USA > Minnesota > Meeker County > Album of history and biography of Meeker County, Minnesota > Part 21
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ISAAC WHEELER, who was one of the I. most prominent early settlers in Cedar Mills township, is a native of Maine, and was born on June 19, 1817. He remained in his native State until 1861, when he came to Minnesota and located on a farm in Wright county. In April, 1863, he came to Meeker county, and selected 160 acres of land on section 9, Cedar Mills, and the following year moved on to it with his family. They were the first settlers west of Cedar Mills after the Indian outbreak, and were there one season entirely without neighbors. At the time they came here the soldiers were stationed at Pipe Lake, and they helped Mr. Wheeler cut the logs with which he erected his cabin. Mr. Wheeler remained on the farm until after his wife's death in 1876, when he sold his place to his sons, Frank and Newton Wheeler, and since that time has lived with his children, going back and forth between them.
After a long and useful career of toil and industry, he is now spending the evening of his life in a quiet and peaceful way, having to the fullest degree the confidence and respect of all who know him.
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JEANDREW J. NELSON, a well-to do and highly-respected farmer residing on section 22, Union Grove township, is a native of Sweden, where he was born on the 2d of December, 1852. Ilis parents' names were Nels and Kersten Anderson. The mother died when he was only sixteen weeks old, and his father died when he was seventeen years of age.
Andrew J. spent his younger days in the land of his birth, when he acquired the same habits of industry and frugality which are characteristic of the race of which he springs. In 1880 he sailed for the United States, and making his way directly to Meeker county,
Minn., he rented a farm in Swede Grove township. He remained there for three years and then in February, 1884, he removed to the farm on section 22, Union Grove town- ship, where he still lives. Ile owns 130 acres- of land, a good share of which is cleared and under cultivation. He has considerable stock and comfortable buildings. When Mr. Nel- son came to America his earthly possessions consisted of $1,000 in money, but he lost a good share of that in the first two years through the failure of crops, but by good management and hard work he has recov- ered and is now in comfortable circumstances.
Mr. Nelson was married before leaving Sweden, in 1878, to Miss Ingrid Larson, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lars Nelson, and their union has been blessed with three chil- dren, as follows-Hilda, born in Sweden, Jan- uary 19, 1879; Ida, born in Swede Grove township, October 18, 1880 ; and Anton. born in Union Grove township, July 30, 1884. Mrs. Nelson's mother died in 1868, and her father is now living with them.
OHN B. PENNOYER, a prominent resi- dent of the village of Greenleaf, is a native of Sherbrook county, Lower Canada, born on the 12th of February, 1832. Ilis parents, Truman and Priscilla HI. Pennoyer, were natives of Vermont, and both were born in the year 1804. The mother died in 1886, but the father is still living, a respected resident of Ellsworth township, Meeker county. Truman Pennoyer's father was a Frenchman, and sailed the seas as a privateer during the revolutionary war, subsequently settling in Vermont. Truman spent a few years in Canada and then returned to Ver- mont. From the latter State he removed to St. Lawrence county, N. Y., taking the family by wagon through the timber over the Plattsburg and Ogdensburg pike, and
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through the Chateangay cedar swamp, to Potsdam, and remained there from 1836 to 1864. He was a cooper by trade, but a farmer by occupation
Truman Pennoyer and wife were the par- ents of seven sons and six daughters. The three oldest died in infancy, and were buried at Compton Center, C. E. Three others died in infancy, and two sisters died after they were grown. Five of their children are still living-J. B. Pennoyer, O. A. Pennoyer, H. H. Pennoyer, Mrs. J. M. Howard, of Meeker county, Minn., and Mrs. HI. F. Pow- ers, of Cincinnati, Ohio.
John B. Pennoyer, the subject of this mem- vir, was reared on a farm, and upon reaching the age of twenty-four he left home and started West. He traveled over various por- tions of the West, but lived the greater part of the time in Whiteside and Jersey coun- ties, Ill., until 1864, when he came to Meeker county, Minn., making the journey from Hastings on foot. He entered a homestead on section 35, in what is now Greenleaf town- ship, and continued to reside there until Aug- ust, 1885, when he rented his farm and started out in search of a locality that would benefit his health. After spending the fall and winter in Macoupin and Jersey counties, Ill., he went to Huntsville, Ala., and remained there until September 27, 1886, when he came back and took up his residence in the village of Greenleaf.
