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Biographies
History of Olmstead County
Minnesota
Written by Joseph A. Leonard 1910
EARLY, WILLIAM G. -----is a native
of Scottsburg, McDonough county, Illinois, where his birth occurred
September 27, 1863, his parents being William and Catherine (Walker)
Early. The father was a native of Indiana and the mother of
Kentucky. The grandparents, Lewis and Sarah (Finney) Early, settled
in McDonough county, Illinois, in 1844, and there passed the
remainder of their lives engaged in farming. The grandfather, Gilman
Walker, was a prominent lawyer of Kentucky, a temperance lecturer
and a soldier in the Blackhawk war. William Early, father of
subject, was a soldier in the rebellion—a member of Company F,
Fifty-third Regiment Illinois Volunteers. He was captured by the
enemy at the battle of Shiloh and held as a prisoner of war for
three months, when he was paroled. He was honorably mustered out at
the close of the war.
William G. Early was reared on his
father’s farm and spent his youth in assisting his parents and in
securing an education at the district schools. He is the owner of
one of the best farms in Eyota township. As the farm is only a short
distance from Eyota, Mr. Early has made the village his home. His
land is on sections 16 and 21.
On August 21, 1898, he married Miss Winnie, the
daughter of Orville S. Armstrong, who was a native of
Vermont, where he was born in 1829, being the son of Spencer and
Clarinda (Stevens) Armstrong. They came west in 1860 and first
settled in Fillmore county, Minnesota, but later moved to St.
Charles. Mr. Armstrong was born in 1805 and died in 1887; his wife
was born in 1806 and passed away in 1870. Orville S. came to
Chatfield in 1855, but removed to Eyota in 1863. He was station
agent at that point, his first office being in a box-car. He also
was express agent and finally engaged in the mercantile business as
a member of the firm of Needham, Wheeler & Co. He was also
interested in the elevators at Eyota and Viola. Still later he
farmed. He was a Republican and a very prominent citizen. Mr. and
Mrs.
Early have one child—Lois May. He and wife are
Methodists.
EATON, BURT WINSLOW for many years
one of the ablest members of the Rochester bar, was born September
29, 1854, in Chautauqua county, New York. Lyman L. Eaton, his
father, was a native of Vermont, and was born August 19, 1809, a son
of Sylvanus Eaton, with whom he removed to New York state in
1817.
Lyman L. Eaton was a farmer by occupation as was his father
before him. He married Corana Martin, who was born in Vermont,
October 17, 1811, and with the tide of immigration flowing westward,
came to Rochester, Minnesota, in July, 1855, being one of Olmsted
county’s earliest pioneers. He was engaged in farming and also
lumbering quite extensively, and for many years, by reason of his
long service as a justice of the peace, was familiarly known as
“Judge” Eaton. To him and wife were born four children, named:
William, Harriet E., Warren L. and Burt W. Mr. Eaton died February
11, 1887, and Mrs. Eaton on March 15, 1890.
Burt W. Eaton has made his home in
Rochester practically his entire life. After graduating from the
Rochester High School he read law under the direction of Charles C.
Willson, was admitted to the bar, December 5, 1879, and began the
practice of his profession with Frank B. Kellogg under the firm name
of Kellogg & Eaton. October 1, 1887, this association was
dissolved by the removal of Mr. Kellogg to St. Paul, and since that
time Mr. Eaton has continued the practice alone. In politics he is a
Democrat, and, although he has occupied official positions, is in no
sense a politician. He has served as county attorney,
city recorder, mayor of Rochester and his incumbency of those
positions was characterized by ability and thoroughness. He ranks
among the ablest lawyers of the State of Minnesota.
On January 15, 1896, he was united in marriage
with Miss Ella B. Butler, daughter of George H. and Emma Butler, of
Medford, Minnesota, and they are the parents of one daughter, Elsie
Butler Eaton. Mr. Eaton is a Knight Templar Mason, a member of the
Mystic Shrine and a Knight of Pythias, and is also prominently
identified with other commercial and benevolent organizations of
Rochester.
EATON, W. J. -----of Rochester, is
the eldest in a family of three children born to the marriage of
Calvin R. Eaton and Julia Bodurtha, both of whom were natives of
Springfield, Massachusetts. William Eaton came from England to
America in 1638, locating in Massachusetts and he was the progenitor
of the family in this country. Calvin R. Eaton moved west with the
tide of immigration in 1857, and located at Grinnell, Iowa, where he
remained for a time. From there he removed to Minnesota, thence to
South Dakota, and finally located at Rochester, Olmsted county,
where he died in 1903.
