The history of Renville County, Minnesota, Volume II, Part 35

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn; Renville County Pioneer Association
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Chicago : H.C. Cooper, Jr. & Co.
Number of Pages: 986

USA > Minnesota > Renville County > The history of Renville County, Minnesota, Volume II > Part 35

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Arlington, Minn., daughter of George and Augusta Asal, natives of Germany, and married in Minnesota, early pioneers of Grafton township, Sibley county. Mr. and Mrs. Gummert have six chil- dren : Elsie, Antonia, Erick, Gladys, Alice and Ruth.

William E. Kemp, at one time county commissioner of Ren- ville county, was born in Havana, Mason county, III., May 29, 1851, son of James and Lneina (Wilcox) Kemp. James Kemp was born in Watertown, New York, son of William and Sarah Jane (Ilagerty) Kemp, natives of England and Ireland, respectively. They were married in New York City. where he engaged in the shoemaker business. In 1847 he moved. locating in Havana. Il. James was married there to Lneina Wilcox, native of Ontario, Can., and in 1854 brought his wife and two children, William E. and Charles, to Minnesota, locating in Langdon where he first farmed and later entered into the hardware business. He died June 27, 1899, at the age of 63 years. He held township and school offiees. He was prominent as a member of the I. O. O. F. of Hast- ings, Minn., lodge. William E. received his education at Langdon . schools and at the Sparta, Wis., High school. Then he went to Northfield to attend college. On his return home he engaged in farming for himself in Hector township, Renville county, secur- ing 240 acres of wild land May 15, 1878. He built a board shanty and lived here. After a number of years he moved to Hector and engaged in business, but returned to the farm again after about fifteen years. This has been improved with modern buildings and other improvements. He raises Mule Foot swine and Guern- sey cattle. In the past he was also an extensive breeder of sheep and still raises a few. He is interested in several farmers' organ- izations, such as creameries, elevators, ete., and has held office. IIe has served as township clerk and assessor. He was a member of the county board at the time of the building of the courthouse and jail. Mr. Kemp was married Dee. 18, 1877, to Mahalie Mosher, and they have three children, Edith, a graduate of Hamline Uni- versity and a teacher: Orville. a farmer of Brookfield township, and Percy.

Ralph K. Dodge, a pioneer. was born in Pelham, Mass .. June 16, 1826, and on Dec. 27, 1848, married Susan J. Cook, who was born in New York City March 21. 1829. They were the parents of eleven children: Philo P., born Augusta 26, 1849, in Pelham, Mass. ; Theodosha P., born June 5, 1851, and died Nov. 15, 1851, in Massachusetts: Lyman, born July 20, 1853, in Massachusetts; Fenner C., born July 9. 1854, and died Nov. 3. 1884: Eugene, born Dec. 24, 1855, in Massachuetts ; Ralph Waldo, born June 22. 1857, in Minnesota, and died Angust 11, 1876: Lorrin, born May 26, 1859, in Minnesota : Daniel, born March 1, 1861, in Minnesota, and died Dec. 28, 1895: Franklin, born June 21, 1864. and died Nov. 3, 1898: Lillie J., born Oct. 25, 1866: and Anna B., born Dec. 5,

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1869. The Dodges were of old New England stock and the Cooks were from Germany. Ralph K. was a carpenter by trade. He brought the family to Hadley Valley near Rochester county, Min- nesota, in 1857, where he secured some land and built a frame building. He had an ox team and drove to Winona, the nearest market, for his supplies. Hle left this place in 1869 and went to Renville county. Hle located a homestead near Fairfax, town- ship of Cairo, securing a tract of 160 acres of wild prairie land. Here he erected a frame building of elm lumber, and began break- ing up the land with his team of oxen. New Ulm was the nearest market. He helped organize the school district of his home sec- tion. Ile died Feb. 28, 1872, and his wife died Nov. 20, 1912, in Ottertail county.

