The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 92

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 92

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George Sutton, one of the pioneers of Mower county, has lived here since 1857, and has taken an active interest in town- ship and county affairs. He has done his part toward the de- velopment of this seetion of the country and has always been outspoken in behalf of the things that he has believed to be for the best interests of the community. He was born March 19, 1838, in Greens county, Ireland, son of Stephen and Mary (Mc- Bride) Sutton, the father a native of County Longford, Ire- land, and the mother of County Donegal, Ireland. The subject of this sketch came to this country with his parents in 1849, remaining in New York state until 1857, when he came with them to Mower county, locating at Rose Creek, Windom town- ship. After his father's death, in 1859, he entered the elaim which his father had pre-empted, as heir-at-law, and acquired the proper title. Here he developed the land, erected buildings and followed general farming until 1873, when he moved his family into the village of Rose Creek, and engaged in grain buying, still continuing, however, to conduct his farm. He fol- lowed the grain buying business until 1898, when he retired from active participation in business. In 1896, he returned to the old farm, where he now lives with his son, Arthur, who conducts the homestead. Mr. Sutton is a Demoerat in politics, a life- long member of the Masons and a former member of the Grange. He has served as justice of the peace, is a member of the town board of Windom and has been a member of the school board for many years. He also held other local offices. The subject of this sketch was married in Windom township, January 7, 1866, to Alma E. Slocum, who died February 8, 1901, leaving two children: Alice, now Mrs. Uber E. Bryant, of Oakland, Cal., and Arthur R., who conducts the home farm. Stephen Sutton, father of George Sutton, was born in County Longford, north of Ireland, and there received his education, afterward becoming a civil engineer. He was employed as government surveyor in Ireland for fourteen years, traveling all over that country. In 1849, he came with his family to America, locat- ing at Norwich, Chenango county, New York, where they re- mained until April, 1857, when they set out to seek a new home in Minnesota, coming directly to what is now Windom township. where he entered a claim in section 26 and remained until his death, in 1859. IIere his good wife remained with her son until

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her death, in 1864. Mr. Sutton was married, in County Donegal, to Mary A. McBride, a native of that county.

J. J. Scallon is one of the well-liked young men of Austin, and is in every way capable to fill the position he occupies. Mr. Scallon was born in Wisconsin, March 31, 1884, son of William S. and Julia Scallon, both of whom are now living in Wisconsin. J. J. Scallon received his education in the common schools of Wisconsin and later graduated from the business course in the Wisconsin Business College at La Crosse, Wis. After gradua- tion, he kept books for the John Gund Brewing Company, of La Crosse, for a few months, and was then made manager of the branch of that company at Austin. In this position he has since remained. This was the first brewery agency to be established in Austin. Southern Minnesota and northern Iowa points are supplied from here and the constantly growing business now amounts to over $40,000 a year.

Antone Swenson conducts the Swenson estate of 220 acres in Marshall township for his brothers and sisters and is one of the substantial citizens of the township. He was born in 1878, in Sweden, and was brought to Mower county by his fa- ther, Andrew Swenson, in the early eighties. He is well liked in the township, has been road overseer for several terms, votes the Republican ticket and attends the Swedish Lutheran church.

Andrew Swenson was born in Sweden, came to America in the early eighties, and located in section 29, Marshall township, where he became a successful farmer, dying in 1899. He had cight children: Charles is a teacher in St. Paul; Annie lives at home; Esther and Nathle are in Austin; Manda is teaching school in this county, Hattie and Cora are at home, and Antone manages the home place.

Charles A. Sleeper was born in Fairfax, Vt., August 12, 1848, son of A. L. and Elbertine (Church) Sleeper. He spent his early life in his father's store and is now engaged in the dry goods and notion business, which enterprise he started in 1905. He was married to Delia, daughter of L. C. and Amelia (Dun- lap) Gillett, and to this union has been born one child, Edna. Mr. Sleeper is a member of the M. W. A. and attends the Baptist church.

