USA > Minnesota > Meeker County > Album of history and biography of Meeker County, Minnesota > Part 37
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HARLES H. DUCKERING, one of the most prosperous farmers and stock raisers of Cosmos township, resides upon sec- tion 30, where he cultivates about 150 acres of his magnificent 400-acre tract. Ile is a native of Beaver Dam, Wis., born on the 25th of September, 1849, and is the son of John and Maria (Bean) Duekering, who were natives of England and New York, respectively. In 1863, when our subject was about sixteen years of age, he came with his parents to Meeker county and settled with them in Ellsworth township. He remained beneath the parental roof until 1871, when he came to Cosmos and took np a homestead on section 30, and breaking some twenty-five aeres and putting up a house, made a perma- nent settlement. In 1877 he leased his farm and made a trip to Washington Territory,
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and prolonged his stay there until the beginning of 1880, at which time he returned to this county and has lived on his farm ever since. He is largely engaged in stock- raising, but still has some 1,500 bushels of grain as the result of his labors each year. In 1876 and 1877, he lost about all his crop through the incursions of the grasshoppers, and the outlook being poor he went to the West, as before mentioned.
Mr. Duekering has been called upon sev- eral times to fill the responsible office of town supervisor, and has been chairman of that board for four consecutive years. He has filled several of the minor offices, as well as been director of district No. 53. He still holds the last-named position.
July 18, 1880, Mr. Duekering was united in marriage with Miss Sarah I. Dean, a native of Bartholomew county, Ind., and daughter of John and Eliza (Roberts) Dean, residents of Hutchinson, MeLeod county. By this union there have been three chil- dren-John S., born May 27, 1881; Daisy, born May 9, 1883; and Edna, born May 15, 1SS5.
ANDREW J. ANDERSON, the senior partner in the firm of Anderson & Hanson, hardware dealers in the village of Litchfield, is a native of Norway, born in 1843. When he was about a year old he was brought by his parents to the United States, they settling in Waukesha county, Wis., where they were among the very ear- liest settlers. They remained in that place until 1850, when they removed to Winnebago county in the same State, and in 1866 to this county.
Andrew remained at home with his parents until 1864, when he enlisted in Company HI, Fifth Wisconsin Infantry, and served in that noble regiment until the close of the war.
He participated in several of the engage- ments of the bloody campaign that closed the war, partienlarly in the immortal charge on the lines at Petersburg, Va., April 1 and 2, 1865. After receiving his discharge Mr. Anderson returned to Wisconsin, but in 1866 came to Meeker county, where he took up a homestead in the town of Harvey. He was engaged in farming until 1876, at which time he removed to Litchfield and entered into the sale of farm machinery and imple- ments. He made quite a success in this busi- ness, and in May, 1886, in eopartnership with Nels C. G. Hanson, he opened the hardware establishment where he now car- ries on business, and in conjunction with which they still make a specialty of the sale of agricultural machinery. Mr. Anderson is a prominent member of Frank Daggett Post, No. 35, G. A. R., of Litchfield, and takes great interest in the order.
RANK J. CHEVRE, the owner and manager of the pioncer elevator at the village of Darwin, is a native of Chau- tauqua county, N. Y., born November 6, 1859, and is the son of Henry J. and Jean- nette (Fievre) Chevre, who are of French an- cestry. His father came to Minnesota in 1867, and died in August, 1874, and his re- mains lie buried in Scott county, this State.
The subject of this sketch left the Empire State with his parents in 1867, and settled with them at Chaska, Carver county, where he received his primary education. At the age of thirteen he removed to Minneapolis to attend school and remained until in his nine- teenth year, in study and the pursuits of knowledge. For a year thereafter he was engaged in keeping books, but at the end of that time he came to Dassel and commenced to learn the miller's trade, and finally took charge of the Washington flour mill of that
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place which he ran successfully until the spring of 1887, at which time he removed to the village of Darwin and erected the eleva- tor where he now carries on business. He is an unmarried man, his mother living with him, and one of the most reliable, trust- worthy citizens of town, and, for so young a man, possesses a large share of the respect and esteem of the whole community. In his political views he is in accord with the prin- ciples formulated by the republican party, and supports, with energy, the candidates and platforms of that organization. As a business man. he is active, enterprising and upright, and socially, genial and companion- able, and bids fair to achieve a high position in life.
