Douglas - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Re: Michael & Marie Pischke photo

TarynMN — 2013-05-24 11:21:25Z

Maybe the Douglas county historical society has a copy?

Re: Michael & Marie Pischke photo

mindya536 — 2013-05-24 03:36:03Z

Thanks for the reply. It is actually my posting on Find-a-Grave. I photo-shopped the copy I had which is probably why the image isn't too hot.
Mindy

Re: Michael & Marie Pischke photo

TarynMN — 2013-05-24 03:21:46Z

I see that the same photo is posted at findagrave.org for the couple, by another person.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Pi...;

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=58...

Although I think your photo almost looks a little better?
But maybe the poster can get you in contact with other relatives.
Taryn - not related.

Michael & Marie Pischke photo

mindya536 — 2013-05-23 03:05:50Z

Would anyone have a photo of Michael and Marie Pischke from Millerville? I have a poor quality copy of a photo and would like to get a better digital copy. They died 1909 and 1924 respectively.

Thanks, Mindy

Re: Douglas Co Album of the Ages Lookup

TarynMN — 2013-05-16 13:38:01Z

Karen is providing a nice service, since the book is out of print.

To followup on a Douglas County Album of the Ages lookup, contact the Douglas County Historical society in Alexandria, Minnesota. The families in the Album of the Ages each have a family file created, and additional information is available at the Historical society for those families, and for families who did not get their information published in the book.
Contact the Douglas County Historical Society here:
http://www.dchsmn.org/contact/

After you make your request, volunteer researchers will begin the search. If they find additional information, there is a $20 fee (NOT by the hour) and 25 cents per photocopy. In most cases, the material can be scanned and emailed directly to you.
Newspaper Obituaries and articles, family file information, genealogy information submitted by other relatives, births, deaths, marriages, microfilms of all area newspapers back to the late 1800's, census records. There are plat maps showing land ownership locations, business files, Alexandria history, old telephone and city directories showing addresses, church records, and much much more.
Since the area was heavily Scandinavian, sometimes even the place they came from in Norway, Denmark or Sweden can be determined using the old records.

Re: Douglas Co Album of the Ages Lookup (Roers/Miller/Scherrer/Toft)

KarenL8426 — 2013-04-17 09:37:13Z

The email address you supplied was not valid. My email to you came back. Please email me directly karenl8426@aol.com.

Re: Douglas Co Album of the Ages Lookup (Roers/Miller/Scherrer/Toft)

TedMills50 — 2013-04-16 23:16:54Z

Karen, several years ago you posted a request for info about an Isgit family. I am helping a friend (named Isgitt) to track his family history, and I would like to correspond with you about this. My email address is millsted@westelcom.com

Thanks in advance. Ted Mills

Re: Michael FitzPatrick in Evansville, Minnesota

four_fitzs — 2013-04-10 02:42:44Z

If you are looking for Michael Fitzpatrick, husband of Mary Farrell, he died October 6, 1917 in Glasgow, MT. I posted a picture of his grave and a copy of his death cert on ancestry.com.

Re: Douglas Co Album of the Ages Lookup

sbuethner — 2013-04-07 16:59:44Z

Anything on KLEIN, August, d. 1901 & wife, Maria, d. 1899; William, son of August, d. 1912 and wife, Anna Hollatz Klein d. 1911.

Re: Douglas Co Album of the Ages Lookup (Roers/Miller/Scherrer/Toft)

KarenL8426 — 2013-04-05 23:04:06Z

Did I get back to you on your Roers/Scherrer/Toft families? Those names are listed. Send an email to karenl8426@aol.com and I'll scan the pages for your families and send them to you.

Re: Douglas Co Album of the Ages Lookup

KarenL8426 — 2013-04-05 22:57:00Z

Did I send you the information on your family? If not, I apologize. Please send an email karenl8426@aol.com with your names and I'll scan the pages for you, I promise.

Re: Douglas Co Album of the Ages Lookup

KarenL8426 — 2013-04-05 22:46:23Z

Sorry, no Politicki (Politiski) or Pischke. Good luck with your research.

Re: Douglas Co Album of the Ages Lookup

KarenL8426 — 2013-04-05 22:43:19Z

Sorry, no Portners. Good luck with your research.

Re: Hintzen Family

hintzen — 2013-04-05 08:05:37Z

The Hintzen family in Europe you cann have it if you send a e-mail to jachintzen@planet.nl
I am Jac Hintzen, living in Vaals, Holland and I am born in the same place as Leonard Hintzen (married with Elizabeth Fuchs)
I am born on september 6, 1931
Sorry for my Englis, but I hope you cann read it.

Arthur and Ruth Melinda Tangen

Lauri_Ziemer — 2013-04-02 23:26:56Z

Trying to find obituaries and cemeteries for Arthur A.E. Tangen - dod 11-4-1977 and his wife, Ruth Melinda Tangen - dod: 4-22-1994. They were from Alexandria, Douglas Co., MN.

Any assistance greatly appreciated. THXX!

Re: Douglas Co Album of the Ages Lookup

wiwack — 2013-03-19 07:23:47Z

Hi,
if still interested, I know Schneiderhan ancestors up to 15th century and many descendents of the couple Afra Mayer - Anton Schneiderhan.
No Mayer ancestors.
regards
Willi W.

