Trails to the Past

Minnesota

Olmsted County

Biographie Index

 

Biographies 

History of Olmstead County Minnesota

Written by Joseph A. Leonard 1910

 

TAYLOR, MARION D. -----who formerly resided in Dover township, is now a citizen of St. Charles, and rents his farm of 281 acres in Dover to his son Glen L. This farm, which constitutes one of the best homes in the eastern part of the county, is located on section twenty-two. Marion D. is the son of Jonathan and Betsey Taylor, who came to this county from New York state. They first Settled in Winona county in 1856 and there the father died in 1878 at the age of sixty-four years.

Marion D. was born in Broom county, near the town of Maine, New York, April 5, 1845, and in boyhood attended the district schools of the neighborhood during the winters and assisted his father on the farm during the summers. By the time he was eighteen years old he finished his education and then, until he was twenty-two years old, he worked with his father on the farm. He then married and rented the farm of his father in-law and thereafter assisted the latter to improve the place and to buy additions. Finally he bought a fine farm in Dover township and resided thereon until he moved to St. Charles. This farm is well improved with houses, barns, sheds, fences, granaries, an orchard of 250 trees, 300 evergreens, and an up-to-date water plant.  Mr. Taylor is a Republican, has served his party as delegate, and was clerk of the Board of Education. He was a member of the A. O. U. W.

On March 9, 1869, he married at Rushford, Fillmore county, Miss Maggie A. Clawson, daughter of John and Phebe, farmers of Winona county. They have had four children: Jennie, who died December 28, 1908; Alma, who is yet at home with her father; Glen L., who rents his father’s farm; and Edith, a graduate of the St. Charles high school and also of the State Normal School at Winona.

TEAHEN, TIMOTHY -----is a son of Maurice and Margaret Teahen, who came from County Kerry, Ireland, in 1852, and later settled in this county. They stopped temporarily in New York, Ohio and Wisconsin, but not becoming suited, came on to Minnesota to secure a permanent home. They located on a tract of 160 acres in Quincy township, which later was enlarged to 260 acres and made one of the best farms in this part of the county. They bought the land in 1860, but did not settle on the same until 1861. The farm was mixed prairie and grub land and required a great deal of attention to become fit for cultivation. But all went to work and in time a comfortable home was the result. The father became well known and the whole family were well respected. On December 24, 1894, Maurice died at the age of eighty-five years, but the mother is yet living at the extraordinary age of one hundred and two years. She lives with her daughter, Catherine McPhillips on the old homestead.

Timothy was born in Ireland, County Kerry, on March 2, 1846, and was brought to this country by his parents when he was a small child. He attended school in Ohio and Wisconsin before coming to Minnesota, and at Lewiston after reaching this State.  Throughout his boyhood he assisted his parents on the farm and attended the neighboring school, but finished his education at the age of fifteen years. After becoming of age he still remained on the old farm—in fact, continued to live there continuously for forty six years. Much of the improvements are due to his industry and efforts. He is a Democrat and served as chairman of the board of supervisors for fifteen years and treasurer of the board of education for twenty-five years, district No. 110. He is a member and trustee of the Roman Catholic church at St. Charles.

On January 31, 1870, he married, at Rochester, Miss Jane Cooper, daughter of James, of Irish descent. They have had four children: Mary U., who married Adolph Nellis and died May 1, 1905; Margaret E., who married A. K. Klaveter, grain and flour merchant and proprietor of the Plainview Steam Flour Mills; Catherine C., who married Frank Taylor; and Ancella M., yet residing with her father. The family resides in one of the finest brick residences in the city of St. Charles.

TESCA, FRANCIS JOHN -----is the son of Francis G. and Josephine Tesca. Francis G. came to this country from Bohemia in the autumn of 1855 and landed at Castle Garden, and Josephine came to this country in 1871. Francis G. and his parents wintered in Wisconsin and the following summer came to Olmsted county and filed a pre-emption right, to which later more was added. Thus Francis G. was among the first settlers of the county. He is the only settler of Orion township to live so long on the same place without moving. The father of Francis G. was also Francis, whose wife was Mary. Francis John, the subject of this sketch, is now residing on a farm of seventy acres on section 21, Orion township, and the farm includes twenty acres of timber.

