USA > Minnesota > Meeker County > Album of history and biography of Meeker County, Minnesota > Part 44
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elected president of the board of education of the village, in September. 1880, and still fills that office. On the organization of Company II, First Regiment, Minnesota National Guards. in February, 1883, he was elected cap- tain, and has served his full term of five years, but at the solicitation of the company still remains in command. At the elose of his time he tendered his resignation, but the company unanimously rejected it, and as a testimony of their appreciation of his services they presented him with a very handsome gold watch and chain. On the formation of the creamery association, Mr. Leavitt was elected secretary and general manager of that institution, and has charge of that business at the present.
Our subject was married in August, 1866, to Miss Mary D. Chapman, a native of Woreester, Mass., and by this union there has been born two children-Grace W., and Marian H.
A LBERT HUTCHINS, a young and enterprising farmer, of Collinwood township, was born in Yaney county, N. C., the 27th of May, 1849, and is the son of Jaeob and Nancy (Buchanan) Hutchins. Ilis father was born in Berks county, N. C., June 19, 1814, and is the son of Wright and Margaret Hutchins. The mother was born in the same county April 19, 1814. Jacob Hutchins remained in the county of his birth until he was about thirty years old, engaged in farm- ing, but, in the spring of 1844, moved to West Virginia. and there made his home until 1864, at which date he came to Collin- wood and settled on a homestead on section 8. In 1879 he gave the place to his son. with whom he lives. He was married in 1835 to Miss Nancy Buchanan, by whom he had fourteen children, namely-Anna, Louisa, Sarah. Mary. Thomas, Margaret, Elizabeth,
William, Albert, John. George, Oliver, Jennie, and Cynthia.
Albert was married September 12, 1880, to Miss Theresa Erfurth, who was born in Ohio, May 9, 1859, and is the daughter of Edward and Johanna Erfurth. They are the parents of three children, all of whom are dead. They were Arthur, born August 5, 1881, died May 18, 1887; Michael, born September 15, 1883, and died May 12, 1887; and Milton, born May 8, 1885, and died May 18, 1887. Albert has made his home with his parents all his life, and for fifteen years has been the main support of his family. Ilis mother died August 19, 1881. Jacob Hutchins built the first house in the township, and was the first school treasurer. The farm contains about 116 acres of fine land, of which eighty are under cultivation. The improvements are of a very fair character, and the whole place evinees that the young farmer understands his business and is in a prosperous condition.
A MBROSE WALL, the present audi- tor of Meeker county, is a native of Cayuga county, N. Y., born December 7, 1852, and is the son of Michael and Alice (Dee) Wall. Ile was reared in the county of his birth, and received his primary education in the common schools of that district, which was supplemented by two terms passed at Port Byron Academy. His occupation during all this time was farming, he assisting his father, for a time, and afterward working for other parties as opportunity served.
In the fall of 1879. Mr. Wall came to Min- nesota and located in Stearns county, where he taught school that winter, but the follow- ing spring came to Mecker county and pur- chased a farm on section 26, Manannah township. Ilere he commenced the avoca- tion of western farmer, for which his train-
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ing in the Empire State had so well fitted him. He made that place his home, carry- on the tillage of the soil in the summer, and "teaching the young idea how to shoot " in the various district schools of the county during the winter months. On the initiation of the Farmers' Alliance movement in 1885, he adopted their views and principles, believ- ing them to be for the best interests of the working classes, and a step in the direction of personal liberty and enfranchisement.
In the fall of 1886, Mr. Wall was nomi- nated for the office of auditor on the alliance and democratic tickets, and carried off the honors of the campaign with a handsome majority. He is the present secretary of the Meeker County Farmers' Alliance, is inde- pendent of party lines, in political faith being of decidedly anti-monopolistic tendency, and is a bright and intelligent leader in the new movement, looking to the elevation of the agriculturists and laboring classes.
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J OHN CHRISTENSEN, one of the promi- nent merchants of Grove City, and a member of the firm of Reitan & Christensen. general merchandise dealers, is a native of Norway, and the son of Halder and Karen Marie (Ileögh) Christensen. The date of his birth was January 31, 1834. He re- mained in the land of his nativity, where he secured his education, until November 2. 1867. when he made his appearance in Meeker eonnty, having emigrated from his boyhood's home in search of fortune and a competence. With him came his brother, Carl, who was born January 26, 1837.
