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BORTINUS J. AADAHL was born in Minneola township
on the farm where he still lives, June 27, 1873, son of John
and Riborg (Lerfald) Aadahl, natives of Trondelagen, Norway,
who came to America in 1872, locating in Minneola township,
where they bought 160 acres of improved land, which they
continued to improve, erecting substantial and up-to-date
buildings and following general and diversified farming until
his death, February 28, 1905. The mother died June 22, 1895.
Bortinus J. Aadahl received his education in the schools of
Minneola, and worked with his father on the farm until the
latter's death, when he came into possession of the farm, and
continues to follow general and diversified farming. Mr.
Aadahl was married May 16, 1898, to Anna Trelstad, a daughter
of John P. and Riborg (Borstad) Trelstad, natives of
Trondelagen, Norway, who came to America in the early sixties,
settling in Minneola township, and engaged in farming. The
mother died October 19, 1871, but the father is still living
and farming in Minneola township. Mr. and Mrs. Aadahl have been
blessed with four children-Rudolph, born June 27, 1900; Julia
R., born September 1, 1903; Ella, born July 26, 1905, and
Dena, born March 28, 1909, all living at home. Mr. Aadahl is a
Republican in his political views and the family are members
of the United Norwegian Lutheran Church.
MICHAEL ACKERMAN, of Frontenac village, was bom
in Germany, August 12, 1834, son of Jacob and Annie
(Messenschmidt) natives of Germany, where they both died.
Michael received his education in Germany and in 1852 he came
to this country and settled in Old Frontenac. He was a
carpenter by trade, and was employed by Gen. Garrard, with
whom he remained for 28 years. He also owns 80 acres
of land in Florence township which he rents and spends his
time equally with his son at Frontenac and his daughter at
Missoula, Mont. He had another son William who is now
deceased. In 1862 Mr. Ackerman enlisted in Co. G, 2d, Minn.
Vol. Inf., and served in all the battles in which that
regiment participated. Mr. Ackerman was married in 1859 to
Barbara Katzenberger, and three children blessed this
union. Anna,
married to Mr. Drefford a wheelwright of Missoula, Mont.;
Edward of Frontenac, and William, (deceased). Mr. Ackerman is Republican in his politics. He is a member
of the G. A. R. of Lake City, and attends the German Lutheran
church.
THOMAS A. AGNEW, proprietor
of the Cannon Falls Canning Company, is at the head of an
institution which has already met with great success, and
promises in the future to meet with still greater prosperity,
furnishing as it does an opportunity to the farmers for
disposing of their products without seeking far-away city
markets. Mr. Agnew was born April 11, 1873, and, after
attending the common schools, learned stenography and
bookkeeping. His
first experience in the canning business was in Westfield, N.
Y., where he thoroughly mastered all the details. In 1904 he came to
Cannon Falls and opened his present establishment, canning
vegetables of all kinds, but making a specialty of a fine
grade of sweet corn. The corn chosen for canning by Mr. Agnew
is of the sweetest and best, and the process insures absolute
cleanliness. Mr. Agnew has associated himself with the Masonic
order, and in politics he is an independent voter. By Laura
Watson, whom he married September 16, 1897, he has one
daughter, Dorothy, born March 24, 1907. The family faith is
that of the Congregational church. William and Minnie (Leahy)
Agnew, parents of Thomas A., were both natives of
Pennsylvania. The
mother died in 1877, and the father still lives in his native
state, where he is engaged as a railroad engineer.
LEWIS L. AGREY, of Minneola township, son of
Erick and Bertha Agrey, was born June 8, 1854, in Norway. His
parents both being natives of that country, immigrating to
America in the year 1856 when Lewis was two years old. They
settled in Winneshiek county, Iowa, engaging in farming until
1864, when they moved to Fillmore county, purchased a farm,
remaining here for one year. In the spring of 1865 they
removed to Minneola township, purchasing a farm of 166 acres,
mostly wild land, which they cultivated and improved. The
father died November 1, 1865. The mother continued to live on
the homestead until she died, May 1, 1895. Lewis was educated
in the public schools of Minneola, and after finishing his
education he remained on the home farm, building a new house
and other buildings, and followed general and mixed farming
ever since. Mr.
Agrey is single, living with his mother until her
death. He is a Republican and a member of the Lutheran
church.
