Watonwan County, Minnesota Biographies R & S

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

Rasey, Elwin Zillora Page 159-162 Among the enterprising citizens which the old Empire state sent out to assist in the upbuilding of the great West is Elwin Z. Rasey, now living in retirement in St. James, Watonwan county, where he has played well his role in the drama of civilization, benefiting alike himself and his fellow citizens here. He was born at Hartford, Washington county, New York, November 23, 1844, and is a son of William B. and Nancy H. (Hale) Rasey, both born in the state of New York, the mother being of English parentage, and the father of Hollandish blood. William B. Rasey and wife moved to LaMartine township, Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, in October, 1848, pre-empting eighty acres of land, and there he resided until he was about eighty years of age, when he moved to Rosendale, where both he and his wife died, he having reached the advanced age of eighty-seven years. He was very religious and was a strong Methodist in faith. His family consisted of seven children, namely: Samuel H., Sarah Jane, Mary Elsina, Armma, Olive H. Harland and Elwin Z., five of whom are now deceased; Olive H. lives in Washington, and Elwin Z. is the subject of this review. Elwin Z. Rasey received his education in the common schools of Fon du Lac county, Wisconsin, and assisted his father with the work on the home farm until he was seventeen years of age. On August 21, 1862, he enlisted for service in the Union army in Company H, Thirty-second Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, in which he served gallantly and faithfully until the close of the war and was honorably discharged on June 12, 1865, being mustered out at Milwaukee. He participated in many severe engagements and bullets often cut holes in his clothes, but he was never wounded or taken prisoner. Of his three comrades who went to the front with him, all survived the war, but all died of its effects. He fought in fifteen battles and six skirmishes, according to government report. He was first under General Grant during the advance on Vicksburg, then was under General Sherman until the close of the war, and he marched to the sea from Atlanta to Savannah. He was in the Seventeenth Army Corps under Gen. Frank P. Blair, who landed his troops at Beaufort, and headed off Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, in a flank movement on the right of Sherman's army, thus keeping Johnston's army from uniting with another Confederate army at Charleston. Mr. Rasey was in the advance of Sherman's army when Johnston surrendered. He then went to Washington City, where he spent a few days and took part in the Grand Review. He reached home June 14, 1865. After working on his father's farm for six years, he came to Minnesota, locating in Odin township, Watonwan county, taking a soldier's homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, and engaged successfully in general farming until his retirement from active life. He moved to St. James, in 1896, but continued to operate his farm just north of this city, also dealing in live stock. He was engaged in the dairy business about fifteen years. He lived on his wife's father's farm near St. James for a period of fourteen years, but has been retired from active farm life since 1912. Mr. Rasey has been twice married, his first marriage occurring in Wisconsin on March 22, 1866, when he was united to Alice C. Gross, to which union four children were born, namely: Lillian N., Florence E., Myrtle J. and Lester E. The mother of these children died on May 16, 1877. On July 25, 1878, Mr. Rasey was married to Helen Adele Sargent, who was born in Wisconsin near where Mr. Rasey was reared, and to this union seven children have been born, namely; .Roy S., Ruth A., Inez E., William H., Jessie A., Flora E. and Nina O> Mrs. Rasey is a daughter of Samuel W and Emmaline (Chamberlain) Sargent, the former of whom was born August 26, 1822, and died May 20, 1915, and the latter of whom was born June 7, 1823, and died September 6, 1913. Samuel W. Sargent was a native of New Hampshire while his wife was born in Vermont, their marriage taking place on March 31, 1848, at Sharon, Vermont, after which the young couple came west, locating in Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, in 1848, where they remained until 1869, when they came to Minnesota, settling in Watonwan county. He was a farmer all his life until his retirement from active life, and died at the home of his son, Henry C. Sargent, of Valdosta, Georgia. His wife died in Mayfield, Michigan, at the home of her eldest daughter. Samuel Sargent and wife were the parents of four children : Henry Curtis, born October 4, 1850, a railroad man living in the South; Adelaide Amanda, born October 24, 1852; Helen Adele, the wife of Mr. Rasey, born March 19, 1855, and Emma Jeanette, born April 6, 1858. Mr. Sargent was very active in the religious life of his community, being a deacon in the Baptist church for many years. He was a Republican in politics. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sargent were prominent in the early life of Watonwan county, and Rosendale township was given its name by Mrs. Sargent in honor of her old Wisconsin home. Mrs. Helen Adele (Sargent) Rasey has always been deeply interested in educational work, and was the first lady superintendent of county schools in Minnesota, being appointed to that important position in 1874 and serving two years. She received her education in the common schools of her home county in Wisconsin, completing her educational training in the Mankato Normal School, after which she taught school at St. James for two years, then was appointed county superintendent. She began her teaching career at the early age of fourteen. Mr. Rasey is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he and his family take an active and interested part. He has been a member of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic since it was first organized, having been a state officer in the same, and has served as local commander for the past twenty-three years. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Royal Arcanum. He is a Republican in politics. Rolf, Johan, D. D. S. Page 224-225 The science of dentistry has an able exponent in Watonwan county in the person of Dr. Johan Rolf, who left no stone unturned whereby he might attain the skill of the greatest followers of this science in the country, believing in keeping up with modern twentieth century methods, and he is therefore meeting with pronounced success in his chosen profession. Johan Rolf was born in St. Ansgar, Mitchell county, Iowa, October 26, 1875, a son of Rev. J. and Rakel Olsen, both natives of Norway, the father born about 1835 and the mother about 1837. They grew up in their native land and there were married. They emigrated to America about 1860 and settled at Paxton, Illinois, where the father taught for some time in the Swedish College, and there was ordained a minister in the Lutheran church — ordained by Reverend Haselquist. His first charge as minister was at Green Bay, Wisconsin. From there he went to St. Ansgar, Mitchell county, Iowa, in 1863, succeeding the Rev. C. M.- Clausen. This was the first Norwegian conference church in Iowa. He was pastor there for some time, also at other churches, including Deer Creek, Rockford, Osage, Adams and Six Mile Grove. He was foreman of the conference for a period of ten years and was the leader in the formation of the United Lutheran church. He became widely known and was one of the leading divines of his church in his day in the West. He retired after forty years of faithful and able service, and spent his last days in Minneapolis with his son, O. O. Erling, his death occurring in 1911. His wife died in 1909. They were the parents of the following children: Sigurd is a minister at Cooperstown, North Dakota; Helga is a pianist in Minneapolis; Mollie is the wife of Prof. J. E. Granrud, of the University of Minnesota; O. O. Erling is cashier of the South Side State Bank of Minneapolis; Johan Rolf, the subject of this sketch; Olga is the wife of Peter Field, professor of mathematics in the University of Michigan. Johan Rolf received a good education in the public schools and the St. Ansgar Seminary, from which he was graduated in 1894, later spending one year in the University of Minnesota. He was graduated from the dental department of that institution in 1898, having made an excellent record. He came to St. James the same year and has remained here continuously