He was born on the home farm in this township June 26, 1872, and spent his early years in attending school and in assisting his father on the farm. He attended the high school at Chatfield. He also attended Macalester college in 1894, 1895 and 1896. He then returned to the old farm and lived with his father two years, when the latter gave him his present farm. This he holds and is improving and cultivating at the present time. He is carrying on diversified farming and stock raising.

On November 27, 1906, he married Miss Laura Ann Sandborn, daughter of Gilman J. and Mary L. Sandborn. Her father died May 19, 1895, at Canby, Minnesota, at the age of thirty-eight years. His widow is now living with her son-in-law in Orion township. Francis J. Tesca is Prohibition in politics, has served his township as overseer of highways and is an elder and superintendent of the Sunday-school of the Presbyterian church. He has one daughter, Lottie Emma, who is two years old.

It may be said in connection with the Sandborns that Volney Sandborn, father of Gilman J., married Love A. Doud, the latter being a daughter of Sarah Chatfield, after whose family the town of Chatfield was named. Volney was the son of Gilman T., who served in the Union army, as stated in the Blue Book.

THOMPSON, BENJAMIN F. -----has been a resident of the town of Dover since September, 1905. Benjamin and Mary Magdaline Thompson, his parents, were among the early pioneers of Olmsted county, the date of their location in Quincy township being June, 1858. These parents were natives of Virginia and Maryland, respectively, and resided in Ohio, Illinois and Iowa prior to their final removal to Minnesota. Quincy township, upon their arrival, contained few settlers and much of the land was in its original state, wild and unbroken. A tract of eighty acres was obtained from the government, and on this a small house was built and the pioneers began the work of clearing, grubbing, breaking and improving. Here they lived many years, honest, law-abiding citizens, rearing their children to the right way of living and attaining the respect and esteem of all who knew them. The father died July 7, 1898, at the age of ninety-two years, and the mother on March 17, 1895, when eighty-nine years old.

Benjamin F.  Thompson was born in Ohio on October 17, 1844, and during boyhood attended the district schools in Iowa and Olmsted county, Minnesota, and assisted his father with the work on the farm In 1863, when nineteen years old, he enlisted for the preservation of the Union, and was honorably discharged from the service upon the expiration of the war. After the war he bought eighty acres of land in Quincy township, to which he later added 140 acres, and was engaged in farming and stock raising until his removal to Dover. He now owns forty acres of timber land in Oregon and valuable property in Dover. The farm owned by him in Quincy township has been sold and the proceeds are invested in reliable real estate securities.

Mr. Thompson is a Republican has served as township constable and for twenty-eight years has been a director of the board of education. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church at Dover, of which he is a steward.

October 3, 1867, he married Miss Adaline Schaefer, who was born December 25, 1847, and was an adopted daughter of Chester Lewis and Sarah Schaefer. For nearly forty-two years Mr. and Mrs. Thompson lived happily together, but this companionship was broken by the death of Mrs. Thompson on May 6, 1909. To their marriage six daughters and four sons were born, as follows: Jennie F., now living in Oregon, the wife of John Evans, an engineer; Jessie N. married to Burt Russell, a commercial traveler, and resides at Portland, Oregon; Myrtle, a graduate of the Elgin high school, has taught school and is now living with her father: Winnie, born June 9, 1881, died August 11, 1881; Mary Belle, who taught school but is now the postmistress of Dover; Mattie A., born October 17, 1870, died September 15, 1871: George L., a farmer near Elgin; Jay F., a grain dealer at Plainview and formerly a school teacher; Lee, a grain buyer residing in Dover; and Archie C., a farmer, who resides with his father. Mr. Thompson is an excellent type of the men who have so materially assisted in making Olmsted county one of the best in Minnesota, both as to wealth and citizenship.

THOMPSON, CHRIST -----was born in Norway, May 5, 1849, and is a child of Thorston and Christie Thompson, both of whom were natives of the same country, where they passed their uneventful lives and lie buried.

