Trails to the Past

Minnesota

Goodhue County

Biographies

History of Goodhue County
Franklyn, Curtiss, Wedge
1910

 

 

LARS A. WALSVIK, of Wanamingo township, was born in Norway, November 24, 1847, son of Andreas and Segre (Nesseth), natives of Norway, who came to America in 1856, settling in Illinois, and remaining there three years. In 1859 they came to Wanamingo township where they purchased 120 acres of wild land, which the father broke and improved, following general farming until his death, February 19, 1906. The mother died June 26, 1906. Lars received his education in the common schools and worked on the farm until 1882, when he went to North Dakota, later returning and purchasing the old homestead, where he has made many improvements. He now follows general farming.  Mr. Walsvik was married in July, 1875, to Inga M. Gjesme, daughter of Lars and Anna (Mayland) Gjesme. The mother died several years ago, but the father is still living. Mrs. AYalsvik died April 13, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Walsvik have had nine children: Sarah who lives at home ; Anna, now Mrs. Anders Turk, of Minneapolis ; Alma, of Minneapolis ; Leonard, living at home ; Louisa, married to 0. Lee, of Wanamingo; Hattie, married to C. M. Nesseth ; Bertha, Inger, and Mary, who live at home. Mr. Walsvik is a Republican in politics, and has held the offices of supervisor and town treasurer, for several years. He is now treasurer of school district No. 61, which office he has held for the past five years.  He is a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator of Kenyon. 

EDWARD WALTER was born in Pine Island township, May 10, 1866, son of Christian and Susan (Bringgold) natives of New York, and came to Pine Island township in 1866 and bought forty acres of land which is inside of the corporation. They are still living in Pine Island. Edward received his education in the common schools of the township, and later engaged in farming.  He now has 160 acres of land under cultivation in Pine Island township, and carries on general farming and stock raising. He has a fine farm, which is well cared for and improved, with good buildings, has a new barn, forty by seventy, and a good house.  He was married in 1899 to Minnie Manthei, and two children have blessed this union. Elmer H. and Viola, both of whom are at home. Mr. Walter is an independent voter and a successful farmer. He is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. No. 84 and he and his family attend the German Lutheran church. 

JOHN I. WANGEN was born in Warsaw township, where he still lives, August 16, 1869, son of Iver Wangen and Iugeborg (Loven) Wangen, natives of Norway, who emigrated to America in 1864 and settled first at Stoughton, Wis., remaining one year, subsequently locating in Red Wing and later in Leon township, where the father farmed and worked at masonry. Again they moved, this time settling in Warsaw township, where they purchased eighty acres of land which the father broke and improved, and built a log house, in which they lived for a time. Later he built a more comfortable house, with barns and other outbuildings, and continued to improve the land, carrying on a general line of farming, adding to his land, as he was able, until he owned 200 acres in all. In 1899 they retired from active life, but continue to live on the homestead. John I. received his education in the common schools of the township and worked on the farm until in 1899, when he and his brother assumed the management of the homestead, improving and carrying on general farming and dairying. They also rent forty-six acres. In the family there were seven children, six boys and one girl. The boys are: Andrew I., who is a farmer in Becker county; Hans I., John I., Christian I., Elias I., and Martin I. The girl, Betsy I., died in 1889. Mr.  Wangen is a Republican, having served as supervisor for one year, and treasurer of school district 147. He is also interested in the Farmers' Elevator at Dennison.

