state. In 1902 he became cashier of the State Bank of Wanda. In August, 1905, he assumed a similar position with the State Bank of Wabasso. When this institution was merged into the Citizens State Bank in November of that year Mr. Callaghan became cashier of the amalgamated institution. Aside from his business interests Mr. Callaghan has taken his part in public affairs and has done good service as village treasurer and as a member of the school board. Mr. Callaghan was married June 14, 1905 to Bertha B. Rector, born March 24, 1882, in Fennimore, Wisconsin, daughter of Fredrick E. Rector, a native of Germany, now of Fennimore, and his wife, Emma (Osborne) Rector, who died in 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Callaghan have two children: Paul O., born October 15, 1909, and Robert W. born July 9, 1914.
Patrick O. Callaghan, pioneer, now living a retired life in Red- wood Falls, has been a resident of this county for more than 45 years, and during that time has taken his part in its progress and development. He was born in County Cork, Ireland, March 17, 1847, was there reared and received such little schooling as the neighborhood afforded. He was an ambitious boy and desiring to better himself, he set out for New York in 1861 when only 14 years of age. That same year the Civil war broke out and al-
Digitized by Google
PATRICK O. CALLAGHAN AND FAMILY
Digitized by
-
Digitized by
-
-
837
HISTORY OF REDWOOD COUNTY
though young Patrick O. was of too tender years to serve in that great conflict he did his share by working as a cabin boy on trans- ports, carrying the Union troops. After the war, he lived for a while in the cities of New Haven and Bridgeport, Conn. It was in 1866 that he came to Minnesota and located in Washington county, where he succeeded in securing work as a farm hand. In 1871 he found his way to Redwood county and the following spring took up a homestead of 160 acres in section 18, Sundown township. Starting with the crudest equipment and working un- der the most primitive circumstances, he gradually built up a fine farm, erected suitable buildings, carried on general farming and livestock raising and in time achieved prosperity. In 1909, after a long life, filled with hard work, he disposed of his farm and moved to his present home in Redwood Falls. While never active in politics, Mr. Callaghan served several years as township as- sessor and has always taken a deep interest in public affairs. Mr. Callaghan was married in October, 1874, to Mary Wandrey, who was born in Posen, Germany, October 1, 1853, daughter of Ernst and Josephine (Richaleau) Wandrey, pioneers of Sundown town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. Callaghan have been blessed with nine chil- dren: Paul A., Josephine M., William R., Emil E., Mattie E., Katherine L., Patrick H., Helen E., and Morris B. Paul A. is cashier of the Citizens' State Bank of Wabasso, this county. Jose- phine M. is the wife of Henry Johnson of Milroy, this county. William R. lives in Waseca, this state. Emil E. lives in Luseland, Saskatchewan, Canada. Mattie E. married John P. Snyder of Marshall, this state. Katherine L. married Merritt Caughlan and lives in Mankato, this state. Harry lives in Forsyth, Montana. Helen E. is a librarian. Morris B. is at Sumatra, Mont.
Ernst Wandrey, a pioneer of Sundown township, was born in Germany and was there reared. In 1854 he came to America and located at Fond du Lac, Wis., where he worked in a factory for several years. In 1863 he came to this state and purchased land near Cottage Grove, in Washington county, Minnesota. From there, in 1871, he came to this county and homesteaded 166 acres in section 18, Sundown township, where he lived until his death in 1885. Like the other pioneers, he endured many hardships and year by year achieved prosperity. Mr. Wandrey was married in Germany to Josepha Richaleau, who was born in that country, came to America with her husband, lived with him until his death and died at Wanda, in this county, in 1903.
James M. Little, a well-known farmer of Vail township, was born in Richmond, Va., October 4, 1863, son of Theodore and Sarah (Braggs) Little. His father was a native of Massachusetts and followed his profession as druggist in Virginia and later moved to Iowa, where he engaged in farming and died in 1902 at the age of 84 and a half years. His wife was also a native of
Digitized by Google
838
HISTORY OF REDWOOD COUNTY
Massachusetts and died in 1899 at the age of 73 years. James M. Little bought an 80-acre tract of land in Clay county, Iowa, in 1885 and remained there until 1901, when he sold it and bought the western half of section 4 of Vail township, Redwood county, Minn., where he still lives. He is an active and progressive farmer and has erected a fine eight-room house and a substantial barn, 34 by 64 by 16 feet. He raises registered stock and has Shorthorn cattle, Duroc Jersey swine and about 25 graded Percheron horses. He makes a specialty of feeding stock for the market and shipping about one carload of swine. The greater part of his land is under cultivation and he has one acre devoted to fruit, 100 acres of clover and timothy and 90 acres of corn. His farm is well im- proved and is all fenced with woven wire fencing. Mr. Little has taken active part in public affairs and has served as director for school district No. 12 for ten years. He is director of the Red- wood County Rural Telephone Company, stockholder in the Se- curity State Bank of Seaforth and of the Farmers' Grain and Fuel Company of Seaforth. He is secretary and treasurer of the Red- wood County Agricultural Association. Fraternally he associates with and has held all the chairs of the I. O. O. F., the K. of P. and the A. O. U. W. Mr. Little was married March 22, 1894, to Mabel Andrews, born January 5, 1872, daughter of Cyrus C, a farmer of Pawnee county, Nebraska, who died in Arkansas in 1902 at the age of 71 years, and his wife Margaret (Burner) Andrews, who died in 1898 at the age of 51 years. Mr. and Mrs. Little have four children, Daphene and Mildred, Alice and Frances.