to the present time. He has enjoyed a large and growing practice all the while, and has met with much success from the first. He has a neatly kept and well equipped dental parlor, and he has kept well abreast of the times in all that pertains to his profession. Dr. Johan Rolf was married, in 1899, to Jennie M. Olson, of Minneapolis. She was born in Norway in 1877, and in 1880 her parents brought her to Minneapolis, where she grew up arid was educated. She is a daughter of C. F. and Lena Olson. The father died in 1914. The mother is making her home with Doctor Rolf and wife in St. James. The union of the Doctor and his wife has resulted in the birth of three children, namely: Nora, born on October 24, 1900; Karl, July 14, 1902, and Lloyd, May n, 1904. Politically, Doctor Rolf is a Democrat. He is a member of the city council, and he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Norwegian Lutheran church. Roxin, John Page 215 John Roxin, one of the best-known and most substantial farmers of the Butterfield neighborhood in Watonwan county, owner of a fine farm of eighty-three and seventy-five hundredths acres one mile from the village of Butterfield and actively identified with the best interests of that part of the county, is a native of Germany, but has been a resident of Minnesota since he was twenty-five years of age. He was born in 1864 and grew to manhood in his native land, where he lived until he was twenty-five years old, when, in 1889, he came to the United States and proceeded on out to Minnesota, locating at Welcome, in the neighboring county of Martin, where he remained, working on the railway section, until 1901, when he was made foreman of the Northwestern's section at Odin and has ever since made his home in Watonwan county. For eleven years he served as foreman of the section at Odin and then, in 1911, bought the farm of eighty- three and seventy-five hundredths acres on which he is now living, in Butter- field township and there he has lived ever since, he and his family being very comfortably situated. The year after he bought his farm Mr. Roxin was offered thirty-four dollars an acre more than he had paid for the place, but rejected the offer. In addition to his general farming Mr. Roxin has given considerable attention to the raising of live stock and has done very well. His place is well improved and he is carrying on his farming operations according to modern methods of agriculture. He is a Republican and gives a good citizen's attention to local politics, but has never been an aspirant for public office. On May 19, 1896, while living at Welcome, John Roxin was united in marriage to Eliza Wieg, who was born in Germany and who came to Minnesota in 1896, locating in Martin county, and to this union four children have been born : Otto, who is now a clerk in a general store at Ringsted, Iowa ; Amelia, Herman and William. Mr. and Mrs. Roxin are members of the Lutheran church and take a proper interest in the affairs of the same, as well as in all neighborhood good works. Running, Amel Page 78-79 The Norwegians who have cast their lots with the people of Watonwan county have, for the most part, engaged in agricultural pursuits, but we find a number of them in various lines of business, others have entered professional life. Amel Running is conducting a grocery store in St. James. He was born in Norway, June 9, 1872. He was nine years old when his parents brought him to St. James, Minnesota, and here he received his education in the public schools. When fifteen years old he began clerking in a grocery store. He was ambitious, wide-awake and courteous and gave his employer entire satisfaction. Having saved his earnings and mastered the various ins and outs of the grocery business he opened a store of his own in 1903, and has successfully conducted the same to the present time, enjoying a large trade with the town and surrounding country. He carries a full stock of staple and fancy groceries. Mr. Running is a son of Arne and Marit Running, both natives of Norway, where they grew up and were married. They came to St. James in 1880. The father has been hostler for the Omaha railroad at St. James ever since he came here, or for a period of thirty-five years continuously. He is a Republican, and he and his family belong to the Norwegian Lutheran church. He has the following children : Amel, Jacob, Erland, Minnie ( deceased); Albert is county attorney; Minnie; Henry (deceased); Martin and Severn, twins; and Alma. Albert Running, mentioned above, was born February 20, 1883, was graduated from St. James high school in 1902, then attended the University of Minnesota, completing the law course, and in 1907 was admitted to the bar, and soon thereafter took up the practice of his profession in St. James and has built up a very satisfactory clientage. He has been active and influential in public affairs for many years. He served as register of deeds four years, and he assumed the duties of county attorney in 1913, the duties of which office he continued to discharge in a manner that reflects much credit upon his ability, fidelity and good judgment and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned. Politically, he is a Republican, and belongs to the Lutheran church. He was married in 1911 to Catherine Hage, a native of Goodhue county, Minnesota, and to this union two children have been born, Catherine and Elizabeth. Amel Running was married on January 20, 1903, to Felecia Reich- linger of St. James, where she spent her girlhood and was educated. To this union three children have been born, namely : Virginia, Clifford and Germaine. Mr. Running belongs to the Norwegian Lutheran church and politically, he is a Republican. Sanborn, Benjamin C. Page 437-438 This biographical memoir has to do with a pioneer character of unusual force, for the late Benjamin C. Sanborn, whose life chapter has been closed by the fate that awaits all, was for a number of years one of the influential citizens of Watonwan county, having come to this section in the frontier days, and assisted in bringing about the transformation of the country from the wild condition found by the first settlers, to its latter-day progress and improvement. Benjamin C. Sanborn was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1844, and was a son of David and Frances (Cressey) Sanborn, both natives of that city also, where they grew up, were educated and married, later moving to New Hampshire, thence to Minnesota, locating in St. Paul about 1856. In that city B. C. Sanborn carried the first newspaper published in St. Paul — The Pioneer. David Sanborn later moved with his family to near Owatonav where he and his wife spent the rest of their lives, he working at his trade of stone mason and also engaged in farming. Benjamin C. Sanborn received his education in the public schools, and was a member of the first class of Carleton College, of Northfield, Minnesota. When the Civil War came on, he enlisted in Company A, Tenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry and served gallantly throughout the war, part of his service being against the Indians. After the war he entered the newspaper business at Northfield, Minnesota, in partnership with a Mr. Wheaton, remaining there until the spring of 1871, when he came to Madelia and started The Times, the first newspaper in Watonwan county. He continued to publish the same successfully until the spring of 1899, when he retired and continued to live in Madelia, where he spent the rest of his life, dying in 1906. His wife preceded him to the grave in 1892. Before marriage, she was Martha A. Young, and was a daughter of William Young, a Methodist clergyman of Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Sanborn were married in 1871. To their union the following children were born: Frances L., William Y., Jessie M. (deceased), and Eva A. Benjamin C. Sanborn was a member of the Presbyterian church. His wife was a Methodist. William Y. Sanborn, publisher, of Madelia, was born in 1876 in that town, and there he grew up and attended the public schools, later was a student in Central high school of St. Paul for one year, also studied three years at Carlton College, which he left in the spring of 1809 to take charge of his father's newspaper, which he continued to manage with success until the spring of 1904. He served in Company B, Twelfth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, as a private, in the Spanish-American war. However, he did not get to the front, being stationed at Chickamauga and other southern points. After leaving Madelia in 1904 he went to