Ralph C. Nickerson

Ralph C. Nickerson, veterinary surgeon, of Zumbrota, is a native of Wisconsin, born in Cambria, Columbia county, December 27, 1859. His parents, Seth and Sarah R. (Clifford) Nickerson, natives of New York state, removed to Wisconsin in 1845, the father bei*ig a blacksmith by trade. From 1863 until 1877, the family lived at Concord, Dodge county, this state, and then came to Zumbrota. The mother died October 25, 1897, and the father, who retired from active practice of his trade in 1890, lives with his son, Ralph C. The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools and in the Wesleyan Methodist Seminary at Wasioja, Minn., as well as in the Zumbrota High School. He clerked in a store for a time, but his love for horses soon lead him to the race track, which he followed until 1899, when he entered the Western Veterinary College, at Kansas City, graduating in 1901. He at once opened an office in Zumbrota, where he has met with marked success, and built up a large and profitable practice. In addition to the pursuits mentioned above, Mr. Nickerson was proprietor of a government star mail route from July 1, 1879, to December, 1881. In 1884 he took a trip to the state of Washington, returning the following year. On his trip home he drove seventy-eight horses from Cheney, Wash., to Bozeman, Mont., thence brought them to St. Paul by rail, and from there drove them to Zumbrota where he sold them. Mr. Nickerson Avas married December 31, 1878, at Zumbrota, to Kate C. Chaffee, daughter of I. M. and Emily F. (Roan) Chaffee, the former of whom Avas a native of Connecticut and the latter of England. They came to Zumbrota in the early days, Mr. Chaffee tyiyo being for many years a carpenter here, also doing some contracting. He died in February, 1897, and his wife in December, 1891. Mrs. Nickerson was born March 17, 1863. To Mr. Nickerson she has borne two children, Mary C., born August 26, 1880, wife of George H. Tracy, superintendent of schools in Alden, Minn., and Guy R., born August 27, 1882, a horse dealer of Zumbrota. The family religion is that of the Methodist Church.

Andrew J. Nerhaugen. of Zumbrota village, was born in Land, Norway, January 6, 1829, son of Johannes and Marit Nerhaugen. "With his parents and two brothers he came to America in the year 1848, and located on a farm near Oxfordville, Rock county, "Wisconsin. Here he lived until 1855, when he came to Minnesota and settled in Pine Island township, where he preempted 160 acres of wild land. This land he cleared and broke, and here he built a home in which he lived until in 1905, when he sold and removed to the village of Zumbrota, where he purchased a home and has since lived a retired life. Mr. Nerhaugen has been twice married. In the spring of 1857 he was married to Ingeborg Myran, by whom he had six children — John, of Zumbrota; Peter, of Anoka; Jidia (Mrs. N. Simonson), of Brainerd; Edward and Sophie, of Minneapolis, and Albert, who died in infancy. His second wife, Mary Halvorson, died February 8, 1906. She was born in Land, Norway, in 1845, came to America in 1869, and was married to Mr. Nerlytugen in 1871. By this union there were eight children — Alpliine, who died in 1878; Clara, who died in 1902; Carl, of "Watertown, S. D.; Selmer, of Zumbrota; Alfred, of Seattle, "Wash; Emily, Josie and Stella, who live at home. Mr. Nerhaugen is a member of the Lutheran Church.

Thore Olson, farmer and stock buyer, lives in a pleasant residence on the outskirts of the village of Zumbrota. He is a native of Norway, born August 18, 1854, son of Ole and Anna (Lvseng) Olson, the former of whom died in Norway and the latter of whom, came to this country in 1856 and died in the fall of 1898. Thore was brought to this country as a boy of two years, and was raised at Manitowoc, "Wis., where he received his education. He spent his young manhood in farming and railroad work, and in 1876 went to Benson, Minn. In 1881 he located in Larimore, Grand Forks county, N. D., and engaged in farming and stock dealing until 1890, when he came to Minneola township and purchased 240 acres. In 1898 he rented this farm and purchased 115 acres on the borders of the village of Zumbrota, where he erected a new home. He now deals in stock, and conducts the home farm. Mr. Olson has devoted his life to hard work, and has never cared to mix in public affairs. He is a faithful husband and a loving father, justly proud of his flue family of children. He is one of the respected members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Olson was married, June 18, 1880, at Benson, Minn., to Marie Hanson, both of whose parents are now deceased. This union has been blessed with eight children — Ole is dead; Anna is dead; Ole T., Theodore, Oscar, Olga, are living; Elmer and Mabel are dead.

Fredrick L. Marvin, who conducts an extensive produce business in Zumbrota village,, the amount of his transactions reaching something like $25,000 a year, was born in Rome, Ohio, June 28, 1845, son of Albert and Anna (Rogers) Marvin, the former a native of New York state and the latter of Ohio. In 1855 the family moved to Monticello, Iowa, where the father engaged in retailing agricultural implements until 1880, when he retired. Albert Marvin was a staunch Republican, and a noted stump speaker. He several times toured the state of Iowa during political campaigns, and also served Jones county in the legislature. He died-in June, 1887, at eighty years of age, and his wife lived to be eighty-eight. At, once after leaving school in Iowa, Frederick migrated to Nebraska. In 1870 he took up 160 acres in Johnson county, that state, and carried on general farming. In 1887 he went to St. Paul and in September of that year came to Zumbrota, where he has since engaged in buying and shipping eggs, poultry, fruit and vegetables. This has not only proven a profitable venture for Mr. Marvin, but has also furnished the farmers with an outlet for their garden crops and poultry products. Mr. Marvin belongs to the United Workmen, but has never sought the excitement of public life, either in fraternal or political circles. He was married October 24, 1866, at Monticello, Iowa, to Jennie S. Tucker, daughter of Samuel Tucker, a wagon manufacturer. Both her parents are deceased. A son and a daughter have blessed the Marvin home. Frank A., born in Nebraska, is in the gas business at Watertown, S. D.; Lillian B., was also born in Nebraska.

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.