The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 81

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

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for two years. At the age of seventeen he came to Waltham, Mower county, but four years later went to Montana and the Da- kotas for three years. Subsequently he came back to Waltham, purchased a farm in section 10, and has since continued to make his residence here. October 12, 1884, F. C. Garbish married Ame- lia, daughter of Carl and Bertha (Kopke) Zeimer. This union has resulted in six children: Selma, William, George, Hubert, Adolph and Adaline. Selma married William Schmeling, and they have three children, Werner, Erma and Arthur. George is a barber in the village of Waltham. Hubert is with his uncle, fore- man at Vicksburg, Miss. The rest of the family are at home.

Soren Englesen, the pioneer Norwegian of the town of LeRoy, now deceased, was a prominent man in the upbuilding of the community, and his death was sincerely mourned. He was born in Norway, December 15, 1829, and attended school until he was sixteen years of age, at which time he took up farming. May 1, 1854, he left his native land for America, and after a stormy voyage landed at Quebec. He went directly to LaSalle county, Illinois, and there remained three years, engaged in farming. In 1857, in company with his brother-in-law, he started to find a home in Minnesota. They came to Dunleith on the cars, and then took a boat to Brownsville, from which place they came on foot to Mower county. They passed through LeRoy township to Adams, and there bought a pair of steers. Then they returned to LeRoy and selected two claims, building a shanty of poles and sod on the line, so that it would answer for both claims. After proving up their claims they returned to Illinois. Soren Englesen was married in 1860 to Martha Fuglesteen, likewise a native of Norway. In the' spring of 1861 they started for their new home. Soren left his wife at MeGregor, and came on foot to LeRoy, where he bought a pair of oxen and then returned for his wife. He first built a log cabin and in this lived for a number of years until he replaced it with a large frame residence. He prospered as the years went by and was one of the organizers of the Citizens Bank, of LeRoy. Soren Englesen died February 8, 1904, and his wife, July. 14, 1909. They had two children: Emily, wife of Dr. O. A. Oreson, of Duluth, and Samuel B., a resident of LeRoy township ..

Samuel B. Englesen was born March 10, 1868, on the farm in LeRoy township, where he still resides, son of Soren and Martha Englesen. He received his education in the district schools, and took one term in the Decorah Institute at Decorah, Iowa. Then he returned to the home place and farmed with his father. Since his father's death he has rented the farm, but still looks after his land and livestock. He also has other interests, being a director in the First National Bank at LeRoy, and a stockholder in the Farm-

SOREN ENGELSEN.

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ers Telephone Company, of Ostrander, Fillmore county, as well as in the Farmers' elevator in the same village. Ile is a Repub- lican in politics and for some time was clerk of his school district.

George R. Church, a retired farmer living in Waltham village, was born in Ulster county, New York, December 5, 1838, son of Adam and Elizabeth A. (Rhoades) Church, who brought their family west in 1843, and settled in New Berlin, ten miles from Milwaukee. George R. grew to manhood in Wisconsin, and in 1867 came to Mower county, starting farming on section 22, Waltham township. There he lived until 1894, when he sold his farm to his son Lewis, and moved to the village of Waltham, where he now lives. While on his farm, Mr. Church served as pathmaster seven years, and was also on the school board. He has been a member of the G. A. R. for many years. The subject of this sketch married, for his first wife, Susan Hannah, and by her had two children, one of whom, Lewis, is living. For his see- ond wife he married Mrs. Alice Johnson, who was born in Rox- bury, Washington county, Vermont, daughter of Samnel Water- man, and at the time of her marriage to Mr. Church, widow of Lewis Johnson.

Mr. Church is one of the honored veterans of the Civil war. He enlisted in 1862 in Company G, Twenty-eighth Wisconsin Vol- unteer Infantry, and was honorably discharged at the close of the conflict. His service included participation in the activities about Spanish Forts, and the battle of Helena.

Arne K. Rebne, a prosperous resident of Clayton township, was born in Norway in 1861, and lived there until he was sixteen years of age, at which time he came to America. From New York, in which city he landed, he came directly to Adams, and worked nine years as a farm hand. Then he rented land in the town of Clayton, for more than twenty years, and there followed general farming. In 1891 he purchased 121 aeres in section 30, township of Clayton, but did not move onto this land until 1906, when he erected a comfortable home in which he took up his residence. Later he erected the other buildings necessary for the housing of his stock, crops and machinery. He now raises the usual crops, breeds cattle for beef and dairy purposes, sells cream to the Adams Co-operative Creamery, devotes some of his time to raising Chester White hogs, and also has a fine flock of poultry for home use and the market. He is a republican in polities, and has been a member of the school board of distriet 83 for nine years. He is a stockholder in the Adams creamery. Mr. Rebne was married in September, 1886, to Isabell Wiste, of this county, and this union has been blessed with three children: Clarence, Alma and Stella. The two younger attend school. The family faith is that of the Lutheran church.

