USA > Minnesota > Redwood County > The History of Redwood County, Minnesota, Volume II > Part 41
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first winter and worked for him the next summer at $15 per month to pay him back. That fall he worked with a threshing outfit and then went to Mitchell county, Iowa, where he worked on a farm for three years at $10 a month during the winter and at $20 a month during the summer. One winter he went to school to learn English and worked for his board. Next he returned to his native country and visited for about three months. While there he was married to Christina Rasmussen, born in Denmark, April 6, 1872. They came to Iowa and at first both worked on the farms, his wife receiving $2.00 a week and he $20.00 a month. The next year they rented a small farm, receiving one-third of the crop. The following year they came to Minnesota and rented for two years a farm from C. D. Gilfillan in Paxton township. Then they went to Evan, where they rented a farm for three years, and in 1903 bought 150 acres in section 18, Morgan town- ship, Redwood county. There were no buildings or trees on the place, but most of the land had been plowed. Mr. Knudsen built a barn 26 by 24, which has since been replaced by a larger build- ing, 46 by 52 feet. His first house was 16 by 28 feet and now has a 16 by 16 addition. He set out three acres of trees for a grove and three acres of fruit trees. He keeps a good grade of stock. For the last three years Mr. Knudsen has served on the school board and is a member of the Morgan Farmers' Elevator Company and Creamery. He is a member of the Danish Lutheran church and has served on its board of trustees. Mr. and Mrs. Knudsen have ten children : Robert, Olga, Carl, Dagny, Christopher, Harry, Helen, Lillie, Rudolph, and one unnamed child, who died in in- fancy. All are living at home.
Emil Tonak, a prosperous and successful farmer of Sundown township, comes of pioneer stock, having been born on his father's homestead in the township where he still resides, September 23, 1874, son of August and Mary (Brandt) Tonak. Reared on this place, he attended the schools of the neighborhood and remained with his parents until he was twenty-six years of age. Then he left home and rented 160 acres of land in section 17, of which by making gradual payments, he in time became the owner. Through the early days of his occupancy on this land his pluck and endur- ance were taxed to the utmost. One year his crops were totally destroyed by hail and the yield was so poor for several seasons that he was compelled to eke out his income by working with a threshing crew, with Joseph Bellig, but in time, he reaped the results of his intelligent hard work. He improved his buildings, developed his farm, and in 1912 greatly increased the value of the place by erecting a machine shop, a corn crib 28 by 32 feet, and a granary 24 by 40 feet. On this excellent place he conducts gen- eral farming and raises a good grade of stock, disposing of the cream from his herd to the Wanda Creamery, in which he is a
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stockholder. In public affairs, he has served as constable in Sundown township for three years. Mr. Tonak was married in 1901 to Ida Bellig, who was born in Steele county, this state, March 21, 1880, daughter of Peter Bellig. Mrs. Tomak has proven a loyal and encouraging helpmate in all her husband's undertak- ings. She is a member of the Mothers' Club, the Ladies' Aid Society and of other organizations. The family faith is that of the German Lutheran church.
August Tonak, one of the earliest settlers of Sundown town- ship, was born in Germany, April 5, 1844, youngest of the four children of John and Julia (Schafer) Tonak, the others in the family being Ernestina (now deceased) ; Henry, still in Germany, and Minnie, now deceased. August was reared and educated in his native land and set out for himself in 1869 by coming to the United States. After working for a while in Wisconsin, he secured work at Stillwater, this state. It was in 1871 that he obtained a homestead of wild land in section 18, Sundown town- ship, with a team of $500 horses. Owing to the hard times, how- ever, he went back to Wisconsin in the winter of 1873, and worked at chopping and hauling wood for his father-in-law, Henry Brandt, leaving a neighbor to look after his few head of cattle. A few months later he returned and again took up his work on the farm. In 1875 one of his horses died, and he traded the other for a pair of oxen. Mr. Tonak suffered all the hardships and privations of pioneer life, and did his part in the upbuilding of the county, having been one of the original organizers of the township. In June, 1872, he built a frame house, 14 by 18 feet, one of the first in the vicinity. Other buildings were erected as necessity re- quired, and his land was gradually developed until his place has become as good as any in the neighborhood. In addition to his general farming, he early turned his attention to dairying and was one of the earliest stockholders of the old Sundown creamery, later becoming one of the stockholders of the Wanda Creamery. In every way he is an estimable citizen and is regarded as one of the representative and useful members of the community. The family faith is that of the Lutheran church. In the early days they attended services at the log cabin of Ferdinand Schwartz, at Springfield, and there the children were baptized and con- firmed. A few years ago, however, they assisted in building the church at Wanda, and there they now attend services. Mr. Tonak was married in 1872 to Mary Brandt, who was born in Marine Mills, this state, May 11, 1858, daughter of Henry and Anna (Heins) Brandt, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Tonak have been blessed with twelve children: Henry, born April 29, 1873 (died September 23, 1873) ; Emil, born September 23, 1874; August, July 8, 1876; Anna, June 13, 1878; Caroline, July 20, 1880; Emma, August 9, 1882; Mary August 20, 1884; Henrietta,
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MR. AND MRS. ANDREW STEWART
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November 5, 1886; Bertha, December 25, 1888; William, April 26, 1890; Minnie, September 3, 1891; and Herman, July 28, 1895. Emil lives not far from his father. August lives at Wabasso, Anna at Lamberton, Caroline at Osceola, Wis., Emma at Sundown, Mary in Vail, and Minnie in Sundown.
