The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 91

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

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breeds pure blooded Shorthorn cattle, registered Shropshire sheep and Duroc Jersey hogs. The subject of this sketch was married December 24, 1874, to Marcia A. Spencer, daughter of W. B. and Elizabeth (MeGee) Spencer, born April 16, 1849, and this union has been blessed with two children, William Glenn and Ruby E., the latter of whom was born June 30, 1882, and died three years later. Mrs. Marcia A. Spencer Prosser was born in Pennsylvania, April 16, 1849, daughter of W. B. and Elizabeth (McGee) Spencer, who came to LeRoy in 1856. Mrs. Prosser attended the first school established in the southeast part of the county. Mrs. Prosser graduated from the normal school at Winona, in 1867, and taught school for many years in south- ern Minnesota and northern Iowa, teaching several terms after her marriage. Lowry W. Prosser was elected secretary of the Southern Minnesota Horticultural Society in 1909, 1910 and 1911, respectively.

William Glenn Prosser was born November 13, 1880, son of Lowry W. and Marcia A. (Spencer) Prosser. He received his education in the graded schools and in the LeRoy High School, afterward taking a two years' eourse in plant and stoek breed- ing in the Agricultural School of the University of Minnesota. After returning home from college he took up agricultural pur- suits with his father.

Thron M. Lokke, a venerable resident of the village of Grand Meadow, was born near Honefos, in, Norway, January 18, 1847, son of Mons Lokke, a carpenter by trade, as well as a farmer. Thron M. Lokke came to America with his parents in 1852, and with them located in York, Green county, Wisconsin, where he spent his early manhood on a farm. At the age of twenty-five years he went to Floyd county, Iowa, and rented a farm one year. Then he came to Frankford township, this county, and settled in section 32, where he continued to live until the fall of 1909, when he retired and took up his residence in the vil- lage, leaving the management of the farm to his son, Martin. Mr. Lokke married Carolina E., daughter of Iver Peterson, and this union has resulted in eleven children: Martin, Helen G. (deceased), Hannah J., Isaac G. (deceased), Sena G., Theodora E., Theodore (deceased), Gilbert (deceased), Gilbert, Josie M. and Clarenee. Martin married Anna Hovda and has two chil- dren, Myrtle A. and Truman E. Hannah J. married Torn Odden and they have six children: Inga, Elsie, Helen, Josie, Seymour and Rollin. Mr. and Mrs. Odden live in Aldrich, Waden county, Minnesota.

Ole Finhart, Jr., an estimable farmer of Adams township, was born in Frankford township. this county, April 10, 1856, and is the son of Ole O. Finhart and Caroline, his wife, natives

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of Norway, who settled in Dane county, Wisconsin, about 1848 and were married in Minnesota in the fifties. In the middle fifties they purchased 160 acres in section 7, Frankford town- ship, and here Ole O. followed farming until his death in 1898, his widow still making her home on the old farm. Ole Finbart, the subject of this sketch. was educated in the county schools, and at the age of nineteen started to learn the tinner's trade with C. F. Greening in Grand Meadow. Then he worked out as a farm hand until 1877. That year he attended school at Grand Meadow and at the same time worked in the store of Ole Jorgen. Subsequently he took a course in the La Crosse Business College. The following year he was made deputy sheriff and jailor, in Mower county, by Sheriff H. B. Corey. This position he held over four years. During this period the fa- mons case of the trial of John Riley for the shooting of Sherman Page came up. and for a time Riley was in Mr. Finhart's charge. After giving up this position he entered the employ of C. E. Greening in Grand Meadow and worked for him for years. In 1891 he began farming in section 11, Clayton township, where he purchased a quarter section, which he still owns. Here he followed general farming until December 18, 1901, when he mar- ried Mrs. T. S. Olson and came to Adams township to take charge of the Tollafson estate for his wife. Mr. Finhart has been an active Mason since 1880, when he joined Grand Meadow Lodge, No. 21, A. F. & A. M. He is a Republican in politics,; and while in Clayton township was school clerk three years and town elerk a similar period. He has also served as secretary of the Grand Meadow Butter & Cheese Association and was a director of the Adams Co-Operative Creamery, in which he is still a stockholder.

