MN AHGP Archives-Brown Co. 1882 Bios--Burnstown Twp.
Brown County biographies from the 1882 History of the Minnesota Valley, including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota

Burnstown Twp.


A. E. Aarnas was born in Norway in 1849. Came to the United States in the spring of 1868, and located first in Madison, Wisconsin; in the spring of 1871, came to Rochester, Minnesota, and was clerk in a hardware store, until 1875, then for three years was book-keeper for N. Ellison. In 1878 removed to Springfield, Brown county, and engaged as grain dealer. Married in 1873, Julia Heldickson. Mary L., Constance, Alvillda and Paul are their children.


P. F. Altermatt was born in Marquette county, Wisconsin, in 1848. His youth was spent on a farm and in school, and in August, 1865, removed with his parents to Leavenworth, Minnesota. In the fall of 1878 came to Springfield and engaged in the mercantile trade with his father-in-law, under the firm name of Sist & Altermatt. Married in 1870, Bertie Sist. Dora C., Alphonso P., John F. and Martie M. are their children.


James Arnold was born in Ohio, in 1841. At the age of thirteen years accompanied his parents to Wisconsin; two years later, to Jones county, Iowa. In 1867 came to Redwood Falls, and engaged as stage driver between that place and New Ulm. After a residence of some time in Sleepy Eye, he, in 1880, removed to Springfield, and has since given his attention to the hotel and livery business. In 1871 married Mattie J. Lawson, who has borne him six children: Clarence, Ward and Frank are living.


John Bagen, a native of Ireland, was born in 1822. Immigrated in 1840, to Connecticut; for three years he was employed in a wire factory: then removed to Watertown, Wisconsin, and engaged in farming until 1871, when he came to Minnesota and located in Burnstown; his family came in 1874. Mr. Bagen has held various town offices. Married in 1845, Bridget McGuire, who died, September 7, 1873, leaving nine children: Margaret, Rosanna, Michael, Mary J., John, Martha, James, Edward and Thomas F.


H. Bendixen was born in 1854, and is a native of Prussia. In 1873 came to America, and for one year was clerk in a grocery store in Chicago; after coming to Minnesota in the fall of 1874, he acted as clerk in a store of general merchandise at Albert Lea until 1879, then removed to Springfield, where he has a general store. Married in 1880 Augusta Muller, a native of Prussia.


Thomas Brophy, a native of Ireland, was born in 1846. Came with his parents to America, and remained in New York until the age of eleven years, then went to Iowa. In 1872 he removed to Brown county and began farming and the sale of agricultural implements; located in Springfield in 1881, where he has a large storeroom and warehouse; also owns a farm in Stark. In 1869 he married Mary Fitzgerald, who was born in New York. Frank, John, Mary G. and Morris are their living children.


Anton Crone was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1856. When he was but a few months old the family went to New Ulm, and about ten years after they spent two years near Still water; he then attended school in Shakopee and college in Watertown, Wisconsin. Returned to New Ulm and clerked in his father's store. January 13, 1880, he located in Springfield, and formed a partnership with Mr. Nuessle, carrying a stock of general merchandise; they also deal quite largely in grain. His parents still reside in New Ulm.


Lucas Fecker, a native of Germany, was born in 1838. Came to New York in 1861; removed the next year to Aurora, Illinois, where his mother and family now live. In the fall of 1871 came to Minnesota, and after visiting in different portions of the state located in New Ulm, and engaged in liquor trade and livery business. In August, 1876, removed to Springfield; erected a hotel and saloon; it was the first hotel in the village. In 1874 married Paulina Holl. The children are Joseph, Paulina, Minald and John.


Charles Gamble was born in Jefferson county, Wisconsin in 1853. Attended school at Jefferson three years, then engaged in lumbering two years. Came to Minnesota in 1872; located soon after in Springfield, where he clerked for his brother two years, then until 1876 was speculating in and has since then given his attention to the lumber trade.


