USA > Minnesota > Renville County > The history of Renville County, Minnesota, Volume I > Part 40
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Gunerus Peterson, a leading citizen of Renville county, and the foremost farmer of Bandon township, was born in Norway. September 29, 1840, son of Peter O. and Gertrude Peterson, both of whom died in the old country. Gunerus Peterson was reared in his native country and in 1867 came to Rock county, Wis- consin, where he worked for three years. Then for a year he lived in Fillmore county in this state. It was in 1871 that he came to Renville county, and preempted a claim in section 2, Bandon township. In 1878 he homesteaded eighty acres in the same section. When he came here be drove an ox team from Fillmore county. These oxen were owned jointly with Peter Ilornseth. For a while, Mr. Peterson lived in a dug out. The breaking plow, which he used, was bought in partnership with three others, and they took turns in using it. But as time passed he prospered. At a very early day he bought a reaper For $225. Gradually he acquired other machinery. A sightly residence and commodions barns and outbuildings took the place of the dug ont, and the land which he had broken with such rare became a rich, fortile farm. A man of pleasing personality. a generous neighbor, and a public spirited citizen, it was natural that Mr. Peterson should be called upon to serve in many offices. For twenty years he was clerk of his township. For ten years he was clerk of school district No. 60. He was county register
MR. AND MRS. GUNERUS PETERSON
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILGEN NARRATIONS
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HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY
of deeds from 1887 to 1891, and from 1885 to 1887 he was a member of the board of county commissioners from the Second distriet. In 1901 and 1902 he was a member of the lower house of the Minnesota State Legislature. In this capacity he served on the reapportionment, ways and means, and engrossing com- mittees. Mr. Peterson's legislative career was a most inter- esting one. Hle introdneed a bill to repeal the special salary law for county officers. He was backed by the county commissioners but it gave the opposition ground for a political argument which nearly defeated him. He also introduced a drainage bill, but it was defeated by the railroad interests. This act would have required the railroads to construct and maintain ditches or drains across their right of way and through their roadbed, whenever the county commissioners or two supervisors had constructed a drain or ditch within ten feet of their right of way or railroad track. In 1901, Mr. Peterson introduced the bill which reduced the interest on the state and school lands from 5 per cent to 4 per cent. He also introdneed the anti-pass bill. Mr. Peterson has stock in various co-operative ventures including the Hee- tor Telephone Co. lle has many interesting stories to tell of the early days. When he first settled here he had to haul wood from the Minnesota river, there not being enough in this prairie con- try to supply the demand. During the storm of 1873 he was at West Newton, in Nicollet county. When he returned to his home he found the house entirely covered with snow. He also tells with considerable relish of the time when the state in 1873 to relieve the settlers. let them all have seed. He says that he received $15 worth, for which he eventually had to pay the state $75. Mr. Peterson was married March 15, 1871, to Regina Tollef- son. born in Norway, November 9, 1846, daughter of Tollef and Randy (Christianson) Otnes, natives of Norway. both now de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have six children: Gina. mar- ried Edward Loftman, a carpenter of Hector, who is now do- ceased ; Thorwald is assistant state weighmaster, and lives at Morristown: Peter is postmaster and general merchant at Wil- lard in this state: Rosina is the wife of Iver Iverson, of St. Paul: Regina married Oscar Hanson, who operates the home farm. Gilbert is the assistant cashier of the Adams (North Da- kota) State Bank.
