The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 70

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 70

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Mr. and Mrs. Klemestad had seven children, of whom five are living. Anna, the oldest, was married to Gullick Tollefson in 1897. They reside on a farm in Freeborn county, near Corning. Seven children have been born to them. The oldest girl, Hilda T., died on February 14, 1908, of measles. The other children are: George A., Alice O., Oliver L., Earnest N., Hilda T., and Anna G. Andrew, the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Klemestad, is at present working his mother's farm. He has been in the Dakotas a good deal of the time. Lena J. is a schoolma'am, teaching both Eng- lish and Norwegian. She is also greatly interested in poultry. Hilmar O. is a "home boy," having worked his mother's farm for several years. Last year he went to Austin and worked at the baker's trade, employed by the Home Bakery. Olga N., the

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HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

baby in age but not in appearance, is especially interested in farming and horses. She is an excellent horseback rider. Nor- dahl (deceased) was a bright, honest and well-liked boy. He worked in the neighborhood of his home the greater part of the time. In April, 1907, he went to Minneapolis to work, going into partnership with his cousin, Monrad Lund, of that place. They · worked at the well drilling business. Everything went well until they eommeneed working in an elevator shaft in Oneida bloek on First avenne. While working there they had to work Sundays and nights, while the elevator was not in use. On Sunday after- moon, September 9, 1907, while working in the shaft, the drill struck a stone, and young Lund went down to see what was the matter. Nordahl called down to him, and receiving no reply, he also went down to see what he could do. As soon as the boys were missed everything that human power could do was done to save them, but by the time that their bodies were taken out of the well they were entirely overcome by foul gas. This was indeed a sad bereavement to both families. Nordahl and Monard were first consins, Mrs. Klemestad and Mrs. Lund being sisters. Nor- dahl was born July 17, 1881. His sad departure is mourned by all who knew him.

A. G. Kellogg, for many years a Dexter township farmer, now the owner of a storage and warehouse business at Austin, was born in Vermillion county, Indiana, September 19, 1847, son of Orrison and Theodoshea (Cooper) Kellogg, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Indiana. In 1852 the family removed from Indiana to Dodge county, Wisconsin, and there Orrison followed farming until his death in 1866, his wife surviving him many years and dying in Denver, Colo., in 1886. A. G. received his education in the publie schools of Columbus, Wis., and farmed in Wisconsin until 1872. After four years spent in Chicago he came to Mower county in 1876, and located on eighty acres in Dexter county, where he farmed until 1896, when he rented his farm and moved to Austin, purchasing twenty acres of land on South Kenwood avenue. Ten of these acres he sold. On the remaining ten he built a comfortable home and there resided until April, 1909, when he moved to his present home at 314 East Water street. In 1909 he opened a warehouse business in the block owned by him at 405 East Bridge street. Mr. Kellogg is a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted in the Union army in November, 1864, serving in Company A, Seventh Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and receiving his discharge at Madison, Wis., July 5, 1865. He was in the battles of Richmond and Five Forks, and in a number of skirmishes, being wounded in the left breast and arm, thus necessitating his confinement in the Camp Bell hospital at Washington and the National hospital at Madison,

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Wis. The subject of this sketch was married in September, 1871, to Martha E. Nashold, of Columbus, Wis., who died April 30, 1910. They were blessed with two children: Josie Bell, who is now Mrs. Martin Lee, of Austin, and a second ehild, who died in infancy. Mr. Kellogg has three brothers and one sister living : Dr. A. C. Kellogg, of Portage, Wis .; O. P., of Chicago, Ill .; S. G., of Denver, Colo., and Mrs. Hersa J. White, of Denver, Colo.

John J. Kornberg, now retired, for many years a substantial blacksmith of Mower county, was born in Denmark, September 24, 1842, son of John and Mary (Kornberg), also natives of Den- mark. The subject of this sketeh spent his boyhood and early manhood in Denmark and was engaged at his trade as a black- smith nine years before coming to Ameriea in 1867. Upon his arrival in this country he went to Chicago and stayed there two montlis, later making brief visits to Bloomington, Ill., and St. Louis, Mo. At Washington, Mo., he worked eight months, reach- ing Austin in April, 1868. Here he was first employed by John- son & Hunt, and then by Johnson & Smith, being in the latter's employ ten years. Then for three years he was in partnership with Thomas Dugan, and subsequently he conducted a shop for Abram Dickinson, on Bridge street, seventeen years. His last venture was on Mill street, where he maintained a shop of his own for twelve years. In 1910 he disposed of this shop and retired. Mr. Kornberg is a member of the Modern Woodmen of Ameriea, and of the Danish Brotherhood." He married Inge Marie, deceased, and the outeome of this union was six children, two of whom are living: James, who resides in Austin, and Emma, who keeps house for her father. Frederick, Annie, Freddie and Edward are dead.