In the month of September following Mr. Pennoyer's first arrival in Mecker county. 1864. he went to Greene county, Ill., and was married to Mary F. Bilbruck, a daughter of John and Charlotte Bilbruck, who was born in Nottinghamshire, England, on the 7th of December, 1842. Five children have been born to them - Alice Naomi, born July 25, 1867, died May 8, 1870 ; Charlotte Augusta, born December 5, 1870 ; Francis Irene, born October 26, 1875, died April 3, 1879; Har- mon Lee, born September 4, 1880; and
Florence Emma, born June 5, 1884. Mr. Pennover has taken an active interest in all public matters and has held various local of- fices. In political matters he affiliates with the republican party.
Having been identified with the growth and development of Meeker county during a residence of nearly a quarter of a century, he is well-known to all pioneers, and none is held in higher esteem. Through his untar- nished and unblemished integrity his word is recognized as being as good as a bond, and he is held in the highest respect by all who know him. Ilospitable, charitable, and en- terprising, aiding whatever enterprise is cal- culated to benefit either town or county in which he has lived so long, he has justly earned the high reputation which he bears, of being one of the most desirable citizens of which any locality can boast.
We take pleasure in presenting a portrait of Mr. Pennoyer in another department of this work.
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RANK E. WHEELER. The subject of this sketch, a resident of section 9, is one of the leading citizens of Cedar Mills township, and is a son of Isaac Wheeler, who is mentioned above. Ile is a native of Gar- land, Maine, and was born on the 1st of Jan- uary, 1851. Ilis early life was spent in his native State, and in 1861 he came West with his father's family, and they settled in Wright county, Minnesota, as has been stated. In 1863 they settled in Meeker county, and Frank remained at home until the death of his mother in 1876, when the family was broken up and scattered. After this Frank taught school in this county and also in Wabash county, Indiana, following this profession for three years. In April, 1881, he settled upon the old homestead, and this has since been his home. He has a valuable farm of 180 acres, eighty
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of which are already under cultivation, and all of it is in tillable condition. Ile has made substantial improvements on the place and it is conveniently arranged. He devotes his time and energies to general farming and stock raising, and is rated as one of the most successful and enterprising agriculturists in the township. He has taken an active and prominent part in township and educational affairs of late years, and has held varions local offices, including those of supervisor, school clerk and others. He has been a member of the Presbyterian Church for fifteen years.
Mr. Wheeler was married at Ellsworth, March 19, 1879, to Miss Lucy Porter, of Ellsworth township, and they are the parents of four children, as follows: Mellen E., Ethel E., Ruth C. and Allen K. Mrs. Wheeler was born at Greenfield, Wis., July 9, 1856.
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RANK T. PETERSON, of Swede Grove township, is one of the most extensive stock raisers in Meeker county. Ile is a son of Peter O. and Christine (Hawkinson) Peterson. The parents were natives of Sweden, who came to the United States in 1854, and settled in Chisago county, Minn. The following is a list of their children- John W., born January 20, 1858; Frank T., born October 2, 1859 ; Mary C., born March 14, 1861; Christine E., born March 29, 1863 ; Oscar F., (deceased) born January 20, 1865 ; and Ida M., born May 21, 1867. Mary C. married Charles M. Ahlstrom, a resident of Harvey township. John W., for the past three years, has been engaged in railroad contracting, in company with a cousin, John G. Lundquist, who has been in the business for the last thirteen years. They are now building a road near Chicago. Frank T., Christine and Ida M. still live at home,
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although the last named, at this writing, is in St. Peter, attending college. Frank T. & Co. carry on the extensive farming and stock raising business; they own 1,200 acres of land and have abont the finest farm build- ings in the western part of the county.
As has been stated, the father settled in Chisago county, Minn .. in 1854. In 1868 the family removed to Swede Grove township, Meeker county, settling on section 36, where the father died on the 24th of November, 1886, and where the mother still lives. The farm is carried on jointly, being owned in thirds by Frank T. and John W. Peterson, and their cousin, John G. Lundquist, with Frank as manager. They devote special at- tention to raising blooded horses, cattle and hogs, and some of the finest stock in the State may be seen at their farm. They have on hand two stallions worthy of special notice: Sansonnet, imported by M. W. Dunham in 1887; French No. 8,811, Ameri- can No. 6,991 ; also Simonnean, French No. 9,020, American No. 7,108. They have the following valuable mares, which were im- ported by M. W .. Dunham : Poulotte, im- ported in 1886, French No. 6677, American No. 5614; Valentine, imported in 1884, French No. 2778, American No. 3663 ; Lil- liane, imported in 1887, French No. 8554, American No. 7145; Bibi, imported in 1887, French No. 10248, American No. 7128. These magnificent animals were purchased at a cost of $11,750. In addition to these they have many others of high grade which are a credit to the county.