W. J. Eaton passed his early days
in Iowa, attending the district schools, and later entering Iowa
College, from which he was graduated in 1871. Following his
graduation. he was associated with his father, who was a railroad
contractor, until 1874, when he embarked in the produce and
commission business at Grinnell. The growing dairy business of
southern Minnesota then attracted his attention, and in 1881 he came
to Rochester, and in partnership with C. L. Walker established the
first creamery in Olmsted county and, so far as can be learned, the
second in southern Minnesota, and also engaged in the buying and
selling of eggs and poultry. At the end of the year Mr. Walker
retired and the creamery business was sold and the trade confined to
eggs and poultry. But in 1906 he again returned to the creamery
business, enlarging considerably by adding a seed department. More
recently he has given his entire attention to buying and selling
eggs, poultry, butter, seed, etc., and has built up a business which
of its kind is second to none in the state, his egg business alone
amounting to over 100 carloads annually.
To his marriage with Miss Jennie Swan, daughter
of Hugh B. Swan, of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, two children have been
born, named Ethel, now Mrs. Albert J. Nason, of St. Paul and Helen.
This union was solemnized October 19, 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Eaton are
members of the Congregational church.
ECKHOLDT, WALTER -----register of
deeds for Olmsted county, was born in Rochester, Minnesota, August
24, 1873. Halftan A. Eckholdt, the well-known Rochester lawyer, his
father, was a native of Norway, and when a small boy was brought by
his parents to the United States, first settling in Waseca county,
Minnesota, where his parents died. Halftan A. Eckholdt received a
good practical education in youth, married Adaline Lane, and coming
to Rochester, embarked in the machine business. He subsequently took
up the study of law and was graduated from the legal department of
the Minnesota State University, since which time he has been
practicing his profession in Rochester.
Walter Eckholdt was graduated from the Rochester
High School in 1891, read law in his father’s office, and, entering
the law department of the Minnesota State University, was graduated
therefrom in 1896. He was associated with his father in practice
about one year, then embarked in mercantile pursuits, at which he
continued until 1896, when, having been nominated on the Republican
ticket as county recorder of deeds, he was duly elected as such, and
since January, 1906, has been occupying that position. In 1910 he
was re-nominated for that office. Mr. Eckholdt is a Republican in
politics, a believer in the Baptist faith, and is a member of the
Knights of Pythias. the Elks, the Eagles, the Royal Arcanum, the
Modern Woodmen of America, the Independent Order of Red Men, the
Court of Honor, the Sons of Norway, and the Rochester Commercial
Club. On July 8, 1897, he married Miss Caroline Hubbard, and the
following named five children have been born to them: Dorothy,
Margaret, William, Edith and Paul.
ECKLES, ERNEST R. -----editor and
proprietor of the Dover Independent, is the eldest son of George and
Emma G. Eckles. His parents were natives of Wressell, county of
York, England, and the state of New York, U. S. A., respectively,
the former parent dying at Omaha, Nebraska, April 22, 1908. He came
to Minnesota in October, 1858, and pre-empted a farm on section 24,
in the township of Eyota, Olmsted County.
On May 8, 1865, the subject of this sketch was
born, who, with the exception of about three years, has since
resided within Olmsted county. In the early seventies his parents
moved to the village of Dover, where they resided several years,
after which they moved to the village of Eyota, our subject
attending the public schools of these two places in the meantime. At
the age of nineteen years the boy was apprenticed to W. Dixon &
Company, in a tin shop and hardware store at Eyota, where he
remained for two years, when he returned to Dover and for about
seven years was in the employ of D. D. Kimball,
in the hardware and tin business, after which for two years he was
in the same occupation for himself in his present location. In the
fall of 1896 he went to Omaha, Nebraska, residing with his parents
for about a year and a half. It was during this time that for $27.50
he purchased the first installment of what is now the Independent
plant, which includes a gasoline engine, nine column news press,
10x15 jobber, thirty-inch paper cutter, type, cases, etc. He
returned to Dover the spring of 1898 and engaged in the job printing
business, establishing the Independent January 6, 1905. On July 8,
1903, Mr. Eckles was married to Miss Rosa A. Erlewine, daughter of
Jacob and Anna Erlewine, of Cameron, Monroe county, Ohio. They have
no children.
ECKLES, THOMAS -----one of Olmsted
county’s earliest settlers, now living a retired life in the village
of Eyota, was born at York, county of Yorkshire, England, December
14, 1828, a son of Thomas and Margaret Eckles, both of whom were
natives of that country. The father died in the old country in 1867,
aged sixty five years, but the mother came to America and made her
home with two of her sons Thomas and William, until her death in
1881. She was eighty-one years old when she passed away. The father
was a farmer by occupation, being known in England as a “cottager.”
To him and wife the following children were born: William, of St.
Paul; James (deceased), of Ripon, Wisconsin; George, who died in
Omaha, Nebraska, in 1908, and Mary, who died in Brown county,
Illinois, in 1908.