Carl Christensen married September 17, 1870, Miss Ellen Olava Grönseth, who became the mother of five children-Halder, born July 1, 1871 ; Otto G .. born May 15, 1873; Andrew Christian, born June 6, 1875; William Martin, born October 22, 1877; and
Carl John Henry, born March 2, 1880. Carl followed farming after coming to this country, until December 22, 1879, when he died, since which time John Christensen has taken care of his bereaved family.
John Christensen was totally unacquainted with farm work when he came here, but helped his brother for some time on the latter's place, but its monotony tiring him, in 1870 he entered the store of Mr. Brown, in Litchfield, as a clerk, with whom he stayed over a year. Ile then kept a board- ing house for the men who were working on the railroad construction. In about 1872 he purchased a farm, adjoining that of his brother, and from that year, until 1875, he was with his brother, they working the farms together. At the expiration of that time he came to Grove City, and was a clerk in the store of W. W. Ilobbs, until the death of that gentleman in December, 1876, after which he entered the store of H. O. l'eter- son, and stayed with that gentleman until April, 1877, when our subject went to the Black Hills, where he remained until the following fall, returning to Grove City in September. Again entering the employ of II. O. Peterson, as clerk in his store, he there continued, both with him and with the succeeding firm of Peterson, Dudley & Nel- son, until May, 1882, when he became a clerk in the store of C. C. Reitan, and Octo- ber 1, 1883, became a partner with that gentleman, and the present tirm formed.
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AMES LANG, one of the old settlers of Manannah township, and the merchant, postmaster and hotel proprietor of the village of Manannah, is a son of James and Mar- garet (Leech) Lang, natives of Scotland, who were married in that land of heather and emigrated to the United States about 1822, settling in Vermont. About a year later
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MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
they removed to Canada where they both died, the father in 1886, the mother in 1847.
homestead until the Indian outbreak in 1862. On that eventful Sunday, Mr. Lang and sev- eral other parties started for Forest City with the intention of enlisting, but hearing of the murders in Acton, they suspended action, waiting more definite news. Hear- ing that some Indians had been seen going toward Manannah, they returned speedily, he remaining until the following Wed- nesday, when all the settlers left, as it was unsafe to remain. At Kingston he heard of the organization of Captain Whitcomb's com- pany of Home Guards, and with others came and enlisted in that company. With them he participated in all the movements as de- tailed in the chapter devoted to the massa- cre in this volume. Ile it was, who was riding with Mr. Britt, when their horses were stuck in the slough. As he got out of the slough, he was some eighty rods behind the party, and he had to run for his life. When he saw that the teams had gone on and left him, he laid down to pull off his shoes, and the Indians thinking they had killed him, stopped to get the horse. Start- ing to run, three savages pursued him on
their ponies, but the wagon waited for him, and it is said that the Sioux ponies did not gain on him in his race for life.
The subject of our sketch was born in Ea- Prairie county, Canada. December 20. 1838, and remained at home with his parents until 1857, when at the age of eighteen years he came to the " States " with his brother Rob- ert, who had been here the year previous, and settled in this county, where he lived, on section 18, Harvey township, for some years. He went to work putting up a cabin, and breaking up the prairie sod with a yoke of oxen. In the fall of 1857 he built a house upon the site of the village, in company with Robert Lang and S. Dickinson, and for two years lived there during the winter months, and upon his farm in the summer. From that time on he made his home upon the ' Run, and served until the close of the
Mr. Lang remained with this company until it was disbanded and during that win- ter followed trapping and hunting. In March, 1863, he enlisted in Company C, First Minne- sota Mounted Rangers, and served in the West with them until their discharge in the fall of 1863. In August. 1864, Mr. Lang again enlisted, this time in the Second United States Sharpshooters, which were attached to Colonel Berdan's famous regiment. and joined the Army of the Potomac, in front of Petersburg, Va., and were assigned to the Third Division of the noble Second Corps. Hle was under fire for the first time in this company at the second battle of Hatcher's war.
On receiving his discharge and pay about which there was some trouble owing to "red tape." our subject returned to Meeker county, where he has made his home ever since. Ile was married, March 29, 1870. to Miss Juliet Murray, a native of Waukesha county, Wis., and daughter of John Murray, of that place. By this union there have been born a family of four children - Lily M., Mary J. and James A., all living. and Lizzie, deceased.
