Watonwan County, Minnesota Biographies A & B

Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties, Minnesota
Their People, Industries and Institutions
With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families
John A. Brown
Volume II : 1916: B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.

Transcribed by Vicki Hartman

Abel, Frederick Page 449-450 Among the thrifty German farmers who have established homes in Long Lake township, Watonwan county, is Frederick Abel, who was born in Germany, September 19, 1850. He is a son of Michael and Anna (Huske) Abel, both natives of Germany, where they grew up, were married and established their home. There the father spent his life, but after his death the mother immigrated to America, in 1883, spending the rest of her life in DeWitt county, Illinois. Frederick Abel grew up in the country, his father being a farm foreman, and he received a limited common-school education in his native land. When twenty-two years old he set sail for the new world, landing in Baltimore, June 29, 1872. He spent two years at Annapolis, that state, then came to Chicago, where he spent two years, and for eighteen years he worked in Cook and DeWitt counties, Illinois, coming to Watonwan county, Minnesota, in 1892, locating on the farm where he still lives, in St. James and Long Lake townships, where he owns a fine farm of three hundred and twenty three acres, which he has placed under a high state of improvement and cultivation, carrying on general farming and stock raising most successfully. Mr. Abel was married on February 25, 1873, in Annapolis, Maryland, to Emilia Golz, a native of Germany, who came to America in 1871, with other members of her family, her parents, Henry and Eva Golz, coming in 1872. Later they came on to Chicago, where he died. The mother's death occurred about twenty-eight miles from Chicago. Mr. Golz served several years in the German army. He devoted his active life to farming. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Abel : Tillie, deceased; William, living; Emilia and Anna, both deceased; Daniel, living; Fred, deceased; Gustav and Hulda, all three deceased; John and Henry, both living; Mary, deceased; Fred, living; Herman, deceased; Selma, Lydia, both living; Minnie and Alma, both deceased. Politically, Mr. Abel is a Republican, sometimes voting independently. He is active in the affairs of his community, is now serving his second term as justice of the peace, and for twelve years was school director, filling these offices most ably and acceptably. He and family are members of the Lutheran church of St. James, of which he has been a trustee for twenty years and an active worker. Emma Abel, the seven-year-old daughter of Gustav Abel (deceased), son of subject, is now living with Frederick Abel and wife. She goes to school. Anderson, Amun D. Page 345-346 Amund Anderson, a well-known and well-to-do farmer of Madelia township, Watonwan county, proprietor of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in the vicinity of Madelia, is a native of Norway, born on August 31, 1866, son of Andrew and Sevena (Hanson) Peterson, who were the parents of two children, the subject of this sketch having a brother, Hans. Andrew Peterson spent all his life in his native land and his widow is now making her home with her son in Madelia township, in her eighty- eighth year. Amund Anderson came to the United States when he was twenty-five years of age and proceeded directly to Minnesota, locating in Faribault county, where friends of his from the old country previously had settled. There he remained for three years, at the end of which time he returned to his native land on a visit, remaining seven months, during which time he married Carrie Anderson. Upon his return to America with his wife, Mr. Anderson came to this part of the state and located on the quarter of a section, which he ever since has owned and where he ever since has lived, in Madelia township, and where he has done very well in his farming operations, being regarded as one of the substantial farmers of that neighborhood. He has made all the improvements on his place and besides the comfortable residence, capacious barn and other farm buildings to match, he has spent more than a thousand dollars in properly draining his place. In addition to his general farming, Mr. Anderson has given considerable attention to the raising of live stock and has excellent grades of cattle and hogs on his place. To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson seven children have been born, Andrew, Albert, deceased; Henry, Robert, Dena, Albert and Julius. Of these children, Andrew, Robert and Henry are married and have homes of their own. The Andersons have a very pleasant home and take a proper part in the general social affairs of the neighborhood in which they live. They are members of the Lutheran church and take a warm interest in the work of the same. Anderson, Bertel A. Page 267-268 Bertel A. Anderson, a well-to-do retired farmer, of Madelia township, Watonwan county, still living on the old home farm in that township, though having sold the same some years ago to his son, Osten M. Anderson, one of the most substantial young farmers in that neighborhood, is a native of Norway, born on January 20, 1839, son of Andrew and Rachel (Anderson) Anderson, natives of that same country. Andrew Anderson died in his native land and his widow and her son, Bertel A., shortly afterward came to Minnesota to join other members of the family who previously had settled in the Madelia neighborhood. Upon his arrival here Bertel A. Anderson bought a tract of land in Madelia township. One year before leaving Norway he married Olina Her- manson, also a native of Norway, born on May 5, 1843, and established his home on the farm, where he is still living. He did well at his farming operations and gradually added to his holdings until he became the owner of two hundred and forty acres of excellent land, which he farmed until advancing years warned him to relax his labors. He then sold the place to his son, Osten M. Anderson, who is continuing the cultivation of the farm, the father meanwhile continuing to make his home on the old place. Bertel A. Anderson was well past the school age when he came to this country. He had acquired his education in his native land and has never taken the trouble to learn the English language. He is an earnest member of the Lutheran church, as was his wife, who died on March I, 1915-, and their children were reared in that faith. There were eight of these children, namely: Mrs. Ella Anderson, a widow, at home in Madelia; Ole, unmarried; Soren, who married Ransie Johnson; Sarah, unmarried; John, unmarried; Herman, who married Mary Ask; Osten M., unmarried, the present owner of the old home place, and Abraham, deceased. Osten M. Anderson was born on the farm which he now owns on November 22, 1882. He received his education in the schools in the neighborhood of his home and has always made his home on the farm, a valuable assistant to his father in the work of developing and improving the same. The farm is well improved. A substantial new house was erected in 1890, and in 1896 the present barn was built. O. M. Anderson is a good farmer and the appearance of his place gives evidence of his progressive methods. In addition to the old home farm he also is the owner of another tract of land of one hundred and twenty acres, thus being the possessor of three hundred and sixty acres in all and is regarded as one of the substantial farmers of that part of the county. Anderson, Charles Page 483-484 One of the sterling pioneers in Long Lake