Vasa Historic District

HARTUNG, GEORGE, pastor of the German Methodist Church, Red Wing; was born in Thuringen, Germany, Nov. 18, 1843. He accompanied his parents to the United States in 1857, who settled in Washington county, Minnesota, where he worked with his father until 1864, when he procured a scholarship in the Wallace (German) College, at Berea, Ohio. He attended that institution two years, and returned to Washington county, where he prosecuted his studies while working on his father's farm. He was married Sept. 18, 1869, to Charlotte Spangenberg. She was born in Thuringen, Germany, Nov. 9, 1843. His first labors in the ministry were those of a local preacher; his first charge was at St. Croix mission, Prescott, Wis., where he remained until regularly ordained a minister of the Gospel, Sept. 28, 1873. At this time he was sent to Crow River mission, Wright county, Minnesota. At the expiration of two years he was sent to Salem, West St. Paul, having been created an elder, Sept. 26, 1875. In October, 1876, he came to Red Wing, and accepted his present charge. They have four children living - Amelia, Lydia, William and Alfred. Geo. F., born in Washington county, Sept. 6, 1870, died the 24th of the same month. Mrs. H. is also a member of the German Methodist Church.

Passage source: History of Goodhue County, Including a Sketch of the Territory and State of Minnesota; Together with an Account of the Early French Discoveries, Indian Massacres, the Part Borne by Minnesota's Patriots in the War of the Great Rebellion, and a Full and Complete History of the County from the Time of Its Occupancy by Swiss Missionaries in 1838. Pioneer Incidents, Biographical Sketches of Early and Prominent Settlers and Representative Men, and of Its Cities, Towns, Churches, Schools, Secret Societies, Etc, published 1878.

HODGMAN* J. Mm whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Windsor county, Vt., Feb. 17, 1822. Received his primary education in his native county, and from thence was a student in Meriden Seminary, N. EL, and afterwards in a military school, under the control of the State, at Norwich, Vermont. In Oct., 1851:, he came to this city, which was then in its infancy, and being pleased with the prospect and surroundings, he determined to make it his home, and for that purpose returned East, closed up his business there and returned to Red Wing in the spring of 1856, where he has since resided. He first engaged in the mercantile business, which he continued until 1860, when he became a partner with T. B. Sheldon, in the forwarding and commission business, in which he continued until 1867, since which time, on account of ill health, he has not been actively engaged in any business. In 1868 he was elected mayor of this city, and re-elected in 1878, which honorable position he now fills. Was married in this city, May 13, 1862, to Harriet Kellogg, who is a daughter of Joseph Kellogg, of New York State. Leonard W. is their only child.

Passage source: History of Goodhue County, Including a Sketch of the Territory and State of Minnesota; Together with an Account of the Early French Discoveries, Indian Massacres, the Part Borne by Minnesota's Patriots in the War of the Great Rebellion, and a Full and Complete History of the County from the Time of Its Occupancy by Swiss Missionaries in 1838. Pioneer Incidents, Biographical Sketches of Early and Prominent Settlers and Representative Men, and of Its Cities, Towns, Churches, Schools, Secret Societies, Etc, published 1878.

Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.

Read the whole chapter on Vasa Township - 16,756 words on its settlement, mills, schools and churches.