The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 82

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

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H. L. Anderson is a prominent man in Waltham township. He

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was born in Langeland, Denmark, January 3, 1850, son of Hans and Martha Anderson. He came to America in 1872, remained two years at Lake Superior, Michigan, then came to Mower county and worked as a farm hand in Pleasant Valley township two years. Then he started farming on his own account in the town- ship of Clayton. It was in 1883 that he came to Waltham town- ship and settled in section 14. His farm originally consisted of 80 aeres, and this he has since increased to 240 acres. Here he suc- cessfully conduets general farming and stock raising. Mr. An- derson was married some years ago to Annie S. Peterson, daugh- ter of Nels Peterson, and they have six children: Ernest M., Alfred C., Edward T., Clara M., Bert L. and Lester II.

Frederick M. Guy was born in Bennington township, June 19, 1872, son of Stephen S. and Hannah (Neil) Guy, the pioneers. He was educated in the district schools of Bennington township, and then engaged in farming on the old homestead, looking after the interests of his widowed mother until her death, at which time the farm reverted to him. He is now engaged in general farming, and raises stock and grain. He attends the Baptist church, votes the Democratic ticket and belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. The subject of this sketch was married October 7, 1896, to Anna Cooper, daughter of Robert and Rhoda (Hague) Cooper, and this union has resulted in seven children, five of whom are living and two dead. They are: William F. born October 21, 1897; Myrtle L., born July 22, 1899; Ida May, born July 31, 1901, and died September 29, 1906; Hazel E., born July 31, 1903; Harley V., born October 10, 1906; Clara E., born November 23, 1908, and died March 1, 1910; Kenneth E., born No- vember 1, 1910.

James Guy, a pioneer of Bennington township, was born in England, as was his wife, Frances Turner. They came to Amer- ica in 1835 and located in Troy, New York. In 1857, James Guy, with his three sons, Henry, Joab and Stephen, came to Mower county and took up their residence in a part of Bennington after- ward called the Guy settlement. James Guy lived to a good old age and died in 1879. His wife died in 1870.

Jonathan Guy was born in Sussex, England, February 10, 1831, son of James and Frances (Turner) Guy, who brought him to America in 1835. He was reared in Troy, New York, and there remained until 1862, when he came west and purchased eighty acres in section 13, Bennington township, where he has since lived and carried on general farming. He has never cared to seek public life, but has served as road overseer and as justice of the peace. By his first wife, Nancy Prim, he had five children: Elizabeth, Nancy M., Frances, Melvin and John H. September 18, 1869. he married Elizabeth Hughes, who was born in Wales,

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March 25, 1830. This union has resulted in two children: James W. and Hattie L.

Robert Cooper, deceased, was born in England, March 5, 1843, came to America with his parents in 1853, lived in Illinois for a time and then came with them to Spring Valley, Minnesota. In 1857, he came with his parents to Bennington, and farmed with his father, William Cooper, until 1874, when he purchased eighty acres in section 22, where he made his home and carried on gen- eral farming, increasing his holdings in time to 240 acres. In 1898 he removed to Spring Valley, and there died, November 29, 1904. He was married January 23, 1871, to Rhoda Hague, whose parents, Noah and Susanna (Doxey) Hague, were early settlers of Bennington township, the former dying December 5, 1882, and the latter September 26, 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper were the parents of eleven children : Mary E., Noah W., Francis R., Annie B., John A., Samuel R., Archie A., Ellan M., Ida M., Roy A. and Clair A.

Hans Rudolph, a retired farmer, is one of the respected resi- dents of LeRoy village. He was born in Denmark, April 24, 1856, son of George and Christina Rudolph, both of whom lived and died in the old country. Hans received his education in his na- tive country, and in 1874 came to America, stopping off for a few months in Illinois and then coming to Minnesota where, until 1884, he worked out as a farm hand. Then he rented land for a time, and later purchased a tract of land in Howard county, Iowa, where he farmed for six years. At the end of that period he purchased 240 acres in LeRoy township, and followed farming for many years. When his health became impaired he retired, and in 1906 took up his residence in the village. In February, 1911, he purchased the residence adjoining his own home. Mr. Rudolph was married February 28, 1884, to Annie Marie Krogh, daughter of George and Marie Krogh, natives of Denmark. Mrs. Rudolph was born in Denmark April 3, 1851, and came to this country with her parents. She now makes a home for her father, her mother being dead. Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph have two chil- dren : Elmer C. is an attorney in Towner, McHenry county, North Dakota, and George P. lives in LeRoy.

