Trails-to-the-Past-Minnesota-Goodhue-Biographies-PgUV

OTTO A. ULVIN, manager of the savings department of the Goodhue County National Bank, is a native of Norway, but has spent the larger part of his life in Wisconsin and Minnesota. He was born June 18, 1867, a son of Andrew and Gunhild M. (Larson) Ulvin, who came to America when young Otto was a child of five years, and located in Pierce county, Wis. Otto received his earliest education in the public schools of Pierce county, and supplemented this with studies at the Red Wing Seminary and at the Curtiss and Rosenberger Business College at Red Wing. For one year he taught school, and in 1888 engaged in the general mercantile business at Esdaile, Wis. In 1895 he opened a grocery establishment in Red Wing, which he conducted until 1907, when he accepted his present position with the Goodhue County Bank.

OLE J. UNDERDAHL, a well known farmer of Warsaw township, now deceased, was born in Norway in February, 1832, and there received his education in the public schools, coming to America in 1866, locating first in-Wisconsin, where he remained two years, subsequently living in Wanamingo township, this county, one year. In 1869 he purchased 160 acres in Warsaw township and farmed until his death, March 5, 1909. He was married, January, 1863, to Martha Ellingson, daughter of Filing and Anna (Alfson) Ellingson, the former of whom died in Norway in 1850; long years after which, in 1896, the latter came to America and took up her home with her daughter. To Mr. and Mrs. Underdahl were born eight children, six of whom are living. Roy J. Underdahl, the oldest son, lives on the home farm. He was born in Aurland, Norway, September 29, 1864, and received his education in the schools of his neighborhood. In September, 1896, he purchased 160 acres in Trail county, North Dakota, and lived there two years, after which he homesteaded a quarter section in Itasca county, this state. He next represented the Charlson Brothers, the Underdahl and the Otterness families in buying 800 acres in McLean county, North Dakota. All these purchases were disposed of, and for ten months Mr. Underdahl was employed as a salesman for the Marion Manufacturing Company, of Fargo, N. D. In 1908 he made a trip to Montana and purchased 160 acres which he now owns. Since his return to this township, September 29, 1908, he has been associated with his brother, John O., in the management of the home farm, and in addition to this is interested in the elevator at Cannon Falls and the Sogn Dairy Association. He has also taken an interest in church affairs and, like his father before him, is a trustee in the Norwegian Lutheran church. Filing, the second child of Ole J. Underdahl, is dead. John O. is married, lives on the home farm, and in 1900 assisted in taking the government census. He was the first postmaster in Sogn, the post office being located in his father's house. He also kept a general store at Sogn for one year. In addition to his farm work he writes considerable life insurance, and aside from his interest in the home farm he owns 160 acres of land in Minot, N. D., where he lived three years. Ingerborg, the fourth child of Ole J. Underdahl, is deceased. Anna married John Ohnstad, a clothier of Cannon Falls. Marie was a teacher for several years in the public schools of this county, and for two years taught shorthand and typewriting at the Eclectic Business College, Minneapolis. For the past three years she has worked for the Viavi Company of Minneapolis as office manager and traveling representative. Lizzie married Sever Charlson, of Warsaw township. Sena lives at home. All are well regarded by the people of the respective communities wherein they reside.

MONS S. UREVIG is a man of considerable prominence in the community wherein he resides. He has been nine years chairman of the township of Leon, three years assessor, ten years notary public, eighteen years school clerk and justice of the peace since 1884. In 1876 he was one of the incorporators of the Leon Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and has since been one of its directors, also serving thirteen years as its treasurer, a position he still holds. He is a prominent member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and a contributor to its support, being a public spirited and progressive citizen in every respect. Mons S. Urevig was born in Norway, March 31, 1848, son of Sever and Martha (Stene) Urevig, the former of whom died in that country. In 1861 mother and son set out for America and settled in Columbia county, Wisconsin, for three and a half years. In 1864 they came to Goodhue county, and settled in Holden township. In 1872, Mr. Urevig came to Leon township, and for one year rented a farm. He then purchased his present place of 150 acres, thirty of which is timber land and the remainder plowed land. Here he carries on general farming and raises graded stock. Mr. Urevig was married in 1871 to Gertrude Flom, daughter of Ever Flom, a blacksmith, who spent his latter years in Holden township. Mr. and Mrs. Urevig are the parents of six children : Sever lives in Goodhue township, this county; Edward farms in Mahnomen county, Minnesota ; Martin is at home ; Minnie, who died in 1904, was married to J. A. Jacobson ; Louise died June 28, 1909, and Mabel, wife of Peter Strom, is on a homestead in North Dakota. Mrs. Urevig died in November, 1903.

