Fillmore County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches (1 of 11 so headed), 1882

Andrew Ellingson Bothum, deceased, was bom on the 4th of March, 1834, in Norway. He came to America with his brother when nineteen years old and settled in Wisconsin, where he married Miss Betsey Trason in 1856. In 1860, he came to Minnesota and bought a farm in section thirty-one, Arendahl township, where he resided until his death, which occurred the 9th of December, 1881. He left a family of nine children; Ellin g E., Bandi, Andrew, Mons, Erick, Caroline, Theodore, Albert, Edward M., and Bertha M. Two died in infancy. Elling E. was bom in Wisconsin on the 14th of Febraary, 1857. He came with his parents to this township and has since made it his home.

Rev. Arnb E. Boyum is a native of Norway, bom the 7th of April, 1833; is a son of a poor farmer, but succeeded in obtaining a common school education. He left home at the age of sixteen years, working for farmers until 1853, when he emigrated to America and came directly to Dane county, Wisconsin. He was engaged a few months in farming, bat spent the first winter in Marquette county, where he taught a Norsk school and began as a lay-preacher, also continuing his studies. In the spring of 1856, he was engaged by the Lutheran conference as a home missionary, his field including northern Iowa and soathern Minnesota. He took a claim in Rusliford in 1857, and the following year his parents joined him. On the 10th of June, 1858, Mr. Boyum was ordained, and the same year received a call to preach in the Lutheran church of this place, and also in Fayette county, Iowa. He retained the latter charge about four years, having organized one church in Iowa, one in Peterson, this county, and the one at Bushford. In 1859, he married Miss Anna Iverson, the ceremony taking place on the 25th of July. Mr. Boyum has been president of the Hauges Synod of the Luth- eran denomination since 1876. This synod includes ninety- eight societies, forty church edifices, twenty-four ministers, and over 6,000 members. Mr. and Mrs. Boyum have a family of ten children.

Olb E. Boyum was bom in Norway on the 10th of February, 1846. He came with his parents to Dane county, Wisconsin, when ten years old, and to Rushford in 1857. In 1862, the three brothers, Ame, Sevath, and Ole purchased a tract of land in Arendahl township. Ole was united in marriage with Miss Anna Johnson in 1866, and resided in section fifteen until 1870, when he bought a farm of Halvor Johnson, in section eleven. Mr. Boyum is one of the leading and most influential men of the place; represented this district in the State Legislature in 1876, and has held nearly all the local oflSces, and served one term as County Commissioner. He is also a member and officer in the Lutheran church. His brother, S. E. Boyam, resided in section fourteen in this place until 1879, when he moved to Rushford and engaged in a general mercantile store. In 1881, he sold out and went to Traill county. Dakota, where he owns a farm and hardware store,

John Benston, a native of Norway, was bom on the 12th of August, 1820. He emigrated to America in 1849, arriving in Waukesha, Wisconsin, in July, but soon after removed to Marquette county, where he was among the first settlers. The Indians were quite numerous in that section at the time, but were friendly. Mr. Benston was joined in matrimony with Miss Ingar Nelson, of Norway, on the 10th of March, 1855. The union has been blessed with nine children, five of whom are living. They came to this township in the spring of 1865, purchased a farm upon which they lived ten years, then moved to their present home in section thirty-three. Since coming here Mr. Benston has filled the office of Supervisor two years, being Chairman a portion of the time, and for the past ten years has been Assessor.

Hanb Makkusbn BsBaB was bom in Norway in November, 1830. He came to America in 1855, landing in New York on the 4th of July, and proceeded thence to Madison, Wisconsin, where he remained two years. In February, 1857, he married Miss Botilda Anderson. They moved to this place in 1860, and bought a fanb in section twenty-one where they still live, having since added to their first purchase. Mr. Berge was the first school clerk in this district, and the first school was held at his house. He has also filled the office of Supervisor. His children are Markus H., Andrew H., and Mary H. His brother, Ole, came to this place a year later than himself, and located in section twenty-one, but died in August, 1878.