township, Watonwan county is Charles Anderson, who is now living in retirement in the city of St. James, after a successful career as railroader and farmer. He has lived to see many great changes come over the face of the land since he located on the wild prairie here forty years ago, and he has played well his part in this development. Mr. Anderson was born in Sweden, April 26, 1848. He is a son of Andres and Stina Peterson, both of whom spent their lives in Sweden. He took the name of Anderson upon coming to America. Mr. Anderson grew to manhood in his native land and remained there until 1869, when he immigrated to America, arriving in Minnesota about May 15 of that year. He worked on the St. Paul & Sioux City railroad the first two or three years, on the construction of the road, when it was being built into this state. In 1876 he took up farming in Long Lake township, Watonwan county, developing a good farm from the raw prairie, and continued farming successfully until about 1906, when he retired from active life and has since lived in St. James. He became owner of five hundred acres of good land through his thrift and good management. Mr. Anderson was married in 1876, to Louisa Jackson, a native of Sweden, and to their union the following children have been born : Elex, Sophia, Jennie, Mary, Fred, Rudolph and Roy. Mr. Anderson has repeatedly been chairman of the township board and also supervisor of Long Lake township. He is a member of the Lutheran church. Elex Anderson was born on December 23, 1887, in Long Lake township, this county, and he grew up on the home farm and received a common school education. After leaving school he learned the carpenter's trade which he followed for seven years, also worked one year as a railway fireman, then turned his attention to general farming, which he has since continued with success. He operates two hundred acres, and makes a specialty of raising full-blood Poland China hogs. He was married on April 2, 1913, to Edith Newberg, a native of Watonwan county, where she grew up and was educated. She is a daughter of Nels Newberg. One child has been born to this union, Marion Anderson. Elex Anderson is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Anderson, John A. Page 399-400 The late John A. Anderson was for many years one of the enterprising farmers and highly esteemed citizens of Long Lake township, Watonwan county. He was a man who tried to live up to the sublime precepts of the Golden Rule as he went through life. Mr. Anderson was born in Sweden about 1859. He came to America with his parents when a young man, his father entered a homestead, which he developed by hard work into a good farm, and on this place the widow of the subject of this sketch is now residing. About 1870 the family located here. John A. Anderson received a limited education in the common schools, and he assisted his father to reclaim the home farm from the raw prairie, and he remained on the place after his father's death. He managed well and worked hard, and became the owner of one of the choice and well- improved farms of the township, consisting of two hundred and forty acres. He was known as one of the best general farmers and stock raisers in his community. Mr. Anderson was married in 1884, to Caroline Swanson, who was born in Sweden, and is a daughter of John and Johanna (Anderson) Swan- son, both natives of Sweden, from which country they came to America in 1870, first locating in Illinois, but a few months later moved to Mankato, Minnesota, where they spent one winter. In 1871 they came to Odin township, Watonwan county, where Mr. Swanson took up a homestead of eighty acres, which he improved and on which he spent the rest of his life. His widow is now living in the town of Butterfield. He had one hundred and twenty acres at the time of his death. To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson nine children were born, namely : Lydia, Arthur, Theodore, Ernest, Alice, Elsie, Maynard, William, and Carl. They are all living. Mr. Anderson was an active member of Kansas Lake Swedish Lutheran church. His death occurred in January, 1901. Since then his sons have operated the home farm and they and their mother have improved the place generally, including the erection of a fine residence, which is neatly furnished. Anderson, Ole Page 237-238 Ole Anderson, one of the best-known and most substantial farmers of Madelia township, Watonwan county, is a native son of that same township and has lived there all his life. He was born on a pioneer farm there, December 24, 1873, son of Bertel A. and Oline (Hermanson) Anderson, both natives of Norway, who became substantial and influential pioneers of Madelia township. Bertel A. Anderson, who is still living on his old home place, which is now owned by his son, Osten M. Anderson, was born on January 20, 1839, son of Andrew and Rachel (Anderson) Anderson. His father died in his native country and later he and his mother came to Minnesota, settling in Madelia township, Watonwan county, where other members of the Anderson family from Norway had previously settled. Bertel A. Anderson bought a farm, married a daughter of one of the pioneers of that locality, she also having been a native of Norway, born on May 5, 1843, and established his home in Madelia township, where he is now living, and where he became the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres, which, upon his retirement from the active labors of the farm, he sold to his son, Osten M., who is now operating the same. To Bertel A. Anderson and wife eight childrenwere born, Ella, Ole, Soren, Sarah, John, Herman, Osten and Abraham, all of whom are living save the last named. The mother of these children died on March I, 1915. She was an earnest member of the Lutheran church, as is her surviving husband, and their children were reared in that faith. Ole Anderson grew up on the old home farm, where he was born and, being the eldest son, early began to be a valuable aid to his father in the work of developing and improving the place. He received his education in the schools in the neighborhood of his home and remained on the home farm until 1897, in which year he and his brother, Soren, bought a tract of two hundred and forty acres of land in Madelia township, four and one-half miles northwest of the town of Madelia, and entered upon the task of developing and improving the same. In 1902 they built the present substantial farm house and it was not long until they had one of the best-kept and most profitably cultivated farms in that section of the county. In 1910 Ole Anderson bought his brother's interest in the farm and has since been operating the same alone and is doing well, being recognized as one of the leading farmers of his neighborhood. In 1914 he built the present substantial barn and the other farm buildings are in keeping with the same, the entire farm plant exhibiting the progressive and up-to-date methods of the owner. In addition to his general farming, Mr. Anderson has given considerable attention to the raising of live stock and has done well with Shorthorn cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs. Armstrong, Moses Kimball Page 275-279 MOSES KIMBALL ARMSTRONG. (Written by a Friend.) It affords great pleasure to present an account of the life record of the above named distinguished gentleman. He was a man not alone of Minnesota, but of the nation, and largely through his efforts the great Northwest, with its vast resources and advantages, has been opened up to civilization. With a devotion and self-sacrifice that is seldom equaled, he gave of his time and energies to the work that has made