When twenty-one years old Thomas
Eckles, in company with his brother James and wife, came from
England to America and located at Ripon, Wisconsin, where he
remained some six and a half years. The country was new and the
times were hard, and for the first year Mr. Eckles worked for a
farmer at the rate of nine dollars a month. At the end of the year
the farmer was unable to pay him the wages due, and quite naturally
Mr. Eckles was very much discouraged at his chances for success in
the New World. Had he possessed the means he would have returned to
England, but, being obliged to remain, he decided to secure further
educational advantages and attended school for one winter. He says
he was taught and learned more during that one year schooling than
he had ever acquired in England. The year following he rented a farm
and started out on his own responsibility. He dis posed of his wheat
at the rate of twenty-five cents a bushel, oats at ten cents, corn
at twelve and one-half cents in trade, and at the end of the year
concluded that farming in this country did not pay very well. For
the succeeding three years he worked as a farm hand and then came to
Olmsted county, Minnesota, located two and one-half miles southeast
of the present village of Eyota, and resided thereon until 1907. The
first portion of his farm, consisting of 160 acres, he bought for
$185 and he turned in a land warrant which he possessed. In 1871 he
added an adjoining forty acres and for this tract paid $1,700. This
200 acres of land Mr. Eckles developed into a fine farm, and this,
when he retired from the active duties of life in recent years, be
disposed of, and he is now passing his remaining years in the
village of Eyota, enjoying the fruits of his many years of labor and
toil.
Mr. Eckles was a pioneer in
bringing into this country from France the Percheron horse, and for
thirty-three years was actively engaged in the importation of these
animals. He expended during that time the sum of $20,000 for
breeding stock, and his sales of young horses amounted to about the
same. Altogether he realized about $26,000 from the breeding and
sales of the Percheron horses. For eleven years he owned the
horse “Winona,” considered the best Percheron horse in the state.
Mr. Eckles acquired a very skillful knowledge of veterinary
medicines and treatments, and cured the first cases of glanders and
putrid fever ever known these diseases being then considered
incurable. His successful treatment of horses caused much surprise
and wonderment among the veterinary surgeons in this part of the
country. Mr. Eckles was a charter member of the Olmsted County
Grange Society, has long been a member of the Methodist church and
in politics is a Republican.
On October 2, 1862, he was united in marriage
with Miss Frances Jane Ware, daughter of Nathaniel and Mary Jane
Ware, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and to them were born two sons and one
daughter, as follows: Charles T., a veterinary surgeon of St. Charles,
Minnesota who married Miss Harriet Wabby; Mrs. Abbie Parsons, of St.
Charles, and Augustus, who resides in Chicago. The
mother of these children died in August, 1890, aged forty-six and on
September 21, 1899, Mr. Eckles wedded Miss Isabella Coulson,
daughter of Joseph and Harriet (Hempstock) Coulson, natives of
Lincolnshire, England, but who came to America in 1853 and settled
near La Crosse, Wisconsin, and afterwards removed to Dover, Olmsted
county, and there spent the rest of their days. Mr. Eckles was one
of the very earliest settlers in Olmsted county, has experienced a
very interesting career, and is now in a position to look back with
justifiable pride to the struggle he made that brought him his
present happiness and prosperity.
EDMISTON, MRS. ELIZABETH SARAH
-----the widow of Joseph Edmiston, who passed away October 26, 1902,
was born in Ireland in May, 1837. When she was but eight years old
she was brought to America by her mother, who died in this country
in 1883, after having reared a family of seven children, of which
our subject was the youngest and the only one living.
After her education had been
completed and she had arrived at the age of womanhood, Mrs. Edmiston
was united in marriage with Joseph Edmiston, in Kalmar township,
Olmsted county, Minnesota, and they lived happily together on a farm
in section 30 until Mr. Edmiston was summoned to the great unknown
in 1902. For years he had managed and controlled his mother’s
estate, she making her home with him up to the time of her death in
1866. Mr. Edmiston was a kind and loving husband, and his death was
mourned by hosts of friends and relatives, who loved him for his
many sterling qualities. In his political views he was a strong
believer in Democracy, and for years he held the township office of
road supervisor. He and wife were both members of the Presbyterian
Church.
Although no children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Edmiston, they reared to womanhood three nieces, their names being
Florence E. Happer, Margaret D. Happer and Jennie M. Happer. The
first named is now the wife of Lewis Caulfield, the second the wife
of Charles Johnston, of Dodge county, Minnesota, and the third the
wife of Fred Allard. Mrs. Edmiston still resides on her beautiful
home farm in Kalmar township, and has hosts of friends, who often
visit her, and delight in her friendship and
companionship.
ELFORD, MRS. MARIA -----widow of
Jonathan Elford, was born August 20, 1837, in Bowmansville Province
of Ontario, Canada. and is a daughter of James and
Maria Tilley, both of whom were of English descent.
Maria, now Mrs. Elford, grew to
woman hood in Canada and was there educated in the common
schools.