Andrew Stewart, an influential citizen of Delhi, was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, May 1, 1841, son of Hugh and Ann (Mc- Lean) Stewart, with the former of whom he came first to Ontario, Canada, and then to Wabasha county, in this state. From there he enlisted in 1861 in the Fifth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, was mustered in at Ft. Snelling, served under Generals Grant and Sherman, and took part in some thirty engagements, among which may be mentioned the battles of Corinth, Richmond and Red River. After his discharge as a corporal at Demopolis, Ala., September 6, 1865, he returned to Wabasha county. He first came to Redwood county in 1870, when he drove Isaac Leslie here, and broke forty acres of land for him. In 1875 he settled here permanently, securing the south half of section 18, Delhi town- ship. He set at work with a will, erected a house, and started to break the land. His first crop of wheat was destroyed by the grasshoppers in 1876. But he kept at work with undaunted courage, and in time achieved success. His barn, 44 by 44 feet, was erected in 1877. A corn crib, 18 by 24 feet, was built in 1890. In 1895 the original six-room house was remodeled and enlarged to nine rooms. Other buildings and sheds were constructed as . necessity required. For many years Mr. Stewart carried on general farming, making a specialty of Hereford cattle, Percheron horses and Duroc Jersey swine. In 1910 he retired and moved to Delhi village, where he has a pleasant home on one of its prettiest streets. His financial holdings include stock in the Farmers' Grain & Fuel Co., of which he is one of the directors. As school director he has done good service for several years. His fraternal affiliations are with the G. A. R. Post at Redwood Falls. He and his family are faithful members of the Delhi Presbyterian church, in which he served as a member of the building committee in 1890. Mr. Stewart was married December 12, 1872, to Catherine McLean, who has the distinction of being the first white girl to be married in the township. Mrs. E. G. Pomroy is the first white woman to be married from the town- ship, but was married at Redwood Falls. Mrs. Stewart was born January 21, 1848, in Ontario, Canada, daughter of John and Sarah (Duncan) McLean, both natives of Scotland who came to Canada in 1846 and to Redwood county in 1870, where they bought 160 acres of land in section 18, Delhi township, on which they spent the remainder of their days, he dying in 1877 and she in 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart have the following children: Sarah D., born December 21, 1873, engaged in teaching school; Annie,
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born March 3, 1876, now Mrs. John McKay, of Kintire township; Mary E., born August 24, 1879, now Mrs. Andrew Smith, of Illi- nois; John L., born September 1, 1881, a farmer at Delhi; Hugh S., born October 15 1885, and died April 4, 1902; Edna A., born October 30, 1889, a high school teacher. Mrs. Stewart is one of ten children, all the others now being dead except her brother, Daniel McLean, who is secretary of the Redwood County Rural Telephone Co.
Hugh Stewart was born in Argylshire, Scotland, in 1797, and there married Ann McLean, who was born in that neighborhood in 1802 and died in 1854. He came to Ontario, Canada, in 1855, and three years later moved to Wabasha county, this state. In the fall of 1875 he came to Redwood county, and spent his de- clining years with his children. He was the father of nine chil- dren, of whom there are now living three: Andrew, of Delhi; Isabelle, now Mrs. John Cummings, also of Delhi; and John, who lives in Tacoma, Wash.