this region a habitable place, and we can hold him in grateful remembrance for what he did and tell to our children the story of his heroism. Moses K. Armstrong was born in Milan, Erie county, Ohio, December 19, 1832, and came from an old New England family of Scotch-American origin. The grandfather, Augustus Armstrong, was born in Connecticut and spent his entire life in that state, engaged on a whaling vessel. He lost his life by being dragged overboard into the sea while harpooning a whale. The father of Moses K. also bore the name of Augustus and he, too, was a native of Connecticut; was reared in Stonington, was a farmer by occupation and in his early life served as captain of militia in northern Ohio. Thomas H. Armstrong, one of the sons, has been lieutenant-governor of Minnesota, and another son, Augustus, was United States marshal of the state. M. K. Armstrong was educated in Huron Institute and the Western Reserve College of Ohio and held high rank as a mathematician. When only eighteen years of age he moved westward and engaged in the land surveys of northern Iowa. From that time on he was identified with the wonderful development of the Northwest. He became a man of wide influence, but instead of using his power for self-aggrandizement or personal advancement, he practically gave his life for others with an unselfishness deserving of all commendation. After two years spent in Iowa he came to Minnesota, then a territory wild and unimproved, and surveyed much of the land in the southern and western parts of the state. In 1856 he was elected surveyor of Mower county and while traveling with chain and compass through pioneer localities, he gathered material and wrote a history of the community. He was one of the delegates to the first Democratic state convention held in Minnesota, which nominated General Sibley as Minnesota's first state governor. The first surveyor-general appointed him as one of his deputies and assigned him to the survey of government lands in southwestern Minnesota and in 1858 he surveyed into sections the land of which Watonwan county is now composed. His friend, D. Bearup, a New York investor in Watonwan county securities, in writing him concerning this county, said : ""But what is a still greater source of gratification is that as a pioneer in Watonwan county you have watched it and sustained it in its tottering infancy and have done much to put it safely and firmly upon its feet. This is an achievement that few men could accomplish and still fewer would so far divest themselves of selfishness as to accomplish it if they could. Watonwan county is making its material for history. In that history you cannot be a mere incident, but it will have to be very largely based on you, to be history at all; and it is a great pleasure to us to believe that the patriotism, generosity and faith which you have devoted to the struggling settlers will be gratefully remembered long after you have left the scene."" When Dakota was made a territory separate from Minnesota, Mr. Armstrong made his way into that unorganized region and surveyed some of the first claims and townsites for the new settlers on the land which the Yankton Indians had just ceded to the United States in southern Dakota. He was a member of the first Territorial Legislature of Dakota, on its organization in 1861; was re-elected for a second term and became speaker of the House when Dakota embraced, besides the domain included in North and South Dakota, the territories of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. For many years following he was prominent in public life, but whether in office or out he was always laboring for the development and advancement of the Northwest. The Northern Pacific railroad, which became the national highway of this region, was established by a company which numbered him among the incorporators, by act of Congress in 1862. During the Civil War, Mr. Armstrong was a supporter of the Democracy and edited the Dakota Union in the interests of that party. In 1864 he was appointed clerk of the supreme court of Dakota and the following year was elected treasurer of the territory. He was sent as a senator to the Legislature, where he served as presiding officer in 1867, and in 1870 was elected by the Democrats as a delegate to Congress. He gave his first term salary for the purchase of a printing press with which was founded the Dakota Herald, the first prominent Democratic paper in the territory and is today the oldest party newspaper in the state. In 1872 he was again elected to Congress and in 1874 he was re-nominated for a third term, but declined to be a candidate. No man did more effective service for the Northwest in the halls of Congress, and through his labors and devotion he forwarded the interests of this section in a way that brought material prosperity and rapid progress to a region that is now becoming a power in the country. One of the most important acts in the life of Mr. Armstrong was the negotiations with the Indians in securing the lands that belonged to the Sioux tribe. He was fitted for this work by his study of the habits, customs and beliefs of the red men and knew how to deal advantageously with them. He lived through the attacks which were made on the settlers by the treacherous savage, and his able pen has given to the world a graphic account of these trying times. He acted as recording secretary for the Indian peace commission in 1867, and visited every tribe of Sioux Indians on the Missouri river as far north as the Yellowstone country. He was the first man to frame and introduce a 'bill in Congress in 1871, whereby the secretary of the interior should have authority to treat with the Sioux Indians and purchase from them their rights to the Black Hills country. He knew of the vast resources, the mineral wealth, the climatic conditions, the fine agricultural districts of the region over which the Indians had control, and through his instrumentality this valuable region was finally secured. But the work which gives Mr. Armstrong the strongest claim to the esteem and gratitude of the Dakotans is his ""History of Dakota,"" in 1866. One may suppose that Dakota could not have had much history up to that date, but a perusal of Armstrong's book will show that the history of Dakota reaches back to the earliest years of the century, when Napoleon sold to the government of the United States the Territory of Louisiana, in which the Dakotas were included. Mr. Armstrong, while in Congress, also received from the government a charter for the first National bank established in the territory once embraced in Dakota's boundaries and was afterward made its president, the bank being located at Yankton. In 1876 he was appointed by the governor of Dakota to prepare and deliver at Philadelphia the centennial address on the resources of the territory, which afterward appeared in pamphlet form, having been published by the Lippincott Publishing Company. In 1877 he began to concentrate his business affairs, which before had been scattered over a wide range and the following year being appointed railroad land agent he moved to St. James, where he established what is known as the Old Bank, which had a capital of two hundred thousand dollars, and of which he was sole proprietor and manager. During the last few years of his life he retired from activities publicly and devoted his time to his personal affairs only. Since he had arrived in VVatonwan county, however, he served as county treasurer two years — 1881-2 — and was city treasurer more than a dozen years. He was one of the largest property owners in Watonwan county, and donated the grounds