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ENRY CLAY, the popular postmaster of the village of Dassel, is the son of Caleb and Zilpah (Akers) Clay, and first saw the light January 4, 1842, in Lawrence county. Ky. His father was a native of Vir- ginia, and his mother of Tennessee, who had married in Pike county, Ky., and later moved northward to Lawrence county. Some time after the birth of our subject they removed to Wayne county, W. Va., where they made their home until the spring of 1866, at which time they came to Minnesota and settled in McLeod county. A year later they made their appearance in Collinwood township, this county, but in the spring of 1868 settled on section 28, in what is now Dassel township, where they resided until called to "cross the dark river, Death," the mother in 1875, the father in 1877.
IIenry remained beneath the paternal roof until September 5, 1861, when he was united in marriage with Miss Martha Bartrum, a native of Boyd county, Ky., after which he with his young wife settled on a farm in Wayne county, W. Va. On the 24th of
June, 1863, Ilenry enlisted in Company B, Forty-fifth Kentucky Mounted Infantry, and served in the Union army. They were em- ployed in the pursuit of Morgan when on his famous raid, and Mr. Clay, with the balance of the command, was in the saddle for twen- ty-six days and nights, only stopping long enough to feed their horses and cook their coffee. The little sleep they got was found in the saddle. They were in two engage- ments, Mt. Sterling and Cynthiana, at the last named totally scattering and demoral- izing the rebels, and the command for sev- eral days were engaged in picking up strag- glers. Among them were a cousin and an old school mate, the former with his arm broken. Out of Mr. Clay's family he was the only loyal one, all his brothers except one being in the Confederate army. He received his discharge December 24, 1864, and the next spring came to Minnesota, and after remaining in Glencoe some eighteen months removed to Meeker county and took up a claim on section 32, in what is now Dassel township. This being all timber his crops for a year or so were quite limited, but as the land was cleared they grew more ex- tensive. He remained upon the farm until 1870 or 1871, and then entered the employ of the St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba Rail- road Company, building snow fences, al- though his family resided on the farm, In December, 1887, he removed his family to the village of Dassel, and on the 1st of May, 1887, took possession of the post- oflice, he having been appointed to that posi- tion.
Mr. Clay is an active and influential mem- ber of Colfax Post, No. 133, G. A. R., and was one of the signers for a charter for that society. Mr. and Mrs. Clay are the parents of seven children, whose names are as fol- lows - Rufus E., Ida M., Jolm F., Emily E., Walter Scott and Walter Mcclellan, twins, and Clifford II.
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AYLOR JOHNSON, a leading Scandi- navian farmer of ColEnwood town- ship, living on section 9, was born in Sweden June 10, 1832, and is the son of John and Christina Johnson. At the age of eleven years he commenced to learn the tailor's trade, and followed that line of business in his native land until 1858, when, with a nat- ural desire to better his condition in life, he crossed the ocean to America. He settled in Carver county, this State, putting in his time on a twenty-acre tract that he purchased there, and in working for his neighbors, until August 20, 1862, when he enlisted in Com- pany HI, Ninth Minnesota Infantry. The next day he heard of the Indian outbreak, and took his family to an island in Clear- water Lake, where many others had fled for safety, where they camped without shelter from the rain. Three days later Mrs. John- son went home to their little cabin in the brush, with her four children, her husband going with his regiment to Glencoe. IIe remained in that locality until spring, and then participated in the Sibley expedition, and was present at the hanging of the thirty- eight Indians at Mankato. In October, 1863, he, with the regiment, was ordered South, and met the enemy at Guntown, Miss. They also were engaged in the siege and capture of Mobile. Our subject was mustered out of service in October, 1865, and returned to his home. While he was absent in the army, his wife was laid up by siekness brought on by exposure, and for the last week of her illness she and her little ones were without food or fire, although it was cold winter weather. An old man hobbled over on crutches, finally, to find what had become of them, and helped them out of their dis- tress by sawing up some wood and sending in some provisions.