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B. BENSON, cashier of the Meeker Bank of Litchfield, was born in St. Peter, Nicollet county, Minn., July 2, 1860, and is the son of Peter and Malena Benson, natives of Sweden, who were engaged in
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agricultural pursuits in that section of the State, having settled there some time in the " Forties," among the pioneers of the State.
The subject of this memoir was reared upon the paternal farm, receiving his eduea- tion in the district schools and remained at home until the fall of 1880, when he attended a course at the business college at Minnea- polis. The following spring he came to Litchfield and entered the Meeker County Bank as book-keeper, and remained in that capacity until July 7, 1884, when he was made assistant cashier, and in March, 1885, was promoted to the post of cashier in the same monetary institution. He is one of the solid young business men of whom Litchfield can justly boast, and has a bright and pros- perous future before him.
On the 24th of November, 1887, Mr. Benson led to the hymeneal altar Miss Pauline Fuller, one of Meeker county's fairest, brightest daughters. She was the child of George W. Fuller, the well known horticulturist and arboriculturist of Litchfield. The happiness of the young couple was, however, of but brief duration, the angel of death claiming the bride on the 9th of May, 1888, and after a brief honeymoon of about five months she passed to that land Elysian, whose portals we call death, leaving her husband's heart and home a desolate waste.
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ANS EVENSON, a successful farmer and stock raiser, residing on section S, Greenleaf township, and one of the most prominent old settlers in Meeker county, was born in Norway on September 6, 1815. He remained in his native land until the spring of 1852, when he came to the United States and settled in Rock county, Wis. On July 12, 1854, he returned to his native land and remained until 1857, when he returned to the United States, settling this time in
St. Paul, but three months later went to Scott county, Minn., where he spent the winter. His next move was to locate in Wright county, where he spent two years in the " Big Woods," and then, in the spring of 1860, he came to Meeker county, and took a claim on section 8, where he has since lived. His trip to this county was one of severe hardship, as he came on foot from Wright county, accompanied by his oldest son, Even. At that time there was only one house in sight-on Inger Hill, which was oc- cupied by a man named Inger. They came in the winter or early spring, and bought a hand-sled, on which they drew their tools, etc., and went direct to the Ole Ness place, which was near Little Lake, in what is now Litchfield township. During that winter, he would start every morning for his place, and spent his time in getting out logs, so as to be ready to build in the spring ; also dur- ing that time, he dug a well fifty feet deep for Ole Ness, and stoned it up. He remained about a month at that time, and then bor- rowed a sled and yoke of oxen from Ness and started to Wright county for his family. At the time he started, the ground was covered with snow, but it thawed before he got through, and he was compelled to construct a home-made wagon with which to get back, accomplishing it by hewing out four wheels and erecting a rude frame work. Upon his return, he staid two nights at the Ness place, and then left his family for several months at a bachelor's named Guner, while he was building a shanty on his place. About August he moved his family into the cabin. During that year he raised a few potatoes, but for the first five years following his set- tlement, he lost most of his erops through the blackbirds.