Eugene I. Dodge, a prominent resident and retired farmer of Hector, was born at Montagne, Mass., Dec. 24, 1855, son of Ralph K. and Susan J. (Cook) Dodge. He received his education in Olmsted county, this state, and grew to manhood in Renville county, where he engaged in farming. He secured a homestead in Martinsburg township, section 26, obtaining 160 acres of land. He was twenty-one years old at this time. He built a log house 14 by 14 and began improving the land, using an ox team. As time passed he built up a good farm and ereeted modern build- ings. In 1892 he sold his farm and moved to Hector, where he purchased 120 acres in the village limits which he improved and · platted into desirable village lots which found a ready market. For the past fifteen years Mr. Dodge has been engaged in the retail ice business. On his place some years ago he constructed a pond seven feet deep, filled by a thirty-five foot well. This pond is filled fresh eaeh fall, and this wholesome water freezes into the purest kind of ice for family purposes. Ile also has a fine orchard of some 400 trees, largely of the MeMann and Wealthy varieties, which in the fall of 1913 produced over 600 bushels of apples. Mr. Dodge was one of the first to own and operate a threshing outfit in the county and followed this line of industry for thirty seasons.

Mr. Dodge held the office of township assessor for one term. He was also a member of the school board. He became a vol- nnteer in the Farmers' Alliance at that time. He first took active part in church work in the Baptist church, holding office there and being superintendent of the Sunday school. Later he became interested in the Methodist church and has held office in the church and has become a member.

Mr. Dodge was married May 1, 1883, to Minnie Marquardt, born in Wisconsin Dec. 14, 1863, daughter of Ferdinand and Augusta Marquardt, both natives of Germany and married in Wisconsin. Mr. Marquardt owned a farm in Wisconsin and later in Martinsburg township, Renville county, coming about 1880 and

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remaining there the rest of his days. Mr. and Mrs. Dodge have the following children: Della Clara, born Feb. 25, 1884; larry Philo, born Dee. 4, 1885; Esther Sadie, born Dec. 8, 1887, and died Sept. 22, 1888; Nettie Bell, born Angust 12, 1889; Frank L., born March 31, 1891; Chester, born Dec. 5, 1895: Faith H., born March 21, 1899, and died March 31, 1900; Ival Ralph, born Au- gust 10, 1902; and Robert F., born Sept. 3. 1903. Della married Burt Moer, of Park Rapids, Minn., and has two children, Florence and Margaret. Frank married Flora Brenham, of Hector, and they have one child, Paul.

Andrew Strom, deceased, was born in Christiania. Norway, Oct. 1, 1820, there grew to manhood and learned the carpenter's trade. He arrived in America in 1850, and in 1856 came with his family to Minnesota and located at Butternut Valley. Blue Earth county, being an early pioneer of that section. There he took a pre-emption claim of 160 aeres and engaged in general farming. As soon as the homestead law was enacted he seenred a homestead of 80 acres joining his pre-emption claim, thus making 240 acres in his l'arm. He erected suitable buildings and became prominent in his locality taking a very active part in the affairs of his town. He held different town and school offices and for a time served as one of the county commissioners. In the spring of 1878 he moved his family to Renville county, where they lived for a period of six months in Palmyra township, thence going to the village of Beaver Falls, where they remained one year. In 1879 they moved to Heetor, where he built a store and resi- dence, and engaged in the drug and grocery business, following the same along until 1888 when he took his son William B. into partnership. The firm continued as Strom & Son until Mr. Strom's death, Nov. 20, 1902.

He was united in marriage to Maren O. Fosom, in Chicago, in 1856. She was born in Christiania, Norway, in 1822, came to Amer- jea about 1852, and located in Chieago. She died June 27, 1913. They were the parents of six children. Thora, who was born in Chicago, became Mrs. I. S. Gerald, and died in 1889, leaving two children, Guy Howard and Clara Mand : Odin Alfred the first white child born in Butternut Valley, is in the real estate business in Kerkhoven, Swift county, Minn .; Wm. B., of Heetor. is mentioned elsewhere ; Alice M., is now Mrs. C. R. Sheppard of California and has four children, Byron, Pearl, Cyrus and Gladys. Cornelia L. is now Mrs. W. L. Ramsey of Billings, Montana, and has one child, Bessie.