Ozro A. Sleeper was born in Fairfax, Vt., August 31, 1850, son of A. L. and Eibertine (Church) Sleeper, and was brought to Mower county in 1864, his father having located on a farm near Brownsdale two years previous. After completing his school days, he entered his father's store and engaged with other members of the family in the general mercantile business until 1905, when he took over the business of manufacturing the Sleeper lightning flypaper, which was invented by his father

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and by him manufactured for many years. Ozro A. Sleeper devotes his entire time to the manufacture and sale of this fly- paper, and his success has been marked, the last season's busi- ness being larger than that of any preceding year. The subject of this sketch married Ella Hoy, daughter of John Hoy. He is a member of Lafayette Lodge, No. 116, A. F. & A. M., Browns- dale, and the St. Barnard Commandery, K. T., as well as of the M. B. A. and the United Commercial Travelers.

Knute Thompson, a respected farmer of Nevada township, was born in Norway, October 26, 1850, son of Thomas Torbenson and Turber Knustader, his wife, both of whom were born, spent their lives and died in Norway. Knute came to this country in 1872, making the trip in a sailing vessel from Norway to New York. He landed on American soil June 25, after an eight weeks' tiresome and dangerous trip. He lived three months in Wis- consin, and then came to Nevada township, this county, where he worked out by the month for a year. Then he rented land a year, and at the end of this period had saved enough to acquire eighty acres of good land in section 7, Nevada township. In 1882, he purchased eighty acres in section 4, Adams township, and has since continued to make his home here. He has erected a comfortable home and the necessary buildings for stock and crops and carries on diversified farming. He devotes his atten- tion largely to grain and cattle raising, selling the milk from his herd to the Adams Co-operative creamery. Mr. Thompson . is a Republican in politics, has been road overseer for twelve years and member of the school board nine years. He aligns himself with the progressives. The subject of this sketch was married November 8, 1872, to Arlia Aslexon, a native of Norway, and they have seven children: Trina, Alex, Thomas, Theodore, Hans, Henry and Clara. Trina is now the wife of Ole Erickson, of Northfield, Minn .; Alex is farming in Williams county, North Dakota, and is also interested in coal mining; Thomas is mar- ried and resides in Faribault, Minn .; Theodore is at home; Hans is married and has a homestead in Williams county, Minnesota ; Henry has a homestead in Valley county, Montana; Clara is the wife of William Peterson, a builder in Minneapolis.

Hans A. Turtdal, a successful farmer of Nevada township, was born in Norway, August 24, 1857, and came to America in 1878. After landing in New York, he made his way directly to Nevada township, where he worked as a farm hand ten years and then rented land for six years. IIe purchased forty acres of land and started farming on his own account. His operations have been crowned with success and he now owns 180 acres in section 21. He has followed diversified farming and makes a specialty of raising hogs for the market and cows for beef and

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dairy purposes. Mr. Turtdal is a Republican in politics, but has never aspired to public office. He was married February 12, 1891, to Annie Lee, a native of Wisconsin, born December 9, 1860. They have three children: Lena, aged eighteen, at home; Trina, at school in Albert Lea, and Alfred, who lives at home and attends the public schools. The family worships at the Lutheran church.

Nicholas Ulwelling, now deceased, was a solid and respected citizen of Lansing for many years, having taken up his residence in the township in 1892 and purchased the old Yates farm. He was born in Germany and came to America with his parents in 1851. They emigrated to Washington county, Wisconsin, and in 1870 came to Mower county and located in the township of Nevada. In 1892, as before related, Mr. Ulwelling came to Lan- sing. His farm is now one of the richest in the county, con- sisting of 440 well-tilled aeres, with suitable and modern build- ings and machinery. After a life of successful toil, Mr. Ulwelling passed away January 19, 1910. Mrs. Ulwelling now has charge of the farm, assisted by her children, and is a capable business woman. Before her marriage she was Margaret Uschald, a native of Wisconsin, but of German descent. The children number nine, as follows: Frank, Joseph, Margaret, Nicholas J., John, Anna, Henry, George and Trasse. Margaret is now Mrs. Gerhart, of Windom township, and Anna is Mrs. Balwers.