Horace H. Hubbard has been a successful farmer in Austin township since the period immediately following the Civil war. He was born in Stark county, Ohio, February 14, 1832, son of H. S. and Margaret (Hanes) Hubbard, both descended from old and distinguished eastern families. Horace received his early education in Wayne county, Illinois, walking three miles to school. In 1854 he started out in life for himself as a farmer and in June, 1866, came to Mower county and purchased a quar- ter section of land in section 8, Austin township. Here he built a house and necessary outbuildings, broke and developed the land, and has since continued to carry on general farming with much success. In 1898 he purchased eighty aeres adjoining his original purehase. Mr. Hubbard is a Republican in polities and a member of the Christian church. He was married, September 14, 1854, to Mary V. Hawk, of Ohio, and of the seven children who have blessed their happy union, five are living. They are:

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Laura, now Mrs. Homer Wood; Homer, a hotelkeeper and mer- chant in Fairmont, N. D .; Minnie, now Mrs. George Hines; Eunice, now living in Alberta, Canada, and Samuel, now on the old homestead. Cassius and Jennie are dead. H. S. Hubbard was born in Olmstead county, New York, and married Margaret Hanes, a native of Green county, Pennsylvania. H. S. was a carding machine operator and for fourteen winters also taught school. He operated the first threshing machine in Columbina county, Ohio. In 1843 he took his family to Wayne county, Illinois. and there engaged in farming until his death in 1855. His wife survived until 1873.

John Johnson, who farms on section 21, Marshall township, was born in Sweden, September 30, 1848, and was there reared to manhood. At the age of twenty-seven years he came to Amer- ica and worked at various labor in Chicago three years. In 1876 he married Tilda Johnson, also a native of Sweden, and together they came to Minnesota in 1878. After several years here, they purchased their present farm. All of the 120 acres except the home site are under cultivation ; the home is comfort- able, the outbuildings in good condition, and the supply of farm equipment, implements and machinery is adequate. Mr. Johnson is a member of the Swedish Lutheran church and votes the Re- publican ticket. He is essentially a self-made man, having re- ceived no inheritance from his parents. He has not cared to seek public office, but at various times has done good work on the school board. Three children have blessed the Johnson home. Charles W. married Isabelle Bacagard and is a carpenter at Rose Creek. Frank and Carter are at home.

James W. Johnson, of Lyle, has been in charge of the county bridge construction for eight years, and in this capacity has well demonstrated his ability and fitness. He was born in Chris- tiania, Norway, August 29, 1867, son of Carl and Helen (Olson) Johnson, natives of Norway. They came to America in 1880 and located in Wisconsin, where they engaged in farming until 1904, in which year they located in Dawson, Minn., and retired. Carl Johnson died December 24, 1909, after which his wife came to Lyle and died September 3, 1910. James W. came to America with his parents in 1880 at the age of thirteen. While still a youth he located in Algona, Iowa, and engaged as an appren- tice to a wagon maker. In 1885 he went to Minneapolis for a short time, and then became a brakeman for the C., M. & St. P., a position he occupied eight years, after which for two years he was a traveling baggage master. Subsequently he worked at the cement business in Minneapolis and then in 1898 came to Lyle, where he is a worker in concrete, doing general con-

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tracting and building and making a specialty of bridge work. He has been street commissioner in Lyle five years, is on the board of health, belongs to the A. F. & A. M., the M. W. A. and the I. O. R. M. He votes independently and attends the Congre- gational church. Mr. Johnson was married, October 6, 1898, to Mollie Volstad, and this union has resulted in one daughter, Iona Julla, born April 8, 1900.

Henry Jacobs, who opened the first regular clothing and tailoring establishment in Austin, was born in Saxony, Germany, March 23, 1830. He received his early education in the German schools and came to America in 1848, after learning the tailor- ing trade. Upon his arrival in New York, he went up the Hudson by boat to Albany, thenee to Buffalo by rail, and thenee to Cleveland, Ohio, by boat. From then until 1855 he was en- gaged in the tailoring business in various places in Ohio, and in that year located in Oshkosh, Wis., where he engaged, as be- fore, in the clothing and tailoring business. In 1861 he came to Austin and opened a similar establishment, the first in the place. This he conducted until 1898, when he elosed out his clothing business, although he still continues to do tailoring. Mr. Jacobs has been a deaeon in the Austin Baptist church sinee 1877. He was first converted in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1849, and was baptized in Lake Winnebago, at Oshkosh, in 1855. He is the oldest living member of the local church. A Republican in polities, he first voted for John C. Fremont in 1856. He has been a member of the I. O. O. F. since 1876, was a charter mem- ber of the W. W. A. in 1877 and joined the Good Templars at the organization in 1863. The subject of this sketeh was mar- ried, December 24,'1856, at Oshkosh, Wis., to Frances E. Lord, who died April 8, 1897, leaving four children, Eugene, Mamie, G. Edwin and Mabel.