William B. Strom, postmaster of Ilector since 1897. and mer- chant since 1888. was born in Butternut Valley, Blue Earth county, Minnesota. October 2, 1860. He received his education at the dis- triet schools in Butternut Valley, and the State Normal school at Mankato. In 1878 he came with his parents to Renville county,

Ct 2.

W. B. STROM

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR. LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS

CHARLES H. EVERT AND FAMILY

MONICA NTOTIL

PUBLIC LIBRARY VIVA MAN 48L

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HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY

loeating with them in Palmyra township, removing with them six months later to the village of Beaver Falls, where he entered the drug store of his brother-in-law, I. S. Gerald, with whom he remained until 1880, coming that year to Hector and entering the drug and grocery store which his father had established the year before. In 1888 he became a partner with his father in the business, the firm being known as Strom & Son, and continuing as such until the father's death in 1902, when William B. became sole proprietor. About this time he discontinued the grocery business and equipped the store with a full and complete line of drugs and sundries. Mr. Strom continued alone until 1908, when he Formed a co-partnership with R. F. Clark and (. J. Whitney, his brothers-in-law, the firm being known as the W. B. Strom Drug Co. In 1897 Mr. Strom was appointed postmaster of Ilector, a position he still retains. Soon after his first appoint- ment, the postoffice was moved into the rear of the drug store. where it is still maintained. Mr. Strom was very active in estab- lishing the rural delivery routes, and now has six routes out of Hector, one more than any other office in the county. When Mr. Strom was appointed, the postoffice was in the fourth class and paid about $800 a year, but under his management it is now third class and pays $1,600 a year. In 1903 Mr. Strom, together with his brother-in-law, R. F. Clark, established and constructed the Hector Telephone Co., which they later sold to the present manage- ment. Mr. Strom has taken an active interest in the cleanliness and beauty of the village streets, parks and boulevards. In 1899, he purchased the Hector "Sentinel. " transferring it to Sacred Heart. where he published it for two years under the name Sacred Heart "Journal," and there sold it. Mr. Strom served on the Con- gressional Committee during Joel Heatwolde's Congressional ca- reer, having charge of his campaign in Renville county. He is president of the Commercial club, vice president of the Farmers' & Merchants' State Bank, former president of the Board of Edu- cation and served as justice of the peace for a number of years. Ilis fraternal affiliations are with Hector Lodge, No. 158. A. F. & A. M. Aside from his beautiful home and other property in Hector, he has a half acre in Kandiyohi county, located on the south shore of Diamond Lake, where he has a fine summer cottage. motor boat and other comforts.

Mr. Strom was married August 22, 1888, to Lola L. Clark, born in Victory, Wisconsin, January, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Strom have had three children. Russell Rex, born July 8. 1889. passed through the graded and high schools of Hector. took a four-year academie course in the University of Nebraska and one year in the medical department of the Minnesota State university, and is now studying medicine in the Northwestern University Medical Department at Chicago. Gyneth Maymie died in infancy. 1901.

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HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY

William Clark, born May 9, 1903, is a pupil in the Heetor high school.

G. C. Clark and Sarah Wilcox Clark, parents of Mrs. W. B. Strom, moved from Victory, Wisconsin, to Minneapolis, and later to Anoka, where the father died, after which the mother came to Ilector, where she still resides. They were the parents of three children, Lola L., now Mrs. W. B. Strom, of Ilector; Effie, now Mrs. C. J. Whitney, of Hector; and Russell F., of Hector. Hle married Florence Harding and they have two children, Dorothy and floyd.