Their son Christ, the subject of this sketch was reared on his father’s farm and in youth was given a fair education in the common schools. In 1869 he came to America and first located in Chicago, owing to the fact that his money gave out upon his arrival there. While there he hired out in the railway construction service and agreed to go to Duluth and work on what was afterward called the St. Paul & Duluth Railroad, now known as the Northern Pacific Short Line. He was occupied there for two years, when he came to Rochester and began to spend the summers at farm work and the winters at lumbering. In reality he is one of the last of the “old lumber Jacks.” In 1877 he bought a tract of 120 acres in Dodge county, which he farmed for two years, and then came to Rock Dell, this county, where be rented a farm of O.  Erickson and continued to operate the same until 1893, when he bought an old, neglected farm in High Forest township, in section 18, and here he has been located ever since, engaged in clearing, breaking, grubbing and cultivating. He now owns 260 acres of excellent land, all well improved and under a high state of tilth, with the full complement of buildings, machines of modern design.  fences, and livestock of good grades. His farm is now known as the “Meadow Range.” He is a progressive farmer, public-spirited and liberal and broad in his views. He takes pride in his children and enjoys seeing them well educated and cultured. He is kind in his home and is a lover of music and a good performer on the flute. He is a Republican and a member of St. Olaf’s Congregation.

In 1876 he married Berret Erickson, whose parents were pioneers of Rock Dell township. To this marriage the following children were born: Julia, born in 1877, now Mrs. Tor Torgerson, lives in North Dakota and has three children; August, born 1879, married, has two children, resides in North Dakota; Minnie, born 1885, now Mrs. H. Rime. lives in North Dakota and has two children Theo, born 1889 with his parents; Clara, born 1892, with her parents.

THOMPSON, KNUT -----was born in Norway February 4, 1853, and when about 7 years old was brought to the United States by his parents, who purchased 80 acres in section 16, Salem township, where they remained engaged in farming for a period of twenty years. During this time they became well known and were highly respected citizens. In 1880 they left this county for good, going to South Dakota, where father and mother resided until their respective deaths.

In 1873 Knut started out in business for himself. He bought a tract of land in South Dakota, but after a while sold out and returned to Olmsted county and bought a tract in Salem township. Here he has remained ever since, engaged in farming and stock raising. In 1880 he married Miss Sarah Johnson Osve, whose parents were pioneer settlers of Salem township.  To this union the following children have been born: Jelmer, born in 1881, married Jessie Hare, whose parents were pioneers of this county, he has one child; John, born in 1883, a farmer in North Dakota; Thomas, born in 1885, a farmer in North Dakota; Ella A., born in 1887, is now in Minneapolis. Mr. Thompson has devoted his life and substance to the welfare of his children. He has sold his farm and is passing his closing years with his son Jelmer. His wife passed away January 7, 1895. Mr. Thompson is a Democrat and was a personal friend of Judge Leonard. His neighbors say that he is good for every contract he makes.

THOMPSON, THRON -----was born in Norway March 18, 1851, and is the son of Thomas and Anna, who passed their whole lives at farming in the same country. They were well-to-do and prominent people in the community where they resided.

Their son Thron came to the United States in 1873 and first located at Faribault, where he worked among the farmers for three years. He then bought a tract of 160 acres in Dodge county, which he farmed for five years. He then sold out and came to Rock Dell township and bought 120 acres in section 24. This tract was almost wholly unimproved, but he went to work in earnest and has slowly added one improvement after another until now the place is equipped with good buildings, fences, machinery, cultivated land, and livestock. There are groves to give the necessary shade in summer and protection in winter. He has a grove of evergreens and a fine orchard and all the surroundings show intelligent arrangement and good taste. In addition to this he owns 400 acres in Wadena county. He holds stock in the Creamery Company and in the Elevator Company. He is well situated to enjoy life. In 1878 he married Beret Evenson, whose parents were early settlers of this township.

To Mr. and Mrs. Thompson the following children have been born: Anthon, born June 27, 1879, married, and residing in Rice county, engaged in farming; Eddie, born October 27, 1881, married, and farming in North Dakota; Clara A., born March 28, 1884, the wife of A. Molde, a farmer of North Dakota; Tilla B., born July 12, 1886; Oscar, born May 22, 1889; Henry, born January 31, 1892, died in 1905; Freddy, born February 8, 1895; an infant boy, born dead, June 14, 1898; Agnes, born and died April 11, 1899; Martin, born February 22, 1900; Agnes S., born March 23, 1903. Unfortunately, the mother of this fine family died November 2, 1907, and was laid to rest in East St. Olaf’s Cemetery. At the church here the family worship.