W. F. Jordan, elevator man at Taopi, was born in Mitehell county, Iowa, December 24, 1865, son of William and Mary (Burns) Jordan, both natives of Ireland. W. F. passed his early manhood on the farm and received his early education in the distriet schools. At the death of his father, in 1892, W. F. and his brothers took charge of the home farm. In 1901, the sub- jeet of this sketch came to Mower county and farmed near Elkton three years. After this he traded his farm for an ele- . vator in Elkton, which he operated for one year. Subsequently he came to Taopi, where he has since been located. He is a man of affairs, energetic, keen and alert, and has achieved sue- eess in life by his own efforts. He has a pleasant residence, which he himself erected, and is regarded as one of the active men of the village.

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Charles H. Johnson, M. D., for six years mayor of Austin and the present county physician, was born in Canada, in the province of Ontario, January 16, 1860, son of Samuel and Amelia E. (McNish) Johnson. He received his early education in the public schools of his neighborhood and when properly prepared entered the medical department of McGill University, at Mont- real, Canada, in 1879, graduating with honors in 1884, having received in the meantime the necessary hospital and dispensary practice. After graduating, he came direct to Austin, where he has since been actively engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in all its branches, having a large clientele in city and county and enjoying the respect and confidence of the com- munity, both as a man and as a practitioner. He was elected to his present position as county physician in 1907 and has also been connected more or less with the state militia. Dr. John- son is a high degree Mason and belongs to the M. W. A., the A. O. U. W., the K. of P., the F. O. E. and the Owls. He votes the Democratic ticket and attends the Episcopal church. Sam- uel Johnson and Amelia E. McNish, his wife, parents of Dr. Charles H. Johnson, of Austin, spent their lives in Canada, Sam- uel dying in 1863 and his wife in 1907.

Emil Larsen, a prosperous farmer of Lodi township, was born in Christiana, Norway, December 27, 1847, son of Hans Larsen, now deceased. Emil attended the schools of the old country and learned the wallpaper making trade. After attain- ing the years of manhood, he decided to come to America. A tedious sailing trip over the ocean occupied six weeks, after which Emil Larsen first set foot on American soil in Quebec. Here the immigration bureau gave him the name of H. C. Lar- sen, for purposes of record, but this name Mr. Larsen has never used. He came directly from Quebec to Dane county, Wisconsin, and learned the carpenter trade. From Wisconsin he came to Mower county, purchased land in section 34, Lodi town- ship, and combined farming with work at his trade as carpenter. The first year he raised wheat, but he has since devoted his at- tention to diversified farming and dairying, having a herd of about thirty Shorthorn cattle. He also has some twenty-five brood sows of the Poland-China breed. His farm is in excel- lent condition, and in 1896 he built a pleasant new home with his own hands. He has also erected his own barns and other buildings. In 1870 the subject of this sketch married Annie Knutson, the ceremony taking place in Norway. This union has been blessed with eight children: Herman Martin, deceased ; Carl Christian, at home ; Emma Anita, wife of Henry Erie; Chris- tian Louisa, wife of Mike Hermanson, a farmer in Iowa; Monson Gustave, a carpenter residing in Rochester; Carrie Olina, wife

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of James Hauga, a merchant at Clermont, lowa; Oscar, at home, and Gina Matilda, deceased. The family faith is that of the Lutheran church.