In the spring of 1875 Mr. Lang, in com- pany with A. P. Grey, bought out the store of Hines & Campbell, and for four years ran it in partnership, but since that time has been carrying it on alone. He was appointed postmaster in 1881. and still holds that office. He has served some six years on the school board, and is regarded as one of the leading citizens and representative men of the county. No man has been more prominently identified with the development of the northern part of the county or figures more conspicuously in its history, and both he and his estimable wife merit and receive the highest esteem of all. Through his many years' residence here
James Lany
Aus James Young
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Mr. Lang has become well-known to nearly all the old settlers of Meeker county. He is a man of the strictest honor and integrity, and his word is recognized as being as good as a bond.
Elsewhere in this volume will be found portraits of both Mr. Lang and his wife.
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ARLOW F. AMES came to Dassel township, with his brother Henry, in January, 1868, and settled on the farm his father had bought, where he remained nntil his parents came, in the following spring. He is a native of Oswego county, N. Y., born June 4, 1850, and is the son of Harlow and Adeline (Mitchell) Ames. In 1872 he com- menced the mason's trade, at which he has worked for a portion of the time ever since. Ile has now a fine farm of 100 acres of land in Dassel township, on section 23, where he carries on agriculture. He was united in marriage, December 31, 1873, with Miss Flor- ence Carr, a native of Washington county, Ind., and daughter of Elisha and Isabel (Denny) Carr. By this union there have been born three children-Leroy, Edith and Josie.
Harlow Ames, who is ranked among the most substantial citizens of Dassel township, is the father of the subject of the above sketelı. He is a native of Delaware county. Conn., born July 8, 1804, and is the son of Leonard and Minerva (Peck) Ames. His parents removed to Oswego county, N. Y., and settled near the town of Mexico, at an early day, among the pioneers of that region, where they made their home until they passed to their "chamber in the silent realms of death." They were consistent members of the Methodist Church, and the first religions services in that district were held in a sheep- pen, a log shanty on the farm of the elder Mr. Ames, which had been fitted up for the purpose.
Harlow remained at home until about fif-
teen years of age, at which time he com- meneed to learn the tanner's and the shoe- maker's trades, which avocations he followed until above thirty years of age. He then purchased a farm in Oswego county, and remained upon it over thirty years, and then sold out and moved into the village of Mex- ico, but after a residence of two years, being tired of an inactive life, came to Minnesota in search of a home. Previous to leaving New York he met Edwin Ayres and C. L. Rich- ardson, who had settled in Meeker county in 1856, and taken up claims on section 14, in Dassel township, from which they had been driven by the Indians. Hle purchased from them their farm, which contained some 509 acres, with the additions which he made to it, and returned to New York, and sent his two sons out to occupy it. The following spring he followed with his family, and put up the first frame dwelling in the town. He has resided here ever since, and now has one of the finest farms in this part of the county.
Mr. Ames was united in marriage, August 10, 1834, with Miss Martha Hubbard, who died in 1844, leaving four children-Horace, now in Washington Territory: Charlotte, Mrs. Isaac Russell, of Dassel; Edward, a resident of Washington Territory ; and Julia, the wife of W. M. Abbott, of Forest Prairie, this county. Mr. Ames, November 21, 1845, again contracted a matrimonial alliance, this time with Miss Adeline Mitchell, who is the mother of two children-Henry and Harlow F. The former is engaged in the manufact- ure of brick near Litchfield, and the latter's sketch is given above.
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HARLES H. BIGELOW, the enterpris- ing dealer in confectionery, books, sta- tionery, and fancy goods in the village of Litchfield, is the son of Harvey and Maria (Van Buskirk) Bigelow, and was born at Rush, Monroe county, N. Y., October 5,
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1853. His parents were both natives of the Empire State, although his paternal grand- father came originally from Connecticut, and was one of a noted and historie family there.