Spokane, Washington, and other western towns, continuing newspaper work in the state of Washington until 1915, when he returned to Madelia and started The News, which he is still publishing. Mr. Sanborn was married in Topeka, Kansas, in 1906, to Gertrude Cies. Fraternally, he belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Schulte, William Page 307-308 The subject of this sketch is of German ancestry, his father and mother were both natives of that country. William Schulte, his father, came to America when he was a young man, landing in New York. He had learned of the opportunities for young men afforded by the cheap lands in the Northwest and he decided to go there. He found his way to Stearns county, Minnesota, and there he located on a farm and established his home, and there he lived the rest of his life. After coming to this country he married Helen Knese, a native of his own country. The children born to this union were: Mary, Bernhardt, Andrew, William, Theodore, Henry, John and Catherine. William Schulte was born at Richmond, Stearns county, Minnesota, September 28, 1884. He received his early education in the public schools of Stearns county, Minnesota. Later he attended St. John's College for three years and took a commercial course. After leaving college he started a mill at Cold Springs, Minnesota, and operated this for three years. For the last thirteen years he has been engaged in buying grain. In June, 1913, he came to Darfur and took a position as manager of the Farmers' Elevator, and has been thus engaged since. In 1910 Mr. Schulte was united in marriage with Albertine Vernica, daughter of Nicholas Hemmesch, of Cold Springs, Minnesota. To this union two children have been born, Donald W. N. and Rainer A. Mr. Schulte is a member of the Catholic church, and an independent in politics. Scribner, B. J. Page 289-290 B. J. Scribner, one of Antrim township's successful farmers was born on July 5, 1865, the son of John B. and Sarah (Wilson) Scribner. Edward Wilson, the maternal grandfather, a native of England, came alone to the United States at the age of fourteen and located in the state of New York, where he later farmed. He remained a few years and married, after which he came to Winona county, and after a few years later to Blue Earth county, where he made his home. John B. Scribner is living in Cumberland, Wisconsin, now, at the age of ninety, but has always, until the past four years, made his home in Blue Earth and Watonwan counties since coming from New York state, about sixty-one years ago. He was married twice; there was born one son, George, by his first wife; by his second wife were born the following: James, Charles, Ella, Jeremiah, William, Burchard, Isaac, Freemont, Eugene, Esther and Emma. On April 13, 1885, B. J. Scribner was married to Anna Winch, the daughter of James and Elsie (Douglas) Winch, who were pioneers in Martin county, Mrs. Scribner being born there. The following children were born to B. J. and Anna (Winch) Scribner: Cora, the wife of George Davis; they are parents of five children. William was married twice, one son being born to him by his first wife, Doratha (Themer) Scribner, and one son by his second wife, Edell (Cook) Scribner. Frances is the wife of Clifford Sherman; Ida and Cecil are at home. B. J. Scribner located on his present one hundred and sixty acre farm in section 30, Antrim township, twenty-five years ago. Much has been done to improve the place and in 1913 a large barn was erected. Siem, Nels Page 407-408 Nels Siem, one of the prominent farmers of Long Lake township, was born in Norway on January 20, 1869, the son of Thomas and Carrie (Asperhain) Siem. Thomas and Carrie Siem were natives of Norway, and grew to manhood and womanhood, in their native country, and were married there. In 1869 they came to the United States and settled for one year in Wisconsin. They then came to Minnesota, where they homesteaded eighty acres of land, in Long Lake township. The land was raw prairie when entered, but in time was developed into a well-improved and highly cultivated tract. By hard work and industry the original farm was increased to two hundred and eighty acres, before the death of Mr. and Mrs. Siem. Mr. Siem assisted in the organization of the Long Lake and the Kansas Lake Lutheran churches. To Thomas Siem and wife were born the following children: Ole; Nels; Ida; Henry; Sever, deceased; Lena; Tilda, deceased; Peter, deceased, and two who died in infancy. Nels Siem was educated in the schools of his township and has always lived here, with the exception of two years that he spent farming in Lac qui Parle county. He has resided on his present farm of three- hundred and twenty acres since 1909. Here he is engaged in general farming and stock raising. In 1900 Nels Siem was married to Hilda Sarklend, the daughter of Peter Sarklend and wife. To them have been bom the following children: Hilda, Harry, Emma, Eddie, Melvin, Esther, and Nelius. Mr. Siem and family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church, of Long Lake township. Sizer, Michael Page 467-468 Michael Sizer, a well-known and well-to-do farmer of St. James township, Watonwan county, is a native son of Minnesota, born in Hennepin county, in the immediate neighborhood of the city of Minneapolis, June 1, 1864, son of Thomas and Theresa (Holscher) Sizer, the former a native of England and the latter of Germany, to whom two sons were born, the subject of this sketch having an elder brother, Thomas. Mrs. Theresa Sizer came to Minnesota in 1864, the year in which her youngest son was born, and located in Hennepin county, where she spent the rest of her life, her death occurring at Minneapolis in 1894. She was born in Germany in 1825, daughter of Moritz Holscher and wife, both natives of that same country, the former of whom was born in 1800, and who came to the United States in 1856, locating in New York, where Theresa Holscher was married to Thomas Sizer some time afterward. After the Civil VVaF her parents came West and settled in Iowa, where her mother died. Her father later moved, to Minneapolis, where his death occurred in 1873. Mrs. Sizer was the eldest of five children born to her parents, the others being Joseph, Frank, Louise and Moritz. Michael Sizer grew to manhood in the neighborhood of Minneapolis and received his schooling in both the public and parochial schools. He early learned the tinner's trade and for nine years was employed at that trade, after which he began farming and has ever since followed that pursuit. In 1886 he married and about four years later came to this part of the state, arriving in Watonwan county on November 6, 1890. Upon arriving here Mr. Sizer bought three hundred and twenty acres in St. James township and there established his home, having lived there ever since, long having been recognized as one of the most substantial citizens of that part of the county. Upon taking possession of his farm he set out a fine grove and otherwise beautified the place. He has a substantial residence, well-kept farm buildings and has ever carried on his farming operations along up-to-date lines. In addition to his general farming he has given considerable attention to stock raising and has done very well in all his operations. Mr. Sizer is independent in his political views, as he always has been, and gives close attention to local political affairs. For six years he served as chairman of the township board and for six years has been a member of the local school board, while in other ways he has contributed of his time and ability to the public service. It was in 1886, at Minneapolis, that Michael Sizer was united in marriage to Mary Sandmeyer, who was born in Germany, February 8, 1864, and who had come to the United States with her parents, John J. and Mary (Sandhenry) Sandmeyer, in 1877, the family proceeded to Minnesota and locating in Watonwan county, where Mr. Sandmeyer bought five hundred and forty acres of land and established his home, spending the rest of his life there, his death occurring in 1908, at the age of seventy-one years. His widow is still living, at the age of seventy-seven. They were the parents of eight children, of whom Mrs. Sizer was the first-born, the others being Frank (deceased), Anna, Katie, Theresa (deceased), Frank, Joseph and John. To Mr. and Mrs. Sizer ten children have been born, as follow: Michael John, Mary Anna, Frank L., Alphos J., Joseph J., George J., Bernard S., Gertrude (deceased), Clara and Thomas J. The Sizers ever have given proper attention to the general social activities of their home community and have done much