Trails to the Past

Minnesota

Goodhue County

Biographies

History of Goodhue County
Franklyn, Curtiss, Wedge
1910

 

 

WILLIAM H. LABBITT, proprietor of Maple Lawn farm, Belvidere township, was born in Wabasha county, Minnesota, July 21, 1865, son of George and Mary (Hutchinson) Labbitt, natives of England and New York state. The father, a farmer, came to America in 1839 and located in New York state until .1856, when he emigrated west to Minnesota, and settled in Winona, remaining one year, after which he removed to Lake City and purchased 160 acres of land, where he carried on general farming until his death, December 10, 1901. The mother died November 4, 1900. William received his education in the public schools and worked on the farm until 1890, when he bought eighty acres of land in Belvidere township, later purchasing 160 acres more, making many improvements on the land and buildings, and erecting a modern barn in 1900. He raises tine horses, short-horn cattle and other stock and carries on general farming. Mr.  Labbitt was married September 10, 1890, to Ella M. Brown, daughter of Walter and Mary (Pearson) Brown, natives of New York and England. The father, a carpenter and shipbuilder, came to Minnesota in 1857 and located in Lake City, where he pre-empted land and carried on general farming until he retired in 1894, and removed to Lake City, where he died July 25, 1901.  The mother died January 21, 1906. The father was a veteran of the Civil War. The old homestead remained in the Brown family until the death of Mrs. Brown. Mr. Labbitt's father and Mr. Brown were of the early settlers, who used shingles as currency, there being no money in circulation. Shingles denoted so much money and were considered legal tender. Mr. and Mrs. Labbitt have three children: Raymond W., born June 21, 1891; Ralph H., born May 30, 1896, and Herbert W., born August 5, 1900.  Mr. Labbitt is a Prohibitionist in his political views, and has served as treasurer of school district 33. He is now serving as constable. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church.

THOMAS W. LALLY, who, with John McNamara, is owner, proprietor and manager of the Lally & McNamara hardware store, in the village of Goodhue, was born in Red Wing October 9, 1859, and spent his boyhood in Belle Creek township, where he received his early education and remained until 1890, when he entered the employ of N. K. Simmons, of Red Wing, as a grain buyer, being located in Clay Bank and Goodhue. In 1901 he engaged in the hardware business with Charles E. Perkins and Andrew Chalmers, continuing this partnership until February, 1905, when the Perkins and Chalmers interests were purchased by John McNamara, since which time the present partnership has continued. The firm carries a full line of hardware, building material, farming implements and wagons and carriages.  The partners also conduct a tinning and plumbing department in connection with their business. Mr. Lally, who is an independent voter, served as assessor of Belle Creek seven years and has been assessor of Goodhue ten years. Being a man of sociable instincts, he belongs both to the United Workmen and the Commercial Club. On February 3, 1890, he was married to Agnes M. Doyle, daughter of John and Mary (Lyons) Doyle, who located in Belle Creek among the first settlers. Her father was killed by lightning in 1872, and her mother died in September, 1897. Eight children have blessed the Lally home. John William, born February 22, 1891, is in the store with his father.  Thomas Walter, Jr., born January 16, 1893, is taking a course in the college at Prairie du Chien. The others, all of whom are at home, are: Mabel Ann, born January 13, 1895; Marie Agnes, born December 5, 1897; Gertrude Louise, born February 11, 1900; Florence Madeline, born January 6, 1902; Dorris Genevieve, born May 30, 1904, and Helen Luceil, born September 3, 1906. The family faith is that of the Catholic church. The parents of Thomas W. Lally were John and Anna (Maloy) Lally, the former of whom, after coming to America from Ireland in 1846, lived in New York and Ohio for a time, and then located in Red Wing in 1856, working on a lime kiln until 1860, when he purchased eighty acres of land in Belle Creek and carried on general farming operations very successfully until his death, December 23, 1868. His wife died November 16, 1879. In the family were six children: John H., born May 31, 1853, died at the age of five years ; Frank, born February 22, 1857, died at the age of ten years; Thomas is the subject of this sketch; Daniel, born February 14, 1861, lives at Belle Creek; Mary, born February 16, 1863, died April 17, 1898; Susan, born October 3, 1867, married John McNamara, who is Mr. Daily's partner in the hardware business.