Louis P. Christensen, for several years a substantial farmer of Willow Lake township, was born in Denmark, February 2, 1849, son of Chris and Anna Marie (Nelson) Christensen, both natives of Denmark and parents of ten children, three girls and seven boys, three of whom came to the United States. Louis P. and his brother, Christian, came in 1869 and located in Racine, Wis., where he acquired a house and lot. In 1892 he traded his property there for an 80-acre tract of wild prairie land in sec- tion 18, Willow Lake township, Redwood county. On this tract, he built a frame house, 16 by 20 feet to which many additions have since been made and now is a fine substantial farm house. He also built a barn and many other necessary farm buildings, set out groves, and by his perseverance and energy became the proud owner of a well developed farm. Being interested in dairy- ing he held stock in the local creamery, and did what he could to assist in its upbuilding. His death, August 3, 1913, is still sin- cerely mourned. Mr. Christensen was married in Racine, March 28, 1874, to Nicolene Hansen, born Dec. 12, 1852, a native of Den- mark and daughter of Hans and Martha (Nelson) Hansen. Mrs. Christensen came to the United States in 1872, and located in Racine, where she was later joined by her sisters, Tillie and Sarah, another sister remaining in the old country. Mr. and Mrs. Christensen had eleven children: Jennie, Anna (deceased), Nellie (deceased), Julius (deceased), Martha (deceased), Edward, Adolph, Albert, Louis, Walter and George, all born at Racine. Jennie married James L. Johnson and they live in Minneapolis. Edward married Meta Lippert, and they live in Lamoure county, North Dakota. They have three children, Mabel, Emmett and a baby. Adolph married Elfreda Seibert, and they have one child, Norma C. Albert married Ida Lippert, and they live in
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Aberdeen, S. D. Louis married Emma Lippert, and they live in Willow Lake township. As a memento of the early days, the fam- ily still preserves the old spinning wheel on which their mother spun the yard for their caps, mittens and socks.
Willard C. Mann, a prosperous farmer of Honner township, was born in Goodhue county, Minnesota, May 27, 1862, son of Edwin A. and Mary (Everett) Mann, the former of whom was born in Massachusetts, and came to Goodhue county, this state, in 1862 and there farmed until 1905 when he moved to Redwood Falls. Willard C. Mann remained at home until twenty-three years of age, helping his father on the farm. Then he bought his present farm of 160 acres in section 19, Honner township, Red- wood county, later increasing his holdings to 600 acres. He now has a well improved place and carries on general farming, making a specialty of raising Hereford cattle, doing some dairy- ing and shipping a considerable number each year. He is also an extensive breeder of swine. Mr. Mann's public work has in- cluded service as assessor for fifteen years and on the township board for six years. He was one of the organizers of the North Redwood Co-operative Creamery and served as its first secretary for eight years. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers' Eleva- tor Company and was its first secretary. Mr. Mann was married October 30, 1888, to Laura Simpson, born September 15, 1866, and died January 8, 1907. She was the daughter of David Simp- son, a pioneer farmer of Goodhue county and his wife, Ellen (Peck) Simpson. Mr. and Mrs. Mann had five children: Everett and Harold, who farm on their father's land; Ellen, Clarence and Ralph. Mr. Mann's place is known as the Camp Pope Farm. It was from here that General Henry H. Sibley set out on his expe- dition against the hostile Sioux, June 8, 1863, as fully related else- where in this work. A suitably inscribed marker has been erected to commemorate the event.