She finally became acquainted with Jonathan Elford, to whom
she was married December 31, 1862, while still a resident of Canada.
They remained in that country, engaged in farming, for several years
and finally moved to Michigan where they also remained several
years. In 1871 they came to this county and purchased the farm now
occupied by the subject of this sketch, in Kalmar township, and here
they made their permanent residence and became prominent and well to
do. This farm is located near Douglas Station. At the time of his
death, Mr. Elford was the owner of this and additional tracts of
good land and was in other respects in good circumstances. He and
his good wife had built up a splendid property, but not without hard
work, self-denial and many trials. He became prominent in the
affairs of the community, was kind in his family, wanted to see his
children well educated, happy and prosperous, and was one of the
most progressive and up-to-date farmers in this portion of the
county. He was a member of the A. O. U. W., the Royal Templars, the
Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics was a Democrat. He
passed away in 1893 and his widow has since managed the farm with
success and profit.
She is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church. Her grandfather on her father’s side was a resident of
England, where he lived and died. Her grandmother also lived and
died in England, her maiden name being Maria Penny. To Mr. and Mrs.
Elford twelve children were born, eight now living, as follows:
Samuel T., married; Thomas J., married, has three children; Edward
A., married and has three children; Albert S., married and has four
children; Fred R., married and has three children; William J.,
married and has one child; Clarence F., unmarried; Jonathan R.,
married to Mida Dean, of Kalmar township. The
Elfords are among the most prominent and highly respected families
of the county. Jonathan R. Elford being the youngest son operates
the home farm, where his mother still
resides.
ELLIOTT, CYRUS -----founder of the
Bulletin, died September 20, 1910. He was born in Franklyn county,
Pennsylvania, March 21, 1839, a son of Benjamin and Nancy (Zook)
Elliott. He moved with his parents to Illinois when quite young and
was educated in the public schools of Canton.
For some ten years during his
early manhood he was engaged in mercantile pursuits, following which
he published, in Warren county, Illinois, the Roseville Times. He
came to Rochester, Minnesota, in 1885, and in May, 1886, established
the Olmsted County Democrat, subsequently, in June, 1891,
establishing the Daily Bulletin. He continued in active newspaper
work, much of the time in partnership with his son, Charles H. Elliott,
until the year 1910, when he sold his newspaper interests to Archie
P. Gove, the present owner and editor of the papers. The influence
for good exercised by Mr. Elliott on the mind of the public cannot
be overestimated. He was fair-minded, conservative, loyal to his
friends, a hard fighter for what he believed right, and was ever on
the side of all that conduced to the best interest of the masses. He
was firm in his adherence to certain fixed principles of the
Democratic party, and his clear delineation of these principles in
the columns of his papers attracted wide attention from journalists
and public men throughout the country. While he enjoyed to an
unusual degree the companionship of his fellowmen, the life he led
at home was his greatest pleasure. He married Julia A. Worrell,
February 13, 1861, who died August 27, 1900, and they were the
parents of six children: Elden M., Charles H. and Maud, and three
dying in infancy. The eldest son, Elden M., died June 28, 1910. Mr.
Elliott was a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and of
the Presbyterian church. In closing this brief sketch of one of the
noted men of Olmsted county, the following from the pen of Mr.
Elliott, taken from the Bulletin of December 31, 1909, is here
added:
“During the many exciting political campaigns
through which we have passed, we said things and did things that the
mellowing and softening influences of age would have changed. They
were mistakes of the head and not the heart. And now at the close of
a newspaper career of nearly thirty-five years, we retire with the
best wishes for all and malice toward none. To the friends who have
given us their patronage and support without that of political
complexion, we extend our grateful acknowledgments and wish them
peace and prosperity in every sphere of life, and at the close of
our newspaper efforts in Rochester, we simply
say—good-bye.”
ELLIOTT, FRANK E. -----was born
January 1, 1865, a son of John and Ellen M. (Blasedell) Elliott,
both of whom were natives of St. Lawrence county, New York. John
Elliott first came to Olmsted county, Minnesota, in 1856, and
pre-émpted government land in Eyota township, where the subject of
this sketch was born. Mr. Elliott subsequently moved to
Iowa, and there farmed some fifteen years, but then returned to
Olmsted county, where they have since made their home. He and wife
are now living in Rochester, retired from the active duties of life.
The Blasedell family were also pioneers of this county, their advent
here being in 1859.
Frank E. Elliott
was educated in the public schools of Iowa and Minnesota, and has
been actively engaged in agricultural pursuits since becoming of
age. He bought his first farm in Oronoco township, which he
conducted a number of years, but in 1902 purchased a tract of 150
acres on section 30, New Haven township. Here he resided until the
fall of 1910, when he disposed of it and invested in a farm of 180
acres on section 4, Pleasant Grove township. Mr. Elliott
is one of the wide-awake, enterprising men of Olmsted county. In
politics he has been a life-long Democrat, and served New Haven
township as road commissioner and for five years as chairman of the
school board. He is hospitable, generous, liberal in his views, and
is interested in all that tends toward the welfare of the community.