on which stand many of the public buildings. He was a life member of the State Historical Society, and one of Minnesota's lakes bears his name. He was married in 1872 to an estimable lady, Martha Bordeno, a native of Detroit, Michigan, born in 1833, the daughter of Antoine and Victoria Bordeno, who were of French descent. Mr. Armstrong was identified with almost every line of trade and enterprise. He was instrumental in establishing the early railway systems of the Northwest; the aid of Congress in securing the wealth and privileges to a race that could utilize them, was advocated by him. In procuring legislation he played a prominent part, and the Northwest is truly his debtor. A life well spent, a talent well used, deserves the reward that ever comes to the just and honorable. We cannot better close this review than with the words spoken of him by one who knew his career long and well — John F. Meagher, president of the Citizens' National Bank at Mankato. He says: ""I glory in the man, who, after long years of a business career, surrounded by continuous vicissitudes and those of the kind that try men's souls, when such a man can stand erect and look all men in the face and say honestly before God, “I have done you no wrong. What more could man do to deserve a crown? Such I believe your life to be. Well done, thou good and faithful servant."" It is to be regretted that the last years of Mr. Armstrong's career were cast beneath a cloud on account of his big bank failure, in which many lost heavily. He lost his wife and nearly all of his great wealth; he was taken to Albert Lea, Minnesota, and died a few years ago. Biel, Albert F. Page 390-392 Albert F. Biel, well-known proprietor of the South Side Dairy at St. James, a well-kept place of one hundred and sixty acres at the very edge of that city, is a native of Iowa, born on March 22, 1872, son of Christian and Lena (Crambeer) Biel, natives of Germany, who were married in Iowa and who lived there until the summer of 1872, when they came to Minnesota and settled in Fillmore county. Upon locating in Fillmore county, Christian Biel bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he presently sold and then bought another quarter section in the same county, to which he later added an additional quarter section and became a very successful farmer. His wife died in 1912, at the age of fifty-nine years, and he is now living retired at Cresco, Iowa, in his seventy-fifth year. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, of whom Albert F. was the second in order of birth, the others being Charles (deceased), Louis, Christian (deceased), John, Herman (deceased), Emil and Alvina. Albert F. Biel was an infant when his parents came to Minnesota and he was reared on the paternal farm in Fillmore county, obtaining his schooling in the district school in the neighborhood of his home. When fourteen years of age he began working on his own account, on neighboring farms, and after awhile bought a well-drilling rig and for a couple of years was engaged in drilling wells throughout his home county. He married in 1896 and bought a quarter of a section of land in Fillmore county, where he lived for a couple of years, at the end of which time he disposed of his interest there and moved to Pipestone county, where he bought a quarter of a section of land and where he lived for eighteen months, after which he sold out there and moved over into South Dakota. He bought a farm of three hundred and twenty acres in the vicinity of Howard, that state, but shortly afterward sold the same and returned to Pipestone county, this state, where he bought another quarter of a section of land, on which he made his home for seven years. During this latter period he also bought another quarter section over the line in South Dakota, which tract he kept for three years. Mr. Biel then disposed of his interests in Pipestone county and moved to Mower county, where he bought a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, on which he made his home for four years, at the end of which time he sold out there and moved to St. James, in March, 1913, and bought his present place of one hundred and sixty acres at the southern edge of the city, where he ever since has made his home and where he and his family are very pleasantly and comfortably situated. Upon entering into possession of that place, Mr. Biel began to give special attention to the dairy department of his farming and the South Side Dairy now supplies a large part of the milk consumed by the people of St. James. In addition to his general farming and dairying operations, Mr. Biel has given considerable attention, at one time and another, to other forms of enterprise and during his residence in South Dakota was a director of the Farmers State Bank and of the Farmers' Elevator Company at Ward. He is a Republican and in various places has served as a member of the school board. He is a member of the German Lutheran church and has served as a member of the board of trustees of the same. Albert F. Biel has been twice married. It was in 1896, while living in Fillmore county, that he was united in marriage to Ida Erdman, of Wykoff, that county, and to that union two children were born, Clarence and Cora. The mother of these children died in 1900 and in 1901 Mr. Biel married Amanda Wendorf, also of Wykoff, daughter of Fred and Sophia Wendorf, natives of Germany, who came to the United States, settling in Wisconsin, whence they came to Minnesota and settled at Wykoff. Fred Wendorf, who is still living at Wykoff, in the seventy-sixth year of his age, one of the best-known and most influential bankers in that part of the state, was for twenty years postmaster of Wykoff. His wife died years ago. To Mr. Biel's second marriage five children have been born, Fred, Estella, Irwin, Elmer and Luella. Mr. and Mrs. Biel take a warm interest in the general social and cultural affairs of the community and are helpful in promoting all measures designed to advance the common welfare hereabout. Bill, James L. Page 316-317 James J. Bill, well-known and energetic dealer in real estate at Madelia, for many years one of the leading druggists of this part of the state and in all ways active in the promotion of the best interests of his home town and the community at large, is a native son of Minnesota, born at Mantorville, county seat of Dodge county, August 27, 1862, son of Dr. Dyar R. and Amanda M. (Vermillion) Bill, the former of whom was born at Greenfield, Vermont, and the latter at Syracuse, New York, who later became pioneer residents of Madelia, this state, where they spent their last days. Dr. Dyar R. Bill, pioneer druggist at Madelia, was a graduate of an Eastern medical college, who, about 1852, came West and settled at Beaver Falls, Wisconsin, where he engaged in the drug business and continued thus engaged at that place about eight years, at the end of which time he came to Minnesota and located at Mantorville, where he was for some time engaged as a teacher in the schools of that place. While thus engaged he was elected county superintendent of schools of Dodge county and served in that capacity for two years, at the end of which time he moved to what then was known as Shelbyville and while there served for two years as superintendent of schools of Blue Earth county. Doctor Bill then moved to Garden City, upon the founding of that place, and opened the first drug store in the town, remaining there until the time of the founding of the town of Madelia, when, in 1870, he moved to the latter place and there opened a drug store, which remained in the control of his family for forty-three years. Doctor Bill was a man of much force of character and took an active part in the work of promoting the interests of the new town of Madelia and of Watonwan county generally during the five years of his residence in Madelia. In 1872 he was elected clerk of court for Watonwan county and was serving in that capacity, with a promise of larger service and much continued usefulness in behalf of the new community, when his death occurred in 1875. He was a Republican and was one of the leaders of that party in this part of the state during the time he resided here. