USA > Minnesota > Meeker County > Album of history and biography of Meeker County, Minnesota > Part 25
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Mr. Ekbom is a man of the strictest integ- rity, and is held in high esteem by all. He has been superintendent of the Sunday school for over fifteen years.
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ILLIAM S. COX, one of the leading merchants of the village of Dassel, is the junior partner in the hardware firm . of Gallagher & Cox, who succeeded Bartholo- mew & Co. in 1888. lle is, although a man young in years. one of the influential citizens and largely interested in the growth and prosperity of his home village. He is a native of Bakersville, N. C., born in 1853, and is the son of S. D. and Mary (Wright) Cox. natives of Virginia and North Carolina respectively. The father of our subject owned property in Knoxville, Tenn., and when William was but four years of age, the family removed to that place, where they resided until 1860, at which date they re- turned to Bakersville, N. C., where the parents still live.
The subject of this personal memoir re- mained with the family until 1870, at which time he returned to Knoxville, but a short time subsequent, removed to Broadhead, Ky., where he was engaged m mereantile pursuits for about a year and then, after a short stay in Little Rock, Ark., removed to Cheyenne. Wyoming Territory, where he made his home until 1878, when he came to Meeker county, and settled on a farm on section 4, Collinwood township. Ile was engaged in railroad work while there until 1881, when he purchased a farm on seetion 33. Dassel township, where he followed a farming life until 1885. He moved into the village in January, 1886, and for a year was a member of the firm of Johnson & Cox, dealers in agricultural im- plements, and remained in this connection until January, 1887. At that time, having been elected city marshal, he entered upon the duties of the office, but in August follow- ing resigned and entered the employ of the Minnesota & Dakota Elevator Co .. with whom he remained until the formation of the present firm.
Mr. Cox is a man of family, having been
married, April 11, 1878, to Miss Ala E. Wright, a native of Minnesota. They are the parents of four children, of whom the following is a record-Custer, born August 24, 1879; Agnes, whose birth took place November 15, 1880 ; Soery, born August 15, 1882, and died March 6, 1883 ; Sampson, the date of whose birth was February 2, 1884; and Mand, who was born December 25, 1887.
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ISRAEL J. ANDERSON, a farmer, resid- ing on section 19, and one of the leading citizens of Union Grove township, is a native of Norway, born on the 4th of February, 1851, and is a son of Andrew and Karen Jacobson. His boyhood days were spent in his native land, and in 1868, in company with his mother and step-father, he came to the United States, and they settled first in Racine county, Wis. When Israel started out to earn his own way in the world, he went to the southern part of Min- nesota, and for three years he worked in different localities. During this time he married his first wife, her name being, before marriage, Miss Jensine Hendrickson, born on the 21st of June, 1854, a daughter of Ilen- drick and Maren Olson. She died. leaving three children, whose names were-Hilda, born on the 25th of December, 1873 ; Albert, born on the 17th of June, 1875, and Martin, born on the 28th of March, 1877.
Some time later Mr. Anderson was mar- ried to Miss Anna Jacobson, a daughter of Adrean Jacobson and wife. She was born on the 20th of August, 1861. This marriage has been blessed with four children. as fol- lows-Jensine Nettie, born on the 7th of October, 1880; Adolph B., born on the 24th of February, 1883; Ida, born on the 7th of February, 1885, died on the 17th of July, 1887 ; and Anna, born on the 1st of March, 1887, died on the 9th of March, 1887.
Leo Becker
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Mr. Anderson comes of a nationality, which through their enterprise, thrift, industry and frugality, make the most valuable citizens included in Minnesota's population, and fol- lowing the habits characteristic of his race, he has accumulated a fine property. He now owns 250 acres of land located on sections 4, 19 and 30, Union Grove township, and has com - fortable building improvements located on sections 19 and 30. Ile has taken an active interest in township matters, and has held various local offices, including those of super- visor and school clerk. In political matters he is a prohibitionist. The family are mem- bers of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.
