Trails to the Past

Minnesota

Goodhue County

Biographies

History of Goodhue County
Franklyn, Curtiss, Wedge
1910

 

 

CHARLES EDSTROM, of Leon township, was born in Sweden, February 14, 1850, son of Magnus A. and Mary E. Edstrom, natives of Sweden,, who came to the United States in 1854 and settled in Henry county, Illinois, remaining over winter, after which they came to Minnesota, traveling by boat up the Mississippi river and landing at Red Wing, where there was at that time only a small group of houses. They went on to Leon township and preempted land in Section 21 and engaged in farming until the death of the father in 1890. The mother died in 1887. They had seven children, all of whom are alive. John A., a farmer of Leon township ; Christine, married to Aarn Larson, of St. Paul; August, of Belle Creek; Mary, married to Charles Jackson, of Vasa township ; Axel, living in Vasa ; Ferdinand F., of Leon township ; and Charles, the subject of this sketch. Charles attended the public school of the township and worked on the farm with his father. While working at home he often drove cattle to Red Wing for ten cents a trip, the trip taking two nights and a day.  Later he engaged in farming for himself, and purchased 120 acres which he improved and developed, and where he now lives, carrying on general farming. He was married, in 1876, to Christine Onstad, daughter of Ragnald J. and Martha (Iverson) Onstad, who came to America in the early days and settled in Chicago, 111., remaining for three years, after which they came to Leon township and engaged in farming, which they have since continued. They had nine children, all of whom are living. Mr.  and Mrs. Edstrom have been blessed with four children : Emma, married to Joseph Swenson, of Wanamingo township; Arthur, who lives at home ; Susie, married to Selmer Hommedalh, of Wanamingo; and Frederick, who is at home. Mr. Edstrom is a Republican in his political views, and has served as supervisor and on the school board. The family are members of the Swedish Lutheran church.

FRANK FERDINAND EDSTROM, a farmer of Leon township, has been town clerk five years. He was born July 22, 1866, on the old homestead where he now resides, and after finishing the course in the common schools of his neighborhood took up farming, which he has since continued. He owns 126 acres on which he conducts general farming and stock raising, selling both cream and butter. He is a Republican in politics, is interested in public affairs, and, being a thorough believer in the advantages of a good education, has served on the school board several terms. He was married December 15, 1897, to Hanna Olson, daughter of Swan Olson, of 1416 Twelfth street, Red Wing. To this union have been born five children, Reuben L., Mildred E., Russell F., Harvey L. and Verna E. The family faith is that of the Swedish Lutheran church. Since taking possession of the home place, Frank F. Edstrom has conducted many improvements and alterations, including the building of a new house and barn, replacing the original buildings erected by his father, Magnus Edstrom, who settled here in 1855. Mr. Edstrom is a good man, a good farmer and a good citizen, and is well liked by the people of the community at large.

J. A. EDSTROM, whose father was the second man to take up land in Leon township, has been town clerk twenty-three years, county commissioner six years, assessor four years, and has held school office since nineteen years of age. He carries on general farming as he has for many years past, owning 485 acres, 135 of which is in Leon township. The subject of this sketch was born in the province of Smaland, Sweden, July 12, 1848, son of M. A. and Mary E. (Jackson) Edstrom, who first located in Illinois, and one year later came up the Mississippi by boat to Red Wing, May 11, 1855, at that time a pioneer village. There they lived on the levee in tents for some weeks, and then came to Leon township and pre-empted 160 acres on Section 21, where they erected a cabin and started bringing the wilderness under cultivation.  The Edstroms were true pioneers, and had many thrilling experiences. In the winter of 1856, 200 Sioux camped near the farm, and though carefully watched stole hay and provisions, and even helped themselves to seed corn which the family was carefully hoarding for planting the following spring.  During the first years of their residence in Leon the Edstroms hauled grain to Red Wing by ox team, and on one occasion, when the family provisions were running low, the father shouldered fifty pounds of flour and carried it all the way from Red Wing to the homestead, a distance of twenty-two miles. M. A. Edstrom did some carpenter and blacksmith work, but devoted the greater part of his life to farming. He died January 18, 1890, and his wife preceded him to her grave, September 12, 1887. J. A.  was educated in the primitive public schools, was brought up on the farm, and has always made farming his business. He was married in 1872 to Matilda Magnusson, daughter of C. M. and Ellen Magnusson, natives of Sweden, who located in Goodhue county in 1865, and in Leon township in 1867. Her father died in 1908, at the advanced age of ninety years, and the mother passed away in 1904. The three children of Mr. and Mrs. Edstrom are: A. M., who has been a merchant, but now is farming at Randolph; Agnes, who for some time attended the Red Wing Seminary, now married to Theodore G. Hultgreen, a Chicago railroad man, and Frances, a school teacher who has received the advantages of an education in the Cannon Falls high school. The family faith is that of the Swedish Lutheran church.