Charles Wellner, a prosperous farmer of this county, was born in Nicollet county. December 23, 1866. Ilis father, Simon Well- ner, a farmer, came from Germany in 1853 and died at the age of eighty-three. in 1910. His mother, Wilhelmina Beckman, was born in Germany, and is still living at Now I'm, at the age of seventy-seven. When he was twenty-one years of age Mr. Wellner began working ont and did so for ten years, when he bought 160 acres in section >, Cairo township. in 1997, where he
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still lives. Here he erected his present house in 1902; it is a large eight-room. two-story building, 16 by 28, with a story and a half addition, 16 by 32. a full basement under all. hardwood floors and gasoline lights. In 1911 he built a barn, 32 by 60, with 16-foot posts, with a capacity of 60 tons of hay. He also built a "Lean- to, " 16 by 48, on the north side of the barn. He has eight horses and thirty cattle, raising Percheron horses, and has a large flock of three hundred Rhode Island Red chickens and White Holland turkeys. Mr. Wellner has held several positions, having been a member of the township board for ten years, is a stockholder in the Fairfax Co-operative Creamery and also secretary of the same. Ile is also a stockholder in the Farmers' Co-operative Ele- vator and Farmers' Co-operative store. He is a member of the board of examiners of the Citizens' State Bank. On June 14. 1898, Mr. Wellner was married to Minnie Bleick, born May 15, 1878, daughter of Carl Bleiek, aged 70, a farmer of Nicollet county, who came from Germany to this country in 1864, and Mary (Diekmeyer), aged 61 years. Two children have been born to this marriage, Roy. born July 11. 1899. and Raymond. born September 29, 1901.
Joseph Baumann, Sr., a prosperous farmer of Cairo township, was born in Germany, Jume 9. 1858. His parents seenred a home- stead in Nicollet county in 1868. His father. John Baumann. died in 1888, at the age of seventy-two. and his mother. Barbara Webber. died in 1890, at the age of eighty-two years. Mr. Bau- mann farmed in Nicollet county until 1898, when he bought 320 acres of land in section 17, in Cairo township. Upon this farm he built a barn in 1901. 30 by 64. with 16-foot posts, holding about fifty tons of hay and accommodating fifteen horses and twenty- four cattle. Ile raises Red Poll cattle. Duroc Jersey hogs. Percheron horses and Toulonese geese. The house was rebuilt in 1911, a story and a half frame building. 16 by 28, with a 16 by 16 addition and a cellar. Mr. Baumann is a stockholder in the Fairfax Creamery and in the Farmers' Grain and Stock Com- pany. He was road overseer for three years. lle is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Baumann was united in marriage June 20. 1882, to Margaret Teynor, born May 22. 1860. Her father, George Teynor, was born in Germany and came to America in 1865. He is now living in New Uhn, at the age of eighty-one years. Her mother. Eva ( Wallander) Teynor. died in 1891 at the age of fifty-two years. Ten children have been born to this marriage, all of whom are living. Jobn. born March 28. 1884. is now living at home: Lena, born February 22, 1885, is the wife of William Huhn. a farmer in Nicollet county : .Joseph, Jr., born December 9, 1886, is at home: Rudolph, born April 16, 1888, is a soldier in the United States army. The five youngest children are at home: Edward, born June 2, 1891; An-
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ton, born April 24, 1893 ; Ella, born August 31, 1894 : Sophia, born lune 6, 1897: Albert, born August 17, 1900, and Veronica, born October 6, 1903. The family faith is that of the Catholic church.
Christ Bertelsen, a progressive business man of Fairfax, was born in Denmark, October 2, 1864. His parents were farmers living in Denmark. His father, Hans Bertelsen, died in 1909, at the age of sixty-seven and his mother, Mary (Christensen), died at the age of sixty-eight in 1908. Mr. Bertelsen came to Amer- ica in 1882, and located in Sibley county, Minnesota, where he engaged in the grain business in Sibley and MeLeod counties until 1909, During this time he spent also some time in Minne- apolis in this same business. Then he became the manager of the elevator for the Crescent Milling Company, at Fairfax, which position he held until August 1, 1914, when he assumed his pres- ent duties as manager of the Farmers' Co-operative Elevator Company, in Fairfax. This elevator is a solid brick building, 20 by 50 l'eet, with a capacity of 30,000 bushels. It was erected at a cost of $16,000 and is equipped with a Richard's Automatic Scale, which weighs the grain into the car, eight bushels at a time, without any attention. It also has a passenger elevator in place of stairways and is equipped with a fifteen horsepower gasoline engine. This building was ereeted during 1913 and was ready for use August 1, 1913. This elevator has been estab- lished for eight years and does an average annual business of about 300,000 bushels. They handle grain, eoal, flour and live stock. The president of the company is Wenzel Frank. and the secretary and treasurer is Paul Albrecht. The company has 100 farmers as stockholders.
