"History of Freeborn County", 1882
Hartland Twp. Biographies
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WILLIAM BEEDE, one of the pioneers of this place, is a native of Vermont, born on the 9th of April, 1824. He was raised on a farm, and in 1845, married Miss Cynthia Sleeper, who was born in New Hampshire. In 1856, they came west and settled first in Wisconsin and two years later started with an ox team for this place. They pre-empted land in section four, which has since been their home. They have a family of three children. Mr. Beede in an early day took an active part in the organization and support of the schools.
S. S. CHALLIS was born in Corinth, Orange county, Vermont, on the 7th of April, 1822. In 1817 he removed to New Hampshire, and in 1850 to Massachusetts. He was married on the 22d of November, 1852, to Miss N. Julia Orr, who has borne him four children. In 1857 Mr. Challis went to California where he remained three years, then returned to Vermont, and in June, 1862, came to Hartland which has since been his home, his farm being in section thirty-one. He was Chairman of the Board of Supervisors in 1864, and the year following elected Justice of the Peace, which office he now holds. In 1863 he was chosen and served as captain of a military company raised in this county.
GULL GUTTORMSEN, one of the old residents of Hartland, is a native of Norway, born on the 16th of June, 1822. He sailed for America in 1850, landing in New York on the 4th of July, and came directly to Columbia county, Wisconsin. On the 10th of February, 1855, he was united in marriage with Miss Engelburt Tearksendatter, who has borne him two children, only one of whom is living. In 1856 they removed to Minnesota, and resided in Steele county for two years, then came to Hartland. He served in the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry from the 16th of March, 1865, until the close of the war.
WALTER L. HANSEN. a native of the Empire State, was born in Oswego county on the 25th of May, 1845. When he was ten years old he moved with his parents to Illinois where, on the 1st of August, 1864, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company E, was on garrison duty all the time until discharged on the 10th of July, 1865. In 1867 he moved to McGregor, Iowa, and a year later to Wisconsin, where he married on the 18th of March, 1870, Miss Margaret Ramsey. She died on the 9th of June, 1872, leaving one child, Margaret-Irene. In 1875 Mr. Hansen came to Hartland and purchased a farm in section three, which has since been his home. His present wife was formerly Miss Emma Challis, whom he married on the 26th of October, 1876. This union has been blessed with one child, Maud Lillie.
CARL HENDRICKSON was born in Norway on the 12th of May, 1838, and when ten years old emigrated with his parents to America. They settled in Wisconsin where he married, in 1860, Miss Esther Madison. They have had eleven children,
nine of worn are living. He came here in 1865, and purchased his present farm. Since 1877 he has been Town Treasurer, and has held other local and school offices.
OLE T. JOHNSON was born in Norway on the 6th of August, 1856, and when an infant came with his parents to America. The family first located in Columbia county, Wisconsin, until 1867, then came to this township and have since made it their home, their farm being in section two.
LEWIS KNUDSON, one of the early residents here, is a native of Norway, and dates his birth the 5th of August, 1830. He was married in April, 1853, to Miss Isabel Kittleson, and the same year they came to America. In 1858, they moved from Wisconsin to this township, and secured a farm in section fifteen. Mrs. Knudson died on the 28th of April, 1871, having borne seven children, only one of whom is now living. His present wife, Miss Isabel Torgenson, he married on the 20th of May, 1872, and of six children bom to this union, four are living.
THOMAS S. LEE was born near Bergen, Norway, on the 3d of January, 1834. When he was twenty-two years of age he came to America and first settled in Racine county, Wisconsin. He was married in 1861, to Miss Sarah Johnson, also a native of Norway. They resided in different parts
of the latter State until 1873, when they came to Minnesota and located in Freeborn township until 1880, then came to Hartland. They have a family of ten children.
OLUF LEE was born in Norway, about twenty-five miles from Christiania, on the 21st of April, 1849. His father died when he was twelve years old, and after finishing his schooling he clerked in a store. When he was seventeen years of age ; he went to sea, and in 1870, spent one summer traveling in England. He emigrated to America in 1871, and located in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, and clerked in a dry goods store for ten months, thence to LaCrosse in the same occupation. He was subsequently employed as book-keeper for J. C. Easton, of Chatfield, and later filled the same position in the First National Bank in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, also for a lumbering company. In 1877, he came to Hartland and bought an interest in the first store in this place, and is now sole proprietor. He is at present Chairman of the board of Supervisors, and has held other local offices.
GEORGE McCOLLEY, one of the pioneers of Hartland, was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, on the 24th of March, 1831. When he was young his parents moved to Ohio, and in 1845, to Portage City, Wisconsin. On the 6th of March, 1853, George was joined in wedlock with Miss Electa Morehouse and they have six children. In 1857, Mr. McColley started with an ox team to this place and for two months camped in his wagon, in the meantime putting up a slab house in section twenty-nine which has since been his home. He served for a tune in Company E, of the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. His wife died on the 19th of July, 1881.
FRANCIS E. PHIPPS, a native of New Hampshire, was born on the 14th of April, 1833. When young he learned engineering, and in 1854, came to Green Lake county, Wisconsin, where he was engaged in running stationary engines in a steam mill. In 1860, he came to Minnesota and took a claim in this place, sections ten and fifteen, where he has since lived. He was married in 1862, to Miss Mary Samson, a native of Canada. After a lingering illness of several years Mrs. Phipps died in 1881, leaving three children. Mr. Phipps has taken an active part in the support and organization of the schools and has held several local offices.
O. A. SEIM was born in Norway on the 25th of December, 1840, and when fifteen years old emigrated to America. He was engaged in farming in Wisconsin until 1857, then came to Steele county, Minnesota, and worked his father's farm until buying one of his own. At the same time he carried on a general mercantile store in the southeastern part of Waseca county. In 1876, he came to Hartland township and opened the first store in the place with John C. Hoff as partner, but a year later moved to the village and is now carrying on a merchandise business in company with Oluf Hufland. Mr. Seim has been Postmas¬ter since 1879, besides holding other offices.
PETER P. SHAGER, one of the early settlers of this county, is a native of Norway, born on the 16th of January, 1819. He came to America in 1849, and resided in Dane county, Wisconsin, one year, afterward in Columbia county until 1854, then went to Winneshiek county, Iowa. In the spring of 1857, he came to this county and settled in Manchester until enlisting on the 15th of August, 1862, in the Tenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company E, and served twenty-one months. After his discharge he located on a farm, in section thirty-four, Hartland, and has since devoted his tune to its cultivation.
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