Walter S. Willmarth, now deceased, was a respected citizen of LeRoy township and left a heritage of honor to his descend- ants. He was born in Burk, N. Y., February 12, 1857, son of Elisha and Anna (Blanchard) Willmarth. At Burk, Walter attended school and there lived until fourteen years of age, when he went to New York City with his aunt and completed his studies in the Packard Business College. After this he learned the harness-making trade and followed this vocation in New York City until 1885, when he came west and located at Elkton, S. D., where he engaged in the general mercantile business for a period of seven years. Then he sold out and came to Minne- sota, locating in LeRoy township, where he purchased 160 acres of land in section 33. On this tract he conducted general farm- ing until his death, September 6, 1908. Since his death his wife has taken charge of the farm and, being a woman of energy and ability, she is meeting with much success in her endeavors. The subject of this sketeh was married, September 23, 1885, at Flan- dreau, S. D., to Susie Cardiff, born in Princeton, Wis., September 30, 1865, daughter of John and Mary Cardiff. This union has been blessed with three children: Roy G., of LeRoy ; Rhoda A., now Mrs. Willis J. Sanders, and Reginald A., who lives at home. The family faith is that of the Baptist church.

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Peter N. Weinert, a successful and prosperous general mer- enant of Rose Creek, was born in Cedar Creek, Washington county, Wis., son of Anton and Mary (Peil) Weinert, the former of whom was born in Berlin and came to America in 1846, and the latter of whom was a native of one of the French possessions. Peter N. grew to manhood in his native county and for six years taught school in Richfield, Wis., to which place his parents had previously moved. He became deeply interested in the Cleveland campaign and ran for register of deeds in Washington county, being defeated by but one vote. After giving up school teaching he went to college for a time, and then with Andrew Shottler bought out the store of John Cronan in Rose Creek. Two years later they sold out to E. C. Keefe. Mr. Weinert then purchased a farm four miles southeast of Austin, which he operated seven or eight years, after which he rented his place and returned to Rose Creek. In 1906 he ereeted a fine brick store building and entered into partnership with Henry L. Jensen in the general mereantile business. The subject of this sketch is a member of the Foresters and of the German society of the Roman Catholic church. He married Abbie Shottler and they have four children : Mary, Anthony, Winifred and Amy.

Abe F. Watkins, retired farmer, esteemed as a loyal friend and good neighbor, was born in Wales, December 21, 1846, son of John and Mary (Turner) Watkins. He came to America with his parents in 1850, and to Austin township in 1856, receiv- ing his education in the district sehools, and remaining at home until twenty-one years of age, when he filed on 240 acres of railroad land in Austin township, section 31, town 102, range 18. He broke the land, made general improvements and carried on general farming, making a specialty of breeding hogs and horses. In 1898 he rented his farm and came to Austin for the purpose of educating his daughters. At that time he purchased his present home on Park avenue. Mr. Watkins is a Republican. He served on the town board of Austin nine years and was school treasurer in his district fifteen years. The subject of this sketch was married, April 11, 1870, to Phoebe Carter, who died October 9, 1905, leaving five children: Franklin A. is the assistant man- ager of the Booth packing house in Minneapolis; Jennie is the wife of George Goslee, owner and proprietor of a gas plant in Chicago; Elda, who became Mrs. Durant, died at the age of twenty-three ; Laura married James Connor and lives in Billings county, North Dakota; Anna P., now wife of Robert Carter, a Minneapolis electrician, graduated from the Austin high school and the Winona normal school, taught school four years and was head teacher at Anoka two years; Marjorie, now Mrs. George Srinson, whose husband conducts tonsorial parlors at

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Sargeant, graduated from the Austin high school and the South- ern Minnesota normal school, of Austin, and was for several years head bookkeeper for the Hub department store in Austin. Mr. Watkins was married the second time, October 8, 1910, to Mrs. E. H. Ingham. The family faith is that of the Baptist church. John and Mary (Turner) Watkins were natives of Wales, the latter being a sister of Robert Turner, a member of Parliament. They came to America in 1850, lived in Wisconsin a time, and in 1856 came to Mower county and settled in Cedar City in what is now Austin township. They took a homestead of 160 acres, made the usual improvements and followed farming, the wife dying in 1858, two years after coming here, and the father in 1893, after a life filled with honest toil and successful endeavor.