Thus matters were moving peaceably until that fatal August, 1862, when the terrible Indian outbreak began, and as Mr. Evenson was one of those who were here during the
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most trying times, we will briefly review his experience. On the 17th of August, Even and one of his brothers were at Ness's and learned of the massacre at Acton. When they told their father. he could not realize that the matter was an actual faet, and after remaining quietly at home over night, he started the next day (Monday, the 18th,) for Ness's to learn the particulars. On the way he met a neighbor, named Butler, who begged him to hitch up and take his family to St. Paul, but Mr. Evenson refused and went on to the farm of Ole Ness. Learning that the Indians were really on the warpath, he sent his wife and two little children to Forest City, and he and, the boys staid on the farm until the following Wednesday, putting up hay. On the day mentioned, his wife returned to the place, and told him that he must pack up and get to some place of safety, as the news had come in daily of the terrible murders which the Indians had com- mitted. He accordingly was reluctantly pre- vailed upon to go to Forest City, where he at onee learned that there was good ground for the terror which had seized every one. The following morning he started with his family for Kingston, where he remained two weeks, and then, as Capt. Whiteomb's " Home Guards" had been organized, they returned to Forest City. They were there when the Indians made the attack on that place, and Mr. Evenson and son, Even, were doing guard duty that night. Even was the sec- ond one to return the fire of the Indians. At the time, the family were sleeping in Atkinson's store, and when the attack came, at about one o'clock in the morning, they hastened inside the fortification. When the father got a chance to look around, he found that one of his sons-Andrew-was missing, and at once started out to find him, but see- ing nothing of him, he returned and found that Andrew had safely got inside. The bullets were then flying thick and fast.
Afterthe attack there followed a period when provisions got very searee, and it was dangerous to go out to find eatables.
After a time the excitement somewhat subsided, but for two years they were always on the alert, not knowing what time the treacherons savages might renew their depredations. In the fall the family return- ed to the farm and during the winter they lived by trapping. Settlers soon began re- turning to their claims and his eabin was a regular tavern. Money was very searee, and but few of the settlers had the pleasure of seeing any money that winter, to say nothing of owning any.
Now to return to Mr. Evenson's private history : llans Evenson was married in the year 1842, to Christina F. Anderson, and they have been blessed with seven chil- dren, as follows- Bertha, born Sept. 22, 1842; Even, born Nov. 21, 1844, mentioned elsewhere at length ; Andrew, born Oet. 30, 1847; IIelena M., born Oct. 3, 1852; John F., born Feb. 3, 1856, died May 30, 1857, on board ship and was buried at sea in St. Lawrence Bay; John F., born Jan. 22, 1859; and a child born in 1861, which died at the time of birth. Mrs. Evenson, the wife and mother, died on the 19th of January, 1887. Mr. Evenson is a republican in polities as is the case with all his sons. He is a member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Evenson is now well along in years and is passing the evening of his life in a quiet way with his children. Ile has lived a life of usefulness and activity, a man of the strietest honor and integrity and one for whom every one who knows him entertains the kindliest feel- ings and highest regard.
John F. Evenson, one of the sons who is mentioned above, with whom the father resides, was born in Wright county. He was married May 28, 1885, to Mary John- son, and they have been blessed with two children-George H., born June 22, 1886 ;
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and Christina F., born Feb. 20, 1888. Mr Evenson carries on the farm and also devotes his attention extensively to stock raising. . He is one of the leading and most successful agriculturists in the township.
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AMES NELSON HANSON is one of the successful farmers of Aeton township. Ile was born in Denmark on the 20th of March, 1837. When he left his native land, in 1859, he was called upon by a government officer and told that he must return to Denmark a year later and serve his time in the army but after his arrival here he decided that he was better suited to stay here and so he "forgot to return." Upon landing in the New World he stopped for a short time at New Orleans and then went to Kaufman county, Tex., where he was employed at driving and marking cattle for an extensive stock-raiser until the fall of 1860. He then returned to New Orleans and worked for W. H. Willer, at gardening for one month for $10: then he drove a mule team for the same party for $20 per month. His next move was to St. Louis, but not liking the place he boarded a steamboat for St. Paul and from there made his way to Empire City, Dakota county, Minn. There he remained for six years, working on a farm for Mr. J. Haislet, after which in 1872, he settled in Aeton township, where he still lives.
Mr. Hanson was married in 1862, to Miss Marthe Christianson, who was born in Norway on the 17th of February, 1843. They have been blessed with the following named children-Josephine, born January 9, 1863, died April 5, 1866; Mary Julia, born December 18, 1864; Josephine E., born August 24, 1866 ; Gemalinde Christine, born April 3, 1869; Hans Olaus, born September 25, 1870; Martin Julius, born August 16,
1872; Edwin Anton, born September 25, 1874, Adolph Ottoer, born June 26, 1876, died June- 8, 1877; Adolph Ottoer, born April 8, 1878; Nettie Amanda, born July 3, 1880, died Feb- ruary 16, 1884; Henry Elvin, born August 21, 1882; and Nettie Amanda, born October 6, 1885. Mr. Hanson has taken an active interest in all public affairs and has held various offices of trust and importance, including those of school director, and elerk, road overseer, pound master and others. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Hanson was a poor man when he came to this country but has been very successful and has a comfortable home and a valuable farm of 120 acres.
