USA > Minnesota > Renville County > The history of Renville County, Minnesota, Volume II > Part 63
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Otto J. Westby was born in Norway. Feb. 2. 1852, son of John and Catherine (Olson) Westby, who were farmers in Norway.
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There were eight children in the family: Lena, Otto, Gorgen, Carl, Hogen, Julia, Martin (deceased), and Ole. Otto was the first one of the children to come to America, coming to Minne- apolis in 1872, where he worked for a lumber company for five years. Then he went to Willmar and later to Granite Falls, where he worked on the Milwaukee railroad. The next year he bought 80 acres of land in Sacred fleart township. Some im- provements had already been made upon this land. Here he began farming with a yoke of oxen, two eows and a steer. and lived here two years, when he moved to his present place in sec- tion 13 in South Saered Heart township, where he pre-empted a homestead of 80 acres and also bought 80 acres of railroad land. No improvements had been made upon any of this land and he built a claim shanty, where he lived for four years before build- ing the present home. He has improved his farm and has built a fine barn 32 by 52 feet and keeps a good grade of stock. Ile has also owned land outside of the county, having owned land in Dakota which he has since sold. Mr. Westby has served as clerk of the school district and is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church at Updahl. In 1878 Mr. Westby was married in Minnesota, to Andrena O. Gilbertson, of Norway, daughter of Gilbert O. Gilbertson, who brought his family to Dane county. Wisconsin, and later located in Fillmore county, Minnesota, and still later moved to Renville county, where he died. Eight chil- dren were born to these parents: Gilbert, Cornelius, John, Clara, Martin, Alfred. Elvin and Olga. Mrs. Westby died in 1893 at the age of forty-one years. Mr. Westby was married the second time to Christina Christopherson, born in Norway in 1869. She eame to America at the age of two years with her parents, Jens and Elsie Christopherson, who first located in Illinois in 1871. They stayed there five years and then moved to Minnesota, lo- cating on a farm in Sacred Heart township. Her parents are both dead. Five children were born to this second marriage : Ella, Oscar, Hilda. Amanda and Arthur.
Lornts J. Romo, one of the earliest pioneers of Wang town- ship, was born in Norway, Jan. 8. 1837, taking his name, with a slight change of spelling from Romoe. the farm where his family had lived for many generations. He was there reared, grew to sturdy manhood. and. on Nov. 15. 1860, married Mallena Dahl. who was born in Norway, May 14, 1837. There also were born their two oldest children, Jens and Sarah. the latter of whom. better known as Sigri, is now dead. This family set sail on an old-fashioned schooner in 1865. and, after seven weeks on the ocean, landed, and found their way to Minnesota, where they took up their home in Goodhne county. In 1869 they set ont with their three children and located in section 30, Wang town- ship, securing a tree elaim of eighty aeres and a homestead of
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eighty aeres more. Although arriving in November after the winter had set in, Mr. Romo constructed a dng-out and the fam- ily was made fairly comfortable. Food, however, was of the plainest and prices were high. Mr. Romo often brought flour on his back from the mill many miles away, but so high was the price of flour that even $10 worth was not a great burden. Many stories could be told of the pioneer experiences of this family. The trip from Goodhne county was made with an ox team, and took two weeks. With them the family brought their household goods, a few provisions, and some cows. Privations were many in their new home. One year the crop was destroyed by grass- hoppers. They suffered in many of the early storms, and on one or two ocasions when storms overtook Mr. Romo it was only by the greatest effort that he managed to reach a place of safety. Thus the years passed by. The dug-out was replaced two years later with a log cabin, one of the first in the neighborhood. Later a Frame house was built, and this, remodeled and improved by the son, John, is still standing on the home place. The original farm was increased until it consisted of some 240 acres, and the family became leading people in the community. In church work, Mr. Romo was especially active: he was one of the first mem- bers of the Hawk Creek church, and held therein such positions as that of deacon. Though he is now retired from the active duties of life he still retains his interest in everything that has for its object the good of the community, and his opinions are always received with respectful attention. The good wife died in the spring of 1904. The children in the family are: Jens, Sigri (deceased), Emily, of Pine City, now wife of Gust Nelson : John (deceased), Martin (deceased), John, Henry, of Hawk Creek township, JJulia, Albert, of Sisseton, South Dakota: and Julius (deceased ).