Henry R. Nelson, a prominent and successful farmer of Gales township, was born in Winona county, Minnesota, son of Charles J. and Emily E. C. (Peterson) Nelson. Both parents were natives of Sweden and married there. The father was born June 19, 1832, and died October 3, 1906; the mother, born July 11, 1835, died October 1, 1914. Coming to America in 1857, they remained in New York state for a short time, and then they moved to Rockford, Ill., where the father engaged in work as a stone ma- son, which trade he followed until 1863, when he homesteaded land in Nocollet county. In 1873 he moved to Minneapolis, where he again followed his trade for about a year. In 1874 he, with his family, moved to Gales township, Redwood county, Minnesota, and he pre-empted a claim in section 28, where his son, Charles. now lives. The journey to the new home was made in a covered wagon drawn by oxen. Mr. Nelson improved the farm and also
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took active part in the affairs of the township. He was a Repub- lican in politics. He was one of the organizers of Gales town- ship, and a member of the township board for many years, the first meetings being held at his home until the school house was built in 1879, when they were held there. He was also for many years a member of the school board of district No. 35. He and his wife had eleven children: Jennie, widow of William A. Raw- lings, and now living in Springdale township; Henry R., of Gales township; Charles F. (deceased) ; Julia S., widow of L. W. Lar- son; Chas. G., a farmer of Gales township; Emily A. (deceased) ; Philip A., of Lyon county, Minnesota ; John L. (deceased) ; Lydia L., now Mrs. William J. Davidson of LeSueur Center, Minn., said to have been the first white girl born in Gales township; Leonard F., of Tracy, Minn .; and Laura E., now Mrs. A. C. Hawes of Rob- binsdale, Minn. At the age of twenty-one years Henry R. Nel- son engaged in farming for himself, purchasing his present farm in section 27, Gales township, from the railroad company. He began working with untiring energy and the results have justi- fied his efforts. He now owns 240 acres of well improved land, raises considerable grain and keeps a good grade of stock, includ- ing Hereford cattle and Duroc Jersey swine. With his brother, Charles G., he has operated a threshing outfit for the past 29 years. He has brought to a practical realization his idea of a straw stoker or self-feeder for a straw-burning threshing engine, received a patent for the same in 1898 and has used it successfully ever since. He built his present house in 1892 and a fine barn in 1900. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. Nelson was married in 1887 to Kate A. Joyce, who was born in 1860, near Madison, Wis., daughter of James and Sarah (Slattery) Joyce. Her father enlisted in the Seventeenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, Com- pany F., in 1861, and served under Generals Grant and Logan throughout the war. He was once wounded and was honorably discharged in 1865. He then engaged in farming in Mazomanie, Wis., and died in 1900 at the age of seventy-nine years. The mother died in 1898 at the age of seventy-two. There were the following children: P. J. Joyce, John Henry Joyce, Kate A., Sarah Ann, and Mary Jane. Mr. and Mrs. Henry R. Nelson's children are: Emily Rose, Sarah A., Robert, Jr., Joyce C., and Walter H. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Phillip A. Nelson, son of Charles J. and Emily E. C. (Peter- son) Nelson, at the age of twenty-one purchased a quarter sec- tion from the railroad company in section 28, Gales township. Later he traded this land for a quarter section in Amiret town- ship, Lyon county, where he now owns half a section of land, which is well improved. He raises a good grade of beef cattle and hogs and is very active in politics and in the promoting of
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JAMES P. GAFFNEY AND FAMILY
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county and state roads in his county. He also owns a half inter- est in a 160-acre farm in Springdale township, Redwood county. In 1895 he was married to Anna Johnson, and they have two chil- dren : William N. and Dorothy.
Leonard F. Nelson, son of Charles J. and Emily E. C. (Peter- son) Nelson, at the age of twenty-one years engaged in thresh- ing, which business he followed for two years. In 1901 he, together with his nephew, F. H. Rawlings, who also had been his partner in the threshing business, opened a general store in Vesta, Red- wood county, then a new town, where they did business for about two years. At the end of that time Mr. Nelson, with his brother, Phillip A., engaged in the wheat buying business in Milroy, Red- wood county, then a new town, where they bought grain, cattle, hogs and sheep for shipment to eastern markets. In 1908 he entered the Citizens State Bank at Tracy, Minn., where he worked as assistant cashier for seven years. He owns 160 acres of well improved land in Monroe township, Lyon county, and also has a half interest in 160 acres of well improved land in Springdale township, Redwood county. At the present time, 1916, he is engaged in business in Tracy, Minn. Mr. Nelson was married in 1913 to Isabelle Abernathy.
James Gaffney, a pioneer, was born in County Caven, Ireland, and came to America as a young man, locating in Illinois, and from there going to California by way of Cape Horn. After a year's stay in the mining district there, he returned to Illinois. Next, he moved to Waseca county, Minnesota, in 1858, and lo- cated on a farm, where the city of Waseca now stands, going from there to Rice county where he stayed about one year. Then he drove with oxen into Renville county, went up along the Sacred Heart creek and lived there during 1865-66. In the spring of 1866, Mr. Gaffney located a homestead of 160 acres of wild prairie land in section 3, Flora township, where his son, Edmund, now lives. Here he built a log building, made out of hollow logs called scoop logs. Later he built another log house which had a shingled roof. The first township election of Flora township was held in the first of these log cabins. At that time there were about four- teen voters in the township. Mr. Gaffney began to break up the land with his ox team and improve the farm. He was a mem- ber of the Catholic church. He died in 1884 at the age of eighty years. Mr. Gaffney was married in Illinois to Mary Powers, daughter of John Powers, a native of Ireland. Mrs. Gaffney died in 1870, at the age of thirty-seven.