Mr. Bertelsen was married in 1884 to Annie Mikkelsen, daugh- ter of Andrew and Johanna (Petersen) Mikkelsen, farmers of Sibley county. There are four children : Christina, born June 5, 1886, who is married to Edward Wagner, at Essig, Minnesota ; Matilda, now Mrs. Emil Theim. of Gibbon, Minnesota ; and Ilar- vey and Arnold, who are at home.
Holm E. Grasmon, an enterprising young man of Fairfax, was born February 2, 1881, in Cairo township, son of Even HI. Gras- mon and Betsy (Hanson) Grasmon. His father came to Mine- sota with his parents in 1868, Hans and Inger Maria (Mangen) Grasmon. llans Grasmon is still living in Fairfax with his son. Even H., at the old age of eighty-live. The mother died in 1907, at the age of eighty-two. They bought 160 acres of land in sec- tion 24, in Camp township, in 1868, and lived there until 1906, when they moved to Fairfax. Holm Grasmon attended the public school in Fairfax and later in 1901 the Minnesota School of Busi- ness, in Minneapolis. On February 1, 1902, he became book- keeper for the Citizens' State Bank of Fairfax. January 1, 1903, he became assistant cashier, which position he still holds. He is
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a stockholder in the Mahnomen Land Company at Mahnomen, Minnesota. le has been the secretary of the Fairfax Voluntary Fire Department for ten years and the village treasurer since 1907. June 27, 1911, Mr. Grasmon was married to Lydia Dick- meyer, who was born January 16, 1887, danghter of Lonis Dick- meyer, of the Diekmeyer Implement Company, and Lena (Borth ) Dickmeyer. Mr. and Mrs. Grasmon have one child, Orda Evelyn, born November 11. 1913.
Hugh J. Carson, inventor and manufacturer, now living in Fairfax, was born in section 22. Wellington township, October 10. 1881, son of William and Mary ( Reed) Carson. William Car- son was born in Canada, came to this county in 1875, secured a tree claim in section 22. Wellington township, and here lived until his death, in 1897. at the age of fifty-six. His wife now lives in Fairfax. Hugh J. Carson remained at home until 1911. having bought the home place in 1903. In 1911 he moved to Fairfax, where he has since lived. He manufactures an inven- tion of his own. a portable elevator, which operates by centrif- ngal force and pneumatie pressure. This elevator has had a good sale and its popularity is increasing. Ile is also the in- Ventor of an automatic alarm, which prevents the overheating of inenbators. Mr. Carson was married June 15, 1904. to Rosa Young, born February 22, 1882, in Nicollet county, daughter of Nick Young, a farmer of Bandon township, who died in 1912, at the age of sixty-four. and of Katherine (Zimmerman) Young, who still lives in Bandon township, where the family located in 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Carson have two children : Earl and Ralph.