In the spring of 1866 Mr. Johnson removed to Minneapolis, where he was employed in lumber yards, etc., until the spring of 1869,
when he came to Collinwood township and settled where he now lives. He was mar- ried November 1, 1855, to Christina Louisa Anderson, a native of Sweden, born June 12, 1835, and daughter of Andrew and Katrina. Anderson. They have had eleven children, namely-Hulda, born December 14, 1856, died January 11, 1873; Frank Vietor, born January 1, 1859; Abbie, born October 9, 1860; Clara, born August 3, 1862; Godfrey, born April 30, 1866, and died September 10, 1866; August, born July 24, 1867; Joseph- ine, born October 22, 1869 ; Ida, born Decem- ber 25, 1871, and died September 16, 1878; Alice, born April 14, 1874; Hulda, born July 9, 1876, and died April 24, 1880; and Nathaniel, born March 26, 1878.
Mr. Johnson is a zealous member of the Lutheran Church. In politics he is a repub- lican of the strict type, and is an influential citizen. Ilis estimable wife is beloved by all with whom she comes in contact, and her home-loving tastes are abundantly testified to by the multitude of choice plants and flowering shrubs that adorn and beautify her home, and make winter lovely with sum- mer's perfumes and verdure.
AVID ANDERSON. The subject of this sketch is one of the leading and well-to-do farmers of Acton township, being a resident of section 7 in that subdivision of Meeker county. He is a native of Sweden, born February 14, 1829, and a son of Andreas and Christina Anderson. In 1861 he came to the United States, and for one summer he worked in Illinois ; then he settled at Clear- water, Wright county, Minn., where he rented a farm and remained for three years. At the expiration of that time he went to Idaho to seek his fortune in the gold fields, and, being very successful there, he remained three years. In 1868 he came to Meeker
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county, Minn., and bought 240 aeres of rail- road land in Aeton township, where he now lives. Three years later he returned to the gold fields of Idaho, and engaged in mining and the hotel business, in company with his brother. Solomon, and, while in the midst of their prosperity, making money very rapidly, their mining camp broke up, many of their boarders being left penniless, and from these and kindred causes they lost about $13,000. David, thereupon, sold his property there, returned to his farm in Acton, and engaged in farming and stock-raising, which business he has sinee continued. He has a valuable farm, good improvements, and a good deal of stock. Ile has met with some slight re- verses, especially during' the grasshopper raids, but, withal, has been very successful, and his enterprise and good management have earned for him a competency. In poli- tieal matters, he is republican, and in religion, he is a member of the Swedish Lutheran Church.
Mr. Anderson was married in Sweden, in 1852, to Miss Petronella Samuelsdatter, a native of the same land. The fruits of their union have been one child, Solomon, who was born on the 24th of December, 1853. Solomon is unmarried and still lives with his parents.
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ELS CHARLES G. HANSON was born May 14, 1857, at Hamburg, Germany while his parents, Bengt and Elna Hanson, were on their way from their native land, Sweden, to America, and is a twin brother of C. J. G. Hanson. His parents settled on a farm in what is now Litchfield township, in 1857, where our subjeet grew to manhood.
Charles remained with his parents until 1579, at which time he entered the employ of the St. Paul & Duluth Railroad Company, with whom he remained but one winter, and
then worked for a time for the St. Paul Har- vester Works, traveling through the country as an expert in their business. One year later he transferred his services to the McCormick Harvester Company, and traveled through the Southern States, and followed the harvest season north again. In 1886 he was engaged in farming on section 27, Litehfield town- ship. In the spring of 1887, in company with A. J. Anderson, he opened their pres- ent hardware and agricultural depot at Litehifield.
Mr. Hanson and Miss Clara L. Ahlstrom were united in marriage June 30, 1887. The lady is the daughter of A. M. and Christine Ahlstrom, who were among the earliest pio- neers that broke the way for civilization into the wilds of Chisago county, Minn.
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ORNELIUS McGRAW, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser residing on section 33, Greenleaf township, is one of the oldest settlers residing in that portion of the county. Ile came to Meeker county in 1860 with his parents, who were Michael and Winnefred McGraw, and the father selected 160 acres of land on seetion 26, in Greenleaf township. At that time the family consisted of the parents, six boys and two girls, and four of the boys are still living liere. Aecom- panving the party were Patrick Manley and family, M. Hanley and family, M. Ryan and family, Lewis Maher and family, and a Mr. Carrigan and family, all of whom settled in Greenleaf. The party arrived in July, and Michael MeGraw at once put up a cabin and began improvements. He remained on the farm, except during the Indian troubles, until the time of his death, which occurred in March, 1878. His widow is still living on the old farm.