John Romo, one of the prosperous and energetie farmers of Wang township, was born in a dug-out, on the place in section 30. where he still resides, Dec. 27, 1870. He was reared to agri- cultural pursuits by his Father, attended the district school and the Willmar Seminary, and some eleven years ago took charge of the home place. He successfully carries on general farming and makes a specialty of raising good stock. Like his father before him, he is interested in church matters, and has served the Hawk Creek church as secretary for the past fifteen years. Hle is a stockholder in the Granite Falls Telephone Co. and the Farmers' State Bank of Sacred Heart. Mr. Romo married Clara Doeken, daughter of Ingebret Docken, and they have two chil- dren, Gladys Alvine Marion and Eveline Leonora.
Peter Gerardy, for many years a substantial and respected farmer, was born in Wisconsin, Sept. 16, 1859, and died in Cairo township, this connty, May 27, 1912. His parents. Christopher
MR. AND MRS. PETER GERARDY
THE NEW YOU. PUBLIC LIBRAR
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN YOUNDA TIONS
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and Agnes (Schlachs) Gerardy, were of German blood. It was in 1882 that Peter Gerardy came to Renville county and bought 160 acres in section 9, Cairo township. In 1896 he bought eighty aeres in the same section. On this farm he successfully farmed until his death. Since that sad event his widow has owned and managed the place. In 1896 the house was rebuilt and is now a two-story frame building. 16 by 30 feet, with a 14 by 24 addi- tion, a full basement under all. In 1914 a barn was built, 34 by 66, with 14-foot posts, hip roof, and with a capacity of 100 tous of hay, and room for twelve horses and twenty-six cattle, the total cost being $1.800. On the farm are about twenty-four Hol- stein cattle and seventy-five Duroe-Jersey hogs and also a large flock of Rhode Island Red chickens. Mr. Gerardy was township clerk for two years and also served on the school board. He was a member of the Sons of Herman. May 25. 1881, Mr. Gerardy was married to Mary Bovey, daughter of John and Lney Bovey. farmers in Scott county. Mrs. Gerardy was born Oct. 16, 1865. Twelve children have been born to this conple, all of whom are living. Lucy is now Mrs. Ed. Smith, of Fairfax, and has three boys and two girls. Agnes. born Sept. 6, 1888, is at home. Bar- bara, born April 13, 1889. is Mrs. Frank Hager, of Fairfax. The remaining children are all at home. They are Frances. born March 9, 1891: Matthew F., born May 13. 1893; Susan. born April 27. 1895: John, born August 11, 1897; Peter. born November 7. 1899; William, born September 6, 1903; Esther, born August 25. 1905; Raymond, born May 14. 1907: Ambrose, born July 25, 1912. The family faith is that of the ('atholie church.
John William Anderson, a prosperous business man, was born Dec. 25, 1886. Ilis father was born in Sweden, Dee. 9, 1856, and vame to America April 28, 1881, working in the quarries for a time and Jater becoming prominent in the making of monuments. His wife was Amnie Johnson, of Sweden. At the age of twenty. Mr. Anderson started a restaurant in Morton, calling it the "O. K." Here he remained until the spring of 1907. Then he started selling monuments for his father and brothers of the "Anderson Granite Company." with whom he is still employed. He also operates a music store in company with his brother. Fred. under the name of Anderson Brothers. They started this music store in March, 1914, and have sold to date, $15,000 in goods. They sell the P. S. Wiek pianos, sewing machines, musical mer- chandise and Alter automobiles. Mr. Anderson married Cina Mathillie Peterson, born May 28, 1886. Her father, Andrew Peterson, was a well-known pioneer of Lac Qui Parle county, who died May 23, 1898, at the age of sixty-two years. Her mother, Randi Peterson, died September, 190S, at the age of sixty-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have one child, Clifford
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Colonel, born May 23, 1908. They are members of the Norwe- gian Lutheran church at Morton.