Charles H. Firle, a respected farmer of this connty. was born in Dodge county, Wisconsin, August 2, 1860. His father, Fred- erick William Firle, was born in Germany, in 1819, and died in 1898, at the home of his son, Charles II., in Cairo township. His mother, whose maiden name was Katherine Wescha, was born in Germany in 1820. and died in September 1902. Charles H. Firle remained at home on his father's farm in Nicollet county until he married and then he moved with his father to his present farm in section 20, of Cairo township. This farm, which was bought in the spring of 1887, was owned by the father and son in partnership. It is a large and well kept farm of 200 acres. Charles Firle is still there and has developed and improved the farm in many ways. Ile is well known for his Jersey Red hogs, of which he has abont 100. Ile has also a good herd of cows. The orchard contains 100 apple trees and twenty-five plum trees. The house is a story and a half, frame building, which was rebuilt in 1908. It is 20 by 28 with a 20 by 26 addition, and has a cellar under all. The barn was built in 1902 and is 34 by 60 foot. It will hold seventy tons of hay and has room For eight horses and twenty-five cattle. Mr. Firle has been township supervisor
CHARLES H. FIRLE
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOP. LEN X AND TIL DEN FONDATIONS
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IHISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY
five years, and was road overseer for two years. He is a stock- holder in the new creamery and also in both farmers' elevators at Fairfax. He is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. September 9, 1881, Mr. Firle was married to Mathilda Kuhlbach, who was born October 23, 1860, in Germany, and died September 27, 1914. She was the daughter of Charles Kuhlbach. a carpenter of New Ihn, and Wilhelmina Kuhlbach, coming to this country with her parents in 1881. Nine children were born to these parents, all of whom are living. William F. was born Deeember 4, 1882, and married January 4, 1910, to Meta Lieder. He is at present living in section 13. Bandon township. Ile has three children, one boy and two girls. Minnie, born April 8, 1884, was married to Christ Drivdahl, a creamery man of Nicollet county, and they have two girls and one boy. Gustav was born January 17. 1886, and on November 16, 1914. was married to Aliee JJensen, and they have one girl. He works for his father. Annie, born March 3, 1888, was married to Peter Smith, a phimber of Bird Island, and they have one child, a boy. Ella was born May 12. 1890, and married to Albert Sehipplick, a farmer in Cairo township. They also have one boy. Paul was born Inly 29, 1892; Alfred. JJanuary 14, 1895; Albert, Angust 16, 1897, and Harold. September 12, 1904. The last four mentioned-Paul, Alfred, Albert and Harold, are living at home.
Gustav A. Rieke, one of the influential citizens of Fairfax, was born in Cairo township. May 24. 1868. He remained at home until he was 21 years of age, when he was employed as clerk by Christiansen, Miller & Hauser, dealers in lumber and hardware. This was in 1889. In 1893 he bought one-third interest in the same firm. The name was now changed to Miller. Hanser & Com- pany, and Mr. Rieke was given the position of manager at Fair- fax. In 1903 the firm was incorporated as Hauser Lumber Com- pany, with Mr. Rieke as treasurer and manager at Fairfax, which position he still holdts. Ile is also a director of the State Bank at Fairfax, and a director of the Fairfax Telephone Company. Ile has been the village treasurer for five years and president of the school board for five years. Mr. Rieke was married June 1, 1893, to Dora Durbahn, who was born March 24, 1873. Her father, a farmer in Nicollet county, died in 1900 at the age of seventy. Her mother, Dora Anthony. died about 1884, at the age of fifty-five years. Mrs. Rieke was at one time a student at the . St. Paul's College. St. Pant Park. Minnesota. They have two daughters, Beatrice, born August 20, 1896, who is a teacher, and Medary, born February 8. 1901, who is at home. They are all members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Jacob P. Palmer, a leading hotel proprietor of Fairfax, was born in Switzerland, June 10. 1857, and died at Fairfax, April 14, 1908. Ilis father, Jacob Alois Palmer, was born in Switzer-
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land, in 1820 and came with his wife, Anna Mary (Lye) Palmer, to New Um in 1864, and to Fairfax in 1891. Jacob P. was the second of six children. His mother died in 1902. at the age of eighty-two. and his father died October 19. 1897. Mr. Paher built the Hotel Ryan in Fairfax, a very fine briek building, of twenty-two rooms, equipped with steam heat and electric lights, and operated this hotel until his death, when his son, Edward J., undertook the management of the place. Mr. Palmer was mar- ried November 27, 1889, to Mary Hopt, of Museoda, Wisconsin. Iler father, Andrew Hopt, a railroad man, of Rochester. New York. was born November 30, 1826, and died hume 29, 1884. Her mother, Annie (Glattharr) Hopt. was born June 18, 1836, and lives with her daughter at Fairfax. Mrs. J. P. Palmer is the eldest of six children. Four children have blessed this couple : Edward J., born August 12, 1890, who is now the manager of the Ryan Hotel at Fairfax: Albert J., born November 22. 1891, who died March 4. 1892: Clayton W .. born September 23, 1892, who died January 2. 1894. and Myra A. L., born October 30, 1899, who is at home.