June 5, 1901, he married Miss Anna E. Taylor,
who was born in Eyota township, this county, November 23, 1877,
daughter of L. M. and Anna (Shaney) Taylor. Two daughters have
blessed their union: Clara M., born May 26, 1902, and Elizabeth A.,
born June 24, 1904. Mrs. Elliott is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.
EMERSON, HERBERT -----was born in
Lemonweir, Wisconsin, April 28, 1873, and is a son of John and Rosa
Emerson. He resides on a farm of 160 acres in section 9, Elmira
township. The father originally came from the state of Vermont at
the age of eleven years and settled in Wisconsin and there he has
ever since resided. He is today an active and
successful farmer in that state. Rosa, the mother of our subject,
died May 12, 1910.
Herbert was educated in the
district schools of Lemonweir, Wisconsin, but left at the age of
seventeen years in order to devote all of his time and attention to
work. Immediately after leaving school he came to Olmsted county and
worked out by the month in this neighborhood and continued thus
occupied until 1902. He finally rented a farm from Forest Henry and
held the same for five years, and during that time he managed to
make and save enough money to buy his present farm. This he has put
under a fine state of cultivation, and has made a number of
important and permanent improvements. He is now in comfortable
circumstances and is engaged in general farming and stock raising,
and annually markets valuable products. He is a Republican and is
among the leading citizens of this part of the county.
On June 29, 1904, he married Miss Marion
Farrell, of this township, daughter of R. S and Emma (Crane)
Farrell, both of whom are deceased. The father, at the age of
seventy-two years, was killed on a railroad track September 26,
1906. His wife died November 17, 1885. R. S. Farrell was a
veterinary surgeon, farmer and prominent citizen. He was born in New
York state March 2, 1835. His wife, Emma Crane was born January 19,
1846, in Pennsylvania. Marion was born January 4, 1876,
in Elmira township, Minnesota. Herbert and wife deserve great
credit for the care they are bestowing on children from the state
school. While they receive some help from the children, it is true
that their acts are kind, charitable, unselfish and deserving of
great praise and commendation.
ENGEL, ALBERT F. -----was born
October 3, 1875, and is a son of John G. and Catherine Engel. The
family were early settlers in this portion of the state, and here
the present generation grew up and received such education as the
old-time schools afforded. The father of subject served in the Union
army. He was born December 24, 1833, in Switzerland, and came to
this country when about twelve years old, with his parents. They
settled on a farm near Dubuque, Iowa, where they lived for several
years. In 1854 they came to Minnesota, and settled on the farm in
High Forest township, Olmsted county, where he afterward resided. He
enlisted in the Union army February 23, 1864, and was mustered out
May 18, 1865, having served his time as nurse in the hospitals at
different places. He died May 1, 1907. He was married in March,
1856, to Catherina Engel, and to them were born six sons and five
daughters, of whom four sons and four daughters are yet living. The
mother was born in Switzerland, October 24, 1839, and came to this
country when a young girl, with friends. Her parents both died in
Switzerland before she came here. She is living at present with her
youngest daughter, at Hamilton, Montana.
George Engel, grandfather of
Albert F., was born in Switzerland, May 26, 1809, and Barbara Engel,
his wife, was born in the same country, March 19, 1812. They were
married in November, 1831, and to them were born three sons and four
daughters, of whom one son and three daughters are living. George
and Barbara came to Minnesota in 1854; settled in Olmsted county,
High Forest township, in the northeast quarter of section 24, where
they lived for some time. When his wife died he sold the farm to his
son, John G., and afterward made his home with his children at
different places. George Engel died November 29,
1884. Barbara Engel died August 31, 1871.
Albert F. grew up on his father’s farm,
assisting in all kinds of farm work and attending the primitive
schools of the neighborhood, and finished his education by taking a
course at Darling’s Business College at Rochester. After reaching
manhood he began to save up a portion of his earnings, and continued
to do so until 1907, when he bought his grandfather’s old place in
section 24, High Forest township, the same consisting of 160 acres
of excellent land, all well improved, with good buildings, fences,
pens and meadows, etc. Here he has remained ever since. He is
unmarried and his sister keeps house for him. He is one of the
leading farmers of the county and one of its most progressive and
prominent citizens. He takes an active interest in all movements
which will be of benefit to the community. He is a member of the
Evangelical church and is a Republican in politics. He is unusually
well posted on the merits and demerits of horses and cattle, and
each year handles many of the finer grades. He is one of the solid
and substantial citizens and has the friendship of all who know
him.
