Ole R. Reberg

As printed in 1909

Ole R. Reberg, a prosperous and progressive farmer of Minneola township; comes of good old Norse stock, having been born in Norway April 12. 1861. son of Ole and Riborg (Midkel) Reberg, who came to America in the spring of 1874, located in Minneola township, purchased eighty acres which he broke and improved, built a home, and carried on general farming until his death, October 4, 1897. The mother died February 11, 1906. Ole R. came to America with his parents as a boy of thirteen years and completed his education in the schools of Minneola township. He took up farming with his father, and has always remained on the home place, which in 1895 he purchased.. He has made many improvements of various kinds, including a new barn, 66x36 feet, which is a model of its kind. Mr. Reberg is an independent voter, and has not cared to mix actively in public affairs. He has, however, been assessor of the township and is serving his thirteenth year as clerk of school district No. 138. He has made all he owns by hard work, and is a good citizen in every particular, one who is pointed to as a representative of modern methods of farming and stock breeding. May 30, 1900, he was married to Anna Fossum, daughter of Nels C. and Gurina (Hembre) Fossum. farmers of Minneola township, but natives of Norway. The father died November 21, 1908, and the mother October 7, 1887. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Reberg has been blessed with four children. Gurina, born April 11, 1901, died April 25 of the same year; Gurina. the second child, was born December 27, 1902. Ruth was born November 11, 1905. Osmund N. was born September 22, 1907, and died December 23, 1908. The family worships at the Lutheran Church. Mr. Reberg has been an ardent believe in the co-operation of farmers and has worked actively in that cause, taking a prominent part in the organization of several farmers' co-operative concerns. He has for a number of years been a director in the Zumbrota Fanners' Mercantile and Elevator Company, the Minneola Creamery Company, and the Farmers' Telephone Company, of Wanamingo.

Lafayette H. Watts, of.Minneola township, is a native of New

York state. Lorn July 6, 1848, son of Richard and Mary (Locke) Watts, who emigrated to the west in 1858, locating near Baraboo, Wis., for one year. After living in various other places they came to Zumbrota township in 1873, and engaged in general farming. The father died in 1901, while on a visit to his old home in New York state, and the mother died in Minneapolis, January, 1908. Lafayette received his education in the public schools and followed the fortunes of the family until 1886, when he went to North Dakota. There he farmer until 1896, when he returned to Zumbrota township and resumed agricultural operations. From that year. until 1906 he owned and conducted the Zumbrota hotel, after which he purchased a pleasant home, surrounded by seven acres of land in Minneola township, just out-. side the village limits of Zumbrota. Here lie has since continued to reside. Mr. Watts is a well-known member of the Masons, the Modern Woodmen and the Modern Brotherhood. His political affiliations are with the Republican party, but he is to a large degree an independent voter. He is a thorough believe in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Watts was married August 3, 187:5. at Zumbrota, to Athelia Miller, daughter of A. J. Miller, an early settler. Five children have blessed this union — Amelia,- born September 1< 1874. died March 16, 1893. Edith, born July 6, 1877. is now.Mrs. Chauncy Coffman, of Portland, Ore. Truman X.. born May 25, 1884, was the third child. Lafayette A., born in October. 1893, and Reginald R., born March 16, 1897, live;it home and attend the public schools.

Nels A. Stageberg, a well-known farmer of Minneola township, was born in Norway, June 2ii. 1850, son of Andrew and Barbara (Knutson) Stageberg. natives of Norway, who came to America in 1857. They located in Wisconsin for one year, then removed to Minneola township, this county, where they secured 160 acres of wild land, which they broke and improved, carrying on general farming until 189! when they retired. Nels A. Stageberg came to America with his parents at seven years of age. After receiving a parochial school education he took up farming with his father, and continued to improve the home farm, erecting upon it many new and up-to-date buildings, among them a new home. Since 1879 he has followed general farming for himself. Mr. Stageberg was united in marriage the first time in March, 1869, to Guerina E. Knutson, a native of Norway. By this marriage there were two children. Bertha and Andrew, the latter of whom is a merchant at Owatonna. Mr. Stageberg was married the second time to Rosa Hesselberg, a native of Norway. This union was blessed with eight children — Gerda, now Mrs. Anderson, of Dodge Center; Lena, now Mrs. Grover, of Zumbrota; Oscar, now at Montana; Albertha, now of Washington; Manda, now of Montana, and Selma, Rudolph and Clarence, all at home. The family attend the Lutheran Church. Mr. Stageberg is a Republican and has taken an active part in public affairs, as is shown by the fact thai he was county commissioner for twelve years, to which position he gave his mosl earnest and faithful attention, lie was also supervisor of the town and director of his school district for several years, treasurer of the "Wanamingo, Minneola and Cherry Grove Fire Insurance Company for thirteen years, and director for thirty years. At the present time he is a director in the Zumbrota Hospital and treasurer of the Minneola Congregation. To help develop his community he was instrumental in getting the rural delivery established in his section. He is a stockholder in the Wanamingo creamery and also in the Farmers' elevator, of Zumbrota and Wanamingo. Mr. Stageberg is courteous and kind to all, and his one effort has been to please the community he has served so well. He has been very successful in his undertakings, and is generally regarded as a man of ability.

As printed in History of Goodhue County, Minnesota (1909). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.