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LE NELSON LINDELL, one of the leading, enterprising merchants of the village of Grove City, is a native of Sweden, born March 9, 1844, and made his home in the land of his birth until after his marriage which took place Nov. 7, 1867, on which day he wedded Miss Ella Nelson. In 1869, the young couple decided to leave their home beneath the frowning rocks and rock- ing pines of Norway, and seek in the new work that easier road to competence that America affords. On their arrival they came at once to Minnesota, and Mr. Lindell bought a homestead claim in Swede Grove township, of O. Levander. This was in the southeast quarter of section 26, and consti- tuted the south half, and upon this farm he lived some eight years. In 1871 he bought sixty acres more ; his father's family emi- grated to this country. Renting his place to an individual for six years, Mr. Lindell removed to the village of Grove City, and engaged in the furniture business and gave some atten- tion to his trade, which was that of a car penter. A year's trial satisfied him that the venture would be a judicious one, he added a full and complete stock of hardware and
has now as large an assortment in both lines as is needed by the necessities of the trade. In the cellar of his store building he carries all kinds of heavy hardware; on the first floor shelf and fancy hardware, and the sec- ond story is packed with furniture of every description.
Mr. and Mrs. Lindell are the parents of four children. three on earth and one in Heaven. Their records are as follows- Mary Christine, who was born Nov. 27, 1871; Mina Albertina, born in September, 1880: Otto, born Dec. 23, 1885, and died March 25, 1886 ; Otto Anton, born Feb. 19, 1887.
Mr. Lindell in politics affiliates with the Democratic party and usually supports the candidates of that organization. He has held the position of village trustee for two years, and in March, 1888, was elected pres- ident of the village trustees, and is looked upon as a representative citizen. Mrs. Lin- dell is a consistent member of the Swedish Lutheran Church.
In 1884 our subject became a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, was elected financier and served for two years and was then chosen master workman of the lodge.
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KIMBALL, who was for many years closely connected with the business life of the country, and one of its leading mill owners, although now retired from the active pursuits of trade or manufacture, still keeps up his interests in whatsoever is for the ben- efit of the community. He is a native of the State of Maine, having been born in Oxford county, Jan. 4, 1832, and is the son of Asa and Esther A. (Walker) Kimball, both of whom were natives of the "Pine Tree State." His mother was a daughter of the celebrated Col. Dexter Walker, whose history is too well known to be repeated in this connection.
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The subject of this memoir was reared in Androscoggin county, Me., and received a fair business education. From his boyhood he has always had a taste for study, and is to-day a ripe scholar. On reaching the years of manhood he embarked in mercantile busi- ness, which he carried on successfully for some thirteen years in his native State and then came to Minnesota, locating at Forest City in the fall of 1867. The same year, the firm of Ilines, Kimball & Beedy built the large flouring mill at that place. and the same time opened a store in the village. This business arrangement continued until 1873, when Mr. Hines retired from the firm, the company having erected the Manannah flour mill on the Crow River, some ten miles above Forest City. This last Mr. Hines took and operated for several years, the business at Forest City being continued by Kimball & Beedy until 1882, when Mr. Kimball retired from the business on account of ill-health, paying all his attention to the improvement of his place, one of the handsomest in Forest City town- ship, and to bee keeping, in which he is pre eminently successful.
Mr. Kimball was united in marriage, Feb- ruary 7, 1854, with Miss Phoebe Manwell and they are the parents of two children: Geor- giana, the wife of Dr. W. E. Chapman, of Litchfield, and Edna Cecil, at home. Both Mr. K. and his estimable wife, are members of the Baptist Church. He is a republican in politics, and is filling the offices of jus- tice of the peace and coroner, and is a pension and real estate agent. He has held the office of justice for over fifteen years.
OCTOR F. E. BISSELL, one of the most prominent physicians and sur- geons in this part of the State, settled at Litchfield in 1871, and began the practice of his profession in Meeker county. Doctor
Bissell is a native of Wisconsin, and was the first male child born in Washington county, of that State-his birth having oceurred on December 27, 1845. Ilis parents were Cyrus and Amanda (Case) Bissell, both of whom were natives of Connecticut ; but they had settled in Washington county, Wis., in ,lune, 1845, and were therefore among the oldest settlers of that region. The Doctor was raised upon a farm, but at an early age entered a drug store, and remained at that business for five years. When he was eight- een he enlisted in the United States Navy, and served on the U. S. Gunboat "Lexing- ton," on the Mississippi river, and was in a number of minor engagements. The Doctor served as surgeon's steward, and was finally mustered out of service on June 9, 1865. Ile then went to Cleveland, Ohio, and the fol- lowing winter entered the Charity Hospital College, from which he graduated in the spring of 1869. He first began practice in Clinton Junction, Wis., and remained there until coming to Litchfield in 1871. He has since pursued his practice here, and has at- tained a wide reputation as well as a profit- able business. It should be stated, however. that since his settlement here, he has been absent eleven months. In the spring of 1878 he removed to Cold Springs, Stearns county, and opened a drug store. In the fall of that year he was elected to the legislature on the republican ticket. In the spring of the fol- lowing year, he returned to Litchfield, where he has since lived.