Ai N. Kinsman, the able and successful horticulturist and floriculturist of Austin, has achieved his progress in life by his thrift and energy, and now has one of the finest greenhouse plants in the west, his covers of glass amounting to more than 50,000 feet. Thus equipped he is engaged in raising many varie- ties of flowers, making a specialty of roses, of which he has good reason to be proud. Mr. Kinsman was born in Auburn township, Fond du Lae county, Wisconsin, November 19, 1854, son of C. C. and Laura (Lyon) Kinsman. Ile was brought to Austin by his parents in 1873, and after arriving here worked three years as elork in his father's law office. Then he learned the carpenter trade in Cumberland, Barron county, Wisconsin. After his father's death he again took charge of the law office a year, and then returned to Austin, where he worked at his trade for a time before engaging in his present business. Mr. Kinsman married Mattie Foster, of Lucas, Wis., and has three children: Calvin D., Linnie and Bessie.

C. C. Kinsman, one of the early lawyers of Austin, was born

A. N. KINSMAN

A. N. KINSMAN'S GREENHOUSES.

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HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

in Vermont, and there married Laura Lyon. They lived for a time in Wisconsin, and from 1873 to 1880 were located in Austin. Then they moved to Cumberland, Barron county, Wisconsin, and lived there until 1885, going from there to Ashland, Wis., remain- ing one year. In October, 1886, C. C. Kinsman died. They had five children: Ai N., Ida, Herbert, Jessie and Mamie.

Joseph Keenan, a well-known real estate dealer of Austin, was born in Mount Pleasant, Pa., March 11, 1848, son of James and Elizabeth (Farnell) Keenan. The subject of this sketeh grew to manhood in Mount Pleasant, and came west with his parents in 1867, settling with them on a farm in Oakland, Freeborn county, this state, where the father lived until his death. Joseph and his brother James engaged in the carriage business in Austin, manufacturing wagons, carriages, ete., for six years, after which they abandoned the manufacturing end of the business and began shipping in the vehicles which they sold, this being cheaper than manufacturing them. The business continued until 1906, since which date Joseph Keenan has been engaged in the land and real estate business. He is a member of the B. P. O. E., the M. W. A., the A. O. U. W., the Maccabees, the K. of C., and the Austin Commercial Club. He is at present, and for eleven years past, a member of the board of education, and was for four years a county commissioner. He was married for the first time, to Addie A. Revord, and to this union were born four children: Regina, Angela, Claud C. and Genevieve. Regina is now Mrs. Frank J. Bendsberger, and Angela is now Mrs. William Hauf. Genevieve is now Mrs. Edward L. Simmons. Mrs. Addie Revord Keenan died July 15, 1894, and Mr. Keenan married for his sec- ond wife Lizzie L. Downey, of Portage, Wis., daughter of Miles Downey. To this union have been born two children: Raymond M. and Addie.

Francis W. Kimball, eivil engineer and railroad contractor of Austin, has taken an active interest in the development of the farms of Mower county, and has prominently served in many movements directed toward this end. IIe was born in Reading, Mass., February 11, 1844, was taken by his parents to Middleton, Mass., where he attended school and grew to manhood, afterward becoming a civil engineer. In this capacity he did construction work on the old Boston & Ilartford railroad, which, after becom- ing the Central New England, is now controlled by the N. Y., N. Il. & H. In 1866 Mr. Kimball came westward to see the coun- try, and having faith in this part of the United States, he pre- pared to locate here permanently. From 1868 to 1873 he was engaged in railroad engineering work in Iowa; Minnesota, and South Dakota, at the same time operating his farm in Waltham. Ile went to Milwaukee, Wis., in 1883, and again engaged in rail-

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HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

roading. IIe dates his permanent residence in Austin from 1889, his occupation still being railroad constructing. He is also presi- dent of the Austin Dairy Company. Mr. Kimball was married first to Annie Bodwell, of Salem, N. H., who died in 1890, leaving four children : Grace, Dollie, Parker and Paul. The present Mrs. Kimball was Etta Bodwell, of Haverhill, Mass., daughter of Stephen and Sophia Bodwell, well-known residents of that place.

