The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 63

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago : H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co.
Number of Pages: 1246

USA > Minnesota > Mower County > The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated > Part 63

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).

Edwin T. Bemis, elevator manager of Austin, was born on a farm near this city, son of Oliver and Elizabeth M. (Vandegrift) Bemis, and remained on the home place until twenty-five years of age, since which he has been engaged in the grain business. He married Alice, the daughter of Leander and Patience Kirkland.

George S. Burnham, clerk of the district court for Mower county, was born in Dodge county, Wisconsin, May 29, 1854, son of Miles and Caroline (Johnson) Burnham. He received his education in his native county, and then learned telegraphy. In 1872 he went to Blooming Prairie, in this state, and was operator for the C., M. & St. P. there about four years. After a year's work for the Northwestern, he again went to Blooming Prairie, and was cashier of the bank of J. C. Brainerd & Co. for six years. In 1885 he came to Austin, and worked as bookkeeper and foreman in a

588

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

foundry and machine shop owned by the Ames Brothers. Subse- quently he became a locomotive machinist for the C., M. & St. P. and continued in that occupation until 1906, when he was elected to his present position, in which he has since served with fidelity and ability. While in Blooming Prairie he was treasurer and recorder of the village for four years, and since coming to Austin he has been alderman from the first ward two years. He is a Republican and a high degree Mason, and also affiliates with the B. P. O. E., the Maccabees and the A. O. U. W. The subject of this sketch was married October 23, 1878, to Marian L. Gleason, and this union has been blessed with two sons, Erle M. and Harry G. Erle M. was born July 7, 1879, and is now secretary for the Hughes Manufacturing Company, of Los Angeles, Cal. Harry G. was born in September, 1880, and operates a jewelry store in Hibbing, Minn. Miles Burnham, father of George S. Burnham, of Austin, was born in New York state and married Caroline Johnson, a native of England. They located in Dodge county, Wisconsin, in 1844, and there Miles engaged in conducting a saw mill. He was also first county superintendent of schools in that county. In 1880 they came to Dodge county, Minnesota, and took up dairy farming. Miles Burnham died in 1899, and his wife now lives in Blooming Prairie at the age of 80 years.

Fred Baldner, a popular farmer of Nevada township, where he owns 140 acres of good land in section 25, is a native product, born in the township where he now resides May 5, 1866, son of Philip and Maggie (Weber) Baldner. He was reared on the home farm, attended the public schools, and has devoted his life to farming. He is a Republican and attends the Lutheran church. Fred Baldner married Rena Rosel, daughter of Leonard and Marie Rosel, and they have six children: Elsie, Clara, Mina, Erma, Walter, Oscar. Elsie married George Perau, of Mitchell county, Iowa.

Philip Baldner was born in Prussia, Germany, and married Maggie Weber. They came to America in 1854, and located near Princeton, Ill. It was in 1860 that they came to Adams township, and here they lived in section 25 until 1886, when they moved to Mitchell county, Iowa, and lived there until the death of Philip, in July, 1904. Mrs. Baldner is living at the good old age of 79, and is making her home with her daughter, Mrs. William Ehlke. There were ten children in the family: Louis lives in Mitchell county, lowa; Maggie married William Ehilke and lives in the same county ; Philip likewise lives in that county ; David lives in Cresco, Iowa; Barbara, wife of Carl Young, deceased, lives in Spokane, Wash .; Lizzie is the wife of Henry Longrock, of Alberta, Canada; John lives in Mitchell county; Fred farms in Nevada

589

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

township; Mary is the wife of Henry Meier, of David, Iowa; William lives in Adams township. Another child, unnamed, died in infancy.

Thomas J. Bishop, deceased, was born in Chautauqua, N. Y., May 13, 1825. He spent his boyhood and young manhood in New York state, and married Elmira Crittenden, daughter of Philander and Maria (Williams) Crittenden, the former of whom was a native of Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop came to Minnesota in 1856, and at the outbreak of the Civil war Mr. Bishop enlisted in the famous Co. K, 4th Minn. Vol. Inf. and served three years. After the war Mr. Bishop followed his trade as carpenter and joiner, and in his later years practically retired. He passed away in 1905. The subject of this sketch was a most estimable citizen, and was highly respected by all who knew him. He and his wife were the parents of four children: Ella, wife of J. M. Williams ; Freemont ; Lillie, wife of A. A. Hickok, living near Varco Station, and Henry.

