The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 95

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 95

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C. J. Higbie and Ann Wilson, his wife, were born in New York state, were there married, and in the early '50s located in Jefferson county, Wisconsin. In 1852, C. J. was seized with the California gold fever, and together with a party of about sixty started on foot across the deserts for California. On reaching there, C. J. Higbie remained about two years, and then returned to Wisconsin with about $10,000 in gold dust. After farming a time in Jefferson county, he moved to Green Lake county in the same state, and followed farming until 1878, when he came to Grand Meadow township, Minnesota, with his family, and purchased the 360 aeres known as the Langworthy farm. Later he acquired eighty acres adjoining on the west and also the Joe Sorben farm of seventy acres on the east. Subsequently he sold 160 acres to his son, Franklin, leaving a farm of 310 acres. upon which he conducted farming operations until 1895, when he rented his farm and removed to Grand Meadow village, where

C. J. HIGBIE.

G. R. HOPPIN

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he purchased a home in which he lived until November 1, 1906, when he went to San Diego, Cal., and purchased some lots in that city, on which he crected a home and where he now lives. Mrs. Higbie died on the home farm, March 31, 1884, and later Mr. Higbie married Mrs. Mary Wood. C. J. and Ann (Wilson) Higbie were the parents of nine children: Wallaee C., Lettie, Ida A., Franklin M., Anna S., Harry W., Halbert E., Wilson S. and Edgar C. William Wilson and Agnes McArthur, his wife, parents of Jeanette Wilson Higbie, were born in Scotland, the former coming to America in 1841 and the latter in 1844, and Iceating at Rush Lake, Wis., being married at Janesville, Wis. They pre-empted land in Winnebago, county, Wisconsin, and there farmed the remainder of their days, William Wilson dying December 14, 1876, and his wife, who was remarried to Rev. J. W. Fridd, passing away August 14, 1883. This union was blessed with seven children: William, John, Albert, Frank, Jean- ette, Marion and Agnes.

William R. Hoppin, one of the popular farmers of Grand Meadow township, has 320 acres of land on which he success- fully conducts farming operations in a modern manner. He was born in the township where he still resides, October 15, 1874, son of William P. and Callie H. (Paddock) Hoppin, early set- tlers. He was reared on the home farm, and has always devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. The last few years he has de- voted his attention more to stock raising, and fattens annually for the Chicago market several carloads of cattle, sheep and hogs. He has three large silos, and everything raised on the farm is fed and sold in the form of live stock. He has a seed house especially constructed for the curing of seed corn, where he saves many bushels for his own planting and finds a ready market for all surplus right at home. He married Alta G., daughter of G. K. and Harriett (Kirkham) Harvey, and they have three children, Wilma A., Clara W. and Geraldine II. Mr. Hoppin is a member of the Brotherhood of American Yeomen.

William P. Hoppin, now of Northfield, Minn., was for many years a farmer of this county. He was born in Wauwatosa, near Milwaukee, Wis., and came to Pleasant Valley township, this state, about 1867. There he purchased a farm adjoining one which his father had acquired. In 1874 he came to Grand Meadow township, and located on the southwest quarter of sec- tion 18, where he built a frame house. A few years later he pur- chased a farm in the northwest quarter of section 17, where he lived twelve years. Ile married Callie E. Paddock.

George R. Hoppin, retired farmer and extensive land owner, now living in the village of Grand Meadow, was born in Milwau- kee. Wis., February 21, 1849, son of Richard and Lydia (Potter)

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Hoppin, the pioneers. George received his early education in the district schools of Mower county, and in the Fillmore high school, in Fillmore county. In 1874 he went to Nevada and was employed as a cowboy for four years, after which he spent a similar period mining. Then he returned to Mower county and took up farming in Dexter for five years. Afterward he moved to Marshall township, purchased land, developed the place, erected buildings, and carried on general farming until 1903. when he rented his farm to other parties, and moved to Grand Meadow village, where he now lives, spending his time in look- ing after his extensive land interests, which include 1,100 acres, partly in Mower county and partly in North Dakota, in which state he has a valuable quarter section. Mr. Hoppin is a strong Republican, and for many years was clerk of the Elkton school distriet. He was married October 7, 1889, at Spring Valley, Minn., to Nellie M. Rahilly, of Grand Meadow township, who was born October 12, 1870, and died July 7, 1898. This union has resulted in four children: Ralph H., who was born August 24, 1891, is elerk in a store in Grand Meadow; Mamie, Isabelle and Mattie live at home.