toward promoting the general development of the section in which they have so long made their home. Skjedser, Niels Page 445-446 One of the excellent pioneer citizens of Watonwan county was the late Niels Skjedser, who, through his own efforts forged to the front as a general agriculturist, becoming owner of a good farm in Long Lake township, where he was held in high esteem by his neighbors and friends for his manly qualities. He was born in Norway, June 5, 1847, and was a son of Peter Nelson and Anna Nelson. The parents of the subject of this sketch were natives of Norway, where the father lived until the seventies, when he came to America, locating near Cassen, Minnesota, but soon thereafter moved to Watonwan county, this state, where he spent the rest of his life on a farm. The mother died in Norway when our subject was nineteen years of age. Niels Skjedser grew up in Norway and there attended school, immigrating to the United States during the latter sixties, and homesteaded land in Odin township, Watonwan county, Minnesota, but never proved up on it; however, he developed three farms in Long Lake township. He resided in St. James during his last days, where his death occurred, April 16, 1907. He was a member of the school board. Mr. Skjedser was married on November 11 1881, to Sophia Onstad, who was born in Nicollet county, Minnesota, and is a daughter of Ole and Ingeborg (Onstad) Onstad, both natives of Norway, from which country they came to America in 1863, locating at Coon Prairie, Wisconsin, their nearest market being LaCrosse, about thirty miles distant. In the spring of 1865 they moved to Nicollet county, Minnesota, about the time of the Indian outbreak, and the father hauled provisions to the soldiers at Ft. Ridgely. Later he came to Watonwan county and took up a homestead on the shore of Long Lake, to which he moved in 1867, and there continued to reside for a period of fifteen years, with the exception of three years spent at Oclair, during the grasshopper plague. He finally removed to Polk county, this state, .where he and his wife still reside, now living retired, after successfully farming for a number of decades. The house they built in Watonwan county, served for the first postoffice in the community, and was also the general stopping place for all travelers. Mr. Onstad cut the timber near Mankato, which he had sawed there, then hauled the lumber to his homestead here. The postoffice was retained at his place several years, even after the village of St. James was started. It was known as Norwegian postoffice. Mr. Onstad's wife and two children, Peter, who now lives at Ada, and Sophia, widow of the subject of this sketch, lived in a dugout, while he was away getting lumber for their house. During this period a terriffic snow storm drove three pioneer trappers to the dugout, where they remained three days, and traded furs for mittens which Mrs. Onstad had made. The widow of the subject of this sketch remarried, in 1909, to Andrew Shellum, of Nelson township, Watonwan county. He was a son of Andrew Shellum, Sr. The second husband died on February 15, 1910. To her first marriage two children were born, namely: Anna, who married Ole Iverson; and Olaf, still at home. Their father was a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Skrabeck, Halvor T. Page 243-244 Halvor T. Skrabeck, ""Lone Tree Farm,"" one of the best-known and most progressive farmers in Nelson township, Watonwan county, proprietor of two hundred acres and for years actively identified with the work of developing that part of the county, is a native of Norway, but has lived in this country since he was four years old. He was born in Tellemarken, May 26, 1864, son of T. and Anna Skrabeck, the former of whom was a riverman, and who came with their family to the United States in 1868, settling in Columbia county, Wisconsin, on June 23 of that year. T. Skrabeck began working as a farm hand in that settlement and presently bought a yoke of oxen, rented a piece of land and began farming on his own account. In June, 1871, he joined the stream of emigration then setting in toward this section of Minnesota and homesteaded a tract of eighty acres in Nelson township, Watonwan county. There he established his home, planted a grove, brought his place under cultivation and became one of the substantial farmers of that neighborhood. As he prospered he bought another “eighty"" and on his quarter section did well, continuing his active farming until his retirement from the farm in 1893. His death occurred in 1897. His wife had preceded him to the grave more than twenty years, her death having occurred in 1875, about four years after the family settled in Minnesota. They were the parents of five children, of whom Halvor T. was the last born, the others being Thorsten, who died in 1873; Mary Martha, who died in 1899, and Margaret. Halvor T. Skrabeck was but four years old when his parents came to this country and was about seven when the family came to Minnesota, consequently all the active years of his life have been spent in Watonwan county. The educational facilities in the days of his youth were exceedingly limited and he received very little schooling. He grew up on the home farm and being the only surviving son was a valuable assistant to his father in the work of developing the home place, even from the days of his boyhood. He continued working with his father and when the latter retired, took over the old homestead and has since been operating the same, being now the owner of two hundred acres of fine land, forty acres of which lies over the line in Brown county. In addition to his own land holdings, Mr. Skrabeck rents another quarter of a section and is carrying on his farming operations on a somewhat extensive scale. He adopts modern methods of farming, most of his plowing being done with a tractor, and everything about his place is up-to-date. Mr. Skrabeck has spent about seventy-five hundred dollars improving the place since he came into possession and now has one of the best looking farms in that part of the county. His home occupies a fine, elevated position and commands a view of the country for miles around. In 1906 Mr. Skrabeck moved over to his well-improved farm of forty acres in Blue Earth county, but after living there four years moved back to the old homestead and has continued to make his home there since. He has given proper attention to local civic affairs and is now serving as overseer of roads in his district and as school director. On May 18, 1893, Halvor T. Skrabeck was united in marriage to Anna Lee, who was born in Norway, December 4, 1870, daughter of Ole and Ingeborg Lee, and to that union four children were born, Theodore, Albert, Hilmer and Ida, all of whom are at home. Mrs. Skrabeck died on April 15, 1915. Mr. Skrabeck is a Republican and is looked upon as one of the leaders of his party in the part of the county in which he lives. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and for some time served as a member of the board of trustees of the same. Sletta, Alfred Page 433-434 Alfred Sletta was born in Riverdale township, Watonwan county, December 31, 1886, a son of Amund A. and Ingeborg (Ekorness) Sletta, who were both born in Norway. His father came to America when a young man, about 1877. Through friends from his native land who had preceded him to America, he had heard of the advantages offered ambitious young men in Minnesota, where many of his countrymen had found a home and a demand for their labor, so he came to this state directly after landing in New York. For the first year or two he found employment in different parts of the state. In 1885 he came to Wantonwan county and located on a farm in Riverdale township, where he still resides. His wife died on October 21, 1911. She was the mother of six children: O. E., Alfred, Ida A., John E., Anton I. and George. The father and mother were members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Alfred Sletta received his elementary education in the district schools of Riverdale township, mostly in school No. 49, in that township. He afterward attended the school at St. James, and some years took a business course in the Mankato Commercial College. Following this he was for four years in the employ of Wyman, Partridge & Co., in Minneapolis. In the fall of 1910 he caime to LaSalle and engaged in the general merchandise business. In February, 1913, he was appointed postmaster of LaSalle, in which office he is at present serving. Alfred Sletta was married in June, 1910, to Marie Larson. To this union four children have been born: Ingvald A. L., Signe Louise, Alice Marie, and Arnold A. Mr. and Mrs. Sletta are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Sletta is an active worker in the Democratic party; his lodge affiliation is with the Modern Brotherhood of America. His store is modern in all respects, carrying a general line of merchandise, and is complete in its variety. Sletta, Ole E. Page 343-344 Ole E. Sletta is of Norwegian nativity, born in Norway, November 17, 1881. He is an elder brother of Alfred Sletta, whose ancestral sketch is given in another place in this volume. Ole E. Sletta, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the district schools of Riverdale township, which was the family homestead during his early years. As a boy and young man he worked on the farm. Soon after attaining his majority, in 1905, he engaged in farming for himself, and followed this occupation until 1907. At that time he came to LaSalle and opened up a blacksmith shop and was engaged in this business for two years. On August i, 1909, he became 'the manager of the plant of the Great Western Elevator Company, and has been thus employed since. Mr. Sletta was married in 1907 to Thora Blackstad, daughter of T. H. Blackstad, of Riverdale township, Watonwan county. To this union three children were born: Theo A., Ivan L., and Orval T. Mr. and Mrs. Ole E. Sletta are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. He is a Republican, and is at present clerk of the village. His lodge membership is with the Woodmen and with the Modern Brotherhood of America. Somers, John W. Page 332-333 John W. Somers, chairman of the board of commissioners of Watonwan county and one of the most progressive farmers of St. James township, that county, proprietor of a farm of two hundred and forty acres in the vicinity of the city of St. James, a pioneer of this section and for many years active in the public service, is a native of Connecticut, born on August 29, 1845, son of Rufus and Esther (Peck) Somers, both natives of that same state, the former born in 1800 and the latter in 1798, who spent all their lives in their native state. Rufus Somers died in 1857 and his widow survived him many years, her death occurring in 1884. They were the parents of six children, who grew to maturity, of whom John W. is now the sole survivor, the others having been Emily, Henry, George, Esther and David. John W. Somers was reared in Connecticut and obtained his schooling in the public schools in the neighborhood of his home there. When twenty- two years of age, in 1868, he came to Minnesota and after a short stay in St. Paul proceeded to Blue Earth county and the next year, 1869, came over into Watonwan county and homesteaded a tract of eighty acres in what is now section 28 of St. James township, to which he later added a quarter of a section in sections 27 and 28, and proceeded to develop the same. In 1881 he married and established his home on his homestead place. Some years later a series of business reverses caused him to lose his home farm and he was compelled to start all over again. Nothing daunted by his failure he went bravely to work and, about 1890, was able to buy another quarter section in that same township. To this he later added an adjoining ""eighty"" and now has a well-kept and highly-cultivated farm of two hundred and forty acres in sections 33 and 34. He has a substantial and comfortable residence there, a modern barn and other farm buildings to match, and is very well situated. He built his residence in 1901 and his barn in 1906. His farming operations have been carried on along up-to- date lines and he has done very well. Ever since coming to Minnesota, back in pioneer days, Mr. Somers has given his thoughtful attention to local civic affairs and for many years has been regarded as one of the leaders- in the Republican party in Waton- wan county. For more than thirty-two years he has been clerk of the town board; for ten years a member of the school board of St. James corporation and for twenty-two years a member of the school board in the township. In 1913 he was appointed to fill a vacancy in the board of county commissioners and was elected chairman of the board upon the organization of the same and is now serving in that capacity. Mr. Somers is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and takes a warm interest in the affairs of that popular organization. In 1881 John W. Somers was united in marriage to Mary King, who was born in the state of Illinois, daughter of William King and wife, who became pioneers of Watonwan county, and the latter of whom died years ago, after which her husband made his home with the subject of this sketch, where his death occurred in 1902. Mrs. Somers ever was an able and competent helpmate to her husband and took an active part in the general social affairs of her home community, her .death, on September 16, 1910, causing much sorrow in the neighborhood in which she had lived so long. She was the mother of eight children, Rufus, Esther, David, Margaret, Ruth, Emma, Francis and Mary, all of whom are living and who are doing well their respective parts in the common life of this community. Sonnesyn, C. N. Page 80-82 The chief characteristics of C. N. Sonnesyn, well-known citizen of St. James, Watonwan county, are keenness of perception, an unflagging energy, honesty of purpose and motive and every-day common sense, which have enabled him not only to advance his own interests in a most gratifying manner, but also to contribute largely to the civic and material interests of the community. C. N. Sonnesyn was born in Norway, May 22, 1866. His parents spent their lives in that country, and there the subject of this sketch grew up and was educated, and in the spring of 1885 immigrated to Minnesota, locating in the town of Madelia where he worked a year in a hardware store in the summer and attended school in the winter. The next year he went with his brother, J. K. Sonnesyn and Charles Johnson to St. James and engaged in the general merchandising business, and was thus associated for about four and one-half years. In 1890 he moved to Butterfield and there built a new store building and put in a stock of general merchandise. He became associated with the Butterfield Creamery and was also a member of the firm then known as the Butterfield Hardware Company, and later he opened a general store at Darfur. In 1902 he disposed of his general store at Butterfield and engaged in the real-estate business, and since that time he has been one of the leading and most active land men in southern Minnesota. His dealings have included many trades for merchandise stocks and he has operated as many as eight stores at one time in this and neighboring states. For a number of years he has made his home in St. James where he carried on extensive operations, buying and selling lands. Pehaps more people have been brought to Watonwan county through his dealings than through any other individual agency. His advertising matter, setting forth the advantages of this section of the state, has been sent into thousands upon thousands of homes, and his printing bills for this class of work has run into hundreds of dollars in a single month. His plan has always been to buy and sell farms. Whenever he finds a farm that appears to him to be a bargain, he buys it, improves it and sells it again, whenever he can get a fair profit. In the year 1913, he sold $1,250,000 worth of land. Although his main office has been at St. James for a number of years, he has maintained an office at Butterfield. His principal land business has been in selling Watonwan county land to buyers from Iowa and Illinois. He has located many of the best farmers who have come to this locality in recent years. In addition to being a good land man, Mr. Sonnesyn is developing into somewhat of a scientific farmer. He owns about two thousand acres in this county which he works or rents. He has done much to improve the live stock of the county by importing registered breeders. He has shipped many carloads of registered stock into the county. Shorthorns, Herefords and Aberdeen Angus are the breeds favored. He is at present giving a great deal of time and attention to one of his farms which lies near the village of Grogan and upon which he has a large herd of Aberdeen Angus cattle in which he takes special pride. These cattle have captured many prizes at the local county fairs. He is an advertising booster for Watonwan county and Minnesota. His years of residence and his continued activities which have contributed so much to the welfare of the city of St. Tames, justly entitle him to the high esteem in which he is held. C. N. Sonnesyn was married in 1895 to Anna Mellun, of Stoughton, Wisconsin, to which union two children were born, namely: Earl, who is living, and Ingred Alida, who died in infancy. The wife and mother passed away in 1901. In 1903, Mr. Sonnesyn married Elizabeth Lunde, of Minneapolis. To this second union two sons have been born, namely: Nels and Clifford, both at home. Politically, Mr. Sonnesyn is a Republican. While living in Butterfield he was a member of the city council. Fraternally, he is an Elk, a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Mutual Benefit Association. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Sonnesyn, J. K. Page 111-112 On of the most progressive citizens of Watonwan county is J. K. Sonnesyn, who has worked his way up from a modest beginning, having landed in the New World from a foreign strand, ""A youth to fortune and to fame unknown."" He has ascended the ladder step by step until he has reached a position of no mean importance, by his individual efforts, which have been practically unaided from boyhood. Mr. Sonnesyn was born in Norway, April 15, 1858, and is a son of Christopher Nitter Sonnesyn and Ingrid Sonnesyn, both of whom lived and died in Norway. He grew to manhood and received his education in Norway. In 1882 he set sail for America, taking up his residence in Madelia, Minnesota, where he worked in the general mercantile establishment of Bisby, Olson & Boynton, remaining there until the spring of 1886, when he came to St. James and opened a general store and has been engaged in general mercantile pursuits ever since at the same stand. He was successful from the first and has enjoyed a large and steadily increasing patronage. He has carried at all seasons an extensive and carefully-selected stock of goods, and many of his first customers are still trading with him, which fact would indicate that they have received honest and courteous treatment. He has been very successful in a business way, and was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of St. James, and has been a heavy stockholder and a director in the same since its organization, and is now president of the same. The pronounced success of this sound, conservative and popular institution has been due to his able management and commendable methods. In 1906 he organized the Twin-City Oil Company of Minneapolis and has since been president of the same, which has proven to be a most fortunate venture. He also organized the Sonnesyn-Sundt Company, a general mercantile corporation of Velva, North Dakota, in 1910, and has since been president of the same. Mr. Sonnesyn was married in 1896 to Anna Sophia Fuhr, of Moor- head, Minnesota, and to their union four children have been born, namely: Carl, Ingrid, Ruth, Jenette. They are all living at this writing. Politically, Mr. Sonnesyn is a Republican. He has been a member of the local board of education for eight years, and president of the same for the past five years. He has done much to encourage better schools, and, in fact, he is one of the most influential of our citizens for the general welfare and upbuilding of St. James. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and is a Knight Templar. He belongs to the Norwegian Lutheran church. Sorensen, Neal C. Page 153-155 Neal C. Sorensen, the well-known manager of the creamery at Butter- field and the owner of a fine farm in the vicinity of that flourishing village, is a native of the kingdom of Denmark, but has been a resident of the state of Minnesota since he was fourteen years of age. He was born on February 1, 1875, son °f Christian and Ingeborg Sorensen, natives of Denmark, the former born in 1842 and the latter in 1849, who came to Minnesota in 1889 and settled at Big Lake, in Sherburne county. There Christian Sorensen died in the following spring, the spring of 1890, leaving his widow with nine children. The widow Sorensen kept her family together and continued to make her home at Big Lake until 1895, in which year she moved to Sher- burn, in Martin county, later moving to a farm near Walnut Grove, in Murray county, where she spent her last days with her daughter, Mrs. Charles M. Johnson, her death occurring on July 6, 1914. Of the nine children born to Christian and Ingeborg Sorensen all are still living. The two elder sons, Samuel S. and Christian L. Sorensen, were the first of the family to come to the United States. They took passage on the steamer ""Denmark,"" which was wrecked in the vicinity of the Azores. The passengers and crew were taken off by a cattle-ship and the brothers, after some delay, made their way safely to this country, proceeding almost directly after their landing to Minnesota, from which point they sent back such glowing reports that the rest of the family shortly afterward followed. One child was born after the family came to Minnesota, born at Big Lake, shortly after the death of the father in the spring of 1890; the others all were natives of Denmark. Of these children the subject of this sketch was the fourth in order of birth, the others being as follow : Samuel S., who is now manager of the creamery at Lamberton, this state; Christian L., manager of a creamery at Madelia; Andrew, a farmer, living in the vicinity of Chewelah, in the state of Washington; Anna, who married L. P. Hanson, who for some years was a butter maker at Windom and is now engaged as a contractor at Vanhook, North Dakota; Martin M., a butter maker at Dun- nell, this state; Mary E., wife of Charles M. Johnson, of Walnut Grove, this state; David D., now manager of a creamery at Arlington, this state, and Herman C, born at Big Lake, who also grew up in the creamery business and was for some years engaged in that business at Janesville, but is now engaged in farming in the vicinity of Welcome, in Martin county. Neal C. Sorensen was fourteen years of age when his parents came to this country. He had received careful schooling in his native land, but owing to the death of his father so soon after coming over here, necessitating the work of all hands to keep the family together, was unable to continue his studies in school for very long in this state. His first work here was on farms in the vicinity of Big Lake and on the railroad there and at the age of eighteen he began learning the creamery business and has ever since been engaged in that line, having come to be one of the best known and most competent creamery men in the state. His first managerial position was at Alson, South Dakota, but after a short stay there was called back to Minnesota to take charge of a creamery plant at St. Michael, in Wright county, where he remained until he was called, February i, 1896, to take charge of the creamery at Odin, in Watonwan county. There he remained nine years, becoming one of the most influential of the early residents of that village. During his residence in Odin township, Mr. Sorensen also engaged in the mercantile business there and served as postmaster of the township for some time. On September i, 1904, Mr. Sorensen was made manager of the creamery at Butterfield and has ever since occupied that position, having done there a fine work, the products of the Butterfield creamery being in wide demand wherever introduced. Mr. Sorensen has done well in his business and is recognized as one of the substantial citizens of his part of the county. He formerly owned a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in section 26 of Butterfield township, but after awhile sold that place and bought a farm of eighty acres in section 52 of the same township, which he now owns. By political persuasion Mr. Sorensen is a Prohibitionist and for years has been one of the most active workers in behalf of the principles of that party and the cause of temperance generally in Watonwan county. In 1906 he was his party's nominee for representative from this district to the state Legislature and has done much to advance the cause of temperance hereabout. For eight or nine years he was a member of the school board at Butterfield and was treasurer of the same at the time the fine new school house was built there. In other ways he has been an active factor in the work of developing the interests of his home town and has long been regarded as one of Butterfield's most useful and influential citizens. On February 12, 1897, while living in Odin township, Neal C. Soren- sen was united in marriage to Frances G. Sorensen, who was born in Denmark on February 29, 1876, daughter of Peter and Maran Sorensen,, who came to Minnesota in 1893 and settled at Welcome, later