Hans Hanson is a prominent farmer of Granite Falls township, Chippewa county, just over the line from Renville county. He was born in Norway Jan. 29, 1838, son of Hans Thoroson Hanson and Anna Ilanson. Ile came to America in 1865 and lived on Highland Prairie, Fillmore county, until coming to Renville county with them in 1867. A year later he left home and filed on a quar- ter seetion in Granite Falls township, just over the line in Chip- pewa county. Amid discouraging circumstances he started work to establish for himself a home in the wilderness. Many times in making trips to the nearest markets at Willmar and New Ulm he had to subsist the entire distance on frozen bread and some- times he narrowly escaped serious injury during severe snow storms and frosts. When the grasshoppers came he found it im- possible to obtain a living on the farm and consequently secured employment in the flouring mill of Park Warden at Minnesota Falls. In this business he engaged for some ten years. The farm in the meantime continued to occupy his attention and since then has engaged all his energies. Ilis original log house was replaced with a frame dwelling and substantial outbuildings took the place of the shacks which in the early days sheltered his stock. Mr. Ilanson has taken an active part in the development of the com- munity, has been supervisor of the township, and for over thirty years, served as treasurer of his sehool district. He has likewise taken a deep interest in the affairs of the Hawk Creek Norwegian Lutheran church. His farm consists of 600 aeres, forty acres of which are in Renville county, and on this splendid tract he sue- cessfully earries on general farming along the latest approved lines.

Mr. Hanson was married in Norway, January 11, 1863, to Christena Olson, who died on the farm April 8, 1907. In the family there were eleven children: Hans, Jr., Albert, Anna Christena. Albert, Mary Lilly, Julius H., Helmer and Julia. Hans, Jr., was born in Norway, JJan. 13, 1863, and now farms in Clear Water county, Minn. Albert was born in Fillmore county, in 1865, and died at the age of two and a half years. Anna Christena was born Jan. 12, 1867, and is now Mrs. O. P. Berg, of Granite Falls, Minn. Albert was born Aug. 24, 1869, and farms in Granite Falls

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township, Chippewa county. He married Lena Seim and their children are Hubert, Esther, Evelyn, Margaret and Harriett. Mary was born Aug. 17, 1871, and died Oct. 22, 1898. Lilly was born Aug. 6, 1873, and is now Mrs. Fred Bakke, of Granite Falls town- ship. Julius H. was born April 25, 1875, and farms in Hawk Creek township. Helmer was born May 11, 1878, and is associated with his father in conducting the home farm. He married Ma- thilda Thorstad and his children are Maurice, Philip, Donald, Florence and Riehard.

Hans Thoroson Hanson, a highly respected early settler, now deceased, was born in Norway in 1805 and there spent his early manhood. In 1862 he with his wife, his two sons and a daughter came to America and located on Highland Prairie in Fillmore county, where they remained until 1867. In that year they set out for Renville eounty and after arriving filed on a claim in see- tions 18 and 19, Hawk Creek township, where they started pioneer life in a crudely constructed shack. They passed through all the vicissitudes of frontier life and in time achieved the prosperity which they so richly deserved. Mr. Hanson died in 1889. His good wife who was born in 1810 died in 1880. In the family were five children : Hans, Thorvald, Olaus, Mary and Christopher, all born in Norway.

Thorvald, Olans and Mary came to Fillmore county with their parents in 1862, and to Renville county in 1867. Christopher did not come to America until later.

Hans was born Jan. 29, 1838, and now farms in Chippewa county. Hle is appropriately mentioned elsewhere.

Thorvald was born in 1840 and upon coming to Renville county took a homestead in section 18, Hawk Creek township, where he farmed until his death.

Olaus was born in 1844 and upon coming to Fillmore county took land in section 19, Hawk Creek township. He became a man of considerable distinction and carried on farming until 1911, when he sold his farm to his son-in-law, John Agre.

Mary is the wife of K. O. Agre of Hawk Creek township.

