MNGenWeb - Washington County, Minnesota - Biographical Sketches - Forest Laken Township

ALM, Ole

A native of Sweden, was born in 1850, and is the son of Andrew Alm, the first Swedish settler in Forest Lake. Coming to America in 1869 with his sister, he proceeded directly to his parents, who had preceded him. In 1873, he located at Forest Lake with his father, and three years later, opened a store in company with his brother. They sold the following year and devoted their time and attention solely to farming. Mr. Alm was married in 1876 to Gustina Erickson, a native of Sweden, who died in 1879, leaving two children.

GRONBERGER, Robert

A native of Kalmer, Sweden, bom in 1S40. He received his education in his native country, and finished his course at the gymnasium, afterward working as book-keeper. In 1869, he came to America, making his way directly to St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin; thence to Taylor's Falls, Minnesota. After visiting St. Paul, he located on a farm in 1877, in Forest Lake township, situated on the banks of the lake. Some of his time was devoted to literary pursuits, having written a history of the early Swede settlers and pioneers of the north-west, which was published in the Staats Tidning of Minneapolis, also in the Skaffaren of St. Paul, and has since been issued in book-form. He is now contributor to these papers and to one Chicago newspaper. He has been assessor at Forest Lake for two years past.

HALSEY, A. P.

Born at Elizabeth, New Jersey, 1845, where he remained until twenty-two years of age. Wishing to see the west, he came to Davenport, Iowa, thence to Waterloo, which place he made his home for four years. In 1871, he went to Le Sueur, Minnesota, and carried on an extensive business in the mercantile line, having a large general stock. Finally disposing of his goods, he came to Minneapolis, and being attracted to Forest Lake, purchased fifty acres of land very pleasantly located on the shores of the lake. His residence commands a beautiful view of the waters and surrounding wood-lands. He was married January 2d, 1871.

HOWELL, S. B.

Born in Suffolk county, Long Island, 1837, and on reaching maturity, embarked in business as a photographer, August 22d, 1862, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth New York Volunteers, Company H; was wounded in the hand by a shell in an engagement at Bottom's Bridge, and was discharged March 8th, 1864, through sickness, from which he never fully recovered. He came with his family to Minnesota, and located at Forest Lake, where he has since resided on a farm pleasantly situated on the banks of the lake. His wife was Elizabeth Kent, married in 1859. They are the parents of seven children.

KOLLER, John

Of the firm of Koller and Company, is a native of Germany, born 1844. When a lad of seven years, he came with his parents to America, and for six years made his home at Rock Island, Illinois. In 1875 he removed to Chisago county, Minnesota, and two years later became a citizen of Forest Lake, purchasing the stock of general merchandise from Ole Alm, which he has increased to meet the wants of all his patrons. W. H. Sanborn is the junior partner, also post-master, the post-oflBce department being in connection with the store.

LINDSTROM, W. E.

A native of Sweden, born 1849. Here he received his early education, and learned the trade of blacksmith. In 1879 he immigrated to America, landing in Boston, and proceeded westward to La Crosse, Wisconsin thence to North Branch, Chisago county, Minnesota. Deciding to locate at Forest Lake, he purchased two lots in 1880 on which he built a dwelling and a blacksmith shop, which was the first shop of that kind in the place. Married, in 1873, to Matilda C. Geathburg, who was bom in Sweden in 1847.

MARSH, Michael

One of the oldest settlers of Forest Lake, was born in Germany, March 28th, 1828. Coming to America in 1850, he passed the first four years at Chicago and Aurora, Illinois. In 1855 he removed to Hastings, Dakota county, Minnesota, then a village of about two houses and four shanties, and here opened a store, also carried on a farm several miles away in Marshan township. Remaining at Hastings until 1866, then moving to St. Paul he established a grocery and provision trade, and the year following located a branch store at Forest Lake. Subsequently he purchased land and erected a hotel, and for several years carried on both store and post-oflSce. In 1880 Mr. Marsh moved to St. Paul, and is extensively engaged in wood contracting at both places. He married Mary Gekli in 1853, who died at Hastings in 1865, leaving five children living: Josephine, Peter, John, Katrina and Rosanna.