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church and their children were reared in that faith. There were six of these children, of whom James J. was the fourth in order of birth, the others being Frank D., Edward H., Frederick J., Kathryn and Emma F. Following the death of Doctor Bill his widow continued the drug store, with the assistance of her sons, under the firm name of A. M. Bill & Sons, which arrangement continued for about five years, or until 1880, when Mrs. Bill sold her interest in the place to her sons, who continued the store under the name of Bill Brothers, until James J. Bill became sole owner in 1902, continuing as such until he later sold the store in order to give his undivided time to his rapidly growing real-estate interests. James J. Bill was about eight years of age when his parents settled in the new town of Madelia and he consequently has been a witness to the growth of that thriving little city from the days of its very beginning. He received his schooling in the public schools of Madelia and early took his place in the drug store, under the careful direction of his father, and became a skilled druggist. After the formation of the firm of Bill Brothers he continued taking an active part in the management of the store's affairs and in 1902 bought his brothers' interests in the place and continued to conduct the store alone until he sold it in 1913, since which time he has given his whole attention to his extensive real-estate business, he being regarded as one of the leaders in the realty market in this part of the state. Mr. Bill gives his particular attention to the market in farm lands and has done very well. He is ""independent"" in his political views and gives a good citizen's attention to local political affairs, but has never been included in the office- seeking class. In 1891 James J. Bill was united in marriage to Grace G. Goddard, daughter of Charles A. Goddard, and to this union one child has been born, a son, Dyar G. Mr. and Mrs. Bill are attendants at the services of the Presbyterian church and take a proper interest in the general social and cultural activities of their home town. Mr. Bill is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and takes a warm interest in the affairs of that organization. Bisbee, John Page 400-402 From the rugged Pine Tree state has come John Bisbee, one of the leading citizens and successful agriculturists of Madelia, Watonwan county. He was born in Oxford county, Maine, April 16, 1839, and is a son of Jones and Rebecca (Robinson) Bisbee, both natives of Oxford county, Maine. John and Sarah (Pilbrook) Bisbee, the paternal grandparents, were also natives of that state, where they spent their lives on a farm. Charles Bisbee, the great-grandfather, was a native of Massachusetts and a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He devoted his life to farming. The founder of the American branch of the family was Thomas Bisbee, who came from England about 1635 and established his home in Massachusetts. He was a large landowner in England and he bequeathed his property to his grandchildren. He became a member of the Massachusetts Assembly. The maternal grandparents. Increase and Abbie (Parlin) Robinson, were both natives of Maine. He was a farmer and mill-owner. He purchased large tracts of land in Maine. He was of Scotch-Irish descent. The parents of the subject of this sketch grew to maturity in their native locality, there attended school and were married. The father devoted his active life to general farming, becoming one of the wealthiest men of his community. He was a man of influence and was highly respected. He was a Democrat all his life. His death occurred in 1875. John Bisbee was reared on the home farm and educated in the common schools. He began teaching when eighteen years of age, continuing several terms. He went to Massachusetts, where he clerked in a store about one year, after which he spent the summer on a fishing expedition down the Gulf of St. Lawrence; then attended Auburn Academy, where he finished his education. He then accepted a position in a wholesale boot and shoe store in New York City, in which establishment he remained two and one- half years. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War he returned to his home in Maine, taught school and engaged in farming until 1865, when he came west and located at Garden City, Blue Earth county, Minnesota, where he bought land, also taught school for some time. He clerked in a general store four years, after which he came to Madelia, where he secured employment in the store of Boynton & Cheeney, for four and one-half years. He then associated himself with Mathias Olson and opened a large general store, which they continued for twenty-five years, Mr. Bisbee finally selling out to his partner in 1891. The work that Mr. Bisbee considers the most important in his career is what he has done the past fifteen years, during which he has put forth his efforts to produce an apple especially adapted to Minnesota and the Northwest, and he has become a noted horticulturist. He has developed a valuable orchard of two thousand apple trees, well suited to this climate. Since leaving the store he has devoted his attention to horticulture and agriculture and has met with pronounced success all along the line. He has a commodious and modernly appointed home in the edge of the village of Madelia, where he owns a well-improved and valuable farm of two hundred acres. He also owns five hundred acres of valuable land about five miles from Madelia, all under excellent improvements. He has erected all the buildings on his home place, the land being entirely unimproved when he located on it about forty-two years ago. Mr. Bisbee was married on May 23, 1863, to Ardelia Small, of Wilton, Maine. She is a daughter of Jeremiah and Mary (Merrill) Small, natives of Maine, in which state they spent their lives on a farm. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bisbee, named as follows: Melvina F. married E. C. Warner, who is president of the Midland Linseed Oil Company of Minneapolis; J. Oscar, who married Annie Tierney, of Madelia, runs a livery business at Madelia; Samuel S., who married Margarette Turnem, has charge of refining and shipping in the Linseed Oil Company; Edgar C, who married Mattie Arnold, is vice-president of the Linseed Oil Company of Minneapolis; Albert J., who married Lulu Wiles, is head bookkeeper for a threshing machine company in Minneapolis; Mabel A. married J. W. Palmer, farmer, Madelia township; Arthur L., who married Ethel Patterson, is traffic manager for the Linseed Oil Company of Minneapolis; Frank J., who married Marie Englebrecht, is a superintendent in the Linseed Oil Company of Minneapolis; Maurice S. assists his father in the management of his farm ; Elmer, who was graduated from the civil engineering department of the University of Minnesota, is developing an old mine in California; Everett H. is assisting his father in the management of his farms; Carroll E. is also with his father on the home farm, and Ardelia, who married