William Fallon, a progressive farmer of Boon Lake township, was born in MeLeod county, Minnesota, Sept. II, 1869, son of John and Agnes Fallon. William Fallon attended the district school and took up farming near Brainerd on a farm of 80 aeres, twenty of which were broke. There were no buildings on the place and Mr. Fallon made extensive improvements and then sold this land and rented a farm in the neighborhood of Hutchinson. After two years he came to Boon Lake township and purchased 160 acres from Hugh Carrigan. This land was not improved. Mr. Fallon has erected a fine modern house, large barn, silo and other buildings. His barn was destroyed by fire and was re- placed by the present fine structure. He has served as school clerk and is a member of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Fal- lon was married Oct. 27, 1903, to Mary Carrigan, daughter of lIngh Carrigan and the union has been blessed with four chil- dren : Charles, Josephine, Raymond, and Stella.
Emil Thang, manager of the Mille elevator, at Sacred Heart, was born in Minneapolis, Dee. 15, 1889, son of Olaus II. and Mathia (Gulbrandson) Thang. The father was born in Norway on Ang. 18, 1847, was married in 1871, came to America in 1872; lived in Menominie, Wis., abont two years employed in a Inm- ber mill : then came to Minneapolis, and worked as a carpenter and in a Inmber mill until 1900, when he came to Sacred Heart. township, rented a farm, and there lived until 1911, when he re- tired to Sacred Heart village, where he died May 7, 1912. The mother was born in Norway, May 3, 1850, and still lives in Sac- red Heart. Besides Emil, there was another child in the family, Christian by name, who died in infancy. Emil Thang remained with his parents until 1912, and then became station agent for the C., M. & St. Paul Ry. Co. In December, 1914, he left that position, and, in Jannary, 1915, took up his present work. Mr. Thang was married April 18, 1914, to Hilda Bagaus, born in Sacred Heart, Feb. 17, 1896, daughter of Ilalvor and Paulina Bagans, natives of Norway. The father was born in Norway in 1860, came to America many years ago, engaged in railroad work and now lives in Sacred Heart. In the Bagans Family there are thirteen children : Magnus, Inga, Ole, Heury, Ingvald, Al- T'red, Hilda, Jennie, Eliner, Agnes, Theodore, Spencer and Charles. Mr. and Mrs. Thang have a son, Otis HI., born March 11, 1915.
James I. Huff, one of the well-known farmers of Emmet town- ship, was born Jan. 13, 1845, in Prince Edward county, Canada, son of Elisha and Catherine Donahue Huff. Elisha Huff was born in Prince Edward county, Canada, son of Solomon Huff and Sarah (Alger) Huff, and grandson of Paul Huff. Paul Inff was of German descent, and came to New York state before 1776,
MR. AND MRS. JAMES IRVIN HUFF
PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR. LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
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where he engaged in the occupation of miller. The Family moved to Canada at the outbreak of hostilities, leaving Solomon, who went at a later date, when he bought an island of 1,100 aeres in the bay of Quinte, which now bears the family name and on which some of the descendants of his family still live. Elisha Huff died at the age of eighty-six in 1882 and his wife, who was born near Dublin, Ireland, and came to Quebec, Canada, at about the age of sixteen, died in 1870 at the age of sixty years.
