William C. Santelman

William C. Santelman, proprietor of the general store at Claybank, was born in Hay Creek, September 12, 1877. His parents, August and Mary (Minki) Santelman, natives of Germany, came to America in 1845, and farmer two years at Dayton, Ohio. They then bought 200 acres of land in Hay Creek, where they carried on general farming until 1904, when they retired, and purchased a home in Red Wing, where the father still resides at the age of seventy-two years. The mother died April 10, 1909. In the family are five brothers and four sisters aside from the subject of this sketch: Mary, married, lives in Fargo, N. D.; Edward, married, conducts the old homestead; Sophia, married, lives in this state; Henry, married, is proprietor of a general store at Red Wing; Emma, married, lives at Stanton, Minn.; August, married, is proprietor of a store at Frontenac; Minnie, married, lives in Red Wing; George and Benjamin work on the home farm. William received his education in the district schools of Hay Creek and farmer for a time_with his father. January 1. 1903, he entered the employ of H. L. Hjermstad in the grocery business and one year later started a general store at Claybank with Mr. Hjermstad as partner. This store has been very successful and has a good trade, which is gradually growing. Mr. Santelman was married January 17, 1904, to Annie Sass, daughter of Henry and Mary (Burkhart) Sass, who came to America and located in Wabasha county, where they farmer 160 acres of land. Mrs. Sass died in 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Santelman have one child, Syviwla M., born September 17, 1905. Mr. Santelman is a Republican in politics, but has been too busy to actively engage in political affairs. Fie is a thorough business man, genial and accommodating, and has a bright future ahead of him.

Henry Lidgerding, Flay Creek township, born in Hanover, Germany, January 9, 1848, has spent practically all his life in this county, his occupation being that of farming. His mother died in the old country while he still a young boy, and his father, leaving young Henry in the care of relatives, came to this country to seek his fortune and to make a home for his motherless son. The father, William, is a resident of Red Wing, having reached the honored and venerable age of ninety years. Henry came to America in 1862 at the age of fourteen years, being met at Red Wing by his father. He went to Hay Creek township, and there grew to young manhood, working on the farm. Later he moved to Goodhue township, but subsequently returned to Hay Creek, where he has lived for the past dozen or so years. He has 240 acres of good land, 160 being under the plow and in a high stage of cultivation. The place has been improved, and the buildings remodeled, the whole now presenting the appearance of a model farm. Aside from the usual crops, he raises live stock and does some dairying, making a specialty of settling butter. Mr. Lidgerding is a Republican in politics, and while in Goodhue township served on the board of supervisors. He was married March 6, 1873, to Mary Meyer, daughter of Frederic Meyer, an old settler of this county. To this union were born five children, Fred, Benjamin, Alma, Martha and Edna. The family pays its religious worship at the Methodist (German) church.

P. J. Lundquist, sheriff of Goodhue county since 189-t, was born at Iluseby, Skalof Smaland, Sweden, April 17, 1849, son of Swan and Anna Lundquist, both natives of that country. He received his education in the schools of Sweden and worked as a mail driver. In 1869 he came to America and located at once in Yasa, this county, where he worked on a farm and on the railroad until 1872, Avhen he purchased a farm, upon Avhich he carried on general farming until 1883. He then located in Red Wing and Avas appointed deputy sheriff, serving four years. In 1887 he was elected constable and served until 1891, when he Avas appointed chief of police of the city of Red Wing. His services in this capacity Avere rewarded in 1894, Avhen he was elected sheriff of the county, in which office he has since served Avith ability. In politics a Republican. He is a member of the Elks, the A. 0. U. W. and the Commercial club. Sheriff Lundquist was married July 6, 1873. to Eva Turner, daughter of Samuel and Stiena Turner, of the township of Vasa, Goodhue county. The mother died in 1903 and the father still survives at the good old age of eighty-nine. To Mr. and Mrs. Lundquist have been born five children, four of whom are uoav living. Sidney S., born July 21, 1874, is engaged in the grocery business in Red Wing. Aaron Y. was born July 23, 1877, and served several years as deputy sheriff until his death December 25, 1906. He is survived by a widow, Avhose maiden name Avas Vendalia Landberg, and one daughter, born April 7, 1906. Gena C., born January 15, 1881, lives at home and teaches in the public schools at Red Wing. Reuben A., born December 30, 1883, is married and lives at La Crosse, V7is., where he is. an electrical engineer. Anna C., bom October 28, 1885, is a teacher in the district schools at Virginia, Minn. The family worships at the Swedish Lutheran church.

Watts Sherman was born at Morristown, N. Y., January 13, 1827, and received his education largely in Michigan. While still in his teens, he started on the road for a manufacturing concern and on June 10, 1856, located at Red Wing. The folloaving year he entered into the mercantile business, the firm name of the company being Sherman & Richter. Three years later he purchased a farm in Bell Creek. In Red Wing he took up the grocery business. Later he removed his store to Third street and the business is now managed by his son. Frank. Mr. Sherman was married October 29, 1856, to Delana Richter, daughter of John J. and Henrietta Richter, pioneers of Red Wing. To this union have been born sis children: Frank, William, Fannie, Nellie, Gertrude and Leigh. The family attends the Presbyterian church. Mr. Sherman died in 1909.