Walter Henderson was born in Bristol, England, in 1846. He attended college there, also in Germany and finished his education in Edinburgh, Scotland. Came to America in 1872; clerked in a drug store in Chicago also taught music and played in the Tabernacle. Removed to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and taught music and was organist in the leading church of the city. In 1875 removed to Green Bay, where he pursued his former vocations. During the winter of 1875 located at Winona, Minnesota, and engaged in the hardware business; and in 1877 settled in Springfield, engaging in building; also has two fine farms near the village. Married in Oshkosh in 1875, Ida Dickerson. Forest M. is their only child.


H. A. Hitchcock, M. D., was born in Cortland county, New York, in 1826. Attended a medical institute at Cincinnati, Ohio, having previously studied medicine at Janesville, Wisconsin. He then located at Janesville and in 1858 removed to Randolph, and practiced until 1863. Locating in Morristown he remained until 1870, then went to Lyon county, Minnesota; settled in 1878, in Springfield. Married in 1850 Mary Smith. They have one child; Flora, now Mrs. F. M. Baker, of New Ulm.


M. Howard was born in the county of Down, Ireland, in 1842. Came to America with his parents and remained in Livingston county, New York until reaching man's estate; then went to Patterson, New Jersey, and learned the trade of machinist; afterward engaged for one and one-hall years as engineer on the Hudson River railroad, then learned the trade of carpenter. Enlisted in the 7th Michigan Infantry, and was mustered out at the close of the war. He has since given his attention to contracting and building. In 1876, he went to the Sandwich Islands and there erected a hotel of large dimensions.


Adam Kalzenberger was born in 1838. in Germany. At the age of eight years, removed to Cincinnati with his parents: about seven years later went to Indiana. In 1861, enlisted in the 1st Indiana battery and served until the fall of 1865. Came to Goodhue county, Minnesota, that fall, and removed to New Ulm in the spring of 1868; soon after, took a homestead in Burnstown. In May, 1880, located in Springfield and engaged in the furniture trade. His wife was Catherine Faber, a widow with five children; she has borne Mr. Kalzenberger three children. Dora, Lizzie, Adam, William, Margaret, John, Phillip and Michael.


H. Knudson, a native of Denmark, was born in 1845. Came to America in 1865 and soon after to Faribault, Minnesota, and learned the trade of tinsmith, remained there about six years, then worked in different cities; returning to Faribault he engaged as a clerk in a dry goods house, also clerked at Northfield. After being in business in Waseca one year he located in 1876 in Springfield. Here he erected a store, and carries a full line of hardware, tinware, paints, oils, etc. In 1874 he married Anna Peterson. Rosa, Eda and Cora are their children.


L. A. Larson was born in Norway in 1858; came with his parents to Vernon county, Wisconsin, in 1867; afterward lived two years in Fillmore county, Minnesota; removed to New Ulm and engaged as clerk in a dry goods store two years: finally located in Springfield where he is employed by S. D. Peterson in the sale of agricultural implements. His father, Andrew Larson, who resides one mile from the village, was elected county commissioner in 1879. Mr. Larson married in 1880, Catherine Roth. They have one child, Leif.


John Lau was born in Germany, in 1844, and with his parents came to America in 1851. He lived in Dodge county, Wisconsin, and learned the trade of wagon making. He afterward removed to Iowa, and in 1871 came to Minnesota; soon after settled in Burnstown. After farming eight years he opened a wagon shop in Springfield. Married in 1867, Fredrica Wustenberg. John, Henry, Hermann and Fred are their children.


Orlin Laughlin was born in Dodge county, Wisconsin, in 1848. With his parents removed to Mankato, Minnesota, in 1854, and there grew to manhood, receiving a common school education. He learned the painter's trade which he has since followed, and since 1874 has been a resident of Springfield.


Peter McKeever, a native of Ireland, was born in 1834. When a small child, accompanied his parents to America; lived in New York and Wisconsin ; came in 1867 to Steele county, Minnesota, and engaged in railroading. Located in Springfield in the spring of 1872; is interested in hotel business also in railroading. In the spring of 1864 enlisted in Company K, 23d Wisconsin infantry, but was subsequently transferred to Company B, 35th regiment; was mustered out at the close of the war. Married Anna Carroll in 1856; Mary, Nellie, Thomas, and Catharine are the children.