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Adolph Bhend, a well-thought-of farmer of LeRoy township, was born in Switzerland, April 4, 1878, son of Frederick and Marie (Kloppenstein) Bhend, who came to Ameriea in 1891 and loeated at Dayton, Wisconsin, acquired 240 acres in Cainth, Wisconsin, and started farming, an occupation which they still continue in that place. Adolph received his earlier education in the schools of Switzerland, and graduated therefrom. After coming to Ameriea with his parents, he attended the high school at Monticello, Wis- consin. July 2, 1898, he came to Mower county, and rented 400 acres from the Hon. John Frank, tilling this tract eight years. Then he rented his wife's father's farm of 240 aeres in section 7, LeRoy township, and on this tract he has since continued to con- duet farming operations. Mr. Bhend is an independent voter, is serving as road overseer, belongs to the Masons, and has been senior deacon of the lodge at LeRoy several terms. He attends the Presbyterian church, The subject of this sketch was married November 20, 1906, to Fannie E. Mahoney, daughter of John Ma- honey, now deceased, and they have one child, Marcella E., born October 16, 1907.

John Mahoney, now deceased, for many years a farmer of LeRoy township, was born in County Cork, Ireland, November 5, 1848, youngest child of John Mahoney, who came to America in 1859, located in Mower county in 1866, and died in 1878. John, the subject of this sketch, came to America with his father at eleven years of age, living for a time in Fond du Lac county, Wis- consin, and then coming to Mower county in 1866. He acquired the southwest quarter of section 7, LeRoy township, broke and improved the land, erected buildings, and a fine home, increased his holdings from time to time, and carried on general farming until his lamented death. He was well thought of in the eom- munity, and was a member of the Masonic Lodge and chapter and commandery at Austin. The subject of this sketch was married April 15, 1877, to Sarah L. Smith, daughter of Charley and Fannie (Rawley) Smith, and this union was blessed with three children: Fannie E., Mary E. and Iva R.

Peder W. Jensan is a hard-working farmer at Sargeant town- ship, and possesses an excellent place upon which he successfully conducts farming operations. He was born in Denmark, August 20, 1860, son of Jens Jensan, who is still living in Denmark, where he is well thought of. Peder W. came to America in 1892, went to Michigan, remained there three years, and then came to Roek- dale, Minnesota, where he stayed a similar period. Then he pur- chased a farm in Lincoln county, also in this state, where he also lived three years. At the end of this period he removed to Sar- geant township, and settled in the northeast quarter of section 15, where he purchased 160 acres of land. In 1901 he erected a

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fine dwelling, and also constructed other necessary buildings. Mr. Jensan has never sought publie office, but has served a number of years at pathmaster. Ile married Carrie Johnson, daughter of John Anerson, and they have eight children : Emma (deceased), Helena (deceased), Jens, Henry, Walter, Anton, Clara and Ulma F. The family faith is that of the Lutheran church. It is worthy of note that Mr. Jensan's brother and sister, as well as his father, are still living in Denmark. His mother is dead.

G. H. Hadland, for many years supervisor of Bennington town- ship, was born in Norway, May 26, 1845, son of Herbjorn Gunnuf- son and Aagot Torgersdatter, natives of Norway, in which coun- try they both died, the father in 1875 and the mother in 1902. The subject of this sketch received his education in Norway, and learned the tailor trade, which he followed until coming to Amer- ica in 1867. After working out as a farm hand in Bloomfield, Minnesota, for some eight years, he came to Mower county in 1875, and purchased eighty acres in section 23, Bennington. This land he broke and developed, and added to it until he now owns 240 acres in sections 21, 22 and 23, all in Bennington township. On this place he carries on general farming, raises graded short- horns for beef and dairy, and also raises swine and poultry. Aside from his position on the town board, he has been clerk of district 85 for sixteen years in succession. He has also been treas- urer of the Bennington Norwegian Lutheran church since its or- ganization. The neighboring village of Ostrander counts him as a stockholder in its elevator and creamery. The subject of this sketch was married June 23, 1877, to Julia Knutson Hadland, born in Norway, December 20, 1843. This union has been blessed with six children : Henry A., born April 15, 1878; Carl A., born Oc- tober 8, 1879; Oscar T., born October 15, 1880, and died Septem- ber 3, 1881; Oscar T., born December 13, 1881, and died October 25, 1909; Anna C., born April 4, 1883, a student in the Morehead State Normal school, and Albert C., born March 12, 1887.