JOHN T. WANGEN, formerly known as Johannes Tostenson, enjoys the distinction of having been chairman of Warsaw township twenty-two years. He Was born in Aurlands Vangen, Bergens Stift, Norway, September 26, 1839, son of Tosten and Breta Wangen, the former of whom died in 1874 and the latter in 1864.  He received his education in the public schools and clerked in a store in Bergen until coming to America in 1858. The voyage was long and dangerous, and the ship was disabled, making it doubtful at one time whether the passengers would ever reach the shore in safety. After working in Dane county, Wisconsin, and working in a sawmill in the city of Winona, Minn., he came to Warsaw township in 1866 and bought 160 acres of land, which he broke, cultivated and improved. Previous to this, however, he enlisted in the Civil War and served honorably from April 22, 1862, to April 22, 1865. Mr. Wangen now owns 270 acres of highly cultivated land, and until 1906, when he retired, conducted general farming and stock raising on a large scale. April 9, 1869, he was married to Carrie J. Buene, daughter of Jens and Ragnald Buene, the former of whom died in 1895 and the latter in 1897.  The home of Mr. and Mrs. Wangen has been blessed with seven children: Thomas; Betsy M., wife of William Dunn; Roggine, wife of Anton Daniels; Jesine, wife of John Owoumb; and John, Joseph and Carl, who live on the farm. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran church, Mr. Wangen having been trustee of the Erland church. Aside from his rich farm, Mr. Wangen owns an interest in the cheese factory and elevator at Stanton, and in the elevator at Dennison. For many years past he has been an honored member of the G. A. R. Post at Cannon Falls. Highly esteemed and honored, he is one of those citizens who go to make up the rank and file of the substantial, law-abiding and God-fearing citizens of Goodhue county. 

MRS. ELLEN M. (CORNELL) WARREN, the pioneer dressmaker of Red Wing, is a native of Spring Arbor, Mich., born on May day, in 1844. Her parents, James and Lucinda (Crowl) Cornell, were natives of New York state, and came of old New York state stock. After the death of the father at Spring Arbor, Mich., the mother married S. W. Roberts, of that place. The family came to Red Wing in 1862, and Mr. Roberts engaged in drWing and teaming, being also a veterinary surgeon of much skill. In 1888 Mr. and Mrs. Roberts went to Ellsworth, Wis., and there Mr. Roberts practiced his profession until his death, February 22, 1892. Shortly after coming here with her parents, Ellen, as she was then called by her friends, opened a dressmaking establishment with her mother. This was a great innovation in a community where heretofore the women had done their own sewing.  or else had their "best dresses" made in St. Paul. July 19, 1863, Ellen M. Cornell married Edwin F. Gaylord, of this city.  Mr. Gaylord was employed for the remarkably long period of thirty-one years as bookkeeper for T. B. Sheldon & Co. He died July 30, 1892. To Mr. and Mrs. Gaylord were born four children. Lillian M., born June 29, 1864, married John P. Constantine, a Red Wing cabinet maker. Frederick M., born February 22, 1873 died August 23, 1879. Inez B., born October 22, 1874, died August 24 the following year. Edwin R., born December 25, 1877, is employed by the Englewood Spring Company at Minneapolis. Mr. Gaylord was a Democrat in politics and for several years held municipal office. His widow was married, for the second time, September 30, 1903, at Hastings, Minn., to Delos A. Warren, of Red Wing. Mr. and Mrs. Warren now live at 413 Potter street, where they have a very pleasant home. Mrs. Warren is a woman of many attainments, and has many interesting anecdotes to tell of dressmaking in the early days, as well as of other important events and people which came under her observation.

