USA > Minnesota > Redwood County > The History of Redwood County, Minnesota, Volume II > Part 33
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R BRO'S
KRAMER
BAND
SEAFORTH MINN
THE KRAMER ORCHESTRA AND BAND
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Boushek, and has one child, Fern Catherine. Mary was born June 17, 1884, married Anton Pistulka and has five children: Arnold, Charles, Anton, Gertrude and Joseph. Michael was born February 21, 1886 and married Julia Pistulka. Mathias was born January 19, 1888. Romulad Sebastian was born February 7, 1890, married Margaret Reed and has one son, Roy. Henry G. was born March 18, 1892; Nicholas J., June 26, 1894; Magda- len M., July 6, 1896; Peter Lawrence, August 10, 1898 (died October 25, 1914), and Anna M., September 8, 1900. Anton is cashier of the State Bank of Lucan; Romulad Sebastian is cashier of the State Bank of Clements; Henry is assistant cashier of the State Bank of Vesta; Michael devotes part of his time to farming and is a clever professional baseball player of considerable note. All the other sons are engaged in farming exclusively. Magda- len M. and Anna M. are at home. Among the features which have made the Kramer family famous through this region may be mentioned the Kramer Brothers' Band and Orchestra. These organizations had their origin about 1897, when its senior mem- bers began furnishing music for dances, entertainments, and the like. The membership gradually increased as the younger chil- dren grew up, until in 1910, when all twelve children were mem- bers of the orchestra. In the early years, the band and orchestra were under the direction of Anton Kramer, later Arnold Kramer was the leader. The orchestra and band attained their highest efficiency in 1907, when the services of the members were in wide demand for the leading social events, dances, entertainments and general gatherings throughout the county. The music furnished was of the very best. The strictest standards of efficiency have been maintained, and the family has had a distinct influence on the progress of musical education throughout the county.
Jacob Becvar was born in Bohemia, July 22, 1854, son of Joseph Becvar, a carpenter by trade, who died in 1894 in Bo- hemia, at the age of eighty-six and his wife, Marie (Swaboda) Becvar, who died in 1865 at the age of fifty-four. Jacob came to America in 1880 and entered into the shoe business in Cleve- land, Ohio, where he remained for twenty years. In 1900 he came to Seaforth, Minn., and bought the Charles Cole confectionery, of which he is now proprietor. He is also a stockholder in the Security State Bank of Seaforth. Mr. Becvar was married July 25, 1881, to Josephine Masek, born June 20, 1856, daughter of Frank Masek, who came to America in 1893 and farmed in Sheri- dan township until his death, September 3, 1914, when eighty- two years of age, and his wife Anna (Riba) Masek, who died in 1898 at the age of sixty-nine years. Mr. and Mrs. Becvar have one child, Louis who was county surveyor of Redwood county four years and was employed at the fair at San Francisco in 1915. He was married to Rosa Cermak in 1899 and they have had three
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children : Glen, Roy and Virginia, who died in 1911 at the age of four years.
John Sorensen was born in Denmark, May 30, 1884, son of Peter Sorensen, a farmer of that country, who was born in 1850, and his wife, Christina (Olson) Sorensen, born in 1849. John Sorensen came to America in June, 1904, and followed the trade of blacksmith, which he had learned in his fatherland, in Spring- field, Raymond, and Clara City, Minn. February 8, 1911, he bought the shop of A. J. Van Selus in Seaforth which he now operates. He has been a member of the village council for four years. He was married June 8, 1915, to Agnes Pistulka, who was born January 17, 1887, daughter of Vaclav and Mary (Posekany) Pistulka.
William Tordsen, one of the prosperous farmers of Redwood county, was born in Nicollet county, Minnesota, December 12, 1869, son of Jurgen and Dora (Bouck) Tordsen. The father was a native of Germany and came to America in 1858, engaging in farming in Nicollet county, where he died in 1898 at the age of sixty-eight years. His wife, born August 18, 1834, now makes' her home with her son William, having attained the good old age of eighty-two years. William Tordsen took charge of the home farm in Sheridan township in 1895 and has operated it ever since. It contains 160 acres and is located in the southwest quarter of section 5. Mr. Tordsen is an active and progressive farmer and has developed his property and brought it to a high state of culti- vation. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Com- pany at Seaforth and of the Farmers State Bank at Belview. He has been road overseer for six years, and a director on the school board of district No. 70 for six years. His religious affiliations are with the German Lutheran church. Mr. Tordsen was married February 22, 1895, to Annie Schmidt, who was born November 19, 1874, daughter of Christian and Mary (Seivert) Schmidt. Her father was a native of Germany and came to America in 1859, en- gaging in farming in Nicollet county. He has since retired from active work and is now living in Nicollet, Nicollet county. His wife died in 1890 at the age of forty-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Tordsen have the following children: George, born December 25, 1895; Albert, born October 31, 1897; William, born December 25, 1899; Leona, born May 27, 1902; Walter, born October 20, 1903; Ervin, born June 12, 1906, who died March 27, 1908; Amanda, born November 23, 1908, and Edna, born March 9, 1910.
