USA > Minnesota > Meeker County > Album of history and biography of Meeker County, Minnesota > Part 27
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moved to the Missouri slope of Iowa, and settled in Monona county, where he remained until about 1870, when he came to Meeker county. He at first settled on seetion 4, in Darwin township, but four years later moved to Kingston, and after spending some time in the various villages in the county, returned to Darwin and located on seetion 6. where he now lives.
August 5, 1858, Mr. Segar was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Lewis, a native of Vermont, and daughter of Moses and Julia Lewis. By this union there have been eleven children, as follows - Charles D., Eudora, Lulu M., Anna, Frank E., Harry S., Ernest E., Emmett E .. Bessie P., Freddie and Samuel G. The four first named were born in Monroe county, Iowa ; Frank in Monona county, same State, and the rest in Meeker county, Minn.
In political matters Mr. Segar affiliates with the prohibition party, his views coin- ciding with the principles of that organiza- tion.
NDREW O. LAWSON, senior mem- ber of the general merchandise firm of A. O. Lawson & Co., one of the leading merchants of Grove City, was born in Sweden. November 3. 1855, and is the son of Lasse and Christina Ostradson. In 1872 he crossed the ocean in search of fortune and happiness, and for a time was engaged in taking care of and driving the carriage horses of a business man in Minneapolis. During the summer of that year he came to Acton township and worked in the harvest fields of this locality, and spent the following winter here in attending school. In the spring he returned to Minneapolis, where he was vari- ously employed for some two years. Return- ing to Meeker county he entered the employ of Peter E. Hanson, with whom he remained five years. In the spring of 1881, in com-
pany with O. II. Peterson, he started in the grocery trade in Grove City, but sold out to his partner in the fall, and made a trip to the home of his boyhood, and returning in the spring he again engaged with P. E. Hanson in the real estate business, where he remained some two years. About that time the pres- ent firm of A. O. Lawson & Co. was formed between him and T. G. Forster, since which time they have been engaged in this line.
Mr. Lawson was united in marriage, Octo- ber 16, 1884, with Miss Betsey Larson, the daughter of Ole Larson, of this county, and they have been the parents of two children - Cora, born September 7, 1885; and Jose- phine, whose birth occurred February 25, 1887.
In his political views Mr. Lawson is en- tirely independent of party lines, preferring to cast his ballot for the best men or the best measures, irrespective of political platforms or dietates.
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FLEX CAIRNCROSS, the head of the firm of Cairneross & Palm. of Liteh- field, is a native of Scotland. When he was about twenty-five years of age he came to America with his parents, and the latter pur- chased a farm in Sibley county, Minn. Alex Cairneross followed steamboat building, to- gether with carpentering, for some years ; later he settled at St. Paul, and was for some time engineer in the International llotel in that city. In about the year 1870 he came to Meeker county and opened a general store at Darwin, where he remained until 1874, when he came to Litehfield and bought out the business of the Nelson Bros. Three years afterward he sold his interests here and re- turned to his native land, and later spent some time in traveling through the East. lle then returned to Litchfield, and again entered the mercantile trade. In 1885 John Palm became a partner with Mr. Cairneross
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in this business. In 1882 Mr. Cairncross opened a boot and shoe store, the only ex- clusive boot and shoe store in the village. lle has always taken an active interest in all matters calculated to aid in the development of his village or county, and has a large in- terest in the woolen mills and also in the creamery. Ile is president of the Meeker County Bank, in which he is a stockholder, and he is otherwise heavily interested in property here.
ANIEL JACKMAN. The gentleman of whom this article is written, a leading agriculturist of Cosmos township, is one of the early settlers of 1867. In that year he came here and took up a homestead upon section 26. He returned to Minneapo- lis the following spring, but immediately re- turned here, and has made this his home ever since.
Mr. Jackman is a native of Kennebec coun- ty, Me., born April 5, 1822, and is the son of Eben and Hannah (Hutchinson) Jackman, both of whom were also natives of the " Pine Tree State." Both of his grandfathers served in the continental army during the struggle for independence, and after their term of service had expired, settled in Maine, and there died. Eben Jackman, who was a farmer, also lived and died in the same local- ity. For a number of years after reaching his eighteenth year, our subject was engaged in the pineries of Maine and Canada, taking charge of the lumber camps, etc. In 1858 he came to Minneapolis, and went into the logging business towards the headwaters of the Mississippi, and remained there for seven years. In 1865 he gave up the lumbering busi- ness and renting a farm near Minneapolis, remained there three years engaged in farm- ing. Ile then came to Meeker county, as above mentioned. On his return May 4, 1868, he brought his family, and putting up
his house, made a permanent settlement. In 1877 he made a trip to the Black Hills, and spent the season in gold mining, but returned in the fall.