IRA D. WARREN, of Zumbrota village, hardware merchant and former miller, is a native New Yorker, born March. 22, 1842, son of Sheldon H. and Sally (Calkins) Warren, also natives of New York state. The father, who was a shoemaker and farmer by trade, came with his family to Goodhue county in 1867, and located in Roscoe township, where he followed farming until his retirement in 1893. Three years later he died. His widow survived until 1903, when she, too, passed to her eternal reward.  Ira D. had scarcely left school when the Civil War broke out. He consequently enlisted at Herkimer county, New York, in Company B. One Hundred and Twenty-first New York Volunteer Infantry, in the fall of 1862, and served until June, 1865, when he was discharged at Annapolis, Md. He participated in the bloody carnage at South Mountain, Antietam, First and Second Fredericksburg, Rappahannock, Battle of the Wilderness and Spottsville. In the latter battle he received an ankle wound and was captured. For ten months he was imprisoned at Andersonville, but was later exchanged.  Upon his return to New York state he farmed for a year and then came to Roscoe township with his parents and remained four years. Subsequently he spent eighteen years as a miller in Zumbrota. During that time he was a prominent and popular citizen, and when he became an aspirant for the position of postmaster, the people were almost unanimous in desiring his appointment. He served in this capacity over five years, and then conducted the Forest Mills elevator four years, after which he became manager of the Wabasha Riller Mills elevator at Zumbrota for three years. He then purchased a 175-acre farm two miles from the city, and managed this for three years. In 1908, in company with his son, he purchased the hardware business of W. F. Bevers & Son, which has since been conducted under the name of Ira D. Warren & Son. Mr. Warren stands high in Masonic circles, and has been a member of the Blue Lodge thirtyfive years. Of this lodge he has served as master several terms.  He also belongs to the Royal Arch chapter, of which he has served as high priest several terms, and to the lesser Masonic degrees.  He has been commander several years of Scofield Post, No. 121, G. A. R. While he has never been an active politician, he is a Republican in politics, and has served on the village council and the school board. Mr. Warren was married September 19, 1866, to Cordelia A. Gaskell, of New York state, who died October 24, 1908. They have had the following children : Lelah M., born in November, 1867, married to Carl L. Strom, cashier of the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank at Minneapolis, and Sheldon Deforest, born in December, 1876, who is in partnership with his father; Herbert, who died at the age of three and a half years. The family worships at the Congregational Church. 

LAFAYETTE H. WATTS, of Minneola township, is a native of New York state, born July 6, 1848, son of Richard and Mary (Locke) Watts, who emigrated to the west in 1858, locating near Baraboo, Wis., for one year. After living in various other places they came to Zumbrota township in 1873, and engaged in general farming. The father died in 1901, while on a visit to his old home in New York state, and the mother died in Minneapolis, January, 1908. Lafayette received his education in the public schools and followed the fortunes of the family until 1886, when he went to North Dakota. There he farmed until 1896, when he returned to Zumbrota township and resumed agricultural operations. From that year until 1906 he owned and conducted the Zumbrota hotel, after which he purchased a pleasant home, surrounded by seven acres of land in Minneola township, just outside the village limits of Zumbrota. Here he has since continued to reside. Mr. Watts is a well-known member of the Masons, the Modern Woodmen and the Modern Brotherhood. His political affiliations are with the Republican party, but he is to a large degree an independent voter. He is a thorough believer in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Watts was married August 3, 1873, at Zumbrota, to Athelia Miller, daughter of A. J. Miller, an early settler. Five children have blessed this union-Amelia, born September 16, 1874, died March 16, 1893.  Edith, born July 6, 1877, is now Mrs. Chauncy Coffman, of Portland, Ore. Truman N., born May 25, 1884, was the third child.  Lafayette A., born in October, 1893, and Reginald R., born March 16, 1897, live at home and attend the public schools. 

WILLIAM LARNARD WEBSTER, retired, has engaged successively in several Red Wing business enterprises. Of New England ancestry, he was born at Croydon, N. H., February 19, 1826, his father, William W. (married to Azuba Gale) being of that sturdy type of Yankee blacksmith immortalized by Longfellow in his famous poem, "The Village Blacksmith." The father died in 1867 and the mother in 1874. William L. received his early education in Claremont, Sullivan county, New Hampshire, and at Windsor, in the same state. The tailoring trade, which he then learned, was his occupation at Windsor and Charleston, N. H., until 1856. On his arrival in Red Wing, in that year, he became proprietor of the Kelley house, a popular hostelry of the early days. A year later he opened a jewelry store, and still another year later he embarked in the livery business. In those days Red Wing had no railroads, and the demand for horses was great.  Year by year the business grew, the livery, boarding and sale stables all being conducted on a successful scale. In 1906, after many years of hard work, he sold out his business and retired.  He still makes his home in Red Wing, he and his wife living at 705 Fourth street. Mr. Webster was married at Hartland, Vt., June 19, 1848, to Susan W. Sturtevant, of that place, daughter of Thomas F. and Rosaline T. (Taylor) Sturtevant, the former of whom was a manufacturer of cloth. The father died in 1876 and the mother in 1890. To Mr. and Mrs. Webster has been born one son, Frank, head clerk and manager of the Willard hotel at St.  Paul. W. L. Webster is a Universalist in religion, a Republican in politics and a member of the Odd Fellows.