George Fuhr, proprietor of the Fairview Stock Farm, was born in Rock Island county, Illinois, October 14, 1863, son of Valentine and Margaret (Nickel) Fuhr. The father was born December 4, 1821, and died May 15, 1912, at the age of ninety years. He was a native of Germany who came to America in 1832 with his parents, they settling in New York and later in
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WILLIAM TORDSEN AND FAMILY
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Ohio where they remained for ten years. In 1842 he went to Rock Island county, Illinois, and located on a farm, where he made his home until his death. . He served as road overseer for twenty years. His wife was born October 11, 1822, and died January 23, 1909. George Fuhr remained at home until 1899, when he bought 80 acres in Buffalo Prairie township, Rock Island county, Illinois, and lived there until March, 1912. He had in- creased his farm until he owned 158 acres. He then sold it and bought 375 acres in sections 33 and 34, Sheridan township, Red- wood county, Minnesota, where he still resides. He specializes in raising Polled Durham cattle, Poland China swine and Per- cheron horses. In 1912 he built a house, with full basement, on the east farm, 26x28x16 feet, which he installed with furnace heat. In 1913 he built an eight-room house on the west farm, 28x28x16 feet, with full basement and furnace heat. The same year he erected a barn on the west farm 40x60x14 feet. He has 340 acres of land under cultivation, ten acres of which are in alfalfa, fifty in clover and 140 in corn. George Fuhr was married January 4, 1888, to Mary Mader, who was born May 2, 1868, daughter of Michael Mader. Her father, a native of Germany, came to America and located in Mercer county, Illinois, where he farmed until his death, February 26, 1898 at the age of sixty-five years. His wife, Mary (Garber) Mader, born April 10, 1843, is now living in Mercer county, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Fuhr's children are as follows: Leonard, born February 16, 1889, who farms on a part of his father's estate, and who was married February 15, 1912, to Laura France, and has one child, Myron, born February 11, 1913; Augusta, born November 30, 1891, who was married February 15, 1911, to Ernest Boney a farmer of Sheridan township, and has two children, Beatrice, born March 11, 1912, and Carol, born August 26, 1913; Bernard, born July 15, 1893; Agnes, born November 22, 1898; Mathilda, born No- vember 29, 1896, and Everett, born January 10, 1905.
George J. Grimm, cashier of the First National Bank, of Lam- berton, was born at Hartford, Wis, May 1, 1865, son of John and Mary (Regenfuhs) Grimm. He was reared in his native town and there attended the public schools. As a youth he worked in a general store, but by devoting his spare time to the study of telegraphy, he was enabled to realize his ambitions of enter- ing the railroad service. In 1882 he took up work at St. Peter as railroad operator, and was afterwards transferred to New Ulm as operator and cashier. It was in 1890 that he located in Springfield as station agent. There he became a prominent citizen. For eight years he served as village recorder, for a time he was secretary of the Brown County Democratic club. In 1901 he was nominated as candidate for county audi- tor on the Democratic ticket, and was defeated by only a few
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votes. In that year he came to Lamberton as cashier of the Citi- zens State Bank, a position he retained when, on April 2, 1904, the institution was reorganized as the First National Bank. Here he has taken an active part in all public affairs. He was village recorder for seven years, and has been a member of the school board since 1909. He is chairman of the Democratic County Committee and a member of the Democratic State Central Com- mittee. For some time past he has been treasurer of the Lamber- ton Creamery Co, and a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Co. He has been secretary and a director of the Lamberton Building, and Loan Association for fourteen years. The Commercial Club of which he is president, finds him a most active worker. In the Catholic church he is trustee and treasurer. His fraternal affilia- tions are with the Elks, the Modern Woodmen, the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Order of Foresters. Mr. Grimm was married Nov. 25, 1890, to Emily H. Schneider, born Oct. 19, 1869, daughter of Joseph and Theresa (Dietz) Schneider of New Ulm, and their children are: John C., Leslie H., Natalia A., Oliva L., Nancy A., and Woodrow G. John Grimm, father of George J. Grimm was born in Germany, came to America at an early age, lived in Wisconsin and New York, assisted in constructing the Erie canal, and finally returned to Germany. Later he returned to the United States, and was employed for many years as rail- road agent for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad at Hartford, Wisconsin. He died at Hartford, Nov. 17, 1894, and his wife died May 7, 1898. In the family the children were: George J., John A., Lawrence, Sebastian, Michael and Margareth.