James 1. Huff was educated in Canada and there grew to man- hood, remaining on his father's farm until 1872, when he came to Elk River, Minnesota, where he worked in a lumber camp. The next year he went to Minneapolis, where he remained for seven months and then he went to Wisconsin, where he was engaged in the lumber business for seven years. In 1880 he again came to Minnesota and bought 320 aeres of wild prairie land in see- tion 3 in Emmet township. In 1881 he moved to Renville village and started improvements on his land. After his marriage he moved to the farm, where he had built a frame house and made many other developments. Ile is now a prosperous farmer of this section and raises a good grade of stock. specializing in Shorthorn cattle. He now has 300 aeres, having sold twenty acres of his land to the railroad. Mr. Huff is a member of the Swine Breeders' Association and also of the Farmers' Co-opera- tive Elevator of Renville. He was also a member of the Cream- ery Association when it was organized, and held stock in the old Fair Association. Ile is a member of the Modern Brother- hood of Renville. He is a communieant of the Methodist church, being one of the board of trustees, and also belonging to the Bible class. June 25, 1882, Mr. Huff was married to Effie M. Blancher, born in Drumbo. Ontario, Aug. 18, 1856. She was the daughter of Franeis and Amanda (Brown) Blancher. Francis Blancher was born in Canada, son of Soley Blancher, and came to Wiseonsin in 1864 and bought a farm. Here he died in 1882 at the age of fifty-one years. His wife, Amanda, was the daugh- ter of Case and Mary Brown. Francis Blancher and wife had six children : Burley, Effie, Barkley, Issa, Philip and Charles. James and Effie Huff had five children: Frank, who is manager of a Farmers' Elevator Company at Buffalo Spring. North Da- kota : Mark, who is at home and is a steam engineer ; Mabel, who is a teacher ; Mildred, a student of Hamline University. and Ettie, who is a student of the local high school. The older children are all high school graduates.
Ole Dale, a pioneer, was born October, 1814, came to America in 1854, farmed in Trempealeau county, Wisconsin, until 1867, lived six years in Pope county. this state, and in the spring of 1873 came to Renville county, where he homesteaded eighty aeres in section 23. Camp township, and here remained until his death.
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May 21, 1894. His wife, Betsy Berge was born Feb. 16, 1817, and died June 13, 1905.
Olaf Dale, a well-known farmer of Camp township, was born in Trempealean county, Wisconsin, Sept. 5, 1859, son of Ole and Betsy (Berge) Dale. Ile lived with his parents in Pope and Renville counties, and now owns the home place in section 23, where he resides. He is a prominent man, and has been thirty years a member of the town board, and twenty years school clerk.
Olaf Dale was married Feb. 2, 1885, to Mary Gunderson, who was born March 9, 1859. Iler father, Peter Gunderson, came to America in 1870, spent three years in Olmsted county, this state, then came to Camp township, this county, and here lived until 1888, when he went to Todd county, this state, where he re- mained until his death in 1908, at the age of eighty-three. ller mother, Mary Gunderson, died in 1910, at the age of eighty- four. Mr. and Mrs. Olaf Day are the parents of six children : Ella, Charles F., Annie, Henry, Peter and Mabel. Ella was born Aug. 12. 1886, married Homer L. Grasmoen, a farmer of section 34, Cairo township, and has one child. Charles F. is a merchant in Fairfax. Annie was born June 5, 1889, married Carl Rund, a farmer of Cairo township, and has two children. Henry, born Dee. S. 1891: Peter, born March 17. 1894; and Mabel. born May 29, 1896, are at home.
Charles F. Dale was born June 20, 1887, in section 23, Camp township, this county, son of Olaf and Mary (Gunderson) Dale. early settlers. He remained with his parents until 1910. and then worked in the Farmers' Co-operative Store at Fairfax until Oc- tober, 1913. Then he went to Minneapolis for six months. Jume 7. 1914, he and Steven Porter started an ice cream parlor and confectionery store in Fairfax. Oct. 10, 1914, he bought ont his partner, and now operates the place under his own name. Mr. Dale was married April 15, 1914, to Laura Greer, born Jan. 14, 1894, daughter of Richard H. Greer, manager of the Beaufort Hotel, Minneapolis: and of dennne (Carson) Greer: as well as granddaughter of Hugh Carson, of Fairfax. one of the pioneers of Renville county.