FRANK J. VANBERG, son of John J. and Johannah (Johnson) Vanberg, was born in Leon township, where he still resides, August 20, 1859. His parents came to America in 1854, making the voyage in a sail boat, the trip lasting sixteen weeks. They spent about one year in Iowa, and in the spring of 1855 came to Leon township, where they took up a homestead and built a home of logs, improving their land and engaging in general farming the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1860 and the mother in 1887. They had three children : Charles (deceased), Christine, married to Walford Anderson, of Belle Creek, and Frank J., the subject of this sketch. Frank received his education in the common schools of the township and worked on the farm. Afterwards he managed a sawmill and feed mill in Wastedo, for fifteen years, and also ran a threshing outfit for some time. Since 1900 he has been engaged in farming on the old homestead, which consists of eighty acres of improved land and twenty-eight acres of timber. He has remodeled the outbuildings and built a new home, also making other general improvements. He was married in 1900 to Clarinda Anderson, daughter of C. J. and Ellen (Velander) Anderson, natives of Sweden, who came to America in the early days, settled in Cannon Falls township and engaged in farming. They are now retired and live in St. Paul. The father is an old Civil War veteran, having spent four years in the army. He enlisted in 1861 in Company D, Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, as a private, and was promoted to the rank of corporal a year later. He took part in all the battles of the campaign, and was discharged with the regiment. Mr. and Mrs. Vanberg have three children: Florence, Blanche and Hazel. Mr. Vanberg is Republican in his political views, has held the position of assessor for seven years and is at present town clerk. He is a member of the A. 0. U. W. at Cannon Falls, and he and his family attend the Swedish Lutheran church at Spring Garden.

HENRY A. VAN CAMPEN, of Cannon Falls, was born at Randolph, N. Y., July 24, 1849. His parents were Benjamin and Adelia Z. Van Campen. The father was born in New York state December 31. 1820, and the mother was born March 20, 1824. In 1857 they moved to Minnesota, locating at Cannon Falls on May 7 of that year. Here they lived until their death. The father died February 23, 1888, and the mother October 7, 1902. The subject of this sketch received his education in the Cannon Falls schools and the Shattuck School, of Faribault, Minn. His first business engagement was clerking in a general store at Cannon Falls. He later became the owner of the store and engaged in that business until the spring of 1887, when he moved on his farm. The fall of the following year, 1888, he removed to Cannon Falls and engaged in the boot and shoe business, which he continued about four years, then he engaged in his present business, dealer in agricultural implements, buggies, harness, etc. Mr. Van Campen was married at Milton, Wis., October 4, 1877, to Anna. S. Greenman, and they have five children, Benjamin H., Harry A., George B., Merl M. and Viola G.