OSCAR 0. LARSEN, M. D., of Zumbrota village, was born at Rush River, St. Croix county, Wisconsin, August 6, 1877. He attended the public schools of Rush River and after mastering the common branches, entered Luther College at Decorah, Iowa, where he obtained his degree of Bachelor of Arts, being distinguished for proficiency in his studies as well as for his good fellowship. Deciding to take up the study of medicine, he entered the medical department of the State University, where he was graduated with high honors in 1907. Shortly after graduating he came to the village of Zumbrota and took up the active practice of his profession, meeting with great success, having a large and increasing practice, both in the city and country. He is now filling the position of county physician, and being thoroughly ethical in his practice, he has affiliated himself with the county, state and American medical associations. Dr. Larsen is of sterling character as a citizen, sympathetic and generous as a practitioner. He was married December 22, 1903, at River Falls, to Nora Isaacson Herum, daughter of Jeno and Carolina (Thoen) Isaacson, who were natives of Norway, and emigrated to America, locating in Pierce county and becoming prominent farmers. Her father is deceased, but her mother is still living in River Falls. Mrs.  Larsen is a graduate of the Lutheran Ladies' Seminary of Red Wing. Dr. and Mrs. Larsen have three children: Erling H., born January 23, 1904; Einar O., born September 29, 1906; and Harold A. C., born September 9. 1908. The doctor is a Republican in politics and he and his family are members of the Norwegian Synod church. His parents are Ole and Anna (Olson) Larsen, who were born in Norway, and emigrated to America in the late sixties, locating in Wisconsin. In 1876 they removed to Rush River, purchasing 160 acres of land, which they farmed and improved, carrying on general farming, being highly respected in the community wherein they reside.

AMMON LARSON, one of the early settlers of Belvidere, was born in Norway and brought his family to America in 1855, lived in Wisconsin a year and then in 1856 coming to Belvidere township, where he farmed 160 acres of land, which when he preempted it was wild and uncultivated. He built the first frame house that was erected on the prairies of Belvidere, and in many other ways assisted in the development of the township. An account of his death is found in the sketch of David A. Larson.  LEWIS A. LARSON, clergyman, was born in Norway, son of Ammon Larson, and came to this country with his parents at the age of five years. He worked on the home farm in Belvidere township until attaining his majority, at which time he studied for the Methodist ministry, in which holy calling he continued until his death, August 9, 1908. During his long ministry he was stationed at St. Paul; Chicago; Racine, Wis.; Minneapolis; Newburg, Minn.; Freeport, Iowa, and Lansing, Iowa. His wife, who was Martha Planson, is still living. OTTO A. LARSON, son of Lewis A. Larson, was born in St. Paul, February 8, 1879, and there received his early education, also attending the high school at Racine, Wis. Soon after leaving school he came to Belvidere township and took up work on his grandfather's old homestead, where he now carries on general farming, owning, in addition, a neighboring tract of eighty acres.  In 1908 he erected a fine new barn. Mr. Larson is a Republican in politics and belongs to the Norwegian Methodist church, in which denomination his father was a clergyman. Otto A. was this fourth of a large family of children. The others are as follows: Marion A., wife of Oscar Swan, of Beach, N. D.; Jennie E., wife of Andrew Tollefson, a Chicago printer; Abner B., of Belvidere; Lillian M., wife of Lester Hanson, a railroad mail clerk in South Dakota; Dennis J., a timekeeper for Turner & Johnson at Chicago; Caleb F., who lives at home ; George W., also a timekeeper for Turner & Johnson, at Chicago. For three generations the family has been highly esteemed, and its members all occupy an honorable place in the community. DAVID A. LARSON was born in Belvidere township, August 4, 1859, son of Ammon E. and Bertha (Davidson) Larson, natives of Norway, who came to America and located in Iowa in 1855. July, 1856, they came to Goodhue county and started as new beginners on the farm that their son, Rev. L. A. Larson, bought about ten years ago. Ammond Larson was born February 20, 1823, and was drafted to serve in the Civil war. He was mustered May 27, 1864, in Company D, Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged for disability May 22, 1865. He was taken ill and came home, where he died a month later, September 2, 1865, and was buried beside the Methodist Episcopal church in Belvidere. His wife, Bertha, who is still living, was also born in Norway, July 24, 1827. They had seven children, of whom only two are living, David, and John A. of Tennessee. David received his education in the public school of Belvidere and worked on the farm until 1880, when he rented eighty acres, and five years later purchased eighty. In 1886 he bought his present farm in Belvidere township and has since sold his eighty acres. He now carries on general farming and dairying. He was married November 10, 1886, to Helena Olsen, of Gilman, Pierce county, Wisconsin. She was born in Norway, December 27, 1859, daughter of Christopher Olsen, born in Norway, August 3, 1825, and Anna Maria (Peterson) Olsen, born April 5, 1823, also a native of Norway. They came to America in 1865, and located in Racine, Wis., where they lived for five years, the father a carpenter by trade, being employed at woodwork. In 1870 they moved to Gilman, Pierce county, Wisconsin, and purchased eighty acres of land and farmed until 1886, after which they removed to Hutchinson, Minn., where the father had charge of the Norwegian Methodist Episcopal church for two years. Then they returned to the farm, where the father died November 17, 1890, and was buried in Martell, Pierce county, Wisconsin. The mother died in St. Paul, Minn., May 7. 1899 and was buried at Forest Home cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Larson had four children: Clarence Alvin, born August 12, 1887, now an electrical student, of St. Paul; Alison Bernard, born November 3. 1889; Edwin Fletcher, born July 2, 1894, and Lilly Ruth Delia, born June 10.  1898, all of whom are at home. Mr. Larson is a Republican in his politics. He has served as township supervisor for the past three years, road master for four years, and clerk of school district 32 for the past twelve years. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church in Belvidere.