Henry Beneke is one of the industrious farmers of Waltham township. His farms, located in sections 16, 17 and 20, are all under cultivation, his home and grounds are well kept, and his outbuildings commodious and in an excellent state of repair. He was born in Olmsted county, this state, June 5, 1857, son of Martin and Sophia Beneke. The father, Martin, came from Ger- many in the late '30s and located in Wisconsin, where he re- mained for a time. Then he located in Olmsted county, seven miles from Rochester, on the old stage road. Here he tilled the soil and lived in contentment and peace until his death in 1897. Martin Beneke often related, as the state became thickly settled, incidents of the early days when Rochester consisted of one tavern and one store, both built of logs. Henry spent his early days on a farm in Olmsted and at the age of seventeen years was given charge of the farm his father owned in section 20, Waltham township. In 1882 he moved on to this farm, and after his marriage purchased it from his father. A few years later he purchased his present farm in section, 16 to which he moved and where he now resides. Mr. Beneke was married in early manhood to Louisa Meyer, daughter of John Meyer, and their children are Louis, Sarah, Lydia and Edna. Louis lives in Minneapolis. Sarah married George Condo and they have one daughter, Martha. Mrs. Louisa Beneke died in 1892, and Mr. Beneke married for his second wife Emma Schwebke.

A. R Browning, one of the foremost residents of Dexter town- ship was born in Allegany county, New York, February 5, 1868, son of Elisha L. and Betsy A. (Bull) Browning, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of Vermont. They came west to Wisconsin about 1857, then went to Allegany county, New York, and in 1876 again started for the west, bringing their family, including A. R., who at that time was but eight years old. They settled on section 18, Dexter township, built a tem-

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porary shaek, and endured the hardships of pioneer life. Soon they prospered and the fruit of their hard work was seen in a fine frame house, excellent barns and well-tilled aeres. A. R. Browning, as before stated, eame to Dexter township with his parents. His education was received in the schools of Allegany county, New York, and in the sehols of Dexter and Brownsdale, this county. He was reared on the home place and has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. His model farm now comprises 400 aeres, with suitable buildings and machinery and some sleek- looking live stock. Mr. Browning is a member of the A. F. & A. M. at Brownsdale and the M. W. A. at Dexter. He married Huldah H., daughter of John and Polina (Blanehard) Reiser, the former of whom died in 1904 and the latter in 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Browning have been brightened and gladdened by the arrival in their home of two fine boys, Wesley C., now aged nine, and Clifford H., aged six. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Herman Boelk, an honest and law-abiding citizen of Waltham township, was born in Germany, September 26, 1857, son of John and Wilhelmina Boelk, who brought him to America in 1872, loeating in Waltham township, after a two months' stop by the way. For a time they rented the Matter house, and then moved into a house which they had ereeted on section 18. The parents took up farm work with energy and continued the re- mainder of their lives, the father passing away in 1892 and the mother in 1902. Herman was reared in Waltham township, at- tended school, assisted his father on the home farm, and later eame into possession of it. He has made many improvements on the place, and in 1902 rebuilt the home. Being of a religious nature, Mr. Boelk has allied himself with the Evangelical Luth- eran denomination. Formerly he was a trustee of the Evan- gelical Trinity Lutheran church for five years, and for six years he has been a trustee of the St. Michael's German Lutheran Evan- gelieal church, to which latter church he now belongs. The subjeet of this sketch married Bertha Wagner, a native of Ger- many, and they have eight children: Albert, Bernhart, Olga, Leona, Rosa, Louis, Herbert and Irene.

0. C. Bratrud, who gave the land upon which the Lutheran ehureh is located in Bennington township, was born in Norway, and came to America when fourteen years of age, being seven weeks on the water. Elsie Torgrimson, who afterward beeame his wife, crossed the water to America some years later. After loeating in Fillmore eounty in 1854, Mr. Bratrud acquired 145 acres of land and carried on general farming until 1890, when he removed to Spring Valley for the purpose of better educating his children and to look after his real estate holdings, which

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consisted of a tract in Fillmore county and 380 acres in Ben- nington township, this county. He died February 25, 1910, and his widow survives him, making her home in St. Paul. They were the parents of seven children: Theodore graduated from the University of Minnesota and is now a practicing attorney in Warren, Minn .; Albert is a farmer in Bennington township; E. O. is cashier of the State Bank at Roswell, S. D .; Clara has just completed her studies in art at the University of Minnesota, and L. I., Arthur and Edward are still students in that institu- tion.