Mr. Jackman is the oldest resident settler, all the others having passed from this world or moved to other localities. On his arrival here, until he could get up his house, he lived in a tent, and cooked at an open fire. When the township was organized, the first election was held at the house of our subject. He was elected the first chairman of the board of supervisors and served as such some three years.
Mr. Jackman and Annette K. Page were united in marriage February 15, 1852. The lady is a native of Bangor, Me. By this union there have been born four children- Frank P., Ellra P., Lettie G. and Mabel M. Frank is the proprietor of the American house at Hector, and the rest are at home.
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OBERT N. DAMUTH, one of the intel- ligent and thorough-going agricultor- ists of the town of Kingston, having his home on section 22, where he located on coming to the county in 1868, is a native of the State of New York. Ile was born in Jefferson county February 8, 1820, and is the son of Peter and Elizabeth (Weaver) Damuth. He is of Holland Dutch ancestry, his grandfather coming from that country and settling where the city of Utica now stands, erecting his log cabin there, the first building on the town plat.
Our subject was reared in that part of the country, receiving his education in the excel- lent district schools provided by the Empire State for the rising generation, and assisted his father in the labors of the farm until he had attained his majority. At that time he commenced life for himself, finding employ- ment on the Erie Canal, where he remained
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some ten years or more, after which he re- moved to Marquette county, Wis., and set- tled on a farm, where he made his home for four years. From that place he removed to Columbia county, in the same State, but a few years later came to Minnesota, and set- tled in Dakota county, whenee, in 1868, he came to Meeker county.
August 30, 1843, Mr. Damnth and Miss Emily Eliza Stone were united in marriage. His life companion is a native of Oswego county, N. Y., born January 23, 1827, and the daughter of Philo and Eliza L. (Scott) Stone, natives of Rhode Island and Conneeti- eut respectively. By this union there have been born a family of ten children-Madison, Myron W., Ellen E., Edwin S., Emily E., Margaret, Eliza. Carrie A., Addie M. and Robert N., Jr. The death angel has taken all but the last two named, and there are many vacant chairs around the domestic hearth.
In his politics Mr. Damuth is a democrat, but has had no political aspirations. Hle has always taken a great interest in eduea- tional matters.
OSEPH HUBBARD, postmaster at Crow river, ex-county commissioner, and one of the most successful and prominent farmers and stock-raisers of Meeker county, is a resi- dent of section 33, Union Grove township.
Mr. Hubbard is a son of Joseph and Mer- riam (Brown) Hubbard, and was born on the 27th of May, 1820. He commenced life for himself when about nineteen years of age, first working in a cotton factory at Three Rivers, Mass., remaining there until he was twenty-seven years of age. He then traveled through the country canvassing for news- papers until 1854. when he came to Minne- sota, and preempted 160 acres of land in Scott county. He lived there for twelve years and then sold out and settled at
Shakopee, where he remained for four years engaged at teaming. In 1869 he came to Meeker county and purchased a farm of 240 acres in Union Grove township, and has since made this his home. Besides his residence he has a small store building in which he keeps quite a large assortment of goods for the accommodation of the neighborhood and also the postoffice. In connection with his general merchandise he also handles a lim- ited line of agricultural implements, plows, etc. Ile has one of the most valuable farms in the township, and it is well arranged for diversi- fied farming and stock-raising, which he ear- ries on. Mr. Hubbard has taken an active interest in public matters, and no man in the northern portion of the county is more prominently identified with the official his- tory of the county than is he. For the past twenty-five years he has held the office of justice of the peace, both here and at his former place of residence. For six years he was a member of the board of county com- missioners, and during that time was one of the most influential members of that body. During the war he was deputy provost marshal.