GUSTAV LARSON, of Featherstone township, is a fine example of a self-educated, self-made man. In addition to acquiring his present fine property, he also found time to serve the town as supervisor sixteen years, and as a member of the school board for several terms. He was born in Sweden, November 5, 1849, and came to America as a boy of eleven years with his parents, John and Carrie (Johnson) Larson, in 1860, locating in AYashington county, Minnesota, near Stillwater, until 1867, when they took up their residence in Vasa township. Later they came to Featherstone and lived until about eighty years of age, in a home built purposely for them by their son. Gustav attended the public schools, but has received the greater part of his education from reading and observation. He is a deep thinker and has a retentive memory, so that his mind is a storehouse of general information obtained by himself. He subscribes to numerous newspapers and magazines, and keeps well abreast of the times by perusing the latest books. When he came to his present farm of 160 acres, in 1872, the land was so wild that it was impossible to get with a team into what is now the front yard. The place is uoav in a high state of cultivation and is well adapted to the general farming operations which Mr. Larson conducts. Among the improvements on the farm is a gasoline engine which is used to supply the motive power needed in pumping water, sawing wood and grinding feed. Mr. Larson was married in 1873, to Martha Anderson, daughter of E. M. and Louise Anderson, born in New York state where they stopped for a short time after coming to this country from Sweden. They settled in Vasa in the early days and carried on farming. The mother is now deceased, but the father still lives on the old homestead at the good old age of seventy-seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Larson have five children: Richard is employed by the Tri-State Telephone Company, at Minneapolis; Edna is the wife of P. J. Engberg, cashier of the First National Bank, of Braham, Minn.; Esther is a teacher in a Minneapolis business college; Alice is the wife of Delmar Brynildson, a merchant of Vasa village, and Ernest O.  is at home. The family worships at the Swedish Lutheran Evangelical church.