GUST EKBLAD has devoted his life to farming. He was born in Sweden in May, 1868, and was brought to this country by his parents while still an infant, spending his early boyhood in Vasa, where they settled. His father, Peter, who is still living, is mentioned in the sketch of Albert Ekblad, found in this volume.  Gust attended the common schools of Vasa, and went to Mower county with his parents in early young manhood. For many years he has been a farmer in Hay Creek township. Of his eightyfive and a half acres, forty-five are under the plow, and on this place he carries on general farming and stock raising. He sells butter and makes a specialty of raising Plymouth Rock fowls.  Among other improvements he has sunk a good well, from which is obtained pure sparkling water for stock and household purposes.  Mr. Ekblad is an independent voter and is now serving as road master of Hay Creek. He was married in 1896 to Jennie, the daughter of Thomas Perrott and Susan (Bryan) Perrott, and to this union have been born three children, Elizabeth Annetta, Ruby Jeanette and Violet Evelyn.

GEORGE ELCOCK, of Kenyon township, was born in the township May 16, 1863, son of William and Anna (Carmichael) Elcock, both natives of Ireland. The father lived for several years in Canada, and in 1858 came to Kenyon township, buying a farm in sections 10 and 15. He was twice married. His first wife was Anna J. Fraser, by whom he had four children : John, Simon, William and Robert. His second wife was Anna Carmichael, and their children were George, Elizabeth, and Anna J. George Elcock was educated in the public school and has always lived on the farm where he was born. He now owns 160 acres, on which he conducts general farming, being interested mostly in dairying, for which purpose he keeps from 30 to 40 milk cows during the year. Sept. 12, 1894, he married Anna G. Wilson, born in Goodhue county, June 20, 1866, daughter of Frank J. and Louisa (Edsal) Wilson, who came to Goodhue county in 1866. The father was born in Canada of American parents and died Aug.  14, 1908. The mother was born in Auburn, New York, and died some four and one-half years before her husband. Mr. and Mrs.  Elcock have one son, William George Elcock, born Jan. 24, 1896.  Mr. Elcock is a Democrat in politics but never sought or held public office. He is a member of Kenyon Lodge No. 201, A. F.  and A. M., of Kenyon village. The family are members of the Episcopal church.

JOHN ELCOCK, Kenyon village, whose boyhood memories extend back to the first decade of the settlement of this township and county, was born in Ontario, Canada, on New Year's day, 1845, son of William and Annie J. (Fraser) Elcock, the former a native of Ireland, and the latter a Canadian of staunch Scottish descent. The mother died in Canada, when John was very young, and the father brought his motherless family to the United States in 1858, coming first to Hastings, this state. Subsequently they spent a short time in Faribault, and then purchased 160 acres of land two miles south of Kenyon. On this farm, young John lived and grew to manhood, assisting his father in all the work about the place until 1889 when the father died. During the latter part of his father's life, John had practical charge of the home farm. In 1889 he moved to his own farm in Kenyon township, which he had previously purchased, and there he carried on farming operations until 1907, when he rented his farm and in company with his brother and sister, Robert and Annie purchased their present fine residence on Main street in the village of Kenyon, where the three now reside. Aside from this home he owns over 200 acres of farm land, in this township. Mr. Elcock is a public spirited gentleman and has served on the town board a number of terms.  He votes the Democratic ticket. For many years he has belonged to the Masonic order. Simon, a brother of John, lives in Oregon. George, another brother resides on the old homestead and Elizabeth, a sister, is Mrs. Shepard, of Kenyon, her husband being manager of the Farmers Elevator. The religious preference of the family is that of the Episcopal church. It is worthy of note that in the early days before the railroad came through, the members of the Elcock family hauled their grain to Red Wing, the journey taking two or three days. The roads were poor and the loads heavy, and the subject of this sketch has many interesting stories to tell of some of these early trips. 