Charles F. SIMS, biography

TarynMN — 2013-03-18 14:17:18Z

Charles F. Sims
Source: Compendium of History and Biography, Transcribed by Christi Boyer

CHARLES F. SIMS, vice-president of the Union National Bank and superintendent of the Minneapolis & Northern Elevator Company, is one of the pioneer settlers of North Dakota and a prominent business man of Grand Forks. He was born in Jefferson county, New York, October 10, 1831.
The parents of our subject, George and Hannah (Cross) Sims, were natives of Connecticut and New Hampshire, respectively, and the father was a farmer and moved to Wisconsin in 1860 and now resides near Janesville, that state, at the advanced age of ninety-six years. The grandfather of our subject, Robert Sims, was a native of Aberdeen, Scotland, and came to the United States about 1785 and settled in Connecticut and was there married. He later removed to Otsego county, New York, and in 1816 to Jefferson county, New York, and died in that state. The paternal grandmother bore the maiden name of Lydia Hanks. The maternal grandfather, Theo Cross, was a native of New Hampshire and went to Jefferson county, New York, in 1823, and his was one of the first families to settle in New Hampshire.
Our subject is one of five sons and is the only one now residing in North Dakota. He was raised and educated in New York in the Carthage Academy, and then learned the drug business at Antwerp, New York, and followed the same two years, and in 1854 went to Wisconsin and settled in Jefferson county and spent two years, when he went to St. Anthony, now Minneapolis, and was engaged in the drug trade there eight years. He started to Idaho in 1864 with an expedition and they were attacked by Indians near Fort Rice and after three weeks were rescued by United States troops and were returned. Twelve men were killed and the others of the number returned to New York. Our subject went to St. Cloud, Minnesota, in 1865, and engaged in milling there one year and then started for Montana with twenty-four teams of flour under the guidance of Captain Fisk, who had charge of the previous expedition. This last pushed through to Helena and arrived there with ox-teams. Our subject remained there three years and followed freighting, and in 1868 returned to Douglas county, Minnesota, and remained there until 1877. He had charge of the Alexandria mills and was postmaster one term. He went to California in 1877 and engaged in bee culture until 1878, when he returned to Alexandria and entered the employ of the Pillsbury & Hulbert Elevator Company which was changed to the Minneapolis & Northern in 1885, and our subject came to Grand Forks in 1882 and has had charge of the affairs of the company in that place since that date. He was one of the organizers and one of the first directors of the Union National Bank and is now vice-president of the same.
Mr. Sims was married, in 1861, to Miss Laura E. Dorman, a native of Minnesota and a daughter of Daniel W. Dorman. Mr. Sims is a Republican in political sentiment, but has never sought public office, devoting himself to the business interests, and is highly esteemed by his many friends. A portrait of Mr. Sims will be found in connecting with this sketch.

a death notice for the mother of Charles F. Sims is found here:

http://boards.ancestry.com/localities.northam.usa.states.min...

SIMS, Mother of G. C. (xxxx-1891)
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SIMS, Mother of G. C. (xxxx-1891)
jwatne2010 (View posts) Posted: 29 Dec 2002 1:05AM
Classification: Death Edited: 3 Apr 2004 10:19PM
Surnames: SIMS

The Douglas County News, Alexandria, Minnesota
Thursday, April 30, 1891, page 8, col. 3.

G. C. Sims was called to Afton, Wis., last week by the serious illness of his mother, who died a few hours after his arrival.

Transcribed from microfilm copy of newspaper at Minnesota History Center, St. Paul, MN.
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Re: SIMS, Hannah CROSS (1806-1891)
jwatne2010 (View posts) Posted: 29 Dec 2002 1:09AM
Classification: Death Edited: 3 Apr 2004 10:19PM
Surnames: SIMS, CROSS, TREAT, BROWN

The Douglas County News, Alexandria, Minnesota
Thursday, May 7, 1891, page 5, col. 4.

IN MEMORIAM.

Janesville Recorder.

Died, at Afton, Wis., April 22d, 1891, Hannah, wife of George Sims, in the eighty-sixth year of her age.

Hannah Cross Sims was born at Weare, New Hampshire, January 15, 1806. She was the ninth child of a family of ten children, two of whom, an elder sister and a younger brother, are still living. At the age of fourteen she removed with her parents to Philadelphia, Jefferson county, New York. At the age of twenty-one, June 11th, 1827, she was married to George Sims at Philadelphia, and lived there and at Antwerp, in the same county, for more than thirty-four years. In 1863 she removed to Afton, where she lived with her husband and eldest child, Mrs. Pamella Treat, until she died.

Of her six children all survive her save one, the eldest son, and although widely separated, all were permitted to be present at the funeral, which took place from the family residence on Friday, April 24.

Her four sons, called from four different states, and her daughter, who had been for nearly thirty years constant companion, met together for the first time in many years; Charles F. from Grand Forks, N.D.; Geo. C., from Alexandria, Minn.; Erwin W., from Madison, Neb.; and Lorenzo G., from Roscoe, South Dakota.

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Mr. Brown, of Milwaukee, who preached the service from the test, John 14:6.

During the four days preceding her death she suffered much, and seemed conscious that death was near. She expressed a great desire to see all her children before she died and telegrams summoned them to come without delay. Only one son and a grandson were able to reach her before her death. She knew them and was conscious and able to speak until about an hour before she passed away. As the end drew near she became easier, and just at noon on Wednesday passed peacefully away. So â€œHe giveth His beloved sleep.â€

During all her sickness, and indeed through her whole life, she bore all her suffering, pain and trials with a patience and fortitude rarely seen. Converted at the age of seventeen, for nearly three score years and ten she lived a sweet christian life. She was a woman of broad christian sympathy and charity, and always seeing in others the good rather than the bad, had a kind and pleasant word for every one, and extended to many a helping hand. She was a woman of untiring industry. During her early married life her labors were arduous in the extreme, and in later years she was never idle.

But it was as a wife, mother and friend that her unselfish character shone forth in all its fullness and beauty. â€œHer children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.â€

She was a kind and loving mother and life was one of self sacrifice for her family. She never thought of herself, never murmured or complained, but toiled on untiringly until the end of life. Her counsel and admonitions to her children were always wise and good.

Not by the great world but by her husband, children and friends will she be loved and remembered as long as life shall last.