HENRY EDWIN LARSON, of Belle Creek township, was born April 29, 1872, in Belle Creek township, son of John and Hannah Eleffson, natives of Sweden. They came to America and took a homestead of eighty acres of land in Meeker county, Minnesota, where they remained for two years, when they were forced to leave on account of the Indians. They came to Red Wing for a short time and later removed to Belle Creek township, where he purchased eighty acres, which the father broke, cleared and improved, carrying on general farming until his death in 1882. The mother is still living and resides with her sons on the farm. Henry received his education in the public schools of Belle Creek and worked on the farm with his father, and in 1894 taking charge of the farm, he carries on a general line of farming, dairying and stock raising. He and his brother, 0. W., own 320 acres of land in Montana, which they are improving. Henry Edwin had three sisters : Anna, married Gustaf Warn, of Featherstone; Johanna, married Nels Munson (deceased) ; and Hattie, married Swan Warn, died February 1, 1909. Four brothers: John M. (deceased); Andrew, now of White Rock; Albert, now of Montana, and 0. W., living at home. Mr. Larson is an independent voter, and is a member of the Swedish Lutheran church. 

J. F. LARSON resides on the place in Cannon Falls township where his father lived before him. He was born in Sweden October 21, 1864, son of Gustav and Anna (Carlson) Larson, who came to America in 1869, and settled first in Belle Creek township, this county. In 1874 they came to Cannon Falls township and purchased a farm of 200 acres, which they at once set about improving and developing and where they continued to live.  The father died at his home in Cannon Falls in 1904 and the mother still makes her home in Cannon Falls. In the family there were six children, four of whom are living. J. F. Larson was but five years old when he started life in America. He was brought up on the farm and lived at home until twenty-seven years of age. Desiring to see something of the, world before settling down for life, he went to St. Paul and Minneapolis and worked several years on the street cars, in a saw mill and as a milk dealer. He then returned to the old homestead, which he now is working for his mother. A larger part of the farm is plowed land, but much of it is also pasture, affording plenty of grazing for his herds of cattle, which furnish him with cream for extensive shipments to St. Paul. Mr. Larson votes independently.  In 1894, two years after he started life for himself, he was married to Anna Bergquist, by whom he has four children, Margaret, Evelyn, Elvera and Paul S., all of whom are at home.  The Larsons are ardent supporters of the Swedish Congregational church.

JOHN LARSON, of Burnside township, was born in Sweden August 24, 1838, son of Lars Erikson, native of Sweden. Both parents died there. John received his education in Sweden and came to America in 1866, locating at Red Wing. In 1870 he came to Burnside and purchased land, which he broke and improved, built a home and all buildings necessary and carried on general farming, which he now continues with great success.  In 1870 he was married to Martha Peterson, a native of Sweden.  They have no children. Mr. Larson is a Republican in his political views. They attend the Lutheran church.

LARS E. LARSON has served as chairman of the town of Minneola three years, as supervisor six years, as school director of District No. 92 twelve years, and as clerk of the school board twelve years. He has been treasurer of the Minneola Norwegian Lutheran Church and Parochial School twenty-five years and is a member of the building committee of the church. He is also a director in the elevator and creamery companies. Mr. Larson was born in Norway August 8, 1846, son of Filing and Solva (Peterson) Larson, who came to America in 1856, located in Dane county, Wisconsin, until 1860. In that year they came to this county and located in Belle Creek township, where the father purchased 160 acres of land, which he broke and improved, erecting several buildings and establishing a home. Father and mother are both deceased. Lars E. was trained in the schools of Norway and for a short time after his arrival in America attended the schools in the neighborhood of his parents' farm. He remained on the home farm until 1868, when he purchased 80 acres in Minneola township, to which he later added 120 acres, making in all 200 acres. He built a house and barn (personally superintending the building, doing considerable of the work himself), improved the land and carried on general farming for many years. In late years he has rented his farm. He was married, December 30, 1868, to B. Furan, daughter of John and Ingerburg Furan, natives of Norway who came to America in 1865, located in Belle Creek, took up 160 acres and there remained until 1870, when they sold out and moved to Murray county, this state, where they purchased 170 acres. They then moved to Tracy Lyon county, and still later to Canby, Yellow Medicine county, where the father died in 1899. The mother is still living.  Mrs. Larson died March 28, 1909.

