The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 78

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 78

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Peter T. Torkelson, a skilled and popular physician of Lyle, was born in LaSalle county, Illinois, in 1881, son of Gilbert and Caroline (Fosen) Torkelson, natives of Norway. Gilbert Torkel- son came to America as a boy of twelve, and his wife came in

WILLIAM R. TERRY.

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1877. They farmed in LaSalle county until the death of Mrs. Gilbert Torkelson, in 1886, some time after which her husband moved to Newark, Kendall county, Illinois, where he now lives. Peter T. received a good common school education in his home neighborhood, and attended the high school at Morris, Ill., two years. Later he entered the University of Valparaiso, taking the scientific course two years and graduating from the course in pharmacy in 1903. After working a time in a drug store in Morris, Ill., he entered the Chicago College of Medicine and Surgery, and graduated in 1908, later receiving his hospital practice as interne in the Norwegian Lutheran Deaconess Hos- pital at Chicago. From February to April, 1909, he increased his knowledge by acting as assistant in the Heron Lake Hospital, at Heron Lake, Minn., after which he located in Lyle, where he has built up a large practice. He is associated with the American, Minnesota State and Mower County Medical associations, and belongs to the Masonic and Pythian orders. He votes the Re- publican ticket and attends the Norwegian Lutheran church. Dr. Torkelson was married September 8, 1909, to Belle Brekken, of Sacred Heart, Minn., and to this union one son, Kermit G., was born July 7, 1910.

Walter R. Terry, a popular and efficient conductor on the Towa & Minnesota division of the C., M. & St. P., is a native of this state, having been born in Winona, Minn., October 24, 1857, son of H. S. and Mary (Frink) Terry. He received his education in Winona, and followed harnessmaking at St. Charles and Winona for five years. Then he went to Flandreau, S. D., and was in the land agency business for five years, and in the lumber business for three years. In April, 1887, he came to Austin, and engaged as a brakeman with the C., M: & St. P. Two years later he was promoted to conductor, which vocation he has since fol- lowed. He thus has nearly a quarter of a century of railroad service to his credit, and during that long period his success, his popularity and his efficiency has increased. In addition to his business, Mr. Terry makes a specialty of raising Shetland ponies, of which he is very proud, having some unusually fine specimens. Mr. Terry is a staunch Republican, and while never aspiring to office has always taken an active part in politics, and was one of the ardent workers in electing C. F. Cook to the state senate in 1910. He belongs to the Order of Railway Conductors, the B. P. O. E., the F. O. E. and the Austin Commercial Club. The subject of this sketch was married January 1, 1885, at Flandreau, S. D., to Fannie Churchill, born in Cottage Grove, Washington county, Minnesota. August 5, 1866, daughter of J. A. and Nellie (Cate) Churchill, the former now a resident of Denver, Col., and the latter having died August 15, 1899. Mr. Terry is the father

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of four children : Cassius C., brakeman on the I. & M. division of the C., M. & St. P .; Edgar E., brakeman on same division; Eula, stenographer for E. H. Smith Land Company, and John H., attending school. The family attends the Episcopal church. H. S. Terry and Mary Frink, his wife, were natives of New York state. They came west in 1854 and located at Winona, where H. S. conducted the pioneer livery business and stage route. In 1865 he took up farming in Fremont township, Winona county. Ten years later he went to Brookings county, South Dakota, for a year, and then farmed for a time in Utica township, in Winona county, this state. Later he retired and took up his home in Winona, living there until his death, July 7, 1899. His widow died July 2, 1910.

Andrew S. Todalen, who owns 240 acres of good land in Udolpho township, was born in Norway in 1850, son of Sever Severson, and came to America alone in 1897. After living two years in Corning, Mower county, he went to North Dakota, and there remained sixteen years. Then he returned to this county and purchased the Cook farm, on which he at present resides. He married Julia Helgason, daughter of Helga B. Olson, Sr. The mother of Mrs. Todalen is still living and has reached the ripe old age of ninety-one. To Mr. and Mrs. Todalen have been born seven children: Sever, Helge, Maggie, Halver, Adolph, Alfred and Mollie. The family worships at the Lutheran church.

Nels A. Tonding, the capable buttermaker for the Oak Grove Creamery, Lansing, was born in Denmark in 1870, son of Anders Nelson, a farmer in that country. Nels A. came to America in 1896, came directly to Corning and at once took up his present employment. He has general charge of making the butter in the creamery with which he is engaged, turning out $50,000 worth annually. Mr. Tonding is well liked in the community, belongs to the Danish Brotherhood, and worships at the Oak Grove Lutheran church. He married Christiana Anderson and they have four bright children: Laurits Christian, Carl Hemming, Johanne Emelia and Niels Helmot.