Andrew P. Martin, one of the foremost citizens of Nevada township, has been chairman of the township board for many years, and before his elevation to his present office served sev- eral terms as a member of the town board of supervisors. He has also served in other positions of publie trust and honor. An- drew P. Martin was born in Nevada township, this county, Octo- ber 21, 1856, son of Peter and Anna (Anderson) Martin, the pioneers. He was reared on the home farm, attended the dis- triet schools and has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, now carrying on general farming on 160 acres of well-improved land. He votes the Republican ticket and is a trustee and promi- nent member of the Six Mile Grove Lutheran church. The sub- ject of this sketch was married, March 14, 1880, to Julia Ener- son, and this union has resulted in five children: Alma, Thea, Gilbert, Philip and Malvin. Alma is the wife of Oliver Meyer, of Roberts county, North Dakota, and Thea is the wife of Al- fred Austinson, who resides in Nevada township. Gilbert, Philip and Malvin live at home. Peter Martin, the pioneer, was a son of Martin Hanson, and the three, Peter Martin, Martin Hanson and Andreas Anderson, eame to Nevada township in June, 1854, coming from Norway, via Dane county, Wisconsin, and Calmer, lowa. Peter Martin lived one year with his father, after his arrival here, and then built a house on his elaim in the south- west quarter of seetion 21. Peter Martin was born in Norway in 1832. He attended school until eighteen years of age and then worked on the farm. In 1853, in company with his par- ents, left his native land and came to America, landing at Que . bec, after a voyage of ten weeks. The family first located in Dane county, where they remained eleven months, then started with ox teams for Mower county, and settled in the town of Nevada, as before stated. He was twiee married. His first wife, to whom he was married in 1853, was Anna Anderson, a native of Norway, born in 1826. She died in October, 1870, leaving four children, named Martin, Andrew, John and Maria. Hc was married in 1873, the second time, and by this marriage there were two children, Clara and Albert. In March, 1888, he went to Lineoln county, Washington, where he now resides. Martin Hanson was a native of Norway and came to this eoun- try in 1853 with his family, landing in Quebee. After living a time in Dane county, Wisconsin, he came to Mower county in June, 1854, and settled in the north half of the southeast quar- ter of section 28, where he erected a log cabin, which he covered with bark. He lived in this cabin a few years and then erected

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a substantial log house, which he occupied until the time of his death in the spring of 1867.

T. G. Morstad, a prominent farmer of Nevada township, who farms on 160 acres of land in section 9, was born in Norway, December 30, 1849, son of Gilbert and Anna Morstad, of Nor- way, the former of whom is now living with T. G., and the lat- ter died in July, 1909. T. G. Morstad, the subject of this sketch, came to this country in 1869, settling in the township where he still resides. He has devoted his entire life to agricultural pur- suits. Mr. Morstad is a Republican in politics, but he has never sought public honors. He and his family attend the Lutheran church. Mr. Morstad was married at Six Mile Grove, Minn., to Agnes Helgeson, daughter of Swensen and Emma Helgeson, the ceremony being performed October 29, 1881. Many children blessed this union: Anna, Ida, Gustav, Clara, Alma, Ole, Melise and Elmer. Anna is the wife of Carl Iverson, of Brazil, N. D. One died in infancy.

George J. Malcombson, a prosperous farmer of LeRoy town- ship, was born February 11, 1870, in the Shetland Islands, off the coast of Scotland. His parents were Malcom and Mary (Leslie) Malcombson, also natives of the Shetland Islands. The father died there in 1879 and the mother brought her family to Canada in 1885. After eleven months in Canada, they came to the United States and lived in Chester, Iowa. Then they came to Mower county, and the boys worked out until 1895, when George J. and his brother purchased eighty acres in Le- Roy township. On this tract George J. remained until 1900, when he, purchased eighty acres in section 26, LeRoy township, where he built his house and barns and a large silo. He is suc- cessfully engaged in general farming and breeds Shropshire sheep and Shorthorn cattle. The subject of this sketch was married August 29, 1900, to Eliza A. Schutz, daughter of R. A. Schutz, of LeRoy, born February 27, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Mal- combson are the parents of two children. Russell R. was born January 20, 1904, and died May 30, 1906. A. DeLloyd was born May 30, 1907. Mr. Maleombson is a Republican, attends the Presbyterian church and belongs to the M. W. A. He has been road overseer two years and is now a director of school district sixty-three.

Nels Nelson, for many years a farmer in LeRoy township, was born in Norway, and came to the United States by way of Quebec, locating for a time in Dane county, Wisconsin. After reaching LeRoy he worked out for a time, and then purchased eighty aeres in section 27, Lodi township, which he tilled and to which he added until he owned 160 acres. After purchasing

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this land he also bought a small house, standing two miles to the eastward, and moved this onto his land. In this house the family has since resided, making additions and improvements from time to time. In 1909, Nels Nelson sold the farm to his sons, Julius and Martin. The children born to Nels and Julia Nelson are: Betsy, Nils, Lena, Julia, Carrie, Julius and Mar- tin. Betsy is the wife of Iver Hinger and lives in South Da- kota. Nils farms in South Dakota. Lena is the wife of Edward Lysne, a contractor at Brainard, Minn. Julia died at the age of thirteen. Carrie is at home. Nelson brothers, Julius and Martin Nelson, sons of Nels and Julia Nelson, are prosperous farmers in Lodi township. The two boys stayed at home and attended to the work of the farm, and have given all their ef- forts to developing it, and to helping their parents in their de- clining years. They carry on general farming successfully, have inade many improvements, have replaced the old windmill with one modern in every respect and have just let the contract for a fine new home, to be built just west of the present residence. They take especial pride in their herd of thirty Shorthorns, which they raise for beef and dairy purposes.