Cornelius MeGraw, the subject of this biography, remained with his parents until
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the time of the Indian outbreak. After they heard of the killing of Jones and Baker, he went to G. C. Whitcomb's to learn the par- tienlars, and returned that night. The fol- lowing day the whole settlement gathered at Whitcomb's, and remained there for two days, when all hands started for Forest City, driving their stock with them. The follow- ing day Cornelius returned to his father's house and found that the Indians had been there, but had not burned it. After Whit- comb had returned from St. Paul with guns and ammunition, Cornelius enlisted in the company which was organized, and served in it until it was disbanded. In the spring of 1863 he joined the Independent Battalion Minnesota Volunteer Cavalry, and served on the frontier until the war closed. He then returned to Greenleaf and worked at various things until 1869 when he purchased 160 acres of wild land on seetion 27, and at once began improvements. He lived upon that for about ten years, when he sold it and bought his present place on section 33, where he now has 235 acres, well improved with excellent buildings. He devotes his attention largely to stock-raising, and his able manage- ment has placed him among the most prom- inent stock-raisers and general farmers of the county.
He has taken an active interest in educa- tional matters, and has held various offices in his district. In political matters he does not hołd himself bound to any party, but acts independently.
Mr. MeGraw made a gallant and credit- able record during Indian times. When the Indians made the attack on Forest City, he was asleep, and, not until the bullets were flying thick and Indians yelling all around was he aroused. IIe started up to find that he was left alone with a single companion. They each grasped a box of ammunition and fire arms, a heavy load, and started for the stockade, arriving in safety amidst the yells
and bullets of the foe. For three years and a half he was in service, fighting the redskins whenever an opportunity presented, and never flinched when duty called. Ile began fight- ing Indians when only sixteen, and his brav- ery equaled that of the hardiest of men. He was one of the nine who remained in Forest City in those trying times, when there was scarcely a white man in the county beside themselves.
EORGE MAYNARD. The subject of this sketch is one of the residents of Kingston township at present, although one of the first settlers in the town of Dassel, where he located in May, 1866. He made his home in that part of the county for about twenty years and then removed to his pres- ent place, which is located upon section 32. Ile is one of the " woods " farmers and stock- raisers of the town, and one of its represent- ative citizens.
Mr. Maynard was born in Floyd county, Ky., on the 27th of August, 1852, and is the son of Rev. William and Sarah (Parsons) Maynard. His father was, also, born upon "the dark and bloody ground," and was ordained a minister in 1860, and first preached the gospel in Floyd county, in his native State. He came to Meeker county in 1866, settling in Dassel, where he cast the first vote after its organization, and where he has continued to fulfill his duties as watchman upon the walls of Zion, since coming here. He is still a resident of Dassel.
George Maynard was but thirteen years of age when his parents came here, and was reared the balance of his days in this county, together with his brothers and sisters. These latter were Susan, Nancy, Oma, Charity, Maggie, James N. and Robert G. Finishing the education began in Kentucky, after coming here, Mr. Maynard grew to man- hood upon his father's farm.
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March 5, 1875, George Maynard and Miss Margaret Sanson were nnited in marriage. The lady is a native of West Virginia, born in 1859, and daughter of Riley and Sarah Sanson, who were natives of the same State, but residents of this county now. By this union there have been born a family of five children - Sarah, William R., Minerva J., Margaret A. and James M. Mr. Maynard is a member of the Seventh Day Advent Church. In his politics he affiliates with the republi- can party.
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OHN OGREN, a wealthy, successful and prominent farmer and stock-raiser, re- siding on section 20, Danielson township, comes of the same thrifty and enterprising nationality which forms such a large ele- ment in the best class of citizens in Minne- sota's population. Industrious, economical and enterprising, his characteristics are the natural result of the general training given to the youth of his nationality, Having come here a poor man and accumulated a comfortable property he is a self-made man, and his present casy circumstances is entirely due to his own industry and efforts.