Transcribed from microfilm copy of newspaper at Minnesota History Center, St. Paul, MN.

Re: SIMS, Hannah CROSS (1806-1891)

TarynMN — 2013-03-18 14:16:15Z

Fred C. Raiter biography, and Lily Watters, spouse.

TarynMN — 2013-03-18 14:05:33Z

Fred C. Raiter
History of Douglas and Grant Counties, Constant Larson, editor, 1916 – Submitted by SD

Fred C. Raiter was a well-known and substantial dealer in meats at Alexandria, successor to the business which his father, Christopher H. Raiter, now retired, built up in this section during pioneer days, and who also has large farming interests, besides interests in banking and other forms of business hereabout, is a native son of Minnesota and has lived here all his life, a continuous resident of Alexandria since the days of his infancy. He was born in Rochester, this state. July 13, 1869, son of Christopher H. and Anna (Reier) Raiter, both natives of Germany, who had come to America with their respective parents, married in Minnesota and later located at Alexandria, becoming influential factors in the development of that place during the early days and who are still living there, very comfortably situated.

Fred C. Raiter was but an infant when his parents moved from Rochester to Alexandria and he grew to manhood in the latter city, receiving his schooling in the public schools there and early taking a part in the management of his father's extensive meat business. When twenty-eight years of age he bought the meat market from his father and has since been very successfully conducting the same. He also operates his father's farm of a half section near town, devoting the same chiefly to the feeding of cattle for his own market. In addition to this he has other business interests and is a member of the board of directors of the First National Bank of Alexdandria and a stockholder in the Alexandria Manufacturing Company. Mr. Raiter is a thirty-second degree Mason, a Knight Templar and a noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine, Past Master of the Blue Lodge at Alexandria; a member of the chapter, Royal Arch Masons, at Sauk Center: a member of the commandery, Knights Templar, at Morris, and a member of the consistory, Scottish Rite Masons, and of the Shrine at Minneapolis. He also is past noble grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Alexandria and in the affairs of all these fraternal organizations takes a warm interest.

Fred C. Raiter was married to Lily Watters, who was born in Hudson township, Douglas county, daughter of James Watters, a veteran of the Civil War and a pioneer of Hudson township, now living retired at Alexandria, and to this union two children have been born, Gertrude and Frederick. Mr. and Mrs. Raiter are members of the Congregational church and take an earnest interest in the various beneficences of the same, as well as in all community good works, helpful in promoting all proper causes hereabout.

Re: RAITER, Mother of C. H. (xxxx-1889)

TarynMN — 2013-03-18 14:02:51Z

Christopher H. Raiter
History of Douglas and Grant Counties, Constant Larson, editor, 1916 – Submitted by SD

Christopher H. Raiter was born in Prussia on July 9, 1842, son of Gotlieb and Gusina (Shefler) Raiter, who came to the United States with their family in 1864 and settled in Olmsted county, this state, Gotlieb Raiter taking a homestead there on which he established his home and where he spent the rest of his life. His widow, who survived him some years, went to the state of Washington after his death and there she spent her last days. They were members of the Lutheran church and their children were reared in that faith.

There were five of these children, of whom Christopher H., the only present survivor, was the third in order of birth, the others being August. Peter, Gertrude and Gustine. Christopher H. Raiter preceded his parents to this country, he having come here in 1862. When twenty years of age, landing at the port of New York penniless, or, as he himself puts it, with twenty-five cents less than nothing at all. He presently secured a place working in a market garden near the city for his board and seven dollars a month and saved money on the job. After awhile his wages were raised to ten dollars a month and that, he says, spoiled him, for he was emboldened recently to ask for more, was refused and quit his job, having a difficult time finding another: which circumstance, he says, was a good lesson in letting well enough alone.

In the fall of 1863 Mr. Raiter made his way out to Minnesota and located at Rochester, where he began working with a threshing crew and when the threshing season was ended went to work in a butcher shop at Rochester, he having had some experience in the butcher trade in his native land. In 1868 he married and in May 1869, started in the butcher business on his own account at Oata, where in a few months he built up a flourishing business. He then was advised by a friend, Mr. Phelps, to transfer his business to the then new town of Alexandria and following that advice, started out with his wife and their first-born child. At that time there was a meat market in the town, located on the present site of Raiter Brothers' (sons of Christopher H. Raiter) shoe store. Christopher H. Raiter thought that meat market, paying for the same the sum of one thousand dollars, put an addition to the building the market occupied until in that addition housed his family. That was the beginning of Christopher H. Raiter's success career in Douglas

Business career in Alexandria, he remained in the meat business until a few years ago, when he sold his place to his son, Fred C, who is now conducting the same along the same successful lines, the business still being carried on in the brick building erected by the elder Raiter, the first brick business building erected in Alexandria. Christopher H. Raiter also erected the first brick residence in Alexandria, where he and his wife are still living and where they are very pleasantly situated. In addition to the extensive business interests retained by Mr. Raiter in Alexandria, he is the owner of a fine farm of three hundred and sixty acres near town, is the vice-president of the First National Bank and continues to deal in real estate, a business in which he has been largely interested.

He organized the first bank in Alexandria, now the First National Bank, and has helped organize and is an officer in seven other banks in towns throughout this section of Minnesota and in North Dakota. One of his latest enterprises is the erection, in connection with Claus J. Gunderson, of a fine new brick business block in Alexandria. Christopher H. Raiter and his wife are active members of the Congregational church and were among the leaders in the work of erecting that congregation's beautiful edifice in 1892. Mr. Raiter has ever been an active leader in the cause of temperance hereabout and his strong personal influence has ever been directed in behalf of good citizenship.