ENGEL, PETER E. -----one of the
most progressive and enterprising farmers of High Forest township,
was born on the place where he now resides, February 20, 1870, and
was a son of John G. and Katherine Engel, both of whom were natives
of Switzerland. While yet a young man the father
left the old country and immigrated to America, and in the early
fifties pre-empted land in High Forest township, this county and
engaged in farming. He was one of those sturdy pioneers who did so
much toward the present growth and development of the county. When
he first came here the country was rough and unsettled, and the land
had to be cleared and grubbed, but he set to work with a will and in
time became one of the best and most substantial farmers in the
community.
During boyhood days Peter E. Engel
attended the public schools and assisted his father on the home
farm. He early made up his mind to follow farming, and has always
been identified with the agricultural interests of the county. In
1900 he bought the old family homestead of 160 acres in section 24,
High Forest township, and this has since been in the possession of
the family. Mr. Engel’s early life was marked by the fact that he
never acquired the habits of using tobacco nor liquor in any form,
and this creditable characteristic has followed him all through
manhood. His farm is well cultivated and fully equipped with all
modern conveniences. Aside from farming he is also
largely interested in the raising of fine Short-horn cattle, many of
which are registered, and in the raising of English Shire horses. He
devotes, also, a considerable amount of time to the breeding of
full-blooded poultry. In 1900 and again in 1908, he was interested
in the Farmers’ Elevator Company of Stewartville. In politics he is
a Republican and has served three years as township supervisor.
Socially he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and the
Yeomen, and he and family are communicants of the Evangelical
church.
February 12, 1902, he married Miss Louisa
Steffen, daughter of Charles and Phoebe Steffen, pioneer settlers of
Kansas, and to them these children have been born: Lawrence M.,
March 18, 1903; Myrtle M., June 3, 1904; Neva F., November 17, 1905;
Percy L., February 12, 1907; and Walter E., December 23,
1909.
ENGLE, JOSEPH W. -----residing and
engaged in farming and stock raising on section 8, Marion township,
Olmsted county, is a native of this locality, his birth occurring
June 2, 1877. He was the youngest of six children born to the union
of Joshua W. and Frances E. (Morris) Engle, and was educated and
reared to man hood on the home place in Marion township. Both
parents were natives of Indiana and were there reared and educated,
but at an early date came to Olmsted county, purchased a farm of
eighty acres in Marion township, and there the father resided until
his death.
When war was declared between the
North and South Joshua W. Engle enlisted for the preservation of the
Union in Company C of the Sixteenth Indiana Volunteer Mounted
Infantry, and served with credit throughout that memorable struggle
and was honorably discharged. He then came with his family to
Olmsted county, where he and his children afterward resided. He was
one of the early settlers here, and experienced many of the trials
and hardships accompanying pioneer life, but he possessed grit and
determination to succeed, and died at the age of sixty-one years,
highly respected by his friends and fellowmen. He was a member of
the Grand Army of the Republic and the Methodist Church.
The education of Joseph W. Engle, the subject of
this review, was received in the district schools of Marion
township, and there also he was reared to the occupation of a
farmer. September 18, 1907, he was married to Miss Pearl Benedict,
also a native of Marion township, and they have since resided on the
old Engle homestead. Mr. Engle is a Republican in politics and both
he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church.
ERICKSON, LARS -----was born in
Norway, April 26, 1845, his parents being Erick and Ronda who passed
their entire lives in that country engaged in farming. Lars was
reared a farmer and was given a common school education. In 1866 he
came to America and settled on government land in Section 14, Rock
Dell township. and worked the same five or six
years and then bought 160 acres additional. In time he became the
owner of 200 acres of well improved land, all secured by his own
ability, energy and industry. The first house here he stopped in
after coming to America is the house he now owns. He was then a poor
emigrant boy with nothing and now he is the owner of many fine acres
embellished with elegant buildings and beautified with orchards and
groves. A few years ago he retired from hard work, though he still
keeps busy attending to his property, renting the farm to the
neighbors. He is well known and has the unqualified respect of all
who know him.
In 1870 he married Miss Carrie Golberg, whose
father was the first settler of Olmsted county. To this marriage
nine children were born: Rosini, born in 1871, now the wife of Henry
Mihoon, a farmer, she has four children; Erick, born in 1873, who
enlisted in a Minnesota regiment for the Spanish-American war and is
now in the Philippines; Zoliff, born in 1875, retired and living in
Rochester, was a farmer of North Dakota; Caroline, born in 1877,
married Mr. Lilliascow, a farmer, she has four children; Christian,
born 1882, a farmer of North Dakota; Clara, born 1880, now Mrs.
Kirkpatrick, lives in Seattle; Henry, born 1882, farmer in
North Dakota; Bangval, born 1883, a farmer of North Dakota and
Clarence, born 1885, a farmer of North Dakota. Mrs. Erickson died in
1890 and was buried in St. Olaf’s Cemetery. Shortly after her death
he rented his farm and returned to Norway, where in 1891 he married
Borghild T. Sorteberg and brought her to his home in this country.
