USA > Minnesota > Meeker County > Album of history and biography of Meeker County, Minnesota > Part 42
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machines, such was the fine quality of his material. He accordingly purchased the Kell & Son brick and tile machine, with a capacity of making 40,000 per day, and will start making briek and tile in the spring of 1888. Ile gives employment to twenty-four men and from six to eight teams for nearly the whole year. Ilaving some 420 acres of land, Mr. Ames devotes a share of his atten- tion to stoek interests, principally in the way of Norman-Percheron horses and short-horn Durham cattle.
Henry Ames was born in Oswego, N. Y., May 4, 1846, and is the son of Harlow and Adeline Ames. He was reared in that part of the Empire State, and received his ednea- tion in the excellent schools of that common- wealth. In 1863, when but seventeen years of age, he enlisted in the United States navy. at the Brooklyn navy-yard, and served throughout the war, on the flag-ship " Lan- caster," and spent much of the time in the Pacific Ocean, the China Sea, and the Sea of Okhotsk, that vessel cruising there to pro- teet American commerce from the depreda- tions of rebel privateers.
In 1867, after spending some time at his boyhood's home, our subject came West, and Joeated at Fort Dodge, Webster county, lowa, where he took up the mason's trade, and re- mained about ten months, and then came to this county and settled in what is now Dassel township, then Swan Lake, and there made a stay of two years. While there he erected the first frame house in the township of Das- sel. In the spring of 1870 Mr. Ames re- moved to the young village of Litchfield, and for about two years was engaged at his trade, and then moved to Minneapolis, where he followed the same line of work till fall. Ile went into the pineries then, and engaged in lumbering that season, returning at its close to the "Twin Cities."
Returning to Oswego, N. Y., in October, 1872, he was there united in marriage, Oeto-
ber 10, with Miss Lottie Killan, and the same day started for his home in Dassel. Spend- ing the next winter in the saw-mill, in the spring he resumed the mason's trade, in part- nership with C. L. Todd, but in the fall com- meneed to carry on business by himself, and continued in that line until the fall of 1882, when he purchased his present place and em- barked in the briek-making business.
Mr. and Mrs. Ames are the parents of three children - Gordon, born Angust 10, 1874; Allan, born May 13, 1878, died January 25, 1879; and Bessie, born December 3, 1881. In his political views Mr. Ames coincides with the democratic party. and supports the candidates of that organization.
AMUEL C. VINCENT, of Kingston township, eame to Meeker county in 1869, and settled where he now lives, on see- tion 4, where he is engaged in general farm- ing. Ile was born in Cortland county, N. Y., May 12, 1816, and is the son of Isaac and Mary (MeMullen) Vincent, native. also, of the Empire State, both of whom died there.
The subject of our sketch was one of a family of thirteen children, born to his par- ents. His brothers and sisters were-Abram, John, Sherwood, Charles, Cornelius, Char- lotte, Mercy, Hannah, Sallie. Pollie. Betsey, and Mary. Our subject was reared in the Empire State and there received his school- ing. and made it his home until 1869, when he came here, and has since that time been identified with the growth and progress of this county. His early days were spent in the school room and in assisting his father in the labors upon their farm in the town of Truxton, but upon attaining his majority he commenced lumbering and farming, which he followed for some seven years. Ile was united in marriage, June 22, 1845, with Miss Emily Stewart, a native of Connecticut, born
Der Learning
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November 29, 1820, and daughter of John and Susannah (Stone) Stewart, both of whom emigrated from " the land of steady habits" to New York, in an early day, when Mrs. Vincent was but four years of age. She was one of a family of eleven children, the others being-Curtis P., Frederick A., Charles G., John W., Noble J., David P., Mathew J., Fannie, Cornelia and Mary A. This marriage took place in the county of Chemung, where he occupied official position at the time. By this union there were born to them four chil- dren-Sarah Jane, wife of Tobias Patton, of Kingston ; Orlo J., who married Miss Matilda Martin ; Charles S., whose wife was Miss Flora Tolls, both of whom live in the same town ; and Jennie, who is the wife of Charles Murch, living in Todd county. Mr. Vincent is a zealous member of the Methodist Church, a class leader, and quite prominent in Sun- day-school work, and an excellent, exem- plary Christian gentleman.