John Cukeie, deceased, was born in Upper Canada on the 2d of March, 1831. When young he learned the miller's trade of his father, and in 1851, came to Minnesota. He selected a claim in Fremont, Winona county, for his father who came the following year. John then pre-empted land in Arendahl township in sections eight and eighteen upon which he made improvements. He resided with his father in Fremont, where he was the first Town Clerk and first Justice of the Peace, until coming here in 1862. In the latter year he was married to Miss Esther Erwin, the ceremony taking place the 29th of May. They came directly to his farm and erected a frame building in which they lived one year, and which is now used for a granary. Mr. Currie was one of the leading men of this place, assisting in all matters of public interest, and held nearly all the local offices; was a member and officer of the Presbyterian Church for seven years. He visited Sparta, Wisconsin, in search of health, and two days after returning (on the 8th of October, 1872,) died, leaving a wife and five children, the oldest a boy of ten years. Mrs. Currie has, since her husband's death, carried on the farm, and is endeavoring to give her children a good education.

Daniel Curbie is a native of Upper Canada, born the 10th of April, 1847. At the age of nine years he came with his parents to Winona county, locating in Fremont. His pai-ents both died when Daniel was in his eighteenth year, and he carried on the homestead for two years. Then came to this township and purchased two hundred and forty acres, upon which he now lives. In 1870, he married Miss Christia Bandall, daughter of J ames A. Randall, one of the first settlers in Fremont, Winona county. Mr. Currie held the office of Justice of the Peace and Town Clerk five years in succession; then resigned, and was elected to the State Legislature. After the expiration of his term he was elected Justice of the Peace, which office he now holds. He is extensively engaged in stock raising, having choice herds of Berkshire and Poland China hogs, Cotswold sheep, and Short Horn cattle.

Ole Elltngson is a native of Norwny, born the 9th of January, 1814. He resided with his parents on a farm until coming to America in 1847. Before leaving he was married to Miss Anna Malland, the ceremony dating the 16th of June, 1836. They first located in Boone county, Illinois, and in 1866, came to Pilot Mound and purchased a farm. Three years later they moved to this township and purchased a farm in sections thirty-two and thirtythree. Of eight children, the result of his marriage, five are living, and two still at home. Three daaght'Ors are married and live in Pilot Moimd.

John C. Ferguson was bom in Upper Canada on the 14th of October, 1833. He came to Minnesota in the spring of 1856, locating in Fremont, Winona county. The following year he purchased a farm in this township, and lived with his brotherin-law until the arrival of his parent in 1862. In October, 1872, he was united in marriage with Miss Isabella Scott, of Canada. She died on the 10th of January, 1878, leaving two children, a boy and a girl. Mr. Ferguson filled the office of Assessor several terms in an early day.

Peter P. Highum is a son of P. Peterson, and was bom in Norway on the 18th of November, 1849. He came to America with his father in 1855. They located in Columbia county, Wisconsin, and in 1860, the family came to Arendahl township and settled on a farm in sections nine and ten, where the parents now live. Peter parchased land in section twelve in 1873. He was married in 1876, to Miss Anna Anderson, who has borne him four children. Mr. Highum is at present filling the office of Constable,

Jacob Jackson, a native of Norway, was bom on the 10th of August, 1839. When he was but five years old he came with his parents to Dane county, Wisconsin, and a few years later moved to a farm near iVIadison. In 1856, the family came to this place and purchased land in sections nine and ten. Jacob was married in 1860, to Miss Susan Amundson. He bought a portion of his father's farm and makes it his home. In 1867, he opened a stock of dry goods at his residence, and soon after erected his present store, in which the Post-office is located, he being Postmaster. For the past three years he has held the office of Town Treasurer.

Bertha M. Johnson. They came to America in 1855, located near Decorah, Iowa, where his wife died. In October of the following year he moved to this township, and during the first winter suffered many hardships, being obliged to carry his wood on his back, grind com in a coffee mill, etc. After coming here he married Miss Betsey Johnson, who died in 1865. The maiden name of his present wife was Julia Anderson, whom he married in August, 1866. She came to Illinois with her parents in 1861, and to Fillmore county in 1866. Mr. Jutland has a family of four children, Owen, Knud, Bertha S., and Caroline.

Rev. Jens Kroeln, a native of Norway, was bom on the 30th of July, 1834. He came to America in 1861, and entered the Concordia College in St. Louis, from which he graduated in 1863. He received a call from a Lutheran church in Chicago, where he remained a number of years. Since 1876, he has been pastor of the church in this place.