THOMPSON, WILLIAM W. -----of Marion township, Olmsted county, was born December 10, 1847, in Meigs county, Ohio, the oldest child in a family of twelve born to the union of H. R. Thompson and Anna (Whit1ock) Thompson, of Scotch and Dutch descent, respectively. The father was born, reared and educated in Ohio and in his early days was a pilot on the Ohio river. Later in life he removed with his family to Ripley county, Indiana, but in 1864 came West to Winona county, Minnesota, and engaged in farming the rest of his life. To him and wife seven sons and five daughters were born. The mother also was a native of Ohio, and passed away in Winona county.

After attaining his majority, William W. Thompson, the immediate subject of this review, was united in marriage with Miss Emma Leathers, daughter of a Tipton (Wisconsin) pioneer family, and to them the following children have been born: Jennie, Ella, Bessie, Mary, Effie, Allie, Frank and Arthur. When war was declared between the North and South, Mr. Thompson enlisted for the preservation of the Union, in Company D, Sixth Indiana Cavalry, but after serving four months was discharged because of disability. He re-enlisted, however, February 24, 1865, in the Third Minnesota Light Artillery, and served with credit until discharged at the close of that struggle, February 27, 1866. He participated also in the Indian campaigns of the Northwest. At the close of the war he returned to his home in Winona county, remaining one year, and then for a few months followed farming in Illinois. In 1872 he came to Marion township, Olmsted county, Minnesota, and with the exception of five years spent in the livery business at St. Charles, has since made this locality his home. In 1892 he and family removed to the village of Marion, purchased a home, and have since resided there. Mr. Thompson has been a lifelong Republican, is identified with the Methodist church and is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

THORSON, DR. AXEL A. -----one of the well-known dentists of Rochester, was born at Rock Dell, Minnesota, March 22, 1873, a son of Rev. Jorgen A. and Caroline Behrna (Haugan) Thorson, both of whom were natives of Norway, and appropriate mention of whom is made in another part of this publication. Dr. Thorson is the second in a family of eight children. He attended the schools of Rock Dell when a boy, subsequently completing a full four years’ course at the Lutheran College at Decorah, Iowa. Succeeding this he entered the dental department of the Minnesota State University, where he was duly graduated after three years, then practiced his profession one year at LeSueur. He then came to Rochester, where he has since resided. Dr. Thorson ranks high in his profession as an able and skillful practitioner. He is a member of the Minnesota State Dental Association, the Southern Minnesota Dental Association and the Lutheran church. On July 21, 1908, he was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Hawkinson, of California.

THORSON, REV. JORGEN A. -----pastor of St. Olaf’s Lutheran church at Rock Dell, and one of the highly respected citizens of that locality, is a native of Norway, his birth occurring September 12, 1838, at Telemarken. The father, Thor Ackre, followed farming all his life in the old country, and upon his death the widow, Mariken Ackre, left the old country and came to America, where she located in Rock Dell Township, and spent the remaining days of her life. 

Rev. J. A. Thorson was educated and reared to early manhood in his native country. He was confirmed early in life and until 1867 taught school in Norway. He then came to America, went to St. Louis, and subsequently entered Concordia, a German theological seminary, and was ordained by H. A. Preus, September 2, 1869 at Koshkonong, Wisconsin. Reverend Thorson’s first pastorate was at Rock Dell, and the growth of this church under his teachings and directions show how faithfully and well he has performed his duties. He and his work in the community are very highly spoken of throughout the county.

After coming to America, Rev. Thorson was married at La Crosse, Wisconsin, to Miss Bernhardine Nicoline Haugan, and to this union the following children were born: Maria, of Los Angeles, California; Dr. Axel A., of Rochester, Minnesota; two deceased; Anna (Little), of Kasson, Minnesota; August, of Minneapolis; Ella, of Seattle, Washington; Nels Jorgen, of Minot, North Dakota. In 1884, Mrs. Thorson was carried to her last resting place in St. Olaf ’s Cemetery. On December 25, 1885, Rev. Thorson remarried, his wife being Miss Agnes Borresen, and the following eight children blessed this union: Helga, a graduate trained nurse of St. Paul, now in Minot, North Dakota; Maltildia, a teacher, at home; Susanna, a teacher, at home; Adolph; Ragna; Olaf; Valborg and Agnes. In his political views Mr. Thorson is a Republican and he is identified with the Norwegian Synod of America. He is one of the public spirited men of Olmsted county and can point with pardonable pride to the immense amount of good derived from his teachings in the community.