AMES PATTERSON, one of the influen- tial farmers of Collinwood township, having his home on section 10, was born in Augusta county, Va., August 13, 1838, and is the son of John and Susan (Cameron) Pat- terson, both of whom are natives of the same locality. His parents were farmers, and he resided with them, assisting in the labors attendant upon that avocation, until he was about nineteen years of age, at which time he moved into Lawrence county, Ohio, where he was employed for about eleven years in the Ironton iron furnaces. From there he emigrated to Tennessee, but, after two years spent in the smelting-works of that region, he came to Minnesota and settled in Dassel township, this county, from which locality he removed to his present farm.
While a resident of Ironton, Ohio, in April, 1861, Mr. Patterson enlisted in Company G,
Second Loyal Virginia Cavalry, and pro- ceeded to Parkersburg, W. Va., the rendez- vous for organization. He served with his gal- lant regiment for three years,and participated in many skirmishes and on many a hotly con- tested field, both in the Shenandoah Valley and around Richmond and Petersburg. He was wounded in the battle of Mill Spring, N. C., and was discharged from the United States service June 30, 1865.
Mr. Patterson was united in marriage, in January, 1868, with Miss Lney Lunsford, a native of West Virginia, and daughter of Reuben and Nancy Lunsford. By this union there have been born a family of eleven chil- dien, as follows-Alice, born February 14, 1869; Samuel, born October 13, 1870; Chris- tiana, born April 13, 1872; Mary Jane, born September 12, 1873; William, born, March 16. 1875; Rachel, born January 29, 1876; Lucinda Catherine, born November 20, 1879; Elizabeth, born February 17, 1882; Napo- leon, born January 8, 1885; and James, born December 19, 1887.
ENRY R. WILLIAMS, a prominent and intelligent farmer residing on section 26, Forest Prairie township, was the third settler to locate east of Clearwater Lake, within the limits of Forest Prairie township, having settled there in the fall of 1867. Mr. Williams was born in Saratoga county, N. Y., on the 24th of July, 1826, and is a son of Lewis and Martha Williams. Their parents were among the carliest settlers at what is now Albany, N. Y. Lewis Williams, the father, followed lumbering in his early days, but the most of his life was devoted to farming. He and his wife were exemplary citizens and were members of the Methodist Church. They had a family of six children, three boys and three girls, all of whom re- mained in New York State except Henry R.
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The names of the children were Thomas, Henry R., Morgan, Betsie. Rebecca. and Catherine.
Our subject. Henry R. Williams, grew to manhood in his native county, receiving a common school education and aiding his father on the farm, and remained in his na- tive State until 1867, when he came to Meeker county, and settled in Forest Prairie town- ship, where he has since lived, as above stated. He owns a farm of eighty acres and in con- nection with general farming he carries on a limited stock raising business. Since his res- idence here he has taken an active interest in public matters, and has been prominently identified with the official history of his township, having held various local offices. In political matters he affiliates with the republican party.
Mr. Williams was married on the 27th of September, 1847, to Miss Rachel Caroline Rouse, a daughter of Grattan and Caroline Rouse, and a native of New York State. Her parents were natives of the Empire State. and were the parents of five children. one boy and four girls, as follows - Lida, Elizabeth, Sarah, Richard and Rachel. Mr. and Mrs Williams have been the par- ents of nine eluldren. one of whom, Sarah Jane, is dead. Those living are Henry C., Richard R., Solomon, Franklin, Eliz- abeth, Josephine, Martha, and Anna E. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are zealous members and active supporters of the Methodist Church.
AVID MITCHELL. One of the oldest of the pioneers of Meeker county. and one of its leading farmers, is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He came here about Inly 1, 1856, and took a claim on the land where he now lives, on section 15, Forest City township. On the 160 acres upon which he originally settled he has made
all of the improvements, which are of a su- perior class.
David Mitchell first saw the light in Troy, Waldo county, Me., October 25, 1832, and is the son of David and Sarah (Thompson) Mitchell. He was reared in the " Pine Tree State," receiving his education at Bradley. Penobscot county, in the district schools of that village. At the age of sixteen years he adopted a sealaring life, and spent four years in the coasting trade and the West India trallie. Abandoning the vicissitudes of the sea. he engaged in milling on the noble Pe- nobscot river, which he followed for about two years, after which he removed to Min- nesota, and settled in Meeker county, as above mentioned.