William Duncan, Jr., cashier of the State Bank of Milroy, was born April 18, 1880, at Sleepy Eye, this state, son of William and Emma (Hollingstead) Duncan. He received his preliminary edu- cation in the schools of Sleepy Eye and Springfield, and in 1899 graduated from the Curtiss Commercial College at Minneapolis. With this preparation he entered the employ of Anderson Broth- ers, dealers in hardware and lumber, at Springfield. His banking experience was received as bookkeeper in the State Bank of Springfield, where he remained until the spring of 1903, when he accepted his present position. In Milroy, Mr. Duncan has become one of the leading citizens, and his progressive spirit has had much to do in shaping the destinies of the village which, when he arrived, was but few months old. He has been president of the village council for many years, has served as treasurer of the village, and has been a member of the school board since a short time after his arrival here. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, and belongs to various clubs and organizations. Mr. Duncan was married June 10. 1903, at Springfield, to Bertha E. Schmid, born at Sleepy Eye, Dec. 14, 1879, daughter of John B. and Mary Anna (Adams) Schmid. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan have two children:
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Marion A., born Oct. 25, 1904; and Gretchen, born Dec. 7, 1912. The family faith is that of the Congregational church. Mr. and Mrs. John B. Schmid, parents of Mrs. William Duncan, Jr., had a large family of children as follows: John R., engaged in the real estate business at Springfield; Emma, wife of William Anderson, president of the North Star Grain Co. at Winnipeg, Canada; Louise, wife of P. W. Kuske, a druggist at Springfield; Bertha E., wife of William Duncan, Jr .; Arthur (deceased) ; Edward, a rail- road engineer living at Tracy; Adolph, a dentist at Worthington, Minn .; Victoria, wife of E. L. Nippolt, cashier of the State Bank of Springfield; Benjamin, assistant cashier of the State Bank of Milroy; Constant, in the automobile business at Springfield; El- mer, stenographer at Springfield; and Armin, a student in the Springfield High school.
William Duncan, Sr., was born in Muskegon county, Ohio, Jan. 21, 1846. Upon coming to Minnesota; he engaged in the implement business in Sleepy Eye. From there he moved to Springfield in 1890, and became a traveling salesman for D. M. Osborn & Co. Later he traveled for the McCormick Harvester Co. in whose employ he remained until 1909, with the exception of two years when he was in the implement business at Springfield, with Thomas Brophy, under the firm name of Brophy & Duncan. He died at Rochester, Minn., Aug. 23, 1916. His wife, Emma Hollingstead, was born May 25, 1852. They are the parents of three children, of whom William Duncan, Jr., born April 18, 1880, is the only one living. James, born in August, 1883, is deceased, as is also an unnamed infant.
Harry E. Hayes was born in Wisconsin, May 28, 1873, son of Peter and Martha (Parker) Hayes. Peter Hayes was born in Wisconsin and grew to manhood on the farm, coming to Lam- berton, Minn., in 1874, coming by ox team with a colony of set- tlers, and secured a homestead of wild land. Building a sod shack and a straw barn, he began breaking up the land with his team of oxen. He suffered much from the storms, losing his cattle, and also lost several crops on account of the grasshoppers, having to work in the pineries to earn enough money to support the family. He lived on this farm until about 1910, and during that time made extensive improvements, built modern buildings and raised good stock. He was one of the organizers of the township and held township office. He also helped organize his school district and held office on the board. He was one of the directors of the first elevator built here. He is a charter mem- ber of the A. O. U. W. of Lamberton. In 1910 he moved back to Wisconsin. Harry E. was the oldest of six children and was only a child at the time of his father's removal to Minnesota. He received his early education in the school of his locality and engaged in farming. He remained at home until twenty-three
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years of age when he located 160 acres in section 24, Lamberton township. He built a 24 by 24 house and the next year sold the place and located in the village of Lamberton, where he went into the livery business. He continued in this for six years, and then returned to farming in Lamberton township, renting a farm until 1915, when he bought 15 acres and farmed there until last fall. He is now taking care of the state road from Lamberton to Brown county. He is associated with the M. W. A. of Lam- berton. Mr. Hayes was married at the age of twenty-four to May Bozel, born in Redwood county, daughter of Fred Bozel of Lamberton township, one of the old pioneers of this section. Mr. and Mrs. Hayes have three children: Beatrice, Christine and Hugh.