Richard Hoppin, one of the early settlers of Pleasant Valley township, now deceased, was born in the city of Providence, R. I., February 23, 1811. He there grew to manhood, and received his early education in the public schools. When he was twelve years of age he commenced work in a morocco factory, and was employed there until 1838. In the fall of that year he started for Wisconsin, on a steamboat to Albany, then by canal to Buffalo, thence on a steamer to Milwaukee, where he procured a team and thus reached Walworth county. There he found a man holding as a claim the present site of the city of White- water, and this man offered to sell the claim for $50. But Mr. Hoppin went two miles further and purchased a claim that pleased him better. He then returned to Milwaukee and in company with his brother John opened the first exclusive boot and shoe store in Milwaukee, which at that time contained about four hundred inhabitants. In the winter his brother became homesick, and concuded to return to Providence. There being no railroad and the lakes being frozen over, he bought a horse and made the trip home on horseback in forty-one days. In June, 1839, the wife of Richard Hoppin, with two children, started from Providence, and taking the same route that her husband had taken met him at Milwaukee, after a journey of twenty-one days. There they procured a team and then drove to their new home. He built a double log house on his claim, and drew the lumber from Milwaukee to complete the building. The land upon which he had settled came into the market that

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spring, and Mr. Hoppin attended the first land sale held in Mil- waukee. In 1841 he traded his land for a squatter's claim in the limits of the city of Milwaukee. This land he entered from the government and lived there fourteen years, after which he moved to Columbus, Columbia county, and bought a farm on which he lived until 1860, when he sold out and came to Mower county, and purchased the southeast quarter of section 28, township of Pleasant Valley, where he remained until 1874, when he came to Dexter and bought eight acres within the limits of the corporation, and built a house which they occupied for many years. In 1888 he returned to Milwaukee, where he died. Lydia Potter, wife of Richard Hoppin, was born in Cransten, R. I., July 6, 1810, and was married in 1835. This union resulted in nine children: Anna L., Henry, Lewis, Edward, Helen, Will- iam P., George R., Louise and Susie.

Anton Hansen, now deceased, was a substantial farmer of Frankford township, and lived a quiet, respectable life. Fie did not care to mingle actively in politics, but devoted his life to his home and family. The subject of this sketch was born in Denmark, June 9, 1857, son of Hans Hansen, also a native of that country. Anton received his education in Denmark, and there grew to manhood. He came to America in 1880 and located at Rochester, Olmsted county, this state. In 1890 he went to Minneapolis and became a coachman. Later he clerked in a grocery store. In 1893 he came to Mower county, and purchased eighty acres in Frankford township, the land being located in the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 18. On this farm he conducted general farming until his death, October 3, 1903. He was married June 9, 1883, to Amelia Carl- son, born near Stockholm, in Smaland, Sweden, February 15, 1862. She came to America in 1882, and located in St. Peter, this state. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Hansen has been blessed with seven children: Ida, deceased; Hans, born September 28, 1886, a conductor on the street car lines of Minneapolis; Ralph, deceased; Clara, born February 5, 1890; Clayton, born November 28, 1893; Dagmar, born May 6, 1896; Ralph, born November 9, 1900. Since her husband's death, Mrs. Hansen has conducted the ' farm herself, and has been very successful in her management. In 1910 she erected a fine new home. The family is well thought of throughout the entire community.

John E. Hovda, a reputable citizen of Frankford township, was born on the farm where he still lives, January 16, 1871, son of E. O. Hlovda, one of the earlier settlers. John E. received his early education in the district schools of Frankford and was reared to agricultural pursuits on his father's farm of 180 acres in section 9. In 1893 he rented the home place and a few years

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later purchased it. He has made many improvements, has re- modeled the buildings and developed the land. On this place he now conducts general farming, and makes a specialty of grain raising and breeding Blaek Poll Angus eattle. Mr. Hovda has been clerk of school district 36 for three years, and has also served as constable. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, and attends the Lutheran church. The subject of this sketch was married September 7, 1898, to Laura Gilbertsou, born in Grand Meadow township, October 2, 1875, daughter of Julius and Mary Gilbertson, who came to America from Norway, lo- eated in Grand Meadow township and engaged in farming, the father dying in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Hovda are the parents of three children: Elgar J., born July 17, 1900; Jeanette, born October 1, 1902, and Agnes, born February 9, 1905.