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HARLES W. BUTTERFIELD, proprie- tor of the hotel and the oldest resi- dent now living in the village of Greenleaf, was born in Washington county, Me., on the 8th of May, 1835. His parents, Francis and Eliza Butterfield, were of English descent, though natives of the "Pine Tree" State. The greater part of Charles' early life was spent on his father's farm and doing carpen- ter work, yet he was engaged at various times in the pineries. In 1854 he was mar- ried to Mary E. Beedy, who was born in Maine 1835. Three children were born to them - Wilmot B., who is mentioned else- where at length; Ida May, now Mrs. W. W. Johnson, of Litchfield; and Edwin B., a resi- dent of Dickinson, Dakota. Mrs. Butterfield died in 1861, and in 1862 Mr. Butterfield was mited in marriage with Mary A. Pineo, who was also a native of Maine.
In 1865 Charles W. Butterfield, our sub -: ject, came West and settled in the village of Greenleaf, Meeker county, Minn., where he still lives. Ile purchased farm property in Ellsworth township, but his residence and business interests were in the village. For
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one year he controlled the mail route from Minneapolis to Greenleaf via Watertown, and he at present has the route from Litchfield to Hutchinson. Mr. Butterfield is a Greenleaf man in the strongest sense of the term. lle has staid by the village through all its vieis- situdes, and to-day enjoys the distinction of being its oldest inhabitant in point of years of residence. Ile has held various township offices and is ever found identified with mat- ters pertaining to the welfare of his adopted home. Mr. Butterfield's name appears fre- quently in the pages of this volume, as he has been prominently connected with the history of the village in which he resides. He is a member of the Golden Fleece lodge, No. 89, A. F. & A. M., of Litchfield.
- DETER BERGGREN, a respected and intelligent farmer residing on section 35. Union Grove township, is a son of Nels O. and Meta Berggren, and was born in Sweden on the 27th of July, 1860. His parents brought the family to the United States in 1868 and made their way direct- ly to Meeker county, Minn. They first stopped at Grove City, and the father took a homestead near there, upon which they lived for five years, proving up on the place, but afterward lost it on a mortgage, having had bad luck with their crops. They then settled on another farm where they lived three years, but the grasshoppers came and destroyed their grain and they lost that farm. In March, 1879, they came to Union Grove township and the father purchased 200 acres of land on sections 35 and 36, where the family still reside. The father died there on the 4th of September. 1879, and the mother on the 2d of February, 1888. They were both honest and industri- ous people and were held in high respect by all who knew them. They had a family of
eleven children, six of whom are dead and five living. The living children are as fol- lows: Peter, born July 27, 1860; Ole, born September 5, 1862; Andrew, born July 17, 1869 ; William, born February 8, 1871 ; and John, born July 16, 1875.
Peter has charge of the farm and is a sue- cessful and industrious young man, who is certain to succeed in his farming operations. The farm is well stocked, and is one of the most valuable in the township.
OHN FLYNN, the father of Michael J. and Daniel Flynn, was one of the pioneers of Meeker county, arriving here on the Sth of July, 1856, and took Government land on sections 22 and 23. in Forest City township. He was accompanied at that time by John Whalen and family, and sev- eral others. His family at that time con- sisted of himself and wife; Mary (now Mrs. Daniel Dougherty, of Harvey township); Michael J. and Daniel, now of Litchfield; and Elizabeth, now wife of Hon. W. M. Campbell, United States Marshal for Minne- sota. Besides these, there were two hired men and a nephew of Mr. Flynn. The Flynn family started from Crown Point, Lake county, Ind .. about the 12th of May, 1856, with the idea of finding a home in Iowa or Minnesota. Their outfit consisted of two covered wagons, with two yoke of oxen hitched to each; and they also had twenty-five head of cows, besides quite a lot young stock. When they reached Dubuque and learned of the magnificent country in this part of Minnesota, the father decided to investigate, and, in company with John Whalen, he started on a Mississippi river boat for St. Anthony, with the under- standing that the family should meet him upon his return, at Rochester. The family accordingly proceeded with the teams and
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