W. SCOTT VAN de BOGART is a new comer in Zumbrota township compared with those who settled here in the fifties and sixties, but in the dozen or so years that he has lived here he has already established himself in the confidence and regard of the community. He Was born in Appleton, Wis., February 15, 1862, son of Henry and Emeline (Hubbard) Van de Bogart, natives of New York state. They came west to Wisconsin in the early days and engaged in farming until 1862, when the father joined the union army and served in Company D, Twenty-first Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, until his death at Murfreesboro as the result of a fever contracted during the campaign. After this sad bereavement, the mother lived at Appleton until 1878. She then lived two years in Kansas and in 1880 moved to North Dakota and still later to Nebraska. In 1899 she came to live with her son then returned again to Nebraska, and subsequently in 1907 again took up her home with her son, and ended her days, November 26, 1908. W. Scott received his education at Wisconsin, there spent his young manhood and in 1880 took up a homestead of 160 acres in North Dakota and also a tree claim in the same state. In 1897 he came to Zumbrota township, purchased 150 acres of land in section 29, and continued to carry on general farming. Mr. Van de Bogart was married April 2, 1884. fo Annie Barteau, daughter of David and Joana (Willet) Barteau, natives of New York state, who came to Zumbrota in 1873 and engaged in the hardware business. The father died in August, 1908, and the mother makes her home in Zumbrota village. To W. Scott and Annie (Barteau) Van de Bogart were born five children-Jay H., born April 28, 1885, is employed by the Tri-State Telephone Company at Minneapolis ; Byron B., born July 12, 1888, died in March 6, 1908; Hazel L., born February 19, 1891, lives at home; Sadie J., born May 9, 1894, died September 23. 1903 ; Ruth A., born March 8, 1898, lives at home. The mother of these children died March 17, 1898, and the father again married, March 2, 1902, the present Mrs. Van de Bogart having been Minnie L. Drew, daughter of Samuel and Martha Morris Drew, natives of England, who in 1848 located in Canada and after living there several years, moved to Red Wing in 1864, where they engaged in general farming. Mr. Drew died May 6, 1907, and his wife September 23, 1907. The family worships at the Methodist Church.

ANDREW J. VANGSNESS, of Belle Creek township, was born in Wisconsin, January 8, 1858, son of Iver and Una Vangsness, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1854 and located in Wisconsin, where the father engaged in general labor until 1862, when they came to Belle Creek township and purchased 130 acres of wild land on Section 31, which the father broke and cleared, improved the land and built a home and other buildings necessary to carry on successful farming. Here he died on May 2, 1905, the mother having passed away in 1868. Andrew received his education in Belle Creek township, and worked with his father on the farm until 1905, when he and his brother came into possession of the farm, which they have continued to improve, and are now among the leading farmers in the township. Mr. Vangsness was married November, 1885, to Anna Johnson, a native of Norway. They have been- blessed with three children : Una, born March 20, 1887, married to Carl Nerison, now of Minneola township; Julius, born December 1, 1891, lives at home ; Ingvald, born October 7, 1888, died June 2, 1904. Mr. Vangsness is a Republican in politics and has taken an active interest in the affairs of his community. He has served as supervisor for five years, is now treasurer of school district No. 92, and has been road overseer several times. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church.

CARL E. VANGSNESS was born in Wisconsin, October 14, 1860, son of Iver and Una Vangsness. He received his education in Belle Creek, and worked on the farm with his father until he was twenty-eight years of age, when he purchased eighty acres of land in Section 29 ; he also rents 160 acres and follows a general line of farming and stock raising. Mr. Vangsness was married March 2, 1888, to Elizabeth Iverson, daughter of Iver and Berit (Romo) Iverson, natives of Norway. They came to America and located in Wanamingo township, where they have since been engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Vangsness have ten children: Ingmar, who is a student at the State University; Iver, Bella, Henry, Rudolph, George, Ida, Florence, Luella and Clarence. Mr. Vangsness is a Republican in his politics and has been road overseer and director of the school board for several years. He and his family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

ALVIN VAN GUILDER was born in Stanton township February 14, 1869, son of Albert and Jane (Winchell) Van Guilder, natives of New York, who spent their early life there, the father being engaged at his trade of cooper, and later in farming. They came west with Fred Van Guilder and purchased land in Stanton township, which the father improved, carrying on general farming. They had a family of ten children, all of whom are living: Henry, Frank, Albert, William, Alvin (the subject of this sketch), Herbert, Edith, John, Samuel and James J. The father is still living in Waterville, Minn. The mother died in 1901. Alvin received his education in the common schools and worked on the home farm, later purchasing 140 acres of land in Stanton township. During his twenty years' ownership he has greatly improved the place, remodeling the buildings and developing the land, 110 acres of which is under cultivation. He carries on general farming, keeps a number of good cattle and disposes of considerable cream to the Cannon Falls creamery. In 1889 Mr. Van Guilder was married to Cynthia Deline, daughter of J. J. and Eliza (Housed) Deline, who were old settlers of this county. Both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Van Guilder have one daughter, Ruth, who attended the high school at Cannon Falls, but who is now at home and devotes considerable of her time to the study of music. In politics Mr. Van Guilder is a Republican.