J. Paul Nuessle, a native of Germany was born in 1856. He came to America in 1867; engaged in butchering three years in New UJm then from 1873 to 1878 in Chicago; on returning to New Ulm he established a meat market which he continued until 1880; since that time he has been at Springfield. Married in 1878 Teressa Mitzen. They are the parents of one child.


J. J. Ray was born near Niagara Falls, in Canada, in 1844, and is of Scotch parentage. From 1870 to 1874, he was at Janesville, Wisconsin, then went to Racine and took charge of a dry goods house; afterwards engaged in the manufacture of woven wire bed springs at Milwaukee. In the fall of 1877 came to Springfield; has been clerk for M. H. Gamble, is also notary public, insurance agent and money loaner. Married in 1876 Mary Gamble, who was born in Wisconsin in 1853.


John Roth, whose native land is Germany, was born in 1841. He lived in Iowa from the age of eight years until 1859 then came to St. Paul, where he clerked in a house of general merchandise for several years, then began business in Mankato; from 1870 to 1877, conducted a general store in Leavenworth. He acted as postmaster at Mendota also at Leavenworth. Located in Springfield in 1878; was in mercantile business here for two years, then embarked in the drug trade. Married Catherine J. Holmes in 1867. Jennie, Anna, and Carrie are their children.


Christ. Schewe, a native of Germany, was born in 1834. In 1857 came to America, and made a home in Watertown, Wisconsin, where he engaged in farming: was then in Burnstown, Minnesota, from 1870 until 1879; locating at that time in Springfield he opened a hotel and saloon, to which is attached a billiard hall. His marriage with Sophia Slebk took place hi 1858. Fred, Minnie, Betsey and Charles are their children.


Wolfgang Schmid was born in Germany in 1848. Came to Minnesota in 1868; was farming near New Ulm until 1871, then removed into the city and engaged in a brewery; he afterward farmed in Burnstown until 1880, settling at that time in Springfield, where he has a boarding house and saloon. In 1870 he married Elizabeth Wartha. Rudolph, Alfred, Louisa, Kathy and Otto are their children.


E. Stoemach was born in Switzerland in April, 1845; came to America as a young man and homesteaded in Wisconsin seven years. In 1876 came to Bashaw Twp. and has continued to make his home here; married Flora Nietsheu in 1878; no children.


A. Wangerin was born near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1855. After receiving a common school education he learned the trade of shoemaking, in Dodge county. In the spring of 1875 came to Minnesota, and for three years resided in Winona, then came to Springfield, and has since been in the manufacture of boots and shoes. In 1879 he was united in marriage with Frances Schotzko.


H. C. Warnke was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1856, and when a child of four years moved with his parents to Manitowoc. He learned the trade of harness-making, and worked at it in Ohio and Wisconsin until 1875, then came to Minnesota. Returning to his native city in 1876, he took charge of a billiard hall for three years, but in 1879 located in Springfield, where he has a harness shop. Married Minnie Schiller.


G. C. Wellmer, a native of Prussia, was born in 1849. and when eight years of age came with his parents to Manitowoc, Wisconsin. In 1862 removed to Chicago, and after acquiring an education at the public schools finished his studies in Bush Medical College; read medicine with Dr. M. Carlemas, of Chicago, one year, then began practice; from 1875 to '80 he was at Red Wing, Minnesota, then located at Springfield. In 1878 married Margaret S. Hickman, who was born in Minnesota. They have one child.


A. E. West, was born in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, in 1846, and in 1856 went to Columbia county; engaged in teaching school and farming. Moved to Faribault county, Minnesota, in 1869, thence to Blue Earth county; in 1871 located in Mulligan, Brown county, and while there assisted in organizing the town: he served as clerk and justice; he was teaching at Golden Gate from 1875 to '81, since then has been at Springfield. Married in 1866, Lucetta Dutton. William E., Winnie E., Ernst A., Annie B., Arthur G., Elbert D., and Etta are their living children.


J. D. Yaund, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1852. He remained in his native state until 1871, then came to Minnesota; settled soon after in Burnstown, where for two years he was farming; afterwards began contracting; also followed that business in Wisconsin from 1873 till 1875. He has been keeping hotel and saloon in Springfield since 1876. Married Sarah L. Small in 1873, who died in Springfield in 1881. Sarah, Clara and Lorinda are his children.

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