B. A. Benson, industrious farmer, and assessor of the town of Clayton, was born on the Atlantic ocean, June 1, 1867, while his parents, Andrew and Molina Benson, were on their way from Norway to America. Upon their arrival in America, the family came to Mower county, and the father worked out for several years in Marshall township, afterwards purchasing eighty acres in Clayton township, where he followed diversified farming the remainder of his life. B. A. Benson was educated in the Mower county schools, worked on the farmn with his father, and at the age of twenty-one years started in life for himself by renting land. Four years later he purchased eighty aeres of land in section 31, Clayton township, adjoining his father's eighty. He now owns a quarter section, and its excellent appearance is due to his unre-

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mitting toil. He performed the difficult task of breaking the land, and this done, he erected comfortable buildings, planted trees, installed modern machinery and bought a suitable comple- ment of tools. Aside from carrying on general farming, he raises cattle for beef and dairy purposes and sells cream to the Adams Co-operative Creamery, in which he is one of the stockholders, and of which he was one year a director. Mr. Benson is a Repub- liean in politics, has been assessor nine years, and was school clerk of district 83 for ten years. The subject of this sketch was married May 15, 1887, to Anna Johnson, and this union has been blessed with six children. Alfred, the oldest, is a clerk in Adams village, while Oscar, John, Mabel, Bertha and Josie are all at home.

John T. Johnson, a hard working farmer of LeRoy township, was born in Norway, July 4, 1855, son of John and Jonetta (Jacob- son ) Johnson, who lived and died in Norway. John T. received his early education in Norway, and worked out as a farm hand until coming to America in 1875. In 1876 he came to LeRoy and worked for C. Hambrecht for four years. Then for a similar period he was manager and foreman for the F. M. Barrett stock farm of Lodi township. In 1889 he rented a farm in Iowa, but lived in LeRoy. Then in September, 1890, he purchased eighty aeres in section 7, LeRoy township. His wife owns forty acres, and the farm therefore takes in 120 acres. On this place he con- duets general farming. He is an independent voter. John T. Johnson was married July 2, 1880, to Electa B. Huntley, daugh- ter of P. F. and Eunice C. (Edison) Huntley, the former of whom died October 27, 1893, and the latter March 22, 1901. Mrs. John- son was born May 15, 1858, and has borne to her husband six children : Gertrude B. was born June 1, 1885, married Orrin N. Upham, of Charles City, and has two children, Vivian V. and Ver- non. Rinda M. was born December 14, 1887, and lives in Water- loo, Iowa. Maine II. was born December 23, 1888, and lives in Charles City, Iowa. John R. was born June 7, 1898, and lives at home. Pennanus A. was born April 9, 1881, and died December 5, 1882. Eunice A. was born July 21, 1883, and died September 19, 1884. Mr. Johnson is a believer in fair dealing and honesty.

Ole Alfson Quale, an honored and respected resident of Clay- ton township, was born in Norway in 1842, and came to America in 1864, landing in Quebec. Then he settled in Winneshiek county, Iowa, and remained fourteen years, working as a farm hand. By hard work and frugality he accumulated sufficient funds to purchase some land of his own, and he accordingly came to Mower county and purchased eight acres in section 20. This he afterward increased by another eighty acres. In the early days he devoted much of his attention to raising grain and flax,

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but in later years turned his energies to diversified farming and cattle breeding, making a specialty of Shorthorn cattle. For the past five years he has rented his farm. He is a Republican in polities, was road overseer eight years and director of school dis- triet 83 three years. He is a communicant of the Synods church. Mr. Quale was married March 25, 1873, to Karne Anderson, a na- tive of Norway, and they have six children: Adolph; Olas, a carpenter in Anstin; Clara, now Mrs. Robert Anderson, of Mar- shall; Jennie, now Mrs. Ed. Wint, of Austin ; Nels, a carpenter liv- ing at home, and Sophia, who is dead.