FRED VAN GUILDER, of Stanton township, comes of the honored Knickerbocker stock, his forebears having been among those sturdy Hollanders who settled New York state. The original Van Guilder, founder of the family in America, fought in the Revolution, and the account of the courage of this valiant old soldier is still a part of the history of the early days of the Empire State. The subject of this sketch was born in New York state February 24, 1841, son of Daniel and Mariah (Alcott) Van Guilder, both natives of the Empire state. He received his education in the schools of his neighborhood, and at the call to arms in 1862 enlisted for two years in Company K, 123rd New York Volunteer Infantry. After the expiration of the term of enlistment he came to Stanton township and farmed for a while, but the love of his country was strong in his heart, and after a while he again went east and enlisted in Company A, 8th Vermont Volunteer Infantry, serving until the close of the war. Hostilities concluded, he came to Stanton township once more and purchased the place upon which he has since resided. He cleared the land himself, brought it under cultivation and carried on general farming, an occupation in which he continues at the present time. Aside from raising the usual crops, he also does dairy farming and sells considerable cream. He also raises sheep, a subject to which he has given much thought. The farm, which with its neat house and well-kept barn, presents a strong contrast to the wild land upon which Mr. Van Guilder first built his rough log cabin, originally consisted of 194 acres, but forty acres was recently sold to a son, leaving 154 acres. Mr. Van Guilder is a Republican in political views and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, but of late years he has at many elections voted independently on those occasions when the merits of the candidates seemed a greater issue than the platform of the parties. He has for some years past affiliated himself with the McKinley Post, No. 92, G. A. R., at Cannon Falls. Although not an office seeker, he has consented at various times to serve as road overseer and on the school board. Mr. Van Guilder was married in 1859 to Harriet Cooper, daughter of Matthew and Mary Cooper, who on July 3, 1909, celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage. The Van Guilder home has been blessed with seven sturdy children: Mary, Carrie, Fred, Nathan, Daniel, Charles and George, all of whom are alive.

WALLACE VAN GUILDER, of Stanton township, was born in New York state June 28, 1843, son of Phenner and Jane Van Guilder, natives of New York state, where they were engaged in farming until their death. Wallace Van Guilder received his education in the common schools of the state, and worked in a stave factory for several years. When the war broke out he enlisted, in July, 1862, in Company B, 14th Vermont Volunteer Infantry, served in the Army of the Potomac and took part in all the battles of the campaign, including the battle of Gettysburg. He was discharged in Vermont in 1864. After his return home, on receiving his discharge from the army, he decided to come west, locating in Cannon Falls, where he worked in the hotel for a time, after which he rented a farm in partnership with his cousin, and engaged in farming. He went back later, to New York, and worked for one year for an old comrade, after which he again returned to Cannon Falls and purchased 182 acres of land in Stanton township, where he has been engaged in general farming for twenty years. He was at one time also engaged in ball playing, being a professional. He played with the Minnehaha club, of Northfield, Minn., which held the championship of Minnesota until they disbanded in 1868. All the improvements on his land and buildings have been made by himself, and about 120 acres is under cultivation. He is now retired and his stepson rents the farm. Mr. Van Guilder was married in November, 1869, to Aribell Poe, daughter of Richard and Margaret Poe, by whom he had three children: Milton A., living in Stanton; Julia, who married Dr. Houston, now of Montana, and one child who died in infancy. His wife died, and later he married Mrs. Matilda Saylor, who had three children by her first marriage, Elizabeth, Frank, now deceased, and Lester, the latter of whom rents the farm. Wallace and Matilda Van Guilder have one son, Jesse, who is attending the State University, where he is preparing to practice dentistry. Mr. Van Guilder is a Republican, but has never sought or held any public office. He affiliates with the George McKinley Post, No. 92, G. A. R., of Cannon Falls. Mr. Van Guilder's uncle and grandmother were victims of the Indian massacre near New Ulm, Minn.

