Paul W. Rothe

As printed in 1909

Paul W. Rothe, of Cannon Falls village, is a fine type of the educated, well informed gentleman who are giving the impetus to modern business and commercial life. He was born in Germany July 23, 1869. received his education in the. common schools and then graduated from a high school at the age of sixteen years, subsequently going to Switzerland and studying scientific milling, a trade which had been followed by his father and grandfather before him. Upon landing in America in 1892, he worked on a farm three months and was then employed six years in the old Goodhue mill in this village. Subsequently he worked in mills in Minneapolis,- Hastings and Pine Island, returning to Cannon Falls in 1902 and leading the Thompson & Smith mill. Here he has since remained, building up a large business and attaining a reputation for milling a superior product. The mill turns out rye and wheat flour, as well as corn meal, making a specialty of fancy patent Salle flour and the Gem Bismarck Breakfast Food, both of which have already attracted favorable attention by their excellence. The merit of the output of this mill is shown by the fact that Mr. Rothe has contracts with the state for furnishing his flour to the state institutions at Stillwater, Hastings, Red "Wing, Fergus Falls, Anoka, St. Cloud, Faribault and Rochester. Aside from owning the mill, Mr. Rothe is interested in the Cannon Falls Canning Company and also in the Horse Breeders' Association. He is a Republican in politics, belongs to the Congregational church and is a member of the Elks, the Union Commercial Travelers, the Odd Fellows, the United "Workmen, the Modern Woodmen, the Modern Samaritans and other fraternal organizations. April 23, 1893, he was married to Salle Zimmerman, by whom he has four children, Paul E., Otto E., Francis and Edward R. The mother of these children died June 16, 1903, and- Mr. Rothe was married, April 16, 1905, to Tillie Schlueter, of St. Paul. Ernest and Johannah (Hahn) Rothe, parents of Paul AY. Rothe, were natives of Germany. The father, a miller, is still living, and the mother died March 12, 1903.

William Williamson, a retired farmer of Cannon Falls village, was born in Steuben county. New York, May 2, 1833, and there received his education. His first venture for himself was in doing farm work for one year near Lake Ontario, after which he returned home and soon afterward moved to Ohio, where he farmer a short time near Cleveland. Subsequently he worked as engineer in a saw mill in Illinois, then returned to Cleveland, and in October, 1855, came to Stanton township and took up a quarter-section of wild land, which he broke and improved. Later he purchased more land, until he owned a fine farm of 214 acres, upon which he carried on general farming until 1900, when he rented the farm, purchased a home in Cannon Falls village and retired, seeking that rest from arduous toil which he so richly deserves after a life of hard work. In February, 1864, Mr. AVilliamson enlisted in the Union army and served in Company H, ist Minnesota Heavy Artillery, under Colonel ColviLl, being discharged at Nashville, Tenn. He served several terms as supervisor of his township and for a considerable length of time was on the school board. Mr. AVilliamson was married in October, 1862, to Sarah McKinley, of Warsaw, laughter of George McKinley, a native of Scotland. To this union were born four children: George M., after working twelve years in the pension bureau at ATashington, is now a hotel proprietor in Bowling Green, Ky. Frederick was drowned at the age of two years. Emma is principal of the high school at Cannon Falls. Anna lives at home and keeps house for the family. The family faith is that of the Methodist church. Mr. Williamson votes the Republican ticket and belongs to the Alasonic order. Abraham and Sarah (Smith) AVilliamson, parents of William AVilliamson, were natives of New Jersey, but went to New York state in the early twenties and there spent the remainder of their lives, the father being a stone mason and farmer.

Gustav Westman, now deceased, was a leader in the affairs of Cannon Falls township and village and also in matters pertaining: to the Swedish Lutheran church, of which he was a

Gustav Wbstman

"aue prominent member. As mayor his services were highly esteemed and as a justice of the peace his decisions were always wise and conservative. Born in Sweden January 20, 1828, he attended the common schools, and like the other young men of his country, entered the standing army. From L853 to 1856 he lived in Lafayette, Ind., and in the latter year came to Cannon Falls, where he opened a mercantile establishment, continuing until his death, February 5. 1887. He was married June 9, 1878, to Mrs. Josephine Hawkins) Norelius, daughter of Nels and Eva (Kolstrom) Hawkins, who, after leaving their native country of Sweden, lived in Indiana from 1853 to 1856, and then came to Cannon Falls, engaging in farming for the remainder of their lives. The father died April 10, 1889, and the mother May 10, 1889. Mrs. Westman was born in Sweden February 23, 1816, and received an excellent education, being a must estimable woman in every respect. There is one daughter in the family, Eva Westman, who lives at home.

J. E. Johnson, one of the leading farmers of Cannon Falls township, was born in Sweden April 10, 1867, son of Ole and Christina (Kronberg) Johnson, natives of Sweden, who came to America in 1869 and located in the town of Belle Creek, this county, where the father worked for five years, after which they came to Cannon Falls township and purchased 160 acres in section 33, where the father improved the land and built a home, carrying on general farming until his death, in 1907. The mother died in 1903. J. E. was the only child, received his education in the public schools of the township and worked with his father on the farm. In June, 1891, he was married to Ida Larson, daughter of Johannes and Carolina Larson, natives of Sweden, who came to America and settled in Cannon Falls township, where they engaged in farming. The mother died in 1887, but the father is still living with his daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have one child, Charles W., who is at home. Mr. Johnson has made a great many improvements on his farm and buildings and has a fine home, owning in addition to his cultivated land thirty acres of good timber. He now successfully carries on general farming and stock raising. Mr. Johnson is a Republican in his political views, and has been chairman of the township board for the past three years, justice of the peace for two terms, and director of school district 14 for a number of years. In addition to his Cannon Falls farm, Mr. Johnson owns 160 acres of land in Lamour county, North Dakota.

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.