Arnt Arntzen, one of the earliest pioneers of Renville county, was born in Nordland, Norway. Sept. 21, 1836, there received his edueation, grew to manhood and was married. In 1868 he and his wife and one child, Anna, crossed the ocean. reached America in due time, and located near Red Wing, Goodhue county, this state, for a year. It was in 1869 that he came to Renville county and secured a homestead of eighty aeres in section 12, Hawk Creek township. At first the family habita- tion was a rude dug-out. With this as their home they started life on the treeless prairie, gradually breaking the land and get-
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ting in erops. After living in the dug-out For ten years they erected a log house in which the family lived until 1899. The Arntzens experienced all the hardships of pioneer life. Gradu- ally. however, prosperity came to them. Year by year they de- veloped the place, set out trees, built fences, purchased equip- ment, erected barns and outbuildings, added eighty aeres to their land, and in time became prosperous and substantial members of the community. It was in 1899 that the present two-story frame dwelling was erected. Mr. Arntzen did not seek public office but for a time consented to serve on the town board. He lied March 2, 1908, and since his death his widow has condneted the home farm.
Mr. Arntzen was married in Norway. in October, 1864, to Hedwig Hanson, born in Hemnes, Norway, Jan. 21, 1844. Through- out their married life she proved a most loyal wife, companion and helpmeet. and she has been a loving and faithlol mother. Their union was blessed with twelve children : Anna, JJohannah, Randolph, Mary, Halvor, Veva, George, and Inga, living, and Amelia, Hans, Martin and an unnamed infant, deceased. Anna was born in Norway. June 30, 1866, married Edward Kaposen. now of Medieine Lake, Montana, and has two children, Alma and Veva. Johannah was born in Red Wing, Minnesota, Nov. 12. 1868. married John Thorstad, now of Medicine Lake, Mon- tana, and has four children : Harriet, Reuben and Merrill (twins) and Helen. Randolph was born on the old homestead in Hawk Creek, Nov. 9, 1870. He is a leading dentist at Montevideo, Min- nesota. married Grete Lowe, and has five children: Loyal, Lil- lian, Lincoln, Randolph and Millicent. Mary was born Ang. 10, 1873. is the widow of Frank DeLine. lives at Medicine Lake. Montana. and has one son. Franklin. Halvor was born Oct. 17. 1875, and lives in Medicine Lake, Montana. Veva was born Sept. 6. 1878. married Olaf H. Eliason, and has four children : Alfred, Ray, Roy (deceased) and Stella. George. a twin of Veva, resides at Medicine Lake. Montana. Inga was born April 16, 1883, is now Mrs. Inga Gibson, has one son, Delmar, and lives with her mother on the farm. The family faith is that of the Conference church of Hawk Creek ..
Julius Hanson, one of the leading young farmers of Hawk Creek township, was born on the farm which he now owns and operates, July 3. 1875, son of Christopher and Mary (Hegna) Hanson. He attended the district schools of the neighborhood, grew to manhood in the parental home, and learned the business of successful farming from his father. In 1901 he bought the interests of the other heirs in the old homestead of 160 acres and at once started making extensive improvements. He bought eighty acres more, thus making a splendid tract of 240 acres which he has fenced and developed in many ways. His new barn
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is his especial pride. Mr. Hanson is energetie, progressive and hard-working, and is one of the coming men of the community. lle makes a special study of modern methods and carries on his agricultural operations along the latest approved lines. Aside from his farm interests he is a stockholder in the Granite Falls Telephone Co. Since 1910 he has ably served the township as a member of the board of supervisors. Julins Hanson was mar- ried Jan. 28, 1912. to Mrs. Hilda (Frederickson) Corbel, daugh- ter of Martin Frederickson and the widow of Mr. Corbel, by whom she had one child, Henry, born Sept. 27, 1909.