Mr. Hubbard was married in April, 1842, at Northfield, Mass., to Gratia Field, a daughter of Oliver and Rhoda Fiekl. She died in October, 1864, leaving three children, as fol- lows-Emma, born Jan. 21,1844 ; Edward J., born Feb. 1, 1847 ; and Crissa, born in Decem- ber, 1857, died in January, 1864. Emma married Abner S. Marshall, and they live in Union Grove ; they have five children-Jos- eph B., Mabel C., Lewis C., Frank F., and Anna H. Edward J. married Fidelia Nich- ols. and they live in MePherson county, Dak .; they have four children-George A., Charles E., Addie L., and Linna L.
Mr. Hubbard's second marriage occurred in April, 1866, when he was wedded to Mrs. Mianda MeKinney, formerly Miss Hidden. By her marriage with Frederick MeKinney
Joseph Hubbard
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, she had had five children, as follows-William O., George F., Fannie, Edwin A., and Ever- son R. Fannie and William are dead. Mrs. Mianda Hubbard died in June, 1870. Mr. Hubbard's present wife was the widow of Samuel McCoy, formerly Miss Elisabeth Haseltine. They have two adopted children- Ida and Oliver.
In 1876 the First Universalist Church of Crow river was organized, and Mr. Hubbard was chosen deacon, he having been for years a believer in that faith.
Politically Mr. IInbbard has been a repub- liean ever since the birth of that party, and has cast his ballot for every republican nom- inee for president up to date.
He has always been a constant reader and patron of republican literature. Believing that the boys of to-day will be the men of to-morrow he has liberally supplied his own family with the best of literature, which has been almost a circulating library in his neigh- borhood.
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REDERICK ADAMS, one of the hard- working agriculturists of Collinwood township, living upon section 1, is a native of Hampshire, England, born September 7, 1839, and is the son of Henry and Mary (Marsh). Adams. His parents were of the class of sturdy yeomen of Albion that have made that island so famous in history, and were born, like their forefathers, in that Empire. From the time he was abont seven years old, our subject was employed in farm- labor until leaving his native land. May 29,. 1860, he was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Forder, who was born, also, in Hamp- shire December 9. 1838. She is the daughter of George and Elizabeth (Bowen) Forder. Her father, a native of same country, was born May 17, 1804. came to America in April, 1871, and died November 31, 1881. Her mother died in England, in 1858.
Mr. Adams, appreciating the improbability of his acquiring a competency in his native land, determined to seek his fortune in the United States, the land of the free, and accordingly, on the 6th of April, 1871, bid- ding adieu to " White-cliffed Albion," he sailed for America, and after a pleasant and easy voyage, landed at New York, April 17, 1871. On the 21st of the same month, he reached the home of William Forder, in Indiana. He remained in that State, em- ployed in a saw mill and on a farm, until the following spring, when he came to Collin- wood township, this county, where, April 6, 1872, he purchased forty acres of railroad land on section 1, upon which he moved and has since made his home. He now has an excellent farm of 120 acres in this and see- tion 11, abont fifty-five acres of which has been cleared of the primeval forest that covered it. The first year he was here, he was in absolute penury, having but little provisions and often suffering for the want of the necessaries of life. But energy and diligence will accomplish much, and he has, assisted only by his devoted wife and chil- dren, succeeded in turning the point that leads to competency and fortune.
Mr. and Mrs. Adams' marital life has been blessed by the advent of four children, as follows-William, whose birth took place March 31, 1861; Elizabeth, born October 26, 1865; Mary Ann, whose birth dates from December 5, 1867; and George Henry, born August 22, 1871. In his political views Mr. Adams coincides with the republican party. and has held the office of road overseer of his distriet for over ten years.
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PROMINENT business man of Meeker county is D. ELMQUIST, watchmaker and jeweler. of Litchfield, who is a native of Sweden, born in 1848. His parents were
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John Magnus Elmquist and Christena John- son, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. Elmquist commenced in early manhood to learn the jeweler's trade, at which he has be- come so proficient. In 1869 he came to Min- neapolis, Minn., but a short time later went to Wisconsin, where he worked at his trade with his brother, P. J. Elmquist, with whom he remained as journeyman until 1872. Hle then returned to Minneapolis and went into business with this brother, and remained there four years; then after that he located at Litchfield, opening a jewelry store as a branch of their Minneapolis store, but later on bought out his brother's interest, and still continues in that business, carrying a full and complete stock of everything in that line. Mr. Elmquist was one of the charter mem- bers of Litchfield lodge, No. 50, A. O. U. W., and is also an active member of the Litch- field fire department.