Henry O'Marrow, marshal of Grand Meadow village, was born in Ireland, son of Thomas and Mary (Murphy) O'Marrow, who brought their family to America in 1861, settling in Utica, N. Y., where they remained five years. Then they located in Beaver Dam, Wis., and there Thomas O'Marrow worked seven- teen years for Washington Brower, continuing to live in Beaver Dam, until his death in 1904. Henry, the subject of this sketch, was seventeen years of age when he started out in life for him- self, and came to Rochester, Minn., remaining six years, after which he came to Grand Meadow. He was assistant foreman of the C., M. & St. P. for six years, then engaged in the grain business, afterward pursued other employment, and later as- sumed his present duties as custodian of the peace. He also has charge of the village pumping station. He married Kate Me- Closkey, and to this union five children were born: Thomas, Frank, Mary, Margaret and Jennie. Mary married Joseph Rathey and they have one son, named Henry for his grandfather.

Charles K. Olson, a substantial citizen of Nevada township, was born in Norway, June 7, 1852, son of Charles Olson and Mary O. Olson, bothi natives of Norway and both now deceased. Charles K. came to Quebec in 1870 on an old sailing vessel, the "Skein." The wind failed them and before the landing was made in Quebec, after eleven weeks on the water, the boat ex- hausted its store of food and drink. From Quebec Charles K. came to Adams village and worked out for a year, afterward going to Iowa for a year. Then he returned, attended school win-

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ters and for a period of ten years spent his time laboring by the month on farms, in the woods and in various other capaci- ties. By frugality he saved enough money to buy cighty acres in section 10, Nevada township, and with this start he pros- pered until he now owns 320 acres of good land. He raises corn, potatoes and timothy and makes a specialty of cattle, mostly Herefords, for beef and dairy purposes. Mr. Olson is a Republican in politics and has been justice of the peace four years, director of the school board of his district five years, and treasurer of the same district for eight years. He has been a stockholder in the Nevada Co-Operative Creamery for seventeen years and disposes of his cream to that institution. The sub- ject of this sketch was married, January 1, 1877, to Sara Oste- muson, a native of Norway, who came to the United States in 1870. Six children have been born to them: Carl is at home; Andrena married Lars A. Larson and lives in Adams township; Mollie is now Mrs. Hans O. Sampson, of Nevada township; An- nie, Christ and Julia are at home.

Albert Paape, a modern farmer of Waltham township, was born near Berlin, Germany, August 30, 1860, son of August and Mary (Tews) Paape. He came to America with his parents and lived with them in Wisconsin, his father, August, dying there. Albert started in life for himself by working out by the day near Winona, this state, for three years. Then he spent two years in Waltham. Subsequently he went to Nebraska, but in 1898 again came to Waltham township and purchased 160 acres in section 8, where he still resides. He erected the house where he now lives and has a large and well-tilled farm, well equipped with tools and machinery and having a suitable num- ber of buildings for the housing of stock and crops. Mr. Paape married Bertha Wiesch, and they have twelve children.

Joseph Reinartz, a Mower county farmer now living in Lan- sing township, was born in Washington county, Wisconsin, A:1- gust 31, 1865, son of Joseph Reinartz, who was born in Ger- many and came to America in 1849, settling in Washington county, Wisconsin, where he raised his family. Joseph, Sr., came to Mower county in 1879 and took up his abode at Rose Creek, where he engaged in farming and where he still lives, making his home with his son John and his daughter Anna. Joseph, Jr., the subject of this sketch, went to school in Wis- consin and at Rose Creek in Mower county. When he was four- teen years of age he started in life for himself by working out among the farmers of the county. In 1886 he rented a farm, which he conducted five years. Subsequently he rented another farm for two years and in 1893 came to Lansing and purchased his present place. His farm is near the village. Mr. Reinartz

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has been on the township board six years and is now chairman of the board. Ile is also a member of the Foresters. By his wife, Anna Gertrude Shnornberg, daughter of Henry and Ger- trude (Weise) Shnornberg, Mr. Reinart has eight children, as follows: Anna M., Josephine, Bernard, Lawrence, Albert II., Henry J., Leonard and Helen E.

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The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 91

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