Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/792

 688 HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY The father came to America iu 1862 and after a year in Chicago located in Red Wing, where he took up work at his trade as a shoemaker, which he followed until the time of his death in De- cember of 1874. The mother, who came to this country in 1864, still makes her home in Red Wing. August P., born August 24, 1867, attended the public schools. Subsequently he entered the employ of the Red Wing Furniture Company, for whom he per- formed faithful service for the long period of twenty-two years, being in charge of the finishing department during the latter sixteen years of his employment there. May 1, 1906-, he was ap- pointed a member of the fire company as assistant chief, a posi- tion he still retains. For this position Mr. Olson was well fitted, having been a member of the old hook and ladder company four- teen years, five years of which he was assistant chief under Charles Wick. Mr. Olson is a Republican, and belongs to the Elks, the Royal Arcanum, the Yeomen, the Fire Relief Associa- tion and the Phoenix Relief Association. He was married June 26, 1902, to Sadie Stromberg, of Red Wing, by whom he has two children, Leonard A., born May 8, 1903, and Helen E., born May 2."). 1905. Peter Stromberg, father of Mrs. Olson, came to America from Germany in 1857 and worked for a time in Red Wing, his first work being to dig out stumps where Main street is now located. He also carried brick and mortar for the court house. He was married January 12, 1864, to Elizabeth Fisher, who came from Germany in 1863. They set up housekeeping in Hay Creek, where Mr. Stromberg acquired land until he owned 400 acres, on which he carried on general farming until his death, February 21. 1889. lie was a public spirited citizen and served many j^ears in public office, including nineteen years as treasurer, nine years as school clerk, and two years as supervisor. He was also a member of the Bankers' Association of St. Paul. His widow makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Olson. The family faith is that of the Episcopal Church. Charles Brown, now engaged in the coal, wood, coke and gen- eral transfer business, was born in Red Wing. July 12, 1868, son of Robert and Martha (McGarvey) Brown, natives of Ireland, who came to America at the ages of tw r o and nine years, respec- tively. They spent their childhood in Canada and landed in Red Wing in 1856. The father at once purchased a farm in the town- ship of Featherstone and continued farming until his death. For some time he was with Hamline University and also kept a board- ing hall for the students of that institution. Robert Brown died in November, 1904, and his widow, who still owns the old home- stead, now resides in Seattle, Wash., with her daughter, having reached the ripe old age of seventy-two years. Charles received his education in the public schools and finished at the Red Wing