Christopher was born April 26, 1836, and now farms in Hawk Creek township. He is appropriately mentioned elsewhere.

Julia was born Jan. 20, 1880, and died in 1897. In addition to these nine there were two who died in early infancy.

Charles H. Evert, one of the well-known residents of Troy township, was born in Rice county, Feb. 15, 1864, the son of Jo- seph and Lisette (Schultz) Evert, who brought him to Renville county in 1878. After leaving school he remained at home, help- ing his father on the farm in Flora township, until 1884, when he rented a farm for two years. He then bought 160 aeres in Troy township. He broke and developed the land, ereeted a house and outbuildings, and remained there until 1899 when he

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HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY

moved to Olivia and devoted a few years to active business life. Ultimately he purchased 120 acres in section 11, Troy township. He has remodeled the house, erected a new barn and other build- ings and has greatly beautified the place. Additional land has been bought so that now the farm consists of 360 aeres, all of which is tillable with the exception of about twelve acres, Mr. Evert is a man of progressive ideas, and does diversified farming, feeding and shipping two or three carloads of cattle every winter. He has served on the town board and for several years was school elerk. In addition to the home farm he owns a fine farm in Stevens connty and is a stockholder in the Farmers' Coopera- tive Creamery. He is a member of the Evangelieal church of Olivia. Mr. Evert was nited in marriage to Bertha Seide. March 27. 1884. Mrs. Evert was born in Germany, June 21, 1861, and came to this country with her parents. Christopher and Anna (Schultz) Seide, in 1868, locating with them in Nicollet county where they engaged in farming and where both parents died. Mr. and Mrs. Evert have had eight children: Henry C., a farmer of Troy township, who married Mary Zachow, has one child, Helen L .: Emma L., who married George Juliar, who is farming in Blue Earth county, their family consisting of two children, Earl and Delmar : Arthur C., Laura A., Elmer E., Benjamin F., Edward W., and Estella M., all of whom are at home. Joseph Evert, born in Germany. married Lisette Schultz in the Fatherland and removed to America in 1862 settling in Rice county. For three years he followed teaming at Dundas. Then he began farming in the same - county where he remained until 1878 when he eame to this county and bought 80 acres of partly improved land in Flora township, where he engaged in general farming. In time he added another 80 acres to his original purchase, developing a fine property. Leaving the farm in the fall of 1901 he and his good wife moved to the village of Morton. In the spring of 1905 they moved to the state of Washington. After the death of his wife there. Jo- seph Evert returned to Renville county where he now makes his home with his children.

Solomon Bergman, born in Sweden. April 24, 1836, son of Swan and Anna Munson, who were parents of four children, Peter, Andrew, Solomon and Christine. Solomon's father died when he was fifteen years of age and Peter and Solomon were the only ones of the family to come to America. Solomon was married to Johanna Christina Pearson of Sweden. April 23, 1860. She was the daughter of Peter and Ingre Anderson. Solomon left his wife and children in Sweden and came to America in 1870 to New York where he began working in a stone quarry. The first winter was spent in the woods of Michigan and in the spring he came to Judson, Blue Earth county, Minnesota. Here the family joined him in 1871 and the following spring they moved to Renville county where he located 80 aeres in section 22, Palmyra

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township, and built a dugout. The family came in a covered wagon drawn by a team of oxen. It was all wild land and Mr. Bergman began breaking up the land with the help of the oxen. He bought 80 acres adjoining in section 15. He endured many hardships during the first years. For four years in sneeession his erops were destroyed by the grasshopers. Beaver Falls was the nearest milling place. In 1880 he built a frame house and barns. In 1881 a eyelone destroyed every building on the place and new buildings had to be erected. Mr. Bergman improved his farm and had a large fine farm and kept a good grade of stock. Ile was interested in farmers' organizations and was a member of the Farmers' Elevator Company at Hector and a member of the board of directors. Ile was also one of the organ- izers of the Farmers' Insurance Company, known as the Palmyra Mutual Fire Insurance Company. lle later became a director of the company and served as vice president. He was also a stockholder of the Hector Telephone Company and Exchange. Mr. Bergman was a leader in the affairs of his community and township and held the office of township treasurer for seventeen years. He was also a member of the school board and helped organize distriet No. 86. Ile was a member of the Swedish Imtheran church and was one of the organizers of this church, being its secretary for many years.