AXEL AHLGREN, of Belvidere township, was born in
Sweden, September 3, 1867, son of John and Annie Ahlgren,
natives of Sweden, who came to America in 1869 and located in
Red Wing, where the father worked in a lumber yard for twelve
years, after which he rented a farm in Featherstone township
for about ten years, carrying on general farming. He then
removed to Todd county, and later to Adams county, North
Dakota, where he took a homestead of 160 acres, and where the
mother died August 17, 1908. The father died July 1, 1909.
Axel received his education in the public schools of Red Wing,
after which he worked on a farm and clerked in a grocery store
in Red Wing until 1897, when he entered into business with H.
J. Bang, of Belvidere, the firm being known as H. J. Bang
& Co. This firm has since continued successfully, enjoying
a large trade. Mr. Ahlgren was married July 21, 1893, to Mary
A. Nelson, daughter of Erick and Anna (Johnson) Nelson,
natives of Sweden, who came to America in 1869, settling in
Red Wing, where he is employed in the Red Wing Furniture
Factory. Mr. and Mrs. Ahlgren have three children: Hazel
Marie, born July 15, 1894; Raymond A., born April 3, 1897; and
Bernard H. E.. born May 26, 1903. Mr. Ahlgren served for two
years in Company G, at Red Wing, as private. He is justice of the
peace of Belvidere and a member of the Modern Woodmen. The
family attends the English Lutheran
church.
FRANK AHNEMAN, of Minneola township, was born at
Pine Island, this county, April 20, 1861. His parents, Henry
and Sophia (Pultz) Ahneman, were both natives of Germany, who
came to this country in the early forties, settling in
Wisconsin. About
ten years later they moved to Pine Island village, where the
father conducted a store for the period of two years. Tiring
of mercantile life, he sold this store and bought a farm of
310 acres, where he lived until his death, April 16, 1906, his
wife having died November 10, 1893. Frank Ahneman received his
education in the public schools of Pine Island, and after
leaving school assisted his father on the farm until 1897, when
he removed to Olmstead county, Minnesota. Here he engaged in
farming until 1899, when he came to Minneola township,
purchasing a farm of 160 acres in section 24, on which he
conducted many improvements, making a good home for himself
and family. In 1907 he built a substantial house and other farm
buildings. He carries on a general farming, and has been very
successful, acquiring his possessions by his frugal habits,
honesty and hard work. Mr. Ahneman was married December 22,
1896, at Red Wing, to Hannah Degener, daughter of Henry and
Ernestine (Yerch) Degener, natives of Germany, came to America
and located at Greenlake county, Wisconsin, where the father
engaged in farming for several years, afterward removing to
Pine Island and following the same line of work. He and his
wife are still living on the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Ahneman have
been blessed with one daughter and one son-Hilda, born May 15,
1897, and Arthur, born July 17, 1900. Mr. Ahneman is
Democratic in his political views. The family attends the
Lutheran Church.
HENRY AHNEMAN, of Pine Island township,
was born in Fond du Lac., Wis., February 1, 1854, son of Henry
and Sophia (Pultz) Ahneman, natives of Mecklenburg, Germany,
who came to America in 1852 ; and in 1856 to Pine Island
township, where they preempted eighty acres of land and
engaged in farming. The father died in 1906 and the mother in
1893. They had a family of nine children, all of whom except,
one are living. Henry was educated in the common schools of
the township and worked with his father on the farm. He now
has eighty acres of improved land adjoining his father's land
and follows general farming. He still lives with his brother
and sister on the old homestead. In politics he is an
independent voter, casting his ballot for the candidate whom
he deems best fitted to serve in public office.
JOHN H. ALBERS is a native of Goodhue township,
born August 12, 1875. He received his education in the common
schools of his neighborhood, and farmed with his father for
some years, also learning the carpenter's trade. Later he
purchased a home at the same time doing considerable carpenter
work in the village of Goodhue. He is a Republican in
politics, but has never actively engaged in political affairs.
Mr. Albers was married February 8, 1905, to Mary Behens,
daughter of John and Anna (Tipke) Behens, farmers, of Zumbrota
township. To Mr. and Mrs. Albers have been born three children
: Edna, July 29, 1906; Wilmet, September 17, 1907, and Viola,
February 13, 1908.