ISAAC LAUVER, whose name is inseparably connected with the early history of Red Wing, was born in Union county, Pennsylvania.  June 20, 1832, son of Michael Lauver, a tailor by trade, an occupation which he followed until failing sight made it necessary for him to seek other business. In his later days he moved to Lena, 111., and lived with his son until May, 1871, when he died. Of the nine children in the family, Elizabeth, Anna, Sarah, Mary, William, Lewis, Isaac, Solomon and Joseph, the only one still living is the subject of this sketch. Isaac Lauver received his education in his native county, and after leWing school took up carpenter and joiner work, which he has since followed. He moved to Lena, 111., in July, 1855, and worked in the factory of Manning & Paterson, manufacturers of reapers and mowers, who were located near that place. Three months later he came to Red Wing and took up his trade, also doing general contracting. During nine years of his life he was foreman for Simmons & Daniels. In 1900 a cataract of the eyes compelled his retirement from active work. In 1857 Mr. Lauver was brought into prominence in connection with the Spirit Lake massacre. On March 31 of that year, in company with William Granger. W. W. DeKay, George Huntington and a Mr. Patten, he went to the lake and investigated the massacre, a full account of which is found elsewhere in this history. Returning, the party reached Red Wing toward the end of August. Mr. Lauver enlisted in the Civil War October 10, 1861, and re-enlisted January 1, 1864, being promoted from private to corporal, and then to sergeant. He served in Company E, 3rd Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, under Clinton Gurnee, Edward L. Baker, W. W. DeKay and George W. Knight, and was badly wounded at Fiehburg Woods, being confined in the hospital in Arkansas fifteen days, after which he was removed to the convalescent camp, subsequently being granted a month's furlough, during which he came to Red Wing, landing June 9, 1862. He then returned to the army, which he joined at Pine Bluff, Ark., August 7, while on the way to Little Rock, by boat, he narrowly escaped imprisonment or death at the hands of the bands of rebels infesting the banks of the river. He was discharged at Duvall's Bluff, and then resumed his trade in Red Wing. Isaac Lauver was married August 16, 1866, to Helen Swanson, daughter of Ole Swanson. To this union were born four children: Augusta and Minnie are deceased; Lillian and Clyde live at home. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church.

CHARLES H. LEAVITT, Pine Island township, is one of those men to whom increasing years have brought increased honor, and to whom maturing age has brought ripened judgment. He has served on the board of supervisors eleven years, being chairman eight years. For the long period of sixteen years he worked faithfully as president of the village school board, and his decisions as justice of the peace for ten years have been just, yet ever tempered with good sense. Mr. Leavitt was born in Stratford, Fulton county, New York, April 29, 1834, and received his education in the common schools, after which he became a teacher, instructing country schools five terms before he was twenty-one years of age. He came to Pine Island township in 1864, and after one year on a farm went to the village and remained twenty years. For ten years he managed a grocery store of his own, and for a long period acted as agent for farm machinery and windmills. Along about the middle of the eighties he took up farming on his present place, where he owns 160 acres which he has improved and brought to a high state of cultivation, building a nice home and commodious outbuildings and carrying on general farming. In 1859 he was married to Elvira L. Gould, who died December 4, 1860, leaving one daughter, Elvira, who is living at present with her father. On January 15, 1861, he was married to Sarah C. Gould, sister of his first wife, by whom they have four children, Carrie, Bennett, Nettie and Jennie. Elvira married John Weckerling, of Reeseville, Wis., they having four children, viz. : Helen, Burton, Milford and Laura. Carrie married Frank Mott, of Pine Island, and has one son, Willis. Bennett lives at home. Nettie married George Dickinson, who comes of one of the pioneer families of the county.  They have three children, Lyle, Burton and Ora. Jennie is the wife of Thomas Congdon, of Hibbing, Minn., and has four children, Bennett, Ora, Alice and Thomas. Justus B. and Ruby (Vosseller) Leavitt, parents of Charles H. Leavitt, were natives of Connecticut and New York state respectively, and in the latter state spent the larger part of their lives together. The father was a school teacher and county judge, also doing some farming.  He died at the age of thirty-five, but the mother lived to be ninetyfive years of age before passing to her eternal reward. 