Nels T. Miland is one of the leading citizens of Bennington township, and has taken a most active part in his school district, his township and his church. He was born in Tin Telmarken, Norway, September 11, 1857, son of Thom N. and Aagaat Olson Miland, also natives of Tin Telmarken, Norway. The family eame to America in 1869, when Nels T. was but twelve years of age, lo- cating in Fillmore county, near Harmony, where Thom died the following year. His wife then brought the family to Bloomfield township in the same county, and there they endured all the hard- ships ineident to pioneer days. Nels T. Miland came to Benning- ton township in 1879 and engaged in farming. In 1888, with his brother Tom, he purchased 160 acres of land in section 23, and there farmed on his half of the tract for five years. Then he sold this traet and purchased 160 aeres in section 10, Bennington township, where he is now located. He erected new barns and all outbuildings and has followed general farming, breeding Here- ford cattle and Poland China hogs. He has also been greatly in- terested in Pereheron horses, being at one time a stockholder and director in The Bennington-Bever Percheron Horse Company. Mr. Miland is an independent voter, has served as supervisor of the township and as justice of the peace, as well as being assessor for twelve years until 1911. He is now clerk of district 95, and has heen secretary of the Bennington United Lutheran church since its organization. The village of Ostrander counts him as a stoek- holder in its Co-operative creamery and elevator, and in the lat- ter institution he is also a director. The subject of this sketch was married March 9, 1885, to Clara Eriekson, a native of Norway, who has proven a most able helpmeet through life. Their home has been brightened by the arrival of eight children: Dora, Amanda, Oscar. Edward, Gunvick, Theodore, Sigurd and Glenn. Dora is the wife of Martin Hettletved, of Zumbrota, Goodhue county, and the rest are at home.

Henry Grimm, an honored figure in the life of Sargeant, was born in Beaverdam township, Wiseonsin, July 7, 1847, son of John F. and Barbara (Graessle) Grimm, both natives of Germany. John F. Grimm eame to America abont 1831, lived in Pennsyl-

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vania for a time, went to Ohio, and was there married, after which he went to Illinois and stayed a year, later taking up his residence in Wisconsin. In 1862 he came to Minnesota with his family of eleven children and settled in Rochester. Henry was taken to Rochester by his father when fifteen years of age, and there spent his young manhood. In 1885 he came to Sargeant county, purchased a farm in section 16, and followed farming some twenty-five years. In 1910 he moved to the village, where he now lives, having practically retired from active life. He oc- cupied many township offices during his residence on the farm, and was a prominent man in many ways. He married Caroline Martin and they have four children. Frank married Louisa Peter- son and has a daughter, Leora. Leroy A. married Alma Peter- son. The other two are Ralph M. and Hilda C. Ralph M. is at present assistant cashier in Sargeant State Bank.

The Grimm Brothers. Franklin and LeRoy A. Grimm have kept a hardware store in Sargeant village since 1907, and their honesty and ability have built up a large trade. The brothers were born in Kalmer township, Olmsted county, their parents being Henry and Caroline (Martin) Grimm. In the family were also two other children, Hilda C. and Ralph M. Franklin and LeRoy A. were raised on a farm, received good educations, and remained at home until attaining manhood's estate. They now do business under the firm name of the Grimm Brothers. Frank- lin married Louise M. Peterson, daughter of Nels Peterson, and has one child, Leora Frances. LeRoy A. married Alma J. Peter- son. Franklin Grimm is a member of the Modern Woodmen and of the Royal Neighbors, and is at present village recorder and postmaster. LeRoy A. is also a member of the Modern Woodmen and is at present assistant postmaster.

John Johnson and Dora Hanson, his wife, were born in Nor- way, and came to America in 1866, locating near Madison, Wis- consin, and engaging in farm work until 1872, in which year they came to LeRoy township, purchased 150 acres of wild land in section 12, broke and improved the same, and followed general farming until 1890, when they turned the place over to their son, John J. and retired, John dying May 14, 1892, and Dora, January 21, 1891. They had two children. John J., already men- tioned, is the younger. Julia, the older child, married O. P.,John- son and died in November, 1889.

John J. Johnson, one of the prominent farmers of LeRoy town- ship, was born in Norway, January 14, 1866, son of John and Dora (Hanson) Johnson. He came to America with his parents in 1866, and to Mower county in 1872. After leaving school he took up farming with his father until 1890, when he took charge of the home farm. To the farm which he inherited he has added

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eighty aeres more, making in all 235 acres. Sinee acquiring the farm he has ereeted a modern home and suitable outbuildings. In 1895 he built a barn, and ten years later, when this strneture was destroyed by lightning, he rebuilt one 44x62. On this farm he conducts general farming, raises Shorthorn eattle, Poland China hogs, and Belgium and Norman horses. He is a Republican in polities, was a director of school district 1 seven years, and is now serving his second year as clerk. He owns stoek in the ereamery and in the elevator at Ostrander. Mr. Johnson was married March 20, 1890, to Martha Prestegard, daughter of Henry Prestegard, of Owatonna. This union has resulted in seven ehil- dren : Dell, Dena, Minnie, Hannah, Joseph, Henry and George. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran ehureh.