Christopher Hanson, who, for many years, was one of the in- fluential and highly-regarded citizens of Hawk Creek, was born in Norway, son of Hans Thoroson Hanson. In 1874. with his wife and five children, he set out for America, to which land his parents and other members of the family had previously emi- grated. Upon reaching Renville county he secured a homestead of forty aeres in section 18, Hawk Creek township, that being the last homestead land left in the neighborhood. He at onee erected a log cabin into which the family moved. Then he started breaking and developing the land. One of his earliest duties being to set out the trees, which now adorn the place. The time of his arrival was an unfortunate one, for the first year the grass- hoppers destroyed everything edible, even the hay. Mr. Hanson considered himself fortunate that they left him even a stack of straw, and this straw he planned to preserve with much care. After a while the weeds began to grow up and, after they be- came dry, in order to keep them from casting their seeds and burs into his prized stack, he decided to destroy them by fire. The result was that the flames spread beyond his control and straw and all was consumed. But in spite of such experiences Mr. Hanson was undaunted and worked with unwavering cour- age year by year until all the difficulties were overcome. After eighteen years he erected a frame dwelling for a residence and in time the old sheds were replaced with good buildings for stock and erops. lle added to his original holdings until he owned a good farm of 160 aeres, of which eighty aeres was in section 18 and eighty in seetion 7. Many of the improvements on the place were the work of his own hands, for he had inherited consider- able dexterity with tools from his father, who had been a car- penter in Norway, and whom in his younger days he had as- sisted. Mr. llanson never aspired to public office, but being al- ways interested in the progress and betterment of the community he consented to serve as road overseer, and did good work for many years as director of School District No. 21. He was a man of active church interests, was instrumental in having the Hawk Creek Norwegian Lutheran church established and spent many days in laboring on the structure, in addition to contributing
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liberally toward its expenses. In the course of his farm busi- ness he became a stockholder in the Farmers' Creamery at Gran- ite Falls. After a long, useful life, Mr. Hanson died Oct. 12, 1901, his good wife having passed away Dec. 27, 1887.
Christopher Hanson was married in Norway to Anna Gul- brandson, who was born in that country, and they had seven children : Hans, Dorothy, Bertha, Gunda and Carrie were born in Norway: Julius and Emma were born in America.
Herman Yunker, dealer in harnesses and shoes. Buffalo Lake, was born in Germany, Oet. 22, 1867, son of Peter J. and Katie Yunker, came to America in 1885, lived in Nebraska and Da- kota, and then came to Renville county. He completed his edu- cation in Bird Island, in 1889, and then spent two years with Anthony Mahawald, of that place, learning the harness trade. Then he went to Eureka, S. D., and engaged in business as a grain buyer for Arthur Low. In 1893 he returned to Bird Island. resumed his work with Mr. Mahawald, and remained until 1896, when he once again went to Enreka. S. D., and there opened a harness shop. A year later he moved his stock to Buffalo Lake, and after renting a place for a while, purchased the building he is now oceupying and added a shoe department. His is the only establishment of its kind in Buffalo Lake and he does a good business. In addition to his store he owns 144 acres of land four miles west of Buffalo Lake which he rents. He is a leading man in his community, has been a member of the village conneil teu years and its president two years, has been treasurer of the vil- lage since 1913, and treasurer of the Buffalo Lake Commercial Club since 1907. Ile is a Democrat in polities, and belongs to the Catholic church. Mr. Yunker was married Nov. 28, 1899, to Katie Boehme, born Oct. 5, 1879, five miles south of Bird Island, daughter of Christ and Mary (Engle) Boehme. Mr. and Mrs. Yunker have two children : Christine .L., born Sept. 3. 1900 : Edward J., born June 22. 1902.
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