Joseph N. Thatcher, a substantial citizen of Brownsdale, was born in Burlington, Vt., March 25, 1846, son of Stephen and Ilelen G. (Isham) Thatcher, of English and German descent. He lived with his parents in Dane township, Dane county, Wisconsin, and in Winnebago City, Faribault county, Minnesota, until 1874, when he came to Brownsdale, where he has since been engaged as a carpenter and contractor. Mr. Thatcher is a prominent Mason, and is the historian for this work of Lafayette Lodge, No. 116. of Brownsdale. He and his wife both belong to the Eastern Star. Mr. Thatcher married Aurelia, daughter of Lemuel and Mary (Stockwell) Ware, New Yorkers by birth. Eight children have

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been born : Stephen V., Mary W., Julius E., Leland L., Thadeous. George K., Helen W. and Laura W. Mary is the wife of Ned Hunt. Stephen Thatcher, father of Joseph N., eame west in 1853, settled in Dane township, Dane county, Wisconsin, and in 1862 took up his residence in Winnebago City, Faribault county, Minnesota.

Galen K. Truesdell, one of the substantial citizens of Austin and an able and genial traveling salesman, was born in Austin, July 18, 1865, son of William and Mary (McDonald) Truesdell. He received his education in the public schools and started com- mereial life as a clerk in the store of his uncle, James Truesdell, an Austin shoe merehant. He worked in this store eight years, and was then employed four years in the store of F. P. MeBride and four years in the store of F. O. Hall. He began his career on the road in 1893, as flour salesman for the Campbell Brothers. A year later he traveled for Franklin MeVeagh, selling groceries, and the following year represented the Mason City Grocery Com- pany. Since then he has been employed by the Griggs-Cooper Company, of St. Paul. He has built up a large trade, and not only does excellent service for his employers but is also popular and well liked among his customers. He belongs to the I. O. O. F. and the U. C. T., and votes the Republican ticket. Mr. Truesdell resides at 209 South Main street, making his home with his mother, and his sister, Almeda E.

William Truesdell, formerly an Austin manufacturer, now deceased, was for many years an honored resident of this county. He was born in New York state, October 8, 1829, and there received such education as the schools of that period afforded. Then he learned eabinetmaking, which he followed for many years. In 1860 he came to Austin, and continued his trade, also engaging in the manufacture of chairs and bedsteads. He died October 8, 1870. William Truesdell was married September 12. 1864, at Austin, to Mary MeDonald, who was born at New Bruns- wiek, October 8, 1841, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Isreal MeDonald. Mrs. Truesdell came to Austin in 1863. To her union with William Truesdell two children were born: Galen K. is a traveling salesman, and Ahneda E. is a successful teacher in the Austin schools. The family faith is that of the Methodist Epis- eopal ehureh.

Thomas Varco, now deceased, was one of the well-thought-of men of the county. He was born in England and eame to Canada at the age of six years. There he was edneated, grew to manhood and married. In 1847 he came to the United States and located in Fond du Lac county, remaining there until 1856, when he brought his family to Mower county and took a homestead of 160 acres in Austin township. To this he added from time to time until he

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owned 480 acres, upon which he farmed until later life, when he gave cach of his sons eighty acres. He passed to the Great Beyond in February, 1893. His wife, who was Emeline Eddy, still sur- vives, living in her own home on the old homestead.

Maitland E. Varco, whose family name is perpetuated in the name of the railroad station four miles south of Austin, was born in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, July 8, 1851, son of Thomas and Emeline (Eddy) Varco, the pioneers. He came to Mower county with his parents in 1856, and received his education in the district schools of Austin township, later engaging in farming with his father. When twenty-six years of age he received a present of eighty acres from his father, and to this he added another ciglity, making in all a quarter section in section 35. In 1900 he rented his place and engaged in the painting business in Austin for several years, but later returned to his farm, and is now doing general farming. He is a Republican in politics, has served in township and school office, and has joined the Modern Woodmen and the United Workmen. He attends the Seventh Day Adventist church. The subject of this sketch was married De- cember 24, 1876, to Hattie E. Bowers, daughter of J. S. Bowers, now deceased, a prominent farmer of Lyle township. Mr. and Mrs. Varco have two children. C. Mabel is now Mrs. James H. Aultfather and Gertrude G. is a teacher and trained nurse.