HENRY E. WEISS, treasurer of the Zumbrota village school board and cashier of the Security State Bank, of Zumbrota, is a native of this county, born in Minneola township, November 19, 1878, son of Henry J. and Mary (Starz) Weiss, well known farmers of that township. He received his education in the district schools of Minneola, the public schools of Zumbrota, and the Red Wing Business College. At once after completing a course in the latter institution he entered the Security State Bank, in 1897, as bookkeeper. In 1899 he was made assistant cashier and in 1902 was promoted to his present position. He is an ardent supporter of the Republican party and has served the village three years as recorder and three years as treasurer.  He belongs to the English Lutheran Church and affiliates with the Masons, the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Elks. Mr. Weiss was married November 5, 1902, to Winifred Tucker, daughter of Richmond and Cornelia Tucker, farmers and fruit raisers of Kasson, Minn. This union has been blessed with one child, Marion, born May 29, 1904, who is the idol of the household.

HENRY J. WEISS, retired farmer of Zumbrota township, is a worthy example of those men of a sturdy race who left the shores of Europe for the new world, where by dint of frugal habits and hard labor they achieved for themselves a name and a fortune which is an honor to themselves, and a noble heritage to posterity.  He has been a county commissioner and has served as chairman of Minneola township and school clerk for several terms. He has also been clerk of the German Lutheran Church at Zumbrota many years. Mr. Weiss was born in Germany, August 8, 1849, and there received an excellent education. In 1862 he came to America with his mother and brother, and worked on a farm in Minneola township with them until 1870, when he assumed charge of the old homestead. From that date until 1902 he carried on general farming on 400 acres of good land, and then retired, renting his farm and moving to a pleasant home which he erected in the village of Zumbrota. In this residence he has since lived.  Mr. Weiss was married October 30, 1873, to Mary Starz, daughter of Jacob and Rosina Starz, natives of Germany, who upon coming to this country located in Zumbrota. The home of Mr. and Mrs.  Weiss has been blessed by three children. Anna L., born October 11, 1875, is now Mrs. Charles Grover, of Zumbrota. Henry E., born November 19. 1878, is cashier of the Security State Bank, of Zumbrota. Ida J., born February 24, 1881, is now Mrs. Anton Johnson, of Zumbrota. Mr. Weiss, together with R. 0. Lund, were the prime movers in founding the State Bank, and Mr. Weiss has been a director ever since. He is also a director in the Security State Bank.

OSCAR R. WERMUTH, the leading furrier of Red Wing, having an establishment located on Main street, is a German by birth, having first seen the light of day in the German empire, November 24, 1873. His father, William Wermuth, and his mother, whose maiden name was Augusta Fredricka, came to America in 1879 and lived about seven years in Chicago, the father working at his trade as furrier. They then located at St. Paul, where William Wermuth opened a fur establishment, remaining in this business until his death, April 11, 1907. The mother died February 11, 1907. Oscar R. went through the public and high schools of St. Paul and also took a course in manual training. At the age of nineteen he started in life for himself as a clerk in the "Standard" office, remaining seven years. Another year, during which time he was employed as clerk in the Minnesota Club, completed his residence in St. Paul. He came to Red Wing in the fall of 1896, and with his father as partner opened a fur dealing establishment on Plum street. This firm was later changed to O. R. Wermuth & Co., with Oscar R. Wermuth and Fred A. Busch as partners. This business Mr. Wermuth has since continued, the store now being on Main street. The business is constantly increasing, and Mr. Wermuth handles not only the finest goods but also has the select trade of Red Wing and the surrounding country. Mr. Wermuth is a Democrat in politics and belongs to the Woodmen, the United Workmen, the Yeomen, the Elks, the Red Men, the Samaritans, the Union Commercial Travelers and the Red Wing Commercial Club. He served four years as a member of Company G. Oscar R. Wermuth was married June 26, 1901, to Elizabeth C. Metzler, of Red Wing, daughter of Daniel and Bertha (Denslage) Metzler, the former of whom, a native of Germany, was a Red Wing brewer. He died July 27, 1906. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Wermuth has been blessed with one daughter, Helen Maria, born March 11, 1901. Mr. Wermuth is a member of the German Lutheran and his wife of the Roman Catholic church.