Mr. Elmquist was married, February 22, 1876, to Miss Ida M. Hultgren, of Minneap- olis, and they have been blessed with five children, four of whom are still living. The names of the survivors are as follows-Emily Christine, Minnie, Charles J. and John Ar- thur. Mr. and Mrs. Elmquist are prominent and zealous members of the Swedish Luth- eran Church at Litchfield, and exemplary Christian people.
R ICHARD ELLIOTT, an active citizen of Dassel, and the proprietor of the G. A. R. House, is one of the veterans of the late civil war-
" Whose faith and truth On war's red touchstone rang true metal."
He is a native of Bakersville, Vt., born in 1839, and is the son of William E. and Miranda (Ilarvey) Elliott.
When Richard was only a year okl, his parents moved to St. Lawrence county, N. Y .. and, amid the wild scenery of that
section, our subject was reared until he was sixteen years old. About that time the fam- ily, tired of the stony soil of the East, came with the "star of empire " and settled in the town of Ossian, Winneshiek county, Iowa, among the earliest settlers of that county. On the 13th of December, 1861, Richard El- liott enlisted in CompanyC. Thirteenth United States Infantry, and served until December 12, 1864, when he received his discharge at Nashville, Tenn. Ile participated in some nine pitched battles, prominent among which were the siege of Vicksburg, Chatta- nooga, and Mission Ridge. He was fortun- ate enough to escape without a wound or scratch, or ever having been in hospital after leaving their barracks. On his dis- charge, he returned to his home in Iowa, but shortly after removed to Fillmore county, this State, whither his father had preceded him. In 1869 he moved to Stevens county, and took up a homestead, where he remained until 1876, suffering two years from grass- hoppers, which devoured his crops, and two years from drouth, which burned them up. These circumstances embarrassed him finan- cially, and he traded the farm off for an in- terest in the steam saw-mill at Dassel, to which place he removed with his family. Two years later he sold his mill interests and erected the hotel, which, for a time, he leased. In 1881 he took charge of it him- self, and has run it ever since. In connec- tion, he is considerably engaged in buying and shipping hoop-poles and cordwood.
Mr. Elliott was united in marriage with Miss Sallie L. Huntley, October 8, 1868, in "Fillmore county, Minn. The lady is a native of Beaver Dam, Wis., and is the mother of four children-Mertie, now Mrs. L. Whitta- ker, of Cokato; James D., Jasper, and Thoren. Mr. Elliott is quite prominent in G. A. R. circles ; was a charter member and is the present officer of the guard of Colfax Post, No. 133, of the village of Dassel.
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A NDREW ELOFSON, one of the lead- ing citizens of Swede Grove town- ship, is a son of Elofson and Bertha Ander- son. He was born in Sweden, on the 18th of July, 1840. His father died in Sweden, in 1855, and in 1857, with his mother, An- drew came to the United States. He settled in Swede Grove township, Meeker county, Minn., in 1857, and this has since been his home. The mother and three sons were among the first settlers in the township. Andrew has a well-tilled and valuable farm on section 29, where he carries on general farming and stock-raising, and has accumu- lated a fair competency. Mr. Elofson's mother died in Swede Grove, in 1871.
Andrew Elofson was married, on the 31st of December, 1870, to Miss Sine Peterson, a daughter of Hans and Betsy Peterson, resi- dents of Swede Grove township. Mr. and Mrs. Elofson have been blessed with the fol- lowing named children-Matilda, born April 13, 1873 ; Elmerth, born September 20, 1875 ; Morris, born October 4, 1877; Mabel, born November 1, 1SS1, and Alma, born August 27, 1886. Mr. Elofson has taken a promi- nent part in all matters pertaining to the west- ern portion of the county, and has taken an active interest in all the township and official matters. He has been township assessor for the past eighteen years ; has been pathmas- ter a number of terms ; chairman of the su- pervisors several terms, and has also, at vari- ous times, held the offices of town clerk. school clerk, school treasurer and school di- rector. Ile can certainly be justly termed one of the leading and representative farmers of Meeker county.