Mr. Mitchell was here during the tragic scenes of the Indian outbreak and massacre, and was at work on the stockade on the day the Indians made the attack on Forest City. After remaining until after the attack upon the stoekade, he removed to Clearwater, where he remained some eighteen months. This and some few months' absence in Col- orado, constitute all the time spent by him out of this county since first settling here. He is one of few of the pioneers of Meeker county that have not been swept off by the seythe of Time, and has always occupied a prominent place in the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens. Although a republican in principles, and constant in the discharge of his duties as a citizen, he has had no political aspirations, and has never filled any other office than that of school director, which he held for seven or eight years.
Mr. Mitchell was united in marriage, March 16. 1851, with Miss Belinda Ander- son, a native of Montville, Waklo county, Me., who died May 3, 1884. after a brief ill- ness. She was the mother of seven ehil- dren-Viola M., Mrs. Charles Boone. of Brown county, Dak. ; George II., who married Miss Emma Spaulding, and is living at Forest
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City ; Ida, Mrs. Charles H. Atkinson, of For- est City ; Edith, Mrs. Rice Gordon, living at the same place ; Oscar T. and Oro T., twins, now in Dakota ; and Grace, living at home. All the children were born in this county, with the exception of the two eldest.
- TTO DERSCH, one of Grove City's live business men, is engaged in the sale of farm machinery, and in running the meat market and feed store. He is the son of Otto and Elizabeth Dersch, natives of Ger- many, and was born in Germany while his parents were coming in search of fortune to America. The date of his advent was Feb- ruary 19, 1850.
The parents settled in Washington county, Minnesota, on reaching the United States, where the young Otto received his education in the district schools, until old enough to learn a trade, and there his parents died. He commenced life by learning the black- smith trade with William Post, with whom he remained two years and nine months, after which he worked nine months in the Monitor Plow Works at Minneapolis. En- tering the machine shops of the St. Paul & Duluth Railroad, Mr. Dersch followed his trade for two years more, after which he ran a locomotive engine for nearly a year. At the expiration of that engagement lie came to Afton township, Washington county, and for eighteen months worked at the smith's trade for Getchell & Co., in their saw- mill. After that he followed his business on his own account in various places, doing a little farming at times in connection with his craft. Coming then to this county, after farming for a while he removed to Grove City, and, putting up a dwelling and a smithy, followed the trade for three years, during which time he was the partner of Hover Mickelson in the saw-mill. At the
close of the third year he sold his interest in the mill, rented his shop, and established his present business, he having for some time back handled agricultural implements. Since then he has added the other branches of the business and is one of the leading business men of the village. IIc has held the ollice of city marshal and been a member of the vil- lage council, and is in his politics a stanch republican.
Mr. Dersch has been twice married, the first time to Miss Louisa Brauer, November 18, 1873. She was the daughter of John and Louisa Brauer, and a resident of Washington county. She died July 2, 1880, leaving three children - Josephine, born June 24, 1874; William, born May 6, 1876, and IIubert, born January 29, 1879. His second marriage occurred January 16, 1881, at which time he wedded Miss Maria Muhly, daughter of Henry and Maria Muhly, who has borne him three children - Arthur, whose birth took płace April 23, 1883; Lydia, born January 4, 1886, and Adeline, born February 17. 1888.
HRISTIAN L. HANSON, a snecessful and enterprising farmer and stock- raiser, residing on section 4, Danielson, is one of the pioneers of the township in which he lives. IIe is a son of Hans and Anna (Arnson) Christianson, and was born on the 7th of November, 1833. His mother died in 1838, and his father, who was born in 1802, married Hannah Nelson in 1839; the father died January 28, 1878. Christian remained on the farm with his father in Denmark until he was twenty-four years of age, when he went to Nakskon, Denmark, a city of about 5,000 population, where he rented property and engaged in the business of brewing malt-beer, and also keeping a restaurant. In addition to this he rented a small farm adjoining the city, and followed
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these combined lines of business for eight years, when he sold ont. On the 7th of November, 1860, he was married to Miss Gena Hanson, a daughter of Hans C. and Christianna Hanson, who was born December 15. 1833.