John Boen, farmer, of Marshall township, was born in Norway in 1865, son of Aaen and Slowold Boen. He received his early education in Norway, and in 1881 came to the United States, reaching South Dakota via Quebec. After two years he went to Leland, Ill., and after working as a farm hand rented land for several years. Subsequently, after a short stay in Iowa, he came to Mower county in 1903, and purchased 560 acres in section 10, Marshall township. Here he has since carried on general farming, raising grain and cattle, and taking particular pride in his Here- ford and Black Poll cattle, of which he keeps forty-two head for dairy purposes. He also keeps fifteen head of horses. He is a Republican in politics, and has served as road overseer. In 1890 Mr. Boen married Mrs. Caroline Brandenburg, a native of Ger- many, who came to America in 1864. This union has been blessed with three children : Amos, Joseph and Stella, all of whom are at home. Frederick Brandenburg, son of Mrs. Boen, also lives at home. The farm is well equipped, has a fine house with a parked drive, commodious buildings and sheds, and two windmills. Aaen Boen was born in Norway, and married Slowold Boen. He was a fisherman until 1890, when he came to America and settled in Leland, Ill. There he farmed until 1903, when he came to Mower county and lived with his son. While in Norway, Aaen Boen served in the Norwegian army.

Robert Bagley, a prominent farmer of Udolpho, has taken a keen interest in the progress of that part of the county. He has served his township as clerk for a number of years and has been constable three years. As clerk he was accurate and painstaking, and as constable he was courageous and just. He is a product of Mower county, born in Udolpho township in a log house on the

590

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

site of his present pleasant residence, September 17, 1868, son of Henry and Rachel (Green) Bagley, pioneers. He has devoted his life to farming, and raises general erops and live stock. He mar- ried Gertrude Ingvaldson, and has seven children: Maude R., Blanche A., Maurice H., Ralph H., Ruth and Ruby (twins), and Gertrude L.

Henry Bagley, a pioneer, and veteran of the Civil war, eame from New York state with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. David Bag- ley, and located in Udolpho about 1857. Ile married Rachel Green, whose mother was a Richardson, of the family of Thomas Rich- ardson, who came to Udolpho from St. Lawrence county, New York, in 1856, with the earliest settlers. Henry Bagley served in the 1st Minn. Heavy Art., and his statue, carved life size from granite, marks the spot in Udolpho cemetery where his earthly remains await the last eall. He lost his right hand in horsepower while threshing in 1875. Moved to Minneapolis 1884, engaged in mereantile business until 1890, when he moved back to the farm where he continued to live until autumn of 1902, when he moved to the Pacific coast and settled at Sedre Woolley, Wash., where he bought a fruit ranch but died suddenly of cerebral hemorrhage February 13, 1906, his wife having preceded him two years.

Merrill Bowers, treasurer of the village of LeRoy since 1906. was born in Clayton county, Indiana, October 28, 1872, son of W. H. and Ellen J. (Atwood) Bowers. He received his education in the public schools of Cresco, Iowa, and took a course at Val- der's business college at Decorah, Iowa. After starting out in life for himself, his first position was with the Cresco department store, a position he held for six years. His banking career was started in that year as teller for the Cresco Savings Bank, a position he retained for three and a half years. In 1904 he eame to LeRoy, and took up his duties as assistant cashier of the First National Bank, serving in the same capacity at the present date. Mr. Bowers is an independent voter, a member of the Presby- terian church, a member of the I. O. O. F. and the M. W. A. and an estimable citizen in every respect. He was married May 8, 1899, to Ida E. Lomas. W. H. and Ellen J. (Atwood) Bowers, parents of Merrill Bowers, lived for many years in Elkader, Iowa, the former having been born in Pennsylvania and the latter being of Scoteh-Irish descent. Mrs. Ellen Bowers died in Cresco, Iowa, March 10, 1905, and in that city W. H. is still successfully engaged in business.

William Bonnallie has taken an active part in township and church affairs. He was born October 4, 1851, in Canada, and came to Mower county with his parents in 1857, remaining home until his mother's death, after which he started out for himself and worked by the month as follows: for D. Chandler, one year ;

ARNE A. HUSEBY AND FAMILY.

ARNE A. HUSEBY'S RESIDENCE.