George Goblirsch, a highly respected merchant of Wabasso, was born January 12, 1865, in Austria, son of John and Elizabeth (Buchel) Goblirsch. John Goblirsch was born September 8, 1835, and came to America in 1868, locating in New Ulm, Minn., where he homesteaded 80 acres in section 20, Lafayette township, and later made additions until he owned 420 acres. He broke the prairie land and built a log house. A grove was set out and in 1885 a substantial frame house was built. He carried on general farming and died there February 26, 1909. His wife was born in 1837 and died April 26, 1909. They had the following children: Adam, a farmer in Lafayette township; George; John, a farmer of New Avon township, section 3, Redwood county ; Michael, proprie- tor of a clothing store in Perham, Minn .; Frank, a clerk in a store at Lafayette, Minn .; Joseph, a farmer of New Ulm; Anton, a farmer on his father's old place; Andrew, cashier in the bank at Cobden, Minn .; and Katherine, elerk in her brother's store at Wabasso. George attended the common school of his locality and remained at home on the home farm until 24 years of age. In 1887 he bought 80 acres of land from his father in section 7, Lafayette township, which he sold in 1902 and bought 320 acres in section 9, Avon township, Redwood county. He broke the land and lived
Digitized by Google
Digitized by Google
1
JOSEPH PISTULKA
Digitized by
839
HISTORY OF REDWOOD COUNTY
there eleven years, erected good buildings and carried on general farming. In 1903 he rented this farm and moved to Wabasso, where he bought the stock of the general merchandise business of Francois & Schmahl. In 1903 he bought the store building, a two-story structure, 24 by 80 feet, and later added the adjoining building. He now occupies three stores. He has been a member of the Wabasso school board for 14 years, and the village council one year. From 1894 to 1902 he was supervisor of Avon township and served as a member of the Avon school board for six years. Mr. Goblirsch was married November 19, 1889, to Mary Goblirsch, born June 20, 1870, in Albin township, Brown county, this state. Her father, Joseph Goblirsch, was born in Austria in 1831 and came to America in 1866, locating in Albin township, where he homesteaded 80 acres in section 18, and later made additions until he had 480 acres. He lived there until his death, April 1, 1913. In 1891 he divided his farm between his two sons and retired from active work. He was married to Katherine Schleigel, born in 1837 in Austria. Their children are : Magdalean, now Mrs. Mat. Rathmann of Comfrey, Minn .; George, deceased; Joseph, on the old homestead; Mary, on the homestead of her father; and John, on the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Goblirsch had the following children: Charles, George, Michael, Andrew, Mary M., Albert and Nicholas.
Joseph Pistulka, cashier of the State Bank of Seaforth, was born in Marshalltown, Iowa, March 9, 1889, son of Vaclav and Mary (Posekang) Pistulka. Vaclav Pistulka came to America from Austria in 1875 and located in Iowa, where he remained until 1893, when he bought a farm in section 31, Sheridan township, Redwood county, Minn. Joseph Pistulka grew to manhood on this farm, attended the schools of his neighborhod and was gradu- ated from the Mankato Commercial College in 1910. He soon found employment as assistant cashier in the Security State Bank at Seaforth, Minn., and on June 1, 1914, became cashier, which position he now holds. He has been village assessor for two years. Fraternally he affiliates with the Knights of Columbus, Catholic Order of Foresters and the Ancient Order of United Workers, having been treasurer of his lodge in the last mentioned order for six years. He is a member of the Catholic church, in which he holds the office of treasurer. Mr. Pistulka was married May 17, 1915, to Alice Connors, who was born January 17, 1895, daughter of Thomas Connors, a barber of Minneapolis, and his wife, Anna (Moran) Connors, who died August 3, 1913, at the age of 42 years.