James P. Gaffney, county commissioner, successful farmer, and well known citizen of Delhi township, was born in Waseca county, Minnesota, December 30, 1864, son of James and Mary (Powers) Gaffney, who in 1865, brought him to Flora township, Renville county, where they are numbered among the earliest of
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the pioneers. Here James P. Gaffney was reared, attended dis- trict school, grew to manhood and learned agricultural pursuits from his father. In 1892 he started out for himself by purchas- ing 160 acres of wild land in section 14, Delhi township, where he still resides. In the nearly quarter of a century that has elapsed since that time he has brought the place to a high stage of development. On the raw prairie he erected a four-room house and a small barn, planted a grove of cottonwood, ash and box elder, started an orchard of apples, plums and cherries, and set at work with a will to establish himself as a representative and substantial member of the community. Everything about the place has kept pace with the march of time. His first barn was burned in 1897 and was replaced the same year with a larger structure, 16 by 46 feet. In 1913, the present stone and cement modern barn was erected, 44 by 64 feet. In 1904 the original house was remodeled and increased to its present proportions. As necessity has required, a granary, corn crib, chicken house, sheds and the like have been erected. Mr. Gaffney carries on general farming, raises good diversified crops, and makes a spe- cialty of Shorthorn and Aberdeen-Angus cattle, Poland China swine and a good grade of horses. Mr. Gaffney began to take an interest in public affairs soon after his arrival in this county. For fourteen years he did excellent service as town supervisor. He was also a member of the school board of district 53 for six years and served for a similar period as road overseer. In these various capacities he so thoroughly won the approbation of his fellow citizens that in 1912 he was elected county commis- sioner from the 5th district, a position in which he has since served with satisfaction to his constituents and with credit to himself. Fraternally, Mr. Gaffney is a member of Redwood Falls Camp, No. 3797, Independent Order of Foresters. Mr. Gaffney was married Dec. 13, 1886, to Mary Smith, born March 23, 1868, in Flora township, Renville county, this state, daughter of John and Julia (Falkel) Smith, natives respectively of Germany and Poland, who came to this country, were married in LeSeuer county, this state, and settled in Flora township, this county, among the earliest pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Gaffney have three children : Mary Annie, Joseph F. and James A. Mary Annie was born May 7, 1888, married E. H. Lechner, of North Redwood, this county, and has two children: Lois and James E. Joseph F., born April 24, 1890, and James A., born March 23, 1894, are both farming at O'Brien, Mont.
Alvin Duncan, for several years a prominent farmer of Kin- tire township, was born in Dodge county, Wis., November 4, 1848, and was there reared. As a young man he engaged in the milling business and eventually acquired a saw and gristmill of his own. In 1885 he started farming in Spencer, Clay county, Iowa. There
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MR. AND MRS. A. J. SUNDINE
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he remained until 1898 when he drove overland by team to Red- wood county, and with Hugh C. Duncan, purchased the southeast quarter of section 36, Kintire township, each having an 80-acre tract, where he successfully farmed until 1907, when he retired and moved to Redwood Falls, where he now resides. Mr. Duncan was married June 28, 1870, to Emma J. Cowan, who was born September 26, 1853, at Boltonville, Wis., daughter of Hugh and Lydia (Oberdorf) Cowan. Hugh Cowan was born in 1823, en- listed in 1861 in Co. B, Twelfth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and died in 1862, at Racine, Wis., on the way home.
Hugh C. Duncan, a well known farmer of Kintire township, was born in Boltonville, Washington county, Wis., son of Alvin and Emma J. (Cowan) Duncan. He received a high school edu- cation, and in 1907 took charge of his father's farm, and also rented a tract in Sheridan township. In 1910 he bought his father's farm in section 35, Kintire township. To this he has added until he now operates 280 acres. He has developed the farm in many ways, and has erected suitable buildings until he now has as good a place as is to be found in the neighborhood. He carried on general farming and makes a specialty of Duroc Jersey swine. Mr. Duncan was married March 6, 1907, to Jessie M. Duncan, who was born at Boltonville, Wis., November 8, 1876, daughter of Albert and Almyra (Hall) Duncan, the former of whom was born December 18, 1843, in Dodge county, Wisconsin, and the latter of whom was born April 21, 1842, in Syracuse, N. Y. Albert Duncan was taken to Washington county, Wisconsin, by his parents, when two years of age, and as a young man operated a saw and gristmill for twenty-five years. He is now a prosperous farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan have two children : Hubert, born November 25, 1909, and Hazel Emma, born December 29, 1915.
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