moving to Slier- burn and now living with their son, John T. Sorensen, at Okanogan, Washington. To Neal C. and Frances G. (Sorensen) Sorensen four children have been born, namely: Earl Lincoln, born in 1898, who supplemented his schooling in the public schools of Butterfield by a course in the Business College at Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and is now a traveling salesman for the Whole-Wheat Milling Company, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Martha Washington, born in 1901, who is adding to her work in the public schools a special course in music; Paul Neal, born on April 15, 1904, and Marian Frances, June 14, 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Sorensen are members of the Presbyterian church at Butterfield and take an active interest in church work, as well as in all local good works, Mr. Sorensen having served the local congregation as a member of the board of trustees of the church, treasurer of the same, and was for some years superintendent of the Sunday school. Sterrie, Peter N. Page 75-76 The Norwegians that have come to Watonwan county have made good not only as farmers but in various vocations and have built up a thriving community. Among the enterprising merchants at the present time is Peter N. Sterrie of St. James. He was born in Norway, December 15, 1864, and is a son of Nels Hess and Johanne Sterrie, both of whom lived and died in Norway, the death of the father occurring in May, 1913, and that of the mother in 1908. Peter N. Sterrie was reared in his native land and was educated in the public schools. When nineteen years old he came to St. Peter's, Minnesota, in 1884, and on March 7, 1887, arrived in St. James. Here he was employed for twelve years in the store of J. K. Sonnesyn. Having saved his earnings and learned the various details of the business, he started a general store of his own in 1912. He took in his brother, Ole Hess Sterrie, as a partner, and the firm name is now P. N. Sterrie & Company. They have built up a large and growing business and carry an extensive and carefully- selected stock of goods at all seasons. Mr. Sterrie was married in 1895, to Marie Sonnesyn, who was born in Norway in 1862, and is a daughter of Christopher Sonnesyn, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Sterrie has been without issue. Politically, the subject of this sketch is a Republican, and he has long been active in local public affairs. He was mayor of St. James for two years, and he has been a member of the city council for a number of years. He has done much for the general welfare of the town and community. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Ole Hess Sterrie, mentioned above, was born in Norway, December 3, 1877. He grew up in his native land and received a common school education. In 1895 he came to St. James, Minnesota, and was employed by his brother in the store until 1913, when he was admitted as a partner in the business. Politically, he is a Republican and he belongs to the Norwegian Lutheran church. Sucker, Adolph Page 412-413 Adolph Sucker is of German ancestry, but is himself a native American. He was born in Jackson county, Minnesota, March 30, 1876. He is a son of Richard Sucker, born in Germany, April 4, 1840, and Rosalie (Weber) Sucker, born in Germany, April 8, 1844, and died in Jackson county, Minnesota, April, 1887. Richard Sucker came to America about 1863. He first located in Jefferson, Wisconsin, and remained there until 1872, when he removed to Jackson county, Minnesota, where he located on a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres of government land. He here established his home and engaged in farming until about 1903, when he removed to Lake Crystal, Minnesota, where he is at present living. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Sucker were: Gustav H., William F., Minnie, Ida, John, Adolph, Herman, Conrad and Otto. The father and mother were members of the German Lutheran church. Politically, he is a Democrat. Adolph Sucker was educated in the public schools of Jackson county and in Wilder Farm College and Cedar Rapids Business College. In his early manhood he learned the carpenter trade and followed this occupation for about three years. For about three years he was employed in a hardware store at Lakefield and Amboy, Blue Earth county, Minnesota. Then he engaged in the real estate business, in Amboy, for about one year. In January, 1902, he came to Lewisville and organized the Merchants State Bank and was made cashier of this institution, a position which he has held since the organization. In 1903 Adolph Sucker was united in marriage to Ida Redetzke, daughter of Fred Redetzke, of Hebron, North Dakota. To this union five children have been born : Soezetta, Kermet, Fern, Kinten and Richard. Mr. and Mrs. Sucker are members of the German Lutheran church; he is at present treasurer of the local congregation; treasurer of village of Lewisville, and a director of Midland Trust and Savings Bank of St. Paul, Minn. Sulem, S. J. Page 430-431 S. J. Sulem is of Norwegian birth and Norwegian ancestry, another one of the Norwegian families that comprise a large part of the citizenship of Watonwan county, Minnesota. He was born in Lorn, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway, December 12, 1857. He is a son of John S. and Ingeborg (Vur- vold) Sulem, both natives of Norway. The father was a merchant in Norway and came to America in 1873. He came to Minnesota and located in Long Lake township, Watonwan county, where he entered a homestead of eighty acres. Here he built a home and began the improvement of the land, which he continued to cultivate until 1905. In that year he sold his farm and removed to North Dakota, where he died in 1911. There were seven children in this family : S. J., Carrie, Bessie, Lezzie, Thomas, Mary and Helen. They were members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. S. J. Sulem received his education in the public schools of Norway, working with his father during his early years. He came with his father to America in 1873, and worked on his father's farm for several years after coming here. In 1889 he went to Butterfield and was employed with the Scandinavian Farmers Trade Association for several years. In 1911 he opened up a general merchandise store in Butterfield and gave his whole attention to that business, which he has since continued. He has established a good trade in the town and surrounding country and is doing a successful business. In 1895 Mf- Sulem was united in marriage with Anna Rempel, daughter of W. W. Rempel, of Butterfield, Minnesota. The children born to this union are: Ada, E., Ethel W., John W., Willard T., Myrtle E., Pearl M., Martha and Marie, (twins) Chester M. and Loraine. Mr. and Mrs. Sulem are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church; Mr. Sulem was an official in the local congregation. Mr. Sulem is affiliated with the Democratic party. He has served as village recorder for ""about ten years, and president of the school board for about six years. At present he is serving as mayor of Butterfield. Sullivan & Gushman Page 118-119 Edd T. Sullivan and Leo A. Gushman, publishers of the Journal- Gazette of St. James, are doing a most commendable work in the general upbuilding of Watonwan county, their popular newspaper being a genuine booster for this locality. Mr. Sullivan was born in Mantorville, Minnesota, September 29, 1878, and received his education in the schools of that village, graduating from the high school there in 1896. He learned the printer's trade in the office of the Express and in 1901 went to North Dakota, where he worked at various places until January, 1907, when he returned to his home county and state and purchased a half interest in the Dodge County Record, at Dodge Center, where he remained for two years. He was thereafter connected with various papers in Minnesota, North Dakota and Montana, returning to Minnesota in June, 1914, and locating at Butterfield, Watonwan county, securing employment on the Advocate. In November of that year he came to St. James and began work on the Journal-Gazette, as foreman. On December i, 1915, he and Leo A. Gushman leased this plant and have since been editors and publishers of this excellent newspaper, which is gaining rapidly in circulation, has been greatly improved from a mechanical standpoint and is recognized as a valuable advertising medium. They are both capable and well trained newspaper men and are giving eminent satisfaction to their patrons. Mr. Sullivan is a Republican. He is unmarried. Leo A. Gushman