Albert A. Johnson, the talented editor of the Grand Meadow Record, has established an excellent business and issues a paper which is a eredit to the village and surrounding country. He was born in Brownsdale, this county, December 4, 1874, and there received his earlier education. While a boy he started his newspaper career by printing and publishing the Brownsdale Leaflet. In 1893 he sold this to L. L. Quimby, and went to Mor- ton, Renville county, this state, where he engaged in newspaper work for eight months. Then he worked on the Austin Register, in Austin, this eounty, for a while, until failing health interfered with his work. In 1894 he came to Grand Meadow and pur- chased his present business, which he has since continued with the exception of a year and a half, when he leased it and went to Amherst, Wis., and took charge of the Amherst Advocate. Then he returned to Grand Meadow. Under his management and guidance the paper has beeome one of the most influential in the county. He also does commercial and job work, and deals extensively in books and stationery. Aside from owning his own business and building, Mr. Johnson holds stoek in several loeal enterprises. He is a Republican in politics, belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, and attends the Methodist Epis- copal church. The subject of this sketch was married February 23, 1898, to Lulu E. Bieman, of Brownsdale, and they have an adopted son, Maynard C., born May 1, 1905.

Julius W. Johnson, the industrious and hard-working head miller for A. S. Campbell at the Peerless Roller Mills, Austin, was born in Watertown, Wis., February 28, 1858, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ole Johnson, both natives of Norway. The parents came to this country about 1847 or 1848, and located in Water- town, Wis., where Ole Johnson was a merchant and conducted a general store. The family came to Austin in the spring of 1870, and farmed for several years. Ole died in 1891, his wife

GEORGE B. LOUCKS AND FAMILY.

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HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

having passed away many years previous at Watertown, Wis., when Julius was a small boy. Julius attended the common schools, worked on a farm and clerked in a store. In the fall of 1880, he entered the employ of Mathew Gregson, the miller, and remained with him until 1886, when he entered the employ of the Engle Company. When the Campbell brothers purchased the mill in 1890 he continued to work there, and when that firm was divided he still remained with the mill, his excellent work having had much to do with its success. Mr. Johnson married Louise Scholl, and to this union has been born one son, Arthur P. Mrs. Scholl was born in Stratford, Ontario, September 10, 1868, being one of a family of eight daughters and one son born to Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Scholl, who for many years, until the former's death, in 1909, conducted the German Hotel in Austin. The place is now managed by Mrs. Scholl and her son.

John F. Krause, who has been assessor of the town of Grand Meadow for the past eight years, is one of the prosperous men of the community. He believes in modern farming methods and his interest in education has been shown by his service as treas- urer of school district 21 for twelve years. The subject of this sketch was born in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, May 20, 1873, son of William and Amelia (Wagner) Krause, the former of whom was born in Germany and came to America when he was sixteen years of age. John F. came with his parents to Grand Meadow township when he was five years of age, and spent his early life on his father's farm in section 35, which he has since bought of his father, and where he still makes his home and successfully carries on general farming. He married Anna Grimm, daughter of August and Wilhelmina (Erdmann) Grimm, and they are the parents of three children: Alwin, Edna and Viola.

George B. Loucks, one of the supervisors of Frankford town- ship, is one of the well-to-do and progressive men of the com- munity. He is an independent voter, has served as treasurer of school district 17, and is vice-president in the Geyser Threshing & Shredding Company, No. 2, of Frankford township, as well as a stockholder in the Farmers' Store, at Spring Valley. Be- ing of a fraternal nature, he has also allied himself with the Modern Woodmen of America, at Spring Valley. George B. Loueks was born in Schoharie county, New York, March 18, 1848, son of Harmon and Eva (Bassler) Loucks. He received his education in his native state and was reared to agricultural pursuits. In 1868, on his twentieth birthday, he left New York state, and located in Sparta, Wis., where he remained until fall. Then he located in Spring Valley, in Fillmore county, and re- inained until 1871. In that year he went to South Dakota and