They are now partly retired and are taking life easy. They had one
child, which died in infancy. They worship with the United Lutheran
Church. Mr. Erickson owns stock in the Zumbro Creamery, the Farmers’
Elevator at Stewartville, and the Farmers’ Lumber Company at
Hayfield. During his busy career Mr. Erickson was one of the most
active and successful farmers and businessmen of the county. He
occupied many official positions with fidelity and
credit.
ERIKSON, OLE -----was born in
Norway in 1843, and in that country grew to manhood and was
educated. He secured a limited education at the common schools, and
during his early manhood learned the carpenter trade. In 1872, after
realizing the enormous advantages which the United States had to
offer the industrious and ambitious, he crossed the Atlantic ocean
and landed in New York.
He came West to Olmsted county and
settled in Rock Dell township, where he followed the carpenter trade
for five years. In 1877 he bought a tract of 80 acres in section 22,
which he later sold and bought another 80 acres in section 34 and
also 80 acres in Salem township, all of which he sold to advantage
in 1902, and bought 160 acres in section 22, Salem township, where
he now resides. The farm is rented out, and Mr. and Mrs. Erikson are
taking life easier than when they had the care of the place on their
shoulders. Mr. Erikson owns twelve and a half acres of timber and
160 acres in North Dakota.
In 1872 he married Miss Susan Gullackson, a
native of Norway, and to this union the following children were
born: Elizabeth, Millie and Brown. The family are members of East
St. Olaf church. He is a Republican, and takes much interest in all
worthy public affairs. He owns stock in the creamery, lumber and
telephone companies. He is one of the substantial and prominent
farmers of the county.
EVENSON, GULLIK -----was born in
Norway in 1850 and is the son of Evan and Kari, who in 1857 came to
the United States on borrowed money and took up a tract of
government land in Rock Dell township, upon which they afterwards
lived until their respective deaths. The father passed away in 1891
and the mother in 1897, and both now sleep their last sleep in the
family lot at St. Olaf’s Cemetery. They were among
the early settlers and encountered all the trials, self-denials and
hardships of the new country. They were prominent and useful
citizens and reared their children to correct and honorable lives.
Their son Gullik grew up on the
farm and was educated in the common schools and remained with his
parents until he was thirty years old. In 1878 he bought eighty
acres of his parents and has continued in possession of the same
until the present time. He has added to the place until he now owns
a total of 160 acres in section 24, Rock Dell township. He has a
good house, barns, granaries, fences and up-to-date implements and
machinery and a good grade of livestock. He also owns elevator and
creamery stock. He is a Republican and takes much interest in all
public affairs. He is public spirited and progressive and carries
out all his public duties with dispatch and fidelity. He is one of
the leaders of progress and good citizenship in this part of the
county.
On February 12, 1880, he wedded Miss Gertie
Bergh and they are the parents of one of the finest families of the
county, as follows: Emma, born June 7, 1881, now Mrs. H. Halverson,
and the mother of three children living on a nearby farm; Carl, born
December 1, 1882; Caroline, born November 27, 1884; Sylvester, born
November 13, 1886; Edward, born October 11, 1888; Christian, born
March 9, 1891; Martin, born September 27, 1893; Selmer, born January
29, 1895; Albert, born May 18, 1897; Edwin, born March 28, 1900;
Stella, born August 4, 1902; Gladys, born December 11, 1905. The
seven oldest have been confirmed in St. Olaf’s Church, where the
family worship. All the children except Emma are
yet with their parents.
EVJEN, JOHN T. -----was born in
Salem township, Olmsted county, October 4, 1868, and is a son of
Tormas and Beret Evjen, who came from Norway to Dodge county,
Minnesota, in 1868, and there bought a tract of 80 acres of farm
land. The father died in 1900 and the mother in 1909 and both were
laid at rest in the South Zumbro cemetery.
Their son John T., the subject of
this review spent his youth in assisting his parents on the farm and
in getting an education at the district schools. In 1886 he began
farming operations on his own account by renting land and
cultivating the same. For two years previous to renting land he
followed the butcher’s trade at Kasson, Minnesota. In 1896 he
purchased 80 acres in section 31, Salem township, and to this tract
he has continued to add until he owns a total of 220 acres, on which
are buildings worth about $5,000. He is engaged in mixed farming and
raises considerable hay, grain and livestock. In 1892 he married
Miss Louise Sorum, whose parents came from Norway and were pioneers
of this portion of the state. To this union the following children
were born: Bertha, born September 24, 1893; Jennetta, born in 1895,
died 1898; Clara, born April, 1897; Ida, born November, 1899; Joseph
born August 18, 1901; Selma, born September, 1903; Lillian, born
July, 1905; Olga, born in 1907; Benjamin, born in 1909.