Mathias Krebsbach, one of the honored pioneers, was born on April 21, 1835, spent his early manhood on the farm in Ger- many, and in 1855 came to America, landing at New York in July of that year, after a voyage of forty-two days. At once upon landing he set out for the west, with only $8 in his pocket, his first stop being in MeHenry county, Illinois, where he remained two months, after which he went to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, where he found employment on a farm, remaining three months. He came to Mower county in 1857 and commenced work on his new dwelling May 4, completing it shortly afterward. He raised his first erop of wheat in the season of 1860. This wheat was hauled to McGregor and sold for barely enough to pay expenses. Mr. Krebsbach conducted the general store in the village for sev- eral years, and when his sons, John and Michael, were of age, turned the business over to them. He was first president of the village of Adams, was on the village council in 1900 and was also the first pathmaster in the vicinity. He was one of the first trustees of the Catholic church at Adams. Mathias Krebsbach was married in September, 1858, to Susan Bondis, a native of Germany, who came to America in 1856. They are the parents of Michael, born January 6, 1860; John, born January 29, 1861; Gertrude, born August 27, 1863; Anna, February 20, 1865 ; Joseph, April 20, 1869, and Mary, born September 2, 1876. Susan Krebs- bach died January 20, 1911.

Michael Krebsbach, business man of Adams, was born Janu- ary 6, 1860, son of Mathias and Susan (Bondis) Krebsbach. Hc spent his early manhood in his father's store, was associated with his brother in the dry goods business, after the father turned the store over to them, and also had a share in managing the concern which is now the Farmers' Co-operative Creamery. Ile now con- ducts a prosperous and lucrative business in the village and is vice president of the First National bank, of Adams. He mar- ried Annie, daughter of N. M. and Elizabeth (Blake) Smith, and this union has been blessed with five children: Isabelle, Julleta, Leona, William and Roy. Mrs. Krebsbach died May 6, 1910.

John H. Krebsbach, grain elevator man of Adams village, was born in Adams township, February 28, 1861, son of Mathias and Susan (Bondis) Krebsbach. He lived on the farm until he was ten years of age, when he came into the village and attended

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

school. At the age of thirteen he worked in the warehouse of Gilchrist & Co., and at the age of twenty, with his brother Michael, received charge of his father's store. In 1881 John II. started a creamery as a side issue. This he eondueted with suc- cess for sixteen years, after which it was turned over to the farmers of the township, who still conduet it on the co-operative plan. John still has an interest in the general store which his brother eonduets, and the brother also has an interest in the elevator which John conduets, but of late years the subject of this sketeh has taken entire eharge of the elevator business, which he started in 1885. He married Aliee, daughter of Nieholas N. and Elizabeth Blake, and this union has resulted in seven ehil- dren : William T., Arthur J., Paul M., Edward E., Frederick J., Raymond and Alvina.

Albert Knight, now deceased, was for many years an esteemed and respected citizen of Howard county, Iowa. He was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, December 3, 1858, son of Joseph Knight, a native of England, who came to America and settled in Dane county. Albert attended the distriet schools, and grew to man- hood on the farm, remaining there until 1889, when he removed to Howard county, Iowa, and successfully farmed until 1901, when failing health caused his retirement to LeRoy village, where he died, October 9, 1901. Mr. Knight served as a member of the school and township board in Howard eounty, and was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He was a firm believer and an active worker in the Presbyterian church at LeRoy. The sub- jeet of this sketeh was married February 27, 1883, to Hattie E. Billington, daughter of Lorenzo D. and Hannah (Mabbott) Bil- lington. Mrs. Hattie E. Knight died December 18, 1897, after bearing to Mr. Knight six children: Albert Leonard was born November 23, 1883; Alice L. was born January 19, 1885, and died March 7, 1902; Jennie M. was born January 19, 1887, and died June 14, 1889; Lura E. was born October 20, 1890; Edith I. was born July 3, 1894, and Robert H. was born December 18, 1897. February 22, 1900, Mr. Knight married Lizzie M. Billington, a sister of his first wife. Mrs. Knight is an active worker in church and social circles. She is a member of the Women's Relief Corps at LeRoy, and color-bearer for James George Post, 56, G. A. R. She is vice president of the W. C. T. U., has been president of the Ladies' Guild of the Presbyterian church, is a Sunday school teacher in the same church, and is a member of the LeRoy Library association.

Lorenzo D. Billington was born in Ohio, June 19. 1828, and married Hannah Mabbott, born in England, July 2, 1837, and a long time resident of Arena, Wis., to which place she was taken as a child of eight years by her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Billington

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were the parents of eight children: Jane was born May 27, 1858, and lives in Nebraska; Eugene was born September 13, 1860, and died December 25, 1906; Granville was born January 8, 1861, and died in infancy ; Hattie was born February 22, 1862, and died December 18, 1897; Mary E. was born December 10, 1865, and is now the wife of Charles Dickinson, of Chippewa Falls, Wis .; Lizzie M. was born July 6, 1868, and lives in LeRoy ; Clara E. was born November 27, 1871, and died May 13, 1900; Elmer was born October 3, 1875, was married August 30, 1902, to Mabel Porter, and lives in Arena, Wis.