On March 28, 1866, Mr. Hanson, with his family, started for the United States, and. when they were about half way across the ocean, cholera broke out on board the ship, and about 300 persons died, Mr. Hanson losing two of his children and a hired man, from the dread disease. When the vessel got near New York they were quarantined, and were not allowed to land, until the 28th of May. Upon landing, a man who could talk the Dane language, approached Mr. Hanson, and stated, that he would attend to shipping their goods to Minnesota. The goods were never heard of afterward, and it was a very severe loss to Mr. Ilanson, as he had an abundance of household goods. He afterward corresponded with the consuls from Norway and Demmark, but to no avail. From New York the family proceeded to Faribault, Minn .. where Mr. Hanson left them, while he traveled about in search of a suitable location. Finally, on the 6th of July, he settled upon a homestead on section 4. in Danielson township. Meeker county, Minn., where he has since lived. He erected the second frame house in the townshlp. hanling his shingles and flooring from St. Cloud. Ile now owns one of the finest farms in the township, and has splendid building improvements, besides a beautiful grove of four acres of his own planting. Mr. Ilanson has taken an active interest in all matters affecting the welfare of the township, and has held a great many local offices of impor- tance, including those of school director, township supervisor, treasurer, road overseer, etc. He has always tilled every position, to which his fellow-citizens have called him, with credit to himself and satisfaction to all
concerned. In political matters, he does not follow the dictates of any party. but acts in an independent manner.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hanson has been blessed with the following named chil- dren-Matilda S. (who died April 21, 1866, on board ship) was born May 5, 1862: Francena D., born August 1, 1863; Arnt Peter (who also died on board ship, April 19, 1866), born February 5, 1865: Arnt P. Il .. born November 13, 1866, died June 16, 1868 (the first death in the township) ; Arnold P. E., born December 1. 1868; Tikla Celia, born July 31, 1871 ; William M., born May 24, 1873; and Levi Benjamin, born April 27, 1875.
UGUST SALLBERG, one of the most enterprising and energetic merchants. and business men of Dassel, is a native of Sweden, born in the parish of Norungo, Vestagothlund. January 13, 1845. Ile was reared upon a farm in his native land until he was some eighteen years of age, and after- that followed railroading in the old country, but emigrated to America in 1869, and came directly to Minnesota and for a time worked on the railroad. Later on, he commenced doing contract work which he followed until 1871, at which time he entered a clothing store in St. Cloud, as salesman. He followed the profession of clerk there for over a year, and then went to St. Paul and traveled for a wholesale clothing house of that city, through northern Jowa and Minnesota. With them he remained five years, and then for three years represented a Chicago clothing firm upon the road. In October, 1880, he purchased the general stock of mer- chandise of Rudberg Bros., and soon after moved to Dassel and took charge of the business. In February, 1883, the building in which he was, was destroyed by fire, and
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he immediately put up the handsome brick building where he is now located, which is 26x120 feet in size, two stories high, and erected at a cost of $10,000. Ile moved into this fine edifice September 5, following the fire. For a number of years he was largely interested in the Dassel elevator, and at another time owned and carried on a large farm in the neighborhood, but has abandoned all outside speculations, confining himself wholly to his mercantile business.
Mr. Sallberg has been twice married. The first time, December 15, 1875, he was united with Miss Jennie Kline, of St. Paul, who died Jannary 22, 1885, leaving two chil- dren - Arthur Julian and Emil Robert. May 3, 1886, Mr. Sallberg wedded Mrs. Jo- anna Rudberg, the widow of Jonas Rudberg, a history of whom appears elsewhere. By this marriage they have one child-Jen- nie I.
Mr. Sallberg is a Christian gentleman, an active member of the Lutheran Church, and an admirable citizen and receives the highest meed of respect from all.
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ETER E. HANSEN, of Litchfield, a pio- neer of Meeker county, and one of the most prominent citizens in this part of the State, is a native of Sweden, born on the 12th of June, 1845. His parents were Hans and Betsy Peterson, both natives of the same country. They came to America in company with about 130 others of the same national- . ity, and landed in New York on the 4th of July, 1857. From there they pursued their journey westward to Minnesota, coming by way of Dunleith, Ill., then the terminus of the railway lines, and Dubuque. Iowa. They stopped for about one month at Carver. Minn., where a full outfit of oxen, wagons and other supplies was purchased, and came on, stopping briefly at Glencoe, Hutchinson
and Greenleaf, and finally arrived at Lar- son's Grove, in what is now Litchfield town- ship, Meeker county, Minn. There they re- mained about two weeks, and the men made exploring trips in search of land. The bulk of the original party that left the okl country settled in various other counties in the North- west, while about fifty found homes in Meeker county, mostly in Swede Grove township. Among the number who were members of the party who found homes in Meeker county, were the following-Bengt Hansen, J. Larson, Nels Larson, Hogan Pe- terson, Andrew Peterson, Nels Hansen, Ole Nelson, Peter Larson, Andrew Larson, Nils Clemens, Nils Elofson, Andrew Elofson, Peter Elofson, Nils II. Peterson and Peter II. Peterson.