Peter and Margaret (Fitchen) Albers, parents of John
H., came to America from Germany in May, 1873, and located in
Goodhue township, where the father purchased a farm of forty
acres in section 16, on which he carried on general farming,
also doing carpenter work in the neighborhood. In 1902 he
purchased 160 acres. in sections 1, 2 and 11, in Zumbrota
township, where he is now engaged in farming. In the family
were eight children, aside from John H., who was the oldest.
They are, in the order of their birth : Peter, a farmer ;
Christ, deceased; Henry, deceased; Anna, wife of John Reese, a
farmer, of Zumbrota; Mattie, of Zumbrota ; Christ and
Margaret, who are at home, and Catherine,
deceased.
HIRAM ALBERTS, Jr., proprietor of the Pleasant
Valley Spring Stock farm, Roscoe township, comes of an early
Goodhue county family, and, although it has not been his
choice to engage
actively in public affairs, is known as a man in whom every
good enterprise has a friend. He is a native born son, having
first seen the light of day, May 9, 1878, on the old
homestead, section 31, Roscoe township, where he still
resides. After receiving his schooling and spending his
boyhood on the farm, he went to North Dakota and farmed until
1907. He became a popular resident in that state and was on
the high road to prosperity, but upon the retirement of his
father he came back to this township and assumed charge of the
home farm. Using up-to-date methods he has developed the farm
until it is one of the best in the township, and admirably
adapted to general farming which he conducts in connection
with stock raising, making a specialty of Poland China hogs,
of which he markets over 100 each year. Thoroughly appreciating the
advantages of good fellowship and the fraternal spirit, Mr.
Alberts has associated himself with both the United Workmen
and the Odd Fellows. By Anna Bury, daughter of David and
Augusta Lick, whom he married July 12, 1897, he has two
children: Llyod, born August 12, 1898, and Esther, born April
23, 1900. The family faith is that of the German Lutheran
church.
HIRAM ALBERTS, Sr., of Roscoe township, came
from Switzerland to America in 1854 followed a short time
afterward by the lady who was to become his wife, whom he
married at her parents home in Dodge county. In 1856 they took
up their home on a quarter section in Cherry Grove township.
April 16, 1875, they sold this farm and purchased 300 acres in
section 31, Roscoe township, together with 65 acres across the
street in Dodge county, making 365 acres in all. Here they
followed farming until 1907 when they turned the management of
the place over to their son with whom they now make their
home, being most estimable old people in every respect.
LEWIS P. ALEXANDER, who for several years
was chief train dispatcher of the local branch of the Great
Western. With headquarters at Red Wing, first saw the light of
day in Morrison, Whiteside county, Illinois, son of Horace and
Irene Alexander. The father was a veteran of
the Civil War, his occupation being that of wagon painter and
decorator. He died in Chicago in 1881. After the death of his
mother, at Morrison, 111., in 1875, Lewis P. went to live with
his grandmother, and received his education in the schools of
his neighborhood, near Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He worked on a farm
in the same locality until twenty-one years of age. His first
railroad experience was as a telegraph operator for the
Chicago & Northwestern. In 1893 he accepted a similar
position with the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern, and
was later promoted to the position of train dispatcher. In
1903 he was appointed chief train dispatcher at Red Wing,
which position he efficiently and honorably filled.
Mr. Alexander is a Republican in politics, and belongs
to the Woodmen and the Yeomen. He was married February 28,
1895, to Rilla Thompson, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, daughter of
James C. and Angeline (Fritz) Thompson. The home of Mr. and
Mrs. Alexander has been blessed
with two children : Mervin L., born April 13, 1896, and Firmin
L., born December 5, 1900. Both children attend the public
schools. Mervin L., the elder son, is a clever musician, and
plays first and second cornet in the Military band. The family
worships at the Presbyterian church.
ARLAND H. ALLEN, undertaker, is one of
Red Wing's estimable and solid citizens, well fitted by nature
and training for the position he occupies in the community. He
was born in Norway, September 26, 1846, and was brought to
America as an infant. His parents, Hans and
Barbara E. (Stenseth) Allen, left the old country in 1847, and
started for America in a sailing vessel. A
terrible storm arose soon after their departure, and for
nineteen weeks the frail bark was tossed about, almost at the
mercy of the storm. It weathered the raging elements, however,
and after nearly five months the landing in this country was
safely accomplished. The family located first at Jefferson
Prairie, Wis., and there the father followed the trades of
carpenter and stone mason, also doing some farming. Like so
many thousand others he followed the great rush to Pikes Peak
after gold, but the rigors of gold-seeking life proved too
great a strain for his constitution and he died there in
August, 1859. His wife then moved her family to Decorah, Iowa,
in 1860, and remained there several years, afterward going to
Albert Lea, Minn., where she passed away in February, 1904.