A. H. VAN VOORHIS, now deceased, was born in Dutchess county, New York, in 1830, son of Christian and Elizabeth (Hate) Van Voorhis, natives of New York, of Holland descent. A. H. came west in 1856 and located in Minnesota, where he took up land in Section 34 of Stanton township, and remained several years, after which he removed to the present homestead of 160 acres, also in Stanton township, and engaged in general farming until his death in 1906. All the improvements on the place were made by himself, the first home of the family here being a log house, which was on the farm when he purchased it. He later erected a more comfortable home and other outbuildings, making general improvements. In 1857 he was married to Catherine Lipp. Her parents were natives of Ohio, where she was born, and where her father was engaged at his trade of tailor. Mr. and Mrs. Van Voorhis were blessed with seven children: Elizabeth, married to Manley Davis, of Stanton township; Eugene, now of Wisconsin; Georgette, living at Cascade; Walter, who manages the farm; Abbie (deceased); Oliver, now of Canada; and Lewis, a farmer of Warsaw township. Mr. Van Voorhis was a Republican in his politics, and held several offices in the township. He was a veteran of the Civil War, enlisted in 1864, was assigned to the army of the Cumberland and Tennessee, and took part in all the battles of the campaign. He was a member of the G. A. R. and Masons of Cannon Falls. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Van Voorhis was a man of staunch character and kindly disposition, a worthy example of those pioneers whose belief in the right and abhorrence of the wrong served to make the county a place of peace and order since the earliest settlement. He was a faithful husband, solicitous of the welfare and pleasure of his family, never so happy as when doing something for the comfort of his wife and the prosperity of his children. His death was sincerely mourned by the community in which he lived, by the societies to which he belonged, by the church in which he was a worshiper and by the family in which he was loved the best.

CARL VEEK, a prosperous farmer of Warsaw township, was born in Rock county, Wisconsin, January 15, 1871. His parents were Halgren and Julia (Mikkelson) Veek, natives of Norway. The father came to America with the grandparents in 1852, and located in Rock county, Wisconsin, where they engaged in farming. Later he purchased the homestead of 280 acres and farmed until 1898. The mother died in 1898, and the son Carl now manages the farm and makes a home for his father. Carl received his education at Decorah, Iowa, entering Luther College at the age of fourteen years, and spending four years there. Then he went to Northfield, and attended St. Olaf's College one year. In 1889 he came into possession of 250 acres of land in Warsaw township, of which nearly all was under cultivation ; and engaged in general farming, dairying and stock raising, continuing to improve his farm in many ways. October 7, 1889, he was married to Petrine Brekken, daughter of Even and Bertha (Oldre) Brekken, natives of Norway, who immigrated in 1856 to Stoughton, Dane county, Wisconsin. In 1860 they removed to Minnesota and purchased 160 acres of land, gradually increasing this to 385 acres. They carried on farming until 1888, when they retired from active life, but remaining on the homestead, where the father died in 1891. The mother is still living at Warsaw. Mr. and Mrs. Veek have had nine children: Even (deceased); Herman Julius, Byron, Josephine, Clara, and Minnie, who are at home, and Evangeline, Clara P., and Ole, deceased. Mr. Veek is a Republican in politics and has served as chairman of Warsaw township for the past four yeai's, clerk of school district 53 for the past twelve years, and president of the Goodhue County Good Roads Association for two years. The family faith is that of the Lutheran church.