Hans Peterson, the father of Peter E. Ilansen, found land that suited him, and took a preëmption on section 29, in Swede Grove township, where he began improve- ments, and where the family lived in quiet, contentment and prosperity until the terrible massacre of 1862. Something of the disad- vantage under which these Swedish pioneers labored may be understood when it is stated that not a man in the colony conld speak English, and they were totally ignorant of American customs or manners. The Han- sen family, or rather Hans Peterson's family, moved onto their claim on the 3d of August, 1857, and their first move was to put up a shed, which was constructed of poles laid from tree to tree, thereby making a frame- work. Instead of covering this with hay and matting it down, so as to shed water, the father directed that it be covered with brush. Of course, whenever it rained, the family would be drenched and nearly drowned ont. When this occurred the father would direct the boys to put on more brush, and it would accordingly be piled on, but to no avail, how- ever. A little later a stable was built, with the framework arranged like a pyramid, into
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which the family was moved, and which did very well for a time. The most of the trad- ing, both as to lumber and provisions, at that time, was done in St. Paul or Minneapolis, as the trading post at Forest City was then a small affair, as one old settler puts it, "the whole stock of goods could be loaded on a wheelbarrow." An old second-hand stove had been purchased by Mr. Peterson, but he had been unable to secure but one length of pipe, so after a little perplexing study, a hollow log was substituted and thus the pro- per length of pipe was secured. When this got dry and well-seasoned, however, it took fire, thereby creating much excitement and leaving them in the same predicament as be- fore. This was remedied, however, and mat- ters again ran smooth. As cold weather ap- proached, in the fall of 1857, a cellar was dug about forty feet square, but as no frame- work could be secured, planks were laid over the top, and it was covered with gravel and earth. Then the question arose as to how the " dug out " should be lighted, and finally a little framework was constructed overhead in which were set panes of glass. This did very well for a time, but when snow came and covered it up, the dogs, which the family kept, fell through the window. When it rained the water soaked right through, as the roof was fat, and it was necessary to keep all the clothes and perishable goods in barrels to prevent them from being ruined. A short time later, however, they put in plank, and otherwise improved the condition of things, and thus they occupied the " cellar " for about three years, or until in 1860, when they procured lumber from a saw-mill which had been started in what is now Acton town- ship, and with this they completed a house, into which they moved and lived for about two years, in peace and prosperity.
During this time there were but few, if any, new settlers. There were many Indians roving through the country, and in camp
near the cabins of the settlers, and the pio- neers were constantly trading back and forth with them. They were always friendly, but occasionally a little troublesome, on account of their begging, and especially their stealing propensities, vet as a rule, if the right course was followed, stolen goods could generally be recovered. Peter Hansen was associated with the Indians a great deal. He was an inveterate hunter in those days, and became noted as a dead shot, and for that matter he has maintained his reputation and skill in that line to the present day. Ilis relations with the Indians were always pleasant and friendly until the time of the outbreak.
On the morning of the memorable Sunday that inaugurated the carnival of bloodshed- the 17th day of August, 1862-a band of fourteen Indians passed the Peterson clam on their way to the Manannah woods, and it was supposed, from subsequent develop- ments, that they went to murder a man against whom they had a grudge. Failing, however, to find him, they returned, stop- ping at Hogan Peterson's, where they learned of the ,Jones and Baker massacre, and passed near the scene of that slaughter, exchanged a few shots with some settlers who had gath- ered there, and then made their way south- westerly to the Minnesota River.
The news of the Jones and Baker murders spread among the settlers like wildfire. not- withstanding the fact that the country was so sparsely settled. On Monday the word came to get together and prepare for defense or flight, and at Hansen's a few things were piled into the wagon, the oxen hitched up, . and they went to a postoffice on section 33, Swede Grove township, where about one hundred families had gathered ; but the fear had seized all, and they at once proceeded to the shores of Lake Ripley, where they camped on the night of the 18th of Angust. Very few slept that night, as every new arrival reported horrible murders and savage
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