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took up land, owning at one time as much as 1,100 acres of land, this being at the time of the grasshopper plague in 1875. After his father's death, that year, he came back to Minnesota. As he had not complied with all the legal formalities, his claim in South Dakota was jumped. Accordingly he made his home in Spring Valley. Shortly afterward he purchased 160 acres in section 26, Frankford township, and subsequently he became manager of the C. W. Taylor farm of 360 acres in Spring Valley township. In 1890 he moved onto his farm in Frankford township. At that time only twenty acres were broken. He broke and improved the land, erected suitable buildings, and now carries on general farming, making a specialty of Shropshire sheep and Black Poll-Angus cattle. He has set out many ever- green and other shade trees, and has five acres of apple orchard. The subject of this sketch was married December 5, 1875, to Delphine Bassler, born in Clinton, Wis., October 13, 1856, daugh- ter of Benjamin and Rachel (Cornwall) Bassler. This union has been blessed with six children: Burdette Royal, Callie E., Mattie E., Benjamin E., George F. and Sadie L. Burdette Royal was born May 28, 1878, married Lottie Tart, lives in Bennington township and has two children, Mildred M. and Helen C. Callie E. was born April 7, 1880, married Henry Kasten, of Spring Valley, and they have one child, Delbert D. Mattie E. is the wife of Frank Clouse, of Bennington township. Benjamin E. was born August 31, 1882, and married Grace Dean. They have two children, Everett and Leon. George F. was born May 16, 1895. Sadie L. was born October 8, 1897. Harmon Loucks was born in New York state and there married Eva Bassler, a native of the same state. In 1869 they came to Minnesota and located in Spring Valley, Fillmore county, where they purchased land and engaged in farming until his death, June 27, 1875. His wife is still living. Harmon Loucks was born July 11, 1825, and his wife, September 20, 1827. They were the parents of twelve children: George B., of Frankford; David, of Hamil- ton; Maria, now Mrs. E. A. Hess, of Frankford; Andrew, dead ; Jeremiah, of Frankford; Alexander, of Oklahoma; Anna, now Mrs. Thomas Fryer, of Spring Valley; Irving, of Spring Valley ; Elmer, of Austin; Margaret, wife of George Churchill, of Spring Valley ; Hattie, dead, and Edmund, of Little Falls, this state.

Benjamin Bassler was born in New York state and married Rachel Cornwall. They located in Illinois in 1854, and the fol- lowing year took up their residence in Clinton, Wis., where they engaged in the hotel business, Mr. Bassler also following his trade as a harness maker. Rachel Cornwall Bassler died in 1861. leaving five children : Althera, deceased; Eugene N., deceased ; Carloss E., of California; Judson S., of Darien, Wis .; Delphine,

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now Mrs. G. B. Loucks. Later in life Benjamin Bassler married Cornelia Willis, who bore him three children: Katherine L., of Darin, Wis .; Benjamin W., deceased; Minnie E., Chicago, now Mrs. William Leigh.

Andrew Lybeck, a substantial and prosperous farmer of Grand Meadow township, was born in Racine township, this county, March 22, 1861, son of Andrew Lybeck, the elder. The father was born in Norway, came to America, married and lived for a time in Racine township, this county. Then he moved to Pleas- ant Valley township with his family and there ended his days, his wife also passing away there. Andrew, the subject of this sketch, was reared on the home farm, and after his father's death continued for a while to manage the homestead. Later he purchased eighty acres in section 2, Grand Meadow, where he now resides. He has extensive interests throughout the county, and is well known as a successful farmer.

Martin Lokke, a progressive young farmer of Frankford township, was born in Green county, Wisconsin, March 27, 1872, son of Thomas M. and Carolina E. Lokke. He was brought to Frankford township by his parents, and was here reared to man- hood, attending school in distriet 97 and learning agricultural pursuits from his father. In 1909 he took charge of the home farm, and is conducting it in a modern and up-to-date manner. At one time he was town marshal for Grand Meadow, and he is now treasurer of school district 97. He married Annie O. Hovda, daughter of E. O. and Anna Hovda, and they have two bright children, Myrtle A. and Truman E.

Arthur McNally, now deceased, was one of the early settlers of Grand Meadow township, and became one of the prominent residents of the county. He was born in Ireland, and came to America in 1839, at the age of eighteen years. After several years in Canada he went to Rutland. Vt., and was there married, in 1842. In 1849 he eame westward to Kenosha county, Wisconsin, lived there two years, and then settled in Lyons, Iowa, for four years. About 1856 he came to Grand Meadow, and here farmed until his death, in May, 1906. His wife died March 6, 1911. Both were most estimable people, and their influence in the com- munity was ever toward respectability and decency. They were the parents of Daniel, John, Dennis, Mary (deceased), Thesa (deceased), Ellen (deceased), James, Charles, Ella and Agnes. Agnes married Homer Clemens and they have two bright boys. Duard and Jack. Mrs. Clemens and John McNally now operate the home farm and they are among the most successful and prosperous farmers in the township.

