USA > Minnesota > Meeker County > Album of history and biography of Meeker County, Minnesota > Part 19
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William H. remained with his parents until
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twenty-one years of age, during which time he received the advantages of a common- school education in the district schools, and also attended the higher graded schools at Howard Lake and Hutchinson. Upon arriv- ing at his majority he began life for himself, and for four or five years was engaged at teaching school and working on a farm. He then went to Groton, Dak., and in company with his brother, D. B. Johns, opened a hard- ware store under the firm name of Johns Brothers. They remained in trade at that place for about six years, when they sold out and opened their present business at Litch- field. Mr. Johns is a member of the Masonie fraternity, having joined Groton lodge No. 65, in 1886: and is also a member of an Odd Fellow's lodge at the same place.
ZRA B. COMSTOCK. Among the well known popular educators and school teachers of Meeker county, there is, perhaps, no better representative than Mr. Comstock, a resident of Ellsworth township, living in the village of Greenleaf. le is a native of Canada, having first seen the light October 8, 1838, in Brown county, in the province of Quebec, and is the son of Anson and Hannah (Constadt) Comstock, both of whom have passed to their reward in the land beyond the river of death.
Our subjeet received the benefits of a primary education in the district schools of his native county, and knowing the advan- tages to be derived from it, for two years was a student at Browne College, from which he was graduated in 1858. His studies for a time were in the direction of civil engineering but meeting with an accident to one of his limbs, which disqualified from the labors incident upon that profession, he gave it up and turned his attention to "teaching the young idea how to shoot." He com-
menced his life's labors as pedagogue in his native land. He came to the State of Min- nesota in 1869, and for some four years presided over the studies of a large school. From there he came to Meeker county, loeating, for the nonce in Cedar Mills town- ship, where he remained, following his pro- fession, for some four years, and then removed to his present residence, in Green- leaf.
May 21, 1861, Mr. Comstock was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Cook, a native also of the Dominion of Canada, with whom he had been to school in his youth. Her par- ents, both of whom were born in the same section of country, are both dead, the mother dying when Mrs. Comstock was but a child, and the father in June, 1867. By this nnion Mr. and Mrs. Comstock have one child- Myrtie M., who was born in Meeker county, this State, May 12, 1875.
In his political views, Mr. Comstock eoin- eides with the republican party. although not blindly partisan. His judgment and own intelligence are what he mostly depends upon. He has held many of the more im- portant township offices sinee coming here, and always with honor. He has been a constant resident since 1873, except that during the year 1879 when he was teaching in St. Paul, he has taken a deep interest in the advancement of educational matters, and to him is due a share of the progress made in this direction by Ellsworth township. Mr. Comstock at present holds a commis- sion as notary public.
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ANIEL AVERY CROSS, deceased, was one of the most prominent of those hardy pioneers who first located in the southern part of the county. He was born in Oneida county, N. Y., on the 6th of July, 1829. When he was five years old,
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his parents removed to Indiana. His father died when he was ten years of age, and he was early thrown upon his own resources.
In 1857, accompanied by his family, which consisted of his wife and two children, and also a man named E. Dibbel, Mr. Cross eame to Minnesota and took a claim on section 13, in what is now Cedar Mills township. They arrived in July, and Mr. Cross and family lived in their wagon on the bank of Cedar Lake until fall. That fall they built a house in Cedar City, MeLeod county, as they were unable to procure the logs unless they built on the town site, a plan which was followed for the purpose of building up a village. Two years later they moved the house to the claim, and lived there until the Indian outbreak occurred. At the time the news of the massacre reached him, Mr. Cross moved his family to the "Point," in Cedar Lake; but a short time later moved them to IIutch- inson. When the report came that the Indians were raiding and burning in Cedar Mills, volunteers were called to go on an expedition, and Mr. Cross was one of the first to offer his services. They followed the Indians until dark, and then spent the night at Mr. Cross' house. In the morning Mr. Cross, with five others, started to go to the house of Caleb Sanborn, who lived on the north side of Cedar Lake, to warn him of his danger if the Indians had not already killed him. While on their way they were surprised by the Indians, and Mr. Cross was shot and killed, while the others fled. Mr. Cross laid where he fell until the following day, when his remains were taken to Huteh- inson, where they were interred on the 25th of September, 1862. His death was mourned by a wide circle of friends. He was a man possessed of the very best of qualities, and of the strictest integrity and honor.