Fred E. Person, a successful real estate dealer of Redwood Falls, was born in Cherokee, Iowa, Oct. 14, 1890, son of Clarence E. and Minnie Person. Clarence E. Person was born in Des Moines, Iowa, and is now a leading citizen of Estherville, Iowa, where he has been president of the school board for several years. He has dealt extensively in real estate, both in Iowa and in Min- nesota. Fred E. Person attended the Estherville High school, and the Estherville Business College. For a number of years he was employed as a stenographer in railroad construction work in North Dakota and elsewhere. Later with his father he became interested in the Person Land Company. Since November, 1914, he has been in business in Redwood Falls, his present partner being A. J. White. The company does an extensive business in Minnesota and Montana lands. Mr. Person was married Dec. 11, 1912, to Winnifred Wickham, who was born May 12, 1893, daugh- ter of S. E. and Mary (Mc Williams) Wickham, of Clement, Iowa.
Swan Peterson, veteran of the Civil war and early settler of Springdale township, was born in Sweden and there married Hanna Nelson. They came to America in 1854 and located on a claim in Carver county, this state. From there, in 1864, Mr. Peterson enlisted in the 4th Minn. Vol. Inf. and served until the close of the war, taking part in the second battle of Bull Run, accompanying General Sherman on his famous march to the sea, serving before Richmond at the surrender of General Lee, and participating in the famous review at Washington. After his dis- charge he returned to his claim and there lived until 1873. In that year he came to Springdale township, this county, and secured 160 acres, on which he engaged in general farming and stock raising. He worked hard, toiled early and late, and in time acquired a competence, owning at one time 640 acres in Spring- dale, Gales and Johnsonville townships. After a long life filled with worthy endeavor he died October 11, 1903, at the old home on the farm. Mr. Peterson will live in history as one of the organizers and member of the first town board of Springdale town-
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WILLIAM D. PIERSON AND FAMILY
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ship. He acted as chairman for many years after it organized. He was likewise one of the organizers and first treasurer of School District 22, which embraced the north half of Springdale township. The first teacher was Miss Eva Kellogg. The school house was a vacant farm house on the L. V. Kellogg homestead in section 10. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson were the parents of several children. Those who are living are: John H., William D., Dora and Hannah, all- of whom live in Tracy with their aged mother, with the exception of William D., who lives in Johnsonville township.
William D. Pierson, a well-known farmer and stock raiser of Johnsonville township, was born in Carver county, this state, July 2, 1863, son of Swan and Hanna (Nelson) Peterson. He came to this county with his parents and as time passed took over the management of his father's farm, which he now owns and where he now carries on general agricultural operations. A democrat in politics he served as school clerk of District 62 for fifteen years. In 1915 he was elected justice of the peace in which position he is still serving. His interest in the development of the community is shown by the fact that he was one of the organizers of the North Star Telephone Company, of which he is now serving as secretary. He was one of the charter members of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, which has been of much value to the farmers of the county. He assumed his present name of Pierson after the time of his marriage, August 24, 1887, to Flora M. Fassett. Mrs. Pierson was born in New York state July 19, 1867. She and her husband have had four children: Hazel G., Harold L., Owen C. and A. Lyle. Hazel G. was born August 13, 1888. She married Roy Gilbert, who was accidently killed in the electric light plant at Tracy, leaving one child, Cameon Maude. Later she married Lester C. Hawes, of Ripidan, this state, and they have two children, Belva and Flora. Harold L. was born August 9, 1890. After receiving his preliminary education he entered the Bible College at Boone, Iowa, and then studied at the Missionary Institute at Nyack, New York. On August 25, 1916, he left for Africa, where he will engage in missionary work in the Belgian Congo. Owen C. was born May 28, 1896. A. Lyle was born February 19, 1899. All the children were born in Spring- dale township, with the exception of A. Lyle, who was born in Johnsonville township.