Arland, having as an infant survived those long months of that
terrible sea-voyage, grew to robust boyhood at Jefferson
Prairie, Wis., and attended the public schools of that state.
He was also a pupil in the Adams High School of Decorah, Iowa.
Later he took a course in the Rochester, N. Y., Medical
Institute, receiving his diploma. In 1872 he came to Red Wing,
and for several years was secretary for the Red Wing Furniture
Company. He afterward embarked in the undertaking business in
which he has since continued. Mr. Allen is a Republican in
politics, and for three terms served as county coroner. For
sometime he served as a member of Company G in the state
militia. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran
Church. Arland H. Allen was married at Frontenac, Minn.,
October 21, 1896, to Anna S. Johnson, of Red Wing, daughter of
Edward and Christina (Dosen) Johnson, natives of Norway, who
came to America in 1866. They located first at St, Paul,
Minn., and there their daughter, Anna S., was born.
From St. Paul they went to White Hall, Wis., then to
St. Peter, Minn., then to Red Wing, where the father was
engineer at the Lutheran Ladies Seminary. Later thy lived at
Frontenac for one year, then returned to St. Peter, and
subsequently went to Kasota, Minn., where the father now
lives. The mother died at that place, August 20, 1905. To Mr.
and Mrs. Allen have been born five children-Barbara C., Thelma
J., Arland H. (deceased) Edward M. and Arland H.
ANDREW M. ANDERSON, of Belle Creek township, was
born in Sweden December 24, 1842, son of Andrew and Betsy
(Olson) Anderson, natives of Sweden, where the father was a
blacksmith and wagon maker. He died September 26, 1856, the
mother having passed away in October, 1848. Andrew received
his education in Sweden and worked at farming until June 1,
1864, when he left his native land and emigrated to America,
landing at Quebec August 3. He went to Chicago, where he
stopped two days, then went to Michigan and was employed in
the copper mines for nine months, after which he came to Red
Wing, where he was employed as stone mason from 1865 to 1867.
He then removed to Leon township, and six months later
purchased eighty acres of wild land in Belle Creek township,
which he improved, erecting a house, barn and outbuildings. He
now does general farming and raises Cylde horses and Shorthorn
cattle, owning in addition to his farm seventeen acres of
timber land in Vasa township. Mr. Anderson was married June 1,
1868, to Betsy Johnson, daughter of Olaf and Margaret
(Paulson) Johnson, natives of Sweden, who came to America in
1858, locating in St. Peter, Minn., where he pre-empted land,
and in 1862 was forced by the Indians to leave, losing
everything, and he and his family barely escaping with their
lives. They then settled in Belle Creek township, where the
father died in 1900, the mother having passed away in 1881.
Andrew M. and Betsy Anderson had four children: Julia A.,
married to John Anderson, a business man of Red Wing; Anton
F., of Red Wing; Lawrence G., living at home ; Arthur A., of
Red Wing. February 6, 1889, the mother of these children died,
and in the fall of 1894 Mr. Anderson married Hilma Josephine
Swanson, daughter of Swan and Lizzie (Larson) Swanson, natives
of Sweden, where they were farmers. The father died April 22,
1909, and the mother died December 25, 1904. To this marriage
three children were born : Hattie Josephine, Nancy Julia and
Clarence Gerhard, all living at home. Mr. Anderson is an
independent voter. He has served as town supervisor for nine
years, also treasurer for school district 38 for the long
period of eighteen years, and road overseer. The family faith
is that of the Swedish Lutheran church.