It was in 1868, at Rochester, that Christopher H. Raiter was united in marriage to Anna Reier, who also was born in Germany, and who had come to this country with her parents, Christopher Reier and wife, the family first settling in Illinois and later coming to Minnesota. To that union seven children were born, of whom the subject of this sketch was the first- born, the others being Emma, Tina, Lytta, Christie, George and Frank.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fred C. Raiter
History of Douglas and Grant Counties, Constant Larson, editor, 1916 – Submitted by SD

Fred C. Raiter was a well-known and substantial dealer in meats at Alexandria, successor to the business which his father, Christopher H. Raiter, now retired, built up in this section during pioneer days, and who also has large farming interests, besides interests in banking and other forms of business hereabout, is a native son of Minnesota and has lived here all his life, a continuous resident of Alexandria since the days of his infancy. He was born in Rochester, this state. July 13, 1869, son of Christopher H. and Anna (Reier) Raiter, both natives of Germany, who had come to America with their respective parents, married in Minnesota and later located at Alexandria, becoming influential factors in the development of that place during the early days and who are still living there, very comfortably situated.

Fred C. Raiter was but an infant when his parents moved from Rochester to Alexandria and he grew to manhood in the latter city, receiving his schooling in the public schools there and early taking a part in the management of his father's extensive meat business. When twenty-eight years of age he bought the meat market from his father and has since been very successfully conducting the same. He also operates his father's farm of a half section near town, devoting the same chiefly to the feeding of cattle for his own market. In addition to this he has other business interests and is a member of the board of directors of the First National Bank of Alexdandria and a stockholder in the Alexandria Manufacturing Company. Mr. Raiter is a thirty-second degree Mason, a Knight Templar and a noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine, Past Master of the Blue Lodge at Alexandria; a member of the chapter, Royal Arch Masons, at Sauk Center: a member of the commandery, Knights Templar, at Morris, and a member of the consistory, Scottish Rite Masons, and of the Shrine at Minneapolis. He also is past noble grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Alexandria and in the affairs of all these fraternal organizations takes a warm interest.

Fred C. Raiter was married to Lily Watters, who was born in Hudson township, Douglas county, daughter of James Watters, a veteran of the Civil War and a pioneer of Hudson township, now living retired at Alexandria, and to this union two children have been born, Gertrude and Frederick. Mr. and Mrs. Raiter are members of the Congregational church and take an earnest interest in the various beneficences of the same, as well as in all community good works, helpful in promoting all proper causes hereabout.

Re: RAITER, Father of C. H. (xxxx-1881)

TarynMN — 2013-03-18 14:01:27Z

Re: Knute Nelson Biography (Douglas County 1902)

TarynMN — 2013-03-18 13:57:34Z

Knute Nelson
Source: Progressive men of Minnesota. (Shutter, Marion Daniel, 1853-ed.) Minneapolis, The Minneapolis Journal (1897) Submitted by Diana Heser Morse

Senator Knute Nelson, of Minnesota, is a native of Norway. He was born at Voss, near Bergen, Norway, on February 2, 1843. For generations his ancestors had lived in that vicinity as farmers. When three years old Knute lost his father, and when six, he came to this country with his mother. When they arrived in Chicago in July, 1849, the cholera epidemic was raging in that city. The young boy contracted the disease, but his rugged constitution successfully resisted its attacks. During the succeeding year his mother moved to Walworth County, Wisconsin, and soon after to Dane County, where young Nelson grew up. His common school education was obtained with difficulty, but after encountering many obstacles he was able, in 1858, to enter Albion Academy. But three years of his course there had expired when the war broke out, and Nelson entered the army in May, 1861, with a group of his fellow students. They became members of the Fourth Wisconsin Infantry. The young soldier served with his regiment until the fall of 1864. He participated in the capture of New Orleans, in the first siege of Vicksburg, the battle of Baton Rouge and Camp Bisland, and was at the siege of Port Hudson. In the great charge at this siege, on June 14, 1863, he was wounded and captured, and remained a prisoner until the fort was surrendered on July 9. At the close of the war Mr. Nelson returned to Albion, finished his course, and after graduation became a law student in the office of Senator William F. Vilas, at Madison. He was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1867, and immediately commenced practice. In the fall of the same year he was elected to the state assembly, and was reelected in the following year. Soon after the close of his second term he moved to Alexandria, Douglas County, Minnesota, where he has since made his home. In Douglas County Mr. Nelson found many people from his native country and from Sweden. In fact, those nationalities predominate in Northwestern Minnesota. As a strong man, and one whose characteristics fitted him to become a leader, he naturally took a prominent place from his first settlement in the region. He entered a United States homestead and opened a farm near Alexandria, and commenced farming and practicing law. In 1872, 1873 and 1874 he was county attorney of Douglas County. In 1875, 1876, 1877 and 1878 he served the Thirty-ninth Legislative District as state senator. By this time he had attained great prominence and influence in the northern portion of the state, and his name was placed on the Garfield electoral ticket in 1880. Two years later he secured the Republican nomination for congress, for the then Fifth District of Minnesota. The campaign was an extremely bitter one, but he was elected by a plurality of four thousand five hundred votes. Re-election followed in 1884 by over ten thousand plurality, and in 1886 he received for his third term forty three thousand nine hundred and thirty-seven votes to one thousand two hundred and thirty-nine cast for a Prohibitionist, his only opponent. Mr. Nelson's record in congress was that of a hard worker, and an independence and fearless voter. He favored tariff reform, and even went so far as to vote for the Mills bill, as well as introducing a measure looking to the entire abolition of the tariff on several articles. He was instrumental in securing the passage of bills opening the Indian reservations and making permanent disposition of the red men of Minnesota. With no material opposition to him he nevertheless declined a renomination in 1888, and the following spring resumed his law business and farming at Alexandria, but in 1892 he was unanimously nominated as the party candidate for governor, and was elected by a plurality of fourteen thousand six hundred and twenty votes. A renomination and election by sixty thousand plurality followed in 1894. He had hardly entered upon his second term, however, when he was elected to the United States senate and resigned as governor to accept the higher office, which he now fills with great ability. Mr. Nelson's career has been of the kind that romance are made of, and his success stands as a living refutation of the complaint that there is not longer any change for the poor boy in this country. Nelson was certainly poor enough and sufficiently dependent on his merits and his own efforts which have advanced him from the station which he occupied as a lad in 1849, with all its discouraging conditions, to the honorable office which he now fills with credit to himself and to the profit of the state.