JOHN H. ELDER, an influential citizen of the early days in Red Wing, the builder of the first warehouse in this city, and also one of the first steamboat agents at this point, was born in Eldersville, Pa., and there attended the primitive schools of his time.  His active business career was started as a lumberman at Black River Falls, Wis. His integrity and popularity won for him the position of sheriff of Crawford County, an office which in those days required personal strength and moral bravery. Later he became a pioneer merchant at McGregor, la., and in 1854 came to Red Wing, which at that time had little to indicate what in the future it was to become. Here he located and started the warehouse and commission business under the firm name of Elder & Huffman. He also took the agency for the steamboats, which were then the great carriers of commerce up and down the Mississippi. The warehouse erected by Elder & Hoffman is still standing, a testimony to the stability with which buildings were constructed in those clays. The Pike's Peak rush then drew him like a magnet to the westward. At Council Bluffs he joined one of the original overland parties to the peak. They debated for several days whether or not to take the Smoky Hill route or whether they should take another route. Finally they divided, into two companies, one of the parties taking the Smoky Hill route and the other party the other route. Mr. Elder went with the latter party. Not one of the former was ever heard from again. The strain, however, of mining life, proved too much for Mr. Elder, and he succumbed at Denver, Col., February 29, 1859.  His widow now resides in Red Wing with her daughter, Mrs.  Henry Brown. Mr. Elder was a Democrat in politics, a Mason in fraternal associations and in religious faith is a Presbyterian.  He was married in May, 1850, at Prairie du Chien, Wis., by the Rev. Alfred Bronson, to Hannah P. Lockwood, daughter of John S. and Margaret (Miller) Lockwood, natives of Plattsburg, New York state. They located at Prairie du Chien in 1839, and there the father became a leading merchant, receiving also the appointment as postmaster. Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood are both deceased.  To Mr. and Mrs. Elder were born four children, Lizzie L., Margaret L., Mary S. and John H. Lizzie L. was born February 15, 1852, at McGregor, la., married Henry Brown, a hardware merchant at Red Wing. Mr. Brown died September 7, 1897, at Red Wing. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown were born four children, Fred L., Harry M., Bessie H. and Leland P. The latter died in 1892 at the age of five years. Margaret L. Elder was born July 23, 1854, at McGregor, la. She married Albert DeKay, at Red Wing, December 6, 1876. Mr. DeKay is a traveling salesman. To Mr.  and Mrs. DeKay have been born four children-Charles A., Elizabeth A., H. Eugenia and Ferris W. Mary S. Elder was born August 13, 1856, at Red Wing, married Earl B. Woodward, of Morris, Minn., and is now located at Bismarck, N. D. John H. Elder, Jr., was born at Red Wing July 12, 1858. He married Della Knox, of Livingston, Mont., and is now a leading attorney in Seattle, Wash. He has one son, Henry K., a pupil in a college at Grinnell, la. 

ANDREW ELLINGSON, retired merchant, living at 828 East avenue, Red Wing, is one of the men who were instrumental in having the Red Wing Seminary located in this city. He was born in Norway, January 9, 1840, son of Lasse and Jerrine (Nelson) Ellingson, who came to America in 1845 and located in Boone county, Illinois. In that county the family was saddened by the death of the mother, in 1848. The father continued farming on his 160 acres until 1865, when he came to Warsaw township, this county, after which he retired, taking up his residence with his children, from whom he received loving care and attention until his death in South Dakota in 1875. Left motherless as a young lad, Andrew received his early education in the schools of Boone county and farmed with his father until 1857. He came to Goodhue county in 1860 and worked by the day and month until 1864, when he commenced to improve his own farm. He moved to Red Wing in 1867 and his first employment was as clerk for Charles Betcher in the hardware business for about four years.  Thomas Wilkenson then became his employer until 1876, when he became interested in a clothing venture with A. G. Henderson, the firm name being Henderson & Ellingson. This company did business on Plumb street until 1899, when the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Ellingson going to the village of Goodhue, where he carried on the clothing business until 1904, the date of his retirement from active business. Mr. Ellingson was a member of the Red Wing city council for two terms and served as justice of the peace in Warsaw township for one term. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Ellingson was married in 1865 to Margaret Hoyland, of Dane county, Wisconsin, and to this union were born three children. Louis Martin, the only one who survives, was born March 25, 1866. He has taken to himself a wife and makes his home in this city. Josephine, born at Warsaw, this county, in 1867 died in 1885. Henry Philip, born at Warsaw, died in 1871. Mrs. Margaret Ellingson died October 23.  1873. Mr. Ellingson was then married May 23, 1876 to Signe M. Lindas, daughter of Hans and Carrie Lindas, of Marshall, Dane county, Wisconsin. Six children have brightened this union. Carrie was born in 1877 and died in 1878; Amanda, born in September 1879, married the Rev. 0. A. Anderson, of Dell Rapids, South Dakota. Clarence H., born in May, 1880, is a Chicago dentist. Lydia B. was born in 1881 and died in December, 1908. Arthur M. was born in 1883 and died September 17,  1893. Evelyn E. was born in 1895. Mrs. Signe Ellingson died January 20, 1904. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. Andrew Ellingson has two brothers and two sisters : Elem is married and lives in Capron, Boone county, Illinois; Nels is also married, and lives on a farm in Warsaw township, this county. Mrs. Sjure Holman lives at Deerfield, Dane county, Wisconsin, and Mrs. C. O. Peterson lives in Camrose, Alberta Canada.

NELS ELLINGSTON, proprietor of the Cannon Valley Stock Farm, Warsaw township, was born in Norway, September 3, 1837, and, after attending school as a boy, took up farming with his father, working in Norway and in Boone county, Illinois, where the family located in 1845. In 1863 he came to Warsaw, purchased 160 acres, and started farming for himself, later adding to his original place by purchase until he now owns 226 acres of excellent farm land, upon which he carries on general farming and stock raising, making a specialty of Norman horses and Shorthorn cattle. A staunch Republican in politics he has served the town as supervisor and has been clerk of school district No. 52 many years. He has stock in the farmers' elevators at Cannon Falls and at Dennison, and has been chairman of the Sogn Cooperative Dairy Association. His wife, Gertrude Lee, whom he married May 25, 1868, has borne him five children : Elizabeth, wife of N. J. Nesheim, of Willow Lake; George H., a professor in the Red Wing Seminary; Gerena, living in Red Wing; Louisa, wife of Christopher Gensvold; and Andrew J., who lives at home.  Mrs. Ellingson's parents were Johannas and Gertrude Lee, who came to America in 1846, located in Illinois and remained several years, after which they took up their residence in Leon township, where they ended their days. Lars and Gerena Ellingson, parents of Nels Ellingson, came to this country from Norway in 1845, and located in Boone county, Illinois, where the mother died in 1849. The father came to Minnesota in 1865 and died in South Dakota in 1875. 

