Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/1051

 HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY 909 in 1855 and settled in Moline, 111., where they remained a .short time, after -which they came to Minnesota and bought land in Yasa township, and engaged in farming until in 1895 when they retired and spent the remainder of their lives with their children. The father died in 1898 and the mother in 1902. A. Westerson was educated in the common schools of the county, after which he worked on the railroad. In 1873 he learned the milling trade, which he followed until 1903. He spent two and a half years in the Diamond Milling Company at Red Wing, then went to Hastings where he rented and operated the mill there until 1892 when he went back to Welch, operated the Welch Roller Mill until 1903, and then took charge of the elevator there. He was also agent for the Great Western railroad until June, 1909. Mr. Westerson was married in 1876 to Kate Larkin, who died in January, 1880. In 1882 he w r as married to Margaret Wynn, daughter of Pat and Catherine Wynn, old settlers of Belle Creek township, where they w r ere farmers. To this union w r as born one child, Marie, who lives at home. The mother died in 1908. Mr. Westerson has one sister and two brothers living. The sister, Esther, married J. R. Tampain, of Cannon Falls; Charles lives at Abercrombie, N. D., and Frank is in Montana. Mr. Westerson is independent in politics and while in Hastings served as com- missioner and alderman. He belongs to the M. W. A. of Cannon Falls. Charles A. Nylen, blacksmith and implement dealer, was born in Sw T eden January 23, 1874, son of Andrew and Anna (Mattson) Nylen, natives of Sweden, who came to the United States in 1890 and located in Yasa township, Minnesota, where the father worked two years, then rented a farm and engaged in farming for three years, after which he went to Burnside township and rented a farm, where he remained another three years. He then returned to Vasa township and purchased 240 acres of land, of which 100 is under cultivation. Here they remained for ten years, and in February, 1909, he moved to Welch village and started a blacksmith shop and implement house. He now rents his farm and has sold all his farming machinery and stock. He has always lived with and cared for his parents. He has one brother living at Argyle, Minn. He also had one sister, Mary, who died in 1907. .Mr. Nylen is a stockholder in the creamery. He is an independent voter, and belongs to the Swedish Lutheran church. Charles Danielson, a prosperous merchant, of Cannon Falls village, was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, January 1, 1867, and was brought to Cannon Falls as a small boy, receiving his education in the graded and high schools of the village. After leaving school he clerked with his father, becoming a partner in 1889, the firm name being changed to J. Danielson & Son. This general