ANTON V. ANDERSON was born in Vasa October 31,
1873, son of John and Hannah (Hanson) Anderson, natives of
Sweden, who came to America in 1868 and located in Arnsa
township, where they purchased eighty acres of improved land
and carried on general farming until 1875, when they sold,
removed to Belle Creek township and bought 120 acres of land,
where the subject of this sketch now lives. Here the father
built a home and other buildings and carried on farming until
his death, December 11, 1882. In 1888 the mother was married
to P. M. Ljungren. Anton V. received his education in the
public schools of Belle Creek, and afterward took a course at
Beeman's Business College, of Red Wing. He also attended the
State Agricultural School in 1903 to 1906. During this time,
in 1905, he took up farming on the old homestead. He has since
continued agricultural operations on a large scale, raising
excellent crops, horses and dairy cattle. He believes in
scientific farming, and all his farm machinery is of the
latest approved design. His progressiveness is shown by the
fact that for the past year and a half he has used a milking
machine which milks four cows at a time. Its power is
furnished by a fine gasoline engine. Mr. Anderson is an
up-to-date farmer in every way, standing in the front rank of
those who have endeavored to better farm conditions in this
county. February
11, 1907, he was married to Emma Monson, daughter of Charles
and Mary (Hobart) Monson, both of whom are living in Belle
Creek township. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have two children :
Leonard A., born December 3, 1907, and Edgar J., born January
22, 1909. Mr. Anderson is a Prohibitionist in his political
views and has always taken an active interest in the welfare
of his community, having held the positions of constable for
four years and justice of the peace for the past six
years. In 1908 he
was a candidate on the Prohibition ticket for the state
legislature. He has been president of the Belle Creek
Mercantile Co-operative Company since 1904, and of the Belle
Creek Creamery since 1901. He is a member of the Good
Templar's Mutual Benefit Association of Wisconsin, and he and
his family belong to the Swedish Lutheran church.
FREDERICK R. ANDERSON, general manager of the
Farmers' Elevator Co., at Cannon Falls village, is a native
son of this township, born August 31, 1861. In addition to
attending the district school he received a thorough education
in the Red Wing Seminary, graduating in 1882. After leaving
School he had the distinction of being the first station agent
at Welch, subsequent to which he engaged in the grain
business. From 1883 to 1894 he engaged in the milling
business, later erecting an elevator at Cannon Falls, which he
conducted until 1902, when he sold out to the Farmers'
Elevator Co., still retaining his position as manager. He is considered an
expert grain judge and has twice been awarded the state prize
for uniform grading by the Brewers' and Maltsters' Association
of Minnesota. He always has his principals' interests at heart
in all his transactions. Some years ago Mr. Anderson bought
stock in the Hauser Malting Co., in which company he is now a
director. Being of sociable nature, he has joined the Modern
Workmen and the United Workmen. Mr. Anderson was married
February 25, 1886, to Ida Louisa Peterson, born in Hastings,
July 6, 1865, by whom two sons were born : Carl Victor
Winnefred, born February 7, 1888, died August 14, 1888; and
Frederick Lincoln Everett, born January 4, 1890, a graduate of
Cannon Falls high school, class of 1908. Mrs. Anderson's
parents were Johannes and Ellen (Wilson) Peterson. Johannes
Peterson was born in Smaaland, Kronobergs Lan, Sweden,
February 16, 1828. Ellen (Wilson) Peterson was born in
Kristianstads Lan Skone Sweden, June 4, 1838. They were united
in marriage at Superior, Wis., in December, 1860. In the
spring of 1868 they moved to Vasa, where they acquired some
six hundred acres of land and were considered as very
progressive, both socially and financially. Johannes Peterson
died December 20, 1888. Ellen (Wilson) Peterson died April 1,
1877. F. R. Anderson's parents came from Sweden. The father,
Johannes Anderson, was born in Skone, Province Norra Osbo
Flarad, Kristianstads Lan.. Ljungby Hed, October 24, 1830. The
mother, Maria Christina (Johnson) Anderson, was born in
Smaaland Province, Kronobergs Lan., Hynneryd, December 21,
1830. They came to the United States in 1859 and were married
at Red Wing. Soon afterwards they purchased 160 acres of wild
land in Vasa, which they later increased to 350 acres, on
which they did general farming, the father dying July 12, 1904
and mother June 10, 1905.
OLIVER K. ANDERSON, of Zumbrota village,
was born at Lacrescent, Minn., December 15, 1856, son of
William and Susan O. (Arnett) Anderson, natives
of Ohio. They emigrated to Houston county, Minnesota, in 1855,
where the father followed his trade as carpenter until he
died, January 2, 1901. The mother passed away December 25,
1886. Oliver received his education at Lacrescent, after which
he learned telegraphy and began his services for the C. &
M. railroad in 1882. He was first stationed at Frontenac,
Minn., where he remained until 1887, then went to Orient, S.