Soon after the death of Mr. Cross, the widow returned to her former home in Indiana, where she remained for a year
and a half, when she returned to the farm on section 13, Cedar Mills township, where she has since lived. Mrs. Cross has two children, who are now living: Mary E., now Mrs. A. Jordan, of Greenleaf township; and Daniel Avery, who was born March 16, 1863, and still lives on the old homestead, where he carries on farming and stock raising.
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OHN SNELL, the leading furniture deal- er of Litchfield, is a native of Verina Island, Sweden, born September 5, 1831, and is the son of Andrew and Katherine (Berg- stadt) Snell. He was reared at home until he had attained the age of seventeen, when he commenced to learn the cabinet-maker's trade, and served an apprenticeship at that until he was twenty-one years old. He then determined to emigrate to the New World, the "promised land" of the poor of the old countries, and, accordingly set sail for New York. For eighteen months after landing there he was employed in John Olander's piano manufactory in the metropolis of America, after which time he removed to Galesburg, Ill., and for a year was engaged at his trade. Coming still farther west after a short time spent in St. Paul, he located in Carver, Carver county, Minn., in 1854. That village had just been laid out, and as an induce- ment to have so excellent a mechanic settle among them, Mr. Snell was given a lot in the village upon which to build. He put up a house there, and commenced making chairs, tables, etc., by hand, using one room in his house for a shop. Later on he erected a small mill that ran by water-power, which greatly facilitated his work, and remained, actively engaged in trade in that place until 1874, when he sold out his interests there and removed to Chicago. In the latter city he was engaged in carrying on the photo- graphic business, he having acquired some
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knowledge of that art while living in Carver. In 1877 he came to Litchfield and purchased his present business, to which he has added undertaking, and has been employed in that ever since. In 1879 he began the erection of his present handsome quarters, finishing it the next year. It is a fine brick building of some eighty feet front, and corresponding depth, and one of the handsomest in the village.
Mr. Snell was married while in New York. in 1852, to Miss Esther Peterson, who died May 13, 1864, in Carver, leaving two children- Clara A., born May 15, 1858, now the wife of William Murdock, a business man of Chi- cago : and Ifilda E., born January 8, 1862, now Mrs. E. M. Warhanich, whose husband is a druggist in the same city. Mr. Snell was again married July 26, 1865, to Miss Ida Peterson, who has been the mother of three children, only one of whom is living-Alvin O., born March 17, 1867. Those deceased were Ida, born April 26, 1866,and died Novem- ber 12, 1883; and Julian Panl, born May 5, 1870, and died July 13, 1872. Mrs. Snell was born August 17, 1830, and is a most estimable woman.
- ETER JOHNSON is one of the leading farmers living in the southern part of Aeton township, his residence being on sec- tion 33. Mr. Johnson is a son of Peter and Sarah Johnson, and was born in Norway on the 17th of October, 1834. He came to the United States in 1868, and for about a year was employed at Minneapolis in a brick yard and in different saw-mills. In 1869 he came to Meeker county and took a homestead of forty aeres on the line between Acton and Danielson townships. After proving up on the homestead he removed his house to an adjoining eighty acres which he had pur- chased in the meantime. He still lives on the last named place.
Mr. Johnson was married in Norway to Miss Guru Peterson, a daughter of Peter and Mary Henderson. By this marriage they have had the following named chil- dren-Sarah, born November 28, 1860; Mary, born September 5, 1862: John, born November 28, 1866; Catherine, born Sep- tember S, 1869 ; Peter, born November 12, 1872 ; Christian, born March 18, 1875; Ma- tilda, born December 30, 1878 ; and Hannah, born October 15, 1881. Mary is now the wife of Theodore Christian Rue, a resident of Cosmos township. Meeker county ; and Sarah is now the wife of Lewis Olson, who is a resident of Dakota Territory.