Theadore H. Kramer, assistant cashier of the First State Bank, of Dexter, was born in Cresco, Howard county, Iowa, May 7, 1889, son of Jacob and Bertha (Kedolph) Kramer. He was brought by his parents to Dexter in 1898, and attended the Dexter high school. In June, 1907, he graduated from the Southern Minnesota Normal College, at Austin, and thereafter for a short period helped his father on the farm. Then he accepted his pres- ent position. Mr. Kramer lives at home with his parents. Being of a sociable nature, he has allied himself with the M. W. A. He is just at the threshold of a successful career and his friends pre- dict for him a brilliant future.

Jacob Kramer was born in Howard county, son of one of the early families of that vicinity. His parents came from Havre, together, in 1851, and his mother is now living at Grange, Minn. Jacob married Bertha Kedolph, who was born near Berlin, Ger- many, and was brought to America by her parents in 1868, living for some years thereafter in Eldora, Iowa. Jacob Kramer fol- lowed farming in Howard county, Iowa, until about twelve years ago, when he came to Dexter. There are seven children in the family, Theadore H., assistant cashier of the Dexter First State Bank, being the oldest.

John P. Krebsbach, a prominent real estate dealer of Adams village, was born in Johnsburg, Wis., October 5, 1869, son of Nicholas Krebsbach, a native of Germany, who came to America in 1855 and located in Wisconsin. John P. was educated in Wis- consin, and there grew to manhood. In 1895 he came to the village of Adams, first engaged in the furniture business four years, and has sinee conducted a real estate office, handling Dakota and Minnesota land, but dealing largely with Dakota people. He is a Republican in polities, has been recorder of the village of Adams, and belongs to the Foresters and the Knights of Columbus. The subject of this sketch was married, in 1898, to Annie Krebsbach, daughter of Mathias Krebsbach, a pioneer. This union has been blessed with four children: Francis A. N., Regina, G. Alphonso, and Herbert, who died in infancy. The

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former three are attending school. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic church.

W. P. Lambert, restaurant keeper at Austin, was born in Paw- Paw, Ill., in 1880, son of Oscar D. and Clara (Hampton) Lam- bert. Oscar D. Lambert originally came from Hamlin, N. Y., and in 1878 came west and located in Illinois. In 1886 he came to Minnesota and purchased a farm at Red Rock, where the sub- ject of this sketch, William, assisted his father in farming. William grew up on this farm, attended the district school in the winter, and later for three seasons took courses in the Southern Minnesota Normal school at Austin. In this way he gained a good business education. In the meantime he had learned cook- ing as a boy at home and followed this at various times, working his way through school by waiting on table. During the Pan- American Exposition at Buffalo he worked as a waiter at Niagara Falls. He also worked as clerk at Hirsch's clothing store during the fall and winter of several years, going out each year to act as waiter or cook. Following this manner of employment for some time, he saved enough of his earnings to start in business for himself in 1904, in which year he purchased the restaurant near the C., M. & St. P. station, and since which date the place has increased in popularity and patronage. Mr. Lambert is a mem- ber of the Blue Lodge and of the Commandery in the Masonic order, and he also belongs to the Eagles. He was married Sep- tember 12, 1906, to Bertha Ames, daughter of Henry and Barbara (Sachse) Ames, and to this union has been born one daughter, Ruth.

Henry Lang, an old and respected citizen of Austin, was born in Scotland, June 10. 1842. Shortly after his birth, in 1844, he came to this country with his parents, who first located in New York city, thence removing to Taunton, Mass., and from there to Roxbury, Mass., finally settling in Wisconsin, where he received his education. After leaving school he at once engaged in farm- ing, coming to Minnesota in 1862 and settling on a 240-acre tract in London township, Freeborn county, breaking and developing the land, and building a house and barns. On this farm he followed general diversified farming until 1902, achieving unusual success through hard work and common sense farming methods. He then disposed of this property, and moving to Austin, he pur- chased a piece of land with a small house, situated on the corner of Oakland street and Kenwood avenue, and soon afterward removed the old house, erecting a fine modern residence on the same site where he now makes his home. In politics he casts his ballot for the welfare of the community, regardless of party lines. Mr. Lang served fifteen years as clerk of London township, and

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was also clerk of his school district for many years. The Masonic order numbers him among its loyal members. May 9, 1866, he was married to Jane Meadoweroft, who died July 30, 1902. Eight children were born to them, six of whom are living: Mary, living at home with her father; Kate, who died March 16, 1903; Edith, living in South Dakota, wife of R. B. McPherson; Margaret, liv- ing in North Dakota, wife of D. T. Watkins; George, of Spokane, Wash .; Maude, who died January 18, 1910; Benjamin, living in Canada; and Mattie, living at home, clerk for French & Sasse, attorneys. The family attend worship at the Presbyterian church.