Mr. Evjen is a member of the South Zumbro
church. He is a Republican and has held the office of town treasurer
for three years. He is public spirited and a hustler in all his
business operations. His brother Ole Evjen is farming in North
Dakota, and has four children. His brother Halver Evjen married
Halga Peterson in 1883 and resides on an adjoining farm; he has been
an invalid for several years. He and wife have the following
children: Carl, Tilda, Enally, Cora and
Helma.
EVJEN, OLE P. —The life of Ole P.
Evjen, one of the most progressive and up-to-date farmers and
stock-raisers of Olmsted county, is an example of how young men of
foreign birth, coming to this country under adverse circumstances,
alone, penniless and friendless, can, by hard and conscientious
work, arise to a position of honor and respect among their
fellowmen. This Mr. Evjen has done.
He was born in Norway, November
30, 1858, and when twenty-five years old left his native country and
immigrated to America. He came immediately to Olmsted county and his
first employment here was the grubbing of a piece of land, for which
he was to receive $5. His employer thought that the work could be
done in about five days, and great indeed was his surprise when Mr.
Evjen completed it easily in one day. He was no stranger to grubbing
and other hard work, and his first day’s labor in this community
still stands as a record. He was a firm believer in the old adage,
“Never put off until tomorrow what you can do to-day,” and this
spirit has lifted him over many trials and hard ships and carried
him to his present success. Shortly after the above work, he went to
Minneapolis, Minnesota, and for eleven years worked for Smith &
Richardson, lumber merchants. The summers and winters of the first
seven years were spent in the mill and the lumbering camps,
respectively, and the last four years were passed in iron and
foundry work.
Mr. Evjen carefully saved his
money and in 1891 returned to Olmsted county and bought 135 acres of
wild timber land in section 19, Salem township, and thirty acres of
timber in Dodge county. Thereon he erected a fine home and has made
all needed improvements, amounting to about $6,000, and at present
his farm is regarded as one of the best and most productive in the
community.
The year following his return to this county he
married Miss Carrie Evjen, whose parents were pioneer farmers of
Dodge county, and the following children have been born to them:
Peter 0., March 3, 1894; Tilla, November 14, 1895; Cora, April 19,
1897; Maria, October 8, 1899; Osellie, March 6, 1902; George,
October 4, 1904; Howard, August 12. 1907; and Matilda, February 9,
1909. Aside from his farming and stock-raising interests, Mr. Evjen
is a stockholder and director in the Zumbro Creamery at Rock Dell,
the Farmers’ Lumber Company at Hayfield, Minnesota, and the Farmer’s
Telephone Company. In politics he is a Republican, now serving as
township super visor, and he and family are communicants of Hauger’s
Lutheran Church. Mr. Evjen is a big, good-natured man, proud of his
nativity and achievements, and one of Olmsted county’s most
public-spirited citizens.
EVJEN, TORSTEN H. -----was born in
Norway, January 1, 1853, and is a son of Haldor and Bereth Evjen,
who passed their entire lives at the business of farming. Torsten H.
grew up in his native land and spent his youth on his father’s farm
and in getting an education principally at the parochial schools. In
1880 he rented his farm for four years, crossed the Atlantic ocean,
landed in Quebec, and came west to Minnesota and located in Salem
town ship, where he commenced work as a stonemason, which trade he
followed for four years.
He then in the first part of
November, 1883. returned to Norway, sold his farm, and while there
married Miss Ane Evjen, whose maiden name was thus the same as his
own. The marriage occurred March 17, 1884. Then, accompanied by his
bride, he again came to America and located in Rock Dell township,
where he bought eighty acres in section 30, which he has increased
until he now owns 160 acres and has one of the best farms of the
county. The land is under a high state of cultivation, and the farm
is well equipped with good buildings, fences, and pasturage. The
buildings cost a total of $4,000.
Mr. and Mrs. Evjen are the parents of ten
children, as follows: Berta, born November 9, 1884, now a dressmaker
in St. Paul; Anna, born March 2, 1886, living in Rochester; Hedvig
and Regine, twins, born May 12, 1888; Regine is in Rochester, and
Hedvig is with her parents; Henry, born March 7, 1892; Gurena, born
December 17, 1895; Rosa, born May 1, 1897; Serena, born February 1,
1900; Tina Andrine, born January 2, 1903; Josephine, born March 1,
1907. Mr. Evjen is a member of the United Lutheran church and is a
Republican in politics. He is a stockholder in the Farmers’
Creamery, at Rock Dell, and in the Farmers’ Lumber Company, at
Hatfield. In 1906 his barn was struck by lightning and was entirely
consumed, together with its contents of hay, grain and machinery. He
has recently erected a new barn with cement floors and up-to-date
improvements. His surroundings are probably not surpassed in the
county. He is up-to-date and conducts his farm according to the
latest and best methods. He is proud of his farm, of his children,
of his home and of his country.
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