J OHN BLOMBERG is a prominent. farmer who resides on section 18, Acton township. He is a native of Sweden, born October 27, 1835, and is a son of Jones and Engriel Blomberg. In 1857 he came to the United States and settled in Chisago county, Minn., where for three years he was engaged at farming and lumbering. He than went to Olmstead county, where for two years he worked for different parties. Re- turning to Chisago county. he made that his home until 1864, when he went to Taylor's Falls and enlisted in Company D, Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. He served one year with his regiment, and after being honorably discharged he worked in Chicago, Goodhue and other counties until 1867, when he came to Meeker county and took a home- stead claim in Acton township. For nearly a year after this he worked in the pineries, but in 186S he settled on his homestead and has since lived there. He was a poor man when he came to the United States and was even obliged to borrow a portion of the money with which he paid his passage ; but his perseverance, industry and economy have been rewarded, and he is now in comfortable
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circumstances and getting along well. IIe owns 212 acres of land, 110 acres of which are under cultivation and he also has a great deal of stock. He has met with some reverses in his farming operations, especially during the grasshopper raids, when he lost all the wheat on eighty acres except sixty bushels. He says he saved some oats that year, but " there were more grasshopper legs than grain." Mr. Blomberg has taken an active interest in all publie matters and has held many local offices, including the following: School clerk, ever since he came here ; county com- missioner, now serving his second term ; was chairman of supervisors one term ; town clerk two years ; and was assessor four terms. Ile is the present secretary of the Insurance Company of Acton and Genesee, which in- cludes twenty-five townships in Meeker and Kandiyohi counties. The company was or- ganized in 1884 and now has a membership of about 600, and is carrying risks to the amount of about $800,000.
Mr. Blomberg was married, by a justice in the town of Acton, in the house where the Indians killed the first whites in Meeker county, inaugurating the terrible outbreak of 1862. The marriage occurred on the 25th of September, 1869, with Miss Lena M. Peter- son, who was born July 7, 1842. They have been blessed with the following children- Charles E., born May 26, 1870, died February 6, 1878 ; Anna Christina. born July 14, 1871; Emily Catharine, born June 30, 1873; Ida Victoria, born September 1, 1875; Victor Emanuel, born Jannary 5, 1877 ; Alice Char- lotte, born August 27, 1880, died March 21, 1881 ; Claus Edward, born February 4, 1882 ; Peter Eugene, born February 27, 1885; and Hattie Maria, born November 24, 1887.
AMES MC CARNEY, a well-known and highly respected farmer, residing on seetion 4, Harvey township, comes of a |
nationalty, which through their natural thrift, enterprise and frugality, now form one of the most substantial and desirable elements in Minnesota's population.
Mr. MeCarney was born in Ireland, and is a son of Patrick and Catherine (Brady) McCarney. He spent his early life in the land of his birth, and on March 1, 1846, he sailed for the United States, landing at New Orleans on the 7th of May, and proceeding from there to Galena, Ill. Ile remained there for five years, and then came to Min- nesota and settled at St. Paul, where he spent about three years. His next move was to Dakota county, where he settled npon a farm in Burnsville township. There he was living when the civil war broke ont, and in response to the President's call for men, he enlisted on December 24, 1862, in Company M, First Minnesota Mounted Rangers. He remained in the service until August 16, 1863, when he was discharged for disability, and re- turned to his farm in Burnsville, Dakota county, Minn. Three years later he came to Mecker county, Minn., and after spending the winter with his brother, Patrick, who was living in Manannah township. he settled on the farm where he still resides, on section 4, Harvey township. This was in the spring of 1867.
In May, 1850, Mr. McCarney was married to Miss Margary McGinlay. They are the parents of ten children, cight of whom are still living. Mr. and Mrs. McCarney are members of the Catholic church. In politi- cal matters, Mr. McCarney affiliates with the democratic party.
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AMES DEAREY, a leading and represent- ative farmer of Darwin township, has his residence on section 10, where he carries on the pursuit of mixed agriculture. He was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, March 9, 1835, but when but eight years of age, in
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1843, came to the United States with his parents, who were, also, natives of the Em- erald Isle. The family remained in New York, where they at first located, about a year; and then removed to Philadelphia, Penn., where the subject of this narrative grew to manhood. October 15, 1855, he came to Minnesota, locating in Minneapolis, where he remained a year and then removed to Monticello, Wright county, where he made his home for the succeeding four years. In 1860 he came to Meeker county and made a settlement in Darwin township on the land where he now resides, and has been identi- fied with the growth and development of that part of the county ever since.
At the time of the Indian outbreak he was living on his farm in Darwin, working south of the house, and the next day re- moved to Kingston, where he remained until after the attack on Forest City, when he returned to his farm. He in company with his father and brother-in-law, Timothy Dunn, eut loopholes in his cabin and determined to stand and make a strong defense if attacked. They had seven guns and plenty of ammu- nition, and felt confident of themselves. He remained here until December 1, 1863, when he enlisted in Company D, Second Minne- sota Cavalry. After serving against the In- dians in Montana, he was discharged Decem- ber 2, 1865, and returned to his home.