CHARLES HENRY WEST, of Pine Island village, was born in Roscoe township July 11, 1857, son of Lyman and Emeline (Rinehart) West. He was educated in the common schools of his neighborhood, and after leaving school worked at farming for ten years in the same township. In 1883 he went to South Dakota, and took up a homestead in Weston township, Marshall county, where he resided fourteen years, being town clerk two terms. For two years he lived in Amherst, conducting a hardware and grocery store, and in 1896 went, to Douglass county, Minnesota, remaining two years, then to Stearns county, where he lived for five years. He was in the hardware business in Brooten, Stearns county, for two years, after which he returned to Pine Island in 1904 and entered into partnership with T. C.  Nolan in the hardware business. He also managed a furniture store in the Cron building, which he conducted for one year.  In the spring of 1909 he and his brother George purchased the R. J. Beire hardware stock and moved the furniture stock. They now conduct a general house furbishing store, carrying a full line of hardware and furnishings. In 1877 he was married to Zell (Perkins) daughter of Hubard and Miranda Edget. They have two children-Hazel N. and Hattie E. Mr. West is independent in his politics. He is a member of the M. W. A. 

GEORGE R. WEST, of Pine Island village, was born in New York state, July 6, 1850, son of Lyman and Emeline (Rinehart) West, who in 1852 came to Iowa, where they rented land for two years.  In 1855 they came to Pine Island, remaining over the summer, going in 1856 to Roscoe township, where they resided for the remainder of their lives, the father dying May 8, 1875, and the mother December 25, 1904. George received his education in the common schools of the township, and also in the Pine Island schools, remaining on the farm with his father until he was twenty-three years of age. He then bought a farm in the same township and engaged in farming for himself. In 1872 he was married to Anna (Page), daughter of Robert and Bara (Cole) Page, who were old settlers of this county, coming in 1861, and engaging in farming. Both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs.  West had seven children: Libbey, Lunie, Nettie, Lyman, Sadie, Earl and Lynn. In 1883 the family moved to Dakota, where they spent fourteen years, after which they sold their farm and went to Pope county, Minnesota, remaining for four years. There Mrs.  West died in 1899. Mr. West then returned to Roscoe township with his family and took charge of the homestead, his mother living with him until her death, after which he farmed for several years. In 1907 he went to Wyoming, Minn., where he bought a farm, remaining until 1909, when he sold out and entered into business in Pine Island, which he has since conducted. In 1905 Mr. West was married to Jessie Sterling, by whom he has one child, Alice. Mr. West is independent in his politics. While a resident of Dakota he held the position of town treasurer and was a member of the school board, also justice of the peace.  He was at one time member of the Good Templars. 

MARTEN C. WESTERMO, of Wanamingo township, has attained honor and distinction during his lifelong residence in this county.  He was born in Holden township, March 13, 1856, and received such school training as his district afforded. As a boy he helped about the farm, and after leaving school he remained on the old homestead until 1882, when his father presented him with 160 acres on which he farmed until coming to Wanamingo in 1889.  At the present time he carries on general farming, owning 110 acres upon which he has erected a pleasant home and some fine barns. In the midst of a busy life, he has found time to attend to higher things and has taken a prominent part in the United Lutheran church, being especially interested in the parochial schools connected with that body. He was married May 22, 1877, to Anna M. Huseth, by whom he has eight children : Rev. Christian, born March 24, 1879, now of New York city; Halvor, born October 23, 1881, and Isaac, born August 14, 1883, both of North Dakota; Ingeborg, born December 9, 1886; Alfred, born March 27, 1889 ; Aslang, born May 4, 1891, Laura, born September 17, 1893, and Herman, born July 13, 1897, all at home.  The parents of Mrs. Marten C. Westermo were Halvor Olsen and Aslang Huseth, both born in Norway, the former in 1824 and the latter in 1828. Upon coming to America in 1844 he engaged in farming at Stoughton, Wis., for twelve years. In 1856 they came to Wanamingo township, this county, with the early pioneers and bought a farm, making the usual developments and improvements. The mother died January 18 and the father August 23, 1901. Christian and Ingeborg (Hansdatter) Westermo, parents of Marten C. Westermo, were born in Norway, the former in 1812 and the latter in 1815. In his early manhood the father was manager of a lumber estate, but upon coming to America in 1846 he engaged in farming at Sugar Creek, Wis., for two years. In 1856 they came to Holden township, this county, with the early pioneers and homesteaded 160 acres, making the usual developments and improvements. The mother died March 20, 1885, and the father spent his declining years with his son. 