was born in Stryker, Ohio, October 21, 1891. He came to St. James in 1914, and engaged in the advertising business, traveling throughout Minnesota and the Dakotas until he formed a partnership with Mr. Sullivan in December, 1915, and leased the Journal-Gazette. He is unmarried, and is a Republican. He is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Monen) Gushman. The father was born in Ohio, his parents having immigrated to that state from Alsace-Lorraine, formerly a province of France. Joseph's parents were Alexis and Mary (Duprez) Gushman, and his grandfather fought under Napoleon. The paternal grandfather of Leo A. Gushman died at Wauseon, Ohio, about 1901 at the age of eighty-two years, his wife dying two years later in 1903, when about seventy-five years of age. The maternal grandparents, Patrick and Elizabeth (Gebbie) Monen, were natives of Ireland, from which country they came to Ohio in 1865, locating at Stryker, later moving to Defiance, that state. The grandmother died in 1906 when about seventy-six years of age at Toledo. Grandfather's death occurred in December, 1915, at Toledo, at the unusual age of ninety-five years. He was born on March 17, 1821. The father of Leo A. Gushman is a master mechanic and is employed by S. M. Jones & Company of Toledo, Ohio. His family consists of two children, Jeanette, and Leo A. The latter received his education in the public schools of Toledo, Ohio, and was graduated from St. John's College (high school department), and attended the college one year, after which he was in the employ of the Woolson-Spice Company for four years. He was then in the advertising business two years before coming to St. James. Sundt, Ole E. Page 336-337 Upon the roll of representative business men of Watonwan county is Ole E. Sundt, cashier of the State Bank of LaSalle. He possesses those qualities of head and heart which not only bring success in a material way, but commend themselves to persons of intelligence and good citizenship. He was born in Norway, October 25, 1875, and is a son of Einar and Ronnaug (Kveen) Sundt, both natives of Norway, where they grew up, were married and resided until 1888, when they immigrated to America, locating in Watonwan county, Minnesota, where the father engaged in farming. He is now living in Hanska. The mother died several years ago. To these parents six children were born. Ole E. Sundt was thirteen years old when his parents brought him to the new world. He received a common-school education, including the schools of Brown county and Madelia, also studied at the Curtis Commercial College, in 1895 and 1896, after which he became manager for the Nelson and Albin Mercantile Association, which position he held four years, giving the firm the utmost satisfaction. He then came to Sleepy Eye, where he engaged in general mercantile pursuits until 1906, when he moved to LaSalle and assisted in organizing the State Bank of LaSalle, and he has filled the position of cashier of this popular and sound institution ever since, doing much toward its success. A general banking business is carried on along conservative lines, and the bank has enjoyed a steady growth from the first, meeting a long-felt want in this community. Mr. Sundt is a stockholder and director in the bank. Under the supervision of Mr. Sundt, this bank has achieved success, its deposits gradually increasing until it now has a substantial standing among banks of this class, at this time, having about one hundred and thirty thousand dollars deposits. Mr. Sundt was married on March 14, 1900, to Clara Olson, of Brown county, Minnesota, and to this union the following children have been born: Horace and Evelyn. Mr. Sundt is a member of the Lutheran church. Fraternally, he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, the Knights of Pythias, and the Modern Brotherhood of America. Politically, he is independent. Swanson, Alex Page 168-169 Alex Swanson was born in Sweden, May 15, 1849, and is a son of Andrew and Margaret Swanson, both natives of Sweden, the father born in 1819 and the mother in 1823. There they grew up and were married. In 1873 they 'came to Watonwan county, Minnesota, the father dying at the home of his son, Alex, not long after coming to the New World, but the mother survived to a ripe old age, passing away in 1905. To these parents but two children were born, namely: Carrie, the widow of Swan Englin, and Alex, the subject of this sketch. Alex Swanson grew to manhood in Sweden and there attended school. He came to America in 1869 and located in Watonwan county, Minnesota, taking up a homestead of eighty acres in Adrian township. He worked hard and managed well and subsequently added to his original place until he had two hundred and twenty-four acres, well improved, including a substantial set of buildings. The first shack he erected was of lumber hauled from Lake Crystal, in Blue Earth county. He carried on general farmong and stock raising on an extensive scale on his place until 1911, when he sold out and moved to St. James, buying his present residence. He was president of the Sveadahl Creamery Company. During the grasshopper years Mr. Swanson turned his attention to railroading, which he continued about ten years. Alex Swanson was married on November 21, 1874, to Anna Anderson, who was born in Sweden on July 12, 1853. She is a daughter of Andrew and Kersten Jensen, who came to America in 1869, locating on a homestead of eighty acres in Watonwan county. To this they added another eighty. This land Mr. Jensen improved and lived on until his death, in 1897. His widow survived until 1909. To these parents two children were born, namely : John Anderson, who lives on the old home farm in Nelson township, this county, and Anna, wife of Mr. Swanson. Politically, Mr. Swanson is a Republican. He cast his first vote for General Grant at his second election. He has been more or less active in the party ever since. He has served as a member of the township board, also the local school board for several years, and was one of the county commissioners when the present court house was built. He is a member of the Swedish Lutheran church and is a charter member of the West Sveadahl church, of which he has been secretary and deacon for the past twenty years. Syverson, Olanis Page 423-424 The life of Olans Syverson, elevator man of Ormsby, Watonwan county, has been one of unceasing industry and perseverance. He was born in Martin county, Minnesota, September n, 1878, and is a son of Peter and Mary (Jenson) Syverson, both natives of Norway, where they spent their earlier years. His father came to America about 1867. The mother had preceded him some three years, making the trip with her parents, the family locating in Mitchell county, Iowa, where Peter Syverson also located ,and there these parents were married in 1872. They located in Martin county, Minnesota, a little south of where Ormsby stands, the father taking up a homestead there in 1872 on which he spent the rest of his life, engaging in general farming. He died April 21, 1904. His widow is still living in Ormsby. They were the parents of seven children, namely: Olans, Edward, Emma, Henry, John, Otto, and Mabel. Peter Syverson was a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church at Long Lake. Olans Syverson spent his boyhood on the home farm in Martin county, and he received his education in the public schools. He continued farming on the home place until he was twenty-five years old. In 1903 he engaged in the harness and furniture business at Ormsby, which he has continued to the present time, with very favorable results all along the line. He carries a large and well-selected stock and has built up an extensive trade over the county. He bought one of the first stores established in Ormsby. In 1909 he became manager of the Ormsby Farmers' Grain Company, which he had helped to organize two years previously. Mr. Syverson was married on June 8, 1904, to Tena Sorlie, of Arcadia, Wisconsin, a daughter of Jens J. Sorlie and wife. She was born in Trempeleau county, Wisconsin, June 29, 1879. To this union three children have been born, namely: Myron, born October 16, 1906; Stanley, born May 21, 1911; and Carol, born July 13, 1914. Politically, Mr. Syverson is a Republican. He is at present village assessor, which office he has held ever since he came to Ormsby. He has also been clerk of the school board for the past ten years. He was for two years assessor of Galena township, Martin county. He has long been influential in the public life of his community.

Return to Biographies Index


©2008 Genealogy Trails