THORSON, THOR. O. ------is a native of the State of Iowa, where he was born in November, 1862. His father was Ole Thorson who was born in Norway in November, 1828, but came to the United States in an early day and there passed the remainder of his life, dying in Iowa in 1880. He was a farmer by occupation and passed a life of worth and respectability. His wife was formerly Miss Annie E. Foss who is still living.

Thor. O. spent his early life on his father’s farm attending school and assisting at the farm work.  His education was meager, but he made the best use of such education as he received. He remained with his mother on the farm until he was 23 years old, at which time he rented the place of his mother one year, but finally came to Olmsted county in 1888 and bought 120 acres in Section 8, Rock Dell township, where he now resides. He is up-to-date, progressive, public-spirited and doing well. He is a Republican but is not an aspirant for office, though able to hold any in the gift of the township. He is a member of the United Lutheran church, is president of the Farmers’ Telephone Company, and a stockholder and director of the Jumbro Creamery.  He is a member of the A. O. U. W.

On May 28, 1886, he married Miss Anna Severson, the ceremony taking place in Iowa. She is of Norwegian ancestry, her parents being Knute and Martha Severson who came from the old country at an early day and located in Iowa. Her brother enlisted in the Union Army in 1862 and served until honorably discharged in 1865 at the conclusion of the war.  His war record is excellent. He participated in a number of hard campaigns and several pitched battles. To Thor. O. and wife the following children were born: Alletta born in 1887 and now clerking at Stewartville; Minnie, born in 1889, a teacher in the public schools and accomplished in music: Lenora born in 1891; Ellen born in 1893 and clerking at Rock Dell; Olga born in 1896 is at home with her parents. The other children are deceased. Mr.  Thorson is now in very comfortable circumstances. He stands high in the community and has the respect of all who know him.  He is one of the most substantial citizens in the western part of the county.

TOOGOOD, DWIGHT -----is one of the old settlers and pioneers of this county, and is deserving of special notice for his useful and industrious life and his high character as a man and a citizen and old soldier. He was born in Hampden county, Massachusetts, in 1839, his parents being Franklin and Abigail (Lyman) Toogood. His grandfather, Capt. William Toogood, came to this country at the commencement of the Revolution, as a British officer, prepared to assist in quelling the revolutionists, but after being here a short time, and after investigating the claims of the colonies, he sold his commission in the British army and enlisted in the Colonial army, and owing to his experience was made drillmaster of the raw recruits.  He was actively engaged throughout the entire war, and at the conclusion of peace was complimented in person by General Washington, who declared that his command were the best drilled troops in the Continental army. In recognition of his splendid services, he was granted by Congress, at the end of the war, a patent to 640 acres in Chester Hill, Massachusetts. Both Franklin and Abigail died when Dwight was quite young.

Dwight Toogood spent his early years on the farm assisting in the hard work and attending the district schools when not needed for work. He thus received a common-school education, which he afterward supplemented by experience and reading. In 1855 he came to Olmsted county and worked around by the month and otherwise until 1861, when, the war having broken out, he enlisted as a private under Captain Harkins in the Second Minnesota Infantry Regiment, at Fort Snelling, and promptly took the field. He was within hearing of the sharp fight of Mill Springs and when his regiment was engaged in the battle of Shiloh he was sick in the hospital and was discharged at Pittsburg Landing in the spring of 1862 for total disability. He came home broken in health, but not in spirit or patriotism or love of his country and the old flag. With the blood of the Revolutionary heroes in his veins, he would have gone on to the end of the war waged for the preservation of the Union, had not his health failed him.

After the war he bought a tract of forty acres in section 32. Pleasant Grove township, and this he proceeded to clear off and render habitable and comfortable. He now owns a fine home with good buildings and equipment. He is well known and has the respect of everybody.

In 1863 he was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Williams. of Essex county, New York, whose parents were pioneer settlers of Mower county, Minnesota. To Mr. and Mrs. Toogood the following children have been born: Jessie, Effie, Nettie, Dora, Lyman and Merritt. Mr. Toogood has been prominent in the affairs of the neighborhood. He is past trustee of Pleasant Grove Methodist church. He is a Republican with strong county option conviction. He is a member of the G. A. R. and has served as school director. In many other ways he has shown his good citizenship and his sound judgment and high character.