---

591

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

for William Goslee, one year; for E. Watkins, two years, and for his father on a farm in Freeborn county, two years, after which he purchased 160 aeres in London township, Freeborn county, and engaged in farming for himself for a period of three years. Then he gave up the farm and again worked for William Goslee for a period of two years, after which he came to Mower county and rented a farm for seven years in section 19, Lyle township. This tract of eighty acres he afterward purchased, and since that time has made many developments, and at the present time is erecting a new barn. He has also added twenty acres to his farm. He is a progressive Republican. In religious belief he is a Presbyterian. being ordained as elder of the Woodbury Presbyterian church, of London, Freeborn county, by Dr. R. B. Abbott, of Albert Lea. He has served ten years as superintendent of the Sunday school, and three years as treasurer of the town of London in Freeborn county ; and has been clerk of his school district, No. 70, for the past twenty years. The subject of this sketeh was married August 30, 1881, to Anna Smith, daughter of Edgar Smith, her parents coming from Wisconsin to Mower county in 1867. Seven children have blessed their union: William Arthur, Olive B., Corena M. (now Mrs. William Barclay), Pearl A., Charlotte A., Margaret A. and George E. Thomas and Charlotte (Phelps) Bonnallie were natives respectively of Scotland and Canada. They came to the United States and located in Burlington, Wis., engaging in general farming until coming to Mower county in 1857, when he pur- chased land in Austin township, and followed farming until his wife's death in 1865. At this time he disposed of his farm. In 1867 he married Mrs. Peter Robertson, and settled on her farm in London township, Freeborn county, where he remained until his death.

Arne A. Huseby, chairman of the town board of Marshall, has served in his present capacity nine years, has been district school committeeman eight years, and has worked in other positions of public and private trust and honor, being held in high esteem by the men of 'his wide acquaintance. He has accumulated all his property and land by his own determination, and rugged char- acter, having received no help, sinee early boyhood, from his parents or relatives. Mr. Huseby's success and present high standing in the community are a worthy monument both to the opportunities for determined men in this fortunate country, as well as to the character and accomplishments of Mr. Huseby himself. Arne A. Huseby was born in Norway, December 13, 1857, son of Anton Huseby and Christie Boyum, his wife, both now deceased. Each member of the family has achieved an enviable reputation, Olaf, a son of Anton and brother of Arne, being a historian living at Fosston, Minn. Sister Randi is mar-

592

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

ried to Mr. Sampson Urheim, who is a quartermaster sergeant in the army of Norway, and resides in Bergen, Norway, while Bertha, a sister, is Mrs. Ole Haralson, a prominent church worker in Princeton, Minn. A half brother, James, son of Anton by his second marriage, is a farmer living near Ambrose, N. D. Arne A. Huseby was educated in Norway, and came to America April 27, 1874, engaging in farming and railroad work until 1889, when he purchased land upon which he has since resided in Marshall township. He has greatly improved the land, added several pieces to the original tract, and now has 208 acres in section 24. In 1875 he married Synneve Huke, and to this union have been born nine children, of whom six are living, as follows: Christine, born October 16, 1876, is now Mrs. John Anderson, of Clayton township; Minnie, born May 2, 1878, is the wife of John Sorflaten, of Clayton township; Sophia, born April 9, 1884, is the wife of A. S. Slindee, of Marshall township; Annie, born Decem- ber 15, 1885; Bennie, born December 21, 1887, a graduate of the Minnesota Agricultural School, and Louis, born September 16, 1889, are at home. Mr. Huseby gives his attention largely to dairying, and has a fine herd of fifteen grade Shorthorns, twenty- five grade Holsteins, and several pure bred Holsteins, the milk from which is sold to the Cooperative creamery at Adams, of which Mr. Huseby is president. He raises oats and grains in sufficient quantities to more than take care of his home needs, and breeds hogs and poultry in quantities to supply domestic needs and to take advantage of occasional good markets.

John L. Hukee, a prominent farmer of Adams township, was born in Norway, February 3, 1856, son of Lasse and Mary Jenson Ilukee, who were born in Norway, and in 1874 took up their residence in Adams township, this county. John L. was educated in the public schools of Norway, and came to America in 1874, landing in New York, and making his way directly to Adams township. He worked on farms and on the railroad for three years, and then purchased eighty acres in Marshall township. Later he purchased property in section 4, Adams township. He first erected a log cabin and lived in this until 1880, when he built his present comfortable dwelling. He has also erected suit- able outbuildings, has planted trees, cultivated the ground and conducted other improvements. He now owns 230 acres of land all in section 4, and on this he conducts general farming opera- tions and stock breeding. He has a fine herd of Holsteins, which he keeps for dairy purposes, and the cream from this herd is sold to the Adams Cooperative creamery. Mr. Hukee is a Republican in politics, and has served as school director six years. He was married in November, 1893, to Bertha Johnson, a native of Norway. Seven children have been born, of whom

W. D. HARDEN

593

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

six are living. All are at home and the four oldest attend school. They are Leonard, Bernard, Gertrude, Josephine, Jerfine and Mabel.