Dr. Bissell was married on June 19, 1875, to Miss Addie F. Simons, of New York. They have two children-Emily S., who was born in November, 1875, and Frank S., who was born in October, 1878. The family are prominent members of the Episcopal Church.
Dr. Bissell has always taken an active interest in all public and political matters, and takes a prominent part in the affairs of that party. In 1880 he was elected a mem-
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ber of the council, and in the spring of 1886 he was elected mayor of the city. The Doc- tor is the oldest practitioner now following the profession of medicine at Litchfield, and has a large practice. He is a member of the State Medical Association, and is president of the Pension Examining Board. Ile is an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic; was a charter member and one of the first officers of E. Branham Post, which was organized in 1873, and was one of the charter members of Frank Daggett Post, No. 35. He was elected surgeon of the latter Post at its first meeting, and still holds that position. He is also a member of the Masonie fraternity, being identified with Golden Fleece Lodge, No. 89, A. F. and A. M., and Rabboni Chapter, No. 37, R. A. M.
ILLIAM H. MILLER, the owner of a finely cultivated farm of eighty acres of land on section 8, Kingston town- ship, came to Meeker county in Angust, 1865. He was born in Bath, Steuben county, N. Y., January 2, 1814, and is the son of David and Anna Maria (Bennett) Miller, natives of the "Empire State," where his father died. In 1838 the mother of our sub- jeet came to Beaver Dam, Wis., where she is now living, having passed her ninetieth birth- day. Her second husband was Andrew Sears, who died in 1855.
Our subject received a common-school edu- cation in his native State, and, as he grew to manhood, engaged in the milling business and farming with his uncle, Sheldon Sears, spending some thirty years in various kinds of mills. He moved to Wisconsin with his mother, and, when the toesin of war sounded, enlisted, November 5, 1861, in the Eighth Bat- tery. Wisconsin Light Artillery, and veteran- ized in the same battery in February, 1864. Ile was an active participant in a number of
engagements, among which were the battles of Stone River, Perryville, Chickamauga. Mission Ridge, Lookout Mountain and Mur- freesboro. He was discharged at the close of the war. August 10, 1865, at Milwaukee, and came direct to Meeker county, arriving here the last day of that month.
Mr. Miller was married in 1834 to Miss Ellenor Gregory, from whom he was shortly afterward divorced. He was subsequently married to Miss Clarissa Nodine, and two children were born to them-Susan M. and Charles S. Miller. After this Mr. Miller re- moved to Wisconsin, and a short time later to Chicago, Ill. In 1852 his second wife died while on a visit to Portage City, Wis.
Mr. Miller was united in marriage Decem- ber 26, 1855, with Miss Susan Sanders, a native of Steuben county, N. Y., born Novem- ber 14, 1837, and daughter of David and Susan (Wakefield) Sanders, both of whom are deceased, the mother In 1852, and the father in 1882. Her father died in Portage county, Wis., whither he had removed many years before. By this union Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the parents of nine children- Eugene, born May 20, 1859; Edwin, born April 20, 1867 ; Emma, born July 22, 1868; Jennie V., born July 2, 1870; and Bertram D., born October 3, 1878. These are all living. Those deceased are-Etta R., born August 25, 1856, died in infancy ; Nellie M., born June 9, 1861, died May 25, 1875; Alice B., wife of Wilford Downing, died Novem- ber 8, 1883; and Jessie, born May 25, 1874, died November 1, 1884.
MONG the most prominent newspaper men in Meeker county should be elassed H. I. PETERSON. editor and proprietor of the Litchfield Independent. He is a native of Goodhue county, Minn., born at Red Wing, on the 14th of February, 1857. He
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was raised upon a farm, attending district schools during the winter months until he had reached the age of fifteen, and in the mean time coming with his parents to Mecker county, Minn., in 1867. When he had reached the age mentioned he entered the office of the Meeker county News as an ap- prentice to learn the printing business, and remained there for about two years. After that time he was engaged chiefly at his trade as a compositor until 1876 when he bought a half interest in the Litchfield Independent, of which he is now sole proprietor.