AUGUST WESTERSON, a well known resident of Welch village, was born in Sweden October 1, 1854, son of Lars and Betsy (Nelson) Westerson, natives of Sweden, who came to America in 1855 and settled in Moline, 111., where they remained a short time, after which they came to Minnesota and bought land in Vasa township, and engaged in farming until in 1895 when they retired and spent the remainder of their lives with their children.  The father died in 1898 and the mother in 1902. A. Westerson was educated in the common schools of the county, after which he worked on the railroad. In 1873 he learned the milling trade, which he followed until 1903. He spent two and a half years in the Diamond Milling Company at Red Wing, then went to Hastings where he rented and operated the mill there until 1892 when he went back to Welch, operated the Welch Holler Mill until 1903, and then took charge of the elevator there. He was also agent for the Great Western railroad until June, 1909. Mr.  Westerson was married in 1876 to Kate Larkin, who died in January, 1880. In 1882 he was married to Margaret Wynn, daughter of Pat and Catherine Wynn, old settlers of Belle Creek township, where they were farmers. To this union was born one child, Marie, who lives at home. The mother died in 1908. Mr.  Westerson has one sister and two brothers living. The sister, Esther, married J. R. Tampain, of Cannon Falls; Charles lives at Abercrombie, N. D., and Frank is in Montana. Mr. Westerson is independent in politics and while in Hastings served as commissioner and alderman. He belongs to the M. W. A. of Cannon Falls.

GUSTAV WESTMAN, now deceased, was a leader in the affairs of Cannon Falls township and village and also in matters pertaining to the Swedish Lutheran church, of which he was a prominent member. A^ mayor his services were highly esteemed and as a justice of the peace his decisions were always wise and conservative. Born in Sweden January 20, 1828, he attended the common schools, and like the other young men of his country, entered the standing army. From 1853 to 1856 he lived in Lafayette, Ind., and in the latter year came to Cannon Falls, where he opened a mercantile establishment, continuing until his death, February 5, 1887. He was married June 9, 1878, to Mrs. Josephine (Hawkins) Norelius, daughter of Nels and Eva (Kolstrom) Hawkins, who, after leaving their native country of Sweden, lived in Indiana from 1853 to 1856, and then came to Cannon Falls, engaging in farming for the remainder of their lives. The father died April 10, 1889, and the mother May 10, 1889. Mrs. Westman was born in Sweden February 23, 1816, and received an excellent, education, being a most estimable woman in every respect. There is one daughter in the family, Eva Westman, who lives at home.

CHARLES J. WHIPPLE, a prosperous farmer of Zumbrota township, was born in Madison county, New York, September 10, 1846, son of Michael and Mary (Eddy) Whipple, natives and prominent farmers of New York state. The father died in 1870 and the mother in 1856. Charles J. received his education in New York state, after which he took up farming near Rochester, N. Y., until coming west in 1865. In Zumbrota township, February 18, 1886, he bought eighty acres of land and later eighty acres adjoining this, which he has broken and improved. Besides this 160 acres, he has 160 acres in Wabasha county. Mr. Whipple was married in February, 1866, to Laura Nichols, daughter of Harsha Nichols, a prominent farmer of Zumbrota. The children by this wife were: Charles, Lewis and Mary, deceased; Clarence, who is engaged in farming at West Concord, Minn.; and Wallace, who is at Zumbrota Falls, Minn. After the death of the mother of these children, the father was married in 1883 to Mary Colling, daughter of Charles Colling, a furniture manufacturer at Mazeppa. She died March 7, 1897. By this union there were nine children: Marvin, who is at South Troy, Wabasha county; William, who is in Wabasha county; Martha, who is at home; Dolly, who is in Olmsted county; George, Nellie, John, Elsie and Edna are at home. Mr. Whipple is an independent Republican in politics and the family are worshipers at the Methodist Episcopal church. He has served on the school board in his district. Mr. Whipple is a hard-working, conscientious man and well deserves the success he has gained.