Charles R. Varco, the oldest merchant of Rose Creek, was born in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, July 25, 1853, and came with his parents, Thomas and Emeline (Eddy) Varco, pioneers of Mower county, to what is now Varco station, Austin township. He received his early education in the district schools, and grad- uated from the Austin high school. At nineteen years of age he engaged in teaching at Cedar City, in Austin township. After teaching three terms, he had saved enough money to purchase a small frame building at Varco station, which he fitted up as a store, obtaining his first stoek of goods on credit. From 1875 to 1882 he engaged in the general mercantile business in this build- ing, and then purchased the building and mercantile business of Stanley Warner, of Rose Creek, to which place he moved and where he has since remained in business. At the time of the purchase the store was 40x22. His rapidly increasing business made it necessary for him to enlarge his store three different times, until he now has a floor space 76x34. He carries a large stock of general merchandise, including a large stock of boots and shoes, and in fact everything found in an up-to-date store of this kind. In addition to his mercantile business, in 1887 he opened a harness shop where he has an expert harness maker and repairer in charge. Aside from this he has at various times been interested in other lines, having been a stock dealer four years;

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in the machinery business six years and in the grain business two years. He owns several warehouses, and a commodious hall above his store, which is rented for general public affairs. He rents out three dwelling houses in the village of Rose Creek, and eighty aeres in Windom township. His residence is a pleasant building on South Chatam street, in the city of Austin. Mr. Varco is a stockholder in the Inter-State Telephone Company and in the Austin Weed Exterminator Manufacturing Company. Ile is a progressive Republican, a member of the B. P. O. E., the M. W. A. and the A. O. U. W. Mr. Varco is an up-to-date man in every respect, and is interested in everything that pertains to the growth and development of the county. The subject of this sketch was married October 10, 1878, at the bride's home in Austin township, to Isabella Gemmel, born February 11, 1858, daughter of Andrew and Phoebe (Phelps) Gemmel, pioneers. To this union have been born five sons : Albert R. is a graduate of the Austin high school and the Minnesota State University, and holds a diploma from each of these institutions as well as from the C. & C. Hospital at St. Paul, being now a physician at Miles City, Mont. Charles E. is manager of the Yellowstone Valley Mercantile Company, with headquarters at Sydney, Mont., controlling four stores. Lynn G. is manager of one of the stores of the Yellowstone Valley Mercan- tile Company, with headquarters at Fairview, Mont. Thomas E. is with his brother Charles at Sydney. Walter L. lives at home. All are graduates of the Austin high school. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Andrew Gemmel, one of the pioneers of Mower county, was a native of Scotland, born in Renfrewshire, town of Paisley, October 25, 1819. His father was a postmaster in the city of Glasgow, where Andrew received his education and grew to manhood, after which he was employed as clerk in his father's warehouse, remain- ing in this position until 1842, when he left the bonny shores of Scotland and sailed for America. After spending one year at Montreal, Canada, he went to St. Hyacinthe, where he engaged in the general mercantile trade for a period of nine years, after which he came to the United States, where he was engaged in business at Burlington, Racine county, Wisconsin. After two years he sold out, returned to Canada and engaged in similar business for a period of three years until 1857. He then started for Minnesota with his family, coming by train to Dunlieth, Ill., thence np the river to St. Panl, where he hired teams to bring them to Cedar City, Mower county. They stopped until fall with a brother-in-law, and during that time Mr. Gemmel erected a log cabin on the land he had pre-empted in section 30, Austin town- ship, where the family lived until 1876, their house being burned May 29, of that year. After this he erected a fine frame house,

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where he lived and followed general farming the balance of his days. He died December 16, 1898, and his wife passed away September 4, 1909. He was married March 8, 1845, to Phoebe Phelps, who was born in Raughmont, near Montreal, October 5, 1821. Seven children blessed this union: Andrew, Alexander E., Margaret, Victoria, Arthur, Isabella P. and. Agnes D. Mr. Gemmel was the first collector in the town of Austin.

G. K. Volstad, retired farmer of Lyle, was born in Norway, April 13, 1837, son of Knute and Julia (Halver) Volstad, natives of Norway. G. K. received his education in the schools of Nor- way, and came to America in 1860, locating in Mower county and engaging in farming on 320 acres in Nevada township. This land was wild, and Mr. Volstad broke and cultivated it, and there followed a life of hard labor and patient industry until 1901, when he retired and came to the village of Lyle to live. He was married October 25, 1865, to Julia Jurgenson, a native of Norway, who came to this country at six years of age. Of their nine children four are living. Samuel lives in Ohio; Arthur owns half a section in North Dakota; Emma married H. G. Dahl; Mollie married J. W. Johnson, who is dead; Malena married Bert Brown, of Owatonna. Knute, Jorgen, Mary and Fred are dead. Mr. Volstad is a Prohibitionist and a member of the Gospel Mission church, and owns stock in the Otter Creek creamery, the Lyle Telephone Company and in the Kelley Canning Company.