T. S. Bohn was born in Norway July 7, 1842, came to America in 1867, and settled in Dane county, Wisconsin, later coming to Grand Meadow, where he married Annie Skaran, who was born in Norway, August 30, 1850, and came to America in 1861. He then settled on a farm in Clayton township. Later he moved to Adams village and followed his trade as blacksmith for eight years; from there he moved to his Clayton farm, then back to Grand Meadow, where he died November 26, 1909. His widow is still living.

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Simon T. Bohn, an industrious farmer of Clayton township, was born May 26, 1881, son of T. S. and Annie Bohn. He was reared in Grand Meadow, his natal place, attended the schools there and in Adams, when quite young started to work out as a farm hand. In 1906, Simon T. Bohn purchased the farm of 160 acres in section 17, Clayton township, and here he has since resided, successfully conducting general farming. He keeps forty to fifty head of cattle, thirty to forty Chester White hogs, and five Norman horses. Mr. Bohn was married December 31, 1902, to Josephine Olena Wiste, born May 5, 1883, in Marshall town- ship, and they have two children: Alice Helen, born February 20, 1906, and Aaron Theodore, born February 7, 1909.

Jacob Weisel, for many years prominent in the business and political life of Austin, was born in Hessen Darmstadt, Germany, June 24. 1839. His education was received in the Fatherland previous to his emigration to Ameriea with his parents in 1851. After living two years with his parents in the new home in Greenlake county, Wisconsin, he commenced his struggle for self maintenance, his first employment being in the Wisconsin lumber camps, later going to St. Louis, Missouri, and working as a carpenter for a couple of years. Then returning to Wis- consin, he engaged in farming until 1875, when he removed to Austin and embarked in the brewery business, the destruction of his plant by fire cutting short a very prosperous business four years later. After this disaster he at once became connected with the Schlitz Brewing Company as agent and manager for the Austin braneh of the company, in which eapacity he remained until his retirement from active life ten years later. He is a stockholder in the George A. Hormel packing company, of Austin, treasurer of the Austin Building and Loan Association, and at one time was a director of the Citizen's National bank, of Anstin, and treasurer of the Austin Creamery Association. Mr. Weisel also owns a highly improved farm in Lansing township, this county, 320 acres, to which he still devotes much of his attention. His beautiful home at 213 Water street was built by himself. In politics he is a staunch Democrat and served his eity well dur- ing his nine years as alderman, being elected for eight years from the third ward and for one at large. He is affiliated with the Ma- sonic order, and is Past Grand Master of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in which lodge he served several years as treas- urer. December 24, 1861, he was married to Elizabeth Forcey, by whom he has six daughters: Eliza, now Mrs. August King, of Superior, Wisconsin ; Julia, Ida, Mary, Ella, and Veta, married to Lewis Dewitt, of Chicago. The family attend the Episcopal church. George and Katherena (Olie) Weisel, parents of our sub- joet, came over from Germany in 1851, first locating in Greenlake

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county, Wisconsin, and later in Portage, Wisconsin, where they remained until 1861. They then returned to Greenlake county, the father following farming until 1878, when he retired and re- moved to Cambria, Columbia county, Wisconsin, later coming to Austin, where he died in 1900. His wife died in 1898.

A. T. Boen, a venerable resident of Pleasant Valley township, was born in Norway, October 24, 1833. He was educated in Nor- way, spent his early life there, and in 1862 came to America. After living a short time in Iowa, he came to Mower county and purchased eighty acres in section 36, Pleasant Valley. He now owns 120 acres. This farm he developed and improved, erected the necessary buildings and planted trees. When he first pur- chased his place he raised grain, but later went into dairying, and owned some twenty milch cows. Three years ago he rented his land and now lives a retired life. He is a Lutheran in religion and an independent in politics. It is worthy of note that after he had been in this country long enough to become imbued with patriotic sentiments, he determined to enlist in the Union army. On reachng Rochester, where the enlistment office was located, he heard the wild ringing of the bells and the blowing of whistles, and was told that Lee had surrendered. On October 15, 1864, Mr. Boen married Sarah Knutson. Of their six children two are liv- ing. They are: Theodore, who is employed in an auto garage in LeRoy, and Annie, who is the wife of Oscar Jacobson, a farmer of Mower county. The father of A. T. Boen was Navn Tron Boen and his mother was Navn er Signi.