ALONZO D. WHITNEY, another early settler of Red Wing, now deceased, was a native of Florida, Orange county, New York, born September 4, 1815. His parents, John and Susanna (Smith) Whitney, lived and died in New York state. Alonzo, after leWing school, took up the business of contractor and builder, and in 1857 came to Red Wing, when in the earliest days of its growth. His services were at once in demand, and many of the early dwellings in this city were erected under his supervision.  Soon, however, came the rumors of the disruption of the North and South, and Mr. Whitney raised and drilled a company, but was barred from enlisting on account of the age limit. The Brooklyn Light Guard, of which he was a member, afterward attained distinction on many a bloody field of carnage. Although too old to- enlist, the services of Mr. Whitney were highly valued, and in 1861 he was called to Mount City, 111., where for some four years he was employed by the government in the navy yard. In May, 1865, he returned to Red Wing and took up his business, continuing same until 1871, when he was afflicted with a stroke of paralysis, after which he was an invalid for seventeen years, his death resulting January 26, 1889. Mrs. Whitney is living at the age of eighty-nine years, but since, last July (1908) she has been in poor health as the result of a stroke of apoplexy.  Mrs. Whitney Was born in Middlefield, Conn., June 15, 1820, and was married May 9, 1847. her maiden name hWing been Rosetta Birdsey. This union Was blessed with four children. Henrietta, born September 14, 1848, died August 13, 1855. Edgar Alonzo, born August 31, 1850, died July 14, 1853; Emma Was born May 4, 1855. May, born September 18, 1858, died December 14. 1859.  All the children Were born in Brooklyn except May, Who Was born in Red Wing. Alonzo R. Brink, whom Emma Whitney married December 7, 1880, is a well-known Red Wing contractor and builder. He Was born in Easton, Pa., July 21. 1852, son of Mahlon and Ann (Casely) Brink, both now deceased. Mr. Brink is a Republican in politics, and a Mason in fraternal affiliation.  For two terms he has served on the city council. Mrs. Brink, who is much interested in historical matters, has preserved her father's papers, and has many interesting letters written during War times, which throw much light on the events of those stirring days.

JOHN H. WHITSON, Stanton township, was born in Canada, January 15, 1862, son of Robert and Mary (Riddell) Whitson.  The father was a native of Scotland, and the mother of Canada.  They spent their early life in Canada, and came to Minnesota in 1863, settling in Sciota township, Dakota county, where they remained but a short time, after which they removed to Stanton, Goodhue county and engaged in farming up to the time of the father's death. They had a family of seven children, all of whom are living. John received his education in the common schools in the county, and at Northfield, where he attended Carleton College two years. After leaving school he took up farming in the western part of the state for a while, after which he went west and located in Portland, Ore., where he remained seven years, managing a drug store for two years and working in a shingle mill for five years. He then returned to Minnesota and settled in Stanton township on a farm of 240 acres, which is the old Miller homestead, and engaged in general farming and dairying.  In 1886 he was married to Cora Miller, daughter of H. D. Miller.  They have three children: Helen and Harry, attending high school at Northfield, and Claude, at home. Mr. Whitson is a Republican in his political views, is a supervisor of the township, and a member of the school board. Mr. Whitson is a Mason, member of Lodge No. 34 of Cannon Falls, and of the M. W. A.  camp 8466, of Stanton.