J. M. Lowe, superintendent of the New York Mill, property of the Linseed Oil Company of Minneapolis. Mr. Bisbee has lived to see and take part in the wonderful transformation of the country about Madelia, whose interests he has ever at heart and sought to promote in every legitimate way. He is one of the influential and highly esteemed men of the county. He is a Mason, at Madelia, and he and family belong to the Presbyterian church. Bishop, Carl R. Page 414-416 Although the life of a railroad man is a hazardous and strenuous one, there is something very fascinating about it. Carl R. Bishop, of St. James, Watonwan county, has long been in railroad service and is a trusted and efficient locomotive engineer. Mr. Bishop was born in Garden City, Minnesota. October 4, 1869. He is a son of LeRoy H. and Emily S. (Howard) Bishop, both natives of Winthrop, Maine, the birth of the father occurring December 23, 1840, and that of the mother, August 16, 1846. They grew up in their native town and were married there on December 25, 1866. They came to Garden City, Minnesota, in the spring of 1867, George S. Thompson and wife coming at the same time, and Mr. Thompson and Mr. Bishop engaged in general mercantile pursuits in that town for some time, both moving with their families to St. James in June, 1870, and opened a general store here, also bought grain, under the firm name of Thompson & Bishop, continuing in business until about 1880, when they dissolved partnership, Mr. Thompson taking the store and Mr. Bishop continuing in the grain business until about 1883, when he turned his attention to buying and selling live stock in partnership with W. D. Rice, under the firm name of Rice & Bishop. Mr. Bishop continued in the stock business until the fall of 1886, when he removed with his family to Minneapolis; moving to St. Paul in the spring of 1887 and engaged in the real estate business until his retirement from active life about 1906. His death occurred in St. Paul, October 29, 1910, and his wife died on December 27, 1912. After retiring from the real estate business, LeRoy H. Bishop went to northwestern South Dakota, taking up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres in Butte county. His son, Carl R. Bishop and family also took up a homestead there in 1908. Politically, the father was a Republican, and active in party affairs. He represented his district in the state Legislature for some time, while living at St. James. Fraternally, he belonged to the Masonic Order. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which his wife was an active worker, and who later was active in the Presbyterian church, being a member of the choir and also organist for some time, while living in St. Paul. She was also active in the work of the Federated Women's Club. She was for some time head of the Ladies Aid Society in Merriam Park church, which had restaurant concessions at the Minnesota state fair grounds for several years. She was a woman of many strong attributes and was popular and influential in the circles in which she moved. She was educated at Kent's Hill Academy in Maine, from which institution she was graduated, as was also her husband. To these parents the following children were born: Eugene A., born on March 10, 1868, died on April 6, 1906; Carl R., Hattie Blanche, born on November n, 1877, is the wife of George A. Marvin and they live in Tacoma, Washington; Howard W., born on January 28, 1888, married Hazel M. Strong, and they live at Grand Forks, North Dakota. Carl R. Bishop received his education in the schools of St. James and the Minneapolis high school. In 1887 he began his railroad career by accepting a position with the Omaha road, in November of that year, and he was promoted to engineer in 1895. He was transferred to St. James in 1889 and he has since made his home there, and has been regarded as one of the most efficient and trustworthy engineers on the Omaha for the past twenty years. Mr. Bishop was married on August 5, 1899, to Mary E. Sickler, a native of Gordon Plains, Illinois, where her birth occurred on September 9, 1869. She is daughter of John and Mahetabel (Macumber) Sickler, both natives of Delaware county, New York, from which place they eventually removed to Illinois, prior to the Civil War. When the war came on Mr. Sickler enlisted, after which he moved with his family to Iowa, where he spent one year at Ogden, removing to Martin county, Minnesota, about 1874, locating on a farm. He also conducted a hotel at Fairmont, this state, for some time. His death occurred in 1909, but his widow survives. To Mr. and Mrs. Bishop four children have been born, namely: LeRoy, born in 1901, died in infancy; Beth S.,. September 24, 1904; Elnah M., April 25, 1907; Frances H., in 1910; died in infancy. Politically, Mr. Bishop is a Progressive. Fraternally, he belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, also the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Bjoin, O. A. Page 429-430 The first boy born in Riverdale township, Watonwan county, Minnesota, is a distinction that is claimed for O. A. Bjoin, the subject of this sketch. This event occurred on October 26, 1865. His father was Anderson Bjoin, a native of Norway, who came to America when a young man. He landed at New Orleans and drove an ox team from New Orleans to Minnesota. From here he went to Kansas, where he lived for a few years, and where he was married. He moved from Kansas to Illinois, making the journey by team over the entire distance. After farming for a few years in Illinois, he began loading up his personal chattels in a wagon and moved to Iowa. In 1864 he again moved, by the same method of transportation, coming to Riverside township, Watonwan county, Minnesota. Here he entered a homestead of eighty acres of government land on which he located and established his permanent home, and lived here the rest of his life. Anderson Bjoin was twice married. By his first marriage there were three children: Anderson, who enlisted in the Fifteenth Regiment, Wisconsin Infantry, as soldier of the Civil War. He was killed in battle. Ole, the second son, was also a member of the Fifteenth Wisconsin Infantry, and was killed in battle. Lisse is the third child by this first marriage. The second marriage of Anderson Bjoin was to Julia Ronninggen, a native of Norway. Following are the names of children by this marriage : John, Andrew, O. A., Lisse, Edward and Julia. The father was a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church, and a Republican. O. A. Bjoin was educated in the public schools of Riverdale township, Watonwan county, and worked on the farm in his early years. In 1890 he bought a farm of eighty acres and started farming for himself. He continued in this business until 1902, when he moved to LaSalle and took the position of manager of the Eagle Roller Mill Company. For the past ten years he has been buying hogs for A. J. Leonard, of St. James, in connection with the management of the elevator. Mr. Bjoin was married to Jennie Rinde, a daughter of Peter Rinde, of Madelia. To this union seven children have been. born: Alma, Clara, George, Mabel, Stella, Lyda and Syvena. Mr. and Mrs. Bjoin are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Politically, he is a Republican; his lodge affiliation is with the Woodmen, and the Modern Brotherhood of America. Bolin, Amel Page 188-189 An enterprising young business man of Watonwan county is Amel Bolin, who is engaged in the lumber business at the village of LaSalle. He was born in Riverdale township, Watonwan county, August 31, 1889, and is a son of Charles and Carrie (Olson) Bolin, natives of Sweden. Amel Bolin received his education in the public schools of Mankato, also attended a commercial college there, after which he went to North Dakota and secured a position as bookkeeper at Alexander, where he remained six months, then came to Madelia, Minnesota, and entered the employ of the S. Hare Lumber Company, remaining with this firm one and one-half years at Madelia, then came to LaSalle to take charge of their yards here, in December, 1915, and he has been here ever since, discharging his duties in an able faithful and satisfactory manner. He is also interested in farming in this county. Politically, Mr. Bolin is a Republican. When twenty-one years old he was elected assessor of Riverdale township, which office he held in a commendable manner for three years, or until he left the farm. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Madelia, and belongs to the Lutheran church. He is .unmarried. Charles S. Bolin, father of the subject of this sketch, was born on June 1, 1837, in Sweden. He is a son of Andrew and Ellen Johnson. His parents grew up in Sweden, where they were married and they became owners of a small farm there. They were members of the Lutheran church. The father was in the Swedish army two years. He had three children : Charles S., father of the subject of this sketch ; Eliza, who remained in Sweden ; and John, who is now living in LaSalle, Minnesota. Charles S. Bolin grew to manhood in his native land and remained there until 1866, when he immigrated to America, locating in Red Wing, Minnesota, but after a few months went to Wisconsin, residing in Dunn county until 1869, when he came to Watonwan county, Minnesota, buying a homestead right of eighty acres, in section 22, on which he has since resided. He worked on railroad construction work when the road was being built from Mankato to Lake Crystal. He helped lay out many of the wagon roads in his township here. He has added to his original holdings until he now has a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He was one of the citizens who assisted in capturing the Younger brothers and their gang after the attempted bank robbery at Northfield. He is an active member of the Lutheran church. Charles S. Bolin was married on November 28, 1874, to Kama Nelson, a native of Sweden, born in 1848, and to this union the following children were born : Ellen Louise, Anna, who is the wife of John Swanson, of Watonwan county; Nels, Eva, Matilda, Emma is deceased, and Amel. Mr. Bolin developed his farm from the wild prairie and made all the improvements. He built his large barn in 1905, built his home in 1889 and remodeled it three years ago. Bolin, Charles W. Page 254-255 Charles W. Bolin, one of the best-known and most substantial farmers of Watonvan county, former member of the board of county commissioners and proprietor of a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres within three- quarters of a mile of the town of LaSalle, in Riverdale township, where he makes his home, besides being the owner of a farm of three hundred and twenty acres in section 17 of that same township, is a native son of Watonwan county and has lived there all his life. He was born on a homestead farm in section 20 of Riverdale township, May 28, 1872, son of John and Mary (Johnson) Bolin, natives of Sweden, who came to the United States in 1869, landing at the port of New York, and proceeded directly to Minnesota, whither kinsfolk from the old country had preceded them some little time before. Upon arriving in Minnesota, John Bolin homesteaded a tract of eighty acres in Riverdale township, Watonwan county, and there established his home. He later bought another ""eighty"" and during his active days of farming operated one hundred and sixty acres quite sucessfully. When the Minnesota and St. Louis railroad was put through this section, it cut right through the Bolin homestead, taking seven acres of the same. John Bolin and his wife reared their family on the homestead farm and lived there until about 1892, when they retired from the farm and moved to St. James, where they made their home until 1910, when they moved to LaSalle, where they are now living. Mr. Bolin still owns eighty acres of his old home farm. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church and their children were reared in that faith. There were four of these children, of whom Charles W. was the second in order of birth, the others being as follow : John, who now lives on the old homestead farm in Riverdale township; Ida, who married Peter Jackson and who, as well as her husband, is now dead, and Edward, former register of deeds for Watonwan county, who is now engaged in the real-estate and insurance business at St. James. Charles W. Bolin was reared on the parental homestead and received his schooling in the schools in the neighborhood of his home. He was a valued assistant to his father in the labors of developing and improving the home farm and became an excellent farmer. On July 7, 1895, ne married Marie Lindquist, who was born in 1869, and established his home on the farm where he is now living, in section 17 of Riverdale township, where he has one hundred and twenty acres, well improved and profitably cultivated. Mr. Bolin prospered in his farming operations and presently enlarged his holdings by the purchase of one-half of section 20 in his home township. He took an active interest in local public affairs and in the latter nineties was elected a member of the board of county commissioners from his district. Then on January 17, 1900, his wife died. This blow so disheartened Mr. Bolin that for some time he gave tip farming and the other activities in which he was engaged and moved to St. James, where he lived retired until his later return to the farm, where he is now living, comfortably situated. Mr. Bolin has four children, Anna, who married Theo Keffe, and Carl, Rosella and Frances. Bonin, Ferdinand Page 370-371 Ferdinand Bonin, one of Watonwan county's best-known fanners, now living quietly and comfortably retired on a farm in the near vicinity of the city of St. James, a palace of four acres, which he bought upon his recent retirement from his farm in Long Lake township, is a native of Germany, born on September 12, 1859, son of Carl and Lena Bonin, the former of whom spent his last days in this country, having come here in 1886, four years after the death of his wife, his death occurring at the home of his son, Ferdinand, in Watonwan county, in 1901, he then being seventy-eight years of age. Carl Bonin and wife were the parents of five children, Fred, John, Herman, Bertha and Ferdinand, of whom Herman and Ferdinand are now the only survivors. Ferdinand Bonin was reared in Germany, receiving his schooling in the public schools of his native land and was twenty-five years old when he came to this country in 1884. He settled in Illinois, where he married three years later and where he lived, engaged in farming, until he came to Minnesota in 1893 and settled in Watonwan county. Upon his arrival here, Mr. Bonin bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Rosendale township and there he established his home. He prospered in his farming operations and presently bought an additional tract of one hundred and sixty acres and still later an ""eighty"" adjoining, thus giving him a fine farm of three hundred and sixty acres. This farm he after awhile sold to advantage and then bought a quarter of a section in Long Lake township, where he lived until his retirement from the farm, when he bought his present pleasant home within a mile of St. James, where he and his family are now very comfortably situated. Mr. Bonin