Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/1092

 944 HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY in the early days and engaged in farming until the end of their life, the father dying November 25, 1876, and the mother Septem- ber 16, 1887. To Mr. and Mrs. Clark were born three children: E. W. is a coal dealer in Minneapolis ; Nellie C. is the wife of W. P. Hitchings, of California ; Frank "W. is a sheriff in Arizona. Mr. Clark was a fine old gentleman in every respect, a figure much honored in the village. Kindly, ever considerate, willing at personal cost to assist in every good movement, he was a distinct addition to pioneer life, and his training of the boys and girls of the early days had much to do with the success which many of them achieved in after life. Marten C. Westermo, of "Wanamingo township, has attained honor and distinction during his lifelong residence in this county. He was born in Holden township, March 13, 1856, and received such school training as his district afforded. As a boy he helped about the farm, and after leaving school he remained on the old homestead until 1882. when his father presented him with 160 acres on which he farmed until coming to Wanamingo in 1889. At the present time he carries on general 'farming, owning 110 acres upon which he has erected a pleasant home and some fine barns. In the midst of a busy life, he has found time to attend to higher things and has taken a prominent part in the United Lutheran church, being especially interested in the parochial .schools connected with that body. He was married May 22, 1877, to Anna M. Huseth, by whom he has eight children : Rev. Chris- tian, born March 24, 1879, now of New York city; Halvor, born October 23, 1881, and Isaac, born August 14, 1883, both of North Dakota; Ingeborg, born December 9, 1886; Alfred, born March 27, 1889; Aslang, born May 4, 1891, Laura, born September 17, 1893, and Herman, born July 13, 1897, all at home. The parents of Mrs. Marten C. "Westermo were Halvor Olsen and Aslang Huseth, both born in Norway, the former in 1824 and the latter in 1828. Upon coming to America in 1844 he en- gaged in farming at Stoughton, Wis., for twelve years. In 1856 they came to Wanamingo township, this county, with the early pioneers and bought a farm, making the usual developments and improvements. The mother died January 18 and the father August 23, 1901. Christian and Ingeborg (Hansdatter) Wes- termo, parents of Marten C. Westermo, were born in Norway, the former in 1812 and the latter in 1815. In his early manhood the father was manager of a lumber estate, but upon coming to America in 1846 he engaged in farming at Sugar Creek, Wis., for two years. In 1856 they came to Holden township, this county, with the early pioneers and homesteaded 160 acres, making the usual developments and improvements. The mother died March 20, 1885, and the father spent his declining years with his son.