Iver Johnson, a progressive citizen of Lodi township, was born in Norway, son of John Everson. The family came to America when young Iver was between three and four years old, landing in New York city from the boat Columbus, after a voyage of twelve weeks and four days. The family first located in Dane county, Wisconsin, where John Everson, the father, lived until his death, July 10, 1904. Iver was educated in the Dane county schools, and at the age of ten years, when his mother died, went to live with an uncle. Then he worked out until 1874, and in that year came to Minnesota and worked in Freeborn county for a year. Subsequently he spent six months around his old home in Wisconsin, and then came to LeRoy, where he worked out with his teams. The same year he purchased 80 acres in section 23, Lodi township, and here he has since carried on general farming. He now owns 200 acres of excellent land. The comfortable home which adorns the place was erected in 1898, and many evergreens have also been set out to beautify the farm. Mr. Johnson raises cattle for beef and dairy and has about 40 Herefords. In ad- dition to this he has about eleven brood sows. The subject of this sketch is a Republican, and served for many years as a member of

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the school board of distriet 67. He was married November 21, 1878, to Betsy Holverson, of Dane county. They have three ehil- dren : Mary, a nurse in the state hospital at St. Peter; John, a mail carrier in Taopi; and Eva Josephine, who lives at home and attends school. The family faith is that of the Lutheran church.

O. N. Hegg, who at one time served Bennington as town clerk for eight consecutive years, is one of the esteemed and respected farmers of his neighborhood. He was born in Winnesheik county, Iowa, March 9, 1863, son of A. O. and Gunhild (Malen) Hegg, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1854, located in Winnesheik county, Iowa, and there remained until 1901, when they removed to Decorah, Iowa, where Gunhild died March 6, 1910, A. O. afterward returning to the old homestead and taking up his home with his son, Adolph. O. N. Hegg received his early education in the district schools and supplemented this with a four years' eourse at Luther college at Deeorah, Iowa. After this he returned home and engaged in farming until 1885, when on April 5, he eame to Bennington township, and purchased 160 acres in section 33, later in 1894 purchasing a similar tract ad- joining in section 34. This land he partly broke and cleared, and has followed general farming. Aside from the office mentioned above he has been elerk of district 102 for several years and is still serving in this capacity. He also is interested in the cream- ery and elevator at Ostrander, in which he owns stock. The sub- ject of this sketch was married December 9, 1886, to Dena Chris- topherson, who died June 2, 1895, leaving five children : Alfred and Clarence, of Grand Meadow; George, of St. Paul; Helmer, who lives at home, and Mabel, who keeps house for her father. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran church, and Mr. Hegg has been a trustee of the Bennington congregation for several years.

C. J. Flikki, a hard working farmer of Lodi township, was born in Norway in 1859, son of George Flikki, who is still living in that country, and is now past eighty-one years of age. The subject of this sketeh eame to this country in 1882. He made the voyage early in the spring, and the progress of the vessel was slow, having been on the steam boat twenty-one days from Liver- pool. England. For four days the ship was ice-bound, and al- though Quebee was the destination, a landing was made at Hali- fax and the passengers taken to Quebec by rail. C. Flikki went directly to Vernon County, Wisconsin, worked there two years, went to Mower county and stayed there two years, then went to North Dakota and worked out six years, subsequently went to Goodhue county in this state, where he rented land four years, and finally eame to Mower county, where he purchased land in section 27, Lodi township. and where he has sinee sueeessfully

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followed general farming. He is a Lutheran in religion and a Republican in politics. His interest in education is shown by the fact that he has served many years as a member of the school board of district 80. In 1890, Mr. Flikki married Christina Thomp- son, of Mower county, and this union has resulted in five children : Cora Josephine, Hattie Carolina, George Urdahl, Henry Nitter and Arthur Clarence. Hattie, George and Henry are at school and doing well in their studies. It is worthy of note that in 1899 Mr. Flikki went to Norway, visited his old home, talked with old friends, and remained until April, 1900. While he was there he visited the most principal cites in that country, where his broth- ers are in business and also some of his relations.