Lars Knudson was bom in Norway, on the 11th of April, 1844. He came to America when he was twenty-one years old, and located in this township where he has since lived. On the 20th of January, 1869, he was married to Mrs. Betsey Johnson, who has borne him three children.

ToLOF Olson, a native of Norway, was bom on the 12th of December, 1830. He came to America in 1853, and located in Wisconsin, but a few months later removed to Winneshiek county, Iowa, where his father still lives. In 1860, Mr. Olson was married to Miss Betsey Mikkelsen. They moved to Fillmore county the following year, locating in Norway, where they remained until 1878, then came to their present farm. Their children are JuUa, Olaus, Betsey, Helena, Caroline, Otenus, Torlef, Holver, and Ole.

Torbin Omundson was bom in Norway on the 3d of January, 1831. He was married in 1859, to Miss Helga Hanson. The union has been blessed with three children. They came to America in 1865, and directly to Minnesota, locating in Arendahl township.

Even Olson Reishtjs, one of the pioneers of this county, and the second settler in Rushford, is a native of Norway, bom in April, 1822. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and also leamed the blacksmith trade, coming to America in 1848, After living in Dane county, Wisconsin, a few years, he settled in Bushford in 1854, and re- mained two years. While there he married Miss Anna Anderson. They came to this township in 1856, and purchased land, but lived with Mrs. Olson's father, who was the first settler in the place. Mr. Olson was one of the first Supervisors an(l helped to organize the town. He has a family of eleven children.

Labs Thompson, who is among the pioneers of this town, dates his birth in Norway on the 25th of March, 1834. He came to America with his parents in 1846, and lived a few years in Racine and Winnebago counties, Wisconsin. In 1855, he came to Arendahl township with a party of emigrants who located farms, Mr. Thompson's being in section fourteen. He was joined in matrimony on the 13th of November, 1859, with Miss Betsey Anderson, the fruits of ^hioh union are eight children living and one deceased. Mr. Thompson was one of the first Supervisors, and has since held different offices of trust. He was drafted during the rebellion, but excused by reason of a feeble constitution.

SvEND Thompson -HusTOFT, deceased, who was among the first to locate in the township, was a native of Norway, his birth dating the 16th of June, 1808. He learned the blacksmith trade when young, and in 1846, emigrated to America and first settled in Racine county, Wisconsin. Two years later he moved to Winnebago county and resided until the fall of 1855, when he came to Arendahl and located a farm in section thirteen, bringing his family the following summer. In 1864, he made a visit to his native Norway, and returned about a year later accompanied by his two brothers, Knud and Torbjom, and a sister, the latter of whom died in 1866. Mr. Thompson was fatally injured on the 14th of September, 1877, by falling from a wind-mill: his death occurred twenty hours after the accident. His widow resides with her son Andrew.

Andrew Thompson was born in Winnebago county, Wisconsin, on the 18th of January, 1849. He came with his parents to tbis place in 1856, and has since made it his home. Miss Mary Olson became his wife on the 18th of March, 1872. They have four children. In 1870, the old homestead was divided between him and his brother Frederick, Andrew taking that portion where the old dwelling was.

Frederick Edmund Thompson is also a native of Winnebago county, Wisconsin, born the 23d of March, 1851. He was married after coming to this place to Miss Helga H. Nayes, the ceremony taking place on the 2d of March, 1876. Her father, John K. Nayes, was one of the first settlers in Winnebago couaty, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have three children; Alma Tobinc, Anna Christina, and Flora Helen.

Peter Surson Wanosnes is a native of Norway, born in November, 1829. He emigrated to America in 1844; located in Rock county, Wisconsin, and four years later moved to Dane county. While there he married Miss Anna Munson. They came to this township in 1866, and bought land in section eleven. Mr. Wangsnes was engaged in general mercantile business in Rushford a few years, but has since devoted his time to agricultural pursuits. He is a member of the Board of Supervisors. Mr. and Mrs. Wangsnes have eight children; Sure is married and lives in Rushford; Solver married R. Rolf son, who is now preparing for the ministry in the Lutheran College at Madison, Wisconsin, and John is married to Marie Reishus, and engaged in business in Rushford.