OLAUS WIGGEN, manager and part owner of the Red Wing Ice Company, is one of the twin sons of Christopher and Ollava (Jonas) Wiggen, born in Norway, January 6, 1844. The father was a farmer by occupation at Foster Parish, Norway, until his death. His wife is also now deceased. The twin brother of Olaus died in infancy. Another brother died at the age of six years and two sisters are also deceased. One sister still lives in Norway. Olaus received excellent educational advantages. He attended public school and the Farmers' Institute of his native town, and later, after an interim of working on his father's farm, he took a course in the Landbrook school at Werdahlen, Norway. His residence in America dates from 1866, when he located in Vasa township, where, like so many other young men just starting in life, he worked on a farm. After nine years of this work, he came to Red Wing in the fall of 1875 and entered the employ of W. R. Cross, the ice dealer, with whom he remained fifteen years. In the fall of 1891 he formed the Red Wing Ice Company, of which he has since been general manager. The company does a large business. Mr. Wiggen votes the Republican ticket and belongs to the Odd Fellows and the Elks. He was married at Red Wing, in the fall of 1885, to Annie Anderson of this city, daughter of Andrew Anderson, a native of Sweden.  Both parents are deceased, having never come to this country.  To Mr. and Mrs. Wiggen have been born three children. Charlotta graduated from the state university and now teaches school at Herman, Minn. Christopher is employed in Red Wing by the Wells Fargo Company. Henry is a clerk in the store of Sylvander Bros., Red Wing.

GEORGE WILKENSON, now deceased, was one of the pioneer builders of Red Wing, and many buildings now standing testify to his skill and conscientiousness. His parents, Thomas and Jane (Wilson) Wilkenson, were respected residents of Beckside, Yorkshire, England, where their son was born, March 8, 1818.  Amid the "flowering hedges and green lanes" of Old England, George received his education, and reached manhood. In 1840 he took to himself a wife, and started to raise a family of bonny children. The spirit of ambition was in his veins, however, and in 1851 he pulled up the roots of the family tree to transplant it again on American soil, where he and his were henceforth to make their home. The first location of the family was in Dubuque, la., 1852, then scarcely more than a frontier village. Two years later he moved to St. Paul, which at that time was also in comparative infancy. In both Dubuque and St. Paul he worked on a number of residences. In the spring of 1855 he came to Red Wing, and secured the contract for the faithful performance of which he will ever live in local history, that of building the first hall of the  large and influential Hamline University. In the fall of that year he brought his family here. He opened the first lumber yard in the city, and even thus early in pioneer days, while the log cabins of the original settlers were still standing, lie established his business of contractor and architectural draftsman.  For several years he was engaged in erecting some of the large business blocks of the city, and later purchased 1,200 acres in the, township of Featherstone, where he engaged in raising wheat. Still later he returned to Red Wing and became interested in the retail shoe business, dividing his time between that enterprise and looking after his various interests. He passed away March 21, 1896, and his wife, August 27, 1895, both at Red Wing.  Mr. Wilkenson was a Jeffersonian Democrat until the Civil War, but at the outbreak of that conflict he cast his lot with the Republican party, with which he was identified for the remainder of his life. He was a charter member of the Episcopal Church in this, city, and his name was many times mentioned at the celebration of the Fiftieth anniversary of that church, held in November, 1908. He was a member of the Red Wing city council, and for years served on the school board, having always raised his voice in favor of every project which tended to the betterment of the civic or school system of the city and county. Seven children survived to bear the mantle of honor and integrity left them by their parents. Mary J. lives in the old homestead at Red Wing. John, who was interested in a retail business in Red Wing for a number of years, located at St. Paul and became a silent partner in the dry goods firm of Tibbs, Hutchings & Co. He died in 1907, leWing a widow and one son, James Humphrey. Thomas has won wide distinction as president of the Upper Mississippi River Association. He is married and has one son, His home being at Burlington, la. Joseph is married and lives in Los Angeles, Cal. Albert, also married, is a partner in the wholesale business house of Greggs, Cooper & Co., at St. Paul. Eva A.  lives in Red Wing. She has one son, Harold A.  Anna makes her home with her sisters in Red Wing.

 

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