ANDREW E. LEE was born in Wanamingo township, where he still lives, November 19, 1886, son of Erick and Ragnild (Kulseth) Lee. He received his education in the common schools of Wanamingo and worked with his father on the farm until his father's death, when he took charge of the place, with his brothers, and continued general farming. Mr. Lee is a Republican in politics, and attends the Lutheran church. The father of Mr. Lee was born in Illinois, came to Wanamingo township when a young man and purchased 160 acres of land, which he broke and cleared, built a home and carried on a general line of farming up to the time of his death, April 18, 1903. The mother was born in Norway and emigrated to America in 1882. They had eight children. Gertrude, who married John Hegvik, is now deceased.  The others are: Henry, of Zumbrota; Martin, Andrew, Caroline, Mary, Julia and Simon.

JOHN J. LEE, of Cannon Falls village, is a native of this county, born on the old homestead in Leon township December 19, 1863, son of John, Jr., and Ingeborg (Rislov) Lee, natives of Norway, who came to the United States in the forties, settling in Boone county, Illinois, where they farmed for some years, afterward coming to Leon township. Being true pioneers, they made the trip by ox team, and in addition to this the father also made a return trip to Illinois by the same means. At once upon his arrival here the father pre-empted a quarter-section of land and began farming operations, erecting a shack for the shelter of himself and family until better quarters could be provided. During these early days the pioneers had to depend upon Red Wing for lumber and provisions and as a market for their grain. The father of the subject of this sketch often made this trip, sometimes taking his son John, camping on the prairie by night and spending three weary days in making the distance which is now made in a few hours. For many years the father followed farming in Leon township, but in 1897 moved to Wanamingo, where he now resides. Of his five children, only two survive, the other besides J. J. being a son who makes his home with his father.  J. J. Lee was brought up on the old homestead, attended the public schools and the Red Wing Seminary, and then took up farming operations, which he has since continued. He is a Republican in politics and was at one time supervisor of Leon township, also serving on the school board. He now owns the home place of 160 acres and fifteen acres of woodland adjoining but since 1905 he has lived in a new residence which he erected in Cannon Falls village. Mr. Lee is now engaged in the farm implement business in partnership with John Ritchie. Mr. Lee was married in 1896 to Bertha Quale, whose parents were early settlers of Wanamingo who now live in South Dakota. The Lee home has been blessed with three children, Walter J., Edna S. and Irene L.

OLIVER J. LEE, Wanamingo township, was born in Leon township January 17, 1876, son of John and Emily (Rislov) Lee, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1846 and located in Illinois until 1856, when they came to Leon and took up a homestead of 160 acres of wild land, which the father cleared, built a home and other outbuildings and carried on farming and threshing.  In 1899 they removed to Wanamingo and purchased a farm of K. B. Smith, in section 11, where they farmed for four years, after which they retired from active life. Oliver J. received his education in the schools of Leon and at the Red Wing Seminary, after which he attended the Northern Illinois Normal School and Business College, of Dixon, 111., graduating in 1898, receiving the degree of bachelor of accounts. He then entered the employ of the county attorney as stenographer, at Dixon, 111., and later taught bookkeeping and shorthand in the business college of Iowa City, Iowa, remaining two years, after which he returned to Wanamingo township and took up teaching in the public school in the winter and worked on the farm in the summer. In 1903 he took charge of the farm and has since engaged in general farming. Mr. Lee was married April 4, 1906, to Louise Walsvik, daughter of L. A. and Inga (Gjesme) Walsvik, natives of Norway, who came to America and were among the first settlers of Wanamingo township. Mr. and Mrs. Lee have one child, Jerome Llewellyn, born July 26, 1907. Mr. Lee is a Republican in his political views. The family attends the Lutheran church. 

BENJAMIN LEWIS, of Pine Island township, was born in Norway, June 21, 1846, son of L. C. and Annie (Moe) Lewis, who came to America in 1875 and settled in Zumbrota, where they engaged in farming. The mother died in 1888 and the father in 1905. Benjamin Lewis received his education in the public schools of Norway, and came to this country in 1866, settling in Zumbrota township, where he bought land and engaged in farming.  In 1875 he went to Pine Island township, where he has eighty acres, of which seventy is under cultivation, on which he follows general farming and raises stock. In 1873 Mr. Lewis ivas married to Mattie Pederson, and they have five children: Adolph, farmer; Melvin, assistant postmaster at Pine Island; Carl, Arthur and Amanda, who are at home. Two children died, at the ages of fifteen and four years, respectively. Mr. Lewis has a nice farm, ivell improved, and a fine home. He is Republican in his politics and lias been a member of the school board for the past fifteen years. He is also road overseer. The family attends the Lutheran church.