Henry C. Nissen, now deceased, was a farmer in Grand Meadow township for many years, and his labor and toil were

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crowned with the fruits of success. He was born in a part of Schleswig, then Denmark, now Germany, July 29, 1850, son of Christian and Abalonia, both of Danish birth, who spent eight years in America, but ended their days in Schleswig. Henry received his education in his native land, and came to America in 1867, at seventeen years of age. For eleven years he was variously employed, part of the time in Rochester, Minn. In 1877 he came to Grand Meadow township, and purchased eighty acres of land, one mile south of the village. He added to this tract until he owned 240 acres of land, on which he lived and prospered, erecting a home and a fine set of buildings, and follow- ing general farming until 1904, when he purchased twelve acres and a residenec in Grand Meadow village, and retired, making his home here until his death. Mr. Nissen was a Democrat in politics and was a member of the school board at the time of his death. He was also a stockholder in the First National Bank, of Grand Meadow. The subject of this sketch was married March 13, 1887, to Betsy Engebretson, born in Norway, January 28, 1855, daughter of Ingebret Arneson and Anne Sanderson, his wife, both of whom died in Norway. Mrs. Nissen came to America in 1873 and located at Rockdale, Olmsted county. She bore to Henry C. Nissen seven children: William, who lives in Aberdeen, S. D., is in the automobile and machinery business ; Albert. E. is on the home farm; Peter is traveling; Alma is the wife of Oscar Carlstrom, an attorney of Aledo, Ill .; Anna teaches at Groton, S. D .; Mary is a student in the Grand Meadow high school, and Elmer, the youngest of the family, is still in the graded schools. It is worthy of note that in 1902 Mrs. Nissen took a trip to her old home in Norway and spent ten weeks with her parents. Since her husband's death she has looked after the home affairs, and is a capable housekeeper and wise mother.

Elling Haugen, now deceased, was one of the early residents of Racine township. He was born in Norway and married Mary Haugen. They came to America in 1850, located in Wisconsin, and there lived for a considerable period. It is worthy of note that they made the trip across the Atlantic in a sailing vessel and spent seven weeks on the water. In 1864 they came to Mower county, settled in Racine township, and there engaged in farm- ing. In 1880 they went to the northwestern part of Minnesota and there Elling died. His wife is still living, at the good old age of eighty-three years.

Peter E. Peterson, now deceased, was for many years an hon- ored farmer of Frankford township and later of Grand Meadow village. IIe was on the town board of Frankford for some time, served as elerk of his school district for several terms, and after coming to Grand Meadow served as mayor two years. Aside

PETER E. PETERSON AND FAMILY.

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from 200 aeres in Mower county, he owned 160 acres in Aitkin county, this state, and was also a shareholder in the First Na- tional Bank of Grand Meadow. Peter E. Peterson was born in Norway, April 26, 1846, son of Iver and Helen Gertrude Peter- son, also natives of Norway. The family came to America in 1850 and located in Green county, Wisconsin, where both parents died. Peter started in life for himself by purchasing eighty acres in Racine township, Mower county, where he went in 1869. Later he sold this tract, and removed to Frankford township, where he bought eighty aeres in seetion 31. Later he added an eighty aeres adjoining in section 32, and still later forty acres adjoining, but over the line in Bennington township. This tract of 200 aeres he broke and developed, erected a fine home and suit- able buildings, and carried on general farming until 1896. Then he rented his farm, and removed to Grand Meadow village, where he purchased a lot and built a modern home, in which he lived the remainder of his days. His deeease, October 5, 1908, was sincerely mourned by his many friends. The subject of this sketch was married October 13, 1870, to Caroline Haugen, born in Wiseonsin, November 13, 1854, daughter of Elling and Mary Haugen, natives of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have four children : Edward, of Grand Meadow; Helen G., of Clayton township, wife of Edwin Julson; Theodore, now living in Wash- ington state, and Marie, who lives at home. There is also an adopted son, George. The family worships at the United Nor- wegian Lutheran church.

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The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 95

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