0. E. EMERY, of Stanton township, was born in New York state, May 30, 1853, son of Jacob and Eliza (Portman) Emery, natives of Jamestown, N. Y., who came to Rice county in 1855 and engaged in farming. 0. E. Emery received his education in the early days, when a log cabin served for a school house and long planks for seats. After school days were over, he worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-seven years old, when he came to Stanton township and purchased land which he improved, starting general farming and stock raising, which he has carried on for twenty years. He was the first man in the township to bring in a registered Holstein bull. He now does some dairying, and has twenty-six Holstein cows. His farm consists of 200 acres of land, of which all but twenty-five acres is under cultivation. The house and outbuildings are in excellent condition, Mr. Emery having made all the improvements himself. He was married in 1879 to Isabelle Whitson, daughter of Andrew and Abigail (Dack) Whitson, who are old settlers, having lived in this county for over forty years. Four children have blessed the Emery home : Earl, Ethel, Orville, and Charles, all of whom are with their parents. Mr. Emery had three brothers who served in the Civil War, two, three and four years respectively.  Mr. Emery is Republican in politics, and has served as supervisor, also on the school board. He was one of the organizers of the Stanton Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of which he is a director; also helped start the Farmers' Elevator at Stanton. He is a member of the M. W. A. Camp 1540, of Cannon Falls.

INGWEL ENDERSON, of Warsaw township, was born in Norway, February 24, 1839, son of Andrew Amunson and Bertha Ingwelson, natives of Norway, the father being a tailor by trade, in which he engaged until his death in 1846. The mother came to America in 1864 and located in Blooming Prairie, where she remarried and lived until her death in 1899. Ingwel received his education in the public schools of Norway, and after leaving school took up farming until in 1861, when he came to Goodhue county and located in Warsaw township, where, he worked for five years. In 1866 he purchased eighty acres of improved land, built a home of logs, and carried on general farming. In 1882 he bought eighty acres adjoining and built a new home, barn and other buildings and now continues to carry on general farming and dairying, having all but fifteen acres under cultivation. July, 1867, he was married to Carrie Olson, daughter of Ole and Ingborg Aastad, natives of Norway, where both parents died. Mr.  and Mrs. Enderson have been blessed with two children: Bertha, born September 19, 1868, and died September 30, 1893, and Andrew, born October 7, 1870, who lives at home. Mr. Enderson is a Republican in his political views, and the family attend the Lutheran church.

JOHN ENGERSETTER, of Warsaw township, was born in Northfield, Rice county, Minnesota, November 28, 1869, son of Erick and Julia Haland Engersetter, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1852, locating in Wisconsin, where the father worked on a farm, remaining two years. In 1854 they moved to Rice county, Minnesota, where the father homesteaded eighty acres of timber land, which he broke and cleared. He also built a house of logs. Later he purchased 160 acres of land in Northfield township, where he moved the log house and improved the land, carrying on general farming, and adding more land, at one time 160 acres and another time eighty acres, until he owned in all 480 acres, which he managed until his death, January 28, 1904. The mother is still living on the old homestead with her son, Edward. John was one of six children: Albert, now of Canada; Carrie, married Albert Mohn, now of Rice county; Julia, married George Rank, now of Rice county; Edward, lives on the homestead; Bertha, married Carl Knutson, now of Rice county; and John is the subject of this sketch. John received his education at the public schools of Rice county and worked on the farm at home until 1893, when he bought 200 acres of land, of which 180 acres Was in Goodhue county, where he built a home, barn and other outbuildings, and now carries on general farming and dairying, also raising fine horses and stock. The other twenty acres are in Rice county. Mr. Engersetter was married March 8, 1898, to Julia Lein, daughter of Gunder and Annie (Estrem) Lein, natives of Norway, who came to this county and settled in Holden township, where they purchased land and carried on general farming until the father died in 1906. The mother is still living on the homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Engersetter have four children: Gilman A., Eddie G., Annie J., and Gunda Lenora. Mr. Engersetter is a Republican in politics and the family are members of Vang's Norwegian Lutheran church.