Mr. Peterson was married in 1881 to Miss Jessie Doll. of Meeker county. They have three children - Edward . Leroy, Florence Edith, and Bessie Frances. Mr. Peterson takes an active interest in all matters which tend to advance the interests of either town or county; is a capable writer, and his paper is deservedly influential and popular.
AMES H. MORRIS, one of the most prominent citizens, as well as one of the most extensive farmers and stock-raisers in Meeker county, is a resident of section 22, Litchfield township. He is a native of Fort Niagara, N. Y., was born on the 26th of September, 1845, and is a son of Colonel Thompson and Martha B. (Upham) Morris. His father was Lieutenant-Colonel of the Fourth United States Infantry, was a prom- inent and influential man of his times, and died on the 14th of February, 1870. James H. Mor- ris' great grandparents came from Wales in 1715, and located near Philadelphia. His grandfather, James C. Morris, emigrated to Ohio in 1814 ; he had seen service in the Trip- olitan war, and was one of those captured on the frigate Philadelphan, and held prisoner for two years by the Bashaw of Tripoli.
James 11. Morris, the subject of this sketch, began life for himself when about sixteen
years of age, by clerking for Col. J. D. Bing- ham, chief quartermaster of the Seventeenth corps, but was taken sick in front of Vicks- burg, and returned home. After recuperat- ing he began clerking for Capt. H. B. Good- rich, A. Q. M., and continued until March, 1864, when he enlisted in the 137th Ohio In- fantry. In the following June he was pro- moted to second lieutenant in the Tenth New York Artillery, and served in the front of Petersburg and Richmond during the sum- mer of 1864, and in the campaign of Shenan- doah Valley, Va., in the fall of 1864. During the winter of 1865 he was in the front of Petersburg and Richmond, on the Bermuda front ; and after the collapse of the Confed- eracy, was on duty in Petersburg, on the staff of post-commandant Col. George C. Kibble, of the Sixth New York Artillery. He was finally mustered out of the service on the 30th of June, 1865, at Sackett's Har- bor, New York. After the close of the war he went West, and finally located in Minne- apolis. In March, 1869, he removed to Das- sel, Meeker county, where he erected a saw mill and built the first store. In December, 1873, he removed to Litchfield and engaged in the milling and mercantile business. His name is closely indentified with the growth and development of Litchfield, and he fig- ures prominently in the business history of the county seat. On the 1st of April, 1875, he was appointed postmaster of that plaee, and retained the office until the 30th of June, 1887. He now resides on his magnificent farm of several hundred acres, on the west- ern shore of Lake Ripley, and devotes his attention to his extensive farming and stock- raising interests. Mr. Morris has taken a prominent and active interest in all public matters. lle was first lieutenant of Company Il. First Regiment Minnesota National Guards, from its organization until March 1, 18SS ; is a member of Golden Fleece Lodge No. 89. A. F. & A. M., and was its master for a
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number of years; a member of Rabboni Chapter, No. 39, and is the present eminent commander of Mileta Commandery No. 17, Knights Templar. He is also a prom- inent member of Frank Daggett post, G. A. R.
Mr. Morris was married at Minneapolis on the 13th of July, 1870, to Miss Florence J. Williams. She is a daughter of John G. and Jane S. Williams. Her father died in July, 1880, and her mother is now living in Minne- apolis. Mrs. Williams, her mother, has five children who are now living, as follows; Florence J., now Mrs. Morris, of Litchfield ; Lou B., now Mrs. James E. Upham, of Litch- field ; J. C. Williams, Marcia A. and Sallie E., of Minneapolis.
Mr. Morris has one brother and one sister - Charles A. and Maria L., both of whom are unmarried and are living in Minneapolis.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Morris has been blessed with the following named chil- dren - Mattie F., Louise J., James C., Thomp- son C. and Richard W. (twins), and Harbron W., all of whom are living except Thompson C., who died at the age of seven months.
We take pleasure in presenting a portrait of Mr. Morris on another page in this ALBUM.
ENUS O'KEEFFE, a well known, successful and highly-respected farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 6, Manannah township, is one of the most prominent citizens of the northern part of the county, and is one whose enterprise and thrift are evidenced by the fact that the building improvements, which have been erected on his farm, are a eredit to the neighborhood in which he lives.