JOHN O. VOLLAN was born in Minneola, in which township he still resides, in 1872, son of Ole H. and Mali (Langness) Vollan, both natives of Norway. Ole H. came to America with his parents, John P. and Beret (Sagpn) Vollan, in 1858, and located in Minneola township. Here they purchased eighty acres of land in section 8, which they cleared and cultivated, and engaged in farming. They erected a home, barn and other buildings necessary, and added eighty acres more of land to their farm. The mother Beret, died in 1879, and the father, John P., in 1893. Ole H. was married in 1868 to Mali Langness, daughter of Ole and Gertrude (Fundaune) Langness, natives of Norway, who came to this country in 1866, locating in Minneola township, where they remained but a short time, removing to South Dakota, where they engaged in farming. The father, Ole Langness, died in 1896, and the mother, Gertrude, in 1899. There were four children in the Vollan home-Beret, who lives at home; John O. the subject of this sketch, who manages the homestead; Ole 0. and Hans, who are both deceased. John received his education in the common schools and worked with his father on the farm until in 1898, when he entered business in a general store at Zumbrota, which he conducted for one year, after which he sold and returned home and took charge of the farm in 1900, his father retiring from active life, but still remaining on the homestead. John 0. has made a great many improvements on the farm and buildings, and rents eighty acres, carrying on a general line of farming, dairying and stock raising. He is single. Mr. Vollan is Republican in politics, and is a member of the Lutheran Church.

FREDRICH VOLLMERS, a well known farmer, of Goodhue township, was born in Germany, January 16, 1872, son of John P. and Anna (Bomback) Vollmers, natives of Germany. After the death of the father, in 1887, mother and son determined to seek their fortune in America, and accordingly set sail in 1888. Upon reaching Belvidere, Fredrich worked for a time on a farm, and then pursued a similar vocation in Zumbrota, after which, in 1901, he purchased 160 acres in the township of Goodhue, where he now lives and carries on general farming, also breeding horses and stock with great success. His mother now makes her home in Featherstone township. Mr. Vollmers is a Republican in politics. He was married December 17, 1896, to Maggie Reese, by whom he has three children, William D., Arthur P. and Minnie, all living at home. Mrs. Vollmers is the daughter of Detrich and Engle (Hendricks) Reese, natives of Germany, who came to America some years ago and located in Goodhue township, where they purchased 160 acres of land and carried on general farming. Her father and mother are now both dead. Mr. Vollmers has two brothers and four sisters. Henry and John are proprietors of the Vollmers House, in Red Wing. Maggie M., who died in 1908, was the wife of Charles Dahling, of Hay Creek. Mattie is the wife of Christ Hinek, a Featherstone farmer; Mary is the wife of John Augustine, also a Featherstone farmer, and Annie is the wife of Ernest Wildt, a farmer living in Germany.

LARS H. VOXLAND, of Wanamingo township, was born in Holden township, September 1, 1861, son of Halvor and Clara (Quam), natives of Norway, who came to America in the late fifties, and located in Wisconsin, where they were married and came to Holden township in 1858, where they purchased eighty acres of land to which they added from time to time, until they had in all, 680 acres, all in Holden township. Here they carried on general farming until the death of the father, March 4, 1894. The mother is still living on the old homestead with her son George. Lars received his education in the common schools of Holden township and the high school at Faribault, Minn. After leaving school he worked with his father on the farm until he was twenty-one years of age, when he came to Wanamingo township and purchased 251 acres in Section 19, where he has since carried on general farming and stock raising. He has added land at different times to his farm, until he now has a fine farm of 750 acres, all in Wanamingo township, except 110 acres, which is in Holden township, but adjoins the other land. It is all under cultivation. On October 27, 1882, Mr. Voxland was married to Christine Aabye, daughter of Thorsten A. and Olena (Bergan) Aabye, natives of Norway, who came to Dodgeville, Wis., from Norway in 1851. In 1854 they removed to Wanamingo township and took up a homestead of 160 acres of wild land which the father improved, following general farming until his death, May 3, 1901. The mother is still living with her daughter at the age of eighty-three years. She and her husband, with two others, Henry Nelson and William Ronnin, were among the first settlers in this locality. Mr. and Mrs. Voxland have been blessed with ten children: Clara, married to Ole L. Thoen, of Litchfield, Minn.; Lena (deceased) ; Halvor, who is a farmer of Wanamingo, married to Hannah. Wrolstad, June 3, 1909; Olof, Lena, Laura, Manton, Alice, Harriett, who are at home, and Carl (deceased). Mr. Voxland is an independent voter, and has been treasurer of school district No. 148. He is one of the directors of the Farmers' Elevator in Kenyon. The family faith is that of the Lutheran church.

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