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METER J. CONNOLE, a thrifty and en- terprising young man who is engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 16, Harvey township, is a native of Pennsyl- vania, and was born on the 16th of April,
1865. His parents were Peter and Bridget Connole. The father, Peter, was a native of Ireland, born November 1, 1830. When still young he came to the United States and settled in Hollidaysburgh, Blair county, Pa. The family remained there until 1872, when they removed to Meeker county, Minn., and settled in Harvey township, where they were living at the time of the death of the father, August 22, 1877. His death was the result of a runaway. He had rented a farm in Kandiyohi county, and was on his way from home to the farm when the sad accident ocenrred, and it was supposed that the wagon ran over him. When found he was still living. but so seriously injured that he died within eight hours. ITis death was a sad blow to the family, as he was beloved by them and respected by all who knew him. His widow, who was also a native of Ireland, is still living in this township. They had a family of nine children, who are still living, six boys and three girls. Their names are as follows -Thomas W., John C., Mary A., Peter J., Katie E., Lillie B., Rodger, Patrick and Martin F.
Peter J. Connole, the subject of this sketch, has followed farming most of his life. He received a common-school education. and imbibed the same principles of frugality and industry which are characteristic of the race from which he springs. Ile is a good man- ager and has been very successful in his farm- ing operations. In religion he is a Catholic, and in political matters he supports the dem- ocratie principles.
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AVID SHEPHERD, an active, promi- nent and enterprising farmer, residing on section 29, Greenleaf township, was born in Scotland on the 2d of April. 1844. He can trace his genealogy back through four generations, William Shepherd being the name of his great-great-great-grandfather,
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then James in the next degree. Ifis grand- fatber, Wiliam Shepherd, was born in Scot- land about the year 1756. His father was born in the same country, and still lives there, being now about seventy-one years of age. Ile (David's father) was married in 1840 to Margaret Ayer, and they were the parents of two children-David, our subject. and James, who is now living in New Zea- land.
David Shepherd, of whom we write, left his native land in 1869 and settled in Can- ada, where he remained about one year. and then removed to St. Paul, Minn. After three months' residence there he went to Hastings and remained a like period, then went to Minneapolis. Here he left his family and went to Colorado and Nevada, and after a sojourn in that region of some fourteen months re- turned to Minneapolis. On the 27th of April, 1879, he arrived in Meeker county, Minn., and purchased of Anna MeGraw a farm on sec- tion 29, Greenleaf township, where he has since lived. Ile now has a valuable farm, which consists of about 300 acres of land, his buildings being located on the line be- tween sections 29 and 32. It is a most de- sirable place, containing some forty acres of timber, and he has it well stocked. He de- votes his time to diversified farming and stock-raising, and well deserves the standing which he maintains of being one of the most solid and influential farmers in the township. In political matters Mr. Shepherd is a repub- lican. and has taken an active interest in affairs of that nature, having held various local offices which his fellow-citizens have desired him to fill. . Ile is the present chair- man of the township supervisors, and the fact that he is the present treasurer of school district No. 34 is evidence of the well-known fact that he takes a commendable interest in educational matters.
On the 5th of June, 1869, Mr. Shepherd was married to Elizabeth Thompson, who
was a native of Scotland. Their union has been blessed with the following children, all of whom are still living: D. K., born Janu- ary 7, 1872; Christina A., born April 28, 1874; and Maggie S., born March 31, 1879.
AMES LAWTON, one of the pioneers of Forest Prairie township, came to Meeker connty in 1867, and took upa home- stead on section 32, where he now resides, carrying on general farming. He was born in Iladley, Saratoga county, N. Y., March 19, 1825, and is the son of David and Thank- ful (Parmeter) Lawton, the latter a native of White Hall. N. Y., and the former of Dennison, Vt. During the childhood of our subject his father's house was de- stroved by fire, and with it the records of the family, so they are lost. In January, 1856, the mother of our subject died in Lafayette, MeKean county, Penn., and the father's de- cease occurred in 1858.
James Lawton passed his school days in Wayne and Morgan counties, N. Y., with his brothers and sisters, whose names were --- Amos, Ruth, Pollie, Lucy, David, Huldah, Ilester. Daniel and Jonathan. In 1846 he removed with his parents to Warren county Penn .. where they lived some six or seven years, le being engaged in farming and in lumbering. In 1856 he came west and set- tled in Shelby county. IH., where he remained until August 11, 1862, when, leaving wife and family, le enlisted at the call of patriotism, in the One Hundred and Fifteenth Ilinois Infan- try,and participated in all the skirmishes and battles in which his regiment was engaged, the principal one being that of Chickamauga. He was discharged August 14, 1864, on ae- count of disability, and returned home. He then came to Mecker county to look over the country, and went back to Illinois, where he remained two years longer, and then came here and settled.
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