E. N. LEWIS, born in Pennsylvania, Aug. 18, 1844, son of Lot and Clarissa Lewis, came to Frontenac in 1854 with the first settlers and has since made this his home. The parents took up a claim June 23, 1854, and the father at once set about cultivating the wilderness. He planted the first orchard in the county, and according to family traditions made the first furniture in the county, at the old Post mill in Wacouta. For a number of years he followed general farming, and died September 6, 1887, his farm being purchased by his son who had at that time managed it for several years while his father lived in retirement. In 1862, when a mere youth he enlisted in Co. F, 6th Minn. Vol. Inf., under Capt. Horace B. Wilson. He took part in the Indian campaign, then went to Arkansas, and spent the remainder of the time in the south, being present at the capture and surrender of Mobile. He was honorably discharged and returned to his farm; August 18, 1865. Since that time he has continued to conduct farming operations on his place, eight miles from Red Wing, where he owns over 450 acres. Of this 80 is under the plow and 200 is timber land. A rich bed of peat underlies the lower part of this farm, covering about 100 acres ; and realizing the rapid decrease of the fuel supply of the country Mr. Lewis justly has hopes that the peat will sometime be of considerable value.  Upon the productive portions of his land he carries on general farming and makes a specialty of stock raising and dairying, shipping considerable quantities of cream. He has a record of having made as high as 1 ,400 pounds of butter a year. Mr. Lewis was married, in 1877 to Helen E. Thomas, daughter of Tyler Thomas and Eliza A. Sprake, the father a native of Massachusetts and the mother of New Hampshire. They spent the larger part of their lives in Hudson, N. H., where the father was first a mechanic and later a farmer. Both father and mother are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have been born two children.  Berdena is the wife of Israel Ward, a farmer of Long Prairie, Todd county, Minnesota. Harry still lives at home.  Mr. Lewis believes in a general way in the platform of the Republican party, but to a large extent votes independently. He affiliates with the G. A. R. at Red Wing.

ANDREW S. LEXVOLD, retired farmer of Zumbrota village, was born in Norway, November 9, 1829, received his education in the schools of his native place and engaged in farming there until coming to America in 1866. Upon his arrival here he located in Minneola township, where he purchased eighty acres of timber land, which he cleared, and upon which he made all the improvements, erecting a comfortable home and other necessary buildings carrying on general farming. He added to his original purchase until he retired in 1897, being at that time the owner of one of the finest farms in the country, containing 520 acres of land, all under cultivation, and all in Minneola township. Mr. Lexvold has been a hard working man all his life and by his untiring energy become one of the prosperous farmers of Minneola township.  He is now residing in Zumbrota village, enjoying the fruits of his honest endeavors. He was married in November, 1868, to Gunel Thompson, who came to America in 1865. Mr. Lexvold has four sons, all engaged in farming. They are : Sever, Ole, Christ and Halbert. Five daughters, Martha, Anna, Sarah, Martina and Bertha, are all living. Mr. Lexvold is a Republican, has held the position of road overseer, and is a good citizen, taking an interest in the welfare of the county and village in which he lives. He is one of the members of Land's Lutheran Church. 

CHRISTIAN A. LEXVOLD was born on the old homestead in Minneola township, November 19, 1870, being the son of Andrew Lexvold.  He received his education in the common schools of Minneola township, and like his brothers worked on his father's farm.  In 1890 he left home, going to North Dakota and remaining there for three years. In 1893 he returned and began farming on part of the old homestead, his land now consisting of 120 acres in section 22 and forty acres in section 16, making a farm of 160 acres. He erected the comfortable home in which he lives with his family, also built other necessary farm buildings, carrying on general farming and stock raising with considerable success and making a specialty of Short Horn and Holstein cattle. Mr.  Lexvold was married November 8, 1897, to Louise J. Aadahl, daughter of John J. and Roberg Aadahl, of Norway, and has five children-Rachel, born March 4, 1898 ; Aimar, born December 25, 1901; Gurda, born October 5, 1905; Joseph, born February 5, 1907, and Hilda, born March 27, 1909. He is a Republican in politics. He and his wife attend the Lutheran Church. 