Charles S. Harden, postmaster at Le Roy, as was his father before him, was born in Volney, Allamakee county, Iowa, Novem- ber 5, 1857, son of Warren DeWitt Harden. He received his education in Volney, and also in Le Roy, to which place he was brought by his father in 1868. After leaving school, he clerked in a general store for some years, and then for five years con- ducted a grocery store. After selling this store, he went to the Dakotas for three months, and then from 1895 to 1900 was man- ager for the Palmer Bros.' lumber yard at Ostrander, Minn. Then he returned to Le Roy and clerked in the postoffice until 1904, when he was appointed postmaster, in which position he has since continued. Mr. Harden was married December 23, 1877, to Ethleen Bidwell, of Indiana, and to this union two children have been born, Maude F., who assists her father in the postoffice, and Decorah M., who is teaching at MeGregor, Iowa.

George W. W. Harden, manager of the LeRoy Fibre Com- pany, was born in Volney, Iowa, May 3, 1862, son of Warren De Witt Harden. He came to LeRoy in 1868, attended school here, and then entered the State University of Minnesota, gradu- ating from the law department in 1891. He was admitted to the bar at the same time and at once returned to LeRoy, where he has since resided. In 1893 he became much inerested in the cream industry, and since that date has been sole owner and proprietor of the LeRoy Creamery Company. In 1905 he established the LeRoy Fibre Company, but sold out in 1908, being still retained, however, as general manager. In 1901 and again in 1905 he was elected to the legislature, and for three years he has served as a member of the village council. He is a staunch Republican in politics, and attends the Presbyterian church. The subject of this sketch was married March 31, 1908, to Laura B. Stokes, of Chicago, an estimable lady of many accomplishments.

Warren DeWitt Harden, now deceased, was for over forty years a well-known citizen of the vicinity of LeRoy, his death taking place November 23, 1910, at the age of eighty years. IIe was born in Granville, Washington county, New York, October 27, 1830, and lived at that place until about five years of age, when his parents moved to a point in Lake county, Illinois, about thirty miles north of Chicago. At the age of seventeen, the subject of this sketch enlisted in the Mexican war, serving with credit until its close. Then he returned to the home farm and attained no little distinction as a horseman. In connection with his farm life he also spent several winters in the pine forests of

594

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

Michigan. He was married October 4, 1852, to Susannah Bryant, and together they went to Volney, Iowa, where Warren DeW. opened a daguerreotype establishment in 1856. Here his two oldest sons were born. He was the first postmaster at Volney, and there he also learned the mason and stone cutting trade. During the Civil war he served in the Twenty-seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and received his discharge as first sergeant in August, 1865. At the elose of the war he returned home and resumed his trade, also farming two years in Ludlow township, near Waukon, Iowa. Having injured his back, he again turned his attention to photography, coming to LeRoy in the fall of that year and conducting a gallery here for many years. He was appointed postmaster of LeRoy in 1898 and held that position until failing health caused him to resign in 1904. He was a member of the Masonie order, joining Eureka Lodge, No. 75, A. F. & A. M., in the year 1869, and some years later joining the chapter lodge of the same order. He was also an active member of the James George Post, G. A. R. Mr. Harden was survived by his wife and four sons, Charles S., born in 1857; George W. W., born in 1862; Horace G., born in 1867, and Bertie A., born in 1871.

Joseph D. Carll, now deceased, a respected farmer of Mower county, was born near Lyons, Wayne county, New York, Sep- tember 15, 1856. In the fall of 1871 his parents brought him west to Mower county, and settled on a farm in Udolpho town- ship. He brought his young bride, Mary Bartlett, to his home in 1878, and here they remained for seven years. Later Mr. Carll purchased the farm in section 27, Udolpho township, still owned and operated by Mrs. Carll. They lived on this farm eighteen years, until on account of Mr. Carll's failing health, they moved to Lansing village, where he died in 1906. Mr. Carll was school clerk in Udolpho eighteen years, and assessor for thirteen years, the welfare and prosperity of the town being ever near and dear to his heart. Mr. and Mrs. Carl were blessed with six children, of whom five are living: Jennie M., Bessie E., Grover (deceased), Minnie and Edith. Jennie M. married C. W. Stimson and lives in Winnebago, Minn. Bessie E. married Jacob Hahn, and lives in Udolpho. Ada is now Mrs. William Bell. Minnie and Edith live at home. Mrs. Carll is the daughter of John and Martha (MeIntyre) Bartlett, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Plattsburg, N. Y. They came west to Wisconsin, Iowa county, remained there a short time, and then moved to Richland county, to the village of Lonerock, where Mrs. Joseph D. Carll was born. Two of the sons, brothers of Mrs. Joseph D. Carll, are George W., of Bison, S. D., and Frank L., now a resident of the state of Washington.