August E. Fenske, D. D. S., an influential business man of Fairfax, was born in Sibley county, Minnesota, August 31, 1873, son of Adam Fenske and Henrietta (Haberman) Fenske, pioneers of Sibley county, where they still live. August E. Fenske attended the Gustavus Adolphus College at St. Peter for three years, next attending the St. Peter State Hospital. graduating in the spring of 1898. In 1901 he graduated from the Indiana Dental Col- lege, Indianapolis. October 9. 1901, he located in Fairfax. While at college Mr. Fenske was a member of the Xi Psi Phi fraternity and is now a member of the Minnesota State Dental Association and Minneapolis District Dental Society. Mr. Ferske is a stock- holder and director in the First National Bank of Fairfax, also a stockholder and director in the Fairfax Telephone Company, and a stockholder in the Renville Rural Telephone Company. He is doing good work as the president of the Board of Edneation. June 28, 1905, Mr. Fenske was married to H. Esther Hocanzon, who was born June 5, 1878. She is a graduate of the St. Paul high school and also of the Normal Training Department of the University of Minnesota. For two years she was a teacher in Fairmount, Minnesota, and two years in the Fairfax public schools. Her father is the Rev. L. A. Hocanzon, a minister of the Swedish Lutheran Church, and now, at the age of seventy- seven, a missionary for that church and located in St. Paul. Mr. and Mrs. Fenske have two children, Elbert, born May 17. 1908, and Marlis, born April 2, 1913.
Jonathan I. Carson, a substantial citizen of this county, was born in Ontario, January 14, 1863. His father, William Carson, came to Renville county May 1, 187], and took up a homestead
MR. AND MRS. J. M. HINDERMAN
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOP. LAV & AND TILDEN .ANLAMINA
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HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY
in seetion 22, in Wellington township. His mother, Mary Jane Reed, aged 74, is still living in Fairfax. Mr. Carson worked on his father's farm until he was 27 years of age, then, in 1889, he bonght 240 aeres in section 19, in Wellington township, where he remained until 1908. At that time he moved to town. Mr. C'arson has been prominent in public affairs. Hle served as town- ship clerk for three years; he was chairman of the township board for six years and held the position of assessor for one year. Ile was also a member of the school board for twenty-five years and justice of peace for fourteen years. lle has always been greatly interested in the farmers' associations. He is the treasurer of the Farmers' Stock & Grain Company and served as secretary of the Farmers' Co-operative Elevator Company and director and secretary of the Fairfax Creamery Association. He is also director of the First National Bank. December 25, 1889. Mr. Carson was married to Emma Sell, who was born November 5. 1862. Her father. John Sell, aged 84, is a retired farmer living in Wascea, Minnesota. llis wife, Amelia Arndt, is 73 years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Carson have three children, one child having died in infancy. The oldest, Irwin JI., was born November 12. 1890, and was the assistant cashier of the First National Bank at Grooton, South Dakota. fle died April 25, 1915, at Fairfax. Ada S., born November 5, 1891, is a graduate of Stout Institute, at Menominee, Wisconsin, and is at present a teacher of Do- mestic Science at Wahkon, in Mille Lacs county. Ethel C., born May 19, 1893, is at the Mankato Normal School.