Mr. Ogren is a son of Andrew and Han- nah Anderson, and was born in Sweden on the 17th March, 1838. His early life was spent in his native land, where he remained until 1869, when he came to the United States and proceeded to Stillwater, Minn .. where he remained for four months, being employed for two weeks on the river, and the balance of the tinie working for farmers. At the expiration of that time, October 1. 1869, he came to Meeker county, Minn., and took a homestead on section 20, in Danielson township, where he still lives. He now owns 520 acres of land upon which he has placed excellent building improvements. The farm is among the most valuable in the township,
as a good share of it is under cultivation. Ile has it well stocked. When Mr. Ogren took his homestead he had only $10 left after buying one cow and a yoke of oxen.
Mr. Ogren was married on the 4th of Jan- uary. 1868, to Carrie Larson, a daughter of Lewis and Bertha Larson, who was born February 13, 1837. Their marriage has been blessed with six children, as follows-An- drew, born December 1, 1868. died March 17, 1870; Josephine, born July 19, 1870; Hilda Christine, born November 1, 1872; William, born April 11, 1874; Anna Caro- lina, born March 31, 1876; and Alfred, born July 8, 1879. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
In political matters Mr. Ogren is a repub- lican, and he has taken an active interest in matters affecting the welfare of his town- ship as an organization. He has held vari- ous local offices, including those of school treasurer one year, and road overseer three years.
DOLPH MAASS, an enterprising. intel- ligent and successful farmer residing on section 3, Litchfield township, was born in Brandenburg, Germany, on the 14th of July, 1840, and is a son of John and Maria (Evert) Maas. The parents are both dead, having died in their native land. Adolph grew to manhood in his native land, receiv- ing a connnon-school education, and working most of the time on a farm. He acquired the same habits of frugality and industry that characterizes his race and makes them the most desirable citizens which Minnesota has received from the Old World. In 1869 Adolph came to the United States and set- tled in St. Louis county, Mo., where he re- mained for two years and then went to Ten- nessee. A year later he went back to Mis- souri, and after a year's residence there lie
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came to Minnesota, and after remaining for a few months in Goodhue county, returned to Missouri. The following summer of 1875, he again came to Minnesota, and after re- maining for two winters in Scott county, in 1878 he came to Meeker county, and settled in Litehfield township, where he has since lived. He has a valuable farm within easy reach of the county seat, and there devotes his attention to general farming and stock- raising.
Mr. Maass was married on the 17th of No- vember, 1877, to Miss Augusta Arndt, and their union has been blessed with two chil- dren, Frederick and Adolph, both of whom are still living and at home. Mrs. Maass is also a native of Germany. She.came to the United States in 1868 with her parents and they settled in Scott county, Minn., where the father and mother are still living. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Maass took place in that county.
In political matters Mr. Maass does not follow the dietates of any party, but aets in- dependently and votes for the man rather than creed. Both Mr. and Mrs. Maass are active members of the Lutheran Church, and are exemplary Christian people.
UKE RAILS, one of the industrious, ener- getic and able farmers of Manannah township, came to Meeker county in the fall of 1866, with two other men, Silas and John Cossairt, and took up a homestead claim in the spring of 1867. As an instance of his foresight he said to his companions, although they had no neighbors for miles, nothing between them and Manannah or Forest City. that inside of twenty years there would be a railroad through here, meaning by their farms or near them, and that he would buy a railroad "forty," on section 3, whether he took up a homestead or not, which he accord-
ingly did, and in 1886 the Minneapolis and Pacific Railroad came to the neighborhood. Soon after neighbors became more plentiful and the vicinity settled up.
Mr. Rails is a native of Vermillion county, Ill., born April 27, 1840, and is the son of James and Sarah (Wiles) Rails. Ile was reared in that portion of the great " Prairie State," and early in life was initiated into. the mysteries of agriculture and hard work. Attaining the years of manhood, with a nat- ural desire for a home of his own and the joys of the family hearth. he was united in marriage, March 10, 1864, with Miss Eliza A. Cossairt, a native, also, of Vermillion county, and the danghter of Samuel and Rachel (Venible) Cossairt. Shortly after this happy event he removed to Ford county, Ill., but in September, 1866, started from there with teams, for Stearns county, Minn. In their party were Samuel Cossairt and family, Mr. Rails and wife, and two young men. On their arrival they settled here, as mentioned above. Mr. Rails has now a farm of 200 acres of land, and has made good improvements on the place. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian Church at Eden Valley and zealous workers in the vineyard of our Lord.
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