Re: ERICKSON, Theodore August (1871-xxxx) Biographical Sketch

TarynMN — 2013-03-18 13:52:22Z

Theodore Erickson
Little Sketches of Big Folks in Minnesota (Publ. 1907) Transcribed by Anna Parks

ERICKSON Theodore August, Alexandria. Educator. Born Sept 2, 1871 in Alexandria Minn, son of Andrew Peter and Emma (Larson) Erickson. Married Sept 6, 1906 to Mabel Charlotte Anderson. Graduated from Alexandria High School 1901; from U of M 1904; took special courses in Ill Normal School 1895, Minneapolis Art School 1896-97, Gustavus Adolphus College 1898. Engaged in teaching in dist schools 1891-96; Alexandria Ward School 1896-98; principal Nelson school 1898-1900; professor Scandinavian languages Nebraska Wesleyan Univ Lincoln Neb 1900-1902; supt of schools Alexandria 1905 to date. Has served as town clk, justice and town supervisor.

Re: CRAIG, George P. and RICHARDS, Addie M. (March 14, 1891) Marriage

TarynMN — 2013-03-18 13:36:48Z

George P. Craig
Little Sketches of Big Folks in Minnesota (Publ. 1907) Transcribed by Liz Dellinger

CRAIG George P. Alexandria. Public official. Born July 14, 1855 in Salem Mass son of George B and Sophia (Wilson) Craig. Married march 14, 1891 to Addie m Richards. Educated in public schools Mass and n H 1859-67; and public school Douglas county Minn. Resident of Douglas county 40 years; held several offices previous to 1891; dep register of deeds 1897 to date; dep clk of court 1899 to date; court comnr 1905 to date. Member A O U W; M B A and M N R.

Re: COWING, Thomas (1812-1887)

TarynMN — 2013-03-18 13:31:20Z

John B. Cowing
History of Douglas and Grant Counties, Constant Larson, editor, 1916 – Submitted by SD

John B. Cowing was born in 1842 and was but six years old when he came to this country from England in 1848 with his parents, Thomas and Jane (Heads) Cowing, and settled in Dane county, Wisconsin, where they remained until i860, when they came over into Minnesota and came out to this part of the state, settling in Moe township, Douglas county, home-steading a place there, on which they remained until the Indian outbreak drove them to Sauk center for safety.

Upon their return to Douglas county they lived for a time in the stockade which the government meanwhile had erected at Alexandria and where Thomas Cowing presently started a tavern, later opening a general store which he conducted until his retirement from business; his store, the "Old Regulator," having been far-famed throughout this entire region in the early days. He continued making his home at Alexandria after his retirement and both he and his wife spent their last days there, honored and respected pioneer residents.

They were the parents of nine children, namely: George F., who served as a soldier of the Union during the Civil War, a member of the Twenty-eighth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, later locating in Douglas county, this state, where he for years conducted a store at old Chippewa, and later went to Otter Tail county, where he served as county superintendent; Thomas F., who also served as a soldier of the Union during the Civil War, a member of the Second Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry (the famous old "Iron Brigade"), and upon the completion of his military service also located in Douglas county, where he made his home until his removal to Portland, Oregon, where he died on August 3, 1916.

John B.Cowing, father of the subject of this sketch, further reference to whom will follow; William H., who came to this section with his parents in pioneer days, married Katie Piatt, who taught school in the old stockade at Alexandria, the first school teacher in Douglas county, later became a merchant at St. Olaf, whence lie moved to Fergus Falls, where he engaged in business and where he spent the remainder of his life; Elizabeth, who married Wilbur D. Hurlburt and spent her last days in the West; A. A., who for some time was engaged in the implement business at Fergus Falls, later moving to Oregon, where he spent his last days; Joseph, who left his home at Alexandria in 1866, when sixteen years of age, and never was heard from by his family again; Mary, who married George H. Reynolds and later moved to St. Cloud, where her last days were spent, and A. C, who for some time was engaged in business at Alexandria, later moving to Crookston and thence West, where his last days were spent.

Re: COLBJORNSEN, Colbjorn & THOMPSON, Etta Louisa (July 1899) Marriage

TarynMN — 2013-03-18 13:26:02Z

Colbjorn W. Colbjornsen
History of Douglas and Grant Counties, Constant Larson, editor, 1916 – Submitted by SD

Colbjorn W. Colbjornsen was head of the firm of Colbjornsen & Wegener, clothiers and merchant tailors at Alexandria, and for years recognized as one of tile leading merchants of Douglas county, is a native of the kingdom of Norway, but has been a resident of Minnesota since he was seventeen years of age. He was born on October 3, 1863, son of Wilhelm and Johannae (Jacobsen) Colbjornsen, both natives of Norway, who are still living there, where the former for many years has been engaged in the hard- ware business.

Colbjorn W. Colbjornsen was one of eight children born to his parents and when he was seventeen years old, in 1885, he came to the United States, proceeding directly to Minnesota and locating at Battle Lake, where he remained about a year. He then went to Henning and there was employed in the general store of A.S. Paulsen for three years and six months, at the end of which time he went to Parkers Prairie, where he was employed in the general store of John Murray for a year, at the end of which time he went to Alexandria, where he ever since has made his home.