George A. Biebl, a well known citizen of Fairfax, was born in Severance township. Sibley county, November 1, 1876. His father. Franz Biebł, is a retired farmer living in Fairfax, and his mother, Eva Petzenka, died September 16, 1911, at the age of 65. When he was fifteen years of age he left home and worked in the Pioneer Drug Store in New Ulm for eight years. In 1899 he bought a drug store of J. C. Koelgen, in Fairfax, where he still lives. In 1910 he remodeled the building, spending about $4,000. The building is now 25 by 80 with a full basement and fine plate glass front. It has a modern equipment, a nice soda fountain, a full line of drugs, books and stationery, cigars, candy and also eut glass and hand-painted china. Mr. Biebl is a mem- ber of the Minnesota Pharmaceutical Association and also of the American Retail Druggists' Association. He is the recorder for the Knights of Columbus and is a member of the Catholic Church. ·luly 30, 1912, he was married to Anna Altman, born June 26. 1885, her father, Anton Altman, being a retired butcher living in Fairfax. They have one child, Leo Francis, born April 28, 1913.
Jacob M. Hinderman, a successful contractor and builder of Fairfax, was born in Hennepin county, Minnesota, September 22.
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1878. His father, Andrew linderman, died in 1906 at the age of fifty-three and his mother, Barbara (Mangen, Hinderman, died in 1905 at the age of forty-seven. Mr. linderman was in part- nership with his father in the general contracting business until his father's death. The father was a contractor in Fairfax for twenty years. Jacob M. Hinderman took a thorough course in architecture, draws plans and does the drafting for all his own work, as well as for most of the other buildings erected in the vicinity. He does contracting, building, phimbing, heating and house moving, employing abont fifteen men. Mr. linderman has erected a fine, new, modern ten-room home in the north part of Fairfax. It is 32x32 with 19-foot posts. finished in pebble dash, and is equipped with electric lights and furnace heat. The first floor is finished in the early English style, with oak finish and oak floors. The dining room is 16 feet square, the north side of the room containing the sideboard. There is a large fireplace in the living room. The large roomy front and back porches are both screened and there is also a sleeping porch above the back porch. Mr. Hinderman is a member of the Modern Brotherhood of America, and is a director of the First National Bank of Fairfax. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Hinderman was married September 27, 1911, to Julia Marti, who was born August 24, 1884, daughter of Benedict and Clara (Manderfeld) Marti, who now reside in Fair- fax. Mr. and Mrs. Hinderman are the happy parents of a daughter, Leota, who was born November 2, 1914.
William Bregel, a successful business man, was born in Sibley. county, Minnesota, June 15, 1884. His father, John Bregel, was a pioneer farmer of Sibley county and died in 1909 at the age of sixty-two. Ilis mother, Mary Bregel, died in 1893. Until 1911 Mr. Bregel worked on the home farm, when he began work in the garage of Anton Frank in Fairfax. Here he remained for two years. Then he opened a garage in Webster, South Dakota, in company with his brother Edward, operating this during 1913 and 1914. March 14, 1914, they bought the garage business of Anton Frank in Fairfax. Mr. Breget is the fourth child in a family of nine children. By his father's second marriage there were eight more children in the family. He is a member of the Catholic church and also of the Knights of Columbus.
Edward Bregel, son of John and Mary (Frank) Bregel, was born in Sibley county, Minnesota, on April 26, 1892. At the age of fourteen he began working on the neighboring farms, and continued in this work until seventeen years of age. Then he worked in a garage at Webster, Sonth Dakota, from 1909 to 1913. At this time he and his brother William opened a garage at Webster, South Dakota, where they remained until March 1, 1914, when they bought the garage of Anton Frank at Fairfax,
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Minnesota. Mr. Bregel is a member of the Catholic church and of the Catholic Order of Foresters.
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