Albert Bratrud, a prosperous farmer of Bennington township, was born in Fillmore county, Minnesota, April 27, 1876, son of O. C. and Elsie (Torgrimson) Bratrud. He received his early education in the district and graded schools of his native county, took a two years' course in the Spring Valley high school, and graduated from the agricultural department of the University of Minnesota in 1898. Then he came to Mower county and pur- chased 160 acres of land from his father in section 22, Benning- ton township. On this place he has erected his home and build- ings and follows general diversified farming, as well as stock and grain raising. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Co-opera- tive creamery and elevator at Ostrander, Minn., and also has other business holdings. A Republican in politics, he has done excellent work on the school board. Mr. Bratrud was married, March 21, 1900, to Georgia Rendahl, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. O. Rendahl, of LeRoy township. In the family there are five children : Emil, Esther, Ruth, Olive and Milton, all at home. The family faith is that of the Lutheran church.

C. Arthur Carlson, machinist and automobile agent, was born in Austin, in which city he still resides, March 24, 1878, son of Carl A. and Matilda (Olsen) Carlson. He received his educa- tion in the public and high schools of Austin, and then learned the machinists' trade, which he worked at until 1904, when he started in business for himself, conducting a machine shop and doing general repair work, as well as repairing and selling auto- mobiles. He is agent for the Rambler and E-M-F machines, and has done much to make those makes popular in this locality. Mr. Carlson is a member of the Austin and Mower County Auto- mobile Club, belongs to the Masonic order and to the M. W. A., attends the United Lutheran church, and votes the Republican ticket. He was married, January 16, 1901, at Austin to Anna Anderson, and this union resulted in three children: Arthur Willard, George E. and Helen C. The family residence is at the corner of College and South St. Paul streets.

William Cutter, Austin's modern tailor, was born in St. Peter, Minn., January 7, 1873, son of F. W. and Josephine Cut-

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ter. After his early schooling he clerked in a clothing store until twenty years of age, when he went to New York and underwent several years' training in the tailoring business, re- ceiving a first-class diploma from Mitchell & Co., one of the finest establishments in New York City, known far and wide for excellent workmanship. After completing his training in New York City, Mr. Cutter came to Austin in February, 1896, and entered the employ of the Modern Tailoring Company. A year later he started business on his own account, since which date he has enjoyed that full measure of prosperity that his excellent work so richly deserves. Mr. Cutter's politieal affilia- tion is with the Socialist party and it is interesting to relate that he was placed on the ticket for alderman of Austin two years ago and with no effort on his part came within one vote of being elected. Mr. Cutter belongs to the Masonic order, and also to the M. W. A., the K. of P., the E. F. V., the B. P. O. E. and the F. O. E., being well liked in each. Mr. Cutter married Maude A. Patterson, daughter of William W. Patterson, of Austin, and they have two children: Rex C. and Brooks Dare.

F. W. Cutter was born in New Haven, Conn., and married Josephine Dare, a native of New York state. In early life, F. W. followed the trade of harness maker in New Haven, and when he reached the age of twenty-one he came to Minnesota and traveled on the road fifteen years. He and his wife had three children.

Joseph V. Cafourek, one of the prosperous farmers of Lyle township, is a fine example of those whose thrift and honesty, brought from the old country, has raised them to a position of trust and honor in the community. He has raised a large family and given to each child a good education. Mr. Cafourek was born in Bohemia, October 14, 1859, son of Frank and Anna (Mudra) Cafourek, natives of Bohemia, who came to America in 1877, locating in London township, Freeborn county, this state, where they purchased land and engaged in farming. The father died in 1899, and the mother still remains on the old home. Joseph V. received his early education in Bohemia, coming to America in 1876, and locating near Cleveland, Ohio, for a period of three months. After this he came to Mower county and worked out for one summer. He then joined his parents, who in the meantime had located in Freeborn county, and worked for his father for a period of six years. In 1890, he purchased his present farm of 320 aeres, in sections 19 and 20, Lyle town- ship, where he ereeted his home and other buildings, his residenee being in section 19. He now carries on general farming along the latest approved lines, and is erecting a new home in section 20. Mr. Cafourek is a Republican and attends the Catholic

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church. He belongs to the Bohemian Benevolent Society and is serving his twelfth year as treasurer of his school district. The subject of this sketch was married June 16, 1883, to Mary Kuthan, a native of Bohemia also. To this union have been born eight children: Anna is now Mrs. T. S. Johnson, of London township, Freeborn county; Mamie is now Mrs. Leo Carter, of Oakland, Freeborn county ; Jerome is home on the farm; Lillie is home on the farm; Elsie is a teacher; Josephine is attending the Austin high school; Frank and Ernest are at home.

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The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 92

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