still owns a good farm in Rosendale township, but rents the same. Mr. Bonin is a Republican and during his residence in Rosendale township served for some time as a member of the school board. In 1887, about three years after coming to this country, Ferdinand Bonin was united in marriage, in Illinois, to Sophia Koppen, who was born in Germany in 1869, daughter of Ole and Kara Koppen, who came to America in 1883 and settled in Illinois, where they spent the rest of their lives, her death occurring in 1906 and his, in 1908. Ole Koppen and wife were the parents of four children, those besides Mrs. Bonin being Oreka (deceased), Mary (deceased) and Lena. To Mr. and Mrs. Bonin ten children have been born, Emma, Elsie, Henry, Martha, Fred, Ida, John, Susie, William and Annie, all of whom are living. The Bonins are members of the German Lutheran church at St. James and take an active interest in the various beneficences of the same, as well as in all neighborhood good works, willing promoters of all measures designed to advance the general welfare of the community. Brogger, Eivind Page 204-205 Although a young man, Eivind Brogger, cashier of the State Bank of Butterfield, Watonwan county, is holding a responsible position and is an important factor in the industrial circles of his locality. Mr. Brogger was born in Norway, October 4, 1884, and is a son of N. C. Brogger and wife, mention of whom is made at some length on another page of this work. Eivind Brogger spent his boyhood days in Norway, and there he received a good practical education in the public schools. In 1904, when twenty years of age, he came to the United States, locating at Butterfield, Minnesota. In order to properly prepare himself for a business career in this country he took a short course in Augustana College, after which he returned to Butterfield and clerked in a hotel for some time, then took a position as bookkeeper at Iberia Mill, five miles from Sleepy Eye, where he remained seven months. In 1906 he was employed as bookkeeper in the State Bank of Butterfield. Being alert, courteous and trustworthy as well as quick to grasp the details of the banking business his rise was rapid, and it was not long until he was promoted to the position of assistant cashier, and in 1910 was made cashier, the duties of which he has continued to discharge in an able, faithful and acceptable manner to the present time. Mr. Brogger was married on July 24, 1912, to Cora Fromm, a native of Currie, Minnesota, and a daughter of William Fromm and wife. She received good educational advantages and taught school in Butterfield prior to her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Brogger one child, a son, has been born, Lloyd Christian Brogger. Politically, Mr. Brogger is a Republican. He has been an alderman for the past four years, and takes a deep interest in the development of Butterfield. He is a Mason and also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He belongs to the Norwegian Lutheran church. Brogger, Jacob Page 283-284 An influential citizen of Butterfield, Watonwan county, is Jacob Brog- ger, banker, who has long been one of the boosters of his community and has promoted its interests in all legitimate ways. Mr. Brogger was born in Norway, January 3, 1877, and is a son of N. C. and Margrethe (jervel) Brogger, both natives of Norway, where they grew up, attended school, were married and established their permanent home, and there they still reside. The father is a minister in the Lutheran church. Jacob Brogger grew to manhood in his native land and there received his education. When twenty years of age he set sail for ""the land of the free,"" and terminated his long journey at Butterfield, Watonwan county, Minnesota, where he has continued to reside. He had little capital upon reaching this place, and in order to get a start worked two summers on the farm, then clerked in the store of C. N. Sonnesyn in Butterfield, for four years. In 1903 the State Bank of Butterfield was organized, and Mr. Brogger was offered the position of assistant cashier, which he accepted. In 1904 he became cashier, and in 1908 was advanced to the presidency, which position he still holds. He has been the prime motive power in this safe and popular institution from the first and his industry, honesty and sound judgment have made it a decided success. A general banking business is carried on, and the bank has modern fixtures. He is also interested in real estate and has done considerable business in this line. Mr. Brogger was married in 1903 to Emma Brynildson, a native of St. James, Minnesota, where she was reared and educated. She is a daughter of Fred Brynildson and wife. Their union has been blessed by the birth of four children, named as follow : Ragnhild, Niel, Maureen and Jacob Brogger. Mr. Brogger is a Republican in politics and has been active in public affairs for some time. He served as village recorder for a period of six years, and is now county commissioner. Religiously, he belongs to the Norwegian Lutheran church, and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He is deserving of a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished in a strange land, unaided and alone, and without capital, forging his way to the front over obstacles that would have discouraged most men. Burley, Fred Page 233-234 Fred Burley, a well-known and well-to-do farmer of Madelia township, Watonwan county, proprietor of a fine farm of one hundred and twenty- seven acres three miles east of the city of Madelia, is a native of Germany, born on March 19, 1856. He was left an orphan at an early age and when a boy came to the United States with an uncle, the family settling in Wood- ford county, Illinois, where he remained several years, at the end of which time he went to Livingston county, same state, where he lived until his removal to Kansas. In Greeley county, in the latter state, he homesteaded a quarter of a section of land and after proving his claim to the same sold out and went to Phelps county, Nebraska, where he was engaged in farming for six years, at the end of which time he returned to Livingston county, Illinois, where he rented a farm and there made his home for eight years. He then disposed of his interests in that county and came to Minnesota, settling in Watonwan county, where for three years he was engaged in farming on a rented farm, after which he bought what is known as the Low farm of three hundred and twenty acres, and there made his home for seven years, at the end of which time, in 1910, he sold that place and bought the farm of one hundred and twenty-seven acres in section 24, Madelia township, where he since has made his home and where he and his family are comfortably and pleasantly situated. Mr. Burley has made valuable improvements on his place since taking possession of the same, having erected all the buildings there, and is regarded as one of the substantial farmers of his neighborhood. In 1896, at Forest, Illinois, Fred Burley was united in marriage to Flora Fetters, who was born in Marshall county, Indiana, May 2, 1868, daughter to Isaac and Jane (Vouce) Fetters, and to this union six children have been born, Arthur, Jesse, George, Elmer, Harvey and Melvin. Jesse Burley married Maud Brandt and lives on a farm nearby the parental farm. The Burleys are members of the Christian church and ever have taken an active interest in the general good works of their neighborhood. Mrs. Bur- ley is a competent and valuable helpmate to her husband and has contributed very largely to the success he has made of his farming operations.

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