D., until 1889, thence to Weaver, Minn., where he was
stationed until 1892, when he came to Zumbrota, where he was
engaged as station agent and operator, and where he still
is.
During all this time he has been with the C. & M.
railroad, and has always performed his duties to the great
satisfaction of the company. Mr. Anderson was married November
13, 1883, at Red Wing to Flora I. Spinney, who was also born
in Minnesota, in the town of Florence. She was the daughter of
J. D. and Lucania (Seavey) Spinney, who were natives of New
Hampshire, and came to this county and located in Florence
township in 1854, and for a number of years were engaged in
milling, then engaged in farming, which they followed for
forty years in the same place. The father died suddenly on a
street car at Seattle, Wash., where he had gone to visit his
younger daughter. The mother died January 10, 1905. Mr. and
Mrs. Anderson have four children: Earl F., born August 21,
1885, is a civil engineer of Seattle, Wash.; Pearl I., born
March 6, 1886, is a teacher; Fred D., born October 15, 1889,
is wireless operator on a boat from Seattle to Alaska ; and
Florence R., born September 20, 1891, is a high school
student. Mr. Anderson is a Republican in his politics and has
served on the village council two years and on the school
board for ten years. Fraternally, he affiliates with the
Masons and the M. W. A. He and his family attend the Methodist
Episcopal church.
WALFRED ANDERSON, of Belle Creek
township, was born in Sweden November 20, 1852, son of Andrew
and Catherine Anderson, natives of Sweden, who came to America
July 3, 1864, locating in Leon township, where they purchased
eighty acres of land, remaining until I860, when they sold and
purchased 120 acres in Belle Creek township, section 19, which
the father broke and improved, following general farming until
his death, January 19, 1908, at the age of eighty-nine years.
The mother died February 12, 1893. Walfred received his
education in the common schools and worked on the farm with
his father. In 1877 he took charge of the old homestead, made
many improvements, built a new house and barn and has since
followed general farming. In addition to his farm, upon which
he resides, he owns 101 acres adjoining and fifty acres of
timber land in Leon township, a total of 271 acres. Mr.
Anderson was married November 26, 1880, to Christine Johnson,
daughter of John and Johannah Johnson, natives of Sweden. They
came to America in 1854, locating in Chicago, where they
remained for two years, after which they came to Leon township
and took up a claim of 160 acres and engaged in farming until
the father's death, five years later. The mother died in July,
1883. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have four children: Selma married
Arthur Swenson, who has a share in the G. 0. Miller & Co.
store at White Rock, where he resides ; Alice, Clifton and
Whilmer live at home. Mr. Anderson is a Republican in
politics, has held the office of supervisor for seven years,
and has been director on the school board for twelve years. He
owns stock in the Farmers' Elevator at Goodhue and in the
Belle Creek Creamery. Mr. Anderson has achieved success
through his own efforts.
JOHN COLLINS APPLEGATE, the gifted editor of the
Cannon Falls "Beacon," and widely known for his fight in
behalf of the small shipper against the monopolies, was born
in Pittsburg, Pa., July 22, 1860, son of James P. and Mary
Elizabeth Applegate, the former of whom was born in New Jersey
and died in 1868 and the latter of whom was born in Pittsburg,
Pa., and is still living. John C. received his
education in the public schools, in Poland Union Seminary
(Ohio) and in Oberlin College (Ohio), taking the scientific
course. In December, 1903, he purchased the Cannon Falls
"Beacon" and in the spring of 1904 inaugurated the campaign
for regulation of railroad rates and traffic practices. He led this fight
through the "Beacon" and by personal appeal to business
organizations throughout the state, and became a recognized authority
on this question. The fight which he inaugurated and assisted
in conducting accomplished a reduction of rates of thirty
percent on all interstate traffic and the correction of many
other abuses. It also resulted in the passage of the demurrage
law, the two-cent passenger rate law, the anti-pass law and
other reforms along the same line. Mr. Applegate is recognized
as an editorial leader in the anti-saloon fight for clean
politics and independent party action. He is also a strong
advocate of tariff revision downward and has exerted some
influence along this line in the "Beacon." He is a strong
supporter of the Roosevelt policies and has condemned without
qualification the Payne-Aldrich tariff law and the forces and
methods that enacted it. Aside from his interest in the
"Beacon," Mr. Applegate holds stock in the Cannon Falls
Creamery Company and is an advocate generally of all that
tends toward the civic and industrial improvement of Cannon
Falls. Being of a sociable nature, he has taken an active part
in the Masons, the Samaritans, the Elks, the Cannon Falls
Commercial Club and the State Editorial Association. April 23,
1888, Mr. Applegate was married to Harriett L. Van Campen, a
native of Cannon Falls, daughter of an old pioneer family. Mr.