TOOGOOD, GEORGE -----who for over twenty years has been engaged in the mercantile business at Viola, is a native of Olmsted county, Minnesota, his birth occurring October 1, 1868, at Rochester. He was a son of William F. and Elzina (Williams) Toogood, natives of Massachusetts, who came to Olmsted county and settled in Stewartville about 1858. They were among the early pioneers here and experienced all the trials and hardships incident to frontier life, but their courage and New England thrift overcame all obstacles and they became one of the foremost families in the community. The father died in 1886, but the mother still survives and is at present residing with her youngest sons south of Rochester. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Toogood the following children were born: Frank, of Hartford, Michigan; Albert, of St. Paul, Minnesota; George, subject; Mable, residing at home; Maude Brown, who died at Wauseca; Wright, residing in Rochester, and Wayne, also of Rochester.

After reaching maturity George Toogood was united in marriage with Miss Nellie McHugh, of Viola, the wedding being solemnized on January 5, 1891. She was the daughter of John and Sarah (Lewis) McHugh, both of whom passed away in recent years, and she became the mother of two children, Belva L., born September 5, 1894, and Keith D. born November 30, 1907. It is the ambition of these parents that their children have every educational advantage possible, and the oldest will enter the high school at Rochester this year.

On June 16, 1890, Mr. Toogood removed to Viola, entered the mercantile business and has thus been actively and successfully engaged ever since. He has been postmaster at Viola for the past twenty years and in political views is a Republican. He is vice-president of the First State bank, Elgin. The family affiliate with the United Brethren church at Viola, and Mr. Toogood is a member of Camp 1728, Modern Woodmen of America, of Viola. He is one of the oldest residents of that village and is highly respected in the community.

TRACY, JAMES C. -----engaged in the grain and coal business at Rochester, was born in Westchester county, New York, May 25, 1870, a son of John P. and Rose Ann (Smith) Tracy. The father was a native of County Galway, Ireland, his birth occurring May 21, 1836, early in life he immigrated to America, and after finishing his education in the public schools of this country, engaged in farming in Westchester county, New York, until 1874. He then emigrated west to Minnesota and bought the “John Plank” farm, in Eyota township, Olmsted county, on which he followed agricultural pursuits until 1902. Sickness prevented any further participation in the active business cares of life, and he removed to Wabasha, Minnesota, where he died in 1907. His remains were laid at rest in St. John’s cemetery, at Rochester. His wife still survives him and makes her home in St. Paul, Minnesota. To Mr. and Mrs. Tracy the following children were born: Dr. John Smith, deceased, a well-known practicing physician of Winona, who died at Honolulu, aged 42, while in search of health; Sister M. Leo, directress of the Winona Seminary for Young Ladies; Mary, wife of James Keating, editor of Wabasha, Minnesota, Herald; Mrs. Dr. F. J.  Halloran, of St. Paul; Mrs. T. J. Ryan, of St. Paul; and Matilda A., teacher in St. Paul high schools.

Of the above named children James C., the subject of this review, received his early education in the public schools of Olmsted county.  This was supplemented by courses in the Christian Brothers College, of St. Joe, Missouri, and the Business College, of the same place.  Subsequently Mr. Tracy returned to Olmsted county and has since been actively and successfully engaged in the grain and coal business. 

On May 6, 1908, he was married to Miss Anna Kelly, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Ford, of Rochester. She was born February 16, 1880, at Fountain, Minnesota, and to this union one daughter has been born, named Rose Ann, February 10, 1909.  Mr. Tracy has been prominent in local public affairs, is a Democrat in his political views, and was town clerk of Eyota for about eight years. As the Democratic candidate for county auditor he was twice defeated, and is now the nominee of his party on the state ticket for warehouse commissioner. He is a member of St. John’s Catholic church, and is identified with the Commercial club and the Coal Dealers’ and Grain Dealers’ associations of Minnesota.