EDWARD C. ERB, Red Wing, who has charge of the extensive Lawther real estate interests in this county, is a native of Rice county, this state, born March 25, 1865. His father, Christian Erb, was a native of Germany and came to America in 1841, locating in Illinois. There he met and married Geneva Kneedler, a native of New York state, who several years previous had moved to Illinois. In 1855 they moved to Rice county, this state, purchased a farm, and followed farming for many years, after which they disposed of the homestead and moved to Faribault. The schools of his neighborhood afforded Edward C. his earliest education, after which he took a course in the Red Wing Business College. He teamed for one year in St. Paul, and then entered the employ of a well and windmill concern, taking charge of the construction work. In 1891 he purchased a half interest in this company, the firm name being Lazarus & Erb. In 1892 Mr. Erb became constructing expert for the Northwestern Wind Mill Engine Company, one season, after which in the fall of that year he came to Red Wing and entered the employ of James Lawther.  He has remained in that employ for a number of years, at the present time being Wm. and Eva T. Lawther 's local business representative.  Mr. Erb is a Republican in politics, and has won praise by his excellent service as chairman of the board of public works, and member of the school board. He belongs to the Masonic order. For three years he served as a member of Company G. The family faith is that of the Methodist church. Mr. Erb was married, October 15, 1896, to Nellie E. Burke, of Diamond Bluff, Wis., daughter of L. C. and Fannie (Carriel) Burke, the former of whom was proprietor of a general store in that village for many years. He died August 23, 1897, and the mother, July 7, 1907. To Mr. and Mrs. Erb has been born one son, Lawson Edward, September 14, 1901.

PETER JOSEPH ERBAR, now living in retireinent at Red Wing, where he is enjoying a well deserved rest after years of faithful toil, is a native of Prussia, Germany, born March 2, 1828, son of Hubert E. and Marggalena (Ivorp) Erbar, both natives of Germany, the father being a farmer in that country all his life.  He was killed by his team of horses, June 28, 1842, and the mother followed him to the grave in the following autumn. Peter Joseph attended the schools of his native kingdom, and like other German youths of strong physique, served in the standing army of Germany, his period of service being for three years and three months. In 1852 he came to America, and worked a year in New York city as a carpenter. From 1853 to 1856 he worked in Kings county, New York state, and in the latter year came to Olmstead county, Minnesota, where he bought 160 acres and remained until 1858. In the fall of 1859 he first set foot in Red Wing. The following spring he purchased 160 acres in Hay Creek township, and later 160 acres more. This farm was largely wild at that time and he at once set to work breaking and clearing the land. He erected a comfortable home and remained until 1906, when he rented his farm and came to Red Wing, taking up his home with his son, S. M. An independent Democrat in politics, Mr. Erbar served three years a supervisor of the township of Hay Creek and fifteen years as town clerk. July 1, 1863, P. M. Erbar was appointed a, captain of the Tenth Regiment, state militia, by Commander-in-chief Henry A. Swift. He is a good citizen, of quiet disposition, and well liked by everybody. Mr.  Erbar was married at Red Wing, in September, 1858, to Catherine N. Burns, daughter of John Burns, Town of Root, Kings county, N. Y. She was born December 8, 1827, and died at the old homestead in Hay Creek. July 25, 1905.  Both her parents are deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Erbar were born six children. Joseph, the oldest, died in 1881. Engelbert is a sign painter in this city.  Ida L. is a milliner in St. Paul. Jessie F. married Edward Reitman, of Lake City, and has two children, Florence and Lucille.  Charles C. is a sign painter in Red Wing. For ten years he was town clerk of Hay Creek, succeeding his father. S. M., the youngest son, was educated in the public schools of his neighborhood, and then learned the art of sign painting, at which he is an expert. For several years he practiced this art in Winona, owning a large establishment. Several years ago he sold out and came to Red Wing. He still follows his trade, and is also the proprietor of the Idle Hour billiard hall, a venture of which he has made a pronounced success, showing that such an establishment can be made a place of high class recreation. S. M.  Erbar was married April 26, 1905, at Winona, Minn., to Elizabeth Nimz, of that place. The family faith of the Erbars is that of the Episcopal Church.

AUGUST E. ENGSTROM, former county superintendent of schools, now deceased, was born in the western part of Sweden, near the city of Skofde, March 22, 1851, and came to this country in his seventeenth year, direct to Red Wing, where he secured employment, but as he was of small stature and not endowed with great strength, he found the work too hard. Being ambitious to make something of himself in the new country, he entered Carleton College in 1871, where he took the entire seven years' course, working his way through and graduating with honors in 1878. He was elected principal of the schools of Cannon Falls in the fall of the same year, which position he held for three years, when he was chosen to a larger field, that of county superintendent of schools, being elected in the fall of 1881. This position he held continuously up to the time of his death, October 12, 1899. Prof. Engstrom was modest and unassuming in his manner, and his death was sincerely mourned by all throughout the county. He was married to Mary A. Conley December 27, 1880, and to them was born seven children : Carl Conley, born October 1, 1881, was a photographer at Cannon Falls and died June 24, 1904. Leaving his wife, Clara Bissell Engstrom, and one daughter, Caryl; Frederick A., born June 15, 1883, is a physician and surgeon, practicing at Clitherall, Minn.; Mildred L., born April 3, 1885, is a teacher in the schools of Fergus Falls; Paid A., born November 16, 1886, manager the photograph gallery at Cannon Falls; George W., born June 8, 1889, is foreman in the printing office of the LeSueur "Sentinel," at LeSueur, Minn.; Lawrence E.  born February 19, 1893, is a junior in the high school at Cannon Falls, and Glenn M., born April 29, 1896, attends school. Prof.  Engstrom was an honored member of the Masonic and A. 0. U. W.  fraternities and in politics was a Republican. He was also a constant attendant of the Congregational Church.