Upon going to Alexandria, Mr. Colbjornsen became employed in the general store of Kortsch, Hardy & Hoeble, where he remained eighteen months, going thence into the clothing store of C. F. Canfield & Son, where he remained for more than seven years, at the end of which time he engaged in business for himself, at Alexandria, opening a merchant-tailoring establishment, which he conducted for a time alone, later forming a partnership with Jacobsen, Follet & Andrew, clothiers, which arrangement continued for three years, at the end of which time Mr. Colbjornsen resumed his former business as a merchant tailor and after two years of that form of business formed his present partnership) with J. E. Wegener, under the firm name of Colbjornsen & Wegener, clothiers and merchant tailors, and has been doing very well, devoting his whole time to the business.

On July 15, 1899, Colbjorn W. Colbjornsen was united in marriage to Etta L. Thompson, of Alexandria, and to this union three children have been born, Harold, Helen and Carl. Mr. and Mrs. Colbjornsen are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and take a proper interest in the various beneficences of the same, as well as in all neighborhood good works, being helpful factors in the promotion of all agencies designed to advance the general welfare hereabout.

Walter H. Campbell, biography (b. 1875 Detroit, MI, educated in Alexandria

TarynMN — 2013-03-18 13:24:47Z

Walter H. Campbell
Source: Little Sketches of Big Folks in Minnesota. (Publ. 1907) Transcribed by Renae Donaldson

CAMPBELL Walter H, Minneapolis. Res 7 W 25th st, office 201 Oneida blk. Lawyer. Born Oct 2, 1875 in Detroit Mich, son of George G S and Mary J (Anscomb) Campbell. Married Sept 27, 1905 to Elva MacKusick. Educated in common and high schools Alexandria Minn; graduated from U of M 1895; law dept 1896; admitted to bar 1896; employed in offices of John B and EP Sanborn St Paul until 1897; engaged in law reporting until 1899; in railroad work until 1902; began law practice in Minneapolis 1902 and has continued to date.

Re: AMUNDSON, Mrs. Ole (c. 1858-1884)

TarynMN — 2013-03-18 13:21:14Z

Death of Mrs. Ole Amundson's mother:
http://boards.ancestry.com/localities.northam.usa.states.min...

Re: AMUNDSON, Mrs. Ole (c. 1858-1884)

TarynMN — 2013-03-18 13:19:06Z

Ole Amundson
History of Douglas and Grant Counties, Constant Larson, editor, 1916 – Submitted by SD

The Honorable Ole Amundson, well-known and well-to-do retired real-estate man and dealer in farm machinery of Evansville, former member of the Minnesota state Legislature, former commissioner of Douglas county, former sheriff of that same county and since pioneer days actively identified with the work of developing the resources of this section of the state, is a native of the kingdom of Norway, but has been a resident of this country since he was eighteen years of age. He was born on August 31, 1844, son of Edmund and Anna Olsen, also natives of Norway and farming people in their native land, who came to the United States in 1862 with the six younger members of their family of twelve children and after four or five years of residence in Wisconsin came to Minnesota, settling in Douglas county, where they spent the remainder of their lives.

Upon coming to this country in 1862 Amundson Olsen settled in Rock county, Wisconsin, where he remained until 1867, in which year he came out to this section of Minnesota with his family, settling on a homestead tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Urness township, Douglas county, one of the very earliest settlers in that section. He built a log house on his homestead tract and there established his home, presently becoming well settled, an influential and substantial pioneer farmer. In 1871 he built a new house and there spent the rest of his life, his death occurring in 1892, he then being eighty-two years of age. His wife had preceded him to the grave many years, her death having occurred in 1869, at the age of fifty- five years. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom six came to this country, namely: Bertha, who married Kittle Koltveit and both she and her husband are now deceased: Agnes, who married Swen Winger and now lives in Wisconsin: Ole, the subject of this biographical sketch; Pauline, who married L. Ingarbretson and died at Janesville, Wisconsin; Simon, who is farming the old homestead place in Urness township, and Anna, who married Ole Bakke, of Otter Tail county, and is now deceased.

Ole Amundson was about eighteen years old when he came with his parents to this country and had attained his majority before they moved over into Minnesota. Upon settling in Douglas county he became a valuable aid to his father in the work of developing the homestead farm in Urness town- ship and also took an active part in the civic affairs of the pioneer community, being one of the early clerks of that township. He then was appointed as a member of the board of appraisers of school lands in Douglas county and after serving one term in that office was elected, in the fall of 1872, sheriff of his home county, taking office on January 1, 1873, serving one term uf two years, at the end of which period of service he decided to advance his studies and witli that end in view entered the La Crosse Commercial College at La Crosse, Wisconsin, one of his teachers there having been Professor Cashale, now senator from North Dakota. On his return from college Mr. Amundson stopped at St. Paul and made a contract with the Waltry-Wood Machine Company to handle that company's harvesting machines in Douglas, Stevens, Grant and Big Stone counties and established his headquarters at Morris, with branch houses at Herman and Evansville. The first harvesting machines ever seen at Herman were delivered there by him and the first self-binder ever seen in Douglas county and the first traction engine in Evansville also were shipped in by him. In 1876 Mr. Amundson was made the nominee of the Republican convention in this legislative district for representative and was elected in the ensuing election, serving one term as a member of the lower house of the General Assembly. Meanwhile he continued right along with his farm-machine agency and held his original territory for seven years, at the end of which time, the country rapidly becoming more settled, he was relieved of Big Stone and Stevens counties, but continued covering the other two counties for many years. At the same time Mr. Amundson was doing quite a business in the real-estate way and at one time was the owner of more than twenty-three hundred acres of land, six hundred and seventy-two acres of which he still owns and which is being profitably farmed for him. In December, 1914, after many years of continuous service in the farm-machinery line, Mr. Amundson retired from active business and has since then been taking things somewhat easier. In addition to his public service above mentioned, Mr. Amundson served Douglas countv as a member of the board of county commissioners during the period of 1883-86 and was also president of the Evansville Village council for two terms. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and for years has taken a warm interest in the affairs of the same.