J. D. CARLL AND FAMILY.

595

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

Christian E. Hovda, the capable and obliging postmaster of Grand Meadow, has taken an active part in the progress of his community. During his term of service as postmaster, the Grand Meadow office has been raised from the fourth to the third class, three rural routes have been established and the efficiency of the service has been greatly increased. In addition to this he has taken a leading part in the organization and development of the Farmers' Cooperative Creamery Company, of Grand Meadow, of which he is one of the stockholders. While in Frankford township he gave good service several years as township assessor. Mr. Hovda was born in Frankford township, this eounty, January 31, 1864, son of Ingebret O. Hovda and Anna T. Braaten, his wife, natives of Norway. He received his edueation in the district schools of his native township, and attended the high school at Spring Valley, Fillmore county, after which he rented 160 acres in Frankford township, and at the same time purchased eighty acres, thus making a farm of 240 aeres, which he managed for a period of ten years. In 1897 he gave up farming and came to Grand Meadow to accept his present position. He is a Repub- liean in politics, and a member of the M. W. A., being also a stockholder in the company formed to ereet the M. W. A. hall. The subject of this sketeh was married Mareh 19, 1890, to Betsy Kval, who was born in Norway and came to America in 1880 with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Kval, the former of whom is dead, and the latetr of whom is still living in Grand Meadow. Mr. and Mrs. Hovda have been blessed with one daughter, Evelyn, born July 9, 1894. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Ingebret Hovda and Anna T. Braaten, his wife, were born in Norway and came to America before the Civil war. Ingebret Hovda came with his father, Ole Hovda, in 1852, and after living in Wiseonsin two years, came to Mower county in 1854 and located in Frankford township with the early settlers. Anna T. Braaten came to America with two sisters in 1861, and located in Raeine township, where she lived until her marriage to Inge- bret Hovda in May, 1863. They established their home on eighty aeres which Ingebret had purchased in Frankford township, and were thus enjoying their honeymoon when the repeated ealls came for soldiers to defend the union. Mr. Hovda therefore enlisted in Company K, First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, when he came back to Frank- ford and resumed farming. He added to his original purchase until he owned 180 acres, and on this he conducted general farming until 1900, when he retired and moved to Grand Meadow village, where he lived until his death, August 18, 1905. Mrs. Hovda now makes her home with her son at the old home. In

596

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

the family were ten children, three of whom died in infancy. The others are Christian E., Anton (deceased), Oliver, John, Emma, Anna and Edward.

Torkal Olson Aldal, who farms a fine place of 180 acres in Udolpho, was born in Voss, Norway, June 4, 1844, and was twenty-one years of age when he came to America, locating in Dane county, and remaining two years. Then he took up his residence on his present place in Udolpho township. He has greatly improved the farm, erected a comfortable house and commodious barns, and has purchased some modern machinery which greatly facilitates his agricultural operations. Mr. Olson Aldal is a hard working man, and a thorough believer in educa- tion, having served twenty years on the school board. He was married November 15, 1872, to Julia Kanutson, of Wisconsin, and to this union have been born nine children, of whom four, John, Bennie, Susie and Maribo, are living. Susie, the oldest daughter, is the wife of H. H. Scagan, of Austin.

L. O. Aldal, one of the progressive citizens of Lansing town- ship, was born in Norway in 1856, received his primary education and also a normal course, prepared for teacher in that place, and in 1878, at the age of twenty-two, came to America, since which time he has spent practically all of his life in Lansing and vicinity working on the farm and teaching schools. Eighteen years ago he bought the Snow farm, which at that time was in a most primitive condition, having a log house and a few outbuildings. This place he at once set about improving and today he has a fine place of 280 acres, the acreage being well tilled and pro- ductive, and the buildings being modern in every respect. A large house, well furnished, was erected in 1898, and a large and commodious barn was built in 1909. He has a fine household of intelligent young people, and the family is highly esteemed in the community. Believing that the development of the com- munity goes hand in hand with the growth of school and church, he has taken a deep interest in educational affairs, and has been secretary of the Red Oak Grove Evangelical Lutheran church for many years. Mr. Aldal married Caroline Hillson and this union has been blessed with twelve children: Johanna R., George O., Clara M., Selmer L., Ida B., Hilda M., Judith R., Olga M., Clar- enee R., Joseph T., Alga M., and Martha C.

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.

The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 63

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Chicago : H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co. Number of Pages: 1246

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago : H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co.
Number of Pages: 1246