CHARLES A. ERICKSON, proprietor of a large wagon-making establishment at Red Wing, and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Sweden, December 25, 1841, son of Erick and Sarah (Carlson) Erickson, who tilled the soil in their native land. They came to America in 1857, located in Red Wing, and became Avell known citizens, the father dying in January, 1857, and the mother March 19, 1883. After receiving his boyhood education in the schools of his native land, Charles A. came to America with his parents, and for a short time attended the Red Wing schools, afterward engaging in various work until the outbreak of the Civil War. March 25, 1862, he enlisted in Company H. Fifth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, for three years. The record of this company and regiment will be found elsewhere in this history.  The company muster-out roll contains the following : Private Charles A. Erickson, wounded in the battle of Nashville, Tenn..  December 15, 1861. His descriptive roll on file at the adjutant general's office states that he was in all the campaigns with his regiment from the first skirmish at Corinth, Miss., May 25, 1863, until the battle of Nashville, Tenn., December 15. 1864, the regiment during that time having marched seven or eight thousand miles and participated in more than twenty engagements with the enemy. He has always been a faithful soldier." This tribute was signed by Hawley, chief assistant mustering officer. Private Erickson was discharged from service  March 27, 1864 at Alexandria, La., and re-enlisted the next day serving until the close of the war, when he received his honorable discharge, September 6, 1865, at Demopolis, Ala. Returning to Red Wing, he took a three years' course in Hamline University, and then studied law for one year. For a time thereafter he clerked in the hardware store of C. Betcher & Co., and in 1873 opened a small shop for the manufacture of sleighs, wagons, and the like. Since that date he has continued in the same business, enjoying a constantly increasing trade, employing continuously a force of from six to ten men. He purchased his present property on Main street in 1878, and has several times remodeled the place to suit the convenience of his business. In addition to this property he owns a pleasant home at 415 Bluff street, all his possessions being the result of his perseverance and industry. For four years he was a member of the city council and one year served as president of that body. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Scandinavian Relief Association and A. E. Welch Post, No. 75, G. A. R. Charles A. Erickson was married at Red Wing, July 6, 1873, to Augusta Albertina Foss, a native of Sweden, born October 4, 1852, who came to America with her parents, Charles J. and Charlotte C. (Erickson) Foss, in 1854. They located at Geneva, 111., until 1856, then came to Goodhue township, this county, and located on a farm. The mother died there March 19, 1883, and the father brought his family to Red Wing, where he died May 19, 1907. To Mr. and Mrs. Erickson have been born eight children. Hilma S., born May 5, 1874, married C. A. K.  Johnson, postal clerk in the Red Wing post office. Wilhelmina C., born Feb. 15, 1876, is a successful school teacher. Charles E., born Sept. 3, 1877, died March 13, 1881. Arthur B., born April 8, 1880, died Sept. 21, 1898; Anton T., born Dec. 4, 1882, died June 8, 1901 ; Edna V., born March 10, 1885, is stenographer and clerk in the Red Wing post office; Ruth A., born Feb. 9, 1891, died April 1 of the same year, and the youngest child died in infancy.  Mr. Erickson attends the English Lutheran Church and the family worships at the Swedish Lutheran Church.

ELLING M. ERICKSON, of Roscoe township, was born in Houston county, Minnesota, December 8, 1861, son of Michael and Carrie (Flatland) Erickson, natives of Norway, who came to America and located in Houston county, where they took up a homestead of 240 acres of wild land, which the father broke and improved, built a home, and carried on general farming until his death in 1885. The mother married Torbjorn Kittleson. Elling M. received his education in the public schools of his county, and at the age of fourteen worked out for farmers until in 1883, when he engaged in farming for himself. He purchased 120 acres of land in Roscoe township, and carried on general and diversified farming and stock raising. In 1893 he added eighty acres to his farm, and later forty, and has all his land under cultivation.  Mr. Erickson was married in March, 1893, to Mary Tostenson, daughter of Thomas and Mary Tostenson, natives of Norway, who came to America and settled in Roscoe township where they engaged in farming, purchasing forty acres of land. Here they remained until their death. The father and mother are both dead. Mr. and Mrs. Erickson have five children: Ella M., Mabel, Arthur, Lillian and Julia. Mr. Erickson is a Republican.  He has served as supervisor and road master for a number of years. The family are communicants of the Lutheran church. 