August Fenscke, one of the early pioneers of Minnesota, was born thirty miles east of Berlin, Germany, May 31, 1839, son of John and Justine (Bronck) Fenscke, both natives of Germany. John Genscke was born September 27, 1801, and died in Brown
Digitized by Google
840
HISTORY OF REDWOOD COUNTY
county in 1875, and his wife Justine was born March, 1805, and died in Brown county in 1888. They had nine children: Wil- helmina, Johanna, Ferdinand, Julius, who was killed by the In- dians during the outbreak in 1862, six miles from New Ulm; Pau- lina, Matilda, August, John and Charles, all of whom are dead, with the exception of August and Charles. The parents were small farmers in Germany, where they had 13 acres of land. The father was also a carpenter and wagon maker. The family emigrated to America May 1, 1853, being eight weeks on the ocean, and landed at Quebec, then only a fort. They remained at Montreal until fall, the father and oldest son working on the canal being built from the St. Lawrence river to Montreal. August carried water to the workmen. In the fall they took the stage for Chicago by way of Niagara Falls. At Chicago the father worked in a furniture shop. May 1, 1855, the family set out for Fort Ridgely, Minn. They came by steamboat to St. Paul and from there traveled by team to Fort Ridgely. The father took a claim where the old New Ulm was and a half a mile from the present site. They began breaking the land, hitching four oxen and a pair of cows to the big breaking plow. Logs were hewn and a house built. August had attended school in Germany and also at Chi- cago, but after coming to. Minnesota had but few chances of going to school. He grew up on his father's farm. Before the Indian outbreak he had gone to Dakota to help pacify the Indians under Sitting Bull and Big Eagle and also to teach the Indians farming. He became very friendly with Big Eagle, who was the means of saving his life during the outbreak. His brother Julius was killed by the Indians and his brother John was shot by a bone arrow, which he carried four days before he had it removed. In 1864 he enlisted in the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, Company F, serving till the close of the war. After the war he located in Eden township, Brown county, purchasing a half section in sec- tions 16 and 17. He built a log house which is still standing, and began farming, having both horses and oxen for breaking the land. His crops were destroyed for several seasons by the grass- hoppers. He lived there 35 years. In 1902 he located in Brook- ville township, Redwood county, on a tract of 200 acres in sec- tion 4. There was a small shed on the place. He has improved the farm, built modern buildings of all kinds and uses the most modern machinery in carrying on his farming. In the early days he made a study of some medical books and from the knowledge gained was able to help his neighbors at times when a physician could not be reached. Mr. Fenscke was married July 4, 1869, to Augusta Diptdenber, born September 2, 1847, in Pomerania, Ger- many, daughter of Carl and Johanna (Kreuger) Diptdenber, who came to the United States in 1867 with five children: William, Herman, Edward, Augusta and Wilhelmina (deceased). They
-
Digitized by Google
1.1
REDWOOD COUNTY PIONEERS
Digitized by Google
Digitized by
-- - - - - -
Digitized by Google
A. DATWYLER AND FAMILY
Digitized by
841
HISTORY OF REDWOOD COUNTY
located at New Ulm and farmed in Eden township the rest of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Fenscke have the following children, all born in the log house in Eden township, Brown county: Anna, Ferdin- and, Blondina, Fred, Emil, who died in infancy ; Emil, Edward, Henry and Clara, deceased. The family faith is that of the Metho- dist church. Mr. Fenscke served as secretary of the Methodist church in Eden township for over thirty years.
-
Joshua S. Towle, a farmer of New Avon township, was born in Maine, December 13, 1837, son of Jonathan P. and Eliza (Heath) Towle. His father was a farmer in Maine until 1862 when he moved to Greenlake, Wis., and lived there until 1871. Then he moved to New Avon township, Redwood county, Minn., where he lived until his death October 15, 1881, at the age of 70 years. His wife died in 1879 at the age of 70 years. In 1870 Joshua S. Towle came to Redwood county and homesteaded on the northeast quarter of section 8, New Avon township, where he re- mained until 1890. Then he located in the southeast quarter of section 8, where he still remains. He helped organize and name New Avon township and also helped organize school district No. 14, of which he was clerk for 14 years, from 1897 to 1911. There were five voters in the township at that time and Redwood county extended to the Dakota line. He has also served as township clerk for 31 years and was chairman of the township board for one year. He was justice of peace four years and served as post- master of New Avon for twelve years, 1874 to 1886, keeping the office at his home. He was an agent for the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of the township of Redwood Falls for eight years. Mr. Towle was married November 22, 1858, to Betsy A. Horn of Maine, born May 9, 1838, daughter of Nicholas Horn, a farmer of Maine, and his wife Esther (Perkins) Horn. Mr. and Mrs. Towle have had four children : Emma, now Mrs. D. A. Bar- num, wife of a farmer of New Avon township, died July 22, 1913; William L., of Seattle, Wash; Minnie, who died September 6, 1874, at the age of six; and Ada M., Mrs. Culver Thurber, de- ceased.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.