John J. Smith

As printed in 1910

JOHN J. SMITH (1866), of Jackson, has lived in the county over forty-three years. He is a native of Tompkins county. New York, and has born February 27, 1839, the son of Hiram and Lydia (McGowin) Smith.

When a small boy our subject accompanied his parents from Tompkins county to Chautauqua county. New York, and there he lived until 1858j receiving a common school education. That year he came west, driving from his New York state home to Wisconsin. He lived in the Badger state three years and then enlisted in the First Wisconsin regiment. After serving his term of enlistment he returned home and reenlisted in the 35th Wisconsin regiment and served until April, 1866. He received his discharge in Brownsville, Texas, and from that point the regiment proceeded to Madison, Wisconsin, and disbanded.

Immediately after his discharge from the army Mr. Smith determined to locate upon some of the land in the new countries farther west, and on the eleventh day of June, 1860, he arrived in Jackson county, having made the trip overland. He took a homestead claim in Wisconsin township, three miles southeast of Jackson, and lived thereon eleven years, selling the farm in 1877. He then bought a farm in Wisconsin and Des Moines townships, upon which he resided twenty-one years. He then sold out and moved to Jackson, where he has since resided. Mr. Smith was one of the first settlers of Wisconsin township and upon its organization he was made one of the first members of the board of supervisors. He is a member of the G. A. R.

Mr. Smith was married to Anna T. Fields in April, 1862. To these parents have been born the following named children: William E., born April 14, 1863; James Edwin, born August 2, 1869; Helen, born in 1877; Christie, bom February 27, 1879; Susie, born in 1884; Lydia, born in 1886.

TARJE K. OISEN (1873). Among the pioneer settlers of Alba township is the gentleman whose named heads this sketch, he having resided on his present farm for the past thirty-seven years. He owns 480 acres of land and is in prosperous circumstances.

Mr. Olsen was born in Brigham township, Iowa county, Wisconsin, April 14, 1853. Until May 26, 1873, he lived with his parents and worked on the farm in his native county. On the date last mentioned he came to Jackson county in company with his brother-in-law, E. O. Woien, and his sister, Kisten Woien. Upon his arrival he bought the homestead right to the southeast quarter of section 30, Alba township, from Israel Smith, took up his residence on the place, and in time secured title to the land. At the time of taking possession the only improvements was a 12x12 feet shack. This he rebuilt and lived in until 1882; then he replaced it with a part of his present house, completing the building in 1900.

Within a very few davs after his arrival came the first grasshopper visitation. Mr. Olsen did not raise anything that year or for several years afterward, and he was obliged to support himself by working at odd jobs, on the railroad section, and threshing in Martin county. After the hopper days Mr. Olsen came upon prosperous times. He added to his holdings from time to time by purchase until ho now owns 480 acres of land. Of this he farms 320 acres, renting out the rest. Besides his general farming he engaged in the raising of high grade cattle and feeds many head of hogs annually for market. He is the manager and secretary of the Farmers Creamery company of Brewster and is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator company of the same village. Mr. Olsen has held a number of local offices during his long residence in Alba township. He was township clerk ten years and has served on the township board. He has held the office of treasurer of school district No. 34 since 1881. He has also served as assessor and road overseer.

The parents of our subject were Knute and Mary (Ness) Olsen. They were born and married in Norway, coming to the United States in 1850, shortly after their marriage, and located in Brigham township, Iowa county, Wisconsin, where they lived until their deaths in recent years. They lived a married life of over sixty years. Mr. Olsen died in 1901 at the age of 85 years; his wife died November 4, 1907, aged 85 years. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom are living: T. K.> Carl, Alec and Adaline.

T. K. Olsen was married in Worthington, Nobles county, May 30, 1879, to Tena Rindy, who was born in Norway November 1, 1860, and came to America in 1868. She is the daughter of John and Susan Rindy. To Mr. and Mrs. Olsen have been born twelve children, of whom the following named eleven are living: John B., born February 25, 1880; Josephine S., born April 29, 1881; Clark M., born October 5, 1882; Cora M., born June 29, 1884; Orville K., born September 24, 1886; Ethel N., born February 8, 1888; Clayton O., born August 18, 1893; Tillie T., born May 26, 1894; Knute E., born August 28, 1896; Hazel M., born June 16, 1900; Paul C, bom July 8, 1903. One daughter, Martha M., died in infancy. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church of Brewster.

As printed in An illustrated history of Jackson County, Minnesota (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.