ERICK P. ERICKSON is now serving his second term as a member of the board of supervisors of Belle Creek township and has been on the school board for a number of years. He was born in Sweden November 12, 1867, and received his education in the schools of his native land, also in Rock Island, 111., where he lived from 1884 to 1887. He has devoted his time to farming since early boyhood, and still continues in that occupation, with his father and brother in this township, making his home with his parents. Politically he is an independent voter and fraternally he associates with the Modern Woodmen, the Royal Neighbors and the Red Men. Peter and Betsy (Johnson) Erickson, parents, of Erick P., came from Sweden to America in 1884, and after remaining in Rock Island, 111., three years, came to Belle Creek, where the father, in company with his four sons, rented 320 acres of land, upon which they have since conducted general farming and stock raising. In the family are four brothers and three sisters. Erick P. is the oldest. John P. was born March 24, 1869; Carl P. was born December 14, 1870, and lives in San Francisco; Nels P. was born July 24, 1874, and died November 20, 1907 ; Ellen was born January 31, 1877, and lives in St. Paul; while Margaret, born November 14, 1878, and Anna, born April 2, 1881, both live at home. The family faith of the Ericksons is that of the Swedish Lutheran church. 

THOR ERICKSON, jeweler, is one of those men who, without seeking notoriety or display, quietly pursue their own path in life, and by their honesty and industry make up the solid and conservative elements of the communities wherein they reside. He was born in Nannestad Prestgjeld, Norway, February 13, 1843, son of Erick Thorson and Karn Hawkinsdater, both natives of Norway, the former of whom was a shoemaker by trade. The mother died in 1869 and the father in 1870. The schools of Norway afforded Thor his early education, after which he learned the jewelers' trade. He came to America in 1865, and for two years worked in Fillmore county, Minnesota, removing in 1867 to Bloomingdale, Vernon county, Wisconsin, where he worked at his trade three years. From 1870 until 1893, a period of twentythree years, he lived in Melvina, Monroe county, Wis. In 1893 he opened a jewelry store in Red Wing, and here he has since remained, his hard work, his square dealing and his uncompromising honesty having won for him an enviable position in the city. He carries a heavy stock, enjoys a large trade and does an extensive repairing business. He is a Republican in politics, and while at Melvina served many terms as road overseer. Mr.  Erickson was married April 13, 1867, at Bloomingdale, Wis., to Mary M. Olson, a native of Norway. Her parents came to America in the early days and located at Coon Valley, Wis., later going to Bloomingdale in the same state, where the father engaged in farming. After his death the mother went to Melvina, Wis., where she lived to the good old age of ninety-five years. To Mr.  and Mrs. Erickson have been born seven children-Edward, deceased; Alice, of Minneapolis; Charles, a Minneapolis jeweler; Anna, married to J. M. Billo, of Red Wing; Herman, deceased; Matilda, deceased, and Gustave. Mrs. Erickson died February 17, 1908, at Red Wing.

GUSTAF R. ERICSON, of Goodhue village, was born in Sweden, April 29, 1855, son of Erie and Dorothea (Renberg) Ericson, the former of whom was a shoemaker and farmer until his death in 1872. The mother died in 1901. The family consisted of two sons and three daughters, the latter of whom are: Hildur, who is married and lives in Chicago; Ella, wife of Gustaf Wall, a carpenter at Hayfield, Minn.; and Anna, married to C. Carlson, a farmer living in Sweden. Gustaf acquired his education in the public schools of Sweden and the Red Wing Seminary, after which he worked for three years farming. He then rented eighty acres of land in Goodhue township, where he carries on general farming and dairying, owning twenty-six head of cattle and shipping his cream to Zumbrota and St. Paul. Mr. Ericson was married April 20, 1889, to Ellen Maria daughter of Andrew and Sophia (Johnson) Newman, who came from Sweden to America in 1869, locating at Goodhue, where they purchased eighty acres, on which they followed common agriculture until they retired, in 1890. Mr. Newman died in 1891 and his wife February 17, 1873. Mrs. Ericson has one sister, Justine, married to Ludwig Schultz, a truck farmer, living at Excelsior; also one brother, Arad, who died May 3, 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Ericson are parents of six children : Dwight S. E., born July 5, 1890 ; Myrtle, born May 2, 1892; Palmer E. N., born September 24, 1893; Mamie F.  A., born March 5, 1898; Vincent R. T., born June 2, 1903, and Joyce V. R., born July 14, 1905. Dwight attended the agricultural department of St. Anthony's school, at Minneapolis, and is now taking a course in bookkeeping at the Red Wing Seminary.  Myrtle is attending the Red Wing high school and will graduate in 1910. The others are all at home. Mr. Ericson is an independent voter and has served as clerk of the school board.  He is now road overseer. The family worships at the Methodist church.