and Mrs. 'Applegate have three children : Roszella Charlotte,
born April 30, 1891 ; John Collins, Jr., born December 10,
1906 and died August 21, 1909, and Mary Adelia, born July 5,
1908.
PETER S. ASLAKSON, a prominent member of the Bar
Association of Goodhue county, is a man who has taken a deep
interest in the affairs of Cannon Falls since he first came
here to live, in 1886. He has been city attorney and city
recorder and is now serving as secretary of the board of
education, a position he has occupied with credit since 1891.
As captain of the hook and ladder company of the Cannon Falls
fire department he has done much toward improving and
maintaining the facilities for fire protection in this
village. Born in Norway June 3, 1852, Attorney Aslakson
received his education in the district schools of Minneola, to
which town he was brought at the age of six years. He studied
in Carlton College, at Northfield; in Miller's Normal School,
Keokuk, Iowa, and took a full course in Prof. C. H. Pierce's
Penmanship Institute; also Baylie's Business College, at
Keokuk, Iowa, and finally in the Iowa State University, Iowa
City, Iowa, graduating from the law department of the latter
institution in 1878. Like many other young lawyers, he secured
his start in life by teaching school, and for one year was
professor of penmanship. Then, desiring to obtain a practical
business training, he kept books for Fred George, of Zumbrota,
one year. Since June 1, 1886, he has practiced law in Cannon
Falls with marked success, being an able consulting attorney
as well as a convincing pleader. In addition to the Bar
Association, he has joined both the Modern Woodmen and the
United Workmen. Since casting his first vote he has remained a
consistent and loyal Republican and served as chairman of the
Republican committee of the third congressional district from
1896 to 1902. Attorney Aslakson was married May 7, 1879, to
Mary Christina Ullevig, of Hader, Minn., by whom he has seven
children: Laura M., wife of E. H. Lidstrand, a printer at
Faribault; Selma A., who married E. S. Olson and died July 29,
1905; Anna M., who lives at home; John S., a graduate of St.
Olaf's College and now located in Duluth; Pearl M., Mabel H.
and Cora A., the latter three of whom are at home and in
school. Sven Aslakson and his wife, Lizzie Peterson, parents
of Peter S. Aslakson, were land owners in Vinje, Thelemarken,
Norway, their place being known as the Odegaard Farm. They
came to America in 1858, purchased 160 acres from an Indian
squaw in Minneola township and here ended their days, the
father November 11, 1894, and the mother February 1, 1908,
both being fine old people in every
respect.
SAM O. ASLAKSON, born March 6, 1861, on
the farm in Minneola township where he now resides, is the son
of Swen and Lev Aslakson, natives of
Norway, who came to America in 1857, locating in Minneola
township, where they bought 160 acres of wild land, which they
improved. The father died November 11, 1894, and the mother
February 2, 1908. Sam O. received his education in Minneola
township, after which he farmed with his father until 1890,
when he came into possession of 117 acres of the old
homestead. This he has continued to improve, rebuilding the
house, beside constructing many other buildings for the
shelter of stock and grain. Mr. Aslakson was married July 4,
1895, to Ellen Marie, daughter of Soren and Anna
Underdahl. Mrs. Underdahl died July 5,
1882, and her husband is still living. Sam 0. Aslakson and
wife have been blessed with six children-Selmer, Leonard,
Matilda, Anna, Joseph and Lydia, all of whom are alive. Mr.
Aslakson is a Republican, a member of the Lutheran Church and
at the present time treasurer of the parochial school. He Was
once the treasurer of school district No. 92 for twelve years,
and in 1900 took the census of Minneola township. At the
present time he is director in and stockholder of the Minneola
Creamery Company. He is an energetic business man and well
deserves the rewards of his hard labor.
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