TROUPE, ALFRED -----who, since October, 1899, has been engaged in the hotel business at Dover, Olmsted county, was born September 21, 1851, in Iroquois county, Illinois, a son of Henry and Mary A. Troupe. Henry Troupe was a son of Jacob Troupe, and the latter was the son of the progenitor of the Troupe family in America, who immigrated to this country from Germany at an early date. Henry Troupe, the father of our subject, was a native of Pennsylvania, his birth occurring at Philadelphia in 1800, and he was educated and reared to early manhood in Baltimore, Maryland. Early in life he came west to Stark county, Ohio, and from there went to Middleport, Illinois, where he opened a general store and remained thus successfully engaged until his death on April 8, 1859. He was fifty-nine years of age, and his wife, who passed away May 20, 1889, seventy-five at the time of their demise. To them the following ten children were born: Henry, Jr., died in infancy; Theodore, died March 28, 1901, aged sixty-six years; Louis, born June 20, 1837, died January 12, 1865; David, born September 20, 1839, died November 15, 1863; Melvina, born December 16, 1841, died May 31, 1853; Edward, born April 18, 1844, died July 11, 1863; Elnora, born June 25, 1846, married Joseph Horton, of Watseka, Illinois, died in 1888 and husband in 1909; Caroline, born January 2, 1849, married Abraham Andrew, died April 10, 1902; Alfred, subject; Charles, born August 15, 1857, in the mill business at Watseka, Illinois. 

Until eighteen years old Alfred attended school in his native county in Illinois. When twenty-one years of age he inherited a farm of 185 acres from his father, which he held until the fall of 1873, when he came to Quincy township, Olmsted county, and settled on a farm of 120 acres. He erected thereon a fine home and made improvements until it was one of the most valuable properties in the community. Here he lived, actively engaged in farming, until he retired from the active duties of life, twenty-one years after coming to this part of the country. He sold this tract in June, 1910, and now devotes his entire time to his hotel business at Dover. By hard and conscientious work Mr. Troupe has acquired a competency, and is one of Olmsted county’s most successful businessmen.

In politics he is independent, although of Democratic tendencies, and votes for the man rather than the party.  He has served as chairman of the town central committee. Socially he is a member of the Independent Order of Good Templars and in religious views is identified with the Methodist church, of which he is a trustee.

On November 26, 1870, at Watseka, Illinois, he was married to Miss Isabelle W. Lindsey, daughter of Levi and Maryan R. Lindsey. Mr. Lindsey was born in the year 1816 and died September 22, 1892, aged seventy-six years; his wife passed away August 7, 1894, aged sixty-eight years, and to them were born five other children than Isabelle W., as follows: Mary, died in infancy; Horris Lindsey, died in 1902; Nellie, wife of Scott W. Yates, real estate dealer of Pittwood, Illinois; Arthur T., in livery business at Villard, Minnesota; and Ira D., residing in Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Troupe had three children born to them, but all died in infancy.

TVEDT, CHRISTOPHER ISAACSON -----was born in Norway November 26, 1827, and immigrated in 1853 to the United States by sailing vessel, which required ten weeks to cross the Atlantic ocean. He and his wife and a brother T. B. I. Tvedt, came first to Wisconsin, where they remained a few months, and then came to Olmsted county, Minnesota, and pre-empted 160 acres (40 acres being in Dodge county) mostly in section 7, Salem township. They built a small log cabin, in which they resided many years, and in that rude home their children were born. On June 13, 1853, Christopher I.  married Miss Martha Svenom, who was a native of Norway, but she died at a comparatively early age October 12, 1869. Their children were as follows: Isaac, born February 8, 1854; Thomas, born March 2, 1855; Ingeborg Marie, born February 19, 1857; Christopher, born October 16, 1859; Johanna Marie, born February 26, 1861; Olivia K., born January 10, 1862; George, born October 22, 1863; Martha J., born June 5, 1865; William Cornelius, born February 7, 1868. When the youngest child was one and a half years old, the mother died and left the care of this large family of small children upon the shoulders of Christopher I. With great effort he reared the children and gave them a start in life. Ingeborg Marie married Ole Vosje in Wisconsin; she died September 18, 1907, without issue. Johanna Marie married T. T. Emertsen in Cottonwood county, Minnesota. She died March 5, 1903. Isaac married Mary Evinson and has nine children. Thomas married Julia Evinson and has eight children. Olivia K. married Carl Vegger. George married Tomine Farsje and has four children. Martha J. married E. L. Tweite and has four children, as follows: Leonard Alfred, Marvin Curtis, William Ardean and Ida Luella, all living with their grandfather. William Cornelius died December 13, 1897.