J. M. Vandegrift, a farmer of Red Rock township, where he has spent the greater part of his life, was born in Wilmington, Del., in 1849, son of John and Mary (Worn) Vandegrift, the pioneers. He was brought to Mower county in 1856 and reared in a log cabin in section 34, Red Rock township. He attended the public schools, and since then has devoted his life to farming. He has a comfortable residence, and his cattle are well housed in commodious buildings. Mr. Vandegrift married Anna, daughter of Soren and Anna Sorensen, both of Denmark, and they are the parents of eight children: Louise M., John M., Thomas O., Howard C., Margaret A., Miles H., Alice A. and Sumner W.

In 1888, Mr. Vandegrift purchased his parents' farm of 160 acres. He also owns the 160 acres adjoining, thus making a farm of 320 acres. This place he has greatly improved, and a feature of the landscape is his fine grove of poplar and evergreen trees. In 1908 his little son had a bonfire in the barn, this igniting the building and totally destroying it. Mr. Vandegrift then built his present large and commodious barn, 104 x 32 feet, with many modern improvements. Aside from his Mower county property, he owns 480 acres in Beltrami county, this state. He is a pro- gressive citizen, a scientific farmer, and a sympathetic father,

MR. AND MRS. J. M. VANDEGRIFT.

VANDEGRIFT CABIN

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being one of those men whose life and work are a distinct advan- tage and benefit to the community.

John M. Vandegrift, the pioneer, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., May 15, 1808, and there learned the mason trade. In 1843, with his wife, Mary Worn, who was born in Philadelphia, JJuly 13, 1809, and whom he married February 17, 1831, he went to Wilmington, Del., and then in 1850 moved to Indianapolis, Ind. In 1856 Mr. Vandegrift brought his family to Mower county and settled in section 34, Red Rock township, where he was living at the time of his passing away, July 19, 1875. ITis wife died Decem- ber 1, 1890. Their children were named Amanda L., William R., Elizabeth M., Thomas B., Mary W., Charles H., John M., Virginia and Clara. Mr. Vandegrift was an early justice of the peace in Red Rock.

Martin H. Vosburgh, artistie photographer of Austin, was · born in Columbus, Wis., July 10, 1861, son of Orrin and Mary (Holmes) Vosburgh, both natives of New York state, who located on a farm near Columbus in 1850 and there spent the remainder of their days, the former dying March 13, 1907, and the mother December 9, 1906. Martin received his education in the district schools of Columbus, and then went into the photograph business in that village in 1883. Five years later he went to Beaver Dam, Wis., and remained two years, later going to Charles City, Iowa, for eleven years. After short periods at White Water and West Allis, Wis., he came to Austin, in July, 1902, and purchased the studio of E. H. Austin, which he has conducted with marked success, his work and artistic ability giving him a wide patronage. He is a Republican in politics, a member of the Congregational church and of the K. of P., the Maccabees and the B. A. Y. IIe is also a member of the Photographie Association of America and the Northwestern Photographic Association. Mr. Vosburgh was married May 3, 1887, to Myrta A. Davis, of Beaver Dam, Wis., and to this union have been born two sons: Harold D., born December 24, 1891, and Mox O., born September 6, 1904. September 3, 1910, Mr. Vosburgh purchased the studio of J. A. Douglass, at Osage, Iowa, and moved there October 1, but still retains his Austin studio, which is conducted by his son, Harold.

Knud O. Wold, a pioneer resident and leading druggist of Austin, was born in Sogndahl, Bergenstift, Norway, November 4, 1845. His education was received in the publie schools of the Fatherland, after completing which he emigrated to this country with his parents, in 1865, assisting his father for a year on his farm in Adams township, Mower county. He then came to Austin and entered the employ of the drug firm of Woodard & Dorr as a clerk, becoming a partner with Mr. Dorr in 1872, two years after the retirement of Mr. Woodard. This partnership continued