H. B. West, publisher of the Morgan "Messenger," was born at High Island Lake (now called New Auburn), Sibley county, Minnesota, December 1, 1884, son of Marion B. and Frances (Gibbs) West. The father, Marion B. West, was born in Feb- ruary, 1863, in Wisconsin, to which state his parents had jour- neyed in the fifties from Hartford, Conn., where the elder Mr. West had worked in the original Rogers Bros.' silverware factory. On moving to Minnesota in the early seventies, the West family
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located on a farm a few miles south of Brownton, the town at that time being made up of a few shanties and having no railroad. In 1883 Marion B. West was united in marriage with Frances Gibbs and moved onto a farm near the parental place, which Mr. West purchased. The parents of Frances Gibbs, who were of "Yankee" origin, came to Sibley county from New York state in the early days before the railroad was built west of the Twin Cities, and they were compelled to haul the products of their farm to St. Peter, where transportation was furnished on the Mississippi river by steamboat. The daughter, Frances, was born at High Island, the subsequent birthplace of her son, the subject of this sketch, and was one of the first white children born in that section of the state. She died March 14, 1898. After farming for a few years, Marion B. West moved to Brownton, where he went into the harness business with his brother. This concern had been in business but a few years, however, when M. B. West went into partnership with his father at Brownton, under the firm name of West & Son, in the hardware, implement and coal business. This firm continued to do business under the original name until 1908, when its senior member passed away and the son took over the entire business, which he still conducts. H. B. West, who was born the year following his parents' marriage, was educated in the public schools at Brownton, from which he was a graduate in 1902. Directly after concluding his school work he began an apprenticeship as printer in the office of "The Messenger" at Morgan, Minn., with which paper he has been connected as printer, foreman, or editor practically ever since, except for short intervals, during one of which he worked for a few months on the advertising "alley" of a daily paper. In February, 1912, Mr. West purchased "The Messenger" at Morgan, which he owns and edits at the present time, enjoying liberal patronage from the business men of the town. September 29, 1910, H. B. West was united in marriage to Carrye Hartwick, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hartwick, of Morgan. Joseph Hartwick was employed in the State Bank of Morgan until his death in February, 1915. Mr. West is a member of the Presbyterian church, of which he is a trustee and for several years he has served as superintendent of the Presbyterian Sunday school. During the years 1913-14 he served as state oil inspector for the county of Redwood under Governor Eberhart. He is secretary of the Morgan Commercial Club, and at all times takes a deep interest in public affairs. He is a member also of two fraternal orders, the Equitable Fraternal Union and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being a past grand in the last mentioned lodge.
James Clements was born twelve miles from Belfast, Ireland, and came to America as a boy of fifteen years. At the time of his marriage he located in Lisbon, St. Lawrence county, New York,
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DR. FREDERICK H. ALDRICH AND FAMILY
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and there spent the remainder of his years. He died about 1883. His wife died in 1858 at the age of fifty-one years. Of their large family, eight grew to adult years: John, Henry, Isabel (wife of Daniel J. Aldrich), Eliza (wife of George Martin), Albert, Will- iam, David and James.
George Martin was born in New York state and was married in 1860 to Eliza Clements, daughter of James Clements. In 1865 they came westward to Michigan. Two years later they came to this state and located at Hastings, Dakota county. After living there some fifteen years they moved to Beaver Falls in Renville county. March 15, 1916, they retired and took up their residence in Redwood Falls. Mr. and Mrs. Martin are the parents of three children: Eva F., now Mrs. H. A. Baldwin, of Redwood Falls; Carrie, now Mrs. Fred Elfrink; and Rupert, now of White Rock, S. D.
Daniel J. Aldrich, veteran of the Civil war, and an early settler of Renville county, this state, was born in North Adams, Mass., February 6, 1830. As a young man he went to California in 1853 and engaged in mining for some two years, making the journey by way of the Isthmus of Panama. Upon his return he farmed for a while in St. Lawrence county, New York. In 1863 he enlisted in Co. B, 150th N. Y. Vol. Inf., served in many im- portant campaigns and battles and was present at the surrender of General Robert E. Lee. After his discharge in 1865 he came to Minnesota, lived a year at Hastings and then purchased a farm near Faribault. It was in 1878 that he came to Renville county and secured 160 acres in Beaver Falls township. There he lived until 1896 when he retired and moved to Morton where he died February 15, 1902. Daniel J. Aldrich was married February 17, 1852, to Isabel Clements, born in Lisbon county, St. Lawrence county, New York, July 14, 1833, daughter of James Clements, and died at Morton November 16, 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich were the parents of eight children: Loretta, now Mrs. Miles Bell, of Aberdeen, S. D .; S. H., of Minneapolis; Luther D., for- merly of Morton, killed by a horse; Aurilla, now Mrs. John Blume, of Morton; Herman J., of Victor, Mont .; Laura E., now Mrs. J. C. Donaghue, of Minneapolis; George W., of Minneapolis, and Frederick H., a physician and surgeon of Belview, Redwood county, Minnesota.
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