Christopher I. is now well advanced in years, but is yet well preserved, and resides with his daughter Martha J. As time passed he added to his landed possessions, buying 160 acres in Dodge county, Minnesota, and 160 acres in South Dakota and yet owns the old homestead also. He became prominent during his active career, and was always ready to assist charitable, religious.  educational and other worthy measures and movements. He gave a helping hand to many good causes. He has always been a member of St. Olaf church, Lutheran synod. In politics he is a Republican.

TVEDT, T. B. ISAACSON -----a well known and prominent citizen of Salem township, was born in Norway January 3, 1837 and is a child of Isaac Tvedt, of that country. It was in 1853 that T. B.  crossed the Atlantic ocean and came to America in company with his brother Jacobson Tvedt. Both first located in Dane county, Wisconsin, but after one year they came to Olmsted county, where the brother pre-empted 160 acres and made his permanent home.  T. B. continued to do farm work by the day or month until the fall of 1854, when he went to Decorah, Iowa, and worked first in a blacksmith shop, but later drove a team from Olmsted county to Decorah, continuing until 1856, when he again came to this county and bought 80 acres in section 8, Salem township, and in the fall of 1857 bought 160 acres in section 7, same township.  Here he has resided and made his home ever since.

T. B. in his youth secured only a limited education in Norway, but by reading and observation he has become well posted on the leading public questions. His financial progress for many years was due to the enormous crops of wheat which he raised and marketed. In later years he has done well with hogs and cattle. He is considered one of the best agriculturists in this part of the state. He is abreast of the times with modern scientific methods and the latest machinery and devices. He has fine farm buildings and a beautiful residence, and is prepared to enjoy life.

On January 12, 1858, he married, in Salem Corners, Miss Christina Maria Hanson, and to this union ten children were born, nine of whom are yet living: Isabel, who married B. S. Bale, she was born April 15, 1858; Caroline, born April 25, 1860, married Henry Hellickson; Isaac, born November 16, 1861, married and has four children; Ella, born July 27, 1868, married Ole Leqve, and has five children; Alfred, born Feb ruary 1, 1870, married and has four children; Edward, born June 27, 1872; Laura, born in 1880 (deceased); Henry, born December 29, 1884, married Mathilda Lee February 23, 1909, has one child; Leaffie, born December 6, 1885; Julius, born May 23, 1887, married, February 23, 1910, Clara Jensen. In politics Mr. Tvedt is independent. He and wife are members of the Lutheran church.

TWOHEY, TIMOTHY -----one of the oldest and best-known farmers and stock-raisers of Marion township, was born in County Cork, Ireland, in June, 1841, the oldest son in a family of six children, three boys and three girls. born to the union of Timothy and Hanora (Mahoney) Twohey. The parents were both natives of Ireland, and were there married, but in 1848 left the old country and came to Canada, where they remained three years, engaged in farming. They then removed to Iowa, but in 1854 came to Olmsted county, Minnesota, entered 160 acres of land from the government in High Forest township, and there passed their remaining days. They came to this part of the country when it was rough, unsettled and wild, and experienced many trials and hardships incident to the lives of the early pioneers, but they possessed an abundance of courage, and when death beckoned them they were regarded as one of the best, God-fearing families in the community. The father was a lifelong Democrat, and both he and wife were devout members of the Catholic church.  Although their early lives were filled with trouble and cares, their declining years were made easy through the competency their labors had brought them.

The education of Timothy Twohey, Jr., the subject of this sketch was secured in the district schools of Marion and High Forest townships. When well situated, he married on July 11, 1871 Miss Susy McGovern, descended from one of the oldest and best known Irish families of Olmsted county, and to them five children, one son and four daughters have been born, as follows: Margaret, Katherine, Timothy, Julia and Helen, all of whom were educated in the district schools of their native township. In 1871 Mr.  Twohey moved onto his present farm in section 32, improved and cultivated same, and has ever since been actively and successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising. He is a Democrat in politics, was school director and supervisor for years, is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and a devout member of the Catholic church. He is regarded as one of the progressive and up-to-date farmers of the community.

 

 

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