The subject of this sketch was reared amid the familiar scenes of his childhood and received his education in the excellent schools of his native state. At the age of fifteen he commenced to learn the carriage and wagon making trade, and after finishing that took up carpentering which he followed for some two years. In February, 1876. he went to Louisville, Ky., where he entered the employ of B. F. Avery & Sons, one of the large plow manufacturing concerns of this country. He remained with this firm until 1878, when he came to Litchfield, and after looking around a little commenced farming in the town of Greenleaf, on a farm which he rented of his wife's father. In January, 1880, he came back to the village of Litchfield, and initiated his present busi- ness. He has always filled an important place in the community and receives the respect and esteem of all. In November, 1883, he became deputy anditor, and ful- filled the duties of that office until April, 1887. - In 1886 he was village recorder, in 1887 chief of the fire department, and is the present first lieutenant of the local militia company. In his political views he coincides with the republican party, and, religiously. is a member of the Presbyterian Church, of which he is one of the trustees. Ile is a member of Golden Fleece Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Rabboni Chapter, R. A. M., of Melita Commandery, K. T., and of Fidelity Chapter, Eastern Star.
Mr. Bigelow was united in marriage, Sep- tember 28, 1876, with Miss Frances K. Wiard, a native of Livingston county, N. Y., and daughter of Edward and Charlotte Wiard. By this union there are three children- Harvey Edward, Frederick, and Lydia Alice.
PHRAIM A. BRIGGS. Prominent among the successful business men of Mecker county, men who have by their own ability and tact, acquired an ample fortune, stands the subject of this memoir. His life has been a busy one, and he has not lost his opportunities. He is a native of New York, having first seen the light of day at Cocy- mans, Albany county, February 14, 1837, and is the son of A. N. and Maria (Andrews) Briggs. He was reared amid the familiar scenes of his childhood, and received the rudiments of his education in the common schools of Charlotteville, Schoharie county. Approaching the years of manhood. our subject commeneed the study of law with Ira Harris, of Albany, with whom he ro- mained some two years, and with S. T. Iliggins one year. Hle then attended at course of lectures at the Law School at Albany, N. Y., under the tuition of such men as Ira Harris, Amasa J. Parker and Amos Dean. He was admitted to the bar in 1859, and commeneed the practice of his profession at Albany, N. Y.
While peacefully pursuing the quiet rounds of his profession and duties, traitors in arms inaugurated civil war by threatening the life of our Nation, and on the call of the presi- dent for 75,000 three-months' soldiers, Mr. Briggs with a noble patriotism, leaving everything, enlisted in the Tenth New York Infantry, and proceeded to the front. The three-months' term of his service having expired, he re-enlisted in the Forty- third New York Infantry, of which he was commissioned second lieutenant. He was soon detailed for service in the Signal Corps, and, after instruction at Georgetown, was ordered to report to General N. B. Banks, then commanding in the Shenandoah Valley. and served there through the year 1862. Re- ceiving his commission in the United States Signal Corps, he was then attached to the headquarters of the Twenty-third Army
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Corps, with whom he remained until the close of the war, although later he was under the immediate command of General J. M. Schofield. Our subject participated in the Atlanta campaign, and in the sanguinary contests at. Franklin and Nashville, Tenn., and was present at the junction of the forces of Sherman and Schofield, at Goklsboro. Ile was mustered out at the close of hostili- ties, and returned to his home.
Mr. Briggs was married. November 16, 1866, to Miss Helen F. Ilale, a native of Aroostook county, Me., and has resided, ever since, in Meeker county, at the village of Kingston. Ile engaged in the mercantile business, but after eight months sold out and returned to New York. Three months later he came back and took up a homestead on section 34, Kingston township. He then purchased the store of F. V. DeCoster, and continued the mercantile business until 1875, since which time he has been chiefly em- ployed dealing in real estate.
Mr. and Mrs. Briggs have a family of four children, three of whom are living. Their names are Albert N., Maria T., and Connie. The one deceased bore the name of Thomas A. The subject of whom this is written. was postmaster of Kingston from 1874 until 1886; has filled the offices of justice of the peace and town treasurer, and is a strong adherent to the principles formulated by the republican party. He is a member of Frank Daggett Post, G. A. R.
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OREN NELSON. The subject of this personal history is one of the most prominent and wealthy farmers and stock- raisers in Danielson township, his residence being located on section 4 in that civil sub- division of Meeker county. Mr. Nelson is a son of Nels and Mary Peterson, and was born in Denmark, on the 16th of April, 1834.