On November 15, 1875, Ole Amundson was united in marriage to Carrie Hoveren of near Battle Lake, Otter Tail county, who died in 1884, and to that union five children were born. Anna Viola, Joseph Syhester, Clara Adelia and two who died in infancy. Anna Viola Amundson, now general secretary for the Young Women's Christian Association in the state of Washington, with headquarters at North Yakima, was former financial secretary for the local branch of the Young Women's Christian Association at Seattle and just before the great war broke out in Europe in 1914 had visited the countries of Germany, France, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, Nor- way and Scotland in behalf of the general association and upon her return to New York in September, 1913, took a further course in Young Women's Christian Association work which qualified her for the advanced position which she now occupies in that association. At the age of nineteen years Joseph S. Amundson went to Arizona with a view to bettering his state of health by a change of climate and for a year studied law with an attorney at Flagstaff. He then took the civil-service examination and was appointed to the forestry service, with headquarters at Flagstaff, where he remained thus connected for a year, at the end of which time he was engaged as private secretary to David Bobbitt, a millionaire at that place, later becoming credit man in a large department store operated at Flagstaff by the Bobbitt interests. A few years later that concern started a large store at Williams, fifty miles west of Flagstaff and J. S. Amundson was made manager of the same, a position he occupied until the spring of 1916, when the Bobbitts made large investments at Kingman. Arizona and transferred him to the latter place, as manager of their interests there. He married Lillias Marshall and to that union two children have been born, Elliot Marshall and Joseph Sylvester. Clara Amundson married Walford Forsgreen, of Douglas county, now a grocer at Dillon, Montana, and has three children. Frances, Wallace Osborn and Eleanor.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Re: OLSON, Amund (82) (xxxx-1892)

TarynMN — 2013-03-18 13:17:45Z

Re: Hutchinson

TarynMN — 2013-03-18 13:13:51Z

I happened across this biography online. Hope it helps.
Source: Compendium of History and Biography, Transcribed by Christi Boyer

CHARLES J. HUTCHINSON, proprietor of one of the finest farms in La Moure county, resides on section 4, in Grand View township, and is widely known as a successful business man and worthy citizen. Mr. Hutchinson was born in Stoughton, Wisconsin, December 26, 1857, and was the eldest in a family of seven children, five sons and two daughters.

The father of our subject, William H. Hutchinson, was a native of Vermont, and during his active business career was a grain merchant. He is now living at Alexandria, Minnesota, retired from business pursuits. He was a soldier in the Civil war and was a member of Company I, Third Iowa Infantry, and served four years and six months. He was a prisoner in Andersonville prison six months and suffered as did others in that most inhuman prison. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Betsey Westcot and was a native of Vermont.

When a child of four years our subject removed with his parents to McGregor, Iowa, where he lived a short time and then removed to Cato, Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, and there he received his education, with the exception of one term in the state normal at Oshkosh. He then taught school for a number of years in his native state and in 1881 removed to Alexandria, Minnesota, where he was a salesman in a dry-goods store and was also engaged with his father in the grain and produce business. He remained in Minnesota about four years and in 1885 went to La Moure county, North Dakota, and soon afterward filed claim to the northwest quarter of section 4, in Grand View township. He still resides on that farm, on which he has added modern improvements and from time to time has added to his acreage and is now the possessor of four hundred and eighty acres. His farm is fully equipped with machinery of the most approved style and every convenience of farming is supplied and his home is one of the pleasant places of La Moure county.

Our subject was married, in Cato, Wisconsin, in 1877, to Miss Sarah G. Classon, a native of Reedville, Wisconsin, who was born in 1859. Mrs. Hutchinson was a daughter of George F. and Margaret (Forbes) Classon and her father was a miner by occupation. Mrs. and Mrs. Hutchinson have been the parents of nine children, as follows: Frank died at the age of thirteen years; Fred V., William H., Eva, Charles J., Richard, Ella, Margarette and Dorothy. Mr. Hutchinson is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a man of sterling character and posessed of more than ordinary ability as a business man, as is evidenced by his prosperity. He went to Dakota without means and is now one of the substantial men of his locality. He has held numerous offices of trust in his county and enjoys an enviable reputation.

Re: SCHULKE, Emma M. (1897-1988)

winkscaudell — 2013-03-07 13:57:50Z

Joel Im trying to get ahold of you on Schulke info can you please contact me at Robin59@aeroinc.net I am trying to sort out Augusta Schulke who was married to a Frank Schulke????

Re: Douglas Co Album of the Ages Lookup

KarenL8426 — 2013-01-13 22:44:02Z

Somehow all my messages for requests disappeared. Please resend.

Re: Douglas Co Album of the Ages Lookup

KarenL8426 — 2013-01-13 22:41:54Z

Somehow all my emails with requests disappeared. Please resend.

Re: Douglas Co Album of the Ages Lookup

KarenL8426 — 2013-01-13 22:41:00Z

Somehow all my emails for requests disappears. Please resend.

Re: SIMONSON/SIMENSON, Christian (1828-1898)

marraruth — 2013-01-11 04:56:18Z

Thank you for adding this.