HALBERT A. LEXVOLD, son of Andrew Lexvold, was born in Minneola township November 7, 1876, on the old homestead, where he still resides. He acquired his education in the schools of Minneola, and at the age of fifteen years, after leaving school, went to Sheldon, N. D., where he engaged in farming for three years, returning to the home farm in 1894. Two years later he went to Perth, N. D., where he took up a claim of 160 acres, which he proved up, remaining there five years. In 1901 he again turned his footsteps toward home, purchasing the family homestead of 160 acres in sections 21 and 22. This, by thrift and hard work, he has cultivated and improved, being engaged in general farming and stock raising. Mr. Lexvold was married December 23, 1896, at Rolla, N. D., to Gena Hastad, daughter of L. J. and Kristina (Romo) Hastad, both natives of Norway. Mr. and Mrs.  Lexvold have six children-John, born April 10, 1898; Gladys, born November 10, 1901; Lillian, born October 28, 1903; Harold, born June 1, 1905 ; Mayme, born September 16, 1907, and Marshall, born May 9, 1909. The family attend the Lutheran Church.  Mr. Lexvold is Republican in his political views. He is an honored citizen and has held the office of school treasurer of district 67 for the last three years.

OLE A. LEXVOLD was born in Minneola, in which township he still resides, July 11, 1869, son of Andrew Lexvold. His early years were spent in Minneola, where he attended the public school, worked on his father's farm, assisting him in carrying on general farming until going to North Dakota, where he filed on a homestead of 160 acres, on which he lived five years. He also purchased two and one-fourth sections of good farm land in Towner county. He then sold most of this land and returning to Minneola township in 1902 purchased 160 acres in section 9. To this he added ninety acres in section 15, where he now conducts general farming operations, raising the usual crops, breeding live stock and meeting with considerable success. By his wife, Sophie Hastad, born March 18, 1871 daughter of L. J. and Kristine (Romo) Hastad, he has eight children-Arthur L., born March 17, 1897; Sidney, born January 8, 1899; Getha C., born August 13, 1900, and died April 21, 1904; Orla S.. born April 26, 1902; Viola, born December 10, 1903, and died April 29, 1904; Getha W., born June 13, 1905; Ruth, born October 10, 1907, and George K., born April 18, 1909. The family attend the Lutheran Church.  Mr. Lexvold is a Republican in his political views, but has never sought public office. He is a good citizen, a hard worker and an honorable man.

SIVERT A. LEXVOLD, of Minneola township, was born in Norway, March 12, 1862, coming to America with his father in 1866, his mother having died in Norway. His parents were Andrew and Berntina Lexvold. The family came first to Red Wing, then moved to Belle Creek, where they resided one year, finally settling in Minneola township, where Sivert A. received his education.  He remained on the farm, assisting his father until he was twenty-six years of age, and then worked out until 1892, when he became the owner of 100 acres of land in Minneola, afterward purchasing eighty acres more in section 1, Roscoe, all of which by hard work he has improved and cultivated, devoting his attention mostly to diversified farming. He has a substantial house and other farm buildings, including a barn, to which he has recently made a valuable addition. May 24, 1893, Mr. Lexvold was married in Minneola township to Mary J. Aadahl, daughter of John J. and Reberg Aadahl, natives of Norway, who, after coming to this country, settled in Minneola, engaging in agricultural pursuits. Both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs.  Lexvold have ten children-Ragna B., Arthur J., Selma M., Leonard M., Segurd J., Bennie G., Mable J., Hazel B. (deceased), Hazel B. and Myrtle A. Mr. Lexvold is Republican in his political views. He affiliates with the Modern Samaritans. Like many of his nationality, he has accumulated his property and made his home by hard work. The family attend the Lutheran Church.

 

 

 

 

 

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