Elija L. Clark

Elija L. Clark, now deceased, was the pioneer school teacher of Cannon Falls. He taught this school in 1856-57, in a building which he erected for the purpose, principally of basswood, giving it the name of Basswood College. In this building the early church services were also held. Mr. Clark was born in Franklin county, Maine, February 28, 1830, received an academy education, worked in a cutlery factory in Lowell, Mass., four years, and engaged in surveying in Ohio five years, coming to Cannon Falls in 1855. From then until 1862 he did carpenter work, leaving this occupation to respond to Lincoln’s call for volunteers, serving in Company F, Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry until promoted to first lieutenant in the 123d U. S. C. Infantry. He was mustered out at Camp Nelson, Kentucky, in October, 1865. After being in business for many years in Cannon Falls, he went to South Dakota, homesteaded a claim, and remained until 1902, when he retired and returned to Cannon Falls. His interests have always been toward the encouragement of patriotism, and to him is due in some measure the agitation which resulted in locating the Colonel William Colvill monument in this place. Mr. Clark died Feb. 17, 1909, while visiting his daughter, Mrs. W. P. Ilitchings, in California., He was married October 30, 1858, to Mary E. Wright, daughter of James II. and Rebecca (Evans) Wright, natives of Indiana, who came to Cannon Falls in the early days and engaged in farming until the end of their life, the father dying November 25, 1876, and the mother September 16, 1887. To Mr. and Mrs. Clark were born three children: E. W. is a coal dealer in Minneapolis; Nellie C. is the wife of W. P. Iditchings, of California; Frank W. is a sheriff in Arizona. Mr. Clark was a fine old gentleman in every respect, a figure much honored in the village. Kindly, ever considerate, willing at personal cost to assist in every good movement, he was a distinct addition to pioneer life, and his training of the boys and girls of the early days had much to do tvith the success which many of them achieved in after life.

Marten C. Westermo, of Wanamingo township, has attained honor and distinction during his lifelong residence in this county. He was born in Holden township, March 13, 1856, and received such school training as his district afforded. As a boy he helped about the farm, and after leaving school he remained on the old homestead until 1882, when his father presented him with 160 acres on which he farmer until coming to Wanamingo in 1889. At the present time he carries on general farming, owning 110 acres upon which he has erected a pleasant home and some fine barns. In the midst of a busy life, he has found time to attend to higher things and has taken a prominent part in the United Lutheran church, being especially interested in the parochial schools connected with that body. He was married May 22, 1877, to Anna M. Huseth, by whom he has eight children: Rev. Christian, born March 24, 1879, now of New York city; Ilalvor, born October 23, 1881, and Isaac, born August 14, 1883, both of North Dakota; Ingeborg, born December 9, 1886; Alfred, born March 27, 1889; Aslang, born May 4, 1891, Laura, born September 17, 1893, and Herman, born July 13, 1897, all at home.

The parents of Mrs. Marten C. Westermo were ILalvor Olsen and Aslang Huseth, both born in Norway, the former in 1824 and the latter in 1828. Upon coming to America in 1844 he engaged in farming at Stoughton, Wis., for twelve years. In 1856 they came to AVanamingo township, this county, with the early pioneers and bought a farm, making the usual developments and improvements. The mother died January 18 and the father August 23, 1901. Christian and Ingeborg (Hansdatter) Westermo, parents of Marten C. AYestermo, were born in Norway, the former in 1812 and the latter in 1815. In his early manhood the father was manager of a lumber estate, but upon coming to America in 1846 he engaged in farming at Sugar Creek, Wis., for two years. In 1856 they came to Holden township, this county, with the early pioneers and homesteaded 160 acres, making the usual developments and improvements. The mother died March 20, 1885, and the father spent his declining years with his son.

George V. Williams is one of the leading druggists of Goodhue county, and has taken an active part in those activities which have made Cannon Falls equal in importance, in a commercial and political way, to cities of much larger growth. During the last campaign he was secretary of the Taft-Jacobson Republican Club; he is secretary of the Cannon Falls Business Men’s Association, member of the Commercial Club, member of the Minnesota State Pharmacy Association, president of the Goodhue County Retail Druggists’ Association, member of the city council, and a popular brother in the Masons, the Modern Samaritans and the Maccabees. Born in Evansville, Minn., July 19, 1880, he received his education in the public schools and later entered the School of Pharmacy at Minneapolis. From 1898 to 1901 he worked at the drug business in Evansville, Minneapolis, Madison, Fergus Falls and Forest River. In 1901 he became druggist for the state hospital in Fergus Falls, Minn., and then, after three years, took up his residence in Cannon Falls, and on May 17, 1904, entered into partnership with P. A. Peterson in the drug business. Since March 17, 1908, Mr. Williams has been sole owner, carrying a full line of drugs, sundries, paints, silverware, land-decorated china, wall paper, jewelry, sewing machines, etc. Mr. Williams was married November 24, 1903, to Minnie Strehlow, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Otto Strehlow, of St. Peter, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Williams ’are both members of the Congregational church. John O. and Sophia J. (Johnson) Williams, parents of George V. Williams, came to America from Sweden in 1866 and lived in Yasa, until 1870, when they went to St. Paul. In 1878 they moved to Evansville, Minn., and conducted a hotel until 1881, when the father engaged in the furniture business. In 1905 he resumed his trade of carpenter and contractor which he is now following.

As printed in History of Dakota and Goodhue counties, Minnesota / (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.