Charles H. Meyers, county auditor, is a native born son of this county, having first seen the light of day at Red Wing, February 22, 1858. He received such education as the country schools of his district afforded and then attended the high school at Red Wing. Being an ambitious youngster, he started Avork in the store of Henry Gross at Red Wing, Avhile at an early age. Later he suav the necessity for a more thorough business education, and consecpiently entered the Bryant and Stratton business college at St. Paul. In the fall of 1882 he went to the Red River ATalley and conducted a general store until 1891. In 1892 he engaged in the shoe business on Third street in Red AYing. In 1904 he cast his lot in the political arena, after disposing of his shoe stock. He was a candidate for county auditor and the same year received an appointment as deputy city clerk. His serArices in this office deserAred the election as city clerk which he received in 1906. He Avas in charge of the duties of this office, Avhen he resigned to take the office of county auditor in January, 1909. He is also clerk of the school board, haAring served as a member of that body since 1898, three years of which time he Avas clerk, and two years president. His political platform is that of the Republican party, and his religious faith that of the Methodist Episcopal church. His fraternal affiliations include membership in the Odd Fellows, the Foresters, the Modern Samaritans and the Knights of Pythias, in seAeral of which he has held office. Mr. Meyers was married October 17, 1883, to Emily Schreiner, daughter of Rev. William Schreiner, a clergyman of the German Methodist church, at that time stationed at Ft. Dodge, IoAva. The mother died at Ft. Dodge in 1902 and the father is uoav living a retired life at Glad Brook, IoAva. To. Air. and Mrs. Aleyers have been born five children: Grace L. Avas born September 26. 1884; Leon C., born May 3, 1886, is city clerk of Red Wing; Amy L. is attending music school at Chicago; Alilton Wallace was born April 3, 1892, and Leslie Y. was born February 14, 1901.

Hon. F. I. Johnson has a civic, military and political record of AAThich any man might Avell be proud. He first demonstrated his ability in public office when he was elected county commissioner in 1875. In this position he serAred until 1880, when he resigned to become a candidate for the high office of state senator. Overwhelmingly elected, he soon made himself a power in the senate, and the people of the county returned him to his seat two times, his services covering the three terms of 1881, 1883 and 1885. In addition to this he has served ten years on the state board of equal assessments, has been chairman of the township eleven years, and treasurer of school district 42 for over thirty years. In business, religious and fraternal circles he has been no less prominent, having been president of; the Farmers’ Mutual Insurance Company, of Yasa, seven years; president of the Farmers’ Elevator at Cannon Falls many terms; treasurer of the Spring Garden church twelve years; trustee of the Orphans ’ Home at Vasa twelve years and a director in the Scandinavian Relief Association thirty years. Mr. Johnson was born in Sweden, December 25, 1840, son of John Carlson and his wife, Carrie Johnson, also natives of that country. It was in 1858, at the age of eighteen years, that the subject of this sketch first came to the shore of the country of which he was later to become so prominent a citizen. After working on the St. Croix, Apple and Snake rivers as a lumberman, with Stillwater, Washington county, Minnesota, as headquarters, he enlisted in Company C, Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, August 14, 1862. This company was sent on the Indian expedition, and was stationed at Ft. Snelling, at Ft. Abercrombie or on the frontier until the spring of

1864, commanded by that valiant old warrior, General Sibley. After spending some time in the Bad Lands and on the banks of the Yellowstone river, as well as in Idaho, the company returned with the regiment to Ft. Snelling and was then ordered south, to Murfreesboro, later participating in the battle of West Nashville. January 1, 1865, found them at Washington, after which they were attached to the Twenty-third Army Corps, and ordered to Ft. Fisher. This fort, however, was captured before their arrival, and they accordingly went to Newbern, N. C., and subsequently to Kingston, N. C., where the army engaged in battle with the command of General Johnson. At Gouldsboro, N. C., the regiment took part in another engagement and then participated in a part of Sherman’s march to the sea. Remaining with Sherman until the time of Lincoln’s assassination, the company was ordered to Kingsboro, N. C., and then to Charlotte. N. C., where the mustering out took place July 11, 1865. On August 1,

1865, the soldiers received their honorable discharge at Ft. Snelling. After the war, Mr. Johnson returned to Vasa and lived until 1868, when he moved to Leon township, where he has since conducted general farming on 25'5 acres in section 1, Leon toavnship. Of late years the son has rented the place from his father and has general charge of the farming operations. The house is comfortable and the barns well kept, everything about the place bespeaks thrift, intelligence and hard work. Mr. Johnson was married in 1865 to Anna Larson, who died in 1875, leaving four children: Edward A., now clerk of the court at Kittson county, Minnesota; Levi E., farmer living in the same county; Esther 0., wife of Peter Johnson, of Cannan Falls, and Anton E., now living in California. Anton E. is a veteran, as well as his father, having served in Company F. Thirteenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, in the Philippines. Upon his return to San Francisco he worked two years as a bookkeeper and then became a traveling salesman on the Pacific coast. By Christine Johnson, whom Senator Johnson married in 1876, there were four children: Alice, Clarence, Susie and Isadore. Clarence manager the home farm, and Susie and Isadore are deceased. The mother of these children died in 1887 and Senator Johnson then married Mrs. Wilhelmena Haggstrom, daughter of G. M. Magnusen, ayIio still survives.

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.