Mr. Dearey was nited in marriage, with Miss Hannah Roberts, who bore him two children-John E., and Mary A., both of whom are living. July 7, 1877, the death angel entered the little household and bore from the bereaved husband, his loved com- panion, and from her little ones their best friend, their mother.
Mr. Dearey is independent in his politics, and a most excellent citizen. He is a mem- ber of Frank Daggett Post, G. A. R., of Litchfield, and religiously is attached to the Roman Catholic Church.
EORGE H. CHAPMAN, harness deal- er, and one of Litchfield's substantial business men, is a native of Birmingham, England, born January 27, 1844, but came to the United States in July, 1856. His par- ents were John and Susan (Crump) Chap- man. His father, John Chapman, first came to America in 1848, and later took up gov- ernment land where Portage City now stands. IIe lived for a year or so at Fort Winnebago, Jeff Davis at that time being one of the commanding otlicers of the fort. On his first trip Mr. Chapman had brought with him one son and a daughter, and, after his first few years in the new world, he decided to locate at Mt. Morris, Waushara county, Wis. Ile accordingly sent for the balance of his family, who arrived in July, 1856, as stated. John Chapman was a tailor by trade, and he followed that in Wisconsin until the spring of 1857, when he again took up his westward march, and, taking with him a stock of goods, he started for Nebraska. He went by the way of St. Louis, and took a boat up the Missouri river, but the boat foundered and Mr. Chapman lost all he had. Ile re- mained in Nebraska about four years, when he returned to Berlin, Wis., where the fam- ily had been living in the meantime. His death occurred at Berlin in about the year 1866.
George II. Chapman remained with his father's family until he had reached the age of fifteen, when he began life on his own account, and began learning the harness-ma- ker's trade at Berlin, Wis. He remained at that until November, 1861, when he enlisted in Company H, Eighteenth Wisconsin In- fantry, for three years' service. A short time later he was transferred to Company C, Thirty-Eighth Wisconsin Infantry, and re- mained with that regiment until the close of the war. Ilis first battle was that of Shiloh, in April, 1862, and he afterward participated in the battles of Corinth, Miss., in June,
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1862; Cold Harbor, Va., in May, 1864; in front of Petersburg, June 16, 1864; Weldon Railroad, Va., in August, 1864; Pebel's farm, in September, 1864; again at Petersburg, dur- ing the winter of 1864-5; and was in the final charge on Sunday, April 2, 1865, being with the brigade that captured Ft. Mahone and followed Lee up the south side of the railroad. Ile was near Appomattox at the surrender of Lee. During all of his eventfnl and active service Mr. Chapman was neither wounded nor taken prisoner, and was only in the hospital for a few days. He was on guard at Washington during the trial of the conspirators against Lincoln, and saw the gallows where they were executed and the graves of the criminals. He was finally mustered out in August, 1865, and returned to the old home in Berlin, Wis. In 1867 he settled at Rochester, Minn., and a few years later removed to Wabasha, where he lived for a time, and then decided to come to Litchfield, Meeker county, and accordingly, in May, 1870, he opened the harness and saddlery business, which he has successfully carried on ever since. Mr. Chapman is an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was one of the charter mem- bers of Frank Daggett Post, in which he has almost constantly held some office since its organization. He was also a charter mem- ber of the Ancient Order of United Work- men at Litchfield, and has held at different times all the offices in the gift of the local lodge. In political matters he is a staunch republican, and cast his first vote for Abra- ham Lincoln for President, while a soldier.
Mr. Chapman was married on the 2d of December, 1868, to Miss Ellen Agnew, of Preston, Fillmore Co., Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman are the parents of seven children, as follows-Emma Glencora Susan, born September 23, 1870, died January 2, 1887; Leslie Il., born July 14, 1872; Sybal May, born November 9, 1874. died March 24, 1881 ;
Bessie Pearl, born January 30, 1877; Lillian G., born September 14, 1879; George Wal- ter, born February 22, 1884; and Willie Royal, born March 5, 1888.
Our subject and his estimable wife are devont and zealons members of the Episco- pal Church, and exemplary Christian people.