William H. Bingham, eement contractor, is one of the represent- ative citizens of LeRoy township. He was born in County Down, Ireland, September 15, 1866, son of William and Maggie (MeCloy) Bingham, also natives of County Down, Ireland. The parents eame to Ameriea in 1868, and located in Brookline, Massachusetts, where William engaged as a coachman, following this oeeupation until his death in 1903, his wife following him to the grave two years later, in December, 1905. William H. remained in Ireland until sixteen years of age, and then came to America, loeating in Brookline, Massachusetts, for a period of eight years. Then he lived in Illinois four years and then in Diekinson county, Iowa. In 1901 he came to LeRoy and engaged in eement work and con- traeting. Later he started manufacturing eement bloeks, briek, and everything in the cement line, ineluding posts, eurbing, cis- terns and tanks. He also does all the eement walk business in Le Roy. In addition to his business here he has 160 aeres in Ransom county, North Dakota. The subject of this sketch was married October 21, 1886, to Marian Graham, born in Ireland March 2, 1858, daughter of John and Mary (Dolan) Graham, natives of Ireland, where they were born and where they died. Mr. and Mrs. Bingham are the parents of four children : Ellen M., a tele- phone operator at LeRoy ; Martha A., a school teacher at Waubay, South Dakota; Maggie (1., a school teacher in district 52, LeRoy, and Lizzie C., a student in the LeRoy high school. Mr. and Mrs. Bingham have given all their children a good education, and the children, in turn, have shown their appreciation by the excellent work they have done in the schools. The family faith is that of the Presbyterian church.

Hubbard Carey, one of the well known men of the county, has taken his part in the upbuilding of Adams, by serving in various township and village offices, and has also served the county with distinction on the floors of the lower house of the Minnesota state legislature. Ile was born in Fox Lake, Lake County, Illinois, No-

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vember 19, 1857, son of Mathias and Anna M. (Justin) Carey. After receiving his early education in Adams township, to which locality. he was brought by his parents at one year of age, he took a course in St. Peter's college at Mankato. Thus equipped for life, he remained at home two years on the farm, and then taught school for one year. Subsequently he again worked on the home farm for a short period, and then became a grain buyer at Adams village, an occupation he followed for twelve years. Following this he clerked in a store four years, but during the time of his clerkship he also engaged in the real estate business, dealing largely in Dakota lands. Since that time he has lived practically retired from business, but has been interested in politics and in other ventures. Mr. Carey is a Republican in politics. Before the village of Adams was incorporated he served several terms as clerk of the township, and was also assessor for a considerable period. At the organization of the village of Adams he became clerk and served continuously until 1906, his judgment as a mem- ber of the village council being highly valued. In 1908, he was elected to the legislature, and served his term of two years with credit. He has also taken an interest in the industrial develop- ment of the community, and is a stockholder in the LeRoy Tele- phone Company. The subject of this sketch was married in Jan- uary, 1881, to Mary Thelen, who has proved an able helpmeet in all his undertakings. The family faith is that of the Catholic church.

. Mathias Carey and Ann M. Justin, his wife, were born on the Rhine, in Germany, were there married, and came to America in 1854, locating in Fox Lake, Lake county, Illinois, there engaging in farming until the spring of 1858, when they came to Minne- sota, purchased 160 acres of government land at $1.25 per acre, in section 20, Adams township, this county, which at the time was wild prairie land. This they developed, built a log house, and in this lived until 1871, when a modern frame house was erected, suitable outbuildings being completed at the same time. To his original claim he added a purchase of 160 acres, making in all a fine farm of 320 acres. On this place, Mathias Carey con- ducted general farming until 1902, when he retired and moved to the village of Adams. Two years later, July 31, 1904, he died. · Ilis wife followed him to the grave March 13, 1906. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom nine are now living. They are : J. H., a merchant at Adams; Hubbard; Mrs. Katherine Schmitz; Nicholas, of Minneapolis; Mrs. Mary Regner, of Austin ; John M., of Spring Valley; Tony, of Saskatoon, Canada; Joseph, of Adams; and Jacob of Spring Valley. Those deceased are Kath- arine, Gertrude and one who died in infancy.

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The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 81

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