WILLIAM M. ERICSON, county attorney and well known in fraternal circles throughout the state, is a native born son, his natal appearance having been at Red Wing, July 15, 1880. His parents, John F. and Johanna Marie (Helsing) Ericson, came to America in 1870, located a short time at Lake City, then went to Chicago, where for three years he followed the shoemaking trade. July 8, 1874, the parents came to Red Wing, where they have since resided, the father being still in business at Ringstrom's shoe store.  In the family there were five children. George E. is now a leading attorney of Spooner, Wis. William M., the second son, is the subject of this sketch. Esther 0. lives in St. Paul. Alice A. is Mrs. Bruce P. Canfield, of St. Paul, and Lillian M. F. is employed by her brother William M. as a stenographer. As a boy, William M. attended the schools of Red Wing, standing well in his classes.  During the years 1898-1900, while attending the high school, he was the agent for the Minneapolis Journal and delivered the papers around this city. He graduated with honor from the Red Wing High School, class of 1900, and then studied law with Hon. F. M. Wilson, at the same time serving as reporter and editorial writer for the Red Wing Daily Republican. As the result of his diligent studies he was admitted to the bar in 1906 and from March 1 to December 1 of that year was in partnership with his preceptor. December 1, he opened an office of his own, and in November of that year was elected county attorney, his services giving so much satisfaction that he was re-elected in the fall of 1908. He is a Republican in politics. Attorney Ericson has passed through the chairs of the Knights of Pythias, and is one of the prominent Elks of the state, being esteemed leading knight of the local lodge. He is also great sachem of the state lodge of Red Men and chief of records of the local tribe of Red Men. His other fraternal associations include membership in the Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen, the Foresters, the Yeomen, the Workmen, the Eagles, the Scandinavian Benevolent Society, the Red Wing Commercial Club, the American Society of Curio Collectoi's, the "Bill Club," the Aurora Ski Club, of RedWing, the Red Wing Rod and Gun Club, the Goodhue County Historical Society, the City Hospital and Civic League. He is president of the Florodora Club. His religious faith is that of the Swedish Lutheran Church.

ALBERT A. ERSTAD, of Roscoe township, son of Andrew and Oline (Johnson) Erstad, was born in Minneola township, August 16, 1866. His parents were natives of Norway, and came to this country, in 1854, locating in Iowa where they remained a year, after which they came to Minnesota and purchased a homestead of 160 acres of wild land in Minneola township, which the father improved and cultivated, built a home, and carried on general farming and stock raising. In 1877 the mother died and the father married again. He died in 1908 and his widow is living in Minneola on the homestead. Albert A. received his education in the public schools of Minneola and remained on the farm, working with his father until 1896. He then bought 80 acres of his fathers in Roscoe township, and engaged in farming for himself. Here he built a home and improved the land. In December 30, 1896 he was married to Karen Lunde, daughter of Bernt and Inger (Goplin) Lunde, natives of Norway, who came to this country, in 1866, locating at Roscoe, remaining two years, then went to the pineries, where they lived until 1871. They then returned to Roscoe township and bought 40 acres of wild land, increasing this to 340 acres gradually. They have carried on a general line of farming until recently, when they retired and rented the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Erstad have two children: Winfred A., born November 16, 1897 and Nora Borghild, born June 8, 1907. Mr. Erstad is a Republican in his politics and has been road overseer. He and his family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

CORNELIUS A. ERSTAD is one of the prosperous farmers of Minneola township. His parents, Andrew and Oline (Hanson) Erstad, left their native home in Norway and came to America, living first at various points in Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa, until 1855, when they took a homestead of 160 acres in section 35, Minneola township, which they improved and cultivated. On this farm the father built a comfortable home and commodious outbuildings.  He was a good man in every way and is remembered by many as one of the early settlers of Goodhue county. He died in 1908 and his wife in 1878. Cornelius A. was born on the homestead June 26, 1860. He received his preliminary education in the public schools in Minneola township, then took a four years course of study in Luther College at Decorah, la. For a short period he returned to the old farm, and from 1884 to 1897 engaged in farming in Kenyon and Mazeppa. In 1897 he took charge of the old farm, on which he has made many improvements. He was married to Sigrid Ylvisaker, daughter of N. Th. and Kristine Ylvisaker, of Norway, who came to America and located at Red Wing, where Mr. Ylvisaker was a Lutheran minister. He died some years later, but his wife still lives with her children.  Mr. and Mrs. Erstad are parents of Andrew, born November 4, 1888; Olaf, born February 19, 1892; Einar, born November 19, 1894, and Ruth, born May 2, 1897. With the exception of Andrew, who attends the Luther College at Decorah, la., they are all at home.

K. K. ESTERBY, was born in Leon township, where he still resides, January 24, 1867, son of Knut and Rannei (Hougo) Esterby, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1863, stopped one year in Fillmore county and then moved to Zumbrota, where they remained for a short time, subsequently coming to Leon township, where they bought 160 acres, and carried on general farming until the death of the father, July 6, 1900, the mother having passed away in 1877. K. K. Esterby received his education in the common schools of Leon and worked on the farm with his father up to the time of his death, when he came in possession of the farm, which he improved and on which he erected a new house. He now owns 194 acres in Leon township, 160 acres under cultivation, and has carried on general farming and stock raising. Mr. Esterby was married in 1901 to Martha Berg, daughter of Iver and Martha Berg, natives of Norway.  They have seven children, four living in Wisconsin and three in Minnesota. They came to America, settling in Wisconsin, and in 1902 removed to the home of their daughter, Mrs. Esterby, in Leon township, where they have lived most of the time, but have also occasionally stopped with their children in Wisconsin. Mr.  and Mrs. Esterby have five children : Clarence, Edwin, Ida, Olga and Clara, all living at home. Mr. Esterby is a Republican in his political views, and he and his family attend the Norwegian Lutheran church.

 

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