OHN PALM, the junior member of the firm of Cairneross & Pahn, of Litch- field, is a native of Sweden, born on October 1, 1860. Ile remained in Sweden until 1870, when he came to America with his father's family, the father having the year before settled at Litchfield.
John Palm remained with his parents until thirteen or fourteen years of age, when he began to work as a painter, and followed that four summers, attending school dur- ing the winter months. In 1878 he en- tered the store of Cairneross & Johnson as clerk and remained with Mr. Cairncross after that gentleman had bought out his partner, and finally on the 1st of Jannary, 1885, Mr. Palm was admitted to partnership, and the firm became Cairncross & Palm.
Mr. Palm is a shrewd and careful business man, and his manner of condneting the af- fairs of the firm have deservedly won them an extensive trade.
OHN PAULSON is one of the old resi- dents of Swede Grove township. He, like a majority of the citizens of his town- ship, is a native of Sweden, and was born on the 14th of July, 1833. His parents' names were Paul and Ingra (Olson) Johnson.
John Paulson came to the United States in 1869, and came direct to Meeker county, Minn., and, purchasing eighty acres of land on section 28, Swede Grove township, he
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began his life in the new world on the place where he still lives. He was married before leaving Sweden to Miss Betsey Nelson. Mrs. Paulson was the mother of six children, as follows-EHlen, born May 28, 1865, is mar- ried to John Anderberg, and now lives in Grove City; Hannah, born March 12, 1868; Anna, born August 8, 1869; Nels, born May 4, 1870, and died September 1, 1883 ; Lillie, born June 14, 1872, and died February 18, 1873; and Henry, born June 4, 1871. The mother of these children died on March 28, 1876.
Mr. Panlson's second marriage was with Miss Hannah Jeppeson, a daughter of Nels and Malinda Jeppeson. . Her father died in Sweden, and her mother is now a resident of Meeker county. Mrs. Paulson has been the mother of the following children -Nels, born November 5, 1875 ; Oscar, born January 17, 1878, and died June 18, 1879; Edward, born November 22, 1879; Molly, born May 15, 1882; Ella, born June 24, 1884; and Lillie, born May 9, 1886. By thrift and economy Mr. Paulson has accumulated a comfortable home ; he has a good farm, and has gathered considerable stock about him.
UGUST T. KOERNER, real estate and loan agent, is one of Litchfield's most prominent citizens. He is a native of Ger- many, born July 7, 1843. Ile remained in his native country until fourteen years of age when he started for this country, prac- tically alone, and made his way to Ste. Gene- vieve, Mo., where a sister was then living. Until the fall of 1860 he made his home with his sister, and then went to Vernon, Ind., for the purpose of learning the millers' business. Ile remained at his trade until April, 1861, when he enlisted for ninety days' service in Company HI, Sixth Indiana Volunteers, being then three months short of eighteen years of age. After the term of enlistment expired
he reënlisted for three years in Company I, Twenty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. In the spring of 1864 he veteranized and served until the close of the war. His sery- ice covered* a period of four years and three months, the time being spent in West Virginia, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and Alabama. Hle was wounded in the left arm by a minie ball at the battle of Prairie Grove ; was all through the siege of Vicksburg, and in all, participated in seventeen battles. After the close of the war he located at Troy, Ill., where he was em- ployed at book-keeping for Throp & Co., merchant millers. During his residence at that point he made his first trip to Meeker county in August, 1865, and while here was married to Miss Katie MeGannon, after which event he returned to Troy. In 1867 he again came to Meeker county, Minn., this time to stav, and settled upon a farm on section 2, Greenleaf township.
There he remained for two years, and then gave up the farm and made several trips to Illinois. In the spring of 1873 he again moved onto the farm, and, after losing three sue- eessive crops from grasshoppers and hail, gave it up and removed to Litchfield. For two years thereafter he was engaged at elerical work, and in 1877 was elected register of deeds of Meeker county. He was twice re- eleeted and therefore served three successive terms. During this time he opened a real estate office, and since the expiration of his term of office has devoted his whole attention to his real estate, loan and insurance business.
In 1877, in company with N. A. Viren and P. Ekstrom, Mr. Koerner opened the first set of abstraet books in Meeker county. Mr. Koerner has taken an active interest in all matters affecting the welfare of his home, and during his residence here has ahnost con- stantly held some publie position of trust and responsibility. Hle was one of the charter members of the Frank Daggett Post of the
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