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until 1897, when Mr. Wold purchased the interest of Mr. Dorr and became sole owner and proprietor, having met with a marked degree of success and built up a large and growing patronage. A full line of all that pertains to a first class drug store is carried, prescriptions being a specialty. In political convictions he inclines strongly toward the tenets of the Republican party. He is a member of the local merchants' association, and is identified with the Royal Arcanum, Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Masonic order. November 3, 1876, he was united in marriage with Petra A. Moe. Three children have blessed this union, all of whom have been given a fine education and have shown them- selves worthy of the devotion of their parents. Walter E., born December 1, 1877, who is with his father in business, is a graduate of the Austin high school and of the Northwestern School of Pharmacy, of Chicago. His wife was formerly Pearl Bascomh. Ethel A., born October 9, 1881, after graduating from the Austin * high school entered the state university, receiving her diploma in 1905, and then spent a year at postgraduate work in the Uni- versity of Chicago. She is now teaching English in the high school at St. Cloud, Minn. Guy K., born October 19, 1888, is also a graduate of the Austin high school and received his degrec from the chemical department of the Northwestern College of Pharmacy in 1909. He is in the drug business with his father and brother. The family are loyal attendants of the United Lutheran church. Their residence is at 308 South Chatham street. O. J. and Maria (Amble) Wold, parents of our subject, both natives of Norway, crossed the waters to this country in 1865, locating in Adams township, Mower county, Minnesota, where the father was engaged in farming until 1885. He then retired and removed to Austin with his wife to enjoy the remaining years of his life in retirement. He passed away August 6, 1892, at the age of eighty- two years. The mother died June 15, 1907, aged ninety-two years. Seven children were born to them, only three of whom are living: James, of Enderlin, Ranson county, North Dakota, who preceded the rest of the family to this country by a year; Knud O., our subject, and John, located at Eldora, Iowa.

A. B. Wilder, a well-known resident of Lyle, is a substantial figure in the financial integrity of the county. He was born in Otranto, Iowa, December 1, 1864, son of Nelson and Maria H. (Vaughan) Wilder. Nelson Wilder was born in Wisconsin and came to Otranto, Iowa, in 1854, and homesteaded the farm which is now owned by A. B. Wilder. Later he was married to Maria H. Vaughan, of Lansing, the first public school teacher in Austin. After the death of Nelson Wilder, in November, 1877, his widow remained with the family on the home place until 1902, when she went to Portland, Ore., where she still lives. The subject of this

JOHN J. WATLAND.

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sketch, after his father's death, took charge of the home farm until October 6, 1902, when he came to Lyle. At this time he became interested in the First National Bank, of Lyle. Later he became interested in the Lyle Corrugated Company, located in Lyle and Minneapolis, of which he is president. In addition to his financial interests, Mr. Wilder owns 160 aeres in Lyle town- ship and 360 acres in Otranto, lowa. He still takes an active interest in his farm work, and devotes a great deal of his time to it. Mr. Wilder was married December 21, 1885, to Ida Barnum, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Barnum, prominent farmers and pioneers of Lyle township. Mrs. Ida Wilder died November 25, 1900, leaving three children : Vera M., now a student in Carleton College, Minnesota ; Maurine, who is at Stanley Hall, Minneapolis, and Irving L., who is at home. July 2. 1902, Mr. Wilder married Grace E. Trowbridge, of Lyle township, daughter of H. C. Trow- bridge. Mr. Wilder is an independent voter and an active mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias, as well as of the Masonic lodge at Lyle.

John J. Watland, an old resident of Mower county and a successful farmer, was born February 14, 1850, on a farm called Watland, but later moved to Norem Stjernero, Stavanger, Nor- way. His parents, Jonas and Johanna Watland, owned a fine farm on this island, and there lived in comfortable circumstances, enjoying life as could but few of the people in the neighborhood. Close to the farm was a steamboat landing, schoolhouse, postoffice and church, and in addition to these advantages a trip. across the strait to the metropolis, Stavanger, could be made in two hours. Aside from John, there were two other children in the family, Bjorn and Marthe Sesselia. As these children grew older, the desire to emigrate to the so-much-heard-of and talked-of America became so strong in young John that the elder Watland, in the spring of 1873, sold his farm and personal property in Norway, and with his wife and three children left Stavanger May 11, 1873, for America. On the way here they stopped five days in England, ultimately reaching their destination, LeRoy, May 31, 1873. The first Norwegian they met at LeRoy was L. Rounestrand, now deceased, who at that time was running a tailoring shop in LeRoy. The first summer Jonas Watland, his wife, and children, Bjorn and Sesselia, made their home with Soren Engelson, while John hired out to F. B. Garvey. He was in peculiar and most incon- venient circumstances on account of not being able to speak the English language, but the Garveys were kind hearted and con- siderate people, and took such an interest in young Watland that they kept him until Christmas eve. In the spring of 1874 the elder Watland purchased eighty acres of land, one and a half miles north of LeRoy, and began farming. This piece of land had

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The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 78

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