"History of Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties of Minnesota, 1916"



E. E. Heggerston, a well-known and substantial farmer of Ann township, Cottonwood county, proprietor of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in the vicinity of Walnut Grove, treasurer of that township, former assessor of the same and former member of the board of county commissioners from that district, is a native of the kingdom of Norway, born on August 18, 1852, son of Erick and Marit (Clostad) Heggerston, both natives of that same country, the former of whom was born on September 8, 1818. Erick Heggerston was a farmer in comfortable circumstances and spent all his life in his native land. He and his wife were the parents of three children, Kari, E. E., and Ole, who were reared in the faith of the Lutheran church.

Reared on the paternal farm, E. E. Heggerston received his education in the government schools of his native land and assisted his father in the work of the farm until he was nineteen years of age, when, in 1871, he came to the United States and proceeded directly to Minnesota, to which state large numbers of his fellow-countrymen had preceded him. He stopped in Fillmore county for a year and then, in 1872, became attracted to the possibilities that awaited the settlers who were then beginning to open up this part of the state and moved over into Cottonwood county. The next year, in 1873, he homesteaded a quarter of a section in Ann township, the place on which he is still making his home, and proceeded to bring the same under cultivation, soon having a productive and well-improved farm. One of his first movements was the planting of a fine orchard on his homestead and he ever has been known as one of the leading fruit growers in that section. He has always taken much interest in his orchard and now has more than four hundred and fifty apple trees on his place. In 1887, about ten years after beginning the development of his homestead, Mr. Heggerston married and established a comfortable home on his place, where he and his family are living in substantial comfort. Mr. Heggerston is a Republican and has ever given a good citizen's attention to local political affairs. For fifteen years he served the public as assessor of Ann township; for six years rendered admirable service to the county as a member of the board of county commissioners from his district and is now serving as treasurer of Ann township. He has otherwise been active in civic affairs and has long been recognized as one of the .public-spirited and influential men of the county.

It was in 1887 that E. E. Heggerston was united in marriage to Mary Ellefson and to this union six children have been born, Ida Mabel, Edwin Conrad, Elmer Morris, Adner Irvin, Olive Inge Anthony, and Harry Clifford. Mr. and Mrs. Heggerston are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and for many years have been regarded as among the leaders in the local congregation of that church. Mr. Heggerston was one of the most active promoters of the organization of his home church and has served as clerk of the same since its organization.

� 2005 Cottonwood County Minnesota AHGP