His early life was spent in his native land, where he received the same lessons of indus- try and economy which are characteristic of the people of his nationality. From neces- sity, in early youth, he imbibed these princi- ples, and they have benefited him all through life. In telling of the way his folks lived in the old country, he says that there were seven children in the family, besides the parents, and that his father worked for twelve cents per day, and supported the family. For some time the father was out of work, and the mother supported the entire family by spinning, earning only three cents per day. Bread, and, in the summer, onions and occa- sionally potatoes, were their only food. It was through such hardships as these that Soren spent his early days. In 1863 he came to America, and upon landing in New York, he had just $1.50, and $1 of this he paid for his first day's board. The next day he bor- rowed $20 of a friend and went to Chicago, where he worked at butchering and in a lum- ber-yard. In the fall he went to Lookout Mountain, in the employ of the government. On the 28th of March, 1865, he was dis- charged, and returned to Chicago, where he remained until in the following December, when he went to Texas, and was there em- ployed by the government, at Galveston. From there he went to Peoria, IH., and spent some time in looking for land, and then re- turned to Chicago. On the 1st of April, 1866, he came to Minnesota, and bought a quarter section of land in Dodge county, which he sold three months later, and again started west, and spent some time in looking for a location. In 1866 he purchased a farm near Grove City, in Swede Grove township, this county, and made that his home for ten years. In 1876 he removed to where he now lives, on section 4, Danielson township. He now owns a farm of 200 acres on section 4, besides still owning his farm of eighty acres in Swede Grove. He has good buildings,
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and his farm is one of the most valuable in the township. He has met with a number of serious reverses, but by his perseverance, en- terprise and industry, he has overcome them all, and is now rated as one of the solid and substantial citizens of the county. In 1877 he lost his crop by the grasshopper depreda- tions. In 1872 his buildings were destroyed by a tornado, he and his wife being seriously injured and rendered insensible when the house was blown over. They both recovered, however.
In political matters Mr. Nelson is a den- oerat.
On the 13th of May, 1867, Soren Nelson was married to Miss Mary Johnson, a daugh- ter of Peter and Anna Johnson. Their mar- riage has been blessed with three children, as follows- Nels P., born August 12. 1870; William, born September 22, 1872; and Charles, born February 21, 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson are members of the Danish Lutheran Church. Both of them hold the utmost respect and confidence of all their neighbors and acquaintances.
EREMIAH LEAMING, one of the most prominent and successful farmers in Union Grove township, is a resident of sec- tion 34. He is a son of George and Juliette Leaming, and is a native of Laramie town- ship, Tippecanoe county, Ind. He left the parental roof when seventeen years old and apprenticed himself to learn the cabinet- maker's trade, remaining as an apprentice for three years, after which he worked as a journeyman for a year. Hle then came to St. Anthony, and for two years worked at his trade, after which, for a year, he was employed in a sash and door factory. At the expiration of that time, in company with J. W. Bassett, he opened a wagon, carriage and plow fac-
tory, and also ran a blacksmith shop in con- nection. He continued this business until 1857, when he sold out to his partner, and went to Monticello, in Wright county, where he had charge of a lumber yard for Charles King for nearly two years. In the spring of 1859 he came to Meeker county and bought a claim on section 34. in what is now Union Grove township, of a man named Judson Pearson. This is the farm where he still lives, and it has been his home ever since with the exception of four years during the Indian troubles, a history of which is given elsewhere. When they first heard the news of the massacre at Acton the family went to Forest City, and two days later to Monti- cello, in Wright county. The family re- mained there while Mr. Leaming worked at different places as millwright, farm hand, and whatever else turned up. . Upon the close of hostilities the family returned to the farm, where they have since lived. Mr. Leaming has a splendid farm of 200 acres, a good share of which is under cultivation, and he devotes his attention to farming and stoek-raising.
Mr. Leaming, in some respects has been very unfortunate, and has had to surmount difficulties and misfortunes which would dis- courage most mankind. Hle was a heavy loser on account of the redskins, and also by the white men after the trouble was over. The Indians destroyed his grain and his resi- denec was burned during his absence. It was hard to accumulate anything. Wheat was only thirty-five cents a bushel, eggs five cents a dozen, and butter five cents a pound. When the Indians drove him away he was almost penniless, and he was not much better off when he returned. In 1877 the grass- hoppers took about all of his erops, and another year he lost nearly all his grain by hail. Notwithstanding the disadvantages with which he had to contend, his energy and enterprise have never flagged, and his
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