POSTON, Mary

A native of Ohio, born in 1833; when a small child moved with her parents to Adams county, Illinois, near Quincy, remaining with her parents until her marriage with Jeremiah Poston, April 19th, 1849. Six years subsequently they removed to Minnesota, and located on their pleasant farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Wyoming township, removing later to their farm adjoining in Forest Lake. For the benefit of her husband's health and her children's education, they removed to Le Sueur in 1871, remaining four years; then returned to their former home. On the 2d of December, of the following year, Mr. Poston departed this life aged fifty-eight. His widow still resides on her farm, and is the parent of eleven children: Ashford C, Lurianda C, Silas M., Bell, J. Golden, Richard H., John K., Mary T. F., Wm. Grant, Emma C. and Irene.

SCHIEL, Louis

Born in 1831, and is a native of Germany, where he received his early education, finishing his studies at the school of forestry for the purpose of preparing for duties in civil service. He landed at the port of New Orleans in 1850, coming up the river to southern Illinois, and in the summer of 1855 proceeded to St. Paul, Minnesota. He experienced at this time a severe illness; on recovering he joined a prospecting party, passing through White Bear, thence to Forest Lake, where he made a claim of one hundred and sixty acres and built a log-cabin. The same year his family came out from St. Paul, making since that time their home on the farm. In '61 he enlisted in the First Minnesota Battery, and was discharged in 1863 in consequence of injuries received. Mr. Schiel has been justice of the peace, town clerk and school director since the organization of the town. In 1851 he married Mary Freund, a native of Germany. Edward, Harry, Lizzette, Emma, Fannie, Albert and Edwin are their children. The latter is an adopted child.

SIMMONS, J. P.

Born in Ohio, 1846, and when a small boy came with his parents to Illinois, locating near Quincy, and in 1855 came to St. Paul, Minnesota, finally locating on Forest Lake the next year. Here he lived with his parents until the age of twenty then accompanied a party to Vermillion gold mines, but soon returned. In 1873 he purchased a farm in Forest Lake township, on which he located in 1879, after having visited California and other states. His marriage with Miss Anna Peoples took place in 1879.

SIMMONS, R. W.

A native of Ohio, born 1850. When a mere child he moved with his parents to Illinois, thence to Minnesota, living at White Bear about two years, then located on a farm in Chisago county, later in Forest Lake. On attaining his majority he worked in St. Paul two years, then purchased land in Wyoming and Forest Lake townships, owning at present one hundred and fifty-seven acres. His wife was .losephine Marsh, married in 1872. Their children are, George M., Allen, John H., and Clarence.

SIMMONS, Wm. J.

Born in Athens county, Ohio, 1851. At the age of three years he came with his parents to Minnesota after a residence of some time near Quincy, Illinois. In 1856 he located on a farm in Wyoming township, subsequently to Forest Lake, where he remained until reaching majority, then worked as a laborer two years in St. Paul. Returning to his home in 1877 he purchased his present homestead of one hundred and sixty acres in Forest Lake township. Married in 1874 to Julia Rioux. Charley, Ella, and Jessie are their children.

SMITH, C. V.

Born in Sweden, 1842, and was there connected with the mercantile trade. Coming to America in 1869, he landed at Quebec, and proceeded to Chicago, Illinois, thence the next year to St. Paul, Minnesota. He was in the employ of several firms in that city until 1880, then purchased village lots at Forest Lake and immediately erected a new store and dwelling. He carries a complete general stock of groceries, drygoods, boots and shoes, hardware, patent medicines, etc.

STROMBERG, A. L.

A native of Sweden, where he received a good education, then finished his studies at the college of Skara. In 1868, he came to America, making his way to St. Paul, Minnesota; the first winter was devoted to the study of the English language, also the manners and customs of the people. In 1869, he entered the employ of Langdon and Co., railroad contractors, and occupied responsible positions for three years, then made a short visit to his native country. Returning to St. Paul, he assumed the position of manager of the Swedish newspaper three years. Subsequently he purchased land in Forest Lake township, and in 1877, located on it. He is still in the employment of Langdon and Co, which often calls him to St. Paul. In 1880, he made another trip to Sweden.

VEITH, Esther P.

Daughter of Parker West, was born in Ohio, 1828, and remained with her parents until her marriage with William Long, in 1844, who died four years later. She accompanied her brother to Illinois some time later, and while there married, in 1854, Mr. Fred Veith. They came to Minnesota with their family and settled in Forest Lake township in 1864, purchasing the land on which formerly lived Mr. Wilson, the first settler of Forest Lake. Mr. Veith died July 31st, 1867, leaving his widow with five children, Franklin, Fred, Caroline V., William and Adella.