Michael H. Corcoran, a well-known farmer of Clayton town- ship, was born in Brownsville, Houston county, February 5, 1866, son of Mark and Mary Corcoran, natives of Ireland. He was edu- cated in the county sehools and remained at home on the farm until twenty-four years of age. In 1882 he purchased a quarter section in section 24, Clayton township. He now owns 240 acres in section 12 in Clayton and section 18 in Bennington. Here he has made many improvements. Seven years ago he erected his fine dwelling, and at present he is occupied in building a large new barn with a roomy cement basement. Mr. Corcoran carried on general farming, making a specialty of grain and hay raising and stock breeding. In hay he handles a large quantity of tim- othy and wild hay. In cattle he favors the Aberdeen Angus for beef and the Shorthorn for the dairy, and has several of each variety. He also raises Poland China hogs and has a drove of from seventy-five to one hundred. Of late years he has turned his attention to Belgian horses, and a few years ago purchased the well-known stallion Sultan, a beautiful animal weighing 1,900 pounds, and born and bred in Iowa. Mr. Corcoran is a member of the town board of supervisors, and was clerk of district 109 seven years. He is at present a director of the Farmers' Elevator at Grand Meadow. Mr. Corcoran is a member of two fraternal organizations, the Modern Woodmen of America and Knights of Columbus, Spring Valley Couneil, No. 1,476; is also treasurer of St. Finbar's church and a member of the building committee of the fine new brick church to be erected the coming season in Grand Meadow. The subject of this sketch was married Septem- ber 21, 1897, to Ellen MeLain, a native of Illinois, and a daugh- ter of Patrick and Fanny Mclain. This marriage, which took place in Grand Meadow, has resulted in the following children : William Henry, J. C. and Mary E., all at home and attending school.

Mark Corcoran was born in Ireland, and in 1853 he and his wife, Mary, came to America and located in Dayton, Ohio. Three

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years later they came to Brownsville, purchased eighty aeres, in- creased this gradually to 240 acres, and here spent the remainder of their days, devoting their attention largely to grain raising.

Elgin Emigh, one of the esteemed residents of Lodi township, was born in Illinois in 1858, son of John Emigh. The family moved to Iowa when Elgin was three years of age, and he lived at home until fifteen years of age, when he started life on his own responsibility by working out as a farm hand until twenty- one years of age, when he came to Mower county, and for a year continued to work out. Then he rented land until 1894, when he purchased a forty aere traet in section 2, Lodi township, to which he later added forty acres in the same section, where he lives, and where he has ereeted his home and the necessary farm buildings. He now carries on intensive farming, and also breeds some horses, but makes a specialty of Percheron horses. Mr. Emigh is well liked in the community and has been a member of the town board of supervisors for seven years.

Wellington Emigh, a farmer of Lodi township, was born in Illinois in 1855, and was taken by his parents to Iowa when very young, afterward coming to Mower county. He has engaged in various lines of work and has traveled extensively. At the pres- ent time he makes his home with his brother, Elgin.

Alexander Bell, chairman of the board of supervisors of Lodi township, a position he has occupied for the past three years, was born in Cook county, Illinois, in 1846, son of Robert Bell, now de- ceased. The mother died when Alexander was very young, and at the age of fourteen, after attending the school in his neigh- borhood, he started in life for himself. He came to Mower county in 1878, and rented a farm in Clayton for one year. In the fall he moved to town and bought a place of F. Bulis. He was elected marshal in the year 1879, which office he held for four years, then was elected town mayor in 1883, which he held four years, and was school director for several years. In 1900 he rented the D. C. Wood farm of 320 acres in section 20, Lodi township. Here he follows diversified farming, raises oats, barley, corn and some wheat, and breeds cattle, horses, swine and sheep. He has forty-two head of Black Poll and twenty-five Shorthorn cattle, 160 head of Shropshire sheep, fifty head of Poland China hogs and twenty-one Percheron horses. Aside from his township po- sition he has served seven years as a member of the school board of district 96. Mr. Bell was married in early life to Eunice Mitchell, who died in 1886. In 1888 he was married to Augusta Brunce, daughter of Fred Brunce, of Mower county, and they have seven children: Clara, Robert, Leslie, Harlen, Laura, Alex- ander, Jr., and Louise. All are at home, and Leslie, Harlen, Alex- ander, Jr .. and Laura attend school.