Mr. O'Keeffe was born in County Cork. Ireland, on the 1st of November, 1830, and is a son of Menus and Charlotte (Fillpot) O'Keeffe. He remained in the land of his birth until January, 1853, when he sailed for
the New World, landing in New York city April 12, 1853. They had a hard voyage, and for a time he lost hope of ever seeing the United States, from hunger and starva- tion, as the vessel sprung a leak ; but finally landed in safety. Our subject worked at gardening for six months, at 100th street, Bloomingdale road, N. Y., and from there went to Manhattanville, and drove an ex- press wagon between that point and Fulton street. from September until the following March, 1854, being without mitts or over- coat. Speaking of it he says: " I felt com- fortable, as my Irish blood was warm and young at that time." In April, 1854, he went to work as hostler and groom in a hotel on the Bloomingdale road, N. Y., and remained for five years. In 1859 he began work in the Central Park, N. Y., which he continued for five years, and then started for the " Great West," and the headwaters of the "mighty Mississippi." He landed at Minneapolis, and for two years was employed on the Manitoba railroad at Cedar Lake, and also at briek-making. In the fall of 1866 he came to Meeker county, driving through by team, and located on section 6, Manannah township, where he still lives. He is com- fortably fixed, as the saying goes, in this world's goods, and has a very pleasant home, a good wife and an intelligent family. Ile owns 240 acres of land, a goodly portion of which is under cultivation, and also does considerable in the stock-raising line. In political matters he is a democrat.
Mr. O'Keeffe was married in July, 1856, to Julia MeLoney, and they have been the parents of nine children, as follows-Will- iam, Menus, Mary, Sharlotte, John, Eliza- beth, Julia, Margaret and James. All the children are living, except William, Mary and Sharlotte, who died and were buried in New York city. Both Mr. and Mrs. O'Keeffe are zealous and prominent members of the Catholic Church.
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Mr. O'Keeffe's parents died in Meeker county. Mrs. O'Keeffe's parents were natives of Ireland, and are still residents of County Cork, in their native land.
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HOMAS H. BOGAR, who came to Minnesota m the spring of 1866, was born November 10, 1810, in Juniata county, Penn., on the banks of that beautiful river known in poetry as the " Blue Juniata," where his childhood years were spent. He was brought up as a miller. that being his father's occupation. When a mere lad the family moved to Hawkins county, Tenn., where he assisted his father in running a large flouring mill. On leaving the mill he learned the saddler's trade: and at the age of twenty- one he went to Russell county, Va., and com- menced busmess at Lebanon, the county seat. Ilere he met and married Sallie T .. daughter of Garland and Martitia (Thurston) IFurt; of this union were born eleven children -six sons and five daugliters, nine of whom reached the years of maturity. In the year of 1837 he removed from Russell to Tazewell county, locating at Thompson's Gap. Intend- ing to go to Oregon by way of the overland route-the only way at that time-he turned a considerable part of his means into extra good horses and wagons. But before he succeeded in elosing up his business the great financial crisis came. Embarrassed by his own debts. and that of a friend for whom he was surety, he succeeded in meeting his own liabilities, but saw his property sold at public auction to satisify ereditors of the man for whom he had indorsed. He was broke. When the worst of the erash was over-being sued. he sued no one-he col- lected what he could of his outstanding notes and accounts, and bought a small farm ( 100 aeres ) located in Thompson Valley. Here he endeavored with indifferent sueeess to dig a living out of the ground. After
five years' residence on the farm he sold out and removed to Piketon, Pike county, Ky. IIere he worked at his trade, employing only two assistants, holding at the same time the office of postmaster, to which he was appointed soon after his arrival in the village. In 1851 he removed to John's Creek valley same county, and leasing land, engaged in raising grain and stock, in which pursuit he was fairly successful until the breaking out of the civil war, when his property was again lost in various ways. In politics he was a democrat; in religion a Methodist. He was beloved by all, especially by the young, who liked to congregate at the house of the kind and genial man. He was at one time a slave holder. the property coming from his wife's estate: but he always thought the system a eurse.
In the stormy days of secession, he took the field as a campaign speaker; being well read in history, more especially the history of his own country, his opponent, a young man of the legal profession, soon learned that the quiet farmer, who knew how to grind wheat, make a saddle, or lead a meeting, also knew how to make a speech. On one ocea- sion, after the speeches had been delivered, a man walked up to Mr. Bogar and struck him over the head with a cane. The blow stunned him, but recovering himself. Mr. Bogar walked away, got on his horse and went to the next preeinet, telling people that the blow was their best argument.
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