Mr. and Mrs. Bergman have had the following children: Au- gust (deceased), Anna Matilda, Emelie Sophia, Julia Marie, Jen- nie Augusta. August P., John W. (deceased), Albert F., Carl E., and Nathalia C. Anna Matilda is now Mrs. C. G. Johnson of Minneapolis, and has the following children : Mabel (deceased), Elmer, Clarence, Renben, Agnes and Myrtle. Emelie Sophia is uow Mrs. Clans W. Peterson of Minneapolis. They have two children : Albert and Harry. Julia Marie married C. M. JJohn- son and died Oct. 13, 1912, leaving the following children: Her- bert. Rudolph, Sidney and Violet. Jennie Angusta is now Mrs. Emil R. Johnson of Minneapolis. Their children are Wallace, Emery and Lillian. Albert F. has for the past fifteen years T'ented the old homestead and of late years Angust P. has been his partner. August P. is now a stockholder and director of the Hector Elevator Company and Albert F. has served as chairman and supervisor on the town board. Carl E. is a painter at Hector. Nathalia C. is now Mrs. Albert Anderson of Palmyra and has three children : Viola, Gladys and Burgess.

Mr. Bergman died Sept. 19, 1908, at the age of seventy-two years, four months and twenty-six days. His wife is still living with her sons, on the old home farm in section 15, Palmyra town- ship.

James H. Rich of Pine Hill Farm was born in Bueksport town- ship, Hancock county, Maine, Jan. 6, 1849, son of Benjamin and

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IHISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY

Sarah (Davis) Rich. Benjamin Rich was born in Bueksport, Maine, son of Benjamin, Sr., and Debora (Wily) Rich. He was a native of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, son of Robert Rich, native of England who as a child eame to Massachusetts with his father. Benjamin Rich, Sr., was a sailor, being a whaler of Cape Cod. He retired from this work and bought some land and lived at Bucksport, Maine, where he died. Benjamin Rich, Jr., took over the old farm of his father and spent his life there. His children were George, Charles, James H., Sarah, Luther, Mary, William and Albion. Sarah Davis was born in Sangerville, Maine, daugh- ter of Abijah and Amelia (Ilarding) Davis, both of English an- cestry.

James II. attended the school of his native township and farmed in the summer and worked in the lumber camps in the winter time. He came to Wisconsin at the age of eighteen years and engaged in lumber business and continued this in northern Wisconsin and Minnesota for about eight years. Then he lived in Wisconsin For a year and a half and in 1877 came in a covered wagon drawn by horses to Renville county, Minnesota, the trip from Waupaca county to Minnesota taking eleven days. He located the present place in seetion 20, obtaining 100 aeres of school land; there were no buildings on the place and it was all wild land.

The family rented a house nearby until their own house was ready. A small house 16 by 24 was built and also a hay roof barn. The nearest trading posts were Glencoe and Hutchinson. The grasshoppers destroyed the crops the first year and the hot winds blighted the straw. Ile had one cow and began improving the farm. He still owns the old farm and has given it the name of Pine Hill, deriving the name from the number of pine trees on the place set out by himself in the early days.

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The history of Renville County, Minnesota, Volume II, Part 35

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn; Renville County Pioneer Association Publication date: 1916 Publisher: Chicago : H.C. Cooper, Jr. & Co. Number of Pages: 986

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn; Renville County Pioneer Association
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Chicago : H.C. Cooper, Jr. & Co.
Number of Pages: 986