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John Sorflaten, for over nine years town chairman of Clayton has been a prominent man in the community for a long period. He is a native son of the county, born in Grand Meadow township, December 12, 1868, son of Ole and Ollie Sorflaten, who came to America from Norway in 1858, and came directly to Grand Meadow, where they purchased land and followed diversified farming the remainder of their days. John Sorflaten was edu- cated in the county schools and later attended the Darling Busi- ness College at Rochester, Minnesota. At the age of sixteen he started life for himself by working out by the month, in which manner he continued for five years. He afterward learned the carpenter trade and followed this vocation five years also. Then he purchased eighty acres in section 21, Clayton township. This land he has developed and improved, has erected buildings, tilled the soil and planted trees. He carries on general farming, and raises Shorthorn cattle, Chester White hogs and Plymouth Rock chickens. In addition to the office mentioned above, he was town clerk four years and clerk of district 74 for nine years. The sub- jeet of this sketch was married on October 28, 1895, to Minnie Huseby, a daughter of Arne Huseby, of the town of. Marshall. Eight children have blessed this union, of whom Alvin Obert, Julius Melvin, Stella and Orville William are living. The three oldest are at school. The family faith is that of the Lutheran church.

Wallace C. Allen, stock raiser, one of the leading citizens of Clayton township, was born in Rockford, Iowa, September 28, 1877, son of Alfred and Elizabeth Allen, who have retired from farm life and are now living in the village of Rockford, Iowa. Wallace C. was educated in the county schools of his neighbor- hood, and at the age of twenty-two started in life for himself as a farm hand. Later he purchased 200 acres in section 6, Clayton township, where he still lives. In addition to this he owns 225 acres in Floyd county, Iowa. Mr. Allen does some general farm- ing, but devotes the greater part of his time to stock raising. He has a fine herd of 250 Western sheep, and last fall shipped two car loads of these excellent animals to Chicago. In addition to this he has twenty head of Shorthorn cattle, thirteen head of grade Percheron horses, and a drove of Chester White pigs. The farm upon which he lives was formerly the property of C. F. Greening. Mr. Allen is an independent voter and has served four years as a member of school district 127. Being of a sociable nature he has allied himself with the Modern Woodmen. The subject of this sketch was married April 7, 1900, to Mary E. Pop- ham, daughter of N. J. and Alice (Maynard) Popham, born in Portage, Wisconsin, but a native of Iowa at the time of her marriage, having moved there with her parents in 1895. Mr. and

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Mrs. Allen have two children: Glenn, born November 19, 1901, and Ruby Julia, born February 16, 1904.

Ole A. Bergene, a modern farmer of Marshall township, was born in Norway, Nov. 20, 1855, son of Andrew and Oleaug Ber- gene, both now deceased. He came to America in 1878 and after landing in New York came directly to Grand Meadow, later locating in Marshall township, where he worked ont six years. He also worked in the pineries in Wisconsin two winters. Some years ago he purchased eighty acres in section 35, Marshall township, where he still resides, but later has added to it so he has 200 acres in Marshall township and eighty acres in Adams township. When he first bought the farm he raised grain, but now devotes his attention to diversified farming. He has thirty- five head of cattle and sells cream to the Adams creamery, in which he is one of the stockholders. In addition to this, he has forty Poland-China hogs and ten Percheron horses. The Bergene residence was erected in 1884, and to this Mr. Bergene has added from time to time until he now has a roomy and comfortable home. He has also made many improvements on his farm and has pur- chased modern machinery. A Republican in politics, he has been treasurer of school district No. 65 for three years. The subject of this sketch was married March 31, 1884, to Sarah Sorflaten, and they have been blessed with seven children: Ollie, the oldest, is the wife of Ole Lunda, a farmer of Adams township. The others are: Edwin, Oscar, Annie, Ella, Selma and Orville. The four youngest attend school.

August Dettloff, Sr., for twelve years supervisor of the town of Pleasant Valley, is one of the substantial men of the commu- nity, and in addition to serving on the town board has been road overseer for a long period and member of the school board of dis- triet No. 48 for many years. He was born in Germany, May 3, 1850, son of Carl and Mary Dettloff, the former of whom is dead. The family came to America in 1867, lived a time in Dane county, Wisconsin, and in 1871, came to Pleasant Valley township, where the parents purchased 160 acres in section 22. August Dettloff, Sr., the subject of this sketch, remained at home with his parents and worked on the home farm until twenty-three years of age. Then he worked out as a farm hand for three years, and subse- quently worked on the railroad three years. Later he purchased 120 acres in section 27, Pleasant Valley township. This tract he has increased to 320 acres, and on this he follows general farm- ing. having ten Norman horses, thirty head of swine and about fifty cattle. IIe sells cream to the Grand Meadow creamery, in which he is a stockholder. The subject of this sketeh was mar- ried November 26, 1874, to Rekia Eilars, a native of Germany, who came to America with her parents and settled in Austin in 1868.

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The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 82

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