Clifford C. Leck, M. D., a prominent member of the medical profession at Austin, was born October 28, 1873, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. His early education was received in the public schools of his native city, subsequently attending the public schools of Min- neapolis, after his removal there with his parents at the age of twelve, and graduating from one of the city's high schools in 1894. After graduation he taught in the grade schools of LeRoy, Minn., for one year, prior to taking a short course in a business college. In 1897 he entered the medical department of the Uni- versity of Minnesota, receiving his degree as doctor of medicine three years later. His first experience in his profession was received during a year as interne in the St. Paul city and county hospital, leaving to engage upon the practice of his profession at Austin in 1901. Dr. Leck has the well-merited confidence and patronage of a large clientage throughout the city and county. He is an active member of the County, State and American Med- ical Associations, serving one year as president and two as secre- tary of the Mower County Medical Society, and one year as county physician. He is now the examiner for Mower county for the State Sanitarium for Consumptives, at Walker, Minn., and local examiner for the Central Life Assurance Society, of Des Moines, and the Mutual Benefit of New Jersey. In politics he gives his allegiance to the Republican party. The Order of Maccabees and the Phi-Alpha-Gamma fraternity count him a loyal member, and he is also identified with the local commercial club. January 1, 1903, he was married to Flora E. Horn, of LeRoy, Minn. They have three children: Ruth M., Paul C., and Robert E. The family worship at the Congregational church. Henry and Èllen (McLeod) Leck, parents of our subject, are natives of Halifax, the father being a builder by trade.

Henry W. Lightley, an extensive farmer of Austin township, is one of Mower county's distinguished citizens. He has repre- sented the county in the lower house of the state legislature three terms, being elected in 1884, 1889 and 1903. He was appointed chairman of the delegates to the state Republican convention in 1893; was appointed by Governor Van Sant as a delegate to the

H. W. LIGHTLEY.

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Farmers' Congress held at Niagara Falls, in 1903; was appointed as a delegate to a later annnal session of the same congress held in Lincoln, Neb., October 6, 1910; was elected delegate to the Stock Breeders' convention held at Denver, Colo., in 1904; has served as school treasurer for eighteen years and is now serving as director ; and has served as chairman of Austin township for over twenty years. He is a staunch Republican in politics, and affiliates with the Masonie order and the G. A. R. The subject of this sketch was born in Buffalo, Erie county, N. Y., September 28, 1838, son of John and Louise (Maltby) Lightley. He received a part of his education in New York state, and moved with his parents to Wisconsin, in 1855. There he completed his studies. In 1860 he came to Minnesota with his brother, John, and improved the quarter section in Oakland township, Freeborn county, that his brother had preempted in 1858. Here Henry W. remained for the summer, and in the fall went to the Black river country, where he worked in the pines for $10 a month. In 1862 he enlisted in the Union army and served until the elose of the war as a private and sergeant in Company H, Twenty-ninth Wis- consin Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded at the Battle of Sabine Cross Roads, La., and as a result carried his right arm in a sling for some time, but never left the command. He partieipated in all the glorious campaigns in which his regiment covered itself with glory, and was discharged in Louisiana, being mustered out at Madison, Wis., at the close of the eonfliet. Then he returned to Minnesota and purchased 160 acres from a speculator for $5 an aere. On this farm he continued to make his home, working, however, in the pines thirteen winters and two summers. He has added to his land from time to time, until he now has 280 acres all told, and all in a high stage of cultivation, with well tilled aeres and fine buildings. In 1874 he started breeding pure blood Percheron horses, and in addition to this he now takes great pride in his Aberdeen-Angus cattle and Poland-China hogs. Mr. Lightley was married June 25, 1877, at Austin, to Lucy Elliott, daughter of Rev. George Elliott, a elergyman. Mrs. Lightley died May 30, 1909, her union with Mr. Lightley having been blessed with four children: Bertha E. was born in 1879 and died at the age of ten years ; Roy M. was born April 6, 1883; H. J. was born July 17, 1891 ; Ethel Ruth was born April 4, 1895.

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The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 70

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