Email request

KarenL8426 — 2013-01-10 21:35:03Z

If you have recently sent me a request by email, please resend. For some reason, my emails have disappeared. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Re: Douglas Co Album of the Ages Lookup

irmalommen124 — 2013-01-05 12:03:46Z

Thank you Dave for this additional information.
When I did place my request I was preparing for a lecture on Belgian emigrants to the US in the 19th century from that part of Belgium where your Brouns family came from. It is called Limburg just as the province on the Dutch side of the border where I live.
This lecture was in November 2012 but all information is still welcome. If you have anything to share with me or I have any info I can share with you please contact me at irmalommen@home.nl

Thank you and greetings,
Irma

Re: Douglas Co Album of the Ages Lookup

dneys — 2013-01-05 03:49:23Z

Hi Irma,
The Brouns/Narinx are all part of my family.
(My Great Grandparents)
John L Brouns b. 25-Mar-1847 Tongerloo Province, Belgium. married 03-Sep-1873 in Belgium to
Anna Narinx b. 15-Aug-1846 Echelrade Holland.

Oldest child, my grandmother, Anna Mary Brouns b. 1874

John/Anna came to the USA in 1882 and settled in Central Minnesota (Douglas County). The original farm is still in the Brouns family.

Other child of John/Anna Brouns are connected to the following name you mention.
Christian J Mechels b.1874 married Pauline J Brouns b.1876

Also......
John M Rutten (Jans-Mathijs) married Marie Hubertina Narinx b.11-Sep-1848 Ekkelrade, Holland.
Marie (Narinx) RUTTEN and Anna (Narinx) BROUNS were sisters.

The Dounglas County Genealogy library has a pretty good file on these families and I may have a print of the information.

Hope this helps.
Dave in Astoria, Oregon USA

Re: Douglas Co Album of the Ages Lookup

KarenL8426 — 2013-01-04 04:13:05Z

No Rittens. There is a mention of a A.C. Schneiderhan mentioned in the Irene Halstead biography. There is a Ray Schneiderhan mentioned in the Jerry Jensen Family History biography. Mary Schneiderhan (Anton) is mentioned in the Patrick Family biography. Rosie Schneiderhan (Francis) is mentioned in The Brouns Family biography. Tony Schneiderhan is mentioned in The First National Bank of Alexandria biography. If you're interested in any of these names, email me and I'll scan the pages for you. Send to karenl8426@aol.com.

Re: Douglas Co Album of the Ages Lookup

KarenL8426 — 2013-01-04 03:48:33Z

Kenneth Brouns is mentioned in the Five Generations of the Simon Steidl Sr. Farm. Alice Brouns is mentioned in the August T. Anderson Family. There is a Brouns Family biography. It mentions John and Louis. John Brouns is mentioned in the John M. Rutten and Maria Hubertina (Narniz) Rutten biography. There is a August Mechels mentioned in the History of the Stoetzel Family biography. There is a Pauline Mechels mentioned in the Brouns Family biography. These all sound like your family. Send me an email and I'll scan the pages for you. Send to karenl8426@aol.com. I'll be in Amsterdam this next Wednesday and the following Tuesday. Where in the Netherlands are you?

Re: Douglas Co Album of the Ages Lookup

KarenL8426 — 2013-01-04 03:28:55Z

Send me an email referencing the names and I'll scan the pages for you. Send to karenl8426@aol.com.

Re: Douglas Co Album of the Ages Lookup

KarenL8426 — 2013-01-04 03:26:02Z

Sorry, no Porters. Good luck with your research.

Re: Douglas Co Album of the Ages Lookup

KarenL8426 — 2013-01-04 03:24:22Z

Sorry, nothing for either name. Good luck with your research.

Re: Douglas Co Album of the Ages Lookup

KarenL8426 — 2013-01-04 03:03:39Z

Emma Larson Foslien is mentioned in the biography of Fred Foslien. She is also mentioned in the Arthur H. Dittberner biography. Send me your email address and I will scan the pages for you. Send to karenl8426@aol.com.

Re: Douglas Co Album of the Ages Lookup

KarenL8426 — 2013-01-04 01:56:26Z

Send me your email address and reference your names to karenl8426@aol.com and I'll scan the pages for you.

Re: Douglas Co Album of the Ages Lookup

KarenL8426 — 2013-01-03 23:57:27Z

Sorry, no Pehan or Pechan listed. Good luck with your research.

Re: Hutchinson

barbswire532 — 2013-01-01 21:28:52Z

William Henry Hutchinson was buried in 1913 in Ruskin, FL.
He was ill prior to moving from Minnesota in Nov of 1913 and died a few weeks after arriving in FL. He was living with his daughter Ida Belle Hutchinson Cralle at the time of his death.
I would like more info on the Andersonville Civil War prison info. I believe that it was a different William Henry Hutchinson . The William Henry Hutchinsons have been mixed up in some records it seems, and we descend from the one who was married to Betsey Westcott, not the one who married an O'Leary.

Betsey is buried in Eagle Bend, MN. She died Sep 1909 in South Dakota and her body was transported to MN for burial. At the time of her death, her daughter Ida Belle was living in Minnesota.

Re: John Dempsey/Margaret Fitz Patrick in Evansville 1909-1025?

four_fitzs — 2012-12-16 01:14:40Z

I would think that Leo Fitzpatrick was my father-in-laws oldest brother. Born April 2, 1922 in Montana died Oct 31, 1996 in Las Vegas Nevada.

Re: John Dempsey/Margaret Fitz Patrick in Evansville 1909-1025?

michelleraekreis — 2012-12-15 22:46:22Z

Hi! My name is Michelle Kreis. The Fitzpatricks & Dempseys are related to the Kreis family. My great grandmother was Margaret Dempsey, later Kreis...My grandfather was Foster Kreis. I'll have to get in touch w/ my parents for dates & so, I know a book was published on the Kreis family & it includes Grandma Mag. I have an old 1959 Great Falls Tribune article of a long lost family member, Leo Fitzpatrick who was a DOD teacher & taught in Rota Spain in 1959, surprisingly, I went to school there in 1981 to 1984. I'll get into looking into info, My Dad received a box of old pix & I have some from the 20's of Margaret & her family.