Clay County

Biography of Philip Henry Kiefer of Barnesville Minnesota

Red River Valley title page vol 2

Philip Henry Kiefer, a respected resident of Barnesville, Minnesota, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His father, Philip Kiefer, was a pioneer settler in Milwaukee. The family moved to Hennepin County, Minnesota, in 1863. Philip Henry, one of eleven children, learned carpentry before moving to Montana in 1876, where he worked as a teamster and freighter, notably assisting General Nelson A. Miles in capturing the Nez Perces Indians. Returning to Minnesota in 1883, he settled in Barnesville in 1889 and established a successful hardware business. Kiefer married Catherine Mulcahey in 1890, and both are members of the Assumption Catholic Church. He also owns several properties in Barnesville and is active in the Catholic Order of Foresters and the Knights of Columbus.

Biography of Reir Syverson of Ulen Township Minnesota

Red River Valley title page vol 2

Reir Syverson, born in Norway in 1852, is a prominent landowner and agriculturalist in Clay County, Minnesota. Emigrating to America in 1873, he initially settled in Spring Grove, Houston County. After four years, he moved to Clay County, building a dug-out and later a log house on his homestead. Syverson now owns a well-improved 900-acre farm in Ulen Township, with 500 acres under cultivation. Married to Randa Ellingson in 1876, they have five children: Edward, Sophia, Carie, Charlie, and Rheinhart. Syverson has served on the Ulen Township Board of Supervisors and is a trustee of the United Lutheran Church.

Biography of Rev. S. G. Hauge of Hawley Minnesota

Red River Valley title page vol 2

Rev. S. G. Hauge, born in Norway in 1875, is the influential minister of the Lutheran church in Hawley, Minnesota. After immigrating to the United States in 1891, he studied at Augustine College in South Dakota and the Theological Seminary in Minneapolis, graduating in 1900. Appointed as the first resident pastor of the Scandinavian Lutheran church in Hawley that same year, Rev. Hauge has significantly expanded the congregation to about 300 members. He delivers sermons in both Norwegian and English and serves additional churches in neighboring townships. Married to Mrs. Hauge on July 25, 1900, they have three children: Ragnhild, Norma E., and Haakon.

Biography of Robert B. Webb of Glyndon Minnesota

Red River Valley title page vol 2

Robert B. Webb, born in 1846 in Walworth County, Wisconsin, is a notable figure in Glyndon, Clay County, Minnesota. Son of Sylvester T. and Eliza (Harrington) Webb, Robert moved to Glyndon in 1878. Initially farming on Buffalo River, he later settled on a 230-acre farm near Glyndon. Webb has been active in local development, serving as town treasurer, assessor, justice of the peace, village council president, and county commissioner. He was also involved in church work as a deacon. Married to Amy E. Jewell in 1868, they had six children, with his son Halbert L. Webb becoming a prominent businessman in Duluth.

Biography of Julius C. Johnson of Moorehead Minnesota

Red River Valley title page vol 2

Julius C. Johnson, born February 24, 1875, in Duluth, Minnesota, is a prominent resident of Moorhead. Son of Norwegian immigrants John and Carrie Johnson, he moved to Moorhead in 1882. Educated in Moorhead public schools and Concordia College, he embarked on a successful career in the lumber industry, holding managerial and bookkeeping roles before joining the Wheeler Land Company in 1902. A dedicated Republican, Johnson served as secretary and chairman of the Clay County Republican Committee, city assessor, and member of the sewer commission. Active in community affairs, he is a trustee of Concordia College and involved with the Knights of Pythias and Modern Brotherhood.

Biography of Joseph V. Godfrey of Moorehead Minnesota

Red River Valley title page vol 2

Joseph V. Godfrey, born November 23, 1874, in Leominster, Massachusetts, is a prominent manufacturer and contractor in Moorhead, Minnesota. Educated in Boston, he graduated from Roxbury High School in 1891. Godfrey initially joined his father’s flour milling business before moving to Moorhead in 1896. After working with the North Dakota Milling Company and the Red Lake Falls Milling Company, he established a successful concrete manufacturing business in 1905. Married to Edith Darrow, daughter of Dr. Daniel C. Darrow, president of Moorhead Hospital, they have two children, Vernon D. and Anna Belle. Godfrey is esteemed for his integrity and contributions to the community.

Biography of John G. Tweeton of Barnesville Minnesota

Red River Valley title page vol 2

John G. Tweeton, born May 24, 1859, in Norway, significantly contributed to the development of Barnesville, Minnesota. Emigrating to the United States in 1871 with his parents, he settled in Clay County in 1878. After working various jobs, Tweeton entered the lumber business in 1886, later retiring in 1890. Active in local politics and civic duties, he served as deputy postmaster and village recorder. Tweeton was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Druids. He passed away on February 1, 1896, leaving behind his second wife, Segred Thorvaldson, and a son from his first marriage.

Biography of John F. Johnston of Glynden Minnesota

Red River Valley title page vol 2

John F. Johnston, born on May 6, 1830, in Sterlingshire, Scotland, played a significant role in the development of the Red River valley. Son of Dr. Alexander Johnston and Marian (Forest) Johnston, he immigrated to the United States in 1874, settling in Elmwood Township, Clay County, Minnesota. Representing London merchant M. Howard Gilliat, he also secured his own preemption and led a land company, selling thousands of acres to settlers. Johnston acquired a 237-acre estate in Glynden Township, named “The Terrace,” where he lived until his death in 1903. Married to Mary Ann MacVicar, they had ten children, many of whom continued his legacy in the region.

Biography of Helge Klemmetson of Ulen Minnesota

Red River Valley title page vol 2

Helge Klemmetson, born February 24, 1854, in Lunner Ringereg, Norway, owns one of the most well-developed farms in Clay County, Minnesota. Located in section 22 of Ulen Township, the 200-acre farm features effective drainage, a protective grove, and high-quality livestock. Klemmetson immigrated to the U.S. in 1875, initially settling in Spring Grove Township, Minnesota, before moving to Clay County in 1880. He and his wife, Gor Olson, worked tirelessly to transform their land into a prosperous farm. Klemmetson, serving as the treasurer of Ulen Township since 1901, is also the secretary of the Synod Lutheran Church. They raised six children: Christina, Helmer, Olaf, Sarah, Bella, and Gyda.

Biography of Henry G. Tweeton of Barnesville Minnesota

Red River Valley title page vol 2

Henry G. Tweeton, born in 1873 in Iowa County, Wisconsin, was a prominent citizen of Barnesville, Clay County, Minnesota. His parents, Gunnulf L. and Mary (Lofthus) Tweeton, Norwegian immigrants, moved to Tansem, Minnesota, in 1878. Henry grew up on the family farm, attended local schools, and later worked in the lumber business, eventually owning his own yard. He served as Barnesville’s mayor from 1901 to 1905 and again in 1907, overseeing significant civic improvements. A director of the First National Bank of Barnesville, Tweeton was active in several fraternal organizations. He married the widow of his brother John, and they had five children: John, Mary, Sidney, Roy, and Ruth.